Hey,
It's almost 1am and I really need to get in bed. But I just wanted to quickly update what we've been doing and where I stand on things.
There's a blog http://acts18richmondnewyork.blogspot.com/ if you want to follow the official adventures.
But basically we have done a Youth Revival, Backyard Bible Clubs, and the first Sunday here we taught some of the middle and high school Sunday schools. One of our own taught the college class for the past couple of weeks and have both done a superb job.
As for me... again, skimming the surface.
Overall, this trip has been wonderful. There have been a few times that I have been really down, however. I guess that is just part of the normal chiseling process? Who knows. But here's what I do know.
I discovered that I have lived the past few years just wanting to skim the surface of what it truly means to be a Christian. Get in the Word when I wanted, prayed when I wanted. Did just enough to satisfy the needs for the worship cluster or other Christian things I was doing.
(My teammate Jason always calls me out (jokingly) every time I say the word FAIL and if you know me you know I just love that word. But now I seriously use it on myself.)
Fail.
Our call is not one of half-doing things, but of total surrender. And if you aren't totally surrendered then are you really a Christian? Or are you just playing the part sitting in the pew every Sunday and maybe feeling a little generous to help out?
I've been undergoing some serious war. There was one point it got so bad I even was doubting my salvation. (God turned me around quickly on that one). And a couple of people on my team have really, really been challenging me in good ways... in some ways, though, I feel sort of different, as in so bad it sets me apart (in a bad way) from the team. But I can take comfort in that everyone has probably felt that at some point. Also, we are all on a spiritual journey and I just have to remember that.
Finally, God challenged me today to have faith, and naturally led me to Hebrews 11. And, wow, check that out if you are struggling with faith because it's good stuff. And it's cool being a religious studies scholar seeing how Paul transitions that into discipline.
Oh, yeah, on that note. I feel that discipline is just half the battle. I think it's very, very important. But if we have no faith... then why bother? We would just be Pharisees and your typical hypocritical church-goer. That's not being a Christian.
I close with this. I was in a conversation with a girl who has been to Africa, and has an awesome story. I saw her get VERY excited talking about Jesus today, and I'm seriously trying to think last time I saw someone get excited about Jesus rather than being the typical overanalytical low-compassion person I am sometimes used to being around. It's amazing how that can turn your day and maybe even your entire trip around. And I pray that I can become that... let me get excited about Jesus!!! Also, pray for boldness for me.
Psalm 29
Ephesians 6:19-20
All Glory To Jesus,
~Kevin~
p.s. DALE EARNHARDT JR WON SUNDAY! =D
