Remodel: Soul

I had a chance to tag along with my parents to the Bible study they attend on Sundays. There were several things that I found very interesting. First off, we were studying the book of Ruth, and were focusing on the relationship between Ruth and Naomi, and the parallel they share with Israel and the church. I am horrible at taking notes... so I didn't. I will, however, do my best to share with you what I gleaned from the study. Here's the basic idea - Israel is God's pride and joy. Unfortunately, Israel is going through troubles due to not recognizing Christ as the Messiah. Now, the Bible talks about the church being grafted into the family. Picture this - Israel is a tree stump, and the church (vine) is grafted into the trunk. When the trunk is dying, the grafted limbs will die with it. Why do you think that church attendance is down to single-digit percentages? Well, the health of the church is directly related to the spiritual health of Israel, and until Israel realizes that Jesus was the Messiah... things won't change. Ruth then found her "kindred redeemer"- Boaz. [by this point, my mind started to overload] I won't be able to go into much more detail than that.
The Bible study leader, Dave, mentioned that there is going to be a massive revival (or similar event) happening within this next year - based off of prophecies in the Bible, and literary connections with characters and people (such as Ruth and Israel).
The next thing that Dave briefly touched on was the misinterpretation of Romans 13. You're probably familiar with this verse since you have used it against someone or someone has used it against you. If you're not familiar, the verse is sometimes translated as "submit to your government". This is a terrible misinterpretation. Paul, who wrote this book, was found escaping from authorities many times, which you would think wouldn't happen if he was "submitting to authority". In many translations it says "subjection to higher powers", and Dave commented that the original translation for one of the words (I can't remember what word it was, but it is often translated as "government") is "Deacon", not "government". Hitler used this verse to control the Christian population in Germany, and the people, by lack of knowledge, bowed to his will, and marched to their death. (here's a link that explains it in better detail - http://www.remnantradio.org/Archives/articles/Romans13.htm)

So! Other than that...

This is my last week in Colorado! I could hardly sleep in this morning. I was wide awake at 6:30 a.m. (disgusting, I know). We have a new office in Boston! This is very exciting because my home will not be being used as the base office and kitchen - less mess, more space, more fun. I am still wayyyy behind in my monthly support, so that's going to be a challenge. (If you would like to get on my newsletter, or get involved in support, please fill out the form at the bottom of this page!) I'm currently working on making support letters/fliers to mail out and post at my local churches.

I ask that you keep my fellow DTS students in prayer. I have talked to a few of them, and they're being challenged with where to go next in their lives. Pray that God gives them wisdom to chose the path He has for them!

I'd love to hear from you!

Shalom!

The home stretch

August 27th - I've got about a week left of being in Colorado.
Fundraising has been slow, but with some success. I still need more monthly supporters, but it's God whom I'm really banking on. What confuses me the most about financial supporters is that it's usually the families that have no money that make large financial contributions to ministries. I almost feel guilty when someone who is "under-privileged" in the world's eyes, makes a massive contribution. I want to bring that person with me when I do fundraising to tell all the "rich" or "comfortable" people, "This person has nothing, and they gave more than ten people who have at least two cars parked in their garage." This happened in the Bible! (check out Luke 21:1-4) What people don't understand is this - God blesses you for giving and being generous! What will being stingy accomplish? God is the one who determines whether or not you'll keep your riches!

I am thankful for the support that I have already received. There are a few supporters that have pledged monthly support, and without them, I would be in a little bit more distress. I am, however, quite disappointed that I haven't been able to recruit more supporters. This Sunday my church will be giving a quick overview of what I'll be doing and where I'll be going, and then they'll be sending me off. I hope that God impresses on the hearts of people to commit to supporting my ministry. I'm sure that he will, but I like having the support ahead of time!

I ask that you really contend with me for financial support, because without prayer, without God, I'm going nowhere.

Counting down the days...

Yesterday I quickly found out that drinking two cups of coffee on an empty stomach is definitely a BAD idea. First reason: It was my Mom's coffee nonetheless, and is rocket-fuel grade brew. Second reason: Once that coffee hits your stomach, it goes straight to your bloodstream... which flows straight to the head. Well, to make a long story short, I started to flip out about my life. I "flip out" in a different way though. I start talking to myself in a reassuring tone, and I get reclusive. Well, I've kinda been introverted (my definition of introversion might be someone else's extroversion), since I have no where to go and no vehicle to drive here in Pueblo. Anyway, I started asking myself calculated questions like, "What the freak are you doing being a missionary?" and "Maybe I should just freaking go to college". So, realizing that I was obviously going mental, I decided to call K-Fed (check out her blog - http://auntie-kfed.blogspot.com/ ). Thankfully, Auntie K-Fed (her real name is unknown) has awesome wisdom in calming people down and getting them in their right minds, so, needless to say, after talking to her I was "all set".

I realized that I didn't need to be afraid. I realized that God's grace goes beyond our stupidity and ignorance, so if we find ourselves making the wrong choices, yeah, it's going to hurt when you grind your face on the pavement, but God's faithful to clean up the mess and get you going in the right direction. I got reminded that God gave me peace about going back to YWAM Boston about a month before leaving my DTS (Discipleship Training School). It's all in faith, really. Even though I may not have all the monthly support that I need right off the bat, God is faithful, and He provided for me the first time, and there's no reason why he won't do it again. God has a calling on each and every one of our lives, and if we step out in faith, He won't abandon us; no matter how nuts it may seem to us at the time, God's usually got something crazier planned.

This is a short blog.
Fortunately, I'm finding out that I actually like blogging, so I'll probably find myself partaking in this activity on a more regular basis. I like writing; I really do... it's just that "formal writing" crap that I despise. It takes no creative talent to write like that...

two things I'd like to encourage you to do before I start to finish -
Pursue God and Think for yourself.

Shalom!

Fundraising, oh boy!

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone in the Northern Hemisphere is having a great summer! I'm currently enjoying the wonderful weather in Colorado! I've already had a chance to get out and do some camping with some friends, and hope to get a chance to do some more outdoors activities (Frisbee golf, shooting, Jet-skiing, etc.) !

“Why is Joe back in Colorado?”

Until September 5^th, I will be in Colorado doing fundraising for when I return to YWAM to become a full time missionary! When I return to Boston I will be helping the YWAM staff get ready for the next DTS (Discipleship Training School) in 2010! After we get everything set up, I'll be working with graphic design, art, making videos, tech support, networking... you know, the easy stuff. Long story short – I'm gunna be busy. Busy as I may be, YWAM is a non-profit organization in which everyone has to raise support for staff fees, equipment, maintenance fees, plane tickets, shampoo, etc. (We all know that if I was in it for the money, I definitely wouldn't have picked “missionary” as an occupation)

“You're asking for money again?”

Well, yes. Some people are called to be Engineers, Car Dealers, Loss Prevention Officers, Surgeons, or even Janitors, but in these occupations, there is a fixed income. As a Missionary, there is not a fixed income, because our bread and water comes from the temple, or the body of Christ. Missionaries are similar to Pastors. Pastors earn their income from the tithe and offering that they collect on Sunday mornings. The Levite tribe of the Old Testament can be compared to our modern-day Pastors and Missionaries. Now, the Levites were the ones who were designated as the priests that offered sacrifices, and served in the temple of God. These people were special. So special that they could not inherit any part of the promised land! Sounds kinda jacked-up, huh? Let's take a look at this though – Numbers 18:20 says, “And the Lord said to Aaron, 'You priests will receive no inheritance of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your inheritance and your share.” What?! God is our share? Wow! Let's read on... (verse 21) “As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will pay them for their service in the Tabernacle with the tithes from the entire land of Israel.” As payment for serving the Lord, the Levites got payed through the tithes of the entire land of Israel. The Levites were well taken care of. Some people my not see missionary work as “real work”, but it is. Missionaries just receive a different inheritance than everyone else.

“I already tithe to my church!”

That's great! I'm not telling you “stop giving to your local church so that I can live in a hut in Africa”. Instead, I want to challenge you to pray over each and every tithe and offering that you give and ask God where he would have you invest that money. (invest – you're investing in the Kingdom of God) I've had people say, “Joe I wanted to send you money for support, and I've prayed about supporting you, but the Holy Spirit told me not to.” That is perfectly fine! That person was being obedient. At the end of my DTS, I didn't need that support; God had everything payed for – up to the very last penny. Supporters are nice, but God truly provides!

“What does your Budget look like?”

My budget is in process. YWAM staff fees are $400 a month. We had a short fundraising meeting before we left Boston, and we were told that we should budget for $1,500 a month. Now, this is not including the equipment that I'll need to do my graphic design and video editing. I also have to factor in taxes, insurance, savings, medical co-pays, etc. Once I have all the loose ends tied up, I will send out my budget and a wish-list. Now, my budget will be all of my bare-necessities; everything that I will need for surviving. My wish-list will include money for equipment, clothing, spending money, gifts, and toys. This list will be prioritized. This means you won't see me running around naked with a new laptop under arm.

Scripture for thought -

Acts 4:32-35 says:
" All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need."

If you would like to support me, or YWAM Boston as a whole, you can stick us on your prayer list, and if you feel lead to send financial support, make your checks out to -

YWAM Boston

23 Emerson st.

Newton, MA 02458

And if you want to bless me directly, I have a PayPal account which you can send money to by using my email address -

p0p3y3@gmail.com

Shalom,

Joe