Summer Travel Day 67: STINT Briefing Day 1

Ready for the STINTers to arrive!

• At registration today, 392 STINTers walked through the conference doors, ready to be trained! Jesus Film Media had a table, where we gave away about 100 JFM t-shirts, gathered over 100 emails to receive monthly updates over the year and we learned most people have already install the app prior to coming to the conference! This is great because they can follow right along when I give a training to the whole conference later this week! #JesusFilmMediaApp

• Tonight, I met a guy named Ben who came to know the Lord via the film JESUS after it had been delivered in his mailbox from a local church outreach. He is now headed over seas, equipped with the Jesus Film Media app to share the gospel. #Jesuschangelives
  
• There is a STINTer, headed to Greece to do ministry for the year. During her support raising time, she invited referrals (friends of friends) to come with her. They are ALSO here, fully supported, and headed to Greece to do ministry with her! #stepsoffaith #justask

STINTers being led in worship by Page CXVI

Some underlined verses in my Bible... #spiritualfood

Joshua 1:5b-6a "... Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous..."

Psalms 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffer; but his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night."

Psalms 4:3 "... the Lord hears when I call to Him."

Proverbs 23:12 "Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge."

Jeremiah 29:13 "You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart."

Matthew 10: 19-20 "... do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."

Luke 12:25 "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"

2 Corinthians 11: 30 "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness."

Galatians 5: 25 "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." 

The disciples make me laugh

Recently for my quiet times, I've been reading through the gospels, "watching" Jesus. Mainly as I see Him interact with His disciples, I'm learning two things.

1. The disciples were so ignorant, it made me laugh many times! They daily questioned Jesus with what He was doing or saying. He often referred to them as "Oh you of little faith" - and they physically walked with and talked with Jesus. They sort of make me feel better when I think I'm "weak" in my faith.

2. Jesus always answered with kind and gentle words. His responses were always seasoned with grace and love.  He was 100% faithful and never got fed-up with them. 

The word "Christian" refers to 'little-Christ's. As believers, we've been given the gift of Holy Spirit, through salvation, the acceptance of a relationship with God. Therefore, He lives within us and calls us to live like Jesus did. That's one of the reasons Jesus came - to be an example for us in how to live life here on earth. And He is ready and willing to help us in that.

I know there are many times I don't utilize His help, and rely on myself - fail. Depending on myself is a set up for failure! I'm only human. But, when walking in step with the Spirit, I am not living out of my own power or abilities - and as much as I want to think I've "got it together" on my own, I don't. And won't without Him! 

Truly responding to others out of grace, kindness and love, I really need His guidance. And I'm thankful He is actively there to help and shows me how through Scripture.

Psalm 139

• He knows me
• He knows my thoughts
• He knows my schedule
• He knows me better than I know myself
• He is so dynamic my mind cannot comprehend
• He is everywhere
• His hand guides me
• He is THE Light - nothing can dim Him
• He crafted me intricately in my mothers womb
• He deserves praise for His wonderful works
• He can see all things, even a growing baby in his mother's womb
• He has prepared all my days before me, even before I existed
• His thoughts are more valuable than gold - wisdom!
• His name is misused :(
• He knows my heart and thoughts
• He leads me to an everlasting life

Provision

God provided big this week. Not only is financial support still coming in (praise for that), this week about 10% came in AS WELL AS I finally found a car and bought it- cash. Straight up, the car is just what I wanted: sporty, yet practical; cool color (I think the official name is “Indigo Lights”), sun roof, A/C that works (my old car did not, which made Florida even hotter), an iPod jack, low mileage and a key fob. Those were generally my criteria.

This isn’t to say that God isn’t a provider during “dry spells”. He is the faithful One who knows all my needs before they even exist, and in His timing, and through His ways, somehow ends meet. They may not always look as I would have pictured, or planned for, but His plans are better anyways, right?

And during those down times, He might be teaching me patience, to trust Him, to get on my knees and pray more – and maybe that’s because He desires a deep and daily relationship with me. An effort that I sometimes, too many times, I don’t offer or give my 100% to Him in it.  This is something I think every Christian struggles with – yet God still continues to be gracious and faithful on His side of things. He’s a pretty great Guy to be in a relationship with, if I do say so myself!

During my car search, which started in July… well actually when I moved home from France, and ended up with a temporary Buick (hey, I moved to Florida, “Buick- central” with all the old folks. My brothers now drive it to school and football, which left me car-less for a couple months. My family has been very accommodating and helpful in letting me borrow their cars as needed.)

Soooo… since July, I’ve been praying for a car daily. There were even a few I made offers on. I think God had this car picked out even before I moved to France two years ago. Each time I have walk up to it, unlocked it, I praise God and see my car as a daily reminder of His provision. I am very thankful for it!

"God Save the Queen"

"What does it mean?" We were both puzzled, unsure of the origin of this phrase.

Last October, during my internship with Campus Crusade for Christ in Orlando, I met Meena. She had been interning with the Disney program for several months and still wanting to experience some true American culture. As our initial conversation continued to unfold, so our friendship began.

We baked that apple pie right there, oh yes we did.

We ended up spending the classic, American holiday - Thanksgiving - together. I think Meena would agree, that this was a good "taste" of American traditions.

In the next couple of weeks in December and early January, we continued to hang out, going out to eat at classic American restaurants like Cracker Barrel and the Cheesecake Factory. We had many conversations about our internships, living in different countries, culture and religion. Based on the questions she asked, I knew Meena was definitely searching for the satisfaction only a relationship with God could bring.

Dinner at Cracker Barrel - biscuits and gravy! 

As the end of January approached, so did the end of Meena's internship and ultimately, her time in Orlando. As limited as it was, I was excited and thankful for the time we had spent together. We continued to stay in touch through out the spring and summer months. I was trusting God to continue to work in Meena's life as she had moved home.

WHICH HE DID!!! A couple of days ago, I skyped with Meena and she told me she had become a Christian!!! 

She explained to me that our friend Bryn had described the gospel in a creative way. We each have report cards, full of C's and D's, but Jesus has a report card full of A+'s! Because Jesus loves us so much, He is willing to trade His report card with us, so we can succeed and have a relationship with Him.

This August, she was visiting friends in Orlando. During her visit, she faced some challenges and tough choices. Toward the end of her trip, as she was processing life, her future and her journey thus far, she decided she wanted to trade report cards with Jesus. She realized He was pursuing her and wasn't going to stop.

Praise God for technology!

Since then, "I've been focusing on God, learning to really enjoy Him. My job right now is to become more Christian (Christ-like) everyday" Meena said this afternoon. My jaw dropped a little bit at how God has been transforming Meena in her newfound relationship with Him. Truely awesome!

It was so great to hear more of her testimony/story, listen to her questions and experiences as a new Christian. I asked her if I could write about her and share prayer requests.

Please pray:

• First that Meena would continue to trust in the Spirit and His work in her life.
• For a teachable heart to soak up the Word
• For patience and trusting God to heal and lead

And Praise God for a new sister in Christ!!!

It's here! It's here!!

Praise God!!! The Jesus Film App has now been released for download in the Apple Store, with the Android app soon to follow in the Google Play store.

Please download it, play with it and let me know what you think! Tell your friends, post it to Facebook, Twitter or email your friends.

Know of some missionaries overseas? Share this with them! Think of how this will help them communicate the gospel in the native tongue of the country they are serving in.

I would also love to be in contact with any missionaries you may know of - email me their contact info so I can encourage, inform and share ideas with them. As someone who has lived overseas in a country where I did not know the language very well, I can see so much potential for this ministry tool!