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It is a ".gif" file that will be used to promote and help people access the free Jesus Film Media app! Feel free to copy/paste it and share it with your friends.

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#90sChurchKids and "Ugly Flesh"

There are many blessings for those who have grown up in a Christian home. Going to church, the habit of praying before meals, attending Christian camps in the summer with friends, and possibly becoming a Christian at a young age - I know these are all gifts  from God.

Love me some felt-story-board-Jesus.

On January 9th, 1999, I remember my ten year-old self sitting on our kitchen's wood flood with my mom. We were eating caramel popcorn out of a Christmas tin and talking about Jesus. All that I really remember from the conversation that followed was really understanding the power of the gospel. The reason Jesus was born a baby, grew up living a perfect life, teaching, healing and pointing people to God, and then ultimately dying on the cross for sin. And most importantly, raising again on the third day defeating the grave! And through that, I could be forgiven of the wrongs I had done and will ever do. I also would be promised eternal life with God in heaven! (Sound like a great deal, don't you think?) There are many of us with this similar story - becoming a Christian at a young age. #90sChurchKids


 
Though, in my late high school and early college years, thoughts of comparison often came to mind. My story was that of the "90s Church kid" - born and raised.  I had really known no difference, or had a stark change in life when I did become a Christian.  There were moments I was almost jealous of those who had become Christians later in life.

I realize this sounds silly. Why would anyone, who knows what the benefits and joys of a relationship with Christ looks like, want to delay such a beautiful and satisfying relationship?

This past summer, I revisited those thoughts, though also remembering to be thankful for my own story.  There were a couple of times, even recently, I experienced or participated in what I like to call "ugly flesh" moments. It's the moments you know you are living selfishly, being stubborn, impatient, and just plain irritable. It's those moments you wish, looking back, you might change. It's those moments where I've found myself not living by the power of God within me, but living out of the power of myself.

Ugly.

What about this thought: "maybe guilt is God grieving within you?"  Isn't that a interesting idea? Because, as Jesus-believing-followers, it is true: God lives within us. And when we go against the Spirit's wisdom and direction, we are ultimately rebelling against God. And that grieves Him.


"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:30-32

And it is in the reflection of those moments of weakness, while recognizing them as sin, I find myself appreciating the gospel even more. Because of those moments, I remember my need for the gospel. I too am a broken, sinful and an imperfect person in need of the Savior of the world.

So, those of you who also grew up in the church, us #90sChurchKids, I want to encourage you - appreciate your story and the moments you realize your need for the gospel and our Savior. May they help you keep your focus on living for Him!

John 17:18

"As You sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world." - John 17:18

...For the glory of God...

As I read in John 11 the other morning, I was struck by Jesus' attitude and perspective. The story is about Lazarus' illness - his sisters went to Jesus, telling Him their brother was sick, probably with hopes Jesus would heal their brother (if you haven't read the story, I encourage you to!). For me, an eternal perspective and powerful message came across:

"But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it."

 ... For the glory of God...

This phrase resounded in my heart. Sometimes, things happen that we don't understand or like, they may cause pain and heartache - but may it be for the glory of God...

HE has reasons deeper than we can ever see. Mary and Martha experienced the pain of loosing their brother to death. The heartache, the grieving, the sadness - and it was all so that Jesus could display HIS power by and for the glory of God...

It is important to remember, the Lord hears our cries for help.

"In my distress I called upon the Lord;

to my God I cried for help.

From his temple he heard my voice,

and my cry to him reached his ears." - Psalm 18:6

In the Lazarus' story, Jesus heard the requests of the sisters and  responded to the request in HIS time and ultimately for the glory of God...
 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3: 5-6

... because our Savior always has the best plan and greatest desire for us. And it is in that, though hard to do at times, we should find peace and rest.

A friend recently shared this song with me - it is so great, and it has been my prayer in recent days:

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders 
Let me walk upon the waters 
Wherever You would call me 
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander 
And my faith will be made stronger 
In the presence of my Savior"

Steady My Heart

Last days of the STINT Briefing: An iPod Touch give away and Commissioning 390 missionaries

At the end of the conference, we held a iPod Touch give away for those who came to our strategy seminar! The winner was a guy named Greg - he is headed to North Africa and, for security reasons and safety of the national staff, we cannot show his face. So we did this! 

Greg is actually a second year STINTer, returning to North Africa. We met with him at the MidYear conference back in February and told him about the Jesus Film Media app. During the second semester, he used what he learned from our brief training and started a Bible study on the gospel of Luke with the students he was working with. I am glad he was the winner!

The last night of the STINT Briefing, all 392 STINTers heard from Campus Crusade for Christ's president, Steve Douglass. He cast great vision for sharing the gospel with others and entrusting the results to God. Another cool part of the night is when the STINT teams were welcome into the countries "regional area family" and prayed over by a director from a receiving area.

The night ended in worship with the very talented worship team Page CXVI  who blessed all of us in leading worship all week. Check out their music below:



As I've taken time to reflect and debrief with my team about this conference, I am thankful for all the ways God blessed our time. We had so many fruitful conversation with many teams and individuals. We heard powerful words from solid leaders within our organization. We experienced unique worship with missionaries, many of whom are headed to closed countries and won't engage in cooperate worship for many months.

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20