Currently Listening Pretty Hate Machine By Nine Inch Nails see related

So, I am sittin here at Panera Bread with Jess.  Aaron, Kristine, & Jordan were here earlier.  Jess is studying up on Genesis so that she can drop some knowledge on her small group this Friday.  I guess God will really be dropping the knowledge; Jess is just the tool he uses.

So I have had an interesting week thus far.  I went to NIN on Monday night with my brother and Andy.  I didn't realize the extent of Trent's dislike of religion.  I listened to him throughout high school but I guess I didn't really listen.  Anyways, he of course made several sacreligious comments.  I don't think I have ever seen so many people dressed up as priests.  Several people were dressed as Jesus. 

I looked out as Trent sang words to his song "Hey God" and realized that the fulfillment that he was seeking, the answers that he craved, and the peace that he longed for could only come from the very God that he was screaming at.  Then I looked over the crowd and saw thousands shaking their fists in agreement at a God that they felt had forsaken them, but I believe they feel these things only because they do not know him or understand him.  And they don't know or understand because we haven't taught the right message.  The one that emphasizes grace and love and acceptance! 

I began praying for the people in GEC and even Trent.  I was absolutely broken for the people there.  I didn't feel guilty about being there; however, I did wonder what was my purpose in it all.  I don't think the question is would Jesus have been there as much as it is What would he have done or said there? 

One of the last songs that he sang was pretty rough and I felt like it was time for me to go.  I left early and walked around on Broadway until the show was over.  I didn't leave because I was mad or because I felt like I was too holy or self-righteous to be there.  I left ultimately because I was so burdened with the urgency of the gospel.  I was saturated in the reality that the United States has become a desert and in many ways the church is failing to quench their thirst because we aren't stepping back and watching the holy spirit move.  I wasn't angry at NIN; I felt sorry for Trent and I was angry at the people who hurt him so badly.  I wanted to grab him and apologize for every Christian that condemned him instead of prayed for him.  I wanted to apologize for the self-righteousness that he has seen instead of the unlimited grace.  I wanted to tell him that if he would seek God with the same degree of passion that he has rejected him, God would reveal himself.  I wanted to tell him that God loved him so much.  I wanted to scream out that he was wonderfully made and peace was waiting for him.  I wanted to scream at myself for not doing a better job at sharing God's grace.  I was broken to the point of tears over the state of humanity.  The key point to it is that I saw the wasteland and I was broken, not because I am so good or so holy, but because I am no better.  Without the blood of my savior, I am just as lost, scared, angry, and alone.  And if I forget where they are and where I have been rescued from, how can God use me to reach them?

Currently Listening White Ladder By David Gray see related

I wanted to share part of an email that I received from a lady that I do not even know.  She is a friend of Carlos', one of the translators from my medical mission trip in 04.  I emailed her because Carlos and I were talking about how she wanted to work in Cuiaba with another group of "forgotten people" in the area.  I shared the basic information surrounding my call to Brasil and this is how she responded.  It was incredibly encouraging and powerfully prophetic.  So here it is:

"I believe God is stirring up a revival for Brasil and
He is stirring up His spirit in the hearts of His
people everywhere to come and join him in this work.
It is good to know you are listening to his call. Like
the clouds that Elijah saw in the distance on the
horizon, after he prayed on the mountain for rain to
end the drought,  so we are seeing the beginning of a
drenching rain to end this spiritual drought in
Brasil. ( The IMB only has 14 missionaries left in the
whole country of Brasil)  It will be exciting to be in
Brasil when the rain of His spirit pours down on His
people to accomplish His plans.
I hope that we can work together there."

OH MY GOSH!  I think I have an ulcer, but ROLL TIDE ROLL!  That game was ridiculous and I cannot even believe how not pretty it was, but....all that matters is that final score.  Bama is still undefeated! 

Currently Reading Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible: New American Standard Bible: Unlocking the Riches of God's Word (Bonded Black Leather binding) see related

Just finished taking my Christian Philosophy midterm.  Note to self: Never volunteer to catch up in a class that is already 6 weeks into the semester - Absolute craziness!

Well, after illness, a critical review, and a midterm, I feel like I can breathe again!  I know, I know...I never update this thing, not even before I chose to jump into a class mid semester.  I go through phases with the whole weblog thing. 

I am incredibly excited about the Bama/TN game tomorrow as well as dinner with Jess!  I have to say that as excited as I am about the game & dinner, I am even more excited about the Mission meeting on Sunday!  I have missed my family; can't wait to hang out with them....

There have also been some very cool things happening with the whole Brazil thing!  Since I have been home; all I can think about is how to get back!  Anyways, I called the Portuguese professor at MTSU for lessons and she recommended me to a lady in Murfreesboro whose in-laws are missionaries in Cuiaba, which is the area of Brazil that I would like to work in.  Even more exciting is the fact that the major obstacle I seem to have right now is the mission Visa (or whatever I end up applying for); well my teacher's father-in-law has dialogued with me and has a lot of knowledge in this area as he regularly helps missionaries enter the country.  Also, the missionary that helped us with our dental tools when our instruments were held by Customs, who I have never actually met but have emailed, knows him as well.  Isn't God amazing?  My Christian Philosophy professor mentioned a book "The Tapestry" that relates how God weaves people in and out and back in our lives.  I have witnessed the weaving and stringing together of lives from Murfreesboro to Cuiaba!  I have witnessed unexplainable peace & confirmation in so many amazing ways. 

Though this journey that God has set me on is scary at times, I cannot explain the excitement that overwhelms the fear when I see his hand at work in the situations around me.

Simply Amazing!