He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. – Psalms 62:6

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. – Proverbs 24:16

The above verses came to me in the middle of last week as I prepared for a sermon I’d be preaching on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. I was seeking the Lord about what to preach when a line from another sermon from Keith Moore popped into my head.

“I remember being a fighter,” Br. Moore said, “I’d be on the ropes, bloody, getting pummeled, and think, ‘Now I’ve got him right where I want him!’ That’s the way we have to be with our faith. We have to be able to take a beating and keep on coming!” – Keith Moore (slightly paraphrased)

The Lord then lead me to put together the biblical proof for such a claim. I was amazed at how that message is so prominent in the Bible. I’d even say it is one of the CORE message of scripture. Moses, Joshua, Joseph, Daniel, Jeremiah, David, Jesus, Peter, Paul, etc, etc, etc. They all went through immense trials and hard times, but all bounced back. Amazing. Maybe we are meant to be the toughest folks on earth.

So I made the outline, learned it, memorized some of the scriptures, and headed to the Gulf Coast. At the church I preached my heart out. “YOU’VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO KEEP ON GOING! KEEP FIGHTING! NEVER, EVER, EVER QUIT!” I preached. At the end of the sermon someone gave the pastor a letter.

“I had decided to give up. But today, God spoke directly to me through the message. Now, I’ll keep going.”

Praise God! We left, had a great dinner, and spent the night with some good friends.

The next day my truck, which has run perfectly since I bought it, broke down on the side of the road. It acted like water was in the gas. We bought a gas additive to evaporate water. Nothing changed. We changed the fuel filter. Still broke. A bit later God sent a man to help, and I got to share a little about God’s love with him, as we laid underneath my truck across from Subway.

“I think God has brought you here for a reason man. Than you so much for helping me, but I think the Lord is drawing–”

My phone rang. “Hello?”

“Hey, it’s Darlene. How’s it going?”

“We’re working on it. May be the distributor. Cost around 200 bucks.”

“Oh. That’s sucks.”

“Yeah, but we’re gonna keep working on it. I gotta go.”

“Hey, one more thing. Mom just called. They had to take Reep to the vet. He’s got parvo.”

“What?”

“Yeah. They said it’s about a 70% chance he’ll be okay, but it’s gonna cost $300.”

“Great. We don’t have it right now. Just tell her to do it, and I’ll figure something out.”

“Okay, I’ll tell her.”

So we hung up, and we worked on the car for a few hours more. No luck. I mean we had JUST put it up for sale to raise money for our missions Journey for goodness sake. That was a MONTH AWAY. It had never given me problems before. Finally, I parked it in a parking lot and rode with my friends back to their house. Dad would come help me tomorrow. We spent half the night talking and playing Band Hero.

The next morning my phone rang. It was a good friend who had set up our last speaking engagement before we were to leave. It was very important, as it was the only one left. Our last one had been cancelled.
“Hey Man, what’s up?” I asked.
“Hey Dustan, I’ve got bad news. The engagement got cancelled. Nothing about you guys, just some unavoidable problems.”
“Ok, thanks for letting me know. Wanna meet for coffee?”
“Sure man, I’ll fill you in.”

And so our last two speaking engagements were cancelled. Not good, as we are believing to meet step one of our budget ($5,000 a month). On top of that, Darlene and I are standing in faith for $25,000 to help get us and the ministry to a place where we don’t have to be so concerned with finances as we are ministering to the unreached. The biggest struggle last time was not the food, nor the travel, or sleeping on dirt floors. It was managing bills on a baby budget while preaching to Muslims, Buddhist, and Hindus all over Asia. It was exhausting. So now, we’re believing God to grant us the money up front so we can owe no man anything, but to LOVE them (Romans 13:8). Thereby setting us free to REALLY go all out for the Gospel.

The next day Dad arrived. To fix the truck required a part that I didn’t have the cash to buy. We loaded it up on a dolly, and took off home (three hours away).
“You know Mom,” I said to Mom, who was smushed in the backseat of Dad’s dodge. “None of these things move me. We tithe. We give. I know God is working this out for our good. I mean, we are–”
Suddenly there was a loud pop. A tire on the dolly pulling my Xterra blew out. We pulled over. No spare. We made a few calls. No answer. Over the hill rain clouds formed, as we beat on the rim trying to get it off. Cars flew by much too close to the edge of the road.
“Move Over!” I screamed at a car that skimmed our backsides. Yeah, I was P-Oed. Hey, I can say P-Oed, it’s my blog.

Well we finally got in contact with my aunt, who opened the tire shop she worked at just to help us. Mom and Dad went off to get the tire fixed, and Darlene and I stayed and fumed. What more could happen? Two times the money we had gotten at the church was spent already. Our Dog was sick. My truck broke. A flat. Two cancelled speaking engagements. Our bill money gone. Geez. We had JUST cut up all of our credit cards with the declaration, “We trust in God, not Credit!” (I’m still glad we did. Interest is SATAN!)

That was being tested. But we stood. We kept declaring the word (in between inaudible cuss words – lol). Mom and dad came back an hour later. We changed the tire, and the truck wouldn’t crank long enough to get it on the dolly. Dad and I eventually were able to push it on (with my Heman Mother’s help), and we arrived home.

Truth: Christians are not supposed to back down at opposition to our faith. We must stand strong. We must be willing even to die for this gospel. We must forget the crazy notion that no trials will come, but rather learn to rest in Christ in the midst. I preached that message, and the Devil threw a one-two punch on us. In the words of our ex president, “Our resolve is being tested.”

But you know what? I say ‘bring it.’ I can handle ANY situation through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). It’s not by my own might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord (Zechariah 4:6). I am STRONG in the Lord and in the power of HIS might! (Ephesians 6:10) When my enemies turn on me to destroy me, I will watch their destruction with my eyes! (PSalms 27:2)

My faith will not be shaken by a bad week. I will not be moved! (Psalms 16:8) I say we have all of our budgets met in Jesus name. I declare we have received the $25,000 by faith! Our bills are paid, and we are FREE to go, worry free, into the unreached domain of the devil and rescue the souls, feed the bodies, and educate the minds of those that the Enemy of our Souls torments daily. It is ours in Jesus Name, for God’s glory!

Today, tomorrow, and next year, as you move forward in being SET APART for Christ, remember this: The testing of your faith builds endurance. And when endurance is completely built, you will be complete and whole, lacking NOTHING (James 1:2-3). Thank God for the trials. Thank God he holds out sometimes so our faith can grow. We are becoming complete. Whole. And, we are being led, through the testing of our faith, to a place where we will lack NOTHING. Seek his grace and strength, and when you have done all to stand; STAND (Ephesians 6:13).

The new testament Christian who is returning to the faith of our Church Fathers, MUST not let circumstances dictate our response. When the world and the Devil get you on the ropes, know that you’ve got them right where you want ‘em. Or, in the words of Rocky Balboa…

“The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place… and I don´t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently, if you let it. You, me or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life. But ain’t about how hard you hit… It’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward… how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That´s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you worth, go out and get what you worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits. And not pointing fingers saying: You ain´t what you wanna be because of him or her or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain´t you! You´re better than that!” – Sylvester Stallone (Rocky Balboa)

Have a great day.

For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. – Galatians 5:17

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. – Luke 9:23

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. – John 15:4

This morning, I woke up again early to pray. Honestly, since my last posts this has been consistent, and I love it. Why? The quiet; the slow fade into day; the way no one is calling; It’s great. I’ve finally got where I fall asleep before midnight and get up before six. About time eh?

To be honest, it’s been a struggle. I’d try to make myself go to sleep, then lay there until two. Other times I’d set the alarm, but not get up till eight. I failed time and again. Another part of my life I’ve fought with is the gym. I go, don’t get me wrong, but I still don’t crave it like I once did. I make myself do it. Perhaps once day soon I’ll get those endorphins back that make me crave it. I don’t know. Then there’s writing, which I love, but day in and day out it’s the same story of me kicking myself to get started. Afterwords I glow all day, because I love it.

Truth: Sometimes, our flesh, is a bigger enemy than the devil. It is an enemy that you must conquer to be set apart for God. Your flesh is a quitter, a complainer, and will NATURALLY do everything contrary to what the Spirit desires. It is at war with the reborn spirit (Galatians 5:17). But, not like we war with Satan, but rather as a lazy, selfish, part of us that always tries to take the wheel and drive us somewhere we don’t need to be.

Our job is to put this flesh in check. It’s part of that dreaded word, discipline, which is the root word for discipleship. Now, wait, don’t think I’ve got this all down, I don’t. But, I will tell you this, I’m making some progress. I’m not the moron I once was. I do finally know that if I go with every feeling this glorious piece of meat feels, I will wind up broken, divorced, empty, and mad at everyone. I’ll wind up blaming God for it all, as this flesh can’t take responsibility. I’ll wind up broke and miserable or rich and miserable, cause the only type of riches this flesh can grab are those that are either quick or deprave, both of which Proverbs says goes away, but leaves sorrow, or stays with sorrow.

One thing that really helps me is one sermon I heard by a great guy on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. His daughter had Mono. One day during the sermon he explained that people who get it, keep it (without a miracle). He said that the person had to keep their immune system strong, or Mono would try to sneak back in and take control. He applied that to our flesh. We must daily, take it to prayer, ask God for grace to control it, reprogram it with the word, and put it in line every time it tries to take the reigns.

C.S. Lewis described it like this in “The Problem of Pain.” Adam controlled his flesh totally by the grace and power he got from God. The moment Adam disconnected himself from God, the flesh reverted back to it’s Animal instincts. It was made from the same dirt as dogs and raccoons. When we are disconnected from God this flesh reverted back to instincts: first, survival; second ,procreation, and normalcy is mixed in there as well. When they mix unchecked you have a selfish, spineless, pervert who watches out for #1 above all else. Or in other words, the opposite of Christ. To make things worse mankind got so far from God over the years that eventually he had to be called on (Genesis 4:26), then he said His spirit wouldn’t contend (struggle, put up with) with man because he is all flesh (Genesis 6:3). Then, in mercy, God shortened our lives so we wouldn’t be tormented by the results of our selfishness for hundreds of years. Sorry Twilight fans, it’s better to not eat the forbidden fruit. Bella made a bonehead decision. Life here, forever; no thanks. Our spirits lost control of the flesh, and now life of earth can be hell – without the peace of God.

When we were born again our Spirit was renewed and plugged back into God. The old damage is done, but now we have the power to master this flesh again. But we MUST be connected to the vine, Jesus. We MUST abide in him. We must have HIS grace. We get it on our knees, and in the Word. We fast to master it. Why? Without mastering this flesh, your one in a million, and in no way set apart for God. You are an animal. That’s why evolutionist get confused. Our bodies are not made in the image of God as God is a spirit (John 4:24). And without the Spirit ruling it, we are animals. Crazy.

Today, before you get going take some time and get the power-up you need from God. Examine yourself. Is selfishness the motive for what your planning to do today? Have to been trying to control this thing without being hooked up to Christ? Is fear driving? Does fear decide what your doing with your life? The root of fear is the survival mode; that’s flesh. Get wisdom instead, it accomplishes everything you want fear to, without locking you in chains.

Today, either my spirit will drive or my flesh will. So…

I better go pray.

After re-visiting our packing list for the RLI team taking on our seconds mission journey, we decided to repost a new and more realistic packing list. Most of what was on the first one, WE did not . Therefore, here is a better one. This is for our fourteen month around the world trip. Many people take a one year round the world trip, and this is more than adequate for that.

The key. One Bag. Light. Portable. If you choose one of those huge bags you will silently grumbling at the rest of us running around with a light bag. You are going to be jumping in and out of buses and taxis, tuk tuks and horses. So… pack light. Really. Seriously.

RLI Backpacking List:

Shirts:

• 4-6 Tees/T-shirts
• 1 Dress Shirt/blouse
• 1-2 Tank top/or undershirt

Pants:

• 3-4 Pairs of pants: 1-jeans, 1-cargo pant (can zip off into a pair of shorts), 1-other light weight cargo/scrub/or capri for everday wear, and a optional pair of lounge pants of your choice. 1 Long Skirt (Ladies)

Underwear:

• 6-8 Underwear
• 2 Bras & 1 sports bra(Ladies)
• 3-4 Socks

Shoes:

• 1 Hiking shoe
• 1 Sandal (SLIP RESISTANT is a must!)

Jacket:

• 1 Long sleeve windbreaker/sweatshirt (with hood/ preferably waterproof, but able to keep you warm during long bus rides with AC )

Toiletries:

• Shampoo & Conditioner (travel size)
• Deodorant/Body Spray (PLEASE!)
• Soap
• Toothbrush & Paste
• Facecloth & travel bath towel or Sarong (sarong’s is what they use in SE Asia, it folds up small also)
• Toilet paper/Wet Wipes (small amount to get started)
• Hand Sanitizer (travel size)

Misc:

• Hat
• Bandana (or “sweat rag”)
• Scarf (Ladies)
• Sunglasses
• Flashlight
• Small mirror
• Inflatable Neckpillow (*Optional* tho definitely useful. Great for flights and overnight bus rides.)

Medicine:

• Vitamin C
• Ibuprofen
• Tylenol PM

Electrical:

• I-pod
• Laptop
• Headphones
• Camera/Video Camera
• Universal Power Adaptor

Books:

• Bible
• Journal & pen
• Fun Novel(for the many bus rides)

TIPS:

You want everything to fit in one backpack. A 2nd bag can double as a purse, or daypack for when we make day trips. When packing your clothes you can save LOTS of space by rolling them. For underwear & socks a small mesh bag works best in keeping them organized/compact, and easy to get to. For meds & toiletries you’ll want to have zip-lock bags. Airports require them to be sealed in an airtight ziplock bag, and also you’ll save yourself alot of hassle with spills. Keep in mind the fabrics you choose for your clothes. You will want comfortable stretchable, moveable, lightweight, breathable, and even water absorbent pants (if possible) for when we’re traveling on bus rides, hiking etc… (cause believe me you will have sweat marks all down your legs). With shirts, you’ll want something that won’t stretch out or loose shape quickly. Usually shirts that are a 40-60% cotton with polyester, rayon, spandex or some type of synthetic fabric mixed in hold up really well and don’t fade in color. Clothes are washed by hand 90% of the time and hung out to dry so keep this in mind. You want fabrics that won’t look bad wrinkled, or are wrinkle resistant.

Backpack suggestions: Kelty Redwing pack comes in 3 sizes: 2500, 2650 & 3100 cubic inches. It has excellent reviews, and is not too big and it’s reasonably priced between $50-$100. Try to get a pack that zips from the top to the bottom like a normal backpack. This makes it easier overall to get into and to pack.
The Eagle Creek Explorer LT is another great bag capable of being carry on size. The main compartment is 3000 cub. in, the attachable daypack is 1200 cub in, and it comes with a rain cover. This is the bag we used for our 14month/14 country trip. The Eagle Creek Explorer Trek $67.is a smaller version without the daypack or rain cover a total space of 2400 cu. in. Also the Osprey Atmos has really good reviews as well and worth checking out.

But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 1 Corinthians 1:27

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. – Luke 10:21

I awoke this morning fifteen minutes before the scheduled sunrise. I had set my alarm clock to this time and told it to slowly increase in volume to a worship song until I was gently pulled from REM sleep to a smiling awake. I stood and immediately grabbed a glass of water to wake up my insides. Then I got dressed, slipped on my rainbow flip flops (who were still where I had placed them last night), and took a dusk walk with my beautiful wife. It was new to me, this whole process, but it is part of a new way of life for Dustan. Discipline to spend more time with my Master, and be more productive with the time he has given me. As we walked it seemed we weren’t alone. Perhaps God still takes time, after painting sunrises and sunsets, to take walks with His children. Maybe.

I was prodded into these changed by some very uncomfortable situations this past week. As you probably know we are about to set out on another mission journey around the world. We will be going to some of the most unreached places, and we must be ready. One of the preparations is to contact some missionaries that are already working in the areas the Lord has laid on our hearts. So I wrote some, and got some great responses. However, there was one response I received that was the most condescending email I have ever received. It was written in disdain and the core message was: ‘Stay off my turf. You have no idea what your doing. Go join a group that will train you in mission-o-logy. We’re the ones working here. Don’t come back now, you hear?’

After reading I typed out the most Southern Straight forward email that I could, effectively telling the guy what a jerk he was and how his work is being made ineffective because of how he is discouraging everyone else that feels called to the same country. Yes, I backspaced that one; the Lord wouldn’t let me send it. The final version was along the lines of: ‘Thank you for your words. I will consider some of them. Thank you for what you do for our Lord.’ Two days later he write me again rebuking me for something else. Come on, I’ve never met this guy. My reply was simple: ‘Don’t write me anymore.’

This got me thinking too much. In my mind I started reviewing every policy I’ve built in RLI, from avoiding ‘secret missions’ to working with others. I started taking inventory of everyone of the stacks of books I’ve read on missions. I started rehearsing to myself all the experience I had sleeping on floors in foreign homes, and how many long conversations I’ve had with Muslims, Atheist, and communist worldwide.

I was busy filling myself full of it, when the Lord reached inside and smacked my backside. He was like, “Seriously? Your kidding right?”

Why? Because God is not a liar, and the truth is that on my own I am totally unequipped for this work. The truth is that you, on your own, are totally unequipped for this work. The truth is we’re all idiots on our own, and no amount of reading (other than the Word) can undo that. We can NOT trust our own understanding. We must realize God knows more and that his ideas and ways are smarter. He’s not looking for the tallest of the brothers, he’s looking for the shepherd boy out back worship the Lord. He’s looking for faith, hope, love, courage, and humility (undeceived honesty about yourself). The method book has already been written and it out-sales every other one. It’s called the Bible. It’s full of simple instruction and places (over and over again) more importance on character than it does on skills. It calls fishermen and fools the smart ones. Why? Cause they know that they are not smart, not really, not without Him. It says God uses these foolish things to confound the wise. It says Jesus, in Luke 10, after sending out his disciples, had a bit of a Holy Ghost party rejoicing that God chooses the babes. Babes. That’s me. I’m a babe…. umm reword, I’m a child.

This has made me more than ever want to press into His presence and His Word. I need Him, and I want people at the end of my life to not attribute what the Lord accomplished through us to a school or a certain church planting method. Rather, I want them to say: ‘Man, god used a fool to do great things. Some uneducated dude who loved Jesus. He saw it in the bible, copied it the best he could (rough at times), prayed and tried to obey, and look what God has done! Look what GOD has done!’

I want to be more disciplined with my time. I want to read and study anything God wants me to. I want to let Him build this fool up a bit, cause I know I need it. Everything we’ve done so far has been totally because of HIS grace and strength, not our pathetic might and power. He get’s the glory, really. We had to obey yes, but hey thats the fun adventure.

I admit it. I’m a foolish thing. It’s okay. I’ll be the spectacle.

Today as you go out, forget the lie that you have to act like you have everything together. You don’t, nor do you have to. You just need Him, His Word, His presence, a little faith, and humility. Try that instead. Perhaps God will use you to raise up a cripple man, then when you are questioned the crowd will go, ‘Man, this guy in uneducated, but he sure does act a lot like Jesus.’

If I’m out of mind it’s You, You.
Cause I’m crazy in love with You, You.
Inebriated by You.
Cause I’m head over heels for You, You.
- David Crowder

So he left in Joseph’s care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. – Genesis 39:6

The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. – Genesis 29:23

Currently, I have begun a ‘Read the Bible’ in 90 days plan. Usually I don’t like these things, but in order to increase the discipline on my life I decided to go for this one. As of day three, I’m loving it.

This morning I read about Joseph, the Dreamer. You know, I identify with Joe a lot. First, when I was younger I saw some things to come, and it birthed a bit of pride in my heart. I didn’t realize that the dream God was giving me wasn’t about ‘my brothers bowing down’, but rather was about me reaching down and lifting my brothers up. I get that part of the story. It’s nice to realize that your dream from God is always about helping people and not about making us the next big ‘preacha’. Honestly, after traveling the world and meeting some awesome people, that kind of dream is pathetic. It’s not Biblical. Fame is no reward, but a tool. Money is to be mastered and used, not served. If our religion is spotted by selfish ambition, if the light in us is dark how DARK is our DARK (Matthew 6:23).

Anyway, that’s what the Lord has taught me over the past years, but about what I noticed this morning. Everything that Joseph did he did well. The blessing of the Lord was on Joseph, and everyone knew it. It wasn’t him trying to convince everyone that he was blessed, they saw it by how WELL he done his work for others. As soon as Potiphar placed Joe in charge business started booming. In fact, the sign of his success was that Potiphar did not concern himself with anything but the food he ate. Awesome.

Not fast-forward. Joe gets falsely accused and thrown in prison. But even in prison the Lord was with Joseph. The warden wound up putting Joseph over everything. Here, we see the line again:

So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. 23 The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

Once again, Joseph is in charge, and his overseer is so confident that he doesn’t even pay attention. He knows Joseph will do the job right everytime. Bosses, wouldn’t that be a dream.

And finally Joseph winds up in charge of Egypt. When the big famine hit Pharaoh said, “Go to Joseph, do what he says.”

In my life I wish for the Lord to be with me and his blessing to be on me. I have it through Christ, but a SIGN of that blessing is that I will work harder and better that the standard, even to the point that those I work for will not have to wonder if I am going to do the job right. A sign of success is that your boss won’t be concerned that you won’t do the job, but will prop his feet up and brag to his coworkers how he can count on you. A sign of success is that even when hard times hit we keep working with all of our heart. We may hit a few bumps, but we just do a quick somersault and keep on swimming. A sign of success is that we bring Glory to God, by representing Him well in our job, home, ministry, and prison. A sign of success is that we accomplish all of these things with the final product being others being rescued and lifted up. A sign of success is that we can do all of these things with slipping into the corruption of the system, be it in the religious world or corporate.

Lord, help me. I want to be a success in your eyes. I know, we’ve got a long way to go, but I know that you’ll finish what you started. That’s me, the unfinished one.

What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. – James 4:14

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. – Matthew 10:39

Twenty eight years ago I was born alot smaller. I was welcomed into the world with congratulations. Little did I know that I was born into war times. Thank God for Christ, who brought the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Love to earth so that I am able to step in the battle lines with millions of others demanding good triumph.

Birthdays are interesting to me. First off, it seems the Lord gives me some sort of present every year. My first and second sermons were at my birthday. I’ve spent multiple birthdays in foreign nations. It has been a great ride. Every year I look back on the last year and see if I am pleased. This year I am pleased once again, although the second half was one of the most challenging times since I became a Christian. The Lord brought us through as always, he always causes us to triumph, but I had to come to terms with what the clergy has become in much of the world and it is heartbreaking. Honestly, there are some AMAZING men of God out there, there are, but I tell you the politics, diplomacy, cowardliness, and business minded tactics have really brought a bit of a stain on the foreheads of many who call themselves some church title. It is honestly heartbreaking with the world in the mess it is in. We don’t have time for this. It has been this way for many years; I just noticed it after we had a new type of anointing come on us in Ghana. It was one of discernment I suppose. Better said, we have been blessed to be able to see through silliness and bullcrap. Ignorance is bliss, but not an option for a person called to be set apart and a revolutionary. Truthfully though, I am SO blessed to have gone through it. Now I can appreciate the men of God who show their faith not to be feigned (masked – 1 Timothy 1:5). I love those who call upon the Lord from a pure heart. They are SUCH a blessing. I am not everyone’s judge, but I do choose who I will follow and befriend. Because I have pulled away from some (all over) I have found the friendship of many. Now with those who are sold out to this I can run towards the finish line with all my heart.

A few names I am thankful for are Tommy, Jim, Todd, Steve, Joel, Brandon, Brad, Scott, Raven, Dean, Brent, Sandra, Jay, Amanda, Tim, Emmanuel, Gandri, Andrias, Jeremy, Jennifer & Will. The name I am most thankful for is Jesus, who makes this earth worth it.

For the next year I realize the Lord is calling us to step into both the public eye and to be hidden from it. We need to continue to build the platform that we need to build a ministry to touch millions around the world. We must increase in every way to complete with honor the work the Lord has called us to. 10,000 missionaries in a life is alot, but not impossible. I KNOW that we can do the things the Lord has given us to complete.
At the same time the Lord Jesus is calling us to go into all the world once again this year. This Christmas and birthday will be spend with the unreached, right where I belong. We will base from SE Asia, and go into double digit nations to expand and strengthen the Kingdom of God (Love). We leave in a few months.

The next year of my life I want to push myself to new levels. I want to go further into the world, challenge myself to new levels physically, spiritually, and mentally. I want to eat new things, sleep in strange places, and see thousands come to know the Lord for the first time. I want to raise up disciples in every nation we are able to minister in, and open the door for the Kingdom of God in new lands. I want to pioneer. I want to make HIS name famous!

Before we left on our last journey I was laying in bed and the Lord spoke to my heart (not an audible voice). He said, “You need to know that life is a vapor.” Twenty eight years is a blur. I’ve done my best over the last five years to live to the fullest by laying down my life for our Lord. It has flown by. We’ve had to buck religious ideas and ask no ones permission to serve our God with all of our hearts. We’ve lost friends, gained new ones, but regret NONE of it. Life is short, too short to serve money or man. We must lay down our life in LOVE for God and LOVE for OTHERS. We must make the rescue of this broken poor world everything. No matter the cost, I’m in.

Some of you think we’ve really done something. Well, you ain’t seen nothing yet. We’re going deeper into the jungles and mountains and cities for longer. We are going to GIVE ourselves to God to the fullest and LIVE the abundant life HE died so that we can have. Sure it may look different, and my not involved being comfortable every day, but the day you sit on the edge of a mountain whispering the Gospel to a thankful monk, and you see life come into his eyes, or you see a young Muslim friend understand the beauty of the ONE and ONLY God’s ultimate sacrifice (korban)for all sin through Jesus, or feed a hungry child, or help a ministry raise orphans meant for sex slavery grow into mature honorable Christian men and women, or travel thousands of miles to be brought to ONE person the Lord has heard praying, then you’ll realize what ABUNDANT LIFE really means.

What about you? Is the VAPOR of life evaporating with you still unsatisfied. Well, I am about to tell you the secret to abundant life. Here it is: If you want to find it, lay it down. In love for God and Others. You’ll find it. I promise. I promise. Lay it down. Lay it down. Whatever you know the Lord has put on your heart to do, find and take step one. Purify your motives and go for it out of Love for God and Others.

That’s the only way the set apart life will ever be truly “SET APART” from the rest.

One last thought on this celebration of my birth. Today is totally not about me. I was created, imagined and knitted together in my mother’s womb (Psalms 139:13-16). Raised to fear God. Rescued by Christ. Called, chosen, and am being set apart all TOTALLY by GOD’S love. So with that I have ONLY one last sentence…

HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER!

P.S. If you haven’t bought the FAITH + HOPE + LOVE cd by Hillsong, go now. NOW!