Meeting God For The First Time

What could be better?

     I feel like I’m meeting God for the first time. SBS has taken me for a surprise. This season has been one of the most blessed refreshing seasons of my life. I never thought there could be so much to learn about who God is. He is so much bigger and so much more diverse than I could have ever imagined.

     In starting my studies in the Old Testament I have become almost horrified by how skewed my perception of God has been all these years. My understanding of Him has been so narrow and so shallow. There are many “hard passages” to be found, especially in the Old Testament. Passages that are used to try to prove that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. His standards have somehow changed, and He is now nicer because of the new covenant. Based off of some of the intense stories one can find in the Old Testament it’s easy to see how such a conclusion can be drawn. However, studying the Bible in the inductive method has really helped me understand what the stories and events would have meant to the original reader, which has changed my interpretation of the Bible drastically. I think the biggest revelation that I’ve had in SBS is that each book of the Bible was written for a specific audience, it wasn’t originally written for me in the 21^st century. Reading the Bible through this lens and studying who the original reader is changes everything, and it has really helped me better understand who God is. I have found that my previous interpretations have been based off of my own culture and the time period in which I am living.

     I’m so thankful for my staff who have really challenged me to dig deeper and discover on my own what the Bible is actually trying to present instead of taking the word of some well-known theologians. I have realized that all these years I have used the Bible to support what other theologians have said instead of forming my own interpretations by digging deeper into the Word. After spending about 60 hours a week studying, I have found so much more value in looking at the Bible itself verses what other people have to say about it. There is so much more to be gleaned from the Word than man’s own interpretation. It’s incredibly easy in Christian culture to play the name game. There is a lot of “he said, she said” going around and too often we base our theologies off of these profound quotes instead off of the Bible itself. I have found myself guilty of this.

     Thankfully, through this school I have been able to reshape my theology based off the Bible itself. The Lord has given me a passion to show people who He truly is. He is not a malicious God in the Old Testament and then a graceful good God only in the new. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It’s always been about faith for Him. He is a graceful, loving God, and He is faithful to his character and to His people.

 “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:25-26

A quick update from me:

     I been recently asked by one of my school directors to come on staff with them for the next two years. I have spent some time praying and considering this, and I have felt like this was something the Lord wants for me for this next season in preparations for the future. I am applying to join SBS staff starting this fall. What does that look like you ask?? J Let me tell you. I will be learning how to, and will be teaching 6-9 hour lectures on various books of the Bible. I will be teaching students the inductive method of studying the Bible. The base I am currently at, focuses on sending people to the 10/40 window, which are the least reached people of the world.

     As it has been said to me by one of my staff members, "we don’t want to just send quantity out to the least reached, we want to send quality out to the least reached." We want to send people who know the Word and who have truly immersed themselves in it. That is why I chose to take 9 months out of my life to spend completely devoted to being in the Word. I could go over seas and do a lot of good works but if I don’t know the truth and don’t bring the truth, what will it be for? Staffing SBS will train me to be a teacher. I will also have opportunities to take separate Greek and Hebrew courses and further my education in some of the other programs which are offered in Montana. I will also have the experience of working with students one on one, disciplining students through the course of SBS. I have been so blessed by my staff here, and I would love to invest some of my time by serving them as they have served me.

     You might be asking, “What about Cambodia?” The Lord is keeping that desire in my heart, but I have gotten the word that the time is not yet. He has some prep-work for me first here in the Springs first. The doors are closed for now, but there are by no means permanently closed. I still believe the Lord will have me back there soon.

     My staffing in Colorado will be voluntary work, thus my need for raising continual support as I am beginning my life in full-time missions and truly believe this is the best foundation and stepping stone for me to be permanently placed overseas. By SBS staff members teaching on a voluntary basis, this allows the students in the SBS school to reap the benefits of the school at a much lower cost than traditional seminaries.

My goal is to raise $1200 a month in support. This amount will pay for my basic cost of living so that I may teach for these two years in Colorado Springs. This would cover my room, meals, medical expenses, gas for my car and savings for overseas travel costs. I would like to you to prayerfully consider a monthly partnership to help me to teach and equip those who are being sent out to the 10/40 window. Any money donated to this cause can be used a tax deductible.

How Can I Better Pray for You and Your Family?

     How can I pray for your family during this season? The Lord answers prayers and I believe there is power in numbers. Let me partner with you in prayer.

May He bless you and keep you always!