Undignified

I will dance
I will sing
To be mad
For my King
Nothing Lord
Is hindering
This passion in my soul

And I'll become
Even more undignified than this
Some may say
It's foolishness
But I'll become
Even more undignified than this
Leave my pride
By my side
And I'll become
Even more undignified than this
Some may say
It's foolishness
But I'll become
Even more undignified than this
Than this

It's all for You my Lord!

David Crowder

A Call To Die

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Matthew 16.24

The Lord put fasting on my heart a few months ago. I'm not quite sure where He is going with the whole thing, but I know He is going to ask me to give up something for a season. I'm learning a lot about how fasting expresses my complete dependance on Him and His word. But I know whatever it is, in the end it will be worth it--the reward will far outweigh the cost. He has already given me more of Himself than I could ever ask for.

"The rewards are great, but so is the cost. It costs us everything. Like the hymn says, "I surrender all," not "I surrender 10%." No one will tell you that it's and easy road. Jesus himself faced hardship on the cross. He wept. He sweat. He asked his friends to pray. The result of his obedience was that God is exalted above all and Crhist became the way for you and I to be forgiven. Man, I'm glad he didn't bail! You and I will face excruciating moments, too, when it seems God is asking too much and nobody is there for us. Those are the most painful, and the most important, times in our journey. We will feel alone, but we aren't. God is with us, and he has not forsaken us, especially in those times of need. Our obedience is worth it."
A Call to Die by David Nasser

Champions on Ice

We suffered long enough and decided to take a break from the heat. So, ice skating was the perfect escape. And it was a blast. Let's just say. . . well, some of us are more skilled than others. But everyone gave it their best try--sore feet and all.

Proof that TJ was on the ice. . .

















Champions indeed. . .

















And some of us needed one on one lessons. . .

















Uh oh--more champions. . .

Celebrate Freedom

This 4th of July was different for me. Last year was too early, I didn't quite feel American. . . or patriotic.















But this year I was ready to celebrate the country I call home. So we did what all red-blooded Americans do for the 4th of July--we cooked out. And it was amazing.

Jay went all out and fed us all like kings. And all the rest of the guys helped grill--what all real men do at a cookout, right?















I get to spend time with new friends. . .






























and catch up with the old. . .














I also got to see Stephanie get married the Saturday before. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell Rice. I pray the Lord blesses your marriage. I am so thanful to be part of your lives.















The wedding was also a great opportunity to catch up with several of the families I served with in West Africa. It didn't seem like it had been so long, but it was kinda strange to see everyone all dressed up in American clothes.

I'll Tell You Why I Left

"You wonder why people choose fields away from the States when young people at home are drifting because no one wants to take time to listen to their problems. I'll tell you why I left. Because those Stateside young people have every opportunity to study, hear, and understand the Word of God in their own language, and these Indians have no opportunity whatsoever. I have had to make a cross of two logs, and lie down on it, to show the Indians what it means to crucify a man. When there is that much ignorance over here and so much knowledge and opportunity over there, I have no question in my mind why God sent me here. Those whimpering Stateside young people will wake up on the Day of Judgment condemned to worse fates than these demon-fearing Indians, because, having a Bible, they were bored with it---while these never heard of such a thing as writing."
Jim Elliot