2 Timothy......

Today, we begin to delve into 2 Timothy. Written by Paul while he was in prison for what would be his last time ending in his execution, I am inspired by his faith...his endurance, his realness. A man, who used to execute Christians himself, in prison for being a Christian...and not just a Christian by name but a radical, fully sold out believer who used ever moment that he was given left on this earth to further the Kingdom.

These are his last words.

I think back to my father's last words...his last days on this earth. I remember how I saw his faith strengthen as his earthly strength started to fade. During his life, he didn't speak outwardly much about his faith. He actually held it pretty close to his chest, however, when faced to his end here, He spoke mightily and outwardly to all who would listen. And the words weren't spoken as a walking dead man spewing his last bit of hope, but rather as one who seemed to understand deeper the closer and closer he was getting towards the end of his time on this earth. 

Perhaps death brings clarity.

Clarity. A reminder in what matters, what will be left when the end comes. A reminder of the residual. Earthly provisions no longer hold their value as we slowly get closer to our heavenly home. Reality sets in as we realize that we are tethered less and less to this earth but rather find that our souls are drawn to Him in a manner that we have never gotten to experience before. Slowly, the bonds that hold us here gradually become less and less. Not in actual strength or importance but rather we find ourselves experiencing strength of such a magnitude of proportions that our greatest loves become not the greatest anymore.

And that is okay.

That doesn't belittle or change anything that we have experienced on this earth. Doesn't negate or dissolve any of our relationships or loves but rather opens our soul to an experience in which we were created to be. No longer held back by the decay of this world, no longer limited by the depravity of evil but rather exalted into the glory that our souls have always sought. Finally, at rest in the place in which we were always meant to be.

Timothy knew where he was going and his last words were written with such passion and courage that inspire and propel us to keep our eyes on the horizon for each of us will one day have a final word on this earth. A final thought, a final day....may it encourage and propel.

Live worthy.

Update on Taellor's House!

Wow! Is this not incredible? Taellor's House.

I've had a few people ask what Tae's House will do...its purpose. The purpose is to share the Hope that can be found through Jesus Christ by building relationships through the ministry that will be done there. The first phase that has been completed with the exception of painting houses the classrooms and kitchen area. The second phase, which is under construction now, will house additional classroom space and housing for our coordinator and interns. 

There are many young girls and boys who are not able to go to school because they have to stay home to watch their younger siblings. They may only be 6, 7 or 8 years old themselves yet they are already responsible for the home while their single parent has to work. Tae's House will provide a safe place for the younger siblings during which time educational programs to include preschool, English, Bible and computer skills will be taught. The children which are old enough to attend school will spend their time outside of school at Tae's House in tutoring, computer, Bible and English classes. Their mothers will also be in the women's program designed to empower them by walking beside them in their journey providing classes in business, parenting, family dynamics and Biblical principals. An internship program will also be housed here to allow interns who have an interest in foreign missions to come from the US to serve with Project Hope while gaining experience in the mission field.

At this moment, Denise Meyer Winn, who is the children's program and intern coordinator, and Claudia Carrion are evaluating surveys that have been conducted by the community group. When I return, we will interview the mothers of the top 50 children based on greatest need analysis. By the middle of October, the first 50 children will have been selected to begin their journey of Hope here starting in February 2016.

Join us in prayer that God will guide our steps in this phase of the process. Join us in praising Him in the progress that had quickly come to fruition. He is ever faithful. Thank you to those who have continually supported through prayer and finances.
Hope can change a generation....one life at a time.

August 11th.... Our Twenty-fifth Wedding Anniversary, Dad's Birthday and Dad's Heaven Date

In the midst of our 25th wedding anniversary this year, we found ourselves separate on two different countries and the passing of my father on his birthday.

August 11th.

Looking back we were young yet we knew that the commitment that we were making seemed as natural as could be. I will never forget the advice given to me by an elderly woman as she exited the church on that evening. " This will be the hardest thing that you will ever do. Done right it will be a lot of work and will be one of your greatest gifts on this earth. Done with little work, it will be fleeting and will be one of your greatest regrets" . I remember being taken back by her almost biting words. They were mixed in with all of the typical happy and encouraging wedding sentiments. They didn't fit with the ceremonious occasion. Yet, hers were the words that would permeate my hear and mind.

It is interesting that this is the advice I tend to give, also. Not on the wedding day, that was a little shocking, but in light of marriage, I have found it to be true. This has been my hardest work yet is the greatest gift. We " started young" as many exclaim and shared life together from the beginning. We've celebrated some life's greatest joys such as being called to the mission field in Nicaragua and have walked some of the darkest of life's journeys the darkest watching Trav lower our daughter Taellor's coffin into the grave in Nicaragua. Together. We could not have done any of it without God. He continually blesses us greatly.

As I think back on the love that I felt for Trav that day. I couldn't have imagined loving anyone more....and yet, on that day, I didn't really have any concept of the depth that love could carry. A love that understands and above all else simply loves. God continues to guide us and we strive to be obedient. As I look at Trav today, I marvel at the man he is. I see God's hand upon his life and a man who seeks Him with His whole heart.

Quite simply, my very best friend.

2 Timothy 1:1-2 Who are you?

2 Timothy 1:1-2

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

An apostle of Christ Jesus. By the will of God. According to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

One sentence identified Paul as who he was. One sentence summed him up. He was an apostle of Christ Jesus. An identity that was bestowed by the will of God. An identity that was according to the promise of life that wasn't found in Paul himself but rather through Christ Jesus.
So, who are we? If we were given a statement to write with the first sentence being specified to identify ourselves, what would we say? Or perhaps even more relevant, what would those around us write?

Would we be identified by our careers? Successful business? Our positions as husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters? Duly devoted, of course? Would our summation refer to our own accomplishments and laurels so that when read they would trigger someone's memory of ourselves?

Would the merit of our faith even come into play? Would it point to identify us or add information that those close to us would not recognize? Would they be surprised? Or are we hesitant to add it to our description to whom we are because we are afraid it would come into play?

Who are we? At the core of who we are, what words describe us?

For some of us, we might have several descriptive statements about ourselves each relevant to specific areas of our life. One statement for who we at work, one for home, one for our friends, one for our other friends, one for our church friends and the list goes on and on.

Yet, Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. The rest of who he was were simply minor details. Window dressings, perhaps, not identifying details. Paul's life was so identified as being a believer of God that there was no other information that was needed nor that mattered.
Perhaps, it was expected of him and all given his position such as ministers and missionaries today. Absolutely their faith should be first and forth most. For the rest of us, it is personal. A personal matter. Which is exactly where satan wants us to keep it. Personal. Hidden and not lived out. And as our believers hide their faith for personal reasons, those who do not share in following Christ seem to begin to speak bolder and with greater authority daring us to speak out.

Do we believe or not? Being humble doesn't mean hiding nor does it mean being lesser than, it means not to be prideful. Somewhere, somehow we have begun to mistake living our faith overflowing out loud in our lives as being prideful. We should stand worthy of the blood that was shed for us. We should speak of our faith with a boldness that can only be from the assurance of being followers of the Great I am.

Who am I? I am a child of the Almighty.

Live worthy.