I Cannot Do This Alone

If you know me, you know I love music of all kinds. One of my favorite artists is John Mayer, musician, singer-songwriter. I usually don't go to live shows because I find there are a lot of hidden costs, but when I found out he was performing at Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit, I knew I had to see him on his Solo tour. I knew this was going to be a once in a lifetime experience.

When I listen to his songs, it makes me think of an open diary, an inner glimpse to this broken man's thoughts (or what he perceives his fans to be going through). But something he said during the concert really stuck with me. While he's playing songs from over the past two decades of his career he said that many of them he doesn't remember feeling that way. But he knows he felt that way at one point because he wrote the songs.

I can relate. Sometimes when I go back through my journals, I see the things that were making me pensive. "Why did I worry about that? It all worked out in the end." Looking back now, the problem seems so small, but at the time, it seemed to get bigger and bigger until it slowly resolved. Then it fades from memory. I think that's why God commanded the Israelites so many times in the Torah to remember him and what he did. Because as human beings we forget so easily. We forget the Lord's goodness and grace and somehow we think we are the ones responsible for our blessed life. Ha! Go and read the entire chapter of Deuteronomy 8. Meditate on it. CURRENT SEASON Honestly, most days I feel like I'm drowning. I am currently doing two full time jobs right now: software development and itinerating. When I'm done with my 9-5, I pick up my to-do list for my mission. To give you a Sam's Club sample, I have a book list a mile long of resources I need to read and implement, monthly homework from AG, research my country's culture, learn German, prayer cards to print, pictures to take, newsletters to design, classes to take and finish for credentials, emails, letters, thank-you cards to write, phone calls, go to the gym, become a spiritual giant, and Sabbath. Ha! My church started doing a fast and I wanted to participate. After four days of no food, I had to stop. I could no longer continue because I was not able to focus on my work. But it wasn't a complete lost. I wasn't able to make it the full 21 days, but I was able to help break the pattern of some unhealthy habits, and refocus on why I'm doing any of this. When I look at my task list, it becomes daunting. When I evaluate myself on the scales of righteousness and spirituality, I find myself lacking. But when I look at Jesus, he reaches out his hand and catches me. He reminds me of my why: he is worthy. To bring his kingdom to earth. To be salt and light in dying world. To tell the world about what Jesus has done in my life. To break chains and set captives free. To be a light in dark places. To worship him...

CELEBRATE SOME WINS

• I finished my ten days of training at Pre-Field Orientation in Springfield, MO and got to meet some incredible people.
  

• I finished my 'Introduction to Hermeneutics' and passed the exam with flying colors.
  

• I wrote this blog. Woo!
  

• I am currently at 25% of my monthly commitments. Let's go!
  

HOW YOU CAN HELP My goal is to get to Heidelberg, Germany by August 2023. In order to go, I need to be 100% fully funded. I can't do this alone. Nor would I want to. That's not God's design. He is fashioning us to be his Bride, the Body of Christ. You're either sending, going, or both. We all have a part to play in the Kingdom of God. If you would like to help, would you consider financially partnering with me monthly with support? Would you consider praying for me? Would you pray for the lost to be found? Would you pray for boldness to share Jesus with your peers? Thank you to those who have given, prayed, and continue to do so. And thank you to the faithful few who read this blog. ACCOUNT INFO Account #: 298383 Online: You can give here digitally. Make sure to check that you want this to be a "Faith Promise".