Broken

It has been a while since I have posted anything on here, I honestly have been dealing with lots lately. I have done a lot in my life to be responsible or to fit in the community I find myself in. I am a bottler I hold it all inside and keep it to myself so that I don't create a lot of burden for those around me. A few people throughout my life have opened me up to varying degrees but for the most part I choose to let my thoughts go unsaid. This terrible habit has caused me to hurt people around me when I take it all out on them over issues that aren't the real problem. I am currently being put face to face with the places most broken in my heart where I have been wounded the deepest. I know I am my own worst enemy and left to my own the lies I have accepted as truths slowly become more and more of a foundation in my identity; because I feed into them. I have been sorting through my life and rethinking all that I believe and why. It is easy and comfortable for me to slip into the dark alone it is where I feel I belong and Satan would have me stay there. Thank God Almighty, The Redeemer, The Protector; for he has put those people in my life to look at me sitting in the dark and call me back to the light. The people who can speak life to me and even if they can't take away the turmoil I know I couldn't stand through it without them.

I write all this not just to talk about myself but to relate with those other bottlers. I know the need to keep the feelings to yourself to not burden or to not trust those around you. From the beginning God looked at Adam and said it is not good for man to be alone. As humans we were made for community to work together and carry each others burdens. I know sometimes you feel it is yours to carry, I am sorry but it really isn't; I am not saying you have to say everything to everyone but you need people to help you through life. Don't try to work through all those problems you hold in by yourself you will be overwhelmed and hurt you as well as those around you. God bless! This one goes out to all the bottlers, including myself and my dear friend Sassy.

Philippines Campus Ministry

One of the many ministries we had the opportunity to participate in as a missions team in the Philippines was campus ministry. I spent most of my time on the trip doing the campus ministry because I feel God calling me to work in youth and in that age group. The fact that we could even have these campus ministries was a huge blessing and a big difference from the United States; note that these were not a bunch of private or bible schools these were the high schools and some colleges. Two methods were usually used when we went to schools the first was class room to class room; where the principal would let us in the school and we would just visit the individual class rooms. The class room method usually for my experience anyway usually involved the teacher stopping in the middle of a lesson and allowing us to talk to their classroom. We would give testimonies share a short message and sometimes sing a song or two. The second method was the assembly method where they would stop the classes gather them to a central location and we would talk to them there. This method usually involved one or two messages, skits, songs, testimonies, and an alter call and many many pictures. I loved the campus ministry it was heart warming to see the youth of the Philippines on fire for God in this ministry we saw many come to Christ for the first time as well as many rededicating their lives for Christ.

The Philippines Spiritual Background

The dominant religion in the Philippines is Catholicism and this has a major impact on how people live their lives in the Philippines. Almost everyone there has heard of Jesus but few have a relationship with him their faith is in works and of their own power. This makes it easier and harder at the same time to explain Christ with them on one hand they have a fundamental understanding of who Jesus is and what he did; on the other the idea of earning your way to heaven and eternity with God is so much a part of their life that even after they start to develop their relationship with God they can still be caught up in the works. I personally met a few people in my age group who told me how it was just them or just them and their sibling who believe in having a relational experience God and that he has already redeemed us and that the rest of their family did not believe their faith was in the works of man still. They expressed how difficult it is for them and it breaks my heart that they are forced to fight that much harder in their homes to love God where it should be the easiest they must struggle the hardest; it is saddening that they cannot worship God the way they were made to worship him because their family is against it. one of my biggest prayers for the people in the Philippines is a movement in the hearts of the people to shift them from the works of man to the work God has already done.

The Return

I just got back from the Philippines trip I had mentioned in previous posts, a few days ago. I first wanted to say thank you to everyone who supported this trip whether spiritually or financially without your support this trip would not have been the success it was; there is power in prayer. I wish you all could have gone and had the experience and hopefully one day you might find yourself in the Philippines. It is an unforgettable place, the biggest thing you will notice there coming from America at least is the people. Here everyone (almost) is so self absorbed and caught up in their own schedule and plans that it is almost impossible to just meet someone. When you are in the Philippines everyone wants to shake your hand and meet you, they want to know about you and your story. It didn't sink in until I went into the jails and found not "hardened" criminals but people who wanted to meet me and hear what I had to say; and it was the same with the homeless. We have so much luxury and so many blessings here in the U.S. yet they have not made us thankful quite the opposite we have let them harden us and give us a bad case of entitlement. Personally it was a huge blessing to me meeting the people in the Philippines I made some life long friends there and I hope to go back. Sometimes you don't realize how hard the world has made your heart until someone comes and softens it. There are many things I want to talk about from the Philippines so I will be splitting it up over a series of posts, if you have any specific questions message me on Facebook or send me an email at ib1crazyman@gmail.com

Philippines part 2

In preparation of the missions trip to the Philippines I am going on I have had to participate in many fund raisers, ask for lots of prayer, and acquire multitudes of new IDs. It isn't easy to prepare a two week trip to another country and I am only taking care of myself, the burden upon the leaders organizing this trip must be tremendous which just goes to show how God gives us the strength to do his work. God provides for all his plans including this mission trip to the Philippines, I leave June 28th and have raised just over a thousand of the three thousand dollars I need to go. I know God will provide the rest of the money I need the majority of it around $2,000 by May 5th if you feel lead to donate here is a link you can use to do so online under my name Tyler or any of my other 3 team members

Mission trip Donations

I ask that you continue to pray for the safety of the team members on our upcoming trip and that our work will be fruitful.

Philippines

God has blessed me with the opportunity this summer to go on a missions trip to the Philippines and share his good news. We will have the ability to serve others providing food, medicine, and prayer that might otherwise go completely without. A big part of this is you guys we would like your prayer and support as we raise funding for this trip and as we serve in the Philippines that we represent Christ in our actions. This trip is going to cost around $3000 per person to go so please pray over the provision of these funds and if you feel led to donate or want to know more about the work there please feel free to email me  at ib1crazyman@gmail.com or find me on Facebook . Thanks for your love and support God bless!

Why Small Groups

I started a small group for a group of teenagers in Arizona and one of the first things I went over was why? Why do we need to gather more than on Sunday mornings? Why does it matter that we gather in Small Groups or sustain this ministry? First I bring up Matthew 18:20 "For when two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." God lives in each one of us and we all bear his essence so when we gather that essence can be more powerful we can see more of God together in community as Christ lived than alone. Solitude is important especially when we need to give thanks to God and focus our lives back on him when we stray, but the importance of community cannot be overlooked. In a large crowd such as at church on Sundays you aren't inclined to open and share things very often so very rarely do you come to grow with your brother and sister, But in a small group built on trust people can feel free to share things they wouldn't in any other environment. We get in a Small Group to grow close together and build one another up, we share and live life together and this makes us stronger. Most of us didn't know each other well at the start but now with the help of Gods presence we know each other and frequently share our lives together in and outside of small group, these wonderful people have marveled me with their rapid growth and understanding. So I implore you to think about finding or starting a small group God bless!

Arizona

Some of you know that last July I moved from Kentucky to Arizona, at that time I was very involved in life lots of  friends, studied about Jesus with great youth leaders and had an awesome group of home-schoolers to hang out with at a co-op. When I found out I was moving and couldn't see these people anymore along with my family in Kentucky my life began falling apart. God however was there like always holding the pieces together. When I moved out to Arizona it took us awhile to find a house but we found one and it was within walking distance of our new church. The church had the same scripture based beliefs and teaching and an equally amazing group of teens and leaders for their youth group. They welcomed me in and through that I was able to continue growing in Christ in this new church that God had at just the right place and time for me. I have made lots of new friends and now enjoy living in the area. Looking back I now see where God was while I was spinning.

Sacrifice

Today I heard a wonderful man speaking about his time in ministry and he spoke on a topic that struck so many chords. The "sacrifices" we make, we have all heard something one time or another something along the lines of 'I have sacrificed comfort or good living for God'. He wants to bring to attention that God doesn't need you that serving him is the good life, you don't sacrifice and miss out to serve God. What you won't do for him he will get someone who will to do it. It never was and never will be about us and our comfort, it is what brings the most glory to God, if you think for a moment that you can earn favor with God or something through personal 'sacrifice' you are on the wrong track. Your favor in Gods eyes comes from Jesus and his SACRIFICE on the cross.

Words of Peace for the Uneasy

In the world today it is more than easy to become stressed out over even the smallest details. With the busy schedules we keep and the wide variety of activities we participate in everyday, it can be easy for something to go different than we had planned/hoped. When things seem to turn for the worst I stop and remember what a wise man once told me "I would say that whatever happens would be the best case scenario." At the time I sorta got what he was saying but after being neck deep in what I had originally thought to be a horrid experience coming up, I looked back and fully understood what I did not at that time. God has the world in his control and everything in and around as well, from the smallest to the biggest detail God's authority reigns supreme. So when things seem like they are spiraling out of control instead of resorting to stress I am now trying to remember that God has a plan and it will inevitably be fulfilled maybe not how we imagine but exactly how God has planned it. The reason this comforts me is that not only do I not have to worry about fixing and controlling everything but the man in charge loves me and everyone of you and he has our best interests at heart. At the end of the day things probably won't be going our way at least not all the time, but they are going the way God has planned for us and even the strongest storms of our lives have an end and we have Christ as our shelter to wait them out in.

The Domain of God

Moving to Arizona I have picked up some new things knowledge, friends, a swimming pool, but one of the most awesome things I have learned or rather experienced here is just how far God's work reaches. God's domain, rule, and power cover all of creation and sure it's one thing to know that but moving here I have met many of God's workers and followers so far from home. It is awesome to see that God is not limited to one place that he is working everywhere all the time. God's nation is big and reaches far hopefully some encouragement for those who feel like they are fighting alone with their backs to the wall.

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-20 talks about the armor of God, this is the 'equipment' he provides us with to "11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." God provides us with the following "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." These are awesome to think about, God provides us with this arsenal to protect us in our battles for him note that when you are attacked it still hurts we will still have pain and suffering but we have what we need to fight the battle. God gives us a breastplate not a cuirass so your back is left exposed, if you turn your back on the battle if you refuse Gods path then everything he has provided you with is useless because his protection doesn't cover the backs of those who flee. The helmet protecting our heads the key to life and the thing that make us unique intelligent beings is salvation. This represents that without salvation then we have nothing if we have not accepted our salvation in Christ it is as battling without a helmet leaving us exposed to attack and doomed to fail. His word our sword is what we need to win without it we can take hits all day but we can never defeat our enemies. The belt is truth at our center keeping us balanced and on track. All the different types of armor and weapons are specifically chosen for a purpose to relate to us the use of God's gifts. He calls us to put on the whole suit of God because just part of it is not enough we need all of God to live.

Honesty

I have always held in my mind that honesty was important, that it was respectable and necessary to be a likable person. Recently while studying honesty I was shown a unique look on it that I had never heard. Honesty rather than being focused on your words and speaking only true things such as expressing thoughts and such as they appear is rather a lifestyle focus centered on God being the truth. One of the I am statements of God includes I am the truth, living in light of that (living honestly) means living your life in the truth of Gods words as he is the only infalible source of truth who's words are law. Speaking truths are only a side effect in the big picture of living in the light of the truth. In fact somethings commonly passed as truths are in reality not i.e. Say you have a negative opinion on someone like you may think they are ugly, expressing this feeling and saying that they are ugly is not truth, sure it may be 'true' that you have that opinion but our opinions are often skewed and twisted by sin. The real truth in this situation is God and his word which says each and every one of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. This was just an amazing opening to my eyes on truth that truth is not merely a tangible rule or objective but that God is truth and being honest is to live in that truth.

Lot's Wife

As part of our schooling we are currently reading through the book of genesis, today we were reading about Abraham and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Something that stuck out to me was an analogy Abraham pleaded on behalf of any who were righteous in the cities to God that he would spare them. God graciously agreed that he would spare the cities if as few as 10 righteous were found in all the cities. When the angels visited the cities they come across Lot who God allowed to flee the city before it was destroyed for Abrahams sake. This is a huge gift of grace to Lot and his family but as they left Lot's wife disobeys one of the commands given to them to not look back this is the same as not accepting the gift of grace God offered them. She was turned into a pillar of salt when she did this. To me this relates closely to the new testament where Jesus sheds his blood on the cross to forgive our sins and put us right with God it is the biggest gift of mercy and grace. Like with Lots gift though we have to accept it if we don't take it or take it but not what comes with it then we will end up like Lot's wife who was turned to a pillar of salt. We will be held accountable to the punishment we deserve if we refuse the gift laid out before us.

Attentiveness

First off I would like to apologize for my lack of posts lately, it was my goal to keep the blog up but that hasn't been happening lately. I am jumpstarting the blog today on the subject of attentiveness. I think my favorite thing I have heard about this subject is that it is the key to being intentional. By itself being attentive will not get you much but it is the key stone to building and maintaining other character qualities. Some of you may wonder what this word really means the best way I can explain it is paying careful attention when being spoken to or shown something or anything you are doing. examples of this include keeping yourself from being distracted or a distraction as well as not interrupting someone else's speech. I recommend striving to attain some grasp or understanding of this character quality as it is a building block to doing most anything well.

Phoenix

I haven't been able to blog in awhile because as most of you know I moved to Phoenix. So far I have mostly noticed that it is hot here really hot, and anyone who says at least it is a dry heat hasn't been here more than 10 minutes. I plan to keep the blog up in Phoenix; it will just be harder because I don't have my computer. I will be living here for at least 6 months so I won't be seeing many of you for awhile. Please continue to pray for my family during this transition this is very different for us so we have to put our faith wholly in God to watch over us and guide us during this time.

Thank you

I haven't blogged for a few days now because I have been spending almost everyday with my friends. I just want to say thank you to all the people I have come to know over the last couple years who have helped turn my life around. Tomorrow I leave for Arizona so this is also a goodbye for now, I will be praying for you guys continually and I ask you do the same for me. This new chapter in life is not something I wanted to do but God is all knowing and all powerful so I know that he has me going there for a reason. He is not worried about what will happen to me in Arizona and neither am I. So thank you all again my friends, life is not over and I am sure we will meet again.

Suffering

In society today we are told to live life with as much comfort and luxury as we can accumulate. This is a trap easy to fall in because it appeals to many areas of our sinful nature. I would say most if not all sin is rooted in the sin of idolatry which is putting more time, effort, and money into something other than God. If we make a luxurious lifestyle our idol we will spend our days in an endless cycle of buying the latest and greatest of whatever society tells us we want at that time. Luxury is ever changing what is good one day is bad the next and new things are constantly pumped into the mix. God is a constant and never changes and he provided us with one narrow way to him that never changes. It is not just this day and age that is bustling with idols, nothing is new under the sun temptation has been with man since the beginning. As Christians we are called to place our value in the things of God not of man (Matthew 19:16-30) our life is not meant to be easy; we must put forth effort now in our lives and live the best life later. You cannot live your best life now and later...

Fellowship / Helloship

Fellowship is an essential piece in christian living we are not meant to live isolated alone on Mt. Me&Jesus for the rest of this life cut off from the world. a lot of us fall into a trap of helloship thinking we are fine but not realizing what we are doing wrong. So what are fellowship and helloship well these are the two definitions I have to offer.
Helloship - A gathering of people to share an experience together.
EX. Bowling, watching a movie, eating dinner.
Fellowship - A group of people coming together to share a uniquely christian experience.
EX. Any time God is the focus of your gathering.

Helloship is not wrong it is great to spend time with friends and have fun, but it is NOT a replacement for fellowship. Some of the best ways to experience fellowship are the simplest; attend church regularly, join  a small group, just ask someone about Christ. It doesn't take much but God loves to work in us through our fellowship with one another and that is why it is so important.

Father's Day

When I blogged yesterday I did not realize that it was Father's day so here is my one day late Father's day post. This holiday is to honor fathers God appoints fathers to be leaders of their households, they guide their family physically and spiritually in life. They have lots of responsibility to take care of their home and family; This can put a lot of stress on a man as so many things are riding on his shoulders and so everyday we should show our fathers support and this holiday should serve as a reminder to do so. God calls children blessings to a home and family and being a father is a big role because God trusts them with his blessings. Being a father is an honorable thing and for doing this we thank all the dads out their supporting their families.