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.