its the end, already

Sometimes I read my stuff here, and think “boy, what a dork!”, other times I think “uh oh, that’s going to get me in trouble”, and then I have times where I just read what I write over and over, and think “what in the world am I saying?”. Then I have times like right now, where I do not really have much to say, but a lot to do, so I will just say Happy New Year! I have been praying for all my friends back in Seattle, my friends here, and for all of them to see God more clearly with every step they take, including me.

God, I just pray that each person gives you their heart and soul, with every breath they take, and every moment their awake, have your way in them. May they live for you alone.

confess & pray to/with/for each other

I just read Alexis’ comment to my last entry, and it makes me so happy. I know so many people whom are either afraid or simply will not talk about their struggles, in private or public. For me, I am at a lost of words to even begin to tell you the amazing blessings I have had from confessing my struggles, sins, desires, anything. An amazing freedom is bestowed upon the person who can confess what they must change, amazing blessings come from being honest with yourself, God, and all others. I don’t believe you have to tell the whole world, like I have chosen, just tell a close friend and/or your spouse.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. [James 5:16]

Notice how James says “

my thorn

You know it never fails, as soon as I am feeling really good about myself, it happens, I fall flat on my face. I let my guard down for just a moment, and boom, I blow it, the enemy attacks, and I let it happen. Sometimes I wonder if there is possible to never fall to lust again. I know keeping the crap out of my mind helps, but as soon as I get a hint of it, the fight is over, and I have lost. I have already e-mailed Matt letting him know I have fallen again. Last night God poured his healing over me, once again, I do not deserve this. I am in such a mess, this is not fair to Alexis, or my future wife and family. I am addicted and I need to be alert and fill my time with serving God when I am alone, otherwise I just follow the hint. I felt absolutely gross last night, upset, sick and disturbed, I have to remember this

poland

I want to show you a new world; I want to show you a place where you know HE is present. I want to show you a new heart; I want you to feel HIS heart. In my soul, I hunger for you to see; my soul is hungry for you to see HIM. The cry of my heart is for you to be healed; for you to see HIM heal you. I want HIS light to shine on you; I want you to shine HIS light. I lift my head to HIM; and pray for you to experience HIM. I came to change you; but you have changed me. One day you will see your land rise up to HIM; one day your voice will praise HIM. I ask for you to seek HIM with all your heart; I cry to HIM for you to know him. I pray for the LORD of my life to guide you; I ask you to listen for the quiet voice of the LORD. May the LORD cry his tears of mercy upon your land; may the good LORD prepare your soil. It has been said a bright light will shine upon a dark world; you are that light. Do not put your light under a basket; instead, put it on a lamp stand for all to see. Have freedom to laugh and play; HE gives you that freedom. Remember HIS freedom, shows the right from the wrong. From the sea, to the mountains, let HIS glory shine upon you and your people; may your people reflect his glory and honor and praise you. You are the people of the plains; you will provide the nutrients to a hungry and thirsty world. Your people are his people; my heart is with you, and the LORD is with you. We are the human race, created by one GOD, for one purpose, to be LOVED by HIM.

relationship ministry…

I just searched for “Christian Relationships” and “Christian Relationship Pastoring” and all I got was a bunch of Christian singles websites and other unrelated material. I am going to need to do a lot of research if I want to have some good stuff for our relationships series. You see, healthy relationships are far and few between around here, the majority of married couples are married only because they became pregnant, so they got married, this is what their entire relationship is based on, obligation. My heart for strong healthy relationships is becoming stronger and stronger, so I am excited that in February we will be doing a series on how to build strong relationships centered in Christ.

We have many good relationship books, even some secular ones. While Alexis is here she will be helping me out with some of the activities, and we will be doing a few of the talks together. Both Alexis and I have our hearts set on clear communication, being good role models, and keeping God at the center of our individual lives, and of our lives together. I am very excited to do these things, good strong relationships are some of the strongest testimonies to God’s awesome news, but so many people lack the desire to seek God when becoming involved with another human. Alexis and I both know arguments will come our way, life will throw things at us, at times we will feel like we do not love each other, and we will make mistakes. However, if we always seek God, keep him at the center our lives and “us”, and always remember that love is not just a feeling, it is also action, put love into action and the feelings will follow, only then will our relationship honor and glorify God for others to see.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. [1 Corinthians 13:4-7]

a snowboarding i have gone

Today we put on the gear, packed the friends in the car, and took off to a village to go skiing and snowboarding! It was not a huge resort as I am use to, it had only a few lifts, but it was much fun. My snowboarding skills are getting much better, I was able to go up and down the runs easily, and I only biffed it once but not that bad. I am sure tomorrow I will be feeling it, but without pain, there is no gain.

Even with rent and lift cards the total cost was $9 for four hours of snowboarding! Not bad

so this is Christmas…

The Christmas holiday has been great here. We had Christmas Eve dinner at Sabina’s (she lives with Carol and Denise) mom’s house in Nowy Targ. It was a traditional Polish Christmas dinner consisting of giving wishes to each person (cool idea when done w/ your heart and not just out of tradition), a couple of soups, bread, pierogi and fish, it was all delicious. Then we went back to Zakopane where we had a ten o’clock church service where one of the girls read the Christmas story from Luke 2, then Denise read “How God Decorates for Christmas” by Ron Melh, then we sung some Christmas carols. At the end of the night we ended the night with a candle light vigil while singing Silent Night in Polish and English, everyone seemed very pleased, since this was our first Christmas as a “church”. God is doing a lot in the hearts the people here and I am very excited for what is in store for the New Year. After the service Denise and I went to Slovakia to renew my “tourist” visa, it was fun seeing all the churches beautifully decorated for Christmas and with the lights on for Mid-night mass. I am staying with Denise and Sabina until Sunday, since Carol is currently in Seattle visiting with family, it would not be much fun staying in Zakopane by myself.

Overall Christmas in Poland has been a great experience and a very nice time to relax and talk. I sincerely hope that everyone has a wonderful time this Holiday season, and just remember YOU make the best of it, when you allow HIM to guide your every step. Family’s can be very frustrating, and people will be people, everything is better when you allow God to work through you at every moment instead of controlling your own life.

our King comes to serve and be with us

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fianc