Brazil, from questions to reality

August 2012, I stood in the middle of the field at the summer camp I work at, filling cardboard boxes with garbage bags full of water. I had a red cape on my shoulders and was talking with my friend, we were talking about missions trips, she the previous year had gone to Argentina, I being born into a very missions focused family had always wanted to go on one. When suddenly I had the urge to go on one that year. It came out of no were, but God said "Nathan I want you to go on a missions trip." Did I know where, when, or even how? Not a clue.
That following year I started it off with this thought constantly running through my head. "I want you to go on a missions trip." I remember countless walks to school asking Him out loud "WHERE! WHEN! HOW!" November rolled around, the first weekend of which is my churches annual missions conference. And again that voice called to me, and again I cried out.
After that weekend my dad was approached by an elder from the church, he had been looking at going on a missions trip with CBM (Canadian Baptist Ministries). He asked if my dad thought anyone would be interested in going on a trip with him, funny that this was the same time God was calling me to go on one eh? And funny that out of no where my dad asked me if I was interested. The moment he told me I heard that voice again "YES!"
Almost a year from when He called me to go, I found myself in the back of a VW car, next to a guy who I had met only hours before. I looked around, red dirt filling the air, sun beaming down, and feeling like junk after a total of  10hrs in the air. God had brought me to Brazil. And He used it to change and work in me.

The next 2 weeks were ones that I will never forget. I can not tell you everything. Well I guess I could but you would be reading a book not a blog at that point. But I'd just like to share a couple of my experiences with you and my thoughts about what happened and where God had lead me. 
The first night in Brazil was my most treasured and favourite memory of life and will probably stay in that position for a very long time. 6 hours after arriving in the little town of Augus Lingas, we went to our very first Brazilian church service. A small rectangular building, with a massive mural painted at the front and red stained lawn chairs, but looking past that I saw something beautiful, something I will never ever forget. About fifty people fit in there, ages 3-70 but no matter the age all had faced pointed up, hands held high, and voices crying out as loud as they could to the Lord. I had no clue what they were saying, but I did know one thing, that they were worshipping Him. I will never forget looking around and thinking "wow, this is what it means to have brothers and sisters around the world, this is what it means to have a spiritual connection, I have no clue what they are saying God, but I know it is for you!"That night opened my eyes to how incredible this trip was going to be.

For two weeks I was going to live, interact, work with, and spend time with 6 other people, 4 of which I had never met before. However as time went on, I began to love these people, I would joke with them, laugh with them, eat with them, pray with them, and grow with them. It made me realise, that I not only had grown to love these 6 people but everyone we interacted with. I had met so many people, 90% of which could not understand a word I said, and I could not understand a word they said. But they smiled and enjoyed our company. I remember the last day we spent in Brazil, Joyce, the missionary we lived with told us that the people here had enjoyed us so much. That they initially loved us, and were so thankful we had come.
Looking back on those two weeks, I learned so much, God worked through Georgie, a man who could not speak a word of English, but yet spent so much time with us and was our friend. He worked through the kids we played with in the dirt field throwing a beat up Frisbee and making bracelets out of beads, He worked through the woman who cooked us lunches, He worked through everything. And now as almost a year and a half has passed since that sunny day when I first heard His call, I thank Him for the amazing journey and growth He took me on.
I may never see any of those people ever again, until one day in heaven, but I still love them for who they are, I love them for they are my brothers, sisters, friends, and family.

   

Air brushing, Eye drifting, and Porn Surfing

 surfing
 http://bemalleable.wordpress.com/2013/12/31/sincerely-one-of-many-girls-who-care/

Being a guy who has struggled in this world for many years I appreciate Anna's sincerity, honest, and truth. I know first hand how hard it is to keep on facing ahead. The issues of an addiction to lust is not being addressed nearly as much as it should be. It is one that is real, that Anna clearly shows here in her blog post.
So I doubt Anna will ever see this, I doubt she will ever read this, but thank-you so much for this, believe me when I say that you have helped me in saying this! May God continue to bless you Anna, and may He continue to use you to encourage all those around you.
God bless,
Your brother in Christ
-Nathan  

A Study on the Biblical Church, Part 3: What is Accountability

Accountability:
Responsibility for own acts

-Galatians 6:1-5
    -If it is needed, help others who are struggling
        -do so with maturity, grace, patience, kindness, and gentleness
            -make sure with in this you do not fall into the pit they are also in
                -remember always that you are no better then them, but rather their equal
                    -you have struggles and testing as well, it is no greater or less then theirs
                        -focus on how He is using you, not comparing yourself to others in Him
                            -Different lives, different paths, but initially the same journey!
-1 Thessalonians 5:11
    -"so encourage one another"
        -Paul also speaks of encouragement in Philippians
            -Encouragement is key in the faith
                -we can get dragged under the waves of discouragement
                    -however, if we focus on lifting each other up, unlike the world which says to push others down, we will create a people that no one                     can push down!
-Proverbs 27:17
    -We are the only ones who are going to look out for each other
        -He uses His spirit to work through us
            -like Sharpening a knife, accountability is done delicately, skillfully and done with a huge amount of respect
-Romans 14:12
    -We, in the end will all have to stand before God
        -the previous verses show that He has placed others to help us, that He uses to guide us
            -if we have ignored Him speaking through His spirit, using others, then we will stand with a heavy head
Refection:
Accountability, it is something that we can all see is lacking in the Modern Church. Through these verses you can see that it is something, however, unlike the world says, of caring, trusting, and building up, not judgement, and hypocrisy. This should be done very carefully and respectfully, as Proverbs 27:17 gives us the image of sharpening, one can not help but think of sharpening a knife, which is done this way, in respect and carefully. Accountability focuses on encouragement, it is primarily an action saying, "I know you are better then this, I want you to achieve." It is not an action of bringing one down, but about building up.

A Study of the Biblical Church, Study 2: What is Fellowship?

Fellowship:
A close relationship or unity

-1 John 1:7
    -explains that fellowship is found in the blood of Christ
        -it is the thing that brings us together
            -all differences are put aside, b/c this is the only thing that matters in the end
-1 Corinthians 1:9
    -this is an example of fellowship with Christ
        -God grants it to us
-Philippians 2:1
    -Fellowship granted by the Holy Spirit

Reflection:
Fellowship is primarily with that of Christ, the Father and The Holy Spirit, so God in Summary. It is a unique and special connection with Him, it is experienced with other believers, but only if He is the centre of it all. This means that even when by ones self, fellowship can be experienced, but it is not a fellowship found in a physical worldly context, but a fellowship on a spiritual level that is with our LORD.

A Study of the Biblical Church Part 1: What is Church?

Church:
Assembly

The Body and People
-1 Corinthians 12:18-20
    -like a body the church has many parts, not just one part
        -with many parts there are many differences
            -22-26       
                -these differences may seem like weakness' in some eyes
                    -in reality these are what strengthens the church body
                        -Biblical, they should take this under their care and so they grow and strengthen each other
-Ephesians 1:23
    -The church without Christ is nothing
        -The church needs to be broken
            -He completes and fills it, without him it is empty
-1 Timothy 3:15
    -the church is referred to as "the household of God"
-Acts 2:42-46
    - The church is a place where; "believers met together in on place and shared everything they had"
        - this could be seen in a physical context, or also in a mental context
            -implying that the church was welcoming to all, that there was no restraint or hesitant with sharing issues and problems
                -also note that they gathered in worship, and in giving

Reflection:
Church is the gathering of an imperfect people under one banner, the banner of Christ. It is interesting to see that even with this, the church is still considered "the household of God." And like it says 1 Corinthians 12:18-20, our weakness is our strengthening. If there is weakness in the church, rather then ignoring or dismissing it, we in a biblical manner should build up and strengthen the individual(s), thus making the whole body of the church stronger. However, if Christ is not the centre of this the actions and meeting of the church is useless and means nothing, the focus must be in, through and on Christ. The Church is simply an assembly or gathering of a group of imperfect individuals. Many see this as a weakness, but the Bible says if you stay focused and keep Him as your centre you will only grow stronger.

Summing it all up: Chapter 4, a Study on Philippians

Chapter 4
4:1
-Paul opens up in spiritual encouragement
4:2
-Paul advices to put petty world differences aside and seek Him
4:3
-when supporting and guiding other believers remember to be gentle and that they are fellow brothers and sisters
4:4-5
-Paul says keep Him at the centre of everything
    -this makes it that He is the only thing you seek
        -He will come back some day and all he asks is that you be ready for it
4:6-7
-Paul tells the church in Philipi bot not worry
    -rather lift it up to Him
        -once you do this fully and with full faith you will have no concern, and a sense of wholeness will be there
4:8-9
-Fill your mind with pure things
    -replace all that is sinful and worldly with Godly and Holy things
        -if this is done fully and full of faith, God will provide
            -things will start to come together and make sense

Reflection on 4:1-9
Paul, like everything in this book, opens with encouragement, showing that every encounter, weather good or bad, should be opened with encouragement and support. He then continues to show spiritual concern and guidance, touching on issues such as being in fellowship with each other not fighting, keeping Christ as the centre. The last two sections are those filled with prayer, advising to lift your worries up to God and then keep a self restraint on the mind, giving it over to Him so He may show you the way.

4:10-14
-Paul again opens with encouragement
    -He then says that he has found true happiness
        -one that is not filled with worldly desires, but with a Godly heart
            -one that will never suffice outside of Christ
4:15-18
-The church in Philipi shows there true nature
    -Paul says they are a church of a giving spirit
        -that when he needed help the most, even when he didn't ask for it, they gave it to him
            -this shows that when one is found in Christ all they want to do is give, not get
4:18-20
-There spirit of giving is shown even more
4:21-22
-Paul encourages them to welcome and share with all there brothers and sisters in the faith
    -the church in Philipi is shown here to be a true church of God
4:23
-ending with encouragement

Philippians 1-4 Reflection:
Like said at the beginning this book can be summed up in one word; Encouragement. Paul continuously encourages the church in Philipi, giving them encouragement in all areas, in prayer, faith and life. He lends his advice in areas dealing with people who are only in the faith to see how much they can get out of it, with this ye says to welcome them and show them through a life style what it truly means to be a Christian. Showing that even in jail he has a mission field, Paul shows that the church is not the only place of spiritual growth, but anywhere there is a follower of Christ. Telling the people in Philipi, he shows that being reminded of certain things is not bad, for he continues to warn and advice them. Chapter 4 then is a summing up of everything, continuing to encourage and pray for the church in Philipi.

Application:
Encourage your fellow brothers and sisters, support, advice, pray for them, we are all on different laps of the race, but in the end we run through the same finish line. If some fall, help them up with His encouragement, if others are having trouble support them and pray for them through His spirit. Encourage!

A Constant Reminder: Chapter 3, a study on Philippians

Chapter 3

3:1
-Although this is one verse it speaks to who Paul is
    -He tells that he will repeat what he has said before
        -however spiritual reminders are sometimes the best things in life
3:2-6
-Paul warns of those who are "religious busy bodies"
    -he says they have no true faith and are only about making themselves look good
        -he then says that the church in Philipi is not this
            -there faith is genuine
                -He says he has every right to say this b/c he once was this
                    -someone who "meticulously observed God's word"
                        -looking at the law, rather then the message and love
3:7-9
-Paul says that these people show off who they are with there schooling and wise insight
    -he says this is useless before Christ
        -Christ will use whoever he likes, however he likes
            -these things used to be important to Paul but once he say the true Christ his eyes were opened
                -he puts it this way "I didn't want to petty, inferior, brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the                 robust kind that comes from trusting Christ"
3:10-11
-Paul says he puts all worldly things behind him
    -this gives him a better understanding of Christ
        -putting all aside and just focusing on Him

Refection on 3:1-11
This segment is almost a little summery of what was already said in chapters 1&2. Paul address' this from the beginning, saying I will repeat myself, however this is needed, spiritual reminders are most of the time the best things ever. He warns of those who are only in for themselves, and speaks against these people, that in reality they are missing out on a true faith with God, which would fully satisfy. By example Paul finishes off with saying that worldly thing are useless and once one realises this their whole perspective on life changes, focusing only on Christ.

3:12-14
-Paul says he is not perfect, he admits this
    -he says that he doesn't have the all the answers, but He knows Christ is the one answer to all
        -He says he will never let go of this
3:15-16           
-If you are seeking something else in Christ, for your own selfish gain, Christ will wipe that away
            -what once started off as a selfish thing, God transformed into a real relationship with Him
                -He hen continues to say that if you have discovered this then you should hold onto this and continue to seek Him
3:17-19
-Paul says that believers should seek Christ through his example
    -that they should seek Christ
        -he warns of those who say this but are simply trying to take all they can get
            -Paul genuinely cares, these others will not
3:20-21
-with an excitement like no other Paul speaks of what will happen to those who truly seek Christ
    -he says that this is not the end, but just the beginning
        -Christ is all

Chapter 3 refection:
In this chapter Paul opens up with a reminder, and then he continues to talk of this, warning the Philippians to not be easily deceived by those around them. He advices them to develop there own individual faiths and support each other together through it. He ends with encouraging words, saying that in the end Christ will lift you up before the Father.