It is not yet complete.

So the Missions Conference was amazing. God was moving like I've never ever experienced before in my life. Praise Him for that amazing time. You aren't getting any details, by the way. If you want to know what happened, you should have been there.

Anyway.

I was studying the history of Christianity in Spain the other day. It wasn't ever a pretty picture. It's always been Catholic, or, during the Moor's reign, Muslim, for the most part.

I read about how there's never been anything resembling a strong, Bible preaching movement, and how converts to true Christianity are few and far between. None of this is news to me, but I still love reading about this kind of thing. (Spain’s history. Not the other stuff.)

But then I learned something new. Something amazing, something that gave me hope. Something no one had ever mentioned on any webpage, or on any book.

On the last page of the “Spain's religious history” page, after all the depressing, and painful facts, there were six words:

"Spain's history is not yet complete."

Everyone had always talked about the past. We can't change the past. But the future, that is untouched.

There is still time for us to take the Gospel to Spain, and for lost, unsaved, sinners to be able to turn from an eternity in hell, and to know the love the Jesus has for them.

Spain's history is not yet complete.

Regreso en seguida

Basically, the Missions Conference starts tomorrow.

Don't expect to see another post from me until at least Monday.

The little foxes.

One of the most unread books of the Bible would have to be, at least from my experience in my own reading and hearing sermons preached, Song of Solomon.

In S.O.S, chapter two, verse fifteen, we read, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes." At first, this just seems like good gardening advice, but after closer review, study, and meditation, one will see that this verse means far more than that.

I once read a book called, "The Deputation Manual for Missionaries," by Austin Gardner and Tony Howeth. In the very beginning of that book, it talks about the little foxes. It says that we need to get those little foxes out of our lives before, slowly but surely, they ruin us.

(I'll admit, I too wouldn't have come across the verse about the little foxes had I not read that book, so you can thank Pastor Gardner and Brother Howeth for this blog, because it is based off of their ideas and writing.)

Even after reading their book, I still had a few foxes left in my life: music, TV, friends (because friends can pull you away from God, yes.) language, and on and on.

However, as God has been working in me, and changing me to fit His plan for my life, those little foxes are slowly, but surely, dropping out of my life.

I'm not saying I no longer sin, because I do. All I'm saying is that the things I used to enjoy, even though I knew they were wrong, no longer seem to be as fun. I don't want to listen to my old music. I don't want to watch the same TV shows as I used to. I don't want to say those words, or think the same thoughts. There are people who I once called a friend that now think I'm an idiot, bigot, loser, or some other name because I moved to Atlanta. Or because I'm concerned that the world's Muslim population is growing at a rapacious rate.

But the funny thing is this: I'm ok with it. I'm not worried about those people, because the Bible says that people will revile and mock you when you follow God. Just dust your booths off and keep going.

God is taking the worldly things I used to love and changing my heart so that I hate them. Things I'll see someone doing something I used to do, and think, "Man, I hate that." Now, I'm not saying I hate people, because I don't. I just hate sin.

I dunno, I always get excited to write a blog, and by the end, I'm afraid I haven't properly illustrated my point, or didn't write what I wanted to write.

All I'm saying is this: God has changed me into someone I never thought I could be. Even though I always said I've been called to be a missionary, which I am, I never really thought I'd end up being one, but not anymore. At this point, I don’t really want to do anything but glorify God, and get the gospel of Jesus to lost and dying souls.

It's really simple.

I've been living in Georgia for just over a month or so. In that short time, God has done a mighty, mighty work in my life.

I'm not going into the details about it, because I don't think I can explain them without coming across as arrogant, even though I haven't done anything. God's been the one Who has been changing me.

But seriously. If anyone has any doubt about God's power...just try it. For one month, and I guarranteeeeee that, at the end of the month, there will be no doubt. It's insane how much God has grown me.

Glory to God, for salvation, His truth, His faithfulness and all that He does.

I wish I were a little better educated so I could express myself as much as I wanted to, but I'm not. Oh, wait, God is so good that not even the man with the golden tongue, or the most profound writer could describe His awesomeness. Amen.

What scares me...

To be quite honest with you, I’m not really scared of that many things. When you boil it down to the very crux of it all, I really only fear (other than the Lord, but that’s another blog for another day) one thing.
Are there times that I get scared of something, or have fear in me? Yes. However, I’m talking about a fear that is there day in and day out, one that never ceases to be in me.
I am scared, above all other things, that my ministry for God won’t be as good, or as great as I want it to be. I’m scared I’ll get to Spain, and have no converts. That I’ll only start one church, and be there forever because no one will grow enough to take my place so I can go start another one. I’m scared that I’ll be a lazy missionary, and that I won’t do enough work for God here on earth. I’m scared I won’t ever start a lot of Bible preaching churches, or spread God’s word to one of the most un-evangelized countries in all the world (That’s Spain, in case you didn’t know).
I look at the things people around me have done, and I really stand in awe of what they’ve done. So and so was a missionary to this place for 30 years. This guy led 500 men to Christ through his ministry. This guy has preached in over 50 different countries.
But, like someone said, it wasn’t that person who did it. It was God who did it through that person.
My whole problem is my pride. Well, not my whole problem, but a large part of it is pride and arrogance. I want a big ministry, lots of converts and all that because I want to look good. I putt glorifying God as my number two objective, and my own glory first.
Also, I rely too much on myself, and not enough on God. Nehemiah 6:16 says, “And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God”
It was God who did the work in those people I look up to. It was God who
Nehemiah also writes, “And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.”
It wasn’t like Nehemiah said, “Hey, guys, get your weapons together, and we’re gonna go destroy the enemy! US! WE! NOSOTROS! NOUS! YOU AND I!” (And that’s what I often do: rely on my own strength)
Right now, I’m working on trusting God, and leaving the result to Him. I like to think I’m helping by doing something I shouldn’t (in an attempt to help God…like He needs it) and really just worry and stress myself out.
Additionally, I’m working on glorifying God my number one priority, and putting it above my own glory, because the Bible makes it pretty simple in Matthew 6:1-6how we should do things (as far as seeking glory)
AndIalsogotaskedtogobackhometomyoldchurchandpreach, whichIreallywantedtodo, soI’mreallyexcitedaboutthat.

Se habla por telefono

I find that I'm talking on the phone with my mother a lot more than I thought I would. I figured I'd call her a few times a week, and talk for about 10 minutes. Instead, I call her almost every day, and talk for well over a half hour.

We usually talk about the Bible, my old church, and my dad/brother. Last night, we talked about my brother. Hebrews 12:11 says that (to paraphrase) you won't like being chastened now, but in the future, you'll be grateful it happened.

I used to say that my parents had 18 years with me, and that they had their chance. They aren't happy with how I turned out? Hey, they had their time. But the God convicted me of something: I don't like how my brother turned out. Hey, I had 14 years with him.

From things people have said, I've seen and heard, I would have to say that I feel my brother is still unsaved. I'm praying that God would convict him of that so badly that he couldn't ignore his need anymore, and that Tyler (my brother) would allow the Holy Spirit to enter in.

Same thing goes for my dad.

Also, I have a boss who just likes to bother everyone, and can be a complete jerk. He grew up Catholic, and is now a non-church goer. He does know I go to church and am a Christian. I thought he was just like, "Eh, whatever. New guy's a holy roller. Whatever."

I was wrong.

Last week, I said something along the lines of, "Man, that sucks." (In all fairness, I shouldn't have said that) My boss, Tony, stopped what he was doing, looked at me, and goes, "Huh. I didn't think you Christians talked like that."

He's already told me that he stopped going to church because he saw a double standard in his old church as a child. The people were outwardly righteous at church, but just like lost men away from church.

If this man is to be won for Christ, he's going to have to see a Christian, or Christians, who is/are totally sold out for God and are the same at church on Sunday as they are on Wednesday morning.

Please pray for these people.

I didn't have a good day today.

I had a really bad day today.
I felt sick.
I had a really long day at work.
I got yelled at today at work.
I also got one compliment, but that's the high point of my day.
I rear ended a guy today.
The guy was a jerk.
He didn't give me any of his insurance information.
I bet he takes me to court, and wins a lot of money from me.
If that happens, I won't be able to pay it.
I can't pay my bills now.
I have a lot to do, and haven't done it.
I dunno.
I'm going to bed.

But the missions conference isn't too far off.
I'm excited about that.