Well, honestly Iʻve always been really bad at giving my testimony just because there was never a definite change from non-Christian to Christian in my life....ha ha kind of ironic given the circumstance that my name IS Christian.
My family had always been considered a catholic, regularly church attending family, but my attention and life focus was never fully enveloped in God. As we found out about Crossroads Bible Church I fell into a large Christian community of leaders and friends that guided me toward understanding more about what this whole God thing was all about. I gradually came to know the Lord, and accepted Christ into my heart, and later offered my house for a middle school bible study. Jonathan Kimberg led this group, and along with Danny, Josiah, Andrew and Gerardo I began to study the Bible more profoundly and understand that God has a purpose for my life.
My life has always been a constant struggle between opposites; why? well of course I was deeply involved in several ministries at the church and was getting to know God, but my secular school always put out challenges and barriers in these aspects of life. Looking back I believe it was the decision I made to conform my church life with my school life and make them one, what actually has kept the fire of the Holy Spirit living in me. I could have easily fallen into the normal routine of being a two-faced, convenience Christian; yet chose not to be. I have always lived by the belief that I should not deny that I am a Christian anywhere I go, given the fact that my name is actually Christian....so I AM Christian....
Yes, people always made fun of me and criticized my beliefs...but that has always been the perfect moment for me to invite them into this amazing lifestyle, and explain what a relationship with Jesus Christ is really like.
As of today, I have successfully graduated in both Crossfire and Balboa Academy, and can say that I brought a lot of the people from my 2 separate worlds into one. This has manifested in me as a growth in the Holy Spirit an a close proximity to God. Trials overcome have made me realize how close I must be to my creator, and sequentially bring me back to Him.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Assignment 3: Part 3 What to pray for...
My prayer request is that I might be able to get the funds enough to be able to pay for the amount of the price it costs to go to Peru. The facts are that I have only been aware that I am going for a month and a half and have only managed to gather $200 from my weekly work. God provides...of this Im sure, so no worries, but I really appreciate your prayers.
Also I fear for all of our health....As we all know last year most of the team got sick, and this was a great struggle that hindered our trip, and caused discomfort and lack of productivity while in Mancora. Please be praying for everyone to be healthy and remain healthy for the duration of the trip so that we will all function to the best of our abilities and be able to accomplish our many set-goals.
Never-the-less I am confident in that God will allow all of us to serve a very important part in this trip, and He has carefully put this team together for a reason, and that reason we are not certain of yet, but this will be clear to all of us individually and as a group very proximate to our trip, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY ANYTHING!
Also I fear for all of our health....As we all know last year most of the team got sick, and this was a great struggle that hindered our trip, and caused discomfort and lack of productivity while in Mancora. Please be praying for everyone to be healthy and remain healthy for the duration of the trip so that we will all function to the best of our abilities and be able to accomplish our many set-goals.
Never-the-less I am confident in that God will allow all of us to serve a very important part in this trip, and He has carefully put this team together for a reason, and that reason we are not certain of yet, but this will be clear to all of us individually and as a group very proximate to our trip, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED BY ANYTHING!
Assignment 3: Part One
I found a couple of websites that had very specific views and standpoints regarding Spiritual Warfare, among these:
http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/spiritual-warfare.htm
This website speaks of the reality of spiritual warfare, and that we as Christians MUST be prepared to fight and part-take in this ongoing battle. It states specific examples of people in the bible that with the help of God, were able miraculously overcome impressive, and rather impossible feats or challenges. Some examples it gives are: "King Jehoshaphat sent out praise singers in front of his soldiers to cause disarray among the enemy; Joshua used singing and trumpets to bring down the great city of Jericho; and what better example of using faith in battle than David fighting Goliath with a slingshot. "
My thoughts about this website are that, yes spiritual warfare consists of the supernatural power given to us by God in certain situations requiring physical help (like the above situations state)....but I do believe that most of all spiritual warfare is more on the psychological, spiritual, and emotional planes of life. What do I mean? well spiritual warfare deals with Godʻs fight over each and every one of our lives. The spiritual battle we fight on a day-to-day basis involves our relationship with God, and how many times we are hindered by the devil (Satan) to continue in a relationship with Him. This is why it is vital that we are prepared and suited in the spiritual armor in order be able to fight in this battle whose only goal is to give ownership of our lives to one side of the spiritual extremes.
http://www.allaboutfollowingjesus.org/spiritual-warfare.htm
This website speaks of the reality of spiritual warfare, and that we as Christians MUST be prepared to fight and part-take in this ongoing battle. It states specific examples of people in the bible that with the help of God, were able miraculously overcome impressive, and rather impossible feats or challenges. Some examples it gives are: "King Jehoshaphat sent out praise singers in front of his soldiers to cause disarray among the enemy; Joshua used singing and trumpets to bring down the great city of Jericho; and what better example of using faith in battle than David fighting Goliath with a slingshot. "
My thoughts about this website are that, yes spiritual warfare consists of the supernatural power given to us by God in certain situations requiring physical help (like the above situations state)....but I do believe that most of all spiritual warfare is more on the psychological, spiritual, and emotional planes of life. What do I mean? well spiritual warfare deals with Godʻs fight over each and every one of our lives. The spiritual battle we fight on a day-to-day basis involves our relationship with God, and how many times we are hindered by the devil (Satan) to continue in a relationship with Him. This is why it is vital that we are prepared and suited in the spiritual armor in order be able to fight in this battle whose only goal is to give ownership of our lives to one side of the spiritual extremes.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Assignment One
After taking the spiritual gifts test I found out that my strongest spiritual gifts were in the areas of: Administration, Faith, Helps and Service.
I guess I was most shocked to find out that Administration was one of my stronger areas, although I can say that I had actually never thought of it before. Faith, Service and Helps are areas that I can say that I am aware that I am somewhat strong in.
As I took the test I was just thinking about some instances in my life that represented the question being asked, if none came up then I would put (0). I am definitely really weak when in came to the more supernatural aspects of the questionnaire, such as the questions regarding speaking in tongues and driving spirits. Although, afterwards I was impressed to find out that Prophecy and Intercession didn't show bad results. I guess, I should look deeper into this aspect of my life by simply analyzing my daily behavior and response to certain situations. Spiritual Gifts don't necessarily contain the depth of spirituality at which one is at, but certainly do involve a personʻs full trust in God amazing power to unleash and see them moving in and through our lives.
I guess I was most shocked to find out that Administration was one of my stronger areas, although I can say that I had actually never thought of it before. Faith, Service and Helps are areas that I can say that I am aware that I am somewhat strong in.
As I took the test I was just thinking about some instances in my life that represented the question being asked, if none came up then I would put (0). I am definitely really weak when in came to the more supernatural aspects of the questionnaire, such as the questions regarding speaking in tongues and driving spirits. Although, afterwards I was impressed to find out that Prophecy and Intercession didn't show bad results. I guess, I should look deeper into this aspect of my life by simply analyzing my daily behavior and response to certain situations. Spiritual Gifts don't necessarily contain the depth of spirituality at which one is at, but certainly do involve a personʻs full trust in God amazing power to unleash and see them moving in and through our lives.
Assignment One
Personality Type: ENTJ
I believe these characteristics of my personality can benefit the team in that I love to take initiative in leading, be it leading a specialized group in a task or simply leading others into spiritual areas such as worship and prayer. My personality allows me to bond with people quickly; being able to relate to them and them to me in a very personal way. I feel that this trait in and of itself is very helpful because as a foreign group introducing itself to a community, it is essential to be able to relate to the locals, in order to get to their hearts and ultimately lead them to Christ or help guide them. I also have shown to be a person that will willingly take part in a humbling task, usually being a servant of some sort, and possibly going out of my way to help one in need. I would like to recognize that this trait as well as some others is VITAL to our short-term missionʻs trip to Peru. Most importantly I have found that alot of these traits are more about a persons attitude and willingness to be involved, so I just want to encourage anyone who reads this blog to get into the mindset that we are going to Peru to serve those less fortunate than ourselves, hence we are called to portray character traits similar to those of JC.
I believe these characteristics of my personality can benefit the team in that I love to take initiative in leading, be it leading a specialized group in a task or simply leading others into spiritual areas such as worship and prayer. My personality allows me to bond with people quickly; being able to relate to them and them to me in a very personal way. I feel that this trait in and of itself is very helpful because as a foreign group introducing itself to a community, it is essential to be able to relate to the locals, in order to get to their hearts and ultimately lead them to Christ or help guide them. I also have shown to be a person that will willingly take part in a humbling task, usually being a servant of some sort, and possibly going out of my way to help one in need. I would like to recognize that this trait as well as some others is VITAL to our short-term missionʻs trip to Peru. Most importantly I have found that alot of these traits are more about a persons attitude and willingness to be involved, so I just want to encourage anyone who reads this blog to get into the mindset that we are going to Peru to serve those less fortunate than ourselves, hence we are called to portray character traits similar to those of JC.
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