1 year since our graduation - ARISE 2008

Hello ARISE family,

how are you all doing? Can you believe it’s a year since we graduated? Amazing, time goes by so fast, and still our LORD hasn’t come yet! Let’s stay focused on the mission we have, for he has PROMISED to come back soon and we want to meet him in the clouds, right?

You know, the last months have been up and down in my spiritual life, somehow I couldn’t figure out how to fit everything in one day, bible studies, university, studying for exams, calling people, cleaning the house… I was tired when I got up and tired the whole day, couldn’t really concentrate on my devotions, repeated the same phrases while praying and started doubting if this whole “religion thing” was just an imagination and nothing real. Most of my university colleagues don’t believe in God, in creation, the Bible,… Especially the last week was really hard. We were on a snow camp in another state, skiing the whole day, presentations at night, studying for the exam tomorrow afterwards. Whenever we had the time to be in our room, our neighbor’s listened to music really loud and I didn’t have a silent minute that whole week. We came back yesterday (Sabbath) and I missed going to church, spending time with other believers. At night I was just sad and this morning I remembered our graduation, the whole ARISE session, all of you – my brothers and sisters, and I started crying cause I was so unsure what to do and what to believe. I started playing the piano and singing hymnals, opened the book at page 322 “Nothing between”

My eyes flipped over the text and I started crying again. The last months I’ve been trying so hard to live a “good life”, but failed. I realized again that although I didn’t mean to, I again made myself the boss of my life. I knelt down and started praying and asked Jesus to enter my heart and make me more like him. I asked him to be the one sitting on my throne, asked him to fill my heart with his spirit and to cast out everything that’s hindering.

Lying on the floor crying I heard a small voice telling me to open the Bible at Isaiah 43. I started reading the first verse and had to cry even more. What wonderful love is this, that he who created us, calls us by our names – we are HIS. With every verse I read I could see the fathers love for us and also, that I can trust his word. Chapter 44 is amazing, I tell you, God has humor, it answered my question if he really can be the only one and true God, or if I’m stubborn and thinking in a wrong direction… God says, how can people take the same wood and use it for warming themselves, making fire to bake bread and yet cut a god out of it and worship him!? How can we worship something we created? Jesus Christ is the true God because HE created us and this is why we worship him. And he did not only create us, he loves us and redeemed us. I tell you, I was astonished anew, God is great!

God lifted my burdens and gave me joy and peace in my heart this morning. He wants to live in ALL of us, never forget: There is power in the blood (hymnal294)

Remember David’s sermon: Keep getting up? This is what I was thinking of this morning.

Falling is a part of walking, and struggling a sign of life! Jesus promised in Psalm 145:14 that he is with us when we fall and that he is the one giving us strength to keep getting up! (read Steps to Christ, p.64!)

Brothers and sisters, I wanted to share my little experience with you cause I’m sure that some of you might feel the same. Let me tell you: He is faithful!

I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN, EITHER HERE ON EARTH OR UP IN HEAVEN! Please keep fighting the good fight, keep studying, keep praying, keep sharing and keep taking the time to be still and listen!

I love you all,

my prayers are with you

Lissi

Who is doing the work, you or Him?

"When men loose sight of Christ's example, and do not pattern after His manner of teaching, they become self-sufficient, and go forth to meet Satan with his own manner of weapons. The enemy knows well how to turn his weapons upon those who use them. Jesus spoke only words of pure truth and righteousness.

If ever a people needed to walk in humility before God, it is His church, His chosen ones in this generation. We all need to bewail the dulness of our intellectual faculties, the lack of appreciation of our privileges and opportunities. We have nothing whereof to boast. We grieve the Lord Jesus Christ by our harshness, by our unchristlike thrusts. We need to become complete in Him."

Gospel Workers 328

Please let it be Him.

Encouragement

If we would only do as the Lord desires us to, our hearts would become as sacred harps, every chord of which would sound forth praise and gratitude to the Redeemer sent by God to take away the sin of the world. With joy we would be able to say, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us." {RH, October 1, 1908 par. 4}
When temptations assail you, as they surely will, when care and perplexity surround you, when, distressed and discouraged, you are almost ready to yield to despair, look, O look, to where with the eye of faith you last saw the light; and the darkness that encompasseth you will be dispelled by the bright shining of his glory. When sin struggles for the mastery in your soul, and burdens the conscience, when unbelief clouds the mind, go to the Saviour. His grace is sufficient to subdue sin. He will pardon us, making us joyful in God. {RH, October 1, 1908 par. 5}
Looking at self, we see only weakness, and we forget God's purpose for us. We forget that he placed on us so high a value that he gave Christ to die for us. O, after all that has been done for us, how can we disappoint Christ by failing to live the life that he has made it possible for us to live? Let us no longer talk of our inefficiency and lack of power. Forgetting the things that are behind, let us press forward in the heavenward way. Let us neglect no opportunity that, if improved, will make us more useful in God's service. Then like threads of gold, holiness will run through our lives, and the angels, beholding our consecration, will repeat the promise, "I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir." All heaven rejoices when weak, faulty human beings give themselves to Jesus, to live his life.

We may claim sanctification...

The Scriptures teach us to seek for the sanctification to God of body, soul, and spirit. In this work we are to be laborers together with God. Much may be done to restore the moral image of God in man, to improve the physical, mental, and moral capabilities. Great changes can be made in the physical system by obeying the laws of God and bringing into the body nothing that defiles. And while we cannot claim perfection of the flesh, we may have Christian perfection of the soul. Through the sacrifice made in our behalf, sins may be perfectly forgiven. Our dependence is not in what man can do; it is in what God can do for man through Christ. When we surrender ourselves wholly to God, and fully believe, the blood of Christ cleanses from all sin. The conscience can be freed from condemnation. Through faith in His blood, all may be made perfect in Christ Jesus. Thank God that we are not dealing with impossibilities.

We may claim sanctification! We may enjoy the favor of God!

We are not to be anxious about what Christ and God think of us, but about what God thinks of Christ, our Substitute. Ye are accepted in the Beloved. The Lord shows, to the repenting, believing one, that Christ accepts the surrender of the soul, to be molded and fashioned after His own likeness.

2SM 32.3 (emphasis added)

don't forget

hey guys, i hope you are all doing well. listen, it's been almost a year since we started ARISE, and i don't want you to forget the experience we had. about a month ago, i was in troy shopping at the mall with my family, and after we finished i visited the Somerset Apartments neighborhood and the Troy church. even though there was nobody there, i thought of all the memories of morning chapels, falling asleep in class (haha) and returning from outreach to share testimonies of how the Lord had tried our patience and taught us to let Him lead. there were times on outreach that irrefutably could only have been orchestrated by the Divine hand. each one of us had many of those experiences.

the reason i am writing this is because many of us will be starting school soon, or working, or doing some kind of full time ministry, and i don't want a single person to forget that God was definitely leading us. as a matter of fact, He'd still like to, but are you giving Him the time to tell you how to live? perhaps you're too busy, maybe even too busy doing ministry that you don't have enough time for your personal time with Christ in the morning, and you're getting worn out. so please, take a step back and review your life with God, and ask Him to FULLY come into your life without you getting in the way. fully SURRENDER, and be vulnerable to the Spirit of God so HE can show you the way you ought to live, and what you should do. "The safest place in the world is in the center of God's will." remember, "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history."

Revelation 2:10- "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Revelation 22:12- “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work."

P.S. By the way, I saw Kayleen Burt and Josh Maloon a few days ago while I was visiting some friends in Berrien Springs. Kayleen's baby is doing well, and Josh is going to Palawan, Philippines as a missionary with AFM for at least a year. keep them in your prayers.

Kyrgyz Republic

A very good friend of mine is going to Kyrgyzstan soon and I was wondering if any of my fellow ARISE-ers know any body near there that my friend could meet with. I would love an email or a call if you know someone. Thanks.

highly recommended website

A news website that covers the news that matters, "through a prophetic eye":
http://midnightcrymedia.com/

Escaping Death...

This was just passing through my mind, and I wanted to offer it as encouragement to all who will read it:

2 Peter 1:2-4
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who has called us to glory and virtue, through which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Here's my paltry attempt at even beginning to understand what that really means:

1. We receive grace and peace on the principle of multiplication through a growing knowledge of God and Jesus.

2. This is the result of His power gives us everything that has anything to do with life and godliness (once again through our knowledge of Him--which give me the idea we really need to get to know Him better).

3. He has set us apart to exemplify glory and virtue.

4. Through Him, who set us apart, we receive EXCEEDING (I love that word) great and precious promises.

5. By these promises, we may receive the Divine nature (HAVE MERCY!).

6. By these promises, we may escape from this world, its corruption (which is ever-increasing through unsanctified desires), and the end result of it (death).

Praise God for the promises of The One who loved us to death, that we may escape death and receive again the sinless nature we lost in Eden!

What God Prizes

Sometimes it feels like the work we're trying to do for God is hardly making a drop in the vast ocean of need...I felt this way this week...and then a friend sent me a reminder that I thought I'd pass on.

"It is not the great results we attain, but the motives from which we act, that weigh with God. He prizes goodness and faithfulness more than the greatness of the work accomplished." 2T 510-511

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." Gal 6:9

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor 15:58

bible worker opportunity

There's a position that's just opened at a church near to me (Portland, ME). Year long. Summer to summer. Please call or email me if the Lord is speaking to you about this. 

The Love of God

The revolting sound of my alarm clock called my name this morning at 6. -Forget it,- I muttered under my breath, -this is a black day.- I turned over, planning to skip devotions, cancel worship, and walk into work wearing a scowl and all black. Thirty minutes passed--6:30--the time when I usually awaken my housemates for worship. From my sleep a knock at the door called for my attention. No way. I knew I had to get up. I went to my door and no one was there. I knocked on my housemates' doors figuring one of them had done it, but they hadn't. -Might as well have worship,- I surmised.

The devotional verse was from Romans 8. The point was, no matter what comes into our lives, it cannot separate us from the love of God. Trials can come. Heartaches may befall us. Nothing can separate us. Read the chapter. I was in tears as I finished reading it in its entirety after worship. Nothing can separate us. As you read the end of the chapter, substitute in all the problems that you think you have and realize that nothing can separate you from His love that was manifested in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Preaching in Spanish

hey everyone, how are you? i'm preaching in spanish for the first time in my life tomorrow, so if you could pray for me it would be swell. 11am EST.

say, if you don't have a prayer journal, you should keep one! this week evan bambrick (the oldest of the three boys whose family came to the evangelistic meetings and some of the last ARISE classes) showed me that i really needed to get back into mine. (by the way, for those who remember him, he gave his heart to God in this last month!! He's oN FiRe!!) I basically write what i read and learn in my devotions, what's happening, what/who i'm praying for, and how God is leading in my life. it's really great to keep yourself accountable to God, and it's really important for later on to see how God is truly active in your life. i hope you're all doing well! God be with you! don't forget His promises!

-David Fernandez

Psalm 32:8- "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

Prayer request

I also have a prayer request - Satan really seems to be attacking the members of our team at the moment - there have been muggings, road accidents and other issues both physical and spiritual to deal with, and we really need God's protection and strength.

Miracle in the middle of the street

I looked up from preparing supper out my open door, wondering why on earth there were so many people congregating the middle of the main road.
"Hey, I think something's wrong!" I called to one of my housemates. I could already see two other members of our team jogging over to join the group, so I sprinted out into the warm evening air - and my stomach almost flipped at what I saw. A man lay sprawled awkwardly in the middle of the street next to a motorbike, a puddle of blood around his head, his mouth slightly open and his eyes shut. "I think he's dead," my team mate Dan (names changed) said as I came up to him. "I think so too," I replied. "It looks like his neck is broken." From what we could pick up from the other people, they agreed with us.
Another team mate, Brianna, bent over the man to check his pulse. "I think...I think maybe he's still alive...I can hardly feel a pulse though..." she called. The accident victim didn't stir as she touched him, and individually we three started to pray: "Lord, return this man's spirit to him! Lord, please don't let this man die."
Brianna reached out and touched the man again - and he twitched, and opened one eye. Then he began to close it again. "God, please no!" And this time, the man twitched again, lifted his head and tried to sit up! A collective gasp went around the circle of onlookers.
"Someone tell him to stay down," Brianna instructed. "Lynette, go get my first aid kit." She treated his wounds, sticky with blood, while I tried to sort through what had happened! Silently I praised God for returning life to the man... He had answered our prayers with an amazing miracle! Truly, there is power in prayer!

How God leads - just wonderful! :)

Hey siblings,
how are you doing? I'm praying for you and hope we will all see again soon - hopefully united in heaven, at Jesus side!!


I had an awesome day yesterday. There is this lady, Gudrun, we had one bible study together like 2 months ago or so, called me yesterday and asked me to come over because she wanted to introduce me to someone.. so I went there, and there was this girl, Sarah from Kenia, and she is Gudrun's sister's Au Pair (nanny) :) A really nice young lady, 24 years old.. so we started talking (english - yesss) and pretty soon I told her about ARISE and I told her about the Bible and what we studied. And then she asked me: Do you know for sure that you are saved? wow, it was so amazing, she is reading her Bible every day and memorizing verses, praying (and the family she is in is atheist!!) and yeah, she really misses going to church, cause she hasn't found one yet. so I told her about our church and invited her and - by god's grace - she'll come in 2 weeks. cause this weekend i'm not here..
I'm still so excited, we want to study now and meet every week (english bible studies *praisegod*) and pray together, sing and just get to know each other a little more..

Isn't it wonderful how god leads? I love working for him.

And at night I went to a faaaaraway town, cause one of my friends asked me to present the books there (the 10!!) and both of his friends took them, so I earned quite a lot yesterday - praise God, I really needed it..

God is working in our lives, ARISErs. He is in control - always and every day. TRUST him!!
Please keep Sarah in your prayers,
love you all
God bless

Prayer Request

Tomorrow starts my first evangelistic series. Please keep me in your prayers. I'm tempted to be anxious. Thanks ahead of times.

-Ben J. Man

Lessons in Manure

"God, why don't you just kill me?!" he shouted through his tears, "This isn't fair. Just kill me!"

The 16-year-old boy leaned in pain over the broken wheel barrel full of manure. He was tired by a chain of consequences for his own actions. He was the one who played instead of working. He was the one who put the prong of the pitchfork into the wheel barrel tire. And he was the one who now had to finish moving all the manure with the broken wheel barrel before he could eat supper. He had tried time and time again to pull it, but all his efforts were to no avail. More often than not, the wheel barrel would tip over and he'd have to begin his task again. Dragging the wheel barrel along was literally back-breaking work. His frustration led him to verbally express a desire to cease to be in the land of the living.

I called his name. I walked to where he was and looked into his tear-filled eyes. "Can you do this alone?" I asked.
"No! I can't!" He cried out.
"Then why don't you admit that you can't do it and ask for help?"
"Because I don't think anyone would help me."
"You'd be surprised if you asked."
He paused for a moment and then asked, "Would you help me?"

Without a word I took hold of the wheel barrel full of manure and dragged it to the far end of the garden. By the time I'd gotten there my back was asking me, "Why are you doing this? This isn't your problem." True. It wasn't my problem. But then again it was.

Seeing that I was doing all the work myself, and perhaps feeling a little guilty that he was doing nothing he said, "Maybe we can carry it." We returned again to the manure pile and filled it again. I took hold of the handles and he took hold of the wheel as we started towards the garden again. Within 25 paces he dropped his end and cried out, "I can't do this! It hurts too much."

Without a word I walked to the other side of the wheel barrel and picked up his side so he could have the lighter end of the load. Again, this time more swiftly, my back questioned, "Why are you doing this? This really isn't your problem!" Then my mind began to more clearly see what I was being Jesus and this boy was being me. Now I knew I couldn't quit, no matter the cost.

Time and time again we made the tedious trip to and from the garden. Each time my bodily agony grew stronger as my muscles grew weaker and my prayers for divine help grew more fervent. And then at last the final trip was made. I looked at my hands that had so eagerly awaited supper. They were covered in manure. My once clean jacket had fared even worse. My body ached, and I feebly attempted to straighten myself from the deformed posture to which I had accustomed myself.

The boy walked away to eat his supper, apparently unmoved by my act of benevolence. He never said thank you. I was tempted to feel outraged, but then I thought of the Son of God who came down from a kingdom of indescribable glory to help resolve a problem He didn't create. He endured all the abhorred, filthy elements of this world to save me. And after He'd carried my burden, and after He'd been covered in a different manure, I walked away unmoved by His act of benevolence. And I'm the one who didn't say thank you. The story repeats itself time and time again as I continue in sin, crucifying Christ afresh--putting Him to an open shame.

Walking away from the garden, I learned the lesson. I can only hope the boy did too.

prayers

Hey guys,

how are you all doing? It's just so good to have something to stay connected with you all and to read what's going on in your lives. I pray for you, my ARISE family, and I really hope we meet again soon... Let's pray that the Lord may come soon, and let's hasten his coming by working more and more and staying focused..
Please (really selfish) pray also for me, I'm not quite sure if I should stay here as a literature evangelist or go abroad again, I'm still praying to really see God's will, cause only when we are centered in his will we will be truly satisfied.
Love you all,
God bless
your Austrian sister in Christ =)

hey guys!
Kimberly has arrived safe and sound and daniel is coming tomorrow morning! all the arisers will be gatthered and ready to work that is really exciting, its been kinda lonley being the only one so far, so its good to have someone u know a little better...:) keep praying for us!
miss u all!

Exciting times in Asia!

My colleague looked up from her Bible study notes. "What do you want to do now?" she asked.
"I think I'm going to go down to river and continue some devotional reading," I said. We had just finished a Bible study, and I wanted to enjoy for longer the amazing presence of God that I felt.
"I think I should do that too," Anna replied (names changed). "I'll meet you there." On her way out of the house, she met another of our colleagues, Dan, and one of the young men from church. There were also going to the river.

As we sat by the water, basking in the warmth of the late afternoon sun, two local men came up to us and started practicing their English. Suddenly they said to us, "We're Buddhist. What are you?"
"We're Christians," we replied, surprised and pleased.
"Really? Tell us what you believe!"
We were so excited! As we shared, the men soaked in all we told them, asking searching questions. "Buddhism has been around longer than Christianity," they said, "so it must be better."
"But the God who promised Jesus would come existed long, long before Buddhism," by friend replied.
"Really?!" they exclaimed. "Tell us about this God."
Soon the conversation was getting above our language level - that's when Dan and his friend walked up. The young man from church was able to translate for us and eventually take over the conversation, and from what he told us later, it wasn't him speaking at all, but God through him.

We talked to the Buddhists for over an hour, and when they finally had to go, we were left with glowing faces and hearts. God is so good! Keep praying for these men and for the work here as we learn more about the culture and religion of the people in order to share with them more effectively.

We have an everlasting foundation!!!

"When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked are no more, but the righteous have an everlasting foundation."

Everyone, let's stay connected to our Foundation by being always in His presence!
love,
david

ARISE Memories

Part 1



Part 2

just landed...working on the jetlag...

yeah... as maybe most of u know i was planning to go to australia to work with the iiwec for 6 months, and now after 2 months tim eof waiting, im finally here! it verry exiting, im just waiting foor kimmy and daniel to get down here too and the arise crew will then be ready to work:) unfortunatley we will all work in different churches... im exited to start working for God again cuz ive found that there is nothing more satisfying in the world, ive been haave a little down period since i came back home but now its moving up again and im really looking forward to see what God has on his mind for me the time i will be here! i hope u all is doing great! i would appreciate ur prayers! and pray that daniel and kimmy will be able to come soon!
love u all!
sara

The Lone Bible Worker

Hello my fellow ARISErs!

I just want to give you all an update on how my bible work has been going here in Crowley, TX. I’ve been working since the last week of January going door to door and following up bible study cards. I’m finding many people who want to study with me. Here are a couple stories from my work so far.

The very first person I visited when I started was a lady named Tracey. She sent in a something wonderful card saying she wanted bible studies. I followed up this card and gave her bible study guide she wanted. She was excited and told me she wanted to get back on track with God. I visited her the next week, gave her the second lesson, and ended up turning it into a sit down bible study. She had many questions from whether or not tattoos are okay to the antichrist. I was very excited. I went back the next week, but she didn’t answer the door. I kept going back for about two weeks and had no answer. This was very discouraging to me and I prayed and I said ‘Lord, this is the last time I’m visiting her. She has my contact information. If she wants to contact me she can.’ Friday came and I left for Kansas to visit my sister for the weekend. Saturday after church I got a call from Tracey. She left me a message saying she had finished all three lessons I left her and she really wanted the fourth. Monday evening I visited her. I gave her the next lesson and set up a time for bible study. She asked to come inside. I sat down with her and she told me how sorry she was. She was talking to me about the great controversy lesson about Lucifer falling from heaven. She said her phone was cut off and she was almost in tears because she couldn‘t call me. She went to the neighbor’s and used their phone. She really opened up to me. She told me she was driving on the highway and there was a 12 year old boy that ran out into the road. She hit him and killed him. Its been affecting her in many different ways. She gave me a hug before I left and was happy I came. Today, I had a study with her on the second coming. It was a good study. She asks many questions and when I was leaving she asked ‘what are we going to study next week?’

I was going door to door one day and I did the longest street ever! The very last house on that street I met an old guy named Harry. One thing about Harry, he can’t hear anything. I knocked on his door, he came, and I soon figured out that I needed to talk very loudly. So I was shouting so he could hear. He still was saying ‘Sorry, I can’t hear you…’ I finally showed him the survey, pointed to the words, and shouted as loud as I could. The last question ‘Do you want to study the bible with me?’ Harry says yes. Considering the fact that its hard for him to hear me, I was very surprised that he said yes. Monday at nine I was supposed to study with him. I studied with him on Tuesday after overcoming some obstacles (my car broke down…) I think I have never talked so loud in my life. I think that part of the reason God put Harry in my life is to make me learn to talk louder. I did the word of God study and I wasn’t sure if he was into it, but at the end of the study, Harry told me he really enjoyed it and that I inspire him to study the bible more. He wants to study with me again!

I praise God for sending me people who are really searching. These are only two of many stories that God has been giving me. God has really been blessing my work here in Crowley, TX. I preached in my church a few weeks ago on the importance of prayer, bible study, and witnessing. I talked about how these are the three things that made the disciples ministry so great. A lot of the church members were really convicted. I’m starting church training soon and a few other ministries in my church.

Please pray for me and my work here. I pray for all of you guys every day. Keep praying, studying the bible, and witnessing!!

Stay faithful,

Lorina

My Brother, My Sister, Do Not Despair

I sat in the darkened office alone amidst the silent cacophony of my thoughts. And they were for you. Nearly two months have passed since we, united with fervor for the cause of Christ, set off to the far reaches of the globe from Troy. The grand blaze that we spent months nourishing and tending was dispersed to start fires elsewhere. For three and a half months we dreaded the anticipated departure. For three and a half months the devil concocted his wildest schemes to snuff out the fire of our faith. Over these weeks and weeks following our consecration and commissioning we have seen those wiles, and on different levels, we have all succumb to some of them.

Now, I say, let us lay aside ever weight that may slow us down. Let us renew our vows to the Savior who loved us to death. Dear brother, dear sister, I know there is someone who needs to hear these words. You thought you would have done better than this after ARISE. I do. Your foresight has proven to be human. Mine does. You chose not to share your deepest struggles for any number of insufficient reasons. I do. You feel the struggles that all of our class faces and don't know what to do. I do.

My beloved, do not despair. Let your knees find the floor; let your eyes find the tears you hide inside; let your voice cry out with unfeigned fervor to the God our salvation...the God who parted the Red Sea in Troy...the God who didn't let our shoes wear out in Sterling Heights...OUR GOD. He is the same.

Do not despair in the lies of the enemy. We have fallen before; our God still bids us rise. Pour yourself at the Savior's feet. Cast every care upon him. All of heaven is waiting to spring into action. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. It comes from THE ONLY ONE who is ABLE to keep YOU from falling and to present you FAULTLESS before the presence of HIS glory...with so much joy.

Today, exhausted, I felt to my face on the floor in to office and cried to the God of my Salvation. And He heard from heaven. And He answered.

He is strong to deliver. He is mighty to save.

Notes from Asia

The woman with the light brown skin and colourful calf-length skirt put her hands together in a prayer gesture and lifted them to her chin, greeting me in the traditional way. "Hello!" she said to me in her language. "Hello," I replied shyly, utilizing the only phrase of the local language that I know and remember!

My bare feet slapping on the cool tile floor, I went inside the church and sat on a plastic chair at the back of the room, next to some other young people, and tried to make some sense of all that the preacher was saying. I couldn't! One lady, who spoke English a little, told me that the text was from Ecclesiasties 3, and so I looked down at the Bible in my lap and writhed in frustration. I wish I had the gift of tongues!!

I joined my fellow SMs and some other Engish speakers for Sabbath potluck, which was sticky rice and various sauces and vegetables. To eat potluck here, you take a big scoop of sticky rice and fashion it into smaller "cups", with which you scoop up the other food.

My team here has done so much to make me feel welcome and at home, which I really appreciate with all the changes I have to get used to. But this is a beautiful city, full of fascinating things. There are elaborate temples on almost every corner, coloured red and gold, with large idols at the gates and smaller ones carved into the walls and roof corners. Small "houses" or altars to ancestral or territorial spirits sit at some street corners or houses. There are beautiful red and pink flowers, tall coconut trees and deep green plants wherever you look. Almost everyone here rides a motorcycle wherever they need, and the traffic laws are very...flexible!! As one of my team mates told me, "You need to drive defensively if you don't want to get killed!!"

Please continue to pray for me. I'm sure I'll go through some culture shock at some point, and I have many expectations to live up to and jobs to accomplish. In the moments when I can't communicate and everything seems a bit too different, I remind myself that God called me here. He has some plan. And that's enough for me.

Aha!

So today, January 27 at 23:26 (it's almost tomorrow!), I discover this ARISE class of 08 blogg. I didn't know of it's existence nor that I was a member of it. A lot of statements I've read about blogging make so much more sense now. Anyway. This will be a brief message from me as I really need sleep. I've been studying these last couple of weeks, my exam is on Friday. Being back home is good, but I also quickly learned that not all of my "old" problems were solved at ARISE. I still have serious issues with managing my time so please pray for me. On the plus side, I've become more aware of where I keep falling, Jesus is working on me.

I fully planned to go to bed at 9:30 today but then the bible (boot camp style) study on the Word of God that I had with my sisters and cousins started late and then ended late which is why I'm still up. When we started the study my cousin asked me what the point of this study was since she already believed in the Bible. You all should have seen her as she was learning about the claims the bible makes and the proof that supports those claims. She is very excited about this one and is determined to get the rest of them as well. On a side note, the dutch translation I was reading completely threw me off my game. In Dan 2:5 it didn't say anything about the king forgetting the dream. Thats a free tip from me to all of you (esp you foreigners): make sure your translations says what your teaching :) .

To everyone that has left me messages but has not heard from me yet, I still know and love you all. After my exam you shall surely here of me.

I'm praying for all of you still!

Zippora

Discouraged

I've been struggling. For the past couple of weeks I've been going through some dark valleys in my Christian experience. Sometimes there's seemed to be a wall between me and and real communion God, and I don't know what to do about it. I'm finding it hard to get up in time to have a meaningful devotional and prayer life. Sometimes, when I've been reading or hearing certain stories, I ask myself if I could go through the suffering these people do for my beliefs. And I don't think I could. I hate that, because I really want to stand strong for God no matter what... I want to really, deeply believe what I believe so that it's worth more than life to me. So please just pray for me.

prayers are important!

Hey to all, it's so good to read things here.. I pray for you Ben, Sara and James - and for all the ones that didn't write anything specific too : ) Please pray for me so God can really show me where he wants me to be the next 6 months. I could work in Bogenhofen in the girls torm, or stay here and work for my home church (what would desperatly be needed) or go to Graz and work there and do Bibleworking part time... or come back to the states and to bibleworking there : )
I've been home now for exactly a week, and it was nice because my little nephew Michael was born and I spend a lot of time at my sister's place taking care of the children. But I have the feeling that I didn't really do anything for a week, I would love to go on outreach or something like that, pray that I can encourage my church and find people that are missionfocused, that want to go out and be missionaries, and not just members. Being back at my home church the first time last sabbath was a little shock for me, there were just 20 people, they all sort of told me to "calm down"... well, God needs to do a lot here in Austria, pray for revival, not only here but everywhere - we want to see our LORD coming in the clouds soon, Amen? : )

Love you all guys, I'm praying for you, just let me know if there's something special I can pray for! God bless you sisters and brothers!
your austrian sister

Bible work

Hey guys looks like my Bible work for the year at my local church has approved, please pray I can serve God effectively in this year.

Also please continue to pray for my friend Annie, she was Adventist all her life and knows God's word, but she has recently thrown off all restraint and is drinking and sleeping around. I have tried talking to her but I'm afraid only the Holy Spirit can do anything now.

You guys are in my thoughts all the time, all the best with your projects!

Ben, so glad to hear your Mum is ok, that would be a hard cross to bear.

love ya's all
James

Update On My Mother

Hello my family,

I just wanted to give you an update on my mother. She's out of the hospital. All the test results came in and it appears that she doesn't have heart disease. It looks to be a blood problem--which isn't quite as serious and a bit easier to treat. I just want to say thank you for your prayers and support. It means a whole lot to me and to my mother as well. Thank you especially to all of you who sent emails. It really helped. God bless you all.

So Much Love,

-Ben

hey guys!
i also want to ask you to pray for a family in australia, they are friends of the family and their little boy, alex, 8 yrs old has brain canser and they are not sure if hes gonna survive or not! please pray for him and also his little brother who has severe stomach problems and that their parents will find strength from on high to go through what they are going through right now!
thanks a million!
sara

URGENT -- Major Prayer Request...

Hey everyone, this morning I got a message from my mom that she had seen out family doctor and that he said she needed to have tests done for her heart. This afternoon I received another message that she had been admitted having stress tests to see what's happening with her heart.

I don't know what to think or do. I should have updates by tomorrow. For me this just feels like Deja Vu. My maternal grandmother, who died of congestive heart failure, was first taken to the hospital within two weeks of me leaving town for a long trip. Now, in just over a week of arriving at Miracle Meadows, it just seems ironic to have my mother going in for heart problems. I just don't like the feeling right now.

Anyways, thanks for the prayers, guys. I love you all

Devotions - be the salt!!!

Hey family,

I totally agree David!!! Read what I found today:

“Without a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour it is impossible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. We cannot give to others that which we do not ourselves possess. (and now:!!) It is in proportion to our own devotion and consecration to Christ that we exert an influence for the blessing and uplifting of mankind. If there is no actual service, no genuine love, no reality of experience, there is no power to help, no connection with heaven, no savor of Christ in the life. Unless the Holy Spirit can use us as agents through whom to communicate to the world the truth as it is in Jesus, we are as salt that has lost its savor and is entirely worthless.” (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 37)

I was just sitting in the airplane when I read that, and we were about to depart, when I had that impression: pray with this guy sitting next to you. I looked at him, I just had said “hey” first, that was it, well, and he is about my age, and GOD – you really want me to ask him if he wants to pray with me!?! That’s embarrassing. Wait a second: Are you ashamed of the gospel of Christ? No Lord, I … don’t want to be. Please help me not to have this pride, this selfishness – okay, I ask him.
Simple question, simple answer: Yes : ) that was a great little experience for me today.

Be the salt – GOD NEEDS US!!!!

keep up those devotions!!

wowlio you guys, i've just been super blessed the last few days.  the other night i was in devotions for an extra long while, and it was such a huge blessing!  it was really great to be in the Word just really seeking God for real.  seriously, let's keep each other accountable to keep studying, because that's our only sure map in this life.  i've been reading the book Christ's Object Lessons, and that's been phenomenal!  say, if you haven't listened to the Pathways of the Pioneers cd series, you've GOTTA check them out!!  what a blessing!  you can listen to them for free by clicking the link or just copying it from here: http://www.whiteestate.org/pathways/pioneers.asp let's lift each other up in prayer too and do our best to maintain those goals we wrote out for ourselves, especially since most of us are starting college or work or whatever we're doing this week.  GB everyone!

Psalm 32:8/Psalm 34

Remember: "The safest place in the whole world is in the center of God's will."

-David Fernandez