Here I am

I'm here at The Philadelphia Project (TPP). We (myself and 8 other interns) moved in on Wednesday and since then have been serving, getting to know each other, preparing the new building here at Roxborough Presbyterian Church, and many other activities.

On Thursday we went up the Northeast extension to the Poconos where we took a retreat at camp Ichthus where we began to learn more about each other and TPP. At the camp we cheered each other on as we each took our turn climbing up a rock wall and then taking a zip line down from the top. We then moved onto two ropes course activities in which we had to use team work to navigate through. In the second, we were unable to speak and had to communicate via hand signals, encourage via clapping, and direct by holding onto a shoulder or something of that sort. All of us were able to step up in leadership in conquering the course. 

The final challenge we faced was getting all of our team members over a 13 foot wall. The catch was that only two among us were allowed to speak. Furthermore, those that couldn't speak also were not allowed to use any form of communication at all. Janae and Jess did an awesome job of brainstorming ways to get us all over the wall. And after bruises, failed attempts, and moans of pain as strength was giving out, we were able to get all but one of our members over. It was really a great exercise of leadership, submission, self-control, and teamwork. 

The rest of the retreat was dedicated to a few sessions that we were able to learn more about the vision of the project and our role in it this summer. 

Since we have returned we have had a lot of free time, but we have used much of it to begin our the personal assignments that were given to us. Mine is basically to help Scott oversee Club Time here at the Project. This includes contacting all band members that will be coming through to serve, as well as in the future helping with sound equipment, running slide shows for lyrics, and making sure all goes as planned.

So that's pretty much a run down of what we've been doing so far here. A few practical ways that you can be praying for us:

Continued unity and love

Unifying our desires with the desires of Christ in our lives

The city of Philadelphia

Servants hearts as the hard work begins this week

We would be pressing into God's word and his love for each of us

That God would continue to bless this ministry and this city

There's a lot more that's going on in my heart that I definitely want to discuss. If you're just looking for an update, feel free to stop reading! If you're interested in what God has been revealing to me and how He's been encouraging me, that's what the next part will be about!

The guy interns and I, Josh and Allan, have been encouraging me by both their lifestyles and their words in a huge way. The way that they're just pumped up about Jesus and who He is to them has been absolutely a blessing to me. It encourages me in ways they don't even know. While I've been wrestling with doubts and fears, this is one thing that has truly begun to bring me so much peace. 

Another way that God has revealed Himself to me is through just the bonds that have been formed so quickly amongst the interns. It'd be easy for all of us to just view this as a missions trip in which we get to serve the Lord, which it is. However, it really has begun to mean so much more. A time to grow in fellowship with one another. To get to know each other on a deeper level. To love one another. To respect each other. To glean from each other. To spur one another on in the name of Jesus. It's so much more than just a missions trip.

The title of this blog is "Here I Am". The reason I chose this title is because it gives me the image of a child answering his parents call and saying "Here I am, I'm ready. Whatever you need to get done, I'm here, ready to answer the call and build your kingdom." My prayer is that that image will be my heart this summer. Ready to answer God's call on my life and build His kingdom in Philadelphia. 

There's a lot more that God has been showing me, but I'm gonna grab some shut-eye. Thank you for reading! God bless.

Pray for me.

Come to the Fountain

"Come, all who are thirsty,

come to the waters; 

and you who have no money, 

come, buy and eat!

Come, buy wine and milk,

without money and without cost,

Why spend money on what is not bread,

and your labor on what does not satisfy?

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,

and you will delight in the richest of fare."

Isaiah 55:1-2

There's a story in John in which Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman at a well. There's a myriad of lessons to learn from the conversation that he has with her, but the one that God has hurled at me on numerous occasions in the past 2 weeks has been one of living water. Of thirsting for God. Of desiring God. Of needing Jesus. Instead of just worshipping God, talking about him, or seeking after him; actually NEEDING him. There's a difference, I think. We were created to worship, human beings were. Whether we worship ourselves, our money, our grades, whatever it is, we worship constantly. Man, I got off topic already.

I'm writing tonight because I want to express what God has taught me recently. That's usually why I write on here at all. But for some reason this time it seems special. Over the past 2 weeks, God has showed me what living a life of worship requires. Actually, in reality, all of this semester that's what He's been showing me. The idea of thirsting for God. What does that mean? 

It's funny because thirst is something that is a very physical and relatable feeling for all of us, even as we live in privileged families in 21st century America. We've all been thirsty. We've all had that dry-mouth feeling. We know what that feels like. Let's be honest here, it sucks. I hate being thirsty. Literally the only thing on my mind when I'm thirsty is how I can get something to drink. My mind is fixed on who I can talk to, where I could go, what I could do, all to just get a little drink of water. I need it. 

Now, I don't know the Hebrew or Greek translation of the original text in Isaiah 55, but I think it's very interesting that the writer uses the word "thirsty". As I said, it's so relatable. To think that he uses it in the context of knowing God... We see this also in the Psalms when the Psalmist writes: "You God, are my God, Earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you" (Psalm 63:1). This is what I want for my life. This is not even a little bit close to what I'm in currently. At this point I'm just praying that God will do a work in my heart to give me the desires to know Him better. You see, thirsting for God means so much more than just worshipping him or talking about him. Thirsting for God requires humble dependence. Letting go and accepting that HE is the only thing that satisfies. It means realizing that it's him that I want. It's not my reputation, it's not my grades, it's not good health, it's not how I look, it's not how people view me, no, it's not even about my desires to let loose and go running back to old vices that used to grip me so tightly. It's humility. The humility to say, "God, I need you more than I need X" Where X=EVERYTHING. 

So hopefully that expressed the lesson God has taught me about what it looks like to need him...? Not sure if that's even the best way to put it. Whatever. But now I want to briefly talk about how despite my need for God, I continually run to a multitude of other things fully believing that they will "quench my thirst" (if you will). What is it about this world that so tempts and convinces me that I can be satisfied elsewhere? Is it the way our bodies are designed? Am I wired to believe in the lies that are told to me on a daily basis? Simply put, the answer is yes. It is a direct result of the sinful nature of man that can be traced back to the garden with Adam and Eve. Is that an excuse to just throw the towel in and accept that we're broken, sinful people? Absolutely not. If that were the case, passages like Psalm 63 and Isaiah 55 wouldn't exist. Actually, the entire Gospel wouldn't exist, but that's beside the point right now. Back on track, the reality of the world is that it appears satisfying in every way. For me, the party scene, financial security, a good reputation, beautiful women, and material possessions are all at the top of a very long list of things that look attractive and satisfying. However, when those things are achieved or obtained, I find time after time, that they are not true. That they are empty. Full of...emptiness. Even after my 2,333,496th time running back to something, it stays constant...but constantly empty.

There is something more. Jesus offers eternal life for those that drink from the fountain of life. I don't know how well I'm getting my point across. But honestly, I'm just rambling at 1AM. I think it's about time I go to sleep. I'll leave you with the words of a Rend Collective Experiment song:

"I need you, Lord

But I want to need you more...

I am broken but I'm running towards you, God"

Pray for me.