So, I moved...

Hey there!

How's it going? It's been quite a while since I really gave an update.

Two weeks and two days ago I arrived in Boston...well, a suburb of it at least.
Since then I have had an interview, two TB tests, and some organic food.
I have built a dresser all by my lonesome, wandered around Harvard, MIT and the Charles River.
I have made my first big subway mistake, a great batch of cookies (with Mel's help), and a new friend or two.

And through it all, I am still convinced that God is more than faithful. He's more than I need. He's also much more detail oriented than I am and I should get over it and let Him do what He does best: create masterpieces.

If I allow it, He will make a masterpiece out of the nearly self-destroyed canvas that I was. I was a real piece of work. So glad He can work a real piece.

Because He's not some high and lofty God that refuses to get His hands dirty. No, he came, and he lived like me. Better yet, He lived without half of the comforts I consider routine. Willingly. And if He can make old school scruffy beard, dirty feet and pierced flesh look good, then my mess should be a cinch. My God gets it because he, literally, got in it. How unorthodox to subject yourself to your own creation. To laws you thought up and set in motion but actually have no power over you unless you allow it. Madness!

I serve a mad, detail-oriented, intensely focused God. He did literally everything I couldn't. Praise God for His provision.

I'm glad He's my Dad.

Aletheia Kids!

Today was Aletheia Boston's first Preview Service.

I was not present to listen to Adam's service, but was able to serve with the kids.

We learned about God's first day of creation. Our memory verse was: God created day, light and dark, and it was good. We read a short lesson, and did two crafts to emphasis the point. The kids glued yellow or black paper onto squares labeled with 'Light' or 'Dark.' Then they colored pictures of the Solar system (the teachers had a bit of a tough time remembering the order of planets-Ben did an excellent job of redeeming the older folks in the room).

And, I must say: What a Pleasure!

I had such a great time with the children today. We had snack. We discussed the truth of God's Creation. We spoke kindly to each other. We spoke truthfully to each other. The parents of Aletheia are doing a fantastic job of raising their children in the Truth. And it reflects when Mom and Dad are not around.

But even if there would have been a Goldfish smashing extravaganza, a massive glue eating contest, and a lesson that took physical restraint to get through, God would still have been glorified. Christ would still have been preached. Children will still have been a joy.

See, I came with expectation, as Adam told me to, and I took a little time to pray for the service. And God does not disappoint. God promises many things, but the greatest, outside of undeserved salvation, is that He hears us. And not only that He hears, but that He RESPONDS!

What a great God. What an awesome God. Who am I that He gives two hoots?

Being with the kids today was a pleasure. Being with family today was a pleasure. Being a child of the light is a pleasure.

Thank you to the parents of Aletheia Boston. Thank you for fighting for your marriages, for your children, for the advancement of the Gospel. Your children are a blessing to the workers. Your hard work, your dedication, your discipline in training your children are noticed and appreciated.

So, what a pleasure. What a pleasure, to know and love your children.

Thank you.

Back in business!

In the shower this morning, and God asks, "Are you ready for another vision?"

Surprised, I said 'Yes.'

This, then, is what I saw and heard:

I am standing in a palace, the doors have been opened, and I am looking out of them.
There is a long, wide field of knee-high green grass, swaying in the breeze. It was so very peaceful.
Slicing it's way through the grass is a white horse and its rider, male.
He comes to me, and hands me a scroll. It is a message. I open it, while he stands and waits.
The message reads: Your people are at war. They are surrounded on all of their borders and the enemy is attacking them at will.
The rider turns his horse around and begins to race away.
I yell after him, 'Where are you going?"
Looking behind him as he rides away, he replies, "To where but war?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What I got from that:

• That's why I read Esther this morning!
• It is okay to enjoy peacefulness, but not while there is fighting to be done. How can I rest in peaceful country while my people are at war.
• Every soldier is needed, which is why the rider did not wait for me to make a decision. He was rushing off to join the glorious fight.
• Am I fighting today? Or am I taking my solace at the expense of someone who does not know the Christ, and is losing the fight?

I will fight. I will join the battle. For the Prince of Peace is always with me. My rest is portable.

"But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." -Hebrews 10:39

Refreshed!

I have been refreshed!

During the trip to Boston, I spent more time in my word than I have since. Not a good thing. So, of course, I've been tired. Felt like I was running on E a few times, in sleep, time and emotions.

But, at the ENCM Prayer Meeting from 5:30-6:30, I just focused on who God was, and trying to speak those words out loud (in one language or another).

Actually, I think my refreshing came before then. It was just Brandon and I, Johnny was usually there first, but this time it was the two of us. And it was all God's doing. We got into the room and Brandon asked me how the trip to Boston went. Well, that lead me to say it had been great, which it was. Then he asked me why I had considered moving to Boston, and I told him I hadn't. In my explaining, I told him the story and recounted what I had been going through about the Fishers deuce-ing out. He's such a great listener. I think I may have taken advantage of that, talking longer than my turn should have allowed.

Then he told me about what had been going on with him. As he did, I realized that he had matured while I wasn't looking. That Brandon had grown so much, in a short time, and maybe in ways he hadn't even realized yet. But, he's an awesome kid, and I'm glad God let us know each other.

Having someone to sit and talk with, with no distractions, no danger of interruption, even no action you would rather be performing was beautiful. As we talked, I remember thinking how great it was to just sit and talk with my brother, with no ulterior motives from either of us, to hear and be heard. I love the brotherhood of believers, and I thank all of those who submit and serve it.

Then, we had a great prayer meeting. I pushed for some simplifying, and compromised when Johnny pushed to have some things on the board. He was the spiritual authority at the time, he kind of runs the prayer meetings in lieu of Donny, so I practiced obedience. But, it was great. At the core, from beginning to end, there was me, Brandon, Melanie, Johnny, Laura. Others, Conrad, Dave, Rajat, Amber, Elizabeth, Derek all came and went at different times.

Johnny had all of us take a few minutes (5 he said, but it only felt like 2 at most) and get into God's presence. That was great. I want to practice that more. Of just saying what He is, Him giving me pictures and ideas and words to help me understand that part of Him, and then leaning into Him more and more from there.

Afterward, Dena and I had accountability and she had had a vision for me. It was a flower on a hill, with nothing else around it, almost cartoonish. And there was a bucket watering the flower. She thought it was for her, but the words I told her God said to me confirmed that it was for me, instead. Thanks, Lord.

Anyway, back to the vision. Flower alone on a hill, water bucket watering it. These were the words that were either said of somehow conveyed: I planted you. You're beautiful. I will water you. I will make sure you grow. Don't be scared.

At the end of the prayer meeting, Brandon said that we should all take a minute and see what God had to say to each of us. Here's what I got, and what I told Dena I had heard God say:

Steady.
Sacred.
Safe.

That, I should 'Hold Steady.'
That what we (God and I) had, was sacred.
That I was safe.

What a great evening.

ENCM had more attendees than I expected by a long shot. People filled out their waivers for Campus Harvest. I am able to have great conversations without any feelings or awkwardness with one of my brothers. I'm finally enjoying this stage of life. I have only a little time left. I love this place. And I will miss it dearly.

*Finally, a real blog. Sorry it took me so long.

I want this to be true of me.

**Totally surrendered to Your embrace**

Good Intentions

I was gonna write a blog tonight. But not I'm just tired. Lots to tell and do tomorrow!

Hope to see you here.

lexi

Jesus is the real deal.

I love God.

That's all for now.

Hoping to pick up this blogging thing again, soon.