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| "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 How strong is our faith? This thought recently hit me when I was listening to prayers, my own included. We were praying for someone who was taken to the emergency room. We were praying for wisdom for the doctors, but I had to ask myself, "why don't we simply pray for healing?" Is our faith that shaky that we put more trust and faith in doctors than in God? Now don't get me wrong. I believe that God heals through the hand of a doctor, but why do we seem to sidestep God? When Jesus sent out the twelve, he gave them the authority and the power to heal and drive out demons. Do we not have the same authority through our position in Christ? Ephesians 2:6 reads: "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches to us in Christ Jesus." We are seated with Christ in heavenly realms and we should realize who we are in Christ and the position we have. Pray hard, pray with faith and see what God will do. Things continue to go well at Crossway Community Church, the church plant that I have become a part of. It is really awesome to see God work in the heart of new believer and watch God change an entire family. I am continually challenged with how much do I really love people as I meet people on the streets when I go out door to door with our pastor. A couple of weeks ago, we were out and I went up to a door. There were three of us that night, so we each took a separate house. A young man met me at the door with tattoos and piercings and invited me in. I normally would feel a bit apprehensive to walk into a strangers house, but I felt like all would be ok. We had a great talk about church, God and life. He is estranged from his family, but grew up in the church. I walked away with a new love in my heart for people who don't fit what we think people should look like or act like. May God continue to challenge me in that area, may I never look down on someone who may not fit the mold that I have in my mind. I did find it funny when I got back to the car and met up with Conrad and Steve. I was telling them about Dereck, and their response was, "we were hoping you would come out of that house." Keep living for God, working for the Kingdom, and loving people. | | |
| Well, I realize that I have not posted anything for quite a long time. A friend just mentioned to me last evening that I should really update, so here it is. I am back at RBC for another year. So far the school year seems to be going extremely well. A great group of students are with us this year. We have had some pretty powerful Sunday evening services, and I really feel that our student are meeting God in a great way this year. I am really involved in Crossway Community Church in Urbana, and am loving it. We have had a number of young people come to the Lord the last couple of weeks, and that is so awsome to see. Pray that our new believers would continue to walk with Jesus, and that the enemy would not throw them off track. I have been pondering lately what it means to "be in the world but not of the world'. It really sadens my heart when I hear or read some of the things that our fellow Christian brothers and sisters say or write. They say they want to follow Jesus with their heart, but then write or say things that indicate that they also want to live in the world. I have come to the conclusion that there needs to be a choice made, are we going to live in the world, or are we going to make a stand for Christ, we can't do both, we can't live in both worlds, or the enemy will take us down. The Bible says, " do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." We need to let our minds be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, and not try to fit into the world. Wishing you all God's best. | | |
| Well, tomorrow I will leave the beautiful hills of eastern Kentucky and head back to the flat lands of Ohio. Now I know there are hills in Ohio, just not in the part that I am in. We still have two weeks of camp here, but I will be heading up to Rosedale to cook for choral camp for two weeks.
So far the summer has been great. We have had good weeks of camps, and have seen quite a few campers come to the Lord. I personally have had a great time cooking and doing what ever else needs to be done. One of my more fun jobs outside the kitchen is starting the camp fires. I really enjoy making the campfires. There is something special about sitting around a campfire in God's beauty. I will really miss being down here for the last two weeks of camp. I will be coming back for the last day of camp. My great friends, Jeremy and Sarah will be here along with their REACH team. Lem and Keith are also good friends of mine and will be here also.
One of the things that I am really looking forward to and excited about is getting to go to Crossway again on Sunday. I have really missed the church and the people. It will be great to be there again and worship with my Crossway family again.
Well, have a great day. Remember Phil. 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
In Him -- Bill | | |
| The trip today was more like the trips to Bethel Camp should be. I arrived here around noon, and it only took me 7 hours, but that was after a stop in Lexington at God's Pantry and Sam's Club.
So, here I am for the next 5 weeks. Will be back in Ohio for Choral Camp at Rosedale.
God be with you. He is so faithful even when we are not.
Bill | | |
| Well, tomorrow, Friday June 2, I will be leaving the Rosedale area and heading down to the hills of eastern Kentucky. I pray that it will not take me 121/2 hours to get there this time!!
I am looking forward to camp this year, but I must admit that I will miss my new church family up here. I have recently begun attending/and getting involved with Crossway Community Church in Urbana, OH. Crossway is a church plant, and is pastored by Conrad Esh. I really do love the people of Crossway, and God is really giving me a heart for the people of Urbana.
These last couple of weeks have found me cleaning the kitchen, stoves, countertops, etc., cleaning out storerooms and organizing one of the storerooms so that it can be converted into my new office space. It will be good to move the desk, computer, etc. out of the kitchen area and into a space of its own.
So, as of tomorrow I will no longer be in the kitchen of RBC, but in the kitchen of Bethel Camp. Keep the camp in your prayers this summer, that kids would come to know Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. Pray for protection for the campers and staff alike. Pray also for former campers that the spark that was lit at camp would stay lit, and they would become salt and light to the people around them. Pray they would realize that Jesus is not just at Bethel Camp, but everywhere. Keep Roger and Ruthie, Mark and Mary in your prayers as well as they plan camps, direct camps, pray for camps and speak at camps.
In Him --- Bill | | |
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