Solitary Retreat

The view in front of my cottage

 

For the past 5 1/2 years I've been running hard trying to keep everything together. Working full time, going to school full time, keeping a home, being a good dad and building a relationship with a wonderful woman had left me exhausted. Several months ago I planned to take a retreat somewhere alone (once I finished school and after the holidays). Well this week was the week I set aside to do just that. I spent three days alone in a cottage at GilChrist Retreat Center near Three Rivers Michigan. The facility was great, the people on staff were very friendly and helpful, and the time alone with God was rejuvenating. I didn't realize how tired I was until I had a short conversation with John the director of the center. He was walking his dog as I was unloading my car. He stopped to say hi and welcome me. We struck up a conversation and I told him about finishing school, working, family, etc. and that I needed some alone time and his reply was "you are exhausted". That's when he said that it hit me, yep exhausted.

I spent the next three days almost in silence. I read several select passages in the Bible, finished reading Man the Dwelling Place of God by Tozer. I read The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. I relaxed, contemplated, prayed and let go of the worries of my world. Part of the time was spent outside walking around the property, through the woods and meadows. Every moment was a chance to reconnect with God.

I really needed this time to regain center, slow down and relax, and reconnect with the One who makes all things possible.

While I've been away...

Well, it has been 2 years and 4 months since my last post. During that time I've been running hard, very hard, and tonight all that running came to an end. I have just finished the last class of my Bachelor's degree in Human Services from Bethel College. This is a bittersweet moment. I really love school and I'm going to miss it. However I know God is preparing something awesome for me to do next. I have absolutely no idea what that may be but I have all the confidence in the world that He would not have had me spend the last 5 1/2 years of my life, and the expense that comes with it, in school to just turn me loose without a plan. For now I am going to take some time to rest, get centered and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14  Wait for the Lord, take courage; be stouthearted, wait for the Lord.

The Return

I returned from India a week ago and starting to get back into the groove of things. Our trip was a complete success. It is estimated that nearly 10,000 people total attended the 4 concerts we performed, 2 in Chennai and 2 in Trichy. My camera died on the second day so I don't have a lot of pictures or video by I wanted to share this one with you. Thanks for you support and prayers your kindness and generosity has touched thousands of lives.
 

Time is running out

Good morning friends, the fundraising is still going very well but time is running out. We have 10 days to raise just a little over $700.

In this time of tornadoes and floods reeking havoc right here in our own country and everyone asking for donations to help these people in need you may ask yourself, why would I help send someone 9000 miles away to play music for people whom I will never met when my help is needed here?

That's a great question. According to the US Census Bureau in a 2008 phone survey 75% of the American population are self-described Christians. My guess would be that almost everyone in the US has at least heard of Jesus. In the state of Tamil Nadu India (where our team will be traveling) only 3% of the population is Christian (according to the Census of India 2001).

In the US we have a choice: to follow Him or not. But in India an overwhelming segment of the population has never even heard His name let alone given the choice to follow Him. With the help  of the Indian Pastors, the worship music, dance and drama we'll be providing and your investment we can make a huge dent in this problem.

Help is need here at home and I hope that you are able to contribute to those causes. But as Christians we are to spread the Good News near and far, and with your help we can make a difference in the lives of people who may never get the chance to hear His Word.

Thanks

WOW!

The fund raising is going very well, as of today we are at $2156 of the $3000 needed by June 22. Thanks to those who have already invested in the trip! If you are still planning to make a contribution please do so as soon as you can. If you're unable to give I understand completely, I ask that you keep our mission in your prayers.

Importance

This is one of the worship songs we are rehearsing for the trip.

One of the things that is very important to us as we prepare for the concert series in India is playing music in the native language of Tamil. It would much easier to just go over there and play the worship music we already know in English, but if we did that who would know what we are singing about. Our mission is to help people meet Jesus right where they are; physically and spiritually. We hope that singing worship songs from their culture will help all of us worship Him together united by His love.

Busy

I haven't posted anything for the past 3 weeks because I've been a little busy. This last semester has been the hardest one I've had since I started school 3 years ago. So I really need to crack down on the studies to keep up my GPA. On Friday a graduated Magna Cum Laude from Ivy Tech Community College. It's taken a lot of work to get through but it was worth every minute. In the fall I will be attending Bethel College to further my education. Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers over the last couple of years. 

He is Risen

Luke 24:46-48

He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things."

Did you know that there are 1.2 billion people in India? Millions have never even heard His name. But you can help change that with a donation to the cause. On this Easter Sunday please pray and search your heart to help me go to India with my team so we can share the gift of music with those who need His Love.

People here need help.

I received a message from someone asking why would we go overseas to do this kind of work when there are people right here that need help. That is a great question. The work in India is only one part of the mission. We are also doing work in downtown South Bend, check it out. 

http://www.monroecircle.com/ 

Thanks for the question Joe.

First Goal Surpassed

We've surpassed the first goal of $300 April 13th! This is awesome! Our next goal is $1500 by May 18th.

I ask you to pray and search your heart to see if God is leading you make a donation. We all need Jesus even those who have never heard his name.

Thanks for you support!

Calling

After all the music was played and the preaching was done this is what it was all about. An alter call by Pastor Sam. (3-8-2010)

India 2011 The Mission Part 2

A year and a half ago I was asked to take part in something that was much more than anything I could ever imagine; a mission trip to India. On that trip, 30 people from Granger Community Church left the comforts of home and traveled 9,000 miles away to make a difference in the lives of a 158 villagers in a small colony of untouchables in the village of Kalavai southern India.

As part of a long term ongoing effort in Kalavai this mission consisted of 5 teams, each with a specific goal in mind. The construction team helped the villagers rebuild brick homes that had
fallen down over time due to poor construction methods and inferior materials. The Conversational English team taught school children how to speak a few words of English to get
them started for English as a second language. The Health and Wellness team gave everyone in the village a checkup and taught the men and women about hygiene and the benefits of a healthy diet. They also checked the water supply for bacteria and other water borne microorganisms that can cause illness. The Micro-Enterprise team purchased goats from a nearby farmer so the villagers to raise and sell them at market for a profit. And we sent a Worship team that performed 4 concerts at outdoor revival meetings in and around the town of Kalavia.

I’ve been asked to return to India on another mission trip. This time will be a little different than the last. We are only sending one team, an arts team. This team will consist of a worship band,
actors and dancers. We’ll be traveling to 4 cities around the state of Tamil Nadu. We’ll be performing concerts (most of the music in the native language of Tamil) in each city during the evening and throughout the day we will be teaching church planters how to conduct worship in their services. In addition to this teaching we’ll be spending time with local pastors to help them establish themselves in new villages.

The Indian culture consists of a very complex caste system, or social class system. One of our highest priorities is the edification of Indian Pastors. When we (westerners) go into a village with a pastor he gains great credibility just by the fact that we believe in the same God that he does. We are looked upon as being in the highest caste, almost god like, therefore if we support his efforts the people will have more reason to trust him and his beliefs and teachings.

India is a dark place, and any light we can bring, be it through music, teaching, or edification will push back that darkness in the name of the Lord.

With all that said I’m asking you to search your heart and pray for guidance in helping this mission happen. Your contribution, support and prayers will make a difference in the lives of thousands of people who my have never heard the name Jesus before.

India 2011

In July I will be returning to India for a mission trip. On this trip, like our trip in March 2010, we will be performing at 4 concerts in cities around the area. Something we do that is unique to our mission is to preform the music in the native language of Tamil.

In order to do this I need your support. The cost of the trip is $3000. Please pray and search your heart about donating to the cause. Worship music in any language is uplifting, but for these people who never get the chance to worship in a way that we take for granted is life changing.

I've added a donate button on the side if God is leading you to support this trip.

Thank you, God Bless

Awesome

A few weeks ago I got a call from my son's mom, they live in Orlando. She said that she was having some issues with him, ordinary teenager stuff. Something told that I should go to see him on his birthday. So I got online and checked the cost of the flights to Orlando. Our God is so Awesome!!! I can fly down there, rent a car for 3 days, with all taxes and fees included for $185. So I'm leaving this morning and returning on Monday. How cool is that? God had it planned this way all along. The only way I could go is if the tickets were dirt cheap, and there are. Thank you Lord, you've made a young man and his dad very happy!!!

2 more weeks

Found out today that my son is going to be staying for 2 more weeks!!!! We're having a great time together this summer, went to Cedar Point, played video games, watched movies all that cool guy stuff. And now the adventure continues!!!

Excitement

Tomorrow my son comes in from Florida. I can't wait to give him a big hug. I don't have a great calendar of events planned other than going to Cedar Point with both my sons. Must of our time will be spent hanging out. Should be great!

Huh

This morning I was laying in bed half asleep half awake when this thought crossed my mind:

"You are an amazing guy."

Huh, you know what? I am an amazing guy.

New Blog

When I returned from India I had an extremely difficult time trying to wrap my mind around the experience I had just encountered. God had totally broken down my worldview and was in the process of rebuilding my mindset into something that would advance the Kingdom. On Monday April 19th I posted something that God had put on my heart, one question. What would happen...? After much prayer and thought I've decided to start a new blog called What Would Happen Today...?

I set up this new blog as a forum to help Christian men in their walk with God. My hope is to inspire, connect, and unite men from all denominations, races and social-economic backgrounds for a common cause, to answer the question. What would happen today...?

I'll be posting observations, thoughts, and examples that will lead us to contemplate how we as Christian men can change the world in the name of the Lord. I'll be asking questions that will help us look at ourselves, our worldviews and how God is leading us to honestly make a difference in the world.

So I ask you to check whatwouldhappentoday.com regularly. Carefully read the postings. Think and pray about the answers. Leave comments, so we can help each other advance the Kingdom together.

If you have ideas about postings please email them to brian@whatwouldhappentoday.com please do not post them as a comment.

School's Out For Summer

I remember being in high school (a long time ago) and on the last day of school everyone had Alice Cooper's School's Out blasting out on their car stereo as they were peeling out from the parking lot. Yeah, those were the days.

Yesterday was my last day of school for this semester, and it's bittersweet. The past 2 years I've taken classes over the summer so I can graduate next May, but not this year. I've decided to take the summer off.

My younger son who lives in Florida with his mom will be here in June for his summer visit. He is normally here for 6 weeks or so, but not this year. He's 13 and going into the 8th grade in the fall. He has decided to play football, and conditioning starts in the middle of July. So he is only going to be here for 3 1/2 weeks this summer.

I knew it was coming, the older he gets the more things he will be involved with and the less time we will have to spend together. Even though graduating on time is important to me, spending as much time as I can with him is the most important thing in the world.

Advice?

Have you ever had a conversation with a close friend, and they tell you about a situation they're in, and you give them your advice? Sure, we all do. It's human nature. We want to help our friends realize the things we see, but they may be blind to or in denial about. Has God ever put you in a similar situation just a few days later? Do you follow your own advice? It's easy to tell others what to do, but really hard for us to tell ourselves what to do. Why is that?