Niko, Yegor and Yura

My Russian friends Niko, Yegor and Yura are coming over today - they have been so encouraging and kind to me during my months here (each is spiritually open in their own way - which is awesome!)

Here's to some good Russian fun! [You have to be able to laugh at yourself in these moments - as I will either butcher Russian in talking to them - or they butcher English in talking back :) ]

Regardless, love and friendship breach all obstacles, boundaries and cultures.

Maybe that's why God is love. And why Jesus made it evident on the cross that His love was available for all who would respond in faith...

Here's to that kind of love!

Be ready

So the Student Venture Russian National Director came to St. Pete tonite - he's staying in my flat!

I didn't doo too much:

I just swept all the floors.

Cleaned the bathroom.

Washed my clothes.

Swept the floors again.

Made a bed for him (while im still on the couch!)

Fixed some perfect burgers and fries (made from scratch...well as scratch as you can get here in Russia!)

cleaned the windows/mirrors

opened the windows to air out the place

and then, yes, swept the floors again (I never seem to be able to get ALL of the dirt at once)!



All that preparation for my national director!



Likewise, we as Christians should be preparing solely for the promise of one coming day: the return of our King.


Though the time and day are unknown of His second-coming, Jesus' commission to believers still resounds and rings true from his initial command to the Jews during the teachings of His first coming: 'Repent from your sins, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand.' Jesus wanted Kingdom followers - disciples of his teachings - restored lives and unveiled souls. All because of the needed preparation for His future Kingdom...he needed pure hearts that would be ready.

Jesus echoes his desire and concerns in the Gospel accounts, asking if He would "find faith like this upon my return?"

He's calling for those who would be prepared for Him - to usher Him into His rightful Kingdom...

As believers, we must be ready.

And there is no more better time to start getting ready - than now!

So, I challenge you all, to join me...

Clear out the dark closets.

Clean the windows of your soul.

Sweep the dust-riddened sin away (this may have to happen a few times - see above!)

Restore your hearts.

Prepare for the King.

Because Jesus is coming back!

Oh for Pete(r)'s Sake

I set my schedule this morning. Got it all planned and laid out for the next few standard weeks. Go to bed at 11:30pm and wake up at 7am. Easy enough.

The time now is 2am. And I'm already behind on most of the things I laid out to do in my schedule.

Just yesterday there I was - proclaiming the turning over of a new page as far as priorities and diligence in responsibilities - boldy proclaiming that I'd get everything done as soon as I could. Focus. Focus. Focus.

I know my walk with the Lord is often times like that too - boldly claiming my allegiance to Christ and serving Him with my life - promising daily quiet times and hour long prayer commitments.

Oh, how I fall short.

I'm too much like Peter.

You remember Him? The one who pledged to follow Christ, yes follow Him even to death - and yet a day later was denying His Lord 3 times before the rooster crowed? His emotions had gotten the best of Him - and following Jesus' resurrection, Peter found Himself being confronted by the God of the Universe for his empty and unfulfilled claims (John 21). Passion and Emotions are often void of results.

I'm at that spot now.

3 months into my time in Russia. And i'm looking at it and saying - "well, so much for my emotion-filled cry to take this country by storm in the name of Jesus!"

Yet, regardless, underneath my emotion and passion (like Peter too) - I cannot deny my mistake-proned, yet unyielding love for Christ.

I feel like I'm sitting with him now by the fire with the fish as Peter did (John 21) - and he's asking me "Will, do you love me?".

Oh that I do. I do. I do. I do.

I love how the story is resolved - in that Jesus leaves Peter with the charge to "tend his sheep" - and then leaves Him with something else too...

Something to work in the midst of our emotions and passion (as Peter still showed the passion in Acts that often got him in trouble in the Gospel Accounts).

Jesus left Peter (and I, and all believers) the Holy Spirit!

A Counselor and Guide - God himself - planted in us, which provides the strength and perseverance to give us the needed endurance through emotional roller coaster rides - and the filter that drains out the US in the equation - and overflows and oozes out CHRIST!

That I would choose now to live by the Spirit. To walk with Him. Deny myself and my emotions. And choose Christ...

For Peter's sake :)

Wooohooo for More Blogs!

Now that i'm settled in my flat and kicking to stay connected with you all - I've decided to make my blogs daily (starting tomorrow - actually, today!)

This means more fun videos and things to hear about for you - and more time with the Lord and thought thinkings for me!

Here we go!

Finally!

I've finally found a place to settle in and move to!!! For some reason I have a peace about it - though it wasn't in the middle of the city like I wanted!


More details to come!

Thank You!

Always being ready

I'm pretty sure Jesus was good at these kinds of things. Actually, I'm positive He was.

He had a lesson for everything. Even more so, He had a knack for speaking truth on a moment's notice. Whether in the faith of a mustard seed (Matthew 17), the example of a withered fig tree (Mark 11), a wine-less wedding in need of a miracle (John 2), or a shortened nap marred by faithless disciples in stormy weather (Mark 4), Jesus was extraordinary at making the plain, edifying and the temporary, eternal.

I had a moment like this recently. A friend here in St. Petersburg asked me, "Will, what do you think of other religions?" Before I knew it, I had grabbed a pen, a folder - and I began to write.

For me, as a follower of Jesus, I yearn to be wise in my words. To walk in confession. In truth. For my heart to overflow with rivers of living water (John 7:38). I want to speak the words that Jesus spoke.

But more importantly, I want to always be ready.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you..." (1 Peter 3:15)