eight is great (and overdue)

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:1

Apologies are in order. As of this moment  (1:38 Sunday morning) this post is officially almost a week overdue, but there is an upside. Overdue post equals less space in between posts - so in actuality you can leave your thanks in the comment box.

Interesting week. Actually, its been an interesting couple of weeks. I know this will sound like I've lived in BC too long, but at times I have felt like I was having an out of body experience. In the strangest moments too. I would be having a conversation with someone and all of a sudden I would begin to watch myself have that conversation. Very strange.

So far I am finding that the root of this is God ripping out my core. Each day I grow more aware of hurt I didn't know I had caused, words I didn't know I could say, sin I didn't know I had. But I have progressed so far, haven't I? Is now really the time for regression? 

You know that game at Wonderland where you shoot the water in the holes and your horse races horizontally above you? Well picture the different aspects of my spiritual growth being like those horses, this might be difficult, I've heard no one has an imagination anymore. So, the horses are all racing, and horse number one races in front, meanwhile horse two through seven still stumble awkwardly on. Not only are they butchering the race track, but one of the horses falls off and that teenager with the Britney Spears mic has to but it back on... at the beginning.

Nineteen years in the church, seven years going to "spiritual retreats", and two months at a Bible College... and in many ways I'm at the beginning. As I grow in awareness of my sin I am faced with that dreaded proposition of dealing with it, we'll see how that goes.

In the area of ministry - the camp variety has been what's occurring lately. In the midst of doing a full weekend here at Qwanoes - mostly spent in the dish pit... interesting. That is the word I will use to describe my time, and that will be the last time I speak about my time in the dish pit. I am learning of the God who is present and with me. And I hesitate to say that because of its juvenile connotation, but it is none the less true. God is teaching me that.

Upcoming in Kaleo is a week of prayer - there are many things that circle my mind and issues I look forward to bring to prayer in committed disciplined time slots. I am leaning towards this week being significant in the direction of my year - so I would ask that you would join me in prayer this week for my youth group, direction for next year, a thriving and honest community here at Kaleo, and for wisdom as I look to push myself head first into God's word.

In 1 Peter it speaks about a spiritual milk, how we are to crave for this. Paul talks about this in his letter to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). How this spiritual milk is the basics, the heart of the gospel of Christ. So this year I hope to do two things. One, be reminded of my daily need for Jesus, plain and simple. Two, to grow into the "solid food" found in scripture, to be challenged and broken by it.

I encourage you to keep journeying with me.

Jake 

seven wonders of the world...

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
James 2:18

Transferring bubbles is a difficult task. You have to build new deep relationships – grow more in love with God - learn from wise man...yeah, I’ve got it tough.

That statement sounds completely ridiculous doesn’t it? But the reality is, since mid- June I have had the privilege of being part of two communities, camp and Kaleo, that have provided the right setting for God to work in me in ways I could never have imagined. And lately I’ve been yearning.

This yearn is tangible, like a hunger pain, or a lover waiting for a plane to arrive – it’s deeper. Somehow, in some way, I understand that this yearning is taking place on a spiritual plane. This yearning is for the work that is taking place in my head and heart, to be transferred to my hands and feet.

I’ve heard the excuses, “Jesus was thirty when he began his ministry” or “keep your faith to yourself until you’ve established it more.” Well I can’t believe Jesus did nothing till he was thirty, and I’m pretty positive my faith will never be fully established – and so although I accept that for a season this is what God has for me, I also recognize that if I am not pouring this overflow of love into people then I am drowning.

Drowning.

On Monday we had the opportunity as a group of students to go to downtown Victoria and give out some socks and other items to the homeless down there. We heard the story of Mark, a man who had moved to Victoria from Ontario in pursuit of a girl – but when the girl died of cancer Mark turned to crack. We saw the exchanging of syringes, the rolling of joints, the exhale of momentary relief. We felt the heaviness, the desperation, the hopelessness.

And as we went about our day something felt right, that this was natural. This is the gospel of Christ. Despite the obvious work of the enemy it was overshadowed by the hope that God is working through these people in a way that is far beyond what we can do or comprehend.

I understand that this was for one day, not even, four hours. Then I returned to my hot meals, bank card, and warm bed. God is intentional though, I felt him saying, “ Here, look at what I have in store for you – but for now, for this season, I have something planned for you – trust me.”

James 2: 17 is straight forward, faith without deeds is dead. So I’m striving to resurrect my faith at Kaleo, in my church, with people back home, in my life. God has been so faithful this year, specifically in the lives of those in my youth. I would ask that you will continue to pray for the work that is taking place – that enemy would have no part in that work, that I would continually surrender that work and take none of it for myself.

Again, I cannot express my gratitude.

Much love,

Jake.

a couple of pics...

I recently looked at my blog and felt it looked like an edition of The Economist, so in an attempt to spice things up I thought I would post some pictures...

on the sixth day...

"Oh! Precious is the flow,That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus"

Nothing But The Blood- Robert Lowry

I have grown up understanding that blood is gross. Blood is not a good thing, on a scale of good to bad it would be bad. Never had I considered terms like "lifeblood" or "getting the blood pumping" as actually having anything to do with blood. No way, Jose.

But we'll get back to that soon.

This past weekend I had the privlege of going to Hornby with my youth group on a retreat. For those of you who don't know where Hornby is, seriously now, it is four hours and two ferry rides north of Duncan. I'm surprised at how often I am surprised to find I'm still in Canada...aren't hippy islands extinct?

It was an amazing weekend to really build into the kids, love them, teach them what little knowledge a could, but mainly to just come alongside them in fellowship...Godly, wholesome fellowship. We journeyed through enchanted forests, stood on bluffs carved out by towering waves, laughed as we refused to fall asleep, and drank the blood of Christ in a serene beach setting.

As a leader on trips like these you come into it hoping for change for the students, what you don't expect is God working in you. I know that sounds weird but I've been guilty of weirder things. If you've been reading my previous posts you realize that my youth has delegates from all social parties, and yet they become one...almost like a body, where have I heard that before? I am slowly finding my place in this body - and it has been extremely rewarding.

So what about blood?

Our devotion and Bible study times have revolved around the fact that God loves them infinetely more than they know. So much so that the blood of Jesus was shed, simple stuff...right? We seldom mention how that blood cleanses us, how we are washed with the fount that is Jesus. We neglect the very thing that was intended by the action - we neglect freedom.

From my very first solo time during Spiritual Formation to quiet time I squeezed in during the retreat, the song Nothing But The Blood has been on repeat in my head. The truth of that song has been present during times of anger, times of frustration, times of peace and great joy, and times of confusion. I am not washed by the acceptance of others, nor by the praises of brothers and sisters in Christ. For only one act, call it substitutionary propitiation, call it an incomprehensible act of love...whatever, bottom line is that this saturates our whole life and, when fully surrendered too, leaves no stone unturned.

What is God teaching me, I think I'm suppose to meditate on that for a while, but I left this weekend being encouraged both directly and indirectly. I cannot thank you enough for the prayers I have received from you who continue to hold my youth and myself in prayer. I am continually amazed by the tangible difference prayer has made this year. God is so good, and I am tagging along for the ride, I look forward to letting you know how it goes. Until next week.

Jake

five scores...

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 3:12-15

The honeymoon is great. I assume this of course, no mom I didn't get married. But I am picturing two weeks of gazing into the others eyes, watching sunsets, and parasailing over Carribean waters. You both get a nice tan, a couple lame Hawaiin shirts, and maybe some Cuban cigars for your friends back home.

Well Kaleo, the honeymoon is over.

In my lifetime I have had the opportunity of being involved in some incredible communities, been able to share in some amazing fellowship, and worship with people I would consider some amazing brothers and sisters. One thing is inevitable though; when the pleasentries are over, the smiles have finally worn off, the true community appears.

It has become obvious this past couple days that feelings of discouragement and confusion have been hampering a lot of the students out here-feelings of inadequacy, mostly from past hurts...pains. I have noticed this as nescessary though in a community. To grow a thriving and honest community you must get rid of the old soil, the unfertile grow. You must dillegently and faithfully pluck the weeds that exist. Only when the garden has become fertile and prepared can growth take place.

These last few weeks there have been many weeds pulled, both in my life and in the life of others here. Weeds I didn't even know existed, probably the deadliest ones. Luckily I have had the opportunity to continue to build into meaningful and deepening relationships with a lot of the people here. A day has probably not gone by that I haven't discovered a new aspect or new truth about the character of God.

Coming up there are a couple things that I would love you guys to pray for. This weekend there is a retreat up with my youth group, three days of pretty intense interaction. I know there are kids right now struggling with even going and if you could pray for those kids that would be awesome. Secondly, if you could just pray that we wouldn't hinder God's work in anyway, that we would be open to God's will and ours would not get in the way. It would be extremely encouraging to know that there was a community holding us up in prayer between Friday and Sunday.

God is moving in big ways in the group. I am constantly amazed at how God has used this mosaic for his glory, how kids who by the worlds standards shouldn't get along but do-it can only be attributed to the grace of God. He is so good. I want to thank you in advance for the prayer, God has been working out here in amazing ways. Love you guys and check ya later.

four pete's sake...

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:3

Imagine getting picked up by a body of water, not only moving forward but upward as well. Don’t get too excited, you’ve got to stand up now...the front of your board digs in, boom. Next thing you know you’re surrounded on the beach by good looking girls...

So maybe that last part never happened.

This past week I had the opportunity to go surfing at a surf spot just north of Crofton, in a town called Tofino. I was probably in the water “surfing” for fifteen minutes before I decided that this is something I could do for the rest of my life. Of all the exhilarating things I’ve experienced, surfing was far and away the biggest rush I’ve ever felt. The combination of blending into God’s creation and trying to experience it is so unique...

It’s tough to write about this week, not because nothing happened, but I don’t think I’ve fully understood the happenings that have transpired over the past couple of days. It seems like in a matter of 48 hours some pretty serious saddening events have occurred in the events of a couple of Kaleo student’s lives. Through the times of prayers we’ve had consequently I’ve found a frequent theme of God working in ways beyond what we can imagine; beyond what we can comprehend...understand.

So I’m thankful, for this community of believers, who challenge, push, and stir. Who love, who care, who give and give and give.

There was a piece of cardboard that asked us what we were thankful for at our thanksgiving dinner tonight. As I read I noticed a reoccurring theme, somebody else. Not once did I see, thank you God for my great love, thank you God for my wisdom. I would argue, that Thanksgiving, might be just as spiritually important as Christmas, or Easter for that matter.

I’m heading into this week looking to slowly, with fear and trembling, work out this thing called faith, I don’t presume to comprehend it, but that’s faith- thank you so much for your prayers.

Jake

three strands are not easily broken...

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1

There are certain games that you just don’t like. Maybe there is nothing logic about this disdain, in fact it probably is completely illogical. Nonetheless this game exists, and on the rare occasion you are even forced to play...that was Friday’s youth group.

If you have ever done a photo scavenger hunt before you know that many of the tasks involve doing silly things, snapping a photo of you in some public place doing something humiliating. I love these tasks, I am good at humiliating. I become sensitive to what other people think of me as soon as those humorous tasks turn to serious tasks. Like showing people love...ugh.

The theme for the photo scavenger hunt was “spread the love”. Basically going around town doing random acts of kindness for people, often times making yourself vulnerable; open to the acceptance of these strangers. In one situation we had to offer our assistance to shoppers coming out of a grocery store, putting their bags in their car. This proved to be the fulfillment of one of my biggest fears, the need to be accepted.

Between the dirty looks, snide remarks, and denial after denial I was adamant on giving up. Citing, the disintegration of society and how we shouldn’t take this, as my reason. But she wouldn’t give up. “She” is a girl in my youth group. She asked everyone, time after time, denial after denial, until eventually, she had single handily given out three bottles of water, bought a shopping cart for a stranger, and loaded a load of groceries into the back of a sedan.

All of this while I stood in astonishment, and embarrassment, at my lack of boldness in the love
that Christ calls us to share.

Friday night humbled me.