Thoughts on the latest mission trip

Let the peoples praise you, O God;

let all the peoples praise you!

(Psalm 67:5 ESV)

This past Tuesday a group with Psalm 67 Missions Network returned back to the St. Louis area after spending a week ministering to those along the Rio Grande Valley.  We were so blessed by this opportunity as I believe in many ways the Lord, as always, uses these opportunities to bring challenge, encouragement, and clarification to the lives of His people.

What exactly was done in the Valley? Well, this is always a trick question because we are tempted to think "look for the bottom line", which is impossible to do when we consider this type of work.  However, here are some highlights.

• Six people attended this short-term trip.  We were able to drive the entire way without stopping over on the way there.  (We did stay over on the way back).
• Billy Jackson was able to capture some great pics and take some interview video of the area and has been making these available to all of us.  This will help us continue to tell the story. See his page for more information.
• I was able to preach three different times at two different congregations.  One day Rick ministered through music for a group of Winter Texans.  I preached a message on Matthew 13:44 to the same group on another day.
• Visit Sarah's page to see more from her perspective
• Each night, including adults, we had about 70-75 or so people in attendance!  Our study was over "Things Hidden" an evangelistic study of Kingdom Parables, by Children Desiring God.  We had classes for each age group.
• We were able to use previously stored supplies that we keep in Psalm 67's storage unit.  This provided a monetary savings.
• We were able to get caught near a high-speed chase involving helicopters, and multiple police agencies.  
• Books donated by Desiring God ministries were provided to Pastors in Tamaulipas, Mexico.  Books donated by Iglesia Maranata in Granite City, Illinois, were provided to congregations on the United States side of the border.  Some of the books include a large case of "The Pilgrim's Progress" in Spanish.
• We grew in love and unity with our brothers and sisters at Cristo el Rey, and along the US/Mexico border.
• The Lord used humor by our mistakes to bring about closer relationships with some of the people!  This seems to be a common happening!

There is so much more to share.  I am so thankful to all of you who went and to those of you who held the rope!  I'm so thankful for my dear wife and daughter and the fact that they put up with me and love me!  We couldn't have made it without you! May the Lord be glorified in His church.  May His Kingdom come and His will be done!

In all things...Christ preeminent!

Aaron

How is life?

You may read later on and think to yourself "what in the world does this passage have to do with the title of this post."  Well, read the passage and then keep reading and hopefully you will see the connection.

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

(Matthew 9:10-13 ESV)

There are a few points in this text that will be considered today.  As in all observations, none of them can be exhaustive, but perhaps you would be blessed by thinking on a couple of things.

Friend, how is your life?  You may be surprised to find out that the very people whom the Lord Jesus Christ sought were those whose life was a wreck.  That's right, if you read through the Bible you will find out that those people that were most hated by the "religious" people were those with whom Jesus and his followers spent much time.  In fact, they spent so much time with them that it lead to people hating them and questioning their "spirituality" that they would associate with people "like that."

You may be thinking "what in the world does this have to do with anything."  Please allow me to ask you a question again..."how is your life going?"  Do you find yourself miserable?  Are you longing for "something" but you just don't know what.  Do you find yourself without "hope."  Or if you have "hope" you have no reason for why you have "hope" and at times life just seems to be "hopeless."  Let me ask you this, do you belong with the crows that the religious people "hate."  Then let me tell you that there is great hope in Jesus Christ.  Notice, that the Lord did not call people to continue in their despair or current lifestyle, but He brought them out of where they were and gave them new life in Him.  It would be a joy to talk to you more about this, to answer questions, to pray with you, or to point you to others who can do the same thing.  The most important thing, is that you and I both are pointed to Jesus Christ.

Sexual Detox - Recommended Resources by Tim Challies

As a follow up to the recent post drawing attention to blogger Tim Challies, here is his latest post highlighting resources on the subject "Sexual Detoxification."

http://www.challies.com/archives/christian-living/sexual-detox-recommended-resources.php

Sexual Detoxification - Great Post from Tim Challies

I know that I never use this blog anymore, and when I do I normally just poing people to writing by others, so that I don't disapoint you, I would like to recommend this blog post by Tim Challies. His blog is a great resource. I espcially encouarge young men to read this post and carefully consider it.

Why am I posting the information here? This will automatically upload to my facebook page and will also allow me to "share" it with those who do not use facebook!

Click on the picture below to go to the article.