I did it!

Ok, so I set a goal to get a perfect game in Wii bowling. It happend tonight!

:o)

I'm going to North Carolina with Cindy on December 14, 15, and 16 to visit my mom. Praise God! It will be very nice to get away and spend time with family.

James

Have you ever tried to memorize Scripture? I challenge you to try it. Have someone keep you accountable. If possible have them do it along with you. It makes a huge difference for me when my friends are doing it along with me. A few of us are trying to memorize James a chapter at a time. It's challenging, but it causes us to rely more on Him. The bottom line is that we can't do it without Him.

It's amazing how much my attitude changes when I'm constantly meditating on Scripture. By memorizing I am forced to think about and chew on what God is saying through His Word.
I pray that I would learn how to live out my faith where I am. I pray that God would use me and challenge me. God has placed me in situations where I am way out of my comfort zone. This is good and I pray that God would continue to use these people and circumstances to more conform me into His image.

I sure am glad that God knows how to give good gifts. I'm learning that He wants us to ask and not doubt that He will answer. Often His answer isn't what we want, but not yet, is just as much an answer as yes or no.

Update on ministry in Harrisburg. So we've moved into Harrisburg and the question is where do we go from here. We will be meeting with the missions pastor at my church to cast vision, dream and pray. We want to be a small part of God's movement. I desire to be obedient to Him. This is not just a fad that's going to wear off, but God has genuinely changed my heart.

money, budget etc

Finally, I have a budget that I think I can live with each month. At least it's a good start. Starting today, November 1st, 2007 I will feel free to spend money the way that I have planned. I'm sick and tired of feeling guilty about every penny I have spent. Now, I will my money where to go instead of worrying about where it has gone.

The epistle of James

James, a servant of God and of Jesus Christ.

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.

Greetings.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything.

(A small group of us are memorizing the epistle of James. Please pray that God would use it to minister to us and draw us closer to Himself).

ministry update

God's been working on my heart to do something, anything for Him. As mentioned in my last post I've wanted to intentionally develop relationships with those who live in Harrisburg. Lately, I've been so caught up in just learning my job that I come home and I'm too tired to do anything else. Therefore, I decided two weekends ago that I'd have a cookout and see what happens. So, I invited my friends and the neighbors to Cindy's house for a burgers and hot dogs. I was discouraged because none of the neighbors were able to come. However, I know God used it in several ways. My friends who don't normally come into the city came to the house. In addition, the neighbors saw that we have friends and that we can have a fun time.

I'm trying to figure out what God's saying to me about ministering to widows and orphans. It is mentioned throughout His Word. Please pray that I would be take time to listen and do what He leads me to do. I want to be a person of action and not just talking about what I should do, but doing it!

Harrisburg ministry

Over the last several months God has been working in my heart to serve Him where He has placed me. Right now, He has me ministering in Harrisburg on the block where my girlfriend lives. We are still trying to figure out exactly what it looks like, but for now it's being genuinely interested in what is going on in her neighbors lives.

In addition, a group of us who went to New Orleans this summer will be tangibly helping clean up the street. We will be picking up trash and handing out water to those with whom we come in contact. We also are planning on inviting the neighbors over to my girlfriend's house to have a hamburgers and hot dogs. The purpose of this is to develop relationship with the residents of this street and to have a relationship with them before sharing Christ. I think that there is a place for going door to door to share Christ, but I know that it is more effective to minster relationally. I'm obviously biased since my gifts are in developing relationships.

God's provision (edited on Friday the 17th)

Praise God for His provision. Today He provided a job where I will be working normal hours as a supervisor of the front end of a wholesale membership club. It is wonderful because I did not feel like I "needed" a new position so I was relaxed in the interview. I presented myself as confident and able to do the job better than they expect. I'm excited to see how He's going to use me in this new place of employment. I desire to be a bright light for Christ and to witness in word and deed.

I magnify our Savior for how He's placed so many people in my life to encourage me to love Him more each day. Thank you for your support. I couldn't have done it without each one of you.

Wow!

God is working in some amazing ways. Oftentimes I find myself coming back from a mission trip on fire for God. I wonder to myself and sometimes ask God why He doesn't work in Harrisburg the same way as He did in New Orleans. This weekend I found out that when we are willing to be available to be used by Him, He sometimes "blows your socks off" with so many blessings you don't even know how to handle it.

A lot of extraordinary things are happening in my life and I look forward to sharing more in the near future.

Going through my stuff

I don't start work until 2pm today, so I'm going through all of my stuff except my school papers. I'm making sure that if I were to pick up and go where He leads that I would only be taking the essentials. I share this not so you can think "way to go Nate," but rather as a way of doing something about what I've learned in New Orleans. I refuse to let this just be another "mountain top" experience and just go back to normal life. I've been changed and I want to live accordingly.

Katrina

Check out this link to Hurricane Katrina Crisis Response - Touch Global.

God captured my heart this past week in New Orleans. My prayer is that I would apply the things that I learned and not just go back to living my life the same.

I say that:
I want to sell the possessions that I don't need, but am I actually going to do it?
I want to clean up trash in Harrisburg, but will I do it?
I am willing to go and do whatever He wants, wherever He wants me to do it, but when it comes down to it will I actually do it?
I am it's about relationships, but will I listen for real?

A few things I have been thinking about.

Katrina update

God is doing incredible things here in New Orleans. The drive down was safe and we were able to bond as a group. It is such a blessing to be able to serve God so many different ways.

Many people have asked “why are you going to New Orleans? Isn’t all the work already done?” There is so much work still to be done. We went into the 9th ward which was hit hard by Katrina (because the levies broke).

The biggest thing that I’ve seen in my own heart is that I must take a good look at ALL my possessions and give them all to God. They are already His, so I’m managing it for Him.

Prayer requests:
Pray that we would work quickly and efficiently on Thursday. We are going to bed at 10:30pm and getting up at 5:00am. We work solid all day in the humidity. Pray for endurance and strength.
Pray for us to be able to have spiritual conversations with our homeowner Ted.
Pray for the dinner we are going to have with Ted, Theo and Jessica on Thursday night.

2.5 hours

Ok, so I'm extremely excited. Why? Mostly because I am serving God and am out of my comfort zone. I don't have many skills when it comes to doing any construction work, but I do have a willing heart.

Pray that I would leave all my expectations in Hershey
Pray that I wouldn't worry about the job situation

Only 4 more hours

God is so good! I'm all packed and ready to go to Covington, LA for Katrina Relief. Dates of this trip are 7/6-7/15.

We have a blog that we will be updating while on the trip. The website is http://katrinarelief2007.blogspot.com/

Please be praying:
1. Safe travels and team bonding time in the vehicles
2. We would be sensitive to do what the Holy Spirit leads us
3. Many of the victims of this tragedy would be impacted by God's love through our ministry
4. When we come back that our perspective would be transformed

Thanks!

Urgent prayer regarding work

Dear friends, Please pray for me as work has cut my hours from 40 hrs/week to this week I have a total of 9 hours. This won't be the case every week, but I am barely making it financially with 40 hours. However, I'm trusting God to provide. Your prayers are greatly appreciated. I anticipate significant growth through this process and learn things that I wouldn't learn otherwise. This could be looked at as a curse, but I think it's a blessing. Thanks for the quick response to this prayer. - Nate

update: 8.8.07 God provided a warehouse position where I am guaranteed 40 hours per week and have the opportunity for overtime.

only 5 more days...

Wow, time flies when you're having fun. It's hard to believe that I'll be in New Orleans in just under a week. I am extremely excited to see what God's going to do in and through us on this trip. It will be the first time I've been on a traditional "work" trip. I am trilled to serve God outside of my comfort zone.

Please pray for:
Last minute details
Safe travel (it will be 23 hours each way)
Team bonding to occur

Lord Jesus, I give you permission to do anything You wish to me, with me, in me or through me that would glorify You. I pray for direction and diligence to serve You more each moment of my life. It is clear that I can't do this unless you enable and empower me. I trust You to do just that.

perspective on "rights"

I give up my right to a comfortable bed. Rather I trust God as my strength and endurance. I give up my right to see results. Rather, I trust God, His purposes and fruit in His timing. I give up my right to have control of circumstances. I entrust to God my circumstances to His purposes in making me Christ-like. I give up my right to having pleasant circumstances. I entrust to God the privilege of suffering for His sake.

Part of the covenant we sign for our trip to New Orleans this summer.

Mission Statement

Nate's "mission statement" -

I desire to become a man after God’s own heart. I will lead my wife and children by example to Christ through use of my values, dreams and passions for the Lord. I aspire to be genuine, transparent and empathetic with those who are suffering. I am determined with God’s strength to have a lasting impact through a relationally based ministry.

Job update 2

Friday I found out that I was not offered the job. This means that God is going to provide something different and more exciting. I appreciate your prayers. Thanks!

Job update

Thanks for your prayers. My interview went well and I will hear sometime next week whether or not I move onto the second round of three interviews.

More than anything I want God's will. Whether or not I get this particular job or not isn't as important as becoming the man of God that He wants me to be. Regardless of my career or place of employment I am serving our Lord.

Will you continue praying with and for me? Thanks!

Am I F.A.T.?

Am I
Flexible
Available
Teachable?

Would you pray that I become more F.A.T.?

Job Interview

Praise God! I have an interview for an enrollment counselor position on Monday, May 7th at 8:15am. I am praying for wisdom and clarity of thought. If offered this position I would like to stay until I'm finished with my Master of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Counseling.

Will you praise our Savior with me?

The church has left the building

Dear Friends,

God has provided an incredible opportunity to serve Him in New Orleans. The Lord has blessed me so much and I want to be a blessing to those I come in contact with on a daily basis. I'm posting this to ask for prayer. That is the most important thing you can do for me and my team. A tangible blessing He has provided in my life is my girlfriend, Cindy. She went to New Orleans last summer and decided to actually do what she learned. She sold her house in comfortable suburbia and moved to Harrisburg to develop relationships with her neighbors. This has encouraged me in so many ways because God has challenged me to live out what I'm learning and this is a real example of that.

Here's the letter that I sent out to my supporters.

I am asking for support for a team of young adults from the Evangelical Free Church of Hershey, (a.k.a. EPIC) who have been called to travel to Trinity Church in Covington, Louisiana to minister to those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

I did not go last year, but 22 of my friends did. Last year the EPIC team spent a week in Louisiana, and they had the opportunity to minister in several different ways. From gutting houses, to picking up trash, to challenging each other and growing as at team, each day we had new opportunities to be the Lord’s hands and feet, and to see how He has “shown up” in the midst of this devastating situation.

This year, we have again been given the opportunity to travel to Covington and again serve the people living in a post- Katrina reality. Almost two years into Katrina’s wake, New Orleans and many of the surrounding communities are still in a serious state of need. While much progress has been made in the “gutting out” and cleaning of people’s homes, there is much that needs to be rebuilt - physically, emotionally, and most of all spiritually. This July 6th-15th EPIC is
returning to Trinity as a team of 20 (11 returning from last year, and 9 new members), and although we have no idea what kind of tasks lie before us, we are excitedly anticipating what the Lord has in store for us!

My team thanks you in advance for your support, and your willingness to serve “along side” of us.

In His Service,
Nate

Micah 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)

My desire is to transfer what I know in my head to my heart. Oh, Lord Jesus, teach me how to totally depend on You every moment of my life. I live for You alone!

So what's the "big news"?

As promised...the big news is that God has provided a wonderful girlfriend. Just when I told God that I was giving any future relationship into His hands He provided Cindy. My desire is that every moment we are focused on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He must be first in our lives and then everything else fairly naturally follows. First priority is my relationship with my Savior. I desire to be the spiritual leader of this relationship. I urge you to pray for us in this journey to be completely devoted followers of Him. Will you praise our Savior with me?

Rest and peace

This weekend I laughed more than I have in a LONG time. I am so thankful. God is teaching me the connection between getting physical rest and having God's peace.

Many times I come back from a retreat on an emotional "high." This is not the case for me this time. I seek to apply what I learned and have it transform my thinking and my actions. Pray with me and ask our Savior for wisdom on how to "be still," and how to live for Him every moment of my life.

God gave me an extra blessing this weekend that I will share at a later date. (I know I'm so mean :o) ). You'll just have to come back to my blog in a few days and I'll let you know when it's not "April fools day."

"rest"

Praise God! I'm going on a retreat this weekend in Milroy, PA. It will be nice to get away from all the distractions of life. Life is been quite stressful so needless to say I'm excited.

Please pray:
1. That God is glorified by the time that I spend alone with Him
2. God would transfer some of what I'm learning from my head to my heart
3. I would truly be transformed this weekend

Praise God with me for His faithfulness!

"I still believe" by Jeremy Camp

Jeremy Camp wrote this after losing his wife to cancer. This song has recently ministered to me as well through the different challenges in my life... (my parents divorce, losing my brother to suicide, career challenges)

Jeremy Camp is quoted as saying "Music is not my life. Christ is my life. The only thing that really matters is what we do for Jesus on this Earth, and as a result of what I’ve been through, I express even more the goodness of God and how faithful He is.”
Copied from: http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/

Chorus
I still believe in Your faithfulness
I still believe in Your truth
I still believe in Your holy word
even when I don't see, I still believe

Copied from: http://www.elyrics.net/

What does God "like" about me?

My friend from Bible study was asked an interesting question. So we know that God loves us because He sent Jesus to die for our sins. What about the question "What does God 'like' about me?" In other words, what about me pleases God the most?

My answer is that He likes that I listen and care for people who are hurting. That's all of us, because I don't know about you, but I have my issues. So God, thanks for making me into a man of God who listens to others. Help me to become a better listener and to know You more. Amen.

Day of prayer and...

I'm seeking God's wisdom in a few different areas of my life. Would you join me as I pray? Thanks!
1. priorities
2. careerwise

Please pray for my graduate school exam on Friday. It's the first exam I've had in three years. Pray that I am relaxed and that I remember what I've studied.

I'm the clay

Lord, I'm the clay, mold me. Continue to draw me closer to Yourself. Make me into the man of God that You want me to be. Conform me into Your image. You are my rock and my salvation.

Ps. 19 - May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

New Orleans :)

I've decided New Orleans is where God wants me to serve Him this summer from Friday July 6th - Sunday July 15th. I'm excited to be stretched completely out of my comfort zone through this trip. I know to expect the unexpected this summer. I will keep you updated on the details as I receive them. Thanks for your prayers.

Please pray:
1. For my team to bond together
2. For those who have been hit by Katrina
3. For God to be glorified in and through us and to draw us closer to Himself through this experience

:o)!

New Orleans/Russia

I'm prayerfully considering going to New Orleans with the EPIC young adult group from my church from Friday July 6th - Sunday July 15th. Would you join me in prayer in regards to my involvement? I need to know by Sunday, Feb 25th.

Yesterday, I had the huge blessing of spending the afternoon with Rick. He's the missionary that I went to Russia to minister to the Russian teens. Each winter Rick, comes back to the States. It's been a huge blessing to keep in touch with him. Many of the teens that I spoke with and encouraged in their walk with God are spending daily time reading and applying God's living Word to their lives. I'm am grateful that God used me in this way to further His kingdom. He's doing some amazing things in Russia. I know that I will go back sometime soon, Lord willing, for a summer.

I desire to combine my passion for youth ministry, counseling and missions. I can see that God has me where I am for a reason and I am being used by Him here in the States. I'm learning the skills that I need to be more effective in developing relationships.

My prayer is that each moment I am continuing to be used by Him and molded more into His image.

"Be still"

This week has been crazy busy. I've been running from one good thing to the other all week and I'm tired....

Please pray that I can "be still and know He is God" this weekend especially. I'm praying for somewhat of a "retreat" this weekend. My only plans for the weekend include work on Friday and then spending some time at my adopted second family's home Saturday night. (Can we adopt a family?!? because if we can I've done it :o).

New to my blog?

If you have a few moments and are new to my blog read this post. Thanks for your prayers... :o)!

Blogged with Flock

Deep seated emotions

On Monday, one of my friends from youth group and school lost his brother in a car accident. This has impacted me deeply and I want to share a little bit about what I'm learning.

I found out about the accident on Tuesday, but I just knew that it was someone from youth group. I was sure that I knew this person because as a teenager I was extremely involved at church. However, finding out about this didn't immediately impact me in a personal way.

On Wednesday, I read an email from my youth pastor saying that it was my friend's brother who died in the car accident. This still had little to no impact on me. That night, I met with one of my friend's at the local coffee shop. He knew the guy who was killed better than me. At that point, I wasn't sure if I'd go to the viewing on Thursday night or not.

I realized at work on Thursday that even though I did not want to go to the viewing on Thursday night, it was extremely important for me to be there. For me it was not so much to pay my respects to my friend's brother, but rather to support the family.

I am extremely grateful that I went and it was more emotional for me than I had originally thought. I gave the family members a hug of support to let them know that I care.

This whole thing has been tremendously "sobering." I've realized again how precious life is and that every interaction with people extremely seriously. Being alive must not be taken for granted.

For me this brought back up a lot of deep emotions that I had forgotten about. In the summer of 2002, I lost my brother, my only sibling. Now, I’m remembering some of the feelings that I had immediately following his death.

I’ve also given much thought about what I needed from my friends right after his death. One thing I know for sure was that I didn’t need any of my well-meaning friends to quote Scripture, but rather just be there and be willing to listen. The best thing Job’s friends did was when they were silent.

Friday night, I cried quite a bit. In reality, the thing that helped me the most was having a friend to listen to me and help me process my feelings.

Today I went to my friend’s house to see if I could be there to listen, but he wasn’t at home. I wrote a short little note basically leaving my cell phone number and letting him know that I was available anytime day or night.

Cats!

Jeremiah 15:16

When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my hearts delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16

I'm teaching... would you pray?

A friend from college asked me to teach a a retreat this weekend. Would you pray that God would use us to change the lives of the teens. I'm going to teach the session on Friday night. Lord willing, I will clearly share the Gospel and challenge them to start their walk with God if they haven't already. By the end of the retreat, my desire is that they would be more in love with their Savior than when they came.

Thanks for your prayers!

THE WORD

Hebrews 4 :12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. NIV

Resolutions

Things I'd like to do this year:

1. Read the Bible in a year
2. Memorize a verse a week
3. Exercise for 30 minutes a day - 3 days a week