He must become greater

Theological Questions

2010-03-15T21:54:00.002-04:00

So yes, it has been a long time. For those who didn't know, which I assume is most of you, I just got a job as a theological writer for the Moody Bible Institute. My job is to answer questions that people write in with. I have to answer it from a Moody standpoint, which means that some of my convictions I have to step over and answer from strictly Moody's. Anyways, I think I'll post some of my answers here, and then add a little response from me.

Dear Diane,
Thank you for submitting your question during the 2010 Founder’s Week conference! We appreciate your dedication to the Scriptures and your attention to detail while listening to the Founder’s Week sessions.

In the Greek New Testament, “to beget” someone is to become their father. Like in Matthew 1:2, “Abraham begat (or “was the father of,” depending on translation) Isaac.” When it is used concerning Jesus, it is describing the relationship between Jesus the Son and God the Father.

The word became a very technical term in the Nicene Creed (one of the earliest statements about what a Christian must believe). The Creed says, “[We believe in] one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten from the Father before all the ages, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made…” This term is talking about Jesus’ relationship as the Son to the Father. “Begotten” is not referring to a single point in time when Jesus was conceived or made, but that, for all eternity, Jesus has been the Son of God.

“Begotten” also has the implication that the Son “comes from” the Father. Like Isaac “comes from” Abraham, or you “come from” your father, the Son “comes from” the Father. However, in Jesus’ relationship with the Father, there is no beginning to the relationship. Maybe an analogy will help you understand. Think of a star. A star is always generating light. As long as the star exists, light is proceeding from it. The same thing is true with the Son and the Father. The Son is always “coming from” the Father. The Father has eternally begotten the Son.

This term does not have to refer to physical birth. To help you understand the relationship implied in “begotten,” look at Philemon 1:10. The ESV reads, “I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.” The same Greek word for begotten is used here when Paul says, “whose father I became.” It’s obvious that this is not talking about Paul’s physical child. Instead, he’s talking about a relationship. It’s a relationship where the father has authority and the son submits to his will. This is the same relationship that Jesus has with God the Father. The Father has authority and the Son submits to His will.

We want to make it very clear that this relationship between the Father and the Son is eternal. Jesus has always existed as the Son of God. The eternal nature of Jesus is a hill upon which many Christians have died, and you are right in defending it. We urge you to continue in your study of theology, and we pray that God, “may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know the hope to which he has called you” (Ephesians 1:17-18).

JEREMY'S THOUGHTS
I had forgotten how confusing this might be for people, but this is truly a hill that Christians die upon. The "begetting" of Jesus Christ is what sets Christians apart from Jehovah's Witnesses, it's the battle that was fought in the early church with Arius. Jesus is the eternal Son of God, not referring to a physical birth, like God had relations with a woman, but strictly relational. The Father is the head of the Son, and the Son submits to the Father's authority. It's a beautiful thing, and one that shows us the value of submission. Jesus Christ submitted to the Father, it's not a menial or belittling task. We think of submission as being weak, but it's actually being like Jesus.

Mississippi!

2009-05-06T16:53:00.003-04:00

Hello everyone!

I made it back from Israel just fine..had a lovely trip (I slept most of the way). And now I am in Mississippi with the lovely Julianna for the next two weeks! I am so excited! I love being here. I don't have a whole lto of time to write now, but I hope to be able to write some final thoughts on Israel in the next couple of days. Sound good? Thanks for all the prayers! God bless!

-Jeremy

Coming home.

2009-05-01T18:06:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!

Can't write much now, but I'm going to be on a plane home in 24 hours! I should be able to write some more when I get there. This week has been SO good. Humbling and encouraging, it was everything all wrapped into 7 days. I'll tell you all about it when I get back. God bless ya. Don't die from the swine flu. (America drives me NUTS! SERIOUSLY. One person dies and we FREAK OUT. My word. I read that some people wear MASKS around. Unbelievable. I apologize for the rant.)

-Jeremy

Sammr

2009-04-21T14:48:00.002-04:00

The stories just get more intense. Saturday was one of the best days of my life. Seriously, it was incredible. Where to start...

Woke up late (it was great). Then Ragy took us out to a professional soccer game. Security was so tight, we got frisked 6 times going in! After the game, Ragy took us to his home and his mother cooked for us. It's safe to say that his mom is an amazing cook. It was touching to be invited to his home. It really meant a lot to us.

But the amazing part came right after. We went to the Coptic Church for the Easter service...and after walking around for awhile, guess who shows up? Ole Sammr. It is perfectly fitting with all the other times that I met Sammr. He just shows up in random places. But I talked with him, realizing that God had crossed our paths miraculously for a reason. God helped me to lay out the gospel for him one more time, telling him that he HAD to make a decision, he couldn't wait because Satan would snatch the gospel from his heart if he waited. We talked, we prayed. The spiritual war inside of Sammr was visible on his face. I could see the fight inside of him, whether to give up his sinful nature and become a slave of Christ or whether he wanted to revel in his sin. And he made his choice, he decided to follow Jesus for the rest of his life! (HALLELUJAH!). We prayed together, I gave him a big hug and was able to point him to other Christians in the area that would help him in his walk. It was so humbling! I DID NOTHING. God worked in everything, hunting Sammr down, not letting him escape. He pulled Sammr in. It was a beautiful thing to watch. Sammr saw in me what he needed, peace and hope in Christ. God brought me to Alexandria for this reason, to show a broken man that a life lived for Jesus is worthwhile and possible. He'd been jaded by the hypocrisy of Christians, but God was breaking him down. It was an amazing thing to watch. I love how Jesus works!

Then Ragy took us back to our room to say goodbye...and it was touching to see how we had touched him. We had bonded with a brother in the Lord, a man who was from a different language and culture, but we bonded as brothers pursuing the same goal, the advancement of his kingdom upon this earth.

I love being a slave of Jesus. There is no better way to live this life. Every day I am surprised by new blessings from Him. Why would I live ANY OTHER WAY!? Praise God!

Dabumba

A little lesson.

2009-04-18T05:42:00.002-04:00

A couple of days ago the three of us here in Egypt got to play soccer all day with kids our age. It was amazing. They were all Christians, and we just had a good time playing. After playing, I was the one to give the message. I'll post it for those of you who want to read it :).
Hello, my name is Jeremy Slager and I want to tell you today why I am here. I am a student in America and I love to play football. But the reason I am with you today is not because I love football. The reason I am here is because I love Jesus. I am here today because I have given everything I have to follow Jesus and Jesus brought me to Alexandria to share the love of Jesus with you.

To begin I will read from Colossians 1:21-23. As I read, think about what your life was like before Jesus rescued you. “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I Paul, became a minister.” We were alienated from God, with no hope of coming to him. Think of it like this. Before Jesus saved you, you were on the bad team. God was on one team and you were on the other. Our sin made us the enemy of God. And because we were on the other team, God would have sent us to Hell. But when Jesus died on the cross, he ended sins and brought us over to his team. Being a follower of Christ means that you are joining his team. There is something special about joining Christ’s team. You will never play alone. There are brothers and sisters in Alexandria and around the world who are pursuing the same goal. And Jesus is playing with you. He has given you his Holy Spirit to help you. You will never be alone on Christ’s team.

What does it mean to join Christ’s team? It means that you give your life for the team. In Colossians 3:5, Paul tells us what it means to join Christ’s team. “Put to death therefore, what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” When we join Christ’s team, we have to put to death all that is not from Christ. Kill it. Destroy it. You are fighting in a cage with sin and only one will leave, you or the sin. You are on the football field and only one can win, you or the sin. Many times we forget that we’re actually in the match. We think we can have a little sin and a little Jesus at the same time. This is a great problem with followers of Christ today. They go to church, they worship God, they pray, and they tell everyone how much they love Jesus. But then after church, they have sex with their girlfriends, they lust after girls, they covet the famousness and money of others, they do the exact opposite of what Jesus did. Think of it like this. You play for Egypt in the World Cup. And Egypt makes it to the final match against Brazil. And when the match starts, you play for Egypt. But then after 10 minutes you play for Brazil. You go back and forth, I play for Egypt! Then, I play for Brazil! Would you be a good teammate? No! It would be stupid, no one would do that. But Christians do it all the time. When they are around Christians, they act like they are on the Christian team. But when they leave the Church, they act like they are on Satan’s team. How can this be!? We all have to make a decision who we will play for, and once we have made that decision, we have to act like it!

The next passage in Colossians tells us how we must act to be on Jesus’ team. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” We put sin to death, but we put on these qualities to be like Jesus. Every team has a jersey, and in these verses we find out the jersey of Jesus’ team looks like. “bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Do you remember how much you were forgiven? Being on Jesus’ team demands that you forgive like he forgave you. People will do some very bad things to you, but you must forgive. “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Before a footballer plays for a team, he puts on their uniform. The uniform of Jesus’ team is love. This love is deep, it comes from the heart. The love of Jesus is when you care more about everyone else than yourself. This is what makes those who follow Christ different from the rest of the world. Your friends should look at you and see a love, a genuine caring about them, that they see from no one else. Love is the uniform of a Christian. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” To be on Jesus’ team, everything you do is for him. When you are at church, every word and action is done for Jesus. When you are at school, every word and action is done for Jesus. When you are playing football, every word and action is done for Jesus. When you are at home, every word and action is done for Jesus. This is what it means to be on Jesus’ team. Are you willing to join his team? It is hard work, trust me. But also trust me when I say it is worth it. Joining the Lord’s team is the only way to live this life. Will you join his team?

Bahibokum, Shokran.

We've had an amazing time here. God has blessed us in great ways. Keep praying for Sammr. He needs to get connected to believers here. That's the most important thing for him now (aside from believing in Jesus).

Talk to you all soon. Heading back to the States in 2 weeks!

-Jeremy

Alexandria1

2009-04-14T08:23:00.002-04:00

Still here. I'm actually in the Alexandrian Library right now, which is awesome. I'ts the coolest library I've ever been in (yes, much cooler than even Moody's).

Keep praying for Sammer. God is doing a lot in his life right now, and he's on the edge of committing his life to Christ. God brought us together last night (he was driving past in a taxi while I was walking down the road...so we spent the next 5 hours together) and we got to talk more about his life and what he's going through. It's a long road of sanctification, but all things are possible!

Tomorrow I'm speaking after a soccer camp...so pray that what I say will get through to the kids. The problems here are very similar to in America, they live one way in the church and another way outside the church.

Gotta run...have a wonderful day! Blessings from Egypt.

-Dabumba

Egypt baby, yea.

2009-04-12T16:52:00.003-04:00

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Wow. That's all I've got to say about the last couple of days. Wow.

I made it to Cairo Egypt just fine, it was a LONG journey though. 12 hours in a stinky van in the middle of NOWHERE. We wondered why anyone would have ever crossed that barren land...I don't understand. But God led the Hebrews out right there. Cairo is INTENSE. Cars flying everywhere. People flying inbetween the cars. Food is dirt cheap (probably because it's covered in dirt). And it's a blast. It's so African. It reminds me of Niger a lot. I love it. After our stay at a hotel that night, the next morning the real fun began. PYRAMIDS. We got an amazing deal (10 dollars for the whole day of driving) and our guide took us around. The first place was the oldest stone building in the world...about 5500 years old. It's not in the picture, but htis picture was more interesting anyways. I'm trying tob e the headless statue.
And here's the coolest part of the day...we rented horses and camels to go around the pyramids! Me and my horse had a great time...we got a full gallop several times while we're going around the pyramids...which was quite startling because I've never ridden a horse before. I felt like I was always about to fall off the thing. At the end I got the hang of it...and one of the group said I looked like Aragorn (thank you very much).
Then we cruise over to the Sphinx...which is pretty ridiculous as well. FYI--the Great Pyramid was the tallest structure in the world until the Eiffel Tower in 1894 (give or take twenty years). That means for over 4000 years it was the tallest building in the world. THAT IS A RECORD.

And now the exciting part, Alexandria. I made it here just fine, and we're staying at an Anglican church with an amazing Church. The people are great. I don't undrestand a word of Arabic, but it's exciting just to play ping pong and soccer and laugh. I was amazed at how they have arranged everything for us. There is a guy here named Ragi who is a sports ministry director in Alexandria, and he set up a 3 day camp around us! So there are three of us (the great pyramid picture is us three) who are going to play soccer with the Egyptians and then share the gospel afterward! There is such an opening with this ministry, because the people will play soccer but will never go inside the church. Ragi has quite the ministry going, God is providing for him in amazing ways. And we get to be a small part of it. We'll use our "status" as Americans however the Lord wants to use it. (When the Egyptians here Americans are playing soccer, they come running).
And pray for a guy named Sammer. I met him this afternoon and the Lord is really working on his heart. I coudl see it in his eyes, he needs Jesus. I just need to get into contact with him again, and hopefully we'lll be able to talk more.

Thanks for all the prayer! Love you all. Hope you have a wonderful night. Blessings from Egypt.

-Jeremy

Egypt

2009-04-09T17:24:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'll be in Egypt for until next Monday. Not sure what kind of Internet I'll have...but we'll see. If you can, pray for me! Pray that I don't get sick and am safe (should be fine, but prayer never hurts). And also for the people of Alexandria. A couple of friends and I are working at an Anglican youth group for the week, and though I realize one week isn't likely to make a huge difference, I know God can use small events to make big changes. So if you can keep me in your prayers, it would be appreciated. God bless all of ya. Lata.

-Jeremy

you've gotta think.

2009-04-07T14:19:00.002-04:00

bottom line--you've gotta think. all that has been handed down to us through tradition and custom, is it true? if you've never thought about it, if you've never wrestled with the fact that you might be wrong, what makes you different from a muslim who is convinced with his religion? we have to think, God gave us a brain so that we could actually discern what He wanted us to do with our lives, not simply follow the mold set out for us by those who followed their mold.

here's what i am convinced of. every single word from the Scriptures is true. everything that paul wrote down can be taken as a word from the Lord. i've gotten to this idea because i have searched and i have found it to be true. with this conviction, everything must change. if EVERY word is from God, my regard for other words (i.e. all that this world would say) becomes remarkably small. so here's where this leads: i don't care what you say (this is said with a smile and not a snarl). i follow GOD alone, as in, I DO WHAT HE SAYS. i live life in the way that best pleases Him.

with this background in mind, help me with this. where do we get the idea of pastor? (this is slightly relevant to me because that is what i'm studying to be). as in, i just searched the esv bible and guess how many times pastor is mentioned. you got it, 0. maybe the esv uses shepherd instead. 6 times in the epistles, 4 times referring to Jesus, and once referring to elders (emphasis on the S in elderS) who take care of the flock, and once as a role to equip the saints for ministry. leader? 0. priest (for our catholic friends)? all in hebrews, all talking about Jesus. here's the question i need answered--is the role of pastor as we have it today acceptable according to the Bible?

here's where i'm starting--
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.

where does the pastor fit in here? as the apostle, the one in charge of laying the foundations of the church? the prophet, the one who speaks authoritatively about the Word of God? as the evangelist, the one who is wholly concerned with reaching the lost? as the shepherd, the one guarding and guiding the church? or the teacher, the one who makes difficult truths readily available to the people?

DOES IT CONCERN YOU THAT THE PRESENT UNDERSTANDING OF PASTOR IS ALL OF THE ABOVE?! these ministries were to be filled through many elders within the church, not one superman.

think about this. talk to me because i'm wasting my time if i'm studying the Bible in order to fulfill a role the Bible doesn't say exists.

email-mulletboy17@gmail.com
IM-whoareyou2007
skype-dabumba

happy to talk.
you gotta think.

Galilee's End.

2009-04-06T02:44:00.003-04:00

I am back from Galilee now, heading into the final blitz of the semester. I have 4 days and then I leave for Egypt on our travel study break. (For those that don't know, a couple friends and I are going to Alexandria and working in a church doing some sports evangelism. It'll be intense.) Then I have one week of classes, then one weeks of finals, then I'm home. I've visited my last biblical sites! But it has amazed me how much I have learned in such a short time. I can't imagine reading the Bible without knowing what the land looks like. I laugh when I think of people who claim the Bible isn't true...it is so specific with it's geography, and EVERY point is perfect. Love it.

Took a boat ride on the sea of Galilee. It's all about Jesus, period (as my shirt proclaims).

This Beth Shan, where Saul was impaled on the wall after he committed suicide. It was a Decapolis city and is the best preserved out of all the cities. Yes, I look like a homeless bum trying to catch a ride. I know, I know.

Had the privilege of eating fish caught in the Sea of Galilee. They just caught it, fried it, and gave it to us. It was soooo good.
Went to Yar Denit, which is where the tourists get baptized in the Jordan River. They like to think that it was where Jesus got baptized, but it's not. Ignorance is bliss. This is the scripture of Jesus' baptism in Hawaiian Pigeon...whatever that is.

And since every presentation should end with a picture staring into the sunset...

Here's the first verse of a song I was taught here that has been been an encouragement. It's an oldie (1820?) but oh what a challenge. It's called, Jesus I my Cross have taken.
1. Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee;
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my All shalt be.
Perish every fond ambition,
All I've sought or hoped or known;
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.

This is the call for all who would say they follow Jesus. "Destitute, despised, forsaken." Look anywhere in the Scripture. This is our life upon this earth. People WILL hate us, because we testify that what they do is evil. But I was reading this in 1 Cor. 15 today..."be steadfast, unmovable, because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain." Christ died so we would rise again and have a heavenly body. Our life on this earth is not the end, it is just the beginning. So whatever trials we go through on this earth...it's worth it.

J. W. Slager

Galilee pt. 2

2009-04-01T14:22:00.005-04:00

The middle portion of my trip to Galilee has been just as amazing (even more actually). The past two nights we have stayed at a resort on the Sea of Galilee. Not kidding, I just got back from taking an inflatable raft out onto the lake. And the places around here are so huge in the New Testament. Corazin, Capernaum and Bethsaida (the three towns where Jesus did most of his miracles and which Jesus condemned for their unbelief). The Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. The Gadarenes, possibly where the demons were sent into a herd of pigs and hurled themselves off a cliff. Floated in inner tubes down the Jordan River. Walked up to Dan where Jeroboam built idolatrous altars to substitute for Jerusalem. And then drove up to Mt. Hermon, where Jesus was transfigured before Peter James and John. WOW. All in two days. Here are the pictures:

The Arbel Cliff-The Sea of Galilee sits 700 feet below sea level. This cliff is 300 feet ABOVE sea level. Let's just say, 1000 feet straight down with a view of the whole area. AMAZING.

The Gadarenes. You could say that the barb wire signifies the bondage that gripped the minds of the demon possessed men. Or you could say that it was guarding us from the minefield below. Whatever makes the most sense in your mind.
The hill on which Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount (or close to it). I'm not Jesus, just trying.
And Capernaum, where Jesus had the base of his ministry during most of his miraculous time on this earth. He actually had a house here. The old city was pretty cool, but we enjoyed skipping rocks on the sea much more.
We finished that day floating down the Jordan river. No pictures (obviously, it's wet). But this is standing over the Jordan. No metaphors here at all.

Then we have an altar at Dan. This place is GORGEOUS. This is where the springs that feed the Jordan are...and it pumps out a TON of water. It's like a waterfall from the rocks. There are trees and flowers and everythings green. It's amazing.

Dan had an old Canaanite archway...which we werent' supposed to go to. Ooops.

Had a lunch at Tiberius...and we missed watermelon so much that we just bought one, not sure how we would eat it. Ended up breaking it and messily eating. It worked well.

We also visited Mt. Hermon, on which one of it's hills Jesus was transfigured. We chose to climb of the hill with a Crusader fortress on the top of it (two birds, one stone).

Megiddo, Nazareth...the usual.

2009-03-29T11:20:00.005-04:00

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One word for the past two days--ridiculous.

Aphek (where the Ark of the Covenant was taken by the Philistines).
Caesarea Maritime (where the Gospel became available to the Gentiles).
Mt. Carmel (where Yahweh showed up in fiery ways for Elijah).
Megiddo (where the armies will assemble to attack Jesus).
Harod Spring (where God whittled Gideons army down to 1% of its original size).
Nazareth (where Mary and Joseph taught Jesus how to play sports).

I'm sitting here in Nazareth now, wondering what I could say to help you understand what all this is like. Answer: Pictures.

Aphek-Behind me is a Turkish fortress (1500's or so) and off to my left is a Roman Road (you can't see it). Paul was taken on this road under guard from Jerusalem to Caesarea. That is right, I walked on the same road as Paul. And in case you were wondering...Israel isn't a desert. It's quite beautiful actually.
And now we're at Caesarea Maritime, which Herod the Great built. He brilliantly MADE a harbor, bigger than ATHENS. As in, what was once a beach, he made a 1/4 mile harbor OUT INTO THE OCEAN. This is without cranes and without scuba gear. Incredible. He built a HUGE breakwater. It's necessary because the waves are incredible (see below.)

This is where Cornelius accepted the Gospel (which is why all of us can go to heaven without being Jewish...praise GOD! I couldn't handle Kosher my whole life.) And it's also where Paul was sent to Rome (which is why we have all of his epistles). As you can see in the picture below, Herod had a hippodrome to race chariots. We had a slight reenactment.

To water this city Herod just built a 7 mile aqueduct from Mt. Carmel. Just another project.

My roommate at the aqueducts.
After the aqueducts we come to Mt. Carmel where Yahweh mocked the prophets of Baal. Elijah stood up and called them out, and was proved in a marvelous way. This is Elijah killing me...I guess that makes me a prophet of Baal. Sorry. I must have converted somewhere back there. (I'm in much agony. The "sword" is sharp. Some may say it's even sharper than a double edged sword).

Spent the night on the Mediterranean. AMAZING.

Next morning...Megiddo. Mountain of Megiddo in Hebrew means ARMAGEDDON. You get the point. Imagine this valley filled with rebellious humanity. WOW.

And Nazareth. Eli pondering. Jesus would've played on this hill with Joseph and his brothers.

Nazareth the city. (Jesus lived there).

And Jesus' house. (The lovely Catholic church). If you caught bitter sarcasm, you were paying attention.

I'll write again soon. LATA! Gotta eat some dinner.

GALILEE

2009-03-27T15:17:00.001-04:00

Hey all..

Off to Galilee for the next 8 days. Will try and keep you updated.

Peace and brotherhood.

Slagga

Long time, no post.

2009-03-25T10:37:00.008-04:00

It's been awhile. And yes, it has been busy. I'll try and give a quick recap since the last post.

We had an archaeological dig last week...which basically meant picking through buckets of dirt and sifting through trying to find something cool. It was dirt from the Temple Mount, which had just been bulldozed out (the Muslims didn't let the archaeologists do the digging about 10 years ago, it was a mini riot. Fortunately archaeologists are no good at staging revolts). But we actually did find some cool stuff! Found some mosaic stones, a coin, some Byzantine glass, LOTS of pottery, and the greatest find of the day was an opus sectile (which is an elegant piece of flooring made during King Herod's time).

The next interesting day was our field trip through the Shephelah (which is the land in between Jerusalem and the coast. This is where most of the battles for Judah happened.) This is where David fought Goliath. We just drove past it (I missed the field trip where we went there)...so the picture is a little shady.

Had a few more things on that field trip, but I think the one we went on today was even better. We went through Samaria, which in case you didn't know, was the most hated people in the world by the Jews at the time of Jesus. These were those who had married off when the exile happened, and the Jews regularly asked God to curse them. That makes it all the more amazing when Jesus passes through Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had dug a well and reveals to this prostitute woman that HE IS THE MESSIAH. And yes, the well is still there, but due to the political situation we couldn't go there...we had to stand on the "mountain" above it and look. (The well is the red topped church at the bottom right of the picture next to the bright blue thing).
Also today stood on the very spot that the Tabernacle stood at Shiloh. From here, the ark was sent to Aphek to battle with the Philistines...and they lost it. Samuel then packed up and fled toward Jerusalem and Shiloh was burned to the ground. Yes, I stood on the same earth as the Tabernacle...pretty exciting. I'm pointing at the tabernacle spot...not mikey :).
And we also have just some fun down time (not a whole lot...but a little bit). We took a personal day to spend the night on the beach at Tel Aviv. Volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, seafood dinners paid for by the US diplomat, and sleeping on the shores of the Mediterranean. One word--legit.
I could write much much more. But I have quite a bit to get done. I have two HUGE projects looming...I'm writing a story through the Old Testament. It's a dialogue between the angels and God about WHY He arranged the story the way He did. (It's hard trying to understand the mind of God...hopefully He gives me just a slight glimpse. I'll be stunned enough with that.) And then I'm writing a sermon on whether the Gospel is exclusive or not. Basically, what does Jesus mean when He says, NO ONE comes to the Father except through me. Does that exclude those who follow their own religions really well, or do they get thrown in to? I have a feeling I know what the answer is...but it's not real popular these days. I'll let ya know.

I leave for a 10 day Galilee trip on Saturday. I'll get to see where Jesus did almost all of his miracles...I can't wait. Then I'm back for a week, then off to work in a church for a week in Alexandria Egypt for a study break, then two weeks and I'm home. ALMOST HOME. I'd be more than happy to fill you all in with everything then. Peace.

-Jeremy

And can't go without a sweet picture. This is at Gath, the hometown of Goliath. He probably worked out in the morning in a similar manner.

Blessing in sickness.

2009-03-12T15:52:00.003-04:00

ugh. that one word should describe what my life has been like the past 2 weeks. plain ugh. i've been fairly sick the past couple weeks, which should've been a disaster since i'm in israel. (one of the reasons i haven't posted). i say that "ugh" should have described by week, but by the grace of GOD, it does not.

thankfully He has kept my mind fresh, so i've had plenty of time to sit and study. even though i haven't been able to run around playing sports and exploring the holy land, God's given me another avenue of learning here, books. maybe not quite as exciting, but probably more beneficial in the end.

in all my reading, one book has stood out. ECCLESIASTES. true confessions: one year ago i thought this book couldn't possibly be inspired because it was so pessimistic. i have a slightly different view now. it is sobering, yes. but so is life. EVERYTHING in this life is worthless. solomon, who lived out the american dream to the fullest extent, who had wealth and women and prestige, who was wise beyond all belief and for whom nothing was withheld, this is the sermon that he preaches to his kingdom as he is about to die. EVERYTHING IS VANITY. you can live the life of wisdom, or you can be an utter fool, but either way you will die. you can be the richest king or the poorest servant, guess what? both will die and leave with nothing. think this through now, right now. it's humbling. my life on this earth is just a breath which comes and goes and leaves no lasting imprint of its own. all my work and study comes to an end.

but there is hope. the book would be a pit of despair if it wasn't for the last two verses. "The end of the matter, all has been heard. FEAR GOD and keep his commandments, for this is the WHOLE DUTY OF MAN. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." everything (that isn't done for the LORD) is worthless. all our possessions will burn. what are we going to do with them? this body is just a tent. it too will burn. sometimes i wonder, what would a life lived by ecclesiastes look like? what would it be to live simply not caring anymore about possessions, about people, about life in general...only caring about these things as they relate to my service to God? think about that.

not exactly the most flattering representation of John the Baptist ever done, but it was as good as I could do.

The Negev.

2009-03-06T06:27:00.003-05:00

My apologies again for forgetting to write in my blog. (But thanks to my lovely fiancee, you are kept in the loop.)

All that she said was true, the past 4 days I have been on a field trip through the Negev. If I went through all that I did, no one would actually read this. So I'll try and focus on a few main points and show a lot of pictures, because that makes the reading a little more enjoyable.

Basics: The Negev is the desert south of Israel. It is through this land that the Israelites traveled on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land, but were stopped short when they refused to go in. (Remember Joshua and Caleb with the 12 spies? If you've forgotten, rent a flannelgraph). It is a desert. Most people's picture of Israel is the Negev. Barren wasteland. (Israel isn't like this, just this one part).

The Israelites were made to wander in THIS for 40 years. Could you imagine being stuck in the same desert until the year 2049? I would be 61 old. There isn't any running water. There isn't a tree worth speaking of. There aren't vegetables and fruit, not really much wildlife. Just desert. Can you see why this was a time of testing for the Israelites? But here is the great thing about the desert-it is perfectly clear who you rely on. There is no deliberating, you rely on God. That is the lesson that echoes again and again, we rely on God. But the sad thing is, the lesson is NOT that we rely on God in the desert. It is that in the desert we REALIZE we relky on God. More clearly, once the desert is behind us, we rely on God for life just as much as in the desert. It is just that much harder to see when we have nice homes, comfortable lives...basically when we feel secure. There is nothing wrong with that, but we need to guard SO CAREFULLY that we don't start to rely on our own strength, but we recognize wehre our strenght comes from, God Almighty.

Fun story from the trip: We were at Eilat (Las Vegas of Israel), which is on the beach of the Red Sea (Indian Ocean!!). As we're walking around the town, I have this uncontrollable urge to find my way to the top of the nearest Hotel (happens to be the Hilton). So me and my ragtag group (covered in sand, wearing cut off jeans and Crocs, 5 star quality for sure) walk into the place like we own it. Past the models dressed like angels flapping their cotton wings (human decorations?), past the huge lobby with guards, and make it to the elevator. We went to the 2nd to top floor (the top floor is always suspicious. If you want to sneak to the roof, go 2nd to the top) and found the emergency escape. We made it! But unfortunately they have cameras, and we were briskly escorted back to the street. I finished the day feeling well accomplished. Mission: Success.

Love you all. God bless.

In an ancient Israelites copper mine. As ya do.

Negev

2009-03-02T20:32:00.003-05:00

Hey y'all!

Since Jeremy has been pretty busy as of late, I thought I'd give you an update on what's going on. Yesterday (Sunday night for us, his Monday morning) he left for his field study in the Negev desert.....he will be back on Thursday. I'm not exactly sure of the details, but I'm sure he'll fill us in when he gets back.

Your prayers have been SO beneficial. Thank you! He's about midway through the semester.....he'll be back in the states on May 2nd. Please continue to lift him up to the Lord as this time comes to a close. Pray for clarity of mind as he studies; pray that he retains the intense load of information and experience; pray that he will be refreshed in the Lord whether he gets two minutes or two hours of time with Him; pray that the Lord will be glorified in everything that is going on, emotionally, physically and spiritually. This whole trip is an amazing testimony to the faithfulness of the Lord. I wish I could explain all that the Lord is doing, but it's happening so deeply in our hearts that it's hard to describe. Know that your prayers have a huge impact on our lives. Thank you.

I looked up some pictures of the Negev.......when he gets back he can tell us if these are accurate or not!

Blessings on all of you in the name of Jesus. We love each of you very much!

-The future Mrs. Jeremy Slager

P.S.

I love this picture. CLASSIC Jeremy Slager........yup, I get to marry him ;-)

En Gedi

2009-02-22T13:02:00.003-05:00

Sorry it has been awhile, my computer decided it didn't feel like working, so I was at the mercy of our class technician. He worked his magic and a week later, the Old Toshiba is alive and kicking once more.

Thank you again for all the prayers, I can't begin to describe how real the presence of God felt. He was there, and it was your prayers that invited Him in. Thank you.

Today's trip was to En Gedi, the desert paradise on the Dead Sea. It was to this place that David ran when Saul chased him, trying to kill him. (Right where I am standing. Yes. David, 3000 years ago walked these same hills and swam in these same pools. Do you have any doubt that David really lived? Do you think that this could have been made up? These pools are real. The Bible is real. The question is, what do we do with it?)

Abner Chou (our professor and trip leader) gave a quick devotional on the top of the hill over the waterfall. In Psalm 63 David says that his soul thirsts for God like someone travelling through the parched wilderness. This place is BARREN. And then you come to a spring, this quenching well of life...and even though I had water and it wasn't that hot, it was STILL refreshing. Imagine David who lived in this wilderness for 17 years running from Saul saying, "Even more than water in the desert, I want YOU GOD." David was called a man after God's own heart for a reason. This is what God desires out of us.

Why are we on this Earth? I read Ecclesiastes today...the answer is simple. Our lives are meaningless. We are but a breath. Everything is passing. Do we care about money? It'll just go to someone else when we die. Do we care about popularity? That will probably change while we're here. Do we care about food? We'll all die anyways. Really, when I thought about it, it's depressing. There is nothing we can do on this earth that will last. We live, maybe we enjoy it, but either way we die. This Earth is simply a proving ground, it's a chance for us to take our eyes OFF of ourselves and fix them upon God. It's our only chance. WHAT ELSE ARE WE GOING TO DO ON THIS EARTH THAT WILL MATTER? Nothing, absolutely nothing. So if we want to make a difference, we have to fix our eyes on eternity, upon Jesus, and then what we do will echo for eternity.
Love you all. God bless ya.

Dabumba

Answered.

2009-02-17T03:27:00.003-05:00

Thank you so much for praying, I can tell that you have. It is unbelievable how different we both feel right now, I can tell that the prayers of the saints are covering me right now. I stand amazed...where I was emotionally out of control and didn't feel like trusting God yesterday, I'm back to where I need to be today. Thank you so much for joining in the work of God in my life. I'm blessed.

Here's a few pictures from the past few days...I'll try and explain them a little bit...but I don't have much time right now to make a true "blog." God bless ya.

This was the group that went hiking to the spring at Ain Lemon. In case you've never seen a spring...it's bizarre. It's just fresh water trickling out of a rock. Bizarro.

Our best attempt at a model walk.

This is from the top of the Mount of Olives. This is the sequel to the other "band picture" on one of my previous posters. We are officially called the Dome of ROCK. Clever.

Expressing a little bit of excitement. We're in Israel, baby. I was spider man.

Thank you all again. Have a wonderful day.

Jeremy

Still Need Prayer.

2009-02-15T14:07:00.003-05:00

If you thought I was joking about the prayer thing, I'm not. I need it and Julianna needs it. Our relationship is doing great, but trials have come that we need to face together.

Father, keep our hearts humble. May we not presume to know Your will but have the humility to accept the path that You set before us, no matter how many obstacles lie in our path. Fix our eyes upon You, keep us from going off the path. And Lord, when we have our eyes fixed straight upon You, don't let us budge, but keep us firmly planted upon Your truth. Heal our wounds. Lift up our heads. And let us forgive keeping any bitter root from growing up. Give us the grace to act in Your humility, but also in Your courage. Continue to conform our hearts to Yours. Thank you Father, it's in Your Son's name we pray, amen.

I need prayer.

2009-02-15T00:04:00.003-05:00

simply put, i need your prayers. i'm going through a really tough time, and I need the prayers of the saints to keep going. i wish i could tell you more specifically what to pray for, but that's not really possible right now. we've been learning about prayer in our bible study, so here is the prayer that i've been praying, to give you a little guide if you don't know what to pray.

"Father God, show Your glory. Only You are worthy to be praised. Only You hold the world in You hands. And it was You who put me where I am now. Thank You LORD for this trial, let me rejoice in it. Let my character be refined, produce in me the likeness of Your Son. You promised that if we commit our way to the LORD that You will give us the desires of our heart. Jesus, make my desires conform to Yours. Establish my steps if they are in righteousness, but wipe them away if they are in pride. Lord, I trust in You for my protection. You are my fortress, You are my Rock, You are a shield around me. May You defend me, I give up the right to defend myself. Give me the grace to do all of this so that Your Name is glorified. I pray that people will see the life that I live and know that GOD WAS AT WORK. Thank you Father. It's in Your Son's name that I pray, amen."

Love you all. Shoot me an email at mulletboy17@gmail.com if you want to. God bless.

Mary and Joseph

2009-02-10T10:17:00.002-05:00

I've been meaning to make this post for awhile now, but haven't felt prepared. Let's just say, I never realized the depth of character that Mary and Joseph had. God put them through the WORST circumstances, and they had to act on faith even in the face of all their friends and family turning on them.

Let's start with Mary. She's living in hicktown Nazareth when all of a sudden an angel comes and tells her that SHE has found favor with God. She was going to have a baby! "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David." What would run through your mind? The throne of David, which has been broken for 580 years was going to be restored through this MIRACULOUS son. Mary's next question is astute...how can this happen to a virgin? The power of the Most High will overshadow her. At this point she probably doesn't find herself so highly favored. She's engaged to a studly guy named Joseph. Now she's pregnant? She knows that the price of adultery is death...Joseph, according to the Law SHOULD (righteously) KILL MARY. And what is she going to say? God did this to me? Blasphemy! Now she dies twice over. So God sends her to Elizabeth, comforting Mary in this traumatic time.

In comes Joseph. He's going to be married soon, and his betrothed runs off to her relative. What does his heart do when Mary comes back 3 months later and she's pregnant? Drops to the floor. He knows what he should do, kill her. But he loves her and plans on divorcing her quietly, saving her life and his name. Then an angel comes, telling him to take her as his wife. Joseph should've answered, "ARE YOU CRAZY!?" But instead, he just obeyed.

They're in Nazareth for 6 months...Mary was probably kicked out of her house (as a good Jewish family would've done) and everyone knows that Mary and Joseph are having an illegitimate child. They are shamed. Joseph has to protect his wife from all the abuse that the town is heaping on both of them. People in the market wouldn't sell to them, they would get looked down upon, all because of this "Good News" the angel had told them about. I wonder how many times Joseph looked up at God and wondered WHY.

Then comes the census...probably a relief to the two of them. Joseph goes to his hometown of Bethlehem with his 9 month pregnant wife. (Poor guy). That's a long trip. They come into Bethlehem and unlike is commonly suggested, they don't find an inn (the word should be translated Guest Room). If I was going home to Spring Arbor, would I go to the Holiday Inn? No, I'd go to my family. And if my wife was 9 months pregnant, they would FIND ROOM. But the family knew that Joseph never got married, they knew that the baby was illegitimate, and they turned them away. So they find a stable and Mary gives birth among the animals.

I hope you haven't heard this story so much that you become numb to it. It should break your heart. This is the situation that the King of Glory came into the world. To restore the world from bottom to top, he started at the bottom. A poor carpenter, shunned by the community, this is our God. Then come the shepherds, praising God for the Messiah's birth. 2 years later the Magi from the East gallavant to Jesus, offering him Kingly gifts. The world is being shaken...God is setting the stage for the most important event in history. This child is something special.

"Father, conform our hearts to Your will so exactly so that even when all the world hates us, and they curse us, we stand firm upon Your Word. Like Mary and Joseph, let us endure all that this world has for the sake of Your Son. Amen."

A spring by Jeremiah's hometown. Went swimming in there. Quite the experience. Love y'all. God bless.

Many days, many sites.

2009-02-06T01:39:00.004-05:00

There's a lot to tell--sorry to have dropped the blog for the past few days.

Sunday we had a free day and we hiked to Aijalon, which is an ancient city overlooking the Aijalon valley, which is where in Joshua 10, the sun stood still for a day as God threw giant hailstones at the Amorites. Try and picture this--You are an Amorite. This small, new people have come to conquer your land. You go to attack them, get routed, and as you are running away HAILSTONES ARE KILLING YOUR ARMY. (Over that valley, right there). So they ran into caves (the picture below is actually a house). What is going through your mind right now? "WHO IS THEIR GOD?!"

Their God is the faithful God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Who took Abram, a rich city slicking pagan from Ur and turned him into the father of the chosen nation, a man of faith. This is the God that parted the Red Sea, and reduced the Egyptians to nothing. And this God was fighting on behalf of Israel to take over the land. If I was an Amorite, I'd give up. You can't fight God (and win).

On Wednesday we had our field trip from the western side of Israel to the eastern side. Let's just say, in 40 miles we have flat plains, rolling hills, canyons, big hills, barren desert, and tropical paradise. All that in 40 miles. In Michigan, 40 miles is nothing. It's all corn. It's amazing.
And in case you were wondering, the Bible is legit. 3000 years ago Elisha purified a spring near Jericho and said that it would be clean for the rest of time. Yes, I drank from that same spring, it's still good. Elisha put salt in it and God made it pure. And I drank from it.

And yes, Jericho wasn't just an invention of the flannelgraph. A Sunday School teacher didn't think it would be nice to show the kids a wall that had fallen over...it also was real. The foundations of the earth shook IN THIS PLACE as the Israelites miraculously took over Jericho. Not surprisingly, the archaeology perfectly fits the description of the conquest. Normally in a captured city you find burn marks and all the goods are taken. Jericho was found burned, but pots were there with grain STILL IN THEM. Why? God told the Israelites not to take ANYTHING from the city. And they didn't. Once again, if you think the Bible is a made up story, I'm going to blame that on flannelgraph. We don't treat the Bible like it's a real book...with a beginning, a plot and a climactic ending.
The last site to mention is called the Mountain of Samuel. It is supposedly (and incorrectly) the place where the prophet Samuel is buried. But actually it is the place where the tabernacle stayed for many years and where Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom. The flow of history was forever altered on the top of this hill. Solomon humbly asked to lead the people of God well, requesting wisdom. We would do well to follow this example of Solomon (maybe not his example in wifery). And to finish with a 3500 year old blessing given by God in Number 6--24
" ' "The LORD bless you
and keep you;

25 the LORD make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;

26 the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace." '

Amen.

Jews, Arabs, Christians. 3 = 1?

2009-01-31T15:41:00.007-05:00

Today was the Sabbath here in Israel. Every Sabbath we get a free ride into Jerusalem to hang out. A few of us had never been on the Mount of Olives, so we decided to hike over there. Our intentions were to see some ancient tombs, see the Garden of Gethsemane, then the place where Jesus rose into heaven and head back (as you normally do on the Sabbath...haha). But we didn't go to any of those places. Something much more out of the ordinary and something so much more beneficial. We were shown incredible hospitality by a Palestinian man named Ibrahim (what is with me and Ibrahim's? This isn't the same one as Africa...but they seem to find me).

We were working our way toward the Tower of Ascension, (we climbed that hill, then were trying to find that tower on the top) when Ibrahim, a very Arab man, approached us. He told us that the Tower was open today because of the Sabbath, but if we wanted to see the Dead Sea and the Wilderness, it was just down the road. Like a kid being offered candy, we followed. (For those who are thinking right now, "Why are you following strangers?" Realize, the difference is clear between, "I want to kill you" and "I want to promote the tourism industry in my country." Don't worry.) We followed and he told us about how his family has lived on this hill for 1400 years. Yes, that is since 600 A.D, when the Muslims took Jerusalem from the Byzantines (Constantine). He was a great tour guide...and he took us to his home and invited us in for some tea. I am excited beyond BELIEF. Tea, food, Muslims, foreign country...could it be better?

We sat down and talked for a couple of hours. Ibrahim is a world traveling speaker, talking to groups about racial tension and trying to show people that it doesn't need to be there. Here's his message: There is violence because there are walls, not of concrete and steel, but of hate and prejudice. If only we sit down and talk with those on the other side of the wall we will quickly see that they are human beings with thoughts and feelings much like our own. They are not evil simply because they are different. He was talking about how Palestinians and Jews and Christians alike need to sit down and understand each other, realizing that we can be one under God even though we are different.

Here's where I need to interject. I agree with MOST of what he said. We do need to tear those walls down. As Christians that is something that is DEMANDED. We should reach out the MOST, love EVERYONE (especially our enemies). We cannot sit behind our T.V. and gloat over war, over killing of those who are different. I am guilty. War is a horrible thing once you know the faces of those who are being killed. We have built walls of hate and prejudice between our races, between our sexes, between the areas that we live in, between the churches that we attend and between the nations that we live in. Those must come down. But there is a subtle lie that Satan has slipped into this generally beautiful ideal, that Ibrahim has swallowed. Muslims, Jews, and Christians can never be one. GOD FORBID that we should become so depraved and blinded to the Truth that our religions become so similar that we cannot tell the difference. There is one GLARING difference--Jesus Christ. The cornerstone of our faith cannot be moved. Jesus Christ was the Messiah, sent by God in the darkest hour to save us from our sins. He was crucified, He rose again, and He will return to deliver us eternally. And it is by when this faith is evident in a person's life that there is salvation. "There is no other name by which you can be saved." Mohammed cannot save you. Good works cannot save you. The Torah cannot save you. Only the power of God's Son can bring you to heaven.
This man has been around the world. He has his finger on the common person's pulse. People are tired of war and destruction, and I am afraid of what they might give up to see the end of it.

Pray that I will have as much confidence about that face to face as I have on my blog. I'm sure I will meet Ibrahim again and have the opportunity to share my beliefs as well.

And in case you were wondering, that is on the other side of the Mount of Olives. One hill over from Jerusalem. (I have a hard time believing it.) I was reading today in Samuel...and when David fled from Absalom he fled over the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives and ran into the Wilderness. That same hill I climbed over was the same one as David. I absolutely love this.

-Dabumba

Temple Mount

2009-01-29T14:24:00.006-05:00

The Temple Mount is the dominating feature on the landscape of Jerusalem. The golden Dome of the Rock rises up and shines in the backdrop of every postcard leaving the country of Israel. This 35 acre of land is arguably the most contested plot of land upon this earth. Three major religions legitimize a claim to this area. It has been the site of an altar, two temples, the Dome of the Rock, and the future Temple made by Christ Himself. Compared every other place upon this earth, more of God's story has unfolded here than on any other location. The story of redemption begins upon this Mount, and the end of our deliverance is accomplished there. Are you starting to get a sense of awe looking at this place? If not, keep reading. (If so, keep reading too.)

It starts at about 2000 B.C. God has given Abraham his promised son, Isaac, and then tells him to sacrifice him on Mount Moriah (the Temple Mount). As the knife is raised, the LORD stops him and provides a ram for sacrifice. It was here that God first substituted a male lamb for a human being. The system of sacrifice that projected Christ's fulfilling sacrifice began upon this hill. THE SYSTEM BY WHICH WE CAN ENTER INTO GOD'S PRESENCE BEGAN RIGHT HERE!!! Get it?

Fast forward 1000 years. David has conquered Jerusalem and died. Solomon now reigns and builds the LORD the Temple. Where do you think he puts it? Of course, on Mount Moriah. The image of sacrifice and redemption was already embedded into that hill, every time they walked on top of that hill they remembered what had happened there before. Solomon builds a grand temple, the glory of the nations. ON THIS MOUNT THE GLORY OF THE LORD DWELLED FOR 500 YEARS. A constant reminder that God with His people.

Then the Babylonians wipe out Jerusalem, destroying everything. Solomon's Temple is wiped away. The glory of the LORD has departed Israel, the centerpiece of the Jewish culture, gone. They felt they were invincible with the Temple, but God showed them that only those who FOLLOW Him are safe. The Israelites went into exile and found Adonai once more.

70 years later they returned. They rebuilt the Temple and the glory of God returned. But it was no easy journey from there. The Greeks came and desecrated the Temple and slaughtered their families. The Jews were horrified and the Maccabees led a revolt, regaining the Temple and gaining independence...until Rome.

The Romans dominated once more, putting Herod the Great over Israel. He built the MASSIVE Mount which still stands today. Some of the stones weigh over 400 tons. No one knows how Herod moved these rocks. And they were so precise, not even a knife can fit between the creases. Once more, the Israelites pride and glory rested in the Temple. Now along walks Jesus, and He tells the Jews, "Destroy this Temple, and I will raise it again in three days." He meant His body, which is quite the claim. He claimed to be the human manifestation of the Temple, God's presence upon this earth. Any doubts about whether Jesus claimed to be God? (This is a model of what the Temple would have looked like).

The Jews rejected Jesus and God punished them with the Roman sacking of the Temple 40 years after Christ. Every stone was destroyed from the Temple (the Mount was intact because it was so big, the Romans couldn't move it.) The Jews were again lost.

600 years later the Muslims take over and build the Dome of the Rock...right over the rock which held the Ark of the Covenant. All this history of the Jewish people, the physical reminder of redemption and sacrifice, of sin and its consequences, of the glory of God and His great wrath...all contained on a 35 acre piece of rock. Can you feel the tension? Can you see the grace of God mixed in with His wrath? The history of the Jewish nation can be found in the scars of the Temple Mount.

And praise the Lord He is coming back soon...bringing the fulfillment of all the suffering and sacrifice...making everything right once more. Guess where He's coming?

Come.

Busy Busy.

2009-01-28T12:29:00.006-05:00

I'm still alive. Just in case you were wondering.

In the past 4 days I've been to Jerusalem 3 separate times and read about 300 pages and written 3 papers. And I'm loving it. I've seen the tunnel that saved Jerusalem from the Assyrian siege (well, God actually saved it. But He definitely used the tunnel.) Saw the tomb of Oskar Schindler, one man who saved 1200 Jews from the Holocaust. Sat in the Pool of Siloam where Jesus sent the blind man to wash. Stood over the Valley of Ben Hinnom, which became the symbol of Hell for Jesus, not because there were actually fires there, but because of the rebellion and judgment that God connected with the place. Walked through the church where supposedly David was buried and where the Upper Room happened (you may have already wondered how this happened in a church, since Christianity hadn't even started yet. That was a pretty good sign that they didn't get the right spot...) Saw a detailed reconstruction of the Jerusalem Jesus walked in before the Romans tore down every stone, and even saw the Dead Sea Scrolls which proved the authenticity of our Old Testament. Went through the Modern City of Jerusalem and walked through all those shops. Also cruised the 35 acre Temple Mount, walked through a filthy rich Sadducees home from Jesus' day and even visited the place that some think Jesus was crucified, but really wasn't. Let's just say, WOW. I don't think WOW covers it. Overwhelmed maybe? That might be closer. I don't have another field trip until next Wednesday, so hopefully I'll be able to process this with you on the blog.

Where to start? Here's a good place, a soap box for me. Filthy rich "believers" who get their money by extorting those who are honestly following God. This was Jesus' soap box as well. Today we walked through an excavated home of a rich Sadducee. Here's a quick lesson on who the Sadducees were: they were the ruling religious folk under Herod. Basically, they owned the Temple Mount (which is where all the Jews had to sacrifice their animals...major traffic). Most Jews had to travel from a long ways away, so they would buy their sacrifice in Jerusalem, and the best place to buy is on the Mount. The Sadducees sold off lots on the Mount to sell the animals. Then they took a cut of all the sales. Then they got paid by Herod to keep in line. Essentially, they used their position of authority to extort the people in their worship of God.

Here's a picture of a house: That is a mosaic floor. Each little tile is hand installed...and it covers the ENTIRE house. It has tons of rooms, and ceremonial baths (most people didn't have any). It's ridiculous really. I was angry walking through it, the people of Israel were oppressed so that a select few could have homes that looked like this. It was in a house like this that Jesus was tried before Annas the high priest. It was in a house like this that Peter and John were tried. The Sadducees cared little about following God, they just used Him to make a shekel. Speaking of shekel's, they only accepted "temple currency" on the Mount, so they stole from the people with the exchange rate too.

Keep in mind, this is ONE PERSON'S HOUSE. This is the polar opposite of who Christ was. He didn't have a home, He didn't extort people but brought justice to them. This is who we are called to be. It's pretty angering.

So now think about this, "The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. IN the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple...'Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.'" Look at what Jesus was standing up to. This was a slap in the Sadducee's face, those who held all the power. The Sadducee's foundation for their wealth (corruption) was cut out. And this was no easy task...the Temple Mount is MASSIVE. 35 acres. Jesus didn't just turn over one table and call the job done. He turned over ALL the tables, and drove out ALL those selling. Take a 35 acre field filled with tables, turn them all over, and then herd a bunch of sheep across the whole thing through a gate and you'll get a picture of the monumental task Jesus just accomplished. Jesus not only overturned the money changers tables, he overturned the system of oppression by the Sadducees. Look closely at the works of Jesus and you will see this ALL OVER THE PLACE. Everything he did he did on purpose. He challenged their way of thinking, their system of life, the foundations upon which they had built their salvation. It's a beautiful piece of shepherding. Reshaping minds based upon truth, beautiful.

Love you all. God bless ya.

-Yermiyahu

This is my place.

2009-01-24T12:05:00.007-05:00

Just thought I'd give you a little better picture of where I live. So these are just around the Yad HaShemonah (The Five Hands in Hebrew). Hope this gives you a better picture of my life in Israel.

This is the picture of the main "cabin" reception area and the cafeteria. Looks like a camp resort building.

Classroom. This is where we learn and stuff. The guy in the middle is Abner Chou, my professor for two of my classes. Amazing guy, and his classes are incredible. He's the kind of guy that we go to his house and hang out at night, it's really a cool atmosphere.

And this is my humble abode. Not the grandest palace in the world, but I've lived in worse. There aren't cockroaches. There isn't manure. It smells fine. My roommate is a nice guy. Ya, know...it's awesome.

Livin' it up.
Slags

Jerusalem.

2009-01-21T13:57:00.011-05:00

"Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God! His holy mountain, beautiful in elevation, is the joy of all the earth, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King…walk about Zion, go around her, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us even after death" Psalm 48:1-2, 12-14.
This Scripture we memorized on our bus ride into the Holy City--Jerusalem. This is God's chosen city. In this place God broke the chains of death forever. Right here. 1979 years ago Jesus triumphantly rode into this city, and it was here that He was betrayed by the Jewish nation and crucified on the cross. It was here that He rose from the dead. And it will be here that He returns once more. Get your mind around that.
Here's a quick little thought our professors have been hammering into us: the places themselves are unimportant. Jerusalem would just be another city if all we did was go in, look at the places where all this happened, and then go away. There is no mystical spiritual benefit to being in Israel. But when those who visit these places are reminded of the greatness of God, when they remember the grace which He has lavished on us, THEN and only then, do these sites become important. So I desperately hope that you don't look at these pictures, say "Oh wow, that is SO cool. The history there is pretty neat." But instead you sit back in awe at the God that we serve, amazed at the grace which is so evident in these stones.

Here is a map of our brief tour...this is the Old City of Jerusalem, and the red line marks our route.

The first stop was the dark blue arrow, through the Jaffa Gate in the west, to the "Tower of David" (or Herod's Citadel, since Herod built it, not David). This is one of the possible locations where Jesus was tried and condemned. Yes, from the very same spot in the fortress that I stood, Jesus' accusers screamed, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" I can't emphasize this enough, it is not a myth...it is an actual reality. I am standing on a walkway to the top of the tower with my friends from IBEX.

The next stop was the first Protestant church in Jerusalem. It's awesome, and so focused upon outreach. This stained glass shows beautifully that the Gentiles (cross on the left) are grafted into the Jewish tree (Menorah on the right). We are all part of one vine. (No Jew or Greek...in Christ all are one).

The next place was difficult to even walk up to...the Holy Sepulchre...the likely place of Christ's death. It is difficult to picture my Lord being dragged onto this hill, nailed onto a piece of wood, and hanging there until he died, knowing all the time that He could've come off! The very ground is not sacred, it's the death of Christ on that ground that is sacred. He came for US. He destroyed sin for US, at such a high price. Don't lose a sense of awe about that. Never. (The church is Greek Orthodox, which is into icons. People bow to kiss the ground, hoping it will help with forgiveness of sins. I'll let you make your own judgment.)

This last place is probably the most exciting. This is the Mount of Olives. That gold building is the supposed site of the Garden of Gethsemane...which is cool, but the future of the Mount of Olives is even more exciting. Jesus Christ is returning, and He's descending upon the Mt. of Olives. No questions, the time for deciding is over. When His foot touches the mountain it was split in two. Those who have chosen Him now will rejoice, while those who have rejected Him will mourn bitterly, knowing at last that they are lost forever. This will be cataclysmic. Picture this mountain being ripped in two by the mere presence of Jesus Christ, with a sword in His mouth. There, RIGHT THERE that WILL, absolutely WILL happen. I pray that you will be ready for that day, that you may be one of those who are ready for His glorious return. I pray that you will follow this Risen Lord today, learning what it means to be a servant of Jesus. There is no room for apathy with Jesus Christ, He demands that we lay it all down for Him. All our petty pursuits in this world will be wiped away, and the only question the Almighty God will have for us is, "What did you do with your time upon the Earth? Did you serve me or serve yourself?" And I pray, I PRAY, that your life will be a witness to the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and He will shout with joy as you pass through the curtain, "WELL DONE, my good and faithful servant! Come and share in your Master's happiness!" Pursue Him alone.

Pursue Him.

Day One

2009-01-19T14:05:00.012-05:00

Here's where I am. Just West of Jerusalem, in Kiriath Jearim. In one of the pictures below you can see Jerusalem from where I am.

My mind is a little more linear today, so I’ll try and give you a better picture of what I’m doing here in Israel.

I’ve arrived!!

This is the Shephelah, which is where Joppa is located. (This is where Jonah and Peter did their stuff).

Here’s where we live, in the foothills of Jerusalem, a little town today called Abu Ghosh, but in the Bible called Kiriath Jearim. This is the same town where the ark of the Covenant was brought after the Philistines contracted tumors from stealing it.

(Right where I live…the tabernacle came through right where I live 3500 years ago. If you didn’t just say, “wow…that’s incredible.” You should probably go read that again.) This picture is of the monastery which is on top of where the ark rested for over 20 years. My feet just walked in the same dirt that the priests carried the ark through.

And from Kiriat Jearim, you can see Jerusalem. In this picture it is the furthest city off to the right. The ridge on the left is the route David carried the Ark, dancing and sacrificing all the way to Jerusalem.

This is where the Bible turns from a story to a reality. I know I keep talking about this, but we NEED to understand this. This land, Israel, is where God came down and intervened with mankind. He became flesh HERE. He brought His people HERE. And seeing it helps me to remember how faithful God has been to His people.

This is a Catholic cathedral built during the Crusades (the rounded arches show that). That’s 900 years ago. That’s 3 times older than the United States. 900.

I am staying at the Yad HaShmonah, which is a Finnish resort by Abu Gosh. It’s a really nice place, complete with a basketball hoop, a gorgeous park and dorms with running water and electricity (for some reason I was expecting Africa-like accommodations.…). The sunrise and sunset here are beautiful, coming up through the hills and going down into the valleys. The Psalms are alive.

Other than that, the people here are great. Really enjoying getting to know everyone, and I am so excited for the rest of this semester. Keep praying. Love you all. And yes, that is Elvis Presley with the Israeli flag.

Shalom

2009-01-18T11:52:00.002-05:00

Don't have the time to write a whole lot...but I have made it safely to Israel and in the words of my professor, "CNN reporting the news, is, well...deceptive." So for those of you worried about safety in Israel...to put it quickly, don't. I'm fine, it's safe, and you just can't trust the media these days. I'll let you know if there is a war or something.

It is amazing to be here. We hopped off the plane and our professor told us about Tel Aviv...this is where Jonah was from. I just walked on the same ground as Jonah. Really, I did. This was also where Peter met with Cornelius and the Gospel came to the gentiles. RIght here. I'm not kidding, I walked there. This isn't just a textbook anymore, this is real. These aren't just Sunday School stories anymore with flannelgraph, it's alive.

I wish I could write more, but I can't for right now. I've got pictures of Jonah's hometown for you. Catch y'all soon.

-Dalalalalabumba

Israel.

2009-01-17T02:39:00.003-05:00

Tumultuous, yes.

Still going? Yes.

I am off to Israel, the Holy Land, the single most coveted piece of earth on this planet. A strip of land the size of New Jersey has been fought over for 4000 years, it is the holiest site for several religions...and it also happens to be where I am studying for the next 4 months. Jerusalem baby.

As most of you may know, there is a slight war going on in the Gaza strip, which is a good cause for some concern. However, the school has reassured me that it is entirely safe and all our scheduled field trips are still on track. Since they live there, I'll take their word for it. So for those of you who enjoy worrying and were looking for one more thing to fret over, you don't need to. I'll be fine. But I would always appreciate the prayers...they've guided my life so far and I am SOOOO grateful for all the men and women of God who have brought me to where I am today.

Quick overview of what I'll be doing -- I'm going to a legit school in a suburb of Jerusalem (probably about 10 miles outside). There is a dorm, library and a cafeteria. It is called IBEX (Israel Bible Extension) and is affiliated with The Master's College in California. I'll be taking 5 classes. 1.) Land and the Bible -- Going through the whole Bible and seeing where everything happened. Wow. 2.) Modern Hebrew -- Learning the language of the people of God, so when I talk to them I can speak their language. 3.) History of Ancient Israel -- In depth study from Abraham to Solomon, seeing where things happened (like, actually seeing, not just maps) and understanding it better. 4.) History of Modern Israel -- How this tiny little country came into being and how it became what it is today, should be interesting to read the news and study this. 5.) Life of Christ -- Study all the events of Christ and see where it all happened. Simply amazing. I am excited beyond all words.

So here's what I'll be trying to do with the blog. I'm hoping to be able to pass along most of what I'm learning onto here. There is so much good stuff here, it'll be great to share it with all of you. So keep checking, and if I don't write for a few days, give me a little nudge and I'll try to get back on top of it. Mmmkay? Keep praying...I would greatly appreciate it. God's got a lot to teach me.

-Dabumba

Ready to go.

Engaged!

2009-01-01T16:07:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year just doesn't cut it. Elated New Year? Best New Year ever? (I forgot that it was the New Year I was so excited?) For anyone who hasn't heard, I have stepped out of the single world and into the world of an engaged man. I am Julianna Rubio's fiance. I'm sure you all want to hear the story, so I'll try and make a picture version of it so it feels like you were actually there.

Wednesday Morning--6:45 AM December 31st.
I didn't get much sleep. I had asked Julianna's parents on Monday night, and hadn't thought that I would propose quite so soon. But the night before I decided that this was the day, which meant that I got NO SLEEP. I woke up and drove to Meijers to pick up a bouquet of red roses (because every engagement needs roses). So I was planning on going to work at 8, so I made a card that said, "I love you--Don't make plans after 4:30," left it on her car (scraped the ice off her car), then went home to figure out how to do the rest.

Wednesday Afternoon--12:30 PM December 31st.
Made another card which said, "I still LOVE you--we've had a long week, but I love you even more. You deserve a special night. Wear something casual, something stunning, and something you can stand in the snow in." I dropped it off in her room and went home to finish getting everything ready.

Julianna and I always make dinner together for our dates, so I transformed my room from disaster to romantic restaurant. I had a gold tablecloth down, with red ribbons and flowers and candles and the nicest china out.

Wednesday Evening 4:45 PM December 31st.
Picked Julianna up at her house (she was stunning as promised). We made dinner and I completely surprised her with my room transformation. I left on her plate a card which said, "I will ALWAYS love you." I didn't know if this would hint at my later intentions or not, but she didn't catch on...thankfully. My mom had painted two pictures for us, one of each of us praying, and they were on the table as well. We had a lovely meal, and we were both lost in each others eyes the whole time...(awww).

Wednesday Night 6:30 PM December 31st.
The last part of the date was a surprise. I had put a sled in the back of the car, because Julianna had never been sledding before (!!!). Meanwhile, her best friend was preparing the top of the sledding hill for us, but was running 20 minutes late. She called while we were on our way, and I needed to kill 20 minutes. I remembered that the Jackson Co. Fairgrounds were having a Christmas lights festival, but didn't remember if I had money or if they were still going. Fortunately, it worked out. I didn't know this, but Julie had been dropping hints all break that she wanted to go...did not pick that up. Oops.

Wednesday Night 7:00 PM December 31st.
Off to go sledding! As we pull up to Cascades, Julianna remembered that this was where, 1 1/2 years ago I asked her to be my girlfriend (but I convinced her that we were still going sledding). Kelley (her best friend) had finished setting it all up, and as we came to the top, we saw a circle of candles with all the snow shoveled out and rose petals down in the middle. Julie thought it was a seance, so we went for a closer look. It might have been the bouquet of roses in the middle that tipped her off that this was planned. We walked into the circle together, I pulled out my Ipod and speakers and played Elvis Presley's "I Can't Help Falling in Love." (which is the song we danced to when we first started dating). We danced, enjoying the time we had together. When the song finished, I said, "Julianna Rubio, we started dating 1 1/2 years ago, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I will always love you. Will you marry me?" Reply: yes...yes of course....)FJKDLJFKDSJ)(@!$U)UFDDXJC(@U$@!$$KNCNDEF:KJE:KXMNCMNF:KEJ:LKFJN:LKJf (gasp) jfeja;3P#Jp;IF:jr;ij;adjf;iehan;kdjf;akj. It was all a blur. We sledded down the hill as a newly engaged couple. This was the face I saw (!?!?!?!)

Wednesday Night--7:45 PM December 31st.
My new fiancee and I went to my brothers apartment to see everyone there. After the screaming and dancing, I pulled out my last surprise. I had compiled all the emails we had sent before we started dating into a book entitled, "Beginnings." At the end of the book it said, "1 Year, 6 Months, and 11 Days later" with a picture of us at our formal dinner underneath it, and pictures of all the cards and roses next to it. And that is how Jeremy Slager and Julianna Rubio became engaged.

January 1st, 2009 until Death Do Us Part
Eternal bliss.

Keith Green pt. 2

2008-12-17T01:57:00.002-05:00

The songs just keep getting better. Sure, he has a pretty straightforward song style, but that's just how the 80's (and 70's) were. The penetrating lyrics make the song. I wince when I read these ones. The church has had the same problems for a long time now. Let's finally be the one's to wake up and lead the church to become the bride for which Christ returns.

Do you see, do you see
All the people sinking down
Don't you care, don't you care
Are you gonna let them drown

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done

"Oh bless me Lord, bless me Lord"
You know it's all I ever hear
No one aches, no one hurts
No one even sheds one tear

But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds
And He cares for your needs
And you just lay back
And keep soaking it in,
Oh, can't you see it's such a sin?

Cause He brings people to you door,
And you turn them away
As you smile and say,
"God bless you, be at peace"
And all heaven just weeps
Cause Jesus came to your door
You've left him out on the streets

Open up open up
And give yourself away
You see the need, you hear the cries
So how can you delay

God's calling and you're the one
But like Jonah you run
He's told you to speak
But you keep holding it in,
Oh can't you see it's such a sin?

The world is sleeping in the dark
That the church just can't fight
Cause it's asleep in the light
How can you be so dead
When you've been so well fed
Jesus rose from the grave
And you, you can't even get out of bed

Oh, Jesus rose from the dead
Come on, get out of your bed

How can you be so numb
Not to care if they come
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done
You close your eyes
And pretend the job's done

Don't close your eyes
Don't pretend the jobs done
Come away, come away, come away with Me my love,
Come away, from this mess, come away with Me, my love.

Wake up! We are asleep in such a glorious light, we are famished with a feast in front of us! The Creator of the Universe, the Father of Eternity is our Lord, can we hold such good news in?

Loves.

-Jeremy

Keith Green pt. 1

2008-12-11T00:12:00.001-05:00

Do you know who Keith Green is? Those of you who are elderly would know ;)(that is, over 25). I'm on a huge Keith Green kick right now, so bear with me.

Beautiful songwriter...making songs that the church needs to hear. It seems like every song is a shove, forcing me to get up and do something about the faith that I believe it. His songs are just real, he sings about his difficulty following Jesus, which is something I resonate with quite well. Denying yourself and carrying your cross is never an easy burden. And then, when he was only 28, Keith Green died in a plane crash. His songwriting ended, but (in the always dramatic Christian way of explaining death) his ministry lives on.

Here's the song I've been singing over and over:

My eyes are dry.
My faith is old.
My heart is hard.
My prayers are cold.
And I know how I ought to be,
Alive to you and dead to me.
But what can be done?
With an old heart like mine?
Soften it up, with oil and wine.
The oil is you, your Spirit of love
Please wash me anew, in the wine of your blood.

I've got to be honest, my eyes have been dry. I just don't care about lost people right now. My faith is old, it's not that living active faith I always thought I'd grow into. And this works itself out in my prayers. I'm just not praying like I should. I'll pray occasionally, but to be blunt, I'm afraid of God's presence. Trusting Him is really hard. I don't know what He will ask of me if I simply come before Him. And like Green sings, I know how I ought to be, DEAD. I should be COMPLETELY abandoned to Jesus Christ. But I'm not. So I just keep repeating his simple prayer...soften me Lord Jesus. May your love soak into my heart and turn my love toward others and may your blood wash away my sin so I can move freely toward You! And the Lord is faithful...He always brings us back, nurturing our souls back toward vibrant love. We don't deserve this. He is so good.

Much much love. Merry Christmas folks.

-Jeremy

Jesus.

2008-11-13T23:52:00.000-05:00

Jesus. Jesus. Jesus.

If you plan on preaching anything else, please stop. He is the center of our faith, the whole of our faith. Even if everything crumbles around us, even if we're stuck in the middle of a great ocean with no hope, Jesus comes in walking on the water. Even if we're fatigued and hungry, having left our home to follow, Jesus breaks the Bread and sustains us. Even if Satan has made our soul his stronghold, if sin has overrun our lives, Jesus speaks with power and we are set free. This baby in a manger died on a cross. This child lost in the Temple courts will soon sit on that throne and reign over the world. He lived to reveal the Kingdom of God, he died to take our sin upon him, and he rose again so we can rise with him after death. The Prophets of the Old Testament LONGED to know Jesus, the angels worship him constantly, and we push Him into the closet when our friends come in the room like He's something to be ashamed of. I just read this in Luke today, "If anyone is ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of him when I come in the glory of the Father."

I hope this is convicting (I was going to say I hope this doesn't offend you, but that would be lying, I hope it does.) it is convicting me. This is what I've been wrestling with the past few days. Am I ashamed of Jesus? If I was with Jesus on the night in the garden would I stand by His side, or would I run? If the Jesus I described is the Jesus that I believe in, will I care if people reject me? Will I care about how I look, how I do in school, ANYTHING besides Jesus? I'm finding myself caring WAY TOO MUCH about how people think of me, people I don't even know. I'm afraid. I know I shouldn't be, because "he who the Son sets free is free indeed." I'm free to do whatever God calls me to do, I don't need to be afraid. He loves me, and "perfect love drives out fear." I need a boldness that is from the Lord. Not a red-faced screaming boldness (that's just anger, not boldness), but a courage to stand up and not back down, to care enough about people's eternal salvation that I will walk through rejection in hopes that ONE will turn. A courage to pray, even when it looks like nothing will change. The courage of Christ...to be spit on, flogged, be taken onto the cross, and to not fight back though the power to do so is in me. That's what I need. I need Jesus!

Humbled.

2008-11-06T13:54:00.000-05:00

YES WE CAN. 3 words have inspired a nation. Just three words. Yes, we can. It sums up the American spirit, that there is nothing in our way that we cannot overcome. No one can tell us no. While I definitely have mixed feelings about our new President, I am proud that we have an African American as our President. I wish you could have been in Chicago and see the faces of thousands of African Americans here who have seen a man of their race climb to the top of the social ladder. They have been given hope, and many of our brothers and sisters in this country have a new passion for the United States. And though I don't agree with many of Obama's positions, I hope that the racial barrier that has plagued our country will be closer to falling completely.

Here is what is bothering me: For 4 years conservative Christians have been spouting off Romans 13 for why Christians need to submit to George Bush and his policies. And now, it is strangely absent. It is a lot harder to "submit to the governing authorities" when they don't have the same opinions as we do. And this is what is bothering me, many Christians are being just as vicious towards Obama as the liberals were to Bush. We can't have that. Do you disagree with him? That's fine, but according to the Bible, Barack Obama "has been established by God." He is our leader and we are to support him, unless what he is doing runs contrary to what the Bible teaches. If what he calls us to do is against what the Bible says, then we don't do it. It is so hard, and I really wish that submitting to your authorities wasn't in the Bible, but it is, and so we do need to follow it. If you have problems, take it up with God ;).

I would like to tweak Barack's tagline just a bit. Though "Yes we can" is the new American slogan, it is not the Christian's slogan. The kingdom of God is not advanced by men, God does not depend on our efforts to get his message spread. By His grace he uses us, but we are not required. So even though we cannot overcome our sins by ourselves, we cannot achieve unity through human effort, this world will never be made right, we can join in with the saints of old cheering, "Yes, You will." The LORD will come and make everything right. He will finally bring peace and unity upon the earth. He will give us the crown of righteousness and take us home to be with Him forever. Yes, You will. May it be soon.

-Jeremy

Ephiphane

2008-11-02T01:09:00.000-04:00

Whether "ephiphane" is spelled right I don't really care, all that matters is that I had one. No, not the guitar, but the moment of revelation that feels like a veil has been torn from your eyes and you can finally see. Yep, one of those.

Here's the revelation: I am a victim of Modernism. I never understood this before because I had no idea what modernism is. Let me explain as briefly as I can: Rene Descartes, a philosopher who opened Pandora's box when he decided that the only way to have knowledge is to doubt. This was a sharp contrast to St. Augustine who said that to have knowledge you must believe. Descartes had good intentions, but didn't realize what he was unleashing. Descartes believed that until you have doubted everything to its core, you have not arrived to a knowledge about it. So like with Christianity, until we have doubted (and afterwards analyzed) everything about our faith, we don't TRULY believe it. And if any doubt remains, then it must be false. This was the topic of the day in our Christianity and Western Culture class. And after he explained it, my eyes were opened and I saw that the veil of modernism was cloaking my sight. I DOUBT EVERYTHING!!!! It's ridiculous really. I'm here at Bible School and I doubt God exists because some new argument hasn't been settled down in my mind. And here's why modernism is so darn difficult to shake...because most of the time this is good. We do need to wrestle with ideas to see if they are true, but the problem is that not all things are certainly provable.

Here's the fall of Modernism: Inherent in this ceaseless doubt is an addiction to certainty. Modernists crave a mathematical exactness to a problem. We become afraid of anything that can't be absolutely proved, which makes faith a very scary ordeal. We begin to rely on our intellect instead of our faith, and our soul becomes calloused. Our faith is reduced to an attempt at mathematics. It can't work. Our faith dies. And this is where our society took modernism. As you probably know, human beings are both Spirit and Body. We have a Spirit that is unprovable, and we have a body that works like a machine. The modernists automatically bracket out the spirit because it is unmeasurable, and thus unprovable. So no longer are human beings body and spirit, but just body. And because there was no longer a spiritual realm through which to explain humanity, the scientists came up with Darwinian Evolution. It is all an outworking of our addiction to doubt. Does this make you shudder the same as it does for me? Descartes said a few words, and 300 years later, WHOA evolution and Nietzche. If only we knew the value of our words. No wonder God will judge us for every careless word.

So here's the solution: In the words of Michael McDuffee (the professor through which this ephiphane was revealed), "As we continue to use the fire of science, let us use it to light the candle of worship." May our pursuit of science lead us to humility as we come to understand how unsearchable and unknowable our Creator God is. May we stand in awe at the incredible precision and creativity of our King. May the simple Truths, proved over and over again, give us faith to believe in those that cannot be fully understood. Help us to believe Lord Jesus.

A doubting believer.

Rocking the Boat

2008-10-26T00:46:00.000-04:00

"A true measure of strength is not being one who has no trials, it's being one who weathers many trials....over and over and over.....yet still knows that God is faithful. You may not feel it....you may not see it.....but you know that.....that takes a strong man, with strong faith in a strong God. Amen?" -the most wonderful girl friend ever.

The past weeks the storm of doubt has been surging the seas around me. It seems everywhere I go, I can't simply BELIEVE that God works. I am doubting who I am as a man of God and the strength of His will. I'm doubting the plans of God and if He can still provide. I'm doubting the center of everything that I believe. I wish I could sit here and pretend that I am a rock in the faith, unmoved by all the storms of this life. I wish I could say that I never doubt that Jesus is the Messiah and that Adonai carries the only way for my life. But the unfortunate truth is that I cannot. Even though my eyes have seen the majesty of God, though my ears have heard of His wonderful works, that my mind has been convinced of His Absolute Truth, somehow, SOMEHOW, doubt ALWAYS comes in! I feel like a boat in the ocean...where I was born is no longer in view, but my Home isn't yet on the horizon. I'm simply at the mercy of the seas. Doubt comes in slowly, like a hole in the boat. But after awhile, I'm sinking. But I never sink. When my faith is hurting, God always shows me His faithfulness. He draws me back to Himself. My boat may rock, it may be weathered in the storm, but it always comes out the other end. And I suppose that is what faith really is.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our battle is NOT against flesh and blood, but against the rulers against the authorities against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Satan's on the prowl, seeking whom to devour. Let's stand firm. Let's endure to the end. There's an end over the horizon, and it will be worth everything.

-J.

Mmmmmississippi

2008-10-20T13:56:00.002-04:00

Once again I have made the journey to Mississippi to see Julianna. (Always worth the trip). Everything has been wonderful. Unfortunately I missed my bus down here (I thought it left at 11, it left at 10. I was NOT happy.) But thankfully there was a bus that left the next day...which wasn't all that expensive. I missed her show on Saturday, but the rest of the weekend has been great.

This morning we were reading in Hosea, which is probably one of the most sobering books in the Bible. God commands Hosea to marry a prostitute so that he could illustrate the agony of God with unfaithful Israel. God loves Israel SO much, like a husband loves a wife. He protects her, he cares for her. When enemies come against her, He rises up in her defense. And STILL Israel ran. All the good that God brought they attributed to sticks of wood shaped into idols. They prostituted THEMSELVES to these "gods" and gave away everything they had. Can you imagine the jealousy of God? You can see why He is angry and wrathful.

Here's where it gets good: God is perfectly just when He repays Israel, but He is also completely merciful. (A balance I can never find). He sends her away, but only out of love in hope that she will return. He lets her go to those idols to find that they are nothing. He removes His hand of blessing so that Israel will return. It is out of the depth of His love that He lets Israel go.

I stand amazed at the incredible depth of God's love.

-J. W. Slager

Redemption.

2008-10-16T14:53:00.000-04:00

The past couple of days have been wonderful. I love missions conference at Moody. Basically, it's about 50 missions agencies all showing what God is doing around the world and awakening our hearts towards overseas missions. Awesome.

But something I read in one of my old journals really struck me today. Here's the beginning of my thought process: The body has three separate parts, the physical, the mental and the spiritual. I had just finished reading "Crime and Punishment" by Dostoyevsky, which had the basic premise that redemption is bought through suffering. Think about it, physical depression is redeemed in suffering! When (if?) we work out, the reason we get stronger is because our muscles are torn and rebuilt, involving a high degree of pain (yes, it hurts. Which is why I'm not doing it very often). Mental depression is redeemed in service. The problem of mental depression is that we are just stuck on ourselves. Everyone in the world is out to get us, all the problems of the world fall upon us...we just can't get our eyes off of ourselves (which would depress anyone. This happened a lot in Africa). How do we lift our eyes off of ourselves? Serving other people. We are no longer focused upon our problems but the lives of someone else, and we are shocked out of our depression. Spiritual depression is redeemed by grace alone. We cannot work hard enough to earn our spiritual redemption, it is only by God's grace that we are led out. And grace always comes through the vessel of humility. It is when we humble ourselves before the Lord that we receive His grace. A humble man acknowledges his actual position and desires for God to help him out. That is spiritual redemption, my friends.

And here's where this get's really cool. Jesus perfectly redeemed us, mind, body and soul. "Our attitudue should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing (humility spiritual redemption), taking the very nature of a servant (service, mental redemption), and being made in human likeness, and being found in appearance as a man, humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross (suffering, physical redemption)." He became that perfect redemption so that we could be perfectly redeemed. Amen?

Have a fabulous day. God bless.

-Jeremy "The Ferocious" Bear

Perspective.

2008-10-14T14:54:00.002-04:00

I know I've written about this before, but it has been on my mind constantly for the past couple of weeks.

How we live in this world shows how we view eternity. If our life goals are aimed in this world, if all we are seeking is money and fame and popularity, it is OBVIOUS that we don't believe in eternity. We may say that we do, but let's be real here, if we really believed that there was a Creator God, who made everything, who sent His only Son to take our sins upon Himself, who rose from the dead so we also could have victory over death, and that this Creator God has been preparing an eternal home for us in heaven which is connected to how we live upon this earth, will our lives ever be the same? Are we going to be concerned with the money that burns when our true inheritance rests an eternal heaven? Will we be focused on making a name for ourselves when Jesus promised that he who humbles himself will be exalted? The more we turn our eyes upward toward heaven, the less this world matters. All of it's vain pursuits and temporary amusements are just rubbish, and when we die we leave with absolutely nothing. The only thing that matters is God's kingdom, and when we have put our sights upon God, all our lives will flow within His will. Like a soldier, we simply follow. He commands, we obey. He tells us to go to Asia, we go. He commands us to get a job in America, we do it. He says to give it all away to the poor, we give. He says to be frugal and save, we do it. No questions asked because we really believe that He is the Lord over all.

It's that simple.

Off to class. Gotta go learn how to read the Bible.

I'll write again soon.

-Jer Bear. (Some may think this is a girly, childish name. But let me remind you, a bear is fierce and huge and I am more than happy to align myself with such a powerful animal. Haha. Right.)

School? Oh, yea.

2008-10-12T18:17:00.001-04:00

I was looking around at the blogs of my friends, and then realized that I haven't written on in "a little while." I guess that little while was 2 months. Oops.

Let's see, what has happened in two months... :).

School.

Extreme testing from God.

Extreme frustration at myself for not following.

Extreme joy when I finally gave in to God.

Lonely.

Overwhelmed with people.

I couldn't read the Bible enough.

I couldn't focus for more than a sentence.

A wild roller coaster of a life.

You know, the usual.

The past couple of weeks I've been reading 2 Timothy, and it's brought incredible light into the way I handle the "academic debate" that festers in the dorms of Moody. The way I've been reading is slightly different than usual. Instead of reading a sentence and applying it, I'm reading the whole book and thinking about different parts throughout the day. This is Paul's last letter to his favorite student, and what does he command him 3 times? Don't quarrel, don't argue...it is of no value and only destroys those who listen. I feel like some people here at school think that it's a major, "I have my B.A. in Quarrelling on irrelevant topics." We find the strangest stuff to talk about, like whether God moves us like robots or if we can defy the sovereignty of God by doing our own thing. Honestly...does this matter? Paul gives us this novel idea, let's stop quarrelling about the words and start living as if God actually meant them. Whoa. Isn't it interesting that most often those who are most adamant about "defending the Gospel" are rarely seen in the streets living the Gospel? We do need to defend the Gospel, but also understand that there are just some irrelevant issues we can disagree on and still be Christians together. And I must admit, I've fallen into this. I'm not out with the broken and hurting. And this has to change.

Again, sorry for the incredibly long absence. I should be able to keep writing. Emphasis should. I say this everytime.

Peace out.

Slaga
(Charades...first phase of Darwin's Evolutionary Man. I am slime.

REPENT!!!

2008-08-09T11:22:00.002-04:00

hellfire and brimstone.
turn or burn.
red-faced preachers.
screaming.
picketers and tracts.

when it comes to repentance, america carries some deep scars. the bullying method of evangelism has left its mark on the minds of american Christians, and we're bitter. we have come to realize that scaring people into heaven doesn't work. we've reacted so strongly against "hellfire and brimstone," we're so scared of becoming that screaming and hateful street preacher that we've lost sight of the very beginning of our faith, REPENTANCE.

we have merged the two images...repentance and angry yelling. (are we still tracking here? basically, we don't want to talk about repentance because we're afraid of being lumped in with the screamers.) but we MUST separate them once again. Repentance is ESSENTIAL to the Christian faith. Think about it, what was Jesus' message? "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." John the Baptist...repent. Ezekiel...repent. Jeremiah...repent. Isaiah...repent. Old Testament, New Testament...God was sending prophets and even His Son to tell us to repent. On the day of Pentecost, on the birthday of the Church, Peter tells the crowd listening that they must, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you." In Revelation Jesus urges the Laodiceans to "be zealous and repent." Are you catching a thread? And still, even though it is everywhere in the Bible, how many messages have you heard on repentance? We talk about love and grace, and we should, but we're missing the starting line of the Christian journey.

Here's what we're missing: repentance is simple. It's not a depression over sins and complaining about how weak we are. It's turning from our sins, asking God for forgiveness, and following God's commands. If we've never repented (turned) of our sins, we have never given up control of our lives. If we've never given up control, we've never followed Jesus. We're still living for ourselves, letting Jesus guide us as along as we agree with where He goes (which is not following at all). And to be blunt, what does Jesus say about those who say they follow Him but really live for themeselves..."I wish you were either hot or cold, but you are lukewarm. I am going to spit you out of my mouth." That scares me.

Trust me when I say that I need to repent every day. I want to give God control of my life, but I won't let go completely. But as I repent, I'm experiencing the grace of God. HE STILL FORGIVES. I screw up every day, and He still forgives. Amazing.

Psalm 51:17-The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

(My computer's in the shop, and I'm off to Alaska in a few hours. I'll get some pictures up later. Love you all.)

Jerjer

return

2008-07-26T22:47:00.001-04:00

I'm back...!

Alas, after a 2 month "sabbatical" (professional Christian vacation) from writing, I have returned. I realized that I'd been writing for the wrong reasons. I felt like if I didn't write something down every day it was a wasted day. Amnesia set it, I'd forgotten that I was writing down my journey so that God gets glory, that "He may become greater and I less." Essentially, I'd become all too focused upon myself, and didn't feel like I could honestly write. But God has once again captivated my ever wandering heart. The only consistency in my Christian walk is my run away from God. But thank Jesus He won't let me go. He brings people into my life that point me back toward Him.

God has been constantly using nature to draw me back. It's an everlasting beacon screaming out, "THERE IS A GOD!!! He is much bigger than you can possibly imagine." I was outside watching the firefly light show in my back yard, backdropped by the canvas of stars. There were times that for a moment, I couldn't tell the difference between a star and a lightning bug. From my earthly perspective, they look the same. Think about that. A teeny little lightning bug that I could crush in my fingers looked similar to a STAR, a monstrous ball of gas and fire, whose light reaches my eyes from a distance of several thousand light years. This incomprehensible star resembled an insignificant firefly simply because I lacked perspective. It's a parable of our misconception of God. We see the things of this world (fireflies, which are here for just a second then fizzle) for the things of God (stars, which are in most regards eternal and unbelievable), all because we lack perspective.

Our emotions come and go. Some days we feel Jesus walking beside us, and other days it feels like He's walked away with our hearts, leaving us gaping. Emotions will betray us if we depend on them solely. It is in those difficult moments that our faith is proved and refined. Faith covers the gaps left by imperfect emotions and intellect. And you know, the firefly requires no faith, we can touch it, trap it, even kill it. But the star requires faith, we must believe in it's awesome power. And one day (soon!) our faith will be made sight. The star will burn up the firefly, and all will be made clear. (Do I hear an amen?)

-Jeremy

empty.

2008-06-02T07:43:00.000-04:00

something is wrong. for the longest time, i couldn't put my finger on it, i just felt a dryness inside, i felt that void that Jesus was always supposed to fill. you know, that gaping hole we talk about to those who don't know Jesus, telling them it will be filled forever if they'll accept Jesus into their heart. well, for the past few weeks i've felt like that hole was just getting larger.

julianna and i were talking about this last night. we were so frustrated at the emptiness, we were begging God to show us what was wrong. (we were hoping for an angel to come and show us, or something direct). for both of us, our desire to follow God was lost. our Christian walks were simply out of habit and not out of the overflow of our love for our Creator. what was wrong?

i found my answer in an oak tree (quite literally, i was in an oak tree...but it was a parallel between the oak tree that helped me understand). the oak tree is a pillar of strength and fortitude, the winds don't knock it down, and even if there is no rain for awhile it survives. how does it keep growing so steadily? what does it do? nothing. it doesn't try to climb higher, but it sends its roots deeper. it doesn't grow by it's own effort, but by the power of God. i have been trying too hard. i've made a checklist for Christianity, hoping that if i did a certain amount of good things i would feel again. but God has kept me dry until i can grasp just one thing: I CAN'T DO IT ON MY OWN. I DESPERATELY NEED GOD.

Have a great week. Love you all.

-Seydou

A Poem by Jason Upton

2008-05-19T23:24:00.000-04:00

MAY 19, 2008
It's late, and I'm listening to songs by Jason Upton. Read this carefully.

There’s a power in poverty that breaks principalities
And brings authorities down to their knees
There’s a brewing frustration and an ageless temptation
To fight for control by manipulation
The God of the kingdoms and of creations and God of the nations
Sent this revelation to the homeless and penniless Jesus the Son
The poor will inherit the kingdom to come
And where will we turn when our world falls apart
And all of the treasures we’ve stored in our barns can’t buy the kingdom of God
And who will we praise when we’ve praise all our lives
Men who build kingdoms and men who build fame
But heaven does not know their names
And what are we going to fear when all that remains
Is a God on the throne with a child in his arms and love in his eyes
And the sound of his heart cry
Take us way beyond religion
Way beyond the might’s of man
Take us way beyond politics and ways of the world
Oh, deeper, deeper, deeper
Deeper into the wings of you Jesus, teach us how to love.
The world is wide open
Its wide open
Teach us your way Jesus
We want to walk in your truth.

"Who will we praise when we've praised all our lives men who build kingdoms?"

Freshman? No more.

2008-05-18T13:14:00.000-04:00

I am pleased to announce that I will never be a Freshman again.

My first year at Moody is complete, and I am amazed at how much happened. God used so many different events to shape who I am. I've gotten a broader perspective of who God is and narrowed my own focus upon Him.

Finals week went pretty well. I think I'll have B's in all my classes (which isn't bad at Moody...a B is a 90%). They were great classes and I learned much about our faith from them. Yes, there are still doubts, there are still so many questions I want answered, but our faith is legit. The universal church has a shady history, but somehow through the Crusades, through the Inquisition and through the Reformation she has persisted. It's a miracle.

Now I'm living at home. I'll be around all summer working with Walter Pettifor cutting down trees. It should be a relaxing summer. We'll see. I seem very good at becoming busy.

I'll write more later. Peace out.

-Jeremy

P.S. My brother is a college grad. Props to him.

John Donne

2008-05-11T12:38:00.000-04:00

I've heard this sonnet by John Donne a couple of times this week, and it's powerful. It is deep, it's dark, but it's a genuine cry from a man who is tired of falling into sin.

Batter my heart, three-person'd God ; for you
As yet but knock ; breathe, shine, and seek to mend ;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force, to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but O, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy ;
Divorce me, untie, or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

It's beautiful in the same way the night sky is...dark, yet filled with tiny lights of hope. As I read it, John Donne is asking God to reconquer his soul. He's like a "usurped town," he's taken over by sin and he keeps trying to let God in, but he is married to the enemy, and he can't break those ties. It's bizarre, how we are never free until we are imprisoned to Christ, and never pure unless ravished by him. Hard words to accept, but can you see how desperate we are for Christ? We can't do this by ourselves, we need him to do it for us. We need Christ to batter down the door to our heart, for we have put so many locks and fortified the door so well that unless Christ tears down the door we remain alone. We are prisoners to ourselves, in need of a Savior.

Peace and love.

Sunrise

2008-05-09T09:06:00.000-04:00

Ran to the beach this morning with a friend from school to watch the sunrise. (I've tried all year. This was the first time making it). It was beautiful. Somehow, when the sun rises it is calmer, subtler than the sunset. When the sun sets it does not do so quietly, but it scorches the sky with fiery reds and deep purples, like it refuses to be pulled down. But when it rises, the sky turns light. The harsh blacks become soft blues. And slowly, steadily the sun peers out from the horizon, making its way up into the sky. It is so natural and still supernatural. Explainable and yet beyond my imagination. How does a fiery orb look so peaceful in the morning? When I imagine how immense the sun truly is, and how dangerous and explosive it is, and then I think back to this morning and how it peacefully rose to give light to all of Chicago, I can only sit back and thank God. Who else could design something so terrifying and awesome, and still reflect a peaceful duality? Only a God so immense and powerful, so gentle and tender, could possibly construct such an image. Strength and grace. Justice and love. Power and finesse. He is all combined. He perfectly embodies the traits He has designed us to love.

As I watch the sun steadily pulling free from the horizon, the waves continue to crash on the shore. Large and unpredictable, they topple and are fused into the greater body randomly. It is chaotic. It is powerful. These waves come and go, each one possessing value but only a fraction of the total strength of the body. Each was is inconsistent, backdropped by the steady progression of the sun into the sky. The random chaos of the waves perfectly opposes the controlled, predictable movement of the sun. I feel like the waves, rising and falling only to rise once more. Once I have reached my peak, I hit and wall and fall back once more. I look toward heaven and see Christ’s perfect example of faithfulness, of his steady walk on Earth. I am tired of crashing. I’m tired of swelling only to fall again. I long to evaporate and move toward the sun. But my time hasn’t come. I have many more crests to stand on, and many more troughs to walk through. Many mountain peaks to praise God from, and many valleys to praise God through. But like the sun and the waves, I need to be consistent in my effort. Every day rising and praising God, trusting in Him for one more day of strength to make it through.

Jerjer

(And the answer to the riddle/poem from the last one..."you is pronounced, oh!" = U is pronounced O. As in, Sun, is Son. So the first time reading it is saying that the sun rises, the second meaning is that the Son (Jesus) rises from the grave. The double edged mist is how clouds shield our eyes, protecting us on one hand but keeping us from the warmth. Same thing with Jesus. We are veiled right now, which shields us from his glory, yet keeps us from a pure view. My favorite line..."the pupils shrivel." When the sun gets higher, it gets brighter and our pupils must contract to keep our eyes from burning. But pupil is also a disciple...and as Jesus rose into the sky, becoming more glorious the disciples cowered/shriveled at the sight. But just like our eyes, we become accustomed to the great light, and we are slowly restored. The disciples slowly realized who Jesus was and they went out, like light into darkness, proclaiming the gospel. The picture I was trying to paint was of light pouring through a cloud. That was what the disciples were, rays of light penetrating deep through the mist of the world. connecting the greatness of God to the depravity of the world. And this connection changes our perspective. When we have a view of God, we cannot look at the world the same. Even when it rains, we have a view of the hope to come, of the sun coming back out. It could also be read, "To love the Son while He reigns." He reigns, and our outlook on life changes when we truly believe that. Nothing will ever be the same.)

perspective.

2008-05-01T17:15:00.000-04:00

everything in life changes with perspective.

rain can ruin or day, or it can make it. a snowstorm can be terrifying or thrilling. a death can be joyous or perilous. the way we view the world around us changes
everything. the narrow perspective often leads to despair. the rain doesn't let me be warm, a snowstorm slows down my travels, and a death steals a loved one. all the outcomes revolve around my own personal plans and the intruding action destroys that plan. when i am not focusing on God, i am focusing on myself and am unable to cope with life's changes.

but here's the beautiful resolution. when we focus on God instead of ourselves, we begin to see the immens< ity of His plan. we see what part the pain and the rain play in our daily lives. we begin to embrace the unexpected, seeing it as another

here's my story:
i need to make quite a bit of money to go to Israel next spring. so for the past couple weeks i've taken every chance to work, trying to start saving. i finally received my first check for 150. unexpectedly, i found out that i have to pay 150 to enroll at moody for the next semester. all that hard work, gone. fortunately, i had 40 dollars in the bank, so that i wasn't completely broke. i went to cash the check, and found out that through a series of unfortunate circumstances, i had overdrawn and was now 20 dollars in the hole (a purchase i'd made came in three weeks after i paid for it). i was 20 dollars short of the necessary sum. but fortunately, i had left a small amount of money in my bank back home, exactly the amount needed. at this point, i am flustered. i need to be making money, but i keep going backwards! right now, i am honestly net worthed at 1 dollar and whatever change i can find in my room. for a couple of hours i moped.

then my perspective changed. i took a step back and thanked God, who gave me the jobs beforehand to pay for a bill i hadn't expected. He had provided exactly the amount I needed, without any knowledge on my part. praise Him. He provides.

PERSPECTIVE
The sun escapes from Earth's hold
Rising, rising, rising.
Shrouded by a double-edged mist
That shields frail eyes.
The pupils shrivel,
Unaccustomed to such greatness.
Slowly restored
Light triumphs over darkness
You is pronounced, oh!
What a change in perspective.
To love the sun while he rains.

Think about it. I meant to say, you is pronounced...
Honestly, I love this one. See if you can figure it out.

Love wins.

Wisconsin?

2008-04-26T02:36:00.000-04:00

The other day I found out that all my classes for Thursday had been cancelled, and I found it to be the perfect opportunity to relieve that constant itch that has nagged me since I arrived at Moody, I want to bike to Wisconsin.

I decided I would leave early in the morning, in hopes of having some time to relax in the cheesehead state. Then I heard rumors of thunderstorms in the afternoon, and when 7 am rolled around, my resolve to journey was at an all time low. I slept. I woke again at 9:30, pissed off that I had missed my golden opportunity to go to Wisconsin. "It's 65 miles! If I left, I couldn't make it there and back in time, no way. If only I had woken up at 7 I would be halfway there right now. I'm so dumb! Why can't I just wake up? It's too late. It's too late. Forget it. Now you're stuck in this concrete prison for the rest of the day. Way to go Jeremy." (Yes, I do talk to myself, don't try and pretend like you don't.) This next part is slightly weird, but I was so disturbed by my self-condemnation I audibly yelled, "Jeremy! SHUT UP!" (Then quickly scanned the room to make sure no one heard me.) But my nagging voice persisted, and I finally asked God what to do. Simple, "Go. Don't worry about it, just go." My thoughts, "But what of the thunderstorms and getting back late?" My impression of God's voice, "Jeremy, when have you EVER cared about getting caught in a thunderstorm and worried about how you're going to get back? Will you just go already?" So, in an excited daze, I left. Thrilled to be on an adventure once again.

The ride was smooth, no issues. I arrived in Kenosha, Wisconsin at 2:50 (not bad, 4 1/2 hours for 65 miles...). I saw trees, and grass, and undeveloped land (trust me, after living in Chicago's lifeless steel maze, a tangle of weeds and trees is inviting). I moseyed over to the lake shore, and nestled into the tiered rock ledge above where the waves crashed into the rock wall shoreline below. And for an hour, I just unwound, listening to the waves relentlessly pound upon the shore...thinking about how the shore didn't give any ground, even after an entire day of the beating. My thoughts retreated to the morning, and how I had condemned myself for simply sleeping in. I slowly realized that I have put incredible pressure upon myself to live and act as I (emphasis on I) feel a perfect Christian should live. 1) Be so busy that I have to go to bed late, meanwhile getting 1 hour of devotions in. 2) Waking up early so I can get another hour of devotions. 3) Never sleep in, study and pray instead. 4) Do something "productive" all day long with no breaks (I bring a book into the bathroom...confession time). 5) Be everything to everyone (counselor, leader, student, follower, Superman). These 5 points of "perfectionism" sound great. Unfortunately, they lead to a self-righteousness that always ends in self-condemnation. I won't live up to the standards I have set. And then, like yesterday morning, I stand to condemn myself. This is not the beauty of the gospel, this is the ugly tarp I use to cover the gospel so I can make sense of it all in my mind.

My thoughts led me to Romans 8. "There is NO condemnation for those in Christ Jesus...It is God who justifies, who is he that condemns?" I am not condemned by those around me, and I cannot condemn myself. I am forgiven, I am justified, and I am in the process of being sanctified. I am not condemned. (Can I say that again? "I am not condemned") Satan whispers lies into my ear relentlessly, like the waves crashing into the shoreline, telling me that I must do more to follow God properly, effectively taking my focus off of God's grace and onto my actions. It is no longer about what God did for me, but what I can do for God, and that is a devastating difference. In the words of God through Jeremiah, "I am trading the spring of God for a broken cistern." I'm trading a pure free gift from God for something I must work for, that doesn't work at all. But when I focus on the grace of God, I become like that shore, unwavering in my resistance to the beating of my mind and body.

Just as confused as the rest of you, but hopefully my confusion can help some of you avoid it. My advice is the same as God's was to me, "Just go." Sometimes we gotta go. May the Lord bless you in your travels. Godspeed (whatever that means). Sorry...it's late.

Germy Schlahhgur

Julianna in Chicago!

2008-04-23T00:56:00.000-04:00

Quickly said: it was great.

We went to the conservatory (a greenhouse with tons of plants and flowers) and enjoyed taking several ridiculous pictures. The flowers were gorgeous.

I thought this plant looked like dreadlocks...so I tried it out. I'm tempted...

We went with Julianna's best friend, Kelley Reeves and her wonderful boyfriend, David. I guess they came here during the winter, when Chicago was bleak and dreary and enjoyed the plant life. Next year...I'll be sure to do the same.

Then Julianna and I got all dressed up and went on our 4th ever date. (For those who don't know the dilemma, she lives in Mississippi and I live in Chicago. Hence, we've only been in the same town for about 50 days since we started dating, half of them coming over Christmas. We don't get the chance to do this very often. But that just makes it sweeter, eh?) I don't know if this is normal, but I felt like a little kid all nervous. Why? Only the Lord knows.

And now to try and respond to my Baha'i friends comments on Hell and the existence of evil, here's what was said:

"Baha'is do not believe in the Devil or Satan or Lucifer as a force in creation. Satan or whatever name you prefer is a metaphor for one's personal desires that shield us from our true spiritual nature and prevent us from attaining our potential.
Baha'u'llah taught that 'evil' as you believe does not exist. And neither does 'hell', nor heaven. Rather there is a continuum of existence where on one end one can say you are closer to God and on the other far removed from Him."

I can understand why this is believed. It sounds good and it seems to make sense in our own framework of thought. It removes evil, it takes away a final judgment from God, and also makes hell nonexistent. Humanity wants this, we want to convince ourselves that WE ARE NOT EVIL. That's a pleasant thought, but I think we all know that humanity is evil. In the Lord's prayer, Jesus prays that God will deliver us from the "evil one." In the next chapter, Jesus says that "though we are evil, we will give good gifts to our children." Either Jesus is a liar when he acknowledged the presence of Satan and of our evilness, or evil exists. I don't see another alternative.

Another issue I have is that we cannot have a continuum of closeness to God. I see two distinct halves, those who are perfectly righteous and those who are totally depraved. This world stains us, (I doubt anyone would claim they have lived a perfect life), and if we try and approach God stained, we will be turned away, for perfection cannot dwell with imperfection. That is why we must be covered with Christ's perfection, so that we can be perfect before God. I hope this is making sense...it's far too late in the evening, and I need some sleep.

Any questions, comments, concerns? In case you doubted, still love you all.

-Seydoubumba

Baha'i or Be a Jerk?

2008-04-16T22:25:00.000-04:00

I just want to point out that the culture in which we live makes the true Gospel of Christ offensive. Here's why:

This, my friends, is a Baha'i temple. Last week, I saw on a map that at the end of the purple line (a CTA train) there was this "attraction" called the Baha'i temple. I'm a curious person, so I went to check it out with a few friends. This this looks straight out of Mecca. It is immaculate, a 9 sided building with beautiful gardens and architecture. Before going, I read up on the Baha'i faith in a book my Grandma gave me. It's a pretty neat religion, actually. The general idea is that God progressively reveals himself to culture as they can understand it. Abraham was a "prophet of God" to his culture, as was Moses, Zoroaster, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, and their special prophet who figured this out. Really though, doesn't this sound good? No one is wrong, no one is condemned because they were deceived by Satan, we all end up happily in heaven. That satisfies our postmodern mindset that everyone has their own idea of truth, all being equal. So to finish my encounter at the Temple, we walked in on a devotional meeting, where they quoted "scripture" from their holy book (a compilation of all the religious books I believe). So after the devotional, I asked one of the ladies who ran it what she was reading from. We talked for about 30 minutes about what she believes, and what I believe...asking questions back and forth. It went really well, actually. She was great, listening and explaining her faith. The only problem is that the Jesus she speaks of is not the Jesus that is in the Bible.

This conversation drove me back into the Scriptures, trying to see what Jesus actually said and did. Now, every other Wednesday I give a Bible study for about 40 homeless men and women, so I decided I would tell them about my experience at the Baha'i temple. Then I laid out the gospel, how we were separated from God, destined for Hell. But Jesus came, died on the cross to wash us of our sins and give us the chance to follow God. Then I quoted John 14:6-"(Jesus said) I am the way and the truth and the life, NO ONE comes to the Father except through me." If you want to get people angry, quote this verse. Trust me, it will ruffle some feathers. It was probably the hardest conversation I have had, trying to explain to 40 men that if they don't believe in Jesus alone, not Mohammed, not Buddha, not Allah, just Jesus, they will be saved. This is not a popular message. Postmodern though=accept everyone or you are a jerk. I have to admit, I was scared up there, trying to defend a gospel that I am only beginning to work through. But the grace of God gave me strength, and I am excited about the conversations that I had with people. If nothing else, it is driving me BACK into the Scriptures to test and approve my faith. I HAVE TO KNOW IF THIS IS RIGHT. Any weakness in my beliefs WILL BE EXPOSED. That's the point of Bible school. I have to find out the core of what I believe and why, because the world is going to try and shake that foundation loose and pull down my faith. I will let those who have the extra time debate Calvinism and Arminianism, or the exact dates of when Jesus will return, as for me, I simply want to know the gospel.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18"

"My brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. Galatians 5:11"

Nothing so hurts the natural man’s pride as the cross of Christ. How does it do this?... [The cross] says that we are all equally failures.

Love you all. Hope none of you think I'm a narrow-minded, intolerant, jerkish Christian. Even if you, I still love ya.

-Dabumba

Still breathing...

2008-04-09T01:34:00.000-04:00

I wanted to quickly say thank you. Since my humbling blog about pornography, I am proud to say that I am still going strong. The temptation comes every day, but the prayers of you all combined with the strength of God through surrender has given me victory one day at a time. For that I am truly grateful. I want to remember that victory DOES NOT come from me, but from God. I fail, God does not. I'm still breathing...

The revival at Moody is still breathing as well. People are coming out of the woodwork, out of their petty sins and into the glorious freedom of an open life. I've heard stories of several men and women trying to start accountability groups on their floor (including my own), and people who are just broken over their sin. This is the start. God WILL NOT move if His people will not humble themselves. God will wait for us give up our sins before He comes and uses us. I regrettably have not been praying for the student body as I should, but am grateful to be reminded that the fight continues and that we are pressing forward. We need to be shown over and over again how devastating our sin can be. One sin and we're done. As a pastor, if I fall ONCE my ministry can be over. As a father, respect can be gone with ONE slip. As a husband, as a friend, whatever position we find ourselves in, we stand on the edge of a knife, and one slip can send us hurtling. Fortunately we have a gracious God who holds our hand, walking us along the straight and narrow, always willing to forgive when we do slip. I wish we would all understand the gravity and weight of sin, how much it pains God to see our rebellion against him. Maybe then the temptation would cease.

Still breathing? Drive slower and enjoy the ride.
-Dabumba

Africa? Hmm?

2008-04-08T00:24:00.000-04:00

One year ago?

Does time think this is just some funny joke?

Exactly 367 days ago I crossed the Atlantic on my return to America. Africa. I lived in Africa one year ago, it seems like yesterday that I was stepping on 6 inch thorns and didn't think 95 degrees was hot.

The day I got home- "The dread is coming into my heart. I’ve been in America for a few hours, and already I’m started to dislike it. I mean, I guess I did the same thing with Niger. But just all the ideas of taking Niger culture to America…of talking to people and such…it doesn’t work if no one is outside. If everyone is locked into their homes I can’t do anything about that. And here’s the other thing, life here looks like meaningless. Like, each day when I lived in Tera I had a purpose. I was spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. What is my purpose here? To hang out with friends? Seems like a small purpose. No day in Niger is like another. Things change and move…but here…what’s going to change? Can I live for Jesus just as radically here as in Africa? Man…if I could do that, nothing would deter me."

I still feel that same despair. What is the point of life right now? I know that my studies right now are necessary in the grand scheme of things, but it is hard to remain motivated in the face of such an easy life. I have everything. I turn the faucet and water comes out (not to be taken for granted in Africa). I step outside and my skin doesn't peel straight off. There's this thing called electricity and air conditioning, oh, and Internet. I have mountains of food available at any time. Everything is handed to me. Living in America is like living as royalty. AND I DON'T LIKE IT. Where's the adventure? Some of the best times in Africa were when everything went wrong, when everyone is scurrying around, working together to make it right. When we missed the ferry across the river, when it was 113 and the power went out, when Ibrahim got pummeled for being, well, Ibrahim. There was a visible, tangible challenge right in front of me. Now? My challenges consist of waking up early to do devotions (which I'm failing at) and staying motivated to read the Bible (which again, gets harder every day). The fight has moved from the physical realm to the personal realm, and I'm finding that's a much harder battle to win. It's a battle no one sees, and one which I can lose and still smile and pretend it's okay. And...that was a tangent off of where I was thinking this was going to go. Moral of the story: I loved Africa, and I have lived in America for 1 year. I've lived in "inner-city" Jackson (which doesn't seem so bad after Chicago), I've been to the Bahamas, taken 12 credits of community college, taken 33 credits of Bible school, preached 1 sermon, written several Bible studies, prayed for a revival, learned why I believe in this Christianity thing, realized I could never be a theologian, been challenged by the faith of others, been bitterly angry at the faith of some, given the full gospel message to an Indian, a homeless man, and a Frenchman, and found out more about who I am and how I fit into God's great plan for the redemption of humankind. And yet...the sweetest times have not been dependent on the situation, but on the dependence those situations require. I think of the long prayer walks on the streets of Tera, or the prayer times in Jackson, or my renewed Bible studies at Moody, or the long nights in prayer before our chapel, or walking to a lighthouse and yelling to God at the top of my lungs, these are the moments that make up who I am. I am finding more and more that my Christian life is not defined by the highs, but by the intimate times I have with my creator. And what I see now, is that those are not dependent upon where I am, but the tenderness of my soul.

Do I look different?

-Dabumba

And my favorite...

Complaining

2008-04-04T16:19:00.000-04:00

For some reason, these past couple weeks I have complained a lot. The weather sucks, school is hard, Moody's crazy...blah, blah, blah. There is a point when my honest emotions just aren't important enough to be shared. Maybe I'm having a rough day/week, but it doesn't get any better complaining about it. I hate complaining, and I hate complainers. I apologize for my selfish complaining attitude.

In contrast to the bleakness of routine, there have been moments displaying the incredible brilliance of God's plan in putting me at this school at this time. (Try and comprehend this. God could have put me at any place in the world, at any point of history, but he chose here and now. Chew on that for awhile.) The education at Moody Bible Institute is simply the best. Between my four teachers, they have over 100 years of teaching experience (!!). Three of them know me by name and I've met with one on one to talk about my life and the struggles I am going through. Where else could I go to get this solid advice from men and women who have gone through this journey before me? Apart from the teachers, there are several fellow students that I know will change lives for Christ. There is a fire inside of their souls that is trying to light my own heart. Granted, there is a lot of deadness in a lot of students, but I feel like that is a characteristic of modern American Christianity; pockets of fire surrounded by piles of dry wood (dangerous combination). And then I can't forget that I live in Chicago. Yesterday I worked at Union Station and rubbed shoulders serving multi-millionaire technology kings. The day before I worked at a homeless kitchen and rubbed shoulders with men and women who have lost everything and are shamed by countless faces walking past. And throughout God has taught me to treat each with the same level of respect, to cater to a man in a three piece suit with the same dignity as man with as many teeth. The same day I have a debate with a world-renowned theologian, I can discuss the importance of salvation with a strung out prostitute. I am privileged to be where I am.

Here lay my problem. My vision became too narrow. As I was walking on my journey with God, I was only looking at my feet. I didn't see the hope that was ahead of me, I didn't remember the difficulty of the path God walked me through, and I didn't see the goodness of the land that I was in. Staring at my feet, I only se that they are tired and caked in dirt. I need to look up, away from my problems, and see what God has brought me through and a glimpse at where I'm going. Everything seems so trivial in comparison.

I still love you all. And I do enjoy reading comments, emails or whatever form of communication you prefer. Even if you don't write, I still think you are all fabulous. What is more, God does too.

In Christ alone,
-dabumba

Pornography

2008-03-29T14:39:00.000-04:00

Everything in my head is saying, "Don't go there. You really don't want to write about this on the Internet. Everyone will see it." But there's something in my heart that says, "That's the point." Pornography needs to be brought into the open, it is a devastating part of our society, and it has destroyed so much in our Christian world, including me.

Part of the danger of pornography is that it lurks in shadows and secrecy. People are so afraid of having this sin be known. It hides in depths of their heart, strategically coming out when the soul is worn down and alone. I'm not speaking as a removed observer, but as a first hand victim. As much as I want to keep this in the dark alleys of my past, I believe there are people who need to know this about me, and know this about themselves.

It started when I was young and by 7th grade I no longer defended myself against it. The only barriers against pornography were my parents, who miraculously caught me every time. But I was addicted. Every chance I had I fell. The peak came about 9th grade, and after that I seriously started to fight my addiction. My conscience, long subdued, began with full force to purge this from my mind. It gradually got better, going weeks and months at a time without slipping. The busyness and community of my Junior/Senior year held me strong where I previously failed. Then came Africa. It was like a breath of fresh air, all the temptation removed completely. My mind felt free. Pornography fastened chains around my mind, distorting my view of women and life. Africa broke those chains and showed me the vileness of it all. But on my return to America, unfortunately, I let my guard down. Like David, I became lazy in my defense and was overtaken again. Still my conscience held strong, and openness with the men on my floor at Moody gave me much needed support. But the determination to resist always waned with time. A month later, a week later, the cycle would repeat. I thought my strength could overcome, but it didn't. This is the background to my devotional from this morning.

I read 1 John 3, which is about how anyone who is in God will not sin continually. Here's my response:
I wish I could write about 1 John 3 with confidence, knowing that my inner passions reflect God’s purchase of my soul. But the weight of sin pulls my face to the ground. I sin continually. For 8 years I have been addicted to pornography. For 8 years pornography has been a lure that consistently deceives me. For 8 years I have desired to see the images, and afterward hated my actions. It doesn’t fulfill, it only destroys. It ostracizes me from my own community, it pulls my passions in to myself. The deceitful love of the Internet detracts from the true love of people. It has robbed me of the love I should have for all people. I have fought. I have failed. I have denied myself. My sin has denied me. I’ve reached the end of my strength, and it is in this moment that I realize that my strength will always fail. I do not have the inner will to consistently overcome sin. I can resist for a couple of days, but my resistance will wear thin. I’ve seen that pattern over and over again. And for 8 years, I believed that the next cycle would be better. I’ve given up. I can’t resist. And therein lays the secret. Only God has the strength of will to resist this temptation. Only God is truly free from the bondage of human nature. And this is why 1 John 3 resounds so deeply. As a Christian, I positively have God inside me. With God in me, I have the strength to overcome all sinful desires. Yet for the past 8 years, I have had God inside me, and still fallen into sin. Why? Because even though God was inside of me, I never relinquished control to Him. God was patiently waiting until I gave up control. The power to resist is not within my own strength, but His, yet I still tried to do it on my own. I need to surrender this to God. Not my will, but His be done. Even though there are times that I desire to fall, I have to submit myself to His will, especially when it doesn’t make sense to me. This is when I can claim the promise God makes through John, “No one who lives in him keeps sinning.” As I live in God, surrendering my desires to Him, my sin cannot remain. The battle is already won. Jesus died to sin on the cross. All Christians have victory over sin, if we will only claim it through the blood of Jesus. “He who the Son sets free is free indeed.”

I still don't know why I feel like it's necessary for me to reveal this to the whole world. Maybe someone needs to understand that we don't have the strength to overcome our sin. Maybe someone needs to be open about their past mistakes. Maybe some poor soul was searching for pornography on the Internet and happened to find this. I just pray that by the grace and strength of God, we will overcome our temptation and be free from sin.

-Jeremy Slager

dead space.

2008-03-28T01:14:00.000-04:00

do you ever feel like you are just in a dead space? it's like standing next to a train as it rushes past, and when it's gone, there's just a stunning silence. the adrenaline is still flowing, and you just want to run around and shout, but the thrill is gone. it's in this dead space that we learn what devotion truly is.

i'm in that dead space.

when i have a goal set in front of me, when i'm challenged to do better, i feel that in those times i have a great relationship with God Almighty. it's not hard to cling to a Rock when i'm in a storm, it is when the storm has passed that i start to venture on my own. devotion is not tested in the storm, faith is. devotion, a consistent walk with God, is tested when i don't feel the need to be in communication with God. it is in these times when i find out whether i am truly seeking God in my devotions, or whether i am seeking to get something from God. if i'm seeking God, i will be coming before Him no matter what the circumstances. if i'm seeking His benefits, i will stop the relationship when He becomes "expendable." sad, isn't it?

so this is the challenge for me. will i come before God with the same fervor and passion as i did when there was a physical obstacle laid out in front of me? that's the challenge ahead of me, i just hope i will see the challenge and not walk by blindly.

jeremy slags

Slow Train to Moody

2008-03-26T22:42:00.000-04:00

Spring Break is over (I have mixed feelings, I love being back at Moody and I love being home). The rest of my break was fantastic. The wonderful Julianna came home from Ballet Magnificat, and we both enjoyed hanging out at each others houses. It's remarkable how much better it is when we can talk face to face!

For Easter we all went to the lake house in Indiana for our first ever full family gathering (James and Liz keep making this difficult, since they keep adding new members into the family). In case you don't know, I just love my family. Every single one of them. (And yes, new baby Lydia is the most precious baby I know). Grandma, Julianna and I were able to have a worship concert. I can't imagine a way I would rather spend my time than praising God with two of my favorite girls in the world. It was definitely a moment to treasure.

After Easter I slowly made my way to Moody. I went to a Constitutional Law class with my Aunt Karin (fascinating...ish). Then met up with one of my friends in Valpo before making it to Moody. And here I am now.

I went to the Tuesday night prayer meeting last night, and was so convicted that I had to get up and go pray by myself for awhile. Remember all the buzz about revival a couple of weeks ago? Well, for some reason I have stopped praying that God would move in the hearts of the students on our campus. I realized that I had put all my hope in the chapel instead of in the power of God. I focused on the chapel changing lives instead of God changing lives. If my hope was in God, then I would have continued praying! Incredibly frustrating. I guess I just have to learn my lesson and move on.

So I did. Tonight was incredible. I got to give a Bible Study for about 40 homeless men and women tonight. I had my lesson all prepared, but when I was about to head over, the Holy Spirit impressed upon me that I needed to give a different lesson. I needed to talk about the basics of prayer. I was incredibly nervous, having no notes and really no confidence in my own abilities. But of course, God came through. He filled me with good questions and helped me to show the importance of prayer. I feel so blessed to be used by God in that way!

I have to get running, but I love you all and hope you will experience God in a great new way this week! tada.

-J.Slag

Stunning photography by Gigi (aka Mom)

Spring Break

2008-03-13T17:43:00.000-04:00

Overall, it's been enjoyable. It's so nice to just hang out and sleep...with a little bit of work thrown in there.

For those of you who care...on Tuesday night I have my first ever boxing match. Now realize, this is not my spiritual calling in life, so I'm not Muhammed Ali. But it was a lot of fun, and I received a bloody lip, a bloody nose and two black eyes from it (and dished out a bloody nose as well...thank you). It's on YouTube (now I'm famous, I am in a youtube video). For those of you who want to watch it, here it is. For those of you who object to fighting people and think boxing is an inhumane sport, there's a comment link on the bottom. Thank you and have a wonderful week.

Revival?

2008-03-08T16:58:00.001-05:00

For 2 months we prayed that God would change hearts through last Thursday's chapel. We asked Him to purify US, to revive US so that a revival of heart and character could spread throughout this spiritual incubator we call Moody Bible Institute. I feel like so many students come to Moody without much spiritual fervor, they are riding the faith of their parents, still relying on that umbrella to save them from the "world." But once you leave home that umbrella is gone, and you have to learn to fight your way through life for yourself. For whatever reason, as students at Moody, we feel very sheltered. Like we're in an incubator, completely safe from the evil world around us. And for many people, that is needed. If they stepped into the real world, they would fail. They need to foundation that Moody provides to step into the next stage (though personally, I believe the incubation stage should be finished before college...but that isn't always the case). But for SO MANY, the protectiveness leads to apathy. We do not need to fight for our faith, we are not challenged in what we believe. It is not hard to live the typical Christian life at Moody. To use the incubator analogy, it is not hard to live inside the incubator. You are given your food every day, you are living among people like you, and it's always warm. The trouble comes when you start to grow. Eventually, you NEED to break out of the incubator and you NEED to rub shoulders with people that live differently. But so many in the Christian faith don't want to step out. They want to pretend like nothing is wrong with where they are. And as they suppress the need to grow, they become bored with life (since it never changes), they become obese (since they never move), they become apathetic (since they don't feel like anything can change), and eventually their growth stops completely. So many will get frustrated with the incubator, believing that it has stunted their growth, while never realizing that the incubator was never supposed to be the end, but just a part of the growth. Now please, don't take this as a knock on Moody, because it's not. The school is set up to send out. We should be overjoyed that we're a part of a Christian community, but remember that our purpose is to reach the lost...right in Chicago.

And bringing the off track thought back into focus...

This is a part of what is crippling our student body. The other part is hypocrisy. We cover ourselves with masks that suffocate us. We all live in sin, there is no doubt about that. But when we become so prideful that we feel we cannot reveal ourselves to our brothers and sisters, we start to morally decay on the inside. We lose fellowship with believers and most importantly, with God. That was the message Mark Hillemeyer gave last Thursday, the one that begged God to use. We weren't sure what to expect...maybe a mass confession, or a solid group of those who changed, we just didn't know. We simply desired that God would make a lasting change in our student body. Here's what happened: Mark gave his message, and everyone was very attentive. Then after it was let out, quite a few stayed, some crying, some just thinking. Eventually, everyone left. Nothing outward, nothing someone outside would see as special. But we know differently. God will hear our prayers. As one professor put it, Moody Bible is a big ship. It takes a LONG time to turn a ship around. This was just the first step, the first change in the winds.

Here's the difficulty: prayer. We need to KEEP praying, but about what? How do we pray for something we can no longer see? We have to pray in FAITH. We KNOW that God started a revival in our auditorium on Thursday, and our prayers need to reflect that. So even though we can't see the revival taking place, it is. Even though we get no glory from this, we must keep praying. This is entirely a work from God. It is out of our physical hands and into our spiritual ones. I'm ready to see what God does with it.

It's possible that in a few weeks the message will be on YouTube...I'll be sure to let you know as soon as that is up. Love you all. God bless!!

0-)(-0
{}
\____/

Breathe

2008-03-06T00:58:00.000-05:00

Here I am. For two months I've been praying for tomorrow, believing that God would do something in our student body. But now that I'm here, doubts are slowly creeping into my mind. "It's never going to happen, you've thought this so many times before. All this business about revival is going to come later in life, you're not ready now." (I refer to myself as you, not sure why). My mind is losing focus, but something deep inside is holding onto the promise of God. In 2 Chronicles 7 God speaks to Solomon about their revival, "If my people, who are called by my name will humble themselves and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." I cling to that promise. The group of us that meets to pray for our school every Tuesday have humbled ourselves, we're calling upon God, and we are now waiting for Him to shake the hearts of those at our school. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Moody is spiritually dead...it's probably the most alive place I've been in. But there's something missing, for we are far short of our potential. Along with the rest of the United States, we are apathetic. Our faith has cost us nothing, and so we do not fight for it. We are content to live in our Christian bubbles and endlessly debate the best way to reach the lost, while ignoring the unsaved man across the street. THAT is what what we're fighting against, and HE is who we're fighting for. There are SO MANY who are lost, SO MANY who have never experienced the love of God that we have grown accustomed to. How can we hold it inside? We need God to breakthrough and awaken our lukewarm souls. We need to live in such a way that people wonder at our strange existence, and then desire to have the love that we have. We need to live in such a way that people can't explain our actions apart from God. This is what we're praying for.

So if you happen to read this before tomorrow at 10, it would be most appreciated if you would pray for us. (Or even after 10, all prayer is effective). Pray for Mark Hillemeyer, the guy who is speaking. And pray that the leadership would have a righteous attitude toward a revival, that we would be more concerned with souls than textbooks. And pray for accountability. That is the thrust of Mark's message, that we need to be a part of a group of people to spur us on toward better things.

God is already preparing the way, whispers of revival are springing up across the nation. (Seriously, across the nation. Shoot me an email if you want me to explain it further). Prayer is the fuel that drives the engine of the Holy Spirit. When we stop praying, we will stop moving. Please keep praying.

"Can you hear it? This is the sound of the underground. The whisper of history in the making. Foundations shaking. Mystery is scheming in whispers. Revolutionaries dreaming once again. This is the sound of the underground" (Vision and the Vow).

Hope you will all be transformed yourselves...the revival will start with us.

-Jeremy

Joy

2008-02-28T00:48:00.000-05:00

Last night I went to the weekly prayer meeting for revival on our campus. We are drawing ever closer to the chapel when we believe God is going to breakthrough (this comes from seeing several threads of God's work all pointing toward this day...look at the past blogs, you'll see). There was a girl there who put her finger right on the heart of our two biggest problems. The first one I've written about before, it's the fact that as students we have no desire to follow God fully. It's like we're content with being Christians, but we don't want to be disciples (sadly, there is a difference today). We see heartbreaking apathy on our campus, people living among such broken people and not caring. The second problem is nearly as destructive as the first. We are living without joy! Without joy, where is life? We are slowly advancing through our work, we are discouraged and we just feel dead inside (I am SURE that you know what I'm talking about, it's being human). But here's the deal, there is SO MUCH MORE TO LIFE. Why can't I enjoy doing schoolwork? Why can't I be ENCOURAGED when I pursue God to the fullest, instead of mocked? Why can't we desire something more, actually believing in the promises of God? Why is the American Christian life so unbelievably boring?!?! I hope you understand what I'm saying. My point is this: we have perverted the joy of Christ into stifling ivory tower discussions. We have lost the joy of our salvation. I long to dance in the streets because I am so excited about the love of my God like David. I long for the day when loving Jesus is accepted among Christians. The more that I thought about it, I realized...this is nothing new. Here's a couple of quotes from a post while I was in Africa:

And do you know what I found out? People are powerless against joy. Is there anything more infectious than a smile? Is there anything that makes someone wonder more than a TRULY joyous person? The vision I have is a person so glowing with joy they radiate, that everywhere they go they just shine and darkness is powerless against it. What can Satan do to a truly joyous person? If he cannot crush the joy, he cannot crush the soul.

The forces for evil are going to do whatever they can to cover my joy. They don't want a hint of it to penetrate these desert sands. So what do I do? How do I overcome? Here's the picture I have of it...joy is like a light bulb. And now the evil forces want to cover that light bulb in a blanket so that it's light won't shine. What do I do? Shine brighter, burn hotter. Set that blanket on fire!

Amen! Set that blanket on fire! Just as darkness is powerless against light, so is lethargy powerless against joy. It will penetrate. Be joyful my friends. The world will be a better place.

Still love every single one of you. Yep, even the creeper who is reading this that I've never met and he/she won't comment or write me an email to reveal himself/herself. I love you too. And ya know, I wouldn't mind hearing from you, truly. Either post a comment, or for you shy people who think the "anonymous" is a little too revealing, my email is mulletboy17@gmail.com.

-Jerdoubumba

Pete Greig

2008-02-24T12:42:00.000-05:00

For those of you who have been following along with this blog for awhile, you may have picked up on my infatuation with the 24/7 prayer movement. Here's the basic idea: there is an astounding lack of prayer in Christianity today. We have neglected the greatest gift of God, to walk into the Holy of Holies and speak to the Creator of the universe. We can call on Him to help us in our troubles, and when the going is calm. And yet we don't take advantage of this blessing! We'll throw up an occasional prayer, and maybe once a year go to a stiff church prayer meeting where one person speaks the requests of people, but honestly, is that what God intended? Shouldn't prayer be THE focal point of Christianity? Without prayer, we lose sight of Christ. In essence, we become simply a religion, a group of people helplessly trying to reach an ideal position in life. But here's what God started through Pete Greig: a prayer room, that constantly has someone inside praying. It's an engine, it drives the work of the church. It covers the church in heavenly protection. It crosses denominational and political lines, it destroys ethnic and gender barriers, and unites the people of God in a way that only His presence can. Isn't it beautiful? We're not united through parachurch organizations, or really cool ministries, or even under phenomenal leaders...we're united through prayer in the presence of Christ.

Here's the cool part--Pete Greig spoke at our podunk church plant in Chicago! This tiny 40 person church! The message was so simple, and yet so moving. After all my theology classes, and the powerful sermons that lay out plans of attack, this was so beautiful in it's simplicity. The text was from Mark 3, where Jesus calls the apostles. Basically, Pete said there are things we must understand, each building on the one before it. The first is that God is a good Father. The love He has for us in unconditional, we can throw up on him, cry all the time, poop on Him, and He will STILL clean us up and love us. That is the picture our God chose to describe Himself. When Jesus calls the apostles, the reason he called them was NOT so that they would change the world, it was so that they could be with him. (I don't know how I've never seen that before). Jesus called us as well, so that we can be WITH him. The presence of Jesus will transform our lives. "He chose you to friendship before function in the church." We are to BE with God before DOING things for God. This is what prayer is all about. The most powerful men and women of God were consumed with prayer. But prayer is not the end. The presence of Jesus will send us out with authority. We have power over demons, over sickness and over evil. We have the authority of Jesus Christ within us, to go out and make disciples, to preach the gospel fearlessly. Through prayer we are a mighty army of God's soldiers, marching on our knees, "and the gates of Hell won't stand against it."

I find that this is where I fall short. I am in prayer, but it is not pushing me out with God's broken with authority. I'm afraid of men, when I should have a holy reverence for God. It was powerful to be reminded that the Spirit and authority of Christ are within me.

This is a simple message. God is a GOOD Father, He desires that we be with Him and that we are sent out with authority. Wherever you are doesn't matter, just move forward. Isn't that what God has called us to? We don't need to change all at once, but just move a little closer each day.

-Jerjer

Got the newest sequence...it's pretty self explanatory. It's the story of Jacob and Esau. The basic idea is that God blesses those who have an eye on the future. Esau was consumed with his present circumstances, and so God put the blessing on Jacob who looked toward the future.
There He stands amused
Changing created order
Isaac left confused
Older serving the younger
Esau received first
With Jacob grasping his heel
The oldest was cursed
Trading his birthright for meal
The firstborn birthright
To reap Abraham’s blessing
To walk in God’s light
Watching rescue progressing
Leaving Destiny
Consumed in the temporal
Lost eternity
Crux of God’s stories moral
For the shortsighted
With their eyes fixed on themselves
Walk paths unlighted
With their blinded souls to sell
Here Jacob’s foresight
Was combined with his deceit
Stealing in the night
His fathers blessing complete
Bending from the norm
To ardent love for kingdom come
The Light bears the scorn
As the grafting has begun

Much love.

Weary and Burdened

2008-02-21T01:08:00.000-05:00

Numbers 11:11-12-"He asked the LORD, "Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers?...I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin. The LORD said to Moses: Bring me seventy of Israel's elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone."

Ecclesiastes 3:9-11-"What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

2 Corinthians 5:4-"For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life."

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Isaiah 40:28-31-"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is an everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18-"Therefore we do not lose heart. Thought outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Galatians 6:9-"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

1 John 5:3-4-"This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."

"You Raise Me Up." Selah
When I am down, and oh my soul, so weary.
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be.
Then I am still and wait here in the silence.
Until You come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up so I can stand on mountains.
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas.
I am strong when I am on your shoulders.
You raise me up to more than I can be.

Amen.

"If you feel like you're burdened, it was you who put it there. God is more than willing to take that burden for you."
-Francis Chan.

Misssssippi

2008-02-16T16:28:00.000-05:00

Hey all,
So for those of you who don't know (as in, most of you) I'm in Mississippi to see the g/f, Julianna. You could say it was for Valentine's Day, but honestly, the date wasn't a big deal. I'm here just because I want to hang out. So...that's where I am.

A quick update on life at Moody. Basically, still crazy. Once again, I feel like an idiot telling people I'm busy, because I really get annoyed at the people that are always telling you they're busy, like it's a badge of honor. That people group is on my list of annoying people. (So if you're one of "those," just don't bother letting me know, unless you actually are busy, in which case, just don't bring it up ALL THE TIME.) I'm a hypocrite, we'll just put it that way. But moral of the story is that my busyness pushed God out AGAIN (aka, I'm an idiot. Julie says that means I'm human. But I still think human=idiot). So if you have the time and call me, just remind me that God can't be pushed out, because then life gets miserable and I get burnt out.

Anyways, I just wrote the next chapter in the slowly unfolding sequence of rhyming words. This one is about Isaac marrying Rebekah. I debated whether this story was "worth it" to be included in the saga, but as I looked into it, God's purifying of Abraham's line was incredible. Here it is:

There He stands arranged
Two pure hearts to intertwine
Isaac’s call unchanged
To sanctify the royal line
For to take a bride
With Canaan’s unequal yoke
Would shorten the stride
And strangle the artist’s stroke
Though Isaac lost hope
God held a sovereign design
Too vast for his scope
Through confusion God combined
God chose a servant
To impart Living Water
Isaac observant
To the work of his Father

The general idea here is that God had a sovereign plan for His people. He did not want Isaac to marry a Canaanite, because he wanted his people to be set apart from those around him. So even though Isaac had no idea, God had prepared a woman from Abraham's family to be his wife. The cool part is about the yoke. The Canaanites were held to a different standard than Abraham's line. So to marry a Canaanite would be to have two differently yoked people, making one slow down for the other. God did not want Isaac to "shorten his stride" but to run after Him fully. If he had married a Canaanite, it would make change God's plan, de-holifying (is that a word??) the line of Abraham. And so even though Isaac couldn't understand, though it was "beyond his scope" God had arranged everything. Then threw in a little foreshadowing of Jesus...since God chose a servant (Rebekah/Jesus) to give Living Water to Abraham's children (Rebekah/Jesus). And all Isaac could do was watch. God had it in control. It seems like I'm in this situation a lot...just watching God work around me. All He's calling me to do is be obedient and watch Him do His thing. (And maybe He'll find me a servant wife to get me water when I'm thirsty too...).

Well, I gotta run. Hope you all have a SPLENDID day. God bless.

-J.W. Slager

So much to say...

2008-02-08T01:25:00.000-05:00

There's a pattern developing here..."Sorry I haven't written in awhile, I should write more. I'll try to do more in the future." There you go, once again.

Something is stirring at the Moody Bible Institute. Have you ever had that feeling where you just KNOW something is about to change? It's here. Let me explain:

I'll start at the beginning. Moody Bible Institute was founded by D.L. Moody, a prolific revivalist at the end of the 18th century. He founded a school to equip men and women going into the ministry. He believed that to be effective, a Christian had to be grounded in two things, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. They are like wings on a bird, both are needed to be effective. But after Moody had passed away, there came a man who abused the power of the Spirit, doing miracles and leading students away from the word of God. The President was so forceful in stamping out the movement that the power of the Spirit became taboo. This has progressed to where now, many of our professors believe that the Spirit doesn't work miraculously in the world today. God gave us the Bible and expects us to use that alone. But Jesus Christ did not promise the blessed Holy Spirit only to take it away. He did not leave us with a half a body, with just one wing. The Spirit exists, and is waiting for us to recognize His power.

This is where the history intersects with the present. For the past 10 years, there has been a group of students at Moody Bible Institute that have prayed for our school to return to the two-fold ministry from which we came. They have been praying for revival. I say revival, and realize that today it is a loaded term. There has been so much talk of revivals, that the truth behind it is lost. This is not an emotional roller coaster, it is a heart change. It is a fire that cannot be stopped. A revival would unite, not divide the body of Christ. Anyways, last year one of the former students received a vision, saying that there would be three revivals. One in his home, one in the prayer chapel, and one at Torrey-Gray (our chapel). The first was fulfilled at the time, and the second was fulfilled in an incredible way. An Indian woman came to Chicago wanting to start a revival in America. One of our Moody students met her north of campus in a prayer room. The woman said she needed to go to Moody Bible Institute, because that is where the revival in Chicago started with D.L. Moody. The woman came to the revival prayer meeting, prayed, then left Chicago with her work being done.

The last revival comes in Torrey-Gray. Here's the story to that. I just joined a student prayer group. The president of that group got a vision as a freshman that he would give his testimony in Torrey-Gray, and call on the students to confess their sins. This is ridiculous because NO STUDENTS LEAD CHAPEL. Except for the first time this year, one chapel was given to that student group, and the speaking to the president of the prayer team.

It still gets better. The national Student Volunteer Movement (SVM) organized a 21 day prayer and fasting for revival across college campuses nationwide. It just so happens the last day of this fast is on the day of the chapel.

We don't know what God is going to do. God is patient and will wait for the right people to be in place before He transforms our school. If you could please pray, it would be most appreciated. Pray for humility and wisdom. And pray that we would be protected, because we KNOW that Satan does not want 1500 men and women armed with the gospel and with the Spirit, passionately going out to save a hurting world.

Love you all. God bless.

Jeremy

Time..? Nope.

2008-01-29T10:41:00.000-05:00

I feel like I complain a lot about this. But honestly right now, I feel like from the time I wake up until the time I go to sleep I have something planned. My homework for this semester has increased dramatically (one of my classes assigned 80 pages of reading overnight, another one 100). Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, I don't mind doing homework through all the day. It's just that last week, I let that busyness push God out. So while getting an average of 5 hours of sleep, and working all day long, I only spend 10-15 minutes with God. That right there, is a recipe for disaster. I can feel it's effects now. I'm tired, I'm cranky (yes, cranky), and joy has escaped me once again. Why do I do this? I KNOW that I have to spend time with God. I have seen this happen so many times before, when I get busy I push God out, and then I try and live life without him, after a couple of days I am just in a pit and can't pull myself out until I reach out and grab God's outstretched hand. And yet, despite knowing this beforehand, I push God out. Why? Does this make any sense to anyone? "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord." There is hope, and it's Jesus Christ. He is faithful to rescue me, and if I will obey, faith to keep me going on the path toward heaven.

Here's another part of my life I have been struggling with. (Sorry to overload you with my problems, next time I hope I can write a happier one). I have been closing myself off to those around me. I have been helping people with their problems, yet I haven't shown them how I am struggling. This isn't much of a problem now, but I can see how it will tear me apart. I MUST be honest with everyone about how I fall short. The sin in my life will only fester if I leave it unconfessed. If I remain closed, I will soon become distant, a seemingly perfect and inhuman figure off in the distance. I don't want to become like that. I want to be real, I want to be human. I want people to talk to me and see that we are no different, save for the power of Jesus Christ. And this has been lacking in me. I'm scared of people seeing my sin because I don't know how they will react. I'm scared I will lose the image I have. But if the image is a lie, then what is the point? Honestly, it's pride. I want to be seen as important...and I need God to humble me.

Love you all. God bless...off to class!
-Jeremy

A new semester at Moody

2008-01-22T18:25:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry to have gone awhile without posting, I fully intended to. There is no shortage of things to write about, just a mild shortage of time. It looks like this semester is going to be pretty busy, but in all honesty, I believe this will be one of the best times of my life.

My classes this semester are INCREDIBLE. Each of my professors are men and women of God that I could pattern my life after. The grace with which they live their lives speaks more volumes than the textbooks they teach. My first two classes are "The Church and its Doctrines" and "Christianity in Western Culture I" both with Dr. Litfin. He has been teaching at Moody for 6 years, and the textbook for CWC is one that he wrote. C & D is an overview of the primary doctrines throughout the church, so I will cover Calvinism/Arminianism, Dispensational/Covenant Theology, Pre-Trib/Post-Trip, Premillenial/Amillenial...and the list goes on. This is something I just love to learn about, so I'm excited. The other class I'm even more excited about. In this one I get to see how the church came to where it is today. (Which is something I have always been fascinated about. It's so essential to know where we came from, to see the difficulties we went through before so that we can avoid those problems now.) It's bizarre, but Litfin is my LEAST qualified teacher. My next professor is Dr. Marty, who has been teaching at Moody since, well, I don't even know. It's longer than I've been alive. He teaches the NT survey. The last two classes I'm most excited about, Research Writing with de Rosset and Bible Introduction with Dr. Sauer. Now, it's creeping me out that I'm excited for a literature class, but for the first time I have a teacher that inspires me to read. I actually want to read classical literature, because seeing how much she loves it is contagious. And besides that, she's hilarious. When I'm in her class, I laugh for the entire hour. Tack on the fact that this is her 40th year teaching at Moody...well, you have a winning combination. My favorite class is with Dr. Sauer. It's a class about how we got our Bible, but it doesn't feel like it. For the first 20 minutes of class, he goes through a Bible study (in the SIV translation, Sauer Inspired Version, because yes, he translates all of his own). We then have about 10 minutes of lecture, and 15 minutes of dating advice. And the character of this man blows me away. He gets to Moody every day at 5am to do his morning devotions (which means he's got to be up before 4). The ways he trusts in God make me jealous, the ways God has provided are even more fascinating. Now can you see why I'm excited for the semester?

Last weekend my floor and our sister floor went on a trip to Tennessee. Let's just say, it was beautiful. We climbed Chimney Tops (which I climbed growing up) and had a generally good time with each other. I feel like my good friends at Moody have just become great friends. It was an amazing time.

Hopefully I'll be able to keep on top of this for this semester. God bless all of you, have a splendid week!

-Jeremy

A new semester

2008-01-14T11:01:00.000-05:00

I'm excited.

This is going to be a really good semester. I can feel it already. The classes that I have are exactly what I wanted. I have a good schedule, with great professors. I already had my first class, the church and its doctrines. I'm stoked about that one. Basically I get an overview of all the big points of doctrine that have been discussed over the years. I may sound like a spiritual dork here, but I'm excited about that. I love learning about the church's views on God. In an hour or so I'm off to my next class, Christianity and Western Culture. Basically, it will be an overview of the church's growth throughout our Western world. Obviously, it won't be very in depth, since there is a lot of history to cover there...but I am excited to finally piece together all of the puzzle. It will be great to finally see how our faith came to be. After that I'm off to research writing with De Rosset, the hardest language teacher at our school. Normally, I wouldn't be excited about a language class, but I have never had a good teacher, so it's POSSIBLE that I'll enjoy writing at school (maybe). My last class for today is Bible Introduction with Sauer. After talking with the guys on my floor, they all said he was their favorite professor at Moody. Essentially, he gives a 15 minute devotion at the beginning of class, a 15 minute lecture on the Bible, and 15 minutes of dating advice. I can't wait. Since I have 4 classes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I only have one class on Tuesday and Thursday, New Testament Survey. We'll just have to see how that class goes.

Anyways, things are going really well here so far. I forgot just how much I loved all the people here. They really are amazing. I can't wait for this next semester.

God bless.

jeremy

A couple more...

2008-01-12T18:12:00.000-05:00

So the past couple of days I've been working on a few more sequences of rhyming words. Hope you enjoy. I had some fun with these ones. It may seem strange that I wrote about circumcision, but hey, it was an important step for Abraham, so I decided to throw it in there.

CIRCUMCISION
There He stands to prove
Abram’s devotion induced
Extra flesh removed
Circumcision introduced
Denying his life
Abram crucified his flesh
The afflictive knife
Put Abrams desire to death
The Lord gave blessing
His descendants like the sand
His faith progressing
Abram becomes Abraham
For from him would come
Salvation for all nations
Darkness will succumb
To lights manifestation

Abraham keeps reaffirming that he trusts in God no matter what. I'm not sure how I would respond if God told me to take a knife to my body. But Abram followed without question, denying his flesh, and through him, all nations have been blessed. Because of this act of faith, God blessed him and made him the father of many nations. Imagine what kind of devotion that would take, to actually overcome your flesh like that just because God told you to.

SACRIFICE OF ISAAC
There He stands to test
The faith inside Abraham
The one he loves best
His firstborn did God demand
A three day journey
To the place called Moriah
Early that morning
Isaac needs a Messiah
The road to forfeit
Through Abraham’s trail of tears
Gods call to submit
Seemed trivial to his fears
Yet he persevered
Laying the tree on his back
His son would be speared
Faith conquered where man’s strength lack
A burnt offering
Was to become Isaac’s end
Barrenly staring
His son could not comprehend
The knife rises high
Trembling in his faithful hand
A tear fills his eye
Resolved over God’s command
The angel cried out
Convinced that he fears the Lord
Proved himself devout
Not sparing his own son
The Lord spared his child
Providing the perfect one
A ram undefiled
Substitution has begun
Its head crowned with thorns
Sacrificed on Temple Mount
It held all our scorn
Leaving sin without account
Jehovah-Jireh
The LORD God will provide
A lamb without flaw
The Father sees his son with pride
He swears by Himself
To increase his descendants
And increase his wealth
Father becomes transcendent
Sin must be undone
There must be blood to atone
Since he gave his son
God would surrender His own

Before today I never saw how closely this story parallels our own. Abraham was called to sacrifice his son. It was a THREE DAY JOURNEY. Now, imagine if God called YOU to sacrifice your son, it would be a hard decision. Abraham knows what's going on the whole time, and now he has 3 days traveling with his son to decide whether what he's doing is right. Isaac was the son God promised to bless, and now Abraham was willing to sacrifice him. It's a stunning display of faith. It is no wonder that afterward God just sounds excited to bless Abraham. And He provides a ram (a male lamb...sounds like Jesus Christ himself), who was stuck by the horns in a thicket (which is interesting, since Jesus had a crown of thorns on his head), and Isaac (us) was spared because of the ram. I love this story. And this is interesting too. Abraham was willing to offer his son, and God actually gave us His. Amazing, isn't it?

New Age Theology

2008-01-11T22:49:00.000-05:00

If you are feeling far from God, I highly recommend spending time in silence before Him. I just spent an hour in prayer, mostly listening, and I feel like I'm back on track with God. This is such a relief, after having gone without this tangible presence for so long. It's like reconciling with your best friend, it's like that amazing feeling you get after clearing up a confrontation with someone, like getting a secret out into the open. It's that restored heart sensation that is so real and so difficult to grasp if you've never felt it before.

I had a long conversation with Julianna tonight, and it was mostly about the latest trend to be a "New Ager." For those of you who aren't familiar with what this is, well, do some research because it is about to become a huge part of American culture. I'll try and give the best description of it that I can. It seems to me like this is a branch off of post-modernism (which basically says that there is no truth except that which we find in ourselves. What's true for you isn't necessarily true for me, we all find truth based off of what we personally feel is right.) The New Age movement is all about tolerance. There is no right or wrong religion, we are all trying to find the same God, and essentially whatever path you take to get there is fine. If you are a Mormon and you are honestly seeking after your Mormon god, then you are really following Christ. If you are a Muslim seeking after Allah, then you are actually a "Christian." As long as you are following the "truth" that is in your own heart, then God will accept you. (If anyone has any more information and ideas about what the New Age movement is, feel free to make a comment or write me an email or something, mulletboy17@gmail.com. Or even if you feel like giving me a call, I'd love it. 517-392-7290. Really, I would love to talk about it. I'm struggling through this). From what I gather, this is what a lot of people today believe. Since there is no basis of truth, people are shopping for their own religion. They are taking pieces out of each religion that they like and combining them for a personal religion that suits them better.

Here's my viewpoint. For me, the matter can be broken down into one question..."What happens to those who haven't heard of Jesus when they die?" I think the whole debate arose because we don't have an acceptable answer when a devoted Muslim who's never heard of Jesus dies. The Bible isn't very clear on that issue. In Romans 2 Paul talks about how a Gentile has the law written on his heart, but he doesn't clearly talk about Jesus. What he does say clearly is that this is not a matter which we will decide. I will not be on the judgment seat telling God who goes to heaven and hwo goes to hell (thankfully). That is the reserved seat of Jesus Christ. So what does Jesus have to say about it?

John 10:9-I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
John 14:6-I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Matthew 7:13-14-Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 24:24-For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.

Those last two verses scares me. Jesus is WARNING us. Watch out! Beware! I always have a little skepticism when people are declaring that some who don't believe in Jesus are going to heaven. It seems awfully close to the words Jesus spoke about a wide gate that looks inviting but ends in destruction. In the end, I really don't know who is going to heaven. I can search the Bible and find the best answer, but in the end, the decision falls upon God. And in all honesty, this debate is simply retarded. If we are truly so concerned about what happens to those who have never heard the gospel, why ON EARTH are we still sitting in comfortable suburban America? Really, if we truly cared so much about this issue, we would be on the edge of the earth truly to make this a NON-issue. It is so much easier to sit here and debate over the finer points of theology than to get outside of my comfortable home and test it out on the bloody streets of America. Can you see what I'm saying? If the problem is with people not hearing the gospel, then the guilt lies squarely on our shoulders. If the problem is with not wanting to conform to the regulations that God has laid out for us (which are for our benefit, not our harm), then that's a problem with our rebellious self.

Are we still tracking here? I have a hard time saying if either side is right, quite frankly, because I'm not God. All I'm saying is that not having an answer to this DOES NOT CHANGE what God has CLEARLY called us to do. In my opinion, let's stop majoring on the minor issues, and let's get back to following Christ as He told us to in the Bible.

(Dabumba)

Feel free to comment, write or call.

Quick Check-In

2008-01-11T13:09:00.001-05:00

Just wanted to write a little bit and let you know that I am still alive. The rest of my time in Mississippi was fabulous. The weather was gorgeous, and Julianna and I were privileged to watch a thunderstorm off in the distance from the reservoir. It was fantastic. My flight home went well, and now I'm back in Spring Arbor. I'm working every morning, and trying to find things to do in the evening.

One thing you can pray for...I'm not sure what's going on right now, but my motivation to spend time with God is REALLY low. I don't like it. In my head I still realize that He is my God, and that He deserves every second of every day. But when I try and come before Him praying, my desire to be with Him isn't there. I don't want to blame it on being out of a schedule, because I should be able to love God whether I have a consistent schedule or not. I need to get back in line with God, I hate being far away from him. So if you're looking for things to pray about, that would be a blessing to me.

Hopefully I'll be able to write more soon. God bless.

-Dabumba

Michigan...Carolina...Mississippi

2008-01-08T14:25:00.000-05:00

I've been on the move. Julianna, Justin, Laura and I all came down to Carolina to visit with my grandparents for a few days. It was a wonderful time. Julianna got to dance at SIM, and it was beautiful. Unfortunately, Julianna then got really sick. We still went around town, but she was not her normal self. We're not sure what it is yet, but we're probably heading to the doctor today to see what's going on. (I'm in Mississippi with her now...didn't think it would be a good idea to have her drive the 10 hours by herself while she's sick.) It's been great to be here again, I'm really enjoying my time.

I'm an uncle, AGAIN! Liz (my brothers wife) just gave birth to their second, a girl. She was born early this morning (or late last night, not sure) at 8 pounds 7 oz and 20 inches long. Her name is Lydia Alicia Slager. (I'm pretty sure about all these specifics...my Dad called and told me all of this, and some of it might be off.) How exciting! Hopefully I'll be able to see her sometime soon!

I've kept going on my sequence through the Bible. I'm really enjoying this, trying to figure out what God was thinking when He did all of this. It's amazing to see the thread of grace worked throughout the entire Bible. Everything He did, whether wrath or love, was ALL done for our good. His destruction purifies, and His love edifies. Everything is done for our good. (I wonder how deeply we believe that.)

TOWER OF BABLE
There He stands provoked
For mankind broke His command
With the world still soaked
They spurned God’s charge to expand
They resisted Him
Purposing to be like God
Original sin
Same failure, diff’rent façade
Eve consumed the fruit
The men built a grievous tower
Their sin was acute
So the Lord bound their power
For they could not know
The disaster of their way
They would soon plateau
And on that slope they would stay
God confused their tongue
And scattered them on the earth
Diverse songs were sung
As civilization gave birth

Whenever I looked at this passage I always thought it was strange. Why did God scatter them over the face of the Earth? They were building a tower! What's so bad about that? God almost sounds SCARED of what humans could do. But as always, it was for our benefit. God commanded Noah to spread over the earth. He wanted us to grow up diversely, he wanted people all over the world. And the tower of Babel was a symbol of unity, of settling down in one place...a contradiction to God's command. So because we needed space, God scattered them.

CALL OF ABRAM
There He stands resolved
Set on how to save mankind
One man is involved
To one race is grace confined
Abram called away
Out of darkness into Light
That God might display
His love and divine might
One was brought to light
To stand out from the shadows
So that at the sight
The depth of God’s passion shows
He came as a thief
The direction was aimless
Still Abram’s belief
Was credited righteousness
God promised blessing
Through Abram to all nations
God’s love compressing
Released through generations
For just one small stone
Starts the slide down the mountain
Every river known
Begins with a weak fountain
Abram was the start
The first breath of new world
Revealing God's heart
As the backdrop is unfurled.

This is a ridiculous story. God chose Abram to be the seed of a great nation. He is the start of a great work. God is taking a weak man and turning him into a mighty nation. He will put his love into this nation, He will pour all his heart into them. And He is leaving the other nations as a backdrop, so that His love for Israel will be clearly seen. God's love is compressing, it is being confined into one nation...because it will be easier for us to understand that way.

BIRTH OF ISAAC AND ISHMAEL
There He stands with hope
When He vows Abram a son
Showing him the scope
Of the grace that just begun
Yet Abram lost trust
In sovereignty of God’s way
Human thought distrust
Supernatural display
So Hagar conceived
While Sarai had the favor
Ishmael received
Sarai hated her neighbor
She sent them away
To perish in the desert
And in their dismay
God came and left them unhurt
God blessed Ishmael
And his descendants grew strong
Opposed to Israel
Malice for Isaac lifelong
Sarai bore a child
The promised hope of our Lord
Impossible smiled
The flickering light restored

Abram begins to doubt. His wife is beyond bearing children and so he doubts in God. He uses human wisdom to create an heir for himself through his wife's servant, Hagar. This was contrary to God's command, and she gave birth to Ishmael, the father of the Arab nation. Later, Sarah gave birth to Isaac, the father of the Israelite nation. Can you see what happened because of Abrams disbelief? For millenia his two sons have fought against each other. Yet God was faithful even when Abram was not. Abrams faith was flickering, and yet with the birth of Isaac it was restored.

Love y'all.

Jerjer

Couple sequences...

2007-12-28T13:39:00.001-05:00

I've added a couple to my little sequential sequence. The story of Cain and of the Flood. The one of the flood is my favorite out of all that I've written (ever). The little revelation about it that God gave me still makes me gasp when I think about how beautiful it is. I'll explain it more afterward.

CAIN AND ABEL
There He stands aghast
Watching man’s fall into sin
Perfection has passed
As Cain murders his kin
The Lord required blood
A sacrifice from Cain’s best
Cain gave from the mud
His faulty gift did God detest
He promised blessing
If Cain followed what was right
Cain went assessing
And blamed Abel for his blight
God watches once more
As men divert the cause of sin
The Truth they ignore
Knowing the guilt lies within
And with every stain
The Light inside slowly fades
He cannot remain
Until Purity invades

You see, God rejected Cain's gift because the sacrifice for sin MUST BE IN BLOOD. This is not some disgusting fetish of God, it is necessary for His justice to be true. Our spiritual death from sin must be paid for with the substitutionary death of an animal. So when Cain gave his produce, God rejected it. Yet God promised blessing if Cain would only change his ways and do what was right!!! But like the rest of mankind, Cain couldn't accept that the problem of sin was with him, (I have this same problem, I blame my parents, my siblings, my friends, Satan, even God...but never myself). He was so convinced Abel was the cause that he killed him. And as Cain stained himself further with sin, God wasn't as evident to him, because the glory of God couldn't be contained in that frail of a mind.

THE FLOOD.
There He stands chagrined
Dismayed at sins total surge
For all men have sinned
And the evil must be purged
To destroy the stain
He planned to destroy the world
His hand was constrained
By one righteous man withheld
Salvation shadowed
Noah’s rise from the flood
Peers out his window
The red sun reflects on blood
God’s genocide through
Wrath and mercy intertwined
The world starts anew
With God’s justice redefined
Earth’s darkness pulled back
As heaven’s pure Light prevails
Still black will attack
As deathly rain sets the scales
Perfect light reacts
The darkest rain cannot hide
God’s grace interacts
With prism of death inside
God’s white light divides
As it passes through water
Death becomes our life
Through the tears of the Father
Covenant confirmed
As our sign appears above
God’s grace is affirmed
In His everlasting love

This story amazes me. God wanted to destroy the world, but He withheld for ONE RIGHTEOUS MAN. Imagine this world with just ONE man on it who followed God, just one. Imagine the sin, the depravity that would be everywhere. God could have scrapped us and started over, but for Noah He didn't. He provided a way out, through the water. It wasn't pretty, God wiped out the whole world. It was a complete genocide. Yet there was so much grace mixed with all the justice. God protected Noah, God pulled him through the deathly water. And still, even after the waters fell, even after the storm clouds were pulled back and heavenly light flooded the earth once more, the rain was still in the air. (This is astounding...check this out.) Throughout the Bible, light is consistently referred to as pure and godly. Jesus was referred to as light. And water is often correlated with death. The flood destroyed the world, and when you are put under the water during baptism, it signifies the death of our earthly lives. And so this rain, this death, still hung in the air. And as God's light came into contact with it, it divides (trinity foreshadow possibly?) and produces a rainbow, a covenant that God won't destroy the world with a flood, a covenant of His great love. Isn't this incredible? This blows my mind, it is such a PERFECT illustration of what had just happened, and also a foreshadowing of what was going to happen. Jesus Christ comes into the world, comes into contact with death, and shows us his great love as he saves us from the death of the world. I can just imagine God, during creation, making this physical interaction for the express purpose of giving us this example. I love this...I love Him. To realize that this God, this just and merciful God, so high above the world and yet so involved in it, would actually care enough to rescue me. I hope I never lose the excitement over that revelation.

Jeremy

All the glory to Him. Once again, after reading this, I was amazed at how it described God in ways I hadn't understood. It's God, not me.

Christmas Break

2007-12-27T12:02:00.000-05:00

Every day is full of fun. (Too much fun.) Believe it or not, I've been doing SO MUCH this break that I'm real tired now. Between working 6 hours a day, hanging out with Julianna and hanging out with friends, it has been a busy week. Don't get me wrong, I love it...I just need an hour to relax.

Why is it that once I get out of a rhythm, the first thing to go is my time with God? I was doing really well at school getting a good amount of time with God every day, but now that I'm home, I can't seem to find any. Of all things, should creator God be pushed out? As I really think about this, I feel like an idiot for letting it happen. I mean, God has control over EVERYTHING in this life. Sleep only makes me feel rested because God designed it that way. Food only nourishes because God lets it. Air fills my lungs because God's grace allows it. Why would I ever choose sleep when I haven't been with God? Are we tracking here? To squeeze God out is stupid. And yet I do it all the time. (Why can't I just be consistent in my walk!!)

And think about this...if God is in complete control over everything, why would I EVER need to worry? This is something I've been working through lately, God is in control...how do I live accordingly? I've heard so many stories of God miraculously providing for people as they have need, I've seen people denying their "rights and privileges" and watched as God sustains them. There are people living today that rely on God through every situation that comes their way. What would it look like for someone to be so wholly confident in the sovereignty of God that they would go anywhere and do anything that the Lord commanded them? Has the world ever seen someone with that sort of faith? Will it ever?

-Dabumba

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T16:28:00.001-05:00

Tis the season, eh?

I'm so excited for tonight, it's going to be fantastic. I get to go to a Christmas Eve service at the wonderful Julianna Rubio's home church (where she will be doing a dance, which is SO exciting!). I'll be sure to let you know how that goes.

(this was from our Christmas with my Mom...Julianna put a lot of thought into the presents, it was precious).

Break has been incredible. It is great to see so many old friends again. It feels like Spring Arbor just doesn't change, it just has that home feeling to it. I'm really loving it.

I would love to write more, but I actually have a family dinner in a couple of minutes (with Laura!). So I need to get going. But I hopefully will write more soon. Love all of ya. God bless.

-Jeremy

For tradition...here's a new sequence. It's unfinished, but this one may take awhile. I am going to try and go through the whole Bible, describing what happened from a God-ish perspective. Here's the first 3 chapters of Genesis. (It's LOOONG)
There He stands unknown
Bright white against infinite black
Content on His throne
There is nothing He could lack
Yet in divine Grace
He tore through the fabric of time
Fleeing from black embrace
Light filters through the fine line
He catches each ray
And conforms it to His will
He designed each day
And is designing still
He holds every fragment
As he sculpts it by His hand
Creating every facet
Every stroke perfectly planned
He draws to the last
Pinnacle of His design
Never moving fast
For He’s planning every line
The King desires love
Both to give and to receive
In the image above
Mortal man did He conceive

There He stands on high
As time journeys on its road
Angels stand beside
All watching God’s grace unfold
God and man are one
Blessed union is complete
Perfection is done
As God descends the judgment seat
He takes Adams hand
As they explore the new earth
Enjoying the land
Lost in wonder at its birth
Creation is pure
Though one step from completion
God created her
To personify their union
Three became just One
As the angel stood in Tyre
Creation was done
Backdropped by Yahweh’s choir

There he stands in rage
Jealous of mans favor with Him
Tearing the perfect page
The first crack as light goes dim
Satan hurled with breath
Banished to the created land
Hell bent on our death
Tearing God’s love from His hand
Satan can’t believe
God’s fierce love for all man kind
And so he deceives
Ensnaring the infant blind
Powerless in arms
Satan’s power is in speech
Distorting he harms
Shell of truth, core of deceit
He twists a pure need
To become godly like Him
And softly plants a seed
Dividing God and man with sin
His desire is death
Taking us from God above
Stealing our breath
Divorcing from our first love

There He stands dismayed
As a tremor courses the Earth
Blessed love betrayed
Life becomes a stillborn birth
The forbidden fruit
Broke the Father heart of God
And now our pursuit
Journeys through the densest fog
His Light must be dimmed
So our human eyes can see
For since we have sinned
He glory can’t be perceived
Naked and afraid
We run with God’s given feet
With His love betrayed
He returns to the judgment seat
He will be shown just
Yet in His deep love forgives
We return to dust
Yet by His mercy we live
Judged and forgiven

For our treacherous behavior
A way has been given
The interceding Savior
With blood from the Lamb
He covers our naked skin
So sacrifice began
As death redeems within

There He stands with grace
When He sends us from the garden
For to see His face
Could not receive God’s pardon
For our tainted eyes
Can not embrace His great Light
Held off our demise
Removing us from His sight
Our innocence left
With the bite of the apple
Purity withdrawn
When we choose good and evil

There He stands aghast
Watching man’s fall into sin
Perfection has passed
As Cain murders his kin

Whoa...LONG TIME

2007-12-19T12:54:00.000-05:00

So as I'm sitting here, Abe Janson reminded me that I haven't written a blog in more than a month. I apologize sincerely. I wish I could say that it was because I was so busy that I just didn't have time, but that would be a lie. I've had time to, I just haven't really been in the mood for it. I'm hoping that's gonna change over break.

The school year ended pretty well, finals are all done. I didn't actually have many finals, I only had 1 real final. And now, all finished.

So now I have 3 weeks of bliss. No homework, and I have a lot of time to work and hang out. Can't wait. I'll try and keep ya posted.

-jer

No Bible?

2007-11-07T00:20:00.000-05:00

This past week was incredibly frustrating to me. It wasn't my circumstances, it wasn't the people around me, it was just me. You see, every night I was coming before God asking him what I needed to change about me. I would be reading the Bible and every night, it would tell me to GO OUT and talk to people on the street. I can't just sit here learning about God and do nothing about it. That defeats the whole purpose of being here. But for some reason I always came up with an excuse for why I couldn't do it. And after a week of this, I was incredibly angry at myself.

Now, my solution to the problem was a little unorthodox, I realize that. Here's what I decided...I am not going to read the Bible again until I get out there and do it. (Hold your criticism for a second and hear me out...if you still think I'm wrong, let me know.) Here's the deal, I was making a mockery out of the Word of God. I was reading it, I was understanding it, but I wasn't following it. I didn't sit at Moody because I didn't know I needed to go out! I KNEW WHAT THE BIBLE WAS TELLING ME TO DO...and quite often my excuse for not going out was reading the Bible! Is this making sense? Let me try and explain it a little differently...

One of my professors at this school used this analogy, and I thought it was brilliant. "You can't breathe in all the time, if you neglect breathing out, eventually you will stop breathing altogether." I've been learning so much here, but I have to let it out if I'm going to continue learning! I was sick of being a hypocrite, a Pharisee. I saw myself turning into a shell of outward knowledge, but inside decay. AND I HATED IT. I have to thank God for showing me the hypocrisy in my life, and not letting me get away with it...God's watching out for me.

So Sunday night I just went out on a pier off Lake Michigan and prayed. I prayed for the desire to reach God's lost, for the city of Chicago, everything I could think of. And you know what? The next day I couldn't wait to walk around and talk with the homeless. God answered my prayer, and now I crave the Word again...I breathed out and now I'm ready to take more in.

Love you all, God bless.

-Jeremy

One day

2007-11-02T16:09:00.000-04:00

One of my professors today read this verse from Revelations 22:3-5

"No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."

Is there anything you would RATHER do? To see the face of God...imagine that. Moses once saw the back of God, and he glowed so brightly that the people couldn't bear to look at him. A man once touched the house of God and fell over dead. At the very mention of his name ever knee WILL bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Now imagine, when we finally find our home, when we are taken by the grace of God into heaven, we will see his face. Think about that. I, Jeremy Slager, a simple creation of God, a fallen human being, a man that God does not need...will one day be taken before God and SEE HIS FACE! And if that wasn't enough, we are heirs of God with Christ. We are his children. I imagine when I come before the throne of God, I won't stand in his presence, I won't fall to my knees...I will run. I will run to the throne and sit in my Father's lap. Though we were separated for so long, there we will be together, surrounded by the angels of heaven and the saints who have gone before. I imagine that any suffering I endured on this earth will no longer be important. I will be completely content there. This longing inside of me will be satisfied, for this is what I was made to do.

1 Corinthians 13:12-"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

Revelations 22:17-"The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."

(How can we keep this inside?)

Revelations 22:20-"He who testiifes to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."

Still enjoying it...

2007-10-31T18:02:00.000-04:00

This has actually been a pretty good week at Moody.

This Saturday we had a brother/sister ho-down. So our floor decorated our hall like a barn and the sisters all came and we had a good time. We put hay EVERYWHERE and just played games.

We had bobbing for apples...

We had a pie throwing contest...

We even had a floor dog!

All in all, a wonderful time. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

This week I've been reading 1 Peter...and I'm so excited about it. Today I read this verse, "Therefore (since we've been given the gospel), prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you." When we have the gospel in our lives, we WILL have action. We cannot sit still. I'm really struggling with this, because it is so easy to sit still and watch life go by. It is so easy to believe this is just a "learning phase" of my life, that I don't actually have to be with non-Christians right now. That's a lie. I wonder...what would Jesus look like at Bible college? (Would he get good grades??) And then Peter tells us to be self-controlled. I realize that this is another area I need to work on. My roommate calls me the king of snooze...everytime my alarm goes off, I turn it off and get up a half hour later. Despite my repeated attempts to wake up early to do devotions, I come up short. The simple reason is that my body doesn't respond to what my mind tells it to do...I'm not controlled. And then last Peter tells us to set our hope FULLY on the grace to be given us. What is my hope on right now? A successful career? Getting through Moody? Someone here? Myself? There are so many other things to set my hope...but ALL of my hope must be on grace. Not my works, not my life, not anything on this earth. When I have trials, I need to look forward to grace. My eyes should be set on that eternal life with Jesus, and with my eyes focused there, what kind of suffering can pull me away?

Something to chew on...not sure how clear this one is...see if you can figure it out.
Conceived, created
The Masters great work of art
Eternity He waited
To breathe life in my heart
Growth has just begun
Impossible to stand alone
Never seen the sun
Darkening my earthly home
Frustrated, abused
Desperately searching for Light
Kicking yet bruised
Knowing theres more than the Night
Darkness disappears
As I'm taken from the ocean
The doubting mist clears
As life begins it's motion
I take my first breath
Yet all I can do is cry
For we have conquered death
And together now we die...

Love you all.

You're Beautiful

2007-10-25T14:33:00.001-04:00

Everything is well here.

I just listened to this amazing song by Phil Wickham, "You're beautiful." Here's the lyrics.

I see your face in every sunrise
The colors of the morning are inside your eyes
The world awakens in the light of the day
I look up to the sky and say, “You’re beautiful.”

I see your power in the moonlit night
Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright
We are amazed in the light of the stars
They’re all proclaiming who you are, “You’re beautiful.”

I see you there hanging on a tree
You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me
Now you are sitting on your heavenly throne
Soon you will be coming home, “You’re beautiful.”

When we arrive at eternities shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We live today as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and sing, “You’re beautiful.”

I see your face, “You’re beautiful.”

Amen...Lord Jesus, you're beautiful.

Dabumba

Story from Mississippi

2007-10-22T19:27:00.000-04:00

Julianna also wrote about this in her blog (thatimaygainchrist.blogspot.com) but I guess I'll write about it quickly here too. It'll give you a slightly different perspective.

It was Saturday morning, and Julie and I were trying to figure out what to do. We'd thought about going to the Gulf of Mexico for the day, but it's a LONG drive...and it would be a waste of gas really. But what is there in Jackson Mississippi to do? Well, we decided we'd find out. We drove into the capital city with no real plans. On our way into the city we passed a farmers market, hung out there for awhile, then just walked around the city, no real purpose. As we approached the intersection, a homeless man came at us from the other direction. I know this sounds terrible, but I'm actually putting up my guard already. Thinking, "I've seen this before, he just wants our money to go buy drugs." After all, I'm a Chicago guy, I know everything (right). Well he comes up to us, and asks us nicely if we have any money we could spare for him. I was going to tell him no, but Julianna beat me to it--but she invited him to a meal. All I could do was smile. I realized right away what I'd just done, and how her open heart and covered the hardness of my own. We walked around looking for a restaurant, but all the restaurants are closed on a Saturday (why? I have no idea). Then we remembered the flea market, and so we walked him there. On the way we talked about his life, how he used to be a Christian, but had turned from that way of life. He had joined the fair and gotten caught up in drugs and was now HIV+. Inside I'm trying to understand the kind of pain that comes with that, but I don't think I could ever understand. All he owned was a Bible, all the hope he had was in the faint view of Christ he had. It was a tough conversation, it's hard to bridge that gap. But God used both of us, when I didn't have an answer, Julianna did. When she ran out of words, I was able to fill in. It's was pretty cool. We showed up at the flea market, bought him some grapes and bananas, (prayed for him while he waited outside) and had more good conversation. We were able to pray with him, and he told us of the difficult week he's had, how Satan has seemed so close to him right now, and how he really needed some encouragement. We were able to give him that. He wasn't the only one blessed, we both were. Just to watch how God used us gave me butterflies. It was incredible.

It was wonderful

2007-10-21T23:52:00.000-04:00

I'm back. For the past 5 days I've been in Mississippi with Julianna, and it was a fabulous time. We didn't DO a whole lot. Mostly we just walked around, talked and I got to know her roommates. But we had a lot of fun doing it.

This is supposed to be a surprised face. (Not real sure what kind of a face it actually looks like...oh well.)

After trying to act surprised, we made up our best, "The Look." You know, that one look that your Mom has, or your older brother...that just makes you feel like you did SOMETHING wrong. I think Julianna won this competition hands down. She's got the, "You did what? Now don't you try and talk back to me like that. Go to your room!" look that I got so familiar with. (Thanks Mom.)

Now, I'm not accustomed to losing at face making competitions. Since Julie and I haven't really had an argument yet, we thought it would be fun to have one. After our argument, she used the cold-shoulder tactic...and I'm trying to figure out what went wrong.

We tried to continue to argue, but once again, we just couldn't. This is what always happens. We try to have an argument but we just end up laughing at the ridiculousness of it all.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. I definitely had an amazing week! God bless ya.

-Jeremy

Chargin on!!

Been awhile

2007-10-15T15:49:00.000-04:00

It seems like every time I write a blog, I have to apologize for not writing in a long time. Maybe I should just keep writing....hhmm.

Let's see...the past couple of weeks have gone by pretty quickly. This past week was missions conference at Moody Bible Institute. Now I know most schools have a missions week, or a missions day, or something...but the conference at Moody is intense. They do not mess around. It is a 4 day event, with seminars and meetings packed from morning until evening. It's an information overload. There are so many incredible people all gathered together in one place, there is so much knowledge and experience.

There was one guy who was a missionary on the island of Java (which is one of the most concentrated regions of Islam in the world). Things went well for awhile, but by a series of unfortunate circumstances wound up in front of an angry mob in a courthouse. He was thrown into prison for 6 months, with real sketchy conditions (I'll spare the details, but it was gross) and no guarantee of release. The story he told was gripping. The people there had never heard the true story of Jesus, they had been fed lies by their superiors. This man was able to spread the truth, and given the privilege of suffering for Christ as well. As I sat there I realized, I want to do that!

Then there was a missionary who stayed on our floor who was a missionary to Paupau New Guinea. These people had never heard of God. They had no idea that God actually cared about them. In his village he was able to go through the entire gospel, and share with these villagers that they didn't have to bear the weight of their sin anymore, but that Jesus will take it for them if they will give them their lives. Imagine the rush, of preaching the gospel to those who have never heard it before, and to those who never would've heard it if you didn't go. Once again, I sat there and wanted to get up and go.

But God's called me here, to Moody Bible Institute. That's the most frustrating thing. I want to go right now, I want to be OUT THERE. I want to show lost people that Jesus came to save their lives. The more I thought about it, the more God showed me that I don't need to go overseas to share the news about Christ. There are plenty of people right here who don't know. This IS NOT a waiting period for me. It's not a time to sit and do nothing...it's a time to practice my faith (and by practice I mean the practice like a sport...to test out, to perfect, to get comfortable with). I need this time to work out my faith under those who have gone through it before me. That's what my time here at Moody is all about.

Well, in a couple of days I'm heading off to Mississippi to see my wonderful girl friend. It's my first time down there...and I'm real excited. It'll be a great time. Can't wait.

I hope you all are having a fabulous day. God bless.

-Dabumba

Open Air??

2007-10-06T13:12:00.001-04:00

Open air evangelism? Are you kidding?

I'm sitting in class. Our professor then tells us of this great new assignment he has come up with. "Every person in this class needs to go out into Chicago and directly tell at least one person that they are a Christian and then ask for their story." I shake my head. Does this stuff actually work? I remember times walking down Michigan Avenue and a guy with tracts comes up to me and says, "You're going to Hell." Thank you for that. I wonder what people who already don't like Christians think. I think of men with cardboard signs screaming about a destruction that is upon us. And I think of the countless people walking past, turning a deaf ear to salvation and hardening their hearts toward anyone associated with this "Christianity 'turn or burn' thing."

Now I am one of "those guys." A group of about 15 of us arrive at the corner of Michigan and Chicago Ave. But we don't have cardboard signs. We have black lights and neon paint. But most importantly, we have the message of salvation. It's not just condemnation. It's not just love. It's the entire message of the gospel on an easel glowing brightly at the corner Michigan and Chicago. The preacher showed how we cannot possibly attain the goodness required to enter heaven. An impure person cannot possibly live with a pure God, for we would destroy his holiness. But Jesus came and died on the cross. He took our sins and cleared them. He paid the penalty of death which our sins deserve. He died so that we might live with God. It's a message we cannot contain.

The preacher spoke, and the Moody students gathered around to listen. A small crowd gathered, but most walked right past. The treasure that everyone in this world was looking for was right there, on the corner of Michigan and Chicago. The missing piece they'd been searching for was right in front of their eyes. When the salvation demonstration was finished, I tried to talk with someone further about what they thought of Jesus. But before the words could come out the people slipped past. Once again, too busy to work through who Jesus was.

I took a walk away from our corner. I didn't know why, but Someone did. I sat down on a bench next to an elderly lady and for 10 minutes listened to her love of Borders and chocolate. The conversation wound down and on the other side of me was an Indian man puffing on his cigarette. Unsure, I started a conversation with him. I told him I was a Bible student, and he tells me that he goes to church occasionally, because he likes the contemplative atmosphere. As we pick our way through the conversation, I find out he's in America for 3 months. He's a Hindu, sort of. He believes in some parts of Hinduism, and believes that a person cannot be saved by works alone. He said, "I just do as much as I can, and trust in God to save me." He called it a blind faith. He doesn't know if God will save him or not. My heart breaks. How can you go through life not certain of your eternal future? How do you survive without the hope that is found in Christ alone? I explained to him my belief. I told him how Jesus paid the penalty for our sins so that we can approach God with confidence. But we MUST accept that free gift. I was able to talk about the Old Testament, how the penalty for sin was death. But since the death of a goat was not equal to the death of a human, and because no perfect human could be sacrificed, we were stuck in our sins. And then I showew him that Jesus Christ is the one sacrifice that purified us all. Of course, he still had his doubts. He still believed that God would save him. All I asked of him was to search. Seek for the truth, and the Truth will find you. Honestly and openly look and God will not leave you searching. I got his email address and then headed off; shoulders sagging with exhaustion yet still smiling with excitement.

There is an adrenaline rush sharing the gospel of Christ. There is something special that takes place when I humble myself, face rejection and share this saving grace with a world who has been flooded with false images of Jesus. They have been lied to, screamed at, judged and rejected. Satan has dragged this world into the depths of sin, and we are a light in that valley, proclaiming hope. I don't want to sit around pondering the nuances of Christianity when there is someone who has never heard that there is a better way to live their life. I need an education, yes. I need to learn what I believe and how I can relate it, yes. But I can NEVER lose sight of the purpose behind it. It is to glorify God, to advance His kingdom, and to show the love of Christ to his lost children.

Another sequence

2007-10-03T00:10:00.000-04:00

I'm just pumping them out now. I just sit there in class, and as I hear something interesting, I just write it out. This next one is probably my most creative one yet. Rather interesting (idea borrowed from David Crowder). The bold is a separate sequence from the italics. When it's bold and italics, they overlap. (I couldn't get blogger to make it look right...sorry

My desire fails His desire consumes me
Slowly dying inside Breathing from within
The flesh is rotting Reviving fallen lungs
I'm losing my pride Purging selfish sin
I wash myself of myself
To regain my hope And clothe myself with him
Forgetting all I know
Untying the rope Being replaced within
For I once was chained Freed from my bondage
And I can now run free
Set loose by desire
I was blinded, couldn't see I can finally see
That with God as my portion
I'm satisfied and whole
And with God as my desire
He has completed my soul

a little something

2007-10-01T19:30:00.000-04:00

superficial
simply skin deep
surface, fragile
stained and cheap
piercing nails
penetrate flesh
pressing deeper
pioneering the depths
destroying the surface
divining new treasure
diving into purity
defining God's pleasure
pleasure results in pain
pain leads to trust
producing character
parting the crust
completing my character
collapsing my desire
cancelling my debts
creating Holy Fire

Wrote this one in class today. I just had this image of a surface faith. Something that we just use as a shell, a covering over who we really are. But the nails of Jesus penetrate that shell and dive into the depths of who we are. Jesus will not be satisfied with superficial. And as he explores my core, it hurts. But this hurt is necessary in making me into the man God wants me to be. And in the end, filling me with His Spirit.

-da (la laLA!) bumba

TERA!!!

2007-09-29T17:48:00.001-04:00

Once again, I apologize for the span of time since my last blog. No excuse besides laziness. I could say it's because I have tons of schoolwork, but it's really not all that bad. I'm coping just fine.

But exciting news, Suzanne DeValve just put some pictures of Tera up on the Internet, and it was SOOOO cool to see life back there again! I honestly miss Africa again. I remember all those places, all the people there, I want to go back and speak in French to Muslims who have never heard who Jesus really is!!

These are all those kids I used to hang out with. There's a Hamidou, Genghis Khan, Yao...it's wonderful.

MY MILLET!!! You've got to be kidding me, this is amazing. I dug the holes for these...how sweet.

The pose look familiar?? Simply splendid. I am still laughing hysterically. I love it. And I guess it does rain in Africa, I didn't believe the DeValves, but the bridge didn't get wiped out by wind.

ANTA AND ATUTU!!!!! I miss those girls!! I miss everything from africa...I love it.!! Hopefully I'll get back there again sometime soon. Also, hopefully I'll write a blog about Moody sometime. Hopefully. Maybe. We'll see. God bless you all!!

-Jeremy

Ministry

2007-09-19T22:48:00.000-04:00

I don't believe I've mentioned this yet...but here at Moody all students have to be involved in a ministry, or PCM. Today was my second time at my PCM, and I loved it. Basically, I'm working at a homeless restaurant. What I do is, at about 6 I show up and help make dinner for about 80 people. It's a lot of fun. Then we serve the food to the guests, and after serving I sit down and eat with them. It's a beautiful thing. So often homeless people are treated with no respect...they're given no dignity. The beauty about Breaking Bread (the place I'm at) is that we give them dignity. We serve them food. We sit and eat with them. It's such a GREAT set up. And it works. The guy who runs the kitchen actually used to be on the streets, but because of Breaking Bread gradually worked away from it. Now he makes the meals every Wednesday and is just a great guy. And I am so excited to SERVE again. It's been awhile...I miss it! Cooking, cleaning, serving food...what a good way to spend an evening. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Our campus is starting to get a little crazy...it's gnimocemoh (homecoming) week. And we are having a Mr. Moody competition on Friday. Basically we are creating what the Moody we always dreamed of would be. Hilarity will result. I can't give it all away now...but I'll tell ya more later.

Had a creative spurt...another sequence of rhyming words popped out. This one's actually a month old.

It starts with a spring
Slowly released from the Earth
Water filling local pools
Unaware of its great worth
As the pool overflows
And rushes down the mountain
It cleanses as it goes
A purifying fountain
It presses onward
As it forges new paths
Shaping mountains
And finishing ancient maps
As it goes it grows
Unifying the silent streams
Until the whisper
Unites a thunderous scream
The foundations shake
At this unstoppable force
As the strongholds break
Before the Spirit of the Lord

dabumba

Weekend

2007-09-18T20:27:00.000-04:00

Could there have been a better weekend?? The special lady came up from Mississippi for the weekend, and let me tell you, it was wonderful. We had SUCH a good time. She got here Saturday morning, and Kelley Reeves (her best friend who is a fellow Moody student) picked her up. We went to Celtic festival, Millenium park, toured Moody, (I played flag football...and lost), and just hung around.

Then the two of us had a date night...which was great. I had quite a bit planned, but none of it actually worked out. The restaurant had like a 3 hour wait, we didn't make it to another place...in anyone else's eyes it was pretty terrible. But honestly...it was great just walking around trying to find SOMEWHERE. (We settled on Cheesecake Factory, which was just fine). It was a wonderful evening.

We then went to church the next morning and again had a wonderful time. I'm going to Chicago Tabernacle, which is kind of hard to describe. It's got an african american church feel to it, but it's got people of every color. It's very spirit driven and has gospel singing (which is incredible). The people there pray...a lot. And there's no taking turns...everyone calls on God all at once. It's different, but I like it. Then Julie and I "watched" the Bears game (we were both tired...and she fell asleep). Then went to Greektown with Kelley, and then she was off. It was fabulous.

I'm running the risk of making this a huge blog entry by starting this topic...but I really need to. We had a conversation in class today about humility. Honestly, I think A LOT of people are deceived by Satan about humility. So many people think it's never thinking anything good of yourself. Or it's a downcast person. It's someone who won't acknowledge they did good. THAT'S 100% WRONG!!!! We have such a distorted view of humility, that a truly humble man wouldn't be noticed as humble. Here's an interesting verse...Numbers 12:3-"Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the Earth." Pretty cool, huh? Moses is our example in humility. One more question...who wrote Numbers? MOSES!!! Moses called HIMSELF humble. Most people would say that proved he wasn't truly humble...but I dont' think so. See, God told him what to write. And Moses wrote as God has said. He realized that God had helped him to become humble...and if God did it, he deserves the credit. Like, I'm a smart guy. Saying I'm not smart would be an offense to God. He MADE ME THAT WAY. I'm not prideful about it...the glory goes to God. I had nothing to do with it. But our world has such a distorted view that people no longer take pride in the gifts God has given them, they hide them in the name of humility. And Satan is snickering in the corner. He has snuffed God's gifts in the name of God. As C.S. Lewis said, true humility isn't about making yourself small, it's about not thinking of yourself at all. Look at yourself the way God looks at you. That's where true humility comes from...straight from God.

That's just been on my mind lately...and really wanted to just get it out. I've gotta run...there's movies in the plaza tonight. God bless you all.

-Jeremy

Exciting day.

2007-09-07T00:55:00.000-04:00

First...my address was a little off on Tuesday. It's 820 N Lasalle. My bad. It would probably get here anyways...but don't want to take any chances...

Here's a little background for you all. A couple days ago I was really frustrated. See, here I am learning about how great God is. I'm seeing the life of Jesus lived out before me, I'm falling more in love with him every day. And yet...it's like I'm just getting fat for God. He's putting so much into me...and it's not going out. After all, didn't Jesus call us to GO OUT AND MAKE DISCIPLES? And I've been sitting around making myself a disciple (which is necessary...but needs to be combined with action). Essentially, I could feel myself becoming a Pharisee...obsessed with my own faith but missing the picture of the Gospel.

And so I prayed. I laid my frustrations before God and asked for an opportunity to share his name. I realized that on campus that probably won't happen...so I just did my homework in a park. And amazingly (again, should've seen this coming), two ladies came up and started asking me all these questions about the Bible. They asked me why I thought there was evil in the world. I told them it was because of the fall. The world was perfect, and when Adam and Eve sinned they brought imperfection into a perfect world. Bad things happen to good people yes...but these times actually give God MORE glory than if we were to have everything. I mean, how hard is it to praise God when he's given me everything? Well, the conversation continued, and they KEPT asking me about what I believed. Where I thought Hell was...where I thought paradise was...where I thought we went when we died. A lot of the questions were difficult...how do I explain something I cannot see? We talked for a long time, and it was really good. It turns out, they were Jehovahs Witnesses. And I'm glad I didn't know. I had the opportunity to simply defend my faith, and hopefully plant seeds in their minds. And God answered my prayer...which makes me wonder...why don't I pray specifically MORE? So far God has answered every time.

Well, this was what I would call step forward in my walk. I trust more. I realize my need for God more. So you'd think the next morning of devotions would be great? Nope. I breezed through it...not really thinking of it much. And something amazing happened...I felt it. I could tell throughout the day that I hadn't had a solid time with my Lord. To put it plainly, I am addicted to God's word and prayer. And that is AMAZING.

God is still teaching me so much, and I am definitely thankful for your prayers. Feel free to leave a comment, write an email...whatever. mulletboy17@gmail.com. Always LOVE to hear from you, even if I have no idea who you are. Don't be shy now.

-AC Slater (some guy on campus thinks I look and act like him...a guy from saved by the bell. Some one else thinks I look like Pacey from Dawsons creek. I have never seen either of them. So I can't tell you.)

PunkMonk

2007-09-05T00:22:00.000-04:00

There's a book that I've been reading here at Moody that is changing my views on prayer. It's about 24/7 prayer rooms, which for those of you that don't know, are rooms that are filled all day, every day, with people praying for our nation. It's a beautiful concept, and it's beautiful in practice. It changes hearts, live, communities and nations. There is no limit to the potential of God in prayer. That has really been a focus of mine the past week. I NEED to be in constant communion with God...both by myself and with others. How can I afford to be apart from my God? I've seen what happens...I end up broken. Our nation has drifted far...there are hurting people everywhere. (If you don't believe me, walk around Chicago. Walk past a dance club, you'll see plenty of people who have thrown their lives away to the glee of Satan.) This is a short story written by the author of Punk Monk. I hope you really picture it...you really take it to heart.

I find myself in a giant hall. Surrounding me are thousands of young people--battered, bruised, and broken. Then suddenly a voice says, "What am I bid?" A young gril stands before the crowd of lecherous, sneering men. "What am I bid for this piece of flesh?"
The men start to cheer and shout figures.
"Ten."
"Twenty."
"Fifty."
"One hundred."
WHAT CAN I DO, GOD?
I start to bid. I have to save her! The cost becomes huge and I begin to waiver. Can I afford this? What price will I pay?
The dream stops.
I'm alone again but the faces are real enough. Alice being sold into prostitution. Jack with a revolver in his mouth. Kat covered in cuts and bruises. John falling into crime. Laura alone and desperate. Steve, heroin needle in his bulging vein.
"WHAT AM I BID?"
The voice shatters the silence. The auction is on. The bidding has begun. It will continue day and night until the end. Most of the bidders desire only to use and abuse. Satan drives them on. For him, young lives are for destruction. Chaos is his aim.
God is there, but He has chosen US to go into the auction. His desire: that we bid for everyone. Are we willing? The cost will be huge. We may have to give our lives.
THE CURRENCY IS PRAYER.
THE PRICE IS MASSIVE.
BUT THE PRIZE IS GLORIOUS.
WHAT AM I BID?

Are you willing to pay the price? Everyone can pray. The question is...do we actually care that Alice is being sold into prostitution? Or can we cushion ourselves because of the distance? You see, praying for people around the world makes no sense. We don't see the fruits of our labor. We "waste" our time. It doesn't make sense UNLESS THERE IS A HEAVEN TO LOOK FORWARD TO. Because in heaven we will be rewarded. We will see the way our prayers shaped the nations. And when our eyes are on heaven...we won't care about the fame of this world. We will be consumed with a passion for the next.

Jeremy Slager
920 N. LaSalle CPO 970
Chicago Illinois 60610

Always willing to receive a blessing...hint hint.

Generosity

2007-08-30T16:11:00.000-04:00

I am consistently amazed by this school. Moody Bible Institute has done something right...there something about the people that come out of this school that is just attracting. It seems like every time I meet someone from Moody Bible Institute, I go away thinking, "Wow, I wish I had another day to get to know them." That's the kind of legacy I'm walking into. That's the tradition that I'm hoping to carry on.

Here's an example: I'm a freshman, therefor, I'm clueless about how the school works. I had a class over my lunch break, and so I assumed you could transfer meal tickets to another dining room on campus that was open all the time. That's true...but I didn't realize the dining room was still open downstairs. So I go to the checkout line with my food, and the cashier tells me I have to pay for it. After a couple of questions I realize that I will have to. Before I can even get money out to pay, the professor behind me pulls out the money, pays for it (as I try and say I will do it), then walks away. I was just stunned. What kind of love is this? He received no glory for it, I don't know who he was. He simply loves others as he would be loved (which sounds kind of familiar...I think some guy named Jesus did that).

Another example: I need to buy a new Bible. Mine is rather old and not quite the type I'm needing. I'm rather specific...and so I'm trying to search through several Bible's to find the right one. As I'm helplessly lost...two older guys (35-55ish) walk up and help. They know these Bible's well. They're telling me the strengths and weaknesses of them (I'm looking for big margins to write in with just a little commentary) and just being generally helpful. Then one of the guys says, "Why don't you just pick one out and I'll get it for you." Again, I protest. I can buy my own Bible. But he insists...and so after another 10 minutes of choosing, I picked one out and got it. Now...what better example of Jesus is there? There are people all around here that simply want to serve. He wasn't doing this to bring attention to himself, it was simply to help a freshman out and give him a good Bible to learn from...an "investment in the future."

So as I'm sitting here...I'm wondering...why dont' I do this more? The opportunities don't always smack me in the face...sometimes I have to look for them. But how cool would it be to BE THAT GUY that people just remember and say, "Wow, I saw Jesus in that guy...I don't even know who he was." That's what I want to be.

God bless.

-jerm

Deeper

2007-08-29T01:10:00.000-04:00

Life has taken on a new light. I'm sure it had something to do with the baptism. It's like I see life with new eyes. When I read the Bible, I see deeper into it's truths. When I hear from friends, I understand more of their pain. When I pray, I pray harder. I'm starting to feel the Holy Spirit as a part of my life. This is crazy.

School is going well. It's a strange feeling...reading my textbook and being excited about its contents. I read about it, and for some reason, I just want to read more. This is really a new thing for me. When I think about writing papers, I can't wait to try and go deeper. I want to try and put my learnings into words. For those of you who knew me in high school...you're probably rubbing your eyes and rereading those past sentences. "Jeremy Slager, actually caring about schoolwork?? Say it ain't so!!" Yea...I hear ya.

Whew!

2007-08-27T00:26:00.000-04:00

Long week.
Really long week.
If you think I'm kidding...I assure you, I am not. Orientation has been a beast really. It was like SIMco all over again, except longer (for those of you who don't know, that was the missionary training I went through before I went to Africa). We had meetings from 8 am to 5pm, and had all sorts of other random assignments to do inbetween. At least it's done now.

The first few days have been really good though. There are SO many people that I've met here. It's amazing to think that all these guys plan on serving God full-time in the future. Think of what God can do with just ONE person, now multiply that by 1500 and you'll get a sense of why I stand in awe. When we worship together, it's that slightest taste of heaven, when all the saints will gather around God's throne and shout with all our passion toward God. This is just a glimpse of that day, but even just a hint is joyous...I can't imagine the real deal.

Apart from the orientation, my time has been consumed with hanging out in Chicago. Yesterday we walked a LONG ways. We left at 2 and came back at 8...almost all walking (ended up about 8 miles I think). It was great though just to get to know some guys better and really get used to the city. This place is enchanting. It is so diverse, so cultural, and there are so many opportunities to spread the name of Jesus. I dont' know if I've been more excited about something before. Moody Bible Institute is EXACTLY where I want to be. And after all the walking, every night we go play ultimate frisbee under the lights at the beach. I'm telling you, this institute is great. You all should stop by sometime and visit!!

And speaking of good news, I've got an amazing story for you. I wrote an email about it to my mom earlier, and so I'll just paste it over. Here it is. Well, went to church this morning, and had an amazing time. There were a group of us who went to New Life community church, which had amazing worship, great speaking, and a complimentary picnic afterward. Not the church I'll end up at, but really loved it. Well, here's the amazing part. On our way to the lake the pastor (who drove us there) looked back at all of us bible students, and out of nowhere just asked us if we were all baptized!! Now, a little background. For the past couple years I've been wrestling with this. I've known I needed to get baptized, but the opportunity never came. I was just scared to ask really. To be completely honest, I felt like I was above it. Just that I was already a Christian and didn't really need it. But I've just felt like I needed to for awhile...and THIS MORNING I was thinking about it. So when the pastor asked us all...I hesitated. IT was like shock...is this really happening!? And so I said I hadn't...and he got really excited, I was super excited, as were all the Moody students. We got to the lake, had a good time, and then came the baptism. I gave a quick testimony...about how I've always been a Christian, but never taken that final step. How I was marking my life as Christs. Taht I was dying and Jesus was taking over. I went into lake michigan...and came out brand new, washed by the blood of Christ...a sign of my devotion to Christ. It was such an incredible way to start my life here at Moody. Everyone has been really excited for me as well. To be filled with the Spirit and enlisted in the Lord's army is something to be cherished. I am so excited about what he is going to do now!!

Well, that is my exciting news for the day. Thank you all...God bless.

Moody Bible Institute

2007-08-22T16:08:00.001-04:00

Yes, I realize I wrote a blog like 20 minutes ago...but I have some time now.

As I said, I'm really excited about Moody Bible Institute. I'm going to be able to learn from the best professors around about how to serve Jesus in the most effective way. I'm going to have find some lifelong friends and learn to serve together with them. And I'm going to have the chance to live out the Christian life here in Chicago.

My roommate is Daniel Quick...and I have no doubts we'll get along just fine. The guys on my floor seem great as well, so there won't be any trouble there.

The bike trip here went really well. We went from Warsaw to Valparaiso the first day (about 87 miles). It was tough, and long, but we made it all right. It rained the entire first day...which made it a challenge to keep a good attitude on the whole thing. But we both managed to keep our spirits up and we had a great time. The second day was a little lighter. We only went 55 miles. Through Chicago was fabulous. There was a great bike path through all of the town (once we got past the industrialized southern region). Overall, it was a great trip.

One thing has been really tough on me so far. Nobody knows who I am. I mean, I know that will change, but for so long in my life, wherever I go I know SOMEONE. But right now...that's not the case. It's hard...when no one knows where I come from, what I'm like...nothing. And so this kind of ties into what God is teaching me right now. Humility. Even though no one knows who I am...can I be okay with that? Is it enough for me if it's just me and God? It has to be. And at the same time, I need to be looking for how I can make OTHERS more comfortable...not myself.

-Dabumba

Chicago!!

2007-08-22T15:28:00.000-04:00

Sorry this one is short, but I've got some more registration to do. But yes, I did make it to Chicago (my Dad and I biked from Warsaw, Indiana to Chicago)...slightly sore but still moving. I'm really excited about school, and I can't wait to meet the people here. There's a lot to learn, both in school and in life. I know God has a lot in store for me here, I'll just have to wait and see what that is.

I promise to make a better post either tonight or tomorrow. There are pictures from the bike trip, from Chicago, and some thoughts I didn't really have time to throw down right now. But soon...they'll be up here. God bless.

-Seydou

Spiritual Warfare

2007-08-16T21:02:00.000-04:00

To be completely honest, I have no clue what the title of this blog means. I have heard the phrase a lot...but when it comes down to it...I couldn't describe to you what it actually involves. Is it like honest warfare...one side against the other, where you know you're in a battle and you fight to the death? Or is it more like a covert operation, where the one side has no idea he's even in a battle? Or is it like I step back and watch God and Satan duke it out? Should I be able to feel it inside of me? I don't know for sure...but the past few weeks have sure seemed like spiritual warfare to me. It's like...there's a dark cloud surrounding me. Like no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get in connection with God. I do my devotions, I pray, but it seems like God just isn't hearing. I'm tempted more, I'm hurting more. It's like I fell over and there's a hand on my back holding me down. And the scary thing is, I've wanted to just throw in the towel. It feels like the temptation will NEVER end...like I will never be free from the curse of sin. I no longer wanted to fight. But I didn't realize that wasn't an option...being a Christian means I'm in a war. I never understood what this was all about, until yesterday, a very special friend (girlfriend actually) pretty much nailed it. I couldn't put it any better myself...so I'll just copy it over.

I think you're really onto something with exploring the Holy Spirit. I have no idea what the Lord is about to teach you/show you, but I think it's going to be revolutionary. (Okay, now I sound like a pentecostal) I feel like Satan is going to try and bring you down any way he can. I have such a burden to pray for your safety (both mind and body). I think that there's a battle going on in the spirit right now, and it's over you. I'm not trying to sound over dramatic or crazy, but Jeremy, I'm really concerned. Satan is so crafty in how he tries to get us to fall, so be prepared for him to come at you, and those that you're close to. Of course our precious Lord Jesus is on your side, and he'll be protecting you, and he will win in the end, but you may be headed for some difficult times. I know that you walk closely with the Lord, and that you're strong in him....so be prepared for battle. The truth of the Bible combined with the power of the Holy Spirit is an amazing combination. For many years, the two have been separated into two different churches...and I think the devil likes it that way. I mean, both are powerful by themselves, but combined they can rock the world (just take a look at Acts). Separating the two (in my opinion) was one of Satan's biggest triumphs....so how much is he going to hate it if you try to bring them back together?? I don't know how long it'll take, or what you'll have to go through, but if that's what the Lord is calling you to do, then go for it. How much would Satan love for you to give up the fight? But be careful dear friend, because you're in a war.

I agree. Satan's biggest achievement of the 19th century was to split the Spirit from the Word. And he sees the seed of a revival starting in the hearts of God's chosen people. HE WILL NOT SIT BY AND WATCH. I'm scared. I won't deny that. The gates of Hell are not easily overcome. It requires sacrifice, and a lot of hurt. I will fall...BUT I WILL GET BACK UP BY THE POWER OF CHRIST IN ME. That's the beauty of this battle...I win. God will be there, giving me JUST as much strength as needed. I don't know how I'll end...but I know how this war will end. With Jesus Christ on His throne and every tribe and tongue gathered around singing praises to His glorious name. (And THAT is enough to keep me going).

Under Christ,
-Slager

Hooooly Spirit

2007-08-14T12:56:00.000-04:00

There's been a trend. It started (for me at least) with a slight nudging from God. I realized that I only know half of this Christian faith we profess...the evangelical side. I am totally comfortable with the evangelicals. I know how we work. I know the words to say to be accepted. I AM ONE. But then there's that whole Pentecostal/Charismatic side of Christianity. You know, the one's that raise their hands in worship and dance in the aisles? The ones that heal people and speak in languages that no one understands? When someone starts speaking in tongues, I get uncomfortable. When someone asks if anyone wants to get healed, I get uncomfortable. Why? Because I question it. I doubt the power of God in their lives...not because of anything they have done, but because of the lack of power in my own life. (Yea...I did just say that). And so to get back to the nudging from God, I feel like God wants me in a Pentecostal church while I am at Moody. I need to learn what this is all about. I need to have a broader view of who Jesus is...and who the Holy Spirit is.

Part 2. Pastor Mark-About 3 weeks ago Pastor Mark gives a sermon on the Holy Spirit. He is talking about how our church has not taken advantage of this gift from God. How we have learned to pull off a pretty good service WITHOUT the Spirit. And something about that is horribly wrong. We are not doing things right when we can maintain average without the help of God. He spoke about how as evangelicals, we're like a steering wheel. We know exactly where we're going, and we're not going off track. But we're not going anywhere. The Pentecostals are like an engine. They are full of power, but uncontrolled. (What would happen when the combine?) When I heard him speak about this, I was amazed, because the same questions had been rolling through my mind. And I was excited because Spring Arbor Free Methodist is going to get a little taste of the Holy Ghost...because if we seek for the Spirit, we will find him.

Part 3. Francis Chan-The icing on the cake for me. I go home and listen to Francis Chan's sermon and what do you know...? He's talking about the Holy Spirit. He talks about how for SO LONG he hasn't ever understood this gift of God. He says it was his greatest sin against his church. He was so afraid of abusing the power of the Spirit that he never used it. This is the greatest gift of God. Jesus actually said that life would be BETTER with the Spirit than with him. (That's saying something). One example Francis used was this, "If you had the option of hearing me (Francis) with the Spirit preach, or Jesus Christ in the flesh...which would you choose? Jesus said that the Spirit would be better." He also talked about how he's tired of living an explainable life. He wants a life empowered by the Spirit that no one can explain EXCEPT FOR GOD.

And so now what? I've been doing my own study on the Spirit, and its hard. So much is unexplainable. How does He work? Where is He? How does He guide me? When does he speak for me, when does he speak through me? I don't know. It seems like most of the knowledge of the Spirit comes through experience (backed by the Word). But how do you get Spirit experience in SPRING ARBOR? That's the question to answer....

Kalatonton. (Songhay, see you later.)

-Seydou