I'm sure that many of you that read my blog...which is what...2(including me)...started your blogging adventures with the archaic method of handwriting journal entries onto paper.  Well, I have taken up the art of journaling once again.  I've never been disciplined with it which made me horrible at it.  With that said, here is my handwritten journal entry from today.  I would love to hear any of your thoughts, suggestions, or prayers regarding this matter.  Most likely my upcoming blogs will involve this subject and others like it.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Journal Entry 1/14/08…

OK, so this whole journal writing thing is a little harder than I anticipated. The physical activity of writing is not so difficult unless one has a paper cut or other excruciatingly painful flesh wounds. The discipline of actually writing down my thoughts on a daily or even weekly basis has been nearly non-existent since I purchased this journal three years ago. Now the development of online blogs may have something to do with my waning journal involvement, but that’s no excuse. Now onto the real reason I’m writing in this today and hope to continue in the immediate future.

For the past couple of months, my heart begins to race when the talk of foreign nations is blared across the air waves. Whether it’s the Olympic Games being hosted in China, the political riots of Kenya, or even the assassination of a Pakistani politician my heart gets the notorious “warm fuzzies.” Believe me, I have to squelch this emotion on numerous occasions, but it’s something that just won’t let go. Could it possibly be the great and might Holy Spirit? In the words of a great prodigal theologian “DOH!”(Slap my forehead!)

Over the past 2 years God has expanded my view of ministry.  Since my first international trip to Ecuador in the summer of 2005, I’ve been hooked. My passion has not directed specifically towards the innumerable lost people of the Quichuan, Afrikaan, or Singaporean cultures.  Rather it has been directed toward those who minister to these people. My ministry view, ministry experience, and educational background seems to be developing more and more into an international equipping ministry.

In addition, my passion for international youth work continues to expand. A few years ago a friend of mine and I were given similar visions of a youth worker training conference. This conference would train indigenous church leaders to reach lost teenagers and their families and transform them into multiplying disciples who are trained to reach their generation and culture. Over the past months, great amounts of discouragement have followed in regards to getting this launched.  So much discouragement, in fact, that these international “warm fuzzies” are quickly squelched by me. Could it be that God wants me to pursue this whether I have support or not? Could it be that others are looking to me to see my level of dedication to it before they support it? But the time involvement needed…the finances required…the unending travel…  Oh yeah, what about my wife?...my ministry to the churches in the states?...my doctoral studies?...my longing for a family?...the denominational barriers?...WHEWWWWWWW!

Could it be that all these are working together? Could the fact that I’m working on a Ph.D. in student ministry open up international doors for this to happen? Could the fact the God gifted me with the vision for a booming ministry in the States also be used as the financial arm of such an international endeavor? Could it be that the relatively extensive ministry travelling over the past few years is intended to prepare my wife and my family for what’s to come? I really don’t know what lies ahead. All I know is that no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get away from God possibly calling me to the nations long-term or short term; one region or all continents; paid or volunteer.  All I know to is pray and ask others to do the same.