You never understand a person, until you hear their story.

So I have a friend named Petie.   Well actually, Its something really Korean but no one can pronounce it, so we use his middle name, Pete.   I'm just getting to know him.  And through him I have found yet another inspiration in life.

       Pete and I work together at the Pizza place, he's the assistant manager, which basically means he runs the day to day in the store usually doing about 50 hours a week.  He's the kind of guy that everyone likes, he always has a smile, which is very rare at a job like this, he works harder then anyone else in the store, and is always trying to help the drivers and insiders in whatever their tasks are that they must complete before they get to go home.  Well him and I were closing together and cleaning up, we got to talking and he let me in a little more about his story.  You see not only does he work 50 hours a week at the Pizza place, but he also works at another well known restaurant 30 hours a week.   To me, it didn't add up.  He should be able to live perfectly fine with just the Pizza salary... So I asked him.

     He told me a little bit more of his story.   When he was just out of High school in Detroit, he got into drugs.  Now we all know Detroit is a hard city, and its very common to be on something there.   His older brother, however, went to college.   He got a degree in law at the University of Michigan, then his MBA at Denver University.  Pete eventually saw the light and realized he had to move away in order to get clean, which he did.  He came to Colorado, sought after help, and sobered up quickly.  His brother, now graduated 3 years ago, has not been able to find a job.

     This is where their stories line up.  Pete, being the loving guy that he is, is paying off his brothers student loans.  Every month he sends money back to his family so that they can pay off student loans.   This brings me 2 trains of thought.   1st)  How unexcited and nervous I am to go into debet with student loans for Denver Seminary, and 2nd) Love Does.

I've been reading this book slowly, and here is a prime example.  He didn't complain about his situation, he doesn't even tell anyone, he just does it.  He works hard to help his brother in any way that he can because, Love Does.  

    Love isn't just a feeling, its our actions that show it.  He Loves his brother with his whole heart, and therefore, he is willing to work his butt off in order to pay for HIS LOANS.  

   On top of this, Pete volunteers as a coach for a basketball team of kids at a local Korean church.  He says he does it so that he can help the kids break out of the stereo type and not run down the same path he did.


So heres to you Pete.   Thank you for all you do.


Jeremy
jcrob33@gmail.com



Random: snowboarding last week at copper. 

And Mary Responded, "I am the Lord's servant..."

And Mary Responded, "I am the Lord's servant..."

Before this, Zachariah, who was a astound priest, was told something similar, but he did not believe the angel.   You see, faith, is for everyone, from the least to the greatest.

The same holds true today.  We so often think that is the guy up front that would be the most blessed, or find the most 'favor' with God.  But the truth is, God chooses who he wants to.  Now we can get theological and try to understand why he chooses who he does, maybe this choice is done before time ever began, or maybe its because of obedience and discipline in our lives as Christians, but regardless, God moves.  Its nothing that we can do, all Glory to God.  He is what moves, so we can learn a simple lesson once again, be faithful to God, as he is faithful to us.

Beyond that, there is so much more I take from Mary's very simple response.  You see, the angel came, told her what was going to happen, she didn't even second guess.  Just, jumped right in.  I am the Lord's Servant.  There's a few other times that have these little one liners that have touched me in the past and deal with the same thing as they are responses, even cries out to the Lord:
 1st Samuel 3:10 - Samuel replied; "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."
       This is something I say often, first humbling myself before my Lord.
Isaiah 6:8 - Isaiah said; "Here am I, send me"
      Again, just ready and willing to follow God's call, no matter what it is.

But I think you can see the common theme in these all.  These are all examples of being a servant of Christ.  Jumping in fully to whatever God has for you, for wherever he has put you or asked you to do.

Well, I've started to see some of this happen in my own life.  I work as a delivery driver for a local pizza place, I've been doing this as a second gig since I turned 18... shoot, that's 6 years ago!   Anyway, I'm back there again, and I'm just trying to be myself planted in Christ.  Well, its already made a difference.  My manager, who hasn't gone to church since 2003, saw me at church 2 weeks ago... I didn't even invite her or say anything.  But what an answer to prayer!  You must realize, I work in a place where the employee's have rough lives.  Are usually high or drunk daily, who feel they have no hope or way out.  We have the opportunity to be Lights in this Dark world.  The darker of a place you go, the brighter your light can shine.  All Glory to God.


Chained to him,

Jeremy
jcrob33@gmail.com

I was plowing the other day. From 11pm to 4 am. 

And it was fricken cold!!!

Getting Christmas weird.  

Life moves quickly. Enjoy every moment.

Typical Colorado Sunset. 

Its been a while since I've been able to write things, which just means, I have more to write this time then last.

      I hate doing things half-assed (for lack of a better word).  If you are going to do something, lets do it to the highest possible quality.  I'd say this is especially true when it comes to Ministry.  This is Gods work in the most direct way.  That is why being in full-time ministry is so hard.  And yet so key.  So thank you to all of you who are in full-time ministry.  You'll never make much money, but you are changing lives for the Kingdom of God.  Keep it up, jump all in.  

     It's obviously something I want to do one day, and I'm starting to see more and more just how hard ministry can be.  But man, I am so ready to jump into it.  Dedicate my everything to some ministry, sounds awesome.   I've gotten the chance to be a volunteer over the last few months, and I do love it.  I've been able to see, once again, how much dedication being a volunteer can take.  So even more so to the volunteers of ministry, weather its running a small group, helping with tech, being an usher, helping in sunday school classes or playing worship... Thank you all so much for volunteering and being committed. You are the real hero's in churches.  The background players.  The life changers. The followers of Christ.   Studs.    There is a song by the Christian rap artist: Lecare called Background.  The chorus is simple enough.   "I can play the background".   I got to see him live in Australia at a music fest.  He ended his set with that song on his knees in prayer.   He was a great example of how I want to live life.  I can play the background.  All Glory To God.

     

    I'm finding it very hard to wait on God over the last few weeks.  I dread getting the common questions of: "Hey so what are you doing now that you're back?"   When I first got here I welcomed this question thinking I had some direction, but I'm still waiting on my application for Denver Seminary.  Maybe that's not where I'm suppose to be?  And if that's true, that's fine, I'm just sick of waiting for an answer.   It comes back to control.  I hold on to the little control I still have left, hoping God won't take it away like I need him to.   If I gave up full control, well then, Hakuna Matata, I would be able to know that it's in God's hands and have peace.   So, here's to the last bit of what I'm holding onto, take it God.  "Lord, this is your day, what will you have me do?"

     Last week I went Snowboarding with my good bro Kane and new friend Max, amazing.  First time this season, and its just so awesome to be in the presence of the Lord while Shredding the Gnar.  We got back to his place just as K-Life was starting, which is a youth group type evening.  I got to play Cajon with one of my long time friends Scott Miller, who I use to play with a lot.  Anyway, not the point.  What I'm getting at, is I haven't seen worship or felt the presence of the Spirit so brightly since being back in the states.   There's something to be said for a basic, guitar, piano, beat, and voices.   We rocked a few songs in a small group of Jr. Highers, the Lord was there.  I left feeling so refreshed, so ready to take on the world.  

    I'm reading "Love Does" by Bob Goff.  I'm only a few chapters in, but its already one of my favorites.    Its just stories of how to Love.   There's one with this guy named Randy.   Basically, Bob is skipping town, going to live in Yosemite to climb and live in a tent.  Well he stops by Randy's house just to say by, Randy grabs a bag and says "I'll come with you."   That in itself is Fricken Crazy!   He didn't plan anything!  He was a grown man, with responsibilities, a house, job, life!  Well, eventually they come back because Bob couldn't find a job.  Randy invites him into his house for dinner... come to find out... Randy had JUST gotten married, only days before leaving with Bob.    Talk about giving up yourself to Love like Jesus Loved!

     So this touched me, and I threw on twitter "I hope one day I can Love someone like Randy loved @BobGoff"..... He responded.... Bob responded to me, only minutes later. "@JeremyR33 Guys like you who are thinking about loving people change everything for so many. I'm proud of you, Jeremy."

   So, this week, I will again learn patience.  God is sure giving me enough opportunities to. 

Chained to him,

Jeremy

jcrob33@gmail.com

This girl is becoming very important to me. 

Aaahhhh thanksgiving!