BSHOP/India/School

Greetings,
I've been living at Bridge Street House of Prayer for about 3 weeks now. It's been really awesome, God has been teaching me so much about this area, what I'm supposed to be doing down here, and also myself. It's also been kind of difficult with being so busy with work, school, and ministry and trying to balance that all out. It's getting a little better.

I sold my car. My dad bought a car, and traded my car with them and got about a thousand dollars for it. I still don't really have my own car, and I'm just kind of using my dad's still.

I'm going to India in December. It's kind of a long story as to how I found out about it, but I'll be taking a 10 day trip to Delhi and the slums around the area passing out wool blankets and doing some evangelizing. I don't have any money for it, but God is leading me there so I'm just going for it. I am looking for spiritual and financial support still if you feel led to help me out.

I'm transfering to a bible schol next semester. I'm probably going for a film major and a theology minor. I'm still praying as to which school I want to go to.

til next time,
Josh

running fast and free to you

Hey Everyone,
I still haven't moved into BSHOP, I'm still kinda waiting on the guys there to let me know what's up. It's only frustrating because I am SO ready to move in, and now I don't know if it's still gonna go through. And if you know me, I'm not too patient, but this is something God has really been teaching me these past couple days, and it's just been difficult.

I've decided that I'm sticking with X-team at sunshine church on wednesday nights, and not the small groups on sunday nights. I went to both last week, but I realized that it would probably be best if I didn't get too involved with the small groups and get really connected with the kids, and then just take off on them halfway through the school year. I feel like I made the right decision, so I'm pretty excited to what lies ahead.

No word on my car. I took it in for a second opinion, and it's the hydraulic pump, not the rackenpinion. Hopefully I'll sell it soon.

I really feel like the Lord has been showing me how much I'm in need of him everyday, and how he is my only hope. Without him I am literally nothing, and it's a battle everyday to get up and say "I'm going to fight". Until Jesus comes back, there is always going to be that battle so it's not a matter of if we're in it or not, it's if we want to fight for good or for evil.

Phillipians 1:29 "For to you, it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake."

Prayer Request: That I get a clear yes or no answer at the prayer house, that my car sells, and I'll find another car for cheap.

My Soul Longs For Him

so a few things have happened since I've posted last. I'll try to keep it as short as I can.

First off, I've failed to mention something:
I've been thinking about moving into the Bridge Street House of Prayer for about a month and a half now, but I never really told anyone because it didn't make any sense, and I just kind of put it off.

And last saturday this guy MIke (who is moving in there actually) was praying and gave me this vision (which pretty much confirmed this whole thing of me moving in). So I told Derek (this guy that lives there) the next day, and he's like "dude, it actually makes sense, we've actually been praying for a guy like u to move in". So I'm like, "ah, no way!!" So I've been talking with Derek and Ryan about it, and it's not for sure yet but the chances are looking good.

Since I've been back I've been kind of hoping to get involved with a youth group somewhere, but I never really told anyone, and last saturday my friend texted me about this opportunity at Sunshine Church (which I used to go to with my friend Chris a few years ago) with 6-8th graders. I went to the leadership meeting last weekend and it looks super fun, so I'm pretty excited about it.

Lastly: I have to sell my BMW I just bought. Found out the rackenpinion on the steering column is stripped and so it's pretty much a safety issue. The guy must've greased it up a bunch when I bought it, cause I never noticed it when I test drove it, but now It's going to be like $1500 (which is the same price I bought the car for) to get it fixed. And on top of that, the drivers side door doesnt lock, and its going to be like $300 to fix that. Its crazy cause I totally had peace about the car until right before I bought it, and now I'm paying for it. Hopefully it sells, because I need a car for the fall. If not, then Idk..

So yeah, been a crazy/stressful week, but good nonetheless.

John 12:47 "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world."

I want to hear some feedback!! Please leave/questions/comments/ANYTHING!!

Faith

Been an awesome past few weeks here. Classes are going good, and I'm pretty happy about em. Speaking of which, just finished my 3 day camping canoeing class which was SICK!! The trip up north was really fun, camping with a bunch of strangers, it was awesome..

Ich habe ein Deutscher Auto!! which means "I have a German Car!!" (my German class is starting to pay off...) Just bought a car thursday. It's a black 1993 BMW 525i, and I got it for $1600. It runs good and everything, there's just some cosmetic things here and there, oh, and my doors don't lock=/, nothing that can't be fixed though. It was such a blessing, cause that was pretty much the exact amount I could spend on a car, and I really wanted a BMW, so I'm pretty stoked=]

Now with about $20 left in my bank account, I'm pretty curious to see how God's going to provide. For some reason I feel so much closer to the Lord than I ever have before. Its just this tremendous feeling of intamacy having to depend on him and have faith in him. I'm still working at BSHOP WHICH I LOVE BY THE WAY!! The first couple of times it was frustrating, but it has gotten SO much easier and now I love it!! I love the people there too..Anyways I won't really have my other job til the end of this month so I'm looking forward to that a lot.

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Last of all: I'm am in need of some long-term support, in prayer, and possible financially. If there is someone reading this, and there is someone interested, then I would be more than happy to meet you!!

-Josh

Awakened

Hey Everybody,

I "officially" started work at the BSHOP (Bridge Street House of Prayer) last week. It was good, but for some reason, it was a lot more stressful than just hanging out there like I've been. I'm working there every wednesday and friday now.

Started classes yesterday. My german class is awesome, and I love it. I dropped my entrepreuning class cause the instructor said some things I did not agree with at all. I added a world geography class in place of that which I'm a lot more excited about.

I've found a new group called "Grand Rapids Christian Connect (GRCC for short)" that meets every wednesday. My good friend Charlie Gies just moved away to college, and I don't really have any people I can "open up to" really.

I still haven't found a car, if you were curious. My chinese exchange student from China gets here tomorrow, so pray that she arrives safely.

1 Cor. 3:7 "So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God gives the increase".

Prayer Request: My job situation for this fall isn't looking too good. Please pray there are more orders at my workplace, and/or I can find a new job. Also that I can find more christians that I can talk to and hang out with or w/e.

Thanks and God Bless,
Josh

How He Loves

Hey everyone,
Looking at my last few posts, I kind of realized that they were a bit too long, also for how many followers I have *cough!!* haha JK. So I'll try to keep them short and sweet from now on.

Last week I "got the job" at BSHOP (Bridge Street House OF Prayer). I technically don't start until September, and I'm only "working" there about twice a week as of right now. I'm pretty excited though to see how the Lord is going to use me down there.

I also just found out I have to buy a car this fall. I'm really not too crazy about it, seeing as I hardly don't have like any money, and I'm only going to be here for like another 4 months. I'm still working and stuff, but it wont be very often especially with me taking classes this fall. But oh well, what can you do I guess..If this is what the Lord is calling me to do, it will happen.

Romans 13:10 "Love does no harm to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

Thanks for following,
Josh

Never Let Go

Hey guys,
I really don't know how to start explaining what all happened this past week. I've been going through a lot of spiritual ups and downs since I've been home, but last week was pretty difficult for me. Ever since I've been home, I guess I haven't had a lot of friends who I've been able to talk with and pray with and get some encouragement. Last week was the most difficult I've had since I've been home. I really had no motivation to work, do ministry, or anything. It almost felt like I was starting to become surrounded, and I had to get out, or do something. My friend Charlie told me about another prayer house downtown which I went to on thursday, and it just totally rocked me. I finally got to pray with people and be encouraged and stuff, it was pretty awesome.

After getting some motivation, I FINALLY was able to make it down to BSHOP (Bridge Street House of Prayer) where they have that free coffee shop/ministry thingy. The director gave me an application to start working down there, so I'm pretty stoked about that. It's unpaid volunteer work, and it's 5 days a week from 12-5. If I get the job, I'm not exactly sure when I'll be working.

I finished signing up for classes too. I'm taking German, Weightlifting, Camping and Canoeing, and Entrepreneurship. It's only 9 credits, but it' better than nothing I suppose. Classes start in about 3 weeks.

Psalm 66:20: "Blessed be God. Who has not turned away my prayer. Nor His mercy from me!"

Prayer Request: That my dad has a quick recovery from surgery. He just had back surgery today on a ruptured disk in his spine.

thanks for following,
josh

Surrender

Just got home from a little family vacation for a week in Tennessee yesterday. I don't really think I needed a vacation, but I guess my parents did, and they invited me along, so I was like ok. We rented a cabin in the smokies with people that we traveled with in China when we went to go get Lia. It was fun, but it was super hot. Lia got to see all of her little friends too, so I think she enjoyed it. Got to do some white water rafting on the way back, and we stopped at cedar point, too.



Before I left, I got the chance to work on a new habitat for humanity house downtown with crossroads community church for one day. It was this like 100 year old house that they were just re-modeling for the new people moving in. It was the first time I ever worked on a habitat for humanity home, and it was a really cool experience.

I've been doing a lot of wrestling with God about going to Hawaii for University of the Nations for photography in January. I've really just been kind of blowing it off and not trying to think about it, but it kind of all sparked again when I was reminded by Ryan at the house of prayer downtown, that God wants followers, not believers. And if you want to follow him, then it's going to be all, or nothing. I was also kind of convicted with this verse too:

Revelation 3:15-16, "I know your works, that you are cold nor hot. I wish that you were neither cold or hot. So then, because you are neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth."

It's been something he just keep nudges me with, and I finally just had to give in, and realize there's no way I'm gonna win this fight. I'm really really trusting God for this one, because I'm still kind of confused on why he wants me to go there. I'm trusting that there's a reason. We'll see.

prayer request: that everything goes smoothly while applying

if you're following, let me know who you are!!!
thanks,
josh

flowers in a bird cage..

someone at the house of prayer last night described grand rapids as flowers trapped inside a bird cage. this city has so much beauty, and so much potential, but it just has to be released. it isnt without the hope and the power of jesus christ, that people will ever realize this. i love what the house of prayer on bridge st. is doing, and i plan on going there to help out w/ ministry more often. i have SO MUCH HOPE for this city..

I read a pretty good verse yesterday: Acts 14:15, "Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living god, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them."

our god is an awesome god..

heart for grand rapids

just got home from chicago yesterday. hung out w/ another family that adopted a little girl from the same orphanage my sister lia is from in shanghai for those couple days.

i really dont have much to update about. my heart is really been towards grand rapids lately. all these ministries ive been finding are just giving me so much hope for this city. there's something about your hometown that you really just take pride in, and want to help them and out and give back. im super stoked on all of it.

god of this city

Hi everyone,
Not much has changed since I updated last.

I've found a homeless ministry thing downtown which I'm pretty stoked about. It's a 24/7 community prayer center called "the boiler room" that also cares for the poor and needy. I'm really excited about helping out there. Places like these give me so much hope for this city and the people here.

To find out more about the boiler room, you can do so here:

I'm going to chicago on sunday for a couple of days on vacation with my family. I'll update when I get back.

In other news, I have dreadlocks now. My friend steve did them for me a couple days ago. I've been trying to get them the past 3 months, so I'm pretty stoked on em.

til next time,
josh

New Blog/Future Plans

Hello everyone, and welcome to my new blog!!

I just got back from YWAM Davos, Switzerland for Discipleship Training School (DTS). The school was 6 months long, and it was split into 2 parts. The first part I was in Switzerland for bible school/training. The second part was my mission where I was in South Africa for 3 months. After I got back I spent about 1.5 months travelling Europe before returning home.

In January I’m thinking about the University of the Nations in Kona, Hawaii for photography for one semester. Then next summer I want to go back to Davos, Switzerland and staff there for 2 years.

Until then I plan on working, staying involved in church, and spending time with friends and family.

I’ll be sure to update at least once a week.

Thanks for following,
Josh