What if NY didn't have clean water??

Brad Ruggles has a blog that I read and he had this post up a couple of days ago. I thought it was worth sharing!

Blog From Brad Ruggles
I shared a few weeks ago about an endeavor I’m participating in along with 30 other bloggers to raise $30k for clean water in the Central African Republic. That challenge is still going strong and the need is still very much there.
With all the “important” stories dominating the news like which rehab clinic Lindsay Lohan is in this week, we sometimes forget that there are 42,000 people dying every week (90% of whom are children) from unclean water and lack of sanitation, But of course those numbers are just too much to comprehend. They just don’t hit home for many of us because we are so far removed from the problem. So let’s bring it a little closer to home. Imagine if New York City’s taps went dry…what would we do? In this great video from Charity:Water, Jennifer Connelly walks to Central Park to get dirty water for her family as millions of mothers in Africa do every day.

Jennifer Connelly in charity: water Public Service Announcement from charity: water on Vimeo.


Please take a minute today to donate something…anything…to help bring clean water to people who need it. 100% of the money you give goes towards water projects – none of it goes to advertising or organization expenses (private donors take care of all overhead)! A $20 donation provides 1 person clean water for 20 years – just stop and think about what that means! When was the last time you spent $20 and got that kind of return on your investment? Like you, I often think of the many needs I have or the bills I have to pay that would prevent me from giving. And yet, if it were my family that was without clean water, is there anything I wouldn’t do to remedy the situation?

When??

Many times in life we are simply not real and we have a difficult time looking past our own needs and desires. Several years back I went on a mission trip to Mexico. While we were there we came in contact with this little boy. He was around 12 and we found out that he lived in a park by himself. It was awesome to watch this little boy while we worked at this church. Our youth group built a relationship with him and it was awesome to see. However with some adults he was simply in the way and would complain about him. I was amazed that teenagers were so accepting of this kid, but shocked that adults would simply rather him be gone. It wasn't every adult but a small group who continued to complain. I watched a group of teenagers get upset because of how this little boy was being treated.

Our last day we went to this park to have some fun. I remember the kids asked if they could bring this little boy and they were told no. When we were gone he went in and took all of our food and cash that we had left there in what we though was a safe place. When the adults found out they threw a fit and kicked this little boy out and shut the gates. I was upset, but yet I didn't say anything. At that point I saw a group of teenage boys cry and become angry because of how this kid was treated. In all reality we are not sure if he did it or not. But at the same time we were there to minister and that group of teens understood that. When the gate was shut you heard the little boys say "you are like all other American's. The group of teens went to that boy and one understood just enough Spanish to communicate with the boy. They spoke about God's love and grace.

So I believe there comes a point to where we need to take one for the team. Do I believe stealing is right? Well no! But at the same time this is all this boy knew. But what scares me the most is wondering if he knew who Jesus was.

Galatians 6^:12-18 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. ¹⁴May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. ¹⁵Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. ¹⁶Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
 ¹⁷Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
 ¹⁸The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen

What I saw that day was a group of people taking a stand for what is right. So when do we lay it all out on the table? When someone who is not in the family is being hurt by our actions. In all reality he wasn't stealing from us at all...it was from God. Do I believe we should confront people with this behavior? Yes! But with love. We are so worried about what world sees and not what God sees. It seems like we have a cure or an answer for behavior that people have but yet we simply choose not to love. I never have seen Christ upset with those who were the outsiders. But I read multiple times where he is upset at those who simply no better and then continue to hurt the kingdom.

So I am saying this, we must be careful at how we handle things. Youth ministry has been able to teach me allot on this. When I have a kid who comes to church high, I want to communicate to him this....you are more then welcome to come here anytime, but I want to sit and tell you about someone who is better then that drug you are on. I had a student who could not figure out why his teach didn't send him to the office when he was in the classroom high. You see one of my students turned that kid in, this is before he even came to church. He was busted, but that teacher wanted to pray for him because he knew Christ was he was missing. That young man has been clean for seven months and started coming to church. The kid who turned him in told him at church one day. After being told the young man looked at him and said "thank you for loving me."  His mother does a drug test every two weeks. I am not sure if he knows who the lord is, but he is closer and closer.

The question is When?? It is simple when you know for sure God tells you when! My prayer is that we would seek God first before trying to fix things! That young man I couldn't fix, but at the same time when someone is being hurt by the church we must take a stand for what is right. Both should always be done out of pure love for Christ and his children.    

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The Cross of Hope

I fell asleep at 10:00PM while watching a movie and woke up at 1:00 and I have not been able to go to sleep. So I started working on some stuff I needed to get done. I then started reading some scripture and for whatever reason this once stuck out to me.

Acts 22:23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.

This is a picture Leslie took while we were in New York over spring break. This is the cross that was at the World Trade Center after September 11, 2001. This is one of my favorite pictures because I believe is so awesome that the cross is what give us all hope. I remember walking through the streets near the twin tours just thinking how those people felt that day. Then you think back a couple thousand years ago and think about the cross. We all know the story, but at times forget how ugly and nasty it was. The cross was for those what had done wrong and on that cross hung a man who was sinless. He did that to bring salvation and hope to people like you and I. On September 11 was a dark day but it is awesome how God through his all knowing left a cross made of steal to bring hope. May we always remember who we serve and who brought hope to a world that was in need of a Savior 

Dear God

Dear God,

I lay here asking you am I the real deal? I mean I can read your scripture and I have the ability to share my faith, love, and compassion. My question for you is this just a cover up and am I truly your disciple? Do I do this for approval of people or out of worship for you. I read in your scripture that I am told to bear my cross and follow you. You tell me to hate my mother, father, sister, brother, future wife, and even my own life. Those are all good things, but you go on to say that you are better. My fear God is that I simply play this game with you and it kills me to think that I would do this when you sent your son to the cross to pay for my sins.

God please help me not to just make this a routine in my life. I am amazed at what you have taught me already, but at times I feel that I know what you want me to do but yet not act upon your word. The hardest part is that I have done this in silence not saying a word to people. How foolish and arrogant can I be, to think I could fool you, a God that knows all. To think my pride is more important then your will and that I can simply tell you what needs to happen and believe that it is okay. When I read your scripture I read that I honestly do not measure up to what you have called to be a true disciple of you. As I wrestle wit you on this I have to simply ask....would I truly bear my cross for the love that I have for your son. It is because of that cross I can write and say that I have been forgiving. It is because of that forgiveness and love that I have from you that I should become overwhelmed with your glory.

God please help me to make you a priority and not just the good things in my life. God I love my youth, church, job and most of all relationships. I read your scripture where you tell me to love you and people. I use to say you can't love people with out loving you first. What a lie, because many times I love people over you. I love other people and their culture and I will spend time trying to understand how they live. But then with the same tongue I speak love with, I speak words against the rich man. Your scripture tells me that the the poor man is blessed and the rich man has a difficult time really getting to know you. So God please help me really see you for who you are!

God also please rescue me from people. I like to put on an act that I really don't care what people think. The truth is I care more about what people think then I care about what you think. In all reality I will never have to answer to people at the end of my life. There will be a day when I meet you and my prayer is that you say "well done good and faithful servant." You will not have a check list of all the good things I did or a list of people's lives I touched. I know that is important to you, but what I should fear more is that am I truly following your will.

Thank you for your forgiveness and love for my soul. Help me love you the way you love me.

Nick

Broken but Beautiful

 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It's weird but I have started finding a joy at driving around and taking pictures of just random things. In-fact this weekend Leslie and I have plans to take one of our youth girls and her boyfriend driving around taking pictures. My favorite place to go is on grape street by the wrecking yard. I find it to be beautiful out there. It is old, but it give you such an awesome view on who God his. he takes us who are broken and and he find beauty in it. He allows that to shine to not only him but the world that is filled with brokenness. As I write this I am listening to Hillsong "The Desert Song" and there is a lyric that says "And this is my prayer in the fire In weakness or trial or pain There is a faith proved Of more worth than gold o refine me Lord through the flames" 
My prayer is that God continues to give me that gift of seeing the beauty in what looks beaten up and hopeless.  

People have been asking why I have been talking about it so much here lately. I believe it is because I knew but didn't live it. God taking me through a time again to where everything went wrong was away for him to show me what I need to do. I can remember losing my licenses before boarding a plane going to New York. I wasn't able to get on the plane for two days! I was stuck in Dallas and my aunt coming to get me was a time to where I felt stupid and to be honest with you almost everyone made me feel that way. The jokes were not funny and people making it sound like I was the most irresponsible person didn't help. It was my aunt taking this moment and making it awesome. 

Not one single time did she make a comment or a joke about it, she simply helped. I remember my uncle making a comment and her getting upset at him. It seemed hopeless for about three or four hours as I camped out at her house. My bags on the plane no clothes except what was on my back. She simply took the moment and made it into a time I will never forget. We just had some fun and enjoyed. Now part of that is because my aunt is as bad as I am...infact a cousin left this on my facebook when I made a post about losing my keys for about 45 minutes.....Hahaha! It didn't work for Aunt DeeDee. She loses her keys, phone, camera, etc. on a daily basis. :) 

I believe we need to spend more time showing the world the screwed up side of you and that God's grace and mercy is what allows to function. Because when we are weak he is strong, why do we struggle to show that to a world that is in the same boat?? I am not saying that I don't need to work on my losing things, because I do. To be honest with you though in some ways that is what makes me who I am. I laughed so hard when a kid at the Boys and Girl's club said..."Mr. Nick we know that God exist because you lose everything and never worry about it and find it." It's true and I have to admit and rely on other people to help me. On the cruise I my passport long enough to get on the boat and it went right back to someone else. I loved going to Nashville with my aunt and uncle. My uncle has everything together and never loses things. My aunt couldn't find her license for a bit. Found it and then later on lost her boarding pass and then found it. I was there laughing because that was so me! My uncle's comments were funny and at the same time loving. He loved her even though she had a weakness that drives him crazy!

Spend some time finding the beauty in the struggle! He is stronger and we are simply his children that he loves!

NO!

So this week we were told to blog on saying NO! It's amazing because I believe there are so many things to say yes to. I live in in a city that has a Bible Study daily. So there are times I find is difficult to say no, so I must admit this is a bit difficult for me. I first think it really comes down to your heart and passion. I believe it is also what you are about and what you believe. This might be wrong but I say no to allot of Bible Studies. I receive most of my food through doing what I am doing now. I simply read a little, listen to some worship music, and spend some time pondering. Our staff meeting I am with a group of people, and to be honest my favorite is Iron (even though my attendance has be low) I love that group of people. After that I am kind of done with it. Man that sounds bad, but I guess you have to understand I listen to 15 podcast in a week from all different places. Some well known others not. But I am just not into sitting and talking about something, I want to take action. That drive can be bad at times because I can start saying yes to all these projects. So there is what I do.

A. I spend a week or so praying and asking God what it is I need to do.
B. Noting can conflict with my church youth group. Wednesdays and Sundays I know I am with them, period. Just today we were having some scheduling conflicts on Wednesday's and I had to say I can not work past 6:00PM. My boss was awesome when he said "I understand that is your calling and we knew that going in. You have to understand I started this job with the understanding that I would need time off to do stuff I thought we were called to do.
C. I Follow my convictions...I have written about it before but when I said no to programs and the norms in youth, it changed everything. Another point is that I have been asked to work with a support group for students who have experienced a loss. It's a great program and I see God doing awesome things in it, but my conviction was to work with IRC.  
D. I TAKE TIME OFF! I never use to take anytime off. This past summer was awesome because I took allot of time off. It was awesome because I didn't feel bad for it and loved it. My Saturday's for the most part are free. I will do some stuff because I enjoy it. I will schedule a service project on a Saturday, because those are fun to me. I might do a guys night out with our youth kids, because they're like family. But I take that time to really enjoy life.
E. I block off time and my get away has to be where I can put my phone away. I went on a cruise and my favorite part. Not a single text answered for six days, email not checked, no blogging, no facebook. It was awesome, in fact I loved it so much I can already tell you when I am going to be gone because a group of us booked another cruise for May 23-31. It's awesome because it's a year in advance, which means it is cheaper. Right before the summer program at work (which is the hardest JOB) and three weeks before camp. I am off that week from work anyways! I love doing those things with people who are close to me. That time is blocked off for me because I like to go and see new things.
F. Enjoy life! I believe if you spend all of your time trying to get ahead in this life and become something your not called to do, then you are going to hate life. But when you simply live your life and spend it trying to find God in everything you see how beautiful life is here. I believe I got that from my aunt, she bought a sleep-master bed. She changes the setting everynight because she doesn't want to be an old woman that can't sleep in other beds. In-fact she told my uncle she would drive a beat up car before she said no to traveling the world. They take mission trips and vacations all the time.

So here is what I got, you can take it or leave it. Stop taking yourself so seriously and simply do life together and enjoy your time here. We all have those things we hate to do, but we have to do so. This is kind of funny, I hate waking up early on Sunday mornings. But I am blessed when I get there, it's just a struggle to role out of bed. I like to stay up late, so going to be early on a Saturday night is not fun to me. So dont say no to everything  that is a drag or struggle. But understand what is important in life and where you are at.

Confession Time

I must make a confession I believe for the last ten months I have been saying No to God on something I know for a fact he want's me to do and see for myself. I have had this deep conviction that I am to go overseas for a mission trip to do something. I must say this scares me because I am terrified to do so. Not because I am afraid of dying, but because God is going to show me something that is going to radically change me. My fear is that this in Luke is going to come alive....

A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³²So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵The next day he took out two silver coins^[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
 ³⁶"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
 ³⁷The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
      Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

I feel so dumb for even have this feeling inside of me that is Fear. God taking my heart and changing it shouldn't be scary, but it is. The place I believe is the Philippines. I recently started sponsoring a young man from there with Compassion International. I must admit it is the first time. For whatever reason God had kept directing my heart back to the Philippines to sponsor an older child that is in his teens. I couldn't help the conviction that came across me. This is not the first time that I have had this, in fact it is once a week to where God just breaks me and is telling me to take this step. I am not sure if this even makes any sense to anyone, but I feel I need to do something. Through this whole post I have hit the backspace button because I can't find the words to explain how I feel! But I know I need to act....Lord Help me! 

His Blood and The Cross

The last year I have been come to the point in believing that we make the Gospel of Jesus Christ more complicated then it really has to be. I also think that because we have such a difficult time of understanding it, we make it confusing for others. I would love to say I am not that person, but I would be a liar. To believe that Christ paid it all on the cross is hard to believe and that all of our good works is simply out of the love with have for Christ. I fear that at times that we simply do good things out of obligation and not true love for the father. For the past couple of weeks I have been wrestling with that and looking for some answers. We are called to serve, YES! My heart and spiritual gift is evangelism, which is why I am so thankful that Jeff's is discipleship. You place me in a church all day or with teaching Christian's I will become frustrated and grow bitter for whatever reason. I love to be with Christians who are with people who have not yet found the love of Jesus. That is what makes the Mission a good fit for me. But if I am only doing this because it is the "right thing" then what good is it?

I am walking through the book of John with a group of youth at my church. I was reading this in John 3:19 Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. ²¹But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God...

Some might say that my faith is not big enough, but I believe we will never see an end to world hunger. Does that mean I sit and do nothing, NO! We will always have murders, does that mean our laws are pointless...NO! You see we live in a broken world that was made perfect in the beginning. Because of that fall we will always have darkness in this world. When we really start to show people the truth and do our good deeds out of the love we have for Christ, that is when the light shines in a dark world. When we allow our light to shine in just one persons life, we start to see God do awesome things in he/she. To believe we can salve the worlds problems is arrogant and simply not our jobs. But to help pull individuals out of darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ, now that is 100% possible.

So my prayer is that I fall deeply in love with him and I make that light known to those around me. Because of the love I have for Christ it makes my heart break for those who are broken. When you look to the cross you see the blood of Christ and his body that was broken for my soul and men and women all around the world. That is why I 100% support missions and believe we could do a better job at supporting those who stand in the gap for Christ. When I read stories about lives being Changed, it does something to me. This was a post of Lecrae's website....

Sudan has been obliterated by war for so long, resulting in over two million casualties. They have only known roughly 15 years of peace since 1956, and they are currently operating under a peace agreement that will be up for renewal next year.  At the time of voting, the Sudanese will decide whether they want to remain one country or be split in two.  I believe it is of critical importance for people to see that the Gospel impacts every area of culture.  I want to give them hope in Christ.  So, I won't see the iTunes charts on release day.  I won't know what Billboard, fans and critics have to say about it. I'll be consumed with the Master and His work.
If you plan on buying my project, thank you. But I want to ask you to go a step further.
With thousands of casualties in Sudan and the everyday reality that over a billion people live off less than a dollar a day, I ask you: can you live off a dollar less for a day?

To simply reach out to people because you understand and have a deep love for God and the Gospel is what will change the world one soul at a time. That is the power of Jesus Christ. We live in a dark world but he came to bring light to those who believe in his name and power! 
   

To Serve

There have been many times in my life I have seen a need and I didn't do anything to fulfill it. Then there have been other times in my life to where I have found away to fulfill it and I was able to see God work in away like never before. Before I go on, I must admit the hardest part of me being a pastor is doing something for someone in my group because I fill called and feeling bad because I can do it for anyone. I am better with that struggle but it is something that bothers me. It is only September and I am already attending meetings for our summer camp. Each year I pray about who is the one I am to sponsor. I remember this past year I kept praying and never had a clear answer. I was worried because right around the summer time I am battling payments from students, fund-raising, and parents. It's the favorite part of my job but most people do not understand the time that goes into this project. So my fear was that I was just frustrated and that wasn't allowing God to direct me. The weeks continued and I still didn't have anything.

Wednesday before camp a student showed up...this was a Wednesday that I wasn't even going to have youth group. But, students kept bugging me about bowling so I gave in and we all went to primetime. This student didn't have a clue he just showed up. At that point I heard God say "he is the one." For whatever reason my heart started breaking for him..I have know this young man for three years. So I pulled him aside and said "I believe God want's me to take you to camp." At that point he looked at me and a tear came out of his eye. I will never forget it he looked at me and went on to tell me this mess that he was in and that he was put on probation. Long story we got on the phone with his mother and then the next day I was on the phone with his probation officer that was one of my friends. I remember the probation officer saying "Nick, only you would do something like this, he has to be in your room and I am writing his pass right now"

While at camp he started to have this attitude with me, which surprised me because he is always good for me. I was becoming frustrated and I was about to say something and it was God's voice saying "Shut-up and serve him." I knew he was a kid who hugged all the time and loved a pat on the back. By day two I felt he was out of control and I had people coming to me...I was to the point of calling his mother to have him picked up. Then is worship Tim Palmer said God told him not to preach that was going to be in the way and God wanted to work. It was nothing but worship for an hour and as we left I was doing my youth pastor duty of getting my group to where they needed to be. He came up and placed his arm on me, I thought nothing of it because he does that all the time. He had sun glasses on, but I was thinking he just thought he was cool. Then the next thing I know his face is in my arms, saying "Nick I need God.'

That night he asked Christ to come in his heart as I write this I tear up a little. Because it was a couple of years of serving this young man. I started thinking to myself what would have happened if I was to become frustrated and get on to him. I don't know, but I what I do know is that I was able to witness something awesome. I would love to say he has always been in church, the Truth is he hasn't. To this day I still make it a point to call him and to encourage him. I pray daily for him and I believe that God has called me to not only to be a pastor to him, but a servant. Not to brag about what I have done, but the Glory of God!

The World

The picture to the left is one I took while in the Bahama's. The picture is a lady catching putting fish she catches with her hands in a bag. It's amazing to me how many of us see The Bahama's as paradise. I understand the beauty in it and I was amazed with how friendly people were there. In-fact we took a cab from the boat to a beach and a little resort on the other side of the island. Five dollars there and five dollars back. The lady who took us waited for us and when she noticed we were a little late she came looking for all of the people she brought. I remember thinking the whole time I could live this way. I believe in dreams and I believe God has called us to live in different places and different life styles. I started thinking about how awesome it would be if we all would take a piece of this lifestyle back and applied it to our communities.

On the flip-slide I noticed the heartache that is also with in that island. These people do not have to worry about where there next meal will come from, because they fish for it. While I was there I ran into a group of kids. They were fishing with a spear and I was amazed with their skill and ability. They asked if I was a "vistor" and I said yes..they started talking to me as the others kept throwing them fish. The one I was speaking to was named "Alberto.." and one his back was "God's Child." He started telling me how us is moving to the states to get an education. He was going on and on how God the us is. I was agreeing with him, but told him that there is no way we all could survive like him.  I started seeing that this young man had the same dreams as the students I had back in the states. Later in my conversation I learned that he was a kid taking care of his brothers. He was 17 and took "The School Boat" to a different island to go to school.

This world is so much more then what we can see or imagine. But as much as I loved the Bahamas and my home country, this is not my home. I am only here for a short time and then my home is in heaven. Heaven a place to where nothing matters because I worship a Holy God. I also see there is still work to be done here on earth. Taking what is broken and showing the world it's beauty.