Wednesday, October 30, 2013

THANK YOU!


So, I completed my first triathlon on 27 June. It was a great experience and a very humbling one. I embarked on this journey in an order to help raise money for a mission trip I am planning on going on with South Side Baptist Church.

When I started this trip I was unsure of where the Lord was leading me. All the love, support, and prayers that all of my friends, relatives and long lost friends have poured out on me have blown me away. Your encouragement has been truly overwhelming and humbling. So, thank you! I truly hope that because of your support and God’s plan that I will be able to make a lasting impact for His Kingdom on my trip.

Currently Pastor Jacques of the Haiti Bible Institute is facing a threat from corrupt government officials. I would ask that you pray for the Lord to work a miracle and protect his mission work.  I am looking forward to getting the opportunity to serve the Lord, thank you for again for all of your support!

-Zach

Saturday, October 5, 2013

I Was Blind

I Was Blind

This past Father’s Day, Katie got me a book on tape to listen to because she knew I would be traveling a lot! It was by the counter and cheap so she just grabbed it. This book has significantly changed our lives for the better. The book is Radical by Dr. David Platt.  In the book it address the idea of biblical Christianity versus how we treat Christianity in today’s American society. Today we like to take scriptures like “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and say that doesn’t apply to me because I was not “called” to missions; but, if we are truly following Christ, then that is exactly what we should be doing. The entire New Testament is full of commands that we do not get to pick and choose which ones we want to follow. They are all important because they all come from God.  I fear that one day I will end up in front of Jesus and hear these words “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my father in Heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons, and do mighty works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them,’ I never knew you, get away from me you workers of lawlessness.” (Matthew 7:21-23) 

I have prayed that the Lord would open the eyes of my heart, so that I would become a better follower of Jesus.  Through this journey I have been awakened to my blindness to God’s commandments. I thought I was not called to certain ones, but I now realize that a follower of Christ I am called to follow Him with all of my actions, thoughts and I do not get to choose with commandments I want to follow but I must follow them all. 

South Side Baptist Church is going on a mission trip to Haiti. I feel called to go on this trip to help fulfill Jesus Great Commission: “then Jesus came to them and said.’ All authority on heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of every nation, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded to you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

As a way to help raise the money necessary for this mission, I am going to be doing a series of triathlons. I would ask that you would be in prayer for how you could support and sponsor me in my competitions so that I may have the opportunity to help bring glory to God in all nations, and spread the Gospel so that all people may have the opportunity to hear the good news! If you would like to sponsor me, you can send a check to South Side Baptist Church, 1425 S 7th St., Abilene, TX 79602, with my name in the subject and Haiti mission trip. All donations are tax deductible.  

Thank you and God Bless, 
Zach