Well, this is weird. Tomorrow is the last day of 2008 and this will be my last post on this blog. This blog has been documentation of many miracles in my life over the last year. God has done some amazing things and they are recorded here, it has been really wild to go back and read some of the entries...
Anyways, to curb the danger of rambling, I will simply say this in parting: Jesus is good, He has never failed me or let me down. I leave this blog as a testimony to His work and His love. As I start a new blog for the new season, I start with eager anticipation of logging in a new light what God has in store. I pray that you will continue the journey with me, you can best do this by visiting www.redsonmissionary.wordpress.com and subscribing to the feed or bookmarking the page. This new blog will be less autobiographical and more editorial/journalistic regarding the mission that God has for us in the Capitol Neighborhood of Seattle. You will find more information about this there.
Finally, I want to thank all of you who have supported us through prayer and finances. You have been the answer to our prayers and I cannot fully express our gratitude. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Sincerely yours,
Joel and Sarah
The picture is of the Seattle waterfront, only 2 blocks from the church. Its beautiful here.
Walked into work this morning, like I usually do, after grabbing coffee to celebrate December and making a deposit at the bank. I didn't have my ipod so it allowed me some good time to imagine what people do in their eternally interesting jobs as I walk by office windows and try to inconspicuously peek in. I imagined that there where talented people making lots of money and toasting each others latest accomplishment at the local martini bar. I thought it would be really cool, for a second, to have 'break-room' friends who didn't know that I have a hard time staying disciplined but only that I have wicked graphic deign skills.(I dont) Then it all came crashing down like a vacant building as I began to think about my day, what was ahead of me by 5 or 6 blocks. I started to get warm and unbuttoned my vest as I started to think about the people who I would call and ask if they would like to get connected to a community group, the meetings I would have discussing the Sunday services. I noticed the wind as I quickened my pace, becoming more excited about the stuff I have to write this week: ministry proposals and discipleship curriculum. The truth is, I love what I do. I've been an intern for almost a year, working for free, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I have the honor of taking care of a building that God has miraculously provided for us in downtown Seattle, I get to spearhead the mission of mars hill in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, I get to disciple several guys and walk with them weekly as they grow in Jesus, I get to provide biblical counseling to people in pain, I get to meet extremely interesting people who have been given amazing gifts from God, I get to paint on occasion and talk about art and music with other like minded people, I get to read and study and teach, and I get to do it all for for the glory of God, by the work of Jesus through the Holy Spirit!
So that said, Ill move on to the topic that most of these posts consist of: the purpose of all this, what it is leading to, and what is going to happen for sure. As its the last month of my internship, some prospects have developed, although Ill have to wait to give more details till the end of the month. Ill start with the purpose, to reiterate. The purpose of this internship has been to better develop my obedience to Jesus and His calling for me to pastor. This purpose has been more then accomplished this year, not say that I won't keep growing in this because I will of course have growing and learning to do for the rest of my life. But I am more confident then ever that my life on earth is meant to be spent as a shepherd of Jesus' bride. Now by prospects, I mean opportunities that will further enable this growth, not an opportunity to make money. So as I draw near to January, I can say that I will be able to continue my role here at MH in a manner that will allow me to maintain my responsibilities. I will be here part time and will also be working in the marketplace part time to cover bills. I also think that my main role will be transitioning a bit which is exciting. Ill also give more info about that in January.
As we enter this last month of raising support for December and January's rent, I would like to say thank you to all of those who have seen us through this year. I cannot express our heart's gratitude for all those who have financially supported us. You are the hands of Jesus in our lives and I pray that He blesses you infinitely. One thing I am taking from this year is a huge conviction to be generous. God has provided in magnificent ways and I will never be able to say again that I have anything that is not His. So again, thank you from the depth of our hearts for your generosity, prayer, and encouragement during this tough year.
Please pray for rejuvenation during the next month and for Gods will concerning what kind of part time job Ill have to find in January.
Grace, peace and blessings to you.
Joel
This season of my life has been very tough as I have been put into positions that have exposed me to very graphic and painful realities of sin. The more that I experience this weightiness, this realization of the seriousness of sin, the more sensitive I become to it. I feel like an open wound that, when touched, has a magnified sense of feeling. I am absolutely ok with all of this as it requires of me that I draw near to God, I find joy in the fact that in spite of all of the suffering in the world Jesus is sovereign and good.
What I need prayer for is the ability to communicate this to others, I really want to be able to humbly share this in a way that draws others to the centrality of Jesus' death and resurrection. I want to be able to effectively communicate that in the midst of our greatest sorrow, our greatest need for Jesus is authenticated.
Its Monday. Its the kind of Monday that I don't care to use punctuation or capitols... but I will.
You probably haven't had time to notice that I haven't had time to post on a weekly basis about the riveting adventure Sarah and I have been having in China. Just kidding, we are still in Seattle. Thought you missed something didn't you? But anyways, I'm on the once a month posting schedule now. That said. Not much has changed since my last post. But Ill go over it anyways.
Its fall in Seattle. That means 75% chance of rain, clouds, 50 degree weather and a leaf sticking to the bottom of your foot as you walk down 1st avenue. But it also means apple pie, picking pumpkins and the transition to dark beer. And even more than that it means snuggling under heavy blankets with Sarah and more time indoors which means more time to cook hearty meals full of roots and meat with rich gravy and wine under the cast light of candles with good friends. mmmmmmm......
Man Im hungry now.
Fall has also brought upon the last quarter of my internship. Its been 9 months of intensity and dependency on God that I wouldn't trade for anything except just for Jesus to come back. Ive grown in more ways then I care to attempt to describe but I will tell you that the rest of my life will be forever shaped by this year. My relationship with Jesus, my marriage, my ministry, my friendships and my future all have dramatically changed for my good and God's glory. You can pray for me that I would finish these last three months strong, accepting whatever God has next for me.
Some of you may be wondering 'what does God have next for you?' Well, Im going to be serving Jesus in the greatest capacity I can at Mars Hill for hopefully many years to come. Its too soon to say more than that at this point so please be praying for me in that regard. (I know its kinda vague... know also that while I am being vague its not because I want to be, its just the nature of things at this time.)
Other stuff is going really well. I'm organizing a coat drive, completing the biblical counselor training this winter, completing the deacon training this month, Ive started working more within the community group department and have been really enjoying my role as an intern.
Sarah is doing well, she has her jewelry for sale on etsy which is awesome. She's been given more responsibility at work is enjoying her coworkers.
I think thats about it for now...
love,
Joel
new website for my art
Hey All,
Its been forever since Ive posted anything. Ill give you a quick recap of the last month:
1. Ministry at Mars Hill Church is going great. Check out our new fall sermon series! I have spent the last month remodeling our storage room into a lounge at the church. Its pretty much finished and I think its awesome. A lot of volunteers put in a lot of time to make it happen.
2. Sarah is doing well, still working as a manager at the bead store and has her web storefront up to sell her jewelry, it's awesome so you should check it out: unveil.etsy.com
3. With the help of a couple (1)(2) great friends, I have my website up and running for my art. I am showing at the corporate lobby of Dry Soda Co. during October and at a bookstore in Fremont during November. I am hoping to sell some pieces to supplement our income as we ramp up for winter. Check it out here: redsoncreative.com
4. I turned 24 this month, so thats cool.
5. God is good, Seattle is beautiful, and we are doing better than we deserve.
We love you, drop us a line!
