What does Christmas Mean to You?

                 Christmas, what does that mean any more? This year, which is 2014, the church has come under attack more than ever in the United States. Understandability the church has been attacked. We talk so much about love but we are terrible on that. Jesus said "John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” But we forget this so often and simply judge everyone and make people listen to us before they allow us to speak. Love, why can't we do that as a body of Christ. I go to a seminary that is founded on the idea of "teach truth, love well" but very few have any concept of loving their neighbor. I have come to understand that this is the one thing that is easily understood but hard to understand and do.

                December 25 is a special day on the church calendar. A day kids spend opening gifts and parents spoil their kids with gifts. (Don't get me wrong the gifts are great and a part of the culture). But we need to remember what Christmas is about.

                Christmas like any other day on the church calendar is a day to remember or an Ebenezer stone. In 1 Samuel 7, Samuel is instructing the Israelites on returning to the. Lord and how to handle the philistines. Samuel placed a stone there for the Israelites to remember that it was the lord who saved them that day. Also. In Joshua 4, Joshua set us memorial stones like the Ebenezer stone to remind the Israelites on what occurred. They were to remember how God took care of the Israelites I the wilderness after the exile, the stones or reminders where there. Because God knew we are a forgetful people whom so quickly often forgets God. God is a jealous God and will not take second seat for anything but helpless us also because he loves us he put things to remind us Him.

                 Christmas is a day we as the body of Christ celebrate not Santa coming to town but Christ coming into the earth as a man born of a woman. Most doubt That Jesus was born on December 25 and they are probably right. It's not about the exact date of the birth but an Ebenezer of His birth. It was a day over 2000 years ago under the rule of Caesar Augustus that a baby was born to a Jewish peasant woman of Nazareth whom was of the Leviticial line married to Joseph a son of David. It is December 25 that we celebrate the birth of a Jewish peasant it was that day that God condescended and came to earth as a baby. He emptied himself not of his divinity, not of his God hear but that he took on himself a moral body to become both man and God in a perfect union to be the sacrifice for all. It was the moment when God looked up with the eyes of a man onto the creation that as Romans 5:10 states “ we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” God entered this world when the world was so deep in sin that it hated the thought of God and yet He came in the form of a baby born in Bethlehem.

           So I ask again, what does Christmas mean? Is it about gifts, about family, about baby Jesus or about a big fat guy who watches all awake or sleeping to give them gifts via a sleigh? I pray Jesus is why you celebrate this time of the year. If not is okay God gave us a freedom of choice. But I will stand to share the Ebenezer stone that's on December 25 to remember that it was on that day so many years ago that world history changed forever, that we had the hope of the redemption of the dark and fallen world around us. We celebrate as the body of Christ to remember the light that entered into this dark world around us. Jesus is the true reason for the Christmas season and it will never be forgotten. For on that night so many moons ago Christ came as a baby to be the Light in the World of the Darkness.

Journey Back to the USA

                   I am extremely excited and deeply saddened to send you this letter to complete this stage of my journey in the adventure of life God has us all on. I am now back deep in the heart of Texas, which is also known as Dallas. I returned to America on August 1 and landed in Boston, MA. I took a few days to spend time with family before returning to Dallas Texas to continue my studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. I am thrilled to be here in Dallas and not longer traveling but I deeply miss my Irish family and friends. It was such a time of growth in my relationship with God and loved meeting so many great people in Ireland.

                   I want to take a moment and thank all of you who partnered with me in the work God is doing in Ireland. To my family and friends at Northwest Bible Church, I want to say thank you. You all were part in my adventure and growth leading up to my adventure in Ireland and it was grand to be able to Skype with the Kids a few weeks ago. I missed those kids and was honored to have the opportunity to talk with them again. Also to all of my Dallas Theological Seminary friends I cannot say thank you enough for everything. From your prayers, your partnership, your friendship and your willingness to do life with me at DTS, I could not have made it those 2 months without you. Also to all of my friends in New England, in Florida, in Texas and around the world thank you for all of the prayers. Being in a new culture, in a new environment and completely new area I went through a lot with God and it was through those prayers that made it possible for me to make it through. I am so grateful and honored to have people like you on the journey God has us on to call friends and family. This part of the journey may be over but this journey to Ireland is not over.

            During my time in Ireland, I witness a lot on how He is working there and at the same time was working through me. God has given me a strong desire to return to Ireland after my time at DTS and help out the Church there in anyway I can. I even discovered a possible way to gain access into Ireland without a need for a visa but that depends if I can discover proof of my family line. While in Ireland I had a opportunity to see first hand how God is working in Dublin, Swords, Trim and in Northern Ireland. The country at whole is still healing from the immense weight and pressure that the Catholic Church placed on their shoulders. The evangelicals in Ireland are doing great work in serving the communities God has placed them in or at least the few I saw (I’m not sure through the country). While in Ireland, I discovered Ireland is not a ‘post-Christian’ country; these are people who may consider themselves Christian but have a limited to no knowledge of the Bible. Just a few days ago I went through my debriefing with TEAM and they asked me if I felt home in Ireland and I did. I even had a bit of homesickness from missing Ireland. I never thought Ireland would have left such a dramatic effect on my life and I hope to return next summer during July so I can help the kids club.

                    From my time in Ireland, I have realized a lot I need to do in preparation with Hopes to move to Ireland long term. I will be in these next few years at Dallas Theological Seminary taking steps to prepare myself to return to Ireland with the Theological training I have received and will receive from this wonderful school. This next semester I’m taking my first counseling course. I’ve been thinking of getting a dual degree and getting a Masters in biblical counseling as well. I learned in Ireland people want to talk with someone they can trust and would love to be able to return to return to Ireland with a skill like counseling. I also will be taking my first Christian education course, a bible course on the history book in the Old Testament, also another semester of Hebrew and a course on the bible background and customs. I’m excited to see what God has in store this semester and where He will lead me.

            With all of the options and possible directions God has placed before me since going to Ireland and returning, I began reading a CS Lewis book that Dr. Jay Smith of DTS recommended in a chapel my 1^st semester called “Fern Seeds and Elephants.” It is out of print but a great book and I was reading the chapter or article called learning in war-time and read 2 lines that really made an impact on me and a bit the way I operate. CS Lewis wrote “Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment 'as to the Lord'. It is only our daily bread that we are encouraged to ask for”. I do think and pray over the direction God is taking my life, like should I continue at DTS or pursue a different masters degree. I will continue to pray everyday for His daily bread and see what journey God has for me in the days to come.

              So it would be an honor to have you a partner in the adventure God is taking me through Dallas Seminary as I prepare for my hopeful return to Ireland.

Also in the words of a friend who served in Italy this summer “*** I CANT SAY THIS ENOUGH; BUT IT REALLY MEANS THE WORLD TO ME THAT YOU GUYS WOULD HONESTLY CARE ABOUT ME, TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR SCHEDULES TO READ THIS AND I HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL CONTINUE TO LET ME HEAR FROM YOU AND LET ME KNOW HOW YOUR LIVES ARE GOING!  IT BRINGS ME SUCH JOY AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL! I LOVE YOU ALL AND MISS YOU DEEPLY!!! SO PLEASE EMAIL, SKYPE, FACEBOOK, OR FACETIME ME. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT!!!

Please stop me, call me, message me or even write to me if you want to hear more about Ireland. Also, I continue to pray for you always and love to hear how God is working in your life.

Grateful to be home, excited to see the adventure God has for us,

Missing Ireland but Excited for God’s plan,

Thanks a million,

Day 62 in Ireland

Cliffs of Insanity

                     So at this point in my adventure in Ireland that God has sent me on, I have now seen 3 of the coasts of Ireland: the north, east and now the west. This island is so beautiful that I cannot pass an opportunity to pray everytime I see the beauty that is around me. The northern coast is beautiful and the east is amazing but nothing compares to the east. This past Saturday I took a day to tour the western coast of Ireland with the TEAM(ers) here in Ireland. We headed out to the Cliffs of Moher (aka the Cliffs of Insanity). The cliffs were amazing, at least a half a mile high and you can walk right up to the cliff side. There is a section that isn’t a public part, it’s a private farm that has no fencing on the edge and you can literally walk right off the cliff if your not careful or if there is a strong enough wind.  While walking there were some amazing sights that you could only marvel at the beauty that God has created before us. You didn’t quite see the scale of the cliffs until a tour boat went by and it looked like an ant from the top of the cliff side. I took an opportunity to save both a rock and a shamrock from the cliff side as a reminder of it.

The Burren

The Place I stopped to Pray

            From there we drove north to the area in Ireland called the Barren. It was an impressive sight. There are literally more rocks on and in the ground than grass. Ireland is known as the Green Isle but here was a spot where it was more grey from the rocks that there was a wee bit of grass around. As we pulled over in the car, I headed directly for the coast. I looked back and everyone else was close to the car still. We headed to the cliff side there and there was this one spot that had a deep ravine that you could climb down, I went down a wee bit but when the rocks started to get a bit sharp, I stopped. Then looked around a bit and headed back to the car. We stopped in the barren area one more time, where the other short termers were chasing the sheep. The lady who took us out had to remind them to not chase the sheep over the Cliffside. While they were going after the sheep, I found the absolutely most beautiful spot by the sea and cliff side. All I could do was go on one knee, pray and recite scripture as a prayer. It was absolutely beautiful; I could easily spend hours in that spot on a lovely day like Saturday.

All of this occurred as a relaxing day after a week long of helping out at SBC’s Kids clubs. They operate 2 clubs at 2 different locations where the leaders play with the kids for about an hour. We mainly played futbol (soccer), but some leaders played skipping rope with the kids, and we played with a parachute as well. The kids had a lot of fun playing the games except for Wednesday morning, the kids got a bit aggressive where one of the leaders had to stop the game and have the pastor on sight address the kids to calm down. Then after the games we would gather the kids in the tents to do the memory verse and sing a few songs. WE sang a song called jump, another called Superhero (A hillsong kids song) and a song about dancing for the lord. It was so much fun when I got to lead the kids through the songs and keep them entertained. Then they broke up into 3 different groups the red (youngest kids), Yellow (the middle age group), and the blue group, which was the older group, which I was the leader for on both days. The morning session I was more of the helper but the afternoon I was the main leader for the blue group. We shared 5 stories of Jesus from the book of Matthew (Calling of Levi, Calming of the storm, healing the Pharisee’s daughter, the crucifixion and the resurrection). None of the kids accepted Christ as we would know it in the states but that all heard about Christ during the week and we had some good conversations with the kids and the leaders as well.

            It has been excited to see God introduced to the kids and seeing the conversations that have developed over the week from the kids club. I haven’t seen someone straight out say they accept Christ but I have seen many people move closer to the cross, which is all we can actually do as Christians. We can share with them about Christ but the work remains to the Lord. I’m now on the closing stretch of my adventure in Ireland before returning to America for a family reunion before returning to Dallas, Texas. I have been seeing how God is working in Ireland and I am convinced that this is where God wants to use me. I’m planning on working to keep my contacts over here as much as I can. I have fallen in love with the people here and wish I could develop my relationships here more but I have less than 2 weeks left. I love this country; these people and I will never forget these people. I’m praying that God will bring me back to this green Isle one day.

 

Please continue to pray for me as I finish my time here and as I transition back to America on the 1^st of August.

Cheers

Happy 4th of July from Ireland

        Things are starting to pick up here in Swords Ireland. During my last month, I have had the opportunity to build some great relationships around the church and in swords. Within the 1^st week I was here, I had a youth ask to meet up, to simply hang out. We walked all around swords and played some futbol. (More like just kicked it to each other). I’ve also started to build relationships with the leaders of the church like the lead pastor here. He has been such a blessing in understanding how God is working here in Ireland. From what I can understand so far the people of Ireland have a deep wound from the teachings from the Church here. Being a form of Christianity that builds on the foundation of a works based theology the people here have been placed under an extraordinary burden. They were taught that they have to do in order to receive salvation. At the same time, the church here has been ravished by scandals. First in the early 2000s the sex abuse scandals that ravished New England were also taking place here, which greatly damaged the image of the church here. Then when I arrived the church was hit with another scandal where at one of the single mother home run by the church where they discovered many children that died and did not notify the government or anyone. This one particularly took place in the 1920s and 1930s. Also, upon seeing the image the church portrays here and conversations I have had with people, I am beginning to see where God is working here in Ireland and the kinds of people he has been using to bring His glory to Ireland.

         
              One of the conversations about the church here in Ireland took place actually where I got a hair cut. The shop, no joke for your Americans, is “Boston Barber Bars” it is similar to sports clips where it is promoted to cut men’s hair. While we were talking he noticed my accent was not a local one so he asked me where I am from. I said Texas, He said he always wanted to visit America but never had the opportunity. Then he asked why I was here in Ireland. I told him I was here to help out a church off of Feltrim road, which for him was a bit odd. He asked me if there was anything wrong with the church, which I said no, but that I was here simply to help with whatever they needed. He was really nice about it. He went on to tell me how all the priests around the area in Swords and the ones he preferred where the ones that did not instantly condemn his choice of lifestyle and could have a normal conversation with them. I thought that was fascinating, this man who thought I was catholic likes to talk with people who are more interested with him than ones that simply condemn him. John 13:35 does states “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” And I have not seen the verse where we are told to condemn a person for their sin. Obviously God hates any sin but Christ did not come to condemn the world but came in order to save it, to redeem it. My favorite part of the conversation with the Barber was when he told me of his family trip to a church in Argentina. While at the church his father’s wallet was picked and the found the person still in the church. When the confronted him, they heard the priest say, “Give him a good punch” the man dropped the wallet and ran out. They asked the priest why he didn’t say turn the other cheek or something. He said, “ Yes, I normally would say turn the other cheek but sometimes, there are those people who need a good punch.” The man said he loved that type of priest who was simply a normal person who did not try to place himself over others. I’ve loved to meet some of these non-Christian Irish people. They are a hospitable group who are very proud that they are Irish.

Me and Holly at Donabate Beach

          
             Recently, another short term TEAM Serve missionary has arrived on the field and 2 more arriving in the next week. It’s nice to have another person here to see things in Ireland and engage the local area. It’s been great doing it alone but so much better with another. The first day here, we went to the beach in Donabate, Ireland and helped walk the dog of the TEAM missionary here. I love that dog; She actually followed me a bit as I ran on the beach. I have always dreamed of a dog running along with me on the beach and was thrilled Holly ran with me. Also, yesterday I showed the short termer around Swords Ireland from the Pavilion to Swords Main Street, to the Cock Tavern to Swords Castle and then to the supermarket called JC’s.

This country of Ireland is amazing and I have fallen in love with everything I have seen around me. These people are such an amazing group of people who do not yet know who Christ is. With a country whose history is associated with Christianity, (not a pure form but still with Christ) to have so many have 0 knowledge of the Bible and Jesus and God is showing me what kinds of ways to do ministry here long term. I’m looking forward to seeing how God is going to be using me this next few weeks before I return to the United States. I love that I have been here now about a month and a half but hate that I now have less than a month left here. But I know God has a greater plan for me in the time to come.

Cheers

Prayer Requests

During your time through out the day, please keep the following requests in your prayers…

People: Graham, Linda, Jesse, Joanne, Joyce, Nathan, Jonny, Shelby, Robyn, Tim, Leah, Seth, Bill, Julia, Mick, Cian, Luke, Stephen, Clem, Valerie, David, Nialle, Rose, Keith, Fidela, Hazel, Eric, Donna, Ian, Ciaran, Rebekah, Pablo, Daniel, Dave, Dennis, M. Murphy, Esther, Igor, Alan, Davy, Yuri, James, Sylvia, Stacy, the Irish and Me.

Places/Orgs: SBC, Exodus, TEAM, GEM, Men’s Space, Impact, TeenStreet

Please continue to pray for our kids club, which is in 2 weeks as we minister to the kids of Swords through 5 stories of Jesus from Matthew.

Please pray for God to continue allow me to be sensitive to the Irish and the way he is working here in Ireland.

Please pray for my trip to the village of Trim as I meet with a former DTS student to see how God is working over there.

   

My Adventure to Northern Ireland

Belfast

Queen's College

           It has been an amazing few days. I had an opportunity these past few days. God gave me an opportunity to see another part of Ireland and see how God has been working in Ireland. This past Monday, I took a coach up to Belfast to spend time with a dear friend of mine. Upon arriving, I got to see first hand the city of Belfast. Belfast is an amazing city and God is doing a great work in that city. The history of the city is fascinating. Since 1913 when the Irish began to rise against the British control, the city has existed in a state of conflict between the people who wanted their country to be connected to the entire Ireland and not connected to the United Kingdom. These people formed the IRA and then there was a group who wanted to remain connected to the United Kingdom known as the Ulster Volunteer Force. These 2 groups of people associated between catholic and protestant churches fought among each other which led to the years of the troubles where one group would fight and kill and bomb the other. This was over and over. They even built the infamous peace walls and murals. This city built around a conflict has been healing but even with the vast amount of churches there is so much more to do in the city. I am thankful for the opportunity to see the city and the country from my friends. The ministry in the north seems a more traditional ministry while the south seems more difficult than others. At the same time, I am sure it is as difficult as the south just looks different.

I found Narnia

The Peace Wall

            This adventure to the north and the experiences I have had in the south from the church here and working with TEAM. The Irish people are a very proud people and at the same time a very lovely people. Just this past 24 hours I have had the opportunity to serve the church by helping set up for a wedding that will occur in the church building. I mainly helped by bringing chairs down from their attic back stage to their living room. I loved the opportunity to serve the community here by helping set up the church.

If you have an opportunity, can you please pray for…

People: Bill, Graham, Clem, Tim, Donna, Eric, James, Julia, Linda, Jesse, Joyce, Danny, Pablo, Rebekah, David, Esther, Dennis, M. Murphy, Robyn, Sylvia, Dorothy, Joanne, Allison, Davy, and all of the Irish People

Organizations: SBC, Exodus, Exodus Teams

Events: Kids Club at SBC, Holiday Bible Club in Tobermore, Men’s Shed, and TEAM

Also, Please pray God to continue his work in my life and allow me to be sensitive to the needs of the Irish

Cheers!

3 Weeks in Ireland

Swords Baptist Church Service

Ní féidir liom chreideann ive curtha in Éirinn seachtaine cheana féin. It’s hard to believe that I have now been in Ireland this long. Even a year ago when I was first talking with TEAM and my mission coach and various professors and friends, I never thought I would be sitting here in Swords Ireland writing back home to let them know how things are going here.

Swords Baptist Church Entrence

These past few weeks, God has given me a great opportunity to build some great relationships and see how god is working here in Ireland. This is a beautiful country full of a deep and a rich history. The history is amazing and their heritage of the Church is fascinating. These people over the years have lived under a theology that put a lot of rules in place and placed a heavy burden on the people. This burden has left the people with no desire to learn about Christ for they expect the church to have a lot of rules.

Bill (Left) Clem (Right)

In the past week, I have had the opportunity to build some good relationships with the people hear, adult and youth. For example yesterday I went to Dublin with an American I met here who lives here with his German wife. He is a believer and I spent the day walking around Dublin with him getting to know him. We went to the Jameson Distillery museum (don’t worry I didn’t drink) and then headed into the heart of Dublin after towards the Dublin spire. We talked about many things, and I hope I had the opportunity to share a bit of the truth with Him while we spent time together. He is a believer so I hope I can encourage him while I am here.  We also walked around 4 courts, Temple Bar, O’Connell Street, the General Post Office (Sight of the 1916 Easter Rising), a replica of a Irish Famine Ship and Henry street. Dublin is a beautiful city with many people who are in my prayers.

Ivy

Also, last Friday I started to build relationships with some of the youth here. I was given the task of making sure the kids sign in when they enter the church building. So while I was waiting, 3 kids come out, Cian, Luke and Stephen with a futbol. They asked if I wanted to join so I went with them out to the car park. We started kicking around the ball and played pig in the middle and then we played curbs and ended with a big game of hide and go seek with the kids. I’m excited that I have the opportunity to get to build relationships with the kids here. They are all great kids but all need a wee bit of Jesus. For example, after the hide and Go seek we started playing pool in the youth room. A kid who was probably 14 maybe 15 stated that he had money on the England World Cup match. It broke my heart that kids at this age are gambling which is a huge problem in Ireland in general not just the kids.

I’m excited to see where God is going to take me these next few weeks. Were busy planning kids club for the local kids. The theme this year is an inventor who builds a time machine. The professor named Professor Ian Ventor is written off the idea of Doc from Back to the future. I’m honored to be here serving the Irish any way I can.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for the Following people I have been building relationships here with:

Jesse, Nathan, Jonny, Clem, Tim, Bill, Ray, Sylvia, Linda, Graham, James, Shay, Donna, Eric, Cian, Luke, Stephen, Robyn and Ireland in General.

Also, please pray for God to allow me to be sensitive to the way He is working here in Ireland.

In the Hope we have in Jesus,

Jacob

Dia duit ó Éirinn - Hello from Ireland

Swords Baptist Church

It is hard to believe that I have now been in Ireland a total of 15 days. Wow where has the time gone. I have been blessed with the opportunity to meet so many people and have fallen in love with the country. These people here are amazing, the culture is fascinating and the country is beautiful. I have now experienced almost all aspects of the ministry here at Swords Baptist Church except the children's or the adult Sunday school.

Dublin Ireland

                 For you see, the church here operates a wee bit differently than I have experienced elsewhere. I arrive on Sunday about 9:30am and as usual, I am one of the earliest people to arrive at church. Nothing unusual there. The only ones who get there before me are the pastor, worship team and a few people organizing the facility for service. The service, I think starts about half 10 and goes to about half 12. The service begins with music and after the announcements the pastor will dismiss the children to go to sunday school or to the children area known as the creishe (I have no idea if I spelled that right). Then the pastor preaches and then concludes with one more song. The service ends a bit odd but then 2 times a month there is a coffee time were the congregation gets to talk with one another.

Well, this Sunday I had the opportunity to meet missionaries that the church here supports that are with New Tribe Mission in Russia over McDonald's. They are fascinating and it is always exciting to meeting a missionary who has a heart to be faithful to God's call.

Trinity College

So now I am in the heat of ministry here and starting to find areas to explore in Ireland. This next week I am going to go into Dublin again to see the Guinness Factory, the general post office, the trinity library, St. Patrick's Cathedral, an old cemetery. Then later on in July I have an opportunity to visit cork and see how God is working there with the pastor I've come to get to know here by the name of Clem. Great man of God who just loves people as people. Then Im going to some time next week visit my Murphy friends in the north and then visit a friend in a town in Trim to see how God is working there through a church plant.

Christ Church Cathedral

These Irish are fascinating in that they are all seeking something but don't know what it is that they are looking for. The problem is that the Catholic Church here has hurt the Irish people so much, not to say that there is not any evangelical Catholics its just that the overall catholic church has left such a burden on the people here that it has stirred people away from engaging a church or Christianity. The pastor here even avoids using the term Christianity and focuses more on calling people Christ followers because even the term Christian has a somewhat bad connotation with the Irish.

It has been exciting to see how God is working here and excited to see how hes working in other parts of the country.

Prayer Requests

> Please pray for me to continue to build relationships with the people here to allow the love of God to shine through me.

> Please pray that the Irish may come to know Christ

> Please Pray that God will allow me to be sensitive to the way the Holy Spirit is working in Ireland.

Is féidir dia duit (May God Bless You – In Irish),