TOHMNOT (This One Has My Name On It): the coin that saved christmas

Welcome to part two of TOHMNOT. I wasn't intending to do a post-Christmas episode, but a gift I received proved pretty darn relevant to the topic at hand.

This Christmas, I received a gift from my sister's boyfriend's parents. The Grave family over the past year have become a real part of my family in many ways.

They wanted to contribute to my mission, and the succeeded in a very poetic way. What you see to the left is a Roman coin, struck in the first century, with Caesar's face clearly visible. He said it was to remind me of Luke 20, where Jesus is asked about paying taxes. While it's technically not a denarius, I was almost brought to tears by the gesture. This coin holds a lot of meaning for me now. They are the handle-bars I've been praying for.
Not to mention a sweet visual aid!

This is it for this installment of TOHMNOT.

[19] The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. [20] So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor. [21] So they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality,[f1] but truly teach the way of God. [22] Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar, or not?” [23] But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, [24] “Show me a denarius.[f2] Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar's.” [25] He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” [26] And they were not able in the presence of the people to catch him in what he said, but marveling at his answer they became silent.

(Luke 20:19-26 ESV)

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[1] 20:21 Greek and do not receive a face
[2] 20:24 A denarius was a day's wage for a laborer 

This one has my name on it. Part1

So I have these friends. These are all people I know from church. A lot of them are involved in various ministries that function in different capacities. What's so amazing is that all of them have surpassed me in these positions. Whether it be in worship arts, or mercy ministry ministries, to just plain leading. It's actually pretty amazing how in a relatively short amount of time I've known some of these people, they have doubled and tripled in their gifts and positions. I've been close enough to them in ministry to just see them wiz by with blinding speed. 

More than once I've seen myself try to catch up to any one of them, but ended up failing miserably. This happens for two reasons I think:

1. My calling has my name on it.

2. Being great means letting the faster car pass you.

It's really easy to get side tracked by attractive and good-looking callings and offices that the people you know get offered. That is at least what I have noticed retrospectively in my life in ministry, and in general.

It might be why I'm so hesitant about this thing that I'm doing.
That's why I'm deciding to change the language I use when talking about New Zealand. I'm not going on a mission, I'm moving to New Zealand on mission. I'm going to be there for two years, and I think that might be just enough into the long-term territory to say that.
I'm also reminding my soul that this isn't a short-term thing. This isn't going to be anything like a weekend trip to Mexico to build houses.

(Not implying anything about weekend missions, all I'm saying is that it's not moving to another country on mission.)


Okay, well those are my thoughts for the day. Part 2 coming soon.

If you believe in what God is doing, what God is doing/going to do in/through me there; please take it into prayer and consideration to give to the mission.

Info on how to give is in the upper right corner.

Many blessings and Merry Christmas to all!

Well this is awkward..

So lately I've been going to a yoga studio to help her clean it up. She gets free yoga classes if she cleans the studio up once a week and I get to help her. Last night when I went with her there were like 8 people standing around talking.

I walked in, and it was kinda awkward. I'm just this guy that is helping his mom squeegee mirrors so she can get free yoga... don't mind me.

Also, me not updating for a few months and then picking it up again is just as awkward. I was house sitting for a month and a half, and I got caught up with work and fundraising.

But now I'm back!

God's pulled in about 100 more bucks to the NZ fund, but I had to take out 200 to to passport processing. So as you can imagine it's been a little frustrating.

Never the less I keep pressing forward. My best pall Caleb has recently volunteered helping me organize some more fundraising schemes and plans. So be on the look out (all 3 of you that read this) on ways you can help.

For now signing off, but I plan on putting up a real post in the next day or so.