I have heard the phrase YOLO (you only live once) tossed around a lot lately. It's a pretty cool term. It basically is the modern I-want-to-have-a-cool-catchphrase-that-is-easy-to-say version the timeless Carpe Diem (seize the day). I actually really like the concept. It basically says that we don't know how much time we have left on this earth, so we need to give this life all we got.

From an temporary mindset, I can understand this. And I like it. But I don't live with a temporary mindset anymore. I am a child of God, and as such, I know that I have eternity ahead of me. I will be spending the rest of eternity with Jesus, the one who smashed YOLO to pieces. He didn't only live once. He died and was resurrected three days later. Romans 4:25 says, "He was delivered up [to death] for our trespasses and raised for our justification." He said, "No, yo" to YOLO because he had something bigger in mind. Jesus was doing something cosmic and larger than this life. He died on the cross, yes. But a dead Jesus would be ineffective to save us. He rose again the third day to bring us to life too. He stole the keys of death so we could have the key to life.

This is why I want to flip the idea of YOLO around. I don't want to believe that we don't know how much time we have left on this earth, so we need to give this life all we got. I would like to say that we do know how much time we have - eternity with our risen Savior - so we should give it all we got. We will be spending all of eternity with Jesus, starting now. I don't know about you, but I want to spend it in total gratitude for what he has done for me and for you. I want to be pleasing him every day. I want to be telling everyone else about what he did instead of settling for YOLO. YOLO is a poor substitute for the resurrection power of Jesus. I want to live every day with Jesus in mind, not YOLO.

Sorry I haven't written anything in the last few days. They have been rather busy. And even now as I am writing, I am very tired and ready to turn the lights off soon. We are going to be leaving for London tomorrow at 7:30 am to do a little touring...

One of the older couples dancing at the Ceilidh

On Saturday, the day started off in typical Men's Ministry style - early morning, lots of food, and warm fellowship... Did I say early morning? Leaving that table, I needed to loosed the belt a little, however. A "Full English Breakfast" is most definitely full. It was so filling that I actually didn't need much a lunch; I just had a hot cross bun and some tea. The afternoon was spent preparing for the evening's main event - the Ceilidh (again, pronounced kay'-lee). This is a traditional event here which involves lots of food and dancing. Much fun was to be had by all. Somewhere in the ballpark of 100 people showed up. At this event, we did eat a lot (it was almost a glorified potluck). After the eating, our team performed a few skits, ranging from silly to serious. Then, Justin preached the gospel. This was one of the most clear gospel presentations that I have heard in a long time. He did a great job and God really used him. Soon after, the dancing started. It was such fun to dance with young and old alike. I danced with teenagers, moms and dads, and grand parents alike. At the end, we were very tired, but very happy.

The next morning, I was on again to lead singing for church. I made sure I got some practice in before I began to sing. I had the privilege of leading a discussion for the teens' Sunday School on the practical nature of holiness. It was really cool to hear from the teens about what holiness will look like in our lives and how God's holiness affects that. After church and dinner (lunch), the boys and I went to the astro turf park to play some footy (soccer). But we were kicked off by the local women's field hockey team. That felt great... Haha. But we shrugged it off and went to the Duke Street park to play instead. Though it wasn't astro turf, but grass, we played for as long as we could. We got really wet and dirty because the grass was really slippery from the rain. It made for some good laughs. In the evening, we had church again. This time, my only responsibility was to open the service up with a greeting and prayer. I was able to sit back and enjoy the music and the message from the viewpoint of everyone else. God really spoke to me through Justin's sermon. He preached about how we should follow Jesus' example in sacrifice, service, and submitting to God.

This morning, we had the pleasure of going to St. Thomas Church of England Lydiate school to lead their assembly. The kids there range from (what we would call) Kindergarten to 5th grade. We performed two skits and Emily preached the gospel. After that, the oldest students took us on a school tour and eventually to their class room. There, they asked us questions they had been preparing for us. It was funny to hear their pre-conceived ideas about Americans coming out in the questions. I was asked about gun laws, music, and the weather where I'm from. Haha! When we left St. Thomas', we went to the church to prepare for a ministry on Thursday to 7-11 year olds. It's a special presentation about the life and death and resurrection of Christ, anticipating the coming of Easter.

To be honest, I had to take the afternoon off after that, however. As an introvert, I will occasionally need to force some alone time. I haven't had much this trip. I was good to recuperate by myself for a bit. This evening, we played some games at one of the church member's house. It was much fun to reunite with the team again and just enjoy each other.

Yesterday was a long and tiring day.

We started by taking a trip to Liverpool. Our driver and guide, Robert, a member of Formby Baptist Church, took us to a lot of really cool spots in Liverpool. We started by visiting the Liverpool Cathedral. It was an enormous and beautiful church building. It is one of the biggest in Europe. This building was designed with very high ceilings. This is for the purpose of drawing us to look up. Similarly, when we worship, we are drawn to look up. I loved how these two ideas corresponded so beautifully here. After that, we went to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool. Not as amazing, but cool nonetheless. From there, we walked to a place to eat our lunches after which we walked some more to The Cavern Pub. This is the sight where The Beatles played many of their concerts. It was a small dinky street that had clearly seen much traffic in its days. Next, we traveled to some huge art museum. I was rather tired by this time and just wanted to be done. Truth be told, I really wanted to see if I could go shopping for some Everton FC gear, but our guide was set on giving us the cultural experience. I am grateful for his insight and generosity. Maybe next time I go to Liverpool I can do some shopping.

When we returned, we had a team meeting. This was to get prepared for Kings Kids, the ministry for the 4-11 year olds. It was a fun evening, but this was something that I really had to have a mentality that said, "This is for these people, not necessarily for my ease, convenience, or enjoyment." God blessed me with a good attitude and I enjoyed interacting with the kids and teaching my mate, Frank, about the virgin birth. Imagine how creative I had to be explaining to an 11 year old the significance of a virgin giving birth! Jesus gave me wisdom and I think he got it without learning "too much." Haha!

Following Kings Kids, I stayed at the church to take part in the guys group that meets weekly. This is comprised of some of the guys in the church who have taken initiative to meet weekly and encourage each other in their faith. It is truly an amazing thing that God is doing in them. It was a humbling experience to say the least. They are really growing in their faith and it was cool to encourage them in that.

I was really tired when I got home, but I had a great Skype chat with Christine after everyone else here had gone to bed. I really miss her.

Today was not as busy, but still as tiring. We just had a meeting at midday. After the meeting, I went to Caffe Nero, one of the local coffee shops (I miss Joe's). I got to read my premarital counseling book for a good bit. I read a really powerful chapter on the blessing of singleness, surprisingly.

God seems to shine through even the
weakest attempts to reflect his glory.

Then tonight we had Pr1me, the church's youth group. It was an energetic and impactful evening. We started off by playing some games. Unfortunately, some experienced the bruised caused by over-competitiveness. Once we had calmed down a bit, I got up to speak. As I was speaking, I did not feel confident at all. I felt like my words did not make it past my shoes. I was all spent when I said my final prayer. I felt real shaky about my sermon. But I am trusting that God moved through my foolish words. I was able to have an amazing conversation about faith and reason with a young man in the youth group who has yet to put his faith in Jesus. Please be praying for him. I have heard it said that often preachers feel like some sermons were home runs and others are strikeouts, and that this is in no way indicative of their effectiveness. I really pray that this was the case tonight. I am trusting God is working through by feeble attempt to proclaim the glories of holy living.

This is now day five that I have been in England. It is the middle of week number one already. Wow time flies!

On Tuesday, our team did not do much beside preparing for the rest of the week. On Friday, we will be leading youth group (called Pr1me). On Saturday we will be participating in an event called a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee). It is a big group line dance interspersed with skits and loads of fun. So we were preparing our skits and messages for then. In the evening, the ladies had a ladies-only-night filled with fellowship and loads of chocolate. The men, on the other hand, went out a to Chinese buffet. I am still over stuffed from that. Haha.

Today, I got to sleep in. It is feeling so great to not have morning obligations other than preparing my heart for the rest of the day. I am getting to know my way around Formby much better. However, the coffee here is not what you would call their strongest emphasis. But I am really enjoying the frequent tea breaks. Tea is everywhere. They don't say, "What kind?" when you ask for tea. they just bring you the typical English tea because it is such a commodity. I think I will drink much more tea when I return. Mmmm :)

Tonight we had a Bible study and prayer meeting at the church. Michael prepared an excellent study from Mark 5. Afterward we chatted about its significance and how God's plan applied to us. Then we prayed. I really felt God's presence at that meeting. He was so peaceful and strong. It was so restful to talk to him about the deeper things of my heart. I am excited to see what God is going to do not only through me these next two weeks, but also in me.

Sorry I haven't written in a day. We have been rather busy and my computer's connection to the internet is pretty dodgy. We have been having loads of fun in the last two days as we build relationships and minister the Word and fellowship to the people here.

On Sunday, we got to the church around 7:30 am. We met to pray for Michael as he was going to preach the first sermon of the trip and for the rest of the team as we were going to be leading different parts of the service. I was asked to lead singing yesterday as I played my guitar. I was accompanied by Lydia on piano and Kara singing. I was a bit nervous but we did fine and all were encouraged. Praise Jesus. After the service we had tea and "biscuits" (cookies and brownies) as we enjoyed fellowship with the congregation - about 30 strong. Though it is a small church by America's standards, there is incredible love and hospitality present. I love it here. If God called Christine and I to live and labour here, I wouldn't fight too hard :)

After returning from church, Mrs. Griffiths prepared an amazing pot roast. It was so delicious. She was shocked that I ate it all! So much for my Lenten fast from meat. I simply can't resist the amazing hospitality of the Griffiths and Formby Baptist Church. I think God will understand as I am seeking him and his heart in a new way for these next two weeks.



Once dinner had settled a bit, Josh, Andy, some other boys from the church, and I went to the astro turf field to play some "footy" (pick-up soccer). It was really fun. I was expecting to get owned by the English boys, but I held my own alright. I was rather surprised. I had to leave early, however, because I had to get to the church to prepare for my sermon that night.

I got to the church about a half hour before everyone so I could prepare and pray and align my heart with God. I don't know exactly what the Spirit was doing during my message, but after the sermon, a few came up to me to tell me that it was just what they needed to hear. Praise Jesus! Then, all the youth went to Josiah's (the youth pastor here - and MBI alum) flat to hang out for the evening. Good times had by all :)

This morning we all got up early to make it to the church on time so we could leave to travel to the Lake District, an absolutely gorgeous spot in N. England. I felt a small bit like James Herriott as I was walking across the idyllic and rolling hillsides dotted with local sheep and moss-covered rocks. It was very surreal. I had a hard time taking it all in. In one particular moment of the day, I was standing by myself, looking out at the snow-capped hills, any town out of site. The thought came to me that no one would venture up there anytime in the near or distant future. It was too snowy to climb or explore. It was not snowy enough to ski or sled upon. It was just there, standing, smiling in the sun, radiating idyllic beauty. In that moment it hit me that its significance was in no way defined by human presence. Often we like to think that our presence in a situation or area is what gives meaning and significance to our land or art. But no one would come near those hills at all. Yet in their own still way, they transcended and human definition of beauty. They just were there, radiating God's glory without thought or concern for what anybody else thought, whether or not anybody noticed. In my life, I need to realize more often that it is not my presence that bestows significance upon a situation but the imminence and majesty of the God who is infinitely creative.

After a long, cold day of sight-seeing, we finally stopped in Keswick (pronounced Kez-ick) to grab some fish and chips and tea. It was a very welcome meal. And all of us enjoyed it to the fullest. It was a wonderful day and the glory of God is beginning to take on a fuller meaning in my mind and heart. Please pray that I continue to grow closer to Him.

Hello everyone!

This is where Formby is

Currently I am in Formby, England where I will be staying for the next two weeks. While I am here I will be with my team of fellow students from Moody Bible Institute serving the Formby Baptist Church. We will be doing a variety activities ranging from leading church services and youth services, to sharing our testimonies in a local "college" (high school), doing doing outreach events, to building relationships with the wonderful people here. So for the next two weeks, I will be posting my daily reflections on our activities so you can follow the action and keep us prayed for.

"Today" was a long day. It started when we drove to Milwaukee, WI just to fly back to Chicago O'Hare (because it was cheaper... America...). We then flew toward the rising sun, gaining 6 extra hours in our day - so when it is 4:00 pm in Chicago, it is 10:00 pm here. However, the flight brought something I didn't expect. The air is so thin at a 11,500 foot altitude that I couldn't sleep because I was struggling to suck air. I had to consciously try to breathe. It was kind of scary, to be honest. I'm not looking forward to that on the way back. But now that I am here, the air is so fresh! I love it here!

When we arrived, we were shuttled to our host homes. I was taken to Dave & Linda Griffiths' home. Their two sons, Josh (16) and Andy (21), also live here. They are all really cool. I like them a lot. They are so welcoming and hospitable. Dave is a teacher and one of two deacons at FBC. Linda is a nurse. Josh is in college (high school), and Andy has graduated and is currently in the job hunt. We watched Everton v Wigan Athletic today because we all share a love for Everton football (soccer). They even offered to take me to the Everton v ManCity home game! We'll see if we have time for it. But I am really enjoying staying with the Griffiths'. Please pray for Dave. He is also in a job search due to cutbacks where he is teaching.

A typical street view here in Formby

After spending the day with the Griffiths', we had a team meeting at the church. The last thing we did as group before settling down for the evening was dinner and tea with a group of the adults from the church. We got to know some really great people. I got to talk to a man named Dave who drove up from southern England just to see what God was going to do through us in the next two weeks. He is really cool and definitely has a heart to learn, even at an older age. I also got to talk to my host parents, Dave and Linda, about marriage. It was so encouraging.

It's getting late, and I am exhausted. I will continue to keep you updated. Please continue to keep us in your prayers!