Our only mandate is love

In these last ten days I've been able to take a much needed break from the demands of this bible school and have been travelling around the island of Taiwan. One thing I've been able to do during this break is real a book called "The Reason for God" in which the author Timothy Keller establishes all the major skepticisms that the world carries against "Christianity" and confronts the big questions of 'Why does God allow suffering in the world? How could a loving God send people to hell? Why isnt Christianity more inclusive? How can one religion be "right" and others be "wrong"? Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?' The majority of the book is dedicated to dissasembling the false views of God but in its last few chapters gives a point of application for the reader.

This book really challenged me to re-evaluate my motivation for being a Christ follower and humbled me to know that most people's bitter conceptions of the church are viewed for being judgemental and hypocritical. I think sometimes we catch ourselves in the mentality of believing that because "I know the truth" it gives us the authority to judge and be intolerant towards "nonbelievers." If I was to be truly honest with myself I would admit that at times my good intentions are rooted out of prideful and selfish ambition. I've learnt that this is part of the human condition and that instead of being defeated by our imperfections we need to be continually infused with passionate urgency to participate with what God is doing in the world and break the lies of "Christianity" and "religion" through the ACT of compassionate, unconditional love. I often listen to Bill Hybels Podcast series of 'walking across the room'. He totally redefines the predispositions of 'evangelism' being not a ministry or time-of-the-day but as a lifestyle. We need the heart change to believe that Christianity is not a prayer prayed but a life lived. We cannot profess to be Christians if we're not actively engaged and burdened by the wickedness in the world. People are not confused by the gospel, they're confused by us. We dont need to have all of lifes questions, we just need to love people like Jesus. Our only mandate is love.

I hope this comes together and isn't just random garble, I just feel like God is trying to raise us up to a higher standard in our faith. I've never been so close to God in my life than in these last few months. I pray that these messages would create a hunger in you for truth, draw you into a deeper intimacy with God and inspire you to live for something more as I continue to do the same through the incredible book of the bible. Don't underestimate your life. Where you are right now, you can make impact for Christ. Nothing is insiginificant when you're walking in God's will.

Learning to Love,

-Jer

"The single most greatest gift we can give another human being is an introduction to the God who loves them" Bill Hybels

"I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ" Ghandi-

"A Christian is literally, "Christ's one," someone who is not just vaguely influenced by Christian teaching, but who has switched his or her fundemental allegience to Jesus. Christians understand the all-or-nothing choice that is forced upon us by the magnitude of Jesus' claims."

Lovin life, lovin Jesus

Hey guys

Since my last update I've made it through some of the biggest books in the bible; Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel and am currently studying the books of 1-2 Kings. I can say with passionate confidence that this school has been the most challenging experience in my life. A typical week for me consists of:

• An out loud read of the book
• Color code people, places, times, and themes throughout the book
• Paragraph titles (summaries of each paragraph)
• Overall outline of the book written down
• 5 hour lecture twice a week on each book
• Historical background of author and audience
• Charting (this is the most time consuming part of the school that basically consists of observing, interpreting, and applying each chapter of the book)
• Application

I am loooving this school..It feels a lot like a greenhouse effect. I'm in this perfect environment to get the maximum amount of growth and learning so much about life and what it means to follow after God with all of my heart, mind, soul and strength. It is a huge privilege to devote this nine months to the word of God and build a foundation that will guide me for the rest of my life while at the same time being able to live in Asian culture, living and studying with the Taiwanese.

Something I feel worth mentioning future-wise is my growing desire to become a worship leader. Since my Discipleship Training School in Kona, Hawaii I feel like God has placed a heart of worship in me. I've had many opportunities to lead worship for our YWAM base here and have been able to develop musically and learn from some of the talented musicians on our base. There is a School of worship in Montana that I've been praying about attending next fall so if you think of me I would appreciate your prayers as I near the remaining months of SBS and plan to continue the work God has started in me.

The last few days there has been a Typhoon going on in Taiwan. Even as i write this message there is a fierce storm going on outside..its pretty intense/awesome.

Hope everyone had a good summer back home. My prayers continue to go out to Lakeside church. Love you guys

Thanks again for your investment in my life.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:1-2

Learning to Love

-Jer

The land of Canaan

It's been really interesting to follow the chronology of the Pentateuch so far. I just wanted to share a revelation God gave to me today through the lives of the Israelites. Quick history backround: The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years, Moses leads the people out of Egypt into the wilderness, God promises to bring them to a land that flowed with milk and honey (blessed in every way). I started to think about the symbolism of "the land of Canaan" and what it represents to us as Christians today and realised that it was a representation of walking in the fullness of God's promise, the spiritual land of milk and honey that is because of our faith in Jesus. The challenge is; people can accept this truth as Christians but never walk in the riches. It is possible to escape Egypt and never enter Canaan. It is possible to be saved and never walk into the fullness of what God has planned for our lives. Why do some of the Israelites never make it into the Promise Land? Disobedience and a lack of faith.
I hope this is as challenging for you as it is for me.
Thank you for your continued prayers.
I'm praying for transformation in Lakeside...the hope of the world

In the service of Jesus Christ
-Jer

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him...
Ephesians 1:3

Why me?

I've decided that my favourite books are Genesis and Revelation. To know that from the

beginning God's love overflowed to create mankind and how from the very end of history God continues to pursue man. There is an incredible sense of purpose that ignites in me when I know that from the beginning God intended for me to be in relationship with him and that my life is more that just living and dying but that he gives me the oportunity to partner with im in his mission to seek and save the lost in this broken world. We are not fenced in to a small existance but are created for so much more!

"i can't tell you how much i long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as i can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!"2 Cor 6:11-13 'Message'

learning to Love

-Jer

Old Testament

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know i started the Old Testament today. This past few weeks have probably been the hardest since I've been here. I've never felt so grateful and privileged about reading the scripture and at the same time being so exhausted that I just want to hybernate for a month. I am so thankful to be here in Taiwan studying this incredible book. I cant believe its already been four months have been here. In no time this school is going to be over and I'm going to be looking back at this time. Anyways, just wanted you to know that I am giving it my all in this time and that God is so faithful to lead me on. Please pray for a renewal of energy.

Learning to Love

Jer

"we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are perishing" -2 Corinthians 2:15

Keelung, Taishung, SunMoon Lake, Ice Skating

1st Quarter done!

I have finished my first quarter of SBS! There has been so much good that has come out of this time I'm so excited to see what is going happen when we get into the Old Testament in the second quarter. In the mean time I have a 10 day break where I fully plan on some R&R! I will be leaving tomorrow on a high speed train to the southern side of Taiwan to a place called "kenting" where beaches are apparently really nice. I am sooo in need of this break, it will be good to be able to digest all I've learnt in the first quarter and get rejuvenated for the second quarter. Hope everythings going well back home.

Love you guys..
In the service of Jesus Christ

Jer

(the last pictures are taken inside a Hot Pot restaurant we went to the other night. Great food! Still haven't aquired the taste for organs yet...im ok with this.)