Your Arms

I long to be held

I long to stay close

I long for the comfort

Of your arms.

I want to know

I want to hope

I want to be

In your arms

Give me the wisdom

Give me the strength

Give the gentle touch

Of your arms

Show me the majesty

Show me the glory

Show me freedom

In your arms

For years I’ve longed to be held and to hold someone whom I love and that loves me.

For years I’ve wanted a dream of fantasy and wonder

For years I’ve begged for the a loving embrace

For years you’ve shown me your arms

A place to laugh

A place to cry

A place hide

In your arms

Can you say oxyMORON

Below are two articles. One reads GLOBAL WARMING THREATENS EARTH, The second reads

Easter Bunny Bundles Up Unusually Cold Just About Everywhere In U.S. East Of The Rockies

Hmm I think there be contradiction around here somewhere.


Doe
Panel: Global Warming a Threat to Earth
Email this Story

Apr 6, 7:16 AM (ET)

By ARTHUR MAX

(AP) Director of WWF's Global Climate Change Programme Hans Verolme talks to the media during a press... Full Image

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - An international global warming conference approved a report Friday warning of dire threats to the Earth and to mankind - from increased hunger to the extinction of species - unless the world adapts to climate change and halts its progress.

Agreement came after an all-night session during which key sections were deleted from the draft and scientists angrily confronted government negotiators who they feared were watering down their findings.

"It has been a complex exercise," said Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Several scientists objected to the editing of the final draft by government negotiators but in the end agreed to compromises. However, some scientists vowed never to take part in the process again.

The climax of five days of negotiations was reached when the delegates removed parts of a key chart highlighting devastating effects of climate change that kick in with every rise of 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, and in a tussle over the level of scientific reliability attached to key statements.

There was little doubt about the science, which was based on 29,000 sets of data, much of it collected in the last five years. "For the first time we are not just arm-waving with models," Martin Perry, who conducted the grueling negotiations, told reporters.

The United States, China and Saudi Arabia raised the many of the objections to the phrasing, often seeking to tone down the certainty of some of the more dire projections.

The final IPCC report is the clearest and most comprehensive scientific statement to date on the impact of global warming mainly caused by man-induced carbon dioxide pollution.

It said up to 30 percent of the Earth's species face an increased risk of vanishing if global temperatures rise 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit above the average in the 1980s and '90s.

Areas that now suffer a shortage of rain will become even more dry, adding to the risks of hunger and disease, it said. The world will face heightened threats of flooding, severe storms and the erosion of coastlines.

"This is a glimpse into an apocalyptic future," the Greenpeace environmental group said of the final report.

Negotiators pored over the 21-page draft meant to be a policy guide for governments. The summary pares down the full 1,500-page scientific assessment of the evidence of climate change so far, and the impact it will have on the Earth's most vulnerable people and ecosystems.

More than 120 nations attended the meeting. Each word was approved by consensus, and any change had to be approved by the scientists who drew up that section of the report.

Though weakened by the deletion of some elements, the final report "will send a very, very clear signal" to governments, said Yvo de Boer, the U.N.'s top climate official.

The summary will be presented to the G8 summit of the world's richest nations in June, when the European Union is expected to renew appeals to President Bush to join in international efforts to control emissions of fossil fuels.

This year's series of reports by the IPCC were the first in six years from the prestigious body of some 2,500 scientists, formed in 1988. Public awareness of climate change gave the IPCC's work unaccustomed importance and fueled the intensity of the closed-door negotiations during the five-day meeting.

"The urgency of this report prepared by the world's top scientists should be matched by an equally urgent response from governments," said Hans Verolme, director of the global climate change program of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

"Doing nothing is not an option," he said.

During the final session, the conference snagged over a sentence that said the impact of climate change already were being observed on every continent and in most oceans.

"There is very high confidence that many natural systems are being affected by regional climate changes, particularly temperature increases," said the statement on the first page of text.

But China insisted on striking the word "very," injecting a measure of doubt into what the scientists argued were indisputable observations. The report's three authors refused to go along with the change, resulting in an hours-long deadlock that was broken by a U.S. compromise to delete any reference to confidence levels.

It is the second of four reports from the IPCC this year; the first report in February laid out the scientific case for how global warming is happening. This second report is the "so what" report, explaining what the effects of global warming will be.

European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said the report will spur the EU's determination to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

"The world needs to act fast if we are to succeed in stabilizing climate change and thereby prevent its worst impacts," Dimas said in a statement.

For the first time, the scientists broke down their predictions into regions, and forecast that climate change will affect billions of people.

North America will experience more severe storms with human and economic loss, and cultural and social disruptions. It can expect more hurricanes, floods, droughts, heat waves and wildfires, it said. Coasts will be swamped by rising sea levels. In the short term, crop yields may increase by 5 to 20 percent from a longer growing season, but will plummet if temperatures rise by 7.2 F.

Africa will be hardest hit. By 2020, up to 250 million people are likely to exposed to water shortages. In some countries, food production could fall by half, it said.

Parts of Asia are threatened with massive flooding and avalanches from melting Himalayan glaciers. Europe also will see its Alpine glaciers disappear. Australia's Great Barrier Reef will lose much of its coral to bleaching from even moderate increases in sea temperatures, the report said.

---

CBS/AP) Never mind the Easter bonnets. In a large swath of the U.S., you had better remember where you put your winter hat and put it on.

Just about everywhere east of the Rockies, it's extremely cold for this time of year – with snow in parts of the Northeast and Midwest, and freezing temperatures elsewhere - and it's going to stay this way right through the weekend.

Parts of the upper Northeast are slogging through over a foot of snow which closed schools, tangled traffic and knocked out power to more than 180,000 homes and businesses.

Frost and freeze warnings are in effect for the next few nights throughout much of the Southeast, while the snow continues to pile up across portions of the Great Lakes and the Northeast, which has seen more snow so far this April than what fell over the entire month of December.

The cold weather, says CBS News meteorologist George Cullen, is the result of an intense storm system sweeping down extremely cold air from central Canada on down to the eastern half of the U.S.

The result, says Cullen, is temperatures 15 to 30 degrees below normal, with many record lows likely over the weekend, from the Ohio Valley on down to southeast coast.

At least two deaths – traffic accidents in New Hampshire and Michigan - are blamed on the wintry weather, which began late Wednesday.

The flakes fell at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour, and by early Thursday, areas of Maine already had nearly a foot and a half of wet, heavy snow, and central New Hampshire saw 16 inches in spots. Up to 24 inches fell in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, as many as 13 inches in Vermont, and upstate New York had several inches as well.

In Kansas, five to eight inches of snow is on the ground in the east-central and north-central parts of the state, and with temperatures expected to dip into the lower 20s and teens in the next few days, farmers are worried about their crops.

The cold snap came after two weeks of exceptionally warm weather, with highs around Kansas of from 60 to 80 degrees, speeding up the growth of the wheat by about two weeks.

"I'm concerned," says Saline County wheat farmer Gary Olson. "Usually if it gets below 24 degrees, the experts tell us our wheat crop might be in trouble."

"We're pretty vulnerable," says Tom Maxwell, agricultural extension agent in Salina. If the weatherman's right, he adds, "we're going to see some damage."

In Nebraska, it's also cold and snowy, but some locals are unimpressed, pointing out that snow in early April is far from unprecedented in the Plains.

In Arkansas, snow is not an issue, but the cold is – with freeze warnings in effect and record lows expected over the weekend.

Things will also be a lot nippier than usual in Augusta, Ga., home of the Masters golf tournament, already underway.

It will be one of the coldest Masters ever, says Cullen, with temperatures struggling to get out of the 50s. "Usually the temperatures are not lower than the scores; this year, they will be."

(CBS/AP) In many areas of the country, spring snow and shivers are following a winter that was often unusually warm.

"We had Easter on December 25th. People had crocuses coming out and blooms on bushes. And now we have Christmas, with all this snow," said meteorologist Butch Roberts of the National Weather Service in Gray, Maine. "It's a little topsy-turvy sometimes."

Maine baseball fans shared in the misery as the Portland Sea Dogs season opener was postponed for at least a day, but the team made the best of it, dotting the field with 11 snowmen in jerseys and caps - nine players, a batter and an ump. It was the second time since 1994 that opening day was delayed by late snow.

In Manchester, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats canceled Thursday night's home opener but put out the call for fans to help clear the turf for a Friday game. Volunteers who show up with shovels get free tickets.

The 24 inches that fell in Negaunee Township, Mich. broke a 1974 record of 12 inches, said meteorologist Jason Alumbaugh. The cold weather forced postponement of Thursday's baseball game at Comerica Park between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Detroit Tigers.

Snowfall in April is not unusual, but the volume of snow in this storm is relatively rare. The 11.6 inches on the ground in Portland, Maine, tied a record for its fifth-biggest April snowfall.

Jon Blanchard, spending his first night back in Portland after a winter in Florida, was awakened Thursday by the sound of tree limbs snapping under the weight of the heavy snow.

He put aside plans of unloading his camper and fired up his snow blower instead.

"I hate it," Blanchard said. "That's why I spent the whole winter in Florida."

The weighed-down trees and limbs also felled power lines. About 100,000 homes and businesses lost power in Maine, in and around Alfred, Brunswick and Portland; another 81,000 customers were in the dark in New Hampshire, and Vermont had about 1,300 outages.

Outages could continue as snow melts and more trees fall, utilities said, and a spokesman in Maine said many customers there would be in the dark into Friday.

The heavy, wet snow clogged roads early Thursday, prompting school officials to cancel or delay classes around the region.

The Red Cross had to cancel several blood drives in northern New England, and issued a plea for donations.

A man was killed in New Hampshire when his car ran off Interstate 93 and hit a tree during the storm Wednesday night on the Canterbury-Concord line, state police said.

A tractor-trailer carrying oxygen bottles skidded and rolled over Wednesday night on the Everett Turnpike in Merrimack. Bottles rolled out, and it took crews all night to clear the road, though none of the bottles broke. The driver was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cars were also reported off the road in Maine, and police said a 17-year-old girl's death Wednesday on a slippery road in Topsham may have been weather-related.

At ski areas, the snow was a welcome lift.

"It's going to help us close the season strong," said Chris Lenois, a spokesman for Vermont's Mount Snow, which ends its season on Sunday. About 6 inches fell in West Dover.

Where is your Focus?

Lately I have been considering the prosperity gospel as it has been called. The is a teaching usually found in the charismatic churches and has spread into other denomination. The main point of this teaching is that through faith in Christ believers will walk in health and financial prosperity. Personally I come from a Southern Baptist background where in most cases piety is the equivalent of poverty. The poorer you are obviously the more you have given up to the glory of God. If you drive a new car you are of the Devil. As I study the Word of God it seems that both of these standards are false.
If the prosperity gospel is true then there are many strong men of God that are walking without faith, and if the poverty gospel is true then many of the Old Testament heroes of the faith are sinful as they walked in abundance.

Why do Christians walk through trials and challenges in life?

1) We live in a fallen world. Due to the sin of Adam and our sin since Adam we live in a world that is dying and off balance. It is because of this that we suffer at times and question whether God can be real in a world such as this. We question it because what we see is not in line with the moral will of God. We live outside His moral will and therefore suffer for being out of alignment.

2)Trials keep us focused. In Deut. 6 God tells the Israelites to remember Him after their victory and blessings have been received. When we are in pain we will call day and night of God to help us, but as soon as we just start to get out of a bad situation our focus is taken off God. We become as the 9 lepers that do not return in thanks to God for healing us. If we could stayed focused on God in prosperity I believe He would heap it on us with greater liberty.

What about the Scripture that says it is easier for camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God?

Let me ask you this: How easy is it for a poor man to enter into the kingdom of God? Rich or poor the door is still Christ and the path is still narrow. Again it is the focus of a man's life that determines their destiny in Christ. If riches distract you from God it is an idol and is a curse, but poverty is also a curse. If you think that poverty is a high esteem in life then you should read Proverbs. God gave us a book devoted completely to prosperity in various physical forms.

It all comes down to the focus on your life. I believe that both standards described above have their fault. We will go through trials of health and finance, but if we follow the examples set forth in proverbs then God says that blessings should follow.

Twist and Shout

What a phenominal couple of days it has been! For those who don't know I am currently in Nashville, TN and the largest balloon artist convention in America. Can you imagine puttin nearly 300 of your best friends who also happen to be entertainers in one room? It is amazing and a breath of fresh air. Personally, I haven't learned too many new sculptures yet as I am taking several business classes. I have to say that Laura Caldwell and Steve Jones are my new heroes (I almost wrote herpes and that while misspelled would still be bad). They have taught me so much about marketing myself. We really are worth so much more than we think. That is not just balloon twisters, but everyone that continues to improve on themselves. Well I have had about 2 hours of sleep as we stay up all night twisting an laughing so I will now leave. Stay tuned for further updates on the greatest convention ever!

Higher Hope Ministries

The vision of Higher Hope Ministries began four years ago on a mission trip to Miami. It was on this trip that I first saw the power to present the gospel of Jesus Christ using a simple twisted balloon. Since then my desire has grown to utilize this and other talents to take the message of God’s son to the world.
When God created us in His image I believe that God’s desire to create was imbedded in each of us. Look at painter as he paints or a carpenter as he finishes a new project. Everyone wants to stand back and I did that. I remember a recent drive by a park I had helped build many years ago and pointing out “I helped put those benches in.” I also believe this is the reason unproductive people have limited joy.
Every one of God’s people has a unique way in which he creates. Some create songs or painting or statues. Others create homes and sewer systems and business. Whatever talent or gift you have developed can be used to create. I also know that this desire to create can be used to the glory of God.
The purpose of Higher Hope Ministries is to train and draw out of God’s people these talents. Higher Hope Ministries will network with other Kingdom workers around the globe to put each person’s gifts to work. This process will begin by creating series of books and DVDs to train people in various creative ministry techniques. The next step will be to create performances and classes that teach audiences these principles. Then a team will be formed that will travel the US and eventually the world performing, evangelizing, and teaching. The ultimate goal is to create ten ministry teams with people who can use their gifts for storytelling and send them out all over the world to spend a month in an area. When the team is finished serving they will have trained new storytellers from the nationals that will continue to minister, replicate, and send out teams.
We seek to form partnerships around the world learning and assisting one another in Kingdom endeavors. I hope that God has caught you up in this vision and you will join me prayer over this and future endeavors.

In God we Trust,
Jason Vaughn

3 Mosspoint Dr.
Greenville, SC 29617
(864) 423-7139












Higher Hope Ministries Plan of Action

Phase One
This phase will begin by the production of a one-man show. There will be two shows designed. One will be for a Christian audience and the second for a secular audience in schools, libraries, etc. The shows will be completed by December 2006.

Phase Two:
The ministry will begin by writing and producing a series of books and DVDs on Bible Ballooning and creative ministry. These will create a training basis for this and other ministries. This will also act as a supplementary fund as the ministry is built. 50% of
the profits from the books and DVDs will be sown into other ministries. The goal is to have 2 books and 2 DVDs finished by May 2007.

Phase Three:
This phase will begin the construction of a creative ministry team. This team will consist of many talented and godly men and women. This group will travel around South Carolina and perform, evangelize, and disciple using their talents. Eventually, this
team will travel the US and then the world. The SC team will begin training in the summer of 2007 and traveling the in the fall. The team will begin a US tour in Dec of 2007 and a World tour in May of 08.

Phase Four:
The final phase will be the development of ten different creative ministry teams. These teams will travel and work with groups around the world doing creative ministry. They will also train a team of nationals to use their talents, usually specific to that region, to do ministry as well. These teams will be in place by Jan. 2010.

*The primary method of these teams will be storying.

Prayer Concerns:
Steady income for those involved that the weekends can be freed for ministry.
A quick and successful publication of books and DVDs.
That God will raise up a team of committed believers that will understand this kingdom vision.
That God will place experienced ministers as mentors for team members.
That churches will understand the need for their members to use talents for building God’s kingdom.
That experienced accountants and lawyers will be lead to assist in the technical construction of this ministry.
For training materials for team members.
For our ministry partner: Harvest Fields International, a group of devoted believers ministering to the Lenca Indians of Honduras by reaching the orphans and widows. Our ministry has dedicated 25% of all profits from the sale of books and CDs to this ministry.

vision

So my roommate had a lot of his friends over last night and I feel really different around them. They all pretty much work together and they are all nice people, but it seems that their job is the only real connection they have. Most of the conversations were spent talking about people at work or what happened at work. My mind just cannot grasp that reality anymore. It seems that the past days, months, years events are the most important things. Personally, once my work is through I prefer to move on.
When I’m with my theatre friends life seems focused on the now and what is to come next and when I’m with my business friends it is always about the future and the exciting things that are coming on with our teams and how amazing life is and how it is getting even better.
They say high school was the best years of our lives. What a load of crock! I don’t know about you but next year is going to be the best year of my life and the one after that will be even better. When I turn 93, it will be a better year than when I turn 92. And just to make sure there are no misunderstandings, life is amazing right now.
As we get older we grow wiser, our relationships with others are strengthened, and our relationship with God is constantly renewed and improving. If you are lucky enough to be in a business team like mine your finances and lifestyle are improving daily as well. As long as we know who we are and whose we are tomorrow will be better than today no matter the circumstances.

Diamond in the dessert

Diamonds in the Desert

I doubt many of you have read the book “Dream Giver” by Bruce Wilkinson, but I would highly suggest it. In the book he writes of a point in which ever dreamer goes through a wasteland where it seems nothing is going right. He also writes that in this wasteland God, the Dream Giver, will provide various blessings to help you make it through the wasteland. Well ladies and gentlemen it seems I have been in the wasteland for quite a while concerning my dreams. Last night, though, I received a blessing in this dessert.
As some of you know part of me calling is to minister to those rejected by the church, specifically the gay community. Because of some trials in my past God has specifically equipped me to do this work. Well last night I received an IM that helped affirm this work. A few months ago I was searching through Xanga and came across a young man’s blog. The guy is gay and was contemplating cutting himself again; apparently he had done so in the past. For some reason God moved me to IM this young man. We talked and I told him of Christ love for him, but he was extremely negative. I didn’t try to force it down him so I changed the topic and made him look at the positives in his life. As we ended the conversation I felt it had not gone well at all. Anyway this is the young man that IM last night. I didn’t even remember him at first then I went back to his Xanga to remind myself. I found an interesting entry from the day after we talked the first time. He said that while he was thinking of cutting some guy named Jason from SC IMed him. Apparently something I said was used of God to change his mind and keep him from cutting. You have no idea how much I needed to hear that. I’ve been praying for God to let me be used to show his love and three months after it happened I find he had already let me. On the brink of giving up God showed me a brief reminder of what I am doing and being prepared for in this wasteland and that if I keep going I will reach the dream he has placed in my heart.
I hope all of you will be on the look out for your diamonds in the dessert as you chase your dreams. God is faithful to help you even when you can’t see him at work directly.

Jason Vaughn

P.S. Please be in prayer for Dan, the teen I was speaking of, as he still has not come to the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

V for IMB

I have recently become a fan of the movie V for Vendeta. I actually watched twice in theatres. In the movie the government has complete control and all those who speak out against it are executed. While I still believe that the truths of this movie may be a good distance off for the United States, I fear that it may not be as far off for the Southern Baptist Convention. As some of you know in Nov. 2005 the International Mission Board (IMB) implemented two new policies. The first concerns a “private prayer language,” stating that any IMB missionary applicant that claims such a private “gift” will not be allowed to serve as an IMB missionary. The second stated that the applicant must not only have been baptized by immersion, but in a church that holds to eternal security. If they have not been baptized in such a way they can apply with their church for “re-baptism.” The purpose of this letter is not to refute these heretical and divisive policies, but to address another policy that was adopted last week.
After these policies were passed, several IMB trustees spoke and wrote publicly against these policies. One trustee, Wade Burleson, was recommended for removal from the board because of statements made on his blog, www.wadeburleson.com. This was recently rescinded after strong backlash from many in the convention. Since this attempt failed to silence him, the IMB decided to adopt a new manual. In the previous manual, know as “The Blue Book,” trustees were encouraged to report back to their people about the happenings in the IMB, this includes allowing for dissent. The new policy, which supersedes “The Blue Book,” states "Individual IMB trustees must refrain from public criticism of Board approved actions." So now dissent has been banned.
Anytime a change for greatness has been made it has started with a few men. Now those with the most powerful voices to make a change have been silenced, but the most authoritative have to be heard. In the Southern Baptist Convention our ultimate authority is the Word of God. That Word has been completely left out of all supporting arguments. Not one thread of Scriptural data has been presented in defense. Also, in Southern Baptist churches new policies are to come from the bottom up. Our policy decision makers are to be the people in the pews. The Scripture is the foundation and the elect are the first floor of our convention.
Now is the time that we as Southern Baptist must stand together. We must let it be known that while we are in full favor of a conservative, God-centered statement of faith such as the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message we refuse to lightly accept extra biblical interpretation that is non-essential and has been interpreted in varying ways throughout history. We must become informed on what is going on with the IMB policies.
If they are willing to enforce policies that go beyond our conventions stance and then quite all those in dissent what will they attack next? Reformed theology, local church autonomy (which is already under attack), worship styles, etc.? We as Southern Baptist have a uniting statement of faith in Christ, and we must protect the right to disagree on non-essential elements of the faith.
We were formed because some believed that certain people should not be allowed as missionaries and today we make the same mistakes that were made back then. I pray it does not require another division to realize our folly.
Please take the time to learn of what is happening inside the IMB and what it truly means. Then the trustees and let them know that you appreciate their work and heart for missions, but also wish the IMB to remain scripturally sound. Please pray for those on both sides of the issues, and realize that whether you agree with the policies or not the option for vocal dissent should always be an option lest we fall into a world where a bomb is believed to be more powerful than a prayer (in any language).

IMB Challenges

So the semester is finally up and going. Break was awesome and I had a lot of dun. I actually didn't fight with my dad over break; of course I wasn't home much anyway. So I'm not taking many classes. I have 13 hours: Systematic Theology II, Acting I, Missions Practicum II, and Senior Seminar. Even though I have so few classes I have a lot of papers. For ST I am writing one on the Fatherhood of God, for Senior Seminar I get to write about the implications of the new IMB policies on the local church, and I get to take a two week tour of Europe and spread the gospel to my travel companions for missions’ practicum. It will be hard work, but I think I'll learn a lot.
I got my business back up and running and its going awesome. Tye decided to join the team and she really is amazing me and setting a high standard for everyone to hold to. There is a lot of interest on campus and I'm really excited about helping some people find a way to do what God has placed on their hearts. I've just been amazed at watching the team I work with because I think it is the first time I've really been around men, not males. Men that love their wives, their God, and those around them. I am extremely proud to be part of this. I also got a new website www.bww.com/higherhope The password is Freedom.
So for those of you that don't know the IMB has just got me furious over their new policies. For a good explanation of the policies go to www.joelrainey.blogspot.com or wadeburleson.com and read his Dec. 10 entry. Basically one states that anyone that has ever spoken in tongues even in a private prayer language is not eligible for service with the IMB, and the other states the only acceptable baptism is that essentially only those baptized by a southern Baptist pastor in a southern Baptist church is not acceptable. They must apply for re-baptism to be eligible for service. I personally have no problem calling this a pure heresy.
First, let us take the prayer language. I do not fully understand the biblical position of tongues. I personally believe that tongues are meant to be real human lang. for the purpose of the spreading of the gospel and the edification of the church. The other is the private prayer language. I have no idea what this means. I believe that as rational beings we prayer as whole beings through the language we speak and using our minds and our emotions. But there is also evidence in Scripture that the Holy Spirit will at times intercede. I believe this occurs at times of intense prayer and refuse to limit the working of God by saying this does not exist.
Second, is the issue of baptism. Baptism is a symbol and practice ordained by God to make a public profession of faith. This is our first public profession (not walking the aisle). To say that this must be done by a certain person in a certain place just because we disagree with them doctrinally is preposterous. We have one Lord, one faith, one hope, and one BAPTISM. Yes they are to be immersed, but to say someone must be re-baptized because the man God ordained to bring them to salvation holds to some incorrect doctrines is insane heresy. I’m so mad it gives me a headache to think about it.
Anyway, I’m doing a paper on these policy effects on the local church. Its going to be great. Be in prayer for our convention, our IMB missionaries, the trustees, and the IMB president and staff. They are all great people and want to glorify God. We just have some people that are going about it the wrong way. For more information see www.wadeburleson.com and www.joelrainey.blogspot.com . Soli Deo Gloria, Jason Vaughn.
1. My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus' name.
Refrain:
On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.

2. When Darkness veils his lovely face,
I rest on his unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
my anchor holds within the veil.
(Refrain)

3. His oath, his covenant, his blood
supports me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
he then is all my hope and stay.
(Refrain)

4. When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
Dressed in his righteousness alone,
faultless to stand before the throne!
(Refrain)

Proud to be a dog!

So I just got back from two trips.

The first was a Mission Trip/ Vacation. We went to Maryland to help a former pastor of mine that is now over Mid-Maryland church planters.

Matt accompanied on this trip and was a great help. We got there on Thursday night. We left early so we could miss a storm that was coming through that night.

Friday Joel took us on a tour of the area and told us about Howard County. It is the third most affluent county in the nation so reaching the needs of the community is very different.

That evening we went to Medieval Times and cheered for the Red and Yellow knight, but the loser died on us.

Saturday we went and helped a church with their community outreach by playing games with the children and presenting the story of Christmas.

Later that day we went to Baltimore. I hate Baltimore. There is nothing in Baltimore for fine upstanding people. We got lost in the ghetto for thirty minutes and I really thought I was going to be killed. We got our tails out of there as fast as possible.

Sunday we to church with the Amy Rainey and it was one of the coolest Sunday School classes that I've ever been in. We went to Washington D.C. but only spent about 30 minutes at the Smithsonian. That night we presented the Armor of God for a children's group. We were supposed to leave Monday, but decided to stay a few extra days to do some fun stuff.

Monday we went to Washington again. That was cool though we spent way to much time on the Metro.

Tuesday was the kicker. We had heard that NYC was only three hours away so of course our first thought was Rent on Broadway. So we left about 7 am and arrived about noon. I now know why New Yorkers cuss so much. I think I handled myself pretty well for a first timer in NY traffic though.

We had to pay 30 bucks for parking and like $50 for all the tolls. If you haven't figured it out we are really pushing our luck for money. we find the theater and find out that they have a lottery for tickets that night for $20 tickets. We figured it was worth the risk. So we spent the day walking around NYC and Matt made a comment about wanting to be in a television audience and a second later (literally) we heard a guy looking for folks to be on DaySide on Fox News. I got to ask a question and we just had a blast.

We went back to the theater at 5:30. And we won the lottery. Not only were the tickets $20 they were also front row. It was freaking awesome. It was probably one of the best days of my life.

We drove back to SC on the day the ice storm hit apparently we brought it back with us.

Thursday morning I left for Mississippi with Baptist Collegiate ministries for some Katrina relief. www.bcmkatrinarelief.blogspot.com We left the normalcy of South Carolina and entered a whole other world. We couldn't see anything as we got their at night, but when we stepped outside the next morning the devastation was clear.

It was as if Katrina had just come though that night. On every house was spay paint. Some read contaminated, unsafe, looters will be shot, State Farm killed Santa, do not enter, and each had the number of victims on it. The county lost about 80 people.

The first day I signed up to work on a toy distribution crew. That didn't work out so we tried to help distribute furniture.

The next day I went with a crew to clear off two lots then we went and help a team finish gutting a house. We prayed with the family as we left.

Sunday was a day off I went with some folks from the Citadel and College of Charleston to their BCM ministers ordination in Baton Rouge. For some reason we went to the mall a week before Christmas talk about a horrifying experience. Baton Rouge is listed as one of the worst towns in the nation.

It was the first ordination I had been to I hope that I can be a man that people will speak as highly of as they did of Peter. It was truly inspiring.

Monday we started the gutting of two houses. We got to work with this cool 83 year old man, Norman. He even helped us gut his house. He was dancing and joking the whole time we were throwing away everything he owned. That was really remarkable seeing all the joy that people had and learning what was really important. We went back the next day to finish up. It was good to know we had finished what we started out to do.

Wed. I stayed behind to help with housekeeping. I felt kind of bad because we were finished really early while everyone else was out working. When another group got back I went out with them to pick up trash. We stopped by a park one of our groups had built and played a while. We were walking by a catholic school and helped them carry some new white boards in and they let us go up in their bell tower it was a great view.

We stayed up all night that last night fellowshipping and playing games. I really hated to leave. I met a lot of awesome brothers and sisters in Christ.

To all you thanks for your encouragement. I want to especially sent a shout out to Matt, Cliff, and Dave. You guys truly embody Christian brotherhood and freely accept other brothers into that fellowship.

Clutter you are awesome girl stay unique. And Roger you may not be a "blooming Calvinists" like myself, but you're still pretty cool.

Thanks for organizing the trip Chad you did a great job and I know God was glorified through all of it.

When you go into an area like that it can be really overwhelming, but always remember that it is on God's strength and His mission we do our work. One verse really came to life for me over the last week. Ecclesiastes 9:4 "Anyone who is among the living has hope--even a live dog is better off than a dead lion." Those people knew what hope was. They had lost everything, but they were alive and had hope.

I also learned a lot about myself as well. We look at the heroes of the bible like Abraham, Moses, Paul, and Peter and think wow those are lions of the faith. Those are the people I want to be like.

Then if something happens and we get depressed and we think their is nothing we can do. We go into areas like Mississippi's disaster area and look at awe and think about what in the world we should do. We feel helpless. We feel like dogs, but here is the thing. We may be a dog, but at least we're alive. We can do something. Those that have come before us may have done amazing things but they ain't doing them any more. They're dead. They have done all they can do. But now its our turn. Now we do what we have to do. We are the dogs of today, but we're alive. We can do something and so we must.

Don't look at those others and think I'll never be like that. Look at the others and think I can learn from that. Do what you can then praise God you could do it.

Fear and Glory

Fear. Its something we all face. Fear of tomorrow, fear of loss, fear for our children, fear for lives, and fear of our past. We all have fear. Some fear is good. It keeps us from putting ourselves in danger for stupid reasons. It keeps our children in line until they understand consequences. It even keeps criminals at bay, but not all fear is healthy. Fear also keeps us from trusting, from loving, from giving. We won’t give the bum on the street money because he may buy liquor. We won’t share the gospel because they may laugh at us. We won’t love one another because they might not love us back.
Fear is a very powerful tool in the hands of the enemy. Satan is a master at using fear. He whispers in our ear all those nasty “what ifs?” He tempts us to lie to avoid difficulties. He tells us they won’t understand so we never admit the truth.
One of his most powerful uses of fear is the fear of our past. As Christians our past has been obliterated the sin and guilt washed away, but the memories and lessons learned remain. Still our past if a great weapon in the enemy’s arsenal. He constantly reminds of what we used to be. The victories are forgotten as the struggle continues. He can convince us to change everything about ourselves so that we don’t let one person know the truth.
Ladies and gentlemen here is the truth. I am a dirty rotten sinner that deserves the pits of Hell, yet Christ suffered, died, and rose again to forgive me of those sins. Here is the kicker; you’re a filthy sinner in need of a savior too.
I battle with fear of my past everyday, but I will no longer let my representation of the glory of God be diminished because of it. Let’s face it we are all disgusting and we beat ourselves up constantly over that, but in Christ we have been set free.
I have found that the greatest weapon against fear is hope. Hope is what Jonathan took with him to face hundreds of Palestinians alone. Hope is what made the blind man and leper come to Jesus. Hope is that idea we have before faith. We aren’t yet ready say I know, but we can say maybe. Maybe we can do it. Maybe we will survive. Maybe they will understand.
What is our hope? Our hope is Christ. Our hope is heaven. Our hope is knowing that God has set into motion his plan, his will, and he does all things to work for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28) .

Acts 2
25David said about him:
" 'I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will live in hope,
27because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
28You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.'

Roman 5
5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Let this be our weapon ladies and gentlemen as we stand firm against the enemy’s attacks. Never let come between you and the glory of God.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Refrain

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Refrain

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Refrain

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain

update

So I know it has been a while since I have written and to be honest this won’t be a normal blog. I just want to update everyone on what is going on. We finished with Twain. The last day we had three performances and I twisted my ankle during the first show. I had to sit the second one out and my lines were split up. They did an amazing job, but it sort of made me feel useless. I forced myself to perform the third performance. Having to sit backstage was worse than the ankle hurting.
Last weekend we had student legislature. It was an amazing time. I learned a tremendous amount and made some interesting friends. By the close of the conference I found myself partnering with some folks from College of Charleston. Now that was weird, but I’m so glad I did it.
I have a bunch of papers due so I’m staying busy. And just a quick prayer request. My grandmother is in the hospital she is having trouble breathing. I’m not worried about her dying but she isn’t a Christian. I had the opportunity to witness to her, please pray God work in her soul to draw her to Himself.

In God we Trust,
Jason Vaughn

Holy Dependence

Is it right to depend on someone? I’m not talking about depending on God. That is a given. I’m talking about depending on friends, family, and strangers. When Paul was blinded he was forced to depend on others to get him to the one God chose to heal him. The lame were dependent on friends to bring them to Jesus. And I lately I have found myself depending on someone for guidance in certain issues. This is a new thing for me. I have always been the extremely independent entrepreneurial type. Now that I find myself in a situation that is not like that I’m not sure what to do. I don’t know how much I can lean on someone with pushing them away. How do you and what do you do?

One Question

It is amazing how one question can change your life. For Peter it was “Who do you say I am?” For couples it is “Will you take this person as your lawfully wedded spouse?” For parents it is “Is the baby healthy?”
I received such a question last night. I knew it was coming, the person had been hinting at it for a while. Then they finally asked. Even though I knew and expected it didn’t make it easier. I considered lying but I couldn’t. I’m proud of myself for being honest, but then it began to sink in that I had actually been asked. I have never felt so alone as I did in that moment in time. I was in a room full of people and there was not a single person I could even talk to. Then my heart started racing. I couldn’t figure out the emotion because I had never felt anything so intense. Then I realized what it was: fear. I was in pure and udder dread. I had lost complete control of everything I am. It was as if a layer of skin had been ripped from my body.
I was lucky though. I had a friend that I was talking to that would understand. I’m not just speaking of Christ, but I had been lucky enough to have been given someone to go to. In the midst of pure dread I felt more thanks than I have ever known. At that moment I was as thankful for this friend as I was for salvation. God had used him for my bodily salvation at the time. I can’t imagine what I would have done without him.

One question. One answer. Then one hope. Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Jason Vaughn

Talents for Glory

(1 Corinthians 10:31)
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

So all week at school we had this artist, Doug Berky, on campus. He worked with our theatre department, was our chapel “speaker” Wed., and performed on Friday night. First let me say that this was the best chapel of the year. He truly was amazing in that performance. Even after that he still blew my mind on Friday evening. He performed Kairos with five NGC theatre majors. It was one of the most phenomenal performances of my life. They performed the story of Christ in masks. Our students learned this in a weeks time and did an exceptional job. May I also add that this was the first performance where I actually took notice of how intricate and stupendous the lighting and sound was for a performance. Props to all who worked on this production.
The point of this blog is to share one of the points that Doug shared in chapel. When he came on stage he began by juggling. He then continued by sharing that once in a theatre he felt this overwhelming presence of God. This led him of course to only one possible action: he performed ever possible trick he knew. What he was speaking of was the fact that our talents and abilities are gifts from God. They are meant to glorify Him. He compared them a prayer of thanks before God.
As some of my readers know I was trying to organize a creative ministries tour over Christmas. God closed the door on this activity for the time being. One of my purposes for this tour was to teach church members that God has designated everything they do for His glory.
I encourage all of my readers to look at what you enjoy. What is pure in your life? What brings you comfort? Then think about how this can glorify God and help to bring about His redemptive plan to the world. Basketball, golf, pottery, photography, reading, playing, talking, organizing, acting, listening, counseling, helping, serving. Whatever you do remember to do it for the glory of God. (BTW this includes working and studying)

Soli Deo Gloria,
Jason Vaughn

Gomer Update

So I received an e-mail asking me to write an update about my Gomer. Sorry I haven’t updated, but it has been a busy couple of weeks. I appreciate all of your prayers. I hate to say it, but I decided I needed to leave the church. I woke up on Sunday and I just dreaded going to church. That was the last straw and God’s way of telling me to leave. I do know this though. I left giving all I had in me.

Acts 20:31-32 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears. (32) And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

I gave all I knew and learned all God allowed me to learn. I gave it without exception. There is simply nothing left for me to do there. I walk by the church building and cry, but I have comfort in knowing I held nothing back.
The Greek word used for this is pas –“without exception.” I truly believe this is what I gave. My professor told me he was proud of me. I wish I could feel that way. I have to admit I still feel like I am abandoning them. I wait now on the peace of God.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Jason Vaughn

When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
By: Isaac Watts
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ, my God;
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to his blood.

See, from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a tribute far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all!

Boring Sin

I hate boredom. You would think with all the miracles of technology we would never be bored. Personally, I think one of the major reasons for boredom is our lack of creativity. We are spoon fed answers all of our life and then all of the God given talent is just drained out of us because we haven’t used it in a decade and a half since school started.
It is fall break and I came home for the couple of days. Yesterday, I was supposed to do a gig for Paws in the Falls, but I arrived and no one was there. Apparently they canceled and didn’t bother telling me. Then I went to the Christian Film Festival at Hollywood 20. I volunteered for a while then watched movies. If you are in the area you should go and help out or just watch some movies. Some are cheesy, but others, like Luther, are really good. It is also probably the only time you will hear an alter call in a movie theatre.
So back to boredom. I went to my home church today and since then I have been sitting around with nothing to do. You know the saying “Idle hands are the Devil’s playground.” I think I am definitely proving it today. I like having the break, but it is really boring since most of my friends are at North Greenville. It seems that it should be easy to fight temptations, but it seems I just keep falling. That is why I like being at school. At least there is some accountability there.
So now I am trying to distract myself by blogging. If nothing else this has helped to put my focus back on track and on God. I’ll probably go back to the film festival tomorrow. Maybe, I’ll see some of you there. God Bless.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Jason Vaughn

My Gomer?

My heart is burdened deeply. Last Sunday night I called my church to repentance and I feel as if it were useless. They have an awesome opportunity for ministry, but some members hold such a grudge against parts of this specific community that the ministry is almost non-existent. I called them on this last Sunday. Tonight we had missions emphasis night. The whole time I kept thinking “you care about people half way around the world, but you aren’t even willing to reach those surrounding you.” It is so frustrating. My advisor and professor has encouraged me to move on. He should know He is also the pastor that just left the church. (It was under really good circumstances so it isn’t that there is any animosity, NGU requires professors to stay no longer than a year.)
As I was there tonight I was having such a hard time getting rid of this thought of frivolousness that I went to pray in the sanctuary. As I entered I looked at the baptismal and began to wonder when the last time a new believer had been brought into the family because of the work God was doing in this church. Then I looked at the cross above it and began to wonder if this could really be any resemblance of what God had in mind as He established the church He was to head.
I don’t know what to do. The people I trust tell me to leave, but yet there is something that tells me to stay and not just leave these people behind. I wonder if this is to be my Gomer. Is this to be my adulterous wife? I am beginning to understand a small, and oh so brief glimpse, as to what Christ must feel as we betray Him for things so much less glorious.
I ask you to pray with me for guidance. It hurts to be there, but if God can use me to bring Him glory through this then pray I will lean on Him. I cannot do this without the prayers of the saints.

Soli Deo Gloria,
Jason Vaughn

Never let your trials stop your praise. Join me in worshiping in music with this awesome hymn of the faith.


HOW GREAT THOU ART

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Temptations

Why do we tempt ourselves? Why do we constantly put objects of desire in front of us that cause lust, jealousy, covetousness, and envy?
We see them in most movies. We see them on commercials and television. We even see them on billboards. We constantly are faced with temptations and then we decide to put others in front of us. I understand the idea of thinking someone is beautiful, but if there is even the slightest possibility of causing us to sin should we not try to remove it from our lives?
I write this because I have been personally convicted of this recently. I put things in front of me that fuel habitual sins and they become my desire more than God. It gets to a place I would rather have then and think on them than to think on God. Now I realize that we cannot completely avoid everything, but we can limit it. Sinners will act like sinners and dress like sinners no matter what. And to accomplish the Great Commission we must be willing to engage them with the gospel in their environments.
But what about outside those environments? In the comfort of our own room should we really place pictures of men and women that can cause us to lust? No. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7. If we let the devil in our own room then we do not resist him. As Christians we go into a fallen world everyday. We must have a place to retreat from the temptations of the enemy. A place we can go into our prayer closets without worldly distractions surrounding us.
We are dead creatures, sacrificed to Christ, and alive solely in Him. If we are to serve Him fully we must focus on Him, and not the temptations of the world. Create a place where you can go and have nothing to distract your focus from God. For most of us that is our dorm room. In there let us tear down all those things that can create a diversion from God and His glory.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Phil. 4:8).

Songs through the Sorrow

I had to do something today and it didn’t turn out like I expected. It didn’t go well, but I know I did the right thing. After being upset for a minute the Lord gave me peace and in return my heart has leapt to sing His praise and thanks. Please join me in worshiping with these two great hymns of the faith. (I don’t know the tune to the first, but I thought just reading the words was full of worship.)

________________________________________________

O for a thousand tongues to sing

1. O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!

2. My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honors of thy name.

3. Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears,
'tis life, and health, and peace.

4. He breaks the power of canceled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean;
his blood availed for me.

5. He speaks, and listening to his voice,
new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice,
the humble poor believe.

6. Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb,
your loosened tongues employ;
ye blind, behold your savior come,
and leap, ye lame, for joy.

7. In Christ, your head, you then shall know,
shall feel your sins forgiven;
anticipate your heaven below,
and own that love is heaven.
________________________________________________

It is well with my soul

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

Refrain

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

Refrain

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

Refrain

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

Refrain

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Refrain
_______________________________________________
Okay so I also ask for a prayer request as we end this time of prayer. A friend got onto me tonight about making jokes belittling myself. I say them in jest, but I think she had a point so I am going to stop saying them. Please pray for me in this because it has become very natural and I usually don’t even realize I am doing it.