Truth Applied

What a journey this term has been!

You know what was so cool about this class to me? God had it all planned out. Before the beginning of time, he knew this group of eleven beloved students would embark on a couple of assignments that would push them out of their comfort zones, challenge them, and make them better as a result of it.

I am so grateful for this term. It's definitely not what I expected. At times it felt more like a small group that a class, yet, it was refreshing to call Theology 2 a class for sure. I am so excited at all the results that these challenges brought fourth, it was so much less about getting a good grade on the assignment, it was much more about the eternal fruit that it produced. How cool!

Assignments that stood out to me: First and foremost, the forgiveness project was huge. It brought up a very healthy conversation that needed to happen on my part. I was very grateful that God used that to make it happen, all in his timing.

I really enjoyed the ecclesioilogy assignment. Because I had had many experiences in a very Holy Spirit focused church, I decided to go to a catholic service. It was very enlightening and I would not be surprised if I went again. It really gave me perspective on what I believe about salvation.

Kenosis was really special too. When I felt God call me to give up more money to His causes, it was a big sacrifice. Turns out, when I got the new job at Better Than Mama's, I make enough to give this amount and still save money as well, something I wouldn't have been able to do before. God had it all planned out. That step of faith provided to be very rewarding in the end.

All in all, this was a great term. So glad I get to be apart of this new, awesome program. Excited for the future. Thankful for the present.

Jon Platt

Let's go SHOP

Hello world, (or, the 13 people in my class)

Though I wasn't able to attend another church this week, I would really like to as soon as possible. It seems that it would be a very awesome experience.

This weekend, most of the leadership team was gone on the retreat for college group, so I was asked to be there and make sure everything ran smoothly. I really wanted to go to a church during this week, but with the grand opening of "Better Than Mama's," it just didn't happen.. there is so much work to be done!

So, I will do this assignment as soon as I can.

I do want to say that I spent a good year or so going to Salem House of Prayer (SHOP) on Friday nights with my mentor at the time, Daniel Dixon, as a freshman in high school. For those who don't know, this is a very Holy Spirit, charismatic focused church. It was very, very, beneficial for me to see this side of things, growing up in a more "in the middle" environment. I learned so much there about the manifest Holy Spirit, and I experienced Him for myself. I received prophesies which have continually been relevant in my life from there, I saw word pictures for the first times there, and I also believe I received that baptism of the Holy Spirit in my time of going there. There was a time when Daniel and I left because every single person was speaking in tongues for someone, and it didn't feel right to him and genuinely made him angry. So, I would say that sometimes it was taken to far. Yet, overall, I believe that God was using that place for His glory.

Peace!

(Identity in Christ)

If I'm completely honest, I've had a difficult time remembering to read the identity statements we've been given morning and night, but this hasn't stopped me from continually being reminded of who I am in Christ. Due to alot of pain and broken relationships, I've had to learn the hard way that identity in Christ is essential in order to function in day to day life in health. Therefore, the past year or two has been a very long, difficult process continually discovering that He must be on the throne of my heart. 

When this topic was posed, it didn't take long for me to hear exactly what to write down, 

"Unhealthy need for people in my life"

So much work has occurred in my heart over the past couple years bringing me closer to a state of identity in Christ. Yet, throughout the process, I still find myself needing to feel validated by my social life and the people I surround myself with. 

Example:

"I am so excited to spend this afternoon in the presence of God, dwelling in His goodness. Before I do this, though, let me text Jeremiah and see if he wants to play basketball tonight." 

This process I feel is ingrained in me, but I believe it can be removed.

Here's another one:

"Here I am, sitting on this couch. All my roommates are out tonight. I have no plans. (This quickly turns into) "Oh my gosh, I don't have any friends, I'm a loser." (etc) Obviously, this isn't true. Let's be honest, too. I know it's not true. Yet, when my identity centers around people, when people aren't coming through, things start to get shaky.

Life verse pause: "I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:8) Anyway, 

Recently, I was given the opportunity to move into a one bedroom apartment a block and a half away from the church. At first, this idea scared me. "I'm extroverted. I need to be around people all the time." While I am extroverted and am created to be in relationship with humans, these above statements scream, "My identity will be shaken if I live alone." Though my main reason for moving is to be close to the church, my work, and my school, I'm sure this move will prove to be a place in which God will continue to speak into my identity- which is found in in Him. In the times when nothing is going on, when I have no plans, I can choose to dwell on the lies and let them grow, or I can continue to seek out the God of all creation who has called me out and loves me deeply. Imagine the growth that could happen in this time! Imagine how God could speak. 

I don't exactly know what else to say, but I do know for sure that I want my identity to be centered in Christ. I know that this will look comfort in being alone. Of course, I need people in my life. Community is in my DNA. What having an identity centered in Christ would mean would be a deep dependence on God in all situations, and a love for people that is actually healthy- and imagine how much better I could love people!

It's broken and flimsy, just like me"

"Really Dangaran, we have to do this?"

That was racing through my mind last Thursday evening. I'm sure I wasn't the only one. Yet, part of me was excited. What would this experiment bring? What conversations would happen because of it? How would it spark peoples thoughts?

I wanted my cross to be unique. I wanted it to stand out, and my heart was happy when compliments began to flood in from my fellow students, "wow Jon, your cross is my favorite."

The next day was interesting. As most of you know, I ride my bike everywhere. As I pulled out onto River road, the main street in Keizer, cross strapped to my back, I immediately felt the pressure of the symbol I had. I was labeled. At first this was uncomfortable. I was waiting for the "F#*! you's! Or the "Go to Hell's," but they didn't come. In fact, one man shouted at me, "praise the Lord!" I was encouraged by this. I was also encouraged by the fact that by the time I had rode to Broadway and back, hundreds of people had seen the cross. My guess is that in almost every person that saw it, some thought was sparked. Maybe it was negative, maybe it was positive, yet, either way, the thought of Jesus crossed their minds that wasn't there before. I have no idea (and probably never will) the impact wearing the cross while riding made.

Then, my "perfect, unique" cross began to fall apart. It was flimsy. It kept getting pulled apart, only to have to be put back together again. I found myself taking shoe strings to tie it together, but nothing seemed to work. This thing was not strong, and it was broken.

Wait a minute, is there a connection here?

Yup.

Soon, I found myself responding to those who made a remark about my cross with, "it's broken and flimsy, just like me." This really hit with me, and I hope it was encouraging for others.

In my life, I want to stand out. I want praise. I want people to affirm me and regard me as a "good christian." Not all of this is necessarily bad in and of itself, but this has definitely been an idol in my life (acceptance of people) and that is not okay.

So, as I walked around most of the week with a cross that constantly fell apart, that would dramatically bend and become disfigured at the slightest movement, and which eventually completely fell apart, unable for repair. This was a wonderful reminder and a symbol to to others,

"This cross is broken and flimsy, just like me, yet, it symbolizes the love that came down and bled for me because of my brokenness. In him, I am sweetly broken."

Alright Dangaran and Roth, I get it. It's been good. Thank you, and thank you Holy Spirit for speaking through it and pointing me to Jesus.

Seeking Forgiveness

Forgiving one another holds immense power. In my almost five years as a follower of Christ, I have experienced the power and reconciliation that forgiveness brings. I have given it, and I have received it. Both aspects bring loads of peace. It is simply amazing. How lucky are we, too, that we get to model and play out in our lives what Jesus has done for us? Obviously, our conflicts are much smaller to forgive than the entire sin of the human race, yet, as we get a taste of this act, we draw one step closer nearer to the heart of the Father. What could be better than this?

I knew something was going to happen. It was Thursday, September 18th. I had just gotten back from Mexico 14 hours earlier. I had been feeling God prepare me for something regarding my past relationship with Isabel. I had no clue what was going to happen, but I knew it would happen before the first day of fall. In the month of March this year, God promised that something significant would happen between us before fall began. The Lord has never failed a promise He has given me, and he didn't this time either. 

As our new instructor Jeff took the platform for the first time in our new classroom, I was filled with anxiety. My heart was pumping; racing. I had been feeling it all day. Jeff began to speak on Jesus, and what he accomplished on the cross. I was having a difficult time focusing, until he gave us our challenge for the week.

"Who are you going to forgive, or ask forgiveness from?" 

I froze. I didn't know what to do. I knew I had to talk to Isabel, but I had no idea how to approach her. I didn't know whether I should grab a rose or a rock. In my explosion of feelings, I swiftly went to the prayer room down the hall. I kneeled at the cross, begging God to tell me what to do. As I prayed, I knew in my gut that Isabel would be coming in shortly. Within less than five minutes, I heard the door open. There she was. 

Heart pounding out of my chest, I approached her as she prayed. That probably wasn't the best idea on my part. I just stood there. I couldn't say anything. Calmly, Isabel said something like, "If you need to talk, I will listen." I wasn't quite ready though, so she left the room. It was a good thing I was the only one in there. I started balling. All this pent up emotion finally made its way out, in the form of tears. After a few minutes of letting it out, I went into the class to lead prayer, and then went back out into the hallway to cry some more. It was definitely needed. I also hope that explains why I was struggling to lead prayer. I should have just been honest that I wasn't feeling well, I'm sorry about that.

Later that night, I was ready. I knew exactly what I needed to say to her. I had hurt Isabel in so many ways, and it took me over a year and a half to fully recognize the damage I had done. Yet, the Lord revealed the hurt I had caused, in grace. I knew exactly what I needed to tell her. 

The conversation wasn't awkward. In fact, it was comfortable. Isabel told me that she knew something was coming too. We were ready to talk. 

We sat in her car for a good hour. I got to explain everything, and apology sincerely for what I'd done. She listened attentively, and respectfully. I told her everything that was on my heart. I was very honest, and she was honest with me. We were both very delighted to hear that everything God had revealed to me about what I'd done was the very things Isabel prayed He would help me understand. God is so good, and He loves his children so much. After this, she forgave me. It was truly amazing. 

Since the conversation, things have been different between us. There is a great sense of peace. We both know that God used that time in our lives to shape us and bring us closer to Him. 

I am so incredibly grateful for the forgiveness I have received. Isabel has truly modeled the love of Christ to me in her continual patience, grace, and respect. What an incredible feeling it is to know that I am forgiven by the Father, and by her. Thank you Jesus. 

As your classmates, Isabel and I wanted to be honest with you all about what happened between us this week. Neither of us felt the need or desire to hide names, or sugar coat what went down. You get the honest truth, from both of us. We are all family, and vulnerability is what will continue to draw us all closer together as a class. What a blessing.

So, I have come to the conclusion, now more than ever, that forgiveness is in our very DNA. We are made for it. We have life because of it. So in order to be filled, we must ask for it, and we must do it.

Period. 

"You cannot serve two gods"

Hello!

In the past, this blog was used to update supporters and friends on my missionary endeavors in Burkina Faso, West Africa. Currently, I am living in Salem, OR (my hometown) where I am attending the Reach Training Institute of Antioch Edu. and the Christian and Missionary Alliance. For the next few months and possibly beyond, I will be using this blog for my fellow classmates to view and comment on, however, it is not limited for school purposes only. I hope that anyone, along with my classmates, may be blessed by the words I write here.



For our first project in Theology and life, we have been asked to deal with the topic of kenosis (emptying)
of something in our life that (after prayer) we feel that God may be asking us to give up. As I spent time in prayer, a few things came into mind.

In the past months, I have been able to save money. I have been super excited about this, because for years, I have always seemed to have my money burning a hole in my pocket. Yet, I found it interesting that right after sitting down to pray, my savings account is what the Lord brought up. As I began to read all that Jesus said about money, especially the verses regarding "storing up heavenly treasures rather than earthly ones," I began to feel convicted, and began to be reminded of what I already know- God will literally provide for everything that I need.

So I asked myself, why I am saving money? I have nothing I am saving up for. I've often thought about buying a car since I currently only have a bike, but I continually feel the call to keep riding as doors have been shut to get one. (Plus, lets be honest, not having to pay for insurance or gas is incredible, and my legs are sexier than ever).

After this, I knew what I had to do. Every two weeks, I have been putting about $150 dollars into my savings. I now needed to pray about where my money that I would have saved would be going from here on out.

As I lay on my bed asking God to reveal His plan for His money from the job that He gave me, three things popped up. These three things are all people/ministries that I am passionate about, and am grateful to have a connection with.

As stated earlier, and obvious to see down below in old posts, I lived in Burkina Faso in 2013. While there, I met an amazing pastor named Rakistaba Valentin. We became very close. He poured his knowledge into me. He prayed for me. We had many hours of conversation. In the time I spent with him, I got the pleasure to see all the work that God has called him to. This man is passionate about spreading the gospel; it is his number one priority, even above his beautiful wife and children. Everything is secondary to knowing God and making him known. Pastor Valentin, to my knowledge, makes about $400 dollars a year. There are so many ways that my money could help him and those he is ministering to. Therefore, I have decided, along with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that $100 dollars of my paycheck every month will go to helping him in any way that he needs, whether that be for personal use or ministry use. I am so excited that just a small portion of my monthly income will be able to bless him and others in large ways.



Next, I felt led to give to the City of Angels Orphanage in Tijuana, Mexico. My friend Tenielle Lytle, who I actually met in Burkina, is the administrator of the ministry there. I have been able to go down and help with videos for the sponsorship program for the kids in need a few times. As I prayed, I felt and know that God cares for these kids. The orphanage is really struggling. If it doesn't receive enough support, all the kids living there will have to go back to their parents, whom most of are drug addicts, prostitutes, or completely unable to support their child. So I've decided that $100 dollars of my income will be going to this orphanage as well- because God believes in these kids.



Finally, I have attended Salem Alliance Church since the 3rd grade. This place has been such a blessing to me, and I am so grateful for everything God has done through it. Most importantly though, I believe that revival is due in the city of Salem, and in order to be ready, the church must be built up and supported. Because of this, $100 dollars of my paycheck will be going to Salem Alliance Church.

But God, what if there is an emergency?                  
                --Will I not provide for your needs?
But God, my culture tells me I need to save money, that it is responsible!              
               --You are saving treasure in heaven, child.. and not just for you.

Some people may feel called to save money. Maybe at some point in my life I will too. Right now though, I feel called to give $300 dollars a month to ministries that God has placed in my life that I am passionate about. He placed all of these people in my life for a reason, and I think one of reasons is because He cares for them and will fill their needs. I hope I can be a little part of that.

For me, giving 10% was easy. It never really even dawned on me that it was tithe; more like another bill. With this amount of giving, I will not be able to help but think that I am working to help support these ministries. I think God will teach me alot in that. I am excited for whatever that entails.

Empty me, father.


Jonathan D. Platt

Prayer in a Burkinabe Village

Yesterday morning, I woke up to a knock at my door. I quickly crawled out of bed in a half daze and stumbled to the door. At the door was Mike, the father of the family that I live with.

"Hey!" He said. "Pastor Valentin (the local pastor where I live) is going to a prayer meeting in a village today, and he wants to know if you want to come with him."

I'm sure my facial expression answered his question. Of course I wanted to go! With a quick yes, I hopped in the shower, and got ready for the day. Within an hour, he was at the house picking me up on his motor bike.

After a 40 minute moto ride, we arrived at this village. I don't remember the name, and even if I did, I would totally butcher the spelling. As we arrive we are greeted by many people, including multiple pastors who are attending and running the prayer meeting. Pastor Rakistaba Valentin has been asked to help with the tech for the day, so he quickly begins working on this. "Tech" for these kind of events is actually more advanced than you would think for an African village in one of the poorest countries in the world. Two wirless microphones were used to help run the meeting, and quite necessary, really. There must have been over 200 people in that crammed space!

After a morning of prayer, worship, and learning, the meeting (very similar to what we would call a conference) took a brake or lunch. I met with the pastors and dug into my rice with mystery sauce and mystery meat, something I have grown acustom to. It was delicious. After a while of sitting and listening to 20 men speak in a language that I couldn't even begin to understand, one of the pastors asked me a question (through Valentin, who speaks fluent english) about America. This simple question turned into an hour-and-a-half conversation where many of the pastors were engaged and asking questions, and I was glad to answer them. We began to compare the differences in family dynamics, in politics, and much more. It was a real treat to sit around a table sipping hot tea with sugar cane cubes, talking to these men.

In the afternoon, the meeting began again. After the routine worship, prayer, and lesson, we finished of the session by singing together. It was truly an incredible time. Imagine over 200 Burkinabe crammed under a convered area, and many more outside the walls due to lack of space(some even sat in trees), hands raised and praising their saviour. I along with them worshiped, and I truly felt the presence of the Lord. That time was a highlight of my journey here, and a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Four people came to Christ there yesterday. They had just been walking down the road and noticed that there was an event happening, so they stopped to listen. Little did they know that their life was about to change drastically.

God is beyond good, and He truly is working here in Burkina Faso. I am so blessed to be a small part in his plan.

 

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