Homeworker

Today is an amazingly productive day, despite all the sitting around. I guess that I've always thought in order to be productive you must be moving or bouncing around.
However while I've spent half of this day sitting around drinking coffee, I've accomplished a ton of reading, research-finished a few pages of my Unreached Peoples Project, and knocked out two book reports. Also I've had some amazing devotion time with my best friend; Jesus!

Now, I just wish it was nice enough outside for a good bike ride, I think that I'm ready for some fresh air!
Maybe I'll go for a good run anyway!!
AAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Oh Michigan.

 Well here I am at my parents home back in Michigan for the weekend. It feels so strange being here, I feel like I'm at some kind of winter resort that's catered, and tailored just for me.

First off, there is tons and tons of awesome food, my parents fridge is always packed with delicious dishes and fruits, there are all of my favorite desserts (baklava, brie, chocolate ice cream, ginger cookies) -that are always in stock. 
Free internet everywhere.
All of my old friends are everywhere and they go out of their way to treat me and make me feel welcome.
My Dad made me an awesome full-course breakfast this morning.
Then my dad and I got in some crossbow target practice from the back porch.
My Moma gave me probably the best hair cut I've ever had.
Also my Moma loves to buy me new clothes. Not just some awkward fitting clothing that might be worn once, but my favourite bands that I'll probably wear for years.
Tons of relaxing and prayer time.
My parents old piano, I love playing that thing- it has an incredible sound!

Maybe it's good to be spoiled a few times a year. hahaha

Once again it is Valentines Day. This is the one day on our calendars where we make a great effort to do something special for some one special in our lives. However not everyone in this world has someone truly special, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend..etc. Sometimes this time of year it's easy to feel unloved.
Ben, why are you saying all of this?
Well because I can remember times of my life where I have felt unloved.
This was so long ago, even though I am "single" and don't have that "significant other" I still feel so, så, much love. This love that I'm talking about doesn't come from great friends or parents. This is a love that can only come from a God. The God who loves me so much that he sent his only son down to us sinful humans to brutally kill him, the God who created us with his careful loving hands. This is the God that loves you and I so much that he created the stars and put them in the sky, so that on dark nights we can look up and still and know that he's with us.  It's so exciting to know that you're loved, God loves us so much it blows my mind! It's also a great comfort to know that one day I will have someone special on Valentines Day. One day this will me and my gal….  lovebirds on Valentines day…and it'll be sweet…Hah

If you could be an animal..

 So not all people are animal people, meaning that not everyone likes animals or would want to have a pet. However I think animals are so cool! Because I've been having tons of free time, I gave it some serious thought... If I could be any animal in the world what would I be? I decided I would be a horse and not just any horse but this horse:

This horse just looks adventure bound and ready to be anyone's friend.

If you could be any animal what would you be and why?

Does anybody wanna hire me??

Good grief, it certainly has been a few days since I've last blogged.  Hmmm....well what's new Ben?

 This has been a really great week all around however nothing really crazy has happened yet. Yesterday I mailed out about 20 letters to raise money for my Pakistan trip this spring. P.S. I can't wait!! God has huge plans for that nation!
Also this is Allison Park Church's Spiritual Breakthrough Weekend and it's been awesome watching God reshape and transform people's lives!

More exciting news; it look's like I'm going to be an unemployed man, which isn't anything that I'm looking forward to because I sort of love my job.
So does anybody know of places that are hiring??
I'm not picky lately when it comes to working; restaurant, retail, manual labor, personal chef, personal tailor.... you name it. Hahaha

Self-Leadership

So lately I've been finding myself feeling not motivated to give my all.
I thought that it was just the season (boring, cold, miserable, grey, winter). Yuck! The very thought of being in the middle of winter is nasty! But that's not the reason for lack of motivation, it's an excuse! The real reason is that I haven't been practicing the art of self-leadership.
Self leadership is when in any form of opposition, crisis, hardship, or discouragement, you don't try to lead or influence others but you focus on and lead yourself. This may sound so crazy! But it makes sense just wait. In ministry we can't expect to fully lead others to Christ when our own relationships with God are not actively growing. This could lead to getting burned out very quickly.

Think about King David in the Bible. Even though he was king over all of Israel, he would get alone and talk to God for days! David had to lead himself and recalibrate himself before he could lead his army or his country. David practiced the art of Self-Leadership and he was Israel's greatest king!

So what we must do is focus half of our time and energy on leading ourselves, before we can be successful. In doing so here's a few good questions to ask yourself regularly:
Is my calling sure?
Is my vision clear?
Is my passion hot?
Am I developing my gifts?
Is my character submitted to Christ?
Is my pride subdued?
Am I overcoming fear?
Are interior issues undermining my leadership?
Is my peace sustainable?
Is my love for God and people increasing?

These are all good questions I picked up from author; Bill Hybels.

For me I can read the bible and talk to God several times a day but unless I let God recalibrate me, and focus on these questions; I cannot expect to motivate or lead others to my fullest potential!
So I recommend that you try this self-leadership. Spend half of your energy leading yourself and let God re-light the passion and direction for that day. Now I know that obviously not everyone is necessarily called to lead, but everyone is called to some degree of ministry, and in self-leadership this can make you fruitful.
Reading the book Courageous Leadership really inspired this. You should check it out. :)

Clinical Studyz

So this weekend my best friend Billy, and I decided to partake in a clinical study. I love Clinical studies! Basically you sit around for 48 hours and you get paid good money, but more than just sitting around it`s great time to read a few books and do devotions. Also if you never get anytime to watch movies there is plenty of time to get a movie or two in. My goals here this weekend är:
-Do two school book reports
-Learn some Urdo
-Watch "How to train your Dragon" and "Blood Diamond"
-Witness to everyone
-Get at least one person to come to Element Church next week with me

And here's a pictue of Billy and I in the men's sleeping quarters


The only downside of this study is the study itself. Which really isn't that bad; the nurse staff basically just puts a ton of lotion on your arms then checks your arms every 1/2 hour.