Take me out of the box!!!

About 1/3 of the team stopped for a photo on the right.... Left is a grouping of youth after one of the concerts....

We were talking with George Bryson, who founded CCCPM and has been doing outreaches like this for nearly 30 years in Russia. Most of all the local Russians that serve at the dorm came to Christ through a concert like the ones we were part of. George shared his own powerful testimony one of the nights. I was moved.

It comes down to this that the "tools" that we are ministering with are never more important than the message of hope and redemption found in Jesus Christ! Whether those tools are buildings, voices, instruments, cars, trains, videos..........etc... They are just means of communicating the message that our "best" efforts are filthy rags in relation to the Righteousness found in a personal relationship with Jesus.

After the concerts were over, I had a chance to just reflect on a lot of personal things that have caused me to fret. The Lord encouraged me again... one of those times when the Lord is really pressing on you.... "You have no idea what I am doing Andon; just trust Me!"

Yes Lord.

Concerts in a box

A local Russian band (plus 2 americans) put together a 5 song set with about 2 days worth of practice. They shined for Jesus! They opened up for the headliner, Pierced; which is the worhsip team that same from Fayetteville, North Carolina.

I learned several valuable lessons and feel greatful to be part of the Sound Ministry at Calvary Chapel Corvallis. Ryan Smith, our worship leader, genuinely stretches us to be part of how God is leading him. Thank you Jesus for using broken vessels for Your Glory!!!

We, or at least I, tend to script things out in life as to what a move of God would look like. I can tend to put God in a box and wind up disappointed when the reality of God's sovereignty doesn't match the picture I have created. I felt encouraged by the Lord to not put Him in a box, but I still struggle with it.

I put my picture of what the concerts and outreach look like next to God's and found myself in a dilema: do I trust what my eyes see, or do I trust in the Lord, who is sovereign.

I choose Jesus!!!!

BTW.... The "in a box" phrase is a play on words as well. The concert hall has concrete walls on four sides...literally.....a box..... :)

Andon....