Nathan Isaac Allen

This is a story about a family journey that gets sweeter with every step. A family who is very close at heart, but the distance among them is widely dispersed. This family spent a large number of their days all together in a land that was familiar. A land that seemed comfortable and consistent. In the midst of familiarity, consistency, and comfort, the leader of this family decided to choose the path of uncertainty with much faith. A path that would take part of this family across the world with many questions and concerns. Amidst the questions and concerns was an overwhelming peace due to God's sovereignty. As the mother and father of this family became somewhat accustomed to this foreign land, they began to reach out to people and build relationships. One particular relationship that was built will never be forgotten. It was that of a young lady who was broken and unsure of her next step. It was only by the grace of God that she connected with this particuluar family. She was with child by a man who left her all alone with nowhere to turn. She moved in with this family not knowing what she had gotten herself into. Not knowing that this mother and father had a gift to give that would far exceed a roof and four walls for her and her baby to be. They had the gift of sharing the gospel with her. She could not understand this gift because she had never been exposed to it. All she knew was hurt. The baby came into this world with half asian decent and half african decent. He knew not the world he had entered. This young, new mother gave him the English name, Nathan (a gift from God). She gave consent to this family to be the official caretakers of this sweet baby boy. She knew she could not provide him a home or a stable life. She had seen the love of Christ and love for each other this family possessed and could not explain the peace she felt during her stay. She went on to pursue her career leaving a huge piece of her heart with this family. Nathan did not understand the complexity of his situation, he only knew the need for food and rest. He did not understand the diversity in his surroundings. He did not understand that God had a special plan for his life to bring him out of a potential mess. He did not understand that his life was and will be a message that will only be explained the power of our Mighty God. This young child is a blessing to all who know him, not because of who he is, but because of where God has brought him from.

captivate us

I have been so amazed by the love of my Father in Heaven. In hard times, He strengthens me. In good times, He reminds me. In fun times, He fills me. In uneasy times, He humbles me. In lonely times, He comforts me. In idle times, He occupies me. In busy times, He evaluates me. HE IS GOD!

Psalm 139 assures me that He knows my steps. I want Him to constantly search my heart and examine my ways so that I can walk worthy of His calling.

The Lord is a Warrior; The Lord is His Name.

I stepped foot on grounds that were so unfamiliar a few months ago, not sure of what would come of this place called Pine Cove. Unsure of who I would get close to, who I would confide in, who I would develop inside jokes with, who I would simply call a friend. It just looked like a lot of unfamiliar faces. Some confident, some overwhelmed, some just as unsure as I was. I was able to be sure of this, that my God would carry me through it. Now it's July...over half way through this journey, and He has not only carried me through it, He has completely used it for His glory. I have learned so much about the simplicity, yet the unfathomable power of His gospel. It's the core of christianity and we miss the mark so many times by getting caught up in the nit picky details of life. We've been studying the story of Gideon in Judges chapter 6 and 7. I have never taken the time to appreciate this story, but I have absolutely loved it this summer. In a nutshell... God uses Gideon to lead the Israelites with 300 men to defeat the Midianites with 100,000 men. I read this and felt so convicted at how often I lose sight of how powerful God is and how little faith I have to trust that He will do even the simplest things in my life. Shame on me. But glory to God!!! I've also learned from those i've been around. From campers, to other counselors, to cooks, and now the family I am a nanny for. They have each taught me something that I will take with me throughout the rest of my life. It's funny that we, at camp, see it as the norm to wear your hair messy, sing cheers about bald headed granny's, and to cry and laugh at the same time. Praise the Lord for Pine Cove and the lives that are being changed because of this ministry in Tyler, Texas. My prayer, along with many others, is that the gospel doesn't stop here. That the campers and staff whose lives have been changed in this place would carry the message into all the world, just as we are commanded in Matthew chapter 28. I am blessed to be able to experience such a time as this!

Soon by Brooke Fraser

(Verse 1)

Soon and very soon

My King is coming

Robed in righteousness

And crowned with love

When I see Him, I shall be made like Him

Soon and very soon

(Verse 2)

Soon and very soon

I'll be going

To the place He has prepared for me

There my sin erased, My shame forgotten

Soon and very soon

(Chorus)

I will be with the One I love

With unveiled face I'll see

There my soul will be satisfied

Soon and very soon

(Verse 3)

Soon and very soon

See the procession

The angels and

the elders'round the throne

At His feet I'll lay my crown, my worship

(Verse 4)

Soon and very soon

Though I have not seen

Him My heart knows Him well

Jesus Christ the Lamb

The Lord of Heaven

Philippines

Let's just cut the fat...I want to go to the Philippines! I had the opportunity to visit Cebu and Manilla (2 major cities in the Philippines) in February of 2008. I spent the spring semester of '08 in China, and this is where I met my friends in the picture below. They were all teaching or doing business in China. They had some time off for the Chinese New Year Holiday, so we came up with a plan. Aurelio-from Brazil, Alex-from the UK, Mikel-from West Virginia, and Jen-from Florida. We had a blast with each other and I keep in touch with each of them til this day!

As I was taking it all in throughout the trip, I was in awe of the beauty of the place, but the poverty was unimaginable. I could not fathom the lifestyle that most lived in on a daily basis. One of thie things I kept telling myself was that "I would never want to come back to teach here" ...isn't it funny how the Lord works??? I keep coming back to it. Who knows when push comes to shove where i'll actually end up, but I want to be willing.... My verse that I love to lean on when I think about foreign missions is this: "So you will summon a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you. For the Lord your God, even the Holy One of Israel, has glorified you." Isaiah 55:5

Once saved.... always saved?

a well known apostle wrote it like this... "being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ." (Phil. 1:6)

a well known whisperer whispered it like this... "when it's all said and done, there's usually more said than done" (grandpa Buck-nelson Rd)

a well known pastor put it to me like this... "time will tell" (@ tidwell switch)

a well known Savior said it like this... "those who endure to the end, the same shall be saved" (Mark 13:13)

a well known father explained it like this..."the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing" (China)

a well known brother concluded it like this....
"I am confident of this very thing, that when it's all said and done, time will tell, that those who keep the main thing the main thing, will endure to the end...and the same shall be saved." (Ft. Lauderdale)

OMGetty

I will never forget the day I met this CRAZY girl. We were in Old Testament class and i didn't recognize her so I thought I would go out on a limb and introduce myself. BAD IDEA!!! She practically bit my head off simply for giving her a dose of southern charm. She excuses it by being from the North. You know how those Yankees are! Fast Forward...i'm thankful for that Yankee in my life more and more each day! She has taught me to examine what I have always heard, read, and believed. Questions like: Why do you go to church? What does it really mean to be a Christian? Calvinism/Arminianism, what is that anyway? So many Christians do what they do because it's what they've always done...Tradition, routine, way of life. The God of the universe does not do His work based on tradition and routine. So all that to say, I'm greatful for a friend that sharpens me daily.