Planting Wales... Summer Update

It’s been a while since I’ve given you an update so I want to fill you in on what’s happened over the summer.

The Elliott’s made it safely to Wales in late June and have been adjusting well. Of course there are always issues and frustrations that come with moving to another country, but God has been continually providing for them! They managed to get a great rental house with a lot of room, especially for the U.K.

In the middle of June I got to attend pre-field orientation at the AGWM headquarters in Springfield. It was a week filled with making new friends in the ministry, learning a lot about AG missions, and gaining practical skills to get me ready for the mission field. God has really gotten me excited about going to Wales and I can’t wait! Recently I’ve been looking at some flats to rent in Cardiff, and I think I’ll manage to find a nice place to stay that’s in my budget range.

Finances have progressed a lot since I last updated you. I’m now at 48% of my budget! God has been faithful, as always, to provide at just the right time. When I get to a point where I start to wonder if anyone will send in some financial support God puts it on the heart of the right person to send it in… As always, I ask that you would continue to prayerfully consider supporting me on a monthly basis… I’d like to have all of my finances by the end of November so I can start the visa process.

I’ve talked about the need for Christ in Europe, but I’d like you check out this video to help you better understand the need that is there.

Thank you so much for your partnership in sharing the gospel to the people of Wales. Simply saying thank you never seems like enough! …Please remember to keep Wales and our ministry in your prayers.

Prayer Needs:

• Quick adjustments to a new culture for the Elliott’s.
• The Church as a whole in Wales.
• Open hearts to the Gospel.
• The anointing of the Holy Spirit on our lives as we minister.
• Finances to come in by November so I can get to the mission field by January.

Love, Joy, Grace, & Cucumbers...

I realized that it's been about a month since I've made a post, not cool... I believe it is very beneficial for me to use this blog for its intended purposes, one of which was sharing what God has been showing me... This may be a bit scatterbrained and not have a central theme, but this is what God has been telling me lately.

Joy.

One of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians; however, I feel like this is one of the fruits of the Spirit that doesn't get much attention.... A few weeks ago I was skyping with a friend, talking about life and things that I've been struggling with lately. One of the thing I mentioned that I lacked greatly in my life was joy. If my life on it's own is to be a witness, living without joy isn't really an option. Why would anyone want to be a Christian if there's not joy, excitement, or passion in it? The very next day at Chi Alpha Brett was speaking and guess what he talked about? That's right, joy! I love it when God does that :) We are called to live that life of passion and joy. One of the things he said was that as Christians we are really required to have fun. Your first reaction to that may be...uh, what? But it makes sense. God loves us and wants our life to be abundant! Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit, it's a promise for me, and for you. We need to ask God for that joy in life. Discover the things in life that bring you joy, may it be photography, reading, video games, hiking...anything. Whatever it is, live in passion first to God and then to that joy in your life, but don't just hoard that joy. Use the passions in life that God has given you to be a ministry. May we all use the giftings and passions He's given us to reach those around us. May our hearts be in alinement with His so that we can love, and live a life of passion!

Love & Grace.

Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so.... I think we all know this one, but do we? Do we know that this love isn't earned or based off of works? I thought I did, but I realized the other day that I really didn't!..... I've been actively pursuing Jesus for about 5 years now; in that time, reading my bible has been a key part of that pursuit. While I was in Africa I started reading my bible a lot more, I got through the whole bible, and probably the new testament twice, in 9 months. 10 chapters a day was normal for me then. After being back in the States the amount of my reading has decreased a lot. I'm usually disappointed in myself that I can't make myself read more.... Then I realized something. I was equating more chapters a day to mean that God loved me more. I was trying to earn His love, something I can never do! I think I understand in a better way that God has a base love for me that will never ever ever change! I don't totally get it, but it's true! I also have to learn to accept His grace for me. It's by grace through faith that we are saved, not by works.... He loves me, He really does love me! It has nothing to do with how much I do for Him, He just loves me.

Vegetables Are Important Because It's Not About Them.

What?!.... This is the conclusion my campus pastor, Wes, and I came to the other day..... God has called me to missions, and to love people. I don't always feel that to be honest, but I know it's what He has for me... Living back in Manhattan working a summer job at Westside market (a small plant and produce shop) making not much over minimum wage is difficult when you have that calling on your life!... I am thankful for my job and that I can pay my bills with ease, but it's not what brings my heart joy. It's been a daily struggle for me to keep a good attitude at work, little alone be a witness to my co-workers. I found myself being very frustrated in general and lashing out in anger at people and at stupid things. I got completely outraged making a sandwich one day! I realized that I needed to address this issue... It came down to the fact that I really wasn't trusting God and waiting for His timing. I want to be in the mission field full time NOW... But, God doesn't want me there right now. I have to give that right over to Him and realize that in all things I am serving Him... Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters." The job of stocking vegetables and watering plants isn't exactly exciting, but if I do it as serving God and with the mentality of helping/loving people then I can do it in joy! My attitude at work has definitely gotten better the past few weeks. It still needs work, trust me, but God is working on me.


That's a few of the major things God has been showing me the past month. As always, my relationship with God is filled with ups and downs. I struggle a lot and I question, but I know that I was made to love God and that He loves me, regardless of what I do or don't do!

I hope that God is continually speaking to you in new ways and that you are seeking after Him! May we all be listening to His loving voice.

The Letter

Can you imagine receiving a letter saying that your college loans or mortgage was forgiven! Your debt has been paid for... I personally think that would be wonderful! However, if you never got the letter saying that your debt was forgiven, then you would never know, and you'd continue to be in bondage to that debt. Always working to pay it off... That letter, getting the message is vitally important.

This actually happened to my parents about 10 years ago. We had built a new house outside of town, but kept our old house in town and rented it. My parents still owed a few thousand dollars on the house. One day they got a letter from the bank saying that their loan was forgiven! How incredible... The funny thing is that it actually happened a few years before, and all the payments that had been sent in for the past few years they got back as well!... But, if they had never received the letter letting them know their debt was forgiven, they would have continued paying on it for years.

As I was in church today worshiping the lyrics to a song struck my heart. It basically said that my debt of sin was paid for. How awesome is that! Jesus paid it all, and thankfully I've been privy to this news since I can remember. I got the letter saying that my debt was forgiven... Then it hit me. There are millions of people who have their debt forgiven, but they haven't got the letter yet. Why not?... Because we as Christians, who are the messengers, haven't handed them that letter containing life changing news. The Letter, of course, is God's Word.

If you know me at all, you know that God has laid a burden on my heart for missions. At times it breaks my heart and brings me to tears, but at other times I can be so apathetic. Apathy is one of my biggest struggles in life. It's so easy to become complacent, just going through the motions... Recently I've been asking God to awaken my heart, give me back that passion!... Today, He answered that prayer. I felt the Holy Spirit move in a great way, and I thank God for the vision He gave me about The Letter... I've felt that conviction before about the urgency to share the Good News, but God showed it to me in a new way today. It's so cool how He chooses to reveal Himself to us in new and exciting ways. He follows no pattern, which I personally like :)

May we, as Christians, feel that urgency to get The Letter out to those who haven't received it yet! We don't have to write the letter, we don't have to forgive the debt, it's already been done. All we have to do is deliver it!... May we have the willingness to die to ourselves and let God take control of our life. I try to do this (I'm not saying I'm always the best at it because I'm not!), and the path God has taken me on is awesome! A year in South Africa, and soon a year (or more) in Wales! I never could have imagined that would happen to me.

God has given us the mighty honor of delivering His letter of forgiveness to those that don't know. Let us take this seriously, and live a life of abandoment and passion for Christ! It's the only way to live, the only way to be serious follower of Christ.

You have The Letter.

What will you do with it?

Not my will, but Your will be done

My friends, it's been a while since I've blogged, and for that I am disappointed in myself.

Overall, life is good :) It really is. There's been ups and downs the last few months and some changes as well. I've struggled with my devotions, but I've also had great times of fellowship with Jesus... Let me give you some highlights of what God's been doing in my life.

Kids... I don't know why, but I love them...haha, Working at an elementary school the past 6 months obviously put me around them, a lot. Granted, after a while they can get annoying, but I really feel that God's instilled a love for them in me that's not of my own. I got to know several of the 6th graders at school, and it was a lot of fun being around them. They'd ask me tons of questions, quite a few were very personal questions, but I was pretty open with them. Even though I had a lot of fun with them, there were times when the things they said or reactions they had to situations broke my heart. Many of the boys favorite movies are rated R and incredibly inappropriate for them to see. They, of course, think the movies are hilarious and will imitate and quote them all the time. One day a boy straight up asked me if I was a virgin. Completely taken aback, I explained to him that first of all that wasn't a question you ask someone, but then I had a choice, be very open with these young boys and tell them the answer to that question or just tell them to be quiet. I decided to tell them that I was indeed a virgin and would be until I got married. My heart sank when their mouths dropped to the floor at my statement. How can this be? It was so hard to not share with them about Christ and what He wants for their life, but I found a few ways to squeeze Jesus into the public school system :) They had an international week and one day they talked about South Africa. I took advantage of the opportunity and asked the 6th grade teacher if I could show a video I had made of my time in SA. She was very excited about it and said it would be no problem. I got to show the video, which was as much about Jesus as it was SA. After that I was able to talk with the kids for about 20 minutes answering questions they had. I had to be somewhat politically correct and mention that the things I was saying was saying were from my personal Christian perspective, but I still got it in there... My last day of work I asked the teacher if I could have a few minutes to say goodbye and talk with the kids. I gave them the general work hard and don't do drugs talk, but then I laid it out for them and let them know that God loves them and has a plan for their life and that no matter what happens God will always love them! It was great! It reminded me of SA, and at the same time I had adrenaline pumping because I almost felt like I was doing a covert operation! Openly preaching the gospel in public school, in America!... I still pray for those kids, especially the boys. Being one of the only 4 men in the whole school, plus being young and "cool" in their eyes they looked up to me and had a certain attachment to me. I just hope that the words I said and actions I made left some kind of impact in their life, and that they saw Jesus in what I said and did.

Along the same line of kids, I really can't wait to adopt some children someday. Obviously I'm missing a huge part of that equation, a wife! But I know that someday my wife and I will adopt some children. It's something God was been gradually laying my heart for years now. I'm not sure if this desire to adopt children is just so I will someday adopt children of my own, of if it's where God is leading me in ministry... I really don't know, but I'm continuing to seek after Him for what this burden means.

Work... Since my job was working at an elementary school, obviously I had to find a summer job to pay the bills until the fall. There were lots of prayer, and way too much time looking through the classifieds, but through it all I knew that God would have a job for me. Turns out He wanted me at Westside Market. It's small produce and plant shop. I do all the typical retail type stuff, not that interesting so I will spare you the details... But once again, I'm reminded of God's faithfulness. He's never let me down and has always provided for me! Our God cares about us more than we can imagine. It's crazy!

Jesus... My time with Jesus has been a struggle lately. I want to get close to Him and really be that that intimate friend He wants me to be, but it's hard. I read a good book lately called Simple Obsession. It's about Jesus just being that simple obsession in your life. I'm working at it. One thing I've just started the past few days is typing out a journal and basically writing out my heart to Jesus. It's been good, and I'm hoping I will be disciplined with it and keep it up... Several weeks ago I used my devotional time to write out the things God likes about me as a friend. It was weird, and hard seeing God liking me that way, but I really think that He does, and probably even more than I can imagine!... Life is full of ups and downs, and I'm just going to have to get used to that. I'm not perfect and I never will be, but I can strive for progress. I heard a speaker at a retreat say that God desires progress not perfection, and I believe that to be true. He knows we will always fall short at some point, but the crazy thing is He doesn't care! He just wants us to be His friend, His companion.

Tattoo... Many of you probably know that I have a tattoo of a cross on my right shoulder. I got it over Christmas break my first year of college. The reason I got that tattoo was to represent my deepened relationship with Christ. I had been a Christian pretty much my whole life, but there wasn't much depth to my personal relationship with Jesus. When I started college and got involved with Chi Alpha my relationship with Jesus began to flourish, so that's why I decided on a cross.... Just last weekend I got my second tattoo (see below). It says "Not my will, but Your will be done" It's what Jesus prayed in the garden before He got arrested. He didn't want to die on the cross and He first asked if God could take that burden from Him, but in the same breathe He laid down His rights and put His trust in His father. That's what I want in my life. I want His will to be done, not mine. I want that trust in the father that Jesus had, and that willingness to give it all up, even my very life! This tattoo represents all of that, but also my decision to become a full time missionary. I want that daily reminder of the decision I've made and that reminder that I have to give it all up and seek after His will, not mine.

I know this was a long one, but there's a lot I wanted to say. I hope you enjoyed hearing a little bit of what God's been doing in my life, and if you made it all the way to the end, thank you! :)

Planting Wales... April

This year seems to be flying by! I can’t believe we are already in May. Once again I’d like to give you an update on where my fundraising is.

First off, we have reason to rejoice because the Elliott’s now have a contract on their house and plan to be in Wales by mid-June! God has brought them a long way the last year and a half of fundraising and preparations. I’m so glad to finally see them in the very last steps! Please continue to keep them in your prayers.

God has been providing for me in great ways. I now have 28% of my budget raised in monthly pledges! To finish off my budget I need 30 people to support me at $25 a month from May until December 2012. Very doable! Please seek after God to see what He would have you do with this opportunity.

If you are interested in partnering with me, click on the "Partner With Paul" link at the top of the page.

Please keep these prayer points in mind:

• Safe travels for the Elliott’s as they move to Wales.
• The Church in Wales.
• Open hearts to the Gospel.
• The anointing of the Holy Spirit on our lives as we minister.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I appreciate all of your prayers and support!

Planting Wales... March

I wanted to take a few minutes to update you on how everything is progressing towards my journey to Wales, and give you some updated information on how to donate.

As a quick reminder, I will be traveling to Wales in January 2012 to work with Bryan and Misty Elliott, through Assembly of God World Missions, to plant churches in the capital city, Cardiff. The Elliotts are quite close to leaving for Wales, and are very excited. God has been faithful in providing their support!

As for me, God has also been faithful in beginning my support! I will need a budget of $1,600 a month and a start-up cash budget of $3,700. That’s a total of $21,300 for the whole year. I now have monthly pledges adding up to $2,760! I’m over 12% of the way there.

I can receive monthly support from now until the end of 2012. If 37 people started supporting me in April of this year at $25 a month, and continued until December of 2012 that would completely cover all of the costs!..I ask that you would prayerfully consider joining me in the God given mandate to spread the gospel to all nations.

If you would like to support me with a tax deductable, monthly or a one-time donation there are two ways you can do it: online or my mail… Please follow all of these easy steps:

Online:

• E-mail me at: paulcook88@gmail.com to let me know whether this will be a one-time donation or monthly commitment. If it is a monthly commitment please indicate how long you plan on sending in support.

• Click Here! Or click on the “Partner With Paul” link at the top of the page to donate.

• You can make a one-time donation from the site, or fill out a form to have donations automatically sent from your bank account if you would like to do a monthly commitment.

By Mail:

• Send in your commitment form to me at: 2400 Greenbriar Dr. Apt. D, Manhattan, KS 66502. Please indicate whether this is a one-time donation or monthly commitment. If it is monthly commitment please indicate how long you plan on sending in support.

• Write a check to: “AGWM” With “Paul Cook 458631-9” in the memo line.

• Send your check to the Assembly of God World Missions headquarters at:

AGWM-PFL

1445 N. Boonville Ave.

Springfield, MO 65802

If you have any questions about making a donation please e-mail me and let me know!

Thank you for your partnership in sharing the gospel to the people of Wales. Please remember to pray for our ministry in Wales.

Prayer Needs:

• The Elliotts. Their last step is selling their house.

• The Church in Wales.

• Open hearts to the Gospel.

• The anointing of the Holy Spirit on our lives as we minister.

Thanks

It's easy to have faith in Jesus when life is going your way, but the moment something "bad" happens that's typically when our faith goes down the toilet...However, those "bad" moments are the ones that have the most opportunity to witness, and it tests how much faith you really have.

I'll be honest here, my budget it pretty tight as of late. I have enough money to pay all my bills, eat, and get by just fine, but anything more than that and I'm out of money pretty fast.... I recently started taking online classes through Global University to become a Certified Minister. To take the first 3 classes it cost $250, so I went ahead and paid for those a few weeks ago. I knew I would probably have enough money to get by to my next pay check.....Then a few days later, I got a toothache!...Eish man... I knew I had a cavity and I honestly haven't been to a dentist in about 7 years. Not because I didn't want to go (which I don't), but because I haven't had any dental insurance for that time. Regardless, my tooth was aching and I knew I had to get it fixed.... I finally got into a dentist, and the bill hurt a lot more than the cleaning did. At first they were explaining to me how much it cost for a first-time visit for a new patient. They were throwing out numbers like $345! Thankfully, they got it down to $230. They only charged me for a regular cleaning and even did some things for free. It turns out I have 2 cavities that need fixed and will cost an additional $375...

In this situation I could easily get angry at God about not having extra money to pay for all of this or be angry because I got two cavities, but I'm choosing to be thankful that I'll probably have just enough money to cover it!....I just checked my online banking, and it doesn't look pretty, but I still have enough to survive to my next pay check. I also had the opportunity to make some extra cash this last Saturday doing yard work for a friend....God is good.

I'm not trying to come off as holier-than-thou here at all! It's still a struggle. My faith is not where I want it to be, and there are many times when I really just don't feel it, ya know. . . But like I said, I'm choosing to be thankful. We all have the choice to be thankful or not in those "bad times" that come along in life.

Even though it doesn't make sense (in our way of thinking) to be thankful in this situation, I'm going to be.... God is so awesome, He's got everything under control! I don't know exactly how I'm going to be able to pay for everything coming along in the near future, I still need to find a summer job, I still have a ton of money to raise to go to Wales; but, I don't need to worry about it... I still worry some and God still has a lot to do in my life, but I know He's going to take care of me.

So all I have left to say is . . .

Thanks.