To Wait

A friend posted on Facebook yesterday: "Could it be that in our excitement or sense of duty to share Christ with others or do good things that we sometimes neglect to wait first for the Holy Spirit? We seek God's will without recognizing that we will know it when we have the Spirit directing us."  So that got me thinking and I wrote the following poem:



A boy was standing, looking on
As lambs were killed that day.
“Messiah!  Could it be?” He thought,
And slowly turned away.


For eighteen years He labored on
A carpenter by trade
Awaiting timing marked by One -
The Spirit as He prayed.


Upon a hillside three years later
Men were standing still.
Their Jesus, He was leaving them
Ascending from the hill.


But as He left, He said these words,
“To Me all pow’r is giv’n.
“Go tell the news to everyone!
“But wait - My gift from heav’n.”


So could it be, that we as well,
Our eyes upon the gate,
Are not to rush out thoughtlessly
Instead, are we to wait?


We know the world is lost and dead
The hour is getting late!
But ‘till the Spirit bids us go
Our job may be to wait.

Longing

Evangelism.  Bible Work.  I seriously have the best job in the world!

To meet people who are longing to get back to God.
Who practically beg you to come and "do church" for them on Sunday afternoon.
Just to be approached in a neighborhood and get asked for a Bible study, because she knows that's why I'm there.
And was I seriously wishing nobody had ever come up with the idea of knocking on doors just last night?

"Truly the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (Matthew 9:37, 38)

Gatlinburg

The SALT class retreat to Gatlinburg on December 2-4, 2011.  We stayed in some condos near there and went to the It Is Written Partnership Retreat on the 3rd.

Memoir

I have just finished my last final.  The semester is officially over.  SALT is done.  So many things are going through my mind right now.  Sitting here in the Prayer Garden, my thoughts are wandering back to the time I first pulled my car into Southern Adventist University.  It seems like ages ago, but in other ways it seems like just yesterday.  I knew maybe three or four people at most, and none of them very well.  I remember thinking how old everything looked.  And how small the campus was.  And wondering if I’d ever be able to fit in or make any friends here.

It’s kind of humorous remembering some of that.  Now, it’s impossible to walk on the promenade or go to the cafeteria or walk into the lobby of the dorm without seeing someone I know.  And when I try to sit on one of the benches or at one of the tables to do homework, it seems like I’m saying hi to someone I know every few minutes.  And then, of course, there’s the SALT Team.  Or rather, the SALT family.  Because that’s really what we’ve become.  We do everything together.  Even though we don’t always get along, we’re always there for each other.  And the disagreements and arguments never last too long.  We’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve prayed, but most importantly, we’ve shared the gift of salvation with dozens of people in the Chattanooga area.

And then there’s the growth and change that I’ve experienced personally.  Both from Southern directly and from the outreach and evangelism that I’ve been doing with SALT.    A lot has happened in the last 14 weeks.  And now as I stand on the other side looking back, I just want to thank God for the amazing experience this has been.  I want to thank Him for helping me get through all the tests and exams and frightful moments on outreach.  But most of all, I hope and pray that I have been a friend to someone when they needed it.  That I have been the helping hand when someone was down.  And that somehow, through it all, someone has caught a glimpse of who Jesus is, because really, that’s why I’m here in the first place.

SALT

This is the video that was shown at the SALT graduation.  Many thanks to Eric and Amir for video and Matt for editing!  Go Light Your World!

Blog

I was just thinking, I don't think I've put on here that I have another blog as well.  I keep Joel's Chronicles as a way of letting people keep up with me if they feel like it.  So feel free to check that out if you ever get bored!

I Will Go

This week is Student Missions Emphasis week, so we've had quite a few mission things here at school. Convocation this morning consisted of three girls telling stories about their experiences. But the part that touched me the most was the last part of the chorus of a song we sang at the beginning:

"Who you love, I'll love
How you serve, I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you"

Take that phrase by phrase and really think about it. Can you seriously promise God this? Is this really your heart's desire? Are you willing to follow God, even if it costs you your life? It's something worth pondering. And then raise your eyes to heaven and promise God, "If this life I lose, I will follow you."

Joel's Chronicles

Just a quick note to let you know that I am keeping an online "diary" while I'm here at school.  I try to update it every day...  So if you are interested, the address is joelschronicles.blogspot.com

Anyway, I'll get another post written on here one of these days!

Where Were You?

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Risin' against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger, in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red, white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters?

[Chorus:]
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell
you the difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, hope and love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you teaching a class full of innocent children
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?

Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Or go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers
Did you stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

Evangelism

I had to write a two page reading report on two chapters from the book "Evangelism", by Ellen White.  So I decided to share it with you all.  Enjoy!



    There is a great need for personal evangelism.  Ellen White says that “if one half of the sermonizing were done, and double the amount of personal labor given to souls in their homes and in the congregations, a result would be seen that would be surprising.” (p. 430)  She makes it clear that “this house-to-house labor, searching for souls, hunting for the lost sheep, is the most essential work that can be done.” (p. 431)  We need to spend time after a campmeeting or evangelistic meeting doing follow-up work.  “Preparatory work is not of one half the value that the afterwork is.” (p. 432)
    A minister should not be measured by his ability as a speaker.  He is to be measured in how well he performs his duty as a Bible worker. (pp. 437-438)  “No minister is sufficiently equipped for his work who does not know how to meet the people at their homes and come into close relation to their needs.” (p. 438)  He is also supposed to spend time training the lay people to do this work as well. (p. 438)
    Visitation of the members is also a very important part of a minister’s work.  He is to “give short talks and more Bible readings.” (p. 439)  “The personal labor must be done, even if there has to be less preaching done.” (p. 440)  The visitations must not be neglected!  He “must educate and train (himself) to visit every family that (he) can possibly get access to.” (p. 440)  “The weak of the flock need strengthening at the right time” - this is the way the congregation will become “rooted, grounded, and established in the faith.” (p. 440)
    Personal work is an art.  God is not calling for people to just “mow the crop, but to rake it, to gather it, to care for it properly.” (p. 443)  We are to learn how to preserve the crop that is being harvested.  What good will it do us if all those we win to the truth leave before they have a chance to be firmly rooted themselves?  “The study of workers now should be to learn the trade of gathering souls into the gospel net.” (p. 443)  A lot depends on how you greet those you meet with as well.  “You can take hold of a person’s hand in greeting in such a way as to gain his confidence at once, or in so cold a manner that he will think you have no interest in him.” (p. 444)
    We must not urge our views too strongly on those who are prejudiced against the truth.  We are to talk on things that we both agree on, bow in prayer, and together we will be brought into a closer connection with heaven.  “Prejudice will be weakened, and it will be easier to reach the heart.” (p. 446)
    The objective of every Bible worker is to teach the Bible.  “We are to take our Bibles, and go forth to warn the world…  The plan of holding Bible readings was a heaven-born idea.” (p. 456)  In some places, this even works better than a public effort.  Study the Bible with people, and many will be converted to the truth. (p. 458)  “Salt must be mingled with the substance to which it is added; it must penetrate and infuse in order to preserve.  So it is through personal contact and association that men are reached by the saving power of the gospel.” (p. 460)
    Many people are waiting to be gathered in, if we would get out and search for them.  “All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven.  Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit.  Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in.” (p. 462)  What a privilege we have to look for these souls!
    “The Lord has a work for women as well as for men.” (p. 464)  Women have a way of reaching people that men don’t have.  If they have the cause of God at heart, they “can do a good work in the districts in which they reside.” (p. 465)  “The labors of… Christian woman are needed.” (p. 466)
    God calls for laborers, but they must be trained to do the work they have been called to do.  “One worker who has been trained and educated for the work, who is controlled by the Spirit of Christ, will accomplish far more than ten laborers who go out deficient in knowledge and weak in the faith.” (p. 474)  “Our students are to be educated as Bible workers.” (p. 474)  “Ignorance will not increase the humility or spirituality of any professed follower of Christ.” (p. 476)  Training is essential for becoming a successful Bible Worker.
    There are several different techniques used in Bible work.  Every Bible study must have a distinct plan, and should not meander aimlessly through the Bible.  But you shouldn’t look for words that will impress people either. “The greater your simplicity, the better will your words be understood.” (p. 482)  “The testing message for this time is to be borne so plainly and decidedly as to startle the hearers, and lead them to desire to study the scriptures.” (p. 481)  But we must gain access to their hearts.  We are to approach the Word of God as a learner.  “The cross of Calvary is to be lifted high above the people, absorbing their minds, and concentrating their thoughts.” (p. 483)  The best way to teach is to answer questions.  “Preach less, and educate more.” (p. 484)  The greatest method of sharing the gospel is through personal testimony.  Share with others what great things the Lord has done for you!  And they will want to have a relationship with Him as well. (p. 486)
    We are to present the Word of God in Christ’s way.  He had “in His manner no taint of bigotry, no cold austerity…  In His teaching there was an earnestness that sent His words home with convicting power.” (p. 487)  Christ taught with authority, but He was also very cheerful.  “He was like a vital current, diffusing life and joy.” (p. 488)  His greatest desire was to save sinners, and the same intensity of desire should “mark the life of His true follower.” (p. 488)
    “As the worker seeks to give to others the light God has given him, the Lord imparts increased light; and doing his best, with an eye single to the glory of God, he realizes the value of souls.  As he visits from house to house, opening the Scriptures to those whose understanding is darkened, angels of God will be close beside him to impress the heart of the one who is athirst for the water of life.” (pp. 488-489)  Christ promises to be with us as we do His work.  Even though at times the outlook may be discouraging, we need to trust that God will not allow His Word to return unto Him void.  Although we may never see the fruit of our labor, heaven will reveal just how much God was able to use us.  “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6
490)

~ Joel Sutherland

Faith

Yesterday afternoon we went up to a lake/river to go swimming.  It was an area with a lot of rocks around and under the water.  The water was clear enough that when you were up above looking down, you could see exactly where the rocks were underneath.  But when you got down into the water, with your head just above it, you couldn't see under the water anymore.  So we were constantly slipping and sliding as we tried to walk around.  But that got me to thinking.  That's how it is in life.  God is so far above us that He can see everything, all the obstacles that we have in life.  And He guides us carefully with His all-seeing eye.  But how often to we fail to trust Him?  We think that we can handle our lives on our own, and so we go slipping and sliding through life, complaining about all the obstacles that are in our path.  But if we would learn to just trust God and follow Him, things would go much better!  We may not avoid all the rocks, but we know that God will help us over them.  And were we to see our lives from His vantage point, we wouldn't choose any other way.

More Godly Men

This pretty much says it all...


"The greatest want of the world is the want of men..."

Singers:
Caleb Sutherland
Joel Sutherland
Seth Sutherland

Guitar:
Seth Sutherland

Mandolin:
Paul Hebert

Violin:
Irena

Bass Guitar:
Caleb Parker

Audio Recorded by:
Caleb Parker

Cameras:
Joel Sutherland
Brenda Sutherland
Merlin Anderson

Edited by:
Joel Sutherland

Filmed in Delta Junction, Alaska

"More Godly Men",
Copyright Buddy Davis and Answers in Genesis,
Used by permission

Courageous

Here is the "Courageous" music video from Casting Crowns featuring footage from Sherwood's latest film, "Courageous".  I hope you find it as inspiring as I did.

A Bar of Soap

Last week while at work, I was cutting some brush and trees from around piles of old parts and pieces on the other side of a small hill.  After finishing, I went over to where two of the guys were working on a dump truck to ask where the boss was.  One of them told me, "I haven't been on the other side of that _______ hill for who knows how long.  I don't even know what's over there."  The other guy looked at me and said "I think we need to get him a bar of soap."  Then he playfully punched him in the stomach and added "To wash out your mouth!"  To which the other one replied, "It would take a whole lot more than a bar of soap!  ____"

Later on, I was reflecting on that conversation and I realized that our friend was very right.  It would take a whole lot more than a bar of soap!  Jesus Christ is the only one Who can cleanse us of anything!  And then I got to thinking.  How many of us rely on "bars of soap" when we really need Jesus to cleanse us?  We try to get by and make do and be the best people we can possibly be while denying the very power that can cleanse us from all our faults.  Won't you join me in putting aside the soap, and taking hold of the Savior?

Suzy Q Creek Hike

Here's a video I took on our hike this last Sabbath to Suzy Q Creek.  We had tons of fun.  It was shot with my Canon Powershot SD980 IS and edited with Final Cut Express.

The Difference

I was watching a video on Vimeo this evening about this astronaut's memories of Apollo 9.  One thing that really struck me was how he kept talking about the new perspective he got while in space.  Seeing Earth as a whole.  Suddenly he realized he could relate to all of it.  It was all home.  And then something he said about when he came back to Earth - the feeling he had:

But there's a difference in you now... between you and everyone else on your planet, because you've seen something that has forever changed you and it's an incredible feeling.

Wow.  Have we seen Christ?  Have we journeyed beyond this world?  As we look at Christ and His love for humanity, suddenly our lives become changed.  There's a difference in us.  Suddenly we realize that the people on Earth are our brothers and sisters.  And they are dying.  Dying for that something that has forever changed our lives.  What are we doing about it?

Gerstle River Trip

Here is a video I made yesterday about our picnic lunch at the Gerstle River.  It was shot and edited using my iPod Touch.

Caleb Attempting to Split Firewood

While I was splitting firewood this evening, Caleb decided to try his hand at it.  It was hilarious, as usual.  Filmed and edited using my iPod Touch and the Vimeo App. :)

Epic Mama Bloopers

Here is the blooper reel for the Epic Mama production we did for Mother's Day.  Enjoy!

Epic Mama

We have a very epic Mama, as you shall soon find out.  So many mothers go by unpraised, but this mother's children "rise up and call her blessed".



This is a Mother's Day gift that we did for Mom.  Hope you enjoy!