Highlights from Nerja

I had the great privilege of spending last week in Nerja, Spain (southern Spain, a bit east of Málaga) for an ICS / STINT conference of CCC's International Campus Staff and interns. While I likely will write more either on my ministry webpage, in a newsletter, or here, I figured I might as well share some of my highlights and things I learned / am learning from that time.

Highlights

1 - Spending great time with some amazing and fun friends and colleagues from across Western Europe and other parts of the world.

2 - Having people to play some great games of ultimate, soccer/football, to go kayaking on the ocean for 3+ hours, and to play a game of settlers.

3 - Listening to Eric & Elizabeth share both from the Word of God and from their lives what it means to walk by faith, in gratitude, and in humility. The women also got some time alone with Elizabeth to hear about some of the crazy and supernatural stories of God's sovereignty in their lives and things that only seem to find a place in Hebrews 11 amongst the heroes of the faith. (Due to the sensitive nature of them, I can't really share them in full here, but would love to share more. I am truly in awe.)

4 - Hanging out with other Spain staff. Hanging out with the Toulouse team. Hanging out with other International Campus Staff.

5 - The amazing ocean and mountains, both in near sight from where we stayed.

6 - Great time with the Lord to reflect back upon this year thus far and with the loud sound of waves crashing in the background.

7 - Having some face-to-face conversations about the future of Madrid, Western Europe, Spain, etc., and about getting some more staff here.



Some of the things I learned / am learning as a result of that time

1 - Probably the number one thing that God seemed to be impressing upon me is that he is DELIGHTED by me and in me. Along with that that he loves me immensely and that he wants me to walk by faith independent of what results.

2 - I'm continuing to learn what it means to walk by faith and no by sight and without trying to put God in my box of how and when He needs to work. Yet again, I am also learning again to let go and not seek to "fix" or control things (which in actuality are very much out of my control).

3 - I also was reminded again of why I'm here, why I am passionate about others hearing the Gospel and growing in what it means to know and be awed by God. In this I am reminded of the great worth of the Gospel and how it has transformed me and transforms others.


These are really just some of the big brushstrokes, which when I have time I can flesh out a bit more.

I just got these e-mails in the midst of thinking about Faith, God's Greatness, His Forgiveness, etc. They really are profound truths. Enjoy! Disfrutad! I think that even if you don't understand the Spanish that you can at least get the reference to look them up. Basically the books below (Génesis = Genesis, Mateo = Matthew, etc., ) look more the less the same in Spanish as English minus Salmo, which is the Psalms. (Actually I just added the English because if you are like me, you may not take the time to look them all up. Disfrutad! Enjoy!)

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God is with us (DIOS ESTÁ CON NOSOTROS)

"And the LORD appeared to him the same night and said, 'I am the Go d of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you...'" - Genesis 26:24

("... Yo soy el Dios de Abraham tu padre; no temas, porque yo estoy contigo..." - Génesis 26:24)

"It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." - Deuteronomy 31:8

("Y Jehová va delante de ti; Él estará contigo, no te dejará, ni te desamparará; no temas ni te intimides." - Deuteronomio 31:8)

"If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" - Psalm 139:8

("Si subiere a los cielos, allí estás tu; y si en el seol hiciere mi estrado, he aquí, allí tu estás." - Salmo 139:8)

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you." - Isaiah 43:2

("Cuando pases por las aguas, yo estaré contigo; y si por los ríos, no te anegarán." - Isaias 43:2)

"... And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20

("...y he aquí yo estoy con vosotros todos los días, hasta el fin del mundo." - Mateo 28:20)

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The Holiness of God (LA SANTIDAD DE DIOS)

"There is none holy like the LORD; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God." 1 Samuel 2:2

("No hay Santo como Jehová; Porque no hay ninguno fuera de ti, Y no hay refugio como el Dios nuestro." 1ª Samuel 2:2

"Exalt the LORD our God; worship [bow down] at his footstool [before him]! Holy is he!" Psalm 99:5

("Exaltad a Jehová nuestro Dios, Y postraos ante el estrado de sus pies; Él es Santo." Salmo 99:5)

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" Isaiah 6:3

("Santo, Santo, Santo, Jehová de los ejércitos; toda la tierra está llena de su gloria." Isaias 6:3)

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness." Psalm 29:2

(" Dad a Jehová la gloria debida a su nombre; Adorad a Jehová en la hermosura de la santidad." Salmo 29:2)

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The Greatness of God (LA GRANDEZA DE DIOS)

"For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God." - Psalm 86:10

("Porque Tu eres grande, y hacedor de maravillas; Solo Tú eres Dios" - Salmo 86:10)

"O Lord GOD, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?" - Deuteronomy 3:24

("Señor, Tú has comenzado a mostrar a tu siervo tu grandeza, y tu mano poderosa; porque ¿qué dios hay en el cielo ni en la tierra que haga obras y proezas como las tuyas?" - Deuteronomio 3:24)

"Therefore you are great, O LORD God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you..." - 2 Samuel 7:22

("Por tanto, Tú te has engrandecido, Jehová Dioss; por cuanto no hay como Tú, ni hay Dios fuera de ti..." - 2ª de Samuel 7:22)

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Only God Satisfies (SOLO DIOS SATISFACE)

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Phillippians 4:7

("Y la paz de Dios, que sobre pasa todo entendimiento, guardará vuestros corazones y vuestros pensamientos en Cristo Jesús." - Filipenses 4:7)

"and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority." - Colossians 2:10

("y vosotros estáis completos en Él, que es la cabeza de todo principado y potestad." - Colosenses 2:10)

"Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. LEad me in your truth and teach me, for you are the GOd of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long." - Psalm 25:4,5

("Muéstrame, oh Jehová, tus caminos; enséñame tus sendas. Encamíname en tu verdad, y enséñame, Porque Tú eres el Dios de mi salvación; En ti he esperado todo el día." - Salmo 25:4,5)