Clinging to the Familiar!

So with a lot of the things that are going on at the moment I was really blessed by this mornings Word for Today 
"Clinging to the familiar just buys you comfort today at tomorrow's expense. Draw on God's grace, plunge in and take the bull by the horns! Fourth, learn to live with uncertainty."
I know that as willing as I am to sometimes go in a direction that God is leading I often get into that situation and get comfortable with the familiar. Lord help me to Draw more on your grace and to live with uncertainty but cling to the certainty of who you are for me. Make me more like you Lord whatever it takes.

Growth

So I know its been a while since my last post but things have been really hectic for me here at the school of mission aviation technology. I have recently completed my Instrument rating (no that doesn't mean I can carry instruments!!!) and I have also just gotten my Airframe mechanics license. SO progress is definitely being made.

Talking of progress my recent experience with trying to grow some vegetables has prompted this post. I have just spent part of my weekend (or weedend) weeding, tilling, planting and watering. I have decided I love how much time that affords you to think and ponder and speak to the big man, if you know what I mean. I was thinking initially how amazing the whole put a seed in the ground and it grows thing but also the work an effort that goes into seeing real fruit but also how little effort (dont worry Ill explain in a bit). 

So the miracle of the seed thing I figure Ill just leave that down to God to understand (dont worry I dont need a birds and bees talk either and I understand the science but just think its amazing). However I was thinking how the effort that goes into planting is fairly big as the photo above shows though I had some mechanical help too (oh yeah the shiny stuff in front of the tiller is cow manure!). You have to weed the garden and that is no easy task then till the soil and make sure that is has the right combination of nitrates, alkalies, poop and all that other technical stuff. Then choose the right crop and where best to put it for drainage and sunlight then set out the rows then put in seeds and water it. Then continue to keep the area clear of weeds and well watered. That I was thinking is similar to what some areas of our lives are like really and our walk with God. You see I believe it takes a conscious effort to follow after God, not that it is or should be a chore but in order to see fruit in our lives we have to put in the ground work and if you never plant seeds then all you get is weeds. Like the parable of the sower in Matthew 13 seed the key ingredients for growth is a farmer sowing and good soil.

However there is a contrast or dichotomy (not sure if this is the right word but I sound intelligent right?). You see the amazing thing about our walk with God and relationship is just like the seed a miracle. That just like I said God causes things to grow that without him being involved in our lives it leads to dead and dry ground. There are times in our lives when things dont go as planned and our fruit doesnt seem as we expected but that is because God is ultimately in charge. Then sometimes God shows us a glimpse of His fruit in our lives. Personally I cannot begin to understand how and why God has brought me safe thus far. That he who gave everything and me who deserves nothing ends up seeing HIS fruit develop. Wow Lord thank you for what you have done in my life and allowing me to  be doing what I believe you have called me to do and be.

Then the next part of it is that we are meant to spread the very seeds from the fruit he has placed in our life. We need to see the harvest and invest in the harvest because the two greatest commandments are to "Love the lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and the second is like it Love your neighbor as yourself" It is HIS love in and through us that never fails to produce growth and fruit that lasts in our lives and should also bless the lives of others around us.

New year thoughts

So I know Christmas is over and done with but I thought Id fill u in on some of my Christmas thoughts. I was really blessed to be able to spend Christmas with some friends on a beautiful ranch in the Montana mountains. I was away from family but this also gave me more time to think on the reason for Christmas and to reflect on 2010 and look towards 2011.
I read Luke 1 and was reminded of how Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins but that he did this so that all the Glory could go to God not that we may live on easy street but that he name would be exulted.
I was also struck by the Angels comment and Marys response

³⁷For nothing will be impossible with God." ³⁸And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

So I guess as I look behind to 2010 I can indeed say that nothing is impossible with God and pray that I will have that faith for the year ahead. Also that my response to Him this year my be just as Mary's was 2011 years ago.

Lord I am your servant and so let it be to me according to YOUR word.

The beautiful view from my lodge that I stayed at for Christmas.

My First ever Hand prop!!

This is something I learned here at the School of Mission Aviation Technology great fun if a little nerve racking!! Just in case your wandering the plane can fly............If dropped off a cliff!! If you wanna see how not to do it check out this old school video of a dude who had his wife at the controls and didn't have a clue what she was doing!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDIiMJn9xuo

A lesson on this fragile life

So I have been recently reminded about how short life could be and this makes me think about what I do with mine. Below is a local news clip of the final result of two friends who were in a plane crash after an engine failure. They crash landed the plane successfully and walked away with minor scratches even after a small fire on the wing tip. It is a timely reminder not only for me to be prepared for any emergencies that may occur in the air but also to make sure that my life is prepared and in line with our heavenly father. None of us know when our time here on earth will end so are you ready for when that comes? God is sovereign and in charge and can take us at anytime. I pray that I would be found in his will and that you may know of your standing with your heavenly Father.

So just started reading this book and it is MAZIN, well kinda it is great but it also really challenges so it is a double edged sword! I have added a few quotes taken from this book on my quotes page. The initial chapters are about the Author Richard Stearns reluctantly following Gods leading to become the World Vision CEO with incredible stories of how God was leading but how reluctant he was to follow. Aren't we all that way? I know I am.
I wanted to touch on one quote that has challenged me the most so far (I'm only on page 67) that is one by John MacArthur
"The true Gospel is a call to self-denial. It is not a call to self-fulfillment"
That challenged me because I am often moping about how I am struggling with things (like just last May) and when I am not complaining I am fulfilling myself instead of denying my self. This is not a I have to deny myself food and water and flog myself but to deny the things that the world says I should have. I have be aware recently that I have over a number of years compromised in the small things and this can lead to apathy a dulling of my conscious and can lead even further down a slippery path.
I need to remember what other people who follow the Master go through, persecution, torture and even death, that is true self-denial!
I dont want to say this in some ways as I dont know where it will lead but here it goes;

          "Lord teach me self-denial"

Keeping your eyes fixed

So you are probably wandering what this image has to do with fixing our eyes on Jesus but bear with me there is reason to my madness. I have been very easily distracted these last few days because I have taken my eyes off of the prize and so easily been put off by looking at everyone else situations. We as people often do this in a physical sense like above and although I have put on a little weight being here in the US that's not what has been distracting me. However I seem to compare in other ways like oh look at how blessed they seem to be or how God has provided for them. They seem to have this life of following Jesus sorted, blessed with a relationship or a sweet job or doing incredible things as they serve God. They don't seem to struggle with anything!

Now to my thoughts on this. I am always one for looking at others to inspire us and push us on towards the prize and in fact I would encourage it. That is if by doing so you are not missing the point, the Bible is full of stories of people missing the point. I think that the best person to compare ourselves to is Jesus and look to him to help us to be more like him. In fact it becomes possible to thank God for all that he is doing in others lives and all that he has done for you over the years. Again like with most things in a relationship with the J man it is all about trust, in fact the core of any relationship. Lord I know that you know what your doing in their lives but also that you are in control of mine. Finally to realise that there is no SMI (spiritual mass index) other than where God wants you right here right now. The only scales we need to sit on are with God on the other side and that we will never weigh in but he makes that right.

Anywho may not make sense but this blog is a Blurb on my thoughts so take it or leave it.

The Ever Lasting God

Lord I do not understand you ways, they are higher than mine,
I cannot see those things that are as clear as day to you.
The blurry and unclear is like a crystal clear morning view to you
therefore knowing that you are the ever lasting God and that you will not grow weary or faint
I will Trust.
Though things are unclear and the way ahead seems fraught with trials and snares
I know that you alone can make me soar on wings like eagles

These words above are often how I feel particularly in this new season but
Isaiah 40:28-31 gives me peace and strength

Flight training Update

For those of you who read this, not many but it may get to some of you? Here is a video I put together to show what I have been up too these last 4 months or so and why I am here in Ionia. For those of you who dont know Ionia is a tiny little place and when I first got here I drove through the town, quickly. Then I thought oh boy what have I done!
But I am here for a reason for a purpose that I believe is exactly where I should be, even if I doubt at times!
So let me know what you think of the video and thanks for your support and prayers if you have been supporting me. If not then you can, just get in touch and find out the ways you can pray for me, support me and encourage me!

Flight training Update and Vision from Jonathan Lake on Vimeo.

That's not meant to happen!


So I have found my self saying this phrase a few times this last two weeks or so, if not exactly that then maybe more like "Thats not right God its just not fair."
I felt justified saying that, firstly something happened that brought up insecurities in my life and made me question if God is in control. Then things have not gone according to plan financially for me either the weak pound is killing me here in the good ol US of A. The US doesnt seem to want to let me work so that makes life harder. Then the Cherry on the cake was I found that my dad had lost his job in a way that I dont think is right.
So God what is up cant you give us a break, my parents have tried all their lives to honour you and put you first and the reason they are still paying off their mortgage is because they put him first! Its not right God its not meant to happen like that! I took it to him and let him know, oh and my mums health is not good either. Plenty of times in the past I have thought people cant go in the huff when things dont go their way, but this is different?
Then this morning I read in 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 (its great take a read) these two parts
"We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
And
"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Wow ok God I get it, then I heard this song below as well and that challenged me even more, particularly these words
"How could I doubt your goodness, your wisdom your grace, Oh Lord hear my heart in this painful place"
Whhhhaaaaaaaamy! Lord how can I doubt you? You have been faithful all along even when I stumble and fall you remain. Lord let me trust you more and sing a broken hallelujah!

Flight training soon to begin....I Hope?!



Well I am sat at the table in my new (temporary) home in Ionia, Michigan writing this and waiting for the US government to give me the go ahead for my flight training.

As I look out side the snow covers most things including my awesome car that I was blessed with by my second family the Wolfords. I am sat surrounded by study books full of information, laws, many abbreviated words and much much more!

Why you might ask? To pursue where I believe God is calling me to do mission flying in Africa. See this website for a bit more of an idea of what that might entail if you don't know http://www.iamanet.org/ (it is amazing the different areas God is using people).

These photos are of the airport where I will train as a pilot and an A&P technician and the BEAAST that I will start my flight training in, YEEEEHAAAAAAW!

Niagara in the Winter!

Well I thought I would just show a few pictures of my brief trip to Niagara Falls in the winter, it was awesome how the ice had built up and I would have more pics if my camera hadn't frozen to DEATH!!This me actually standing on the Niagara River, Cool!

You can see how the ice built up

Change A-foot

Well having spent a little over two years in London doing youth work I find things changing once again. I am leaving on the 26th of Jan to go to Ionia Michigan, which most people have never heard of!!
I will be studying at the School of Mission Aviation Technology (SMAT) with the aim of qualifying as a mission pilot and maintenance engineer. To do something like these videos



http://www.mafgiftshop.org/videos/transforming-lives.html

MAF and Flying mission is just two of many flying operations working in Africa to help the lost and the least to bring the good new of the Gospel and to share God love practically. I am hoping to be back here a little more often but then I always say that!
The Journey continues and God is as always faithful and the lifter of my head.

We must Go Live to feed the hungry stand beside the broken, we must go.
Stepping forward keep us from just singing move us into action. We must Go!

Lets see where this goes!

Youth Mission

In April of this year we took 5 teenagers to Ukraine on a mission trip. Our aim was to bless those in need. The Bible says that we are blessed to be a blessing and that was our first and foremost aim. Sencondly we long that our teenagers learn something new of who God is and what he wants them to do with their lives. That this trip would in some way change their lives.

On return my thoughts were mixed, I knew the teens had enjoyed their time and experienced something new. However I couldnt help feeling that that was all that was achieved. That somehow we had been more of a burden than a blessing. But I think that from feedback we we able to bless the people there. So below is the video of our trip.

Here is the Ukraine video I promised.

Ukraine Mission December 2008

Well this trip was interesting I found it hard not being able to communicate in any shape or form unlike any other mission I have done. But I guess that was all part of the humbling experience. We went to do work in orphanages, deliver snow boots and presents to the poor in the Carpathian mountains and to try and bless and build up those involved in the Lviv Every Nation Church. I hope we achieved all of these. Below is a sample of what we saw and did. As well as a promo video I put together of what we did.

The delightful toilet in the mountains

The cooking and heating facilities in the mountain

Kids from the second orphanage we visited.

Team photo in Liviv train station with the time we arrived in the background

To get to the Ukraine we had to fly to Poland then get a train from there to Lviv which was quite an experience. Apart from getting told off for using the toilet while we waited for 2 hours at the border. We also had to wait for several hours while the train was lifted up and put onto a new set of wheels as the tracks in Ukraine are different size to Poland!

More pics and videos to follow. I cant wait to return in April 2009 to take the young people from Every Nation London. Lets see how they respond??

What is fullness of life? What does it look like? Jesus came that we may have life and life in a its fullness.

I guess that when we are living according to his word our lives should be a testament to all that God has done for us and doing through us. That doesn't mean we don't suffer but that in those sufferings we are able to keep God in the picture.

A good life today for most people often looks like a nice house, car, a loving family and the perfect job. But I wonder if these are the trappings that prevent us getting to that fullness of life. Not that they are wrong but that when we have these things we feel we have obtained that fullness of life.

I imagine that a life totally surrendered to God is the route to fullness I once heard someone say that this was all about Peace or Shalom as it is in the Hebrew. That a Shalom in every aspect of life is what God intended. Obviously there was a lot more depth to it than that but that was the gist of it.

Fishers of Men

God calls each one of us to be a fisher of men, what does this look like? What does it require? Well for a little help try listening to this sermon link http://www.everynation.co.uk/cms/content/resource/248_sound.mp3

This sermon spoke a lot to me about the importance of being ready to fish for men. The strength of the net is key. Jesus spent plenty of time with his disciples trying to make sure they were strong enough when the time came. There were issues with pride, exclusivity, arrogance, unforgiveness and many more. The analogy of Jesus washing the disciples feet is huge (John 13) and I hadn't considered it this way before but Jesus was saying all I have to do is clean up the way you walk then the rest will come from that. We need people on our walk who we can be transparent with to ask those awkward questions. So that we can strengthen those nets, it is God who helps strengthen those chords.

Well I hope you enjoy the sermon I know it spoke powerfully to me, "It is not that you wont go to heaven but you wont fulfill Gods purpose for your life." I do not want to miss what God has for me do you?

May all Churches in the UK begin to see a fleet of boats taking to the water to pull in the harvest with strong powerful nets.

I just watched this film last night. It is an awesome film about someone who God used to change the course of history (His-story).

One phrase that struck me the most was one said by John Newton, He is old and blind by this point and he says

"There is only two things I now remember, I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Saviour."

I was struck by this and know for myself the truth of this. There is only one name by which we are saved.

I definitely recommend seeing the film, when asked what I thought initially I said it was a bit long and takes awhile to get going but then thinking about it how much longer did it feel fr William Wilberforce!!!

For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom.He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (The Message)