Many things have been heavy on my heart lately and it’s lightening up at all. I have been around so many versions of Christianity this past season that I cannot help but be discouraged. Not for the fact that people don’t really have a love for the Lord, but what does that even mean? I mean people serve and lead on Sundays and Wednesdays but then they need a designated driver to take them from the bar on Friday and someone to hold onto their keys on Saturday since they know they won’t be able to drive once the nights started, a pastor walking around a bar holding a beer, and then walking by him an hour later and wondering how many hes had since there is another one in his hand and hes talking a bit louder and slower. Its not only that issue but so many more. I hear people make vows and commitments and their conviction that its from the Lord is so deep, yet they walk the line so close to that which they “know” the Lord has called them away from for a season, or even because they know its tempting them to wrong. WHY?? I’ve asked that question many times to see what the deal is, the word that is so popular is liberty, or even freedom. I have explained my convictions and issues and the response is commonly that of being accused of being a “holy roller” or “out of touch” or a weak Christian because I “can’t” drink. Well the conviction I has is from the Lord and from scripture, I know that the Word does not specifically say that I cant drink but it’s truly a liberty and one each of must weigh so very deeply when we step foot into that area. But then there is a slight point that so many hang onto, the one issue of alcohol period, but it goes so much deeper. Ears shut and pride soars when that word is spoken in regards to discipline or preference of others. But if we truly love the Lord and what He teaches then we need to really take a look at what the entire Word teaches on freedom and liberty. Not what the bible shows as black and white issues but what the bible calls “disputable” issues. the grey things, the personal convictions that the holy spirit gives each of us.
I am tired right now, both physically and spiritually. and i don’t have the energy to continue on this without the fear of it being a very long ramble that wont fully express my heart.
I plan on finishing more soon, this is just so much in my head right now. I guess it comes to this, read romans 14 & 15. Read titus about being a biblical leader. well how about read the Word and then do what it says not what we feel. Challenge ourselves to LOVE the Lord with all our hearts, all our lives, challenge ourselves to be different than the world, to really look different with how we LOVE others, how we respect others, how we cherish our Lord with ALL that we are. How we live our lives for others like the example we claim, Jesus. not to hold onto our liberties and freedoms with a death grip. and one last thought before i close this out, we have been set free FROM sin, not free TO sin.
peace & blessings
Currently in week four of my missions trip in Czech Republic and there are so many emotions and situations going on in my head and life right now. Most good, some challenging and a few discouraging.
I have figured out that i tend to keep my blog a step disconnected from my true emotions, why, not sure. I think it might be because I don’t want to offend people with how I’m processing life or maybe its just what I do. So i guess I’m going to try to be as real as possible…..here goes.
There have been so many great things already happening, we have an amazing team and I have had the epic privilege of praying with a girl as she accepted Christ. I have seen the two young guys on our team realize that they are capable of so much more than they realize. I have been challenged to be more patient and wise with my words, which is something i knew i needed, good but tough.
Those are just a few things going on, the biggest weight on my shoulders right now is finances, I have been trying to raids funds for this since before I left and I am still about $4,000 short, yeah, pretty discouraging. I know what the Word teaches about worrying and I know that the Lord provides, $4,000 to Him is nothing, but what do I do when my lack of funds affects not only myself, but the team and the organization I’m under. I am so thankful that my girlfriend Christy has helped me continue to raise funds while I’m over here, but there is still so much more to be done. People constantly give me a hard time because i know so many people, but I’m not having any favor with support on this trip. I know I have the blessings of my Pastors, my mentors, my friends and family so why is this need not being met? I know its to teach me something, I need patience. Please pray about this situation and its affect on this trip, and please pray about if you could support me in any way. In the mean time pray I can be responsible to live very cheaply. I need to have faith and I do, I just need to use it.
Here are some useful links, please forward them on.
My support letter www.issuekid.com/ljsupport.pdf
A video about what we do http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tss069he82g
And if you want to support directly go to, https://secure.josiahventure.com/intern.php
My account name is Larry Lara and my intern account # is 4016806.
Thank you for reading and for any way you support me. Feel free to hit me up and ask any questions you want.
Peace & Blessings,
LJ Lara
micah 6v8
lj@issuekid.com
I’m sitting here at our 8th school having some quiet time before students come in and the program begins. There will be about five hundred students today in a gym that is too small for that many. Always an adventure here.
We are currently touring in the Bohemia region of Czech Republic and I have been reminded since last tour that this region is a tough and very dark one. The situations and feelings only reinforce that. From opposition with schools and teachers, hard hearts and sad people to just a dark feeling that is hard to explain, but it’s here – we are here – and we are going to stand strong. A very very wise pastor, Britt Merrick, said this in a teaching, “There is no mission without opposition.” Those words have rung so true and strong during last tour & this one. I should expect to have tough times, for things not to work out as planned for opposition. I’m so prone to walk the bright path strong and true, but the one lit by a little flame makes me feel so weak and unsure. I have begun to realize that the dimly lit path is so much better, it reveals so much more to me, I am beginning to be thankful for that dim light. I had a glimpse of something so much bigger that the light does not reveal, the Spirit. When I cannot take care of a situation, when I cannot do what is required of me, when I feel scared or unsure, that I can not do it in my physical being it brings something so true to light – the truth. I can’t. And really, I don’t need to.
The blessing of that lacking is this, when I cannot “reach” something physically, or make it happen on my own it requires me to rely on the spiritual. I love that. The spiritual is what I need. What I desire. I love looking back and seeing how God provided or made things happen where there was confussion or lack of something, He always moves.
What I cannot do God will do & sometimes through me. So sik!! I love spiritual strength and guidance. I love the Spirit that provides, comforts, leads, encourages, challenges, loves & so much more.
Just some random thoughts. I’ll write more soon.
-lj
Romans 15v13
This is a prayer I wrote last time I was in Czech and it’s been on my heart and mind a lot this time as well. I ask that if you pray join me in this prayer, and if not, do what you do or maybe it’s a great time to start.
Lord,
Truly let my words be few. Let my head get out of the way & let me rely soly on Your wisdom. Let the few words that come out of my mouth be so valuable and rich. Lord, let me learn how to truly listen.
-iVk
Well yesterday was the last day in Malenovice at the hotel. We packed up our stuff and headed to our apartment. As I came a day later the guys had already been to the apartment, rooms had been chosen and the one bed left was a mattress behind the couch on the floor. Gotta love the team haha. It’s a really nice apartment, Nate & Emily Hughes usually live there but they happen to be in the states while we are here. The apartment is technically our home base, we keep most of our stuff there and pack up bags to be out on tour for days at a time. For example this Sunday we leave and will be in a different city until Friday night when we come home from our concert. So we are at the apartment only a few nights a week and is where we relax and do our laundry basically. It’s located very near the border to Poland so we have a running route that starts on Czech continues through Poland and returns to Czech, sounds funny to run through two countries but that’s how we roll, well run rather.
Well now onto practice. We have been practicing a few hours each day for the past few days and today marks the first of 3 full days of practice. Start at 830 and finish at 5, some lunch in between and lots and lots of randomness mixed in throughout. The practice place we are in for today and tomorrow is interesting to say the least. We are one story underground in a cold war era bomb shelter. Huge heavy metal doors with those spinny type locks on each corner included. It’s AWESOME!!!!
Load-in for the young guns (that’s the nickname that’s been bestowed to the new young guys) was an eye-opener. We had to carry a full sound and lighting system down two flights of stairs and then set it up. Hard work for sure. But kinda makes you feel like a manly man to work that hard.
Practice has been going on for a few hours and the guys are working together smoothly, the communication is strong and so is the encouragement. So solid to see!
We are practicing in Trinec, a city we were in last tour, it’s great to be back here and crazy to kind of remember my way around and see so many familiar things. I hope I get to see some of my friends from tour, one in particular is Venca. If not during practice i know ill see them at the concert here later on the tour.
So yeah, I guess I’ll say it’s do good to be back. I’m stoked for this team and excited for our ministry.
Peace & blessings,
-LJ
The music part of the adventure has begun. Set-up with the new guys was fun, it was cool seeing guys just learning how we make it all work here. Plugging in cables, setting up mics, speakers boards and lights are just a few things we do. Confused looks were common but what was more evident were the servants hearts of all the guys. The willingness to learn and the natural habits of not just looking out for themselves or just getting their job done. I miss the old team for sure but this team as well is super solid and I know we will only grow stronger as we learn how each other work and our jobs & responsibilities.
The past few days leading up to me sitting here as the guys practice, Im not really doing anything because we are in such a small room, all we could get to practice in while we doing some team trainings in Melovice. We will have two practices today. The day started with breakfast at 730 and then devos followed by some cultural training. Then we had lunch follod by band practice which brings you to now.
There will be new dynamics this tour but that’s expectied. I’m stoked to see how this journey goes. One amazing thing is that we all know without a doubt that we belong here, God has called us and made a way.
I’m doing my best to keep things updated and use this blog thing.
Please keep us in your prayers, it’s an amazing team and we are getting along so well, but we know the attacks will come.
Oh and one huge need is still the financial aspect. We are stil majorly short and are raising funds from here. If you want to donate or know anyone that would like to please let me know and I can give you more info.
Peace & blessings
-LJ
The plan is this – blog alot more than I did last time I wss in Czech. So here goes…
Having stayed behind for my roommates wedding the team left a day before me, I’ve had a long day of solo travel to not only get some good nap time in but also some great thinking time.
I left behind some intense things. A critically ill mother, a new girlfriend, guys that I mentor that are going through super tough things and countless friends that bless and challenge me. The peace spoken of in Phil 4 is what is most deffinitly protecting my heart and mind. The past few days became a big overwhelming when I thought of too much at the same time in regards to things I could not control – the only thing I knew without a doubt was that the Lord called me to Czech and I belonged on this trip. Others believe in me with this ministry as well and I knew to be faithful to what the Lord called me to I had to go.
The oportunity to go was still open with a major deficit in my funds, to date I’m still short about four thousand dollars. If you would like to donate please hit me up and i will give you details.
But yeah the thoughts of today. Well right now I’m in a plane over Austria headed to Czech Republic and the one major thought in my head is one of thanksgiving. I am so thankful to be part of a ministry that is so needed. I’m traveling into one of the most athestic countries in the world trusted to share the gospel. I just pray I’m faithful, that fears nor frustrations hold me back. I’m excited for this adventure. Seeing old friends and making new ones and sharing Jesus all along the way.
This is going to be an epic adventure.
Cau,
-lj
But first the guys have to pick me up from the airport, any bets on how late they will be haha!!!
(Reposting this from a friends blog, http://christopherlazo.com, he is a solid man of God I desire to be like)
Don’t judge me!?
This is the battle cry of the defensive Christian (it’s been mine many times).
But the situation Jesus was addressing in Matthew 7 seems to be in regards to people who make hypocritical, ad hominem attacks against unbelieving people. It mentions nothing about judging other Christians.
On the contrary, Christians are supposed to judge each other (albeit in a loving way). To abstain from making a needed judgment towards fellow Christians who are in sin is labeled “arrogant” by Paul (1 Cor. 5).
We got to watch each others backs.
(…lovingly, in case I didn’t mention that)
September 8th, 2009 in
Uncategorized |
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“The rags of sin must come off if we put on the robe of Christ. There must be a taking away of the love of sin, there must be a renouncing of the practices and habits of sin, or else a man cannot be a, Christian. It will be an idle attempt to try and wear religion as a sort of celestial overall over the top of old sins.” (Spurgeon)
August 18th, 2009 in
Quotes | tags:
Spurgeon |
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ive been thinking that there seem to be words in the english language that i really dont often think about the depth of their meaning. maybe its because they are used too often and for things that really don’t deserve them, or maybe i just think i deserve the word when i have not earned it. A few words i can think of; love, respect, trust, thank you, sorry. There are many more but those are the ones that come to mind at the moment.
the word for today – trust
there are many ways this word is used; think about how many times you hear it and it what context in the course of even one day. and then lets see, we can ask for trust with maybe asking to borrow a few bucks or trust me with driving your car, or i trust you to order some food i will like, or maybe its a friend and you trust them to listen to a person struggle and not tell everyone and then you trust the advice they give, maybe its with someone you care about and you trust them with your heart. WOW, thats a big one. it might be someone you love romantically or maybe its someone you love as a brother, sister, mentor or maybe in your eyes they hold the place of mother or father. those are just a few of many ways trust shows itself.
So yeah, how do i need to improve my trust? In many many many different ways. One of the hardest lesson ive been learning is the friend/brother type trust. I am not sure how to even write this out. The thoughts and lessons are deep for sure and i already see them impacting my life, so lets try to explain.
I think the experiences i have had and the influence i now have with people leads me to just expect trust to be given. I have walked paths that led to pain, ive had amazing mentors come into my life and help show me a path that leads to great healthy and peaceful no matter what came my way. I see some very similar paths being walked as the ones i started on, and i do not want them to have to deal with pain. so i think i kind of demand trust, i want it so they can trust me and leave the crap behind. but yeah, i have to be patient, I need to trust and just patiently walk. I need to encourage and be there no matter what, yes i may see the pain that lays ahead but without the trust i can have no influence, i wish it would happen fast but i know it takes time. i have to pray and i have to trust. and i know i will walk through anything, because thats the example i have, that is how i was loved, through really tough stuff and was never given up on. That is who i will be.
-iVk
August 10th, 2009 in
Lessons,
life |
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