Application to PIU status: ACCEPTED.

As of 6:00PM June 15, 2010, I have been accepted into the Bachelor of Arts program at Pacific Islands University in GUAM! I am praising the Lord with joy for opening this door and leading me to this point!

I am panning on an August 19 departure and attending Fall and Spring semesters. My major is undecided at this point, but will possibly be either Biblical Studies or Missions; whichever will be most beneficial for where the Lord leads me.

I am hoping to spend the following Summer in Japan at a private boarding school in GIFU, scoping opportunities, learning Japanese, and visiting friends in Shizuoka. More updates to come as my path comes into perspective. I'll try to maintain a balance of objectivity and personal ministry updates in my blog from now on. Please be praying for my schooling, my growth as a Christian, and that the Lord would bring many ministry opportunities my way.

Grace&Peace

-Kevin

P.S.

I will be starting a mailing list soon for those who wish to pray specifically. The goal I feel the Lord has led me to make is to do mission work in Japan. Updates that apply toward that end will be sent out on a regular basis.

Hunger & Thirst Tour

Two of my favorite bands, My Epic and So Long Forgotten, are currently on a tour of the MW with a few special conditions. The purpose of the tour is explained by Micah from So Long Forgotten in the video below.

From what I understand, they are fasting for 30 hours before every Saturday night's show, and asking us to do the same. We will send the money that we would have spent on food to them to distribute to World Vision, eventually ending up as food in the hands of the hungry.

The fast starts this afternoon and goes until early Saturday evening. If you have never fasted before, I encourage you to start with this. During your fast, be praying for those who don't have food and water, and also for the band as they spread this example across the MW during their tour. It is easier to come to God and pray when we are uncomfortable and weak.

The Hunger and Thirst Tour from so long forgotten on Vimeo.

Keith Green movie in the works

From Los Angeles Daily News:

Christian rock icon's widow enlists Hollywood to tell the musician's story

Nearly 30 years after Christian-rock pioneer Keith Green died in a plane crash, his widow and a Hollywood producer have teamed up to bring his story to the big screen in the hope of introducing a new generation to his music.

One of several Christian rock musicians who lived in the San Fernando Valley in the 1970s, Keith and his wife, Melody, wrote numerous hit songs, but also formed a seven-home community in Woodland Hills where they cared for people in need.

"The stuff he did was breaking all the rules," said Melody, now an author, composer and speaker who leads Last Days Ministries out of Kansas City, Mo.

"He showed up in flip-flops, blue jeans and suspenders and really kind of revolutionized the music industry by giving away his music for free, loving God, really loving people and telling Christians, `Hey, we've got to do what we say we believe."'

Full Article: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_15105172

Forgiveness When Shame Is Heavy

A video blog on forgiveness when our shame is too overwhelming from Aaron Stone of the band My Epic. Make sure you watch the whole thing, because there is a special treat at the end.

Reforming Reformed Always Reforming

I read an uncomfortably poignant slogan today. It is translated many ways, with different words left out here and there, thus changing its meaning. This is the full quote, I believe. My understanding of Spanish, French, and English and love of transliteration will attempt a literal translation, with a little help from Google (which does not translate Latin).

"ecclesia reformata semper reformanda est secundu Verbum Dei."

"Church (Assembly) reformed always reforming is second(to) Word God"

In an English grammar mold, it looks like this:
"The Reformed Church is always reforming according to the Word of God"

Often it is just quoted "ecclesia semper reformanda" meaning "church always reforming." You can see where this quote could be greatly abused if only half of it is used.

How does this saying challenge you? For me, it's something like this: I am reformed, not because I want to fit into an organized mold, but because because being reformed means precisely the opposite; always studying the Word of God so that the mold of useless human methodical moralism does not become the new word of God.

Church should never "feel good" just because something is familiar tradition. We must always be asking why we do what we do, and what are we not doing that we should.

After reading this, don't go to your pastor and say, "We need to reform." Rather, ask him, "how can I make sure that I am always reforming to what the Bible says?"

Women and Calvinism

Carolyn James speaks at a Religious Newsletters Association meeting briefly about what it means for her to be a Christian woman. If you're finding the Bible to be male-dominated, double-standardized, and a bit chauvinistic, give an ear to this woman and how she learned that the Bible is not domineering towards women, but rather extraordinarily freeing.

From the DesiringGod.org Resource Library. External link here.

Music 7: Page CXVI (FREE DL)

Hymns & Hymns II

Page CXVI

(Indie/Praise/Worship) FREE! ---->

Page CXVI is a worship band comprised of members of the indie band The Autumn Film. The Hymns album featured here includes many well known hymns put to different tempos, instruments, styles, and sometimes even melodies.

The music sounds a lot like what you might hear if Copeland did worship music. The vocalist is female and somehow sounds nearly identical to Aaron Marsh. Some of the renditions are very upbeat and can be replicated for an awesome worship service for your church. Downloads from their website include chord sheets.

For a limited time (only one week, I think), Page CXVI is giving away their first album for free, in celebration of their second album. Go to PageCXVI.com to download their music or order CDs.

If you like the first Hymns album, the second one only gets better.