08/07/10 by jfan | Austria, News | 1 Comment »
I have stories written down to write you but I don’t have the time to tell you of all of them. This week has been FULL of spiritual growth as well as a few coming to know Jesus as their savior. We are minutes away from leaving the hostel, this is the day of 1000 goodbyes. Our students have exceeded any expectations we had, it has been a trip that will take us days to process. Thank you all for your prayer and support, I will try and post when I get home of a few more stories to share with you.
J-Fan
08/06/10 by jfan | Austria, News | 1 Comment »
This is always a difficult argument in my head when talking about those who have become friends of God since it is Him who does the work and Him who judges the heart, but it has been amazing to watch the Lord work in hearts here this week. There is a group of boys from Armenia that were on the verge of getting sent home at the beginning of the week, but since then they have straightened up and been pretty enjoyable. One in particular began asking tons of questions and understood the Gospel for the first time this week. Today he was speaking with us saying that he loved Jesus, he believed He paid for his sins, but that he was unwilling to give his life to him because he feared he would fail, fall back into sin and mess it up. After talking with him for a few minutes, being careful not to force his decision, he sat there in silence just thinking. Then he said to Peter: “I want to give my life to Jesus”. From there we got to watch the Lord call another to Himself.
Another Armenian boy who was here last year was a trouble maker last year, but this year is fantastic and told us he had given his life to Jesus this year after coming to ETC. Every day he has met with a different leader during his quiet time and asked them to: “tell me something about Jesus”.
I don’t know details about this one, but a girl who was having a conversation with Emily either wanted to give her life to Jesus, or already did and was wanting to “re-commit” her life to Him. Again, I’m unsure of the details and I’m far from knowing her heart I do know it was a great conversation whether it was her giving her life to Him, or her learning that nothing can separate her from Him.
These are merely a few of the stories I know about, not to mention to countless that I don’t know. I just wanted to give you a taste of what the Lord is doing here.
J-Fan
08/05/10 by jfan | Austria, News | 3 Comments »
Dear Friends and Family,
THANK YOU! I can honestly say that if it was not for all of your prayer and constant support that this week would not have been the success that it has been thus far. I do ask that you will continue to pray that God might grant us strength and the ability to remain faithful to Him. We are on the down hill stretch and now more than ever we must be seeking Christ’s guidance in everything we do. I personally ask that we might be intentional with every conversation we have the next two days and are able to finish strong. Once again thank you for constant prayer you have helped us so much!
Love,
Kyle Ewing
p.s. sorry mom and dad for not calling!
08/05/10 by jfan | Austria, DBSM Blog, News | No Comments »
Nothin like a good ‘ol Texas bonfire to bring people together:) When we first started coming we had to bring the marshmallows from the U.S. because they didn’t sell them here… we like to think we’re the reason they now carry them in some stores.
The days are beginning to fly by and the camp is running much smoother as time goes on and the teenagers finally understand they can’t push us around:). Most of our nights are filled with stories of what God is doing, He is moving in so many lives it’s hard to communicate what is going on here. It is amazing to watch Him work, we are all getting to see Him do things not only in the lives of the campers, but in our own lives as well.
Yesterday seemed easier than the previous days and we are energized by the fact that we only have 2 days left with these teenagers and we don’t want to let that time go and not take advantage of it. Pray that we will not miss opportunities because of being tired, mentally drained or spiritually empty. Pray that God would fill our own cups as we pour them out these last few days.
I can’t describe the heaviness of the Gospel here, nor the density of the ministry opportunities. Many teenagers are constantly asking great questions and listening to our challenges. There are teens here that have come to faith at this camp in a previous year, or after that had gone home a previous year, and it is encouraging to see them and be able to be part of the discipleship process in their lives. I wish you could see what we see, it leaves us nothing short of true worship.
08/03/10 by jfan | Austria, News | 4 Comments »
God has been so good to us here in Austria, we have seen so many encouraging things from many people here including Americans. We are loving our time here, but we are all very exhausted already! Our daily schedule goes something like this: our own quiet times… breakfast… worship… their quiet times where we sit with them individually… on to small groups… 1 hour of free time… lunch… english helps… afternoon activity/game…1 hour of free time… dinner… evening program… movie or free time… campers to bed… leader mtg… us to bed:)
It has been fun to follow up with some students from past years who have come to know Christ and now are experiencing sanctification. The majority of teenagers here are unsure what they think about God, though there are also a good number who know Him through Jesus. There are others who reject the notion of God completely, but even these are coming to trust us more as we develop a relationship with them. Today has been heavy with many GREAT conversations which are very encouraging to us. I hope to get one of our students to write a post soon telling you a small snapshot of their experience.
J-Fan
08/01/10 by jfan | Austria, News | 2 Comments »
We have barely made it past breakfast and already we have seen amazing things happen. So far there have been many teenagers here who are not Christians that have been very interested in the Bible and many of them sat with both American and Austrian leaders this morning wanting to know how to have a “quiet time”. I do not know details yet of these conversations, but God was very good in letting us into a few hearts this morning. Most of them don’t even own Bibles and they spent time going over Romans 3:22-24 this morning! Please pray that the teenagers here who do not know Him would have an open and willing heart towards the Bible and towards the name of Jesus. Even as I write this leaders are talking with their small groups about what they would say if God asked them why He should let them into His Heaven. Like I said, Day 2 starts with a bang:)
J-Fan
07/31/10 by jfan | Austria, News | No Comments »
After spending one full day and two half days in Vienna we have finally arrived at the camp. The feel is very different this year with many different teenagers here. Our team has absolutely hit the ground running! Kyle, Lauren and Julia ran our “ice-breaker” session today and it was hysterical and we left knowing every campers name! This years start has far exceeded my expectations, as has this team the Lord has assembled. We are humbled by how quickly these teenagers have taken to us, and I’m personally humbled by watching our high school students jump straight into the lives of the Austrians with no questions asked. I’m proud to serve along side the other 15 Americans on this team, but I’m equally as proud to serve along side the Austrian team. God has assembled an amazing group of Austrian leaders and the unity we already share with them is irreplaceable during this week.
We are again faced with a decision of how to daily present the Gospel to the unbelievers here as well as equip the believers. It’s hard to do this during the same teaching session, though I am more convinced that the most life change will not happen during those times, but during the times that we share our lives with the Austrian teenagers. Please pray that God might save some and pray that true discipleship would happen through us here.
J-Fan
07/30/10 by jfan | Austria, News | 1 Comment »
After 20 hours and 12 minutes of travel we finally made it! We experienced the shortest night of our life, the most interesting of airplane food and we even got to blitz through Windsor on our layover (thanks Alexis:))!
Once we arrived we met up with Reini, Michi, Peter and Adam who got us to our home away from home and we had the best meal yet with all our Austrian friends. Today will be filled with team building and camp planning… with some site seeing along the way. My favorite site to show the students is St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It is a beautiful structure, with breathtaking relics, windows and architecture. However, you will never see this cathedral without it being cleaned. The outside is made of white stone, that though it looks beautiful at first it is quickly stained by the pollution from the city. The church continually tries to “wash” itself of these “stains”, but they can never get themselves clean enough. Sound familiar?
J-Fan
07/27/10 by jfan | Austria, News | No Comments »
Hey everyone, we are 1 day away from leaving on our trip to visit our Austrian friends! We are ready in every way possible, the plane can’t get to that gate fast enough! We will be using this site to update everyone as often as possible. Please pray for God’s grace, God’s provision and for God to save some. Above is a daily prayer calendar that we would love for you to join in praying with us as well. Check back here for more posts!
-J-Fan
07/26/10 by eddeaux | Austria, News | No Comments »
Things to pray for from now until July 28th
* 1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”
Read more →
04/06/10 by jfan | DBSM Blog | No Comments »
Here ya go!
How Do We Know Jesus Is The Messiah?
Jesus Claimed To Be the Messiah
“I and the Father are one.” Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” -John 10:30-33
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” -John 14:6
Logic Confirms It
Trilemma – Lord, Liar, Lunatic
Prophecy Confirms It
1. He would make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem: Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:4,5 – 550 years prior to event
2. His friend would betray him for thirty pieces of silver: Psalm 41:9; 55:12-14; Zechariah 11:12, 13; Matthew 26: 14-16, 21-25 – 1,000 years prior to event
3. He would be forsaken by his disciples: Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31, 56 – 550 years prior to event
4. He would be scourged and spit upon: Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 26:67; 27:26 – 700 years prior to event
5. His price money would be used to buy a potter’s field: Zechariah 11:12, 13; Jeremiah 18:1-4; 19:1-3; Matthew 27:9, 10 – 600 years prior to event
6. He would be crucified between two thieves: Isaiah 53:12; Matthew 27:38, etc. – 700 years prior to event
7. He would be given vinegar to drink: Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34, 48 – 1,000 years prior to event
8. His hands and feet would be pierced: Psalm 22:16; Zechariah 12:10; Mark 15:25; John 19:34, 37– 1,000 years prior to event
9. His garments would be parted and gambled for: Psalm 22:18; Luke 34:34; John 19:23ff – 1,000 years prior to event
10. His bones would not be broken (customary in crucifixions): Psalm 23:20; Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; John 19:33-36 – 1,500 years prior to event
11. He would be buried with the rich: Isaiah 53:9; Matthew 27:57-60 – 700 years prior to event
12. He would be raised from the dead: Psalm 16:10; Matthew 28:2-7 – 1,000 years prior to event
13. He would ascend to heaven: Psalm 24:7-10; Mark 16:19; Luke 24:50 – 1,000 years prior to event
How Do You Know You Can Trust the Bible?
Unity of the Message Confirms It
The Bible was written over 1500 years, in 66 books or volumes, by over 40 authors, in 3 languages, on 3 continents, with 1 unified message
Archeology Confirms It
“It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever contradicted a biblical reference.” (Nelson Glueck, Jewish archaeologist)
“Discovery after discovery has established the accuracy of innumerable details, and has brought increased recognition to the value of the Bible as a source of history.” (William Albright, 4 doctorates, Christian archaeologist and historian)
I take the view that Luke’s history is unsurpassed in regard to its trustworthiness …you may press the words of Luke in a degree beyond any other historian’s and they stand the keenest scrutiny and the hardest treatment.” (Sir William Ramsey, Agnostic historian…later becoming a Christian)
Scientific Reliability Confirms It
Isaiah 40:22 (700 B.C.) tells us that the earth is spherical. This was about 2,100 years before science “discovered” the earth was round, through Columbus and Magellan.
Job 26:7 (1,500 + B.C.) tells us that the earth is suspended in space. This was about 3,200 years before Sir Isaac Newton’s discovery in A.D.1687.
Genesis 13:16 and 15:5 (2,000 B.C.) tell us that the stars are innumerable. In A.D.150 Ptolemy counted them to 1,056 stars in all. Only in the 1980’s have we begun to admit we cannot begin to count them all. This is a span of nearly 4,000 years.
II Samuel 22:16 and Jonah 2:6 (900 B.C. and 760 B.C.) reveal that there are mountains and canyons in the sea. Until the 1800’s it was believed that the oceans were like a fish bowl. This is a gap of 2,700 years.
Genesis 7:11; 8:2 and Proverbs 8:28 (1500 B.C. and 1000 B.C.) mention that there are springs and fountains under the earth and sea. Science discovered this during World War II and the use of submarines. This is a span of nearly 3,500 years.
Psalm 8:8 (1000 B.C) was the revelation that Matthew Maurey, the modern father of oceanography, used to discover there were paths and channels in the sea. This is almost a 3,000 year span.
Ecclesiastes 1:6, 7; Job 26:8; 36:27, 28; 37:16; 38:25-27 and Psalm 135:7 (1500 + B.C.) give us clues to the hydrologic cycle involving precipitation, evaporation, cloud construction, movements of moisture by wind currents, etc. This is a gap of over 3,000 years.
In Hebrews 1:3; 11:1; Colossians 1:7 and Romans 1:20 we see the truth that the invisible holds the visible together. It took modern atomic physics’ discovery of X-rays in A.D. 1895 to confirm what has always been true and was espoused over 1,900 years ago.
There are scores of passages in the Old Testament, particularly the book of Leviticus, which hold rules of health and sanitation in a very precise and descriptive way. The need to cook meat and avoid certain foods such as pork was all laid down 3,350 years ago. (The presence of germs was abundantly clear in the Bible long before it was in science.)
Leviticus 17:11 states that the life of the flesh is in the blood. Up until around A.D. 1900 it was believed that the blood carried disease but not the life of the body. Blood-letting was a common practice until the turn of the century. Even George Washington died from letting too much blood out, trying to rid him of his illness. How sad we did not believe what we were told almost 2,400 years earlier.
Genesis 2:1-3; Psalm 102:24 and Hebrews 4:3, 10 all support and give credence to the first law of thermodynamics, or energy conservation. This was discovered by scientists in A.D.1850.
Psalm 102:26; Romans 8:18-23 and Hebrews 1:10-12 all give consistent testimony to the second law of thermodynamics, or energy deterioration. These passages predate scientific discovery by 2,850-3,300 years.
Historic Reliability Confirms It
In the October 18, 1976 issue of Time magazine, it is mentioned that thousands of documents have been found verifying people, places, and customs heretofore only referred to in the Bible. Even the great, great, great, great grandfather of the patriarch Abraham is mentioned. One archaeologist admitted in this article:
“We always thought of ancestors like Eber as symbolic. Nobody ever regarded them as historic – at least not until these tablets were found.”
Flavius Josephus (37 A.D. ff) has numerous references to Jesus Christ. One such is: “Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man … he was the Christ … condemned to the Cross, …And the tribe of Christians so named from him are not extinct at this day.” (Antiquities, Xviii. 33)
Cornelius Tacitus (52 A.D. ff), a Roman historian, in referring to Nero’s persecution of Christianity says: “…the persons commonly called Christians, who were hated for their enormities. Christus, the founder of the name, was put to death by Pontius Pilate …: but the pernicious superstition, repressed for a time broke out again …” (Annals, XV. 44)
Other historians such as Lucian, Seutonius, Pliny the Younger, Tertullian, Thallus and documents such as the Jewish Talmud and the Letter of Mara Bar-Serapion, contain reference to Jesus and His Miracles.
The Point:
There is overwhelming evidence that Jesus is the Messiah just as the Bible says He is. If this is true, then you and I have a decision to make. Do we ignore the evidence, or do we embrace the Savior of the World?
04/01/10 by eddeaux | DBSM Blog | 5 Comments »
Saturday, May 15th…Cause it’s going to be a down and dirty good time!
MUDFEST IS A GO!!!!!
Registration starts at 9:00 and the first game starts at 10:00 but you MUST be registered by 9:30!!!! Be sure and wear some sort of shoes and make sure you have a waiver signed by a parent. The pits are INCREDIBLE!!! It is seriously the coolest thing we’ve ever done… here’s to the first MUDFEST EVER!!!!
During the time we are scheduled to play there is a 40% chance of storms. We will postpone and/or cancel if there is lightning in the area. If you are a team on a waiting list you should show up because someone might not show!!
***MUDFEST 2010 is currently full. If you have not turned in your registration sheet you can still do so at the Mill on Wednesday to be placed on a waiting list. All waiting list teams can show up at registration and will be placed in the event that registered teams don’t show up. Teams will be placed in the order they were received.
REGISTER TODAY!!!
REGISTRATION starts at 9:00 am
FIRST GAME of the double elimination tournament starts at 10:00 am
DOWNLOAD THIS FORM – Or find these forms at The Mill for registration at the information desk. Get your teams money together, fill out the form, sign the waiver and you are all set!
DOWNLOAD WAIVER in box on the right side of this page
SEE RULES BELOW
COST: $20 per person – includes entry, drinks, t-shirt and Chick Fil A lunch
PRIZES: All players on the winning team will receive a gift card and a MUDFEST volleyball
LOCATION: The Hangar (corner of Nottingham and Mingo)
THE RUMOR: A massive slip and slide into what???
*Disclaimer: Mud volleyball may cause slight loss in consciousness as a result of mass hysteria and rapid serotonin increase. Play at your own risk.
**Sponsored by DBSM & Denton-Area FCA**
MUDFEST TOURNAMENT RULES
GENERAL
Mudfest 2010 Rules
- Co-ed teams – Must consist of at least 5 players with a max of 7 on each team, with at least 2 members of the opposite sex.
- Each team captain must check in at least 30 minutes prior to their first game with a complete roster/waiver sheet. Players may not be added after the roster has been submitted. Players may play on only one team.
If the team is not present prior to a game ending early then the team without a full team will forfeit their game.
-Teams may include 1 DBSM leader and high school students only.
GAME PLAY
- Any ball that hits the ropes or lines will be considered fair.
- It’s a violation to spike with two hands.
-Players can only use hands and arms to move the ball
- For safety purposes, players may not step outside the ropes to play a ball
- Any ball outside the ropes will be declared dead and the appropriate side- out/point will be awarded.
- Servers must start out standing on the rope. The servers are allowed one step off of the ropes.
-A serve can touch the net and still be a legal serve
- Serves may not be blocked or attacked.
- Players may not purposely add mud to the ball.
ROTATIONS
- Each team is allowed to play with up to 7 players, and all players must rotate before their team serves. The rotation system can move wherever you desire on the court, but any players above 5 will rotate on either side of the front row outside of the playing area. Even though they are not able to play the ball they are part of the rotation system. In other words, all players rotate, but only 5 are in play at a time. Rotation orders must remain the same for the entire game, but can be switched at the beginning of a new game.
GAME INFO
- Winner of coin toss chooses serve or side at the start of each match.
- All games will be rally style scoring to 15. Teams must win by 2.
- Matches will continue in the rain, but not lightning.
TOURNAMENT STYLE
- Bracket will be determined at random
- Tournament will be double elimination
- Prizes will be awarded to each player on the winning team
CLOTHING
- Wear denim or tightly woven clothing, or wear a 1-piece swimsuit with dark colored t shirt and shorts over it. Please remember that wet clothing becomes see-through in many cases. Anyone wearing inappropriate clothing may be asked to change clothing or leave the event.
- No Jewelry allowed including facial piercing. These are extremely dangerous during this event.
- Taping shorts to tucked-in shirts prevents shorts from falling.
- Swim goggles may be helpful.
- Flat bottom shoes are mandatory. These can be tennis shoes, or sandals with straps, or shoes duck taped on. NO cleats allowed.
- Bring plenty of towels.
- Water hoses will be available
- There will be bathrooms to change in
03/25/10 by jfan | DBSM Blog | No Comments »
Last night Wilson did a great job displaying to us what sin does and how we are to respond to it right? (if you missed it check it out soon on audio @ www.dbcstudents.org) Well check this out… when you place your faith in Jesus and He takes your sin Romans says this happens:
“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed” - Romans 6:16-17
So for those of you who LEFT YOUR SIN THERE you are no longer a slave to that sin, nor to any sin at all! Rather you have been freed from sin and you are obedient to the One who saved you!
03/22/10 by jfan | DBSM Blog | No Comments »
That is the word we often use isn’t it? We say phrases like: “My relationship with God feels so DRY right now”
What does that mean…DRY ???
DO YOU FEEL DRY?
DEFINE: DRY- Your attempt to do things on your own leaving you empty inside, therefore producing a feeling we call DRY
SOLUTION: STOP!!! Pouring out from an already DRY cup… John 4 Jesus said to the woman at the well: “the water you seek will leave you DRY… the one who drinks from me will never be DRY.” Want to rid yourself of feeling DRY with God? Seek the One who offers living water to all who would believe. Seek the One that brought salvation to you in the first place. Seek more of Jesus and less of yourself… the FACT is it’s YOU who dries YOU out! And it’s Him who fills YOU up.
The words of my friend Searcy: “Go God. Go away (YOUR NAME HERE).”
J-Fan
“Go God. Go away Jason”
03/07/10 by jfan | DBSM Blog | No Comments »
…because we thought for some reason we could no longer find PEACE and SATISFACTION in His.
“True PEACE and SATISFACTION is found by being at PEACE with Him and SATISFIED in Him” -James 4:1-10
PEACE and SATISFACTION through the world:
- Results in broken relationships (v.1)
- Enslaves you to yourself (v.2)
- You become a master of manipulation (v.3)
- You become an enemy of God (v.4-5)
PEACE and SATISFACTION through our God:
- Submit to God (v.7a)
- Resist Satan (v.7b)
- Draw near to God (v.8)
- Repent (v.9)
- Humble yourself (v.10)
Full Audio HERE
