Pray for christian students around the world

Just about to leave for Northern Ireland!
Time is flying and I can't get updates out quick enough.
been to a lot of churches sharing my testimony, blowing up the world, setting up books, meeting interesting and godly people interested or pursuing missions abroad!
college students studying the word of God acting out there faith in their community,
a lot of encouraging stories to write down, A lot of people met that I would like to share there stories to you, but I guess a key is to keep praying that God continues to meet in these students and active Christians around the world to see them go into the harvest!

Oktober Beginnt!

October is here actually 10 days past! amazing how time flys!
we are currently here in Chicago (we being Grandma Grandpa and Me) My Granddad will be speaking at Moody tomorrow and wheaton on the thursday.
This is week two of our month long usa trip! we started off at a muslim missionary awareness event in atlanta where i was able to meet some good friends from the ship times.
 We then flew to new jersey to my great aunts and uncles house and to the town where it all started! Wycoff, NJ this photo is me standing out said the House tha my granddad lived in 70 years ago! amazing and sweet to get the George Verwer History tour =) since it is also my family history!
Now we are here in Chicago I am currently looking out of a 9th floor condo in downtown Chicago, meat an old gofer who picked us up at the aiport and then I had my first Chik felae experiance.
Sorry for the long updated hope you atleast got a chance to see the photo =)
Thank you for those of you who are hard core enough to read this blog!!!
God Bless
J

The Book That made Your Wolrd,(How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization

A book by Vishal Mangalwadi
This is a brief summery from what I got out of reading this book.

The book that made your world

This book is an exposition of philosophy to make defense to the idea that everything good is from the Bible, that Gods word through Moses “all nations would be blessed” can be proclaimed.

It starts out with stating nihilism; the belief that there is no truth and everything is pointless, shown relevant in the USA by Kurk Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana who being the most prevalent nihilist in the western world highlights his testimony with a bullet through his head.

If you take away truth you take away everything. Taking away truth we (homo-sapiens) are considered worthless, just something that takes up space. The argument for truth found in scripture reflects everything good on this planet including; music, technology, government structure, knowledge, art, science, moral values, health, education and more.

Through different stages in the western world; the renaissance, dark ages, enlightenment, reformation the bible was either accepted and was acknowledged as ultimate truth or was abused or even hidden.

It is magnificent to read the history of the western world and its origins in comparison to the eastern world and its origins. It is interesting to see that all nations have the same opportunities to grow and to create. But with corruption and failure to see human worth we see countries like Uganda that spend millions of people fetching water every day! If there was a pump available maybe 100 people could supply water to that mass majority and then move on to the next problem.

Vishal brings its whole emphasis strictly with the bible, he kept his ideas strictly on history and the bible not giving much room for maybe his own “dogmatic views” without taking it to the Bible first.

He has many stories of sacrificial serving in India bringing out his beliefs and studies through practical and real situations, all very impacting causing you to really think about the importance of missions.

As we precede more into the future of “no intelligence allowed”, which is starting to include so many aspects of the western world, we are realizing that there is a steady decline in Christian thinking and leading. Vishal brings out a point that America is on the heavy decline. That it would need to remember the basics of its founding fathers to continue as a mighty country. Schools like Harvard are questioning truth to its core and leaning far away from the basic doctrine of the bible Vishal points to the movie about the Facebook founder called “The Social Network”.

The western world is undermining truth by means of relativism and this book is a call for us to remember the core of the kingdom. Truth. It’s a call to move us into remembering the relevance of the bible in this day and pushes us to express ourselves as creators and intellectuals by the Grace of God with its foundation made on Him through the bible.

This book helped me in so many ways in apologetics and another strong desire to know the Bible more.

Jonathan V

One trail ends another begins

    
     August 24, I am not in Moab with my granddad and day two of goffering. My granddad has taken this week to spend time in some of Gods most amazing National parks. Today at 6:45 am we were at Arches we saw an amazing sunrise spreading its light on the majestic red sand stone.

This week is also includes my pre gofer training with some recreation on the side.



I just want to say thanks to everyone who obeyed the call that God put on their heart to support!

It’s hard to believe the time is now but here I am and I look forward to the stories and pictures to come.

J

  

Update August 2011

                          UPDATE AUGUST 2011

  It’s only in a matter of days until I start the gofer position. I had a really valuable time with Daniel (former gofer) Learning the tricks of the trade when I was with him in Westwickham!

This computer work is a bit different then cutting holes in ship walls or welding pipe together.

    I realize I will be dabbling into my creative side as well. (That is a prayer request in itself.)

Daniel had an amazing year, many struggles and many blessings he has grown a tremendous amount and it was really awesome to hear about his year and testimoney.

I am quite excited to start, I still have some anxieties but that would be like starting any other job.

    I will be meeting my Grandad in Gods Beautiful Moab Park coming late august.

But before then my dad and I will be going down to the holy ground for cars.  ``Salt flats`` IN the model A for the weekend of my birthday. Looking forward to this special time with my dad before I take off again!!

Thank you for your prayers and for following my updates

A couple prayer requests;

·         Support still at 75% line

·         Smooth transition in becoming gofer

·         Safe travels as I will be driving so much in a lot of different places

·         A steady heart to learn and grow in the Things God seems fit more my life

Update

Quick update

I am here in West Wickham sitting with retiring gofer. Learning the tricks of the trade

Tomorrow I will be on my way to Germany, volunteering at Teenstreet, also taking a weekend trip to Basel, Switzerland

My little sister is also with me and will be attending teenstreet! She is excited and I look forward to hearing from her experience in a week time.

On the way back through I Will be spending time with My Grandparents from both sides of the family =) then retrieving back to USA soil till the end of the month.

Thank you for your prayers!

God bless

Jonathan V

Praise Report

Just Found out my Testimonial video Is being watched all around the world. helps that I have sent it to people all around the world but I am very excited that This video is being used! I really think our testimony is one of the best tools we have for sharing about Jesus on a personal Level. that we have deep feelings attached to and can express with importance!
Thank you for watching I still hope that it will be continued to be used
God bless
J

Finance Update

Hello

Hope you enjoying your weekend Just a short update and prayer praise and request.

I have'nt told how much I am needing but since you are praying and partnering with me

I want to share what is going on. I am needing to raise $20,000 and so far I have roughly over 7,000

and a bit over 600$ comming in monthly So that leaves me if monthly gifts continue $15,000

So thank you for your prayers and support and praise God with me for what has come in!

and is coming in! and Please pray with me in this next season before starting the Gofer

Program in late August!

In Him

Giving.

     Just finished a challenging topic at church involving money and investment,
Many of the practical sides I couldn't relate or immediately use in my own life due to the fact that
I am employed by a non profit organization. Though I have found more ways to give, for example
Time, whether that is Sitting and listening to someone or outside with a weed whacker blasting away some weeds in the hot summer day.

Picture to the left was when I was working and found it quite profitable to buy some wheels for my car =)

My favorite quote that best relates to giving whether be your Life for Jesus or just a percent of your income this quote is relevant

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

Jim Elliot

July

The season is Heat, Cars, Music and Fireworks
Glad to be home this holiday and celebrate another year the Lord has blessed us to live in this country and have many of the Freedoms that we have today!
this weekend will be spent with family in the mountains with live music and fireworks Look forward to this event as priceless as it will be.

not a fan.

Not a Fan. by Kyle Idleman
A book handed to me by a good friend. My Pastor is a big pusher of the book. From what I hear it sounds very similar to Radical By David Platt. Same size book and also a mat finish cover.
Either a Fan or a Follower of Jesus This book I am told will challenge you on this!
http://www.notafan.com/ 

Radical

Radical By David Platt A book I recommend for every Christian in America. Reclaiming Biblical Christianity in the states Despite the American Dream. It calls for a radical life Following Christ Bringing back to the basics with Obedience!
   Yesterday went out for a game of Golf with a friend and this weekend Going to the Steen mountains. Will have to put some photos of this remember-able experience!
 Still waiting for my contact cards. So and Cant say that anyone really knows this blog exists let alone reads it. But just keeping it up to date so it not another neglected Blog. I Pray that readers will come with time.
J 

Easter

    What a significant day in history to remember. Its interesting that out of all the deaths (thousands) that happened on the cross this one is so significant. People from 2 thousand years ago have been trying to push this under the rug like nothing has happened and proclaiming he was a normal person who died. Starting with the Guards who were paid off to keep the fact that Jesus body was missing a secret and if they couldn't they would blame it on the Disciples who had come by night and stole the body! (math 28:11-15)
     Its such an overwhelming testimony of Gods love, the perfect creator of the universe died for us so we may be reconciled with Him. I get so lost in thought when thinking about this and I only wish I could understand it more, or feel it more. If we knew the meaning of Romans 3:23 (for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.) we wouldn't be able to keep our mouths Shut about our Lord Jesus! Besides His grace there is no other way to heaven and that is only made possible through Jesus and propitiation through His death on the Cross.
   How else can we make it to heaven! and escape the Awful alternative Hell?
It is weird that Christians have a Celebration in remembrance of our Kings Death but what many people fail to realize is the importance and power this has! Praise God for this day and we should respond in Giving our life sacrificially to the Gospel; Living it, breathing it, testing it. there is no other way to follow Him.
Praise God for He is Risen!

Make an Impact not a point

I am so privileged to Be involved with a church that its main focus is Jesus and sharing His love!
This church is Biblical, Honest, Vision driven, and Contextualized and all this with out being a wish-washy mega church or an emergent church. It is a emerging with out being emergent! When I heard that there was a church that was doubling its size, that served Crispy creme donuts, and that had brilliant music I started to wonder Could all this be true in a church that wont steer away from what the bible says? That Wont water down the Gospel and lead people thinking they are saved when they are not? Can a church be this contextualized without losing Focus on Jesus?
The answer is Yes. The Pursuit in Boise Idaho is that church. Its a church with a vision seeing un-churched people come and feel welcome, its a Church that gives a safe environment to Teens and youth with out boring them or restricting them from being who they are, Its a Church where you can see the fruits of many changed lives and a passion to keep going!
 When I say Church I am not saying the building the But the Body of people. I'm excited to see what comes of this church and hear more changed lives from what Jesus is Doing there.
JV

New Blog

  After failing at keeping my last blog updated and forgetting the password to even access it, this will now be the blog I will be Updating. Being that I will have more adequate Internet accessibility I am hoping to do better with this blog.
Thanks for your patience and look forward to sharing with you!
J