SOVEREIGN GOD,
Thy cause, not my own, engages my heart,
   and I appeal to Thee with greatest freedom
   to set up Thy kingdom in every place where Satan reigns;
Glorify Thyself and I shall rejoice,
   for to bring honour to Thy name in my sole desire.
I adore Thee that Thou art God,
   and long that others should know it, feel it, and rejoice in it.
O that all men might love and praise Thee,
   that Thou mightest have all glory from the intelligent world!
Let sinners be brought to Thee for thy dear name!
To the eye of reason everything respecting
   the conversion of others is as dark as midnight,
But Thou canst accomplish great things;
   the cause is Thine,
   and it is to Thy glory that men should be saved.
Lord, use me as Thou wilt,
   do with me what Thou wilt;
   but, O, promote Thy cause,
   let Thy kingdom come,
   let Thy blessed interest be advanced in this world!
O do thou bring in great numbers to Jesus!
   let me see that glorious day,
   and give me to grasp for multitudes of souls;
   let me be willing to die to that end;
   and while I live let me labour for Thee
   to the utmost of my strength,
   spending time profitably in this work,
   both in health and in weakness.
It is Thy cause and kingdom I long for, not my own.
O, answer Thou my request!
 
"And Jesus came and said to them,"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." 

What does this mean? I believe it means exactly what it says.  I pray that all would be burdened for the nations... (Though you may not be an oversea missionary, I firmly believe that we are either called to "Go" or "Send".  And even if you aren't going, the sending must also cost something.  Oh the glory of God in missions is such an exciting topic. Please ask me if you are interested about some really good material on the subject) and what I mean by that is by no means solely for those people.  That may seem harsh to you.  That may seem strange to you.  But I wholeheartedly believe that we as Christians should love the glory of God more than people.  I also believe that not having compassion to people is horrid.  But we need to put things in order of importance.  

One of the main reasons for my blog post about missions is that a close family friend of ours that also belongs to our church is, in a few weeks heading off to Indonesia for permanent missions.  My brother, Caleb, will go with them for the remainder of the summer.  He plans to, after collage (Collage is a whole other story.  Why he is going and not just heading strait to the field, why he chose his major..etc.  Ask me if you'd like to know) go back to Indonesia until God leads him somewhere else.  I ask that you would be praying for The Schiff family and Caleb as they go to "...proclaim the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9) 

Here's an idea of what's/what will be going on over there:

http://reformingmissionary.blogspot.com/

(Some Indonesians receiving their first Bibles in their own language. Part one is the celebration before and part 2 is the actual receiving.  It is beautiful.  "May Jesus Christ be praised!"  So what will He do with one of the most populated Muslim countries?  Make them disciples, His sons and daughters.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwo98UxJqaE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8yViVarhRQ&feature=related 
Picture
The Schiff Family (above)
(Photos of Indonesia while Mr. Kyle was there.  Click to enlarge) 
(Directly above is my brother Caleb for those of you who don't know him)  Please pray as they depart the 10th of July! 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZUQA-4icSk

We are always told to be different, be different, we're Christians, be different. Why different? Soli Deo Gloria! But thing I was re-learning today that I knew, but my actions were not proving that I knew. HE DOES NOT NEED ME. He doesn't. For as it says in Luke "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out!" His name WILL be praised, but I am just blessed to participate. Either I, or my brothers and sisters in Christ, or even the rocks will worship the name of Jesus and He WILL be magnified. But here's the deal, He lets us join in the pleasures of worship, but He doesn't need me! And it is still...SOLI DEO GLORIA! ALL GLORY BE TO GOD!
 
"In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
this Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
when fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone! who took on flesh
Fulness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones he came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand."