Storming the Gates of Hell

Ever seen the movie UP? If not, it is a story about an old man who has lost his wife, and his pursuit to fulfill her one desire while on earth. There is a lot of in between, but without ruining the movie for you, that is one of the basic plots. This old man does everything possible to get his wife's desire accomplished, even using balloons to float a house and then pulling it with a water hose. After I saw this movie, I could not stop thinking about my pursuits and what I would do to see them completed. It caused me to think about the things that I do that really don't serve a purpose, or are even a hindrance to the cause that I am working towards. I'm not very good at pulling my house with a water hose so that I can reach the spot I want it to land. I lose track of where I am going. I get tired, worn out, disheartened, and just plain lazy. But I serve a God who still loves me even when I feel like giving up. That loves me with a love that my human brain cannot come close to understanding. This same God has called me to obedience to him. Called me to love him. Called me to love people. Called me to live a life that points to him. Called me to do whatever it takes so that people hear his message. Called me to storm the gates of hell.

That being said I have been giving the amazing invitation to join a team of people that has set out to do just that. To become beggars that tell other beggars where to find food and do whatever it takes to help them find it. So after many months of praying, talking, pondering, waiting, thinking, and letting God shape me, I have this to say:

To Mr. Nic Burleson and other members of the Launch Team at your future church plant,
I, along with Kaylen, would like to accept your invitation to join the team. We are whole-heartedly committed to doing whatever it takes to reach lost people. We believe that God has great plans for this group. We believe that the Kingdom will look different because of the obedience of this group to the calling he has placed on our lives, and because of the saving power of his grace that he has bestowed upon us. I am beyond words excited for what is to come. I cannot wait to get started serving with such an awesome group of people who have a true desire to reach lost people.

Father,
I thank you for being who you are and for loving us enough to send your son to die for our mistakes. I thank you for creating each and everyone of us specifically to fit your plan, so that when it all comes together, we can say nothing but that you showed up and did your thing. I pray for the members of this team. Strengthen, encourage, build up, shape and mold us to what you want us to be. Get rid of the things hindering us from being lights in a dark world. Prepare us for what you have to come. Give us hearts for the poor, hurting and lost people. Be with us father.
Amen