As I reflect on this past year I can only think of one word. Faithful. Gods faithfulness to me over this past year has blown me away. God is daily desiring to show himself faithful, i read a Spurgeon quote earlier this year which really summarizes my year. “God values trust so much that he is willing to put us through anything so that we could learn the beauty of trust” This year has been for me, and I am sure many of you, the hardest year of my life. I have shed more tears this year than all the years of my life combined. (if you don’t count my toddler years, i hear that i was a cry baby 
) I have felt more pain, more hurt, more loneliness this year than i ever though i would or could.
But I have come to a rock solid conclusion, God is faithful. Though in every way this year has had the biggest obstacles, this year has had the greatest victories in my life. I can say with full confidence that I am more than a conquerer through christ jesus. I can say with deep, heart-felt conviction that if God is for me who can be against me. I can truly say, God is all i need, and God is all I want. I can say that i am satisfied in him, that I am fulfilled by him, that I am in love with him.
Its almost strange that in the midst of the deepest hurt I also have tho most sincere happiness. In spite of the worst pain I have the deepest purpose. Even through tears the greatest triumphs. God is good. He is so good, he only does great a mighty things, and it is beyond me how he would choose me to be part of his Glorious purpose.
This last year was rad. I had the privilege if seeing God touch thousands of hearts, Inspire hundreds of people to change, and even see dozens of people have their eternities changed from everlasting death to everlasting life.
These last 6 weeks since the last update have been great, I finally bought my house (kind of… over the next ten years will be buying it ) I have had a great time with my friends here in Ensenada. truly taking my relationships to the next level. going beyond friends and becoming family, going beyond peers and becoming co-loborers. It has been great.
I got the opportunity to share at HSE again which was amazing… I Love the program and I am excited to see how God uses it in this new season. I also got to go to the graduation and graduation party and it was super good to see my son in the faith (adam) graduate.
Another cool thing i got to do in december was teach a series on heaven and hell. It was SOOOO eye opening for me! I am so glad I am not going to sizzle like a sausage on a barbeque grill for all eternity and in turn I am going to spend an eternity ingesting Gods grandeur!
We finished the semester for the discipleship on fire, these guys are so passionate and so hungry. pray for them as they spend their time away from the discipleship as they are working and traveling… I am preparing for the next semester with a new batch of disciples and still working with the old crew, we will be studying romans, matthew, acts, Nehemiah, genesis, and REVELATION. you heard it right, revelation! I am SOOOOOOOOOO excited to teach revelation next semester, the prep for it already has begun to change my life so i cant wait to go deeper with it.
Other cool things that are going on is I am going to teach two classes at the bible college next semester, Acts and Romans. It is really cool because I am going to spend two whole days a week with them and so it will be a great opportunity to deepen my relationships with the students.
Also about deepening relationships with the bible college students I have the privilege of leading the missions trip next semester. It is going to be very similar to the Love out loud tours that HSE does. We are packing into a bus and loving everyone we see in such a radical way that the northern part of mexico will never be the same.
A cool praise report is that i have two interns this next semester helping me. Please pray that i could be a good leader for them!
God is doing so many great things and 2010 promises to be the best year in the history of man kind. so I hope your heart is prepared to intake as much of Gods crazy awesome plan for your life!
Family, keep me in your prayers as i keep you in mine.
-Jonathan
Dear Johnaton, Jesus promised I will never leave you or forsake thee,even though men leave us or forsake us,God is as good as His word.He is counting all your tears in a jar,yes I agree that we come out stronger,I have had two years like that and it almost destroyed me,now this year the Lord has been good,he has returned the prodigal son back home,my main worry was my daughter and her family departing from the true faith.This year I have seen so much improvement since they joined a good church,so hang in there it will not be long,we will soon here that trumpet and we are out of here.God bless you and keep thee,keep up the good work ,love in Christ Jesus over the seas Joyce Uk
Comment by Joyce — January 1, 2010 @ 9:59 am |
if we share in His sufferings likewise shall we share in His glory… I relate to much of your year, amen GOD is faithful, He does not change. Can you please remember to capitalize the name of CHRIST, I mean jonny, bro, you gotta cap at least the first letters. Super critical love without question and and an abundance of mercy is mine to share! PRAY like a GangstER! Blessings to you, your notes have blessed me…
Comment by dave garcia — January 4, 2010 @ 2:41 am |
J. Domingo bother I must say that God has grown you into an amazing man in Christ. When you speak your words are words of love and truth, if I did’nt know you I would think you were a forty year old man who has been pastoring for 20 years.I love your humilty and vulnerablity it is a real encouraging to hear how God is working in your life. Perseverence reguardless of circustances. I came across this quote in Leonard Revenhills book, Why Revival Tarries.
“Better to be bound in body and free in spirit, than be free in body and bound in soul.”
That thought really impacted me. I pray that God continues to mold you in to the man He created you to be. Thank you for being my friend and Brother.
J. Reed
Comment by Jared Reed — January 5, 2010 @ 7:31 pm |
Praying for you, brother!
Comment by Teresita — January 11, 2010 @ 6:13 pm |
Hi Jonathan
Thanks for letting us know what is going on with you and Brooke. From my experience it is when we do let go of our own pursuits and trust in Him that’s when God can work in our lives. I had to lay down my agenda of a perfect partner and when I did, Russell came into my life. He did not fit my agenda but he did fit God’s. We were married with in a year of me giving up my pursuits and here we are 15 years later! I know it’s not the same for everyone, but you are right to step back and allow the Lord to work His will in your life……And you still have Daphne.
Love to you.
Jacquie.
Comment by Jacquie — February 10, 2010 @ 7:19 am |