He's racing and pacing and plotting the course

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize…”

How often does my rearview mirror catch my eyes looking? How often does my body and mind lose stamina as it sprints toward the finish? I wish I could say that my spirit man was fatigued yet stronger because of the cost of discipleship and the race I in. But the reality is that many times he stops. Too many breaks. When the run gets hard, mind-numbing, or purposeless I stop. I stop. I stop and I look back. I look back and I consider all that I have already accomplished. No need to be in a hurry, lets not rush too much, I mean look how far I have come…

Lifting weights is a tedious task that takes so much time. No, it does require a lot of time because each grueling set of bench presses, curls, or the occasional sit up takes up so much time. The reality of it is that lifting weights takes so much time because of what happens between sets. Most of the time is spent in front of the mirror or walking across the gym for yet another drink of water. Take a trip with me: You just ripped off another set of 8 reps on the bench press and you have a good “man sweat” going (Ladies I apologize for all men ahead of time, mainly for thinking man sweat is a good thing) and you prop yourself up in front of a wall of reflection. Now, get into your pose position…nope bring your arm up a bit to show off your bicep. No, no, no, more like you are about to scratch an itch on your head…ah that’s it. Now you turn to walk away. Come on just one more look at the gluts…perfect. Its sad really, grown men flexing, posing, captivated by the man looking at them from the mirror. Praise God He has blessed me with one of those figures that does not require long looks in the mirror to determine that is not Schwarzenegger looking back at me and more importantly the occasional sit up needs to turn into one of those habitual habit things!

That is very indicative to how we run out our lives. We take breaks, we slow down, we reflect, sometimes we stop all together. Paul is just simply reminding us that the race that we all know is life, the sweat, the pain, the tears they are all worth nothing compared to the prize awaiting our finish. Paul had some serious spiritual definition. He had endured some great and heavy things. Paul was even lucky enough to be born with a great natural spiritual physique:“… circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.”

And here is the best part: “But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” And here is Paul, no longer counting the steps he has taken, but counting the steps until he’s finished and he sees his creator and wins his prize…


Life is grand in BiH. I have been here four months now and God is rocking my world with His continued provisions in my life. My best friend here in the city, Rudy, is moving to Sarajevo to attend university. This is bittersweet. Rudy is the kinda guy that will do great things in his life and will make a difference in this world. An education is the start of that. However its sad to be losing my friend. He is the hub in which I work out of. I fear life in BiH will be like when George and Elaine decide to hang out without Jerry and they realize that the only thing they have in common is Jerry. To break the silence and boredom of the situation they began telling stories of when Jerry did this or said that. I have a lot of friends here, but Rudy is that glue that holds it together, so hopefully I can press on! Language is yet another concern. I fear I am getting dumber…I find myself trying to gather thoughts end up floating around in some kind of linguistic purgatory where even the saints themselves cannot pull me from. I think English, Bosnian, Spanish, 6th grade French, and sometimes some kind of pig Latin that I am not familiar with. It seems that as my Bosnian gets better, my English gets worse and for those of you who know me and have talked to me, that is a bad thing… But God has not left me hanging and he is allowing the people here to be patient and insightful as I sputter off incoherent ramblings. Praise God for His provisions. I will be going to Austria on Sunday and will not return for a week and a half. When I get back I will be sure to let you know how awesome Europe is and what God is teaching me. Until then…

Forgive Me Father

For Its Been Several Weeks Since My Last Post...

Who knew that 90 degree weather would be so much fun to work in? Who knew getting up before 7 am would prove to be so beneficial? Who knew that eating cevapi and burek with new friends from the US would actually be so fun…well, I kinda knew that one would be fun. We have successfully completed our first round of classrooms for our Adopt-A-Classroom project and it was amazing to see it all unfold. Our first work team came from Grand Rapids, MI and I must admit those 4 lovely women had no problems keeping busy! Its hard for me to admit this, but they out worked us all, and I am pretty sure that just about all of them could beat me up! It was a blessing to meet and get to know these fine ladies and it was so exciting to share in this project together. The second team was also from Michigan and they brought with them a whole new flavour! It was a team of 9 men and women, young and old and it was awesome working with them! Within 2 weeks, we were able to see new windows installed, ceilings walls patched and painted, new floors installed, and new desks and chairs for 2 classrooms; a huge blessing for one of the schools in our town. It is our vision at World Hope to see all of the schools remodelled so once again, education will be made a priority in Bosnia and all of former Yugoslavia. However, this is not an easy project. We are praying that God will soften the hearts of His people that can afford to join us in this project. We are praying that God will send workers here to Bosnia to help with the reconstruction of this once destroyed nation. We are praying that some may look aside from their own building projects and think of those other projects going on around the world. I would love to put some pictures up of the work that we were able to do, however that may take some time since I am convinced my computer is out to bring me down. If you are interested in seeing what God is doing in Bosnia through World Hope, email me and I will send you a few pictures of the school before and after

Outside of Adopt-A-Classroom, things are going great. I took a minor break from language in order to devote my time to Adopt-A-Classroom. I would be lying if I said I missed it, but do pray for me as I have started to get back into the swing of language learning. We had a chance to go to one of the beaches near here. B-E-Autiful it was. We had quite the adventure returning home as we had a little car trouble. Blame it on Croatia for their law to always have headlights on even during the day. Blame it on Toyota for not making it mid 90’s model of the Land Cruisers equipped with an indicator of lights being left on. Blame it on the fallen world that we live in. No matter what you blame it on, the fact of the matter is, leaving your headlights on all day has the tendency to drain a battery. As we returned to the car, we were disappointed to see that the battery was dead. Pop the clutch, nothing. Hook it up to jumper cables, still nothing. What could we then possibly do… Oh, I know, walk to the nearest gas station and purchase a battery there and then walk the new battery back to our car, install it and drive home, success. Did I mention that the nearest gas station was over a mile away… So here are these 3 Americans and one Bosnian toting a very large battery down the sidewalk of a very busy street. Oh, man there are not enough words in my vocabulary to describe what others must have seen! Looking back on it, it was a very humorous situation, but at the time we all just wanted to get to the car and get home. Thanks to all of my supporters for sponsoring me in spite of what I am doing with my time...

Nothing Is More Powerful Than Beauty In A Wicked World

I had the chance to hike one of the mountains that surrounds my town, and I must say, it was absolutely amazing. As I went up the side of the mountain, I would turn around every once in a while to see where I had left from. I determined two things as I did that, the tree that served as my departure point grew smaller and smaller and the peak that was my goal seemed further and further away. As I was pondering these things, my roommate Josh was climbing another mountain near the area. He called me wondering how things were going my way and he began to describe where he was on his respective mountain. He said, can you see where there are no trees near the top. However, the vastness of valley between peaks prevented me from even seeing details like trees and rock. I regrettably told him that I could not see where he was. And it hit me: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established, what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them,” the very words of David as he considered his place in this vast and beautiful world. I could not see Josh, but our God could. In fact God knew not only his location, but his thoughts, his feelings, his fears. In such an immeasurable world, He knows us. He possesses the power to create such a universe as the one that we look up to at night. He made the mountains that surround me each day. He sustains life in perfect balance. He does all these things, and yet I am the twinkle in his eyes. How can this be? The rivers, the mountains, the birds of the air, they shout out how glorious He is. I cannot look at them without thinking of my creator. I wish the same could be said for His people. To think that out of all the things that God created, it is man that matters to God and yet we do not turn that glory back to Him breaks my heart. Oh, God that people may look at me and see Your glory, the work of Your hand. I wish I knew what that looked like…

This is not meant to be depressing, but for me its inspiring. Today I have the chance to give glory to my Father. How? Well, that is yet to be determined. That’s exciting isn’t it? Like a treasure hunt of how we can make God happy today. If we made that our goal not only today but each day, how much better would our world be? Our plans, our needs, our wants would slowly fade out as we gain energy from the joy that God receives from our obedience.

Things are great in Bosnia. The weather has been rainy and cold, but all in all I cannot complain. I start my first English club tomorrow. I am little nervous about it since it is me teaching English. A little scary I know, but that is part of the job description! Our first work team comes in two weeks and I have some responsibility with as well. So my honeymoon is over, now its time to work. The good news is that World Cup has started now so that means soccer every day and since there are no other sports to watch, this has become my love. I am starting to actually like soccer, but don’t tell anyone, I have a reputation to uphold.

I sure do miss my family and friends in the States, but God is totally bridging that gap by giving me some great friends here. Language is coming, its slow, but its still coming! I will try my hardest to get some pictures up, but computers and me do not exactly get along sometimes. I cannot make any promises to when the next post will be since the next couple of weeks are going to be rather hectic, but I will try my hardest to keep everyone updated to my happenings in Bosnia!

Waterdeep Sounds Better In Bosnia...

And I’ve been trying my whole life to be good without the cross
But all that I have gained is this emptiness and loss

So speak to me in my hopeless lonely place
Speak to me
Raise me up when no hope seems to remain
Raise me up


Ah, the words of Waterdeep, how they refresh my soul. Martin Luther once said, "My heart, which is so full to overflowing, has often been solaced and refreshed by music when sick and weary." I find that God uses some tuned in bands like Waterdeep to do that very thing. I worship the same God that they do and that joys my heart! Its so funny how many times the scriptures and words of God that I study seem to coincide with the things going on around me. I have been reading through the book of Romans since I have been in Bosnia. Romans has always been a book that God has used to encourage my soul, however this time, I have felt the need to go through it slowly and really take time to study it (I am so bad at that). And I must admit, God is rocking my socks off through the Book. Chapters 3 and 4 and well really the whole book is built around the same thought that Don Chaffer used in the lyrics above as well as the crisis that I and ever Christian faces every day. And that is the battle between righteousness through faith and righteousness through works.

Why do we try earn our eternity so much? Why do we try to clean up before we come to the cross? Why do we try to what Jesus has already done? Its hurts so much when God slaps me in the face with the conviction of my menial attempts of works righteousness, as if anything I could do would make up for my sins. I could spend my whole life working off the penalty of the sin in my heart and I could so easily regain that debt in just one day. My sin is great. However, that is the power of the cross! What we could and cannot do in a lifetime to cover just one day, Christ did in an instant. I am so glad that forgiveness could not be so easily earned. That is what makes our God great. If I were able to earn my keys into the pearly gates, Heaven would only be as big as what man could conceive. But my sin, your sin, the sin of everyone took the sacrifice of the One True God to forgive. An expensive price, yet a great reward. This great reward is the offer to anyone who allows the sacrifice of Christ to represent the forgiveness of your sins and in return allow God to be Lord or ruler of your life. It makes me think: Such an expensive ransom must mean that God really wants to see His people come to Him.

17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

What A Long Strange Journey Its Been...

Who would have guessed that packing all your needs in to a suitcase, a guitar case and a bookbag would entail such a world of excitement. Well, its official, I am here in Bosnia and let me just start off by saying how amazingly (is that even a word?) beautiful this place is! The people are beautiful, the mountains are beautiful, this is certainly not a place void of God. He Is Here! My travels were quite interesting to get here. On the way, I found myself next to a man that drank a lot and talked even more. Nonetheless, I was never more unsure about my journey then when I looked out of the nearest window seat at promptly 3 am, EST time of course, to see the sun shinning brightly! And I kept thinking, what a long, strange journey its going to be. As we landed in Munich, it was 8 am local time and yet my body told me, "don't be deceived, its really 3 am." However I pressed on and went aboard my next flight to Vienna. Me and 7 other passangers occupied the plane that could easily seat 90 and lo and behold, out of all those available seats, the airline stuck me next to a man who chest hair protuded from his shirt as if it resented the rest of his chest. I asked the stewardess that since there were so few people and so many seats, could I grab one not next to him (he turned out to be really nice by the way). She approved and so I sat my things down in row 4, one row ahead of chest hair man. The stewardess quickly informed me that i was now in the First Class section and would have to move back. To my surprise I had no idea this was first class since the only thing dividing first and economy was a 6 inch curtain that pulled over between rows 4 and 5. Seats the same, drinks the same, yet that curtain made those 2 people a whole class better than me. I had a good laugh as even in my tired mind I thought what a long strange, journey this is becoming. My flight into Spilt was uneventful however, it was good to finally get my things and meet those there to pick me up. Josh and I arrived at our apartment and I was astonished to see how awesome this apartment was. Wood floors, couches, chairs, everything a man needs to survive. Except. There is always an except. As I was turning in for the night, tired from the 24 or so hours straight of walking narcolepsy, I go to retire in my room. I close the door behind me and I realize, its stuck. Handle broken, door stuck, Adam inside. Yikes. Josh and I pound away. I tried every thievery method I learned in college and nothing worked. So I found myself climbing out of my window, into the bathroom window to get into the rest of the house. For 3 days that is. In the middle of the night, early in the morning, as I retire for bed. All 180 lbs of me, ok I lied (205), crawling in and out of a window. And now as I sit in the World Hope Office, in Bosnia with the door fixed now, I think, "wow, what a long strange journey I am in for." I will try my hardest to keep this thing updated, but be patient as I have yet to establish any kid of schedule. I began my language today and I am excited to be learning it so I can communicate with those around me. What a great place. Please pray that I can pick up on the language ratherly quickly. Everyone is really forgiving in me not knowing, but I do want to be able to communicate at some point. And pray for patience, as this long strange journey unfolds, that I may wait on the Lord. I miss my home and my family and friends, but I truly feel confirmed in being here. Now, I am off into the wild blue yonder.

What Better Mother's Day Gift Than This...

So its looking like I will be leaving around May 13th. That's right the day before Mother's Day. I could not think of a better gift for mom than to send her favorite kid off for a trek through Eastern Europe. I did cover myself by adding that next Mother's Day gift would be even better because it will be around that time that I will return. She didn't buy it... Well, Adam Jones, the world tour made another stop in Gastonia this weekend. Ever had one of those instances where you felt an uneasiness or restlessness in sharing something. Its hard to explain, but I was trying to be sensitive and responsive to what God may want me to share last night at Firestone, and after sharing, I did not feel much resolve. I don't know. I just hoped that God was able to speak something into someone as I read His word, and according to His promises, I know that had to happen. Nonetheless, I have yet one more stop in Harmony, NC and then its time to gear up and get ready to have my world rocked something awesome! I really do appreciate everyone's support through this whole ordeal. I really have felt God in this, and I have felt your prayers. Its very humbling.

Now onto some things that God has used to encourage my soul. I love the Book of Psalms. It seems like constantly God uses a psalm to communicate to me some truth or encouragement and again, He has done so!

Psalm 62:5-8

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God [a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

Selah

He is my rock, He is my salvation, He is my fortress, He is my honor, He is my refuge. As I was sharing last night in Gastonia, I am such a weak man. I am easily distracted and overcome by the worries of this world. I have the tendency to let my fears and weaknesses overtake my mind. I know first hand the battle field a mind can be. My mind fills my heart with doubt, and fear, and insecurities. If I allowed my mind and my heart to be my driving force all of the time, I would be a defeated man. It’s hard for me to understand how people can go so long without the promises and word of God. The world does not encourage you or help you any. It only poses a great number of reminders of how you have not arrived yet. How do people survive with the hearts and minds that we as people possess? I can tell you how I have: He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. He is my strength when I am weak man. He is real when my faith is gone. He provides my every need. He encourages when I am down. He is my maker and maintainer when no one else is around. He is my confidence when I need to look this world in the eye and say, “I will not be shaken!”

I praise the Lord for His promises. And in the near future, when I am away from my family and friends, and they are away from me God will remind us that He is our Rock, He is our Fortress, and in Him we will not be shaken. ‘Til next time…

Ain't Life Grand

Its funny how God reminds us of his interaction in our lives. It usually when we least expect and certainly when we need it the most. I know that it has been a while since I have posted, but I assure you that I will stay on it from now til next May. I have had the opporitunity to spend time with some of my best buds as well as my family in the last month or so. It has been great to get some good quality time with those who mean the most to me. God has certainly blessed me with a GREAT family and some great friends. God has blasted through my doubts about raising my support. God has used so many special people, some who do not even know me, to support the work that I will do in Bosnia. I am now at 90% or so with my money and I praise the Lord and thank everyone so much for that feat. Now to some spiritual matters that God is dealing with me about. God has allowed me to see that the time I have spent in High Point has been benefitial. Its sometimes hard to step back and see what God is doing through you. Well, God has reminded me through various ways that He working and moving at Hayworth. I pray that those who have been a part of our youth group will continue to grow together after I am gone. I am excited to see the potential turn into reality as you all grow in Christ. I hope that you will remain faithful as I do to. I have two churches left to visit so pray for me as I share with them about Bosnia. You guys are awesome, those who read this!