Tek7 (Legacy)
CGA & ToJ President
Greetings, all.
I write today with little premeditation or planning. I come before you all without an outline or plan for this post. This is an odd thing for me to do, but I feel it right to proceed with snippets and rough ideas rather than withhold my plans until they are ripe. I understand that no one expects me to govern groups as large as the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah by myself; I should not continue to expect it of myself.
I will begin by sharing my heart. I have, in the past, measured my words carefully and taken great care to give an eloquent and orderly presentation of my intentions and thoughts. I will forego all of that today so that all of you may see my heart and what I desire for both the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah.
First, I must share some details of my personal life. Many of you have likely noticed that I rarely talk about my personal life. This is not because I wish to keep my Internet and "real" lives separated, but rather because I do not think my personal life is fascinating enough to assume that others would take time to take interest in it. My life, for the most part, is unremarkable.
I am twenty-three years old. I live in my parent's home and work as a cashier and photo tech at Walgreens. In recent years, I struggled with depression regarding my financial and educational situation. I graduated from a local community college in May 2001 with my Associate's Degree and have not returned to college since.
I attend a local non-denominational church--not because I have any qualms with denominations, but because my pastor is an excellent and anointed teacher of the Word of God. I am planning on--and looking forward to--volunteering in my church soon.
Now, I'm not so vain to assume that people are eager to know if I'm dating anyone. But I would feel silly if I shared as many details of my personal life as I have without including this next bit of news.
I recently asked a wonderful young woman to be my girlfriend and I was tremendously blessed when she said "yes." We began corresponding via e-mail a little over a year ago and have visited each other five times now. She lives in Springfield, Missouri while I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is a strong Christian young lady, a wonderful friend, and someone I greatly respect and admire. I praise God every day for giving me the opportunity to love her.
With those bits of personal information and news out of the way, I will move on to my heart as it regards the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah.
I mentioned earlier that I have, in the past, struggled with depression regarding my lack of financial and educational advancement. I felt as though my life was not producing any "fruit," and grew weary and despondent. I do not have the money I want to bless others and give to whatever project God may lay on my heart. As a young man in America, I have fought the notion that my self-worth is tied to my income and financial independence. It has been a very, very difficult struggle and I continue to fight it every day.
My heart also grieves that I am not where I desire to be: back in college. I cannot afford to return yet. I am hoping to return this coming spring or next fall, but there are many obstacles and roadblocks in the way.
I used to use these setbacks as excuses for not doing anything for God. I said to God, "I have nothing to work with." I do not have a clear calling and the resources to move toward it. I complained to the Lord that I did not have enough to do His work. Then I heard my pastor speak on doing something with whatever we've been given. I did not even have to ask the Lord what I'd been given that I could use for His work.
Years ago, after founding Tribe of Judah, I came to understand that I had not been given a burden--I had been given a gift. I was given a place where I could bless others. I had a way to make my life meaningful. Through its ups and down, its highs and lows, my heart has always yearned to help Tribe of Judah--and later, the Christian Gamers Alliance--grow and be used a vehicle for ministering to others.
Certainly, this community has blessed some people. I do not mean to say that we have sat idle and been cold to one another. Many people have come here seeking answers and fellowship and found open arms waiting for them.
I know that there are people who are wiser, more mature, and more intelligent than me. I never forget that God could have called someone more qualified to lead this community. I am blessed to see how far we've come from where we once stood, but still, my heart is troubled.
We have been given tremendous blessings. We have many gathered here who are wise in both the ways of the world and the Word. I know that we have begun to bless others around us and I am greatly encouraged whenever I see members welcome a newcomer to our community. Please, do not ever account that a small thing. I think what we are already doing is very important and we should continue in it.
Instead, I mean to call everyone together to hear what I say from my heart and understand my vision for the future of the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah.
We could be doing more. I think everyone involved in this community knows and feels it. I have plans and ideas for projects and ministries, but these plans will merely be sketches on a notepad until enough people catch this vision and begin contributing whatever talents they have been given.
"What is this vision?" you ask. The vision is two-fold.
First, we are called to "equip the saints."
To paraphrase, we are to support one another in the effort to advance in our personal relationships with God and each other. Online Bible studies, our mentor program, praying for one another--it all falls under this category.
The second category is evangelism.
We have been commanded to go and preach the Gospel that someone preached to us and thus invited us to receive salvation. While I do not believe that evangelizing online should be used as an excuse not to deliver the Gospel message in the "real world," I do know that we have been given a tremendous opportunity to reach people who would never step foot inside a church. Online gaming is a rapidly growing hobby and we have a firmly established group of believers to help "make disciples" of those who accept Christ.
Remember: The message is simple. We are called to preach the Gospel, not to convince anyone of its validity or truth. That is the job of the Holy Spirit, and we cannot take His place. It's a terrible mess when we even try.
Now, I will say that I have never intended for involvement in the Christian Gamers Alliance or Tribe of Judah to replace church attendance. These groups are to be a supplement and support to your Christian life. Even when we begin holding Bible studies online and preaching the Gospel, I want to stress how important it is that every Christian attend and get involved in a local church. The Internet is a wonderful tool, but if one is going to use a tool to its full potential, one must understand the tool's limitations.
This is what has been weighing on my heart for some time now. Now that I have shared it with all of you, I need everyone to pray and ask how and where the Lord would have them help us, as a community, reach the lost and build up one another. If you want to get involved but don't feel a leading toward any particular area, just volunteer and I'll find something you can help with.
I'll be appointing a personnel director soon and he/she will be over appointing new staff members to Christian Gamers Alliance. Rizz serves as the personnel director for Tribe of Judah; contact him if you would like to volunteer to help ToJ.
As I said earlier, no one expects one person to govern groups as large of the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah. I am asking for volunteers to help me do His work. Do not let lack of experience keep you from offering your help. It is more important that you have a serving attitude and desire to help your fellow Christians and preach the Gospel.
But, I believe this post is long enough now. *chuckle* I thank everyone who took the time to read this and I look forward to picking up the pace, appointing new staff members, and seeing what God has planned for this community. I know it's something wonderful!
I write today with little premeditation or planning. I come before you all without an outline or plan for this post. This is an odd thing for me to do, but I feel it right to proceed with snippets and rough ideas rather than withhold my plans until they are ripe. I understand that no one expects me to govern groups as large as the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah by myself; I should not continue to expect it of myself.
I will begin by sharing my heart. I have, in the past, measured my words carefully and taken great care to give an eloquent and orderly presentation of my intentions and thoughts. I will forego all of that today so that all of you may see my heart and what I desire for both the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah.
First, I must share some details of my personal life. Many of you have likely noticed that I rarely talk about my personal life. This is not because I wish to keep my Internet and "real" lives separated, but rather because I do not think my personal life is fascinating enough to assume that others would take time to take interest in it. My life, for the most part, is unremarkable.
I am twenty-three years old. I live in my parent's home and work as a cashier and photo tech at Walgreens. In recent years, I struggled with depression regarding my financial and educational situation. I graduated from a local community college in May 2001 with my Associate's Degree and have not returned to college since.
I attend a local non-denominational church--not because I have any qualms with denominations, but because my pastor is an excellent and anointed teacher of the Word of God. I am planning on--and looking forward to--volunteering in my church soon.
Now, I'm not so vain to assume that people are eager to know if I'm dating anyone. But I would feel silly if I shared as many details of my personal life as I have without including this next bit of news.
I recently asked a wonderful young woman to be my girlfriend and I was tremendously blessed when she said "yes." We began corresponding via e-mail a little over a year ago and have visited each other five times now. She lives in Springfield, Missouri while I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is a strong Christian young lady, a wonderful friend, and someone I greatly respect and admire. I praise God every day for giving me the opportunity to love her.
With those bits of personal information and news out of the way, I will move on to my heart as it regards the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah.
I mentioned earlier that I have, in the past, struggled with depression regarding my lack of financial and educational advancement. I felt as though my life was not producing any "fruit," and grew weary and despondent. I do not have the money I want to bless others and give to whatever project God may lay on my heart. As a young man in America, I have fought the notion that my self-worth is tied to my income and financial independence. It has been a very, very difficult struggle and I continue to fight it every day.
My heart also grieves that I am not where I desire to be: back in college. I cannot afford to return yet. I am hoping to return this coming spring or next fall, but there are many obstacles and roadblocks in the way.
I used to use these setbacks as excuses for not doing anything for God. I said to God, "I have nothing to work with." I do not have a clear calling and the resources to move toward it. I complained to the Lord that I did not have enough to do His work. Then I heard my pastor speak on doing something with whatever we've been given. I did not even have to ask the Lord what I'd been given that I could use for His work.
Years ago, after founding Tribe of Judah, I came to understand that I had not been given a burden--I had been given a gift. I was given a place where I could bless others. I had a way to make my life meaningful. Through its ups and down, its highs and lows, my heart has always yearned to help Tribe of Judah--and later, the Christian Gamers Alliance--grow and be used a vehicle for ministering to others.
Certainly, this community has blessed some people. I do not mean to say that we have sat idle and been cold to one another. Many people have come here seeking answers and fellowship and found open arms waiting for them.
I know that there are people who are wiser, more mature, and more intelligent than me. I never forget that God could have called someone more qualified to lead this community. I am blessed to see how far we've come from where we once stood, but still, my heart is troubled.
We have been given tremendous blessings. We have many gathered here who are wise in both the ways of the world and the Word. I know that we have begun to bless others around us and I am greatly encouraged whenever I see members welcome a newcomer to our community. Please, do not ever account that a small thing. I think what we are already doing is very important and we should continue in it.
Instead, I mean to call everyone together to hear what I say from my heart and understand my vision for the future of the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah.
We could be doing more. I think everyone involved in this community knows and feels it. I have plans and ideas for projects and ministries, but these plans will merely be sketches on a notepad until enough people catch this vision and begin contributing whatever talents they have been given.
"What is this vision?" you ask. The vision is two-fold.
First, we are called to "equip the saints."
[b said:
To paraphrase, we are to support one another in the effort to advance in our personal relationships with God and each other. Online Bible studies, our mentor program, praying for one another--it all falls under this category.
The second category is evangelism.
[b said:
We have been commanded to go and preach the Gospel that someone preached to us and thus invited us to receive salvation. While I do not believe that evangelizing online should be used as an excuse not to deliver the Gospel message in the "real world," I do know that we have been given a tremendous opportunity to reach people who would never step foot inside a church. Online gaming is a rapidly growing hobby and we have a firmly established group of believers to help "make disciples" of those who accept Christ.
Remember: The message is simple. We are called to preach the Gospel, not to convince anyone of its validity or truth. That is the job of the Holy Spirit, and we cannot take His place. It's a terrible mess when we even try.
Now, I will say that I have never intended for involvement in the Christian Gamers Alliance or Tribe of Judah to replace church attendance. These groups are to be a supplement and support to your Christian life. Even when we begin holding Bible studies online and preaching the Gospel, I want to stress how important it is that every Christian attend and get involved in a local church. The Internet is a wonderful tool, but if one is going to use a tool to its full potential, one must understand the tool's limitations.
This is what has been weighing on my heart for some time now. Now that I have shared it with all of you, I need everyone to pray and ask how and where the Lord would have them help us, as a community, reach the lost and build up one another. If you want to get involved but don't feel a leading toward any particular area, just volunteer and I'll find something you can help with.
I'll be appointing a personnel director soon and he/she will be over appointing new staff members to Christian Gamers Alliance. Rizz serves as the personnel director for Tribe of Judah; contact him if you would like to volunteer to help ToJ.
As I said earlier, no one expects one person to govern groups as large of the Christian Gamers Alliance and Tribe of Judah. I am asking for volunteers to help me do His work. Do not let lack of experience keep you from offering your help. It is more important that you have a serving attitude and desire to help your fellow Christians and preach the Gospel.
But, I believe this post is long enough now. *chuckle* I thank everyone who took the time to read this and I look forward to picking up the pace, appointing new staff members, and seeing what God has planned for this community. I know it's something wonderful!
range'>My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.</span> Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
