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Since the summer is basically over, I won't be returning to this blog very often. Actually, I am more likely to record a vlog (video) that type something. So for anyone who wants to follow me go to www.youtube.com/jbryarsv.

I actually just uploaded a couple of videos recently so that would be the best place to follow me for now.

God bless!

A Short (kinda) Reflection

I know I'm technically not in Montgomery anymore but I thought one more (probably) post a good idea. I've now been back in Mobile for almost a week and it has been different (notice the lame, obvious, and vagueness of that word?). I back at home, with a new list of things to covet and get frustrated/angry over. I don't really feel like I've sunk back into my local community yet.

I've been more or less on my own, meeting up with friends here and there (and going to see Inception which was amazing). The thing confronting me now is how do I continue what I've learned this summer and walking towards what I know to be true. I'm still trying to figure that out while processing (and at times avoiding processing because I don't want to think or delve deep in my sin).

I'm a racist, partial, selfish, prideful whore (see below if you need explanation) who is somehow saved by a grace given by one who has such a love to love someone like me. I want to fight this 'American Dream' Christianity that has infected me and many others. The question is how do I best do this? What steps practically do I take? For now feel free to ask me anything. I'll probably tell you.

I know I can't do this alone, and so my quest for like-minded people in Mobile starts. I know I'm messed up and need the body so body, here I come. I'm going to walk and live life with you, whether you like it or not (this is my attempt to be funny).

To everyone in Montgomery and those elsewhere I had the pleasure of spending the summer with, I miss you. Fred, Red, Nick, Tora, Sophia, give the kids hugs for me and tell them I miss them and plan to come visit as soon as I can.

But this phase of my life is over, and it's time to move forward. So, by the grace of God, I'm going to be all here, even though I can't stop missing everyone. This summer wrecked my world and hopefully changed my life forever. I don't want to forget. I don't want to step back. I want to live for Jesus, all for Jesus, sacrificing my comfort and desire to please others, living counter-culturally for the Kingdom of God.

(When I say I'm a whore, I basically mean I go from thing to thing or person to person, anything other than God in hopes to find satisfaction when I've been redeemed by Jesus)

7/21/10 (Video Update)

I know it's a day late...but it wouldn't upload last night....so here it is...(I edited it...but the file was way to big so here's the unedited version)

7/19/10

I know it's been a long time since I've updated y'all. It's been pretty busy here, and I just haven't taken the time to do so I'm sorry for that. I know the first thought you probably have is 'Wow, this is a short update." But, there's a good reason for this. Tomorrow I plan to upload a video update. Yes, that's right. Video. So, you'll actually get to see my not so beautiful face and who knowns...maybe other people will be around.

In short, last week we had a basketball camp = extra long days for me! This week we have a baseball camp but its not every day so it won't be as strenuous. Look forward to recording and posting the video. I hope you're doing great!

In Christ,

James

6/28/10

(I don’t have Internet at the house so I’m writing this a little blind. I’m not sure where I left off last time.)

Last week was full of ups and downs. Overall we had some ‘breakthrough’ moments and some frustrating discipline moments (not our favorite thing to do, even though some kids might see it differently). I feel like I’m getting to know the kids better. I’m still struggling with names and it doesn’t help that most kids know every intern’s name.

We have to be very flexible here and I admit I’ve gotten frustrated a couple of times, even though I’m usually pretty good with whatever. Sunday night Zo (CGM staff) taught on Jesus’ life that was full of ‘inconveniences.’ I learned that these inconveniences that God puts in my life are there to test my faith and to refine me more into the image of my creator, God, and King.

Today I had an opportunity to be stretched. Because of a discipline issue, my kids couldn’t participate in the afternoon activity. My plans changed I think about five or six time in half an hour. Most of the reason I was frustrated was selfishness. I seeing more and more how selfish I really am. I hope God continues to show me this along with other sins I have and continues to put me in the furnace, burning away the dross so that nothing left of me remains.

Last Friday we went to J. B. and Joy (some friends of Josh). They cooked for us and we had a great night of fellowship. We shared many stories from camp and then they shared their testimonies and how they met and how God brought them together. It was really challenging and encouraging. I’m working on trying to apply it to my life and how I handing the whole dating thing.

My parents are coming to visit this Friday, I believe so if they can find my camera battery charger, I might get some more pictures up for y’all.

I started reading Ministries of Mercy by Timothy Keller yesterday. We have a pretty large amount of reading this summer but I decided to try to read that as well. It’s amazing how so much of what we’re being taught Keller has briefly addressed in the book.

Well, its time for me to head out for dinner so I’ll catch up with y’all later.

God bless!!!

6/22/10

Hey y'all! I hope things are going well for all my readers and your families. I just got back from dropping off a van full (and I mean that in its fullest sense) of kids in the neighborhood by the Common Ground Montgomery building. It actually didn't take near as long as I initially expected.

Usually we go bowling on Tuesdays but today the staff decided to take the older boys to see a movie, since we hadn't gone yet. We saw The Karate Kid. It was good, even though it was the second time I've seen it. I never thought that taking a huge group of kids to see a movie would be as draining as playing paintball...it is.

Last night we had a free night. It was needed. I went with Brittany Sonnier, Ava, Meaghan, and Anna Laura to watch Josh's (staff guy) softball game. His team won. It was good to get out a relax for a couple of hours.

This past week we finally moved into the intern house! We're excited. I'm excited. I'll try to add some pictures soon. I forgot my camera battery charger so you'll be seeing a lot more pictures posted when that happens. The guys have two bedrooms downstairs and the girls have three upstairs. There's a big room that I think is supposed to be a hangout room but I'm not sure if any guys have ventured that far yet.

The big thing at the house now is getting it cleaned and looking like someone lives there. We currently have no furniture in the house. We hope to have a table and couch in there sometime soon. So, if you have something you'd like to donate, I'm sure Common Ground Montgomery would gladly accept.

I'm getting to know all the interns and staff and am loving it. God really brought together a great group of interns and the staff is awesome! Our notebooks have pictures of all of the inters with our names under our pictures so I'll try to remember to take a picture of that and share it with you.

This morning in our time alone with God (TAWG) we studied Deuteronomy 10:17-18, Leviticus 19:15, Proverbs 18:21, and 1 Timothy 5:21. The common theme of these verses is partiality and impartiality. I was really convicted by these verses and how direct and clear they were. In it I not only saw God's heart for justice but how he called us to the same. God, through His word more helped me realize how most, if not all of my life is set up to serve my partiality. That was and is a tough pill to swallow.

On the flip side, as Fred pointed out, I have to be careful not to go to the other extreme to where I sin the same way against those I feel more comfortable with. Read those verses if you want. I'd love to know what you think.

Well, its time for supper and then we have a Bible study with B.K., so I think this is goodbye for now. God Bless!

6/14/10

So, I know I said a couple of pretty vague things at the end of my last update, so, I'll do my best to quickly explain before I go onto camp since early last week. I was driving another intern's car back from a church on the east side of the city. I was diving kids back from a game time to the common ground building. I don't think I hit anything so my best guess is the front right tire just blew. I was in the middle lane and eventually got over to the left shoulder. We were all okay. Eventually we got the kids out and Micah, Maurice and I with the help of the cops (it did take about 45 minutes for them to get there after we called) got the spare on and then a new tire.

In our training time we've been going over two things: racial reconciliation and kingdom theology/the kingdom of God. I think it is safe to say that my world has been rocked, shaken, or wrecked (or whatever other simile you'd like to use). But I won't go into detail on that now. I need time (and probably a lot of it) to process and apply before I say too much. I will say that one of my cultural blinders to Scripture has been somewhat moved, or at the very least, is now seen to exist: God's justice and mercy. I've seen how I have skipped/not read/but mostly skipped so many passages because its not part of my cultured thinking.

Earlier I mentioned Kingdom theology (see my preceding post). If I didn't, then well....yeah. Kingdom theology. Well, as Mark Driscoll put it: we must be careful to avoid reductionism (paraphrase). This has hit me in the face with mercy and justice as well as the kingdom. I was and am amazed how I misinterpret and skip so much of what Scripture teaches because its the norm. As Tim Keller said, every culture has come cultural blinders to Scripture (paraphrase).

But I must refocus before I go too far down the rabbit trail. Expect more of the Kingdom soon (since it is one of the things we're studying in our training time and it's been hitting me a good bit. Basically, the King is Jesus and he has a kingdom. It is here but not here fully (yet). Because we don't live in a society with a king I found for me its hard to understand a lot of what the people of Israel knew as second nature. It's been really awesome learning more about it.

But I need to go to bed and since I titled this 6/14/10, I need to finish this before midnight. So, look for more in the future! I'm excited to see what God will reveal tomorrow and kinda hesitant as well, because I know God is about to wreck me some more, which is not the most enjoyable experience initially.

So, as always, in Christ the King,

James

First Update

First off, I'm sorry it’s taken me so long to send out this update. We've been crazy busy the first week and a half and God is doing some great things!

We arrived a week and a half ago (on a monday). The first week was an orientation week for the interns. We got introduced to the west side of Montgomery, Common Ground Montgomery itself and what we'd be doing. We also spent time getting to know everyone. We have a great team (God has really blessed us).

Sunday we all went to a black baptist church in the neighborhood. I have to say it is an experience I won't forget.

Our summer camp started monday. I'll give you a quick summary of what a day looks like. Breakfast is around 8:30 and at 9 we start our time alone with God. In addition to going through scripture, we're going through 2 books: When Helping Hurts (morning) and Divided by Faith (discuss on Thursday nights).

After that some go pick up kids and others prepare for them at the building. Everyone plays in the gym and then by that time we go to our early lunch. After that we break them up by gender and age and either have a bible study or small groups (those bible study groups broken down more).

Then, we have an activity ranging from paintball to swimming to karate.

I'm starting to get to know the kids, even though its been a challenge to learn everyone's names (we have around 120 kids).

I know this is getting long so I'll wrap this up with two quick things. God has kept us safe (I was driving some kids on the interstate in the middle of 5 lanes and a tire blew...everyone is fine) and God has really been tearing us up so to speak with many of the truths of God's word. But I'll deal with both of those in more detail later.

I hope everything is going well! God bless and thanks for your support!

In Christ,

James