73.5%!!!!

Yes, I'm at 73.5%,

which means I have 1.5% (roughly $400 or $25/monthly) to raise to get to 75%,

WHich means I can buy my plane ticket (I'm officially authorized to buy my ticket at 75%),

WHich means I can fly to Austria,

WHich means I'm blown away by how far I've come and how close I am!

"Your way was in the sea"

December rolled on in like nothin'! I had a great experience with my family over Thanksgiving, the highlight by far was having my older sister Val back in town. We got to spend a good amount of time together talking, laughing, and even a bit of dancing! I finished my job at the tree nursery in mid-November and did some temp work stuffing envelopes, but now it looks like I'll spend the month of December doing odds and ends jobs as well as some art work to provide income, unless something else comes up. I have about 6 weeks left before the departure date and I'm at about 55% in fundraising. It's getting down to the wire and I'm eager to see how the Desert Father parts the water. In the past 2 years, every time I've came to a financial deadline, it has always been so unforeseen, unpredictable, and unimaginable the way God has provided. So now as I approach the deadline for this trip, it's helpful to remember that God moves in ways that are beyond us sometimes. When facing seemingly impossible, hopeless circumstances, I like calling to mind the Israelites. When they were under hot pursuit from the fully-armed Egyptians, they were led to the shore of the Red Sea. An impossible situation! Not only that, my Old Testament professor would talk about how large bodies of water were some of the most feared things in those days. So they were really up against the wall! Nobody could've anticipated what happened next as the waters parted before the people, making a path of dry land before them. "Your way was in the sea, and your path in the mighty waters, You led your people like a flock."(psalm 77) My hope isn't in a special technique, or a clever scheme, but in God. Believing that as A Good Shepherd and a loving Father, He will provide in his way and timing. So, I'll keep on waiting and watching to see what happens next! Stay tuned!

I plan on posting some art works I've done recently within the next week. Hold on to your seats, they're color-full alright.

Hello November, wind chill, and cold feet.

Yo every1.
I'm doing swell up here in MN. I'm at about 50% fundraising. It's crazy to think that I'm over half way through my stint at home. I have enjoyed thoroughly this time. It's been an inward training/building/construction of some sort. Self-control, patience, wisdom, and faithfulness are the deeper elements working out in my soul. Some days I don't know what to do but lean on God, Rejoicing in Jesus always. I've hit a few points of anxiety but God has ALWAYS came through, as I cried out to HIm and called on HIs name. Whether it has been friends, employment, church, resisting temptation, God has always made beautiful things happen in His special, holy way and timing. It's been the common thread in this chapter of life.
I also love singing hymns, if I could just recommend a few great ones:
All the way my savior leads me
Jesus, savior, pilot me
What woundrous love is this
Just a closer walk with thee
Sweet hour of prayer

This is my first time in the last 4 years not living in a community setting, I also have yet to get sick which seems to have always happened around this time of year. Could the two correlate with eachother??
The last month has been difficult, especially finding a community of brothers to hang out with. I really have to lean on God in the lonely times, which seem to surface frequently. I had a group of guys that I was meeting with every Sunday night and we were having awesome times of fellowship, prayer, and even some prophecy action, however one of the guys relapsed into smoking meth and the other sort of disappeared and won't return my calls, so I have no idea where he is. Please pray for this gathering of dudes.
As much as I disdain fundraising, it is really pushing me to trust harder. Austria is going to be crazy, yo! I believe it is going to be a very consecrated time to Jesus.
I hope y'alls are doing well.
Word!!
Much love,
Jake

Here is a couple friends and I dressed up as Ents (tree-people from Lord of the Rings) for Halloween using some dead trees I salvaged from my workplace.

I had the chance to sit down for breakfast yesterday with the missionary who will be overseeing our time in Austria. He shared with a group of my teammates and I what life will look like come January, when we traverse to Vienna. Prior to this meeting, I had several conversations with folks around Bethany telling them where I was going, what I was doing, who I was staying with, and so on. Whenever I mentioned this missionary's name, those who had met him before lit up and couldn't stop saying good things about him! Apparently he had left a pretty good impression on them! We also got to hear about some of the ministry work that he and his team are doing with OM East (Operation Mobilization) in Eastern Europe, whose focus is bringing hope to the forgotten peoples of Eurasia. Their aim is to strengthen and serve the local church. It sounds like an awesome group of people with awesome hearts for God. This is the team we get the privilige of working with and living among. From what I gathered, the team is quite multi-faceted with different ministry directives allowing us interns to have an exciting array of opportunities.
What will it be for me? Maybe spending some time with a band of Gypsies in Slovakia, maybe AIDS awareness with teenagers in Hungary, maybe graphic design with the literature division of the ministry, maybe all of the above?? Alas, those questions needn't be pondered here and now, for there is plenty of life to be lived in the present.

"So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. "Matt. 6.34 True 'dat!

Life is mellow around here, just staying in the word, fundraising, fellowshipping with some awesome brothers I met at church, biking a lot, soaking in the vivid fall blazing leaf colors which will soon be no more, drinking tea, smoking my pipe, and 'wondering whispering wisdom that's eternal from the heart to the mind to the hand to the journal'.-josh garrels (if you haven't heard his new cd, buy it asap!)

Peace!

September Update....

September is darn near over. Time waits for no man. I ended up getting a job working at a small tree nursery. I bike there each day which ends up being a 12 mile roundtrip. I love working outside with trees, getting dirty, and operating the bobcat, it's much more rewarding than standing behind a cash register! I've been blessed living at my parents house, I get such joy hanging out with my younger siblings. A couple buddies of mine really hooked me up a week and a half ago when they flew me out to California for a week! It was so sweet soaking in the sunshine and the fellowship with the dudes. What an awesome getaway that was!

I wrote this little tidbit a week or two ago comparing where I was at in life to the funky weather we were having in Minnesota.

This season properly describes where I'm at right now. It's cold one day, beautiful the next. Some days have rain all day, some have warm sunsets. It's not yet fall, but its definitely not summer anymore...slightly perplexing. Likewise, I'm not where I once was, and I'm not where I will be. Some days it feels so good to let go and relax, other days it seems I can't escape the weight of the enormous uncertainty that lies ahead. It seems that each day is a choice between fear or faith, yet some days its unclear what's what, and who's Who.

However...
I love resting in Jesus. As A tree Planted, firmly rooted, steadily grounded, consistent, enduring, patient, calm, self-controlled,alert. Fruit will come in its season. We all know how worth the wait is!

Here is a picture of a painting I did for a youth block party a couple church's put together, it's based off of Galatians 5:22-23, it says, "Fresh spirit free flow"














Peace Y'all! Have a happy October!

SO... I really wanted to try to share/express what transpired this year. It’s hard for me to communicate everything that took place, so I created this little compilation of art pieces/doodles I made throughout the year that will hopefully help tell the story.

Intro:

Called out of Darkness

Three years ago I began the process of leaving behind worldly passions and desires for the wholehearted pursuit of God’s will as I checked into drug treatment. “The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17

In August 2006-07, I went through my first year of the Honor Academy in Garden Valley, Texas and it was the most challenging year of my life as I was stripped of all the comforts I settled behind.“An ideal way out for his soul struggling from the darkness of worldly wickedness towards the light of love...”

Chapter 1: Bondservant Jake

My second year with Teen Mania at the campus in Bloomington began last August 2007 in a mentorship role as well as a student at Bethany. I was required to choose a theme for my core group I was mentoring and so I chose ‘Bondservants’. In Galatians 1:10, the apostle Paul says, “Do I know seek to please me? If I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Unbeknownst to me, the theme of being solely devoted to God’s ways, in the similitude of a bondservant’s devotion to his master (Exodus 21:5-6), would be consistent throughout my year, even through the darkest nights.

Chapter 2: Anxiety Attacks Jake!

Maybe it was the pressure of trying to be a leader, or perhaps having to fundraise the $7,200, whatever it was, I lost grip on hope. Life became a constant struggle and I had such trouble expressing myself, my heart was restless, and I was on the brink of giving up more than I’d like to admit. I had no peace and my mind was chaos.

“it’s not a normal reaction to panic like a frenetic frantic manic maniac.”

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression. Proverbs 12:5

Chapter 3: The Walls are Broken Down: Spiritual Depression.

Hopelessness, despair, desolate, barrenness are fitting descriptions to how I felt throughout the first chunk of the year. My prayer was out of Psalm 13:

How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever?
How long will You hide Your face from me?
How long shall I take counsel in my soul,
Having sorrow in my heart daily?

I could’ve easily turned and ran from the pain and loneliness, like I had so many times in the past. Yet, amid the constant pressure and spiritual depression, a new resound rose up in my heart; remain LOYAL.

Chapter 4: After even the longest winter comes Spring!

Something beautiful happened this spring, I’m not exactly sure how, but God made a way, I found peace. I decided to believe that God loves me with unfailing love; that Jehovah is a Good Shepherd. So, I began to spend hours in silence not doing anything religious, but rather simply chilling, resting and wa

iting for the voice of the Father. Psalm 62:1 “Truly my soul waits silently for God.” The spring was full of so many awesome experiences that I believe were a fruit of resting in God’s control. Jesus says, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.”John 15:5

Chapter 5: A Tree Planted by Streams of Living Water.

My future hopes, dreams, and passions all come from the valuable lesson in Psalm 1.

“Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.”

I also discovered a passion which is a direction I want to head in the future. I want to be a teacher some day. Specifically, a Bible teacher. I want to pursue deeper studies of the Bible, especially the Old Testament.

The story is to be continued. I am thankful for the lessons I have learned and the people who God has used to teach me. Thank you for viewing a segment of my experience.

Peace!

Home sweet home!

My time at TeenMania has come to an end! As much of an awesome catalyst for growth and maturity the Honor Academy has been in my life, I am delighted that the time has come to move on to bigger and better things. I graduated from the internship two weekends ago and finished up my last week of classes with Bethany, then said my goodbyes and headed home. Since this last Saturday, I have been unpacking all my luggage and making my presence known in my parents basement. I plan on making the most of the time spent with my beautiful family and friends in the next four months before I head out to Austria. I'm looking into a job right now at a tree nursery that's looking pretty promising, which would be rewarding for me as I've been itching to have a job working outside with my hands, and trees as well! I'm scheming on some art projects as well, one being the interior for a youth room in Woodbury. I feel mystified about this upcoming season, not really knowing what to expect, with fundraising, friends, job, etc. But deep down I'm really sensing this being a beautiful season and I'm watching and waiting to see what magnificent designs God is orchestrating amongst us!

Can you feel the magic??

Bethany has been making some awesome changes around campus this year, some of which I got to be apart of. Leadership opted that the campus could use some visual enhancements, so I was asked to paint on a few different occasions. One of my favorites was the BCoM visitor lounge. One of the guys on campus made a sweet video from the footage of me painting. Check this out:

The inspiration of my interpretation comes from Psalm 1. The painting is an abstract representation of being planted (the tree in the center, roots, branches, etc.) The idea is that when we are living a life of steady righteousness led by the holy spirit, living a fruitful life is the result. Movement in painting is something that really captures me, in this case I think it represents the flow of life which emanates from the character next to the tree. Anxiety, worries, doubt, fears, disappointment, discouragement, etc. are all things that steal from our ability to be at peace with who we are and where we're at. But:
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:1-3

Summer-lovin'

Here are some pictures depicting the exciting escapades I have been on thus far into the summer....Enjoy!




Here I stand with my Honor Academy brothers, (we have trouble taking "normal" pictures).
p.s. I am pretending to be ticked off about wearing our uniforms in the hot sun, I'm really not. Also, the earring is unfortunately fake. Did I fool ya?




Me rockclimbing and slackling at Taylor's Falls last weekend.



This is from this weekend at the Fallout Art Fest. My friend rachel and I are painting a mural that says, "Be set free!"

Here is Peter Wohler and I. Peter is director of Source Ministries, whom i have done quite a bit of art with recently.


Here is a picture of me finishing up a community mural for the Minneapolis Mosaic.

Consider the lillies...

Here is a special story:

I needed roughly $1,200 to graduate by July 7th. The week prior to this deadline was my school's summer break and my family also had a trip planned to Yellowstone National Park (which, by the way, was utterly breathtaking, I recommend everyone travels there at least once in their lifetime!) At the start of the trip I had no idea how the money was going to come in, I was out of clever ideas. As my mother and I shared our concerns about this dilemma I was facing, I felt strangely drawn to Luke 12..."And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For alll these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added to you."(vs. 29-31) It seemed like I was getting off too easy, to just trust God to supply the money, but it was really the only option I had at that time. Well, the trip went great, I got to see a plethora of wildlife and even better than that, I got to spend quality time with my family. So, I returned back to campus on the 7th still with no clue about my finances. Now here's the special part of the story, while I was gone, my roommate and a friend got together and sent out messages on Facebook to friends of theirs letting them know the situation I was in. I came back from vacation to find that my account was completely paid off for the entire year! I was laughing so hard in disbelief that tears were streaming from my eyes! It turns out that close friends of mine donated money, as well as staff from the college, and even retirees on campus here pitched in! It was so meaningful to see the people that supported me, it was a very intimate group. Once again God lives up to His claim as "the God who comes through"!

Grace and Peace!
-Jake
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

Jehovah Jireh

I got the needed $350 last week which covered the month of June! Thanks again to those who helped make that happen!

My final financial deadline is July 7th and I am in need of $1,050 to finish the year. If you feel the inclination to donate, my address is:
Jacob Paurus
6820 Auto Club Rd. Suite A
Bloomington, Mn. 55438
*I also found out that it is possible to donate online via http://honoracademy.com/donate.php my ID# is: 2174357.

Thanks my peoples, I will keep you updated with the status!

Man makes plans, but God directs the footsteps...

As my time is coming to a close with Teen Mania here this August, I am excited to announce the next step on the journey... I am going to Vienna, Austria for 16 months starting January 2009!

As many of you know, I've been going to school full-time throughout my time at Teen Mania at Bethany College of Missions (BCOM). The next step with BCOM is the global internship, a 16 month overseas voyage where a group of 12 of us students will be working alongside a local missionary family in Vienna. The idea is that what better way to learn about missions than having us get out there and do it!

I am still finding out some of the options for how we will be able to be involved while we are in Vienna. The missionary we'll be with is highly involved with Aids awareness throughout Europe and Africa. His wife is apart of a ministry to sex-traffic victims in downtown Vienna. My dream is to get involved with youth in the art/music scene...

Anyhow, there are many mountains to climb between then and now, so please pray for me if you can!

I will be sending out a hard copy newsletter in the next month explaining the details of the adventure but for now here is a picture of team Austria:

Unfolding dreams, unraveling schemes, undeniable themes....

Hello!

Thanks for checking out my blog. I'm going to be updating this blog now to keep all my beloved family, friends, and curious onlookers informed with the current happenings in my life. Make sure to keep checking back to hear about the mischief I'm getting myself into!

Peace!!
Jake