Confession

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  James 5:16

Last week was rough, I'm not gonna lie.  Found out a lot of things that I did not feel like dealing with.  I felt stuck, between a rock and hard place, like maybe I had even been misguided as to the Lord's will for me during this time.

The hardest part about this is that I was feeling guilty about have these thoughts and feelings and I didn't want to tell anybody about it.  Yet, it was affecting my work and my relationships.  This past Wednesday, I finally confessed and was really honest about how I was doing and where I was spiritually.  Several people prayed over me throughout the day, and began getting encouragement from other people.  That night through the next day, my time with the Lord changed.  Hope and faith began to be strengthened inside me.  I was full of new vision and the next two days were some of the most productive days I've had since I've been back at YWAM.

I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to not let the enemy keep you isolated in your doubt, fear, guilt, shame, and unbelief.  Confess your faults to those brothers and sisters in the faith that you can trust, look up to and hold dear to you.  Whenever we confess to others how we are doing, something breaks off of us in the spirit (and others as well) and there is a healing and freedom that takes place.

This is why Satan comes so strongly against the united.  If he can break the trust between the brethren, he knows that we won't confess sins to each other and he can keep us trapped in the very thing that hinders us from the promise that God has for us in Christ.  He knows that this will also ruin the testimony we have, which is how we overcome and triumph over the accuser.  (Revelation 12:11)

Stand unified and humble, church!  Confess to one another and realize that "we suffer no temptation except which is common to man."  (1 Corinthians 10:13)  We are all in this together.

Be encouraged!  "In this world, you will have trouble, BUT! Take heart!  I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!"  (John 16:33)

First Week Back

Dear friends, family and ministry partners!

I safely arrived back at YWAM Tampa this past Tuesday, October 2nd 2012.  Boy, have things been crazy!  I was able to settle into my room Wednesday morning.  That afternoon we had a staff meeting in which we clarified our focus for the next week.

My primary focus right now is to GET THE ALBUM FINISHED!!!  Alright!  Ready! Set............

Oops!  I forgot!  My computer screen won't work!  After a long trip down to Tampa to see the Apple specialists, they diagnosed the problem as a burned out video card.  Estimated cost to fix is $310 and 5-7 days of repair.  I don't have that money on hand because of living costs and payment for a YWAM conference coming up at the beginning of November.  So I went to another place I had found just down the street for a second opinion.  Unfortunately, they had the same diagnosis.  The gentlemen did say, however, that I could try to hook up the computer to an external screen to see if that will work.  However, even if this method does work, I will still not have a computer screen out of the office or on the road.  So Either way, I will eventually need to get this computer screen fixed.  Please be praying in these funds, or be praying for a cheaper solution.  All the music I have been working on for this album  is on this computer!  So, we need to get this situation resolved quickly, so I can finish the instrumentals, record the vocals, mix, master and work on cover art.  I am also having to barrow other people's computers for blog updates, making appointments, etc.

However, this past experience is only confirmation that I am right in the center of God's will.  We can't expect things to go easy or smoothly when we are in the Lord's will.  We have an enemy who wants to distract us and get us off track!  So we must always choose to rejoice in our trials and tribulations, knowing that these things make us worthy of the calling of Christ on our lives!  (James 1:2-4)  Praise the Lord!  I'm right where He wants me and the enemy is stankin' mad!  So, two of my goals are already complete!

Some of you have been asking me about where to send checks, care packages, etc.  I think you will find the following information helpful:

Personal care packages, letters, etc. can be mailed to:
Aaron Gray
31407 Satin Leaf Run
Brooksville, FL 34602

If you would like to partner financially, You can write a check to YWAM TAMPA and send it to the above address.
*NOTE: Please make checks payable to YWAM TAMPA and not to me personally.  This way you will receive a tax deduction.  Please make sure that you DO NOT WRITE MY NAME ANYWHERE ON THE CHECK ITSELF, INCLUDING THE MEMO BLANK AT THE BOTTOM!  You can designate the check to me by ATTACHING A STICKY NOTE to the check stating 'TO MISSIONARY AARON GRAY".

Thank you to everyone who is partnering with me in both prayer and finances!  I could NOT be doing this without you!  I cannot wait to share with you all what God is going to be doing in the next few months.  Thank you, thank you, thank you once again!

-In His love forever,
-Aaron Gray

I am so Sorry!

So, it was brought to my attention that my link to donate was faulty!  I accidentally put in the wrong link on my YouCaring site.  So, if you have tried to donate in the past and got really confused, that is my fault.

I am SO SORRY!!!

Today I was able to back and fix it and it worked!  So if you feel led to contribute, or have tried in the past and it did not work, it is officially up and running properly!

Thank you so much for your support!  Love you guys!

-Aaron

Two Weeks and Counting!

So, I'm leaving for YWAM in a little more than two weeks!  I'm so excited, yet there is a lot to do.  I have a few prayer requests that I would love for my fellow prayer warriors to stand in with me.

I have learned that if I mix my own tracks and just have it mastered, it will cost $100 per song.  This cost is in addition to flights, monthly staff fees, etc.  Please be praying and rejoicing over the provision

The CD is now 13 tracks long.  I have most of the instrumentals all finished up except for 3 tracks.  When I go to YWAM I will record the vocals and finish mixing and fine tuning the tracks exactly to how I want them.  Please pray for endurance, patience and strength as I finish this project.  I'm really excited about it and to be able to take it on the road with me.

Please also be praying for the other staff who will be coming to YWAM Tampa and the Sanborn family who run it.  I'm sure there are a lot of obstacles that will be revealing themselves to everyone as the enemy does NOT want this outreach to happen.

Thank you all so much for your prayer and financial support!  I pray the Lord continues to bless you and keep you as we continue to partner together to advance His Kingdom!

-Aaron

Anything worthwhile....

....is never easy.  I am learning this.  Writing, composing, recording, and keeping the vision alive all at the same time have proven to be harder than I originally expected.

I am currently in my third week of recording, while staying active in my church, helping my family with just basic little things, taking random job opportunities and getting ready for my return to YWAM.

May I just say, things as far as circumstances have been great!  But, I have been getting attacked in my thoughts more and more.  "You're not good enough to do this."  "You don't know enough."  You aren't talented enough."  "You don't have the skill."  All of these thoughts keep poking me in the back of my mind.  And yet, I am committed to making this CD project, to the best of my ability.

You'd think I would look at trying to make a worship album through a church, or through a studio.  Or maybe even trying to look at getting a record label.  Try playing a street corner or put some music out through a local pub or bar to try to get some attention.  There are a lot of options.  Yet, in my spending time with the Lord, I keep getting the hint that I'm not supposed to pursue those things.  I keep feeling like He's telling me to press into Him, and the music from His throne will surge through me.

I'm not trying to be arrogant at all when I say that the Lord is telling me, NO!  CHALLENGING me to believe that the music He wants to play and sing through me doesn't need a studio, a label, a financial organization to back it before it goes somewhere.  And to be honest, I don't really want all that stuff.  My heart is to see people worship.  My desire is to see the Lord's creation reconnecting with Him, through whatever gifts and talents He has given me to use.

You'd think there would be peace in this thought.  And there is.  Yet, my mind rages on in battle, telling me lies that I thought I had cast down before.  I thought I had taken these thoughts captive into the obedience of Christ.  Isn't "I have commissioned You, so DO IT!  I will provide for your lack," good enough of a hope and motivation to press on?  It is, if I choose to dwell on it.

Whatever opportunities arise I will test them to see if they are in the Lord's will, or just a distraction from the enemy.  One thing is for sure, I am in a battle of thought for confidence, motivation and faith that God is overwhelmingly more than enough for me.  I am challenged to use what I have to the best of my ability.  Whatever I don't have, God Almighty has more than enough to make up for it.

Therefore, "I press on toward for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus," just as Paul said in Philippians 3:14.

Nothing excellent comes easy.  And I am for sure not striving for "Good Enough".

NEW THINGS COMIN'!

Hey all!

I have not posted here in awhile, but I wanted to update you on what I have been up to since I got back from YWAM Tampa!

This past summer I was employed by the YMCA working with local kids at the YMCA Summer Camp.  It was awesome and I love both the kids and adults that I worked with!

I have been very busy getting involved with my home church Anastasia Baptist in Saint Augustine Beach, Florida.  They have been very good to me, welcoming me back and giving me opportunities to share my experiences in YWAM, Malaysia and Thailand, while letting me sell a sample CD that I've been able to put together called "In Process".

Well, now there are new things on the horizon and they are BIG!  For one, it's official-I'm going back to YWAM!  September through December we'll be working on music and the team's play "Judah Ben-Hur" and January we'll be heading on the road for a domestic tour.  Then in February- March we'll be overseas in Singapore and Malaysia.

Summer Camp ended Friday September 17th and Saturday I began recording for the album I will be taking with me to YWAM called "Throne Room".  I'm very excited about this, but I could use a lot of prayer!  Please pray for endurance and patience as I believe this CD will bring new, fresh revelation into praise and worship.  My prayer is that people will be awakened in their soul's and minds toward the spiritual realm and what happens when we worship God in "Spirit and in Truth" just as He called us to do.  Please be praying for financial provision as I will need it for both producing the album, room and board for YWAM, travel expenses and basic necessities.

Please also be praying for spiritual strength and protection as I record this album.  I have been getting hit hard with discouragement, fear, doubt, old temptations and even older attitudes.  As my father is about to drop a medication in a few weeks, this also increases the spiritual attack on our family.  Satan does NOT want us to keep living in celebration of what God has done and is doing.

Thank you all so much for all of your support!  If you would like an "In Process" CD for $5.00, just let me know and I will see about getting one to you!

Thanks again everyone for your prayers and financial support!  More updates to come soon!!!

In His Name for His Kingdom,
-Aaron

Thank You!

Dear Friends, Family, and Ministry Partners,

      THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU for your prayer and financial support in my YWAM training and outreaches to Malaysia and Thailand!

      Through your support, our team saw over 120 people accept Christ and almost 300 Burmese (Myanmar) refugee children were able to hear the creation story and God’s love in Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Malaysia.  Not only this, but we were able to do spiritual warfare and help newly established churches become better equipped to share the Gospel and lead their congregations in worship and hear the voice of God in the villages of central Thailand!

      Many seeds were planted with the Gospel of Christ, including street break-dancers, skateboarders and dance competitors in central and northern Thailand.  We were also able to work at an orphanage, helping children and young adults understand the love of God through music, song, dance and drama.

      It is an experience I will never forget!  And, there are more opportunities presenting themselves for future ministry with YWAM-TAMPA, including album recording and national and international touring, all presenting the Gospel of Christ and leading worship around the country and throughout the world. 

      Thank you again for partnering with me in advancing the Kingdom of God in Southeast Asia.  As a thank you, I have enclosed a copy of some of the music that I have been working on (some of which was able to used in Malaysia and Thailand.  I assure you, there is much more to come and God is only beginning to tell the story!

In the Love of Christ,

      -Aaron

’Shackles Dance’ in Malaysia. (Almost 100 people came to Jesus this weekend.)

Ung-Tai (left) received Jesus after Justin (right) and I shared with him about God’s love.

*More updates on:  Facebook.com/Awaron1515

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