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Serving a Holy God


Posted in 10 Post Race by Kelton Crouch on 6/21/2009


Serving a Holy God

For my quiet time today I was going through the book of Daniel and reading about the life of Daniel and his three friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. (Their Babylonian names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.) I am so surprised at the guts and determination these guys had that sometimes flew in the face of culture, kings, and royal decrees. Even when face to face with the king of the most powerful nation on the earth, they did not back down from their convictions and refused to bow down before an idol and violate commandments 1 and 2 of the law God gave us.

Exodus 20:1-6
1 And God spoke all these words:
2 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 You shall have no other gods before me.
4 You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.

We trust in the Word of God, but sometimes our convictions fall short and we compromise in small (and sometimes large) ways. If our faith was a matter of life or death, I think that we would have fewer Christians, but more committed ones. For some countries this is true like Muslim nations or China for example. Here Christians are persecuted, but our numbers are still growing.

And back to my point. These men's convictions were so strong that they defied the most powerful ruler of the time and risked death because of what they knew to be true. Do you believe what you know this much? Would you risk being thrown into a furnace to stand by what you believe? You could come up with a bunch of excuses I think but to stick to your convictions would be very difficult.

But these men remembered the truth that they were created by God to worship God and they were not compromising that belief to serve man or image. They understood their standing in God's eyes and knew pleasing and honoring Him was the most important thing. When they were thrown into the furnace they were met by a heavenly being. It could have been an angel or the pre-incarnate Christ, but God showed up and they didn't die.

And this leads me to my final point. We are created by God to have a loving relationship with him and bring him praise. I was reading in Revelation 4 about the 24 elders who bow down before the throne of God and worship him. They say in verse 11, "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

We are created by God! We are made and sustained by the author of life who is God Almighty. He is the Rock we cling to as Christians and in Him is our hope and life. We do not live on bread alone as the world does but on every word that comes from Him. We are not our own we were bought (by Him) with a price. We no longer live, but Christ lives in us. We are chosen. We are loved. We are heirs to the throne of God. We are his. We love, because He first loved us.
 
If you have given your life to God and accepted Christ into your life take heart!

Guys we have an eternal inheritance because of the price that Christ paid on the cross for us. With this being said, lets approach the throne of God with boldness. We are God's children.
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What is it like being back home?


Posted in 10 Post Race by Kelton Crouch on 6/13/2009


I am writing this blog to share what it has been like being back in the States after seeing 14 countries with the WR and then 4 with a group of racers. 11 months and 18 countries opens your eyes to what life is like in places where modern conveniences are not a part of daily life. I have lived in a tent, on a boat, in hostels and hotels and now I see things differently. Life is not about living comfortably it is about knowing who you are.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galations 2:20

The world race is not about living but about dying – dying to the old way of doing things so that true life can be found. I found this new life and it was only through the pain of leaving everything that is comfortable and getting out of my comfort zone. I had to deal with a lot of things that I had on the inside and that is what made me grow. In the states, I had a good job and good friends, but there was still something missing. That something was knowing who I am.
 
Pain is a good thing. It forces us to deal with something and become stronger because of it. How else will we grow if we do not deal with the things that we keep buried in our lives and try to push out of mind?

During the World Race we talked about being initiated and living in Kingdom, and this is all the same thing. If you know who you are the lenses that you see life through are finally clear. God is your help and your life and living in Christian community is what sustains you. I still struggle with problems, but life is clearer now. God's will is clearer and his voice is louder.

I really am wrecked for the ordinary now.

Considering the World Race? Be careful... You will die, but then you will finally know who you are and you will find true life.
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Church of the Holy Sepulchre


Posted in 10 Post Race by Kelton Crouch on 1/15/2009



Church of the Holy Sepulchre from kelton crouch on Vimeo.

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The Journey is nearly complete


Posted in 10 Post Race by Kelton Crouch on 11/22/2008


Yesterday morning at 3:30 am most of our squad left for home. That's right, the January 2008 World Race squad has crossed the finish line and are on to bigger things. I am with Matt and Michelle from my team and a few others and we are going to Israel and Egypt and I will be home on December 8. This picture is from our final debrief dinner and it was so cool to see everyone dressed up. We had an awards ceremony and mine was Mr. Versatilty because of my long hair and traditional clothing that you may have seen in some Indian pictures.

Our mentors for the sqad had a lot of encouraging things to say and I am really stoked to be coming back to share everything that I have learned with you all.
 
 
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Support my Teammate


Posted in 00 General Articles by Kelton Crouch on 11/18/2008


Hi guys,  my friend Matt needs to raise more support so if you would like to support him, he would greatly appreciate it. Here is his blog.
 
Dear Supporters and friends
Here I am sitting on a white sand beach off the coast of Thailand. I sit here in awe of the time that has gone by rapidly this past year. Nearly 11 months ago I was in my living room packing and repacking my bag to make sure I had everything I needed. The anxiety and excitement is still fresh in my mind. Those feelings of the unknown being one flight away. I still remember that morning I said my last goodbyes and gave my last hugs like it was yesterday. Well folks, that was 10 months and 14 days ago.
I am currently neck deep in my process of debriefing this past year's adventures, challenges and victories. Our amazing coaches are here alongside us to walk us through it all. I'm amazed at the journey the Lord took my through. Deep down I knew I would be at this point, but as I ran, crawled, and limped this year, I see the newness that is Matt Peters. I have a new sense of what victory is all about. I'm talking about victory in my old patterns of downward spirals, my pride, and of course the bonds of self image that held me back for so long. I have come through this World Race a new man! A new warrior!
 The World Race has been everything I ever imagined it to be! A challenge, a place of discovery, an opportunity to experience God in a new way, and an environment for true community living. I stand now at the finish line with my hands held high in triumph of the race that was. I passed. I completed. And I'm standing at the end of it all in better shape than when I came into it. I have more questions than ever before, but also have much more peace than ever before. I know my Saviour Jesus Christ. I know my Father. And I know the Power of the Spirit. I have seen lives given to the Lord. I have seen people healed. I have seen captives freed. I'm still praying for the dead to rise! That's the new hope and faith I have!
 
So friends, I want to ask for help with one last thing. My finances are currently sitting at $12, 800. As a trip cost, I am still in need of $1000!
That's it, just $1000
 
I know the Lord has this last part of my trip in His hand. But he's asking me to reach out in humility to you for your help. So if you are able and willing to give any amount, it'll make a big difference in the Kingdom of God. For if it wasn't for you this whole year supporting me, I wouldn't be where I'm at. For you have sent me and I went. I thank you! The kingdom of God is a different place. I have found out who I am this year. Another confused life that has grasped his inheritance from God. So thank-you!
 
To send a cheque, please mail it to: c/o Matt Peters; Box 46, Arnaud, MB, Canada, R0A 0B0
  
Stay tuned for some last recap blogs from the years travels. In Christ Alone,
 
- Matt Peters
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Walking in Authority


Posted in 00 General Articles by Kelton Crouch on 11/17/2008


We are in our final debrief now and are 3 days away from finishing this year's race. Wow! It has been an amazing year with God teaching us amazing lessons of patience, freedom, and authority. We have been through difficult times but now God is finishing the work that he began in us this year. I know the lessons are not over, but God is now my final authority in a different way than when I lived in America. I have seen the power he has displayed in deeply personal and supernatural ways. Just last night 4 girls from our squad prayed over a girls leg who was badly messed up from a fall and had swelling and possibly more internal damage. After praying for her the girl's leg was healed! It was smooth afterward and you couldn't see the bruise anymore. Even though this sounds strange to us to see someone healed immediately, it shouldn't this is normal stuff for Jesus to do and he is the one who lives in us now. We have the full power of the creator of the universe in us and it is expressed in the amount of faith we possess.
 
By the way, there are several people on our squad who still need to raise more money to reach full support. They are Matt Peters, Angie, Steve, Nate, and Jen. If you would like to invest in the Kingdom of God please consider my friends.
 
The picture above is Rusty, Matt, and I at a temple.
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Video of the Year, by Kimberly Daniels


Posted in 10 Post Race by Kelton Crouch on 11/16/2008


 
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Vietnam Ministry Update


Posted in 08 Vietnam by Kelton Crouch on 11/11/2008



Vietnam Update from kelton crouch on Vimeo.

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Support Update


Posted in 00 General Articles by Kelton Crouch on 11/5/2008


Hi Friends. I have just reached the total needed for the race! This year the race cost $13,800 and I have just gotten enough to cover that. I really am so grateful to everyone for supporting me on the mission trip adventure of a lifetime. I have learned so much out here and God has shown me a lot about myself, the world, and my identity in Him. I know I wouldn't have learned these things so well if I had stayed home, even though it was hard to leave.
 
There are a few things though that our support amount does not cover such as training camp flight tickets, insurance, and vaccinations. The amount left to cover those expenses is $740. If you would like to help me with this, please click on the link to the left.
 
I have been so blessed by this year and can't wait to see you all when I get home!
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Phat Srey Nook


Posted in 09 Cambodia by Kelton Crouch on 11/4/2008


So we have been working at the AIDS orphanage for two days now and there is a little girl there who really has stolen my heart. Her name is Phat Srey Nook and she is probably about 5 or 6 years old. While most of the other students are busy playing or building something with Legos she just sits off to the side and just stares. Even if there are kids around she is usually just sitting there.  As far as I can guess she is autistic or has some kind of of emotional or learning disability. She loves attention though and just wants to be held by one of us adults. Sometimes she laughs but most of the time she seems to just not be there. She won't laugh when you tickle her or play with her and stuff like that. Sometimes she smiles, but if you set her down, she zones out and looks really sad. It is really a blessing to work with her and I am so glad that we are here in Cambodia working at this orphanage.
 
This is our last week of scheduled ministry for the World Race and we will be going to Bangkok on the 10th of November for our final debrief.

Luke 18:6 says, "But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." It would be amazing if we could all just accept God in child-like faith. So many times the cares of life makes us numb to things, but God meets us when we cast all of our cares on him and trust him like a child does his parents.
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