“GOD takes everyone HE loves through a desert. It is HIS cure for our wandering hearts, restlessly searching for a new Eden. The best gift of the desert is GOD's presence. The protective love of the SHEPHERD gives me courage to face the interior journey." — Paul E. Miller
I have been richly blessed by everyone who has ever been part of Jars of Clay, especially the original members Dan Haseltine, Charlie Lowell, Stephen Mason, & Matthew Odmark.
“Worlds Apart” has been a prayer of my heart countless times through the years & I am grateful that the CD I bought in 1995 still functions.
25+ years ago I was in training with International Teams in Prospect Heights, Illinois because I would eventually be heading to the Spanish Language Institute in San Francisco de Dos Ríos, Costa Rica & then Medellín, Colombia to work in a youth ministry.
During that missionary training on February 18, 1996 I thoroughly enjoyed a concert at the Rosemont Horizon that included Three Crosses, Jars of Clay, & Michael W Smith.
The "Boys" from Jars of Clay have become men who are inspirational living examples of simply doing what the LORD created us to do.
"We are GOD\"s workmanship, created in JESUS CHRIST to do good works, which GOD prepared in advance for us to do." — EPHESIANS 2:10
“Discovering El Salvador!” is my story of how a 2 week mission trip to an orphanage in Santo Tomás, El Salvador in June of 1990 changed my life forever.
Why am I sharing this with y’all?
Despite serving the LORD the majority of my adult life, I have recently begun to break free from the darkest 20 months of my existence emotionally, mentally, physically, & spiritually.
“We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from GOD & not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” — 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-9
“Rediscovering Jars of Clay" is invigorating me as “live” versions of songs I know are filled with new meaning & songs I am hearing for the first time are ministering to me precisely where I need it.
I am embarrassed to say that I only had the first 3 records but the combination of new with old excited me so much that I now have ALL the CD’s I did not have.
"Silence” is a song that I first encountered several years ago on YouTube that included heartbreaking footage of Tsunami destruction in Thailand causing me to wonder if GOD is even listening in the midst of suffering.
“The Box Canyon Sessions” version of “Silence” has brought tears to my eyes that fueled my spirit with an intense longing for GOD to rescue me out of the darkness.
Why?
First of all, the setting that night brings back awesome memories when my wife & I took kiddos from 3 different foster care group homes to an outdoor concert by Dominic Balli in the backyard of a home in Tucson, Arizona & his song/video "Favela" featuring Nengo Vieira in Río de Janeiro, Brazil reminded me of ministering throughout the "barrios" of Medellín, Colombia.
Secondly, I cried for 2-3 hours every night when my wife & I were houseparents in Key West, Florida & then Oro Valley, Arizona because I was so frustrated & upset with the horrific abuse, neglect, & trauma those kiddos had experienced & a system that does not help any of them break the cycle within their families.
It is as if I needed to feel their pain at night but then get it out of my system in order to provide them with a home filled with joy, love, & peace the next day.
“Experiencing terrible pain opens our hearts & minds to express compassion for other people & communion with ourselves.” — Kilroy J. Oldster
Hopefully y’all have been encouraged by my words a fraction as much as I have been encouraged by the lyrics & music of Jars of Clay.
I pray that y'all will be richly blessed emotionally, financially, mentally, physically, & spiritually.
"Now glory be to GOD who by HIS mighty power that is at work within us, is able to carry out HIS purpose & do super abundantly, far over & above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams." — EPHESIANS 3:20
Peace be our journeys,
BPK aka Brian Pedro Keyes aka Weasel
P.S. The following quote when understood will fuel us to work supernaturally!
"Trying to do the LORD's work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, & tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the HOLY SPIRIT, then the ministry of JESUS just flows out of you." ― Corrie ten Boom
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