http://travischeek.myadventures.org The Journey by Travis Cheek - Serving Him en-us Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:27:14 GMT 30 http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=a-little-like-fear http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=a-little-like-fear If I had a dollar for every time someone has asked me how I am doing or some variation of that question, I would have raised enough money to support myself and a few other people here at AIM. Not that I haven't appreciated the concern, but I just honestly don't know how I feel. At least, I didn't. I read an excerpt from C. S. Lewis' A Grief Observed the other night that captures exactly what I've been feeling since the break up.    No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing.    At other times it feels like being mildly drunk, or concussed. There is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take in what anyone says. Or perhaps, hard to want to take it in. It is so uninteresting. Yet I want the others to be about me. I dread the moments when the house is empty. If only t Wed, 6 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=i-will-bless-the-lord-at-all-times http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=i-will-bless-the-lord-at-all-times  On April 15th of this year I flew out of Atlanta to Richmond, VA for a missionary conference with the International Mission Board. My hope was to be overseas by January evangelizing the lost and discipling new believers. However, God had other plans. While at conference I met a wonderful young lady named Lisa. We hit it off immediately and soon found out that we only lived about an hour from one another in Ga. Once back in Atlanta we made plans to see each other. We spend the next couple of weeks getting to know each other and falling in love. I was never one to believe in the idea of "when you know, you know" but I was quickly becoming a believer. Within a few weeks we knew that we would no longer go overseas as singles, but that God brought us together so we could minister as a couple. I proposed May 31st and we were to be married October 4th of this year. I say "were to be married" because on June 15th she gave the ring back saying that our differences were too great and w Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=amys-story http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=amys-story Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 A few weeks ago, as I was preparing to go to bed, I heard a knock at my door. On the other side of my door stood a young lady in need of help. She was very reluctant to allow me to help her and when I offered her a ride home, she became very defensive and left. I once again began preparing for bed, but not 15 minutes later Amy was back at my door asking for a ride home. So I drove her to what I thought was a friends house, but later learned I had taken her to the home of the man who had attacked her earlier that night. The most unsettling part of Amys whole story is that she once had a family. After her divorce, her family turned its back on her. When Amy learned that I was a missionary, it was all I could do to convince her I was not there to judge her but to help her. She needed to know that the Father still loved her, no matter what she had done Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=on-the-road-again http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=on-the-road-again just can't wait to get on the road again...                                                 I'll soon be leaving for 2 trips. The first one is to San Antonio June 20th. I'm very excited about this trip because I set up the whole trip. That is also why I'm a little anxious. I mean, if the trip doesn't go well there's a good chance it's my fault. I mean, yes, Satan is working and would like nothing more than to ruin what God has planned for our week in San Antonio, but there's still the thought of "well, if I had only planned a little better maybe this wouldn't have happened." So please be praying for me, Dawn Delaney, and the 40 5th and 6th graders (yes, I said 5th and 6th graders) that will be in San Antonio June 21-28. I'm even more excit Thu, 5 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=knowing-is-half-the-battle http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=knowing-is-half-the-battle I promise to post something new and original very soon, but for now enjoy reading someone else's thoughts on which translation of scripture is best... #228. NIV vs. KJV vs. ESV (Bible wars told via GI Joe) I've never been to seminary, so if they use a different cartoon from the 1980s to teach the differences between versions of the Bible, my bad. But when I sat down to write a post about how we like to represent and argue for our own brand of the Bible, I kept hearing the little Jon inside whispering, "yo Joe, yo Joe." So here it is, my explanation of the different versions of the Bible as told through the lens of GI Joe. I hope you'll add to it since I was unable to work in key characters like Lady Jaye. 1. King James Version = Storm Shadow When I was younger, I really wanted to be Storm Shadow. And by "younger" I mean last week. Seriously, he was just so cool. Storm Shadow was a ninja clad all in white that constantly battled the forces of good and evil within him Wed, 14 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=community-life http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=community-life Community Life:training & apprenticeship for Christ-followersOne year of growth, community, and ministry. We're excited to introduce a new opportunity that many of you will love.  We're taking our best coaches and disciplers and matching them up for a year with our most passionate young people (up to age 31). At Adventures In Missions (AIM), we love the next generation. We want to see people launched into a whole new way of doing life. In a culture that esteems independence, we want to restore the value of interdependence that was so prevalent in the Early Church. By living in authentic community, disciples of Jesus learn how to be "salt" and "light" in a way that transforms the world around them. It's a year of training and apprenticeship in community.Community Life is a place where you can continue to grow in your identity and role in the kingdom of God. The people of AIM will pour into you during this year in a number of ways. Our leaders will train you and hang out with y Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=i-joined-a-band http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=i-joined-a-band Moving to a new town can be a scary experience, no matter how old you are. And while I was excited to move to GA and start a new chapter in my life, I was also apprehensive at the thought of moving to a town where I didn't know anyone. I mean, I had met my boss a few times and a couple of other people, but I didn't really "know" anyone in Gainesville. One of the first few days I was in the office, Jimmy came up and introduced himself and invited me to a birthday party. Introvert that I am, I originally declined the invitation because I didn't know anyone. But, Jimmy reasoned, how would I ever get to know anyone if I never left my apartment? So I attended the party and was instantly accepted into a wonderful group of people. That was over a month ago and a lot has happened since then. Now we get together every Thursday night for fellowship, once a week for "church", and then various other times during the week to play games or hangout. The Band is made up of about 10 people, give o Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=im-in-ga http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=im-in-ga Since my last real post I've moved back home, done some traveling, and moved to Georgia. What follows is a brief summary of the last few months. Check back in a few days to learn about my joining a band!  I came home from Mexico December 18th and had a wonderful time with family and friends over the holidays. For New Year's I was blessed to spend time with friends in Asheville, NC and also went on my first tour of the Biltmore Estate. It was still decorated for Christmas and was absolutely amazing! If you've never been, you must go. I plan to go back this spring to see the gardens and maybe take another tour of the house! After the holidays I spent a lot of time traveling and visiting friends all over NC. I was honored to speak in a couple of churches and share the vision the Lord has given me for the next few years. February 2nd my parents and I loaded up a U-Haul and drove to Gainesville, Ga., my new home! The day I moved in I met several of the kids th Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=dry-times http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=dry-times I copied this from Pastor J.D. Greear's blog site (link can be found under "My Links" to the left). I don't normally blog by copying someone else's, but thought this one was especially helpful. Enjoy! Sometimes I go through periods where it feels like I'm hearing directly from Jesus every day. He seems to clearly be lighting my path, I feel Him moving in my heart, and I can see His handiwork all through my life. Sometimes these periods last a few days, sometimes they last several months. Other times it feels like I'm in a desert. Even when I press in and plead with God, I can't feel anything. I don't see how God is answering any of my prayers. It feels like God wrote the Bible and then simply turned me loose to obey it on my own. Temptations I struggle with get more intense and even more difficult to shake. My heart yearns after idols. I get lazier and more self-centered. I get short with people. I watch TV more. I care less. Life feels bitter. And then I get physically Thu, 21 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=fall-mens-trip http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=fall-mens-trip Back in October...yes, October...a group of men came to The Gateway for a construction trip. They were able to build 4 houses, providing homes for 4 families. They were also challenged to dig deeper in their spiritual lives; to be better men: husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, etc. They did not expect this challenged but I believe they accepted it and returned home with a new vision for themselves and their families. Although I know most of these men came to "work", they did much more than that as they shared their lives with the people in the communities. Below are just a few videos I shot while we were hosting a Fiesta in one of the colonias. As you can see, the kids had a lot of fun, but I believe the men had even more!! Let me know what you think! Fri, 8 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=martha-bowman-umc http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=martha-bowman-umc Last week a group of 4 people flew down to Harlingen from Macon, Ga. This group consisted of a Children's Minister, his Administrative Assitant and 2 lay leaders, one of which owns a construction business and the other is a mother. These 4 people came from Martha Bowman United Methodist Church to talk to a local pastor about investing in his colonia, or neighborhood. This was my first opportunity to be a part of what AIM calls a "Vision Trip." The vision of this group, as described by Mickey Moring, the Children's Minister, is to partner with Pastor Salvador in an effort to build him a Community Center/Church, a home, and reroof the homes that need new roofs. As you can imagine this is quite a large project. But this is not what impressed me about this group of people. You see, most groups come to Matamoros once a year or twice at best, but when they are gone they are gone. What I mean is, they come for the trip and if relationships are formed then they are and if not, then that's ok t Fri, 9 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=ambition http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=ambition A few months ago I met a guy who impressed me greatly. Not only is he an up and coming musician, but he also manages 5 rental properties and does some consulting for a church. Did I mention he's also married? If you, like this guy, are an entrepreneur you're probably thinking, "What's the big deal?" Well, I'm not an entrepreneur and so I thought it was pretty cool that he had all of that going for him. About a month ago I met another guy who is a missionary and a writer. This guy has written a couple of books, movie scripts, devotions, and is currently writing curriculum for a large evangelical church in the States. What do both of these guys have in common? Ambition. That's right; they are driven to accomplish great things. I don't have the "ambition gene." Ok, I'm not even sure there is an "ambition gene" but if there were I'm pretty sure I don't have it. This began to trouble me. I mean, it's un-American to not be ambitious. How will I ever achieve the American Dream if I'm not ambi Thu, 8 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=practice-what-you-preach http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=practice-what-you-preach "practice what you preach" To "preach" is to tell others the right way to do something; to "practice" is to do the thing yourself. You "practice what you preach" when you yourself do something the same way you tell others to do it.  www.goenglish.com This summer I had the opportunity to speak to the youth that came through Long Beach, MS on a mission trip. Most weeks I took for my text Luke 9:57-62. Here, Jesus encounters 3 men who claim they will follow Him wherever He goes. After Jesus explains what it means to truly follow Him, each man, apparently, walks away. I used this text to challenge the young men and women to consider God's call on their life. My main desire was for them to consider if God might be calling them to missions. In verses 57-58 we see that following Jesus will cost us the certainty of the future. Clearly, from verse 58, we can see that the life of a Christ-follower is not a life of comfort and luxury. But if we follow God we will never be lacking: Ma Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=thank-you http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=thank-you Last Monday night the Set-Up team here in Matamoros sponsored an appreciation dinner for the local pastors and their wives. All of the pastors invited to the dinner were pastors we have worked with in the past year. It was a wonderful evening filled with testimonies of God's goodness, PowerPoint presentations of some of the work done this summer, a short exhortation by Juan Linero, and a time of honest praise sung back to the Father. Unfortunately, I understood little of what was said that night, but I could see in the eyes of these pastors that they love their people. They love the colonias where they live and work and they are thankful that God has placed them there. Many of these pastors live in extremely hard places, but you would have never known it Monday night. This was time for them to come together and forget about their troubles and just focus on God's goodness. With hopes of not sounding too preachy, I would like to point out that October is pastor appreciation month. Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=better-late-than-never http://travischeek.myadventures.org/?filename=better-late-than-never "Better late than never", I could probably utter this phrase every time I entered a room. No matter how hard I may try, it is nearly impossible for my to arrive anywhere on time and don't even think about my being early...it's just not gonna happen. Well, God's knows this about me and has decided to speak to me on terms that I can best understand. It was not until the Spring semester of my senior year in HS that I applied to college. As this was the only college I applied to, I was very happy when I was accepted. It must have been a God thing, because why else would I apply to a college whose mascot was a Camel? (I went to Campbell University in tiny little Buies Creek, NC) Well, again it wasn't until my final semester that I decided where I would attend seminary. My desire was to leave the Old North State and spend time in Texas at Southwestern Seminary. Well, as the deadlines approached, God spoke to me and told me to go to Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC . Now I knew tha Sat, 6 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT