Update from the Battlefield... LA...

Update from the Battlefield... LA...

Hello Everyone,

Just another update here from the Dream Center Los Angeles. If you don’t know about my time here at the Dream Center, you can read about what I doing in LA here (http://davidbutl3r.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-time-at-movement.html)!

For those of you up to speed on my endeavor to the city of Los Angeles, here’s a little follow up on the last email that you got from me. I was able to drop the classes I was taking classes for credit, which is unfortunate, but since financial aid didn’t cover me, that ended up saving me around $3,000. I will not be taking classes for credit over this next semester, as it adds to the cost of tuition, which I really cannot afford at this point. However, without being a non-credit student means that my schedule will change some. I will have a bit more free time, but I’ll also have other things to attend to such as sitting in with a weekly guest speaker, more scripture memorization on my plate, and being more involved when we go on our travelling services. I was recently trained in one of the services that we do to promote a new floor that we have here at the Dream Center which aims to help the victims of human trafficking. It’s a great service which helps raise funds for that program.

Let me recap the past week or so of my life for you. Last week, we had “Sneak Peek” which is when a bunch of potential Movement students come to spend a weekend (give or take a few days) at the Dream Center to see what the program is all about. Naturally, we were pretty busy hosting these students, as well as presenting our services and skits to them. Also, classes ended last week… While I didn’t end up getting any credit for these courses, I did get to find out my final grades for a few of these classes… I got really good grades in more than a few of them, so I was proud of myself, regardless of credit. I don’t look at it as a wasted opportunity… I still got to learn, which is more valuable than course credits anyways.

This week is kind of a slow week for us. After Sneak Peek, they decided to let us a have a few days to recuperate, which is good, since over the weekend I accumulated a cold. Yesterday, our director of the program, Aaron Bradley came and talked to us… He notified us that the year will be coming to a close soon (July 31st is our graduation day), and that many of the students have yet to pay off tuition. Sadly, I am one of those students. Aaron told us that unless students could get at least 80% current of their tuition for the first two trimesters by May 31st, they would be asked to leave the program. While donations from helpful givers like you have helped me to raise $1,630, the amount that I need to get 80% current with my tuition is at least $1,800 more than what I have right now. I realize that this is no small amount, but I know that if God wants me here in Los Angeles, he will provide a way for me to stay.

Here is my challenge to you. If I can get at least 18 people to donate just $100 to help me with my tuition, I will have enough to get me through this semester and on to the next. This letter is reaching somewhere around 700-800 people, so if just 18 of you are able to give, then I am set! If I am able to raise even more than that, I have to worry even less about tuition for my third trimester. I don’t like asking people for money, but I feel that through you, God has blessed me, and will continue to bless me. I urge you to pray about sending in a donation… If you cannot handle $100, but maybe you can send in a smaller amount, pray about that. At this point, ever little bit helps. If you have already donated, I thank you so SO much for your giving, and I don’t ask that you give again (unless you feel so lead).

I don’t want to be that guy who asks for your help and offers nothing in return, so if there is ever anything that I can do for you, please let me know. At this point, I’ll just about do anything. Working for people is hard, since most of you are two or more states away from me, but if you can think of anything that I can help you out with, please let me know. I’ll make a video for you… I’ll edit pictures for you… I’ll eat something gross for you… I’ll be your tech support over the phone… Anything that I can do to raise a few extra bucks.

If you do feel so inclined to send in a donation, please send your checks to:

The Movement

2301 Bellevue Ave

Los Angeles CA 90026

All checks should be made out to Dream Center Foundation with the words Missionary Fund in the memo line, and a sticky note or piece of paper attached with “David Butler” written on it. Once again, all donations made in this format will be 100% tax deductable, so that’s something to look forward to! Once again, I need at least $1,800 in order to continue on with my year here at the Dream Center. I believe that God will do a miracle in the area of finances, and I have faith that things will come to pass just as He intends them to. If that means serving Him here or back at home in Washington, I am ready to go wherever He wants me.

Thank you again for all that you do, and your continued support and prayers. Just know that each and every one of you has blessed me over the course of this past year, and many of you beyond that. I couldn’t have gotten to where I am without you, so thank you for all that you do! I love and miss you all.

Sincerely,

David (Davy) Butler

P.S. If you think of anyone else that you could possibly send this on to, don’t hesitate to do so! God works in big ways!

Also, if you are interested in learning more about what I do here at the Dream Center, contact me! I’d be more than willing tell you about the awesome things that God is doing in LA!

Cell: (360)951-9484 (Call or text)

Email: davidraybutler@gmail.com

Twitter: twitter.com/davidraybutler

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My Time At The Movement

My Time At The Movement

Over the past three years, I have gotten the amazing opportunity to come and serve at the Los Angeles Dream Center as a part of a short-term missions group. Through these visits to LA, God has really opened my eyes up to the hurting people of Los Angeles, and what organizations like the Dream Center have been doing to spread the gospel to the inner-city area. During my time at the Dream Center, I was introduced to ministry that they have called The Movement. Essentially, The Movement is a discipleship and leadership-training program that began six years ago at the Dream Center.

Around six months ago, I applied and was accepted into the program, along with around 130 other students. We all live on campus at the Dream Center, which functions as one big church… We call it “the church that never sleeps”. The premise of the Movement is similar to programs like Masters Commission; however, there are a few differences. While there both programs are Christian based discipleship/leadership-training, and both are around nine months long, however, the Movement offers the chance for students to earn college credit while they are in the program, as well as taking electives within the Dream Center called “tracks”. These tracks have a lot of real world ministry application, and teach students while within the environment of the working world.

Class wise, I am currently taking a course on the dynamics of Christian ministry, a theology class, old testament study, and a music appreciation class as a general elective. Alongside these classes, we also have a core values session, and a class called “Essentials” rolled into our week. In our core values class, the teacher is usually in leadership, or a third year student, and we reflect on parts of the bible that might be difficult to decipher, or the real world application of the Bible to our lives. In our Essentials class, we split the guys and the girls up, and a second year student or leadership gets to address the group about personal revelations, spiritual guidance, or whatever God has put on their heart to communicate with the group.

I have also gotten the opportunity to be a part of two ministry tracks during my time here at the Dream Center. During my first three months at in LA, I was a part of the marketing track. In this track, I got to see and work with the people that make the Dream Center run. I was able to spend time with the people who finance the Dream Center through advertising, grants, and other means, while working on blogs, outreaches, photography, and more. Currently, I am in a ministry track with a completely different ministry called RedEye. Essentially, RedEye focuses its ministry on the people occupying the arts and industry field. Being about five mile away from Hollywood, the Dream Center and RedEye have teamed up, along with several other volunteers, to create a group of culture creators going out into the world and making an impact for good through serving the community. During my time in RedEye, I have been able to hone skills in photo editing, as well as pick up some new skills such as event planning, organizing, and keeping up with a small business.

On top of classes and ministry tracks, each week, we have a youth service, three church services at Angeles Temple (once the home of Aimee Semple-McPherson), Adopt-A-Block, student led devotions, required work-outs, prayer and worship most mornings, chapel on Fridays, and services that we take on the road. Usually, these travelling services are about 2-3 hours away, and occur about once or twice a month, but Spring is travelling season for the Movement, so lately we have been travelling about twice a week. Just this morning we had a team leave at 3:30 am for a service four hours away.

With such a busy schedule, and homework on top of it all, it is somewhat difficult to maintain a social life, but somehow I have managed to maintain one (at least with my peers here at the Movement). I apologize to those of you who are reading this, to whom I have all but dropped off the face of the earth. It is difficult to keep in touch because internet access at the Dream Center is limited, and free time is scarce. But know that I do miss each and every one of you, and I cannot wait to be back home this summer to see all of your amazing, beautiful faces.

During my time here in The Movement, I have really grown. With a schedule as busy as the one that they provide for us, you have to learn to be really flexible. Quite often, that schedule is subject to last minute changes as well, such as late night practices for service, set up and tear down, and help needed by others around the Dream Center. Patience is also something that I have been forced to learn during my time here. I currently have two roommates (I used to have three), and we all live in a single room dorm, about the size of my bedroom back home. We don’t always get along, but we have all had to learn that compromise is key if we are all going to make it out alive.

My intimacy with God has grown as well during the time that I have spent here. Lately, I have resumed journaling, which I approach from a very intimate standpoint… Almost like a letter to God, or a prayer. Also, the leadership here is very adamant about recognizing your heavenly identity, knowing who God created you to be, and actively pursuing it. I have had leaders lead me though some things that I had no idea I was even battling with, and help me though things I didn’t even know I needed help with. The dedication that I have made in my time has not been wasted.

Thank you all so much for your prayers, your gifts, and your continued support! I can’t even begin to express my gratitude towards the people who have made this year of my life possible. Thank you all so much, and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. God will bless you, as you have blessed me.

Sincerely,

-David (Davy) Butler

For more information about The Movement, please visit http://www.themovementla.com

For more information about the Dream Center, please visit http://www.dreamcenter.org

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Update #1

Update #1

Hello everyone!

I hope this email finds you all well. I just wanted to shoot you all an update from the battlefield. Many of you know that for the past two months, I have been living at the Dream Center in Los Angeles, Cal

ifornia. The program which I am doing down here is called The Movement, which is basically a te

n month long discipleship and ministry training program (similar to Masters Commission). The program itself is directed by a man named Aaron Bradley, along with his wife Kelly Bradley, and their co-director Shawn Smith.

While I’m still getting used to the program, here is what a typical day looks like for me.

Tuesday-Friday

7 am-Wake up and take a shower

7:30 am- Get dressed, and walk about a mile to Angeles Temple

8 am- Prayer at the Temple

9:05 am-Devos (a student from the program leads the entire class in devotionals that they choose and organize)

9:30 am-Worship

10:00 am- Guest Speaker or Study Hall depending on the day

12 pm- Lunch

1-3pm- Tracks (similar to electives), small groups, or Core Values/Study Hall depending on day

5pm Dinner

Then depending on the day, we usually have free time for the rest of the night, or services on Tuesday and Thursday.

On Saturdays, we do an Adopt-A-Block program beginning with prayer at 9:15 am and going until about 3pm. Sundays, we have to be at both services at Angeles Temple beginning with the 9am service. We are usually at the

church until about 12:30pm or 1pm. Mondays we have off… Usually.

I have two roommates while I’m here. My roommates, Wayne, and Noel are a handful sometimes, but I love them. Wayne is a gifted guitarist, but can be a bit… eccentric at times. Noel also plays guitar, but his true passion

lies in playing Madden in the wee hours of the morning. But they both laugh at my jokes, so we get along. Wayne, Noel, and I share a suit with our own bathroom (which most of the other rooms don’t have). Our suitemates are some pretty cool second years, and we all get along.

Wayne and I stayed at the Dream Center this Thanksgiving, which was all right. For the most part, it was quiet. On Thanksgiving day, we actually had a couple second years make us a full thanksgiving meal, so that made it feel more like thanksgiving. As for Christmas break, it looks like I’ll be leaving LA on the 20^th and flying back to Olympia for Christmas! I’m super excited to see everyone, and spend some time with my family.

I miss you all gobs, and keep you all in my prayers. I hope to hear from you soon, and I appreciate the prayer and support that I have received from each of you while I am away from home. I know that God is working in and through me in amazing ways, and I cannot wait to see what He brings in the upcoming months. As always, you can keep up to date with all that is going on via Facebook and Twitter, as well as call, text, or email me at any time. I love hearing from you guys!

I love and miss you all!

-David (Davy) Butler

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Christmas Time

Christmas Time

Oh boy. Here it comes. The holiday blog. So, I'm usually a big fan of Christmas, but lately, I have felt a lot more like the Grinch, and a lot less like little Who's down in Whoville. Maybe it's been the larger than life game of frogger that I have been playing with the cars at work. Maybe it's the hours of traffic that have been flooding the street. Maybe it's the $25 dollars that I have left in my bank account, or the fact that my credit card is almost maxed. I'm not quite sure what it is, but something has got me down this Christmas season. I was having a bad day today, but then I began talking to a friend, and then I realized, it doesn't matter what has got me down. Money is trivial, and time spent in traffic or at work is only temporary. I've lost sight of the real importance behind the holiday. I lost sight of the truly ultimate gift that we have been given. The gift of Jesus Christ that was given to us by God, and how Jesus gave His life for us. You see, when God gave the gift of Jesus, He didn't wrap it. He wasn't hidden behind lights and paper, bows and string. He wasn't accompanied by a tree with an angel on top, or a myriad of Christmas songs. He came and was born in a stable, and placed in a manger. All of those other things are things that we have added over the years. Our own additions to what we think that God's gift should look like. I like to think of it as wrapping paper on a gift for an infant. It doesn't matter what the amazing gift inside is, because we become infatuated by the wrapping paper. All of the things that we "wrap" Christmas up in are causing us to lose sight of the amazing present that is sitting just beyond the surface. And yet, we are content to play with bows and strings. So this holiday, I pray that you would take time to open up your eyes. See the ultimate gift that we have been given, and take time to enjoy it. Drop the shiny paper, and ribbons, and tear into the present that has been waiting for you for a long time. Enjoy it! I promise you won't be disappointed.

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Struggling Through Life

Struggling Through Life

I grow so weary of this battle. The battle between what I want, and what I desire. Everyday I struggle to put God first. So often, I feel so alone. This enemy I am facing seems to suck all hope out of me. How can I even lose sight of you? You are always there, and yet, so often, I close my eyes and refuse to see you. I ask you for someone who I can relate to, yet you can relate to me. You know me better than I even know myself. I despise how human I am, yet I long to embrace it. Each day is a battle. I so often get covered in the carnage of it, yet you remain there and wash me clean once again. You guide my sword and slay my enemies. I feel as though I have grown so much, yet accomplished so little. Without you, I am dead. A limp body; my blood flowing thick on the ground. Mocked by my enemies. Kicked and battered. But you give me life. Give me allies. Give me weapons to fight my battle. You guide my hand and kill my enemies. Not all at once, like I would ask, but one by one, as you know best. Keep me humble and focused on you. You are there for me, towering over my problems like a behemoth over an ant hill. What are they compared to you? Nothing. I pray that I don't ever lose sight of that.

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A Big 'Ol Bowl of the Good Stuff

A Big 'Ol Bowl of the Good Stuff

I don't know exactly inspired me to write this, but for some reason, tonight I know that God is good... Plain and simple. Everything that defines good is synonymous with all that God is. He is always there for me... Like a friend that I can't shake... Like a lost puppy who follows me from place to place. And to see Him, all I have to do is look. Because I know that He is right behind me. He is there. He is backing me up. I know that I don't ever have to be afraid of what lies ahead, because I know that He has seen it all. I don't have to tread lightly because if I fall, He will be there to pick me up if I do. He created the world, and all in it that is good. And I want to enjoy that. I want to enjoy what He has created for me to enjoy. To breathe the sweet air, and know that He is good. Fear seems so silly next to him. So trivial... Like an ant crawling on the leg of the statue of liberty. Scurrying about trying to achieve the impossible... All the things that try and hinder me are melted away in the presence of God. Nothing can stand up to something this good. It is impossible... God is amazing. Nuff said.

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"Remember kids, God made you special, and He loves you very much!"

"Remember kids, God made you special, and He loves you very much!"

There are so many times in my life when I look at myself and I hate what I see. A lonely and scared boy, trying to hide his blemishes from the world. Trying to appear normal in a world where "normal" is impossible to achieve. Trying to put on a bold front for the people that he must be strong for. On the inside, I am so frightened. I feel so flawed. So many nights I spend in my bed thinking and praying. So many nights I spend wondering if I will ever be fixed. If I will ever be right.

It's nights like this when I remember a phrase that Bob the tomato from Veggie Tales told me at the end of every episode. One that, for whatever reason, still echoes around my mind this very night. He told me "Remember, God made you special, and He loves you very much". It's these words that I try and take comfort in. The fact that God made me special means that I cannot be defective. He designed me just as I am. By saying I am flawed, am I not questioning his awesome power of creation? Whatever problems that I face, I can always face them knowing that God is bigger than them. He knew that I would come upon every issue that I have and will ever encounter. He probably even designed some of the things that I have to work though for whatever reason.

The second part of that phrase hits me too. "And He loves you very much". He does love me very much. And I am able to find peace in that. Knowing that God loves me so much that He would never allow anything to ever come my way that is too big for me to handle. God knows my limits better than I do, so I can rest easy in knowing that He knows what I can stand up to. It is hard for me to say during times of struggle, but I am glad that God knows what I can stand. I can know that anything that comes my way is there for the best. To strengthen and grow me, and plant even more love for Him in my life. I pray that I am able to see that in the midst of the struggles that I am going through now, and the things that I will continue to struggle with for the rest of my days on earth. Thank you for making me special, God. And thank you for your never ending love.

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