Ministry in South America!!

Team Cholombia spent this week on the hilly outskirts of the city of Bogotá. We lived with a Pastor Javier, his wife, and their three children. We got to be a part of their ministry loving on the children of the neighborhood, lead a Vacation Bible School, and some preached at different churches in the area. 
Pastor Javier, otherwise known as Tío, is one of the most servant-hearted givers I know. He gives out breakfast to the children in the neighborhood in the mornings and when they walk in to get their food, he calls them all by name and gives them a kiss on the cheek. We feel so blessed to have been able to lead the Vacation Bible School (VBS) with these kids he knows so well. The kids all come from very dysfunctional families and lack so much love and attention. They come to Pastor Javier’s house extremely excited, knowing we are going to love on them, play with them, hold them. It’s crazy, 50% of Colombian girls get pregnant by the time they are 16. The older girls that were attending the VBS already had their own kids, and some were only 14 years old.
Our theme for the VBS was simply “The Gospel” we split the teachings up into pairs and each pair lead one of the days. Day one Marita and Carly taught on creation, how God created the heavens and the earth and how each of us are made unique in His image. This message is so important to them because each of these kids feels insignificant. The second day Noah and Swantje taught on sin and salvation and gave the opportunity for the kids to accept Jesus into their hearts. We then had a powerful time of ministry where we were able to pray and lay hands on each child. The last three days was teaching them how to walk out a life with Jesus. Grace and Weston shared about healing, how God specializes in brokenness and finds joy in picking up the broken pieces of our heart and putting them back together. Then Javier and Brad taught on how they can prepare for battle, put on the armor of God, and be ready to fight against the schemes of the devil. Our last day with the children was Christmas Eve. We got to read the Christmas story in Luke and act it out for them. Rachael and I taught them about royalty and how if Jesus was born a King and they were each sons and daughters of Jesus, then they are each princes and princesses. There was a team from Paris who God used to prepare gifts for each one of the kids and they provided piñatas and were able to bless this kids so much with a Christmas party and their love for them. We went there to reach out to these kids, show them what love truly is, teach them about the Gospel, and simply try to bless and impact their lives. We left far more blessed and loved then we could ever imagine. Not just by the children and the joy they brought us, but from Pastor Javier and his family. 
We had three opportunities to preach at three different Churches, one being Pastor Javier’s. Brad preached about being the hands and feet of God and we had an amazing ministry time praying over those who felt the impact of Brad’s message and the fire in their heart to truly be what God is calling them to be. Carly preached at Pastor Javier’s Church in his house about living a life worthy of the calling of God. She preached about the way we live out our lives knowing the authority we have in Christ and again we had a ministry time full of tears and joy praying over the people who wanted to walk out in this authority. Some were able to pray for a lady whose son has terminal cancer and she invited them to go to her house the following day to pray for him again. Brad, Weston, Javie, Swantje, and Marita went to her house the following day and got to pray over this man and he accepted Christ! Noah preached the next night after a nauseous thirty minute car ride to the church. We got to sit down in the pastor’s house, meet his wife and his grandchildren and hear the promises God has for him and his church to grow immensely. One of the many awesome things about being here is that Colombians are very hospitable and always giving you food. This Pastor, Pastor Carlos, prepared a typical Colombian Christmas dessert. He lives just above the church, so we walked downstairs and Noah preached about the battle over our hearts. The church was as church focused on discipleship and there were a lot of youth. Noah’s message was perfect for the people and we, yet again, had an amazing time of prayer over the people and were able to declare things over their lives. God’s spirit was so evident in each of the services we were able to attend.
Pastor Javier and his family showed us immense hospitality and made us feel like we were at home from the moment we arrived. We thought it would be hard to be away from our families on Christmas but we did have a family. We had an amazing Colombian family who cooked us incredible food and loved us as their own, and we had each other. Christmas in Colombia was quite an experience, for them, they celebrate in on Christmas Eve. We got to enjoy our last day with the kids, played cards for hours, and ate a Colombian Christmas dinner at midnight. Nubia, Pastor Javier’s wife, blessed us with awesome Christmas hats and then we got to watch crazy fireworks right outside our front door. Then next day we had another big Colombian lunch and got to thank Pastor Javier and his family for all they did for us and the opportunities they gave us to show the children of their neighborhood the love of Jesus. We prayed over them and blessed them with some Hawaiian chocolates and coffee and then traveled back to the Bogotá YWAM base. We had secret Santa presents and then our AWESOME leaders surprised us with presents all the way form home that our families secretly sent for us. It was the best Christmas because we spent it pouring out love to children who so desperately need it, and spent time in worship and prayer, giving thanks to God for sending His son. We felt so blessed and knew we were exactly where God wanted us. 
This week was a week of daily pouring out and being filled up again. We each feel as if we are a part of this family and Pastor Javier told his doors are always open to us to return anytime we want to. We absolutely adore these kids we got to be with and left knowing our work was not in vain. God is working in amazing ways in Bogotá and we are excited for what else he has in store for this city and this country. Our hands our open and we want God to use us anyway He wishes. We desire to walk in obedience to what God calls us to do daily. Thank you so much for your prayers, God hears them and he is protecting us and surrounding us with angels.

OUTREACH!!

Hello family and friends! We have arrived safe in Bogotá, Colombia after about 15 hours of travel. It is so exciting to finally be here, knowing we are to start a new adventure with a new family God has so precisely put together. We know God has incredible things planned for us and He has already shown us how He is going to use us to make an impact in peoples lives. We have discovered He isn’t just using us to minister to people, but He uses these people to change our lives as well. 
We arrived Tuesday night and came upon our first opportunity to see God’s faithfulness, as Brad’s bag did not arrive at the airport. However, we were still in good spirits and stepped outside to the city of Bogotá that was much colder than we expected. The city is so busy; 8 million people within 613 square miles! We were picked up by two YWAM staff, Paola and Christina, and then drove to our base, which is a cozy house full of Christmas lights that made each of us feel at home right away. That night, Grace decided to fast until Brad received his bag from the airport. Praise the Lord, early the next morning the airport called to confirm our address because they had found Brad’s bag! Grace was so excited because we had not even eaten breakfast yet so she did not have to fast! 
On Thursday we went on a bike tour of the city. It was a great way to get to know the city and the people and an opportunity to pray over the streets. The night before we prayed God would keep the sun shining and the sky clear for our tour. He did until about 4 in the afternoon when we were at a bull fighting ring and it began to pour. No matter what has come our way in these last several days, it has not brought our spirits down. In fact, we see these what-seem-to-be-dilemmas as testimonies of the joy God continues to fill us with. We were able to see the oldest church in Colombia, a coffee factory, and we rode through the second largest red light district in the country. Our tour guide, Juan, informed us that prostitution is legal in Colombia so the places that sell women do not try to hide the fact that they are prostituting women. When we drove through the district we could really feel the heaviness of the area, and we instantly began to pray for these women. We believe that prayer over the strongholds in the city is so powerful and after we pray we feel so much peace. 
On Friday we rode the bus for an hour to the other side of the city and went to the Levantate y Resplandese Day Care, or the Rise and Shine Day Care. The children were from the ages of 2-15 and all from dysfunctional families in a bad neighborhood. This day care is more of a home and the women in charge of it are each on fire for the Lord and are called to take care of these children and raise them in a way their parents could not, in a way that shows them the unconditional love of Jesus. These children were so incredible. We feel we were really able to make an impact in their lives, even though we were with them for six short hours. Our theme for the day was “you are special” with a Christmas twist. Our favorite part was the last portion of our time where we sang worship songs, told them the meaning of Christmas and how special they are to Jesus. We laid hands on them and prayed over each of them. The Spirit of God was so present in this small room crammed with children. Praying over them was extremely powerful and God did something in their hearts that day. After prayer we were able to have some conversations with the older children and encourage them and really press upon them how special they truly are. We poured out so much thanks to Jesus who is constantly filling our cups. By the end of the day we were so full of joy and love because of the love of Jesus we were able to see in these Children and how much they were showing us they appreciated and loved us being there. 
God showed us in our ministry with these children how we are to be His hands and feet. This day of ministry really gave us a taste of what we are going to be doing all next week. We will be leading a Vacation Bible School in a city about an hour and a half outside of Bogotá for a whole week. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, they really mean so much. God is so good, and being here in Colombia is a blessing in itself

The Simple Gospel

Seven days until we fly to Colombia South America, and the countdown is on. My heart and mind is continuing to be filled with more revelation, and more knowledge. We are called to be people of faith; radically sold out to pursue the calling God has put on our lives. Faith is an action of stepping out, not just an emotion. It needs to be accompanied by expression...without it, it's dead. The ironic thing is that in the beginning was God...in perfection, in wholeness, in all of His glory and yet He chose to create us. God doesn't need us*, God knows He can save the world but it's our job that He created us for. When we're fully engaged in our faith, we can gain a whole new perspective of God and the kingdom. In this process we get the opportunity to find what brings our spirit to life and gives us energy to cultivate the deepest desire for the gospel and nothing else. We shouldn't find our walks with God hard work, but euphoric. Find the key that unlocks this intimacy with Jesus. 

BELIEVE THE TRUTH

LIVE THE TRUTH

PROCLAIM THE TRUTH

The more you behold, the more you become. God is jealously trying to convince us of His love for us, we just need to respond. Out of further revelation of this will be complete surrender. Selfishness and denial of Jesus is the greatest injustice in human history. The gospel is something to get excited about!! It's GOOD NEWS!! But yet when receiving the most amazing, life-giving gift we ever will, we do it with heads bowed and eyes closed as if we're ashamed of people knowing. If we truly are ashamed, then we're truly not worthy. God has a right on our lives...it's either "Lord of all no Lord at all."

I'm learning that revelation of the love of God only comes from revelation of our own desperation and despair without Him. We must first lay our lives down in honor and worship not because of what we might get out of it in the end. We do however, serve an Abba of good gifts and blessings but that's all secondary. It's disgusting to me the conditions we put on obedience and this convicted me so strongly. Seriously...what would God do if we told Him, the creator of the universe, how much we have sacrificed for him?! NOTHING IS A SACRIFICE; HE IS WORTHY. Our greatest thing we lay down for the sake of the gospel is just a penny in the kingdom's economy.

We are living in a generation of a people with a deep longing for purpose, worth, and truth. It is a generation based on feelings and selfishness. When sharing the simple gospel, I find myself trying to sugar coat it or make it more appealing but we are ambassadors for the Word of God. I'm learning to be stronger in the faith because God promised mockery and trials and they're coming on in full force. It's pushing me to wake up in the joy of that surrendered life and rejoicing and blessing those who persecute me. Jesus's life was offensive and if my life resembles that of an unbeliever, something is terribly wrong. People want raw gospel, raw God. Hungry for the truth so in preparation for outreach I'm learning to sew the seeds of the true simple gospel and in the midst of hardship, finding harvest and knowing it's all worth it in the end. I am called to a higher standard, a life that resembles Jesus, and a character that reaps fruit of the spirit. Not because of how graciously and mercifully God has blessed me but because He is worthy. 

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.."
Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.."
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love for us, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.."
Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.."

Friends and Island Adventures

Soo..after our huge wonderful thanksgiving feast my wonderful mid-west U.S. friends Emily Nelson (from Freeland, Michigan) and Alida Oegema (from Rapid City, South Dakota) rented a car, and took an adventure around the Big Island of Hawaii, and an adventure it was! Driving around the island we got to see the diversity of 11 of the 13 different climate zones. Jungle, rainforest, desert, volcano, grassland, snow, beach, and some others.

 We started out in Kona and ventured to Ka Lae-Southpoint (the southern most tip of the United States)...and jumped! Going north to Hilo we then experienced the wettest city in the United States receiving 100 inches of rain even on the driest years. Rainbow Falls was the main attraction in Hilo including many small coffee shops and art galleries and America's finest...Salvation Army. The following afternoon we ventured to Akaka Falls State Park with a 442 cascading waterfall.

After exploring and being captivated by the jungle goodness, we loaded back up and continued to the north side of the island of Waimea getting to see rolling hills and pastures known as "cowboy country" in Hawaii. In the upcountry of Waimea is Mauna Kea Mountain which splits the green side of the island and the dry side. It's so crazy to me..when you're sick of the rain you just drive across the island to bask in the sun on the beaches of Kailua-Kona.

We were very thankful for Starbucks in the mornings and evenings for coffee, a table and chairs, and civilization. This doubled as our time of -fine dining-, spilling out our grocery store "food" which seemed to have almost the same significance as the Last Supper. It truely was an amazing weekend and an experience I will remember for the rest of my life.

While being in Hawaii I've earned a whole new appreciation for good friendship, the beauty of God's creation and lessons learned in the simplicity of everyday life. As I'm readying my heart and spirit for outreach, my mind can't help but wander about the "what ifs" and opportunities of ministries we will have. I'm just so excited to see the diversity of God's land, His people, and creativity of an unfamiliar culture. I want to leave filled, but so hungry for more. Ministry must come out of an overflow and my cup is spilling over. I want a new encounter, revelation and appreciation for how richly I've been blessed. I want to find joy in celebrating these people and sharing the simple gospel with them by loving them and serving them like Jesus. I'm rising up as a pioneer and warrior for the nations with a burning passion in my heart.

 I seriously cannot wait! We fly out on the evening of December 12th; the first team to leave and the only team to South America. Part of me is so sad because this time here in Hawaii has gone so incredibly fast but I will hold tight to the friendships and memories I've made while being here. It's truely been a wild ride and I'm stoked for what God is preparing in the next chapter!! Stay tuned for further details!

Thanksgiving..Spritual Warfare..and other stuff

This week's content was "Spritual Warfare". My initial response was ...hmmm...angels and demons...and stuff like that. The conclusion I came to was just the reality of the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority we truly carry as co-heirs with Christ. What lives inside of us is the same thing that raised Jesus from the dead!!! And I don't want to just tell you about the presence of the Lord within me, but show you out of overflow in my life. I'm living for an audience of One and I want my life to be an offense. Peer pressure and "fitting in" creates clones, and God created me an original, I don't want to die a copy. I refuse to be ashamed of what God is proud of in my life and I'm learning to be the unique expression I was intended to be. To be living proof of what Jesus is doing in my life.

The arm wrestle with God and the devil is NOT close. 

1 PERSON+GOD=MAJORITY

Lack of understanding cannot lead to arrogance or judgement because realistically not everything is "for me". I can't judge the book by the cover but the things that are produced in their lives. Matthew 7:20 says to "recognize them by their fruit that is beared." The -fruitful- are always judged by the -fruitless-. God will often times offend your mind to reveal your heart; the moment you're offended, you're wrong.

PREACH, PROCLAIM, TRANSFORM

"Be on fire for God and people will come from around the world to watch you burn." -Kristin Williams

I know that I serve an Abba who gives good gifts and promises and I want to be in the place of wanting to desire everything He can possible give. John 14:12 says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works that these he will do; because I go to the Father." He is my ones heart's desire and who my heart beats for. In amongst all your desires, God must prioritize everything. I got revelation of that; God is now the tree that stands taller and higher than all my other desires. Investing the most time, energy, and enthusiam into Him and everything else will fall down around that. God doesn't care about what you own, but what owns you.

"DTS Charlies Angels"- Alida Oegema, Carly Diede, and Emily Nelson

"Christianity isn't a pie in the sky when you die, but a steak on the plate, while you wait."

We cannot work for what's already been given. When we strive it usually comes out of mentality of earning God's love or approval. It is finished. Jesus died on the cross, the curtain was torn so we can have unbroken fellowship with the King of Kings, the enemy's head was crushed and we now hold that same authority and purity because of the blood of the lamb. I will wake up rejoicing in the Lord for the day he has blessed me with and put on the armor of God to overcome the deceptions and lies of the devil.

-Belt of Truth-keeps me from being shamefully exposed

-Breastplate of Righteousness-guard and protect my heart

-Shield of Faith-distinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy

-Shoes of the Gospel of Peach-movement and freedom of the gospel

-Helmet of Salvation-equips me with the knowledge of God to defend the gospel

-Sword of the Spirit-the word of God with me, living and active

I will believe the truth among the facts; keep the word and know the word.

This week was also Thanksgiving and it was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. We ate a delicious meal as a class of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberries, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, herb rolls, salad, and apple and pumpkin pie. It was seriously amazing! People's parents were here and we enjoyed each other in our beautiful compassion "tent". We enjoyed various entertainment acts and special music in the midst of overflowing with thanksgiving and gratefulness. It truly made me appreciate the tiny things we're so blessed with that gets so easily looked over and taken forgranted. Clean water when the faucet is turned on, a toothbrush, the clothes on my back, food in my stomach, the freedom and privilage to share the gospel freely, to own a Bible and life manual, to have a family that I've never doubted their love, people I'm blessed by just because "they're who they are". My cup has been full and overflowing with so much joy and happiness. Life is good and I thank everyone who has supported me in this journey, making this possible. It's changing my life and I hope you can enjoy the blessings as well! Thanks again :)

Simple Pleasures

This week was "Destiny by Design" and understanding the unique calling that God has placed on each and everyone of our lives. We were able to work through different things of our identity, personalities, interests, spiritual gifts, dreams, and experiences. I have a tendency to overcomplicate things and question and analyze to the enth degree but I came to the conclusion this weekend that I basically came full circle to realize that I need to just keep pursuing the dream that I have on my heart and doing what I'm doing. I'm so thankful that God is faithful to the desires he places on our hearts. He will never disappoint or keep us from them but give us the gifts and skills we need to carry out this calling. The things we experience in our lives, both good and bad will also be used for His glory. I sometimes struggle with the fact knowing that my past and experiences were so hard or were so unfair or pointless but God just keeps gently whispering "I brought you to it, I brought you through it, I knew you could handle it, so use this to strengthen you, teach you, and relate to others in similar situations."




Rainbow Falls in Hilo, HI

 I just got off the phone with my beautiful, wise mother and after spilling my heart out to her in tears and frustration and confusion she just simply reminded me to not miss the simple pleasures in life. To not forget to find joy and fulfillment in the little things, that sometimes it's okay to step out and do something crazy and laugh a little bit. That I don't need to constantly be beating myself about what I am or what I'm not but to "Just Be, and Enjoy Being." Those words have spoke so much life to me and that's what I really needed to hear this week. That I don't need to constantly be living under the pressures of everyone else, my future, and this atmosphere. I am me, I am exactly who God created me to be and I'm learning to love it. :) I'm in the process of reading the book "Cold Tangerines" and it reasonates with a lot of what is going on; to find joy and fulfillment in things that seem impossible to find good in and to see the fingerprints of God wherever you look if you're just willing to open your eyes.

Week #6: Relationships

Relationships. Ohhh..relationships. I came into this week kicking and screaming...of sorts. On the inside. I came to DTS with one intention..my honeymoon with Jesus; to know who this Father God is and to go deeper in my spiritual love walk. It has been such a beautiful, growing, learning season so far and I know this is just the beginning. The reality of it is God loves relationships, they are his heart and when they're walked out by His standard, they can be the most life giving thing we'll ever do.

"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag

and is not arrogant, does not act becomingly; it does not seek its own, is not

provoked, does not take into acount a wrong suffered,

does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails." 

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

God calls us to live by the "1 Corinthians 13" standard. Carly is patient, Carly is kind...etc. After attemping to get through the first couple phrases I felt overwhelmed; that is was somewhat unattainable but this is the bare minimum we are called to live. It is not an unrealistic standard because we do not serve a God that sets us up to fail.

We cannot live by how we "feel" but be driven by God's will of truth and righteousness. Emotions are a gift from God but they cannot dictate and guide our lives. A human heart is swayed and often betrayed at the hand of emotion. "Don't follow your heart, lead it."As we abide with God, our natural response will be righteousness. When you engage your will instead of emotions, it produces self control. God must be the pivitol piece that holds all relationships together with everything else rotating around that piece; relationships are out of line when God is not the pinnacle.

Right and wrong cannot be determined from morality of society, we are responsible before the Lord to give account for our actions, no one else. I'm learning to walk in the fear of the Lord and letting my life be confronting; if it doesn't look different from unbelievers, something is wrong. Once you encounter Jesus, you will not remain the same because He holds you to a whole new, higher standard. We must know what our convictions are and what we believe because it will be tested. Must have a biblical worldview of our own, not living off of other peoples opinions.

It's now my responsibility to disciple others on a journey of righteousness and use the information and revelation I now have to make a difference. People can see something different when you walk in integrity and reflect the character of the living God. Choose well in your relationships and use discernment; God has your best interest at heart, He will not disappoint and it will all be worth it in the end.

Operation Love

God has just been speaking so much to me and convicting my heart about loving people as He loves them and loves me. Not just any person but everyone. I just got done reading the book "Irresistible Revolution" by Shane Claiborne and he challenges you to be an -ordinary radical-. It's a story about a man who goes into the ghettos of Philly and extends his love to outcasts and a broken world. It all starts with little acts of love and living out the authentic Christian faith.

It's so disturbing how unbelievers view "christians" and the "church". It makes me want to change the world with Christ's radical love. When we look through the eyes of Jesus, we see new things in people and when we come to the realization that we ourselves are wretched and beautiful, we are freed up to see others the same way. A quote that I cannot get out my head is "When we have new eyes, we can look into the eyes of those we don't even like and see the One we love." Even though someone may have offended you, hurt you, might not be your type we must see them as Jesus does. They are also a human created in the image of God that he loves. We are created from the same dust, cry the same tears, and we are called to love with no conditions.

We live in an age when people hear the word Christian they are much more likely to think of people who hate gays than people who love outcasts. It's so sad to see people rejecting God because of the mess they see in the church. In the early church a lot of good things started small and got smaller. It's easy to fall in love with great things such as our revolution or mission and forget the little things like caring for others around us. Mother Theresa quoted, "We can not do great things, only small things with great love; it's not how much you do but how much love you put into doing it." God's working in my heart to know Him as He is to be known and to go deeper; love Him and love people.

"And He said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, al your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. the second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'". -Matthew 22:37-38

Greatness of God

Reflect God's character, Respect His Lordship.

Matt Rawlins talked about the greatness of God and how his nature and character ties into this. God created all of the stars, the earth, everything in and on the earth and humans and plants and animals with such creativity and precision. He is holding everything together with his power. Power is not a problem to God that's why we must be like him in character, not in nature. We must be vulnerable and love because power causes problems with humans. Jesus emptied himself of all power and humbled himself to take on flesh and die on the cross. The enemy will use power to deceive us as he deceived Eve by telling her she would "be like God."

God created 1,500 galaxies with 1-100 billion stars in each galaxy!! He appointed them and knows them by name. He is holding them together with no problem and yet knows MY every thought before I think it, the deepest desires of my heart, and how many hairs are on my head and DELIGHTS IN ME. I had to let this sink it. I came to the realization that God's glory is heavy. He is the most powerful being in the entire universe who is holding all material world together. It is overwhelming. My mind was BLOOWWNN! Not that I didn't know this but the fact that who He truely says He is becoming a reality in my life.

Awe and fear and reverance with God is only the beginning. It starts bringing new light to intimacy and what that really means because we know who we're being intimate with. He gives us a choice to do so without violation. God is not controlling, but sovereign. He's not selfish, just humble.

Live lives responsive to Him because He is WORTHY. Our choices have value and they matter to God. Make choices on a deeper reality that God is worthy to be praised. Certain value systems can be destructive. Sin is the essense of choosing something other than God. I need to discover what values I'm living for because the flesh longs to put value on anything and everything other than God. We cannot give things value that they don't have because then they define you by a false set.

The first step in deception is internal. We simply believe something about God that is not true. This is the enemies tactic against us because our flesh wants to interpret who God is through our circumstances and experiences instead of who he actually is. In order to be intimate with God, we must understand how big he is and how good he is.

He is who He is.

Recognize the warface and the strong current of darkness all around us and hold onto the truth of God's sovereignty. I will not question the greatness of God and that is becoming a non-negotiable in my life.

To the degree you know God is to the degree you are able to trust Him.

Fear of God

God is bigger than our choices but he will never override them; your calling is greater than your capacity to do it. We are finite beings that desperately need God to walk this out. Matt Rawlins was our speaker this week and he brought down the house! His content and the way he presented it was so logical and legitimate.

As humans we often times have issues with control, myself included. When we lose control and put ourselves in vulnerable situations defensiveness is the initial response. Defending yourself is a gift from God that he has given you delegated authority over your lives. This genuine freedom has costed Jesus a great price: his life. Because excuses and defensiveness have been abused we are now defined by power and control but we are not equipped to be in control; WE ARE NOT GOD! God will not give us certainty pertaining to control...all He promises as safety is love.

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His lovingkindness towards those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Juse as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." -Psalm 103:11-13

The nature of God is his reverance and sovereignty. He is infinite in nature. The character of God is his intimacy. His choices. When the Bible talks about us being made in God's image it's talking about his character; we are finite fallen beings. God is neither one or the other but both/and. In our relationship with Him we must operate in fear and awe with friendship and intimacy. Reverance without intimacy would result in pure fear, and intimacy without reverance would give us Santa Clause. There is no formula to know when to be reverant and when to be intimate but to know the voice of Him just like a child knows the "different voices" of their parents.

"For since creation of the world His invisible attributes. His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."
    -Romans 1:20

Marriage is a perfect example of man and the church and reference point. Women are called to respect their husbands and men are called to be loving and intimate. It's a two legged truth we must find balance in. In the church the fear of the Lord produces reverance and the power of the Holy Spirit is intimacy with God. The Holy Spirit's role will not make us God but just give us supernatural power to work through our character to make us more like Him.

GOD IS BIG. GOD IS GOOD. greatness+goodness=God's authority

Heavy Revie

As I'm wrestling with God through all of this stuff I'm learning it's somewhat overwhelming and I'm trying to figure out what this looks like and how to apply it in my life. I have a problem of over complicating things. It's not hard; I just need to take things at face value. God said to me..."Go back through the Psalms, reread them with your new light, your new mentality, and be open to the spirit, and then tell me you don't know how to act." The last couple of weeks we've been through God being our healer, restorer, friend, and yet I say characteristics of God as just words. I've experienced a little taste of who he is and how good he is but my time in the Psalms so far have wrecked me. I started at chapter one, as any normal person would, reading with expectancy. These are some things that spoke to me and came alive.

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night, He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in its season." -Psalm 1:3

• I am rooted in Him and he will provide everything I need when I live in complete submission to Him. He doesn't promise lack of trials, but eternal victory.

"Worship the Lord with reverance and rejoice with trembling." -Psalm 2:11

"But as for me, by your abundent lovingkindness I will enter your house, at your holy temple I will bow in reverance for You." -Psalm 5:7

• When I come into prayer and worship, I often times just talk at God; he's our -friend- right? No, we are approaching the LORDS THRONE and should have an awe and fear of who He is.

"You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety." -Psalm 4:7-8

• The joy of the Lord is a supernatural thing that is stronger than any other happiness from another circumstance. Even though I'm stressed and restless, I can sleep because I know the Lord will give me peace and safety.

"In the morning, O Lord, you will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to you and eagerly watch." -Psalm 5:3

• I'm choosing to begin my day with thoughts of You and operate in it all day long. You never disappoint so I will watch for your hand at work throughout the day.

I got to Psalm 8, read it, read it again, and one more time and I closed my Bible and could do nothing but worship. This is an ultimate example of God and His vastness, his glory, and his majesty. I always knew these things in my head but it was a matter of transferring the head knowledge to heart knowledge.

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who have displayed your splendor above the heavens! From the mouth of infants to nursing babes you have established strength because of your adversaries, to make the enemy and the revengeful cease. When I consider your heavens the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained; what is man that you take thought of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than God and you crown him with glory and majesty! You make him rule over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, whatever passes through the paths of the seas, O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" -Psalm 8

I had to sit and let this sink in for a long time but I am now sort of understanding the reality of this. I look out into the ocean in Hawaii and see how huge, how vast, and powerful it is and yet it's the "work of his fingers". Not only does he do all of these things with such accuracy and precision, this guy DELIGHTS IN MY SOUL! The maker of heaven and earth, who breathed all of life into existence, made the sun, moon, and galaxies, and He loves me beyond comprehension. I'm a filthy human, my best is dirty rags to him yet he chooses to love me!! He knew the plans he had for me before I was even spoken into existence. Whoa!! How can I not trust that He has my best interest at heart, after all, He did create me. This was a "heavy revie" to me and it's been rocking me ever since I read it. There are so many awesome facets to God and as I'm learning more it just excites me so much all over again! He's sooo good and so much more :)

Intimacy with Jesus

Breaking News!!

I got married and entered into a covenant relationship with Jesus this week. Reception and the whole bit! :) It was great. I have come to the reality that words are no longer enough, I need to have substance in my heart of the man Jesus. I want to be fixated, facinated, and obsessed with Him. The spiritual lethargy in the church needs to be broken because God is something to be excited about! God designed Eden and created man to walk with unbroken friendship and relationship with him and since the fall of man God is just a "whenever, where ever". I WANT EDEN BACK! I long for more Christ on the inside because I have tasted the real food and I now recognize that hunger.


To the degree you believe the gospel is to the degree you walk in freedom. Our circumstances don't have to control us believe it or not. It's time to redefine "the norm" and pioneer a new way. Andy Byrd is a dreamer and these were some what if's that really hit home to me. Dream with me...what if you didn't care what people thought of you? How would your life look? What's holding you back from that? What lies have you believed, and what would your life look like with no insecurity, no hurt? Become undone with Jesus and understand that living that way is truely possible. I'm challenging myself to wake up in the morning, look in the mirror, and thank God for who he created me to be, free of insecurity and comparison.

Revival of the Heart-->Reformation of Lifestyle-->

Revival of the Bride-->Reformation of the Church

-->Revival of the World-->Reformation of the World

"We can't just dance in the light of Christianity and proclaim his lordship yet run to lesser lovers or idols. We need to have a full on pursuit of Jesus."

I will choose to be convinced of his love and operate in it all day long. This is not easy but I'm letting his love be my motivator. I'm also learning the power of an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness. It completely flips the table on every circumstance. It makes me enjoy the privilage of loving him. Through our pain, and trials we get to choose to follow and trust him. The deepest intimacy with God is to rest with no inhabitations and have peace from the revelation of love we can trust him. When you're in the presence of someone you love and you know loves you, you understand how to rest and to "just be".

A full revelation of this will automatically cause a natural change in the way you live. He's too good to do the things I used to do. True Christianity and kingdom culture is a disease and it's contagious, it's difficult to catch but once you do, it will fully consume you. However, there is a lot to compete with. Every day it's a battle for our affections and our attention. When you have a revival of the heart you express the reality and character of Jesus and it will awaken and revive and reform the church as a whole. 

I gave God Lordship of my life to be the captain of my ship, on the throne of my heart. I am surrendered, submitted and nothing is better. Some things are easier than others to give up and it's definately a process but I feel that nothing is a sacrafice. NOTHING can compare to the joy I find in the Lord or the riches in heaven. I'm living on the kingdom's economy.

"Let truth be the engine of my train and make emotions and feelings the caboose."-Andy Byrd

"Intimacy without surrender always leads to adultry; the greatest injustice in human history is that the creatures God breathed life into turn their backs on Him."-Andy Byrd  

Breakthrough

As I'm walking this process of being made a new creation out and asking what the first steps look like for this to take place, God has really spoke to me through Philippians. That I would have constant fellowship with the spirit, affection, compassion for everyone, making my joy complete. To be of the same mind, same love, united in spirit intent on one purpose. Jesus emptied himself taking the form of a bond-servant and humbled himself by becoming obedient. This is what I'm going through, so much humility and vulnerability to recognize the lies and remove them from my character. I'm working through this salvation with fear and trembling. It's a scary process but I know that God is at work in me both for his will and to work for His pleasure.

A couple girls got different pictures for me while they were praying with me and this is what they got:

Superman Costume: little kids wear a superman costume with fake muscles and a mask and a cape. This was me, and God is taking off the costume of unreality of my own strength and showing me that I have true muscles and strength that were placed inside of me by Him and without Him, I can't do anything.


Clear, Tall, Glass Container: I'm being filled with clear, fresh water God is pouring in me that is filtering out any rocks and dirt (representing my past) from the bottom of the container. The work the Lord is doing is like a huge wave ready to fill my container. The enemy makes the wave look huge and scary but God is gracious and compassionate and will give me little waves at a time, bringing healing and restoration one little lap at a time and after one is accomplished, we will conquer another one.

"I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do is forgiving what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus...if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you." -Philippians 3:12-15

Even though I have not yet reached my goal the Lord has placed for me, I will hold fast to the desire to know Jesus and reflect him fully and completely. I am motivated and acknowledging the fact that I have a long ways to go but I will not dwell on my past but seek restoration. I will press on with the mindset that there's always more to be learned, submitted, expressed, and it will all be experienced in this process. I'm going through a continuous process of sanctification and if anything interferes with this, I must remove it from my life. The Holy Spirit will conform me to the image of Christ, possessing his character.

"God predestined me to become conformed to the image of his Son, so that He would be firstborn; to those whom he predestined, he called, and those whom he called, he also justified, to those whom he justified, he also glorified." -Romans 8:29

You love Jesus only as much as you love the person you love the least. Let that sink in for a little while. This was really convicting to me. As a society, we are conditioned to the fact that you can only love if we get something in return. God knows everything about us, and still chooses to love us. So we need his power to love like Jesus because on our own, we do not have the capacity or capability.

 AGAPE=LOVING WITHOUT ANY THOUGHT OF REWARD

Something inside of our human minds thinks that we "deserve things". In the world we live in, people seek satisfaction at our cost and it ends up being hurtful. I no longer want to put limitations on friendships and relationships; agape love is not selective. When we love with consistency, we express the *true* character of Jesus just by living this out. I want to be compelled to do something out of the compassionate love that God has given me and not because there's a slight possibility I'll get something for myself. God's unconditional love will get us over the barriers we place on our ability to love and our relationships. What's so ironic and comforting is that God steps out of his authority position to just love us with everything and we should want nothing but to do the same.

These are some things that are cutting deep to my core. So often, we will lose our frame of referance, get weighed down or tripped up, lose sight of our focus and the finish line. I keep reassuring myself and God keeps speaking to me to just run with endurance. To have confidence in the fact that he is doing a mighty and beautiful work and to just keep being obedient and submitting. I'm a person of results and product so I'm extending grace for myself also so I don't beat myself up when I'm not a completely transformed person in 36 hours. That's what makes this journey and process so exciting!! We can think we know all there is to know but God is endless and He can do the impossible. :)

Hold on God...I need my seatbelt on

I'M GOING TO COLOMBIA AND CHILE SOUTH AMERICA FOR OUTREACH!!

That's the breaking news going on in my life and the other breaking news is that God is breaking me but it's not really new news. Our speaker this week is John Bills and he's been covering topics on "Hearing the Voice of God" and "The Fatherheart of God".

-My outreach Team- :)

Do we truely know God?..or just "things about him"? When we spend time in the Word we will know the characteristics of Him and the Holy Spirit will reveal different facets of God. He is so complex but it's so important to understand God speaking to us. This was always a difficult concept for me to grasp...and to explain for that matter. "Hearing" the voice of God.

Four Distinct Voices We Hear:
1.)Voice of the Lord
2.)Voice of Others-when we rely on others over God it's dangerous
3.)Voice of Self-human reasoning and desires
4.)Voice of the Enemy-will quote scripture out of context and distract our minds

The word of God will bring restoration and it is the stability of our souls. If the Bible was removed from our lives would we be able to exist and function?! It's the handbook of life and we cannot lose sight of it's significance.
He took the time to bleed...will we take the time to read?

We went through an exercise through Psalm 119 and recognized specifics throughout scripture why we should study the word of God. It was so awesome to see and identify the very little things that one would easily look over or skim over. When we know the word of God we know truth and nothing can touch that. When we believe lies of the enemy it will reinforce things deeply within us so we need to know what God thinks about us and who and what our character truely is.

Today we talked about the "Father Heart of God". Wow. This rocked my world and sent me on an emotional roller coaster. It was something I had been exposed to briefly but he is our ABBA, our daddy, our father, our rock in times of trouble. He cares about what hurts us, the desires of our hearts, and what we think. We need to just talk to God and tell him what's on your heart; he loves to hear from his children. He created our hearts to have a longing and void for him that -NOTHING- can fill or satisfy. Earthly fathers will exemplify our heavenly father whether that's a direct association or distortion. Whatever that looks like, we need to always go to the Bible to be reminded of God's true character.

Men, by design have so much power and authority. It's how God created them. If these are abused and manipulated characteristics, it portrays a warped concept of the father heart of God. Something that reasonates deep within me is lies spoken from a person of authority that remained in my spirit. Painful experiences with authority cause much mistrust and fear but this is where we hold onto the fact that God will meet us where we're at and prove his faithfulness, healing power, and redeeming love. God's authority is based on justice but fulfilled by grace. I want to remove the blanket of apathy over my life and let the spirit of God expose the lies and replace them with truth. I just pray that the boys of this generation and school will rise up, be righteous godly men who not be perverted in their authority but have the trembling fear of the Lord, recognizing the beauty and worth of women.

When I prayed the dangerous prayer for God to change me, change my heart and make me more like him I guess I forgot to check what that entailed on my part. heh. Well...the process has officially begun. Things I've pushed down and put on the back burner are now being brought to the surface and in the process of being uprooted, replaced with truth, and restored and healed. It is such a beautiful time but it is so so hard. God is breaking walls with his gentleness and speaking my identity over me. Whatever that looks like I don't know yet because the things I have been believing were so skewed. I'm asking he will extend his grace and his mercy as I walk this out. I'll keep everyone updated! :)

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."  --Philippians 1:6

                                       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13LBF8J7TyQ

My new "theme song of the season"  Hurricane-Jimmy Needham

Faith, Finances, and Heart Surgery

How hungry and thirsty are you for God?!

David Hamilton talks about intesifying our passion for God and rekindling it and learning how to nourish the flame in your heart. Our relationship with God is similar to those with people. To truely get to know someone and learn about them it's not just a one time encounter. We can deepen the love relationship with God by spending time in prayer, in his Word; it's an ongoing activity so we need to allow the spirit to give you more passion for the heart of God.

Darlene Cunningham, "Mama Dar", and Interpretor

Chris Leredo "Iron Man"

David Hamilton "Man with the Traveling Mustache"

Loren Cunningham "Founder of YWAM"

The Word of God is like a giant salt shaker. The more you read, the thirstier you get. So as we spend more time reading, the discipline will create thirst which will provoke one another to faith and good works. We need to read the Bible the way it is intended to be read. BIBLE=REVELATION. Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10) The Bible is a story, like a dramatic narrative; when you read it by chapter and verse it chops up the natural flow of the story. It's like dissecting a frog...when you dissect the word and piece it apart it will lose it's true life. Spiritual awakening cultivates thirst from the Word of God so I'm going to let my apetite for God drive me and my passions to reality.

Shawn Murphey spoke about faith and finances. A point he drove home was when we live comfortably, we post-pone the abundent life of God. It's a concious choice we need to make and be willing to risk things to get radical with God. When we step out in obedience, faith will come with this. God will call you to do some crazy things but as we recognize the voice of Him and be obedient, he will bless you and protect you. Position yourself in hard situations to build up your own character.

Be grateful because God has given us so much so we're called to be good stewards. As we walk in abundance with people around us daily, God will provide. Generousity is more than just finances. Everything is God's...people and money both and we need to reflect this in our lives and be willing to surrender both. I'm learning to walk in the spirit of generosity and give and be generous with one another in ways that are possible and God will take care of the impossible.

My heart and life are being wrecked..in a good way; in a God way. For the last couple days, it's felt like I was just going through the motions. Nothing was fully striking a cord in my heart so I humbled myself and asked the Lord to truely examine my heart. It was something inside of me that felt wrong. He revealed some ugly things that I didn't necesarially want to claim but I'm now seeing things through new light, clear eyes, and God's perspective. All of the content we're learning is now starting to make sense. I've had to unclench my fists of some things that have become a part of me. It's a lot of uprooting, molding, refining and it's all bittersweet.  

Giving up our rights and accepting the "Grace Ticket"

We are continuing lectures from Loren and Darlene Cunningham on a bunch more of awesome stuff! I'll give yah a little run down.

1. Who God is: infinite, personal, intellectual, and conscious
2. Who Mankind is: created in the image of God, finite, personal with reason
3. What Truth is: constant and known
4. Responsibilities: based on what you know

We can do the things God has called us to do at a finite level with God. Righteousness is being responsible for what you know and taking up your cross daily is to die to our self and accept our responsibilites and humans. Our hearts are created for emotions and to make choices. Life is a relationship and love is a choice. You cannot do things and make decisions off of feelings but off of love and what's right in the eyes of God. God is love which is the basis of all his character and love is real.

We're made in the image of God and to live is to be like Christ and give up our right of freedom and free will that He has given us. You can't lose when you have an eternity of justice waiting for you. Ironically, to die is to truely live. We need to stop thinkin about ourselves and think about the heart of God. In Philippians 2 it talks about how Jesus emptied himself of the glories of heaven and his power to take on human form to die for our sins.

The rights we received when Jesus died were things like freedom (losing your life for the sake of the gospel), family (give up your rights to take responsibility of ministry), reputation (losing face to serve God), food, money (give up the focus of the -great American dollar-), comfort/sleep (when you're with other people in other places you give up your right and luxury of your bed and sleep).

"Give up your rights and He will take care of the responsibility. Revelation needs interpretation to get accurate application." - Loren Cunningham

When we give up our rights we cannot let things rise up like anger, self-control, self-pity, and bitterness. Sacrafice your life and lay down your rights of yourself because nothing but the kingdom will last. We cannot exult in our own understanding over Gods.

OUTREACH LOCATIONS!:

1. Myanmar
2. Japan
3. Cambodia
4. India/sri Lanka
5. Columbia/chile
6. Us virgin Island
7. Mozambique/south Africa
8. Rwanda
9. Cambodia/vietnam
10. South Africa

--We find out our teams and leaders on Monday. 10/17/11--

Darlene Cunningham talked about what to do when we don't know what to do. We need a new understanding of who God is, uphold the character of God, and know the tools used to glorify Him. We need to begin to delight ourselves in who God is.

• understand who God's character is
• remind yourself what He's done in the past (take a higher perspective)
• develop in your spirit "God loyalty"

One thing we can hold onto when times get hard is the Word of God. If we don't have a story to relate to, we need to go back to the true Bible stories and turn back to God's faithfulness. Make it a way of life. Memorizing the word of God and it will be forever wallpapered in your mind and on the tablet of your heart.

God's grace is sufficient for all things. He gives us the power and authority to do the things he calls us to do even when it seems impossible. We can't always to get out of a situation but get grace to make it through. God is limitless and the difficult places in our lives prove God's provision and faithfulness. He doesn't promise us an easy life but he tells us He will be with us through thick and thin and will make beauty from the ashes. We lose grace when we compare ourselves with one another or take offense, so we need to drop the offense and pick up the grace ticket.

"Visualize yourself at the foot of the cross complaining. Is the power of the cross enough?!" -Darlene Cunningham

When we stand before God on judgement day we will not make an account for other people but how we have proved Him to be faithful and when I used the grace ticket when I needed Him the most. So we need to judge righteously and leave the situation in God's hands. Hang onto joy as you hang onto His character.

"Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him and he will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light and your judgement as the noonday." --Psalm 37:4-6

Encountering God

Today was day one of "Corporate Week" where as whole student body we're all together for the teachings by different speakers including the founders of YWAM, Darlene and Lorren Cunningham. There were many little things covered which once again opened my eyes to the vastness and power of God.

"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." --John 15:5

When we love and commit to Jesus, we become radically fruitful. We need to encounter God everyday and be changed right now, responding to the invitation of Heaven. When we engage in the spirit we can bear fruit that remains. Jesus wants to be responsible for the abundent life we have through Him.

"You did not choose Me but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you." --John 15:16

We have become a society based on urgency and convenience; but we need to be patient, complacent, and worship while we wait. Experience and learn the character of God, because that will remain steadfast above all else. When we pursue a relationship with Jesus with urgency we will leave a legacy of God's character to future generations. It is possible to run with the Lord for a lifetime and not get bored. He placed in us a spirit of adventure and it's stirring my soul and making me so excited for the journey he's taking me on.

I want to encounter God like never before, walk in the fullness of urgency but leave a legacy of His character to match it, that faith will be birthed in my heart united with my love and passion to serve Him to my greatest capacity. God is on the move around the world giving us strength to pioneer with him. Darlene gave an analogy using our fingerprints. We need to open our hands to him, throw down previous experiences and take up the calling God gave to me. Everyones callings and fingerprints are different, including identical twins. It's what's so neat about the body of Christ. The gift of God in everyone is to be used to create diversity and is a true expression of who God is.

We should embrace the gifts that God has given us individually. We cannot be focused on what we don't have or what we need but be a vessel with what God has blessed us with. God specializes in brokeness and he will use this for his glory. He honors those who do not give up but have a relentless spirit. We need to embrace the impossible and have faith in Jesus.

"Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." --John 20:29

Thomas said he must see and touch Jesus to believe in the resurrection. We shouldn't need visual evidence but have faith to see God at work. Trusting God means looking beyond what we can't see to what He sees. This is the very essense of faith. We must actively obey Him and have confidence in His love for us before He will bless us. So Lord, I give it all to you God and I'm trusting you to make something beautiful out of me. :)