News Flash: We are going to Turkey for our “Extended Special Excursion for 6-8 weeks”!! I’m so very excited, I truly believe this is where God has and is directing us. We just don’t know all where specifically we will be going, but it is looking like it will include Selçuk (modern-day Ephesus), and Istanbul. Pray for continued wisdom and clarity, that God would open and close the doors that need to be opened and closed! : ) That He would prepare our hearts and mindset for what He desires us to do while we are there! We will leave the end of September, so of course I will be letting you know more details as soon as I find out!
This week’s lecture was on Our Daddy: Father Heart of God.
Yet another week where I’ve received so much and am going to be processing and working in my heart, mind, and soul this next week and for the rest of my life! But please take a moment today and just pause. Be still. Just be in His Presence and talk with Him. Imagine you climbing right next to Him on the couch and snuggling up in His safe, warm arms. Isn’t it the loveliest place to be. He loves us doing this, He desires us to have a relationship with Him where we have this healthy respect, fear, reverence for Him, but also I believe He wants us to see how much He cherishes us and longs to just hang-out and chat. Let us face it, it all really boils down is relationship, that is what life is about, relationship with our Heavenly Father. I could write probably 20 pages from all the notes that I took from class, but I won’t. I won’t be able to do it justice how my heart-set has changed, in such a good and healthy way. How wonderful, that we worship God, who is the Creator of the Universe, Who resides in us, and who is our Daddy. He’s there to comfort, nurture, discipline, hang-out, dream, talk (that means pausing and listening too), and discuss, and cuddle up against. He loves us unconditionally, He has forgiven us all of our sins, He casts them far away, as far as the east is to the west. He doesn't hold anything against us. I know this seems basic, but really it is good to be reminded of this, for this is vital. God has gone to great lengths since the beginning (Read Exodus for a reminder of all that He did for the Israelite people and then of course the Gospels) for us to be in a relationship with Him. He doesn’t force it upon us, but wants us to want it as much as He does! I love that. If you want an incredible book to read and give you a better and deeper understanding into our Daddy’s heart, read “My Father’s Heart” by Mike Oman (He was our lecturer) Brilliant.
Up and coming! Well, this Friday we, the DTS team are heading to Edinburgh for two weeks to work with/for “Shine” which is a ministry that has been going on for about 12 years . It is a YWAM outreach that participates in the “Fringe” Festival, which is the largest arts festival in the world (Has things like: Children’s shows, Comedy, Dance & Physical Theatre, Events, Exhibitions, Music, Musicals & Opera, and Theatre). And performances take place all over the city, in the streets, in coffee shops, in pubs, in alleys, and local businesses. Well known artists come, as well as the unknown that are hoping to get discovered! Shine exists to integrate itself in and amongst the festival whether it be thru performers, techies, to people who are serving the performers and groups,to prayer walking; the goal is really just being serving evangelists. We specifically are going to serve those who are in Shine by providing meals for them as well as work in Shine, by being the film and photography crew! I’m so very excited, not only because it is an arts festival and we are going to be doing outreach through servicing and through friendship, but the fact that the arts are functioning as a way to bring people from ALL over the world in one location!! It is truly uniting the nations through the arts!! I’m stoked! I can’t wait to report back to you all about it, I know I’m going to be in for endless adventures while I’m there!
Be praying for safety for us. We will be driving out at 6 tomorrow morning to Edinburgh, and then hitting the floor running! We are staying on a churches floor and will be on our feet all day, running around the city, so pray specifically for stamina and endurance. But also, that we stay alert and in-tune for divine appointments and God opportunities! And for unity amongst us as a team and us working with people from all over the world!
Thank you again and again, as always, for your faithful prayer and support! Please write me and let me know how life is going for you and what things I can pray for you about!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
People OF Paisley
People.
I like people. I’m a people person I’ve determined, and I have come to love yet more! The people of Paisley; how I love them. The people of Scotland are some amazing individuals, their tenacity, their fiery spirit, and their ability to speak whatever, and I truly mean whatever, is on their mind!
I’ve been praying for a heart for these people and this nation to develop even more strongly in me and even ability to understand some of them through their thick brogues and God has and is granting this. Every Wednesday we (the people at the base and I) fast (whatever of our choice) if we feel led, and pray for the city of Paisley.
There is a great deal to pray for and see change in this area, as is the case for any and every city. These Scottish men and women are amazing and have such incredible minds, gifts, and abilities, but they have such a spirit of defeat for themselves and have no vision or hope for the future and hate their city and they think that Scotland isn’t that great. Well, the staff here at Stanely house thought of this idea: P.I.G. = Paisley is Great. Where we once a month, or sometimes more, go to the town square memorial and grill sausages and give them away. To just brighten their day and say that we think Paisley is great and hope that they can be reminded of this and see it too. People’s response to this is fun, one they get delighted to find out that there are free sausages! They then hear us say that we love Paisley and they then think we are crazy! They think we are crazier for thinking Paisley is great then for handing out free sausages. This is funny. However, after they say that they think that we are crazy for being Americans who think that Paisley is wonderful, they pause, they smile at us and say “Cheers” (“Thank you”) and they walk away with a new spring in their step and shake their heads in wonder if whether or not we are sane! : ) Don’t worry we are. We just are eager to work in the opposite spirit that the people of Paisley operate in. We want to bring them joy and remind them that there are things about their city and their country is great! And not give into the negative spirit of despair and hatred. God’s love, hope, and creativity is what we want to bring. The teens especially need this! Just talking with them they can’t wait to get out of this city, but they don’t see how it is possible and they seem to be afraid to dream big because they don’t think it is possible.
This last Saturday there was a wonderful Pipe Band Festival, it was a competition to go onto the world championships. This was phenomenal, the music of course send chills up my spine and makes my heart beat with pure joy, but it was insightful peek into the people as well. There was such an excitement amongst the people that were hearing and watching Bag Pipe Bands marching down the road to the town square, in their clan tartan and the rest of the traditional garb. There was this sense of ownership in the air, whether they would admit it or not, they do have pride in their heritage and nation, I think they just need to be reminded of it. However, I think that it is not just a problem of reminding them of what a great country they live in and come from and being confident in their “national identity”. It goes much deeper than this. I think it has all to do with the people finding their identity in the real identity giver: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.This is something for all of us to remember, that no matter where we live, no matter what current political or economic times we live in we must rest secure in the fact that we find our value, worth and identity in God, and God alone. This is something that we hope to give them a glimpse of when we hand them a sausage or are walking into or around town and as we give them a smile or nod a hello; that they see a peace and a love radiating out of us that is not coming out of us by our own strength or will-power, but by the One who resides in us.
I like people. I’m a people person I’ve determined, and I have come to love yet more! The people of Paisley; how I love them. The people of Scotland are some amazing individuals, their tenacity, their fiery spirit, and their ability to speak whatever, and I truly mean whatever, is on their mind!
I’ve been praying for a heart for these people and this nation to develop even more strongly in me and even ability to understand some of them through their thick brogues and God has and is granting this. Every Wednesday we (the people at the base and I) fast (whatever of our choice) if we feel led, and pray for the city of Paisley.
There is a great deal to pray for and see change in this area, as is the case for any and every city. These Scottish men and women are amazing and have such incredible minds, gifts, and abilities, but they have such a spirit of defeat for themselves and have no vision or hope for the future and hate their city and they think that Scotland isn’t that great. Well, the staff here at Stanely house thought of this idea: P.I.G. = Paisley is Great. Where we once a month, or sometimes more, go to the town square memorial and grill sausages and give them away. To just brighten their day and say that we think Paisley is great and hope that they can be reminded of this and see it too. People’s response to this is fun, one they get delighted to find out that there are free sausages! They then hear us say that we love Paisley and they then think we are crazy! They think we are crazier for thinking Paisley is great then for handing out free sausages. This is funny. However, after they say that they think that we are crazy for being Americans who think that Paisley is wonderful, they pause, they smile at us and say “Cheers” (“Thank you”) and they walk away with a new spring in their step and shake their heads in wonder if whether or not we are sane! : ) Don’t worry we are. We just are eager to work in the opposite spirit that the people of Paisley operate in. We want to bring them joy and remind them that there are things about their city and their country is great! And not give into the negative spirit of despair and hatred. God’s love, hope, and creativity is what we want to bring. The teens especially need this! Just talking with them they can’t wait to get out of this city, but they don’t see how it is possible and they seem to be afraid to dream big because they don’t think it is possible.
This last Saturday there was a wonderful Pipe Band Festival, it was a competition to go onto the world championships. This was phenomenal, the music of course send chills up my spine and makes my heart beat with pure joy, but it was insightful peek into the people as well. There was such an excitement amongst the people that were hearing and watching Bag Pipe Bands marching down the road to the town square, in their clan tartan and the rest of the traditional garb. There was this sense of ownership in the air, whether they would admit it or not, they do have pride in their heritage and nation, I think they just need to be reminded of it. However, I think that it is not just a problem of reminding them of what a great country they live in and come from and being confident in their “national identity”. It goes much deeper than this. I think it has all to do with the people finding their identity in the real identity giver: God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit.This is something for all of us to remember, that no matter where we live, no matter what current political or economic times we live in we must rest secure in the fact that we find our value, worth and identity in God, and God alone. This is something that we hope to give them a glimpse of when we hand them a sausage or are walking into or around town and as we give them a smile or nod a hello; that they see a peace and a love radiating out of us that is not coming out of us by our own strength or will-power, but by the One who resides in us.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Star Breather and Turkey?
This last week was on the Holy Spirit, and this is where you definitely should expect the unexpected, for this is the way this week went.
I’m not even sure what to say except, take a moment and dwell on the fact that the Star Breather resides in you. How does that or does it affect the way you would or do live? The fact that we find all our power in the Creator of the Universe and He resides in us; He is personal and knows us with such intimate detail, better than we know ourselves. Think on this. Because I think this changes how we view our troubles that we may face or are facing or a situation that we need wisdom and insight in. You have the Holy Spirit and He is right there. What a comforting and scary thought all at the same time!
Had a very full week this week, but it has been very wonderful! I’ve loved getting to just relax a bit today and just chill and reflect and hang out with my roommates and other house mates today. We had pancakes and tea/coffee, and bagels. Thankfully I worked out this morning. Hahaha!
Be praying for me as I have a big “Express” time to be preparing of this Monday night, it is supposed to be a 10-12 minute message/teaching/testimony/preaching/evangelism thing….we can choose this week or we can do something on the Holy Spirit whatever we feel like God wants us to share. I have something roughly prepared, but I’m needing an extra burst of inspiration and courage. It has been a really good thing to be forced to prepare these messages and have these ready for outreach and then to just have the experience of sharing in front of a group, but it can sometimes be stressful! So, just pray that I'm not stressed by it, but blessed by it! : )
Also, we as a team for we have been having some great times of intercession and seeking God’s heart on where He wants us to go for our outreach. About three weeks in a row we kept getting some similar visions/pictures and words that have directed us to investigate Turkey as our outreach location. Our team leaders have sent out emails and put calls into just getting some further information on it and contacts and different things so now we are just waiting. This is NOT for sure, we are still really open, we really want to go where God wants us and needs us to go, so we are still seeking confirmation and insight, so be praying for wisdom, visions, and clarity for us all a whole and as individuals! I’m right now in neutral state of mind and heart on the subject, I’m really open and willing to go where He wants us!
I think that is it! Please email me or write me letters just so I can hear how life is going for you all! Or if you have any prayer requests I will pray for you and let the others know (if you want) so we all can pray for you collectively! Love you and missing you all.
I’m not even sure what to say except, take a moment and dwell on the fact that the Star Breather resides in you. How does that or does it affect the way you would or do live? The fact that we find all our power in the Creator of the Universe and He resides in us; He is personal and knows us with such intimate detail, better than we know ourselves. Think on this. Because I think this changes how we view our troubles that we may face or are facing or a situation that we need wisdom and insight in. You have the Holy Spirit and He is right there. What a comforting and scary thought all at the same time!
Had a very full week this week, but it has been very wonderful! I’ve loved getting to just relax a bit today and just chill and reflect and hang out with my roommates and other house mates today. We had pancakes and tea/coffee, and bagels. Thankfully I worked out this morning. Hahaha!
Be praying for me as I have a big “Express” time to be preparing of this Monday night, it is supposed to be a 10-12 minute message/teaching/testimony/preaching/evangelism thing….we can choose this week or we can do something on the Holy Spirit whatever we feel like God wants us to share. I have something roughly prepared, but I’m needing an extra burst of inspiration and courage. It has been a really good thing to be forced to prepare these messages and have these ready for outreach and then to just have the experience of sharing in front of a group, but it can sometimes be stressful! So, just pray that I'm not stressed by it, but blessed by it! : )
Also, we as a team for we have been having some great times of intercession and seeking God’s heart on where He wants us to go for our outreach. About three weeks in a row we kept getting some similar visions/pictures and words that have directed us to investigate Turkey as our outreach location. Our team leaders have sent out emails and put calls into just getting some further information on it and contacts and different things so now we are just waiting. This is NOT for sure, we are still really open, we really want to go where God wants us and needs us to go, so we are still seeking confirmation and insight, so be praying for wisdom, visions, and clarity for us all a whole and as individuals! I’m right now in neutral state of mind and heart on the subject, I’m really open and willing to go where He wants us!
I think that is it! Please email me or write me letters just so I can hear how life is going for you all! Or if you have any prayer requests I will pray for you and let the others know (if you want) so we all can pray for you collectively! Love you and missing you all.
Expecting the Unexpected
Evangelism Week: Not what I was expecting.
You would think with all my life experience and what I have lived through that I would learn to expect the unexpected, well I guess I haven’t yet, because last week was completely not what I was expecting. But wow! You would think that someone couldn’t keep growing and learning and changing and be challenged so much in several weeks time, well you can! How blessed I am to be here in Paisley, Scotland! I wake up every morning and 9 times out of 10 I wake up thinking, “Lord, thank you for bringing me here! How blessed I am to get to learn and discover more of You and me and our relationship and getting to do it here in Paisley Scotland! And to be placed with such incredible women and men of God!” I truly am spoiled with the community here, we can be real with each other, push each other to do better, we pull the best out of one another, which is always a good thing! : )
The fun story about this week (not this last week, but the week before) was that they (DTS leadership) had such a problem with getting a lecturer for this week, they had one but then they cancelled…and the same thing happened three other times, until finally they got Ed Ravenhall, which was completely God. What a powerful and solid individual. His passion and his sensitivity were almost breathtaking that those two traits could meld so well! He got me thinking, between his stories of he and his wife’s adventures and missions experiences to his whole approach to evangelism and his honesty about his mistakes and success over the years was really refreshing.
There were several thoughts and challenges that I encountered from his teaching. One was how there is a lot of bad evangelism that has gone on and is going on and the effects of this are three things: 1). Superficial understanding, 2) Lack of “Lordship” 3). ‘Comfy Christians’. We are not giving people the whole message! There are two parts, The Cross Gospel and the Kingdom of God Gospel. (Cross Gospel: All have sinned and deserve punishment, Jesus died to take our punishment, Repent accept free gift salvation, and Jesus live in us and we live with Him forever. Which using this message is fine and must be told in order for people to understand their need of salvation, but not if you just leave it by itself. Because if you do just tell them without the second half, you just get people with limited understanding which lends itself to having a lack of relationship with their Savior and develops apathetic church goers. The Cross Gospel must be paired with the message that Jesus taught: Kingdom of God: where the rule and reign of God is paramount and it is within us and without(outside) us in society. The kingdom of God is a call to war not comfort! I could keep going on this one, but hopefully it has made you think just as it has done for me. I hope and pray that we can see a change in not only missions/evangelism work, but in just the Body of Christ: Church, globally. Perhaps this is not only something to pray for, but also to incorporate ourselves! Have you gotten too comfortable lately? As Ed put it, “Churches have gotten too comfortable and have made a peace treaty with the Devil that they can just sit and maintain their church and he can have the city. This is WRONG!” Hmmm…makes you think.
Another thought that was interesting: Your Maturity should always be greater than your Ministry. If they are ever even or your Ministry is greater than your Maturity then you are in trouble. Maturity meaning your relationship with God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and your knowledge of the Word and general life experience and it is a process it is not something that with the snap of your fingers you can get. It is discipleship, which is greatly lacking in the Church and in schooling, we send men and women off to “do ministry” without them actually having the appropriate tools to “do it” with! “Character vs. Calling” as Ed put it, “What you are should be more important than what you do in life, especially when it comes to evangelism and ministry.” Without that Maturity you will find yourself way over your head and will find yourself on slippery ground, because you tend to rely on your “good ideas” instead of having that intimate relationship with God where His ideas become yours! This was such a good word of wisdom and insight, I just thought I’d share. We must also know the Word inside and out, otherwise we are a power tool without a battery charger or an extra battery.
And one more thought to leave you with, that hit hard for me. Where does your loyalty lie? What or Who has your first loyalty(ies)? Answer SHOULD be that your loyalty and identify is in Jesus Christ our Lord. However, is it?!?! I thought it was, but when I was asked this question the Holy Spirit convicted me. Especially, since my personality tends to see loyalty is an expression of love…love is loyalty…at least to me (This is from the Motivational Giftings book and lecture). So when I realized that my first loyalty was not in nor to God it was like a punch in the stomach. My loyalty was to my family, though this can be viewed as not a bad thing nor a big, however it is!! Because it should one, I did not trust God enough to give my family to Him to take care of them and two I spout off on how much I love God and trust Him with my life, but yet I was unwilling to trust Him with the very thing that is close and dear to my heart! If I’m going to live my life for Him, I must have this in balance. It MUST be God first, He must hold my first call to loyalty and everything else is a side thing. He is Lord, He is God, He is the Creator of Heaven and Earth, He is Savior, Friend and Lover. We/I must get my priorities in order. Perhaps this isn’t a big revelation for you or a new thought, but it certainly made me stop and reexamine my heart and mindset. What has first place in your heart or life, it can be anything from small to big, just realize when you figure what it is and if it isn’t God first you have to get down to business and let it go and reorient your perspective! It is hard, perhaps painful, I know it was for me and it will be a continuous life process for me, but it is pleasing to Him and that makes it worth it!
On the other elements of the week, we have a missions team from Georgia a team of 15, ages 15-18 year olds and their two 20something leaders. Here for a total of two and half weeks, so we have had a house with about 45 people in the house, so yes. (Showering is almost comical with only three for the girls and three for the guys, we’ve all just learned to shower at anytime of the day whenever they are free or when you have a free moment! Lol) But we have loved having them here! They have been a hoot and a great help and encouragement. They’ve helped with P.I.G, with Create, with a homeless ministry in Glasgow and done cleaning up of litter in Paisley, and prayer walking. It has been good! Other than that just our normal routine of lecture, creative worship, pottering time inside and then pottering time with our outside projects, Create, and iCreate, intercession for where we are going to go on outreach, film and theology nights, roommate adventures, one-on-one times, kitchen duty, laundry, “connect” time, morning office, and group prayer times, and random talking sprees! I am blessed!! : ) I wish you all could come and see the house and this incredible city and countryside landscape and meet all the wonderful people here and for them to meet you!!
You would think with all my life experience and what I have lived through that I would learn to expect the unexpected, well I guess I haven’t yet, because last week was completely not what I was expecting. But wow! You would think that someone couldn’t keep growing and learning and changing and be challenged so much in several weeks time, well you can! How blessed I am to be here in Paisley, Scotland! I wake up every morning and 9 times out of 10 I wake up thinking, “Lord, thank you for bringing me here! How blessed I am to get to learn and discover more of You and me and our relationship and getting to do it here in Paisley Scotland! And to be placed with such incredible women and men of God!” I truly am spoiled with the community here, we can be real with each other, push each other to do better, we pull the best out of one another, which is always a good thing! : )
The fun story about this week (not this last week, but the week before) was that they (DTS leadership) had such a problem with getting a lecturer for this week, they had one but then they cancelled…and the same thing happened three other times, until finally they got Ed Ravenhall, which was completely God. What a powerful and solid individual. His passion and his sensitivity were almost breathtaking that those two traits could meld so well! He got me thinking, between his stories of he and his wife’s adventures and missions experiences to his whole approach to evangelism and his honesty about his mistakes and success over the years was really refreshing.
There were several thoughts and challenges that I encountered from his teaching. One was how there is a lot of bad evangelism that has gone on and is going on and the effects of this are three things: 1). Superficial understanding, 2) Lack of “Lordship” 3). ‘Comfy Christians’. We are not giving people the whole message! There are two parts, The Cross Gospel and the Kingdom of God Gospel. (Cross Gospel: All have sinned and deserve punishment, Jesus died to take our punishment, Repent accept free gift salvation, and Jesus live in us and we live with Him forever. Which using this message is fine and must be told in order for people to understand their need of salvation, but not if you just leave it by itself. Because if you do just tell them without the second half, you just get people with limited understanding which lends itself to having a lack of relationship with their Savior and develops apathetic church goers. The Cross Gospel must be paired with the message that Jesus taught: Kingdom of God: where the rule and reign of God is paramount and it is within us and without(outside) us in society. The kingdom of God is a call to war not comfort! I could keep going on this one, but hopefully it has made you think just as it has done for me. I hope and pray that we can see a change in not only missions/evangelism work, but in just the Body of Christ: Church, globally. Perhaps this is not only something to pray for, but also to incorporate ourselves! Have you gotten too comfortable lately? As Ed put it, “Churches have gotten too comfortable and have made a peace treaty with the Devil that they can just sit and maintain their church and he can have the city. This is WRONG!” Hmmm…makes you think.
Another thought that was interesting: Your Maturity should always be greater than your Ministry. If they are ever even or your Ministry is greater than your Maturity then you are in trouble. Maturity meaning your relationship with God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit and your knowledge of the Word and general life experience and it is a process it is not something that with the snap of your fingers you can get. It is discipleship, which is greatly lacking in the Church and in schooling, we send men and women off to “do ministry” without them actually having the appropriate tools to “do it” with! “Character vs. Calling” as Ed put it, “What you are should be more important than what you do in life, especially when it comes to evangelism and ministry.” Without that Maturity you will find yourself way over your head and will find yourself on slippery ground, because you tend to rely on your “good ideas” instead of having that intimate relationship with God where His ideas become yours! This was such a good word of wisdom and insight, I just thought I’d share. We must also know the Word inside and out, otherwise we are a power tool without a battery charger or an extra battery.
And one more thought to leave you with, that hit hard for me. Where does your loyalty lie? What or Who has your first loyalty(ies)? Answer SHOULD be that your loyalty and identify is in Jesus Christ our Lord. However, is it?!?! I thought it was, but when I was asked this question the Holy Spirit convicted me. Especially, since my personality tends to see loyalty is an expression of love…love is loyalty…at least to me (This is from the Motivational Giftings book and lecture). So when I realized that my first loyalty was not in nor to God it was like a punch in the stomach. My loyalty was to my family, though this can be viewed as not a bad thing nor a big, however it is!! Because it should one, I did not trust God enough to give my family to Him to take care of them and two I spout off on how much I love God and trust Him with my life, but yet I was unwilling to trust Him with the very thing that is close and dear to my heart! If I’m going to live my life for Him, I must have this in balance. It MUST be God first, He must hold my first call to loyalty and everything else is a side thing. He is Lord, He is God, He is the Creator of Heaven and Earth, He is Savior, Friend and Lover. We/I must get my priorities in order. Perhaps this isn’t a big revelation for you or a new thought, but it certainly made me stop and reexamine my heart and mindset. What has first place in your heart or life, it can be anything from small to big, just realize when you figure what it is and if it isn’t God first you have to get down to business and let it go and reorient your perspective! It is hard, perhaps painful, I know it was for me and it will be a continuous life process for me, but it is pleasing to Him and that makes it worth it!
On the other elements of the week, we have a missions team from Georgia a team of 15, ages 15-18 year olds and their two 20something leaders. Here for a total of two and half weeks, so we have had a house with about 45 people in the house, so yes. (Showering is almost comical with only three for the girls and three for the guys, we’ve all just learned to shower at anytime of the day whenever they are free or when you have a free moment! Lol) But we have loved having them here! They have been a hoot and a great help and encouragement. They’ve helped with P.I.G, with Create, with a homeless ministry in Glasgow and done cleaning up of litter in Paisley, and prayer walking. It has been good! Other than that just our normal routine of lecture, creative worship, pottering time inside and then pottering time with our outside projects, Create, and iCreate, intercession for where we are going to go on outreach, film and theology nights, roommate adventures, one-on-one times, kitchen duty, laundry, “connect” time, morning office, and group prayer times, and random talking sprees! I am blessed!! : ) I wish you all could come and see the house and this incredible city and countryside landscape and meet all the wonderful people here and for them to meet you!!
Friday, July 16, 2010
Lindisfarne
Lindisfarne: Holy Island: Blue Skies, sand, flowers, castle, church ruins, friends, ocean, God moments= bliss.
What a blessing this time on the Island was especially having been so sick. I think the sea side helped with the healing ; ) Well, no actually I think it was all the praying. I finally ate my first meal that Wednesday morning…kind of and then ate a full meal on Wednesday night. WONDERFUL!! : )
We were there on the Island from Tuesday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. We had lecture on the early Celtic Christians by a famous historian and expert on the subject and we got to learn more about St. Cuthbert as well as St. Aiden! It was wonderful, especially since we had just walked their path that they used to work within the country side and go back and forth from Melrose Abby to Lindisfarne. They were incredible Christians men! They didn’t believe in evangelizing by getting in people’s faces, but by just living life with the community and putting into practice what God’s Word says and by following Jesus’ example with the way He lived on this earth. How important it is for us to remember this; for it is not about going out in the streets nor do you have to go to some overseas place, but start with just saying hello to your neighbor or being their for a co-worker, get involved with people! I know this is a risk, but this is our purpose to live out the Gospel, not hoard it nor shove it and cram it down people’s throats….not that there isn’t or won’t be a time for actually speaking of the Gospel for there is and will be, but the way in which our society is we must live it out first! So, I challenge you, how are you living your daily, “mundane” life? Have you sought out non-Christian friends in your social circle? Have you fully incorporated God’s Word in your life, is it seen in the way that you are living? I know that I’m challenged with these questions! I pray and hope to be forever being an active Christ follower by living and not just speaking it!
We of course had our three days of lecture as well. Life changing is the best word to describe it. It was on Motivational Gifts and very, very, very insightful and helped me just to further discover how God and who God has created me to be! I really can’t fully describe all that it is or how or why the lecture impacted me, but it did! Andy Raine (the lecturer) was fantastic, he is a British version of Ben Paisley. He wrote a book on Motivational Giftings, called “Given for Life: A guide to motivational gifts. I’m not sure if you can get it on the American Amazon, but I know that you can on the UK one….amazon.co.uk….it is completely worth it and I would say could be equally life changing to not only know yourself better, but as well as your spouse, or friends or family members or coworkers!
We also got to go exploring on the island and have time to just spend time with one another and play a bit, which was needed for all! It truly was a time for me to get physically restored as well as get emotionally, mentally, spiritually challenged and reassured! I wish you all could have seen it and been there. It was beautiful.
What a blessing this time on the Island was especially having been so sick. I think the sea side helped with the healing ; ) Well, no actually I think it was all the praying. I finally ate my first meal that Wednesday morning…kind of and then ate a full meal on Wednesday night. WONDERFUL!! : )
We were there on the Island from Tuesday afternoon to Saturday afternoon. We had lecture on the early Celtic Christians by a famous historian and expert on the subject and we got to learn more about St. Cuthbert as well as St. Aiden! It was wonderful, especially since we had just walked their path that they used to work within the country side and go back and forth from Melrose Abby to Lindisfarne. They were incredible Christians men! They didn’t believe in evangelizing by getting in people’s faces, but by just living life with the community and putting into practice what God’s Word says and by following Jesus’ example with the way He lived on this earth. How important it is for us to remember this; for it is not about going out in the streets nor do you have to go to some overseas place, but start with just saying hello to your neighbor or being their for a co-worker, get involved with people! I know this is a risk, but this is our purpose to live out the Gospel, not hoard it nor shove it and cram it down people’s throats….not that there isn’t or won’t be a time for actually speaking of the Gospel for there is and will be, but the way in which our society is we must live it out first! So, I challenge you, how are you living your daily, “mundane” life? Have you sought out non-Christian friends in your social circle? Have you fully incorporated God’s Word in your life, is it seen in the way that you are living? I know that I’m challenged with these questions! I pray and hope to be forever being an active Christ follower by living and not just speaking it!
We of course had our three days of lecture as well. Life changing is the best word to describe it. It was on Motivational Gifts and very, very, very insightful and helped me just to further discover how God and who God has created me to be! I really can’t fully describe all that it is or how or why the lecture impacted me, but it did! Andy Raine (the lecturer) was fantastic, he is a British version of Ben Paisley. He wrote a book on Motivational Giftings, called “Given for Life: A guide to motivational gifts. I’m not sure if you can get it on the American Amazon, but I know that you can on the UK one….amazon.co.uk….it is completely worth it and I would say could be equally life changing to not only know yourself better, but as well as your spouse, or friends or family members or coworkers!
We also got to go exploring on the island and have time to just spend time with one another and play a bit, which was needed for all! It truly was a time for me to get physically restored as well as get emotionally, mentally, spiritually challenged and reassured! I wish you all could have seen it and been there. It was beautiful.
The Trek!
The Trek
How can I find all the words to begin to explain all that has transpired in the last two weeks of my life physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally!? I didn’t think it was possible to change and grow so much in just two weeks time, but it goes to be reminded that with God anything is possible.
So, this is how I begin my tale of my adventures: “Oh be careful what prayers you pray, because God is in the business of answering them!”
Friday, June 25th, we hit the road to drive to Melrose, Scotland to start the St. Cuthbert’s Way Trek, early that morning. There were 11 of us doing this Trek: John Wilson (He and his wife Sarah are the DTS leaders…however his wife didn’t go as she had to of course stay with their 14month old son) then there was Danielle-“Ding”, Geoffry, Theo (Celtic Way Intern), Anna (Staff: Head of Kitchen and Internship), and then of course the DTS students (in order of age: oldest to youngest:
Corbin, Kelsy, Beka, Cerina, and Sarah(British)) So, we hiked about 8 miles that first day and found an awesome campsite right on the trail in a nook of trees right next to a river: beautiful. We had our ramen and sausages for dinner, we got a good night sleep with our natural noise maker aiding to our dreams. A funny note, was that I’ve determined to pray for me to be healed of my cursed sleep talking, for I have been doing so much of it while I’m here…or at least I guess I could have been doing it for a long time it’s just that I haven’t shared a room in some time so I just haven’t anyone witness to me doing it. Anyway, that night I had dreamed that I was in trouble or stuck or something and I was yelling passionately and desperately for help….well, I was tangled by my sleeping bag and my face was pressed up against the tent and I was saying help like a drunk 90 year old lady. My tent mate Beka, sat up and asked me what was wrong and I woke up then and said nothing my face was just in the side of the tent and went back to bed. LOL!! However, the next morning I had hoped that it hadn’t really happened, however someone asked if someone had heard someone crying out for help….well then I had to confess!! So, funny and so embarrassing all at the same time...it is of course never going to be forgotten so now we all use a fun joke say “Help. Help me.” In a groggily and drunk kind of voice. It’s funny.
Saturday was a great day! It was hard at times. We hiked a total of 18 miles that day. That morning as we were walking along I had some good quiet time just dwelling on some scriptures that I had copied down on some note cards and then just conversing and seeking God and feeling so close to Him as I was hiking along and in the midst of nature. A cool thing happened that day. During that time that I was talking back and forth with God I was asking Him for clarity and direction for my future. Like Him breaking through the clouds and speaking to me clearly and directly with what, where, when and how for my life. That afternoon we had stopped for a few minutes, and then when we got going again, my eyes started burning and then it turned into like my eyes were being stabbed with hot pokers, whether I blinked or kept them open. I was pretty much struck blind! I had to hang onto the strap of Anna or Beka for about a half-an-hour or so. Finally, we stopped and they prayed for me, and then Theo piped up saying that he had some eye drops, would I like some….ummm…yes please. Got them in, and after a few minutes so much better! I was able to get along without the guidance from any of my friends. Such a relief. Well, I had a revelation. God answered my prayers about direction for my life it just wasn’t the answer I was expecting: interdependence on and in Him. That I need to throw away my pride, grab ahold His hand and walk step by step with Him leading the way. Because without Him I am and will be blind and won’t be able to walk the path before me without someone leading the way, and the best Trail Guide will lead the way if I just surrender to His expert direction! : )
That night we found an awesome campsite in the midst of these awesome woods and we were surprised by a lovely meal of lasagna, salad, bread and strawberry meringue dessert. Provided by sweet Katherine and her husband Wade (she was our first week lecturer). They hiked down into our camp site and brought us dinner! It was such a treat after hiking 18 miles that day. Sweet bliss. “Little did I know…” (Stranger than Fiction anyone?!), I had been asleep for about an hour and I woke up not feeling the greatest…..long story short….I ended up throwing up about 30 times within 10 hours time. M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E. After I got sick the first time, I was up for about an hour or so and then I was feeling ok, so then I went back to bed for an hour at most….which by the way being sick and camping are very inconvenient especially when you’re trying to quietly get out of your tent=impossible. Anyways, on my way up the path to get away from the campsite, I notice Sarah sitting and reading, didn’t think too much of it however because I was busy getting up the path so I could puke my guts out again. Well, after I had my go of it, I was sitting and resting up against a tree, contemplate on a scale of 1 to 10 how miserable I was, but also praising God that at least I was throwing up and not having problems on the other end of things. Then I was also thinking that at least I was the only one sick I would be able to get through it and press on, when these stupid thoughts were passing through my tired and pain riddled mind, I see a flash light coming up the path and hear this soft crying, I have officially labeled it a “mercy, misery” cry. It was Sarah, I was worried about her and feared that I had disturbed her so I crawled/walked down to her and I asked her what was wrong, and in her sweet British accent saying that she had been worried about me because she had heard me earlier and just now and that she wasn’t feeling well herself and then she promptly turned to the right and threw up. Well. I led her gently up the path to the tree that I had befriended and we sat down contemplating our plight…then I got sick….then I sat down again. She wanted to wake someone, I didn’t want to bug anyone, since I figured that “what could they do?”, but since Sarah was sick too, I figured I guess we better make one of the leaders aware of the situation. Poor “Ding” she was up the rest of the night with us. She got our sleeping mates and sleeping bags and she witnessed me in my worst state, moaning in a fetal position, or sitting rocking back and forth with my head on my knees and the kneeling forward getting sick behind a tree, then she would stroke my hair and prayed and sang over me. (Sarah got sick one more time) But then we finally drifted off to sleep for an hour or two. I was the most pathetic, disgusting mess that was left with no dignity at this point. I woke up with Ding looking worriedly at me and asking me how I was doing, and then John came over. I truly was mortified in being in such a position, of being so pathetically miserable. I felt so bad about being sick on this trek, and he was so very reassuring. I was obviously in no condition to go hiking that day. However, we still had to trek about a mile or so up to a road where Sarah and I could get picked up by Corbin. It was the hardest and most agonizing mile that I have ever had to hike. Corbin picked us up (he had been sick twice during the day on Saturday and has some other health problems, so he stayed at Katherine and Wade’s house where one of our cars were parked, so he then had the vehicle in which to pick us up with) I was completely drained and not feeling the greatest at this point, I got in the car and drove the rough dirt road for all of three minutes and had Corbin quickly pull over and thank goodness I was able to open the car door; he then determined that I needed to go to the hospital after that. So, we did. All they told me was if I didn’t get better I was to come back and she prescribed me some anti-nausea medicine, which was useful. We then went to the store…we looked like a bunch of Zombies on drugs….got the prescription filled, bought a bag of ice (best .99P that I ever spent in my life) and then a bottle of water and sprite and cups. I then proceeded to suck on the ice all that afternoon and evening. We then had to hang about the camp site that the team was going to trek because we had the money bag and some other of their supplies, at this point they were all hoping that we’d camp with them and then continue to trek the next day, but alas the Dr. had told me that I wasn’t supposed or rather shouldn’t continue on. With that news I was very, very disappointed. Anyway, at the camp site we decided that Corbin would drive us 2 ½ hours back to Stanely House and stay there until Tuesday morning. Just so we could get rest and recoup. We puttered back home, and promptly got “tucked” in bed by Sandra and left with cups and numbers to call if we needed anything. Then slept for 12 hours. Thankfully.
As you can imagine when I woke up I was still physically not well, but then I was plagued with such disappointment in myself. I had been looking so forward to this trek and the challenges it was going to have in store…I got challenges, just not the ones I was envisioning. You see, this is yet another instance where it is proven, “Oh be carefully little mouth what you pray.” Because just on that Friday morning, I was praying that God would really keep me and make me humble…..I guess I hadn’t realized how much pride He needed to work out of me! For I was completely helpless and couldn’t rely on my own physical strength, I wasn’t going to be able to finish the trek and say that “I” had completed such an incredible feat. I hadn’t realized what such an independent person I was until this trek, I guess it was something that God wanted to show me and correct in me, for He made a point to work it in my life during this trek! I’m doing much better, but I know that I will be continuously surrendering it. I had lost all my dignity with getting sick in front of all my team mates and not getting to finish the whole trek with them. I was stripped of my pride, but also of my self-image...in a good way. There is all sorts of things that God further worked on me from this time, and is still working in me, I don’t think I will soon forget it.
Alas, we (Corbin, Sarah, and I) drove back over and down into east England to meet up with the team, where they trekked right outside of Lindisfarne, Holy Island (The Island is called Lindisfarne, the town on that Island is called Holy Island). Where we had a sweet reunion, I had missed my fellow team-mates so very much, and thankfully it was mutual! We hiked the last mile or so with them…it was slow go, but we made it! It absolutely beautiful getting to walk on the “bottom of the ocean” before the tide came in and made it an Island once again!
I have pictures on facebook of the parts of the trek that I was on!
The time on the Island is for a whole other post, which I will make it separate….coming soon!
How can I find all the words to begin to explain all that has transpired in the last two weeks of my life physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally!? I didn’t think it was possible to change and grow so much in just two weeks time, but it goes to be reminded that with God anything is possible.
So, this is how I begin my tale of my adventures: “Oh be careful what prayers you pray, because God is in the business of answering them!”
Friday, June 25th, we hit the road to drive to Melrose, Scotland to start the St. Cuthbert’s Way Trek, early that morning. There were 11 of us doing this Trek: John Wilson (He and his wife Sarah are the DTS leaders…however his wife didn’t go as she had to of course stay with their 14month old son) then there was Danielle-“Ding”, Geoffry, Theo (Celtic Way Intern), Anna (Staff: Head of Kitchen and Internship), and then of course the DTS students (in order of age: oldest to youngest:
Corbin, Kelsy, Beka, Cerina, and Sarah(British)) So, we hiked about 8 miles that first day and found an awesome campsite right on the trail in a nook of trees right next to a river: beautiful. We had our ramen and sausages for dinner, we got a good night sleep with our natural noise maker aiding to our dreams. A funny note, was that I’ve determined to pray for me to be healed of my cursed sleep talking, for I have been doing so much of it while I’m here…or at least I guess I could have been doing it for a long time it’s just that I haven’t shared a room in some time so I just haven’t anyone witness to me doing it. Anyway, that night I had dreamed that I was in trouble or stuck or something and I was yelling passionately and desperately for help….well, I was tangled by my sleeping bag and my face was pressed up against the tent and I was saying help like a drunk 90 year old lady. My tent mate Beka, sat up and asked me what was wrong and I woke up then and said nothing my face was just in the side of the tent and went back to bed. LOL!! However, the next morning I had hoped that it hadn’t really happened, however someone asked if someone had heard someone crying out for help….well then I had to confess!! So, funny and so embarrassing all at the same time...it is of course never going to be forgotten so now we all use a fun joke say “Help. Help me.” In a groggily and drunk kind of voice. It’s funny.
Saturday was a great day! It was hard at times. We hiked a total of 18 miles that day. That morning as we were walking along I had some good quiet time just dwelling on some scriptures that I had copied down on some note cards and then just conversing and seeking God and feeling so close to Him as I was hiking along and in the midst of nature. A cool thing happened that day. During that time that I was talking back and forth with God I was asking Him for clarity and direction for my future. Like Him breaking through the clouds and speaking to me clearly and directly with what, where, when and how for my life. That afternoon we had stopped for a few minutes, and then when we got going again, my eyes started burning and then it turned into like my eyes were being stabbed with hot pokers, whether I blinked or kept them open. I was pretty much struck blind! I had to hang onto the strap of Anna or Beka for about a half-an-hour or so. Finally, we stopped and they prayed for me, and then Theo piped up saying that he had some eye drops, would I like some….ummm…yes please. Got them in, and after a few minutes so much better! I was able to get along without the guidance from any of my friends. Such a relief. Well, I had a revelation. God answered my prayers about direction for my life it just wasn’t the answer I was expecting: interdependence on and in Him. That I need to throw away my pride, grab ahold His hand and walk step by step with Him leading the way. Because without Him I am and will be blind and won’t be able to walk the path before me without someone leading the way, and the best Trail Guide will lead the way if I just surrender to His expert direction! : )
That night we found an awesome campsite in the midst of these awesome woods and we were surprised by a lovely meal of lasagna, salad, bread and strawberry meringue dessert. Provided by sweet Katherine and her husband Wade (she was our first week lecturer). They hiked down into our camp site and brought us dinner! It was such a treat after hiking 18 miles that day. Sweet bliss. “Little did I know…” (Stranger than Fiction anyone?!), I had been asleep for about an hour and I woke up not feeling the greatest…..long story short….I ended up throwing up about 30 times within 10 hours time. M-I-S-E-R-A-B-L-E. After I got sick the first time, I was up for about an hour or so and then I was feeling ok, so then I went back to bed for an hour at most….which by the way being sick and camping are very inconvenient especially when you’re trying to quietly get out of your tent=impossible. Anyways, on my way up the path to get away from the campsite, I notice Sarah sitting and reading, didn’t think too much of it however because I was busy getting up the path so I could puke my guts out again. Well, after I had my go of it, I was sitting and resting up against a tree, contemplate on a scale of 1 to 10 how miserable I was, but also praising God that at least I was throwing up and not having problems on the other end of things. Then I was also thinking that at least I was the only one sick I would be able to get through it and press on, when these stupid thoughts were passing through my tired and pain riddled mind, I see a flash light coming up the path and hear this soft crying, I have officially labeled it a “mercy, misery” cry. It was Sarah, I was worried about her and feared that I had disturbed her so I crawled/walked down to her and I asked her what was wrong, and in her sweet British accent saying that she had been worried about me because she had heard me earlier and just now and that she wasn’t feeling well herself and then she promptly turned to the right and threw up. Well. I led her gently up the path to the tree that I had befriended and we sat down contemplating our plight…then I got sick….then I sat down again. She wanted to wake someone, I didn’t want to bug anyone, since I figured that “what could they do?”, but since Sarah was sick too, I figured I guess we better make one of the leaders aware of the situation. Poor “Ding” she was up the rest of the night with us. She got our sleeping mates and sleeping bags and she witnessed me in my worst state, moaning in a fetal position, or sitting rocking back and forth with my head on my knees and the kneeling forward getting sick behind a tree, then she would stroke my hair and prayed and sang over me. (Sarah got sick one more time) But then we finally drifted off to sleep for an hour or two. I was the most pathetic, disgusting mess that was left with no dignity at this point. I woke up with Ding looking worriedly at me and asking me how I was doing, and then John came over. I truly was mortified in being in such a position, of being so pathetically miserable. I felt so bad about being sick on this trek, and he was so very reassuring. I was obviously in no condition to go hiking that day. However, we still had to trek about a mile or so up to a road where Sarah and I could get picked up by Corbin. It was the hardest and most agonizing mile that I have ever had to hike. Corbin picked us up (he had been sick twice during the day on Saturday and has some other health problems, so he stayed at Katherine and Wade’s house where one of our cars were parked, so he then had the vehicle in which to pick us up with) I was completely drained and not feeling the greatest at this point, I got in the car and drove the rough dirt road for all of three minutes and had Corbin quickly pull over and thank goodness I was able to open the car door; he then determined that I needed to go to the hospital after that. So, we did. All they told me was if I didn’t get better I was to come back and she prescribed me some anti-nausea medicine, which was useful. We then went to the store…we looked like a bunch of Zombies on drugs….got the prescription filled, bought a bag of ice (best .99P that I ever spent in my life) and then a bottle of water and sprite and cups. I then proceeded to suck on the ice all that afternoon and evening. We then had to hang about the camp site that the team was going to trek because we had the money bag and some other of their supplies, at this point they were all hoping that we’d camp with them and then continue to trek the next day, but alas the Dr. had told me that I wasn’t supposed or rather shouldn’t continue on. With that news I was very, very disappointed. Anyway, at the camp site we decided that Corbin would drive us 2 ½ hours back to Stanely House and stay there until Tuesday morning. Just so we could get rest and recoup. We puttered back home, and promptly got “tucked” in bed by Sandra and left with cups and numbers to call if we needed anything. Then slept for 12 hours. Thankfully.
As you can imagine when I woke up I was still physically not well, but then I was plagued with such disappointment in myself. I had been looking so forward to this trek and the challenges it was going to have in store…I got challenges, just not the ones I was envisioning. You see, this is yet another instance where it is proven, “Oh be carefully little mouth what you pray.” Because just on that Friday morning, I was praying that God would really keep me and make me humble…..I guess I hadn’t realized how much pride He needed to work out of me! For I was completely helpless and couldn’t rely on my own physical strength, I wasn’t going to be able to finish the trek and say that “I” had completed such an incredible feat. I hadn’t realized what such an independent person I was until this trek, I guess it was something that God wanted to show me and correct in me, for He made a point to work it in my life during this trek! I’m doing much better, but I know that I will be continuously surrendering it. I had lost all my dignity with getting sick in front of all my team mates and not getting to finish the whole trek with them. I was stripped of my pride, but also of my self-image...in a good way. There is all sorts of things that God further worked on me from this time, and is still working in me, I don’t think I will soon forget it.
Alas, we (Corbin, Sarah, and I) drove back over and down into east England to meet up with the team, where they trekked right outside of Lindisfarne, Holy Island (The Island is called Lindisfarne, the town on that Island is called Holy Island). Where we had a sweet reunion, I had missed my fellow team-mates so very much, and thankfully it was mutual! We hiked the last mile or so with them…it was slow go, but we made it! It absolutely beautiful getting to walk on the “bottom of the ocean” before the tide came in and made it an Island once again!
I have pictures on facebook of the parts of the trek that I was on!
The time on the Island is for a whole other post, which I will make it separate….coming soon!
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