The Heart of the Matter

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!