It's been a while since I've blogged so I figured I try to put something up. Forgive me if this has a lack of direction.
Well we have 4 weeks left in Wichita. I guess lately I've been battling with the perspective that I have on that statement. The last week has been a lot harder because we haven't had as much to do so my mind hasn't been occupied with things happening right in front of me. Instead, I find myself thinking about home, future trips, or even school this fall. I really didn't think I'd have such a problem with this, but I've been "homesick". This really bothers me. I guess it's a natural reaction to miss the familiar and comfortable, but I wish my heart was so set on Christ that He was my home. I want to be able to say that anywhere I go is home because my Savior never abandons me..and truly believe it. My mind knows it, but my heart doesn't, at least not yet.
So far this summer, God has really stripped a lot away from me and has put me in a place of constant self-evaluation. I think this is the first time in my walk with Him that I've realize what it's like to be in the process of refining. I know He has been refining me in the past, but I've never seen it for what it actually was. I guess what I'm trying to say is this is the first time I've really noticed what the fire feels like. The difference is that in times of trial before I didn't notice the hope...the hope that this will mold me more into the image of Christ. Or maybe I "knew" that trials are for a reason, but I'm just now believing and trusting in that.
It's cool to look back on the last several years of life and see where God has taken me and what He's taught me. I can see the things He told me that He was going to do in me back in 9th grade coming to fruition. The conclusion that I come to when I think back about all that stuff is that God has never wronged me, lead me astray, or broken a promise...so why should I ever doubt?
I know this blog is all over the place. Lo siento. So I just got done reading through Ecclesiastes. I guess it's been very helpful while I've been away from home and here this summer. I know it's all about the futility of life, but more so the big reoccuring thing that I noticed was despite the fact that we all die, we need to hold every moment captive. Life is short and this life can be one filled with joy regardless of the things that cause pain or sorrow. I guess for me that means taking advantage of every breath I breathe while I'm here in Wichita, and not being focused on the things to come once I get home.
Oh, and I wanted to write about some Patriotism stuff, but it'd take too long so here's an article that says basically exactly what I would say. "For (too much) love of Country"
Monday, July 5, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
"On Mission"....what does that mean?
We had a great discussion tonight that ended up being directed towards the topic of "what is missional?" We talked about what mission trips look like, and how people in the church see mission trips as special trips. People in the church usually say "it's good to take at least one mission trip a year" or whatever. We also come up with special events like a "day of evangelism". Nothing about those things are wrong, but those are usually the things that come to mind when we hear the word "mission" in the church. We appoint missionaries to go out and tell the people of America and the rest of the world about Jesus. We take time during the holidays to go serve at a soup kitchen for the day, or take presents to kids less unfortunate. Again, nothing wrong with that at all...and that's what is characterized as missions....right?
I would say all those things are "missions" and when you do those things, I would say that you are being missional, or missions minded. However, why is it that we plan special events to carry this out? Or even more so, why do we see these tasks or deeds as something that's different from the normal routine?...Have we perversed the real meaning of being missional?
I started reading a book awhile back called "They like Jesus, but not the Church." Honestly, I haven't gotten that far, but what I have read has been very interesting. In one chapter the author has a list of things that he defines as missional. It's a good bit of stuff, but I promise you'll want to read through it....
-Being missional means that the church sees itself as being missionaries rather than having a missions department, and we see ourselves as being missionaries right where we live.
-Being missional means that we see ourselves as representative of Jesus "sent" into our communities, and that the church aligns everything it does with the missio dei (mission of God).
-Being missional means we see the church not as a place we go only on Sunday, but as something we ARE throughout the week.
-Being missional means that we understand we don't "bring Jesus" to people but that we realize Jesus is active in culture and we join Him in what He is doing.
-Being missional means we are very much in the world and engaged in culture but are not conforming to the world.
-Being missional means we serve our communities, and that we build relationships with the people in them, rather than seeing them as evangelistic targets.
-Being missional means being all the more dependent on Jesus and the Spirit through prayer, the Scriptures, and each other in community.
So missions isn't about special events or things you do every now and then, but rather missions is about a lifestyle. It's something you are doing everyday, all day. It's about being INTENTIONAL with what you do in your day. Norm quoted someone earlier this evening and the quote was "You have three "8's" in your day. 8 to work, 8 to sleep, and 8 to do whatever with. What you choose to do with the third "8" shows what kind of person you are." I would even go as far as to say that the "8" you spend working is included in what kind of person you are. So...how do you spend your time? How am I spending my time, and who is that time for?
My challenge to you and myself is this: maybe missions should be apart of our lives and who we are, not something we simply do. maybe, just maybe, when Jesus gave the disciples "the great commission" He wasn't just talking to them....maybe, just maybe, He was talking to all who follow Him...and I mean ALL, not just those who are "called into the ministry".
So....Are we on mission?
I would say all those things are "missions" and when you do those things, I would say that you are being missional, or missions minded. However, why is it that we plan special events to carry this out? Or even more so, why do we see these tasks or deeds as something that's different from the normal routine?...Have we perversed the real meaning of being missional?
I started reading a book awhile back called "They like Jesus, but not the Church." Honestly, I haven't gotten that far, but what I have read has been very interesting. In one chapter the author has a list of things that he defines as missional. It's a good bit of stuff, but I promise you'll want to read through it....
-Being missional means that the church sees itself as being missionaries rather than having a missions department, and we see ourselves as being missionaries right where we live.
-Being missional means that we see ourselves as representative of Jesus "sent" into our communities, and that the church aligns everything it does with the missio dei (mission of God).
-Being missional means we see the church not as a place we go only on Sunday, but as something we ARE throughout the week.
-Being missional means that we understand we don't "bring Jesus" to people but that we realize Jesus is active in culture and we join Him in what He is doing.
-Being missional means we are very much in the world and engaged in culture but are not conforming to the world.
-Being missional means we serve our communities, and that we build relationships with the people in them, rather than seeing them as evangelistic targets.
-Being missional means being all the more dependent on Jesus and the Spirit through prayer, the Scriptures, and each other in community.
So missions isn't about special events or things you do every now and then, but rather missions is about a lifestyle. It's something you are doing everyday, all day. It's about being INTENTIONAL with what you do in your day. Norm quoted someone earlier this evening and the quote was "You have three "8's" in your day. 8 to work, 8 to sleep, and 8 to do whatever with. What you choose to do with the third "8" shows what kind of person you are." I would even go as far as to say that the "8" you spend working is included in what kind of person you are. So...how do you spend your time? How am I spending my time, and who is that time for?
My challenge to you and myself is this: maybe missions should be apart of our lives and who we are, not something we simply do. maybe, just maybe, when Jesus gave the disciples "the great commission" He wasn't just talking to them....maybe, just maybe, He was talking to all who follow Him...and I mean ALL, not just those who are "called into the ministry".
So....Are we on mission?
Thursday, June 10, 2010
On My Way...
I'm really sure where to even start, so I guess I'll just jump right in to stuff we've been doing.
We got here Friday afternoon, and were put straight to work. We had to help get the house prepared for meetings and mission teams. Norm, our supervisor, told us we are gonna pull off more events and stuff this summer than any other church plant. We'll be busy, busy, busy, and have been, but I'm sooo excited about it! On Saturday we threw a block party in conjunction with a local event, and I think it went really well. We had the space jump set up with food and stuff and had a lot of kids and parents come by. We were mainly getting the word out about our VBS called Awesome Rockin' Jam Camp which we started yesterday. Our first mission team, from Paragould, AR, came in on Saturday, and have been doing a great job with VBS and everything else. We had 3 non-church kids show up yesterday to VBS and we had 7 more today! I think it's been going great so far and can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. There is one girl that's especially caught my attention. Her name is Tara, she doesn't go to church anywhere, and her mom has stayed for most of the time both days. She's a really shy girl, but has been becoming more open the more time we spend with her. I really hope that this will make an impact on her and her mom, and I really think it will. So tons more stuff has happened, but I'm not gonna go into detail about everything because nobody wants to read that much stuff (except maybe my mom). :)
God's been teaching me a lot as well. I know I have a great opportunity to learn a lot of new things and to build on my foundations this summer just with what I'm doing and who I'm around. It's really cool that wherever I go, God places a great spiritual mentor(s) there.
A few things that God's been revealing to me are about fear, trust, and power. In Proverbs 29:25 it says "The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected." Then, in Ephesians 1, it talks about our inheritance a lot, and God's great power. I know that because I'm such a control freak, I tend to not trust God in all things and fear what I can't control...or what I think I can or can't control. So when I'm reminded that my fear is actually a snare, and trust in God is protection my view on life becomes a little different. God's great power is the reason that I shouldn't fear. In Ephesians 1:19 it words it like this: "the immeasurable greatness of His power." I don't view His power as immeasurable greatness, if fact, if I can't measure it, I usually don't trust in it. However, I can put my hope and trust that His power is SOO great that I can't even fathom it. I can see it...like at the resurrection of Christ...but do I live like I serve a God who is capable of doing things I'll never comprehend? Do I pray with the mindset that the God of the universe, creator of all things, has immeasurable power, and that He actually listens to what I have to say? well...I guess the answer to those questions are not lately, but just like in the end of Ephesians 1, I pray that "my eyes may be enlightened so that I may know."
We got here Friday afternoon, and were put straight to work. We had to help get the house prepared for meetings and mission teams. Norm, our supervisor, told us we are gonna pull off more events and stuff this summer than any other church plant. We'll be busy, busy, busy, and have been, but I'm sooo excited about it! On Saturday we threw a block party in conjunction with a local event, and I think it went really well. We had the space jump set up with food and stuff and had a lot of kids and parents come by. We were mainly getting the word out about our VBS called Awesome Rockin' Jam Camp which we started yesterday. Our first mission team, from Paragould, AR, came in on Saturday, and have been doing a great job with VBS and everything else. We had 3 non-church kids show up yesterday to VBS and we had 7 more today! I think it's been going great so far and can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. There is one girl that's especially caught my attention. Her name is Tara, she doesn't go to church anywhere, and her mom has stayed for most of the time both days. She's a really shy girl, but has been becoming more open the more time we spend with her. I really hope that this will make an impact on her and her mom, and I really think it will. So tons more stuff has happened, but I'm not gonna go into detail about everything because nobody wants to read that much stuff (except maybe my mom). :)
God's been teaching me a lot as well. I know I have a great opportunity to learn a lot of new things and to build on my foundations this summer just with what I'm doing and who I'm around. It's really cool that wherever I go, God places a great spiritual mentor(s) there.
A few things that God's been revealing to me are about fear, trust, and power. In Proverbs 29:25 it says "The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the Lord is protected." Then, in Ephesians 1, it talks about our inheritance a lot, and God's great power. I know that because I'm such a control freak, I tend to not trust God in all things and fear what I can't control...or what I think I can or can't control. So when I'm reminded that my fear is actually a snare, and trust in God is protection my view on life becomes a little different. God's great power is the reason that I shouldn't fear. In Ephesians 1:19 it words it like this: "the immeasurable greatness of His power." I don't view His power as immeasurable greatness, if fact, if I can't measure it, I usually don't trust in it. However, I can put my hope and trust that His power is SOO great that I can't even fathom it. I can see it...like at the resurrection of Christ...but do I live like I serve a God who is capable of doing things I'll never comprehend? Do I pray with the mindset that the God of the universe, creator of all things, has immeasurable power, and that He actually listens to what I have to say? well...I guess the answer to those questions are not lately, but just like in the end of Ephesians 1, I pray that "my eyes may be enlightened so that I may know."
Thursday, June 3, 2010
The Journey Begins
Well training is over, and we go to our assigned destination tomorrow! It's only been 3 days and I've learned so much. They've been bringing in speakers to talk about different subjects such as sharing your faith, ministry evangelism, working with children and youth, ect. All of it has been helpful to me in some way. I finally feel like I am equipped for the summer. Not because of what I've learned from the speakers, but because of the peace I feel to know that God has brought me here, and He won't leave me to fend for myself. I'm simply joining something that God is already working in, so I know He has great plans for this ministry this summer, and I feel humbled and honored that He would allow me to participate in His work. I've also met some amazing people that will be working as student missionaries in other areas around the state and some even traveling over several states. Being in a new community of believers that have SUCH a fire for God's work is not only refreshing but so exciting! Being in this kind of atmosphere alone has caused me to seek God even more and rejoice in who He is.
The first night we were here, some of the leaders were giving us an orientation speech. One verse that we looked at was 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 which says:
"For although I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law —to win those under the law. To those who are outside the law, like one outside the law—not being outside God's law, but under the law of Christ—to win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, that I may become a partner in its benefits."
This summer, I want to become a servant to all, meet people where they are, adapt, be intentional, and love above all else. That doesn't sound like an easy task at all, but I have no doubt that through the power of the Holy Spirit I will be able to be exactly what I need to be to accomplish God's will. It's funny hearing myself say that because I feel like it's been a long time since I've had this kind of confidence in who I am in Christ. I thank God for not ever giving up on me, and for how He will continue to work in my life even when I try to run from Him.
I read something in Proverbs yesterday that caught my attention. In Proverbs 24:16 it says "Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin." I believe this verse emphasizes the fact that through God's grace and mercy and repentence the righteous man can get back up and keep going on to better things even when He falls while the wicked man will go down the path of destruction. This in itself was an encouragement to me because one thing I've been struggling with is accepting God's love and mercy when I fall. I know it's there and I know it's unconditional, but I don't see myself worthy of it and therefore don't forgive myself in a way. THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS! God desires me. He doesn't need me, but He does desire my love. He will stop at nothing to pursue me or do what's best for me. In not forgiving myself or accepting His love, I'm trying to play god in my life. I just want to let God be God in me. How will others know the vastness and depths of His love if I don't let it do it's work in my life?
Please pray for me as I'm entering my assignment for the summer that God will continue to show me exactly what His love is, and that it will be evident in my life how much He loves people. Also, a huge thing that you can be praying for is how God is going to use this summer to direct my life. I believe this won't just be a time of growth and maturing, but also I believe that God wants to reveal some plans that He has for me in the future. I hope that He will give me some direction as I'm doing what He has given me a passion for. I've already begun getting that funny feeling in the pit of my stomach when I hear people talking about all this missions and church planting stuff. I have such a desire to live this life full time, and I would like for you to join me as I pray for direction in how God is going to further that desire.
I love you all and thank you so much for all your prayers and support!! :)
P.S. If you would like to send words of encouragement or anything else this will be my address for the summer:
4602 East Willow Court
Wichita, KS 67220
The first night we were here, some of the leaders were giving us an orientation speech. One verse that we looked at was 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 which says:
"For although I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law —to win those under the law. To those who are outside the law, like one outside the law—not being outside God's law, but under the law of Christ—to win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. Now I do all this because of the gospel, that I may become a partner in its benefits."
This summer, I want to become a servant to all, meet people where they are, adapt, be intentional, and love above all else. That doesn't sound like an easy task at all, but I have no doubt that through the power of the Holy Spirit I will be able to be exactly what I need to be to accomplish God's will. It's funny hearing myself say that because I feel like it's been a long time since I've had this kind of confidence in who I am in Christ. I thank God for not ever giving up on me, and for how He will continue to work in my life even when I try to run from Him.
I read something in Proverbs yesterday that caught my attention. In Proverbs 24:16 it says "Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin." I believe this verse emphasizes the fact that through God's grace and mercy and repentence the righteous man can get back up and keep going on to better things even when He falls while the wicked man will go down the path of destruction. This in itself was an encouragement to me because one thing I've been struggling with is accepting God's love and mercy when I fall. I know it's there and I know it's unconditional, but I don't see myself worthy of it and therefore don't forgive myself in a way. THIS IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS! God desires me. He doesn't need me, but He does desire my love. He will stop at nothing to pursue me or do what's best for me. In not forgiving myself or accepting His love, I'm trying to play god in my life. I just want to let God be God in me. How will others know the vastness and depths of His love if I don't let it do it's work in my life?
Please pray for me as I'm entering my assignment for the summer that God will continue to show me exactly what His love is, and that it will be evident in my life how much He loves people. Also, a huge thing that you can be praying for is how God is going to use this summer to direct my life. I believe this won't just be a time of growth and maturing, but also I believe that God wants to reveal some plans that He has for me in the future. I hope that He will give me some direction as I'm doing what He has given me a passion for. I've already begun getting that funny feeling in the pit of my stomach when I hear people talking about all this missions and church planting stuff. I have such a desire to live this life full time, and I would like for you to join me as I pray for direction in how God is going to further that desire.
I love you all and thank you so much for all your prayers and support!! :)
P.S. If you would like to send words of encouragement or anything else this will be my address for the summer:
4602 East Willow Court
Wichita, KS 67220
Sunday, May 23, 2010
9 Days
So in 9 days Paige, Micah, and I will be boarding a plane headed to Kansas. It hasn't sunk in yet that I'm leaving that soon, and I definitely don't feel prepared at all. However, whether or not I feel prepared doesn't change the fact that I trust that God will have me completely ready, even if it's not until the day that I leave.
I've been reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and am still not finished, but it has already helped opened my heart to something that I've been failing miserably at: Loving God. If you haven't read it then I absolutely recommend it, but basically it's a fictional version of the book of Hosea. Anyway, there is one part in the book where this prostitute (who has been taken away from her old life to live married to a christian man) realizes how much this man did for her and how much he sacrificed for her. Even though she doesn't love him, she still feels like she owes him for everything he has done. She decides to pay him back by working overtime around the farm. "She hoped to please him by working like a slave when all he wanted was her love." I read this and realized this has been me for way too long.
So this morning in church I told God that I knew I had been doing a terrible job at loving Him back. The only thing is that I found myself standing before God not even knowing HOW to correctly love Him. So I told Him that I needed help in seeing how I was suppose to love Him. When I asked Him to show me how to love Him, I heard that distinct voice that I've been blocking out, saying: "Trust Me". So that's what I'm doing...or at least gonna try my best to do.
I'm not exactly sure what I need to pray for about this, but luckily I have the Holy Spirit and you for that. I do ask, though, that you be at least praying for me over the course of this summer that I'm attuned to His will...whatever that may be.
I've been reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and am still not finished, but it has already helped opened my heart to something that I've been failing miserably at: Loving God. If you haven't read it then I absolutely recommend it, but basically it's a fictional version of the book of Hosea. Anyway, there is one part in the book where this prostitute (who has been taken away from her old life to live married to a christian man) realizes how much this man did for her and how much he sacrificed for her. Even though she doesn't love him, she still feels like she owes him for everything he has done. She decides to pay him back by working overtime around the farm. "She hoped to please him by working like a slave when all he wanted was her love." I read this and realized this has been me for way too long.
So this morning in church I told God that I knew I had been doing a terrible job at loving Him back. The only thing is that I found myself standing before God not even knowing HOW to correctly love Him. So I told Him that I needed help in seeing how I was suppose to love Him. When I asked Him to show me how to love Him, I heard that distinct voice that I've been blocking out, saying: "Trust Me". So that's what I'm doing...or at least gonna try my best to do.
I'm not exactly sure what I need to pray for about this, but luckily I have the Holy Spirit and you for that. I do ask, though, that you be at least praying for me over the course of this summer that I'm attuned to His will...whatever that may be.
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