Ok, so I realize my last post was kind of a whim. Just a tip and an opinion. Nothing more. Hope you enjoyed it. Gotta post random stuff once in a while you know.
We are wrapping up Fall quarter here. Two more weeks to go. I've been working with the Young People's DTS. And we have had SNOW. I'm ready to move back to my cozy little house. Haha :). Although, I will miss working with the Boarders DTS this winter. It will be a new season for me, going to assist a DTS we run called the Compassion DTS. We (director & assistant directors) sat down yesterday and talked about the heartbeat of the school: Compassion comes from Intimacy and Passion for God.
This got me thinking...if we have mercy and compassion that comes out of anywhere but love for the Father we are asking for humanitarian efforts and ultimately heartache. We can not minister out of exclusively out of pity. We must seek HIS face. He gives us the ability to stop and love the one in front of us. When we love the one in front of us it enables us to love the masses without burn out because the masses can not overwhelm us. We lay the brokenness of the world at His feet and we minister to His heart. When do I get tired and worn out? When my eyes are off the Father and on the circumstances.
"I lift my eyes up to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heave and earth." -Psalm 121:1
Where do you find yourself living out of today? Circumstances or position (at the feet of the Father).....
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday, November 24, 2011
2011 Thanksgiving ABC's!
I love doing this every year..it's a personal little tradition!
Amazing Sunny beautiful weather today!
Brycen! Love getting to connect with my cousin and talk about God all the time and see all that God has answered in the past year in his life! Faithful God.
California-the three weeks in orange county this summer were some of my favorite three weeks ever in my life.
Dad and mom. I am so blessed to have loving godly parents.
Eaglerock. This place is gorgeous and so peaceful.
Family, near and far. I have been so blessed to grow up in a gigantic family, always someone around.
Godly heritage.
Hospitality. One of my favorite ways to bless people.
Imagination-where dreams take off and become realities.
JESUS.
Knowing Jesus more and more every single day.
Learning to cook. This year one of my goals was to become confident in the kitchen..it's taken some time, but it's going well!
My house! I love the little place my friend stacy and I rent. It's beautiful.
Necessities always provided for, like the day Stacy and I needed more toilet paper and we picked one out, it rang up whole price, though there was a tag that said it was on sale. Turns out the sale had ended but since the sign was still up they gave it to us for free! Yeah!
Opportunities to TRAVEL! London and Romania in the spring. Woot woot!
Pies, lots and lots of them.
Quiet moments.
Reaching out on 16th street mall. (Kingdom Nights.) God transforming the city.
Settlers of Catan.
Trying new things.
UV rays 300 days a year.
Vacations! Looking forward to going home at Christmas.
Worship times with our community 3 times a week.
X-ceeded expectations. God is always surprising me with His goodness and his provision in little ways.
You who is taking the time to read my ramblings.
Zippers. Can you imagine if we had to use straight pins to shut all of our clothes?!
Amazing Sunny beautiful weather today!
Brycen! Love getting to connect with my cousin and talk about God all the time and see all that God has answered in the past year in his life! Faithful God.
California-the three weeks in orange county this summer were some of my favorite three weeks ever in my life.
Dad and mom. I am so blessed to have loving godly parents.
Eaglerock. This place is gorgeous and so peaceful.
Family, near and far. I have been so blessed to grow up in a gigantic family, always someone around.
Godly heritage.
Hospitality. One of my favorite ways to bless people.
Imagination-where dreams take off and become realities.
JESUS.
Knowing Jesus more and more every single day.
Learning to cook. This year one of my goals was to become confident in the kitchen..it's taken some time, but it's going well!
My house! I love the little place my friend stacy and I rent. It's beautiful.
Necessities always provided for, like the day Stacy and I needed more toilet paper and we picked one out, it rang up whole price, though there was a tag that said it was on sale. Turns out the sale had ended but since the sign was still up they gave it to us for free! Yeah!
Opportunities to TRAVEL! London and Romania in the spring. Woot woot!
Pies, lots and lots of them.
Quiet moments.
Reaching out on 16th street mall. (Kingdom Nights.) God transforming the city.
Settlers of Catan.
Trying new things.
UV rays 300 days a year.
Vacations! Looking forward to going home at Christmas.
Worship times with our community 3 times a week.
X-ceeded expectations. God is always surprising me with His goodness and his provision in little ways.
You who is taking the time to read my ramblings.
Zippers. Can you imagine if we had to use straight pins to shut all of our clothes?!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
"Shalom"
Last night at Kingdom Night, myself and one of the students got into a conversation with a man named Shalom. He was dragging around and oxygen tank and his heart was filled to the brim with hurt. THe conversation went something like this...
Shalom: "there is so much suffering in the world. Why is there so much suffering? Little kids are dying, the economy is crashing, people are without jobs. Ain't nothing gonna get better til God comes back and then we all gotta stand before him on Judgement day and then we is all equal. Why don't people treat us all like we equal. We all the same in God's eyes."
Us: That's true. There is a lot of suffering. People have free choices."
Shalom: "Yeah but my momma didn't chose to be laid off."
Us: "No but sin and suffering is result of human choices."
Shalom: "yeah, but ain't nothing gonna get better til God comes back."
Us: "what if we told you things could get better. That there is hope? What if, things could begin to change today?"
Shalom: "So it might and it might not."
Us: "It will. Hope doesn't depend on our circumstances or even our job."
Shalom: "No, people are just in denial. There is wars and rumors of wars."
Us: "Yes, Shalom, there are. But Hope is a man, his name is Jesus. Do you know about Jesus?"
(Interuption: Shalom: "Yeah, but the economy is bad. That president....and blame, and blame and blame....")
Us: "The economy doesn't dictate whether we have peace and hope. Listen Shalom, let us tell you about Hope. His name is Jesus."
So, the conversation went on and we told him our stories and how our hope isn't dependent on the decisions of other people, the suffering that we go through, whether we have money or not, no, our hope is Jesus. And because of him we have peace, we have joy and we have hope. And no, dear man, we are not living in denial. We just chose to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith-who for the joy set before HIM endure the cross...Yes there is suffering, yes there is pain, yes, there is hurt and hatred and misery..but we can bring hope and no, we don't need money to help people. Sure, of course it helps, but money doesn't bring eternal hope. Oh, man of peace, do you recognize your name? His mindset was so stayed that he kept repeating the same hopelessness over and over and over. We would speak truth, his eyes would brighten for a moment, and then he would shake his head and say "no, it's not possible because of..." Oh Jesus, break the lies, bring peace to Shalom.
Do you have any rivers you think are uncrossable
Do you have any mountains you can't tunnel through?
God specializes in things thought impossible.
He does the things others can not do.
In everything GIVE THANKS, for this is God's will concerning you in Christ Jesus.
Shalom: "there is so much suffering in the world. Why is there so much suffering? Little kids are dying, the economy is crashing, people are without jobs. Ain't nothing gonna get better til God comes back and then we all gotta stand before him on Judgement day and then we is all equal. Why don't people treat us all like we equal. We all the same in God's eyes."
Us: That's true. There is a lot of suffering. People have free choices."
Shalom: "Yeah but my momma didn't chose to be laid off."
Us: "No but sin and suffering is result of human choices."
Shalom: "yeah, but ain't nothing gonna get better til God comes back."
Us: "what if we told you things could get better. That there is hope? What if, things could begin to change today?"
Shalom: "So it might and it might not."
Us: "It will. Hope doesn't depend on our circumstances or even our job."
Shalom: "No, people are just in denial. There is wars and rumors of wars."
Us: "Yes, Shalom, there are. But Hope is a man, his name is Jesus. Do you know about Jesus?"
(Interuption: Shalom: "Yeah, but the economy is bad. That president....and blame, and blame and blame....")
Us: "The economy doesn't dictate whether we have peace and hope. Listen Shalom, let us tell you about Hope. His name is Jesus."
So, the conversation went on and we told him our stories and how our hope isn't dependent on the decisions of other people, the suffering that we go through, whether we have money or not, no, our hope is Jesus. And because of him we have peace, we have joy and we have hope. And no, dear man, we are not living in denial. We just chose to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith-who for the joy set before HIM endure the cross...Yes there is suffering, yes there is pain, yes, there is hurt and hatred and misery..but we can bring hope and no, we don't need money to help people. Sure, of course it helps, but money doesn't bring eternal hope. Oh, man of peace, do you recognize your name? His mindset was so stayed that he kept repeating the same hopelessness over and over and over. We would speak truth, his eyes would brighten for a moment, and then he would shake his head and say "no, it's not possible because of..." Oh Jesus, break the lies, bring peace to Shalom.
Do you have any rivers you think are uncrossable
Do you have any mountains you can't tunnel through?
God specializes in things thought impossible.
He does the things others can not do.
In everything GIVE THANKS, for this is God's will concerning you in Christ Jesus.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
September is ending so quickly. It's hard to believe it's been a month since we were in California starting the tent meetings. If you haven't seen videos check them out! Here is the Testimony Video, it's incredible. Much is still happening since we've left. A team of 30-40 people stayed and are continuing to disciple, share the gospel on the streets and live purposefully in Orange County.
In the mean time here at YWAM Denver we have been preparing for the biggest quarter of students we've had in a long while. We have run out of beds at our main campus and have 39 at our mountain campus. This Fall I will be handing the role of Personnel manager back over to my friend Ruth and jumping into small group discipleship for the Young People's DTS at our Eaglerock campus! Looking forward to Fall in the mountains.
It's been a fun summer, beyond the OC-which I feel like I can't even really describe in words tho I should try. I've enjoyed living in our lovely basement, serving people dinners and hosting prayer/worship nights, along with discipling staff through some tough conversations..and much more.
I've learned I can do a lot more often than I think I am capable of doing. I've been turning all the "I can't"s upside down and walking in "with God ALL things are possible. Some of the "I can't"s are silly and easily challenged, others I've had to battle through.
One of the fun ones is learning to cook. I've begun to play with flavors and the strange hodge podge of food that Stacy and I often end up with. My latest ingredient is all these frozen mangos that we got. They work great in Curry, on chicken, in smoothies, and much more. My friend Derrick picked up a little charcoal grill that we have here on the back porch and it's been fun to learn how to grill things as well. Everything from steaks to asparagus-pretty much whatever we end up with, Stacy told me she likes being my room mate these days when I am always cooking up something that tastes good. haha!
Another "I can't" was coupled with "I won't" which I will share more about later! For now, keep stopping in. :-)
In the mean time here at YWAM Denver we have been preparing for the biggest quarter of students we've had in a long while. We have run out of beds at our main campus and have 39 at our mountain campus. This Fall I will be handing the role of Personnel manager back over to my friend Ruth and jumping into small group discipleship for the Young People's DTS at our Eaglerock campus! Looking forward to Fall in the mountains.
It's been a fun summer, beyond the OC-which I feel like I can't even really describe in words tho I should try. I've enjoyed living in our lovely basement, serving people dinners and hosting prayer/worship nights, along with discipling staff through some tough conversations..and much more.
I've learned I can do a lot more often than I think I am capable of doing. I've been turning all the "I can't"s upside down and walking in "with God ALL things are possible. Some of the "I can't"s are silly and easily challenged, others I've had to battle through.
One of the fun ones is learning to cook. I've begun to play with flavors and the strange hodge podge of food that Stacy and I often end up with. My latest ingredient is all these frozen mangos that we got. They work great in Curry, on chicken, in smoothies, and much more. My friend Derrick picked up a little charcoal grill that we have here on the back porch and it's been fun to learn how to grill things as well. Everything from steaks to asparagus-pretty much whatever we end up with, Stacy told me she likes being my room mate these days when I am always cooking up something that tastes good. haha!
Another "I can't" was coupled with "I won't" which I will share more about later! For now, keep stopping in. :-)
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Volleyball
Tonight while playing volleyball I realized you can learn a lot about yourself and others while playing. We have options. We can do a good job, know that we are going to hit the ball, not depending on anyone else. If I chose to hit it over the net every time there is a higher guarantee that our team could score a point. But, is the team really benefiting?
What if it is more beneficial for the team all around if I take a risk to pass the ball, to set someone else up for success, to work as a team. Yeah, they might not have a perfect hit, or they may even miss it. Your team could lose the point. BUT what if you take the risk, you pass the ball and they successfully score a point for your team! Together you did it.
It's like that in any team. Anyone of us at any point could chose to go it alone. But we would miss out on this beautiful thing called a team. What if you take a risk? What if you give someone else a chance to join you in what you are doing? What if they don't do it perfectly....or what if they bring something unique and creative to the table of life that you never would have had without them?
Back in the day, before I was 20 believe it or not I really couldn't play volleyball at all. I went on a vacation to NH and some of my friends invited me to play. They took a risk, I missed the ball more than I hit it, I couldn't set, i couldn't spike, i could barely hit it with one hand and sometimes serve over the net. Usually at that point I wouldn't be invited to continue to try..the team around me would jump in front of me, assume that I wouldn't get it because I never did before-so why would I now. Well, these guys chose to give me a chance-they gave me pointers. They took time and took a risk. Instead of giving up on me, they chose to see that I could do it given a the opportunity. I wouldn't call myself a pro, but I can play volleyball because I had people who believed in me, took a risk, invested in my life and showed me how to be a team player. Sometimes I probably look at volleyball through different eyes because of the way I learned...and I believe it's worth passing on to others.
How often do we do this with people? Seeing transformation in people's lives means risking with them-taking a chance that they might not do things exactly like you think it should be done, or they may make a mess...
Faith IS spelled R I S K.
God has called us to be on HIS team-He's passing the ball to us and saying "give it all you've got..."-yeah, I won't hit it right every time, but I'm so thankful to be on His team-because he's got the best in mind.
Til next time...
What if it is more beneficial for the team all around if I take a risk to pass the ball, to set someone else up for success, to work as a team. Yeah, they might not have a perfect hit, or they may even miss it. Your team could lose the point. BUT what if you take the risk, you pass the ball and they successfully score a point for your team! Together you did it.
It's like that in any team. Anyone of us at any point could chose to go it alone. But we would miss out on this beautiful thing called a team. What if you take a risk? What if you give someone else a chance to join you in what you are doing? What if they don't do it perfectly....or what if they bring something unique and creative to the table of life that you never would have had without them?
Back in the day, before I was 20 believe it or not I really couldn't play volleyball at all. I went on a vacation to NH and some of my friends invited me to play. They took a risk, I missed the ball more than I hit it, I couldn't set, i couldn't spike, i could barely hit it with one hand and sometimes serve over the net. Usually at that point I wouldn't be invited to continue to try..the team around me would jump in front of me, assume that I wouldn't get it because I never did before-so why would I now. Well, these guys chose to give me a chance-they gave me pointers. They took time and took a risk. Instead of giving up on me, they chose to see that I could do it given a the opportunity. I wouldn't call myself a pro, but I can play volleyball because I had people who believed in me, took a risk, invested in my life and showed me how to be a team player. Sometimes I probably look at volleyball through different eyes because of the way I learned...and I believe it's worth passing on to others.
How often do we do this with people? Seeing transformation in people's lives means risking with them-taking a chance that they might not do things exactly like you think it should be done, or they may make a mess...
Faith IS spelled R I S K.
God has called us to be on HIS team-He's passing the ball to us and saying "give it all you've got..."-yeah, I won't hit it right every time, but I'm so thankful to be on His team-because he's got the best in mind.
Til next time...
Monday, August 22, 2011
Today on a college campus my friend JP and i took a walk across the lawn. We met a girl and asked her how her day had been. She said "bad." Right away our hearts broke for her and we listened to her pour out her heart. We prayed with her and encouraged her, and invited her to join us tonight at the tent meeting instead of going to the strip club, which was what she thought was her only answer to the trouble she was in. She had no hope.
Tonight at the tent meeting she found hope in Jesus and a whole pile of new friends. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to encounter her life, and see it radically changed. Instead of pain tonight she found healing. Instead of being seen as a piece of meat, she was seen as the precious jewel that God had chosen.
I'm at a loss for any more words...just that God is so good.
Tonight at the tent meeting she found hope in Jesus and a whole pile of new friends. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to encounter her life, and see it radically changed. Instead of pain tonight she found healing. Instead of being seen as a piece of meat, she was seen as the precious jewel that God had chosen.
I'm at a loss for any more words...just that God is so good.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Panera Bread
So, today in Panera Bread I was a little frustrated because I needed to work on my computer but the battery was dead and i forgot my charger at the house. Called Andrew and he had one so after running bus routes here at the beach he dropped it by.
I was sitting by a man in there and in the midst of my busy little life I hadn't even thought to say hello. Just a quick-do u mind if i sit here comment. Well, Andrew and Brycen (my cousin) walk in and long story short, in a matter of minutes the man's hurting knee was healed and he was spilling his life story. We spent almost a good hour with him talking about the things of God and enjoying fellowship.
Yes, the harvest is ripe. Lord, help me each day to not get so caught up in logistics that I miss what you are doing all around me!
I was sitting by a man in there and in the midst of my busy little life I hadn't even thought to say hello. Just a quick-do u mind if i sit here comment. Well, Andrew and Brycen (my cousin) walk in and long story short, in a matter of minutes the man's hurting knee was healed and he was spilling his life story. We spent almost a good hour with him talking about the things of God and enjoying fellowship.
Yes, the harvest is ripe. Lord, help me each day to not get so caught up in logistics that I miss what you are doing all around me!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Orange County
Definitely time to give an update on life!
Currently in Kona a school is running called the Circuit Riders which I mentioned the podcasts in a previous blog. This school is splitting into several locations for outreaches directly following the completion of the school. We as a base are joining The Circuit Riders on a week and a half outreach in Huntington Beach, California. Nonstop ministry for ten days. Like Kingdom Night x10 nights x200+ people!
This coming weekend I am heading out with 3 of our guys to work as an advance team getting the final logistical preparations finished. A lot of scouting, mapping, planning, detailing, organizing..all things right up my alley :-) I feel super privileged to be able to go and serve in this way!
It's crazy how things have come together...when God is up to something and He says join Me in this..there is NO STOPPING!
I will be driving my car out following one other car. We need vehicles to get around on the ground there and get everything done. So this week I am getting everything in my car checked over, but if you could be praying that my car has no issues at all and does great that would be awesome! I have known from the day I got the car that it's for ministry and so I am so thankful to have it and be able to offer it's use! It's been reliable for all the years I have had it now, and I want to continue to use it as a blessing.
A few other things to pray for:
The people that we will be ministering to-hearts to be open and receptive to the gospel of Jesus and the Truth!
Safety in Travel
Amazing communication between us as a ground team and coordinating with both Denver and Kona as needed.
$ for vehicle gasoline & for all of our vans to make it to the OC with no problems as well! (Grace for Tanner as he is our vehicle guy doing A LOT of work on them right now!)
Also, on a personal random note, I get to stay with my cousin Brycen for the first week and a half! What a cool blessing. It will be so good to spend a bit of time with him! And also I will be celebrating my birthday there...so that will be interesting! :-)
Currently in Kona a school is running called the Circuit Riders which I mentioned the podcasts in a previous blog. This school is splitting into several locations for outreaches directly following the completion of the school. We as a base are joining The Circuit Riders on a week and a half outreach in Huntington Beach, California. Nonstop ministry for ten days. Like Kingdom Night x10 nights x200+ people!
This coming weekend I am heading out with 3 of our guys to work as an advance team getting the final logistical preparations finished. A lot of scouting, mapping, planning, detailing, organizing..all things right up my alley :-) I feel super privileged to be able to go and serve in this way!
It's crazy how things have come together...when God is up to something and He says join Me in this..there is NO STOPPING!
I will be driving my car out following one other car. We need vehicles to get around on the ground there and get everything done. So this week I am getting everything in my car checked over, but if you could be praying that my car has no issues at all and does great that would be awesome! I have known from the day I got the car that it's for ministry and so I am so thankful to have it and be able to offer it's use! It's been reliable for all the years I have had it now, and I want to continue to use it as a blessing.
A few other things to pray for:
The people that we will be ministering to-hearts to be open and receptive to the gospel of Jesus and the Truth!
Safety in Travel
Amazing communication between us as a ground team and coordinating with both Denver and Kona as needed.
$ for vehicle gasoline & for all of our vans to make it to the OC with no problems as well! (Grace for Tanner as he is our vehicle guy doing A LOT of work on them right now!)
Also, on a personal random note, I get to stay with my cousin Brycen for the first week and a half! What a cool blessing. It will be so good to spend a bit of time with him! And also I will be celebrating my birthday there...so that will be interesting! :-)
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Ten things...
Ten things I am thankful for today: Summertime, Quiet moments at Eaglerock, Breakthroughs in prayer, GRACE, having Rowan around right now (my cousin for anyone who read this and says..who?), the opportunity to be in the middle of what God is up to, my hammock, fresh fruit, my car, small victories.
Feel free to join me in ...Ten things I'm contending for: Continued change in the lives of those I love and care for, HUGE amazing God miracles in the OC, A tent to use for ministry in the OC, Lucas, Healing for Denton & Camden!, ALC Youth Camp 2011, my kids in Nicaragua, past small group girls, reawakening AMERICA, DENVER to know Jesus completely!!!!!
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers,against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore , take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Eph. 6:11-14
Thankfulness is a secret weapon. Prayer and Intercession also weapons of our fight. Let's stand together! What are you thankful for today? What are you praying for? Lets believe God together for these things!!!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
So I just listened to the first of the downloadable podcasts from the Circuit Riders School in Kona and got my face melted off. Listen if you dare. Its worth it, HE IS WORTH IT ALL!!!
SOOOOO thankful that my JOB is to WAKE UP AND LOVE GOD! DO you realize that's your calling, your job???? OH my goodness, what does that even mean? Every breath, every word, every moment....
Radical. I'm in. Personal Revival, National Revival. Back to the basics of Jesus. It's always ever been about Him anyway.
(you can find them on itunes if u want to dive in.)
SOOOOO thankful that my JOB is to WAKE UP AND LOVE GOD! DO you realize that's your calling, your job???? OH my goodness, what does that even mean? Every breath, every word, every moment....
Radical. I'm in. Personal Revival, National Revival. Back to the basics of Jesus. It's always ever been about Him anyway.
(you can find them on itunes if u want to dive in.)
Friday, July 8, 2011
Gypsy Heart...
So tonight I sat amongst a crowd of train hoppers...in fact, I think someone thought I was one. I mean, why else would I have been sitting there between two dogs..one named Gypsy. Seriously, anyone who knows me knows that I don't even like dogs. But the Love of God compels me.
Anyway, as I sat among them, I thought, you know, I get it..the way they live. Because they get that there isn't a whole lot in the world worth possessing, that there is something more to be had than a big house, or a fancy car, or even nice clothes. But the search is on. The aching that doesn't satisfy, the constant searching, going from one thing to the next, maybe the best is just around the bend..
God is crying out for gypsy hearts.
Drink. And never thirst.
Come. And find Rest.
Buy. Without money and without price.
Ask. Seek. Knock.
Yeah, I get why they live they way they do. Sitting among them I felt a sense of refreshing. When they meet Jesus face to face, and I am praying they will SOON. They will get it...when they are found in HIM, and they no longer wander, they will be one step ahead of the rest of us who are still letting go.
It reminds me of The Vision by Pete Greig...here is just the beginning of the poem. I'd post the whole thing but it's long..so google it. It will be worth it!
Anyway, as I sat among them, I thought, you know, I get it..the way they live. Because they get that there isn't a whole lot in the world worth possessing, that there is something more to be had than a big house, or a fancy car, or even nice clothes. But the search is on. The aching that doesn't satisfy, the constant searching, going from one thing to the next, maybe the best is just around the bend..
God is crying out for gypsy hearts.
Drink. And never thirst.
Come. And find Rest.
Buy. Without money and without price.
Ask. Seek. Knock.
Yeah, I get why they live they way they do. Sitting among them I felt a sense of refreshing. When they meet Jesus face to face, and I am praying they will SOON. They will get it...when they are found in HIM, and they no longer wander, they will be one step ahead of the rest of us who are still letting go.
It reminds me of The Vision by Pete Greig...here is just the beginning of the poem. I'd post the whole thing but it's long..so google it. It will be worth it!
“what’s the vision? What’s the big idea?”
I open my mouth and words come out like this:
The vision?
The vision is JESUS – obsessively, dangerously, undeniably Jesus.
The vision is an army of young people.
You see bones? I see an army.
And they are FREE from materialism.
You see bones? I see an army.
And they are FREE from materialism.
They laugh at 9-5 little prisons.
They could eat caviar on Monday and crusts on Tuesday.
They wouldn’t even notice.
They could eat caviar on Monday and crusts on Tuesday.
They wouldn’t even notice.
That's all...
For tonight anyway.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
This was my last newsletter..incase you don't receive the ones I mail! It will catch you up to speed..
Greater things are yet to come
Greater things are still to be done in this city!!
And this city is Denver. As YWAM Denver we are very focused on the nations. Our calling it to be a bridge to the nations. We continue to raise up teams and send them out, in the past year we as a ministry sent out teams to around 22 countries, some of the countries multiple times. People hungry for the gospel came to Christ, were healed physically and emotionally, saw provision through the teams as they labored along side the people building houses and laying rock, and so much more. Also in the past year we began to claim the inheritance that God has in the city of Denver. After our team came back from Around the World last summer we were launched back into the city. We spent the week of debrief sharing stories and also ministering in Lower Downtown Denver. (LoDo). We began to call our Friday nights “Kingdom Night” as we bring Kingdom of God to the City.
Now it has been almost a year that we have consistently been taking students and staff down to the streets every week. I’ve never been a city girl, ever. But Denver has captured me. It’s a place full of life and adventure. People are encountering God. Just last night we gave food to a group of homeless men and one of the guys pulled a paper heart out of his wallet to tell us he now knew how to count to ten in chinese. The paper heart was from one week we had been there. Just a simple heart with 1 cor. 13 on it. On the back, from a later week was when one of the guys from the local church had joined us and taught him the chinese. The first time that anyone from our Kingdom night crew had encountered him he had refused to let them pray for him, but then later they gave him a starbucks card and he melted. Last night when we saw him, he is still claiming to be an atheist, but this time, he told us “I could be wrong.” One of the women from the church who joined us last night boldly told him “you are.” Join us in praying for Mac as God continues to woo him home to Himself. This is just one of many people we have encountered.
This summer I will be teaming up with a couple of other staff to take on leading for Kingdom Night while our two main leaders are in Kona doing a school called the Circuit Riders. We are sending five of our staff to the training. At the end of the summer there are two outreaches off of this school. One is in Southern California. We as an entire ministry are packing our bags and road tripping to Huntington Beach to be involved in this two week outreach. Over three hundred people out sharing the gospel for two straight weeks. Please be in praying! This is only the beginning.
Three brand new schools came in last Monday, the Compassion/ATW Discipleship Training School, The School of Biblical Foundations, and The School of Art In Missions. All of the students from these schools will be going with us to CA before they leave on outreaches overseas. This is the biggest summer we have had as YWAM Denver in a long time. Two years ago we had ten students. This year we have closer to 60. While many of our students are international, the majority are from the states. The youth of America are ready. Rise up and cry out for our nation. “Revive us again, fill our hearts with your love, may our souls be rekindled with fire from above. Hallelujah! Thine the Glory. Hallelujah! AMEN. Hallelujah! Thine the glory revive us again!” My favorite song when I was a kid, I don’t think I even had an inkling of what it truly meant, now this is a pleading prayer.
Thank you for partnering with me in prayer, in finances and in fellowship as I continue to press on where God has called me here serving full time in missions with Youth With A Mission Denver.
I pray that you are strengthened and encouraged today. That from the depths of who you are God continues to show you how wide, how deep, how long and how high is the Love that He has for you and for those around you. May His living and active Word continue to strengthen you for the days ahead. He who calls us is faithful.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Living outside the box
Last week when we prayed for Kingdom night our crew felt like we were to dress in white and bring streamers as a prophetic act of proclaiming HOPE, LIGHT, TRUTH & PURITY throughout the city of Denver. As we played with streamers and danced through the city we prayed. All along the way we met people who asked "what's with the toilet paper" (which might I add..wasn't TP), and we were able to tell them about what God wanted to give them. At one point one of my friends overheard a little kid sitting high on his dad's shoulders tell him "daddy, those are the shiny people." That is JESUS! What was he seeing? yay!
Monday, May 9, 2011
Answer to prayer!
Our bedroom
The other side of the room, with a big closet!
Our sparse but spacious living room.
Built in book shelf!
The kitchen!
Our soon to be prayer room. My hammock will be hung up in it soon, just need the right tools first!
And even ample storage space with washer and dryer.
This place is such a blessing for Stacy and I. We want to fill it with laughter, prayer, conversation, Bible study, peaceful moments, the smell of coffee, and artistic expression....and more!
A couple of months ago I was pretty discouraged knowing that being hospitable is something that God has given me the desire for, but having to continually lay that down at His feet. Often dreams seem to have to die, and then He can bring them back to life when they are of Him. Well, this place is definitely an answer to prayer and much more incredible than we could have looked for on our own.
If you are ever in town, please stop in! I'll put some water on and we can have tea and I would love to hear what God is up to in your life, what you are learning and how He's at work all around you.
(you can tell me anyway, even if you can't come by, cuz I'd love to hear!)
Til next time...
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Taking a leap of faith!
I am moving in a week! No, not out of the country or out of the state, or even out of this city...just a couple miles! All winter I was looking with four other girls for a place to live this spring. Everything kept not working out, and it was super discouraging. Finally three of the girls needed to make decisions because if they didn't there would be no place for them. So then there were two of us. Both of us have a strong desire to have a place that we can use for hospitality.
Where I have been living is great. I love the family in who's basement I dwell. They were originally moving as well, so this was also a reason I was searching for a new location. I kinda gave up moving and thought well, it might be a while..guess I could paint the living room and I will feel like its a new place- which by the way it looks pretty good down here I would say. And then...this incredible opportunity came up with a family who is friends with a family on staff, they also go to the church we attend on sundays here when we are in town.
So, the new place is perfect! It's also a basement..but a daylight basement! With a kitchen, and this really sweet little room that is incredible-Stacy and I are excited to call it our "prayer room". There is plenty of space for us to have people over as well. We can have our small groups over, and I would love for us to be able to just invite people in to enjoy tea and coffee. I will try to post pictures as soon as we get in..and when we actually have furniture. My friend Heidi gave us a table..and we were told we could hang my hammock. So i guess we really only need a couch or two!
It's a leap of faith because our rent will be a bit higher than what I am paying now. But you can't really put a price tag on being able to serve and bless others.
Where I have been living is great. I love the family in who's basement I dwell. They were originally moving as well, so this was also a reason I was searching for a new location. I kinda gave up moving and thought well, it might be a while..guess I could paint the living room and I will feel like its a new place- which by the way it looks pretty good down here I would say. And then...this incredible opportunity came up with a family who is friends with a family on staff, they also go to the church we attend on sundays here when we are in town.
So, the new place is perfect! It's also a basement..but a daylight basement! With a kitchen, and this really sweet little room that is incredible-Stacy and I are excited to call it our "prayer room". There is plenty of space for us to have people over as well. We can have our small groups over, and I would love for us to be able to just invite people in to enjoy tea and coffee. I will try to post pictures as soon as we get in..and when we actually have furniture. My friend Heidi gave us a table..and we were told we could hang my hammock. So i guess we really only need a couch or two!
It's a leap of faith because our rent will be a bit higher than what I am paying now. But you can't really put a price tag on being able to serve and bless others.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Spring Time!
I love when it gets warm and the leave begin to come out. I used to think that Fall was my favorite season, but I'm pretty sure it's Spring. NEW LIFE!
This past week we just had three brand new schools start. Our School of Worship, Phase 2 school of Ministry Development and The Around the World/Multicultural DTS -almost 50 students from all around the world.
This quarter I am working in our Personnel Department. So far I'm learning how to schedule a staff of almost 80 and make sure the entire place is running smoothly each and every day. The other morning in worship time I was also thinking about logistics and it was kind of frustrating me because I wanted to just lose myself in worship and forget about the rest. And I felt God speak to my heart "are you willing to worship me through the logistics"? Romans 12:1-2 talks about giving our lives as a living sacrifice, that this is our reasonable act of service. It's all Holy Holy Holy. I want to worship him in no matter what place I find myself. We began to sing "be the wind in these sails, be the reason that I live-Jesus, Jesus!" It's not from 9-10:30 that we worship Him..it's every moment of every day.
We are continuing to do Kingdom Night weekly. Last night was the first of the quarter. We took instruments and worshiped in the street. All night people were drawn in to the presence of the Lord. We would talk to people and they would respond "I don't know why I am telling you this; I don't even know why I am here." He was drawing them to His heart.
Tuesday mom and dad are coming for a few days. I am looking forward to having them here, to show them around Denver and to see what I'm involved with here!
Until next time....
This past week we just had three brand new schools start. Our School of Worship, Phase 2 school of Ministry Development and The Around the World/Multicultural DTS -almost 50 students from all around the world.
This quarter I am working in our Personnel Department. So far I'm learning how to schedule a staff of almost 80 and make sure the entire place is running smoothly each and every day. The other morning in worship time I was also thinking about logistics and it was kind of frustrating me because I wanted to just lose myself in worship and forget about the rest. And I felt God speak to my heart "are you willing to worship me through the logistics"? Romans 12:1-2 talks about giving our lives as a living sacrifice, that this is our reasonable act of service. It's all Holy Holy Holy. I want to worship him in no matter what place I find myself. We began to sing "be the wind in these sails, be the reason that I live-Jesus, Jesus!" It's not from 9-10:30 that we worship Him..it's every moment of every day.
We are continuing to do Kingdom Night weekly. Last night was the first of the quarter. We took instruments and worshiped in the street. All night people were drawn in to the presence of the Lord. We would talk to people and they would respond "I don't know why I am telling you this; I don't even know why I am here." He was drawing them to His heart.
Tuesday mom and dad are coming for a few days. I am looking forward to having them here, to show them around Denver and to see what I'm involved with here!
Until next time....
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
He is Worthy
Its not about you or me...
Its never been about you or me...
It's all about Him you see.
His heartbeat...
His dream.
HIS sacrifice-
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering. -the Moravian call.
Its never been about you or me...
It's all about Him you see.
His heartbeat...
His dream.
HIS sacrifice-
May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering. -the Moravian call.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Diving in...
We are back at Eaglerock already. This past week has been an adventure to say the least. We have five teams that have returned from outreach. Four of which are staying up at Eaglerock with us. They just returned from Thailand, Colombia, Europe, Brazil & Mexico.
Got a chance to catch up with one of the girls from the Brazil team today, she was also on the Around the World outreach earlier in the year. It's so awesome to hear what God is doing in her life and how God used their time in Brazil.
This week our school has been traveling up and down the mountain to be with the Compassion DTS for a week of teaching regarding Spiritual Warfare. Last week they came up and joined us for a week of teaching on the Kingdom of God. It's been a lot of driving up and down the mountain amidst the snow storms. Please be continually praying for God's favor, we do more driving during this quarter than most other quarters put together. We've enjoyed the snow; lots and lots of it! Makes for fun riding days!
The remainder of the X-games went fairly well, we had a lot going on. Jesus Freaks we had two people who came to watch. In the end we know it was still a good experience for our school. We stepped out and were faithful..and although it was only 2, it was still 2! And not to mention 1000 people heard about it and have access to the website and at least had their heart stirred to maybe ask some questions.
One very cool story. The night before the showing we were handing out flyers and one of the other girls and I gave an invitation to a guy named Brian. We started talking to home and Sam tells him where we are from, and what we are doing in Aspen. He says "wait a minute, who did you say you are?" so we said "youth with a mission" and he says.."well, I don't know if it was you girls but a couple of weeks ago at Keystone I was working on Frenchman [the name of a run], a man had a broken ankle and two girls stopped to pray for him." Believe it or not, it was Sam and I! Coincidence?! I DON'T think so! Out of all the 41,000 people in Aspen- we run into that same ski patrol?! WHAT! We invited him to Jesus Freaks, and although He didn't come..I'm just praying that Brian can't get this thing out of his mind and that God will continue to draw him to Himself.
Until next time...
Got a chance to catch up with one of the girls from the Brazil team today, she was also on the Around the World outreach earlier in the year. It's so awesome to hear what God is doing in her life and how God used their time in Brazil.
This week our school has been traveling up and down the mountain to be with the Compassion DTS for a week of teaching regarding Spiritual Warfare. Last week they came up and joined us for a week of teaching on the Kingdom of God. It's been a lot of driving up and down the mountain amidst the snow storms. Please be continually praying for God's favor, we do more driving during this quarter than most other quarters put together. We've enjoyed the snow; lots and lots of it! Makes for fun riding days!
The remainder of the X-games went fairly well, we had a lot going on. Jesus Freaks we had two people who came to watch. In the end we know it was still a good experience for our school. We stepped out and were faithful..and although it was only 2, it was still 2! And not to mention 1000 people heard about it and have access to the website and at least had their heart stirred to maybe ask some questions.
One very cool story. The night before the showing we were handing out flyers and one of the other girls and I gave an invitation to a guy named Brian. We started talking to home and Sam tells him where we are from, and what we are doing in Aspen. He says "wait a minute, who did you say you are?" so we said "youth with a mission" and he says.."well, I don't know if it was you girls but a couple of weeks ago at Keystone I was working on Frenchman [the name of a run], a man had a broken ankle and two girls stopped to pray for him." Believe it or not, it was Sam and I! Coincidence?! I DON'T think so! Out of all the 41,000 people in Aspen- we run into that same ski patrol?! WHAT! We invited him to Jesus Freaks, and although He didn't come..I'm just praying that Brian can't get this thing out of his mind and that God will continue to draw him to Himself.
Until next time...
Thursday, January 27, 2011
X-games
Hey Everyone!
We are here in Aspen for the x-games. Through a series of events we felt like we needed to leave early and come to be here yesterday. It's amazing to be here and are anticipating what all God wants to do in and through our school.
Big prayer request. Tomorrow night we are showing a private screening of Jesus Freaks. Its a special way we can reach this generation for God. We also have an enemy who doesn't want it to succeed. Will you pray with us? Tonight we will be out giving people tickets (invitations) to come and we are praying for a crowd of people who are hungry to be filled with something more than what they have been chasing after their whole lives- wealth, success, fame- the things that always allude to satisfaction, but never fulfill. Jesus satisfies.
Will post again when the week is over and we are back at Eaglerock.
We are here in Aspen for the x-games. Through a series of events we felt like we needed to leave early and come to be here yesterday. It's amazing to be here and are anticipating what all God wants to do in and through our school.
Big prayer request. Tomorrow night we are showing a private screening of Jesus Freaks. Its a special way we can reach this generation for God. We also have an enemy who doesn't want it to succeed. Will you pray with us? Tonight we will be out giving people tickets (invitations) to come and we are praying for a crowd of people who are hungry to be filled with something more than what they have been chasing after their whole lives- wealth, success, fame- the things that always allude to satisfaction, but never fulfill. Jesus satisfies.
Will post again when the week is over and we are back at Eaglerock.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
thoughts on discipling...
Oh man, I love these guys! Its week three of Boarders DTS and it's been incredible.
This year we have 28 students. I'm loving being an assistant director. Every students is growing so much. Last week was Father Heart of God. A few of the students God has really put on my heart to fight for in specific areas.
Many in this generation are un-parented..left with gaping holes where broken homes, absent families and just lack of the presence of Jesus in the home has left a lot of pain and hurt. Its seems I have a soft spot for these ones, because Jesus has a soft spot for them- and He wants us to go to battle on their behalf.
The first outreach I had the opportunity to assist was off of the BDTS two years ago. Before we went I'd heard things about different students being challenging. I took that as a challenge in a way and said God, show me how to break through.
And you know what, the one who could have been the toughest, became one of the ones that God said -He's worth it, stand up and fight. Because authority figures had let him down so much, we needed break through. Jesus is so faithful, He showed us as leaders how to walk it out. Today this young man is serving God full time with a desire to take Jesus to the nations. Was it worth it? Yes. And the best part? When we ask God what it takes, He gives us the insight.
Don't go on assumption or even worse, other people's assumptions. I learned that when we get God's heart for someone we can speak into their lives, we can love them in ways that Jesus would love and this breaks down walls, every brick of rejection, hurt, addiction, unforgiveness, everything...when we pray the price and say Jesus, I'm willing to do what it takes.
This is pretty much my favorite thing in the world....ok one of many of my favorite things! I love seeing Jesus show up and radically transform peoples lives. He's the one who can take what was once unseen, rejected, left for trash..into something beautiful. He sees the potential. HE SEES THE TRUTH! And THAT is what makes me so excited about the next 9 weeks. The longer I am here and I see students come through DTS, go on outreach, do secondary schools, become small group leaders themselves, go to foreign nations long term, serve in the kitchen...I celebrate how worth it this is-every second of the journey God has me involved in here at YWAM Denver. Yippy!
This year we have 28 students. I'm loving being an assistant director. Every students is growing so much. Last week was Father Heart of God. A few of the students God has really put on my heart to fight for in specific areas.
Many in this generation are un-parented..left with gaping holes where broken homes, absent families and just lack of the presence of Jesus in the home has left a lot of pain and hurt. Its seems I have a soft spot for these ones, because Jesus has a soft spot for them- and He wants us to go to battle on their behalf.
The first outreach I had the opportunity to assist was off of the BDTS two years ago. Before we went I'd heard things about different students being challenging. I took that as a challenge in a way and said God, show me how to break through.
And you know what, the one who could have been the toughest, became one of the ones that God said -He's worth it, stand up and fight. Because authority figures had let him down so much, we needed break through. Jesus is so faithful, He showed us as leaders how to walk it out. Today this young man is serving God full time with a desire to take Jesus to the nations. Was it worth it? Yes. And the best part? When we ask God what it takes, He gives us the insight.
Don't go on assumption or even worse, other people's assumptions. I learned that when we get God's heart for someone we can speak into their lives, we can love them in ways that Jesus would love and this breaks down walls, every brick of rejection, hurt, addiction, unforgiveness, everything...when we pray the price and say Jesus, I'm willing to do what it takes.
This is pretty much my favorite thing in the world....ok one of many of my favorite things! I love seeing Jesus show up and radically transform peoples lives. He's the one who can take what was once unseen, rejected, left for trash..into something beautiful. He sees the potential. HE SEES THE TRUTH! And THAT is what makes me so excited about the next 9 weeks. The longer I am here and I see students come through DTS, go on outreach, do secondary schools, become small group leaders themselves, go to foreign nations long term, serve in the kitchen...I celebrate how worth it this is-every second of the journey God has me involved in here at YWAM Denver. Yippy!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Break My Heart for What Breaks Yours....
He heals the broken Hearted
He binds their wounds
He is Love
He finds those forgotten
Those have been abused
He is Love
He knows your name
A father to the fatherless
A healer of the brokeness you make
beauty from the ashes
A helper to the helpless
A fighter for the hopeless you Love
Those who are alone
Those who are alone
He comforts the lonely
He hears their Cry
He is Love
He holds the children
Through out the night
He is Love
He knows your name
A father to the fatherless
A healer of the brokeness you make
Beauty from the ashes
A helper to the helpless
A fighter for the hopeless you love
Those who are alone
Gives us your Heart Lord help us Love the unseen
And give us your eyes Lord help us Love those in need
You're a father of the fatherless
A healer of the brokeness you make
Beauty from the ashes
You're a helper to the helpless
A fighter for the hopeless you love
Those who are alone
Those who are alone
He knows your name
He Knows your name....
Esterlyn
He binds their wounds
He is Love
He finds those forgotten
Those have been abused
He is Love
He knows your name
A father to the fatherless
A healer of the brokeness you make
beauty from the ashes
A helper to the helpless
A fighter for the hopeless you Love
Those who are alone
Those who are alone
He comforts the lonely
He hears their Cry
He is Love
He holds the children
Through out the night
He is Love
He knows your name
A father to the fatherless
A healer of the brokeness you make
Beauty from the ashes
A helper to the helpless
A fighter for the hopeless you love
Those who are alone
Gives us your Heart Lord help us Love the unseen
And give us your eyes Lord help us Love those in need
You're a father of the fatherless
A healer of the brokeness you make
Beauty from the ashes
You're a helper to the helpless
A fighter for the hopeless you love
Those who are alone
Those who are alone
He knows your name
He Knows your name....
Esterlyn
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