Monica and I with our best Christmas smiles
Adam playing the sax......sideways
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Christmas Pictures
My outreach team (notice my cute haircut)
Monica and I with our best Christmas smiles
Adam playing the sax......sideways
Monica and I with our best Christmas smiles
Adam playing the sax......sideways
From Commissioning to Christmas
On Friday the 21st, my DTS class was commissioned for outreach. It’s a very exciting and special night on the base. After three months of looking……….tired, we take a nap, then we put on our very best outfits, hair and makeup, even jewelry to top it off. The night was led by my amazing school leader, Caleb Brownhill, he’s the red headed Aussie. We went over each school (DTS, Sports DTS, Bible School for the Nations, Community Counseling School, Art Evangelists School, Transformation School, and the Biblical Core Course) and each school had a couple minutes to share what the past three months have been like and testify to what God has done during the lecture phase. It was great to see what’s been happening in the schools, and there were lots of laughs. Caleb introduced each outreach team (there are about 12 teams leaving this week), and we gathered in our teams throughout the auditorium and people gathered around to pray for us. It was a powerful time!
Pictures of 1) the girls on my outreach team, from left to right: Charissa, Chanelle, Amerra, Robyn, Lindsey, Jessica)
2) Friends, from left to right, Robyn, Adam (outreach team leader), Amerra, and Pam (one of my amazing leaders)
3) Most of my DTS class
4) My and Caleb, my school leader and ........... hero!
Christmas came a few days later! The weather didn’t feel like Christmas, over 100 degrees and tank tops everywhere, but the stockings, good friends and lots of yummy food made it feel like Christmas to me. My outreach team met at one of our leaders house for breakfast (see picture), we opened stockings, and enjoyed spending the holiday together. From there I lay on my bed, took a little nap, and read the Christmas story during my quiet time. It was a great morning! The girls of 228 and got all dressed up for dinner (which is really lunch) and headed to the base. The auditorium had been transformed into a beautiful banquet hall, and we spent the afternoon eating, listening to some very special musicians entertain us (my outreach leader, Adam, played a few carols on his saxophone), and participating in the world’s longest gift exchange: 300 people, 300 gifts, and 3 hours of laughing, developing those all-important alliances, and enjoying family away from family. It was a special Christmas indeed!
The 12th and Final Week: Evangelism
Well, I start off every almost every entry by saying our speaker was great. This week I'm typing it enthusiastically! I've made an amazing friend here, Katie from LA. We've been anticipating our speaker for week 12 together because.....it's her dad! Dave Gustaveson is the director of the YWAM Los Angelas, and he's amazing. We laughed, we cried, then we laughed until we cried. The topic was evangelism, and he squeezed it into 3 days of teaching and took time to celebrate Christmas and Boxing day with us. He covered a lot of ground, told tons of great stories about Peter Brownhill, our base founder, and of course his daughter. He encouraged us to live faithfully with what God has given us now: money, relationships, our opportunities to share the Gospel on outreach. etc. When we live faithfully today, God moves us into tomorrow and entrusts us with more responsibility. That's what life is all about!
Week 11: Missions
We had such a great speaker this week. Paul Dangatoumbda flew over from Nigeria, where he's the national director of YWAM. He was an experience: his passion, beautiful accent, colorful clothing, and the revalation he brought to Matthew 28:18, the great commission were captivating. He really brought to light the fact that God created us on this earth for a very specific purpose. When we live out of this purpose, we lack his annoitning and our effectiveness. God's entire heart is to win the lost and edify the church, and everything He does works to accomplish this. Therefore, everything we do should work towards this goal. This week's teaching centered on two things: 1) Hearing the voice of God and 2) Obedience. We can't live out God's purposes for us if we aren't hearing His voice and living in obedience. So, the question is.......What has God spoken to you? What strategy has he given you to accomplish his purposes? I'll be honest, I don't know yet. But when I do, I'm going all out.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Week 10: Freedom in Christ
Eight Principles from Freedom in Christ
1) Deliverance: When the power of the Holy Spirit overcomes the power of the evil one in a persons life and sets them free, it's a sign the Kingdom of God has come
2) Jesus came to set us free, he broke people out of bondage though the power of the Holy Spirit and we are to do the same
3) We don't see a lot of delieverance ministry in the west because the the Gospel is often intellectualized
4) People can be fearful of deliverance, thinking if they have bondages then they aren't saved at all, or because of tramatic past experiences where they have felt circumstances were out of control and don't want to create another circustance like that
5) Generational sin can create bondages in individuals, there will be strong influence or tendancy to be tempted in specific ways
6) You have to want to be set free, no can make that choice for you
7) Bondages can be broken at time of salvation
8) Deliverance puts God's power on display and brings him great glory
1) Deliverance: When the power of the Holy Spirit overcomes the power of the evil one in a persons life and sets them free, it's a sign the Kingdom of God has come
2) Jesus came to set us free, he broke people out of bondage though the power of the Holy Spirit and we are to do the same
3) We don't see a lot of delieverance ministry in the west because the the Gospel is often intellectualized
4) People can be fearful of deliverance, thinking if they have bondages then they aren't saved at all, or because of tramatic past experiences where they have felt circumstances were out of control and don't want to create another circustance like that
5) Generational sin can create bondages in individuals, there will be strong influence or tendancy to be tempted in specific ways
6) You have to want to be set free, no can make that choice for you
7) Bondages can be broken at time of salvation
8) Deliverance puts God's power on display and brings him great glory
Week 9: The Fear of the Lord
God really challenged me during Wednesday morning worship; through a word he gave Richard. In Matthew 17 Jesus asks his disciples who the world says he is. They reply with prophets, a demon possessed man, etc, then Jesus turns to Peter. “Peter, who do you say I am?” I really felt like God was asking me who he is. I had to confess that I don’t know him as well as I thought, or as well as I lead others to believe I do. A line in the song we were singing caught my ear. “And I would give the world to tell your story, cause I know that you’ve called me.” And I was really challenged again, do I really know God’s story? Do I know him myself, or do I just know him through what other people have told me? Can I tell someone about my Fear of the Lord, or just our speaker's Fear of the Lord? Then it hit me hard that I’m leaving in three weeks, thinking I have the answer to a need that everyone have. And I do to a certain extent, but I’m kidding myself if I think I’ve got all the answers. A desperation came over me to know my God more, the God I pray to everyday, and the God I sing songs of praises too. It was an uncomfortable morning, but it was a revelation from Him, he is bringing me closer to his heart.
I had a great day with God on Friday. During lecture on the conversation of my heart, and how those conversations can be sinful, I had a revelation other than realizing how ugly my thoughts can be. I’ve always been such a task oriented person, and I’ve been in ministry with such task oriented person that I’ve never really considered that God can be proud of me when I’m not doing anything. He can be excited over my thoughts, and not just my actions. The other part of this is that because I’ve spent so much time listening for the applause of men, I haven’t had ears to hear the applause of my Father. My relationship with him is suffering because I haven’t been able to hear half of what he’s saying to me, the kind and loving words that I’ve always desired to hear. That evening I got a card from my mom that had pictures of my sisters wedding in it. I couldn’t wait to show people, but I decided to show them to God first and get his approval. I took my pictures to the park and showed them to God. He totally talked to me! He told me I was so beautiful, he told me that he wanted me to know that on the day but I didn’t listen. I thought, that was such a great day, I love thinking about that day. He said that he remembers that day too, and he thought it was a great and really fun day too! It was the most reassurance I’ve ever felt. When I finally did show my pictures to my friends, they made a big deal about them, but it still didn’t compare to the words of my Father. I’m trying to position myself more to hear the simple affirmation from heaven.
I had a great day with God on Friday. During lecture on the conversation of my heart, and how those conversations can be sinful, I had a revelation other than realizing how ugly my thoughts can be. I’ve always been such a task oriented person, and I’ve been in ministry with such task oriented person that I’ve never really considered that God can be proud of me when I’m not doing anything. He can be excited over my thoughts, and not just my actions. The other part of this is that because I’ve spent so much time listening for the applause of men, I haven’t had ears to hear the applause of my Father. My relationship with him is suffering because I haven’t been able to hear half of what he’s saying to me, the kind and loving words that I’ve always desired to hear. That evening I got a card from my mom that had pictures of my sisters wedding in it. I couldn’t wait to show people, but I decided to show them to God first and get his approval. I took my pictures to the park and showed them to God. He totally talked to me! He told me I was so beautiful, he told me that he wanted me to know that on the day but I didn’t listen. I thought, that was such a great day, I love thinking about that day. He said that he remembers that day too, and he thought it was a great and really fun day too! It was the most reassurance I’ve ever felt. When I finally did show my pictures to my friends, they made a big deal about them, but it still didn’t compare to the words of my Father. I’m trying to position myself more to hear the simple affirmation from heaven.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
So, why not women?
As part of our couse work, we have to read a couple of great books. I read Why Not Women? by Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With A Mission. It was a great book, and I highly recommend it.............to both women AND men. =) Here is my write up on it:
Why Not Women? is a complete look at the attack of the enemy on God’s creation in women and their gifts, especially as it relates to leadership roles in the church. Through history we can see the oldest and longest battle: our spiritual enemy against women. We can see the enemy’s strategies in this battle as we attacks: the gospel workforce, men and their ministries, women, the character of God, the image of God. We took a detailed look at the past, present, and the future of women in ministry. We walk through the history of men’s beliefs about women, starting in the Garden, and seeping through time into Greek and Roman culture/religion/entertainment, as well as the Jewish culture that Jesus stepped into with his revolutionary teachings. We looked at 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy (which are often misunderstood), and the absolute truths they lay down, as well as the outworking of those truths for the audience Paul was writing to. The authors hopes are that leaders will be good stewards of those they serve by releasing their gifts, that people with differing opinions on women would agree to hear the authors heart on this subject, people who have held women back from using their gifts would repent, that women would live in obedience to God while guarding their hearts against bitterness.
My favorite part of the book, one of the main things I’m taking away from is it the picture the authors painted of creation and how the relationship of Adam and Eve before the fall, the way God created it. The drama of creation intensifies from one day to the next, as God’s creations become more and more spectacular, and excitement builds for the crowning work, scripture crescendos, breaking into poem as the man takes his first breath. It is not good. What happened? Man had a need, and God’s creation reaches it’s climax with the creation of woman. Adam agrees and breaks into song making the first human words a love song. It wasn’t until both male and female were created that it was good, and God gave them equal authority. She was his helpmate, which is a perfectly balanced term: one half meaning more capable, more intelligent, and more powerful, the other half meaning equal. Adam needed help, a partner, and it was good.
The other, more obvious, thing I’ll take away from Why Not Women? is the in depth study of 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. I’ve always known a little about these scriptures that seem to be limiting, that the clues to unlock the meaning is in the cultural relevance to the time. I’ve learned that’s not entirely true. A common method of teaching in the Bible is called ‘interchange’ or the A-B-A-B structure. The author will go from one topic, to a different, yet related topic. Paul uses this structure to teach A) absolute truths in the Bible, and right heart attitudes for all Christians at every time, everywhere B) the relevant outworking of these truths and attitudes for the audience he was writing to. It is often in the scriptures related to the relevant outworking of God’s truth, where misunderstanding and confusion take root, where one might mistake teaching for the church in Corinth, for example, and apply it in today’s church.
One chapter is devoted to 1 Timothy 2, verses 1-15, with a focus on verse 12: “I do not permit a woman to teach, or to have authority over man, she must be silent.” This was particularly interesting to me because I’ve experienced the wrong application of this verse firsthand. In college, one of my best guy friends chose not to go to our midweek Bible study one week because he knew that two women were going to be giving the teaching that week. He was raised in a home where it was taught that women could not teach on the scriptures (although him and his five siblings were home schooled). The to correctly read this verse you must:
1) Look at it in the context of the surrounding scripture. It follows a description of the church in Ephesus, which was in a sorry state (persecuting from the outside, false teaching from the inside). Paul gives instructions on how to pray for that church followed by one of the most emotional verses on God’s heart for the lost. God bares his heart, his deepest longings, “This is good and pleasing to God our Savior, who wants all (humanity, both men and women in the original Greek) to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” People often miss this verse, as they rush on to more controversial issues.
2) The verses Paul turns to the men, he uses a Greek word for this first time in this passage meaning only men, and tells them to pray with their hands raised, without anger or disputing. Paul is telling them, he wants to see their desire “for all to be saved” in their lives, walking in the opposite spirit from those attacking the church.
3) In the next couple of verses, Paul uses a mini-chiasm, first talking to all women, then one specific woman, then again to all women. To all women Paul says, just like the men, walk out your faith in your daily lives by praying in decency and with propriety. Paul is telling them to do the same thing in two different ways. The difficult verse, then, is directed towards one specific woman. This is most important as you unwrap the meaning of this scripture.
Keeping all this things in mind, the authors show us the clues that Paul left us as to why this one specific woman was written about. There is meaning in the pronouns Paul used, other scriptures from Paul to Timothy talking about false teachers and heresies in that church, the differences between unnamed and named false teachers in scriptures, and the reference to Eve and her deception.
After learning more about this verse, it becomes clear how Paul’s instructions for Timothy in dealing with this women, were nothing but kind and gracious. He tells Timothy to teach her, while the education of women was still a very revolutionary idea. He tells her to learn “in quietness and full submission”, which is, when looking at the original Greek, what he told every church member in Ephesus when he said men should pray without disputing and women with propriety. He was telling her to live in obedience to the law, in peace, and without argumentation. In Jewish culture, learning and teaching went hand in hand, there was no separating the two. After you learned something, you taught it, that was the way. Paul was freeing this woman from teaching for a while, making her more available to study the life of Jesus, or “the childbearing” that saved her.
Overall, this book is very freeing for women. It goes back to what God originally intended for men and women in partnership, and what Jesus taught about the value of women. It’s an encouragement to live in obedience of God’s call on your life, while maintaining a pure heart free of bitterness and anger towards who might limit on the basis of gender.
Why Not Women? is a complete look at the attack of the enemy on God’s creation in women and their gifts, especially as it relates to leadership roles in the church. Through history we can see the oldest and longest battle: our spiritual enemy against women. We can see the enemy’s strategies in this battle as we attacks: the gospel workforce, men and their ministries, women, the character of God, the image of God. We took a detailed look at the past, present, and the future of women in ministry. We walk through the history of men’s beliefs about women, starting in the Garden, and seeping through time into Greek and Roman culture/religion/entertainment, as well as the Jewish culture that Jesus stepped into with his revolutionary teachings. We looked at 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy (which are often misunderstood), and the absolute truths they lay down, as well as the outworking of those truths for the audience Paul was writing to. The authors hopes are that leaders will be good stewards of those they serve by releasing their gifts, that people with differing opinions on women would agree to hear the authors heart on this subject, people who have held women back from using their gifts would repent, that women would live in obedience to God while guarding their hearts against bitterness.
My favorite part of the book, one of the main things I’m taking away from is it the picture the authors painted of creation and how the relationship of Adam and Eve before the fall, the way God created it. The drama of creation intensifies from one day to the next, as God’s creations become more and more spectacular, and excitement builds for the crowning work, scripture crescendos, breaking into poem as the man takes his first breath. It is not good. What happened? Man had a need, and God’s creation reaches it’s climax with the creation of woman. Adam agrees and breaks into song making the first human words a love song. It wasn’t until both male and female were created that it was good, and God gave them equal authority. She was his helpmate, which is a perfectly balanced term: one half meaning more capable, more intelligent, and more powerful, the other half meaning equal. Adam needed help, a partner, and it was good.
The other, more obvious, thing I’ll take away from Why Not Women? is the in depth study of 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. I’ve always known a little about these scriptures that seem to be limiting, that the clues to unlock the meaning is in the cultural relevance to the time. I’ve learned that’s not entirely true. A common method of teaching in the Bible is called ‘interchange’ or the A-B-A-B structure. The author will go from one topic, to a different, yet related topic. Paul uses this structure to teach A) absolute truths in the Bible, and right heart attitudes for all Christians at every time, everywhere B) the relevant outworking of these truths and attitudes for the audience he was writing to. It is often in the scriptures related to the relevant outworking of God’s truth, where misunderstanding and confusion take root, where one might mistake teaching for the church in Corinth, for example, and apply it in today’s church.
One chapter is devoted to 1 Timothy 2, verses 1-15, with a focus on verse 12: “I do not permit a woman to teach, or to have authority over man, she must be silent.” This was particularly interesting to me because I’ve experienced the wrong application of this verse firsthand. In college, one of my best guy friends chose not to go to our midweek Bible study one week because he knew that two women were going to be giving the teaching that week. He was raised in a home where it was taught that women could not teach on the scriptures (although him and his five siblings were home schooled). The to correctly read this verse you must:
1) Look at it in the context of the surrounding scripture. It follows a description of the church in Ephesus, which was in a sorry state (persecuting from the outside, false teaching from the inside). Paul gives instructions on how to pray for that church followed by one of the most emotional verses on God’s heart for the lost. God bares his heart, his deepest longings, “This is good and pleasing to God our Savior, who wants all (humanity, both men and women in the original Greek) to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” People often miss this verse, as they rush on to more controversial issues.
2) The verses Paul turns to the men, he uses a Greek word for this first time in this passage meaning only men, and tells them to pray with their hands raised, without anger or disputing. Paul is telling them, he wants to see their desire “for all to be saved” in their lives, walking in the opposite spirit from those attacking the church.
3) In the next couple of verses, Paul uses a mini-chiasm, first talking to all women, then one specific woman, then again to all women. To all women Paul says, just like the men, walk out your faith in your daily lives by praying in decency and with propriety. Paul is telling them to do the same thing in two different ways. The difficult verse, then, is directed towards one specific woman. This is most important as you unwrap the meaning of this scripture.
Keeping all this things in mind, the authors show us the clues that Paul left us as to why this one specific woman was written about. There is meaning in the pronouns Paul used, other scriptures from Paul to Timothy talking about false teachers and heresies in that church, the differences between unnamed and named false teachers in scriptures, and the reference to Eve and her deception.
After learning more about this verse, it becomes clear how Paul’s instructions for Timothy in dealing with this women, were nothing but kind and gracious. He tells Timothy to teach her, while the education of women was still a very revolutionary idea. He tells her to learn “in quietness and full submission”, which is, when looking at the original Greek, what he told every church member in Ephesus when he said men should pray without disputing and women with propriety. He was telling her to live in obedience to the law, in peace, and without argumentation. In Jewish culture, learning and teaching went hand in hand, there was no separating the two. After you learned something, you taught it, that was the way. Paul was freeing this woman from teaching for a while, making her more available to study the life of Jesus, or “the childbearing” that saved her.
Overall, this book is very freeing for women. It goes back to what God originally intended for men and women in partnership, and what Jesus taught about the value of women. It’s an encouragement to live in obedience of God’s call on your life, while maintaining a pure heart free of bitterness and anger towards who might limit on the basis of gender.
Week 8: Relationships
There were three major themes this week: 1) Our relationship with, and understanding of God and how it translates into our 2) Relationships with other people, healthy relationships all around will ensure 3) Healthy relationships with the opposite gender. It was a great week learning about God's expectations for me in relating with other people and maintaining great relationships. In learning how God expects me to love others, I’m learning how God loves me. He loves me with a sacrificial love, that comes after me when I’m the one who sinned against him, the one who broke the relationship, and the one who, by what is fair, should go to Him first. He laid down everything to have a good relationship with me, he gave up his home, his dignity, his power, his own relationship with the Father, he walked the earth while everyone thought he was a complete lunatic, he gave his body over to be tortured and killed, and then he spent three days in hell. He gave it all up because it was better for me. And he did it all 2,000 years before I even acknowledged Him! Hallelujah!
Week 7: The Father Heart of God
This week was major for me. I learned a lot about God's character, and where I've had misconceptions of him. I'm so thankful for both my earthly dad, and my Abba Father.
Here's a bit from my journal to share with you:
I have a better understanding of how loving God is. That’s how I’ve felt all week, loved by God. He’s answered my prayers, and really been faithful in showing me the holes in my life, and how he longs to fill them up and heal me and make me complete. This week was a big struggle, and breaking through some misconceptions about God was really hard, but I felt his arms around me, guiding me, telling me that he loves me. I feel a closeness to Him that I didn’t feel before.
I really heard God’s voice this week, more than previous week. He just talked me through each day this week. On Saturday, I was talking to some girls in 228 about some revelations I’ve had about my family this week, and Grace overheard the conversation. A few minutes later she came back in and told me that she had just prayed and told God that she wanted to hear his voice like I do. What an amazing compliment!
Here's a bit from my journal to share with you:
I have a better understanding of how loving God is. That’s how I’ve felt all week, loved by God. He’s answered my prayers, and really been faithful in showing me the holes in my life, and how he longs to fill them up and heal me and make me complete. This week was a big struggle, and breaking through some misconceptions about God was really hard, but I felt his arms around me, guiding me, telling me that he loves me. I feel a closeness to Him that I didn’t feel before.
I really heard God’s voice this week, more than previous week. He just talked me through each day this week. On Saturday, I was talking to some girls in 228 about some revelations I’ve had about my family this week, and Grace overheard the conversation. A few minutes later she came back in and told me that she had just prayed and told God that she wanted to hear his voice like I do. What an amazing compliment!
8 Themes from Week 6, Authority and Submission
1) God created authority structures to slow down evil, when authority is misused, it speeds up evil; rules/boundaries support are values
2) Ministering one-to-another: use the gifts that God gave you, it calls out the truth in people, and should be part of everyday (especially during worship)
3) Growing up: experience, commitment, specialize, pass it on
4) Get direction from: your financial resources, relationships, and gifts/talents/skills. Steward these well, and God will give you more
5) Time in the wilderness: humbles me, tests me, exposes heart, shows God is we will obey him
6) I can see independence in my life when I: partially obey my leaders, move my commitments around a lot, speak religious garbage (stuff that just sounds good), blame shift
7) Process for support raising: know your need, ask God what to do, then do it (no more, no less)
8) Keep a sharp heart by being: poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, keeping a pure heart.
9) 5 Cancers of the Heart: anger, sexual immorality, deceitfulness, false rights, conditional love
Okay, that was 9. I guess I learned a lot this week!
2) Ministering one-to-another: use the gifts that God gave you, it calls out the truth in people, and should be part of everyday (especially during worship)
3) Growing up: experience, commitment, specialize, pass it on
4) Get direction from: your financial resources, relationships, and gifts/talents/skills. Steward these well, and God will give you more
5) Time in the wilderness: humbles me, tests me, exposes heart, shows God is we will obey him
6) I can see independence in my life when I: partially obey my leaders, move my commitments around a lot, speak religious garbage (stuff that just sounds good), blame shift
7) Process for support raising: know your need, ask God what to do, then do it (no more, no less)
8) Keep a sharp heart by being: poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, keeping a pure heart.
9) 5 Cancers of the Heart: anger, sexual immorality, deceitfulness, false rights, conditional love
Okay, that was 9. I guess I learned a lot this week!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Penguin Island
Well, it’s almost self-explanatory. Penguin Island is a BEAUTIFUL place off the coast of Perth, and it’s home to some very special creatures. They’re the worlds SMALLEST penguins! Our trip was in celebration of Melissa’s 21st birthday, and celebrate we did. We took a bus to Rockingham, a little town outside of Perth, and then took another bus to………….the middle of nowhere. From there we walked a couple of blocks to the water, and caught a ferry to the island. The water was a million shades of blue, and so pretty. I just had to swim in it, which I promptly did (see pictures). Some of the amazing sights included: a sea lion, a million different kinds of birds, the largest lizards you’ve ever seen, a rugby team, and of course the worlds smallest penguins. What a fun day, Happy Birthday Melissa!
Central African Republic
God spoke to me BIG TIME about outreach. As I was thinking about outreach before I got here, my first idea was that I would join the team going to Africa. I’ve really wanted to go to Africa since I was 15; it’s been a strong desire. And if I could have picked which country, I would have picked Ethiopia! (There is a team going to Ethiopia, but I’m not n on it) As time went on, and people kept asking me, and I continued to grow, my ideas changed, and I wanted to join the team that was going to be in the same place for the longest amount of time. (There will be in Jakarta for 12 weeks, but I’m not on that team either.) I thought that would be the best way to build really strong relationships and be ale to disciple those around me. Well, this week, I actually sought God’s voice instead of figuring it out myself. I was in full expectation that God would tell me which team to pursue. That’s all that I thought he would do. I asked him about the Jakarta team and listened, he said no. I would be going to Jakarta based on things I’ve already done, based on the passed, he told me he was sending me to a country based on my future. Obviously I don’t know my future, so I don’t really know what that means yet. I asked about the team going to Ethiopia. I didn’t hear anything, so I moved on to the next one, and……..the Holy Spirit spoke. Not just a word or two, but volumes. He really showed me more about lies I’ve believed about myself, that I’m not capable of doing great things for the kingdom. He said that if I wanted to step up and step out for him, and struggle and persevere and be part of something big, then I could go to the Central African Republic. He gave me a picture of the place we would be, and how he felt about the people there. I decided to go for it, I don’t know what to expect exactly, but I do know that it will be a hard 3 and a half weeks there, but if we really lean into what God wants to do and live in obedience to him, God will use us to do something BIG!
God Spoke in Week 5
God started speaking to me about my gifts last Tuesday during small group, but I didn't even know it. A couple people commented on how strong I am. I thought big deal, everyone says that, and it's not really a gift, it's more of an attitude, stubbornness, even inflexibility. On Wednesday this week, during worship, Katie felt to pray over me about my strength, and using it for God's glory, and I really don't remember the details of what she prayed, I was kinda thinking, what good is strength, why do people keep bringing it up anyway. I went back to singing and God just spoke to me about me. "I didn't give you your strength of spirit for you. You've been living off of it, relying on it instead of me, and it's not even for you. It's for others. Your strength and will give it to me, give it to others. It's for the weak, the wondering, and the lost. Stop using it for you; don't make yourself comfortable in it. Step out, I want my strength in your weakness, and your strength in others weakness. Give it away." He talked so fast I had to write it all down before I forgot it. I told God I didn't understand how to do that, or what he meant, but I wanted to know and I want to obey. Thursday morning during my quiet time, I read 2 Sam 15, and prayed for revelation about my independent spirit. In class Andrew went over the beatitudes and one really stuck out to me. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth". Andrew defined meek, as strength in walking in the opposite spirit. When someone attacks you, love him or her. When someone is greedy, be generous. Be strong in your opposition, and you will win the hearts of the lost. These actions start in prayer, pray blessings over those who persecute and frustrate, this will release God's power into the circumstance. I felt like God was saying, this is how you can use your strength and will, walk in the opposite direction, in the opposite spirit, in extreme righteousness. Other phrases that got my attention were "walking against injustice" and "unconditional love enables me to walk out justice". God gave me another piece of the puzzle, which I am rejoicing in as I expectantly wait for the big picture.
Monday, November 5, 2007
The World Series Air Show and A Dolphin
So, I'm not really into planes, or piloting, or getting sunburt, but the World Series Air Show was awesome! The competition was Thursday-Sunday, and my friends and I caught the tail end. (What that a pun? Not sure) Anyway, these pilots were crazy! Flips and spirals and getting way to close to the water for comfort, and....................the U.S took the championship! He wasn't the most humble champion I've ever seen, which makes things is a bit awkward when you're the only US citizen in a crowd of hundereds. Oh well! I sat by a guy named Andrew. He's from Melbourne, and it was his dream come true to fly out for the show. He was having a great time, and was really patient in answering all my silly questions. Overall, it was a great afternoon.
But this morning was the best thing yet.........
Every morning before I go out for a walk along the river, I get all pumped up to see a dolphin in the river. After about 20 mornings of not seeing one, I was begining to think that people were not telling the truth about the dolphins. I was wrong! I was walking along with my friend Katie, and we hear a big splash. I think to myself, that HAS to be a dolphin, what else? So I run down to the rivers edge, and get all pumped to see a dolphin, but theres' nothing but ripples. 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds. My excitement and anticipation have hit a level which is dangerous to my health when...............the dolphin resurfaces! I jump up and down and all over Katie, and yell, and basically freak out. Some poor folks trying to have a peaceful morning walk were quiet impressed with my reaction, which only got better. As it swam up (or maybe down) the river, I ran along the bike path on the shore, keeping place and ......................still yelling. It was the most glorious morning walk ever! I wish I could post a picture of the sight, but I usually don't take my camera on walks. Sorry, maybe next time.
But this morning was the best thing yet.........
Every morning before I go out for a walk along the river, I get all pumped up to see a dolphin in the river. After about 20 mornings of not seeing one, I was begining to think that people were not telling the truth about the dolphins. I was wrong! I was walking along with my friend Katie, and we hear a big splash. I think to myself, that HAS to be a dolphin, what else? So I run down to the rivers edge, and get all pumped to see a dolphin, but theres' nothing but ripples. 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds. My excitement and anticipation have hit a level which is dangerous to my health when...............the dolphin resurfaces! I jump up and down and all over Katie, and yell, and basically freak out. Some poor folks trying to have a peaceful morning walk were quiet impressed with my reaction, which only got better. As it swam up (or maybe down) the river, I ran along the bike path on the shore, keeping place and ......................still yelling. It was the most glorious morning walk ever! I wish I could post a picture of the sight, but I usually don't take my camera on walks. Sorry, maybe next time.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Journal Excerpt, Week 4
8 Principles from Week 4: Spiritual Warfare
1) Spiritual warfare should always be in the context of knowing who you are in Christ and living responsibly
2) You can’t fight the battle unless you are “strong in the Lord”
3) My struggle is against the schemes and strategies of the "rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world", not against people
4) Everything I do affects the heavenlies and may be affected by the heavenlies
5) Spiritual Warfare: one spirit force pushing out another spirit force
6) There is as much evil in my life, my family, my city, my nation, my DTS, as I/we allow
7) The enemy enters through the gates of my mind, my heart, and my mouth.
8) God has given me his authority and he’s not taking it back. The more I yield myself, the more power I will have through my authority.
1) Spiritual warfare should always be in the context of knowing who you are in Christ and living responsibly
2) You can’t fight the battle unless you are “strong in the Lord”
3) My struggle is against the schemes and strategies of the "rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world", not against people
4) Everything I do affects the heavenlies and may be affected by the heavenlies
5) Spiritual Warfare: one spirit force pushing out another spirit force
6) There is as much evil in my life, my family, my city, my nation, my DTS, as I/we allow
7) The enemy enters through the gates of my mind, my heart, and my mouth.
8) God has given me his authority and he’s not taking it back. The more I yield myself, the more power I will have through my authority.
Halloween?
October 31st was a great day! Imagine this: 6:30am, 40 girls in one bathroom, pink eye shadow everywhere, hair teasing like there’s no tomorrow, spandex leggings, t-shirts off the shoulders. Basically, the 80's. That's what we were going for! Some us from the US thought it would be great to have a dress up day, and invited everyone to do the same. It's amazing what the wardrobes of 40 girls and a little creativty can do! It was a great morning of team bonding at 228 Lord St. We also thought it necessary to have a bit of a party that evening, it's supposed to be study night, but some things are worth the sacrifice. =) We played the ultimate game of spoons, about 20 people, and then had a bit of an 80's dance party. Good times! See the pictures for proof!
Journal Excerpt, Week 3
One way God spoke to me this week:
During our intercession time for Myanmar, God gave me a super detailed picture: a women sitting on her couch in the morning. She was looking out the window thinking about what she should say. She was feeling sad because she felt like she had been saying the same thing and bringing the same message for so long, and she didn’t know what else to say. She was feeling powerless, and a little hopeless. I saw what she looked like, and felt how she felt, I felt like I was looking at the women who is fighting for democracy in Myanmar. The next day Caleb (my school leader) told us about a publicized meeting she had with government officials. I looked it up online and saw a picture of her. It was the lady in my picture!
During our intercession time for Myanmar, God gave me a super detailed picture: a women sitting on her couch in the morning. She was looking out the window thinking about what she should say. She was feeling sad because she felt like she had been saying the same thing and bringing the same message for so long, and she didn’t know what else to say. She was feeling powerless, and a little hopeless. I saw what she looked like, and felt how she felt, I felt like I was looking at the women who is fighting for democracy in Myanmar. The next day Caleb (my school leader) told us about a publicized meeting she had with government officials. I looked it up online and saw a picture of her. It was the lady in my picture!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
My first few days......
Friends I met in a hut in the Tapei airport
My last Starbucks for a LONG time
Kayla, Adrain, the back of Adam's head, Amber........ Our greeters
The great city of Perth
A KANGAROO!
My last Starbucks for a LONG time
Kayla, Adrain, the back of Adam's head, Amber........ Our greeters
The great city of Perth
A KANGAROO!
An update......Finally!
Okay, so my new goal is to update my blog three times a week: two short entries about my day, and my journal entry for that week. Here we go………
Yesterday (Wednesday the 24th)
Today was the hardest day so far, it was a bit of a snowball. We watched Chronicles of Narnia for small group and stayed up way too late last night, so I woke up late (and on the wrong side of the bed) this morning. I was late to morning exercises and had to do extra jumping jacks, which I found super annoying since my leaders made me stay up too late in the first place. As you can tell, my attitude was terrible! While making breakfast I noticed that the lid of my yogurt (one of my most valuable processions) was broken (it probably fell out, a result of 40 people sharing one refrigerator). I was in the process of encouraging people to be careful when taking stuff out and putting it back when…………I knocked my own yogurt out and it spilled on the floor. Slightly embarrassing, but I recovered. Ten minutes later, I was putting my yogurt away, and what happened? I dropped it, and it totally exploded ALL over the place, it even got on Yoon Hee’s leg. (She’s here from Japan learning English so she can be a missionary!) At that point I just had to laugh. My friend Katie helped me clean it up and reminded me that my yogurt catastrophe didn’t have to dictate the rest of my day. She was totally right, but that’s a lot easier to say than do.
I went to the base, and sat through a meeting where we went though our house rules AGAIN: don’t put tape on the paint or brick, don’t leave the door unlocked, and don’t leave your stuff everywhere. Again, bad attitude.
I went into worship from there. If there’s something to get your head in the right place, it’s worship. I was reminded that everything good in my life is from God. Every ability and gift that I have to offer anyone else is from God. And yummy yogurt for breakfast? Also from God. The snowball pretty much melted in that moment. I learned about intercession in lecture, which pretty much blew my mind. I don’t really understand why God uses us to accomplish his will, we all know he could it without us……..but he DOES! He’s given us all authority and stuff happens when we pray!
The best part of today was dinner. All the students were invited to have dinner with the staff in their homes, so I ate dinner at the “Wright Street” house tonight. Kirsten (Holland), Nadine (Canada), Jetta, pronounced Yeta (Holland), Petra (also from Holland), Carine (Australia), and Amber (US), hosted 4 students, and we had a great time chatting, eating, and drinking Milo. It was a good time had by all.
Well, it’s off to bed for me. I don’t want another snowball tomorrow!
Yesterday (Wednesday the 24th)
Today was the hardest day so far, it was a bit of a snowball. We watched Chronicles of Narnia for small group and stayed up way too late last night, so I woke up late (and on the wrong side of the bed) this morning. I was late to morning exercises and had to do extra jumping jacks, which I found super annoying since my leaders made me stay up too late in the first place. As you can tell, my attitude was terrible! While making breakfast I noticed that the lid of my yogurt (one of my most valuable processions) was broken (it probably fell out, a result of 40 people sharing one refrigerator). I was in the process of encouraging people to be careful when taking stuff out and putting it back when…………I knocked my own yogurt out and it spilled on the floor. Slightly embarrassing, but I recovered. Ten minutes later, I was putting my yogurt away, and what happened? I dropped it, and it totally exploded ALL over the place, it even got on Yoon Hee’s leg. (She’s here from Japan learning English so she can be a missionary!) At that point I just had to laugh. My friend Katie helped me clean it up and reminded me that my yogurt catastrophe didn’t have to dictate the rest of my day. She was totally right, but that’s a lot easier to say than do.
I went to the base, and sat through a meeting where we went though our house rules AGAIN: don’t put tape on the paint or brick, don’t leave the door unlocked, and don’t leave your stuff everywhere. Again, bad attitude.
I went into worship from there. If there’s something to get your head in the right place, it’s worship. I was reminded that everything good in my life is from God. Every ability and gift that I have to offer anyone else is from God. And yummy yogurt for breakfast? Also from God. The snowball pretty much melted in that moment. I learned about intercession in lecture, which pretty much blew my mind. I don’t really understand why God uses us to accomplish his will, we all know he could it without us……..but he DOES! He’s given us all authority and stuff happens when we pray!
The best part of today was dinner. All the students were invited to have dinner with the staff in their homes, so I ate dinner at the “Wright Street” house tonight. Kirsten (Holland), Nadine (Canada), Jetta, pronounced Yeta (Holland), Petra (also from Holland), Carine (Australia), and Amber (US), hosted 4 students, and we had a great time chatting, eating, and drinking Milo. It was a good time had by all.
Well, it’s off to bed for me. I don’t want another snowball tomorrow!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Transition....
the process or period of changing from one state or condition to another
In general, I hate transitions. I like to be doing things, and when I'm in transition, I feel like I'm not doing anything. I usually move from one thing to another really quickly, which can be good, but in some cases (like moving out of the country for 7 months) it's not so good. So, here I am, in transition. I left Chico a couple of weeks ago, which I'm still grieving. How I love that place! I'm living in my hometown, Groveland, which is right next to Yosemite. Groveland is the kind of place you would see in an old western. It has the saloon with swinging doors, everyone knows everyone, outsiders know their status, and you greet people by slowly dipping your cowboy hat. Well, maybe not that last part. It's a slow, quiet place. And that's why I'm here! My days have been filled with slow walks, reading really good books (Velvet Elvis, Peace Child, and now Creation and Last Things), and naps. I'm also working on raising support for my trip, I'm at 90%, praise the Lord! I've had time to think, pray, laugh with my mom and dad; process the last couple of busy months. They were good months; let me give you the highlights:
If I had to summarize my summer with one word, it would be blessed. God blessed me so richly!
Blessing #1: The Kieslings
I lived with the most amazing family this summer, Kurt, Elke, Kai and Kory Kiesling. They invited me in, took care of me, encouraged me, loved me well, and modeled generosity like I have never seen before. It was a fun-filled time and I especially loved playing with my new brothers! What fun!
Blessing #2: The High School Students of BPC
Being an adult leader to the high school students at Bidwell Presbyterian is one of the more fun and challenging things ever! (If you haven't tried it, you should) After spending three years with these friends, it came time to say good-bye...... and go to summer camp all at the same time. Spending a week with these amazing people, watching them love and serve and run after God for a week straight was........a blessing. Thanks to them for showing me how much fun it is to live the Christian life!
Blessing #3: Bidwell Staff
People have asked me what I loved so much about Chico, and my list always starts with these friends! What a testimony they are to the love of Christ!
Blessing #4: YOU!
As I've been preparing for my trip, the support and encouragement of friends like you have been so amazing, even overwhelming at times. Thanks for sharing in my story!
That pretty much summarizes my summer, and I think the next couple of months will be just as amazing. Here's what I'm looking forward to:
August 23-24: Visiting my great friends, Peter and Alli, in Truckee
August 24-27: Visiting Chico one last time. I'll be speaking in church on Sunday, hope to see you there!
August 28-September 12: Camping in Big Sur and Santa Cruz with my parents
September 14-23: Staying with my sister, Lia, in Santa Barbara. She's getting married on Sept 22!
October 2: My flight to Perth leaves at 8:25pm!
In general, I hate transitions. I like to be doing things, and when I'm in transition, I feel like I'm not doing anything. I usually move from one thing to another really quickly, which can be good, but in some cases (like moving out of the country for 7 months) it's not so good. So, here I am, in transition. I left Chico a couple of weeks ago, which I'm still grieving. How I love that place! I'm living in my hometown, Groveland, which is right next to Yosemite. Groveland is the kind of place you would see in an old western. It has the saloon with swinging doors, everyone knows everyone, outsiders know their status, and you greet people by slowly dipping your cowboy hat. Well, maybe not that last part. It's a slow, quiet place. And that's why I'm here! My days have been filled with slow walks, reading really good books (Velvet Elvis, Peace Child, and now Creation and Last Things), and naps. I'm also working on raising support for my trip, I'm at 90%, praise the Lord! I've had time to think, pray, laugh with my mom and dad; process the last couple of busy months. They were good months; let me give you the highlights:
If I had to summarize my summer with one word, it would be blessed. God blessed me so richly!
Blessing #1: The Kieslings
I lived with the most amazing family this summer, Kurt, Elke, Kai and Kory Kiesling. They invited me in, took care of me, encouraged me, loved me well, and modeled generosity like I have never seen before. It was a fun-filled time and I especially loved playing with my new brothers! What fun!
Blessing #2: The High School Students of BPC
Being an adult leader to the high school students at Bidwell Presbyterian is one of the more fun and challenging things ever! (If you haven't tried it, you should) After spending three years with these friends, it came time to say good-bye...... and go to summer camp all at the same time. Spending a week with these amazing people, watching them love and serve and run after God for a week straight was........a blessing. Thanks to them for showing me how much fun it is to live the Christian life!
Blessing #3: Bidwell Staff
People have asked me what I loved so much about Chico, and my list always starts with these friends! What a testimony they are to the love of Christ!
Blessing #4: YOU!
As I've been preparing for my trip, the support and encouragement of friends like you have been so amazing, even overwhelming at times. Thanks for sharing in my story!
That pretty much summarizes my summer, and I think the next couple of months will be just as amazing. Here's what I'm looking forward to:
August 23-24: Visiting my great friends, Peter and Alli, in Truckee
August 24-27: Visiting Chico one last time. I'll be speaking in church on Sunday, hope to see you there!
August 28-September 12: Camping in Big Sur and Santa Cruz with my parents
September 14-23: Staying with my sister, Lia, in Santa Barbara. She's getting married on Sept 22!
October 2: My flight to Perth leaves at 8:25pm!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Will you join my story?
“Robyn, God has an amazing plan for you.” This was a phrase my youth pastor used often to remind me of God’s promise of a hope and a future. Sometimes it’s hard to see the plan, so we forget to believe, we forget to seek. My story started five years ago when I moved to Chico to attend Chico State. God began to remind me of His promise and teach me how to seek Him. While studying business, I began working in the office of Bidwell Presbyterian Church. In my interview, I was asked how the job would fit into my personal ministry. I can’t remember how I answered, but it must have been creative because I simply didn’t have a ministry…...and I got the job. I thought that my faith was for me and the people with a ministry were called “pastors”. Soon after I was hired, I was invited to join the youth ministry team and I began to learn that God wanted to use me to serve others. I learned what complete faith is and began to see a new chapter unfold.
The summer before my last semester I found myself at a crossroad. I had been studying entrepreneurship and could pursue a job in the business world, but I sense that God’s plan for me in this chapter is to use my skills to pursue a life in ministry. I prayed through my options and decided a Discipleship Training School (DTS) would be a great opportunity to gain theological training, missions experience, and a time set apart to seek God’s story for the rest of my life. I looked closely at Australia, and was drawn to Perth. I met with a staff member at the Richardson Springs base in Chico. She had done her DTS in Australia and knew that the Perth base has quality teaching, is one of the largest in people and types of ministry, and after hearing my goal, recommended it for me. I was accepted into the October DTS in YWAM Perth in March, and I purchased my plane ticket two weeks ago! I’m making my way to Perth, and into the next chapter!
The Discipleship Training School is divided into two halves. The first half, the lecture phase, takes place on the YWAM campus in Perth. A typical day starts off with an hour of quiet time to pray, read scripture, and journal. Lectures follow with topics ranging from “The Character and Nature of God” to “Repentance and Forgiveness”. Our small groups meet in the afternoon, followed by training for the second half of the school, a three month outreach. The location of our outreach hasn’t been decided but YWAM Perth has built relationships in amazing countries like Vanuatu, Indonesia, India, and China! This chapter of my story is going to be good!
If you would like to join my story, there are a few things you can do. I’d love your support through prayer! Please thank God for what he’s doing in my life and in Perth, and ask Him to bless this chapter in my life. You can also support me financially with a one time gift or a monthly pledge that will go directly to my DTS fees which total $11,000. I’ve included a support card that you can use to help me stay organized. If you have any questions or just want to keep in touch, please feel free to contact me. I’d love to hear your story as well!
The summer before my last semester I found myself at a crossroad. I had been studying entrepreneurship and could pursue a job in the business world, but I sense that God’s plan for me in this chapter is to use my skills to pursue a life in ministry. I prayed through my options and decided a Discipleship Training School (DTS) would be a great opportunity to gain theological training, missions experience, and a time set apart to seek God’s story for the rest of my life. I looked closely at Australia, and was drawn to Perth. I met with a staff member at the Richardson Springs base in Chico. She had done her DTS in Australia and knew that the Perth base has quality teaching, is one of the largest in people and types of ministry, and after hearing my goal, recommended it for me. I was accepted into the October DTS in YWAM Perth in March, and I purchased my plane ticket two weeks ago! I’m making my way to Perth, and into the next chapter!
The Discipleship Training School is divided into two halves. The first half, the lecture phase, takes place on the YWAM campus in Perth. A typical day starts off with an hour of quiet time to pray, read scripture, and journal. Lectures follow with topics ranging from “The Character and Nature of God” to “Repentance and Forgiveness”. Our small groups meet in the afternoon, followed by training for the second half of the school, a three month outreach. The location of our outreach hasn’t been decided but YWAM Perth has built relationships in amazing countries like Vanuatu, Indonesia, India, and China! This chapter of my story is going to be good!
If you would like to join my story, there are a few things you can do. I’d love your support through prayer! Please thank God for what he’s doing in my life and in Perth, and ask Him to bless this chapter in my life. You can also support me financially with a one time gift or a monthly pledge that will go directly to my DTS fees which total $11,000. I’ve included a support card that you can use to help me stay organized. If you have any questions or just want to keep in touch, please feel free to contact me. I’d love to hear your story as well!
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