We are all called to Go and spread the joy, love, and Truth of Jesus. It has changed our lives now Go and let it change others lives! I know the clip shows orphan kids from Haiti and Africa. The call to Go can start today. If you would just choose to step outside of your comfort zone and look at the broken world around you. You would be surprised of what you can do in your own community!
I love in the video clip where Jackie says the poorest of the poor are those who don't know Jesus. I walk around my little hometown and though I may long to work in far off places; I know there are poor people right in front of me. Those are the people God has called me to serve and love as of now. I meet people who go to church every Sunday and I don't believe they truly know God. Because once you truly meet God. When you really fall in love with Him. You will never be the same. I promise you that. My theory is Mother Teresa didn't serve and love on others out of self discipline or to do the right thing. She did it because she was madly in love with Jesus Christ. That love will give you the power, drive and strength to follow Him wherever he may take you.
We are ALL called to give up our lives. As Jesus prayed to God on the night before He died..."Father is there another way?" The same way we pray and ask God..."Lord, is there another way? Must I go there?"
The answer is: "Go...Do not be afraid...I am with you..."
And so I Go
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
The Beat of my Heart
Could God be anymore amazing?? Everyday He completely BLOWS MY MIND! He is so wonderful; his love and compassion has my heart on the verge of exploding. I feel like I will burst any second now. My heart is so filled with joy, love, and answered prayers. It’s overflowing; it’s oozing out of me. I can not contain it. It is fire within my soul. I want to shout, dance, and sing Praises to my Heavenly King. I wonder what the busy, studying college students in this quiet library would think. Do they know? Can they not feel the presence of God in this silent library too? Do they not understand? Wake up. Let your eyes and heart be opened to the truth that the Creator of the Universe loves you! That this Almighty God delights (YES, delights) in filling His Children with inexpressible joy! Ahh…it makes my heart sing; the Truth of the Gospel.
I know what Paul was feeling when he wrote Philippians 3:8: “Yes, EVERYTHING is worthless when compared to the infinite value my Lord Jesus Christ. For His sake I discard everything else, counting it as garbage, so I could gain Christ”.
This verse is the Truth running through my veins. Everything is worthless compared to my Beautiful Savior. Money….holds no value anymore,…my possessions….are not going to heaven with me…marriage…beautiful and God given but only temporary…the world…is blinded by darkness…my security…in God alone.
And as much as I love my family and they are such a blessing. God gives and takes away. I would even be willing to leave them to follow my Savior to the ends of the earth. To extreme? Is there such a thing as being to extreme for God? I’m glad God sent his only Son down to die for me, a sinner, even though I’m sure citizens in heaven told Him that was too extreme.
Everything about Philippians 3:8 keeps me from being a lukewarm Christian. How can you be lukewarm when you consider everything in the world garbage compared to Christ?
Yet, I still get caught up in the world. All of it Lies, filled with empty promises, and a joy that is temporary. I get focused on myself and let things become more valuable in my eyes then God. It must break my Father’s heart. It tears me apart to think that I break His heart; that this lukewarm way of living out our faith makes God gag.
Oh how we get so caught up and blinded by the world. We forget that our true treasure is Christ. Not our family, car, house, or stuff. Jesus tells us this way of living makes us wretched, blind, and miserable. But, hope comes in verse 19: God still loves us even through all that ugliness and brokenness.
He loves us so much that He can’t stand to see us live like that. He longs for us to wake up to see things from a Heavenly perspective. He will discipline us to get our attention. Like a loving parent disciplines a child. We all need to be wakened up now and again…some more than others.
What are you willing to do to get on fire for God? Will you do whatever it takes? I would have that question consume your life. It’s what consumes mine. There is so much more than the lukewarm Christianity that many of the churches portray as Godly living. God wants you to be hot, on fire. For you to consider everything worthless compared to Jesus.
The call isn’t easy, but it is so worth it!
I know what Paul was feeling when he wrote Philippians 3:8: “Yes, EVERYTHING is worthless when compared to the infinite value my Lord Jesus Christ. For His sake I discard everything else, counting it as garbage, so I could gain Christ”.
This verse is the Truth running through my veins. Everything is worthless compared to my Beautiful Savior. Money….holds no value anymore,…my possessions….are not going to heaven with me…marriage…beautiful and God given but only temporary…the world…is blinded by darkness…my security…in God alone.
And as much as I love my family and they are such a blessing. God gives and takes away. I would even be willing to leave them to follow my Savior to the ends of the earth. To extreme? Is there such a thing as being to extreme for God? I’m glad God sent his only Son down to die for me, a sinner, even though I’m sure citizens in heaven told Him that was too extreme.
Everything about Philippians 3:8 keeps me from being a lukewarm Christian. How can you be lukewarm when you consider everything in the world garbage compared to Christ?
Yet, I still get caught up in the world. All of it Lies, filled with empty promises, and a joy that is temporary. I get focused on myself and let things become more valuable in my eyes then God. It must break my Father’s heart. It tears me apart to think that I break His heart; that this lukewarm way of living out our faith makes God gag.
“I know all the things you do that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other. But since you are lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. You say, “I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!” And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. (19) I correct and discipline everyone I love.”
~Revelation 3:15-17; 19
Oh how we get so caught up and blinded by the world. We forget that our true treasure is Christ. Not our family, car, house, or stuff. Jesus tells us this way of living makes us wretched, blind, and miserable. But, hope comes in verse 19: God still loves us even through all that ugliness and brokenness.
He loves us so much that He can’t stand to see us live like that. He longs for us to wake up to see things from a Heavenly perspective. He will discipline us to get our attention. Like a loving parent disciplines a child. We all need to be wakened up now and again…some more than others.
What are you willing to do to get on fire for God? Will you do whatever it takes? I would have that question consume your life. It’s what consumes mine. There is so much more than the lukewarm Christianity that many of the churches portray as Godly living. God wants you to be hot, on fire. For you to consider everything worthless compared to Jesus.
The call isn’t easy, but it is so worth it!
My Appreciation
So many of you have been such a constant support to me and have been with me on this journey for a while or some of you are new Forever Friends. Many of you have been praying for me and are alwasy there. I know i don't have time I would like to spend in just telling you about what God is doing in my life and how YOUR prayers are impacting it and to hear what God is doing in your life. So i decided to type one of my prayer journal entry for you. I hope you read it and realize how much each and everyone of you means to me and I love you all:
Written Thursday January 21st, 2010
My Forever Love,
This week is going to be tough. So much to do Lord, and I thought last week was an adventure. Can I possible love and serve all these people in one week? While still keeping up with school and everything else?? I have things planned on the same day and same time. Not only all that but you always end up throwing unexpected things in my life as well. I can’t lie to you the call/task for the week is overwhelming! But I know that I am living within Your Will and Plan for my life. I don’t know how it will all work out but I know it will. You have NEVER failed me. You always come through.
(So I’m going to lay out Lord everything that is on my heart)
“Keep doing impossible things. As God asks you for more, He continues to meet each need with impossible strength, energy, and love.”
I love this quote! I’m pretty sure it’s someone’s paraphrase of a bible verse. I see the truth of the quote in my everyday life. Often people ask me how I do it, and the answer is so simple – I don’t. a little coffee and a WHOLE LOT of Jesus. This plan, these “accomplishments”, they are SO no my own.
People ask me if I ever feel overwhelmed. When I answer yes, they ask me why, then, don’t I scale back. I want to scream back WHAT! This is not a business; I can’t just make some cuts. We are talking about people’s LIVES! How could you ask me who gets to receive my love and service! It’s like asking a mom to pick one of her children to get rid of.
I didn’t choose this life, these people, or this ministry: God gave them to me. I chose to love. I chose God. Therefore, no matter how impossible it seems or how overwhelming it looks like when I try to plan how I’m going to do all of it. I always remember…
I’m not going to do anything except follow God wherever he takes me, obey Him (no matter the costs), and love with all my heart. God takes care of everything else! I would be lying if I said I always know God will come through or I always completely trust God. My flesh clouds my heart sometimes. But even though my faith is small God still ALWAYS comes through!
It’s absolutely amazes me that He loves me so and believes in me enough to use me in the ways that He does and I’m only 16! It completely blows my mind. That He fills me with so much wisdom, and entrusts me with so much when the world just sees me as an ordinary teenage girl: because I am just a ordinary teenage girl. But it’s like you look at me and see so much more. It makes no sense that the Almighty Creator: powerful, holy, and breathtakingly beautiful, who could easily do all this himself chooses to work through a weak, sinful teenage girl all because she uttered two years ago ...”I believe…send me…use me…transform and mold me…I’m willing”.
And ever since then my life has been turned upside down and life as I had known it changed forever. Here are some things that I have experienced since I said those words:
I have witnessed miracles (YES they still happening! Everyday right before our eyes we either aren’t looking or not believing), feels the presence of angel’s surround me in times of trouble or grief, taking to people and saying profound things then getting in my car and thinking: did I really just say all that? , seeing You work and transform the people around me (the most beautiful thing), seeing the power of prayer daily, precious time with You, every sunshine and raindrop, God’s presence in my life exploding from my heart: God is so big that I can’t contain it and it explodes out of me. Everyday getting to learn, grow and laugh. Everyday loving until you think you might burst and being loved back. Crying over the 147 million orphans in the world. Rejoicing with heaven when a soul is saved. Children calling me Miss Heidi or Momma H , not being able to sleep at night because I know there are 1 BILLION people going to bed hungry and I’m laying in my warm bed with a full stomach. …and seeing God everywhere I turn!
This is only the beginning. I said 12 words that didn’t even make a complete sentence. They weren’t profound. The ground didn’t shake after I said them but my life sure did. All this came out of those words a 14 year old girl said crying on her bedroom floor one night. Impossible you say?….not for God.
I obviously don’t live a normal teenage girl life…Elizabeth Elliot explains it best when she said…
“The preoccupations of young women – their looks, their clothes, and their social life – don’t seem to change much from generation to generation. But in every generation there are a few who make other choices. “
Here are the choices I have chosen for my life
*Love God
*Love people
*Follow Jesus
*leave earth a little more like heaven.
Don’t ask me if I have taken on more than I can handle – I’m just trying my best to love in the middle of God’s plan for me. Don’t ask me how everything gets done – I HAVE NO IDEA! But I know it will. Don’t ask me if I might “cut back” - because I won’t. God is up there begging us to get off our couches and I am trying to do so.
Don’t think I’m mad God at the people around me who just don’t get it. Does it hurt…yes. I’m I frustrated..yes. Does it break my heart…yes. I pray Father that you will open their eyes and soften their hearts. But you have also blessed me with an incredible, authentic, and beautiful support system that loves me to death and prays for me constantly. I know this because I can FEEL their prayers. I believe with all my heart that prayer moves mountains and mends hearts. I look around. Mountains are moving. Hearts are mending. They are a part of that!! I hope they know their love is matched back and I pray constantly for each of them as well. Its relationships and fellowship the way you created it to be simply beautiful…a little piece of heaven on earth
Love Your Forever Servant
Written Thursday January 21st, 2010
My Forever Love,
This week is going to be tough. So much to do Lord, and I thought last week was an adventure. Can I possible love and serve all these people in one week? While still keeping up with school and everything else?? I have things planned on the same day and same time. Not only all that but you always end up throwing unexpected things in my life as well. I can’t lie to you the call/task for the week is overwhelming! But I know that I am living within Your Will and Plan for my life. I don’t know how it will all work out but I know it will. You have NEVER failed me. You always come through.
(So I’m going to lay out Lord everything that is on my heart)
“Keep doing impossible things. As God asks you for more, He continues to meet each need with impossible strength, energy, and love.”
I love this quote! I’m pretty sure it’s someone’s paraphrase of a bible verse. I see the truth of the quote in my everyday life. Often people ask me how I do it, and the answer is so simple – I don’t. a little coffee and a WHOLE LOT of Jesus. This plan, these “accomplishments”, they are SO no my own.
People ask me if I ever feel overwhelmed. When I answer yes, they ask me why, then, don’t I scale back. I want to scream back WHAT! This is not a business; I can’t just make some cuts. We are talking about people’s LIVES! How could you ask me who gets to receive my love and service! It’s like asking a mom to pick one of her children to get rid of.
I didn’t choose this life, these people, or this ministry: God gave them to me. I chose to love. I chose God. Therefore, no matter how impossible it seems or how overwhelming it looks like when I try to plan how I’m going to do all of it. I always remember…
I’m not going to do anything except follow God wherever he takes me, obey Him (no matter the costs), and love with all my heart. God takes care of everything else! I would be lying if I said I always know God will come through or I always completely trust God. My flesh clouds my heart sometimes. But even though my faith is small God still ALWAYS comes through!
It’s absolutely amazes me that He loves me so and believes in me enough to use me in the ways that He does and I’m only 16! It completely blows my mind. That He fills me with so much wisdom, and entrusts me with so much when the world just sees me as an ordinary teenage girl: because I am just a ordinary teenage girl. But it’s like you look at me and see so much more. It makes no sense that the Almighty Creator: powerful, holy, and breathtakingly beautiful, who could easily do all this himself chooses to work through a weak, sinful teenage girl all because she uttered two years ago ...”I believe…send me…use me…transform and mold me…I’m willing”.
And ever since then my life has been turned upside down and life as I had known it changed forever. Here are some things that I have experienced since I said those words:
I have witnessed miracles (YES they still happening! Everyday right before our eyes we either aren’t looking or not believing), feels the presence of angel’s surround me in times of trouble or grief, taking to people and saying profound things then getting in my car and thinking: did I really just say all that? , seeing You work and transform the people around me (the most beautiful thing), seeing the power of prayer daily, precious time with You, every sunshine and raindrop, God’s presence in my life exploding from my heart: God is so big that I can’t contain it and it explodes out of me. Everyday getting to learn, grow and laugh. Everyday loving until you think you might burst and being loved back. Crying over the 147 million orphans in the world. Rejoicing with heaven when a soul is saved. Children calling me Miss Heidi or Momma H , not being able to sleep at night because I know there are 1 BILLION people going to bed hungry and I’m laying in my warm bed with a full stomach. …and seeing God everywhere I turn!
This is only the beginning. I said 12 words that didn’t even make a complete sentence. They weren’t profound. The ground didn’t shake after I said them but my life sure did. All this came out of those words a 14 year old girl said crying on her bedroom floor one night. Impossible you say?….not for God.
I obviously don’t live a normal teenage girl life…Elizabeth Elliot explains it best when she said…
“The preoccupations of young women – their looks, their clothes, and their social life – don’t seem to change much from generation to generation. But in every generation there are a few who make other choices. “
Here are the choices I have chosen for my life
*Love God
*Love people
*Follow Jesus
*leave earth a little more like heaven.
Don’t ask me if I have taken on more than I can handle – I’m just trying my best to love in the middle of God’s plan for me. Don’t ask me how everything gets done – I HAVE NO IDEA! But I know it will. Don’t ask me if I might “cut back” - because I won’t. God is up there begging us to get off our couches and I am trying to do so.
Don’t think I’m mad God at the people around me who just don’t get it. Does it hurt…yes. I’m I frustrated..yes. Does it break my heart…yes. I pray Father that you will open their eyes and soften their hearts. But you have also blessed me with an incredible, authentic, and beautiful support system that loves me to death and prays for me constantly. I know this because I can FEEL their prayers. I believe with all my heart that prayer moves mountains and mends hearts. I look around. Mountains are moving. Hearts are mending. They are a part of that!! I hope they know their love is matched back and I pray constantly for each of them as well. Its relationships and fellowship the way you created it to be simply beautiful…a little piece of heaven on earth
Love Your Forever Servant
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
And it started in the Beginning...
When the Set Apart Adventure began...
So a little background info...i have always been obsessed with fairy tales! I always wanted to be the beautiful loving princess but as i grew up I learned how hard that was in such a broken world. Until I meet my true prince :)
I know for sure that any relationship I ever have on earth will never match the beauty of my breathtaking romance with my Prince. Our story is a beautiful adventure, better than any farytale I have ever heard or could dream about. I am his beloved. His lily among the thorns. He has called me to share the truth of his wonders and kindness.
To travel the world inviting people to my Prince's Kingdom. I love being the hands and feet of my Prince's work. To stand by His side wherever He goes. He never leaves my side. He protects His darling always. Evil runs from the sound of his voice, no one dare gets in my way with my Prince by my side.
And when a storm comes He fills me with joy and peace and grabs my hand and speaks truth to my soul and it shines through every part of me. My Prince is a jealous Prince, he longs to have my full devotion, attention, heart, and focus.
How can I not give everything I am to the Prince who loved me when I was ugly, covered in sin, a slave to my flesh/myself. He saw me and paid the price for my freedom. It cost Him his own life. But death could not swallow my Beloved, he conqured death, and breathed life into my soul.
He reached out to me and transformed me into his lily white princess (song of songs 2:2), his precious treasure. I couldnt believe he would do all this for me. Who am I to be treated this way? He whispered to my soul, "How beautiful you are my darling there is no flaw in you".
Day by day he amazes me with His love and grace. Everyday I live for my Prince and I help Him heal the sick, love the unloved, give riches to the poor, life to the dead. I watch in amazement as my Prince works His power in their life as He did mine.
Everyday he teaches and shows me how to be a better princess. With patience and love as I make a mistake He teaches me how to learn from them. He shows me how to love and show grace to others. It an adventure of a lifetime.
If you guys have any faith walk metaphors I would love to hear them :)
So a little background info...i have always been obsessed with fairy tales! I always wanted to be the beautiful loving princess but as i grew up I learned how hard that was in such a broken world. Until I meet my true prince :)
I know for sure that any relationship I ever have on earth will never match the beauty of my breathtaking romance with my Prince. Our story is a beautiful adventure, better than any farytale I have ever heard or could dream about. I am his beloved. His lily among the thorns. He has called me to share the truth of his wonders and kindness.
To travel the world inviting people to my Prince's Kingdom. I love being the hands and feet of my Prince's work. To stand by His side wherever He goes. He never leaves my side. He protects His darling always. Evil runs from the sound of his voice, no one dare gets in my way with my Prince by my side.
And when a storm comes He fills me with joy and peace and grabs my hand and speaks truth to my soul and it shines through every part of me. My Prince is a jealous Prince, he longs to have my full devotion, attention, heart, and focus.
How can I not give everything I am to the Prince who loved me when I was ugly, covered in sin, a slave to my flesh/myself. He saw me and paid the price for my freedom. It cost Him his own life. But death could not swallow my Beloved, he conqured death, and breathed life into my soul.
He reached out to me and transformed me into his lily white princess (song of songs 2:2), his precious treasure. I couldnt believe he would do all this for me. Who am I to be treated this way? He whispered to my soul, "How beautiful you are my darling there is no flaw in you".
Day by day he amazes me with His love and grace. Everyday I live for my Prince and I help Him heal the sick, love the unloved, give riches to the poor, life to the dead. I watch in amazement as my Prince works His power in their life as He did mine.
Everyday he teaches and shows me how to be a better princess. With patience and love as I make a mistake He teaches me how to learn from them. He shows me how to love and show grace to others. It an adventure of a lifetime.
If you guys have any faith walk metaphors I would love to hear them :)
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