Truth

The real advantage which truth has consists in this, that when an opinion is true, it may be extinguished once, twice, or many times, but in the course of ages there will generally be found persons to rediscover it, until some one of its reappearances falls on a time when from favorable circumstances it escapes persecution until it has made such head as to with stand all subsequent attempts to suppress it.

John Stuart Mill, English Philosopher.

Thoughts?

Held Amidst the Vulnerable Pain

Held Amidst the Vulnerable Pain

by: Anita Van Zeumeren

I recently read some thoughts about this painting that made me think.

Vanessa Kersting....

an incredible artist who has put music to some incredibly written poetry on the centrality of Christ and celebrating the Triune God.

She said, "As I was looking at this picture it was as if the Spirit was saying to me, ‘this is where I am when you are being ripped apart’. ‘This is where I am when your friends are grieving, hurting and in pain’. ‘I am here in the middle of your pain and heartache’. ‘I am holding you while you weep and fall apart’.

One of the things I like the most about this painting is that the characters are naked coz this to me shows that in our most vulnerable moments in our brokenness and shame, just as we are, with no barriers, no holding back, Christ is there holding us while we weep.

Sometimes we have no answers for why things happen. Sometimes there are no words. But Christ is always with us right in the middle of what is going on. Holding us whispering to our innermost being that it’s gonna be ok.

I often look back at this picture, and every time I see it, it reminds me that I am not alone, not even in the scary moments. Jesus is there holding me, always. I hope it encourages you too.

Let me know what your thoughts are.

Unspeakable Joy

Loose your life, and gain it.

Someone is waiting for us to just let go of ourselves, our entitlement, our humanistic mentalities, our anxieties to allow Him to personalize us and fashion us into His image. He has amazing things in store and invites us into representing Him in the world.

That person is Jesus Christ.

He is a good God who loves us, chooses us, and includes us in Jesus Christ.

You belong to Him.

(((Be at rest with the knowledge that he is with you to perform his own pleasure through you today. sometimes without our knowledge.)))

So, what do I do when my mind is so fixed on daily thinking about the 'what if's of life?' Remember Him. Remember the cross, remember His life he chooses to live through me.

This is where I found joy today. Real unspeakable Joy.

The Truth shall make you free.

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

This is the theme of my week: through stories, conversations, meeting new people, and reflecting on the Declaration of Independence...

...When rules of application become our principles, and when actions replace attitudes of the heart, we have probably given in to a religion that has replaced Christ rather than one that serves Him.

Well stated thought that encapsulates a conviction I have had for a long time...and yet find myself doing it over and over.... This is when I am reading Biblical text and take one section to 'apply' to my life before reading it all in context to really understand the full meaning of this truth. He is Christ in fleshly form. the one and true living God who is the creator of the heavens and the earth and has a great desire to know each person. But the question posed by every person, I am convinced, is: am I known? Am I loved? Will I be remembered?

This week....

Decided to discover the public transit here in CS so I took the bus to the YWAM base for their last worship night for the summer as well as celebration for the graduating DTS students. There was a young man who just completed his dts and shared his testimony from the team that went to China/Thailand.

He was at a gathering with lots and lots of young girls in Thailand. They were so excited at the possibility of this young man giving them English American names. The rushed up to him to hear him say a name to them with a great thrill. He would tell them each their name which came to his mind...and then they would forget it so they'd rush over to him to hear him speak their name again... He had a great idea to write down the names and give them each a piece of paper with their name on it. Well... one little girl kept on coming back to him to give him her paper. He gave it back to her again and again and again until finally he heard through a translator that she wanted Him to not forget her name. Isn't that sweet!? He concluded that she just wanted to be known and loved like all of us and God has put that hole in each person for a reason: relationship. We all want to be remembered and known.

He concluded with saying that this is what he wants to do for the rest of his life: remind people that they are known and important.

Isn't that beautiful?

There must have ben an exchange that took place in that young man's life during this time for this to impact him like it did! He was laying down his life and came back home with more life than he set out with! Eternal life and a good story to share.

My devotional

Streams in the Desert

June 26

I am today compelled to post this beautiful devotional and greatly encouraged by this truth.

Put Forth

"He putteth forth his own sheep" (John10:4).

Oh, this is bitter work for Him and us--bitter for us to go, but equally bitter for Him to cause us pain; yet it must be done. It would not be conducive to our true welfare to stay always in one happy and comfortable lot. He therefore puts us forth. The fold is deserted, that the sheep may wander over the bracing mountain slope. The laborers must be thrust out into the harvest, else the golden grain would spoil.

Take heart! it could not be better to stay when He determines otherwise; and if the loving hand of our Lord puts us forth, it must be well. On, in His name, to green pastures and still waters and mountain heights! He goeth before thee. Whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him. Faith's eye can always discern His majestic presence in front; and when that cannot be seen, it is dangerous to move forward. Bind this comfort to your heart, that the Savior has tried for Himself all the experiences through which He asks you to pass; and He would not ask you to pass through them unless He was sure that they were not too difficult for your feet, or too trying for your strength.

This is the Blessed Life--not anxious to see far in front, nor careful about the next step, not eager to choose the path, nor weighted with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following behind the Shepherd, one step at a time.

Dark is the sky! and veiled the unknown morrow Dark is life's way, for night is not yet o'er; The longed-for glimpse I may not meanwhile borrow; But, this I know, HE GOETH ON BEFORE.

Dangers are nigh! and fears my mind are shaking; Heart seems to dread what life may hold in store; But I am His--He knows the way I'm taking, More blessed still--HE GOETH ON BEFORE.

Doubts cast their weird, unwelcome shadows o'er me, Doubts that life's best--life's choicest things are o'er; What but His Word can strengthen, can restore me, And this blest fact; that still HE GOES BEFORE.

HE GOES BEFORE! Be this my consolation! He goes before! On this my heart would dwell! He goes before! This guarantees salvation! HE GOES BEFORE! And therefore all is well. --J. D. Smith

The Oriental shepherd was always ahead of his sheep. He was down in front. Any attack upon them had to take him into account. Now God is down in front. He is in the tomorrows. It is tomorrow that fills men with dread. God is there already. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass Him before they can get to us. --F. B. M.

"God is in every tomorrow, Therefore I live for today, Certain of finding at sunrise, Guidance and strength for the way; Power for each moment of weakness, Hope for each moment of pain, Comfort for every sorrow, Sunshine and joy after rain."

...In accordance with my life:

I think about how this pertains to my current situation and as I read this lovely message my ears were being entertained by Enter Into the Worship Circle. The song: "You turn my grief into a crazy dance, you cause my sorrow to burst into flowers, I cannot help but explode into song! I can't thank you enough I can't thank you enough I can't thank you enough!"

I must worship Him in spirit and truth daily even if the circumstances of my day stink.

Thank you Lord for your Mercy on my life. I am forever grateful for the way you help me take the next step with you at my side.

Viva Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas....

I am so grateful to have gotten to come to Vegas and visit two of my most dearest friends: Martin and Eliangela... a lovely couple. I have never had a real reason to come to Vegas until these wonderful people opened their door for me to come. Martin and Eli spent three months with me in India in 2008 so we got to know eachother real well as living in another culture can do!

I ended up missing my first flight out of PDX and was told I would not be able to use the rest of my whole flight package I had purchased through Orbitz! Big big bummer!!!! I was so sad on Wednesday after sitting all day in the airport and trying to get another flight to Vegas....I ended up just getting a one way ticket and then once I got to Vegas, we arranged to pay a little to get my flights back! Thank you Jesus I was able to get it back.

My journey of not getting my origal flight worked out and I met some really interesting people on both of the flights to get to LAS. I was at the PDX airport and overheard a lady speaking a dialect I recognized from India. I asked her if she asked her husband to buy her a potato. She did indeed and was delighted to find out that I am a believer. She and her daughter and husband and I hit it off and talked the whole way to their hometown: Salt Lake. Once I got to Salt lake I sat by a girl about my age who...guess what she does for a living?! Massage therapy. Perfect! I picked her brain the whole way and she was overjoyed to share about her life! Everything works out for good!!!! I was so challenged to keep my eyes opened and not get discouraged about missing my flight although it was a bummer. I knew there had do be something good right around the bend, and sure enough!!!

I have been enjoying my time here greatly seeing my friend's world. I ended up arriving very late in the evening on Wednesday so after we crashed that night the morning brought a great opportunity to hike a well known mountain called Red Rock. Eliangela has been taking classes at the college here with two Chinese girls who ended up coming with us on the hike. That was a delight and such an amazing climb. We made it to the top and, in the words of those who speak Hindi or were on my last trip to India: "Kitti Mihan Vijay!" (Such Great Victory!). Yes, so, we spend the day with these girls and shared a good homemade 'Chinese' meal by Martin, and topped off the evening with a nice dinner and 'The Lion King' show! I highly recommend it!!!! It was such a blast and I found I have a deep appreciation for theatre. So well performed. Excellent.

The dry hot heat and bright light of the sun here is what I have needed for a long time. I am really soaking it up! Enjoyed connecting, chatting, poly-loging with some YWAMers today at the base and then went to a Celebrate Recovery dinner and group to scout out for a possible ministry to be started at the base here. Hit the Vegas Strip tonight and saw the water fountains dance to Shenia Twain! Art in Motion!

Thank you!

Thank you friends and family for faithfully keeping in touch and praying for this team in India!

It was a brilliant time full of divine stories where only God could have choreographed the events of our time. I am grateful that we are not only in HIs hands but He loves us so so much and wants the best for our lives always!

Kits for Kids

Kits for Kids (Children, not Goats)

As many of you know, YWAM Idaho conducted a change drive in order to buy hygiene kits for children in villages. We developed a hygiene teaching to accompany the kits and so far this new initiative has met with good success. We’ve discovered that we can assemble one kit for about $1.00. This kit includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, a comb, shampoo, fingernail clippers, and soap. Some of these children have never used a toothbrush before and may of the families cannot afford to buy soap, but they all appreciate the gift and information we are trying to pass on.

One of the most important concepts we teach and also the best received is the proper disposal of excrement. We explain how dangerous germs can be spread by flies that land on exposed excrement and how if it lies close to places where people farm, play, and bathe, they are likely to ingest dangerous germs. Some of the villagers seem to have never learned that exposed excrement is one of the main sources of disease.

We are happy to show the love of Jesus with no strings attached. We’ve gone into many “closed” villages and have simply done the hygiene teaching without any further explanation. In other villages, the teaching has served as a powerful demonstration of the “two-handed gospel” – proclamation accompanied by acts of love. And, of course, the teaching has opened some closed doors.

For several years our hosts, M. and S., have been trying to share the gospel in a youth hostel that M’s cousin runs. They are devout Hindus and disciples of a dead guru named Sai Baba who has achieved the status of a god in many areas of India. M’s cousin has refused her every time and won’t even go out to dinner with M and S. This time M told her cousin about the hygiene teaching and the kits the children would receive. Her cousin was very open to this idea and invited the team to come. After the teaching we got the opportunity to share why we traveled from America to give the teaching which, in turn, gave us the opportunity to tell stories about Jesus.

Afterwards, M’s cousin was very thankful and was even open to discussing dates when M and S could have her and her husband over for dinner. Love truly does destroy barriers.

We’ve passed out about 500 bags so far and hope to pass out about 150 more in A. Thank you all back home who sewed bags, donated goods, and gave your money sacrificially. You have partnered with us in spreading the love of Jesus. We tell the villagers that people in the U.S. care about them so much that they gave their time and money to help us create the bags.

Hey friends;
We are nearing the end of our time here in a city a little outside of Aurangabad and today was a very memorable day! We went as a team to a village to witness a group of 15 new believers in their baptisms. It was so incredible to see them take this step in their relationship with Christ. They are such a joyful group...joy in the sense of an understanding that they are dying to themselves so they live for Christ now. We had the privledge of meeting a woman who has been persecuted for her faith by her own family and now has to live outside her village and hide her Bible from people who come to her home. It was such an honor to meet her and let her know she is in our prayers. Please pray for her with me that she would be encouraged and have hope fill her heart. Pray she would rest in the assurance of who her savior is and stand strong. She is such a precious lady who is very strong in her faith and won't stand down from acknowledging Him as the savior of her soul. Amazing. Today also we had lunch at the village and found out the meat we ate in our curry was rooster! It was very delicious. Tomorrow we head to the Ajenta caves which are a major tourist attraction and should be so interesting to walk through these ancient ruins ...soon to post pictures!

Love you friends. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. This is the time to press into Him for He longs to be found by us. Blessings to you!

Glory to God

So my friends... I wanted to write about a story that has come about during our time in India that really makes me happy about how the Lord is working here. This happened about 3 weeks ago when we first arrived in Aurangabad. I was with the half of our team that had ministered to the children in a childcare center had arrived before the rest of the team and were so hungry that we feasted on the dinner our host had delivered for all of us to share. We called to see if the rest of the team would be eating with us and understood they'd be fed, so us 4 girls finished the food off.

When the rest of the team arrived, they found no food so they went down to the Hotel restaurant and ended up talking with the restaurant manager. They began talking with him and spoke of many things as he is trying out his English. They had a deep conversation for 1-2 hours and Troy took an opportunity to pray for him and said that the Lord would pursue him. The very next day he dropped by our hotel room and told Troy thank you for praying because someone ran into him at the market and gave him a Marathi Bible and then walked away. This man (Rahul) was perplexed but knew that this was a miracle and answer to prayer because Troy prayed that God would pursue him. Rahul began to read the bible at Matthew and brought coffee to our team to share his testimony while getting to hear the gospel message through an evangacube. He shared his evangacube with the others in restaurant and now has the book 'Mere Christianity' and an mp4 player to encourage his walk with the Lord.

Glory to God! He is at work in these people....and has promised to pursue not only Rahuls heart but yours too.

We have just returned to Aurangabad from being in a village for a week and are heading out again for a place called S... where we will be doing a lot of worship and intercession. S... is the place our hosts will be moving to in May to begin influencing lives for Christ. This is the time to break up the fallow ground and cry out to the Lord to soften these hearts.

Please keep us in your prayers for inspiration from the Holy Spirit in how to pray and be led by him, strength each day, health, team unity.

Love you all...Thank you for your prayers and support.