Junior High Believe 2013

Last weekend I had the awesome privilege of going with the junior high youth group from Broadway to Christ in Youth's Junior High Believe in Peoria, Illinois. It was a wonderful two days of bonding with the students- 16 of them went- and the other adults. The conference was full of great worship, inspiring stories of young people who faced hard things, entertaining magic tricks that taught valuable lessons, beautiful artwork from an amazing artist  who taught himself to paint/draw, and life changing messages. The theme was The Presence- the Holy Spirit (Ru-ah). The speaker, Kurt Johnston, kept repeating the important prayer "Make Your Presence more present in me". The students had many opportunities to grow deeper in their faith and relationship with God and each other. However, I also heard God speaking to me in many ways.

The Holy Spirit is meant to be our helper. His presence is a strong, powerful, mighty force. When we are drowning or overwhelmed we can't save ourselves. We need help. We can't pull ourselves up no matter how hard we try. On my own I die but with God's presence I live. The message stressed that we can be alive, but not living life to the fullest- John 10:10. The devil is a life taker, but God is a life giver.

The Presence brings community. The story shared showed lots of people have people all around them and are still lonely. A community isn't superficial/surface relationships, but deep, rich, meaningful friendships. Going through life alone is not an option of healthy living. It is vital that we are connected to a healthy, thriving body or we will wither. Every part of the body is important and the body won't be at its best if each member isn't healthy and functioning. There is strength in community- we won't be easily defeated. We sharpen each other. Over time we individually get dull- the illustration was used that iron sharpens iron (using knives). It can be painful at times, but necessary. In a community I'm supported- we protect each other. The enemy goes after the solo weak person- not the ones in a pack. This session made me so thankful God placed me in a wonderful small group that is so supportive and encouraging. I've missed out on this kind of community for many years. No matter where God takes me I will remember the necessity of a strong, healthy community- to surround myself with Christian friends who point me to Christ.

The Presence also brings courage. Fear is one of the greatest forces/obstacles we ever face. I know from experience I have missed a lot of opportunities because fear held me back. The only cure for fear is courage through the Holy Spirit living in us. We choose to let fear consume and control us. With the power of the Holy Spirit we can choose to not let fear decide our actions.

These sessions about the Presence were very thought provoking. My prayer is that we will act on all we heard and change in the ways God has spoken to us about. I really enjoyed the fellowship I had with the other students/adults and feel God used it to open doors for further relationships to continue.

God continues to prepare me for my upcoming trips to Haiti (in just a few weeks!), New Mexico for the summer, and the Dominican Republic in November. I was blessed yesterday at church to meet a couple who has spent many years in the DR planting churches. God has used them in raising up five new churches. They are so blessed to see what God is doing and will continue to do in each of these places as they retire at the end of this year. Hearing them share about the Dominican Republic made me even more excited to go there in November and see what they talked about! I am beginning to count down days to when we leave for Haiti. The excitement is building in me (and I'm noticing it with my students too). I'm already sad at how short the time will be that we are actually there, but my prayer is that I make every moment count. I'm praying that He will prepare the way before me. God is teaching me some very important lessons in this preparation stage that He doesn't want me to miss- discipline, compassion, patience. Above all else I want to be a vessel that is fit for my Master's use.

Following My Dream

In December I started reading the book The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson. God spoke to me through this book about my dream of serving God in another country full time. I watched my dream unfold as I continued reading.

Ordinary (the main character) told his father that he thought he was born to do this thing he dreamed about. He had been given a feather. His father replied that he also had a feather/dream but that he waited too long and it turned into dust. He told his son not to wait, but to pursue his dream. So, Ordinary left his home in Familiar to pursue it. He faced many fears and obstacles along the way. He made hard choices and big sacrifices. Several times he wanted to turn back, but he didn't. The Dream Giver reminded Ordinary along the way that He was always with him and promised to help him. Even when Ordinary couldn't see the Dream Giver, He was always near. When Ordinary found his dream, the Dream Giver called him to surrender his dream. It was a difficult choice and hard to understand, but when he did, he realized that his dream had grown. Now it wasn't about just Ordinary, it was about the Dream Giver's big dream for the world. It was beyond what Ordinary could imagine. He noticed a memorial built of stones. Every one had the word "Remember" written on it. Standing by the monument to the Dream Giver's goodness, Ordinary felt awed and surrounded by many witnesses. He put his own stone on top. Ordinary learned to want the Dream Giver more than he wanted his dream. Yes, Ordinary encountered many giants along the way, but every one was an opportunity for the Dream Giver to receive honor. When the Dream Giver finally brought Ordinary to his dream, Ordinary realized the big needs of the anybodies matched perfectly the big dream in his heart and it was time to DO his dream.

I have seen many similarities between Ordinary's life/journey and my own. I also realized God had given me a dream. I have waited too long to start following this dream God has given me. I can wait no longer. It is time to leave my comfort zone (Familiar) and start this new chapter of my journey. I will face fears, but I can take courage in spite of my fear. Just as Ordinary had to walk through wastelands, so must I, but I will be able to look back and see that God was faithfully at work and increasing my faith in these times. These are the times God is preparing me to be the person who can do my dream. When He seems absent and everything is going wrong, I must trust Him and patiently wait. The areas where I struggle most are the areas that I need to trust God more. I have made the commitment that no matter how hard, how long, how painful the wilderness seems I will not turn back! God is showing me more and more of my sinful flesh, but He is showing me so I will allow Him to change me in those areas. His light is entering those dark areas. I face giants- some so big I can't possibly overcome them. But, He will give the victory. Every giant is an opportunity for God to be honored. May I never be comfortable with where I'm at, but ready to pursue the bigger dream God has for me.

I love how Bruce Wilkinson ends The Dream Giver, "Now may you devote yourself to His Dream for you. And may heaven describe you as one of those rare people who live to achieve Great Things for the glory of God".