Compelled by Love

Tags

burnt out missionaries, conferences, encouragement, great faith, healing, heidi baker, holy sprit, lay your burdens down, ministry, missions, rolland baker, slain in the spirit, unity in Christ

1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace..

I am trying to be a good steward of my belongings, time, money, sharing via writing about my experiences and so forth. Often times I attend lectures & conferences to learn and into interact with like-minded people. Therefore I am pledging to become better about sharing my experiences and imparting knowledge that I have learned.

So today is the day that I make a first step towards sharing.

This past holiday weekend I attended a Compelled by Love conference to hear the great Heidi and Rolland Baker, Randy Clark, and Duncan Smith speak.
Not sure how much you know about Heidi Baker but she is about as close to a modern-day Jesus with a testimony that measures up to Paul’s troubles and hardships including shipwrecked, stoned, without a home, trusting the Lord for complete provision.

2 Corinthians 11:25-27    I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

2 Corinthians 12:10 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

First point to drive home is from Rolland Baker.  In Mozambique Rolland contracted cerebral malaria. And then dementia began taking over his brain. This was before his lecture in which he begins with laughter. And then he keeps on laughing. Then spontaneous laughter breaks out. He says people are too serious, and he has learned that we all need to play.  “The dumbest animals work the hardest. Think about it dolphins, they play.”

A point that Rolland made is that the burnout rate of missionaries is 90%. (90%?!?). They’re depleted; they need psychological evaluation. He began to say that it is because missionaries are doing it out of their own strength. Everything is a labor of Love. Work does not have to feel like work. Supernaturally let the Lord work through you. If you aren’t in union with God it will feel like work. “The heaviest weight you can carry is your own will.”

Secondly is early on in Heidi and Rolland’s missionary experience, they were burnt so they went to get filled at a church in Toronto – Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship.  Heidi was Slain in the Spirit for seven days. (FYI a person who is Slain in the Spirit is someone who is being prayed for and the power of the Holy Spirit comes over them and they fall to the floor.) During that time she was completely dependent on others listening to the Lord for what she needed using the bathroom, water, etc. While encumbered by the Lord He said to her you can do nothing without the body of Christ.

1 Cor: 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Col. 3:13-14
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

I want to encourage you to step out in faith.  Do something that the Lord is calling you to do.  Also, if your work feels like drudgery bring it to the Lord. He will strengthen you.  In our weakness, is power is glorified.  We can not do anything out of our own STRENGTH.

Much love to you friend,

Katie

You’re Not a “Plan B” Kind of Girl

ASHLIN'S BLOG

You deserve better than someone who is afraid to commit to you. It may seem like enough for now. You’re just taking things slow. Oh, how I know those little phrases of “one day” and “we just need time.”

You believe them.
And I’ve believed them.

But you’re not a plan B kind of girl.

You need to know that you’re not the invisible one standing in the back who gets chosen last.

You’re the girl who the team captain will be frantically hoping doesn’t get picked by someone else before he gets a turn. You’re a first-pick kind of girl. And no one worth having sits back and lets those girls wait around.

‘Cause every good man knows that the good ones get gone fast.

He should be jumping out of his skin in anticipation to call out your name and say “I pick you.”

“But he’s…

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Project Colombia

Tags

alteredproject, nonprofit, startup

Hosanna Sheeley

Helping people doesn’t make me feel good about myself.  It doesn’t make me happy. It doesn’t make me feel like a better person.  It doesn’t make me feel like I’m making the world a better place.  It doesn’t do any of these things for me because at the bottom of it all I’m a pretty selfish person.  I think we all are.  I’d much prefer to live my life and not worry about anyone else’s.  I think we all would, and sometimes I think we all do.  But I can hear my heart beating.  I can hear their hearts beating.  I can hear the human noise we are making though none of us are speaking or moving. And I am compelled by the Compassion and Love that flows through my veins to ease the suffering I see all around me. This is why I help people.

I was at my…

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The Dating Fast

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#datingfast #youareworththewait #unpackyourbag

The Dating Fast

When I returned home to the United States, to put it lightly, I was distraught.

After a few weeks of trying to get settled into normalcy, that feeling of wanting to escape began to resonate within my whole being. In college, I would escape my circumstances by throwing myself into the dating arena.  That would not be the case this time.

I stumbled upon a four-part series entitled “Love Sex and Dating,” by Andy Stanley posted in 2011.

http://northpoint.org/messages/the-new-rules-for-love-sex-and-dating/the-right-person-myth/

I was inspired and encouraged to take his challenge no dating for a year.   I wanted to answer Andy’s question, “Are you who the person you are looking for is looking for,” through the reflection of my life, answering the question with my actions.

I was to leave for Dallas the next day, to visit my dear friend Julie.  It was the closing ceremonies of being abroad and the corking of the traveling and mission work for the time being. At the end of the trip, I told her about my endeavors; she wished me good luck.  And as I boarded the plane, checking my bags with the airline attendant, I realized I not only felt lighter physically but spiritually as well.

Last night, exactly 364 days later, while Julie and I were chatting about life and relationships, dating and friendships, we celebrated the commencement of the journey by praying; a beautiful post mark to the universe saying I have done my time, and honored the commitment.

I have learned a bit about contentment in terms of being single, and I wanted to share with you a few lessons while on my dating fast:

1)      No matter how much people respect you, they are always going to push your boundaries. They just will point-blank. 

2)    Friendships are important, embrace the season of singleness as an opportunity to seek community and friendships. Having healthy friendships is important, it is something both women and men both need.

3)      You are single for a reason.  Elevation Church’s Pastor Steven Furtick says, “In every season there is a struggle. And in every season there is strength.”  I urge you to explore both of thoughts in the season of singleness. EMBRACE & ENJOY.

4)      You are worth the wait.  You are worth more than saying yes to appease someone.  Say no. You are worth the wait. Just because others are in a hurry to settle down, doesn’t mean you have to be.

I want to encourage you to listen to all four parts of the series.

For the Woman I Found Dead in the Starbucks Parking Lot

Legionwriter

I thought you were sleeping. It seems silly now, but you must understand, when one sees a person slumped over inside a parked car, the most reasonable conclusion is rarely that the person slumped over is dead. It was the lights from the dashboard that caught my eye. If it weren’t for the lights, I would have missed you completely, and – who knows? – you may still be lying out there, unknowing of the legions of addicts drawn to the verifiable Mecca of caffeine. You’d remain oblivious to the following day’s massive local windstorm and the city’s collective anxiety, followed by elation, when our beloved Seahawks won the big game. You might still be slumped awkwardly over your console, and I suppose your car would be run dry of gas by then, but folks would not be any more observant.

I say it was the lights on your dashboard…

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a beautifully brilliant mind

Tags

goodness, joy, Love, mind, peace, Rest, romans 12:2-3

This has been a hard season. I haven’t had a job in eight months- things are changing. But it has been an uneventful season for sure/ and I AM GRATEFUL.  I didn’t understand what was going on but now that I can look back- things are making since.

I have experienced this deep intimacy with Him, on a level WE had never achieved before.

I understand a new level of peace; that times will be hard and there are still many bumps in the road but I have truly obtained a new state of mind.

Hence, in Romans, Paul states-

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

I have been humbled, humility drenching over me.  I fought God every step of the way not being active, always asking why I can’t get a job.  And now it all makes since- PEACE.  He wanted me to experience His Peace- THROUGH MY MIND.

(Image via:imagefav.com- pintrest)

Your mind is so powerful; it is a Gift from Heaven and you can use it whatever way you choose.

(image via http://blog.amerifirst.com)

I thank the people who have stuck with me in this season of rest.

I have truly taken a step closer to what it means to rest in the storm- to be sleeping, and Jesus speaking over me, PEACE BE STILL.

(joanahamilton.com)

Oh I was still, alright, seeing that God wasn’t going to change things because I was unhappy and self-absorbed but you know what God wants to refine me.

This is humbling in and out of itself.  He sees me as fresh, new; He took me out of the world to bring me back in- more: peaceful.rested.carefree.loving.kind.pure.peaceful.GRATEFUL.joyful.HUMBLE.

God opposes the proud but gives favor to the humble.  Pride is an interesting sin- it is faceted into many different aspects of life. And if you aren’t careful, it will take over.

However, I am fearful, FEARFUL of the Lord, which is the foundation of wisdom, therefore I will continue to humble myself through Him, through Jesus because I NEVER want to go back to the state of humility God refined me at.

I pray wisdom.Life.Peace.Joy.Goodness.REST.Love- over you my friend. May you be blessed for reading this and blessed by the HANDS of God in all aspects of life.

Romans 12:3 over you dear brother, sister.

In Jesus name, amen.

~ Beloved Heart Musings and Journal ~

The number 40 holds particular significance in the Bible and refers to a precise number, not just a long period of time. There are at least ten instances in the Old Testament and New Testament where 40 occurs, either in years or days, e.g. it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, Moses was on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights, the Israelites wandered 40 years, Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days and was seen on the earth for 40 days after His crucifixion.

A 40-something time period, whether days, months, or years is ALWAYS a period of testing, trial, probation, or chastisement (but not judgment) and ends with a period of restoration, revival or renewal.

Thankfully, God is consistent, so the meaning of a number in Genesis remains the same all the way to the book of Revelation. Sometimes the spiritual significance is not revealed directly…

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