Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Stretch Me!
Here we are, with a more specific update on what God did in me this summer. I’ll cut down on specifics so I can keep the detail for myself and so I don’t bore you who read this.
This summer was a summer of stretching and learning through a never done before experience for me. Everything was new a fresh – and I mean, everything…
I really learned a lot from the leadership with Pastor Landen and Dave…. Those are two men of God who showed me so much throughout those 8 weeks. That ranch is full of excellence and it showed me a higher standard of living. Seeing how to submit and serve for a greater purpose. Whether you’re serving unclogging a toilet or setting up tables… it was a beautiful mirrored image of how the body of Christ works.
I really saw in a physical reality, how God strengthens a weak spirit by giving genuine praise and worship. So many times and a few select when I felt like I was running on fumes, a small amount of solid time with God would completely bring me back on track. I now have a greater understanding of true, mind, body and spirit worship. Spirit lead worship. A greater understanding of praising in your circumstance, you praise God anyway, and when it’s TRUE, it shakes the spirit realm like you wouldn’t believe.
My understanding of being ‘spirit-lead’ had furthered. There’s times where I felt dry and run down and you’re still able to do your job, but in that state, you can’t do it with ‘excellence’. And a job isn’t worth doing if it isn’t done right. Only through God, did I find that I could achieve excellence.
Dating… It’s hard on a relationship when you’re told you have to act as friends. It was actually very difficult to do that week after week and have so much happen in one day and not enough time to talk about it all, which I love to do. It was so worth it though, because we grew together so much.
I’ve got further understanding and revelation on hearing the voice of God – still struggle with it at times, and it’s frustrating, but in time.
Your patience sure gets tested and stretched and requires you to lean on God for strength, because of other people, the campers, their baggage, etc
I saw some of my passions surface and light was shed on some of them. 2 that came to mind I could easily see were women rising up in their beauty, being all who God meant for them to be and for the young men to rise up in their strength and rightful role of a true ‘man’. To be the men they’re destined to be. To see people set free from the captivity over their lives. God deserves so much praise, but even that being said, there’s so much more in life I want to see God do – so I’m completely wowed to a loss of breath and short of words.
I wanted to see each kid give God a try because I know God was just waiting for them to. It breaks you, when you see them give that one try and God moves. Powerfully.
I was stretched to be have more boldness in words, which is also a continuing process.
God spoke some things through pastor landen and dennis weidrick – I’ll never forget what they spoke over me.
I learned how God doesn’t share His glory with any flesh. That means all the work we did out there cannot be accounted for to put a trophy on our mantels. God did the work through us, and that’s the bottom line. It feels great and an honor to be used by God, but at the same time the reality kind’ve sucked because it made you feel like you weren’t needed. In which case for God...is true…. We’re not needed, just wanted. God doesn’t need us, which sucks, but is true – rather humbling if you think about it.
I never really saw the full extent and affect of worship and praise. Praising without music, just voices only was interesting to learn.
It was a summer of sacrifices, submission even when you didn’t quite like it. But I must say, this summer was everything and more of what I wanted. For that, I’m thankful. The bonus fact I got to walk through the whole summer with Dawn at my side completely accented the summer! I’ve been thankful for tears for all of it. Every part.
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Enter the New Season
Greetings!
There's simply FAR too much to write about that has happened this summer. ENR was absolutely amazing! I had wanted a challenge this summer and I got exactly that. I was stretched and filled and I want to keep this - I want to maintain what i've been taught and I will. Re-entering back into the norm is actually harder than I thought, in different ways...I rarely have a hard time saying goodbye to people but it was very hard for me to say bye to the girl you've spend the past 2 months with, getting to know... It's hard coming back wanting something to be excited about and that only 'something' is God which you need your trust in Him for. He's not about the old - I believe He's got bigger and better till the day you die. He's infinite and infinitely creative so this fall is a new leg of the race in which I have an idea of what I'll be getting involved in, and just diving in, learning more about God and further that relationship as well as another signifigant other ;) I want to write 'it's good to be home' but I'm honestly just a little restless with that. Tired and restless. Give yourself time to transition. Other than these blurbs I'm really quite speechless. This year has honestly been the best year of my life as it should be - and next year should be even better. This summer has been, by far, the best summer of my life - and I can honestly, truthfully, whole heartidly say that... Looking forward to seeing God top this and I'm already looking forward for when I can head up to Edmonton next! Take care!
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