Passion

In the Webster’s Dictionary passion is defined as “an emotion;” “an intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction;” “an ardent affection;” “a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept.” 

 

My deepest passion is Jesus Christ and carrying His name out in this world every day of my life. I have been convicted, broken, strengthened, and my heart has been captivated and again overflows with His unimaginable love.

 

My life changed forever over a short weekend, but I pray that what I experienced will live on in my heart till I am face to face with My Creator. The mission of Passion Conferences is to carry on the name of Jesus wherever life takes you. In Isaiah 28:6 it says “Yes, Lord, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.” What a way to declare what this life is all about. We wait for Him and we desire Him with our whole hearts.

I came into the weekend alive in Christ, but I was being bogged down by so many things that my passion for Him had dwindled. I desperately needed His Spirit to take me over, take away some fears and doubts that began to creep in again, and a desire to be more active in my pursuit of Him. I was ready for Him to do something in my heart, but I didn’t expect the magnitude of what He would do. Here is a glimpse of what He taught and stirred in me.

Friday Night- Louie Giglio:

Phil 1:1 We are servants of Christ Jesus, but many times we serve so many other things instead of Jesus. In order to be His servant, we must not just know about Jesus, but we must truly know Him and have an encounter with Him.
Acts 9:4 God spoke directly to Saul. Every time we open the Bible, God wants to speak directly to us. We have to allow Him to speak to our heart and not get in the way of His voice.
Verse 8 Saul had such an eye opening encounter with God that he needed others to lead him around. We should live fully expecting such encounters from Him.
Phil 1:21 Every day I live, everyone around me gets more Jesus. The day I die will be the best day of my life because I get Jesus for eternity.

Saturday Morning Community Group:

Phil 2:3-11 As Christians, we need to be focused and united in Him.
In verses 6-8, we see how Christ first had to come down to the level of a servant, made Himself nothing and in human likeness, and was humble and obedient even while taking on a criminals death.
In verses 9-11, we see how God exalts His Son to the highest place where everyone on earth and in heaven proclaims that He is Lord.
We must walk in humility in order to make His name famous. We must submit to His Lordship in all aspects of our lives.

Saturday Morning- Francis Chan:

Eph 3:16-19 People can tell us about Jesus and set us up to have a relationship with Him, but it is all on you to let it happen No one can make you fall in love with someone else. You can’t just know about Jesus, but you have to fall in love with the person, Jesus!
Phil 1:27-28 Live in a manner worthy of The Gospel. Know the Bible and stand firm in His teachings. Does our life add up to, or equal, the weight of The Gospel? Do we live in a way that reflects The Bible?

Saturday Afternoon- Louie Giglio:

“I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord!”
We are part of a story taking Jesus to the whole world.
Heb 13:15-16 Worship is more than the songs we sing, Worship is a lifestyle. Worship through giving and sharing Christ with the world…… our neighborhood, our city, our state, our country, our continent, our hemisphere, our world.

Saturday Night- John Piper:

Where does our joy come from? Do we make much of God or make much of ourselves? God’s joy should be at the very bottom of what everything springs from. When we are saved, the Holy Spirit kills our bottom joy and replaces it with God’s joy.

Saturday Night Community Group:

Ps 16:11 God is most satisfying above anyone or anything else. Believe it!
Our day should be so filled with God that we have to make time for other things.

Sunday Morning Community Group:

Throughout history, there are many things or marks that have distinguished us as Christians
Phil 2:1-2 Our most important distinguishing mark is unity.
We are united together in love. We must love one another. John 13:34
How do we create unity? Phil 2:3-4 Do not be selfish. Do not serve to promote yourself. Do not have conceit- empty glory. Look out for other peoples’ needs.
Love each other before you know each other.
V.12-16 We must work out our salvation through fear and trembling because He is working in us. He will give us the desires and He will let us shine like the stars without complaining! Hold fast to the word of life.
Harden our resolve to fight sin and be gentler on ourselves when we fail.

Sunday Morning- Louie Giglio:
Acts 9:10 God called Ananias by name to go meet Saul. Our name could be written down in red in the Bible because God has called us by name.
We are anxious for other people to speak our name but the Son of God has already spoken my name.
Ananias responds with “Here I am, Lord.” He doesn’t say “who is this” or “who are you talking to.” He knew that the Lord was speaking to him and he answered “YES” to Him.
Isaiah 26:8 We need to live in a way that we say “YES” to Him every day. I want to be a part of a generation that builds on the name of Jesus. We have building potential.
Acts 9:15 He was God’s chosen instrument to carry His name. “I am a restorer.” God has spoken my name and chosen me to be an instrument to carry His name! Every bit of Hell is against His name. We are born name carriers and are surrounded by them daily.
What names do I carry into the world? I first and foremost want to carry the name of JESUS!

My Prayer:
I will live radically for You. Nothing in this world can stop me from pursuing You and for You to use me as Your name carrier. You are my Savior, Love, Friend, the One I follow, my everything! I want to fall in love with You all over again and continue falling in love with You every day of my life. I submit to Your Lordship in all areas of my life especially my relationships. I will pour more into each of my relationships building stronger fellowship through encouragement and prayer. My life will be lived worthy of The Gospel. I will live boldly and with intensity proclaiming Your name. My worship will be my whole lifestyle. I will travel the world to share Your love. You are the joy that everything in this life springs from. I live to glorify You and only You. I will grow in Your character and wisdom. I will fear nothing. I will earnestly seek You and study Your Word. I will say “Yes, Lord” whenever You call my name. I will carry Your name. In Jesus name, amen!

This Little Light of Mine.....

I'm gonna let it shine..... in this world where He has me. Today I was recommended for my teaching certification! Tears of JOY streaming down my face, I fell to my knees praising my Father in Heaven and sang this song from my heart. I know I am exactly where He wants me. After a year and a half long road of ups and downs, I am overcome by the faithfullness of my Father. Until the day He calls me home, I am going to let my light shine in my classroom, bringing the joy of learning to my students, inspiring them, encouraging them and loving them with everything I have. With a little bit of faith, God has taken me to a place far beyond my dreams!

Captured

I'm captured by a love so strong that my heart is completely abandoned to Jesus. Last night's Hillsong United Aftermath concert renewed my heart for Him.  This life in not perfect and we come to Him as broken people. BUT, there is nothing that He cannot do to overcome whatever we go through in life. In my broken mess two years ago, I came to Him with an ounce of faith and He made it absolutely beautiful! I do not know where life will take me, but following Jesus is the sure way to the most beautiful future.

I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world. John 16:33

In our troubles and tears, He is our hope. In our failure and fear, He is our love. In our heartache and pain, He is our healer. In our burdens and shame, He is our freedom. All because He has overcome!

Worship

What is worship? Many people believe it is just a gathering together on Sunday morning to sing songs to God, but I have discovered that it is truly more than that. Worship is what we give our hearts away to. Worship is what we love, what we can’t live without, the names we carry with us. I have been on quite a journey since last summer in pursuit of My King. My heart has fallen more in love with Him, but not without some bumps along the way. Many stemming from things that I have worshipped and given my heart away to instead of Jesus.

I gave my heart away to fear, lies from my past, and feelings of not being worthy enough. His love took a hold of me and over a week in July I was overcome by His healing. I truly accepted it, believed it and let Him heal my wounds. I gave my heart away to busyness and a lack of motivation for the purposes He has given me in this life. I completed my student teaching not without being attacked by the enemy at every angle. At a time where I had no idea what was going on, I sought Him with everything I had. I let go of my pride, asking Him to fight for me because I couldn’t. He had to be my complete strength and He came through in an even greater way.

I gave my heart away to my own selfish desires and let sin entangle me. I gave my heart away to titles, wanting control, ministry, and a lack of focus. I have worshipped books, dreams of my future, Christian musicians, and friendships. The list is really endless. Throughout this season in my life, God has shown me that He is the only one to give my heart away to. He is the only one I should worship. His name is the only name I should carry into this world.

In a place where we worship friends, celebrities, clothes, music, movies, conferences, places, relationships, sin, material things, our own desires, and love, we forget who we should be worshipping with our life, and that is Jesus. We worship not only through songs, but by the way we live our lives, our actions, our words, and what we do behind closed doors.

God has placed a piece of scripture on my heart over these last several months and it has changed my perception on what I give my heart away to: JESUS! My prayer is for an undivided heart, and heart that longs for Him alone, and heart that worships Him and nothing of this world. So, what are you giving your heart away to? What or who are you worshipping? Is it Jesus or something or someone else?

Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth. Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. Psalm 86:11 NLT

Hillsong - Beautiful Exchange

Honduras: Day 3 and 4

It is definitely the rainy season in Honduras. We are on our way to the Lily of the Valley Church in La Ceiba on our bus and the rain and humidity are intense. I am not sure how I am going to get through the day because I already feel sick to my stomach. As much as I want to blame it on the weather, I am a little nervous of what our day will bring.


We arrive at the church and are met by members of the church and many children. It is a simple but beautifully decorated building with a small stage and several small rooms for the children. More children join us and we begin singing songs and playing games with them. The joy on their faces lights up my heart and I begin to start feeling better. The morning continues as we do a program for them full of mimes, stories, music, and crafts.

It was so cute to watch the young children decorate crosses made out of Popsicle sticks. Many of them end up taking the sticks apart and just coloring all over. They didn’t care about the craft; they were excited that we came to spend time with them. It reminded me that it is not about the “end product” but it is truly about the journey. As we go through life, we are continually growing in Christ and it is the journey that He takes us on as we follow Him every day that really matters.



After having lunch at the nicest Pizza Hut I have ever been in (and I’m really serious) and watching the US play in the World Cup, we set up for the afternoon at a park in downtown La Ceiba. Several of us walk around the park handing out tickets to people and telling them we will be giving out free prizes where the music is playing. At first, many are taken aback that we would actually give away anything free, but many join us to see what all is going on.


It is truly powerful to see people stand up and give their lives over to Christ. The mimes are my favorite part because the music and imagery truly transcend all language barriers.

Today Cassie, Tata, and I get to visit with the church in La Masica for Sunday services. The children are so happy and excited to see us back and I am completely filled with joy walking into the church. It is so nice to see many familiar faces and even a few new ones. As we begin service they read from Psalm 121.

I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

As I listen to this verse, standing in a little church with no air conditioning, in the middle of summer, in a country struggling with violence, drugs, and severe poverty, God places on my heart that He is always watching and protecting me. I have no reason to fear anything no matter where I am.

Later in the service we take the kids for a Bible lesson, songs, games, and crafts. Every now and then I find myself just watching them as they sing as loud as they can and as they memorize a Bible verse. Words cannot describe the passion and love they share. We begin to take pictures with them and they absolutely love to see themselves on our cameras. They are fascinated by it and enjoy taking over hundred pictures of all of us.

We enjoy an authentic Honduran lunch at an outside restaurant with Pastor Roger and then head out to make home visits with families in the community. We visited many people coming from many different backgrounds and situations and invited them to our evening service. One older woman we sat with had severe foot problems which made it very hard for her to walk. She talked with us about her struggles and her children that are living in America. God really used us to talk with her because she made it to church that night.


The worship leaders in the church are two young Godly men that have a real passion for people and it is truly contagious. They lead us in several Spanish songs. Without even knowing the words they were saying, I knew exactly what God was teaching me because His presence was all around me. My heart was completely consumed by everything He is and I was reminded that love is our universal language. I have never felt so close to Him and was overtaken by an amazing peace and security.


Before the night was over, Tata sang a rap tune for the congregation and I was able to speak through an interpreter with the pastors’ daughter, Ester. She is a beautiful young lady inside and out with a heart for God. It is her dream to be able to learn English, visit England and meet a princess. I told her my dad is from England and that I have visited the country twice. We were so thrilled to be able to share this connection with each other and just began to cry.

This was by far the hardest day, physically and mentally. However, God used it and we had the most incredible experience with the people of La Masica. Leaving that night, we knew we would probably never see them again here on earth, but we knew that one day we will see them all in heaven.

Honduras: Day 1 and 2

I’ve been blessed with many opportunities to travel to several different countries in my life so far, but this time it was going to be quite a different experience. I found myself on a plane heading to Honduras for my first mission trip, eager yet nervous, not knowing what to anticipate. Our team prepared for many weeks to get to this point. We met to rehearse songs, mimes, and to prepare our plans for the work we would be doing. We covered everything we could but with Him in control, you never know what is going to happen. In the week and a half before leaving, I seemed to go through a whirl-wind of emotions from arising situations that overwhelmed me. I double and triple checked my material packing list, but it wasn’t as easy to put a check mark next to my heart and mind being all in order.


After an early morning getting to the airport, we board the plane and I eagerly try to learn as much Spanish as I can from a team member on our fairly short flight to the international airport in San Pedro Sulu. The pilot welcomes us to Honduras as my heart starts to beat rapidly and my mind goes racing 100 miles an hour. We had our first dose of reality in the airport going through the customs and immigration lines, followed by making it safely onto our bus that would take us to La Ceiba. The thought that ran through my mind was “we are definitely not in Kansas anymore.”

We were graciously welcomed by our new friends that would be with us for the week and we started our journey to La Ceiba. Almost instantly, I bubbled with excitement and peace came over me. The scenery, the quietness, the wind blowing through my hair came together as I met with my Father on what would be just the start of an incredible journey. I was comforted by the hospitality of the local pastors we would be working with and the site of an air conditioner in our hotel room. I quickly fell peacefully asleep meditating on 1 Timothy 2:1-6:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peacefully and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity - the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave the world at just the right time.

It was our first full day in Honduras, and we traveled to a small town called La Masica. Upon arrival, we step into the church we will be working with for the day and take a deep breath. The building is made up of 4 concrete walls with many openings that serve as windows with lace coverings as curtains. There are simple wooden pews painted teal and many overhead fans that help to cut through the heat and humidity. We are welcomed by a warmth of hospitality from the leaders of the church and then make our way to a local park.

We are greeted by many young children that are eager to see us. We set up under a large gazebo and begin to sing Spanish children’s songs, do a puppet show, mimes, share the Gospel, and watch as many children accept Christ for the first time. I am filled with joy interacting and playing games with these children and even though we speak different languages, love shows through much brighter.

The town is abuzz with talk about the World Cup because Honduras is playing today. We travel to a local diner for an authentic Honduras lunch while proudly watching the game. As afternoon approaches, we are back at the park with even more children this time. Many have returned and brought friends along with them. This time they are even more eager to sing along with all our songs and hang on everything we say and do. They crowd around our bus as we leave for some we will not see again.


Evening service at the church for me was an experience that cannot be put completely into words. Two different cultures coming together to worship and share God’s word was a humbling and exhilarating experience. I was reminded that this life is not about what He can do for us, but who we should become to glorify Him. I have begun to see the first glimpses of God changing my heart.