The other night, I heard a message from the bible that I had heard before. This time it hit me in a new way. The message was from John 17 & heaven.
It's all about Jesus. He is the prize. He is not the pathway to the prize. He is the prize. There is nothing greater than being in His presence. An earthly example is: do we marry someone because they will provide for us: give us a house, help us or because we want to be with them all the time? Jesus is not a pathway to get to heaven (paradise). He is the greatest part of heaven.
There is a type of "Christian homelessness" because this world is not our home. We will never be completely satisfied here. For Christians, this life is the worst it will get ever get. For non believers it's the best it will ever get.
Heaven is our eternal home, so everything on earth is done with an eternal mindset. God asked some friends of mine to sell their beautiful home. They obeyed. They are not living attached to material possessions.
John Piper once asked a question
“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—
is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the
friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and
all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties
you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no
human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with
heaven, if Christ were not there? ”
― John Piper, God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God's Love as the Gift of Himself
Thursday, 7 April 2016
Wednesday, 23 December 2015
Merry Christmas / Africa
It is with great excitement that I would like to share with you about an opportunity to bring bibles to unreached people. Our YWAM outreach team will soon head to central east Africa. The main thing that we will be doing is bringing bibles into unreached people groups, in their language. We will bring the bible in electronic form so that these unreached groups can put it in their phones. We will be bringing these electronic bibles in 5 different languages. We will also be bringing paper bibles and showing the Jesus film in their language.We will also be visiting refugee camps, prisons, schools and clinics. How would you like to partner with us in bringing the gospel message to central east Africa? As we prepare to bring a message of hope and the love of Christ to these people.
Thursday, 3 September 2015
NEWS!
Hey Everyone,
Welcome to the blog! A great place to send updates on what God is up to! Would love to hear what's going on in your life too!
In 2009 I joined a discipleship training school where we went on outreach to China. It was radical! (#90's word). What a joy to see God save so many people! Daily our Chinese friends were coming to Christ and being discipled. We taught English, made friends and watched God transform hearts continuously. On one Sunday, 4 Chinese friends came to church and after hearing the gospel they counted the cost and with joy received Christ. It was an amazing time. We got called into the police station once. This reminds me to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who need our prayers so much more.
I returned home to Port Moody, B.C, taught public school and had the joy of being involved with local outreach. Many great times! It was always on my heart to return overseas when God called me. This past year, I was at a crossroads between putting a downpayment on a place to live, buying a newer car and continuing in a long term contract with work OR GOING. I felt God say "Go." I will say that it was harder this time saying yes, giving up the car, a pay cheque, familiarity, local ministry and of course saying goodbye to friends and family. But God said Go. Sometimes God calls people to stay. Some He calls into business, some to developing nations and some to serve both locally and abroad in the same year. One of my visions is to teach secondary in B.C. and go with these students overseas in the summer. The important thing is spending time listening to Jesus and obeying Him. Whether He calls us to stay or go; there is nothing like walking by faith with Him.
So I went and this time will be staffing discipleship training school starting Oct 1! This 6 month program focuses on intimacy with God and reaching unreached people groups with the gospel. The first 3 months take place at the youth with a mission base in Kona Hawaii. Then for outreach teams will be travelling to Asia or Africa to connect with local people, learn about their culture and lifestyle and share the gospel. What an amazing honour and opportunity to share with people who have never had the opportunity to hear it before!
One of my friends from Canada, her husband, 3 kids and a Nanny have just signed up to join this Trailblazers DTS. We are praying for them and all the students. Each time, I think of them and how they are selling possessions and getting on a plane with 3 very young kids, I keep thinking they are living by faith and walking on water. What a joy to watch God move in their hearts as well and provide for them as they said yes to His call.
Some verses to leave with:
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know Him better." Ephesians 1:17
"For God, who said "Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God displayed in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6
Lots of love & I would love to hear from you!
Linds
Box 328 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona
HI 96740, U.S.A (Come visit!)
Welcome to the blog! A great place to send updates on what God is up to! Would love to hear what's going on in your life too!
In 2009 I joined a discipleship training school where we went on outreach to China. It was radical! (#90's word). What a joy to see God save so many people! Daily our Chinese friends were coming to Christ and being discipled. We taught English, made friends and watched God transform hearts continuously. On one Sunday, 4 Chinese friends came to church and after hearing the gospel they counted the cost and with joy received Christ. It was an amazing time. We got called into the police station once. This reminds me to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who need our prayers so much more.
I returned home to Port Moody, B.C, taught public school and had the joy of being involved with local outreach. Many great times! It was always on my heart to return overseas when God called me. This past year, I was at a crossroads between putting a downpayment on a place to live, buying a newer car and continuing in a long term contract with work OR GOING. I felt God say "Go." I will say that it was harder this time saying yes, giving up the car, a pay cheque, familiarity, local ministry and of course saying goodbye to friends and family. But God said Go. Sometimes God calls people to stay. Some He calls into business, some to developing nations and some to serve both locally and abroad in the same year. One of my visions is to teach secondary in B.C. and go with these students overseas in the summer. The important thing is spending time listening to Jesus and obeying Him. Whether He calls us to stay or go; there is nothing like walking by faith with Him.
So I went and this time will be staffing discipleship training school starting Oct 1! This 6 month program focuses on intimacy with God and reaching unreached people groups with the gospel. The first 3 months take place at the youth with a mission base in Kona Hawaii. Then for outreach teams will be travelling to Asia or Africa to connect with local people, learn about their culture and lifestyle and share the gospel. What an amazing honour and opportunity to share with people who have never had the opportunity to hear it before!
One of my friends from Canada, her husband, 3 kids and a Nanny have just signed up to join this Trailblazers DTS. We are praying for them and all the students. Each time, I think of them and how they are selling possessions and getting on a plane with 3 very young kids, I keep thinking they are living by faith and walking on water. What a joy to watch God move in their hearts as well and provide for them as they said yes to His call.
Some verses to leave with:
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know Him better." Ephesians 1:17
"For God, who said "Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God displayed in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6
Lots of love & I would love to hear from you!
Linds
Box 328 75-5851 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona
HI 96740, U.S.A (Come visit!)
Monday, 10 November 2014
count the cost for the cause of Christ
5 years ago I went to China and had the honour of serving alongside 3 friends who later would be imprisoned for their faith. These friends had done nothing wrong. They were caring for people, including widows, orphans, the poor and sick. After 2 years of praying for our friend Kenneth to be released from prison in North Korea, he was released earlier this week. We are so thankful for this news!
We are currently praying that the Canadian couple would be released from prison in China. Last week I had the honour of meeting their son in Vancouver. On Thursday, he flew to China with some members of the Canadian government. Please pray that they would soon be released.
I think about Paul in the bible and how He said " What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:8. These friends realized that knowing Christ is greater than anything else and they had the opportunity to glorify Christ in and out of prison..
We are currently praying that the Canadian couple would be released from prison in China. Last week I had the honour of meeting their son in Vancouver. On Thursday, he flew to China with some members of the Canadian government. Please pray that they would soon be released.
I think about Paul in the bible and how He said " What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Philippians 3:8. These friends realized that knowing Christ is greater than anything else and they had the opportunity to glorify Christ in and out of prison..
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
from fear to faith
Summer 2010:
While talking one night with some youth leaders I mentioned one of my dreams. The next week, a youth leader told me that a summer camp contacted him and said that one of their boat drivers quit and asked if he knew anyone who might be interested in the position. He gave them my name.
This is the beauty of working in teams and doing life in community. We can encourage one another and help each other pursue our callings and dreams. He had been the previous boat driver at that camp so I asked him to tell me everything he knew about boat driving.
I went to camp and for two weeks before the kids arrived I had to learn how to drive the boats while and take people on water skis, wakeboards and tubes etc. This was when fear started to hit. The safety of kids lives were on the line and I had no experience. I prayed a lot. That first day of training I felt sick. I don't know if it was because we had to wake up at 5a.m, if I was sea sick or felt sick after hearing about all the injury stories of years past. I wanted to quit.
God said that I had a choice to make. "Lindsay, you can choose to live by fear or by faith."
That summer was wild. Being on the water for hours every day was amazing, challenging and exhilarating. I learned how to do turns in order to give the best rides. After 2 months of long days on the water, long nights cleaning the boat, I was in awe of God's faithfulness. I got to work with an amazing team doing something I'd always dreamed of. Pretty rad when your office is the ocean ;)
While talking one night with some youth leaders I mentioned one of my dreams. The next week, a youth leader told me that a summer camp contacted him and said that one of their boat drivers quit and asked if he knew anyone who might be interested in the position. He gave them my name.
This is the beauty of working in teams and doing life in community. We can encourage one another and help each other pursue our callings and dreams. He had been the previous boat driver at that camp so I asked him to tell me everything he knew about boat driving.
I went to camp and for two weeks before the kids arrived I had to learn how to drive the boats while and take people on water skis, wakeboards and tubes etc. This was when fear started to hit. The safety of kids lives were on the line and I had no experience. I prayed a lot. That first day of training I felt sick. I don't know if it was because we had to wake up at 5a.m, if I was sea sick or felt sick after hearing about all the injury stories of years past. I wanted to quit.
God said that I had a choice to make. "Lindsay, you can choose to live by fear or by faith."
That summer was wild. Being on the water for hours every day was amazing, challenging and exhilarating. I learned how to do turns in order to give the best rides. After 2 months of long days on the water, long nights cleaning the boat, I was in awe of God's faithfulness. I got to work with an amazing team doing something I'd always dreamed of. Pretty rad when your office is the ocean ;)
Sunday, 17 August 2014
Summer lovin'
Summer days spent kayaking, paddle boarding and speed boating. Swimming in lakes, playing in the ocean, lounging on the beach with friends. This was all good BUT, my favourite moments this summer were serving God and giving His love away to children. This must be because it's my calling or something.. Typically when we give and pour out, we are most filled :)
My second cousin Megan came to camp this summer. I was working with the horses that week and got to help her learn to ride.
One night, while making the rounds, a counselor informed me of a camper who was very upset, crying and homesick. Thankfully after 10 years of working at this camp, with the grace of God, you learn a few tricks of the trade. We had a great conversation and then she went back to bed.
There was a campfire Thursday night and I had my cousin on one side of me holding my hand with her head on me and on the other side the homesick camper holding my hand. I looked up to God and said: Thank you! It doesn't get much better than this. These sweet kids, listening to the word of God at campfire. This was my favourite moment.
My second favourite moment of the summer was (surprise surprise) at camp again.
I was asked to counsel (what?) Thought I had retired from that. They asked, so I did. Blessed to get to know 9 new kids the following week. There was one kid that stood out to me. She wasn't into the "God stuff" too much. She would always save me a seat at chapel, campfire etc. She shared with me a lot about her life and on Thursday night camp fire when I asked her what she thought of the chapel talk, she said "Lindsay, I feel like I'm suppose to tell you my life story. So she did. Then after we talked she said, she wanted Jesus in her life. She asked me how to pray. She chose to follow Jesus, to ask for forgiveness for the wrong things she's done and to accept His love.
What could be better?!
My second cousin Megan came to camp this summer. I was working with the horses that week and got to help her learn to ride.
One night, while making the rounds, a counselor informed me of a camper who was very upset, crying and homesick. Thankfully after 10 years of working at this camp, with the grace of God, you learn a few tricks of the trade. We had a great conversation and then she went back to bed.
There was a campfire Thursday night and I had my cousin on one side of me holding my hand with her head on me and on the other side the homesick camper holding my hand. I looked up to God and said: Thank you! It doesn't get much better than this. These sweet kids, listening to the word of God at campfire. This was my favourite moment.
My second favourite moment of the summer was (surprise surprise) at camp again.
I was asked to counsel (what?) Thought I had retired from that. They asked, so I did. Blessed to get to know 9 new kids the following week. There was one kid that stood out to me. She wasn't into the "God stuff" too much. She would always save me a seat at chapel, campfire etc. She shared with me a lot about her life and on Thursday night camp fire when I asked her what she thought of the chapel talk, she said "Lindsay, I feel like I'm suppose to tell you my life story. So she did. Then after we talked she said, she wanted Jesus in her life. She asked me how to pray. She chose to follow Jesus, to ask for forgiveness for the wrong things she's done and to accept His love.
What could be better?!
Monday, 11 August 2014
fruitful dreams
How exciting is it when you pray into a dream and then see it happen with your very own eyes?
It leaves me in awe of God every time.
A year ago, I went to an outdoor music concert in Maple Ridge. While there, I thought how amazing it would be to do something like this, by the ocean at Rocky Point, Port Moody. The city of Port Moody has my heart. I love the people, the ocean, the pier, the beach culture, the arts culture etc.
So a friend and I went on a prayer walk about 3 months ago and prayed over Port Moody and the stage at Rocky Point. We believed that we could have an outdoor music fest there that shares hope and points to our creator, God.
I mentioned this dream to another friend a couple months ago. He said "Lindsay, another friend and I have a similar dream!" There you have it. Once again (as I've blogged about before), God works in teams. He himself is: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He brings friends into our lives to partner with and to see Him do great things, together.
So I met with these 2 friends and we talked and prayed and shared the vision with each other. Since I'm a teacher, I got on the "action roll". Filled out the email application that day at my friends skate shop. For the next few weeks, I was on the phone with the city of Port Moody. The city was very hesitant and slow but never said no, so we continued to believe that this was from God and to press on.
Miraculously, the city ended up giving us an excellent time slot, on a Saturday in August and they gave us the use of the stage, for free!
I'm a visionary and love getting the ball rolling then passing the ball to someone who can get the details done. So my friend did just that. He got posters made, contacted the bands and expanded the event to include skateboarding right beside rocky point before the musicians started.
The day arrived. It was a glorious sunny day August 9th. The park was filled with people who were enjoying the day with friends and family. You could hear from the sound all the way to the pier. We sensed the presence of God. There was a team of ladies praying for anyone who needed prayer. It was fun to MC the event and share with the community that we do these events to share hope and love. We read the definition of love from the bible, from the stage. There were a few glitches with the sound but we'd like to take what we learned this year, and see it become an annual event!
One of my favourite parts was after the event, my friend called anyone who was involved with helping that day, to the stage. There we had a quieter time of worship and prayer. I had no idea, so many people had been involved with helping and from so many different nations! One elderly Asian man prayed "God you say in your word: on this ROCK I will build my church and this is ROCK-Y point!" Amen! Thankful for that word as this is the area that my friends and I are believing for another church plant.
Praise God, all glory to Him!
1. What dreams can you pray into?
2. What friends can you share this dream with and partner with?
When there's opposition, it does not mean give up. The guy on the phone must have said to me atleast 10 times over a month: "well, we don't usually do stuff like this." "We're really busy in the summer." etc etc. Believe and press on!
It leaves me in awe of God every time.
A year ago, I went to an outdoor music concert in Maple Ridge. While there, I thought how amazing it would be to do something like this, by the ocean at Rocky Point, Port Moody. The city of Port Moody has my heart. I love the people, the ocean, the pier, the beach culture, the arts culture etc.
So a friend and I went on a prayer walk about 3 months ago and prayed over Port Moody and the stage at Rocky Point. We believed that we could have an outdoor music fest there that shares hope and points to our creator, God.
I mentioned this dream to another friend a couple months ago. He said "Lindsay, another friend and I have a similar dream!" There you have it. Once again (as I've blogged about before), God works in teams. He himself is: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He brings friends into our lives to partner with and to see Him do great things, together.
So I met with these 2 friends and we talked and prayed and shared the vision with each other. Since I'm a teacher, I got on the "action roll". Filled out the email application that day at my friends skate shop. For the next few weeks, I was on the phone with the city of Port Moody. The city was very hesitant and slow but never said no, so we continued to believe that this was from God and to press on.
Miraculously, the city ended up giving us an excellent time slot, on a Saturday in August and they gave us the use of the stage, for free!
I'm a visionary and love getting the ball rolling then passing the ball to someone who can get the details done. So my friend did just that. He got posters made, contacted the bands and expanded the event to include skateboarding right beside rocky point before the musicians started.
The day arrived. It was a glorious sunny day August 9th. The park was filled with people who were enjoying the day with friends and family. You could hear from the sound all the way to the pier. We sensed the presence of God. There was a team of ladies praying for anyone who needed prayer. It was fun to MC the event and share with the community that we do these events to share hope and love. We read the definition of love from the bible, from the stage. There were a few glitches with the sound but we'd like to take what we learned this year, and see it become an annual event!
One of my favourite parts was after the event, my friend called anyone who was involved with helping that day, to the stage. There we had a quieter time of worship and prayer. I had no idea, so many people had been involved with helping and from so many different nations! One elderly Asian man prayed "God you say in your word: on this ROCK I will build my church and this is ROCK-Y point!" Amen! Thankful for that word as this is the area that my friends and I are believing for another church plant.
Praise God, all glory to Him!
1. What dreams can you pray into?
2. What friends can you share this dream with and partner with?
When there's opposition, it does not mean give up. The guy on the phone must have said to me atleast 10 times over a month: "well, we don't usually do stuff like this." "We're really busy in the summer." etc etc. Believe and press on!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)