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..
Monday, 10 November 2014
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!
Monday, 3 February 2014
football & Jesus
A few members of the Seattle Seahawks football team were asked the question: "who is Jesus?"
Monday, 20 January 2014
Creative God & His church
So God is planting another church and inviting us into the process.
It is out of the box.
It fascinates me to hear how people come to know Jesus. Most of the time, it is through relationship. A friend or family member told them about Jesus or invited them to an event where they heard.
For myself, I was invited to a Christian camp by my best friend in grade 5. There I learned that Jesus wanted to have a relationship with me, to forgive me for the wrong things I've done and to be number one in my life.
Most of us have seen it all: friends who can't sit through a one hour church service, friends who have 101 reasons why they are not interested in learning about God.
So about 3 years ago, a friend and I were impressed by God to be creative and create one more way for people to hear about God. Why not church in a coffee shop with table discussions? In March we will be doing a series called the big 5 which asks the top 5 questions people around the world are wondering about God. For example: Who is Jesus? etc. So there you go. It may be for you, it may not. It may be for a friend or family member. Jesus never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The packaging can change. Ie) Learning about Jesus on an outdoor program in Hawaii on the side of a rock or in a coffee house. Once you know Jesus, you will never be the same.
So come check it out. I have a feeling the creator of the universe loves creativity.
cafe.velocity@gmail.com
It is out of the box.
It fascinates me to hear how people come to know Jesus. Most of the time, it is through relationship. A friend or family member told them about Jesus or invited them to an event where they heard.
For myself, I was invited to a Christian camp by my best friend in grade 5. There I learned that Jesus wanted to have a relationship with me, to forgive me for the wrong things I've done and to be number one in my life.
Most of us have seen it all: friends who can't sit through a one hour church service, friends who have 101 reasons why they are not interested in learning about God.
So about 3 years ago, a friend and I were impressed by God to be creative and create one more way for people to hear about God. Why not church in a coffee shop with table discussions? In March we will be doing a series called the big 5 which asks the top 5 questions people around the world are wondering about God. For example: Who is Jesus? etc. So there you go. It may be for you, it may not. It may be for a friend or family member. Jesus never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The packaging can change. Ie) Learning about Jesus on an outdoor program in Hawaii on the side of a rock or in a coffee house. Once you know Jesus, you will never be the same.
So come check it out. I have a feeling the creator of the universe loves creativity.
cafe.velocity@gmail.com
Approval of man or of God
Jesus did not get the approval of men in His own city. He lived for an audience and approval of one - His Father, God. As my pastor was saying the other day, everyone goes through this lesson at some point of their lives. Recently I learned it hard out and I'm so thankful for that.
We don't have to guess where we stand with God once we accept His love and forgiveness. When we give our lives to God, He calls us: beloved child, chosen, adopted, destined with purpose. As a loving Father, He speaks to us daily and corrects us out of love. He is perfect love.
So when we look to humans for their approval it is futile. Humans make mistakes. It is distorted if our first and primary source of affirmation is not from God. He's the only one that knows us fully and Has our best interest in mind.
Friends and family can be a great secondary source of encouragement. When the body of Christ is on their game, it is a beautiful symphony of mutual encouragement and building one another up. The difference is that encouragement is a bonus but it does not define or give worth. It is simply a bonus. Like in Max Lucado's book: you are special, the character was given stars every time someone encouraged him and dots when people discouraged him. He was covered in stars and dots and his emotions were up and down. It wasn't until he met his maker (God) that all the stars and dots fell off. God spoke into his life, gave him the very breath of life itself and that's all that mattered.
Being in any position of leadership will lend itself to many dots and stars. Even though I thought I had learned this lesson many years ago, I still found myself "overly" encouraged by praises and overly discouraged by dots. So God took me through a dot season. I was hit with feeling unprotected and under encouraged. I realized that after a couple weeks of that, I really didn't care. I realized that I receive my value and worth from God. When God speaks His encouragement over His children, it transforms us. He fills us with so much love that when people are critical, it only makes us want to love them more. Or at least pray for them!
I'm so thankful to be learning this lesson. Women, your worth comes from God alone! He knows and has your heart first. Listen to His voice before any other.
Isaiah 52:2 (paraphrase)
Shake off your dusk,
Rise up, sit enthroned,
Free yourself from the chains on your neck
Free yourself from the chains on your neck
Friday, 17 January 2014
soft to fierce
I know in my Spirit when it’s time to go back. Back to Africa...My days in Tanzania were spent with rich people who had little materialistically. I know when it's time to wake up and act justly on behalf of our brothers and sisters who are in harm, severe poverty or lacking education. For me that means actively going, praying or giving. We are called to Micah 8: To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.
In Africa, we were in orphanages where the kids had nothing. No shoes, ripped up clothes, dirty head to toe, sick etc. Once you see this kind of poverty you cannot ignore it. I was with pastors who were preaching, smiling and sweating because of the raging malaria surging through their body that day. We were lifting rocks building a church. We didn’t like the food sometimes but we didn’t care because it was food. Some of us got parasites and forgot all about it when 10 kids without parents were climbing all over us and laughing. We were walking down streets with people with machine guns and machetes. We were praying over people who were dying of preventable diseases.
God has also called some of us to north America and we are called to live radically for Jesus here. I adore beautiful British Columbia and my life here.
I know that He has also placed a call on my life to be dissatisfied
with living in routine comfort. I want to give my life away in a means that is radically beyond myself. To live and breath completely reliant and dependant upon Jesus and as if eternity with Jesus could be a breath away for ourselves or our brothers and sisters. There was a minor earthquake a few weeks ago while I was in palm desert and it woke me up to remember that we are daughters and sons of destiny, called to shake the foundations of the earth. We are called to pray and fight in love and truth for justice! We are called to Micah 8: To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.
Leave it up to Gerard Butler and “Machine Gun preacher” to
be part of the wake up call. So much can be said about this film but bottom line is that is shows our
brothers and sisters being harmed, many sold into human trafficking. I
cannot close my eyes. I cannot ignore it. I want to be part of the
solution. I think
it’s everyone’s calling to fight for justice in love whether local or abroad. As the kid says in the
movie “don’t let them take your heart”.
I won’t let comfort take my heart. *side note. Obviously there are severe local needs right where we are. Human trafficking is happening in Canada. I'm simply sharing about a region that rocked my heart. Let's wake up and be part of the solution whether by our hearts (prayers) or feet (actively giving or going).
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