Challenged.

"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart ♥ May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and the exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, and starvation, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done."

At church today the Holy Spirit hit me.

I have come to realize when I hear God best, it's when He hits me in the face with His truth and reveals His heart and His passions for my life. It's then time to take a step back and review my life, get back onto that path that He's set out before me and align myself once again with His vision and THEN move forward again.

I sometimes am challenged when I pray SO long and hard for something to happen, and it just doesn't. I start to question God, I go back and look over those truths that I knew to be true and ask why?

I was reminded today to adjust my focus. To put the focus not onto the things that God isn't doing, but to my own actions. Have I made the proactive step of living a Christ-like life? Have I taken a step outside my comfort zone to encourage these dreams? I was humbled when I realized I was just sitting back and waiting for God to do it all. I recognized that I was blind to see that it was me who was hindering these prayers.

Instead of being on the front lines of battle, I was hanging back and waiting for God to do all the work. I lost sight of the meaning of FRIENDSHIP: A TWO way relationship. I saw that a mighty, powerful, omnipotent God wanted me to fight alongside Him. I saw a God that could do it Himself but cared enough to not want me to sit back, He knew I'm ready, He knew I'd find the strength and knew that I believed I'm covered with His grace.

I was encouraged today to follow my dreams. To chase after what I know God has called me to do. Not to sit back and watch the world go on around me, but to be PART of the world as I lead the way. To make the world sit back and watch as I work for the Glory of His kingdom, as I battle on the front lines and as together as the body of Christ we spread our light throughout the nations.

"If the devil were wise enough and would stand by in silence and let the Gospel be preached, he would suffer harm. For when there is no battle for the Gospel is rusts and it finds no cause and no occasion to show its vigour and power. Therefore, nothing better can befall the Gospel than that the world should fight it with force and cunning."
Martin Luther

Time is LOVE

I was just visiting my grandmother up at the North of India! And it was FANTASTIC!!!!

But what did I experience? What did I do? Most importantly what have I learned? ... SO MUCH! I think that once you get into the mindset of EVERY SINGLE person that you meet, there's SOMETHING you can learn from them... it changes you, it changes how you see people, it invites relationship into your life.

I've been raised in a society that's taught me "time is money." Coming into a place of religion and rituals that people from birth are taught. Where tradition is fufilled by all and has it's place throughout daily life. Coming into a society of laid back people. It's a change.

Here I've come to a new conclusion "time is love." Time means that you care, time represents respect, time shows someone that they mean something to you.. What more could anyone ask for?

Here in Punjab this has become quite clear, EVERYSINGLE house we visited; whether they were among the wealthiest of India, to the poorest one room houses, they would ALL insist on tea, sweets and roti.

I know that when I am at home, if I'm just going to someone's house to visit, I make sure I've eaten before heading out: not wanting to be a burden to anyone. Here it's the opposite since you just KNOW that you'll have tea and sweets, and there will be multiple offers of more food. It teaches you something about hospitality. It's a good representation of what we should become.

When you are with the people here; they're ENTIRE focus is with you. They're not worried about later plans, stay as long as you want. If they don't have want you want they'll send out for it. Their attention their time, is yours. They might not have very much, but that hour they spent with you for the day means more than anything they could have given you.

I've learned that here children spell love T I M E. When people hear about a orphanage in India with street kids, most people respond the same as many of you did. What can I send? What do they need? What can I buy for them? Spending two months here; I've realized that, though I may have nothing to give them, it's the time that I spend with them. It's that I am here when they have a nightmare in the middle of the night, I am here when they fall down and hurt themselves and I am here when they don't understand their math homework. Though I don't have anything, I have love, I have compassion, I have a heart for these children.

What do you do when a child is crying? You realize that someone has to care....

There was a lady by the name of Agnes who died over ten years ago. She had a heart beyond hearts for the poor of the world. She was a humble single woman that changed the face of the planet. She came from a middle class family. To the world's standard she meant nothing. Many today know her now as Mother Teresa. It wasn't just what she did while here on earth, it was was she put into motion. It's the inspiration that it's possible to reach the poor, it's possible to change the lives of many, and when work together it's possible to reach the world for Christ!

Here I am; the same humble beginnings as Mother Teresa. To the world I mean nothing. But for these next six weeks to these children I mean the world. I may not end up being the next Mother Teresa, and I am okay with that. If I effect a single child's life here in India; that's generations saved, it's a renewed opportunity that, that child has at life. They say "Those CRAZY enough to THINK they can change the world, usually do."

I'm ready for what God has in store for me. I'm excited to see what's around the corner. This God we follow keeps me on the edge of my seat; and I'm thankful for that! :)

Much love from India!!!

What a BIG God!

God isn't confined by brick walls. He isn't defined by mud huts. He resides within the tent shacks. He flows throughout the bamboo homes. He drapes Himself over the garbage mounds. His scent is evident even through the exhaust and smog. He is alive alongside the millions and millions of different people that call Chennai home.

God is bigger than we can comprehend. He knows my dreams. He understands my desires. He created my passions, and lit the flame to my heart that blazes for Him. My plans are big, and with revelation from God rightfully should be. My hopes are go beyond even what I can imagine. My vision is nothing less than moving mountains in His name.

All these things are gifts from God. Though my dreams may seem bigger than me, and even though my vision may seem impossible GOD IS MIGHTY! God is HUGE! He created the universe with one breath. And with one Man He conquered death. He's big enough to accomplish my dreams. I am just thankful He has chosen me to go along for the journey.

It was hard being here without a team. But I have started to realize what pray without ceasing truly means. I've been talking to Jesus CONSTANTLY since being here. Since He is the ONLY one that understands me fully, He is the one that KNOWS where I come from. He's the one that knows my culture. Heck He made me! SO that's been really comforting to realize. Since I don't know anyone here I've been forced (in a good way) to get to know everyone here a lot better, and it's good to be COMPLETLY immersed in the culture. I really do get to live as the Indians do here. I'm thankful for that.

But it's becoming habit to talk to Him so regularly, and constantly I'm really THANKFUL for that!!!!! Its crazy how much He has to say to us; as long as we take the time to ask, talk and LISTEN!! What a good God we serve!!

What a GREAT God.

I think about the countless times I've begged God saying "I will go," or "here am I Lord, send me!" and how here I sit, in Chennai, blessed to be given this chance to serve God overseas. I think of how wonderful our God is, how He remains faithful to us. He knew the desires of my heart, and in His sovereign knowledge and timing He's given me this time. This time to give back a VERY tiny bit that I can, since He has given me nothing less than eternity.

"Give me your eyes for just one second, give me your eyes so I can see, everything that I keep missing. Give me your love your humanity. Give me your arms for the broken hearted the ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me your heart for the ones forgotten. Give me your eyes so I can see." Brandon Heath.

This is where I have started; asking Him for His eyes and His heart. Humbly asking if He will grant me the honor of being His hands and feet. And in reverence asking for His love, and for that love to extend through me.

I know and realize for my time here to be a success all these things will have to become reality. What am I without Christ's love? What will the children gain from me without me becoming an extension of Him? If my heart doesn't ache with theirs what benefit will there be? The answer is nothing. By His grace He has brought me here and through His grace He will grant me the knowledge, strength and wisdom to accomplish these things.

I am at an orphanage with fourty-four children. And they're absolutely beautiful!!! I can't even begin to describe their beauty to you. They're beyond talented, and just exude joy! Their vibrant smiles brighten up my days and laughter fills the building. We play games, have meals together, bible studies, and mostly enjoy life together.

I can't beleive how much I have to learn from these children! Their knowledge in the simplicity of life astounds me! Just how they go about their lives every single day with such greatfulness through they come from such brokeness. The power of Christ is so evident in their lives, a single glance from them leaves me awestruck.

Being here for over two weeks now, it amazes me how much I have already felt God begin to change me. Not the surface level change, but from the depths of me, those untoched places that I before never would have allowed Him into. They're transforming. They're softening. They're moulding into what a perfect God wants them to be. I've been blessed with His abundant love that is constantly showering over me; and how that I've taken a step back to realize this, it's altering the way I think, changing how I talk, changing my interactions with others for the better and above all transforming the way I live my life: with God in the center, God on the sides, and God flowing through EVERY SINGLE aspect of me.

I sit here today with just one prayer: that I won't get in the way of God's transformations. But instead, open my heart to it, welcome Him into my life with open arms, and for what I feel to become so contagious that it'll come to effect the people around me.

I thank-you for your prayers!!!

It has Begun!

And the story begins. It begins with a girl listening, desiring and responding to God's call of the Gospel. A girl with no clue what she is doing, but is relying moment to moment on God's faithfulness, unceasing love and compassion. Where God leads I will follow....

And here we go!There is just something so amazing, so touching, and just so enlightening about bilingual prayer. I don't know what it is; but it moves me, it makes me want to pray harder. Something about the body of Christ coming together as one to worship and petition on behalf of an Almighty God takes my breath away. It excites me and readys me for what is to come. That as I have come here from around the world, not bringing God to these people but have come to share in God together as brothers and sisters in Christ. God has reminded me of that early on here in India! And I am humbled and thankful for that. I am here to yes; bring people to Christ, and further The Kingdom, but also to do life with these people; share in their joy, ache with their broken hearts, mourn in their loss, marvel in their triumps, and to be a part of what a magnificent God is doing on the streets of India.

So this is where my journey begins... on my knees listening to Gods voice, praying for His leading while down here in India, seeking His wisdom in my every move, in my heart declaring for Thy will to be done not mine, and soaking in His glorious presence.

I invite you along for this amazing journey He has set out before me. The goal: for God's love to refine me, for it to become what defines me.

He turns my darkness into Light!

You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light.
2 Samuel 22:29

Theres something I've come to learn that is completely authentic, always dependable and utterly undeniable; and it's that God's characteristics NEVER change. No matter what is happening with my life, no matter the hardship, no matter the love that I feel, it is constant.

You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.
Psalm 18:28

The love that I feel coming out of church, is the same love that He gives and shows me when I lose someone that I love. The grace that He showers over me when I'm sitting here is just the same as while I'm living in sin. The compassion He exudes is unending. The power of salvation CONSTANTLY covers my head. His holy presence abundantly flows encompassing my entire life. His comfort is plentiful not only during the easy times, but throughout the tough times. My trust in Him overflows daily. And I pray that my knowledge of Him deepens with every breath.

When His lamp shone upon my head and by His light I walked through darkness!
Job 29:3

I understand from my past that when darkness strikes alongside there is ALWAYS light. Though it may be small nevertheless it is ALWAYS there. It may be hard to see in the current situation but again it never ceases to be there. I realize it is hard to see God against all situations, but He NEVER fails to grab onto our hand and reveal to us His Majesty. I know that it is easy to focus all our attention towards the tough times, but continuously God pulls our minds from it, and there we are left gazing into His magnificent eyes.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16

And that is where I kneel today, before a Savior who completes me. Arms completely stretched and hands completely open. Comforted in the knowledge that every tear is caught in his hands. Gazing into a majestic God, who a hundred times over will save me, a thousand times over will fight on behalf of me, and a million times over will remind me of this AMAZING love He has for me; as a father beaming down at His precious daughter.