Article submitted to Threads--5/28/07

I was surprised at how quickly the memory popped into my mind as I read the invitation to share an “uncomfortable experience” with other Threads young adults. After all, it's been almost 3 years since my first mission trip to Aberdeen, Scotland where I faced and conquered my fears of street evangelism.

In the summer of 2004, I joined over 300 people, mostly youth, on a mission trip in Aberdeen (a city labeled as the "unholiest city in Scotland") to bring the love of Jesus to all areas of the community, including nursing homes, neighborhood parks, and local dance clubs. Upon arrival, I was assigned to a street outreach team that would go downtown to pass out fliers for a Christian youth musical that we presented at night during the week. We were also instructed to look for opportunities to talk with people--to share what we were doing and why we were there.

Participating in street outreach in America would be enough to put me out of my comfort zone, but doing so in a strange country really had my anxiety meter in the red. On the first day of outreach, I clung to my teammates, timidly passing out fliers as we walked the downtown streets. I was nervous and self-conscious, and worried what "people will think." After the first few hours of handing out fliers, I sat down to rest on a bench near a plaza of shops, trying to escape my assignment. Soon, an older woman carrying several shopping bags came to sit next to me. She seemed tired, and I smiled at her and commented about the nice weather (a rare sunny day for Scotland). She agreed, noting my American accent, which seemed to influence her to continue to talk with me.

As we chatted, she told me that she was spending her birthday shopping with her daughter and granddaughter. She said it was a treat to be out for the day because her husband has Alzheimer's disease and she is his primary caretaker so she usually has to say close to home. When she shared this with me, I was able to connect with her, telling her that my grandmother also cares for my grandfather who has the same debilitating disease. Because I know the struggles my grandmother has faced, I empathized with the strain and burden that this sweet Scottish woman carried. I shared with her that God loves her and He must be very proud of her for the care she gives to her husband. As I said this, tears came to her eyes and I could see that what I said had truly touched her heart.

This simple conversation did something amazing for me. My compassion was awakened and I could see that the people of this city were just like me, with similar burdens and fears. It gave me confidence and passion to want to reach out to share the love of Jesus with the people of Aberdeen and people everywhere!

DEEP CALLS UNTO DEEP

Fire Mission

It is written,
"My God is a consuming fire."
His flame purifies the mire
to reveal the sins that are hidden.

I can feel His heat
radiating brighter than light
I turn my face to the left & right
trying to withstand and not retreat

My heart cries out,
"Lord, it is too much!
I can't handle your touch;
the earth of my soul is in drought."

But my God swells
hotter and hotter
testing, testing, testing...

As the kiln burns hotter
refining impurities like glass,
my God puts to task
the firing of His daughter.

He is a Blacksmith
weilding precise tools.
And though they seem painful & cruel,
it is Love that guides His wrist.

And I can see the final vision
reflected in His eyes
showing me the why
of this Fire Mission.

The Wind

The Wind gusts outside my window tonight
it seems furious & fearful
pushing against the glass
as I burrow beneath the covers.

Though the night is dark
The Wind does not blow for the wicked;
It roars for the righteous.
Like Acts 4, The Wind trumpets the entrance of the Holy Ghost
Stirring the passion of saints.

For the child of God has received the breath of God
walking, running
breathing in deeply
the living breath of Yahweh
exhaling the life that is in the Son
exclaiming, "life forevermore!"

So I do not fear The Wind;
I welcome The Wind.
I turn my face to the North and South,
and cry "Come!"
Come surround, encircle me.
Go before me and behind me
As a shield of powerful anointing.

The Wind stirs the water;
It bears witness to the Blood.
It blows where it wishes,
and I hear the sound of it
this night.

Like Washington's Army

I can feel it coming
Like the trembling of the earth
under the marching boots of an army on the move
Still waters quiver
Birds hold their songs
Little creatures take cover
The silence crescendos
Nature holds its breath

Are the hairs on your neck standing on end?
Does your heart pound in your ears?
Do you hold your breath with Creation?

Listen:
Almighty God is poised to pounce!

Position yourself
Fall into line
Wait for the Commander's signal
To follow Him to Victory!

It seems a little hard to get into the flow of a blog. I've been sitting here staring at the blank post page wondering exactly how to get started. In fact, I've started with a couple of different introductions and they all seem a little trite. What's the theme? Where do I want to go with this? What's the point? To be honest, part of the reason is because "everybody's doing it" and since myspace seems to get smuttier, I thought I'd join the ranks of "bloggers."
And just like everyone else I'm sure, I thought it'd be a fun place to post my thoughts, poetry, and cultural commentary.

So what's the theme?: Ephesians 3:17 says, "being rooted and ground in love..." That's my personal vision. I want to be rooted & grounded in love. Rooted in the love of Jesus as I am learning more & more of the depths and passion of His love--but what you learn intellectually sometimes takes a lot more to take root in your heart & soul. And as the roots go deeper and strengthen, I want love to be the fruit of my life.
So that's my theme. To be edited and expanded, I'm sure.

Where do I want to go with this?: Crazy. Wanna come along? (ha ha--old family joke) Who knows where it will end up eventually. The adventure is in the journey... But my secret dream is to be published, so I am hoping that I can take and develop these posts into something worthy to be bound together in a book. Feel free to post comments and edits to help me along...

And what's the point? To spread the love of course. Why not? What the world needs now is love, sweet love...

Tryin it out

Just for fun, I thought I'd put together a personal blogspot. I always have ideas turning around in my head of creative ways to express myself and this seems to be a fun way to share what I have...Stay tuned for more...