Faith Journey

I sit in our classroom this morning as I look out to the ocean, sitting in awe of our Maker. Creator of the ocean, of the stars, the galaxies, everything that has breath. He chooses us. He chose to love us from the beginning, He knows our name and our every thought. And at the end of the day it always comes down to His sons and daughters choosing HIM. I am known by the Father. All I want is to give back what has been given to me: my life. As I have given Him my life, I ask Him to increase my faith knowing that whatever is next that I would just say, "Here I am."

What would my life and your life look like if we were lead by faith? If I always knew what was ahead of me, would I actually go? I think that is the whole idea, being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

Word started to get around last week as classmates were saying, "we don't have class today, it's a surprise." "I think it involves lots of walking..an adventure.." My mind started to wonder and a mix of feelings started to arise because I wasn't sure what was about to happen. Dan Baumann started class off by sharing a couple stories of how and where the Lord has lead him. When he felt the Lord saying a location, he questioned Him a few times, but then just went believing that he was suppose to go. It was so evident that not only through the stories and experience he shared but how he lives life on campus that he lives by faith.

As we were inspired by Dan, we are told that, "today, your teams are going on a faith journey! The earliest you can be back is 8:00 p.m. and the latest is 7:00 a.m." One cell phone was allowed per group for emergencies and no one has cars so it was up to us how to get around to where we felt lead. Our leaders prayed over us and sent us out.

Our group began the day praying into where we were suppose to go. The Holy Spirit gave team South Africa a few words/places: Music, green, dog, wheat field, letter M red truck, YPO (location on the island) and we were feeling the Lord really wanted to do something in our team that day. We began to walk and our plan was to just go wherever we felt lead. As we began to walk, frustration was forming because we weren't exactly all on the same page. We headed north because we noticed a red pickup turning north. Eventually we began to hitchhike and within 2 hours we were able to be picked up by 3 different vehicles and we arrived to Waimea, northern location of the island that is very green. Our team decided we needed to stop trying to check off the list the Lord had given us and just rest. (Psalm 23) Soon we began to share what was going on in our hearts and were super vulnerable to each other. Our team was drawn together in unity and we were filled with joy. Those around us had to think we were nuts! We began to walk to Mc Donalds because of the letter 'M' someone received and enjoyed each others presence in Mc Donalds. As we started to head out of Waimea we heard music. The eight of us ran across the street to see where the music was coming from and it happened to be a Zumba class! A woman asked if we wanted to join and we gave the remaining money we had to them. As we begin to dance, it was so freeing. I felt alive and didn't want to stop dancing. In the middle of one of the dances, we all recognize at the same time that, "THIS IS THE MUSIC!!" It was the music part the Lord was going to allow us to encounter! We blessed the women as we left by having conversation and praying for them. The sun was down and the winds began to blow and rain started to fall. Our team was cold and unsure of what was next but joy overcame everything! Our team walked into a gas station, meeting a loving man named Sirius. He couldn't give us a ride back to the YWAM base but we enjoyed getting to know him. He left, and as we are trying to hitch a ride back to the base for about 30 minutes, we see the same white pickup Sirius was driving. He pulls up next to us and says, "Hop in, I'll take you guys back to the base." Bless this mans heart. He took us an hour and a half back to the base and we had the greatest conversations!

As I type this, my heart begins to beat quite quickly. This day we called, "A Faith Journey," moved my heart and my team to live by faith daily. Hoping you are encouraged by this experience as many of you are starting up school again and some of you are questioning, "what is next?" He loves leading His children. In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)

Drink It.

The Word is Life. Jesus is the word.

If the Word is life then why am I not drinking it? 

As Christian Gonzalez came to spend a week with us, the Father gave me revelation through what He spoke to Christian: 

     Filling up a cup of water. As the water is in the cup you observe it, protect it, and you try not to let it   spill. Someone comes over and knocks it out of your hand, you now have no water left in the cup. The only way   to keep the water is to drink it. If it remains in the cup, what purpose does it have? It's the same way with the word. The word is life, but it needs to be a part of you. It needs to be in you.

Such a simple picture from the Lord and it allowed me to realize the importance of the word. We get the privilege of having the word in our hands and the ability to have free reign in reading it whenever. The Bible isn't just a book, it's life. Without it everything would be meaningless. The Book gives us access to the Father, it gives us life, it guides us and teaches us everything we need to know. 

I'm in awe of how it's connected from beginning to end and wondering why I've never had the desire to really dig into the scripture. It has always seemed boring and only a few books seemed interesting to read. I also thought it wasn't for me to understand but I was so wrong about that. Jesus has given us an Author to be with us the entire time we read the word. All we have to do is ask. John 14 says Holy Spirit is our teacher and I am a witness letting you know that Holy Spirit is a pretty awesome teacher! Something we learned this week from one of the staff was how to really engage in what we are reading:

1. Pray. Invite the Holy Spirit to come and teach you. Ask Him to reveal the things you don't see or understand. Ask for wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17). 
2. Observe. What does the text say? When we look at it all together we get the whole picture of God.
3. Interpretation. Seeing what it is communicating to us. The bible was not written to us but it is for us. Take yourself back in time (culture, place.) 
4. Application. What does it mean to you? We can learn, learn, learn but if it doesn't change us, then what is the point? This is the number one goal!

Who and what are you living for? If you have a desire to really know the Father, the only way to do that is to drink the water. As we start to drink the water He will turn it into a flowing river..rushing waters. Start memorizing (this is something I've been challenging myself with). Memorization is a 'container'. He wants His word to live in His sons and daughters! 

Something I was struck with this week was 1 John 1: 6 "Whoever claims to live in him, must walk as Jesus did." I read this over and over again. I do claim that I am a daughter of the Father who lives within me and I in Him. Therefore I must walk as He did. Jesus is the perfect example and my desire is to follow Him with all that I am. The more I am in the word, the more I get to know my Father. This honestly blows my mind. 

Dear sons and daughters, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. 1 John 2:28.