YWAM?

Summer Plus Dts promo from YWAM Newcastle Media on Vimeo

Questions:

What is YWAM?
Youth With A Mission. A missions program that started here in the US and now has bases all over the world. "to know God and to make Him known"

When?
January 11, 2011 - June 18, 2011

What is DTS?
Discipleship Training School. It involves three months of Lecture and three months of Outreach. While on Lecture, our group will help run Youth Street for the local teens.

Where is Newcastle?
Two hours north of that popular little city in Australia called, Sydney.

Why Australia?
God put something in my heart for Australia a while ago, it's somewhere I've always wanted to go and have been curious about. It's also very far away and it won't be easy to get there...all the more reasons God is calling me down there. Following God will never be easy or glamorous.


What is Youth Street?
From my understanding Youth Street is a community outreach program set up by YWAM. It's an opportunity to locally minister to the youth of Newcastle, through various activities. It's a time of organized group activities, worship, sharing of the Gospel and just loving on youth!

What is Lecture?
Lecture is three months time spent in a classroom setting; learning about who God is, discovering our greater purpose, and how to effectively share the Gospel.



What is Outreach?
Outreach is three months spent in various locations around the world [TBD]. Using the abilities we have as a team to lead people towards Christ.

Why now?
God doesn't want us to sit around and wait for Him. We have to use everything we've got to make His name known now, with the little time we have on earth! The Bible says, "Therefore go and make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"

---

"For we are God’s masterpiece. HE has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
Ephesians 2:10

Please Lead Him

Every girl, whether she'd like to admit it or not, is guilty of day dreaming about the perfect surprise proposal, blue sky wedding day, and sandy beach honeymoon. A girl looks forward to the day she meets the man that was literally made for her. Waiting for the man that was put on this earth for her; the man that was made to fight for her, the man that was created to father their children, the man that she is supposed to grow old with. We wait, plan, dream, wait some more, pair our name with certain last names, and day dream again.

In the midst of our child-like behavior, how often are we on our knees, pleading for the heart and purity of the man that God already has set aside for us? How often do we go humbly before God, asking for wisdom and guidance; so we can one day be a loving, encouraging, gracious, submissive, and uplifting wife? How often are we asking for God to prepare both of our hearts for a God centered relationship? I dare say we spend too much time cutting out snippets of bridal magazines and not enough time praying for the actual relationship itself.

As women we need to be on our knees constantly praying for the marriage that we day dream about. Sanctus Real's single "Lead Me", made me realize how important it is to start praying [now] for a relationship that may not have even come into play yet. We're living in a day and age where most marriages are ending in separation or divorce, even in the Christian world, all we can do is pray that God protects our future marriage. The lyrics are a husbands humble prayer for his family. If you switch a few of the personal pronouns around, you've got the perfect prayer to pray for your future husband and relationship!

Father, give [him] the strength
To be everything [he's] called to be
Oh, Father, show [him] the way
To lead [me/us]
Won't You lead [him]?
Father, lead [us], cause [we] can't do this alone.

Whether or not you are in a current relationship, pray, pray, pray, for the man that God has set aside for you. You never know, you might already be rubbing shoulders with the guy you're praying for or you may not know him just yet [both of which scenarios are very scary to me... haha]. Either way, pray for God's protection upon him, pray against struggles he might be facing, pray for God's perfect timing, pray for patience and purity in the relationship, pray that God would use him, pray that God would lead him to Himself.

The Human Race

Imagine the rush of people running the Boston Marathon, all running towards the same finish line. Each year, thousands of individuals train, do intense work outs, discipline themselves, train even harder, and then work out even harder all over again – all for one thing; to complete the Boston Marathon. Runners from around the country may train year round just qualify for such a race. It takes dedication, pain, endurance and perseverance.

I was driving home from dropping my sister off at work this morning and all the traffic reminded me of a different kind of race, this time not with runners but with luxury vehicles (I wouldn’t consider my car necessarily a luxury vehicle – just the cars around me of course), racing to get to their high paying job. Racing to get their kids to their expensive private schools. Racing to beat the red light or cutting people off just to get a car or so ahead. If this was counted as a sport in the Olympics, it’s fare to say a lot of the athletes would be disqualified for playing dirty and not sticking to the rules.

Noticing these suit wearing business men racing by in their BMW’s and plastic looking soccer moms racing by in their fancy SUV’s, reminded me that so much of humanity is stuck running the wrong race. They are chasing after the wealth and affirmation of man, ultimately missing the point. Yeah it's taken a lot of training, pain, endurance and perseverance to run this type of race, but for what? They’ve been training for years, for a race that will never fulfill the emptiness in their souls – making good grades, getting into the right colleges, getting the right job, and still never making enough money or feeling true purpose. Missing the real race, the race that was marked out for us – the race that has purpose, eternal metals and grand prizewinners.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
– Hebrews 12:1-3

Jesus has set a race for us. Not a race for earthly possessions or glory, but for His glory. Not a race towards pleasing human or terrorizing others just to get ahead. The race marked out for us is a hard course; it’s to be proceeded with caution. We must be ready and equipped to take on this race, persecution and strive might pass us along the way, but we must keep on running.

The race is towards the ultimate finish line, eternal life with Jesus Christ. This race isn’t glamorous or popular; it’s about taking risks, sacrifice, and living life uncomfortably. It’s not an easy course, the paths are sometimes unclear but we must keep running. The Holy Spirit keeps us hydrated and training simply involves pursuing an intimate relationship with the Creator of the world, meditating of the Word, stretching ourselves to be more Christ like daily, and developing a disciplined prayer life.

Ask God to reveal himself to you and He will. Examine the race you’re currently running and make sure it’s the one that’s worth it in the end. Rearrange the desires and dreams you’re racing towards to be sure God is getting the glory!

ah. d r e a m e r.

Lighthouse summer series started last week and it’s titled “DREAM”. It got me thinking about my dreams…therefore I shall type [some of] them out. Some are a little far fetch, but a dreams a dream!

[Really in no particular order…just as they come to me I guess]

Dream//Wish List:

1. Live in a trendy Ikea-ed out New York [or Chicago] loft on my own
2. Travel and experience the w o r l d with a camera in hand [Australia, India, Africa…starters]
3. Start a woman’s ministry that intertwines generations, mixing the young and the wise for a greater impact.
4. Study with YWAM..! [base TBD]
5. Write a book about the celebration & value of womanhood.
6. Get married when I'm still relatively young and raise a family.
7. Run a marathon in a reasonable time.
8. Have morning coffee with Oprah & afternoon tea with Beth Moore.
9. Climb a mountain.
10. Become a children's psychologist and/or counselor.
11. Go to Fashion Week [Paris, New York, or LA]
12. Drink coffee and read a book in a Paris a cafe.
13. Have one of my photographs on display in a museum.
14. Celebrate Christmas during the Summer.
15. Ride my bike to other side of the state.
16. Be more spontaneous.
17. Sleep on a beach.
18. Go to the Olympics [as a spectator of course...]
19. Have God and I time in the Holy Land.
20. Work at a bookstore just like, “The Shop Around the Corner” on You've Got Mail.
21. End sex trafficking, both nationally and internationally.
22. Vacation in Fiji.
23. Teach a Yoga class.
24. Adopt a baby.
25. Open a card & cupcake shoppe.
26. Wake up one day with 20/20 vision.
27. Live in a house with a wrap around porch.
28. Maintain a journal for an entire year. [...current journal started in 2006, sad I know]
29. Work for a major marketing company and know what it's like to be a power hungry career babe.
30. Get a tattoo and not regret it ten years later.

"When Jesus is at the core of our lives,

HE becomes the inspirer of our d r e a m s."

- Steven Khoshaba (via facebook status)

dreamer

This week I have had some of the most vivid dreams ever. All of which have involved people I know well, causally, or not at all [as in -- know of them, but not personally]. Some of them have been straight up bizarre and some of them I would love to see come true. Some have been totally unrealistic and some of them could very well happen. Dreams this vivid and realistic make me wish I knew the meaning behind them. Wondering if dreams actually really could ever hold meaning. In the Bible people encountered God and found meaning in dreams...dreams make me let out a big "hmmm..."

::sigh::

Guess we'll never know...

{sweet dreams have a new meaning}

God of the City

What do you think when you think of Detroit? It’s scary, home of the automobile, big business failure, or almost always cold... if you thought any of those you’re pretty much right on. But do you ever think of the PEOPLE of Detroit? Day-Twah is the home of so many people, suburbs or not, millions claim the D as their home. Home unfortunately holds different meaning depending on who you’re talking to.

To the well-to-do’s of suburbia Day-Twah, home is over sized, filled with things, managed by ‘help’ and provides comfortable places to slumber. To the middle class of The D, home may be tighter in space, yet still filled with things and provides a warm place to rest ones head at night. To the poor and needy, home may be an uncomfortable bed in a crowded shelter or a park bench in a lonely over grown park. Homelessness exists everywhere if you look for it, yet it cuts deeper knowing how close to home it is.

A group of people from my church, who are passionate about spreading Jesus’ love and hope to the hurting, started going down to Mack and 3rd every Sunday afternoon mid-summer. There, a group of homeless people wait outside of shelter known for crime, drugs and prostitution. Whether it’s staking out a place in front of the chain-linked fence, that guards the shelter or sitting on the curb of the three lane one-way street corner, this what home is to the people at Mack and 3rd. Getting to know their stories [Read some here by my talented friend Stefanie] and struggles, while creating community with them is what we are called to do. By meeting some minor and basic physical needs, while looking into their spiritual and comforting their emotional needs, we are able to spread Jesus’ message that is for EVERYONE. The message of hope, love, value, forgiveness, and healing.

When I think of Detroit I think of the potential it has as a thriving city. I believe that the Church, holds the key to hope and healing for a hurting City(ies) and its people. There is much potential that is just waiting to be revealed. A great up rising of restoration on this city can be possible only through Christ, and people trusting God will provide, protect and guide.

You're God of this city, you're the King of these people, you're
the Lord of this nation, you are...You're the Light in this darkness, you're the
Hope to the hopeless, you're the Peace to the restless, you are... For there is
none like our God, there is none like You, God! Greater things have yet to come,
and greater things are still to be done here.

Ah-mazing summer nights..

Wow. This summer is dreadfully going by faster than I would like, HOWEVER at least I have something to look forward to at the end of my some what 'freedom' ... Hillsong Conference in Miami, which falls at the end of August! So excited, there are no fitting words. That’s beside the point. Summer nights are something I live for; warm breeze, nine o'clock daylight, bon fires, fire flies, being out late because homework isn't calling, or staying up late (and not because a paper is due in a few hours), spending time with friends, or listening to thunder storms. what ever the case my be, I love summer nights. This summer some nights are spent in a different sort, learning, hearing, praising, and talking about my God. Sunday nights, obvious; Lighthouse.. which is always good. And now just for the summer season; Watershed.. which is an amazing time where the women collective of thee Lighthouse Collective are able to spend time digging into God's word as a sisterhood. God has opened my eyes so wide this summer and it's not even over yet..!


I don't enjoy drama, I think girls can be too catty and that sometimes they are too much.. So girls Bible studies always make me a tad nervous at first, but after I test the waters (no pun intended) I really do end up enjoying them. This summer we (as in Watershed::Lighthouse girls) are studying Esther through the Beth Moore Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman study. The study itself is pretty good, but besides the study, the time we spend listening to each other talk is probably (for me) the most powerful. There is something about hearing girls share what they are struggling with and then coming to find that we are all basically struggling with the same exact things from day to day, no matter what background, shape, size, color, or personality we come from. Each of us have at least one thing in common, being a woman. I love that about this group. I love that when I hear a girl share her heart that I can relate to a tee with what she is dealing with. I love that, that is God. I love that God moves in each of our hearts to see Him through someone else’s struggle perhaps. It has been amazing the encouragement I have received from this Bible study and I am so expectant for what God is going to continue doing this summer.. for such a time as this (Esther 4:14) that the women of LH would be able to spend time with one another and share, learn, grow this summer! It is in fact amazing..



like .. love;
Not in a valley girl tone of course, but I do have to say I like love. Who doesn't like love.. Even for a guy, he has to like love, he has to like affection or relationship or contact or communication.. Though this could be coming from his mom or a sports team, I'm not an expert, but it doesn't take a scientist to know that EVERYONE likes love, people like being loved. This summer at Lighthouse, Cliff is starting series called 'Like Love', a dating/relationships/love/friendship/whatever it is series on none other but love! I have to say I am slightly stoked. In high school WSM did a series on love and boy/girl connections.. it was good, but this one will be a bit different seeing that for this group dating is no longer recreational (to some maybe) but for the most part it's now a time where prospective spouses come into play...anyway, what ever the circumstance, the first part was on Sunday and it was exactly what I needed to hear, it was the kind of message (which seems selfish, but true) that was directed right to me! It was all about how you can't think or go about a healthy relationship (boy OR girl) with hidden sin. The call for forgiveness is evidently key and of course something I have grown up hearing, but it was so right in my face on Sunday. I am so excited to hear the rest of what Cliff has to say about God, dating, and relationships in general. d e e p b r e a t h I am excited to see what God does in my heart after this ah-mazing summer.

final thought;
read this and be encouraged..

Love

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d]says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:9-21

thinking out loud.

I was telling a friend in short last night of the dreams and desires I had in high school ... after finishing the conversation it dawned on me how strange it is that people’s dreams and desires change. Is it because times change, people change, economic change, fads change, is it God himself is molding and crafting your dreams into something more powerful than post high school/college aspirations? What ever it is that shifted my dreams and ambitions makes me wonder where and how I will actually turn out.. These are just thoughts I decided to spew onto the screen .. in the process of thinking, praying, seeking, learning, loving, healing ..

Playing major catch up;

long time coming ...

Oh, The Places I Could Go;

I am a procrastinator. I am a worrier. I am indecisive. I am slightly a perfectionist. I see, I am here for a reason. I am on an adventure. I keep waiting. I need to move into action.. With these thoughts boggling my mind, I was reading Oh, the Places You'll Go to Jack the boy I have been nanny-ing this week. I was shocked at how applicable a Dr. Seuss book could be! I probably have read this child's book before, growing up perhaps -- but it wasn't till yesterday that as I read the words how it almost turned into a, "Oh wow I think God is trying to tell me something in this kids book!!" Last weekend (4 of July) I was at a bonfire with my sisters and some friends, I got talking with a girl there whose boyfriend had been to Australia with YWAM (Youth With A Mission). She told me how it was great for people who didn't really know what they wanted out of life or were unsure of the direction of their life. It sounded amazing as she was explaining what they do down there and how life changing it can be. Basically you go to a different country (or stay in the states - they have YWAM locations almost everywhere) for 4 months, there you go through an intense discipleship program. After the three months of learning and serving locally, your team as a whole chooses where (different location for serving internationally) they will go for two months and serve; applying all they learn from the prior discipleship classes. If that doesn't sound exciting or inviting -- I don't know what does... To me, someone who has no 5 year, let alone 5 day plan, it sounds pretty inviting. Therefore I have been researching and praying about different options and how I could serve with YWAM. I would have to finish up college with at least an associates degree this year, then hopefully go on my Discipleship Training School (DTS) journey, come back to the states and then who knows what ... obviously they are God's plans not mine, I am just trying to iron out the wrinkles of my unmotivated, indecisive, pouty self that needs to wake up and see life for what it is in Christ.. ::deep breath:: maybe this is something God really is calling me to, now I sit back; trust, wait, be still, pray, seek Him, and pursue opportunities.. Here is the part(s) of the book that really stuck out to me and made me think of how I need to apply this literally to my life.

Congratulations!Today is your day.You’re off to Great Places!You’re off and away!You have brains in your head.You have feet in your shoes.You can steer yourself any direction you choose.You’re on your own.And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.You’ll look up and down streets.Look’em over with care.About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,you’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.And you may not find any you’ll want to go down.In that case, of course, you’ll head straight out of town.It’s opener there in the wide open air.And will you succeed?Yes! You will, indeed!Kid, you’ll move mountains!Today is your day!Your mountain is waiting.So…get on your way!

Oh! The Places You’ll Go!//DR. SEUSS

You are my joy, You are my joy, You are my joy;

Besides the feel of God's calling on my life and seeming to grow up this summer, in church we began a new series on Joy -- oh my goodness.. SO good, of course I missed today because I am at work BUT that is the beauty of podcast!! Anyway, it was such a blessing to hear what God says about Joy in the Bible and how we can apply it to every situation in our life. My favorite thing said was "We find our joy, when we find God.." -- because how true is that?! How can we have joy in our lives if we aren't seeking God??! It really hit me in the face and made me examine the joy I claim to have in my life .. it could use a tune up no doubt.

PS; I got to go see Paper Route at the Garden Bowl the other night... it was amazing they literally played on a bowling alley, it was a good time.. now go listen to their music.