blog

Hakuna Matata.

Sat, 06 Jul 2013 06:45:06 +0100

It comes to the time to update this blog and again all I want to update talk about is being grateful, reflecting, trusting God - all common themes and all that have come to mind, again, as I sit here thinking what to type. I guess that's a pretty good thing.

It's winter time here, which is trippy 'cause I still have shorts and a tank on today. It does get chilly though, at least in my books. However, the other day I was telling my mom how cold it is, googled to find out the temperature and it was like embarrassingly not cold - degrees wise. Guess I'm pretty used to a lot of humidity now-a-days.

I know - let's talk about contentment. I've been wondering lately why it's so much easier to focus on what I don't have or what I want, rather than being grateful and glad for what I do have. Such a sneaky thing - you don't even realise your doing it sometimes and I think sometimes it comes from comparing your life to the lives of those around you. Not a good idea.

So for this little blurb of a blog post - I want to encourage us to be grateful for what we have and to not compare our lives and stories to others'. We really are blessed.

You have a way of making me smile.

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 12:52:51 +0100

I never, ever want to take life for granted. Like, for reals. It is such a gift and there is so much beauty and opportunity in it, my word. Plus, have I said before, that God is good? 'Cause, He like...really is.

Again, Britt for the fail at updating this blog. Funny too, cause I actually quite enjoy updating and writing.

One of the most encouraging things in the world to me is to see God's fingerprint in my life and in my day to day. I just got back from a wonderful place known as Palm Island. It's not uncommon to see locals riding bare-back on "wild" tamed horses, local kids jumping off the jetty and fishing, and running into people in the city square who you know (even after only being there for a week!).

Our team of 12, went with the purpose and hope of being a blessing and bringing hope and life to all we met. It was my second time on the island; the first time was right before my internship at YWAM Townsville started, 2+ years ago, weird. Such a dejavu at times and is absolutely crazy thinking of all that's happened since then and God's faithfulness through it all. Wow.

Some highlights that quickly come to mind from the last three weeks would be the time when Kelly & Rachel prayed in their own time for the team to have 5 "God conversations" that day, and sure enough, that happened. Or the time
I recognized two kids I met from two years earlier. We were able to serve the church by weeding and raking leaves from a massive tree in the front lawn! Or praying about what to share on at the church service, as a team decided to go with 'Choosing God & Persevering' and then conversations afterward with listeners about how relevant it was to them at the moment! Or morning walks on the beach, the chance to walk through the woods, climb over some rocks, wade through the ocean, and walk down the beach to get to Wallaby Point, a gorgeous view & swimming spot. Loved to be able to bless the Police-Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) and hang out with kids during National Youth Week. And of course the many laughs and jokes our team came up with!

Not to mention, the wonderful family we stayed with for our time there. Papa & Mama as we called them. I just want to brag on them! They are from Papua New Guinea and followed God into the mission field years ago, having lived in Vanuatu for some time and now Palm Island, pastoring a church. Talk about two people with incredible hospitality, commitment, faithfulness, joy and generosity. God really used them as an example in my life of the importance of seeking and following God's leading no matter what. 'Cause really, no matter where you are in life there is and will be challenges but if you are where God wants you, chances are there is and will be SO much life and joy and purpose there to make it worth it too. He is faithful to show glimpses of His hand and heart when we need it.

Sometimes I wonder if all He's saying is, "Trust Me" Here's the theme song of my life lately for those who want to hear!

Life is Not For Sale!

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 06:18:42 +0100

A new journey has begun for 70+ students that have arrived in Townsville over the weekend. I find it to be such a privilege that I get to be a part of their walk as they discover more of who God is and His love, as well as gain understanding and an opportunity to grow in who they are too. More specifically, I'm staffing our 'Not For Sale' Discipleship Training School (DTS) - focused on bringing justice and hope.

I know it's kind of long, but below is the vision of the Not For Sale DTS for the next 6 months, we'd love to have you jump on board and support us - through prayer, finances, encouragement, etc. Let me know for more information!

..Not just the privileged...not just the upper class...not just the men, or the developed world, or the educated

...BUT ALL!

All people have a right to life – and life to the full! We are Not For Sale and We Want to Live.

Just off our doorsteps are nations full of culture and diversity, made in the image of God and created to reflect his glory. In these same nations, injustice thrives and the value of life is thrown aside. People die daily from malaria, many drink out of dirty ditches, children are sold, women are beaten, it’s common for mother’s to die in childbirth –

This is not God’s heart and This is not okay!

It’s not okay that just 150km north of Australia is a country where it's not unusual for the reason behind blindness to be a beating, and it’s not okay that every day lives are lost in the midst of violence -that gang rape takes place and the church talks about it but largely does nothing; that it’s become acceptable that widows are available for exploitation. It’s not okay that even when health services are available that people don’t have the fuel to get there, and it’s not okay that in many cases they just simply are not available. It’s not right that babies die because their mothers can’t breast feed and no one steps in to help.

We each have a right to life. We are Not For Sale. We have a life to live, to stand up - to step in to. As the Not For Sale DTS our lives have a purpose. We have been created for more than just to watch and stand by!

These women deserve to be loved, these villages need equipping and training, these communities need help and development, this nation need warriors of prayer....

Not for Sale DTS, we have heard their cries and we will go. We will love unconditionally, we will work together to see the value of life restored. These nations have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God, a true calling and purpose. The Lord has anointed us to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes and gladness instead of mourning.

Our lives are worth more than a price tag and should not be determined by the cash we have. Your life - their life has immeasurable value. This is why we will go.

We will impact the nation of Papua New Guinea as we work to see communitities developed, we believe in the fight for justice and in seeing an end to human trafficking in south-east asia. We will put love into action in indigenous communities across Queensland and will call young Aussies to look beyond themselves and advocate for the poor and needy. We will see lives radically rocked and changed, prevention and awareness take place, and hope restored.

For me, growing up in a Christian home created a tendency of falling into religion. I knew Jesus but I also knew the right things to do; my actions weren't often motivated by a deep love for God but rather a desire to not rock the boat. Throughout high school, I had the opportunity to go on a few mission trips, my first being to Mexico. Not only was it my first time to get exposure to another culture but it was also during this time, that I realised that God is an extremely personal and always pursuing Father. It was then that I began to see that God is a God who wants to intervene, respond to prayer and that He sees me where I’m at. Over the next few years, I took steps forward and backward with my relationship with God but knew at the end of the day, that there was so much more that God had for me compared to what I was walking in. Traveling to Australia for DTS, was me taking a few giant steps forward to strengthen my relationship with Jesus. I came, fearful but hopeful and longing for God to use me and mold me. It was no longer okay for me to be satisfied without His purpose for my life, it was no longer okay for me to believe the lies of who I thought I was, it was no longer okay for me to succumb to doubt or fear. My love for the nations only continued to grow throughout this time. I am still definitely on the journey, I’m not sure we ever fully ‘arrive’ but as I continue to seek God I am more and more convinced that the nations, the hurting, the broken are SO on God's heart.

For me injustice isn't just a word. it's a thousand faces. Faces that have looked me in the eye full of pain yet longing for hope and love. A hope and love through Jesus, that I've found. So I wonder, will you let God lead you to where He wants to take You? Will you let Him mold your heart and give you eyes to see the things that make His heart cry? And as you walk in the freedom of who you are in God, will you be a catalyst for others to find freedom too?

Not For Sale DTS - Our GOD is ABLE! Let's not wait. Child labour exists primarily because people don't know or don't believe it happens. Domestic Violence thrives because no one speaks up, they don't believe they're worth it. Human Trafficking takes place because what should never be sold gets priced. Let's get their stories out there, lets work to bring change.

The world needs to know the truth. Every day, the poor, the hurting, the oppressed, the weak...they are worth it! Their voices need to be heard, their stories need to be told, their circumstances need to change, and we have the power to do that.

Together we can empower a nation, together we can speak up for the voiceless, together we can bring hope.

Their lives are Not For Sale and and they want to live!

Freedom in Surrender

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 02:24:52 +0100

I forget that life is short too often.

Not to be a Debby downer - I think that if we understood and really realized that life on earth is not forever, we would be a whole lot less tempted to cling to what we think will bring security or happiness.

Maybe instead we would be more willing to take risks, to make our life actually not about our own desires, and stop trying to cling to our own reputations or be so prone to worrying. Maybe then we would just choose to have joy and be happy.

I'm speaking to myself in this too. Ahh. God probably gets frustrated sometimes, "Whyy, daughter? Why is that your focus? Have I not always been faithful? Don't you realize there is freedom in surrender?"

Freedom in surrender. Crazy and kind of a 'against the grain' thought. I think God's heart longs for us to know Him in that surrender, to embrace the freedom that comes and to be like a carefree child 'cause He promises to take care of us and never leave us.

2013, I wonder what you will bring. The unknown doesn't have to be a scary thing. Let's make it better than our last.

xx

Puzzles.

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 06:27:06 +0100

I was reminded this week of the journey - particularly in the area of the medical ship and Papua New Guinea this time but it then overflowed into just feelings of faith & hope, in general.

I love moments like this. Cause it's easy to let frustration grow when you have vision, why aren't we already 'there'? Why hasn't this already happened?

But we miss so much then when we stay in the state of frustration.

Before our work day started on Thursday, we spent some time praying about/for some areas with the medical ship, community development, for Papua New Guinea. Our group had about 20 people, a combo of longterm staff, interns, and students, and we ended our praying with remembering some key moments from 2012 in regard to the ship ministry.

It reminded me of myself being almost like a puzzle piece, but what a privilege to be a part of what God is doing in shaping a nation. So encouraging, to remember how God showed up throughout the year, in the little things and the bigger things too.

Puzzles. Kind of crazy how little tiny odd shaped pieces fit together to make a beautiful landscape photo.

Christmas!

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 13:32:23 +0100

K, I just love Christmas. It's something I forget how much I love it until it's almost here again. I've just watched a family Christmas movie and am now lying in bed with the air-con on (this is an Aussie Christmas necessity) with some Christmas music (country style) playing and looking at crafts online. My heart is full.

Why not celebrate all month? Why not take time for whats important - others? Why not have fun and reflect on the year gone?

I hope you all enjoy all that this holiday season brings. Let's not get too busy and caught up with life and things that need to happen or the pressures..... but take time for what refreshes our hearts too.

Thank you Jesus for who you are and that we can celebrate You deliberately this time of year.

Perspective.

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 10:45:07 +0100

Perspective. is. so. so. important. I've decided.

Perspectives have ability to change thoughts, attitudes, and then feelings. Optimistic perspectives can bring peace, vision beyond, and hope. It's really amazing how without circumstances even changing, your attitude and perspective really do affect your thoughts and feelings in the midst. I love that - it also challenges me to check my attitudes.

Okay... so I can't change situations all the time but what do I have responsibility for? My attitude.... which can help to change my perspective.... which will bring me peace.... which then maybe it really isn't not so bad after all.

Isaiah 40- "...those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Right before that verse, it's talking about how even youths grow tired and weary. I once heard someone sharing about this verse, specifically the part about eagles. How the view that an eagle has is a completely different picture than of someone whose on the ground. A completely different perspective.

I don't know how many times I've sat down to spend time with God and vent (pretty much) with the worst attitude about my circumstances.... and by the time I'm done praying I've realized something that's brought a fresh perspective and hope. God's good like that. Mhmm.

So I'll continue to put my faith in the One who is all loving and all knowing and breathe easy. Encourage you to too.

Short and sweet.

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 10:45:43 +0100

I'm down under again. And it is most definitely summer time.

Why?

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 10:46:36 +0100

Here's a little bit of honestly for you: I've been challenged lately. Challenged in my own thoughts and views and questions and doubts. And I've been extremely quick to grow frustrated within the midst. I wonder if God gets as frustrated as I do. Or maybe He's more patient than me.

I've had thoughts lately, wondering if maybe I made a mistake. Maybe it's crazy what I'm doing. Why am I living in Australia again? Why didn't I go to college? Except at different moments the last number of weeks, instead of those thoughts coming in question form they often came in statement form: I should have went to college, I shouldn't be in Australia.

Tonight as I'm laying in bed, I was challenged with the question: Why am I doing what I'm doing? But not a question in a interrogating way or a condescending tone, but instead, a simple reminder.

Which led me into a reflective mode. Guys, I am so grateful. It has been about the people for me, the stories, the lives altered because of Jesus. I'm doing what I'm doing because for now I believe this is where God has led me, what I have faith for right now and that He's not finished with me in Australia yet. I'm doing what I'm doing because I believe Jesus changes lives and wants to grow and mold and use me.

I think of the countless number of young adults we have join us for our training schools who end up meeting with God in unique and real terms that their life changes to pursue the Father's heartbeat and live a little diferently. I think of the families in Papua New Guinea whose life got a whole lot easier because they received a needed pair of eyeglasses, got a tooth pulled that had been causing them pain for months, or had a cataract removed. I think of the ones who tasted hope, because someone went, spoke, prayed, laughed, gave.

And I think what gets me most is the ripple effect- I pray for lasting fruit, for growing fruit and for fruit that multiples. Cause life was never meant to be about us.

I read an awesome quote today, " Thinking of life as a journey reminds me to stop trying to set up camp and call it home."

Father, I want to folow your lead....

God who sees:

Sun, 18 Nov 2012 10:47:09 +0100

When I was 14, I went on my first missions trip. We went on outreach to Mexico but before that, had a few days of input and preparation at the Youth With a Mission center. We did team building activities, had classes and heard from different speakers, had prayer and worship times, and had a whole lot of fun. I loved my new friends!

I think it was this trip that sparked my interest in missions. Before this, I'd loved the family vacations we had been on and I enjoyed traveling, but this time I was without my parents, was growing in my relationship with Jesus and experiencing a new culture.

One thing I remember on this trip, was how I constantly compared myself to others. "Wow, why is everyone else so close to God? Why can others hear His voice? What does that even mean? What am I doing wrong?" Another key thing I remember on this trip, was it was the first time I realized that God is a personal God. A God who sees. A God who sees me.

One of the last nights, that we were in Texas before leaving for Mexico, we had a speaker with us. I don't even remember what he spoke about. I remember a dimly lit classroom, a lot of teenagers. It was also the night, (that now looking back) I realize God saw me in the midst of a crowd. The speaker asked if he could pray for me that night, I don't remember it being a night where everyone was praying for each other or anything. I just remember the speaker approaching me. He approached me, in the midst of a crowd of teens. This was huge for me, this was God answering the prayer and question in my heart, "Why is everyone else so close to God and what is wrong with me? Where is He?" It was during him praying for me, that I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit for the first time that I can remember. God is near, friends.

I sometimes recall this night when I wonder if God's forgotten me or when I wonder if God is actually real and moving in my life. And it is moments like this in my life that I can't deny, I felt the presence of God and I know that He does not just love me but He sees me, my circumstances, my questions, my hopes. And I believe, that He is good and that He cares.

Now, although I wish I was, I'm no Bible scholar. But I was at Barnes and Noble the other day, skimming through a few books and read something that is along the lines of what I'm saying- in Genesis 16, it's the story of Hagar, Sarai's slave. Sarai wanted to get pregnant but couldn't, so she gave Abram her slave to sleep with. So, of course she gets pregnant and Sarai's bitter. (Hello? Your fault, lady!) Hagar runs away because Sarai starts ill-treating her. And it was while she was away, that the Lord spoke to her about the son in her womb. Hagar responds to the Lord, "You are the God who sees me, I have now seen the One who sees me."

I hope whoever you are reading this, know how loved you are by our Father. I hope that in whatever you are going through that you hang onto hope. That you don't give up and that you dare to believe that God sees you and that you seek Truth wholeheartedly. I know you will find Him near.