How To See Change In Our Cities

At first I have a brief moment of panic.  That is the very place we are headed to in that moment when I hear the news.  Many cars with bullet holes, one man to the hospital with gun shot wounds.  I fear in this worldly wisdom that is the very place we should not go.  In fact, it makes my heart think we should move further from the city, further from the place where shootings and stabbings have become the norm.  Then my heart drops, breaks.  This a second shooting in this very mall where I grew up shopping and people watching.  In some ways I hoped we would run into the shooter.  How my heart wants to cry out “Someone loves you!  You don’t have to do this!  Someone loves you.  You’ve experienced a lot of heartbreak and seen things you never should have seen and I’m so sorry you had to experience that.  But there’s a reason you’re on this earth.  There’s some one, there’s some thing that needs what YOU have to offer.”  If only the shooter could hear that.  If only each shooter could know that.  If only every individual knew, believed that. 

In the midst of a city, a world, that seems to continually spiral downward, how will we see change?  In the midst of stories of shootings and stabbings and beheadings and riots and injustice, is there really a way for things to get better?  When I think of the shooter on this day, all I can think is that love has to break out.  JESUS has to break out.  And He is.  There is hope in the midst of darkness.

My instinct has always been automatic defeat, giving up.  With so much pain and growing injustice, all I could think to do was move further away.  I didn't even know where to start.  But these words ring loud in my head “Take heart, I have overcome the world!”  There is a way it can get better.  There is a way it is getting better.  Jesus break out.  Jesus’ love, BREAKS OUT.  It’s His love consuming people and changing everything about them.  I know it seems hopeless, even impractical. 

But what if we just prayed that God would show us a person, or a few people we can love?  (And I know many, many are!  Like I said, Jesus is absolutely breaking out.  I just wonder if we can take in one more person?  Make it our goal to overwhelmingly love one more?)  What if we adopted just one homeless sign-holding, highway-standing man?  And we made it our goal to shower him with love?  A hot chocolate on a cold day.  Just asking how his week is going when you’re stopped at the light and you’re usually tempted to not make eye contact.  Remind him someone loves him.  Remind him he’s on this earth for a purpose and that SOME one or SOME situation needs what He has to offer.  (I know this is not easy when we’ve been socially trained to turn away!  I’m learning too.)  Pray for God to enlarge your heart with love for him or her.  Jesus break out, and see change in His name.

Or maybe it’s taking in a foster child or two or three?  Showering them with Jesus’ love because it’s not like they got to choose their hopeless, broken, pain-filled situation.  And maybe we can love hard on their parents too?  Pray for them.  Encourage them in Jesus’ extravagant love and purpose for them.  Bless them with a listening ear.  We all have a story, need a listening ear.  Just think of the trajectory-change when this little kiddo gets to experience and know Jesus’ love for them.  That’s something they won’t ever forget.  Life changing?  Culture changing?  I think so. 

I’m with you in this journey.  Learning how to love better and allowing Jesus to break into people’s lives through me.  These two things I know, Jesus has to break in and consume me for His love to overflow out of me.  And, the way to see change in our neighborhood, city, country, world is for Jesus to split through barriers and captured minds and break out.  Jesus break out.

How will we see the shooter put his gun down, the gang warfare be diminished, the bully’s words be hushed?  Love, the person of Love, Jesus, must consume them.  Jesus break out through you and through me.  There is hope in the midst of darkness.

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If you’re looking for a practical way to get involved, in the Northwest, Embrace Oregon has many awesome, practical ways to love on and be Jesus to foster kids and their parents.  Embraceoregon.org

Also, here's an awesome story of Jesus breaking out and transforming a city. This is a little bio of Robby Dawkins and how they started loving on people and watched as crime rates dramatically reduced.  “Robby… planted a Vineyard church in the downtown area of Aurora, Illinois (Chicago area) 15 years ago. Their church has many gang members, drug addicts, and prostitutes and just simply down and outers as well as a few middle class. Yet God has shown up to powerfully change these people’s lives through this pastor and church. To date 70% of their church came to Christ at their church and 60% of that through Power encounters (Prophetic, Healing, Deliverance or ministry of God’s manifest presence). The mayor of Aurora along with it’s chief of police recently bestowed upon Robby and the Vineyard an acknowledgment that he and his Vineyard church have made a significant difference in Aurora’s crime rate reduction. For the 1st time in 66 years Aurora, IL was declared homicide free in 2012."  

So awesome.  Jesus in action and transforming lives.  Jesus break out.

Why Thanksgiving's A Bit More Special

As we prepare to sit at the Thanksgiving table, we can’t help but be slowed, quieted, awed at just how meaningful and special this table is.  His character of goodness, provision, and caretaking are already overwhelming us and flooding us with gratitude.  This table is special not just because of who He is and what He’s provided.  This table is significant because of the symbol it is of the grandest feast of all.

This feast, the one told in Luke 14.  It says a man (he must have been a very wealthy man) prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.  When everything was perfectly prepared he sent his servants to tell his guests the banquet was ready.  But not one received the invitation.  Each one made excuses.  More work, more business, too many family pressures.  Whatever the reasons, they were too busy, too important, too worried about life circumstances to say yes.  They were stuck making sure their worlds kept spinning, and they missed the feast, denied the invitation.

When the host heard his guests’ response he was furious.  He immediately sent his messengers to call for anyone and everyone who would receive the invitation.  The crippled, the poor, the blind, the lame… anyone who would say “Yes.” 

Here’s the thing that’s getting me, that second invitation?  Those ratty tatty, bruised, unlovely, and utterly broken people he invited?  That’s us.  It’s you and it’s me, and He’s calling us all in to enjoy the finest, richest of feasts.  It’s a feast of His goodness and blessings and provision.  A feast of His rich, gentle presence.  A feast where we get to sit and commune with and enjoy Him for all of eternity.  Now that’s a feast I don’t want to miss.

So as you take your place at the table tomorrow, will you sit slow and utter in your heart with me, “Yes, Jesus.”  Just respond to His invitation.  Receive with confidence, gratitude, and joy, your invitation to the grandest feast of all time.

Good Beyond Our Need

This is one of those things that’s just settling deeper into my heart and it’s changing how I interact with and view God.  When I think on it, it makes me smile all over.  It’s flooding my heart and washing over my perceptions of our Father.  His heart of goodness is absolutely wrecking me.

Do you wanna know just how good He is?  The first thing He opened my eyes to is the first miracle Jesus performed.  You know the one.  The one where he turned water to wine.  It wasn’t a miracle done out of dire need.  It wasn’t a “God has to show up or we’ll die” kind of a situation.  It was late in the festivities of a wedding.  The wine flow had run dry and guests were still hanging around.  Surely they didn’t need more wine.  But Jesus, because He’s so good, miraculously provided more wine.  Better wine than the first time around.  He turned that plain ol’ water into the most excellent of wines.  Not a need, just pure abundance.  He provided more than enough, far beyond what anyone needed.

Doesn’t that say something profound about His nature?  His GOODNESS?  He wants to fulfill our needs and go above and beyond with only the best of the best.  If you’re not believing it yet, it keeps gets better. 

What about the time Jesus took 5 loaves and 2 fish to feed the 5,000?  Not only did every person eat all they wanted, but the disciples gathered 12 baskets of leftovers.  Leftovers!  From 5 loaves and 2 fish.  God didn’t just provide enough.  He didn’t just provide until each one was satisfied.  He provided above and beyond their need.

And when we were still sinners, full of junk and rebellion, still rejecting God, still a nasty mess full of all kinds of evil, He died for us.  He saw our potential.  He saw who we could be, and He died for us.  You can’t tell me that’s not a God overflowing with love and goodness.

Then you realize, He adopted us into His family.  He chose us and clothed us in royal garments.  He not just allows us, but invites us to feast at the table with Him.  He calls us Sons and Daughters of the Most High God.  Little, meek us now called holy, royalty, heirs.  And He gave us His power, and placed the entire Kingdom at our fingertips.  We are the children of God.  The Kingdom is ours. He is so full of love for us.  He is so for us.

He’s just waiting for us.  Waiting for you and for me.  Waiting for us to come sit and feast with Him.  Waiting for us to come drink of His incredible goodness and experience His heart that chose you and chose me, and cheers each of us on!  He is waiting with a barrel of abundant, overflowing goodness.  Will you just sit with Him and believe His heart?  He is so for you. And He so wants to blow your mind with just how good He is.

My "God Box" Crushed

I think I always thought not putting God in a box meant dreaming bigger and believing for the "impossible" (which really just meant dreaming huge). I've finally realized I think it means not putting God in a box at all. It means dreaming supernatural and believing for the truly "impossible."  "Impossible" like physical healing, diseases gone, prophecy, crazy provision. That's not putting God in a box.  It's not putting limits on what we allow, believe, or think God can do.  He has no limits. 

My "God box" got some major dents these past two years and in the last couple months started crumbling completely down. It started with glimpses outside that safety box. Things here and there like infertility being healed in friends, a friend receiving a prophetic word which was beyond what they imagined and 100% what ended up happening.  But the walls were still very much there and standing firm. 

My heart was eager for more, but the box was safe, and it was all I had ever known. 

Then last October we started at 5 Rock. One vehicle would break down, we'd pray for another one and almost instantly have our need met by someone who just happened to get a new car and wanted to donate their old one. Or we'd have a major financial need and bills due. The mail would come and checks would be written for the exact needed amount. I'm telling you, I don't think a God who works this crazy big fits in a box. 

Then one single weekend this past August. Prophecy spoken over us like a direct call from Jesus himself.  How could these strangers have ever known the depths of our hearts, the giftings we held, or the situations we were in?  Only God. (Isn't He so good like that?!) And that same weekend, a woman healed in Jesus'name, physically, right before our very eyes. Then we hear a woman speak. Once paralyzed, now walking, jumping, moving.  She stood right up out of her wheelchair in Jesus' name.  I'm telling you, my box was obliterated. Jesus still works in very real ways. 

I think of the arm that literally couldn't be lifted because the shoulder was stuck frozen. It moves and rotates freely and painless.

I'm learning very clearly, God doesn't fit in a box. We might try to keep Him in a box. I did. It was safe. It was comfortable. It was common, and "normal." It was all I knew. 

But God, he doesn't belong in a box.  He doesn't fit in a box. 

When we see God in His fullness is when that box gets smashed.  That box gives way when we dig in the gospels and see Jesus literally heal hundreds from physical sickness, disease and pain.  The walls crumble when we see Him work miraculous right before our very eyes.  Believing in a God who does the impossible means our actions show it.  Truly believing and acting for the "impossible" is not normal or comfortable, but it is absolutely amazing and completely worth it to see God work in His fullness! 

When you see with fresh eyes who He says He is, and you believe it (even if it seems crazy and uncomfortable) God will crack that box and He will wreck your life in the most amazing way possible!  He will crumble those walls and do things we could have never dreamed of or believed possible. 

Life Since Bethel

Going to Bethel was so perfectly God-ordained.  The hunger for God that is so present there is life-giving, a breath of fresh air where we so easily lose God in the midst of our chaotic, busy lives.  To be in a place where you can get lost in worship with your Saviour is stunning.  Just you and Him, and His voice whispering to you and you surrendering your life in return.  How sweet it is.  

More than anything God opened our eyes to some things in the Bible we've never learned about, or truthfully ever really heard.  Specifically things like prophecy, healing, and operating in the spiritual realm.  Now don't get all freaked out on me.  We're not becoming crazies or jumping blindly and emotion-first into these things.  We are, however, becoming (even more) crazy about God and wanting to be open if He's trying to crack open, break down, and shatter our safe, conservative "God" box.

So... we're callin' a big ol' "time out" on life and are taking this time to be super intentional about studying the Word and learning from Him the fullness of what He's called us to.  

And yes, we know you can learn and work and do life at the same time.

And yes, in the back of my head when I'm listening to my third sermon of the day and just spent hours reading and listening, I hear mentors saying, "Don't become a fat Christian by always just intaking!"

Here's the thing... we really believe this "down" time is perfectly orchestrated and timed so we can dive into learning. 

When a baby is learning something new, they focus on it and they take it all in so they can learn and apply it to life.

We feel we're at the same spot.  Our understanding of living and operating in the Spirit is so enormously elementary (dare I say infantile?) that we crave diving deeper with God and growing in intimacy, understanding, and practice so our next step may be that much RICHER.  

(Seriously, we're probably the blonde ones who didn't pick up on these things, but did you know there's an entire chapter in 1 Corinthians dedicated to prophecy and how how all believers should desire this gift (after love of course!)?  Yet neither one of us have ever heard a sermon or been taught about this gift.  And we read Jesus' words "Anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works..."  I can't help but wonder if we've put God in a box.  A box of safety and comfort and North American "normal."  Jesus was healing and prophesying and casting out demons and He says we will do the same works He has done.  Do you think maybe, just maybe, we've put God in a box?  Like I said, we're not jumping in gung-ho-go-crazy.  We just want to be open and dive deeper with God if there are things He wants to open our eyes to and teach us.)

Those Small Beginnings

"Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin..."

Zechariah 4:10

In context, the Israelites were deeply discouraged that they would be rebuilding a Temple that was much smaller and less grand than the original... but do not despise the small beginnings.  The Lord just rejoices that it is happening!

These buds, wee small, soon burst in full color and life.

And in your small beginnings (and ours), your seemingly wee starts, your babysteps, your "small" offering, He just REJOICES that it is happening.

Our Next Step

Words aren't eloquent these days, and truthfully I'm not quite sure what to say.  But these things are gurgling up inside of me.  Maybe I should wait till perfect words come, but my seams, they are bursting with these truths.  

These have been profound and awe-filled days the last weeks.  In spring, we were praying about our next step, considering we had only committed through the end of summer at 5Rock.  The first word came.  5Rock was not our long-term home.  "What's next then, Jesus?"  So many good times of prayer and peace and excitement for the next step.  He very clearly tells us "Go to Bethel."  "Okay, anything else?  Long term, short term, the next step?"  Just, "Go."  

We are all smiles at this point.  He's made it so clear He wants to lead us into and tell us the next step.  Afterall, isn't HE the one who directs our steps?  We know we sound crazy and oh, people they question.  But I've never felt so confident of something in my entire life. 

Craigslist and job worries leave no pressure.  Questions and confused looks, and "what do you WANT to do?" sway us no longer.  At least in this season He has said, FAITH.  Follow what I tell you and I will give you the next step.

It's a crazy season because some of us (let's be honest... Amy) are planners, go-getters, uber motivated, gonna conquer the world depending on what I do but of course with Jesus help.  Not so this time.  Sheep rely on the Shepherd to show them the way.  So we do the same.

While in Wisconsin He took me to 1 Corinthians 1 and 2.  You know, the part where it talks about the wisdom of God being foolish to man?  We know that feeling well these days.  Being jobless, living at my mom's and doing no internet searching or resume enhancement, many respond to us like we're crazy.  But we know He said "Go to Bethel" and so we rest in and act on this word and we'll go from there.  "The foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans..." (1 Corin. 1:25)

The 2nd chapter gets even better.  "But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit.  For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God's deep secrets... And we have received God's Spirit so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us."

Mmm... what a picture!  When you are with the Spirit he will take you deeper into the things of God.  Picture the wide open, blue rolling ocean.  You're in a boat on the water with the Spirit (he's at the back, driving the boat... at least that's where I think he is).  When you say "yes!" to Jesus, the Spirit just plunges that boat right straight down into the water!  When you look down, you see the Father sitting on a big, beautiful, gold treasure chest surrounded by gems and coins.  Inside the chest lie His mysterious, wonderful, too-awesome-to-imagine plans for you.  If you say yes to going deeper He totally is going to reveal those plans to you.  Maybe not all at once, then we'd have no surprise and faith left!  But I believe if you say yes to giving Him the reigns He's got crazy, awesome plans hidden away that He SO wants to reveal to you, his child.  And I believe it brings Him SO much delight to share those with you!  Don't you just see his big ol' grin as you say yes and say "okay, Jesus, do whatever with me!"? 

Oh, I just can't get enough of that picture.  It fills me with excitement and anticipation.  I can't help but love this good, good Father!

In Daniel 2, Daniel and his friends prayed (begged!) for God to tell them what King Nebuchadnezzar's dream meant.  That night the secret of the the king's dream was revealed to Daniel in a vision.  Daniel burst out,

"Praise the name of God forever and ever for he has ALL wisdom and power!

HE controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.  

HE gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.

HE reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what hides in darkness, though he is surrounded by light."

Did you catch it?  "HE reveals DEEP and mysterious things..."  He has these awesome plans, and holds ALL wisdom.  HE is the one who gives knowledge to scholars.  

So this weekend we head to Bethel.  If we are slow to respond or be in touch for the next bit, we're probably sitting still and clearing distractions so we can better hear the voice of our Father as we seek Him for what's next.  We are full of anticipation and excitement and ABSOLUTE peace as we move forward.  We are so excited to continue to share this journey with you!

(Pictures are from our recent drive to and time in Wisconsin.  So beautiful, aren't they?)

How a Jesus follower makes a decision: This is rocking our world

How does a sheep know where to go?  Truly.  Pause and just picture the scene.  

Does it franticly prance to and fro, looking for the right path?  Seeking out the it's next pasture?

Should he not just rest in the pasture, for the Shepherd, who cares deeply for him, will lead him to the next pasture, the next place in perfect time?

Oh how this is is affecting how we "make decisions" and "determine the next step."

Pictures courtesy of our dear friend Kristyn who wrote a FANTASTIC blog awhile back on sheep following their good Shepherd.  Find her over at pursuingonething.blogspot.com

What We're Really Doing About the Next Step

Dear Friends,

Many of you have so kindly and with genuine curiosity asked what our plans are considering our commitment is done at the end of Summer. You may ask what's next or if we're looking for jobs and, truth is, we're not totally sure what to say. For some we have told the whole truth, exactly where we're at. For others we've said "we don't know" or "were praying" and evaded the subject. The truth is this... We're in a place that's kind of odd to tell people about. 

We truly feel that God is asking us to pray and spend our time seeking Him and that HE will be the one to speak to us the next step. I know, I know. I know it makes you want to stand up and preach to us about wisdom and using the brain God gave us. Rewind 2 years and I would have been the preacher too. But here's the thing.  Taking Jesus and the Bible at His word is RUINING our lives. Ruining completely. But in such a good, blessed way.

We're learning that instead of seeking the answer to "what's next" we should be seeking HIM.  If we truly believe He speaks (and we do!) then why would we not trust Him to tell us the "answer."


We're finding that our good ol' North American selves are really good at relying on OURSELVES rather than trusting in God. It's much easier to make our own plan, to look on this website and call that person, to beef up the resume and make ourselves look good. But since when in Gods economy was trusting in what we could do part of the plan?  ITS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT TRUSTING HIM... COMPLETELY!


In Psalm 37 it says to "wait patiently for the LORD to act."  Wait patiently for HIM. Suggesting that HE'S the one doing the work and we just get to join along with Him. (How awesome is that?!)  So we're seeking the Lord WHOLEHEARTEDLY and we're waiting on Him to speak the next step.

We're praying He'll give us visions and words and crazy connections and dreams. We're surrendering and saying "show us what and where and when You want next."  Yes of course I want to get on craigslist and Youth Specialties and whatever else I can think of. But why labor in vain if God already knows and has a great plan in mind?


We are praying and seeking and trusting. We are believing when He says HE will show us the next step.

And yes, God totally doesn't let us down (He hasn't yet and I'm quite certain He never will).  Mark has had dreams before with answers to "what next". I've had pictures and words. There are absolutely people doing it the same way and reaping huge blessings!  We're trying to live in faith and take Him at His word. Call us crazy but we HAVE to do it this way.

So... yeah... that's what we're doing about the next step :)