getaway: becoming a revolutionary

ahhhhh. getaway was much needed. you know how everyone has that one thing in nature that just for some reason helps them to grasp the power and majesty of who God is? well yeah. large bodies of water do that for me. actually...nature in general. but seriously. i always say, if i could do anything (regardless of how unsafe it would be in "real world" terms) to enjoy and reflect on who God is, i would most definately be in the middle of the bluest and biggest ocean on a raft just the size of my body. not kidding. when i went to california and we took a boat to catalina island, i was completely enraptured by the idea that God is even bigger and even more powerful than the ocean. i know that sounds like...elementary...but trust me, once you're completely surrounded by ocean on all sides, you'll get me. anywho. getaway by the lake was the greatest thing ever. i'm not sure i'll really ever be able to truely describe my experience at getaway. i am just completely overwhelmed by God and the freedom that comes in giving my life to His plan and purpose.

now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. and we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
- 2 corinthians 3:17-18 -

that last one is my life verse. it has been ever since high school some time. it's funny now, because the reason why i even payed a whole ton of attention to it was because i was searching for a verse that - like real "true" christians - i could sign with my name in people's yearbooks or in thank you notes and christmas cards. haha. i mean, i genuinely thought it was an interesting and amazing verse, but it's ironic how seriously that verse has become my heart's cry. you know, i guess it really plays into describing my experience at getaway. weird. i really didn't think i was gonna be able to do that. hah. i wasn't really even thinking about the verse...it's content and idea just happens to match what was going on inside my heart, i guess. cool.

for you were called to freedom, brothers. only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
- galatians 5:13 -

i can't wait to see all God does while i'm here at ucm and all He calls me to do for the rest of my life. i'm so thankful for the campus church. God has just, in waaaaay too many ways (hah), given me the desires of my heart. hold up. let me clarify. my heart that matches His. He's given me a wonderful community of believers who are fueled by the very same passions i am to love and serve this campus. He's beginning to stir up a desire for prayer in the burg like He has already done back home in kansas city, and i can't wait to see all that He is able to do through us on this campus because of it. i finally stepped out in faith, using my freedom in Him, started ministering in ways that i was empassioned to minister, and He blessed. i spoke up about what fuels me and what some of my visions are, and they're becoming reality because God has laid them on the hearts of others around me as well. who knew. He has confirmed every decision i've made recently in His word, and has greatly encouraged me to live more and more freely through Him. it's so funny sometimes how we are afraid to follow desires of our heart that would be pleasing to Him. we're so afraid they may not be exactly what He wants, yet when we finally (usually after much wasted time and anguish) just let go and do it, He blesses the decision, and we come to find that it's what He had desired for us to do all along. go figure.
ever since this summer, a true understanding of what God's will is and how it works has finally made its way into my head. hah. and what freedom it is! for serious. i guess i'm just and intense person or something, but i'm just so excited that it's finally sunk in; as long as my heart's desire is to please Him, nothing i do in acting on that desire will be "the wrong decision." God will always confirm and gently direct as He seses fit, but can ultimately use anything i do in His name (with the intention of furthering His will and His kingdom). yay. anyways. i'll leave you all with what is currently fueling me now that we're back:

the vision

continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
- colossians 3:2 -