Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Orlando Circuit Rider

In just two days, the School of the Circuit Rider begins in Orlando, Florida.

What is this school? It is a two week time of being established in the Gospel and equipped to share the Gospel. The vision is to see greater revival and awakening in the church, understanding on preaching the Gospel boldly with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, and training on how to make disciples. 

How does this happen? The first focus is the life pursuit of intimacy with God through relationship and obedience to His Word. There will also be an emphasis on intercessory prayer, evangelism, gospel proclamation and community around the Presence of God. There will be regular times of worship, prayer and reading the Word. 

There will be worship, teachings and application nearly every day the next two weeks. My heart has been steadily stirred over what I feel is God's excitement about these schools. They are so much more than schools, and I believe God is going to move significantly over the next two months in America, London and beyond. It's time to go!


Monday, May 21, 2012

Leaning on Jesus... Riding Circuits

What do you do when you have the most difficult month you can remember? How do you respond when life tests your heart? Where do you run when there seems to be little understanding to circumstances?

   In the last month, I have been discovering that in the midst of difficulty, the truth of God's loving intimate character shines. Just a month ago I was engaged to be married, about to help lead in a 3rd DTS with close friends and excited about what the future was shaping up to look like. In a few days, there was no longer an engagement, an unlikelihood of being with the same group of friends and a changing future. As I wept on the floor of my home, I realized there was only one place to run, to hide, to be restored, to find hope and to be filled with faith for the future again. Jesus. I have heard countless times that God is with me, but as I sat asking the question of 'why?' and trying to figure out what was happening, there was a sweet whisper from the Holy Spirit that He was with me and wasn't leaving.

   In the weeks that have followed since everything seemed to change, the 'why?' in my heart has not been answered, and I am learning that it doesn't need to be anymore. For "... the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil.4:7) The peace of God has certainly gone beyond my understanding, yet it has been my constant through an array of emotions. The peace of God is real. It's really real! Life does not have to always make sense. Circumstances do not have to look the way we expect or even want. God is still God. He is still good. He is still what life is all about. There is still an abundant life to live for His kingdom and His glory.

   Daily, Jesus is renewing my perspective by revealing who He is and what is to come. As I lean on Jesus, it has become quite clear that there is still a race to run with God. As of Friday, I have left the island of Kona for a few months. I will be a student at the School of the Circuit Rider in Orlando for two weeks. Following this, I will be on staff with the same two-week school in Los Angeles, London and Kansas City. All of these are still with YWAM, and I will be continuing with YWAM for a while as of now. There are some amazing friends that I have hoped to be able to work with that I am doing all of these schools with, and I am expectant for what God has in the coming months.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Prverbs 3:5-6)