Give It Away Now.

Day 12.

Mostly what I’ve learned so far has been picked up from being with the one’s giving their lives for the gospel (and from hearing Will Hart speaks every single night).

Here are my musings.

I remember one of the first times I was touched by the Lord. It was way back in 2008 when I went to Mexico on a mission’s trip with my youth group. We called it the infamous Monday night. That night we received from the Lord supernaturally. Some of us were prophesying, and some of us were being delivered. Believe it or not, some spoke in tongues, and some fell under the power of the Holy Spirit. We all cried, and we were all filled with more of God.  I will always remember that experience. It marked my life. If you ask others on that trip they would also say that they were marked.

That experience wasn’t only amazing because I was touched by the Lord, but because I learned a very important lesson.  Having been touched by God, there is a very natural response: To give it away. Being a younger teen, I did what felt natural. I came home from the trip, went to a youth camp, and began to share what God had done. I didn’t just share; I gave away what I had received supernaturally from the Lord. I spoke to teens at the youth camp and prayed that they would receive the same fire I had received. Some felt like it might have been a mountain top experience. But I disagree. To me, that should be every day. My life should be a cycle of receiving from the Lord and then giving away what I’ve received. I haven’t always done this in my life, but I am thankful that by the grace of God I did it then.

Here’s the truth: There is always a choice (As Will Hart/Jesus likes to say). You can choose to sit on what you’ve received from the Lord. Or you can give it away. Did He fill you? Did He change you? Did you encounter Him? What are you doing with it? Are you sitting down, thinking about how nice it was that He sovereignly touched you? Or are you sharing about the power and love of God with others?  Are you “fanning into flames the gift of God you received through the laying on of hands” (as Paul puts it in 2 Timothy)? Are you using the gifts that God’s given you? Are you laying your hands on others so they can be filled with the Holy Spirit?

Here’s another truth. What you’ve received from the Lord was never just meant for you. It was meant for those around you. It was meant for the lost. 

(PS watch out for some testimonies in the next day or two)

Legs Restored after 20 years

Quick Testimony from Syracuse, New York

At the very beginning of the meeting, the Lord began to heal people. There was one man who was hit by a car about twenty years earlier during a festival. He flew about thirty feet in the air and had broken bones all over his body. The doctors told him he would probably have to use a wheelchair or crutches for the rest of his life. He settled for leg braces. After praying for healing, Holy Spirit touched him, and his legs were almost completely healed. He ran around the sanctuary for the first time in 15-18 years; in fact, he couldn't stop dancing, running, weeping, and shouting about how good the Lord is. 

Jesus is so good. It's as simple as that. 

A Peculiar Update

It's day 8! Already? (sorry this is a bit late... it didn't publish a few days ago when it was supposed to.)

Here's an update on the last few days! 

My Peculiar Testimony: The first weekend we had a conference in Will's home town of Gloucester, Massachusetts. One of the woman from the church had metal in her knee. It caused pain and numbness. After the second night of prayer at the conference, the pain and numbness left! Yay Jesus! 

My Peculiar Moments: Jumping off a cliff. Eating 3 lobsters. (Truth – Lobsters don’t actually scream when you put them in the pot to cook them). A whole bus full of beards. 

My Peculiar Meditation: Matthew 16:23. (Jesus speaking to Peter) “Get Behind me Satan. You are not setting your mind on things of God, but on the things of man.” Peter was partnering with the enemy when he didn't “have in mind the things of God but the things of men” You discover a lot about yourself when living with another family and ministering. What have I discovered about myself? I struggle with fear of men (just once in a while...). Receiving the right approval and the right affirmation from man to ensure I’m on the right track. The solution? It’s not to fight really hard to expel thoughts of needing approval. It's just as Jesus said... put the things of God and the Kingdom in your mind.

Here’s my peculiar Jesus who created this very upside down kingdom. It confuses the wise and is understood by the minds of a children.

For this trip I’ve decided to set my mind on things above. His peculiar grace. His spectacular righteousness. His all consuming goodness. These will be the object of my thoughts. I've noticed that my constant prayer is for more hunger. 

Thanks for your continued support and prayers! We are now on the meat and potatoes part of the trip. We had a meeting last night and now we have 7 more consecutive meetings. Pray for restful sleep, health (a few of us are congested and car sick), and most importantly... More and more lives transformed by the power of God. 

Peculiar Is...

Fruit Obsessions. Cart wheels at least once a month. Random songs like... "I just walked out the front door, YEAH". Intense Kitchen Dancing. Saying "yum" after ever bite taken. Literally. The ridiculous usage of the word "literally". A need to touch every baby. A deep love for Photosynthesis. Weeping after hearing "I Hope you Dance". My height.

I'm just a bit peculiar. What I'm doing this summer is about as peculiar.

70 days. 45 Revival Meetings. 7 people. 1 RV. Our hope? That the true gospel will be ignited throughout the country. I'm serving an itinerant couple as they follow, in obedience, what the Lord has spoken to them. My personal hope? That I'll learn to be as peculiar as my Jesus.

He wasn't afraid to offend. He loved without boundaries. He did what the Father was doing. He spoke what the Father was saying. He healed the sick. He raised the dead. He cast out demons. He made disciples. He spoke in riddles. He pushed over tables. He may or may have not whipped a few people. He is my most peculiar friend.

I'm not sure I'm peculiar enough, but I want to be just like Him. As described by one of my favorite songs...

We are Peculiar People
We were born to fly
You and I, we're summoned to the sky

(give your ears a tickle of delight. Peculiar People by Mute Math)

This summer, I plan on trying out my wings. Stay tuned as I post testimonies, my own thoughts, and pictures throughout the trip. Be warned. This is my first blog, so any tips are super welcomed!