Establishing Kingdom Culture

Violence is a major issue amongst the youth of Hawaii. It is not only accepted, but often encouraged and promoted. With families here from various islands throughout the Pacific, racism is a normal experience also.

A couple of weeks ago at community outreach, one of the older boys grabbed a couple of 4-year-olds, put them face-to-face, and started chanting: "Fight! Fight! Fight!" We've learned to not be surprised by constant name calling, coarse language, crying, screaming, accusing, punching, throwing things, etc. It's a sad reality that only love and relationship can change.

There are two younger girls who are often at each others' throats. Today they got off the bus arguing and accusing each other, and soon afterwards were full-on fighting. One ended up in a corner crying, as friends ran to her defense. The other--who had apparently started the whole uproar--stood off to the side staring into space with a slight hint of regret on her face.

After a couple minutes of talking with both of them gently individually, something beautiful happened. The girl who started it became suddenly repentant. I said to her, "How about let's just agree not to make fun of people or say hurtful things anymore?"

And she genuinely agreed!

Then something even more Kingdom happened. She apologized to the girl she'd hurt. When no response came, she reached into her goodie bag from school and started offering small gifts to her weeping enemy, until most of her bag had been emptied out.

I told her I was proud of her, and as the other girl wasn't ready to forgive, I suggested we leave and go play. But she only walked with me for a moment. Then she turned back to the crying girl and sat next to her, speaking gently to her.

A few minutes later they were in the bathroom together, the repentant one putting a rub-on tattoo on the other girl's hand.

In a context where we aren't supposed to talk much about God, it was so amazing to SEE the Gospel lived out by these two girls. It totally broke every standard their little elementary school culture has placed over them, of fighting, resentment, bitterness, exclusion, and anger.

God does not want us to simply preach His truth. He wants us to establish the culture of His Kingdom all over the earth. And it is happening!! "Your Kingdom come...on earth as it is in heaven."!!!! Yes and amen!!!

Treasure.

Tonight I get to share with the kids on campus about treasure, how Jesus is the greatest treasure we could ever have. I've been thinking about it and just struck with the truth of this simple concept.

We have a choice right now to chase after God with everything in us. He can either be just another thing in our life, or He can be the one we desire more than any other. We have the choice to step into the fullness of His love today!

Jesus really is amazing. We say it and hear it all the time, but it's time to get that  into our hearts! To desire The Lord. Not just going through the motions but longing for him like we long for water on a hot summer day. 

Jesus...may our hearts desire you as a treasure. May we truly see and know your beauty, your value and worth, your perfection. May we follow you not out of obligation but out of fascination. Let us fall more in love with you each day as lesser lovers fade away.

Give us undivided hearts towards you--you truly are worthy.

Dreaming of a Violin

Random poem I just wrote based on a dream I had in London, Summer 2012)
The violin struck.
A soft warm pitch.
Like wine on the tongue.

Laughter. Sighs of delight.

But something was amiss.

No. A stirring in my heart.
Something is wrong.
That note is too long.
It's from a bad source.

Stop!

The young couple didn't hear.
Too lost in the music.
Lost in each other.

I felt sick.

In came the older ones.
The mom and dad,
Full of wisdom.

She caressed my shoulder.
"It's okay, don't worry,"
Her slithering, patronizing words.

A snake.

I could almost see it, about to strike.

How is everyone so blind?

Old and young,
Young and old,
Pay attention to the story told.

Do not seek the sound of this age.
Do not let complacency win the battle for your mind.
Do not let yourself be blind.

Look to heaven.
The Throne room.

Rejoice.
Be saved.

What God likes to Do.

I was reading this passage this morning and so amazed I wanted to share! It's about when Paul went to Ephesus (from Acts 19...and I added some emphasis):

"...There he found some disciples and asked them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?'

"They answered, 'No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.'

"So Paul asked, 'Then what baptism did you receive?'

"'John's baptism,' they replied.

"Paul said, 'John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.' On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 
When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

"Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall...This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

"God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.

"...Many of those who believed now came openly and confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas [that's several million dollars!]."

WOW!!!!!!!!!! I believe God is still moving like this TODAY! Thank you Jesus!!!!!

After Long Absence...

Her eyes caught mine, sparkling, shining, full of the smile which her face couldn't hide. Pure joy and relief. She waved with recognition and affection, sighing.

He glanced from face to face, and then paused. His own grin took him by surprise. He pointed and nodded, remembering. Later coming up to me he shook my hand, the tough kid who is usually using his hands to punch--momentarily so gentle because he knows he is cared for and remembered.

Ministry is about real people. Not numbers or testimonies. It wasn't until our absence that I realized how much I deeply cherish the kids at our weekly local outreach. From the teenage boy who could take me out in a second, to the little lonely 6-year-old who just wants to hold my hand and giggle, to the fourth grade girl who watches me with wide brown eyes because she wants to know what it's like to let your dreams come alive and to let your heart be free.

Every  moment is an opportunity for love. Every breath an opportunity for heaven to invade earth.

Every person is a treasured child of God.

Let's never lose sight of how precious each human being is in the Kingdom of God. He shines through each one, whether they realize it or not.

Thank you Jesus for the joy of loving others!

The Gospel. Chapter 1.

In the beginning, there was silence. A peaceful Presence. There was God.
The Most High. Eternal, Uncreated One.

Perfectly holy and perfectly beautiful.
The Creator of time and space stared into ages unmade, and then.

Then the music came!
Light! Sound! Air! Ground!
A symphony of praise, all from the mouth of the Great Lord of everything.
Flowers, trees and bumblebees all buzzed with the tune of endless creativity.

God spun and laughed, singing the stars into existence;
they spun along with Him, keeping perfect speed and distance,
Like choreographed dancers on the stage of the universe.

And God paused...

And sighed...

With great satisfaction at all the beauty around Him,
each one a glimpse of His own Being, His own character.

Two rulers were appointed: one took dominion over Day; the other set to guard the Night.
And they counted: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

And on number 6, the angels held their breath
As God reached down to this tiny round globe...
deep down into the earth and pulled up...
Dirt.

And with the gentle care and utmost precision of Sovereign hands He created: man.

The Most High was UNDONE.

Filled with unexplainable love.

As He exclaimed, "It looks like US!"

(more to come. stay tuned!)

Perspective of Heaven

A little more about Amsterdam.

It's a bit of a wild place! Everything is pretty out in the open. On most street corners, especially near the red light district, you'll see places called "Coffee Shops", which are actually bars where you can buy marijuana products. Most things are totally acceptable there. You kinda just get used to seeing it.

But then you ask God for His perspective and it's a different story.

Do you remember that Holland is actually the place where the Pilgrims first settled in search of religious freedom? There is such a rich history of faith! The openness of the people provided a safe haven for those who were being religiously persecuted elsewhere, a place where they could seek and serve God wholeheartedly and know Him deeply, without fear.

Even when we were sitting in the red light district, with the prostitute windows just down the street, we heard testimony of a revival which had broken out at a church mere meters away from where we were. The Holy Spirit had touched many people during that time, even through healings and miracles.

So I am daring to say that there is a new revival on its way to Amsterdam. Such a loving, welcoming city, it only needs to turn its eyes back to Jesus and it will be free! Walking the streets I was filled with joy and expectation. Something is stirring in the atmosphere over Amsterdam! It has yet to reclaim its destiny as a safe haven to God's people.

Did you know that about 170 countries are represented within Amsterdam, making it the most diverse city in the world??

Jesus said, "Go and make disciples of all nations..." And nearly all the nations are represented right there in one city! Could it be, that God wants to release His Spirit in a fresh way in Amsterdam, so that then the Gospel will go forth throughout the earth?

So with all the discouragement and lies spoken over Amsterdam, I release hope and promise! God has spoken promises over this city--they will not return to Him void.

Amsterdam, awaken! Remember the love of your Savior! And walk out your identity as a city of light to the nations!!