What the world needs now...

I was listening to the radio the other day, and a commercial came on that really got me. Weird, I know, but keep reading. Now I am your typical English-speaking type and I don't understand German radio. So my only option is the Armed Forces Network. Needless to say, a commercial for Army Chaplains comes on. The story goes along these lines... Two Protestant Ministers, a Catholic Priest, and a Jewish Rabbi were on a boat. (Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but bear with me.) The boat collided with a reef and began sinking fast. The Chaplains took charge and helped get all passengers aboard into life-jackets and lifeboats. When the life-jackets ran out, they selflessly gave up their own. When the lifeboats were filled, the men stayed behind so others could be saved. As the ship went down, they were seen holding hands and singing hymns. Wow. That is pretty heavy stuff. There was no arguing over who had the correct theology, who was getting to Heaven the fastest, who God listened to more... Nothing. They just came together and did what needed to be done. I think this is an example of how we all should be living.
I stumbled upon this blog the other day, and I was blown away. How on earth can we proclaim Gods' love for all when we can't even love or respect others who may have different views??? I am not saying that we should just agree with everyone and never speak up, but I am saying that we should stop and listen to what other people have to say. I am tired of hearing us put down others 'in the name of the Lord'. Where did we get that authority? I know we are human. I know we make mistakes and we screw things up, but maybe it isn't as complicated as we make it out to be. Love God and love people. Hmm. Sounds pretty simple. So when that one person who you find really annoying and you would rather punch in the face than help them without expecting anything in return, try it. It just might make their day better, and *gasp* help you to start living out what you hear on Sunday mornings. This is totally a lesson I need to learn. A lot of the time I just complain about things that seem like a huge deal, but in reality they are not. I need to stop complaining and start serving. I'll let you know how it is going...

I am the worst blogger ever. Sorry. But I am getting in the mood to type my thoughts down again! Here we go...


A good friend of mine asked me a simple question the other day. One that I can't seem to get out of my head. The question? 'What did God put in your heart that wasn't there before you left for YWAM?' As I was typing my response, I realized how much God has put on my heart and how it has developed over the years. I have always been passionate for helping kids and being there for them, but there is more to it than that. I want to get to know people, any people. Whether they love Jesus or not. I want to listen to them, laugh and cry with them, learn from them, and be a friend to them. Now, I know this can happen anywhere, even in the states, but I want to do this outside of what is comfortable to me. I want to be stretched. And I want to travel. (This is earth-shattering stuff for me. I am from a small town where people usually graduate high school, get married, and have a baby all in the same year. And then they settle down into the house across the street from Mom and Dad and live there 'happily' the rest of their lives. They only travel to California and they never think of leaving the country. Now, there are few exceptions to that rule, but for the most part it is life for Grants Passians. Thank God I have remained unmarried and babyless.)


This is not even close to being finished, but it is late and I am leaving for Türkei tomorrow! It's nice to know, even a year later, I am able to keep processing my time during my DTS.