Body + Soul + Mind

God is in the business of restoration. He is a healer. He desires connection and wholeness even more than we do and He doesn't care how long it takes or how painful the process. He cares more about our character than our comfort... a friend of mine likes to remind me.

It has been an intense season. And God is doing some deep healing in my soul. He is renewing my mind. He is arming me for battle. After reading The Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson and walking through the Steps of Freedom I was set free from some major lies I have been believing and was able to  break some agreements that I have made with the enemy.

So, during retreat in Kenya I felt the need for my body to catch up with my soul.

It is Lent... a preparation season... as I was crucifying more of my old nature, God invited me to experience these truths in a fresh way. By making a physical, public declaration I was identifying with Christ in His death on the cross and in the power of His resurrection! What precious timing.

The work of God is a spiral curriculum. He addresses something within us. We think we have mastered it. Then it comes back around deeper and more thoroughly. I've been saved since I was six years old. I surrendered my future to God when I was thirteen. I surrendered again when my mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was fifteen. I surrendered the daily living of my life to God (dead to self alive to God) my freshman year of college. And countless times since then I've laid it all down. But always deeper and more thoroughly. He is preparing me for some big things (please watch this 1 hour talk)- and all it stirs in me is humility- I've got so far yet to go!!

He is so kind. But also jealous. There is no room in my heart for God + _____...

He doesn't just want our songs on Sunday morning. Or our prayers when we wake each morning. He doesn't just want our weekly tithe. He wants all of us- our whole lives. And the good news is- when we give Him all of us, we get ALL OF HIM. Seriously the best news ever. He wants authority over my eating, my resting, my preaching, my parenting, my screen time, my spending... and guys, I want that too... He is so good. I can trust Him with it all. There is so much freedom there! Just a one piece life. (I struggled to find the Ann Voskamp post about living a one piece life- here is an excerpt from another blog- sorry I can't link it for you)

"When you let all the fabric of your life weave fluid together — the kids, the serving, the going, the giving — your life becomes this seamless tapestry. Live into the kind of ministry that lets you bring your life with you. Live into the kind of vocation that lets you live a full life. The work of family can flow fluid into the work of serving, which can flow fluid back into the fabric of the family, and family and ministry and your life’s work can be a One-Piece Life and what corporate model threatens to make our lives so profoundly disconnected? What corporate model has infiltrated our collective thinking such that family and work and living and modelling for the next generation what life is all about —  has left us with painfully disjointed and fragmented and compartmentalized lives? When you live a One-Piece Life — you don’t see your life as falling to pieces as much as it is falling together.... 

I have profaned the sacred, treated the holy in an unholy way. There are times, I still do. But I am prayerfully purposing to walk towards all of life as sacred ground, all of life as hallowed--because God is here, everywhere.

For me, it is about holistic living. We know that our health is not limited to just what we eat, or just if we exercise, or just where we live, or only what medications or vitamins we take, but it is about being a whole person--all of those elements factor into our being healthy. To live a spiritually holistic life, one can't simply have "Bible time" and expect to nourish an intimate relationship with Jesus. It is about keeping company with Jesus for the other 23 hours of the day, speaking with Him, singing toHim, praying to Him, calling out to Him, resting in Him--living in Him. There is no divide between holy and sacred. God wove life to be seamless, a tunic like Jesus’: one piece. For all is in Him. “In God…we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). “Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence” (Ps. 139:7).


Some may think of this as "Practicing the Presence of God"--but to do that we have to practice being *aware* of the presence of God. He *is* already here--we just need to wake up. We do not have to practice *making* Him present--He walks this moment with us.


His word is not confined only to a quiet time for “they are not just idle words for you—they are your LIFE”( Deuteronomy 32:47).


Life is our liturgy. *All* of Life is our time with God.

Throughout your day, you will worship God, together. And you'll learn to die to self together. There will be no fragmented scraps of learning, home-life, friends, work, God.

You will make a one-piece life--hallowed threads of parenting, love, education, living, creativity, wonder, sacrifice, and God all woven together. You'll wear it, and it will fit: Grace, Love, Gratitude." -Ann Voskamp

the Word became Flesh...

in the midst of it all.

We've been back from retreat just one week, and I am still processing all that God said.  One verse that has been echoing in my heart is John 1:14  Amazingly, it is totally in line with my one word, inLove...

"the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us." -John 1:14  Other translations say "He pitched His tent among us..." or "He moved into the neighborhood..."  It's more than just coming for a visit or getting a stamp in His passport.  He became a citizen.  He walked the dusty roads with people.  He sat around the coffee shop and listened to people's stories.  He ate their food.  He read their books.  He spoke their language.  He probably would have ridden on boda-bodas and sat in traffic jams.  And if I am really here in Uganda to imitate Jesus, and love like He loved- then so far- I've pretty much failed.

view from a distance.

I confess that I've taken the easy road on most days.  I work out in my living room, not jog on the street.  I invite people up to my house, not visit in their homes.  I drive with the air-conditioning on and the windows rolled up.  I don't make time to open the Word with the one Ugandan who is in my home every day.  I shop at the grocery store, not the market.

I love my small group of university ladies, and I meet with them at their hostel.  But that is one victory out of many failures.  And I begrudged going down to the hostel a time or two. 

Missionaries aren't perfect.  We may be commended for leaving homes and families... but if we haven't engaged in the community and culture we've come to- I wonder how much that sacrifice blesses Him (to obey is better than sacrifice).  I do believe God {in His grace and mercy} has used me this first term, but there are a million ways I avoided being used.   

I'm grateful His mercies are new every morning.  I'm gonna need them this year of living in Love.  It's definitely going to be a year of stretching; as I allow His life to fill this skin of mine in 2013.  I'm not exactly looking forward to the heart surgery He will have to do, to get my life to look like His- but I am confident of this: He who began a good work in me, will be faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).  And He is able to take this heart of stone, and put in me a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19)!

What is He calling you to in 2013?  What are you resolving will be different this year?

Friday Five: Retreat Testimonies

At the close of retreat we went around the room and shared a brief word on what God had done for us on retreat.  Here are five brief testimonies:

1. My word for this retreat is "rest"-physical rest and spiritual rest.  
2. God has shown me that there are issues of forgiveness in my life that I hadn't even recognized
3. I learned how to listen to God- (from a youth)
4. All the teachings were beneficial, but what I really got from retreat is a renewed hope for our team.
5. God has renewed my passion!

God moved on retreat and He is still moving.  Thank you for your prayers.   For more testimonies, head over to the 24/7 Prayer Blog!

TIA: Hospitality

It was one of those scary, exhausting nights- getting out of bed at 2am because Seth was having an asthma attack.  on retreat.  in a town we were unfamiliar with.  He was barking and wheezing, unable to breathe deep.  His finger nails were getting a bluish tint.  We had to get him to a hospital.  Would there be a hospital?  The night guard heard our commotion- Seth sounded bad.  And he brought the night manager.  As soon as he saw Seth he said, let's get in your vehicle.  I'll take you to the hospital.  TIA #1- this man coming with us to the hospital in the middle of the night.

At the hospital they got an IV in Seth on the first try- amazing.  Love gift from Jesus.  And after three medicines, moved us from Triage to a private room.  They were admitting us.  Sweet mama nurse kept praying and saying "God is good.  God is kind. You are a good boy".  Such an encouragement.  TIA #2- the faith and strength of this older Ugandan woman. 

Josh left to get some rest while I "slept" in bed with Seth.  When he called later to see what I needed him to bring, I said- a thermos of chai.  I need sugar and caffeine.  The hotel did not have any small thermoses.  But the restaurant coordinator, Honest, whom I had been working with, sent me chai in her own personal travel mug.  TIA #3- chai sent in her own mug- such generosity of spirit.

I love this country and her people.  Seth is doing fine now- thank you for your prayers that crazy night and day.  God hears and answers!

long time coming

our days have been gloriously full.  before Easter my last post was March 30.  so i've been absent from our blog.  life is just too good to miss!

counting moments and gifts from our field retreat:

6140.  retreat. safe journey.
6141.  a bathroom with a porcelain toilet, and toilet paper.  worth standing in line for!
6142.  timely drive. happy people

6146.  Dr. Coppedge's good word on discipleship and Spirit-filled living.
6147.  a normal Christian life is possible!  Holiness!
6148.  sweet time of worship

6154.  like father, like son.
6155.  we actually live in Africa.
6156.  a cool breeze on a lazy afternoon
6157.  rest.

6173.  sweet women's prayer time
6174.  Beth Coppedge's love for You and her leadership here.
6175.  Your women circled here- back to back.

6176.  Seth gasping for air- but You are with us.  You steady me.
6177.  a helpful hotel manager escorting us to a hospital
6178.  drugs to open his airways.
6179.  skillful nurse, IV line in on the first try!
6180.  a private room.  sheets on the bed!
6181.  sweet mama Theresa, an older nurse "God is good.  God is kind.  You are a good boy."
6182.  Jo and Billy on their knees interceding for us.
6183.  Beth sitting with us.
6184.  his first deep breath.
6185.  sweet mama relief as his breathing stabilizes.
6186.  Your holy presence... the air I breathe.
6187.  You inhabit the praises of Your people.
6188.  I can thank You even here.  even now.

6202.  this quiet lovely garden
6203.  delicate intricacies, brilliant colors.
6204.  rain-kissed beauty

6205.  words of testimony from each one.  You're moving deep.
6206.  renewed hope in our team.
6207.  Beth's blessing over us- feet dipped in anointing oil, glory shoes on, fresh dew daily
6208.  as our days, so shall our strength be!
6209.  You will thrust out the enemy before us!
6210.  You have begun to give- may we begin to possess!

Friday Five: Ways to Pray for Retreat

We leave for Fort Portal, Uganda on Sunday morning for 5 days of retreat.  Many of our missionaries are ready for break, but more importantly we are all ready for a fresh touch from Jesus!  Rev. Alan and Beth Coppedge are our speakers, and we look forward to how the Spirit will use them to speak directly to our hearts.  Will you pray for us as we take time away from our ministries, and reconnect with God and our teammates?

1. Pray for safety, health, and protection for each person and each vehicle!  God wants to do big things, and Satan is trying his best to hinder the work of God.  As of yesterday: Matt and Judah Burke, Caleb and Seth Hallahan, and Emilee Hopson were sick.  Maybe more I haven't heard of. 
2. Pray that each participant comes with a soft and open heart to receive all that Jesus has for them.  Pray that we would receive His hard word, as well as His tender word.
3. Pray for a spirit of unity, trust, and love among us.  That team dynamics, and any inter-personal issues we might have would be resolved in a way that brings honor and glory to Jesus.  That any conversations that need to occur, would happen.
4. Pray that we would act on the lessons we receive, that we would be obedient to the heavenly vision and that we would walk out in the valley what we hear on the mountain.   
5. Pray that Jesus has freedom to do all that He wants to, and that the world would be transformed because of what He does in us on retreat.  May all that we receive not just be for our own betterment, but for the expansion of His kingdom here in Uganda!