IHOPU Student Awakening

watched this yesterday during my prayer shift. I absolutely LOVE it! especially at 35 minutes :) so much Joy

'Cause I'm leaving

… on a jet plane
I don’t know when I’ll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go”

Except I’m leaving a on a train
and I’ll be back around August 14th
but in all honesty right now I am not excited about going

A couple weeks ago I started the process of “phasing out” of the ministries I work with. And it has been rather painful for me. I’m having to slowly give up everything I love so that when I leave in two months I don’t leave a void. All the new and exciting things that are happening, well I’m not a part of them.
Even though I’m phasing myself out of everything I find myself extremely busy. Turns out that raising other people up to take my place is a lot of work on my part. I find I’m spending more time training others then anything else. Hopefully this will be fruitful though and in a month and a half I will have trained them so well that they can actually take over.

The last time I left Greenville I was an early high school graduate who spent most of her time working. Hardly any friends and wasn’t on good terms with my family. But now it’s the opposite; I spend most of my time volunteering, with local ministries, doing what I love and working as a photographer. I have a ton of really close friends (more than I think I’ve ever had … never really been one to have close friends ; I didn’t like to let people in) and I don’t think my mom and I have ever been closer.

Loving the people I dislike

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Matthew 5:43-48

What a hard verse to live by; I don't have enemies (at least not that I know of) but some people do cross me wrong. And I am finding that it is really hard not to become bitter and speak against them, which is exactly what I should not do. I need to pray for them, love them.

It's hard, very hard. But this is what the Lord does and He has called us to be perfect like Him.
And as I pray for them I find I'm a happier ... because I am closer to God.

He has to come down

"When we sing from our hearts God has to come."

this was something that Matthew Lilley said tonight during a meeting ... he actually blogged about it as well

This stuck with me mainly because recently I have been listening to a song by Jonathan Helser that makes a reference to the same thing.

What power there is in song!

Helping Haiti

Over the past week I have constantly heard about Haiti. Sadly though, I didn’t even realize how bad it was until Sunday afternoon when I decided to look at a link a friend of mine posted. The link took me to “The Big Picture” which tells news stories through photographs. That is when it hit me. When I finally saw the horror of the destruction.

I wish I could go there and help search for the trapped, help take care of the orphaned, or help the overwhelmed hospitals. I wish I could write a check to send clean water or medical supplies over, but I can barely even pay for my phone bill. So I found something else.

I can make graphics. I can pray. I can help others understand the need.
And I can go to the MERCI Center in Goldsboro, NC for a day to  pack medical kits and survival packs.

Just a few facts (for those who don’t keep up with the news like me):

estimated 200,000 dead

70,000 people have already been buried

43 search and rescue teams in Haiti

thousands are fleeing the city in search of safety

Real Love

God -

"I am singing over you

I am dancing over you

I love you, I love you, I love you.

You say you're dark,

I say you're lovely.

You call it weak love,

I call is real love."

watch the IHOP-KC prayer room web stream ... they are having wonderful revelations of the Lord