Bird Eats Lion

Me and my friend Jaanika have decided to start making stop motion films. And we named our makings Bird Eats Lion. (title makes absolutely no sense) But we made our first one, its not perfect.... but hey its a start so enjoy it:)

Tomorrow we are starting our very first team week. And all I can say is I'm really excited to go out this week. I'll be doing my team week with 4 others, in Skien. (the town I'm in now) And this morning as we were doing an intercession, I was really nervous to speak out what was on my heart I was saying to God, what if I stumble or studder you know I'm not a good speaker." Then instantly he reminded me Exodus 4:11-12. "The Lord said to him," Who gave man his mouth?.... is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and teach you what to say" This verse was just so encouraging especially since we're doing outreaches all week. And I was so excited when He reminded me of this.

So I've been writing a lot lately about hearing God's voice, and I don't know where you personally stand in it. But I've learning so much about God and how personal he is. And also the fact that we have a talking God, he is living and active. And he has so much to say. Encouragement and just his love wants to pour out onto us. And so I've been listening to him and he's been listening to me, and everything I have to say to him. He is a God of listening, from our cry's to our joys. He hears it all. This week has been such a joy with my walk with Christ. And just giving thanks to him for who he is, and what he has done. This week I'm leading two intercessions for my team. And I have my first topic Eugene. Sometime today or when ever you read this, we should just take the time and pray for the city and for unity in the churches to work as the body of Christ.

One last thing... I was reading the Gospel of Mark this week, and verse 1:20 " He(Jesus) called with out delay to them."and that verse slapped me in the face. In that same way Jesus is calling me without hesitation. His heart is set on me, he knows my past and he wants to redeem me. Jesus, the God of the universe, is calling to me by name and wants to give me his heart. That is just so crazy to me. And I want to give him all my heart to him and receive more of him. And I just want to say in that same way He is calling you!

James 1:12

                 "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trail, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised us."

The Perfect Morning

Went on a walk this morning to talk with God and get some fresh air. And this morning was absolutely beautiful, perfectly blue sky... little chilly. But over all it was amazing. I walked up on the side of the hill in the nice residential neighborhood and it looks over onto the city. And I was just enjoying the perfect fall morning. And as I'm reflecting back on this morning, God just had a huge smile on his face the whole time on that walk because I was so amazed by the beauty of it. Walking a long side God in that way was just so incredible this morning I really cannot even describe it I took a walk with my Father this morning and he was so happy and I was so happy and had so much joy to be with him... walking and talking with the God of the universe that calls me his son and I call him Father. I really am so humbled. And I fully recognize that I need him so much and I would be lost with out him.

The perfect Father.

Okay so switching the topic This week we had a party and it was circus themed....It was a lot of fun... so me and my Friend Kristin decided to be red balloons. It was hilarious but after the party I tried washing it, and instead if coming off it turned into a orangey color... the kind of orange where it looks like I got a fake spray on tan... it was quite riddiculous. haha so I went to bed looking like an oompa-loompa. It sucked.

This week God really just reminded me that He is a God who Blesses So I just leave you with this

Luke 11:28 "Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and obey it."

Woot Woot!

So someone here has just enlightened me on the fact that I have used "woot woot!" in every one of my blogs, so because of that I have decided to name this post Woot Woot. thanks Jaanika!
Other than that this week it rained a lot and it reminded me of home, the weather here is so much like home, its unbelievable how similar it is. And it just got me thinking I really miss home, and everything about it, and all week I was just extremely distracted by the fact that I'm homesick and I did not want to do anything but come home all week. And on Friday when I was praying the lord spoke to me "Why are you home sick? Are you not a citizen of Christ?" and after I heard that I chuckled, and then it broke out into a laugh. I do miss everyone at home, but I'm apart of Christ and I know he is here with me so I do not have to be homesick.

This week and teaching was very Challenging, the subject was Holiness. The teacher came from South Africa. And she was extremely nice. But was not afraid of speaking the truth. The teaching this week was more like a workshop more than lectures. The first couple of days were kind of a big introduction into what we would be doing. And she challenged us to be able to back up our experiences with scripture. And just knowing scripture in our hearts and minds. The first commandment calls us to Love our God with all of our hearts, mind and strength. And we all know that commandment but to actually live it out I know for me I just kind of passed it a long. And after that we talked about sin and repentance, and at first I was thinking I would know what she was talking about, but I promised my self that I would keep an open mind and be able to learn new things. And I'm glad I did. We really focused on the fact that we need to take responsibility for our sin and also take authority over it. And for example if I was walking down the street and my eyes came across something that temps me. It's my decision what to do. Its not the devil throwing me somewhere I should not be.  And with that I should just say to the lord "lord you know what I've seen and I give it to you". We have to catch these foxes before they run out away from us.  Call a friend who knows you well, pray, watch a Disney movie=D. Get your mind off of it. And its the same things with thoughts, actions and all.

I just have one last thing I want to share with you, Friday we were doing some application and repenting from our sins. And I was having a really big problem experiencing the joy in Christ and having freedom this week because of shame and I was feeling guilty. And as I was sitting there praying "God I feel so bitter inside right now, and I want to be in your Joy right now" and spoke to me "guilt and condemnation are not from me" and then I opened my bible to James 4:8
         "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

And after I read this got up put the ash in my hands, and brought my sins to the cross. And as I washed my hands from the ash I felt the sins lifted off of me and the Joy of the lord filled me and I had a huge smile on, and i started to laugh, and I could not stop.

Thats what I will remember this week Joy and Freedom in Christ.

Prison Chaos

This week has been absolutely crazy with everything. Monday comes a long and we start our first real week of our DTS. Everything is going great learning a lot. Monday night someone was talking about how they came home sick from Sweden. And I was bragging how I never got sick. The very next morning i woke up SICK! So tuesday its not so bad and then I wake up Wednesday with a fever and I felt like if I went back to sleep it would be no surprise to me if I woke up and I was in heaven. So I'm dragging around all day feeling sick, and in the middle of the day after class two staff members come up in front of the class and say there has been a LICE BREAK OUT! My first thought was really? I'm sick and now I might have lice. so everyone had to be checked... I'm lice free just to let you all know. and hopefully it stays that way:)
First week of teaching is done! I am mentally exhausted right now and really thankful for this wonderful Saturday. But the teaching was amazing we looked at "The Father Heart of God" and it was so eye opening about the love God truly has for all of us it say in Deuteronomy 32:10 tells us that we are the apple of His eye. We are in his eyes and there's a special place in his heart for us that was made just for us no one else. Our God is such an intimate and loving Father, and we are in His heart as He is on our hearts. He gave us full to his heart so we could know him more and more. And I gave him my heart so he can know me better. This week has been so eye opening to how much the Father loves me, and all the things I have done, He loves me. And that same love he has for me He has for you. He truly is the perfect Father, and I know he loves me and would never let me go from his heart. The Bible goes on and on in numerous places where He, God, describes his love for us countless times. And we truly see His love when we look at the cross, and know that the Father sent Jesus to die for our sins so we could be seen as pure in the eyes of God. Is that not amazing?

I just thought I would share with all of you what I've been learning this week. Thanks to everyone for being encouraging, keeping me in your prayers, and supporting me. Means so much to me:)

Isaiah 49 :16
                     "See I have engraved you on the palm of my hand"
                            He holds us so dear to his heart"