Don't wait to be called when you've been commanded.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

"I find it interesting that we don't do this with other words from Jesus. We take Jesus' command in Matthew 28 to make disciples of all nations, and we say, 'That means other people.' But we look at Jesus' command in Matthew 11:28, 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,' and we say, 'Now, that means me.' We take Jesus' promise in Acts 1:8 that the Spirit will lead us to the ends of the earth, and we say, 'The means some people.' But we take Jesus' promise in John 10:10 that we will have abundant life, and we say, 'That means me.'" (Excerpt from Radical by David Platt)
One man on his second missions trip to Malawi stated, “Some may say I’m not called to do that. But we can’t choose which commands to follow. You may say you haven’t been called, but I say you’ve been commanded. In Matthew 28:19-20 it says, ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations... and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’ God says, ‘Go.’ We are to spread the gospel and change lives. This is a spiritual journey.”
God calls us in His Word to go. I believe that this does not mean we have to go to a foreign land...life should be mission. There are lost people everyone that need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ so go. I'm currently reading a book about peer pressure, codependency, and the fear of man. As the author lists examples of how the fear of people overcomes the fear of God he states, "Does it include you yet? If not, consider just one word: evangelism. Have you ever been too timid to share your faith in Christ because others might think you are an irrational fool?" Look guys, sharing your faith is hard sometimes--it means overcoming any fear of rejection but it also means that you love somebody enough that you don't want them to spend eternity in hell, you want them to find the joy in Christ, find hope, and know God. God calls us to go and that means that we are to share God's love and the gospel of Jesus with everyone and anyone whether in a foreign country or our hometown, whether with a family member, friend, or stranger.God isn't asking you to do A, B, and C and to be "good enough" to get into heaven and He isn't going to reject you if you fail on following His commands--there's grace for that. But, if you want to passionately and radically follow God, He is calling you to go.
I talked a lot about if you feel called or not to a specific mission field but what about feeling called to be in a specific bible study or small group? Perhaps some people feel called to one group and not another. Time usually does not allow us to be involved in every bible study that is available to us. If you feel called to a certain one then go and join them, but if you don't feel called then pray about it and join one because you are commanded to be in community. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Acts 2:44-47, Hebrews 10:24-25. Share testimonies that glorify God, share prayer requests/pray for one another, encourage one another, meet others felt needs, accountability, deep spiritual conversations where others can correct you, mentor others, evangelistic support, transforming the community--bringing the gospel to them.

Two more poems

SIMPLICITY

By: Hannah McGee (written while backpacking in the Porcupine Mountains)

Crashing of waves

Splatter of rain

Crackling of fire

Waterfall rushing

Smoke of fire

Food cooked

Rain fall

Sunset over Lake Superior

Star-filled sky

Forever at Lake of the Clouds

Sun gleaming off water

Fire warmth

Dryness of sleeping bag

Coolness of lake

Burning in legs

 

Footprints

By: Hannah McGee

White drifts of precipitation

Lays on the ground and roof

Brisk breeze blows on face

Sends shivers through your body

Evergreens lush and strong

Provoke thoughts of Christmas decorating

Packing of snow in hands

Snowball splats on winter jacket

Gleaming ice catches people off guard

As they slip and slide trying not to fall

Trees bare of their leaves

Sway, creaking in the wind

Grass creeps up in the blanket of snow

Showing its green color one last time

Students walk to their classes

Dreaming of hot cocoa and warmth

Listen to the sound of voices

Talking of snowmobiles and break

Puddles of water on the floor

The remains of a snowy footprint.

BitterSweet

BitterSweet

Trail run.

Sights, smells, sounds surround me.

Stresses of the day disappear.

Rhythmic breathing. Footsteps.

Solitary. Serenity.

Adrenaline rushing...runner’s high?

Crunching leaves. Wind whistles.

Sweat dripping as the sun beats down.

Twisted ankle. Snot rocket.

Saliva hanging from mouth like a slobbering dog.

Heart beating. Lungs gasping for air.

Chest burning. Legs aching.

Bittersweet.

 

I went for a run today, it's probably been over a month since I've been running. As I was running I made up this poem in my head and decided it was worth sharing. I hope you enjoy the random thoughts that I had while realizing how bittersweet it feels to run.

Latest Reading: Into the Mud

I recently finished reading a book recommended to me over the summer. Into the Mud by Christine Jeske is an excellent book that helped grow my heart for the world.

Aids patients. Malnourished babies. Child soldiers.

     If we look only to media accounts, Africa can appear mired in a decades-long failed attempt to imitate the West. But holistic missionary Christine Jeske sees another story unfolding, a spiritual story of transformation.
      Through accounts of ordinary individuals, Jeske reveals people and communities in South Africa that are being changed into something new, something holy . . . refashioned by God to exist afresh in the muck of daily life. Along the way, she uncovers glimpses of God's kingdom breaking out among those to whom Jesus said it belonged--not the deserving or the religious but the poor. (taken from back cover)

Christine Jeske, author of Into the Mud, portrays the stories of real people going through real struggles with real hope in South Africa. Each chapter is a story about a different person with a different experience but all finding hope and strength in God. Through reading this book I was inspired to trust in God through struggles and constantly see hope in Christ. My heart was breaking for the people I was reading about and I have a desire to learn more about how I can reach the world; not only to share the gospel with the world but so Christian brothers and sisters in other countries/other cultures can share their experiences with me and I can share mine with them.

 "God made the first human by breathing into dirt. Jesus healed a blind guy by picking up mud, spitting in it, and wiping it on the man's eyes. Jesus interrupted a death penalty case by drawing in the sand as people dropped their stones, and He told a bunch of religious folks if they want to enter the kingdom of God they need to play in the dirt with the kids. The scriptures are full of stories of a God who is not afraid of dirt, who is just as likely to show up in the sewers of the slums as to the polished halls of the temples. Christine Jeske has felt the mud between her toes and has seen God at work in the dirt. This is a book of dirty theology. It's about a God who is not scared of getting dirty and who invites us to join Him in the mud. May we have the courage to roll up our pant legs and follow." --Shane Claiborne, founding member of The Simple Way community and author of "The Irresistible Revolution"

http://www.intothemud.com/books/home/

How is it already August 9th??

The view at Logging Camp Ranch!

Howdy y'all!

       My last post was written three days before I left Ashland; this post is being written eight days before I return to Ashland. This summer adventure has been an amazing experience! When nineteen students and four staff (two with families) arrived at Logging Camp Ranch in Bowman, ND the start of Medora Summer Project 2012 began. At Logging Camp Ranch we spent a few days going through a variety of trainings and getting to know each other. Our project bonded in unique ways over this short period of time; I've never experienced such deep relationships when only know someone for a few days. It was an amazing experience and it was our first chance to explore the badlands. 

Worshiping in the badlands

       After an hour long drive on dirt roads we arrived in Medora! We first visited the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation main office. Cru has a unique partnership with the Foundation and each year jobs are secured with Cru before we arrive because the Foundation has come to see that the presence of Cru students makes a difference felt throughout the entire work staff. At the main office we learned more about our job placements and I found out that I would be working at the Family Fun Center. This is a new attraction in Medora and it offers a rock climbing wall, a bungee trampoline, and the world's largest inflatable slide (uses water). I work six days a week and my shifts are either 9am-6pm or 10am-6pm.

Kyle, Emily, and I in the TR National Park

From left to right: Renae, Adam, Mark, me, and Emily

       Through this job I was faced with new experiences and challenges. One of my favorite parts of this job was getting to try out all the fun activities. Having a fear of heights and working at the Family Fun Center helped me decide that by the end of the summer I would overcome some of these fears. Just last week I was at the highest point on the bungee trampoline and I did a back flip; I climbed to the top of the rock wall; and going down the slide is one of my favorite things to do in Medora! I've enjoyed getting to hang out with kids during my work day and encourage them when they are afraid. I work with one other girl who is on project, Renae plus five other people; Mark (our manager), Adam (our assistant manager), Kyle, Emily, and Madalynn. I've been able to build some wonderful relationships with my coworkers over the past two months. There have been countless nights where Emily, Renae, Kyle, and I could be found in the Pizza Parlor having dinner together and laughing about the day...eight hours together wasn't enough so we spent some time in the evenings together as well.

     Once we arrived and started working in Medora, I was so impressed with how many different states and countries were represented in the work staff. I've met students from the east coast, west coast, and places in between, plus many different countries such as Turkey, Bulgaria, South Africa, China, and more. It is awesome that our project has the opportunity to share the love of Christ with students who literally go home all over the world. It is a blessing that we are able to reach the world right here in Medora, ND.

      I have been challenged in many ways while on project and through those experiences I have felt personal growth. Not only was I trained in how to share my faith to others but also I had leadership training that took place over the course of the summer. Together we read through a book called The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and considered what it means to be a leader and how to grow as a leader. This was a highlight of my summer because I've been challenged to grow as a leader and this experience will be very important as I step on campus in the fall and any leadership opportunity I have in the course of my life.

       I'll end this post with those thoughts as I'm sure I'll have more to mention in future posts. It's getting late here and I'll be working at the Family Fun Center tomorrow. I have four days left of work then a few days of debriefing as the Medora Summer Project 2012 comes to an end.

Grace & Peace

P.S.- A song that is great to listen to while being in the badlands...