Because You're Loved Tour 2016

As Pais GB, we just had the biggest weekend of the year. So much planning goes into this event, so many volunteer hours, so much money (well, at least, it's a lot of money to us!). But it is totally worth it.

Every year on this weekend, what English people know as May bank holiday weekend (the first May bank holiday, because there are two every May), we have our annual Because You're Loved Tour where Pais teams from around the country come to Burnley with their young people for a weekend of training and mission! This year, we had almost as many teenagers as we have Pais apprentices! It was crazy, awesome and honestly, super loud!

Our weekend consisted of the BYL Tour 2016 kick-off, our annual free Fun Day for the community, a free gig from Twelve24, a hip-hop band from Manchester, four different local mission projects throughout the area, and church (of course!). These activities were planned and run in order to show those in our communities that they are loved.

As for our local mission projects, we got to do a BYL give-away in Burnley town centre, a Fun Day in Accrington, help a local farmer whose land and livestock were severely affected by recent floods, and do a pamper day and afternoon tea at the local women's refuge.

I was the one who got to organize the pamper day/afternoon tea at the women's refuge and it was such a privilege for me! These are women and children who have suffered abuse, usually from the men in their life, and have had the courage to walk away, but needed a safe place to go. They have wounds inside and out, and it was a massive blessing to be able to bring a little bit of joy to their lives. We did their hair and make-up and let them go to town with the nail polish, and took glamour shots for them. Then we set out treats for afternoon tea--little sandwiches, quiche, and lots of cakes, in addition to tea and coffee. It was a blast for all of us and there were smiles all around.

Twelve24's gig was a massive success! They spent Friday in two schools with the Pais Burnley team and on Saturday night, about 250 teenagers showed up at Life Church to rock out with them. The band ended the evening by sharing the Gospel and over 100 young people made decisions for Jesus!

These are just a few examples of the kinds of work we do on Pais. Our heart is to bless those around us with the love of God and help the young people (teenagers) we work with learn to do the same and to cultivate that as a lifestyle. It is an honour for us and we love doing it!

***I don't often ask for money, but I'm going to now. Once a year we have a Pais GB fundraiser, for which we will participate in a 10K. The goal of each team member is to raise 100 pounds (about $170 at the moment). Our 10K is on May 21st, just a few weeks away, and I would love for you to be able to partner with us and the work we are doing in England. To do this, click here. Amounts of $5 and $10 are very much appreciated!

Below are some pictures from this weekend so you can see what we've been up to and what we want to continue to be able to do! Thank you!

My good friend Paul bringing encouragement that what happens on Tour does NOT stay on Tour. This stuff is a lifestyle! 

The one and only Dan Randall. Really, there are no words... 

BECAUSE YOU'RE LOVED!  

Because You're Loved is a tool developed by our friends who lead Pais Ireland (and which just won the national Youthwork award for best resource). Find out more about it here!

Sibylle with some of her awesome young people 

Fernanda likes popcorn. 

Juliano dishin' out the free BBQ (and being his natural self...). 

This was the FUN Day, can you tell?

It rains a lot in England. So the inflatables had to come inside. 

Twelve24 in concert

Young people sharing stories of the amazing things God did in and through them this weekend! 

The awesome ladies who made the women's refuge project happen!

But Gary, There's Still a Problem

I just read a blog post written by one of my favourite writers, Gary Thomas, entitled, 'Here's Who You're Supposed to Marry,' and now I'm emotionally conflicted, wondering if I should laugh or cry. I'll probably do both, but which one first?

His advice for single women is that we choose to marry a man like this:

...If you read the book of Proverbs correctly, you'll look for a man who pursues wisdom even more than he pursues wealth or fun or video game excellence (Prov. 1:1-7). He'll be a guy who learned to listen to his mom and dad and thus developed a heart that will listen to God as he's older (1:8-9). He's the kind of guy who is able to resist peer pressure (1:10ff) and isn't driven by his lust (2:16ff). Look at how many times the book of Proverbs pleads with young men to avoid sexual temptation and ask, will your future husband take sexual integrity seriously? Do you have any idea how many wives' have had their lives turned upside down by their husband's failure to avoid sexual immorality? 

You want a man who isn't lazy (6:6-11), doesn't lie (6:17,19) and who is humble (11:2). He should be "full of the Spirit and wisdom" (Acts 6:3) and most definitely a believer (1 Cor 7:39). 

And that right there explains all of the amazing, single Godly women between 25-35 in the Western world.

This is fabulous advice Gary. I am in full agreement. But at the same time, it's completely laughable. Honestly, I know a handful of guys between 25-35 who might match this description, and I've lived in 6 cities in 2 different countries in the last 5 years, so it's not like I've got a small sampling. To go with that, I know dozens of Godly women who would love to marry a man like you describe.

Single men like this, unless I'm incredibly mistaken, which is a possibility, are few and far between, and that is an understatement. I have my own theory as to why that is, and it's a bit harsh on my parents' generation, so I'm not going to share it here. And I have a theory as to how to fix it, but only God can do that. #Revival

In the meantime, between assigning guilt as to the problem, which isn't productive or kind, and waiting on God as to the solution, which is what I've personally been doing for over a decade, what am I supposed to think about this advice? It's like saying 'You need to find yourself a polar bear at Miami beach.'

Ladies, if you've found a man like Gary describes, congratulations. Keep him, treat him well, and remember how blessed you are, because there are a ton of amazing single Godly women out there who wish they had what you have.

TGISaturday!

So many things have been going through my mind lately. My thoughts throughout the weeks continually jump from one thing to the next to the next. Sometimes it feels like it never stops.

'God what are You saying to me right now?'

'I hope I don't miss my bus.'

'I need some coffee. Now.'

'Please Jesus, anybody but Trump.'

'I really need to buy my plane ticket home before the prices go up.'

'Why did my line-manager ask me to do this and where do I even start??'

'Oh, wow, look what K just did!'

'I have no idea if this local mission is actually going to work out.'

'God, did You really say that?'

And on and on it goes. I am sure you can relate.

But today is Saturday. And Saturday is for me intentionally QUIET. Saturday is usually a day I stay home and honestly, I hide, so that I can rest, away from the noise and the busy-ness and whatever it is that other people are doing. It has become my time with God to sort through all the stuff that's been going through my head and heart all week long. Of course I have short times throughout the week to do this as well, but as I'm getting older, I'm learning more about myself and one thing I've learned is that I need A LOT of quiet time in order to rest, relax and recharge (In addition to being an introvert, I am also a Highly Sensitive Person.).

So Saturday is MY day. It's my day to stay home, in my pajamas, no make up, no contacts, no effort. It's my day to shut out the opinions of others and get a break from any expectations other people might have for me. It's a day for just me and God. At least for now. As my season changes, that my very well change too, but at the moment, I embrace my freedom to do what I want with my Saturdays, and that is spend them with Him. Just us. In the quiet. In the stillness. Reflecting. Asking. Listening. Journaling. Allowing Him to speak to my heart, to encourage me and to bring me rest and hope-filled expectation for whatever lies on the other side of Saturday.

Revelation

I had a revelation today. At least, I think it was today. I know part of it was born yesterday, but I think it really actually came today. But I'll start at the beginning. Well, not really the beginning because if I think about it for a minute, the 'beginning' really goes back to The Beginning, and I don't have time for all of that. Neither do you. So I'll start with yesterday.

Yesterday I was journaling and worshiping and chilling with Jon Thurlow when God encountered me quite unexpectedly. Twice. The first encounter was a wave of His love as Abba, which was amazing. But the second one really caught me off guard. 

A year ago I would have told you (and did tell some people) that there was one thing I was absolutely terrified of. If I could imagine God asking me to do the scariest thing in the world, this thing would be it. I don't often think about it; it's not something I focus on, as you can imagine. Yesterday, though, I believe God told me that that one thing I was so afraid of, that's what He has planned for me. 

Of course it is. Isn't that always the way?

You know what, though? I'm not scared anymore. I'm actually somewhat excited and a little bit curious, even though I know that this thing will be difficult for me. It will frustrate me and challenge me, and there might even be tears. But I've decided that I want to live my life on adventure and adventure for me means trusting God and leaving the comfort zone behind. This thing will certainly do that for me. It's fine, I don't like being comfortable for too long anyway. I want to do what God calls me to do and go where God calls me to go, no matter what. I want to say 'Yes.'

What is really cool though is that as I look back over the last year, I can see God has begun preparing me for this thing in certain ways that combine, a bit like puzzle pieces, to form a bigger picture. I like that. 

I'm sorry I can't tell you what this thing is. It won't be for a while; it's quite a ways down the road, and you'll find out eventually. Promise.

As for the revelation I had today, which is different from what God said He has planned for me, well, actually, I can't tell you that right now either. It's quite a massive thing and I'm still thinking about it. I'm pretty positive it will essentially be the premise of my first international best-selling book. So, I won't share it here yet (something for you to look forward to though!).

However, it is the revelation that He gave me that has enabled me to say 'Yes' to Him and His plans for me. And I know that no matter what He calls me to in the future, this revelation will help sustain me and enable me to continue to say 'Yes' to Him, whatever the situation, whatever the circumstance, no matter how scared I might be at the prospect of what He has just asked of me.  And I know, as long as He is in it and as long as He goes with me, it's going to be glorious.

Questions for you: I've often found that what we're most afraid of is what God is actually wanting to invite us into. Is there something you're afraid of doing? If God asked you to do that, what would you need in order to say 'Yes' to Him?

New Year's in Germany

For anyone wondering, my article (see below) was published. I didn't actually see it in the paper, but my national director told me it was there and several people have responded to it, telling me it was encouraging to them. PTL!

I just realized tonight as I was looking through photos, that I hadn't posted my Germany pictures yet! Over New Years I went to Germany and had a blast catching up with old friends from various walks of life. And I took some photos! I've posted them below. Germany is so beautiful!

Tubingen

Heidelberg

We Can Be Free

I was asked to write an article for a column in a local newspaper. Despite the fact that I have never read this column and actually never even heard of the newspaper until a few weeks ago, I said yes. A chance to get some of my words published--sure, yep, sign me up for that. I *think* that this column represents views held by the Church which are shared in a way that the average non-Christian could read it and be provoked or encouraged by it. But honestly, I'm not really sure.

For those of you who don't live in this area (and you absolutely will not find this column anywhere online), I've decided to share with you what I think I will probably be submitting to them. Enjoy!

Have you ever heard someone say, 'I don't want to be free?' No. Because people don't say that. We all want to be free, to live without constraint, without limitations, without hindrance and without fear. We want to be free to love and hope and dream and to do that which makes us feel alive inside. And not just for a moment, but for a lifetime. Good news: that is what Jesus came to give us. 

In His own words, He came to set the captives free. But who are the captives? The captive is anyone bound, dominated, or controlled by something--a person, an institution, a situation, a substance, a habit. 

But when we accept His sacrifice, what He did for us on the cross, we can begin to be truly free.

The truth is that God wants us to be free, and that with Him, we can be. We can be free from all those things that hold us back and we can move forward into the things that bring us real life. We can be free to do good out of love for God and others. We can be free to breathe deeply, to dream extravagantly, to pursue those desires that God has put within us. We can be free to experience a greater degree of peace and joy and hope and wonder. We can be free to boldly and courageously chase our destiny. We can be free to live a life of meaning, purpose and fulfillment. In Him, we can be free to fully live.

We Don't Get It

Wow. Tozer could be harsh sometimes! But that doesn't mean he wasn't right, because he was.

I think one of the most frustrating things to me is when Christians either don't pray and ask God what He wants or actually hear God and know what He's saying but refuse to obey.

I'm a big fan of asking God what He wants and hearing His will for my life. I want everything that He has for me and I know He will lead me perfectly. I believe He is an excellent leader (despite my moments of doubt) and I trust Him with my life. So it bothers me when other Christians don't live this way.

Just as a side-note, I've realized (especially lately) that there are very few things that bother me and that I am passionate about, but this is one, so I am giving myself permission to be frustrated by it and to share my thoughts with you, remembering what Paul Scanlon says, that 'Your complaint is your call,' which means I have to do something about my frustration. And so I write.

I had a Spanish friend who told me once of a Spanish saying that goes: 'Mas vale malo conocido que bueno por conocer,' which roughly translates to something like 'Better known evil than an unknown good,' or even 'What you know/have that's bad is better than what you could have that's good.' (I'm sure it's vastly more eloquent in Spanish.) At the time he told me about it I thought it was completely ridiculous. Why in the world would someone choose to keep the bad that they have rather than trade it for what has the possibility of being better? But as I've thought about this particular conversation, I realized, we do this all the time.

How often do we settle for less than God's best? How often do we choose to stay where we are, in the boring and fruitless but familiar (pit?) rather than follow His leading into the unknown and potentially beautiful and miraculous?

And why?? Why do we do this?

I think it's because we don't know God's heart.

We don't know that everything He does, He does out of love for us. We don't understand that He is Abba Father, that He is Daddy, and He is overwhelmed by us and totally in love with us. We don't understand that He is passionate about us and desires our good and our prosperity in Him. We don't actually get the fact that He is always with us and He will never leave us, that we don't have to walk this path alone and that He will provide everything we need along the way. We don't have a clue that everything in the universe He not only made but also owns and that He is happy to share it with us if we ask. We don't realize that He is the Giver of good gifts and that He wants to bless us and show us His incredible favour, doing more for us than we could possibly ask for or imagine. We just don't get it.

So, as frustrated as I've been, really, I'm also sorry. I'm sorry for those among us (myself included sometimes, I admit), who don't grasp the concept that Daddy is absolutely committed to our good and completely devoted to walking with us, providing for us, caring for us, loving us, and helping us become more like Jesus every moment of every day until we see Him face to face. And that makes me sorry that we don't do what He says. Because what He says is essentially, 'Come with Me.' This is an invitation to adventure, where our lives here on earth reflect the beauty and the glory and the majesty of who God is, which as a reality, is more fascinating and exhilarating and magnificent than anything we, in ourselves, could ever hope to imagine. That is what Ephesians 3:20 is all about. That is the life that God has for us. And that is the life that we miss out on when we don't 'do what He says.'