A Letter to Christian Radio

Dear Christian Radio,

Overall, I appreciate you. We have a fairly good relationship. Yes, I used to mock you in my teenage years, when all I could do was criticize the music you play with it's weak writing and repetitive choruses; and although I still generally hold those opinions, I've calmed down a bit and give you a listen. I enjoy the worship songs and am grateful for how they focus my heart on Christ while driving my car. I've had some of the sweetest worship experiences with the Lord listening to the music you play, that is until the song ends. At this point, the DJ feels the need to engage in some "clever banter" before playing the next song. That is really where my grievance begins. I'm saddened to hear DJs complain about traffic and ooze over Hollywood gossip. I hear these things and double check the station. Nope, there's no mistake - it's still Christian radio. Last time I checked, we served a God who came and died for us, allowing us to speak boldly to this world about grace, life, love, and justice. Wouldn't it be amazing if when I flipped on the Christian radio I heard the DJs sharing stories of miracles rather than discussing their favorite Taco Bell combo (true story)? What benefit is there in complaining about heavy traffic when we could be encouraging one another to rise above our circumstances with the attitude of Christ Jesus? Why do we feel the need to relish in Hollywood gossip, when the works of God are unquestionably more exciting, wondrous, and awe-inspiring? Just a thought.

Sincerely,

Chelsea

Date Night

I have a confession to make: my quiet times having been lacking lately. It's like the cardinal sin of Christianity isn't it? I've been trying to tell myself that I tend judge myself too harshly and that quality is often more important than quantity, but in the end I'm just not satisfied with things in their current state. School is overwhelming at times, and with the addition of friends, family, work, and church, I haven't been able to keep up the lengthly times of study and set apartness that I've been accustom to with my King.

I realized this morning that I needed a complete overhaul. I needed to fall in love with Jesus again. Now, of course I never really fell out of love with Him in the apostate sense, but I had ceased to cultivate that love relationship with Him that catches my breath and inspires my tears in the most gentle and wonderful way. I needed to refocus, so I opened up to the gospel of Luke. There's a great debate about having favorite books of the Bible and I can't say that I've chosen just one, but the gospels hold a special place in my heart. When I read them, I fall in love with Jesus all over again. I love going over the accounts of the miracles and the love that defined Him. I love how the words transcend from the page to my soul as I realize that love still defines this living God that my heart belongs to. I feel like a proud lover, saying, "Yes! This is the One that my soul loves! Isn't He amazing?!" I can't help but be romanced by the man of Christ Jesus when I truly meditate on who He is.

So, in an effort to cultivate my love relationship with this Divine Prince, I am instituting Date Night into my week. In addition to my daily quiet times, I will set aside an extended time each week to get away with my Jesus. Maybe it will be with a chai latte and my Bible in a coffee shop, maybe it will be a prayer walk through the park, or communion in the Rocky Mountains aspen trees of gold. All I know is that I need to fight for intimacy - it's life. So once a week I will leave my house and surroundings with the chores and homework that distract me, and enter into this divinely romantic world with my King - like a step through the wardrobe.

Does your relationship with God need a date night?

She Did What She Could

I heard a speaker recently who taught from Mark 14, where a woman that we assume to be Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with nard from an alabaster box. I'd read the story hundreds of times and heard dozens of speakers point to different aspects of the layered text. But this time, I heard something new. It's the sentence that Jesus speaks at the beginning of verse eight. She did what she could. In those five short words, there is a storehouse of freedom and grace. Sometimes I get so caught up in the things that I want to do but can't, that I don't do the small things that I can. I may not be able to stop human trafficking today, but am I praying about it today? I can't fix all my friend's problems, but am I sending emails and making phone calls just to let them know that I'm here to listen. I may not convince all my fellow classmates that Jesus is the Son of God, but am I treating them like Jesus would, even down to my smile? Am I doing what I can? Because in reality, all Jesus is asking is for us to rely on His strength and do what we can. Sometimes we can do a lot - more than we think we can - and sometimes we can do a little. I'm choosing to stop getting so bogged down in what I'd like to do but can't, and start doing what I can.

I recently watched the movie Bella for the first time. I loved it. Not only is it super cleans and moral, but the cinematography is absolutely beautiful. It's the story of someone who did what they could. Check it out.

In House Revival

According to our calendars, this week was supposed to be the busiest of the year for us. Several teachers and guests were scheduled to join us for the week, all of whom were unable to come due to the volcanic ash hovering over Europe - the leftovers from last week's eruption in Iceland. As we began receiving emails, one by one, that flights had been cancelled and plans changed, our expectation grew for what the Lord had in store. And then the question was posed, Why not an in house revival? Over the course of this amazing week, we have seen that when our lives are open and available for a move of God, He is faithful to come and meet with us. Many students were touched with the joy of the Holy Spirit, the love of God and tears of intercession during the six to seven hour "morning worship times." There was also a wave of repentance that came when the revelation of God's love motivated us to more purely care for one another with an uncommon love. Lunch breaks and time tables became unimportant, because we were in the presence of God. Community member, Jeff Collins, stepped in as the teacher for this week, but often acted more as the facilitator of what God wanted to do, clearing a way for the Holy Spirit to freely come. When Jeff did speak, his topics included: the leading of the Holy Spirit, how we need to develop a sensitivity to His presence and that fear of grieving the Holy Spirit should far outweigh any fear of man. As the world around us fell into the chaos of the volcano's aftermath, we, a small community of burning ones in the mountains of Cyprus chose a different response. The outcome of that choice was an outbreak of Heaven in our midst. May we never be the same.

Here is one student's testimony from this week:

I had so much expectation for this week because our teachers weren't able to come. We all wanted to encounter God and have a deep move of the Holy Spirit. The Lord spoke to me and came with such a tangible reality in my body and heart, pouring out His joy. I am full of His joy! Even when we're praying for someone else, I grab the blessing for myself as well, not choosing to be a spectator. This week, a door opened in me for intercession for others, because it's also a blessing for me. One day I was laying on the floor and said "Lord, I can't make it happen." and He said, "No you can't. Why don't you just give everything to me and let me lead?" This school is not about a season for me - it's about a lifestyle. Just to know that I am His and He is mine.

Suicide to Salvation

Last weekend one of our first year students received news that her Grandmother was terminally ill in the hospital and wanted to die. In Belgium (where the student and her family live) euthanasia is legal and practiced. We immediately began to pray as a community for her family and unbelieving grandmother. One of the saddest things was that when asked if she wanted to talk to a pastor before making the decision to end her life, the grandmother replied "I have no sin." Our hearts broke for this woman and the way she had been deceived. We began to declare LIFE over her and ask God to come and change her heart. Over the course of the week we waited for reports from Belgium on the grandmother's status. The student's parents are believers and spent every moment they could with the grandmother, sharing the gospel with her. Then, late Thursday night, we got the news: the grandmother had a revelation of her sin and had accepted Jesus! There is no way I can express the jubilation in our community as we heard those words. Not only is God working in her spirit, but her whole body used to be in pain and now there are only two places that hurt! We are believing for a full healing in the natural and that she would declare God's goodness to the rest of the unbelieving family! Amazing - from suicide to salvation in one week. God is so good. This is just one more example of how what the Lord is doing in the lives of the students here at the school is making a difference in their families and home nations as well. We are also very aware that Belgium is one of the nations the school is going to on outreach this year and that this is only a firstfruits of the life that Yeshua is going to bring! Come Lord!

Streams Girl

I have absolutely loved working on the Streams in the Desert events this year. Not only has it been stimulating for the side of me that loves to plan and organize things, but it has deepened my heart for this island as well. It is my third year living here and praying for Cyprus. I see that God has a divine purpose for this place and these people, but connecting on a deeper level hasn't always come easily for me. I've pressed through in intercession because I know that it's true, not so much because I feel it all in my heart. But at the last Streams event, God did something in me for Cyprus that I've never felt before. I know that I will carry this nation with me in intercession for the rest of my life. I consider it one of my biggest privileges to get to know the believers here. Because my job is very hands on emailing people the answers their inquiries and making announcements at our worship gatherings, I've begun to build relationships with these people, putting names and stories with the faces. And they've gotten to know me as well. Many will come up to me at an event and ask, "Are you the Chelsea from the emails?" Or if they see me somewhere else, they'll say "Oh, you're the Streams girl!" I love that. I love getting to know these precious people. I see what an honor it is and am so grateful for this opportunity.

Love that Tickles

Last Saturday night worship, God came and heaven kissed us. Our worship time that closes out our shabbat are scheduled to last from 6 - 9pm, but often run into the wee hours of morning. Last night was one of these nights. After worship, some began to share testimonies of what the Lord did on a recent outreach into the Cypriot city of Paphos. Before we knew it, the Holy Spirit took control and a string of prophetic words were released for different members of the community. Some wept in the revelation of God's love, some groaned prostrate on the ground in intercession, and some were doubled over laughing in the joy of the Lord. As the hours went on and God continued to come and touch us, some of the kids began to drift off to sleep. Myrrh (the 5 year old daughter of our leaders) was laying in my lap fighting the sleep that was inevitable when she heard a new wave of laughter from the Lord break out. She suddenly sat up and asked "Why are they laughing?" I tried to explain to her that God was just showing them how much He loves them when she asked "Is God's love tickling them?" I smiled at the thought of it - the reality of heaven coming and tickling our hearts. Abba, I love your joy, come and tickle us with Your love!