purpose. life. rest.

I write with a new gratefulness to be alive and well.

As I was rolling over 90ft in a Land Rover at 65pmh I was full of peace and confidence that I would be fine. I got out of that car with new perspective.

I began meditate deeper the purpose for human's existence. It is as simple as it was before, yet the reality began to sink in deeper.

I being rolled into the trauma unit/ER room from the ambulance, and was thinking of how the cliche idea of how this should show me to live life to the fullest dose not apply.

The moment before the roll, continuing to the moment I had this thought was indeed the fullness of my existence. Not to feed hungry, save dying, heal sick, photograph to raise awareness, or even to preach the gospel. I am here to Know God, to love Him and enjoy Him.

As we become the resting place for the purpose of all creation, which is to behold God, and respond with love. We enter into our complete fullness of purpose. That is it.

Yet this deep simple truth gos deeper. Because, we behold Him and respond, He manifest's Himself through us. It is Jesus Christ loving His creation through us,which is the missions movement.

He allows me to see people through His eyes, and apply His love, yet my purpose is still only to Know Him. Because He loves others and desires to free, heal, feed, and restore individuals, I can partner with Him as He empowers me to do so.

Oh, to know that the moment my life was about to end, I was thanking him verbally (which is how I ended up with glass in my mouth haha) and was enjoying His presence.

That is more than enough.

My new perspective is simple. To simply behold my creator, and respond to His love is the fulfillment of our existence.

This clears my mind, and frees me to simply be. While being responsible to a vision the Lord has given me is a "no duh" I don't have to try to make anything happen, or force a vision. He who gives life, and spares it as well will surely breathe on the vision He gives to His children.

And mine is just beginning.


(next blog will be about how the last five years have pointed to the next 5 months)

Halloween 2010

5 Days in North Korea

I traveled with a team of 7 YWAM friends and a couple guides into the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea). The ten of us met up with three wonderful guides in the DPRK.

Heading into this nation I was unsure what to expect while half believing I would find all the stories to be exaggerated or embellished. The opposite was true. What I experienced was shocking. Honor for the leader, Juche Idea, which is self reliance ideology, fear of Government and US, and hatred towards America and Japan unite the people of the DPRK to some degree. I suspect these four factors are what enables keeping an entire nation under such oppression.

Individuals grow up with sirens blowing as all power to the city is shut off and air raid warnings instill fear that the US will drop bombs at any moment. Our 4th day in the nation one of our guides told me that we were Christians and we were different. We no longer fit the mold for what she knew about us.

I am believing and hoping for this generation of North Korean's to grow hungry for truth, and dig deeper for answers. What seemed impossible happened without even trying as hunger for the powerful truth of an intimate relationship with our creator is greatly desired even by those we least suspect.

The Kingdom is advancing in the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, and God is looking for those who will partner with Him to see that Kingdom come!

Consider how God may have you partner with Him for this nation!


(The video contained sensitive content, and had to be removed. I will put up another one soon!)

Tamar Center

Here is a quick video of the Tamar Center in Pattya, Thailand.



Edited by Marvin Garay

Thaisong Fair Trade

Thaisong Fair Trade



Edited by Jason Scanlan

3 in 1

Poverty vs privilege

The walls were multi colored
The dirt floor covered with trash
The air thick in smoke smelling like rotten fish
Working all day to stay poor,
The family sat together with empty bellies

There were elegant designs on the marble walls
The floor was reflective and clean
From the celling hung a crystal chandelier
On his annual vacation
The man walked out of the bathroom and paid for his $200 meal.



Why?

Because He is love. Because he made us for fullness, and joy in relationship with him. Because everyone has this phenomenally beautiful opportune invitation, and we have the phenomenal opportunity to invite those who have not yet responded.

He is calling his bride. As we walk to him with doves eyes, a fixed gaze on him alone we portray the purpose of existence. We answer the question. We simply mirror his love.

Because the world is not experiencing this freedom. The richness of life is quenched by oppressors, greed, and selfishness. Even though I am the selfish one, I can respond out of God’s selflessness to extend his love to the needy.

Because complete satisfaction is where he made us to be, in his presence.


Fullness

It came to me on a bus in Bangkok. Thinking of the night before in a red-light bar in Phuket I realized the significance and simplicity. As I sat (with a ministry team) in front of a 19 year old girl serving drinks I was able to share with her about a hope unknown to her. I shared about another way of thinking, which gave value to her as a woman. There is available fullness, joy and purpose. She hated her job, so I told her of another way to make money outside the bar.

I realized on the bus, that unless I woke up that morning fully experiencing the intimate relationship with Jesus I told her about it was pointless. Was it just an idea, or a reality. The only reason for me to share about this freedom was to know it, and her only reason to respond was if she saw that I lived it.

Too often become able to talk about intimacy without experiencing it. I can write about it without growing in it. That night showed me yet agin how desperately I need this freedom as much as anyone.