have love for one another...

A few months ago I signed up to receive email updates from NAMB (North American Mission Board) and SEND Network. SEND is how my church originally got connected to the Boston area.

Yesterday, I received an email with the subject line "Send Network Essence Video". Sounded cool enough and it was only five minutes ... so I watched. I got chills as I realized the video was about several church planters in Boston.

"The church is not a building, it's not a program, it's a people. It's not something you attend, it's something you are." - Charlie Dunn, HUB Church

The video includes Tanner Turley, the pastor of Redemption Hill Church which is one of the plants that our church has helped support.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." --John 13:34-35

"When people are working together as brothers & sisters in Christ in a city, the gospel moves forward in that city and all across North America."

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Prayer Prompt:
Pray for all of the church planters in the greater Boston area - for their families, for their faith, for their congregations...pray that they would love each other well, love the community well and let the light of the gospel shine through their actions.

shouts of joy...

I walked into church to find another guest pastor...it'd been a few weeks and keeping it real...I was ready to have my guys back. We had settled into a nice rotation of Andrew, Matthew & David. I was good.

Then this guy comes up on stage and I realize he is THE guy from SEND: Boston...I don't know what his fancy title is (my jaw was probably hanging open and I forgot to write it down). This guy....Boston is his calling...Boston is his mission field. He is over the part of NAMB that led our church to partner with church plants in Boston. 

And then he started his sermon...wanna guess what it was about??? JOY. Here we are... two weeks from wrapping up the year and this guy drops a big ole joy-bomb of a sermon. (sidenote: my word choice was confirmed by a joy-themed sermon at the beginning of the year, as well...a nice "joy-sandwich").

This sermon was amazing. awesome. It spoke straight to my heart. Psalm 126. I couldn't write fast enough. It was a sermon of Twitter-material...one good nugget of TRUTH after another.

David Butler shared with us that even though our culture is crushing and demanding, there is a hunger for joy. It is something that seems elusive to most.

Joy should be MOVING TOWARD, not running away from, something. 

He explained the happiness paradox >> Your search for happiness is the motivation behind all that you do BUT you will never be happy if the goal of your life is to be happy. #truthbomb Joy surprises you. You can't FIND joy. Joy finds you...WHEN GOD INTERVENES.

JOY IS GOD AT WORK. While we are waiting, God is working and in due time, God will come through.

JOY doesn't come from the outside in, it overflows from within. Joy is a constant, consistent, persistent sense of well-being. (I love this because it aptly explains how I feel or sense joy...something that is very difficult to articulate).

And the best part... when you life is FULL OF JOY, it is contagious. Yes.

But the TEST of authentic joy is whether it can withstand suffering. And ultimately... suffering produces joy...a truth that is not one we often want to embrace. In the suffering, let the realities push us into Him. God will fill our lives with an inner gladness that doesn't make any sense.

The source of your joy will determine the duration of your joy.

IN THE END, JOY WILL WIN.
IF JOY HAS NOT WON, IT IS NOT THE END.

>>>Disclaimer... 99% of these words are not mine. These are my notes from David Butler's sermon! God gets all the glory for relaying a phenomenal message through him.<<<

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them." The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. --Psalm 126

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Prayer Prompt:
Pray for someone you know, maybe even yourself, that is in a time of suffering... pray that they find the joy in the pain that only God can bring.

press on...

i'm going back to boston.

#onlyGod

it is crazy for me to look back on the year that it took me to get from "hmmm...what is this boston nonsense stirring in me?" to actually going... and then boom, just like that...i'm going back three months later. it would be unbelievable, except that it's God. so, it's not unbelievable.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:14

so here's the story....

my friend michelle (not to be confused with my sister michelle) is an RN and went back to school to be a Nurse Practitioner. this was all online, but her school is physically in Boston. and she has to go there. but...she broke her leg running (not cool. seriously not cool.)

michelle asked if maybe anyone in our small group would be interested in joining her in Boston to help her maneuver the city with a wheelchair/walker.... um, yes please.

so fast forward. thursday, me and another friend, missi, are headed to boston with michelle.

the last time God sent me to Boston...He sent me with a bunch of teenagers i didn't know and SO FAR out of my comfort zone.

this time He is sending me with two beautiful women that i love...but with a wheelchair and some cold weather and i might be just as nervous, or dare i say...more nervous than last time?

random note: while we were in boston on the youth mission trip, we had daily devotionals that took us through the book of philippians. our student pastor chose this intentionally because it was both relevant and he knew we were going to have a series at church taking us through the book. and that's exactly what we've been going through the last 9 weeks. i will miss the last sermon this sunday, while in boston. the two trips were "book-ended" with the book of philippians. cool.

i will say this...i still have NO CLUE what God has in store for me and Boston. the last trip was such a blessing in so many ways...and honestly, none of them were truly about the city...but the city got me there. and now i go back...so maybe it's NOT the city...but the city is a path to lead me where He wants me to go. i don't know. but i can honestly say that where i struggle to be patient and wait on Him...but with Boston, i am ok. just waiting and following and taking the next step that He puts there.

i can say for sure, that the thought of Boston still makes my heart skip a beat...and as long as that keeps happening, i'll keep going.

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Prayer Prompt: 
- safe travels on Thursday to Boston for me, Michelle and Missi.
- comfort and excitement as we maneuver a strange city in a strange way
- and maybe good weather (the forecast is not promising)

bodies as a living sacrifice...

On August 12, I was perusing the world wide web in an attempt to find out more options for purchasing high-quality, ethically-made clothing. (For what it's worth, this perusing has happened many times and I end up confused and overwhelmed and quit).

In my hunt, I came across a company called Tracksmith, which makes athletic clothing (specifically for running). I didn't buy any clothing from them, but I ran across this little book on their site.

It is called "To Boston with Love" and is the story of the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, Bobbi Gibb. (Spoiler alert: she had to sneak into the race dressed as a man because they wouldn't allow women to enter).

 It's a short little book, but it was beautifully done and I will treasure it always. (I put it on this easel in my entryway to take the photo several weeks ago, but decided to leave it on display there.)

Look at that typography. So cool. And the story is inspiring. And what an amazing woman she is...literally changing the world for women runners.

By the way, it wasn't until I revisited their site later that I realized that this company is actually IN Boston. Go figure.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. - Romans 12:1

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Prayer Prompt:
Pray for healthy bodies... for those that care for their bodies, that they be protected. For those that do not care for their bodies, that they feel compelled to start treating it like the temple and gift that it is. And for those of us that are stuck somewhere in the middle, pray for both.

the Lord is not slow...

i've been back from boston for two weeks now.

the first week was weird but things are feeling back to normal again now.

with this being my first mission trip, i wasn't expecting that time of adjustment afterwards.    

after seven straight days of focused intentionality, it just felt odd to return to normal life.

every day began with personal devotion time. we met as a group and had a short discussion about the day ahead with some scripture and prayer. we spent our days serving and prayer was constantly laced through our activity. in the evenings, we gathered together with worship music followed by a lesson about living life on mission.

and then i came home.

on top of that, i spent every waking moment for seven days with the same 16 people (and particularly the three other people in my room). this was not nearly as hard as i expected it was going to be.

and then i came home.

and i kind of missed them.

and i still do.

this trip was amazing. everything i expected and so much more. i've been a little overwhelmed about how i want to document it. i chicken scratched some notes and such right away...things i want to make sure i don't forget...because my memory is just down right horrible.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any of us should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
- 2 Peter 3:9

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Prayer Prompt:

A few of the students are headed off to college this week...pray that they have a smooth transition, that they lean in to God if they get lonely or overwhelmed, and that they be a light on their campus.

Count others as more significant...

Not long after returning from Boston, I was working from home one day. There was a knock at the door. A neighbor from down the street that I knew but she had never been to my home.

Her and her husband are former Bostonians. Knowing that we had some Red Sox fans in the house, she dropped off this awesome print of Fenway. It's even signed by the artist. So incredibly sweet and thoughtful.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5

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Prayer Prompt:
Pray for my sweet neighbors and their health and hearts. Pray that more people could be so thoughtful and kind. Maybe even pray that you will more easily think of others (I know I personally need this prayer).

let your light shine...

day two of trip one.
wednesday.

we spent the first six nights of our trip at a best western in dartmouth. the girls slept four to a room and i'm not gonna lie...i was a teensy bit worried about that. but...(spoiler alert)...it was fine. and dare i say, i actually enjoyed it???

our youth pastor and fearless leader, david bennett, had put together devotional booklets for all of us to use during the trip. i love this. we went through the book of philippians. our mornings had later starts, allowing for breakfast, workouts, bible study, etc.

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  - Philippians 1:12-14

this morning i prayed that our group would have a manner of life worthy of the gospel of Christ (Phil 1:27)

we began our day together as a group with a meeting at the Hartis home. this was our more official introduction to Chad, Jodi and Brayden. they were such gracious hosts and welcomed us into their home multiple times throughout the week. 

Chad was captivating. as he poured out his heart to us, it was so obvious that he has a sincere love for the Lord and a willingness to follow. he gave us an introduction to the area and how they ended up there.

they saw that the new england area had some of the lowest percentages of evangelical christians. 3% in that region versus the 27% in NC where they are from. 

they also had a heart for college ministry which pushed them to the town of dartmouth because of UMass Dartmouth. the town has 35K people and 3 evangelical churches. 300 people on any given sunday attend those.

the Hartis family has been in dartmouth for a couple of years...they moved when their son, brayden, was a baby. in september of 2015 they officially launched South Coast Community Church. their desire is to be a church that plants other churches; that raises up leaders and sends them.

Chad's words were so encouraging, especially to someone like me that had never been on any type of mission trip. he affirmed that we were there to just be a light in a dark community.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a blanket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. -Matthew 5:14-16

he reassured us that people in that area are curious and hungry and eager to learn...but slow to respond. many have never heard the gospel. ever.

horribly awkward selfie of me that i only share because alex & lexi were complete awesome sauce. 

after lunch, we split into groups and headed out on our first real "assignment." we were dropped off in neighborhoods - chaperones paired with students - and we hand delivered flyers about the family fun night that south coast would be hosting that saturday. 

my job, as a chaperone, was to set a good example of how to do this and then let the students really "own it". this is one of those moments when i'm like "so, this seemed like a good idea when i signed up but not so much. i'm out. peace." but i didn't bail. and not only did i survive...but it was fun. what? what? 

My word of the year is JOY...and I live near CHARLOTTE. cool, right? 

here's a little secret...the people of Boston are not "obnoxious yankees". they are actually really nice people. yeah, we met some resistant folks...but mostly they were just good ole fashioned nice peeps. 

and the students? oh man. these kids are amazing. the leaders lead humbly. the quiet ones talked. the shy ones stepped out in faith. the talkative ones listened. y'all...these kids. i can't even. 

Josh, Katie & Alexus

it was a long day (or um...maybe half day). it was hot. really hot. but there may have been drinks from target as a little reward.

and there was dinner. i'm going to be honest. i've never traveled on a "church budget" before. this was new to me...and ended up being so adorably awesome. we had a full-on fajita bar...in the breakfast room of the hotel. it was pretty cool. i'd love to say i cooked, but let's be real people. i scavenged their stock room for the right containers and i chopped. stick with your gifts, right?

chef cavin

after dinner, we had an evening meeting back at the Hartis home...with worship music. be still my heart. josh played the guitar. david played some instrument he sits on (sorry, i sincerely don't know what this thing is called). and we all sang, praising the Lord and his awesomeness.

we debriefed from our day and talked about living life on mission...not on a mission trip, but daily life on mission. we are to present ourselves as a living sacrifice, in light of what Christ has done for us. look at life through a "gospel lens" and take advantage of the opportunities that God gives you.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. -Romans 12:1

Everyone we meet is someone that God loves dearly. #truthbomb 

and then we went back to the hotel and...the vibe changed. matthew taught us a game called silent football...this ended up being "the thing" for the week...it was intense. and hilarious. and totally too complicated to explain here. but the look on matthew's face in the photo below pretty much nails it. 

i don't remember what time i went to bed that night...but i know it was with a smile on my face and a full heart....

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Prayer Request:
Pray that our group would continue to stand firm in one Spirit, side-by-side, for the gospel.

Soundtrack: 
when i study The Word, music often comes to mind where scripture is included. on this morning, i made a note while diving into Philippians 1 --- Passion's "Let It Be Jesus".

Let It Be Jesus - Passion