I was asked by someone to explain what I am preparing to do on the World Race and what I expect/believe I will bring to it. Here are some thoughts:
"Ever since I was a little girl, I've felt called to love people.During my time here at Bethany God has stretched, kneaded, and grown my heart with a passion for the nations overseas. With Christian Counseling at the core of my studies, I hope to one day offer healing, and restoration services by the power of the Holy Spirit, to men and women hurting and chained overseas as a result of the sex trade. I discovered the World Race during my internship and it is my heart's desire to serve in this endeavor with all that I am. The basic premise of the World Race involves ministering for 11 months in 11 different countries. Starting this July, for the next year of my life, I will be living completely out of a backpack - sleeping in a tent or hostel with 6-7 teammates - living among the native people of various lands, and loving them at the point of their need in Jesus' name. My July 2010 team will be working with issues such as AIDS education, orphan outreach, human-trafficking, and gypsy outreach. I view this adventure as somewhat of a "mission buffet" through which the Lord is preparing to expose my heart to a variety of people groups, in a variety of conditions, cultures and circumstances, to LOVE until it hurts and to keep on loving. I believe my heart is going to be forever changed as I see the love of Christ permeate through language barriers, living conditions, and seemingly hopeless, dark places. I believe God is raising up an army of worshipers in my generation, awakening people to run to the battlefield - and in losing our lives to Him in worship - to truly find LIFE!"
A few extra details:
-So far I have 27% of my support raised (roughly $4,000 of $15,000 needed - this covers ALL expenses - travel, insurance, visas, etc.)
-We currently know 6/11 countries - as the July route is a mystery route. We've been given clues from time to time to research in order to discover what country we will be serving in.
1) The Dominican Republic (July)
2) Haiti (August)
3) Mozambique
4) Cambodia
5) Romania
6) Turkey
+ 5 others yet to be determined!
*For more information check out: http://christyzbylut.theworldrace.org or http://theworldrace.org.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
a few recent happenings
Night skiing with the family at Big Rock!
Visiting Prince Edward Island and my roommate Sarah!
We made a short & chilly stop at Cavendish Beach.
Visiting Prince Edward Island and my roommate Sarah!
We made a short & chilly stop at Cavendish Beach.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
why I'm going...
Today I happened upon the video God broke my heart with in calling me to the World Race.
I searched and searched in days following my application for the July 2010 race, and now several months later...I found it:
Bless the Lord!
These issues are part of my heart's passion and desire to fight for...the rest of my life.
I searched and searched in days following my application for the July 2010 race, and now several months later...I found it:
Bless the Lord!
These issues are part of my heart's passion and desire to fight for...the rest of my life.
Monday, January 18, 2010
preparing to worship
Worship has been at the forefront of my mind for the last season of time.
Opportunities to praise the Lord and "Bless the Lord at all times" have not been limited - that's for sure.
Each day the mercies of the Lord are new, and He deserves our praise - regardless of our circumstances, feelings, or opinions.
He is always worthy.
I think sometimes that's a difficult concept to grab ahold of and actually implement in our lives.
Surprisingly enough, worship is not just getting together to sing a bunch of songs - worship is to be a LIFESTYLE.
Our worship is to be a part of every breath, glance, thought, movement, and choice throughout our day.
Hum....that's a bit scary. That would mean that when my glances, thoughts, movements, or choices aren't to the glory of God, or offered as a sacrifice of worship to Him -- perhaps sometimes they are tainted? defiled? broken? tattered? downright ugly? bruised? not the best of the best I have to give?
God is a jealous Lover - and His demand is not a portion of our hearts, nor even an element. Rather - His desire is for the whole. C.S. Lewis wrote in his book A Plain Account of Christian Perfection that "it is an absolutely impossibility to be half Christian, for the call and even definition of a true Christian is to be ALL devoted to God, to give Him all my soul, my body, and my substance." Yes, that means everything, even the things that hurt, or we love more than anything else - He wants it all - He wants us all: body, soul, and substance. Wow!
With many 'worship opportunities' on the horizon (and I even hesitate to call them that, because it is my greatest desire that my life flow out of worship to my King, my Lover, my Savior, the One to whom all praise is due) --- In the midst of this season I find myself asking a lot of questions - and really discovering the true power and drive behind my voice and craving to exalt the Lord through music, dance, speaking, teaching, and even laughing. Yes, laughter can be an offering of worship. Why not? "The JOY of the Lord is my strength!" and "He has made me glad! Rejoice!"
Tonight I found a thought that both affirmed some things I have felt led to do in this season of preparation, and also challenged me like a two-by-four in the knee caps, for the sheer temptation to feel shame for not acting on these motivations sooner. The thought, from The Upward Call explains our preparation for worship like this: " The failure to prepare heart and mind and body for worship is to render oneself tone deaf to the things of the Spirit". I have to admit, that one stung a little...but I feel encouraged to press on.
To close these brief thoughts on worship and being wholly prepared to go before the Lord. One of my brothers Elijah shared this song with me a few weeks ago and it has tugged at something in the depths of my heart. God bless!
Opportunities to praise the Lord and "Bless the Lord at all times" have not been limited - that's for sure.
Each day the mercies of the Lord are new, and He deserves our praise - regardless of our circumstances, feelings, or opinions.
He is always worthy.
I think sometimes that's a difficult concept to grab ahold of and actually implement in our lives.
Surprisingly enough, worship is not just getting together to sing a bunch of songs - worship is to be a LIFESTYLE.
Our worship is to be a part of every breath, glance, thought, movement, and choice throughout our day.
Hum....that's a bit scary. That would mean that when my glances, thoughts, movements, or choices aren't to the glory of God, or offered as a sacrifice of worship to Him -- perhaps sometimes they are tainted? defiled? broken? tattered? downright ugly? bruised? not the best of the best I have to give?
God is a jealous Lover - and His demand is not a portion of our hearts, nor even an element. Rather - His desire is for the whole. C.S. Lewis wrote in his book A Plain Account of Christian Perfection that "it is an absolutely impossibility to be half Christian, for the call and even definition of a true Christian is to be ALL devoted to God, to give Him all my soul, my body, and my substance." Yes, that means everything, even the things that hurt, or we love more than anything else - He wants it all - He wants us all: body, soul, and substance. Wow!
With many 'worship opportunities' on the horizon (and I even hesitate to call them that, because it is my greatest desire that my life flow out of worship to my King, my Lover, my Savior, the One to whom all praise is due) --- In the midst of this season I find myself asking a lot of questions - and really discovering the true power and drive behind my voice and craving to exalt the Lord through music, dance, speaking, teaching, and even laughing. Yes, laughter can be an offering of worship. Why not? "The JOY of the Lord is my strength!" and "He has made me glad! Rejoice!"
Tonight I found a thought that both affirmed some things I have felt led to do in this season of preparation, and also challenged me like a two-by-four in the knee caps, for the sheer temptation to feel shame for not acting on these motivations sooner. The thought, from The Upward Call explains our preparation for worship like this: " The failure to prepare heart and mind and body for worship is to render oneself tone deaf to the things of the Spirit". I have to admit, that one stung a little...but I feel encouraged to press on.
To close these brief thoughts on worship and being wholly prepared to go before the Lord. One of my brothers Elijah shared this song with me a few weeks ago and it has tugged at something in the depths of my heart. God bless!
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
silent company
Adventuring through old journals always brings about the inevitable discovery of old thoughts, ponderings, and findings. Here's one from my freshman year of college journal:
"To be silent with another person is a deep expression of trust & confidence and it is only when we are uncomfortable that we feel compelled to talk. To be silent with another person is truly to be with that other person." -John Main
"To be silent with another person is a deep expression of trust & confidence and it is only when we are uncomfortable that we feel compelled to talk. To be silent with another person is truly to be with that other person." -John Main
Sunday, January 03, 2010
"I Surrender" by: Kim Walker
This video so speaks to where my heart is right now:
There is no love, sweeter than the love You pour on me.
There is no song, sweeter than the song You sing to me.
There is no place, that I would rather be,
Than here at Your feet, laying down everything.
All to You, I surrender,
Everything, every part of me.
All to You, I surrender,
All of my dreams, all of me.
If worship's like perfume, I'll pour mine out on You.
For there is none as deserving of my love like You.
So take my hand and draw me into You,
I want to be swept away, lost in love for You.
I surrender...
No turning back, I've made up my mind,
I'm giving all of my life this time.
Your love makes it worth it,
Your love makes it worth it all,
Your love makes it worth it all.
There is no love, sweeter than the love You pour on me.
There is no song, sweeter than the song You sing to me.
There is no place, that I would rather be,
Than here at Your feet, laying down everything.
All to You, I surrender,
Everything, every part of me.
All to You, I surrender,
All of my dreams, all of me.
If worship's like perfume, I'll pour mine out on You.
For there is none as deserving of my love like You.
So take my hand and draw me into You,
I want to be swept away, lost in love for You.
I surrender...
No turning back, I've made up my mind,
I'm giving all of my life this time.
Your love makes it worth it,
Your love makes it worth it all,
Your love makes it worth it all.
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