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Showing posts from October, 2014

Abide: to dwell

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 John 15:1-13 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3  Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5  I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6  If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7  If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8  By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10  If

tengo gozo en mi corazón

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I have Joy in my heart. My fruit for today has been Joy. I have had so many beautiful things happen today and I have definitely had the joy of the Lord. Seeing God move in the people around me, being encouraged, encouraging others, new beginnings! I have found in much of my time in missions and being in some crazy situations, joy is something we need to choose. It can not be determined by situation, by how good things are. Also, there is a difference between just being happy and joy. I can be struggling with many things but still have a joy that says "my struggle is big, my God is bigger!". Don't let the enemy steal your joy using lies, confusion, discouragement, fear, or loneliness. Ask God for Joy!! Who can you encourage today? Who can you have a good laugh with? Has God ever made you laugh?? hmmmm :) Joy.

Where is the Fruit?

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My Church has been looking into the fruit of the Spirit talked about in Galatians 5. As a response, the youth group girls in my small group wanted to challenge themselves by focusing on a different fruit every day. Because we have the Holy Spirit, these things can genuinely flow from our lives!! So here they are: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. So today, Love!! 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7  " Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.   It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.   Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.   It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (NIV) Because God IS Love, I love reading this a second time replacing "Love" with God.  God is Patient, God is kind. . . . . . . He is so good!!  Challenge yourself to think about w

Michigan is the Boss when it comes to Fall

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Give thanks!!

I have found in situation after situation that giving thanks to God is more then a nice thing or something I have to do. It renews your mind, gives you new perspective and is a perfect soil for God to work with. Countless times I have been in situations where I don't feel hopeful or joyful. We don't always have to have a smile on our faces of course, that is not what God is asking for. However, dwelling in hopelessness is not ok either. So in times where I feel discouraged I try to proclaim who God is, and be thankful. Actually speaking out the truth and reminding myself what God has done and is doing. Also, proclaiming His promises. What He wants to do. What is heaven saying!! Who does God say you are? We can determine reality. We can change things. God has more for you.  I remember coming home from Peru when I was in Australia the first time, I was discouraged. I had an amazing experience as a whole, but current hardships were blinding me from hope. I was culture shocked,

Opp Shop till you Drop.

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US thrift shop, dress under $10 From an Opp Shop in Japan Opp Shopping, thrift stores, second hand, rummage sale, call it what you will. this week I went opp shopping and after experiencing the second hand shops around the world, I must say the US shops met my expectations.  I don' know if it is our current culture, my lack of finances, or my realizing that i don't mind where my clothes come from that drove me to begin loving the second hand. I know you cannot always find what you are looking for, but if you are like me and are happy to spend the time to look, you can find some legit options!! Skirt from Australian Opp Shop  So  find the shops around you, rummage sales, or friends with clothes they are no longer wanting! I miss living with heaps of other girls and their clothes!! So I guess the opp shop will have to be the answer to my winter coming and sweaters needed situation. Also, it is a great place to look for books, dishes, purses, and heaps of othe

Steady Heart

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Another Beautiful song that inspires me forward!! I love what God is doing in Bethel. So amazing! listen to Steady Heart!! Steffany Frizzell-Gretzinger and Amanda Cook I can't see What's in front of me Still I will trust You Still I will trust You Steady heart that keeps on going Steady love that keeps on holding Lead me on Steady grace that keeps forgiving Steady faith that keeps believing Lead me on Though the sky is dark And the wind is wild You'll never leave me You'll never leave me Though the night is long There is a coming dawn The light is breaking The light is breaking Steady heart that keeps on going Steady love that keeps on holding Lead me on Steady grace that keeps forgiving Steady faith that keeps believing Lead me on And as the dawn breaks And the clouds clear In an open space Together we will run

Tital Wave

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 It is amazing how sometimes you just have to stop trying so hard and then God shows you He understands and that there is hope!! I woke up the other day feeling like I just need a break from feeling like I have to figure it out and then this Owl City song, tidal wave, started playing. Some of the lyrics felt like my heart wrote them. I forget the last time I felt brave, I just recall insecurity Cause it came down like a tidal wave, and sorrow swept over me Then I was given grace and love, I was blind but now I can see Cause I found a new hope from above, and courage swept over me It hurts just to wake up, whenever you're wearing thin Alone on the outside, so tired of looking in The end is uncertain and I've never been so afraid But I don't need a telescope to see that there's hope And that makes me feel brave God has a plan and He sees my heart. I am thankful He doesn't stop there though! He say I see where you are and I meet you there, but I see

Under Pressure

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So this morning I was thinking more about where I am in my life journey right now and I found myself needing to revisit James 1 in the bible. God showed me this passage when I first came here 3 weeks ago. this season is challenging for me, and I need wisdom from God. Something I love from this passage is how God invites us asking for help and is so happy to meet us there. Have you ever not asked for help because you felt insecure? I know I can go to God and He doesn't look at me differently or like I am unintelligent. He isn't annoyed. So the best thing is to be honest with Him.  Also, So much goodness will come out of this time of testing. I have hope!! He is with me and I can trust that this is where I am meant to be even when some days I definitely don't feel like that.   The Message James 1: 2-8  Faith Under Pressure 2-4  Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life

Chapter Fifteen

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After coming home from Australia and finding I had a lot more time on my hands, I knew it was a chance to do some reading for fun. When I was younger my family would listen to the Chronicles of Narnia on tape when we went driving. Now that I am older and realize how profound C.S. Lewis actually is, I chose to start with the Magician's Nephew. I finished it this week and at reading Chapter 15's title I can see God encouraging me again. I just finished my Story in Brisbane and now it is the beginning of all the others. So In my season here in Michigan, i am not sure what it will look like, or where to next. But God's timing is perfect. So one day at a time and each one holds promises of getting to know Him more. Oh, I enjoyed the book and it reminds me of the wonder and awe of God. Also, how sometimes He asks us to do things and it doesn't make sense. However, our obedience and faithfulness allows Him to open new doors. He sees what we cannot and is so full of Grace fo

MAKE OVER!!!!

Hey People! My Blog is getting a make over. I have been using my blog Lindsey Burton - YWAM Brisbane to update the world on my adventures as a missionary in Australia. Now I am back in the states as you may know, and praying into the next step. In seeking God I feel He is telling me to not let the last few years fade out as I go forwards, but to go deep and really remember the stories of fun, risk, challenge, faithfulness, and every other adjective there is. So I re-named my blog to "Oceans Calling". God gave me the idea when processing how I not only love the sea, but how my relationship with God looks a lot like the ocean. He brought me out of shallow living into a place of depth with Him. I want to share more personally as well as share what God is doing in my life now. Also, I want to enjoy sharing with you more of the things I love and have some fun. I am not sure if I will become the die-hard blogger of today, but lets see what happens. Lindsey