The Adventure Called Life Day 257...streams of living water...

In John 4, Jesus and his disciples have been making a long journey. They stop outside of Sychar by the Jacob's well. The disciples continue on to get Jesus some food for lunch, and Jesus sits down at the well. A samaritan woman comes to the well. Now, Samaritans and Jews are not on speaking let alone coexisting terms. They have been enemies for years. Jews think that Samaritans are worth less because they are only part Jew and not full Jew like themselves.

He asks her for a drink. Jesus then calls the woman out about her past. He asks her to go get her husband, knowing full well that she doesn't have one now and has had five. Think of the pain and the emotional turmoil going on inside this woman. Why did Jesus point this out? Why did he talked to the woman. Then he says something that has grabbed a hold of my heart...

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:14


In John 7:38 Jesus says something similar," He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,"

The samaritan woman returns to town without her water jar, and brings back people to witness Jesus who has claimed to be the messiah. They believe him and beg him to stay, so he does for a couple of days.

I wonder if the people really grabbed a hold of what Jesus had said, that if we choose him, if we choose to drink of Jesus, then we will flow with living water out to those around us. How exciting and uplifting is that? It is also challenging, how do we empty ourselves so that the Holy Spirit may dwell within us and well up and out of us? I would venture that God's help would be the answer, that we need to surrender to his will for our lives in every aspect, even the everyday mundane things can be full of the Holy Spirit if we allow ourselves to be emptied of the world and filled with living water...

cm

The Adventure Called LIfe Day 257...awaken...

In three weeks we are going to be going as a well spring team on Righteous Mission withe Clarkston United Methodist Church to Indianapolis, Indiana. I am so excited! God has been preparing and moving in the planning of this mission already. It sounds awesome. Tonight we went to meet the kids and play for 611 their youth gathering. Then we broke off into small groups and had discussion.

I had a great discussion with Marc, Marrissa and five other guys in the group. We talked about what it meant to truly awaken ourselves to the miracle of everyday life. That every breath, every bodily function is an absolute miracle. How blessed we are that Almighty God sustains our life!

Awaken is the theme this year. I'm stoked about that. I am ready to be challenged, to be stretched, to grow in ways that I never thought possible. I am so excited to experience God firsthand as we partner with him in what he is already doing in Indy. So exciting, and such a blessing!

tomorrow I am going to see Zachariah. pray that it goes well. There are some heavy things on both of our minds and I would love if you guys would cover us in prayer. thank you.

cm

The Adventure Called Life Day 256...returning home with full hearts...

returning home with full hearts

Happy Saturday everyone. Well Spring Team 2 has made it through their first week of camp! Praise the Lord! None of us got extremely hurt, sick (at least for very long) and we have some awesome testimonies about what the Lord has done and is doing in the lives of the campers, staff and our own. I have been extremely blessed by the support of the staff, coming down with strep throat has really taught me to ask for help, don’t be ashamed of leaning on others for support. That’s what I would like to do for others, why wouldn’t I do that in return? 

We are on the road, before 10am, and Its amazing to me that we are going to drive seven hours today. We did it last saturday, and it wasn’t bad, then again I was asleep for most of it. I am looking forward to this time around where I will be awake. There is also a bonus, I do get to go see Zachariah tonight! :) super excited for that, but I am also excited to hear stories about this first camp, how it has impacted our newbies and how the veterans are being encouraged by such a blessed week! 

For some reason, the first camp of the summer is always special. Last summer it was the same, the people, the campers, the experience is just special. I think it might be our attitude, how we are so intentional about not having expectations when we go into this first camp. I wonder how we can keep that, the lack of expectation, except the expectation that God will show up.

Lord,

I pray that you will keep our attitude aligned with yours. Help us to always aim to serve and not be served, to love and understand rather than be understood. I am so thankful and I praise you for this week at Durley. What a blessing it has been to be used by you! I pray for the staff that you would refresh them and revive them so they can continue to serve you. I thank you for the campers and ask that you continue to bless them and keep them close to you Father. Thank you. I love you.

In Jesus’ name

Amen

We return to Spring Arbor today, then tomorrow we go to Clarkston to play for and begin our relationship with the youth group. Later this summer we are going on a mission trip with them to Indianapolis, Indiana. Pray that we would be empty of ourselves, full of the Holy Spirit, and full of gentleness, love and grace. Amen! 

cm

The Adventure Called Life Day 255...parachutes, campus adventure, and silly cup games...

Today has been glorious in Greenville. First I hung out with the Preschoolers and made sandcastles on the volleyball court. Then we played parachute games for the family activity. I really love watching the little kids laugh and play. It blesses my heart to see them use their imaginations and have fun...

I am out with Rachel, Liz and Stephanie at yet another coffee shop, but first we visited Greenville and walked around campus, I really love coffee shops. I don't think I'll get anything to drink today, maybe a vitamin water for the road :) but I think that shall be a great idea...

When we return to camp I'm heading to the waterfront to hang out and help Sarah with the canoes and paddle boats. LIfe is great. We're playing music for Jesus, serving Jesus and kids during the day and doing it all the time. I love it. Praise the Lord for such an opportunity like this!

oh, at lunch today I played "the cup game." Its something I haven't played since grade school. I learned that game in the fifth grade! That is eleven years ago! I was ten! now i'm 21! its crazy!! but I love it! I was so happy that I had that skill to play with the girls and learn the song that went along with it because I already new the game...awesome stuff!

Lord,
continue to strengthen us as we continue on this journey. I thank and praise you for all the provisions you have given us along the way. I love you!
in Jesus Name,
Amen

cm

ps....I hope to post a couple of posts about the sermon series Pastor Sloan has done this week at camp, He has had some great points that I would love to share with you guys!! later...