Following our God-Given Passions

While preparing for a student conference in November, I was looking through some resources that our 100% Sent team created to help students with their transition.  One document is designed to help them identify their passions in order to steer them towards their God-given calling with these questions:

• If you were asked to create a TV special about something that moves you, what would it be about?
• What magazines intrigue you most at a newsstand? What sections or articles most catch your attention?
• If you started a business or organization to solve a need, what would it be? 
• What issue would you like to see someone write a bestselling book about? 
• What biblical passages has God used deeply in your life? 
• How have the passages shaped your view of life and the world?
• What ignites the passion of your life and excites you when you think about doing it for a vocation?
• What rewarding experiences has God given you that may have been preparation for your future?
• How has God used you significantly in the past? 
• What are the things that make you feel the most alive when you participate in them? 
• In what ways do you most enjoy giving yourself away to others? 
• Who are the people you find yourself voluntarily getting together with, again and again, for
  deeper discussions? What are your deepest discussions about? 
• How would you use a gift of a million dollars if it had to be given away to a cause that moves
  you? 
• Is there any need or problem you believe in so strongly that you’d love to work at it full-time?

As you read these questions, you probably noticed some themes.  These may point to some passions in your life.  For me, the recurring theme was modern-day slavery.  At that moment, I felt the Lord say, "What are you doing about it?"  My answer was, "Not much."  A few years ago we had become aware of this atrocity and began supporting International Justice Mission (IJM) financially to help them fight this injustice.  I felt the Lord saying that He had put this passion on my heart and I needed to act on it, so I began praying about how I could practically get involved.

About a week later, a local organization, Florida Abolitionist (FA), held a movie screening about sex slavery called Nefarious.  I learned even more about the evil that is modern-day slavery and met the founder of FA.  I told him about my passion to get involved right away so he invited me to join him on a "street outreach" the next day.  We went to an area of town that is known for prostitution and talked with hotel managers to raise their awareness of the situation and gave them information about who to contact if they saw anything suspicious.  I was diving in head first, it was overwhelming but great and I learned a lot that day.

Since then, I have been able to remain involved with FA and have been working to launch a justice movement at our church.  In the fall, I'm also going to begin working with the partnership Cru has with IJM to help launch justice movements on campuses and incorporate 100% Sent by helping graduates with this passion connect to local opportunities.

Through the process, the Lord has opened my eyes greatly to His heart.  I see His desire for justice and mercy as he displayed both when Jesus took the penalty of our sin and set us free from our captivity on the cross.  I see His love for the "least of these" as we follow Jesus' lead in not only proclaiming the gospel but demonstrating it through acts of love to those in need.  The good news is more than a message, it is tangible as God's Kingdom comes to earth.  Jesus has set me free and is calling me to set others free, both physically and spiritually.

Maybe the same questions that have uncovered this passion in my life will help you.  What are you passionate about???

Joseph and Tara's Story

In our prayer letter this month, we shared briefly about Joseph and Tara.  When we asked them, "What has helped you develop a lifestyle of making Christ known to others?" This was Joseph's full response.  It is well worth the read...

There are three big big things that helped push Tara and I in this direction, and lots of small things.  The three main things are 1) summer project, 2) costly sacrifice, and 3) community.  Regarding summer project... it served as a shock to our system in some ways.  We were both at different but similar places in our faith before spending a month in Seattle with Here's Life Inner City.  For me... I grew up Catholic and had good morals and values... when I was in college I was a part of Cru bible studies, and went on the retreat each semester.  Even though I enjoyed all that, the people I knew from Cru were not my primary group of friends.  I always found evangelism awkward.  Knocking on doors, etc.  But now I know there's a simple reason why I was uncomfortable sharing the gospel... I didn't really believe it.  Which (when I act this way) is the same reason, to some extent, why there are still lots of moments I find it difficult to talk about Jesus or lack the courage to be bold even now.

So when I went on summer project, and was confronted with homelessness, addiction, violent criminals, and prisoners.... many of whom loved and trusted in Jesus... I began to wonder why/how they could do that?  You see... for me, it was harder to see that I had nothing when I felt like I had everything.  It's easier for someone who's lost everything.... who's at their bottom... to cling to Jesus... because he's literally all they have.  So then the gospel began to be more real to me.  I started to see my own addictions and crimes in theirs.  Sure, mine looked different, and had far different earthly consequences, but from what I had been reading about the God of grace in my bible, my transgressions looked pretty bad.  My sin still separated me from God no matter how good or bad things looked in comparison to others.  Yet, he still loved me.  Still wanted to commune with me. Still wanted to change me.  So on project I said a little prayer while I was on a run... "Jesus... just in case you didn't know already... I'm 100% yours... I want you to be Lord of my life."  And then my eyes were really opened and I felt a freedom that comes from the Holy Spirit... knowing I was free from the confines of this world, adored by the Creator, awaiting an eternal future together.  And that is an INCREDIBLE feeling!  It will give you power to do anything!  Least of all... tell other people about it!  So I found a new boldness and courage in telling others about Jesus, because I wanted them to experience what I had experienced.

It doesn't have to be a summer project.  But taking a month or two to be intentional and pushed outside of your comfort zone for the sake of the Gospel is a tremendously valuable experience.

So when I left summer project, I was forever changed.  I was never going to be able to go back to my old life, dual identities, turning on and off God's influence in my life when I found convenient.  Well this had a profound affect on the relationship with my then-girlfriend... of 5, yes FIVE years.  I really did love and care for this girl, but I knew by the conviction of the Spirit, and a lot of common sense, that we were not headed in the same direction.  I had heard some stuff about being unequally yoked (best case scenario in this situation) and marrying unbelievers (worst case).  This girl and I talked a lot about it, but it was clear we were not on the same page spiritually.  Our breakup was very, very painful.  And there was no reason we broke up other than because I loved Jesus and thought he knew what was best for me, and she didn't.  That was it.  She's an awesome girl, and I pray Jesus meets her the way he met me.  But when you lose something or someone... for Jesus, you better make sure he's the real deal.  You have to make sure you know what you're getting into, otherwise, you're just crazy.  When I made the decision to be more obedient, and cut out some major sinful areas in my life, Jesus met me.  He gave me an unbelievable peace after a while, and life was newly vigorous.  So I found a new boldness and courage in telling others about Jesus, because I wanted them to experience what I had experienced.

So summer project was the catalyst, breaking up with my girlfriend was the first "real" thing (or sacrifice) I can remember doing as a Christian (the answer to the question, 'does my life look different because I follow Jesus than if I'm not?')... and community is the thing that makes it possible to keep going.  I don't have an answer to how communities are formed.  Some people rally around a church, some people at work, others sports, or school, or whatever... there are a hundred ways.  For Tara and me, we feel extremely blessed to be a part of a group of people (most of whom we know from church, but as time has gone on, various different places) in Philadelphia who are committed to being sanctified by the gospel and sharing the gospel with others.  (Side note: It is really messy as I'm sure you know.  We hurt each other, we confess and ask for forgiveness... then we do it right over again.  I've seen this in my marriage too... I just try to focus on being as good and quick a reconciler as I can!) I don't know how we all found each other.  Living in the city helps... for one, we're all right on top of one another.  I have about 30-40 really good friends who live within five or six blocks of here (five minute walk).  We know a lot more about each other's schedules, jobs, what we do for fun, what we do on the weekends vs the weekday, etc etc.  Tara went back to school after summer project, and she experienced great community there as well, biking to friends houses, living proximate to each other.  So it doesn't have to be unique to Philadelphia, or even cities in general, but you do have to try so much harder in places where you are more spread out.  In the city we're also confronted with the urgency of the gospel because, as I mentioned before, things are a little more raw down here.... homeless people, drugs, crime, etc.  It's easier to see the need people have for Christ every day.  And knowing and understanding that that is true of everyone (according to the bible, and real life confirms this!) compels us to take this need to our workplaces as well -- despite the fact it is definitely not as clear that people need Jesus there.  It's the same problem I had before I went on summer project... I thought I had everything, so why would I need Jesus?  I am so infuriated with my sins that are hidden because of the time, place, and class I was born into.  Wealth blinds.  Jesus talks about it.  I don't want that for my friends and coworkers.  And I found that the Christians in my community didn't want that either!  They were encouraging and challenging me to love freely and be a good ambassador of the gospel.  So I found a new boldness and courage in telling others about Jesus, because I wanted them to experience what I had experienced.  And it repeats because I see other Christians do it.  And because they're my friends and I do life with them, we all just end up doing it together.

Sorry this is so lengthy, and in sort of a narrative format, but I figure it's probably easier to read a story than almost any other literary form.  I hope it sheds some light on how we got to the point we're at.  For Tara and me, we feel like we have such a long long life ahead of us of loving others for the sake of the gospel.  Our savior's sacrifice was so costly that we could never imitate it perfectly on this earth.  Luckily for us he doesn't call us to that, and we know we'll never be more or less loved or approved by Him than we are right now.  Gosh, that grace compels us to want to live more sacrificially, and the torment of our sin getting in the way of that makes us ache and groan for heaven.  I'm going off on a tangent now....

"We'll never be more or less loved or approved by Him than we are right now."  May we share this incredible love with those around us. 

April Prayer Letter - I'm 100% Yours

This month our prayer letter is taking on a new look!  We wanted it to match our blog and our heart to share the messiness of life with our partners as we seek the face of our Beautiful Christ.  This month, we're excited to introduce you to Joseph and Tara, an amazing couple that live for Jesus daily.  Hear about what God did in their lives to help them begin this lifestyle here.  Also, read the post above to see their full story.  It's worth the read!

Also, in order to increase the ways of communicating with one another we've created a Facebook Group, Pippin's Beautiful Mess, please join it here and you can now follow us on Twitter too!

How Different Can 2 Kids Be?

I am an only child.  Enough said . . . along with that come connotations (sometimes) of a selfish and spoiled kid.  Am I those things?  Sure, I can be.  Being the mother of siblings, there are many things that take me by surprise.  One, for instance, is how different 2 kids can be. 

Let's take Aiden to start with.  Aiden is Mr.-Rule-Follower.  He has always been good and compliant.  Is this a result of awesome parenting?  No!  If we are going  by the nature vs. nurture philosophies, I give all the credit to nature.  What I didn't realize lately is how similar Aiden and I are (with the exception of rule follower.  I am a rule breaker.)  I am a chart-making, to-do list writing, schedule-oriented kind of gal.  Take a look at what Aiden made before our spring break trip to the beach last week . . .

He just came to me the day before we left, and said, "Mommy, I want to make a chart about the next few days."  After I picked my jaw off the floor, I said "ok" and laughed out loud.  As soon as we got to our hotel at the beach, he started unpacking his suitcase and putting his clothes away.  He's a born 40 year old.  He is just wired that way.  He can also be rowdy and have fun with the best of them.  Here he is playing in the ocean.

Having a little rule-follower first left me ill prepared for kiddo #2, our sweet girl, Addy.  She is just the opposite.  My little butterfly chaser.  If point A is the floor and point B is the bathroom, I guarantee you she will find 17 obstacles in between.  I have to allow extra time for EVERYTHING so she can put her baby dolls to bed, pick up 6 books to look at on the potty or try on each and every princess dress.  I love these things about her, but when we need to go somewhere, mommy gets a little unbalanced . . . Here's my sweet girl doing what she does best, playing and wandering.

I wouldn't trade either of them, even though they drive me up the wall in their respective ways sometimes.  They are sweet!  Here are a couple of other pics of our time at the beach . . .

Loving Your Neighbor

What does it look like for a graduating Cru student to love his or her neighbors?  We're working with Apartment Life to help train and equip our graduates to do just that in apartment complexes across the country.  Learn more about this exciting partnership as well as see what Aiden says he will be doing when he turns 100 in our March prayer letter here.  Thanks so much for your prayers!

Fun with a Vacuum

Living far away from our families can be very sad, but one happy thing is getting fun packages in the mail around holidays.  And what is sometimes more fun than the presents . . . the packing materials.  After a particularly fun morning involving a box and building a fort from styrofoam pieces, my sweet Aiden saw me pull out the vacuum cleaner, and he wanted to do the vacuuming.  The kink in this otherwise brilliant plan is that he wanted to do the whole thing with the hose part instead of the regular vacuum sucker-upper-thingy.  It took quite a while, but I was HAPPY to have him do it.  I had to commemorate this occasion with a video to remind him when he's 16 that he USED to want to help me!

Where to Begin?

So, it's been a long time . . . My mom was recently visiting us and said everybody is wondering when you're going to do another blog post.  I think by "everybody" she probably means herself and Blair's mom :) but even if those are the only 2 readers ... here goes!

Lots and lots has happened, but I figured it would just be easier to start out where we are now.  That way I don't feel so overwhelmed to the point where I will never post again!  We've had a couple of birthdays (mine and Blair's), field day at school, and a Kindergarten performance of "On the Farm."  So, that's where I'll start. 

One of my fun birthday activities was dinner out with my sweet family.  I could not resist making a video of sweet Addy singing "Happy Birthday."  I will forever remember that her 1st version of the song was pronounced something along the lines of "atta bert day to youuuuuu."  I'm biased, but it's adorable.  I hope you can somewhat hear her version here . . .

Lastly, this past Tuesday I went to school to help out with Aiden's field day.  I figured it would be like a friend of mine described Kindergarten in general to me as "herding cats."  It was a little like that, but his teacher is GREAT, so not too crazy.  I was impressed with how far field days have come since I was in school.  The whole day had an Alice in Wonderland theme and every game had something to do with that story.  Here is a pic of Aiden at the water game station.  Not too sure what it had to do with the story, but it was THE hit with the kids.

 I had one more video to post and somehow couldn't get it to upload, so I'll do another quick post to show you . . .