hannah faith.

another blog.

2009-01-27T23:21:00.001+11:00

just made a new blogspot for all things me and ashley.
i will be keeping this one for my own writings, of course.

stay updated with me and ashley:
ashleyandhannahbrown.blogspot.com

love you.
xx

news.

2009-01-19T02:11:00.001+11:00

I'm engaged! AH!

Ash and I are getting married!
He proposed to me New Years Eve, full details on my note on Facebook.
I cannot wait to be his for our whole lives! So exciting!

thoughttttts.

2008-12-14T01:25:00.002+11:00

the clock is ticking.
the sound of the second hand moving and my fingers dancing across the keyboard are fighting to win my attention.
its too late to be doing anything needing brainpower
but my fingers type away
probably for the soul purpose of hoping, wishing, wanting my family to be on.
its funny. technology.
if it wasnt for this white computer, and a wire plugged into who knows where
i would barely remember the sound of my mother's voice,
or the smile my sister throws when she gets annoyed and is trying not to let out a laugh.
i keep telling myself its easy to be away,
that i am never homesick, and that "thank goodness i have internet, it makes life easier"
but i think im fooling everyone but myself...
it keeps my fooled most of the time.

how could i get used to spending weeks without seeing them,
when i used to see them every day?

how can i get used to not recognizing my brothers' voices,
when ive missed a phase in their lives.

how can i not miss the smell of a famous omelet morning,
when that is all i know of that morning?

but the clock ticks away, im living their future.
it is ironic,
but their future is my past.
their past is my present.
their night is my day, and their day my night.

its funny how if you fill your day that they turn into weeks,
and you forget that you actually miss them.
i have to remind myself that its just as hard for them as it is for me.

im here.
i speak the same language,
but sometimes need translation.
they talk about the weather, and they might as well be talking about physics...
a whole new world.
im not jasmine. or aladdin. or whoever.

im me.
im here.
theyre there.

and thats always going to be a little strange.
me without them.
they have a big piece of my heart.

and that is
OK
with me :)

confessions = acknowledgment

2008-08-18T23:33:00.002+10:00

-i preached my first sermon @ innerwest hillsong extension service youth on 8-8-08.
-i have the most incredibly supportive phenomenal amazing insanely awesome boyfriend.
-i started writing a book.

how to kill God.

2008-07-03T00:25:00.003+10:00

we do it more than we realize.
we're pro's, i must say.
God looks down on us,
his heart bleeding and wrecked.

we're professional God-killers.

we can easily look the other way when we're uncomfortable.
you know you do it...
you see someone who looks different,
walks different,
talks slow...you look past them,
pretending you don't notice,
they know exactly what you're doing.

we can easily turn the channel when we're bombarded with need.
you know you do it...
you see someone with a bloated stomach,
with flies in their eyes,
tears...we ignore them,
pretending the problem is not ours.

we can easily get caught up in the luxurious living of Westernized Culture.
you know you do it...
you have a tv,
a couch,
a refrigerator,
you have a blanket,
walls. a door.
we have a penny to our name.
we are caught up in living in our homes,
focused inside where it's warm,
ignoring the rest of the world.

funny that kids in America are quite possibly in line with some of the richest in the world,
most have some banking account of some sort,
money in their pockets, and loose change laying around carelessly...
which, funnily enough, makes them in the top percentile of the world's richest.

funny that we live worried about being able to afford gasoline,
when most people in the world don't even have a car to put it in.

what a blessed and perverse people we are.
we have perfected the ways to kill God.

He rescues the poor at the first sign of need,
the destitute who have run out of luck.
He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out,
he restores the wretched of the earth.
He frees them from tyranny and torture -

When they bleed, He bleeds;
When they die, He dies.
psalm 72:12-14

maybe we should think twice about the things we complain about,
and put our focus where God's is at...
the poor
(if you have money in the bank, in your hand, and laying around, you are in no way poor in comparison to the rest of the world.)
the destitue
the down-and-out
the wretched.
because when THEY bleed, our GOD bleeds
when THEY die, GOD dies...

you don't want to be categorized as a God-killer?
then take your eyes off your play-station, your tv,
get up off your couch, take some left-overs out of the fridge,
get in your car (you seem to always manage to have gas somehow),
and go out and do something for someone else...
it doesn't take a lot...but it does a lot.

it's hard to hear the truth sometimes,
i know i got a huge smack in the face.
but i figure, i would rather be on God's side any day.

who's with me?

my family.

2008-06-30T23:19:00.000+10:00

i miss them...

reality.

2008-06-16T00:57:00.007+10:00

i hate to think that someday i will wake up and realize that yesterday held the best days of my life.
that i have succumbed to normality, and just entered into the reality of my destiny.
that is, that no life is extra-ordinary; not even my own - no matter how hard i might try.

day after day i do the same meaningless enterprise with no sign of accomplishment.
night after night i sit and watch the same redundant shows on the television.
so ordinary, so normal.

its time to wake up.
yesterday will not be the best days of my life,
but only a glimpse of all that lay in store for me.

up ahead is not ordinary, but out of this world.
it is not normal, but is most certainly noble.
why does life have to be so dull and full of routine?
why can't i just break out of this dizzying cycle and walk a different route,
even if it may lead to the same destination i am programmed to go?

want to break out of your rut?
it could be as simple as that...
just walk a different way, even if it leads to the same place.
it might do something for you.

stand against normality and stand for nobility.
the noble live in the excellent, the normal live in the everyday.

- han

Communion

2008-06-01T23:16:00.003+10:00

This is the Communion Message I shared at Hillsong Burwood Extension this morning...
:-)

One of my favorite things in the entire world is my family, just enjoying each other’s company, sharing thoughts and ideas, laughing and doing life together over food.
This is also something that I believe Jesus enjoyed doing…in the very first Communion he ate and drank with his disciples. Communion was done in community, in fellowship with the people that knew him best, the one’s that he did life with.
I believe for us, as the House of God, through Communion, we not only remember what Christ did for us, but also make a declaration as a family. In Joshua 24:15, Joshua made this public commitment,

“If serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living, but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

I love that I can come together with people who have the same mind, same love, and same desire to see this world come to know Jesus. It is so beautiful that we are to remember the sacrifice of Jesus with other’s, through taking a drink, and eating bread. Also, in taking Communion together, remembering what Jesus did on the Cross-for us, as a family, let us also publicly declare that this is a House committed to serving the Lord
If it wasn’t for what Christ did for us, not only would we not have relationship with Him, but also we wouldn’t have relationship with each other, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Through the Spirit, Christ is represented in our fellowship with others. Now, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we will come together and share the emblems with one another.

Father, as we take communion we come together, as a family remembering what Christ did for us, we make a declaration that this is a House committed to serving the You.
I pray that we would be one, as you are One, that we would be unified in our remembrance of your sacrifice.
I thank you for the sacrifice you made, for the incredible debt that you paid that we might know you…but not only to know you, but to also be in fellowship with others. Amen.

the barbarian way.

2008-05-14T13:52:00.003+10:00

Erwin McManus came to church about two weeks ago.
Amazing, to say the least.
I bought three of his books...seriously amazing investment.
As a young Christian in a post-modern world, I have been so challenged and heartbroken and distraught about the lack of commitment and understanding to this post-modern generation.
I have finished the first book I've read by Erwin,

"The Barbarian Way"

seriously...read it.
Dad, read it, I thought of you...he talks about Braveheart in the first chapter, haha.
After you read it, give it to Judah to read...
This book basically sums up me, and my generation.

"Two thousand years later the call to follow Christ has been repackaged to be smooth and trouble-free, filled with opportunity and promise but lacking risk, passion, and sacrifice. Is this really what Jesus died for? If He chose the way of the cross, where would He hesitate leading us? It is possible that to follow Jesus is to choose the barbarian way? Jesus never made a pristine call to a proper and safe religion. Jesus beckons His followers to a path that is far from the easy road. It is a path filled with adventure, uncertainty, and unlimited possibilities - the only path that can fulfill the deepest longings and desires of your heart. This is the barbarian way: to give your heart to the only One who can make you fully alive. To love Him with simplicity and intensity. To unleash the untamed faith within. To be consumed by the presence of a pasionate and compassionate God. To go where He sends you, no matter the cost."

The is the back of the book...seriously, it's worth the $17 to buy it. It's an easy read, you could finish it in two sittings.

As a big sister, daughter, friend, one day wife and mother...I don't want to hinder people. I don't want to civilize people, to a safe watered-down religion. This book has honestly put into words my thoughts over the past couple of months. I have always been sick and disgusted of domesticated religion...I now choose the barbarian way...It is an unpaved road, an unsafe road, a road that could lead to death...but as long as it also leads to life, I'm on it!!!

I really really hope you guys will take the time to choose the road less-traveled: the dangerous road...

read this book.
it is challenging, scary, but brings a new light to Jesus...His way. It's not civilized.
God forgive us for our domesticated religion...
Heaven forbid if I ever cause people to not take the leap, to not take the dangerous road...

seriously.
read.

"but then the worst thing happened
that could happen to any fighter,
you got civilized."
-mick to rocky, (rocky III)

what i shared with charity.

2008-04-30T23:06:00.003+10:00

I wrote this to my cousin Charity, for her 16th birthday...I know it will encourage others, so I have revised it for public reading :-)

What I am going to do is share with you some of the things God has been teaching me, and I believe that they will be keys to helping unlock what God has placed in your heart, and help you on this journey of womanhood [or just journey, for all you men out there], which in itself is an incredible gift that God has given you. Being a woman is one of the most incredible things on this planet, I am sure of that…Like Staci Eldredge says in “Captivating”:

“It is nearing the end of the sixth day, the end of the Creator’s great labor, as Adam steps forth, the image of God, the triumph of His work. He alone is pronounced the son of God. Nothing in creation even comes close. Picture Michelangelo’s David. He is…magnificent. Truly, the masterpiece seems complete. And yet, the Master says that something is not good, not right. Something is missing…and that something is Eve…She is the crescendo, the final, astonishing work of God. Woman. In one last flourish creation comes to a finish not with Adam, but with Eve. She is the Master’s finishing touch…Given the way creation unfolds, how it builds to ever higher and higher works of art, can there be any doubt that Eve is the crown of creation? Not an afterthought. Not a nice addition like an ornament on a tree. She is God’s final touch…she fills a place in the world nothing and no one else can fill. Step to the window...better yet; find some place with a view. Look out across the earth and say to yourself, ‘The whole, vast world is incomplete without me. Creation reached it’s zenith [culmination]in me.’”

As a woman, you have the incredible ability to bring change, to ask the hard questions, and to not leave things unnoticed. Use that power with incredible care and honor. You have, inside of you, the power to unlock keys to the Kingdom of God, to usher in a move of His Spirit like never before.
If you, for instance, have the gift of making people laugh, don’t lose it - use it. Use it for God’s purposes. If, as a woman, you are the “icing on the cake” don’t leave a bitter taste in the mouths of those around you. Treat everyone with honor, adoration, and respect.

I was reading in Luke 1 about the birth of Jesus, it starts off with the narrative of Zechariah, John the Baptist’s daddy, who was a priest, and at the time of the announcement of John’s birth, he was to go into the Temple to burn incense to the Lord (there was to always be incense burning in the Holy of Holies). This is where Gabriel appeared to him and told him that his wife would bear a son, what his name was to be, that he would be favored by God, and he would have the power of Elijah on his life (how incredible is THAT!?). After that declaration by Gabriel, Zechariah said, “How can I be sure of this? I am a an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (Luke 1:18) Now this is the part I want you to hear…Gabriel said, “And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things (John to be born) takes place, because you did not believe my words.” (Luke 1:20)
In the next scene, where Gabriel comes to Mary, and proclaims the birth of Jesus to her…Mary had every reason to doubt, more than Zechariah did, she was single, and a virgin, yet she believed, and this is what she said, “I am the Lord’s servant…May it be to me according to your word.” Like the prophet Isaiah, she said HERE I AM, DO WITH ME AS YOU DESIRE…NOT MY PLANS, BUT YOURS!

Now here is where I get blown away…
Mary goes to visit Elizabeth (Zechariah’s wife, who is pregnant with John), “She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby (John) leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed, ‘But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!’” (Luke 1:40-45)

I know this is long, but I want you to hear my heart…I write all that out, because I believe it is important for you…don’t miss out on God’s blessing like Zechariah. Because of his unbelief, and lack of faith, he lost his voice. He lost his communication, his opinion, his view, his feeling, his wishes, his desires, his will, his influence, his say, his input, his role, his representation…it cost him a lot to doubt the Creator of the Universe.

Have the heart of Mary. She believed God. She realized her role and destiny was so much bigger than herself, and what she could see. She was willing to lose everything for the sake of being a bondservant of Christ. Because of her willingness to serve God, this is what could she have lost; Her communication, her opinion, her view, her feelings, her wishes, her desires, her will, her influence, her say, her input, her role, her representation - which, as a woman, she didn’t have much of those things anyway. But she believed in God, and laid down her opinion, desires, and wishes…because she knew that God had better things in store for her. And guess what…she got to keep her voice. And through her voice, she released the power of the Holy Spirit into the life of her relative, Elizabeth.
Mary was not made silent, though her being pregnant cost her everything. Through her voice, she commanded a blessing not only from Elizabeth, but also from God Himself. It is interesting that Elizabeth did not know that Mary was pregnant with the Christ, but was taken aback by the fact the “the mother of [her] Lord would come to [her].” There is no denying Christ when He is inside of you.
God found favor in Mary, because she had a pure heart, and an unfailing faith in her Creator. As a child of God, you have the power to release the Holy Spirit in people’s lives, never underestimate the power of your voice (Proverbs 18:21). Make sure you put into your voice the things of God. What goes into your heart will be what comes out of your mouth. So soak up the Word of God, chew on it, talk to God, worship Him, and speak out the things of God over your life, and other’s.
I pray that from this time on this will be a hallmark in your life, the moment you look back, and say, “That’s when it all changed…” Like Elizabeth, there are people in your life speaking out the things they see in you, calling out the things that are already in there. Inside of you God has salvations, books, songs, words, nations, things you have never dreamed of. And remember to dream big, because God starts where your dreams end. Allow what people say [good, edifying], to be the catalyst that brings change in this world. Like Mary, let even your greeting cause people to feel something inside of them shift…

This is your emerging season. This is the time where you are a blossom ready to bloom. You have been chosen; you have been called; now you are being equipped. You are being equipped for something bigger than yourself. The challenge now is are you going to be like Zechariah, and have a faith that silences you, or are you going to be like Mary, believing God and allowing Him to do in her what was needed for change, even though it would cost her everything? Either you miss out on life, or you get to be a part of Jesus. God is presenting you with that choice. You either embrace it or you leave it. It is up to you. What a huge calling…but God will use you, no doubt about it. What will emerge from that bud inside of you is going to be breathtaking…

“Then the time came when the risk it took to remain tight in a bud
was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Nin

with you.

2008-04-30T21:19:00.004+10:00

this is a song i wrote today...totally bluegrassyish, and i LOVE it!!!

with you

you say, "hello, here i am you have one chance
to take my breath away, but if you miss it I say goodbye."
If this moment is my last
i can't miss my chance for forever with you

it's like a sunset on a fall day
all the colors majestically displayed
it's like the ocean calling me in
it's one moment
one minute
with you

i say, "come here, once again you have completely
taken my breath away, if it means my love then i will die."
if this moment is my last
i can't miss my chance for forever with you

it's like a sunset on a fall day
all the colors majestically displayed
it's like the ocean calling me in
it's one moment
one minute
with you

i write just to write.

2008-04-23T14:43:00.000+10:00

When is the last time I did something for me? Something I enjoy with everything I am?
Something I know I do that gives God a big toothy smile. Is God waiting for me to change the world with my incredible preaching, or amazing Holy Ghost inspired spontaneous times of worship? Or is he just waiting for me to be me? I love rainy days. I love the moon; I love drinking coffee and solving the world’s problems in one conversation with a girlfriend. I love to laugh. I love to read a sappy love story. I love to cry at movies that a girl should typically cry in. I love the sound of my family’s laughing voices. I love to hear the ring-tone of that special someone on my mobile. Are these just as important as preaching or those Holy Ghost fall on your face in times of worship moments? What if life was simpler than we all make it out to be? What our life’s purpose was not as complicated to find as we all think? If I was born for “such a time as this” what if it’s not to change a nation, but just to change one life through loving the little quirky things that make me who I am?

Eric Liddell said it perfect, in the movie “Chariots of Fire”,

“I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure.”

God made me for a purpose, to that I say a big duh. Every Christian, every person born in any sort of religious household can, at least, have some sore of an understanding that they are on this planet for something. But what does it mean; for a purpose. A purpose…What is my purpose? Is my purpose to type on a computer for the rest of my life, reciting on ink and paper what I hear other people needing me to record? Or is my purpose to write out the allegories of life that I see threaded throughout creation?

Purpose: the reason for which something is done or created for which something exists.

What is my purpose could be said,
“Why do I exist?”

What I love about the quote from chariots is that Eric doesn’t associate his purpose with his gift. His purpose isn’t that God made him fast. God made Eric fast because it brought God pleasure. The reason Eric existed was only to bring glory to God through running.

Do people go too far, too deep, and too wide to figure out their purpose?
Why is our purpose some mystical unreachable unattainable thing that we have to go our whole life looking for? What if our purpose is only to bring glory to God by just doing the very thing that we were gifted or love to do?
I was gifted to sing. I was gifted to write. I was gifted with compassion.
So when I sing I am fulfilling my purpose. When I write I am fulfilling my purpose.
When I show empathy and compassion towards someone of something my purpose is being fulfilled. I don’t exist to sing to gain world recognition or money, to write to change the world, or to save Africa through my broken heart for them. God gave me those gifts to bring him pleasure only. But through my gifts he brings about change. I only have to use those gifts. God’s intent for creation was to bring him glory only. That’s why we are created for worship. If we don’t worship rocks will. Yeah, I don’t know about you…but a rock?! Not only would that be weird, but also be completely embarrassed.

Why do people get so tangled in life trying to find out their destiny when their destiny has been with them all along. One of my sisters loves to paint. Through her painting God gets pleasure; painting is her purpose. My mom enjoys watching her kids grow in the things of God; being a mom is her purpose. My goodness. My purpose is so simple, so unique to me. It’s not limited to one thing. It’s everything. I believe God has nations to be won, and souls to be saved, yes, but if we miss out on bringing him pleasure, then we are missing the whole point. If we are to be worshippers, we are to do what God created us to do.
My sister paints. It’s her purpose; it’s her worship.
My mom is and amazing mom. It’s her purpose; it’s her worship.

It makes me sad to see people waste away their lives and give up things they simply just love to do. They give up things that energize them and make them feel good. Why do people lay aside those good things? Those are the things that being God pleasure! No more of this “I remember when I was younger I used to love to ride my bike…” “I remember when I used to love to take photos…” Can we stop all this “I used to…” crap and just do the things we love?! If I ever stop doing the things I love that I enjoy, the things that are me…what kind of worshiper am I? Could I possibly let life pass me by as I sit back and do the “norm” or could I live life to the fullest and be completely me? I can die with a million stories, or I can die with no stories and only regrets? How much more fun would it be to take the risks and think or all the regrets afterwards? Don’t be stupid; be wise. But be madly in love with the life God has given you.

I absolutely love to read outside, under the sun, in the green grass. I cannot tell you how much love it. I can feel God’s smile and delight in me, taking time to enjoy the little things he created. I feel like God made those sunny lazy days just for me, and in my enjoyment of them, he is getting all the glory and all the worship for them.

You want to make God feel good? Do things you enjoy. Do the things that you would pay other people to do just so you can do it. I would pay people to let me sing. I would pay people to let me write. How dumb is that? But it’s how I know that’s what my purpose is.

I write just to write; no…it’s more than that. I know God made me for a purpose, but he also made me a writer. And when I write I feel his pleasure…

reading.revealing.receiving.revelation.

2008-02-19T16:39:00.000+11:00

sometimes things seem so ordinary
so normal and not out of place.
is there such thing as a coincidence?

i received a journal and a pen
from my dad for my birthday.
which is great
because i love to journal.
pretty ordinary, normal, and not out of place.

i received a journal and a pen
from parent's of a good friend for my birthday, too.
pretty ordinary, normal, and not out of place.

coincidence?
i think not.

God is always thinking of new ways to
get me
romance me
pursue me
fall in love with me.

it's also not a coincidence that at college the past couple of weeks
we have been shared with that journaling and reading the Bible in a year
is such a cool and vital thing.

i have always loved to journal,
thus getting a journal and pen nothing out of the ordinary.
but receiving TWO!?
i think that's pretty cool...

so taking the challenge,
i have been reading the Bible in a year.
of course,
it's only been a four day process thus far.
but man the revelation i am receiving.
AMAZING.
just a simple prayer
"Holy Spirit, reveal to me what you want to say to me today."
the end.
i read.
He reveals.
i receive
revelation.

The reading plan is simple,
and cool because you don't get stuck...
Monday: Gen-2Chron (read a portion)
Tuesday: Matthew-John (read portion)
Wednesday: Ezra-Song of Solomon (omit Psalm and read portion)
Friday: Prophets (read portion)
Saturday: Epistles (read a whole letter, you wouldn't start a letter and not finish lol)
Sunday: Psalms (read portion)

then you follow this (for journaling)
Scripture
Observation
Application
Prayer

SOAP :)

it has seriously been amazing.

in the journal my dad gave me i do soap,
and in the other journal i expound on any revelations
i have received or want to keep processing.

it has seriously been great.
i love to write,
journal,
what have you,
and this has just been incredible...

the next few days ill share some of the thoughts i have received.

love you guys,
and i encourage you to write!
think of the legacy you will leave behind!!!

oh, that my steps might be steady...

2008-01-09T16:38:00.000+11:00

you're blessed when you stay on course
walking steadily on the road revealed by GOD
you're blessed when you follow HIS directions
doing your best to find HIM
that's right - you don't go off on your own
you walk straight along the road HE set.

you, GOD, prescribed the right way to live
now you expect us to live it.

oh, that my steps might be steady
keeping to the course you set...
(psalm 119:1-6 msg)

"you're blessed when you stay on course..."
the going may get tough, hard, weary...
but God blesses His children.
stay on HIS course, not the course designed by man.
God puts people in your life to help guide you,
even to lead you...
but you must be sure that you're in the will of God.
God's plans, dreams, and desires for you
are not the same as what He may have for someone else.

His ways are
HIGHER.

along with staying on course,
you must follow direction.
not just anyone's directions,
but HIS.
don't listen to anyone else's
prescription on how to live,
but seek God, seek His Word,
read how Jesus lived.

Jesus loved & healed,
and He commanded us to do the same.
He also commanded us to
GO OUT
&
MAKE DISCIPLES.

God sees everything from a different perspective
a HIGHER perspective.
everything that seems all mixed up and confusing...
well, He has already put all the pieces together,
He has already connected all the dots (as a friend of mine shared with me).
He has already seen the finished result,
and it works.
So would you rather follow people, or follow the Savior,
the One who has already seen what the end of the path looks like?
Oh and God hasn't just seen the end...He sees the roadblocks, too.

would you put your trust in Him,
or in man.
in the Father,
or in a fallen race?

God places people to be in fellowship with you.
God places guidance through wiser people.
God puts people in your lives...
But when it comes down to it,
it is God who is your judge.
it is God who is your strength & your portion.
it is God who knows the right way to live.

there are so many incredible men and women who know how to live,
sure look to them, and learn from them...but just because it works for them
doesn't mean it is what God has in store for you...
you've heard it said
IT TAKES ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE.
be you.
be who God made you to be.
follow His path for you...
not some man-made path.
i would rather follow a path where the God of all
knows all,
sees all,
and can tell you everything before it happens
then follow someone who has no idea where the next bend leads,
or if it's even a bend at all.

be encouraged, tho.
let people in your life to speak to you and help you in this journey.
but trust in the Almighty who has "prescribed the right way to live."
we need some good prescriptions.
we need God to direct us.

whatever the cost,
I WILL FOLLOW HIM.

oh, that my steps might be steady...

my beloved.

2007-11-25T16:38:00.000+11:00

you're my beloved
you're my bride
to sing over you is my delight
come away with me, my love

under my mercy
come and reign
tell me i am standing face to face
i see no stain on you, my child
you're beautiful to me
so beautiful to me...

i sing over you
my song of peace
cast all your cares down at my feet
come and find your rest in me.

i'll breathe my life inside of you
i'll bear you up on eagle's wings
and hide you in the shadow of my strength
i'll take you to my quiet waters
i'll restore your soul
come rest in me
and be made whole

you're my beloved
you're my bride
to sing over you is my delight
come away with me, my love
(kari jobe)

live well, sweet ones...

2007-10-15T14:37:00.000+10:00

live well for the Master
making Him proud of you
as you work hard in Hid orchard

as you learn more and more how God works
you will learn how to do YOUR work

we pray that you'll have the strength
to stick it out over the long haul
not the grim strength of gritting your teeth
but the glory-strength God gives

it is strength the endures the unendurable
and spills over into joy
thanking the Father
Who makes us strong enough to take part in everything
BRIGHT
and
BEAUTIFUL
that He has for us.
Col. 1:9-12 (msg)

wow, what a promise!
i want to make God proud of me.
i want to live well.
its so hard.
not sometimes,
but all the time.
but you know,
just like a boyfriend or girlfriend is worth
getting to know
loving even the things that annoy you
changing things about yourself
God is worth it so much more.
i want to live well for Him, because He deserves it.

we should work hard for Him,
we should work hard in our relationship with Him
we should commit to falling in love with Him everyday.
i want to do the work He has called me to.
even if that means being the best encourager i know how,
being the best friend i know how to be,
being the best listener,
being the best sister,
being the best daughter,
being the best at keeping my house clean,
being the best at my school work,
being the best.
God deserves it.

when things get to rough,
dark,
hopeless,
STICK IT OUT.
keep going forward,
but don't strive,
because then you will get burnt out, or just depressed and even worse off...
keep working and taking one step at a time.
because God has promised His glory-strength!
His glory is the weight of His presence!!!
He will put the weight of His presence in your life, give you the strength to keep going!!!
WOW!
what a promise.

when you have Gods glory-strength
i dont see how you cannot get through anything.
my Jesus carries me.
my Jesus is the Lifter of my head.
my Jesus is the Keeper and Sustainer of my life.
my Jesus is my Pleasure.
and you know what,
just knowing that gives me joy!
and that's what is promised to us!!!
the joy of His presence.
when you have that deep joy,
you feel like you can conquer the world,
and whats awesome is that IN Christ we are
MORE THAN CONQUERORS!
we are heirs to a KINGDOM.
wow.
i love that.
royalty.

i love the last verse of this passage,
that Jesus makes us strong to take part in EVERYTHING He has for us.
dont you want to take part in absolutely everything God has for you?
I DO!
and you know what,
everything He has for you is
BRIGHT
it's
BEAUTIFUL!
God doesn't hold out when it comes to His kid's.
He gives us the best.
man.

He loves you SOOOOO much.
He delights in you.
Your dreams and wants are precious to Him.
He doesn't take your relationship with Him lightly.
He is so passionate about you, that He would die for you.
and He did.
and He doesn't ask for anything in return except our obedience.
and because we love Him, it's not really anything for us to be obedient.
BECAUSE i love Him i can't help but be obedient.
how freeing is that?!

i pray that as you go throughout your day,
that you feel God's complete desire and delight for you.
just look outside and just feel God smiling on you.
He delights in you being happy,
you being you,
you hanging out with your friends.
take on the day,
and just feel the smiles of Jesus :)

-hans.

though my world may fall apart.

2007-09-11T14:36:00.000+10:00

Satan has a funny way of tripping us up. Tearing apart things that were never meant to be torn apart, attacking us at the very core of who we are, throwing things our way that hurt so much you want to give up.
God has a funny way of lifting us up. Building up things that were torn down, protecting the very core of who we are, giving us armor to deflect the hurt, He holds us when we want to give up.
We serve a God that never gives up on us. We serve a God that has already paid the ultimate price. I needed to be reminded of that. I need to be seeking Him, trusting Him. Totally depend on Him, even though my world may fall apart all around me, though things seem so deep that I can't walk through them. I lay myself down at Daddy's feet, rest assured in His promises, let Him hold me and see the hurt. I hold onto His promises. His promises that NO weapons formed against me will prosper.

I have amazing friends. I have an amazing family. The Lord has definitely shown me that today…
We can't give up. God has already paid for this race we're on…why give up now?
Why not stand up strong, stand in the gap for those who cannot fight, who HAVE given up all hope.

When all loves fail we need to return to our first Love. Love that NEVER fails, steadfast, huge, mighty, beautiful, passionate, UNFAILING love. Why wouldn't we seek him???

I am thankful I have friends that remind me I cannot fix things. I can't solve problems. All I can do is seek my Jesus, the Lover of my soul. That's it. That's all I can do. Love God, and love people…not fix problems. I will wait on Him! I will be patient and trust that He who has promised IS faithful!

There are so many people in my life that are hurting, that are at the end of their rope…I know many of you reading this are there too…This Scripture was read this morning at church during offering…and it spoke right to my heart, and it is my prayer over situations in my life right now…

PSALM 20

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
May he send you help from the sanctuary
And give you support from Zion!
May he remember all your offerings
And regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!

May he grant you your heart's desire
And fulfill your plans!
May we shout for joy over your salvation,
And in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
He will answer him from his holy heaven
With the saving might of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
But we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
They collapse and fall,
But we rise and stand upright!

Lord,
I pray victory over every situation! I raise your banner of joy, peace, love, breakthrough over your anointed servants! I thank you for your might, I thank you that you never leave us or forsake us, I thank you that you are a tower where the righteous can run and be safe! I thank you for being a daddy that loves his kids so much that he never gives up.
Send help from your House, give support, Lord! Let us see glimpses of what you have in store, Lord. Give us hope, give us peace…
Thank you for being bigger than us. Thank you for speaking things into existence, and for giving us the same power. I speak life, hope, redemption, restoration, strength, trust, and love into this situation! LORD THANK YOU FOR BEING SO GOOD!
Amen.

I'm not going to accept defeat.
I'm not going to accept anything less than complete victory.
I'm going to fight until the battle is complete.
I'm going to stand in the gap, I'm going to stand in the frontline.
Let us put on the WHOLE armour of God.
Why would we start a day without it???
God has given us the armour,
Let's put it on and be the army of the Lord!
Let's not be afraid to show the real us, and let God see into us.
Give God control, let Him decide the strategies in which you fight…
Don't fight these battles without Him.

Lay down pride.
Cast down your idols!

Let's rise up,
How come Satan is allowed any room for victory.
Let's be ready to put him in his place.
How dare we even accept him to reign over situations.
There is no room for him.
There is no room for darkness.
There is no room for defeat.
There is no room for tears, hurt, anger, confusion, frustration.

We're not alone. We are heirs with Christ, servants of the most high God, children of a KING! Let's accept His grace and favor, and know that He is in control…I'm having to completely learn how to trust Him anew…It's amazing. Let's give Him complete control.

This is for everyone who feels weary, worn down, and defeated….

Love you all.

hannah

salt&light

2007-09-07T14:35:00.000+10:00

do you ever feel like a fake?

i have been attacked a lot since ive been in australia with that very thing.
the months prior to me coming here there were things that i did that im not proud of,
that were against my character, that i deeply regret.
all of that to say im now here, being equipped for ministry,
in a place that is stretching me beyond belief, and regardless of that i still feel like a fake.
who am i to be equipped for the things of God, when i have sinned against him?
you know?

i realized that that is such a selfish state to be in.
God calls me righteous and holy...set apart.
not because of what i do or don't do, but because of who & whose i am.
im his kid, so who am i to say that im unworthy?
im still going through a process of releasing guilt & shame & deep hurt...
but God is faithful, and has put amazing people in my life,
and just amazing things coming up that i know im here for such a time as this.

i got the chance to have a really amazing conversation with a friend,
just opening up to them about things, and sharing my hurts and struggles,
and them in turn being open and honest to me.
how healing that is!!!
they also were with me tonight at church and prayed over me and spoke into my life.
they told me that the very thing that is withered (like the man Jesus healed with the withered hand) will be the very thing that will become a strength!
so encouraging!!!

the very thing that you are trying to hide, that you are ashamed of,
God wants you to show and reveal that very thing, heal you, and make that a strength, so you can show other people that this is who i was, but no longer who i am!!!
AH!
i am rambling, i know.
but no matter what, God can use your weaknesses to be the very thing that bring people to the place of healing.

my friend, you know who you are, thank you for your encouragment and your prayers.
God is taking me from strength to strength and from glory to glory.
not because of me or you, but because of HIM!

because of things i have done, or havent done, i could easily give up, and let satan's lies rule...
but thankfully i know my God is bigger, that i am more than a conqueror, and that he who has promised IS faithful!
i know that regardless of what i have done, i will press on, keep running, keeping seeking Jesus, and keep sowing into other people's lives.
i will take what satan meant for bad, and definately use it for good.
i know that God is healing me, restoring me from the deepest most secret places of my heart, and that he longs for complete surrender.
im not there yet, but im definately on my way.

this weakness is gonna be a strength!
WOO!

i want to encourage you to speak into people's lives.
bring out the best in people.
be the salt that brings out the best flavour of those around you!
why not?
im definately getting salt in my wounds, but man is it healing.
take the opportunity when you see people you know just to say a word of encouragement.
it makes me feel so good when a friend just says, "man, its so good to see you."
gaw, doesn't that make you feel awesome?!
just tell someone how great they look today,
how you love being around them...

point out people's strengths,
it may just be what they need to hear.
dont pass up a moment to bless someone.
seriously!!!

"let me tell you why you are here.
you're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.
if you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?
you've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
here's another way to put it: you're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept. we're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
if i make you light-bearers, you don't think i'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you?
i'm putting you on a light stand.
now that i've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-SHINE!
keep open house; be generous with your lives.
be opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God,
this generous Father in heaven." mattew 5:13 (the message)

shine.
shine.
shine.
shine so that the world can see the God-colours in you!
man!
i want people to see the God-colours in me.
i want people to taste the God-flavours in me.

how good is that?

bringing out the God-flavours/colours in others requires us laying down our own lives.
it requires us seeking God, worshiping Him with everything that we are.
in darlene zschech's book, "extravagant worship" she says, "learn to seekg God's face without worrying about saving yours."
become foolish for God.
not to the point of cooky or unapproachable, but to the point of I LOVE MY KING AND I DONT CARE WHO KNOWS.
our freedom and extravagant worship will bring out the God-colours, and will encourage people in experiencing the same thing.

so regardless of me feeling like a fake sometimes,
in those moments i have to take my eyes off of me and my failures, and fix them on Jesus.
focus on encouraging others.
taking my eyes off of me is easier when you are focusing on bringing out things in other people.
how cool is that?!

okay im done,
ill leave you with this,
psalm 9 (the message)
its so beautiful, and so encouraging!
read it as a prayer and remember,
bring out the God-flavours&colours in others today!!!

"i'm thanking you, God, from a full heart,
i'm writing the book on your wonders.
i'm whistling, laughing, and jumping for joy;
i'm singing your song, High God.

the day my enemies turned tail and ran,
they stumbled on you and fell on their faces.
you took over and set everything right;
when i needed you, you were there, taking charge...

God holds the high center,
he sees and sets the world's mess right.
he decides what is right for us earthlings,
gives people their just deserts.
God's a safe-house for the battered,
a sanctuary during bad times.
the moment you arrive, you relax;
you're never sorry you knocked.

sing you songs to zion-dwelling God,
tell his stories to everyone you meet:
how he tracks down killers
yet keeps his eye on us,
registers every whimper and moan.

be kind to me, God;
i've been kicked around long enough.
once you've pulled me back from the gates of death,
i'll write the book on Hallelujahs;

on the corner of main and first
i'll hold a street metting;
i'll be the song leader;
we'll fill the air with salvation songs..."

go & live like you are called & have a purpose!!!

whatever it takes

2007-09-03T14:32:00.000+10:00

Lord,
Make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me sow love,
where there is injury, pardon,
where there is discord, unity,
where there is doubt, faith,
where there is error, truth,
where there is despair, hope,
where there is darkness, light,
and where there is sadness, joy.
Divine Master, grant me what I seek.
Not so much to be consoled but to console.
Not so much to be understood as to understand.
Not so much to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving there we receive.
It is in losing ourselves that we find ourselves.
It is in pardoning there we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
AMEN.
(prayer of St. Francis)

This is my prayer, too...
That whatever it takes, this journey I'm on, that I am up to the calling.
I want God to use me, and I'm willing to use whatever is in my hand,
whatever is under my feet, whatever is up ahead, I'm up for it.
I pray that my family, friends, and people I meet in the future will get a little bit of me rubbed off on them, you know?
I want to see a passionate generation, and generations!
I know God is worthy!
I know God is ready for us to live like we were called, because we ALL are called!!!
I'm going to start living like it.

Live with purpose,
because you have one!!!