17. March 2009 by Julie.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

 Romans 15:13

Lately people keep posting this verse in their facebook status updates.  And I love it!!  How we need to be reminded of our God of HOPE!!!!!  Who fill us with joy and peace as we trust in Him!!!  What a great promise!

We are in the middle of Seek God for this City.  This is a 40 day adventure of praying for our community.  During this time we have been having weekly prayer meetings where we worship, intercede, and just be still before Him. 

Today we meditated on this passage from Romans 15:5-13.   We used the method of Lectio Divina ~ publicly read the word and then be still and allow God to speak to each one from His word.  It was neat to hear the different aspects of this passage that were highlighted.  God speaks from His word to all of us!

I thought of the word HOPE.  Since changing the name of our prayer ministry to HOPE for Portage, Hope has been one word we have had to battle for!  God gave us the name and now we war to live it out!!! And He enables us every step of the way!

I pondered verses 5 and 13.  The God of hope fills us with joy and peace, endurance and encouragement so we can overflow hope to our lost world. 

As we sat outside enjoying the sunshine, I could see an area that was brown and appeared dead.  The trees had not budded yet.  There were dead leaves on the ground.  Yet we have the hope of spring and awakening in natural.  The trees will soon bud.  The ground will sprout green.  New life will be everywhere.

As I think of the spiritual realm, I believe it is the same.  Many dreams seem dormant right now.  Yet God is causing His hope to arise and awaken that He will bring life to what seems dead.  Those dreams and promises are soon to spring forth in new life.

Our only hope is in God!  Hope in God to do what He has said!  He gives endurance, encouragement and unity to accomplish the tasks He has ordained.  It is not in our power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.  His power, that resurrected Christ Jesus, can resurrect our dead things and cause new life to spring forth suddenly.

God bless you & fill you to overflowing with HOPE!!!!

Julie

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20. November 2008 by Julie.

I was struck with two thoughts this week.  Endings bring new beginnings and new beginnings bring endings.  For some time, we had sensed a “new beginning” was coming.  And now it is here.   But with the beginning also came an ending.  It’s not necessarily what you think of when you anticipate the beginning.

Sunday we said goodbye to our home church, Family Bible in Portage.  We’ve begun the adventure of our new beginning at Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton.  Randy has begun work as their Technical Director and is loving it!!!  There are so many emotions running through us all at the same time.

We have had a week of trying to finish well at FBC.  This week we are having our prayer center.  It is something prayer ministry has talked about for over a year.  And it has been awesome!  It came together so much better than I could have imagined for a first time adventure!

Last Sunday morning our pastors and elders gathered our family together and prayed for us.  What a great blessing!  They loved on us and sent us with their blessing!  Many others came and wished us well, some with tears in their eyes.  Even though we are only moving to a church 7 miles down the road, it still is an end of how it has been.

We are excited about what is beginning right now at Liberty.  Tonight Randy gave the boys and I a tour of the facility and show us his “office”.  We saw were the Jr High Sunday school class is located.  Where I will go for Sunday school.  We even saw the secret climbing wall hidden in the recesses of the old sanctuary.  Pretty cool stuff!

Yet I continue to ponder, we have an ending cause we have a new beginning.  New beginnings usually require an ending of something.  It may be relationships, free time, how things were or letting go of the past, but there’s an ending.

Today I helped a friend move to a new home.  It is a great thing!  Yet she is letting go of the house where her kids grew up.  So many memories!  There’s an ending, but thank God for the new beginning.

Beginnings don’t always look like finished projects either.  When a plant is just “beginning”, you hardly notice it.  It takes time and grows into a beautiful plant, flowering and producing fruit.  May we have grace to allow God to grow us in this new beginning!

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20. October 2008 by Julie.

Lately, when I sit down at the piano, it seems that God has been bringing to mind the songs He’s given me over the years.  It has now been 9 full years that He’ s been speaking to me this way.  As I pull out the notebooks and binders of chord sheets, I’m flooded with the words and the stories that they encompass. 

 It’s seems as if each song has a story.  They may have been written for an individual.  Or maybe it was for a special service or church.  With most songs, I can remember what was happening during that season of life and it reminds me of that time and God’s faithfulness.

Today I was struck with a song written in 2000 called “It Doesn’t Matter”.  A pastor friend called the song my “Keith Green song” at that time.  It was an “in my face” revelation that if I had truly surrendered to the Lord, His will and leading, then my wants and desires were secondary to His.  He does love us and have a good plan for us and desires to gives us the desires of our hearts, but I believe He does this as we are conformed into the image of His Son.  In that place our greatest desires become His will, purpose and plans.

So I pray that the words below will be an encouragement to you, as they are to me, today to allow God to make us holy, being wholly conformed to His will for us.

It Doesn’t Matter

It doesn’t matter what I want, but what You want from me,
It doesn’t matter what I need, but that You have need of me,
It doesn’t matter what I dream, but what You’ve planned for me,
It doesn’t matter what I seek, unless You’re seeking me

CHORUS:  Holy, Holy,
Take me wholly, and make me holy

Verse2: It doesn’t matter what I sing, unless You sing through me,
It doesn’t matter if I dance, unless You’re moving me
It doesn’t matter if I cry, but that I change inside
It doesn’t matter if I scream, I know You’re hearing me

Verse 3: It doesn’t matter what I give, unless You’ve called me to give
It doesn’t matter what I preach, unless You speak through me
It doesn’t matter who I love, I must love who you love
It doesn’t matter where I serve, I must serve You there

Verse 4: It doesn’t matter where I go, but that You’ve called me there
It doesn’t matter what I pray, as long as You pray through me.
It doesn’t matter how I live, but that You live through me
It doesn’t matter what I do, but what You do with me.

(C)2000. Julie Hayden. All rights reserved.

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9. October 2008 by Julie.

There is no place like home!!! We arrived safely after 16 hours of travelling!  While the flights were turbulent, we arrived without incident!

I’m very grateful to God for having been able to visit Costa Rica.  It was marvelous! You can view my photos at  http://picasaweb.google.com/FreedomVoices5/2008CostaRica# or click on the link on the left of this page.  My eyes were opened to so much while I was gone.  Our missionaries around the world sacrifice so much for the cause of Christ.  How we must pray and support them as we are able!

 I thought I’d fill you in on Tuesday, our last day there.  In the morning, Margaret, Carolyn & I attended the English speaking Bible study.  Most of the women are missionaries/wives.  It was lovely.  We discussed Barnabus and encouragement.  Some of their discussions focussed on how to handle beggars at your gate and protection from roberry.  One woman had been robbed the week before.  I don’t think I have ever had such discussions in Bible study.  A totally different world! The women there have such a passion to minister to the Costa Ricans ~ just amazing!

In the afternoon we went to Moravia and did some souvenir shopping.  The area was quaint!  Lots of little shops with all the typical Costa Rican gifts!

That evening I had the privilege of going to the Peterson’s house church.  It began as they did marriage counseling for one couple who saw the needs of their family & friends.  They all greeted me warmly with the traditional kisses.  They planned a surprise party for Elizabeth for her birthday as well. 

The worship was so sweet!  Adrian led with guitar.  When they began to worship, they turned the light off, so it was just you & God!  The people poured out their hearts to God in beautiful songs!

Following this (and with the lights on), Pastor Steve facilitated a Bible study from the life of Jesus.  They were discussing his childhood.  Elizabeth translated for me so I could follow along.

I was so glad to see the people and be welcomed into their church.  They have a true love for one another and for the Lord.  They are a beautiful body of Christ in Desemparados.

On Wednesday, we left the Petersons at 4am!  I was sad to go, yet excited to get back home to my family.  Margaret and I both were very tired from our whirlwind trip!  So many new experiences, food and people!

I’d ask you pray for Steve & Elizabeth Peterson as well as Carolyn & Mary Lou.  They have some major decisions they are making and welcome our prayers.  They are being faithful to the call of God on their lives and seeking to serve Him to their best ability.  I pray we all are as well.

Thanks for your prayers while we were gone.  I’d appreciate your prayers as we get back into life here. ShareFest is this Saturday and I’m coordinating prayer for that day. I’m also battling a cold.

God bless you all!

Julie

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7. October 2008 by Julie.

I’m just getting ready to go to bed, but wanted to write.  Today was phenominal!

This morning we travelled to the Irasu Volcano.  It was about one hour up the mountain.  Very High Up!  11,000 Feet.  You could look into the mouth of the volcano.  (I will post pictures when I get home)  God gave us a clear view into the mouth of the volcano for about 10 minutes and then the fog and rain came in.  We were grateful for the 10 minutes as this is the rainy season.  It was amazing

This afternoon we went prayer driving in the town of Desemparados.  This is a town that the Petersons have a house church in.  Tomorrow we will attend the house church meeting.  We were able to pray throughout the community.  We stopped at the home of a home sufferring with lung cancer and prayed with her.  We went to the center of the city and prayed, anointing the entrance to the gates.  I felt like a secret agent today.  It was really fun!

This evening we celebrated Elizabeth’s birthday with pizza, cake and ice cream.  What a grand time we had!

Tomorrow we will have our last day here.  In the morning we are going to an English ladies Bible study.  Shopping in the afternoon and home church in the evening.

Wednesday we leave to come back.  We have to leave here at 4am!  Please pray that we would finish well and have safe travels.

Blessings to you!

Julie

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6. October 2008 by Julie.

Good Morning!

Today is Elizabeth’s birthday.  This morning we will be going to a volcano.  This afternoon we will be prayer driving some neighborhoods.  This evening we are celebrating with cake, ice cream and pizza!  That’s right- pizza.  There are so many American restaurants around.  It is weird to see the landscape all beautiful with color and see it dotted with Taco Bell, KFC, Burger King and McDonalds!

Yesterday we attended the INternational Baptist Church.  The service was in English.  They are doing the One Month to Live series.  Sounds really great!  They have a great network of friends at church.

Hope you all are having a great day! “Pura Vida!”(life is good!)

Julie

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5. October 2008 by Julie.

Hello!  We are having a great time>  Today we visited the Feria (fresh fruit and vegie market).  It was so neat!!!  We got fresh juice and produce.  red peppers are 18 cents a pound here!  Last I looked they were $2.99 back home.

Following that we went to the coffee plantation.  We took the tour and had a lovely lunch!  So beautiful.  I got to participate in the presentation and got a free hat!

The rain has started again for the day.  So we will be in until dinner.  We will all gather together for dinner tonight.  Elizabeth is making a typical Costa Rican meal tonight.  Tomorrow we will be going to the international church.

We’ve been having really great times of fellowship with the missionaries here.  They have said multiple times that they are so glad we came and the it is perfect timing.  The Petersons are such a neat family.  Mary Lou & Carolyn are precious too!  We are having a great time!

PS 121 I Lift my eyes up to the hills….. The hills are beautiful here!  Today we could see the mountains surrounding the city.  Just breath taking!  The colors everywhere are very vibrant!

God bless you all!

Love,

Julie

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3. October 2008 by Julie.

Good afternoon from Costa Rica!

We made it here safely yesterday.  We left our homes at 9am and arrived here around 10pm local time/11pm Chicago time.  Travel was smooth and without problems

Today we got up early and visited gardens at a very nice hotel.  The flowers were beautiful!!!!!  The coffee and fellowship was great.  From there we had a traditional Costa Rican meal at a restaurant.

This is the rainy season here.  So all out door activities are in the morning.  It is raining really hard here now.  Kind of reminds me of the floods we recently had.

I have a really nice place to stay.  I have a bed and bath to myself.  The Petersons are so gracious.  Margaret is staying next doo with MaryLou & Carolyn.  We will be having most meals together and it is fun!

Tomorrow we are going to the coffee plantation.  We’ve been able to see where ADAPTE is; that’s the financial training center Steve teaches at.  SUnday we will go to the international church.

I’ll try to blog every day or so.  So check back often.  Thanks for your prayers!

Love,

Julie

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29. September 2008 by Julie.

There are so many things to do this week in preparations for our trip to Costa Rica.  Margaret Wheeler  & I will be leaving Thursday morning.  We both are still needing to pack.  We’re getting together the items we were asked to bring.  We are doing all the little things that have to get done before we can go. 

We would love your prayers as we go!  Here are some ways to pray for us:

1. Pray for safe travel.  We will have 2 flights there and back.  Pray that our luggage would all arrive.  We will be travelling there on Oct 2, returning on Oct 8.

2. Pray we would be an encouragement to Carolyn, Mary Lou, Steve, Elizabeth and their children. 

3. Pray we would be an encouragement to the local body of Christ there.  We do not speak Spanish so pray we would find ways to connect with the people and be a blessing.

4. Pray for our families here while we are away. 

5. Most of all, pray God’s purposes would be accomplished in this mission and His kingdom would be expanded.  May He be praised!

Thanks to each one who is helping us financially as we go as well as prayerfully.  Both are valuable and needed!

God bless you!

Julie 

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22. September 2008 by Julie.

I’ve been working with Heaven’s Gates, Hell’s Flames this last week.  It’s been great to see people entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Over 40 made decisions for Christ during the 3 days of performances.   

Recently I was having breakfast with a longtime mentor and friend.  We were talking about her kids who I grew up with.  Her kids & I had been in Campus Life together 20 years ago.   She shared how it was at a Campus Life lock-in on December 31, 1987 that her son accepted Christ as his Savior.   I was blown away!!!  I remember that night so well for God was working in my heart too!

Earlier that day, I had been watching Urbana 87 on television.  Urbana is a missions conference for college age students.  I was challenged by the speakers to devote my life to Christian service or missions.

 When I went to the lock-in for Campus Life, I listened intently to the music & speaker.  At the invitation, no one was moving.  After a very awkward moment, I felt the Lord impress my heart to go forward and publicly dedicate my life for Christian service or missions. 

So I got up out of my seat and made my way to the front of the stage.  I knelt there.  Another young man came and joined me.  He was already a believer, but didn’t want to see anyone alone. 

 Following him were about 50 other kids.  Most of them made first time decisions for Christ.  I didn’t know the kids then.  They took us all into a seperate room where the counselors, myself and the first young man got to lead the others in the sinner’s prayer and share about walking out your faith in Christ.

I’ve not heard results before from that night.  Figured it would be heaven before I knew anything. But then, at breakfast, I learned that was the night that Jeff gave his life to God. Jeff is my friend’s middle son.  Jeff continues to walk with Christ today.  He and his wife serve in their church.  He works with youth and is a Christian counselor.  He lives out his faith every day!

I’m grateful for the times I listened to the still, small voice.  I regret the times I have not.  We have no idea how our little acts of obedience will effect others.  I praise God for this one!

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