What are we hiding?

Check out this photo below?

What do you notice? I am struck with a few things.
We have passed by this house numerous times each day walking to the train station. I am always struck with the sheer amount of things that are hidden (or not so hidden) behind the house. The front of the house is a wonderful clean outside. I am struck with the thought of what do we hide from others? from God?
The phrase sweeping things under the rug, well how about putting them outside out back? What are some things we shove away, refuse to deal with, hold to ourselves? I know there are lots of times I don't want to resolve conflict and sweep it under the rug. I know there are things that I want to coddle and keep as my sin pet. Sounds weird to think of it that way, but I think its true. There are sin's that we don't really think are that bad, that we keep coddling. Gossip? Gluttony? Lust?
What are the things that you continue to do that are really hard to let go of?

If you have ever watched the show hoarders, than you can see something similar to this photo. When I watch that show I want to go in and clean everything, and dump everything. But, as I think about it, do I want to do that in my spiritual life? How often do we want to go in and remove the things in the back closets that have cobwebs from years of dust, and moths. Do we believe the Lord is our Redeemer?

But also, looking at this photo, I think of memories too. I am sure each thing they own has a memory; has a story. How do I process this thought?

Do I hold on to people and memories that the Lord is telling me to let go of?   How do I think of that? Who comes to mind when I think of that? No one person comes to mind, as I dearly love so so so many.
As I am writing I also am thinking of the rats, mice, and bugs that are under all that stuff. What in my life as I hold on to things-people is secretly being overtaken with bugs and such. All of this stuff could be good, or was good at one time, but now it looks like it has overtaken the place.
Also, it could have a whole other story that I can't even think of. Before we took this photo we saw the old man shuffle in the door.

All of these thoughts are really ramblings and processing ideas. I would love to hear your continued thoughts as you think about it...

Blessings abounding

I am in awe of the blessings of our God. As I write this, we have had numerous folks donate items we had only prayed to God for. This includes something simple like a iTunes card to be able to download a english version of apps to help us get around. I stand in awe of how our Lord provides. I don't know what to say really, as I look at things like sheets, garbage cans, laundry detergent, hot water pot. I am totally amazed!

Please join us in praising God for His provision of the little and big things that we need.
As you praise the Lord, thank Him for the little and big things in your life! Gratitude will cause you to fall to your knees. I know for us, (me) it strips away pride accepting things from others as an act of worship. Gone is the "Good ole American, do it yourself mentality", but replaced with a Godly perspective of a God who provides for His children.

Staff Conference to Germany

As some of you know, we went to Germany for our World Wide Cadence Student Ministries Conference May4th- 13th. This was a trip that was hard, and amazing at the same time.
below are some thoughts I had journaled on the plane back.

"We are heading on our first flight. First as we were waiting to board we sat back and talked about what we saw during our time and what God was doing. One thing was clear, we had grown since leaving Germany. We looked back and realized our God, the God of the universe had given us a perspective change. Gone was bitterness gone was truth that we thought we knew.  Replaced was the truth about God, the truth that God did move us thru a mighty time of growth and a mighty time of trust. We no longer were looking thru the lenses of pain and disorientation but now were looking thur the eyes of grace and stillness. Grace in the fact that the grace we felt and gave for others astounded even us. As Dan and I  we were sharing at the airport we both had realized how much we each had grown in how we shared, how we talked, and in just how we viewed others.  Gone was hurt that Satan had tried to grasp our hearts with; replaced was truth and talking truth over others. WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE. 
I came in to the conference not ready to connect emotionally, and it took till a while really before we were really able to. But what was interesting was the feelings of loss we felt Friday, knowing this was it. What really shocked me was ( it shouldn't have) that right after we did a study and Devo on identity, that is exactly how I was attacked with my identity in the group. I also began to grieve. Grief in a way I had yet to experience. A feeling of  emotion that was so powerful I didn't know now how to deal with it. So much that all I wanted to do was run into the arms of Jesus, run so hard that the shock of the embrace would shake loose the feelings I was having. 
Even leaving I knew i was emotionally done, but I saw how much we infect each other. When I am emotionally done, (tired basically) I easily slip into the triangle. I noticed it this week way more than I saw before in myself and others.
Also, being there during the time of finding out about the family that had an accident was shaking too. Realizing how futile and fast life is and how much all our petty wants are just vanity, 
We went thru talking about loving one another and making disciples. It caused me to look at my life, and take stock in how much or how little I was doing this. So, who in your life would you say is good at making disciples?




Coming back into Korea, I knew we were in for work. I knew there were going to be rough nights, (ok now only 3 nights) of sleep, and hard days brain wise of figuring out a place to live etc... 
That was and is all so true, but what I didn't think on, (which I should have) was the peace and calm that the Lord would bring in the midst. When we went into our now (new house) I was overwhelmed with the provision of God. Even in the first few steps, I stopped and stood in awe. Our God, even knew in my secret longings, wanted to pour out His goodness of things like a cool sink. When we were in the states helping my mom and dad redo their bathroom I was struck with the cool bowl sinks. I muttered something like, (man one day, in the future,  I would love one of these) little did I know that God heard my little mutters and decided to add that in the new house just cause he could. Wow, God thank you! 

In the house its furnished, which was amazing since we sold and gave away all our furniture knowing God would provide. Little did we know. In the house, also there is on the balcony a little cafe setting like thing (with chairs and tables) ideal for a good quite time and coffee dates with others who come and sit. 

This song link was a song we heard at staff conference: 
I LOVE IT, what a comfort to know! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&list=RD0327YX8bBB_Qs&NR=1&v=2yHbb1HP78k


I pray that as you listen, you are comforted by the Lord's peace!!!!!

We are here

Many of you have been following us as we follow the Lord. Throughout this time we have seen God's hand move in so many way in our hearts and around us. Thank you for praying, there are no words to describe our DEEP DEEP thankfulness. Below are some photos as we arrived. Also our CSM Director and friend was here to see us too, which helped the transition of yesterday.

Our new home!!! 

Love this food! Yum!

A heart of a Youth Pastor's wife

As I sit here, I am awestruck by the vision of 3000 youth Pastor's, volunteers, Senior Pastors, all coming together to praise the name of Jesus. Camp is for the Campers. Yes, this weekend, we are at camp, and we are loving it. The amazing thing about a camp for those that love students is that we are all quirky and unusual. The environment is such that we can stop into any group and join a conversation. (although sometimes I need a bit more of a push)
We have been talking about being disillusioned with life, God, all of the above. While life throws at us many many curve balls, its how we respond to those objects flying that determine if we will get hit, wounded, or just bounced off of. While I admit its not easy when directions you think the Lord is leading changes, there is still a sense of hope in the midst of it all. Today in our general session Rick Lawrence asked us what taste of the Lord do we have in our mouth.  My answer is Hopefully and delightfully invasive. Ok, so we were only supposed to have 1 word, but I couldn't put it into 1 word. There I go moving out of the boundaries.
What I mean about the Lord being delightfully, and hopeful invasive, is this. There is extreme delight in knowing the Lord is at work, and extreme delight that the Lord is chipping away at the dead branches of my heart. That is where invasive comes in. Just like a medical invasive test where there is a scope that goes in and puts visual photos and examines your innards so often I feel the Lord doing that in my heart. Constantly I experience pruning in my heart, but pruning with a purpose. I know, and have experienced the Lord enough to know He prunes for my good.  The hard part sometimes is in the midst of life, fully and completely trusting with abandon.  Thus, when we are disillusioned I think its when we take our eyes off of the Lord, and His perspective for us,  and look thru our eyes at our circumstance.

Wage War against your soul

In the hallway Dan and I are in, we have been reading scripture together and discussing it. Its been really helpful in bringing us to the foot of the cross together as a couple. We've been thru 1st Samuel and now we have read 1st Peter. Here are some thoughts while discussing the book, and things that the Lord brought out.

"Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a SINCERE brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart since you have been born again not of perishable seed but of imperishable through the living word of God." 1st Peter 1:22-23

Having purified your souls by obedience to the truth. Hm. If I think about my life and my actions I know that there are times that I have not purified my soul in following the truth. Truth, what is truth. 

This is something I asked my Middle school girls often. Their response, truth is God, truth is what I see, truth is what I feel.  Then, I ask the follow up question, how do you know what truth is. Can you prove truth.  Thinking on this, makes me go to a verse the Lord has been working in me the last year on.

Philippians 4:8-9. You know the passage, whatever is right, true, noble, praiseworthy, lovely think on these things whatever you have learned, seen, put in the practice and the peace of God will guard your hearts in Christ Jesus.: (I realize I paraphrased it) Why do I tie this into the other verse?

I think there are many time we focus on things that are not true. We focus on issues that for example are filled with our pride, thinking while others are sharing we know it better. We, especially with others, focus on hurts, or our agenda. Do we love with a SINCERE love? How often do we purify our hearts with truth when we love others. Is what we think truth about them, or what they think? Do we listen, or do we judge.  I know for me, I am so guilty of trying to fix them in my mind while talking. I try sometimes to annalize them, but I think often its my agenda. Do we sincerely listen to those that the Lord has put in our path? Listening is just opening up your ears to hear what they are saying, and not in your mind thinking of your response while they are talking.  Ooh,  I'm guilty again.

This part brought to me another passage in 1st Peter:

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passion of the flesh, WHICH WAGE WAR AGAINST YOU." 

These things wage war, Hm. War-

 Loving and serving the military we know what war is. We know the effects, and the demands and the casualties. Think about war in your soul.

Noun A state of armed conflict between different nations or states or different groups within a nation or state.

Verb Engage in a war.

Synonyms noun.   warfare - battle - fight - struggle - combat - strife verb.   fight - combat - battle - make war

We are in a spiritual fight, flesh is waring about our spirit daily, hourly, every minute. Think with me about war. Think about all the different fasicits of war. This thought brought me to thinking on how many people parished, or were hurt because I was in sin walking in the flesh. That thought brought me to my knees yesterday as we are in ministry and there are times we minister out of our flesh. After wrestling with this thought for a while, the Lord calmed my soul with " but God and his grace and mercy"  I know there are times (hard to admit) where I was not allowing the Lord to saturate my soul, and I was walking in Becke's stubbornness and pride. I confessed all those times when I thought back of what ministry would have looked like if in that moment I allowed the Lord to saturate me. Now don't miss hear me, most times I do allow the Lord, but you know, we are human, and stubborn.  I am just saying, I am not 100%, 100% of the time. 

In thinking about war in our soul, 1st Peter 2:22 "He commited no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth when he was reviled he did not revile in return." Hm. Revile? definition: Criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner.  Oh ouch. Ok, how many of you are perfect in this area. How many of you are verbal processors. I process verbally, but that doesn't mean I need to sin in processing. How many times do we sin and call it processing verbally. Again, guilty. Oh man, see why this book is kicking my butt.  I think especially in the church, we try to process things that happen and in so doing fall into gossip and don't even know it. I had a good friend the other day, tell me that I know your processing this, but I don't need to hear it, and be a part of this conversation. I so value that, cause how many of us just let others talk. So to that person, Thank you.

I could write for hours on 1st Peter but for the sake of your eyes, and my fingers, I will end here. 

Needless to say, blogger land, this book has kicked my butt, (God has kicked my butt) and am realizing how much I  need the Lord. How much I need Him to saturate every part of my heart. 

I would love to hear your thoughts bloggers and readers.

Praising HIM -Even here- in this Hallway

Have you ever wondered What is God doing?

This has been our heart cry for the past 2 weeks or so.
As you know the door to Osan closed, or rather stayed closed to us. This was a huge surprise to all involved, as well as us. About that time there was a post on Facebook (yes there is good with Facebook) that was this:

This was right on time, (which the Lord knew) 

What was interesting to me is thinking on the idea of the hallway.  Am I uncomfortable in the hallway? or am I liking the hallway. Do I set up house in the hallway of life? Who else will I meet in the hallway that needs the peace and joy of the Lord. As we think about this time in between doors, we are blessed beyond measure. The Lord has provided above our wildest imaginations while being here. HE has given us up speakable joy. Yesterday was a hard day, and I had a meltdown. But when I stopped to think about why the meltdown happened, I realized I took my eyes off the Lord and His purposes and looked thru man's eyes (ok woman's eyes) and got thrown off of praising Him. 

Its interesting to me that when I am focused on what the Lord is doing, and what He has done in and thru us even here, I stand amazed. How can I not praise Him in the hallway. 

Believe me there are times I want to climb thru the window, but if I did, I would miss what God has for me here and now. What I am coming to enjoy is EVEN HERE God is giving joy, and my job is to praise Him in the hallway. I am also called to help others around me in the hallway, or who are stuck and frightened here to come alive to the knowledge of God. 

I start to think about what each of our hallways look like. 

MY hallway (usually during transition) my thoughts of the hallway are the image below.

This will be no surprise to many, but I think in people. All my life has been filled with memories good and bad of encounters with others. Many of these photo memories are filled with memories of the Lord. In fact most are, but there are tons of photos and images on my walls. People who have shown Christ, glimpses of God at work, and then sad faces of those who have chosen a path that leads to hardness of heart. Those are the images that hurt me soul the most. Usually in transition is where we walk thru hallways of life; ours in no different. While we leave communities and people we love, I envision walking thru this hallway encountering memories of things that have changed us along the way.

Thinking about hallways makes me ask the question, what does your hallway look like? Dan's hallway is so different than mine. As yours will be different from others. So what does your hallway look like? And, what do you look like when you come out on the other side. OR, do you ever go thru another door? are you stuck in the hallway?
Take a look at the images below, I fond myself looking on google at images of hallways, and that started my mind going a million miles in different directions.  There are hallways with building comforts, dark scary hallways, hallways with hardship, dispair, hallways filled with hurting people. What does your hallway look like?

IS it roomy, have you made improvements?Is the hallway different by time you enter the other door, or are you?

Thoughts that keep my mind processing change, and transition. So, here we stand with YOU Lord, we can do no more than to Praise you in this hallway!

Below is a video, or link to a song by Francis chan's daughter called "Even Here". This has become a dear song to us at this time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSmMJSXLDoo

I would love to hear about your hallway... or stories from your hallway. email me at: 

becke.haas@gmail.com

 We are heading to Poland, (stopped for the night at a hotel) so we can help others. No point in just focusing on us, there is much hurt and need out there. 

alifeoverseas.com