Get Off The Fence

Imagine you're in the most important soccer game of your life. The ball goes out of bounds and you stand just outside the line trying to signal a team mate to get ready for the pass. You see a team mate, you recognize them by the jersey of course, and yell at them to get open! They turn around and say, "I'm just not sure. I don't know if I'm on this team. I'm kind of on the fence." WHAT. Now is not the time! This game is crucial! You scramble looking to pass to someone else who can get the ball up the field and help your team out...

 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" Revelation 3:15

Essentially, being lukewarm means not knowing what team you want to play for. That's what it comes down to in my mind. And really, if you're on the fence about which team you're on, no one is going to want you to be on their team! If you can't decide which direction you're going in, you essentially render yourself useless to everyone around you.

Figure it out.

Bigger Doesn't Mean Better

Some times you just want to know that you're in the right place, that you didn't just stumble into something accidentally or that it all "just happened". I heard once that you can't believe in coincidence and God at the same time. The following is a snapshot of something I wrote the other day about hearing from God.

"It's funny because we want God to speak to us in these big crazy ways that make our eyes water or give us goose bumps. But some times God shows up in the simple stuff - Like meeting a sweet lady named Lillian or old familiar songs or relevant passages or friendly faces or good coffee. Maybe we just need to have God speak to us by whatever means necessary. It's that still small voice. It's the old time familiar tune versus the loud booming voice from the heavenlies. I guess what I'm saying is that that's how you know you are where you're supposed to be. Not because they play a set of your favorite worship songs or because the pastor speaks about Jonah. When God speaks, we just know it. It just fits right and for a moment you feel a new sense of clarity."

There's a story in 1 Kings 19 where this guy named Elijah is waiting to hear from God. There's a mighty strong wind, an earthquake and a fire... and yet God wasn't speaking through any of those. And then after all of the craziness settles down, God speaks. I wrote another blog a while back about how God is always trying to speak to us - we just need to be willing to listen and even more so willing to then be obedient. I just find it funny that we expect God to speak to us in these big crazy ways because we acknowledge that God is so big and powerful. It's great that we acknowledge His majesty but I wonder if some times it's not about quanity but about quality. I've wanted God to speak to me in big ways. But more often then not, He's spoken to me in small ways about BIG THINGS. Funny eh?

Maybe you want God's opinion on something. Maybe you're weighing some decisions or maybe you just feel drained. I'm not saying God can't part the clouds, shine the sun and give you guidance as to which pizza place to grab lunch at today. He could probably do that. But be on the look out. Maybe God wants to tell you something really big but He wants to use something average, every day and ordinary to do it. Don't underestimate the every day things. There are no coincidences, remember?

The Coolest Thing Ever

We are into the fifth week of camp here at Circle Square Ranch. We've had an awesome summer so far. So many kids have come for the first time and in turn heard about how much Jesus loves them. It's really cool to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of kids as young as 6 years old.

In early June I blogged about our camper scholarship campaign that was underway. We're currently still raising funds that will go towards sending deserving kids to camp this summer. To date, we have sponsored almost 50 kids!

Last week I was handed an envelope that had come in the mail. I opened the envelope to find a piece of paper and a cheque. The paper was a printed out copy of my blog post For The Boys. The memo line indicated their donation was for the camper scholarship fund. I was so excited. And then I saw where the cheque was from - Illinois. I burst into tears. Someone who doesn't know a thing about me or about this camp or about these kids cared enough to donate. I was so overwhelmed.

A few things I took away from this - I have a voice. Sometimes I feel silly writing blogs that I'm confident only 11.7 people read, if that. This reminded me that if I never say anything, nothing will ever happen. You've got to take that chance. Feel silly.

I was also encouraged by a strangers generosity. Those are the kind of people God calls us to be. Love your neighbor as yourself. Who is your neighbor? I know I've got one in Illinois.

If you're still interested in partnering with our camp ministry, you can write a cheque out to “Circle Square Ranch” with the memo indicating “2012 Camper Scholarship Campaign”. I'll list the contact information again below. Thanks to everyone who's supported already through prayers and donations - especially to the Bowers family!

Circle Square Ranch
1361 Price Road
Arden, ON K0H1B0
(613) 335 5403
arden@csranch.ca

For The Boys.

I haven't written anything in over a month and I've sort of been waiting to write about something really good. What I've chosen to write about today is something very near and dear to my heart. Take a little time to read it and prayerfully consider getting involved. It would genuinely mean so much to me!

________________________________________________________________________________________

Every summer at Circle Square Ranch in Arden children and youth have the adventure of their lives. In fact, camp is often a life changing experience in a young person’s life. They will learn new skills, gain friendships that last a lifetime, have great outdoor adventures and learn about a relationship with Jesus.

We want as many children and youth as possible to come to camp this summer. Families facing financial or personal hardships are provided with the opportunity to apply for funding through our camper scholarship program.This year, we want to offer 100 deserving campers a scholarship to come to Circle Square Ranch. Each of these scholarships is worth $300, so we would need to raise $30,000. 

At the ranch I work primarily in the office. One of my many administrative duties is the reception and filing of these camper sponsorship applications. I would like to tell you about two young boys that will be coming to camp this summer thanks to the camper scholarship program. I was contacted recently by a public school who was interested in sending the boys for a week of camp. Their mother had been diagnosed with cancer and was not doing well at the time. The dad hoped this would give the boys something to look forward to. In partnering with the public school, we were able to grant full scholarship to the boys for a week of camp. I called the school yesterday to give them the good news. The teacher said it was good timing as the mother had passed away since we had last spoken. She was so happy to be able to tell the boys they would be able to come to camp this summer. I am so glad that we have been given the opportunity to connect with these boys and offer support to their family as they go through this time of grief. I know that God has strategically placed these boys in our camp and it is from donations into the camper scholarship fund that this has been made possible.

Requesting financial support can be awkward and uncomfortable but essentially that is what I am asking. I don't think any of you are loaded by any means but even a small donation of $10 can make a difference. On behalf of kids like these young boys, will you partner with us to make this opportunity a reality for less fortunate children by making a contribution to our 2012 Camper Scholarship Campaign?  Your gift of any amount would help us make camp a reality for children this summer. Cheques can be made payable to “Circle Square Ranch” with the memo indicating “2012 Camper Scholarship Campaign”. Our contact information is listed below. If you would like to donate by other means, please contact me and I can assist you accordingly.

Thank you for prayerfully considering partnering with us to provide an exciting summer adventure to young people. With your support, deserving children and families will be exposed to the life changing message of God’s Word.   

Sincerely,

Sarah Wesson

Circle Square Ranch
1361 Price Road
Arden, ON K0H1B0
(613) 335 5403
arden@csranch.ca

Dream it. Live it.

I've had people ask me a couple questions over the last few months and I figured what better way to answer them than all at once. Yay technology!

Where have you been lately?

Throughout high school, college and the years following I've spent my summers, either weeks of it or the entire thing, at Circle Square Ranch. It's a summer camp for kids and in the non-summer months, what we call the off-season, it is a retreat and conference center. In the last two summers I have moved into a stronger leadership position which involved directing the leadership training program for our up and coming staff members. I then worked primarily in the office for the remainder of the summer. In September I was brought on as a year round support staff. Since then my job has consisted primarily of cooking meals for retreat groups, managing guest rooms and over seeing the general cleaning and upkeep of the building. As we prepare for camp, my work has shifted me into the office where I take calls, process camper registrations and coordinate upcoming retreats and events. I absolutely love my job and the people I interact with on a daily basis. I have been so blessed in my time here and God has used this time to prepare me for the next phase of my life. But more about that in a minute.

Did you back slide?

No one's asked me this but somebody once told their kids I had back slidden (a churchy term for not going to church any more) because I hadn't been around for a few months. (They didn't realize I had moved away for Bible college. Awkward.)

Are you ever moving back to Ottawa?

Since my involvement with the ranch, I have developed a keen interest in serving others through cooking and hosting. Something that started out as an off-handed comment about one day owning a bed and breakfast has become a full fledged dream that I am currently beginning to live out. In September of this year I will be moving to Kingston to attend St Lawrence College. I'm taking a two and a half year program that will land me a double diploma, one in Hospitality and Tourism Management and another in Hotel and Restaurant Management. I am passionate about what I do and I have been blessed with a skill set that will take me far within this industry. I aim to work within the hospitality and tourism industry for many years to come. My long term goal is to one day own and operate a bed and breakfast. This will most likely occur once I am more settled into yet another stage of my life. This stage will probably include a terribly handsome husband and precious little ones. Hint: not for a little while ;) Hence why it is a long term goal. However, I'm very excited to begin the process of learning and working in an area that I absolutely have grown to love.

What about ministry? Someone asked me if I was walking away from my calling to ministry, specifically involving students. I fully intend on getting connected with a church in Kingston and maintaining my connections with Circle Square Ranch and Community Pentecostal Church in Ottawa. Both have played a significant role in my life and have brought me to where I am now. I still have an incredible heart for God and for ministry and for youth. I see my education, work experience and career path as a means by which I can live for God and serve others. This is just the beginning.

God has been all over this decision to move to Kingston, almost to the point where I feel like all I've had to do was show up. He has been dropping details into the picture left, right and center. From the college, the program, my apartment and potential job opportunities, God has been lining things up WAY better than I ever could. I am blown away and almost speechless when I look at all of the doors He has been opening.

I'd appreciate your prayers over the next little while as I continue to move forward into the plans God has for me. I'm over the moon excited and I cannot wait to see what God does next. 

St Lawrence has this little saying - "First you dream it, then you live it." Sounds like a plan to me. 

Intimacy.

If you've ever stumbled upon my Facebook photo albums or my Twitter feed, you may notice that from time to time I like to post photos from my every day life. They range from something of a comical nature to some of the best sunsets I've ever seen.

A while ago I saw something really neat but as I tried to take a picture of it, the camera on my phone kept on glitching. I really wanted to capture the moment so I could share it with others. As I fidgeted with my phone I felt God say to me, "This one is just for you."

We've got phones and apps and blogs and such and we're all very well connected to the world around us. We live in an era where we thrive on sharing as much detail with others as possible. That's the premise of Facebook or Twitter really. But it occurred to me that as much as we like to share what's going on in our lives, even spiritually speaking, some things are supposed to be just between us and God.

I am not against social media. Hello, I'm currently writing a blog which you're now reading cause you clicked the link on my Facebook or Twitter. I am, however, against the loss of intimacy between me and my Creator. God speaks to me and stirs up things in my life and sometimes I share them but sometimes I don't. It's really a judgment call on your part but I really think that there are some things we should keep to ourselves. Our relationship with God shouldn't be a secret; we should want to shout it from the mountain tops pretty much. But the details of our relationship with God - the things He's convicting us on, the beauty He's revealing to us - I think we should keep these things private. We need to preserve the intimacy of our relationship with God by limiting the things we share with the world around us.

I share things I'm learning or experiencing as a means of encouraging others or giving people something to think about. I'll admit, sometimes I just want to make people laugh. But I don't share everything. When you share intimate things, they're no longer intimate.

Again, just something to think about!

Turning Up The Heat

I once spent an entire (chilly) weekend sitting by the fireplace - good coffee and good conversations with good company. But I was freezing.

The fire was roaring - logs piled high and fully ablaze. The couch I sat on was mere feet from the fireplace. But I was freezing.

At the end of the weekend, we were hosting a coffee house. In preparation for the night, someone walked by the fire and flipped a little switch - for the fan.

"Dang it!" I thought to myself. I had sat for three evenings wondering how in the world I could be so close to the fire and yet barely feel any of its heat. And all I had to do was flip a silly little switch.

Ever feel like that with God? Maybe you sit in worship services and you know God is there but you just don't feel close to Him. Or maybe you read your Bible, which you know is the living Word of God... but you feel like nothing is really standing out to you. Or maybe you're ministering to others but feel like you could be doing so much more for the Kingdom.

Makes me wonder if sometimes we just need to flip the switch. But what switch? I don't really know. But I think that whatever it is, it's different for everyone. My relationship with God is not the same as your relationship with God. The things that bring me closer to God are different that what may draw you in.

I wonder how many times we are standing, staring the fire of God right in the face, and we think to ourselves, "C'mon! Why don't I feel anything!" We have the desire to go deeper, to grow, to feel something more than what we feel right now. And all it takes is one switch. Maybe the switch is getting things out of our lives that come between us and God. Maybe the switch is spending more time in the Word. Maybe the switch is learning from people who are more spiritually mature. Maybe it's taking a step of faith and doing something you've never done before.

I don't know what turning on the switch looks like for you. But I hope I don't spend my whole life sitting right in front of God's presence but never really feeling it entirely. Today, may you tap into all that God has for you. May you feel the fire AND the heat.

Sitting In The Front Seat

Yesterday Joshua turned 12 years old. He is one of my four American siblings I had the joy of living with for two and half years in North Carolina. Even from hundreds of miles away those kids still bring me such joy. I called Joshua to wish him a happy birthday and when I asked what the best part of his day was he immediately said, "I got to sit in the front seat!" It made me so happy to hear him so excited. What he said stuck out in my mind and the more I thought about it afterwards, the more I felt God trying to speak to me about something.

Why can't kids sit in the front seat of a car until they turn twelve (or reach a specific weight/height requirement)? The simple answer - because it's just not safe. No body really questions it. But you've got kids that are 8-11 busting at the gut to hit 12 and finally sit up front. I can even remember being excited to move up in the car. But you had to wait.

Life always seems to require some aspect of waiting. See, whether exciting or nerve-wracking, our futures only arrive a day at a time. So we have to wait. And there's not really any way around it. I asked someone once why God doesn't give us certain answers when we ask for them. Their response was that maybe it's because God knows we're not ready for them just yet. It's like the front seat - we can't sit in until we're deemed "ready" and if we sit there before hand, it could have some pretty harmful consequences. And doesn't it make sense to trust the Maker? I mean, the people who invented the seats and tested the safety of it would probably hold the most reliable opinion.

I am waiting on a lot of different things. Some answers will come sooner and others not for a while. But that's okay. I trust God because He's the one who's made the very things I'm waiting for.

Joshua had a count down to his birthday because he knew that when that day would come, he could finally experience the thing he had been waiting for. There was an anticipation and excitement. Be excited about your future! The Bible tells us that the things God has in store for us are GOOD! Hello! But while you're waiting, have hope. Look forward to the days when you'll get your answers.

You know one of the best parts about being able to sit in the front seat? It changes your perspective of things completely...

Worst Decision Ever

I remember it all so clearly. It was a Friday during my first year of Master's Commission. I was in my second semester of interning with a church in North Carolina. It had been a challenging first semester but I was looking forward to some exciting new changes taking place. On that Friday, however, I was feeling far from wonderful. I had just recently encountered some interesting circumstances and had been feeling slightly stressed as a result. Being the super spiritual over-zealous first year that I was, I decided to fast. To catch everyone up to speed, fasting is a spiritually based concept that centers on giving something up and replacing it with something else for a period of time. For example, fasting television because you spend more time watching tv than you spend reading God's Word. I figured that I could spend some time in prayer regarding my current circumstances. I decided to fast all meals from Friday night until Monday morning.

Friday evening was fine. I began to feel a little hungry on Saturday but continued on with my commitment. And then came Sunday.

But you see, this wasn't just any Sunday. No, no folks. This was Super Bowl Sunday. I had completely forgotten. Not only that, our youth ministry was hosting a huge party that night to watch the Super Bowl, complete with pizza, wings, chips, soda and the like. And I was fasting. I just about croaked when I realized that I had picked the absolute worst time in the history of American living to begin a fast... worst decision ever! In the grand scheme of things though it really wasn't that big of a deal. I stuck with it and ended my fast on Monday morning.

This story makes me laugh because the timing of it all could not have been worse. I'm not some fatty obsessed with honey garlic wings and Vanilla Coke... okay, maybe the coke part... but let's be serious - it's the Super Bowl. It's good eatin'! It's a "fun, food and fellowship" kind of thing. (Btw, if you're reading this feeling completely lost because you've never participated in Super Bowl activities, release your inner football poser, learn a stat or two and find a way to celebrate with friends. It's just a good time!)

That weekend reminds me of how our plans don't hold any ground on God's timing. I had made a commitment to God for that weekend and I couldn't just quit all because I really wanted a slice of pizza. Sure, it was a bummer it all went down on the same weekend... but it really wasn't the end of the world. 

Maybe you've made a commitment to God recently. Maybe it was a New Years resolution of sorts. Maybe you committed to doing or not doing something for a month or two. Maybe you've made a commitment for the entire year of 2012. Whatever it is, I encourage you to stick with it because it will be rewarding. Sure, there will be “Super Bowls” and times when it's hard to stick with the commitment you've made. But whatever you've committed to God, I can bet honoring that commitment will be so much better than any “slice of pizza” or “sip of pop” could ever be.

Stick with it. Today is day 036. And you can make it.

Character Comes First

Here's something I thought of today...

I feel like sometimes when I've asked God for healing or for wisdom or for provision, it doesn't happen right away. There always seems to be a waiting period attached to God answering these requests.

And then there are the times where I (foolishly) ask God to help me be more patient with people or to help me control my words. And then literally the very next morning I wake up to such a stressful and chaotic day in which every time I turn around, I've got the wonderful opportunity to exercise patience with someone or to hold my tongue when I'd rather rip a strip off of somebody.

Isn't it funny how that works? Maybe it's never happened to you like that before but this seems to be the case for me.

I started wondering if the speed with which God seems to respond to my requests might reveal something about the importance of the things I'm asking for. Think about it like this - I am a financially responsible person. I work, I earn, I save, I tithe. I don't spend money on things I don't need. I don't have a shopping addiction, I don't eat out with friends all the time, I don't see the newest movies (unless it's a Tuesday, hah!)... I am good with my money. But sometimes things come up and I need more than what I have. In these moments I've sought God and truth be told I have always ended up having exactly what I've needed. God really has been faithful.

But what good is money? You have it, something requires it of you, and you have it no more.

But what about character?

1 Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter. While its verses describe what love is, it's also a great list of traits to aspire to having in your character tool belt. I want to be patient. I want to be kind, to consider the feelings of others. I don't want to be envious of someone else's life. There are so many things in that list that I aspire to be. Those are a part of my character and I believe those are the kinds of things that God has called us to be.

In John 13:35 Jesus told the disciples that people would know they were followers of Christ by the love that they had for others. Not by the car they drove, or by the degree they had, or by the iphone they tweeted from.

So why does God present me with situations where I want to pull my hair out if I have to repeat something to someone one more time... why does He allow people into my life that speak hurtful words to me... why do I constantly find myself in moments that require me to say something good or nothing at all...

Because God is building my character. He's shaping me on the inside.

Does He care that I'm saving money to go back to college? Yes. Does He care that I've got a dental bill to pay cause I don't have flippin' dental insurance... yes. But I'm starting to realize those just aren't as important. Because once I go back to school, that's it. Once I pay that bill, that's it. But my character, my attitude, my heart for others... that remains.

I don't know if any of this makes sense to you or seems applicable to your life. All I know is that this year I am taking the time to become the kind of person God wants me to be. Notice how I said I'm taking the time. As in, it's a choice. You have to be purposeful about it. You have to look at every situation, good or bad, and ask, "What is God trying to show me?" That's what I do. You'd be amazed with how quickly God will start speaking to you.

Seriously, try it!

Everybody Needs A White Rocking Chair

The other day I realized I hadn't written a blog in over a month. I usually write when I'm inspired by something or when I've got a lot on my mind and I just need to let it out. Funny then that I haven't written in so long because truth be told I've had plenty on my mind since I last wrote in December. But then again, the point starting this whole blog was to be slow to speak, to take time to gather my thoughts and to see if they were something I ought to share with others. Evidently, not so.

Speaking of taking time though... I did think of something today that I wanted to share. The simplest of thoughts and yet sometimes it's the simple thoughts that we often overlook.

I miss traveling. Specifically, I miss flying. I have never had a boring flight. There's always been something memorable about it. Whether it's been accidentally flying to Ontario, California instead of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada or sitting in front of someone with a major mucus issue that needs resolving... it's never a dull moment. My experience in the actual airports has been equally enjoyable. Walking from one gate to the next is prime people watching time. (Admit it, you love people watching too.) I've seen everything from grown men in super hero pajamas to middle aged women rocking the head to toe velour jump suit look.

My absolute favorite airport, which I frequented many times over the last few years, is the one in Charlotte, North Carolina. It's one of my favorites because it signified that I was about two hours away from seeing some of my favorite people on Earth. But there was something that always struck me funny about this airport. Amidst the chaos of connecting flights, watery coffee and overpriced burger stands, there were rocking chairs. Beside departure and arrival screens, at the end of those rolling sidewalks that help you get to the wrong gate quicker... white rocking chairs.

Every time I saw them I chuckled a bit to myself because it's truly the epitome of Southern living - making time to take it easy in the middle of life's chaos. That's what those chairs make me think of.

Life gets busy. Whether you work, go to school, have kids, pay bills, teach a class of some sort... everyone has stuff going on. Everybody needs a white rocking chair - that thing that reminds them to take it easy and appreciate the little things. Maybe it's playing your guitar, maybe it's knitting, maybe you like to bake. Maybe you write poetry, maybe you make crayon art like the one's you've seen on Pinterest, maybe you just stare out your window and watch the snow fall.

The truth is that as many times as I've been in that Charlotte airport, I have yet to sit in one of those rocking chairs. I've always been on my way to my next gate, excited to get where I'm going. It's okay to be excited with what you're doing in life and where God's taking you. But sometimes, when there's a lull, a lay over if you will, take that time to rest and to be still and to remember the Creator of it all.

The next time I fly through Charlotte, I'm making time to sit in one of those silly white rocking chairs. And I'll definitely be sipping on a cup of sweet tea.