The Anna Log

A Day at McDonald's

2010-07-22T13:10:00.004-05:00

I met Don at McDonald's. I only go to McDonald's to escape. I bring a good book, purchase the $1 hot fudge sundae, and hide in the corner for several hours - reading the world away.

I guess Don doesn't read body-language very well.

"What are you reading?" he asked from a table away. Great, I thought. Some creepy guy wants to have a conversation with me during my McDonald's "escape" time.

I pretended I didn't hear him and continued reading.

"What are you reading?" he asked again, this time louder. I couldn't ignore him.

"Just a book." I replied drily.

"I love reading ..." he started and just kept talking for 30 minutes [I'm not exaggerating here]. He told me about the books he'd read recently. He told me about a season of his life where he received unemployment and just lived on a boat and read for 3 years.

I said nothing and tried to look very uninterested ... but he just kept talking. Halfway through his monologue, my heart changed ... "Is this you, Jesus?"

I started to really listen to Don. He didn't remind me of a creepy guy anymore. He reminded me of a man looking for someone to talk to. Someone to listen.

Still not wanting to stay long, I excused myself and stood up to leave.

"What do you do?" he asked.

What the heck! I'm moving to Texas in three days... "I teach the Bible at a campus here in Ozark called YWAM." I replied.

"I read the Bible once," he said, "cover-to-cover."

"What'd you think?" I asked.

Don preceded to tell me about an experience he'd had with a Gideon Bible, given to him by a friend at work. "I read in the back where it talks about being born again. I did all the steps and walked down to the shore to baptist myself ..." He continued, " 'Read the Bible cover-to-cover' was the next step after baptism. So, I drove to B & N and bought a study Bible."

"And you read the whole thing?" I asked, blown away. Only 30% of born again Christians have read the entire New Testament, let alone the entire Bible.

"Well, I tried ... I quit somewhere in the middle of Acts."

"So, what do you think of Jesus?" I asked, still standing to leave.

Don talked more about what he'd read: excerpts from the writings of the Dalai Lama, a well-known atheist and the Bible. He was unsure of the character and deity of Jesus.

Don and I talked about what the lifestyle of a Christian should look like ... are there absolute sins? are there preferences and gray areas? ... we talked mostly about Paul's letter to the Romans - sin and Jesus' sacrifice. We talked about Paul's letters to the Corinthians - loving and preferring one another.

"Don, you stopped short of some of the best books of the Bible ... all the questions you're asking me come from Romans, and 1 & 2 Corinthians ... those are the next 3 books after Acts in your Bible. You should finish reading it."

"Oh ..." he paused, "okay, I will." And I know he will.

I also know God's Word speaks.

Praying Don understands and experiences a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus and not a step-by-step guide to spirituality.

The Music Madness Weekend (Conclusion)

2010-06-12T19:11:00.002-05:00

One of the hardest and best weekends of my life.

I know why Jesus hung out with sinners.

I know what a great sinner I am.

I know what a great Savior I have.

I know why I gave my life to my Lord Jesus.

"Evangelism is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread."

- Howard G. Hendricks

The Music Madness Weekend (Part 5 - Kindal & Myra)

2010-06-12T18:36:00.003-05:00

This will be my last story from the Music Event. I waited to write about these two girls because that's what they are girls. Young girls. Delicate material. But I felt I wouldn't be giving you the entire atmosphere of this outreach, if I did not share this interaction. This interaction which gave me a small taste of Jesus' broken, tender heart for the lost.

Meet Myra (left), age 10, and Kindal (right), age 11. We painted together for about half an hour.

Kindal's mom, Coco, operated the booth across from us. Myra's dad, Blue Moon, [I believe] is a drug-pusher, who frequents events such as these. [My assumption of his career comes from a "transaction" we witnessed right behind our booth.]

Myra and Kindal met at a previous festival and have been best friends ever since. Even though they both live on the road with a parent, they are able to meet up at almost every festival.

For their ages, they looked older. They talked older. I didn't even want to imagine what they witnessed or experienced on a daily basis.

Kindal was the talker. She shared about a time when she went to church with a friend back in Virginia.

"What'd you think of it?" I asked.

"I don't know ..." she answered "I'm not used to going ... so it was weird."

The thing that stood out to me about Kindal was one phrase that she repeated often. In referring to her mom, she would say, "oh, she doesn't care."

Most times it was used with preferences. For example, I asked Kindal where she was from, while prefacing she didn't have to tell me, if her mom didn't want her to.

"Oh, she doesn't care..." Kindal replied.

This happened two or three times. But one time she said this phrase as a statement. A statement of her relationship with Coco, looking up at me to see how I would answer her.

I couldn't. I couldn't explain to her why her mom didn't care.

Before we packed up for the last night, I walked across to Coco's booth to give Myra and Kindal each a New Testament. We wrote their names in the cover and notes about how much Jesus cares for them.

The Music Madness Weekend (Part 4 - Zack)

2010-06-11T13:52:00.004-05:00

Don't ask him anything about Jesus. This might sound odd, but that is exactly what the Holy Spirit told me as I sat down across from Zack at our art booth. So I didn't say one word about Jesus.

Zack and I talked about how he had just moved to Little Rock. How he had taken up art a few months before, thanks to his roommate's influence. About his love for gardening. About his mohawk. Vincent [another YWAM staff] and my mom sat and talked with us. [We were all so grateful for the older moms, my mom, Charlotte, Barb, who came with us... so many ... especially the young men, hung out with us simply because they wanted to be near a 'mom.'] None of us mentioned Jesus.

Two of the "moms" at our booth
[L to R - Molly (my mom) & Charlotte]

Many who came simply needed "mom" hugs

Zack sat with us for almost an hour. It was evident by the end of the night, that Zack had come to the event by himself. He had no friends with him. The entire time I felt like what Zack needed right then was healthy conversation, healthy interaction, where he felt loved and wanted. If he associated that with Jesus, he would love Jesus.

Throughout the entire conversation, we all painted and drew. Each of us, gave Zack the drawings or paintings we made for him. On the back of my painting for Zack, I wrote a simple note to him of my prayer that he would experience true peace through Jesus Christ.

We began to pack up to leave for the night. Zack promised to come back the next day to finish his drawing. And he did. Vincent, my mom and I were not at the art booth the next morning when Zack came back. But the staff who were there came to love Zack as quickly as we had the night before. Zack painted for another hour, until his masterpiece was complete.

I couldn't help but see God's hand in Zack's life. If Zack had not joined Ameri-Corp only a few months earlier, moved to Little Rock, gotten interested in art, and decided to spend his weekend at the Music Festival, we would never have met him or been able to share with him HOW much Jesus loves and accepts him. What a divine appointment!

The Music Madness Weekend (Part 3 - Sarah)

2010-06-10T09:19:00.004-05:00

I don't have a picture of Sarah, but I don't need one. I can see her so clearly in my mind as I write this.

Normally, when the sharing the gospel with someone, I would describe myself as gentle. Non-challenging rhetorical questions. But with Sarah, something rose up inside of me. I was more like a Mack Truck.

"Yeah, I totally dig Jesus," said Sarah, "I'm just not down with all the non-red words in the Bible ... you know what I'm saying? ... But Jesus, yeah, I love him."

I don't remember how our conversation evolved after this statement, but the part that I keep remembering is the Mack Truck part.

I met Sarah on Sunday. Monday was her 25th birthday.

"Quarter of a century!" she shouted emphatically.

"Sarah, you turn 25 tomorrow ... is this how you want to live the rest of your life?"

I didn't wait for her answer. "Because let me tell you how the rest of your life is going to go ... [I can't believe I said that ... but I'm telling you I felt such an urgency with her] ... You're going to go home tonight or tomorrow and cry yourself to sleep at night because you are SO lonely. And this partying weekend didn't change the loneliness you feel. How long do you want to live like this? Not remembering the name of the guy you slept with the night before? [can't believe I said that either] Giving yourself away for free?"

I continued, "This is not what God created you for ... and this is not how you want to spend your 25th year... If you want your 25th year to be the best ever ... give it to Jesus."

Through my entire conversation with Sarah, every moment I expected her to flip me the bird and walk away ... but she stayed and she listened.

She paused, "You really care, Mama." [I didn't talk with many girls. The girls I met seemed either very hard or very wasted ... I would have to be one or the other to operate in the environment they were daily living in... but all of them called me and each other "Mama."]

"Do you know anyone who REALLY knows Jesus in Tennessee, Sarah?" I asked, "like really knows him, like lives by the red words?"

"No" she answered "I don't know anyone who knows Jesus."

She had to leave. "Can I pray that when you go back to Tennessee you will find someone who knows Jesus?"

"Yeah" she sighed, "Pray for me."

We prayed for Sarah and watched her walk away. That's the picture of her I remember. Her walking away, looking back at us over her shoulder.

The Music Madness Weekend (Part 2 - Rob)

2010-06-09T14:08:00.007-05:00

I watched Rob walk completely passed our booth, stop further down the street, and turn around. He walked straight to where I was sitting and quietly strumming my guitar behind our booth. One of the clearest moments of God drawing an individual to our booth.

"Can I play you a song?" He asked, sitting down in the camping chair next to mine.

"Sure" I said, glancing at his red, dilated eyes, "did you write it?"

"Yeah" he shrugged "it's an original."

Photo courtesy of Sarah McCormick Studios

He proceeded to play me an emotional song with no lyrics. Honestly, I feared my guitar would break under his passionate playing.

"Cool" I said when he had finished, "What were you thinking about when you wrote that?"

"It was right after my dad died 3 years ago." He replied, "And I thought I was going to marry this girl, but she left me. Can I play you another one?"

"Sure," I said, silently telling myself "It's just a guitar... it's just a guitar ... he's worth more."

Rob played another passionate song. Also lyric-less, also about a girl leaving him.

"Can I play you a song, Rob?" I asked.

"Oh yeah," he answered.

I played the song, which had played in my head all day. The song I had played when Rob walked passed and then turned around to come to our booth.

I have a Maker

He formed my heart

Before even time began

My life was in His hands

Chorus:

He knows my name

He knows my every thought

He sees each tear that falls

And He hears me when I call

I have a Father

He calls me His own

He'll never leave me

No matter where I go

I looked up after the song to see Rob leaning forward in his chair, wiping his eyes, and asking me if I still know the man this song is about.

"Do you know this man?" he asked a second time. He needed to know who I was singing about. I could see it in his face.

Shocked, I paused, "...it's Jesus, Rob. I didn't write this song, but the composer who did is talking about Jesus..."

After another pause, "Have you heard of him before? Can I tell you about Jesus?"

I shared the gospel with Rob, that this 'man' who I had sung about came to earth to die for him. He shared an out-of-body experience he had with me, which he identified as the afterlife.

Rob and my conversation ended like so many conversations ended that day. "I'm glad that path to heaven works for you, Anna, but it's just not mine."

Before parting ways, Rob let Barb and I pray over him and write our contact information on a tract. Planting seeds takes patience, I guess. But I know one thing ... Jesus led Rob to our booth that day.

The Music Madness Weekend (Part 1 - Rick)

2010-06-08T15:13:00.006-05:00

The four-day festival began on Thursday. By Saturday morning, I was discouraged. I had seen more boobs and butts than I had ever asked to see --- and seemed disconnected from the participants because I simply didn't "look the part." I was fully clothed and in complete control of my senses [not high or intoxicated]. This was definitely a plus for me personally, but a negative when it came to relating to those around me, to those I had come to talk to about Jesus. They saw right away that I did not belong. I lacked an avenue of connection.

Saturday morning, Jesus told me to bring my guitar. I brought it, completely unaware that every conversation, for the rest of the event, would revolve around that guitar. Lifting it into the van that afternoon I thought, "Even if nobody wanted to hear me talk about Jesus, I knew Jesus wanted to hear me worship."

I didn't know it, but Vincent [another YWAM staff] felt

like he should bring a guitar, too.

We sat down on an empty trash-filled corner. Pulled out the worship notebook and began to play. The masses staggered by, seemingly unmoved and indifferent to our worship of Jesus.

We start a second song. O How He Loves. A woman came by to listen. After the song, we chatted. She liked to sing, but never out-loud in public. The friends she was waiting for, arrived. She left saying 'no, thanks' to our offer to pray for her.

"YAY! Colorado!" my roommate shouts out to a man passing us with a Colorado shirt. Rick sits down in the grass to talk to this patriotic fellow Coloradan. "Can we pray for you, Rick?" His hands go up to cover his face. When he moves his hands, we see tears.

Rick opens up to us. His daughter is a missionary in Ethiopia. He knows who Jesus is.

"I know you don't believe me, because of this beer can in my hand, but I'm a Christian, " he said.

I looked back at him, "Rick, we're not here to talk about your beer can. I want to talk about your heart. Where is your heart ... is your heart turned toward Jesus?"

"Well, you know it isn't ... or I wouldn't be here." The tears came again.

Rick shared with us about his daughters. He loves them like only a father can, worries for their well-being, and encourages them to follow their heart.

Rick soon became our fast friend. He appreciated our music. He listened as we shared our walks with Jesus. He introduced us to his friend CoCo, who owned the booth across from us, insisting that we play and share with her.

Rick came back to our booth on the last day to say good-bye, promising to read the New Testament we gave him. Written inside: To Rick ... "We won't forget you!"

Rick posing with Jenni to take a "Coloradan" picture

[picture courtesy of Sarah McCormick Studios]

The Music Madness Weekend (Intro)

2010-06-08T14:39:00.007-05:00

Twenty miles from the YWAM campus, only a couple small hills over, 15,000+ people from all over North America met for a Woodstock-style music festival. YWAM saw this as an opportunity for local outreach. The nations coming to our backyard. We as a campus began praying one year ago, asking God HOW we could minister effectively in this event. He answered - through an ART booth.

The following series of blog posts will be stories of the individuals who touched my heart.

Rick. Rob. Sarah. Zack. Kindal & Myra.

I will never be the same.

Photos courtesy of Sarah McCormick Studios

"There's a point where I'd tackle you..."

2010-05-04T14:32:00.004-05:00

I've spent the last two weeks soaking in Zephaniah and Joel. Two minor prophets who prophesy about the day of the Lord, a locust plague (depending on your interpretation), and Jerusalem's coming destruction in 586 B.C. In short, I've spent the last two weeks soaking in descriptions of God's judgment. An issue that make many (including myself) cringe upon discussion.

I've never understood the logic behind the question "Why does God allow suffering?" because I've found the same people who ask this question, also ask it's opposite "Why does God send people to hell?" The first question begs for God to show justice and the second condemns Him for showing justice. I've concluded two things from this "soaking" time: that God is truly glorified when sin is punished (whether that is through Christ's sacrifice on the cross or judgment) and that there is only One who is good - that is God.

These conclusions have lead me to one response: If I truly believe that individuals, whom I meet on a daily basis, will go to hell unless they hear and believe the gospel, why am I not more intentional about sharing Jesus Christ with them? If I truly believe that Jesus is coming back, why do I not live like time is short?

Ironically, a few months ago, I found myself challenged by this video from a well-known comedian and outspoken atheist. Penn Gillette asks, "How much do you have to hate someone to not proselytize?"

Check out his video log on the topic:

Thanks for sharing, Penn. I needed that.

Neighbors

2010-04-11T19:34:00.002-05:00

Larry and Julie live on the back of the YWAM property. I have lived here for a year and a half, I have had two conversations about the weather with Larry and no conversations with Julie. I had always seen her from a distance, but never been able to connect until today.

Today is Sunday. This means we play ultimate frisbee at 2 pm in the field across from Larry and Julie's. Well, the weather was perfect today and I'm reading a great book, so I decided to get there early with a blanket for a private picnic. Only it wasn't private. As soon as I arrived, Julie walked right up to me and started talking. We talked for about 45 min about the dog that follows her everywhere - Sassy. Throughout our talk Julie keep getting "charlie-horses" in the back of her left leg. When I asked her about it, she talked about the back trouble that has plagued her for the last ten years, which she relates to the muscle spasms in her legs. "Pray for her, Anna." "Really, Jesus? Right now?" "Pray for her."

"Can I pray for you, Julie? Right here?" "Yeah." She closed her eyes and I prayed for her. I didn't even put my hand on her. "Amen." Julie opened her eyes and looked at me. "It really works, doesn't it?" she asked, talking about prayer, "Oh my God, it really works!" Honestly, I was just as shocked as Julie. We talked for 15 more minutes before Julie and Sassy headed back to her house. And Julie did not have any more "charlie-horses." Headed home and halfway back, Julie turned around --- "It works! Wow!" she said "It works!"

What is Wisdom?

2010-03-16T11:44:00.004-05:00

According to Proverbs, true wisdom is the fear of the Lord (i.e. the hatred of evil).

Just finished teaching the Wisdom Literature Seminar and Proverbs, my takeaway:

"Am I just growing in knowledge, or am I growing in wisdom?" The difference: Am I applying the knowledge I am learning about God to my life and relationship with Him? That is wisdom.

Check this video, created by Andrew Zuckerman (photojournalist and film director), as he interviews "elders" of our culture and generation, asking them "What is wisdom?"

Tinsel-town

2010-03-12T08:04:00.005-06:00

Wednesday morning I stood before 17 bright-eyed ninth-graders from Joplin, MO. They had arrived at YWAM Ozarks Monday morning, committed to spending their spring break serving us and the Ozark, AR region. Each day different YWAMers led a prayer time for a different country or topic. My turn came on Wednesday and the topic: Hollywood.

We had a team just arrive back from two months in North Africa. They trekked to remote villages where there is no running water, but where families have satellite TV in every home. This satellite TV is provided by their government wanting them to have a broader perspective of the world. Why pray for Hollywood? Because Hollywood is discipling the nations. Any individual or country with access to media, Hollywood influences on a daily basis.

I shared about the history of Hollywood: Daieda Wilcox [1862-1914] and her prayers for this area (then only 180 acres of orchard) to be a land of influence. I shared about Hollywood, described as the "mouthpiece" of America, and couldn't help, but remember the verse "from the mouth, the heart speaks." I shared about God as our Creator, the Original Artist, and His heart to redeem art, ALL ART.

And I shared this video from the Hollywood Prayer Network. Join us in praying for Hollywood and nations.

Other Resources:

www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org

www.hollywoodconnect.org

Praying For Dallas

2010-02-09T12:02:00.002-06:00

March 22-26: We will be taking a group of high-school students to inner city Dallas for Spring Break Outreach ... join us in praying for ...

- This to be a significant and pivotal time in the lives of the students going. "May You stir expectation in the hearts of each going ... so that they come expecting God to change their lives, expecting God to speak to and through them, expecting to never be the same."

- God to put together our group. "We pray that You would bring the 'right' students, the ones you have hand-picked, that You, Holy Spirit, would draw our team together."

- That the staff model to the students God's heart: It's about people, not about programs. "May we not trade a program for relationship w/ people." "Above all we acknowledge we need the Holy Spirit ... more than a good idea ... more than a good number of students ... We need You, Holy Spirit, to be the MVP of our group, to be the coach giving us the plays ... this is the only way we will truly make a difference in Dallas."

- We echo Moses' prayer in Exodus 33, "If Your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth." "Go with us; make us distinct b/c of Your presence."

Beginnings

2010-01-22T23:02:00.010-06:00

This week began our study of the Old Testament. Appropriately, we started with Genesis or "in the beginning."

Some fascinating proof of the Bible:

Many cultures have preserved a "creation" or "flood" account in their history and legends. The following link is an article following the traditions of the Miao tribes, a primitive people traced to inland China. The Miao accounts of a creation, flood, and tower of Babel are incredibly accurate to the Biblical account.

In his evaluation of the Miao traditions the editor comments, "Although many legends of creation and the flood have been preserved, only a few have included the story of Babel and the post-flood dispersion. This is surely one of the most Bible-like of all these traditions, and bears significant independent testimony to the truth of the record in Genesis. Even though we have been unable so far to locate anyone who can confirm the authenticity of the Miao tradition or the accuracy of its translation, it clearly has the ring of truth about it and we can believe it is authentic until someone can prove otherwise. Its differences from the Biblical account clearly show its source was not directly from the Bible or early Christian missionaries (if any), but its similarities are so striking as to imply that it came from the same original source - namely, the events themselves!"

The Miao people

Spring Break = Dallas, Texas

2010-01-18T13:29:00.004-06:00

Last Spring Break we took eight students to inner city Dallas to serve. Thanks to popular demand Dallas Spring Break is back!

Our heart for this outreach is 1. to serve YWAM Dallas and the ministry taking place there 2. to create an atmosphere outside of students' comfort zones for growth and discipleship and 3. to launch students from Ozark, AR into God's heart for missions and the world.

I would appreciate your prayers and encouragement as we prepare and recruit students for this trip. Please join us in praying for students to not fear, to be bold, and to invite God to do all He wants in each of them.

Below is a video from last year's trip.

In Light of Martin Luther King Jr. Day ...

2010-01-18T11:19:00.002-06:00

It is a lesser known fact that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr was also REVEREND Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. An impressive name given to one who has made impressive impact on our history as a nation. Prior to being known for his strides against segregation, he was known for his sermons.

The following is a sermon given on November 4th [ironically on my mom's birthday] in 1956. In this sermon King writes a fictional epistle from the apostle Paul to the church of America. Much is still applicable for the church of America today.

Click here to read.

Humility

2009-09-29T23:00:00.005-05:00

Excerpt from the Reading Corner:

The best definition of humility I've heard.

"Humility is always relational. To be humble, we need another person to serve. The humble person doesn't seek a low status just for the sake of groveling. In fact, he doesn't want a position at all. His goal is the betterment of the other person, the one who is better than himself."

From Dear Paul, Am I On The Right Track? by Ron Smith & Rob Penner

Meet The Staff Of 2009!

2009-09-20T22:05:00.003-05:00

Jim Nizza

Campus Director/Founder

School Leader

Jacob Ainsworth

3rd Year on Staff

Wisconsin, USA

Anna Joy

2nd Year on Staff

Garden Valley, Texas

Vincent Humphrie

1st Year (YAY!)

Dallas, Texas

I Think I'm Being Followed ...

2009-08-29T14:18:00.005-05:00

392 Miles

5 pieces of luggage

1 Carole King CD

And a Goodie Bag from Mom ... began my journey back to Ozark, AR.

One feeling followed me there: GRATEFULNESS.

For the two months I spent at home, I experienced God's pleasure.

There is no other way to put it.

It all began with a conversation. My friend shared a personal revelation about her relationship with God. She said, "It's not God's obligation to provide for me, it's His pleasure." This changed something in my heart --- I trusted Him.

The gifts God gave me this summer are literally too many to count, too precious to count.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think that God wasn't pleased with me before this summer. But it was as if I was just sitting back and watching Him enjoy surprising me with gift after gift.

Just a few: a perfectly working car, a surprise pedicure from Mica, a dear friend, long talks sitting on the end of Mom's bed.

This feeling of gratefulness followed me to Ozark, AR ... "Gratefulness, please stay and make your home in me."

I Wasn't Expecting ... A MAC ATTACK!

2009-08-11T16:55:00.007-05:00

A little more than a year ago, my good friend Elizabeth, while praying with me, enthusiastically said, "Anna, I feel like God wants you to keep a journal. This Ozark adventure is going to be filled with God-stories that you're going to want to remember!" I started journaling and I'm glad I did. Here's a peek into my journal of one such God-story ...

Elizabeth and I (Summer 2008)

The Crisis:

July 2, 2009 - My computer crashes - A MAC! You can imagine my shock! Not only was I facing the reality that I might not have a computer, stored on my computer was my "life's work" from the last two years. ALL my work as a student last year + ALL my work as a staff this year. (No, I did not back it up --- uggh). Thankfully, I had paper copies. But who wants to track down and re-type 30+ hours of lecture notes. HAVE MERCY!

The Climax:

Still July 2, 2009 (6 hours later) - STEVE McCormick is my hero! When I picture a "jack-of-all-trades," a few faces come to mind. One of those is Steve McCormick. He (and the many prayers that went up on his and my behalf) cured my computer. In other words, it turns on, and I have had no problems since. Praise God!

The Jack-of-ALL-Trades Himself, Steve McCormick

Though I was now grateful for a working computer, some important software was lost in the actual "crashing" of my computer. To name a few: Powerpoint and Excel. Two programs I utilize every day to teach, grade, and communicate.

The Clencher:

August 10, 2009 - Per my brother's suggest, I am surfing the web, looking for Microsoft Office 2004, for a deal! I run across a totally legal and legitimate website that offers a FREE download of the exact software I need. The price = a user's review of the software. I was expecting to have to pay at the most $150, at the least $40. Within fifteen minutes, I have downloaded and installed the software and am opening up my lecture powerpoints ... JESUS did it again! He gave me another opportunity to see HIM in action - providing for me good friends, with good advice, and good software.

The Wise Older Brother

Stayed tuned ... I know there's more to come.

Did Becoming Older Bring Me Closer to Jesus?

2009-07-20T16:58:00.003-05:00

Excerpt from one of my favorite books, In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen:

"After twenty years in the academic world as a teacher of pastoral psychology, pastoral theology, and Christian spirituality, I began to experience a deep inner threat. As I entered into my fifties and was able to realize the unlikelihood of doubling my years, I came face to face with the simple question, "Did becoming older bring me closer to Jesus?" After twenty-five years of priesthood, I found myself praying poorly, living somewhat isolated from other people, and very much preoccupied with burning issues. Everyone was saying that I was doing really well, but something inside was telling me that my success was putting my own soul in danger. I began to ask myself whether my lack of contemplative prayer, my loneliness, and my constantly changing involvement in what seemed most urgent were signs that the Spirit was gradually being suppressed. It was very hard for me to see clearly, and though I never spoke about hell or only jokingly so, I woke up one day with the realization that I was living in a very dark place and that the term "burnout" was a convenient psychological translation for a spiritual death. In the midst of this I kept praying, 'Lord, show me where you want me to go and I will follow you, but please be clear and unambiguous about it!"

Great book! Written by a priest, he records his reflections on servant leadership. Takes about an hour to read - real short. Definitely up there on the must-read list.

SBS 2008/2009

2009-07-07T12:44:00.003-05:00

A Letter From An SBSer

2009-07-03T09:44:00.004-05:00

As taken from the SBS Int'l Website (www.sbsinternational.com):

A Testimony Shared At the SBS Internationl Consultation in Hurlach, Germany

Donna Petter began her message at the consultation by reading a letter from one of her students, Jonathan Black, at Gordan-Conwell. His letter made such an impression, encouraging us to be good stewards of the wonderful gift we have been given in SBS, that we awanted to share it here...

'If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.' Proverbs 2:4

Herzliche GruBe aus Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary! Nearly 17 years ago I stood on these very grounds, experiencing YWAM for the first time. Who would have imagined the fire that would be enflamed during that DTS in this quaint kuh-dorf of Hurlach? One year later I travelled to the other side of the world to begin my SBS at a new school recently started by Thom and Donna Petter in Honolulu HI. Such is life in YWAM.

I still recall my first day of class: OBSERVE, INTERPRET, APPLY! "For the next 9 motnhs forget eating, sleeping and bathing. You will only OBSERVE, INTERPRET, and APPLY!" These weren't the only things I picked up in SBS however. I have a confession to make. As Providence would have it, there was a godly and very beautiful young woman in the DTS a few doors down while I was trying to observe, interpret ...and what was that? Oh yes, apply. Fortunately for my studies, Ginny went on outreach, and then on to the King's Lodge in Nuneaton to complete her own SBS. I survived SBS and so did she. And I am happy to report, a few years later we were married. Such is life in YWAM.

A few days ago I graduated from these hallowed halls of seminary. I am a husband. A father. An ordained minister. A Naval officer. A servant of Christ Jesus. I say this proudly and confidently: NOTHING in life has prepared me to serve in these roles like SBS.

Observation, Interpretation and Application begin in the holy text of Scripture; but they do not end there. Every aspect of my life has been shaped by these basic core principles of SBS. And that is something no seminary in the world can boast of.

It is such a blessing for my family and I to be members with you in the world-wide Body of Christ. And it is truly an honor to be counted one of the few, like you, who have known the life-changing experience that is SBS.

May the God of all wisdom and grace grant you peace.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Black

CONGRATS & WELL DONE!

2009-07-02T13:03:00.004-05:00

The YWAM Ozarks SBS Graduating Class of the 2008/2009 year!

(Left to Right: Vincent, Shavat, and Lyndon)

Vincent will be leaving July 5th for a two-month outreach to teach Inductive Bible Study in Asia. This fall he will return to YWAM Ozarks to staff the School of Biblical Studies - WOO-HOO!

Lyndon and Shavat Friesen will return to YWAM Minneapolis and lead the Winter Discipleship Training School there.

All of them are passing on what they have learned - WELL DONE GUYS!

Excerpt from 2008

2009-06-29T10:39:00.003-05:00

While cleaning out my desk, I found this written on a church bulletin from August 17, 2008. Recorded right before moving to the Ozarks.

"God's faithfulness

Cannot even remember how many times He has been faithful in the last year. Happens too often to write down. Sometimes too many times in a day to remember that evening.

In my life alone, Your faithfulness, if written out, would fill volumes; and I am only one person on a planet of 6 billion in the scope of eternity. And I have lived for only two decades. I am only 20. You are truly FAITHFUL."

Still true.

Making God Laugh

2009-05-27T10:18:00.021-05:00

"My mother always said, 'If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans."

With this quote, Bella, one of my favorite movies, begins.

Well ... you guessed it ... my plans have changed.

Instead of going to Asia this summer, God said very cleary, "REST."

It has been an incredible, but overwhelming year. If I had gone on outreach this summer, I would have only 4 weeks to prepare for the next 9-month fall school. God has been faithful, but I do not think I can keep up that stamina.

I do not know ALL that God has in store for me this summer. But I have been given permission to go home to Texas for the 8 weeks I would normally be on outreach

(Jul 4th-Sep 3rd).

While home, I will continue to recruit for YWAM DTS and SBS. As a newly established YWAM campus, we are attempting to develop a recruitment database, which I will take up most of my time. I will also have some extra study time to prepare for the new books I will teach this fall: II Thessalonians, and the gospel of John.

To those of you in Texas, I'm looking forward to catching up a bit!

To those of you who have refreshed me with your encouragement and prayers, thank YOU! They are even more appreciated during this time while I learn to REST and LAUGH with Jesus.

Who I Think You Are ...

2009-05-02T19:20:00.003-05:00

Excerpt from A.W. Tozer's "Knowledge of the Holy" shared by Anna Cleghorn in her teaching of Isaiah:

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us ... The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man's spiritual history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God."

"Without a doubt, the mightiest thought the mind can entertain is the thought of God and the weightiest word in any language is its word of God."

Livers, Vinegar, Ripe Old Age and Wrinkles

2009-05-02T18:58:00.003-05:00

Prayer Update:

Jim was diagnosed with a high level of protein in his blood.

This was affecting his liver and giving the "veiled" back-pain.

His treatment is a shot of apple cider vinegar twice a day.

Looks like he'll live to ripe old age and wrinkles.

Thank you for your prayers and PRAISE GOD!

Prayer Request

2009-04-20T19:57:00.003-05:00

Please pray for Jim Nizza, our campus director & School of Biblical Studies leader

He has been having intense back spasms for the last two weeks. He will be going to a clinic in Tulsa, Tues-Thurs of this week, to attempt to receive a diagnosis. Last week's visit provided no diagnosis.

The longer story of Jim's health is a God-story and worth telling. If you are interested in hearing it, I would love to share what I know in person sometime. Just contact me.

Please join us in praying specifically for:

- Relief from the pain for Jim

- God's presence with Barb (his wife), Joel and Crystal (his children)

- God's wisdom to all those involved in diagnosing and treating Jim

Dallas D-Day Has Arrived!

2009-03-22T20:51:00.005-05:00

I feel the butterflies in my stomach already. Not the nervous kind, the excited kind. The great EXPECTATIONS for what God is going to do kind! Tomorrow morning at 6:45 AM, my butterflies will be joined by 10 others. We will load the cars, drive down the switchback hill, and take a left turn to I-40. Our destination: Dallas, TX

This was not a planned trip. Two high-schoolers, ready for a change in their lives and their friends, wondered if they could spend their spring break doing more than playing halo, eating donuts and hunting. Dallas Spring Break Outreach was born!

Please pray for us this week as we head to Northeast Dallas and seek to serve some of the forgotten, the lost, and the needy.

Specific Prayer Requests:

- Unity for our team

- Divine appointments and conversations

- Safety in Travel and Ministry

- That we would be an encouragement and refreshing blessing to our hosts

- That in every aspect we would honor Jesus

Meet the Team:

(L to R) Sarah Davis (18), Joel Nizza (16), Emily Hutain (17), Elizabeth Pruitt (17), Barb Nizza (29ish), Hannah Davis (18), Anna Joy (21), Heather Shaffer (26), Jesse (16)

Also (not pictured): James Barnes (16), Domica Bland (21)

Excerpts from the Reading Corner

2009-03-05T16:11:00.005-06:00

Currently reading Safely Home by Randy Alcorn:

"I know something of suffering, Ben Fielding. I have learned God is not my servant. Did you think he was like the story of Aladdin? That he was your genie? That he is safe and tame, at your call to do tricks to entertain you? That is an American way to think, perhaps. But it is not true to Shengjing [God's WORD]. You cannot rub a magic lamp and command God to do your will. You accepted blessing from his hand, and still you do - yet you reject him because of adversity?"

In With The Old

2009-01-31T14:05:00.003-06:00

"Such is the depth of the Christian Scriptures that even if I were attempting to study them and nothing else from early boyhood to decrepit old age, with the utmost leisure, the most unwearied zeal, and talents greater than I have, I would still daily be making progress in discovering their treasures." Augustine (A.D. 412)

Out with the "New" and in with the "Old." Our students began their 5-month study of the Old Testament this week in Genesis learning about beginnings. The beginning of the world, sin and God's plan for redemption. The beginning of the covenant (Abraham), and the beginning of the Jewish nation (Jacob and his twelve sons).

I wrapped up my final New Testament lecture for this school year in the epistles of John. Personal Takeaway: the example of the apostle John's life. One early church father, Jerome, records, "Towards the close of his life the venerable apostle had to be carried into the midst of the congregation and could do no more than repeat over and over again the injunction "Love one another." We see this "life message" echoed in his gospel and epistles.

Sick Of Sex!

2009-01-28T23:47:00.003-06:00

On 1/22/09 2:41 pm, "Anna Adkins" wrote:

To whom it may concern:

I would like to issue a complaint against the pornographic advertising on the right side of your website. Example of this: "------------." Though a huge source of income for you, I'm sure. It is not edifying for the broad audience you serve.

Sincerely,

Anna Adkins

On 1/23/09 6:57 pm, "Tim" wrote:

Hi Anna -

Thanks for sharing your feedback. It's appreciated and always welcome.

We try to be reasonable and sensitive to listeners' potential concerns when we consider advertising. The best guideline we can follow is what you might call 'mainstream' standards, which essentially means things you might see on TV. While I recognize that this sometimes means placing advertising that will offend some listeners (we've had complaints for advertising about the military, birth control, hamburgers, alcohol, and credit cards), it's the only standard that we can functionally live by.

I completely understand your concerns, and I'm sorry if the ad displeased you. You're always welcome to get rid of the advertising entirely by opting for the ... subscription version.

Great to have you as a ... listener.

Cheers.

Tim

Founder

On 1/28/09 11:45 pm, "Anna Adkins" wrote:

Hi Tim,

I appreciate your reply. And thank you for the suggestion to avoid ads by subscribing to ... [your service]. I understand that advertising helps you provide ... [your service] free of charge to many of your listeners (and of this I am quite grateful). I also understand that you are not simply providing ... [your service] ... out of the goodness of your heart. You are here to make money. Please make money, but not at the expense of morality.

As to "mainstream" standards, we all know that these standards are formed by the slogan "sex sells." And sex does sell. In fact, sexual addiction is one of the most enslaving and devastating addictions facing Western culture today. I guess I am simply appealing to your conscience. Please advertise! (I know you must.) But don't pollute.

Fellow earth-dweller,

Anna Adkins

On 01/29/09 9:03 am, "Tim" wrote:

Appreciate the feedback, Anna. We have turned down a lot of advertising already for reasons such as the one you're highlighting. We do our best to strike a balance.

On 01/30/09 9:34 am, "Anna Adkins" wrote:

Tim,

I am sincerely grateful for the advertising you do turn down. And thank you for the music.

Anna

Goodbye Childhood

2008-12-26T22:51:00.005-06:00

My Childhood Best Friend Got Hitched December 20, 2008 ...

Goodbye Childhood ...

She Looked Beautiful ...

A Life That Doesn't Grow Old

2008-12-15T19:55:00.004-06:00

Today especially, as I sit snowed in at the Albuquerque airport (on my way to my best friend's wedding), talking and listening to the individuals around me, I am struck with the unbelievable life I have the opportunity to live. Studying and training others in the Bible every day. It doesn't get old!

This past Thursday, the last few weeks of my life culminated together to form my I Thessalonians lecture. I don't have much experience to compare it with, but this was the most enjoyable lecture I have every prepared to give.

My personal application was simple: Jesus is coming back. Does the way I live my life reflect this? Am I eager for the day of the Lord (like the Thessalonians were)(I Thes. 5:1ff)?

An International Dinner

2008-11-16T22:01:00.003-06:00

You should have seen the 16 faces staring back at me. They were sure I was kidding, but I wasn't kidding.

This weekend 25 kids came to Mt. Manitou for Mission Exposure, a weekend retreat created to bring awareness of the great need of missions.

Their first "activity" upon their arrival was an "international" dinner. The group was randomly divided into 3 groups, America (a first-world nation), Mexico (a second-world nation) and Sudan (a third-world nation ... and my group of 16 faces). I brought them into the dining room and sat them down on the ground around a small green table cloth. I lifted the silver lid to reveal their "Sudanese" meal, 10 handfuls of rice, not even enough handfuls for all those around the "table." They had no silverware. If they wanted water to drink, I directed them outside to a jug of water 100 yards away.

Soon, the students began to notice their neighbors.

Mexico sat at a table with rice, beans and Jumex. Though not enough chairs for everyone, there was enough food and silverware. They had cups.

America sat at a set table, glass plates, cloth napkins. Their meal included more pizza boxes than people, and soda pop.

The point of this exercise was for the "Americas" to share their food with their "Mexican" and "Sudanese" neighbors. We as staff simply had to stand back and observe, offering no advice, hoping that the students would catch on. If they didn't, their friends would not have a decent dinner that night. And they did, they shared their food, as we watched proudly.

The meal included 6 "Americans," 10 "Mexicans," and 16 "Sudanese." This ratio represents the sobering statistics of our world's population. A majority of the world lives in poverty.

I'm not sure who was more impacted by this weekend event, the students or myself. I realized that even though I am living and serving at a missions organization, it is so easy for me to forget how much the world is in need. And not simply in need of food and resources, but in need of Christ. Thank you, Jesus, for this reminder. It came at the perfect time.

Worship with the youth

Serving the Neighbors

So ... Who Do You Work With?

2008-11-09T18:57:00.005-06:00

Meet the MUSCLE!

Jim and Barb, with children, Joel and Crystal

YWAM Ozarks' base directors and founders

Meet the Mysterious...

Doug from South Dakota

School of Biblical Studies Staff

Meet the Minnesotan and Michigander!

Discipleship Training School Leaders

www.joshjenlevin.blogspot.com

Meet the Magnificence (self-titled)...

Jake from Wisconsin

School of Biblical Studies Staff

www.jacobainsworth.com

Meet the Maniac (used to live in Maine) ...

Jo (pronounced Yo) from Austria

Discipleship Training School Staff

www.heyjowhatsup.blogspot.com

Meet the Ma'am!

Audrey from Michigan

The Go-To Girl Staff ... Nothing gets past Audrey!

www.mcfamilyministries.org

Jo Van Bakel Came To Town

2008-11-02T22:15:00.003-06:00

Guest Speaker Jo Van Bakel taught on 1 Corinthians this week.

Jo is over the School of Biblical Studies department at YWAM Kona and a gifted teacher.

My personal takeaway: Love does not insist on its own way.

Life is a constant stream of opportunities to give up your "rights" for the sake of others.

Buffalo Girls Will You Come Out Tonite!

2008-10-26T20:00:00.006-05:00

Camping and Spelunking @ Buffalo River

Buffalo River with some morning fog - beautiful!

The annual SBS camping trip includes Spelunking (the recreational sport of exploring caves).

Despite moments of panic, we survived.

Philemon Or Fillet Mignon

2008-10-23T21:28:00.005-05:00

The training wheels are gone..

Friday marked a momentous day for the YWAM Ozarks SBS 2008/2009. It was their first day solo. Together we completed the seminar (or inductive Bible study training) portion of SBS.

And I had the pleasure of teaching their first "solo" book:

Philemon - all 25 verses :-)

A power-packed book emphasizing the value of reconciling relationships.

Meet the Students

2008-10-23T20:54:00.004-05:00

School Of Biblical Studies 2008 - YWAM Ozarks

Lyndon and Shavat Friesen

From Canada and Peru

Vincent Humphrie

from Dallas, TX

Steve McCormick (holding grandbaby Marin)

from Michigan

www.mcfamilyministries.org

Jerod Cannon

from California and Idaho

www.cannonblasts.blogspot.com

Week One - In the BAG!

2008-10-05T18:50:00.000-05:00

First Week Of School Of Biblical Studies - Hooray!

Teaching how to use the Quickframe Software - after using it for 9 months in my SBS it is like breathing. (Shout out a "Thanks" to Tom Possin for creating the software and saving grateful SBS students many hours of drawing their own charts.)

A local theatre has graciously offered us use of their props and costumes - an answer to prayer.

A quick peak at our classroom in session.

Synopsis of Week 1: Honestly, I cannot believe it's already over. This week has flown by. We have five students: Vincent, Jerod, Lyndon, Shavat, and Steve. I am hoping to better introduce you to them in my next blog - so stay tuned. For our first week, we have been easing into inductive method and studying the book of Acts. My takeaway for this week from Acts has been the example of Barnabas. His belief in Paul, when no one else in the early church would believe in his conversion, is the reason that there is an "apostle Paul." Barnabas also believed in John Mark, the author of the gospel according to Mark, even when Paul wouldn't believe in him. If it hadn't been for Barnabas' faith in these two hopeless individuals - we would be lacking a majority of our New Testament. This is a personal challenge for me - what and who will I believe God's transformation for? We never know the affect of our obedience.

Praise:

God's provision of resources for YWAM Ozarks - the theater's partnership

Prayer Requests:

Continued Grace for the seminar phase of SBS for Staff and Students, as we learn the inductive method together and grow together as a class.

3 Year Anniversary!

2008-09-26T22:41:00.003-05:00

Monday was the 3-year Anniversary for YWAM Ozarks buying our property. Quick history lesson - YWAM Ozarks is located on the top of Mt. Manitou - means "Mountain of God." Barb Levin's (base director/founder) grandfather, A.H. Levin opened a Bible College that ran for 40 years on this property. He had a passion to disciple young people in the Word and send out missionaries around the world - his vision parallels the vision of YWAM Ozarks. In 2003, Jim and Barb Nizza felt that God wanted them to return to Ozark and claim their spiritual inheritance. This area has a spiritual legacy of discipling and mobilizing young people to claim their own inheritance in God's kingdom. After 2 years, they purchased this property. 3 years on the YWAM Ozarks campus - and God has provided!

Cleaning the classroom and getting ready for our students who arrive tomorrow (Saturday)!

Also, I had a catch to head to Little Rock last weekend - a small, but surprisingly pretty urban and very clean city

PRAISE:

Thank you to all you who were praying for my sleep. (Despite the time recorded on the posting of this blog) I am sleeping much better. I feel rested and ready for this school to begin!

Only In Ozark - The Bull Drop

2008-09-26T19:46:00.004-05:00

Last night I had the best OZARK experience thus far and had to share it with you guys. It is called the Bull Drop! I arrived not really knowing what a "bull drop" was, to see a bull in a square fence. All around the fence was a grid with letters and numbers. Surrounding the fence were a bunch of people - completely silent - watching the bull. When I stepped too close to the fence to take a picture of this bull - still not really knowing what I was getting into -

I heard a lady yell, "Please step away from the fence!" I thought she was concerned for my safety - how thoughtful :-) After about 3 minutes, it all clicked, as the bull had his first bowel movement of the night. The crowd stood up and were shouting, "Is it enough?" "Where'd he go?" (Ya gettin' the picture now.) Apparently, this bull's droppings could earn one lucky individual up to $10,000, depending on where he decided to dump. The best part is that the bull drop was in honor of the grand opening of the new coffee shop in town - Not the typical coffee shop atmosphere. SO ... if you are ever coming through Ozark, I'd love to take you out for a coffee. Who knows? Maybe there'll be another Bull Drop!

YWAM Ozarks - First Impressions

2008-09-16T21:23:00.003-05:00

Made it to the Ozarks!

After 11 days at YWAM Ozarks, I feel completely at home and a "part of the family." Our base consists of 11 awesome staff. We all sit down together for nice "family" meals.

My responsibilities thus far is to prepare for the upcoming School of Biblical Studies arriving in a week and a half, prepare for the books I'll be teaching this quarter: Philemon, Galatians, and I Thessalonians, and breakfast prep.

BIG Projects going down at YWAM Ozarks!

My first week here we were installing a new septic system for our "Cafetorium." (Cafeteria and Auditorium). Rain was predicted for the three days that we worked. Every morning we prayed and the rain never came. Within an hour after we had completed the work, the rain poured! It was really a miracle - little reminder that God hears us.

Prayer Requests:

More students for our School of Biblical Studies and encouragement for those coming. The week before a school starts is often when students need the most encouragement.

I would appreciate your prayers for sleeping. Just the last week, I have had trouble sleeping - waking up at odd hours. No reason, that I am aware of. :-)

THANK YOU!

Train Trek To Texas

2008-08-19T15:19:00.000-05:00

I arrived home in Texas on Friday, after a 5 day train trek across the US - from Montana to Texas. It's good to see these Texas thunderstorms billowing in - something I missed in Montana.

Stopped for a quick break in San Francisco, and enjoyed a one-day visit with my oldest brother, Kyle, (and Millie, his dog). Beautiful city, Good brother, Memorable time. Also, met up w/ my mom.

From SF, mom and I took the train back to Mineola, Texas.

My favorite memory from the train ride was definitely the "speed dates" we had at dinner. Due to the fact that we were a party of two, we were always seated w/ another party of two at meals - you never knew who you were going to get! Let's just say, mom and I got some great characters for the next novel we are going to write. Only eccentric individuals ride the train - after all, that's why we were there.

I will be home in Texas for 3 weeks until the weekend of Sept 6 - would love to see and catch up w/ the Texas bloggers.

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get." Forrest Gump

My First Blog

2008-07-18T19:50:00.001-05:00

This is the first blog on my website.

Thanks for checking it out. Please feel free to leave comments or questions. The whole purpose of this website is better communication w/ my friends and family, so please utilize this: let me know what you want to hear, ask questions and give feedback.

Again, thanks for your willingness to walk this journey w/ me.

Blessings, Anna joy <3