bonus money

You know what I think is great? Getting random money from the government. Tax returns, federal student loan refunds, and more recently, my first-time home buyer tax credit. Tax returns, obviously, consist of money that I already earned, and they are just giving some of it back. However, it doesn't feel like that when you get a check!! Woohoo! And student loan refunds, I'm just going to have to pay back anyway, but it doesn't feel like that when you get a check!! Woohoo! And as for first time home buyer tax credit, well that's just awesome. Totally just bonus money.

Ya know, like finding a twenty in your pocket that you forgot about. Except just more.

Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.
Don't think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don't need a lot of equipment. YOU are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.
Matthew 10:5-10

missions

I've had serious doubts about the merit of "short-term missions trips," being involved in many of them, and believing that perhaps their main purpose was for the benefit of the person being sent, rather than the people that receive the "missionaries." This, I believe, is the result of these missionaries carrying little to no power, their main tools of "ministry" being gimmicks like songs and plays and little mobile-programs. Although the Lord may have called people to this, and I believe he does, these have never excited me or drawn my heart.

HOWEVER, I believe there is a new kind of "mission." It's an assignment from the Lord. He sends people out, with POWER, with grace, full of the Holy Spirit, who can minister just what the Lord wants to whomever they see. They're peculiar, living on very little, feasting and fasting, laughing and longing, releasing healing and holiness, bringing life wherever they go. And, oh, how happy they are with their King!

I don't think I believe in doing anything anymore unless the Lord tells you to and sends you to do that, ESPECIALLY ministry. Oh, God, let this be true in my life.

"Jesus told them, 'When you're celebrating a wedding, you don't skimp on the cake and wine. You feast. Later you may need to pull in your belt, but not now. No one throws cold water on a friendly bonfire. This is the Kingdom Come.'"

Glory
And beauty
I am full of beauty and it swells my heart into my throat until I can’t breath and all I can do is gasp and cry.

Love is worth it
This heart is not fragmented or separated or splintered
This mind is not deceived nor intoxicated nor sleeping
But maybe a little inebriated

I just want to taste it
Fill up my mouth
With the music
With the wine
With your skin
With his breath

Just look at the trees
How can you breathe as if you never noticed

I cannot breathe
I’m ready