a poem

This is a poem I wrote for my English class. It was inspired by an analogy spoken one past Sunday by Mr. Craig Johnson of Hope Culture Church. I wanted to post it here as a helpful reminder to myself and to others that we should not be content with simply being "tourists" or "conservationists" of our churches. Rather, we are called by Christ's love and sacrifice for us to be lifeguards to others who have not experienced the salvation and peace that comes with a relationship with God through Jesus. I also thought it was appropriate because I will be at the beach this summer, trying to save people in a spiritual sense. :)

 

in this realm,
the Sun sees all.
Bums bum breaks of waves
while the chatter of seagulls
and excited peoples
spray the scene like an ocean mist.

Noticeable by off-white tan lines
And new suits, $49.99
Are tourists of beach morality.
Loyalties lie in holier-than-thou
attitudes and the cheapest
umbrellas.
They always have eyes
on others
Eat the bread and
Drink in some Light
with their Coronas.
They leave when they wish,
in and out with shells and sand.

With picket signs sit conservationists,
They are angry crabs-
they pick and prod the coast of debris,
Of beer bottles and fleshy sandy sins.
But they themselves litter the beach
bringing guilt and a wall of judging eyes.

The drowning man!
He struggles in currents without mercy,
burdens on ankles pulling
Deeper into darkness.
Who is to help him?
He calls for all,
anyone, to pluck him from death.
Alas, only one kind helps.
One kind jumps in the water, in the currents,
In with sharks and jellyfish
Sharp rocks and seaweed.

The lifeguards, with eyes stuck on water,
Filled with a Spirit of conviction
Of knowing truly what it means
to be on the beach, saved­­–
He run into the world of waves
Whirling in whistling wind
To help the drinking, drowning man.

This is the Church of the beach.

wrapping up, or just getting started?

Dear Friends & Partners,

PHEW, has this week been busy! This week I have seen several health problems, an intimate Monday bible study, late night drives, several funny rounds of cards, a bad test grade, some miscommunication issues, good cuddling, and finally, I end my week at home. I am weary but have seen a productive and encouraging week.

Two pretty neat things have happened this past week!

Last Friday, I met up with my discipler Kari. We went sharing with one of her friends who was awesome and made us homemade cookies and had the cutest kids. She was really sweet and I had a chance to practice using Soularium, sharing my testimony for the first time aloud (that was interesting haha), and sharing the gospel through the Knowing God Personally booklet. I kept getting a little bit frustrated with myself throughout because I was nervous and stumbling over phrases I knew and believe! It is not up to me, though- God's going to do His work no matter what. I just have to pray that the Holy Spirit would allow me to help move her closer to believing.

AND He does and did provide! Where I felt confused Kari would swoop in and provide clarification and loving help. Going over the KGP definitely helped her understanding of what it is all about, but I think that because my story was similar to hers, it helped show her how faith transcends people and hypocrisy in the church and even ourselves to an extent- it is real when it is all about Jesus. Although she did not become a believer that day, she said that she wanted it- she has the knowledge of what the gospel is, it is just a matter of God showing it to her over time and moving her heart to feel like she is ready. If you could, please pray for this sweet girl, Meg.

Another cool thing was that I was a part of an outreach event in the SAC Multipurpose Room on Wednesday. We were using Soularium (my favorite!) and other Cru God Tools to speak to students about what they believe, and telling them if they want to hear what truths Christianity holds for them. I didn't get the chance to go out and share with anyone- someone said that I should stay at the table, in case a girl came up. I did get to tell a girl I know about Cru, though, so I am praying that she might come sometime!

I also made a bunch of adorable bookmarks with sketches and encouraging words and information about Cru on them, but somehow only one was passed out (they are kind of girly, haha). I'm thinking of making some for my support letters, as a nice little refrigerator magnet or bookmark or something.

Okay. Support letters. I am planning on sending them out this upcoming week. It just makes me very very nervous to send them out and to rely on God to provide for that much money (such a difficult and never satisfying part of our lives), but waiting any longer too will make me grossly nervous. It's like I keep thinking that I have to use my own efforts to convince people to support me , but I have to keep reminding myself that that is also God's job, too, and not mine.

I have two marketing presentations, one presentation en français, several English literary writings, a couple of homework assignments, and many many exams to survive. I also have ahead of me a ton of support raising and practicing sharing my faith. Things are concerning, but with God, I can find peace and comfort.

Remember: when Jesus invites us on an adventure, He shapes who we become with what happens along the way.

For His Glory,
MacKenzie