If i have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

If there is one thing in this world that I am thankful for, it is the life that I have been graciously and undeservingly given. I was hit today with a very harsh reality that was very amazing to me. http://www.globalrichlist.com/ On this website is a calculator where you put in your annual income and it shows you where you are on the worlds "Richness Scale." I put in on that scale what Erika and I were making when we first got married, and I was slapped in the face, when I saw in relation to the rest of the world, how well off we are. 

I have been getting involved with I Heart Revolution, and I am so excited about this movement.  I really think that it is going to be something that impacts this world in an incredible and mighty way.  As I see and work with these issues, I am realizing more and more that we as Christians are supposed to have an attitude of love and generosity, and really to the point that we think is crazy or makes us uneasy.    We weren't blessed with the money or the things that we have so that we could hoard those things and keep them all to ourselves.  Thats not what it is about at all.   I love 1 Cor 13, most people know it, but I really like where it says in verse 6 where it says' "Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth."  I know that with a lot of homeless people in the states that the mentality is to just say that those people made the choices that led them to where they are, and they are just draining our society.  Well I would venture to say that most people haven't gone up to a homeless person and really sat down with them to ask them their story.  I would encourage everyone to do that,  I think that many people will be surprised what they find out.  

That goes with the rest of the world to, not just the homeless people in the States.  There is so much going on all over the world that we don't see in the news, or media.  There is so much injustice in this world, and it is so easy for us to get into a rut and ignore the strife of this world just so we don't have to leave the comfort of our routine lives.  I encourage you to do things to make a difference in this world starting with just stepping out of your comfort zone and talking to the people that you wouldn't normally talk to, or help the person that helping them might be an inconvenience. 

I thank you for reading what God is doing in us, please let us know what is going on in your lives, we love the feedback and hearing how people are doing.   

I will leave you with this,  If you haven't read 1 Cor 13 in a while, sit down and read it slowly and really chew on what it is saying.

blessings

brian

Colour Your World.

A couple of weeks ago Hillsong Church hosted their women's conference, Colour Your World, where literally thousands of women come from all over the world.  I was able to be one of 20,000 other women who had their life changed and turned upside down by what the Lord did at Colour.  Here I am two weeks after the conference and I am still processing and journaling all I experienced.  I have NEVER been so empowered as a female in leadership and woman of God.  I am blessed to be apart of a church who places value and worth on womanhood and empowering us as leaders.  Not in a feminist way, but in the way the Lord intended.  At Hillsong, we have a ministry called "Sisterhood" and it shatters every stereotype you have of women's ministry.  It is more than just a group of women at Hillsong doing a bible study during the week and bring a casserole to those in need every now and then.  It is a company of women uniting in friendship and cause changing their world and the world around them.   The hear of sisterhood is in this, "The Sisterhood is a company of women united in heart, using time and energy, strength and influence for the betterment of others...A company of women united in friendship, gathering their world, raising awareness, venturing into the realms of responsibility...A company of women united in cause, seeing the fruit, feeling the joy, knowing that they are making a difference." And Sisterhood isn't just for those at Hillsong.  We do have a local group that meets at church, but there are women all over the world apart of this amazing movement of women.  You can check it out at www.hillsong.com and then click on "sisterhood".   Once a year the "sisters" from all over the world gather for the Colour conference uniting us in spirit and body for 3 days.  And the result is nothing short of life changing.  There is no way I can share with you everything the Lord wrote on my heart, but I would like to share some highlights.    

We were blessed with amazing worship and phenomenal speakers (Lisa Bevere and Sy Rogers), wonderful entertainment, and had the opportunity to make friendships with women all over the world.  However, the life changing part of the conference was the challenges and need presented to us that are all around us and the globe.  The whole conference we were reminded that We are to be the Change because the "Spirit of the Lord is upon us...."  It is so easy to go through life only serving ourselves.  And this was not how the Lord intended life.  We were not created to live for ourselves.  The Lord really spoke to my heart about how I live my life.  My heart broke as I heard the need all around the world and right where I am.  And I get so caught up in me that I don't see the need right under my nose.  I'd heard the need so many times before.  And I walked away wanting to make a difference.  But then just several days later, I returned living life for myself.  But this time was different.  The Lord whispered into the depths of my soul, "My daughter, love.  Love in my name."  And the quiet intimate whisper in my soul, joined together with 20,000 other whispers has become a SHOUT!!  If we, as a company of sister joined together with Christ, can be the change in our world.  The way I live my life today looks different than it did two weeks ago.  Not only were we presented with a need, but practical ways we can be the change in our world and globe.  My service is not coming out of a place of obligation or legalism.  But love.  The Lord has placed such a burden on my soul that my life be a reflection of love and service.  And all who see my life can't help but see the love of my Saviour.  So, I extend the challenge and mandate to you...the Spirit of the Lord is upon YOU, my sister.  Won't you be the change in your world and globe?  

Before I close this ridiculously LONG post, which if you've made it this far, you are special to us, I want to open your eyes to a need that grabbed my heart.  Human trafficking.  For those of you who are not familiar with this, human trafficking is modern day sex slavery and exploitation of women sexually.  Roughly 2-4 MILLION girls are trafficked across borders each year.  These precious girls and women are expected to service up to 20 men a day.  99% are NEVER rescued.  How does this happen?  Some women are violently forced.  Others are given a promise of a good job overseas and then taken in trafficking.  These victims are from all parts of the world and happen to all races of women.  These women are subject to many abuses such as: malnutrition, sleep deprivation, emotional abuse, beatings, lack of healthcare and forced abortions. Many contract STD's and hepatitis A & B.  And children are deprived of basic education and any sort of parental upbringing, and are completely dependent on their captors for food and shelter.  Although this seems like a HOPELESS situation there is so much we can do RIGHT where we are.  There is an organization called A21 that is seeking to abolish this injustice.  You can join them in praying daily with guided prayers, financially support a victim of this crime, donate, etc.  Please visit www.thea21campaign.org to find out how YOU can be the CHANGE!

xoxo

erika

Happy Easter.

Happy Easter!  We are sending a big Aussie shout out to all our easter peeps in the US (get it, easter-peeps...hee, gosh I'm a dork).   We are on easter hang over.  Its now officially the day after easter and we've got withdrawals.  On a more serious note, we wish you fruitful easter egg hunts, many yummy cadbury mini and cream filled eggs, memorable family easter dinners, but most of all reflections on your freedom that was paid over 2,000 years ago.  

Freedom.  I found myself reflecting on that one thought over and over this Easter Sunday.  Because of a sacrifice I don't deserve or couldn't earn I'm free from bondage.  Free from the chains of performance.  And that is such freedom.  I struggle with performance.  You see, I'm a perfectionist at heart and I base a lot of my worth on what I can do.  But none of that matters to Christ.  I don't have to earn his love or approval.  You see, that is quite an elementary thought, but I would dare to say that very few actually live like they believe it.  I think the world would be a much different place if we did.  You see if we truly understood freedom not only would we not need to try to impress God with what we can do, but we would stop trying to SCREAM for attention from others as well.  I find that there aren't a lot people in the body of Christ who labour (or serve) out of love.  They labour to be loved.  By God.  And others.  And this is in direct conflict with 1 Thessalonians 1:3.  When members of the body (church) are striving to be noticed this only breeds disunity.  This comes from a performance based mindset.  Believing if we serve, serve, serve, someone will notice us and be impressed with what we can do.  BUT, unity comes from a mindset of KNOWING we are loved.  Realising we don't need to obtain love.  Its already been done.  Its vital as the body we live from a place of being loved not striving for attention or to be noticed.  A relationship with Christ gives us the FREEDOM to LIVE from a place of already being loved.  No performance needed.  Its already been paid.  There is nothing more I can do.  What a freeing thought!  I've heard so much on freedom over the years, especially at Easter, but for some reason it clicked today.  I've been learning so much about freedom and experiencing freedom like I never have and I'm changed.  I will never be the same.  And I don't have to prove it.  Its been done.  So on this Easter, I hope you realise your freedom.  Live out of your freedom.  It will change your life.

xoxo

erika

ps.  sorry it took so long to blog.  its been crazy lately.  but we've learned so much.  and experienced so much.  look for another blog in the next week to play catch up! 

Here are some pics of the city finally enjoy!!!

Hope you all enjoy these and hope they can give you a little glimpse of what the city looks like. We will continue taking pics and posting them.  Thank you all so much for all your prayers and your love.  I hear it is getting warm in hometown Missouri.  Pretty soon it will be lake season.  ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!

Brian

God is awesome!!!!

Hello to all who read our blog.  I first just want to say thank you so much for all your prayers and support that you give us.  

School is going really well and finally our intensives have calmed down and we are in a regular schedule.  Intensives were two weeks of brain exploding information about church, communication, God, and you name it.  I have really enjoyed school so far, and God has taught me so much in the first few weeks. I have learned a lot about myself and have learned that in order to minister effectively to others, I first must understand why I am the way I am.  I have a past, just like everybody has a past, and if that is not dealt with, if I can't figure out how to deal with my own stuff, then I can't help anybody else or be as effective in ministry as I could be if I deal with myself.  There are things that God has shown me about myself, that I never saw as a big deal, and to most anybody it wouldn't be, but to God, It is a very big deal.  So I have been working through those things, and it has been absolutely freeing and amazing.  I am learning that God made me the way I am for a reason, and I shouldn't try to be anybody else except myself. Everybody is unique and should love that they are that way, because they are that way for a reason.  A simple concept that we hear from the time we are kids, but not until I actually took the time and thought about it and understood it and applied it to my life did it really sink in.  God is showing me what it is like to live in freedom and I am loving it.  It will be a long journey, but I know it will be incredible.

I am also taking a songwriting class this semester and am learning so much about it that I had no idea about before.  I am also taking an old testament class, and may I say I never spent very much time in the old testament before, but looking at it while in this class, I can see that I have been missing so much.  So all of you out there that think the old testament is no longer important, I encourage you to get back in it.  Its all there for a reason.  

Thank you all so much again for your prayer and support.  We have posted more pictures on facebook, we will keep trying here as well, but it is difficult to post them on this sight.  If you have a facebook go see them on our sight and add us as your friends if you need too.  I will try to do better about posting more. We love you all so much

Brian 

Guess who's joining the work force?

You guessed it I (erika) have a J-O-B!!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of your faithful prayers. I cannot begin to express my gratitude. I am so excited to start this new chapter in my working life. This isn't just a job to pay the bills. It isn't mundane or boring. Not a job I had to settle on out of desperation. This is a job I can wake up each morning excited about work and passionate about what I'm doing. God is so good. I'm just in awe each day of what he has up his sleeve.

As of Thursday February 19, I will be working for Lindamood-Bell. The organization is actually based in the US and has 40 offices there. There is also a office in London and the Sydney office just opened in February. This organization helps individuals with learning and developmental dissablities (dislexia, hyperdislexia, autism, ADD/ADHD). They use a cutting edge learning method which uses visualization and verbalization to increase the learning capacity for each of their students. I will be working as a clinician with kids and teens on a one-on-one basis. Their world renown learning method had been published in respected psychological journals, and the organization has done research for some of the world's top universities. I'm so excited to mesh my education in psychology and experience with teens in this position. Check out www.lindamoodbell.com !

I begin the 40 hours of training tomorrow (Thursday) and continue through the end of next week. Apparently its a pretty intense training where they will teach me their methods. Ready or not, training here I come! Have I mentioned how excited I am???? Heehee. I will post an update after my first couple of days of training and fill all you faithful readers in on my progress!

Love Ya:)

"Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty"

So here it goes. I am going to attempt to put into words my experience as a member of Hillsong Church. Just as a little disclaimer, words will never due our experiences justice.

When you think of Hillsong Church, what comes to mind? "Shout to the Lord"? Darlene Zschech? Or maybe Brian Houston? Or even "that mega charismatic church in Australia". It is true Hillsong is known for all of these things. I would dare to say, that in the past 3 Sundays we've sat under some of the world's best preaching, teaching, and worship. I've heard preaching like I've never heard before. Scriptures come to light like I've never known. *Side note, if you've never heard Christine Cain preach you must log onto the Hillsong website and take a listen. She is one sista who can bring it!* And the worship...I can't find a word powerful enough to describe Hillsong worship. We've seen some of the world's best lead the congregation in raw and authentic worship. But the one think I've discovered, its not the speakers or the world renown worship leaders that make Hillsong. Its the body as a whole. The body of believers who truly flesh out the body of Christ. As I was worshipping on Sunday, I realized for the first time I wasn't focused on the great music or the awesome band, but I was fully enveloped in the presence of God. I experienced the Holy Spirit in a corprate setting like never before. I was surrounded by a body of believers, of all cultures and races, yearning and thirsty for the Lord. I've never seen such a group of believers so excited to worship the Lord. I've never seen a body of believers so humbled to worship the Lord. And I've never seen believers so thirsty for the Lord. And its authentic. I have to admit, that was the most suprising thing. Its easy to walk in and see a bunch of crazy people jumping around and dancing and it may appear that on stage and in the congregation its all for show. But then as you linger and experience more, you see that these people are just truly excited to be in the presence of God! I think as Christians sometimes worshipping becomes so routine that when we are surrounded by those who are truly excited and thrilled to worship the Lord, its easy to dismiss it as show (this isn't always the case). At least that was my case. As I surveyed the congregation on Sunday, I was convinced I was experiencing an itsy bitsy taste of what it will be like in heaven. Raw, unashamed, humble, JOYOUS worship to the King. And Iwas surrounded by people from all over the world. Europeans, Africans, Indonesians, Asians, Indians, Canadians, Americans, Australians, and so many more in one room lifting high the name of Christ. Indescribable.

Aside from great worship services, we've been welcomed like a King and Queen. People go out of their way to greet us and actually sit down and check on us. Hillsong has a coffee bar for people to mingle after the services. Each Sunday we've been we've had numerous people ask us if we'd like to sit down for a coffee. Now this is after morning service at like 12:30pm, when most families and people want to rush home or out to a restraunt. How guilty I was of that! After a hard Sundays work all I wanted to do was rush home. Gulp. However, so many people have sat down and had meaningful conversation with us. No hurry. No rush. Complete strangers spending an hour of their time after church just chatting with us. Once people find out we're a married couple from overseas, they go out of their way to make us feel at home. There isn't a day gone by without a friend or stranger call, text, stop by, or have us over for dinner. I've never felt so welcomed in my life. Going so far from home is hard at times, but when I'm having a hard time the phone always seems to ring, at the perfect time, with a friend calling to check up on us. The sense of community from such a HUGE church is simply unbelievable. I am so thankful and can't ever repay these people for the sense of belonging they've given.

This post is SO long and I haven't even gotten to "Vision Sunday" we had last week. But I'm going to leave you in suspense! I want to leave you with thank you. Thank you for all of your prayers and encouragment. You have no idea how much it means being so far away from home!

We love you!