A Tribute to Compass Family

Community of Compass, Welcome to my heart!

How beautiful are the feet who bring Good News abroad,

To your faithfulness I applaud.

Keep standing on the solid rock, and remember,

It's not about the destination or the time on the clock.

It's about leaving what's familiar, comfortable or sound,

It's about getting out of the boat and not looking down,

Trusting completely even when you feel your heart pound.

Its about moving with Him into deeper waters as they appear,

And knowing that as you delve deeper, His heart becomes precious and near,

You taste the chambers of His Holy of Holies, then,

this faith walk becomes treasured and dear,

And you see the beauty of trusting each path, 

Your character in fellowship, and His, becomes clear.

Memorials Of Compass

We went through a session yesterday on grief and loss, writing our laments on paper. Little did we know that we would be reading those laments out loud with everyone else in the room! With candles lit, we all poured out our hearts before The Lord and each other. 

Today as we said our goodbyes to the people here who have become our friends and I concentrated on putting my emotions on paper, to keep from sobbing. Many people shed tears both yesterday and today. Later, I went to our room and sobbed. Here is a poem, written in the mist of the pain.

When I see the pain of others,

It's sensation feels like smoke that smothers.

My eyes start to sting,

Tears swirl like ashes rising in a ring.

Movement rises upward toward Heaven as the fire burns,

With the eyes of my heart, Discernment yearns.

I am breathless as I respond to pain,

Pleading inwardly for the cleansing like a gentle rain.

I understand with tears, this clay will soften,

As frequent loss hardens and rolls into ruts so often.

Please take the potter's tools to smooth areas over me,

Scrape away this stinging, bring about change, don't let me be.

Alas, now I can say, "all is well with my soul",

The potter has molded me and made me whole.

Once wounded hearts are united by grace,

And I see tender new growth, brought on by every loving embrace.

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We then piled on rocks as a group for a memorial of our time here.

Reflection Times

We did a simulation at Compass which frazzled many of us. We went through a hostage scenario. At one point, it became very realistic. During the debriefing time, we felt its full impact on our hearts; a couple of people were filled with tears as they described their feelings. It turned out to be a true time of reflection.
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The next day we spent most of the day Seeking refuge in The Rock of our salvation. As I walked around the beauty of this mountainous area, I found this unique rock which spoke to me instantly of the purpose for being out here. My pockets start to fill up with rocks as I start seeing a picture/symbolism in each one.

It's so easy to get busy and not have your meeting times with God. Sometimes, it takes jostling from outside stimulus, to encourage me that refreshment time is necessary. My emotions become frazzled but quickly change in His presence.

Before

After

Half Full or Half Empty?

We have been learning a lot about how we resolve conflict here at Compass. As I look and examine my conflict style, I also see the need for the Holy Spirit to help me morph into other styles when it is appropriate, and to understand the styles of others. It's also important to realize how we perceive things, namely from what angle. Do I confront assuming the other person is wrong? Or do I think the best and ask appropriate questions?

Just for fun, what do you notice first in this picture?

Are you drawn to the flowers or the horse ----?   I know that's not fair. Why would anyone in their right mind take this picture anyways?   I was drawn to the oddity of this scene and giggled knowing it would be fun to use on a blog!

On Second Thought!

We went to Kmart. A man greeted us, wanting to sell newspaper subscriptions. Steve greets him and asks " are you a follower of Christ?"  The man pauses, almost puzzled, then responds, " well, yes I am!"  Steve quickly responds with, "if you have to think about it, your not". That remark sets the man on edge, " I don't want to talk about it." He replies gruffly.  Steve politely tells him, " I understand" and walks away.

" Hey sir!" He calls to him.  "You might be interested in a bible display here locally. A group has been collecting bibles to give away, and they've collected some unique ones." They wind up talking about Jesus after all! He asks, " why would a loving God create people capable of sinning?" The conversation turns to love requiring a choice. I left to do my shopping, sensing this could be a lengthy talk. I pray silently.  When I return, they are shaking hands.  Sometimes, fish nibble on the bait just to taste it, then bite, fully committed. This man certainly is pondering on what he heard!

Mountain of Praise

Most of you who know me are probably surprised, that I even attempted to take a four hour hike, little less climbing up a 500 foot rocky, incline.  We were already at a 6,900 ft elevation before the climb.  Breathing in itself has been difficult for me.  Looking through the natural, how would I accomplish what I set out to do?

 I had made the commitment to the group and spiritually, I was fully committed.  We walked about the length of one block and I was huffing and puffing, trying to catch my breath!  I told Jesus at that very moment, that I wanted to be Caleb this morning.  I asked Him to empower me with the physical strength, as a way to show me that He would ultimately empower us for the mission field! I told Him that He would get all the glory!

This morning, after that four hour hike, my body was not in rebellion.  I was not regretting my decision to go.  I have never accomplished anything of this kind before, without suffering from muscle soreness. Jesus is wonderful and I have to follow up yesterday's mountain experience with praise!

Hiking Up A Mountain

We are currently in Colorado attending MTI. We are taking a month long course on language learning and culture.  The first week felt like hiking up a mountain within the realm of indoors. Today we left the building for a four hour hike up a real mountain!  There were thirteen of us who braved the hike, seven made it to the top. The rest of us tuckered out and rested about 3/4 of the way up, waiting for the "stronger" to return.  

This first picture was a "setup photo."  They told us that here is a picture of us standing around the reservoir. Laughing, they implied that we didn't miss a thing!

The next picture is what the "real" view was like!

How Can I Be Judged?

CJ was sitting in the breakfast room at Castle Inn where we stayed. Others came and went quickly as we started chatting about Jesus. TJ immediately wanted to know about those people in other parts of the world who don't get a chance to hear the gospel. Would a loving God send them to Hell? We talked about Psalm 19 that man has creation to show them God.  We talked about the conscience which means, "with knowledge."  

CJ was defensive and claimed he has a brain injury which prevents him from understanding everything. Would God send him to Hell? His heart filled with anxiety as the Holy Spirit is drawing him. He insists that he is a good person "most of the time."  A struggle is going on for his soul. The Good News is told to him, grace is issued from the throne room.  CJ feels the tug and his struggle is weak. This fish doesn't know what to say. A long pause. Finally CJ thanks us and stands to leave. A few minutes later he is found pacing outside smoking on a cigarette. Is he pondering?

The kingdom was near to this man today!

Beauty Within Blah

104 degrees as we near Armarillo, Texas. Nothing to see, too hot to do anything. Oil drills, flat, golden prairie land dot my view. i am bored at the mundane. i try to find things to be grateful about, as I sense my attitude waning into negativism.  I  am thankful that our car air conditioning works!  I find excitement In finding interesting types of "road kill" , an armadillo and coyote. My mind becomes stimulated. 

Then our Creator shines in magnificence by placing beauty inside a wrapped colorful package. After six hours of blah landscape which caused me to yawn over and over in boredom, a state park called "Palo Duro Canyon State Park" in northern Texas erupts to remove the nothingness. From THIS................

To THIS..........joy joy!