The Heat is On!

Source: Gospel for Asia

I've written very little this summer on the blog. Sorry about that. I've been busy and have had a lot on my mind (and heart). God has been working on me -- to have a heart for others. Not that I'm an insensitive person, but I do need to work on loving people the way Jesus loves them. That is hard to do and even harder to put into action.

So, even while I work, garden, paint the bedroom, or sweat (it was 98 today), I'm praying and thinking about how to love others better. I finished reading The Hole in the Gospel and I'm reading back issues of newsletters from Gospel for Asia (organization that my sponsor child is with) and I'm learning the needs of people (instead of looking the other way).

One thing I read about tithing really struck a cord. If every person tithed what the Bible said they should (10%) then there would be no world hunger. The problem is the distribution of wealth. Here in America if you make $30,000, you are wealthier than 95% of the world's population. If you make $50,000, you are 99% wealthier. Wow! 

So, as the summer heats up, my mind/heart does too. I pray that I will respond as God wants me to and that I will grow like Christ to love and help others.

In Memory of Carolyn Welsh

Just found out during church that my friend's mother passed away last night. Our praise team played this song this morning and it was perfect.  

We'll see you again, Carolyn. In heaven.

Creation Fest Poem

I went to Creation Fest and wanted to capture the experience in a poem. Here goes:

Creation Fest 2012

By Dawn M. Hamsher

sea of tarps (with some still sleeping)

Nestled in a mountain valley

80,000 of my closest friends

Melt in the summer heat as

Dust rises from shuffling feet

Morning openings start off with

a sea of blue tarps stretched out

waiting for owners to straggle in

for worship

As the day heats up, so do the speakers

They yell to get their message across

Passionately telling us to share the gospel

“Who will tell them, if we don’t?”

So many teenage girls and boys

Silently scream for attention

“Free Hugs”, chicken, gorilla, & banana suits

Who are they seeking?

The bands at Main Stage are varied.

Crowder, Kye Kye, Newsboys, Red

I can feel God’s presence in them

It is good and I lift my hands to praise him.

We held our own communion at camp

Main Stage (during break)

Washing each other’s hands, we whispered prayers,

Broke the bread and drank the juice

As Toby Mac played in the distance

Morning tent showers and porta-potties

Sweat dripping down your back

Campfire, cards, hammocks, mountain pies

…A Wilderness experience

And through the Fest, God was there

Waiting for us to turn to him, to seek him.

I wonder what each person got out of Creation.

Just a good time or something holy?

 

I'm in a Turquoise Mist

My blog posts aren't churning out as I had hoped for this summer. Neither is my book revision (stalled on scene 32). Guess I'm just going to go with the summertime flow.

So far, I volunteered for Vacation Bible School, went to Creation Fest with our youth group (rewarding, but brutal heat), and now I'm in the thick of painting my daughter's bedroom (her birthday gift) in a 90 degree room (I'll just sweat off those extra pounds).

Turquoise Mist - Wall Color & Turquoise Tint - Trim Color

 How do you like her room colors? She picked them herself. She's turning the big 13!

How is your summer coming along? Is it going the way you planned?

Free e-Book!

My blogging pal, Chautona Havig is giving away one of her e-books -- Shadows & Secrets 

for a limited time. Check it out!