Standing in the Presence of God

Posted by Dan and Carole McClelland |1 comments

Luke 1:19, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God”

Just like Gabriel, the angel God is teaching me how to stand in the presence of God. When he was not on an assignment he was standing in the presence of a living God, preparing himself to be ready to go. God already taught me about how deep His love is for me and through the understanding of His love my understanding of being able to just be in his presence and absorb who He is has increased. Thus, my understanding of being able to stand in the presence of God has been born. Being completely satisfied and filled if God does not call me to do something today or share a word with someone today because I am just deepening my relationship with Him and I know that when he does ask me to go it will be clear and it will be more powerful because I stood in the presence of the Lord (preparing to go). That standing in the presence of the Lord is so important and so satisfying.

Some Local Outreaches

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Hey just wanted to update what has been going on this last week.

First off, thanks for everyones prayers and support in regards to the 24,000 we needed last time I wrote a blog. God has really been providing for our team and we now only need 11,180 dollars!! It is exciting to see God working and just wanted to update everyone with how this is going!

I got the opportunity last Saturday to go to Jaco, a town on the pacific coast, and go surfing which was a blast! Then on Sunday we went to a city near San Jose to do a skateboarding ministry. We took all the pieces and built a skatepark on this basketball court in the city. It was an awesome time of ministry. We invited skateboarders that we had connections with and had a skate competition later in the day with prizes. We were working with a local church that had a concert, with dramas etc… going on at the same time at this park. There were probably 30 skaters and 100 or so other people at this event. Although Carole and I don't skateboard we had a great time talking with people and just sharing Gods love. Here is a link to some pictures from that event:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=256160&id=502334775&l=33f555a133

Also on Thursday we had an outreach all afternoon to a suburb of San Jose that was severely flooded a few weeks ago. We went to a school where there were 86 families staying because their homes were destroyed in the flood and landslides that occurred. There were a lot of kids there that needed some love. We did dramas and games with the kids while others helped clean areas of the school that needed it. The kids were super excited to have us there playing with them. At one point I think I had 5 or 6 kids climbing on me or attached to me in some way while I was walking around. We were able to share with the kids, Gods love for them and also get into some deeper conversations and share Jesus with the parents who were lost in some ways. Here is a link to some pictures from that outreach:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=256161&id=502334775&l=c75b30445b

Dan

Our Identity in Christ

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Last week, the speaker was speaking on our identity and only finding it in Christ. He asked us to write down anything negative words or actions that people said about us in the past and then write down anything good things that people said that we were trying to live up to. After writing them down and praying with a friend against the lies we have been believing and for the truth of God to reign in our lives, we ripped up the papers in front of the cross, giving Jesus anything we were trying to find our identity in. Then we were asked to take a package of play-do and just close our eyes and pray about how God sees us.

As, I prayed God gave me a picture of how he sees me and two verses. I am a butterfly with a very small body, with powerful, strong and huge wings (symbolizing God's strength) soaring on wings like eagles through blue and gray skies with my eyes fixed on Jesus.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old is gone and the new has come!
2 Cor 5:17

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40: 31

Wow, what a freedom I felt knowing that God sees me like that! It was an amazing experience. Afterwards, we spilt into small groups and shared with one another and then prayed for each person. It was a freeing day!

A poem I wrote while enjoying nature

Posted by Dan and Carole McClelland |2 comments

A Turn on the Upside
by Daniel McClelland

It becomes a common thing, life turned upside down.

Trees form like a wall, in shades of green as abundant as your imagination.
The blue sky, an ocean, with white capped wispy clouds, floating on, as if a dream.
The light of day beats down in freedom, heating rays fill the still of dawn.
Can life get better? I think not. But the turn continues on...

A soft coo of a pretty dove, the powerful stretch and flight of a butterfly.
A canvas, a painting, a new day. The view, a glimpse into eternity.
The ground is peppered with plants galore.
The supple dark earth and the rain of last nights clouds, a perfect concoction.
The catalyst of suns morning light, the final ingredient.
The heavenly potion activates in silence.
Shoots of new growth accelerate to touch the sky...

It becomes a common thing, my heart turned upside down.
A new day begins.

The path is slimy and narrow at times.
The smooth clay a metaphor to the hill we climb.
The clouds become darkened and the sun is hidden,
but the field is ripe, a gem shinning bright. Picked just for me.
The soft wet grass, a blanket of life, a cushion, a comfort, a foundation to grow.
To fathom more, can it be done? But the turn continues on...

Sharp and distinct a bird makes its call, a hawk overhead dives for it's prey,
And the wind rustles leaves, as it groans through the trees...

It becomes a common thing, life turned upside down,
But God's Peace makes it's mark in the heart of us all.

Local Outreach and More!

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Last weekend, our team had the opportunity to led a youth group in a service about missions. Our team, led worship, shared three testimonies about missions, did a drama, and had an icebreaker learning greetings from around the world. It was the first time our team had the opportunity to work as a team and share what God has done in our lives the last 5 weeks since being in school. The night was completely controlled by God through his Holy Spirit. Dan served by playing on the worship team and I shared my testimony about God's love. Copy and paste this into address bar for pictures: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=251254&id=502334775&l=1fbe300faf Afterwards, it was a great time of fellowship with other christians through prayer and talking. Our team got a small glimpse of what God wants to do in Europe through us on our outreach. The outreach brought unity and a closer bond to each other as well as with Jesus.
Dan also got the opportunity to go zip-lineing through the jungle, there are pictures at the above link. Unfortunately he also managed to chip the bone on his right hand knuckle which led to an emergency room visit. He has to keep it braced for 20 days but he will be fine.