Halfway There

     Lecture phase is halfway finished.  Hard to believe the amount of incredible things God has done in 6 weeks.  If you read last week's blog, you might remember how I encountered the love of God like never before by seeing His beautiful creation.  What happened Sunday night and Monday morning carried into the rest of the week.  In some moments, it was hard to function.  I was captivated by the love of God everywhere I went and continued to be blasted by His presence.
     Something Andy Byrd said the first day of DTS has stuck with me.  He said, "Never stop being fascinated by the love of Jesus."  Now that I have experienced it in such an unforgettable way, I can't help but to want to love like Him.
     There are so many ways we can love God.  This weekend, I felt the Lord telling me to take a walk with Him.  Saturday was kind of a busy day, so I wasn't really able to go.  After finishing my laundry on Sunday, I tried to take a nap because our leaders had encouraged us to take a Sabbath this weekend. But I kept feeling the tug of the Holy Spirit.  I continued to lay in bed for a while saying, "I need to rest and take the advice from my leaders." But in the midst of my nap, I suddenly had this Holy Spirit burst of energy and jumped out of bed.  I put on my shoes and filled up my Camelbak.  There was an urgency in my step.  I had no idea why or where I was really going.  I made the walk into town where there was a huge arts festival that had taken over the streets.  After I made my way through the crowd and had resisted the temptation to stop for funnel cake and donuts; I came to the end of line.  Down by the pier, the hotel owns this private property, so there was no where to turn but right.  So I started walking back towards the coast.  I made my way to the old airport that is now a parking lot to the beach.  I walked as far as I could without trespassing.  As I stood on a small mountain of lava rock, I was once again captivated by God's creation.  After about two minutes of soaking in the presence of God, I turned around and saw a man walking my way with a fishing pole and a bucket in hand.  I smiled and said, "How's it going?" He in turn said hello.  The first thing I noticed was a very large growth on the back of his neck.  I immediately knew why the Lord had me walk 3 miles to the end of line before trespassing.  I walked over and sat next to him.  Peter was his name.  A Romanian from Michigan who was here on vacation with his family.  He asked me what I was doing here.  I told him.  We talked about God and fish for a few minutes and then I asked if I could pray for Him.  He said, "Oh yes!"  As I started to pray for him, he placed his right hand on my shoulder.  The depth of gratitude I witnessed in his eyes was priceless.
     Friends, we make this walk with God so complex sometimes.  I'm guilty as charged.  The best way you can love God is to simply obey Him.  I'm reminded when Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him.  Peter, as dumbfounded as he was said, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."  Jesus kept telling Peter, "Feed my sheep."  "Take care of my lambs."  Simple acts of obedience is really what God is looking for.

Saturday, Team Amsterdam had a car wash for more support raising.  Tomorrow night, we are selling brownies after dinner. We are still raising funds as a team and individually.  Its hard to believe that we leave in a little over a month.  If you would like to partner with me you can pray for the restoration of Amsterdam.  If you would like to give financially, here is how you can do so.

You can send a check to:
Derek Owen
996 Owen Rhea Rd.
Tiline, KY 42083

or go to www.paypal.com and enter my email or phone.
fletch3535@yahoo.com  
 (270) 217-5243

Thank you and God bless.
Derek Owen