Love Is Our Greatest Weapon

On January 29, 2015December 10, 2016 By happyreignIn Joel, Reflections & Musings2 Comments

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa

In the picture above with my beautiful wife is this amazing little girl. This precious treasure and her family are Syrian Refugees who fled to Jordan escaping the war. At such a young age she has seen family relatives murdered right before her eyes. It has been almost two years since they left the war torn country of Syria but she still has nightmares almost every night. She cuts herself and has tried to take her own life more times than her parents can count. My wife and I accompanied by some people who minister to the Syrian Refugee Community were asked to visit her and her family. As we walked towards their home a strong smell of smoke chocked us as we got closer to their door. Her parents tell us that she had just set something on fire. The small room where we sat was still filled with smoke. Everyone was coughing. It was almost unbearable. We came with bags of groceries, a guitar and with hearts over flooding with Love. One person on the team wanted to sing a song for her and she did. This beautiful girl sat right in front of her with her eyes beaming like flying saucers. My wife proceeded to hug her and play with her. I snapped this picture of what we were told was a rare sight. She was laughing! My heart was overwhelmed by God’s love for her and her family. This is just one story of millions who have been suffering from war. Have we forgotten that we belong to each other??? The mentality of “Us” vs. “Them” does not come from the Kingdom of Heaven. Whether we realize it or not we are ALL one! We all come from the same place. We are all His! I have found that the greatest opposition to hate is Love. Love is our greatest weapon. I encourage all who read this to love recklessly and extravagantly!

Frolicking with God in the Middle East

On January 24, 2015December 10, 2016 By happyreignIn Heather, Social Justice

Joel and I have written ‘off the grid’ about our adventures in the Middle East for three months followed by spending the holidays in Puerto Rico and now we’re writing again to announce “We’re heading back!”

GOING BACK That’s right, in the midst of our goodbyes with a plan to return in our hearts, the Lord orchestrated an open door for us. While spending our last day in the old city of Jerusalem on Thanksgiving, God had a date prepared for us with one of the most prevalent Christian influences in Iraq. Unplanned, we spent our morning with a man known as the Vicar of Baghdad or Canon Andrew White. After exchanging hearts, he extended an invitation to join him in his efforts towards peace and reconciliation in the Middle East. In tandem with this effort is relief towards the poor, the displaced, and the suffering. Andrew started an organization called Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East that focuses on providing food and medical care, while also meeting with leaders on all side of the divides that are alive in the Middle East, aimed at restoring the essence humanity in their midst; the compassion that enables peace.

Joel and I are possibly going to be involved in Israel, Jordan, and Kurdistan region in Iraq but we will see what God has planned for us as the time nears and as we arrive back on the ground there. All we know is that God is inviting us in the overflow of his heart towards a very hurt and defensive region that he loves so much. His glory and his image covers the land, and everyone is invited to participate in the heaven that Christ embodies toward all of humanity. God is not waiting for human dispute to end before continuing in his celebration of who he is and what he’s done; we get to participate in his rejoicing. God is not worried, intimidated, or uncertain of the path towards peace. His love is mature and patient without end towards a people who are hurting and have experienced much pain. Freedom is free and available to all. Hopefully we will get to be a part of highlighting the way to that peace.

OUR PLANS NOW Joel and I have another three months in America before our return. We will be traveling across the country in our sporty Montero with stops in Ohio, Paducah, Cairo, Missouri, and more, on our way to northern California for two months. We have a return trip scheduled towards May through Oregon, Minnesota, and back to South Carolina. We look forward to seeing friends and family, meeting new faces, and seeing some of God’s beautiful creation along the way.

OPPORTUNITIES We’re inviting you to come with and join us along the way! So many people have been so encouraging, supportive, and have believed in us! Our hearts are forever entwined with yours as you’ve sowed into our adventures with God, and this glorious journey continues! I’ve attached some more information to our happy giving page of how you can sow into God’s plans for our lives in this season if you like. One way we always need is prayer! Thank you so much for responding to the spirits leading in basking our journey in prayer. We couldn’t do this without the Christ in you and we love having your blessing and strength along for the ride. Prayer matters and changes reality, isn’t our partnership with God awesome!?

Here’s another opportunity we’re going to post on our announcement: Do you want to come join us for a week? A mutual friend of ours John Crowder is hosting a trip to come and help the Syrian refugees and minister to the church and the lost in that place. Never worry about finances. Ever. Only say yes to the desires God births within your heart and he will make a way. I only say this because when its him doing it, its worked for me every time he’s sent me. We’d love to have you. We’re going to be ministering in a town that Joel and I have visited and we’re super excited to partner with the church there as well. It will be the adventure of a life time to be a part of what God is doing on the ground in the Middle East. The deadline to sign up is March 1st. Here’s the link… see you there.

With love and blessings always from us to you, thank you!

The Fear Of Total Acceptance

On June 24, 2014June 24, 2014 By happyreignIn JoelLeave a comment

I am convinced that the thing we most fear isn’t rejection but TOTAL ACCEPTANCE. There I said it. At least that is what my fear was…and sometimes still is. You see for me growing up in a religious environment where it was suggested and subliminally ingrained in our minds was that no matter what we did, how many hours we prayed and fasted it was never enough. I still felt dirty. God was still Holy on His blessed mountain and I was still a million miles away. If I was going to make it to Heaven surely it was on the off chance that God was focused on Jesus waving His bloody-nail imprinted hands drawing the attention to Himself so I could slip through the pearly gates. Then it happened…then He happened to me. About 7 or 8 years ago it was my time, my turn to be wrecked by Grace. I was on the Heavenly Hit List and He revealed Himself in me, to me. The Scandal of the Cross turned over all my tables of religious failed efforts on bettering myself. He showed me an aggressive unrelenting Love that simply would not let me continue on living with the roller coaster religion of one day being up and feeling loved followed by the next day of me feeling like I was not good enough for Him. You see the Good News is that we have ALWAYS been more than enough for Him.

So why do we often respond with fear in the face of total Acceptance and Love?? I am sure there could be numerous reasons. But at the core of it all I believe it all comes down to Trust. I remember when God whispered in my ear and said,”Joel, all of the problems that you think you have can be taken care of by simply trusting me.” I mean wow! To think of a God that is so in tune with all of our emotions and so intricately woven in our day to day activities, that He always wants to make Himself known in every area of our lives. I will never forget when Heather my wife said to me,”I want to know all of you.” Honestly scared the sh*@ out of me. I could feel fear surrounding me. Why?? Because for Heather to know all of me would involve me being VULNERABLE. And that is where for many the rubber meets the road. Not only with relationships with loved ones but with God Himself. We have become experts in hiding…hiding behind religious masks and behind tough exteriors of independence. But through His love He is still coming down to us searching and calling us by our name like He did with Adam. Where are you?? Who told you you where naked?? Who has said that you are not good enough for me?? Who has filled your head with nonsense and saying that I am not more than enough for you?

My question is: Will you let Him in? Will you Trust that He is good? Will you let Him love you?

-Joel