Category Archives: Exploration

Dec30

Imperfect Passion

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Teri

Teri in the Tetons

I haven’t been posting anything lately. You probably noticed.

November and December have traditionally been down months for me. But, never “drop off the face of the earth” kind of months as these past two months have been. I felt a heavy hand on me like God was holding me back, asking me to completely unplug.

It hasn’t been a bad thing. In fact, it’s actually been kinda sweet. Like God and I have been holding up in a  log cabin in the backwoods of the mountains somewhere. Away from civilization. Away from the craziness of the electronic age…

It’s kinda been like Little House on the Prairie.

(I’m not kidding. There’s a pink tractor in the driveway of the house across the street. Beyond that, corn fields… Endless cornfields…)

In the past, I’ve always received some huge, earth shaking revelation about what’s next when God has sequestered me away.

This time, however, it’s been just a quiet reassurance that God is who God says He is. “I am that I am…”

In the past, that would have really ticked me off. I’m a doer; a goer. I’m a super overachiever who is always hungry for the next mountain top – the next big dream. I would have been crying out, “What next, Papa!!”

I’m also afraid of what people think of me. The thought of shutting down for two months scared me. The idea of coming back with a post after a long break…well…was frankly terrifying. What would you think of me?

  • Have I been afraid that we’d lose the momentum that was gained in 2012? Yep.
  • Have I been frightened that people would think I’d given up on my Kingdom Dream? Yep.
  • Have I been scared that I heard wrong? Maybe God was saying “you slug” not “unplug”? Oh yeah.

This time was different, though.

I was only afraid for a moment. Then I just…relaxed…breathed…and enjoyed…

If you know me very well, you’re probably in shock right now. Those are things I don’t do well!

Funny how God works, eh? It’s like He really means to complete His work in us.

So, I’m back. Imperfectly but passionately pursuing Jesus with everything I have inside me.

I have no idea what’s coming next for me and this dream.

Yet, I am refreshed, renewed, and totally stoked about the God we serve.

I pray you are refreshed and ready for 2013. I have a feeling it’s going to be another adventurous year.

“This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?”

God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are.

We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!

We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!”  Romans 8:15-17 The Message

Oct23

Shadows and Sunshine

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Roberto

 

The third stop on our tour brought us to Tampa, Florida, where we met with Ida Lopez, Project Director for World Relief Tampa.

Ms. Lopez and her team are devoted specifically to anti-trafficking efforts in the Tampa area.  World Relief has been at work in this area since 1980, and since 2006 has been targeting trafficking.  We were surprised at the gravity of the issue there and were pleased to hear that World Relief is a light of hope in the darkness.

THE PROBLEM

  • With 27 million people enslaved in the world today, 2.5 million of those live right here in the United States.
  • Florida is one of the top three destinations for trafficking in the United States.
  • Tampa is the number one destination for trafficking activity in the state of Florida.

A LIGHT OF HOPE
As these issues have recently come to light, a number of government agencies as well as NGOs have been working together to form a task force to help stop trafficking in Tampa.

One of World Relief’s main tasks is to be a first responder to trafficking raids.  They provide a source of support for the victims, beginning with basic care packages that are put together by local volunteers.

World Relief continues to act as an advocate for the victims, providing them with a wide range of services, from taking them to the laundromat to helping them navigate legal proceedings with the police and lawyers.

FUNDING THE WAY
A large portion of World Relief’s funding comes from grants via the Department of Justice and other sources.  They are required to raise about 25% of their funds, most of which come through in-kind donations from local service providers like doctors, dentists, and mental health professionals who donate their time and skills to serve these victims.

INVOLVING OTHERS
World Relief, along with professors from St. Petersburg College, offers training to many in the community to help others identify potential trafficking activity in local neighborhoods.  They even offer training for local police departments to better get involved in their communities.

MUCH TO BE DONE
While World Relief has been active in the Tampa area for quite some time, their staff remains small, and the need remains great.  They rely on volunteers to help with presentations, coordinating services for victims, and rallying local churches to come together and help with housing needs for the girls and preparation of care packages.

To learn more about World Relief in Tampa, or to learn how you can get involved, visit http://worldrelieftampa.org/anti-trafficking.

Oct5

Just Let Go

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We met up with A.J. at a coffee shop near his home town of Eustis, Florida in January. He was stuck and not moving. He needed some encouragement and a little shove to get going. Now A.J. has the bicycle rolling and is letting God steer. He’s finding his way and finding Abba Father in the process. It’s been so great to watch this man of God coming alive over these past few months.

A.J.

I have two Kingdom dreams I talked about with the Dream Tour ladies last October. The first: to publish a poetry book from my year on The World Race. The second: to see a generation come fully alive in Europe (London, Ireland possible starting points for me).

Both of which I believe are in standby, or what I call “stalled“.

Either way, the past year has looked NOTHING like I thought it would. Instead of traveling more overseas, I traveled stateside.

I went from Kansas City (1 and 1/2  months) to Wisconsin and West Virginia (two weeks each) to somehow ending up in Chicago for the entire summer (after a week-long training session to be a long-term missionary). Now, I’m back in Florida, dealing with the re-entry process all over again.

I cannot say it’s been unfruitful or rewarding, but the experience has definitely been a-pesky-mosquito-under-the-net, in short a frustrating mess.

I’ve learned much about the dreaming process throughout these journeys, but even more so I have learned a LOT about Abba and myself.

Somewhere along the way, He asked me to let go of the dream to go to Ireland for two years. I’m pretty sure my face did a contortion act reminiscent of Picasso’s cubism paintings and to be honest, I was hurt. I thought I had found the place I was meant to go and live life, and I wanted to go as soon as possible. He simply said, “Let it go, son.”

And so, I have had to let go of Ireland and even the thoughts of what it would look like to begin with, as well as the possibility of publishing my poetry book at all, or any semblance of it.

Now, I’m on a simple search for contentment in Him and just being who He created me to be in all aspects of life, regardless of location and circumstance. Though, I am also currently pursuing a chance to go teach English in South Korea at the start of next year to help in the process of paying off student and parent-plus loans on the verge of stealing my sanctity.

The truth is every dream, every desire of our heart

will be a struggle to realize,

a struggle with who we are and who God is to us.

 

Through my journey, I have found Papa faithful and true to His Word. I hold onto such truth in every circumstance, especially with being home with my family all over again (it’s not always pleasant).

I know He will pull through with everything He has promised and one day I will sit in a balcony overlooking the European countryside laughing at all the apparent hardships that once stood as giants.

Check out A.J.’s poetry here. You’ll be blessed.

Sep18

When You Hit the Tar

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Teri

After working with hundreds of dreamers over the past couple of years, I’ve recognized patterns in the flow of the dream journey. There seem to be some common phases that many dreamers go through.

One of those common phases I simply call, “Tar”.  It usually happens after the phase when you finally get clarity on your dream and you fully commit to pursuing it (I call that “Honeymoon”.)

It goes something like this…

So, you’ve been praying and seeking and asking the Lord for clarity on your Kingdom Dream. You finally get it, and usually with big and glaring neon signs, so much so you are completely convinced it’s what God is asking you to do. And you go after it with zeal.

You fly through your first couple of steps as if your feet aren’t even touching the ground. Ahhhh! You feel you are like moving through billowy clouds of ease. It’s more confirmation from God that you are moving in the right direction.

That’s when you hit it. That big pit of black, stinky mess that stops you dead. It feels a lot like you’re moving through TAR.

Everything is harder. Simple movement becomes difficult. And you stop making much headway. It seems like there is enormous resistance no matter what you do.

It’s then when you start asking the question, “Did I go the right way?”  Then come the doubts, “Maybe I was wrong? Shouldn’t it be easier than this?”

I’ve seen many people check out at this point, drag themselves out of the much,then turn around and go back.

But, that would be like Frodo turning around at the Prancing Pony and going back to the Shire. Or Dorothy heading back to Lilliput after seeing the dark forest. Or the Israelites going back to the wilderness after spying giants and other obstacles in the promised land.

If we are pursuing God’s Kingdom, regardless of how big the dream is, we will hit the tar pits. We will come across obstacles that seem huge, scary, and very, very real. We will feel like we’re being drug into the muck and mire.

I’m there right now. And of course, it happened just after I wrote in my journal, ‘I’m convinced this is the path the Lord would have me take.” Yep… My next step was straight into the tar.

What do you do?

Well, I’m not saying I know how to do it gracefully, but I do know you just keep going. Here are some things that might help when you feel like you’re caught in the tar pits:

Remember God’s promises – Hopefully you’ve journaled about all the ways God affirmed your passions and dreams. Hopefully you’ve kept record of the the promises God has spoken to your heart through his Word.

Remember God’s faithfulness – It’s God who pulls you from the mire. He opens the pathways. He lifts you up and makes a way for you. Rely on him now.

Don’t go it alone – Hopefully, you have a circle of prayerful and faithful friends who can intercede for you. Call on them. Ask them to pray. Let them believe in your dream even when you are having a hard time believing in it for yourself.

Keep moving as if you weren’t stuck – Try not to focus on the bubbling, stink around you. Focus instead on the promises, they ultimately become the firm ground you step on.

Pray for each other. Pray for Kingdom dreams. Pray for the laborers for the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Pray for HOPE!

Please continue to pray for the Anti-Trafficking Dream Tour. We’re hit the tar right now and are stalling in our movement forward. We will continue to press forward and believing. We appreciate your prayers!

Please consider sponsoring a day of the tour!  Go here for details.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”  Romans 5:3-5

Aug22

So I Go

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I met Lacee last month at Project Searchlight training.  I had the honor of being her coach for the week. She has big dreams and big talent and a burning passion. You can’t get much more dangerous than that. Except if you have the will to go and follow the Father. Well, Lacee is one of those dangerous Christians this world desperately needs. Please pray with her along this journey.  (check out the video – it’s superb!)

Lacee

Passion is who you are; it’s a part of you. My passion, my vision, is for revolution and awakening. To see the American church rise up and Kingdom descend. To meld the world of foreign lands with our world, so we begin to see a bridge, an exchange, of information and thus change.

Within that beating heart is the blood flow, the pipeline dream, the causality, and the conduit. My dream is to build a Photographer’s Coalition. To share the stories that deserve to be told, from the people that need to tell them. Proceeds from prints will return to the source of the stories to help fund villages and organizations. My hope is to build worldwide kingdom and community through arousal and awareness.

These passions, our passions, are about what makes our hearts beat, our souls ache, and our spirits race. It’s about the innate cause within us. It’s about the echo we hear when our ears are pressed against the chest of the Father. We all have one, an echo, a cadence; it is the rhythm that provokes change. Our passions are the tears our hearts bleed and the gears that drive our first steps into new seasons.

It all comes down to the stirring in my spirit to share, to invoke, and to release. Much like the demeanor of a child. Have you ever actually paid attention to how a child acts when they tell a story? Giddy, excited, and over-animated. Probably just overjoyed that someone is listening?

That’s exactly how I want to be.

I want to spend the rest of my life telling the greatest story ever written, about a single day that forever altered the course of human history. And as I do, I want to strive to reflect the same giddy, overjoyed behavior of that child – just thrilled that someone is listening.

I hope to continue the exploration and development of my gifts by working at Adventures In Missions this fall. I’ll be joining a team dedicated to documenting stories about God’s movement in our generation. If you would like to be apart of my story, and follow me as I follow the Father please check out either of my blogs www.laceepeloquin.theworldrace.org  or www.throughlensandpen.tumblr.com.

If you’d like to help support me as I begin this new season in my life and join the AIM team please visit here.

Above all please pray for resolve in my spirit to act on the desires God has place within. As with all new seasons I’m both apprehensive and excited for the change, but it’s not about me, it’s about following.

So I go.

Aug20

The Best Part of the Job

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Teri

Although I’ve not been out on the road a lot this summer, there have still been many divine encounters. These are brief conversations that are just at the right place at the right time that sparks something in someone.

There was that guy in the gas station in Georgia who needed to know that he was doing all he could in his current situation and that God was pleased. He was tearing himself up with self-doubt.

There was a beautiful lady, Laura, at the lake in Minnesota who needed confirmation that her passion to love on others was truly God-given. And she needed just a little nudge to dream big.

There was the young man at the hamburger joint who was struggling with direction for his life. He needed to be reminded that God indeed has a direction and that he only needs to get his feet moving and then let God steer his path.

I spoke at a tiny church yesterday. Tiny in size only, but big on loving Jesus. I had the honor of talking with several people who’s hearts belong to God. I got an extended, delightful chat with Teresa. She only needed a reminder that God is not looking for her performance or perfection, just her heart – and he already has that. She needed permission to not be afraid of doing it “wrong”.

Teresa, an insightful woman, said something that has been ruminating in my heart. She asked, “So, you just travel all around doing these divine appointments?”

Huh. Yeah. I do.

I wear many hats; I’m a mom, a coach, a writer, and a teacher. I want to see the Body of Believers ignited in their dream journey with Christ.

The best part of the job (other than being a mom to Steven, Leah, and Lily) are those impromptu meetings that happen when I keep my eyes and ears peeled for what God is doing around me.

Wake up each morning and say, “Lord, these are my plans for the day. Feel free to interrupt me at any time. I want to be involved in your plans for my day.”

Then, just look around as you go about the routine. Pray throughout the day. Keep your heart open for that stirring that says, “Go talk to this person.” It doesn’t happen everyday, but when it does, it’s a grand adventure.

It is really that simple. Be interruptable. Give God permission to sidetrack you from your daily routine. People need what God has put in you to give. They need love, joy, peace, encouragement, hope, comfort, and to hear about Jesus. They need what you have.

Are you interruptable?

Aug17

Bringing Out the Inner Super Hero

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I met Roberto right after he got back from the World Race, during a Project Searchlight training week in January. The first thing you notice about Roberto is his joy…his presence… Then when you get to know him you soon find out that he is a super hero. One of those true blue heroes that you seldom encounter, but was created to bring justice and freedom to the world.

He is in the Exploring phase of his Kingdom dream journey. Please pray for him in the journey to fight injustice and challenge other men to become the super hero they were meant to be.

Roberto

My passion is to liberate people from injustice
particularly the injustice of human trafficking.

In theory, the dream of Batman (sorry, I’m a super hero nerd) to live a life completely devoted to the fight against injustice.

My dream is work on this issue on two fronts. The first front is to work on investigating areas of trafficking, exposing it, and liberating captives. The second is through the demand side working with men creating awareness and changing mindsets. Raising up men who will take this fight on as their own.

 

Please pray with me for an opportunity and clarity. Currently, I’m seeking a way to further explore and strengthen this passion. I am looking for opportunities perhaps to begin working in investigations or work on the demand side or some other manner of trafficking.

 

There are a few potential options, but right now nothing seems like a clear green light. I’ve been spending some time in Gainesville, Georgia at Adventures in Missions serving different teams and being in community here.  I’ve contemplated going to Cambodia and straight into the heart of a thriving sex trafficking community. But, I’m debating whether staying in ministry is the best option, or whether I need more training/schooling, or begin a career in law enforcement for now.

If people know of a clear set position in the Georgia area (Near Gainesville, Atlanta or else where) or in South Carolina (maybe near Greenville), or else where it would be much appreciated. Paid or support raising.

I would also love to have a conversation with someone who might be currently in law enforcement in a trafficking division.
You can follow my journey here:
http://robertocalderon.theworldrace.org
http://inthebrightestday.wordpress.com/

Thank you all for praying with Roberto as he seeks to defend those who are oppressed.

Aug7

Today…

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Teri

Something’s stirring today.

Something’s happening.

God is on the move in the U.S.

I’m seeing and hearing about it everywhere I go.

So many Christ followers are asking the question, “Isn’t there something more??”

I feel it so strongly today I can hardly…speak…write…think…

Please forgive me  for not having a clearly articulated post. Today, it’s  flowing from my heart of hearts…

I watched this video again. It was released about two years ago. And it ignited my passion for something more all over again.

I went to a church service here in Ham Lake, Minnesota Sunday. The Pastor asked the question, ‘Are you a Christian or are you a Disciple of Jesus Christ?”

His intent was to dismantle some of the negative aspects of the title of “Christian”.

It reflects something too squishy, too soft, too indistinct since it means different things to different people.

Biblically, the people in first century Palestine called themselves, “Disciples” or “Followers of the Way.” Which indicates constant movement, constant growth, and wanting to be defined by our journey rather than our title.  It begs the connotation that we never arrive, but always follow The Rabbi.

Yes…

Our Western culture has done many wonderful things, yet, we are not to be conformed to our culture but transformed by the renewing of our minds to The Way, The Truth, and The Life. And that Way is different than the way of the American Dream.

I was talking to a dreamer this week feels God leading her to start her own business. She’s known it for years but has backed off because of the risk. She had more people telling her all the ways it could fail than she had of people encouraging her to follow where God leads her. Yeah, the road’s been tough and probably will get tougher. Yeah, she’s had to go without a lot. Yeah, she has made mistakes and will make more mistakes. And maybe, just maybe she won’t be “successful” in the way our culture defines it.

But, I already see the life growing within her as she walks in obedience. I see the possibilities of all the people she will help. All the lives she will touch. She has a Kingdom mindset now. She’s looking at things from God’s perspective and trusting Him to never leave or forsake her.

Could it be that she’s supposed to start this business not because God wants her to have a comfortable retirement but because there is only one person she’s supposed to connect with to share Jesus? Maybe one customer who comes to know Christ because she obeyed. Would it be worth it even though she never breaks a six-figure salary?

The risk is great, but the reward is eternal.

That is really the essence of the Gospel.

I mean, we believe in a God who is eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, and is the Creator of life. We believe that He raises the dead, parts the sea, provides manna and water and meat, and can walk on water. We believe that he impregnated a virgin so that His Son could leave his Heavenly throne and come to earth as a lowly man. We believe that he lived a sinless life, died a martyrs death, and God resurrected him three days later to break the hold of sin and death. And that our belief in him washes ALL our sins clean, assures us eternal life in Heaven, and immediately transforms us through the Holy Spirit into beloved sons and daughters of God.

So… that makes absolute and perfect practical sense, doesn’t it?

God went to SUCH lengths to offer salvation. God so loved us…

And, did God offer us all this just so we could be more comfortable and secure. Or did he extend us such blessing so that we could help bring the beauty of grace, salvation,and redemption to the rest of the world?

I guess what I’m saying is that the cross was not meant as a place where we could stand and look around us saying, “Look at me. Be like me. I’m a Christian and therefore better than you. You need to do these things and not do these things to be a good Christian.”

The cross of Jesus was meant to be a place to kneel and plead, “Come one – come all!  There’s room! There’s room! There’s enough room here for everyone! Jesus is calling to you. His grace is enough for everyone. Please come! I’m begging you – there is room! Oh all glory to God! ”

We’re to be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing what a redeemed life looks like in progress. We’re redeemed and being redeemed each day…TODAY.  In our own flesh, it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. It’s called grace and it’s available to you the same as me. No one can out sin God’s grace – that’s why they call it the Good News.

Our world is splintering at it’s very core. The United States is wounded, lost, and breaking down.

Now is the time to fight with such a radical, furious, grace-filled love that it moves mountains.

It will take sacrifice on our parts. It will take us being anti-cultural. It will take surrender to all God is and asks of us. It will cost everything. But, it will give more than we could ever ask or imagine.

What is God stirring inside you today?

Does your life reflect redeeming grace being lived out each day?

If not, I’m here to tell you…there is more! Jesus is more!

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  Ephesians 3:20-21

Aug1

Training For a Dream

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Thought it was about time to catch up with Pei Yee. She just got back from Appalachia in Tennessee where she helped lead adults and  high school students on a missions trip there. She’s gearing up now to head to Africa. Please pray for her!

Pei Yee

As I was looking back at the past 2 years, I saw how God took me out of Malaysia to go on the World Race, which was the start of an explosive journey with God.

On the Race, my idea of who God is and who I am was completely redefined. I began to see how personal God is – that He speaks through the day-to-day little things and I can hear His Voice; I started to understand who I am in Christ – His precious daughter, a princess in His Kingdom, somebody who is given authority in Jesus’ name. I began to learn to see people for who God made them to be, that He loves EVERY single person, and that I am to love them too (sounds so cliche but it’s one of the hardest thing to do).

My heart was broken for an African kid, challenged by a Cambodian young man, encouraged by the countless testimonies I heard and saw along the way.

As if this was not enough, God then challenged me to build up my faith by going on the Dream Tour. Even though we started with only a full tank of gas and $200, we came home with more than that after 40 days. Incredible? Not at all, for our God is a God who says “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow…But if God so clothes the grass of the field…will He not much more clothe you…” (Mt 6:30).

Then God provided another opportunity to grow in a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit and His works in Ecuador. That was when I experienced a man being healed right before my very eyes after praying for him.

Appalachia, Tennessee was then a very growing trip in terms of leadership and administrative skills. Preparing, teaching, leading 65 people of all ages from different denominations for 2 weeks was no easy task. But God showed me that He was able to move people’s hearts faster than I ever imagined, that it really is “my message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.” (1 Corin 2:4).

This coming September God has called me to attend Iris Ministries’ Harvest School of Missions. It is a Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, hands-on, in the dirt, evangelistic missions training school, set in the Village of Joy in Pemba, Mozambique. Iris’ vision is “CALLED TO LOVE”. It costs everything. It’s passion and compassion. Extravagant love that gives without expecting back. A laid down life. A love that looks like something practical.

Read the full post here.

Pei Yee needs your help. She needs to raise $8,850 to make this happen. Her dream is to reach the lost youth in the 10/40 window. That’s the areas of the world who have the highest numbers of lost people. She wants to bring the love and truth of Jesus to them. This school will help train her with practical ways of making that happen.  Please prayerfully support Pei Yee in launching her dream.

Jul30

Daddy, I Want To Be Loved On

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Teri

I’m in Minnesota now for a couple of weeks of well needed rest. I’m hanging out with my daughter Lily. She’s seven and she’s a blast. I work about six hours each morning, then play the rest of the day with her.

Yes, some things won’t get done.  Yes, I won’t get some of my actions steps delivered in the timeline I’d like.

Yet, I have learned a few things over the years of parenting. Something I wished I would have learned when my two older children were seven…summers go by too quickly and kids grow up too fast.

Sometimes the most life happens when you slow down.

It’s there…

……………………

Sorry. I was interrupted by a beautiful little girl with freckles dotting her nose. She leaned over me and with big blue eyes said, “Mommie? I want to be loved on.”

Yeah. Had to stop for that.

As I held her, I asked the question, “Lily? What’s your big dream?”

Then I got a glimpse into her precious, little heart.
I promised not to share the details. (Mom, you can’t put this on Facebook, okay?)

First, I found out what a a big Sci-fi fan like her mom. Our fav show being Doctor Who. (Yes, I guard what she watches.)

Secondly, I got to see that there is a little heart of justice rising up. She wants to fight bad guys. The seeds of a little warrior princess are being sewn. (Here is some of that exchange…)

Lily: Mom? Why does Doctor Who always want to help the bad guys?

Mom: Well honey, he thinks that everyone needs grace and mercy. He’s like Jesus in that way. He always gives them a chance and a choice.

Lily: That’s a lot of work, isn’t it Mom?

Mom: Yep. It’s a lot harder than just giving up on them.

Lily: Jesus must think they’re worth it.

Mom: Yep. He does.

It’s in these times when I realize how my Heavenly Father feels.

How he delights when we crawl up into his lap and say, “Daddy, I want to be loved on.”

How he adores it when we share our big dreams with him.

And how much he wants to see them come to life and maturity in us. The desires of our hearts…living out in us, through us, and for the Kingdom of God.

Sometimes the most amount of life happens when you slow down…

Have you crawled up into his lap lately?