Halfway Processing

This morning in class they announced that we are halfway through the lecture phase of DTS. It is crazy how fast the weeks have gone. This blog focuses on some of the general teachings of the past five weeks and the big takeaways that I have had. I am definitely still processing it all though, so bear with me if not everything makes sense!

Back at the beginning of the school we had a week focusing on hearing God's voice. We learned about God's love for us and that we were created to be in relationship with him. With this relationship we should then expect to hear from God in our day to day lives. There was the idea of inviting God into the "peanut butter moments," the simple parts of your day. For God wants us to communicate with him in the little moments, and not only in big moments. One of the big takeaways for me was the importance of choosing life every day and having expectations that God does indeed speak to us.

The second week focused on God's kingdom. We discussed what it means for God's kingdom to be now but not yet, and how we shouldn't try to separate God from our everyday life. In our culture we have a split between sacred and secular, which really isn't founded on the Bible. Every human is created in God's image and can contribute to God's kingdom even if they are not in a relationship with him. Because of this it is foolish to label things "Christian" or "Secular" and instead to allow God to speak through every part of his creation.

Things then shifted to a more personal level. The third week was looking at the Father heart of God. We were presented with the idea that past authority figures in our life can skew the way we view our relationship with God. Hurts in our life in areas of discipline, rejection, affection, generosity, faithfulness, attentiveness, and others, color the way we view God and affect how we walk with him. We were encouraged throughout the week to examine our own lives and hurts and see if we have allowed our negative experiences to change our perspective on God's character.

Stemming from the idea of our perspectives of God being skewed, the next week focused on worldview and God's heart for justice. Ideas have consequences, and the ideas that are at the core of our beliefs will shape how we live. We looked at truth, how it has been skewed, and how we can view it correctly. We also looked at the problem of evil and why God allows it to occur. The basis for this teaching was in God's love, and because his love is so great he gave humans the ability to choose which then can lead to evil. It is mind blowing to me that God's love is what allows evil, and that he is grieved when he sees the evil and injustices on our earth. He has a plan for the earth and for redemption at the end of the age, but in his love he allows humans free will. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I think about all this. The topics of God's will, his foreknowledge, human choice, justice, the problem of evil, how our worldview has veered from the truth, and all those other hard questions, aren't easy to grapple with.

Then last week we talked about the fear of the Lord. Similarly to the previous weeks, the teaching focused on relationship. For we must understand God's love and his grace before being able to grasp his might, his holiness, and his hatred of sin. Fear then was defined as reverence and an affectionate awe in our response to God's greatness. It also is defined as God's hatred of sin, and when we fear God we have the ability to turn from our sin. The week then ended talking about dealing with sin and the process of becoming aware, confessing, repenting, asking forgiveness, receiving forgiveness, renouncing the hold of the sin, and being restored.

Throughout these weeks there has been a theme of relationship. Every topic has been approached this way in order that we can truly grasp the idea that because God loves us and longs to be in relationship with us obedience and trust in him will be a natural response to his love for us. This truth then grants freedom to walk with him knowing that he is truly faithful and has our best interests at heart. I think I am starting to understand all this, but it has been a slow and difficult process for me to truly open my heart to God's love so I can walk in the truths we have been learning. I know though that God isn't done with me yet.

Creativity is Intelligence Having Fun

The focus of my DTS is children at risk. Before arriving in Madison, I thought that everyone in the school was doing this as well, but found out that half the school was focusing on community development instead. With this, we have separate focus nights on Thursdays and project days on Fridays.

This last week we focused on the impact of art when working with kids.

One of our staff members is an artist and an art teacher, so she was able to give us a great perspective on how we can partner with God creatively, especially when working with kids.

Talking about using art to connect with kids reminded me of when I studied in Copenhagen. A lot of what we studied there was alternative forms of therapy with kids with special needs to provide an inclusive learning environment. We looked at play therapy, art therapy, sensory gardens, and many other things. I love the idea of allowing kids to share their stories in the best way possible for them. For many kids, if they have through trauma, it is difficult to articulate what happened to them. But if they are given a medium through which they can express themselves, whether that is through drawing pictures, or making a story book, or playing with dolls, they are given the power to overcome their trials. 

Also, when children are given the ability to express themselves, it gives them a sense of worth. When a child is invested in, and is allowed to be themselves, they can find that they hold value, and that they are not defined by their past. One of the biggest goals in working with children is to help them find their identity in Christ, which can take time and healing. Art is just one of the many ways that can be used to help children open up to this idea. 

Albert Einstein said that "creativity is intelligence having fun." The simple joy of using your hands with your mind to create is something that everyone can do. Some to a large extent, and some less, but it is a simple way to connect with people and provide a means of expression.  

A fun way that we will be applying this concept is on outreach. In Juarez, we will be working at Ranchos Amigos, a children's home attached to the YWAM base. Each of the children at risk students will be leading a small group, and will be helping the kids complete a special project during the month we are there. We have been encouraged to explore the ways in which we can partner with God creatively to come up with an idea for a project. This can be anything from photography, to dance, to music, to crochet, or any talent or passion you have. Currently I am planning to do something with recycled art, helping the kids turn trash into treasure, although I am not sure yet exactly what that will look like. 

It should be interesting as we continue to explore how to work with children at risk and how we can use our unique gifts and talents in bringing God's hope and restoration.