Saturday, May 9, 2015

home.

I have no desire to be where you don't want me. And I am delighted that home is where you've called me today. I have always adored this baby blue house that was once routine in my adolescence. The comfort of hugs and gut wrenching laughter fill these walls. Home has me more alive than ever. Familiar faces and favorite coffee joints aren't even what brings jubilant justice. It is your presence that followed me here. In the whirlwind of flights, tears, goodbyes, and airport after airport, you never left me. Here, still as my heart could be, I am overwhelmed with the goodness of home. You are here. I am not lost. I am not out of place. I am home for such a time as this. It is unquestionable that from Cambodia to United States one thing has not wavered; you. 

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6:3

I am home wherever you glory resides and wherever your name is holy. I am home wherever you have me. 

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

But The Lord, Therefore. [Sundays]


“But The Lord was my support.” He is my savior, my stronghold and my shield. “Therefore I will praise Him, The Lord, among the nations.”
             I praise him. Forever.

In all of the world, in every nation, amongst every tribe, there will be found no one quite like Jesus. And there are no words, no accurate tongue, to give justice to Him, our most excellent savior. He is our constant support our ever present savior. He is perfect and with my voluminous vocabulary, still, words are absent, therefore all I can do is praise Him.

“Therefore,” I praise Him. Forever.
I praise Him because His love is divine. Divine for all of the world. Divine for Cambodia. And I see that. I see His divine love when I go to church every Sunday in the village Toulpongroo. I see it covering every student that joins in on Sundays and lifts up songs. I see it as four teens make up the worship team, and they sing with all their heart. I see it in every kid that finds themselves eager to learn about Jesus. I see it in every hug and every moment I get to say to someone "I love you," and  moreover "Jesus loves you." I see it when it is time to give and parents and children are begging for the offering “bag” to come by them so they can sow. I see it as students that have attended our church at Toulpongroo for quite a while, earnestly invite their parents to come with them. I see it as kids say “I love Jesus 100%.” I see it as lives are literally changed every Sunday.

“Therefore,” I praise Him. Forever.


I also see His divine love over every person that passes our church without coming in. I see it as I pass the row of houses filled with people who wouldn’t even consider coming into our church. I see it covering the Buddhist monk that never misses a Sunday to be in this village. I see it all over the people who watch from the outside of our fence, hesitant to the true gospel. I see it as mottos race pass the opportunity to see come to Light Church. I see Christ’ divine love all over Toulpongroo. Every Sunday His presence is contending for lives and welcoming home His dearly loved.

                “Therefore,” I praise Him. Forever.
Toulpongroo, once an “unreached” community is now familiar with the Name above all names, Jesus. Whole families are coming to know Christ and leaning on Him as their Rock. Students share their shock, of Jesus actually answering their prayers. Because He does. Those same students are the very ones whose first thought is to pray over a problem. The Light of Christ is evident and oh so tangible. People are lifting up that name that is above all names, Jesus.

                “Therefore,” I praise Him. Forever.


I can assure I have no accurate words to share what I have seen The Lord do thus far in Toulpongroo. I can’t describe how the gospel changes people, but I can testify that it does. It always does. It always will.

                “Therefore,” I praise Him. Forever.
“But the Lord,” is the savior, stronghold, and the shield of this world. He is the savior of all nations. He has shielded Cambodia so that, the gospel can change people. He has gone before us into Toulpongroo to be the stronghold that will not be shaken. He is in every part of the world shielding and saving. He is perfect for all people. He covers every tribe with divine love.

                                “Therefore,” I praise Him. Forever.
He is our support as we go to be a part of His kingdom work. He allows me to see His tangible presence. The Lord invites Himself inside of me, so I can share in the power of the true gospel. He is my savior, stronghold and my shield.   

“Therefore,” I praise Him. Forever.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Feb, 28th 2015


“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20


It is easy to say “God I want to be your hands and feet.” It is easy to ask God to be led where He is leading. It is easy to have words for the desire to be used by God. When God calls, however, it takes a lot more than words to walk out in faith. Often that is not easy. Faith is worth it, but doesn’t come without sacrifice and bold obedience. It is in those moments of bold obedience that will see God all the more. He is power, glorious, holy, loving, worthy, all-sufficient, and undefeated. He is the savior of the world. He is the savior of Cambodia.


Cambodian Care has had many of moments where we have had to operate in sacrifice and bold obedience. With a vision to see a widespread shift of this nation and a people clinging to Jesus, we have had to trust the name of The Father. From the ground work of building a school, to planting a church, discipling students, walking out compassion, leading with love, feeding the poor, we have had to sacrifice much. Every second of obedience has only welcomed the abundance of the gospel. With our hearts full and our desire fixated on Christ, we, so humbly, reveled in the glory of the Lord on Saturday, February 28th.


As we trusted in the savior of the world, we prepared to share in the joy of the Lord with students who were ready to dedicate their lives to Him. We prayed over this list of students who wished for nothing more than to give their hearts to Him. We were ready to put in action our desire to be His hands and feet. We harbored only thoughts of excitement as the day was approaching. We looked forward to a day where Jesus was revealed as 80 students were going to be baptized.  


February  28, 2015 came and began with Joy from the moments of the sunrise. It dawned on us that all of our sacrifice and bold obedience was going to be proved more than worth it. At Logos International students were present and all eager with smiles. Testimonies were shared of our most excellent Savior.
 
 “I meet Jesus because of Cambodian Care.”

“Knowing Jesus brings joy to my life I didn’t have before.”
 
   





“Because of Jesus I now have
an opportunity to go to school. “

“Today I am so full of joy.”

“I used to drink beer all the time, but now I have Jesus and I don’t want to anymore.”



It was God’s perfect presence that did bring joy, invincible, incomparable, all-consuming joy. As we began to baptize the students, the joy remained. We credit all glory to God for the fervor of each person baptized. They wanted to declare that Jesus is the savior of their world.
 
On Saturday we got to join in God’s great commission and baptized people in the name of the Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit. We got to see that our bold obedience shared to every person that God is indeed power, glorious, holy, loving, worthy, all-sufficient, and undefeated.

“We can not afford to let any of these people go to hell.” And we will continue to sacrifice and be obedient so that the Christ can be showcased and joy can be clinged to. As we move forward constantly for the great commission, today, we stop and celebrate. We celebrate the victory of 80 students. We celebrate Jesus, as He does what only He can do. We celebrate every individual who gave their heart to Christ. We celebrate that the best is ahead for all of those people. And as Cambodian Care we celebrate that Christ is not finished in Cambodia, but working in all ways. We celebrate that Jesus is the Savior of the world, the savior of Cambodia.


Thursday, February 19, 2015

For Such a Time as This




Life is too short,
A vapor, gone, in the blink of our eyes.
This is my desire; time well spent in His court,
To hear whispers of how I am the true apple of His eyes.

To be refined as I give Him satisfying undivided devotion.
In awe, at last, there is one enthralled with my beauty,
A love, rich with romance, which now has my attention,
All of me, clinging to His incomprehensible, irresistible, display of beauty.

Today I let Him canvas His affairs on my heart,
With no regrets, the time is now, to go, to be in love
With a King, for His kingdom He has set me a part.
That the world may see His, incomparable, true love.

No one in this world has affection so perfect.
So I aim for Him alone to have my Spirit, and my body,
Because to Him I was exceptionally more than worth it.
Proved true, through all the blood, scars, torn flesh that stained His body.  

I am His, for such a time as this.
No watching the clock to wait for the “right one”
But instead I’ll fight, I’ll stand for love beyond the midnight kiss.
For what’s true, I’ll go for Him who called me Chosen one.


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

From (Purple) “Skies to Oceans’ Deep, your Love Goes on.”


I once tweeted (because twitters a thing); “I want to have a nation-shaking mindset.” I have yet, at nineteen, to fully or wholly, understand such an intricate declaration. All the while, not fully having a handle on my words, my desire cannot possibly be shifted.

I do want to have a nation shaking mindset! 


“Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” Ephesians 3:20 (TLB)


I want to dare to ask God for big things. I want to trust, completely, in His undefeated power and know He is big. I want my prayers to sound more impossible than a purple sky, because I want the world to see God’s work in my life. I want there to be no doubt to those around me (everywhere in the world) that the God I serve is big, and real. So very real.

When John Goddard was fifteen years old He wrote out a lifelong goal list. On this unique “bucket list” one of his goals was; Visit the Moon.  Yes, I agree, that would be quite an adventure! An adventure that, when John was fifteen, no one had ever experienced. An adventure, a mere dream, which was not at all impossible or unreachable, it just simply, at that time, had not yet been enjoyed.

There are things, in our life (my life), that have yet to be enjoyed because, we (I) never dare to ask. “Now glory to God,” not just because He deserves all glory, but because He can send men to the moon. And “infinitely beyond.”

How about this:

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-4 (ALL OVER THE WORLD)

That in and of itself is beyond me. Infinitely beyond.  Is all for His splendor, so I am confident that He is almost offended when we ask for less than He wants to give.

God: I’ll give you that, but is that all you want. Are you sure?

One thing I am certain of, having a nation-shaking mindset, begins with knowing who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. *Psalm 50:10

It is easy to step out in faith, to write out big ideas, have an unrealistic vision board, talk to anyone, be light in the darkest places, fix your eyes on things unseen, give outrageously, do things that make sense in the light of eternity, hope for the best, and believe for purple skies, when you realize God really is Big. Big, may not suffice, but He is certainly above and beyond all that we can ask.
Since being in Cambodia, I have learned, that seeing the infinite beyond only happens when I see Him first. It is freeing to put Him first. The possibilities become indeed endless, and it is easy to recognize His impossible grace. Grace that waits for me patiently to say: “I want a nation-shaking mindset.” Grace that meets me when I say that with the wrong motives and reminds me of His splendor and points me to His glory. Grace that invites me to walk along side Jesus as He shakes the world. Grace that teaches me to love all nations, as I begin to learn that that is His heart. Grace that wants to be showcased to all of the world, and Grace that allows me to be His vessel in this world. Grace that perfects that which concerns me, and generously canvases His concerns on my heart. Grace, perfect grace, possible grace, that truly means “Ask and you shall receive,” when I see Him first. And as I see Him first, grace allowing me to see much more than purple skies, but nations shaking at the name of Jesus Christ.



*Listen to this song and meditate on your big dreams. Write them down. Know, without a doubt God is big. Put Him first, and dare today to ask.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

fears, flaws, and all my failures.



I am nothing without you.
I have no one besides you.

I, Lacy Beach, am flawed. I am often prideful, selfish, lazy, unwilling, ungrateful, unproductive, irresponsible, impatient, and searching for validation from others. I fail people. I fail test. I fail family. I fail friends. I fail Cambodia. I fail leaders.  It is a waging war to walk by faith and to let there be nothing besides Him.

However, I have been reminded in my “I” moments that “I” have been crucified with Christ and “I” no longer live but He (Christ) lives in me. (Galatians 2:20) “I”, Lacy Beach, no longer live. The strength and dignity that I am clothed in, was bestowed by He who lives in me. It is a strength and dignity so radiant that only points to Jesus. The world sees the beauty of He who lives, not “I” who no longer lives. Because, “I” is often prideful, selfish, lazy, unwilling, ungrateful, impatient, and searching for validation from others. “I” is weak. So weak. “I” has nothing to offer but filthy rags. It is in the humbling moments of weakness that “I” am reminded that His power is made perfect. Because, He, who lives in me, has undefeated power.

He says to “I”; “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

That is when I am reminded that, “I” is nothing without Him and that “I” has no one besides Him. That my perfection would deter the cross of its undefeated power. Because my life is about His undefeated power.

He is always, giving, selfless, productive, pursuing, thankful, patient, and kind. He is never boasting, always validating, and constantly loving. He never fails. He is full of grace and mercy. He is not looking for perfection. He is looking for;

“Here “I” am.”

I am full of fears, flaws, and failures; But “Here I am.”





*There has been a lot of “I” moments in Cambodia. A lot of facing my flaws and recognizing that I am weak. But all the more I boast that His grace truly is sufficient in my life. In these moments I wonderfully see Him as undefeated. Although the journey gets harder it is getting easier to say; “I am nothing without you and I have no one besides you.” 

Monday, December 29, 2014

God lives in me.



When you realize that your “new life” invited Christ to live inside of you, you are accessing the impossible.

“On that day you will realize that I am in the father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” John 14:20 (NIV)

“Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can’t believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I’ll do it. That’s how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I’ll do.” John 14:11-14 (MESSAGE)

“I mean it.”

To realize that Christ really does mean “Whatever you ask, I’ll do,” is to assert the confidence of The Holy spirit inside of you. Even the disciples, who had been walking with Christ for some time, had to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them after Jesus went to be with the father. They had to realize that though they couldn’t see him any longer, He now lived inside of them.

And He lives inside of me. So my desires become His desires, and His desires are my desire. So when I ask for things in His name, it is done.

What is takes is both the realization and the reminder that He is living inside of me. The Father, the Son, and The Holy Spirit are at work inside of me. I can be about The Father’s business just like Jesus because through the Holy Spirit it has become plainly known to me. And in the Father’s business nothing is impossible. In the Father’s business there is still greater things to be done than the world has seen, because greater is The Father than anything in the world.

So ask today.

“Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’  And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’  I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.” Luke 11:5-8

Access HE who lives inside of you today. Have “shameless audacity” to believe that He can do anything. And because He is inside of you, you can do anything, you can believe for anything, in the name of Jesus, you can be anything. You can go anywhere.

 “I have been crucified with Christ and “I” no longer live but Christ lives in me.”

And the life I live in Him is extraordinary. And in Him and through Him all things that seem impossible become possible.