June 30, 2006

Vridag (Friday!)

Hey All
 
Well its a beautiful Friday afternoon here in Amsterdam. Its been an amazing intense week. It was week of highs and lows...watching God move in huge ways...and a time when I felt a bit on my own. On Monday morning I woke up bright and early...and hour before my alarm at 6. I felt good, so I went with it. I started my day and I was very much impressioned to read the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. This is where  Jesus teaches that we should not always run around and always seek to be busy (and make sure others know it!). The Lord certainly does not condemn doing tasks and hard working...He teaches that we need to put priority on sitting at His feet...learning from Him...hearing Him...receiving guidance, affirmation, and love from Him. This is where identity needs to come from. This is what was spoken to me...and at the close of my day I truly saw that I needed that lesson, for Monday turned out to be a very busy and stressful day. Tuesday was good, but the night was the best part. I was given the chance to preach here at the Cleft in our evening ministry. I taught about how Jesus seeks to take the burdens of pain and struggles that people carry. I taught that Jesus seeks to journey with people as there Savior, guide and friend. I showed this through Matthew 11:28-30. It was awesome. I used the illustration of a large hiking pack as being a "yoke" and people load themselves down with cares, worries, addictions, and pain. It was so well received, I talked with at least 4 people about it afterward. It was huge blessing. The difficult experience came during my night ministry on Wednesday...to put it in a short way...It was difficult to hear God leading and our message didn't seem to feel well received. However, this only drew us back to prayer and focus on Thursday night. We spent more preparation time and we received much from God in return...We had great contact with people and even met new ones. So...
 
And now...Its Friday...The day I use to finish up my week...meetings...lagistical stuff...I feel very much at peace today. I guess I just enjoy know that at the end of the week I am in a city I love...in a ministry I care about...and truly in the center of His will. Some days feel easier than others...But God doesn't change. Hes the same always. Steadfast and strong. Romans 11:33-36 teaches this about Him, 33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 
 
33Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! 
      How unsearchable his judgments,
      and his paths beyond tracing out!
 34"Who has known the mind of the Lord?
      Or who has been his counselor?"
 35"Who has ever given to God,
      that God should repay him?"
 36For from him and through him and to him are all things.
      To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Posted by willstacken at 12:13:33 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

June 21, 2006

Leiden Marathon!

Hey All... Well as always so much as happened since I wrote last. So...If you want a more detailed account my life you should email me (willstacken@gmail.com) for my update emails! But to touch on the big things... I ran Leiden Marathon on the 18th of June 2006. It went amazing...My hard training paid off with a strong finish of 3:58:00 for 26.2 miles. I very satisfied with my finish. I felt strong the entire race and took 13 minutes off my previous marathon time. So a special thanks to a guy named Steve from England. We ran the last 8-9 miles together and we challenged each other to the finish. His picture is in my "PICTURES" section... Ministry has been going oh so well lately! We continue to build relationships with many of the dealers and workers within the Red Light District. These relationships consist of us talking with them on the street and earning the right to tell them about Christ. We seek to understand who they are and where they have come from. There is always a reason as to why they are doing what they do...generally this is not what they share with us. They tell us pretty general things, but there is always underlying reasons and circumstances. In short, God has given us amazing favor and the blessing of "feeling safe" for them. This is only by the fact that Jesus leads us and lets us work WITH Him. I truly feel that right now we are laying a foundation for the future. We are preparing soil and seeking to plant seeds that will reap a harvest 100 fold! I truly believe the words of Isaiah in chapter 55:11, "so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Take Care... in Him...Will
Posted by willstacken at 19:38:06 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |