For her birthday she wanted to dress up and go take pictures in Downtown Denver. So, a bunch of students drove with her downtown and we took amazing pictures! (Some are on Facebook!) While we were doing this the New Orleans Saints drove by us in their team buses on the way to the Broncos and Saints game!!!
*Indoor Soccer!!! (yesssssss)
*I had a book report due on the book, "Passion & Purity," By Elizabeth Elliot. This was a very good book written by an even more amazing lady.
*Tuesday I had to present my
creative project. I was given the topic of wisdom and/or humility and I had a time limit of 4 min. to present a song or poem on the subject given. I really felt as though God was telling me to do something that I had never done before. So, I wrote a song specifically for piano and voice. I looked up every verse I could find in the bible on humility and wisdom, then I incorporated some parts of them into the song. The actual presentation went horribly!!! As a performer everything that could go wrong did. I started on my draft page so I panicked when I couldn't find the right lyrics, and at one point I totally forgot where I was in my music. I kept going though and finished it. It was actually a humbling and important experience for me to go through. I did it though. I sang in front of a bunch of people and couldn't hide behind someone else. The next night I decided that I needed another shot. I performed it in front of a small group of people and the cool thing was that I wasn't as nervous AND I nailed it! One of the guys I performed it for is well accomplished musically. We all call him Beej. :) (Mamma he even played as the drummer for Firefall) He has told me numerous times that I've, "got the goods." He's so encouraging and not out of any kind of obligation. He likes the raw sound of my voice!! He likes my writing ability with music and lyrics!! THAT IS SO COOL!!! I'm gaining a new confidence that I've never had before in writing and singing music! Thank you Lord! You are so GOOD! (I know that was long but it's so important to me!)
*
Community Ministries was Tuesday evening! My group went to Confluence which is an organization that " connects, mobilizes, and empowers diverse people, organizations, and resources in serving the local and global communities for the wholeness of the city." (aka Denver, CO) When we arrived we split up into 3 groups. Group #1 stayed at Confluence and covered the ministry and building in prayer. Group #2 went out and walked to a nearby McDonald's where they were able to minister to a lot of people! (It proves that the mission field really is in our own backyard) My group (#3) decided to walk throughout West Denver and be sensitive to the prodding of the Holy Spirit. There were times when we read scripture, we worshiped, prayed, and were able to have conversations with some neighbors in the community. It was a great night to just go out and spread the Kingdom of God!
*This week for our
small group time we went to Two Rivers Coffee Company! While we enjoyed Oregon Chai and Snicker Doodle Pound Cake (yum), we took a "Spiritual Gift Survey!" It was a compilation of 80 questions that we answered on a scale from 1-5. At the conclusion it was broken up into various categories that gave us a rough idea of where our strengths are. The spiritual gifts were broken up into; Leadership, Administration, Teaching, Knowledge, Wisdom, Prophecy, Discernment, Exhortation, Shepherding, Faith, Evangelism, Apostleship, Service/Helps, Mercy, Giving, and Hospitality. I was surprised when my top three read as follows, 1. Mercy 2. Administration 3. (which was a three way tie) Faith, Service/Helps, and Hospitality! Of course I know that God is able to use me in any area that he wants, but it was cool to see where my strengths are. I am excited to study them more and use them even more than I have in the past!
*Today (Saturday) I was able to go to the
Denver Art Museum! The first Saturday of every month it is free to get into the museum! It was beautiful to see so many different types and styles of art! I even got to see a couple pieces by Andy Warhol and Claude Monet!
*I have to say
thank you so much to a couple of people that have made this week extra special!! That being said...
-Thank you
Mom and Dad for Face Timing with me and encouraging me when I was super down with my Creative Presentation! You both really helped, especially by bringing a smile to my face! :) By the way daddy I want to let you know that I am keeping up with the tradition of picking up an interesting rock from everywhere that I visit just like we did when we went out west! I have rocks from Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and one from right here in Arvada!
-Thank you
SHEESTA! I received your sweet care package and all I can say is that you are a girl after my own heart! I loved everything in there and I miss you like crazy!!!
-Thank you
Derek for taking the time out of your day to have a coffee date with me! It was seriously just what I needed!
This weeks video cast is out!
Check it out via the link below
::Guest Speaker: Ralph Harris::
This week our guest speaker, Ralph Harris, taught us on our identity in Christ. I thought he was a very informative speaker with some great insights that have helped me in my relationship with God. Here are some of the notes that I took this week:
We tend to look at things from a surface perspective. We see what is visible, a beginning and end, what changes, and the natural realm. All of these things are temporary. God, on the other hand looks at the eternal. He sees things that are timeless, ultimate, reality, changeless, and invisible. Honestly we should strive to look "above the line" at things, situations, and people instead of "below the line" at earthly standards.
-God sees us as perfect and holy... wow! "Because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Hebrews 10:14
-"You cannot long believe something about yourself and not have it profoundly effect what you do."
-"The chief effort of your adversary, the devil, will be to disable the majesty of God's grace and gift to you; to block it. He cannot prevent you from receiving it, but he will attempt to make it go unnoticed by you."
^^^ He certainly does try, but now that the truth has been exposed, so have his terrible antics.
*I never actually studied this so I thought this was a cool!
Question: Does the new covenant begin with Jesus in a manger?
Answer: No, because Jesus was born under law, and those around him were still under law. The death of Jesus on the cross was the great divide in human history between the Old/New Covenant. So just because the New Testament starts with Matthew, doesn't mean that's the beginning of the New Covenant.
-"Grace never creates debt!"
1 Corinthians 15: 56-57 "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
*So Mr. Harris brought up a very good point. Last week I had blogged about how we were taught on the Holy Spirit and how we should really get to know who He is. How we have different perceptions that are true and false. Well another misconception was revealed to me. I have associated the Holy Spirit with prosecution due to conviction. He wants to convince us with love and kindness. He is NOT a judge who wants to make us feel guilty and be ashamed of things. I admit that I used to think He was that voice inside of me that I was afraid to listen to sometimes in fear of being reprimanded. I'm SO glad that Mr. Harris touched on this because it is so true and I was just so blinded to what I had thought of as normal.
*Another thing that has been huge for me to examine has been the types of "flesh" that drive me in an unhealthy way. Mr. Harris categorized some fleshly things that we tend to do-- keep in mind that these things aren't necessarily bad, however, they can be if they drive us for the wrong reasons. These are the notes I took, and the ones that have been big for me personally I have starred.
"How does the flesh look? We know that somewhere along the line of our life, something happened which induced us to believe the lie that God was not capable for us, He wasn't reliable, and so we chase the avenue offered by the flesh - independence from God.
Types of "Flesh"
*Chicken Flesh: This type walks on eggshells, they want to run and get out of situations, this flesh suggests an exit and avoids conflict situations at all cost.
*NASCAR Flesh: There are very rare pit stops, feelings of guilt when they aren't doing anything, mind is not set on the Spirit, noticed that productivity works and they're recognized for it.
-Bully Flesh: Dominates for control, regularly snuffs out arguments, they want things and they want them done their way.
-Whiner Flesh: Every conversation turns to whining, they want attention/sympathy, this turns to a way of navigation in their life, believing the lie that they want something but not believing that God could provide it.
*Sunny Day Flesh: They believe everything is good and positive, happy, encouraging, pretending everything is right, scared of what's on the other side, wanna make sure everything and everyone is happy.
*Rescue (Cavalry) Flesh: Always driven to rescue, they should pause and listen to the Spirit first! They first interpret and then try to fix things, possibly appreciating praise and recognition.
-Loner Flesh: They believe and act on the lie that there's no place for them in the church, driven to isolation, the best way to help here is to walk and be with someone who struggles with this.
-Fear Flesh: Driven by fear, fear in offering yourself to God, fearing the possible plans that God could have for you.
-Linear Flesh: Every problem has a solution, sequences, solutions, they don't go outside of the box.
-Sherlock Holmes Flesh: They over examine everything especially about you, you feel uncomfortable around them, you feel judged, everything stays on a surface level, keeping relationships at bay.
*Barbie Flesh: Unless they look their best at all times they don't go out, life is a parade, if they're gorgeous that sometimes becomes their identity, believing the lie "if you control your face and body then things will go right," can also be appearance of actions.
-Good Person Flesh: This is difficult to see, turn on goodness factor, nothing is wrong with this until they are driven by it. It may be done for show or recognition of being a good person.
So, for the things that I need to work on I have decided that it's not about looking
for a balance,
but looking to the Holy Spirit.
::Outreach::
Oh my goodness I am getting so excited to go to Thailand and Cambodia! (affectionately being called Taibodia) We officially have our team decided! There are 9 guys and 6 girls! In that number we have two staff members that will be leading us, Molly and Bob.
We had our first meeting and I received some details!!! Want to hear them??
-Ok well, December 12th we will be leaving for Thailand! We will have a brief layover in Las Vegas, South Korea, and then we will be arriving in Bangkok, Thailand after approx. 14 hrs. of traveling. We will spend the first two weeks (including Christmas) in Chiang rai, Thailand where we will be staying at an orphanage and hospice home for mothers that have AIDS. Afterwards we will travel to Pattaya, Thailand which is along the coast and considered the "sex capital of the world." Next we will be taking a bus to Nukeville in Cambodia. This is also a heavy trafficking area. February 8th we will be headed back to Denver, CO with a 13 hr. layover in South Korea again, so we will be able to explore the city of Phnom Penh, followed by a stop in Seattle, Washington and finally arriving in Denver on February 9th!
Wow, the plane tickets are already purchased with the first half of our outreach payments so my spot is secure!
Teaching on Testimonies
-This week we had a special session where we were taught on testimonies especially going into outreach. We all have to come to the realization that our testimonies (whether life testimonies or specific) hold power. There are also some areas that we learned would be good to avoid, such as;
-Too much glorification of your past. (Since our testimony should be glorifying God) It's HIStory (get it?)
-Be passionate
-Be open
-Use the bible (IN CONTEXT)
-Don't talk too fast
-Be led by the Holy Spirit
-Avoid "Christianese" statements
-Make sure the language is appropriate (not complicated words)
I thought this was a super valuable lesson because I know that my testimony holds power, but I've struggled with how to refine it to where I feel comfortable in what I say and that it is appropriate and glorifying to God on all levels! This has helped me develop my testimony!
So!!! With outreach and everything I wanted to give a financial update with where I am at. I am still in need of $1,200. We are starting week 6 this week and the remaining balance is due at the end of week 8, right before Thanksgiving. I realize that this is a lot of money, and even though I don't know how God is going to work, I have faith that He is. God has appointed me to be here and go on this outreach at such a time that I know that He will complete this good work that He has started.
That being said, if any of you pray and God lays on your heart to donate... that would be so very much appreciated!! Feel free to contact me and I can give you my address OR I even found a way that it's possible online through YWAM. So yes! Prayers for finances (as always) would be so wonderful, as well as for me personally to keep being open and soaking in God's presence! I love everything that I'm learning and I can't believe how much it has changed my life thus far! I'm completely amazed and happy. I.... am happy. Wow, honestly I cannot remember the last time that I truly was!! God is so good and His plans are flawless!
Thank you everyone for staying in touch, for your prayers, and your encouragement.
It is sometimes difficult being away from all my loved ones, but honestly you all are making it easier than I thought.
From my heart,
Brielle Renee
P.S. This ^^^ was a sunset the other night at Goose Poop Pond :)
" Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." -Martin Luther King Jr.
I cannot wait to go on outreach and selflessly love on people that are in despair because they feel there is no hope. There is hope, his name is Jesus, and He is love.
-Sooooo!!! With some help from a Mr. Derek I was able to arrange a surprise arrival for Thanksgiving! I don't think I've ever been so excited in my life to come home, surprise, and spend time with the people that I love the most! So early Thursday morning I touched down in good ole Philly! It was wonderful just knowing that I was back in PA! Early Thanksgiving morning I hid in the trunk of Derek's car as he pulled up to my parents farm. My parents were expecting him to bring a pie for Thanksgiving. Instead, when they opened the trunk to pick a pie there was ME! I had my video camera on my phone all prepped and ready to capture their reactions! Dad started cracking up and mom started to as well, but it quickly turned into crying. This was such a very sweet moment that I was so blessed to be apart of. We pulled it off and I couldn't have done it without the help of my amazing brother! 
We had a wonderful week! I got to spend a wonderful Thanksgiving with my parents while seeing my grandparents, some extended family, and two of my favorite girls in the entire world! My heart had missed my sweet Abby and Anna so much. I got to go black Friday shopping for the first time in my life with some wonderful people, go for a ride around the farm with my mom and Penny, ventured to King of Prussia, and had an absolute BLAST! Visiting with family and friends made my visit so priceless. I even got to spend an evening celebrating Christmas because I will be in Thailand for Christmas this year. To everyone that helped pull this together, spent time with me, and planned things... I thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you all so deeply. I will say though that it made leaving on Monday that much harder. 
