Transform This | Comment Magazine | Cardus.
This is an absolutely beautiful story of what the LORD can do in people’s lives if they only trust in Him. There is power in His name and in the Gospel, my friends!! Read this and be encouraged. If He can work in these guys, He can DEFINITELY work in you, if you let Him. That’s my challenge for you and for myself today: will we surrender our own agendas and let God work in us??
Posted by AJ Petersen on April 12, 2013
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2013/04/12/transform-this-what-the-gospel-of-jesus-can-do/
What was the one experience that completely changed your life? What happened? How did it change your life?
*I’ve seen before posting before this button that says “inspire me!” I’ve always been curious about it and wanted to post something using it, but never had the time or always had a specific purpose with my posts. So today I decided to try it. Here it goes!*
Hands down, I know for sure the experience that completely changed my life. It was when Jesus became HUMAN to me. Before this experience, Jesus had been God. He had been holy and just, powerful and mighty, sovereign and good. But He had never been fully human, personable, alive, close… He had never been REAL to me. Once I experienced what it really means to have a relationship with Him, I understood. People just don’t say “He’s 100% human and 100% divine” as a cliche remark. They mean it. They mean that He is not only the God of the entire Universe, that He is reigning over His world right now in Heaven, but that He knows each of us personally, intimately, completely. He knows our thoughts, our actions, our motivations… things about us that WE don’t even understand! And oh, how grateful I am!! If it were any other being that knew me in that way, I would be terrified in a horrible way. I mean, no other being is Good, Righteous, Omnipotent, Love, Faithful, True, Peace, Patient, and Beautiful the way He is. I feel completely safe in the arms of my Savior and my Friend.
This is the Experience, the Person, that has changed my life. I pray He has changed yours, too. If He hasn’t and you’d like to know more, please don’t hesitate to ask! I love talking… and listening.
Posted by AJ Petersen on March 15, 2013
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/completely-changed/
Today has been a joyous day! The LORD had told me a few days ago to share a story from Him with a friend of mine that needed to hear it. I had known weeks ago that I would be sharing this story with her, but I also knew that I needed to wait on His timing. Today He blessed both of us with the chance to share this story from Him. What a blessing this was! Though I have shared this story with many people, it never becomes old. Jesus’s truth, His story, should never become old! He reveals more of Who He is each time I share it and He renews my courage, my hope, and my joy every time I obey Him and tell yet another brother or sister.
Today when I shared this story, my friend was captured by the light and the color in it. She was awed by the LORD’s beauty, awed by the importance that He places on creativity. The Creator made us in His image; He made us to be creative as He is and to love beauty as He does! The more we understand Who He is, the more we can be filled with JOY in observing and participating in His act of creation. By knowing Abba’s love and care for even the minutiae of our lives, we can appreciate and be attentive to even the minutest details of our own lives.
My friend and I discussed the role of an artist in our world today. We are artists who are Christians. This should make us the most creative people on the planet! We are connected to the Creator Himself; we have the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, IN us. This means that we have the power and creativity of the Creator Himself within US! If we are listening and obeying Him, He allows us to participate in His creative work. This can include painting, sculpture, composing, performing, drawing, and so much more! As we follow His call to create, we must listen to His leading, but we must also practice our skill. We cannot be used well if we are not being faithful with the talent and gift He has given us. I must practice writing out melodies and separate lines of music that I hear before I will be able to pick apart and write out dozens of lines that I hear in my head. When a particular piece or even one measure is frustrating and driving me crazy and I feel like quitting, I can choose to persevere or I can choose to stop trying. When I choose to keep going and do the best I can, Abba knows that I am giving Him all that I have. He sees my perseverance as being faithful. When we are faithful in the small things, He will entrust us with greater things.
LORD, may we as artists be faithful in the little things, the small notes, harmonies, colors, or specks we notice in our work that many others might not even see or hear. May we struggle through the process, knowing that it is refining and beautiful. May we persevere to discover the joy of sorrow you have planned for us in this journey of life, this journey of creating and making art!
Posted by AJ Petersen on February 27, 2013
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2013/02/27/color-music-light-oh-what-blessings/
Be within me.
Be my Guide.
Go before me,
By my side.
Whisper softly to my heart
So I may hear You and not depart
From Your ways
All of my days.
Let it be.
Posted by AJ Petersen on January 3, 2013
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/this-days-supplication/
Patience. Tolerance. Long-suffering.
Self-conciousness. Hopefulness. Let down.
Sadness. Sorrow. Love. Struggling.
Trying to follow Jesus.
Trying to do what He says.
Trying to implement wisdom.
Blown off. Rejected. Ignored.
Disrespected. Teased. Back-stabbed.
Cold shoulder. Left out. Against me.
He said it would be like this.
He said it would be hard.
He said there would be pain AND joy.
I accept the challenge.
I surrender all.
I give up what I think is life to find True Life.
They reject You really, not me.
They are intimidated.
They don’t understand Your love and grace
to be more than rules and regulations;
Boring. Non-relatable. Apathetic.
But You are so much more.
You are Jesus, friend.
You are Spirit, with us.
You are Abba, Daddy.
Posted by AJ Petersen on October 2, 2012
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2012/10/02/true-life/
Wow, it feels like this summer has flown by, and yet… and yet I can’t wait for move-in day and classes to start! I know that college will be different and exciting, fun and challenging, and new and stimulating. I know that college will mean growth and I want it to mean maturity and depth in Christ. I have so many expectations for myself in college, and yet I don’t want to hinder what mysterious, exciting things God has in store for me by having too many expectations. My prayer is that I would be open, above all, to what He wants of me, for me, and from me.
As I write lists, shop, and gather everything that I’ll be taking with me physically and mentally, I prepare myself for the things I will be leaving behind physically and relationally. I am a little nervous for what this particular step holds, for this means leaving friends and family behind and stepping out into a place in which I have never previously been. It’s not that I am afraid to make new friends — in fact, quite the opposite — I can’t wait to make some amazing friends, probably some that I’ll keep for the rest of my life!! I am simply beginning to recognize the depth of what I will be leaving here, in distance, though not in spirit.
I am leaving Schaeffer Academy. It isn’t just a school. It’s a beautiful group of people that upholds one another, prays for one another, lives together, shares with one another, teaches one another, and learns from each other. I grew SO much at SA, and not just because I attended Kindergarten through 12th grade there. I learned things from my teachers, in class and through example, that I never expected to learn in a school setting. I made friendships with teachers, peers, younger students, and other adults that I thank God for and I pray that can be sustained even despite the distance.
I am leaving Honors Choirs of SE MN. They have been my choir family for 9 years now; I am so blessed to have been a part of such a dynamic, lively, musical group of people. I learned so much about music and life from the Nelsons, Mr. Strommen-Campbell, Mr. Culloton, and Mr. Johnson. In Honors Choirs I discovered how much I thrive on the life You have given through music, God, and how I might fit into Your creation through music.
I am leaving Autumn Ridge Church, at least for now. Specifically in the youth ministries, we experienced very much change in my time there as a Middle and High Schooler. I began building a strong foundation through Josh Mulvihill’s leadership, grew in His love and grace through Reggie’s guidance, and have been challenged to live out my foundation and growth through Billy and the interns, Brandon, Cameron, and Alli since they’ve been here. Not only did the leadership change in this area, but also in our youth worship ministry. Diane Ackerman stepped down from her many years of guidance and support and Karl Bristol stepped in. Then Karl’s family suddenly grew! And we have now had two of the interns working alongside us. Through these many changes, though, God has taught me so much about perseverance, patience, and grace. Patience isn’t just tolerance, but long-suffering with someone as they grow, struggle, and work through whatever it may be. Patience means loving them through Christ no matter how they treat me or how many times they sin against me. ARC youth have given me a glimpse of what it means to stick together as a body even through struggle and change.
I am leaving Crossroads, my first experience with the music community outside of school and HC. I made some great friends here whose company I will miss dearly. I encountered true Christian community at Crossroads and I will not forget what I learned about integrity, honesty, openness, and friendship.
Jesus dealt with change, too, and He knows how hard it can be. He knew how hard it was to leave those He loved. He knew what it was to start over. He had to leave His Father, in a sense, to come be with us, born as a baby. He had to leave His disciples when He returned to be with His Father. He had to leave Mary and His brothers. He had to leave all others to die alone. BUT He triumphed over death so that we might never be alone. This is my comfort as I leave home to encounter and experience all that God has in store for me. Not only do I know that He has a great plan for me, but I also have the assurance that I will NEVER be alone. He is ALWAYS with me. Always. Now isn’t something to thank Him for and a reason to worship Him!? Jesus, I’m ready!! I’m ready for August 24, 2012!!! 🙂
Posted by AJ Petersen on July 29, 2012
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2012/07/29/nwc-here-i-come-25-days-left/
6:20 pm
Today was fun! We were able to sleep in a litte bit, which was amazing, and we worked on the benches and preparing for the next group this morning. I wrote the last update with Kyle, too, about yesterday at the chapel site.
For lunch today they took us out to Pizza Hut. It was yummy having pizza in the DR! We saw Cathedra Primera de las Americanas (The First Cathedral of the Americas), too! The ceiling was gorgeous and they had beautiful flowers inside as well. When we went to the fort we found stairs to a closed-off part and climbed them! 😛 Fun!
This evening we went to El Mercado (the market) where we were able to buy souvenirs and barter with the vendors! I got Reed a machete and Jenna a painting, a bracelet that says “Dios es amor” for myself, and a little switch knife for myself, too. 🙂 All for $24!! I think Reed would be pretty proud of my bargaining skills. 😉 I still have money left for getting my hair braided, thankfully!
11:45 pm
The banquet tonight was so fun and so moving. The boys individually escorted us to the food line since we were all dressed up, which was pretty sweet of them. 🙂 The lunch ladies made abolutely AMAZING food! They made rice pudding for dessert, too, which was SO good!
They the Dominicans put on a show of songs, dance, and worship for us. Angely sang, Noe and his brother, Beker, sang (they are very, very good. I think they could sing opera!), and they sang a really fast tongue-twister type song. When Beker played his keyboard and sang English worship songs, Noe told him to have my come sing with him and Harold. So I did, and it was really fun! Not to mention that YOU were in that place and we WORSHIPPED You, Abba!!
To finish the night we had an open mic to share how God has worked over the week. I will write more later about how You worked and taught our team, after our final debrief at the beach resort tomorrow!
WOW, I am going to really miss my new Dominican brothers and sisters. I pray we can stay in contact, but I think I’m going to leave part of my heart here. Please, send me back here, Abba!
I LOVE You, Abba. SO much. Thank You for Your community of disciples!!
❤ Andrea Joy ❤
Posted by AJ Petersen on July 16, 2012
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2012/07/16/dr-2012-july-6th-journal-8/
I can’t believe it; my team and I will be in an airplane flying to Santo Domingo at this time one week from today! We have prepared much and been in prayer for the people we will minister to and with… that they will be touched and that we will learn from them as well. We have practiced our mimes to the music that go with them. We have rehearsed all the songs that we will sing with the children (in Spanish!) and practiced with the big arm puppets on the rest of the songs. We have collected all of the supplies we’ll be taking with us (each of us are taking two checked bags — one for us and one filled with everything we’re taking to give away and minister with!). We have turned in our passports to our leaders so that no one gets left behind. We have completed all of the logistics and organizational details. Physically, we are ready for this mission. Mentally, spiritually, emotionally… I’m not so sure. I know that each one of us is at a different place in our relationship with Jesus. We each have different worldviews and presuppositions that we bring to this mission trip, some more similar than others. My prayer as we embark in less than a week is that we be unified — in His purpose, as a church body, as fellow believers and friends, as team members. My prayer is that we each let God mold and transform us into the people of His name that He created us to be. My prayer is that we are humble, willing to accept correction and even rebuke. My prayer is that we invest in each life we come into contact with as unique, image-bearing of our Creator and special to Him. Thank you, friends, for your support. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your monetary gifts. Thank you for your love. Amen, Abba, let it be. ❤
Posted by AJ Petersen on June 22, 2012
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2012/06/22/dr-2012-one-week-away/
I got a book for graduation called “Make College Count”. In it the author discusses briefly seven different questions and encourages the reader to think more deeply about and discuss these questions, for they are foundational to these critical years and to life as a human being. Here are some of my thoughts on the first question:
Question #1: What kind of person do you want to become?
Posted by AJ Petersen on June 21, 2012
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/questions-questions-make-college-count-reflections-1/
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
~ Colossians 3:15
Hmmm. This is a high calling. It is hard to let peace rule in your heart. As a being-reformed perfectionist, it is difficult for me not to worry about things, even the smallest things. Paul is saying here not just to let peace passively exist within you without any impact, but to let it RULE your heart. Ruling implies authority. It conveys power over that which is under its rule.
It also says to let peace rule in your HEART. The heart is the center of will, the seat of volition. It is where all of our desires are ordered; it is where we determine the organization of our life. The heart involves the power of choice — what we think about, what we say, how we react to others around us. If we let peace rule in our hearts, this means that we let peace be an over-arching determining factor in how we order our life. We let God’s peace control what we think about, what we say, and how we treat other people. If we let His peace rule in our hearts, just think how much less stressful the world would seem. I’m not saying that the circumstances would change; they won’t necessarily, because this world is still fallen. BUT our perspective of the circumstances can change dramatically if we simply let Christ’s peace have control over our lives.
“Be thankful.” Wow, that can be hard. Again, though, if we thank God for the good things AND the hard, painful things, our perspective of the circumstances can transform our attitude and outlook on the situation. Thanksgiving leads to worship, and worship leads to thanksgiving. Both worship and thanksgiving lead to peace. I think a big way to begin letting God’s peace RULE in our hearts is to start thanking God.
So what can you thank God for today? What pleasant things has He blessed you with? What trials has He blessed you with? Both are what we need, even if they are not what we want. How can you begin letting His peace RULE in your heart?
Posted by AJ Petersen on June 11, 2012
https://thewayofredemption.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/reflections-the-rule-of-peace/
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