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DARA writers group

1655 North Central Expressway Richardson, Texas 75080

Date: August 25

Time: 09:30 AM

marydemuth

The second week advanced intensive is finished! Wh

The second week advanced intensive is finished! What a privilege to teach each of these talented writers. @ywam_burtigny (plus a few friend pics thrown in).

Friends, it’s hard for me to capture the gravita

Friends, it’s hard for me to capture the gravitas (yet joy) I experienced today on my last walk through the foothills of the Jura Mountains. There’s a finality to this second week, a wondering what is next, and a grief in saying goodbye to a place I have loved and loved and loved.

The Lord has knit my heart to people here, so I know it’s not goodbye, but there is uncertainty about what is next. Just as Patrick and I are trusting the Lord for a job for him, I am trusting Jesus to open new doors to writers intensives around the world.

This work is sacrifice, yet it is good, solid work. I get to experience the transformation of writers, not merely in their craft, but in their souls as well.

To be honest, this year has numbed me, and I don’t feel as if I am ministering at full capacity. Grief does that. But I have to believe that perhaps Jesus can work through even those times in our lives.

I don’t know if or when I will return to this place, but I am confident that joy is on the horizon—for me, for you, for all the people I’ve had the privilege to listen to, teach, and walk alongside.

Perhaps this is not goodbye. I hope it’s not.

As God loves to surprise his children, I wandered

As God loves to surprise his children, I wandered into a little chapel on my last walk in @ywam_burtigny, thinking I’d sing some worship songs alone.

Instead, an organist played. So beautiful. So needed. So surprising.

How has God surprised you lately?

Lord, why do people feel the almost-idolatrous nee

Lord, why do people feel the almost-idolatrous need to defend the antics of those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing? Why can’t people recognize that their fruit is rotten, though their gifts are heralded? How long will we pursue a church structure built on commerce, fame, & control.

How long will we worship at the altar of big hype, weekend events, and churches with famous leaders? Why has autotuned worship replaced simple, sincere songs that are music to your ears? How long will we put up with NDAs, bullying from the pulpit, blatant plagiarism, and church systems that rejoice when they get rid of congregants to free up a parking place?

I strain to see your reckoning on the horizon. I welcome the cleaning of your house—not to destroy it, but to tear down the stick-and-bubblegum structure and replace it with the Stone that the builders rejected.

Please continue to thwart our egotistical efforts in building edifices to our glory. Melt the ice castles of our own building with the fire of your holy gaze. Reform us. Revive us. Forgive us.

Uncover the veil of predators in positions of leadership. Pull it clear away, revealing the dead bones beneath. Instruct us on fruitfulness, faithfulness, and humility.

I know you are faithful, even in the wilderness, the longing, the injury, the pain, and the bewilderment of leaving a body of friends I loved for over two decades.

Though I feel numb, I believe you will make something beautiful of this because of this experience. And I know that you will build your church, take care of her, reprimand her as you did in the book of Revelation.

You are aware of the shortcomings of your body. You will do the right thing. And even if circumstances grow worse, even when evil people prevail against your church, even if I am maligned, I’ll praise you. The fig tree is currently not blooming, and the atmosphere around my heart is autumn and winter. But you will bring new life. After death comes resurrection, after all.

None of this took you by surprise. I rest in your capability, & I surrender my incapability. Please hold my heart as it bleeds. Stitch it back together again. Revive me. Revive your church. Heal your people. Amen.

Today I had some time alone to walk the hills abov

Today I had some time alone to walk the hills above Burtigny, Switzerland, and my time was necessary and refreshing. I found myself at the point of tears several times, combining much needed worship songs with nature all around me. Sometimes you just need to pull away and be quiet, smell the air, and absorb the beauty around you.

What have you done lately that has brought you rest and joy?

For you have been called to live in freedom, my br

For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

Raise your hand if you need this reminder today.

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