Photographer: Calvin Hanson
Camera: Canon 60D with Canon EF-S 18-55mm Lens
Shutter: 1/80 sec
Aperture: ƒ20
Focal Length: 42mm
ISO: 400
Edit/Filter: Adobe Lightroom

Photographer: Calvin Hanson
Camera: Canon 60D with Canon EF-S 18-55mm Lens
Shutter: 1/100 sec
Aperture: ƒ14
Focal Length: 46mm
ISO: 100
Edit/Filter: Adobe Lightroom

We had been practicing skits to do on the plazas because we noticed this is where Spain hangs out in the evenings. El Lokal gave us some portable speakers and mics so we could project our skit. We traveled like a little caravan of about 12 people to the local plaza and set up right in the middle. People started watching from the benches and some just ignored us and and engaged in their conversations. We had our translators with us and prepared a little message to explain our skit. We decided to get some attention Daniel would do some dancing to music. Some kids came and sat. We performed the skit and explained it which later we realized was a little strong for our audience comprised of age 10 and under! haha. After we started talking and hanging out some of the kids and tried to discuss Jesus as best we could with only 2 translators and broken spanish.

Camille at this point started to feel a small tug (from the Holy Spirit) to go to the corner of the plaza where she spotted some teenagers sitting around smoking (we later found out was Chocolat which is basically cheap chopped up marijuana with filler). She discussed it with Alexa and they almost didn’t go out of fear, but realized this fear is not from God. Boldness welled up and they decided to go. They took the two translators with them and walked over. Immediately, after introduction, the youth started commenting vulgarly about the two young American women. The translator who could understand it all wanted to leave, but ignorance is bliss for english speakers and the effects of the dirty spanish talk didn’t thwart Camille and Alexa. About this time, I decided to head over as well after I finished my conversation and prayer with a Russian-Spanish boy.

When I got there and they found out I was married to Camille, the jokes turned to intimate questions on marriage according to the translator. We tried to ask questions about life and engage on a deeper level, but the wall was up, although there seemed to be a bit of curiosity of why Americans were in their neighborhood plaza. Ariel, our translator was asking Camille to say something if she have anything, because he was sensing a boredom/irritation setting in.

We got everyone’s attention (about 15 teens) and Camille began to proclaim God’s goodness in her own life. About 15-20 seconds in, chaos erupted with questions and arguments against God. They boldly said, “I don’t believe in God!”. I believe these were honest heart responses of hurt people taking it out on God. Somehow this moment produced us talking in smaller groups for a short time about God. We talked about how God shows his love through healings and Alexa said something with boldness that later she said she was surprised it came out of her mouth, “God wants to heal you, is there anyone who wants prayer for healing?”

Two guys decided to try it out. One had a knee issue (I think it might have been sore from a sprain or something…hard to get details on the spot) and another had cramps in his arms. They didn’t allow us to lay hands on them (they were afraid of an exorcist-type moment from the movies they watched) so we just prayed next to them. The guy with the hurt knee started moving it and said he felt no pain. This got the other guy excited and so we prayed for him and his eyes lit up and he started almost dancing with excitement saying, “Yo tengo fe, yo tengo fe!” Translation: “I have faith, I have faith”. After this, we in our zeal asked if anyone else needed healing and a guy with bad eyes came and we prayed for him…and nothing happened..yet :). God may have wanted to do another thing as we continued to converse with them about God.

I started speaking to one of the few guys that knew some english and he let me pray for him and I felt the Lord say that he has had people telling him that he is dumb his whole life but the Lord wanted him to know that his mind was created by him and he is smart. He looked at me intensely and then said something in spanish to his friends. I could tell the Lord spoke to his heart. I think the Lord was orchestrating something special as Camille and others in our group had begun to prophecy as well. In fact, people with us how had never prophesied spoke out boldly. The local group of Spanish teens had suddenly became interested in this God that actually wants to have a relationship and bring healing to them. They were so excited to hear what God wanted to say that they were fighting to be prayed for.

About this time, a few shady characters, whom we assumed to be the drug dealers came up and Ariel and Camille boldly began to speak truth into their lives. Camille felt like one of the guys knew about God and when she inquired he said a family member has been praying for him for awhile. She offered him an invitation to officially give his life to Jesus. He said YES! We ask for any more who publicly wanted to give their lives to Jesus. Our friend that was healed really did have faith as he prayed to Jesus too.

Since this time, I met with one of the guys and shared the story of God and how he fits in and he was touched. We haven’t seen the drug dealer since, and pray that he connected with his family. We continued to go to the plaza and meet with the group, but many of them have since left the usual spot. Next time we return we will definitely be looking for this group!

The crazy thing is every plaza in Spain is filled with groups of youth like these smoking and partying waiting for someone to tell them that the things that they fill themselves with pale in comparison to the Kingdom of God.

May His Kingdom come.

(Title clarification: The official name of Spain is “The Kingdom of Spain” the different kingdom is the Kingdom of God, hope this clears up any confusion)

Photographer: Calvin Hanson
Camera: Canon 60D with Canon EF-S 18-55mm Lens
Shutter: 20 sec
Aperture: 1/16
Focal Length: 18mm
ISO: 250
Edit/Filter: Adobe Lightroom

John ends his gospel revealing the poetic redemption of the world. It was in a garden that man and woman sinned against the Father. Death was birthed for the first time here. It makes sense then that death would have its last stand where it all began, in a garden. In the tomb, the Son of God would be resurrected once and for all conquering death and birthing resurrection and life.

Also in a poetic manner, Eve birthed the rebellion with the act of deception she fell prey to in the Garden. The name Mary (Hebrew transliteration Marian) which literally means “Their rebellion” carries the redemptive seed of Salvation, Jesus (The name literally means “The God who Saves”). God choses a woman named Mary to carry the redemption of the world. Mary had a choice to accept or reject the message of the Angel. She could either continue the rebellion or carry the seed of the Tree of Life in her. She humbly lifts up her praise and magnification signaling her belief and obedience in God. (LUKE 1:26-55)

Then, in the garden at the tomb of Jesus, another Mary, Mary Magdalene, becomes the first proclaimer of the Redemption and resurrection of Jesus. God choses the first person to see the resurrection and life to be a woman named Mary “their rebellion” redeeming the act of rebellion in the Garden.

Eve believed in the deception and ate of the Tree that produced death she spread the seeds of death to man (Genesis 3:12), but Mary believed the Humble Gardener of Truth (John 20:15), Jesus, and in so was able to produce some of the first seeds of the tree that produces life (John 20:17-18).

What a God we serve who continues to reveal the depths of his grace in poetic redemption! I think there is much much more surrounding the rebellion in Genesis and the out-workings of redemption through Jesus. This is just a foretaste :)

So many times, we discredit or pass over quickly the core things of our faith and this is included. I am a son of God. Done, nexttttt topic. This however is at the very core of our belief and unlocks our true identity. This separates all of the religions of the world with Christianity. A God that wants relationship, but relationship doesn’t do justice to what he is actually yearning for. God wants a family.

For a brief period of time in the beginning in the Garden of Eden, he had family. Adam and Eve walking with God probably eating and drinking with Him. Then came the fall to temptation which was actually a acceptance of belief that the Father couldn’t be trusted. The Enemy brought his atmosphere of fear, condemnation and rebellion and disconnected a son and daughter who as a result adopted the identity of orphans. This identity says I’m not worthy of the Love of God (shame) or I can do everything on my own and fight for all the things I get myself or I am afraid of a trusting relationship (mistrust). It is counter to the identity of son or daughter which is one of trust, love, sacrifice, generosity and peace.

The seed of the orphan spread through humanity with a patient Father trying to reconnect. He tried making new covenant after new covenant that would reestablish “his people” a.k.a his Family, his sons and daughters. This was in fact his plan of discipleship of the human race, since He is sovereign and knows the outcome at the end of the Age. Like a loving father, he knows that sometimes kids learn best the hard way. When he tried with the Isrealites after sealing the Covenant, the God of all creation came down and ate with Moses and the 70 elders (Exo 24). A few chapters later, we see the Israelites rejecting God and turning back to worshipping idols. This is our Father! He wants to eat and drink with us knowing the rejection coming. He’s a good father. It is again echo’ed in the marking of the New Convenant of Jesus (the exact representation of the Father) at the Last Supper. Again, rejection was in the very room in form of Judas, yet He makes a covenant of family knowing what is ahead of Him. God the Father is always knocking on the door of our hearts patiently saying to us, “Come Home, Sons and Daughters, Come Home”! He wants to dine with you and introduce you to the family.

When we accept the Father’s invitation into the family, we gain freedom because our identity moves from orphans and slaves to sons in the love of the Father. We trust the Father and walk in his ways and achieve freedom and peace and then we can introduce the orphans of the world to their true Father in heaven and their true identity as a son or daughter.

And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. -John 17:3

When we accept Jesus we take on the family name and become co-heirs with Him and are seated in heavenly places. It’s the Father’s good pleasure to give us His Kingdom! Are you still feeling unworthy? I pray that the Spirit of Adoption enters you and your spirit cries out DADDY to our Father in heaven. All creation is waiting and groaning for you to be revealed as a son or daughter and live with the Father as he dwells and lives with you.

Is it a place where people can do anything they want, whenever they want? Sounds like freedom at first glance, right?

I remember when I would spend the night at a friend’s house when I was growing up, they would have more apparent freedom. I was able to have tons of candy and soda! FREEDOMMMMM….30 minutes later…stomach ache :( Back then, I probably didn’t see the benefit of my loving parents not giving me candy every time my heart desired it. (Thanks mom and dad) It was a guideline for my own good!

Inside of freedom, you could say “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything. (summarizing 1st letter to Corinthians ch6 vs12)

So then, freedom includes all things being lawful. We CAN do anything, so why shouldn’t we submit to the desires of our passions? In the letter to the Romans chapter 6, talks about this very thing. We are a slave to the one/thing we obey. If we are a slave to our own consumption of pleasurable things, it will consume us and literally cause death to our soul as well as our body over time. The plan of satan is to KILL you. Our little sins are gateways on a path to bondage which ultimately lead to death. Even believing little lies, prevent us from walking in the fullness of what God has for us.

What are we to be slaves of then? If we have to choose one thing to be a slave of it should be something that brings us life to the full. Life in freedom. The only option for freedom is to be a slave to God.

Freedom in being a slave? This makes no sense at all does it. Welcome to the paradox of the kingdom of God. I started dwelling and meditating on this and realized that freedom is actually found when there are no deterrents or malfunctions in original design. A car can only perform inside of its limitations. If it goes beyond that it breaks down or becomes unsafe. The creator of the car knows exactly the limitations to prevent breakdown and safety. We were created in the likeness of God: HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, LOVING, JOYFUL etc. These things then define and unlock our true freedom. How we were created to be is where freedom lies.

How is this freedom obtained? “It is for FREEDOM that Christ has set us free!” (Letter to the Galatians ch5 vs1, emphasis mine). “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom” (2nd Letter to the Corinthians ch3 vs17). Freedom is found in Jesus. When we submit to our creator, we have true freedom. His spirit knows us even better than we do and has the operating manual to our life. Some things he created us for: His own enjoyment, to be fruitful and multiply (in all Godly ways), to be sons and daughters of Him, for the sake of true freedom, co-heirs to the Kingdom, ministers of reconciliation (Freedom), to enter in to the Father’s divine rest, and probably many more awesome reasons.

Jesus bring freedom to us! Show us who were created to be. Show us areas where we are still submitting to the counterfeit master. Bring us life to the full. amen

I’ve been on a journey of revelation about community over the past few years. It was never something I thought about at all before I really entered a different type of community and witnessed different communities around the world in India, Taiwan and Europe. I immediately saw that much of the world values community much more than Americans. Not only this, but they welcomed brand new friends into their community so readily. I think much of this value is lost in my homeland amidst the fight for individualism and self-reliance and frankly, pride. Don’t get me wrong, there are pockets of community still thriving where community is a core value in America. I actually see an uprising of thought and experiments on community living that really excite me coming from America.

I actually just came back from the AWAKEN gathering that is one experiment/organization on how to live out a community anywhere in the world centered around God and fulfill His purposes for man. I’m also on staff for the Awaken DTS where last year, something unique happened. We hit a deeper place of community. It was actually almost by accident. We just gathered together around God, specifically to seek him and get to know our new staff and it blew up! (in the best way possible) During the DTS people kept commenting on something being different about the DTS, there was a new unity and a family feel. The next year, all of us came back except for a few (which is rare in a DTS). We finally started realizing and examining what was happening and looking to the bible for more revelation on what God was doing.

As I write this, I feel the Lord’s heart to see restoration in community to how he views it. It is actually our role as believers to fulfill restoration according to Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor 5:18). We are ministers of Reconciliation as modeled out by the reconciler Jesus Christ who reconciled man with God through his life, death, and resurrection. We are to bring others into reconciliation by the proclamation of this Good News (Gospel). Jesus actually says unity in the body shows non-followers that we are followers of Jesus.

As I said earlier family has been hugely attacked by the enemy. Divorce is out of control in America and not just outside the church! Inside the church it is the same statistic! Not only that, the body of christ is split into fragments of denominations caused by differences in doctrine. Why? I believe it comes down to an understanding community and how God views it.

Community is misrepresented and broken on earth because of the original sin in the garden that broke communion with God. Now through the work of Jesus, we can have community with God and godly community with each other. I want to reveal biblical community as much as God gives me revelation on it because I want to see these crazy statistics drop! The more I read the bible, the more I see just how much God valued healthy community. Jesus cultivated and served his community and gave his life for them. The first experience of the Holy Spirit came when all the believers were of one accord ie IN UNITY! The result was revival. There is something powerful that happens when we gather together around God with one unity. It’s where the Spirit dwells, dreams are birthed, vision is developed, relationships are restored, lies are exposed, and the enemy flees from the powerful body of Christ. All mankind craves community with God and man. Its a yearning in everyone’s heart to be accepted, safe, loved. We believers are to model out how our God dwells and when we do we will be a witness to non-believers. Jesus said it this way, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I pray for unity in the body of Christ so that we may be a pure and spotless community for our Lord and fulfill his purposes on earth!

I will continue to write more on this topic as the Lord releases revelation on it as I feel its one of my life studies and missions to restore and create healthy community.

Eternal Life
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord – Rom 6:23

Freedom
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Rom 8:1-2

Permanent Love of God
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:38-39

New Creation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Cor 5:17

Spirit in us, Blessing of Abraham
so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. Gal 3:14

Son and Daughters of God
for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. Gal 3:26

Unity
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

Provision from God
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19

IN JESUS AND JESUS ALONE WE HAVE ALL THINGS GOOD

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,

Col 1:15-19

Photographer: Calvin Hanson
Camera: Canon 60D with 50mm Prime Lens
Effect/Filter: Lomo