Grateful for Gradesters

For a few months now, the Lord has opened doors for me to pen-pal, Skype and build relationships with a sixth grade class from Denver, Colorado. Last Saturday, I was able to meet some of the students and their parents for coffee and ice cream cake. My best friend Sara has also done missionary work; we were able to share some stories of what it is like to live for Jesus in another country-- we ended the night with some songs. The kids sang "Beautiful Things" by Gungor and if anyone has a video of that I would love to see it!


Thank you Mrs. Wingert for recording Sara and I; the song is "Flesh of His Flesh" by Michael Card.

Mrs. Wingert and I <3

Thanks to everyone for your prayers, support, and love as I grow into the woman God is creating me to be! Blessings of Thanksgiving and Gratefulness~
Kelsey Maxine Tungseth

Financial Update!

I currently attend the School of Biblical Foundations and Missions at the YWAM base in Maui. Desiring to study God's Word, the focus of SBFM is to blend principles for sound interpretation with God-glorifying application; cultivating bold, Christian worldview. By the grace of God and the cheerful giving of many, the costs for this school have been provided. Thank you!

When God highlighted this course to me, I saw it as an opportunity to grow in numerous ways, ways that apply to any mission field the Lord calls me to.. whether that means building schools in Africa or teaching at a youth group here in the USA, only the Father knows.

Thank you for praying with me during this time as I learn to hear the God's voice directing me every step of the way. Continue to desire that His kingdom would come, on earth as it is in heaven! Jesus is ALIVE :)

Sphere Watch - November 7, 2011

Sphere of Influence: Media, Religion
Article Title: My Faith: Why we’re doing church on Facebook tonight
Source: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com
Publication Date: November 2, 2011
By: Johnnie Moore

Summary:
A congregation of thousands of college students has decided to make a sanctuary out of the social network that unites the first “digitally native generation.” Each Wednesday, Liberty University gathers along with the local community in locations that can host 10,000 people. This week both sites are unavailable. Pastor Johnnie Moore and his team – all twenty-somethings – decided to connect where the people are; on Facebook, in the world Mark Zuckerberg created. Since the Apostle Paul, Christians have made it their goal to go where the people are; in the 21st century, there are over 800 million people on Facebook. Inviting the multigenerational and multiethnic 70,000 residential and online students to log onto Liberty’s Facebook page, Johnnie hopes to make doing church feel new again. Church and Facebook are places where we learn about one another, encourage each other, laugh, share, and live our lives together; Johnnie is thrilled because Facebook can be a place where we encounter God and others. “Like Paul told the Corinthians we can do it all for the glory of God.”


Quotes and excerpts:
“We are the first ‘digitally native generation.’ We grew up with a bottle in our mouth
and a keyboard in our lap.” - Article Author
“What is Facebook, after all? It’s a community. What is church, after all? It’s a community. For us, doing church on Facebook isn’t innovative. It’s intuitive.” -Article Author


Discussion:
Firstly, my attention was that the title of this article does not capitalize church, whereas Facebook, ironically, is referred to by its proper name. I do not understand the lowercase lettering of church because the article’s focus is on the fact that Christians are the Body of Christ and can meet anywhere; hence our proper name is the Church. Were the article to discuss Christians meeting at a church building my argument would not have merit, but the entire point of this idea for online fellowship is that “doing” Church does not require a building; we are Christ’s Bride, the Church.

Mr. Moore’s heart posture, I’m sure, is that of a man outrageously in love with his Savior. We under exaggerate the unrelenting pressure on pastors these days; a related article to the piece I read for this assignment is titled “Why young Christians aren’t waiting anymore” and discusses pre-marital sex. Johnnie’s plan for the Facebook church is based on a Biblical principle and I commend his enthusiasm to “go where the people are”. Personally, I would have recommended that the congregation would divide itself into a few hundred home churches for the week. The problem I foresee with having a service online would most likely be an issue of mine even if I were to attend the service in the “10,000-seat basketball arena on campus;” that issue is that neither setting is capable of providing thousands of people with intimate relationships that lead to accountability.

The Church is to be a place of intimacy; I tend to be wary when the size of a congregation exceeds numbers of people whom I could remember by a first name basis. In a world where Facebook and social media slowly replace community, I consider this a dangerous option that is quite opposite to the home churches Jesus’ disciples started. Acts describes the following considering the fellowship of the believers: “When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1 ESV emphasis added). The passage continues to describe the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. As they ministered and preached the gospel, we read that in just one day the Church witnessed 3,000 souls receive the Word. “And they devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Acts chapter 4 records that an additional 5,000 men came to believe the word.

The Church is called to devote themselves to the apostles teaching and the fellowship; a sincere concern of mine is that one day I will hear the words, Communion? There’s an app for that. There is much to be lost when we take the intimacy out of the Body of Christ. “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:45). We are playing a dangerous game when Christians are isolated- it means Satan has all the cards. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matthew 18:20)

This is a tricky subject, so I will leave you with this example: I pray with my loved ones over the phone and believe that God is greater than technology. He does not discount such prayers, nor do I believe the Lord would turn a blind eye to the worship service Johnnie Moore and Liberty University conducted over the internet. What does concern me is that millions in our country professes Christianity, but (I am about to say something harsh and want it to be said delicately) America is falling into a trap of churchianity; Satan is running rampant in this world and many people think church is more important than relationship with our Heavenly Father, Savior, Friend; we must not forget relationship with His Body, the Church!

Iron sharpens iron; I am not convinced you can surrender to a life of transparency via webcam. My comments are by no means to be interpreted in such a way that discredits the power of Christ Jesus; the Lord is not limited to time and space. My advice is more specifically towards Christians who may be losing sight of the need for public confession, sharing one another’s burdens, exhorting, challenging, and supporting one another in trials of this present darkness.


“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 1-6).

The Fear of the Lord

A whole lot of people are learning about the grace of God, but are not developing a reverence for God. Without the fear of the Lord, you cannot appreciate the grace of God. Reverence is essential, the grace that does not include the fear of the Lord is a false grace.

This is a sermon compilation where the Fear of God is the main theme. Has "the Church" lost it? Here are the different preachers, in order, as they appear:
Carter Conlon
Zac Poonen
Art Katz
Leonard Ravenhill
David WIlkerson
Jim Cymbala
Keith Daniel



Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (ESV)

Revival and Reformation - Schaeffer quote

This week we are watching a video series Francis Schaeffer completed in the early 1980's.

This is a quote from his book No Little People
-Chapter Four - The Lord's Work in the Lord's Way - Concluding three paragraphs-
"Humanism presses in upon us, constantly challenging our very life-style. So we must not fail to practice its opposite - the biblical position - representing a real, practical contrast in our day-to-day living. Is not the central problem of our generation that the world looks upon the church and sees it trying to do the Lord's work in the flesh? Let us ask ourselves the hard questions: do we really believe God exists, and do we really believe God?
"Often men have acted as though one has to choose between reformation and revival. Some call for reformation, others for revival, and they tend to look at each other with suspicion. But reformation and revival do not stand in contrast to one another; in fact, both words are related to the concept of restoration. Reformation speaks of a restoration to pure doctrine, revival of a restoration in the Christian's life. Reformation speaks of a return to the teachings of Scripture, revival of a life brought into proper relationship to the Holy Spirit. The great moments in church history have come when these two restorations have occurred simultaneously. There cannot be true revival unless there has been reformation, and reformation is not complete without revival. May we be those who know the reality of both reformation and revival, so that this poor dark world in which we live may have an exhibition of a portion of the church returned to both pure doctrine and a Spirit-filled life.
"As I see it, the Christian life must be comprised of three concentric circles, each of which must be kept in its proper place. In the outer circle must be the correct theological position, true biblical orthodoxy and the purity of the visible church. This is first, but if that is all there is, it is just one more seedbed for spiritual pride. In the second circle must be good intellectual training and comprehension of our own generation. But having only this leads to intellectualism and again provides a seedbed for pride. In the inner circle must be the humble heart- the love of God, the devotional attitude toward God. There must be the daily practice of the reality of the God whom we know is there. These three circles must be properly established, emphasized and related to each other. At the center must be kept a living relationship to the God we know exists. When each of these three circles is established in its proper place, there will be tongues of fire and the power of the Holy Spirit. Then, at the end of my life, when I look back over my work since I have been a Christian, I will see that I have not wasted my life. The Lord's work will be done in the Lord's way."

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed

Here is a film our class watched during SBFM's lecture week on Apologetics: (a defense - “To clear away the obstacles so that people get an unobstructed view of Christ.” –adapted from Ravi Zacharias)

It is a valid movie that I would recommend, however this is only a preview..




Read my entry from September to understand what educators are willing to take out of the curriculum (removing the Holocaust as to not offend Muslim students) and how I compared it with my experiences with evolution vs. a Christian student:
http://barefooted-yipsey.blogspot.com/2011/09/sphere-watch-september-26-2011.html

Bamboo Forest Hike

Oh. My. Goodness!
After a crazy week of lectures and class work, some friends and I piled into the back of a pickup truck and a minivan. Driving a good twenty minutes brought us into a rainforest! (Paia is drier, and just a five minute walk from the north shore of Maui). I wish I could post pictures, because the sights were unbelievable, but it was an intense adventure- no one brought a camera...

The "Commando" Hike took us through a field, where I stopped to pet a baby cow, and alongside a trail with plenty of mud to get between your toes. Within two minutes of walking we came to a river. For about an hour, we climbed through knee length water- holding branches and leaning on rocks. Twice we climbed out of the water to skip through plants as tall as us, both times splashing back into the water to continue on. Sometimes the rocks being so slippery made me slide into the water, but it was all worth it. Eventually, we came to a small waterfall. Climbing up it, we hopped under, over and between fallen bamboo trees to the pool of water. Following the river, we climbed another small rock wall overflowing with water.

At this point we had reached a fifteen foot tube, maybe four feet in diameter? Water was shooting over the edge as we took turns shimmying up the tube and found ourselves at the base of a huge cave. Scaling the mouth of the cave, my arms and legs held me parallel to the water below me as I went deeper into the darkness. As my friends climbed up the biggest waterfall yet, their bodies were silhouettes as the light outside burst around them. We were a pretty good sized group; it took about 15 minutes for everyone to get up and inside what ended up being a 150 foot cave! This gave us time to paint our faces with red-clay-dirt. :) The most difficult part of the 'hike' was yet to come. In extremely dim lighting, we crawled up the side of the rock as the forceful river poured over its edge. One by one, everyone made it up! We exited out a small hole and continued the hike, swimming through a lake, marching through a field, and then descending down an extremely steep mountainside. It was CRAZY. Oh my goodness, considering how many people were hiking, it gave way to a trafficked trail. It was incredibly challenging, especially since we were holding onto roots and rocks that could -in an instant- pull away from the earth!

Once we made it to the edge of the mountain, we still had about 45 feet to continue down before landing on solid ground. A banyan tree has grown next to the mountain (which at this point was boulders and slates of rock); banyan trees are unique in that they send down roots towards the ground. This builds structure as the roots, over time, resemble branches quite similar to the tree trunk itself. As we had come out of the cave and swam through the lake, it had started to rain, so things went from funny (sliding down the steep mountain) to quite dangerous; the branches were wet, and we needed climb down it. Okay, it wasn't mandatory- some of the guys got impatient and walked down a trail covered with weeds and ferns. I love trees, so I couldn't resist monkeying around a bit.

To get on the tree, you had to approach the edge of the cliff, hold onto two bamboo poles and swing around so you faced the mountain. Sliding down the shaft of the bamboo, you could put your feet on a rock and turn towards the tree. From there it was just climbing over, under, and between the branches, and I ended up finding a sturdy branch to slide down the final fifteen feet, which more than satisfied my childhood dream of visiting a fire station... haha, we ended the trail by cliff jumping and swimming down the river, walking through some more fields, and running through bright green bamboo trees.

My Father is so creative.
Much love,
Kelsey, Warrior Princess.

Nick's Story // Beautiful Things

Nick's Story // Beautiful Things from David Listor on Vimeo.

Defining and Defending Biblical Christianity

Here is an essay I wrote while reading Knowing God, by J.I. Packer.
In <3 Christ, Kelsey Tungseth


_______Myself, and over one hundred other students were enrolled in a three month program when I realized I had let society define Christianity. Designed to disciple believers as Jesus had trained His followers, the school was called Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission. Sitting in a large auditorium, students had been asked to anticipate a response towards someone you could meet, “skeptically interrogating ‘The Church’, Christianity, and religion.” Hesitant with questionable definitions, we dwelled on the message the speaker had brought to the table. “Tell me what a ‘Christian’ is, and I’ll tell you if I am one,” missionary Pam Arlund voiced her personal comeback. As the University of the Nations seminar advanced, we focused on how to live lives to mirror the ways of Christ, opposed to functioning robotically, culturally claiming a religion only honored once a week. Sadly, the title Christian has left many a stranger feeling rejected and worthless. A blatant reality has come upon us; professing Christians able to define and defend a Biblical Christian worldview are few and far between.

_______As generations continue succeeding one another, each is less informed of scripture than the generation prior; the threat is that we constantly lose reverence for Biblical Christian worldview. The stories we learn in church as children are repetitive and seemingly inapplicable, but it is vital to teach believers how to connect “Bible Times” with today. In Knowing God, J.I. Packer states, “We cannot see how the two worlds link up, and hence again and again we find ourselves feeling that the things we read about in the Bible can have no application for us.” Unfortunately, people process the adventures without learning the lessons. However, modern-day believers can relate to the wisdom revealed to us in God’s Word, they simply need to be advised on how to look for and apply the Biblical Christian values behind the stories themselves.

_______A question many Christians need to learn to answer is, “Why do you choose to believe what you believe, and how does it affect the way you live?” The answer will vary, as it comes down to where you build your foundation. Packer says, “True Christians are people who acknowledge and live under the Word of God.” (pg. 116 line 5) As believers gradually lose interest and, without fail, lack proper instruction on the practicality of Biblical principles, we succumb to calling ourselves Christians merely by association. For years, I lived with the mindset Jesus is love, so He will forgive all my sins, and I continued to sin. This is one example of a Biblical principle taken out of context; I lived according to my own rules and precepts, and in turn, perverted the Truth of the Lord. God describes to us how we are to live, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reads, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (ESV)

_______These intimate and precious practices have been replaced with the unrelenting ideology of secular humanism. Presuming Christianity is old fashioned, this overwhelming worldview states we have the right to be in control of our lives. Packer counters this, saying, “We may be frankly bewildered at things that happen to us, but God knows exactly what he is doing, and what he is after, in his handling of our affairs.” (pg. 98 line 3) Biblical Christianity is that we believe and obey. We will have greater progress in defining and defending our faith as soon as we surrender to God’s statues, acknowledging that His ways are wiser than our own. “As such, [wisdom] is found in its fullness only in God. He alone is naturally and entirely and invariably wise.” (Packer pg. 90 line 5) The act of releasing from our minds unspoken limits and assumptions is vital, as it is written, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8 ESV)

_______Confronted more so today than ever before, we face a bold disregard for the Christian faith. Inevitably, most people limit God to our human capabilities, ruling out His command to seek His ways and thoughts above our own. In order to “be imitators of God,” (Ephesians 5:1 ESV) the focus of our lives needs to be re-directed to revolve around this Unchanging One and His Will and Purposes. The passage in Ephesians does not say, you be God; scripture is clear that we are to model our lives after Jehovah. As we implement these philosophies in the way we profess Christianity, we will see a greater number of believers capable of defining and defending their Biblical worldview.

Sphere Watch - September 26, 2011

Similar to current events, this is an article chosen from 2007 along with my assignment.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-445979/Teachers-drop-Holocaust-avoid-offending-Muslims.html

Sphere of Influence: Education
Article Title: Teachers drop the Holocaust to avoid offending Muslims
Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/
Publication Date: April 2, 2007
By: Laura Clark

Summary:
A government-backed study revealed schools are dropping the Holocaust from history lessons to avoid offending Muslim pupils, whose beliefs include Holocaust denial. The study, funded by the Department for Education and Skills, looked into ‘emotive and controversial’ history teaching in primary and secondary schools and found some teachers also show resistance to tackling the 11th century Crusades – where Christians fought Muslim armies from control of Jerusalem. The report said teachers feared confronting lessons that contradict what is taught in local mosques. Christian parents challenged a third school as the classes did not accord with the teachings of their denomination. The researchers also warned that, particularly at a primary level, a lack of subject knowledge among teachers was leading to history being taught in a ‘shallow way leading to routine and superficial learning’. The report concluded: “In particular settings, teachers of history are unwilling to challenge highly contentious or charged versions of history in which pupils are steeped at home, in their community or in a place of worship.”

Quotes and excerpts:

“History is not a vehicle for promoting political correctness. Children must have access to knowledge of these controversial subjects, whether palatable or unpalatable.”
- Chris McGovern, history education advisor to the former Tory government

“The report said teachers feared confronting ‘anti-Semitic sentiment and Holocaust denial among some Muslim pupils’. “ - Laura Clark, article author

Discussion:
Ms. Clark’s informative piece is well-written, leaving a trail of personal opinion. It is fairly clear that the author is opposed to the idea of removing the said teachings from history’s curriculum. Looking to the quotes she selected to inform the reader, a not-so-hidden message is revealed: teachers fear some Muslim pupils. Among the teachers, a relative and secular humanistic worldview is present as they strive to promote tolerance; unfortunately this comes at the cost of withdrawing documented history of prior racial and religious intolerances. The teachers themselves have no roots in the material and therefore are disillusioned and unprepared to handle their own assumptions: Muslims will deny history and react boldly in the classroom. I find it extremely problematic and selectively discriminating that “teachers of history are unwilling to challenge highly contentious or charged versions of history in which pupils are steeped at home, in their community or in a place of worship.” As a Christian student in a public school, I was most certainly challenged and on occasion even mocked by teachers who taught evolution as fact, no matter that I was ‘a pupil steeped at home, in my community and place of worship’ that God Almighty is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and that Jesus is His Son, the only Hope for humanity. Interestingly, teachers did not fear that Christian students would get in the way of their lesson plans; and, sadly, not enough of us did and have now adapted to secular humanism as well.

Update from SBFM - September 20, 2011

Here is a letter I mailed out with some feedback on my first week of school -



Hi friend! I hope this letter finds you and yours whole and filled with the joy of the Lord.
I am writing concerning the new school I have been studying through with Youth With A Mission. The program I have recently started is called School of Biblical Foundations and Missions. Last week was basically orientation, and we discussed the importance of Biblical Worldview and took an opinions quiz from the Nehemiah Institute. (PEERS Testing)
Available in website form, we spent a few minutes of class individually answering 70 questions from the answer choices strongly agree, tend to agree, neutral/no opinion or no knowledge, tend to disagree, and disagree; I submitted my answers slightly bashful and feeling clueless. Many of the questions seemed to relate to politics or economics, areas where I am neutral due to my lack of knowledge concerning the matter. The subject I easily recognized was Religion, and as I turned in my work I gave a sigh of relief, thinking to myself, whew! at least I got the important things right…
As the class turned in completed work, Tom, a leader of our school explained to us::
The PEERS test consists of a series of statements carefully structured to identify a person's worldview in five categories: Politics, Economics, Education, Religion, and Social Issues (PEERS). Each statement is framed to either agree or disagree with a biblical principle.
< http://www.nehemiahinstitute.com/peers.php >
My professor’s definition of the PEERS test prepared me mentally… today I got the results back from my test, and I am comforted that God’s grace is sufficient for me; Hallelujah- my cluelessness is curable! Although I got a “B” in the “Religion” category, my knowledge and relationship do not yet meet the essential application of God’s Word and Principles to everyday situations. In fact, my results classified my views of Economics as socialist; and in Politics, Education, and Social Issues I was categorized under secular humanism.
Please continue to pray for me during this time of developing and renewing my mind. Many of you whom I have chosen to send this letter to have been teachers of mine, mentors, or certainly a loved one who has spoken into my life. Please receive my sincere plea for forgiveness as there is an enormous chance you have been explaining the urgency and importance of Biblical Worldview for years. God has softened my heart to authority and correction and I pray you are rewarded by our Father in Heaven for your diligent encouragement and godly patience.
Keep sharing these principles with everyone!


Until the nets are full, Kelsey Maxine

SBFM - Paia, Maui

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Know I'm missing you all and keeping you in my prayers.

Maui is great and I trust that Paia is exactly where I am supposed to be this fall. The work load has already been keeping me busy. However, I have rather enjoyed putting some disciplines in place as I dive in to the curriculum with my thirteen peers from Scotland, Switzerland, Canada, the U.S., and Sweden. Yesterday I had this revelation: I'm not theee most intellectual person in the world, but my Dad knows ALL things and He's a PERFECT Father... which means He won't give me the answers, but He'll lead me into truth and grant me understanding as I follow His voice of direction.

All this to say thank you for your prayers, and let you know, Hallelujah, that I received the remaining fees needed for my lecture phase!! Please contact me or visit http://uofnkona.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=652&MN=5665 to donate towards my outreach fees.

Thank you all for being a part of my life!
Kels

Yet if you devote your heart to him
and stretch out your hands to him,
if you put away the sin that is in your hand
and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,
then you will lift up your face without shame;
you will stand firm and without fear..
Job 11:13-15


As for "Home - Fall 2011"
Maui Travel Book at a coffee shop puts it better than me ::
"East Maui, the Road to Hana
When old sugar towns die, they usually fade away in rust and red dirt. Not Paia. The tangle of electrical, phone, and cable wires hanging overhead symbolizes they town's ability to adapt to the times- it may look messy, but it works. Here, trendy restaurants, eclectic boutiques, and high-tech windsurf shops stand next door to the ma-and-pa grocery, fish market, and storefronts that have been serving customers since the plantation days. Hippies took over in the 1970's; although their macrobiotic restaurants and old-style artists' co-op have made way for Hawaii Regional Cuisine and galleries featuring the works of renowned international artists, Paia still manages to maintain a pleasant vibe of hippiedom. The town's main attraction though, is Hookipa Beach Park, where the wind that roars through the isthmus of Maui brings windsurfers from all around the world, who come to fly over the waves on gossamer wings linked to surfboards."

Names of God

Favorite Worship song... at the moment :)




Names of God
by Laurell Hubbick

Visit to Kauai

Hi everybody! Thanks for checking in...
In just a few days I will begin secondary with Youth With A Mission; I'm really excited to dive in to the Word of God as I attend the School of Biblical Foundations and Missions. Thank you all for your prayers and support. Praise Jesus! The first $1,000 has come in!

to make a donation or become a monthly sponsor -
http://uofnkona.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=652&MN=5665


Summer staff with the Kona YWAM base was a great experience,
I have made some wonderful and lasting friendships and connections!

For the last week, my friend Megan and I have stayed at her family's home.. it has been a wonderful week resting in the Lord Jesus <3 Here are some pictures from our recent adventures! Enjoy :)

1 John 4:4 (ESV)
Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Packing for Maui

Organizing my Kelty backpack is exciting for me. It means a new season is on its way!

This venture will also bring me through airport security . Weight limits and safety codes aren't something that generally affect me, but I've been finding a great selection of books and will be toting them with me to SBFM. Last night, as I packed, I weighed my options....
...I figured this was my wisest decision, "I'll have my hands full with my trekking pack, carryon, and shoulderbag --- tying and untying sneakers, no thank you. Flip flops take up less space in my bag and, hey, I've won races in heels, what could it hurt?"


After packing (over 25 pounds of journals, books, and other literature) into my Kelty back pack, it slipped off my back; buckling my knees, flipping backwards with the weight.

It made me laugh and inspired me (finally) to go through some field work video logs-- clipping the bloopers added some goofy creativity to Sara Kristinsson's mashup of songs :: "Somebody to Love" Jefferson Airplane Justin Bieber , and her original "Sky ! High"



I do a bit of video logging, for personal growth and processing, and after replaying the clip again and again I thought I would spice it up and send it to some friends.
The sound quality was so quiet I had to give the silly film subtitles-

Faith in the Midst of Suffering

[SUFFERiNG]: The state or instance of enduring pain, misery, loss, etc.

O! Why constantly cower in fear?
We wrestle belligerent agony; sheer
confusion haunts our broken dreams,
the silent voice of evil screams.
Ponder the mind; one moment to dwell
on what we knew before we fell.

Original model; initial design
did not comprehend a death paradigm.
Created to love and be loved in return,
Marriage has never been something you earn.
How rarely ideas hold near the same merit
of hasty dismissal; some sin we inherit.
Inspired by purity; by humble desire
the Almighty God formed man from the mire.

[FAiTH]: is taking God at His word.. saying "I trust you in the storm, in the heights, in the uncomfortable;" not being moved by circumstances
[FAiTH]: is believing in God and God alone; not having a backup plan incase He doesn't pull through
[FAiTH: is leaving fear for Love; looking into the eyes of Jesus and declaring His will be done

Mountains only move with faith.. The prayers we offer in faith move the heart of God. Distrust and unbelief have only ever been poison to relationships.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reads "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

What stirs within me as I read this passage from Ecclesiastes breaks my heart: Eve, the crown of creation, was created solely for the purpose of lifting Adam up- being his "suitable helper." (Genesis 2:18, "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.'")
Recently, I finished Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. The married couple point out the Hebrew words ezer kenegdo, commonly translated “help meet,” are more accurately translated as “sustainer beside him." They noted that “ezer” is listed twenty other times in the Old Testament, all in context to God, describing times when you need Him to come through for you desperately. That is, more of a “life-saver.”

How vigorously must we fight against Satan as he continuously puts temptation before us? Adam and Eve were the consummation of lovers designed to lift one another up. And still, the evil one lures us in with just one taste; with that one act of disobedience to our Father- the veil separated us from intimate relationship with Him. The only way to reestablish the bond was to send Jesus to die alone on the cross. Jesus suffered more than I ever have... and God, the Father, suffered immensely by witnessing the massacre of His one and only Beloved Son.


"Suffering," Megan voiced, matter of factly, "affects everyone."
Walking back to our University of the Nations campus, my beautiful beach blonde friend advised me, (with wisdom well beyond her seventeen years), how to best touch lives for the cause of Christ. As with all our end of the night goodbyes, Megan Rae and I hugged, then stretched hands to hold shoulders, committing our time to the Lord. It had been a long Friday, a long week, a long year of extraordinary life changes..
I prayed for my sweet girlfriend; blessing her for her ability to explode with life and curiosity. When Megan prayed for me, I felt like a treasure. At one moment, I thought she had finished, but she continued delicately- asking God to release me from the mind trap of confusion, that His spirit would fall on me in a new way... that I would feel free to evangelize. Megan asked that her gift of faith would be imparted to me. Sincerely and specifically, she declared that we were in agreement and asked the Lord to send His angels to come down and war on my behalf. Beautiful, simple prayers overflowed from our hearts... more like a conversation between a Father and his daughters than a religious recital.

When we opened our eyes, it felt like things looked different- for lack of better words- an awareness of the knowledge of another dimension. Megan asked me first, "Do you feel it? Something shifted." I was skeptical, but doubt was immediately overpowered by my respect for Megan and her ability to believe, to trust; her bold faith. I said 'yes, I felt it,' then took my eyes off her and looked to the left.
I stared at this pretty green bush and sighed in admiration... 'Jesusss ' <3 My eyes were drawn back to Megan's and she said, "...something shifted!" Her eyes widened and she stated, in all seriousness, "Wooah! Something just left!" As the words were leaving her mouth, a chill had festered between my shoulder blades, shot down my spine like a lightening bolt and fled to the right (north). For a blink of a moment everything felt "empty", then a blanket of "Safe" fell and expanded. Bursting into tears, we both began to praise God. Before I knew it, I was weeping, uncontrollably, and knelt next to a rock wall. It was as if a weight was gone. Similar experiences, where I can recall the same distinct feeling? -when I've heard the voice of the Lord; it feels like I'm floating among the stars. My eyes were opened. The veil was lifted. Our faith and prayers moved the heart of the Most High King.


In the words of Art Katz - "Because to persuade the world that this life presently, is transient and preparatory, for that which is eternal and abiding, requires men who come down from that place, who are in the world but not of it. It requires men who exude eternity and not just possess it as a category. They’re timeless and they’re eternal in the reality of what they are in themselves, and therefore, they can move through the world and society and culture and it’s like “water off the duck’s back”. They’re never jerked or manipulated or self-conscious or fearful or intimidated or threatened by any such thing. Once you are in the realm of eternity and eternal value, that which is in time comes into its proper focus, whereas, the enemy wants to exaggerate its importance and, by that, make you captive."



I highly, highly recommend watching the above sermon.

We love because He first loved us,
Kelsey Maxine Tungseth

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom

Awake My Soul Medley

A video I created - Enjoy!


PROVERBS 22 (KJV)
A GOOD name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.

If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.


Affectionately yours,
K-Maxx in Kona

July Update

Hello everyone!
It is hard to believe it has been seven weeks since DTS ended!
Asked to join Kona's staff team by my school leaders, I have seen wonderful changes to my life already this summer. The first two weeks of July brought over five hundred people from more than 30 nations- such as Fiji, Honduras, South Africa, Kazakhstan, Brazil, Switzerland.... well, the list goes on and on!

After graduating my Discipleship Training School, I transitioned to serving the campus in numerous ways, specifically the hospitality department. Andrew and Faith Dutton, the school leaders of my DTS, helped run "Impartation," a global leadership development course, with Darlene Cunningham and David Hamilton, esteemed YWAMers for over 50 years!

Praise God, the turn out was incredible, and I was able to sit in on quite a few seminars between serving.
Impartation hosted one speaker named Brian Molitar, whom I had the privilege to meet personally. Hearing the vision closest to his heart was a true blessing; Brian taught and lived out his mission statement, inspired by Malachi 4:6 ("And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers...") Set out to bridge the "generational gap", Brian is committed to seeing broken people everywhere once again be part of a 'family.'
There were many ideas Brian shared that I was able to immediately apply to my life. A quote I wrote down in my journal reads, "Irrational fear is your best guess at the worst case of what might happen.. sometime in the future." I was honored to be a part of such an unforgettable experience and will forever treasure the lessons learned.

Prior to Impartation, the University of the Nations walked the Independence Day Parade on July 4th. A beautiful festivity, we had maybe fifty people walk, flags in hand, behind a float by Island Breeze (a member of the family of ministries of Youth With A Mission). Celebrating my own heritage, I chose the Norwegian flag and danced with my friends to sweet Hawaiian melodies.

(Affectionately dubbed) "Uncle" Penny- informing us before the march.

Our beautiful, award- winning float pulling out to begin!

My girl, Ty, getting ready to hula dance with Island Breeze :)

My new friend and roommate, Sharla, and myself.
Sharla and I love our breakfast dates with Jesus.

Sweet Emily Kate, Andrew and Faith's eldest.
Emily and I have grown as close as sisters since January!

Ended the evening with a beautiful sunset, frozen yogurt, and fireworks!

Happy Birthday America..

I love you,
Kelsey Maxine

Lion of War

God inspired scripture comes alive--

http://www.lionofwar.com/new/

Publisher's Note
Day of War, author Cliff Graham's first novel, has earned him a film option for the entire book series---Lion of War---from director David L. Cunningham (Path to 9/11) and producer Grant Curtis (Spider-Man films). In ancient Israel, at the crossroads of the great trading routes, a man named Benaiah is searching for a fresh start in life. He has joined a band of soldiers led by a warlord named David, seeking to bury the past that refuses to leave him. Their ragged army is disgruntled and full of reckless men. Some are loyal to David, but others are only with him for the promise of captured wealth. While the ruthless and increasingly mad King Saul marches hopelessly against the powerful Philistines, loyal son Jonathan in tow, the land of the Hebrew tribes has never been more despondent---and more in need of rescue. Over the course of ten days, from snowy mountain passes to sword-wracked battlefields, Benaiah and his fellow mercenaries must call upon every skill they have to survive and establish the throne for David---if they don't kill each other first.




Cliff was born in Dallas, TX and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota. He has been a Military Police soldier, Army officer, pastor, and author. He made his way to Kailua-Kona a few weeks ago and shared the story of how God has used him over the years to make this vision come to life. I believe Jesus will be glorified as this book and movie is released, touching lives of people across the globe and sparking a hunger for biblical truth in all age groups.


“Graham creates a seamless pattern of fiction and history that feels as real as if he were reporting live from the battlefields of Saul circa 1000B.C. From Benaiah’s opening encounter with a pair of ferocious lions to its final bombastic and bloody battle with the Amalekites. ‘Day of War’ moves with the same swiftness and adrenaline of the warriors that inhabit it. Every sentence is taut and the dialogue kept to a stoic minimum, reflecting the hero’s countenance. Somewhere between Frank Miller’s immortal ’300′ and Stephen Ambrose’s sorrowful ‘Band of Brothers’ is where you’ll find the blunt traumatic force behind ‘Day of War’. Grit your teeth and bear down. You’ve never felt hurt this good.”
~BookReview.com, ‘Must Read’ Selection

Fishers of Men

♫ If I had a little white box, to put my Jesus in,
I'd take Him out and MWAH MWAH MWAH and share Him with a friend.
And if I had a little black box, to put that Satan in,
I'd take him out and SMASH HIS FACE and put him back again. ♫ ♪


The video below was created by my teammate Florimond showing the first of two homes we built while on outreach. In two days, we were able to construct a new home for a family of six from Ensenada, Mexico with $5,000 we saw the Lord provide while on outreach. Watch and enjoy being a part of this blessing. Thank you for your contributions!

Untitled from Florimond MOCHEL on Vimeo.

The following is also a Flow Production, a visual summary of the two months as we witnessed to thousands in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.



I would like to say "THANK YOU" for partnering with myself and YWAM during this time and pray you'll continue to join me in ministry by means of prayer and financial support. I have many new opportunities coming my way to use my testimony to touch lives for the cause of Christ.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.

Matthew 4:19, Luke 9:23-27

Until the nets are full,
Kelsey Maxine Tungseth
(with Loren Cunningham, founder of Youth With A Mission)

Kelsey Tungseth
University of the Nations
75-5851 Kuakini HWY #37
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
651.321.4705

all checks payable to "University of the Nations Kona Foundation"

Happy Birthday Mother! Love, the Graduate

A thank you to everyone for your love and prayers, financial support and continued guidance. As one season of my life comes to completion and another begins, I am back in Kona, Hawai'i, preparing for tonight's graduation and Love Banquet. The last five months have been spectacular and life changing, and I trust that God has brought me to a stable place of faith and security as I live in Christian fellowship and community. I have so enjoyed receiving your emails and look forward to sharing more with you in the months to come. May the Lord continue to bless you richly.

I love you,
Kelsey Maxine

The Furious Love of the Father

No shoes, no service? No problem.

I’m on this journey – and I’m in the Dominican Republic
31 May 2011

Today marked historical moments across the globe. I feel honored to be a part of the first (of many to come) "Homes of Hope, Republica Dominicana."
God is miraculous, and His love is furious. We see miracles in finances, in healing, in restoration of life to those who were lost.

I loved being a part of the building team while my DTS was in Mexico. Memories surfaced with each swing of the hammer as I helped put those four walls and roof over a family of six. However, today I volunteered to paint and merely play with the children who flock to the site. It’s been hours since I have left that neighborhood and yet a supernatural joy and peace still remain deep within. As I imagine Jesus taking the time to play with the little children, I gain gentle revelation in the purity and innocence restored to me with each hug I received today.

Tonight, I walked to a little market with Josef and Andrew. Along the way, I asked a woman to direct us towards the closest ATM. She obliged and I was able to share with Nicole what God is doing through Juventud Con Una Mision & Casas de Esperanza. Preparing to go our separate ways, we lifted our voices in prayer and hugged goodbye. As I walked into the market, I saw my friend, Thomas, from Friday’s visit to the Haitian community nearby. Although Thomas speaks six languages, he lives in a refugee village with his wife and baby girl (who turned one today). We were able to pick up where our conversation had ended just five days ago. Iron sharpens iron. The curiosity and wisdom that God can spark up between believers never ceases to blow me out of the water.

This journey I have begun with the Lord is starting to click. What am I doing here in this world? I am here to be filled with God’s love until my cup overflows and I pour it out to my neighbors. It’s all so simple, and I’ve let my mind overcomplicate the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

1 Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

Holiness is a commandment, but more than that it is a liberty we have access to when we make Christ the Lord of our lives. It is a privilege we gain when we stand in the authority we have as children of the Most High God. It is freedom to not be bound to sin, and holiness gives us a license not to be controlled by addictions or ruled by lust or envy or bitterness. It’s the most powerful thing in the world that when somebody treats you wrong, instead of treating them wrong back you can say, ‘Look, no one can manipulate me, nobody can tell me how to think. The devil can’t make me do this. No other person can provoke me into an ungodly situation, but through the power of the Holy Spirit, I can respond with a meek and gentle and quiet and peaceable spirit, under ALL circumstances.’


Pictures - Samila Oliveira - "Enslaved" Drama

One year ago, today, I did not comprehend God as anything but a term. I was clueless and indifferent when grasping this knowledge:
God speaks. God communicates. God pulls your eyes to verses of scripture when you’re reading your Bible; if they look extra clear to you, pray them aloud and ask God to make them come alive. God whispers to those who take time to respond to His pursuit of relationship. In my experience: for one moment, the world stands still and I am speechless as I catch one glimpse of the magnificence and grandeur of just how big God is. The complexity of it all is how I feel like everything makes sense, but only in that I am blissfully aware that I cannot comprehend the greatness of His Majesty. He literally blows my mind!
Jesus descended into Hell simply to take back the keys of death from Satan. The supremacy that we lost in the fall was restored when Jesus rose on the third day. He conquered death to reinstate authority and dominion to mankind. Because we follow Christ, the gospel of John tells us we will do more than what Jesus did (healings, miracles, wonders), because now the Son is with His Father, and they have sent the Holy Spirit those who invite Him to make His home in their heart.
The Holy Spirit is God, a person of the trinity who lives within my human body. He is not an imaginary friend. He is not silent. He has thoughts and emotions. Like God the Father, like God the Son.

Oh, how He loves us. A prophetic word was spoken over me earlier this month by my leader and dear friend, Heidi. She said to me that I had arrived in Hawai’i happy and carefree; but as I learn what it means to seek first the Kingdom of God, I have been made free, not just carefree, and been filled with a spirit of joy. This journey the Lord has led me on has altered me in inconceivable dimensions.. and my delight is simply that this is only the beginning. I can’t describe the immense love; I can’t vocalize the fire in my soul.
I once was lost, but now am found; was blind but now I see.
Amazing grace.

Pictures - Sammy Oliveira - "Enslaved Drama"
These photos were taken during a ministry outreach to the people of San Pedro, Dominican Republic. After the thirteen minute drama, I shared some of the ways the devil had 'enslaved' me to the sins of my past. The Lord gave me all the right words as I shared the message of the gospel and we saw many children give their hearts to Christ!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!