Swim Until You Can't See Land

Many of you have most likely heard what is going on in Chile. There was an 8 point earthquake that had hit it during the middle of the night on friday. This earthquake produced a tsunami like storm that was headed for Hawaii. On Saturday morning, I get a text at 5:58 am from my friend Lauryn in Costa Rica. She said, "I heard there was a tsunami warning for Hawaii..." By this time, I still haven't heard anything about what went on in Chile or anything, therefore I was very confused. Right when I closed my phone, the tsunami warning alarm went off in Kona. It was so loud that it woke up most everyone in our building. It was a frightening experience at the time because I had no idea the severity of the storm. For all I knew, it could come crashing down on the YWAM base at an instant. People began to calm us down and say it was ok and nothing was going to happen. I went back to my bed and tried to sleep, but the alarm went off every hour until 11 am. We had a meeting and it was expressed that the tsunami was going to hit Hilo, and then possibly that after flow would come around and hit us. We were on lockdown at the base until further noted. People got to the highest structure and began to watch the waves. After a few hours, nothing took place. Some people were disappointed that they couldn't see giant waves, and others were relieved. The day ended up being pretty anti-climactic. Everyone is safe here. The waters were probably even more calm than normal. But it is a relief that the tsunami didn't come and affect the islands. Therefore, from this affect, it is good to keep Chile in our prayers for hope and comfort from the devastation that has taken place there.

This past week, a guy by the name Steve Thompson, who wrote "You All Can Prophesy", and he was absolutely amazing! He was one of the best speakers I have heard before. I have never heard anyone that exploded their heart so much to us and in what they were talking about. He basically spoke on how we are all naturally supernatural because God made us from the dust of the earth, yet breathed in us His holy breath of life. He went illustrated a lot of biblical examples into language we can understand in ways we have never heard before. He was s super smart dude. I wish I could explain everything he talked about, but there was just so much that I am still comprehending. It was awesome!

Yesterday a couple of us guys went up with my school leader, Amy, to this place called Waimea. We explored some caves and jumped and danced around in some crazy wind...it was so beautiful. I continue to find so much beauty out here in Kona, although I am more of a mountain man. I am so blessed to be in this community if radical people. It is awesome.

I am not sure if you guys have heard yet or not, but March 4th is our school's deadline for having all of our outreach money in. I need about a final $3,000 or so to be completed. Thank you guys for your prayers thus far, but if you guys could continue to pray and see if you guys could help support me financially that would be awesome! Just let me know by email (the.daniel.york@gmail), on facebook, or phone (720-470-7906). You guys rock!

Looking Through A Grid

"A worldview is a commitment, a fundamental orientation of the heart, that can be expressed as a story or in a set of presuppositions (assumptions which may be true, partially true, or entirely false), which we hold (consciously or subconsciously, consistently or inconsistently) about the basic constitution of reality, and that provides the foundation on which we live and move and have our being." -James Sire

This past week, my school had a speaker named Tom Osterhus speaking on worldview. The quote above may not make too much sense, but that is primarily what we have been learning this week. And after being with Tom, it begins to make sense because he is dedicated to help us all understand. Tom has been much different from the other speakers. He was much more of a teacher than a speaker. Tom leads the SBFM (School of Biblical Foundations in Maui) at the YWAM base in Maui. He is very intellectual and really understands what he is speaking about. The first two days, he really spoke on how much the Word of God is the real truth and the importance of keeping that apart of our personal walk and ministry. The last two days he spoke on the primarily the secular worldview. This past week has been very fun, interesting, and convicting.

"We basically go and tell people to drop everything they believe and have been raised in understanding and tell them to come and follow out King. If they ask us why, we better know."
The word of God is so crucial to hold dear as we walk out and fulfill our destiny, whatever that may be. It doesn't matter what we end up doing, as long as the word is our basis, our textbook for life. We make the word interesting by introducing the Holy Spirit with it. That will be the only way we can express the genuine aspect of the bible.

That was just a gist of what Tom spoke on this week. Aside from the classes, this week has been radical. Yesterday, our class had a barbeque with pork made by some of the students who hunted the pig down and made it into our meal (sorry if that is gross to some of you). Hawaii still begins to amaze me. During this bbq, some of us went along the side of the ocean up on these rocks to where a "blow hole" was. A "blow hole/sink hole" is where you jump in and swim under a cave like structure and get pushed out the other side. It was exhilarating. I may have a video on my facebook about it, so check it out!

God is good. Thank you guys for your support and prayers! If you guys could continue to pray for my future and what comes after YWAM, that would be awesome. And if you could also pray about finances. The budget on my school is still in the works, but it looks like I will need about another $3,000 or so. So please pray that this money will come in. If you want to support me in any way, my email is at the top of my blog; email me or message me! That would be great! Thanks again!

-Daniel York

Awake Oh, Sleeper

The Flood by Daniel York

"A Single yet subtle innocent stream

Being nurtured day by day with downpours.

This will begin to expand at the seams;

This child like water right at its core.

Now beginning to look like lovely threats,

This stream expands in pure community

Tearing down walls and breaking off regret,

Ruining cities into pure beauty.

A flood, built only by hands of grace,

Overflows with a cleansing desire.

A desire to flood through and to chase

After those with a passion and fire.

Nations now ruined by a harsh, pure flood.

A flood that stole hearts away from the earth.

This world now covered with the gift of blood

Because a stream was destined to at birth."

This week, a man named Brian Brennt spoke out on deliverance and freedom. He was one of the most hilarious speakers I have ever heard. Normally, I am not a fan of speakers that make you laugh because I feel that is the only way that they win over their audience rather than expressing something authentic and genuine. But Brian Brennt truly spoke with a genuine heart towards the idea of truly experiencing freedom. On thursday, the 11th, Brian spoke out words that inspired my poem. He began to get so passionate about the idea of truly waking up and to stop living in passivity, for this generation is destined to do absolutely amazing things as long as we would just wake up! We stayed in our classroom for a solid 6 hours straight due to the impact of His speaking. It has been such a fun week. It was sort of difficult to listen to, but very much needed in my life.

On Friday, the 12th, we began to discuss opportunities of things to do after this particular DTS. There are so many options running through my mind, and it is sort of stressful trying to take things into my own hands in trying to figure out what I will actually be doing. But I know that if I just trust the Lord, He will lead me right where I need to be! If you guys could just continue to pray that the Lord will speak and make clear to me the next step after DTS, that would be absolutely radical! A couple of the options are doing Fire and Fragrance Phase 2. This is another 6+ month school that would be what I am learning now, but just more in depth that would start in July. It would be exciting to do this because of the community that is out here and how much I love Phase 1 already. Also, I have considered going home for however long. I was thinking possibly 6 months then maybe coming back to staff or something of that sort. Ireland has still been on my mind, but I feel that isn't going to happen right yet, just in case you guys were wondering. :) Either way, God will bring me wherever He needs me, and it will undoubtedly be exciting!

My hair is getting long by the way, just thought I would let most of you know! I can't wait for it to keep growing. I wish it was growing faster, but oh well! Also, Hawaii is still as nice as before. The sunsets, beaches, and warm weather never seems to get old. We will just have to see the change when I go to Amsterdam for my outreach! :) Thanks guys for your prayers and support! Continue to let me know if you feel like you could help support financially as well! Contact me on facebook or email (the.daniel.york@gmail.com)

God bless you guys!

-Daniel York

Moving Mountains

Hey guys, thanks for your prayers in everything going on this week, especially with finances. The Lord has really provided this week. I got my down-payments in and now am looking to raise around another $1,500-$2,000 for the rest of my school/outreach! So thank you for your prayers and continue to pray and see if there is any way for you to support. You can email me, facebook message me, or call me if you have questions.

This week has been truly amazing. Amy Sollars, my other school leader, spoke on the Holy Spirit. Amy is one of the most gifted people I know. Her walk with the Lord is incredible, which is why she decided to speak on the Holy Spirit, because she is so in tune to Him everyday. She spoke on spiritual gifts in the Holy Spirit, which consisted of Faith, Miracles, Healing, Prophecy, Wisdom, and many more. We began to experience these gifts igniting in us and believing that we have the access to these gifts through the Holy Spirit set on the foundation of God's love for us. For what is a gift that isn't from love? What is power that isn't from love? We began to encounter the Holy Spirit more and more. On Monday nights, we have outreach nights, which is basically where my school hosts a night of worship for everyone. This past monday was one of the most amazing times I have ever experiences. The Holy Spirit began to really encounter people and embrace them where they were.

We began to also understand the language of God and how He speaks through dreams, visions, and words. It has been a humbling, yet awesome experience learning how to discern the still small voice of God. This week has just been encouraging and fun understanding that God wants to use us for great things, and He will use us in crazy, supernatural ways. It has been a week of testing and encouragement.

Last night (friday) my other school leader, Andy Byrd, spoke on purity, and it was one of the most convincing talks on purity I have heard yet. Everyone out here wants to see breakthrough in the body of Christ. We sometimes forget that confessing these impurities into the light, darkness can no longer have a hold on them. We are a body of Christ, and we should not only move as a hungry body, but as a pure body to show Christ's freedom!

I wish I could explain in every detail what has been happening this week, but that would take quite a few blog posts. But I just want to let you guys all know that I am truly being moved out here. It has been such an awesome experience understanding freedom in God. Hawaii is still just as beautiful and everyone out here is so awesome. But thanks you guys for your continual prayer and support. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to still email me or message me. I would love to hear what you guys are thinking! Thanks for keeping posted. Can't wait to hear what is going on where you guys are!

-Daniel York (the.daniel.york@gmail.com)

Possible, Impossible

Hey guys, just a quick update...

As most of you know, I found out I am going to Amsterdam/Germany for my outreach, and I am so excited and anticipating great things.

By February 4th, I have to have the first $2,500 in. I have no doubt that it will come in. I am just doing the possible so that God can do the impossible. I would be so appreciative if you guys could just pray that these finances will come in. I already am so blessed by your prayer and support thus far, but if you could continue to pray that everything will come in by the deadline and pray if you can support financially in any way. Either way, you guys have blessed me, so thank you again.

Contact me if you have any questions or want to support financially either on my facebook, my blog, or my email, which is the.daniel.york@gmail.com

Thanks guys, God bless

-Daniel York

Reaching Out

"For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." -Romans 8:20-21

This verse perfectly describes my desire for revival in Amsterdam/Germany, which is where I found out I am going on outreach as of today! God amazed me with a vision for this place. I pictured Europe, primarily Amsterdam, in a big globe, sort of like a snow globe. After seeing this, Europe looked like a dark place. All of the sudden a hole came through it and shone this bright light. This light resembled the hope of Jesus. I then couldn't wait to see the look on their faces when they realize there is true hope when originally they are so drowned by the culture and materialism represented there.

The plan is to primarily be out in Amsterdam, but then move on up to Berlin, Prague, some places I haven't heard of yet, possibly Switzerland, then back to Amsterdam. It will be a fulfilling time, I just know it. I have about 9 people in my outreach with 2 leaders as well. I cannot wait to see how the Lord will move. If you guys would continue to pray that finances work out and that all the detail of the trip will come together, that would be so awesome. There is a lot of preparation involved even now for the trip, but I know it will all work out according to the will of God.

The outreach will be $4,000-6,000. I have no doubt that this money will come in, but it is all by the grace of God that this will happen. I know it is where I am supposed to be, so either way, I am excited for this trip more than you even know!

Aside from outreach information, God is doing more amazing things this week. Yesterday, I saw a girl get out of her wheelchair by God's healing! It was amazing. She was helped by two other people, but she walked more than she has before, and the excitement on her face was worth it all! Also, her mom's ears had problems, and they were healed on the spot from partial deafness. It is absolutely amazing to see. Everyday, our class goes to the prayer room from 1-3. It is 2 straight hours of worship and prayer. Yesterday, a man named Joe, one of the most amazingly awesome dudes out here, came up to me and said, "I know this may seem weird, but I need you to interpret this for me." So he began to speak in another language. As I was hearing this, I began to freak out, not knowing at all what he was saying. So I began to pray, and God spoke to me words to tell directly to Joe, whether it be the interpretation or not. After basically speaking over him that he has the joy of Christ, he jumped up and down, laughing and crying! It was one of the most amazing experiences I have had! God is faithful!

God is speaking revelation out here. He is faithful, even when we aren't. He is bigger than anything we have experienced. We just need to rest in him, and He will give us revelation over out lives. Yesterday as well, I remember falling over, being hit with the sense of peace from God. It was the most peaceful feeling I have ever had. I think God was saying to me that he wanted me to rest in Him, and not get so caught up on asking him for so many things. God will bring these things when we have an intimate posture of rest with Him.

I am so excited for what God is doing and will continue to do. Thank you guys so much for your prayers and support. I can't wait to tell you even more about what is going on out here! I love you guys. God bless

-Daniel York

We Be Talkin Bout LIfe

God has an awesome sense of humor when putting me with roommates from Norway, Sweden, Alaska, Canada, Michigan, and Korea, especially the particular ones that he placed me with. Leif and Andreas are from Norway and are hilarious, awesome dudes. Jon is from Sweden and acts like a mega tourist. These three guys speak in a Scandinavian language that is super hard to understand, but makes this experience all the more interesting. Jae Lee is from Alaska and translates for our English as a Second Language student, Hwa Yong from South Korea. He is such a man of God, but I can't understand a word he says, which is awesome. Joel from Michigan and Mario from Canada are the only guys in my school in my room. These guys are awesome to hang with and am blessed by their encouraging attitudes.

Andy Byrd, my school leader, has been speaking for my classes this week. His teachings move me in amazing ways. His first talk was on the pure love of God, and how real and pure it truly is. No love can even compare to the love that God has for us. It has been amazing living not off the foundation of a striving love for Christ, but living off of a foundation of His absolutely pure love for us, which will indefinitely have me longing to love him as equally as great, which is impossible. I have been seeing how over 37 nations are represented and how all of us live in this community of love, based on God's love for us.

Kona is an absolutely beautiful island. I have fallen in love with the ocean (who wouldn't?), palm trees, and pineapples. I have been moved by the awesome creation that is right in front of me. The leaders and staff for my school are all truly amazing. We found out our outreach options today, which is exciting. The possibilities are Afghanistan, China/Japan, Europe, US along the East Coast, Guam/New Zealand, and possibly Haiti. We will find out for sure where we go on Friday, so I will keep you posted.

In the famous words of Jay-Z, "We Be Talkin' Bout Life". And that is truly what we have been discussing these past few days. Life based on the foundation of a truer love than anything ever experienced. We are living in a Daniel generation: strictly living a posture of intimate revelation with God and his love. If this doesn't make sense...I would be more than happy to elaborate more about what I have been learning here with you. It is crazy to think that this teaching was only the first day.