This is a powerful quote from a very powerful sermon given in 1880 by C.H. Spurgeon. You can read the whole sermon here: http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols25-27/chs1528.pdf.
We do not pity men who have performed daring exploits, nor may we pity those servants of God who suffered the utmost cruelties, but now rest from their labors and wear their honors in Heaven. The question is—Can you aspire to take a place among them? To be a true Christian is no small thing and, before you pretend to be a follower of Jesus, count the cost! Are you willing to endure temptation without yielding? Can you scorn the world’s bribes and defy its threats? Will you set your face like a flint for Christ and holiness? Has Grace made you a lion-like man? Have you a strong determination worked in you by the Holy Spirit? If not, you may run well for a time, but you will turn back and prove an apostate. I pray God that you may be of that noble stock which the Lord has chosen and may have in you that noble nature which only the Holy Spirit can impart, so that, though you shall be tempted, you shall hold out till life’s last hour, invincible through the Grace of God!
AMEN!
March 26, 2012
February 10, 2012
One Amazing Year
Wow, time flies when you're having fun!!! I have officially been an immigrant in Canada for 1 year now, and while that's amazing, what's even more amazing is how much God has grown me, shaped me, and blessed me in this last year!
A belated Happy 1st Anniversary post to my amazing husband.
When I walked down the aisle to become your wife, I never imagined the amazing things God would begin to make out of our life together. I had all of these dreams about making friends with you in our (my) new hometown, joining a young marrieds ministry, and just continuing to do life as I had been before we were together, just doing it with you.
My dreams and hopes were so shallow compared to all that God has had in store for us! He is truly the God "who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us"!!!! (Ephesians 3:20) Through your leadership of our small family, God has taught me so much about devotion (spiritual and relational), passion for His Word, living as a sacrifice, and honoring God above all else.
You are such a brilliant, shining example of what God can and will do with a heart that is fully abandoned to Him! He has made you my greatest blessing, next to the Lord Jesus; you are my best friend, my leader, my provider, my challenger, my partner, my brother for eternity. I cherish the many wonderful memories of our first year together, and I look forward to all God will continue to do in, for, and through us!!
Thank you for letting the Lord build our house, so that we do not labor in vain. (Ps. 127:1)
I love you, Darlin'! AF ED NMW!
A belated Happy 1st Anniversary post to my amazing husband.
When I walked down the aisle to become your wife, I never imagined the amazing things God would begin to make out of our life together. I had all of these dreams about making friends with you in our (my) new hometown, joining a young marrieds ministry, and just continuing to do life as I had been before we were together, just doing it with you.
My dreams and hopes were so shallow compared to all that God has had in store for us! He is truly the God "who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us"!!!! (Ephesians 3:20) Through your leadership of our small family, God has taught me so much about devotion (spiritual and relational), passion for His Word, living as a sacrifice, and honoring God above all else.
You are such a brilliant, shining example of what God can and will do with a heart that is fully abandoned to Him! He has made you my greatest blessing, next to the Lord Jesus; you are my best friend, my leader, my provider, my challenger, my partner, my brother for eternity. I cherish the many wonderful memories of our first year together, and I look forward to all God will continue to do in, for, and through us!!
Thank you for letting the Lord build our house, so that we do not labor in vain. (Ps. 127:1)
I love you, Darlin'! AF ED NMW!
November 24, 2011
The Practice of the Presence of God
Last night at small group we were encouraged to read "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk. Comprised of both "conversations with" and "letters from" Bro. Lawrence, it is chock full of incredible thoughts on how, why, and when we ought to practice being in God's presence. Below are the thoughts that stuck out to me in my first read through the conversations, several of which are things I have been recently learning from the Lord.
Written from a 3rd person perspective as an account of another man's conversations with him:
Brother Lawrence told me...
That we ought to give ourselves up to GOD, with regard both to things temporal and spiritual, and seek our satisfaction only in the fulfilling His will, whether He lead us by suffering or by consolation, for all would be equal to a soul truly resigned.
That he expected after the pleasant days GOD had given him, he should have his turn of pain and suffering; but that he was not uneasy about it, knowing very well, that as he could do nothing of himself, GOD would not fail to give him the strength to bear them.
That useless thoughts spoil all: that the mischief began there; but that we ought to reject them, as soon as we perceived their impertinence to the matter in hand, or our salvation; and return to our communion with GOD.
That he had no scruples; for, said he, when I fail in my duty, I readily acknowledge it, saying, I am used to do so: I shall never do otherwise, if I am left to myself. If I fail not, then I give GOD thanks, acknowledging that it comes from Him.
That there needed neither art nor science for going to GOD, but only a heart resolutely determined to apply itself to nothing but Him, or for His sake, and to love Him only.
That we need only to recognize GOD intimately present with us, to address ourselves to Him every moment, that we may beg His assistance for knowing His will in things doubtful, and for rightly performing those which we plainly see He requires of us, offering them to Him before we do them, and giving Him thanks when we have done.
That our sanctification did not depend upon changing our works, but in doing that for GOD's sake, which we commonly do for our own. That it was lamentable to see how many people mistook the means for the end, addicting themselves to certain works, which they performed very imperfectly, by reason of their human or selfish regards.
That the end we ought to propose to ourselves is to become, in this life, the most perfect worshipers of GOD we can possibly be, as we hope to be through all eternity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"O my GOD, since Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, I beseech Thee to grant me the grace to continue in Thy Presence; and to this end do Thou prosper me with Thy assistance, receive all my works, and possess all my affections."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amen, O Lord. Amen.
November 2, 2011
The Lord Confirmed The Message
The main point of this post is to express my deep thanks to God for my husband, but I must first start with Paul and Barnabas.
I am currently studying Acts of the Apostles in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). This is my second year, having had BSF-Trial-By-Fire last year in the study of Isaiah. This study of Acts has been so interesting, having so much to do with the work of the Holy Spirit and His empowerment in our lives to be Christ's ambassadors.
This week's lesson was on Chapter 14, which records the conclusion of Paul's first missionary journey. This chapter tells us about Paul and Barnabas witnessing to the grace of Christ in the pagan cities of Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. In the first city, Iconium, they are speaking to a mixed crowd of Jews and (Greek) Gentiles. Many believed, but some of the unbelieving Jews stir up the crowd and "poison their minds".
Paul and Barnabas could have looked at this situation and just decided there were many other places that would be more receptive to the Gospel, and that they would be better used of God to just move on. Instead, they heeded the Spirit's urging to stay, and not just stay, but spend considerable time there. They stayed there,
I will get back to Paul and Barnabas in a moment, but I must interject here with some absolute praise to God for giving me a husband who so often and so ably speaks boldly for the Lord. He doesn't just do it to strangers in a foreign city (though I'm sure he would if given the opportunity). I have been watching him in the last few months be incredibly bold when speaking to his father, his brothers and sister, and several cousins who show a genuine desire for Truth. I believe the Lord will do as He did with Paul and Barnabas and confirm the message of His grace in the hearts of these people--perhaps not through signs and wonders as we think of them, but I can testify to the fact that listening to him weave the gospel and logic with such wisdom is a wonder. As with the apostles, the result is not up to Rob, but up to the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful and proud of him for speaking with greater concern for these people's eternal relationship with God than any possible rending of his relationship with them here and now.
As I write here, he is on the phone with his cousin who, after seeing her pictures on facebook two nights ago, stayed up two hours past when he wanted to be in bed to write her a very clear, detailed, and bold message on facebook, encouraging her to turn to God and away from the pit she's sliding into. She wrote back and asked to talk to him, and he's been on the phone for at least an hour. Praise you, Oh God, who have by Your Spirit empowered your son Rob to bear witness to the Truth of Your Word! Soften A's heart! May the light that You are shedding on her heart right now illuminate her desperate need for you!!!
Okay, so back to the apostles, the ones who did this best (next to Jesus) and gave us such awesome examples of personal surrender to God's will. They eventually moved on from Iconium, when they discovered (most likely by the discernment of the Spirit) that those in that town had hatched a plot to kill them. They escaped and moved on to witness in Lystra. It is here that Paul is nearly stoned to death. Then he does the unthinkable:
I'm not sure that I have a clear conclusion to this post. I just wanted to write about how thankful I am for the Spirit witnessing through my husband, for getting to see it and learn from Him/him every time, and to share about the amazing work that God did at the start of the church and continues to do in our day! May we all be that devoted, that committed to the cause of Christ!!
~Stephanie
I am currently studying Acts of the Apostles in BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). This is my second year, having had BSF-Trial-By-Fire last year in the study of Isaiah. This study of Acts has been so interesting, having so much to do with the work of the Holy Spirit and His empowerment in our lives to be Christ's ambassadors.
This week's lesson was on Chapter 14, which records the conclusion of Paul's first missionary journey. This chapter tells us about Paul and Barnabas witnessing to the grace of Christ in the pagan cities of Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. In the first city, Iconium, they are speaking to a mixed crowd of Jews and (Greek) Gentiles. Many believed, but some of the unbelieving Jews stir up the crowd and "poison their minds".
Paul and Barnabas could have looked at this situation and just decided there were many other places that would be more receptive to the Gospel, and that they would be better used of God to just move on. Instead, they heeded the Spirit's urging to stay, and not just stay, but spend considerable time there. They stayed there,
"...speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders." (vs. 3)
I will get back to Paul and Barnabas in a moment, but I must interject here with some absolute praise to God for giving me a husband who so often and so ably speaks boldly for the Lord. He doesn't just do it to strangers in a foreign city (though I'm sure he would if given the opportunity). I have been watching him in the last few months be incredibly bold when speaking to his father, his brothers and sister, and several cousins who show a genuine desire for Truth. I believe the Lord will do as He did with Paul and Barnabas and confirm the message of His grace in the hearts of these people--perhaps not through signs and wonders as we think of them, but I can testify to the fact that listening to him weave the gospel and logic with such wisdom is a wonder. As with the apostles, the result is not up to Rob, but up to the Holy Spirit. I am so thankful and proud of him for speaking with greater concern for these people's eternal relationship with God than any possible rending of his relationship with them here and now.
As I write here, he is on the phone with his cousin who, after seeing her pictures on facebook two nights ago, stayed up two hours past when he wanted to be in bed to write her a very clear, detailed, and bold message on facebook, encouraging her to turn to God and away from the pit she's sliding into. She wrote back and asked to talk to him, and he's been on the phone for at least an hour. Praise you, Oh God, who have by Your Spirit empowered your son Rob to bear witness to the Truth of Your Word! Soften A's heart! May the light that You are shedding on her heart right now illuminate her desperate need for you!!!
Okay, so back to the apostles, the ones who did this best (next to Jesus) and gave us such awesome examples of personal surrender to God's will. They eventually moved on from Iconium, when they discovered (most likely by the discernment of the Spirit) that those in that town had hatched a plot to kill them. They escaped and moved on to witness in Lystra. It is here that Paul is nearly stoned to death. Then he does the unthinkable:
"...he got up and went back into the city..."Could I do this? Could I return immediately to those who had just stoned me practically to death, and then dragged my body out of the city to avoid being defiled by a dead body (a head-scratcher of an oxymoron in Jewish culture)?
(Acts 14:20)
I'm not sure that I have a clear conclusion to this post. I just wanted to write about how thankful I am for the Spirit witnessing through my husband, for getting to see it and learn from Him/him every time, and to share about the amazing work that God did at the start of the church and continues to do in our day! May we all be that devoted, that committed to the cause of Christ!!
~Stephanie
October 28, 2011
Life Update
God does not always give us what we ask for, and He doesn't always give us the reasons why, but He does give us Himself. ~Dr. Henry Schorr
Amen!! My spirit sang praises at the truth of this statement! Take a moment. Meditate on it. Let His goodness and faithfulness soak into your heart. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us Yourself.
So much has happened in the **yikes** almost 6 months since I last posted. Here's the short version:
I believe I've mentioned in past posts about how much of a temper I have and how difficult it is for me to curb the words that fly out of my mouth when I'm angry. God really started hammering away on this sin in my life. I can't claim full victory (yet) but I am so excited to see the changes He's made so far!
It began with this verse:
The next thing the Lord impressed upon my heart (I'm sure in response to my incomprehensible ramblings about how impossible it seemed) was this: "Step by step. Walk with Me step by step." He was really reminding me that the road to holiness is straight, long, and steep. I will stumble. But He will be right there with me, helping me up for the next step in the right direction.
May the Lord bless you as you seek His face, for He promises to be found by you!
Love in the Lamb,
Stephanie
Amen!! My spirit sang praises at the truth of this statement! Take a moment. Meditate on it. Let His goodness and faithfulness soak into your heart. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for giving us Yourself.
Philippians 2:6-8Hallelujah!
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!
So much has happened in the **yikes** almost 6 months since I last posted. Here's the short version:
- In May I started babysitting for a friend from Bible study who was expecting their 2nd child.
- My parents and grandparents came to visit and we enjoyed our first trip to the Calgary Stampede along with a second wedding reception for all of Rob's family and friends.
- In mid-July my friend randomly showed me and Rob the empty apartment suite in their basement.
- 3 days later, Rob's dad told us we needed to move out.
- July 31 we moved into said basement suite and SO ENJOY having our own place.
- Baby #2 upstairs was just born three weeks ago and the mom's God-parents from Vancouver are staying in our extra bedroom for 2 months (a condition of our moving into the apartment).
- I just returned from 2 weeks in Kansas with my parents, during which time we traveled to Nashville to see Wesley and Courtney. I also got to spend some time with my sweet sister Jasmine.
- Today we celebrate 9 amazing months of marriage!!
I believe I've mentioned in past posts about how much of a temper I have and how difficult it is for me to curb the words that fly out of my mouth when I'm angry. God really started hammering away on this sin in my life. I can't claim full victory (yet) but I am so excited to see the changes He's made so far!
It began with this verse:
1 Peter 3:4I told the Lord, "I don't feel like my spirit is gentle or quiet. In fact, I often feel a bit more like a hurricane that just blows in and out and leaves a lot of destruction or confusion in my wake." God began to show me that having a gentle and quiet spirit doesn't mean that I suddenly become a quiet person (volume-wise.) Because that's not who He made me! He made me to be a joyful, boisterous, excited-about-life woman! But I can be all of that with a spirit that is gentle (by discernment seeks the needs and hurts of others and prays for them) and quiet (listens for the direction, prompting and correction of the Holy Spirit).
Rather, it [your beauty] should be that of your inner self, the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
The next thing the Lord impressed upon my heart (I'm sure in response to my incomprehensible ramblings about how impossible it seemed) was this: "Step by step. Walk with Me step by step." He was really reminding me that the road to holiness is straight, long, and steep. I will stumble. But He will be right there with me, helping me up for the next step in the right direction.
So I have been walking with Him, step by step. And at the end of every week, I see greater victory in my life! I am less frustrated less often, and my tongue gets away from me with less and less frequency. Praise the name of our Holy Lord, who consistently refines us like silver!Psalm 37:23-24
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Psalm 17:3bThat's all the update I'll give for now. The bathroom desperately needs cleaning after my 2 week absence. :)
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress
May the Lord bless you as you seek His face, for He promises to be found by you!
Love in the Lamb,
Stephanie
May 9, 2011
Growing Pains
I want to update my blog and explain all that God has been doing in my life. But I'm staring at the screen totally unsure of where to begin. Lord, may this post and my imperfect strivings for holiness bring You glory.
Last time I posted, we were just under the 1 month of marriage mark--now we are well past 3 months! Time is absolutely flying. I've been told much over these last few months about the joys and trials that are "normal" in the first year of marriage. I wonder--will we continue to grow at the exponential rate we have the last few months? I pray it is so. The growth has been wonderful, painful, awesome, terrifying, and amazing. God has proven Himself so faithful time and again both in our relationship and in my own walk with Him. I pray this "season of change" is not dulled or ended with the passing of time. I want to walk in constant change, constant refining, until I am carried into His perfect presence!
There have been lots of tears in my life of late, but amazingly, God has even been refining the reasons for my tears. Of course, there are the tears of homesickness. There are tears for my mistakes, the ways I hurt both my Lord and my husband. There are tears of longing for dreams that I am daily surrendering to my sweet Jesus. But I had an amazing experience at Easter that I would like to try to relate...
I married a man who has an amazingly tender heart toward Jesus. I love Jesus with all my heart, absolutely! But I have had few experiences in my life where I have cried simply out of sheer depth of gratitude. Tears always seem to have selfish motives around them. Anyway, there were times as we "dated" and were engaged when he would be in tears over what Jesus went through for us...and I wanted that. I wanted to be so broken with thankfulness that I couldn't hold back the tears. I wanted a better heart understanding of the nails in His hands and feet.
For Easter this year, we did something VERY different (for me). We attended the Easter Vigil at a large Catholic cathedral downtown. It began at 9:30 pm Easter Eve and went for three hours. I won't lie, I was NOT excited about going to this service. I'm not a night person, and I was dreading trying to stay awake on the hard pew that late at night. Also, I've never "gotten anything out of" a mass. But we went, and the Spirit of God moved in my heart in incredible ways! I won't go into detail about how the service was conducted, but in that three hour period, the Lord broke my heart for Him, and then He healed me with joy so uncontainable that I was sitting there with a huge grin on my face! It was an incredible experience with my precious Jesus--I hope perhaps we can celebrate Easter that way again next year!
The change from being single to being married is like the difference between looking at a flower on the window and then putting it under a powerful microscope. There is no escaping the real me anymore. I can't put on a show for the world and let them believe that I'm a strong, mature, healthy Christian. Living with Rob has forced me to allow another person in during those private moments when I don't think like Christ, act like Christ, speak like Christ, or look anything like Christ. I don't know how different this experience would have been if we'd had more time in person before we got married--and it doesn't really matter. This is the journey the Lord is leading us on, and already in my own life He has used Rob to hack through some pretty enormous briers and bushes in our path.
Pride
The deep cause of all sins lies in this: pride. And boy, have I been a greenhouse for various and sundry bits of pride to take root and grow. For a while, I was praying, asking the Lord to give me patience as I deal with Rob. I was tired of blowing up at him for little things or reacting in petty, immature ways to something I didn't like. I wanted patience!! Finally, God quietly pointed out to me (through Rob) that patience was not going to solve the problem--it was only going to break the weed off at the stem, leaving the roots intact. To be patient would only cover up the pride for a time. God told me to look for the cause of my illness, not just try to eradicate the symptoms. I realized in this that what I needed wasn't patience. What I needed was humility. From the heart of a humble person will stem no frustration, anger, strife, or whining. To grow in humility was to pull pride out by the roots and plant in its place something beautiful and nourishing. I am by no means yet a humble woman. But God is refining me. Praise His Holy Name!!!
Submission
Any other lesson the Lord has been teaching me as ultimately had to stem out of the lessons in humility. I cannot submit to Rob as my husband if I am pridefully thinking that I have a better way to do things. I must learn in humility to look at him as the incredible blessing that he is--my head, my leader, and my love. He truly is so worthy of the position God has placed him in. He seeks the Lord naturally. Honestly, when I can get rid of my pride, I have very little problem submitting to him in all things, because I know he is in turn seeking the leadership of Lord Jesus. And when I say in all things, I include things like letting him drive (though my pride would convince me I'm better and safer in the driver's seat) and, eventually, making the tough decision of where we will settle down and begin our family.
That last one has been a huge hurdle for me, not primarily in submitting to Rob but in submitting to the Lord. What if what He's planned as best for us does not line up with my deep-set heart desires? Can I still follow Rob in love and walk in faith with him? That's a daily burden that I am having to surrender. "Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow you."
Time
One of the main questions I get asked is what I do with myself since I can't work. This has been an awesome area in my life to watch God grow me and teach me. My time is not mine. Every moment belongs to Him, and though I may not be out in the world doing great things for His kingdom, He has purposed in His heart to use me here, now, in this place, in all of this free time I have. Some days he has me cleaning, cooking, and in other ways serving my husband and his dad/wife, with whom we live. But in the last few weeks, He's also begun presenting me with some awesome opportunities to serve others as well.
I began last weekend to interpret a Saturday night church service at a church across town (not the one we attend). The Deaf woman has had very little, if any, discipleship since she became a believer last August. I am so excited to work with her and be involved in her growth as a baby Christian. Also, as evidence that God blesses us when we serve him with a surrendered heart, He's made this opportunity one that will drastically grow and challenge my signing/interpreting skills. The woman, *T*, is a skilled signer, and I can't wait to spend more time chatting with her!
I've been involved in a Bible study since I arrived in Calgary, and one of the women in my group has only been able to come twice since I got here. She has an almost-three-year-old and, at almost-forty, just found out she's pregnant again (not planned, not expected)! She's been struggling a lot with this whole situation, and her husband is currently working two jobs that keep him out of town for days at a time. I've been blessed to have the time to offer her an extra pair of hands for whatever she may need. Today and Friday I will be entertaining her little one so she can get some other stuff done, or maybe just nap!! I'm so grateful to be able to be so free for offering my time, skills, and help to others the Lord is bringing into my life!
Well, I know there are many other things I could relay that the Lord is doing in me. I know, too, that I can't see or fathom all He really has going on here. I pray He continues to humble me, grow me, and change me more into the image of His Son. May He be with you today, bringing you peace in your storms, joy in your sorrows, and healing in your pain!
Love in the Lamb,
Stephanie
Last time I posted, we were just under the 1 month of marriage mark--now we are well past 3 months! Time is absolutely flying. I've been told much over these last few months about the joys and trials that are "normal" in the first year of marriage. I wonder--will we continue to grow at the exponential rate we have the last few months? I pray it is so. The growth has been wonderful, painful, awesome, terrifying, and amazing. God has proven Himself so faithful time and again both in our relationship and in my own walk with Him. I pray this "season of change" is not dulled or ended with the passing of time. I want to walk in constant change, constant refining, until I am carried into His perfect presence!
There have been lots of tears in my life of late, but amazingly, God has even been refining the reasons for my tears. Of course, there are the tears of homesickness. There are tears for my mistakes, the ways I hurt both my Lord and my husband. There are tears of longing for dreams that I am daily surrendering to my sweet Jesus. But I had an amazing experience at Easter that I would like to try to relate...
I married a man who has an amazingly tender heart toward Jesus. I love Jesus with all my heart, absolutely! But I have had few experiences in my life where I have cried simply out of sheer depth of gratitude. Tears always seem to have selfish motives around them. Anyway, there were times as we "dated" and were engaged when he would be in tears over what Jesus went through for us...and I wanted that. I wanted to be so broken with thankfulness that I couldn't hold back the tears. I wanted a better heart understanding of the nails in His hands and feet.
For Easter this year, we did something VERY different (for me). We attended the Easter Vigil at a large Catholic cathedral downtown. It began at 9:30 pm Easter Eve and went for three hours. I won't lie, I was NOT excited about going to this service. I'm not a night person, and I was dreading trying to stay awake on the hard pew that late at night. Also, I've never "gotten anything out of" a mass. But we went, and the Spirit of God moved in my heart in incredible ways! I won't go into detail about how the service was conducted, but in that three hour period, the Lord broke my heart for Him, and then He healed me with joy so uncontainable that I was sitting there with a huge grin on my face! It was an incredible experience with my precious Jesus--I hope perhaps we can celebrate Easter that way again next year!
The change from being single to being married is like the difference between looking at a flower on the window and then putting it under a powerful microscope. There is no escaping the real me anymore. I can't put on a show for the world and let them believe that I'm a strong, mature, healthy Christian. Living with Rob has forced me to allow another person in during those private moments when I don't think like Christ, act like Christ, speak like Christ, or look anything like Christ. I don't know how different this experience would have been if we'd had more time in person before we got married--and it doesn't really matter. This is the journey the Lord is leading us on, and already in my own life He has used Rob to hack through some pretty enormous briers and bushes in our path.
Pride
James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
The deep cause of all sins lies in this: pride. And boy, have I been a greenhouse for various and sundry bits of pride to take root and grow. For a while, I was praying, asking the Lord to give me patience as I deal with Rob. I was tired of blowing up at him for little things or reacting in petty, immature ways to something I didn't like. I wanted patience!! Finally, God quietly pointed out to me (through Rob) that patience was not going to solve the problem--it was only going to break the weed off at the stem, leaving the roots intact. To be patient would only cover up the pride for a time. God told me to look for the cause of my illness, not just try to eradicate the symptoms. I realized in this that what I needed wasn't patience. What I needed was humility. From the heart of a humble person will stem no frustration, anger, strife, or whining. To grow in humility was to pull pride out by the roots and plant in its place something beautiful and nourishing. I am by no means yet a humble woman. But God is refining me. Praise His Holy Name!!!
Submission
Ephesians 5:22-23a Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church...
Any other lesson the Lord has been teaching me as ultimately had to stem out of the lessons in humility. I cannot submit to Rob as my husband if I am pridefully thinking that I have a better way to do things. I must learn in humility to look at him as the incredible blessing that he is--my head, my leader, and my love. He truly is so worthy of the position God has placed him in. He seeks the Lord naturally. Honestly, when I can get rid of my pride, I have very little problem submitting to him in all things, because I know he is in turn seeking the leadership of Lord Jesus. And when I say in all things, I include things like letting him drive (though my pride would convince me I'm better and safer in the driver's seat) and, eventually, making the tough decision of where we will settle down and begin our family.
That last one has been a huge hurdle for me, not primarily in submitting to Rob but in submitting to the Lord. What if what He's planned as best for us does not line up with my deep-set heart desires? Can I still follow Rob in love and walk in faith with him? That's a daily burden that I am having to surrender. "Where you go, I'll go. Where you stay, I'll stay. When you move, I'll move. I will follow you."
Time
Psalm 31:15a My times are in your hands...
One of the main questions I get asked is what I do with myself since I can't work. This has been an awesome area in my life to watch God grow me and teach me. My time is not mine. Every moment belongs to Him, and though I may not be out in the world doing great things for His kingdom, He has purposed in His heart to use me here, now, in this place, in all of this free time I have. Some days he has me cleaning, cooking, and in other ways serving my husband and his dad/wife, with whom we live. But in the last few weeks, He's also begun presenting me with some awesome opportunities to serve others as well.
I began last weekend to interpret a Saturday night church service at a church across town (not the one we attend). The Deaf woman has had very little, if any, discipleship since she became a believer last August. I am so excited to work with her and be involved in her growth as a baby Christian. Also, as evidence that God blesses us when we serve him with a surrendered heart, He's made this opportunity one that will drastically grow and challenge my signing/interpreting skills. The woman, *T*, is a skilled signer, and I can't wait to spend more time chatting with her!
I've been involved in a Bible study since I arrived in Calgary, and one of the women in my group has only been able to come twice since I got here. She has an almost-three-year-old and, at almost-forty, just found out she's pregnant again (not planned, not expected)! She's been struggling a lot with this whole situation, and her husband is currently working two jobs that keep him out of town for days at a time. I've been blessed to have the time to offer her an extra pair of hands for whatever she may need. Today and Friday I will be entertaining her little one so she can get some other stuff done, or maybe just nap!! I'm so grateful to be able to be so free for offering my time, skills, and help to others the Lord is bringing into my life!
Well, I know there are many other things I could relay that the Lord is doing in me. I know, too, that I can't see or fathom all He really has going on here. I pray He continues to humble me, grow me, and change me more into the image of His Son. May He be with you today, bringing you peace in your storms, joy in your sorrows, and healing in your pain!
Love in the Lamb,
Stephanie
February 23, 2011
I am the Lord; No One is like Me
Our lecture at Bible study today was awesome. I'm not sure that I can accurately explain all that the Lord impressed upon my heart, but here it goes. Father, I pray you use these words to make clear to any reading hearts Your Truth. You see them where they are, you know their needs, and you can use these truths to teach, challenge, and encourage them. Have Your way.
Isaiah is constantly speaking out against false prophets and false idols of his day. Perhaps as in no time since then, we are now living in a society that has returned to Babylonian religion. More people than ever are visiting fortune tellers, palm readers, tarot card readers, horoscopes, angel readers....you name it, people will pay to hear "prophecy" of where their life is headed. However, God's point in much of chapters 42-45 of Isaiah is that the idols of the people have made no prophecies that have actually come true; in contrast, every word God has spoken has thus far come to pass. So:
Fortune tellers predict what will happen. God promises what will happen.
Now, in the particular passage we read this last week, God calls Cyrus, King of Persia, to be the contemporary savior of His people from their captivity in Babylon......only he calls this king by name 150 years before he was born!
The last real point of this section of scripture dealt with the concept of questioning God. We've all been there at one time or another...why did this happen? What are you doing, God? What's going on?! The people in Isaiah's time were not questioning God out of a spirit of need, desire for his will, or even simply a desire for understanding? They were "quarreling" with their Maker; the hebrew word for quarrel here indicates rage-filled, accusatory questioning. Ultimately, we are welcomed to be open with our Heavenly Father. We are welcome to bring our questions and our needs before him. However, we are not to question his character. We can, though, question his purpose; these questions actually indicate our faith when we ask, believing that we serve a God who is capable of answering!
Regardless of whom you depend on and spend your time on in this world, even with good purpose: serving your husband, teaching your children, getting to know a boyfriend or girlfriend....our lecturer said: "The greatest children, husbands, and boyfriends still make very poor gods." Serve and honor the One and Only, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He will take your hand and guide you until at last you arrive at his throne in the eternal Kingdom. Praise be to our God!
Isaiah is constantly speaking out against false prophets and false idols of his day. Perhaps as in no time since then, we are now living in a society that has returned to Babylonian religion. More people than ever are visiting fortune tellers, palm readers, tarot card readers, horoscopes, angel readers....you name it, people will pay to hear "prophecy" of where their life is headed. However, God's point in much of chapters 42-45 of Isaiah is that the idols of the people have made no prophecies that have actually come true; in contrast, every word God has spoken has thus far come to pass. So:
Fortune tellers predict what will happen. God promises what will happen.
"You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the LORD?” If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed." Deuteronomy 18:21-22This message is so applicable to our world. Wow.
Now, in the particular passage we read this last week, God calls Cyrus, King of Persia, to be the contemporary savior of His people from their captivity in Babylon......only he calls this king by name 150 years before he was born!
"This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus,As they say up here in Canada, "Cool, eh?" This calling of Cyrus was a hard pill for the Israelites to swallow. They were looking for a savior much like Moses, the prince-turned-shepherd. Yet here was God, telling them they would be saved by a Gentile, pagan king! The lecturer's point here was that we must let God work through unexpected people in our lives. Don't assume you know either his ways or his vessels as you walk through trials and struggles.
whose right hand I take hold of...
For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor,
though you do not acknowledge me." Isaiah 45:1,4
The last real point of this section of scripture dealt with the concept of questioning God. We've all been there at one time or another...why did this happen? What are you doing, God? What's going on?! The people in Isaiah's time were not questioning God out of a spirit of need, desire for his will, or even simply a desire for understanding? They were "quarreling" with their Maker; the hebrew word for quarrel here indicates rage-filled, accusatory questioning. Ultimately, we are welcomed to be open with our Heavenly Father. We are welcome to bring our questions and our needs before him. However, we are not to question his character. We can, though, question his purpose; these questions actually indicate our faith when we ask, believing that we serve a God who is capable of answering!
Regardless of whom you depend on and spend your time on in this world, even with good purpose: serving your husband, teaching your children, getting to know a boyfriend or girlfriend....our lecturer said: "The greatest children, husbands, and boyfriends still make very poor gods." Serve and honor the One and Only, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He will take your hand and guide you until at last you arrive at his throne in the eternal Kingdom. Praise be to our God!
February 22, 2011
Laundry
I am thoroughly enjoying being a stay-at-home wife. For two years, I have loved Rob from a distance, longing to serve and help him and being so completely unable to do so. Now, at last, I share his home, and I can use my time, energy, and skills to make his life easier.
One thing I've never been super great at is laundry. By not super great, I don't mean that I can't do laundry. Mostly, it's always been an issue of remembering that it's in the machine. You know, you remember six hours later that you started a load. Well, I now have a husband, meaning we now generate twice as much laundry as I used to alone. I have done quite a bit of laundry just in the week and a half I've been here. I have learned two things.
1) My forgetfulness can be wholly contributed to the machines I've always used. We now have front loaders that literally sing a victory song when your load is done, effectively helping me to remember that I need to go switch it out! I think this is about as great as pumpkin pie...it's the little things in life.
2) One slight incident with some white T-shirts (Rob's wardrobe staple) and a pair of yellow underwear (*sigh*) started me thinking about the verse in Isaiah that talks about our being as filthy rags:
Our lives can be like this. If we ignore the standards of Christ and choose to live on our own, we can often make a fairly good go of it. We get the "good person" syndrome. In the eyes of ourselves and the world, we're doin' alright.
But the moment we set ourselves up next to Christ, we "become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags". In the brilliant radiance of His holiness and purity, we realize how dirty and unholy we are. Yet there is hope! Isaiah 1:18 declares God's promise for those who allow Him to cleanse them of sin:
Amen! Thank you, Father, for your overwhelming mercy to us who sin against you! Jesus, your sacrifice allows us to stand in the presence of the Almighty, washed as white as snow. Thank you! Spirit, teach us more each day and open our eyes to areas of sin that we have not surrendered to Your cleansing flood. Thank you, God!!
Amen.
One thing I've never been super great at is laundry. By not super great, I don't mean that I can't do laundry. Mostly, it's always been an issue of remembering that it's in the machine. You know, you remember six hours later that you started a load. Well, I now have a husband, meaning we now generate twice as much laundry as I used to alone. I have done quite a bit of laundry just in the week and a half I've been here. I have learned two things.
1) My forgetfulness can be wholly contributed to the machines I've always used. We now have front loaders that literally sing a victory song when your load is done, effectively helping me to remember that I need to go switch it out! I think this is about as great as pumpkin pie...it's the little things in life.
2) One slight incident with some white T-shirts (Rob's wardrobe staple) and a pair of yellow underwear (*sigh*) started me thinking about the verse in Isaiah that talks about our being as filthy rags:
All of us have become like one who is unclean,Long story short, I "took out a whole fleet" of Rob's white shirts. Yes, those were his words :D. We bleached them, and some/most of the bright yellow stains came out. As I was folding the load, I laid one shirt to the side. I glanced back at it and realized that, laying there alone, it looked fine. Not brilliantly white by any means, but sufficiently clean. However, I laid one of his brand new shirts down next to it and I realized just how dingy, dirty, and ready for the rag pile this shirt was.
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags... (64:6a)
Our lives can be like this. If we ignore the standards of Christ and choose to live on our own, we can often make a fairly good go of it. We get the "good person" syndrome. In the eyes of ourselves and the world, we're doin' alright.
But the moment we set ourselves up next to Christ, we "become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags". In the brilliant radiance of His holiness and purity, we realize how dirty and unholy we are. Yet there is hope! Isaiah 1:18 declares God's promise for those who allow Him to cleanse them of sin:
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Amen! Thank you, Father, for your overwhelming mercy to us who sin against you! Jesus, your sacrifice allows us to stand in the presence of the Almighty, washed as white as snow. Thank you! Spirit, teach us more each day and open our eyes to areas of sin that we have not surrendered to Your cleansing flood. Thank you, God!!
Amen.
February 17, 2011
May the deaf ears hear
I love thickly sliced, buttered, cinnamon-raisin toast. That has nothing to do with what else I have to say here, but I wanted to let you know.
In other news, I had an interesting experience at the grocery store yesterday that the Lord used to open my eyes. I love it when He does that! May I take His lesson to heart, apply it to my life, and walk in ever closer communion with Him!
I was wandering my new grocery store, looking for all the things on my list. I wasn't there to buy, just to price--things are quite a bit more expensive here, it would seem. As I made my way along the back wall of the store, the theft alarm at the front door started going off. Now they must be serious about shoplifting in Canada....this was no piddly alarm. The thing sounded a bit reminiscent of a fog horn on steroids. As it droned on, I was at first a little put out that it was disrupting my nice, quiet, solitary trip down the aisles. Up one, down the next, jot on the list, repeat. Easy. Comfortable. Familiar.
It wasn't 2 minutes later that I looked up from my list, startled to realize that, yes, the fog horn still echoed through the tiled, high-ceilinged room.....but I had totally blocked it out as I went about my business. How quickly I adapted and began to ignore that which I did not want to hear!
All too often, I do this with the Lord. He sends me a wake up call, sometimes through a verse or chapter, sometimes through a friend or a gentle rebuke from my husband. I am perturbed at the disruption to my normalcy, so I listen for a short second, grumble a bit, then move on with life, effectively ignoring that still, small voice echoing repetitiously in my spirit.
As I recognized this situation standing there amongst the shredded, block, and sliced cheeses, God showed me a bit more...a few minutes later, as I made my way up toward the canned peas, I was struck by the silence emanating from the alarm. I had been totally unaware of the moment of its end. I thought, God, please don't ever allow my heart to become so callous that I am unaware of the moment I can no longer hear your voice.
In our study of Isaiah, we just finished chapters 42-44. In these chapters, God the Creator and King is speaking of both Israel, his servant nation, and Jesus, his Servant King. Israel is once again rebuked for their blindness and deafness, their unfaithfulness to their faithful God.
Thank You, Jesus.
Thank You, Spirit.
Thank You, Father.
Amen.
In other news, I had an interesting experience at the grocery store yesterday that the Lord used to open my eyes. I love it when He does that! May I take His lesson to heart, apply it to my life, and walk in ever closer communion with Him!
I was wandering my new grocery store, looking for all the things on my list. I wasn't there to buy, just to price--things are quite a bit more expensive here, it would seem. As I made my way along the back wall of the store, the theft alarm at the front door started going off. Now they must be serious about shoplifting in Canada....this was no piddly alarm. The thing sounded a bit reminiscent of a fog horn on steroids. As it droned on, I was at first a little put out that it was disrupting my nice, quiet, solitary trip down the aisles. Up one, down the next, jot on the list, repeat. Easy. Comfortable. Familiar.
It wasn't 2 minutes later that I looked up from my list, startled to realize that, yes, the fog horn still echoed through the tiled, high-ceilinged room.....but I had totally blocked it out as I went about my business. How quickly I adapted and began to ignore that which I did not want to hear!
All too often, I do this with the Lord. He sends me a wake up call, sometimes through a verse or chapter, sometimes through a friend or a gentle rebuke from my husband. I am perturbed at the disruption to my normalcy, so I listen for a short second, grumble a bit, then move on with life, effectively ignoring that still, small voice echoing repetitiously in my spirit.
As I recognized this situation standing there amongst the shredded, block, and sliced cheeses, God showed me a bit more...a few minutes later, as I made my way up toward the canned peas, I was struck by the silence emanating from the alarm. I had been totally unaware of the moment of its end. I thought, God, please don't ever allow my heart to become so callous that I am unaware of the moment I can no longer hear your voice.
In our study of Isaiah, we just finished chapters 42-44. In these chapters, God the Creator and King is speaking of both Israel, his servant nation, and Jesus, his Servant King. Israel is once again rebuked for their blindness and deafness, their unfaithfulness to their faithful God.
42:18 “Hear, you deaf;It is so easy to become this way, blinded by laziness, selfishness, callousness. We constantly forget the Lord in our day-to-day operations, "going through the motions" as Matthew West so aptly sings. Yet, there is hope!
look, you blind, and see!
19 Who is blind but my servant,
and deaf like the messenger I send?
Who is blind like the one in covenant with me,
blind like the servant of the LORD?
20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention;
your ears are open, but you do not listen.”
43:1 But now, this is what the LORD says—Amen! Father, thank You for Your redeeming love for a people so in need of redemption! We cannot survive a moment without You, who gives us breath. Open our blinded eyes to see our idols in order that we might tear them down and give You Your rightful place in our hearts. You are sovereign, holy, altogether righteous! To You be all glory, honor, majesty, and praise!
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your stead.
4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you,
nations in exchange for your life.
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
44:22 I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist.
Return to me,
for I have redeemed you.”
23 Sing for joy, you heavens, for the LORD has done this;
shout aloud, you earth beneath.
Burst into song, you mountains,
you forests and all your trees,
for the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
he displays his glory in Israel.
Thank You, Jesus.
Thank You, Spirit.
Thank You, Father.
Amen.
January 23, 2011
"Wait for it..." Habakkuk Ch. 1
Last week, I was meditating on Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision is yet for an appointed time: but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." In our Bible study on Isaiah, the concept often comes up of God's every word coming to pass, without exception. This has been increasingly true in my life of late, as so many dreams are coming to fruition.
I decided to read the entirety of the book; I felt much more ready to do this having spent so much time in Isaiah--the prophetic books are not near as intimidating now!! Habakkuk's cry to the LORD at the beginning of Chapter 1 should be echoed by anyone, believer or non-, who takes an honest look at our world: "Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds" (1:3) Why is God still putting up with our broken, desolate, destructive world? I'm sure these thoughts resounded in the heart of Noah, the only righteous man in a society of wickedness run rampant.
Listening to news reports and reading the headlines, it seems improbable that in our world of technology and digital communication, anyone is left who has not heard the truth, and an overwhelming number seem to have rejected it. What is God waiting for?! And what are we to do with this viewpoint? How are we to think, act, and pray in a world full of such vile sin? The answer comes: "I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you." (1:5) We are to seek HIS viewpoint.
Habakkuk has an amazing understanding of God's holiness and asks a valid question: how is it that you, the Most Holy God, are choosing to continue looking upon the sinful masses of humanity, those who are destroying one another for personal gain? And yet I love Habakkuk's response 2:1 "I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected."
In this response, Habakkuk shows strength, humility, and trust. First, he makes a firm decision not to allow the ravages of the world to drive him into hiding in fear. He knows, as God's servant, that God has promised to "work a work", and he will not cower and risk missing what God will do. Secondly, he displays trust: he doesn't say whimperingly, "I will watch and wait and hope and pray that God hears me and responds." No. He said, "watch to see what he will say to me". There is not a doubt in Habakkuk's mind that God WILL hear him and WILL answer. Last but not least comes humility. I was astonished, struck by his obvious expectation that he didn't have a full understanding, and he was eager to hear God's corrective response.
Do I come to the Lord this way? I think not, most of the time. It's so much easier to just pray, telling God how I see it, and then say, "Okay, God, great talking to you; thanks for your time. Amen." How much deeper in my understanding and wisdom could I go if I allowed the Lord to correct my thinking?
All of this brings me back around to the world and its obvious state of decay. I don't know why God is allowing so much pain and sorrow as a result of sin, and I don't know why he sits back and watches the forces of evil reap so much victory. But I acknowledge that God is all-powerful, and he has not ignored the state of our world. He will come. He will not delay. I pray I am standing on my watch, set upon a rampart, waiting for him.
I decided to read the entirety of the book; I felt much more ready to do this having spent so much time in Isaiah--the prophetic books are not near as intimidating now!! Habakkuk's cry to the LORD at the beginning of Chapter 1 should be echoed by anyone, believer or non-, who takes an honest look at our world: "Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds" (1:3) Why is God still putting up with our broken, desolate, destructive world? I'm sure these thoughts resounded in the heart of Noah, the only righteous man in a society of wickedness run rampant.
Listening to news reports and reading the headlines, it seems improbable that in our world of technology and digital communication, anyone is left who has not heard the truth, and an overwhelming number seem to have rejected it. What is God waiting for?! And what are we to do with this viewpoint? How are we to think, act, and pray in a world full of such vile sin? The answer comes: "I will work a work in your days which you would not believe, though it were told you." (1:5) We are to seek HIS viewpoint.
Habakkuk has an amazing understanding of God's holiness and asks a valid question: how is it that you, the Most Holy God, are choosing to continue looking upon the sinful masses of humanity, those who are destroying one another for personal gain? And yet I love Habakkuk's response 2:1 "I will stand my watch and set myself on the rampart, and watch to see what He will say to me, and what I will answer when I am corrected."
In this response, Habakkuk shows strength, humility, and trust. First, he makes a firm decision not to allow the ravages of the world to drive him into hiding in fear. He knows, as God's servant, that God has promised to "work a work", and he will not cower and risk missing what God will do. Secondly, he displays trust: he doesn't say whimperingly, "I will watch and wait and hope and pray that God hears me and responds." No. He said, "watch to see what he will say to me". There is not a doubt in Habakkuk's mind that God WILL hear him and WILL answer. Last but not least comes humility. I was astonished, struck by his obvious expectation that he didn't have a full understanding, and he was eager to hear God's corrective response.
Do I come to the Lord this way? I think not, most of the time. It's so much easier to just pray, telling God how I see it, and then say, "Okay, God, great talking to you; thanks for your time. Amen." How much deeper in my understanding and wisdom could I go if I allowed the Lord to correct my thinking?
All of this brings me back around to the world and its obvious state of decay. I don't know why God is allowing so much pain and sorrow as a result of sin, and I don't know why he sits back and watches the forces of evil reap so much victory. But I acknowledge that God is all-powerful, and he has not ignored the state of our world. He will come. He will not delay. I pray I am standing on my watch, set upon a rampart, waiting for him.
January 18, 2011
Change...friend or foe?
When I graduated from HS and headed for college, I remember being asked by one of my youth pastors to write something for their youth group blog. I wrote on change, how hard it was, how much I was NOT looking forward to it, and so on.
Four years later, I'm still not settled into a comfortable relationship with change. I am closer to it, I will admit. I have a lot more experience under my belt, along with a LOT more prayer. And if nothing else, I can look back at the last four years and have a perfect view of God's purposes in and ability to use change in my life.
Four years ago, I had dreams of being a cop who could interpret.
Today, I'm an interpreter who sighs dreamily every time a cop drives by.
Four years ago, I was fairly comfortable **READ: prideful** with my knowledge of the Bible.
Today, I know how little I know....and I yearn for more.
Four years ago, I had no idea what it truly meant to have accountability from sisters in Christ.
Today, I am blessed to be held to the standard of righteousness by several women of God.
Four years ago, I was terrified to leave my mom and dad.
Today, I'm just sad--not terrified--for I know that the Spirit of God binds us together through the distance.
Four years ago, I did not want to leave home, much less move 6 states away.
Next week, I'm getting married and moving a country away.....to my home, with my husband.
Four years ago, I had some understanding of who God is.
Today, He is my Father, my Teacher, my Healer, my Best Friend, my Beloved, and we grow more intimate every day.
And so I see that change, in all its harsh reality, is a gift from God. Through the turmoil, He opens our eyes to greater truths of His goodness and provision. In times of pain, we more clearly hear His voice. CS Lewis wrote: "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
I have felt almost guilty admitting that in this time of such intense excitement, there is also a definite measure of pain. I never imagined that the days and weeks surrounding my wedding would feel, in small part, like a storm in my life. It feels wrong to say...but it is true. I have ZERO regrets about marrying Rob--I believe him to be the one God has made for me. I know that with him is where I am meant to be, and as Ruth understood, I am to go where he goes; his people are to be my people. Thankfully, his God is already my God!!! And that fact is what makes me assured that this change will be wonderful!!
Father, use this time of change to reveal to me your blessings, your Truth, your purpose for me in this lost and dying world. Thank you for pain, as it rids me of all distraction and turns me to you. Unstop these deaf ears to hear your direction, comfort, and hope. I love you, Abba!
"I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." Psalm 13:6
Four years later, I'm still not settled into a comfortable relationship with change. I am closer to it, I will admit. I have a lot more experience under my belt, along with a LOT more prayer. And if nothing else, I can look back at the last four years and have a perfect view of God's purposes in and ability to use change in my life.
Four years ago, I had dreams of being a cop who could interpret.
Today, I'm an interpreter who sighs dreamily every time a cop drives by.
Four years ago, I was fairly comfortable **READ: prideful** with my knowledge of the Bible.
Today, I know how little I know....and I yearn for more.
Four years ago, I had no idea what it truly meant to have accountability from sisters in Christ.
Today, I am blessed to be held to the standard of righteousness by several women of God.
Four years ago, I was terrified to leave my mom and dad.
Today, I'm just sad--not terrified--for I know that the Spirit of God binds us together through the distance.
Four years ago, I did not want to leave home, much less move 6 states away.
Next week, I'm getting married and moving a country away.....to my home, with my husband.
Four years ago, I had some understanding of who God is.
Today, He is my Father, my Teacher, my Healer, my Best Friend, my Beloved, and we grow more intimate every day.
And so I see that change, in all its harsh reality, is a gift from God. Through the turmoil, He opens our eyes to greater truths of His goodness and provision. In times of pain, we more clearly hear His voice. CS Lewis wrote: "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
I have felt almost guilty admitting that in this time of such intense excitement, there is also a definite measure of pain. I never imagined that the days and weeks surrounding my wedding would feel, in small part, like a storm in my life. It feels wrong to say...but it is true. I have ZERO regrets about marrying Rob--I believe him to be the one God has made for me. I know that with him is where I am meant to be, and as Ruth understood, I am to go where he goes; his people are to be my people. Thankfully, his God is already my God!!! And that fact is what makes me assured that this change will be wonderful!!
Father, use this time of change to reveal to me your blessings, your Truth, your purpose for me in this lost and dying world. Thank you for pain, as it rids me of all distraction and turns me to you. Unstop these deaf ears to hear your direction, comfort, and hope. I love you, Abba!
"I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." Psalm 13:6
January 12, 2011
The Longing of a Bride
I finally feel like I can call myself the "bride-to-be". Something about being 16 months from marriage just didn't make that feel real practical, back when we first got engaged. But here I am, only 16 days from becoming Rob's wife. *deep breath* The time has come.
"The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous to behold!" Ps. 118:23
It has been a loooooooooooooooooooong 7 months since I last saw Rob. I so often find myself spending long minutes, sometimes hours, pondering how much I miss him and long to be with him, my beloved. Yet in this, I see a strange dichotomy--and I don't like what I see.
I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and I am therefore a member of His Church, also depicted as His Bride. As such, I should be overwhelmed by intense longing for Him as my Beloved. I should spend hours longing to be in His presence (and thanks be to God, He has provided access to Himself through the renting of the veil by his death!). But instead of this desire, this devotion, this longing, I have mediocre times of quiet meditation, semi-productive periods of prayer, and quick e-mail-like petitions sent up throughout the day.
My relationship with Rob has only flourished through the distance because we have both determined to devote time, energy, and love to one another and to be very intentional about protecting the time we spend with one another. This has often come at a cost to other things in our lives, namely sleep and time with our families.
**On that note, I was listening to a sermon today that spoke of Jesus's comment that we must hate father and mother, brother and sister in order to follow him. This was not a command to love our families less, but to love Jesus most. I have seen myself willing to do this in my relationship with Rob as far as putting time with him above time with family or friends. However, I am so often unwilling to do it for my Savior, my Beloved.**
I pray that in this new year as the Lord teaches me to be a wife, a friend, a lover, and a help-meet, I determine within my heart to be a better lover and friend to the One who loves me above all else. I pray that He gently leads me into a lifestyle that places Him in the place of priority in my heart, above even Rob, my (ALMOST!) husband. I pray that I learn to devote time, energy, and love to my relationship with Christ to foster and grow and protect it, regardless of the cost.
"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:17, 20
"The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous to behold!" Ps. 118:23
It has been a loooooooooooooooooooong 7 months since I last saw Rob. I so often find myself spending long minutes, sometimes hours, pondering how much I miss him and long to be with him, my beloved. Yet in this, I see a strange dichotomy--and I don't like what I see.
I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and I am therefore a member of His Church, also depicted as His Bride. As such, I should be overwhelmed by intense longing for Him as my Beloved. I should spend hours longing to be in His presence (and thanks be to God, He has provided access to Himself through the renting of the veil by his death!). But instead of this desire, this devotion, this longing, I have mediocre times of quiet meditation, semi-productive periods of prayer, and quick e-mail-like petitions sent up throughout the day.
My relationship with Rob has only flourished through the distance because we have both determined to devote time, energy, and love to one another and to be very intentional about protecting the time we spend with one another. This has often come at a cost to other things in our lives, namely sleep and time with our families.
**On that note, I was listening to a sermon today that spoke of Jesus's comment that we must hate father and mother, brother and sister in order to follow him. This was not a command to love our families less, but to love Jesus most. I have seen myself willing to do this in my relationship with Rob as far as putting time with him above time with family or friends. However, I am so often unwilling to do it for my Savior, my Beloved.**
I pray that in this new year as the Lord teaches me to be a wife, a friend, a lover, and a help-meet, I determine within my heart to be a better lover and friend to the One who loves me above all else. I pray that He gently leads me into a lifestyle that places Him in the place of priority in my heart, above even Rob, my (ALMOST!) husband. I pray that I learn to devote time, energy, and love to my relationship with Christ to foster and grow and protect it, regardless of the cost.
"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:17, 20
September 29, 2010
Trust me, Beloved
Trust me. That's what the Lord has been constantly whispering to my heart. I sure wish I were a better listener. I sometimes feel like those Israelites who had eyes but did not see and ears but did not hear. I know he's trustworthy. So why is it so hard?!
Yesterday we celebrated my birthday, and Mama and I realized that it was my first birthday at home in five years. The last time, I was turning 17. That seems like a lifetime ago. I have done so much growing since then....experienced so many more aspects of life......and yet I still have not learned to obey the Lord's command.....trust me.
So much is happening, yet time seems to move so slow. Then I turn around and realize that in five months, I will be a wife living a country away from all that is close and familiar. I can't wait, and yet I can't push it away fast enough. I'm scared, Lord. I know you say I'm to trust you. Heal me of my unbelief.
Trust me, Beloved.
Yesterday we celebrated my birthday, and Mama and I realized that it was my first birthday at home in five years. The last time, I was turning 17. That seems like a lifetime ago. I have done so much growing since then....experienced so many more aspects of life......and yet I still have not learned to obey the Lord's command.....trust me.
So much is happening, yet time seems to move so slow. Then I turn around and realize that in five months, I will be a wife living a country away from all that is close and familiar. I can't wait, and yet I can't push it away fast enough. I'm scared, Lord. I know you say I'm to trust you. Heal me of my unbelief.
Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
~ Psalm 125:1
I waited patiently for the Lord;
and He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth--
PRAISE TO OUR GOD!
Many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord.
~ Psalm 40:1-3
When my heart is overwhelmed,
Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.
~ Psalm 61:2b
Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him,
for God is our refuge.
~ Psalm 62:8
Trust me, Beloved.
July 16, 2010
DIY-er
On the rare occasions that the creative urge hits me, I love being a do-it-yourself-er. I've found this happening a bit more often now that we're in the full swing of wedding planning. Part of this urge, I believe, comes from a desire not to be cheap, but to be thrifty. The wedding industry is so blown out of proportion it's ridiculous!!!
Thus far, I've been successful in transforming my mental visions into reality for the following two items:
--Guest book-esque item (I find the traditional guest book to be a waste of time since it will get shoved in a drawer and never seen or heard from again.)
--Unity candle set
It's kind of exhilarating to beat the industry at its own game. Take the candles, for example (see below). In total, I created three beautiful, unique candles WITH really cool stands for less than 20 bucks. One decorated unity candle alone would have cost me at least 25. And the guest book(ish)? $14.
DIY-ers save a lot of money and come out with really awesome products that NO ONE ELSE has. That's part of the fun--making something that's uniquely "us". While it's more time consuming to spend time making things, the sense of satisfaction (combined with the fact that I'm jobless, so what do I have more of: money or time?!) is completely worth the effort!
Thus far, I've been successful in transforming my mental visions into reality for the following two items:
--Guest book-esque item (I find the traditional guest book to be a waste of time since it will get shoved in a drawer and never seen or heard from again.)
--Unity candle set
It's kind of exhilarating to beat the industry at its own game. Take the candles, for example (see below). In total, I created three beautiful, unique candles WITH really cool stands for less than 20 bucks. One decorated unity candle alone would have cost me at least 25. And the guest book(ish)? $14.
DIY-ers save a lot of money and come out with really awesome products that NO ONE ELSE has. That's part of the fun--making something that's uniquely "us". While it's more time consuming to spend time making things, the sense of satisfaction (combined with the fact that I'm jobless, so what do I have more of: money or time?!) is completely worth the effort!
July 11, 2010
Blessings and Pain
I feel the need to post something of import, and looking in my heart, I realize that the ONLY truth I can proclaim that will add anything to your life is this:
Our GOD is great! HE is worthy of all praise and honor and glory! Nothing we are or have is of our own doing--all are gifts from His hand! Praise be to the Lord!
Life has been incredibly full of emotions these last few weeks (crazy: me+emotions? unheard of. right.) I spent four precious weeks with the earthly love of my life, and while those weeks exponentially multiplied any time we'd previously spent together, they were in no way enough time. My heart aches to be separated from him, and I am constantly seeking God's face as I ask him to reveal his purposes for this time.
Honestly, my hurting heart tells God that I don't think there's a point. I mean....really....I have no job here (yet). I have a 7 month period of waiting....which I'll have in Canada while I wait to be legal in order to get a job there....so why are we waiting to get married?!? The simple answer is: because God knows better. And this I must believe.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
I am so blessed. So. incredibly. blessed. If for no other reason, these seven months will be amazing because of the time I am being given to spend with Mama and Papa before I head permanently to the north country. Mama and I have already had a great time these last few days rediscovering what a great team we make as we do things like grocery shop, clean house, etc.
And yet even in this blessing there is pain. I just spent four years in NY learning to let go of my family and find a place of comfort and acceptance being far away from them. I will be having to go through that process all over again in January after living here for so long. Again, I don't understand God's purposes, though I know he has them.
More emotions roll as I ponder my little brother's upcoming wedding. I am so proud of him! He has grown and matured in the Lord so much over these last few years (though he still loves to "affect my gizzards". To him, that will never grow old.) And Courtney is awesome. She has been a blessing to me as we become friends, and I know she has been a great challenger to and blessing in Wesley's life. I know the Lord holds them and their marriage in His hands, and I must continue to lift them in prayer as well!
So much change, so little time....Lord, may I never become complacent or so bogged down by emotion that I forget or refuse to let you work! Open my eyes ever wider to Your intentions for my life. Use me as you see fit, not only to my benefit, but to the eternal needs of your Kingdom!
Our GOD is great! HE is worthy of all praise and honor and glory! Nothing we are or have is of our own doing--all are gifts from His hand! Praise be to the Lord!
Life has been incredibly full of emotions these last few weeks (crazy: me+emotions? unheard of. right.) I spent four precious weeks with the earthly love of my life, and while those weeks exponentially multiplied any time we'd previously spent together, they were in no way enough time. My heart aches to be separated from him, and I am constantly seeking God's face as I ask him to reveal his purposes for this time.
Honestly, my hurting heart tells God that I don't think there's a point. I mean....really....I have no job here (yet). I have a 7 month period of waiting....which I'll have in Canada while I wait to be legal in order to get a job there....so why are we waiting to get married?!? The simple answer is: because God knows better. And this I must believe.
Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
I am so blessed. So. incredibly. blessed. If for no other reason, these seven months will be amazing because of the time I am being given to spend with Mama and Papa before I head permanently to the north country. Mama and I have already had a great time these last few days rediscovering what a great team we make as we do things like grocery shop, clean house, etc.
And yet even in this blessing there is pain. I just spent four years in NY learning to let go of my family and find a place of comfort and acceptance being far away from them. I will be having to go through that process all over again in January after living here for so long. Again, I don't understand God's purposes, though I know he has them.
More emotions roll as I ponder my little brother's upcoming wedding. I am so proud of him! He has grown and matured in the Lord so much over these last few years (though he still loves to "affect my gizzards". To him, that will never grow old.) And Courtney is awesome. She has been a blessing to me as we become friends, and I know she has been a great challenger to and blessing in Wesley's life. I know the Lord holds them and their marriage in His hands, and I must continue to lift them in prayer as well!
So much change, so little time....Lord, may I never become complacent or so bogged down by emotion that I forget or refuse to let you work! Open my eyes ever wider to Your intentions for my life. Use me as you see fit, not only to my benefit, but to the eternal needs of your Kingdom!
May 19, 2010
Internship
Hey, all!
I finished my senior internship two weeks ago, ending my time in Rochester, NY, with Interpretek. Because the nature of this work is fraught with confidentiality, I don't have very much visual documentation of the work that I did over the last three months. I do have a couple pictures and one video I'm going to attempt to share here.
Perhaps one of the most fun experiences I had during my internship, one of the few in which I actually got to be a full fledged interpreter, was interpreting at the Rochester Red Wings' baseball games. The RWs are a minor league team that are feeders for the Minnesota Twins. Interpretek provides interpreters for all home games. This doesn't mean that we interpret everything that is commentaried during the course of a game; we interpret the opening comments, national anthem, and during the 7th inning stretch, Take me Out to the Ballgame and God Bless America. This experience was VERY exciting, and I got some free ballgames in the process! Below are pictures of opening night. Normally, there would only be two interpreters, one on each side of home plate (where I'm standing in the pictures). For opening night, we had 16 interpreters: four on each dugout and four 1st and 3rd baselines! It was super cool!
I finished my senior internship two weeks ago, ending my time in Rochester, NY, with Interpretek. Because the nature of this work is fraught with confidentiality, I don't have very much visual documentation of the work that I did over the last three months. I do have a couple pictures and one video I'm going to attempt to share here.
Perhaps one of the most fun experiences I had during my internship, one of the few in which I actually got to be a full fledged interpreter, was interpreting at the Rochester Red Wings' baseball games. The RWs are a minor league team that are feeders for the Minnesota Twins. Interpretek provides interpreters for all home games. This doesn't mean that we interpret everything that is commentaried during the course of a game; we interpret the opening comments, national anthem, and during the 7th inning stretch, Take me Out to the Ballgame and God Bless America. This experience was VERY exciting, and I got some free ballgames in the process! Below are pictures of opening night. Normally, there would only be two interpreters, one on each side of home plate (where I'm standing in the pictures). For opening night, we had 16 interpreters: four on each dugout and four 1st and 3rd baselines! It was super cool!
That's me on the right.
I'm between the Army band and the kids' choir.
It was FREEZING that night. It was mid april and the game temp was about 36. YUCK. It's extremely hard to interpret when you can't feel your fingers. I have three layers on, and if you know me, I'm NOT a layer person. But it was necessary.
I tried uploading the only video sample I have of my work, but I think the video was too large. The video was taped in a Master's level Social Work program that I got to interpret with my mentor all semester. I loved this assignment because it was a challenge for my interpreting skills and I got to learn tons of cool stuff without having to do the homework! If only we could end up with the degree....hmm ;-)
That's the update from here! Countdowns: 10 days till I see Rob, 11 days till I become a college graduate, and 254 days until I become a wife!
Blessings!
April 18, 2010
The Immigration Journey Begins!
As we near the 9-months-to-wedding mark, Rob and I have begun the arduous task of navigating the red tape of immigration. I'm moving to Canada after our wedding at the end of January, and ideally, we'd like it if I could begin working soon thereafter. That is not to say I have a job lined up or even that I know what the Lord wants me to do--I have no clue! That makes this task even more intimidating, as it's hard to know where to start!
I find myself with several fears which are all unfounded as I remind myself of the supremacy and sovereignty of God! He is bigger than any bureaucracy or application process. We believe he wants us living in Calgary, so he will make the way clear, legal and otherwise. I still find myself fearful, though, in my typical human distrust of anything out of my control (and what isn't?!).
We've looked into several possibilities, and at this time, it's seeming as though I won't be able to work until my permanent residency visa gets processed and approved (we're trusting the Lord that this will be the outcome--too unsettling to fathom the possibilities otherwise! Why borrow trouble?). This is feasible for several reasons, the biggest of which is that the Lord is already providing by having granted Rob a full time job starting the first of next month. We can survive quite fine on his salary, but as a new couple starting out, we'd like to both be working. Not only that, but what will I do with myself for 6 months?! However, maybe that's God's blessing of time for me to get acclimated to a new country, new city, new husband, new home and role, new culture....
Which brings me to something else I've been thinking about today. How much of what I know about the world around me--that gut, instinctual knowledge that I have simply by being born and raised in this country--is just that? How much will change? How much will I have to relearn? Yes, I realize that our nice neighbor to the north seems rather congruent with us, yet I have it on good authority from a friend who's Canadian immigrated to NY that it does have its own unique culture. What cultural faux pas will I commit as I learn to navigate their country?
Moving out of the US was never in my life something I dreamed of doing, yet here I am. I've never contemplated traveling the world, seeing the sites--I've always been content to stay close to home. It's not that I'm particularly patriotic--I'm a citizen of heaven just visiting here, so what do I care what "nationality" is attached to my name? This feeling has been brought into sharp relief as we embark on this immigration trek...it is as though everything possible is done to prevent me from becoming a part of the Canadian landscape. How grateful I am that Jesus threw the borders of heaven wide open to me!
Well, the process has just begun. We serve a faithful God. He has made all the pieces fall into place up until now--we trust that he will continue to open doors for us to walk through!
I find myself with several fears which are all unfounded as I remind myself of the supremacy and sovereignty of God! He is bigger than any bureaucracy or application process. We believe he wants us living in Calgary, so he will make the way clear, legal and otherwise. I still find myself fearful, though, in my typical human distrust of anything out of my control (and what isn't?!).
We've looked into several possibilities, and at this time, it's seeming as though I won't be able to work until my permanent residency visa gets processed and approved (we're trusting the Lord that this will be the outcome--too unsettling to fathom the possibilities otherwise! Why borrow trouble?). This is feasible for several reasons, the biggest of which is that the Lord is already providing by having granted Rob a full time job starting the first of next month. We can survive quite fine on his salary, but as a new couple starting out, we'd like to both be working. Not only that, but what will I do with myself for 6 months?! However, maybe that's God's blessing of time for me to get acclimated to a new country, new city, new husband, new home and role, new culture....
Which brings me to something else I've been thinking about today. How much of what I know about the world around me--that gut, instinctual knowledge that I have simply by being born and raised in this country--is just that? How much will change? How much will I have to relearn? Yes, I realize that our nice neighbor to the north seems rather congruent with us, yet I have it on good authority from a friend who's Canadian immigrated to NY that it does have its own unique culture. What cultural faux pas will I commit as I learn to navigate their country?
Moving out of the US was never in my life something I dreamed of doing, yet here I am. I've never contemplated traveling the world, seeing the sites--I've always been content to stay close to home. It's not that I'm particularly patriotic--I'm a citizen of heaven just visiting here, so what do I care what "nationality" is attached to my name? This feeling has been brought into sharp relief as we embark on this immigration trek...it is as though everything possible is done to prevent me from becoming a part of the Canadian landscape. How grateful I am that Jesus threw the borders of heaven wide open to me!
Well, the process has just begun. We serve a faithful God. He has made all the pieces fall into place up until now--we trust that he will continue to open doors for us to walk through!
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ..."
Philippians 3:20
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21
February 14, 2010
WOW!
Life changes so fast!
My little brother is now engaged!! He and Courtney will marry in August and move to Nashville together. I'm so excited for them!
It's rather strange, though. I can hardly fathom that in less than 6 months, I'll have a sister-in-law! She's such a blessing, though. She's really great for Wesley, and I've seen her do so much growing in the last year! I can't wait to have her for a sister; what a wonderful addition to our family!
So congrats, Wesley and Courtney! Can't wait to see where God takes you!
Much love <3
My little brother is now engaged!! He and Courtney will marry in August and move to Nashville together. I'm so excited for them!
It's rather strange, though. I can hardly fathom that in less than 6 months, I'll have a sister-in-law! She's such a blessing, though. She's really great for Wesley, and I've seen her do so much growing in the last year! I can't wait to have her for a sister; what a wonderful addition to our family!
So congrats, Wesley and Courtney! Can't wait to see where God takes you!
Much love <3
January 17, 2010
Here goes nothin'
I've come to a place in my life where I know I will be leaning hard upon the Lord. Not that this is in any way bad, quite the opposite--I just wasn't expecting such a culture shock moving here to Rochester.
I've always considered myself a city girl, but I feel like a veritable country bumpkin here. I'm living with my Deaf professor and her husband in Rochester proper. From what I could tell on the way in, this neighborhood/part of town is primarily black. I've never been the minority. Not comfortable...I feel so vulnerable, and I feel like everyone around me knows it.
At the risk of sounding incredibly.....I don't even know what.....I'm scared...scared to look at people in the eye. scared to look around while i'm at a stoplight. I don't want to live in fear! I'm just so out of my element.
I'm going to be learning a lot more than interpreting this semester. I pray that I let God mold me and teach me to rely on His strength and not my own. It's so tempting to wish that I even had another friend here, because wandering in unfamiliar territory is always easier with a friend. But I've got to rely on my Best Friend. He's not sent me out and just wished me good luck. He's walking beside me. Leading me. Carrying me. Please pray that I will let Him have his way in me!
Blessings.
I've always considered myself a city girl, but I feel like a veritable country bumpkin here. I'm living with my Deaf professor and her husband in Rochester proper. From what I could tell on the way in, this neighborhood/part of town is primarily black. I've never been the minority. Not comfortable...I feel so vulnerable, and I feel like everyone around me knows it.
At the risk of sounding incredibly.....I don't even know what.....I'm scared...scared to look at people in the eye. scared to look around while i'm at a stoplight. I don't want to live in fear! I'm just so out of my element.
Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! Ps. 105:4
I'm going to be learning a lot more than interpreting this semester. I pray that I let God mold me and teach me to rely on His strength and not my own. It's so tempting to wish that I even had another friend here, because wandering in unfamiliar territory is always easier with a friend. But I've got to rely on my Best Friend. He's not sent me out and just wished me good luck. He's walking beside me. Leading me. Carrying me. Please pray that I will let Him have his way in me!
Blessings.
December 27, 2009
That time again...
So, it's about that time again. Dun dun duuunn....the new year's resolutions post!
Today in Breakthru, Joe Skillen gave a very challenging sermon on this idea. He talked first about how he has tried to make a Spiritual, Intellectual, and Physical goal. I liked this idea, and the tips/suggestions he made for reasons why we should make these goals really drove home to me. More than anything, I was really challenged by his comment that we should "Do something that cripples you so you must cry out to God." I'm so often unwilling to attempt anything at which I might fail.
I spent some time really praying this afternoon about what he spoke on, and here's what I've come up with. He said make them public, so here I go. The four of you who read this: feel free to ask me how it's going!
Spiritual: Spend 30 min/3x/week being still and learning to listen for God's voice.
Physical: Run 1/2 mile/4x/week with the goal being able to do a consecutive mile by graduation and 2 consecutive miles by Christmas 2010. Not much to some people, but a big goal for me!
Intellectual: This one is an either/or goal. I either want to finish The Collected Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer or spend the time to go through each book of the Bible and really understand each books overarching purpose. Hopefully, God will help me accomplish both!
So that's mine. What about you? Let God challenge and push you this year. May Jesus be your impetus and the Spirit be your strength!
Today in Breakthru, Joe Skillen gave a very challenging sermon on this idea. He talked first about how he has tried to make a Spiritual, Intellectual, and Physical goal. I liked this idea, and the tips/suggestions he made for reasons why we should make these goals really drove home to me. More than anything, I was really challenged by his comment that we should "Do something that cripples you so you must cry out to God." I'm so often unwilling to attempt anything at which I might fail.
I spent some time really praying this afternoon about what he spoke on, and here's what I've come up with. He said make them public, so here I go. The four of you who read this: feel free to ask me how it's going!
Spiritual: Spend 30 min/3x/week being still and learning to listen for God's voice.
Physical: Run 1/2 mile/4x/week with the goal being able to do a consecutive mile by graduation and 2 consecutive miles by Christmas 2010. Not much to some people, but a big goal for me!
Intellectual: This one is an either/or goal. I either want to finish The Collected Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer or spend the time to go through each book of the Bible and really understand each books overarching purpose. Hopefully, God will help me accomplish both!
So that's mine. What about you? Let God challenge and push you this year. May Jesus be your impetus and the Spirit be your strength!
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