I am getting to spend this week with "my" kids and besides being reminding of how tiring it can be to be with kids, I have been reminded of the preciousness of being content where God has me. Being with "my" kids I've been able to talk with them about Jesus, goof off with them, and teach Sarah to crochet. That is where God called me for a time, and I wouldn't trade any of it for the world.
But now God has me somewhere new, and how blessed I am to be here! To be following God, walking with him where he leads and how he leads. Following his schedule is scary - there are so many uncertainties. It can be easy to look to the past and wish for how things were or to look to the future and dream of what may be; but God has called me here, now.
God has work for me (us) to do where we are - are we ready for it?
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Come and Worship
Last year while with Sarah and Matthew and out on a walk with them near Christmas time we started talking about Christmas-y things - presents, Santa and Jesus. I stuck on the thought that Jesus came as a child, then I asked them if they would want to be a baby again. There response was a quick and decisive "no." I love children's blunt honesty. As I contemplate Christmas, I don't usually fully dwell on the fact that our God chose to become a helpless baby. He chose to put himself in a place of dependence on others. He chose to empty himself (Philippians 2).
I hurry and scurry about and think of the blessing of Christmas, but not necessarily the cost, the humility to be helpless, born in stable, and have only shepherds come to acknowledge the king of the universe's birth.
As I get older, Christmas feels more forced, more of a time to do things then to contemplate Christ. Yet, surely the years should not deaden my heart to Christmas, but liven it. Surely growing deeper in love with my Savior should cause me to seek to delight in the truth of who he is and all he gave for me; all he gave up in coming to earth. Seeing the greatness of what he did, the beauty of who he is should stir me, should stir all, to come and worship. Then, how can we not go and tell of the wonderful news that Christ came for us?
Come and worship... go and tell.
I hurry and scurry about and think of the blessing of Christmas, but not necessarily the cost, the humility to be helpless, born in stable, and have only shepherds come to acknowledge the king of the universe's birth.
As I get older, Christmas feels more forced, more of a time to do things then to contemplate Christ. Yet, surely the years should not deaden my heart to Christmas, but liven it. Surely growing deeper in love with my Savior should cause me to seek to delight in the truth of who he is and all he gave for me; all he gave up in coming to earth. Seeing the greatness of what he did, the beauty of who he is should stir me, should stir all, to come and worship. Then, how can we not go and tell of the wonderful news that Christ came for us?
Come and worship... go and tell.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Random
I don't feel like I have anything to say, but I feel like I should blog. I know, I'm a little crazy. And that's ok with me.
Done with the semester I'm enjoying being back around my family and especially getting loved on by "my" kids. There's just few other ways to get such joy, especially around the holidays, then to be with kids.
I was delighted that I was able to share the "Story of the Candy Cane" with them... and not just be able to share it, but have both of the kids recognize why a shepherd's staff would be relevant or why white would be a good color to depict Jesus. It's such a blessing to be able to go back somewhere and sort of see God still at work, see how God used you for a moment in time. I feel so blessed.
The pull of the holidays can be stressful - there are so many emotions both good and bad that can easily be stirred. But above all we are to remember Jesus, remember our great God. Remember that he willingly came down for us, that he gave up everything for us. Remember the gift he has given us. When we serve a God this great, willing to give us so much, everything else seems so small in comparison.
Come, let us worship and bow down.
Done with the semester I'm enjoying being back around my family and especially getting loved on by "my" kids. There's just few other ways to get such joy, especially around the holidays, then to be with kids.
I was delighted that I was able to share the "Story of the Candy Cane" with them... and not just be able to share it, but have both of the kids recognize why a shepherd's staff would be relevant or why white would be a good color to depict Jesus. It's such a blessing to be able to go back somewhere and sort of see God still at work, see how God used you for a moment in time. I feel so blessed.
The pull of the holidays can be stressful - there are so many emotions both good and bad that can easily be stirred. But above all we are to remember Jesus, remember our great God. Remember that he willingly came down for us, that he gave up everything for us. Remember the gift he has given us. When we serve a God this great, willing to give us so much, everything else seems so small in comparison.
Come, let us worship and bow down.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Finished (in a way)
I finished my first semester at seminary - what a blessing to be done! You know the ridiculous thing? Upon being done I picked up a book I hadn't had the chance to finish during the semester (Knowing God by J.I. Packer) which just amuses me because it's a real heady book. I can't escape it - no matter how "done" I'll get with school work I'll never be done learning.
And you know what? The most relevant things I've learned have come outside the classroom. They've come in seeing God working in the lives of friends around me. Of getting to see how God's used my hurt, pain and experience to teach me important lessons about him and then use that to love others better. Basically, it's come from seeing God at work.
I hope and pray that will never ends because it delights my heart to see God on the move, to see him working in and through people's lives and to have the privilege to be a part of it. May God never cease to amaze me or show me how wonderfully above and beyond my imagination and comprehension he is.
And you know what? The most relevant things I've learned have come outside the classroom. They've come in seeing God working in the lives of friends around me. Of getting to see how God's used my hurt, pain and experience to teach me important lessons about him and then use that to love others better. Basically, it's come from seeing God at work.
I hope and pray that will never ends because it delights my heart to see God on the move, to see him working in and through people's lives and to have the privilege to be a part of it. May God never cease to amaze me or show me how wonderfully above and beyond my imagination and comprehension he is.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
World Christian: Purpose
When I first heard the term "World Christian" I was in Indonesia in the middle of the chaos of my time there. I had met friends who were hosting a course called Kairos which is a condensed version of the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement course. That term captivated me and that course opened my eyes to the Bible and what it has to say about missions in a new way.
Up till then I had known missions was something important - something Christians everywhere should engage in as Jesus had commanded it in the Great Commission, but I had never realized that God's heart for the nations and his glory to spread throughout the world traced back to Genesis. I never thought about the fact that God used the world history since the time of Acts to continue to spread his name and glory to more and more peoples. I had never realized how many different people groups there are that do not have people to share the gospel in a way they can understand.
A World Christian, this course taught, is one who is aware of God's heart to reach all nations and acts on that; one who is captivated by that vision. I was (and am still) all in.
Coming away from that course, and Indonesia, I felt like I had learned so much and was called to act. How can you fail to act when the God of the universe has shown you his heart's desire to reach all peoples? I came back and have been bumbling around since; seeking to align my heart and life to the truth of God's Word and to the passion of his heart. I have been seeking to be used by God however he desires to bring glory to his name and reach as many of the unreached as possible.
God has used many things to slow me down, to remind me that he is ultimately Lord of the universe and I am simply one of many. Of that I am thankful. There are still many things God has yet to teach and show me, but he has given me a passion for him, his glory, and the unreached.
That's part of what so excites me about being a part of World Christian Week which will be happening March 1-4 here at CIU (shameless advertising). People will hopefully (and prayerfully) come and be moved in seeing God's vision for the world. They may hear new things or learn new ways of how to be involved in reaching out to all nations. Whether you are to stay in the states or go overseas, working among the reached or the unreached, we all have a part to play in spreading God's glory to all nations.
Up till then I had known missions was something important - something Christians everywhere should engage in as Jesus had commanded it in the Great Commission, but I had never realized that God's heart for the nations and his glory to spread throughout the world traced back to Genesis. I never thought about the fact that God used the world history since the time of Acts to continue to spread his name and glory to more and more peoples. I had never realized how many different people groups there are that do not have people to share the gospel in a way they can understand.
A World Christian, this course taught, is one who is aware of God's heart to reach all nations and acts on that; one who is captivated by that vision. I was (and am still) all in.
Coming away from that course, and Indonesia, I felt like I had learned so much and was called to act. How can you fail to act when the God of the universe has shown you his heart's desire to reach all peoples? I came back and have been bumbling around since; seeking to align my heart and life to the truth of God's Word and to the passion of his heart. I have been seeking to be used by God however he desires to bring glory to his name and reach as many of the unreached as possible.
God has used many things to slow me down, to remind me that he is ultimately Lord of the universe and I am simply one of many. Of that I am thankful. There are still many things God has yet to teach and show me, but he has given me a passion for him, his glory, and the unreached.
That's part of what so excites me about being a part of World Christian Week which will be happening March 1-4 here at CIU (shameless advertising). People will hopefully (and prayerfully) come and be moved in seeing God's vision for the world. They may hear new things or learn new ways of how to be involved in reaching out to all nations. Whether you are to stay in the states or go overseas, working among the reached or the unreached, we all have a part to play in spreading God's glory to all nations.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Silence
I've done it again. I got to the point where it's been so long since I've written a post that it's a bit awkward. Thankfully, this time I have the excuse of school work, much of which included writing giving my brain little space to write other things.
I'm finishing up my semester and looking forward to the winter break - being able to relax and see my friends. In finishing this up, I'm looking at what classes to take next semester and am still in flux; which, quite frankly, makes me feel awkward to write about. I always feel a little intimidated in saying "I'm not sure" or "I'm still praying about it." I feel like there should be a sure, godly answer that comes in quick answer to prayer. But that is not the case for me in deciding these classes. Part of the decision process involves considering what degree I may want to pursue - there are some courses that if I pursue a certain degree would be required, but if I decide not to simply would not matter.
So there you have it; I'm still undecided. Still uncertain. Still waiting on God. Putting it like that makes it sound a bit more reassuring, but admitting uncertainty is still a scary prospect.
I'm finishing up my semester and looking forward to the winter break - being able to relax and see my friends. In finishing this up, I'm looking at what classes to take next semester and am still in flux; which, quite frankly, makes me feel awkward to write about. I always feel a little intimidated in saying "I'm not sure" or "I'm still praying about it." I feel like there should be a sure, godly answer that comes in quick answer to prayer. But that is not the case for me in deciding these classes. Part of the decision process involves considering what degree I may want to pursue - there are some courses that if I pursue a certain degree would be required, but if I decide not to simply would not matter.
So there you have it; I'm still undecided. Still uncertain. Still waiting on God. Putting it like that makes it sound a bit more reassuring, but admitting uncertainty is still a scary prospect.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Here and Now
It is December and I am sort of dazed that the semester is almost over and not quite feeling like I am back at school. But the reality is that I am, and that I have another full week of classes and then finals. Only then can I rejoice in winter break.
I was in my Old Testament class today and was struck by a wonderful truth: God really knows what he was doing in bringing me to seminary at this time. I know, crazy to think of that now, right? But as I'm here sifting through what will be next, contemplating what to study, dealing with health issues as well as processing this whole transition I see so clearly that being here where the Word is constantly preached to me is a blessing. It feels like anytime I've come to a place of struggle or confusion I've been provided with a new and fresh reminder of God's love and grace through classes, professors and friends. He has brought me to such a safe place to be in this time of transition. What a great God we serve.
So as I continue to seek "what's next" and seek to follow God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I can continue to rejoice in his goodness and grace and have confidence in his leading and wisdom.
I was in my Old Testament class today and was struck by a wonderful truth: God really knows what he was doing in bringing me to seminary at this time. I know, crazy to think of that now, right? But as I'm here sifting through what will be next, contemplating what to study, dealing with health issues as well as processing this whole transition I see so clearly that being here where the Word is constantly preached to me is a blessing. It feels like anytime I've come to a place of struggle or confusion I've been provided with a new and fresh reminder of God's love and grace through classes, professors and friends. He has brought me to such a safe place to be in this time of transition. What a great God we serve.
So as I continue to seek "what's next" and seek to follow God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, I can continue to rejoice in his goodness and grace and have confidence in his leading and wisdom.
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