Epiphany of the Lord
Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1
I have been reflecting so much on "light" lately... and Jesus being the light of the world. A light reveals things hidden in the darkness. It makes truth visible. It also is much more powerful than darkness... it pierces through it. Darkness can not overpower light unless men cover it, conceal it, manipulate it's natural power... Hmmm, I am flooded with thoughts and reflection about this!! I wish I had time to share more. What are your thoughts and reflections about LIGHT on this day of EPIPHANY!? :)
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Thursday, November 12, 2009
"Whatever you do..."
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man." Colossians 3:23.
This life is full of challenges and endless striving if we forget the One who compels us to work for God's glory and not our own...
This life we have is short... here today, gone tomorrow... what will make our life count? What makes it important? How are we spending our time?
May EVERYTHING we do be pointing to Jesus. May we make the name of Jesus known.
I ache more and more in the pain of my sin and the whole world's state of sinfulness... but the more and more I ache in that reality, I praise the Lord for the truth of absolutely amazing, out of this world, incredible LOVE and grace that invites me into personal relationship with the ONE true God.
Oh, my faithful, loving Father, thank you so much... Help me to walk each step of my life covered in your amazing grace and opening up opportunities to share that amazing love and grace with all you bring across my path. May any work that I put my hands to be drenched in your blessing and power, drawing others to you... and not to me or any other thing. I love you, Lord. Thanks for loving me first so that I could walk through this life learning to love you more. Uh huh.. Amen. :)
This life is full of challenges and endless striving if we forget the One who compels us to work for God's glory and not our own...
This life we have is short... here today, gone tomorrow... what will make our life count? What makes it important? How are we spending our time?
May EVERYTHING we do be pointing to Jesus. May we make the name of Jesus known.
I ache more and more in the pain of my sin and the whole world's state of sinfulness... but the more and more I ache in that reality, I praise the Lord for the truth of absolutely amazing, out of this world, incredible LOVE and grace that invites me into personal relationship with the ONE true God.
Oh, my faithful, loving Father, thank you so much... Help me to walk each step of my life covered in your amazing grace and opening up opportunities to share that amazing love and grace with all you bring across my path. May any work that I put my hands to be drenched in your blessing and power, drawing others to you... and not to me or any other thing. I love you, Lord. Thanks for loving me first so that I could walk through this life learning to love you more. Uh huh.. Amen. :)
Saturday, October 3, 2009
My Anchor Holds
Hebrews 6:18-20 (New Living Translation)
"So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest
My Anchor Holds
Words: William C. Martin, 1902.
Music: Daniel B. Towner.
Though the angry surges roll
On my tempest driven soul,
I am peaceful, for I know,
Wildly though the winds may blow,
I’ve an anchor safe and sure,
That can evermore endure.
And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
Mighty tides about me sweep,
Perils lurk within the deep,
Angry clouds o’ershade the sky,
And the tempest rises high;
Still I stand the tempest’s shock,
For my anchor grips the rock.
And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
I can feel the anchor fast
As I meet each sudden blast,
And the cable, though unseen,
Bears the heavy strain between;
Through the storm I safely ride,
Till the turning of the tide.
And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
Troubles almost ’whelm the soul;
Griefs like billows o’er me roll;
Tempters seek to lure astray;
Storms obscure the light of day:
But in Christ I can be bold,
I’ve an anchor that shall hold.
And it holds, my anchor holds:
Blow your wildest, then, O gale,
On my bark so small and frail;
By His grace I shall not fail,
For my anchor holds, my anchor holds.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
New friends! :)
“May I help you with your bag?” I asked as I grabbed for the duffel to carry it up the hill. After some hesitation, the young woman finally agreed.
This was the start of my friendship with some beautiful Greek young women who had come to participate in our young adult camp this year.
As I insisted on helping this young lady and her friends to their cabin, I had a chance to get to know them a little bit. For most of them, it was there first time to Porto Astro.
In the next couple of days, they continually invited me to their table during meals; they let me practice speaking in Greek, and I genuinely felt a part of their ‘parea.’
The activities of the camp proved to be more key times to build our new-found friendship. The survivor “scavenger” hunt we went on one afternoon was full of adventurous tasks from the water to the climbing tower. It also included team problem solving and brainstorming together to remember key Bible verses, come up with climbing tower spiritual analogies, and even create a team chant! In the mornings we had small group Bible study time which led to lots of fruitful discussion together. The evenings included thought provoking messages from excellent speakers, the powerful “How Great is Our God” video, and I even got to help lead singing in worship together with my new friend.
When we said our good-bye’s at the end of camp, I knew it wouldn’t be the last time we would see each other. Back in Athens, we have still been in touch. Just last week, they took me out for supper for my birthday. As one of them went out of her way to drive me home afterwards, she started talking about that first moment we met…
“You know when you insisted on grabbing my bag and taking it up the hill for me? I was a little annoyed at first and thought you were just some over-eager, smiley American trying to ‘do a good deed.’ Now I know that you as support staff actually care about investing in relationships.”
YEAH! May the Lord continue to provide opportunities throughout the whole year to pursue building close relationships with those who participate in our camps. :)
This was the start of my friendship with some beautiful Greek young women who had come to participate in our young adult camp this year.
As I insisted on helping this young lady and her friends to their cabin, I had a chance to get to know them a little bit. For most of them, it was there first time to Porto Astro.
In the next couple of days, they continually invited me to their table during meals; they let me practice speaking in Greek, and I genuinely felt a part of their ‘parea.’
The activities of the camp proved to be more key times to build our new-found friendship. The survivor “scavenger” hunt we went on one afternoon was full of adventurous tasks from the water to the climbing tower. It also included team problem solving and brainstorming together to remember key Bible verses, come up with climbing tower spiritual analogies, and even create a team chant! In the mornings we had small group Bible study time which led to lots of fruitful discussion together. The evenings included thought provoking messages from excellent speakers, the powerful “How Great is Our God” video, and I even got to help lead singing in worship together with my new friend.
When we said our good-bye’s at the end of camp, I knew it wouldn’t be the last time we would see each other. Back in Athens, we have still been in touch. Just last week, they took me out for supper for my birthday. As one of them went out of her way to drive me home afterwards, she started talking about that first moment we met…
“You know when you insisted on grabbing my bag and taking it up the hill for me? I was a little annoyed at first and thought you were just some over-eager, smiley American trying to ‘do a good deed.’ Now I know that you as support staff actually care about investing in relationships.”
YEAH! May the Lord continue to provide opportunities throughout the whole year to pursue building close relationships with those who participate in our camps. :)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Just One...
This came in an encouragement e-mail to me a few days ago... and I cry, AMEN!
“If I Forget the Ones.” ~ originally recorded by Steve Chapman:
I’d love to stand upon a mountain
And look down upon the world and see
A thousand times a thousand people
And tell them all what Jesus did for me
I’d love to visit all the sick and aged
And tell them there’s new life to be
I’d love to visit all the kinds of prisons
And tell each one there He can set them free
And I’d love to travel on the oceans
To all the nations and the seas
And show the wanderer traveling in darkness
The light that shines upon the road for me
(The chorus so tenderly and carefully says...):
Oh, but Lord, remind me daily of my neighbor
And those who may know me by my name
If I forget the ones and think of millions
It would be much more for me than eternal shame
Just one. That’s all He asks us to focus on. Who will it be today? To the world you may just be one person – but to that person you may be the world. In that instance, show them Jesus. Their world will never be the same.
After a rather depressing couple of hours dealing with frustrating issues... I was out on my balcony weeping and praying and journaling... when out came my neighbor across the street onto her fourth floor apartment balcony. I have been praying for this ONE for a long time... and God immediately invigorated and empowered me to strike up another conversation with her... in Greek of course, the only language she speaks. For the first time we communicated that we should meet down below on the road and talk face to face. It was a pleasant encouraging chat. I can't tell you half of what she tried to say... but our smiles spoke volumes as usual... and I understood when she grabbed my waist and said I'd gotten smaller since she first saw me, haha. I'll take that as a compliment, woohoo!! ;) I tried to give her a New Testament in modern Greek but she didn't take it. :S I'll keep praying more for that...... Anyway, Lord, continue to help me be a spotlight pointing to YOU for this precious ONE of yours. ;)
“If I Forget the Ones.” ~ originally recorded by Steve Chapman:
I’d love to stand upon a mountain
And look down upon the world and see
A thousand times a thousand people
And tell them all what Jesus did for me
I’d love to visit all the sick and aged
And tell them there’s new life to be
I’d love to visit all the kinds of prisons
And tell each one there He can set them free
And I’d love to travel on the oceans
To all the nations and the seas
And show the wanderer traveling in darkness
The light that shines upon the road for me
(The chorus so tenderly and carefully says...):
Oh, but Lord, remind me daily of my neighbor
And those who may know me by my name
If I forget the ones and think of millions
It would be much more for me than eternal shame
Just one. That’s all He asks us to focus on. Who will it be today? To the world you may just be one person – but to that person you may be the world. In that instance, show them Jesus. Their world will never be the same.
After a rather depressing couple of hours dealing with frustrating issues... I was out on my balcony weeping and praying and journaling... when out came my neighbor across the street onto her fourth floor apartment balcony. I have been praying for this ONE for a long time... and God immediately invigorated and empowered me to strike up another conversation with her... in Greek of course, the only language she speaks. For the first time we communicated that we should meet down below on the road and talk face to face. It was a pleasant encouraging chat. I can't tell you half of what she tried to say... but our smiles spoke volumes as usual... and I understood when she grabbed my waist and said I'd gotten smaller since she first saw me, haha. I'll take that as a compliment, woohoo!! ;) I tried to give her a New Testament in modern Greek but she didn't take it. :S I'll keep praying more for that...... Anyway, Lord, continue to help me be a spotlight pointing to YOU for this precious ONE of yours. ;)
READING!!
I have read like 10 books in the last three weeks... mostly in the middle of the night right before I go to bed or on bus rides to new places all over Athens. :)
I've typed up a lot of my favorite quotes into a Word document... and should really share some of them here... but I'm a bit lazy to do so at the moment because it's WAY later than it should be, and I'm also very determined to finally get more of my pictures posted to facebook from the last 4 months!!!!
Anyway.. here are the books:
The Four Loves - C.S. Lewis
Out of the Rut and into Revival - A.W. Tozer
The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness - Tim Chester
The Revolution of Love - George Verwer
No Turning Back - George Verwer
Hunger for Reality - George Verwer
Anonymous - Alicia Britt Chole
Discover the Book God Wrote - Bill Bright
1 & 2 Corinthians - the apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit
Yup... that's 10... I've kinda/sorta started a couple of others, but I'll not bother typing those in for now.
As a common theme, there has been lots of affirmation for times of rest and anonymous seasons of life. A chance to build on character and nurture the intimate relationship I have with my heavenly Father.
I also have been privileged to spend time in a handful of Bible studies with great friends discussing passages like in Luke 2 where Jesus is left behind by his parents and they discover him in the temple three days later... or in 1 Samuel 30(ish?) where David goes to battle leaving behind part of his weary army, but still let's them share in the rewards of victory!
And... I have spent a few beautiful nights on beautiful beaches with beautiful friends... passionately praying and worshiping our amazing Savior and King - crying out for the Holy Spirit to rain down on the hearts of all of those in Athens and all of Greece!
Lord, may you PLEASE open people's eyes and ears to see and hear and KNOW you. It's YOU who has to change hearts and lives. The work of saving and finding lost souls is yours... We are powerless to do so without you! So give people hearts of understanding and faith to trust in you with their ALL! You're the only one who can bring true peace and joy through your amazing grace and forgiveness that is now our gift through the incredible price you paid by your selfless, obedient...agonizing sacrifice on the cross!
I've typed up a lot of my favorite quotes into a Word document... and should really share some of them here... but I'm a bit lazy to do so at the moment because it's WAY later than it should be, and I'm also very determined to finally get more of my pictures posted to facebook from the last 4 months!!!!
Anyway.. here are the books:
The Four Loves - C.S. Lewis
Out of the Rut and into Revival - A.W. Tozer
The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness - Tim Chester
The Revolution of Love - George Verwer
No Turning Back - George Verwer
Hunger for Reality - George Verwer
Anonymous - Alicia Britt Chole
Discover the Book God Wrote - Bill Bright
1 & 2 Corinthians - the apostle Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit
Yup... that's 10... I've kinda/sorta started a couple of others, but I'll not bother typing those in for now.
As a common theme, there has been lots of affirmation for times of rest and anonymous seasons of life. A chance to build on character and nurture the intimate relationship I have with my heavenly Father.
I also have been privileged to spend time in a handful of Bible studies with great friends discussing passages like in Luke 2 where Jesus is left behind by his parents and they discover him in the temple three days later... or in 1 Samuel 30(ish?) where David goes to battle leaving behind part of his weary army, but still let's them share in the rewards of victory!
And... I have spent a few beautiful nights on beautiful beaches with beautiful friends... passionately praying and worshiping our amazing Savior and King - crying out for the Holy Spirit to rain down on the hearts of all of those in Athens and all of Greece!
Lord, may you PLEASE open people's eyes and ears to see and hear and KNOW you. It's YOU who has to change hearts and lives. The work of saving and finding lost souls is yours... We are powerless to do so without you! So give people hearts of understanding and faith to trust in you with their ALL! You're the only one who can bring true peace and joy through your amazing grace and forgiveness that is now our gift through the incredible price you paid by your selfless, obedient...agonizing sacrifice on the cross!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Gotta Keep Singing...
There's way too much to say about these last two months...
So I won't say anything right now... I just want to "sing."
I pray these lyrics make you smile as much as they've made me smile.
Over My Head by Brian Littrell
I tried to figure it out
Time and time again and time again
I guess there's just some things I'll never understand
'Cause Your ways aren't our ways
But deep down in my soul, down in my soul
There is one thing I know that I know
I'm in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I'm so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I'm in over my head
I've been holding on
Now I'm letting go, just letting go
Gonna let Your love carry me away
I don't know where I'm going
But I'm surrounded by the truth
And I can feel the current pulling me
Deeper into You
I'm in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I'm so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I'm in over my head
You see me for who I am
You did reach out Your hand
You made me understand
That Your love has always covered me
By Your Side by Meggan De Jong
(written while working on our beautiful Morning Star ministry sailboat at shipyard two months ago)
What is this life
if not lived for you?
What is my goal for each day
if I don't listen to what you say?:
"Seek first my face,
and look for me here in this place.
I'm right by your side."
This life is too short
to be driftin' off course;
So give me the grace for today,
I'll let you worry 'bout tomorrow...
('Cause you said):
"Seek first my face,
and look for me here in this place.
I'm right by your side...
"I'm not tryin' to hide,
just open your eyes.
Let me be your guide,
and make the world ask why...
(And remember I said):
"Seek first my face,
and look for me here in this place.
'Cause I'm all around you.
Oh, Let me astound you.
Remember, I'm the one who found you,
and I'll stick closely by your side
and help my name to be lifted high."
I'm going to go sing and play some more at the piano now. Ah, THANK YOU Lord for the refreshment of FINALLY being able to play a piano more often...
So I won't say anything right now... I just want to "sing."
I pray these lyrics make you smile as much as they've made me smile.
Over My Head by Brian Littrell
I tried to figure it out
Time and time again and time again
I guess there's just some things I'll never understand
'Cause Your ways aren't our ways
But deep down in my soul, down in my soul
There is one thing I know that I know
I'm in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I'm so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I'm in over my head
I've been holding on
Now I'm letting go, just letting go
Gonna let Your love carry me away
I don't know where I'm going
But I'm surrounded by the truth
And I can feel the current pulling me
Deeper into You
I'm in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I'm so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I'm in over my head
You see me for who I am
You did reach out Your hand
You made me understand
That Your love has always covered me
By Your Side by Meggan De Jong
(written while working on our beautiful Morning Star ministry sailboat at shipyard two months ago)
What is this life
if not lived for you?
What is my goal for each day
if I don't listen to what you say?:
"Seek first my face,
and look for me here in this place.
I'm right by your side."
This life is too short
to be driftin' off course;
So give me the grace for today,
I'll let you worry 'bout tomorrow...
('Cause you said):
"Seek first my face,
and look for me here in this place.
I'm right by your side...
"I'm not tryin' to hide,
just open your eyes.
Let me be your guide,
and make the world ask why...
(And remember I said):
"Seek first my face,
and look for me here in this place.
'Cause I'm all around you.
Oh, Let me astound you.
Remember, I'm the one who found you,
and I'll stick closely by your side
and help my name to be lifted high."
I'm going to go sing and play some more at the piano now. Ah, THANK YOU Lord for the refreshment of FINALLY being able to play a piano more often...
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