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...
Monday, April 27, 2009
"My" life
Has it seriously been a month since I have posted? Yikes...
Anyway, I promised myself I would try not to start too many posts with comments like, "Dude, it's been so long since I have posted, I can't believe it...sorry, sorry, sorry..." because I'd seriously be doing that before every post, and then it would just get annoying, hehe... So... moving right along...
Just because I don't end up posting to this blog as often as I'd like or plan to, it doesn't mean it's for lack of encouraging things to share.
So where do I start?
In the last month...
...I have been blessed to spend time with two amazing missionary families in Turkey.
Sharing life together for just a few days inspired me...
...to press on towards my vision of encouraging missionaries all over the world.
...I have been blessed to spend time with people from all over Europe at a mission conference in Germany.
Sharing life together for just a few days inspired me...
...to be even more in awe than ever before of the family of God that crosses all language, racial, ethnic, national barriers.
...I have been blessed to spend time with my HM family at Porto Astro.
Sharing life together there for just a few days inspired me...
...to thank the Lord for what an amazing group of people he has led me to link my passions, gifts, and talents with as together we are "Christ in action" for Greece and all nations.
...I have been blessed to spend time with my Greek church friends.
Sharing life together for worship and fellowship times inspired me...
...to truly love feeling like I belong to a family of brothers and sisters that I can share life with and work together with to spread the GOOD NEWS!
And finally, I was blessed to listen to a powerful sermon yesterday that reminded me again that this life is not my own. It is not I who lives, but Christ lives in me. The more I lay aside all of my selfish goals and ambitions, the more Christ can live and work through me. The more I lay aside me pride, and give away what "I have," and humble myself in obedience to the Lord's leading in my life... the more of a blessing I can be to others, and the more blessed I am in return! It's not necessarily a new thought or concept... it's just the TRUTH that resonates over and over again through my heart, mind, and soul... that truly inspires me to live each day dead to myself and alive in Christ.
So again, let me say... "MY" life, "MY" story, "MY" song... is really the Lord Jesus Christ's life... the Lord's story of grace made alive through my life... the Lord's beautiful music played out of my heart and soul for all to hear. And the more I let that song play, the more alive I AM! The less I have to selfishly grasp for my identity from any other person or thing of this life... because I AM ALIVE IN CHRIST! Oh thank you SO MUCH DADDY for this amazing gift that I could do nothing myself to gain lest I should be able to boast in anything but you. What a life, what a story, what a beautiful song... continue helping me glorify you - make YOU KNOWN - with YOUR LIFE LIVED OUT THROUGH ONE OF YOUR CUSTOM-MADE EXPRESSIONS: me - Meggan Ann De Jong. Thanks for making me specially yours... a beautiful vessel for you to shine your light to pierce the darkness of this world.
Anyway, I promised myself I would try not to start too many posts with comments like, "Dude, it's been so long since I have posted, I can't believe it...sorry, sorry, sorry..." because I'd seriously be doing that before every post, and then it would just get annoying, hehe... So... moving right along...
Just because I don't end up posting to this blog as often as I'd like or plan to, it doesn't mean it's for lack of encouraging things to share.
So where do I start?
In the last month...
...I have been blessed to spend time with two amazing missionary families in Turkey.
Sharing life together for just a few days inspired me...
...to press on towards my vision of encouraging missionaries all over the world.
...I have been blessed to spend time with people from all over Europe at a mission conference in Germany.
Sharing life together for just a few days inspired me...
...to be even more in awe than ever before of the family of God that crosses all language, racial, ethnic, national barriers.
...I have been blessed to spend time with my HM family at Porto Astro.
Sharing life together there for just a few days inspired me...
...to thank the Lord for what an amazing group of people he has led me to link my passions, gifts, and talents with as together we are "Christ in action" for Greece and all nations.
...I have been blessed to spend time with my Greek church friends.
Sharing life together for worship and fellowship times inspired me...
...to truly love feeling like I belong to a family of brothers and sisters that I can share life with and work together with to spread the GOOD NEWS!
And finally, I was blessed to listen to a powerful sermon yesterday that reminded me again that this life is not my own. It is not I who lives, but Christ lives in me. The more I lay aside all of my selfish goals and ambitions, the more Christ can live and work through me. The more I lay aside me pride, and give away what "I have," and humble myself in obedience to the Lord's leading in my life... the more of a blessing I can be to others, and the more blessed I am in return! It's not necessarily a new thought or concept... it's just the TRUTH that resonates over and over again through my heart, mind, and soul... that truly inspires me to live each day dead to myself and alive in Christ.
So again, let me say... "MY" life, "MY" story, "MY" song... is really the Lord Jesus Christ's life... the Lord's story of grace made alive through my life... the Lord's beautiful music played out of my heart and soul for all to hear. And the more I let that song play, the more alive I AM! The less I have to selfishly grasp for my identity from any other person or thing of this life... because I AM ALIVE IN CHRIST! Oh thank you SO MUCH DADDY for this amazing gift that I could do nothing myself to gain lest I should be able to boast in anything but you. What a life, what a story, what a beautiful song... continue helping me glorify you - make YOU KNOWN - with YOUR LIFE LIVED OUT THROUGH ONE OF YOUR CUSTOM-MADE EXPRESSIONS: me - Meggan Ann De Jong. Thanks for making me specially yours... a beautiful vessel for you to shine your light to pierce the darkness of this world.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Need You Near
"Need You Near" is a beautiful song that my friend Sophie Eicher wrote, and my sister has had the opportunity to sing on a number of occasions. It had been resonating in my head for a couple weeks straight... and I just had the sense that I should prepare to share it somewhere. There were a couple "almost" opportunities... but then I just sort of wrote it off like I probably wouldn't share it any time soon. I thought maybe it was just my own selfish desire to share such a pretty song, and I also thought I probably didn't know it well enough anyway, and I'd just mess it up... I don't know, all sorts of random rationalizations tend to float through my head on a regular basis about things like this, haha. Would you knock it off, silly, deceitful devil!
Anyhoo, so then last weekend... boom, boom, boom... not one, not two, but THREE opportunities right in a row.
First at the Brazilian church congregation that I was able to visit for the second time last Saturday night. I have made some special friends there, and I just absolutely love the spirit of worship with that "BASIC" body (Brothers And Sisters In Christ). The first time I was there, I had been asked and planned to share a few songs with them. This time I had returned with no plan, only for the sole purpose of wanting to see them again and fellowship together in beautiful worship! But out of the blue in the middle of the service the pastor says, "and now Meggan will bless us with one song." ...or yeah, something like that. :) And... sweet, I kinda sensed it right before he said it... and then he said it (in Porteguese of course, so I still wasn't exactly for sure what was going on, haha), and then I had no doubt this was my chance to share the song. :) And I'm grateful God could use it as a blessing for my dear friends there!!
I thought that was it... but on Sunday two more opportunities happened! :) That afternoon, one of my best friends, "my younger sister" Ioanna, invited me and some other beautiful girls over to her house for lunch. She had told me they had a piano at her place that I could play, and I had been eager for the opportunity to get over there to do so! ;) AND SO, there, again... I was able to share the song with those girls.
And THEN, that night at our "House of Worship" event, we had a beautiful time of prayer together for our friends after a wonderful message from Matthew 14, about Jesus trying to convince his disciples to trust him that he truly was the Son of God. And would they respond, step out of the boat and follow him? He wanted them near him. And they needed to recognize that they needed him NEAR!! They needed to intimately know the voice of their Lord, master, Jesus. :) And I just knew I needed to share that song. It fit as a nice transition between their time of prayer into more songs of beautiful worship together.
Ah, so great...
I'll post the link to my sister singing it on YouTube. Ignore the poor quality on a few of the more powerful notes, sorry. :) Ah, Morgan, where are you.. I miss singing with you. Come to Greece ASAP!!! ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmcwk3NIvzM
Anyhoo, so then last weekend... boom, boom, boom... not one, not two, but THREE opportunities right in a row.
First at the Brazilian church congregation that I was able to visit for the second time last Saturday night. I have made some special friends there, and I just absolutely love the spirit of worship with that "BASIC" body (Brothers And Sisters In Christ). The first time I was there, I had been asked and planned to share a few songs with them. This time I had returned with no plan, only for the sole purpose of wanting to see them again and fellowship together in beautiful worship! But out of the blue in the middle of the service the pastor says, "and now Meggan will bless us with one song." ...or yeah, something like that. :) And... sweet, I kinda sensed it right before he said it... and then he said it (in Porteguese of course, so I still wasn't exactly for sure what was going on, haha), and then I had no doubt this was my chance to share the song. :) And I'm grateful God could use it as a blessing for my dear friends there!!
I thought that was it... but on Sunday two more opportunities happened! :) That afternoon, one of my best friends, "my younger sister" Ioanna, invited me and some other beautiful girls over to her house for lunch. She had told me they had a piano at her place that I could play, and I had been eager for the opportunity to get over there to do so! ;) AND SO, there, again... I was able to share the song with those girls.
And THEN, that night at our "House of Worship" event, we had a beautiful time of prayer together for our friends after a wonderful message from Matthew 14, about Jesus trying to convince his disciples to trust him that he truly was the Son of God. And would they respond, step out of the boat and follow him? He wanted them near him. And they needed to recognize that they needed him NEAR!! They needed to intimately know the voice of their Lord, master, Jesus. :) And I just knew I needed to share that song. It fit as a nice transition between their time of prayer into more songs of beautiful worship together.
Ah, so great...
I'll post the link to my sister singing it on YouTube. Ignore the poor quality on a few of the more powerful notes, sorry. :) Ah, Morgan, where are you.. I miss singing with you. Come to Greece ASAP!!! ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kmcwk3NIvzM
Mission - TO DO list
What is on your TO DO List?
Seriously, take a minute to start rattling off a few things…
For example, here are just a few things on mine…
Keep on top of communicating the HM and OJ vision with people through the web – e-mail, website, facebook, blogs, etc.; help with all OJ event coordinating details; communicate regularly with my personal supporters; learn the Greek language; keep finding ways to plug into the local Greek 1st Evangelical church that God has so clearly called me to become a member of; learn to be a good homemaker and cook; practice more guitar and piano… (and begin strategizing/saving/praying to acquire these instruments for myself here in Greece!); write more songs; memorize hymns and scripture in Greek; follow up on the ba-jillion connections and friends I have made in Greece so far!; encourage each and every one of my facebook friends personally; … etc, etc.
Yeah, honestly, that’s just half of my to do list! I’m crazy, I know… but here’s what I want to remind both you and myself of…
God’s TO DO List for us:
Look at me, my precious child. Look at me.
Know my love. Follow me. Do what I do. I will teach you.
See me, and hear me, and know my voice,
because my presence is ALL around your daily circumstances.
I will walk with you through each step you take…
And carry you through the hard stuff…
I love you, and don’t you dare forget it!
So what are YOU going TO DO now?
I suggest we pause and look to our loving Father…
Just talk to Him… about all your cares, concerns, joys, thanksgivings…
And especially about all that we are privileged to be a part of as members of this family of God...
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full on His wonderful face,
And the things of earth with grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Seriously, take a minute to start rattling off a few things…
For example, here are just a few things on mine…
Keep on top of communicating the HM and OJ vision with people through the web – e-mail, website, facebook, blogs, etc.; help with all OJ event coordinating details; communicate regularly with my personal supporters; learn the Greek language; keep finding ways to plug into the local Greek 1st Evangelical church that God has so clearly called me to become a member of; learn to be a good homemaker and cook; practice more guitar and piano… (and begin strategizing/saving/praying to acquire these instruments for myself here in Greece!); write more songs; memorize hymns and scripture in Greek; follow up on the ba-jillion connections and friends I have made in Greece so far!; encourage each and every one of my facebook friends personally; … etc, etc.
Yeah, honestly, that’s just half of my to do list! I’m crazy, I know… but here’s what I want to remind both you and myself of…
God’s TO DO List for us:
Look at me, my precious child. Look at me.
Know my love. Follow me. Do what I do. I will teach you.
See me, and hear me, and know my voice,
because my presence is ALL around your daily circumstances.
I will walk with you through each step you take…
And carry you through the hard stuff…
I love you, and don’t you dare forget it!
So what are YOU going TO DO now?
I suggest we pause and look to our loving Father…
Just talk to Him… about all your cares, concerns, joys, thanksgivings…
And especially about all that we are privileged to be a part of as members of this family of God...
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full on His wonderful face,
And the things of earth with grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
The Mission - Renounce Everything
Today I was thinking about how at home I feel here in Greece.
I was thinking about how relatively easy it has been to leave small town Iowa and get settled into this BIG city life in Athens.
I was thinking about how blessed I feel to be in this place, surrounded by such an incredible "BASIC" community (...of Brothers And Sisters In Christ). I was thinking about how relatively easy it was for me to give up much of my comforts, familiarities, and abundance of "things" at home.
I was thinking about all of this...
and then I also started thinking about...
...Luke 14 and the "cost of discipleship" - renouncing everything... Haven't I already done that? Haven't I left family, friends, comforts, etc...? For what, Meg?.. in exchange for new family, friends, and comforts here?
...how Job lost everything... really, everything but God on his side, and intimate conversation with God in heaven.
...how Jesus will return like a thief in the night, at any moment, catching us all off guard, surprising us... will I be ready? Do I WANT him to come? Am I still clinging too closely to life in this world, or will I be more ready and LONGING for leaving it ALL behind to at last be in the full, complete presence and communion with my Savior
...how Abraham was called to sacrifice his precious gift from God, his promised Son... how it made no sense to him, yet he obeyed the call of God. He had faith in God, and sought God's will first, not his own. He was ready to give it all up on the altar for God...
Would I be willing to give up this life and work and new place and relationships that I am coming to absolutely LOVE. No matter how strongly I do feel called here, and at peace here, and at the center of God's will for my life at this moment... would I be able to renounce it all, and give it all up, to run without a single hindrance to my one and only LOVE? Would I be able to follow a call by God to pack up again and GO somewhere else? I'm not so sure I would be quite ready to do that... so it was a great "do you trust me?" check. In my gut I knew that this was exactly true to the Spirit I am praying for... to be so in love with Christ, that he is my one and only sole focus in this journey through life, this endurance race to finish closer to my Savior, this all out sprint to know Jesus more intimately!
So I pray that you would keep filling me up with a desire focused only on you, Lord, and less and less and less on all of the things of this world... no matter how good and great they are, as special gifts from you even. :) Please keep leading me along on this adventure with you... keep me from flying out of my seat on this thrilling roller coaster ride... don't let go of my hand on this precarious journey through the wilderness, across the streams, over the mountains, and down through the valleys... "Lord, I want to follow, anywhere you go... but sometimes you walk faster, and I walk to slow... Oh.. Lord Jesus, lead me where you go, cause I just want you to be, my Savior, Lord, and King..." I love you, Lord.
I was thinking about how relatively easy it has been to leave small town Iowa and get settled into this BIG city life in Athens.
I was thinking about how blessed I feel to be in this place, surrounded by such an incredible "BASIC" community (...of Brothers And Sisters In Christ). I was thinking about how relatively easy it was for me to give up much of my comforts, familiarities, and abundance of "things" at home.
I was thinking about all of this...
and then I also started thinking about...
...Luke 14 and the "cost of discipleship" - renouncing everything... Haven't I already done that? Haven't I left family, friends, comforts, etc...? For what, Meg?.. in exchange for new family, friends, and comforts here?
...how Job lost everything... really, everything but God on his side, and intimate conversation with God in heaven.
...how Jesus will return like a thief in the night, at any moment, catching us all off guard, surprising us... will I be ready? Do I WANT him to come? Am I still clinging too closely to life in this world, or will I be more ready and LONGING for leaving it ALL behind to at last be in the full, complete presence and communion with my Savior
...how Abraham was called to sacrifice his precious gift from God, his promised Son... how it made no sense to him, yet he obeyed the call of God. He had faith in God, and sought God's will first, not his own. He was ready to give it all up on the altar for God...
Would I be willing to give up this life and work and new place and relationships that I am coming to absolutely LOVE. No matter how strongly I do feel called here, and at peace here, and at the center of God's will for my life at this moment... would I be able to renounce it all, and give it all up, to run without a single hindrance to my one and only LOVE? Would I be able to follow a call by God to pack up again and GO somewhere else? I'm not so sure I would be quite ready to do that... so it was a great "do you trust me?" check. In my gut I knew that this was exactly true to the Spirit I am praying for... to be so in love with Christ, that he is my one and only sole focus in this journey through life, this endurance race to finish closer to my Savior, this all out sprint to know Jesus more intimately!
So I pray that you would keep filling me up with a desire focused only on you, Lord, and less and less and less on all of the things of this world... no matter how good and great they are, as special gifts from you even. :) Please keep leading me along on this adventure with you... keep me from flying out of my seat on this thrilling roller coaster ride... don't let go of my hand on this precarious journey through the wilderness, across the streams, over the mountains, and down through the valleys... "Lord, I want to follow, anywhere you go... but sometimes you walk faster, and I walk to slow... Oh.. Lord Jesus, lead me where you go, cause I just want you to be, my Savior, Lord, and King..." I love you, Lord.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Mission - GO
Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to the airport and "see off" a Greek missionary couple on their way to Sri Lanka. It was such a blessing to chat with Ritza and Michaelis and reminisce the special send off my church family gave me right before I came to Greece just a short time ago. Ritza and I encouraged one another with a hug and the simple gift of mutual understanding for what this "packing up, leaving home, and saying good-bye" stuff feels like.
This was an extra special moment for all of those gathered at the Athens airport, because it is not exactly common or popular for Greeks to leave for a long-term mission service assignment. Praise the Lord for the supportive parents and church family of Ritza and Michaelis! In fact, my fellow HM staff explained to me that the last family who did this was our founder, Costas Macris, and his wife, Alky. Alky was a part of the group gathered to send off Ritza and Michaelis with prayers and blessings, and needless to say it was an emotional time. Johnathan, Costas and Alky's son and current president of HM, shared the vision with our staff that we will start wearing out the path to the airport because we will travel it so much to send off more and more Greek missionaries to serve God all over the world. This couple had actually met and been encouraged towards mission during their participation in a summer sports camp out at HM's waterfront property, Porto Astro. I pray God will continue to use this blessed location to disciple and mentor the Greek young people towards mission!
And why "mission?" Why GO? Why leave home? Why serve God in a different country? As you might guess, I have asked myself these questions often, and I have had some great discussions about these things with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I mean, on the one hand, we are ALL called to be lifelong "missionaries" no matter what context we are in... far or near from home, no matter what our job title. So why not stay near home and use the gifts God has given me there, because no doubt there is plenty of need there too! Well, to be quite honest, as I cried out to God that he would lead me and give me the courage and strength to follow his good, BEST plans for my life... I had no other option but to leave all of my securities and familiarities behind me, and GO somewhere new. I was praying for less attachment to my possessions and comforts, and more reliance on God alone for my every need. I was praying for God to help me trust him with each and every life decision, big or small. I was praying for clarity in the good, BEST ways to encourage my friends and family members with what God was doing in my life...
And I couldn't have asked for a better assignment than this mission field abroad. There is so much more to share with you on this subject, so I will make it my goal to keep discussing these thoughts in more regular blog posts.
Jesus told us: GO, and make disciples of all nations... baptize and teach them all that I have commanded you. Invite them into this way of life. I will be with you as you do this, day after day after day...until the end of the age.
He also said,
"Come, follow me." And they left behind everything...
He also said,
"Go out two by two, and take nothing for your journey..." And they did this and they lacked nothing.
He also said much, much, more... ;) I'm reading through Luke right now. It is one of my favorite books, and it has been so encouraging to remind myself of the perfect life of obedience to God that Jesus models for us. These couple verses at the end of chapter 4 especially hit me this week:
(I'm reading in three different translations simultaneously right now... but I want to post the Message paraphrase for you...)
"He left the next day for open country. But the crowds went looking and, when they found him, clung to him so he couldn't go on. He told them, 'Don't you realize that there are yet other villages where I have to tell the Message of God's kingdom, that this is the work God sent me to do?'"
This is also the chapter where he talks about a prophet not being welcome in his own town. And... anyway, I just found it interesting that Jesus couldn't just stay and keep his Good News Message in one place, but he was called to GO elsewhere and keep spreading the Word. The people were mobbing him and distracting him and clinging to him - his physical presence - too tightly when he stayed in one place...
What do you think about all this?
I pray God fills you up with strength and courage to listen and follow his call for your life. Where is he telling you to go today? What is he telling you to do? May we NOT get too easily distracted by our own plans and ambitions. It is challenging to keep focused on our one and only goal, Jesus Christ... and running after him with all we've got. :) But oh what glorious reward when we do!!! :D Thank you, Jesus, for your presence so near in my life, as you're helping me be obedient to your call and keep throwing off everything that hinders. Please empower all of my brothers and sisters, from America, Greece, and ALL over this world... to keep their FOCUS on you... and their ears in TUNE to your glorious redemption symphony.
This was an extra special moment for all of those gathered at the Athens airport, because it is not exactly common or popular for Greeks to leave for a long-term mission service assignment. Praise the Lord for the supportive parents and church family of Ritza and Michaelis! In fact, my fellow HM staff explained to me that the last family who did this was our founder, Costas Macris, and his wife, Alky. Alky was a part of the group gathered to send off Ritza and Michaelis with prayers and blessings, and needless to say it was an emotional time. Johnathan, Costas and Alky's son and current president of HM, shared the vision with our staff that we will start wearing out the path to the airport because we will travel it so much to send off more and more Greek missionaries to serve God all over the world. This couple had actually met and been encouraged towards mission during their participation in a summer sports camp out at HM's waterfront property, Porto Astro. I pray God will continue to use this blessed location to disciple and mentor the Greek young people towards mission!
And why "mission?" Why GO? Why leave home? Why serve God in a different country? As you might guess, I have asked myself these questions often, and I have had some great discussions about these things with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I mean, on the one hand, we are ALL called to be lifelong "missionaries" no matter what context we are in... far or near from home, no matter what our job title. So why not stay near home and use the gifts God has given me there, because no doubt there is plenty of need there too! Well, to be quite honest, as I cried out to God that he would lead me and give me the courage and strength to follow his good, BEST plans for my life... I had no other option but to leave all of my securities and familiarities behind me, and GO somewhere new. I was praying for less attachment to my possessions and comforts, and more reliance on God alone for my every need. I was praying for God to help me trust him with each and every life decision, big or small. I was praying for clarity in the good, BEST ways to encourage my friends and family members with what God was doing in my life...
And I couldn't have asked for a better assignment than this mission field abroad. There is so much more to share with you on this subject, so I will make it my goal to keep discussing these thoughts in more regular blog posts.
Jesus told us: GO, and make disciples of all nations... baptize and teach them all that I have commanded you. Invite them into this way of life. I will be with you as you do this, day after day after day...until the end of the age.
He also said,
"Come, follow me." And they left behind everything...
He also said,
"Go out two by two, and take nothing for your journey..." And they did this and they lacked nothing.
He also said much, much, more... ;) I'm reading through Luke right now. It is one of my favorite books, and it has been so encouraging to remind myself of the perfect life of obedience to God that Jesus models for us. These couple verses at the end of chapter 4 especially hit me this week:
(I'm reading in three different translations simultaneously right now... but I want to post the Message paraphrase for you...)
"He left the next day for open country. But the crowds went looking and, when they found him, clung to him so he couldn't go on. He told them, 'Don't you realize that there are yet other villages where I have to tell the Message of God's kingdom, that this is the work God sent me to do?'"
This is also the chapter where he talks about a prophet not being welcome in his own town. And... anyway, I just found it interesting that Jesus couldn't just stay and keep his Good News Message in one place, but he was called to GO elsewhere and keep spreading the Word. The people were mobbing him and distracting him and clinging to him - his physical presence - too tightly when he stayed in one place...
What do you think about all this?
I pray God fills you up with strength and courage to listen and follow his call for your life. Where is he telling you to go today? What is he telling you to do? May we NOT get too easily distracted by our own plans and ambitions. It is challenging to keep focused on our one and only goal, Jesus Christ... and running after him with all we've got. :) But oh what glorious reward when we do!!! :D Thank you, Jesus, for your presence so near in my life, as you're helping me be obedient to your call and keep throwing off everything that hinders. Please empower all of my brothers and sisters, from America, Greece, and ALL over this world... to keep their FOCUS on you... and their ears in TUNE to your glorious redemption symphony.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
A Time to Mourn, and a Time to Dance
House of Worship - February 1, 2009
This week’s House of Worship began when the worship team gathered for fellowship and prayer, hours before participants would arrive. There was an unexplainable feeling of excitement for the night ahead and a thankfulness for the joy found in “simply” being together. The fact that we are united together by the same Spirit was especially evident in our hearts.
As the night progressed, the words found in Ecclesiastes 3 became prominent in my thoughts: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:…a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” There were plenty of things to weep and mourn for – sisters affected by cancer, a sister named Hope lost without the knowledge of true hope in her life, the testimony of a challenging life filled with situations of mourning and weeping, and the poverty of the children in Uganda. But there was also so much more to laugh, smile, dance, and rejoice about!
*The exuberant sharing of a new song - “Thankful,”
*The Nooma video, “Dust,” reminding us that God believes in us – we can be like him!
*The beautiful smile of Joan as her sorrowful testimony led to absolute peace and joy in Christ. (Previously being confined to a wheelchair, she was truly released from her frail, crippled body and spirit in order to pass on her hope in Christ while giving away wheelchairs to those in need in Uganda.)
*The passionate testimony of the team who were called by God to GO to Uganda, and how Mariza had the opportunity to challenge her Greek peers to join her in God’s mission.
*The excellent worship music producing shouts of joy, jumping, dancing, and soar throats, haha.
It was truly a night filled with blessing. God’s Spirit came and filled the hearts of all gathered, just as we had prayed. Thank you, Lord!
In honor of the joyful night filled with new songs, new faces, new instruments (yeah for the tambourine!), and new life in Christ, let me close with a portion of the song of Psalm 149:
"Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
Let them praise his name with dancing,
Making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
Praise the Lord!”
This week’s House of Worship began when the worship team gathered for fellowship and prayer, hours before participants would arrive. There was an unexplainable feeling of excitement for the night ahead and a thankfulness for the joy found in “simply” being together. The fact that we are united together by the same Spirit was especially evident in our hearts.
As the night progressed, the words found in Ecclesiastes 3 became prominent in my thoughts: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:…a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” There were plenty of things to weep and mourn for – sisters affected by cancer, a sister named Hope lost without the knowledge of true hope in her life, the testimony of a challenging life filled with situations of mourning and weeping, and the poverty of the children in Uganda. But there was also so much more to laugh, smile, dance, and rejoice about!
*The exuberant sharing of a new song - “Thankful,”
*The Nooma video, “Dust,” reminding us that God believes in us – we can be like him!
*The beautiful smile of Joan as her sorrowful testimony led to absolute peace and joy in Christ. (Previously being confined to a wheelchair, she was truly released from her frail, crippled body and spirit in order to pass on her hope in Christ while giving away wheelchairs to those in need in Uganda.)
*The passionate testimony of the team who were called by God to GO to Uganda, and how Mariza had the opportunity to challenge her Greek peers to join her in God’s mission.
*The excellent worship music producing shouts of joy, jumping, dancing, and soar throats, haha.
It was truly a night filled with blessing. God’s Spirit came and filled the hearts of all gathered, just as we had prayed. Thank you, Lord!
In honor of the joyful night filled with new songs, new faces, new instruments (yeah for the tambourine!), and new life in Christ, let me close with a portion of the song of Psalm 149:
"Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
Let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
Let them praise his name with dancing,
Making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
Praise the Lord!”
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
House of Worship: Let it Rain...
On Sunday afternoon, January 25, 2009, I made my way downtown to the Hall for our special House of Worship event. As I was walking, I put my slick coat and umbrella to good use and hummed the song “Let it Rain” to myself for obvious reasons. This chorus became very meaningful to me as the day continued on - especially when our worship leader spontaneously led us in this song near the end of our time together. The powerful, passionate singing of these words inspires this summary:
There was fervent prayer for the new, out of the ordinary timing for a House of Worship gathering. Help your children know that worship is all of life, God. Let an awesome sense of communion and fellowship rain down on your family of believers.
There were passionate prayers of healing for a dear sister who recently learned of her cancer diagnosis. Let your healing power rain down on your daughter, Lord God, so that her healthy life will bring glory to Your Name.
There was a variety of music offered up by those You have blessed with amazing talent, God. Let the beautiful melodies reign in our hearts all week long, uniting and harmonizing our souls together with a sense of peace found only in You.
There were servant hands and feet moving all over the place to help set up, serve food, clean up, and ensure the highest quality of musical sound. Dear God, let your pleasure in the selfless work of your children rain down a sense of joy in their hearts for the opportunity to be blessed in giving of themselves.
Thank you, God, for letting it rain – for opening the floodgates of heaven and pouring out your love, mercy, joy and peace on the hearts of your children. Now open the floodgates of heaven over all of Greece, Lord, and let your life-giving truth reign in every heart.
There was fervent prayer for the new, out of the ordinary timing for a House of Worship gathering. Help your children know that worship is all of life, God. Let an awesome sense of communion and fellowship rain down on your family of believers.
There were passionate prayers of healing for a dear sister who recently learned of her cancer diagnosis. Let your healing power rain down on your daughter, Lord God, so that her healthy life will bring glory to Your Name.
There was a variety of music offered up by those You have blessed with amazing talent, God. Let the beautiful melodies reign in our hearts all week long, uniting and harmonizing our souls together with a sense of peace found only in You.
There were servant hands and feet moving all over the place to help set up, serve food, clean up, and ensure the highest quality of musical sound. Dear God, let your pleasure in the selfless work of your children rain down a sense of joy in their hearts for the opportunity to be blessed in giving of themselves.
Thank you, God, for letting it rain – for opening the floodgates of heaven and pouring out your love, mercy, joy and peace on the hearts of your children. Now open the floodgates of heaven over all of Greece, Lord, and let your life-giving truth reign in every heart.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Follow Love
Hello friends...The day is finally here. I'm less than 12 hours away from my first flight out of Iowa and on to Greece. :) And I must admit something... today the tears spilled over a few times. It's one of those challenging, yet rewarding transitions in my life... and the feelings are all over the place inside of me... reminiscing the wonderful last four months at home with friends and family, stressing a little about packing decisions, full of exhilaration for the journey ahead, and SO excited to grow closer to the ONE who made me and called me to this mission. :) Ah wow, I'm just... SO blessed, and I am anxious to keep letting this blessing spill over to bless others.
Here's the lyrics to an old favorite song that is really special to me (especially because of you, MO. ;) Love ya!)
Follow Love by FFH:
I'm gonna miss the simple town full of memories
I'm gonna miss just hanging out with all my friends
The rainy days and summer nights
(more like freezing days and blowing snow right now, haha...)
Skipping stones by the river side
(or skiing with the family... okay, I'll quit interrupting now!)
But i know.. its time to go
So here's goodbye here's so long
I must go and follow love
I feel my heart moving on
I must go and follow love
Carry on while I'm gone
This is what i've been dreaming of
I'll miss you so
But i must go, go and follow love
I've got a heart thats full of dreams
and a little bit of crazy
I can feel it pulling me to somewhere i have never been
I'm packing up and leaving home
To travel into the great unknown
Its time, i have to go...
We're not guaranteed tomorrow
So we must just keep on living for the day
and make the most of every moment
every step along the way...
So I must go, go and follow love
Yup, nothing like a song to sum up my feelings right now. :) I will hopefully post again very soon to let you know how traveling goes, etc. I love you all, and thanks so much for your support and encouragement! May you be overwhelmed at the enormity of God's amazing love for you.
Here's the lyrics to an old favorite song that is really special to me (especially because of you, MO. ;) Love ya!)
Follow Love by FFH:
I'm gonna miss the simple town full of memories
I'm gonna miss just hanging out with all my friends
The rainy days and summer nights
(more like freezing days and blowing snow right now, haha...)
Skipping stones by the river side
(or skiing with the family... okay, I'll quit interrupting now!)
But i know.. its time to go
So here's goodbye here's so long
I must go and follow love
I feel my heart moving on
I must go and follow love
Carry on while I'm gone
This is what i've been dreaming of
I'll miss you so
But i must go, go and follow love
I've got a heart thats full of dreams
and a little bit of crazy
I can feel it pulling me to somewhere i have never been
I'm packing up and leaving home
To travel into the great unknown
Its time, i have to go...
We're not guaranteed tomorrow
So we must just keep on living for the day
and make the most of every moment
every step along the way...
So I must go, go and follow love
Yup, nothing like a song to sum up my feelings right now. :) I will hopefully post again very soon to let you know how traveling goes, etc. I love you all, and thanks so much for your support and encouragement! May you be overwhelmed at the enormity of God's amazing love for you.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Greatest Gift
I have graded Bible studies for prisoners for awhile, and I wanted to share with you something from one of the lessons. By the way, this is an incredible ministry through Crossroads Bible Institute (CBI), and if you're at all interested in doing this, let me know! Ask me questions! Or just write them at P.O. Box 900; Grand Rapids, MI 49509. Wait, what am I saying... write them? This is the age of cell phones and e-mails, haha. So, here, you can check out their website at www.crossroadbible.org for more info. :) That's better... So anyway, this ministry is a huge encouragement not only for those who are in prison, but also for those like me (and it could be you!) who get to study the Bible with them and encourage them!! Now, here is...
THE GREATEST GIFT
To know without a doubt that Jesus has saved you is truly wonderful. To know that the Creator of the universe is no longer your enemy, but a trusted and faithful Friend, is truly amazing. But the Bible's teaching on salvation is not only wonderful and amazing, it is also very humbling. It's humbling to discover how terribly sinful our hearts can be. It's humbling to learn that even our very best effort can do nothing to merit eternal life. And it's humbling to acknowledge that the only possible way for us to be saved is to have someone else do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
But the amazing "good news" far outweighs the humbling "bad news." Someone else has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has done all that was needed in order for us to find the forgiveness, peace, and eternal life we so eagerly desire. Salvation is an act of pure mercy on God's part. It is a gracious gift of God, a gift of sovereign grace.
This wonderful salvation can never be merited or earned. IT can only be received through faith. It s by faith that we receive the gift of eternal life. By faith we confess that Jesus lived and died and rose again for us. By faith we receive Jesus into our hearts. By faith we receive His forgiveness. By faith we become children of God and fellow-heirs with Christ. By faith we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And by faith we begin to produce the spiritual fruits of holiness and love.
All our hope for salvation is therefore found in Jesus alone. And all our assurance of salvation is found in Jesus alone. If we depend in any way on what we ourselves can do or have done (how long our list of good deeds, how well we follow the "moral code," how often we attend church, etc...), we will always live in uncertainty and fear (and we will only be an annoying, loud, clangy gong or cymbal without authentic LOVE (= GOD) flowing through our lives!!). If Jesus' perfect sacrifice did not cover all our sins, what could we do that would? But once we trust the Lord Jesus with all our heart, we need not doubt for one moment that God will graciously give us all that Jesus has merited for us.
Grace alone. Faith alone. Jesus alone. Small phrases. Great truths. And they are the only truths that can give us the full assurance that we truly are forgiven, that Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven, and that our names are written in the Book of Life. The wonder and glory of salvation - God's greatest gift to meet our greatest need!
THE GREATEST GIFT
To know without a doubt that Jesus has saved you is truly wonderful. To know that the Creator of the universe is no longer your enemy, but a trusted and faithful Friend, is truly amazing. But the Bible's teaching on salvation is not only wonderful and amazing, it is also very humbling. It's humbling to discover how terribly sinful our hearts can be. It's humbling to learn that even our very best effort can do nothing to merit eternal life. And it's humbling to acknowledge that the only possible way for us to be saved is to have someone else do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
But the amazing "good news" far outweighs the humbling "bad news." Someone else has done for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has done all that was needed in order for us to find the forgiveness, peace, and eternal life we so eagerly desire. Salvation is an act of pure mercy on God's part. It is a gracious gift of God, a gift of sovereign grace.
This wonderful salvation can never be merited or earned. IT can only be received through faith. It s by faith that we receive the gift of eternal life. By faith we confess that Jesus lived and died and rose again for us. By faith we receive Jesus into our hearts. By faith we receive His forgiveness. By faith we become children of God and fellow-heirs with Christ. By faith we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And by faith we begin to produce the spiritual fruits of holiness and love.
All our hope for salvation is therefore found in Jesus alone. And all our assurance of salvation is found in Jesus alone. If we depend in any way on what we ourselves can do or have done (how long our list of good deeds, how well we follow the "moral code," how often we attend church, etc...), we will always live in uncertainty and fear (and we will only be an annoying, loud, clangy gong or cymbal without authentic LOVE (= GOD) flowing through our lives!!). If Jesus' perfect sacrifice did not cover all our sins, what could we do that would? But once we trust the Lord Jesus with all our heart, we need not doubt for one moment that God will graciously give us all that Jesus has merited for us.
Grace alone. Faith alone. Jesus alone. Small phrases. Great truths. And they are the only truths that can give us the full assurance that we truly are forgiven, that Jesus is preparing a place for us in heaven, and that our names are written in the Book of Life. The wonder and glory of salvation - God's greatest gift to meet our greatest need!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Encouragement
It started with the church service this morning...
The verse that hit me in our scripture reading was Luke 2:19. I had heard this verse plenty of times before, but today I had brought my Message paraphrase with me, and the words struck me in a special way. The verse read: "Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself."
I immediately identified with Mary. I thought of the refreshing times I have had to sit and think with God, and revel in what he's doing in my life. I thought of the times I long to be able to journal every single detail of what God is teaching me moment by moment in everyday, but I get overwhelmed and disappointed in myself for forgetting some things. Or maybe it's more-so the fact that I haven't "allowed myself" enough "date with God" time lately. And I mean a real date... one of those that you're reluctant to let end until you've exhausted every topic of conversation you're longing to share thoughts about. You wish it could go on forever simply because you enjoy being in the presence of the other so much. :) Yeah, there you have it, I've concluded that I'm thirsting for more dates with God...and I can't make up excuses to re-schedule.
But I haven't even expanded on the thought that hit me the most - it's that she kept them deep within herself, holding them dear. I desire to share and encourage others with what God is doing in my life, and that was one of my main reasons for starting this blog in the first place. While I still think that is a good and important goal, I can't forget that God is with me in the deepest core of who I am, and when I take even brief moments during the day to smile and thank God for the unique moments of beauty or fresh insight he blesses me with, it's almost like a quick text message to a friend, or a secret message or inside joke you share with a special someone. And it's these moments that enhance my beautiful love affair with Jesus, even when our exclusive dates happen less frequently for a time... Because no matter how hard I try to keep healthy habits, like journaling, a regular part of my life, it's not the amount of will power or determination I have that defines my relationship with Jesus, it's about surrendering every single part of my life into God's hands, and letting him dwell in me richly through each moment and circumstance.
God, I want YOU to be glorified through my life... and through my weaknesses, remind me that your strength shines through me. And through all that you've created me to be, use me and be with me for your pleasure and glory in my life. Thank you for all the moments that I remember your grace and truth poured out to me (and for the opportunities I've had to share them!). I thank you too for all the little details and moments that are less clear in my memory, and I know with confidence that you can and will bring them to mind for me whenever they may help further give glory to your name! :) I love you Lord!
Wow, that was just the first point of encouragement I wanted to share about from today. The second mix of thoughts came at the B.I.G. community youth event tonight. The topic was forgiveness. One of the main points was that forgiveness can often be most freeing for the forgiver. As the talk progressed, this eventually got me to thinking about the ultimate offer of forgiveness from the only ONE who will never need to be forgiven. If we can argue that harboring any sort of unforgiveness is hurtful to us, then OF COURSE God could never hold a grudge against us, right? Now, obviously, God would seem to have every right to do just that, since we have sinned and fail to meet the awesome standards of holiness required to have a pure, unblemished relationship with God, our perfect Creator. And yet God chooses to offer forgiveness through an incredible sacrfice. Wow... Of course God's forgiveness and grace has made my jaw drop in awe a number of times before, but now in yet another fresh perspective, I'm pondering the truth of this ultimate offering of forgiveness. :) God IS Love, and it would be against his very nature to offer us anything less than total forgiveness (which one beautiful definition we brought up for this word tonight was God won't throw our sins back in our face).
Hmm, we also had a great talk about how our own insecurities are what leads us to have struggles in our relationships here on earth, and how that keeps us from forgiving others. It was so good, and it reminded me of what we need to have to feel more secure - and that is our identity firmly rooted in Jesus Christ, and know the true depth of his awesome forgiveness. :) I could soooo go on, but, I'm going to get going for now. Until next time... I'll keep pondering all of these beautiful truths of God in my heart. ;)
The verse that hit me in our scripture reading was Luke 2:19. I had heard this verse plenty of times before, but today I had brought my Message paraphrase with me, and the words struck me in a special way. The verse read: "Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself."
I immediately identified with Mary. I thought of the refreshing times I have had to sit and think with God, and revel in what he's doing in my life. I thought of the times I long to be able to journal every single detail of what God is teaching me moment by moment in everyday, but I get overwhelmed and disappointed in myself for forgetting some things. Or maybe it's more-so the fact that I haven't "allowed myself" enough "date with God" time lately. And I mean a real date... one of those that you're reluctant to let end until you've exhausted every topic of conversation you're longing to share thoughts about. You wish it could go on forever simply because you enjoy being in the presence of the other so much. :) Yeah, there you have it, I've concluded that I'm thirsting for more dates with God...and I can't make up excuses to re-schedule.
But I haven't even expanded on the thought that hit me the most - it's that she kept them deep within herself, holding them dear. I desire to share and encourage others with what God is doing in my life, and that was one of my main reasons for starting this blog in the first place. While I still think that is a good and important goal, I can't forget that God is with me in the deepest core of who I am, and when I take even brief moments during the day to smile and thank God for the unique moments of beauty or fresh insight he blesses me with, it's almost like a quick text message to a friend, or a secret message or inside joke you share with a special someone. And it's these moments that enhance my beautiful love affair with Jesus, even when our exclusive dates happen less frequently for a time... Because no matter how hard I try to keep healthy habits, like journaling, a regular part of my life, it's not the amount of will power or determination I have that defines my relationship with Jesus, it's about surrendering every single part of my life into God's hands, and letting him dwell in me richly through each moment and circumstance.
God, I want YOU to be glorified through my life... and through my weaknesses, remind me that your strength shines through me. And through all that you've created me to be, use me and be with me for your pleasure and glory in my life. Thank you for all the moments that I remember your grace and truth poured out to me (and for the opportunities I've had to share them!). I thank you too for all the little details and moments that are less clear in my memory, and I know with confidence that you can and will bring them to mind for me whenever they may help further give glory to your name! :) I love you Lord!
Wow, that was just the first point of encouragement I wanted to share about from today. The second mix of thoughts came at the B.I.G. community youth event tonight. The topic was forgiveness. One of the main points was that forgiveness can often be most freeing for the forgiver. As the talk progressed, this eventually got me to thinking about the ultimate offer of forgiveness from the only ONE who will never need to be forgiven. If we can argue that harboring any sort of unforgiveness is hurtful to us, then OF COURSE God could never hold a grudge against us, right? Now, obviously, God would seem to have every right to do just that, since we have sinned and fail to meet the awesome standards of holiness required to have a pure, unblemished relationship with God, our perfect Creator. And yet God chooses to offer forgiveness through an incredible sacrfice. Wow... Of course God's forgiveness and grace has made my jaw drop in awe a number of times before, but now in yet another fresh perspective, I'm pondering the truth of this ultimate offering of forgiveness. :) God IS Love, and it would be against his very nature to offer us anything less than total forgiveness (which one beautiful definition we brought up for this word tonight was God won't throw our sins back in our face).
Hmm, we also had a great talk about how our own insecurities are what leads us to have struggles in our relationships here on earth, and how that keeps us from forgiving others. It was so good, and it reminded me of what we need to have to feel more secure - and that is our identity firmly rooted in Jesus Christ, and know the true depth of his awesome forgiveness. :) I could soooo go on, but, I'm going to get going for now. Until next time... I'll keep pondering all of these beautiful truths of God in my heart. ;)
Changing the rules...
So, a few weeks ago I finally took the time to set goals and boundaries for my blogs... and then I haven't stuck to them. In fact, I even broke my rules right off the bat. It looks like I need to keep re-thinking and refining my plans. :)
Oh well... for now, this is just a warning message that I'm about to break the rules again, because I stubbornly want to post some encouraging thoughts I had today without taking the time to blog about them on my other blog first!
Oh well... for now, this is just a warning message that I'm about to break the rules again, because I stubbornly want to post some encouraging thoughts I had today without taking the time to blog about them on my other blog first!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Just one more...
Okay, I lied, sorry. I have one more thing to share. I have been praying that God would help me loosen my reigns on "my stuff" as I'm preparing to leave for Greece, and God has definitely brought several challenging "helps" my way. I'll share just a few...
...starting with a great conversation with a friend that reminded me that "my stuff" really isn't "mine" at all. It's a gift and a trust from God to use whatever I have to glorify him. Having lived out of a suitcase for the last four months, he also reminded me how freeing it is to manage less stuff and realize how little you really need. It reminded me of my similar thoughts and experiences living out of a suitcase last summer. :)
And then there was reading the blog of a missionary couple I met for a few brief minutes when I was in Thailand last August... They are getting ready to fly to their new mission field and have to limit their "stuff" to 33 lbs per suitcase... and the way she blogged about this experience definitely resonates with my experiences right now as I'm sorting through stuff in my room:
We have been getting things done and going through our stuff and I'm shocked that I'm finding so much stuff that I just can not part with. I found a folder of Josiah's art since he was old enough to hold a crayon...and there are some serious master pieces in there! I found a book of notes that John and I had written to each other while we were dating...I found an old sketch book of John's that he's kept since he was 14...and so many other things.I could go on and on. The insane thing is that our luggage is already over weight!!! The airline...AIR ASIA....are quite simply crooks...ok so maybe that's a little too strong. But that sure is how it feels. They only allow 15kg per person which is 33 pounds. It's known as a trap...because usually if you pack LIGHT...ONE suitcase weighs 33 pounds. And you are allowed 2 suitcases....so you almost always end up paying for a whole bag per kg. Imagine moving...all that you have...and having to choose only 33 pounds worth of stuff...It's INSANE! Yesterday I was sifting through stuff and I just had to keep saying out loud..."all for you Jesus"...and at times I would say "it's just stuff...it's all gonna burn eventually anyway... right?".... ugg.... I believe we're just going to have to pack up some boxes and leave them here in Thailand and when we have the money...send for them. That's our best bet right now... It's a good thing to experience...I think. It would be great for everyone to have to let go of STUFF...all of it...except for what you can fit in a suitcase...it's HARD but freeing.
Also, if you look ahead a couple of posts, the passage in Acts 20 about Paul leaving for Jerusalem reminded me of the importance of giving versus having...
AND THEN, finally, the real kicker that booted me hard...another page in the Revolution in World Missions book:
Economist Robert Heilbroner describes the luxuries a typical American family would have to surrender if they lived among the 1 billion hungry people in the Two-Thirds World:
We begin by invading the house of our imaginary American family to strip it of its furniture. Everything goes: beds, chairs, tables, television sets, lamps. We will leave the family with a few old blankets, a kitchen table, a wooden chair. Along with the bureaus go the clothes. Each member of the family may keep in his wardrobe his oldest suit or dress, a shirt or blouse. We will permit a pair of shoes for the head of the family, but none for the wife or children.
We move to the kitchen. The appliances have already been taken out, so we turn to the cupboards... The box of matches may stay, a small bag of flour, some sugar and salt. A few moldy potatoes, already in the garbage can, must be rescued, for they will provide much of tonight's meal. We will leave a handful of onions and a dish of dried beans. All the rest we take away: the meat, the fresh vegetables, the canned goods, the crackers, the candy.
Now we have stripped the house: the bathroom has been dismantled, the running water shut off, the electric wires taken out. Next we take away the house. The family can move to the tool shed...Communications must go next. No more newspapers, magazines, books - not that they are missed, since we must take away our family's literacy as well. Instead, in our shantytown we will allow one radio...
Now government services must go next. No more postmen, no more firemen. There is a school, but it is three miles away and consists of two classrooms... There are, of course, no hospitals or doctors nerby. The nearst clinic is ten miles away and is tended by a midwife. It can be reached by bicycle, provided the family has a bicycle, which is unlikely...
Finally, money. We will allow our family a cash hoard of five dollars. This will prevent our breadwinner from experiencing the tragedy of an Iranian peasant who went blid because he could not raise the $3.94 which he mistakenly thought he needed to receive admission to a hospital where he could have been cured.
This is an accurate description of the lifestyle and world from which I [evangelist, K.P. Yohannan] came. From the moment I touched foot on American soil, I walked in an unbelieving daze. How can two so different economies coexist simultaneously on the earth?"
Maybe more people should read this as they're worried about the "bad economy" situation in our country right now...
...starting with a great conversation with a friend that reminded me that "my stuff" really isn't "mine" at all. It's a gift and a trust from God to use whatever I have to glorify him. Having lived out of a suitcase for the last four months, he also reminded me how freeing it is to manage less stuff and realize how little you really need. It reminded me of my similar thoughts and experiences living out of a suitcase last summer. :)
And then there was reading the blog of a missionary couple I met for a few brief minutes when I was in Thailand last August... They are getting ready to fly to their new mission field and have to limit their "stuff" to 33 lbs per suitcase... and the way she blogged about this experience definitely resonates with my experiences right now as I'm sorting through stuff in my room:
We have been getting things done and going through our stuff and I'm shocked that I'm finding so much stuff that I just can not part with. I found a folder of Josiah's art since he was old enough to hold a crayon...and there are some serious master pieces in there! I found a book of notes that John and I had written to each other while we were dating...I found an old sketch book of John's that he's kept since he was 14...and so many other things.I could go on and on. The insane thing is that our luggage is already over weight!!! The airline...AIR ASIA....are quite simply crooks...ok so maybe that's a little too strong. But that sure is how it feels. They only allow 15kg per person which is 33 pounds. It's known as a trap...because usually if you pack LIGHT...ONE suitcase weighs 33 pounds. And you are allowed 2 suitcases....so you almost always end up paying for a whole bag per kg. Imagine moving...all that you have...and having to choose only 33 pounds worth of stuff...It's INSANE! Yesterday I was sifting through stuff and I just had to keep saying out loud..."all for you Jesus"...and at times I would say "it's just stuff...it's all gonna burn eventually anyway... right?".... ugg.... I believe we're just going to have to pack up some boxes and leave them here in Thailand and when we have the money...send for them. That's our best bet right now... It's a good thing to experience...I think. It would be great for everyone to have to let go of STUFF...all of it...except for what you can fit in a suitcase...it's HARD but freeing.
Also, if you look ahead a couple of posts, the passage in Acts 20 about Paul leaving for Jerusalem reminded me of the importance of giving versus having...
AND THEN, finally, the real kicker that booted me hard...another page in the Revolution in World Missions book:
Economist Robert Heilbroner describes the luxuries a typical American family would have to surrender if they lived among the 1 billion hungry people in the Two-Thirds World:
We begin by invading the house of our imaginary American family to strip it of its furniture. Everything goes: beds, chairs, tables, television sets, lamps. We will leave the family with a few old blankets, a kitchen table, a wooden chair. Along with the bureaus go the clothes. Each member of the family may keep in his wardrobe his oldest suit or dress, a shirt or blouse. We will permit a pair of shoes for the head of the family, but none for the wife or children.
We move to the kitchen. The appliances have already been taken out, so we turn to the cupboards... The box of matches may stay, a small bag of flour, some sugar and salt. A few moldy potatoes, already in the garbage can, must be rescued, for they will provide much of tonight's meal. We will leave a handful of onions and a dish of dried beans. All the rest we take away: the meat, the fresh vegetables, the canned goods, the crackers, the candy.
Now we have stripped the house: the bathroom has been dismantled, the running water shut off, the electric wires taken out. Next we take away the house. The family can move to the tool shed...Communications must go next. No more newspapers, magazines, books - not that they are missed, since we must take away our family's literacy as well. Instead, in our shantytown we will allow one radio...
Now government services must go next. No more postmen, no more firemen. There is a school, but it is three miles away and consists of two classrooms... There are, of course, no hospitals or doctors nerby. The nearst clinic is ten miles away and is tended by a midwife. It can be reached by bicycle, provided the family has a bicycle, which is unlikely...
Finally, money. We will allow our family a cash hoard of five dollars. This will prevent our breadwinner from experiencing the tragedy of an Iranian peasant who went blid because he could not raise the $3.94 which he mistakenly thought he needed to receive admission to a hospital where he could have been cured.
This is an accurate description of the lifestyle and world from which I [evangelist, K.P. Yohannan] came. From the moment I touched foot on American soil, I walked in an unbelieving daze. How can two so different economies coexist simultaneously on the earth?"
Maybe more people should read this as they're worried about the "bad economy" situation in our country right now...
Quotes
As I've been wading through my stacks of books to consider giving away, I ran across a good handful of them that I haven't even read yet. And then with urgency far greater than I usually had for reading a college assignment... I read the majority of these books... and I stumbled upon some great treasures of truth. Let me share a few of the quotes that hit me most:
From John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life:
The better questions to ask about possible behaviors is: How will this help me treasure Christ more? How will it help me show that I do treasure Christ? How will it help me know Christ or display Christ? The Bible says, 'Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God' (1 Cor 10:31). So the question is mainly positive, not negative. How can I portray God as glorious in this action? How can I enjoy making much of him in this behavior?
Oh, how many lives are wasted by people who belive that the Christian life means simply avoiding badness and providing for the family. So there is no adultery, no stealing, no killing, no embezzlement, no fraud - just lots of hard work during the day, and lots of TV and PG-13 videos in the evening (during quality family time), and lots of fun stuff on the weekend - woven around church (mostly). This is life for millions of people. Wasted life. We were created for more, far more." (p. 199)
"It is true that God can be known and enjoyed in every legitimate vocation; but when he deploys you from one place to the next, he offers fresh and deeper drinking at the fountain of his fellowship. God seldom calls us to an easier life, but always calls us to know more of him and drink more deeply of his sustaining grace." (p. 178)
"May God help you. May God free you. May God give you a fresh, Christ-exalting vision for your life - whether you go to an unreached people or stay firmly and fruitfully at your present post. May your vision get its meaning from God's great purpose to make the nations glad in him. May the cross of Christ be your only boast, and may you say, with sweet confidence, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (p. 179)
Making the Church Work by Edward H. Hammett:
Are we seeking to spread "church-ianity" or "Christianity?
We need to be more concerned with people, not with programs; have an outward, not an inward focus; and be a balance of a "being"/"doing" church, not just solely "doing." The church should be servant- and ministry-minded, not just self-serving/maintenance-minded, and we need "GO structures" to be encouraged and created to provide channels of ministry beyond the institution, interested in making a difference in the world... as opposed to the "come structures" that seek to encourage people primarily to serve within the institution, with interest in "adding to the church." (p. 98)
Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger:
"Cross Church is committed to loving God, loving others, and serving others. One church leader says, 'We ask people to do three things a week here. Come to a worship service to fall more in love with God and His Word. Go to a small group to love others in community. Serve in a ministry to impact others. Love God, love others, serve the world. We really try to keep it that simple.'" (p. 41)
And finally one of the most convicting stories of an evangelist from India who came to America and later became the founder of Gospel for Asia. This post is already getting almost too long to be beneficial, so I'll just share ONE of the many pages that really hit me:
Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan
"Coming from India, where I was beaten and stoned for my faith, I know what it is to be a persecuted minority in my own country. When I set foot on Western soil, I could sense a spirit of religious liberty. Americans have never known the fear of persecution. Nothing seems impossible to them.
From India, I always had looked to the United States as a fortress of Christianity. With the abundance of both spiritual and material things, affluence unsurpassed by any nation on earth, and a totally unfettered church, I expected to see a bold witness. God's grace obviously has been poured out on this nation and Church in a way no other people ever have experienced.
Instead I found a Church in spiritual decline. American believers were still the leading givers to missions, but this appeared due more to historical accident than the deep-set conviction I expected to find. As I spoke in churches and met average Christians, I discovered they had terrible misconceptions about the missionary mandate of the Church. In church meetings, as I listened to the questions of my hosts and heard their comments about the Two-Thirds World, my heart would almost burst with pain. These people, I knew, were capable of so much more. They were dying spiritually, but I knew God wanted to give them life again. He wanted His Church to recover its moral mandate and sense of mission.
I didn't yet know how. I didn't know when. But I knew one thing: God did not shower such great blessing on this nation for the Christians to live in extravagance, in self-indulgence and in spiritual weakness.
By faith, I could see a revival coming - the Body of Christ rediscovering the power of the Gospel and their obligation to it. But for the time being, all I could do was sense how wrong the situation was - and pray." (p. 51)
From John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life:
"So here is the question to test whether you have been sucked into this world's destortion of love: Would you feel more loved by God if he made much of you, or if he liberated you from the bondage of self-regard, at great cost to himself, so that you enjoy making much of him forever?" (p. 36)
"'What's wrong with it?' is the kind of question that will rarely yield a lifestyle that commends Christ as all-satisfying and makes people glad in God. It simply results in a list of don'ts. It feeds the avoidance ethic.The better questions to ask about possible behaviors is: How will this help me treasure Christ more? How will it help me show that I do treasure Christ? How will it help me know Christ or display Christ? The Bible says, 'Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God' (1 Cor 10:31). So the question is mainly positive, not negative. How can I portray God as glorious in this action? How can I enjoy making much of him in this behavior?
Oh, how many lives are wasted by people who belive that the Christian life means simply avoiding badness and providing for the family. So there is no adultery, no stealing, no killing, no embezzlement, no fraud - just lots of hard work during the day, and lots of TV and PG-13 videos in the evening (during quality family time), and lots of fun stuff on the weekend - woven around church (mostly). This is life for millions of people. Wasted life. We were created for more, far more." (p. 199)
"It is true that God can be known and enjoyed in every legitimate vocation; but when he deploys you from one place to the next, he offers fresh and deeper drinking at the fountain of his fellowship. God seldom calls us to an easier life, but always calls us to know more of him and drink more deeply of his sustaining grace." (p. 178)
"May God help you. May God free you. May God give you a fresh, Christ-exalting vision for your life - whether you go to an unreached people or stay firmly and fruitfully at your present post. May your vision get its meaning from God's great purpose to make the nations glad in him. May the cross of Christ be your only boast, and may you say, with sweet confidence, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (p. 179)
Making the Church Work by Edward H. Hammett:
Are we seeking to spread "church-ianity" or "Christianity?
We need to be more concerned with people, not with programs; have an outward, not an inward focus; and be a balance of a "being"/"doing" church, not just solely "doing." The church should be servant- and ministry-minded, not just self-serving/maintenance-minded, and we need "GO structures" to be encouraged and created to provide channels of ministry beyond the institution, interested in making a difference in the world... as opposed to the "come structures" that seek to encourage people primarily to serve within the institution, with interest in "adding to the church." (p. 98)
Simple Church by Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger:
"Cross Church is committed to loving God, loving others, and serving others. One church leader says, 'We ask people to do three things a week here. Come to a worship service to fall more in love with God and His Word. Go to a small group to love others in community. Serve in a ministry to impact others. Love God, love others, serve the world. We really try to keep it that simple.'" (p. 41)
And finally one of the most convicting stories of an evangelist from India who came to America and later became the founder of Gospel for Asia. This post is already getting almost too long to be beneficial, so I'll just share ONE of the many pages that really hit me:
Revolution in World Missions by K.P. Yohannan
"Coming from India, where I was beaten and stoned for my faith, I know what it is to be a persecuted minority in my own country. When I set foot on Western soil, I could sense a spirit of religious liberty. Americans have never known the fear of persecution. Nothing seems impossible to them.
From India, I always had looked to the United States as a fortress of Christianity. With the abundance of both spiritual and material things, affluence unsurpassed by any nation on earth, and a totally unfettered church, I expected to see a bold witness. God's grace obviously has been poured out on this nation and Church in a way no other people ever have experienced.
Instead I found a Church in spiritual decline. American believers were still the leading givers to missions, but this appeared due more to historical accident than the deep-set conviction I expected to find. As I spoke in churches and met average Christians, I discovered they had terrible misconceptions about the missionary mandate of the Church. In church meetings, as I listened to the questions of my hosts and heard their comments about the Two-Thirds World, my heart would almost burst with pain. These people, I knew, were capable of so much more. They were dying spiritually, but I knew God wanted to give them life again. He wanted His Church to recover its moral mandate and sense of mission.
I didn't yet know how. I didn't know when. But I knew one thing: God did not shower such great blessing on this nation for the Christians to live in extravagance, in self-indulgence and in spiritual weakness.
By faith, I could see a revival coming - the Body of Christ rediscovering the power of the Gospel and their obligation to it. But for the time being, all I could do was sense how wrong the situation was - and pray." (p. 51)
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