It is All About Jesus

1. Feast on Him
2. Depend on Him
3. Focus on Him

...Everyday!

1. Take a part of who He is with me in every minute of my day.
2. Pray, pray, pray... and trust.
3. Read each and all of His Word's that were given to me in scripture, and apply it for His glory.

He intends this for His glory and my good.

Groanings...
My flesh is in the way
I need these reminders everyday, 'til in,
Heaven, Lord, I long to be with you forever

Inspire...

Neighbors

On Sunday I watched two videos on YouTube: 1.) "Evangelism: Send Me"--Conveys a strong message about evangelism in your own neighborhood. Evangilism in one's own sphere of influence, overcoming the fear of man, and reaching out to neighbors. 2.) "Get Service"--A video about focsing on self and discontentment so much that the main charecter fails to see the needs around him, by the grace of God, he begins to see that there are people around him who need what he has, the GOSPEL and someone to love and care for them.

After I watched the videos, conviction came over my heart about my relationship, or lack of one, with my neighbors. Just a couple hours after those thoughts, I was on a roll with cleaning the house, and when I went to take out the trash, I locked myself out of the house. Stuck outside, a small sweatshirt, jeans, shoes, no keys, no phone to call with, no numbers memorized, roomates all out-of-state accept for my one roomate who doesn't come home until 10pm on Sunday nights. "What should I do? Should I sit here and dedicate the next seven hours to praying? That sounds godly and I haven't been praying as much as I would have liked to lately. Sit on steps, begin to pray. Anxious, so I get up and look to see if there is a way to scale walls or climb onto my balcony to get the windows open. Then I realize, "No I just need to sit and pray for a while." I am praying and then I begin to laugh as I think about the videos I watched earlier in the day on serving your neighbors, how fitting that I got locked out when the convictions were still fresh. I start to get cold after an hour goes by, and then I hear laughing coming from my neighbor whose balcony faces mine. I can go over to their house, we say hellos in passing, we have taken them baked goods, then this fear comes over me. Fear of man. How am I going to explain this situation to them. The Spirit reminds me, and it all becomes simple. I was reminded that in suffering it is good to invite others into it after meeting with the Lord. Isolation is not good. So, I went over to their house knocked on the door and explained myself. Before I could finish explaining mysel they welcom me in. I got to spend seven hours at my neighbors` house, it was awesome. The grandma was visiting and I dont think I ever saw her without a beer in her hand. We watched movies, talked about family traditions, and laughed at the attention their dogs gave me, because I pet them. At one point the pug, named Sonny, fell asleep snooring on my foot. My affections for that dog grew so quickly, and I understood why they loved their dog so much. The man of the house is an actor and D.J., the wife a nurse, the son a swimmer in high school who can't get off of myspace, and just released a new album (he was excited about 57 downlods), and the daughter a middle school video game lover who still believes in Santa Clause. There is so much more to this family I am sure, and I hope to get to know them more. They were ready to fill up the air matress if i needed it. I feel like I can knock on their door if I ever need anything, or want to simply hang out.

On Friday, I was blessed to have a missionary over for dinner. There was one thing that she said that I thought was very insightful, "I was always trying to do the good work and be this missionary that serves the people, but the place where God has me I have seen that the people do not want to be the only ones served, but they also want to know how they can help you. When they are able to help you (the missionary) with something, it really helps to build the relationship, and for me it is really humbling." ...I felt like my time with my neighbors was like that. They were able to help me and provide hospitality, they provided shelter, and food. They were happy to do those things for me, we got to know eachother much better through it, and it was much better than me trying to handle it on my own, outside, by myself, prideful, and fearing man. If I had done the latter, I could see me convincing myself that it is the spiritual thing to do, "time with the Lord in prayer." Prayer is a good thing, time with the Lord the most important, but I think my neighbors really needed to have the experience of helping me, a person in need.

I am going to try to walk away with these applications...
~Invite others into struggles and trials
~Live in community with others
~Allow others to serve you when they offer and you have a need
~Stop fearing man, desiring comfort, and start considering others as more important than self

Jesus Christ

Most experienced
Most available
Most qualified
is Jesus
Run to Him
Approach Him confidently
Approach Him frequently
Approach Him appropriately
He is my wonderful Counselor
He knows pain, He knows struggles, and He has the right antidote.

"May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord." 2 Peter 1:2

Bookmark: Sermon on Marriage

I like how my blog has become a book mark of qoutes, stories, links, and things I want to remember. Not sure if anyone ever reads it, but I have still enjoyed documenting things. It is so encouraging for me to read previous blogs and see God having brought the dim to light and see change in me that I know could not change on my own. God has been graceous in giving me a thirst to know Him more, yes, He is satisfying and the thirst is quenched, but it is not quenched for long... because I want to know Him more.

Bookmark this:
A sermon I want any man I would EVER consider marrying to hear:
"Destroying Pop-Christian Views of Marital Bliss" By Paul Washer

a quote...
"God wants to make you like His Son." ~ P.W.

It is Simple...

Read it
Learn it
Live it
Share it

My sin makes it seem so hard and complicated. My sin clouds my mind, that is why the "Read it" part is so important. Truth will not be filling my mind if I am not reading it.

The Holy Spirit can help you and can help me!

Be still
Hear
Listen
and act with Love out of a heart of admiration

Lord, I pray for my brothers and sisters all around the world. Make us people who Love your Word and who use it for you glory. Guard us from apathy. Sanctify us and love others through us. In Jesus name, amen.

Open Doors of Faith

Open Doors of Faith Orphanage is a Christian organization that I had the privilege of visiting last weekend. The facility was nice and the staff was awesome. I can see that these children have been well cared for through the children of my Heavenly Father.

I was blessed to play with the kids: futbol, catch, mary-go-round, swings, arts & crafts, and side walk chalk doodling.

I was blessed to make breakfast at a church near a dump site to a community of kids that live there. The ministry seeks to share meals with these kids everyday before they go to school. Parents are welcome to come with their kids too.

I was blessed to wrap gifts and make food bags for families in a nearby poor community of green house workers. I was blessed to hear the gospel preached to them and to hold one of the mother's precious baby girls during the outreach event. I was blessed to paint the kids faces and to see the staff let the kids paint their faces as well. I was blessed to see this boy who was about eleven years old be so excited to have received his very own soccer ball. It was a blessing to be there in a warehouse barn in the middle of the fields they labor on day in and day out with all of them enjoying a meal. Being there made me desire to know Spanish fluently all the more. My communication with them through words was so little, but I wanted to know what a day of life was like for them, what are there needs, what do they believe about God...

There were other adventures on the trip: rain, double rainbows, hiking paths, ocean views from the top, The Cross, wild horses, sheep, geese, rooster cocka-doddle-doo's in the morning, finding a frog in my cabin, lack of rain boots equaling mud from knee to toe (the kids called me "cochina"), playing basketball in the pouring rain beacause it was fun, but also so all the mud would wash off, driving through thick puddles, getting stuck in puddles and trying to figure out how to get out. Driving home in a mud covered car, driving through the border with the mud covered car, and seeing the vendors at the border avoid our car, because they could not see inside brought for much laughter. This car was COVERED in mud.

I really loved being in Mexico. I loved this quaint community near the ocean away from the city. I loved being with the kids at the orphanage and the fellowship with the staff. I enjoyed the restaurants and The Panaderia. I enjoyed trying to form sentences in Spanish and learning new words. I loved going to church there and hearing the simple message from the pastor: Make sure you are building your life on a firm and strong foundation, spend time with God, and share Him with others.

I hope I get to go back there one day.

Thinking about the trip as a whole... I want to spend my life doing that kind of work, His work! There is much joy found in doing His work!

Nanny Diaries

I like to peal the paper off of crayons and color with the crayon lying sideways; especially, if I am coloring the sky or the grass. I love being a nanny, because it is like getting paid to play and do arts and crafts with kids. Thankfully, Nanning has also provided opportunities from God to grow in patience, discipline, and denial of self. Yesterday, i got to direct a skit with the girls. I thought it would be good for them to explore acting, since they like to read so much. More than that, I figured it would be a good opportunity for them to be exposed to the best book in the world, the Bible. So yesterday, i cast them to parts in the skit entitled, "The Good Shopper," which takes after Jesus' story, "The Good Samaritan." My story isn't half as good as Jesus' story, but i wanted to expose the girls to the character of Jesus in a relate-able way. I think the "Good Samaritan," in my story the, "Good Shopper," displays Jesus' compassion very well. The characters in the skit are: Lassie, the kid that saved up all her allowance to buy her grandmother a Christmas gift, Miss-On-Time, Miss Popular, the Good Shopper who helps Lassie, and the Bullies that pick-on and rob Lassie. There is also a narrator to the skit. The girls play more than one character with quick costume changes behind their family room sofa. They take turns being the narrator when they are not on "stage" [The stage is their family room floor rug]. I am looking forward to seeing how the parents respond when we perform the skit for them on my last day of work before Christmas break. I told their mother that we have been practicing a skit to perform for them, i didn't tell her what it was about, but she insisted that her and her husband would come home early that day and have me over for dinner after we perform the skit. I see it being likely that conversation about the skit and about Jesus will come up over dinner. This time with them can be a good opportunity to share the gospel. However, i am really cowardly when it comes to sharing with parents of children that i babysit, so i will really need the Lord's power and strength. I am confident that He can share His love through me.

Other happenings: yesterday, after i shared Jesus' story about the Good Samaritan, they wanted to hear another story. Side note, whenever I share stories about Jesus with the girls, they always want to hear more, it is quite interesting. Back to yesterday's happenings: i has this book of chronological narrated stories from the Bible with me, so i started by reading the first narration about God creating the Heavens and the Earth. The had correct answers to the questions at the end of the narration, but the older of the two girls said, "But, i don't believe that God created the earth. We have different beliefs." Part of my heart shattered to hear that; a girl who is eight years old with a clear stand on her opinions, which were different than everything i has just shared. One thing that i can say though, is that they DON'T remember the teachings they learn every weekend from the Monks at the Buddhist temple, but they DO seem to remember the teachings of Jesus that they hear from me. God can move in their hearts if it is His will, and I pray that thay is the case.

When i first arrived to work, the younger girl insisted that i bow down and pray to her cat with her. I told her that i would not do that, because the only One I pray to is, Jesus. She tried to convince me by saying that her cat is the king of cats; i still declined. At the end of my shift before it was time for me to leave, she said, "Miss Heather, you still have to pray t my cat with me, you promised!" I clearly told her that i never promised that to her, and told her i had to go. Her mom told her that she would pray to her cat with her, and told her daughter to let me go home with a, "Have a nice evening, i will see you tomorrow," and out the door I went.

After work i sought out some quiet time to read and meditate on Ephesians 2:12-22, i got to read about how my relationship with Jesus has changed. I was once in the world without God, and far from Him; an alien, a stranger. This was all because i couldn't keep God's Law. In result, there was a wall of hostility between us. However, when i put my faith in Jesus that sky-high wall of hostility was broken down through His blood, and i was brought near to Him. Jesus had kept God's Law and took the punishment for my sin. The punishment was God's wrath which came upon Him through His bleeding-to-death on a cross. Jesus killed hostility and reconciled me to God through the cross; I have no one else to be more thankful to, and nothing else to be more thankful for. i am no longer a stranger, no longer an alien, but a citizen with other saints, and a member of the household of God. My God is personal and dwells in me. Jesus came to preach to those who were far off, and to those who were near. I was once far off, but now i am near, and He still preaches to me through His living Word. Thank you, Lord.

"Once Upon a Time" to "Kingdom Come"

God is good! He was good before He created the heavens. He was good before He created the earth. He was good before He created man. He created all He did to express His goodness, but He was good before He created any of it. He created man, because He wanted us to experience His love and goodness, even though He knew all the trouble we would cause for a time. Sin tares apart and distorts not His goodness, but my eyes to see His goodness. Sin equals death, but I am alive in Christ. Sin equals death, but in God's good precepts there is blessing to be found. That blessing is the purity from sin that sees the face of God. Oh, how I long to see the face of God. Thankful for the Holy Spirit that makes it a little clearer each day. How wonderful it is to know my God. How wonderful it would be to have more of His Word written on the depths of my heart, to the extent that I would dream about it at night. What sweet dreams to dream about His goodness. How wonderful it is to look forward to being to in His presence; The pearly gates, the streets of gold, sin free, in company of other God worshipers, and all gazing at His beauty together. He created man even though He knew sin was going to come into the world. He created man and He redeems man through the blood of Christ. My God who is a righteous judge will bring those to ruin who do not believe, who do not turn away, whose hearts are not changed. Someone had to pay the price of the sin of man, and the perfect sacrifice was Jesus. Without that sacrifice all would be in ruin, because all have sinned. All would be in disabling disbelief with unchanged hearts. Thankfully God expresses His goodness again through His son Jesus Christ who, born in a manger, was sent to die on a cross. Jesus' blood was shed, so that I could live. Sin equals death, but through my faith in Christ as Lord, I have victory! God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good!

Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from the "Once upon a time" beginning to the "Kingdom come" end, you are God! (Meditation on Psalm 90:1-2)

Psalm 19:9-11

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

PRAYER ALPHABET

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame

Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know

Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee

Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone

Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command

Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high

Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.

The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.

::Not sure who wrote this, but came across it and thought I'd share! Happy Thanksgiving!::

Vocation's View

To the ARTIST He is the One Altogether Lovely.

To the ARCHITECT He is the Chief Corner Stone.

To the BAKER He is the Living Bread.

To the BANKER He is the Hidden Treasure.

To the BIOLOGIST He is the Life.

To the BUILDER He is the Sure Foundation.

To the CARPENTER He is the Door.

To the DOCTOR He is the Great Physician.

To the EDUCATOR He is the Great Teacher.

To the ENGINEER He is the New and Living Way.

To the FLORIST He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.

To the GEOLOGIST He is the Rock of Ages.

To the HORTICULTURIST He is the True Vine.

To the JUDGE He is the Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men.

To the JEWELER He is the Pearl of Great Price.

To the LAWYER He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.

To the NEWSPAPER He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.

To the OCULIST He is the Light of the Eyes.

To the PHILANTHROPIST He is the Unspeakable Gift.

To the PHILOSOPHER He is the Wisdom of God.

To the PREACHER He is the Word of God.

To the SCULPTOR He is the Living Stone.

To the SERVANT He is the Good Master.

To the STATESMAN He is the Desire of All Nations.

To the STUDENT He is the Incarnate Truth.

To the THEOLOGIAN He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith.

To the TOILER He is the Giver of Rest.

To the SINNER He is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the World.

To the CHRISTIAN He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the Redeemer and the Lord!

I am so Thankful to God for the current job He has given me as Nanny. Twenty hours a week I am challenged to deny myself and learn His patience and love, I am challenged to learn how to discipline, train, and make decisions, and I am blessed to be used by God in sharing the gospel cross-culturally, which for me has been the funnest part of my job. I love that this family is from another country, it makes each day an adventure and a learning experience. I love that i get to play, be like child, doodle, read books, tell stories, draw, paint with water colors, and see the girls creativity. This job has been such a blessing that I am thankful for, and through it I am seeing God as One who is with me always. What brought me to think of these truths through working as a nanny you may ask ? Well, I've observed that there are situations whether by the parent's choice or by their circumstances, that they work many hours apart from their family and do not get to be with their children very much. On the flip side, children usually long to be with their parents, which cannot always happen. But, any child who is a Child of God can be assured that He, our Heavenly Father, is always with them, knows each step, and can always be accessed without delay through prayer! Once His child, always His child. He will never leave me and that is a promise no other person can promise to another. His set apart glory is seen in that! Furthermore, it is easy to think about that when I nanny, Because, although it seems the girls have fun when I am with them, the faces I know they really long to see when they are getting picked up from school is that of their Mommy and Papi.

The Lord my God is with me always, and he will never leave me nor forsake me! (Heb 13:5 and Deuteronomy 31:6)

THANKFUL

Thankful for a spontaneous weekend trip to the Desert sand I grew up on. Thankful for a day with my best friend. Thankful that she is going to be a Mom and that the baby God is knitting in her belly is healthy. Thankful for the Beal family and their love for God. Thankful to join them at a community group full of saints 30 years or more my senior. Thankful for their joy in all of the trials these grey haired brothers and sisters are facing. Thankful for the unity I experienced with them despite age gaps. Thankful for the hospitable couple that hosted the community group. Thankful for their desire to reach the communities needs. Thankful for my Mom and the time I got to spend wit her this weekend. Thankful that the Lord blessed my dear sister Heidi with a cute apartment, built in the 1970's, with it's original 1970's stove that we got to cook Breakfast on. Thankful for all the fun encouraged by the glittery counter tops in her apartment that lightened moments and continued to make us feel like we had been zapped into the 1970's. Thankful for the beautiful weather, palm trees, a day at the pool with family and floppy hats, and an evening to watch the sunset behind the mountains, after I spent time writing in my journal. Thankful that I got to have lunch with my brother Danny and his girlfriend Liz. Thankful that I got to sit and have my family with me, a rare occurrence, at church today, and that they got to hear the truth of the Word preached. Thankful for Grace Chapel and all the blessings that come every time I visit that Church family!

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

His Love is Vast: His Love is More than I Can See

Standing on the beach looking out towards the ocean before me. How can I get the ocean, with all of its vastness, to fit inside my cup? How can I get Christ's love, with all its vastness, to fit inside my heart?

''God is able to do beyond what I am able to ask or think." ~Irish Proverb

Missions Prayer Letter for Church: Own Backyard

Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus, Agnostics, Atheists, Catholics, Jews, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, and Existentialists can all be found on the College of the Canyons campus. Although there are students that identify themselves as followers of these different, teachers, prophets, and gods, there seems to be apathy and a lack of devotion to them. Grace on Campus is a Bible study that meets every Wednesday from Grace Community Church on the College of the Canyons main campus. The Bible study starts at 7:15pm, however, there is an evangelism team that prays together and goes out to share the gospel with people on campus starting at 5:00pm. The evangelism team has said that many of the young adults they have talked to are in a stage where they are thinking about life after death and trying to find meaning in life, thus, they are actually willing to hear about the love of Christ. There seems to be a trend in seeing self as a good person, God as not wrathful, but love with open arms, and living life to the pleasure of the moment. There are those whose ears want nothing to hear of the gospel, but pray that the true gospel would continue to be heard across the campus. In October, Grace on Campus held an event called, The Quarter Cookout, which is where the Bible study sells lunch for a quarter making no profit, but having the opportunity to talk with many students about the gospel and invite them to the Bible study. Pray that the truth would penetrate the hearts of those that heard the gospel through that event. Pray that God would use the Bible study to glorify Himself on the COC campus. Pray that the study in the book of Philippians would bring people to depend on God and to a greater worship of who He is.

Be Who You Are...

By Elyse M. Fitzpatrick
"Because He Loves Me"

Our Hope: The Seed Will Produce Fruit

1) Be who you already are. Christ has already made you new; walk in this newness. You're in him; his spirit resides in you. Just as surely as his resurrection was the first fruit of an offering given to God, you're part of that guaranteed harvest. Seek to be who he has made you to be, remembering that he has already assured your growth by ordaining good works for you to perform.

2) Be thankful for who you already are. Christ has made you new; let your life overflow with gratitude for his goodness. This gratitude will motivate and purify your response to the obligations he has placed on you. Speaking to yourself about the love he has for you will embolden you to courageously pursue holiness, even when your failure is extensive.

3) Be assured of who you are. Christ has already made you new, and your continued growth in holiness will remind you of your new identity. This doesn't mean that our assurance rests on our obedience; no, our assurance must be anchored in the obedience of Christ. Our assurance will grow, though, as we see his sanctifying work in us and look back over our lives. We'll be able to see how his power has transformed us "from one degree of glory to another" as we behold him (2 Cor. 3:18).

4) Be who you are before others. Christ has loved you and made you new and his kindness and love you is such a wonderful gift that it must be shared. Your good work are lights that cannot be hidden, and though you don't do them to enhance your reputation, God does use them to bring new life to others.


I am so blessed to have Christ's righteousness, because of His payment for my sin, and the Holy Spirit who resides in me and helps me to live glitterly for His glory. His generosity to give that to me and His grace to accept me surpasses all! John 14:15-31 is an encouraging passage :)

There is such freedom is being who God made me to Be; Freedom in being who I am.

...Beauty in the Still...

A great song about the beauty in being still, knowing that He is God, and longing to be with Jesus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zyiLLJnCDQ

Upon the Sandy Shore

While I was in India this summer working with PMI. I was impressed by their library selection. What a blessing to have people from the states bring books to add to their collection when they come to work with PMI. I got to see a handful of poeple who are a part of the church check out books to read, which was a big encouragement to me. I have seen God use the saints trials and knowledge of His word teach me though books written by His children. I am priviliged to read, know, and understand a language that provides so many sources. Furthermore, In that Library's selection I found a book entittled, "Mountain Breezes," it was a book of all of Amy Carmichael's poetry that she had written complied between covers. The following are three peoms from that book that caught my eye. Lord, may I make less of myself and more of you, and May I boast only in the cross!

The Shell

Upon the sandy shore an empty shell,

beyond the shell infinity of sea;

O Savior, I am like that empty shell,

thou art the sea to me.

Asweeping wave rides up the shore, and lo,

each dim recess the coiled shell within

is searched, is filled, is filled to overflow

By water crystalline

Not to the shell is any glory then;

All glory give we to the glorious sea

And not to me is any glory when

Thou overflowest me

Sweep over me, Thy shell, as low I lie;

I yield me to the purpose of Thy will;

Sweep up, O conquering waves, and purify,

And with thy fullness fill.

Forget the Shell
An empty shell lay by the sea;

The waves rolled up,and all forgot

To think of that which mattered not;

They only saw the sea.

So be it, Lord; let this thy shell

Be lost in glory of the sea;

And all the waves sweep over me,

Let all forget the shell

O Wave of God

O wave of God, arise and overflow

High water mark on this our stretch of shore

Great wave of God, deal with us till we know

something beyond all we have known before

O following wave, from utmost Deeps arise;

we yield to Thy Majestic urgency;

Forbid we ever or in any wise

Refuse to yield over all, lose all in Thee;

Sweep on, O Wave, we yield ourselves to Thee

The Mark of a True Church

By G.K. Beale

“The mark of the true church is an expanding witness to the presence of God: first to our families, then to others in the church, then to our neighbourhood, then to our city, then the country and ultimately the whole earth… We as individual Christians, as members of a local church and as part of Christ’s church throughout the world must not merely share our lives and God’s word with one another, but we need to get out of our own little fishbowls and manifest the presence of Christ through our words and lives, so that the boundaries of the temple, the church, will grow until the whole earth is encompassed with and manifests the presence of God… The mark of the true church is always to be outward-looking and expanding God’s presence and not obsessively introspective.….our task as the covenant community, the church is to be God’s temple, so filled with his glorious presence that we expand and fill the earth with that presence until God finally accomplishes the goal completely at the end of time.”

The Tid Bits in Life

The tid bits in life have caught my attention.

After all of the cough syrup, throat drops, Orange Juice, sleep, Decongestants, it is all in God's timing in when I get better. More lessons in patience, taking time to be still, be in the spirit of prayer, and think upon the Lord and His generous blessings. My hope is that I will never become too consumed with something that I forget to thank God for the little things in life. I was reminded of that this week as the pace of my life took a halt. HEATHER, REMEMBER TO THANK GOD FOR THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE. A THANKFUL HEART IS A CHEERFUL HEART, AND CHEERFUL IS THE KIND OF GIVER GOD LOVES!

All to say the least, after a week of being sick with the flu I am ever so thankful to have a nose that I can breathe through! Breathe in through the nose, and out through the mouth... Lord, each breathe of air is a gift from you! HEATHER, DON'T FORGET THAT!

Lift your Eyes

Christ died
Christ rose from the dead
And, Christ will come again!

Why did He die...
So that I may live forever with God, versus forever apart from God. I am a sinner who has broken God's law. The Bible says that blood has to be shed in order to pay for one's sins. In other words, a sacrifice of life for the payment of sins is required. And, Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice! He humbly lived on earth and fulfilled God's Law perfectly with Love. Now, I can celebrate because I am set FREE from that penalty. I can look to Jesus' life and try to live as He did, because my Father in heaven gave Him to me to cherish. My Father in heaven gave Him to me, to provide a way for me to have a closer relationship with Him. Without Jesus I would be FAR away from God. Instead of being captured by Jesus' beauty, without Him, I would be bound by the lies of darkness thinking that there is another way to get to heaven, maybe through my own 'good' works, or just not caring.

Why did Christ rise from the dead...
Because He is God in the form of man!

Christ will come again...
Yes, He will. The Bible says that He will return! There are many prophesies in the Bible that have been fulfilled, such as Jesus' first coming. Jesus' return, or second coming, is one that I am joyously waiting for. I have definitely seen strength rise, as I wait upon the Lord, but because I am imperfect... I am always having to remind myself that He is strong when I am weak.

MYSTERY
By Charlie Hall

Celebrate his death and rising
Lift your eyes, proclaim his come
Celebrate his death and rising
Lift you eyes, lift your eyes

Celebrate his death and rising
Lift your eyes, proclaim his come
Celebrate his death and rising
Lift you eyes, lift your eyes

Christ has die and
Christ is risen,
and Christ will come again

Sweet Jesus Christ my sanity
Sweet Jesus Christ my clarity
Bread of heaven, broken for me
Cup of salvation held up to drink
Jesus the Mystery

Lately, I have really felt the wait. The patient wait (to live is Christ!), yet the waiting for what is much greater to come. This life really is short compared to eternity. While I am passing through on this adventurous journey God has blessed me with called Life, may I be a little glimmer for His glory. Life is a refreshing word to say if eternal death isn't stopping it!

Elagant Flowers Towering Trees

By: Carolyn Mahaney

When Spring is here I am reminded that among the many blessings it brings is an opportunity to worship God for one of the many aspects of His character: His beauty. Not only is God “the perfection of beauty” (Ps. 50:2), He takes great delight in beauty.

All we need to verify this fact is to consider the beauty He has created all around us.

Think with me for a moment about the world God has created. Whether it is an elegant flower, or towering trees, or a meandering river, or billowy clouds or the majestic night sky, or the first purple crocus of Spring. Every time we stop and take in one of these breathtaking scenes on display in God’s creation, we can’t help but be convinced that He delights in beauty!

All because we are created in the image of our Creator, each of us has a propensity to make things beautiful.

This means that when we decorate our homes, or we plant a lovely flower garden, or add some form of beauty to enhance our surroundings we are actually imitating and approving the works of our Great Creator. We are imitating God!

Now granted, these activities can be sinfully implemented, but we must not overlook the fact that the essence of our desire to beautify comes from God.

John Angell James in his book, Female Piety, offers this helpful thought:

This taste [for beauty], however in many cases it may be altogether corrupted in its object, wrong in its principle, or excessive in its degree, is in its own nature an imitation of the workmanship of God, who, “by his Spirit has garnished the heavens,” and covered the earth with beauty.

Thus we shouldn’t automatically dismiss our “taste for beauty,” even though it is tainted by sin, because our “taste for beauty” is an imitation of the workmanship of God.

Rather, we must discover from God’s Word how to regulate and steward this desire to bear good fruit. How can we use our “taste for beauty” to glorify God?

Fascinated by God's Creation

Autumn in Japan

The Southern Coast of Greece

Laghzira Beach, Morocco

The Maldive Islands

Brazil

Ecuador

Switzerland

Alaska

Maui

Kasmir, India

Basque Country, Spain

...absolutely beautiful and all places I would love to visit someday. To travel there and see His Glory would be quiet the experience! However, I must say I would take heaven first out of visiting any of these places! The Creator is more Beautiful than the created thing. He created beauty. He is beauty in its perfection.

Psalm 19 Verse 1 says, ''The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.''

He delights in beauty and wants us to enjoy it as He does. Beauty in His creation displays His beauty.

Heaven, a place not tainted by sin, but filled with God's holiness must be nothing but beautiful!

Dying to Self?

“Then said Jesus to His disciples, if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself take up his cross and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. For what does it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul, for the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels and then He shall reward every man according to his works.” Matthew 16:24-27

“First, then, you come to Christ denying yourself. And that means you take Christ on His terms, not yours. The proud sinner wants Christ and his pleasure, Christ and his covetousness, Christ and his immorality, but you don’t get Him on those terms. And then once you’ve come to Christ, Jesus is saying here it becomes a way of life to deny yourself. A happy way of life admittedly, is it not? For I’m not happy when my self acts, I’m happy when the Spirit of God acts in me. Joy comes to me in obedience, in holiness."

"What does it mean to live a life of self-denial, dying to self? What does that really mean? Have you ever thought about that? Think of it this way. When you are neglected, unforgiven, or when you are purposely set at naught and you sting and you hurt with the insultof that oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed and your advice is disregarded and your opinions are ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or defend yourself, you take it all patiently in loving silence, you’re dying to self."

"And when you lovingly and patiently bear any disgrace, any regularity, any annoyance, when you can stand face to face with folly and extravagance and spiritual insensitivity, and endure it as Jesus did, that is dying to self. When you are content with any food, any money, any clothing, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to self. And when you never are to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works, or itch after commendation from others, and when you truly love to be unknown, that is dying to self. When you see your brother prosper and have his needs wondrously met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy and never question God, though your needs are greater and still unmet, that is dying to self. And when you can receive correction, and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and humbly admit inwardly as well as outwardly that he’s right and find no resentment and no rebellion in your heart, that is dying to self. Are you dead yet?" ~Johnny Mac

Tuesday's Blessings

The bell rings.
First and second graders rush out to greet their Moms’ and Dads’.
Teachers give hugs and wish their students a “good day” and an “I will see you tomorrow!”
Bridgeport Families scatter to their cars, and soon enough… silence.
…with exceptions to the adorable six year old trying to balance on a wall and the sound of blowing wind.
I look to my left and I see a pregnant mother watching her son with care, but besides me and the six year old, there is no one else in sight.
Her son sees a girl about his age, the six year old, balancing on a wall, and he decides to join her.
Kids and instant friends.
They play about and I scoot a little closer to the pregnant mother sitting on the wall for conversation.
“Where are you from?” I ask.
She responds, “I am from India. Delhi, to be more specific.”
And, a great conversation follows.
Our conversation was interrupted by the second school bell that rings an hour later for the older elementary children to get out of school.
After the interruption of our conversation, it was ended with, “It was a pleasure to meet you, and I guess I will be seeing you here every day when the children get out of school.”
“See you tomorrow!” I replied.

The next thing I know, an El Salvadorian woman I met a time ago pops up in front of me to pick up her children, and another conversation with a woman of culture begins. Short, yet sweet.

Culture is so fascinating.

God loves people from all tongues, tribes, and nations, and I will get to worship my Father in heaven with fellow brothers and sisters from all parts of the world!

The rest of the day was a blessing from God with bike rides in the newly Autumn Crisp air, with a curious question asking six year old, and many neck stretching looks up above to enjoy the feathery white puff clouds scattered below the bright blue sky.

We stopped at a fountain.
She finds a penny, holds it tightly in her prayer posed hands, closes her eyes, touches the tips of her prayer posed fingertips to her forehead (Like a Buddist before Buddah), and throws the penny in the water.

I asked her what she wished for, and she said that when she was in Sri Lanka, with flower petals she wished that all of her family members would be able to be together in their next rebirth. This time around she said she wanted to make sure she included her grandma, because she forgot to include her that one time in Sri Lanka.
She asked me what I wished for, and I didn’t answer her.
I tossed a penny into water. But, inside my heart I know my Father in heaven heard a prayer for the salvation of her and her family. My care for them keeps growing.
It is interesting that both of our thoughts in this moment at the fountain were “Spiritual” in nature.
I looked into the water in the fountain and saw a reflection…
No longer am I blinded with my eyes fixed on the fog of the future.
I am all here, loving today, and the everyday opportunity God has given me. No worries about the future, just a growing trust in my heavenly Father, who is my shepherd holding my hand and guiding me every step of the way.

On this adventure with God, is right where I want to be!

Capturing Beauty and Dignity

Capturing Beauty and Dignity is Aradhna, a group whose music blends both the East and the West. Aradhna means Worship in Hindi. The beats in their music cannot be listened to without the tapping of one's foot accompanied by hands druming on one's lap! Their music is awesome and has really blessed me, especially after spending time in India! Be sure to check Aradhna out!
http://www.aradhnamusic.com/index.html

What's the Worst that Could Happen?

Failing out of a class, getting a broken heart, having a loved one pass away, loosing a job, getting in a car accident, not being able to bear a child, getting injured or ill, being at a dead stop in traffic; this is not the worst that can happen in a circumstance.

The worst that can happen in any difficult circumstance is that I would sin against a Holy and Soverign God in the midst of it.

The Holy Spirit helps God’s Children to glorify our Holy God when difficulty strikes. Lord, you are sovereign and working everything out for good to those that love you and are called according to your purpose! What a wonderful promise to rejoice in!

Whiter than Snow

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

“Anything we are and anything we have that is whiter than snow comes from Christ alone. I have lived long enough to sin against many people. I have sought forgiveness from those God brought to my mind and have been forgiven many times, but no one could make me clean. Only Jesus, whose dazzling glories are whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.” Beloved Disciple by Beth Moore

Anything good in me is because of you, Oh Lord. You give my soul strength to choose your ways, and when my flesh overwhelms me your steadfast love squeaks me clean! Less of me and more of you, Oh Lord! May my soul magnify you, because of your amazing grace and mercy.

The Fruit of Enjoying Jesus

Luke 10:38-42
Listen
Martha, was so diligent to serve, which seems like the opportune thing to do. On the other hand, Mary who simply sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching, was told by Jesus that she chose a good portion that would not be taken away from her. We are commanded to love and serve others, but if it is a distraction from listening to the teachings of Jesus, I must check my heart and nurture that first. Love God first and most, even more than working for Him, and the outpour of that will magnify Him. In contrast, service without that close intimacy with Him leads to distraction and anxiety. Examine my heart.

John 12:1-8
Purity
Martha served (which is great, but…), Lazarus reclined with Jesus at the table, and Mary anointed His feet with perfume (the second two really seemed to enjoy His presence). Judas Iscariot questions and rebukes Mary for using her perfume for Jesus’ feet. Judas Iscariot was a disciple who ended up betraying Jesus. He seemed to have lacked intimacy, and as a result of that he put on a façade that appeared as though he cared for the poor and would rather use money for the poor versus a perfume for Jesus’ feet. Jesus, knowing the heart knowing the heart of man knew that Judas Iscariot’s true intentions were to pocket the money for himself. Jesus ends the passage with, “The poor you will always have with you, but you do not always have me.” I want to cling all the more closely to Jesus, because I do not want to fall to such wickedness that starts in the mind if I am not hiding God’s Word in my heart and enjoying Him. Jesus knew that Mary’s intentions with the perfume were pure. Reminders: 1. I cannot hide my heart from Jesus, He knows it better than I do. 2. It is about pleasing God, not about pleasing man. 3. I will be more focused on pleasing God, if I am walking closely with Him. Examine my heart.

Matthew 17:5
Know
Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a mountain, so that they could see Jesus in a different form and know that He was different than all other men. These three men were blessed to be chosen by God to see Jesus’ purity and hear God’s voice. God tells them, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” I know God’s Word is complete and that He will not appear to me in that way on this side of heaven. However, His son is still beloved, and today we know that He fulfilled the ten commandments, which I could not, He became sin for me by dying on the cross so I can have eternal life, and I am to LISTEN and enjoy Him, because with that will come greater intimacy and OBEDIENCE. I am so thankful God gave me His Word so I can get to know Him better. Those I spend the most time with, I become more like. I want to spend a consuming amount of time with Jesus and become most like Him. Examine my heart.

Read God’s Word (Know Him), Apply God’s Word by being obedient (Listen, Rely & Trust Him), and have greater intimacy with God (Purity before Him; Mat. 5:8). Disobey God’s Word and be Far away, Which one do I want? I am always having to remind myself of these truths! …makes me oh-so-thankful for, Jesus! Because of God's great grace, I do not have to work to get to heaven, but I sure am tired of this sin that separates me from Him. Lord, I need you to carry me through!

At the Railroad Cafe Last Friday

Sitting in the Café.
Lady comes in to buy a coffee.
She heads towards the exit, until she sees me with my Bible.
She stops, rewinds, then pulls a chair out at my table and asks me, “Are you doing a school assignment?”
I explain myself to her that I am studying about Jesus’ beloved disciple named, John.
She asks me to tell her what I am learning, and I share about Jesus’ transfiguration.
She smiled and shared with me what she read during her devotion that morning.
The metro train across the street arrived, which interrupted our conversation.
“I am so sorry to cut this short, but I have to catch the train. Continue on your journey!”
And, out the door she went.

When the pendulum swing of the door came to an end the barista, Jennifer, asked, “Heather, do you know her? It seems like you knew her really well!”
I replied, “No, I just met her.” Jennifer chimes in, “Wow, I am surprised. I thought she went to your church or something…”

As a child of God it is so neat to meet other believers (brothers and sisters), and see the automatic bond we have because of Christ. Sometimes, I may only cross paths with a brother or sister for a brief moment on this side of heaven. However, because of the work of the Holy Spirit, such an encounter has the opportunity to leave just the finger print my soul needed to continue becoming more like Christ.

This lady and I, may not have been a part of the same local church, but we are both a part of God’s church. Praise God for the unity found in the body of Christ, His church!

Ready, Set, Go!

This weekend I got to support my housemate and friend, Bridget, in the annual Disney half marathon. I am so thankful for this sister; she not only disciplines her body by running hard physically, but she also disciplines her mind and heart through running hard spiritually. She is a sister that I have seen continually PUTTING OFF that which pollutes life, and PUTTING ON righteousness. She loves Jesus so much and wants others to see Him through her! This sister’s prayer request in weeks past has been that she would have opportunities to share the gospel with people that she would meet through the Disney marathon. The Lord answered by having her run into an old friend from Michigan, where she grew up. He found her before the race began, and as they briefly caught up with each other’s lives before the race, Bridget got to share the gospel with her friend the first four miles of the race (Yes, while running)! She didn’t know if she would see this friend again, so she could not pass this opportunity up. She had tried to share with him a couple of years back, but had lost contact with him. I really see the hand of God in bringing this old friend back into her life. So neat to see when the Lord does those kinds of things and answers prayers in those ways. He will put His saints who love Him right to work if we are willing and asking for those opportunities!

As for my time with Bridget, we got to enjoy the Orange County culture for the weekend: Wonderful Galdamez family hospitality, Huntington Beach, sand, the pier, swimming, reading, sun, and shade (we didn’t want to leave the beach, but we had to move out of the sun. If I stayed in the sun any longer and got any darker I think I would have turned black, and if she would have stayed any longer she would have gotten sun burned. So, we moved to some shade underneath the pier). It was such a blessed time of sisterhood and a reminder of how much I enjoy one-on-one time with people over groups. Groups can be fun, but there is nothing like that one-on-one time with people that is so encouraging, refreshing, sharpening, and a treat from my Father above. God has blessed me abundantly in this season with godly sisters, and I am trying to soak it all up, while I can!

Bridget and I got to do a lot of walking around the OC the day before her race. She had to register in downtown Disney, which was far from where we parked. While walking we noticed a young mom and her daughter who was about two and a half years old. The daughter was very cute, one of those chunky toddlers whose legs could barely fit side by side as she sat in her upright stroller. Her mom had bought a slice of pizza for her daughter and put the small pizza box in a bag (I imagine so they could walk to a prettier place to sit down and eat it, because there wasn’t really a place to sit and enjoy it where they were standing outside of the store). However, when the daughter saw the little pizza box, she forcefully grabbed it from the bag, pushed the top of the box open, and screamed as her mother pulled it away from her hands. The little girl’s arms and legs got really stiff, stuck straight out, and her fingers looked like spirit fingers reaching for the pizza. Her Mom said, “No, you need to wait!” And, the girl jumped out of her stroller, stomped her feet on the ground and said, “Noooooooo, I want it nooooooowww!” This little girl was no longer cute, in fact, the situation got quiet ugly. Her Mother didn’t tell her she could not have the pizza, she just said that she had to wait. As Bridget and I walked away from the situation, I told her, “That is me!” God always has me in a time of waiting; if it is not one thing, it is another. He knows that waiting until He brings the situation and circumstances together is what’s best, but sinful me is discontent, and wants that instant gratification that is falsely satisfying. When I do that, I am like that screaming child, only this is before the Father (Yuck, I don’t want to be that Lord)! The mother knew that it would have been better to find a nice place to sit first, but the daughter had her eyes so fixed on the pizza that she couldn’t even hear or see where her mother was coming from.

I love when my heavenly Father puts wind in my sail to help me get through and grow during the numerous waiting periods that come in life. Seeing how this girl responded, encouraged me all the more to be patient and be thankful for how my loving Father uses those times to draw me closer to Him. Reminds me of that song, “Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord, we will wait upon the Lord.” Heavenly Father, ultimately I CANNOT WAIT TO BE WITH YOU!

After Bridget and I saw this situation, we were encouraged all the more to listen to the road signs and signal lights from above. To enjoy the moments of getting ready (get ready!), the moments of setting (set!), before the going gets going (go!)!

1 Chronicles 16:11--Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Philippians 1:6--being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Psalms 125--Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion; which cannot be moved, but abides forever. (Wow, Mount Zion!)

Burnt Out Light Bulb Repair

My father in heaven knew that I would have this job; working as a nanny for a devout Buddhist Sri Lankan family. He even sent me to Sri Lanka for a week this summer, and gave me many Sri Lankan friends to learn the culture and have an understanding and an appreciation for it. Toward the end of my travels, I began to ask the Lord to provide a job for me when I returned to California. I prayed not knowing that the Lord was already preparing me for what that job would be. It has been two and a half weeks now since I have been working, and yesterday marked the day that I got to share the gospel with the grandma of this family. She asked me what books I like to read and I told her the Bible and books by Christians who have written about what they have learned from the Bible. I added, that I also like poetry and enjoyed reading many poems written by a women named, Amy Carmichael . After she learned these knew things about me. She had so many questions which started an intense conversation that took place between 2:20pm and 2:50pm. She wanted to know how Jews and Christians are different, because from her perspective they were the same. She thought that Jews celebrated Christmas and was surprised when she met a Jew here in the states and received a startled look of offense when she asked them how they celebrated. As I explained the differences of Judaism and Christianity, the Lord gave me the opportunity to share the gospel. It is so sanctifying to share about the Bible and salvation, because I realize how much there is to know and that I cannot answer many of the questions that people have right away. My now adopted Sri Lankan grandma said that she is so happy to have someone who she can ask questions about Jesus. I left at 2:50pm to pick up the older sister of the two girls that I take care of, and when I returned the first thing that she said was, “Okay, so back to our conversation about Jesus..” This is a woman who crosses her ankles and meditates everyday and worships the idols in her hallway and I had the privilege of sharing with her the truth that can set her free. Lord, you are right, this is what my life is for, for your glory! God has a mysterious way of working, because the day before yesterday I struggled deep in thought about this family and their blind eyes as they talked about rebirth and nirvana. This family is so hospitable, so giving, they are willing to share many of their things with me, they have very good manners, and value modesty. Their culture even follows a BIblical model of manhood and womanhood. How can I be an example to these people? How can I stand out in the way I live to demonstrate that I am set apart because of Jesus? Our externals look the same (sometimes their eagerness to serve others even puts me to shame), but it is our motivations that are different. That is what my God in heaven cares about! The heart. Isn’t that what unbelieving people try to teach their children too? “Hunny, it is not about what is on the outside that matters, it is about what is on the inside!” or the famous quote, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” This idea is a hint of truth that many people have acculturated. These thoughts brought me to realize that there was going to have to come a point where I couldn’t live by example alone, but I would have to speak up and be the voice of truth in their lives, I just didn’t know that this was going to be the next day. I am happy to have a job where there is an open door to be influential and talk about the pearl of great prize; May the grace of God cause the scales to fall from this families eyes to discover it! Praying for boldness, opportunities to love them, really love them, and speak the truth!

Piles of Books on My Night Stand

VULNERABLE
"To be vulnerable in the true sense does not mean that someone must become a doormat, a weakling, devoid of all pride, going out of his way to let others know all his faults and weaknesses. Nor is vulnerability to be confused with the idea of ‘letting-it-all-hang-out’, to be vulnerable is to be strong enough to be able to present ourselves without false props, without an artificial display of our credentials. In brief, to be vulnerable is to be strong enough to be honest and tender. Like Jesus, the person who is vulnerable is a person who cares enough to let himself be weak, precisely because he does care…"
-Ronald Rolheiser

ON PRAYER
"Asking of God and receiving from the Lord--direct application to God, immediate connection with God--that is prayer"
-E.M. Bounds
"The possibilities of prayer are guaged by faith in God's ability to do. Faith is the one prime condition by which God works. Faith is one prime condition by which man prays. Faith draws on God for it full extent. Faith gives charecter to prayer. A feeble faith has always brought forth feeble praying. A vigorous faith creates vigorous praying."
-E.M. Bounds
"Prayer is not something we do when we have stopped thinking; prayer is a way of thinking. It is not something we do to avoid the hard choices we have to make, but a way of discovering the wisest choice and finding the strength to make it."
-Mauice Boyd

“The pastor who succeeds in changing his people from a prayerless to a prayerful people, has done a greater work than did Augustus in changing a city from wood to marble. And after all, this is the prime work of the preacher. Primarily, he is dealing with prayerless people—with people of whim I is said, “God is not in all their thoughts.” Such people he meets everywhere, and all the time. His main business is to turn to them from being forgetful of God, from being devoid of faith, from being prayerless, so that they become people who habitually pray, who believe in God, remember him, and so his will. The preacher is not sent to merely induce men to join the church, now merely to get them to do better. It is to get them to pray, to trust God, and to keep God ever before their eyes, that they may not sin against him.”

-E.M. Bounds
“True believers obey the Lord’s commands, submitting to His Word (John 14:21,23). Because of their commitment to God’s Word, they are devoted to His will, thus their prayers are fruitful (John 14:13, 14), which puts God’s glory on display as He answers."

-Johnny Mac

GCI Sr. High Summer Camp 2009

This summer has been filled with more blessings from the Lord than I saw coming. It is such a privilege to serve our God and this August I got to serve with the High School youth group that the Lord saved me in. How wonderful it was to be there with high school girls ministering to their hearts and souls. It was not too long ago that I was there in their shoes with the battle of trying to fit in, yet seeing that God had a greater calling for my life. Being there with the girls was a good reminder of how on fire I was for the Lord as a teenager, and this reminder made me all the more thankful for the suffering and trial I went through during that time that caused me to want to live my whole life for Jesus and no one else. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness to increase our perseverance!

The theme of camp was being a doer of His Word, not just a hearer. Kill apathy, it is such a waste to hear and have it go in one ear and out the other. My prayer for the kids was that what would go in their ears this weekend would penetrate their hearts and turn their faith into action.

Session 1: Where am I building my house? On a rock? Or on sand? If it is on a rock the foundation is strong and the house shall stand, but if it is on the sand, then it will crumble to the ground. Trust in God and I am building my house on the rock, but if I trust in man, I am building my house on the sand.

Session 2: Don’t just audit! We are saved by grace through faith, but works is a demonstration of that faith. Performing works does not save, but it glorifies our Father in Heaven.

Session 3: Do not be ashamed of the Gospel, stand firm, and be a light in the world!

Girls Devotion Time: Spending time with the Lord is like filling up the cup and our service to God is an outpour of that time spent with the Lord in His Word. Without that time in God’s word and with the strength in our flesh, it will be difficult to serve the Lord, or if we do, it can be in vain, in our own strength, or to impress man and appear to be spiritual. The perquisite to being a doer: making sure that you are nurturing your personal relationship with the Lord and that can be done by: reading His Word, praying, meditating on His Word, and Memorizing His Word. Write God’s Word on your heart, because it is the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path.

Overall, the weekend went well. We had much time at the beach to play on the sand, in the water, and under the sun. We got to go bowling, we got to play music, sing songs, throw footballs, eat together, sleep in tents, and encourage each other!

Personal Lesson: One of the nights in our tent, we were talking about versus in the New Testament commanding us to love others as Christ loves us. I got to thinking about the fact that Christ died for us, and I should be willing to die for others. We were informed that the camper next to our site housed a pedophile. We were encouraged to move our site, since we had many teenagers, but we did not want to frighten the kids, so we spent some time praying for God’s protection and we decided to stay on our site. At night after our discussion when all of us girls laid our heads down to sleep I started to think about the situation. If our tent had a threat from an intruder, would I be willing to put myself before all the girls in harms way out of love? Do I love these girls in a way that I would be willing to die for them? Throughout the night when I would hear foot steps or noises, versus that command us to love others more than ourselves came to mind. It turned out that God protected us over the weekend. The foot steps that I would hear outside our tent turned out to be the boys playing a practical joke; Zip Tying our tents so we couldn’t get out. I laugh at the reality that was really happening! I am glad that it was just the boys, but I do not want to forget about the questions that came to mind that night. Do I love others so much, that I would be willing to die for them?

I hope to make being a part of this camp a tradition!

Surrounded By the Indian Ocean on the Island of Sri Lanka

I have never seen such a thing.

Hindu procession: fish like hooks pierce the skin of men in many places [knee caps, thighs, calves, back, elbows, and arms] to hold them from the trunk of a tree as they are swung; self inflicted pain. Why? Because they believe it will bring them blessing.

I can say again that I have never seen such a thing.

God has saved me from so much. I am free and I have victory over sin because of Jesus who took the price for the sins that I have committed or ever will commit. Lately, I have been so amazed at the Lord’s steadfast love. He loves me even though I wrong Him day after day. He loves. He is Lovely. He is the love of my life. He knows my heart so deeply and loves me still. Lord, there is no One like you. Change me, I want to be more like you.

Through my human eyes, those who are hard to love are just that, hard to love; my sin. But, God who is rich in mercy and loving kindness, is willing to love all the more to capture those hard hearts and make them into hearts that are surrendered to Him. Lord, give me the desire of your heart.

Having surrendered my heart to Him, because of His great work in my heart; I am free. No need for me to pierce my skin with fish hooks, or roll on the ground; Jesus took the nails and I am free. I am no longer in bondage.

Seeing such darkness made real how deceived people are by human philosophies. Sad to see that those men that day, inflicting so much physical pain, think that they will receive blessing from such an act. Humbled that my ears hear, my eyes see, and I am compelled to live a life that is not wasted.

Despite the darkness, great glory of our creator was seen in the island: cinnamon colored beaches, tea fields, waterfalls, pretty skies, fellowship with friends, tropical rain, Coral reefs, fish, unique fruits, and precious people who do love Jesus, and are committed to furthering the good news there.

This “tail end” of my summer trip was used by God to make my heart more broken for the things that break God’s heart.

"Good News"

Michael Spenser: Church ministry (including youth ministries) that “offers a false hope in things like ‘getting serious about pleasing God,’ …is a waste of your time. If all you’re doing is trying to make kids behave, make good choices and buy into the church as a place to hang out. Then by all means, get another job. Or be honest and just say you’re a moralistic therapeutic babysitter carrying out the wishes of the church to not have any kids make bad decisions.

I’d really like to apologize to anyone- and there are a lot of these people- who ever showed up at church and heard the ‘good news’ that if they would take their talent and use it for the Lord, they’d be blessed. Or if they surrender their all to Jesus, they’ll be happy no matter what happens. Or if they will stop making excuses and get serious about following Jesus, they can please God.

Really, I apologize. We’ve got better news than that.

We’ve got the news that if everything sucks, asteroids hit the earth, you die, the economy tanks, no one at work likes you, Christians are jailed, your computer breaks and your kid turns out to be a lawyer, you still can’t stop the Good News of what God has done for you.

We’ve got the news that God has declared religion out of business. We’ve got the news that the church has nothing to offer or say except the Gospel, so that should simplify your search for a church. We’ve got the news that at the end of the world, there’s going to be a party for you and me, where we’re going to be embraced, loved and taken to the new heaven and the new earth completely on the free grace of God in Jesus.”

Sri Lanka

I am flying to the island country of Sri Lanka today. I have always had a fascination with God's glorious creation seen on islands, only I have yet to experience it in person. This will be my first time ever on an island! I am looking forward to a refreshing time of fellowship with friends there, and praising God for His glory seen as the maker of every living thing! The beaches, fresh fruit, Sri Lankan food, more exposure to cultures much different than mine, and a glimpse into what the Lord is doing there. The country just ended their 30 year civil war and there is also many displaced people and poverty. I can imagine it will be another place of many paradoxes.

I think I will miss more than I can list or even explain about India, but some of the things that come to mind are: bright colors and fabrics, fresh Naan, authentic chai, THE PEOPLE that were once strangers, but now FRIENDS, and serving with PMI! Time here has really inspired me to live out what I learned when I return. Although, leaving Delhi is bitter sweet, and I know I will enjoy the time in SL; I am really looking forward to returning to the U.S. in a week!

Noon-Time

Today I woke up to a day not as warm as those prior. I was able to do my hair and get ready for the day without sweat running down my face, so that was a delight. This morning the staff met for chai and we sang a worship song about gathering together to praise the name of God. After that, we continued our study in Song of Solomon. Today we read through chapter four, which is the chapter where Solomon admires his brides beauty. Before noon I got to prepare for english class; today we are going to have the students do short presentations about their families. The second half of the class we will put everyone in pairs and have them write a skit about a father and a son. I am looking forward to seeing what they come up with. I am also looking forward to talking more with the Iranian student about Christian suffering. He is wanting to learn more about Christianity and how Christians respond to suffering.

After preparing for the english class I have THREE hours to spare (this has not happend since I have been here), so I walked back to the apartment. On the way there I bought some bananas for ten Rupees from the neighborhood fruit vendor. When I got to the apartment, I spread some peanut butter on a piece of toast, cut up a banana and put it on top of the peanut butter, poured a glass of pineapple juice, and called it lunch. Here I sit. I notice that it is easy for me to transition and call new places home. I have had many homes, not all at once, but I have moved many times. Even when I go camping, I can easily make my campsite my home. It is a blessing to have a place to sit, rest, and re-energize! A place to think, gather thoughts, read, and pray. A place that is quiet, away from distractions, where solitude can be found. I look forward to the ultimate home where eternity will be spent, and I wonder what it will be like? Will I need solitude in heaven, or is solitude needed only because there is sin on earth? I can't imagine wanting to be alone if there is no sin that seperates me from all of God's children. I think I would always want to be with my brothers and sisters, who are made complete. I think I would wnat to be with them; worshiping our Lord, being happy in Him together, and rejoicing forever.

...That time will come, as of now I am Thankful for this quiet time I have been given today!

One of the Seven Wonders of the World

Eight passenger rental car, driver that doesn’t speak English, crazy driving, off-roading due to 1-Traffic or 2-closed roads, green fields, beautiful trees, many peacocks, and goats were seen out car windows as we drove on dirt roads, overcast sky, driving on the wrong side of the road against traffic, “country people”, street vendors, a stop for chai, crossed state lines into Agre, horse rickshaw ride for the last kilometer of our five hour journey to our day's destination: The Taj Mahal. After going through security we walked through a beautiful arch way only for the Verizon to unveil the Taj Mahal, as we walked closer. I had never seen a building so beautiful before: the symmetry was breath-taking, marble covered the floors and walls. As I stood there I asked the others to pinch me, “Is this real?”

Humans are created in the image of God and can also express some of that creativity that ultimately glorifies Him, although it is not seen that way by many. Unfortunately, many beautiful things become big distractions, called idols. Through these big eyes of mine, and I say big, because God gave me big eyes; by His grace I see it this way: Seeing beauty in created things brings my praise not to the created things themselves, but to my creator in heaven, who holds the most creativity of all. Seeing a place so beautiful and walking barefoot made me look forward to heaven all the more. Gates made with pearl and streets with gold so pure that it is translucent. No sin that separates, and forever in the presence of the King most High. The Taj Mahal in structure and beauty is the closet to heaven that the unbelievers that surrounded us in crowds there will ever see, unless God changes their hearts. Why did He change my heart? He is so gracious and the way I can answer that is because He wanted to, because He loves me, and because He wants His glory to be seen. It is such a privilege to be used by God!

P.S. I guess it wasn't my time to go to heaven yet, because with all the craziness, I made it back to Delhi safely!