With the lack of business and need to make lattes, the lone barista cleans counters and widows a second time to keep busy.
Seat warmers fill the room zoned into their laptops, enjoying the smell of coffee and music, I assume.
My sense to people watch came to an end when a song came on by, Landon Pigg:
“I think that possibly
Maybe I'm falling for you
Yes
There's a chance that I've fallen quite hard over you”
And,well… forget the rest of the song… it hit me, I think I have fallen for Jesus again! I'm sure the song was reffering to that earthy boy likes girl kind of love. But, instead of that horizontal love, this song got me thinking about that wonderful vertical love. His love for me is amazing that although I was once dead in my trespasses, by his great love and rich mercy He got off of his throne in heaven to come down to earth; a place full of tears and pain, to endure temptation, fulfill God’s Law, which I could not fulfill, and after all of that He died for me. He did all of that so that I can be blessed, pure, and see God! Wow. Eternal life with God! …Not because of something I did, but because of His grace and my faith! When I mess up again, and again, and again, and again, and again, times ten to the tenth power, He still forgives me. How humbling, it makes me want to serve Him, because He does so much for me. As for good works, they are an outpour of that grace and faith, He doesn’t need my good works to be made glorious, because He already is, but He still chose to open my eyes and see that I need Him. I have fallen for Him again. I am so glad I get to travel this summer, fully devoted, and free from distraction! Such a blessing from the Lord!
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
"Coram Deo"
Before the face of God...
Living all of life...
in the presence of God
under the authority of God
and to the glory of god
Living all of life...
in the presence of God
under the authority of God
and to the glory of god
Monday, June 15, 2009
A Weekend in Mexico
Concrete everywhere, no open space, backyards are unheard of, people sell whatever they can to make a buck, Megaphones project the salesman’s voice, Mariachis, food stands on street corners, graffiti, Jesus on the cross, early morning bells, crazy driving, car horns honking, love birds enjoying, ice cream, speaking Spanish, jewelry making, entrepreneurs, pesos, Quinsienetta dress, Spanish subtitles for American movies, high heals, no flushing toilet paper, and bright colored paint on walls and houses.
Although, I have not spent a lot of time in Mexico, the culture is still very familiar to me , partly because I am Hispanic, but also because there were many Mexicans from Mexico that grew up around me. This trip was a great cross-cultural experience for me as I prepare for India. There are so many needs around the world, and I see how missionaries get overwhelmed by wanting to do it all!
Just south of the border there are so many needs, I cannot imagine how many needs I will be exposed to on the other side of the world in India. The smells will be more intense, the language even less familiar, there will not be crosses with Jesus on it, instead there will be temples with idol worship. There will be bright colors. However, those bright colors will be found in the textiles and fabric of women’s clothing, versus walls, and the exterior of house.
Although the cultures are very different, I think there is one thing that can be said to be the same despite the culture; every woman wants to be perceived as being beautiful. Beauty is made most beautiful when it is that adorning beauty from the inside that radiates to the outside when she has a love and compassion for others, not because of anything inside of her, but because of that love that first loved her. That is what I want to do with my life, help women adorn that inner beauty that God created. Adorning that beauty starts with planting the tree by the streams of running water, so that that its roots become pure, well nourished, and able to bear fruit. Without the streams of running water, the roots dry and shrivel up, with no opportunity for fruit to be bared. One who is not planted by the streams of running water is like a bush in the desert, “who will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in the stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant.” Not very beautiful is it?
One of my favorite parts of the trip to Mexico was sitting down with two young girls. It was inspiring, because as they practiced their english, I got to practice my spanish. They knew just as much english as I knew spanish. I have always been intimidated by learning another language, but that intimidation became much less as I saw that I learned a lot by spending this lunch hour with these girls. Language is so key, while in Mexico there were so many people that I wanted to talk to and build a relationship with, but couldn't because I am not fluent in the language. Seeing that I want to spend my life investing in women, sharing hope with them, and helping them adorn that inner beauty, and the fact that I would love to do that cross-culturally, I will need to learn a new language. Becuase, I want to invest in people of another culture, whom speak a different language, it is not going to be easy, but all to say the least, this experience with these young girls was inspiring. I know that with the Lord's strength and if that would glorify Him most, I can learn a new language. It is amazing that letters grouped together have meaning and with that meaning relationships can be built! Lets make Christ known!
Although, I have not spent a lot of time in Mexico, the culture is still very familiar to me , partly because I am Hispanic, but also because there were many Mexicans from Mexico that grew up around me. This trip was a great cross-cultural experience for me as I prepare for India. There are so many needs around the world, and I see how missionaries get overwhelmed by wanting to do it all!
Just south of the border there are so many needs, I cannot imagine how many needs I will be exposed to on the other side of the world in India. The smells will be more intense, the language even less familiar, there will not be crosses with Jesus on it, instead there will be temples with idol worship. There will be bright colors. However, those bright colors will be found in the textiles and fabric of women’s clothing, versus walls, and the exterior of house.
Although the cultures are very different, I think there is one thing that can be said to be the same despite the culture; every woman wants to be perceived as being beautiful. Beauty is made most beautiful when it is that adorning beauty from the inside that radiates to the outside when she has a love and compassion for others, not because of anything inside of her, but because of that love that first loved her. That is what I want to do with my life, help women adorn that inner beauty that God created. Adorning that beauty starts with planting the tree by the streams of running water, so that that its roots become pure, well nourished, and able to bear fruit. Without the streams of running water, the roots dry and shrivel up, with no opportunity for fruit to be bared. One who is not planted by the streams of running water is like a bush in the desert, “who will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in the stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant.” Not very beautiful is it?
One of my favorite parts of the trip to Mexico was sitting down with two young girls. It was inspiring, because as they practiced their english, I got to practice my spanish. They knew just as much english as I knew spanish. I have always been intimidated by learning another language, but that intimidation became much less as I saw that I learned a lot by spending this lunch hour with these girls. Language is so key, while in Mexico there were so many people that I wanted to talk to and build a relationship with, but couldn't because I am not fluent in the language. Seeing that I want to spend my life investing in women, sharing hope with them, and helping them adorn that inner beauty, and the fact that I would love to do that cross-culturally, I will need to learn a new language. Becuase, I want to invest in people of another culture, whom speak a different language, it is not going to be easy, but all to say the least, this experience with these young girls was inspiring. I know that with the Lord's strength and if that would glorify Him most, I can learn a new language. It is amazing that letters grouped together have meaning and with that meaning relationships can be built! Lets make Christ known!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Bright Smile, Soft Heart, & Kind Eyes
Yesterday evening I was blessed to sit with four other women of faith, some had grey hair, some waiting for that phone call from their daughter to hear that they are officially a grandmother, the youthful who cannot wait to serve God wherever there is no believers, and the mother who trusts the Lord to let their daughter serve the Lord in another country; a diverse group, but we were all united in Christ, and not only that, but we all share the same heart to reach out to unbelievers, because that is why we are here. The Lord brought a homeless woman into our lives at Starbucks and we get to spend time with her there every Tuesday evening. Yesterday we read through Philippians 1 with her and told her about apostle Paul’s life and how God changed him, and how God changed us too. It was neat to see women older than me taking the time to meet with those younger applying Titus 2 and also reaching out to a woman who does not have a pillow to lay her head, more importantly this woman does not know the Lord. As I am sitting here with this group of women, I think to myself, “This is what I want to do for the rest of my life, I want to share Jesus with people, and not just here, but to the ends of the earth!” I struggle with a hesitance when I say that, but I ask that the Lord would change my heart, and increase my faith. I want to radically live by faith and go on an adventure, I do not desire the American Dream, that is a big distraction to my personal relationship with the Lord, which I treasure more than anything else in this world. I want to be where there is much need. Back to my friend Kim, she doesn’t have a home right now, but she does have a bright smile, kind eyes, and a soft heart to listen. The Lord has been answering prayer quickly! As I have prayed that He give me a deeper love for Christ and that nothing other than Christ and the Gospel would motivate me in all aspects of life. He has not only brought me opportunities to love Christ and be motivated by Him, but He has brought me women who do love Christ with all of their hearts and are motivated by Him. Love in action brings God glory, but when that action is not motivated by the gospel it is vain. [Side note: Also, sad to see vanity deceive believer’s from sending people or going themselves to the places where there are no believers.] The truth that the Father loves me and has given me salvation through Jesus Christ motivates me. The fact that I can spend eternity with Him because of His sacrificial love motivates me. Jesus dying for me having taken the punishment that I deserve motivates me. It is not like there was anything lovely about me that made great reason for Him to die for me, I broke God’s Law, He kept God’s law, I deserve the punishment, but He took the punishment, how can I not live for Jesus? He saved me for His glory!
Less of me, and more of you, oh Lord! May the truth Kim heard yesterday be on her mind this week and may you send more light her way this week to meet with her.
Less of me, and more of you, oh Lord! May the truth Kim heard yesterday be on her mind this week and may you send more light her way this week to meet with her.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Inspired by this Letter...
My future home in heaven should make a difference in how I live my life now!
...a neat outline of Philippians...
Chapter One- Single purposed mind that Christ is proclaimed and magnified.
Chapter Two- Submissive mind that puts others before myself. Instead of being all about me, I am all about meeting the needs of others.
Chapter Three- Spiritual mind that forgets what lies behind and looks forward to what lies ahead looking forward to eternity.
Chapter Four- Secure Mind that can rejoice and think on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, because God has shown Himself to me through Jesus Christ, and much joy rises with assurance that my name is written in the book of life.
Lets live this out!
...a neat outline of Philippians...
Chapter One- Single purposed mind that Christ is proclaimed and magnified.
Chapter Two- Submissive mind that puts others before myself. Instead of being all about me, I am all about meeting the needs of others.
Chapter Three- Spiritual mind that forgets what lies behind and looks forward to what lies ahead looking forward to eternity.
Chapter Four- Secure Mind that can rejoice and think on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, because God has shown Himself to me through Jesus Christ, and much joy rises with assurance that my name is written in the book of life.
Lets live this out!
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