Today in the mail we received an update letter from some friends who will be headed to China to work in Tealand (ethnic Tibet). Because they were also Jeneva's Sunday School teachers and dance teacher, she prays for them during our family devotions.
We also received a magazine from the TEAM missions organization of which some college friends of ours are a part of and will soon be going to Central Asia.
So many exciting things to look at! Jeneva always pours over pictures and information of people from different countries and cultures and seems to genuinely have a heart for people who are less privileged than us and who don't know the gospel. I thank God for her spirit and know that it is a gift from Him.
Neither Steve nor I have been world travelers or on many missions trips, but would like to be someday if we are called. It is easy to get engrossed in our own little American culture/lifestyle and forget about the rest of the world. We try and read/pray through Operation World as well as Voice of the Martyr's.
So, after reading some interesting facts about Pakistan, Jeneva told me she wanted to write a letter to people in Pakistan to tell them about God. We came to the computer and I typed what she said. In her exact words:
Dear people in Pakistan,
You have to know God. He is a strong and mighty God and he's the person who created you. You shall love God and you shall love other people. You shall love everybody in the world. God is the greatest. He's the ruler of all nations. He's the one who made the stars and the sky and made YOU. Please listen to what I said. This is very important about God. And you shall listen to this: Love your neighbor as yourself. The Second is like it. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might. This is the greatest commandment!
Listen to me cuz I know about God.
Jeneva
God, I pray that you would continue to grow my daughters heart to have a passion for your people and for the nations! Please grow MY heart to be more like hers.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Sunday, July 20, 2008
valley of vision
Someone asked me yesterday what it feels like to be 30. That seems so vague. How do I feel physically? No different than 29, but I definitely have felt the aging process over the past 10 years. Not dramatically....but I am only 30. Not 90. I think it has kind of made me stop and evaluate. Question. Okay, so what has my life amounted to over the past 30? What have I accomplished. I haven't made a million yet. Don't think I ever will. *wink*. I really could care less about that I guess. What have I done that has made a difference? That kind of discourages me. How have I brought glory and honor to the King of the universe? Isn't that what our "purpose" is here on earth?
In our devotions with Jeneva we are going through the exodus. God is leading his people out of Egypt into Canaan. Just this morning we read about Moses coming down from the mountain after 40 days and his face was glowing because he had been with God. My face is sort of glowing right now because it's oily and shiny and sun burned. I haven't washed it yet this morning. Ha! No, seriously though, do I have the essence of Christ written on my face? Can others see Christ in me? I have felt the weight my sins and failures lately. This is good....BUT, I've not been focusing on the cross, redemption, regeneration, forgiveness....I am saved by his grace even though I act like an Israelite in the wilderness. Time and time again I've been forgiven. I want to move forward with the essence of Christ glowing on my face so to speak.
I've been staying up pretty late at night this summer. Steve took a temporary shift change at his work and is now working the 10:30pm to 6:30am shift. So, he leaves for work around 10. So, that has been my time to be by myself. A lot of times I sit outside, light the citronella, and have a cup of tea--green tea---decaf---from Trader Joe's. It's peaceful. As peaceful as urban life gets anyway. It really is pretty quiet that late at night....despite the occasional fireworks. Hello people, the 4th of July was 2 weeks ago! I've been reading through The Valley of Vision A Collection of Puritan Prayers. I.Love.It. Those puritans certainly pray like I desire to be able to pray and talk to God. It's kind of like cheating because the words are there written down for me to just read. But oh, they are soooo good!
Here is a portion of one I read last night:
"Oh God, I know that I often do thy work without thy power, and sin by my dead, heartless, blind service, my lack of inward light, love, delight, my mind, heart, tongue moving without thy help. I see sin in my heart in seeking the approbation of others; This is my vileness, to make men's opinion my rule, whereas I should see what good I have done and give thee glory, consider what sin I have committed and mourn for that......(if you want to finish it read it for yourself!). The end expresses such hope!
This one was perfect for me right now because as I enter a new decade of my life this is one of my goals. I spend a lot of time "seeking the approbation of others." (I have given up on my "looks." I don't care what others think anymore! Ha! I'm never going to look 18 again, so why try. I do wish I could still run like I did when I was 18. I suppose that would mean I have to actually practice though now.) Anyway, how can I not do that, but desire that more from Christ? Maybe I'll figure it out more fully in this next decade. God help me!
Okay, I better get the kids out of the tub. I like to stick them in there when I actually feel like getting something done!
In our devotions with Jeneva we are going through the exodus. God is leading his people out of Egypt into Canaan. Just this morning we read about Moses coming down from the mountain after 40 days and his face was glowing because he had been with God. My face is sort of glowing right now because it's oily and shiny and sun burned. I haven't washed it yet this morning. Ha! No, seriously though, do I have the essence of Christ written on my face? Can others see Christ in me? I have felt the weight my sins and failures lately. This is good....BUT, I've not been focusing on the cross, redemption, regeneration, forgiveness....I am saved by his grace even though I act like an Israelite in the wilderness. Time and time again I've been forgiven. I want to move forward with the essence of Christ glowing on my face so to speak.
I've been staying up pretty late at night this summer. Steve took a temporary shift change at his work and is now working the 10:30pm to 6:30am shift. So, he leaves for work around 10. So, that has been my time to be by myself. A lot of times I sit outside, light the citronella, and have a cup of tea--green tea---decaf---from Trader Joe's. It's peaceful. As peaceful as urban life gets anyway. It really is pretty quiet that late at night....despite the occasional fireworks. Hello people, the 4th of July was 2 weeks ago! I've been reading through The Valley of Vision A Collection of Puritan Prayers. I.Love.It. Those puritans certainly pray like I desire to be able to pray and talk to God. It's kind of like cheating because the words are there written down for me to just read. But oh, they are soooo good!
Here is a portion of one I read last night:
"Oh God, I know that I often do thy work without thy power, and sin by my dead, heartless, blind service, my lack of inward light, love, delight, my mind, heart, tongue moving without thy help. I see sin in my heart in seeking the approbation of others; This is my vileness, to make men's opinion my rule, whereas I should see what good I have done and give thee glory, consider what sin I have committed and mourn for that......(if you want to finish it read it for yourself!). The end expresses such hope!
This one was perfect for me right now because as I enter a new decade of my life this is one of my goals. I spend a lot of time "seeking the approbation of others." (I have given up on my "looks." I don't care what others think anymore! Ha! I'm never going to look 18 again, so why try. I do wish I could still run like I did when I was 18. I suppose that would mean I have to actually practice though now.) Anyway, how can I not do that, but desire that more from Christ? Maybe I'll figure it out more fully in this next decade. God help me!
Okay, I better get the kids out of the tub. I like to stick them in there when I actually feel like getting something done!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
why am i not desiring god right now?
"Raking is easier than digging, but you only get leaves. If you dig you may get diamonds."
This hit me like a ton of bricks about 15 minutes ago. I am weary. I am fighting to have joy in Christ. I'm reading When I Don't Desire God by Piper. I dusted off the book from my shelf because well, I can relate to the title right now.
Read on:
"I have the profound sense that many people who complain of not being able to rejoice in God treat the knowledge of God as something that ought to be easy to get. They are passive. (me) They expect spiritual things to happen to them from out of nowhere. (me again) They don't grasp the pattern of the Bible expressed in Proverbs 2:1-6."
"If you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
"Look at all those aggressive words: "receive . . . treasure up . . . make your ear attentive . . . incline your heart . . . call out . . . raise your voice . . . seek . . . search" --if you do these, then knowledge of God will be yours. Not because you can make it happen. The giving of the knowledge is still in the hands of God: "For the LORD gives wisdom" No, the pursuit of the knowledge of God is not because you can make it happen, but because God freely chooses to bless seeking with finding. The pattern is seen in 2 Timothy 2:7 where Paul says, "Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." You think. The Lord gives. Our thinking does not replace his giving. And his giving does not replace our thinking."
-John Piper
Can you relate to this at all? I certainly have been doing a lot of "raking" lately. I don't think (study, read, pray, dig) enough and I am passive. Digging is hard work. AND HARD IS GOOD! (I had to throw in a Brad Stine quote there:) Okay, good night. I need to go study!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
jude's dedication
Last night we had Jude dedicated at our church. I want to list the dedication questions that were asked of the parents during the service to which we responded "I do."
1. Do you recognize these children as the gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God's blessing? 2. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you all, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God? 3. Do you pledge as parents that, with God's fatherly help, you will bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into their lives? 4. Do you promise to provide, through God's blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your own Heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them? 5. Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that by God's grace your children will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and for the fulfillment of all his promises to them, even eternal life, and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?
Sometimes events like a child dedication or a baptism can be done ritualistically or thought of as a formality. Bethlehem is so big on meaning and intentionality and as I re-write and read these words, I am challenged once again. Hearing pastor David Michael, with his hand placed on the back of Jude's head while looking him in the eye, saying "Jude, together with your parents who love you dearly and this people who care about the outcome of your faith, I dedicate you to God, surrendering together with them all worldly claim upon your life in the hope that you will belong wholly to the Lord, forever." Then the body of Christ, some close family, some dear friends, some folks we sort of know, and some people we don't know at all say "I do." It's not a formality. It's not a ritual. There's meaning and purpose in it. The body of Christ truly cares about the outcome of my child's faith. Thank you, Jesus.
Parent's dedicating their children always receive a red rose during the church service. Another thing that our church does is have a vase filled with white roses for those who experience grief during Mother's Day. It is a way to recognize not only those who have children living, but those who have lost children or even family members. Click here to read my friend Jenna's entry about some people she talked to with white roses.
Today I am thankful. I'm thankful for two children. I am thankful that the Lord has spared me this far from losing any children. I am thankful for family and friends who care about the outcome of my children's faith. I am thankful for MY mom. I am thankful for my mom's mom and my dad's mom. I can honestly say (eek, I hate to admit it) that Mother's Day didn't carry as much meaning for me until I became a mom. Maybe I was blinded or somewhat insensitive. It's because I am able to love and appreciate so much more the women in my life because I understand more.
1. Do you recognize these children as the gifts of God and give heartfelt thanks for God's blessing? 2. Do you now dedicate your children to the Lord who gave them to you all, surrendering all worldly claims upon their lives in the hope that they will belong wholly to God? 3. Do you pledge as parents that, with God's fatherly help, you will bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, making every reasonable effort, with patience and love, to build the word of God, the character of Christ and the joy of the Lord into their lives? 4. Do you promise to provide, through God's blessing, for the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of your children, looking to your own Heavenly Father for the wisdom, love and strength to serve them and not use them? 5. Do you promise, God helping you, to make it your regular prayer that by God's grace your children will come to trust in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of their sins and for the fulfillment of all his promises to them, even eternal life, and in this faith follow Jesus as Lord and obey his teachings?
Sometimes events like a child dedication or a baptism can be done ritualistically or thought of as a formality. Bethlehem is so big on meaning and intentionality and as I re-write and read these words, I am challenged once again. Hearing pastor David Michael, with his hand placed on the back of Jude's head while looking him in the eye, saying "Jude, together with your parents who love you dearly and this people who care about the outcome of your faith, I dedicate you to God, surrendering together with them all worldly claim upon your life in the hope that you will belong wholly to the Lord, forever." Then the body of Christ, some close family, some dear friends, some folks we sort of know, and some people we don't know at all say "I do." It's not a formality. It's not a ritual. There's meaning and purpose in it. The body of Christ truly cares about the outcome of my child's faith. Thank you, Jesus.
Parent's dedicating their children always receive a red rose during the church service. Another thing that our church does is have a vase filled with white roses for those who experience grief during Mother's Day. It is a way to recognize not only those who have children living, but those who have lost children or even family members. Click here to read my friend Jenna's entry about some people she talked to with white roses.
Today I am thankful. I'm thankful for two children. I am thankful that the Lord has spared me this far from losing any children. I am thankful for family and friends who care about the outcome of my children's faith. I am thankful for MY mom. I am thankful for my mom's mom and my dad's mom. I can honestly say (eek, I hate to admit it) that Mother's Day didn't carry as much meaning for me until I became a mom. Maybe I was blinded or somewhat insensitive. It's because I am able to love and appreciate so much more the women in my life because I understand more.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
He is Risen!
This is probably one of my favorite songs we sing at Easter. He is risen! Indeed! Happy Easter!
The Power of the Cross
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
The Power of the Cross
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev'ry bitter thought,
Ev'ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
"Finished!" the vict'ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow'r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
this morning...
...I was heading out the door to go to the MOMS group at Bethlehem to hear Sally Michael speak. Jeneva pleaded with me "mommy, don't go!" as she would be staying home with Steve. I told her that I would be back in a couple of hours. Still she said "no, no, don't go" while tugging at my shirt. I'll have you know that this is all an act and she does this for attention. This time I say "I'm going to go learn how to be a better mom!" This time she didn't put up a fuss. "Okay." she said simply. That says it all.
Well, some of you that read this blog heard this message already this morning. I would encourage anyone to listen to this message.
Leading Children to a Solid Faith
scroll down until you get to this title.
Well, some of you that read this blog heard this message already this morning. I would encourage anyone to listen to this message.
Leading Children to a Solid Faith
scroll down until you get to this title.
Monday, March 10, 2008
prayer
We sang this song yesterday in church and for some reason the words really struck me. As I sang it I found myself praying those words for Jeneva and Jude.
Speak, O Lord
-Keith Getty
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.
Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow'r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.
Speak, O Lord
-Keith Getty
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your Holy Word.
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness,
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory.
Teach us, Lord, full obedience,
Holy reverence, true humility;
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity.
Cause our faith to rise; cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority.
Words of pow'r that can never fail—
Let their truth prevail over unbelief.
Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises,
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory.
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