In the Potter's Hand

Fond Greetings, My Friend ... It's Been a While ;)

2010-04-28T17:00:00.000-07:00

Has it really been since February since I've updated? ;) Wow! I guess life has been busy these days! Things have been going well ... For an update, I hardly know where to begin? ;)

Maybe just a few of the highlights of the past few months ...

Beautiful snowfall in February and March ... what a treat!

More walks at the nature preserve

Such good times of prayer and fellowship in the Lord with friends

Continue to be so grateful for my church home

Heard such an impactful message from Pastor Francis Chan when he came and shared with our staff ... Two things that especially stood out to me from his sharing were:

1) When he shared about some believers who had been in danger for their lives, but who, when back to a place of safety, went and told their pastor they wished they were back in that place of suffering ... because of the incredible sense of closeness they experienced with Jesus. Pastor Chan talked about how he believes there is a special sweetness experienced for those who suffer in Christ.

2) When he shared about how the Lord provided for something he longed for (but couldn't justify spending the $$ on) in a special way ... He was so excited and basically said, "Is there ANYTHING in my life that the Lord doesn't care about?" Praise the Lord! What an encouraging reminder that we can trust Him ...that He is so good and knows what is best for us ... and, of course, those moments when He blesses us with something fun and "extra special" are fun and such a tangible reminder of His love for us, too. :) I feel like snow is one of those things for me ... It really felt so special that it snowed so much this year, and I was so happy! :))

And... judging from all the snowmen popping up around here when we had the incredible snowfall back in February, I would say I wasn't the only one! :-)

How He Spoke to My Heart

2010-02-01T18:10:00.000-08:00

It's amazing how the Lord works ... So, last Thursday and Friday I was out of the office with maybe really bad sinues mixed with a mild cold? Anyhow, I struggled at different times with discouragement over that time and over the weekend ... I think the Enemy knows we're often most vulnerable when we're physically under the weather and/or tired... and I guess I was both. ;-) [or should that be ;-(]

But just to show you how amazing and patient and merciful God is ... I had been experiencing a desperate lack of spending time in His Word, alone with Him ... So either Friday or Saturday night (I think Sat.?) I was reading .... some more .... in a Christian fiction book ..... yes, instead of reading in the Word, which I was really desperately needing!

But in the book, one of the main characters "discovered" a really encouraging passage of Scripture ... and the Lord used that to speak to me and encourage me so much ... I even ended up writing part of it on my bathroom mirror .... Quite a while back, I had adopted a friend's idea of writing Scriptures on the bathroom mirror with those dry-erase markers ... :) Anyhow, before I head home for some much-needed time with Jesus [(smile, blush ... yes, please hold me accountable ... I need it! :))] .... here is the amazing passage He led me to this weekend ...

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come ..." --Song of Songs 2:11,12a

It really feels like something the Lord is speaking to my heart ... I get such a picture of His love and His care over me in these wonderful words... :) Reminds me a little of Zephaniah 3:17, where it talks about Him singing over us. Isn't that amazing?!

A Place of Thanksgiving

2009-12-08T18:10:00.000-08:00

I know I haven't written in a while. I guess life has been busy and kind of taken on a life of its own! (Don't tell my co-workers in the writing department that I just used a word twice in the same sentence. :-))

I had a while where I had some discouragement ... I think maybe that's been one way I've especially been hit by the Enemy in the spiritual battle at different times this year ... but friends have been praying for me and I truly experienced a wonderful breakthrough after praying with a friend last week. I am so grateful ... it's great to feel refreshed and encouraged. :)

But I am learning a lot, I think, about hoping in the Lord. At least, I hope I am! :) I am definitely still a work in progress .... as we all are .... but one verse I was reading last night really jumped out at me. I want to remember it in both the highs and the lows of life (there's definitely been a bit of both this year, in varying measures and at different times!).

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” --Romans 5:5

I LOVE that. It just has such a ring of ... well, hope ... to it! :) I am so glad the Lord put verses like that in the Bible for us. It's a wonderful truth. He is the God of hope, and each moment we can always find hope in Him. What a delightful thing!

On another note, I had a very nice Thanksgiving... Got to be with my whole family, which was so nice, and even got to do some hiking with my niece and nephews and enjoy not only a nice traditional Thanksgiving meal, but also some yummy mesquite chicken pizza at a fun new (to me) place. :) I also had fun playing UNO Attack with my niece and my mom ... It's so funny how you never know how many cards are going to come out of that contraption! :-D

A City whose Builder and Foundations are God

2009-08-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." - Hebrews 11:8-10, NIV

Over the course of this summer, some of my "foundations" have been unexpectedly shaken at different times, and some even taken away. I won't lie; it has been hard and even downright painful at times, but the Lord has shown me sooooo much of Himself through it all. He has beautifully reminded me that in the storms and little challenges of life, I can fully lean on HIM as my True Foundation. Praise the Lord!

I have recently been listening to some CDs of a series taught on Isaiah 40 and have been so incredibly blessed through it. They are teachings by Nancy Leigh Demoss*, whom I can't seem to say enough good things about. :) (see below) One thing I loved that she brought out from the passage is, who can we compare God to? Nothing and no one on this earth could ever compare to Him. What wonderful, encouraging news for those moments in our lives when we feel like our foundations are being shaken around us .... especially when you couple it with Hebrews 11:8-10. :) This world is not our home. Sure, there will be pleasant moments and good times ... but in those harder seasons, how comforting and hope-giving it is to remember that we are looking forward to a lasting city*, whose builder and maker is God. HE is our foundation. Praise the Lord! :) This fills my heart with joy, even in the hard times. He is so good!

*Her teachings have encouraged and helped me soooo much in my walk with the Lord, and I have been loaning them out to friends at work as well, so they can be encouraged! :) I can hear the love and joy of Jesus in Nancy's voice .... I know it must be so contagious to those around her. Her heart and calling are to nourish women in their walks with Jesus, our Dearest Friend. And I highly recommend her website to you, where you can listen to many of her teachings online. :)

[If you are reading this and aren't sure how you can look forward to a lasting city whose builder and architect is God Himself, I would love to tell you! Just leave a comment on this blog … I promise you, this is something you will be so glad you asked about …. You won’t regret it!]

Things Jesus is Teaching Me ... Lessons from a Hurt Finger ;-)

2009-06-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." - 2 Corinthians 4:16,17

This passage is one I will probably be especially clinging to over the next few weeks or so. ;-) I feel like the Lord's been teaching me so much lately ... that even in those moments where I feel physically tired and weak, He is renewing me. May He get all the glory!

I'm so happy and grateful to Him, and hope this is an encouragement to someone who could use encouragement today, as well as to any who have been praying, that the Lord is using your prayers! Now, my little "suffering" lately is NOTHING compared to the incredible amount of suffering many of our Christian brothers and sisters on the other side of the world are facing all the time for loving Jesus. At the same time, the Scriptures are packed with encouragement we all as believers can glean from in "all kinds of trials," big and small! I am so grateful for how the Lord's used trials in my and my family's lives over the past few years to draw us closer to Him.

There have been several things going on as far as physical challenges lately, such as quite a bit of aching at different times in my left shoulder and a muscle in my back, a couple of other small things, and hurting my finger pretty seriously a few weeks ago. I did find out this past week that the finger injury may have some long-term (lifetime?) effects. I am not complaining, though ... the Lord is renewing me and teaching me so much!

The finger injury happened when I was jumping onto a blob on our ministry's staff retreat. Despite the injury, I can truly say it was a wonderful weekend of fellowship and good times with people! :o) And, too, I know that with God, nothing is by accident and He can totally bring good out of my hurt finger! :) (Romans 8:28)

A co-worker brought me to the hospital the evening I injured it .... and I could tell you some pretty funny stories from our trip there and back, including trying to explain to the nurse in the ER what a blob was. (She kept thinking I must have said "log" instead. :-D) We had some pretty funny things happen that night that definitely gave us some good laughs .... if you want to hear some of the funny stories ... just ask me! :)

I am happy about how the Lord has been working in my heart and teaching me through this time. It's definitely all Him and obviously not anything in me - His Word teaches that nothing good dwells in our flesh. It's so exciting to see Him work!

I went to the doctor earlier this week for my two-week follow-up. I was eager to hear some encouraging news about my progress, but learned instead that he's now thinking the little bone that broke off in the top joint of the finger may never move back to where it should be, even with wearing the splint the maximum time (six more weeks). He said, "We'll wait and see."

Only a few weeks ago, I wouldn't have known how to handle hearing my finger may not heal back completely, but as I thought about it this week, I realized the Lord was giving me total rest about either outcome. Wow! I definitely thank Him for that. :) I know the Lord is able to pick up that bone and move it back to where it should be (and you can certainly pray for this! :))). Of course that would be my natural preference (and would certainly make life much simpler!;), but more than anything, I want HIS will in this. As much as I would love to see my finger fully recovered and restored to full function, even more than that I am prepared to accept the outcome that would most glorify Him, even if it is different from what I may have chosen.

It may seem like such a small thing, but I am just so grateful for His perspective in all this ... It's all from Him, because I'm sure that in my natural human state I would have been worried and all. :) It's wonderful to know it's in His hands and I can TRUST Him and be free from worry! :) It's all because of Him. I was so encouraged to have an opportunity to share about the Lord a little with the receptionist there on my first visit and was thinking of how that may not have happened if I hadn't hurt my finger.

Earlier this week I was talking to a friend who basically said, "Praise the Lord - if you end up needing to have a hurt finger for the rest of your life, but this doctor gets saved - what is that compared to eternity." I thought about it and knew I agreed completely... I would be more than willing to have a finger that doesn't heal 100% if it means the doctor comes to know Jesus and will be able to spend eternity in heaven (and not have to perish in hell!). Wow, what a great trade-off! :) Whether the Lord draws this doctor to Himself through him seeing a miracle in my finger, or whether He would choose to use me as a vessel in his life as I accept either outcome, either way it would be a miracle! Anytime someone comes to faith in Jesus, it is a wonderful miracle and something He brings about.****

Isn't it wonderful that as a Christian, we can't lose? Our lives are in His precious hands ... we can TRUST Him. :) And our lives are not just about us ... they're for a so much greater purpose ... for His glory and for bringing precious souls to Him. I am full of joy and want to give Him the glory for all of this ... This peace is all from HIM, and I am so grateful. Whatever you may be going through today, big or small, I hope this is in some way an encouragement to you. Anything we go through as believers is for a bigger and greater purpose ... how exciting is that?!

****[If you're not sure what this is all about, but would like to know ... I would just love to chat with you about what JEsus did for you on the Cross to redeem you, and how you can know Him personally and know for sure you will be with Him in heaven one day.... and have life take on a whole new meaning! :) It's the most important decision you'll ever make...]

Hope for the Least of These

2009-04-29T18:15:00.000-07:00

This is a video about precious Dalit children in Asia, put together by a co-worker at the ministry ... I have seen this a number of times, but again found myself in tears ... even sobs ... as I watched it today at my desk. [To watch, go to the end of this entry and click on the arrow ... It will start playing for you.]

Oh, how my heart goes out for these precious children, so dear to the heart of the Father. I thank the Lord for, once again, lifting me above the "here and now" ... the things around me that I can so easily allow to distract me ... and opening my eyes afresh to some of the things that breaks His heart ... How humbled I feel, and yet how in need I am of Him to remind me ... of what is important, what is dear to His kind and loving heart!

These children's lives here on this earth are so hard ... yet there is incredible hope for them in Jesus .... For a while now, I've been able to sponsor some of the precious children whose plights are like those shown in this video clip and I thank the Lord for this ... at the same time I'm so challenged that I could be a lot more purposeful with my finances so that maybe I could help another precious child! What greater joy could we have to invest in during this lifetime, than in the things of eternity, the things dear to His heart? :)

If your heart is touched by this video ... I so much encourage you to pray about whether the Lord may be calling you to sponsor a precious child, too ... bringing the transforming hope of Jesus to a child and his/her family! I promise you, you won't regret it. (Even if you don't feel you can help a little one in Asia financially at this time ... you can PRAY ... this is huge!!!)

A Place Where We'll Never Grow Weary

2009-04-27T17:11:00.000-07:00

I have been kind of tired lately, and felt weary at times ... Last week was really busy with writing projects, and while I honestly enjoyed a good bit of it (writing is fun!), I don't think I realized until later just how tired I was. ;-) Life in general has felt so busy for a while now ... I am finding myself in need of making sure I'm not doing "too much" ... of taking time to rest and be rejuvenated ... and realizing that I shouldn't feel "guilty" about needing my rest ... the Lord can use me sooo much more if I'm rested than if I'm not! :-) And I believe He desires that we take those times to rest and rejuvenate while here on this earth in our finite bodies ...

The pastor's message at church yesterday was on Heaven. It was so encouraging ... He was talking about how our best moments on this earth are a tiny foretaste of Heaven ... and of course, they can't even begin to compare to the exquisite joys of Heaven. :) It will be amazing ... and, too, we will have heavenly bodies and will be able to enjoy an infinite amount of fellowship with the One who created us and with other believers, without ever running out of time or energy. Think about how awesome that will be!

Romans 8:18 tells us that those weary moments, those trials, anything we experience that may try to discourage us or weary us here on this earth ... none of that is worthy of being compared with the glories of Heaven. What a wonderful promise! I remember another passage, I believe in 1 Peter, about how our trials here on this earth are only "for a little while" ... a very short while ... compared with eternity in Heaven! :)

I am feeling more energized and encouraged already ... how 'bout y'all? :o) I do think I'm going to take a walk at the nature preserve in this nice weather and listen to my GoBible. I have definitely been challenged and convicted lately of how I need to be in the Word so much more ... I love Jesus SO much and want to know Him more each day. How dearly I love Him, even if with an imperfect human love as long as I'm on this side of Heaven, and how I long each day for more of Him and less of me. I am grateful He is so patient with me ...

Here's a song that encouraged me so much just now ... hope it encourages you all, too. :) And if any of you don't know this amazing God personally ... I would LOVE to tell you how you can have a personal relationship with the One who created you and wants to redeem you. You won't regret it!

Everlasting God
Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

Our God, You reign forever
Our hope, our Strong Deliverer
You are the everlasting God
The everlasting God
You do not faint
You won't grow weary

You're the defender of the weak
You comfort those in need
You lift us up on wings like eagles

*lyrics by Benton Brown

"Your name and renown..."

2009-04-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 26:8

8 Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws,
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts

I was reminded of this verse recently ... I love what it says! This is what life is all about ... Growing to know more deeply the Lord who has redeemed us, and seeking to bring Him glory. [If you aren't sure what I am talking about... just ask me ... I would so much love to share more with you of how you can put your trust in the One who gave His life to redeem you ... the one whose resurrection many will joyfully celebrate this Sunday! I promise you, it is the most important decision you could ever make in this life.]

This verse is so freeing to me ... It frees me to see all of life, good and bad (from our limited human perspective) from that wonderful higher perspective ... to forsake lesser pursuits for the ultimate of knowing my dear Savior more fully and intimately, and seeking to make Him known and glorified among the nations ... precious people He shed His blood for, whether it be those on the other side of the world or my neighbors in my apartment complex.

As I live life ... whether working at the ministry, or going to church or Bible study, or watching a movie with a friend or meeting a friend for dinner ... when I see all of it from the greater perspective of knowing Jesus more and making Him known ... what a wonderful viewpoint it gives all of life! How grateful I am that there is something so much greater to live for ... infinitely ... than myself. Oh, how I yearn to be more and more God-focused ... I yearn for more of Jesus, less of me. I realize the way to this is often through pain and suffering ... and have seen this at different times in my life ... but have soooooo far to go in this area of being more Jesus-focused. May the Lord make me strong and make me more and more like Him. I love Him so much and yearn for more of Him.

As we approach this Easter weekend ... isn't it amazing to think of the love Jesus had for us? Think of what He went through ... for you ... for me. What incredible love for us as sinful human beings. Oh, that more and more people would experience this love for themselves this Easter season.

I want more of Jesus ...

2009-03-20T09:12:00.000-07:00

These past few days or so have kind of flown by ... Life has been rather busy, but in the midst of it the Lord has been teaching and reminding me of things. I am more and more yearning for more of Him and less of me ... I know as I look to Him, He will be faithful to show me what that looks like. I know that in my fallen flesh I would rather do things my way, but deep down, in the spirit, I just yearn for more and more of Him instead ... even if it means some pain and suffering.

And I know deep down that the things of my fallen flesh and the things of this world are worthless and empty ... that He Alone is the Source of living water ... the wonderful One who satisfies and breathes life into me, whether I am feeling on cloud nine, weary, or just somewhere in between. :-) Life abundant is in Him. (John 10:10) I am grateful for all the things He is showing me, and for His boundless patience with me. I don't deserve it, but am grateful. I want more of HIM, each moment, each day ...

This morning in the car I was listening to this song from a Caedmon's Call CD I checked out from the library ... The words caught me and I thought really described some of what has been on my heart lately ... hope they're a blessing to you as well ...

Carry Your Love

We are called out; we are ransomed
We are not of the world we're in
We are chosen; we are blessed
To bring light to the lives of men
So Father sow Your seed
Give us life in community
Wake us from our sleep
This is Your time; this is Your place
And we are vessels for breaking

Under Your grace, we are led by Your Spirit
You have redeemed us by the blood of Your Son
Send down Your Word; we are eager to hear it
Ready our hearts to carry Your love

You are sunlight; You are morning
You're the hope of a brand new day
You are comfort; You are blessing
And You wipe all our tears away
So change us from within
Renedr miracles from our sin
Remind us once again
This is Your time; this is Your place
We are vessels for breaking

*lyrics from Carry Your Love, Caedmon's Call

Be Thou My Vision

2009-02-28T09:10:00.000-08:00

This has got to be one of my all-time favorite hymns ... I remember sometimes singing it in church growing up, but I'm not sure I really stopped and realized how amazing the words are until one summer I spent at a Christian camp in Colorado. We on staff were singing it for the students, and I thought, "Wow ... what a great hymn!" It almost felt like I was "discovering" it for the first time. :)

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tow'r.
Raise Thou me heav'nward, O Pow'r of my pow'r.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns son,
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

I was trying to find the author ... It looks like maybe there are a few different thoughts about who the author is ... but as I searched online I found this fascinating story of the setting it may have been written in, from Center for Church Music. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did ... I know my heart is touched by the lives of Christians in other countries and what they go through because of their love for Jesus. Working for a missions organization, I hear and work with these reports so often! (If you'd like to read some more true stories of believers who are gladly choosing to suffer for the sake of Jesus ... just check out this link!)

Here is the story I found when I was searching online for "Be Thou My Vision" ...

"With its heartfelt poetry and moving melody, 'Be Thou My Vision' beautifully expresses the desires of the Christian heart. Though its popularity rose only in the past fifty years or so, the hymn actually has a rich history dating back to the eighth century.

Between the years of 400 and 700 AD the Irish people lived out a passionate faith in Christ. Ireland took up the missionary endeavor with excitement, and the country became known for its all-absorbing efforts to share Christianity throughout the world. Irish missionaries were found from Scotland to Switzerland, spreading the Good News wherever they went.

Some scholars believe that the words to the hymn are the product of a man known simply as St. Patrick. Patrick was born in A.D. 373 along the banks of the River Clyde in what is now called Scotland. When he was 16 he was kidnapped by pirates and taken as a slave to Ireland. There he gave his life to Jesus Christ. He eventually escaped, but he never forgot this experience and when he was about 30 he returned to his former captors with only one possession: the Latin Bible. History tells us that St. Patrick was the man most responsible for the Good News of Christ coming to Ireland. As a result of his preaching, over 200 churches were established and 100,000 converts were baptized.

'Be Thou My Vision' undoubtedly comes from this spiritually rich period. Its prominent theme encourages single-hearted focus and devotion to Christ. In the hymn lyrics, the poet expresses his adoration of God through the many titles he gives him: Vision, Wisdom, Word, Great Father, Power, Inheritance, High King of heaven, Treasure, bright heaven's Sun, Ruler of all.

Today, we continue to sing the words of this hymn, echoing the poet's response to God's many titles. 'Thou my best thought, Thy presence my light.'"
** Story from Center for Church Music, www.songsandhymns.org

"Give Me Jesus"

2009-02-21T20:15:00.000-08:00

Another one of my favorites ...

Give Me Jesus

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus.

Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You can have all this world,
But give me Jesus.

When I was looking up that song online to find the author (apparently a traditional Gospel song with an unknown author), I found another "Give Me Jesus" written by 19th century hymn writer Frances Crosby.

I remember enjoying her hymns in the small church I grew up in, and appreciating her walk with the Lord ... She was a woman who was blind from childhood because of a doctor error, but loved the Lord very much and wrote over 8,000 hymns during her lifetime (wow...). To this day, the vast majority of hymnals in America include her work. Speaking of her blindness, she said ...

"It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me."

Here is Frances Crosby's "Give Me Jesus" -

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Savior watching o’er me,
I can sing though billows roll.

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then throughout my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while.

Take the world, but give me Jesus;
In His cross my trust shall be,
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see.

Refrain:
Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

From the Inside Out

2009-02-15T15:08:00.000-08:00

Another great worship song ... again from Hillsong United, Australia. The words in some of the worship songs out now are so rich with meaning ... I would love to be able to write a song like that! I am always fascinated with how these songs come about ...

I guess it could be as God speaks to someone through a time in their life, or maybe as they're out in His creation on a beautiful day, reflecting on His handiwork. Or maybe from a particular Scripture God has touched their heart with.

From the Inside Out
A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in Your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out, Lord.
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
In my heart, in my soul, Lord I give You control
Consume me from the inside out, Lord.
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out Lord, my soul cries out...

*lyrics from Hillsong United

Saviour King

2009-02-09T19:23:00.000-08:00

We sang this song at my church last night. I think the lyrics about Jesus and His transforming love are so beautiful ... [If you're reading this and don't yet personally know His redemptive love ... I would love to share with you how you can experience it. You won't regret it ...]

And now the weak say I have strength
By the spirit of power that raised Christ from the dead
And now the poor stand and confess
That my portion is Him and I'm more than blessed

Let now our hearts burn with a flame
A fire consuming all for Your Son's holy name
And with the heavens we declare
You are our king

We love You Lord, we worship You
You are our God, You alone are good

You asked Your Son to carry this
The heavy cross our weight of sin

I love You Lord, I worship You
Hope which was lost, now stands renewed
I give my life to honor this
The love of Christ, the Saviour King

Let now Your church shine as the bride
That You saw in Your heart as You offered up your life
Let now the lost be welcomed home
By the saved and redeemed, those adopted as Your own

I give my life to honor this
The love of Christ, the Saviour King

*from Hillsong United's "Saviour King"

Lasagna, Chick Flicks and Incredible Weather . . .

2009-02-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

How are you all doing? :) The weather this weekend has been ... incredible. After not feeling well Monday through Wednesday-ish (either sinuses or one of those colds that has been going around everywhere?) it was nice to be feeling back to my usual self this weekend. :-) (I'm sure you know the feeling!) And thus ... able to enjoy the amazing weather! I got out in it for a while yesterday, at the nature preserve. It is so refreshing to be out in God's creation ... there's hardly anything like it!

Friday night I had the opportunity to fellowship and worship Jesus with friends ... and enjoy some delicious lasagna! :) There was worship music playing and then we had a time of prayer ... it was so very nice to have that time to be still before the Lord and listen to the amazing words in the song. I love Him so much ... and it's amazing that He loves us like He does, and that He would provide the means for our redemption at such great cost. What grace!

Last night was fun ... meeting up again with two dear friends to just go hang out and watch a chick flick! It was a cute movie, and good times for sure! :)

It was fun catching up with friends from church over lunch today. I was thinking just now ... how very grateful I am for all the people in my life! I am truly blessed ... I love you all! :)

[Side note ... and ... any of you who know me well at all will appreciate ... :) ... the other night, I took one road thinking it would end up in a certain place ... to find it ended up in a completely different spot! ;-) This has happened to me so many times ... not with the same road of course. Still, though ... :-) GPS, anyone? I always joke that if my friends all pitched in and got me a GPS system, it would be a good investment for THEM. :)) Yet ... if I had a GPS system, we couldn't enjoy the scenic parts of the DFW area ... and where would be the adventure in that? :o)]

The Plans We Make ... Fail to Compare

2009-01-15T18:30:00.000-08:00

There is a song that really speaks to me. Not only does it have a great tune, but the words are pretty amazing ... From the first words ...

Woe to me I am unclean
A sinner found in Your presence
I see you seated on Your throne
Exalted, Your Glory surrounds You*

It reminds me of who I am ... nothing apart from Jesus! How freeing that is, though ... There is nothing we could ever do to deserve His mercy ... It is completely lavished on us, ours for the asking, despite that we are unworthy ... available to any who will put their faith in Him for redemption. It is all about Him.

And ... I really love these next two lines ...

Now the plans that I have made
Fail to compare when I see your glory.*

While I've had a pretty busy week, with maybe a few challenges along the way, I have to say that I have so much felt His sustaining hand and His peace in it all. The peace He gives is great ... and nothing that this world could ever give! I love it. I've been so refreshed lately to be reminded of how I am nothing and He is everything. May He live His life through me ... may I decrease and He increase in each part of my life.

These next few lines are ... almost really scary, at least from a human standpoint. (I have to be honest!!;-)) But oh, how I want them to more and more be my prayer. I know, deep down, that the lives filled with the most joy are those that are laid down at the feet of Jesus with total abandonment. I love when I catch glimpses of what that can look like ... and I love that God is so patient with me and faithful to bring situations into my life that He can use to make me just a little more like Him when I yield and let Him!

Here are those "scary", yet, I believe, glorious lines ... :)

Ruin my life, the plans I have made
Ruin desires for my own selfish gain
Destroy the idols that have taken Your place
'Till its You alone I live for,
You alone I live for.*

*lyrics from "Ruin Me," written and sung by Jeff Johnson

God's Goodness in this New Year

2009-01-05T17:27:00.000-08:00

It would be hard to describe all the Lord has been doing in my life in the first few days of this new year. He has really been working in me, showing me some of those areas in which I need to grow and helping me so much already . . . and giving me such good times with Him.

I love the sweetness of His presence. True, life will have its challenges and hardships . . . but in all of it, if we know Jesus, we have His dear presence to encourage and to guide. What greater gift could we desire, deep down, than that . . . and yet He gracious chooses to not only give us Himself, the best gift of all, but also bestow on us many other wonderful blessings in this life.

I have found lately that life has not been without its challenges and stressful moments with the different things He's put on my plate ... yet He's been so faithful to me in the midst of it all, abundantly faithful. Two meetings I had at work today went so well and over and beyond what I could have hoped for ... God has truly been so good to me.

I am so grateful for my Savior. I can’t imagine life without Him! It’s exciting to think of this new year and all that He will do in and through me as (by His grace) I let go more and yield more of me to Him. I know I have so far to go in this area, but I truly believe brokenness is the way to abundant life. I think of Jim Elliot who gave his life to reach the Auca Indians, who said, “He is no fool who gives the things He cannot keep [the things of this life] to gain the things He cannot lose.”

I am grateful for a God who doesn’t give up on me . . . who gives me second, third and fourth chances . . . again and again . . . who, in fact, never runs out of patience toward me and continually gives me the opportunity to know Him more and walk more closely with Him. He is amazing and wonderful, and I find myself falling more and more in love with Him each day.

No One like the God who rides on the heavens ... : )

2008-12-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." --Deuteronomy 33:26,27a

This is the memory verse some of us girls from my Bible fellowship class and I decided on for the week, over lunch and dear fellowship on Sunday. :) We're keeping each other accountable to memorizing Scripture each week ... and I have been so encouraged at how powerful, living and active God's Word truly is in my day-to-day life!

I know I was really blessed by this verse last night. Next week we'll be picking another verse ... anyone like to join us? :)

Song of Rest for a Weary Week :)

2008-12-03T18:00:00.000-08:00

Give to the wind your fear
Hope and be undismayed
God hears your sighs and
counts your tears
God will lift up, God
will lift up, lift up
your head

Leave to His sovereign sway
To choose and to command
Then shall we wander on His way
Know how wise and how strong
How wise and how strong

Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time,
so shall this night
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy.

God will lift up your head ...

(Jars of Clay: "God Will Lift Up Your Head")

Somehow this song just resonates with me today ... I had a really wonderful, memorable Thanksgiving weekend with my family, but somehow this week has been been kind of a tough one for me, and I find myself in need of rest and solace ... refreshment from my Savior. I know it's a busy time of the year for so many of us, but it's always been my favorite!

I LOVE the Christmas season, and I think the stressful times this week are a great reminder to take some time to sit back and rejoice in the One we celebrate this Christmas ... the One who will lift up our head and pour His words of refreshment into our hearts. How I praise the Savior that He is always with us ... and that He came to this earth around 2,000 years ago to be born in a stable ... to redeem us!

Shoes, Scripture verses and God's Manifold Provision

2008-11-17T19:09:00.000-08:00

At our ministry's prayer meeting last night, the brother who was sharing encouraged and challenged us to write in a journal or notebook something for each day that God had done that we were thankful for. I thought, Wow, what a wonderful idea! And ... how fitting, too, with Thanksgiving almost here!

I thought I would include just a few things I'm grateful for over these past few days ... God has been doing much! :)

A few "snapshots":

*I had a wonderful time after church on Sunday, just taking a walk and enjoying God's creation at the nature preserve. I reflected on how I love being outside in nice weather, and wondered why I loved it so much. I realized that everything in creation points to Jesus ... The wind blowing, the sound of the leaves rustling ... the beautiful sky ... it has His fingerprint all over it! No wonder it's so exhilerating! :)

*Loved getting to chat with a friend from my Bible fellowship class last night ... and we decided to each pick a Scripture verse for both of us to memorize weekly, and keep each other accountable! I'm so excited! Last night the verse she picked really encouraged me, and a little while ago I received a message from her that she was able to use my verse to encourage several people God put in her path who needed it! Such a reminder that His Word is living and powerful ... It speaks to every area of our lives, and I know it wasn't by accident that those verses were picked for this week!

*Then, on "my way out" from the Cowboys watching party (it had been a long day ... in a good way, though!) I ran into another friend and we had a wonderful time as well, getting to catch up and pray for one another. We also enjoyed some great laughs ... because inevitably as we were talking there were moments where our voices sounded really loud. In our defense, the game on the big screen was pretty loud, so we were having to talk above it, and then there were suddenly these random moments where everything was quiet ... so our voices really stood out in the room! :-D We were laughging so hard over that ... and of course we'd kind of look around ... but people seemed pretty absorbed in the game, which was good. We figured no one even noticed ... until later when we told a friend who was walking out with us, and he grinned and was like, "Yeah, I heard y'all yelling over there!" :oD Good times! :o)

*Finally I have a shoe story! (Guys ... lest you think this is a girl story ... just give it a chance ... you might like it and learn something from it ... :))about the mysterious world of girls :) of course, even more, about God's provision and care in our lives!) So I was at the mall last week ... I had a coupon for two FREE truffles (who can resist that) at the Godiva store. I also had to make a return. As I walked by the DSW shoe store, I thought, I know I'd probably find a cute pair of shoes. But I have more than enough pairs of shoes and the last thing I need is to spend my money on a pair of shoes today! So I went on ... bypassing the DSW shoe store of course! :) Well, the following morning I found out about some shoes a volunteer was getting rid of and donating to whoever could use them at our ministry. Two pairs of the shoes fit me perfectly, and I liked them both and couldn't have picked better myself! :-) It may seem like such a small thing, but it reminded me in an incredible way of God's provision ... a provision I never would have seen if I had rushed ahead and impatiently tried to buy a pair of shoes myself! It's really amazing how He cares about even the "little" things ... and, in this case, an "extra" blessing because not something I absolutely needed ... and how HIS provision in every area of our lives is always perfect and best.

*Had such a good time of prayer with a friend this evening. She and I were both full of praises!

I have been thinking a lot today about how God is always working our lives and the lives of those around us ... how nothing is coincidence. I love seeing His hand at work ... I love how each day is a new day with Him, how He is always doing something. Isn't that cool?! :)

This Great Fall Season

2008-11-06T19:55:00.000-08:00

So I haven't updated for a bit ... as I sit here listening to the David Crowder band and enjoying a nice Thursday evening, I thought it would be fun to write a bit in my blog. :)

Some highlights of the last few weeks since I've posted ...

* Continuing to enjoying the wonderful teaching and fellowship God has provided for me both at church and at the ministry where I work!

* Good times of laughter with friends

* Trying out fun new recipes in my crockpot. (I love cooking with my crockpot! I love that you can put something in there, turn it on low, come back hours later and have your meal ready. :)) It's probably one of my favorite methods of cooking.)

* A wonderful time of fellowship with a girl from my Sunday school class. I was so blessed by things the Lord had been doing in her life and showing her!

* Going to a scary movie night where, thankfully, the movie itself wasn't too scary and it was fun being with friends!

* Great weather, and long walks at the nature preserve, sometimes with friends, sometimes with my audio Bible ... a gift from a conference that I've enjoyed so much!

* Fun at Sonic last weekend with my Bible study group. (I even went home with a cool and educational toy from the kids meal! ;-D You can't beat that!)

* Being so refreshed, challenged and encouraged by my Philippians Bible study last night.

* Playing volleyball with friends in the church gym on Wednesday nights! :)

* Marveling at God's goodness and patience toward me. I love Him so much and am so grateful to know Him!

And now? I am getting excited about tomorrow ... It's Friday, and I'm looking forward to lunch with a good friend, and then we all get off a little early since it's prayer night. And I'm thinking about making oatmeal cranberry white chocolate chunk cookies to bring! It may depend on how much energy I have tomorrow after I get off work ... :)

What Is Your Dominant Intelligence?

2008-10-21T14:25:00.001-07:00

I just took this quiz and thought it was interesting! You all should take it, too, and let me know what you get! :)

Honestly, I don't agree completely with all of mine by any means ... although at least the "enjoys writing" aspect does definitely sound like me. :o)

I enjoy writing in my journal and writing stories about missionaries at work, and I enjoy word games like Balderdash and remember loving to learn new words in junior high and high school! Some of my friends in college were surprised when my favorite classes were ones where you had to be involved in "creative writing", as those were often their least favorite!

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well.

An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly.

You are also good at remembering information and convincing someone of your point of view.

A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary.

You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

Jesus' Amazing Love

2008-10-15T15:37:00.000-07:00

So much has been going on, it feels hard to konw where to start! Even though I am tired, I am full of gratitude to the Lord ... and marveling at His tender mercies that are new every morning.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to take half a day off from work. I had something I needed to be at for the church, anyhow, and things had been busy and I thought the rest might be nice. It was an amazing time ... I couldn't have asked for better weather for my time off, and I got in some great Scripture and Piper reading outside by a creek ... and a nice, long walk!

I was so refreshed and encouraged in the Lord through that time. It was well worth it! Then I had some friends come visit me over last weekend ... We had such a nice visit together, I don't think their visit could have been timed more perfectly. It was just when I needed it most!

This past Sunday I was baptized ... I don't know if I could describe in words how the Lord ministered to me through that time. It was an amazing experience ... I felt so grateful and even more in love with the wonderful Savior I have known for so long now.

Last night in prayer meeting as we were all singing worship songs, a phrase from "How Deep the Father's Love" really stood out to me ...

"Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders ..."

Wow ... He did that for me! He went through excruciating pain for me ... and for YOU. He loves us that much. How indescribable and unfathomable is His love!

Perfect in All His Ways

2008-09-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

God has been doing some pretty incredible things in my life lately to show me just how amazing are His ways! The first was this weekend when I had the chance to serve down in the Bonton community.

I was with a team of other women who were going and praying for different women in the community and encouraging them. We also prayed for a nearby school. And we wrote notes of encouragement to a woman going through some particularly hard times.

I loved agreeing with these women in prayer and could really sense the Lord's presence among us ... One of the highlights of this time for me was when we stopped at the house of a woman who was just about to go visit her son in prison. The awesome thing is that it sounds like her son is coming around and wanting to do the right thing ... the amazing thing in all of this was how perfect God's timing is. If we had been a few minutes later, she probably would have already headed out to go visit her son!

She told us we had just caught her ... and we could tell how much our hugs and prayers meant to her. :) My heart rejoiced to think of the perfectness of God's timing and ways ... and even now, I am so happy as I write this! :)

The second thing was this morning ... Once every week, our department goes through reports from the mission field to decide where each will be used. Well, there was one about one of our missionaries and his motorbike. It turns out the person who gathered that story just kind of "came across" it ... It wasn't one he was originally planning to cover, but we know now that the Lord brought it his way. Because we needed it for a very specific use ... for something we've never done before (motorbike appeal letter) and that he was unaware that we even needed at the time. But God knew ... how wonderful and unsearachable are His ways!

He is so amazing and good.

Sunny Fall Weather, Groceries and Prayers

2008-09-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

This weather has been ... absolutely gorgeous ... no other words to describe it! Makes me want to own a laptop computer and just work outside all day long. :) Yesterday I was out walking in it after work. And it's Friday, and that means a weekend to enjoy some of this indescribable weather. :o)

I had so much fun running to the grocery store during my lunch break and grabbing ingredients for the new recipes (soups) I want to try this weekend. I love cooking ... there's just something about it! :) And while I'm cooking, I plan to have the windows open in my apartment to let in some of the great breeze outside!

There continues to be persecution in Orissa, and in fact it has now spread to Karnataka state. Yet the believers in these places have such a pure, sincere love for Jesus that is carrying them through. It's really incredible to me. They still need our prayers though ... Please do pray for them, especially for comfort for those that have lost loved ones for the sake of Christ.

They Know Jesus is Priceless ...

2008-09-11T17:45:00.000-07:00

Hebrews 13:3 tells us, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.”

*I love that this Scripture is in the Bible. How timely and appropriate it is, given the things Christians were going through for Jesus’ sake back then . . . and the things they are still going through centuries later because of their love for the Savior.

How does this verse play out in my day-to-day life as I long to know Jesus more each day and see things through His eyes? I know that I want to be faithful in lifting up the needs of the persecuted Church to Him . . . as well as the hearts of those who still need to know Him. Prayer … whether for His work across the globe or in the lives of those around us … is such a privilege, as a friend reminded me last night. I know my own faith is often greatly strengthened through prayer.*

*During prayer meeting the other night, we saw pictures portraying some of the suffering being experienced by believers in Orissa. Images flashed across the screen, bringing a face to the horrific suffering people are facing for their Christian faith. Pictures of houses and churches burned down. Or pictures of groups of believers fleeing their villages to seek refuge in the forests, or the ones living in little tent cities. One image of far more horrific suffering was omitted because they felt it would be too graphic to show for a family audience.

I was deeply moved and my heart went out to the believers, especially as I saw the pictures of them being driven from their homes to hide out in the forests and others who were living in tent cities. Seeing these made me think of the passage in Hebrews 11 that tells us Abraham dwelling in tents because he knew this world was not his home. That chapter goes on to list some of the suffering of the believers in the early church, telling us that they joyfully accepted the plundering of their possessions, knowing they had better and lasting possessions in heaven.*

*I think their perspective amazes me. We live in a fallen world with many perspectives that are vastly different from those of Christ’s kingdom. I think of that verse in Isaiah that tells us that His thoughts are so much higher than ours.

I know that in my own life … whatever may be going on around me, whether in Orissa, or in the lives of those I love around me … or in my own life at times … it is vastly comforting to know that God’s ways are higher, more grand, than anything we could ever think up for ourselves.*

****Think about Orissa, where six believers … people with not much as far as this world, but with a simple faith in Jesus and heartfelt love for Him … have given their lives. And thousands of families are still hiding in the forests as the beatings and burnings of homes/churches continue.

... or the dear friend from my college church who watched her husband die of terminal cancer . . . all the while both of them clinging to Jesus and His Word whatever the outcome. I received this incredible email from them not long before he passed away, while he was in hospice care.

… We love you and thank you for praying for us and trusting God with us. His display of love for us is exceeding abundantly above all we could ever ask or think. Steve looks more and more like the man described in Jeremiah 17:7,8 as he trusts God completely …

When I asked her how I could pray for her in the months following her husband’s death, her prayer request blew me away! It was not for herself but instead, she asked for prayer that she could shine the light of Christ in his workplace (after his death she began working there full-time to support herself), continuing the work that he had started as he witnessed to co-workers before his death. It reminded me of the stories we've heard of widowed missionary wifes continuing to reach out and share the Gospel in areas where their husbands had served.

*Whether in the Church across the globe, or in the lives of those around me … I see so many incredible examples of the worth of Jesus. That is He is so worthy and infinitely priceless . . . I truly can’t imagine this life without knowing Jesus!

Those of us who know Jesus, may we always remember the worth of Jesus and the amazing thing He did for us on the Cross . . . and His incredible, sustaining grace in each of our lives for each new day … whether we are going through difficult times like some dear people are that I know … or whether we’re simply have a day where we’re maybe tired and discouraged. Praise Jesus that He is always with us and is our everlasting portion! And may we be faithful to intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ in other parts of the world. (This webpage has a link to stories of believers' faith amidst persecution ... and prayer requests for the persecuted Church in each story.)

And … for any of you reading this who don’t know Jesus yet … from my heart I would encourage and challenge you to consider Him who is so worthy that men and women in Orissa would give their lives for Him . . . and other Christians throughout the centuries as well. I promise you won’t regret it!

Amazing Faith in other Countries Amidst Persecution

2008-08-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

Persecution has been on the increase in various parts of Asia, and I thought I would share a little about it and just a few of my personal reflections on it ...

Precious lives have been taken in Orissa this week... martyred for Jesus' sake. My heart hurts for the family members they leave behind. Yet, too, I know that those who are martyred are in a glorious place ... in heaven with the Savior they loved so dearly while they were still on this earth. And I was reminded just now of Romans 8:18 ... "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (NIV)

I can't even begin to imagine the things believers in so many other countries endure for their love for Jesus. Yet being part of a missions organization, I have seen two incredible threads common throughout so many of the persecution reports ...

First, along with the persecution in other countries, Christ's church is growing and flourishing in the midst of it! And second, those experiencing persecution so often show incredible courage, love, and forgiveness in the midst of it. It is an amazing thing to me! I know this is not of them (for in our flesh dwells no good thing), but a work of Jesus in them ... and it has to be an amazing testimony of the Gospel to those who are persecuting them.

I remember a while back when I was reading Hearts Afire, a book published by Voice of the Martyrs ... as I read the stories of incredible faith in the lives of people in other countries who were willing to risk so much for their faith in Jesus, I was greatly encouraged and strengthened in my own faith.

I feel challenged to pray more faithfully for our Christian brothers and sisters in other countries whose lives so inspire me. What a privilege it is that we can play a part in the labors of these precious brothers and sisters, even though they are on the other side of the world. How amazing God is to allow us to play a part in His redemptive work, whereever we are! I am grateful.

[As I was finishing up this post, the song "I Can Only Imagine" started playing on my headphones ... I can't help but think, How appropriate. For those six precious believers who gave their lives for Jesus in Orissa this week ... they are now in the presence of Jesus. Wow!]

A Memorable August 14

2008-08-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

I had a birthday recently, and it made me incredibly grateful ... again and again ... for the great people God has surrounded me with! From people decorating my cubicle at work to making marble slab cheesecake (yum!!!) for me for our department celebration, to a yummy team lunch at Schlotsky's to calling me or posting a Facebook note to wish me a happy birthday ... to cooking delicious Indian food for me and another friend whose birthday is close to mine ... not to mention the amazing party some dear friends threw for me Friday evening. I was truly touched and honored that they would want to throw me a party ... and by all the hard work that went into it! They were so creative ... one of them made a cake in the shape of a pair of flip-flop sandals. I loved it. :o)

And the girls had decided it would be a dress-up party ... which is why I was very surprised and a bit flustered when I walked in the door dressed rather casually ... But they came to the rescue with a dress one of them had "borrowed" from me earlier that week ... it was waiting for me for the party! :) She also gave me a beautiful pearl necklace as a present and to wear for the evening!

From start to finish, I had a wonderful birthday ... I think perhaps my most memorable yet! I can't begin to describe how grateful I am for the amazing people the Lord has blessed me with in my life and the warmth and care they have shown. Thank you to everyone who made my birthday so special .... y'all know who you are! :)

Cinnamon Rolls, Popcorn, Fellowship

2008-08-11T18:12:00.000-07:00

Our department enjoyed some cinnamon rolls this morning for one of our co-worker's birthdays. They definitely hit the spot, especially since I hadn't eaten anything for breakfast. ;-)

I had a friend in the area for the weekend who asked if she could stay with me. I was like, "Sure!" :) She was catching up with some relatives and friends in the area for a good part of the weekend and I had a few things going on as well, so it worked out well that we could come and go as worked best for us ... But last night we did "reconvene" to hang out and catch up. It was a nice time of chatting, watching a movie (complete with popcorn!!!) and praying for each other. I am sleepy today, but glad for the time we were able to share. I love such times of fellowship.

I have so much been enjoying getting to know the young women interning at GFA over the summer. Anna's last day of her internship was Friday, and Erin's is tomorrow. They will be missed! I have been so grateful for the chance to get to know each of them (and Hannah and Jessica!!) and will be in prayer for the Lord to continue to lead their lives. I'm so glad they could come here and spend part of their summer laboring with us all here ... their lives are impacting Asia. :)

It's the little things I cherish ...

2008-07-31T17:45:00.000-07:00

I think sometimes it's the "little" and thoughtful things in life that I love the most ... you know, those times when someone puts a candy bar on your desk for "no reason" other than that they thought of you and thought you would enjoy it ... or someone writes you a really encouraging note that came at just the right moment for a time you're going through ... You know, stuff like that. :)

Last night was so much fun. I hung out with Hannah, Erin, Anna and Jessica ... summer interns here at GFA who have quickly become great friends ... they're pretty much awesome. :=) Anyhow, we had a blast going out to Stonebriar Mall and eating in the food court there, and walking around and shopping.

We all were walking around the food court, trying to decide what we each wanted. I think I took the longest to decide ... (food decisions are hard ... so many great choices there!) and ended up with Rollerz. Some of you know that I have been trying not to drink soda for a while ... I thought it would be hard for me since I love soda, but overall it's been surprisingly easy so far.

Well, most combo meals come with a soda ... but Rollerz had this awesome combo with one of their wraps and a small smoothie. Needless to say I was a happy camper, with my strawberry banana smoothie and santa fe chicken goodness. It may seem like a small thing, but it was just really a fun surprise. :)

I have been having a terrific week ... remember how I shared on Monday how I had been battling an unusual amount of discouragement for several days or more, but also how the Lord had given me a new perspective through my time of prayer with a friend. Well, a little later in the evening I realized the Lord had completely lifted my discouragement. I was so grateful! I believe He will do the same for any of y'all who may be going through discouragement, too ... just keep seeking Him. :)

Jesus is incredible ...

2008-07-28T19:00:00.000-07:00

I shared yesterday some of the struggles the Lord has been allowing me to go through lately ... Ever since maybe Friday of last week I have felt incredibly tired and seem to be going through an unusual amount of discouragement ... yet today, as I was praying with a friend I always meet to pray with after work on Mondays, I suddenly started praising God and felt lifted above the pain.

I rejoiced because Jesus was giving me a whole new perspective, the perspective I was reminded of yesterday. I am so grateful! It's amazing how prayer and praise can change our trials into rejoicing. I would not in my natural human flesh choose to go through hardships and trials in my life ... Yet even these hardships and trials are dear friends to me, for anything that draws me closer to the feet of Jesus is my friend. More than anything, I want to know Him more. I love Him so much.

It is a busy week ... I am finishing up some stuff around the apartment tonight to get ready for out-of-town company tomorrow evening ... as well as running to the store to get some fresh fruit. :) And hopefully getting a nice walk in there somewhere, too. :) Then later in the week, I am hoping to hang out some with some of our summer interns ... great young women that I've been enjoying getting to know during their time here. :) Then on Friday evening is extended prayer here at GFA.

I thank the Lord that He is with me each step of this busy week ... I am hoping my out-of-town guest, Rebecca, will get to come for some of prayer tomorrow evening, if she's not too tired from her long drive to Texas ... this prayer meeting is just two hours, unlike Friday, which is our all-night prayer. :-D

Jesus is everything ...

2008-07-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

This morning in my Bible fellowship class at church, I received a very timely reminder. I was so excited as I wrote down some of the truths the teacher was sharing, truths that felt so applicable to my life right now.

I realize I have so much to be grateful for ... so many blessings in my life and God has been so good to me ... I just somehow have found myself over these past several days feeling unusually tired ... a bit overwhelmed ... discouraged. I know we all have days that are more challenging than others ... I would say these last several days have been some of the most challenging I've experienced for some time ... and not sure totally why? I guess I have, for one thing, had a lot on my plate lately ... but I can trust that the Lord will not give me more than I can handle! And we're told in God's Word, in 1 Peter 4:12,13, not to be surprised at hard days .... that we will experience those in our lives, and also that we can rejoice in getting to (in a very small way at least) share in Christ's sufferings.

And my teacher this morning brought out some awesome truths ... definitely timely reminders for me. He talked about the Apostle Paul and how His attitude toward suffering was, "If it makes me more like Jesus, bring it on!" He reminded us that Paul's all-consuming passion was knowing Jesus ... and if suffering brought Him closer to Jesus, He rejoiced in it. (Romans 8:16,17; Philippians 3, verses 10 and following) He also talked about how some of Paul's very last words to Timothy were about the Gospel. The Gospel, he reminded us, is not just for our salvation ... it is ALSO for the trials we face in our day to day lives ...

The Gospel--that Jesus Christ would die an excruciating death of the Cross to pay for our sins--forever settles God's love for us. And this love is fixed and constant. Whatever trials we go through in life fade away when looked at against the backdrop of the Cross.

Praise the Lord ... I find that when I'm reminded that Jesus is everything, I am given a whole new perspective that encourages me, regardless of how overwhelmed I may feel or what may be going on around me. I am grateful.

A Good Week and a Heart Filled with Thanks

2008-07-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy week, but also a good one. :) There have been a couple of days where I've stayed a while after finishing up a writing project ... but I've enjoyed it. I have been thinking lately of how grateful I am for my job. I think I've had many moments over the last number of months where I took it for granted and saw more the harder aspects of it than the privilege it is.

I enjoy what I'm getting to do, I love the people I work with, and most of all, the Lord is allowing me to help reach people in Asia through it! It amazes me that the Lord would call me to do something I have enjoyed so much from as far back as I remember (writing) along with a burning desire He gave me from my childhood (seeing people reached with the Gospel!). Thank You, Lord. :)

May He get all the glory ... for none of it belongs to me. It's ALL about Him. It amazes me that He would call me to serve Him ... I know I still have so far to go in my Christian walk, yet He is so patient with me. ;)

I think we all can get discouraged at times or take things for granted, so it's always so refreshing to be reminded of God's incredible provision in our lives. At different times last week, I felt myself tested in the area of trusting in the Lord and His ways.

I was struck with the contrast between human ways of doing things and God's way. The Lord enabled me by His grace to make a conscious decision to trust Him and be faithful in what I knew to do, even when it felt a little hard. As I stepped forward in that trust, I felt incredible peace and rest in Him ... I felt that I no longer needed to strive ... I could just faithfully do what He had set before me and called me to, but beyond that, just BE ... no more striving. :) Then, He confirmed what He had shown me through His Word, a Christian book and the lesson in Sunday school this past weekend, as well as allowing some great encouragement to come my way.

I was so encouraged today to get an email from a co-worker mentioning that some Gospel for Asia supporters had given to provide a well in response to a lot of the emails and PhotoShows that had recently gone out that reported back the eternal fruit God is bringing through these wells. Well, I thought about it a moment and realized I had worked on some of those emails and PhotoShows, such as this one! It's so encouraging to me to think that I could be part of people being ministered to and hearing about Jesus on the other side of the Lord. Praise the Lord.

I wanted to share this Scripture passage that so encouraged me when I read it recently ... I think it relates to what the Lord has been showing me lately!

"There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms ..."
--Deuteronomy 33:26,27b

Beef stir fry, Mango Pickle and God's Grace

2008-07-15T18:15:00.000-07:00

Sitting in the outdoor patio at work today in the warm weather, enjoying some beef stir fry, mango pickle and rice from our ministry cafe, I felt like I was transported back to India as I cherished the company of two dear brothers from our ministry in Asia. It brought back memories from the time I spent there in 2004. How amazing the joy of the believers was! I still remember Gretch, the woman in the poverty-stricken slum area who ran up to us with this bubbling joy she could hardly contain, proclaiming "Jai Ma Siki" ("Praise to Christ" in her language).

This whole past weekend at our ministry's Renewing Your Passion missions conference has been surreal in some ways ... yet, at the same time, I know more real than anything I could experience on this earth. For I was reminded of the worth of knowing and following Jesus ... of how 100 years from now, the only things I will have to show for my life here on this earth are those things that will last for eternity. I was deeply challenged to cry out to Jesus in my heart, more than once, "Rid me of me! Fill me with You." I want to be poured out for His sake ... I was thinking, if He is my Savior and gave His very life for me, what is too much for me to do for Him? Not in any way to earn my salvation, because that was already purchased for me through His redemptive blood at Calvary ... I rather want to serve Him, out of gratitude and love for Him. I know I have so far to go in having a fully surrendered life, holding nothing back, but o how I long for such utter abandonment to Jesus. I love Him so much.

The time at the conference was also an amazing time of fellowship ... whether laughing with my roommates and new friends I made, or praying with and being able to encourage our supporters who are such a blessing and have given so much to help spread the Good News of Jesus in Asia. All in all, this whole past weekend was incredible and reminded me of what a privilege I have to get to serve Jesus to reach some of the most unreached and see lives transformed in wonderful ways by His grace ... a privilege that I am unworthy of and don't want to ever again take for granted.

Right after the conference, I got to go to lunch with a dear friend who had come down for the weekend. It was great catching up some more with her and sharing some more of what the Lord had taught us at the conference ... over yummy turkey pizza at Schlotsky's. :-)

May I never forget the things I learned and was reminded of this weekend ... Oh, Jesus, may my life never be the same again.

Church, Nice Sunny Days and Rollerskating

2008-07-06T20:53:00.001-07:00

So this afternoon I did something I haven't had opportunity to do for quite some time ... rollerskating! Back in the day, when I was in junior high/high school, I LOVED to go rollerskating. They would have Christian skate night at the local skating rink ... which just happened to be very close to my house. It was a great deal to skate on Christian skate night ... $1.25! :)

And, thanks to a friend of mine, I found out about another great deal, at the skating rink not too far from where I live now! On Sunday afternoons through the end of August, it's just $3.00 to skate from 2 to 6 p.m. I went with a friend today, and another friend met up with us there, and I think we're going to try to get our Sat. night Bible study group together to go sometime. Wahoo! :) Skating is always something I've enjoyed a lot.

After skating, I ended up at the nature preserve walking. I heard a snake slither in the grass and screamed SO loud!!! (I never saw it, but am reasonably sure it was a snake ... ;-)) Later I saw an armadillo cross the path ahead of me. That was fun!! Then I went to Wal-mart to get ... smoothie ingredients, shampoo, etc. Amazing how much energy I've had today! Definitely not complaining, since it's been a couple of weeks since I've had even close to this much energy! ;-)

We sang patriotic songs in church this morning ... great fun! :) Oh, and the message in Sunday school was so good. He read some verses from Isaiah 44 and reminded us all of how Jesus is the only One who truly satisfies. What a great reminder ... I am finding myself reminded more and more of that lately. :)

A Post for 4th of July!

2008-07-04T20:29:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post today, to say ... Happy 4th of July, everyone! I spent part of it with folks from work. A family had everyone over to their house. I played some volleyball and hung out and talked with folks. Then I went walking at the nature preserve for a bit. :) I seriously love that place!

Tomorrow I am meeting some girls for lunch and Bible study ... we do that often on Saturdays and it's been so nice! Then tomorrow evening is my Bible study at church ... yay! :) I love those folks!

The series Chris has been going through has been so good, too ... basically bringing out a bunch of great Scriptures and reminding us of how amazing Jesus is ... and how our number one pursuit in life should be to know our Savior more deeply. I am so thankful for Jesus ... for the constant He is in my life! :)

Jesus is Renewing My Heart ...

2008-07-01T17:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after work I had the opportunity to pray with another friend ... we meet regularly to encourage and pray for one another! It was amazing how my perspective had changed by the end of our time. I felt rest and joy in the Lord even in my weariness. It was great!

This morning our staff had a meeting about our upcoming Renewing Your Passion missions conference. As the meeting progressed, I found myself getting more and more excited about this time! It is next weekend, and I can't wait! :) I am looking forward to this time to fellowship with other believers and reach out to our donors and sponsors.

Just now I've been working on an email and PhotoShow about one of our missionaries who was beaten and publicly humiliated for loving Jesus ... just one of many of our missionaries who have suffered persecution. I was especially moved by his story when I realized he is very close to my age. It's touching to think of him going through such suffering at such a young age, yet it was also incredible to read about some of the amazing things God has done through his ministry in Orissa. An elderly couple was rescued from suicide when the Lord brought him into their path ... and they received Jesus as Savior! Praise the Lord. Just as this verse promises, truly this missionary's labor in the Lord is not in vain!

I so often am encouraged and strengthened in my own faith when I hear such stories of the amazing courage and perseverance of our Christian brothers and sisters in other countries.

Jesus is in the Valleys

2008-06-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

For a week now I've been finding myself physically tired ... and at times kind of having an overall feeling of weariness. I did get a nap yesterday ... although I'm not sure it was enough. I should be able to get some good rest this evening ... and it's nice, too, that Friday is July 4 so I can sleep in. :) I kept forgetting about that ... so it was a fun surprise today!

Last night I did have a good prayer time with a friend ... It was amazing the sense of peace I was left with as we parted ways. Meeting with her and praying with her was just what I needed last night! Then today I had a thoughtful note from another good friend, reminding me to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus. That reminder was just what I needed today ... Jesus is incredible ... and no matter how weary I may feel at times, His presence is still a refuge where I can find indescribable joy.

I am finding myself constantly reminded lately of my need for Him. That's a good thing in the sense that it drives me to His feet. I was excited to receive in the mail an old Caedman's Call CD I ordered off Amazon. I think this excerpt from their song "Down in the Valley" says it well ...

Down in this wasteland I miss the mountaintop view
But it's here in this valley that I'm surrounded by You.
Though I'm not here by my will it's where Your view is most clear.
So I'll stay in this valley if it takes 40 years.

Now, I do hope I'm not feeling as weary for the next 40 years as I was from this past Monday to today ... :) But I do so much love the whole theme of these lyrics ... the willingness the songwriters express to "stay in the valley" for as long as it takes if that means they are drawn closer to Jesus through it. I totally love that! And I love that anything we go through as believers in Christ is for a purpose ... none of it is wasted.

Jesus and the Island of Patmos

2008-06-23T18:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's message in church was really interesting and made me want to research the Island of Patmos. The guy who taught shared from Revelation 1:9,10 and brought out some really cool points ...

In verse nine, we find John was on the Island of Patmos where there was no Christian fellowship for him. This was also a place where hardened criminals were "dumped off", to fend for themselves. You could say, at least in an earthly sense, this was a definite trial in John's life.

Yet the next verse goes on to talk about how John was in the presence of the Lord. What better place to be than with Him? If we know Him as Savior, He is our Friend, our dwelling place, our portion. Oh, how I love Him ... everything in life fits in its proper place when we know Him ... Even if it's something hard for the moment ... because we know He is bringing about eternal good through it. So amazing.

As the guest speaker brought out yesterday, the Lord used John's time of exile in Patmos in an incredible way ... It wasn't a surprise to the Lord; He used it greatly, and now we have the book of Revelation. :)

Well ... I should go because I am sleepy and still wanting to get in a walk with a friend and get a few things done before calling it a night ... I am just so grateful for Jesus ... and that He works everything out for good in our lives. :)

Savoring the Savior's Sweetness

2008-06-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

I have felt a bit weary at moments this week ... doing a bit better now, I think. I have been thinking about how knowing Jesus puts every part of life into proper perspective ... I have been reading a great book by John Piper about savoring the sweetness of the inexpressible joys found in Him. This is my prayer ... that the world around me simply fade away in the light of His incredible presence ... to be with Him, praising Him and seeking His face, is just wonderful. Everything else really does start to fade away in the light of the incomparable joys He offers ... :)

How refreshing is the light of His presence ... close to Him is where I want to always be ... abiding deeply in Him ... there is no joy like that of knowing this incredible Savior.

I love this passage from Isaiah ...

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare."
--Isaiah 55:1,2

Oh yes ... Jesus is the "richest of fare" that passage talks about. And this is a wonderful constant, regardless of what is going on around me, or even simply the challenges sometimes of day-to-day life. I am glad.

A Tale of Redemption

2008-06-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

Last night I watched The Last Sin Eater. It was a pretty powerful allegory of redemption ... especially once you get past the strong Appalachian accents. :) (At first, I thought the main character in the story was saying "Sunitra" instead of Sin Eater ... :-D) Set around the 1850s in the Appalachian's, it highlights a mountain community held bondage to years of superstition and tradition. There was an interesting twist in all that at the end as well.

Parts were hard to watch because of the violence ... more than anything, the sense of, "No, this shouldn't be happening." But overall it's a well-made movie that vividly portrays redemption as it follows the life of a community ... most specifically a young girl ... seeking atonement for sins in the tradition of a "Sin Eater", only to find that he is as empty and broken as she ... she needs the One who is the true Sin Eater!

It's definitely a movie that makes you think because of the great lengths people go to in hopes of redemption. It really reminded me of the traditions and superstitions followed by so many in Asia, when if only they knew ... true redemption and peace are found only in Jesus. I finished the movie with a fresh appreciation for redemption in Christ. What an amazing gift that we could never put a price on ... eternal redemption! How grateful I am for Jesus!

I had the opportunity to head down to a south Dallas neighborhood this past weekend for their annual Clean Sweep, where people from the Body of Christ in the Dallas area joined together to pray, pick up trash and plant flowers in the neighborhood ... it was a great time of getting to serve and fellowship with other believers, and truly the highlight of my weekend! I enjoyed it so much. I had the opportunity to reconnect with this really sweet Christian woman in that community that I had gotten to meet before ... it was awesome witnessing her incredible joy and her fervent heart for Jesus. Praise God for how His redemptive story is touching hearts in this community.

Rejoicing some more ...

2008-06-07T22:42:00.000-07:00

I do think I'm on Cloud Nine! Or something like it, anyhow! I just got back from Transit (my Sat.nite study) and fellowship with the group afterwards at Baker Bros. Class was great ... the lesson was SO good. Our teacher brought out so many Scriptures about how amazing Christ is and how incredible it is that we can know Him ... that if we are His children, He is even living in us! How awesome is that? One thing that really, really stood out to me was when he said that so often, we settle for so much less than God in our everyday lives ... our desires are such that we have desires for lesser things than God Himself. Than the sweetness of knowing Him more deeply. So true ... and something I want to stop being guilty of. :) Deep down I do so much desire Him ... He is more to me than life itself! Now may I increasingly live and dwell in that mind-boggling reality.

There were so many visitors, too ... or at least, it sure felt like there were! :) I was running around like crazy, making sure our visitors felt welcome and that they each had visitors sheets to fill out ... but I loved every minute of it. :-) I truly love this class and the community of it and getting to serve and fellowship there. I'm so grateful. I also so much love the community of those I'm on staff with at GFA. I have been so reminded lately of how wonderful that is.

So ... right before class tonight, I went to get the folder with the roster and visitor sheets, and was walking down the hall with it. Well, just as I neared the classroom, suddenly the visitor sheets literally came flying out of the folder. And I slipped on some of them and ... totally went sprawling to the floor. Several of my classmates saw the whole thing. ;-D Good thing was, at least they were able to come to my rescue, grabbing the papers off the floor for me as I laughed ... and laughed some more ... and regained my composure. We decided the class folder should come with a warning label ... perhaps ... "Be careful ... could be hazardous to your health if carrying it down the hall". :)

Rejoicing this weekend

2008-06-07T15:56:00.000-07:00

After a pretty challenging week, yesterday and last night were incredble! :) I was sharing with a few co-workers, on Thursday night when I sat down to try to have some good time with the Lord, it kind of felt like it took a lot of my energy but yet that it wasn't helping me ... but the Lord gave me the perseverance to press on by faith, trusting Him to use it in my life.

Well, yesterday was a good day, and had a great time at lunch with a couple of co-workers - two really nice girls who have been here for a few weeks as summer interns. They're great and so much fun to get to know! I also introduced them to one of my favorite restaurants and they liked it ... yay! :)

Then last night was great. We had all-night prayer here at the ministry ... I ended up staying until it ended at 5 a.m. and had a blast! It was also really awesome that a few of my friends got to make it out for some of it and seemed to enjoy it, too! It was a wonderful, refreshing time ... and I have had such peace in my heart today and felt refreshed. When I got up this morning ... I mean this afternoon :-D ... I was able to have some good time with the Lord. I am so grateful.

Jesus is better than a magical switch ...

2008-06-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

Ever wish you could turn on this magical switch that would make all your challenges and discouragement just disappear? :) I have been finding myself wishing that to an extent lately ... although ultimately I know challenging times are a good thing in that they draw me all the closer to Jesus ... so, really, why should I "wish them away" ... no matter how hard they may be from a fleshly, temporal perspective. Deep down what I need most is to know Jesus more intimately ... so anything that brings that about in my life is a Friend ... even if hard for the moment.

I've kind of found myself battling a good bit of discouragement lately. Part of it could be the spiritual battle we are all in, that I can so often forget about. As believers in Jesus, we are engaged in a very real spiritual battle ... but God wins! Praise the Lord for that! :)

On another note, I did have some nice times of fellowship this weekend with friends, especially with the great group from Transit (my Sat. night BIble study) as we all hung out at Pei Wei Asian Diner after the study. That was really fun!

A humorous note ... as I was sharing with the rest of the staff last night about Myanmar* for one of the segments for prayer, I was encouraging people to engage passionately in prayer ... doing battle for the people of Myanmar. I know that for me, physically getting on my knees when I pray can really help me sometimes ... not that there's anything special about being on our knees, but somehow the Lord just uses it in my life sometimes to get me in the right frame of mind. Well, anyhow, I was like, "Get down on your hands and knees if that helps" ... then I had to laugh (as well as others :)) because I have this picture of everyone on their hands and knees, praying. :-) Too funny! Of course I meant to say "Get down on your knees", but the slip-up gave me a good laugh ... which the Lord must have known I needed. :) Laughter is good for the heart and good medicine in the challenging times of life. So is God's Word. (eternally so!) He was encouraging me this week through Isaiah 58, especially as I was preparing to share about the incredibly hard situation in Myanmar.

*If you have been seeing the news reports on BBC news and other sources, you know the precious people in Myanmar could really use our prayers. Do cry out to the Lord of the harvest for them! I know God has a heart for the people there and we can look to Him in faith to intervene in incredible ways on their behalf to provide for them and draw them to Himself ... ]

It's all about Jesus ...

2008-05-30T17:33:00.000-07:00

Well it's 5:30 on Friday and I'm about to start a busy weekend! In a little bit I am meeting up with a friend to walk for a bit and take some items down to the Colony Resale to donate. (It's always such a good feeling to get rid of stuff I don't need anymore ... it kind of feels like I'm simplying my life a bit. :)

All day tomorrow I will be at a retreat for the women who are part of my Bible fellowship class at church. I'm so much looking forward to that! It should be great teaching and fellowship ... and great time for girl bonding. :) That ends at 4:00, and then I have my Bible study and will likely go to Pei Wei Asian diner with everyone afterwards. :)

Sunday will be busy, too, with being at church and then later meeting up with some friends for fellowship and games.

As I consider some of the challenges that have come up in my day-to-day life lately, I am reminded that if I just remember that life, really, is all about Jesus, then everything kind of takes its proper place. :-D I want to remember that because there's such freedom on that ... it means I can rest in Him so securely, whether it be concerning a big project at work (thankfully I'm pretty much caught up on those now!) or just things on my mind. There is such rest and freedom in remembering He is in control ... and letting my life be guided by the knowledge that I can securely trust Him. It's been a challenging week in some ways, so it's good and so helpful to remember these things!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. :-D

Reflections and Thoughts on a Thursday

2008-05-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

This week is going considerably better than when I last posted! It was interesting; I was talking to a friend from work yesterday as we walked at the nature preserve, and we both talked about how quite a few people here on staff have been having a challenging week. We talked about how it could be spiritual warfare. It's always so good to be reminded of that ... working here at GFA, we are at the forefront of something the Lord is using to powerfully break down spiritual strongholds in Asia, yet how easy it can be for me to forget that! I think sometimes I expect to plod along merrily, not suffering attack from the enemy. Yet it's so true that the enemy is not going to want to stand idly by while strongholds are being broken down in Asia! It can be a sobering thought to think of the enemy's attacks. I am simply human flesh and unable to fight back in myself, but thankfully Jesus Himself dwells within me since I am His redeemed child, and HE is able to fight these attacks. Praise the Lord!

You can keep my friend from church in your prayers as the Lord brings her to mind. Her name is Christina, and I know your prayers will mean so much. I can't even imagine what it would be like to suddenly lose my dad ... especially at such a young age. I am so close to my daddy! Last year we had about a week where we were faced with the reality that we could very well lose him (when he had cancer), and the peace the Lord gave us during that time was unbelievable. Still, though, I was so relieved and grateful when the Lord spared him. My friend and I may never know in this lifetime why the Lord chose to take her dad at this time ... but God is still on His throne and can be trusted just as much as ever. Thank you for your prayers ... asking you all to pray reminds me that I need to be faithful to pray!!

I am looking forward to a relaxing evening and some good times with Jesus ... and enjoying some chicken with sour cream, salsa and black beans that I cooked in my crockpot. :)

A Bit of an Update ...

2008-05-28T17:20:00.000-07:00

It has been a bit of a challenging week for me ... just kind of one of those weeks ... then I found out some hard news yesterday about a friend who suddenly lost someone very close to them. I found myself giving them a big hug and praying with them, as they had desired, yet realizing that was, ultimately, all I could do ... I couldn't take away the pain because that's not humanly possible! But I can continue to PRAY for them ...

It's hard sometimes to understand why there are times of such pain in our lives here on earth ... yet I have to trust that in all of it, God loves us, His children, every bit as much and He is still just as much on His throne. These are objective, solid facts. He is, indeed, our solid rock that we can always lean upon in even the biggest storms of our lives ... our sure and lasting foundation. Praise God.

This evening I am spending some time with a friend, walking, and then making a few stops probably, and then looking forward to resting and doing just a bit around the apartment. I also want to spend some good time with the Lord. I am increasingly reminded of how incredibly important it is to have those times with Him ... through them, I often find my whole perspective is turned around.

Just a thought on the three-day weekend ... it included some great times of fellowship and laughter with friends ... whether hanging out at On the Border after church, playing Mafia, or laughing together at how I "growled" at the voice recording on Moviefone as as friend and I called to get the movie showings at the dollar theater. :-D (The only way I can get the voice recording to respond to me is if I speak in this voice that almost sounds like a growl ... otherwise she can't understand my southern accent. :-)) I find myself so grateful for the friends the Lord has given me and the warmth they bring into my life!

Confessions of a Sweet Tea Queen

2008-05-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

Doesn't that sound like the title of a book?! I know I thought it did ... :) So, I did come to the staff picnic today in costume as Sweet Tea Queen. And ... my costume was surprisingly easy to put together. Which is good since I'm not particularly artistic!! It was so cool ... a co-worker told me yesterday that his wife had a tiarra I could use. Then I brought an umbrella I used as a parasol ... kind of like in the southern plantation days. :-) I also had a bright floral patterned purse ... which seems like a southern thing? And around my neck I had a placard that said "Sweet Tea Queen" and included a slogan about saving the world ... one sweet tea at a time. :) I also dressed up like I would imagine a southern belle on a plantation would!

If you'd like to see pictures from the picnic, you can at this link. [This is mainly for you all reading this blog in its original form on vesselsofclay.blogspot.com, since if you're on Facebook you can already access these photos. :)]

I was thinking a bit today about how sometimes I think it would have been fun to live in the days of southern plantations. Don't get me wrong, I know that a lot of things went on that weren't right and were not good things. But I just mean the whole aspect of women dressing up in a feminine way and there being formal balls all the time, and all that ... I think there is something in me that loves that and would have enjoyed those aspects of being born in that era.

Of course in some aspects I'm totally not a girlie girl ... I tend to go pretty much natural in that I've always kept my natural hair color (with the exception of putting some temporary dye in it just for fun, years back ;-) and I generally don't wear much make-up ... and most of the time not at all. It's rare that I paint my nails. And I have always had at least a wee bit of a tomboy side in me, I think ... and I still absolutely love hiking, biking, skating, volleyball, camping ... pretty much anything outdoors.

But there are very girlie sides to me too ... I like to wear a little jewelry, and I like shopping (although thankfully haven't been doing it as often lately :)) and I'm always up for a good chick flick and in fact went and saw one with a rowful of other girls last weekend. :) I also LOVE it when guys are chivalrous and do nice gentleman-ish stuff like open doors for me. I also, like many girls, find it helpful to "have a good cry" every now and then. And I am in a lot of ways sentimental, too, treasuring memories and sometimes remembering people by smells like their perfume and cologne. And while I like to be comfy, there are also times where I love dressing up a bit, just because I feel like it! It's kind of cool to think about how a lot of these things are reflections of how God made me ... they are His handiwork in me ... and the same could be said for all of us in the unique characteristics he has given us as men or women.

Oh, the picnic today was so much fun! I had such a wonderful time and was thinking about how grateful I am for the people I work with ... becasue of the nature of the ministry where we work, it's really more like one big family rather than "co-workers". It's great! I know that there are aspects of working in ministry that can be incredibly challenging, and it's not always easy, but I truly rejoice and thank the Lord for giving me this little taste of heaven on earth! Think about how amazing heaven will be ... as we fellowship with people of "every nation, tongue and tribe" as described in Revelation 5:9.

Jimmy John's, Starbucks and Sweet Tea Queen

2008-05-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe it's Thursday night?! This week has been going by rather quickly, I think? Tonight I met with some other girls for some Bible study and fellowship. We started at Jimmy John's, then ended up at Starbucks. One of my friends had several Starbucks gift cards and told me she wanted to treat me. That was really sweet of her! :)

As we talked about different themes from the book of Matthew, I was reminded of a great message I heard in community fellowship in downtown Dallas recently, about holding on tightly to Jesus and loosely to the things of this world. I think it's so wonderful that in all of life, whatever may be going on around you all or me, Jesus is a constant refuge and Friend for those who know Him. Praise the Lord! It makes me want to jump for joy. :) I hope today that Jesus is your refuge and strength, a very present help in time of need. :) He is supremely wonderful, and so faithful!

So tomorrow is our GFA staff picnic ... and I'm am thinking about coming dressed as "Sweet Tea Queen." ;) We shall see ... truthfully, I don't think my "costume" would require toooo much planning, but definitely at least a little bit ... especially since I'm not naturally that artistically creative (sigh). I truly have appreciation for artists and graphic designers and the gifts God has blessed them with. :)

Oh yeah ... in case you're wondering why I would dress as Sweet Tea Queen ... we're encouraged to dress up as superheros if we can come up with a costume. So ... I was trying to think of something that would relate to being from the Deep South (since my co-workers love to tease me about that since I'm a minority in that. :-D). So one of my co-workers suggested Sweet Tea Queen. Then I decided that to make it a bit more "superhero-ish", my slogan could be "Saving the World ... One Sweet Tea at a time." And then I would dress as a southern gal on a plantation, since sweet tea is definitely a trademark of the Deep South. :) So ... we'll see if my creative juices get flowing or if I just come dressed my normal self to the picnic tomorrow. :-D Either way ... it should be fun! And a good "end of the week" time of fellowship with people.

Hope you have had a blessed week, resting in Jesus! :)

Volleyball, Fellowship and God's Work in Asia

2008-05-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

How are you all? : ) All in all, it was a nice weekend filled with some great Bible studies/messages and good times with friends. Yesterday was the annual kickball tournament with my group from church. Although I didn't actually play kickball, I had a blast hanging out with friends and playing VOLLEYBALL! :-D (I am always joking that I can't play "just one game" of volleyball ... that once I start, I'm pretty much in for the long haul ... :-D It's got to my favoritest sport!)

I wanted to pass on this link to you all - feel free to check it out anytime for stories that I hope will be an encouragement for you, to see some of the ways the Lord is working through just one organization in the 10/40 Window. : ) We update it several times a week ... and will also post more news on the situation in Myanmar as we have it!

Beautiful Sunny Skies, Weekends, and God's Work across the Globe

2008-05-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

It is absolutely gorgeous outside as I write this! It is the weekend and I am looking forward to resting, spending extra time in the Word, times of fellowship with good friends, exercise and catching up on errands and stuff. :)

Our prayer meeting here at the ministry on Tuesday was so good ... we heard a story straight from the mission field in Asia that really stood out to me. Some time back, the people in one part of Northeast India suffered and lost so much in heavy floods. Yet ... the person sharing the story talked of how even as they had lost hope in their soil that was destroyed in the floods, they were finding lasting hope in Jesus! It was truly a great reminder to me of the same theme the Lord has been encouraging me with lately ... how even when we go through hard things in an earthly sense, we can rejoice that the Lord is using these things to bring about lasting good. I thank the Lord for the privilege to be part of a ministry that is getting to reach out to the physical and spiritual needs of precious people in the 10/40 Window where many still need to hear His name.

Click here to read an incredible answer to prayer in regards to the situation in Myanmar! The way the Lord is opening the door for GFA to reach out to these precious people is truly a huge answer to prayer ... We can rejoice in this, yet please continue to pray for Myanmar. The situation is quite serious (that is probably an understatement!) and the people have gone through so much. How good it is that we pray to a incredibly amazing God for whom nothing is impossible ... a God who cares for these precious people and desires to see them drawn to Himself even more than we do!

I am continually amazed at the awesome God that we serve ... and what a privilege it is to cry out to Him on behalf of a nation, knowing His heart of compassion and that there is nothing He can't do in their lives! I am grateful to know and serve this God ... aren't you?

[If you are reading this and don't know Jesus ... I would love to share with you more about Him. It would give me so much joy!]

Pineapple Chicken, Big Orange Cats and Loving Life

2008-05-13T18:04:00.000-07:00

Something really neat happened last night. I was walking outside, enjoying the gorgeous weather, in a neighborhood across from the nature preserve. Suddenly I just started prayer-walking for the people in the houses in what was kind of a cul-de-sac. [Praying with my eyes open of course, so I wouldn't run into anything. :-)] Well, I felt like God was leading me to walk further down a main road and pray for a particular house whose lights I could see in the distance. On my way back, I ran into this big, gorgeous orange cat and got to pet it! This may seem like a small thing ... but any of y'all who know me very well probably know that I totally love cats, even though I haven't gotten to own one for quite a while. So ... that was way fun and something I really believe the Lord orchestrated. It really boggles my mind how He cares for even the little details of our lives, and loves to bless us for His glory. :-) He's pretty amazing like that!

I had a really good night, and today has been nice, too ... around 11 this morning, some of us writers went to Panda Express for a super-quick lunch before our afternoon seminar and I ordered the pineapple chicken and fried rice ... yum! :o) I totally loved the seminar, taught by this guy who's basically a ministry marketing specialist and whose book we've been going through, a chapter or so a week. He had so many great insights on how to make our communications more personal to our donors ... definitely stuff I look forward to applying in my writing. The whole topic he shared on is so fascinating to me ... we were in there with him for four hours, but it totally didn't feel like it!

After the seminar I took a quick walk (to stretch my shoulders!) and was thinking about how refreshed I am feeling ... like the Lord is giving me a fresh new start in my day-to-day life ... I realized that elements of my life were feeling routine, but that seems to have totally changed. He has truly refreshed my heart and awakened me again to His heart of joy. Isn't it incredible how He uses trials in our lives to do that ... how we can come through them feeling so alive, renewed? And how He has ministered to me in the midst of this trial and taken away the pain so quickly! In spite of that, I don't want to forget the deeper spiritual truths I have learned through it ... my heart yearns to be just as much abiding in Jesus in the easier times as in the harder ones. :)

Well ... I must go so I can eat some supper before prayer meeting tonight ... but I would love to hear from you if you'd like to share how the Lord is working in your life ... I'm sure many of you have some great stories to share! :)

Proverbs, Piper and Pain

2008-05-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

So my Facebook status around 2:30 this afternoon read:

" ... fixing to have dental work done ... pray for as quick and painless as possible :)"

I am notably a big sissy when it comes to physical pain ... and so of course I went to the dentist today with at least a bit of trepidation. As I wrote that hurried status update and prayer request, though, I had to inwardly smile, as I thought of how God has been using pain in a really special way lately to draw me closer to Jesus.

I am truly so grateful ... I would not in my natural person, my comfort-seeking flesh, choose beforehand to go through trials. Yet I can already see the beauty of Jesus in this particular one ... I have truly been drawn so close to His side through the hardship and pain. And that which draws me nearer to the heart of Jesus is truly a friend and a welcome gift ... even if hard at times in a temporal, earthly sense.

Some highlights of this past weekend ...

On Friday evening, my friend Ann and I joined a bunch of girls from my church to go see a chick flick ... we filled pretty much a whole row in the theater! :) That was fun ... and it was the cutest movie, too, that I've seen in a while! Then Ann and I went to Chili's and had a great time talking and laughing together. :)

Saturday evening I was able to get together with another group of friends from church. It was so funny, 'cuz originally we were going to play Balderdesh, which I'd brought over. However, we ended up instead just talking for a while about the things of the Lord. So what we ended up doing was so much better than even Balderdash, my favorite game. :-D It was wonderful and refreshing, and one of my friends loaned me a John Piper book about desiring God and finding joy in Him. Such a good book ... and I have been getting so much out of it over these past few days, as well as from some reading in the book of Matthew. I also enjoyed reading again in the Proverbs this morning before work.

I long for more of Jesus ... I love being in His presence. And I don't want that desire He has given me to wane ... I thank the Lord for the special revelations of Him in times of pain, but I want that deep, burning desire for Him to always be fresh in my heart, whether in times of trial or when everything's "going well". :)I don't want to forget Him in the "good times".

Last night I met up with a good friend from work for a time of fellowship together. We ended up spending the whole time singing worship songs and praising God and praying for one another. I was so refreshed and encouraged ... and thought of how truly nothing compares with those wonderful times of being in Jesus' presence!

P.S. Oh yeah ... in case you're wondering ... about the dentist appt. :) Things went incredibly well and very painless ... and my new dentist is sooooo nice (and close to the office). I had to laugh pretty hard when they offered me "laughing gas". They obviously don't know me that well yet, or they would know that I laugh on my own ... and don't need any help with that ... :-) (Any of y'all reading this blog could probably have told them that!) They did, however, numb my mouth, which was definitely a good thing ... :-D

Please Pray for Myanmar ...

2008-05-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

I'm sure by now you've probably heard about the major cyclone that hit Myanmar (Burma) over the weekend. Our office here has been busy in the aftermath, getting out news reports so people here can be praying and helping the precious people of Myanmar. Here is a report on our website, describing some of the devastation in the words of one who observed it firsthand.

You can also see more on the cyclone at BBCnews.com. Current death toll has risen to more than 22,000. It is hard to think of so many lives lost ... and hard to think of people suffering, whether in Myanmar with this cyclone, or the hard things I've seen dear friends go through here in the States. Yet ... even though I don't have "the answers" to all this heartache, I know that there is a God who does, and that He is just as much in control and full of compassion as always!

I think of how so many times He has used events like tsunami and flooding ... and even Hurricane Katrina a couple of years back ... for people to come to Christ. He is still on His throne and full of infinite compassion, and mighty to save!

Please pray for Myanmar. Pray that many precious survivors, so dear to the Father's heart, would embrace the hope that can be theirs through Jesus.

If I Could ...

2008-05-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wish I could take away all the pain that anyone dear to me has ever had to go through. I would if I could. :) Of course I can't ... and I realize that in God's perfect and loving sovereignty it's somehow, paradoxically, best that I can't ... For, so often, the trials and pain people go through make them the person in Christ that they are today. In many cases, it is even what turns them toward Christ in the first place. So ... I must accept that God is sovereign and I am not ... and He is in control and works out everything for good, regardless of the earthly pain and sorrow me or those around me may have to experience in our lives.

But for now ... all of you in my life who are close to my heart and experiencing struggles ... please know that I care for you so very much ... and that if I could take away the pain and make it "all better" for you, simply by hugging you ... well, I would. :) I wish I could tell you that everything's going to be alright ... oh, but I CAN ... because of Jesus!

For all who have trusted in Him as Savior, He has promised that everything will work out for our good in the end ... and that He uses the difficult things in our lives to continue to shape us more and more into His image. And ... knowing Him as this incredible Savior, we are promised a perfect home in Heaven with Him, worshipping Him and falling at His wonderful feet for all eternity, in eternal bliss.

So ... maybe I really can hug you and tell you that everything's going to be okay. :)

Thoughts on the Weekend and Life in General

2008-04-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

The weekend was great ... full of plenty of good times with friends, church, Bible study, and some nice, relaxing time at the nature preserve. It was an incredibly refreshing weekend that I truly enjoyed. :) I thank the Lord for the friends He has blessed me with, and for the good teaching and fellowship at my church. I am SO grateful! I kept thinking of how "full" my life has been feeling lately ... of the wonderful people in my life.

Yet this week has also had some challenging moments for me in various ways ... but yet beneath it all I also have this sense of peace deep down in my heart of hearts ... that even in those moments where life feels confusing or complicated, God can be fully trusted. God is so good ... always ... and His thoughts toward me are always good ... regardless of anything else going on or how things may seem at times. Praise the Lord! :)

This afternoon He gave me such a special sense of His presence with me ... I could hardly describe it in words! It was just what I needed in that moment, and I truly thank Him for that. Then, a friend from down the hall called me down to share a Pepsi with her ... it may seem like a small thing, but it totally brightened that part of my day. :)

Oh, and I invited some friends to church and Bible study this weekend. Even though they didn't make it, I had such peace in my heart that I had done what the Lord wanted me to do ... I think again about the Lord's heart and how it's even more on His heart than any of ours, that people come to experience His redemptive love and free gift of salvation. Praise the Lord!

Praising God for His Redemptive Heart

2008-04-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

I have lately been fighting an inward battle at times as I seek to reach out to people God brings in my path, and share the Gospel with them. My inward battle being that sometimes I'm not completely sure how to go about reaching out to them ... or I worry at times that I said ... too much? too little? the wrong thing? But I must remember that I worship and serve a sovereign, all-powerful God. A God for whom nothing is impossible, a God who, at the same time, wants to see people come to know Him and experience His redemptive love even more (infinitely more!!) than I desire that in my human flesh, and with His perfect love. Praise the Lord!

When I worry ... I can often tell I'm not praying like I should. ;-) So ... I choose to pray in faith and lift any ministry opportunities in my life right now to the Lord, trusting that He will give me wisdom and show me His heart for each thing.

In some ways this has been a stressful week for me, and I have wondered if it could be a form of spiritual warfare, since the Lord taught me so much the other day through my Experiencing God study and may be drawing me to deeper places in my walk with Him. Somehow it's so comforting to realize this could very well be the case ... because it is encouraging confirmation that the Lord is working in my heart. Wow ... it's amazing just how writing this all out has helped me. :)

As I lift these situations to the Lord tonight, I can TRUST Him that He will work in people's hearts and lives, and that He will grant to me His perfect peace as I seek to focus my mind on Him. Again ... it's just so exciting to think of how lives being redeemed for all eternity is so dear to the Father's heart ... and that He is working in incredible ways to bring this about ... as I have seen so often firsthand through the many encouraging reports I get to hear from the mission field in Asia. How I praise the Lord that, whether here or in Asia or the jungles of the Amazon ... or anywhere else around the world ... He is about the business of redemption.

Reflecting on ... wanting to be moldable and the things that will last :o)

2008-04-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a bit about some things the Lord has been speaking to me lately ... but first wanted to just give a quick update on my weekend. The weekend was nice. Lots of time spent in volleyball throughout the day on Saturday, with various people! :) (first in a tournament with a group from church, then later with friends from work!) Great times in the gorgeous weather. And ... the Lord enabled me to make a new acquaintance and invite him to church! Please pray that the Lord will work in his heart ... that he will indeed come out and get plugged into the group (particularly with the other guys there as they can invest in his life in ways that wouldn't maybe be as appropriate for me as a female) and, especially, hear and respond to the Gospel! :)

Saturday night I went to Bible study and we all ate afterwards and then a bunch of us played Catch Phrase and Balderdash. :) So fun.

The Lord has really been speaking to me through my Experiencing God study ... as I was working on it earlier today, a phrase that really stood out to me is, "You cannot stay where you are and go with God." I so much want to grow closer to Jesus and know Him more each day. This was such a great reminder that I can't afford to stay "as I am" ... I must be willing to make adjustments in my life as He shows me where I need to change. It's exciting and scary all at the same time ... exciting because as His Word says, the spirit is willing, yet the flesh is weak.

But I love Jesus so much and want to know Him more. I thank Him for working in my life and for His incredible unending patience with me ... that He doesn't give up on me, even when my self-will can be so stubborn at times. ;-D I thank Him that as I continue to seek His face and ask Him to break my will in areas of my life, big or small, He will! If we have Jesus in our hearts, He will continually work in us to make us more like Him. (Philippians 1:6) And I have seen evidence of Him doing this in my life through various trials and challenging times. Praise God, for this is my deepest desire, ultimately!

Another thing I have been thinking about some lately is something I heard from the message last week at community fellowship in south Dallas. One of the leaders from my church gave such a good message ... and the thing that jumped out to me was when he urged us to hold on tightly to the things of Jesus, and loosely to the things of this world. I want to practice this more and more in my life! Isn't it so wonderful that, as believers in Jesus, we have a much dearer treasure ... infinitely so ... than we could ever hope to have here on this earth? And a lasting one, too, instead of just temporal. This is incredible ... yet, too, I think something we can so often forget when we are, in a sense, surrounded by the "here and now."

A friend of mine called me last week, sharing of her heart to be investing in things that matter ... things that will last for eternity. It is so refreshing to hear her heart to be part of those things that will last ... and a good reminder to me, too, about what life it all about ... and that I want to stay focused on Jesus and His eternal kingdom. :) She wanted to hear more about the ministry where I work. So tomorrow a friend is coming out to tour the ministry, eat supper with a mutual friend (Michele) and me, and come out to our prayer meeting. :) I am so excited that she can come out - and she's excited, too! I know she will be blessed and encouraged as she hears some of the stories from the mission field of the incredible faith and perserance of the believers over in Asia. I am often so encouraged and challenged in my walk with the Lord as I hear about their lives! :)

Well ... I guess that's all for now. :) Thanks, everyone, for letting me share a bit of what the Lord has been teaching me. It helps me so much, somehow, to verbalize it ... and I pray it will encourage you in some way as well. How grateful I am to know Him ... and for your friendship and fellowship in the Lord, too. :)

[and if any you reading this blog don't know Jesus yet ... I would love to introduce you to Him ... you will never find a greater Friend. :)]

Just a Quick Note ...

2008-04-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

I am having such a good week! It's been very busy as far as projects, but I enjoy the busyness of it. I also have been refreshed and encouraged in the Lord, and so grateful for that. And my Bible study at church is tonight! Yay! :)

I have been enjoying reading in this great book, Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Set Them Free, by Nancy Leigh Demoss. She has a great website with her transcripts and broadcasts, and I really appreciate her close walk with the Lord. I am thinking about ordering a book at Barnes and Noble by Nancy Guthrie, that sounds so good. I even have a gift card that will pay for most of it. :) It's a topical study on the book of Hebrews, it looks like! I heard about it from a friend who's reading it.

Isn't this beautiful weather? Well, if you live locally at least ... I'm not sure how the weather is if you're further South, as some of you are. :) I hope it's nice there, too, though ... and that you all are having a good week as well. Continue to keep in touch ... it's always so nice to hear from you. :) So grateful for all the wonderful friends the Lord has blessed me with for encouragement and fellowship. He is so good!

So grateful ...

2008-04-14T18:00:00.000-07:00

This will be short since I have some writing projects to work on ... (all of us writers are approaching tomorrow's big deadline ... :-D) I did just want to give a quick update ... to share these things before I forget!!!

I had a nice weekend ... even though it was pretty busy, in a sense it felt restful and was refreshing. Always a good way to start the week! :) I met up with a couple of other girls for lunch on Saturday, to fellowship and share about the Lord. I treasure those times ... those chances for meaningful talks and fellowship. :)

Saturday evening was my Bible study as usual, and getting to fellowship with friends from there as well! Yesterday was nice ... I always enjoy getting to go to church and Sunday school! And I had the opportunity to go downtown for the homeless ministry and community fellowship as well ... I truly was refreshed and rejuvenated through that time! I always love the opportunity to go and help reach out to the homeless downtown when I am able ... I have a heart for those people down there who have so little yet are so grateful for even the little we give them ... a sandwich and a cup of cold water. Wow! Yesterday as I was helping pour water into styrofoam cups, I was reminded of the Scripture verse about how giving someone a cup of water on this earth is just as if we were giving it to Jesus ... wow ... what a privilege! I so much want to be close to the Father's heart ... to rejoice for those things that His heart rejoices for, and to have my heart ache for the things that break His heart.

And now ... as I head out in not too long, probably, to Barnes and Noble for the night, to spread out my writing projects and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate :) ... I think of the great privilege and joy it is to get to be part of this, too ... His work across the globe, whether here in Dallas or ... as much of my life is ... His work on the other side of the world, in Asia. It's amazing to me to think that something I do here could touch lives on the other side of the world. But oh, how grateful I am. I am not worthy, yet the Lord allows me to take part in His redemptive work ... His work of drawing precious people to faith in Him. None of us are worthy in ourselves, yet He still chooses to use us. What grace He has lavished on us!

I must say, Friday's are nice :-)

2008-04-11T17:32:00.000-07:00

I am so glad it's Friday! I am a bit tired and have had a busy week ... and am looking forward to the weekend. :) The weekend is a bit busy, too ... but I still hope to rest a bit, too. :) Tomorrow I am meeting up with a friend in the afternoon for lunch ... she is an incredibly godly woman whom I haven't gotten to touch base with in a while, and I definitely look forward to our time together! A friend of hers will be joining us as well, and I am excited to meet her! And of course I didn't complain when she suggested we meet at one of my favorite restaurants, Corner Bakery. :-)

The rest of this afternoon/evening I am thinking to just "take it easy" a bit and take a really long walk (should definitely help my shoulders!!) and rest at home, but also catch up on some stuff around the house, too. If I have the energy I may even get out for a bit to work on writing projects ... I have a few due this Tuesday, so I definitely am planning at least one trip to Barnes and Noble over the weekend. That seems to be my favorite place to work on writing projects, and last night I even met a couple of new friends there, too. :-) I'm so grateful I so much enjoy writing ... I especially enjoy these particular writing projects that I'm working on ... God is so good to me!

Tomorrow evening is my Bible study ... and fellowship afterwards. A couple of girls I met in Autumn Chase, that I've mentioned before, might get to come this time! That would be nice. :)

I am looking forward to the weekend and so thankful for this incredibly gorgeous weather, too.

Beautiful Sunny Spring Day

2008-04-07T17:27:00.000-07:00

I am looking out my second story office window at gorgeous blue Texas sky as I write this. :) I am about to head out and run an errand, and later in the evening pray with a friend. So far it's been a good day ...

Random Highlights of the Day so far:

Fun meeting moment: Laughing about our totally fun Toy Story character pens that have fuzzy stuff on them and light up as they write! [Thank you, Shelly, for a great dollar-store find that totally changed the course of our Monday news meeting. :-D]

Snack during Meeting: yummy Belgian truffles that the other Rachael brought in for us! :-) [Thanks again, R!!!]

Facebook Status of the Day: Rachel is negociating peace treaties with copy machines. [Hey ... don't laugh ... copy machines really can have their ornery and cantakerous moments. :-D]

Ate for lunch: tacos and an order of nachos at Taco Bell/KFC/Pizza Hut place
[Katie, it was great catching up with you and sharing with one another what the Lord is doing in our lives! So glad today worked out for you! :)]

Worked on: Ministry name database, Email about our GFA Renewing Your Passion Conference coming up in July

Watched out the window with a co-worker: A DirectTV blimp slowly cruising by in the sky [We joked that we should totally get one for the ministry ... and it could even transport our speakers to churches they share at on the weekends ... might just take them "a bit" longer to get there. ;-D]

Sharing Thoughts from another Great Weekend

2008-04-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

I sure have been enjoying my weekends lately. This was another good one ...

Friday was good fellowshipping and praying with people from work at all-night prayer. (I made it until pretty close to 1:45 ... :-D) I shared some prayer requests for Sri Lanka. Several people came up to me afterwards to tell me they thought it went so well ... one shared that he could see my heart in the presentation. I was so very encouraged by their kind words ... especially since I really wasn't totally sure how it would all go until I got up there. :-) I was encouraged as I was preparing my Powerpoint, and then sharing it, that we serve a God for whom nothing is impossible ... This is the God who spoke the universe into being ... so how can He not bring political peace to the nation of Sri Lanka, provided that is in His plan for their redemption - their spiritual peace as well? Praise the Lord! There is nothing He can't do.

Yesterday I caught up with friends, both from work and church. And just overall enjoyed the beautiful weather. And got maybe just a bit done around the apartment ... although I was hoping to get a lot more done, but oh well ... maybe I needed the break? :-) All in all, it was a good, relaxing day. After Bible study last night, we all ate at Gazebo Burger and had a great time. A few of us played Catch Phrase afterwards, too!

Today was nice, being back at church/Sunday school and catching up with friends. It felt like I hadn't seen everyone from Sunday school in a while, with us not having class on Easter and then me being out of town last weekend. So it was nice to see them again! The teaching in Sunday school was really good, too ... He taught on Ephesians, illustrating from the Scriptures how the very essence and heart of our prayers should be for the wisdom and revelation to know Christ more. Amen. It was really a great encouragement and exhortation that ministered to me. Even in those moments when I'm praying for desires dear to my heart, I am to offer them to the Lord ... to pray that in these things, His glory would be manifest in my life. My chief end in praying about these things should be that His name be hallowed in them ... that they be used for me to know Jesus more. For that is the heart of life ... to know HIM. Praise the Lord that we have a wonderful, sure and lasting foundation in all of life ... Jesus!

Not by Accident

2008-04-03T17:36:00.000-07:00

This is kind of neat ... I will preface this post by saying that I have been challenged in my Experiencing God Bible study at the church to be watching to see how the Lord is at work in events and people around me. :) Here are some examples of where I have seen that lately ... I think they have come at just the right time when I needed the encouragement that God is at work ...

In my last post I forgot to mention something really amazing about the young guy the Lord gave me the opportunity to share a bit of the Gospel with on the airplane ... Several days before, when I was preparing for the missions conference, I felt God pretty clearly putting it on my heart to change my presentation!

Well ... the new story I used for the presentation was the one I ended up being able to share with the guy on the airplane to bring out the Gospel message! And the story I had in my "original" presentation totally would not have been applicable to share, nor would it have brought out the Gospel. Praise the Lord!

I feel like He is continually reminding me lately that He orchestrates events ... that, in His scheme of things, there are no accidents. Another neat thing ... on Monday evening, I was a little tired (had just gotten in that day) but still wanted to do some laundry. Looking in my laundry room, I was reminded that I needed laundry detergeant. I can't remember the exact time, but it was probably close to 8:30, possibly later, when I made it to Wal-mart.

While I was on my way out with my laundry detergeant, I ran into Mimsy, this girl who lives in my apartment complex. [How we ended up meeting is an entirely different yet incredible story that I believe the Lord had His hand in. It involves a beautiful gray cat and another cat named Baxter that I have yet to meet. :) IF you would like to know, just ask me. :)] It seemed that she was just running in there real quick (kind of like I was!) and I really believe the Lord arranged us meeting up that night! We had a great chat right there in Wal-mart, and she asked if anything was going on with my church this weekend and is likely coming out with me to my Bible study! :o)

Well, I'm about to head out but just wanted to share these stories. :) Have a great evening, everyone!

The Weekend

2008-03-31T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Texas after my time in Alabama and just thought I'd share a quick update on my weekend. I am tired, but it was a nice time of getting to catch up with wonderful friends and supporters from my college church. I also enjoyed getting to share a little of my heart with them as I shared an encouraging story of the Lord working in Asia!

Friday night was my presentation ... and amazingly I wasn't very nervous at all! (Thank You, Lord!) I enjoyed the dessert social that evening, and chatting with the people sitting by me at the table. :)

On Saturday we had ... a women's breakfast, a beautiful wedding and reception, and a missions banquet at the church, at 6 that evening. Some of us joked whenever we ran into each other at the various events throughout the day that we were pretty much eating all day ... and it really wasn't all that much of an exaggeration. :-)

Sunday I shared in the children's and youth Sunday school classes. Then, after church, a few of us ladies went to Applebees. You can see pictures here, including a bonus "just for fun" picture from a visit to the Mississippi welcome center on the way back to my hometown! :o)

On the flight back today, I was seated next to a young guy about my age who's in the air force. In fact, he is stationed in my hometown area. My heart was really burdened for him as I could sense that he needed Jesus. I prayed that the Lord would open up an opportunity for me to share with him. I wasn't sure what form that could take though ... he had opened up to me quit a bit about his life, but hadn't really asked me much about mine. But then he asked where I work, and the Lord gave me an opportunity! I shared with him the same story I had shared at my college church, about the people in North India who used to have many superstitutions but now know Jesus. Through that story I was able to share the Gospel - that I could never be good enough to get to heaven, but that Jesus paid the price for me. That He is changing lives as people turn from their ways and turn to HIM, trusting in what He did on the Cross.

It is hard to share with someone and have a burden for them, but know that, more than likely, you will never see them again in this life. Yet I know I can trust him to the Lord's hands, and that He is able to bring Christians into his daily sphere, to speak into His life. Praise the Lord!

Would you join with me in praying for him to know Jesus?

His Ways Are Not Our Ways

2008-03-26T21:41:00.000-07:00

This week, as I look forward to and "prepare" for being part of my college church's missions conference, I have to say that's one thing I've really been powerfully reminded of. Isaiah 55 talks about how His ways are higher than ours ... infinitely so!

I put "prepare" in quotations because along the way there have been various circumstances beyond my control ... such as not knowing certain details yet ... yet I see how the Lord is powerfully using that in my life to remind me of His sufficiency. To remind me that if He is going to use me and what He is doing through Gospel for Asia to touch hearts, it must be ALL Him. He must flow through me, for my words are empty! It is His words that will touch hearts. Praise the Lord for that! I am finding myself brought to the end of myself, pleading with Him to rid me of me and simply take over and speak His heart through me.

And I think that is the best place to be. For then He can truly work! I would, of course, appreciate your prayers as I go into this weekend ... especially for the event at 7:30 this Friday night as that is when I am to give a 10-minute presentation. :)

More than anything, I want to bring Jesus glory through this time ... to bring a smile to His dear face. And, too, to let Him use me to encourage and minister back to these precious people in my college area who have invested in me through their support and prayers. :)

Cookout, Sunshine and Good Times with Friends

2008-03-22T18:05:00.000-07:00

You could not have asked for a more beautiful day outside. Great weather for a cookout! Today my Bible fellowship group from church had a big cookout in a nearby apartment complex. Good times! I enjoyed visiting with friends, walking around, and taking pictures. Then I went walking at the nature preserve ... a little over 4 miles. :o)

I am so grateful for friends. And for this beautiful weather. And for this nice, three-day weekend. The thing that gives me greatest reason for thanks is Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. Because He lives and is my risen Savior, life has meaning. :)

Last night my friend Michele and I went to an Easter play put on by a small local church. Watching some of the scenes, I was reminded again in an amazing way of Jesus' love. He loves all of us so much ... so much that He gave His life to save us. If you know Jesus, I know you share in this wonderful hope. I pray that you will soon know Jesus if you don't yet! (I am happy to answer any questions you have ... also you can read about Him in His Word, the Bible. The book of John is a good place to start. :o)

Trip to the Coast!

2008-03-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

So my sister Becky and I took a trip down to the Gulf Coast to see my parents. It was a good trip! We took my niece and two nephews, too, and were gone about a week.

Some highlights of our trip:

-- Going to this fun children's museum right across from the beach

-- Driving an hour away to see my aunt and uncle who live out in the country

-- Eating at a really good Mexican restaurant that recently opened right down the road from where we grew up

-- Having our cousin over for an early birthday celebration for my dad

-- Playing with the kids at the park

-- Walking over to see the new neighborhood not far from my parents' house

I Love the Snow

2008-03-03T21:01:00.000-08:00

It's snowing outside! Can you tell I'm excited? :-D It's been so few times in my life that I've really seen snow, so I get pretty thrilled about it!! One of my earliest recollections of ever seeing snow was as a kid, and we all were so excited that we got out there with my cousin and made a snowman ... although there was grass and dirt mixed in with our snowman (not enough snow!!!) we were still pretty proud of it. :o)

I'm so happy about the snow!!! Hope you all are enjoying it, too.

A Full, Good Saturday

2008-03-01T23:50:00.000-08:00

It has been a full, good day.

This morning I went downtown to Adopt a Block. It was my first time getting to go down there, and I enjoyed chatting with people in my group as we picked up trash in the neighborhood, and meeting these two really great women who live in that area. Again I was struck by the joy in the Lord of people who don't have all that much, as far as earthly things. It's an incredible thing ... and something I love to see manifested in people's lives! I also got the opportunity to pray for another woman, Audrey, whom we met while picking up trash on this one lot.

I got in a really nice walk at the nature preserve late this afternoon. The weather was so nice, and it felt great! I saw a beautiful hawk and enjoyed being out there around sunset. Good times. As I was walking down one path and saw a dove flutter by, I thought about how gracious God is to us, to leave the animals here for us to enjoy! I mean, after the Fall, he could have just taken away all those things that are so special about His creation. Yet He showed such mercy and love for us, in leaving them here for us to enjoy.

Another highlight of today was going to my Saturday night Bible study and fellowshipping with friends there. I am so thankful for that group! And for my Sunday morning Bible fellowship group, too! I thank the Lord so much for leading me to this church. :-)

It's been a really great day.

Fridays

2008-02-29T17:36:00.000-08:00

It's Friday! I like Fridays. :-D Yesterday we all went out to lunch as a department for Shelly's birthday! (The four pictures I took are on my Facebook ...) The first place we were going to had about a 30-minute wait so we ran (literally .. quite fun! :-)) across the street to the Olive Garden.

Well I think I'm heading out soon ... it should be a beautiful weekend. :o) Hope you all are doing well!

A Great Bible Study ... and Volleyball, Too! :O)

2008-02-27T23:48:00.000-08:00

After my Experiencing God Bible study at church this evening, I played volleyball with a bunch of friends in the gym. There were also people playing basketball in the next room over! I love volleyball and could probably play it every day. :-) I hadn't gotten to play in a while, so it was so much fun to get out there and play a bit. And people were so nice and encouraging ... they would cheer for me whenever I hit the ball over! Yay for good times with friends ... and volleyball! :o)

Oh yeah ... the Bible study earlier tonight was good. Challenging and good. I feel like one area the Lord has really been challenging me in lately is the whole overall area of surrender ... one of the lessons in the study talks about having no will of one's own in regard to a given (insert anything that comes to mind) matter ... I have so far to go in this area but am amazed and grateful for God's patience with me. BTW, I would highly recommend Experiencing God for any believer in Jesus ... and even if you don't know Jesus yet, read the first lesson and I hope you soon will ... awesome salvation message on the first pages, and you won't regret knowing Him!

2008-02-24T21:00:00.000-08:00

Today I got to go with some friends from church to the downtown Dallas area to feed the homeless. We brought them sandwiches and got to talk to them and reach out to them. It was ... just as when I got to go before ... a pretty amazing experience.

I am really struck by how incredibly grateful they are for even something as small as a sandwich. It is a privilege to get to reach out to them in that small way ... and I pray the Lord uses our small, caring gestures to show them His love.

We got to talk to the sweetest man who is already a believer in Christ, but just mainly needing our encouragement, challenges from the Scripture and prayers. I so much enjoyed getting to talk to him ... and have been touched by the joy that I see in those believers that I meet in the homeless areas. Even in their incredible poverty, they are so often full of gratitude and joy in the Lord. Wow.

It reminds me of Gretcha, the dear woman I met in a North Indian slum. She lived in utter squalor ... in a cluster of makeshift "tents" made of sticks, tarp or whatever else people could find ... and surrounded by garbage and filth. Yet she bubbled over with uncontainable joy as she ran to us, grabbed each of our hands in both of hers and said, "Jai Ma Siki". (Praise to Christ in her language!)

And to think that my life ... and the lives of GFA donors and supporters here in the West ... has made a difference in HER life all the way on the other side of the world. She is a believer in a GFA church that meets in her slum area. It boggles my mind ... and I feel so unworthy in a way ... yet so grateful.

Wow ... how refreshing and encouraging to be reminded ... whether through Gretcha or the people of downtown Dallas ... of the joy we can always have in Jesus.

2008-02-18T17:58:00.000-08:00

It is beautiful outside ... although a little chilly ... which is why I'm pretty thankful to be inside as I post this much overdue update. (Has it really been three weeks since I last posted?!) Let's see ... where I do begin ...

Okay. Last week the guys in my S.S. class at church had dinner for the girls at one of their houses for Valentine's Day. They had beef and chicken fajitas ... and they made sure we all had drinks (sodas) before they prayed for our meal ... then they served us this great ice cream for desert. They are so sweet! :-D

I had such a good Friday evening and Saturday ... it was relaxing yet also very productive, too. I made (and loosely went by?) a schedule and it went great! Saturday morning I first had a little bit of time with the Lord, and I think it kind of set the tone for the day. I also enjoyed my Saturday night Bible study and eating with them afterwards.

My Experiencing God Bible study starts at the church this Wednesday and I've been very excited. I am really struggling for some reason in the area of consistent times with the Lord, and I really believe this Bible study will help. Jesus is so worthy of my adoration and devotion ... and I love Him so much. Why is it so hard lately ... and for a while now ... to spend that quality time with Him? Oh, Jesus, help me! You know I love you!

2008-01-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

Life has been pretty busy ... and full of its ups and downs? But overall I am doing well at the moment. :)

I had a great time the weekend before last, going on a retreat with a group from my church to Tyler, Texas. Good times!

I have been thinking some lately about the subject of contentment ... I was reading a good article today during lunch (while eating at Chick-fil-a ... not surprising, huh? :o)) about the subject, that had insights from Nancy Leigh DeMoss, a godly woman with Revive our Hearts ministry.

Before I head off to embark on my evening ... praying with a friend and catching up on some stuff around the apartment and hopefully doing some more good Christian reading ... here are some of her quotes that stood out to me ... enjoy! :)

If I have essentially a contented heart, there is not any circumstance or any person that can make me unhappy. If I have a discontented heart and I live in a palace, I'm not going to be happy. But if I have a contented heart, I can live, as the apostle Paul did, in a prison and nothing can strip me or rob me of that joy.

She talks about how the apostle Paul says in Philippians 4 that he "learned" contentment. Then she says the following:
If we're going to learn contentment, that means we're going to have to experience some circumstances where our natural response would be to grumble, to be discontent. So expect it. If you want to develop this beautiful rare jewel of a contented spirit, expect that God will take you to school on this subject and provide in your life circumstances that are not easy to embrace.

Contentment is based in a faithful, loving God who never changes.

2008-01-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

I am back in sunny Dallas after my trip to the Coast for the holidays. It's good to be back. I also had a wonderful trip back home, visiting with friends, family and supporters. Good times!

Just a few highlights of my time there ...

Catching up with a couple of long-time friends as we traveled an hour away to "window shop" (at least mostly that for me, with the exception of two great thrift store finds - see below :)) and eat at Cracker Barrel (kids' meal chicken 'n dumplings ... yum! :O))

Finding, at two different thrift stores, a pretty black sweater with embroidered blue flowers for 89 cents and a light blue casual "jacket" for just over two bucks!

Attending, along with my parents, our church's Christmas Eve service and enjoying the fellowship afterwards

Getting a paper shredder from my cousin that I'm already immensely enjoying using to go through papers in my apartment :)

Enjoying some Christmas movies with my parents ... and another movie with popcorn :)

Getting out for a while with my mom and enjoying ice cream cones at Chick-fila

Catching up with my good friend Stace at the mall and Chick-fila, and running into some more people I knew there, too!

Getting to ride over the Biloxi-Ocean Springs bridge. [Okay, this may not seem like a big deal, but to us Gulf Coast people or even those of us who have ever lived there, like me, it's a VERY big deal. :) See, it was just recently rebuilt and reopened after being largely destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.]

All in all, I am doing well and grateful for the things God is teaching me and how He has been encouraging me thus far in this New Year. Thinking of 2008, I like to think of this Scripture passage:

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
-Isaiah 43:18,19

2007-12-24T15:02:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm back again to the world of blogging, after a several-day hiatus. :-) Good to be back! So how is everyone?

I am having a nice time at my parents'. The drive Saturday went quite well, and yesterday I drove an hour over to my college church to catch up with friends and supporters there. Last night my parents and I watched a movie together, and I popped popcorn for us. Well, my dad ate some ... my mom had started dozing off. :)

Today I helped my mom a bit with baking/wrapping presents and later walked with my dad. Now we're fixing to go to a Christmas Eve service at our church in a bit ... and afterwards come back here and eat chili. (Yum!) It will be nice to see supporters and friends there, and I remember being so blessed by the message at last year's Christmas Eve service.

The only big bummer of today is being unable thus far to successfully log on to my Facebook account. I personally think it's a combination of everyone and their uncle (or aunt? just pick one ... :)) being on Facebook today with it being the holidays and people being off work, and my parents' kind of slow dial-up connection. Oh well ... :) Definitely not anything to complain about, really. :))

In case I don't get on here before then ... which I probably won't ... MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone! Praise God for the Savior's birth.

2007-12-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

I have been having a wonderful Christmas season so far! It has been great! Thinking back over this year as a whole, it has surely had its challenges for my family and me ... but I know the Lord has used those things in our lives ... I was really impacted by my parents' great example of holding firmly to the truth of Romans 8:28 throughout the time we went through my dad having cancer! It definitely encouraged me and strengthened me in my own faith.

The associate pastor at my church has been going through this special Christmas series titled "Looking unto Jesus," based on Hebrews 12:1,2.**The past two Sundays have been great, and I can hardly wait for this Sunday's message! He has brought out the wonder of Jesus and encouraged us to rekindle our love for Him ... our wonder at His presence and who He is and what He has done for us. He has talked about the wonderful joy that is ours because of Jesus ... a joy that can be constant in our lives, for it is not based on earthly things or temporal comforts. Praise the Lord for this! :)

[Listen at http://www.prestonwood.org/services/media/weekend_media.php
Click on "Everything We Believe Begins with Him" and "Everything We Hope For is Fulfilled in Him." Those are the first two messages in the series, and the third will probably be there within this next week!]

I have also been enjoying the "festivities" of the Christmas season with wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ ... several great Christmas parties, the most recent one being our GFA staff Christmas party this past Friday evening. :) It was such a special time, from the time when I received "valet parking" thanks to our teenagers (a first for me! :)), to when I discovered that because there was a cute Christmas sticker under my plate, I would get to keep the beautiful red roses at the table, to the great fellowship and laughter I got to share with others, to running into some more of my dear friends/co-workers as I went out to my car, looking for where it had been valet-parked. :-D

We also got to sing Christmas carols and eat yummy food, and be reminded of people in Asia who are celebrating the Christ of Christmas through our partnership with the work on the field ... wow ... that just boggles my mind ... praise the Lord! :o)

Then on Sunday, I thoroughly enjoyed the final message in the "Looking unto Jesus" Christmas series. It was also great catching up with dear friends and hearing the great teaching during adult Bible fellowship, too. Afterwards we all went to Chuck's for lunch--and then some of us went and gave sandwiches--and the Gospel--to the homeless in downtown Dallas!

It was an incredible experience on so many levels for me ... and I ultimately came back renewed, refreshed and encouraged. My heart was full of joy. Now? I'm doing pretty well overall I think ... trying to finish up all my projects before I drive toward the Deep South on Saturday morning to see my parents for the holidays! Looking forward to that time ... and hopefully will be able to not pull too much of my hair out in the meantime, as I try to finish projects. :) Seriously, I have been able to get quite a bit done this evening already and am feeling quite hopeful. :-)

I have been enjoying the Christmas season so much this year.

2007-12-13T12:43:00.000-08:00

Is it already almost "next Friday" from when I posted? Whoa ... how does a whole week go by so fast?!! :-) I hope you all are doing well.

Some highlights of my past week:

- Two Christmas parties over the weekend, one with some fellow staff members and one with my S.S. class from church. Both were great fun! :-D

- Somewhat inadvertently giving myself Peppermint bark on Facebook and then having a good laugh at myself over it!

- Enjoying, along with my fellow writers, some "real-life", yummy fudge a co-worker's wife made for us. :-D

- Making lunch plans for this week and next with a couple of good friends from work

- Hearing in prayer meeting and being greatly encouraged by knowing that a radio campaign that I had the opportunity to help with text copy for has seen tremendous results for the Kingdom.

2007-12-07T16:09:00.000-08:00

Yay - another post! : ) Hope you all are doing well! I am going to try to be more faithful in posting! All in all, I'm doing pretty well I think ... when I went home for lunch today, I was suddenly overcome with feelings of loneliness! When I mentioned it to a friend (who had kindly jabbered me to tell me she had a Reece's on her desk for me!), she thought it was interesting that it happened on the day of all-night prayer. (Good point!!! It really helped and encouraged me to remember that such feelings are not necessarily "isolated incidents" ... they could very well be part of the very real spiritual battle we all face here as people are being reached in Asia!)

Speaking of prayer tonight, I am looking forward to it - even though I probably won't be staying the entire time (still recovering from last week's sinus infection, and slept 12 hours last night! ;), I hope to stay for quite a while. :) IT will be good to worship, hear how God is working, and enjoy community and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ here.

Well, it's a beautiful day and I think I'm going to go grocery shop for cookie ingredients (since I'm making some for next week for our ministry vendors) and hopefully relax around the apartment a bit and also take a nice walk in this gorgeous weather. :-D

2007-11-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

Wow. I don't really feel discouraged anymore. It's as if the Lord came in and just lifted my discouragement ... it sure feels that way! I am so glad. Thank you to all of you who prayed for me! :o)

It's beautiful outside! I love the fall season. In a few minutes I am going to lunch with several friends from work ... several fellow bloggers. :-D

Looking forward to spending this time with y'all.

2007-11-12T19:41:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I found out some wonderful news about my dad, that many of you reading this blog probably already know: After a diagnosis of cancer on July 18, a follow-up CAT scan showed my dad to have no sign of cancer now! This is a huge praise, nearly four months after his initial diagnosis.

Even as I greatly rejoice and praise God for this incredible news, I somehow find myself in general battling feelings of discouragement at times ... and today was one of those times. I have experienced many moments lately in which my life feels in some respects pretty "ordinary".

I know the life of no believer should seem ordinary really, when God is always doing incredible things in and around us no matter what -- and in some ways that feels especially true when I have the wonderful privilege to serve Him in full-time ministry to reach people in Asia -- but there have been moments lately when it's still a struggle to not feel that things in my life are "ordinary" ... but if I am in the Lord's will, ultimately I am complete in Him and not lacking in any good thing regardless of how I may sometimes "feel" ... and He is all that ultimately matters.

Deep down I so much want to know Him more and grow deeper in Him. Oh Lord, give me a heart to always REJOICE in the cup You give me ... to rejoice in hardship and even feelings of "ordinary-ness" if it means Your name is hallowed in me and Your likeness becomes a little bit more noticeable in me. Oh, Lord, thank you!

I read this verse today and was encouraged and felt God had pointed me to it for a purpose ... I highlighted the part that especially encouraged me today.

"There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you."
- Deuteronomy 12:7

2007-11-06T16:05:00.001-08:00

It's been two weeks since I've posted! Yikes! What a goober I am. :-D Hope all of you are doing well ... and that I haven't lost my wonderful, devoted audience? :)

So I had a few pretty funny things happen to me all within this last week ... definitely served me well for some comic relief ... so I thought I would share them with you my Blogger buddies in the hopes that perhaps they would brighten your day, too, with a good laugh or two. :-) [For those of you who are also Facebook users, this is also on my Facebook!]

#1
You may have seen my "Baskin Robbins" blooper hinted at in my status update ... well, here's the full story for your enjoyment! : )

I had a coupon for "buy one, get one free" for a 4 ounce cone at Baskin Robbins . . . and saw that it expired that day (this past Sunday). After already trying to draft a friend who especially loves ice cream (she wished that she could!) I thought I would go down there myself and grab, for a great price, two small cones. After all, who would want such a great coupon to go to waste? :=)

I figured I could transport the cones over the short trip home by putting them in a cup. So here I was, driving with this wide (but not too tall unfortunately!) cup in my lap, only to have ice cream land all over my lap when I made a turn! :=D (I think my ice cream would have remained more intact if I had the ice cream part facing down in the cup actually ... oh well, hindsight is always better than foresight, and I sure enjoyed some good laughs about the whole thing!

#2
My friend Sally gave me a jacket she thought I might be able to use. Since her cubicle is right next to mine in the office, I was holding the jacket up a few feet from me, asking her what she thought would go with it.

Well, in the meantime, a co-worker, Brad, was making a delivery from downstairs. The way our cubicles are set up, he couldn't see Sally! So he grinned really big and was like, "Oh! I couldn't see Sally. It looked like you were talking to a jacket back there." (When he sais that, I think I laughed so hard I nearly couldn't breathe. :o) Sally was laughing, too!)

#3
Last night I noticed I was a bit low on gasoline in my car and had better go get some. Since I was near a Valero gas station, I went ahead and went there. I wanted to pay cash for a couple of gallons, and knew I needed to pre-pay inside. Well, it looked like the part of the store closest to me was closed. So I went next door. When I told the guy what I wanted to do, he looked at me with a really puzzled look ... and I could tell there was a bit of a language barrier. Then as I continued to try to explain it finally dawned on him: "OH! You must mean next door."
I looked around the store for the first time and realized I was surrounded by these huge bottles of every kind of liquor you could probably imagine ... so I kind of giggled and said, "Oh! OH!" and darted out the door. I think my face probably looked pretty flushed at that point!

2007-10-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

Tonight around 8:00 found me sitting at Panera Bread Company, enjoying a yummy orchard harvest salad and potato soup. (Thanks to Heather H. for the Panera gift card ... a much-enjoyed present. :-D) As I enjoyed my meal, I had open a book I had checked out from the library, Randy Alcorn's Heaven.

Just thought I'd share a few quotes from that book that really refreshed and encouraged me. :o)
[Oh yeah - I also mixed in C.S. Lewis and some others. :o)]

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
-- C.S. Lewis

"Desire is a signpost pointing to Heaven. Every longing for better health is a longing for the New Earth. Every longing for romance is a longing for the ultimate romance with Christ. Every desire for intimacy is a desire for Christ. Every thirst for beauty is a thirst for Christ. Every taste of joy is but a foretaste of a greater and more vibrant joy than can be found on Earth as it is now."
--Randy Alcorn, from his book "Heaven"

"If we build our lives on the redemptive work of Christ, we should all be optimists. Why? Because even our most painful experience in life is but a temporary setback. Our pain and suffering may or may not be relieved in this life, but they will certainly be relieved in the next. Anticipating Heaven doesn't eliminate pain, but it lessens it and puts it into perspective. Meditating on Heaven is a great pain reliever. It reminds us that suffering and death are temporary conditions. Our existence will not end in suffering and death--they are but a gateway to our eternal life of unending joy.
Don't place your hope in favorable circumstances, which cannot and will not last. Place your hope in Christ and His promises. He will return, and we will be resurrected to life on the New Earth, where we will behold God's face and joyfully serve Him forever."
--Randy Alcorn, from his book "Heaven"

"This vale of tears is but the pathway to the better country; this world of woe is but the stepping stone to a world of bliss."
--Charles Spurgeon

"I take it to be a biblical truth that the more earnest we are about fulfilling our mission ... reaching unreached peoples ... exposing the darkness ... loosing the bonds of Satan and of sin ... the more earnest and zealous we are in being the Church, being Christ to this world, the more we will suffer like He did."
--John Piper

"Your purse is not a good place for BUGS."
--David B. (my four-year-old nephew)

2007-10-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

Your prayers are appreciated! Somehow I have been really, really tired today ... and more tired than usual lately in general. I need strength! I know the Lord is able to do that. :-) I am probably going to try to go to bed really, really early tonight ...

I am going this weekend to visit my parents and a good friend back home and very excited about that! My mom has already informed me that I will be doing most of the cooking while I'm there. :-D (She knows I don't mind because I love to cook!)

God is good ... whether I'm sleepy or strengthy. Hee hee ... so that wasn't a very good rhyme but then after all I'm - you guessed it - sleepy. ;oP But praise God that His abundant strength shines all the more brightly in our weakness! (2 Corinthians 12:9!)

I look forward to posting a praise report tomorrow of how the Lord has strengthened me and brought me joy. :o)

2007-09-29T12:23:00.000-07:00

Post #556. Yay for two posts on consecutive days - a record for me! :-) At least, in a while ... :o)

7:20 yesterday evening found me getting out of the car at Arbor Hills for a relaxing early evening walk. If I had known how gorgeous it was, I may have tried to get out there sooner!

A balmy breeze, mixed in with the scent of Tommy Girl and the beauty of God's creation around me, made for a delicious tone in the air. I felt invigorated, refreshed, so alive. As I was thinking all these wonderfully joyous thoughts, the sighting of a little squiggly line in the path ahead of me interupted these reflections. As I got closer, it was indeed confirmed: It was a snake!

Now, I had just passed a couple of people going the other way on the path. Why that little fellow had waited to enter the human realm until I approach, I know not. Probably for the same reason I have had snakes "visit" me right outside my second-story apartment door four times and not visit my next door neighbor who lives downstairs! [Snakes climb stairs quite well ... this I know. ;-D] Oh well ...

Later in my walk I saw a really cute rabbit. A much more pleasant sighting! As I walked by the lookout tower, strains of music or chants reached my ears that sounded like those I would picture coming from an eastern religion. Then I saw where the sound was coming from - a young person dressed in bright yellow, with their head shaved like a Buddhist monk. A startling sight ... a gripping reminder. Yet as I think about it now, also a reminder of the wonderful privilige God has given me so reach such people ...

This is why I was created ... why I am here ... to know Jesus and carry the news of His redemptive love to a world that desperately needs a Savior. Beyond belief ... and how grateful I am.

2007-09-28T18:09:00.000-07:00

Post #555.

Yay for another post!

For some reason this week felt pretty intense in the battle (Ephesians 6:12) ... I don't know that I could really pinpoint why? But it must mean the Lord is doing pretty incredible things in Asia. I get the sense it was a challenging week for many of my co-workers ... but the battle belongs to the Lord and He is greater!

I am doing pretty well now ... and looking forward to this nice weekend of fellowship and relaxation. :-) Tomorrow is a wedding for J and C (Congratulations, you two, if you're reading this! :o)) Then tomorrow night I'm looking forward to my Bible study group at church and fellowshipping with everyone over at Tin Star for a late supper.

Sunday I am likely helping my friend J.M. move. She's moving into my complex and I'm so excited!

Going into this weekend, and rejoicing for how the Lord sustained me in the battle this week, I close this post with one of my favorite Scripture passages:

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:17,18)

2007-09-19T18:59:00.000-07:00

I have been having this wonderful sense these days of abiding in the Lord ... of knowing the wonderfulness of who I am in Him, amid the hustle and bustle of daily life ... and it's a great feeling. A "feeling" would probably not even be the best way to describe it ... more of a heightened awareness of His incredible sovereignty.

He has been doing some pretty incredible things in my life lately ... and I am filled to the brim with joy and gratitude. :-)

Well, it's beautiful weather out there so I think I'm going to try to take a walk and then maybe work just a bit on a writing project that's due tomorrow.

2007-09-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

All in all, I had a good Labor Day weekend. I was very happy to get to play Balderdash, my favorite game, TWICE. Great laughter over hilarious definitions ensued. :-D

Today? Well, I seem to be especially feeling the heat of the battle ... oppression in discouraging thoughts that suddenly just come upon me, in some ways without rhyme or reason? But ... God WINS. Praise God for that!

And yesterday we got a very encouraging report concerning my dad. He can definitely still use a lot of prayer ... but we are so grateful for the good report. I have been learning through this whole experience that God gives you the grace you need for each day ... His strength to get through each day. I won't lie, there are plenty of times where it sure FEELS like there is more pressing upon me than I can bear ... but HE is abundantly faithful and good whether I always "feel" that way or not.

Oh Lord Jesus ... may I sense Your presence always ... and may my life be a fragrant offering to You, a vibrant testimony to Your abundant faithfulness. Help me, dear Jesus, I pray. I love you, Jesus.

P.S. I close with a quote from Randy Alcorn's Heaven that ministered to me today ...
"To look into God's eyes will be to see what we've always longed to see: the person who made us and for whom were were made. And we will see him in the place he made for us, and for which we were made. Seeing God will be like seeing everything else for the first time. We will discover that seeing God is our greatest joy, and life itself."

2007-08-31T17:42:00.000-07:00

Post #552.

I've been pretty busy so it's been a while ... I hope I haven't lost my devoted audience. :-D

Last night was Christy's Ice Cream Social Bridal Shower! Great fun. Ever have one of those feelings where, in that moment, you feel surrounded by friends and just, well, especially "alive"? :-) Well, I felt like that last night ... great feeling! :o)

Today we writers all went to Panera Bread Company for Sally's b-day. Good times, good food, pretty much good everything! S.R., thanks for having a birthday, and for having Panera as one of your favorites. :-D [I suggested to our coordinator the possibility of us all going to Panera for her b-day and was so happy that it worked out!]

Oh, I forgot to mention we had a delicious chocolate cake, made by Maddie! We ate it at 10:30 in the morning ... so we had dessert first. :o) We left it in the break room. By mid to late afternoon there was just a little corner piece left ... we joked that nobody would take that last piece ... GFA tradition! :-D

2007-08-23T17:36:00.000-07:00

I am now all caught up on my projects at work ... and even ahead on some. What a good feeling! :-) Overall I'm doing relatively well otherwise, I think? I find myself pretty often being reminded of the need to always cling to Jesus, my Anchor and Resting Place. I was reminded today, through a sermon, of the supreme, incomparable joys of Heaven as being far greater than anything we could ever experience on this earth. Good word for the day!

I am continuing to enjoy my Bible reading for the 6-month challenge, and the fellowship with friends from church as our class goes and eats on Sundays. Volleyball on Sunday, with some friends from work, was also nice. :-) A co-worker took me to lunch today for my birthday (from last week), which was so thoughtful! We had Panda Express ... yum! :o)

Well, I think I'm going to head out soon ... looking forward to some good time with Jesus this evening, and also walking, resting around the apartment and maybe doing some cooking. :-D

2007-08-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

Post #550.

I am so tired. But I've made some good progress on my projects, and am so glad for that. There is still a ways to go, but I know they will all come together ...

Here's a quote from a John Piper sermon I've been listening to a little today that encouraged me ...

"I take it to be a biblical truth that the more earnest we are about fulfilling our mission ... reaching unreached peoples ... exposing the darkness ... loosing the bonds of Satan and of sin ... the more earnest and zealous we are in being the Church, being Christ to this world, the more we will suffer like He did."

It comes from a sermon that I've listened to of his and really been encouraged by before, titled Called to Suffer and Rejoice: That We May Gain Christ.

I highly recommend it.

2007-08-15T10:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I think especially in the afternoon and evening, I felt incredibly attacked in the battle (Ephesians 6) on a physical and emotional level. I know part of it, too, is that I was really tired.

I met up with some other gals last night at a local coffee shop to celebrate my birthday and at first just burst into tears. But then as we all shared things the Lord has been doing in our lives ... and I was reminded of some neat things He had done in my life in challenging circumstances ... it helped to quiet and settle my heart.

I wrote out a couple of short Scripture passages this morning, too, as I came in to the office. I desperately yearn to feel Jesus' presence at this moment ... to feel His arms around me. I know He is there even when I can't "feel" Him ... He's always with me.

2007-08-14T17:48:00.000-07:00

It's my birthday!

Some snapshots of my 29th B-day:

-a homemade chocolate cake SM baked for me last night
-turning red while my department sang happy birthday to me
-reading a funny card they gave me and what they wrote
-shoulder aches
-hearing something on the radio about it being the hottest day of the year
-working on projects and lamenting not being able to move any folders off my desk ;-)
-consuming a lemon-berry slush (yum!), corn dog and tater tots from Sonic
-writing notes on some newsletters(a bit overdue) and getting them out in the mail
-a fun surprise on my desk - a card and box of Whitman's chocolate from a friend at work :o)
-an encouraging email and encouraging e-card from two other friends at the office
-getting something in my eye and not being able to get it out for some reason!
-wearing my favorite shirt to the office today, a light blue textured cotton shirt with ribbon tie :o)
-getting a much-needed shoulder rub (thanks Katie! :O))
-a fun visit and smile from Dorinda
-saying "Rachel me?" :o) to differentiate between me and the other Rachael who works with us
-hearing from my mom that my dad's first round of chemo would start at 11 today
-receiving a number of "happy birthday" messages on my Facebook account

and finally ...

looking forward to Tuesday night prayer meeting but also realizing I am really tired and should probably take a quick nap before then. :-D

2007-08-13T17:51:00.000-07:00

It was a busy weekend. A busy one, but all in all a good one. I didn't feel too tired afterwards, despite it being so busy.

Friday night was the staff celebration. It was so much fun hanging out and playing games and talking to people. :)

Saturday my friend and her husband from my hometown area came. I was able to take them to four Half-Price bookstores!!! (They love Half-Price bookstores and like to go to as many as they can when they come here.) Something neat was that another friend sent me a $25 Half-Price bookstores giftcard for my birthday. I was able to use it for a couple of recipe magazines, a "one-year" Bible with the entire NKJV in portions for each day, and a couple of C.D.'s!

Sunday (yesterday), Joy came to church and Sunday school with me, and to lunch with the group at Tin Star afterwards. :-D What was really cool was she got to meet someone who was part of the same church as a friend of hers who lives in the Dominican Republic. How cool is that!

Michele and I also caught up and had a nice time. I recommend the movie Miss Potter. Well, at least, if you're a girl. :o) Cute movie! Then last night I also hung out for a while at a farewell party for a dear sister from the ministry who will be serving in another area of our ministry for a little while.

Tonight I'm helping a friend pick up her car and maybe helping another friend move with a bunch of others. I also may try to work for a while on some writing projects. I'm also going to read a bit in Job, to catch up on my passages for the 6-month challenge. :)

2007-08-10T17:52:00.000-07:00

It's Friday! I feel a bit tired. Tonight I'm going to a special fellowship time for someone on staff! Then tomorrow my friend and her husband from back in the Deep South will be here! Right now, they're thinking they'll pull in to my apartment between 10 and 11 ... we'll spend part of the day together, going to this huge bookstore they love [I can work on some projects for work :o))] and then to eat to celebrate our birthdays. [Her birthday is the same as mine ... well, except a year before, but the day is the same. :-D]

Then either tomorrow or sometime Sunday afternoon, I am catching up with my friend Michele - we'll watch Miss Potter together and eat together! And Sunday is church and my friend Joy is visiting with me and ... well, you get the picture - busy weekend!

I think it will be a good one though. And pretty much every day, I can sleep in a least a little. :o) I also hope to spend some really good time with the Lord. I've been in the Word a lot through the 6-month challenge this week, but have been lacking in the area of focused worship and prayer time! So I look forward to that. It's so good to be with Him.

2007-08-09T10:49:00.000-07:00

I had for breakfast today ...

-two Chick-fila breakfast minis
-some fresh fruit
-yummy cinnamon roll

And it was all free! My apartment complex had "breakfast on the go" with Chick-fila participating. Of course I didn't complain! It was fun going over there on my way to work ... and being an early bird (usually uncharacteristic of me! :-))

They also were handing out coupons for free kid's meals. I am thinking about using my coupon during lunch, and also doing some more in my Experiencing God or today's Bible reading for the 6-month challenge.

Free food. It's a good thing.

2007-08-07T17:22:00.000-07:00

I've had such a great day!! I got my SEND! projects turned in (yay!) and am looking forward to maybe making some chicken stir fry today, either before or after prayer meeting. :o) I'm very much looking forward to prayer meeting, too!

I enjoyed reading in Genesis today ... I have decided to take on a challenge to read the Bible in six months and am incredibly excited about that! It's with some people from my church ... they were basically offering for anyone who would like, that we all can do that and share on a website how the Lord's spoken to us. Even though I've been a Christian for many years and read quite a bit of the Bible, I've never read all the way through it! I'm incredibly excited.

I feel so refreshed and encouraged in the Lord. He has been showing Himself so faithful and dear, and I know He is carrying me and my family through people's prayers. Last night my mom and I enjoyed talking and going over our Bible study together. :o)

It is a beautiful, sunny day out. And I'm off to rest at home a bit before tonight's prayer meeting. :o) [I think the chicken stir fry will probably be made later ... although I do want to make it tonight at some point if possible, since I have fresh zuchini and squash that were given to me! :-)]

2007-08-06T17:33:00.000-07:00

I am doing well, I think! And a bit tired, but not nearly as much as I was last Thursday. :-D

Saturday some of us gals who work in our department went and grilled kabobs (yum!!!) and made smores at a co-worker's house about 40 minutes away. I hung out over there for a while, then walked at a lake, talked to my mom, and made some returns at the outlet mall on my way home. I enjoyed walking around at the outlet mall, doing a little shopping there, and enjoying a refreshing soda at the Cinnamonster. :-D It was a nice, relaxing evening.

Yesterday was fun, too, going to eat with at Baker Brothers with a group from class after church. We have a pretty big class and a bunch of people showed up, so we were all moving our tables down so we could fit in another table without blocking the doorway. Only one thing we hadn't figured on ... all the tables were, like, seriously, obnoxiously noisy to move. So there we all are, moving all these tables and chairs in this crowded restaurant. [I guess we announced our presence pretty well!] We were laughing so hard.

Last night after resting a bit around the apartment and doing some laundry and spending some time in my Bible study, I went out to watch some of the class play competitive volleyball. I brought a SEND! article I was working on with me, and it was refreshing sitting out there in the breeze, working a bit on that. The Lord gave me a breakthrough in the article, too, which was pretty exciting!

I am still working on some SEND! stuff. I will try to work on it quite a bit more tonight, and, by faith, have my remaining two articles finished relatively soon. :-) There's still a ways to go and some things to figure out, but it's exciting to see how things are coming together for these articles. That's always a good feeling.

Then sometime tonight, a friend and I will be meeting for our weekly prayer time at a coffee shop. :o)

2007-08-02T20:39:00.000-07:00

I am sooooo tired. But am planning to get to bed relatively early tonight, so that should help! :-) I read some encouraging things earlier today in my Experiencing God Bible study ...

Now I'm probably too sleepy to remember. ;-D Well, seriously, one very encouraging thing was the statement that, basically, all of God's dealings with us, whatever the circumstances, are always an expression of His love for us, because His very nature is love. How encouraging that was to me today!

I am juggling projects (but I enjoy them even if they're challenging at times!), a somewhat busy week, and things related to my family (as I'm seeking to go visit them so we can spend some time together, probably within these next few weeks or so!). In all of this, God is faithful and He is able to sustain. In the words of one co-worker, "God has a really cool Daytimer." :o)

I love how she put that. Some people just have a way with words!

2007-07-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

The weekend was so good. I got so much out of the women's retreat and will even be continuing to meet with a couple of the women on a regular basis, to learn from them and grow. I'm so excited! One of them is the woman who spoke. She had it all as far as this world ... but gave it up when she received Jesus. Her whole life now is centered on knowing Him more and pouring out her life into those of other women, especially those younger than her, and she spends two hours with Jesus daily!

I also had a lot of fun fellowshipping with friends from work on Friday evening and Saturday evening. We all sure will miss the interns who aren't coming back - but I know the Lord will continue to go before them. It's been a great year.

Well, pretty soon I may try to run out to the car so I can go home ... since there's finally a break in the rain. :-)