Dear Friend,
I wanted to thank you for being so open and honest in sharing your testimony with me this past weekend. Although I haven't known you for that long, Christ shines through you in ways that are so evident. You truly walk with Him daily, His love shines through you, and you have a genuine desire to serve Him wholeheartedly. As you shared with me some of your deepest hurts and struggles and how God brought you to the place you are now, I was once again amazed at the power of my God. Thank you for being so vulnerable in sharing your past with me, to allow me to marvel at His great mercy and goodness once again. We are not worthy of such a calling, but I am thankful that He has called both of us on this journey.
Thank you for encouraging me to stand amazed...
What can take a dying man and raise him up to life again?
What can heal a wounded soul?
What can make us white as snow?
What can fill the emptiness?
What can mend our brokenness?
Brokenness
Mighty, awesome, wonderful
Is the holy cross
Where the Lamb laid down His life
To lift us from the fall
Mighty is the power of the cross
What restores our faith in God?
What reveals the Father's love?
What can lead the wayward home?
What can melt a heart of stone?
What can free the guilty ones
What can save and overcome?
Overcome
It's a miracle to me
And It's still a mystery
It's a miracle to me
The power of God
For those who believe
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Dates with Daddy.
I can't remember many times that it was just my dad and I hanging out when I was little. Growing up in a family with five kids, being alone by yourself was rare and getting a parent all to yourself? Even more rare. However, I remember one night specifically. I was probably around 7 or 8, and I had this hot (and I mean hot) pink winter coat. I don't remember why, but it was decided that my dad and I were going on a date- just the two of us. I can't remember where we went to dinner (I'm thinking Bob Evans for some reason), but the part I remember most is going shopping after dinner at the Woodville Mall. (For those of you who live anywhere near Toledo, it is a known fact that the only thing left in Woodville Mall these days is a Sears and an Andersons.) Anyways, we went shopping, and he bought me purple gloves and purple earmuffs that matched my coat. I don't know why this memory is so vivid in my head, but I will never forget my date with my daddy.
Within the past week, the weather has taken a turn for the better and I have been going for a walk almost every day after work. I like to call them my walks with God. I spend my time walking just talking to Him, sharing what has been on my heart and mind recently, praying for my friends, my family, students, co-workers, even people I barely know. I haven't been keeping up with my Beth Moore study as much as I should. I haven't been spending that much time in the Word. I've just been talking with Him. I've been honest, brutally honest. I talk with Him freely about what I'm struggling with- needing to trust Him more, not making my own plans and asking Him to bless them, being a woman after His own heart, wanting to love Him more and asking Him to help me do just that.
Pastor Thomas spoke on Sunday about God wanting our hearts- our whole hearts. He talked about David and how much of a mess he made of his life, but he got one thing right- He was a man after God's own heart, and God honored that more than any religious traditions he kept or didn't keep.
I want to walk in His truth, and I want to be a woman after His own heart.
"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11
Within the past week, the weather has taken a turn for the better and I have been going for a walk almost every day after work. I like to call them my walks with God. I spend my time walking just talking to Him, sharing what has been on my heart and mind recently, praying for my friends, my family, students, co-workers, even people I barely know. I haven't been keeping up with my Beth Moore study as much as I should. I haven't been spending that much time in the Word. I've just been talking with Him. I've been honest, brutally honest. I talk with Him freely about what I'm struggling with- needing to trust Him more, not making my own plans and asking Him to bless them, being a woman after His own heart, wanting to love Him more and asking Him to help me do just that.
Pastor Thomas spoke on Sunday about God wanting our hearts- our whole hearts. He talked about David and how much of a mess he made of his life, but he got one thing right- He was a man after God's own heart, and God honored that more than any religious traditions he kept or didn't keep.
I want to walk in His truth, and I want to be a woman after His own heart.
"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name." Psalm 86:11
Monday, March 15, 2010
A Love Like That.
Note: I feel like I need to acknowledge my long intermission before I write again, so- sorry it's been so long. Life has me going crazy.
A few weeks ago a co-worker of mine was telling me about a marriage conference she went to the weekend before with her husband. She said the conference was excellent, and even though they've been married for 35 years, they really enjoyed it. At the end of the conference, each couple had the chance to renew their vows in a smaller chapel at the church if they wanted. Her and her husband decided to do it.
With tears in her eyes she said to me, "You know, 35 years ago I was looking into his eyes and we were excited about life and our future together and all that was to come and had such anticipation on that day. When I looked at him on Saturday, all I could do was cry...because we won't have another 35 years together. And I know I'll see him in heaven, but I won't be married to him there. I mean, who knows how many more years we have together."
She was crying in my office at 8:30am on a Tuesday morning because 35 years wasn't long enough...
Yeah, I want a love like that.
A few weeks ago a co-worker of mine was telling me about a marriage conference she went to the weekend before with her husband. She said the conference was excellent, and even though they've been married for 35 years, they really enjoyed it. At the end of the conference, each couple had the chance to renew their vows in a smaller chapel at the church if they wanted. Her and her husband decided to do it.
With tears in her eyes she said to me, "You know, 35 years ago I was looking into his eyes and we were excited about life and our future together and all that was to come and had such anticipation on that day. When I looked at him on Saturday, all I could do was cry...because we won't have another 35 years together. And I know I'll see him in heaven, but I won't be married to him there. I mean, who knows how many more years we have together."
She was crying in my office at 8:30am on a Tuesday morning because 35 years wasn't long enough...
Yeah, I want a love like that.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
"I don't know."
I remember the first time a teacher told me she didn't know the answer. I was a senior in high school and asked my English teacher how to spell "continuing". I couldn't remember if it was "continueing" or "continuing". She couldn't remember either, so she told me to look it up. We both learned something that day.
It has been 8 days since an earthquake of a 7.1 magnitude hit Haiti and another one hit yesterday. Aftershocks continue to rock the poverty stricken country.
And it seems as if anyone and everyone wants to do something. Almost every website I've gone to in the last week has a link to a way you can help- google, C&MA, even craigslist. George Clooney is hosting a "Hope for Haiti" event on Friday. Americans especially want to do something. They feel greater personal gratification when they go shopping for poor people in Haiti. They don't want to just give money- they want to do something. They want to send blankets, they want to buy bottles of water, they want to send paper products.
Yes, we want to do something. But what is our motivation? Do our hearts truly break for those in Haiti? for those who have experienced so much lose and devastation in the past week than we can ever imagine? Do we pray without ceasing for them? for those who have lost loved ones? for those still hoping, still looking?
Maybe this is one of those times when we have to just throw our hands up and say we don't know the answers. But we do know this: we have to do something. They need our money. Money, they know what to do with. Blankets that might not get there for 3 weeks, maybe, but they need our money. Are we listening? Are we listening to their needs and willing to help even if it means less personal gratification for us?
We may not know the answers, but we do know the One who does- and there is great comfort in that. May the God of all comfort be with those in Haiti tonight.
It has been 8 days since an earthquake of a 7.1 magnitude hit Haiti and another one hit yesterday. Aftershocks continue to rock the poverty stricken country.
And it seems as if anyone and everyone wants to do something. Almost every website I've gone to in the last week has a link to a way you can help- google, C&MA, even craigslist. George Clooney is hosting a "Hope for Haiti" event on Friday. Americans especially want to do something. They feel greater personal gratification when they go shopping for poor people in Haiti. They don't want to just give money- they want to do something. They want to send blankets, they want to buy bottles of water, they want to send paper products.
Yes, we want to do something. But what is our motivation? Do our hearts truly break for those in Haiti? for those who have experienced so much lose and devastation in the past week than we can ever imagine? Do we pray without ceasing for them? for those who have lost loved ones? for those still hoping, still looking?
Maybe this is one of those times when we have to just throw our hands up and say we don't know the answers. But we do know this: we have to do something. They need our money. Money, they know what to do with. Blankets that might not get there for 3 weeks, maybe, but they need our money. Are we listening? Are we listening to their needs and willing to help even if it means less personal gratification for us?
We may not know the answers, but we do know the One who does- and there is great comfort in that. May the God of all comfort be with those in Haiti tonight.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
"I didn't pray BIG enough."
The truth is, I have had this blog entry in my head for a couple days now, but I've been afraid to write it down. I want to do it justice, and I doubt I will, but here is my attempt anyway:
"Intercessors have an essential role to play in creating a better future for our world, because intercession is spiritual defiance of what is in the name of what God has promised. The shape of the future will be determined by those who can survey all its various possibilities and who, by faith, latch on to one as inevitable. History belongs to the intercessors who thus believe the future into being." -Walter Wink, Sojourners Magazine
Sunder Krishnan, a speaker at Urbana 09, used this quote to preface his talk on praying big and praying bold. I didn't go to Urbana, but my boss brought home the DVD saying, "you have to watch this." If you have 25 minutes, watch. I promise you will not be disappointed.
After watching the video, my friend Kelly shared this story with me. For the past 9 months, Kelly and her family have opened their home to one of our Chinese students. A few weeks ago, she was preparing to return to China for 3 months for a visit. In her culture, money is very important, so instead of following the advice of a well-traveled church member and taking the most direct flight option, she chose to take the cheapest route which included about 6 transfers. When they got to the airport, she began to realize how difficult it was going to be with her broken English and began to panic. As they were walking down the corridor, Kelly just kept assuring her, "God is big, God is big, it's going to be okay", all the while wishing she would have listened to the advice of others. When they got to the gate, Kelly was hoping that she could find a flight attendant who might be able to help her at least through her first connection in Chicago. While she was looking, she saw an Asian-looking family, took a chance, walked over to them and asked, "excuse me, do you happen to be going to China?"
Their answer was big. HIS answer was big. The man looked at her itinerary. They had the exact same itinerary up until her destination. Not only did they have the exact same itinerary, they spoke the same language- the same dialect. Kelly was overwhelmed. "I didn't pray BIG enough."
This week my uncle, who has been hospitalized for over a month with no clear diagnosis, was transferred to the Cleveland Clinic in hopes of answers and a clear treatment plan. My cousin Tara is a few years older than me, lives in Vegas, and has been home since Christmas taking care of her dad as best she can. For her that means paying his bills and sitting by his hospital bed all day. She left for Cleveland the morning after he was transferred with no place to stay, no connections, and nothing to do but sit in her dad's room, watching him get weaker. I have been praying for his healing, for comfort for her, and for both of them- and the rest of their family- to find Christ in all of this. One night at dinner this week, my friend Katrina came to mind. I went to Taylor with her, and I know she lives in Cleveland and works at a hospital there. I hadn't talked to her in probably two years, wasn't even able to find her phone number, but sent her a message on facebook (which she is rarely on), telling her about the situation and just asking if maybe she could stop by and check on them if they happen to be in her hospital.
Her answer was big. HIS answer was big. Katrina doesn't work at the same hospital, but she stopped by on her way to work Friday morning anyway. She offered for my cousin to stay at her place, which is less than ten minutes from the hospital. She gave my cousin her number and promised to call her every day to check on her and see if she needs anything. On the same day, they finally gave my uncle a diagnosis. They will start treatment on Monday.
I sent an e-mail to the parents yesterday with the first part of that quote from Walter Wink, asking them to share their prayer needs with me so I can pray what God has promised for them in their current life situations or circumstances. I have already received responses from three parents and have began searching Scripture to see what it is God has for me to pray for them in those circumstances.
In 2010, I want to pray BIG, and my prayer is that you will do the same. He has shown me that He is more than able to answer my prayers. What if I start praying BIGGER? What more will He show me? What more will He do?
I can't wait to find out.
"Intercessors have an essential role to play in creating a better future for our world, because intercession is spiritual defiance of what is in the name of what God has promised. The shape of the future will be determined by those who can survey all its various possibilities and who, by faith, latch on to one as inevitable. History belongs to the intercessors who thus believe the future into being." -Walter Wink, Sojourners Magazine
Sunder Krishnan, a speaker at Urbana 09, used this quote to preface his talk on praying big and praying bold. I didn't go to Urbana, but my boss brought home the DVD saying, "you have to watch this." If you have 25 minutes, watch. I promise you will not be disappointed.
After watching the video, my friend Kelly shared this story with me. For the past 9 months, Kelly and her family have opened their home to one of our Chinese students. A few weeks ago, she was preparing to return to China for 3 months for a visit. In her culture, money is very important, so instead of following the advice of a well-traveled church member and taking the most direct flight option, she chose to take the cheapest route which included about 6 transfers. When they got to the airport, she began to realize how difficult it was going to be with her broken English and began to panic. As they were walking down the corridor, Kelly just kept assuring her, "God is big, God is big, it's going to be okay", all the while wishing she would have listened to the advice of others. When they got to the gate, Kelly was hoping that she could find a flight attendant who might be able to help her at least through her first connection in Chicago. While she was looking, she saw an Asian-looking family, took a chance, walked over to them and asked, "excuse me, do you happen to be going to China?"
Their answer was big. HIS answer was big. The man looked at her itinerary. They had the exact same itinerary up until her destination. Not only did they have the exact same itinerary, they spoke the same language- the same dialect. Kelly was overwhelmed. "I didn't pray BIG enough."
This week my uncle, who has been hospitalized for over a month with no clear diagnosis, was transferred to the Cleveland Clinic in hopes of answers and a clear treatment plan. My cousin Tara is a few years older than me, lives in Vegas, and has been home since Christmas taking care of her dad as best she can. For her that means paying his bills and sitting by his hospital bed all day. She left for Cleveland the morning after he was transferred with no place to stay, no connections, and nothing to do but sit in her dad's room, watching him get weaker. I have been praying for his healing, for comfort for her, and for both of them- and the rest of their family- to find Christ in all of this. One night at dinner this week, my friend Katrina came to mind. I went to Taylor with her, and I know she lives in Cleveland and works at a hospital there. I hadn't talked to her in probably two years, wasn't even able to find her phone number, but sent her a message on facebook (which she is rarely on), telling her about the situation and just asking if maybe she could stop by and check on them if they happen to be in her hospital.
Her answer was big. HIS answer was big. Katrina doesn't work at the same hospital, but she stopped by on her way to work Friday morning anyway. She offered for my cousin to stay at her place, which is less than ten minutes from the hospital. She gave my cousin her number and promised to call her every day to check on her and see if she needs anything. On the same day, they finally gave my uncle a diagnosis. They will start treatment on Monday.
I sent an e-mail to the parents yesterday with the first part of that quote from Walter Wink, asking them to share their prayer needs with me so I can pray what God has promised for them in their current life situations or circumstances. I have already received responses from three parents and have began searching Scripture to see what it is God has for me to pray for them in those circumstances.
In 2010, I want to pray BIG, and my prayer is that you will do the same. He has shown me that He is more than able to answer my prayers. What if I start praying BIGGER? What more will He show me? What more will He do?
I can't wait to find out.
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