Pleasing the Lord is never what we expect it to be. His "mercies are new every morning" and so are the challenges He asks us to face. The journey is richer than first imagined.
In just over two weeks I leave the country. There are still many details to take care of, many plans to be finalized, many ways my heart must still be prepared. But, the mission of my life doesn't begin on June 15th, 2009. I am to live a life, holy and pleasing to the Lord, right now. It's on.
There are hungry children in my apartment complex and in my classroom. There are hurting people in my family, in my hometown, in my church. I leave for Barahona in 16 days, but I am already on the mission to please the Lord.
Please pray.
"This is why we work and struggle. We hope in the living God who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life. Until I come, continue to read the Scriptures to the people, strengthen them, and teach them. Use the gift you have, which was given to you through prophecy when the group of elders laid their hands on you.
Continue to do those things; give your life to doing them so your progress may be seen by everyone. Be careful in your life and in your teaching. If you contine to live and teach rightly, you will save both yourself and those who listen to you."
1 Timothy 4:10-16 NCV
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
committment issues
Last Thursday I showed up for a meeting an hour too early. So, I read my Bible in the car for awhile. (Okay maybe 15 minutes max.) Then, I drove to Starbucks.
You know how some Strabucks quotes have those cheesy motivational sayings on them? Being addicted to literacy, I always read them. So, taking no credit for the following, here's how a Starbucks cup changed the way I look at life:
"The irony of committment is that its deeply liberating--in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life." --Anne Morriss
Why is that life changing? Well, it probably shouldn't be. It's just words printed on a disposable cup. Nothing about this quote is inspired. Definitely not God-breathed.
But Thursday morning, walking along the Bremerton waterfront, I had a breakthrough. Any issue I've had with making committments, decisions, long-lasting choices has been rooted in fear. I fear making the wrong choice. I fear missing out on some better alternative down the road. I fear being hurt. I fear hurting others. I fear being less than myself.
How dumb is that?!Thanks to a grande mocha, I can look at life differently. Healthier, I think.
"Committment is deeply liberating." That's the heart of the Gospel: Choose Jesus because He chose you first. I will be let down in life. I will fail, too. But I already have all the approval that matters. No more overanalyzing. No more choosing fear. I choose to be liberated in committment.
All that from a cup of coffee.
You know how some Strabucks quotes have those cheesy motivational sayings on them? Being addicted to literacy, I always read them. So, taking no credit for the following, here's how a Starbucks cup changed the way I look at life:
"The irony of committment is that its deeply liberating--in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life." --Anne Morriss
Why is that life changing? Well, it probably shouldn't be. It's just words printed on a disposable cup. Nothing about this quote is inspired. Definitely not God-breathed.
But Thursday morning, walking along the Bremerton waterfront, I had a breakthrough. Any issue I've had with making committments, decisions, long-lasting choices has been rooted in fear. I fear making the wrong choice. I fear missing out on some better alternative down the road. I fear being hurt. I fear hurting others. I fear being less than myself.
How dumb is that?!Thanks to a grande mocha, I can look at life differently. Healthier, I think.
"Committment is deeply liberating." That's the heart of the Gospel: Choose Jesus because He chose you first. I will be let down in life. I will fail, too. But I already have all the approval that matters. No more overanalyzing. No more choosing fear. I choose to be liberated in committment.
All that from a cup of coffee.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
borrowing michelle's laptop
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me;
Your love, O LORD, endures forever."
Psalm 138:8
I'm borrowing Michelle's internet and I happened to notice this verse sitting on her nightstand. What a perfect way to end the day. It speaks hope, faithfulness, and God's pleasure. For lack of better words, God is freaking rad.
No matter what happens in the scope of a day, I can't screw up God's plans. He fulfills His purpose. His love endures forever. He endures forever.
Today, I tried to teach kids about electricity. I tried to impart scientific knowledge. But, chances are it didn't really work. The Lord's purpose is so much bigger than the 45 minute lessons I prepared, though. The larger moments of today were the conversations, sharing life with students. The teenage heart aches revealed. The quest for identity uncovered. The deep human desire to be listened to. These moments all add up to God fulfilling His purpose for me.
And His love is so sweet. Resting in the purpose of our Maker, I rejoice in the work of today. God is shaping hearts, refining lives, and reaping the harvest of Kitsap county. Even better, His love endures forever.
Thanks for letting me borrow your laptop, Michelle.
Your love, O LORD, endures forever."
Psalm 138:8
I'm borrowing Michelle's internet and I happened to notice this verse sitting on her nightstand. What a perfect way to end the day. It speaks hope, faithfulness, and God's pleasure. For lack of better words, God is freaking rad.
No matter what happens in the scope of a day, I can't screw up God's plans. He fulfills His purpose. His love endures forever. He endures forever.
Today, I tried to teach kids about electricity. I tried to impart scientific knowledge. But, chances are it didn't really work. The Lord's purpose is so much bigger than the 45 minute lessons I prepared, though. The larger moments of today were the conversations, sharing life with students. The teenage heart aches revealed. The quest for identity uncovered. The deep human desire to be listened to. These moments all add up to God fulfilling His purpose for me.
And His love is so sweet. Resting in the purpose of our Maker, I rejoice in the work of today. God is shaping hearts, refining lives, and reaping the harvest of Kitsap county. Even better, His love endures forever.
Thanks for letting me borrow your laptop, Michelle.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
April showers
Sometimes life runs later than we expect it to. "April showers bring May flowers" and all. Winter is supposed to turn into spring. And it does, eventually.
Waking up to sunbeams streaming through my window is much easier to take than the rhythm of the beating rain. I'm glad that spring is almost here.
Ecclesiastes talks about how there are seasons for everything. Times to sow seeds and times to gather the harvest. I like the spring time. I like enjoying the work that has been done, expecting the fruits of the future.
Even though some of the flowers are slow to bloom this May, they'll all be worth the wait. I'm trusting God for an incredible spring time. Trusting that His timing is greater than my own.
Waking up to sunbeams streaming through my window is much easier to take than the rhythm of the beating rain. I'm glad that spring is almost here.
Ecclesiastes talks about how there are seasons for everything. Times to sow seeds and times to gather the harvest. I like the spring time. I like enjoying the work that has been done, expecting the fruits of the future.
Even though some of the flowers are slow to bloom this May, they'll all be worth the wait. I'm trusting God for an incredible spring time. Trusting that His timing is greater than my own.
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.