As I have been preparing for Kenya, so many things have come across my heart. There are days when I'm really nervous...I am not seeing enough money for this to be possible, and wonder if I will. I hear stories that make me a little scared, and I wonder how God will change my life if this opportunity goes through.
There are days when I am so excited I don't know what to do. I am pumped about pursuing a dream and doing something out of the ordinary. I am expecting God to really take hold of my heart and continue shaping my passions to serve others. I see pictures of the kids or hear stories about them, and I can't wait to be apart of that. I believe that this trip is a calling from Him, and so I lay my own worries aside and trust in Him. The biggest blessing so far is having people's encouragement- through donations that are unexpected to the words in a card that were just needed that particular day....
The other night, a Psalm was really on my heart. Psalm 51. I have been using a NIV/Message side by side bible, and have really enjoyed being able to compare verses and ways of considering God's words to us. There are two lines in particular that have really grabbed my heart-
" God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. "
I wonder what it fully means to allow God to shape a Genesis week out of our chaos. For me, I think it has meant giving up my hurts, my doubts, my pains and letting God show His incredible powers and mercy as He makes something that is beautiful and good.
The other verse I have loved is-
"I learned God-worship
when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice."
How wonderful it is to think that we learn how to worship God, how to be ready for love when our pride and hearts are shattered, torn, broken and ready to let Him take control.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Kenya- The beginnings
Wow. I can't believe I am anticipating and preparing for a trip to Kenya.
Here's the story....
I have been praying about this summer and where God would take me. I had a job offer, but didn't feel entirely peaceful about it. Over spring break, Sara Crabtree and I were talking and she told me about a trip she is taking. She has organized to go to an orphanage, Into Abba's Arms, for the summer to help with the children and have an awesome experience. She told me that she has been seeking someone to go on this trip with her. Once I heard that, I was filled with so much excitement and knew this was something to pursue.
I have been praying about it, and believe this is a great chance that God has given me and has given me peace about. I am a bit nervous right now, because I have about 2 months to get my passport, plane ticket, etc. It is exciting, though, to trust God in something that I know I cannot accomplish myself.
It is my prayer that my friends and family will be excited about this and prayerfully consider supporting me in both prayer and finanical support.
I plan to use this blog as an update on how things are going, and hopefully update a couple times from Kenya this summer.
Thank you for joining me on this awesome journey. I can't imagine life without the love and support I find in friends and family on a daily basis. Our Lord is the provider, and His love is so beautiful!
Here's the story....
I have been praying about this summer and where God would take me. I had a job offer, but didn't feel entirely peaceful about it. Over spring break, Sara Crabtree and I were talking and she told me about a trip she is taking. She has organized to go to an orphanage, Into Abba's Arms, for the summer to help with the children and have an awesome experience. She told me that she has been seeking someone to go on this trip with her. Once I heard that, I was filled with so much excitement and knew this was something to pursue.
I have been praying about it, and believe this is a great chance that God has given me and has given me peace about. I am a bit nervous right now, because I have about 2 months to get my passport, plane ticket, etc. It is exciting, though, to trust God in something that I know I cannot accomplish myself.
It is my prayer that my friends and family will be excited about this and prayerfully consider supporting me in both prayer and finanical support.
I plan to use this blog as an update on how things are going, and hopefully update a couple times from Kenya this summer.
Thank you for joining me on this awesome journey. I can't imagine life without the love and support I find in friends and family on a daily basis. Our Lord is the provider, and His love is so beautiful!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
No day but today
sitting here watching Rent in Galloway lobby...
a few comments were made about the appropriateness of the movie and whether we should watch it out in a public lobby...I don't know many better movies to encourage. Yes-there are issues that as Christians we should not promote, but there is much value in accepting and loving those people despite their difficulties. I'm probably not going to encourage homosexuality and prostitution, but I have a lot of respect for the openness and honesty demonstrated.
I have decided this may be one of my favorite movies. With blatant honesty, struggles are not masked-not covered by a fake attempt at perfection. With the song "Take me as I am" playing in the background, I can only envision the possibilities for a community like this.
What makes us think that by being a Christian it means we conceal our failures, temptations, struggles? Why do we feel like we have to one up each other and not let people see our true insecurities?
As the body of Christ it seems to me our purpose is to help one another-to forgive, accept, encourage our brothers and sisters. instead we do goo deeds, put on a smile and "i'm good" attitude. What's so wrong with our needs-the voids in our very own hearts and the cries we cannot always understand ourselves. Yes, I believe Christ wants to and will heal us, but I think He has given us a body of believers in order to help us through that.
I am facing this in my own life. A couple weeks ago I was able to have a time of confession with my college pastor. It was real-it was deep, imperfect, ugly sin. The process of bringing it to light was beautiful. My soul was refreshed and by bringing that to the surface, I have been able to learn a lot more about myself, my past and how it affects my future.
This is not a traumatic experience, it is exhilarating.
I wonder what it would take for us to be comfortable with who we are-so comfortable that we let others see beyond the layers and layers we pile on....
...take me as i am.
a few comments were made about the appropriateness of the movie and whether we should watch it out in a public lobby...I don't know many better movies to encourage. Yes-there are issues that as Christians we should not promote, but there is much value in accepting and loving those people despite their difficulties. I'm probably not going to encourage homosexuality and prostitution, but I have a lot of respect for the openness and honesty demonstrated.
I have decided this may be one of my favorite movies. With blatant honesty, struggles are not masked-not covered by a fake attempt at perfection. With the song "Take me as I am" playing in the background, I can only envision the possibilities for a community like this.
What makes us think that by being a Christian it means we conceal our failures, temptations, struggles? Why do we feel like we have to one up each other and not let people see our true insecurities?
As the body of Christ it seems to me our purpose is to help one another-to forgive, accept, encourage our brothers and sisters. instead we do goo deeds, put on a smile and "i'm good" attitude. What's so wrong with our needs-the voids in our very own hearts and the cries we cannot always understand ourselves. Yes, I believe Christ wants to and will heal us, but I think He has given us a body of believers in order to help us through that.
I am facing this in my own life. A couple weeks ago I was able to have a time of confession with my college pastor. It was real-it was deep, imperfect, ugly sin. The process of bringing it to light was beautiful. My soul was refreshed and by bringing that to the surface, I have been able to learn a lot more about myself, my past and how it affects my future.
This is not a traumatic experience, it is exhilarating.
I wonder what it would take for us to be comfortable with who we are-so comfortable that we let others see beyond the layers and layers we pile on....
...take me as i am.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Beauty is found in the most unexpected places.
God allows himself to be shown in the most "unexpected" people by definition of our world, and sometimes even our church.
Last night I was at the Harbor-this is where I learn so much about Jesus, about His compassion, His forgiveness, His strong hand. It had been a good night, but my heart was missing something- a sense of deep fellowship. God answered my prayers through the conversation of my friend there
.
He began telling me a little about his life... his past, his day to day living, his fright of not making it to the next paycheck. Then his eyes lit up as he told me about Kayla-his 4 year old daughter. He doesn't have custody of his daughter, and rarely gets to see her. There was something, though, in the way he talked about her. He explained to me the joy that comes from this young and radiant life. He went on about his waking everyday knowing he has a purpose to provide for this girl. Although he is often worried about providing for himself, he is sure that he will always provide for Kayla-why? Because she is his reason to wake, his reason to walk an hour to work in the morning, his reason to smile and know that time with her is worth the world. She is his light in a darkened world.
As he continued on about Christmas, visitations, and any time with Kayla, my heart was tender. I couldn't believe the way he actively pursued the best interest of his daughter...no matter what it took on his part.
This love of a father painted such a beautiful picture in my mind. And I realized, I'm loved like that. I'm pursued. I'm desired. I'm a joy to the creator of the universe.
Talk about wonderful...
God allows himself to be shown in the most "unexpected" people by definition of our world, and sometimes even our church.
Last night I was at the Harbor-this is where I learn so much about Jesus, about His compassion, His forgiveness, His strong hand. It had been a good night, but my heart was missing something- a sense of deep fellowship. God answered my prayers through the conversation of my friend there
.
He began telling me a little about his life... his past, his day to day living, his fright of not making it to the next paycheck. Then his eyes lit up as he told me about Kayla-his 4 year old daughter. He doesn't have custody of his daughter, and rarely gets to see her. There was something, though, in the way he talked about her. He explained to me the joy that comes from this young and radiant life. He went on about his waking everyday knowing he has a purpose to provide for this girl. Although he is often worried about providing for himself, he is sure that he will always provide for Kayla-why? Because she is his reason to wake, his reason to walk an hour to work in the morning, his reason to smile and know that time with her is worth the world. She is his light in a darkened world.
As he continued on about Christmas, visitations, and any time with Kayla, my heart was tender. I couldn't believe the way he actively pursued the best interest of his daughter...no matter what it took on his part.
This love of a father painted such a beautiful picture in my mind. And I realized, I'm loved like that. I'm pursued. I'm desired. I'm a joy to the creator of the universe.
Talk about wonderful...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)