Filed under: Uncategorized
ethiopia, africa
There is a group of my friends on their way to the African country of Ethiopia….they left today at about 4:00pm… This hodge-podge group of 65 plus people is made up of mom’s, dad’s, orthodontists, dentists, kids, a photographer, a videographer, and business type people. Their common goal is to give some relief to the people there and to shed some light to us in the US of A of how we can love, pray, and sacrifice our comforts for the sake of loving others.
minor atrocities and ferocious atrocities…
My friends will see a lot… For example- orphanages where the adult ratio is 1 adult- to 50 babies…..(WOW.) These babies go whole days without being touched or cuddled. My dear friends will see children living in the worst of conditions. HIV has taken a gross toll on these people. Children are abused in the worst ways. My friends will be the hands and feet of love as they relieve the toothaches, hold babies and tend the sick.
tending and mending is their cause…
They go under the banner of Christ- with His love in their hearts, they are ready to give themselves, be uncomfortable, and take on the burdens of these people. As an avid fan of the work of Christ and His church, I salute their passion, dedication, and love in going. They will sacrifice while they are there and when they get back, I pray they will teach us what Christ is up to over there and how we can sacrifice our indulgences here for the cause of love there in Ethiopia. In honor of this sacrifice and the Ultimate one made, I want to be careful not to forget to pray for the next 10 days for my friends and the ones they serve. God is moving in Ethiopia- and lending my soul in prayer time for Christ’s work there is an honor. I’m thinking about giving up some indulgences over the course of these ten days, so that I can force myself to remember and can humbly appeal to God that I’m serious about His business over there….the business of restoration and freedom for these people and my friends…
treasure = time, money, emotional energy, hopes, dreams, relationships, family, comfort, and fill in favorite stuff here______.
19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
here’s to making it count….
Filed under: animo
Lately, God has given me several opportunities to see His heart on purity issues. So many of my young friends have found themselves in predicaments resulting from choices they wish they could change. My temptation is to run from this issue because it is uncomfortable to talk about. I don’t want to look into a teenager’s eyes and tell them the truth about boundaries and sex. I hate being uncomfortable! All I want to do is smile, say, “God loves you, things will be OK.”….and leave it at that. However, God is growing in me the desire to speak, write, and pour into girl’s lives His Truth about purity…before and after any predicaments. He is so much bigger than consequences and circumstances and I know that He is faithful to redeem everything. However, I know that He would love to see His children guard themselves against such matters for their sake as well as His namesake.
The world is nasty nasty, so an intervention is necessary.
Tonight, our Young Professional Bible Study met to study John. We began in chapter one where John presents Truth to combat many misinterpretations that had already sprung up among the church. Several cults denying the deity and sovereignty of Christ had made their way into popular culture. John’s presentation of the Truth intervened and lovingly directed people back to the Truth of Christ. We discussed the abuse of Grace as being the abuse of Christ, Himself… and well when you put it that way…. it makes me think about Grace a little differently. Who wants to see the abuse of Christ?
So, why do we hesitate as believers to intervene? (I’m talking about Holy-Spirit led intervention.) We don’t want to hurt relationships. We don’t want to come across as judgmental. I’m right there. God is gently telling me that it can be possible to intervene with love and respect. If He went through the trouble to die on the cross to set us free…why would we hesitate on making this glorious freedom known? At least then people would have the chance to decide for themselves. But, too often we judge that people just wouldn’t want to hear what God says about purity, freedom, and salvation…so we remain quiet. I am so guilty of this! The other half of this is patience. After presenting truth, being willing to wait for people to be ready and wait for people to be willing to change because it’s in their hearts to make Jesus Lord. Presentation of Truth goes only so far….it is the power of the Holy Spirit that turns on the light in someone’s heart. So in that meantime…waiting and relentlessly loving is what we are calling to do. Love is patient and kind and doesn’t keep a record of wrongs….yada yada. good stuff.
What to do?
Well I have a lot of good intentions and a prayer list a mile long. That probably won’t change. What will change is intentions giving way to actions and chipping away at the opportunities God brings my way- making the most of them. Listening. Digging. Asking questions. Remaining excited about God’s truth. Worshipping. Having JOY even when I don’t feel like it. Remembering that it is Christ in me- the hope of glory.
In honor of all the great things Julie Mangrem taught me, I have begun to study and write about Purity…. I’m excited to see what God teaches me and others along the journey! Resources that I”m reading: 5 Love Languages, Book of James, Book of 1 Corinthians, Passion and Purity, Every Young Woman’s Battle, Redeeming Love, The Scarlet Thread…..looking at more.
I’m always excited to see what God will do next!
Filed under: Uncategorized
The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon
1 When the queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame, she came to Jerusalem to test him with hard questions. Arriving with a very great caravan—with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones—she came to Solomon and talked with him about all she had on her mind. 2 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for him to explain to her. 3 When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, as well as the palace he had built, 4 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at [f] the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.
5 She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. 6But I did not believe what they said until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half the greatness of your wisdom was told me; you have far exceeded the report I heard. 7 How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! 8 Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on his throne as king to rule for the LORD your God. Because of the love of your God for Israel and his desire to uphold them forever, he has made you king over them, to maintain justice and righteousness.” 2 Chron 9:1-8
I love the line in the old hymn:
“Take my intellect and use every power as you choose.”
It is a running joke between me and God that He may not want to capitalize on my intellect 
. We’ll leave that up to the extra-smart ones (like Solomon) that He has made! However, I do want to worship God with the intellect that He has given me. Tonight, I am asking Him to show me the areas I haven’t given to him. I just had a conversation with a friend that has left me feeling a bit….small.
Maybe I have some arrogance and a haughty spirit at times…. I don’t want it! I need to get rid of it! So tonight, I am reminded of the blessed verse, “If I boast, let it be in Christ alone.” God faithfully reminds me of it. The love of God is such a powerful thing. It confounds the strong. It mystifies the brightest among us. I don’t think I will ever understand the depth of God’s love, but I do look forward to experiencing it.
I read a quote today that made me think about knowledge in a different way:
“Important as it is that we recognize God working in us, I would yet warn against an over preoccupation with the thought. It is a sure road to sterile passivity. God will not hold us responsible to understand the mysteries of election, predestination and the divine sovereignty. The best and safest way to deal with these truths is to raise our eyes to God and in deepest reverence say, Oh Lord Thou knowest. Those things belong to the deep and mysterious Profound of God’s omniscience. Prying into them may make theologians, but it will never make saints.” AW Tozer
About that amazing love…I just can’t get enough of it! It is with reverence and a deep sense of gratitude that I think about the impact of my salvation. God has saved me from myself, my sin, and my arrogance. My actions and thoughts would surely buy me death. But, His mercy- in the form of Jesus Christ has stood in the way of death. His sacrifice has covered me. Freedom from shame, guilt, depression, aimlessness, hopelessness is gone. I’m so thankful He gave me intellect enough to understand that! I praise Him for finding me. I praise Him for proving to me that I could trust Him.
Sometimes I write silly little songs for my daughter…well at least she loves them (right now). I hope sooooo much for her! When she was first born, I had so many feelings and wishes for her. I put them in a song:
Love upon love, He will lavish on thee/ Grace upon grace He will show thee
Amazing and free, He will so faithfully/Lavish His love on thee
Every day and all night, He will be with you dear/ Let His Life be your Light, you will have no fear
Amazing and free, He will so faithfully/Lavish His love on thee
You were made to bless the Lord! You were made to bless the Lord!
I can’t wait to see you respond to the King! And to know Him- intimately
I can’t wait to see God move faithfully/He will lavish His love on thee!
As I read these words again…I am reminded that God intends this love for ALL people-no matter the IQ! (AWESOME)
Filed under: Uncategorized
Something that comforts me a lot and scares me a bit:: to know that God’s Love is unparalleled in every way.
un⋅par⋅al⋅leled [uhn-par-uh-leld] not paralleled; unequaled or unmatched; peerless; unprecedented
Completely undeserving. Completely free. When was the last time you meditated on the Love of God?
This “Pure” diet looks great and inspiring…
http://tomziglar.com/2008/06/12/the-purity-diet?
Filed under: animo, preghiere | Tags: fear, more than enough, Psalm 23, relationship, who shall I fear?
I hate fear.
For what seemed to be my constant companion for years, I am learning to walk away from fear. It’s amazing how many forms fear takes on. From insecurity about myself to insecurity about the future, it’s always ready to ruin a perfectly good day.
Recently, a good friend of mine was diagnosed with cancer. He is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet. His wife is pregnant and due in a few months. When I found out the news, I immediately invited my old companion back… Frustrated, I began to ask God about why He had allowed this and for what purpose. How was this going to end up? I don’t know if I would just rather know or not, for fear that if I didn’t know, that maybe my heart wouldn’t be able to handle it…well it makes sense in my mind Im so glad to have a relationship with a God who settles my fearful heart and doesn’t condemn me. I’m so thankful that I know through every circumstance God is with me and that His peace and His presence (are) more than enough…
Based on these verses, I’m drop-kicking fear and turning my back on it::
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…Psalms 23:4 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears…Psalm 34:4
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand…Isaiah 41:10
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you…Isaiah 41:13
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:5
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love…1 John 4:18
“We glorify what we enjoy most.”
“Let us not trifle with God or trivialize his love. We will never stand in awe of being loved by God until we reckon with the seriousness of our sin and the justice of his wrath against us. But when, by grace, we waken to our unworthiness, then we may look at the suffering and death of Christ and say, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the [wrath-absorbing] propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).”
“The Creator of the Universe is infinitely worthy of respect and admiration and loyalty. Therefore, failure to love him is not trivial-it is treason. It defames God and destroys human happiness.”
From:: Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Christ Came to Die by John Piper
Filed under: animo, preghiere | Tags: grateful, love, poor, seen by God, trust
This morning, my daughter Grace and I are playing, singing, and talking together. She is only six months old, but I’m pretty sure that she has some important things to say. I’ve taken some time to listen and I’m anxious to understand her language. Her comments seem interesting and insightful, maybe we’ll understand each other soon.
Our mean kitty looks on the entire scene with distain…
Two weeks out from my first mother’s day, I look back with utter gratefulness. After two miscarriages and lots of ups and downs, God answered the prayers of this mommy. I have never believed that just because I want something, I deserve it. I know that I don’t deserve anything-especially Grace!
Grateful. Grateful that God heard me and answered me. Grateful that a sweet man from Macedonia lifted my burdens to God that night at McAllister’s Deli, and asked that God would give me a child. (well I’m not sure that’s exactly what he said, he was speaking another language!) Nine months later, Grace Malaya was born.
All that to say- I know God sees me. Once again, He has given cause for me to trust Him. Not because He gave me what I asked for, but because He was enough for me in the in-between times. There are so many people walking around today that have no ideas how much God loves them. He sees and bears witness to all things. He knows when we are tired, anxious, thoughtful, thoughtless, rough, gentle, beautiful, ugly, happy, sad, wealthy, poor, humble, prideful, lonely…
To all who have forgotten the God who sees- my prayer is for you to know that you are seen. You are loved.
Tonight, I’m feeling especially artistic. Not from anything I’ve accomplished today, or even yesterday for that matter. No, I’m thinking about art, so I’ve put on the decaf coffee to brew, settled down with my macbook, and anxiously await a creative, artistic thought to sprout it’s baby-self… Still waiting…
“Just as each day brims with your beauty, my mouth brims with praise.” Ps 71:8
