Happy Heart

The difference between these two pictures is 13 months and 1/2 a world, but the heart behind them is still the same.

Today I’m thankful for cross-cultural ministry opportunities – whether they take place in a foreign country or in small town Texas.

God is good.

The Expanded Sphere of Influence

One of my main complaints about my "real" job is that I'm so secluded from people. On a regular basis, I have face-to-face contact with about 5 people at work. My office (that I share with 2 other graduate students) is small ... as in 6 steps from the door to the wall. Sometimes I just miss seeing people. So I asked God to change it - change the job ... change my attitude about it ... change something.

And He did.

This Fall semester my regular sphere of influence will include ~

* Being a student instructor for a freshman orientation program to help incoming students adjust to college life. I get the opportunity to pour into about 100 students each week in a large group setting and then a smaller number through small group break out sessions.

* About 3 weeks ago I started a temporary, part-time job that allows me to interact with lots (and lots!!) of customers who are mainly students. I love helping them find the books they need for classes. My face hurt yesterday from smiling at each customer and asking if they needed help. ;-)

* I am joining up with International Student Friendship Ministries through Chi Alpha to reach the international students who are studying at my university. There aren't enough words to share how pumped I am about this opportunity. I ran across this video on the ISFM website that explains it well:



As I was laying in bed the other night thinking about how different this Fall semester is going to look from past semesters, I couldn't help but see His fingerprints all over this "expanded sphere of influence." May I steward the opportunity well.

The Expanded Sphere of Influence

One of my main complaints about my "real" job is that I'm so secluded from people. On a regular basis, I have face-to-face contact with about 5 people at work. My office (that I share with 2 other graduate students) is small ... as in 6 steps from the door to the wall. Sometimes I just miss seeing people. So I asked God to change it - change the job ... change my attitude about it ... change something.

And He did.

This Fall semester my regular sphere of influence will include ~

* Being a student instructor for a freshman orientation program to help incoming students adjust to college life. I get the opportunity to pour into about 100 students each week in a large group setting and then a smaller number through small group break out sessions.

* About 3 weeks ago I started a temporary, part-time job that allows me to interact with lots (and lots!!) of customers who are mainly students. I love helping them find the books they need for classes. My face hurt yesterday from smiling at each customer and asking if they needed help. ;-)

* I am joining up with International Student Friendship Ministries through Chi Alpha to reach the international students who are studying at my university. There aren't enough words to share how pumped I am about this opportunity. I ran across this video on the ISFM website that explains it well:



As I was laying in bed the other night thinking about how different this Fall semester is going to look from past semesters, I couldn't help but see His fingerprints all over this "expanded sphere of influence." May I steward the opportunity well.

Book Review: “What in the World is Going On?” by Dr. David Jeremiah

I recently read the book “What in the World is Going On? 10 Prophetic Clues You Cannot Afford to Ignore” by Dr. David Jeremiah. This book covers ten topics related to end-time prophesy. Topics discussed include: Israel, oil, the European Union, Islamic Terrorism, the Rapture of the Church, America’s role in prophecy, one man ruling the world, the axis of evil, the Battle of Armageddon, and the return of Jesus.

I really liked how Dr. Jeremiah related current news headlines to what was prophesied long ago. His use of examples from history greatly supported the claims he made in the book and added substantial value for the reader. This book was an interesting, challenging read and I learned a lot from it. Overall, I found “What in the World is Going on?” to be very enlightening and it served as an excellent reminder that what God spoke long ago is coming to fruition before our eyes. Jesus is coming back – get ready!


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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I've come to realize ...

I've come to realize that my body is... a temple.

I've come to realize that my job is... ending in December. Woohoo!

I've come to realize that I need nothing more in life than... a Savior.

I've come to realize that I've lost my mind... when I can’t remember what I was just thinking.

I've come to realize I hate... the materialism and greed in my own life.

I've come to realize that money is... not what I live for.

I've come to realize that certain people... will not like you regardless of how nice you are.
I've come to realize that I'll always remember... family vacations.

I've come to realize that my sibling... lives a completely different life phase than I do. Guess that’s what happens when you’re 8 years apart.

I've come to realize my mom... is my biggest encourager.

I've come to realize my dad... is my confidant and best friend (though he never set out to be his children’s “friend”). He’s probably the person I trust the most on the whole planet.

I've come to realize my cell phone... is not essential. I can take it or leave it.

I've come to realize when I woke up this morning... I was blessed.

I've come to realize last night... that who you’re with matters more than what you’re doing.

I've come to realize right now I'm thinking about... what to do after graduation.

I've come to realize today... is a much needed day off.

I've come to realize tonight... is not going to go as planned.

I've come to realize tomorrow... will be a long day at work.

I've come to realize I really want to... go.

I've come to realize my children... are not yet born and I am SO thankful for that!

I've come to realize this weekend... is going to be full of working (and I’m a tad excited about that!)

I've come to realize the best music to listen to when I'm upset... is no music at all.

I've come to realize that my friends... are who they are.

I've come to realize that this year... has gone by really fast!

I've come to realize my husband... is not here yet and that’s something I have mixed feelings about.

I've come to realize maybe I should... write more.

I've come to realize I really don't understand... a lot of things.

I've come to realize my past... is covered in the blood of Jesus.

I've come to realize parties... are fun to plan for others, but I could do without them personally.

I've come to realize my life... is on purpose.

30 Words or Less

Boundless (Focus on the Family's Young Adult website) recently posted a challenge to describe yourself in 30 words or less. It's harder than you think!

Here's my stab at it:

Sinner saved by grace. Christ follower. Passionate about cross-cultural ministry. Grad student. I love family, laughter, traveling, deep conversations, photography, bright colors, adventure, flip flops, and talking politics and religion.

I think that's a pretty good picture of me.

Are you up for a challenge? Can you describe yourself in 30 words or less?

Justifying Disobedience

The phrase "justifying disobedience" has been on my mind a lot lately. More than likely because I'm doing it. Go figure.

I recently read this passage from Dr. Jerry Rankin:

“… most likely we never hear and respond to God’s call because of a reluctant will that is unwilling to trust God to lead us and use us. It is tragic that we have to term a response to God’s call as a decision of ‘surrender’ to His will. It does mean giving up our own selfish plans and ambitions, but the natural inclination of every Christian should be to willingly and joyfully place our lives in the Father’s hands and count it a privilege of following wherever He leads. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, there should be no other desire except to serve Him and be obedient to His lordship. It is at the point of a surrendered will that most Christians struggle with God’s call, rationalizing how to be obedient without sacrifice or denial of material comforts. Negotiating with God, expressing a willingness to serve Him where we are without having to go to the other side of the world. We seek to justify disobedience by questioning whether or not God is really calling us. But I assure you it is not Satan that is breaking your heart over a lost world and stirring your emotions with an inclination to walk the aisle and lay your life on the alter to go wherever God leads. That’s your Lord speaking to your heart in the still small voice of His Spirit, and if He is Lord, your response is not optional.”

- Dr. Jerry Rankin The Challenge To Great Commission Obedience (p 8-9)

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Then I ran across an old bookmark from the IMB with this prayer on the back of it:

Father, You did love the whole world. You sent Jesus, the Savior.
Father, You do love the whole world. You send us, the messengers.
Forgive us for where we won’t go.
Illumine our justifications and rationalizations and procrastinations for the sins that they are.
Lord Jesus, You are the way of life. Show people that other ways aren’t.
Father, wait for no church, no denomination. Send forth Your Word.
Break our hearts, save our world. Even quickly, we pray.
Amen.

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I hear you, Lord.

Disparity

I struggle quite a bit with the disparity between the living conditions of other countries and those of the U.S.


Poverty is real.

Dying from preventable diseases is real.

Walking for miles to get water from a contaminated well is real.

Having no shelter is real.

Wondering what your children will eat for their next meal is real.

Having no hope of a life outside the vicious cycle of poverty is real.


I compare those harsh realities with what my life looks like here and the contrast is stark. And I don’t know what to do about it.

I spend a lot of time asking God how I’m supposed to live in light of these two very different realities. How do I recognize the things He has given as blessings, yet hold them loosely?

At the end of Radical, David Platt says:

“I also fear that in addressing unbiblical foundations inherent within the American dream, I have created the impression that every facet of the American dream is negative. This is certainly not the case. Though we have much to learn from our persecuted brothers and sisters in lands where there is no freedom, and though we have much to learn from impoverished brothers and sisters in lands where there are few resources, I am grateful to God for the freedom and resources he has given us in the United States. These gifts from God have certainly not been without cost, and if we did not have such freedoms and resources, many of the opportunities we have to take the gospel to the nations would simply not exist. The challenge before us, then, is to use the freedoms, resources, and opportunities God has entrusted to us for his purpose in the world, all the while remaining careful not to embrace ideas, values, and assumptions that contradict what God has said in his Word.” (p 214-215; emphasis mine)

Now that is quite the challenge!

Summer Happenings

This post will serve as a sort of “life update” for anyone interested ~

* This summer, I’ve taken a total of 5 ½ weeks off of school and work. I’m now down to 2 weeks left. I’ve immensely enjoyed the time away (though I’ve been quite busy). Sleeping late is by far my favorite part of summer – always has been! :)

* A close second in the “best part of summer” competition is reading … for fun! For some strange reason, textbooks don’t have the same allure. ;) I’m sure I’ve read no less than 1,000 pages in the past 3 weeks. Love it.

* I’m currently reading Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream by David Platt. It has taken me a while to get through it because it’s so darn convicting! I feel like Dr. Platt has put into words the stirring that’s been taking place in my heart in recent months – a challenge to seek more than a comfortable, stable life with all the “stuff” at the expense of radical devotion to Christ.

* It’s the end of VBS week at church. I’ve been working with 3rd and 4th graders all week and I am whooped. For the most part they’ve been a good group and we’ve had fun at Saddle Ridge Ranch.

* I’ve been amazed at how God used the lessons and music to minister to my own heart. His love knows no age limits.

* I had oral surgery last Friday to remove all four of my wisdom teeth. Ouch!

* I may or may not have used a VBS song to combat an attack from the enemy. But that’s a post for another day … ;)

* My best friend got engaged last night and the reality that we are no longer kids has hit me hard. She and I have been friends since the first day of 7th grade … and that’s been quite a few years! I guess we’re really adults now. Anyway, I could not be happier for her and her love. Starting today I’m working on my tan. :)

How’s your summer going?

Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. – James 1:5-6

Those are two verses I’ve had to remind myself of A LOT in the past week. In recent days I’ve had to make two BIG decisions … like adult decisions about adult issues. Weird.

I also find it amusing that these decisions had to be made at the same time that a sermon series about making good decisions is underway at church. In a way, I feel like it’s God reminding me that He is a God of timing and that I need to trust that.

Week 1 of the sermon series was on examining the true motivation behind a decision and asking why you’re really doing what you’re doing. Couple that with the fact that I’m currently reading Beth Moore’s So Long, Insecurity which highlights some of the ways insecurities affect our decision making, and you’ve got yourself some deep, prayerful thoughts tossed into the mix.

Ultimately, I made the hard decisions and I did what I thought was right. And as I watched the way God worked in and through the situations, I’m confident he deposited some wisdom in this brain and heart to make those tough choices.

In what area(s) of your life could you use some wisdom? He’s just a prayer away!