lessons of 2010, resolutions for 2011

I love New Year's!! a time for reflection and setting goals for personal growth...I like it so much, I started thinking of my resolutions in November :)



Big lessons learned in 2010:



* run fullspeed to God, never stop!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." ~Hebrews 12:1



* Christ is sufficient.

"But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." ~II Corinthians 12:9



* throw out false expectations, preconceived notions, & selfish ambitions - let God amaze me with His Creativity and Imagination that far surpasses mine.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us," ~Ephesians 3:20



-don't put a limit on God. He is working innumerable stories in innumerable ways to bring all peoples to His glory.



* keep dreaming big.

-do not be discouraged by others, do not be ok with average. our God is not an average God, He is going to accomplish great things in and through His people.



"For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well." ~Psalm 139:13-14



"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." ~Jeremiah 29:11-13



"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." ~Philippians 1:6



* trust God. He will always be faithful, and knows what is best for me now, next year, in 10 years, in 50 years... He wants my joy and His glory. He will never forsake His promises, and He does not intend to frustrate His children. He is taking care of me - providing for me and protecting me.

"if we are faithless, he remains faithful — for he cannot deny himself." ~II Timothy 2:13



"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" ~Matthew 7:11



"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." ~Ephesians 1:3



"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD." ~Isaiah 55:8



"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." ~I Corinthians 13:12



* living in community with other believers is so important! we need accountability, companionship, encouragement; we are not meant to walk this journey alone.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." ~Proverbs 27:17



"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." ~I Thessalonians 5:11



"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." ~Colossians 3:12-15



"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." ~Ephesians 5:1-21



* look before you leap.

* boundaries are good.



whew! ok. now for my resolutions:



* read through & study the entire Bible (might do the 90 day schedule)

* read 2-3 books per month

* run/dance/yoga/exercise 3-5 times per week

* up my Spanish, French, & Italian proficiencies, learn Swahili

* work hard on improving my piano & guitar playing

* summer mission trip to Naomi's Village orphanage in Kenya

* volunteer regularly in a few places, but don't over-commit!

* continue to prayerfully & diligently seek God's leading in career direction, and more Bible/missions training



Happy New Year my friends!! I predict GREAT things for 2011!!

love in action

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."

~Luke 2:8-20


Do we get this?? I'm not convinced we do - the GOD of the Universe, All-mighty, All-powerful Creator of everything came to earth and put himself into a mortal body, the tiny human body of a baby, so that He would grow up and experience every pain and temptation and hurt the same as we do. It's utterly mind-blowing, incomprehensible that not only would He lower Himself to come to earth in human form, He put himself at the lowest places and with the lowest of people so that He would be accessible to all. (Shepherds were the outcasts of society, and the first to be told of Jesus' birth.) He was born in a stable full of smelly animals, slept in the manger where the animals ate their food - as one of my 3 year old's said last Sunday, "that would be UNcomfortable!" I don't think we get it - as much as we try to stuff our lives full of comfort, we forget that God purposefully made Himself uncomfortable for our sake. And yet we cannot bear to make ourselves vulnerable and uncomfortable, whether it's emotionally by being authentic and sharing in our struggles, socially by interacting with people outside of our normal social circles and sharing the Love of Christ boldly in our daily lives, or physically by either going to poverty-stricken places and showing the mercy & generosity of Jesus to others, or by doing without a few less material things in order to be able to afford to help out the neighbor down the street or sponsor the kid across the world.


"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

~Philippians 2:4-8


I don't think that we get that Jesus lived His entire life as an outcast, a wanderer, mocked in the high places, unjustly thrown down, beaten, and brutally killed - all for our sake. I think if we daily remembered His sacrifice, we'd forget all our petty personal troubles and spend a lot more time bringing the gospel to others. I think if we truly understood the immensity of what it means that God became flesh, suffered & died for us, and rose again to give us eternal life, we could not stand to live quiet lives of normalcy. I think if we could wrap our minds around that profound mystery, our lives and actions would look a lot more radical! I pray God moves us all to action.


Christmas seems to be the time of giving - let it not be the only time you give. By all means, buy shoes and toys for the tots, coats and blankets for the homeless, volunteer at a soup kitchen; but don't let it stop there, convinced you've paid your due, done your duty. You're only being lukewarm, giving the least bit to ease your conscience, with very little inconvenience to yourself. Maybe money's tight - guess what, it's not a sacrifice if it doesn't hurt a little! We ought to be giving where it hurts. It helps us to remember that this life, this job, this money, is not about us. It's about serving the One who created us, sharing His glory and spreading His name. Nothing really belongs to us, we are just the morning mist given a little to steward well with the short time we have here.


Oh Jesus, work in us and through us. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Let our lives be moved to action as grateful recipients of your grace. Amen.

Lordship

It's really all about Lordship, isn't it? We spend our whole lives over-complicating things when it's really just that simple.

Yes, God gave us the capabilities and imaginations to dream big, He even implants in us visions, dreams, passions, desires; after all, He is the God of creativity, He created the universe and uniquely shaped and designed everything in it! But when we grasp onto our own personal dreams in order to build up our own personal kingdoms instead of His own, when we forget who is God and decide to be the gods of our own lives, that's when things inevitably go awry. Perhaps if we spent more time focused on the nature and character of God instead of trying to chart out an exact path for our lives to follow for the next 2, 5, 10, 50 years, we would more humbly and joyfully take our places as privileged stewards who get to be part of bringing God's glory to fruition instead of whiny, petulant children demanding the God of the universe to bend it to our individual plans and purposes. God's glory and kingdom are coming, there's no altering that - but it's our choice to be the willing instruments used in exactly the ways He designed us to be used, or to be unyielding and tossed aside.


And we don't have to be petrified about every little decision we make, after all, God is in control and He will open and shut the correct doors at the correct times. He won't allow a misstep. ALL things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) He just asks us to step out in obedience and faith, He will be glorified. And though it's good to have a good grasp on your skills, gifts, and talents, and to have general goals and directions on where you believe you are called, it's more important to keep that line of communication open and be receptive to what God asks of you at the current moment. So many of us are in the "but what's next?" stage; what we really ought to be focused on is "how can I be faithful today, exactly where I am, in the places God has planted me? What does it look like to be a good steward of my time, money, talents, and relationships today?" - not next month, next year, or the sometime in the future.


He just wants us to be faithful. Even in the rough patches; sometimes it feels like God is saying "will you be faithful now?" "Ok, how about now?" "Well what if this happens?" "Ok, how about now?" "What if I take this away?" "What if I change your path in this direction?" Like Abraham's almost sacrifice of Isaac, I really think He does it more for our benefit than for His, to teach us trust and endurance, and unwavering faith regardless of circumstances.


It all goes back to Lordship. And each time acknowledging who the Creator is, and allowing Him to blow up our preconceived notions and expectations. Just let go and enjoy, and allow God to creatively surprise and delight you with what He brings next - I assure you, it will be better than anything you can conjure up with your own imagination!


(This seems to be a lesson I have to re-learn every 1-2 months. Let's hope it sticks this time.)



(I really think sunrises and sunsets are the best demonstrations of God's authority - I mean, really, come on, can you do this??)

The Chandlers: George Clooney on Sudan

The Chandlers: George Clooney on Sudan: "I'll be back soon with more from our trip to Sudan but in the meantime I wanted to share this interview with you:"

the great escape

escapism.



We all crave it, all long for it, all desire it. Call it what you will, downtime, "me" time, personal time - we are all trying to get away from the problems and pressures of the real world and away from ourselves. Whether it's road trips, camping, international travel, movies, music, video games, fantasy football, reading, working out, bar hopping - we are all searching for something more because we are desperately hoping that true meaning and purpose to life doesn't terminate on ourselves. Most of us are probably too caught up in a "me" driven society to realize that's what's driving the underlying current of discontent, but when you stop filling your day and your mind with a never-ending stream of media, and think about what's really there, what's left of your life when you strip away all the superficiality and menial daily tasks, don't you hope and pray to God that there's still something left? Something there worthwhile, life-changing, world-changing, miracle inducing?



Still not you, you say? You long for nothing? Think of the millions of Americans who run everyday - yes, it's great exercise, but yes, anyone who runs will tell you what a great escape it is, what a thrilling feeling it is to leave the rest of the world behind for just a little while and pound out the pavement, or better yet, a nature trail. We are running from the shallow meaninglessness of the consumer-driven life, running to get back to nature and our natural selves. Anyone seen Avatar? Pocahontas? any movie ever where people are running barefoot through the woods? There's something in us that knows there's something wrong with the world, we are in a broken, fallen state; there is a disconnect from the natural state where we came from, and we crave to return to that perfect, blissful, unashamed nakedness and harmonious serenity.



The whole food and organic movement, and even those silly looking five-finger shoes are proof of man's desire to return to a more natural, healthy state of being - we've tried doing life the processed, packaged, factory brand, sterile lifestyle, and guess what? It didn't work. We ended up with a morbidly obese nation with more psychological disorders and issues than the rest of the world. We are depressed - not because we don't have enough, but because we have too much; too many options, and too much stuff. We are stuffing ourselves with too much food, internet, toys, and information, instead of embracing the peacefulness of simple living and investing in the lives and community around us. We don't even know our neighbors, but we could narrate every episode of Lost or Grey's Anatomy. What's wrong with this picture? Mankind was meant to connect with each other and with God - maybe it's time to switch of the tv or computer, and get real - whether it's having an actual conversation with your neighbor, or hitting your knees and getting real with God.



What will you choose? To perpetuate the endless, monotonous, unsatisfying cycle, or to break out of the quiet desperation of your heart and begin to live authentically?

the sweetness of God

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." ~Colossians 3:2 (ESV)



I feel like this verse has been the theme of my entire year.



The list of things to be worried or anxious about is seemingly endless: the future, career direction, current job (or job search), current circumstances, health, finances, friends, family, relationships, what field to study or enter, what path to choose...

In our fallen nature, it is so easy to default to needless worrying, to take our eyes of the sovereign God above us and to focus on our own insignificant problems until they become so big they swallow us whole. Yet God commands us to "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6). Then He promises that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7).



We are mere wisps of breath within the grand scope of eternity. And yet we think our problems are too big for God to handle, the almighty Creator of the universe who spoke the light and winds and waves into being without lifting a finger. The same God who planned every facet of your being, the subtleties of your personality and characteristics, your every circumstance and life stage, He knew every thought that will ever enter your head and every struggle you will ever face before eternity even began!



"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."

~Psalm 139:13-16



Don't you think that that God is big enough to take care of you? How unfathomable is His grace that He constantly pursues our corrupt, undeserving hearts and puts every struggle in our path in order to draw us closer to Him, to break our obstinate wills so that we will recognize our desperate need of Him. Not so that He can play puppet with us, but because He desires intimate relationship with us, He desires reciprocal affection and voluntary love from us; our joy is the delight of His heart! Nothing is sweeter than the constant fellowship of a daily dependence on God. It absolutely blows my mind that this all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful God cares for me, and the condition of my heart so much that He will do whatever it takes to purge every impurity from the desires of my heart. Just let that truth sink in.



In Matthew 6:25-34, God tells us "do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."



Though He loves every part of creation, we are the crown of creation, and He will certainly always take care of us. Deuteronomy 10:14 says that the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it. Why should I ever worry about food or clothing or money, when all of it belongs to God? Matthew 7:7-11 says, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"



God already knows exactly what we need, and He promises to provide for us. We may not always get what we think we want or need, but that is because our Heavenly Father knows what we need best and what will be good for us in the long run; you don't give a kid ice cream or candy every time he asks for it, because it's not good for him. Our minds are too small to comprehend the goodness of discipline while we're in it, but sometimes God allows us to see why He says no or not yet after the fact. Yet He actually commands us to ask Him for things - I think we're often afraid to ask God for things, because we think if He doesn't follow through right away, it negates the power or the existence or the goodness of our God, or means that our faith is too small. If our motives are right, perhaps He's calling us to be persistent in prayer, to persevere for His higher purposes.



"He may delay because it would not be safe to give us at once what we ask: we are not ready for it. To give ere we could truly receive, would be to destroy the very heart and hope of prayer, to cease to be our Father. The delay itself may work to bring us nearer to our help, to increase the desire, perfect the prayer, and ripen the receptive condition." ~George MacDonald



We don't know the grand scheme of things, we can't see the bigger picture, so we don't know God's reasons for everything. However, we can trust and rest in the knowledge that He is above and beyond all things, and that He is Good. God's timing is perfect.



One more thought; if you are frustrated or confused about unmet or unfulfilled desires of your heart, know this:

"God doesn't mock us with His promises to answer prayer. C.H. Spurgeon said,

'I cannot imagine any one of you tantalizing your child by exciting in him a desire that you did not intend to gratify. It were a very ungenerous thing to offer alms to the poor, and then when they hold out their hand for it, to mock their poverty with denial. It were a cruel addition to the miseries of the sick if they were taken to the hospital and there left to die unattended and uncared for. Where God leads you to pray, He means you to receive.'"

(Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life)



If you have felt in your heart a God-given desire for marriage or children or missions or being a successful artist, musician, writer, photographer, actor, filmmaker, businessman, whatever - know that He doesn't intend to frustrate us; He intends to grow us to the fullest of our potential, by the best means possible, for our joy and His ultimate glory, in His absolute perfect timing. We want to be perfect and accomplished now, but as a friend said to me yesterday, life is about the process, not the product. Be patient, you'll get there. Life is a journey, not a destination.



"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places," ~Ephesians 1:3. He has given us every spiritual blessing for our rich enjoyment, and He has blessed us to be a blessing to others. In John 10:10, Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." God wants us to live our lives to the fullest, so cherish and relish each day, and make the most of every opportunity! (Eph. 5:16)



Be encouraged!



Much <3,

Cindy

Our Greatest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.



It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, talented and fabulous?



Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.



Your playing small does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do.



We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.

It is not just in some; it is in everyone.



And, as we let our own light shine, we consciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.



~Marianne Williamson

necklaces!!

http://lightgivesheat.org/lghfilms/currentproject - so amazing & inspiring! watch video for the story




They've come! I have my first shipment in of 10 necklaces to sell to friends & family.
They are beautiful beaded necklaces made by women in Uganda from lacquered strips of recycled paper, and the $20 you spend on one goes to creating sustainable and consistent weekly incomes for these beautiful women. Each necklace is unique and comes with the photo and story of the woman who made it.

3 of the 10 I'm selling are already accounted for! Call or message me quick if you want one! I wear mine daily, either looped once or twice around my neck, or multi-wrapped around my wrist as a bracelet for a daily reminder to look beyond myself and give to the needs of others. Selling them in 6 weeks gives me a chance to win a trip to Uganda!



So let me know if you want one for yourself, or to use as gifts for your friends & family!

Much <3

consumerism for good

I got into a good chat with a coworker this morning on the way that America consumerism is much too focused on what we don't have vs. enjoying the amazing blessings we do have; the focus is different outside of the U.S. - in general, people in other countries get by with what they do have and are not as blinded by the "American Dream" of having more and more unnecessary material things.

I want people to know that the daily choices you make can have a real impact on the lives of others.
For example:

My favorite necklace/bracelet is made by a woman in Uganda; it came with her picture and story, and all the money paid for it goes towards sustainable incomes in Uganda.
They also sell bags, other jewelry, and shirts. {By the way, I ordered my first batch of necklaces to sell - contact me if you are interested!}
http://lightgivesheat.org/humanitarian

Another bracelet I wear daily was made by a woman who was freed from sex slavery in Nepal; now the freed women guard the borders in order to prevent more sex-trafficking and also make bracelets to sell to raise awareness and end the injustice. There are also many other countries and handmade crafts represented on this website, from jewelry and bags to artisan papers and silks.
http://www.eternalthreads.org/redthread/

My picnic basket that I adore - made by a woman in Ghana, paid for with "Success Wages" (higher than fair trade), through a non-profit run by a single man working with artisans in 15 different African countries and the Fair Trade Federation.
http://www.basketsofafrica.com/

Coffee with a mission to help a community in Rawanda torn apart by genocide, also with higher than fair trade wages, what they are calling "Community Trade":
http://www.drinkcoffeedogood.com/

Someday I aspire to open a missions-minded business with others in mind; a coffee shop/bakery with a boutique that sells only fair trade merchandise, something like this:
http://www.ourmomentum.com/


For more amazing stories of non-profits across America, please follow my friends at:
http://www.onthegoodroad.com/blog


Other places you can help end brutalities, poverty, and hunger:
http://www.sixty1.org/home.htm

http://pickapocket.showitsite.com/

http://www.hscv.org/

http://www.endfgm.eu/en/

http://www.project7.com/

worship

"How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom"

~Stuart Townend



"O God have mercy, reveal to me my sin,
The guilt the shame the darkness, innate within
The blood of Jesus washes and makes me clean
Condemned now I’m pardoned, once bound now I’m free, now I’m free

To the God of victory All glory be to One Who’s conquered all
Every tongue will sing To the Risen King oh the wonder of it all
Just to think that You love me a wretch like me
Aloud I will rejoice! Aloud I will rejoice!
Aloud I will rejoice

O Father of my spirit, O King of all my days
Lead me to repentance, By Your amazing grace
O may my sin be bitter, so Christ will be sweet
I trust in your promise, life eternally, life eternally

Sing it loud, shout it out, rejoice, rejoice
Jesus, is King, victorious!"

~Michael Bleecker & Patricia Ryan Clark



"You are stronger
You are stronger
Sin is broken
You have saved me
It is written
Christ is risen
Jesus, You are Lord of all"

~Hillsong

in a mirror darkly

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." (Colossians 3:2, ESV)

"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." (I Thessalonians 4:13-18, ESV)

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (I Peter 2:9-10, ESV)

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2, NIV)

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." (Ephesians 5:15-17, NIV)

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Colossians 4:5-6, NIV)

"Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." (I Peter 2:11-16, ESV)

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct." (I Peter 1:13-15, ESV)

"Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you." (I Thessalonians 4:1-8, ESV)

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me." (Colossians 1:24-29, ESV)

"But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil." (I Peter 3: 14-17, ESV)

"For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God." (I Peter 2:20, ESV)

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you" (I Peter 4:12-14, ESV)

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." (I Corinthians 13:12, ESV)

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:12-17, NIV)

end FGM

this is horrifying and should not happen! 8,000 girls a day are needlessly mutilated, horribly injured, suffer complications, & risk death. do what you can to help:

http://www.intrepidtravel.com/express-blog/?p=355/express:article6

http://www.endfgm.eu/en/

"God allows in the bitter so that we will know that only He is sweet."

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade — kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith — of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire — may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

~I Peter 1:3-9 NIV


"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

~Romans 5:1-5 NIV


"Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's 'all as it should be'
Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name"
~Matt Redman


"You are not a god
Created by human hands
You are not a god
Dependent on any mortal man
You are not a god
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that's just the way it is

You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
Your are God alone
And right now
In the good times and bad
You are on Your throne
You are God alone

You're the only God
Whose power none can contend
You're the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You're the only God
Who's worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that's just the way it is

Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That's what You are"
~Phillips Craig & Dean

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
~John 10:10 ESV

"Do not give the devil a foothold."
~Ephesians 4:27 NIV

"Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."
~Matthew 16:23 NASB


"I need thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
no tender voice like thine can peace afford.

I need thee, O I need thee;
every hour I need thee;
O bless me now, my Savior, I come to thee.

I need thee every hour; stay thou nearby;
temptations lose their power when thou art nigh.

I need thee every hour, in joy or pain;
come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need thee every hour; teach me thy will;
and thy rich promises in me fulfill.

I need thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son."

~Annie S. Hawks


"But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
~Isaiah 40:31 ESV

"Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!"
~Psalm 27:14 ESV

"He may delay because it would not be safe to give us at once what we ask: we are not ready for it. To give ere we could truly receive, would be to destroy the very heart and hope of prayer, to cease to be our Father. The delay itself may work to bring us nearer to our help, to increase the desire, perfect the prayer, and ripen the receptive condition." ~George MacDonald

"He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."
~Psalm 23:3 ESV

"Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."
~Psalm 55:22 NASB

celebrate the silence.

lately, God has been teaching me the value of silence. it's not a discipline that comes easy to me, nor one that is easy to understand. don't get me wrong, being a dreamer, I often spend time in my imagination or pondering the great truths of life, but quiet prayer & personal reflection don't always come easily. maybe that's because it's hard to face reality sometimes, it's easier to live in denial with noise and muffle the truth, stifle our feelings.

this week was a good getaway, forced me to get alone with my thoughts and alone with God, and though I fought it at first, He kept pulling on my heart. thank God He is so gracious and tender and loving and patient for me to come to Him, instead of forcing me to my knees. when I got quiet in prayer, and just prayed over everyone and everything that came to my mind, He opened me up to reveal some pretty important things to me, things that were kind of obvious, but that I had been blind to. maybe He knew that I wouldn't or couldn't understand or accept them until now, so He was patient for me to become open & silent.

maybe if I took time every day for silence & prayerful reflection instead of waiting for a rare week's vacation, it wouldn't take me so long to hear what God's telling me. I aim to be so closely attuned to God's voice & will that decisions are effortless.

I am humbled.

children in need

http://www.compassion.com/

Make a difference to one child with just $38/month - we buy jeans or books or concert tickets or a really nice dinner out with that much, and that feeds, clothes, shelters, & schools them for a whole month!

God has really placed giving on my heart as of late. Truly, we are just stewards of the money & resources God has put in our hands; none of it belongs to us. We "earn" it, but He gives us life & breath each day, the ability to earn it, and the opportunities & circumstances to work. How selfish of us to keep 100% of our earnings and not share with those starving and in need?

I now have a child in Kenya with Compassion and a child in Brazil with http://www.worldvision.org/ - my dream is to eventually sponsor a child on each continent. I tell you this not to brag, but to inspire you to make a difference, too. I read about a church that gives away 50% of its budget because they are taking Jesus' command to "Love your neighbor as yourself" seriously; I really hope & aspire to do that someday.

Give Kids the World

http://www.gktw.org/

When I was living in Orlando and working for Disney, I heard about this place called the Give Kids the World Village - it's a wonderful place that works with wish-giving organizations like Make-a-Wish Foundation to give seriously ill children and their families a free week-long vacation to Orlando and its various theme parks. Sometimes I worked shifts there through Disney, or sometimes I'd volunteer to deliver cookies or pizzas, or run the carousel...or my favorite - play on the giant Candyland playground! It was truly a magical place, and all the families were so sweet and kind and grateful. When you're working for a good purpose, it makes every little thing worth it!

Orphans in Vietnam

this hurts my heart so much, I want to cry - how can we possibly ever complain about our lives when there is so much worse pain in the world?

http://www.razoncollective.com/photographer-projects/legacy-of-horror/

photos by Justin Mott of children in the Ba Vi Orphanage and Elderly home near Hanoi, Vietnam who are severely disabled and were orphaned at birth

here's how you can help them:
http://www.hscv.org/

Real Stories of Hunger

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2010/may/21/photo-real-faces-hunger-michael-nye/

I'm excited to see this free photo exhibit in Dallas this weekend - featuring black & white photos of people and audio recordings of their stories of how they ended up hungry.
It's sure to be moving - compassion is far too scarce and underrated these days.

Picnics!

I absolutely adore picnics! In fact, I always keep my picnic blanket and a folding chair in the back of my car. :) I have a lovely little red picnic basket I like to use often with my friends, as we go adventuring and enjoying each others' company at parks or on the square. It's a great way to chill and relax, maybe listen to some live music, and make some new friends.

Now, I have a beautiful new picnic basket woven by a woman in Ghana! Even better, the business I bought it from is run by a man who pays "success wages" (better than Fair Trade wages) to workers in 18 countries. What an example of a person giving back! I admire his business model and aspire to be just as giving in my life.


Baskets of Africa
http://www.basketsofafrica.com/index.shtml

Light Gives Heat

http://lightgivesheat.org/

I have a beautiful necklace I bought from a friend - it was made by a woman in Uganda, and the money goes to support sustainable incomes in Uganda; I can't think of a better reason to buy a necklace. And I love it! It's definitely my favorite accessory, and it helps me pray for those women all day long. :)

On the Good Road

http://www.onthegoodroad.com/

Two amazing people traveling the country's non-profits!

Home - Yann Arthus-Bertrand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU

Proof of why we need to take care of our world! Go green! Go organic! Buy fair trade! The actions you take in your life and consumer choices affect those in many other countries.

Beautiful cinematography.

question? answer.

Being in the "transition" stage of my life has tested my faith repeatedly! So full of questions and giant decisions to make, one can feel so lost & confused so easily. Where do I go? What do I do? Grad school? Job? Where to live? What church do I get involved with? Where do I serve? Is this right? Never before has a generation had so many options & opportunities; yes, that's a great thing, but YES, it can be paralyzing! We are told we can do / be anything we want, so how do we choose?

Call me crazy, but I do believe that God has uniquely gifted and shaped each one of us with different talents, strengths, & opportunities; I believe He has really awesome plans for each of us to accomplish. {"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~Ephesians 2:10} That doesn't mean closing our eyes and saying "ok, God, push me in the right direction - bring the right job / school / spouse to my doorstep, drop the answers in my lap." That means using the good sense & knowledge He gave us to make our decisions whilst being open to His direction and asking for His wisdom and guidance. Too often we limit God, trying to pin Him down and put Him in a box, trying to find limits to define the work of our lives when we should be jubilant with the sheer potential of what could be!

Maybe sometimes, it's not "this" or "that" - maybe sometimes, it's both! Since college, when I heard speakers at chapel from the International Justice Mission and World Vision, I've had a real pull on my heart towards the hurting in other countries (particularly children). I think being globally minded is SO important, to think outside oneself and one's small, limited worldview, and I have so many dreams & aspirations of world travel. At the same time, I'm a nester; I like to buy pretty teapots and fun kitchen accessories, I like my morning coffee routine, and I enjoy creating cozy, beautiful living spaces. I recently had a good heart-to-heart chat with my parents about my worries & stresses over what's next. Maybe it's just hard for me to see where I'm going because I'm in the midst of the fog right now, but I was so encouraged when my Dad said that he could tell God is about to do something huge in my life.

I like where I'm living. It really feels like home now. I like the music & art scene. I like that there's always something cool or interesting going on. I like the square, the coffee shops, the hole-in-the-wall restaurants. I like that people here are health-conscious and eat organically because that's what's best for your body. I love that people here are so into going green - not as a trend, but as a way of life to create a better world and environment. (I believe God wants us to be good stewards of our bodies and our world.) I don't know yet what international adventures lie in my future, but I have a feeling that Denton may be my home base, and God will present some pretty incredible opportunities for me to serve Him both here and internationally. I'm not sure where yet, Africa, Europe, Asia, South America - but I know there are a lot of Francophone countries, and maybe that's why God had me choose French. All I know is that I want to be exactly where God wants me to be, because I don't want to be anywhere else! Anywhere else is not God's best for me, will make me miserable, and won't be fulfilling His purposes for me. I don't know what's next or where I might be going, but I'm so excited about the possibilities!

I think I'm ready. Whether it's to be a Paul or a Stephen or an Esther - wherever He leads, I'll go! And I'm not afraid.

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." ~2 Timothy 1:7

"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 (1 John 4 is one of my favorite passages, you should read it sometime)

So to answer my first questions: Where do I go? What do I do? Where to live? What church do I get involved with? Where do I serve? How do I choose? -All I can tell you is to give up your will (just accept that God is the almighty powerful yet loving Creator of the Universe who knows your every facet and wants nothing more than for you to live a joyful, productive life), blow up your pre-conceived notions of what God can do with your life, and be ready & open for His direction & opportunities.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." ~1 Corinthians 10:31