In case any of you would like to find out what The Salvation Army is doing to help those affected by the Tsunami, please go to:
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn.nsf/vw-news?openView&start=1&&count=10
I hope that works. Please let me know if it doesn't.
Joy
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Report from Sri Lanka
Yesterday an email was sent out to everyone here at The Salvation Army's headquarters from a missionary who is serving with The Salvation Army near where the Tsunami's hit. She was writing to a man named Colonel Faulkner who is in charge of Personnel here at the SA but since he was willing to share it with us, I thought others might like to read it as well. It is quite eye opening, as all news of the disaster is. It is also a call to prayer although most of us have been since we heard the news.
Grace and Justice in a time when neither seems very close,
Joy
Colonel Faulkner would like to share the following message received from Lou Brandon following the disaster in Sri Lanka:
"Thank you Colonel for your concern.
Things are pretty grave here.
All of our officers survived. We had officer all along the coast. Most lost everything, but God spared their lives. We have been unable to evaluate our properties as of yet. There is too much confusion. We have been doing relief work, sending teams to make sure our people are okay. One officer lost several family members. He just buried his wife three months ago. Please pray for their family.
Most of the deaths here appear to be children. Sunday Morning the sea was doing amazing things. The children were in awe. They called their mothers and father to watch. Then the waves came and everyone was gone.
Babies torn from their mothers arms. Grandparents at home gone.
The city of Galle is a ghost town. Sunday morning trains were full of travelers, the bus stand was full of people waiting for their transport and the open air market was crowded as usual. All gone. The trains floating out to sea, the buses full of people floating out to sea.
Usually for Christmas I take a short sanity break. I head to the coast and take lodging at one of the hotels. This year there were no rooms where I normally stay. There was a room available at a hotel in Hikkadewa, right on the beach. I knew the place and decided it was too busy and it would not be a quite place. So I declined. Colonel that hotel is gone, it collapsed and washed into the sea. Many tourists died there. By the grace of God, there go I. It could have been me.
Please pray for us. This county is not equipped for this type of disaster. Neither is this territory. Our Terrirorial Commander is on furlough in Indonesia. The earthquake happened during the time they were in the air. Our Chief Secretary and myself are doing the best we can.
Thank you for your concern.
One last thing before I close. Our Dewheila Girls Home and Eventide, has a fishing boat sitting in its yard. We have forty girls there and 30 senior ladies. Most of the girls had gone home for Christmas and the rest were attending services here at THQ. No one was hurt.
The waves lifted this big fishing boat out of the water over the railway track and over our 6 foot plus retaining wall and set it right down.
God is good.
That is about 3 miles from where I live. I am six blocks from the ocean.
Thank you for your prayers.
Love to you all.
Happy New Year. "
Grace and Justice in a time when neither seems very close,
Joy
Colonel Faulkner would like to share the following message received from Lou Brandon following the disaster in Sri Lanka:
"Thank you Colonel for your concern.
Things are pretty grave here.
All of our officers survived. We had officer all along the coast. Most lost everything, but God spared their lives. We have been unable to evaluate our properties as of yet. There is too much confusion. We have been doing relief work, sending teams to make sure our people are okay. One officer lost several family members. He just buried his wife three months ago. Please pray for their family.
Most of the deaths here appear to be children. Sunday Morning the sea was doing amazing things. The children were in awe. They called their mothers and father to watch. Then the waves came and everyone was gone.
Babies torn from their mothers arms. Grandparents at home gone.
The city of Galle is a ghost town. Sunday morning trains were full of travelers, the bus stand was full of people waiting for their transport and the open air market was crowded as usual. All gone. The trains floating out to sea, the buses full of people floating out to sea.
Usually for Christmas I take a short sanity break. I head to the coast and take lodging at one of the hotels. This year there were no rooms where I normally stay. There was a room available at a hotel in Hikkadewa, right on the beach. I knew the place and decided it was too busy and it would not be a quite place. So I declined. Colonel that hotel is gone, it collapsed and washed into the sea. Many tourists died there. By the grace of God, there go I. It could have been me.
Please pray for us. This county is not equipped for this type of disaster. Neither is this territory. Our Terrirorial Commander is on furlough in Indonesia. The earthquake happened during the time they were in the air. Our Chief Secretary and myself are doing the best we can.
Thank you for your concern.
One last thing before I close. Our Dewheila Girls Home and Eventide, has a fishing boat sitting in its yard. We have forty girls there and 30 senior ladies. Most of the girls had gone home for Christmas and the rest were attending services here at THQ. No one was hurt.
The waves lifted this big fishing boat out of the water over the railway track and over our 6 foot plus retaining wall and set it right down.
God is good.
That is about 3 miles from where I live. I am six blocks from the ocean.
Thank you for your prayers.
Love to you all.
Happy New Year. "
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Simeon and Anna
Christmas morning Marty was reading the Christmas story to the rest of the Mikles family and I was privileged to sit next to him and read along. I love how God's word is continually made new to us and how there will always be something to learn from a story we have heard so often.
On Christmas morning this was what I heard:
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Holy Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.'
Luke 2: 25 - 32
Then a little bit farther down the Scripture talks about a woman named Anna.
"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying (pretty cool, I'd say). Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." verses 36 - 38
Fact: We have seen the salvation which God has prepared in the sight of all people - a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Israel.
Question: Who are you going to tell about the redemption of your town, your world, your soul and theirs?
We're coming up on New Year's resolutions - perhaps the answer to that question should be among yours.
That's Christmas after all, isn't it? One that really makes a difference and doesn't get thrown out with the wrapping paper.
Grace and Justice,
Joy
On Christmas morning this was what I heard:
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Holy Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
'Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.'
Luke 2: 25 - 32
Then a little bit farther down the Scripture talks about a woman named Anna.
"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying (pretty cool, I'd say). Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem." verses 36 - 38
Fact: We have seen the salvation which God has prepared in the sight of all people - a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Israel.
Question: Who are you going to tell about the redemption of your town, your world, your soul and theirs?
We're coming up on New Year's resolutions - perhaps the answer to that question should be among yours.
That's Christmas after all, isn't it? One that really makes a difference and doesn't get thrown out with the wrapping paper.
Grace and Justice,
Joy
Monday, December 20, 2004
Christmas
The day we celebrate as Christmas wasn't always a Christian holiday and still isn't in many parts of the world - it used to be a pagan agricultural festival called Saturnalia that was celebrated in Rome by gift giving and lots of debauchery - even the election of a mock king. Actually most European countries had a pagan festival that they celebrated around Christmastime.
My friend is in China right now and she says that Christmas isn't really a holiday over there and although it has been growing in popularity it is still a strictly secular holiday. That made me think about what my life without Christmas might look like or be.
I celebrate Christmas in America and it looks a whole lot like the other pagan holidays that are mentioned above - gift-giving, gluttony, lights, trees, Santa - no Jesus.
Around 350 AD a Pope redeemed the pagan festivals and made it easier for men and women to convert to Christianity. They still got their festivals; they were just celebrating something different.
Personally, I believe Jesus was born in the springtime. However, I am absolutely thrilled by the fact that December 25 is the day that is set aside for me to celebrate his birth, the gift that he gave to me. I'm absolutely thrilled that Pope Julius I had redemption on his heart and mind when he claimed that day as the day we should celebrate Jesus' birth. That he snatched it from all things unholy and made it a holy day.
What I'm ashamed to admit is that I don't know that I've always done such a good job of celebrating Christ's birth as I have at celebrating the pagan festival of gift-giving. Most of the time, I'm more concerned with what I'm going to get and give to other people than I am about who Jesus is and what He means in my life. This year it's all coming into a much clearer picture for me and while I'm ashamed at myself, I'm also quite awakened to worship. I'm also quite awakened to the fact that after 25 years, the Lord still has redemption on his heart and mind for me, to continually plant His reality in me - His meaning for Christmas.
Perhaps reading through Isaiah and understanding the need for a Messiah awakens within me my own personal need for a Messiah, not just once to "ask him into my heart" but every day and it arises within me the hope of his return.
"O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord."
My friend is in China right now and she says that Christmas isn't really a holiday over there and although it has been growing in popularity it is still a strictly secular holiday. That made me think about what my life without Christmas might look like or be.
I celebrate Christmas in America and it looks a whole lot like the other pagan holidays that are mentioned above - gift-giving, gluttony, lights, trees, Santa - no Jesus.
Around 350 AD a Pope redeemed the pagan festivals and made it easier for men and women to convert to Christianity. They still got their festivals; they were just celebrating something different.
Personally, I believe Jesus was born in the springtime. However, I am absolutely thrilled by the fact that December 25 is the day that is set aside for me to celebrate his birth, the gift that he gave to me. I'm absolutely thrilled that Pope Julius I had redemption on his heart and mind when he claimed that day as the day we should celebrate Jesus' birth. That he snatched it from all things unholy and made it a holy day.
What I'm ashamed to admit is that I don't know that I've always done such a good job of celebrating Christ's birth as I have at celebrating the pagan festival of gift-giving. Most of the time, I'm more concerned with what I'm going to get and give to other people than I am about who Jesus is and what He means in my life. This year it's all coming into a much clearer picture for me and while I'm ashamed at myself, I'm also quite awakened to worship. I'm also quite awakened to the fact that after 25 years, the Lord still has redemption on his heart and mind for me, to continually plant His reality in me - His meaning for Christmas.
Perhaps reading through Isaiah and understanding the need for a Messiah awakens within me my own personal need for a Messiah, not just once to "ask him into my heart" but every day and it arises within me the hope of his return.
"O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him
Christ, the Lord."
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Silent Night
One more thing for today!
Church on Sunday was kind of hard for me. The deeper I go in my walk with the Lord the less satisfied I am with shallow services - enough said. However, whatever went on during the first part of the service was completely forgotten when at the end, we all stood, lit our candles and sung "Silent Night." I'm not even a fan of the carol because I can't bring myself to believe that it was anything but silent but something in that moment struck a chord in me and worship happened. Right there in the middle of a traditional Salvation Army meeting where you're supposed to raise your candle on the last two lines of every verse, I cried and raised my hand. I don't know if it was the music, or the brilliance of the candles (even though, evidently, they cause a lot of damage to the air inside the building), or the fact that my husband was leading the song and singing so beautifully. What I do know was that in that moment, the gift of Jesus Christ given to me was absolutely huge and the gift of grace was unfathomable and the only way I knew how to say thank you was to cry. That's what I like about candlelit rooms, nobody notices when the tears flow and no one asks you if you're okay after the service.
What an amazing gift! Overwhelming and astounding!
Now, even though I don't believe the words are right, I have a new favorite. Maybe I'll re-write it. I don't think it'll fit but I'd call it the "Not so Silent Night."
Joy
Church on Sunday was kind of hard for me. The deeper I go in my walk with the Lord the less satisfied I am with shallow services - enough said. However, whatever went on during the first part of the service was completely forgotten when at the end, we all stood, lit our candles and sung "Silent Night." I'm not even a fan of the carol because I can't bring myself to believe that it was anything but silent but something in that moment struck a chord in me and worship happened. Right there in the middle of a traditional Salvation Army meeting where you're supposed to raise your candle on the last two lines of every verse, I cried and raised my hand. I don't know if it was the music, or the brilliance of the candles (even though, evidently, they cause a lot of damage to the air inside the building), or the fact that my husband was leading the song and singing so beautifully. What I do know was that in that moment, the gift of Jesus Christ given to me was absolutely huge and the gift of grace was unfathomable and the only way I knew how to say thank you was to cry. That's what I like about candlelit rooms, nobody notices when the tears flow and no one asks you if you're okay after the service.
What an amazing gift! Overwhelming and astounding!
Now, even though I don't believe the words are right, I have a new favorite. Maybe I'll re-write it. I don't think it'll fit but I'd call it the "Not so Silent Night."
Joy
Last night Marty and I gave away two vehicles to two incredibly deserving single moms for Christmas. I know! Can you believe it? "Where'd you get the money," you ask? "How'd you do that," you ask? It's a simple principle called the New Testament principle found in Acts 2:44 - 47.
You see, we went to a singles Bible Study (shh...don't tell anyone, we snuck in, for those of you who don't know, Marty and I are married.) called 7:22 last night for the last sermon in a series called "Treasure" which was basically about how we should honor God with our wealth and about how most Americans have this mindset that they are poor even though the majority of us live better and have more money than the majority of the world. Louie talked about the American culture's mindset of "WHEN we get, THEN we give" and how that's backwards from God's standard of giving so that you get so that you then give. He also had this chart up that ranked everyone as to how "poor" or not so poor they really are in the world's standards. It was all pretty cool.
Then he hit on this really neat thing about how the New Testament church pooled their resources. Then, you know what we did? We pooled our resources. We took up an offering to raise money to help buy two single mothers cars (one had a car that had 212,000 miles on it and the other rode Public transport everyday) for their families (each mother had children between the ages of 12 and 18). So, last night, I put $20 in the offering plate and walked out of a Bible study having bought two moms cars! How cool is that? Of course, it wasn't just me. That's the power of God working through a community of believers to bring forth His will. That's even cooler! I love the way God works. He makes you a part of something just so that you can see how He works and so that you can be a part of it.
I love it!
I hope you get the opportunity this Christmas to buy a single mom a car, or an orphan a shirt, or a foster kid a present, or a needy family some groceries. Not because it makes you feel good (even though it will) but because God has invited you to be a part of something bigger than yourself and it's called His will for the world! That's peace on earth.
Grace and Justice,
Joy
You see, we went to a singles Bible Study (shh...don't tell anyone, we snuck in, for those of you who don't know, Marty and I are married.) called 7:22 last night for the last sermon in a series called "Treasure" which was basically about how we should honor God with our wealth and about how most Americans have this mindset that they are poor even though the majority of us live better and have more money than the majority of the world. Louie talked about the American culture's mindset of "WHEN we get, THEN we give" and how that's backwards from God's standard of giving so that you get so that you then give. He also had this chart up that ranked everyone as to how "poor" or not so poor they really are in the world's standards. It was all pretty cool.
Then he hit on this really neat thing about how the New Testament church pooled their resources. Then, you know what we did? We pooled our resources. We took up an offering to raise money to help buy two single mothers cars (one had a car that had 212,000 miles on it and the other rode Public transport everyday) for their families (each mother had children between the ages of 12 and 18). So, last night, I put $20 in the offering plate and walked out of a Bible study having bought two moms cars! How cool is that? Of course, it wasn't just me. That's the power of God working through a community of believers to bring forth His will. That's even cooler! I love the way God works. He makes you a part of something just so that you can see how He works and so that you can be a part of it.
I love it!
I hope you get the opportunity this Christmas to buy a single mom a car, or an orphan a shirt, or a foster kid a present, or a needy family some groceries. Not because it makes you feel good (even though it will) but because God has invited you to be a part of something bigger than yourself and it's called His will for the world! That's peace on earth.
Grace and Justice,
Joy
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
I've been making my way through Isaiah lately. I've always wanted to know more about prophecy concerning Jesus but then this summer some other really cool knowledge was imparted to me that came from the book - so I figured that I would make my way through it.
Well, all of it hasn't been all that mesmerizing as I thought it would be. So many things aren't always as they turn out. I'm on chapter 16 and so far all of it has been God's wrath towards a people who have badly treated and abused their God and forgotten about Him. I've learned a whole lot about that - perhaps I'll go over that in another blog.
But I was having a hard time. I didn't understand how it applied - all this war and every once in a while there would be a tiny glimmer of hope, a little ray of sunshine. Those were the verses I really enjoyed. Perhaps because I don't understand war. I've never been a part of it, never seen it and after seeing the movie "Saving Private Ryan" I never want to be anywhere near it.
Anyway, this morning, I simply prayed before I started reading, "Lord, I don't understand how all of this applies to me but I want to know your word. If that's all that I get, then that's okay because at least I'll have a better understanding. But please help me to glean something from it today - reveal yourself to me, help me to know you better through your word. Please speak."
So, I started Chapter 16 and Moab was getting beaten up pretty bad by the Assyrians but then, right in the middle of the chapter verse 5 happened. You know what it says? "In love a throne is established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it - one from the house of David - one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness." Amen! That's my Jesus he's talking about and he's comeing. Well, he came but every Christmas it's like he comes again and this Christmas he gave me something new to hold on to. I want to be like him. I want to seek justice and speed the cause of righteousness. There's hope - right in the middle of war, there's hope. Right in the middle of despair there's faithfulness.
I hope this Christmas season you're looking for him to come in love. I hope he has established a throne in your heart and life.
Justice and Mercy,
Joy
Well, all of it hasn't been all that mesmerizing as I thought it would be. So many things aren't always as they turn out. I'm on chapter 16 and so far all of it has been God's wrath towards a people who have badly treated and abused their God and forgotten about Him. I've learned a whole lot about that - perhaps I'll go over that in another blog.
But I was having a hard time. I didn't understand how it applied - all this war and every once in a while there would be a tiny glimmer of hope, a little ray of sunshine. Those were the verses I really enjoyed. Perhaps because I don't understand war. I've never been a part of it, never seen it and after seeing the movie "Saving Private Ryan" I never want to be anywhere near it.
Anyway, this morning, I simply prayed before I started reading, "Lord, I don't understand how all of this applies to me but I want to know your word. If that's all that I get, then that's okay because at least I'll have a better understanding. But please help me to glean something from it today - reveal yourself to me, help me to know you better through your word. Please speak."
So, I started Chapter 16 and Moab was getting beaten up pretty bad by the Assyrians but then, right in the middle of the chapter verse 5 happened. You know what it says? "In love a throne is established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it - one from the house of David - one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness." Amen! That's my Jesus he's talking about and he's comeing. Well, he came but every Christmas it's like he comes again and this Christmas he gave me something new to hold on to. I want to be like him. I want to seek justice and speed the cause of righteousness. There's hope - right in the middle of war, there's hope. Right in the middle of despair there's faithfulness.
I hope this Christmas season you're looking for him to come in love. I hope he has established a throne in your heart and life.
Justice and Mercy,
Joy
Monday, November 29, 2004
Thanksgiving at my house!
I love the holidays - I don't care which one, they all meld together for me anyway. People complain because they can't get through Thanksgiving without seeing Christmas ornaments and music but I think they belong together. Anyway, this year, Thanksgiving was particularly special because all of my family came to my house to celebrate. 6 adults and four dogs (which were constantly being rotated in and out of the garage, the back yard, the laundry room and the house because all of them didn't get along - fun) all crammed into our small house.
Was it different from all the other years, yeah, I guess so. We celebrated on Friday instead of on Thursday because Matt had to work on Thanksgiving. We were eating at my house instead of at mom's. We ate later at night rather than a mid-afternoon meal but really, none of the differences mattered. I just loved my family being together - laughing, loving, helping, playing.
I think God gave us family so that we could understand what heaven will be like when we get there. Community, togetherness, belonging - that's what he created us to be a part of, something bigger and better than ourselves. I think it will be like the holidays - everyone's together, loving each other, playing games, helping. It's the most incredible feeling in the world.
Was it different from all the other years, yeah, I guess so. We celebrated on Friday instead of on Thursday because Matt had to work on Thanksgiving. We were eating at my house instead of at mom's. We ate later at night rather than a mid-afternoon meal but really, none of the differences mattered. I just loved my family being together - laughing, loving, helping, playing.
I think God gave us family so that we could understand what heaven will be like when we get there. Community, togetherness, belonging - that's what he created us to be a part of, something bigger and better than ourselves. I think it will be like the holidays - everyone's together, loving each other, playing games, helping. It's the most incredible feeling in the world.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Yesterday I was privileged to sit through a conference on Integrated Mission. What's that? you ask. My response would be, good question, I'll let you know when I figure it out. What I think or what I understand is that it's much more about people leaving buildings and programs and money and becoming part of neighborhoods and communities and taking the gospel to them because they're certainly not attracted to our fancy buildings - go figure. Actually, it all sounded pretty familiar and resonated within me a desire to live that kind of life. A life surrounded by the gospel - not a Sunday, Wednesday, Corps Building gospel. It's a challenge to be S.A.L.T. (Support, Appreciation, Learning, Transfer) in your community - wherever that might be. There are many many people out there already a part of integrated missions - my hand just goes up like a kid in first grade crying out - "Oooh, Oooh, pick me, pick me!"
Let's get on board. Let's become a part of what Jesus was about - being a part of peoples' lives, where they worked, lived, ate, went to school, hung out. I like that idea.
My favorite part of the conference was the end however, when I got to speak with Allison - one of the leaders of integrated mission. Basically, we just talked. About today, where I am, where I want to be but most importantly, what I should be doing in the meantime.
Now, I've got some ideas to grasp onto. Something to look forward to that brings missions into my life without having to wait for Marty to graduate. Isn't that amazing and wonderful! Now there's a challenge.
Finding Grace,
Joy
Let's get on board. Let's become a part of what Jesus was about - being a part of peoples' lives, where they worked, lived, ate, went to school, hung out. I like that idea.
My favorite part of the conference was the end however, when I got to speak with Allison - one of the leaders of integrated mission. Basically, we just talked. About today, where I am, where I want to be but most importantly, what I should be doing in the meantime.
Now, I've got some ideas to grasp onto. Something to look forward to that brings missions into my life without having to wait for Marty to graduate. Isn't that amazing and wonderful! Now there's a challenge.
Finding Grace,
Joy
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Just a thought....
The Salvation Army has assigned each country a partner country - or two, or more. Every country in the world that contains The Salvation Army is linked to a partner country. The south, for example, has Eastern Europe, Korea, Portugal, East India and some others. We pray for them, we send our money to them, we send our missionaries there. I think that's wonderful and a great start.
But I wonder, who prays for the countries that don't get a partner? Who sends money to them? Who goes to them? These countries are, by the way, mostly unreached people groups.
Just something for us to ponder.
Grace and justice,
Joy
The Salvation Army has assigned each country a partner country - or two, or more. Every country in the world that contains The Salvation Army is linked to a partner country. The south, for example, has Eastern Europe, Korea, Portugal, East India and some others. We pray for them, we send our money to them, we send our missionaries there. I think that's wonderful and a great start.
But I wonder, who prays for the countries that don't get a partner? Who sends money to them? Who goes to them? These countries are, by the way, mostly unreached people groups.
Just something for us to ponder.
Grace and justice,
Joy
Carpet Angels
Last night, I got home and did a dance! I ran around the room! I laid down on the floor and made carpet angels (like snow angels just on the carpet). Finally, after a week and a half of trying to get someone to come to our house and lay some carpet, a wonderful Clyde came and put in a beautiful roomful of lush, cut-pile, brown carpet.
Now, the new carpet in the one room makes the rest of my house look like doo but that one room looks AWESOME! We moved furniture back into that room last night, started hooking up the TV and the cable.
It's nice to have things getting back to normal again. No more tripping over the couch every time I had to go up or down the stairs. No more knocking over the VCR, DVD player and the satellite receiver when I walked by the TV. No more reaching over a couple of pieces of furniture to turn on or off the light. Suddenly my living room is so much bigger.
It's amazing what just a little bit of carpet can do.
Now, bring on the rest of the home renovations! yikes.
Now, the new carpet in the one room makes the rest of my house look like doo but that one room looks AWESOME! We moved furniture back into that room last night, started hooking up the TV and the cable.
It's nice to have things getting back to normal again. No more tripping over the couch every time I had to go up or down the stairs. No more knocking over the VCR, DVD player and the satellite receiver when I walked by the TV. No more reaching over a couple of pieces of furniture to turn on or off the light. Suddenly my living room is so much bigger.
It's amazing what just a little bit of carpet can do.
Now, bring on the rest of the home renovations! yikes.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
I blew it!
I'm a goat. I realized it last night. When God separates us, sheep on his right, goats on his left, I'll be on the left. I denied my savior last night. I denied him food. He came to me and asked and I turned him away. You know what Jesus looks like? He looks like a homeless man without any teeth wearing a red shirt that got on the Marta at the Arts Center Station holding a tiny sign and pointing to his mouth then holding out his hand with just a single quarter in it. I don't know if he could speak but he didn't. However, you got his point. He was hungry and looking for money.
And I've been trained. Don't give them money - they only buy drugs and alcohol with it. Okay, so I don't. But last night I had a chance. I was loaded with food - supper for Marty and I. What could have been a feast to this man. And instead of handing over the sack - or even just one tupperware container. I just simply shook my head. What's really sad is that I had even told myself that if anyone asked for food on the way downtown that I would give it to them because they needed it more than I did. And I DIDN'T!!!
How disgusting I am. What a wretched sinner. I met Jesus last night on the southbound train and I rejected him.
When I told Marty he said, "There will be other chances." What about the one I just missed? I'm tired of missing them. Tired of being this way and living this way.
So, next time you see me, and there's a little fur around my collar please don't try and remove it - it's a part of me.
And I've been trained. Don't give them money - they only buy drugs and alcohol with it. Okay, so I don't. But last night I had a chance. I was loaded with food - supper for Marty and I. What could have been a feast to this man. And instead of handing over the sack - or even just one tupperware container. I just simply shook my head. What's really sad is that I had even told myself that if anyone asked for food on the way downtown that I would give it to them because they needed it more than I did. And I DIDN'T!!!
How disgusting I am. What a wretched sinner. I met Jesus last night on the southbound train and I rejected him.
When I told Marty he said, "There will be other chances." What about the one I just missed? I'm tired of missing them. Tired of being this way and living this way.
So, next time you see me, and there's a little fur around my collar please don't try and remove it - it's a part of me.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Every day I check all of my friends blogs and then some people's blogs that I don't know but by which I am inspired. Today I realized that I've got nothing that compares to any of their musings. Nothing that even comes close. What they've got to say goes far deeper than my nonsense and means more to me than anything I've ever written - I know that much.
So, I thought, instead of writing something today. I'd just give you a listing of the blogs I check daily and let you see what I mean. These people enrich my life and some of them I've never even met. I hope to some day. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I hope that some day, I get to lead a life as full as theirs.
Mercy and justice,
Joy
http://www.tangosandflowers.blogspot.com/ - Anna and Justin's
http://armybarmy.com/blog.html - Stephen Court and others
http://www.primitivesalvo.blogspot.com/ - Cory Harrison's
http://phillaeger.com/blog.html - Phil Laeger's (duh)
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=kimisloved - Kim Touchton
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=soulful_sallie - Jamie Smith, War College Student
http://splendorgates.blogspot.com/ - Marty's
http://www.urbanarmy.blogspot.com/ - some officer in England who does incarnational ministry
http://brokenandmolded.blogspot.com/ - Sarah Jewett's
http://soigo.blogspot.com/ - I don't know
http://www.theopraxis.net/ - again, I don't know
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=kellydawn525 - Kelly Pope's
So, I thought, instead of writing something today. I'd just give you a listing of the blogs I check daily and let you see what I mean. These people enrich my life and some of them I've never even met. I hope to some day. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. I hope that some day, I get to lead a life as full as theirs.
Mercy and justice,
Joy
http://www.tangosandflowers.blogspot.com/ - Anna and Justin's
http://armybarmy.com/blog.html - Stephen Court and others
http://www.primitivesalvo.blogspot.com/ - Cory Harrison's
http://phillaeger.com/blog.html - Phil Laeger's (duh)
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=kimisloved - Kim Touchton
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=soulful_sallie - Jamie Smith, War College Student
http://splendorgates.blogspot.com/ - Marty's
http://www.urbanarmy.blogspot.com/ - some officer in England who does incarnational ministry
http://brokenandmolded.blogspot.com/ - Sarah Jewett's
http://soigo.blogspot.com/ - I don't know
http://www.theopraxis.net/ - again, I don't know
http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=kellydawn525 - Kelly Pope's
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
I come to work and I read blog's by people like Stephen Court and Captain Gordon and Jamie Smith and others and I'm set on fire. More, more, more, my heart craves more, more, more like the Holy Spirit is a drug and I can't get enough. What's sad however, is that I put him off. I put him off for TV and sleep - for food and relaxation. What am I doing with my life? I'm wasting it away on things that don't matter. I'm blaming my dissatisfaction in my current situation on the fact that I don't have enough time (which I really don't have a whole lot of it but I have enough to make sure I spend it with the Lord) when perhaps the entire problem lies in my lack of motivation. He's been calling to you for a really long time Joy - get out of bed, spend time with Him. It's time you do it. Seriously and longlingly. With love and desire. You need Him more than you need sleep. You need Him more than you need food. What are you waiting for? Get on the ball. Become a part of the game and begin the sanctification process. Quit wishing for it and hoping it will land in your lap. Quit thinking it's the next devotional book away. Get a clue. He lives in you and He wants to share His knowledge with you. Let him be a part of your life, an ever-increasing part of your life.
What are you going to do tomorrow morning when the alarm clock goes off - early because you have to make time for Him? Hit the snooze button or make room in your life for Jesus? Lord, please keep giving me a hunger for you that won't go away so that if I don't obey you it hurts.
just me
What are you going to do tomorrow morning when the alarm clock goes off - early because you have to make time for Him? Hit the snooze button or make room in your life for Jesus? Lord, please keep giving me a hunger for you that won't go away so that if I don't obey you it hurts.
just me
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Sweat, Cement and Bug Bites
In three words, that was my trip to the Dominican but it was so much more than that. When people ask how it went my response is, "Great! but hard." I should've practiced what I taught the Service Corps this summer - prepare a one sentence response that will intrigue people to hear more about your trip when they ask how it went. I know now it's easier to send than it is to go - like that one was hard to figure out. For so long I've just been talking about it - sending people - telling them how it was when I went - IN 1999. It was hard then but I can't feel the things I felt then as intensely. Before last week, I was telling people to eat what was put in front of them and that they would LIKE IT. Now, I can say that knowing that last week, I did that as I spooned fish into my mouth (ugh) and had cereal with unrefigerated milk. That's nothing compared to other things that people have to eat but it was a challenge. I suppose last week I learned that I'm a wuss - although I'm a wuss with determination. We stayed in a hotel that I believe was rented out by the hour. When I walked into the hotel I noticed that it was pretty dingy and dirty - there were no doors into and out of the hotel, just iron gates with padlocks. Some rooms had air conditioning, some did not - I was fortunate on that end. The bed had one sheet on it and that's it. I was scared of the sheet. I wasn't quite sure it had been washed and if it had I'm pretty sure it wasn't sanitary. You see, the town has no hot water. The entire week we took cold showers in showers that were pretty dirty - lots of mildew. We couldn't flush the toilet paper and there were plenty of bugs everywhere. I had ants and probably roaches although none were seen in my room. I mentioned earlier that I think the hotel was rented out by the hour because I woke up at 3:30 a.m. once to the sounds of a woman having sex. That freaked me out quite a bit. Once I was opening the door to my room and saw a guy coming up the stairs zipping up his pants. I don't know where he had been or what he had been doing but it brought to mind plenty of mental images.
Those things don't even begin to tell of what we did last week - that's just where we stayed. During the week, we spent most of our time helping some construction workers build a new corps/school in the little town of Cotui. The first day was kind of discouraging just because we didn't get to help or do much. We spent a lot of our time that day sitting around, watching. Things picked up on the second day. We formed lines down which we would pass cement blocks, of which the construction workers were continually needing more. We refilled the workers buckets with cement as they laid the bricks in place. Some of us got to help level out the ground. Some of us went on a prayer walk. No matter what we did though - we were sweating and hot. That's how it went all week.
We did have one break in the week however and that was Wednesday. Our host, Angelita really wanted all of us to see her farm. (By the way, didn't realize that we could have been exposed to the foot and mouth disease there - happy thoughts.) So, throughout the week Angelita kept telling Joe and I that she had arranged a truck for us to go in to her farm. In my mind I knew in what we were going to be travelling but I kept telling myself differently. Well, my mind was right. Wednesday morning came and our transportation arrived and we were travelling to Angelita's farm in the back of a flatbed truck. Now, don't go getting creative on me. This truck was no bigger than - hmmm, an F-150. There were 15 of us crammed into the back of that truck, plus a dog our host's husband had named Dookey (there were plenty of jokes about that), lunch for the afternoon (a pot full of chicken and rice which eventually spilled all over the truck and was still consumed), three huge bottles of water, 6 or 7 plastic chairs, one tarp and a couple of blankets and pillows upon which we sat. We spent the next two hours of our lives enduring this trip. Parts of it were fun. Annie pulled out her book of questions, Joe kept yelling "To the Farm" and Dookey kept crawling all over everyone. That was a blast!
When we got to the farm we were surrounded by absolute beauty. We were in the mountains and everything was incredibly green and lush - gorgeous. The house was incredibly rustic - that's the best way to put it. There was no plumbing, no running water, dirt floors, an outside kitchen. There were plenty of animals everywhere - chicken, pigs, dogs. We took a walk later on and saw the cows. That day was quite interesting.
Besides that day though, everything was quite the same as far as routine is concerned. Our team, however, was not quite routine - or sane. I don't even know how to explain it except to say that we were an interesting group. That's all I'm going to say on that issue because I don't want to get myself in trouble. Just know that we laughed a lot last week.
"So what," you say? "Don't you have an amazing story to tell about your trip? Don't you have a mountaintop experience to share? Don't you have any advice to share or anything?" That's just it. I'm still struggling with that part. I always tell people before they go on a mission trip that they will have a "moment" - a time when they realize why God sent them on a trip. Maybe I wasn't there long enough; maybe I didn't look long enough; maybe I wasn't listening hard enough. Whatever the reason - I didn't have a "moment." I'm a little disappointed. I don't know how else to put it. I had a great week - at least it turned out that way. I met some really incredible new people. I got to help build part of God's kingdom. I got to be away from work for a week. I did not have a moment and I'm still struggling with that. I don't know how to tell people when they ask how it went. So, that's why I say "Great! but hard."
I'm still trusting though. I'm trusting the Lord to show me why I went. At the end of the week I realized that everything doesn't have to be a mountaintop experience. It's not like we can earn those or like we deserve them. We just get to experience them sometimes and then sometimes we don't. That doesn't make God any different. He doesn't change and I guess that's what I learned. He's never failing and He never changes. So, despite whether or not I had a moment - God was there and He loved me through it. Maybe that's the lesson.
Anyway, that's my thoughts for now. We'll see what I think tomorrow. It could all change - except for the God part. Remember? He never changes.
Man - I've got a lot to learn.
Maybe that's what my one sentence response should be. Ready to try it out?
You ask, "Hey Joy, How was your trip to the Dominican?"
I say, "One of the most interesting weeks of my life. I didn't have a mountaintop experience but I know God was there and loving me through it. How cool is that? He's awesome!"
Still waiting,
Joy
Those things don't even begin to tell of what we did last week - that's just where we stayed. During the week, we spent most of our time helping some construction workers build a new corps/school in the little town of Cotui. The first day was kind of discouraging just because we didn't get to help or do much. We spent a lot of our time that day sitting around, watching. Things picked up on the second day. We formed lines down which we would pass cement blocks, of which the construction workers were continually needing more. We refilled the workers buckets with cement as they laid the bricks in place. Some of us got to help level out the ground. Some of us went on a prayer walk. No matter what we did though - we were sweating and hot. That's how it went all week.
We did have one break in the week however and that was Wednesday. Our host, Angelita really wanted all of us to see her farm. (By the way, didn't realize that we could have been exposed to the foot and mouth disease there - happy thoughts.) So, throughout the week Angelita kept telling Joe and I that she had arranged a truck for us to go in to her farm. In my mind I knew in what we were going to be travelling but I kept telling myself differently. Well, my mind was right. Wednesday morning came and our transportation arrived and we were travelling to Angelita's farm in the back of a flatbed truck. Now, don't go getting creative on me. This truck was no bigger than - hmmm, an F-150. There were 15 of us crammed into the back of that truck, plus a dog our host's husband had named Dookey (there were plenty of jokes about that), lunch for the afternoon (a pot full of chicken and rice which eventually spilled all over the truck and was still consumed), three huge bottles of water, 6 or 7 plastic chairs, one tarp and a couple of blankets and pillows upon which we sat. We spent the next two hours of our lives enduring this trip. Parts of it were fun. Annie pulled out her book of questions, Joe kept yelling "To the Farm" and Dookey kept crawling all over everyone. That was a blast!
When we got to the farm we were surrounded by absolute beauty. We were in the mountains and everything was incredibly green and lush - gorgeous. The house was incredibly rustic - that's the best way to put it. There was no plumbing, no running water, dirt floors, an outside kitchen. There were plenty of animals everywhere - chicken, pigs, dogs. We took a walk later on and saw the cows. That day was quite interesting.
Besides that day though, everything was quite the same as far as routine is concerned. Our team, however, was not quite routine - or sane. I don't even know how to explain it except to say that we were an interesting group. That's all I'm going to say on that issue because I don't want to get myself in trouble. Just know that we laughed a lot last week.
"So what," you say? "Don't you have an amazing story to tell about your trip? Don't you have a mountaintop experience to share? Don't you have any advice to share or anything?" That's just it. I'm still struggling with that part. I always tell people before they go on a mission trip that they will have a "moment" - a time when they realize why God sent them on a trip. Maybe I wasn't there long enough; maybe I didn't look long enough; maybe I wasn't listening hard enough. Whatever the reason - I didn't have a "moment." I'm a little disappointed. I don't know how else to put it. I had a great week - at least it turned out that way. I met some really incredible new people. I got to help build part of God's kingdom. I got to be away from work for a week. I did not have a moment and I'm still struggling with that. I don't know how to tell people when they ask how it went. So, that's why I say "Great! but hard."
I'm still trusting though. I'm trusting the Lord to show me why I went. At the end of the week I realized that everything doesn't have to be a mountaintop experience. It's not like we can earn those or like we deserve them. We just get to experience them sometimes and then sometimes we don't. That doesn't make God any different. He doesn't change and I guess that's what I learned. He's never failing and He never changes. So, despite whether or not I had a moment - God was there and He loved me through it. Maybe that's the lesson.
Anyway, that's my thoughts for now. We'll see what I think tomorrow. It could all change - except for the God part. Remember? He never changes.
Man - I've got a lot to learn.
Maybe that's what my one sentence response should be. Ready to try it out?
You ask, "Hey Joy, How was your trip to the Dominican?"
I say, "One of the most interesting weeks of my life. I didn't have a mountaintop experience but I know God was there and loving me through it. How cool is that? He's awesome!"
Still waiting,
Joy
Thursday, October 14, 2004
So, I'm leaving for the Dominican in two days. I can't believe it's already here. I'm not quite ready to go and I think I'm not really aware of the fact that I'm going. That's how it always is with me though. Two days before something is going to happen - mission trip, vacation, holiday, I'm clueless. I don't have a feeling in the world towards what might happen or what we're going to be doing. I just trudge along in this world of mine living and breathing just like every other day. Shouldn't I be overflowing with some sort of emotion at the opportunity?
Please don't get me wrong. I'm excited that I get to go. I know that it will be a wonderful experience but right now all I can think about is how much I have to get done before 6:00 Saturday morning when we leave the house for the airport. Right now, all that will be wonderful is just a head knowledge. It's just a thought about what might be.
When I return home though? That will not just be a head knowledge but an experiential knowledge, a heart knowledge. There will be some part of me that has changed forever. God never fails me on that one. Every time I go I sort of don't want to go - I like being at home, with my husband, doing the daily grind but I always go because He has called me to go and I want to be obedient.
But God never fails me on this one. He goes above and beyond anything I could ever hope for or imagine (hmmm...sounds like scripture). I think that going because He's called me to go is something worth talking about - that's nothing! I do one silly little small thing and He responds with miracles that will never be forgotten, faces that seem to become a part of your being, a love for Him that seems to deepen. I don't know how to explain it, I just know that it's worth it.
And so, I turn my mind to Cotui - a little town of 25,000 people and a building that has yet to be built. I begin to realize the unbelievable opportunity he has put in front of me. I will be laying the foundation for a new school for the Army there and He will be laying His foundation in my heart. God is so good to me. I love him.
Maybe I'm a little bit more aware of leaving for the Dominican in two days than I thought. Go figure!
Please pray, I'm preaching on Sunday there. I'm a little scared but I know He'll come through.
Loving Him with all I've got,
Joy
Please don't get me wrong. I'm excited that I get to go. I know that it will be a wonderful experience but right now all I can think about is how much I have to get done before 6:00 Saturday morning when we leave the house for the airport. Right now, all that will be wonderful is just a head knowledge. It's just a thought about what might be.
When I return home though? That will not just be a head knowledge but an experiential knowledge, a heart knowledge. There will be some part of me that has changed forever. God never fails me on that one. Every time I go I sort of don't want to go - I like being at home, with my husband, doing the daily grind but I always go because He has called me to go and I want to be obedient.
But God never fails me on this one. He goes above and beyond anything I could ever hope for or imagine (hmmm...sounds like scripture). I think that going because He's called me to go is something worth talking about - that's nothing! I do one silly little small thing and He responds with miracles that will never be forgotten, faces that seem to become a part of your being, a love for Him that seems to deepen. I don't know how to explain it, I just know that it's worth it.
And so, I turn my mind to Cotui - a little town of 25,000 people and a building that has yet to be built. I begin to realize the unbelievable opportunity he has put in front of me. I will be laying the foundation for a new school for the Army there and He will be laying His foundation in my heart. God is so good to me. I love him.
Maybe I'm a little bit more aware of leaving for the Dominican in two days than I thought. Go figure!
Please pray, I'm preaching on Sunday there. I'm a little scared but I know He'll come through.
Loving Him with all I've got,
Joy
Thursday, September 30, 2004
It all started last Thursday at 2 am. It happened again at 6 am. Then again on Friday around 1:30 and that lasted all through the evening until 9:30 or 10. Again on Monday morning around 6:30, Tuesday at noon and yesterday at 3. Migraines. As of yesterday, 5 out of the last 7 days were filled with migraines. Why? I don't know. I'm guessing it's mold or mildew - effects from wonderful Tropical Storm Ivan. I think perhaps it's taking over my home. So now, not only is all of my furniture displaced and the concrete floor laid bare, I'm getting sick. Perhaps it's not mildew but it's the only justified reason I can think of.
Then Tuesday of this week, the smell started again - mildew, wet carpet but this time it wasn't at home - it was in my office! I can't get away from it. Moved furniture at home so that you can barely navigate your way and you definitely can't sit on a couch or make yourself at "home." Now there's moved furniture at work to make room for the massive fan they brought in (wish I had one of those at home instead of my dinky box fans). Everything's out of order. Everything's moved. There's the constant hum of a fan everywhere I go and the faint smell of wet carpet. Everything's unorganized. There is no regularity to my life.
I keep telling myself it's not that bad - that we'll get through it but part of me really just wants to give up and move. The task of taking care of everything that needs to be taken care of seems so overwhelming.
I called my mom yesterday and of course I cried. I didn't mean to. I didn't want to. I knew it would upset her and that's not what I wanted but I was at the beginning of my fifth migraine in seven days and I was scared. She called a friend and that friend came to the rescue. Marty and I stayed over at her house last night just to see if, in fact, it really is something in the house causing me to be sick. I've now gotten a fresh perspective and renewed hopes. The day hasn't passed yet and I guess I'm not out of the clear but my hope has been restored - my spirits have been lifted.
All it took was a good friend whose love knows no end. Thank you Jo Jo and Jill for letting Marty and I in. We love you.
By the way, I'm sure the Lord is trying to teach me something through this. Usually when something goes wrong in my life He's got a better thing waiting for me anyway. We'll see how this one pans out but I'm trying really hard to trust in him and do what's right according to Him. Lord, please see us through this place. Please. I know you will. Thank you.
I love you. Amen.
Then Tuesday of this week, the smell started again - mildew, wet carpet but this time it wasn't at home - it was in my office! I can't get away from it. Moved furniture at home so that you can barely navigate your way and you definitely can't sit on a couch or make yourself at "home." Now there's moved furniture at work to make room for the massive fan they brought in (wish I had one of those at home instead of my dinky box fans). Everything's out of order. Everything's moved. There's the constant hum of a fan everywhere I go and the faint smell of wet carpet. Everything's unorganized. There is no regularity to my life.
I keep telling myself it's not that bad - that we'll get through it but part of me really just wants to give up and move. The task of taking care of everything that needs to be taken care of seems so overwhelming.
I called my mom yesterday and of course I cried. I didn't mean to. I didn't want to. I knew it would upset her and that's not what I wanted but I was at the beginning of my fifth migraine in seven days and I was scared. She called a friend and that friend came to the rescue. Marty and I stayed over at her house last night just to see if, in fact, it really is something in the house causing me to be sick. I've now gotten a fresh perspective and renewed hopes. The day hasn't passed yet and I guess I'm not out of the clear but my hope has been restored - my spirits have been lifted.
All it took was a good friend whose love knows no end. Thank you Jo Jo and Jill for letting Marty and I in. We love you.
By the way, I'm sure the Lord is trying to teach me something through this. Usually when something goes wrong in my life He's got a better thing waiting for me anyway. We'll see how this one pans out but I'm trying really hard to trust in him and do what's right according to Him. Lord, please see us through this place. Please. I know you will. Thank you.
I love you. Amen.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
"The love of Christ constraineth us." 2 Corinthians 5:14
How much do you owe the Lord? Has He ever done anything for you? Has He forgiven your sins? Has He covered you with a robe of righteousness? Has He set they feet upon a rock? Has He established your comings and goings? Has He prepared heaven for you? Has He prepared you for heaven? Has He written your name in His book of life? Has He given you countless blessings?Has He laid up for you a store of mercies, which eye has not seen nor ear heard? Then do something for Jesus worthy of His love. Do not give a mere wordy offering to a dying Redeemer. How will you feel when your Master comes, if you have to confess that you did nothing for Him, but kept your love shut up, like a stagnant pool, neither flowing forth to His poor or to His work. Out on such love as that! What do men think of a love which never shows itself in action? Why, they say, "Open rebuke is better than secret love." Who will accept a love so weak that it does not move you to a single deed of self-denial, of generosity, of heroism, or zeal! Think how He has loved you, and given Himself for you! Do you know the power of that love? Then let it be like a rushing mighty wind to your soul to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness, and clear away the mists of sin. "For Christ's sake" be this the tongue of fire that shall sit upon you: "For Christ's sake" be this the divine rapture, the heavenly reason to bear you aloft from earth, the divine spirit that shall make you bold as lions and swift as eagles in your Lord's service. Love should give wings to the feet of service, and strength to the arms of labor. Fixed on God with a constancy that is not to be shaken, resolute to honor Him with a determination that is not to be turned aside, and pressing on with an ardor never to be wearied, let us manifest the constraints of love to Jesus. May the divine work draw us heavenward towards itself.
Take from Morning by Morning by Charles Spurgeon
Amen! That's what I've been on about! Let's be so ravished by His love that we cannot help but be moved to compassion. Come on Church! Let's be what we're supposed to be!
How much do you owe the Lord? Has He ever done anything for you? Has He forgiven your sins? Has He covered you with a robe of righteousness? Has He set they feet upon a rock? Has He established your comings and goings? Has He prepared heaven for you? Has He prepared you for heaven? Has He written your name in His book of life? Has He given you countless blessings?Has He laid up for you a store of mercies, which eye has not seen nor ear heard? Then do something for Jesus worthy of His love. Do not give a mere wordy offering to a dying Redeemer. How will you feel when your Master comes, if you have to confess that you did nothing for Him, but kept your love shut up, like a stagnant pool, neither flowing forth to His poor or to His work. Out on such love as that! What do men think of a love which never shows itself in action? Why, they say, "Open rebuke is better than secret love." Who will accept a love so weak that it does not move you to a single deed of self-denial, of generosity, of heroism, or zeal! Think how He has loved you, and given Himself for you! Do you know the power of that love? Then let it be like a rushing mighty wind to your soul to sweep out the clouds of your worldliness, and clear away the mists of sin. "For Christ's sake" be this the tongue of fire that shall sit upon you: "For Christ's sake" be this the divine rapture, the heavenly reason to bear you aloft from earth, the divine spirit that shall make you bold as lions and swift as eagles in your Lord's service. Love should give wings to the feet of service, and strength to the arms of labor. Fixed on God with a constancy that is not to be shaken, resolute to honor Him with a determination that is not to be turned aside, and pressing on with an ardor never to be wearied, let us manifest the constraints of love to Jesus. May the divine work draw us heavenward towards itself.
Take from Morning by Morning by Charles Spurgeon
Amen! That's what I've been on about! Let's be so ravished by His love that we cannot help but be moved to compassion. Come on Church! Let's be what we're supposed to be!
Monday, September 20, 2004
She walked him down the aisle at church yesterday. Her son - that is. He has multiple-sclerosis and it is progressing quite rapidly. They clung to each other in the only way mother and son can and both were in tears. Their aim was the altar.
She has been praying for her son's Salvation for years. Her close friends have probably been praying for him for just as long. I have only been praying for him for about a year and a half and yet the rejoicing in my soul was abundant.
That's what being a part of the kingdom is about! Seeing a prodigal son return to the Father! Watching a praying mother rejoice with her son. Watching an entire church (many of whom I did not know, many I did) surround a family as witnesses and ambassadors of God on their behalf. I have no doubt that all of the people surrounding my friends yesterday morning have at least lifted up one prayer on their behalf in the past - many on a weekly or monthly basis, many on a daily basis.
As they walked toward the altar I remembered conversations I had with her about the verse she was given upon her son's dedication, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Yesterday, her mother's heart reaped the benefits of clinging to that verse for her son.
I don't know how strongly my friend rejoiced in God's presence yesterday, I can only imagine. But I know this, the only words I could utter were "Thank you Lord!" "Thank you Lord for showing yourself faithful. We never doubted you but we are thankful for showing your goodness to us.
He is faithful! Amen!
She has been praying for her son's Salvation for years. Her close friends have probably been praying for him for just as long. I have only been praying for him for about a year and a half and yet the rejoicing in my soul was abundant.
That's what being a part of the kingdom is about! Seeing a prodigal son return to the Father! Watching a praying mother rejoice with her son. Watching an entire church (many of whom I did not know, many I did) surround a family as witnesses and ambassadors of God on their behalf. I have no doubt that all of the people surrounding my friends yesterday morning have at least lifted up one prayer on their behalf in the past - many on a weekly or monthly basis, many on a daily basis.
As they walked toward the altar I remembered conversations I had with her about the verse she was given upon her son's dedication, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Yesterday, her mother's heart reaped the benefits of clinging to that verse for her son.
I don't know how strongly my friend rejoiced in God's presence yesterday, I can only imagine. But I know this, the only words I could utter were "Thank you Lord!" "Thank you Lord for showing yourself faithful. We never doubted you but we are thankful for showing your goodness to us.
He is faithful! Amen!
Friday, September 10, 2004
1 Peter 1:13 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
I've been repeating that verse to myself since the middle of the summer when I found it. It's one of those verses that when you read it, the message just smacks you right between the eyes. It has been my motivation since that beautiful day (I was in TX with the Service Corps when I found it and while hot, it was great!)
Why? Because my job requires someone who is forward thinking and motivated and it has suffered for the past four years under me. I have given excuses as to why nothing is happening in my department but they all, of course, fall empty. The truth is, I was scared and I paralyzed myself with that fear. I believed this job too big for me, this territory too large for one person to handle. I couldn't imagine how just little me could possibly make a difference in the lives of young adults across the territory when I lived so far away and could only offer ideas. Sounds pretty reasonable huh? Well, what it boils down to is that I wasn't using the talents God gave me. For years those talents were wasted, as I sat in my office daily complaining that I didn't have anything to do.
Then last Christmas, I was hit smack in the face with my own faults and, let me tell you, they are not an easy thing to stare in the face and accept as your own. It was then that I realized that something had to change. I was still scared, still wanted to crawl into a hole, bury my talents and just give up because I didn't think I could do it but Marty and I's physical circumstances demanded otherwise. So, what did I do, you ask?
I quit grasping for straws and I worked on a plan. How good I have been at making that plan come to fruition, I don't know - but I keep trying and that's a start.
Then, I went to the Thirsty conference - that was another piece of the puzzle that God was putting together in my life. I was sitting in one of the meetings when one of my favorite speakers, Louie Giglio reminded everyone listening of the "otherness" of God. He's not like us, he doesn't work like us. He's bigger than we are and (here's the thing I learned) He's bigger than our circumstances. What the Lord taught me that night was that because of my fear, I hadn't been trusting in Him. I didn't trust how big He is and how He is bigger than my circumstances and He is definitely bigger than this territory. He can handle meeting the needs of young adults throughout this territory and He can use me. He just wants me to step into the mystery that is Him and allow Him to work.
So, I've been trying that - stepping in to His mystery and relying on His biggness. That's been pretty cool but I still needed a little help. While I was a little more motivated to do His work, I still didn't necessarily have a handle on the whole - work thing. Weird I know. I didn't like it. I didn't like having to get up every morning and coming to the same place. I didn't like sitting behind a desk. I didn't like staring at a computer and making copies. What I didn't like even more was that, while I was busy at the time preparing for ROOTS and Service Corps Orientation, I still knew that the Fall was coming. The fall is my down time. It's the time in the past when I spend three months basically doing nothing - waiting for January to come around and for Service Corps to start again.
Then I found 1 Peter 1:13. I found my motivation. I don't know why it took me four years to want to work but it did. That's sad, don't let it happen to you. But now? Now, I'm prepared for action. I want to be a part of it and I can do something in my small little office and it will matter.
1 Peter 1:12 - 16 in the Message reads, "So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."
I was lazy for a while and untrusting. I lacked energy and motivation. I wasn't being obedient to God. I was dying inside and everyone who was close to me or worked with me could see it. Now, it's like life has been poured into my very being. The Lord had done something absolutely incredible in me and I LOVE IT!! So, if you ever hear me say the words, "Be prepared for action" don't mind me. It's just my slogan and now you know why.
I've been repeating that verse to myself since the middle of the summer when I found it. It's one of those verses that when you read it, the message just smacks you right between the eyes. It has been my motivation since that beautiful day (I was in TX with the Service Corps when I found it and while hot, it was great!)
Why? Because my job requires someone who is forward thinking and motivated and it has suffered for the past four years under me. I have given excuses as to why nothing is happening in my department but they all, of course, fall empty. The truth is, I was scared and I paralyzed myself with that fear. I believed this job too big for me, this territory too large for one person to handle. I couldn't imagine how just little me could possibly make a difference in the lives of young adults across the territory when I lived so far away and could only offer ideas. Sounds pretty reasonable huh? Well, what it boils down to is that I wasn't using the talents God gave me. For years those talents were wasted, as I sat in my office daily complaining that I didn't have anything to do.
Then last Christmas, I was hit smack in the face with my own faults and, let me tell you, they are not an easy thing to stare in the face and accept as your own. It was then that I realized that something had to change. I was still scared, still wanted to crawl into a hole, bury my talents and just give up because I didn't think I could do it but Marty and I's physical circumstances demanded otherwise. So, what did I do, you ask?
I quit grasping for straws and I worked on a plan. How good I have been at making that plan come to fruition, I don't know - but I keep trying and that's a start.
Then, I went to the Thirsty conference - that was another piece of the puzzle that God was putting together in my life. I was sitting in one of the meetings when one of my favorite speakers, Louie Giglio reminded everyone listening of the "otherness" of God. He's not like us, he doesn't work like us. He's bigger than we are and (here's the thing I learned) He's bigger than our circumstances. What the Lord taught me that night was that because of my fear, I hadn't been trusting in Him. I didn't trust how big He is and how He is bigger than my circumstances and He is definitely bigger than this territory. He can handle meeting the needs of young adults throughout this territory and He can use me. He just wants me to step into the mystery that is Him and allow Him to work.
So, I've been trying that - stepping in to His mystery and relying on His biggness. That's been pretty cool but I still needed a little help. While I was a little more motivated to do His work, I still didn't necessarily have a handle on the whole - work thing. Weird I know. I didn't like it. I didn't like having to get up every morning and coming to the same place. I didn't like sitting behind a desk. I didn't like staring at a computer and making copies. What I didn't like even more was that, while I was busy at the time preparing for ROOTS and Service Corps Orientation, I still knew that the Fall was coming. The fall is my down time. It's the time in the past when I spend three months basically doing nothing - waiting for January to come around and for Service Corps to start again.
Then I found 1 Peter 1:13. I found my motivation. I don't know why it took me four years to want to work but it did. That's sad, don't let it happen to you. But now? Now, I'm prepared for action. I want to be a part of it and I can do something in my small little office and it will matter.
1 Peter 1:12 - 16 in the Message reads, "So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy."
I was lazy for a while and untrusting. I lacked energy and motivation. I wasn't being obedient to God. I was dying inside and everyone who was close to me or worked with me could see it. Now, it's like life has been poured into my very being. The Lord had done something absolutely incredible in me and I LOVE IT!! So, if you ever hear me say the words, "Be prepared for action" don't mind me. It's just my slogan and now you know why.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Giving Up
What is it in my life that's not worth giving up for God?
Today I spent a little time reading Catherine Booth's "Paper's on Aggressive Christianity"(which you can find at the link provided). She wrote, "Oh friends! will you get this baptism of love! Then you will, like the Apostles, be willing to push your limbs into a basket, and so be let down by the wall, if need be, or suffer shipwreck, hunger, peril, nakedness, fire, sword, or even go to the block itself, if thereby you extend His Kingdom and win souls for whom He shed His blood. The Lord fill us with this love and baptise us with this fire, and then the Gospel will arise and become glorious in the earth, and men will believe in us, and in it. They will feel its power, and they will go down under it by the thousands, and, by the grace of God, they SHALL!"
The Lord has been filling me with this love and baptising me with this fire. That's all there is to it. I'm not boasting - I'm rejoicing. The Lord is stripping away from me all that is unnecessary. Showing me all that I need to give up and am slowly gathering around His conclusions as well. Catherine talked about suffering shipwreck, hunger, peril, nakedness, fire, sword or death and I can't get past going into a country where I would have to suffer a hold in the ground instead of a toilet, dirt floors instead of carpet, rice at every meal, or the threat of terrorism and uncomfortable conditions. How shallow I am! How weak my faith! How small my discipleship. Western Christians talk about being willing to give up their lives for Christ and yet we can't even give up our cable! We want to be better than we are. We want to be more sincere and yet we give in to the lies we're fed - what we need, what we should look like, how we should talk and act.
I want to give it up - all of it. I'm yearning for it. Captain Stephen Court wrote a couple of days ago in his blog about not waiting - not waiting until you're 54 to start something, not waiting until everything seems to fall into place - not waiting. Well, what am I waiting for? I don't know but I know I'm sick of waiting. I'm ready. I want to go. I feel like the Psalmist in Psalm 32 who talks about the Lord's hand being heavy upon him. That's me! I WANT TO GO!
I think the Lord is just teaching me that He won't allow me to go if I give him limitations. If I keep telling Him where I do and don't want to go. So, I'm working on giving up - giving up my home, my plans to fit missionary service in between work and family, my desire to have comforts and clean hands (I am a little OCD about germs). It might take weeks, months, years but it will happen. I'll go. I know that much for sure. Where? Not so sure. For how long? Only God knows. But I do know I'll go. I want that kind of love - the kind of love that makes me ravished and pushes me on and makes me feel like it's never enough. That's the kind of service my God deserves. After all - He loved me that much.
Ready for the revolution,
Joy
Today I spent a little time reading Catherine Booth's "Paper's on Aggressive Christianity"(which you can find at the link provided). She wrote, "Oh friends! will you get this baptism of love! Then you will, like the Apostles, be willing to push your limbs into a basket, and so be let down by the wall, if need be, or suffer shipwreck, hunger, peril, nakedness, fire, sword, or even go to the block itself, if thereby you extend His Kingdom and win souls for whom He shed His blood. The Lord fill us with this love and baptise us with this fire, and then the Gospel will arise and become glorious in the earth, and men will believe in us, and in it. They will feel its power, and they will go down under it by the thousands, and, by the grace of God, they SHALL!"
The Lord has been filling me with this love and baptising me with this fire. That's all there is to it. I'm not boasting - I'm rejoicing. The Lord is stripping away from me all that is unnecessary. Showing me all that I need to give up and am slowly gathering around His conclusions as well. Catherine talked about suffering shipwreck, hunger, peril, nakedness, fire, sword or death and I can't get past going into a country where I would have to suffer a hold in the ground instead of a toilet, dirt floors instead of carpet, rice at every meal, or the threat of terrorism and uncomfortable conditions. How shallow I am! How weak my faith! How small my discipleship. Western Christians talk about being willing to give up their lives for Christ and yet we can't even give up our cable! We want to be better than we are. We want to be more sincere and yet we give in to the lies we're fed - what we need, what we should look like, how we should talk and act.
I want to give it up - all of it. I'm yearning for it. Captain Stephen Court wrote a couple of days ago in his blog about not waiting - not waiting until you're 54 to start something, not waiting until everything seems to fall into place - not waiting. Well, what am I waiting for? I don't know but I know I'm sick of waiting. I'm ready. I want to go. I feel like the Psalmist in Psalm 32 who talks about the Lord's hand being heavy upon him. That's me! I WANT TO GO!
I think the Lord is just teaching me that He won't allow me to go if I give him limitations. If I keep telling Him where I do and don't want to go. So, I'm working on giving up - giving up my home, my plans to fit missionary service in between work and family, my desire to have comforts and clean hands (I am a little OCD about germs). It might take weeks, months, years but it will happen. I'll go. I know that much for sure. Where? Not so sure. For how long? Only God knows. But I do know I'll go. I want that kind of love - the kind of love that makes me ravished and pushes me on and makes me feel like it's never enough. That's the kind of service my God deserves. After all - He loved me that much.
Ready for the revolution,
Joy
Thursday, September 02, 2004
September Already?
It's so hard for me to believe that it's September - fall, school, leaves, camping trips, long-sleeve shirts, LABOR DAY SALES!!! Where did the summer go? I could recount to anyone who asked what I did with my summer but they probably wouldn't want the details. All I know is it's good to be home for at least a good solid week. I'm even more excited about the fact that I'm now looking at being home for an entire month! That's extremely uncommon in our house. I'm excited about buying groceries for a time period of more than four days and I'm not quite sure I remember how to do that. I'm excited about the fact that we don't have to find someone to watch our poor dog who I think might have forgotten our faces every once in a while during this summer.
But at the same time I'm a little sad. Sad because it's all over. Sad because the experiences I had this summer were remarkable and life-changing. However, I must say, I'm not afraid this time that what I learned and what I thought was life-changing will fade away in a month or two. I feel like I am completely new and embarking on ideas, dreams and hopes I never thought myself capable of. I'm now pretty sure that while I can't solve all of the worlds problems, I can at least be a part of the solution. I'm no longer overwhelmed by the desperate situation that lurks just beyond America's borders. I now know that even just giving up going out for one meal could give a child in another country food for a week.
We're going to adopt children - not ones that live in our house just yet but children none the less. Children who will now have food and shelter, clothing and an education because we send our money. So what you say? So you learned all this stuff and all you got out of it was, "Sponsor A Child." No, that's not all I got out of it. I got that I've got a whole lot more than 75% of the world and that I should be giving at least some of what I've got to them. I got that I can do more and that sponsoring a child is a good place to start but I don't want it to be the end. I got that being a Christian is more than just holiness - it's about social justice and ACTION!!
I've got all these hopes now. I want to rescue the poor who cry for help and the fatherless who have no one to assist them. I want to help the widow. I want to put on righteousness as my clothing and justice as my robe and my turban. I want to be eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I want to be a mother to the needy (hence the child sponsorship and maybe someday a real adoption). I want to take up the case of the stranger. And by doing these things, I BREAK THE FANGS OF THE WICKED AND SNATCH THE VICTIMS FROM THEIR TEETH. (that's Job 29:12 - 17 by the way).
I've always thought, "I should sponsor a child" before. "I should give money to the poor." Have I ever followed through with those thoughts? No. They were just that, things I should do - but not today. Now, it's passion, it's desire, it's a need not just something I "should do because it would make me feel better about myself." It's reality that is somehow now meets me at my front door and keeps me pressing on for more information. It's not just something I should do - it's something I HAVE TO DO or else. Or else what? Or else they'll still be hungry with no one to feed them. That's what else.
Wesley Campbell and Stephen Court write in their book Be A Hero, "The face of the earth changes when the hearts of its people are transformed." Well, I can say now that I am truly transformed and still being transformed. I have been a Christian for about 12 years but I feel like I'm just now feeling God's heart beat and allowing him to break my heart for the things that break his heart - that's transformation.
I also have tangible hopes now - to start a children's home, to free slaves of child prostitution and bondage, to be a part of their lives and show them Jesus.
So I guess the fact that this summer is over isn't really all that sad. No, not at all. I wake up every morning now with this incredible feeling of purpose and reason. I long to be close to Jesus now. He is my all and I will do what He wants which is to feed His sheep. Thank you Lord for the transformation.
So, what are you waiting for? Are you ready to change the face of the world? Then do it. It doesn't take much - just giving up a dinner out a week or depriving yourself of a CD or two each month. Do you really need it? Like they need food? They're calling out to you for help - I hope you answer.
Ready for a revolution,
Joy
But at the same time I'm a little sad. Sad because it's all over. Sad because the experiences I had this summer were remarkable and life-changing. However, I must say, I'm not afraid this time that what I learned and what I thought was life-changing will fade away in a month or two. I feel like I am completely new and embarking on ideas, dreams and hopes I never thought myself capable of. I'm now pretty sure that while I can't solve all of the worlds problems, I can at least be a part of the solution. I'm no longer overwhelmed by the desperate situation that lurks just beyond America's borders. I now know that even just giving up going out for one meal could give a child in another country food for a week.
We're going to adopt children - not ones that live in our house just yet but children none the less. Children who will now have food and shelter, clothing and an education because we send our money. So what you say? So you learned all this stuff and all you got out of it was, "Sponsor A Child." No, that's not all I got out of it. I got that I've got a whole lot more than 75% of the world and that I should be giving at least some of what I've got to them. I got that I can do more and that sponsoring a child is a good place to start but I don't want it to be the end. I got that being a Christian is more than just holiness - it's about social justice and ACTION!!
I've got all these hopes now. I want to rescue the poor who cry for help and the fatherless who have no one to assist them. I want to help the widow. I want to put on righteousness as my clothing and justice as my robe and my turban. I want to be eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I want to be a mother to the needy (hence the child sponsorship and maybe someday a real adoption). I want to take up the case of the stranger. And by doing these things, I BREAK THE FANGS OF THE WICKED AND SNATCH THE VICTIMS FROM THEIR TEETH. (that's Job 29:12 - 17 by the way).
I've always thought, "I should sponsor a child" before. "I should give money to the poor." Have I ever followed through with those thoughts? No. They were just that, things I should do - but not today. Now, it's passion, it's desire, it's a need not just something I "should do because it would make me feel better about myself." It's reality that is somehow now meets me at my front door and keeps me pressing on for more information. It's not just something I should do - it's something I HAVE TO DO or else. Or else what? Or else they'll still be hungry with no one to feed them. That's what else.
Wesley Campbell and Stephen Court write in their book Be A Hero, "The face of the earth changes when the hearts of its people are transformed." Well, I can say now that I am truly transformed and still being transformed. I have been a Christian for about 12 years but I feel like I'm just now feeling God's heart beat and allowing him to break my heart for the things that break his heart - that's transformation.
I also have tangible hopes now - to start a children's home, to free slaves of child prostitution and bondage, to be a part of their lives and show them Jesus.
So I guess the fact that this summer is over isn't really all that sad. No, not at all. I wake up every morning now with this incredible feeling of purpose and reason. I long to be close to Jesus now. He is my all and I will do what He wants which is to feed His sheep. Thank you Lord for the transformation.
So, what are you waiting for? Are you ready to change the face of the world? Then do it. It doesn't take much - just giving up a dinner out a week or depriving yourself of a CD or two each month. Do you really need it? Like they need food? They're calling out to you for help - I hope you answer.
Ready for a revolution,
Joy
Monday, August 23, 2004
Monday, August 02, 2004
Grace has a face
Marty's been blogging a lot lately about grace - how unfathomable it is and how undeserving we are. Two days ago I met my sin. It was like it took on a physical form and shape - even had a face and I could name it - pride. I learned that most of my short-comings stem from that part of me. I've been learning a lot from the Lord lately about surrender and pride can have no part of that. I don't think I ever knew I was prideful really. I didn't want to believe that about myself, I wasn't like that (even in denying I was prideful there was pride). But there I was spending quality time with my husband, keeping him awake actually and I met my sin and it came crashing down around me. My pride hurts friendships. My big mouth hurts people and I'm so sick of doing that.
So, anyway, I met my sin on Saturday night. I saw just how disgusting I really am and how hurtful I really can be. I saw that there isn't a whole lot of humility in me and that I don't consider others better than myself (a pretty awful thing to admit, especially for all the world to see). But Sunday morning I met grace. The face of a friend. At the point where he should've said, "Yeah Joy that really hurt," he said, "That's okay, I know your heart." The truth is my heart is dirty and in need of cleansing but he knows that I'm fallible and in need of grace. He was a picture of Jesus to me in my time of need. He showed me grace when I absolutely did not deserve it.
Thank you Phil. You didn't say much but you gave me grace.
So, anyway, I met my sin on Saturday night. I saw just how disgusting I really am and how hurtful I really can be. I saw that there isn't a whole lot of humility in me and that I don't consider others better than myself (a pretty awful thing to admit, especially for all the world to see). But Sunday morning I met grace. The face of a friend. At the point where he should've said, "Yeah Joy that really hurt," he said, "That's okay, I know your heart." The truth is my heart is dirty and in need of cleansing but he knows that I'm fallible and in need of grace. He was a picture of Jesus to me in my time of need. He showed me grace when I absolutely did not deserve it.
Thank you Phil. You didn't say much but you gave me grace.
Friday, July 23, 2004
The whole youth department staff just watched the video for The War College that is going to be shown at TYI. What I saw on that video I want for my own life. The people who get to attend the War College get drenched in knowledge and they get to live their witness and it is a place where dreams and reality meet. That's what I want more than anything in the world. I want my dreams, my passion, my desire to serve the Lord to meet with what I do on a daily basis and who I am on a daily basis. I want to live where someone wiser than me pours into me knowledge about my Savior. I want to thrive in a place where I am challenged not only to know Him but to share Him with the people who need Him - who are dying and going to hell but can become a God follower. What do I have to do to get there?
I had this thought - what if Marty and I signed up, went to the War College and spent a year learning, hearing, understanding, becoming and then came back to Atlanta and started one here. We desperately need something like this right where we are. We need a 614 corps. We need people who are radically turned on to the saving power of Jesus Christ and want it for everyone - especially the poor and destitute, those without hope.
Steven Court talked in the video about how the 614 corps are cell-based corps. They are corps living in community. It's not about a building or a program but about living stones making up God's holy temple - I am a living stone and I want to be a part of a church that understands that it's not about program or anything but living in community, being a family and bringing others into that community. Danielle talked in the video with a growing dissatisfaction with success, with big churches and great events. That's how I feel now. I don't need a 7:22 or a North Point Community Church anymore. They are wonderful and full of people who love the Lord and have an incredible wisdom to see straight to the heart of the matter but I don't need that anymore. What I really want is to be surrounded by people who love me and care about me and impart TRUTH into my life. I want to be surrounded by people that I love, that I care for and that I can teach about Jesus. I'm not much but I love Him and maybe I can share that with people who need that.
How do I, no, How do we get there? I'm not alone in my dreams, desires and hopes. I'm not the only one who wants this.
Father, please send us all a mentor, send us someone who can make things happen or raise up in us the people who can make it happen. Keep us from fear and from complacency. I know that we are not the Army that you called us to be right now but I can see it and feel it coming and I can't wait. I see you raising up a generation of believers who want more than just a cute Sunday morning worship service but want to be active, living, breathing people who care more about others and souls than a building, a program and mostly themselves. Please help us to get there. Show us the way to go and the steps we are to take to get there.
You know my heart's desire Lord and so many times it seems like the dreams I have are too different, too separate to ever meet and to ever make sense. I trust you Lord and I believe that you can make them come true - in your way, in your time. You are my light and my salvation. Thank you for making me your child.
I love you,
Amen
I had this thought - what if Marty and I signed up, went to the War College and spent a year learning, hearing, understanding, becoming and then came back to Atlanta and started one here. We desperately need something like this right where we are. We need a 614 corps. We need people who are radically turned on to the saving power of Jesus Christ and want it for everyone - especially the poor and destitute, those without hope.
Steven Court talked in the video about how the 614 corps are cell-based corps. They are corps living in community. It's not about a building or a program but about living stones making up God's holy temple - I am a living stone and I want to be a part of a church that understands that it's not about program or anything but living in community, being a family and bringing others into that community. Danielle talked in the video with a growing dissatisfaction with success, with big churches and great events. That's how I feel now. I don't need a 7:22 or a North Point Community Church anymore. They are wonderful and full of people who love the Lord and have an incredible wisdom to see straight to the heart of the matter but I don't need that anymore. What I really want is to be surrounded by people who love me and care about me and impart TRUTH into my life. I want to be surrounded by people that I love, that I care for and that I can teach about Jesus. I'm not much but I love Him and maybe I can share that with people who need that.
How do I, no, How do we get there? I'm not alone in my dreams, desires and hopes. I'm not the only one who wants this.
Father, please send us all a mentor, send us someone who can make things happen or raise up in us the people who can make it happen. Keep us from fear and from complacency. I know that we are not the Army that you called us to be right now but I can see it and feel it coming and I can't wait. I see you raising up a generation of believers who want more than just a cute Sunday morning worship service but want to be active, living, breathing people who care more about others and souls than a building, a program and mostly themselves. Please help us to get there. Show us the way to go and the steps we are to take to get there.
You know my heart's desire Lord and so many times it seems like the dreams I have are too different, too separate to ever meet and to ever make sense. I trust you Lord and I believe that you can make them come true - in your way, in your time. You are my light and my salvation. Thank you for making me your child.
I love you,
Amen
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
My King
I'm still pondering the incredibleness of God. I always want to be in this position where I am continually awed by who He is and what He is and what I am in Him. I found this recently in a book I'm reading and love it. I thought I'd share.
"The Bible says my king is a seven-way king. He's the king of the Jews; that's a racial king. He's the king of Israel; that's a national king. He's the king of righteousness. He's the king of the ages. He's the king of heaven. He's the king of glory. He's the king of kings. Besides being a seven-way king, He's the Lord of lords. That's my king. Well, I wonder, do you know Him?
David said, 'The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork.' My king is a sovereign king. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.
He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's infinitely powerful. He's impartially merciful. Do you know Him?
He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's Savior. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands in the solitude of Himself. He's honest and He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprededented.
He's the loftiest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He is the supreme proglem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He's the core, the necessity for spiritual religion. He's the miracle of ages. Yes, He is. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one qualified to be our all-sufficiency. I wonder if you know Him today.
He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the leper. He forgives the sinner. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captive. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. And He beautifies the meek. I wonder if you know Him.
Well, this is my king. He's the kiey to knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. Do you know Him?
Well, His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you.
He's indescribable. He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. Well, you can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hand. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my king!
And Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever and ever and ever! How long is that? And ever and ever! And when you get through with all the forevers, then amen! Good God Almighty! Amen!"
What more can anyone say? I love that. My awe grows.
With wonder,
Joy
"The Bible says my king is a seven-way king. He's the king of the Jews; that's a racial king. He's the king of Israel; that's a national king. He's the king of righteousness. He's the king of the ages. He's the king of heaven. He's the king of glory. He's the king of kings. Besides being a seven-way king, He's the Lord of lords. That's my king. Well, I wonder, do you know Him?
David said, 'The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork.' My king is a sovereign king. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings.
He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's infinitely powerful. He's impartially merciful. Do you know Him?
He's the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He's God's Son. He's the sinner's Savior. He's the centerpiece of civilization. He stands in the solitude of Himself. He's honest and He's unique. He's unparalleled. He's unprededented.
He's the loftiest idea in literature. He's the highest personality in philosophy. He is the supreme proglem in higher criticism. He's the fundamental doctrine of true theology. He's the core, the necessity for spiritual religion. He's the miracle of ages. Yes, He is. He's the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He's the only one qualified to be our all-sufficiency. I wonder if you know Him today.
He supplies strength for the weak. He's available for the tempted and tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He strengthens and sustains. He guards and He guides. He heals the sick. He cleanses the leper. He forgives the sinner. He discharges debtors. He delivers the captive. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent. And He beautifies the meek. I wonder if you know Him.
Well, this is my king. He's the kiey to knowledge. He's the wellspring of wisdom. He's the doorway of deliverance. He's the pathway of peace. He's the roadway of righteousness. He's the highway of holiness. He's the gateway of glory. Do you know Him?
Well, His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you.
He's indescribable. He's incomprehensible. He's invincible. He's irresistible. Well, you can't get Him out of your mind. You can't get Him off of your hand. You can't outlive Him and you can't live without Him. The Pharisees couldn't stand Him, but they found they couldn't stop Him. Pilate couldn't find any fault in Him. Herod couldn't kill Him. Death couldn't handle Him, and the grave couldn't hold Him. That's my king!
And Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever and ever and ever! How long is that? And ever and ever! And when you get through with all the forevers, then amen! Good God Almighty! Amen!"
What more can anyone say? I love that. My awe grows.
With wonder,
Joy
Thursday, July 08, 2004
God's Gentle Prodding
God has a way of making inroads into our lives. He loves us enough to do that without us even asking. Sometimes he loves us enough to make his way into our lives even when we ask him not to. His ways our not our ways, that's for sure. This morning I was doing my devotions and the journal I'm working in said, "Now, take some time and ask the Lord if there is any unrevealed sin in your life." The first thing I thought was, "Okay, time for a shower." But dutifully, I bowed my head, afraid of what the Lord might say - kind of hoping he wouldn't say anything - and asked the Lord to reveal any sin in my life to which I may be ignorant. My sin? Wouldn't you like to know?!? The funny thing is, I did sit there and listen for a little bit but I don't really think I truly bowed my heart to his and truly wanted him to reveal something to me that, once removed from my life, would draw me closer to him.
This morning, as I was sitting at my desk reading the Southern Spirit, I came across an article by Captain Jim McGee that's entitled "I am against sin...just not my own." How very appropriate and how very timely. "That's me," I wanted to shout as I read along. I am the same way. McGee reminds his readers of Pauls words in Romans 7:18 - 19, "For I have desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing." Why is it that I don't even want to bow my head to find out what it is the Lord wants to remove from my life? I'm afraid of the change it will cause in my life - or God forbid the steps He will require me to take to correct that sin.
Lord, sometimes my life in you seems so difficult - so hard to achieve and yet you wait patiently for me to come to you. There are times when I so easily lay down my entire life at your feet and say, use me as you will and yet there are other times when I just don't want to even walk into your presence out of fear. Lord, help me to accept your abundant grace that I will never understand but will always need. Then, help me to want holiness, not a substitute or a quick fix job but a continual desire to become holy as your are.
Thank you for your gentle prodding and your loving carresses. Teach me something new about you today.
Amen
This morning, as I was sitting at my desk reading the Southern Spirit, I came across an article by Captain Jim McGee that's entitled "I am against sin...just not my own." How very appropriate and how very timely. "That's me," I wanted to shout as I read along. I am the same way. McGee reminds his readers of Pauls words in Romans 7:18 - 19, "For I have desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing." Why is it that I don't even want to bow my head to find out what it is the Lord wants to remove from my life? I'm afraid of the change it will cause in my life - or God forbid the steps He will require me to take to correct that sin.
Lord, sometimes my life in you seems so difficult - so hard to achieve and yet you wait patiently for me to come to you. There are times when I so easily lay down my entire life at your feet and say, use me as you will and yet there are other times when I just don't want to even walk into your presence out of fear. Lord, help me to accept your abundant grace that I will never understand but will always need. Then, help me to want holiness, not a substitute or a quick fix job but a continual desire to become holy as your are.
Thank you for your gentle prodding and your loving carresses. Teach me something new about you today.
Amen
Monday, July 05, 2004
Friends
Spending a day with a friend is like sitting down in Starbucks having a White Chocolate Mocha. The day is full of richness and a sweetness that can only be marked by a familiarity and an understanding that you can read in the others smile and hear in her words. I got to spend this past Saturday in Orlando. I was priveleged to attend a shower for Lorelie and then hang out with her afterwards. I miss living close to her. I miss being able to pick up and go to the beach on any Saturday afternoon. Thanks Lorelie for a great day! I love you!
Thursday, July 01, 2004
I've got my own blog!
I've wanted to do this since the first day that I read Anna and Justin's blog. I struggled over what to name it and what I would say but the more I thought about it the more I was drawn to having a blog - a place of my own to ramble. I hope that this will become another tool I can use on my journey closer to the Lord. He is so good to me and in everything I want to praise His name - even in something as small and insignificant to others as a blog.
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