Reunited...

So last week I was finally reunited with some of my best friends, Sarah and Tommy and their little sweetie Kiersten. I spent eight wonderful days in California, enjoying sweet fellowship and encouragement with them. It was sad to come back home to my normal life. Whenever you get to do something really exciting that you have been anticipating for so long, it just seems like such a let-down when it's over, even if what you are coming home to is good and pleasant as well. Here is a quick run-down of my activities in CA with my friends, with some pics added in to show just how special my time was while I was there.
1. Went to Grace Community Church in the AM & PM to hear John MacArthur preach!
2. Took a trip to the Los Angeles zoo where we enjoyed watching Kiersten take in all the animal sightings.
3. Ate Thanksgiving dinner with 30 strangers who we met through Tommy and Sarah's friends from church.
4. Met up with our other friend, Jeff in Malibu for dinner at this great Hawaiian restaurant on the beach. We also got to walk around Malibu and see some of the beauty of the gardens and surrounding beaches.
5. Sarah and I and the baby went to Hollywood one evening, saw the stars on the sidewalk, did some shopping, and ate at this fantastic sushi place.
6. Had some very insightful meetings at Masters College and even sat in on some Biblical Counseling classes. We will see where the Lord leads...
7. Traveled out to Torrence, CA to visit Jeff's church where he is helping establish a college ministry and had lunch with him and the pastor's family.
8. Enjoyed LOTS of quality time with my precious friends!

Carrying one another's burdens

This morning my pastor taught from Galatians 5 on carrying one anothers' burdens. He basically summarized what that does NOT mean and what that DOES mean. It was a very practical sermon, delivered in a very simple and compassionate manner, yet filled with doctrinal unity and rooted solely in Scripture and not a man's thoughts or ideas. Here is a brief synopsis:

1. How are Christians supposed to THINK about themselves and others? - vs. 5:26
Think of ourselves in HUMILITY! Conceit manifests itself in our actions, bringing about divisions within the body. "You who are spiritual" leads to the question: who determines whether I am spiritual? Well, the body of Christ should be affirming my spiritual maturity as they observe the character of my life. Do I see others as lower than myself? If so, then I am NOT spiritual! Remember too that this passage is addressed to "brothers" not the lost. Don't spend your time judging the lost!

2. How are Christians supposed to carry their load? - vs. 6:2
Bear other's burdens with them. What is the law of Christ? To love God first and your neighbor as yourself. Our closest friends ought to be our church family. Vs. 6:5 reminds us to be careful about how and who we assist in bearing burdens. When we have a load placed on us individually we ought to bear it if we can so that others can carry someone else's load. Don't be a spiritual leech, abusing the care of your brothers and sisters.

3. How should a Christian share? - vs. 6:6
Those who teach you should be cared for (pastors, teachers). Vs. 7 and 8 give a warning to check your motives for sowing. WHY are you sowing your life into this church? It is far worse to sow to the flesh than to not sow at all! And how should believers react to the weight of sowing? Vs. 9 and 10 remind us that there will be delays, sometimes LONG delays in our labor. We grow impatient in wanting to see results and growth, but "in due season" means the fruit will come in the exact time God has appointed!

Please remember, these are not my thoughts, but notes from my pastor's sermon. I hope they encourage you as you seek out opportunities to carry other's burdens and sow good fruits in the lives of those you love (or even those you don't feel so much love toward).

Special photos of my time in Rhode Island...

God's many blessings

So I just returned from visiting my sister and her family in Rhode Island this weekend. It was such a precious reminder of God's many blessings that are so unmerited and gracious toward His people. My niece, Adaline, is now eighteen months old and my nephew, Rory, is four months old. They are so beautiful and it is so neat to think that God has given me these sweet little lives to be forever connected to. Even if I never get to have children of my own, God has surpassed any hopes that I had by allowing me the privilege of being a part of these tiny hearts and minds. "No good thing does He withhold" takes on a special meaning these days. I got to spend three nights with my little ones, joyfully waking at 4am to the sound of a cry (all you mothers I am sure are thinking that certainly if I had to this every day like you all do, it might not be with so much excitement:) and rising early to breakfast and playtime. It was a beautiful fall weekend, with mild temperatures that allowed us to spend time playing in the yard. My sister and I even got to sneak out for some one-on-one time Saturday night after the babies went to bed. We did what all women love to do - SHOP! In all seriousness, I could not have asked for sweeter fellowship with my sister and I dearly love her. There is a tenderness and understanding that continues to grow between us as the years go by and I praise God for growing us in our friendship! Addy is so much fun right now. She actually says my name, "Messa" and tells me "Sit Messa" when she wants me to come on the floor and play with her or read to her. She is definitely a girl after my own heart, loving books a lot! We baked chocolate chip cookies together one afternoon and Addy got the flour on her face and just made it such fun! I also got lots of sweet hugs and kisses throughout the weekend, which made it very difficult for me to say goodbye. It truly was a gift from a great God, who is always faithful to provide opportunities for me to spend time with babies. They are such a treasure and I pray for their salvation, that God would grant these little ones eternal life!

Prayer needed

Over the next two months or so I am going to be making one of the most important decisions of my life, and I will be making it while in the midst of many other happenings. Lots of travel plans: first I hit Rhode Island this weekend to visit my sister and the babies; then I go to California for a week at Thanksgiving; and finally spend two weeks in South Africa for Christmas! Whew! I don't know how I will manage it all, but God has so faithfully provided the means for me to be able to visit some very special family and friends, as well as partake in ministry at Christmas. What a privilege and joy to spend Christmas away from the hustle and silliness of all the materialistic aspects of this ridiculously westernized holiday. It amazes me how all my students at school have been talking about Christmas since we started in August, they have been counting down the days and eagerly discussing and comparing all the items they have asked for from their moms and dads. I may tend toward a legalistic conservatism, but it frustrated me to see the amount of time and money and even mental energy that goes into this holiday. I anticipate being in Africa where the people are simply thankful to have a roof over their heads and just one meal a day. More on this later...

It's been a while...

Life has been so busy, it amazes me how fast time is going by! There are big decisions looming in my near future, although I guess I shouldn't say "looming" because they could be some really exciting things. God has been reminding me lately of His constant faithfulness despite my lack of faithfulness at times. He is always good to me and I know He will not deprive me of any good thing simply because I am not a perfect kingdom daughter. There are so many strange twists to life and ways that God has for us that we could not have ever possibly imagined. I am so thankful that "His ways are perfect" and meant for my good and His glory. While I consider some more specific things to write about, here is a picture from our recent "Autumn Gala" at the school. It was a fun night out, although I must say that it reminded me of how much I really enjoy the international missional life that I have become more accustomed to. Dressing up is fun for about five minutes, and then I want to be back in a t-shirt with a fresh-scrubbed face. I think our society has definitely misinterpreted God's desire for femininity. Instead of just being naturally beautiful in the way God created us, we think it means primping and spraying and toning as much as we possibly can. Obviously there's nothing wrong with beautifying ourselves, but I just don't really enjoy all the excessive lengths we go to in order to accomplish that. It ends up feeling fake or showy. Oh well...

Catching Up

These past two weeks have been so crazy. Between my job, ministry stuff, a conference in Minnesota, and moving...well, where do I begin? I don't have a lot of time, but wanted to catch you up with my happenings. I guess the biggest news is that I went to Minneapolis to a Desiring God conference, where I heard John Piper, John MacArthur, Randy Alcorn, Jerry Bridges, and Helen Roseveare. I cannot begin to do justice to what I heard over those two days! The theme was "Stand - A Call for the Endurance of the Saints". My highlights included MacArthur's firm preaching, Jerry Bridges practical admonitions, Piper's compasstionate pleas, and Roseveare's riveting testimony, as well as just traveling, which I love to do (you can see me above hanging out at the airport!). A special privilege was meeting Helen Roseveare, as well as a young couple who have their own missions organization and they are trying to mobilize young people to go to Africa...right up my alley! I wish I could share so much more, but it will have to wait for later. In the meantime, I have included several photos from the conference, as well as a humorous one from our move (finding space for all my books is next to impossible:)!

Removing the unnecessary...

So here we are moving...again! Since moving to Florida in 1999, I think we have moved six times!!! When you become a renter, it seems there is always a better deal or more space for the money and so you just move. I must admit it becomes a little annoying sometimes packing up all your stuff, and lugging it across town. One thing I learn better every time I move though, is how much more loosely I want to hold onto the things of this world. This time in particular, after being on several mission trips these past two years, I have thrown out more items than ever before! There are so many useless belongings and it makes me sick to think of the wasted money that could have been better used doing more of the Lord's work. You really can never give more than is needed! Clutter, clutter...it's everywhere! As I think of all the material possessions that take up too much space or waste my time...so it is with my heart. Many idle thoughts or vain meditations. How often can one possibly think about herself? Obviously too often! I have been talking to my 4th grade girls at school about their speech and behavior, in an effort to train them in godly (young) womanhood. We started memorizing this little chant: "Before you speak: Is it kind? Is it true? Is it necessary?" It breaks my heart to think of how often I fail as an adult woman to think on these things before I speak or act. I would say much less if I remembered these things before I speak. This is the woman I would like to be: "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue" (Proverbs 31:26)

Every spiritual blessing...

It has been a rough week, for so many reasons, and I know it has been for many people. It seems that we are under siege, and that Satan is trying his hardest right now to bind up our minds away from Christ and His finished work on the cross. Many heartaches and struggles are going on all around me...death, families being torn apart, sickness, rebellion. It is the complete fulfillment of God's Holy Word! He said, "In this life you will have many troubles" and we believe every word of God is wholly true. So why do we question Him when He shows us that?

I got bit by something almost two weeks ago now, and it has slowly taken over my whole body, yet only the red spot on my toe has been visible. Yesterday I went to the hospital after several unsuccessful visits to a clinic, and finally got some much-needed treatment. The funny thing is...the first doctor I saw prescribed an antibiotic, but when I went to the ER, the doctore there wanted to cut open my toe and drain the posion from my body. What an amazing picture of SIN!!! It may look only like a red bump, but it has quickly infected the entire body, without my being able to even see it! And I can soothe it a little with some medicine, but in truth, only cutting it out completely will remove it and kill the bacteria running through my blood! When this reality hit me, I felt like such an idiot, I have heard truths like this before but what a merciful God to allow me to experience it so personally and harshly! I remember Pastor Tommy teaching about how Agag was hacked to pieces in the Old Testament and how that is what we must do to our sin...this is the same type of picture. There is so much sin all around me, within me...the only hope is to kill this poison.

While I have been lying in bed each night in much pain, my Mom has been reading to me from Ephesians. It has been so sweet, as the Lord quickly reminded me that regardless of anything else I have or don't have, He has "blessed me with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus". These spiritual blessings are more than enough for me, and could sustain me in all circumstances. What a gracious God! I am relying on those promises right now, as I am still healing slowly. Just like sin, the effect takes time. I am not immediately healed overnight, but I must now follow the doctor's orders, finish all my medications, and really take care of myself so that it will heal entirely. Sin must be monitored...checked and rechecked. I pray that the Lord will continue to check my heart and purge the sin from it!

Labor Day

As I contemplated all that I wanted to do on this wonderful extra day off, many thoughts flooded my mind...pack up my room since we are moving in just a couple weeks, grade my student's papers, cook a fancy meal, clean my bathroom, run errands, read, and the list could go on and on. It seems there is never a shortage of things to do, and yet I am often struggling to know where to even begin. The task becomes overwhelming if not approached with that old adage, "do one thing at a time and eventually you will get there". I don't even know if that really is the old adage, but it seems like people are always telling you to try that approach! It really is true though. I am already seeing the end of this day and know that much has gone by the wayside. I did manage to run an errand, reorganize my entire closet, finish laundry, do some correspondence, and cook a little. But at least I was able to accomplish those things, and the rest will simply have to come little by little. Now, on to the good stuff. In the midst of checking my emails, I came across this quote from a blog I frequently read. It really stood out to me after the powerful message that we heard in Sunday worship this weekend. My pastor was so clear in expositing the text from I Corinthians 9 and 10. People were greatly convicted, including myself, of the utter depravity of the human heart. I am enslaved to sins, and without a right understanding of the demands of my Lord, I will not be freed from bondage and will continue in habitual wickedness. We get so caught up in classifying our sins too, thinking that a personal sin is so much less evil than some horrible atrocity that we hear about on the news: FALSE! Humility is not optional for the believer and it is by humility that I will recognize my own deceitful heart for what it is, turn to Christ, and throw off the chains of sin. Meditate on this:

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit"by Thomas Watson
"He that is poor in spirit is lowly in heart. Rich men are commonly proud and scornful, but the poor are submissive. The poor in spirit roll themselves in the dust in the sense of their unworthiness. 'I abhor myself in dust' (Job 42:6). He that is poor in spirit looks at another's excellencies and his own infirmities. He denies not only his sins but his duties.The more grace he has, the more humble he is, because he now sees himself a greater debtor to God. If he can do any duty, he acknowledges it is Christ's strength more than his own. As the ship gets to the haven more by the benefit of the wind than the sail, so when a Christian makes swift progress, it is more by wind of God's Spirit than the sail of his own endeavour. The poor in spirit, when he acts most like a saint, confesses himself to be 'the chief of sinners'. He blushes more at the defect of his graces than others do at the excess of their sins. He dares not say he has prayed or wept. He lives, yet not he, but Christ lives in him. He labours, yet not he, but the grace of God."

I pray that I can learn to see "another's excellencies" and my "own infirmities", considering others better than myself and acknowledging the abundant life-giving grace of God.