Lots happening...

There are so many things going on in my life right now and so many things that I would like to pass along to my friends, so I decided to just bullet-point them in summary:

This morning my pastor gave a wonderful sermon from II Corinthians 1:3-11, expounding on the theology of a Christians affliction. He discussed at length how many people are often confused by Paul's mention of believers idenitfying with Christ's suffering as if somehow His suffering was not complete without us. He even cross-referenced Colossians 1:24 where Paul said that he was "filling up what is lacking in Christ's affliction". My pastor explained the intent of Paul's words by stating that, "It's not the power of Christ's suffering, but the presentation of it." So Christ's suffering had enough power in and of itself, but it is further presented in how we live our lives amongst great tribulation and affliction.

Another thing I have really been thinking about lately, is how little we as Christian women really understand and embrace our calling to radical redeemed womanhood. My pastor of biblical guidance has brought this to my attention often, and the thoughts have multiplied in my head as I reflect on many women I have observed (including myself) who are able to SAY all the correct theologicial answers about biblical womanhood, but yet we daily fail to live according to God's radical call upon our lives. I have been reading and researching these matters deeply for a couple of months, and have been reminded time and time again to pray fervently for a revival amongst Christian women to be women of the Word, seeking to live under the shelter and protection of the godly male leaders God has providentially placed over us. We are so independent and so quick to make decisions without consulting these men, sometimes even assuming that because we may be "more spiritual" than some of them, that we then have the "right" to control our own lives without their input. This is such a tragic display of true womanhood. If we are to be a reflection of Christ and His bride, the Church, then we are desperately failing. In essence, we are saying we know better than God!

I must get down from my soapbox now. Of course these things are all shared only in the light of my own failures and sinful behaviors. God is using these observations as a penetrating reminder in my own life of the remaining flesh that is in me and how it must be continually addressed!

Check out this link...

I came across an amazingly encouraging link today on Carolyn McCulley's blog. She commented on an article by Susan Hunt on women mentoring youger women...a real challenge to us all! I would highly recommend checking it out. Go to:
http://www.moodymagazine.com/articles.php?action=view_article&id=725

Maybe when I have meditated on it this weekend I will try to post my thoughts. It's been a killer week. God has given me much to do:)

Who glorifies God because of you???

I just returned from a wonderful holiday in South Africa from Christmas to New Years. It was a really precious opportunity to be reunited with some special friends who are serving as missionaries in Mbazwana, an area in Zululand. They have been there ten months and will be coming back to the States the first part of March. Their son, Max, was a very special student of mine last year in the fourth grade and it has been a sweet encouragement to be a part of their ministry there. It was also a very meaningful time as I was reacquainted with friends I have made there on previous trips, like Zanele, Ntombenhle, and all the church families. Jeff preached several times, which was a huge blessing to my soul! I even found a verse for the year in one of his sermons. I had been praying that God would show me a special verse to meditate on for the new year. Jeff preached a phenomenal message about how God can use us to glorify Himself and focused on Galatians 1:24: "And they glorified God because of me". God has certainly gifted him as a teacher of the Word, and I was so deeply moved by the bold passion he had as he shared truth with the Zulu people. I pray their ministry will carry on even after they return home and that the people of Mbazwana will bear much fruit as a result of the work that has been done there. The photos don't really do it justice, but I will try to share more in the coming days.

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:)!