Happy Easter! What a beautiful cold, cloudy, and rainy day yesterday was!
We got to celebrate and share in the baptisms of 5 friends. As one of them told her story before going into the water, God whispered...no, that isn’t the right term. God shouted at me (that’s better) through her words.
Remember in John 14 when 5 Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?”
6 Jesus answered him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.7 Now that you have known me,” he said to them, “you will know my Father also, and from now on you do know him and you have seen him.”
8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father; that is all we need.”
I listened as my friend spoke the truth about her life including pain, loneliness and unforgiveness, as well as her meeting Jesus only months ago. She proclaimed the huge change that is taking place in her heart because of Jesus. How healing and love, forgiveness and hope are replacing those previous feelings of brokenness. I sat there humbled as God brought to my memory many friends I’ve recently had the privilege of seeing God transforming for the best.
Right after Jesus says to Philip (basically), “You know me! You’ve spent all this time with me. You’ve seen me perform miracles, you’ve heard me speak only Truth, you’ve gone on this great journey with me and have experienced my love. You know me, therefore, you know God and have seen him!” Philip says, “Lord, show us God. Then we can know for sure.” I always read this and think, Seriously Philip? Were you listening at all?! Oh Philip, you’re so slow. Poor, silly Philip.
[Insert great big sigh] I am so much like Philip. I say it too, and often. “God! Show me God so that I can believe.”
As I listened to my friend, and as God reminded me of person after person after person I’ve gotten to watch meet Jesus, get to know him, and literally see God transforming them for the best, I was greatly humbled. “Open your eyes, Sydni,” He seemed to be saying.
God never stops working. When we miss him, it’s only because we aren’t looking.
Friday, April 12, 2013
Trust... (From October 24, 2011)
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
I have found that learning (or living) the definition of the word ‘trust’ is somewhat tricky. Some days I feel like I’ve finally figured it out, and other days it feels like it’s lost in the wash.
Trust: Reliance. Hope. Confidence in the certainty of......(thank you dictionary.com) Do I really trust God with all my heart everyday, all the time? Oh, I can answer that question quite simply. Nope.
Some days I go out in the morning with gusto. I talk about God all day, and I share what He’s doing in my life with others. I read the Bible with someone, and I do my best to explain it when they have questions, and then I go home feeling so exhausted...no, more than exhausted. I feel beat up. I kick my shoes off, sit down, and without a smile on my face I think, “What is wrong with me? Why do I feel like I’ve just run a marathon in the wrong shoes?” It’s usually then that I realize that I didn’t trust God at all today. It’s not because I didn’t want to. It was because I was too busy trusting myself to even ask for His guidance or opinion in the matters I faced. No wonder I feel so tired. I’ve been trusting myself all day and leaning on my own understanding as I went. Thank goodness these days are becoming fewer and far between. It seems I’m slowly learning this verse that I’ve been hearing and reading since I could hear and read. God wants me to trust him in every moment. He wants me to ask his opinion and listen to his leading all the time. God wants me to not worry about what I can’t even get my own head around, he just wants me to trust him. God wants me. Yes! That’s what it is I think. He’s not a mean father that wants us to ‘do what you’re told and don’t ask questions!’ No, I’m certain that He wants us to trust in him and acknowledge him and not lean on our own understanding of things because he wants to see us on a straight path. Because that path leads to joy even on a rainy day. That path leads to hope even when all seems lost. That path leads to God himself. He wants us. He loves us. So, now I’m sitting here wondering why I’ve just written this post. It isn’t flowery or that nice to read, is it? (please keep your answer to yourself) Oh well. There it was. Perhaps you’ve been struggling with days like I’ve had, and that’s why I wrote this all for everyone to read? God wants you to trust him. Because he’s the only one who knows how to make your path straight.
--Sydni
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
I have found that learning (or living) the definition of the word ‘trust’ is somewhat tricky. Some days I feel like I’ve finally figured it out, and other days it feels like it’s lost in the wash.
Trust: Reliance. Hope. Confidence in the certainty of......(thank you dictionary.com) Do I really trust God with all my heart everyday, all the time? Oh, I can answer that question quite simply. Nope.
Some days I go out in the morning with gusto. I talk about God all day, and I share what He’s doing in my life with others. I read the Bible with someone, and I do my best to explain it when they have questions, and then I go home feeling so exhausted...no, more than exhausted. I feel beat up. I kick my shoes off, sit down, and without a smile on my face I think, “What is wrong with me? Why do I feel like I’ve just run a marathon in the wrong shoes?” It’s usually then that I realize that I didn’t trust God at all today. It’s not because I didn’t want to. It was because I was too busy trusting myself to even ask for His guidance or opinion in the matters I faced. No wonder I feel so tired. I’ve been trusting myself all day and leaning on my own understanding as I went. Thank goodness these days are becoming fewer and far between. It seems I’m slowly learning this verse that I’ve been hearing and reading since I could hear and read. God wants me to trust him in every moment. He wants me to ask his opinion and listen to his leading all the time. God wants me to not worry about what I can’t even get my own head around, he just wants me to trust him. God wants me. Yes! That’s what it is I think. He’s not a mean father that wants us to ‘do what you’re told and don’t ask questions!’ No, I’m certain that He wants us to trust in him and acknowledge him and not lean on our own understanding of things because he wants to see us on a straight path. Because that path leads to joy even on a rainy day. That path leads to hope even when all seems lost. That path leads to God himself. He wants us. He loves us. So, now I’m sitting here wondering why I’ve just written this post. It isn’t flowery or that nice to read, is it? (please keep your answer to yourself) Oh well. There it was. Perhaps you’ve been struggling with days like I’ve had, and that’s why I wrote this all for everyone to read? God wants you to trust him. Because he’s the only one who knows how to make your path straight.
--Sydni
Scotland and N.T. Wright (From September 29, 2011)
At the end of August I, Nick, in part of The History Maker Foundation, took four lads to Scotland. THMF gives "disadvantaged" young people the opportunity to experience outdoor adventure. Here's a bit of background before I tell you about the trip itself: Joel, the ginger-headed kid on the left in the picture above, was best-mates with a young man named Joey. Joey loved both Jesus and the outdoors and was able to share both of his passions with a lot of young people while working at an outdoor retreat called Compass Christian Centre in Scotland. Joey's life was cut tragically short in a climbing accident a few years ago. Shortly after we moved here, Joel said he would like to get a group of guys together and take them to Compass. So over the past several months, Joey’s family, the founders of THMF, worked very hard to make Joel’s goal happen. But it was up to us to find the right guys to take on the trip. While all this was beginning to take shape, another charity called Go4 Enterprises started with the goal to help employ these same "disadvantaged" young people. It made perfect sense that these two charities work together. Go4 provides the lads and THMF provides the funding.
I’m worried that the term "disadvantaged" young person may not be clear. This is often a term used to describe young men and women who have grown up in an unstable environment, or had very limited family structure. Many of them get addicted to drugs, develop alcohol problems, and often times into legal troubles. So you can imagine how hard it would be to find a job in a country where 1 in 5 are unemployed and your background is less than stellar. You can also imagine how difficult it would be to stop the destructive lifestyle without both family and hope.
Ok, on with the story of the trip. At 5 a.m on a Monday we loaded up in the mini bus and began our 9 hour trek towards the middle of nowhere Scotland. In a one day trip, I was able to drive about 2/3 of the length of the U.K. When we arrived the lads were surprised to learn that there would be no cell phone service, internet, or t.v. It was only us in the hills with a bunch of cows, goats, and sheep. Our first day there, we were led on a full day hike up three munros (a munro is a class of mountain peaks). It was a great way to start our week. It put us to the test which revealed our true personalities. None of us really knew each other all that well before the trip, which added another challenge. During the first two days, we all kind of stuck close to the ones we felt most comfortable with. Joel stuck with me, Liam and Chris stayed together, and Alfie floated between the two. It was difficult to break the ice, and I was beginning to fear it was never going to happen. After a nine hour drive, two days of hiking countless miles, and being stuck together in the lodge with only ourselves to entertain us, we decided to go do something familiar to us all, go to the pub.
The most important thing we can do as Christians who are concerned about sharing the love of Christ with others is not to invite them to church, but to meet them on neutral ground. It wasn’t until our night at the pub that the ice finally broke. I got to learn about their upbringing, their goals, and their beliefs. After that night, during the remainder of the trip we all clicked. The next day we did some rock climbing and abseiling (repelling) and there was plenty of joking and teasing each other. A sign that we were beginning to not only feel comfortable with one another we actually liked each other enough to put one another down. I’m convinced that none of that would have happened had we not gone to our neutral ground. Since returning home, I have been able to stay in touch with these guys. Although, there is no way they would go to church with me, just yet, they are more than happy to meet me at the pub.
Now, for the N.T. Wright bit.......
A couple nights ago, I got to hear two lectures and meet N.T. Wright. I don’t think I’ve ever been more intimidated to meet someone before. If you’re not familiar with his work, he is one of the the intellectual elites in theology,and one of my heroes. Although he seems to be a very nice man, I couldn’t help but think that every word that was coming out of my mouth must sound so stupid to this guy. So thanks again to my insecurities, I really didn’t get to enjoy meeting him. He was very gracious and signed a couple of books for me, and as far as I could tell, never once rolled his eyes at me or gave me any impression that he thought I was a waste of space. After all, I’m sure that’s what I would have done if I were as smart as he is.
I’m worried that the term "disadvantaged" young person may not be clear. This is often a term used to describe young men and women who have grown up in an unstable environment, or had very limited family structure. Many of them get addicted to drugs, develop alcohol problems, and often times into legal troubles. So you can imagine how hard it would be to find a job in a country where 1 in 5 are unemployed and your background is less than stellar. You can also imagine how difficult it would be to stop the destructive lifestyle without both family and hope.
Ok, on with the story of the trip. At 5 a.m on a Monday we loaded up in the mini bus and began our 9 hour trek towards the middle of nowhere Scotland. In a one day trip, I was able to drive about 2/3 of the length of the U.K. When we arrived the lads were surprised to learn that there would be no cell phone service, internet, or t.v. It was only us in the hills with a bunch of cows, goats, and sheep. Our first day there, we were led on a full day hike up three munros (a munro is a class of mountain peaks). It was a great way to start our week. It put us to the test which revealed our true personalities. None of us really knew each other all that well before the trip, which added another challenge. During the first two days, we all kind of stuck close to the ones we felt most comfortable with. Joel stuck with me, Liam and Chris stayed together, and Alfie floated between the two. It was difficult to break the ice, and I was beginning to fear it was never going to happen. After a nine hour drive, two days of hiking countless miles, and being stuck together in the lodge with only ourselves to entertain us, we decided to go do something familiar to us all, go to the pub.
The most important thing we can do as Christians who are concerned about sharing the love of Christ with others is not to invite them to church, but to meet them on neutral ground. It wasn’t until our night at the pub that the ice finally broke. I got to learn about their upbringing, their goals, and their beliefs. After that night, during the remainder of the trip we all clicked. The next day we did some rock climbing and abseiling (repelling) and there was plenty of joking and teasing each other. A sign that we were beginning to not only feel comfortable with one another we actually liked each other enough to put one another down. I’m convinced that none of that would have happened had we not gone to our neutral ground. Since returning home, I have been able to stay in touch with these guys. Although, there is no way they would go to church with me, just yet, they are more than happy to meet me at the pub.
Now, for the N.T. Wright bit.......
A couple nights ago, I got to hear two lectures and meet N.T. Wright. I don’t think I’ve ever been more intimidated to meet someone before. If you’re not familiar with his work, he is one of the the intellectual elites in theology,and one of my heroes. Although he seems to be a very nice man, I couldn’t help but think that every word that was coming out of my mouth must sound so stupid to this guy. So thanks again to my insecurities, I really didn’t get to enjoy meeting him. He was very gracious and signed a couple of books for me, and as far as I could tell, never once rolled his eyes at me or gave me any impression that he thought I was a waste of space. After all, I’m sure that’s what I would have done if I were as smart as he is.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.“ (John 11: 25-26) (From April 26, 2011)
This past week marked two great events in history: Easter of course, and the other, my mom’s birthday. God did something brilliant. And my mom knew it.
Just now, I stood looking out the window, squinting into the sun. After shaking the hair from my face as the wind from the open windows blew it gently into my eyes, I saw something amazing. There’s a tree across the street that has been staring towards our window all winter long, just like a corpse hopelessly seems to stare without seeing. Since we moved in, this tree, naked and lifeless, has stood there protesting against the gray sky as if quietly waiting. Today, as I look out, the tree is dancing. It’s branches are swaying to the music of the wind. Covered in a snow of white blossoms amidst a sea of new green leaves, it’s dancing. And as it does, it’s sending petals on the wind down the street. It seems to be sharing its beauty with the whole of Victoria Road as petals glide down the gutters and cover the ground around it.
Why do I celebrate Easter? Nope, not for the Cadbury eggs...(but that doesn’t mean I don’t take full advantage of them as they sit next to the cash register each spring). I celebrate Easter because more than 2,000 years ago my God, as flesh, took my place. As cause demands effect and as sin demands justice, Jesus accepts the worst death imaginable as punishment for the hurt and wrong I’ve done. Then, if that wasn’t enough, (and no, it wasn’t enough) Jesus defeated death! He shook off his mummy wrap and left his tomb. And if that wasn’t enough, (that’s right we’re still going here) my God did this so that I may have this same life that He now lives. A life that never dies! His living body ascended to heaven, but he sent his spirit to live within me. He offered and I accepted. I celebrate because He lives. He lives in me.
I (Jesus) came that you may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:10-11)
Why do I celebrate my mom’s birthday? Because my mommy taught me this historic story. She didn’t teach it to me with just words, but with her life. Sometimes when she would talk about Jesus it sounded so corny and silly to me, but she had something, she lived and breathed something...I couldn’t put my finger on it...but I knew that it was something undeniably different and very much real. My mother had the abundant life that Jesus spoke about. She shared it with everyone she knew. It overflowed out of her. You could say that she introduced me to Jesus and I was very shy for a while and unsure of Him, but I couldn’t deny that He was absolutely real. She spoke to me about Him and I had to squint and push my hair out of my eyes. I could feel Him as she danced through life dropping petals even at the hardest of times.
This tree outside our front window reminded me of the life that Jesus gave me when I asked Him for it. It hangs on me like millions of pure white flower petals. It is whispered with every beat of my heart, and it dances with each windy breath. I must let the petals fall. There is an abundance for a reason. It comes from the giver of life Himself. Full life without end. I must share it too.
Just now, I stood looking out the window, squinting into the sun. After shaking the hair from my face as the wind from the open windows blew it gently into my eyes, I saw something amazing. There’s a tree across the street that has been staring towards our window all winter long, just like a corpse hopelessly seems to stare without seeing. Since we moved in, this tree, naked and lifeless, has stood there protesting against the gray sky as if quietly waiting. Today, as I look out, the tree is dancing. It’s branches are swaying to the music of the wind. Covered in a snow of white blossoms amidst a sea of new green leaves, it’s dancing. And as it does, it’s sending petals on the wind down the street. It seems to be sharing its beauty with the whole of Victoria Road as petals glide down the gutters and cover the ground around it.
Why do I celebrate Easter? Nope, not for the Cadbury eggs...(but that doesn’t mean I don’t take full advantage of them as they sit next to the cash register each spring). I celebrate Easter because more than 2,000 years ago my God, as flesh, took my place. As cause demands effect and as sin demands justice, Jesus accepts the worst death imaginable as punishment for the hurt and wrong I’ve done. Then, if that wasn’t enough, (and no, it wasn’t enough) Jesus defeated death! He shook off his mummy wrap and left his tomb. And if that wasn’t enough, (that’s right we’re still going here) my God did this so that I may have this same life that He now lives. A life that never dies! His living body ascended to heaven, but he sent his spirit to live within me. He offered and I accepted. I celebrate because He lives. He lives in me.
I (Jesus) came that you may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:10-11)
Why do I celebrate my mom’s birthday? Because my mommy taught me this historic story. She didn’t teach it to me with just words, but with her life. Sometimes when she would talk about Jesus it sounded so corny and silly to me, but she had something, she lived and breathed something...I couldn’t put my finger on it...but I knew that it was something undeniably different and very much real. My mother had the abundant life that Jesus spoke about. She shared it with everyone she knew. It overflowed out of her. You could say that she introduced me to Jesus and I was very shy for a while and unsure of Him, but I couldn’t deny that He was absolutely real. She spoke to me about Him and I had to squint and push my hair out of my eyes. I could feel Him as she danced through life dropping petals even at the hardest of times.
This tree outside our front window reminded me of the life that Jesus gave me when I asked Him for it. It hangs on me like millions of pure white flower petals. It is whispered with every beat of my heart, and it dances with each windy breath. I must let the petals fall. There is an abundance for a reason. It comes from the giver of life Himself. Full life without end. I must share it too.
Send in the clouds... (from February 1, 2011)
I’m finding it hard to put into words how it feels to be in the transition stage of living in a new culture. When the newness wares off, and you’re left with life as usual...but it’s not as usual at all! I suppose only others who have gone through this will understand what I’m going to try to explain. These feelings are all very new to me so I’m only just beginning to work them out. Bear with me.
The past few days have been...different. Not bad, please don’t get me wrong, just different. Hmm...
I don’t know if you remember the feeling of your first roller coaster ride? Do you remember moments before getting on, you’re simply excited. Some friends have told you how much fun you’re about to have, and some have warned you against how terrifying your experience will be, telling you it’s not too late to turn back. But since you’re not quite on the ride yet, you’re just thrilled at what lies ahead! You hop on next to a mate who has been on the ride countless times. You get on the ride and you’re smiling, plumb happy, not a care in the world. The straps are locked around you, you see the ride operators signal to each other, and then you suddenly realize the coaster beginning to move. It’s this moment that you realize you’re in a different sort of position. Your emotions have, sort of, washed through your body and are all settling in a jumbled mess in your stomach. You’re in between. You’re locked in. You see the massive climb in front of you, and you get a rush of excitement about that first great hill. But you are not up there yet. You have no idea what this experience will be like. You look down as you slowly click away from your friends who are below, waving and smiling at you. You can’t communicate with them because you’re too far away. You look at your mate next to you. She’s looking straight ahead with confidence, knowing and relaxed in the seat next to you. You look up as you climb, but you haven’t yet reached the top. You are in between.
I was laying in bed last night. Somewhere around 3am. I was worrying about things back home, in America, that I have absolutely no control over. Going over through my mind everything that now seems to be “missing” in my life. Things and people I’ve always had, and conveniences I never thought twice about. I, then, started thinking about all the things here in England that I have no control over and began worrying about them as well. I agonized over my longing for old friends, and for new ones. I prayed for my family. I distracted myself by trying to understand and put into words why I felt the way I did. Explaining to myself that it was a “transitional phase” just as we learned in our intercultural training, and I had an excuse for feeling this way. I was tossing and turning when suddenly God gave me a vision. I have been experiencing this same vision over the past week, but it was only now that I caught it’s completeness.
I am suddenly standing at the very top of a mountain. I see below me the amazing beauty of the vast landscape below. There are rivers and buildings of every color. There are familiar areas and dark areas. Places I’ve been and places I haven’t. I stand there, searching every street with my eyes laid out like a map below, when, quite suddenly, clouds begin to move in from every direction. Clouds cover from far and wide right down to my feet. They cover every color, river, and street below with their gray blanket. For the first time, I look up. A comfort and an amazing weight lifts from me as I gaze into the stillness. At this moment, God speaks to me. He says simply, “I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
By saying these words to me, words I’ve read countlessly, God gave me an indescribable sense of relief. I can’t even describe how profound and incredible this moment was! I have been grasping for a feeling of “home” or “belonging” (I don’t know how else to describe it because it’s so much more). Feeling too far from familiar in every direction. Overwhelmed by the sense that I am painstakingly “between” and everything in life keeps changing, God gave me this beautiful reminder. This absolute reality.
When life changes, when your heart breaks, when you lose someone, when the world seems to fall apart, when you’re just grasping for something to hold you up, you have a Father who is always present, a Daddy who will never leave you, a perfect Love that never changes.
The past few days have been...different. Not bad, please don’t get me wrong, just different. Hmm...
I don’t know if you remember the feeling of your first roller coaster ride? Do you remember moments before getting on, you’re simply excited. Some friends have told you how much fun you’re about to have, and some have warned you against how terrifying your experience will be, telling you it’s not too late to turn back. But since you’re not quite on the ride yet, you’re just thrilled at what lies ahead! You hop on next to a mate who has been on the ride countless times. You get on the ride and you’re smiling, plumb happy, not a care in the world. The straps are locked around you, you see the ride operators signal to each other, and then you suddenly realize the coaster beginning to move. It’s this moment that you realize you’re in a different sort of position. Your emotions have, sort of, washed through your body and are all settling in a jumbled mess in your stomach. You’re in between. You’re locked in. You see the massive climb in front of you, and you get a rush of excitement about that first great hill. But you are not up there yet. You have no idea what this experience will be like. You look down as you slowly click away from your friends who are below, waving and smiling at you. You can’t communicate with them because you’re too far away. You look at your mate next to you. She’s looking straight ahead with confidence, knowing and relaxed in the seat next to you. You look up as you climb, but you haven’t yet reached the top. You are in between.
I was laying in bed last night. Somewhere around 3am. I was worrying about things back home, in America, that I have absolutely no control over. Going over through my mind everything that now seems to be “missing” in my life. Things and people I’ve always had, and conveniences I never thought twice about. I, then, started thinking about all the things here in England that I have no control over and began worrying about them as well. I agonized over my longing for old friends, and for new ones. I prayed for my family. I distracted myself by trying to understand and put into words why I felt the way I did. Explaining to myself that it was a “transitional phase” just as we learned in our intercultural training, and I had an excuse for feeling this way. I was tossing and turning when suddenly God gave me a vision. I have been experiencing this same vision over the past week, but it was only now that I caught it’s completeness.
I am suddenly standing at the very top of a mountain. I see below me the amazing beauty of the vast landscape below. There are rivers and buildings of every color. There are familiar areas and dark areas. Places I’ve been and places I haven’t. I stand there, searching every street with my eyes laid out like a map below, when, quite suddenly, clouds begin to move in from every direction. Clouds cover from far and wide right down to my feet. They cover every color, river, and street below with their gray blanket. For the first time, I look up. A comfort and an amazing weight lifts from me as I gaze into the stillness. At this moment, God speaks to me. He says simply, “I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
By saying these words to me, words I’ve read countlessly, God gave me an indescribable sense of relief. I can’t even describe how profound and incredible this moment was! I have been grasping for a feeling of “home” or “belonging” (I don’t know how else to describe it because it’s so much more). Feeling too far from familiar in every direction. Overwhelmed by the sense that I am painstakingly “between” and everything in life keeps changing, God gave me this beautiful reminder. This absolute reality.
When life changes, when your heart breaks, when you lose someone, when the world seems to fall apart, when you’re just grasping for something to hold you up, you have a Father who is always present, a Daddy who will never leave you, a perfect Love that never changes.
By faith, he went out... (from January 3, 2011)
“And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Matt 11:8)
I just want to share with you what I read today that pertains to the verse above by Oswald Chambers:
“Have you been “out” in this way? If so, there is no logical statement possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the difficulties in Christian work is the question--”What do you expect to do?” You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is a going out of everything, trusting in God entirely.”
(My Utmost for His Highest)
By faith, knowing that God knew what he was doing, “Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land” and “Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going.” and “Barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said.” (Now, I love this part) “That’s how it happened that from one man’s dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.” Hebrews 11:8-12
We have all these examples where people “went out” without anything but their faith in God’s plan fueling their steps. One of the most amazing things to me is that...well, instead of putting it in my own words,
“Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? they saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that--heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.”
Hebrews 11:13-16
I don’t know about you, but reading these people’s stories makes my spirit stir within me. We all have “going out” to do. God is calling each of us to move forward with complete trust in Him and nothing else. Who knows where your faith could take you, who cares? The one thing is sure, it will take you deeply into His care.
We are excited to see what unfolds in this new year. We are ready to trust God to be our grand tour-guide through England. We are expecting to see more clearly through His eyes as we peer more deeply into His message.
I just want to share with you what I read today that pertains to the verse above by Oswald Chambers:
“Have you been “out” in this way? If so, there is no logical statement possible when anyone asks you what you are doing. One of the difficulties in Christian work is the question--”What do you expect to do?” You do not know what you are going to do; the only thing you know is that God knows what He is doing. Continually revise your attitude towards God and see if it is a going out of everything, trusting in God entirely.”
(My Utmost for His Highest)
By faith, knowing that God knew what he was doing, “Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land” and “Abraham said yes to God’s call to travel to an unknown place that would become his home. When he left he had no idea where he was going.” and “Barren Sarah was able to become pregnant, old woman as she was at the time, because she believed the One who made a promise would do what he said.” (Now, I love this part) “That’s how it happened that from one man’s dead and shriveled loins there are now people numbering into the millions.” Hebrews 11:8-12
We have all these examples where people “went out” without anything but their faith in God’s plan fueling their steps. One of the most amazing things to me is that...well, instead of putting it in my own words,
“Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? they saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that--heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.”
Hebrews 11:13-16
I don’t know about you, but reading these people’s stories makes my spirit stir within me. We all have “going out” to do. God is calling each of us to move forward with complete trust in Him and nothing else. Who knows where your faith could take you, who cares? The one thing is sure, it will take you deeply into His care.
We are excited to see what unfolds in this new year. We are ready to trust God to be our grand tour-guide through England. We are expecting to see more clearly through His eyes as we peer more deeply into His message.
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (from December 29, 2010)
I just finished watching the “The Nativity” put on by the BBC this year, and I have to admit, I’m a little shaken up. I started watching it a few nights ago (it’s 4 episodes long), and to be brutally honest, I really hated it. It drove me crazy that Mary’s parents practically offered Joseph a cup of tea and a biscuit upon inviting him in to talk about his and Mary’s betrothal. I thought, oh come on, what a joke! This isn’t even close to what it must have been like! I had a hard time with everyone being very white and British. A blue eyed Joseph with an American playing the angel, Gabriel. But somewhere God must have softened my heart a little because I began to get lost in the story. I began seeing the people in a completely different light. This young girl, barely a woman, is told that she will give birth to the Son of God after the Holy Spirit comes upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadows her. Not only that, but she’s a virgin! So, what does she do? She accepts it. She trusts God. Mary, you’re so brave!
And then Joseph, you know the girl that you recently became betrothed to, and who is to stay a virgin until your wedding? Well, she’s pregnant. Oh, don’t worry though, it was by the Holy Spirit. She’s still a virgin. And what did he do when he was told this in a dream? He believes it. He trusts God. Wow, Joseph.
OK, I know what you’re thinking...”Sydni, haven’t you heard this story before?”
I have, but I think that’s the problem. I’ve heard it, and read it so many times. I even appeared to the shepherds myself as an angel 6 years in a row in our church nativity play. I’ve encountered this story so many times that I’ve forgotten to really pay attention to its truth that directly effects me. Be shaken up with me. It directly effects you too, by the way.
I pray that if I ever have a dream or if God speaks to me through an angel, I will believe and not only just believe, but I won’t be afraid to live it out. God changed the whole world when a couple of people said, “Let it be as you’ve said, Lord.”
And then, we get to the part of the story that had me in tears. Jesus’ birth. When Jesus was born, he was wrapped up in stuff from the rag-bag, and then he was put to sleep in a mass of hay in an animal food trough. If you’ve ever been on a hay-ride and just sat on the stuff for a few minutes, you know that wouldn’t be where you’d want to lay a new born. He wasn’t born in a castle, a temple/church, or even a cozy cottage. This is really significant! He wasn’t born surrounded by rich folk or people of authority. Nope, our God, our Saviour was born in a cow shed where shepherds and non-jewish, eastern scholars were his first visitors.
Are you able to begin really thinking about the childhood story you heard over and over growing up? Thinking of it not as a mere story, but as the origin of your very own abundant life if you know Him?
In Luke 2:19, after spending 9 months as an outcast and a “whore,” after probably being shunned by everyone she knew, after traveling miles from her home and away from all comfort and belonging, after laying in the hay and giving birth to Jesus, after foreign wise-men and dirty shepherds were the first to greet and worship her newborn child, the one she knew to be the Son of God, it says,
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
And then Joseph, you know the girl that you recently became betrothed to, and who is to stay a virgin until your wedding? Well, she’s pregnant. Oh, don’t worry though, it was by the Holy Spirit. She’s still a virgin. And what did he do when he was told this in a dream? He believes it. He trusts God. Wow, Joseph.
OK, I know what you’re thinking...”Sydni, haven’t you heard this story before?”
I have, but I think that’s the problem. I’ve heard it, and read it so many times. I even appeared to the shepherds myself as an angel 6 years in a row in our church nativity play. I’ve encountered this story so many times that I’ve forgotten to really pay attention to its truth that directly effects me. Be shaken up with me. It directly effects you too, by the way.
I pray that if I ever have a dream or if God speaks to me through an angel, I will believe and not only just believe, but I won’t be afraid to live it out. God changed the whole world when a couple of people said, “Let it be as you’ve said, Lord.”
And then, we get to the part of the story that had me in tears. Jesus’ birth. When Jesus was born, he was wrapped up in stuff from the rag-bag, and then he was put to sleep in a mass of hay in an animal food trough. If you’ve ever been on a hay-ride and just sat on the stuff for a few minutes, you know that wouldn’t be where you’d want to lay a new born. He wasn’t born in a castle, a temple/church, or even a cozy cottage. This is really significant! He wasn’t born surrounded by rich folk or people of authority. Nope, our God, our Saviour was born in a cow shed where shepherds and non-jewish, eastern scholars were his first visitors.
Are you able to begin really thinking about the childhood story you heard over and over growing up? Thinking of it not as a mere story, but as the origin of your very own abundant life if you know Him?
In Luke 2:19, after spending 9 months as an outcast and a “whore,” after probably being shunned by everyone she knew, after traveling miles from her home and away from all comfort and belonging, after laying in the hay and giving birth to Jesus, after foreign wise-men and dirty shepherds were the first to greet and worship her newborn child, the one she knew to be the Son of God, it says,
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.”
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