Do you ever have days when you have a hard time trusting God? Do you ever wonder or worry if God is going to provide everything you need? I know I have those days, but I have been so encouraged in the last couple days and hope you are encouraged by what God has been doing in my life as well.
The phrase listed as the title of this post has gained greater value as I have been serving here at camp. I entered the week this week at peace, which is uncommon for me. Usually I have the mindset that I must be anxious or worried otherwise something is not right. Not this year. God has been so faithful and He has graciously shown me what it means to rest in his strength. I also attribute this newly discovered peace to the prayers of many who will read this post (THANK YOU! :D).
What exactly have I learned? God not only supplies our physical needs but also our emotional needs. He has been so incredibly faithfully supplying my financial needs (a HUGE thank you to you who have supported me thus far) and the needs of the schedule of the camp, which is a reason for the peace. In addition, however, he has been supplying my emotional needs that I didn't even know I had.
Last week was staff training and I didn't know it but I needed encouragement. Paul Coldagelli, one of the past members of the Lake Ellen Camp board, gave the staff a challenge. After a marvelous challenge I feel like God literally (no really, literally) led me over to Jackie, a volunteer and wife of one of the full-time staff members. I sat down next to her and it wasn't long before tears started running down my cheeks. I don't know where the tears came from but they obviously needed to come. I told her of how I missed my family even though they only live 1 hour away and some other concerns of my heart. When I left her, I receive a hug from Liz, one of my new friends on summer staff here. I felt so incredibly encouraged at a time when I didn't even realize I needed encouragement.
As we paused as a staff to lift up the camp and its players in prayer, I couldn't help but praise the Lord with my whole self. I realized that there were probably many more times that God provided exactly what I needed and I didn't even realize I needed it.
I pray that God will open your eyes to see the ways that he has been providing for you, so you can praise Him and be reminded that He will continue to provide. :)
What a mighty God we serve! Amen!
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
What is the Lord doing in your life?
I was asked this question recently and it shook me more than it has in the past. As I tried to quickly think of an answer, I reflected on my days of camp and how I always had an excited response that was full of answered prayers and personal testimonies. Now, however, I was stuck fumbling over words and seeking to find an evidence of God even though I know that he has been present in my life.
Praise the Lord! That is my current reflection on the situation. As I have been lifted up in prayer, I am starting to see more intentional answers to prayer and have felt the need to again start documenting the evidence of God in my life through answered prayers.
Since that conversation, I now have a better answer to "What is the Lord doing in your life?". There are two areas I have been struggling with for most of this semester, if not this year are relationships and finances. He has definitely been answering my prayers in these areas, but yesterday and today I have finally felt the Lord's presence again as I have again surrendered my strength to him as I read through 2 Corinthians 12.
1) God has given me grace to overcome my struggles in a specific relationship. As I have struggled to know how to properly respond, I feel that he has now completely provided and will continue to provide words as I rest in Him.
2) God has opened a possible door that I am very excited about, but I need to keep surrendering this to him to see it through and praise Him no matter what happens.
This lesson of trusting in and surrendering to the magnificent Lord of the universe has been an incredible journey, and I am starting to see fruit! :D What a wonderful God we serve!
Praise the Lord! That is my current reflection on the situation. As I have been lifted up in prayer, I am starting to see more intentional answers to prayer and have felt the need to again start documenting the evidence of God in my life through answered prayers.
Since that conversation, I now have a better answer to "What is the Lord doing in your life?". There are two areas I have been struggling with for most of this semester, if not this year are relationships and finances. He has definitely been answering my prayers in these areas, but yesterday and today I have finally felt the Lord's presence again as I have again surrendered my strength to him as I read through 2 Corinthians 12.
1) God has given me grace to overcome my struggles in a specific relationship. As I have struggled to know how to properly respond, I feel that he has now completely provided and will continue to provide words as I rest in Him.
2) God has opened a possible door that I am very excited about, but I need to keep surrendering this to him to see it through and praise Him no matter what happens.
This lesson of trusting in and surrendering to the magnificent Lord of the universe has been an incredible journey, and I am starting to see fruit! :D What a wonderful God we serve!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Light of the World
Recently, I have been intriguied by the concept of shining God's light into other's lives. The thoughts startered when I heard a sermon on part of 2 Corinthians 4. The specific verse that intrigued me was verse 6:
"For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
Matthew 5:16 was then referenced:
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
who is in heaven."
My question was; is the light that God "shone in our hearts" the same light that we are supposed to "shine before men"?
Here is what I found.
After doing a mini word study on light, I discovered that there are many Greek words for light. In the passage, Matthew 5:14-16, there are four references to light and 3 of them are different in the original Greek.
"You are the light of theworld. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put i under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it give light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
1,4: The Greek words of first and fourth light are phos, which is a contraction of phaos which means light or daylight. So, in verses 1 and 4, light can be translated as light or daylight.
2: The Greek word of the second light is kaio which means to kindle or burn.
3: The Greek word of the third light is lampo which can be translated to mean give light or shine.
In the 2 Corinthians passage,
"One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ"
the Greek word for light is photismos which is translated illumination, but which is also from the Greek word photizo which means to shine or give light. Interestingly, this is the only use of photismos in the New Testament.
After digesting all this information (it took time), I came to understand the Matthew passage in a new and very exciting way.
In verse 16:
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus seems to be saying that we should we should let our phos (daylight) lampo (shine) like a lamp. In combination with 2 Corinthians 4:6, the message seems to be that we should lampo the photismos (illumination) that Christ has shone on our hearts.
It will still take time to digest all this, but I thought I would share a piece of what I just learned. :)
"For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."
Matthew 5:16 was then referenced:
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
who is in heaven."
My question was; is the light that God "shone in our hearts" the same light that we are supposed to "shine before men"?
Here is what I found.
After doing a mini word study on light, I discovered that there are many Greek words for light. In the passage, Matthew 5:14-16, there are four references to light and 3 of them are different in the original Greek.
"You are the light of theworld. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put i under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it give light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
1,4: The Greek words of first and fourth light are phos, which is a contraction of phaos which means light or daylight. So, in verses 1 and 4, light can be translated as light or daylight.
2: The Greek word of the second light is kaio which means to kindle or burn.
3: The Greek word of the third light is lampo which can be translated to mean give light or shine.
In the 2 Corinthians passage,
"One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ"
the Greek word for light is photismos which is translated illumination, but which is also from the Greek word photizo which means to shine or give light. Interestingly, this is the only use of photismos in the New Testament.
After digesting all this information (it took time), I came to understand the Matthew passage in a new and very exciting way.
In verse 16:
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus seems to be saying that we should we should let our phos (daylight) lampo (shine) like a lamp. In combination with 2 Corinthians 4:6, the message seems to be that we should lampo the photismos (illumination) that Christ has shone on our hearts.
It will still take time to digest all this, but I thought I would share a piece of what I just learned. :)
Friday, January 13, 2012
"Would you be excited...?"
"Francis Chan is coming to Northwestern!"
This announcement in chapel brought extraordinary amounts of chatter and excitement. And today was the day!
I got all ready and was super excited to hear him actually speak. When I got to chapel, however, the stage was set for a worship chapel.
"Maybe they are just doing an intro for him," I told my friend.
As the time got closer, I expected someone to come and explain what was going on or something, but nothing happened. Worship chapel started as it does every Friday. There was no Francis Chan. There was no further announcements.
As I sat in disbelief, Jesus spoke to my heart.
"Is Francis Chan more exciting than me?"
After all, it is a chapel dedicated to worshiping Jesus.
"Would you be as excited if you heard I was coming to speak in chapel?"
The question hit me in a way it never has before. I get so excited to hear the Word preached and to fill my brain with more information about God and his amazing power and love and awesomeness! But when it comes down to it, do I truly love God more?
In worship chapels I have the opportunity to dine with and worship the King of Kings!!!! I should be more excited to worship the Lord than to hear Francis Chan speak. It is, I believe, part of loving God with my entire being. So, what is going to be the question on my mind throughout this week?
Would I be excited if I heard Jesus was coming to Northwestern?
or maybe more practically
Do I love God more?
Isaiah 6:3 (a passage I was led to during worship)
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
(says the angles worshipping the LORD, emphasis added)
Isaiah's response:
"'Woe to me!'...'I am ruined (unworthy)'...[but] 'Here am I. Send me!" (6:5, 8b)
That is my prayer.
Praise the LORD!
This announcement in chapel brought extraordinary amounts of chatter and excitement. And today was the day!
I got all ready and was super excited to hear him actually speak. When I got to chapel, however, the stage was set for a worship chapel.
"Maybe they are just doing an intro for him," I told my friend.
As the time got closer, I expected someone to come and explain what was going on or something, but nothing happened. Worship chapel started as it does every Friday. There was no Francis Chan. There was no further announcements.
As I sat in disbelief, Jesus spoke to my heart.
"Is Francis Chan more exciting than me?"
After all, it is a chapel dedicated to worshiping Jesus.
"Would you be as excited if you heard I was coming to speak in chapel?"
The question hit me in a way it never has before. I get so excited to hear the Word preached and to fill my brain with more information about God and his amazing power and love and awesomeness! But when it comes down to it, do I truly love God more?
In worship chapels I have the opportunity to dine with and worship the King of Kings!!!! I should be more excited to worship the Lord than to hear Francis Chan speak. It is, I believe, part of loving God with my entire being. So, what is going to be the question on my mind throughout this week?
Would I be excited if I heard Jesus was coming to Northwestern?
or maybe more practically
Do I love God more?
Isaiah 6:3 (a passage I was led to during worship)
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory."
(says the angles worshipping the LORD, emphasis added)
Isaiah's response:
"'Woe to me!'...'I am ruined (unworthy)'...[but] 'Here am I. Send me!" (6:5, 8b)
That is my prayer.
Praise the LORD!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Prayer Matrix
It has been a long time since I have written a blog post and after reading my friend Mindy's posts, I realized how nice it is to stay updated, even if it is a brief snippet of what you've been learning. :D
This morning I woke up with a burden on my heart...a good burden, but none-the-less a burden. As I climbed out of bed, I nearly immediately went to the prayer closet in our hall, which is located conventiently outside our door. As I read the Word and prayed, I knew that the day would need to be one of depending on the LORD in someway.
I left later than I normally do, after the shuttle had already "charted its course," so I didn't even know if I would make it on time. When I walked in the doors, however, I realized that I had actually beat a majority of the student body, including the shuttle. :) As I sat down, I felt the burden in my spirit again and started to pray. I didn't really know what to pray for or if someone specific needed prayer, but none-the-less I prayed. Then I looked up at the screen that scrolls through various announcements.
"Pray"
This word accompanied by a picture was displayed for longer than the normal couple second display. I smiled, put my head down and continued to pray about only God knew what. I went to fill up my water bottle right before chapel started and saw a friend who is always a joy to see. In our short conversation we set a lunch date for a couple hours later.
I entered chapel again and continued to pray for the message that was about to be delivered. I shortly realized that the entire message was going to be on prayer. I prayed that the Spirit would do something cool and realized that might have been what my burden was for. Jim Johnson, the senior director of Campus Ministries, went on to speak about the importance of prayer. Towards the end of his message, he went into an area that I have not explored very much...listening.
He presented a chart-like diagram that focuses on praying for issues, decisions, and needs, rather than only consulting our feelings, people on TV programs, books, and peers.
Because I cannot exactly draw the diagram, I will seek to explain it. The four corners include four small boxes that contain important people in our lives: 1) spouse/parents; 2) Small Group/Accountability Partner; 3) Trusted Friends; and 4) Pastor/Mentor. A large rectangle is placed inside these four corners that holds our issues, need, decision. If the diagram is actually constructed, post-it notes that hold the request can be placed in the large-inner rectangle.
Here are the "standards" to using this "matrix."
The Power of Seven
If the request is minor (Where am I going to eat this weekend?), pray for the request for 7 minutes and then listen for God's response (this is very seldolmly an audible response, but more of a speaking to the spirit).
If the request is major (Should I change my major? Should I purchase this car?), pray for the request for 7 days and then listen to the LORD.
If the request is life-altering (Should I marry this person?), pray for the request for 7 weeks and then listen to the LORD.
Two out of Four Principle
Ask two out of the four "corner people" (spouse, trusted friend, etc.) to pray with you over these requests.
Stop Talking, Start Listening
Enough said :D
As I have had a focus on prayer for the past few years of my life, this is a new idea that I have not formally considered before. I am excited about this idea, especially with all the prayer warrior friends God has placed in my life (Yea God! :) )
"Praise the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me, praise his holy name!"
Praise the LORD!
This morning I woke up with a burden on my heart...a good burden, but none-the-less a burden. As I climbed out of bed, I nearly immediately went to the prayer closet in our hall, which is located conventiently outside our door. As I read the Word and prayed, I knew that the day would need to be one of depending on the LORD in someway.
I left later than I normally do, after the shuttle had already "charted its course," so I didn't even know if I would make it on time. When I walked in the doors, however, I realized that I had actually beat a majority of the student body, including the shuttle. :) As I sat down, I felt the burden in my spirit again and started to pray. I didn't really know what to pray for or if someone specific needed prayer, but none-the-less I prayed. Then I looked up at the screen that scrolls through various announcements.
"Pray"
This word accompanied by a picture was displayed for longer than the normal couple second display. I smiled, put my head down and continued to pray about only God knew what. I went to fill up my water bottle right before chapel started and saw a friend who is always a joy to see. In our short conversation we set a lunch date for a couple hours later.
I entered chapel again and continued to pray for the message that was about to be delivered. I shortly realized that the entire message was going to be on prayer. I prayed that the Spirit would do something cool and realized that might have been what my burden was for. Jim Johnson, the senior director of Campus Ministries, went on to speak about the importance of prayer. Towards the end of his message, he went into an area that I have not explored very much...listening.
He presented a chart-like diagram that focuses on praying for issues, decisions, and needs, rather than only consulting our feelings, people on TV programs, books, and peers.
Because I cannot exactly draw the diagram, I will seek to explain it. The four corners include four small boxes that contain important people in our lives: 1) spouse/parents; 2) Small Group/Accountability Partner; 3) Trusted Friends; and 4) Pastor/Mentor. A large rectangle is placed inside these four corners that holds our issues, need, decision. If the diagram is actually constructed, post-it notes that hold the request can be placed in the large-inner rectangle.
Here are the "standards" to using this "matrix."
The Power of Seven
If the request is minor (Where am I going to eat this weekend?), pray for the request for 7 minutes and then listen for God's response (this is very seldolmly an audible response, but more of a speaking to the spirit).
If the request is major (Should I change my major? Should I purchase this car?), pray for the request for 7 days and then listen to the LORD.
If the request is life-altering (Should I marry this person?), pray for the request for 7 weeks and then listen to the LORD.
Two out of Four Principle
Ask two out of the four "corner people" (spouse, trusted friend, etc.) to pray with you over these requests.
Stop Talking, Start Listening
Enough said :D
As I have had a focus on prayer for the past few years of my life, this is a new idea that I have not formally considered before. I am excited about this idea, especially with all the prayer warrior friends God has placed in my life (Yea God! :) )
"Praise the LORD, O my soul and all that is within me, praise his holy name!"
Praise the LORD!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
In This City
Today was quite an incredible day; one I will not likely forget for a long time. It was fairly simple in general, but it left me pondering many thoughts that I hope will motivate me toward action sometime in my future.
I'll start at the beginning. Last weekend I took Kirstin, my sister, to the airport so she could visit her boyfriend who had just graduated from Infantry school in the Army. On Monday, she called me and told me she was missing her camera. As I went to check my car for it, I felt peace as I asked for the Lord's guidance, "Please help me find it in your will." I did not find it, so she called the airport who reported a lost camera. She found out it was hers (maybe it was indeed good for her to have a uniquely-colored purple camera), but we did not have time to pick it up until Saturday.
A few days into the week, however, I remembered that I desperately needed gas after the trip to the airport. "Let's take the bus," I thought as I also considered the $10 trip to the airport for a lost camera. This is just one of the many incredible ways God works....I waited until last night to ask my sister, who surprisingly agreed fairly quickly. "Okay," I thought, "Here we go."
I looked up routes online and discovered that it would indeed be possible and for far cheaper than the anticipated $10. As I looked at the routes, I noticed that for part of the trip, we would take the Light Rail (train), which also went to the Mall of America. "Would you want to go," I asked Kirstin as we travelled to the bus station.
"Yes!" she responded. She proceeded to call our cousin, Sydney, who also agreed this would be a great idea.
It was going to work out perfectly. We were going to get on the bus, take the light rail to the airport, pick up the camera, meet Sydney at the mall, and then have her drive us home.
Curveball #1. Kirstin informed me that Mike and Carrie (our 2nd cousins) invited us over for dinner at their home in South Minneapolis.
Solution #1. We decided we were going to still go to the airport first, then go to Mike and Carrie, and then make our way over to the mall.
We were "right on time" to catch the bus. The bus ride itself was fine. I had riden a city bus a couple times before, so it was really nothing new. However, every time I ride a city bus, I am reminded of the world outside the protected Christian circles in which I find myself. I am reminded of the culture that is so different, yet so much the same. As we drove along Snelling, I noticed a church's sign (please do not judge this church because we certaintly have similar assumptions) that read "Join us Sundays at 9:30." Imagine this from someone who does not know what church is, who has never been there before. My first question would be "In the morning or at night?" It reminds me of how many assumptions we make as Christians who have grown up in the church. We all know that church services are Sunday mornings. We know how to dress, how to act, and what to expect when we go in the front door.
I looked around me. There were people for obvious walks of life that I could only imagine. I saw a lady get on who worked at Target and saw the routine in her posture. I saw a mother with her child who looked different than me but acted very similar. I noticed a lady pull a chord. "Stop requested," sounded the speaker. "What does that mean?" I thought as the bus kept going. Here I was in the middle of a different culture, one that may not know what to expect when going to church, but a culture that knew to pull a chord to get off at the next bus stop; a culture that knew what time to expect the bus to reach their stop; and a culture that knew how to dress, how to act, and what to expect when getting on the bus. In the middle of all my thoughts was this questions, "What do I do?"
"How can I as a Christian in the middle of middle class Christian culture show these people the love of Christ?" Does anyone take the time to share the love of Christ with these people? I don't know, but what would this world look like if Christians started to take the city bus even though they could drive? What would happen if we left our comfort zone to become a part of a different group of people who desperately need Christ? It almost seems that Christ would ride the city bus if he were here today. What makes me think this? Well, when he was on earth, he walked through Samaria, a place feared by the Jews; a place you "just didn't go." I know I viewed the city bus that way and sometimes, honestly, still do.
Anyway, moving on. So Kirstin and I got on the city bus and travelled to the light rail train. We got to the airport and found the office that held her camera locked. "Oh no," we thought. As we were waiting after asking for the office worker to be paged, an African American man came by. He looked frustrated as he saw the locked door. He very excitedly explained to us that his bag had gotten switched with someone elses and he needed his bag back. We waited with each other and he continued to tell us about his situation. We called again and were told to go to the ticket counter.
"I don't know where the ticket counter is," Kirstin said.
"Oh, the ticket counter? I know that," the man said as he got his bag ready to go, "I just came from there. This is my third trip!" he said, obviously perterbed.
As we walked and talked, we discovered he was from New Orleans.
"I love that place," my sister said as she eventually was able to tell him about our mission's trip down there a couple years ago. I heard the interest in his voice as he asked questions about our trip.
We eventually got the camera (Praise the Lord!) and I was left praying for a man I had just met as he felt comfortable enough with us to claim us as his cousins when the airport attendant addressed us. Wow, God. Wow.
Curveball #2. As we were waiting for the camera, we called Carrie to find out what time they were having dinner. We discovered it was at 7:30. This wouldn't have been such a big deal except we had already told Sydney we were going to meet her at 8, which obviously was not going to happen. To add to the matter, Sydney was still at work.
Solution #2. Kirstin texted Sydney and told her to call her when she got off work. Then we would work out another solution.
So, Kirstin and I got on the light rail. As Kirstin talked on the phone to Sydney, I noticed a person sitting adjacent to me on the bus (my math friends would appreciate that...). This person looked like a woman, had a purse like a woman, but this person sure did not sound like a woman. I immediately knew this person must have had a sex change. "She" was putting bandaids in her purse when she caught my eye.
"You've got to be prepared," she said. She then proceeded to tell me about her life story, how she had gotten AIDS and moved to Minnesota.
Kirstin left with a compliment on her hair, and I was left to marvel again at what a different culture I had been missing out on.
We got off the light rail and continued our conversation. I could not help but feel for this woman who obviously needed Jesus. I wanted to share the gospel with her but knew that yelling across a train would only be effective if Christ was asking me too, which I don't necessarily think he was. My heart was indeed open to the thought, which is where the beginning of this post comes in. I do not know if God has visions and plans of me sharing the gospel on public transportation someday, but I am amazed at the world outside and frequently forget what it's truly like.
There are people, so many people who are lost. There are people who need Jesus. Who is going to bring the gospel to them but us? Are they going to come to our churches? The chances of them coming to our churches are the chances of us riding their city buses (and I don't mean that sarcastically).
After this day, a crazy adventure on public transportation and a day filled with love and dinner with family, I am left to wonder how God is going to work. In fact, however, he is already working and I just need to pray that he would align my heart with his and open my eyes to the plans he has for me today, plans to prosper me, but more importantly, plans that are meant to advance HIS kingdom. After all, that is why we are here, for him.
~Jeremiah 29:11,
Romans 10:14-15
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
I'll start at the beginning. Last weekend I took Kirstin, my sister, to the airport so she could visit her boyfriend who had just graduated from Infantry school in the Army. On Monday, she called me and told me she was missing her camera. As I went to check my car for it, I felt peace as I asked for the Lord's guidance, "Please help me find it in your will." I did not find it, so she called the airport who reported a lost camera. She found out it was hers (maybe it was indeed good for her to have a uniquely-colored purple camera), but we did not have time to pick it up until Saturday.
A few days into the week, however, I remembered that I desperately needed gas after the trip to the airport. "Let's take the bus," I thought as I also considered the $10 trip to the airport for a lost camera. This is just one of the many incredible ways God works....I waited until last night to ask my sister, who surprisingly agreed fairly quickly. "Okay," I thought, "Here we go."
I looked up routes online and discovered that it would indeed be possible and for far cheaper than the anticipated $10. As I looked at the routes, I noticed that for part of the trip, we would take the Light Rail (train), which also went to the Mall of America. "Would you want to go," I asked Kirstin as we travelled to the bus station.
"Yes!" she responded. She proceeded to call our cousin, Sydney, who also agreed this would be a great idea.
It was going to work out perfectly. We were going to get on the bus, take the light rail to the airport, pick up the camera, meet Sydney at the mall, and then have her drive us home.
Curveball #1. Kirstin informed me that Mike and Carrie (our 2nd cousins) invited us over for dinner at their home in South Minneapolis.
Solution #1. We decided we were going to still go to the airport first, then go to Mike and Carrie, and then make our way over to the mall.
We were "right on time" to catch the bus. The bus ride itself was fine. I had riden a city bus a couple times before, so it was really nothing new. However, every time I ride a city bus, I am reminded of the world outside the protected Christian circles in which I find myself. I am reminded of the culture that is so different, yet so much the same. As we drove along Snelling, I noticed a church's sign (please do not judge this church because we certaintly have similar assumptions) that read "Join us Sundays at 9:30." Imagine this from someone who does not know what church is, who has never been there before. My first question would be "In the morning or at night?" It reminds me of how many assumptions we make as Christians who have grown up in the church. We all know that church services are Sunday mornings. We know how to dress, how to act, and what to expect when we go in the front door.
I looked around me. There were people for obvious walks of life that I could only imagine. I saw a lady get on who worked at Target and saw the routine in her posture. I saw a mother with her child who looked different than me but acted very similar. I noticed a lady pull a chord. "Stop requested," sounded the speaker. "What does that mean?" I thought as the bus kept going. Here I was in the middle of a different culture, one that may not know what to expect when going to church, but a culture that knew to pull a chord to get off at the next bus stop; a culture that knew what time to expect the bus to reach their stop; and a culture that knew how to dress, how to act, and what to expect when getting on the bus. In the middle of all my thoughts was this questions, "What do I do?"
"How can I as a Christian in the middle of middle class Christian culture show these people the love of Christ?" Does anyone take the time to share the love of Christ with these people? I don't know, but what would this world look like if Christians started to take the city bus even though they could drive? What would happen if we left our comfort zone to become a part of a different group of people who desperately need Christ? It almost seems that Christ would ride the city bus if he were here today. What makes me think this? Well, when he was on earth, he walked through Samaria, a place feared by the Jews; a place you "just didn't go." I know I viewed the city bus that way and sometimes, honestly, still do.
Anyway, moving on. So Kirstin and I got on the city bus and travelled to the light rail train. We got to the airport and found the office that held her camera locked. "Oh no," we thought. As we were waiting after asking for the office worker to be paged, an African American man came by. He looked frustrated as he saw the locked door. He very excitedly explained to us that his bag had gotten switched with someone elses and he needed his bag back. We waited with each other and he continued to tell us about his situation. We called again and were told to go to the ticket counter.
"I don't know where the ticket counter is," Kirstin said.
"Oh, the ticket counter? I know that," the man said as he got his bag ready to go, "I just came from there. This is my third trip!" he said, obviously perterbed.
As we walked and talked, we discovered he was from New Orleans.
"I love that place," my sister said as she eventually was able to tell him about our mission's trip down there a couple years ago. I heard the interest in his voice as he asked questions about our trip.
We eventually got the camera (Praise the Lord!) and I was left praying for a man I had just met as he felt comfortable enough with us to claim us as his cousins when the airport attendant addressed us. Wow, God. Wow.
Curveball #2. As we were waiting for the camera, we called Carrie to find out what time they were having dinner. We discovered it was at 7:30. This wouldn't have been such a big deal except we had already told Sydney we were going to meet her at 8, which obviously was not going to happen. To add to the matter, Sydney was still at work.
Solution #2. Kirstin texted Sydney and told her to call her when she got off work. Then we would work out another solution.
So, Kirstin and I got on the light rail. As Kirstin talked on the phone to Sydney, I noticed a person sitting adjacent to me on the bus (my math friends would appreciate that...). This person looked like a woman, had a purse like a woman, but this person sure did not sound like a woman. I immediately knew this person must have had a sex change. "She" was putting bandaids in her purse when she caught my eye.
"You've got to be prepared," she said. She then proceeded to tell me about her life story, how she had gotten AIDS and moved to Minnesota.
Kirstin left with a compliment on her hair, and I was left to marvel again at what a different culture I had been missing out on.
We got off the light rail and continued our conversation. I could not help but feel for this woman who obviously needed Jesus. I wanted to share the gospel with her but knew that yelling across a train would only be effective if Christ was asking me too, which I don't necessarily think he was. My heart was indeed open to the thought, which is where the beginning of this post comes in. I do not know if God has visions and plans of me sharing the gospel on public transportation someday, but I am amazed at the world outside and frequently forget what it's truly like.
There are people, so many people who are lost. There are people who need Jesus. Who is going to bring the gospel to them but us? Are they going to come to our churches? The chances of them coming to our churches are the chances of us riding their city buses (and I don't mean that sarcastically).
After this day, a crazy adventure on public transportation and a day filled with love and dinner with family, I am left to wonder how God is going to work. In fact, however, he is already working and I just need to pray that he would align my heart with his and open my eyes to the plans he has for me today, plans to prosper me, but more importantly, plans that are meant to advance HIS kingdom. After all, that is why we are here, for him.
~Jeremiah 29:11,
Romans 10:14-15
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
Monday, August 15, 2011
Prayer
The campers have left, the staff are gone, and I am back at camp ready to experience what God has planned for me in the few days I have left here. As I have been cleaning and organizing a messy office, I have also been inspired to read through my notebook that include a variety of contents. In the mess of all the randomness, I discovered sermon notes from Felch Mountain Bible Chapel. as I read them, I was reminded of many quotes and ideas, but one section stood out above the rest (maybe because it was highlighted...but still ;)...). It is simply four results of praying:
1. Unity- Col. 3:14
2. Share one another's burdens- Gal. 6:2
3. Like-minded- Phil. 2:2
4. Submit ourselves to the Lord.- James 4:7
Normally, these would be just words on a page, but they are not any more. I can personally testify that these four things will result from prayer with others, whether this prayer is from a community unified hand-in-hand or a group praying with each other across the world. Praying with others is truly indescrible and incredible. In fact, praying with others has become one of my favorite pastimes. I simply cannot describle it, but it truly is incredible...just ask if you want more details because I am currently at a loss for words.
The closest explanation I can come up with right now is that praying with others gives those involved a glimpse into what heaven might be like. Granted, there is definitely more to it than that and that is not a statement meant to be taken as is word for word, but the peace, joy, and other emotions that result from praying together with others truly is indescrible, similar to the heaven "described" in Revelation.
Philippians is filled with these ideas, but these two verses most concisely make my point
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,...then make my (Paul) joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." How is all this possible? I would argue that prayer makes all these things possible.
1. Unity- Col. 3:14
2. Share one another's burdens- Gal. 6:2
3. Like-minded- Phil. 2:2
4. Submit ourselves to the Lord.- James 4:7
Normally, these would be just words on a page, but they are not any more. I can personally testify that these four things will result from prayer with others, whether this prayer is from a community unified hand-in-hand or a group praying with each other across the world. Praying with others is truly indescrible and incredible. In fact, praying with others has become one of my favorite pastimes. I simply cannot describle it, but it truly is incredible...just ask if you want more details because I am currently at a loss for words.
The closest explanation I can come up with right now is that praying with others gives those involved a glimpse into what heaven might be like. Granted, there is definitely more to it than that and that is not a statement meant to be taken as is word for word, but the peace, joy, and other emotions that result from praying together with others truly is indescrible, similar to the heaven "described" in Revelation.
Philippians is filled with these ideas, but these two verses most concisely make my point
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,...then make my (Paul) joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." How is all this possible? I would argue that prayer makes all these things possible.
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