30 septembre 2011

I ran across this picture this week and it reduced me to tears. Such a heartbreaking yet real image of life for so many around the world, while we are consumed with the clothes we wear and what we should do with our empty Thursday evenings.

We have a life so many would do anything to have. Yes, there are hardships and trials. But only a fraction of the American existence has ever experienced anything which would remotely compare to the reality so many live each and every day.

Sometimes, at least for me, it is heartbreaking to see these images, yes, but the more concerning question is "What am I supposed to do about it?" or "How in the world do I even begin to take the first step towards helping?" or "Is this starving person in a third world country even my responsibility?" Sometimes it is a severe case of "out of sight, out of mind". Regardless of what your view is, there are people starving, and they need help.

I've been convicted lately of my worldly possessions. I feel that while I don't live lavishly by American standards, I live like a queen by most worldly standards. There have been recent opportunities for me to share what I have.

Two nights ago in the NET Lab, I had just finished my homework and there was a lady there that wanted to use my phone. She looked foreign, and I was terrified she was wanting to place and international call, but I let her use it. Luckily she called locally. When the person she was attempting to reach didn't answer, she asked for a ride. I tried to pretend I didn't hear her ask because I didn't have a lot of gas, but I couldn't ignore her offer. It was late, I was tired and had just finished my homework, but I knew this was an opportunity to help my fellow man.

She told me she lived out almost to Ft. Gibson, and I told her I would give her a ride. Come to find out, this lady is a professor at NSU. Once we were in the car, I smelled alcohol heavy on her breath. She absolutely broke my heart.

I said "So, you don't have a phone. The person you were trying to get a hold of didn't answer, and you don't have a car. What would you have done if you didn't find a ride?"

Her response shocked me. "If I didn't find a ride, I would've just gone back to the bar and tried to go home with a guy."

Wow. I told her how she is worth so much more than to just be used. She continued to share with me, and told me how the God that provides for me and loves me (and also loves her) had betrayed her. I told her he never would do anything like that, but she wouldn't hear. By this point we were at her house. I let her know how glad I was to be able to give her a ride home. She thanked me, and stumbled inside her home. I sat in her driveway and cried for her.

There are ways to give to those in need, whether it be giving funds to projects that provide meals (http://www.changethisworld.com/) or just giving your time and resources to those around you. People are in need, and people need love. We just have to be sensitive to others and willing to help.

21 septembre 2011

Today's jam of the day is definitely "September" by Earth, Wind, and Fire. Wanna know why? Because in the song they sing exclusively of the 21st of September. Here's a link to the video in case you wanted to hear for yourself.

So God has been teaching me a lot lately. The biggest lesson I've been learning is one in patience and faith. This is an awesome God story. You ready? Didn't think so. Check this.

I'm headed back to China in 16 days. My flight there and back is entirely paid for, as well as my lodging while I'm there. All I have to cover financially is the cost of food, travellings, and souveneirs and such. Here is the situation: I have no job (because realistically, it doesn't make much sense to hire someone for one month and then they leave the next. I understand). I'm lacking (very) in funds. The fam is going through a situation of its own... so I'm without.

This is where the story gets good. I've been lifting up my situation in prayer for the past month consistently, knowing God will provide because He promised He would. The passage I learned this concept in is Luke 12:22-31 which says:

"And he said to his disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you."

Yesterday, someone anonymously dropped off $200 for me at the BCM dedicated to my China trip. PTL! But it gets better. Today as I was checking my email, there was one out of the ordinary. An email about my change check? Firstly, I have never received a change check in all of my college years. Usually I have to pay an additional amount at the end of the year. So this is a complete surprise blessing. I got a change check for $1287.60! PTL!!

I'm completely overwhelmed with God's blessings, his faithfulness, his fulfilled promises, and his unending love. It has been difficult just to sit and receive God's blessing and favor, but there is nothing I could have done to become worthy of his blessing and love.

Thank you, Jesus!

11 septembre 2011

Thank you, God, for new life despite the path sin paves. No matter what this physical life brings, I have confidence in my Saviour who promises new life in his Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. the old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Today marks the 10 year anniversary of 9/11. While I've participated in normal daily activities today and gone along just as I would any other day, there has been a somber resembrence with me all day long. Thinking about all those families, all of the dreams, all the worlds shattered in a moment's time affects me deeply and sends a shocking realization through me saying "the time on this earth is short. tomorrow is not a guarantee."

There are so many lost around me. I see them everyday, everywhere I go. They are searching for love and acceptance, the very thing I find laced in the grace of God. How selfish am I if I choose to remain in silence, harbouring the love so thickly lavished on every corner of my life?

This weekend was the Momentum conference. Afshin Ziafat was the speaker, and some of the things he said really hit home with me. He highlighted 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10 which says
"For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you  not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."

This gospel is gripping. The gospel comes to life once we have a realization that God wants to do something through me so I can live a life beyond myself. If we try by our own will power and strength to seek God, it becomes a good work. It is ALL about who God is, how much He loves us, what He did for us, and out of realising God's eternal love for us, inspiring and driving us to a response, rekindling and revival of the only relationship that is eternal, unconditional, never-failing, and greater than any love there ever was, or ever will be. Our spirit is secure in God's love.