evening light

we are listening to narciso yepes, who makes me think a lot of the music from the dances of ‘emma’ and ‘pride and prejudice’. we are blessed in our cozy little study this week. we have set up a new desk, and the whole room feels more open. matt is reading, i am pondering what this next week brings. i am thinking of how i can better love my husband, really enjoy and encourage him. i’m pretty weak but the Lord is working in my heart.

Temporal Tarnish

Just overwhelmed and a bit steamed tonight at the corruption of the world.  The world is so hostile to God’s way and to God’s people.  Those who are genuine and love the Lord Jesus are persecuted because of the sin of the world.  My heart breaks for Ms. R who I found out is completely lost tonight, and for S who is being condemned for his righteousness.  Jesus be quick to rescue your chosen ones, but if not glorify yourself in our sufferings.  Amen

weakness

this week at work has been challenging. mostly challenging because i’ve felt incompetent several times. i just finished two weeks off and feel like i have forgotten so much. i have found myself not wanting to say things that i think people don’t want to hear, i’ve felt timid for lack of confidence. i’ve cried out to the Lord as i walk, “i can’t do this, help me, please. help me please.” in my weakness it is tempting for me to pick out others’ weaknesses, to not accept responsibility for my shortcomings. only as i find myself in Christ, can i be secure enough in who he has made me to be able to own up to all of me. i am thankful for Your humble example.

“since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” hebrews 4, esv translation

good to whom it is due

my husband says, ‘if they aren’t giving it away, it isn’t a good deal to you.’ this is not much of an exaggeration. i love a good bargain. as soon as i consider purchasing something, i am also considering how i might obtain it at the best price.

matt was reading to me from proverbs 4 the other day and i was struck by this: do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. the Lord has really blessed us in his provision. i think that at time i’ve schemed how to not bless others. i don’t want my own comfort to come at the expense of others. i want to pay a fair price, to extend good as it is often in my power. i’m sure there is more to that passage but this is how it struck me.

Faith and Missions

“Do not be afraid of sudden terror, or the ruin of the wicked when it comes.  For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught” Pr 3:25-26

Last week Tori and I attended Candidate Orientation at Pioneers.  We came away with a deep conviction that our faith must rest in God alone.  If we are to go where the gospel has not been preached then we must do so with the strength that God allows and not by our own effort. 

We’re really excited by what Pioneers stands for as an organization but without the Lord our plans are just plans.

17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; 20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written,

“Those who have never been told of him will see,
and those who have never heard will understand.”

(ESV)

We were encouraged to hear a good sermon on the topic last Sunday, I’ll add the link when it comes avaliable.

hear the Word

i just discovered that you can listen to the whole Bible online at the esv website by clicking on “listen” next to the scripture passage. now, just a warning, the reader is maybe a bit overdramatic with the pauses and such but it is really neat that you can listen online.

new year newness

we are thankful and excited for the new year. there is much unknown: where will we live, where will we work, will we have children, will we move overseas, will we … so much that we wait on the Lord for. His faithfulness has proven over abundant; we have nothing to fear. we’ve talked more about our dependence, thought practically about how that might look. what if this is the year we don’t have stable income, what if our families are lost, what if the predictable parts of our lives aren’t predictable? there is much for us to learn and we are wary of asking for it but as much as it means seeing more of the Lord, knowing Him, we want to count all things rubbish. 

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

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Revelation 21:1-5

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12