I love autumn. Maybe because I look forward to the order that comes. The weather has specific patterns, at least in a perfect world. Michigan has cool sunny days and cooler nights, right? ;) The crispness of the air is intensified as the leaves turn and fall.
Then, you have a school schedule. Elementary through doctoral programs all have a certain rule and order to them. I like order.
But, why does it have to be such a shock to the system to fall into order? I started my seminary classes today. I'm thrilled because, Lord willing, I will graduate in May! Hooray!!!! At the same time, I just don't quite feel ready and willing to let go of my summer break just yet.
For everyone fighting the chaos of fall... Hang on! Soon we will all settle in and appreciate the normalcy of life. Just in time for the mayhem of the holiday season. Ha ha ha. Just to encourage you!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
How do I see people?
I received an email today that reminded me that God sees me clothed in the robes of His righteousness (II Corinthians 5:21) and a saint (I Peter 2:9) even though most people think I am a sinner. (Romans 3:23)
He saw Simon, an overzealous, overtalker as Peter and Saul, the despised persecutor as Paul -- both beloved disciples.
All of this reminded me of what a different perspective I have on life and on people when I attempt to see others and my circumstances through Jesus' eyes. It's all too easy to get caught up in the chaos of the day and react to my situation in my own strength and humanity, when I really need to sit back, take a deep breath and pray for God to show me His strength and His will and His perspective.
"Lord, help me to see people as you see them."
He saw Simon, an overzealous, overtalker as Peter and Saul, the despised persecutor as Paul -- both beloved disciples.
All of this reminded me of what a different perspective I have on life and on people when I attempt to see others and my circumstances through Jesus' eyes. It's all too easy to get caught up in the chaos of the day and react to my situation in my own strength and humanity, when I really need to sit back, take a deep breath and pray for God to show me His strength and His will and His perspective.
"Lord, help me to see people as you see them."
Monday, July 16, 2007
Count your blessings...
name them one by one
...see what God has done...
I never realized how fast that song is until I tried to sing along in Ukrainian. LOL Just think about it for a minute, you'll see what I mean.
Last night I talked on the phone with a friend in Mexico and today I got an email from friends in Ukraine, visited with a friend in Grand Rapids and talked with many others here as well. I am so glad that God has given me the opportunity to have so many good friends. Even if I don't say it very often, you, my dear friends are a HUGE blessing to me everyday!
Just for kicks, see how fast you can sing the song! If you know another language, sing it in another tongue just for grins and giggles!
...see what God has done...
I never realized how fast that song is until I tried to sing along in Ukrainian. LOL Just think about it for a minute, you'll see what I mean.
Last night I talked on the phone with a friend in Mexico and today I got an email from friends in Ukraine, visited with a friend in Grand Rapids and talked with many others here as well. I am so glad that God has given me the opportunity to have so many good friends. Even if I don't say it very often, you, my dear friends are a HUGE blessing to me everyday!
Just for kicks, see how fast you can sing the song! If you know another language, sing it in another tongue just for grins and giggles!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
inspiration
A few of my friends have inspired me to start blogging again...
It's very cathartic for me, and I guess if you don't want to hear my ramblings then you don't have to log on.
I wrote the following in Ukraine last winter: (it kind of explains the origins of 'geography is irrelevant')
My screen saver on my laptop is ‘As you are going’. As it bounces around on my screen everyday, I am reminded of the commission given broadly to believers by Jesus just before His ascent to heaven. I remember understanding while preparing to speak to a group of high school students last year the vast command and the specific implications in my life. Every time someone in Ukraine introduces me as a missionary from Michigan I smile. Even though I have always tried to live out my faith deliberately with those that God places in my path, living oversees for a semester has definitely brought a new perspective to making disciples as I am going or as I am living my life. This is perhaps the starkest revelation to me in Ukraine is simply that I am living life. Different location, similar daily struggles, similar day to day annoyances, and similar joys and triumphs. In Retreat with the Psalms, the authors speak of a woman who spends time in a monastery. She reflects that you can’t dress perfectly either outwardly or inwardly when you go to church numerous times everyday. It is the realness of life with a God who knows all of my strengths, weaknesses, challenges and triumphs before they even happen. It is about the sincerity of my heart before a Holy God as I struggle to live out His Kingdom while learning a different culture. It is about learning some new aspects of how I am created as I live outside of my comfort zone and appreciate some of our cultural differences.
It's very cathartic for me, and I guess if you don't want to hear my ramblings then you don't have to log on.
I wrote the following in Ukraine last winter: (it kind of explains the origins of 'geography is irrelevant')
My screen saver on my laptop is ‘As you are going’. As it bounces around on my screen everyday, I am reminded of the commission given broadly to believers by Jesus just before His ascent to heaven. I remember understanding while preparing to speak to a group of high school students last year the vast command and the specific implications in my life. Every time someone in Ukraine introduces me as a missionary from Michigan I smile. Even though I have always tried to live out my faith deliberately with those that God places in my path, living oversees for a semester has definitely brought a new perspective to making disciples as I am going or as I am living my life. This is perhaps the starkest revelation to me in Ukraine is simply that I am living life. Different location, similar daily struggles, similar day to day annoyances, and similar joys and triumphs. In Retreat with the Psalms, the authors speak of a woman who spends time in a monastery. She reflects that you can’t dress perfectly either outwardly or inwardly when you go to church numerous times everyday. It is the realness of life with a God who knows all of my strengths, weaknesses, challenges and triumphs before they even happen. It is about the sincerity of my heart before a Holy God as I struggle to live out His Kingdom while learning a different culture. It is about learning some new aspects of how I am created as I live outside of my comfort zone and appreciate some of our cultural differences.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
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