Gardening can be frustrating. I have, yet, to successfully plant things from seed. I tend to go the easier route of buying already rooted, green leafy plants to put in my garden beds so that I can be sure something will grow from it. Isn't that why most of us buy our groceries from a store? It takes time, energy, space and care to toil the earth. Most of us don't like to gamble with the whole seeding process. All we see for a while is black dirt, nothing happens.....we water it, we make sure it gets enough sun.....still, we wait.
We get impatient because we cannot see what's happening under the ground. What happens first is that the root system is growing down, holding the seed in place and drawing nutrients from the soil. If a little green plant came up without a root system, it would not be grounded and it would be malnourished, so it would fall over, get trampled and die. Every plant needs good roots to grow up as a strong, sturdy plant. My favorite of all plants are trees. I have always loved trees. Where ever I go, I can spot an unusual tree. Trees make me happy. One of the most memorable moments for me was hiking through a Redwood forest in a park near San Jose, CA eight years ago. Looking up, all I could see was tree-tree--more tree--and then the sky! I couldn't even wrap my arms around some of them, they were so thick!
There's one tree, in particular, that makes me happiest! I wish it could grow here. It's the Baobab tree that grows all over the African continent. I grew up around these trees in Burkina Faso. They have a chubby trunk with short branches and a small canopy of leaves. We have a picture of Marshall, when he came to see Africa in 1999 before we got married. He's with 10 or more kids from the village I grew up in and they barely reach around the tree, the trunk is so thick. It is so hard to fathom that those trees started from a tiny seed. The seed had to take root, withstand all the elements of weather and survive the possibility of being pulled up or trampled. They took years and years to mature into these pillars of strength!
You all know where I'm going with this, right? Anyone who knows and has accepted Jesus has the opportunity to plant spiritual seeds. We are not in our jobs, class, our kid's school, neighborhood or sitting next to a stranger on the plane by coincidence. These are all God-given opportunities to sow seeds. We often have no idea if the soil (someone's heart) is fertile enough for planting, but that's not our job to know! It's our job to ask the Spirit what He would have us do or say, then trust Him to plant that seed through us. It's really not a matter of "doing" as much as it's a matter of "being." If we are abiding in Christ and He in us, then we are pollinating wherever we go! It's in the way we interact with others: how we treat our spouse, our children, the cashier and other people in the long line at WalMart, or the receptionist at the Dr. office after a long wait. We don't realize how much power we have through the Spirit to plant seeds all over our city, daily.
We live in a culture where we demand instant results, hence....microwaves, toasters, texting, google, online ordering, you name it. We truly miss out on the whole process of planting seeds and watching....waiting.....anticipating their growth. Instead, we want an immediate harvest. We judge people, asking, "Why don't they just get it? Why don't they just listen to me and follow God? Why do they keep making the same mistakes over and over?.....If they would just listen to me...." Then we become angry and judgmental.
We've dealt with these questions over the years, living among the poor. It is so hard to see kids that we've poured our time and energy into make careless decisions: drop out of school, stop coming to church, get involved in gangs or get pregnant......the list goes on. So why bother? Right now it seems like we've lost those kids. In some ways we feel like we've failed, or wasted our time, but have we? If we were loving them out of the Spirit, then it wasn't our time that was wasted and it wasn't our task to fail because God called us to it....they are His seeds. He's their Savior, not us. We may not get to see the fruits of our labor, but does that mean or labor less significant or a waste?
If only we could see the cut-out view of these seeds like in our old science book that showed how roots grow down while the plant grows up.....This is God's view. The benefit for us in planting seeds is that we grow in humility by trusting God to be the Savior and allowing Him to continue cultivating the seeds that we have planted: whether that's through diligent prayer, Him using others to reap the harvest, or our continued interaction with them. The key: Trust God and Don't lose hope!
I have many friends who have loved ones that don't know Christ: spouses, children, parents, siblings and friends. God wants to use each of us to sow seeds, so that those loved ones would see their need for a Savior and be drawn into a relationship with Him. We sow seeds by speaking truth into people's lives or through an encouraging word, but mostly by how we live. We are always sowing seeds, are they good or bad? If we are abiding in the Spirit, we will sow His seeds of love and compassion. This will soften hearts. The more we abide, the more we will sow and and the stronger we will grow....like a tree....planted by streams of water (Psalm 1)....and become strong....oaks of righteousness....maybe like a Baobob tree...(Smile)...standing firm, rooted and strengthened in Christ.
So be like a real gardener and plant seeds, through the Spirit's leading, deep in the soil....watch and wait to see what God is doing. Continue abiding in Christ and you will be like a bee, pollinating wherever you go, leaving a residue of the Spirit that lives in you.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Day 19: Are You Running a Marathon Daily?
Pardon my long silence. These past 10 or so days have been very full and somewhat overwhelming. As race day quickly approaches, my stomach is in knots....every muscle, tendon, nerve and bone in my body seems to be aching in apprehension. But there is little I can do now to prepare for next week....or is there?
I remember in High School and College I used to procrastinate until the last possible moment, then, as the pressure set in, I was able to complete the project or paper or cram for the test. I did not procrastinate because I was lazy, but rather because I was overwhelmed and didn't know how to start...can I give a shout-out to all of those fellow ADD sufferers.... Somehow, I knew that I could not procrastinate with marathon training! It has taken almost a year for me to build up the stamina to run 20 miles, which is the longest I've run yet. I would be insane to "cram" for the marathon next week. Even though I have stuck to my training and I am prepared as I could ever be....If I went out today and ran 20 or 22 miles I would not be able to finish the race next Saturday. My body, with only a year of experience, would not be able to handle it. In fact, these past two weeks have been almost difficult, as the miles have tapered down in my training. It almost feels wrong to cut back on the miles: how can I be sure that I am ready? It feels the opposite of most everything else in life. Next week, before the race, the longest I'm supposed to run is three miles. This doesn't make sense in my old ways of doing things, but I have to trust the experts and abide by their instruction.
As I've been thinking about all of this I've realized a few things.....That there is, in fact, A LOT I still need to do to prepare for the race next week, none of which involves running or strength training. I have to make sure I eat enough of the right calories throughout my week, so that I can build up energy for my body to burn....come race day. I need to hydrate myself throughout the week, drinking more than usual, not just the day before and the day of. I have to stretch, to make sure that my muscles are not tied up in knots, which would cause more damage on my joints. Lastly, I have to rest! Did you know that your muscles actually rebuild and strengthen during rest?
I cannot help but see the spiritual metaphors throughout this experience. Isn't it true that we are all in a race? This life is a race and sometimes we feel ill-equipped....we're lost.....we're thirsty.....we're hungry....we're tired....we're in dire need of rest. I have seen the glazed over looks of those in ministry. I, myself, have experienced the numbness that comes from the giving out of everything I have....emptying myself, but not filling back up. Some leave ministry because they are bitter, overtired....empty. Why?
Just like God did not create our bodies to be able to run a marathon daily....Our Spirits cannot endure a daily spiritual marathon. There are always more good things that we could be doing. There are so many needs that we could fulfill...so many people that we could minister to....but are we cramming just to cram? Are we afraid that God is not going to hold up His end of the bargain, so we just "do it all?" Or maybe we're just prideful in thinking, "if I don't do this, than no one else will." Or maybe we're just self-seeking and do these things so that people will think highly of us....or we think it will make us more significant. Just to be completely vulnerable with you...I've lived in all of these camps of thought at least one time or another...or many.
Whatever the thought process is, there is one thing we have to consider: In order to run this race well, we need to care for our spiritual self! We need food for our souls...are you "eating" scripture daily, so that you can draw strength from it later? We need to hydrate....are you drinking deeply from the well of "living water" allowing the Holy Spirit to "hydrate" your spirit with His life? Are you stretching your muscles....allowing the Spirit of God to work out those things that "knot" you up, hindering you to run freely in His promises....opening you up to confession, then repentance, which means "change of mind." Lastly, are you resting....breaking away from the noise of this race to spend time alone with the Father....actively listening for His still, small voice....finding peace in His presence. Even Jesus had to literally break away and hide, to pray and find rest....and He was perfect. Need I say more?
The Chinese character for the word BUSY is the same word for annihilation. Are you annihilating your spirit? Let the Good Shepherd of Psalm 23 lead you beside quiet waters and make you lie down in green pastures. Let Him restore your soul.....Then, after your Spiritual "muscles" are strengthened, you can run with confidence, the race that He has set out for you.
**Please pray for all of those involved with Hope Academy. Pray that they would find this "rest" in the Lord as they minister day in and day out with these kids and their families. The staff, board members and volunteers are pouring themselves out in so many ways, pray that they would be filling themselves back up, with the Word and by abiding in God's presence!
I remember in High School and College I used to procrastinate until the last possible moment, then, as the pressure set in, I was able to complete the project or paper or cram for the test. I did not procrastinate because I was lazy, but rather because I was overwhelmed and didn't know how to start...can I give a shout-out to all of those fellow ADD sufferers.... Somehow, I knew that I could not procrastinate with marathon training! It has taken almost a year for me to build up the stamina to run 20 miles, which is the longest I've run yet. I would be insane to "cram" for the marathon next week. Even though I have stuck to my training and I am prepared as I could ever be....If I went out today and ran 20 or 22 miles I would not be able to finish the race next Saturday. My body, with only a year of experience, would not be able to handle it. In fact, these past two weeks have been almost difficult, as the miles have tapered down in my training. It almost feels wrong to cut back on the miles: how can I be sure that I am ready? It feels the opposite of most everything else in life. Next week, before the race, the longest I'm supposed to run is three miles. This doesn't make sense in my old ways of doing things, but I have to trust the experts and abide by their instruction.
As I've been thinking about all of this I've realized a few things.....That there is, in fact, A LOT I still need to do to prepare for the race next week, none of which involves running or strength training. I have to make sure I eat enough of the right calories throughout my week, so that I can build up energy for my body to burn....come race day. I need to hydrate myself throughout the week, drinking more than usual, not just the day before and the day of. I have to stretch, to make sure that my muscles are not tied up in knots, which would cause more damage on my joints. Lastly, I have to rest! Did you know that your muscles actually rebuild and strengthen during rest?
I cannot help but see the spiritual metaphors throughout this experience. Isn't it true that we are all in a race? This life is a race and sometimes we feel ill-equipped....we're lost.....we're thirsty.....we're hungry....we're tired....we're in dire need of rest. I have seen the glazed over looks of those in ministry. I, myself, have experienced the numbness that comes from the giving out of everything I have....emptying myself, but not filling back up. Some leave ministry because they are bitter, overtired....empty. Why?
Just like God did not create our bodies to be able to run a marathon daily....Our Spirits cannot endure a daily spiritual marathon. There are always more good things that we could be doing. There are so many needs that we could fulfill...so many people that we could minister to....but are we cramming just to cram? Are we afraid that God is not going to hold up His end of the bargain, so we just "do it all?" Or maybe we're just prideful in thinking, "if I don't do this, than no one else will." Or maybe we're just self-seeking and do these things so that people will think highly of us....or we think it will make us more significant. Just to be completely vulnerable with you...I've lived in all of these camps of thought at least one time or another...or many.
Whatever the thought process is, there is one thing we have to consider: In order to run this race well, we need to care for our spiritual self! We need food for our souls...are you "eating" scripture daily, so that you can draw strength from it later? We need to hydrate....are you drinking deeply from the well of "living water" allowing the Holy Spirit to "hydrate" your spirit with His life? Are you stretching your muscles....allowing the Spirit of God to work out those things that "knot" you up, hindering you to run freely in His promises....opening you up to confession, then repentance, which means "change of mind." Lastly, are you resting....breaking away from the noise of this race to spend time alone with the Father....actively listening for His still, small voice....finding peace in His presence. Even Jesus had to literally break away and hide, to pray and find rest....and He was perfect. Need I say more?
The Chinese character for the word BUSY is the same word for annihilation. Are you annihilating your spirit? Let the Good Shepherd of Psalm 23 lead you beside quiet waters and make you lie down in green pastures. Let Him restore your soul.....Then, after your Spiritual "muscles" are strengthened, you can run with confidence, the race that He has set out for you.
**Please pray for all of those involved with Hope Academy. Pray that they would find this "rest" in the Lord as they minister day in and day out with these kids and their families. The staff, board members and volunteers are pouring themselves out in so many ways, pray that they would be filling themselves back up, with the Word and by abiding in God's presence!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Day 10: One Foot in Front of the Other.....
People often tell me that they are inspired by my running. This is the only reason I even post about it, so I am thankful that it helps. I not only want to inspire, but I would also love to activate that inspiration! Here's why: Over the course of this past year God has used running in my life for multiple reasons. It has given me hope in both the spiritual and physical realms. I have struggled with fatigue for as long as I can remember. In my adult life I have been on and off different medications for anxiety and depression; most recently I discovered I have ADD, so I've been taking medication for that. Several years ago I had to change my diet drastically because of intestinal issues, so I now struggle with IBS. These are enough factors to give the excuse that I can't run! But when I felt God calling me to train for a 1/2 marathon, I felt obligated to overcome those fears that I couldn't run, with His help, of course.
Now, to be sure, I did not start out with 10 miles. It took almost 8 weeks of running 3 miles about 4-5 times a week before I felt like I was getting somewhere. I was constantly sore.....This took a lot of perseverance. Even since then, I would say that I still feel fatigued, but it's different. It took the consistent building to help me feel stronger physically. It took persistence and endurance. There were days I would rather have taken a nap, but I pushed myself to do it. I ran through rain, snow, sleet and ice. What made me keep going?.....hope
I hoped that this would help me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It has!!! I have not struggled with depression or anxiety to the degree I had before. One of my friends calls running her Zanex. I would have to agree with that! I think clearer, my emotions are more stable and spiritually.....wow!
Now I see why Paul uses running as a spiritual metaphor several different times throughout his epistles. Running takes effort...it takes endurance...it takes perseverance. Paul encourages us to run hard, focused on the prize....the finish. We have to make the effort to run this spiritual race. It does me no good to get my running gear on and then sit down on the couch and take a nap. I have to get out and set one foot in front of the other. In the same way, we not only have to make the effort to sit down with the Lord and His word, but we have to apply it....run with it....one step in front of the other.
We can't expect to jump into the middle of this spiritual race without training, as a one time deal. It takes daily training....spending time in prayer and in His word, in order for us to run this race with confidence. Sometimes we will put forth the effort and try to put the word into practice, but we're not feeling it....Take heart, my friend! Even though you may not "feel" the transformation, but instead feel worse in the moment, God is building you up....slowly, but surely. Remember how I said earlier that the first couple of months I was sore every day? It's the same spiritually....God is reshaping our "muscles" as we continue to persevere and put forth our effort and practice in growing in Him. We can't see the progress because we are deep in the middle of it. We need this training, it's essential and beneficial.
There have been a few times when, because of a busy schedule or sickness, I haven't been able to run for a few days...the longest has been a week. I will tell you....I notice a difference in my physical and mental well-being when this lapse occurs. I realize, then, how much running does help! The longer the lapse, the more anxious I get and the more tired....hmmm, interesting isn't it? It's the same spiritually. The longer the time lapses between us and time with the Lord, the more miserable and anxious we feel. That's when we start to become more tired spiritually and are easily desensitized by the world. So, be careful....don't let that happen. Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on the prize (the living hope of Jesus Christ). He will keep us in this race....He will carry us, if He needs to....All we need to do is just show up, ready to put one foot in front of the other....will you?
*Along this thread, pray for the students at Hope Academy, that they would not only hear the truths from chapel and classes, but that they would "run" in them...putting one foot in front of the other
*pray for the staff, that they would continue to persevere in this race, focused on the prize: the living hope in Christ. Pray that they would be encouraged and see the truth, that they've sown in these young hearts come to fruition!
Now, to be sure, I did not start out with 10 miles. It took almost 8 weeks of running 3 miles about 4-5 times a week before I felt like I was getting somewhere. I was constantly sore.....This took a lot of perseverance. Even since then, I would say that I still feel fatigued, but it's different. It took the consistent building to help me feel stronger physically. It took persistence and endurance. There were days I would rather have taken a nap, but I pushed myself to do it. I ran through rain, snow, sleet and ice. What made me keep going?.....hope
I hoped that this would help me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It has!!! I have not struggled with depression or anxiety to the degree I had before. One of my friends calls running her Zanex. I would have to agree with that! I think clearer, my emotions are more stable and spiritually.....wow!
Now I see why Paul uses running as a spiritual metaphor several different times throughout his epistles. Running takes effort...it takes endurance...it takes perseverance. Paul encourages us to run hard, focused on the prize....the finish. We have to make the effort to run this spiritual race. It does me no good to get my running gear on and then sit down on the couch and take a nap. I have to get out and set one foot in front of the other. In the same way, we not only have to make the effort to sit down with the Lord and His word, but we have to apply it....run with it....one step in front of the other.
We can't expect to jump into the middle of this spiritual race without training, as a one time deal. It takes daily training....spending time in prayer and in His word, in order for us to run this race with confidence. Sometimes we will put forth the effort and try to put the word into practice, but we're not feeling it....Take heart, my friend! Even though you may not "feel" the transformation, but instead feel worse in the moment, God is building you up....slowly, but surely. Remember how I said earlier that the first couple of months I was sore every day? It's the same spiritually....God is reshaping our "muscles" as we continue to persevere and put forth our effort and practice in growing in Him. We can't see the progress because we are deep in the middle of it. We need this training, it's essential and beneficial.
There have been a few times when, because of a busy schedule or sickness, I haven't been able to run for a few days...the longest has been a week. I will tell you....I notice a difference in my physical and mental well-being when this lapse occurs. I realize, then, how much running does help! The longer the lapse, the more anxious I get and the more tired....hmmm, interesting isn't it? It's the same spiritually. The longer the time lapses between us and time with the Lord, the more miserable and anxious we feel. That's when we start to become more tired spiritually and are easily desensitized by the world. So, be careful....don't let that happen. Paul encourages us to keep our eyes on the prize (the living hope of Jesus Christ). He will keep us in this race....He will carry us, if He needs to....All we need to do is just show up, ready to put one foot in front of the other....will you?
*Along this thread, pray for the students at Hope Academy, that they would not only hear the truths from chapel and classes, but that they would "run" in them...putting one foot in front of the other
*pray for the staff, that they would continue to persevere in this race, focused on the prize: the living hope in Christ. Pray that they would be encouraged and see the truth, that they've sown in these young hearts come to fruition!
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Day 8: Counted up the Cost (part 2)
A sweet friend made me a compilation CD with Rend Collective Experiment for my birthday. A lot of their songs have truly touched me, you should check them out. One song in particular hit me because I shared about it on Day 4: counting the cost. I talked about how it is costly to follow Jesus. If you read about the New Testament church in Acts, you can clearly see that they were persecuted severely for their faith. It still happens! I knew some Africans, as I grew up there, that were beaten and disowned from their families for their faith in Jesus. So why do people do it?....... It's because they experience God's true love for them. Physical pain and suffering loss does not even compare to the boundless love that they know they have in Christ. What is so great about this is that the enemy can take everything from us, but God's love....NOTHING can separate from the love of God! (Romans 8:38-39)
With this in mind, think about the students at Hope Academy. They face a lot of different types of persecution for their faith. Many of them find it hard to stand firm in their faith. They know what's right, but the truth doesn't seem cool or it becomes clouded and desensitized as they are at home or in their community. Some of their peers are in gangs or people close to them either suffer from drug or alcohol addiction and/or sell drugs. Promiscuity is widely practiced and acceptable within their environment, so it becomes a very clouded issue for these kids. To follow Jesus means to say "NO" to all of these things, and it's hard. It's uncomfortable, not what they know or see around them. They could easily be rejected and ridiculed. Therefore, it's costly for them to follow Jesus!
*pray for the students that graduated from Hope Academy last year and are in High School now.
pray that they would be strengthened in their faith and would encounter other students and staff at their schools that would encourage them in that way!
*pray for those students who left Hope Academy last year or didn't come back this year, for different reasons. Pray that they would continue to encounter Jesus even within the tough environments they're living in!
*pray for the students who have committed their lives to Jesus to take it seriously. That they would impact their families and community with the truth of the gospel, as they stand strong in their faith.
*Lastly, please pray for a group of High School students who have been a part of our tutoring program for a number of years, but are making some bad decisions. Pray that the Lord would do what it takes to get their attention--to show them that they are hurting themselves and others by their choices! But more than that.....that they would experience God's love and grace in a way that would set them on fire!
Thank you for praying!!!
Watch this video about churches all over the world, counting the cost for Jesus. Ask God to show you things that you might need to give up for His sake and His glory!
With this in mind, think about the students at Hope Academy. They face a lot of different types of persecution for their faith. Many of them find it hard to stand firm in their faith. They know what's right, but the truth doesn't seem cool or it becomes clouded and desensitized as they are at home or in their community. Some of their peers are in gangs or people close to them either suffer from drug or alcohol addiction and/or sell drugs. Promiscuity is widely practiced and acceptable within their environment, so it becomes a very clouded issue for these kids. To follow Jesus means to say "NO" to all of these things, and it's hard. It's uncomfortable, not what they know or see around them. They could easily be rejected and ridiculed. Therefore, it's costly for them to follow Jesus!
*pray for the students that graduated from Hope Academy last year and are in High School now.
pray that they would be strengthened in their faith and would encounter other students and staff at their schools that would encourage them in that way!
*pray for those students who left Hope Academy last year or didn't come back this year, for different reasons. Pray that they would continue to encounter Jesus even within the tough environments they're living in!
*pray for the students who have committed their lives to Jesus to take it seriously. That they would impact their families and community with the truth of the gospel, as they stand strong in their faith.
*Lastly, please pray for a group of High School students who have been a part of our tutoring program for a number of years, but are making some bad decisions. Pray that the Lord would do what it takes to get their attention--to show them that they are hurting themselves and others by their choices! But more than that.....that they would experience God's love and grace in a way that would set them on fire!
Thank you for praying!!!
Watch this video about churches all over the world, counting the cost for Jesus. Ask God to show you things that you might need to give up for His sake and His glory!
Monday, October 28, 2013
Day 7: A Living Hope
There are times during some of my runs that I feel so discouraged. Like yesterday. The marathon is a few weeks away, so I was trying to get in one more longer run-13 to 15 miles. I held that goal loosely because I went into the run already tired. Three or four miles in my toes started to go numb. I had started listening to sermons during my longer runs, which helps keep my mind from obsessing over how long I've run, how much longer I have to go, and what parts of my body are aching to stop. It sounds miserable, I know. Not all of my runs are like this, which is why I continue to run. But six miles in, the balls of my feet were already sore and my toes were prickly and painful to step on. I started to feel really discouraged, thinking: I'm not even 1/4 of the way into a marathon, how in the world am I going to be able to run 26 miles???
I tried to pray, I tried to focus on the beauty around me as I ran, but I still felt discouraged. As all of this was happening, I was listening to Tim Keller's sermon on a "Living Hope" from 1 Peter 1:3-9. Peter talks about how "God, the Father has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Christ from the dead." (verse 3). Tim Keller reflected on the fact that a lot of believers don't experience this "living hope" because we spend our time putting hope in other things. Putting our hope in anything other that Christ, will eventually lead us down the path to anxiousness (meaning: without peace) and eventually despair. Why? Because those things will eventually disappoint us or fail us, ultimately letting us down.
What is this living hope? I'll tell you what it is NOT--our circumstances, wealth, being in control, our good deeds, jobs, significant others, family, friends, children, exercise, sports, heroes, even heroes of the faith, church, just to name a few. Putting our hope in anything other than Christ Himself, will eventually lead us down a dark road to hopelessness. Jesus left His glory in heaven and humbled Himself to become human. He lived the human life without sin, but yet experienced every temptation, hardship and struggle that we will ever experience. Then He died the death we should have died, separating Himself from the Father, in our place. The Father then raised Christ from death and seated Him beside the Father in heaven. This, alone, is the reason that we have hope. It's the living hope, the resurrected and ascended Christ, us sharing in His inheritance. All we have to do is just believe on Him....put our hope in Him.
This living hope is the reason that Paul and Silas, although beaten close to death and imprisoned could rejoice, singing hymns and songs of praise to God in the midst of their suffering. It's why Horatio G. Spafford could pen the hymn, "It is Well With My Soul" even after he learned of his four daughters drowning on their trip across the ocean to England. Whatever our circumstances and suffering, we can be at peace because of this "new birth into the living hope."
I was putting my hope in my body or the ability to finish my run. This only left me anxious, until I realized what I was doing and repented, asking Christ to be my hope. My body didn't feel any better, but my heart was at peace, drawing my strength from my Savior.
Please pray that the students at Hope Academy would begin to understand their need to hope in Christ. Having good grades and getting into a good High School or College are great goals, but even these will leave them empty because at some point they will fail or lose heart. But if they can start putting their hope in Christ....Wow!!! I believe that God is doing and has plans for big things for these students! Many lives will be changed through their encounters with our Living Hope!
I tried to pray, I tried to focus on the beauty around me as I ran, but I still felt discouraged. As all of this was happening, I was listening to Tim Keller's sermon on a "Living Hope" from 1 Peter 1:3-9. Peter talks about how "God, the Father has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Christ from the dead." (verse 3). Tim Keller reflected on the fact that a lot of believers don't experience this "living hope" because we spend our time putting hope in other things. Putting our hope in anything other that Christ, will eventually lead us down the path to anxiousness (meaning: without peace) and eventually despair. Why? Because those things will eventually disappoint us or fail us, ultimately letting us down.
What is this living hope? I'll tell you what it is NOT--our circumstances, wealth, being in control, our good deeds, jobs, significant others, family, friends, children, exercise, sports, heroes, even heroes of the faith, church, just to name a few. Putting our hope in anything other than Christ Himself, will eventually lead us down a dark road to hopelessness. Jesus left His glory in heaven and humbled Himself to become human. He lived the human life without sin, but yet experienced every temptation, hardship and struggle that we will ever experience. Then He died the death we should have died, separating Himself from the Father, in our place. The Father then raised Christ from death and seated Him beside the Father in heaven. This, alone, is the reason that we have hope. It's the living hope, the resurrected and ascended Christ, us sharing in His inheritance. All we have to do is just believe on Him....put our hope in Him.
This living hope is the reason that Paul and Silas, although beaten close to death and imprisoned could rejoice, singing hymns and songs of praise to God in the midst of their suffering. It's why Horatio G. Spafford could pen the hymn, "It is Well With My Soul" even after he learned of his four daughters drowning on their trip across the ocean to England. Whatever our circumstances and suffering, we can be at peace because of this "new birth into the living hope."
I was putting my hope in my body or the ability to finish my run. This only left me anxious, until I realized what I was doing and repented, asking Christ to be my hope. My body didn't feel any better, but my heart was at peace, drawing my strength from my Savior.
Please pray that the students at Hope Academy would begin to understand their need to hope in Christ. Having good grades and getting into a good High School or College are great goals, but even these will leave them empty because at some point they will fail or lose heart. But if they can start putting their hope in Christ....Wow!!! I believe that God is doing and has plans for big things for these students! Many lives will be changed through their encounters with our Living Hope!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Day 4: Counting the Cost
Last night in our Community Group we studied the passage in Mark 8:27-38 where Jesus asks the disciples who people say that He is. They all give various answers, then Jesus asks the disciples who they think He is. Peter immediately responds that He is the Messiah. Then Jesus began telling them about the great suffering He would experience. To which Peter rebukes Christ for speaking of such things. Jesus immediately turns the rebuke back on Peter by saying, "Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
Many of us would ridicule Peter for such a response, but we also know the end of the story. The people of Israel were looking for their Messiah and had been for hundreds of years. They were looking for someone like King David, their "knight in shining armor" to swoop in and save them from the Romans. Someone who would fight courageously, conquering their enemies and then making things right for them. They were not expecting their Messiah to come to die, even though the prophets all pointed to this. What Jesus was talking about made Peter uncomfortable...the disciples didn't understand God's mysterious plan, even though Jesus spoke so clearly about it.
After rebuking Peter, Jesus goes on to explain to the disciples that "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." We don't fully understand what it means to take up our cross. The cross was the form of capital punishment back in those days. It was designated for the worst criminals. Therefore, it was the most painful, torturous death that any human could suffer. So what does Jesus mean by "take up your cross"? It sure doesn't sound convenient or easy. Neither does denying ourselves. We are just like the disciples...we have in mind human concerns rather than the concerns of God. We make decisions based on what will be most comfortable for us. We spend time and money to make life convenient and easy. In the midst of doing this, we end up focusing more on ourselves than the things of God.
Following Jesus is not rainbows and fluffy clouds. It's costly. Sometimes it means we have to break-off relationships that are harmful and lead us astray....forgive someone who really wronged us...give up a habit...love someone who is difficult to love....put others before ourselves...give up our dream house....leave a job for ethical reasons....suffer physical pain...be rejected by friends or family because of our faith in God. But we do have a merciful Savior, who went through the most painful suffering: He was rejected....betrayed, beaten and spit upon. He descended into hell and experienced the most painful separation from His Father.....all for us. So that we might be able to have an intimate relationship with His Father, too. God's concerns include us knowing Him more intimately, no matter the comfort level or convenience. He knows that suffering for His sake is worth the eternal glory and joy that we get to experience starting on this side of heaven.
Pray this weekend that the students at Hope Academy would want to know this Savior. Pray that their hearts would be open to His love and they would believe the Truth they have heard at School. Pray that they would want to live this costly life....
Thank you to those of you who have given to Hope Academy!! You have really blessed me, as well! Here is the link for anyone who is unsure of how to give. Again, my challenge is $26 for each mile I'm running in my marathon! http://hopeacademygso.org/?page_id=87
Many of us would ridicule Peter for such a response, but we also know the end of the story. The people of Israel were looking for their Messiah and had been for hundreds of years. They were looking for someone like King David, their "knight in shining armor" to swoop in and save them from the Romans. Someone who would fight courageously, conquering their enemies and then making things right for them. They were not expecting their Messiah to come to die, even though the prophets all pointed to this. What Jesus was talking about made Peter uncomfortable...the disciples didn't understand God's mysterious plan, even though Jesus spoke so clearly about it.
After rebuking Peter, Jesus goes on to explain to the disciples that "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." We don't fully understand what it means to take up our cross. The cross was the form of capital punishment back in those days. It was designated for the worst criminals. Therefore, it was the most painful, torturous death that any human could suffer. So what does Jesus mean by "take up your cross"? It sure doesn't sound convenient or easy. Neither does denying ourselves. We are just like the disciples...we have in mind human concerns rather than the concerns of God. We make decisions based on what will be most comfortable for us. We spend time and money to make life convenient and easy. In the midst of doing this, we end up focusing more on ourselves than the things of God.
Following Jesus is not rainbows and fluffy clouds. It's costly. Sometimes it means we have to break-off relationships that are harmful and lead us astray....forgive someone who really wronged us...give up a habit...love someone who is difficult to love....put others before ourselves...give up our dream house....leave a job for ethical reasons....suffer physical pain...be rejected by friends or family because of our faith in God. But we do have a merciful Savior, who went through the most painful suffering: He was rejected....betrayed, beaten and spit upon. He descended into hell and experienced the most painful separation from His Father.....all for us. So that we might be able to have an intimate relationship with His Father, too. God's concerns include us knowing Him more intimately, no matter the comfort level or convenience. He knows that suffering for His sake is worth the eternal glory and joy that we get to experience starting on this side of heaven.
Pray this weekend that the students at Hope Academy would want to know this Savior. Pray that their hearts would be open to His love and they would believe the Truth they have heard at School. Pray that they would want to live this costly life....
Thank you to those of you who have given to Hope Academy!! You have really blessed me, as well! Here is the link for anyone who is unsure of how to give. Again, my challenge is $26 for each mile I'm running in my marathon! http://hopeacademygso.org/?page_id=87
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Day 3: Weary
Sometimes I get out to run and I want to lay down on the side of the road and take a nap within the first 5 minutes. Usually this can last up to a mile or three, then I finally get into a groove. But some days, like yesterday, it lasts until I stop. I hate that feeling. It felt like this was the first time I'd ever been running. I tried to enjoy the scenery, which took my mind off of my weary body, a little.
I remembered to pray. I remembered that God had started me on this journey....I remembered how faithful He has been along the way and how much I have learned through persevering. I have grown stronger as a runner, pushing through those days when I'm not "feeling it." Committing the run to Him and asking that He use it to strengthen me. There is a reason why Paul compares running a race to this current life. There are times when we just want to curl up and take a nap, right? Sometimes we just want to give up....we feel so weary....so lonely....so discouraged....so broken. But God, through His generosity and great mercy is there to carry us through those times. He may not change our circumstances, but be sure that He is changing us! As we become more dependent on Him, He is able to strengthen us. He only asks for our small amount of faith...and a little effort.
Working with middle schoolers can bring weariness! Pushing kids and their families toward Christ requires even more strength and faith. The staff at Hope Academy face spiritual battles on a regular basis. As they run this tough race, pray that they would be strengthened in the Lord and in His power. Pray Ephesians 1:17-19 for them:
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you (Hope Academy Staff) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the HOPE to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
THAT SAME POWER THAT HE EXERTED WHEN HE RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD AND SEATED HIM IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS!!!"
I remembered to pray. I remembered that God had started me on this journey....I remembered how faithful He has been along the way and how much I have learned through persevering. I have grown stronger as a runner, pushing through those days when I'm not "feeling it." Committing the run to Him and asking that He use it to strengthen me. There is a reason why Paul compares running a race to this current life. There are times when we just want to curl up and take a nap, right? Sometimes we just want to give up....we feel so weary....so lonely....so discouraged....so broken. But God, through His generosity and great mercy is there to carry us through those times. He may not change our circumstances, but be sure that He is changing us! As we become more dependent on Him, He is able to strengthen us. He only asks for our small amount of faith...and a little effort.
Working with middle schoolers can bring weariness! Pushing kids and their families toward Christ requires even more strength and faith. The staff at Hope Academy face spiritual battles on a regular basis. As they run this tough race, pray that they would be strengthened in the Lord and in His power. Pray Ephesians 1:17-19 for them:
"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you (Hope Academy Staff) the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the HOPE to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
THAT SAME POWER THAT HE EXERTED WHEN HE RAISED CHRIST FROM THE DEAD AND SEATED HIM IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS!!!"
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