Not a Grasshopper

01 December 2009

Thanksgiving 2009

This year, Steve and I spent Thanksgiving with his side of the family. It was nice to see everyone all in one place (which apparently hasn't happened since before I was around), but especially nice to meet our new nephew, Lyrik. Gabby was particularly cute, as usual, giving Steve a running-leap hug as soon as she saw her "Bubba."

The Lord has given us many things to be thankful for this year, these precious moments with family included. We are healthy, debt-free, and surrounded by amazing friends and family. But, we are infinitely most thankful for Jesus, because without him we would be lost and none of our other relationships or decisions would matter. As a very wise friend of ours put it so eloquently, "We have heard the Gospel. The Bible exists in our language, and we have it in our possession. Someone shared with us the glorious Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ, and God gave us the grace to repent and believe in Him. Our sins are forgiven. We used to be dead in our trespasses and sins, but now we are alive forever in Christ. We have been adopted as God’s children. We have received the incredible gift of the Holy Spirit, the foretaste and guarantee of our inheritance, who changes us to be like Christ and who gifts and empowers us for service. We have direct access to the throne of the thrice-holy God. We have a calling and a task that matter eternally. We have the irrevocable promise that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God, and we have the prospect of eternity in the infinite glory and joy of His Presence. What a great salvation! ...We also give thanks to God to remind ourselves that we deserve none of it. God has showered so many good things on us because He is good, not because we are. We owe everything to grace, not to our own cleverness or ability or merit. He alone is good, and His gracious covenant love endures forever." Amen.

17 November 2009

Where Did November Go?

Wow! The last 3 weeks have been BUSY, but equally aMaZiNg!

I took a road trip with some of my most recent teammates to this year's conference all about the people for whom my heart bleeds. It was absolutely 100% worth the 12 full hours of driving (yes, each way) to get there! We got to reconnect with dear friends (read: extended family--hey guys! love ya!), build new relationships with folks who share our passion, and join our hearts in concerted prayer for a nation God loves even more than we do. I am so blessed!

My heart was broken when I heard that only about 20% of their budget requests--that is 20% of the materials and activities they use to share Christ--will be funded next year because giving is so low. Our denomination only gives about 2% of our income, and 98% of that stays within the borders of our own country. Meanwhile, people go with out the Word because someone couldn't afford to translate it into a language they understand or to support a viable platform to live in their neighborhood. However, my spirit was refreshed by our friends' willingness to be lights in the darkest place on earth (only .005% know Jesus, less than any other country in the world) and by seeing progress (even if it was just a little) despite their lack of resources. If you want to hear more, ask me about this coming Saturday.

Last week, though, was... wait for it... LeGeNdArY!!! A young lady who has quickly become one of my favorite people in the world (literally) came to stay with us during her first ever visit to the United States of America (sorry, inside joke). As usual, most of our "plans" got tanked, but we still had a fabulous time together, and established that Steve and I are among the "craziest" people on the planet.

I picked her up from the airport Sunday night, and she quickly realized that this place is very different from the small town she'd been visiting in another state. Monday and Tuesday we did the obligatory touring and laughed about the difference in "old" between her country and ours. She fell in love with frozen yogurt from one of our favorite little shops downtown... and told everyone who asked the rest of the week that it was her favorite =) Monday night was my favorite because she got out her new guitar and took turns with Steve playing praise music while we sang in two different languages. It doesn't get much better than that!

Wednesday we planned to go to Philly, but it was cold, windy, and wet, so we took her to Five Guys, which, of course, she loved, played "Apples to Apples" with Josh and Corey, and then went to the evening worship service. We didn't plan to be at church, so it was a nice surprise for everyone. Thursday we had a big drop-in meet & greet so everyone here who knows her could visit. Friday we had a movie marathon and she spent the night with a friend from another church.

Saturday we had lunch with the pastor and his wife (no comments from the peanut gallery, please), went shopping and did some more sightseeing, then went to a potluck. Sunday morning I tearfully left her at the airport with a few more "You're crazies" and "I love yous." Life is now boring again, but I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to play hostess and tour guide for our beautiful, vibrant, Spirit filled friend. We can't wait to have her visit again!

23 October 2009

More Than Conquerors II

As they often do, things have changed since I wrote "More Than Conquerors" back in May. For starters, I am now getting up earlier to spend time with the Lord in true stillness rather than hoping for a distraction-less morning in the office. What a difference!

In my last "More Than Conquerors" post, I said Believers are to do more than maneuver around difficulties or overpower opposition, but are to move through them. That hasn't changed, and I am not, by any means, suggesting that we are to avoid challenges or are powerless to defeat evil. Not in any sense. The life of a follower of Christ is filled with challenges so Jesus can receive Glory by revealing His power in us. What I am saying is that we can't stick around in the place we conquered.

I'm not a history buff; but I'm married to a military man who loves history, and periodically shares some of the "cool" stuff with me. I'll admit that it seems to go in one ear and out the other... not because I don't appreciate the conversation, but because history just bores me.

As I was reading this morning, something interesting clicked: whenever a city is conquered, the victors either settle there or pillage pieces of the city and its people for use at home. Either way they keep a part of the city. So what, right? No! Listen! As Believers, first of all, we aren't fighting physical battles against earthly powers; our battles are against Satan's spiritual kingdom of darkness. This warfare requires even more intense preparation than a physical battle, and requires very different weapons. Thankfully we're given all the armor we need. (See 2 Corinthians 10 and Ephesians 6)

When we are a victorious, that circumstance, that evil, that sin, is HISTORY. We are more than conquerors because we leave all the pieces behind. We don't need that stuff because we have a home in Heaven and our Commander Jesus fully sustains us every day, not only in battle! Even more than that, our spirits are strengthened and renewed on the far side of the battle because we don't pick up the pieces.

We don't fight to gain wealth or fame. We fight to bring glory to Jesus. Our battle cry is "LOVE!" Every victory over fear, doubt, lust, envy, selfishness, gossip, bitterness, anger, etc, etc, etc is a victory over the kingdom of evil. Satan loves it when we listen to his lies and make excuses why we're not fit for battle or think we "need" a piece of that plunder--because it means we didn't really win. Victory in Jesus means complete and utter annihilation: obliterating that sin to the point there are no pieces to pick up. The old is gone, the new has come!

22 October 2009

AF Ball

So, yes, I know, I know I'm a horrible blogger. It has officially be a month since my last post. What can I say?

Anyway, I wanted to *finally* post some photos from the AF Ball we went to back in September. It was our first date back in 2006, so it was neat to go do it again. We had a great time, but realized just what pumpkins we are... we went home pooped at 10! I especially loved my dress that Amie helped me pick out, but I think Steve was a little jealous I got to wear a tiara. Sorry honey, maybe next year Denny can work magic for you, too (muah!).