The Family of God

Tonight a friend and I were putting stamps on my ministry support letters and praying for each family who will receive one in the mail.  As we slowly sifted through each one I began telling her about each person and how they had impacted my life.  I spoke of missionaries who had served for 30+ years and teachers who taught me in and out of the classroom.  I spoke of precious, godly couples who live out their faith with boldness.  I told her of friends who picked me up and encouraged me in times of need and wonderful people who bless my family with their friendship.  I told her about volunteers who came to work with our family multiple times when we lived overseas and a sweet lady who would make cookies just for me and my brother. 

The stories went on and on.  One by one she heard of wonderful people who the Lord had used in my life.  As she graciously sat and listened, I was completely humbled by the Lord's many blessings.  With each name came a different memory, a smile or laugh--even tears of gratefulness.

What an incredible experience!  I praise God for all His many blessings, for the Family of God and for each individual person who has impacted me in some way.  I love how He created us to live in community to bless and be blessed.  As my friend was reading each name and noticing each address she said to me "Wow, these people live all over the world." and again, it reminded me of how great is our God!  

"Most High God, thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ.  May you be blessed through how we live in community and serve one another out of your love!"


While I was driving home tonight this song came to mind:

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God.

You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here,
It's because we're a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.

From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,
No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
I'm not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong!

Hiding His Word

I have always admired my friends who can quote just the right verse of scripture at the perfect moment.  You know the ones, or maybe you are even one of those people.  Scripture memory has been something on my mind a great deal this semester, especially since a new and dear friend of mine makes this a high priority in her life.  I was amazed when I asked her the other day to quote the book of James.  Without hesitation, she began with James 1:1 until she was interrupted somewhere near the middle of the second chapter.  I'm sure I looked ridiculous with my mouth hanging open in utter amazement.  Scripture memory has never been my strong-suit.  There is no excuse really, other than, I'm lazy.

Over the last month or so, I have been throwing around the idea of picking up this discipline, but some how I have managed to make some sort of excuse as why now is not a good time  (funny how that happens).  Until recently, that is.  The other day I was having lunch with one of the girls I disciple and she mentioned that she wanted to start memorizing scripture.  She asked me to join her, and though I was reluctant (I do not like agreeing to things that I think I could fail at, because, well, who likes to fail?), I agreed.  We settled on Ephesians 1:15-17.  Three verses, one week, in any version of our choosing.  I am glad I did! 

In the process I discovered that I actually LOVE hiding His Word in my heart!  And I love how these verses have come up in my conversations many times in the last week (who would have thought? Ha)!  It is such a blessing to not only read the Word but to know the Word.  Praise God for friends who challenge and encourage you to grow in your walk with Christ!

Here is a wonderful bit of scripture that I have been hiding away in my heart this week:

Daniel 26b-27 "....for he is the living God, enduring forever.  His kingdom shall never be destroyed and his dominion shall be to the end.  He delivers and rescues.  He works signs and wonders in heaven and on the earth; he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions." (ESV)

    

Praise be to You!

Nothing of me.  No breath, action, thought.  No word or even the most righteous of acts.  Nothing will ever be good enough.  I am lowly.  Broken.  Unable.  I am nothing.

Praise be to God!  Hallelujah, glory, majesty!  Praise be to the Most High!  You are my breath, my actions, my thoughts, my words.  You rescue me from the pit.  You are Healer, you are Able!  You are Everything!

I choose You.  This day, each day, I choose You.  May I honor you in All things.  May I live with intent.  May You be glorified and lifted high.  I give my life to You, knowing You will make it count for Your glory and Your kingdom.  Praise be to You, great Creator.  Praise be to you, the one who fashioned the moon and the stars, who created all creatures of the land and sea.  You are holy, worthy and glory!  May I live my life with eternal intent.  May I be a vessel to bring You praise. 

I am nothing--You are all things!  Praise be to You!

I Would Rather....

I just picked up a copy of David Platt's new book Radical Together.  A story that Platt shared in his book hit hard as I was reading.  He spoke of a city in a Muslim nation in which lies a tribe of nearly one hundred percent evangelical believers.  Unfortunately they have turned themselves inward and are not sharing the gospel with neighboring tribes.  Truth be told, that if they were to share their faith they could be imprisoned, or worse, put to death.  One of the things this tribes enjoys is the freedom to eat pork.  All the devout Muslims in surrounding tribes see this as unclean and are turned off by those who partake in it.  One Christian tribe member said in response to the proposition of giving up pork for the sake of the Gospel, "I would rather see a Muslim go to hell than give up pork."  Now while my first reaction was to shake my head in disapproval I was quickly reminded of my own "I would rathers...."

I would rather sit in my comfortable chair in my comfortable house watching my comfortable TV than step outside and share HIS love with the lost all around me.

I would rather spend $3.96 on flavored coffee at my local coffee house than give it to the impoverished.

I would rather keep me eyes looking straight in front of me at the stoplight than roll down my window and offer a little hope to the broken.

I would rather pat someone on the back for answering the call to take care of the orphans and the widows than to open my own home and do it myself.

I would rather keep my relationships at work less awkward than to ask someone to come to church with me.

I would rather give nervous laughter than to speak up when a friend is talking about what they did the night before.

Woe to me.

"Most High God, may my 'I would rathers' become 'I will nots'.  May your will shine through my dense selfish desires.  God, let it be."

In the end.

May the calluses on my hands, my feet,
May the holes in my worn out shoes,
May the lamp light on, late at night,
Show of my devotion to you.

May the bare cupboard of my home,
May the worship that is due,
May my empty wallet all declare,
My passionate love for you.

When this life is almost over,
When my bones are brittle and bruised,
May my weak voice finally sing out,
Father I'm coming home to you.