Moments.

Fall decor

2009-10-13T21:53:00.010-04:00

Autumn is my favorite season when it comes to decorating. I love the rich, warm tones and satisfying color combinations. Geneve and I have been having too much fun decorating together.

Are not the bookends cute?!

This would be on top of the refrigerator in our bedroom. It's called making the best of what you have. :)

Sigh...I just love fall!

...and the blogger emerges.

2009-10-07T23:12:00.004-04:00

New York, it's been close to a month.

And I think I am ready to write about it.

New York is growing on me. I think I want to belong here. I kinda like the quiet neighborhood where I live, but in a way I wish it was more of a front porch culture. The other side of our street is lined with apartment buildings. Mostly when you see people is when you or they are walking down the street.

This walking thing, I don't know. If I'm not going to talk to or make eye contact with anyone else as we rush about our respective business, I'd rather drive. That way it doesn't seem so queer that all of us are wrappped up in our own little worlds as we go about this thing called life. I keep wondering how Jesus would live in this neighborhood.

What I personally do with most of my time is...hang out with two year olds (and a few sweet babies). Seriously. I am hopelessly in love with this bunch of adorable, messy, rumbunctious kiddos. They try my patience, stretch me to the limit, and capture my heart.

I think this city is already stealing my heart. But I miss home, a lot lot.

God is so good to me (and you should have heard a cute little boy singing that song under his blanket today when he was supposed to be sleeping. He's going back to Argentina the end of this month. We'll miss him!)

God Will.

2009-10-07T22:57:00.003-04:00

God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength for each new day
He will make a way, He will make a way.

By a roadway in the wilderness, He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today.

By the way, I recently downloaded this song off of this album on Amazon. What a song. It gives me shivers.

Leaving.

2009-09-01T21:31:00.006-04:00

My apologies for the lack of posts.

My life has been a little crazy.

And now, I have only one day left at home instead of three, like I thought. I'm spending the next week with my grandparents, and without internet.

So the next time I post I'll probably be in New York.

I would love your prayers.

My favorite verses right now:

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness."
(Lamentations 3:23)

Somehow, that gives me perspective. And I am amazed.

Why don't we care?

2009-08-19T15:18:00.002-04:00

It’s the question that keeps coming back to me. That persistent voice telling me that something is wrong. Sometimes I try to silence the nagging. But it doesn’t help for long; in fact, it makes things worse. Maybe some of my perceptions are wrong, but I have to ask honest questions.

I read about human beings dying for lack of food and water while we consume more than we need, and I wonder.

I read about human trafficking. Humans dying of AIDS. Innocent victims caught in crossfire.

I see pictures of orphans, starving for nourishment and even more for love, and I wonder.

I drive or walk through my own town, and the question resurfaces. So many faces without joy. So many lives without hope. So many people bound by Satan. So many innocent children, suffering. Right here. Where I live.

I wonder.

Why don’t we give more out of our abundance?

Why don’t we wrestle in prayer against the strongholds of darkness?

Why do we feel justified in our hoarding of physical and spiritual blessings?

How can we consider our pleasure more important than people who are dying and going to hell?

Are we too comfortable to be disturbed?

Do we know what it means to be Christ’s hands and feet?

And the question I have been avoiding for too long. Why am I so selfish??

Of heartstrings.

2009-08-13T12:46:00.005-04:00

This city has become home to me. I don’t live here, and other towns are closer, but I call Meadville my hometown. I love these streets. The old cobbled bricks, the falling apart mansions, the shops. True, there’s a fair share of shambles and trash, but to me, the beauty far outweighs the trash. (I know…it might not if I lived here.)

But really what I love about this city is the people I know who live here. People who need Jesus…but they teach me so much about Jesus because they are real. They don’t pretend, like I do, that they have it altogether. It’s only when I allow myself to broken, too, that I can bring Jesus to them.

There’s this one housing complex that I especially love. I asked my friend Becca why God is calling me to leave when I love this place so much. She told me, “Rosanne, God gave you that love for a reason, and He can use it even when you aren’t there in person.” Thanks, Becca. I pray that He does, and that others of His people will love this place, too.

And then, there is this charming house where my amazing friend lives. A place where the light of Jesus shines bright. A little family making the presence of Jesus real on these streets. I will miss you, Carla!

I wonder if, and how soon, God will bring me back here. Until then, I hold this city—these people—in my heart.

Blog Makeover

2009-08-09T17:40:00.002-04:00

Well, the truth is, I got tired of my blog. Tired of the theme, the pictures, the same-ness. It was getting musty. So I did a blog makeover. On this “new” blog, during a new phase of my life, I hope to share some of my God-moments with you through poetry, prose, and pictures. And I hope (ahem) to post more often than in the previous months.

For those of you who have me on your blogroll: It would be great if you could take a moment to reenter my URL so that my new blog name is displayed on your list. The post titles will still feed into your blog, but unless you reenter the exact same URL in your blogroll, it will be under the old title. Make sense?

What do you say? Do you like the new look?

Excited.

2009-08-09T16:34:00.003-04:00

Right now, I’m tired of that word. Everyone says it to me. “Are you excited??!”

Yes, and no. Right now, I don’t love the fact that I’m moving in four weeks. Everyone assumes I’m excited. They may be right. After all, I usually agree nicely, “yes, I am excited.” However, I am not ONLY excited. I am not jumping up and down excited. I am actually very sad about all the beautiful people and places that I am leaving behind. And honestly, the main question I ask myself is, “Am I crazy??”

Let me modify that one statement. I said I am not jumping up and down excited. That means I don’t FEEL super excited. (I said I was sick of that word.)

A lovely girl named Beth showed me something very profound recently. It’s the verse, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) I’d known the verse for years, but not the way Beth explained it.

She explained it like this: My own understanding of situations in my life is so shallow and limited. I see from a foggy perspective. But God sees the whole picture. I need to trust that His understanding is infinite. To trust that He knows all the best things for me. In His understanding of my life, there is something incredibly beautiful ahead. Something that brings glory to Him and joy to me.

My own understanding, right now, is that I’m leaving almost everyone, every place, everything I love behind. That God is leading me away from my heart. Not that I’m not anticipating my new life* in NYC, but I’m also confused and sad about leaving. But His understanding is so much bigger than mine. And I know that in the big picture, through ways I know not now, He is leading me closer to His heart. And so, I trust. I don’t know what He’s doing. All I know is that He knows what He’s doing.

Maybe, just maybe, I’m not so tired of the word excited after all. What else can you be when you serve such a big God??

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 138:8

*For now, my plans are to stay there about a year, but I have a feeling life will never be the same again. (That may very well be a good thing.)

a little child shall lead them

2009-08-02T22:22:00.009-04:00

It is impossible to capture a week of VBS in a blog post. I am all at once grateful, excited, challenged, sad, and heartbroken for so many who don't know God. Oh, and exhausted. There are a lot of things I could write, but for now, I just want to share a song that one of my students, a 5-year-old girl, made up and gave to me on a piece of paper Friday night. (Her mom wrote it down for her.) This girl doesn't come from a Christian home; her dad told me he practices all religions because he doesn't know which one is right. I was so touched by this song...things like this make the week more than worthwhile.

God made the sun.

God made the trees.

God made you.

God made me.

God made the day.

God made the animals.

God made the spring.

God made our family.

God's going to give us a new life.

Loving Jesus

2009-06-28T17:33:00.011-04:00

"Open our eyes, Lord, we want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him, and say that we love Him..."

As I contemplated the beautiful words, I was suddenly startled to realize what I was singing. The words that came to me were, "Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me."

Wait a minute, I thought, I was singing about Jesus! Jesus is the One I love, and of course I long to see Him more clearly, to know Him more intimately. But...Jesus as "the least of these?" I'm not so sure about that.

What if "to reach out and touch Him" could mean getting my hands dirty? Allowing God to break my heart for those He loves, and I tend not to? (Or don't want to because I will get hurt.) The fatherless, the abused, those who have made lousy choices that have taken them miserable places (that I don't want to enter).

John Smucker's sermon this morning, entitled "The Test of Heaven," resurfaced these thoughts in my mind. He preached from Matthew 25: 31-46 where Jesus at the final judgment declares to the righteous, "As you did it to the least of these my brothers, you did it to me," and to the unrighteous, "As you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me."

Of course, I do not have to know people like these...the poor, the prisoner, the sick or anyone else whom I often consider unworthy of my time. I can smile at the people I see in town and consider my Christian duty accomplished. But the fact is, it's not.

As John Smucker said, "Every person is uniquely and individually precious to God." This is why I am asking God to open my heart to those He loves, to give me grace even to seek out those whom He seeks.

You and I have a choice. We can choose not to concern ourselves with the least. Or, we can choose to know more clearly the heartbeat of our precious Savior, and enter into the Kingdom He has prepared for us.

Another quote yet from John Smucker; I can’t promise this is verbatim, but it was to this effect: “In for any community or church to survive, it must care about the needs of its own members and about the needs of the culture around it.”

Grant us, Jesus, the desire to truly see You and express our love for You.

precious in His sight

2009-06-26T21:25:00.021-04:00

Four precious sisters who came faithfully to VBS and kids' club are moving away next month. Tonight as I drove through town I stopped at their house with a Bible storybook as a going away present. All four girls were outside and came running to hug me. They had been running through a sprinkler and were sopping wet and adorable! I ran to get my camera and we did an impromptu photo shoot on the sidewalk.

Isaiah 57:15

2009-06-24T21:10:00.007-04:00

"For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
'I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
and to revive the heart of the contrite."

We offer pieces
Broken and shattered
Grateful that this offering
You accept, and love.

A. W. Tozer on the sacrament of living

2009-06-10T13:44:00.019-04:00

"We must offer all our acts to God and believe that He accepts them...Let us believe that God is in all our simple deeds and learn to find Him there."

"In order that I may be understood...I would throw into relief the practical implication of...the sacramental quality of every day living. Over against its positive meanings I would like to point out a few things it does not mean.

"It does not mean, for instance, that everything we do is of equal importance with everything else we do or may do. One act of a good man's life may differ widely from another in importance. Paul's sewing of tents was not equal to his writing of an epistle to the Romans, but both were accepted of God and both were true acts of worship. Certainly it is more important to lead a soul to Christ than to plant a garden, but the planting of the garden can be as holy an act as the winning of a soul."

--A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" Isa. 6:3

for your enjoyment

2009-05-14T20:41:00.027-04:00

Lately I've been enjoying...

lilacs

My philosopher-brother reading Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories
[Excerpt from "Alan and the Attic"]

(Alan, who is not allowed in the attic, is walking on the rafters. Mother hears creaking noises overhead.)

"'Alan!' she cried. 'Come on down at once!'

"He came, but not the way she expected.

"Suddenly there was a loud crack as part of the ceiling fell and hit mother on the head. Then two feet appeared, followed by two legs and the rest of Alan....

"Of course, when Daddy came home and saw the awful mess he had to clean up--well, Alan felt something worse than splinters. And this hurt wasn't in his hands!"

my beautiful sisters

featuring the 4th sister ;)

2009-05-13T13:45:00.014-04:00

So many places
Haunting faces
Hungry hearts
Reaching hands...

Jesus, show me where to serve
I follow You.
My life is not my own;
I belong to You.

My hands are Yours;
Use them to serve.
My feet
Are yours—I’ll go.

My heart is Yours
To be filled
With your burdens
And bleed for those You love.

I cannot choose where to go
I am Yours
Lead me, guide me
Show me Your path.

I will follow You
Because I love You
King of the universe,
King of my heart.

Amen.

Easter joy

2009-04-10T15:29:00.013-04:00

Far back as I can remember, spring has been my favorite season. I am enchanted with new beginnings: sunrises, daffodils, and resurrection. This time of year I usually feel like singing “Pippa’s Song”:

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his heaven...
All's right with the world.

-Robert Browning

And of all this newness, this beauty, this joy, Easter morning is the crown.

Yet this year, as I look forward to Easter Sunday, I am repeatedly reminded that all is not right with the world. My friend finds herself in an extremely difficult situation, a child I love is hurt by her parents’ choices, and a member of my youth group faces possibly lifelong restrictions to his ministry because of a false accusation. Just last evening a dear friend’s beloved Grandpa died. I find myself tempted to doubt what I wrote in my post on spring a few weeks ago. What is God really up to? Where is the possible good in these situations?

But then, why Easter? This God chose not only to become one of us but to take upon Himself our suffering and sin.

He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3

In taking our mess upon Himself, He has given us the victory. Because Jesus ultimately conquered the powers of darkness, though they still rage in the world around us we have hope.

No, the answer is not easy. Truly creation groans for the day when things are made right forever. But I am grateful for a joy which transcends the happiness that is dependent on circumstances.

This joyful Eastertide, away with sin and sorrow!
My Love, the Crucified, has sprung to life this morrow.
Had Christ, that once was slain, ne’er burst His three-day prison,
Our faith had been in vain; but now hath Christ arisen.

-George Ratcliffe Woodward

my sweet emily

2009-03-25T11:52:00.005-04:00

Go

2009-03-22T18:58:00.007-04:00

The message in this video is from Jackie Pullinger, a servant of Christ who literally gave up everything to minister to drug addicts and gang members in Hong Kong. Remember to turn off the music in my sidebar to listen to the video.

Although not every one of us is called to go overseas, nevertheless we must go...

Where is Jesus calling you to go?

"We aren't sentenced to death; we're just privileged to answer His call." --Jackie Pullinger

Flowers

2009-03-16T10:37:00.005-04:00

"Everyone needs beauty as well as bread" --John Muir

Signs of Spring

2009-03-13T18:01:00.011-04:00

Winter is coming to end. The official first day of spring is only a week away. (Cheers!!)

Nature speaks so eloquently of God’s faithfulness, but especially so in the spring. Regardless of how drab the winter may have appeared, God was at work. And no matter how often I disbelieve the promise of its arrival, spring always comes.

In more ways than one my winter has been long and barren.You know those long periods where God is at work in your life but you don’t see much outward evidence? Similar to the budding life encased inside the earth during a long winter, the great Artist is at work underneath despairing circumstances. And I know now that the trials have not been for nothing. Signs of blossoming emerge, and I rejoice. Spring is coming.

The budding pussy willows and eagerly growing daffodil and tulip shoots reaffirm my excitement. I am reminded of the words of the psalmist, “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Ps. 30:5)

If your winter, too, is growing wearisome and the voice of despair is clamoring at your door, don’t give in.

God is up to something awesome!

People Need the Lord

2009-03-06T23:01:00.011-05:00

Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?

On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost
For sharing Life with one who's lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear.
They must hear the Words of Life
Only we can share.

People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For people need the Lord.

People need the Lord.

--Steve Green

“Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God.” –Bob Pierce, founder of world vision

“He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6

Consecration

2009-03-03T09:21:00.006-05:00

My heart, my dreams, my girlish hopes
I bring and place them at Your feet.
It's You who sings that love-filled song
To which my heart was meant to beat.

When hope has fled and tears don't come,
I find in You my second chance.
My heart and hands I place in Yours--
Yes, You may have this dance!

-R.J.S. (15?)

This simple heart cry was penned several years ago when I was first learning to walk with Jesus. I had even less of an idea then than I do now of what these words would mean. All I knew was that I loved this Jesus and I wanted to follow Him. That is the kind of childlike trust and bride-like love I want to have today.

Creative Block

2009-03-01T16:23:00.004-05:00

I seem to have a major creative block lately...not only writer's block but "artist's block" in general. I cannot conceive of any decorations for this time of year that are both appropriate and beautiful. Hence, little or nothing has changed in the decoration scheme of this house since the day before Christmas. (Don't worry, there is not a dead Christmas tree in the corner or even any red ribbons to be found.) I am getting a little desperate because I am embarrassed to have company.

I can't even bake anymore. My latest cakes have been relative flops. (Meaning they tasted better than they looked and had crunchy edges.) I have been baking since I was seven. What is wrong??

And as evidenced by my somewhat stagnant blog, I can't come up with anything original to put on paper (or a computer screen). When I do write, all I can generate is cliches and probably the 100 most frequently used words in the English language.

Maybe with the advent of spring this haze will clear. I know that underneath the drabness I see, the earth is preparing for a glorious display of life. Maybe along with the warm spring breezes that breathe new life, the winds of creativity will again begin to blow in my soul. I hope so.

Perhaps the purpose of this stale season is to reinforce my dependence upon the Master Artist. Beauty does not originate with me or any other earthly artist. Our creative expressions, enabled by Him, are only pale, feeble imitations of His masterpieces. But I think He delights in our artistic attempts, as long as they are done to honor Him. I desire that in all aspects of life, my life would be a beautiful reflection of Jesus Christ.

"Let the favor (margin: beauty) of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!" Psalm 90:17 ESV

Morning Petition

2009-02-10T09:04:00.003-05:00

Today, in the midst of simple tasks and mundane activities, please grant to me...

a heavenly perspective, that my eyes may see You,

a quiet heart, that my ears may hear Your Voice,

a willing spirit, that my hands may serve You,

a joy that cannot be quenched by the disappointments of life,

and a heart undeterred from Your purposes.

And when I fail, grant me repentance, gratitude for Your mercy and grace, the courage to press forward.

May Your Kingdom come on earth, and to the bit of space I occupy, as it is in heaven.

Encouraging Words

2009-02-03T14:29:00.008-05:00

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24)

Some articles I have enjoyed recently which I think would be worth your time as well:

Seeking and Finding
Thoughts from Kaysie on seeking God each day.

Loving Resistance
An article by Becca about how Jesus' love works against evil, and how He wants to work through us...powerful and challenging!

Also, the online magazine at setapartgirl.com has some wonderful articles this month.

Happy February!

On Life and Blogging

2009-02-01T16:33:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I am afraid that those of you reading my blog will think I am trying to be super-spiritual because of the things I post. That is not my intent. I am not trying to avoid the practical side of life (though this is not a diary). Rather, I believe that all the little moments of life, which include, for me, trying to be a good teacher, washing dishes, and cleaning the house, are part of a journey. The journey is learning to know and love Jesus Christ. Life is, in a sense, a sum of these small, intensely practical moments. And though I am definitely not at all perfect or very far advanced in the journey, life, for me, is all about knowing Jesus. That is, and I pray ever will be, my goal. My blog is a collection of musings about God and the Christ-life simply because I am a Christ-follower, not because I think in lofty terms. Life on this earth is short, so it should have a great deal to do with the life hereafter. And many who share this earthly life with us do not know the Life Everlasting. So my goal actually is two-fold: to know Christ and to make Him known. That is my deepest desire in life, so naturally my blog will reflect that. Thanks for reading! And remember, I do love when you share your comments. :-)

To the Christians in Pakistan

2009-01-29T13:20:00.004-05:00

Thank you for encouraging me…

...to take risks for Jesus.

…to see beyond the visible (including dirty dishes and impossible Science lessons).

…to share the love of Christ.

…to forgive.

…to treasure Jesus more than anything else.

I am proud to be your sister.

You can read the story of Sandul, a young Pakistani woman imprisoned for Jesus, here.

Heart's-Ease

2009-01-28T20:25:00.003-05:00

Oh, there was never a blossom
That bloomed so blithe as she,
On the bitter land, by the salt-wet sand,
On the margin of the sea.
Where never a flower but the gorse can blow,
And the dry sea-pink that the mermen sow,
There grows she.

Oh, there was never a blossom
That bloomed so brave as she
On the narrow ledge of the mountain's edge
Where the wild fowl hardly be.
And over her head the Four Seasons go
With a rush of wings when the Storm Kings blow--
There grows she.

Oh, there was never a blossom
That bloomed as content as she,
In the heart that burned, and loved and learned
Of the Man of Galilee.
And plant her high, or plant her low,
In a bed of fire, or a field of snow,
There grows she.

--Amy Carmichael

Unshakable Confidence

2009-01-22T11:47:00.011-05:00

“The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5b-7

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
Though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Psalm 46:1-3

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." John 14:27

"How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings."

A Prayer

2009-01-18T17:04:00.005-05:00

My mind is swirling
With thoughts about life
And every idea
Slips out of my grasp
I can’t pen it down
Who am I?
And what is life?
Teach me the truth

Life is so short,
But so shockingly real
And I forget what lies beyond
Beyond the visible
Give me a bit of Your Vision
That I may feel the weight of eternity
And in every precious person
See the wonder of a soul

I wait here quietly,
Listening for Your Voice;
My heart strains to hear
The strains of holy music.
Where is my place in this symphony?
I'm listening, I'm yearning,
My heart is straining to hear
The music of Your Voice.

R.J.S.

Precious children...

2009-01-11T17:57:00.015-05:00

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” -Jesus (Mark 9:37)

Sweet little girls,
With your wide, innocent eyes...

When I look into your eyes
Sometimes I think I see
Jesus looking back at me

I pray that when He knocks
Your heart will open wide
That you will recognize His voice
And follow as His Bride.

(Photo credit: Shaunda Stoltzfus)

Martyrs: Radical or Normal Christians?

2009-01-08T17:38:00.011-05:00

Recently I have been reading stories from China's Book of Martyrs by Paul Hattaway. This book profiles hundreds of martyrs throughout the centuries whose blood watered the soil in China for the present time of harvest. I was shaken to realize that some of them were 19 year old girls like me. How I covet their devotion to Christ! I tend to think of martyrs as "radical Christians." The way of suffering love is radical, but really this is normal Christianity according to Christ.

"Weakness, suffering and sacrifice are God's modus operandi. This is how he achieves his ends: not through strength, through compulsion, but through love, through invitation.

In the process, the Servant of God suffers and dies; and so do those who follow him. This is to be expected--this is God's way of reconciling the world to himself. A cross-centred gospel requires cross-carrying messengers. When Jesus declared, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me' (Matthew 16:24), we need to take his words much more literally than we are used to doing... ... ...To be called to follow Christ is to receive a call to suffer"

--Glenn Penner, "A Biblical View of Persecution" (preface to China's Book of Martyrs)

So if Jesus' call is to come and die, what does that mean for me...a sheltered 19 year old girl in American society? I can remember being scoffed at for my faith only once. What do Paul's words mean, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12)? I have pledged my allegiance to this Jesus, and I think these questions are worthy of my consideration.

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear!

And by the way, China's Book of Martyrs and other books by Paul Hattaway are on clearance at IBS; they're practically giving them away! (I highly recommend Peoples of the Buddhist World. It contains prayer profiles of more than 200 Buddhist people groups with color photographs as well as incredible testimonies to the power of God.)

The Answer

2009-01-04T16:18:00.005-05:00

Empty eyes filled with longing
Empty hearts filled with sorrow
Empty lives filled with pain
Empty people dreading tomorrow

Thirsty eyes, always seeking
Thirsty hearts, never satisfied
Thirsty lives looking for love
Thirsty people needing purified

Hurting eyes filled with anger
Hurting hearts deep inside
Hurting lives, broken and trampled
Hurting people full of pride—

Empty, thirsty, hurting people,
Turn your eyes to a darkened hill
Where the King of Heaven suffers
Bring your sin here, and be still.

See the anguish in His eyes
See the thorns that pierce His brow
All this blood He shed for you
Longing, hoping to heal you now—
Behold, the Lamb of God!

Now come see the empty tomb!
See the One who conquered death
Receive from Him Eternal Life
Return to Him who gave you breath

Joyful eyes shining bright
Joyful hearts with songs of love
Joyful lives, healed and hopeful
Joyful people looking above

R.J.S., 2006

A Little Update on My Life

2009-01-03T19:38:00.009-05:00

Christmas vacation is coming to an end...and this evening as I sit at the computer working on our school schedule I realize I am ready to again take up the challenge of teaching my sisters. One of the biggest changes for me in 2008 was going from student to teacher. But I am still learning so much every day...as a direct result of teaching. :-)

Now for some pictures (surprise, surprise!)...

This would be the graduating class of 2008 from Faith Builders Christian School. (Wow, that seems like so long ago, but I still miss these people!)

Here are some pics of my students (who also happen to be my sweet sisters)...

Miss Veronica working on...something. I don't always let my students lounge on the sofa. :-)

And the budding scientist observing a mixture...or is it a solution?

And I couldn't find any pictures of Miriam doing schoolwork, but here she is. :-)

Have a wonderful 2009!

Celebrate the Sunrise!

2008-12-25T13:10:00.014-05:00

"...the sunrise shalll visit us from on high,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace." -Zechariah (Luke 1:78-79)

It's Christmas morning. Do you see that blush of light creeping through the eastern sky? It's the most spectacular Sunrise ever! Look how it spreads throughout the centuries, swallowing up more and more of the darkness.

"...the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light,
and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,
on them a light has dawned." Mt. 4:16

"In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." Jn. 1:4-5

"Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" Jn. 8:12

Today, if Jesus Christ, the Light of Life, has put a flame of hope in your heart and a sparkle in your eyes, you have reason to celebrate!! Let's go and tell the world.

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you." Is. 60:1

The Imitation of Christ(mas)

2008-12-19T21:53:00.013-05:00

Christmas is almost here again. And I think I hear the helpless wail of a baby. A baby in a cold, damp cave with the lifeblood of the universe pumping through His little heart. The baby who was not always a baby, and who never had to be one. (Much less enter the world in a dark, smelly cave.)

The God who allowed Himself to be confined in a human body because He so loved the world.

We know the story well, so well that it has ceased to amaze us. He lived here for thirty-three years, and then He died. Actually, He was murdered. And in His life and His death, He taught us how to live and die. But death was not the end of the story, and it will not be the end. He burst the bars of death, and hope surged through the universe. He ascended to the Father, and yet, through His extended body, He remained in the world. This Christmas, the weary world can still feel a thrill of hope because He still remains.

Christ, born in a stable two thousand years ago, still walks the dusty trails of earth. His Body is still present, ministering to those who are not afraid to call themselves needy. His hands still feed the hungry. And His feet still walk with authority into the darkest places on this earth. After all, what would you expect His hands to do? Where do you think His feet would go?

There are many of us who like to talk about being His hands and feet. But actually, we don't like the dark and the cold. We'd rather not feel the sweat or the blood that stood in beads on His forehead. Or cry the heart-wrenching tears of compassion. We'd rather not get close enough to the grime to pull someone out of it. We like our clean clothes and un-scarred hands.

And we don't want to give even the cup of cold water because...well...it's more comfortable in my recliner.

I am guilty. Lord, forgive us. Forgive us, change us, and equip us to be Your hands and feet to this world...those far away and those in our homes and on our doorsteps. This world You loved so much that You gave up the splendors of heaven itself.

Perfect Love Casts out Fear

2008-12-17T14:28:00.008-05:00

"The Voice of God is a friendly Voice. No one need fear to listen to it unless he has already made up his mind to resist it."

--A.W. Tozer

Ode to My Love

2008-12-08T21:59:00.011-05:00

(a sonnet)

True love that holds me up and gives me love

Who never leaves or fails in faithfulness;

Who rescued me and made me His belov'd;

One glimpse of love like this, and I confess

He is the King, and so I must believe.

'Tis dark without the glory of His face,

And to reject His touch is not to live,

For life and death both have a bitter taste.

But not with Him, for He is Life indeed;

Unending life is found in Christ who died.

From darkness and from sin forever freed,

Let me each day with joy be crucified.

Because of love the world is fresh and new;

My Lover true, may I be true to You!

You are the Light of the World...

2008-12-06T14:08:00.005-05:00

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

--from "Go Light Your World" by Chris Rice

Jesus, please make us more like You!!

A Vote for Jesus!

2008-12-04T08:52:00.018-05:00

So here is my Election Day post...a month late.

I think American Christians can easily cloud the vision of the Kingdom they are truly seeking in their desperation for a leader who shares their moral values. Let us not forget that Jesus taught us by example how to live in the world. He did not choose to usher in His Kingdom by political means, but rather by becoming a servant. The other day I found a powerful poem by a fellow blogger. (Thanks, Laverne!)

A Vote for Jesus!

My ballot doesn't have his name

He must still be dead

Will you help resurrect him?

Will you vote for my King?

A cup of cold water to the thirsty

A coat for the shivering

A sandwich for the hungry

A vote for Jesus.

A crib for the unwanted child

A father to the orphan

A room for the homeless

A vote for Jesus.

A visit to the sick

A chat with the prisoner

A drop in for the widow

A vote for Jesus.

Hugs for the crying

Care for the pregnant moms

Love to the troubled youth

A vote for Jesus.

Forgiveness to the murderer

Freedom for the oppressed

Pardoning for the debtor

A vote for Jesus.

A welcome to the stranger

Freedom for the slave

Care for creation

A vote for Jesus.

A meal for Hussein

A bed for Bin Laden

Enemy love

A vote for Jesus.

Embracing the victims

"Thy people will be my people"

"Where thou goest I will go"

A vote for Jesus.

The banner is a cross

Death...inevitable death.

Resurrection!

All Hail, King Jesus!

I have a dream!

Swords beat to plowshares

Spears into pruning hooks

All Hail, King Jesus!

I have a dream!

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation

Neither shall they learn war anymore

All Hail, King Jesus!

The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of Peace

The tree of life for the healing of the nations

All Hail, Prince of Peace!

Change we really can believe in

Change we so desperately need

A resurrection from the dead

A vote for Jesus.

In the world

Not of the world

But for the world

A vote for Jesus!

For those of you who, like me, say that you "don't vote" because your allegiance is to a different Kingdom...do we not often use this as an excuse for laziness? We are called to advocate that Kingdom by our servant's hearts, through our actions and not just our words.

Whether or not you voted on Election Day, I pray that all of us will step forward at the call of our True King.

I cast my vote for Jesus.

A Grateful Life

2008-11-28T10:43:00.010-05:00

When I think of all that I am grateful for (and it's a lot!!), my mind always reverts to those who do not have what I have.

I am thankful for beautiful autumn decorations (which, sadly, I have to soon replace with others), but millions do not even have a house to live in, far less adorn with appealing decor.

I am thankful for the ability to sew attractive dresses for my sisters and I, while multitudes clothe themselves in rags.

I am thankful for a day to play games with my family...this Thanksgiving season, widows and orphans have felt the reality of being alone in the world.

And mostly, I am grateful for the mercy and forgiveness of my beautiful Savior. Millions have not had the opportunity to experience the Word of Life.

I have to admit when I think of those who do not enjoy the blessings of food to eat each day or a place to shelter them from the cold winds, no faces come to mind. I have not been among these people...perhaps to my shame. But I do know people who do not experience the joy and peace of Jesus. Several faces come to my mind, faces without hope who do not have the light of true love in their eyes. Is this because we do not go to them and embody Christ before their eyes? Is it because we avoid contact with them, thinking we are better than they?

I am a member of the body of Christ. Christ came to seek and save that which was lost. He had compassion on the multitudes. He had compassion on me. So now I have a responsibility.

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich." 2 Cor. 8:9

Strength for the day

2008-11-25T07:55:00.003-05:00

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness. Lam. 3:22-23

I looked up these verses this morning before reading a passage in Hebrews. Incredible! Are His mercies great enough to sustain me through the day? Absoulutely! He knows everything I will face today, but more than that, He has faced such things Himself.

Hebrews 3:14-16 says:

"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 [because of this] draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

The message I find in these verses is: Take courage!

A Winter Wonderland

2008-11-18T21:32:00.002-05:00

Honestly, I forgot.

Something in me was almost dreading winter and the first layer of snow, but this morning when I went out for a walk I realized I had forgotten.

I forgot how crisp and clean, how joyful is the air when the first snow is on the ground...and how amazing is the world when the sky is blue with frothy white clouds and the sun is shining on the frosty white fields. I forgot how delightfully crunchy is the sound of powdery snow crunching under my winter boots.

I forgot, and I'm glad I forgot. I'm glad, because I love the wave of childlike wonder and delight that sweeps through me every time I rediscover a new season.

God of the seasons...Your imagination is too wonderful for me! :-)

Free in Christ

2008-11-15T19:02:00.001-05:00

The following quote was written by Anna over at Hope Road:

The gospel is the greatest news only if...
sin is our greatest problem
and God is our greatest need.

When I am not rejoicing in the gospel, I am failing to see...
sin as my greatest problem
and God as my greatest joy.

Sometimes I feel trapped by my circumstances. The truth is that through Christ's agony and victory, He has set me free from the law of sin and death. No, I am not trapped. Whatever outward circumstances I may find myself in, my spirit is free in Christ.

Thank you, Anna, for your beautiful and convicting words!

Emily's Song

2008-11-02T16:35:00.001-05:00

Emily, my darling sister who just turned 6, is sitting on the steps playing church with her dolly. Her song, original with her:

God loves the whole world,
But not all of the world loves God.
I love God
And I love people
Love, love love them
I love them all the time.

When I'm working,
When I'm reading,
Whatever I'm doing,
I love them all the time.

"Let the children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." -Jesus (Matthew 19:14)

"We want to see Jesus lifted high...."

2008-09-18T16:12:00.002-04:00

TWENTY children from town showed up for our first kids' club on Tuesday evening! We had a great time. Our lesson was about The Annunciation, and in my class we colored bells and glued them together to make angels. :)

We are planning to have kids' club every other Tuesday evening. Basically it is an extension of Vacation Bible School. Or rather, maybe Vacation Bible School will be an extension of kids' club?! Please pray that in our interactions with these children and their parents we will be able spread the light of Jesus in this town.