As I look at this season and wonder what we would be doing of Christ did not come to be born in order to die thirty something years later. I am awed by the way that God loves us unconditionally, even as we commercialize Christmas time in saying "Happy Holidays" due to the "fear" of religion. He looks lovingly down to earth and extends his arms to each of His creation. Even to those who turn and walk away, rejecting the love and gift that God so freely gives.
This is an interesting Christmas for me. It could be my last here in Denver for a while. Poland may be my Christmas location next year. That is not daunting on me, but this year, some of my closest friends are not here this year and I am saddened by the fact that this blessed season is a bit emptier. Of course this is a very selfish feeling, but it is real nonetheless.
Even as I sit here blogging on Christmas Eve, I look to the heavens and realize that my emptiness is my own doing. I am not alone. I will be spending this time with my parents and grandmother. Our family is shrinking and I am already feeling for the emptiness that my parents will feel next year as my brother and myself will be in other parts of the world and county. The bigger fact that I am not alone is the whole reason for this season for family and frinds, Jesus' birth.
Today, I take time to remember what God did for mankind. Jesus' birth is the object and source of our HOPE. Hope being our confidence in Jesus and His sacrifice to bring us reunion and peace with God. This season is not only about Christ's birth but also His death. The first letter of Peter says in chapter one states, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living Hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. . .” Jesus was born in order that he could live a blameless life and in His purity give his life as a sacrifice in order to satisfy the holiness that God requires of all of us. Praise His name forever and ever, Amen
Have a very blessed and Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 24, 2004
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Thanking God for the little things
This last weekend was one of reflection and of gaining courage and strength from God and those who have been nothing but encouraging for me to go in to the world!
I spoke with my friend Pat who is going to Spain as soon as the Spanish government will give her a visa to get in. She has been working on this for months and it seems that the evil one is trying to keep her out by making a little piece of paper so powerful. Even through the struggle, Pat has bearded this development with poise and grace. I know she has been discouraged, yet she has never showed it. She was gracious enough to meet with me on Sunday and we sat at Starbucks and as I poured my heart out to her, she smiled and listened and then in her unique, quiet way, she encouraged me that not only was I doing the right thing, but I was also following God and that when we follow, He does not lead us on wile goose chases. She would have every right to question her decision of following God, and yet she walked forward knowing that God will get her to Spain in His timing. It is His story and He writes us in where He sees fit. That was very encouraging to me.
When I got home, I saw that there was a Christmas card on the table for me and it was from a retired missionary whom I have always admired and loved. She wrote this " You Go Girl in to the World!” I sat and as tears fell down my face, I smiled and thanked God that even through my struggle, He was there to give me the encouragement and the grace that I do not deserve and yet receive it at the same time. God is so Good!
This morning I had a "conference call" with my teammates who are in Poland. We connect via SKYPE, it was encouraging, and my spirits are so up now. This was a great, unexpected Christmas present. I can't wait to get there!
I spoke with my friend Pat who is going to Spain as soon as the Spanish government will give her a visa to get in. She has been working on this for months and it seems that the evil one is trying to keep her out by making a little piece of paper so powerful. Even through the struggle, Pat has bearded this development with poise and grace. I know she has been discouraged, yet she has never showed it. She was gracious enough to meet with me on Sunday and we sat at Starbucks and as I poured my heart out to her, she smiled and listened and then in her unique, quiet way, she encouraged me that not only was I doing the right thing, but I was also following God and that when we follow, He does not lead us on wile goose chases. She would have every right to question her decision of following God, and yet she walked forward knowing that God will get her to Spain in His timing. It is His story and He writes us in where He sees fit. That was very encouraging to me.
When I got home, I saw that there was a Christmas card on the table for me and it was from a retired missionary whom I have always admired and loved. She wrote this " You Go Girl in to the World!” I sat and as tears fell down my face, I smiled and thanked God that even through my struggle, He was there to give me the encouragement and the grace that I do not deserve and yet receive it at the same time. God is so Good!
This morning I had a "conference call" with my teammates who are in Poland. We connect via SKYPE, it was encouraging, and my spirits are so up now. This was a great, unexpected Christmas present. I can't wait to get there!
Monday, December 20, 2004
The Journey to Poland
It has been a tough week this last week. I have for the first time had doubts about going to Poland, but have seen that it has been my own lack of faith in God and what He is doing in my life. They were fleeting and went away as soon as they came. I doubted myself more than the direction where God is leading.
Poland is where He wants me and I am so excited to be following His lead. If you had told me about this possibility even 5 years ago, I would have told you "Right, I have too much to do here in the States." The fact is yes, there is a lot to do in the States, but there are many to do it here. There are so few in Poland to help share Jesus' love for the Poles and others there.
My prayer is that God will get me there quickly!
Poland is where He wants me and I am so excited to be following His lead. If you had told me about this possibility even 5 years ago, I would have told you "Right, I have too much to do here in the States." The fact is yes, there is a lot to do in the States, but there are many to do it here. There are so few in Poland to help share Jesus' love for the Poles and others there.
My prayer is that God will get me there quickly!
Saturday, December 11, 2004
You Are Doing What??
Many people have asked me this question and they are amazed that I would uproot myself and everything I know in order to go to Poland. Why Poland? I can not tell you the reason beyond that I have fallen in love with the people and God has lead me to go and share His love to the young people of Poland. I have thought about that. I lived in the Czech Republic ten years ago and loved the people, but there is something about the Poles . . .I cannot put my figure on it beyond the fact that God has placed them in my heart. The Czech Republic was just a door to the place that He wants me to be.
I will be living in a city called Katowice, Poland. It is a little bit west of Krakow. The group I will be working with is 'Fala' (the wave). Josiah Venture is the American mission organization I will be going out with. While there, my "job" will be to help with English camp coordination where we have American youth groups come to Poland to teach English to Polish teens and share the love of Jesus in a camp situation. I will also be building relationships (one of my favorites things to do) with young women and help them on their spiritual journeys.
For the past several years, I have basically been doing all of this here in the US. When the opportunity came to move to Poland and do what I do here, I could not say "No.” I was not looking for this change, God brought it to me. It is quite incredible!
I know this next chapter of life will bring both joys and hardships. That is how life is. The important thing is that no matter where you are, God is moving and He cares even if you don't "feel" that He is. He never stops.
A great speaker named Louie Giglio really challenged me this past summer when he said that we have a choice in life. The choice is, will I play a small part in God's never ending, incredible story that will never be forgotten, or will I try to star in my own story that will be forgotten soon after my death? I want to play that small part. That part is moving me to Poland. It is for His Glory that I pick up my life and go where He is leading. May He be praised!
I will be living in a city called Katowice, Poland. It is a little bit west of Krakow. The group I will be working with is 'Fala' (the wave). Josiah Venture is the American mission organization I will be going out with. While there, my "job" will be to help with English camp coordination where we have American youth groups come to Poland to teach English to Polish teens and share the love of Jesus in a camp situation. I will also be building relationships (one of my favorites things to do) with young women and help them on their spiritual journeys.
For the past several years, I have basically been doing all of this here in the US. When the opportunity came to move to Poland and do what I do here, I could not say "No.” I was not looking for this change, God brought it to me. It is quite incredible!
I know this next chapter of life will bring both joys and hardships. That is how life is. The important thing is that no matter where you are, God is moving and He cares even if you don't "feel" that He is. He never stops.
A great speaker named Louie Giglio really challenged me this past summer when he said that we have a choice in life. The choice is, will I play a small part in God's never ending, incredible story that will never be forgotten, or will I try to star in my own story that will be forgotten soon after my death? I want to play that small part. That part is moving me to Poland. It is for His Glory that I pick up my life and go where He is leading. May He be praised!
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