Day # 4

I've been reading this book ...

It's been a great read for me.  It's challenging and eye opening.  Francis Chan writes about the 'forgotten God'- meaning the Holy Spirit. Today's verse is something I want embedded in my thinking (well all the ones I'm focusing on I want embedded in me...isn't that the point!).

Today's scripture I'm going to write about for two days. Because technically it's three verses and I really want to memorize it...  John 14: 15-17

"If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."

I'm just focusing on the first two sentences. The first sentence is so straight forward.  Sometimes I feel like it is  slap in the face.  It's so black and white, if you love me...keep my commands.  Always a great reminder of how we who profess we are believers should live.

As far as the second sentence, the word advocate makes me so delighted. Maybe because I am a counselor for kiddos and I love advocating for them (and my adult clients). It is so rewarding when clients become empowered. I picture the Holy Spirit in this role;  sticking up for us, encouraging us, supporting us, wanting what's best for us...it's a cool thought! Actually, it's a very humbling thought.  We are each so special that God the Father gave us an advocate.  And He is with us forever.  Being our  cheerleader, cheering us on to love others as ourselves.

Day # 3

Today's scriputre 2 Corinthians 12:9...

'But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.'

In my quiet time last night this verse was use to help support what was being discussed. Honestly, I can't even recall exactly what I was reading about...sad, I know. Something about surrendering. However, the verse stayed with me and I have been dwelling on it. It is so full of goodness, I could write pages. Don't worry I'm only choosing a bit to focus on.

What does this really mean? 'My power is made perfect in weakness.' What is my weakness? Sadly, I can come up with a list of imperfections. But I wanted to take my 'list of sorrow/weakness' to the next level, sum it all up. I hope you follow my thinking...

As Christians we are called to Love. Everyone. Sometimes that's just hard to do. We are selfish and judgemental by our human nature, not perfect. So, to cover my entire list of 'sorrow/weakness' my weakness is summed up to be unloving. This term unloving makes my skin crawl because I never want to come across as 'unloving.' The truth is I do... whether it be in my thinking, body language, or conversations. I am guilty.

But, there is good new folks. God's grace is sufficent and His strength is perfect in my weakness. He is ready to equip me with what I need to make me stronger, in His name. His power is resting on me. The greek word used for the the words 'power may rest on me' -means, cover me all over like a tent. I love that image! God's grace is covering us like a tent. This is good news!

Day # 2

I have to admit that after I posted yesterday I became sick to my stomach.  I started thinking...
  
 'oh no, what have I done. I'm going to have to talk to people about this. Who do I think I am preaching to the cyber world about scriptures. Hopefully all my FB friends gave up FB for lent.'

After a little while of being physical anxious I was reminded of how the enemy attacks us. Of course the enemy doesn't want me to draw close to God. All I have to say to that is, 'back up enemy!' Ha!

The scripture I want to memorize today is from Isaiah 9:6

"For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"

This usually is seen around Christmas and I'm singing the song as I write it. I read over this scripture the other day and I can't stop thinking about all the titles given to Jesus in this text.  Stop and look at each of them;Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! They are so rich, comforting and powerful. I'm moved to tears. Jesus is each of these to us! I never want to forget He is all of this, all the time! As a counselor I am humbled at the thought of how wonderful a counselor He is! If only some of my clients could get to know Him. He is Mighty, Everlasting, and can bring Peace. Rejoice in His goodness this day!

Season of Lent

      
          I've had this idea turning in my head for a few weeks. After a lot of dots being connected, I've decided to go on a scripture journey this season of Lent. I've debated this because I have always kept my fasting 'secret,' considering it a very intimate issue between me and The Lord.  Should this journey be something I make public?  Today at NNU's chapel Julene challenged us to give up something that would better our community. So, I feel a peace about 'going public.'  I have hopes that God will use this to glorify His kingdom and better our community. I hope it is daily encouragement...even it's just for me.
         As long as I can remember (at least since college) I have been praying for a hunger for scripture. That I would know scripture. That it would run in my blood and always be in my thinking. I'm horrible at memorizing things word for word. I know scripture says something but can't tell you where. I just have a bad memory in that regard. I read scripture and often find myself deeply moved (and sometimes confused, ha). 
       My plan is to take a new scripture each day and meditate on it daily. I will post the scripture and maybe a few words.  I'm not a theologian, I have horrible grammar, and I can't spell. But I have a desire to know the Word of God! I feel this is a way that can help me know scripture, hold me accountable, and a way to share with the world God's goodness.

 So here we go...

     Today's scripture is one that I have recently memorized and find myself reflecting on it often, I mean a lot!

" It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not be burdened again by the yoke of slavery." Galations 5:1

Here is a picture of a yoke...  



It is used to keep animals together as they pull loads of stuff. This is such a powerful image!  Picture yourself next to what you are inslaved by.  What would your posture be like wearing this? For me, it changes all the time.  As a new mom, somedays it's self-pity that I'm not able to be as independent as I'd like to be. Christ came to set me free from this yoke of slavery. Praise His Name!! He alone can meet my needs and equip me with what I need to break free. May you draw near to the Lord this Lent season, and experience Him in a new way.  You are loved!

Where do we go from here...

Where do we go from here? This question ran through our heads constantly as we lived our Swaziland journey.  Where do we go? What will we do? How can we serve in America?  Tough questions, but they have been central in our thinking and now we have been faced to live out the answers.

It is hard to believe that we landed in America two months ago. After three weeks Andy accepted a job as a builder in OKC.  It was a great job with great benefits...how could he pass it up. We trusted that this was the next chapter in our journey even though there was still unsettled emotions. Shortly after Andy started work I (Amy) was asked to go back to Swaziland for three weeks.  Barbi Moore, Global Outreach director at BFC, was not going to be able to lead the next GO team.  So, with three days notice I headed back to Swaziland to lead another team.

While I was in Swaziland Andy was miserable in America.  There was a stirring in His spirit, still unsettled emotions. He was craving intimate relationships. Coming from feeding orphans to putting in cabinets.Soon he found out about a Resident Director position that had just opened at Northwest Nazarene University, in Idaho.  After juggling emotions he decided to apply. Not even 48 hours after he applied they offered him the job. Where do we go from here?

What do we want our lives to look like?  Do we want to work and have a ministry on the side or make ministry our life? Andy was feeling a call, but not sure what that would look like.  After a lot of seeking Andy decided that he wanted ministry to be his life.  He knew that if he continued as a builder he would not want to get off the couch to go serve after a long day at work. So, he decided to take the RD position.  A step of faith.

Meanwhile I was in Africa being refocused on lessons I had learned from our year there. You see, we had both lost focus during our re-entry process.  Re-entry to America comes with many emotions. Emotions we are still working though. My time in Swaziland inspired and reminded how I to want to live differently. When Andy told me he accepted the RD job, I felt a peace an instant peace in my spirit for the first time in months.

While we were thousands of miles apart God was preparing us for our next chapter.  Our new chapter as RD's has begun.  We are so excited.  We are building meaningful relationships during a time of growth for many. Many times in Swaziland we thought 'how can life get better than this.' Loving others as a team.  Since being in Idaho God has whispered in our ears 'You thought it couldn't get better...but look where I have led you!' To God be the glory!

A little quieter...

               Today we had 23 University students and two sponsors leave Swaziland. As you can imagine our schedule has slowed down drastically in the past few hours.  Our time with the students was very enriching and a perfect way for us to start wrapping up our Swaziland year.
              Being with two college teams is a neat experience.  From the day the two teams meet to the end of the trip a magical bond takes place. This bond is formed while experiencing a new way of serving in a different place with strangers. The SNU/MVNU students served Swaziland with so much joy, patience, and tenderness...it was a breath of fresh air.
               While is Swaziland the team participated in so many things!  They spoke about hygiene at primary schools, worked along side The Luke Commission at clinics and at their home, they dug up tree roots so a garden could be started, they helped putting up a fence and played with hundreds of kids.  In the midst of all these projects they spent a lot of time with some of the same Swazi people.  These relationships were strong and life encouraging for all people involved.
                We were so proud to have these students work along side us and the Swazi people.  Their respect and hard work did not go unnoticed. Students such as these could change our world.

One Year Ago...

           It is hard to believe how fast time flies!  It's hard to believe that it has been over a month since we last wrote a blog. It's even crazier that one year ago today we were getting on the plane to come start our Swazi adventure. In the last month we had so many great things happen.  We had five family members come to stay with us over the span of three weeks.  It was a great experience to share Swaziland with them. We were also able to share Swaziland with their churches too. Their churches stood behind them and raised funds for different organizations we work with.
           Next week, May 24th, we have three different teams coming, equalling 29 people. We are so excited to welcome a team from Southern Nazarene University, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and four people from Canada. SNU/MVNU will be busy all over the country of Swaziland:  playing with kids, feeding the hungry, building, digging, discussing health at schools, and so much more. We are so excited for their energy to come into Swaziland.  Also, there are four people coming from Canada. Marg Stahlbaum, her two children, and friend have been organizing a book drive for Swaziland. We are expecting a 20' container any day that is FULL of books for the schools in Swaziland. They will be assisting schools in setting up libraries...very exciting.  We will write more details later.
         As for now we are busy preparing.  As we prepare we are taking time to reminisce on all the adventures and lessons we have encountered this past year. We head back to the US in four weeks. Time will fly! Thanks for all the support and prayers!!!