At prayer this morning, I had an amazing thought. Perhaps it will seem somewhat normal or even obvious to some, but it was somewhat revolutionary for my day today.
We started our second day of school today--with much rejoicing at what God has done in the lives of students and staff in the past months. We gave thanks for the teachers he provided and the amazing ways that he has been working. So as we began to pray in a small group this morning, it hit me. We still needed him. He had blessed us beyond what we could have asked or imagined and yet the days ahead still hold problems that only he can resolve. I still need God to be at work in my life. There won't be a day when I will have received all of the blessings or promises that "I can hold" in my lifetime or that I will somehow have figured out how to make it on my own. I need Him!
I think it's amazing that God knows that, and yet, he leaves it to us to figure it out-to want and need him. He doesn't force himself into our lives, but waits patiently for us to see our need and seek him.
Jeremiah 29:13-You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Seek on!!
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Heat Wave
You know it's hot when...
-you sink a little into the sidewalk every time you take a step (and you aren't wearing high heels)
-the trains have to go slower so they don't have problems with the hot rails
-you choose to take a cold shower-just so you can sleep a little bit at night
-even if you are sitting in front of a fan, you are still sweating
-everyone around you has a definite "glow'
-not even going down in the subway feels cool
-people linger after church, enjoying fellowship--and the air conditioning
-running to catch a bus or a tram just isn't worth it
I am thankful the heat wave seems to have passed and the nights are getting cooler:)
-you sink a little into the sidewalk every time you take a step (and you aren't wearing high heels)
-the trains have to go slower so they don't have problems with the hot rails
-you choose to take a cold shower-just so you can sleep a little bit at night
-even if you are sitting in front of a fan, you are still sweating
-everyone around you has a definite "glow'
-not even going down in the subway feels cool
-people linger after church, enjoying fellowship--and the air conditioning
-running to catch a bus or a tram just isn't worth it
I am thankful the heat wave seems to have passed and the nights are getting cooler:)
Friday, August 18, 2006
Rain
Hosea 6:3
"Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
As I read this verse, I wondered why the mention of winter rain and spring rain. Isn't all rain the same? After some thinking, I thought about rain in the winter. Often the ground (at least in Minnesota) is covered with a mixture of snow and ice that has turned gray. The rain melts some of that bringing a brightening to the landscape and a cleanliness.
Often in the spring, there is a need for rain. Farmers are concerned about getting enough rain and everyone wants to see trees budding and green grass appearing. There is an almost desperation for rain.
That is all well and good, but how does that relate to my life? There are certainly times in my life when things have turned dark and gray-the snow has become dirtied and I need that winter rain to come and melt away the layers of grime preparing the way for springtime growth. There are other times when I crave time alone with God-I can't find enough time to soak in his presence and his word. I need the spring rain to water my soul and bring growth.
So maybe my thoughts will only make sense to me...
"Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.
As I read this verse, I wondered why the mention of winter rain and spring rain. Isn't all rain the same? After some thinking, I thought about rain in the winter. Often the ground (at least in Minnesota) is covered with a mixture of snow and ice that has turned gray. The rain melts some of that bringing a brightening to the landscape and a cleanliness.
Often in the spring, there is a need for rain. Farmers are concerned about getting enough rain and everyone wants to see trees budding and green grass appearing. There is an almost desperation for rain.
That is all well and good, but how does that relate to my life? There are certainly times in my life when things have turned dark and gray-the snow has become dirtied and I need that winter rain to come and melt away the layers of grime preparing the way for springtime growth. There are other times when I crave time alone with God-I can't find enough time to soak in his presence and his word. I need the spring rain to water my soul and bring growth.
So maybe my thoughts will only make sense to me...
Saturday, August 12, 2006
It always amazes me how the right song comes along at the right time. I was on my way home from a dear friend's wedding when I heard this song. It wasn't the first time, but that night it touched a place deep in my heart. God's love is truly amazing and there is nothing else like it! Amazing!
POWER OF YOUR LOVE
POWER OF YOUR LOVE
Lord I come to You,
Let my heart be changed, renewed,
Flowing from the grace, that I found in You.
Lord, I’ve come to know,
The weaknesses I see in me,
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love
Hold me close, let Your love surround me,
Bring me near, draw me to Your side
And as I wait, I’ll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You, Your spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love
Lord, unveil my eyes, let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love, as You live in me
Lord renew my mind,
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day, in the power of Your love.
Geoff Bullock, © 1992 Word Music, Inc./Maranatha! Music
Praise You in This Storm
I was sure by now--Casting Crowns
That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I'll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
I'm with you�
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
This song expresses so many of the feelings that have come these past weeks while I have been in Minnesota visiting friends and family. It is my prayer that no matter what circumstances I face, I will always praise God.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Surprising
It is always interesting to me what surprises me when I step onto American soil. This trip has been no different--and I haven't even been here a week.
--hearing English--I still find myself turning my head instinctively at times to see if it happens to be a tourist or who might be speaking English-forgetting that the vast majority of people here speak English relatively fluently
--speaking English--"I need to find a wedding for my brother's dress."--as the table around me started laughing, I couldn't even figure out what I had said wrong-I did eventually figure it out, it just took some time
--road construction--since when has the entrance ramp to go North on 35 from 185th been on the right side of the road instead of the left
--expansion--where did that Rainbow Foods come from? I can't use the same landmarks anymore because they aren't the same. I have come to expect this in Romania where we still refer to a corner as the 'Budapesta' even though it hasn't been there since I arrived, but having it happen in Lakeville is a bit strange.
--time--it used to be that I would struggle through an hour drive, but after traveling for almost 12 hours, it seems like an hour just isn't long enough to get the car to the right temperature and find the right radio station
--heat--since when did the temperature in MN get up past 100? and why wasn't I notified that it would suddenly drop to 80 necessitating warm clothes
--trust--at least for me (in Romania), I wouldn't even consider leaving my laptop unsupervised while I ran to refill my drink (especially since you don't get refills in Romania), it seems to be pretty standard to trust people and to leave your things alone
--gas prices--$18 buys a monthly transportation pass for me so to pay $42 to fill up a car is a bit of a shock! Compared to prices in Europe, I know this isn't much, but I don't buy gas in Europe.
--driving--I sat at a red light the other day--waiting for the turn signal--a honk from the car behind me reminded me that it really is ok to turn right on red-most of the time.
Change--I guess after a year, I shouldn't be so surprised that things have changed, but I still find myself caught off-guard.
--hearing English--I still find myself turning my head instinctively at times to see if it happens to be a tourist or who might be speaking English-forgetting that the vast majority of people here speak English relatively fluently
--speaking English--"I need to find a wedding for my brother's dress."--as the table around me started laughing, I couldn't even figure out what I had said wrong-I did eventually figure it out, it just took some time
--road construction--since when has the entrance ramp to go North on 35 from 185th been on the right side of the road instead of the left
--expansion--where did that Rainbow Foods come from? I can't use the same landmarks anymore because they aren't the same. I have come to expect this in Romania where we still refer to a corner as the 'Budapesta' even though it hasn't been there since I arrived, but having it happen in Lakeville is a bit strange.
--time--it used to be that I would struggle through an hour drive, but after traveling for almost 12 hours, it seems like an hour just isn't long enough to get the car to the right temperature and find the right radio station
--heat--since when did the temperature in MN get up past 100? and why wasn't I notified that it would suddenly drop to 80 necessitating warm clothes
--trust--at least for me (in Romania), I wouldn't even consider leaving my laptop unsupervised while I ran to refill my drink (especially since you don't get refills in Romania), it seems to be pretty standard to trust people and to leave your things alone
--gas prices--$18 buys a monthly transportation pass for me so to pay $42 to fill up a car is a bit of a shock! Compared to prices in Europe, I know this isn't much, but I don't buy gas in Europe.
--driving--I sat at a red light the other day--waiting for the turn signal--a honk from the car behind me reminded me that it really is ok to turn right on red-most of the time.
Change--I guess after a year, I shouldn't be so surprised that things have changed, but I still find myself caught off-guard.
Panera
Isn't it amazing the draw that coffee and free internet have. It has been astounding to sit and watch the traffic in and out of this wonderful little 'haven'. Although the free internet is great, some of the bustle makes me long for the quiet back corner at Gloria Jean's at the City Mall in Bucharest.
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