fear not

“So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:26-33

suffering for the King

“'Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.'"

Matthew 10:16-25

sent out

i recently listened to a sermon about this passage of scripture. you can listen to this sermon (and other great ones about the kingship and authority of Christ) here and then choose the sermon entitled "sent by the King." worth your time, trust me.

i was challenged to go out with boldness everyday, knowing that there will be joy and pain in preaching the good news to people. i was reminded that i have a mission from the Sovereign King, a King who has dealt with my biggest problem-sin. i hope you are as encouraged, challenged, and reminded as i was from this section of scripture.

now, this chapter is pretty heavy, so tune in this week for a new section each day.

"And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, 'Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.'"

Matthew 10:1-15

happy birthday, dr. seuss!

dr. seuss was one of my favorite authors as a child.

i mean, could imagine a world without green eggs and ham?

and let's not forget my personal favorite, cindy lou hoo.

i'm glad we have a day to celebrate the children's author who didn't really like kids.

i'm back on a reading kick,

something i've missed over the past few months.

it may be due to the fact that we have no sofa at present

and that watching tv in the living room has no real pleasure.

or it could be that i've been re-reading the hunger games.

the hunger games.

why is this series so good?

anyway, i'm grateful for suzanne collins.

maybe we'll celebrate her birthday in america one day.

this time through this book series,

i'm seeing way too many parallels between

 america and the capitol, the rest of the world and panem.

i know the books is supposed to have political connotations,

but it's really hitting me this time.

maybe it's because i need to be convicted of my consumerism

or maybe i just over think things.

either way, i'm grateful.

while i love reading about different theologies,

it's hard for me to read at work simple because 

my mind has to be so engaged.

i mean, have you tried to read piper or spurgeon at 3am?

any suggestions on good fiction i should read?

weekend wrap-up

wow.

that's my weekend in a nutshell. 

but a blog isn't a nutshell, is it?

this weekend, i had to privilege of working with my university's office of mobilization (aka mob office) as they spent a weekend training and preparing 400 students, faculty, staff, and alumni to serve overseas in some capacity this summer. 

now, i've participated in this weekend in different capacities before, but it was different this time. i had the absolute honor of working alongside the mob office and others who have dedicated their lives for the advancement of the gospel worldwide. it was humbling to see these folks serve with eagerness in various capacities. as with all of those organizing and helping with this weekend, i wore many hats, including water carrier extraordinaire.

i was reminded of a lot this weekend. i had the chance to listen to about forty people share their "two minute story." basically, students and leaders are to learn their testimony in two minutes with the gospel as the highlight. my favorite part (of the entire weekend, actually) was to see the utter joy that came across people's faces as they shared the gospel! what a blessing and encouragement! 

i was also encouraged to spend time worshiping our Great God with those focused on the task. i learned a new song this weekend. the chorus went like this:

Jesus worthy is the Lamb 

that was slain for us

Son of God and Man

You are high and lifted up

and all the world will praise 

Your great Name

He is high and lifted up! and all the world will praise His great Name!

i was reminded about the lost in the world. the number shown above is the number of muslims worldwide. most of them are considered unreached, or living without an indigenous evangelical church. i pray that my heart and the hearts of those in my faith community would continue to break for the lost constantly around us. i pray that we would join the task to share Christ with the world.

between the emotional highs and lows in the varying simulations and debriefs, i'm tired. but it's a unique tired. my body is exhausted and i want to sleep this day away, but it's unique because my heart is overwhelmed with joy! not only was able to serve in a small way this weekend, but i was able to watch people get it. to begin to understand that God is worthy. to see that He is worthy of everything. this brings energy to my spirit, and for that, i am so grateful.

continue to pray with me for the mob office staff as training continues through april. pray that these teams would continue to grow and be challenged with the gospel. pray that they would be unified, ready to serve as one for the sake of Christ.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: 

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 

By this all people will know that you are my disciples,

if you have love for one another."

John 13:34

be encouraged, believer!

i read the following this morning from "morning and evening" by charles spurgeon. i added any emphasis. i hope it encourages and strengthens you today as much as it did me!

"You are Christ's."—1 Corinthians 3:23

"You are Christ's." You are His by donation, for the Father gave you to the Son; His by His bloody purchase, for He counted down the price for your redemption; His by dedication, for you have consecrated yourself to Him; His by relation, for you are named by his name, and made one of His brethren and joint-heirs. Labor practically to show the world that you are the servant, the friend, the bride of Jesus. When tempted to sin, reply, "I cannot do this great wickedness, for I am Christ's." Immortal principles forbid the friend of Christ to sin. When wealth is before you to be won by sin, say that you are Christ's, and touch it not. Are you exposed to difficulties and dangers? Stand fast in the evil day, remembering that you are Christ's. Are you placed where others are sitting down idly, doing nothing? Rise to the work with all your powers; and when the sweat stands upon your brow, and you are tempted to loiter, cry, "No, I cannot stop, for I am Christ's. If I were not purchased by blood, I might be like Issachar, crouching between two burdens; but I am Christ's, and cannot loiter." When the siren song of pleasure would tempt you from the path of right, reply, "Your music cannot charm me; I am Christ's." When the cause of God invites you, give your goods and yourself away, for you are Christ's. Never contradict your profession. Be ever one of those whose manners are Christian, whose speech is like the Jesus, whose conduct and conversation are so redolent of heaven, that all who see you may know that you are the Savior's, recognizing in you His features of love and His countenance of holiness. "I am a Roman!" was of old a reason for integrity; far more, then, let it be your argument for holiness, "I am Christ's!"


 

a paleo new year

no, i'm not going to do be doing the paleo diet, but you're supposed to eat raw food. and this post is kinda raw. i really want to write a cute, fancy blog post about the year in review and the coming year. when that will happen, i know not.

what i do know is that i have a lot of raw thoughts that i need to get out. so here we go.

when i think of the last year, i think too much of the waste the happened. consumed by lack of weight loss and heart break, a new job and a new living situation, i missed out on so much. not necessarily experiences with people; i had a lot of good times. but i missed out on a lot of sweet time with Jesus. i regret that. i regret letting circumstances cloud my view of the Perfect, most all-satisfying One.

i wish i could say that this year will be different. i pray that it is. i pray that the resolve i feel now will bleed into the coming year, the days and hours that are to come. but i just don't know. this type A personality i possess longs for things to go the way i plan, but i know they won't because the Lord doesn't work like that.

so instead of making lofty goals and big strides for things i want to accomplish this coming year, i'm just gonna strive for one thing: to see and experience Him. i want sitting at the feet of Jesus to be my priority again. i want to be consumed with joy and love for Him. i want these things selfishly, because it feels good. it feels right. but also because i know i am useless for His kingdom if unity with Him does not exist. 

i enter this year with more burdens then i can remember from previous years, but i also enter it with an expectant hope, knowing that He who called us is faithful.

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
   dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

 Commit your way to the LORD;
   trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
   and your justice as the noonday.

 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
   fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
   over the man who carries out evil devices! 

psalm 37:2-7