Friday, March 25, 2011

How Beautiful

I was driving back to my current home in Minnesota from Iowa the other day and I had to pop in an old Twila Paris CD. I wanted to hear her song, "How Beautiful," because I was reflecting on the encouraging two weeks I had just had being with some of God's people in my home town of Inwood, Iowa and the surrounding area. It was one of those times when I think of Paul's words to the Romans of how he anticipated being "mutually encouraged by each other's faith" when he was able to be with them. I was getting to share what God has been doing in my life and what He has in store for me in Cambodia, while also getting to hear of the ways that He has been at work in other people's lives - it was beautiful! Then I was at a Wednesday night Lenten service and got to hear the song again. I'm looking forward to experiencing more of the beautiful body of Christ as I continue on this partner development journey!

If you haven't heard the song in a while and would like to you can hear it on grooveshark.com by clicking here

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Praying for Japan

I look at my last post in light of the tragic devastation in Japan and now it seems kind of trite. It did not feel trite at the time - I just wanted to share about receiving a loving hug and encouragement from my Heavenly Father in a time that I needed it. Not because I needed my netbook, that was just the means that He used to remind me that He was in control, that He's always in control and working everything for good. That was what I needed to know then and definitely what I need to keep in mind now. It is so hard to see so much suffering but I know that God is going to work through it. I know that because that is just what He does. I am praying that those who are suffering in Japan will find Him to truly be the God of all comfort. I am praying that through the darkness His light will shine. I am praying that believers will be mobilized to be His hands to help bring hope and healing to Japan! All who love Jesus, please seek Him now for how He would have you respond to this and please follow through with how He leads you.