Hope Road

I really appreciated the perspective this preview brought about the revolutionary importance of freedom, connecting with biblical times, the Middle Ages, and more recent struggles. Especially in regard to the mass prevalence of slavery during Bible times - think what it must have meant for Paul to write to the early Christians, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). Spiritual freedom - a poignant idea considering the lack of physical freedom during so much of human history.

(HT: Beauty from the Heart)

Filed under: Christianity, Culture, Scripture on July 4th, 2008 | No Comments »

One year ago today, I was finishing all of my last-minute preparations for Peru. After a very brief night’s sleep, I got up around 2:00 a.m. to leave for the airport. Two days and four flights later, the airplane wheels touched down in Lima, and a month I will never forget began.

Not surprisingly, I still haven’t finished processing through all that occurred during that month. It was so much harder, yet so much more rewarding than I expected. One of the images that remains in my mind is from a home we visited our second week. It was a two hours’ drive from Lima, I think. I’ve written about it before, yet it made such an impression on me that I am compelled to reminisce again.

It was a home for boys, and it touched my heart so much. So many forlorn yet brave little souls. Safe, really - grateful for what they had, away from whatever trouble they had been in. Some were mentally handicapped, and others were loud and wild. Some of the older boys - eleven, twelve, thirteen, perhaps? - watched over the younger ones like big brothers, quietly keeping them in line.

At the end of the afternoon, before we said goodbye, we stood around talking on the big concrete slab in the courtyard, with gray skies overhead and a dirty beach nearby. It was curiously peaceful, with an almost isolated feeling. I felt as far away from home as I’d ever been in my life. And I felt helpless. My heart just yearned over these children, the same way it yearns over the children floundering in the inner-city school systems I’ve worked in. Not for them to know the extravagant poverty of “the good life,” but for them to know the all-embracing shelter of home and family, a living image of Christ’s love.

It was a very long goodbye with the few boys I was talking to (with the help of a translator). They asked how long it took me to fly here. They told me their stories of how they got to the home - one boy was from the jungle and was able to speak Quechua, which I was excited to find out about because I was reading Elisabeth Elliot’s novel No Graven Image - it was tucked in my bag at that very moment. They followed us to the bus, and I leaned out the window talking to them and holding their little hands. They asked if I had children. They asked when I was coming back. I knew I might never come back to this place, only a memory to me now but as real today as it was then.

I cannot be their savior. I pray they will know the real Savior. And I hope He might use me in other children’s lives. Those boys gave me a gift - they let me come into their world and catch the tiniest glimpse of understanding, and inspiration for the future. They showed me my own helplessness, yet the possibilities for a weak child who has a strong Father.

Filed under: Personal Reflection on July 4th, 2008 | No Comments »

One of the most recent posts at the Girl Talk blog was entitled Homemaking is Not a Hindrance. It was an encouragement to me because even though I am not a homemaker, I often feel as though what I do forty hours a week is hindering me from what I really should be doing. Although this does not mean that I’m going to stop looking for “real” jobs, nor does it mean that I shouldn’t pursue outside ministry, it does mean that each morning when I wake up, I am called to glorify God in my current job. I’ve paraphrased some of Carolyn’s entry:

It’s easy for us to look around and see “everyone else” playing a productive and meaningful part in the church’s mission and feel like we are the “only one” languishing on the sidelines.

Now, it is good and right for us to want to invest the gifts and talents God has bestowed on us for the good of the church; but when we view [our job] as a hindrance to using our gifts, I think we’re missing a vitally important truth…

Be like Susanna Wesley, “the incomparably brilliant and well-educated mother of sons who shook two continents for God” who wrote: “I am content to fill a little space if God be glorified” (Dorothy Patterson).

Filed under: Career/Education, Christianity, Personal Reflection on July 2nd, 2008 | 5 Comments »

I always like to do book memes. Kaysie tagged me for this one. It’s funny because our favorite authors are similar too.

Who is your favorite author and why?

For nonfiction, my favorite authors are Elisabeth Elliot and John Piper. I have loved Elisabeth Elliot’s writing for a long time; she has mentored me through her books. I haven’t read everything she’s written, but some of my favorites are A Chance to Die, No Graven Image, Be Still My Soul, and Passion and Purity.

I was introduced to John Piper’s writing when my dad started reading Don’t Waste Your Life to my family. I finished it on my own. It has been one of the most important books in my life. I should share some of my favorite quotes from it soon. I have read parts of Desiring God, Let the Nations Be Glad, A Hunger for God, What Jesus Demands from the World, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and Taste and See, and really appreciate all of them for their God-exalting, Christ-centered, solid Scriptural truth.

Who was your first favorite author and why?

This is probably an impossible question to answer, since before I learned how to read my mom read to me all the time, but my guess would be Lois Gladys Leppard. She wrote the Mandie series - Mandie and the Secret Tunnel, anyone? That brings back so many memories - Mandie, Joe, Celia, Snowball… so funny to think about. I wrote a whole series of mysteries “inspired” by the Mandie books.

Who is the newest addition to your favorite authors and why?

I haven’t read many new authors lately - I love to reread old favorites, and what reading I’ve been doing has been mostly that. But as of this past spring, one of my new favorites is Susan Hunt. I love how she wrote about biblical womanhood in The True Woman. I want to read more of her books.

I’m tagging people, but please don’t feel obligated - and if I didn’t tag you and you want to do it, go for it (or answer in the comments section): Courtney, Hannah, Holly, Jennifer, Kaylene, and Kristin.

And the “rules”:

1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Answer the above questions.
3. Tag 4-6 people.

Filed under: Books/Writing on July 1st, 2008 | 5 Comments »

This is a little girl from Nepal who crushes stones for a living.

Filed under: Career/Education on June 30th, 2008 | 6 Comments »

It’s a song lyrics post, which I try not to do often. But these are so good.

My soul is weak, my heart is numb, I cannot see
But still my hope is found in You
I hold on tightly, You will never let me go
Jesus, You will never fail

Simply to the cross I cling
Letting go of all earthly things
I’m clinging to the cross
Mercy’s found a way for me
Hope is here as I am free
Jesus, You are all I need
I’m clinging to the cross

Even darkness is as light to You, my Lord
So light the way and lead me home
To the place where every tear is wiped away
Jesus, You will never fail

What a Savior, what a story
You were crucified, and now You are alive
So amazing, such a mystery
You were crucified, and now You are alive

(source)

Filed under: Christianity on June 29th, 2008 | 2 Comments »

I’m realizing that I might be at home for longer than I had planned on… and I need to stop thinking of this time as just a time of transition. I haven’t been getting involved in ministry yet because I keep thinking I’m going to be leaving. But I have no idea what God has for me or how long I really will be here. The Great Commission isn’t put on hold because my life is. It’s good to go to church and to try to reach my coworkers, but I can’t stop there. I miss refugee ministry and urban ministry. It was so convenient at school, so many organizations to get involved with and ministries to participate in. Now it’s a little harder, but it isn’t really supposed to be easy, is it?

The reason I started thinking about this is because I was listening to my sister’s Christian rap CD by Lecrae. He has really good lyrics and theology. At the end of his song “Send Me,” he says,

The Great Commission says make disciples of all nations
Have we even made them in our own nation?
Come on Christians!
Missions exists because worship doesn’t.
People don’t worship the God who made them.
We’re ambassadors.
Let’s go!

You might recognize “Missions exists because worship doesn’t” as a quote from Piper. Anyway, I realized that just because I know in my head the truth of that, and I’ve learned it in the past, doesn’t mean anything unless I’m living in obedience today. I don’t know what it’s supposed to look like. It won’t be in the most spectacular way, and it still might take some time, but it needs to be in my heart and I need to be open to how God is going to use me.

Filed under: Christianity, Personal Reflection on June 28th, 2008 | 5 Comments »

…and my brain thinks it’s on vacation. That pesky writer’s block is still hanging on. My little introspective self has been too busy enjoying life and spending time with people to write. Imagine that! It’s a good thing, but not so good for the blogging.

I was thinking about this entry, written in the doldrums of winter, and the last paragraph in particular, because I described spring and summer, and I’m enjoying it so much now! - except for the parts about campus; I’m not actually on campus anymore.

Inside the library, I sit with my chin on my hand, gazing at the wintry tundra outside, and imagining the freedom of spring, like unlocking a prison door. Images float through my mind. A wide expanse of green field, dotted with weeds and wildflowers. Wearing a skirt on a sunny morning. Driving with the windows down. Lying on a blanket outside. Taking a shortcut through the grass. Watching the daffodils bloom. Opening the window in our living room. Wearing short sleeves and flip-flops. Swinging at the park. Sitting outside at a coffee shop. Smiling at everyone as I pass them on campus, feeling the season’s contagious energy. Dodging Frisbees on my way to class. Seeing the first firefly. Going on walks late at night in the warm stillness under a big black star-spangled sky.

Filed under: My Life on June 28th, 2008 | 1 Comment »

A couple of funny stories from my job at the daycare last week:

One of the teachers was telling a story to the kids (four- and five-year-olds). She was sort of a guest speaker, so she only knew them a little. To emphasize one of her points, she spoke directly to “Austin.” “Would you like it if that happened to you, Austin?”

Austin looked back and her and said, “No.” Then he very seriously, “You forgot to call me Shark Boy.”

I have never in my life heard him talk about being Shark Boy before, so that completely cracked me up. I wish I could remember all of the funny things I hear during the day, but I forget so many of them.

Another time, one of the little girls yelled at a little boy to give her something she wanted. I told her that she needed to ask for it nicely, so she turned to him and said, “Nicely!”

You kind of have to be there, I realize, but they’re still funny. My posting has been extra light lately. I hope to write more soon! And I’d love to hear any funny kid stories you may have.

Filed under: Miscellaneous on June 24th, 2008 | 8 Comments »

Two amazing Scriptures I read today (of course, it’s all amazing! ):

“Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
let Your compassion come speedily to meet us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of Your name;
deliver us, and atone for our sins,
for Your name’s sake!”

(Psalm 79:9-10)

“Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Christ Jesus, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in His word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior”

(Titus 1:1-3)

Filed under: Christianity, Scripture on June 21st, 2008 | 4 Comments »