On My Mind

I love when God really gets my attention. I love to be reminded that He is still shaping me daily, and that He wants to grow me. I often forget, ignore or am to distracted to see His hand in my life. But in the past few weeks there has been a theme/topic that keeps coming up- one that I have never really been passionate about interestingly enough, but I can't ignore it. Rather than explain the various ways that He is drawing me into this 'discipline' I would just like to share with you a few encouraging words from the book "Spiritual Disciplines' by Donald Whitney regarding Evangelism...


"If it is so obvious to almost all Christians that we are to evangelize, how come almost all Christians seem to disobey that command so often?...........


I've never heard it expressed before, but I think the seriousness of evangelism is the main reason it frightens us. We realize that in talking with someone about Christ, Heaven and hell are at stake.... we sense a solemn duty to communicate the message faithfully coupled with a holy dread of saying or doing anything that would be a stumbling block to this persons salvation."


He goes on to explain that most people do not feel successful in explaining their beliefs and theology to others and come away feeling as if they have failed.


"What is success in evangelism? Is it when the person you witness to comes to Christ? Certainly thats what we want to happen. But if this is success, are we failures whenever we share the gospel and people refuse to believe? Was Jesus an 'evangelical failure' when people like the rich young ruler turned away from Him and His message? Obviously not. Then neither are we when we present Christ and His message and they turn away in unbelief. We need to learn that sharing the gospel is successful evangelism. We ought to have an obsession for souls, and tearfully plead with God to see more people converted, but conversions are fruit that God alone can give."


Jumping ahead, here is another exerpt discussing how evangelism is a discipline


"Unless we discipline ourselves for evangelism, it is very easy to excuse ourselves from ever sharing the gospel with anyone."..."Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."


I'm still in the middle of the chapter but that is a glimpse into the thoughts circulating in my mind. Honestly I really don't even like saying the word 'evangelism' because I feel cheesy but once I get past the stigma, I have been seeing the need for it all around me and feeling challenged to live up to the calling that is so clear. Personally I resonate with the passage that says to "declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light," because to me true evangelism is just that- declaring His goodness. When you put it that way, it doesnt seem so scary!

Switching gears, this weekend Dillon and I went out with Pattie (school counselor were I work) and Mike to dinner and then live music at DoubleWide in Deep Ellem- notice the toilet chairs! We stayed out way later than usual (we go to bed no later than 10 every night) but really had fun listening to eclectic bands and doing something different~

Rollin through January

I had a wonderful weekend with Katie! She came to Dallas on Thursday-Monday and every moment was pretty great. We ate out at an authentic Chineese restraunt in Richardson, watched several episodes of The Office, got pedicures, went on a beautiful walk, talked about everything, had lunch with her old refugee friends, she played Tom and Dillon in chess, and just had a layed back but really fun time. She leaves again for the middle east in exactly 1 week.

Deep in thought

Here are the girls at our Tuesday night study

And the boys



Other tidbits:
Dillon is almost finished with Hebrew 2, and living with Tom has been great so far, minus the fact that we REALLY miss our babies who are currently in Midland.

A Prayer

Lord be near to your precious Haitians--they need you now

God, my God, I cry out:Your beloved needs You now God, be near; calm my fear... And take my doubt

Your kindness is what pulls me up
Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker Of the mountains I can't climb
I will lift my eyes to the Calmer Of the oceans raging wildI will lift my eyes to the HealerOf the hurt I hold insideI will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

God, my God, let mercy singHer melody over meAnd God, right here all I bringIs all of meYour kindness is what pulls me up Your love is all that draws me in

I will lift my eyes to the Maker Of the mountains I can't climbI will lift my eyes to the Calmer Of the oceans raging wildI will lift my eyes to the Healer Of the hurt I hold insideI will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to You

'Cause You are and You were and You will be forever The Lover I need to save me'Cause You fashioned the earth and You hold it together, God So hold me now

Bebo Norman

A Few Pictures of the Break

A New Year

I'm writing my first post in our new abode (yes, we move in the winter as tradition goes), we now live with my father in law in his beautiful and spacious home. I fear he may not know what he is getting himself into but am very excited about the opportunity!

Christmas and New Years.... more to come in pictures but a quick recap:

Nearly 40 hours in the car total...drove to Midland for 5 nights, attempted to drive back to Dallas but got stuck in a blizzard and spent Christmas Eve in Abilene's La Quinta, drove out Christmas morning and arrived in Dallas for 4 nights, packed, painted, moved, drove back to Midland, drove to Taos, drove back to Midland and then back to Dallas. I am over road trips for the time being!

Highlights:

*Welcoming Katie home from Jordan

*Decorating the Christmas tree

*The above mentioned Christmas Eve adventure with Dillon

*Seeing all my nieces and nephew play together in Dallas

*Getting to hire movers this time

*8 hour car ride with 6 people and 3 dogs (only 2 were in the cab though) to Taos

It was a WONDERFUL break- I loved every moment we spent with our families. I welcome 2010 and all the unknown adventures that await. 2009 was a year of beginnings, family, goodbyes, growth, training, and celebrating just to touch the surface of an overwhelming time period. God has been good and will continue to be good.

(will add pictures soon!)