Everything That's Fit to Print

I've finished importing from another blog. There are plenty of things that didn't make the final cut, plenty of things that I probably won't write about here. It's not because they're not important, but because they're too personal or too mundane or would simply reveal to much about my not-so-secret identity. And then there are things that are just no longer true, phases I've out grown. Kinda like a twenty five year old who doesn't need tell everyone she meets that when she was five she wanted to be a ballerina. If you happen to know me, go ahead and read. You can either read it now or in an email at 3am.

The First One

Grace is unmerited favor. That's the title of my blog and it's address because the truth of that statement defines my life. Christ has saved my life both now and eternally. What else can I do except to give it back to Him.

A Missionary Must Go

Written June 7, 2007

To (sort of ) quote John Piper, a missionary must go, but not that kind of must. Missionaries don't ask for money because they'll go, if they have enough. They ask because they are going. It's a desire that can't be quenched even in the face of often overwhelming personal needs that either will or will not be met.

This desire was lacking when I first thought that the Lord wanted me to go to Russia. I was willing to go out of duty, but not desire. Oh, I wanted to go in theory, but in reality there seem to be too many obstacles or things I couldn't go without. My first taste of such desire was when I wanted to come to work at Phoenix Christian. Even though there were many "what if's", I couldn't help but pursue it . And while money certainly seemed to be an issue, I knew that money couldn't be the reason that I didn't take the job. I knew that if I was offered the job, I had to (must, but no that kind of must) take it and that by God's grace the rest would work out. And it has. The Lord has provided abundately.

I used to think that buying a house and taking the kind of job that I could see myself doing for years to come was in some ways a giant step in the opposite direction of Moscow, but I know now that the lessons I've learned and the trust I've gained in the Lord will be invaluable whenever that unquenchable desire takes hold of me.

1 Thess 2:3-4 I Cannot Be Silent

Written Wednesday, June 06, 2007

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4
3For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.

When I witness, when i tell other's about Christ, I don't do it to condemn them. I do it because without Christ we are already condemned. I gain nothing by speaking the truth, but I risk so much. Why would I take such a risk, if it weren't the truth. A true Christian speaks from love, not hate.

Blessings From the Lord

Written Monday, June 04, 2007

Psalm 84:11

11 For the Lord God is our sun and our shield.

He gives us grace and glory.
The Lord will withhold no good thing

from those who do what is right.

Those are words to live by. A promise to hold. God is not into withholding the desires of my heart. He does not enjoy watching me sqwirm, or holding things just beyond my reach. He is allowing me to learn that I can trust in Him.