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"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you in with loving-kindness. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt...and go out to dance with the joyful." - Jeremiah 31: 3-4

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Psalm 68: 4:5

There's some things that you get used to after traveling to Kenya a few times. For instance, zebras on the side of the road are about as exciting as seeing deer in Valley Forge Park. But some things never stop amazing me. The sky, the mountains, the children... these things seem to become more and more beautiful each time I look at them.

I love it here. I feel like I'm home again.

Sunday, January 24, 2010


I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that in a few days I'll be in Kenya for the third time in less than seven months. Things like traveling to Africa are supposed to be "once in a lifetime," yet I am continually blessed by God to do things that most people only dream about. I am so full of thanks and praise for what He has given me!

Kenya has been, is and will always be an adventure and a place that is very heavily on my heart. Through Kenya, the Lord completely and totally transformed my life! God revealed to me community, friendship, respect, forgiveness and acceptance in the body of Christ. I fell more deeply in love with Him every time I saw the beauty of His creation in this broken country.

Going back to Kenya feels like the natural progression of my life. As soon as the opportunity to return was brought to my attention, I wondered how I could have ever thought I would be doing anything other than that at this time. Nothing else made sense anymore. All I could imagine was being back in Africa.

I love how much Jesus has taught me in the past seven months and I am so incredibly excited to find out what He has planned for me in the next six weeks.

Friday, January 22, 2010


"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33



Isn't our Lord amazing?




Monday, January 11, 2010

Glory.

I know people, quite a few people actually, who's entire lives must be known to as many people as they can possibly tell for them to feel worthy. They feel important and loved when and only when others tell them that they are important and loved. In order to get that feedback they first need to share with others all that they are doing, all that they have accomplished and exactly how they feel about everything and anything that is going on in their lives.

People like this exhaust me.

Forgive my honesty, but I have a difficult time listening to people who insist on telling me how wonderful they are all the time! I listen to them but rarely ever do I respond to their unspoken pleading for affirmation. I would be lying to them.

I've thought about this a lot recently, trying to figure out why it bothers me so much. I came to understand that when people who do not know Christ act this way, they are usually trying to feel the love that only Jesus can provide in meaningless relationships, awards, grades, promotions, etc. In that case, I know I need to do my part and love them the best that I can and hope to show them even a fraction of the amount of love that He can give.

But when believers act this way, it hits a different nerve.

The habit of self-glorification takes away from the One who rightfully deserves the glory. When people brag about themselves and all that they have done in the church, ministry, mission field or any other place in the Kingdom, where can God show Himself? Who are you really working for? You should be serving Jesus not your ego.

I know someone who did something incredible that benefited hundreds of people, gave hope to suffering children and quite possibly changed lives. When I talked to them about it, they confidently told me "This isn't my project. It's God's." What an awesome understanding of God's glory! More people need to realize how important it is to give the honor to it's rightful owner. I LOVE listening to people talk about what God has done in their lives! I could listen to stories of God's grace, mercy and miracles all day and never get tired of it because they are telling me the incredible works of my Father, best friend and Savior.

I am constantly reminding myself that nothing is accomplished apart from God. Even the smallest of things, such as not being charged anything to have my computer fixed by the Geek Squad at BestBuy, happen because of Him. Of course there are bigger things that He has accomplished in my life but I enjoy finding Him in the small things. It shows me how much He cares which makes me love Him that much more. He knew that I didn't have $70-$200 to spend but also that I needed my computer to function so He brings me to probably the one guy in the whole Geek Squad that would ignore the charges and do everything for free. Never doubt that God is in the small stuff! But especially for the big things, give our God the glory that He alone deserves!


"When you value God for who He is, it causes a response in Him; It releases Him to be all that He is to you."