A time to give thanks.

Thanksgiving is tomorrow. And I have so much to be thankful for. What keeps coming to mind is a "psalm" that I wrote over two years ago while contemplating all that God has done for me and given me. I've never claimed to be a writer, and I'm not now. But the words are as true today as they were when I first wrote them.

"Loving parents to guide me in His steps, with a father’s strong embrace and a mother’s gentle touch. Cherished sisters to confide in, and a brother’s unwavering loyalty to rely on.

Provisions from my God – gifts unasked, yet treasured above all earth may offer. From a Father who knows all things, a Son who loves more deeply than can be imagined, and a Spirit who guides in the paths of truth and righteousness.

Children to embrace, to love, to share. Nature to enjoy, to touch, to explore. Adventures to experience, to inspire, to create. Each one priceless beyond compare – sent only from heaven above.

Occasions of laughter and tears, joy and sorrow. A broken heart that only God could heal. Overflowing joy from deep within. Memorable moments in time touched by the Master’s hand.

A cleansing of body, soul, and spirit; sin washed away by the richness of His blood. Me, the deserving, spared by His tremendous mercy. Me, the undeserving, gifted through His glorious grace.

As I kneel in His presence, humbled and broken, surrendering my life into His capable hands; He carefully shapes me, gently but firmly. The Creator reforming a life turned astray.

His purposes, His plans, His love, His child; the unworthy given worth, and the valueless becoming valuable. The unlovable gifted with His priceless, immeasurable, unending, unconditional love. Although filthy and sinful, He draws me near His holy presence.

Leading me to forgive through His forgiveness of me. Showing me how to laugh as He fills me with His joy. Teaching me how to comfort by embracing me through my tears. Encouraging me to give as His blessings endlessly pour over me. Inspiring me to dream through the hope He provides. Desiring me to rest in Him as His peace flows within me.

Lord, You are more precious than silver; Lord, You are more costly than gold; Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, and nothing I desire compares to You.
Lord, You are more precious than feelings; Lord, You are more costly than life; Lord, You are more beautiful than creation, and nothing I desire compares to You.
Lord, You are more precious than children; Lord, You are more costly than love; Lord, You are more beautiful than my dreams, and nothing I desire compares to You.

May Your desires become mine, Father. May Your Spirit shine through me. As Your Son lives within me, may I glorify You in all that I say and all that I do. Praise be to You, God; all praise and honor and glory forever! This I pray, in Your holy Son’s loving name. Amen."

Humbled in China

Traveling throughout southern CHINA was definitely an adventure and much different then my previous trips to this country. Everyone was wonderful, and I am still convinced that the Chinese people are some of the most generous people that I've ever met.
One of the highlights of my travels was the opportunity to talk with two Chinese believers (teenage girls). Both of them shared their testimonies and discussed various topics about being believers in China: their house church, worship, fear, daily persecutions and dangers, faith, witnessing/sharing with others, prayer requests, etc. Listening to their stories and their faith in the midst of constant danger humbled me and reminded me of how much I often take for granted.

In fact, returning to worship in my stateside church has been challenging. How many of us sing songs about “giving everything to Him” and “being willing to die for Him” without realizing the words that we’re speaking? So often we are “mediocre” Christians who tend to praise ourselves when all we do is show up to church once or twice a week. I was angry and then heartbroken when I showed up to a prayer gathering immediately following this trip. There were only three of us present! Those girls – and other believers – in China would give anything to be able to openly meet with other Christians in prayer and worship. They face danger just by carrying their Bibles, bowing their heads in prayer, or talking about their faith with others. Here in the States . . . we have that freedom. And yet so many of us don’t respond to the opportunities that we’re given. I’ve been a roller-coaster of emotions since returning, and I don’t even know how to put everything into words. I just want so badly to find a way to make people understand . . . to let them hear what I heard . . . to show them the importance of living Christ and sharing Christ . . . and praying for . . . (I don’t even know where to begin, because there is so much to pray for and so many people that need to be lifted up.) And there is an urgency that I cannot even begin to express!

Egypt . . . a whirlwind tour!

EGYPT . . . what an amazing trip. I don’t even know how to begin to describe all that we saw and did. Plane, train, bus, taxi, camel, van, horse and carriage, ferry, sailboat . . . we were constantly on the go!

I must say that it was incredible to see the pyramids and some of the pharaoh’s tombs, but to me it was even more significant to go to the Red Sea, travel on the Nile, and drive through the delta (the former biblical land of Goshen). The secular history is so intertwined with the biblical history, and experiencing it firsthand makes scripture seem to come even more alive.

On another note . . . I have been in a mosque before, but this was my first time to be in the women’s side of the mosque in the midst of prayers. I was able to have a fairly long conversation sharing my faith with several Muslim women. I never thought that I would have an opportunity to proclaim Christ’s love and share His joy during the Muslim call to prayers in the center of a mosque. My heart breaks for those women who don't know Jesus! They don’t even seem to realize that they need something more. They’re not even seeking. I am praying for them constantly . . . that God will give them an emptiness with their current state and a desire for something more!

Where to begin?

Wow! I've been on so many trips to so many different places -- each with a specific purpose. Where do I begin? Well . . . I don't think that I'm going to necessarily start in the order of my trips. I'll just tell the stories as they come to me. But first . . . nothing that I do would be possible without Jesus Christ. He has not only given me life, but He is my life. I pray that everything that I do will glorify Him. And I pray that when others see me . . . that they will see Him in me. Each one of my travels is for Him.

I know that many of you may be thinking that I sound just like some sort of religious nut. But it's not about religion. It's about faith. And it's about a personal relationship. And anytime that you want to know more . . . please . . . just let me know.

In the meantime, enjoy my stories. And may God use them to touch you in some way. For His glory!

Trying a new thing!

This is my first attempt at starting my own blog! :-)