Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister calledMary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” -Luke 10:38-42, ESV
Out of love and excitement, I want to serve God in so many ways. I've been waiting for Him to call me to missions overseas and non-profit work but come up short. His affirmation and conviction in these areas are low compared to other calls I've heard before. It's been disappointing and concerning--doesn't God want his servant to do many things in his name?
Of course, He knows me better than myself.
Put on my heart in July, the girls fellowship (officially named GLOW) is underway. These girls have open hearts and ears, genuine prayers and a need for community of the same purpose. He's going to do big things through them. Though I'm ready to take on the next challenge, God is putting is hand to my heart in a way, telling me, "Nincy, Nincy, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Choose the good portion, it will not be taken away from you."
Right now, my good portion is resting in God's love and blessings and discipling the girls in GLOW.
What are the many things that are troubling you? What is God wanting you to choose instead?
30 January 2012
15 January 2012
Are we missing the point?
For a long time, I believed that I was saved so I could live saved. I'm not sure if I'm tackling a philosophical issue here but Paul puts it frankly in his letter to the Philippians.
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)
Did Christ love you so you could live LOVED or did He love you so you could live LOVE?
There are feeding seasons and giving seasons. I understand that some of us are underfed and need to commit to learning more about Christ and his promises before serving Him in this world. But do we hide behind this season so we don't have to face the one before us?
We are too comfortable in our I'm a Christian-once-a-week-lives! It's apparent in our prayers, our actions and our words.
A couple signs that you live un-uncomfortably:
1. You pray for his blessings MORE than you pray for the opportunity to bless others.
2. You struggle to put yourself in humble places so others or God may be upheld.
3. You don't give. Even if you don't have the means to give financially, you don't give your time either.
Let the Holy Spirit guide you this year into being his servant. Whether that means being a leader and volunteering at a shelter or mission, evangelizing or going to a new bible study, listen to His Spirit within you. And as much as the Lord pours into your life, pour it back somewhere else.
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)
Did Christ love you so you could live LOVED or did He love you so you could live LOVE?
There are feeding seasons and giving seasons. I understand that some of us are underfed and need to commit to learning more about Christ and his promises before serving Him in this world. But do we hide behind this season so we don't have to face the one before us?
We are too comfortable in our I'm a Christian-once-a-week-lives! It's apparent in our prayers, our actions and our words.
A couple signs that you live un-uncomfortably:
1. You pray for his blessings MORE than you pray for the opportunity to bless others.
2. You struggle to put yourself in humble places so others or God may be upheld.
3. You don't give. Even if you don't have the means to give financially, you don't give your time either.
Let the Holy Spirit guide you this year into being his servant. Whether that means being a leader and volunteering at a shelter or mission, evangelizing or going to a new bible study, listen to His Spirit within you. And as much as the Lord pours into your life, pour it back somewhere else.
05 January 2012
Still committed!
It's been more than 3 months now and I'm still running strong! I don't think I've kept up with a hobby for this long.
My incentives and motivation include a new pair of (really cute) New Balance running shoes and a new iPod nano, complete with touchscreen. Whatever it takes, right?
I'm also an official registrant for the HRI 5K in Dallas!
If you're interested in joining, click here.
Costs to register are discounted until Sunday so don't wait! You have 3 more months to prepare which is ample time to get in shape!
The 5K takes place on the International Day for the Right to Truth, a day established by the UN to honor the memory of victims of human rights violations and emphasize the importance of their rights to justice and truth.
Speaking of justice, the recent Passion conference has highlighted the need to stop slavery and sex trafficking around the world. They've made it so easy to donate to these causes. This website shows you exactly where your money goes and there's no strings attached.
In this season of renewing commitments and starting new ones, seek out ways to support a worthwhile cause. Your time, donations and effort will never go unappreciated.
My incentives and motivation include a new pair of (really cute) New Balance running shoes and a new iPod nano, complete with touchscreen. Whatever it takes, right?
I'm also an official registrant for the HRI 5K in Dallas!
If you're interested in joining, click here.
Costs to register are discounted until Sunday so don't wait! You have 3 more months to prepare which is ample time to get in shape!
The 5K takes place on the International Day for the Right to Truth, a day established by the UN to honor the memory of victims of human rights violations and emphasize the importance of their rights to justice and truth.
Speaking of justice, the recent Passion conference has highlighted the need to stop slavery and sex trafficking around the world. They've made it so easy to donate to these causes. This website shows you exactly where your money goes and there's no strings attached.
In this season of renewing commitments and starting new ones, seek out ways to support a worthwhile cause. Your time, donations and effort will never go unappreciated.
01 January 2012
In hindsight
Last night, I was at watch night service with the rest of my church family and was looking forward to sharing my testimony--how the Lord has guided and provided for me this year. I wasn't able to so I thought I'd share my story here.
I've briefly talked about it before but it started with graduating from college with a degree in journalism from Baylor University. I wish I could say I was happy that day but it one of the most frightening days of my life.
I graduated with a degree that my family didn't want me to get.
From a school they didn't want me to go to.
And what they said would happen, did happen. I didn't have a job and in six months, I was to start paying back student loans.
But that wasn't the scary part.
I had to move back home. My plans of moving to Austin with my best friend were thwarted by the economic climate (and UT kids taking all the jobs there).
What came after were months of rage, depression, anger, anxiety and loneliness. I was extremely angry with God for where he was taking my life. I took the rage out on my family, making for tense living arrangements and for relationships that were only hanging by a thread.
In hindsight, their love and patience astound me. My family was unconditional and steady when almost nothing in my life was. It brings me to tears to think of what I put them through. I can say that I'm thankful but that doesn't begin to explain the feeling.
I started looking for jobs in January and I didn't find one. February came and went. Then it was March. I was tired, weary and at the end of my rope with God. My relationship with Him was nil. I was desperate and a friend suggested that I go back to Him. I started re-reading The Purpose Driven Life and keeping a prayer journal, to remind me of what I was asking for and how God was answering my prayers.
In hindsight, I know that God was testing my faith. I did not depend on him to meet my needs. I thought I could do everything on my own. He had to pull me back and though the wilderness was brutal, I couldn't have asked for a more God-filled year. His presence has been overwhelming. I know He's orchestrating something beautiful and I'm just one piece. My job is to answer His call and be His face on this earth. Though I stumble and fall, He will catch me on put me back on my feet. He always has.
In April, I found a great job. I still live at home and it's been hard at times but great. I'm so happy I got the opportunity to rekindle my relationship with my family after being gone for so long. I still have my best friends but I have new friends, too.
If your life seems like its falling and nothing is going right, it's probably because you weren't going the right way in the first place. Fall towards God. He will make your ways straight. His plan is better. And with Him, you have nothing to lose.
I want you to be all mine. I am weaning you from other dependencies. Your security rests me on me alone--not in other people, not in circumstances. Depending only on me may seem like walking on a tightrope, but there is a safety net underneath: the everlasting arms. So don't be afraid of falling. Instead, look ahead to me. I am always before you, beckoning you on.--one step at a time. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate you from My loving presence.
-Sarah Young, Jesus Calling
I've briefly talked about it before but it started with graduating from college with a degree in journalism from Baylor University. I wish I could say I was happy that day but it one of the most frightening days of my life.
I graduated with a degree that my family didn't want me to get.
From a school they didn't want me to go to.
And what they said would happen, did happen. I didn't have a job and in six months, I was to start paying back student loans.
But that wasn't the scary part.
I had to move back home. My plans of moving to Austin with my best friend were thwarted by the economic climate (and UT kids taking all the jobs there).
What came after were months of rage, depression, anger, anxiety and loneliness. I was extremely angry with God for where he was taking my life. I took the rage out on my family, making for tense living arrangements and for relationships that were only hanging by a thread.
In hindsight, their love and patience astound me. My family was unconditional and steady when almost nothing in my life was. It brings me to tears to think of what I put them through. I can say that I'm thankful but that doesn't begin to explain the feeling.
I started looking for jobs in January and I didn't find one. February came and went. Then it was March. I was tired, weary and at the end of my rope with God. My relationship with Him was nil. I was desperate and a friend suggested that I go back to Him. I started re-reading The Purpose Driven Life and keeping a prayer journal, to remind me of what I was asking for and how God was answering my prayers.
In hindsight, I know that God was testing my faith. I did not depend on him to meet my needs. I thought I could do everything on my own. He had to pull me back and though the wilderness was brutal, I couldn't have asked for a more God-filled year. His presence has been overwhelming. I know He's orchestrating something beautiful and I'm just one piece. My job is to answer His call and be His face on this earth. Though I stumble and fall, He will catch me on put me back on my feet. He always has.
In April, I found a great job. I still live at home and it's been hard at times but great. I'm so happy I got the opportunity to rekindle my relationship with my family after being gone for so long. I still have my best friends but I have new friends, too.
If your life seems like its falling and nothing is going right, it's probably because you weren't going the right way in the first place. Fall towards God. He will make your ways straight. His plan is better. And with Him, you have nothing to lose.
I want you to be all mine. I am weaning you from other dependencies. Your security rests me on me alone--not in other people, not in circumstances. Depending only on me may seem like walking on a tightrope, but there is a safety net underneath: the everlasting arms. So don't be afraid of falling. Instead, look ahead to me. I am always before you, beckoning you on.--one step at a time. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate you from My loving presence.
-Sarah Young, Jesus Calling
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
