Part V
Hiding myself in the righteousness of Christ and not in my own self-righteousness
Of late, I have had some interesting interactions with people. I have been accussed of various things and have not always responded appropriately. I have been shocked at how I was spoken to or treated. At first, in my own thoughts, I examined my behavior and rewarded myself for how well I had done. This was all true but it got me no where. I was still left with seeing how I am not perfect yet and how far I have to go. I would end up in some self-condemnation believing that even if I was ok in this situation, I still deserve mistreatment for some other failing.
What I was missing was that I needed to hide myself in the righteousness of Christ. That I was being persecuted and spoken badly about becuase of jealousy, or misconceptions or because what Jesus has done in me and becuae of my cooperation with Him, I am different and this becomes grounds to attack instead of admire. I have now tried to see what is happening and although I value good input and positive critisicms so that I can grow, I see this as an attack.
There was no value in it. the words and actions were meant to destroy and harm me in some way. this was painful to realize as sometimes it is people you feel are on the same team.
We are all learning and growing and probably need to extend far more grace to each other than we have. We need to trust the process of what God is doing in someone else. To realize what we think is the most glaring problem, is most likely a symptom. God always go after the root. When the root is addressed, the symptoms disappear. We try to chop off the sympotoms and then another one pops up somewhere else.
I don't need to take personally when someone attacks me. I am open to being corrected in love and to growing. I see that by not defending myself, but by coming to Jesus with it all and asking, What do you think, Papa? Are you speaking to me here? Then I find the answers and not just someone elses need to lash out.
I'm learning to let God more quickly come in and clean out the wound and remove any roots that the wound tried to attach itself to. To ask God to restore both me and the other party. I know it's a process and I'm glad to see some movement in myself. I feel the pleasure of God. I feel his smile. I hear him saying, well done, my good and faithful servant.
Monday, August 28, 2017
Religion not relationship
Part III
Religions not relationship
I am often struck by how the religions of the world, people are working so hard to appease their gods. Walking home one night, my friend and I came upon a procession. There was a lighted-gold alter, pulled by two oxen and followed by large generators to power the lights. The men carried a large extendable ladder to push up power lines so that the large alter could safely pass underneath.The people were walking for maybe more than one hour along the route to take the new statue to her resting place. This was the first time in 50 years, she will be replaced. One man said, This is the most powerful time because it is a new statue. The people would come out of their houses with fruit baskets and coconut. The coconuts would be smashed on the ground and then lit on fire. The basket was lifted up toward the idol. The oxen were given brightly colored scarves and flowers along the route.
As the ox got tired, two fresh ones came in to give them respite. The team had to move the alter up a small hill. The ox became quite tired and men were called in to help get their god up the hill. The men had to assist the ox going down the small incline also. The god had to be assisted to be moved off the carrying alter and into the temple. Then sacrifices were offered with food and incense. There were dancers and musicians and food celebreating outside. The celebration will take place for the next 7 days. The faithful were rewarded and the toursits alike with food and milk tea.
What struck me in all this was that my God is my defender. When I can not overcome, my God helps me to overcome. My God needs no assistance to his house, he needs no help to go up or down small hills. He does not need ox to help him. We don't need to be afraid of his anger and appease him. He realized that we could do nothing to compensate, so He did everything.
He speaks to me and my life is the sacrifice. My time, my money, my attitudes are the offering to him. When I fall down, when I mess up, He simply picks me back up, and He restores me and we keep going. I am greatful for his great love and faithfulness. I feel too close to failing and have to keep my eyes firmly focused on him.
He is the one working all things out in me.
Part IV
Non-Religion lifestyle
- [ ] Non-religious people are so thirsty for what is true, they literally throw themselves whole-heartidly into anything, any relationship, and event in hopes it cures the thirst, even for some minutes.
- [ ] Their pleasure dictates their tastes. There is no regard for other people, only what will assuage their current owwies. They want to be treated with respect and hope for lasting relationships and goodness from others.
- [ ] When it feels like they are drinking with a straw and trying to make themselves feel better but taking off others, then you know-ahh Thirsty.
- [ ] We are all thirsty, but what do I use to wrap myself in when I feel sad, happy, frustrated? Do I cling to the fact that Father God has wrapped me in his love and bury my head there? Do I try to get my owwies met through relationships, through judging people on fb, through trying to connect to lost love? Where is my source?
- [ ] Do I know how to drink to feel my soul restored and refreshed? Am I moving the direction of that? Making it more of a go-to position than before?
Religions not relationship
I am often struck by how the religions of the world, people are working so hard to appease their gods. Walking home one night, my friend and I came upon a procession. There was a lighted-gold alter, pulled by two oxen and followed by large generators to power the lights. The men carried a large extendable ladder to push up power lines so that the large alter could safely pass underneath.The people were walking for maybe more than one hour along the route to take the new statue to her resting place. This was the first time in 50 years, she will be replaced. One man said, This is the most powerful time because it is a new statue. The people would come out of their houses with fruit baskets and coconut. The coconuts would be smashed on the ground and then lit on fire. The basket was lifted up toward the idol. The oxen were given brightly colored scarves and flowers along the route.
As the ox got tired, two fresh ones came in to give them respite. The team had to move the alter up a small hill. The ox became quite tired and men were called in to help get their god up the hill. The men had to assist the ox going down the small incline also. The god had to be assisted to be moved off the carrying alter and into the temple. Then sacrifices were offered with food and incense. There were dancers and musicians and food celebreating outside. The celebration will take place for the next 7 days. The faithful were rewarded and the toursits alike with food and milk tea.
What struck me in all this was that my God is my defender. When I can not overcome, my God helps me to overcome. My God needs no assistance to his house, he needs no help to go up or down small hills. He does not need ox to help him. We don't need to be afraid of his anger and appease him. He realized that we could do nothing to compensate, so He did everything.
He speaks to me and my life is the sacrifice. My time, my money, my attitudes are the offering to him. When I fall down, when I mess up, He simply picks me back up, and He restores me and we keep going. I am greatful for his great love and faithfulness. I feel too close to failing and have to keep my eyes firmly focused on him.
He is the one working all things out in me.
Part IV
Non-Religion lifestyle
- [ ] Non-religious people are so thirsty for what is true, they literally throw themselves whole-heartidly into anything, any relationship, and event in hopes it cures the thirst, even for some minutes.
- [ ] Their pleasure dictates their tastes. There is no regard for other people, only what will assuage their current owwies. They want to be treated with respect and hope for lasting relationships and goodness from others.
- [ ] When it feels like they are drinking with a straw and trying to make themselves feel better but taking off others, then you know-ahh Thirsty.
- [ ] We are all thirsty, but what do I use to wrap myself in when I feel sad, happy, frustrated? Do I cling to the fact that Father God has wrapped me in his love and bury my head there? Do I try to get my owwies met through relationships, through judging people on fb, through trying to connect to lost love? Where is my source?
- [ ] Do I know how to drink to feel my soul restored and refreshed? Am I moving the direction of that? Making it more of a go-to position than before?
English summer camp Taiwan and Malaysia
Aug 26, 2017
on a bus Somewhere between Kuala Lumpur and Johur Bakur, Malaysia
Part I
Camp in Taipei, Taiwan
I got the privilege to work at an English summer camp in Taipei. It has been my desire to learn Chinese and to return to Taiwan. I think that I am being directed to learn Korean instead. I had a classroom of 22 brilliant kids age 11-12. They kept me on my toes and I learned a bit of Chinese too. In the 3 weeks, I had a roommate at my hotel. She was a woman who is mid 40's and extremely negative about everything in life. This proved to be challenging for me to stay close and lean into God.
I faced becoming negative and angry also. I had some pretty bad days where I acted quite poorly. In the middle of this, I was able to remember who I am in Jesus and to apologize and to set things right. I was able to talk to my roommate about how I had done poorly and why I could change course. Being human and unfinished is sometimes a frustration but by being open, this helped her have an upclose glance at how a person who calls themselves a follower of Jesus may act. She has had some disasterous experiences and this was an encounter for her.
I also was overjoyed to be asked to play worship music in the closing ceremony of the school. I was equally delighted to play at Aroma coffee shop, due to meeting up with the family of a dear friend from Vienna. I feel humbled and priveleged to be able to give my offering. Some of the collegues from camp, both local teachers and international came to listen to. It was very special for me.
Part II
Camp in Malaysia with Korean students
I next came to teach at a school and live on a golf resort. I was excited to have access to a swimming pool and made use of it by swimming one hour nearly every day. It was hot, muggy weather so it was refreshing to swim in the night air.
I was extremely pleased and blessed to find three other Christian teachers. The students found out we were Christian and were going to have a praise and worship time and wanted to come. We had a full house every time with students inviting their non-churched friends. We served food and sang songs in Korean and English. Megan spoke a bit of Korean and helped with worship and community. Cassie helped with food and media. I was super excited to be able to present a short teaching, through acting and having an interpreter, and to play my guitar for worship. One day, Megan and I got to pray for each student and give prophetic words over them. It was amazing as I got words for them, Megan confirmed the word as she personally knew the students. Yes, Jesus!!!!
We encouraged the students, range age 12-16, to be the body, to have encouraging words and scripture and to pray for each other. The structure they are in is heirarchicahal and they must wait until they are pastors to be able to serve. We spoke about how they each have Holy Spirit and are free to live and pray for each other. To hear from God and do his will. To enjoy his deep love and to love others. We were always so overwhelmed with the kids coming early and excited to help set up and often, what we thought was a quick 15-20 minute meeting turned into a 1-1 1/2 hour gathering. The kids would linger and just talk and it was so special. These kids are so in my heart. We are mainting connection on fb and will keep encouraging them to move forward with God.
on a bus Somewhere between Kuala Lumpur and Johur Bakur, Malaysia
Part I
Camp in Taipei, Taiwan
I got the privilege to work at an English summer camp in Taipei. It has been my desire to learn Chinese and to return to Taiwan. I think that I am being directed to learn Korean instead. I had a classroom of 22 brilliant kids age 11-12. They kept me on my toes and I learned a bit of Chinese too. In the 3 weeks, I had a roommate at my hotel. She was a woman who is mid 40's and extremely negative about everything in life. This proved to be challenging for me to stay close and lean into God.
I faced becoming negative and angry also. I had some pretty bad days where I acted quite poorly. In the middle of this, I was able to remember who I am in Jesus and to apologize and to set things right. I was able to talk to my roommate about how I had done poorly and why I could change course. Being human and unfinished is sometimes a frustration but by being open, this helped her have an upclose glance at how a person who calls themselves a follower of Jesus may act. She has had some disasterous experiences and this was an encounter for her.
I also was overjoyed to be asked to play worship music in the closing ceremony of the school. I was equally delighted to play at Aroma coffee shop, due to meeting up with the family of a dear friend from Vienna. I feel humbled and priveleged to be able to give my offering. Some of the collegues from camp, both local teachers and international came to listen to. It was very special for me.
Part II
Camp in Malaysia with Korean students
I next came to teach at a school and live on a golf resort. I was excited to have access to a swimming pool and made use of it by swimming one hour nearly every day. It was hot, muggy weather so it was refreshing to swim in the night air.
I was extremely pleased and blessed to find three other Christian teachers. The students found out we were Christian and were going to have a praise and worship time and wanted to come. We had a full house every time with students inviting their non-churched friends. We served food and sang songs in Korean and English. Megan spoke a bit of Korean and helped with worship and community. Cassie helped with food and media. I was super excited to be able to present a short teaching, through acting and having an interpreter, and to play my guitar for worship. One day, Megan and I got to pray for each student and give prophetic words over them. It was amazing as I got words for them, Megan confirmed the word as she personally knew the students. Yes, Jesus!!!!
We encouraged the students, range age 12-16, to be the body, to have encouraging words and scripture and to pray for each other. The structure they are in is heirarchicahal and they must wait until they are pastors to be able to serve. We spoke about how they each have Holy Spirit and are free to live and pray for each other. To hear from God and do his will. To enjoy his deep love and to love others. We were always so overwhelmed with the kids coming early and excited to help set up and often, what we thought was a quick 15-20 minute meeting turned into a 1-1 1/2 hour gathering. The kids would linger and just talk and it was so special. These kids are so in my heart. We are mainting connection on fb and will keep encouraging them to move forward with God.
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