Category: Life Insight

for God’s glory means for our joy

I am still trying to process and understand the many lessons from the past week. Really, it’s not just the week busting at the seam with lessons… it’s the week of the mission trip pointing to everything God has been moving in my heart over several years. This week, one of the students from the mission trip literally gave the shoes off her feet to a woman whose sandals were broken in half. She walked out with plastic bags tied around her ankles. Later, she told me, “I mean, it didn’t seem like that big of a deal.”

I’m just sitting here, amazed by it all. God is transforming lives right in front of my face. I can’t shake off the joy! I just can’t! One thing I kept telling the students during the week was, “I promise that if you are serving the Lord with your whole heart, you will find yourself with an abundance of joy. I’m not promising this because I can give it to you… I’m promising because the Lord is faithful.”

I know I can’t tell them they will always be happy when they serve others, but I can say that a life of serving others will bring you close the Father’s heart… and there joy runs deeper than anything else. So, I’m trying to encourage this reflection of the trip because I don’t want the students to think it is only about the people or the memories (because given a different purpose, like vacation, they would have had a completely different experience with the people). I hope they will look back and remember how beautiful it is to come together in community with the goal of loving God and loving others… with an attitude of “a la orden” in the ways God has gifted us.

 

crazy group of fired up kids 🙂

 

 

With that, here is David’s reflection. It’s very long, but very worth it!

Very frequently, as imperfect human beings, we tend to believe that the world is a bubble formed by our own problems, fears, difficulties, and achievements. However, when one takes the time to let go of worries and decides to focus on others, one finds that there is much more in life. As a Christian, I had many times wondered, “What is my purpose here? What is God going to do with my life?” It was this 2011 mission trip that served as an eye-opening experience and answered these questions I kept in my mind. This mission trip has been used by God to revolutionize my world and give me a new perspective on life.

“Why did we decide to do this? Why did we decide to give up the daily comforts we have? Why did we decide to make sacrifices that people out there might consider out of place?” If I were to answer these questions with one word, that would be LOVE. It is because of love that today we can declare that we are saved. What a greater example of love than He who came down to the world and took the nature of a servant, making himself nothing to give the world a chance? As Christians, we need to resemble Christ in every way possible; it is our duty, then, to go out to the world to share His love and His wonderful message of salvation.

Christian life is a narrow road that few are able to find. Once you find it, walking in it demands everything you are to the point that you are willing to give up all you are for it. Even though at the moment it might not seem so, at the end you will have what is actually important- the salvation of your soul. Personally, before going on the mission trip, I decided to let God guide me and was willing to listen to his soft whispers. Like always, He was faithful and gave us the most spectacular and spiritually-rewarding week that we could have asked for.

God called us during this past week to do several demonstrations of His love. Personally, what impacted my life the most was the evangelism we did at Villa de San Francisco. I was amazed after seeing how little people know about God and how desperate they are to establish communication with their Daddy, the one who gave them life and created them in His image. When I stepped out of the van with my group, I thought to myself, “I don´t know how, but God will do amazing things through us today.” I made no mistake. Just starting, we met a group of about five teenagers who were clearly not very pleased with us coming to talk to them; after giving us the opportunity to talk to them, a couple of them seemed to be interested in learning more and started to debate with us about whether God was real or not. Even though the conversation wasn´t as fruitful as we would have hoped, we were sure that some of the guys were questioning themselves about how unlikely it would have been that Jesus was made-up by history, taking into account the fact that He is the only one that has turned the world upside down in such a manner.

After our first encounter, we felt even more motivated to find people to talk to about God. We found several more people and talked to them about God and about His purpose for their lives. It was really hard to conceive that most, if not all, of the individuals we approached that day had misconceptions about the requirements for getting to Heaven. Several were amazed to be told that all that was required was to truly believe and accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah and Savior; many said they were not ready to make this choice, because they did not want to change their way of life. A guy we talked to that day told me, “I might be rejecting the best invitation that has
ever been made to me in my life; however, I assure you that one day you will come back and I will then call you ‘brother.´” This phrase made me smile, even though I tried to make him realize that the next day could be too late for him. Like him, many others shared how much need they had of a God who helped them get through life but how unwilling they were to give up everything for that God.

The seed has been planted, and we are sure that God is going to do what He needs to. We were just humble instruments used powerfully by the Holy Spirit throughout the week to bring a smile to a number of orphans, do a couple of work projects, and spread the Gospel. The world is in need of people who are brave enough to stand up for what they believe and for what God expects from them. Are we willing to be part of that group of people? Are we going to answer? We need to be ready to listen to God and be quick to answer, “Here I am LORD. Send me!” There is much more work to be done, and what God has done this past week in our lives is just a great motivation to let go of ourselves and give out all we are in name of Jesus Christ, our wonderful and mighty Savior.

There are so many stones for this monument of blessing! I’m learning so much from these students as we build up a place of remembrance for our Lord!

let LOVE fly like cRaZy!

Posted on by Caroline 1

learning to live “a la orden”

where the JOY happens

In the mess of emotions and energy and exhaustion of the past week, I’m breaking mental ground for a new life motto. Up until this point, I’ve stuck with “Love God, Love Others.” I know, I know – it’s nothing mind-blowing. It’s as old as Deuteronomy 6 and Matthew 22:36-40.

It seems like we shouldn’t really have to improve on what God explained so clearly. This bold declaration to love God with all my heart and love others out of that love will always breathe life into whatever else God is teaching me. Lately, it seems the lessons in my conversations and experiences have me searching for words to explain how my theology informs my philosophy of living.

So, this past week, I started taking my joy pulse. I was intentionally on the lookout for those times when there was “fullness of joy” in my life, because those moments found me in the presence of God (Psalm 16:11). So many things triggered this crazy feeling of joy bubbling over the flimsy walls of my heart – laughter on the bus ride, children on top of high school students’ shoulders, serious late-night talks, watching a drama acted out to the glory of God, hearing stories of evangelism teams, playing in the ocean in the rain, singing/rapping, sunshine and clouds – all these things amounted to an emotion I can’t explain.

One of the beautiful moments where God arrived in splendor happened the last night before we came back. We were all sharing and reflecting about what made an impact on us, where we felt we made an impact, and what God is leading us to do as a result of our experiences. One of the students mentioned how wonderful it felt to just share. She mentioned that normally all her friends would be very possessive of their “things,” but this week she experienced how cool it was to share.

Something clicked while she was talking… something that I am learning as I live here in this beautiful country: “a la orden.” I can remember so many times when I’ve made a comment to one of my students about her outfit and heard this response, which means, “at your service.” It’s like saying, “Oh? You like it? Well you can wear it whenever you want!”

I love this.

I realized my joy pulse goes crazy whenever I think of ways I can live a la orden… and I truly believe this is how we live out Philippians 2:1-4. The idea is WAY bigger than offering our clothes. When someone compliments us about our gifts of leadership, encouragement, organization, creativity, laughter, work ethic, prayer, or ministry, our response can and should be, “a la orden.”

Can you imagine what would happen if we made our best gifts available and “at your service”?

Person 1: Wow, you really have an amazing way with children!
Person 2: Thanks! God is so good! And, well, I’m at your service whenever you need.
Person 1: (confused) Oh, cool… what do you mean by that?
Person 2: Well,  I mean that what good is a “way with children” if I don’t use it? So, please let me know the next time you have a need involving kids!
Person 1: Whoa. That’s kind of crazy. So, you mean you’d be available to fill the open spot at the after-school program I work with on Tuesdays?
Person 2: That’s exactly what I mean. Let’s talk details.

Obviously, this scenario can’t play out perfectly every time because our days will fill up and we will find it difficult to make ourselves “a la orden” all of the time. But, the point I’m making is a mental shift. No longer am I guarding my time and treasure for myself. God blessed me and saved me for His purposes, not mine. When people point out beautiful things in me, it is only a reflection of my God who formed me in my mother’s womb. My gifts aren’t meant to bring me glory, but they will bring me joy if I make them available to others through my service.

Very few of us wear clothes that we’ve designed ourselves and our spiritual gifts are the same way. We wear them and get compliments on them, but we did not design them. When we receive compliments they should be re-directed to the Designer and He promises the MOST joy will happen when we aren’t promoting ourselves with our gifts, but instead looking for ways to elevate others.

I have SO MANY STORIES and ways God has blessed this philosophy. The joy seriously multiplies! I love looking into beautiful brown eyes and saying, “Whenever. Wherever. You name the place. I know God has gifted me for such a time as this and such a person as you.”

That’s what makes my joy pulse go crazy! And that’s how I know making ourselves available by putting others first is the biggest blessing we could receive.

another reason to

let LOVE fly like cRaZy

Posted on by Caroline 7

Out of Your Heart… and little steps

Churchill College Chapel - TtV of the John Pip...
Image by dumbledad via Flickr

This past weekend we had a teachers’ retreat at a lake a few hours from the city. I split my time between staffing the snack shop, playing a few rousing card games, climbing trees, playing soccer, and taking one somewhat risky solitary run through a field and up a small mountain. Most of these activities involved much prayer, but I’m thankful for that, too.

I came back less refreshed, but very ready to tackle this week of pre-mission trip planning. Sunday night after a bit of baking, I tried to settle in to watch a sermon, but your bed is no place to take serious notes and stretch your mind. So, Monday morning I finally finished this sermon by John Piper. I’ve heard and said, “Come to Jesus” many times without grasping exactly what it means.

This sermon works through John 7:25-39 and examines that very question – what does it mean when Jesus gives this invitation: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

I love this breakdown. It is so beautiful to try to understand why we thirst and why the person of Christ is exactly and only what will satisfy. Beyond satisfaction, RIVERS wil flow from us… rivers of living water! It’s Tuesday night and I still can’t get over it.

Well, yesterday afternoon I felt a bit of the living water flooding my living room, as the mission trip gathered to pound out some last minute details. I am continually blessed by the hearts and minds of these students. “Little steps,” they tell me, “Miss, you can’t expect us to change all sudden, but little steps.” It takes everything in me to keep from wrapping them in a crazy hug and singing one of the uber-embarrassing songs my mom would throw my way whenever she was proud. Because, friends, if you could see these little steps they are taking your heart would SWELL.

Today, the students spoke in chapel in front of their peers and I am still praising God for their courage. These “little steps,” they may not realize are HUGE leaps for the faith they have hidden deep in their hearts! These “little steps” are how they wear resolve so beautifully when classmates give them trouble for being involved in something so obviously, “Christian.” After our devotional on Monday (more on that in tomorrow morning’s post), I can now ask them, “Is it worth it? Is what you are doing worth those little comments?”

I wish you could look in their faces to see their response, “There’s no question, Miss.”

I believe God is working and He is gracious enough to give me reminders of His sovereignty and His mighty hand. I am humbled, humbled, humbled to be a part of this process!

Tonight, with a cake stashed in the fridge and cookies all packaged, I am literally on my floor in my bedroom typing this out and I can’t tell you why. I just know that daily God is calling me to

let LOVE fly like cRaZy!

Posted on by Caroline 0

cinnamon smells and salvation sounds

 

CUSTOM pumpkin cake with chocolate chips and cinnamon cream cheese frosting

I’ve been baking a lot lately, but that’s an understatement… I think I basically wear cinnamon as a new fragrance! In order to raise money for our mission trip, I’ve been taking orders and keeping really busy with the three items on my menu: pumpkin cake with cinnamon cream cheese frosting, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, and cinnamon oatmeal cookies. I had to go with a large glass of orange juice tonight over the usual cup of tea to wind down – there’s just too much sweet and hot going on around here!

I am praising the Lord with every batch I make because I know it is HIS provision for these kids to walk under the banner of His name and serve this community. This weekend, I have students assisting me in the kitchen, though (as always) I am most grateful for their company.

Tonight, I snuck away to work out between bakings and this wonderful song popped up on shuffle in my ipod.

I pushed through my treadmill moves with vigor I usually reserve for much more upbeat music. As I pounded out that unforgiving conveyer belt beneath my feet, I sang along with Emily DeLoach. It made me think about a conversation I was having the other day with a wise friend of mine. (Don’t worry, if I’m ever inspired while on the treadmill, I usually just try to store it away and think about it later. If I tried the cardio/philosophy combo I’m sure something bad would happen!)

We were talking about loneliness… and how the closer we get to the heart of God the more lonely it seems. These days have been like that for me. I won’t pretend I spend hours a day in deep sorrow or that death surrounds me, but this deep loneliness seems to be a lot about a heavy, oppressive grief.

Sometimes I’m surprised at how close I feel to the Father while in the same moment feeling flung out of orbit from whatever was anchoring me. I think in those moments (sadly there are just moments) I may be opening my heart completely to the Lord’s love and experiencing it pour out just as quickly. Even as I am being filled, I am feeling it rush out of me and into all the parched places, desperate for a drink.

Maybe that’s where the loneliness comes from – well, the feeling of loneliness. I’ve come to Jesus asking for more love and He’s given it, but not for me to keep. As I feel His love rushing through me, I recognize at once my need for more of Him and my eyes are opened to the needs of others.

I could post the whole song, but these are the last two verses. Be encouraged tonight, my friends, as you journey in joy to be more like the Lord!

Thou the hated and forsaken,
Thou the bearer of the cross
Crowned of thorns and mocked and smitten,
Counting earthly gain but loss
When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee
When scorned are we, We joy to be the more like Thee

Thou the Father’s best beloved,
Thou the throned and sceptered King
Who but Thee should we adoring,
All our prayers and praises bring?
So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee
So blessed are we, Savior Lord in loving Thee

let LOVE fly like cRaZy!

Posted on by Caroline 0

God will lift up your head

God Will Lift Up Your Head
Image via Wikipedia

Today, I’m claiming this! Jars of Clay put the Truth to song and it seems to be the backdrop for my morning.

God will lift up your head

Give to the wind your fear
Hope and be undismayed
God hears your sighs and counts your tears
God will lift up, God will lift up, lift up your head

God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
God will lift up your head
Lift up your head

Leave to His sovereign sway
To choose and to command
Then shall we wandering on His way
Know how wise and how strong
How wise and how strong

Through waves and clouds and storms,
He gently clears the way
Wait because in His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joy, soon end in joy

——–

“O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, my God, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens.” Ezra 9:6

Amen!

Posted on by Caroline 0

sages of the ages

I didn’t travel back to the States over Christmas, but I was on the delightful receiving end of one very crowded suitcase that opened more like a treasure chest. I pulled out books, magazines, baking supplies, and gifts that seemed to be pining for a place under my borrowed (and fake) Honduran Christmas tree.

One of the beautiful things I opened came with an inscription from a mentor I admire very much, “…learn from the sages of the ages.” The book compiled various writings from people who influenced the life and works of C.S. Lewis, one of my heroes. I’ve always said I would love it if there was a place up in heaven that is slightly peculiar and quite like a nook. I can smell the aged pages, the worn leather seats, and the pipe on the antique side table. The stacks of books are neatly askew and the shelves are exactly full of the best classics.

Okay, I’ll hop out of my dreamworld because I should probably hop into actual dreamworld. The bottomline is: today I found some great wisdom that has nothing to do with modern thinking or progress or post-modern mumbo-jumbo.

wise words from this man!

This quote from A.W.  Tozer tells it like it is:

“The best thing is neither to seek nor avoid troubles but to follow Christ and take the bitter with the sweet as it may come. Whether we are happy or unhappy at any given time is not important. That we be in the will of God is all that matters. We may safely leave with him the incident of heartache or happiness. He will know how much we need of either or both.”

I know that’s a far leap from my ranting about my library hangout in heaven with my good pal C.S. Lewis, but I love that these words get down to the nuts and bolts of things. Twice today (within the first couple hours of work) I was reminded that my reaction to frustrations can either dig a deeper hole or search for the sun. I stepped out of my selfish and petty ways for a moment to see that following is Christ is most important, then second to take things as they come. If I’m obsessing over the bitter/sweet then my eyes are clearly not focused on the One who can take me through either, offering joy on the other side.

Anyway, thanks A.W. Tozer for bringing some wisdom back! (I smell another parody… watch out Justin Timberlake I think I’ve got a hit – “We’re bringin’ wisdom back…”)

let LOVE fly like cRaZy

Posted on by Caroline 1

reasons to shout hooray!

reason #1
Tonight I screamed my lungs out on the soccer sidelines in a wave of green and white. Rumor says it has been 20 years since the boys soccer team at my school has gone on to the finals in San Pedro, so tonight was one for the history books and I tried my darndest to yell even louder than those blaring blowhorns (sidenote: I definitely prefer human cheering). I could get all deep about it, but there is something really special and being with a crowd of people all hoping for the same thing. I had flashbacks to my own high school athletics days… and I remember cheering in the stands or on the sidelines was almost always just as fun as being in the game. I like that about sports. I like it and I wonder about it, too.

reason #2
Last night Louis (my lovely, wonderful, strangely Herbie-like car) helped someone ELSE! For all his random quirks, he finally got to lend a helping hand last night when a friend needed his battery jumped. I couldn’t run out the door fast enough! The idea of Louis GIVING battery power to another car was such an exciting thought… and then it worked! I could barely sleep I was so excited!

reason #3
Today, I handed out invitations to the senior girls for my almostFAVORITE holiday – SWEET DINNER! I loveLOVELOVE everything about this dinner, which is exclusively for my Bible study girls and ALL about recognizing the way God has beautifully created each of them. Even making the invitations filled me with joy – just thinking about the many blessings He has hidden inside each beautiful girl!

reason #4
I like things that make me think. This quote, thanks to twitter, inspired a bit of benevolent banter today and is still making me think hours later.

‎”The only way to dispossess the heart of an old affection, is by the expulsive power of a new one.” – Thomas Chalmers

Here’s some heavier reading to dig through if you’re interested.

reason #5
My cousin Bret and Katie had their baby this morning and she is BEAUTIFUL and her name is Mollie Avonell! I LOVE the beauty of new life!

reason #6
I am going to round out these reasons to shout hooray with one very close to home… I mean literally close to my hometown. Doc Swanson is what we call him, actually what people across the state of Iowa probably call him. When my friend sent me this link tonight I couldn’t believe someone had finally overturned the stone covering this hidden local hero. He’s 78 years old, but decided retiring as a doctor was too boring (who wouldn’t!?). So he opened a FREE clinic in the itty-bitty town in Southwest Iowa and he is pretty much always busy.

Take THAT health care crisis! I love what he says at the end of the interview,

“The fun of life is giving, and most people miss the fun of life,” Swanson said. “Money is the least important thing. If people would forget about money, and provide service, it would be a wonderful world.”

If he wasn’t STILL my doctor, I’d probably suggest he run for president or something.

let LOVE fly like cRaZy!

 


Posted on by Caroline 0

some weeks need days like these

OH-SO-GOOD!

I am inside one of those contented moments you don’t want to climb out of, so I’m stretching it out as long as possible. I just ate the most delicious version of this blueberry pancake recipe, still drinking some piping hot coffee (of the freshly ground, delivered-by-my-friend-from-her-coffee-farm variety), listening to some saturday tunes, watching the in-the-middle-of-makings of valentines crafts in my bedroom, and looking forward to great devotion hidden in the pages of 2 Samuel.

Normally, when I sigh, it’s because I’m exhausted or exasperated (two ex words that describe me all too often). In this moment, I’ve got a whole lot of sighs in me, but they are the okay kind.

I forced myself to stay in bed this morning at least an hour longer than what is Saturday normal for me, because yesterday I left my contacts in too long and my eyes revolted red. That didn’t surprise me – the redness – because my eyes are sensitive. What DID surprise me was waking up this morning and seeing that the eye drops I put in last night before going to sleep was actually nasal spray. Ha! But even that didn’t break into my beautiful, extended, sigh-worthy moment this morning!

That’s when I decided that some weeks need days like these.

let LOVE fly like CrAzY

UPDATE: Proof positive that all our sinuses are connected – I put nasal spray in my eyes last night and all day my nose was super runny!

Posted on by Caroline 0

in need

There’s a strong push (can I say “in all of us”) to cut all ties, to fly free, to be independent … to need nothing.

I refuse to credit monthly cycles or lack of sleep or circumstantial chaos with the downward facing dog day (this may sound like a yoga move, but it is actually a bonafide way to describe a dreadful day) I just had. This kind of day feels like a punch in the gut or spit in the face or that scene in the old version of Willy Wonka where he says, “Stop, don’t,” ever so un-convincingly, as Violet shoves that strange gum into her mouth.

 

Today was all those things and a cappuccino. Well, the cappuccino I’m having now because the intense workout didn’t shake everything out. Now that I think of it, the cappuccino is only lessening the blow by the tiniest of margins.

So, I’m going to make this short.

I need.

I don’t know why or how long I’ve been listening to lies, but here’s the skinny: I don’t have it all together. I don’t have all the answers. I get nervous. I fear. I am not confident all the time.

I need.

I’ll just leave it at that. Maybe someone else can relate.

 

another example of this day... overstuffed

 

 

let LOVE fly like CrAzY

Posted on by Caroline 1

fight, fight, fight, fight, fight for this love

“every day won’t be no picnic,
love ain’t no walk in the park.
all you can do is make the best of it –
can’t be afraid of the dark.
just know that you’re not in this alone
there’s a place in me that you can call home
whenever you feel like we’re growing apart
let’s just go
back, back, back, back, back to the start

anything that’s worth having
it’s sure enough worth fighting for”

This morning, I’m in one of those “cup runneth over” kind of moods. I’m sure Vampire Weekend (a band long before the ridiculous and strange vampire craze swept the ocean of tweens all over the world) was not thinking in the same sense when they sang the above song. But, this morning, as I sing out loud these words in my house, I’m kind of dancing to a different love story.

CHRIST is coming! He saw a relationship with me worth FIGHTING for… and that makes my heart feel just the right amount of full. I’ve been watching this Christmas story re-telling on replay and it’s only added to the beauty and mystery… reminding me of the awe with which we should all anticipate Christ’s birth. It’s so simple.

 

are you going to

let LOVE fly like CrAzY

today!?

Posted on by Caroline 0