Jan
20
Pink Floyd
Filed Under Life
I’m not a HUGE Pink Floyd fan, but there is one song of his that I have loved since high school: “Wish You Were Here.” I’m not really sure why I like this song and half the time I ponder the lyrics to what they actually mean. There has been one line that recently has been catching my attention.
“Did you exchange a walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?”
Leave it to me to find something Biblical about this.
What’s being exchanged? A walk on part in the war for a lead role in a cage. A walk on part for a lead role; a war for a cage. I picture the latter half of this lyric as being of the world. I want to live my life with my agenda. I am the star; it’s all about me. Everything revolves around me and my desires. Yet living life this way, I am confined to the parameters of this world. Only things of this world are capable of “satisfying” me. And in all reality, that satisfaction never lasts. After all has been sought, deep inside I’m pacing inside a cage waiting for something to set me free.
As Christians, we give up the safety of a cage and step onto a battlefield. This side of heaven, we will constantly be in a war. Battles we may never physically see are there nonetheless. But in the Christian life, it’s not about me. I have a walk on role. I’m a part of the supporting cast for the real headliner: God. God has the leading role. All that I do, I do to bring the glory to God. With Him, there are no parameters of what can be done and what will be done.
Have I exchanged the battlefield for comfort? Have I exchanged the background for the center stage? Have I exchanged God’s glory for my own?
Dec
19
Band of Sisters
Filed Under Life
I love reading about and studying World War II. It fascinates me. Last year I watched the HBO Series, Band of Brothers and I look forward to watching The Pacific this next year. There are many things that stand out to me when I’m watching or when I’m reading about anything military, but one in particular deals with the devotion the guys have for one another. The sacrifices that are made, the care that is given is something to desire. It is something we need in our Christian lives as well.
Here are two verses and an excerpt from Prodigal God by Tim Keller that have stood out to me lately:
“But may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength.” - Judges 5:31
“Then some Jews came from Antioch & Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.” - Acts 14:19-20
“You can’t live the Christian life without a band of Christian friends, without a family of believers in which you find a place.” Prodigal God by Tim Keller, 125.
I always considered myself a “floater” in high school. I never really belonged to a clique. I had friends in this group, friends in that group and some times my friends changed depending upon which sports season I happened to be in. There were a couple friends who would be with me throughout the year, but I never really had a real solid group of friends.
When I moved to Alabama, I began to see the importance of community. I began to crave it. I desired to have people close to me whom I could talk to about what was going on.
I moved back to Minnesota for about a year and God continued to bless me with a small group of women who I began to dig into God’s Word with. It was fun and exciting to share with others what God had been teaching me and to hear what God had been teaching them.
Then I moved to Ohio. The women God has placed in my life here are such a blessing to me. I have a core group at work and I have a house church. My house church is definitely a gift from God because there is no way to explain how I stumbled upon this group of women without Him. It’s a long, crazy story that begins all the way back to when I was living in Alabama.
Simply put, I live life with these women. They are there in the fun times and more importantly, they are there in the tough times. They are there to encourage me, to lift me up, to remind me Who is important and help me regain my focus. There are times I feel lighter because I do not have to carry my heavy load all by myself. I know these women will sit with me in the foxhole, I know they will drag me out of the crossfire when I cannot get out myself and I know I will not be left behind.
I love and am truly grateful for my Band of Sisters and I love fighting this battle with them.
Dec
12
I am the Captain of My Ship
Filed Under Life
It was a beautiful day for a sail. The sun was shining, the waves were calm and the winds were steady. I was confident I could handle this on my own. The Captain was sent to rest in the cabins below. Over time and without noticing it, the skies began to darken, the waves became more and more choppy and the winds were picking up. I dismissed the navigation I had been taught and eventually steered myself directly into a storm. You would think that at first sight, I would have gotten the Captain and allowed Him to take over. Instead, my pride forced me to stay at the helm and I tried to get the ship out on my own. I traveled deeper and deeper into the darkness. Right was left, left was right. I had no clue where I was going or how I even got there. I was utterly lost. I was so alone.
From somewhere in my heart I heard the gentle whisper of my name. I allowed a single tear to fall down my cheek. Like a dog with its tail between its legs, I slowly walked to the cabin below. As I opened the door, I expected to find anger, wrath and condemnation. Instead, I found warmth, love and open arms. There on the bed was my Savior waiting to embrace me. He allowed me to crawl into His lap and the tears I had been holding onto so tightly came streaming down my face.
My Savior gently rocked me. As He comforted me, these are the words He spoke, “You are chosen, a royal priesthood, My special possession (1 Peter 2:9). I have given you life (Genesis 2:7). I love you so much that even while you were sinning, I died for you (Romans 5:8). Nothing will ever take that love away from you (Romans 8:38-39).”
As my tears began to dry, the rocking stopped. I knew there were more words to come. I took a deep breath, sat up and waited. Again, my Lord spoke. “When I fed you, you were satisfied, when you were satisfied, you became proud. You forgot me (Hosea 13:6). You consecrated yourself to that shameful idol and became as vile as the thing you love (Hosea 9:10). For three sins, even four, I will not turn my back on my wrath (Amos 2:6). Your heart is deceitful and now you must bear your guilt (Hosea 10:2).”
He took my chin in His hand and waited for my eyes to meet His. He smiled and continued, “You were once darkness, but now you are in My light. Live as My child (Ephesians 5:8). I urge you to live a life worthy to the calling I have given you (Ephesians 4:1). I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26).”
Then He pulled me into another embrace and whispered into my ear, ever so faintly, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. I will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:5).”
Together we rose from the bed. He took my hand and led me back up to the top. On deck, I saw my family and friends. I started to cry and wanted to yell, “Where have you been!” But before the words were out, I realized they had been there all along. Before, in the darkness, I could not see them.
I was still in the midst of the storm, but now, I had a true Captain at the helm and a crew to help me navigate out of the depths and into the light.
Nov
6
Dance or Go Home
Filed Under AIA Track & Field Ministry
Our last “scheduled” event was Friday evening. We were picked up by Angelo again and headed up to Barranquitas. Angelo knew Brianna wasn’t with us, but didn’t get the memo that we had Andy. He picked us up in his car so six of us had to squeeze in. We stopped on the way up to get some food and finally had mofongo. It was this garlic flavored mashed plantains with meat. DELICIOUS! Apparently you can’t come to Puerto Rico without having some.
Up in Barranquitas they had an activity day. It was a small track meet for the athletes, but they combined the marks and it was done as a team. The kids were so cute. We were waiting around for another group from San Juan so we played a lil jump rope game with the kids while we waited. It was fun to sit back and see some of the kids again. We weren’t sure this was an “official” station, but some of the older kids were having the kids dance…of course Chealsea and I joined in.
Every kid received medals and they had dinner for us. The music was blaring from a speaker, so what is a Puerto Rican to do? Dance of course! Chealsea and I joined in and had a blast. It was so fun to be embraced and welcomed into their world.
Barranquitas Track Meet/Dance Party
Nov
6
Prayers of Protection
Filed Under AIA Track & Field Ministry
It was a bitter sweet feeling I had heading to the track Friday morning. I was excited to see our boxers, but it would be our last time. We should have known something was wrong when the throwers weren’t practicing when we got there. They always started at 5:30am SHARP. Their coach is strict, but efficient. Six am came and went, then 6:30. We figured the boxers weren’t coming. Maybe they had the day off? But they said “see you tomorrow.”
We started talking with the track coaches and found out something crazy happened last night. I don’t fully understand what happened…some of it may have been lost in translation, but something supernatural happened and it left the athletes spooked. They had a Bible study the night before and something had happened with one of the boxers which left some of the athletes running from the room screaming. The throws coach approached us and said the kids came to him in a panic.
My heart aches for all of them, but I feel it is just proof God is doing something amazing here…and Satan isn’t happy. It also put some urgency on the coaches to not only work with their athletes physically, but spiritually.
Please pray for the protection of all the people we have come into contact this week. Pray they seek God in all this chaos. Pray for spiritual leaders to step up and build themselves up to be spiritual mentors for the athletes. Pray the seeds we have planted this week will take root and grow.
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