Longing Heart

Today they posted a link from the trip a group from our church recently took to Europe. It connected to a link for pictures and it took me back. I teared as I saw these photos, especially the ones of Belgrade. It is an interesting mixture of Eastern and Western Europe and so my heart was aching for both though most of you know my heart truly in Eastern Europe.

As I looked through these photographs I remembered the longing that is ever in my heart to be on that side of the world once more. Though I know it is not true, it seems as if for a moment the world is perfect. The clear blue sky, the crystal aqua ocean, the architecture that is pure beauty. Something about those images just whisk me away to a place that is so beautiful that I yearn to be among it and the people there. And yet I know that it is dark, completely imperfect and lost. And that is where my true yearning lies. To be with those people sharing the light of Jesus with them.

I talked to a great friend of mine who is from that area of the world and it added to the longing. Then tonight we had a women on mission event at our church and it hit me like a ton of bricks. I am on mission now and I'm called to full time "over there" mission too. I must let this yearning, that is God given, keep me on mission all the time. As a follower of Christ it is always our job to be on mission where ever we are.

If you would like to read more about the Europe Mission trip or see pictures the links below will take you there.

Photos: http://blog.sojournchurch.com/photos-from-sojourns-european-mission-trip/

Blog Posts: http://blog.sojournchurch.com/mission-in-europe-a-marketplace-oriented-approach/

http://blog.sojournchurch.com/three-observations-from-sojourn%E2%80%99s-europe-jetset-2011/

http://blog.sojournchurch.com/another-perspective-from-sojourns-european-mission-trip/

Great Reminder

Yesterday afternoon I attended a songwriting workshop at Sojourn with Bob Kauflin. It was a great time of learning as I love to write songs but have never given much thought to the process as I simply write what comes to me when I feel inspired.

The most profound thing that was said, in my opinion, is Bob saying he is thankful he has an average voice because that is how most of the people in your congregation sing. I have never really thought about this and, in fact, lamented the fact that I had not spent more time developing my voice (or other musical instrument) so that I could have other opportunities that seemed to be given only to those who are "professional" or "classically trained". But to hear someone who has worked in leading worship say this reminded me that I don't have to be professional or classically trained to sing, praise or even lead worship. I am to use what God has given me and use it how He sees fit, even if all I do is sing praise songs to my children and teach them how to sing praises to our Lord.

So how about you? Are you using your gifts and talents to further God's kingdom, even in little ways or are you waiting for your "big break"? God has something for all of us to do, and whatever He has for you is important in His kingdom even if it does not seem important to anyone else. Do not take any opportunity for granted. God is at work, so let Him work in and through you.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

by George Mattheson

1. O Love that wilt not let me go,
   I rest my weary soul in thee;
   I give thee back the life I owe,
   That in thine ocean depths its flow
   May richer, fuller be.
2. O light that foll’west all my way,
   I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
   My heart restores its borrowed ray,
   That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
   May brighter, fairer be.
3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
   I cannot close my heart to thee;
   I trace the rainbow through the rain,
   And feel the promise is not vain,
   That morn shall tearless be.
4. O Cross that liftest up my head,
   I dare not ask to fly from thee;
   I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
   And from the ground there blossoms red
   Life that shall endless be.

Fellowship So Deep

by: Aaron Senseman and Kinley Lange

For the love that knows no ending, in the wisdom of God's plan
For the light that was descending to revive the heart of man
Christ the Lamb was made to suffer and to die upon a tree
So that we, sisters and brothers, could know His fellowship so deep

Let us sing of our Redeemer and of His love that made us free
And know this gift is ours forever, a fellowship so deep
A fellowship so deep

We can feel his love among us; we can sing redemption's song
We can hear the Spirit call us to a place where we belong
For His joy is in our laughter and His comfort in our grief
Let His love here ever after be the language that we speak

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia to the Lamb, alleluia to the Lamb
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia to the Lamb, alleluia to the Lamb

All Grown Up Part 2

Walking up and down stairs. Choosing clothes and getting dressed. Using the bathroom alone. Riding in the front seat of a car. Eating what I like and knowing how to chose things that are good. Getting food or drink. Carrying bags. Doing laundry. Cleaning. Being able to reach most things.

All of these things and many more I know I take for granted on a regular basis. I see Jamey struggling these things consistently. There are days he wants to do these things and is confident in being a big boy. Other times he wants to be a baby and just wants to be carried or play. I see this battle and I think of myself. Do I play on the computer or do the laundry? Do I read my Bible or watch TV? Do I plan a meal or just eat something from the freezer or fast food? I could continue on, but I believe you get the idea. Knowing what takes priority and learning balance seems to be the biggest keys in "growing up". Or maybe it just seems that way to me at the moment. I keep realizing that there are so many good things to do and things we can do, but we must realize that there are things that must be a priority and things we must do as a part of living for God and there are things we should do to be a Christ-like witness or be healthy.

How do we make these decisions? Pray! Read the Bible! Seek advice from Christian friends and elders. It's not easy, but it is all necessary. I seem to be asking myself these questions all the time and seem to be floundering in them. I am grateful that God is patient with us and helps us as we muddle through these questions to figure out the right answers. I think the hardest part is that these change on a regular basis. But we must press on, ask the questions and rely on God to get us through each and every day.

My Maker and My King

by Anne Steel (adapted by Mike Cosper)

My Maker and my King,

To you my all I owe;

Your sovereign bounty is the spring

Where all my blessings flow;

A creature of Your hand,

On You alone I live;

My God, Your benefits demand

More praise than I can give.

My God, Your benefits demand

More praise than I can give.

Pre-Chorus

What can I give

When all is Yours before?

Your love demands a thankful heart;

But my gift is so poor.

Chorus

O let Your grace inspire

My soul with strength divine;

Let every word and each desire

And all my days be Yours.

All Grown Up

This past weekend my baby sisters (yes, they are twins) graduated from high school. I may sound like an older person for a moment, but being nine years their senior I remember their lives. I remember the day they were born, when they finally came home from the hospital 2 weeks later, when they began kindergarten, middle school and high school. I remember the little girls who were my bridesmaids almost 7 years ago, then turning around and realizing they are no longer little girls. They are now 18, preparing to go to college and become part of the "real world". They are all grown up!

Or are they really. Reflecting on this has caused me to reflect on this ideology of being grown up, but what does it really mean. Once we are 18, 21, 30 we are all grown up? Or because we have a job, a mortgage and two cars? Because we are married? Because we have kids? When are we really grown up?

I have come to the conclusion that though we may enter the adult world, we are never fully "all grown up". There is always something new to learn, something different to do. We look at adults all of the time and wonder if they are ever going to grow up. Sometimes I look at myself and wonder if I will ever be grown up. And then it hits me, only in Christ can I be grown up. He gives me the ability to make "grown up" decisions, to be wise in uncertain circumstances and to know how to handle every day life. Do I do this perfectly? By no means! I wish I did. But everyday I'm crying out to God, "make me grown up! Make me perfect so that I will no longer hurt your heart or those around me!" Only God is really grown up. I hate it when I make childish decisions, or mistakes from just not paying attention to what is going on around me. But praise the Lord, the blood of Jesus covers me and now I can ask Him every day to help me be truly grown up.