"He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing."
Isaiah 40:22-23
I was reading this passage the other day while having my quiet time on the roof of our building. It really hit me that the kingdom I've been trying to building is nothing. The Lord's kingdom is so much higher than anything I can imagine. I was reading my "expectations" that I had written the other day and realized that many of them haven't come true. But I'm learning that God's timing is best. Just because he doesn't answer my prayers the way I want or in the timing I want doesn't mean He's not in charge. This verse made me realize that His plans are so much higher. I may never see the "results" of this CCP, but that's ok, because it's not about my recognition.
It's been quite a different week from the other weeks we've been here. It was so wonderful to have our friend Antonia join us to church. We also got to visit Hillsong Church on Sunday night. It was great music, but I realized how their music impacts me so much more more in my room in worship to Jesus. However, I'm really glad we got to experience the church.
We began our Mercy Ministries and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we helped out at a Soup Kitchen called Newtown Mission. It has been such a blessing to be a part of this ministry. Pastor Brian is in charge and has such a great heart for all of the people. Wednesday I talked/listened :) to an 80 year old Greek lady for 2 hours. She teared up when she started talking about praying to God the Father. My heart was broken for her sweet spirit. It was such a blessing to spend time with her. We got to go to their church service on Thursday night which totally busted down my stereotypes of the Body of Christ. All races, ages, and backgrounds gathered together.
Friday I went to a Chinese bible study with my friend, Cassie from church. The students were so sweet and welcoming to us "Americans." The man and his wife who led the ministry are 80 and still selflessly serving Jesus. I pray that I will be that faithful to the work of Christ my whole life. We split up into small groups, and the thought of it blows my mind. Here I was in a group of Christians led by an Indian man, with a Korean girl and a Chinese guy in Australia. The kingdom of God has no certain face to it! God is so wonderful. I'm so thankful for all I've been learning.
Be praying for our friend, Abbey, who's in ICU. We got to visit her today and she seems to be getting a little better. Also be praying for our last week here. It's going to be a hard transition going back to the states, so be praying for the Lord to sustain us. God is so Good! Love you all.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
What's the Catch
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35
Last Thursday my team decided to serve the students of University of New South Wales since it is their finals week. Our idea was to buy coffee and tea and hand it out for free in front of the Library. We went to buy the goods at the store and came across a protest on the way. It was such a great way to start a conversation with an Irish lady who was observing. I started telling her why I was here. She asked me if I was a born again Christian. She was Catholic and said that all that matters is doing good. I was able to tell her about how the Love of Christ is my motivation in "doing good." I praise God for an opportunity to talk to a random stranger on the streets about Christ. Anyway, we got the coffee and headed to UNSW. It was so awkward at first because no one wanted anything to do with us. We were yelling "free coffee, free tea." Yet no one came by for a while. I started getting more bold, yelling, "get your caffeine boost for exams." I even joked about giving away the whole coffee pot. :) We later found out that they all thought there was a "catch" to it. The students either thought that we were going to ask them to sign something or demand some charity donation. Yet after we told them that we were just some Christian students from the States who wanted to serve them as they studied, we got quite a great response. I talked with one girl about her Greek Orthodox beliefs and had many other convos with other students. My team was so energized and encouraged by the end of the quest. It made me realize how much we give with selfish motives. We say we're doing a great thing, but really expecting something in return. It was so great to just love on the students in such a simple way without a catch. We hope to be able to do this again sometime soon, so be praying for it.
That night all of the girls on my team went to our friend Cassie's (from church) house. She has been such a blessing to us. She is an American missionary who has been in China for quite a while teaching English. Right now she's getting her PhD at Sydney Uni. We love hearing her stories and it was such a great time finding out how God is using her.
Yesterday I was able to experience the Blue Mountains. It really did take my breath away. My team went on a 4 hour hike up and down the trails. Our God is so majestic and creative. At one point we reached a refreshing stream in which some of the boys drank out of. It was a reminder that Jesus is going to satisfy our every need. He restores our soul. I also was able to experience the wild life of Australia by going to the petting zoo today. God definitely has a sense of humor. Some of those birds were so crazy looking. But my friends and I were talking about how even though they look so strange, they were given each feature by God to help them survive. They were so intricately made. How much more does the Lord care about us! I'm so blown away by creation. It's so easy to forget about it, especially living in a big city for such a while. I pray that I never forget.
One of my teammates has been spending time with a student here and the student emailed him today to ask how to become a Christian. It's really shown me the greatness of spending time with others and asking them questions. I pray that the Lord continues to open the doors in conversations with students and anyone we come in contact with in the city.
Last Thursday my team decided to serve the students of University of New South Wales since it is their finals week. Our idea was to buy coffee and tea and hand it out for free in front of the Library. We went to buy the goods at the store and came across a protest on the way. It was such a great way to start a conversation with an Irish lady who was observing. I started telling her why I was here. She asked me if I was a born again Christian. She was Catholic and said that all that matters is doing good. I was able to tell her about how the Love of Christ is my motivation in "doing good." I praise God for an opportunity to talk to a random stranger on the streets about Christ. Anyway, we got the coffee and headed to UNSW. It was so awkward at first because no one wanted anything to do with us. We were yelling "free coffee, free tea." Yet no one came by for a while. I started getting more bold, yelling, "get your caffeine boost for exams." I even joked about giving away the whole coffee pot. :) We later found out that they all thought there was a "catch" to it. The students either thought that we were going to ask them to sign something or demand some charity donation. Yet after we told them that we were just some Christian students from the States who wanted to serve them as they studied, we got quite a great response. I talked with one girl about her Greek Orthodox beliefs and had many other convos with other students. My team was so energized and encouraged by the end of the quest. It made me realize how much we give with selfish motives. We say we're doing a great thing, but really expecting something in return. It was so great to just love on the students in such a simple way without a catch. We hope to be able to do this again sometime soon, so be praying for it.
That night all of the girls on my team went to our friend Cassie's (from church) house. She has been such a blessing to us. She is an American missionary who has been in China for quite a while teaching English. Right now she's getting her PhD at Sydney Uni. We love hearing her stories and it was such a great time finding out how God is using her.
Yesterday I was able to experience the Blue Mountains. It really did take my breath away. My team went on a 4 hour hike up and down the trails. Our God is so majestic and creative. At one point we reached a refreshing stream in which some of the boys drank out of. It was a reminder that Jesus is going to satisfy our every need. He restores our soul. I also was able to experience the wild life of Australia by going to the petting zoo today. God definitely has a sense of humor. Some of those birds were so crazy looking. But my friends and I were talking about how even though they look so strange, they were given each feature by God to help them survive. They were so intricately made. How much more does the Lord care about us! I'm so blown away by creation. It's so easy to forget about it, especially living in a big city for such a while. I pray that I never forget.
One of my teammates has been spending time with a student here and the student emailed him today to ask how to become a Christian. It's really shown me the greatness of spending time with others and asking them questions. I pray that the Lord continues to open the doors in conversations with students and anyone we come in contact with in the city.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Over All... LOVE
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity,” Col. 3:12 &14
Love should be our motivation. I’m so guilty for trying to please others, doing “good” things because they’re expected of me. This verse says that love is over all. I heard a very powerful sermon by our team leader on Sunday called “The Measure of Maturity.” If I’m simply doing good things to be seen, that makes me no different than any other moral person. It’s “self focus masked as love.” I’ve been so convicted of my motivations. One question that was asked was “do you love others in order to get love? That’s Idolatry.” I no longer want to mask my selfishness with so-called service or love for others. I want to love others because of the love that Christ has shown to me, even when I don’t deserve it. I pray that my love for Jesus will increase as well as a genuine love for others.
On another note, this week has been so wonderful. We had our Sabbath last Friday in which it poured rain. However, I was so thankful for a reason to be inside and rest. This Monday our friend from church, Sehna and her mom cooked us a Korean sushi feast. I felt so much love from them, as if I were a queen. My friend told me that it reminded her of Christ’s love for us. When we thought that we were finished, she brought more out. Christ will always be enough for us and he will satisfy our every need. Yesterday night we had all the girls who we had met over to our apartment for Taco Night. It was so wonderful. They are in the middle of StuVac (a week break from school before finals.) They’re such an encouragement to me in their love for one another and Jesus.
Next week we’ll be starting our Mercy Ministry to the city. This will include Soup Kitchens, Church Planting surveys, and helping the homeless around the city. Please pray that God opens doors for us to love on others and share Christ’s love with them. Love you all my friends. Thanks for all your encouragement.
Love should be our motivation. I’m so guilty for trying to please others, doing “good” things because they’re expected of me. This verse says that love is over all. I heard a very powerful sermon by our team leader on Sunday called “The Measure of Maturity.” If I’m simply doing good things to be seen, that makes me no different than any other moral person. It’s “self focus masked as love.” I’ve been so convicted of my motivations. One question that was asked was “do you love others in order to get love? That’s Idolatry.” I no longer want to mask my selfishness with so-called service or love for others. I want to love others because of the love that Christ has shown to me, even when I don’t deserve it. I pray that my love for Jesus will increase as well as a genuine love for others.
On another note, this week has been so wonderful. We had our Sabbath last Friday in which it poured rain. However, I was so thankful for a reason to be inside and rest. This Monday our friend from church, Sehna and her mom cooked us a Korean sushi feast. I felt so much love from them, as if I were a queen. My friend told me that it reminded her of Christ’s love for us. When we thought that we were finished, she brought more out. Christ will always be enough for us and he will satisfy our every need. Yesterday night we had all the girls who we had met over to our apartment for Taco Night. It was so wonderful. They are in the middle of StuVac (a week break from school before finals.) They’re such an encouragement to me in their love for one another and Jesus.
Next week we’ll be starting our Mercy Ministry to the city. This will include Soup Kitchens, Church Planting surveys, and helping the homeless around the city. Please pray that God opens doors for us to love on others and share Christ’s love with them. Love you all my friends. Thanks for all your encouragement.
Friday, June 4, 2010
G'day!
“I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:5-6
G’day from Australia! I apologize for being so slow at blogging. To begin, I’ve been living in Sydney for the past two weeks. We arrived safely and were able to recover from jet lag rather quickly. Praise God! I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful team. Everyone has such a heart for the Lord. We split up into two different teams and I am on the University of New South Wales team.
We started off a week ago from Monday by going to campus and meeting people. We were able to get to know a pretty lot of folks here. Tuesday we met our new friend Abbey. We’ve had a lot of fun with her. We got to have a prayer walk that day. On Wednesdays we’ve been going to the University of Technology in Sydney. There are mostly guys in that ministry, but they’re great. A week from yesterday would probably have to be my favorite day so far. Our team listened to a sermon by Tim Keller on the Perfect Freedom we have in Christ. It was so wonderful to be reminded that because of the Cross, God looks at us and sees Christ. We are united with Him. We had our Student Outreach to the World (SOW) meeting that night at UNSW. We talked about the freedom of Christ and broke up into discussion groups. I was so encouraged by the girls in this ministry. They have taught me so much. Such sweet people! Last Friday we got to go to Bondi Beach and it didn’t rain for the first day all week, Praise the Lord. It was great being out of all of the city traffic and noise and experiencing the awesome creation of God. We have been able to go to the Harbour City Church Plant twice and I love it so much. The room is rather small, yet it fills up with worship to God. I’ve been so encouraged by the church’s enthusiasm for missions and to reach their city.
This has been such a great week. I’m learning a lot about God’s timing and continuing to claim Ps. 27:14. Matt (our team leader) gave a great message about evangelism on Sunday night. One of our problems with reaching the world is that we have weak worship. We should be in wonder and attraction to God. He also said, “If you’re pursuing comfort, then you’re missing out on the joy in Christ.” I struggle so much with trying to find the approval of man. I know that this talk really impacted not only our team, but also the SOW students. I’ve been encouraged to hear about them sharing their faith with their friends. We also have been learning about prayer and fully depending on the Lord. It’s been so good to pray together as a team and be thankful in all situations. God’s been doing a great work not only in these students, but also in my heart. He’s so good and so worthy of praise. Thanks for all your prayers!
G’day from Australia! I apologize for being so slow at blogging. To begin, I’ve been living in Sydney for the past two weeks. We arrived safely and were able to recover from jet lag rather quickly. Praise God! I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful team. Everyone has such a heart for the Lord. We split up into two different teams and I am on the University of New South Wales team.
We started off a week ago from Monday by going to campus and meeting people. We were able to get to know a pretty lot of folks here. Tuesday we met our new friend Abbey. We’ve had a lot of fun with her. We got to have a prayer walk that day. On Wednesdays we’ve been going to the University of Technology in Sydney. There are mostly guys in that ministry, but they’re great. A week from yesterday would probably have to be my favorite day so far. Our team listened to a sermon by Tim Keller on the Perfect Freedom we have in Christ. It was so wonderful to be reminded that because of the Cross, God looks at us and sees Christ. We are united with Him. We had our Student Outreach to the World (SOW) meeting that night at UNSW. We talked about the freedom of Christ and broke up into discussion groups. I was so encouraged by the girls in this ministry. They have taught me so much. Such sweet people! Last Friday we got to go to Bondi Beach and it didn’t rain for the first day all week, Praise the Lord. It was great being out of all of the city traffic and noise and experiencing the awesome creation of God. We have been able to go to the Harbour City Church Plant twice and I love it so much. The room is rather small, yet it fills up with worship to God. I’ve been so encouraged by the church’s enthusiasm for missions and to reach their city.
This has been such a great week. I’m learning a lot about God’s timing and continuing to claim Ps. 27:14. Matt (our team leader) gave a great message about evangelism on Sunday night. One of our problems with reaching the world is that we have weak worship. We should be in wonder and attraction to God. He also said, “If you’re pursuing comfort, then you’re missing out on the joy in Christ.” I struggle so much with trying to find the approval of man. I know that this talk really impacted not only our team, but also the SOW students. I’ve been encouraged to hear about them sharing their faith with their friends. We also have been learning about prayer and fully depending on the Lord. It’s been so good to pray together as a team and be thankful in all situations. God’s been doing a great work not only in these students, but also in my heart. He’s so good and so worthy of praise. Thanks for all your prayers!
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