We had so much fun at the reception - thank goodness they put our table in the corner! Here's most of the small group....Martin, Joe, Haley, Chris, Danny, and Eric.
Tuesday, April 15
Congrats Chris and Hae
Last Saturday, Joe and I celebrated the marriage of Dr. and Mrs. Chris Lee! Chris and Haley are both members of Joe's small group, so it was a special treat to celebrate all together, and most of the small group was actually a part of the ceremony. God's blessings on your marriage!!
We had so much fun at the reception - thank goodness they put our table in the corner! Here's most of the small group....Martin, Joe, Haley, Chris, Danny, and Eric.
We had so much fun at the reception - thank goodness they put our table in the corner! Here's most of the small group....Martin, Joe, Haley, Chris, Danny, and Eric.
Friday, April 11
20 years
Yesterday, April 10, marked 20 years of walking with Jesus!
It is pure joy to remember the early days, even though I was only 6. I remember making the decision that I wanted to be fully Christ's - body, soul, and mind. Knowing that I could no longer rest on the faith of my parents, yet thankful for their teaching, by His grace and in faith I pledged to be a covenant keeper.
Wow...20 years!
I have to admit that I felt a moment of sadness yesterday, wishing I had "more to show" for 20 years of growth in my spiritual walk. I guess I imagined I would feel different. But the Lord in his mercy reached down in to my soul and reminded me right then that we've had an amazing 20 years! Despite great sin, sadness, tilling of the soul of my heart, and the pain of the heat peeling back the dross, there have been glorious times of worship and service to my King, moments of grace when I cannot deny His perfect leading in my life, awe-inspiring times of learning new truth, and a constant assurance of His presence with me day by day. The memories are a flood of joy!
During class last Monday, my professor was lecturing on the consequences of sin. As believers, we've been set free from the eternal consequences of sin, yet we're still living among them, and quite honestly, we often confuse ourselves and live as if they really apply to us as well. I was particularly impacted by the lecture/discussion on the believer's fight with indwelling sin. Swain said he remembers believing as a child that growing more and more like Jesus meant gaining more and more victory in perfectionism. He always imagined that sanctification had an end on earth; you know, like those little old ladies in church every Sunday no longer fight with their sinful nature. Sound familiar? Without a doubt, I believed that too! Clearly, I still wrestle with these thoughts. Where I expected to be at this point in my walk is far from the instense struggles I'm feeling today.
But....there is good news. As a consequence of the Spirit’s indwelling presence, we have been engaged in an internal battle with our sinful nature. What, when, where is triumph? Most poignant to me was this point: we measure triumph by engagement in the fight, not by evidence of total conquest.
Whew~ There is freedom in truth! I know that 1) total conquest will only come in the next life, and 2) faith is not passive; faith is actively engaged in sanctification. But it's a beautifully ironic truth that the battle raging so real inside of me does not mean that God is not keeping His promise to sanctify me, grow me, develop me into a true Christ-image. Even though I'm tempted to feel like it, I'm not losing the fight against my sinful nature. Rather, it is this very battle that evidences His work in my life, His keeping of those promises. I am triumphant through faith: fully involved in the battle against my sinful nature and fully calling upon Jesus as the only true eternal Victor.
So encouraging in the deepest part of me!
And so, I celebrate 20 years of this glorious road. I am a daughter of the Most High King. I am a co-heir with Jesus of the riches of this King. I am pursued, loved, adopted. I sit at the King's table every single day! He might be busy, but the King still delights in sitting by the waters in the coolness of the end of the day, and just...talking. The King is pleased to hear my praises and worship of Him like a fine aroma. He overwhelmingly and abundantly provides for me; He has given me all things. Yes. This is the place I've called home for 20 years.
When I'm tempted to live outside the beauty of that castle, with thoughts, feelings, and actions that are of the world outside... When the enemy within tells me that it can't really be that good, so stop living like it... I feel so encouarged to take up that fight with rejoicing. No more sadness that I'm still fighting. Lord, give me 20 more years of battle, and more! YOU have already gained the victory - I'm yours!
Happy Birthday to me! :)
It is pure joy to remember the early days, even though I was only 6. I remember making the decision that I wanted to be fully Christ's - body, soul, and mind. Knowing that I could no longer rest on the faith of my parents, yet thankful for their teaching, by His grace and in faith I pledged to be a covenant keeper.
Wow...20 years!
I have to admit that I felt a moment of sadness yesterday, wishing I had "more to show" for 20 years of growth in my spiritual walk. I guess I imagined I would feel different. But the Lord in his mercy reached down in to my soul and reminded me right then that we've had an amazing 20 years! Despite great sin, sadness, tilling of the soul of my heart, and the pain of the heat peeling back the dross, there have been glorious times of worship and service to my King, moments of grace when I cannot deny His perfect leading in my life, awe-inspiring times of learning new truth, and a constant assurance of His presence with me day by day. The memories are a flood of joy!
During class last Monday, my professor was lecturing on the consequences of sin. As believers, we've been set free from the eternal consequences of sin, yet we're still living among them, and quite honestly, we often confuse ourselves and live as if they really apply to us as well. I was particularly impacted by the lecture/discussion on the believer's fight with indwelling sin. Swain said he remembers believing as a child that growing more and more like Jesus meant gaining more and more victory in perfectionism. He always imagined that sanctification had an end on earth; you know, like those little old ladies in church every Sunday no longer fight with their sinful nature. Sound familiar? Without a doubt, I believed that too! Clearly, I still wrestle with these thoughts. Where I expected to be at this point in my walk is far from the instense struggles I'm feeling today.
But....there is good news. As a consequence of the Spirit’s indwelling presence, we have been engaged in an internal battle with our sinful nature. What, when, where is triumph? Most poignant to me was this point: we measure triumph by engagement in the fight, not by evidence of total conquest.
Whew~ There is freedom in truth! I know that 1) total conquest will only come in the next life, and 2) faith is not passive; faith is actively engaged in sanctification. But it's a beautifully ironic truth that the battle raging so real inside of me does not mean that God is not keeping His promise to sanctify me, grow me, develop me into a true Christ-image. Even though I'm tempted to feel like it, I'm not losing the fight against my sinful nature. Rather, it is this very battle that evidences His work in my life, His keeping of those promises. I am triumphant through faith: fully involved in the battle against my sinful nature and fully calling upon Jesus as the only true eternal Victor.
So encouraging in the deepest part of me!
And so, I celebrate 20 years of this glorious road. I am a daughter of the Most High King. I am a co-heir with Jesus of the riches of this King. I am pursued, loved, adopted. I sit at the King's table every single day! He might be busy, but the King still delights in sitting by the waters in the coolness of the end of the day, and just...talking. The King is pleased to hear my praises and worship of Him like a fine aroma. He overwhelmingly and abundantly provides for me; He has given me all things. Yes. This is the place I've called home for 20 years.
When I'm tempted to live outside the beauty of that castle, with thoughts, feelings, and actions that are of the world outside... When the enemy within tells me that it can't really be that good, so stop living like it... I feel so encouarged to take up that fight with rejoicing. No more sadness that I'm still fighting. Lord, give me 20 more years of battle, and more! YOU have already gained the victory - I'm yours!
Happy Birthday to me! :)
Thursday, April 10
Stamping
Last Saturday, I spent all afternoon watching movies and making cards! I stamped for 5 hours and had over a dozen cards to show for it. It was so much fun!! Call me if you want to join me next time. :) Here are a few samples of my favorite cards.
Wednesday, April 9
spring break
A very welcome spring break was had by all RTSers a couple of weeks ago. Oh, how I love spring break! Don't you think the working world should have a spring break too?
yum! We lunched at Harmoni on Edgewater Drive...quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Orlando!
Well, it was a great week off from my regular schedule, even though I worked a great deal at PI and around the house. But on Friday, Noriko and I spent a girly day including lunch, a movie, and coffee! Loved it.
yum! We lunched at Harmoni on Edgewater Drive...quite possibly my favorite restaurant in Orlando!Wednesday, April 2
Adventure in Africa!
I'm so excited for my big bro, Nels! He's headed to Africa today on a project with Overland Missions!!
About a month ago, Nels and his family attended a commissioning service for Overland Mission's first long-term folks. This organization mostly focuses on short-term ministry projects among the most remote villages in Africa. But it was exciting to be sending out LT-ers.
At this service, Nels learned that Overland Missions has been building a logistical base camp as a terminal for their bush expeditions of evangelism and pastoral support. Nels casually mentioned that he would be happy to serve them through help creating some design concepts and presentation artwork. By the end of the night, they decided Nels really needed to visit the site in order to best represent the style of architecture as well as the environment and landscaping.
Today, Nels is boarding a plane to join a small team meeting at the logistical center to evaluate and plan for the upcoming construction. So quick...so amazing...so exciting!
This opportunity came to Nels and his family during the same weekend as some other difficult family news, which made Africa such a blessing for them. It was something to look forward to, a beacon of hope that God gives His best to His children and is sovereignly working out His plan.
Pray for Nels! And pray for Ashlee as this is the longest they've been apart in 6 years of marriage. I'm so thrilled for them to be a part of this adventure!!
About a month ago, Nels and his family attended a commissioning service for Overland Mission's first long-term folks. This organization mostly focuses on short-term ministry projects among the most remote villages in Africa. But it was exciting to be sending out LT-ers.
At this service, Nels learned that Overland Missions has been building a logistical base camp as a terminal for their bush expeditions of evangelism and pastoral support. Nels casually mentioned that he would be happy to serve them through help creating some design concepts and presentation artwork. By the end of the night, they decided Nels really needed to visit the site in order to best represent the style of architecture as well as the environment and landscaping.
Today, Nels is boarding a plane to join a small team meeting at the logistical center to evaluate and plan for the upcoming construction. So quick...so amazing...so exciting!
This opportunity came to Nels and his family during the same weekend as some other difficult family news, which made Africa such a blessing for them. It was something to look forward to, a beacon of hope that God gives His best to His children and is sovereignly working out His plan.
Pray for Nels! And pray for Ashlee as this is the longest they've been apart in 6 years of marriage. I'm so thrilled for them to be a part of this adventure!!
Tuesday, April 1
Home with Jesus
I loved Jim Britton. He was one of my heros. With all of the PI family, I mourn his loss in our midst but rejoice that he is with Jesus face to face! Jim exclaimed the joy of the Lord with every kind word, every backrub, every genuine "how are you?", and every email he sent overseas. He was loved the world-over because of the way he passed along the love of Christ.
Truly, truly.......well done, good and faithful servant!
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