How on Earth Did I get Here?

As I reflect over God's faithfulness, I realize some things He has done that just completely boggles my finite mind. The other morning, I had the privilege of having breakfast with a wonderful young woman. She grew up in Saudi Arabia and was telling me about her father having three wives, and the widespread common practice of polygamy in the middle east. She viewed this as common, but she didn't want this for herself. This past September, God in His awesome grace allowed me to go to Uganda where women deal heavily with oppression from circumstances such as polygamy and abuse from their society. It was a pretty extreme condition to see firsthand. Just a few weeks ago God led me and my spiritual mom to a conference in Concord, North Carolina where many women gathered. Fortunately hearing the coordinator share personally, we were able to learn more about the oppression of women and how harsh it is in South America, India, and places all over the world. Basically my point is that following God puts you in some of the most bizarre places. As we follow God in surrendered obedience He leads us to the place that may seem uncomfortable but He uses those things to open our eyes to those things on His heart. Through that, He entrusts us to do something. God is a lot different than the internet, He doesn't give information to be useless or more "knowledgeable"; He gives revelation for sons and daughters to partner with Him in kingdom building. I'm sure that if we could talk to Daniel (exile in Babylon) he would say the exact same thing. His life may have not looked exactly like what he thought it would have, but it was exactly the way God wanted it to be and he was probably amazed at where he ended up. Obedience often times seems to take us to the places we least expected, but to the places that make a lot of difference in the kingdom. God is so good, faithful, and I am thankful that He allows us to be a part of His plan. More than anything, it's really amazing that God, the creator of it all, entrusts us with such an amazing purpose! That's a lot of love and grace!

What does Christmas mean... to me?

This is such a personal and specific thing and I am not sure if it can even be summed up in words honestly, but I can try to explain what Christmas means to me.
Christmas is a celebration of an event that all creation waited for, was created for, and remembers still to this very day. Scripture points to the coming of the King, the arrival of the king, and was forever changed because of it. It amazes me because of God's sovereign plan to redeem mankind and make a way for us to have access to him, in spite of our humanity and it can all be summed up in Jesus. The birth of Jesus was God's plan unfolding for all the world to embrace His love and mercy through the life of the Savior. When I think about what it means to me personally it just amazes me. I feel like in my heart I have the same reaction of "awe" as most of those who heard of the birth, who witnessed the birth, and who waited for the King's arrival and all I can do is respond in humble adoration bringing to Him all that I am. I believe that worship plus devotion in daily life will overall describe what Christmas means to me. As I think about Mary and Joseph and many of the other individuals who had such a tight knit relationship with God that they received revelation and took abandoned steps of obedience to God no matter what risks surrounded them, I am completely challenged. They were ordinary people just like I am and we probably have many of the same struggles, especially when stepping into the realm of the unfamiliar. You see that they gave their lives completely to God, even the things they didn't understand. Mary never prayed to fully understand God's plan, she just accepted what He spoke and followed through. Then Joseph who could have escaped the whole scenario considering Jesus wasn't typically his, but He stayed. He accepted the God's purpose without 100% knowing what it would cost him, but every time God revealed his direction in a dream, Joseph obeyed. Mary and Joseph are examples of those who are completely consumed with God and wrapped up in His plan. It challenges me to never hesitate to give all that I am to God for his cause, even when I don't understand. It challenges me to see with eyes of faith instead of only the things I can comprehend. It challenges me to cause my entire life to be about the King and determined by Him.
As we remember that God sent His son to save a lost, broken world in need of a Savior, let's be willing to be sent out from where we are so that they world may know him. There are no limitations on who God uses in the sending; he used a girl in the least likely of conditions to usher in the greatest gift of all... Immanuel.

Women or Worth-Uganda 2010

What do you do with your Wal-Mart bag?

Shhhhhhhhhh.... It's a secret

I can't help but to wonder about the remote or not so remote places in the world where Christianity is not allowed and if it is allowed, it's only allowed with extreme isolation and persecution. Yesterday I was reading about a church in Asia that quickly caught my attention. The church I read about captivated my thinking because it consisted of a group of about 20 leaders who gathered together in secret to study the word of God and to be further equipped to carry out the will of God in their lives and in their community. In this part of Asia it is illegal to gather together with these kind of intentions, in this type of atmosphere.. but they did it anyway. I read that each individual traveled at different times of the day, not by an SUV or car, but by foot and on bike. They each came at different times so that it wouldn't be obvious that they were gathering together for such event. The leaders shared stories of their churches and wanted strength to equip Christians that God had placed under their leadership. The leaders needed to know how to equip the saints to endure opposition from cults that persecuted Christians. One woman leader said this: "I need to know how to lead my church, even if it costs them everything." Needless to say, people in her church were losing their lives and facing persecution from government officials...because they followed Christ.  Hearing this story, which contained even more graphic details, literally clenched my heart and the Holy Spirit begin to speak....


Somewhere there are people in this world who left their jobs, communities, family, and safety to walk miles upon miles to get to a "hidden church". Their fellowship cost them something, their worship cost them something, their studying of the word cost them something. It could have cost them all they had....their very life.


It's amazing to me, that when following God means so much to you, you will risk anything & everything to know Him and to spread His gospel. I'm thankful that we don't face that kind of persecution in our country and that we can freely come together as believers and freely speak about God, but I want it to cost me something. A life to one person may be different to another person. To one it may be your life to another it may be selfishness, pride, time, or money. Jesus is worth everything, no matter what it is. Worth cannot be compartmentalized and if it is, then it's not worth much. Abandonment to God cannot be bargained, but comes at one price alone. I am thankful that Jesus did not bargain my worth, but paid it in full with His life, so that I could have life. Love has no limits on the amount it gives. That's what the love of Christ shows us, that He gives and loves all with no conditions. It's easy to ask God to speak..... with our terms and conditions, but God wants us to live outside of "ourselves" per say and in doing that God has to speak to us outside of our ideals and regulations. What I mean by that is "God I will do this.. if", I will give you everything if I know ______", if you give me a raise, I will give to those in need. But thankfully our infinite, all knowing, all powerful, God is so much bigger and doesn't work according to our terms and conditions....because we would definitely be in trouble. (In reality we are so tiny in comparison to Him).


I have heard stories and read stories of Muslim people who encountered for the first time a man named Jesus who was not some "far off god" but was a personal Father and Savior from all sin, and after revelation of this truth literally gave up everything . See in their culture, to follow Islamic law and all the details brings great honor to your family. To deny it brings extreme dishonor to both family, country, and their god. Muslim people who have encountered God and decided to follow Jesus, have faced extreme persecution and exile from their family. See, the scripture in Luke (14:26-27) that says, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. In this very same teaching to the crowd of people, Jesus tells them in a parable to first count the cost before building to see if the task can be completed. That scripture to them, means everything. Honoring your family is a big deal in the Islamic society but when they meet Jesus they give up what they have understood as value, ideals, rules, & regulations their entire life.. so that they can pursue Him daily into an unknown faith.
The chance of knowing a personal savior in comparison to the risk of dishonoring their family and forsaking all they knew was worth it, because to them Jesus is worth it. 


Then you hear about the Christians in Nigeria who live in a constant struggle to be able to practice their faith. They struggle against their Muslim neighbors who don't want them evangelizing the gospel of Christ. The struggles isn't 'name calling' or simple things like that, but their churches are being burned down and people are facing a brutal death... all in order to practice their faith. 


All these people have one thing in common, being with Jesus may cost them their very life, but to them it's worth it. How amazing that the spirit of God is moving on the hearts of people in all nations among all people.
His love, grace, and call to follow is being spread in all places!!!! 


In Acts 20 when Paul was talking to the Ephesian church leaders, He knew the Holy Spirit was leading Him to Jerusalem  and he also knew that he would face persecution there. But Paul said these profound words that came from his abandoned heart in a sold out relationship with Christ...."I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

• Let our lives cost us something, because HE is worth it.
• Be consumed and driven by the love, grace, purpose, direction and heart of God. 
• Pray for the people who face and endure persecution because of their faith and who live in this kind of bondage, that God would give them strength and empower them, and that people all over would receive a revelation of who He is. 
• Pray for Uganda as they have recently been attacked! Pray for the peace of God and restoration in the country as well as a stepping out of the leadership! 

And for us, let's not settle for normal, mundane, but allow God to take inventory of our lives and hearts so that our life can become more of a reflection of Him!


These are realities that people all over the world face to know Jesus. These things here really amaze me and shake me up!
Sometimes we can hear or read a scripture so much that it loses it's powerful meaning and challenging ability (when we allow it to), but here is one scripture to sum it all up:


2 Samuel 24:24
David says as he builds an altar to God:
"nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing."


Rather than living a life of comfort and stability let's dare to live a life of passion and pursuit of following our Savior! 
Below are some links to some videos I encourage you to watch...
one is about the Nigeria churches and persecution..
the other is about a woman(Bilquis Sheikh) who grew up in a prominent Muslim family in Pakistan and began to encounter Jesus and faced hardships due to practicing her faith.... very powerful!!

Victims in Nigeria
Bilquis Sheikh

How far will you follow me?

God is always asking, will you follow me and if so how far? By looking at the life of Peter, we see that Jesus was always asking Him, how far will you follow me. First of all when Jesus called the disciples, He asked them (Peter included) to give up their jobs in order to become His disciple or follower. A job isn't just a job but a source of provision, comfort, and for men in that time it can be a form of identity. So Peter dropped his nets and followed after Jesus. As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Matthew 4:18  Another time Jesus asked the question "how far will you follow me", was when he asked Peter to step out on the boat. Matthew 14:25-29 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."Come," he said.   Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" In our relationship with God we are asked often times to venture into the unknown like Peter was when he was asked to walk on water. We are sometimes asked to do things that with our all natural eyes look and seem humanly impossible. The most amazing thing about this event that took place is what Peter said. When He said, Lord if it's you, I'll come, He was declaring that no matter what it looked like, felt like, how unknown and no matter how afraid he may be THAT because Jesus bid Him come and because Jesus was on the water then He could step out of the known into the unknown. The unknown will always seem fearful unless you step out with the One you know. The only hope that Peter had in this situation, was that the One He knew was on the standing on the water. Peter had several firsthand experiences with Jesus, meaning He had personally been with Jesus as He had fed the multitude, healed the sick, raised the dead, spoken truth to the blind, crossed cultural boundaries, and even watched him escape it all to pray to His father. Peter experienced it firsthand and had a knowing of Christ, so when Jesus responded "It is I"... although everyone else was afraid, Peter stepped out of the boat because He knew Jesus. As followers of Christ, we too experience Jesus firsthand through a daily relationship with Him: we know Him, when He calls, when He speaks, when He leads, and when He whispers  his amazing love to us. The sheep know His voice. Sometimes like Peter, we see our "very known" personal Savior in an unknown place asking us how far we will follow him. When we know it's him, even if we sink he holds us up, because He is faithful to those who follow him in obedience. When Jesus asks how far will you follow me, it's a matter of trust. Will you trust like Peter did, even in the unknown, that He will hold you up? It's greater to be in the unknown with the one you know than rather than being in the known without Him. Trust the One you know and where He has led you this far, even when you face the unknown. The unknown changes, the known changes because they are just circumstances..but Jesus (who you know), will never change. What he speaks is sovereign, and where He leads is for divine purpose. God always asks to His children how far will you follow me and how much will you trust me? He asks us this because he loves us and desires that we all grow closer to Him in our own life and so His will can be at constant work through us. A lot of times we pray for greater things in God and that greater can come as the unknown where we have to take a blind leap into the loving arms of our Savior. Trust is defined in a very broad way, but I like to think of it as this in my relationship with God: With all that I am rely on all that He is, and He is always more than enough. So when Jesus asks, how far.... follow Him farther because He knows every step of the journey in our lives and whether this is the first step of salvation or the step to walk in a specific calling, God is still leading and directing every step and He knows what we can't quite see yet. The plans He wants to fulfill through those He created are amazing, and He asks us to follow Him in loving obedience and the best response is more than a yes, but an actual step. 

All around we are facing unknown circumstances in our society and in this specific time in history. Whether it's economic trouble, family problems, and the list could go on and on  because that's what circumstances do... but today, trust the one you know with all that you are despite what everything else looks like. 
 I would encourage you to read Matthew chapter 14 and today don't put a limit on how far you follow Jesus, but follow  Him, fully abandoned with a loving heart. Don't stay in the boat, but go where He is.

Dinner with a sinner

Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick......For I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners." Matthew 9:12. In this moment of  Jesus' mission, He and his disciples were eating with tax collectors and 'sinners'. This specific dinner apparently intrigued the Pharisees, as seen in their questioning. The life that Jesus lived allows us, as ordinary followers , to capture his nature- meditate on it, embrace it, reflect it and live it. So what can we reflect in this circumstance? We can acquire a lifestyle model of making eternal investments and discovering true evangelism of the gospel of Christ. Dinner with a sinner. All around us are people who need to know Jesus, desperately, and are truly missing hope, peace, salvation, worth, freedom, healing, etc. People all over the world need the real Jesus... the Jesus that ate with sinners, that shared His love by daily laying down his life and by pouring out all he had far beyond man-made barriers, traditions, and physical limitations. Sometimes knowing the amount of lost people, the great amount of people in nations who have never heard the gospel message or who are the least evangelized, seeing poverty stricken people, the hurt, wounded, broken, bound, addicts, or even those whose crutch is man-made traditions, is... well overwhelming. So with this overwhelming factor of the world, where do we start. Jesus left the 99 to go after the 1. We can begin by investing in the one(s) around us. When God puts something in your heart, it is very much alive, a heartbeat causes your body to respond. The heartbeat of God in a willing vessel will cause one thing: action. Sometimes it's so easy to get wrong ideas about how things are supposed to look like or how they are even supposed to function. For instance, sometimes in our ohhh so human minds, it's easy to think that the things of God have to be embellished with something of "our own" when in reality He ministers in power according to His will and normally a lot more simple but amazing than we expect. So, dinner with a sinner- One person at a time: Reaching out to the people around you, sharing the hope you have with another, displaying the life changing, unselfish, amazing, distinct Love of Christ.  Jesus reached out to me when I thought I was unreachable. His love met me at the place where I was a sinner and He embraced me there and my life changed. As you pray and know the heart of God, He reveals people around you that need Him. When God shows you this person, or people be their friend and build a relationship with them. Get to know them and follow God's lead with them. "Dinner with a sinner", or befriending an individual who needs Jesus will allow the nature of God to naturally flow through those who follow Him and the people who are being reached out to will see something different. That difference is of course Jesus. As a Christian, we are all called to live a life or mission. A mission of following God on the journey in daily obedience and seeing the world as He does will allow you to impact others and take part of the work He has started. The harvest isn't an event that will take place one day or in the future, the harvest is now for those who are willing to see it. One day at a time, one obedient act at a time, one individual coming to know Christ at a time... what a life to live, daily encountering God to know Him more and in return make Him known by pouring yourself out into those around you, and to wherever the journey leads you. Jesus truly saw the worth in each individual He encountered on His journey and He even knew the worth of every person ever created thus He gave all. By seeing with the eyes of God, we can see the worth in people we encounter, because underneath it all, each person has the value that is seen in the life and death of our one true Savior, Jesus. Worth shouldn't be questioned, when Jesus gave His life for all, so they may know Him. May the mission of God be branded on our hearts and sealed in our lives as we reach out those around us.