Water of Life

Last summer, my family and I went to visit my grandparents in PA. While we were there, we decided to visit a local event that was presented by Wycliffe Bible Translators and JAARS. There were food stands, book stands, and speakers. One of the speakers was the son of Nate Saint, the missionary pilot who was killed by the Waodani tribe in Ecuador. Steve Saint explained how, through his father's death, the Bibleless and unreached Waodani tribe was brought to Christ. This story emphasized the mission of Wycliffe Bible Translators, who seek to provide various people groups with the Bible in their own language.

While walking among the various tables at the event, my mom and I found one booth where you could fill out a card and commit to regularly praying for a specific Bibleless people group. I chose to pray for the Ukhwejo people of the Central African Republic. Although I have prayed for these people pretty regularly, I am ashamed to say that I really haven't taken the time to find out much about them. I have free literature which Wycliffe provided for me, but I just haven't "felt like" reading that literature too thoroughly.

This morning, I was sitting at a desk having my QT (I answer the phone for the college where my dad works, and since the phone doesn't ring that often, I have plenty of time to read, etc.). I decided to check my inbox and found an e-mail from Wycliffe, encouraging me to pray for those countries who don't have God's Word in their own language. I ended up surfing their website for a while, and in doing so, I realized, "Wow! I have a Bible in my language!" It struck me just how tragic it is that millions and millions of people all around the world can't sit down every morning and have their "QT"! As I stared down at Matthew 27 this morning, I was saddened, thinking how those millions can't read this amazingly life-changing "water of life" that, when taken to heart, provides hope and reason for living. Even though they may have heard the gospel, they don't have an easily accessible version to read for themselves. It is true that God knows no language barrier; PTL, He can reach anyone through any means! And yet, what an amazing blessing it would be if the whole world could read the very words of God on a regular basis!

While at the Wycliffe/JAARS festival, we saw this chart:

Those are all the countries and people groups that DON'T have God's Word in their language! Wow!

Isn't this a powerful reminder that we should never take God's Word for granted? And yet so many times, I know I do! I have, like, 15 Bibles at home, and too many times I "don't have time" or "I just don't feel like" reading them.

This is also a challenge to me to start praying more meaningfully for the Ukhwejo...and for the others who are "unreached."

If you would like to find out more about Wycliffe and JAARS, click on the links above.

Following At a Distance

In Matthew 26:33-35, we see Peter and the other disciples earnestly declaring that they will never desert their Lord. A short time later, Matthew says that "A large mob, with swords and clubs" descended upon the small group and arrested Jesus. This frightening scene would scare anyone, and the disciples were no exception. We read in verse 56 that they "deserted Him and ran away," despite their passionate "loyalty." What a turn-around!

In the very next verses, we watch Peter "following at a distance right to the high priest's courtyard." Peter, the first one to state his loyalty, followed Jesus at a distance.

As I read this passage, I started to wonder, "How do I 'follow at a distance'?" Well, I "follow at a distance" when I fail to seek after and follow Christ, either because I don't want to "get my hands dirty," or because I don't want to be known as "old-fashioned." This includes the times when I join my friends in watching a not-so-great movie, simply to avoid being labeled as "that conservative, sheltered kid." I also "follow at a distance" when I greet the unpopular girl at my church just enough to seem polite...and yet avoid showing a real interest in her life because I don't want to "put myself out." It includes the times when I grow lazy in Bible study and prayer because I don't "feel like it" (just like the disciples in verse 40). Wow...I really do "follow at a distance" sometimes! Yes, I'm guilty of all the aforementioned sins. And those sins make me guilty of denying Christ, just like Peter did.

Yet...

Christ forgives! Several months ago, our pastor preached from Mark 16 about Christ's resurrection. He pointed out, with tears in his eyes, that when the angels talked to the women at the tomb, they said, "...go, tell His disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there just as He told you.'" And Peter. Why did Jesus include those words in His message to the disciples? Peter was one of "the disciples." Jesus didn't need to name him specifically! He included those words, Pr. Gerry said, to express his forgiveness to Peter. Peter was intensely ashamed of his denial of Christ. Mark 14:72 says, "When he thought about it, he began to weep." Perhaps Peter was so ashamed that he felt as though he had lost his Lord's favor. Yet Christ specifically says, "tell [my] disciples and Peter." He wanted to reassure Peter of His love and forgiveness...Peter was still Christ's disciple and friend!

Isn't that so encouraging? Even when we are guilty of following Christ at a distance, He still loves us. He has payed our price, and He forgives and cleanses! We are permanent members of His family, no matter what we've done! Thank you Lord!

One more thought...despite Peter's denial, Judas' betrayal, and his disciples' disloyalty, Christ still died for them...and us! He didn't throw up His hands and say, "Father, why should I die for these losers?!?!?! They just betrayed me!" Instead, He loved...unconditionally. Wow. How amazing!!

Today I am thankful for God's love, God's wisdom, and God's perfect plans.

My family and I have been facing some "unforeseen" and difficult changes lately, and these changes could lead to even more difficult ones in the near future. It's interesting because a couple of years ago, I would never have dreamed that these changes could possibly take place. They DO NOT coincide with my plans...and even though these changes aren't tragic or unbearable, they are still stressful.

However...

It's been sooooo comforting to realize that God's got it all under control! Even though I never saw these events coming, He's known they were coming since before I or my parents were even born! When I focus on that concept, I feel so much better! BELIEVE ME, I have NOT controlled my mind perfectly. Yes...there have been times of hyperventilation!! But God's truth is still truth!!

Last week, our pastor spoke about Saul's conversion. He, as well as several of the men who shared, pointed out how Saul's/Paul's story was timed by God. For example, why didn't God appear to Saul before he had traveled 5 out of the 6 days it took to get to Damascus? In fact, why didn't God appear to Saul before He started arresting and killing all those Christians? The answer, Pr. Gerry pointed out, was that God had a plan. He works all things together so that He is glorified!! That means that the changes that my family is going through are for God's glory...He has it all figured out!! Thank you Lord!

I just read this Psalm, and even though plenty of people care about me (vs 4) and no one is hunting me down (vs 6), I can still take it's main message personally.

Psalm 142

1 I cry aloud to the Lord;

I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy.

2 I pour out my complaint before Him;

I reveal my trouble to Him.

3 Although my spirit is weak within me,

You know my way.

Along this path I travel

they have hidden a trap for me.

4 Look to the right and see;

no one stands up for me;

there is no refuge for me;

no one cares about me.

5 I cry to You, Lord;

I say, "You are my shelter,

my portion in the land of the living."

6 Listen to my cry,

for I am very weak.

Rescue me from those who pursue me,

for they are too strong for me.

7 Free me from prison

so that I can praise Your name.

The righteous will gather around me

because You deal generously with me.

Iris is our host...find more Thankful Thursdays by clicking here...

I Was Tagged!

I got tagged by Julia...so here it goes...

Who is your favorite author and why? Probably Elizabeth George. I've read several of her studies for teens, including "A Young Women After God's Own Heart," "A Young Women's Call to Prayer," and "A Young Women's Walk With God." I loved them all!! Not only are these books challenging, but they also talk about issues and concepts in a tactful, God-honoring way. As far as I can remember, they don't include any unnecessary or disturbing details (unfortunately, my mom and I have discovered that many Christian studies for teens do). If you want to check these books out, click here.

Who was your first favorite author and why? I really liked L.M Montgomery. I read several of the Anne of Green Gables book, as well as the Emily series, and I LOVED them all! Oh, and I loved Louisa May Alcott; I've read "Little Women", "Little Men", and...I think I read either "Old Fashioned Girl" or "Eight Cousins." I really liked Patricia Reilly Giff as well. She wrote "Pictures of Hollis Woods," "Nory Ryan's Song," "Maggie's Door," and many others. Her books are so interesting and are usually historical. "Nory Ryan's Song" and "Maggie's Door" took place during the Irish Potato famine and really fascinated me.

Oh yeah...I was supposed to list one author...

Who is the most recent addition to your favorite authors and why? Well, I haven't really read "Do Hard Things" yet, but I glanced through parts of it, and I already know that the Harris brothers are soon to be on my "Fave authors" list! They present such a powerful and unique message, both in their book (I've heard!) and on their blog.

OK, that was fun! Now...who shall be the next victims??? :-)

I tag Laney, Arya, Christine, Liz, and my mom.

Musical Monday

I just discovered this song by Joy Williams, and I love it. It's so beautiful. I've added it to my playlist, so if you want to hear it (Joy Williams has a gorgeous voice), just scroll to the very bottom of this page, and click on the song's title.

Beautiful Redemption

by Joy Williams

I've had my forty days and forty nights at sea,

I've had forty years in the wilderness, or so to speak,

I've walked with sand from the ocean floor on my feet,

To turn and say you left me.

I'm a doubting Thomas needing to believe,

I'm a perfumed sinner just like Magdalene,

I'm Judas kissing on your cheek eager to decieve,

I am all of these.

Chorus:
I cry, Father, Father, forgive me

You say, Child, I already have.

You are beautiful,

Beautiful Redemption,

You are Beautiful,

Beautiful Redemption.

I'm the guilty thief that's hanging by your side,

and my shame is dying with your sacrifice,

And all my fears come crashing down

as I look in your eyes,

I see paradise.

Hallelujah (we all, we all, we all fall down) x 4

You are beautiful,

Beautiful Redemption.

You are Beautiful,

Beautiful Redemption.

~~~~~~

Isn't that beautiful? He's already forgiven us, no matter what we've done. No matter how badly we behaved, no matter how greatly we've doubted, no matter how drastically we've strayed from Him...He's forgiven us! All we need to do is "cry 'Father, Father, forgive me!'" That's God's promise, and we can be certain that He will keep it!!

Please check this out...

I'm attending the Rebelution conference with my family this summer, and I am so excited about it! The Harris brothers have done so much to impact Christian teens for God's glory!


SEEK HIS FACE WITH ME!
LOVE~BRIANNA

Loving Others...

One of the books I've been reading is called "Being a Girl Who Loves" by Shannon Kubiak Primicerio. This book has been very thought provoking for me personally. Today I was reading a chapter entitled "Every Hour of Every Day." The author described how challenging it is to continue in love, since "if you are anything like me, your attitudes of self-sacrifice and service are short-lived (pg 88)." She compares our "supply" of love to a car's fuel tank, and throughout this chapter, she talks about the need to go to Christ to refuel when our love has run dry. Below is a section which I found helpful.

Look at how John describes himself in John 21:20: "Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; the one who also had leaned back on His breast at the supper, and said, 'Lord, who is the one who betrays you?'"
Verse 24 confirms that John is talking about himself here. But think about that for a moment. Instead of simply saying, "Peter turned and saw me" or "Peter turned and saw John," it says Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had leaned on Jesus' breast. John was known as the disciple who loved....It was common for John to operate on a full love tank. After all, he was the "beloved disciple."
In 1 John 4:7-8 he tells us: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born on God and knows God." He's also the one who told us in John 3:16 that "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
...John was a disciple who loved because he knew how much he was loved. Early on--commentators and theologians say when he was just a teenager, not older than fifteen or sixteen--John learned the art of leaning back on Jesus' breast. He learned the art of intimacy with Christ, always going straight to the Lord to fill his love tank. And when people asked him who he was, he answered, "I'm the disciple Jesus loves."
Knowing that--and basking in it--kept John's love tank full. And with a full love tank he was able to love others more effectively. Those who know how much they are loved love much. Do you know how much you are loved?

This was a challenge to me personally; too many times, I grow lazy in loving others. Sometimes I just don't try because it's too hard. Sometimes I rely on my own strength...and I KNOW that doesn't work! But if I choose to focus on how Christ loved/loves me, this will motivate me to respond in love, even when my natural reaction is to respond in irritation or frustration.

SEEK HIS FACE WITH ME!
LOVE~BRIANNA

Thankful Thursday

Today I read Ps 138, and as I read, I noticed many things which I should be very grateful for.

Verses 1-3: "I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings. I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name FOR YOUR CONSTANT LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else."

His love and faithfulness never falter! They are consistent and perfect, no matter what I do! It's also encouraging that He has "exalted...[His] promise above everything else." He keeps His word.

Verse 3 is awesome: "On the day I called, You answered me; You increased strength within me."

He gives strength when I ask for it! I don't have to wait; David says, "On the day I called, You answered me..."

Verses 4-6: "All the kings on earth will give You thanks, Lord, when they hear what You have promised. They will sing of the Lord's ways, for the Lord's glory is great. Though the Lord is exalted, He takes note of the humble; but He knows the haughty from afar."

I should be praising and thanking God for His promises, because they aren't just empty words. He WILL FULFILL THEM!!
I also see a challenge to humility in these verses. A haughty attitude distances me from a close relationship with God! But a humble attitude draws God's attention; He "takes note" of that kind of attitude.

Verses 7-8 conclude this Psalm:"If I walk in the thick of danger, You will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend Your hand; Your right hand will save me. The Lord WILL FULFILL HIS PURPOSE FOR ME. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands."

Isn't that so cool? His love is eternal, and because His love is eternal, I can be sure that He will fulfill His purposes for my life! He knows that I am a work in progress, and He will not "abandon the work of [His] hands." He will allow nothing to happen to me that will prevent His plans from being carried out.

That's a lot to be thankful for!

SEEK HIS FACE WITH ME!
LOVE~BRIANNA