There continues to be nothing new and exciting in our neck of the woods. My heart still longs to move on to full time ministry but God is beginning to settle my heart a bit. However I am seriously looking forward to our trip out to California at the end of May. Our flight leaves on either the 21st or 22nd (I can't remember. It's a good thing Jon has all of that under control). We will be out there for a whole week and I can't wait! We'll spend the first couple of days in the LA area with Jon's family for Matthew's graduation and a few days later Jon and I will drive up the pacific coast to San Francisco for an early anniversary celebration. Did I mention that I seriously can't wait for this trip? It is long overdue.Jon only has a couple weeks of classes left until his spring semester comes to a close and we begin our sprint to the finish. Woohoo!! I know he is excited but also a little overwhelmed because he still has quite a bit to do before he is finished. We are both ready for a change and I think California will do just the trick. Oooo, makes me want to pick and leave right now.
The only new thing with me is that I have finally finished the David Brainerd book (which is an incredible story and well worth the time) and have now moved on to A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael, written by Elisabeth Elliot. I've really been enjoying reading through biographies of missionaries and I still have a long list of books I would like to read. I'm sure many more will get added to this list.
Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret
- Praying Hyde, Apostle of Prayer: The Life Story of John Hyde
- To the Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson
- Jungle Pilot
- Through Gates of Splendor
- Shadow of the Almighty
Another book I thought looked fascinating is: Eternity in Their Hearts: Startling Evidence of Belief in the One True God in Hundreds of Cultures Throughout the World (written by Don Richardson). He is the same man who wrote Peace Child, an amazing book about his life as a missionary in the jungles of Papua New Guinea and how God broke through to the tribal people he was ministering to.
Anyways, so yeah I'm trying to use this time to stir and prepare my heart for ministry in the coming years. God is continuing to give my heart a burden for missions though I'm still not entirely sure why. I long to be earnest in hearing the heart of my Savior and following his leading. A quote I read from the Amy Carmichael book stood out to me last night, "Satan is so much more in earnest than we are - he buys up the opportunity while we are wondering how much it will cost." I desire know the voice of my Savior so clearly that I will be quick to obey even if I think the cost will be great. My ministry at this point in my life is not exactly what I imagined it but God is moving and I want to continue to live in that moment and not just look forward to something "better." I'm learning, slowly.
A quick aside. This morning at church a song lyric convicted my heart so much so that I couldn't even sing it.
"Break my heart for what breaks yours. Everything I am for your kingdom's cause..."
Do I live like that? Lord stir my heart. Despite how mundane life seems at times God is still moving in a mighty way and I'm thankful. So yeah, that's about it with me. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise. His greatness no one can fathom!!
2 comments:
Just wanted to encourage you that although you don't see alot of what God is doing in your life right now, I can look back 15 years and wish those were my experiences. I wasted alot of my younger years enjoying sin before I was saved at 23. God saved me just after our first daughter was born, and as wonderful as that has been, 5 children later doesn't leave very much time for the intense studying you are able to do right now.
Remember David. Although God chose him as a young man to be king, He then sent him back out to tend the sheep to learn all the things he would need to know. You are out tending the sheep.
God has big plans for you, I'm sure! You are a daughter of the King after all.
Above all, just be faithful where He has you today. Tomorrow will come, and you will be so responsive to His voice in the little things, that those big things won't seem so hard.
I have read an autobiography about Amy Carmichael and loved it! What a testimony she has left of her Saviour! What an encouragement to those who come behind her.
Terri
PS~ Have fun on your trip! Sounds great! Enjoy your time with your honey!
I'm so glad you get a break! Reading this post made me happy for you. Take care, amazing friend.
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