"Making disciples is not an easy process. It is trying. It is messy. It is slow, tedious, even painful at times. It is all these things because it is relational. Jesus has not given us an effortless step-by-step formula for impacting nations for His glory. He has given us people, and He has said, ‘Live for them. Love them, serve them, and lead them. Lead them to follow me, and lead them to lead others to follow me. In the process you will multiply the Gospel to the ends of the earth.’
"…According to Jesus, disciple-making involves going. It involves intentionally taking the Gospel to people where they live, work, and play. Disciple-making is not a call for others to come to us to hear the Gospel but a command for us to go to others to share the Gospel. A command for us to be Gospel-living, Gospel-speaking people at every moment and in every context where we find ourselves."
-"Radical" by David Platt
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
2011.
A couple of quick thoughts to bring in the new year:
First, this has been the best and most relaxing break that I've probably ever had in my life. No pressure to get things done, no long to-do lists, no worrying about upcoming tests or assignments... Only time to sleep in, hang out with family, play in the snow, read books, do crafts, and practice piano/guitar. It's a beautiful thing.
Second, I'm realizing that 2011 carries with it a great weight of mystery. I know what life will tentatively look like for the next four and a half months, but after that...? I have no idea. Where will I be this summer? I don't know. What will I be doing? I don't know. Will I go to grad school in the fall? I don't know. Where will I be in the fall? I don't know. And the scary thing is, I might not know for awhile.
So here's to a month of prayer and fasting, and discerning a bit more of what the future will hold. Praise God for His sovereignty over what's to come, even though I am clueless. Praise God that I can trust Him to lead me in His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Praise God that He uses these times of clouded confusion to cause my feet to walk closer to His certain, glorious steps.
Thank You, Lord, for what You have done in 2010, and thank You, Lord, for all You will do in 2011!
First, this has been the best and most relaxing break that I've probably ever had in my life. No pressure to get things done, no long to-do lists, no worrying about upcoming tests or assignments... Only time to sleep in, hang out with family, play in the snow, read books, do crafts, and practice piano/guitar. It's a beautiful thing.
Second, I'm realizing that 2011 carries with it a great weight of mystery. I know what life will tentatively look like for the next four and a half months, but after that...? I have no idea. Where will I be this summer? I don't know. What will I be doing? I don't know. Will I go to grad school in the fall? I don't know. Where will I be in the fall? I don't know. And the scary thing is, I might not know for awhile.
So here's to a month of prayer and fasting, and discerning a bit more of what the future will hold. Praise God for His sovereignty over what's to come, even though I am clueless. Praise God that I can trust Him to lead me in His good, pleasing, and perfect will. Praise God that He uses these times of clouded confusion to cause my feet to walk closer to His certain, glorious steps.
Thank You, Lord, for what You have done in 2010, and thank You, Lord, for all You will do in 2011!
Friday, June 18, 2010
mis niños preciosos de Emiliano Zapata
nuestra familia mexicana
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
quejas.
So here’s the thing. I complain like it’s my job. And I don’t even realize it.
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” -Phillipians 2:14-16
Probably about five months ago in Bible study, we were going through Phillipians, and talking about complaining and how it was wrong… And then just the other night, we talked about repentance and turning away from our sin. I think I had honestly convinced myself that there was no sin in my life that I was actually capable of fleeing and running the opposite direction. I mean, I’m full of sin and nasty, convoluted pride, but the repentance I’m moving towards in that area is a completely different story. Right now, I’m talking about a behavior change that needs to happen in my life. Seriously.
If I truly recognize that the petty, selfish complaining that comes out of my mouth every single day is actually an outward expression of SIN in my life—not just a “struggle” or part of my personality or other pitiful excuses—then I need to RUN from it. I don’t want to be characterized in any way by my sinful nature.
“We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” -Romans 6:2
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.” -Phillipians 2:14-16
Probably about five months ago in Bible study, we were going through Phillipians, and talking about complaining and how it was wrong… And then just the other night, we talked about repentance and turning away from our sin. I think I had honestly convinced myself that there was no sin in my life that I was actually capable of fleeing and running the opposite direction. I mean, I’m full of sin and nasty, convoluted pride, but the repentance I’m moving towards in that area is a completely different story. Right now, I’m talking about a behavior change that needs to happen in my life. Seriously.
If I truly recognize that the petty, selfish complaining that comes out of my mouth every single day is actually an outward expression of SIN in my life—not just a “struggle” or part of my personality or other pitiful excuses—then I need to RUN from it. I don’t want to be characterized in any way by my sinful nature.
“We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” -Romans 6:2
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
spring.
“Look at the way the flowers bloom for You.
They want to show You their beauty, Lord.”
-“My Romance” by Jesus Culture
transfer.
So I made a blog on Tumblr this semester, but I want to be able to follow my dear friends who are on this Blogspot thing... Therefore, I'm gonna see how well doubling up goes. Given that I fail at blogging even on one blog, it might not work. But hey. It's worth a shot.
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