Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Adjustments
I know it has been a while since I have written but that is just because my life called for some major adjustments and I need a clear mind to write, so I took a bit of a break from writing. But now I am back and ready for this new year, atleast half of me is ready for this new year. The other half isn't quite sure still what day it is or what time it is. Adjusting to all these culture changes, weather changes, lifestyle changes, and emotional changes I have come to the conclusion that I am made to be in a place where the pressure of certain things just is non existent. For example, there is so much pressure in having the latest gadget and having the newest toy here and not truly knowing what being satisfied in Christ can look like, I get saddened by the way the world makes us feel driven to have to have all those things. I am so sad that we can't be satisfied enough in Christ to let all the gadgets go. I have found myself checking my phone more here than in Tonga, I feel like I have to answer people right away and that I have this pressure pushing me to respond before I have committed things to prayer. So lately I have just tried to wait before responding to a text, an email or even picking up the phone on the first right. I don't want my culture to cloud my mind so much that I miss being satisfied with God alone. I have seen it first hand that what it looks like when a culture isn't driven by having the latest and greatest. I want that to be apart of who I am and what I am about. I want to make sure that I am not driven by all the things my culture tells me I am to be driven by, but that I am lead by the Spirit of God. This is just one of the things God has shown me in this adjusting time. I pray that you desire to be satisfied with Jesus alone and let the other fall by the way side if need be. May Jesus bless your day!!!
Monday, November 28, 2011
I choose Mary
I want to ask you a question. How close are you to Jesus? Do you hear his very heartbeat? Do you know what comes next? Do you know that even in moments of despair God cries with you, yet in the next moment when joy comes, He will rejoice with you too? There is a woman in the Bible who has desperately caught my attention. She is the one that I believe knew the Lord so intimately that she saw things even before His disciples did. And I am not talking about his mother Mary either. I am talking about the Sister to Martha and Lazarus. I am talking about that Mary. I can say that the relationship she had with Jesus and the choices she made, I want to be more like her. I want to always choose what is better. I want to be humble and close to the heart of Jesus. In Luke 10:38-42 we are introduced to Mary and her sister Martha. I am not sure why she stands out to me so much but I am sure that it is because I am more like her than Martha. I want to clarify something first. I am not saying Jesus didn't love Martha or that Mary clearly was better. I am NOT saying any of that, I am merely making an observation about the life of Mary. When Jesus came to her house to eat and spend time with this family He had to do a little damage control. I can just see Martha, in the kitchen and then rushing out requiring Jesus to boss around her sister too and make Mary help her.
Martha came and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
Now at this point I can see Mary looking at Jesus and getting ready to get up to help her sister. As Mary moves, Jesus touches her and with His gentle smile on His face says, "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
WOW!!! For Jesus to tell Martha that, makes me look at my own life. When I am too "BUSY" to spend time with Jesus because of doing His work, what am I missing out on that He may want to say to me?
See Mary knew every word that came out of Jesus' mouth that day, because she sat with Him and listened to her Lord speak. Martha I believe missed out on something very important. I don't know what Jesus spoke that day other than what is recorded here in Luke, but I am sure it was more than this. I am sure that Jesus shared things and ministered to this family. Now lets go over to John 11. In John 11 we see that Jesus was in a town near Bethany where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. Martha sent word that Lazarus was sick and yet Jesus stayed, so that God would be the one glorified in the end. When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany near their house Martha went out to meet him. Here is something that I noticed as I was preparing to share about this last week at youth. Martha came to Jesus and talked to Him like she would anyone. She believed in Jesus and she knew that He was God, I believed that she loved and trusted Him to do for her what she asked, but I think she missed something here that I notice Mary doesn't miss. When Martha approaches Jesus she talks to him, as if talking to a friend. There isn't anything wrong with that, but then when Mary comes to see Jesus she also approaches him yet she falls at His feet. She knew that He was God and yet there was a humility in Mary that was, what I believe, only achieved by spending time with Him. She threw herself at His mercy. Mary said the same thing to Jesus as Martha did. They both said, "Lord, if you would have been here, my brother would not have died." That was the end of what Mary knew to say. She began to weep. But if you look at Martha's statement. She said the same thing and then followed is with a "BUT," I like that Martha was showing heart to Jesus and trying to reason with Him that she believed in who He was. See I think this is such an interesting story. I have been meditating on it for almost a week now, and even now as I write God reveals new things to me about this. I love that as Mary cried, Jesus was moved with compassion. He know what God was going to do and He knew that within the hour Lazarus would be walking around again. He knew that the sisters would be overjoyed and happy. Yet in that moment Jesus was overwhelmed with compassion and Jesus wept. There is only one other time that we see Jesus moved by this much emotion and that is in the Garden before He went to the cross. I am sure He was moved a lot but these are specific times that are recorded.
So then we go to the following chapter, Chapter 12 and this is where Mary, the same Mary, anoints Jesus' feet with expensive oil. The disciples can't understand what she is doing, and again I believe that because of Mary's intentional relationship with Jesus she didn't miss something that others missed. It says that the night she did this was the night before His triumphal entry. Again some of His disciples began to tease her and yet Jesus stands up for her and protects her. Jesus knew that Mary got it, even when the rest of them didn't, Mary knew what was coming. She may not have knew the intimate details but I believe that she knew Jesus was going to die soon. Jesus and Mary had a relationship that I believe that He desires with each of us. Mary had insight that I want to have. Mary knew the heart of Jesus like even His own disciples didn't understand. Mary saw things that I believe that Jesus showed and told her that others missed because they just assumed Jesus would always be there, which is true, just in a different form. I want to be like Mary. I want to be so close to Jesus that if other people miss His words, I don't. I want to know His very heart. I want to be aware of things to come in a way that others may miss. Lord, help us to be more like the example Mary is in these verses where she humbly comes and just chooses to know YOUR heart and put you first before anything else. We all know that working for you is good and at times it is required, but putting you first is more important and is the better thing to choose. Thank you Lord for you revelation about this, even if it is just for me. AMEN!!!!
Martha came and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
Now at this point I can see Mary looking at Jesus and getting ready to get up to help her sister. As Mary moves, Jesus touches her and with His gentle smile on His face says, "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
WOW!!! For Jesus to tell Martha that, makes me look at my own life. When I am too "BUSY" to spend time with Jesus because of doing His work, what am I missing out on that He may want to say to me?
See Mary knew every word that came out of Jesus' mouth that day, because she sat with Him and listened to her Lord speak. Martha I believe missed out on something very important. I don't know what Jesus spoke that day other than what is recorded here in Luke, but I am sure it was more than this. I am sure that Jesus shared things and ministered to this family. Now lets go over to John 11. In John 11 we see that Jesus was in a town near Bethany where Mary, Martha, and Lazarus lived. Martha sent word that Lazarus was sick and yet Jesus stayed, so that God would be the one glorified in the end. When Jesus finally arrived in Bethany near their house Martha went out to meet him. Here is something that I noticed as I was preparing to share about this last week at youth. Martha came to Jesus and talked to Him like she would anyone. She believed in Jesus and she knew that He was God, I believed that she loved and trusted Him to do for her what she asked, but I think she missed something here that I notice Mary doesn't miss. When Martha approaches Jesus she talks to him, as if talking to a friend. There isn't anything wrong with that, but then when Mary comes to see Jesus she also approaches him yet she falls at His feet. She knew that He was God and yet there was a humility in Mary that was, what I believe, only achieved by spending time with Him. She threw herself at His mercy. Mary said the same thing to Jesus as Martha did. They both said, "Lord, if you would have been here, my brother would not have died." That was the end of what Mary knew to say. She began to weep. But if you look at Martha's statement. She said the same thing and then followed is with a "BUT," I like that Martha was showing heart to Jesus and trying to reason with Him that she believed in who He was. See I think this is such an interesting story. I have been meditating on it for almost a week now, and even now as I write God reveals new things to me about this. I love that as Mary cried, Jesus was moved with compassion. He know what God was going to do and He knew that within the hour Lazarus would be walking around again. He knew that the sisters would be overjoyed and happy. Yet in that moment Jesus was overwhelmed with compassion and Jesus wept. There is only one other time that we see Jesus moved by this much emotion and that is in the Garden before He went to the cross. I am sure He was moved a lot but these are specific times that are recorded.
So then we go to the following chapter, Chapter 12 and this is where Mary, the same Mary, anoints Jesus' feet with expensive oil. The disciples can't understand what she is doing, and again I believe that because of Mary's intentional relationship with Jesus she didn't miss something that others missed. It says that the night she did this was the night before His triumphal entry. Again some of His disciples began to tease her and yet Jesus stands up for her and protects her. Jesus knew that Mary got it, even when the rest of them didn't, Mary knew what was coming. She may not have knew the intimate details but I believe that she knew Jesus was going to die soon. Jesus and Mary had a relationship that I believe that He desires with each of us. Mary had insight that I want to have. Mary knew the heart of Jesus like even His own disciples didn't understand. Mary saw things that I believe that Jesus showed and told her that others missed because they just assumed Jesus would always be there, which is true, just in a different form. I want to be like Mary. I want to be so close to Jesus that if other people miss His words, I don't. I want to know His very heart. I want to be aware of things to come in a way that others may miss. Lord, help us to be more like the example Mary is in these verses where she humbly comes and just chooses to know YOUR heart and put you first before anything else. We all know that working for you is good and at times it is required, but putting you first is more important and is the better thing to choose. Thank you Lord for you revelation about this, even if it is just for me. AMEN!!!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
What about you?
"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." Matt 15:8&9 (Isaiah 29:13)
This is a very true statement of how a lot of people and churches are here in Tonga. There is more tradition than relationship with God. They have all these rules about Sunday which seems amazing, and the fact that they honor the sabbath like that is great, but when you see everyone all dressed up in their church clothes, you can't tell who the true christians are and who aren't. Its amazing to see that everything is closed on Sundays and I mean everything except the bread shops. and And that ever one is at rest, but that is all it is to some people. Just to give you an idea, the police patrol and if a Tongan is at the Tahi (Beach) swimming on Sunday they get into trouble. The kids can't really go outside and play. They have to stay inside and rest. This is just so strange to me, but I love how they truly honor the Sabbath. I love how Holy it is to them. I just want to share more about the Jesus that I KNOW and not necessarily the Jesus they think He is. I pray that in these last few days I can show others the Jesus who died to save their lives. I want them to know the reality of who Jesus is to me and who He can be for them too. I know that even some people that are dear to me here haven't truly experienced the saving grace of Jesus. They only know Him as a lawgiver and Judge. Although that is true, that is only apart of Him, He is so much bigger than that. I pray that as I plan to return here soon (God willing) I will be able to once again show Jesus to this nation, it is such an incredible place. The people are amazing and it is forever burned in my heart. I pray that if you haven't experienced this kind of Jesus too, that you do. Ask God to reveal Himself in a new way to you to day.
This is a very true statement of how a lot of people and churches are here in Tonga. There is more tradition than relationship with God. They have all these rules about Sunday which seems amazing, and the fact that they honor the sabbath like that is great, but when you see everyone all dressed up in their church clothes, you can't tell who the true christians are and who aren't. Its amazing to see that everything is closed on Sundays and I mean everything except the bread shops. and And that ever one is at rest, but that is all it is to some people. Just to give you an idea, the police patrol and if a Tongan is at the Tahi (Beach) swimming on Sunday they get into trouble. The kids can't really go outside and play. They have to stay inside and rest. This is just so strange to me, but I love how they truly honor the Sabbath. I love how Holy it is to them. I just want to share more about the Jesus that I KNOW and not necessarily the Jesus they think He is. I pray that in these last few days I can show others the Jesus who died to save their lives. I want them to know the reality of who Jesus is to me and who He can be for them too. I know that even some people that are dear to me here haven't truly experienced the saving grace of Jesus. They only know Him as a lawgiver and Judge. Although that is true, that is only apart of Him, He is so much bigger than that. I pray that as I plan to return here soon (God willing) I will be able to once again show Jesus to this nation, it is such an incredible place. The people are amazing and it is forever burned in my heart. I pray that if you haven't experienced this kind of Jesus too, that you do. Ask God to reveal Himself in a new way to you to day.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Fundraising for the Radio
First I want to say that I have been trying all day to upload the audio that goes with this blog but I will figure it out and add it to the page later. I hope you enjoy...
There is a family on the west side of the Island that heard the Bible teachings on the Radio but their reception wasn't good. Due to their hunger for the word, they built their own antenna around their house and into the trees so they can hear about Jesus.
On the day of the International Prayer the radio hosted, a little girl about 6 or 7 years old called in crying and praying for the persecuted around the world. This urged many adults to also call in and pray. They realized that if a young girl can recognize the freedom they have here in the islands, they should pray more as well.
These are just a couple stories from phone calls we have received. I hope you can see how important this Radio Station is to the people here in Tonga. It is through this that many get discipled and grow in Faith and the Knowledge of Jesus. I pray that however God lays on your heart to give whether in prayer or in dollars God will bless you! Thank you!!!Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Blessed Relationships
I am coming to the realization that leaving here is going to be one of the hardest things I do. I am really not looking forward to that day. I know that it is necessary in this growing time God has for me, but I am telling you that I have made great friends here. Friends who are honest, love me for just being me, and let me be silly with them. I know that going home I have friends and family that love me there and so I look forward to seeing them, but honestly if I could merge the two worlds together I would. I know God will give me the strength to make it through and I know that He has this all in His plan, but gosh, how does anyone live when there heart is split in two places? I am not sure and I am not sure how that will go, but for now, I am enjoying the Sunshine and warm weather. I am enjoying the new faces that have stolen my heart and made this trip unforgettable. I am honored and blessed that these amazing souls have welcomed me into their hearts and lives. Even if it is for a season. I know that God isn't one who loves severed relationships. I know that God is not a God of damaging relationships. He is all about keeping relationships in tact and allowing them to flourish, as long as both parties are in His will. I believe that God is a God who loves to create new relationships for us. I believe that I will be back here sooner than I think, and God will again work in and through me but for now I have to remain present. I will love everyone here even when I leave, but I will love on them until I have to leave. Each of them have allowed me to see a new side of who My Jesus is, and to them I am forever grateful. I will always treasure that. I know I will see them again soon and although I can't say when right at this moment, I know that God has His perfect timing. I pray that God would give you relationships with people around you, just as He has given me. God never meant for us to live alone, and that is one of my favorite things about God. He desires that WE COMMUNE first with Him, and then with each other. Praise God!!!
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