This Blog will be a few scattered thoughts with an update. Feel free to show some love with a comment.
** My mom once told me we all have our “Delilah.” Paul describes it as a thorn, but essentially it is a lustful expression of our sinful nature, which seems to constantly threaten our hearts pursuit of righteousness. A few months ago I would have defined my Delilah as self righteousness and pride, but as I access my dilemma more intently another pesky devil reveals itself, unbelief. My mind is perhaps my greatest enemy, and yet at times my closest friend. I find myself naturally more adept to believe something that can be experientially attested to, to the extent anything else is under question. I enjoy challenging thought sometimes to a fault. I analyze things to the point it can leave me more confused than when I began. As for now a better explanation of this hindrance eludes me, so I shall refer to it as a spear. If I have a spear in the flesh, then I feel like there are several thorns, but through all this suffering God has taught me some vital information about humility.
“Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”
Henry David Thoreau
Humility is the gateway to truth. Truth finds you right at the acknowledgement of your insufficiency, nodding at the admonition of the father, and smiling at the feebleness of your situation. Truth precedes abandonment, but comes no sooner than difficulty. Yes, truth begins with true humility.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
II Corinthians 6: 9 – 10
“Unfailing Love and Truth have met together. Righteousness and Peace have kissed! Truth springs up from the earth, and righteousness smiles down from heaven. Yes, the Lord pours down his blessings. Our land will yield its bountiful harvest. Righteousness goes as a herald before him, preparing the way for his steps.”
Psalm 85 10 – 13
** God has been emphasizing simplicity to me this month. It has been so easy to let my mind wonder a few weeks ahead to our arrival home. We talk often about the importance of remaining present on the race, but in this case it is more about remaining steadfast. It would be all too easy to follow my mind through all the different scenarios of this fall, enjoy this last week, and come home weak. The simplicity God is talking to me about is a focus, to engage him and come home strong in my relationship with the Lord. I want to come out of the World Race different, but at the same time in the same way I came in, strong and hungry for more.
— Quick Update:
Our team has been working in several different areas at the GEMS facility this month. Today is the last day of ministry for me, before I head to debrief in New Delhi. Some of the things I have done this month are paint murals in the new school, play sports with hundreds of kids, share a message with kids affected with polio, write an article for a magazine, throw paint at the girls on the team, wipe paint off from their retaliation, get splashed with cow manure from oncoming traffic, wipe off the manure while pumping a well on the side of the road, pick on our squad leader Scotty ,then beat him up when he tried to retaliate, eat tons of spicy food, learn the recipe for fried cabbage balls, and wear lungies, which are basically man skirts. Thank you for your continued support and I hope to get another more organized blog up before our arrival in America. Also I will post a link to the article I wrote for the magazine, The Call. Much Love!
“Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.”
Isaiah 40: 10- 11
“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
John 1: 18
