I am hearing news of things great and small that God is doing in our lives. To name a few personal things, I have been praying to not be lonely and God has been bringing new friends to me. I had a test due on Wednesday the 16th, of which I turned in unfinished and failed quite miserably, but after taking the chance at talking with my instructor, upon his request, and due to my grades in the class, he is allowing me to retake the same test and turn it in on Friday, the 25th. I have been praying to become more comfortable with who I am and God is slowly working the guilt for my past and I am thankful and more confident in who He sees me as and not just who I see myself. On bigger notes, my family in Taiwan, my christian brothers and sisters have found their building that God has allowed them to have and I am oh so excited for them!
Which brings me to this point... a reminder if you will of something God brought to my attention while I was in Taiwan. God answers the small and the large prayers and we should never been afraid to be bold in what we pray. I saw a post yesterday from a friend of mine, personalized for her, taken from 2 Cor 7:14, but I am going to give you The Message's version, which says, " God appeared to Solomon that very night and said, "I accept your prayer; yes, I have chosen this place as a temple for sacrifice, a house of worship. If I ever shut off the supply of rain from the skies or order the locusts to eat the crops or send a plague on my people, and my people, my God-defined people, respond by humbling themselves, praying, seeking my presence, and turning their backs on their wicked lives, I'll be there ready for you: I'll listen from heaven, forgive their sins, and restore their land to health. From now on I'm alert day and night to the prayers offered at this place. Believe me, I've chosen and sanctified this Temple that you have built: My Name is stamped on it forever; my eyes are on it and my heart in it always. As for you, if you live in my presence as your father David lived, pure in heart and action, living the life I've set out for you, attentively obedient to my guidance and judgments, then I'll back your kingly rule over Israel—make it a sure thing on a sure foundation. The same covenant guarantee I gave to David your father I'm giving to you, namely, 'You can count on always having a descendant on Israel's throne.' "
How awesome is God! He is there for us when we humble ourselves to him, and by his grace, when we don't. I love learning a little more each day about his love for us!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
City on our knees...
I was sitting here at the computer, doing some homework and Toby Mac's song, City on our Knees came on and it made me think... why am i just sitting here. Not literally of course... but in the spiritual sense. How often do we wait for God to do things and just expect them to happen. When did we become so important to ourselves that we expect God to just figuratively, wave a magic wand and make everything better? How often do we hope for things to get better, but in the long run, complain because it doesn't happen on our time?
Lately, I have been so self-absorbed in my own sorrows and sadness about everything in my life that I have forgotten to just be still and know that He is God.Being a single mother and having the dreams and passions of having a husband, family and home become so strong at times that it's hard for me to function... I want so much for things to happen on my own terms in my own selfish wants and desires that i miss out on what God has for me potentially.
In my own little way, i have become a volunteer to write to deployed American soldiers as well as send care-packages. In my own lonliness, i have realized that there are others that are hurting and alone, so i am refocusing on those that don't have it as easy. While i can call my parents or see my son whenever I choose, there are those that miss mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, sons and daughters and don't have something we take so much for granted.
So my prayer for everyone today is, not only be still and know that He is God, but be dilligent in praying for others. Be the light and the salt that he has created us to be. Reach out to those that are hurting and alone today instead of putting it off for another day or time or handing it off to someone else to do.
City On Our Knees
City on our Knees by TobyMac
If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now
Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave
Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all up tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now
Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave
Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh-oh-oh
Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
Tonight could last forever
Ooh
Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
As family
We’re family
Oh Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
You and me
Ya, you and me
Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide
In a glorious display
Cuz its all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh oh oh
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh oh oh
If we gotta start somewhere why not here
If we gotta start sometime why not now
In Christ,
Ges
Lately, I have been so self-absorbed in my own sorrows and sadness about everything in my life that I have forgotten to just be still and know that He is God.Being a single mother and having the dreams and passions of having a husband, family and home become so strong at times that it's hard for me to function... I want so much for things to happen on my own terms in my own selfish wants and desires that i miss out on what God has for me potentially.
In my own little way, i have become a volunteer to write to deployed American soldiers as well as send care-packages. In my own lonliness, i have realized that there are others that are hurting and alone, so i am refocusing on those that don't have it as easy. While i can call my parents or see my son whenever I choose, there are those that miss mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, sons and daughters and don't have something we take so much for granted.
So my prayer for everyone today is, not only be still and know that He is God, but be dilligent in praying for others. Be the light and the salt that he has created us to be. Reach out to those that are hurting and alone today instead of putting it off for another day or time or handing it off to someone else to do.
City On Our Knees
City on our Knees by TobyMac
If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now
Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave
Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all up tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
If you gotta start somewhere why not here
If you gotta start sometime why not now
If we gotta start somewhere I say here
If we gotta start sometime I say now
Through the fog there is hope in the distance
From cathedrals to third world missions
Love will fall to the earth like a crashing wave
Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide in a beautiful display
It’s all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh-oh-oh
Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
Tonight could last forever
Ooh
Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
As family
We’re family
Oh Tonight could last forever
We are one choice from together
You and me
Ya, you and me
Tonight’s the night
For the sinners and the saints
Two worlds collide
In a glorious display
Cuz its all love tonight
When we step across the line
We can sail across the sea
To a city with one king
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh oh oh
A city on our knees
A city on our knees
Oh oh oh
If we gotta start somewhere why not here
If we gotta start sometime why not now
In Christ,
Ges
Thursday, February 17, 2011
One Month...
It's been one month since my last post and almost one month since I left my home in Taiwan. My resolutions for the new year are 1) no drinking for one year... it's a coping mechanism that needs to not be so... coping? and 2) read through the entire bible in 2011... this one, I am trying to stay caught up on, and am realizing how hard it is to make it habit and keep it going. I have never kept a resolution in my life and I think it's time to start.
I have had the opportunity to tell people about my trip to Taiwan, but I really feel I would like to tell more... I just don't know how to. I also don't know if it's me or God in me wanting to do so.... I know he gives us the desires of our heart, which are his desires, but i also know that not all desires are his... we tend to get in the way... a lot. I keep thinking about the man outside of MRT 6 in Ximen. He had a wheel-chair and would play harmonica for money, but he did it not in his chair, but laying on the ground with a bowl in front of his face. And I keep thinking about that scene and how it translates to us.
What I mean is... how often do we settle for handouts of the world when we should be striving for the gift God has to offer us. Why do we so often, have our face in the ground, performing the same routine, when god has so much more in store for us? It makes me wonder, how often do I settle for something less than I deserve? I know I've done it my entire life... relationships, jobs, school, family... I perform my routine the same, day in and out, and settle for the return of complacency and pseudo-happiness... but man.... God wants me to CHASE him, because even though I don't see it, his gifts are perfect. He gives us Joy and Peace and even though he doesn't promise us "happiness", when we rely on him to provide, we are happy and content in what he offers us.
I want more of that... I have decided that I am tired of settling and to do so now, after all He has been teaching me, is waste. And I deserve so much more than that...
I have had the opportunity to tell people about my trip to Taiwan, but I really feel I would like to tell more... I just don't know how to. I also don't know if it's me or God in me wanting to do so.... I know he gives us the desires of our heart, which are his desires, but i also know that not all desires are his... we tend to get in the way... a lot. I keep thinking about the man outside of MRT 6 in Ximen. He had a wheel-chair and would play harmonica for money, but he did it not in his chair, but laying on the ground with a bowl in front of his face. And I keep thinking about that scene and how it translates to us.
What I mean is... how often do we settle for handouts of the world when we should be striving for the gift God has to offer us. Why do we so often, have our face in the ground, performing the same routine, when god has so much more in store for us? It makes me wonder, how often do I settle for something less than I deserve? I know I've done it my entire life... relationships, jobs, school, family... I perform my routine the same, day in and out, and settle for the return of complacency and pseudo-happiness... but man.... God wants me to CHASE him, because even though I don't see it, his gifts are perfect. He gives us Joy and Peace and even though he doesn't promise us "happiness", when we rely on him to provide, we are happy and content in what he offers us.
I want more of that... I have decided that I am tired of settling and to do so now, after all He has been teaching me, is waste. And I deserve so much more than that...
Monday, January 17, 2011
I Just Realized...
I have posted nothing in 2011...
Things have been busy here in Taipei... I have been running, running, running... it's hard to believe that I'll be leaving Taiwan in less than a week and I must say, I am quite sad to be leaving. I have fallen in love with the people and have been learning so much since I've been here. I feel like I have made life-long friends that will always be a part of my life in some form or another and I hope to be able to come back before the end of this year if I can find work in my field.
I have a couple of interviews to take care of before I head home... one with "Rose" and one hopefully, but yet to be finalized, with Tobie Openshaw... a documentarian living here in Taipei. I am interested in learning more about his work on the Betelnut Girls... a project he's been working on and the culture behind it... I'll also be talking about Religion and Culture and how the Taiwanese explain conversion to Christianity... It will be fun and exciting and I'll have the chance to learn even more than I have already since I've been here.
So things that I have learned since I've been here:
1) Taiwanese people are incredibly nice and are always willing to share their culture with you.
2) They are a shy people, that even if they can speak some English, they will not for fear of making mistakes.
3) There is little to no crime... however I don't know what corporal punishment is here and if that is the factor.
4) The temples, although beautiful, have a dark and oppressive feel... quite ominous in knowing that their gods of wood, metal and stone will never hear their prayers...
5) Many Taiwanese want to see their land healed by God and their people saved.
6) The food is wonderful... even if some of it is freeze dried and looks at you while you eat it.
7) There is a hunger and thirst for God and his Spirit, even if they don't realize it yet.
8) There is a strong respect for the elders here... something Americans should learn and adopt.
9) People live simply here... it's not about living in wealth... they do what they need to in order to survive/ After 30, they should have a steady job and be finished with school.
10) They are eager to teach you their language and always want to know what you think about their country.
I have learned so much more that can't be placed in words, but I will try and write more once I figure it out. that's all for now I suppose.
Me
Things have been busy here in Taipei... I have been running, running, running... it's hard to believe that I'll be leaving Taiwan in less than a week and I must say, I am quite sad to be leaving. I have fallen in love with the people and have been learning so much since I've been here. I feel like I have made life-long friends that will always be a part of my life in some form or another and I hope to be able to come back before the end of this year if I can find work in my field.
I have a couple of interviews to take care of before I head home... one with "Rose" and one hopefully, but yet to be finalized, with Tobie Openshaw... a documentarian living here in Taipei. I am interested in learning more about his work on the Betelnut Girls... a project he's been working on and the culture behind it... I'll also be talking about Religion and Culture and how the Taiwanese explain conversion to Christianity... It will be fun and exciting and I'll have the chance to learn even more than I have already since I've been here.
So things that I have learned since I've been here:
1) Taiwanese people are incredibly nice and are always willing to share their culture with you.
2) They are a shy people, that even if they can speak some English, they will not for fear of making mistakes.
3) There is little to no crime... however I don't know what corporal punishment is here and if that is the factor.
4) The temples, although beautiful, have a dark and oppressive feel... quite ominous in knowing that their gods of wood, metal and stone will never hear their prayers...
5) Many Taiwanese want to see their land healed by God and their people saved.
6) The food is wonderful... even if some of it is freeze dried and looks at you while you eat it.
7) There is a hunger and thirst for God and his Spirit, even if they don't realize it yet.
8) There is a strong respect for the elders here... something Americans should learn and adopt.
9) People live simply here... it's not about living in wealth... they do what they need to in order to survive/ After 30, they should have a steady job and be finished with school.
10) They are eager to teach you their language and always want to know what you think about their country.
I have learned so much more that can't be placed in words, but I will try and write more once I figure it out. that's all for now I suppose.
Me
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