So, this week has been a tough one. We have been digging into some pretty serious issues here. It made me sick to see how naive I have been and to hear how my fellow brothers and sisters around the world don't have it nearly as easy as me. It made me sad that I have never genuinely been broken for those tortured for their beliefs. I had always heard stories, but until this week, I had never been able to put faces to those stories. I had always thought that these types of things didn't happen in MY modern world. People aren't that barbaric, I thought. How naive I am to think that the Evil One isn't at work in so many nations around the world! My Dad showed me last night how small I have been limiting my world. He showed me that I am to be a part of His world, not mine. He also showed me so many places throughout the fifth book of the New Book where the first followers were stoned and thrown out and still they rejoiced. I can fully confess that I have never been attacked for my beliefs and can sadly assume that I would not be rejoicing if I had. I have also been reading a book called "Princess," by Jean Sasson. It is a biography about a woman raised in Saudi Arabia and the persecution she faced being a woman, even though she is royalty. It is very heart wrenching, not an easy read by any means, but completely eye opening to the realities of our world. We, as Americans, don't have a clue about what is going on outside our bubble, I am afraid. Well, I can't generalize for the entire country, but in my world, I had/still have no idea the devastation that my fellow brothers and sisters are confronted with every day, every hour, every minute, because they love Our Dad.
Please lift up those brothers and sisters who are daily attacked by family members, local leaders, national leaders, religious leaders, etc. Please ask for strength to face adversity and to cling to Him. Ask that He would provide a heart song for them that would encourage and nourish them.
Thank you, partners! I could not be here without the knowledge that I have so many people back home lifting me up. It is such a refresher to have that comfort of sweet words being brought to Our Dad!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Typhoon Morakot
A typhoon hit my people group this weekend. It was the worst typhoon to hit in 50 years. There has been so much devastation, destruction, and death.
-Over 100 people are unaccounted for that were caught in a mudslide.
-The death toll is at 62, at this moment.
-Over 100 roads and 20 bridges have massive amounts of damage.
-Over $225 million (US money) in damage to crops - especially banana trees.
-Several fish, poultry, and pig farms completely wiped out. This could lead to famine.
-Around 60,000 without power and water. This should lead to disease.
My heart is broken for these people, even though I haven't technically met them yet. I have been lifting them up for several months now and have fallen in love with them. I have met some new friends who have just gotten back from this place and are still very connected to the people. They know faces and names. They know roads and bridges and buildings. They know this land.
Please join me in lifting up the victims and their families. Ask that they will be healed by the Ultimate Healer. Ask that the resources needed will continue to flood in from other nations. Ask that the damage done to the roads, bridges, houses, etc. would be able to be fixed. Ask that this will not lead to famine in the villages and disease to the nation. Ask that through this disaster that their hearts will be changed and yearning for the only Hope.
-Over 100 people are unaccounted for that were caught in a mudslide.
-The death toll is at 62, at this moment.
-Over 100 roads and 20 bridges have massive amounts of damage.
-Over $225 million (US money) in damage to crops - especially banana trees.
-Several fish, poultry, and pig farms completely wiped out. This could lead to famine.
-Around 60,000 without power and water. This should lead to disease.
My heart is broken for these people, even though I haven't technically met them yet. I have been lifting them up for several months now and have fallen in love with them. I have met some new friends who have just gotten back from this place and are still very connected to the people. They know faces and names. They know roads and bridges and buildings. They know this land.
Please join me in lifting up the victims and their families. Ask that they will be healed by the Ultimate Healer. Ask that the resources needed will continue to flood in from other nations. Ask that the damage done to the roads, bridges, houses, etc. would be able to be fixed. Ask that this will not lead to famine in the villages and disease to the nation. Ask that through this disaster that their hearts will be changed and yearning for the only Hope.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Me? A Soldier?
FOREWARNING – I know absolutely nothing about the military or its’ terms, so forgive me for any mistakes I will surely make!
My best friend from high school recently found out that her boyfriend of three years, an officer in the army, is being sent back overseas right into the heart of the fighting. When she told me, I just cried for them both and asked Him to give them both strength and safety in this time of uncertainty. I could not imagine going into hand-to-hand combat, actually seeing your enemy and the hatred that has fueled the need to try to take your life. Yesterday, someone commented on me and my new friends being soldiers. Wow! Me? Are you sure? For the rest of the day, I just chewed on that nugget of wisdom. I was suddenly overwhelmed with so much clarity in the magnitude of this world and the supernatural battle it faces everyday!
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)
I am a soldier. I am more than a soldier, I am His warrior. He is sending me into the front lines for hand-to-hand combat in the MOST important battle. He has chosen me to join His infantry. I feel so honored and inadequate and nervous, yet brave. As you can tell, my feelings are a little conflicted. Thankfully, He is control and knows what He is doing by sending me. Please lift me up and my new friends as we continue to prepare for His great battle and our involvement.
My best friend from high school recently found out that her boyfriend of three years, an officer in the army, is being sent back overseas right into the heart of the fighting. When she told me, I just cried for them both and asked Him to give them both strength and safety in this time of uncertainty. I could not imagine going into hand-to-hand combat, actually seeing your enemy and the hatred that has fueled the need to try to take your life. Yesterday, someone commented on me and my new friends being soldiers. Wow! Me? Are you sure? For the rest of the day, I just chewed on that nugget of wisdom. I was suddenly overwhelmed with so much clarity in the magnitude of this world and the supernatural battle it faces everyday!
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Eph. 6:12)
I am a soldier. I am more than a soldier, I am His warrior. He is sending me into the front lines for hand-to-hand combat in the MOST important battle. He has chosen me to join His infantry. I feel so honored and inadequate and nervous, yet brave. As you can tell, my feelings are a little conflicted. Thankfully, He is control and knows what He is doing by sending me. Please lift me up and my new friends as we continue to prepare for His great battle and our involvement.
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