The Boulder and the Toothpick

“If you place your faith on anything other than God it’s like placing a BOULDER on a TOOTHPICK.”

– Matt Papa, “Jesus: The Truer and Better Object of Faith,” the Summit Church, July 15, 2012

We all have faith in something that we believe will give us happiness, make us rich, make us smart, make us popular… that will save us.  Our faith has an enormous weight as we place hopes, dreams, fears, and desires upon the object of our affection. 

By way of illustration, let me provide a few examples.  A college student might place her faith in attending medical school, for surely that career path will provide a fat salary, which will of course lead to happiness.  Thinking that boys determine her value, a high school girl might put her faith in beauty, starving herself to achieve the “perfect” body that will finally attract the coveted attention of the cute boy in second period.  A mother might put her faith in raising perfect children, knowing that their behavior, abilities, and personalities are a reflection of her worth as a woman.  A career woman might put her faith in climbing the corporate ladder, dreaming of a bigger office and longer title that will prove her value as a professional.  The newlyweds might place their faith in the American Dream, buying new cars, purchasing a home over their budget, shopping for new gadgets and clothing, and taking extravagant vacations… only to find out that the American Dream is really the American Nightmare, which enslaves them to debt in the name of “bigger and better.”

You see where I’m going with this, right?  There is always something that is trying to capture your affections, something that promises to fulfill the desires of your heart.  And those desires tend to snowball out of control until we fall flat on our faces.  The things of this world can never, under any circumstances, sustain the sheer weight of your faith.  It will always let you down, failing to meet up to the expectations you set upon it.  You will never be fully satisfied in anything other than God.  He is the only one who can ultimately bear the weight of your faith, which was made perfect when Jesus Christ bore the weight of your cross, your sin, and your death on his shoulders.  Putting your faith in God means putting your faith in the One who can satisfy, who can bring joy, who can dry tears, who can provide, who can make you whole.  Rest in God and place the full weight of your faith on Him alone.  

The Zoo: An Update

Darcy still thinks he is good at hiding...

 He's also really excited to move into our new house! 

 Hobie taught Kale about the joys of a fan - you think he loves it??

Kale's hot and he knows it! #ElevateRDU

At the end of the day, our boys still love each other. 

What I'm Thinking About Today...

I have been reading In This Place by Kim L. Abernethy, and today at lunch this passage jumped off the page at me.  I've been pondering the wisdom she offers and thinking about its practical implications in my life.  I'd love to hear your comments and reflections!

"I believe that even in Christian ministry, without taking it to the extreme of being selfish, we must be protective of our hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. 'Broken and spilled out for love of you, Jesus' is part of a song that has incited controversy on the left and right side of Christian service. If we completely are broken and spilled out, then there is nothing else to give later on. While that may be a true statement, perhaps there are times when broken and spilled out is exactly what God has planned for our lives and He must be the one to do the refilling. That is the key; it must be God’s will for us to be broken and spilled out. On the contrary, the pouring out and used up should not come from neglecting ourselves. It reaches to Him to either put us back together for further use in His kingdom or take us into our eternal rest. That is entirely His call. There are no kudos for overwhelming our bodies and minds because it makes us feel better to do so.  On the other hand, if we are so protective of ourselves and what God has given us, how can we ever be effective to do the things that matter for eternity’s sake? We have example after example in the Bible of men and women who simply allowed God to use them–very small, seemingly insignificant people, to do very big, significant things for Him! The point needs to be made: a perpetually off-balance scale will wear out quickly just as an off-balance life and ministry will. Lesson learned: take time, take a break, and understand your limitations. And be honest with yourself about the needs that you feel are taking front row. Selfishness or genuine need? Only the Holy Spirit can separate the confusion between the two. If you follow His leading, you will be better off for it....and so will your ministry!"

So Much More to Come

This weekend, I had the privileged of hearing an incredible sermon on death and suffering by former Summit Church member, Trevor Atwood, who is now the lead planter and pastor of City Church in Murfreesboro, TN.   In the span of this short post, all I can do is tell you what an amazing, game-changing sermon this was and beg you to listen to it for yourself.

“If your trust is in the God that has overcome [death] in your place, then death and suffering are just the worst that can happen.  This is as close to hell as you will ever get.  But if your trust is in yourself or someone else to solve your problem of sin, and pain, and death – to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, to work hard enough, to be good enough – then death and suffering represent the foretaste of something much worse, and this is as close to Heaven as you will ever get… Trust Jesus, believe that He took your place when He died to give you life that you don’t deserve, and live like it’s true.” – Trevor Atwood 

How encouraging to think that this - this beautiful, crazy Earth - is as close to hell as I will ever get!  On one hand, the pain and suffering we experience because of sin's curse makes me long for the day when our tears will all be wiped away  by the tender, nail-scarred hand of Jesus (Revelation 21:4).  The day is coming!  And, on the other hand, experiencing the incredible beauty and joy of this world gives me a glimpse of the marvelous things to come when God calls me home - it's beyond what I can grasp.  What hope we have to know that there is more than what we see, feel, and experience on this Earth!  Oh to live in light of this truth everyday!

- - - - -

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” Revelation 5:9-13

Heavenly Citizenship

I hope y'all had a wonderful 4th of July!

As I celebrated America's birthday yesterday, I spent some time reflecting on nationality and citizenship.  I'm so very thankful for the freedoms, liberties, privileges, and many blessings that God has blessed me with as a woman living in America.  I've seen what it looks like to live in other countries where those treasures are scarce and hardship abounds, and I began to pray that God would make me a faithful steward of those gifts. I have been given so many opportunities to make God's name famous - oh, to share my blessings with others and not hoard them for myself!  In reflecting on my earthly nationality, I was reminded that my true citizenship lies in Heaven.  I am so thankful that God has given us fellowship with global believers that transcends time.  I am untied with my brothers and sisters in Christ no matter our geography, skin color, or heart language - we are one in Christ and together we will worship our King Jesus one day!

I'm reminded of this video from Passion 2012, Chris Tomlin's "How Great Is Our God."  Fun fact:  when this performance took place (both live in Georgia and streaming online), "how great is our God" was the #1 trending topic in the WORLD on Twitter. Yes, in the world.  So exciting to know that folks were worshiping all over the world at the same time!  This, to me, is truly a glimpse of what Heaven will be like.

Service: The Deliberate Love-Gift

We love because we have been deeply loved; 
therefore we serve because we have been greatly served. 

"Service is the overflow which pours from a life filled with love and devotion. But strictly speaking, there is no call to that. Service is what I bring to the relationship and is the reflection of my identification with the nature of God. Service becomes a natural part of my life. God brings me into the proper relationship with Himself so that I can understand His call, and then I serve Him on my own out of a motivation of absolute love. Service to God is the deliberate love-gift of a nature that has heard the call of God. Service is an expression of my nature, and God’s call is an expression of His nature. Therefore, when I receive His nature and hear His call, His divine voice resounds throughout His nature and mine and the two become one in service. The Son of God reveals Himself in me, and out of devotion to Him service becomes my everyday way of life." - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest 

So, here's the big question:  have you signed up for ServeRDU 2012 yet?  This is a week of local outreach to serve our city, and there are many projects that need volunteers during the week of July 11-14th.  You can watch the promo video that has more information about ServeRDU by clicking here.

This is a great opportunity to invest in our community, serving in the name of Jesus out of the overflow of the love that He generously bestowed upon us.  Let this week of hope blossom into a relationship and on-going commitment to serve "the least of these" as we make God's name famous around RDU.  Join me!

UPDATE:  I just came across this Oswald Chambers quote and thought it might add a nice follow-up to my previous post:

"The lasting value of our public service for God is measured by the depth of the intimacy of our private times of fellowship and oneness with Him." - My Utmost for His Highest, July 5th devotional 

Lessons from Katie

"We can live a full life wherever we are – even in the days that seem too small – when we live in communion with the Savior. We look up, praise on our lips, and as we worship Him for all He has done our hearts open wide to more. We wait, expectant, for all that He is doing, and this is it, this is life to the fullest." 

- Katie Davis, Amazima Ministries, "What We've Been Up To..." blog post 6/15/12

And, if you haven't read Kisses from Kaite, I'm not sure what you're waiting for... get to it!

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech;

    night after night they reveal knowledge. 

They have no speech, they use no words;

    no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

    their words to the ends of the world."

Psalm 19:1-4

A Piece of My Heart

Most of you know that I was recently fortunate enough to spend some time overseas.  After a wonderful time on my trip, I prepared to return home, packing my suitcase and double checking that everything was secured for the journey.  After a long day of flying, I made it safely back with my suitcase ("Big Bertha") and all of my carry-on items (my hand-painted tea set even made it without breaking!).
 
However, as it turns out, not everything made it home with me.  It seems that I actually left something important behind... a piece of my heart.  

After spending time exploring the beautiful cities and countrysides, learning some of the language, sampling the delicious foods, drinking tea, shopping in the colorful bazaars, making sweet new friends, and meeting so many hospitable people, it's hard to not miss everything about the country.

But, despite the beauty and rich culture, a cloud of darkness hovers over the land as so, so many people have yet to acknowledge Christ as Savior.  The dominant religion is based on dutiful works and diligent deeds and it permeates every bit of society.  All around, the snowy mountains, azure seas, and lush trees cry out for the glory of God, but the people seek a false religion that has hardened their hearts to  salvation found only in Jesus.  Their lostness isn't any different or worse than our own lostness, but the vast scale of the collective rejection of the cross creates a palpable heaviness in the air.  

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."  - Titus 2:11-14

When I was overseas, God gave me these verses in Titus as comfort for my burdened heart and confirmation that he desires to call each and every person his child - no matter the darkness or lostness of the country.  The barriers seem gigantic to us, but our God is bigger than any obstacle.  His loving passion can break through even the darkest night to bring light to the lost.  I am so thankful for those who are bravely taking His love to the nations.  A revolution is rising up; there is so much hope and joy waiting to burst forth.  I anxiously await and celebrate that coming day!

His love is deep, His love is wide and it covers us

His love is fierce, His love is strong, it is furious

His love is sweet, His love is wild

And it's waking hearts to life.

"Furious" by Jeremy Riddle

So, for now a piece of my heart remains overseas with those beautiful people, and I pray earnestly for the furious love of God to break loose in their hearts.  

You Make Me Beautiful

I love the way God takes our brokenness and makes it into something beautiful.  Despite our sin, He calls us sons and daughters of the Most High and invites us into fellowship with himself.  In fact, God is most gloried and exalted through our weakness as we rely on his strength, provision, and grace rather than our own ability.  In that place of total reliance and surrender, my heart finds complete satisfaction, contentment, joy, and rest.  As His lovingkindness washes anew over me every morning, I am thankful that I can live each day in full knowledge of the mercy of my Savior.

"Brokenness Aside"

All Sons and Daughters

‘Cause I am a sinner 

If its not one thing its another

Caught up in words 

Tangled in lies 

You are the Savior 

And you take brokenness aside

And make it beautiful 

Beautiful 

Lord, thank you for making me beautiful. 

Lyrical Waves

Love. This. Song. I pray that you enjoy the lyrics and let these images of God wash over you.  If you're interested, here is a blog post by the artist that explains a bit about the song. 

"I've Seen I Am," by Jonathan David Helser

I’ve looked into the eyes of a lion
Felt the courage in his gaze
I heard him roar my name with
Passion as I buried my tears in His mane
I’ve looked into the eyes of a lamb
I saw love face to face
I felt grace destroy my sin
As mercy flowed from his veins

I’ve seen I AM
Now I know that I am loved
I’ve seen I AM now I know who I am

I’ve looked into the eyes of a king
Saw the beauty of holiness
I heard the voice of many waters
As worship poured from my lips
I’ve looked into the eyes of a Saviour
Saw love stronger than death
I kissed the scars that bought me freedom
As I laid my head on his chest

A City Love

Well folks, I had an amazing time in Seattle!  I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to wing my way to the west coast for work last week and even more fortunate to have some time to explore the Emerald City!  Great food, friendly people, and beautiful scenery.  Here are a few of the highlights from my trip, in no particular order:

• Exploring busy Pike Place Market with a coffee from the original Starbucks in hand
• Looking out over Puget Sound from the top of the Space Needle
• Listening to Harrison Ford narrate the King Tut exhibit at the Pacific Science Center
• Vigilantly watching out for McDreamy, Fraiser, Sam Baldwin, Edward Cullen, and Mark Driscoll
• Singing along with Captain Zawacko on the Seattle Duck tour as we drove by the city's best sights and then plunged into Lake Union to see the gorgeous skyline, Gas Works park, and the Sleepless in Seattle houseboat
• Wondering around the flagship Nordstrom store and drooling over the Kate Spade selection
• Bringing the sunshine with me from the east coast (it didn't rain while I was there!)

 Downtown Seattle from the top of the Space Needle

The Seattle skyline from Lake Union

The Bainbridge Island ferry boat crossing Puget Sound

Living in the Overflow

“If you’re not experiencing a significant measure of deep joy in God, you can’t love people... The life that really counts is a life lived to make Christ look magnificent by being satisfied in Him more than anything else, which overflows to meet the needs of others.” 

– John Piper, “One Life: Don’t Waste It” Campus Outreach National Conference, January 1, 2012

The Lion and the Lamb

Amy and I were in the kitchen and we started to wonder what the animals were doing (it was way too quiet).  The following pictures show how we found them:

They love each other!!!!

PS: Please pardon the nasty red blanket in the picture… we’re trying to protect my leather couch while we’re still in puppy stage. 

I'm Not on Hold

I recently downloaded the Desiring God iPad app – what a blessing it has been!  It allows me to stumble upon terrific resources such as articles, sermons, and conference messages.  Last night, as I was getting ready for bed, I took a look through the dating/singleness section and this gem fell into my lap.  At the 2004 Desiring God National Conference, Carolyn McCulley gave a talk titled “We're Not on Hold: BiblicalFemininity for Single Women.”  What an encouraging and challenging message!  I definitely recommend that my single friends out there take an hour out of your day to listen to and meditate on the truths McCulley presents.  I'd love to hear your opinions on her talk!

My Notes on “We're Not on Hold: Biblical Femininity for Single Women”

• As single women in Christ, our lives are NOT on hold until we get married!
• Our modern society portrays a skewed portrait of what a woman should be and has lost of hold of femininity.
• Christ liberates women, not the feminist movement.
• Singleness is a gift from God, and He alone apportions each gift to us.  We’re single because that’s God’s provision for us today.
• CJ Mahaney: “Your greatest need is not a spouse.  Your greatest need is to be delivered from the wrath of God, and that has already been accomplished for you through the death and resurrection of Christ. So why doubt that God will provide a much, much lesser need.  Trust His sovereignty. Trust His wisdom. Trust His love.”\
• Proverbs 31, a portrait of femininity that transcends any particular season of life that we may happen to be in:
• Cultivate your household (vv. 14-15)
• Be hospitable: Our homes are a place of evangelism and rest for the Saints
• Learn to cook: We are to cultivate our homemaking skills
• Steward your finances, skills, talents, and professional training (vv. 16-19)
• These skills and savings would bless a marriage but also sustain a single woman and allow her to bless her church and community
• A big, successful career is not the automatic default for single women
• Be intentional about investing in the future generation (v. 28)
• You may not have biological children, but God has put children in your life to love and shepherd
• Learn parenting skills now and come along side parents to help with the task of raising their children
• Learn from women in different life stages
• We should have a generous orientation towards blessing others.
• We are called to trust God with a hope deferred and know that He can provide everything we need in this life.
• Should we feel the need to “get out there and do something” about our singleness? Rather than worrying about finding a husband, serve God and let him provide a spouse in His time.
• We are not guaranteed a tomorrow, so spend today serving the Lord.
• We are to faithfully administer the gift that God has given us by maximizing our opportunities to serve God.
• God is not finished blessing us! 
• Remember that what we can see of our circumstances is not all that’s there.  God’s silences are not his rejections; they are preparations for a greater revelation of Him.
• Desire for marriage should point us to greater intimacy with God.
• God’s favor arranges the circumstances for our life.  (Ranicar)
• Do not dishonor the Lord with unbelief; waiting in faith is a high form of adoration. (Spurgeon)

Don't forget to comment below and let me know what God

taught you or how he encouraged you through this message.