Month: November 2008

I am thankful for relationships.

I am thankful for a family who knows and loves the Lord.

I am thankful for the blessing of living in community.

I am thankful for being known for who I am and loved anyway.

I am thankful for redemption.

I am thankful for the blood of Jesus.

I am thankful for every lesson learned this year.

I am thankful for every tear cried.

I am thankful for every ounce of provision.

I am thankful for the simple things in life.

I am thankful for every memory made.

I am thankful for every burst of laughter.

I am thankful for dress-up parties.

I am thankful for silliness and the joy it brings to life.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.

And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Well, the hustle of the elections is dying down in the city, and I thought it might be time to share some of my thoughts. Today, as a team we processed a little as to how we feel about the results. I enjoyed hearing the wisdom and understanding from different brothers and sisters in the room. The verdict is America made it’s choice, clear and simple. It is a great victory for African-Americans no doubt. We will pray for this man, possibly more than any other leader. (1 Timothy 2:1-2) Yet we do not fail to realize that his values and the principles we choose to live by do not align. When given the choice we will stand for righteousness, and fight for life. We see the value in the most vulnerable lives in our nation. We also realize that hope for us as well as these children does not rest in the President-elect, but in God alone. So we will “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Where does that leave me?

The day after the elections we were having a worship time and I was reading through the Psalms. This verse stood out to me.

One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.

Psalm 27:4

Something struck me. This verse is basically my job description. In turn, I have not failed. I have sought the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength this year. And he promises that “you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29) I continue to seek the Lord, and to find Him. In so many new ways and new places, from feelings within me to in the faces of new friends I met in Pennsylvania, I have found Him. And nothing this world has to offer can compare to Him.

Finally, please be praying with me as I seek the Lord concerning 2009. My commitment to DC ends December 15. I will spending time in prayer over the next couple days and covet your prayers. I am wrestling a bit with the Lord, but hopefully will quickly surrender to His will. I will keep you updated!

“Less of me and more of you.” From time to time I hear this in the prayer room. I would have to say this may be the best summary of what the Lord taught me in PA. It was my first time leading a group of peers, and I learned quickly that this was key. One morning I got up early to spend time with the Lord. I had grand thoughts of sitting down and planning out the day ahead. The Lord quickly humbled me in the form of a question. “Are you leading this trip, or is my Spirit?” I repented to the Lord for my attempt to take over, and went back to my team. I looked at the team a few hours later and admitted, I am not sure what we are supposed to do today, and I need you and the Lord to help me figure that out. The Lord very clearly showed us what He wanted us to do that day, I just needed to step out of the way. There are many other things the Lord is faithfully teaching me, but for now I will just summarize with this verse.

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8