Astrid's Blessing

On Sunday, Astrid Arriagada, a Chilean youth pastor visiting Georgetown over recent weeks, shared with our congregation a word from God. With a translator helping us, she traced through her family history the blessings she has experienced because of the faithful men and women who were missionaries to her country many years ago. And because of this blessing she received, she serves God in order to be a blessing to others.

But the most powerful part of her testimony for me was the part where she said that she had received a word for us at Georgetown Baptist. She shared Isaiah 63:19 through 64:1, "We are yours from of old; but you have not ruled over them, but they have not been called by your name. Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!" Astrid believes that God wants to move through our church in a new way, by the power of his Spirit. I'm not sure of all that means, but I couldn't stop thinking about all that she had said to us that morning. What will a new move of God's Spirit look like here? What do I need to be doing now to usher him in? I'm definitely excited about what this might mean. Dios esta aqui!

Not only that, but during the invitation time, I prayed with her. After we prayed, she turned to Acts 3:6-7-- "Then Peter said, 'Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.' Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong"-- and she pointed at me and prayed over my hands one at a time.

I don't yet understand the full extent of Astrid's blessing, but I want to. May I and my church receive the blessings and challenges bestowed on us that day. Amen.

A Blessing

Youth Winter Retreat
cleftRock, February 16 & 17, 2007

Kirstin, Katie, Blair, Vanessa, Amy & Tim,
Now may the ever-patient Father, who loves without limits, and the ever-faithful Son, who faced head on all our temptations and trials, and the ever-present Spirit, who lives deep in our souls and never leaves us alone, reveal His beautiful work in you, making you confident in His unfailing love and secure in His perfect plans. May you trust deeply His work in you—when it’s easy and when it’s hard, when you are faithful and when you mess up, when you feel near and when you feel far. May you receive from Him the courage to stand and the blessing of friends that help you stand when you can’t do it on your own. And may you trust that you are His and He’s not done with you yet and will not give up on making you the person He intends for you to become. In the matchless, trustworthy, powerful name of our Savior and Friend, Jesus. Amen.

Teach... with your life

"Teach... with your life"
1 Timothy 4:12 (The Message)

Set an example. Live a life that speaks and teaches. What does my life say? I get so caught up with living for myself. I care about me and my happiness and fortune and comfort. When will I learn to live for God and others? Why do I have to be so selfish?

I want my ministry to be effective. I want to teach in a way that it means something to them... that they feel it deeply, it resonates strongly, it connects meaningfully, it lasts indefinitely. Teach with my life. I can't teach with my life if I'm hiding.

How do I teach with my life about the things in this verse? I'm not sure my life has much to say about faith or love or integrity. My life is a struggle much of the time and I wonder how deeply it's taken hold in me-- how do I teach from that!?

How could I do more teaching from my life? How can I get more into their daily living with my daily living? How do I get my life into others'? Lord, help me to open up and reveal myself to others-- but let what I am be what You want it to be. I want to be worth You showing off. May You receive all glory and honor from my life. Amen.

(Lectio Divino from Winter Retreat 1/17)

Return

After a bout with strep, I'm back. I took my last antibiotic today.

Yesterday was moving day, part 1. We moved out of our house in Somerset into the temporary dwelling of my mother-in-law's house. We aren't supposed to take possession of our house in Georgetown until February 26th. It's amazing how much "stuff" can accumulate.

In the midst of buying houses and recovering from my deathbed illness, I took a sabbath retreat. My friend, Danny, agreed to come alongside me and give spiritual direction for a couple days. He guided me through scripture and helped me discern some of what the Lord is saying to me about my relationship with Him. It was very enlightening but far too short. I'm still processing Hebrews 12:1-3, Ecclesiastes 11:4 and Matthew 14:22-33. (By the way, I find myself quite indebted to Eugene Peterson and his Bible paraphrase, The Message.) And now, after only a little while with Danny, I have a ton more books I need to read!

Lord, don't give up on me yet.