With Thanksgiving just behind us, I am praying that I, and you too, will have thankful hearts year 'round. When I think about the Lord's provision just in this year, I find myself in awe. In awe of a Maker who loves me enough not only to save me from my sin and depravity in which I was once entangled in, exchanging it for freedom in Him, but also a Savior who delights in being my Father and providing for my every need. Lately I have felt so weak and so small before the Lord. But it has been a good place to be, just resting in Him.
This month a few of us in Trek-X went to Secret Church at the Church in Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL. If you have never heard of Secret Church or David Platt, here's the website. Platt is a man after God's heart and shares a lot of great wisdom. The topic of this secret church was Marriage, Family, Sex, and the Gospel. We learned so much about statistics of this world and how Satan is really targeting the family, which is actually supposed to represent Christ and the Church. You can get a copy of the study we went through that night from the website. It's full of amazing Scripture and teaching. The couple of days following Secret Church we all went to Barry College in Rome, GA for a retreat weekend. And wow, it was so beautiful! It was really nice to get away from school work and our responsibilities here and just enjoy the Lord, each other, and His creation.
Over Thanksgiving break, my family retreated to the mountains in Gatlinburg, TN. It was really nice for the 5 of us to get away together. We took in the beautiful scenery, had a Thanksgiving meal together, watched lots of home videos, shopped, and lots of other fun things. Not to be depressing, but it was also my last Thanksgiving in the states for a while, so it was really nice to spend a whole week with them. And on a brighter note, it was also my last Thanksgiving as a single woman :) I didn't capture many pictures from the week, but here's one of me and my little brother at Cade's Cove.
This week we have been participating in Global Summit at Fellowship Bible Church here in Nashville. I have learned so much! Tuesday, we heard from 10 different global partners everywhere from Peru to Sudan to Germany. They shared about their ministries and how the Gospel is going forth in their countries. I was both challenged and encouraged by these strategic partnerships that our church is investing in. Wednesday, we heard from Brian Fikkart, the author of When Helping Hurts, a book about alleviating poverty without crippling the poor even more. My worldview completely changed from those few hours listening to Fikkart. I encourage any and all followers of Jesus to read this book and let it shape your heart to becoming more like Christ. My definition of poverty was reshaped. I learned that the cause is broken relationships with God, creation, others, and self. Thus, we were all poor at one time. And giving material things to those who are materially poor only satisfies their physical needs for a short time. Relationships must be restored and unless this is the aim of our alleviation of poverty, we will only hurt the poor. I could go on and on and on, but I will leave you with these verses: 1 John 3:17-19. Today, we heard from Dave Ramsey, financial peace guru, who shared from Scripture about how to be an entreleader. He shared about having visions and goals and how to better lead those who follow us with integrity, grace, unity, and loyalty. Finally, this afternoon we met with Benny Proffit and Peter Abungu who some of you may remember from last year. They shared about what is going on in Kenya currently and encouraged us to stick to doing what the Lord has commanded us. It was a wonderful week that has really got me thinking and redefining a lot in my life and the way I follow Christ.
In closing, I just want to reflect on a few things that I am thankful for and ask you, if you haven't, to do the same.
I'm thankful for salvation in Christ alone
I'm thankful for my family- including parents who are still married
I'm thankful for my godly man my husband-to-be is
I'm thankful for the funds God continues to provide for me to be at Trek-X
I'm thankful for a house and a table with food
I'm thankful for the freedom I have living in America
I'm thankful to be attaining a college education
I'm thankful for friends the Lord has given me in the last couple of years
I'm thankful for the Word
I'm thankful for mentors and those who faithfully disciple me and pour into my life
Praise be to God for His faithfulness. May you all be blessed this holiday season.
"But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother in need and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him."
1 John 3:17-19
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| Beautiful chapel on Barry College campus |
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| Like I said, it was a beautiful place! |
Over Thanksgiving break, my family retreated to the mountains in Gatlinburg, TN. It was really nice for the 5 of us to get away together. We took in the beautiful scenery, had a Thanksgiving meal together, watched lots of home videos, shopped, and lots of other fun things. Not to be depressing, but it was also my last Thanksgiving in the states for a while, so it was really nice to spend a whole week with them. And on a brighter note, it was also my last Thanksgiving as a single woman :) I didn't capture many pictures from the week, but here's one of me and my little brother at Cade's Cove.
This week we have been participating in Global Summit at Fellowship Bible Church here in Nashville. I have learned so much! Tuesday, we heard from 10 different global partners everywhere from Peru to Sudan to Germany. They shared about their ministries and how the Gospel is going forth in their countries. I was both challenged and encouraged by these strategic partnerships that our church is investing in. Wednesday, we heard from Brian Fikkart, the author of When Helping Hurts, a book about alleviating poverty without crippling the poor even more. My worldview completely changed from those few hours listening to Fikkart. I encourage any and all followers of Jesus to read this book and let it shape your heart to becoming more like Christ. My definition of poverty was reshaped. I learned that the cause is broken relationships with God, creation, others, and self. Thus, we were all poor at one time. And giving material things to those who are materially poor only satisfies their physical needs for a short time. Relationships must be restored and unless this is the aim of our alleviation of poverty, we will only hurt the poor. I could go on and on and on, but I will leave you with these verses: 1 John 3:17-19. Today, we heard from Dave Ramsey, financial peace guru, who shared from Scripture about how to be an entreleader. He shared about having visions and goals and how to better lead those who follow us with integrity, grace, unity, and loyalty. Finally, this afternoon we met with Benny Proffit and Peter Abungu who some of you may remember from last year. They shared about what is going on in Kenya currently and encouraged us to stick to doing what the Lord has commanded us. It was a wonderful week that has really got me thinking and redefining a lot in my life and the way I follow Christ.
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| This is a shot of the Global Partners and their wives at Global Summit |
In closing, I just want to reflect on a few things that I am thankful for and ask you, if you haven't, to do the same.
I'm thankful for salvation in Christ alone
I'm thankful for my family- including parents who are still married
I'm thankful for my godly man my husband-to-be is
I'm thankful for the funds God continues to provide for me to be at Trek-X
I'm thankful for a house and a table with food
I'm thankful for the freedom I have living in America
I'm thankful to be attaining a college education
I'm thankful for friends the Lord has given me in the last couple of years
I'm thankful for the Word
I'm thankful for mentors and those who faithfully disciple me and pour into my life
Praise be to God for His faithfulness. May you all be blessed this holiday season.
"But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother in need and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him."
1 John 3:17-19
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