6/4

6/4


I threw a snowball at Justine. I feel very accomplished : )

There was a lot that I wanted to write, but I can never remember anything if I don’t write it down right away...that's probably why these posts can be so weird. They're what go through my mind during the day but things I probably wouldn’t say outloud. Weird. Anyways...

I’ve been really blessed the past couple days. Just little things here and there. Like I saw Tamara for the first time this Thursday at Bible Club, and she ran up to me and called me name and gave me a big hug : ) Also, when we split off into groups, I was with Matt and the older kids. They paid attention and did verses for what seemed like maybe 5 minutes before they started going crazy, but there was one boy who was focused the whole time and kept coming up to me to say verses in the midst of the chaos. It was amazing to see one of the kids really want to learn more of God’s Word. I also had a chance to hang out with the McClains and Rebecca and her kids at the beach. It was funny I was facing the ocean standing in the water and Audrey grabbed onto me from behind. Then all at once Isabelle, Eden and Ezekiel are all behind me clinging to my arms, legs and waist. I confidently said, “I am like a tree planted by streams of water, I shall not be mov-“ then got hit by a wave and knocked over by the 4 children :)

Last night Brooke was talking about how she hates bugs and how difficult it was when she first got here (Costa Rica is not the place you want to be if you're scared of bugs I've found out) but how God has helped her through that fear. I remember she told Sarah and I how she saw a scorpion next to her and went all Rambo on it and just cut it in half. That's so crazy! And the other night, Matt shared with me a little about their life before Costa Rica and how they ended up here. I was thinking today about how both of them are a great example of faithfulness. Not only having to move your family and learn a new language for a completely different culture filled with many..."surprises", but also to have friends, co-workers, family and even some in the church telling you your crazy.  Yet they were obedient despite that and did what God has set before them.  Likewise, we all have to walk in this way, because Jesus has called us to pick up our cross and follow him no matter what the cost. How seriously do we take that?

I hope to have that obedience. When Sarah and I were here, we went through this book called “Christ Indwelling and Enthroned” (can’t remember who it’s by…probably some “old dead British guy” ;]) with Pastor Phil. In it he talked about being completely surrendered to the will of Christ and the fruit from it (which is also evident in the McClains). He said something like, “He alone can confidently expect victory who has submitted unreservedly and irrevocably to the Lordship of Christ.” There are many who “gladly take life from Christ but stubbornly refuse to take law from him. He is hailed as Savior but ignored as Sovereign…His Saviorhood is gladly welcomed, but He Himself is banished to some backroom of the heart, while Self fills the throne which is His by purchased right.”

Do I reserve myself the right to have my own way in some things? If he indeed is Lord of my heart, my attitude will be one of glad, thankful and entire submission. “All arms of rebellion must be laid at his feet and the throne of the heart abdicated in His favor.”  And this submission and surrender...don't think like it's some great thing you are doing for God or giving to Him.  It is His in the first place.

And all of this sounds pretty intense, yet I LOVE that when in Matthew Jesus says "Pray like this", he starts out with “Our father.” This is how we are suppose to pray, not addressing him as God or Lord or Savior, but we are to call out as His children to our Father :] What a blessing. And through it all, His grace is sufficient for us!