Go Be Light!
What a crazy time the last four days has been for us! Friday evening we had a our Prayer Gathering at our place (more thoughts about this below); Saturday morning I spoke at my parents' church about our decision to serve for IJM; worked on my niece's video tributes in the afternoon, and watched the Manny Pacquiao fight (Pacman looked awesome!) with everyone in the evening; Sunday afternoon we had a the debut celebration for my beautiful niece, Kelsey, who turned 18 years old and graduated from high school (what an absolutely wonderful time); and yesterday all day, I flew to Arizona (where it was about 400 degrees) and returned the same day (work-related).
And we leave for the Philippines in 20 days. We are weary, yet remain encouraged.
The Prayer Gathering on Friday night will be a memory we will always cherish. Thank you for all of you that took out the time to share it with us and for those who lifed us up in spirit. It is always a special time when you can share and celebrate communion with friends, especially when it is outside the typical environments (ie. church). In our candle-lit living room, we lifted the cup of salvation, almost like a toast amongst intimate friends, celebrating our Lord and Savior, who Himself, calls us Friends.
And at the close of the evening, I will always remember going to each person and looking into the eyes of my brothers and sisters and asking each: Do you love Him more than anything?" I will remember the tear-filled eyes and the genuiness of each response as each said "yes." In turn, each brother and sister were commanded to go and be a light to this world.
This was all of course inspired by the exchange between Peter and His Lord on the beach (see the last chapter of John). This is the transforming power of grace, that Jesus, in His infinite love and mercy, calls us - each of us - for His work despite our faults and shortcomings. Of course this grace saves - not only from eternal damnation, but saves us from ourselves, our fears, and smallness that characterizes much of our existence. This grace should transform us to be a bit more fearless, bold, and courageous as we seek to follow Christ Jesus. Peter's life is a testimony to this transforming power of grace. From a coward who denied his Lord three times, to becoming a Rock upon which the Church was built and finally a matyr supposedly crucified upside-down.
This is the power of the Cross.
PS. We asked people to select and share a Bible verse for our family. We would love to receive those, either by a post on this blog or by email. God bless.
And we leave for the Philippines in 20 days. We are weary, yet remain encouraged.
The Prayer Gathering on Friday night will be a memory we will always cherish. Thank you for all of you that took out the time to share it with us and for those who lifed us up in spirit. It is always a special time when you can share and celebrate communion with friends, especially when it is outside the typical environments (ie. church). In our candle-lit living room, we lifted the cup of salvation, almost like a toast amongst intimate friends, celebrating our Lord and Savior, who Himself, calls us Friends. And at the close of the evening, I will always remember going to each person and looking into the eyes of my brothers and sisters and asking each: Do you love Him more than anything?" I will remember the tear-filled eyes and the genuiness of each response as each said "yes." In turn, each brother and sister were commanded to go and be a light to this world.
This was all of course inspired by the exchange between Peter and His Lord on the beach (see the last chapter of John). This is the transforming power of grace, that Jesus, in His infinite love and mercy, calls us - each of us - for His work despite our faults and shortcomings. Of course this grace saves - not only from eternal damnation, but saves us from ourselves, our fears, and smallness that characterizes much of our existence. This grace should transform us to be a bit more fearless, bold, and courageous as we seek to follow Christ Jesus. Peter's life is a testimony to this transforming power of grace. From a coward who denied his Lord three times, to becoming a Rock upon which the Church was built and finally a matyr supposedly crucified upside-down.
This is the power of the Cross.
PS. We asked people to select and share a Bible verse for our family. We would love to receive those, either by a post on this blog or by email. God bless.
posted by ERuss at
12:53 AM
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