Assurance

So, I've been back in Russia for about a week, and I've had to remind myself several times that life moves at a different pace around here. It's not that anything bad as happened, it's just that things don't happen when I want them to! Ha, imagine that, life moving on and advancing at it's own pace without our approval or input!

I have enjoyed being back in Russia, but it has been different. I'm in a new location, working with a new set of people, and about a 10 to 15 minute hike to the nearest bus stop, and then to top it all off, about a 30 minute or an hour (depends on the traffic) drive into the city.

All this to say, life is good, but different. I really do like my new apartment and the new situation that God has placed me in, but it is different. Although, if it wasn't different, I wouldn't have sought the Father like I have, and I wouldn't have found the assurance of knowing this is exactly where God has placed me for the next couple of months.

Choices

Why do we settle? Why do we choose second best?

Whether it’s picking your life mate, buying a car, or making every day decisions, why do we choose second best?

Because at the time, it seems easier! It seems easier to settle for the man that is a good guy, yet isn’t God’s choice for you. It’s easier to buy that car that is cheaper, yet you know its lesser quality and won’t last as long. It’s easier to choose to hang out with those friends and go to that party, instead of spending the night with your family.

But where do these easier choices get us? Most of the time, we find ourselves unhappily legally bound, frustrated and broke, dissatisfied and lonely.

So, how do we know what is God’s best for our lives? It’s by spending time with God daily and reading the Word and talking with Him. It’s not hard! It’s really quite simple, yet most of us are too lazy to do it every day. Hey, this is another one of those settling areas! We settle for a mediocre relationship with God, when we could have an intimate thriving relationship with a magnificent and glorious Creator of the Universe!

Stop settling! Start seeking the Savior for advice! It’s simple!

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

"Love your neighbor as yourself."

These are great words, and I believe in them fully, but I'm not going to lie, they are a little hard to act out when you're talking about an unlovable person. How do you "love you neighbor as yourself" when that neighbor has been rude and has said and did many hurtful things to you. Do you have to turn the other cheek?? According to the Bible, you should. But what about that neighbor? If they claim to be a Christian, shouldn't they be held accountable for their words and actions? Aren't we as believers supposed to hold each other accountable?

This is something that I have been struggling with for almost the past two years! It's been a hard struggle and many times I've not wanted to forgive this neighbor. But, as you might guess, being a believer, I get convicted by my attitude and thoughts towards that person, and I forgive them. I needed and still need to do that daily because of the memories that satan keeps bringing to mind. How many times have I forgiven this neighbor?? I know it's been many, but not quite close to the "seventy times seven".

So my questions are the the following: Should my neighbor be held accountable for their actions? Should I be the one that says something to them, or is it my place to keep my mouth shut and to continue to forgive?

No matter what, I will continue to forgive, "seventy time seven", because I do not need this festering in me. I am not seeking an opportunity to talk with this person, but I know they are with me. So, I need prayers, I need grace and I need above all to remember that this is my neighbor and I am to "love my neighbor as myself".

The Key to Your Heart

Tonight and yesterday, I've been downloading Taylor Swift's albums. I love her style and how honest and open she is in her music. But one thing struck me tonight as I was watching the music videos and listening to the songs, and I mean really listening to her songs, she's been "in love" many times over these past few years. She must go from guy to guy. Most of her songs tell tales of heartache and heartbreaks. A lot of them are of her real experiences in life. She must have one chaotic drama filled life- anybody would that goes from guy to guy, or girl to girl. I just can't help but think of all the pieces of her heart that she's given away. I have to wonder, does she have anything left? I'm not picking on Taylor. I think she is a beautiful girl and is incredibly talented and has some fun and catchy songs, but her life must be one continuous soap opera.

I think we need to guard our hearts. I know several people that have been hurt in love several times. They continually opened their hearts and committed themselves to various people and they were devastated each time the relationships ended.

Everyone outside their little relationship circle could see that they were on a sinking ship, yet they never saw it coming. Was that because of blind stupidity-probably so. Now wait and listen to me, don't get upset, please finish reading this. There were signs in each relationship-very obvious signs that even people like me, a distant casual observer could see. So, why couldn't these people see the train wreck that was fast approaching? It's because they were too consumed with love and trying to make the relationship work. Take a step back every now and again, and evaluate the relationship.

Don't just give your heart away. Don't just let any old somebody take it and then use it and then stomp on it and put in through a meat grinder and then give it back to you in a way that it can never be fully repaired.

Guard it. Value it. Be smart.

Don't be in love with the idea of being in love. Don't date someone because you're lonely. I'd rather be lonely and have a few nights having a single girl pity party than months, oh who am I kidding, some times even years, of recovering from a break up.

Now I've said all of this to say one last thing. Guard your heart and be careful who you give the key of it to. Don't have several copies. Have one. Give it to your Heavenly Father. Embrace the old fashioned match making and let God pick the one for you. Ask Him to guard that key and to keep it until the right person comes along. Wait for the Heavenly Match Maker to do His job. Trust the Father to have your very best interests at heart. And the best thing with having God as our match maker is that He knows both of you intimately and that means that He will pick the absolute best match for you.

So what are you waiting for?? Give up that key. Ask God to keep it safe for you-and trust in His timing and choice. Pray that when God gives the keys of your heart away to that perfect guy that you will know. That it will be abundantly clear and that you will have no doubts and that God will bless the relationship in only the way He can.

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."
Proverbs 4:23

Life

Wow! It has been awhile since I've last posted! I have been going non-stop and life has gotten in the way of me taking care of the little things, like this blog, and sending out my newsletter. Sorry, that I've been electronically absent for awhile.

Anyway, something that God has done over the past few months, since August, is that He has given me a way to come back here next Fall. I will be coming back to this amazing city to teach English at an international school. I am so excited about it, and ready to teach some kiddos, but I think the thing that I am most excited about, is that my little brother will be coming over here with me! He is also going to be teaching English at the same school, and I think it will be an experience for both of us!

I'm not quite sure about our living arrangements yet, but I know that the Father already has it all planned out!

So, what's new with you? What has the Father been doing in your life? Has He shown you a new ministry opportunity? Has He taught you something new?

Like King David

Tonight as I sit here and am completely weighed down by Satan and the ways that he is at work in my life, I claim these verses and I ask that God will protect me like He protected King David. I ask for the Father's loving kindness, His peace, for His healing and for His comfort.

"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me! Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you."
-Psalm 25: 16-21

Leaning on the Everlasting

I'm going to lean on the Everlasting...

This past week was an interesting week, and I got to meet many amazing people and made several new friends. But I learned a lot this week about people. It made me reflect back on all the times I've traveled and gone on trips. It made me wonder if I've ever had my priorities in mind, and not the ones of the Father.

I know that in the future, when I travel, I will always look to you, Father, and for Your will. I will not "lean on my own understanding", but I will seek and listen to Him. Please let me never forget the lessons You taught me this week.