Plight of the Orphan

Today is Orphan Sunday. There are 140,000,000 plus orphans in the world and every 18 seconds another child is orphaned. Today I saw a live simulcast from Nashville, TN raising awareness for orphans. The webcast will be available to watch on www.GospelMusicChannel.com during the next six months. I encourage you to watch it and consider how you can make a difference for orphans.
James 1:27

English 101

God has given me many opportunities to spend with my Chinese friend Andrea. Sunday, we spent the whole day together. She joined me at RF, had lunch at my apartment, checked out the Halloween decor on Hillcrest Avenue (where I was reminded of how much I dislike Halloween) and went to Huber's Farm with my small group. I am supposed to be helping her with her English, but I think she is helping me with mine! When she wanted to know what was in the white chili I made, she had trouble understanding me when I said onions. As I slowed down my speech, I realized that I pronounce it ung-yons. There is no G in onions! Poor girl, when I get through with her she is going to sound like she is from the back roads of Southern Missouri.

Hebrew woes: I had to buy another box of flash cards today for my Hebrew vocab. This means that my first box of 300 (!) was not enough. Sad day. I am about Hebrewed out. I have started see schewas in my every day life (two vertical dots that aid in pronunciation - see the pic from my dry erase board below). This cannot be a good sign.

Take two: My sister and I are going to make a second attempt for her to come visit me this weekend (if the Lord is willing, of course!).

Baby boom: Baby Lydia Grace came last week, weighing in at almost 9 lbs. Her parents are my good friends at RF. She was a week and a half late. My cousin's baby, Ella Grace, came yesterday, weighing in at 8 lbs, 2 ounces. She was a week early. Everyone is doing well. I am thankful that both of these little ones will grow up in homes where they will learn about Jesus. Please pray for their salvation even now. They will also be taught to cheer on the St. Louis Cardinals. It's good to know they will be raised right. :)

Be Careful How You Dial...

Today, I was attempting to call a charity I support to update my account. In the process, I misdialed the number using 1-800 instead of 1-888. This mistake connected me to a very scandalous hotline. Thankfully, I did not hear what the automated voice was saying as my mind was comprehending what was happening. I quickly hung up, checked the number (& realized my mistake) and tried again with the corrected number. I later received two text messages from the hotline. This experience, while a little bit comical, reminded me of something I learned in one of my classes. Wicked businesses like this one spend massive amounts of money to buy up every phone number and web address that is closely associated with well-known ones in order to catch, with the intention of hooking, unsuspecting persons. It is a very sad and shameful reality.

On a slightly different note: I attended a panel discussion today on the relationship between the local church and social justice (I believe the discussion will be posted on Southern's website). It was very good and the panel members were very passionate about the church being the primary vehicle of social justice (coupled, of course, with the Good New of Jesus Christ). I couldn't agree more. Because of God's mercy and compassion extended to us on the cross of Christ, we have the best reason and motivation to reach out to others in love and compassion. Because Christ loves us, we should love others. Because people are created in the image of God, we should seek to redeem that image by ministering to their physical and spiritual needs. All for the glory of Jesus Christ.

One of my favorite reasons came from Dr. Moore: "The Gospel is the announcement of the turning back of the curse (Romans 5 & 8)." God's Kingdom is here (though not fully realized) and we are to advance it wherever we go. "What beats in the heartbeat of the King, should beat in the hearts of His people" (also Dr. Moore). The Bible clearly and repeatedly calls believers to obey God and love others through word and action.

This issue is very close to my heart and God is further burdening my heart for those who suffer. Did you know that 25,000 people die every day from hunger? Did you know that every 4 seconds, a child dies from hunger? Does this not grip your heart?

While the church of Jesus is responsible for social justice as a whole, we are responsible as individuals as well. I can do something. You can do something. Never underestimate how God can use one person. Each of us can:

• give our time: You can volunteer with Habitat for Humanity or at a local homeless shelter
• give our resources: You can support a child through World Vision or Compassion.
• give our voices: join the ONE Campaign which seeks to end severe poverty (mainly in Africa) through advocacy. At the Third Day concert I attended (they support this campaign) we collectively stood against extreme globally poverty. This was the first I had heard about ONE, and I have been told it is a commendable organization.

As God's people we should be leading the cause. Let's not be hearers of the Word only (James 1:22).

Change in Plans

Well, in my plans anyway. It turns out that the Lord was not willing to have my sister visit. She is sick with what is probably a sinus infection. I am extremely disappointed, but the Lord know's what is best. He is sovereign and wise and good.

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps (Proverbs 16:9; cf. Proverbs 19:21).

On a different note: I was challeged by my Hebrew class today regarding the Book of Ruth and my traditional understanding of it. This book has much to say (through the actions of Ruth) about the loyal love of God. Ruth was faithful to her bitter mother-in-law, Naomi, even to the point of risking her reputation (or worse, according to some scholars). The epitome of God's love and faithfulness to us was demonstrated in Christ as He did the radical by sending His Son to die a excrutiating death on the cross. With this in mind, I need to reread the Book of Ruth.

Guess who is coming to visit!

My sister is coming to visit!!! I am going to St. Louis to pick her up tomorrow and then bringing her back here for the weekend. Then I will take her back on Sunday after church. Sound crazy? Yes...but totally worth it. Lord willing, we are going to do a community service project Saturday morning and then that night we are going to a Third Day concert. Also, I am going to speak at a local, private school about the region I will traveling to, so she will be there to support me (please keep me in mind Friday afternoon when this will be taking place!).

Lately, I have been trying to submit my anxiety regarding my seemingly insurmountable amount of homework to the Lord. He has been calling me to give this area of my life to Him. I act like I am in control of my time and my studies, but He has been showing me that I totally am not. So last night at midnight, I chose to go to bed, leaving 3 chapters and 3 articles to read, Hebrew translations and a reading quiz all to be done this evening. I was very discouraged because I wanted to attend RF's Wednesday night service to hear about the recent trip to Central Asia. I told the Lord this and also told Him that I trust Him in helping me get what I need to done. Jesus showed me once again how sovereign and faithful He is. This morning I got up and got ready for class, but when I got to school, I was informed that my class was cancel. How exciting! I was able to take that time to knock out three chapters, which allowed me to go to church this evening - all because of the Lord's grace. Once again: He is in control and I am not...and that is a good thing.

Other lessons from the past several weeks: pride and humilty - the Lord is really teaching me a lot about this vice and virtue through many different avenues (books, sermons and class lectures). I am reminded once again that I really am livin' life in Romans 7.

Did that really happen???

My week got off to a rough and unexpected start as my car was impounded during the wee hours of Monday morning. Without realizing it, I had parked in front of a driveway Sunday night, so when the people I blocked needed to leave at 2:30 a.m., they had my car towed. Imagine my surprise to not find my car where I parked it! After much stress, a ride from my kind roommate and a pricey ransom, I was reunited with my car in time to go to work. Even in the midst of such a wretched situation, there were many things to thank God for:

1. I was able to get to work on time.
2. I had the funds to cover the cost.
3. The impound place was only a few miles from where I lived.
4. My car wasn't stolen (my first thought when I realized it was missing)
5. My sanctification (spiritual growth)

Furthermore, as I was reflecting on the event, I was reminded of God's grace. I broke the law in ignorance and suffered the consequences (paying a fine). Even though I didn't realize I had broken the law, I was still guilty. The same is true with God's Law. Even when I don't realize when I break His Law, I am still guilty. As a result, I deserve the consequences - hell. BUT there is good news. Unlike the impound place, there is Someone who paid the penalty for me (because I could never pay it on my own): Jesus Christ. He came and lived a perfect life (without sin) and then was brutally tortured and nailed to a cross where He died - bearing God's full wrath for sin (my sin and your's). God raised Him from the dead three days later and now He lives forevermore. For those who repent of their sins and trust in Christ, they are no longer guilty before God. Their fine has been paid. This is Good News for ALL peoples!

On a different note: I had a nice visit in Missouri. I was once again back in the kitchen where I made baked mostaccioli and a cheap version of Tiramusi (chocolate and coffee, I mean, can you go wrong?). My mom had this recipe for Twinkie Tiramusi. I admit I was very skeptical because I am not a snack-cake fan, but it was actually really good and tasted a lot like the real thing (but cost way less). I will definitely make again.

Next Stop: MO

Last weekend I went to visit Sarah in AL for Labor Day. It was a quick trip but we made the most of it. We went to a drive-through safari and the science center (which pales in comparison to the FREE one in St. Louis). Next weekend I will be heading to MO as is my custom around my sister's birthday. I am really looking forward to hanging out with her on Friday. I told her to clear her calender for me. :) I have really been missing her lately.

I met my language partner last night. She is a doll and I absolutely adore her. She is from China and is working on her Master's in Biostatistics at the University of Louisville. We spent several hours getting to know one another and I even got to tell her about the Way. I am really looking forward to see what God has in store for our friendship.

I got a bed last weekend for $20! Probably the best $20 I have ever spent. :) My good friends (and former house-parents) are going to give me a desk they no longer want. These are both gifts from the Lord for which I am very thankful.

I already have packed boxes to take home next weekend as I think about moving again in December. Next semester (Lord willing), I will be in South Asia. I am scheduled to leave in January and will be gone for six months. This is for sure the biggest thing the Father has ever called me to do, but I know that He will be with me and I am very excited to be about His work. Please keep me in mind as I raise pr support and financial support in the coming weeks. Eph 3:20