A while back, I went to a Sara Groves concert. While there, I saw her Nomad Series DVD which is a reality-type show telling of Sara's travels to Rowanda and New Orleans. I'm a sucker when it comes to hearing people's stories, adventures, and life lessons, so I bought a copy. In this DVD, Sara meets with Gary Haugen, a former UN war-crimes investigator, who now uses his law and investigative talent as President of International Justice Mission to investigate and intervene on behalf of victims of oppression throughout the world. He instantly caught my attention as I thought "Way cool. This guy's not a lawyer living on Easy Street. He's in the trenches using his skills and talents in a direct way, to make an impact on this world." So, I decided to learn more about him and his work.
So I just finished reading Haugen's book Terrify No More. It's a disturbing story of IJM operations, mainly to free young girls from horrific experiences in Cambodia. The book reminded me that we live in a sinful world, and yet it reminded me of the tremendous things God can do through those who give their talents to His purposes and put their trust in Him. Two quotes that impacted me from the book:
Describing Bob Mosier, an IJM staff member: "Scripture describes faith as 'the assurance of things hoped for, and conviction of things not seen,' and Mosier has core convictions about some things he cannot see. He believes that he was made by a God who exists and can be known. He believes this God cares about him and has given him work to do in the world--the work of helping people in desperate need. And finally, he believes that God is on his side in this work and will help him do it. I (the auther Haugen) am willing to assert that he believes these things for one simple reason: He acts as if these things are true. Mosier is a great example of what Dallas Willard has written so clearly about regarding the nature of faith (amplifying the message of the epistle of James): Namely, we believe something not when we SAY we do or even when we BELIEVE we do, but when we ACT as if we do."
"For many of us, the ugliness of abuse and oppression in our world leads us, quite understandably, to ask: 'Where is God in the midst of such sorrow?' But over time, having seen the suffering of the innocent and the crushing of the weak all around the world, more and more I (the auther Haugen) find myself asking not 'Where is God?' but 'Where are God's people?' As a global force, America and its people are able to generate wealth, exert governmental power, and impact the world in a way that's unprecedented in the history of nation-states. And we live here at a time when the world is full of massive and profound poverty, injustice, oppression, and suffering. Accordingly, the first step in good stewardship is to understand what God has given us by placing us here. How can we, as good stewards of American influence and liberty, turn those blessings into actions on behalf of the oppressed? It takes each one of us, faithfully offering what he or she has and allowing God to multiply it into something great."
Just food for thought.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Clara Barton
Quick, do you remember who Clara Barton is? I was driving to an old friend's house tonight and saw "Clara Barton Pkwy". The name rang a bell, but I couldn't remember what she was famous for (my brain's getting rusty in my old age...). Google quickly told me she was the founder of the Red Cross. Aha, that's right. Speaking of the Red Cross, I gave blood for the second time last week. Didn't go quite as well as the first time: This time I had the luck of getting a lady who didn't know what she was doing and ended up with an impressive bruise on my arm. But, I'm tough, and besides, if they use my blood to help someone else, it's worth it. But here's hoping next time I get a pro!
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Life
At church this morning, I found out that Doug was in the hospital. I met Doug one of the first weeks I was up here. We found out that we both grew up in Houston, went to A&M for grad school, and then moved to DC for a job. Granted, he did so about 40 years before I did, but the point is that we have a lot in common and I've always enjoyed talking with him and hearing about his experiences. So I went with another lady in the church to visit him, especially b/c he doesn't have any family in the area.
When was the last time you were in a hospital? I can't remember the last time I was. Doug was doing well: smart and stubborn as ever. But I couldn't get over the emotions of being in that place. It reminded me of when I was a kid and would visit my grandpa in the hospital and nursing home. I never really knew what to say and there wasn't really anything I could do for him. Just being there, that's all I could do.
But that got me thinking. I'm a strong proponent of the phrase "Actions speak louder than words." Maybe that's why I don't always talk much; maybe that's why "service" always ranks up there in my "spiritual gifts inventory". And then there's the fact that I'm a Type-A personality and a workaholic. In any event, I get very uncomfortable when I'm in situations where I can't actively "do" something. But sometimes "being" is better than "doing". Being in a hospital is one of those situations. I'm not a doctor, I can't physically do anything to help anyone get better faster. But I can be there to listen to them and give a smile.
Life is not about the number of things we can accomplish, or the number of ministries we can get involved in. It's about the journey, the process of growing closer to Christ and closer to others. In this fast-paced world we live in, we need to make sure we don't get so busy and over-loaded that we miss out on simple opportunities to be there for others, and opportunities to "Be still and know that He is God". I say this b/c I often forget to do just that, and something like a trip to the hospital helps put life back in perspective.
When was the last time you were in a hospital? I can't remember the last time I was. Doug was doing well: smart and stubborn as ever. But I couldn't get over the emotions of being in that place. It reminded me of when I was a kid and would visit my grandpa in the hospital and nursing home. I never really knew what to say and there wasn't really anything I could do for him. Just being there, that's all I could do.
But that got me thinking. I'm a strong proponent of the phrase "Actions speak louder than words." Maybe that's why I don't always talk much; maybe that's why "service" always ranks up there in my "spiritual gifts inventory". And then there's the fact that I'm a Type-A personality and a workaholic. In any event, I get very uncomfortable when I'm in situations where I can't actively "do" something. But sometimes "being" is better than "doing". Being in a hospital is one of those situations. I'm not a doctor, I can't physically do anything to help anyone get better faster. But I can be there to listen to them and give a smile.
Life is not about the number of things we can accomplish, or the number of ministries we can get involved in. It's about the journey, the process of growing closer to Christ and closer to others. In this fast-paced world we live in, we need to make sure we don't get so busy and over-loaded that we miss out on simple opportunities to be there for others, and opportunities to "Be still and know that He is God". I say this b/c I often forget to do just that, and something like a trip to the hospital helps put life back in perspective.
Monday, January 01, 2007
Happy New Year!
Most of y'all know me as an analytical girl who weighs the pros and cons from all angles before making a decision. This characteristic is both good and bad. Good because it keeps me from ending up in "what was I thinking?" situations; bad because "the opportunity of a lifetime must be siezed within the lifetime of the opportunity". Sometimes we just have to be spontaneous, take a risk, and trust God with the rest.
Speaking of being spontaneous, my first spontaneous decision of the year was to book a last minute flight to come visit Betsy in Cedar Rapids, IA. We've had a blast catching up, reminiscing about the good old days, and speculating about things to come. Waiting in the airport for my flight, I was listening to some old Breakaway talks. Gregg's Sept 28, 2001 "Faith in the Unknown" talk really hit me, talking about Hebrews 11.
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Gregg talks about what it means to walk by faith:
- Faith is a step-by-step continual "Yes" in your heart. We won't be perfect people tomorrow, but each day, God will grow us closer to Him and reveal His will for us in His time.
- Faith in God, not in the location. It's when we say "God, I trust that you are enough to meet my needs. Your love is better than life. I'm trusting in God, not in the provision of God."
Each new year brings new opportunities and new hope. I honestly don't know what God has in store for me this year. Good or bad, I'm trusting Him with 2007. Happy New Year, everyone!
Speaking of being spontaneous, my first spontaneous decision of the year was to book a last minute flight to come visit Betsy in Cedar Rapids, IA. We've had a blast catching up, reminiscing about the good old days, and speculating about things to come. Waiting in the airport for my flight, I was listening to some old Breakaway talks. Gregg's Sept 28, 2001 "Faith in the Unknown" talk really hit me, talking about Hebrews 11.
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
Gregg talks about what it means to walk by faith:
- Faith is a step-by-step continual "Yes" in your heart. We won't be perfect people tomorrow, but each day, God will grow us closer to Him and reveal His will for us in His time.
- Faith in God, not in the location. It's when we say "God, I trust that you are enough to meet my needs. Your love is better than life. I'm trusting in God, not in the provision of God."
Each new year brings new opportunities and new hope. I honestly don't know what God has in store for me this year. Good or bad, I'm trusting Him with 2007. Happy New Year, everyone!
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