::Being Transformed::: 29 November 2009

And the adventure begins...

Mom and Dad have arrived. After terrible weather that prevented them from getting to Atlanta on time, to the merciful staff that opened the gate back up for the Tokyo flight, a little Ambien and decent amount of stress they have made it with smiles on their faces. (Who would want luggage anyway...) I am kicking myself for not taking a picture of the arrival but the moment was sweet.

What will we do today? See the area "nearby" where I live life everyday... and possible make it downtown to go "bus carolling" with our church. IF the jet lag doesn't take over.

Not sure if this link will work... but worth a try-
Bus Caroling with ECC last year...

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A special day...

Happy Birthday MOM!

I am so happy you are coming here so I can tell you in person!

(Mom is being really brave, facing her fears, and flying for 14 hours to visit and I'm so excited. Dad's visiting too, but it's not his birthday nor does he have to face as many fears... Ya'll pray please! )

I am sure we will have much to share about our adventures- this will be the first time we've seen each other for 5 months! Can't wait to report back on the experiences...

So here's a theme passage for that lovely trek across a bajillion timezones... it's amazing what God gives us when we trade in our fears for praise.

Psalm 34

¹ I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.

² I live and breathe God;

if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy:

³ Join me in spreading the news;

together let's get the word out.

⁴ God met me more than halfway,

he freed me from my anxious fears.

⁵ Look at him; give him your warmest smile.

Never hide your feelings from him.

⁶ When I was desperate, I called out,

and God got me out of a tight spot.

⁷ God's angel sets up a circle

of protection around us while we pray.

⁸ Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—

how good God is.

Blessed are you who run to him.

(from the MESSAGE)

Lord give me the grace to RUN...

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A Prayer for Today...

I have to acknowledge in these days that all I can conceive or do or dream about is so
small compared to Him and what He desires to do. I don't wanna settle for living out
of my "natural" talents or abilities for this is self-reliance that eliminates my
relationship and need for Jesus, even if I do it for the "right reasons."

I don't want to be deceived into living a life independent of God based on my
virtuous talents. The risk in that is that it would be meaningless or in vain-
it would be of a substance that is not Him. I want to die to myself, and
bear fruit that lasts, and the only fruit that lasts is that born of the Spirit.

Each season I learn a new facet of this- I AM being transformed- which is what all this is about, that, from glory to glory, we would be made into the likeness of Christ- magnifying God and making Him famous. This is not self betterment, improvement, or perfecting what I already have "going for me." No, this is death and turning from my attempts to be the Lord of my life and surrendering to Him, receiving from HIm, and living IN HIM.

These days are full of evaluation, planning, dreaming, executing those
plans and dreams, and all that comes with it. I pray that ALL that we do is
born of the Spirit- with an eternal quality that blesses the heart of God
and makes the Bride increasingly more pure and beautiful.

(inspired by Watchman Nee's Normal Christian Life and Tozer's Knowledge of the Holy )

...and of course there's a song to go with it...

Trade our human dreams/For what we cannot see

What our hands can hold/For eternal things

Give our moments for/Endless glory

’Cause we wanna be the ones who follow where You lead

We are believing there is more that we've not seen

So lead us on, lead us on

To light and revelation

Lead us on, lead us on oh Lord

Lead us on, to Your heart

Your purpose and Your passion

Lead us on, to Your heart oh Lord

‘Cause we wanna be the ones who follow where You lead

‘Cause we wanna be the ones who hear You when You speak

We are believing there is more that we've not seen

-Kristian Stanfill

Living in the hope that only Jesus can bring...

Read More 0 comments | Posted by Katie B |