Sabbath Rest

After this past year of working through various struggles and sin issues, I have come out on the side of learning, growing, and feeling renewed in Christ’s grace.  I’m feeling the need to continue in his grace by learning more about what Christ values and choosing to apply it to my life.

Currently, Ben and I are praying through how to have a Sabbath day in our expat, busy lifestyle.  We’ve been processing what the purpose of rest is and what it look like, which is difficult since an extrovert’s idea of rest and an introvert’s idea of rest are completely different. 

However, our basis for Sabbath rest is this: Time that is set aside for purposeful reflection and growth that includes personal communication with the Lord, spiritual renewal within our marriage, and open fellowship and encouragement among a community of believers.

A massive point for us to consider along the way is that although Christ values rest, renewal, prayer, etc, God states very clearly that he “desires mercy, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:6).  And that a true relationship with him is not about rest and renewal, but that we could take care of orphans and widows (James 1:27), and that we would spend time encouraging Christians and reaching others for the gospel.  The gospel is not less important on the Sabbath.  “The Sabbath was made for the man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27

So, we asked ourselves, what will our Sabbath look like?

This process may take some tweaking and much grace, but I think it will be a helpful tool for growth.  The goal in this is not to create a list (which I so easily do, and am tempted to do at this very moment) but rather to intentionally seek consistent renewal from God. 

Because our events and schedules change from weekend to weekend, we are not tied to a certain day of the week.  We work Monday through Friday, so that kind of cuts it down to 2 days.  For us, either day works.  It may be a Saturday one week and a Sunday the next.  We will be purposeful with one day during the weekend with Masters courses, prepping for work, cooking and housework, etc, so that the other day of the weekend can be completely restful.

We have many ideas for how to make our Sabbath a Sabbath, and this will continue to unfold as we explore options and opportunities.  Pray for us on our journey, that we will learn, grow, minister, and be at rest in Christ’s goodness.

Thailand (November 2012)

This was a post from November 2012.  Our trip to Thailand, that was mostly in a hotel.   I hadn't posted it before because my pictures were not loading.  Right now, a half year later... I don't mind.  I'll just post what I have, because it's fun.

The view from our hotel room.  SO colorful compared to Qingdao this time of year!

Being silly!

What an awesome picture, Ben!

This is what we'd call "culturally competent marketing."  

 What a cool shot of some lights.

Ben with his buddies.

Shopping at the night markets.

We got our Chiangmai Starbucks Mug.

A form of taxi-ing.  It was so hot, we didn't mind.

Welcoming Myself Back

It's been eight months since I've blogged.  So much has happened in that amount of time; so much that the blogging world will never know about.  I have received this question many times during the summer months:

"Why did you stop blogging?"
...My answer in short, because the internet is slow.  :)  

However, I will continue to write, and occasionally put up pictures (when I have several hours to wait for it to load).

This semester, I will be blogging about:

1. Sermons from my church (among other places) 
2. Interesting quotes or information from my online classes
3. And general interesting things about living and working overseas.

Today, I am thankful for Air Conditioning, $5 candles, and Sondov bakery.

Last Night's Dream

In my dream, I had been mentally wrestling with a sin issue in my life.  I had chosen to seek help by finding Ben in another room.  As I tapped on the shoulder of what I thought was my husband, the face of an evil presence met me, and immediately took over me.

The creature came over me and pinned me to the floor with such weight and strength.  I was overcome by the pure evil of it, screaming and screeching in such horrifying ways, so loudly, just inches from my face.   I was somehow able to move my neck and head, just a bit from the floor.  I threw my weight into my shoulders and screamed back, as loudly as I could.  Words came.  Even though I was horrified at the evil, paralyzed by the weight, I didn’t even have to think about what to say. 

“He knows my name!” As loudly as I could muster.

Before I finished, it began its screeching and wailing.  It deafened my cry and made me want to curl away.  That sound was more agonizing than I could possibly explain.  Although, amid the panic of my own heart, strength was regained. 

Again, I shouted back, “He knows my name!”

My words met with his painful noise yet again.  But my weakness fell and my anger arose.  I was not going to be beat by this evil. I must fight.

“He knows YOUR name!”

The rage of the creature escalated to a new level.   Never have I felt so terrified and yet so persistent.  I stared into its hallow face; nothing to focus on, no eyes or features of any kind, only blackness and evil.

The shrieking did not cease, but at this point became stronger and more oppressive.  The pain in its voice, the millions of screams behind that one scream. I sealed my eyes shut in response and began to repeat quickly and quietly to myself...

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior of all.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior of all.

Jesus Christ, Son of God, Lord and Savior of all.

I woke up, realizing that I have been repeating these words aloud in my empty room.  I reached over and turned on my bedside light, and continued to say the words.  After moments of catching my breath and thinking over what I had just dreamed, I began to smile, knowing that no evil thing can stand in the face of Christ.  There is no dualistic battle.  He shows up, and the evil leaves.

I do believe this.  And if it truly is the case, I have two questions that remain.

1. Why did I tell evil that God knows my name…
2. Why did I say that God knows his name…

     ...Rather than start with repeating Christ’s name.

As I have been thinking about this all day, a couple thoughts have consumed my mind. 

1. In order to believe God can save me, I need to know who God has made me to be.  I am new in Christ, and he has chosen me.
2. In order to shed the sins that are so strong in my life, I need to name them for what they truly are-- sinful betrayals of my loving Father.

I do not know what the dream was meant to be.  I hadn’t eaten anything strange before bed, nor watched a horror film in… years!   There was no logical reason for this strong of a dream to enter into my mind. However, as I begin to unpack what may be there, I give thanks to God that HIS NAME is great, and he has adopted me into his saving grace.

Questioning Myself

Just kidding, two posts in an hour...  I'm reading various interesting things, so I can't help but share it with you.

I am reading through a particularly heavy section of my Bible study.  The study is all about the glory of the gospel, which dives into Paul's letter to the Galatians.  As I read these questions that I have posted below, I hesitated writing answers down in my book.  Sometimes writing seems so permanent.

These questions are not likely ones that you'd like to dwell on. Quite possibly, no one has asked you these questions before.  However, given time and thought, thinking through your answers may reveal many sins and idols that are hiding just beneath the surface.  What a beautiful thing to allow God into that space that even you yourself may not really have delve into before.


What is my greatest nightmare? What do I worry about most?

What, if I failed or lost it, would cause me to feel that I did not even want to live?

What do I rely on or comfort myself with when things go bad or get difficult?

What do I think most easily about?  How do I preoccupy myself?

What prayer, unanswered, would make me seriously think about turning away from God?