Spiritual Testimony

As you may have already discovered, I love writing about my faith in God.  I wanted to share a bit about my background so that it may be more clear why I write the way I do.  I grew up in a mainline denomination church, but I didn't become a Christian until college.  I went to college with a goal: let's figure out the whole "God-thing".  I visited a number of campus ministries and churches in the area.  It was not until I joined a small group on the book of Galatians where I discovered what I was looking for.

A recent Georgia Tech grad led the study about a letter written nearly 2000 years ago.  The broad subject of this letter is that faith in Jesus Christ alone can free you from sin.  The first recipients of this letter had been taught by religious authorities that they needed to complete a number of religious rituals in addition to their faith to be saved.  This was a revelation to me~ my impression from all my years in church was that there was a formula on how to behave in order to be good enough to know God.  I wasn't even sure I wanted to know God because religion seemed boring or was an unappealing set of rules.  Either way, I was falling way below the church's standards.

Campus Ministry~ First time visitors are introduced and receive free cookies.  What won't a college kid do for something free?

Shortly after the study, I was invited to commit to a number of Christian service projects.  It was then that I knew I had to make a decision; I accepted Jesus Christ to be my spiritual liberator.  Excited to apply my new faith in Jesus, I eagerly took on every service group.  In this new season of life, I experienced what a gift it is to give and serve.  I spent time cleaning dishes and vacuuming floors at my campus ministry.  On Friday nights I would head to the state penitentiary for women to pray with criminals.  Saturday mornings I was at a community center for the visually impaired learning how to teach and care for a a precious boy who was born with serious nervous system impairments causing his blindness.  I share this not to boast of "how good I am", but rather to describe how these activities did great good in me.  I got a glimpse at how God loves by trying to be like him.

Habitat for Humanity build with some friends

By the end of my college career, I had been on several mission trips domestically and abroad.  It had created a desire to explore the possibility of international missions particularly on college campuses.  It seemed a good fit.  The fall after graduation, my boyfriend (now my husband) and I researched and developed a plan to plant a campus ministry in France.  We spent every spare moment discussing logistics and culture; we couldn't have been more enthusiastic about our vision.  After presenting our plan to our would-be sending agency, we discovered our vision was in stark contrast to theirs.  I started to grapple with what God's plan for my life was. 

In Salamanca, Spain~ free coffee and muffins for students at the library during finals

I would like to comment that my college years didn't revolve solely on my growing Christian faith.  I studied international affairs; my curriculum addressed topics spanning from political ideologies, history, great power relations, economics and globalization, empiricism, science, comparative politics, technology, and language.  I double majored in French and minored in Spanish, and I relished the fact that I could communicate with any native North American.  It was easy and perhaps only natural for me to determine that my career or future would involve both my undergraduate studies and my zeal for God.

All dressed packed up and nowhere to go

Well, my God loves to teach his children.  The lesson I learned during that time was invaluable.  While I had my heart set on mission work, I was interning at the ministry where I found saving faith.  Part of the program involved free courses at a local Bible college.  I discovered that my passion for campus ministry waned as my excitement for studying the word of God waxed.  God taught me that while my own self-interest and preferences led me to desire doing mission work, His purpose for me would not be predictable and certainly would ground me in humility.

Humility indeed.  My internship year ended poorly.  My team of interns, a group of 13, suffered seriously from dysfunction and personality clashes.  I admit I was a source for a good portion of it.  I went on to search for full-time employment anywhere, but months went by where I had few interviews and fewer responses to the dozens of cover letters and resumes I sent out.  As if by divine appointment, part-time jobs started to come my way.  The first job was with a retail store that is based in missions.  Go Fish works with artisans and craftsmen all over the world in developing countries to bring their products to a first world market.  Their purpose is to share the message of the gospel through business both in the stores with customers and with the artists who create the products.

My second job sprung from the first.  As a sales associate, I had ample opportunities to meet and talk with the Go Fish shoppers.  I shared the story of our company with a young family.  As we talked more, I discovered they were looking for a babysitter to watch their daughter while they attended a church small group.  Not only our shared faith, but my background in childcare landed me the position.  It may have been small, but I really delighted in the opportunity to care for their sweet girl.

My third job developed in the most interesting way.  During my season of unemployment, I started to volunteer at a ministry, Good Samaritan, which provided health and dental services to the uninsured.  I would make spreadsheets, answer phones, and pray for patients.  I loved it so much that I started going on days they hadn't even requested me to come.  A few months later a position opened up in the front office.  Thanks to my Spanish language skills (albeit European Spanish), God opened another door and filled my schedule with good work.

God's provisions satisfied me.  I craved to have a career with a Christian organization in an international setting while earning a bit of money.  Now I had jobs in three Christian workplaces with one focused on missions and another where I spoke Spanish as much as I spoke English on any given day.  I laugh now reflecting on any grief I felt at the time over God's answering my "missionary" prayer.

In the midst of that busy season, God was already laying the groundwork for the next chapter.  My boyfriend had become my fiance, and we were planning a wedding.  This is where many of you who have read the blog know what happens next.  We wed in May 2009 and a few short months later we moved to France.  As if God's fulfillment of my desires couldn't get more absurd, we ended up moving into a dorm on a college campus.  We had envisioned ourselves in campus ministry in France just a few short years beforehand.  Yet instead of being professional missionaries, my husband arrived as a student taking courses at two different universities, and I became a teacher in two elementary schools.  We said we wanted to share our faith with students, and God gave us students in spades.

France, we love you!

Now I don't need to summarize that year for you; it's already been written in earlier posts.  Since our return, I've commented regularly on finding my purpose.  It seems as though God has provided us with a quiet period in life after many transitional days; that is, as quiet as a season can be with a baby.  In any case, I am soaking up this time with my family and with God to prepare for the days and adventures to come. 

The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

U.S. Ambassador to Libya

I don't want to scandalize my readers by introducing the subject of politics casually.  With that being said, I am a news junky and have been following the stories of Middle East uprisings in several nations closely.  As many know, Chris Stevens was killed in Libya on the anniversary of 9/11.  He was America's ambassador to their country; an appointed representative who ought not be remembered by the inhumanity of his death.  All life has dignity~ it is God-given.  I wanted to share with you a video released by the embassy about Chris Stevens and what he desired to offer to the people of Libya.

What are the odds?

I am often intrigued by Twitter; the idea of micro-blogging is perfect for those who have concise thoughts they desire to share.  With the ability to share so freely, though, most would observe that Twitter is deluged with banality.  The significance of thoughts or reports fades into a backdrop of excessive sharing.  This is not said to cast a judgment on any of my friends who use the popular social media website.  Rather, I have thought how brilliant the concept of micro-blogging is.  I generally lack the self-control to share a short post, but I marvel at how brevity conveys the meaning of ideas more grandly than wild verbosity (my weakness!).  Think of how we enshrine quotes in our culture.  They are trinkets of wisdom remembered easily.  The greatest quotes speak truth to the heart; not needlessly sentimental~ just profoundly honest.

Well, I thought I would make an effort to write some shorter posts here and there so that I don't dilute ideas with too many personal reflections.  Thank you, Twitter, for the inspiration.

~~~~~~~

I was studying my Bible this morning and came across two passages using the expression "apple of my eye".  What are the odds?  The first was in Proverbs 7:2 which reads, "Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye."  The second is from the post-exilic prophet and priest Zechariah.  The Lord is speaking through an angel about the future of Jerusalem.  Chapter 2 verse 7 through 13 says:

“Come, Zion! Escape, you who live in Daughter Babylon!”  For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—  I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me.

“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord.  “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.  The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.  Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”

Something for me to reflect on today. 

True Family

Have you read the newly released memoir by retired gymnast Dominique Moceanu?  Moceanu stole the hearts of the American public and the world while competing in the 1996 Olympics.  She and her team won Gold for the United States for the first time in history.  Her book is called Off Balance, a clever title relating a necessary skill in her sport to the real dysfunction of her childhood.  Perhaps the most publicized revelation in Moceanu's book is the discovery of a sister she never knew she had.  Jennifer was born when Dominique was 6 years old.  Their parents concealed giving Jennifer up for adoption entirely from their older daughter.  It was not until Dominique's mid-twenties that she and her other sister, Christina, learned of and reunited with Jennifer.

The Devil Went Down to Georgia [source]

My whole world in 1996 seemed to revolve around the Magnificent Seven (as the women's artistic gymnastics team was dubbed by the media).  Living in the suburbs of Atlanta made my excitement all the more real.  My own journey in the gymnastics world had ended the year before; my family came into some tough times and could not commit the time or money to this demanding sport.  Still I remember trying to stay flexible, do my handstands properly, and daydream about tumbling across springy blue carpet.  I would also imagine meeting these Olympians, my heroes.

On one occasion, I actually saw the Magnificent Seven.  My grandparents treated me to tickets for a rhythmic gymnastics event.  I could not tell you any details about the ribbon twirling or juggling or whatever other skills these batch of gymnasts performed that day.  No, my memories of that day only yield the image of the young victors~ Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Kerri Strug, and of course Dominique Moceanu.  They made an appearance to support the other competing gymnasts and greet a stadium full of fans.  I wondered if I could get close to them and tell them that I was a gymnast, too.  I was awestruck.  Even though they were teeny tiny athletes, they were giants in my mind.  They were living proof that even a child can be a champion.  That's what they symbolized to me.

Dominique competing in the 1996 Olympics on the beam [source]

Returning to the subject of her book, Dominique's story resonated with me.  It is a cautionary tale about parents deceiving their children.  While the secret sister may seem like the most shocking element, I was astounded to learn how her parents and coaches concealed her achievements and earnings from her.  Rather than living in a dream world I believed the "princess" of gymnastics had, Dominique was in a veritable hell of uncertainty, insecurity, and confusion.  And while it may just be a book that provides a window into one American stage parent story, I began to wonder about how different her life could have been had the adults in her life been honest.  This is a lesson to be considered by all, not just parents.  The truth has the power to bless or crush. Truth really matters.  Since my foundation for truth is Christianity, that's where I'll start.  

The first thing that pops into my mind on the subject of truth is that oft used quote, "The truth will set you free".  This is a direct quote from Jesus; did you know that?  The Bible is commonly believed to hold worldly words of wisdom like "Money is the root of all evil" and "God helps those who help themselves".  Scour the scripture, and you shorn't find either of these quotes word for word (shorn't happens to be my favorite non-word meaning should but won't).  The second expression has no roots in scripture at all, and the money proverb is extracted from its proper biblical context.  The full verse (with emphasis added by me) reads:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Clearly, money has no intrinsic quality making it good or bad; it's just paper.  It's how we use it that determines whether we make good or bad choices.  I use this as a prelusion for considering "The truth will set you free."  Here is Jesus' full statement in John 8:31-36:

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Since I'm a grammar fanatic and treasure the meaning of words, I want to break this down a little bit.  This is a conditional statement: first something must happen, then another something will follow.  In this case Jesus says to hold to his teachings.  So first I must read about what he taught.  The magical conditional then follows.  It reveals that learning Jesus' teachings lead to knowing truth.  That may sound like I've paraphrased what he just said so it doesn't seem too radical.  Now what may offend or ought to shock some is the claim that Jesus is making here.  His teachings are truth and they are powerful.  How powerful?  I'm glad you asked!  Knowing his teaching grants an individual freedom.

Wait a minute~ now I have a problem.  First, what am I being set free from?  Great question; wish I could claim I came up with it, but some of the Jewish disciples asked Jesus right then.  This is what they asked:

“We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

I hope these guys were talking about only themselves at this point; the Jews had most certainly been slaves a time or two before Christ's coming:  400 years in Egypt (see Exodus), a great period of time under Assyria (found in 2nd Kings), and of course 70 years in Babylon (also 2nd Kings & 2nd Chronicles & Jeremiah & Daniel).  Perhaps they weren't slaves at this point in history, but they certainly were being occupied by Rome. That would probably have been my reply had I been Jesus.  I would have literally thought about national freedom or physical bondage.  Because his message is for individuals, Jesus replied,

“Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.  Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

Alright, just to keep our conditionals straight~ Jesus is saying that learning what he teaches leads to truth which leads to freedom from sin~ that is, spiritual slavery.  Is this how you've ever interpreted the expression "The truth will set you free"?  Does its true meaning surprise you?  Up pops another problem~ how does a man set free the hearts of other men?  That is something I don't believe I can explain to you; it's something you have to experience for yourself.  I will point out a word of encouragement for you.  My final conditional statement~ if you can accept that Jesus' teachings are true and you want to be set free from sin, then you are invited to be a permanent member in Jesus' family.  Seeking truth is not going on a philosophical quest for enlightenment; it's joining a heavenly family who so desires to have you as their son or daughter, as their brother or sister.

As I wrote earlier, the truth has the power to bless or to crush.  I testify that seeking truth in Jesus Christ is a blessing.  He teaches me about God and sets me free continually from sin so that I can be his sister.  I will leave you with a passage that I pray will help you believe that God is the source of truth.  Here's what the gospel writer John said about Jesus:

The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.  He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.  Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.  For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.  The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.  Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life... [John 3:31-36]