"How to be loved" A life novel, by William Rush.
Today I've felt so loved! It's my birthday - and I'm 25 - and with that comes the age-old (literally) package of feeling sorrowful/lonely (i know i know - 25 isn't old - but it feels like it!)
Nevertheless, today I felt loved.
I received a book with sincere notes from family and friends, and I had a great party with my Russian friends - all of whom put so much time into making it special for me.
Never have I felt this much loved on a single day in my life!
Here is a song that two girls here (Roxy and Lida) sang for me - can't you just feel the love radiating out of the words!?!?!!!!!!
Thank God for his love and grace - and how He uses His children to encourage and love one another well :)
Enjoy!
Here are the words to the song - so you can follow along:
People need changes in life
And the knowing of what they should cut
Their sins kill them like a knife
When their hearts are not opened for God
Will came to Russia for us
To help kids to open their eyes
To show, to explain, to discuss
That God is amazing and wise
Chorus:
We wanted to thank you again
We thank you for caring for us
Because you are here we began
To focus our lives on Jesus
You helped us to understand
How important is God and His Son
That they help us to not fall and stand
And never give up till we're done
Till we are done
(Chorus)
We hope you enjoyed the year here
Unforgettable moments we'll keep
Will have image of us somewhere near
And the memories will be inside deep
You'll always be in our hearts
We'll remember your jokes and your smile
Your riddles and games - games with the cards
We will miss you unstoppable while
(Chorus)
You taught us a lot of new things
We had an amazing passtime
Your guitar didn't have enough strings
Though you still made us laugh every time
We wish you the best of the best
To be strong, to be faithful with the Lord
To take Him not as a test
But to know His huge grace for the world
Thank you Will
Thank you dude
We love you
Friday, May 14, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wear and Tear
Ministry at times can be draining. Whether on the bottom end of things, where you're seeing no fruit, no growing relationships, and no opportunities - and yet also at the top end of things, where the required spiritual and emotional output of every day ministry leaves you on empty.
In both cases, the drain is more than likely the result of not abiding in Christ - focusing more on your efforts (or the lack thereof) instead of on intimacy with the Lord.
We're deep into English Camp follow-up (keeping in touch with students who are interested in spiritual things), and my awareness of my spiritual stability is often more apparent during periods of important ministry such as this! I seem to be at an eery stage now where everyday the pendulum seems to swing. Add in my sin, which often seems to speed up the back-and-forth/wear-and-tear of the bipolar extremes, and it usually leaves my world upside down.
Thank God, however, that the end result leads me back to abiding in Him - upon recognizing that He is the source of life - both at my low and at my high.
I praise God for his faithfulness. That he is devoted to me, and he offers me rest in the midst of it all...and how often (to continue the analogy) that He's the one who stops the pendulum - reminding us that only in Him we find peace, comfort, and rest.
Thank you for your prayers - and I pray that you too may find rest in Him today.
In both cases, the drain is more than likely the result of not abiding in Christ - focusing more on your efforts (or the lack thereof) instead of on intimacy with the Lord.
We're deep into English Camp follow-up (keeping in touch with students who are interested in spiritual things), and my awareness of my spiritual stability is often more apparent during periods of important ministry such as this! I seem to be at an eery stage now where everyday the pendulum seems to swing. Add in my sin, which often seems to speed up the back-and-forth/wear-and-tear of the bipolar extremes, and it usually leaves my world upside down.
Thank God, however, that the end result leads me back to abiding in Him - upon recognizing that He is the source of life - both at my low and at my high.
I praise God for his faithfulness. That he is devoted to me, and he offers me rest in the midst of it all...and how often (to continue the analogy) that He's the one who stops the pendulum - reminding us that only in Him we find peace, comfort, and rest.
Thank you for your prayers - and I pray that you too may find rest in Him today.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
English Camp Soon!
The Americans are arriving tomorrow - and we will be running an English Camp here in St. Petersburg for over 150 Russian High School students. It is our biggest event of the year - and we are so excited for the opportunity to build relationships with these students and to talk to them about our faith!
Please pray, the camp is from March 25 to 29, and we will be having our Good-bye Party on April 2nd!
Please pray, the camp is from March 25 to 29, and we will be having our Good-bye Party on April 2nd!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Realities of Souls
I'm sitting here reflecting on the realities of souls - and the obstacles we face in ministry and evangelism. Whether it be ignorance, denial or false-doctrinated beliefs in and about Jesus - the emotional strain it takes on me when talking to and relating with people who have such views on my God and Saviour can be overwhelming in the least!
If it were all up to me - it would be draining to the point that I don't know how much longer I could do this!
Praise God that I am only told to lay out the seed (Matthew 13) - to share the Gospel, the message of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-11). For if the rest (i.e. how people respond) were up to me - it would be a burden that I could not bear.
Praise God that His grace alone is the initiator, the captivator, and the sole inhibitor of the salvation of souls (Ephesians 2:8; John 15:16).
For this, I sit here grateful.
If it were all up to me - it would be draining to the point that I don't know how much longer I could do this!
Praise God that I am only told to lay out the seed (Matthew 13) - to share the Gospel, the message of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-11). For if the rest (i.e. how people respond) were up to me - it would be a burden that I could not bear.
Praise God that His grace alone is the initiator, the captivator, and the sole inhibitor of the salvation of souls (Ephesians 2:8; John 15:16).
For this, I sit here grateful.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Speaking the Word
(Make sure you read my most recent blog prior to this one to catch up!)
So after a great evening of card games, pelmeenee (a popular Russian food) and chess - I finally got around to talking to Yegor and Yura about the Word (Jesus)!
Check out these photos of how the conversation went - we used writing and diagrams to help the language barrier - and as you can see - once things got to Jesus - the conversation started to pick up!
Praise God for my friendship with Yegor and Yura - and for how sincere and honest they have been with me!
The Word
Throughout the Gospels and into Acts - one word is at the core of their message: Jesus.
Today, on the other hand, religion and spirituality has been focused on words. Words. Words. And more words.
Often when we look to talk to people about God - we often get lost in the muddleness of talking about religion and 'life'. One subject leads to another subject, and that starts a tangent - and that starts another tangent - and we eventually either argue ourselves out of the conversation - or get lost/lose our original objective, and end up at an "agree to disagree" understanding.
Knowing this, that is why Peter and the Apostles in Acts 2 and 3 get straight to the WORD. Jesus. And without shame.
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:36
Bold is it not? Not what most Christians would think would be a good "initiator" to conversation.
But the Jews respond in an interesting way...
"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'"
When confronted with the Word (Jesus) - they could not steer the conversation into the fog of war of more words. They had to face the Word - and deal with it - by either accepting Jesus as Messiah and Savior, or by denying Him.
If we are to be objectional in our evangelism - our message MUST be the Word - Jesus - who He was and what He did.
My friends Yegor, Yura and Niko are coming over today - I've talked to them many times in the past about life and spiritual things.
But today - I talk to them solely and simply about Jesus...
Today, on the other hand, religion and spirituality has been focused on words. Words. Words. And more words.
Often when we look to talk to people about God - we often get lost in the muddleness of talking about religion and 'life'. One subject leads to another subject, and that starts a tangent - and that starts another tangent - and we eventually either argue ourselves out of the conversation - or get lost/lose our original objective, and end up at an "agree to disagree" understanding.
Knowing this, that is why Peter and the Apostles in Acts 2 and 3 get straight to the WORD. Jesus. And without shame.
"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." Acts 2:36
Bold is it not? Not what most Christians would think would be a good "initiator" to conversation.
But the Jews respond in an interesting way...
"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'"
When confronted with the Word (Jesus) - they could not steer the conversation into the fog of war of more words. They had to face the Word - and deal with it - by either accepting Jesus as Messiah and Savior, or by denying Him.
If we are to be objectional in our evangelism - our message MUST be the Word - Jesus - who He was and what He did.
My friends Yegor, Yura and Niko are coming over today - I've talked to them many times in the past about life and spiritual things.
But today - I talk to them solely and simply about Jesus...
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Loving God's children
I think too often I'm focused on sharing the Gospel. And not even that (for sharing the Gospel is good) - but maybe more correctly put: I think too often I'm focused on non-believers.
I've been reading recently in the Gospel of John and John's epistles - about love, and following God's commandments. It's interesting to see how the prioritized object of our love is lineated - from God first, then to fellow believers (which become realities only when we follow God's commandments - 1 John 5:2-3).
But long story short - it's easier for me to be devoted to non-believers, to put all of my focus into them - when rather I'm ACTUALLY called to be first and foremost devoted (by and in my love) to believers.
Recently, through my relationship with one family - that truth has become a refreshing reality for me.
Meet the Kolesov family - Mother Tania and her 4 sons (from left to right in picture below: Serg, Simeon, Mark and Artem. Their grandma is sometimes around too!)
I met Artem and Simeon through one of our English clubs - and I quickly became close to their family. They are a strong Christian family (I went to church with them today) and yet filled with a rough and interesting past.
I could go on and on of how encouraging it has been for me to be apart of their lives - but I wanted to first introduce them to you before I told you more about them!
I am so thankful today for the opportunity to love this family - and to challenge all of the boys to grow in their relationships with God.
Even the youngest - Mark (he loves giving me hugs - and I love getting his hugs!) - was busy today on the metro asking an older man if he knew about God or Jesus!
Praise God for the opportunity He has given me to love His children - the Kolesov family!
I've been reading recently in the Gospel of John and John's epistles - about love, and following God's commandments. It's interesting to see how the prioritized object of our love is lineated - from God first, then to fellow believers (which become realities only when we follow God's commandments - 1 John 5:2-3).
But long story short - it's easier for me to be devoted to non-believers, to put all of my focus into them - when rather I'm ACTUALLY called to be first and foremost devoted (by and in my love) to believers.
Recently, through my relationship with one family - that truth has become a refreshing reality for me.
Meet the Kolesov family - Mother Tania and her 4 sons (from left to right in picture below: Serg, Simeon, Mark and Artem. Their grandma is sometimes around too!)
I met Artem and Simeon through one of our English clubs - and I quickly became close to their family. They are a strong Christian family (I went to church with them today) and yet filled with a rough and interesting past.
I could go on and on of how encouraging it has been for me to be apart of their lives - but I wanted to first introduce them to you before I told you more about them!
I am so thankful today for the opportunity to love this family - and to challenge all of the boys to grow in their relationships with God.
Even the youngest - Mark (he loves giving me hugs - and I love getting his hugs!) - was busy today on the metro asking an older man if he knew about God or Jesus!
Praise God for the opportunity He has given me to love His children - the Kolesov family!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
