Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
stuff: "worthless things or matter"
2 Corinthians 5:6-10
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
I had always read this passage thinking of life on earth vs. life in eternity, our current bodies vs. the new bodies we will receive. But I think Paul could also be talking about situations we are in here and now on earth where we have the choice to act according to our flesh or by the grace of Christ. If we are at home in our bodies on this earth, if we consider things here on earth to be valuable, our minds’ focus and our hearts’ affection and will be on those things.
This one guy was asking Jesus what he needed to do to get into heaven. He said he had already been obeying the commandments, so he asked what more he should do. So Jesus told him to go and sell all his possessions and give to the poor. The guy walked away from that conversation extremely disappointed with Jesus’ answer. Then,
Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23-24)
I believe Jesus is referencing how attached we get to all of our “stuff.” Our focus is very easily moved away from Christ when we look elsewhere on a regular basis. Also, I think for most of us, we become very comfortable with what we have, where we live, the people we see, etc. It becomes less and less common to think of others before ourselves. We burrow ourselves into our nice little comfortable nest, and rarely choose or even think of giving sacrificially of our time, money, or any part of ourselves.
I definitely know people who are exceptions of this, but I know that for me, this is an easy pattern to fall into. I get really comfortable in my East Cobb home, working in a coffee shop, driving my own car wherever and whenever I want, and never ever going hungry or needing anything that is more than a 5 minute drive away.
This is something I have been chewing on for a while.
Thoughts??
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
I had always read this passage thinking of life on earth vs. life in eternity, our current bodies vs. the new bodies we will receive. But I think Paul could also be talking about situations we are in here and now on earth where we have the choice to act according to our flesh or by the grace of Christ. If we are at home in our bodies on this earth, if we consider things here on earth to be valuable, our minds’ focus and our hearts’ affection and will be on those things.
This one guy was asking Jesus what he needed to do to get into heaven. He said he had already been obeying the commandments, so he asked what more he should do. So Jesus told him to go and sell all his possessions and give to the poor. The guy walked away from that conversation extremely disappointed with Jesus’ answer. Then,
Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23-24)
I believe Jesus is referencing how attached we get to all of our “stuff.” Our focus is very easily moved away from Christ when we look elsewhere on a regular basis. Also, I think for most of us, we become very comfortable with what we have, where we live, the people we see, etc. It becomes less and less common to think of others before ourselves. We burrow ourselves into our nice little comfortable nest, and rarely choose or even think of giving sacrificially of our time, money, or any part of ourselves.
I definitely know people who are exceptions of this, but I know that for me, this is an easy pattern to fall into. I get really comfortable in my East Cobb home, working in a coffee shop, driving my own car wherever and whenever I want, and never ever going hungry or needing anything that is more than a 5 minute drive away.
This is something I have been chewing on for a while.
Thoughts??
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Oi from Brazil!
Thanks for coming by my blog!
To see some pictures, CLICK HERE! Only a few are up now, but there will be more soon!
My first few days in Brazil have been really good so far. Saturday night we had an outside meeting by a local scool here in Campinas (the subcity the Costas live in within the state of Sao Paulo), teaming with a local church. The worship team from the church performed some music (not worship music, but with Christian lyrics), and they even had some teenagers from the church perform a few really impressive hip-hop routines. (Reggae and hip-hop are very popular with the teens in Brasil, so this easily drew people in to watch.) Also, some people from the church performed a drama similar to the "Redeemer" drama we do with OAC, but to the song "Everything" by Lifehouse. (There are recordings of the drama online... I would higihly recommend watching it if you haven't seen it-- I get chills every time!)
During the drama, the pastor of the church asked if I would "say a few words" before Bruno presented the sketchboard. My first thought was that I didn't want to. They left it completely open-ended, and I was enjoying attending a meeting and watching it be led by other people. (I also didn't want to come across as 'the American chick who showed up and went on stage just because she was American.) But the pastor thought it would be appropriate and thought it could be a good transition from the drama to the sketchboard message, so I started praying that God would say something through me that would draw their hearts into the message, and/or confirm their thoughts if they identified with the drama (in which the person is brought away from Christ by drugs, alcohol, depression, etc., distracted by the things of the world, but not fulfilled by them).
-Please pray for the seeds that were planted in the hearts of the people who heard the gospel for the first time, as well as for those who accepted Christ that night! Several people came up to ask questions after the meeting, and they were also put in contact with the local church for follow-up.-
Also that night, God took down some of the walls around my comfort zone. Normally when someone would approach me and try to start conversation (in Portuguese), I would respond by saying (in Portuguese), "It's very nice to meet you, but I don't speak Protuguese," or something to that affect. So when a 12 year old boy came up and started talking to me, I was mortified that I could understand what he was saying, because that meant I had to respond... in Portuguese. We talked for several minutes, and God used him to bring me out of my fear of making a fool of myself. (Two 10 day trips and one 5 month class are not enough to make a person comforatble with a new language.) While I understand a fair amount, thanks to similarities between Portuguese and Spanish, I do not speak it comfortably, mainly due to my lack of practice. This was a blessing to "get over myself" and start speaking. : )
Since then I have found myself actually starting conversations with people. They are always gracious with my lack of a vocabulary, and seem to be glad that I try. Works for me!
These past few days have been mostly helping Camila and Bruno at home. I edited a few things for Bruno that he had to write in English, and I have watched Mariana (their 10 month old) while Camila has done housework, cooked, or relaxed. Also, I have been able to spend a lot of time with Camila, talking and looking through old pictures. It has been like one of those friendships where you do not see the other person for months or even years, but when you do see eachother again, you pick up right where you left off. Spending time with them has been such a blessing to me.
I need to wrap this up and grab some sleep, but thank you for taking the time to read this!
A couple more things to pray about:
-for the team from RCC that is currently preparing for some front-line ministry when they arrive here on June 8th: courage and preparation to battle spiritual warfare, both now and while they are here; unity as a team, to work together as one heart as we share the gospel; health and safety; that God would have "divine appointments" ready for us, that HIS name will be made great!
-for my continued health: I have had no problems, though my throat feels a little sore now.
-for God to strengthen me as I battle in spiritual warfare: Satan uses worry and fear pretty much every time I do any kind of ministry. I have been dealing with this, as well as having dreams that cause me to wake up fearful and exhausted. I am struggling to keep my mind out of the distraction of this fear, and focused on Christ and why I am here.
-that I will be a blessing and an encouragement to Bruno and Camila!
-above all else, that God will glorify himself through me and through this ministry!
Thank you again!
In His grace,
Elizabeth
To see some pictures, CLICK HERE! Only a few are up now, but there will be more soon!
My first few days in Brazil have been really good so far. Saturday night we had an outside meeting by a local scool here in Campinas (the subcity the Costas live in within the state of Sao Paulo), teaming with a local church. The worship team from the church performed some music (not worship music, but with Christian lyrics), and they even had some teenagers from the church perform a few really impressive hip-hop routines. (Reggae and hip-hop are very popular with the teens in Brasil, so this easily drew people in to watch.) Also, some people from the church performed a drama similar to the "Redeemer" drama we do with OAC, but to the song "Everything" by Lifehouse. (There are recordings of the drama online... I would higihly recommend watching it if you haven't seen it-- I get chills every time!)
During the drama, the pastor of the church asked if I would "say a few words" before Bruno presented the sketchboard. My first thought was that I didn't want to. They left it completely open-ended, and I was enjoying attending a meeting and watching it be led by other people. (I also didn't want to come across as 'the American chick who showed up and went on stage just because she was American.) But the pastor thought it would be appropriate and thought it could be a good transition from the drama to the sketchboard message, so I started praying that God would say something through me that would draw their hearts into the message, and/or confirm their thoughts if they identified with the drama (in which the person is brought away from Christ by drugs, alcohol, depression, etc., distracted by the things of the world, but not fulfilled by them).
-Please pray for the seeds that were planted in the hearts of the people who heard the gospel for the first time, as well as for those who accepted Christ that night! Several people came up to ask questions after the meeting, and they were also put in contact with the local church for follow-up.-
Also that night, God took down some of the walls around my comfort zone. Normally when someone would approach me and try to start conversation (in Portuguese), I would respond by saying (in Portuguese), "It's very nice to meet you, but I don't speak Protuguese," or something to that affect. So when a 12 year old boy came up and started talking to me, I was mortified that I could understand what he was saying, because that meant I had to respond... in Portuguese. We talked for several minutes, and God used him to bring me out of my fear of making a fool of myself. (Two 10 day trips and one 5 month class are not enough to make a person comforatble with a new language.) While I understand a fair amount, thanks to similarities between Portuguese and Spanish, I do not speak it comfortably, mainly due to my lack of practice. This was a blessing to "get over myself" and start speaking. : )
Since then I have found myself actually starting conversations with people. They are always gracious with my lack of a vocabulary, and seem to be glad that I try. Works for me!
These past few days have been mostly helping Camila and Bruno at home. I edited a few things for Bruno that he had to write in English, and I have watched Mariana (their 10 month old) while Camila has done housework, cooked, or relaxed. Also, I have been able to spend a lot of time with Camila, talking and looking through old pictures. It has been like one of those friendships where you do not see the other person for months or even years, but when you do see eachother again, you pick up right where you left off. Spending time with them has been such a blessing to me.
I need to wrap this up and grab some sleep, but thank you for taking the time to read this!
A couple more things to pray about:
-for the team from RCC that is currently preparing for some front-line ministry when they arrive here on June 8th: courage and preparation to battle spiritual warfare, both now and while they are here; unity as a team, to work together as one heart as we share the gospel; health and safety; that God would have "divine appointments" ready for us, that HIS name will be made great!
-for my continued health: I have had no problems, though my throat feels a little sore now.
-for God to strengthen me as I battle in spiritual warfare: Satan uses worry and fear pretty much every time I do any kind of ministry. I have been dealing with this, as well as having dreams that cause me to wake up fearful and exhausted. I am struggling to keep my mind out of the distraction of this fear, and focused on Christ and why I am here.
-that I will be a blessing and an encouragement to Bruno and Camila!
-above all else, that God will glorify himself through me and through this ministry!
Thank you again!
In His grace,
Elizabeth
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Praise!
God has been so good to me.
And on top of that, a friend of mine has connections to good service at the airport (yes, it apparently does exist if you're one of those "special" people!), and he got someone on the phone who was able to change my flight to Brazil from Tuesday to Friday for about $45 dollars.... MUCH different from the estimated $700 I had been told to expect. Praise the Lord! So as of now I am scheduled to leave Atlanta Friday, May 16, then I will be able to stay until I can return home with the team from RCC... and without getting the Brazilian police involved! Always a good thing!
I just need to say it again: God is so good. I'm in one of those places in my life where it is really easy to say that- I can see and touch and enjoy so many incredible blessings God is giving me. I know that a lot of life is not this way. But nevertheless, the Lord is good all the time, no matter my circumstances. My prayer is that the Lord will help me to cling to him all of the time, and that when the tough part of life shows its face again, my foundation can not be shaken, because it is built on Jesus Christ- the Solid Rock, and the only solid foundation there is. I am so thankful for the grace he offers you and me- certainly not because of anything I have done, but because he chooses to love us deeply. I can't wait to watch his glory continue to unfold!
And on top of that, a friend of mine has connections to good service at the airport (yes, it apparently does exist if you're one of those "special" people!), and he got someone on the phone who was able to change my flight to Brazil from Tuesday to Friday for about $45 dollars.... MUCH different from the estimated $700 I had been told to expect. Praise the Lord! So as of now I am scheduled to leave Atlanta Friday, May 16, then I will be able to stay until I can return home with the team from RCC... and without getting the Brazilian police involved! Always a good thing!
I just need to say it again: God is so good. I'm in one of those places in my life where it is really easy to say that- I can see and touch and enjoy so many incredible blessings God is giving me. I know that a lot of life is not this way. But nevertheless, the Lord is good all the time, no matter my circumstances. My prayer is that the Lord will help me to cling to him all of the time, and that when the tough part of life shows its face again, my foundation can not be shaken, because it is built on Jesus Christ- the Solid Rock, and the only solid foundation there is. I am so thankful for the grace he offers you and me- certainly not because of anything I have done, but because he chooses to love us deeply. I can't wait to watch his glory continue to unfold!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
PRAYER
Here are a few things to be praying for right now:
-I am still around $500 short of my total need. Please pray that God provides the necessary funds however he chooses, as I leave in a week and a half.
-After three weeks of calling, I finally got a human being on the phone from the Brazilian Embassy. The problem is that I was issued a 30 day Visa, though I am scheduled to be in the country 31 days. (I sent copies of my airline tickets with my application, so this was either a mistake or simply a denial of the extra day on their part.) I explained my situation to the person on the phone, and she bluntly replied that I will have to go to the police department in Sao Paulo when I arrive in Brazil and request an extension. If they "feel" like allowing me to stay the extra day, I will be given some kind of permit that will allow me to leave the country a day later. If they choose to not give me this allowance, I will have to change my flight home, accruing an additional cost of $700, and causing me to leave while the rest of the team from RCC is still there doing ministry.
Please pray that God will soften the hearts of the people I end up dealing with there and that they will allow me the extra day.
-Please be praying for the people who will hear the gospel for the first time, and for those who will come to understand it for the first time. Pray that God will draw many to himself, using Bruno and Camila, the rest of the RCC team and me however he chooses.
-Above all else, please pray that God will be glorified in each situation that comes, and that we will fully submit to his leading in every circumstance.
More to come... Thank you so so much for praying!!
In His grace,
Elizabeth
-I am still around $500 short of my total need. Please pray that God provides the necessary funds however he chooses, as I leave in a week and a half.
-After three weeks of calling, I finally got a human being on the phone from the Brazilian Embassy. The problem is that I was issued a 30 day Visa, though I am scheduled to be in the country 31 days. (I sent copies of my airline tickets with my application, so this was either a mistake or simply a denial of the extra day on their part.) I explained my situation to the person on the phone, and she bluntly replied that I will have to go to the police department in Sao Paulo when I arrive in Brazil and request an extension. If they "feel" like allowing me to stay the extra day, I will be given some kind of permit that will allow me to leave the country a day later. If they choose to not give me this allowance, I will have to change my flight home, accruing an additional cost of $700, and causing me to leave while the rest of the team from RCC is still there doing ministry.
Please pray that God will soften the hearts of the people I end up dealing with there and that they will allow me the extra day.
-Please be praying for the people who will hear the gospel for the first time, and for those who will come to understand it for the first time. Pray that God will draw many to himself, using Bruno and Camila, the rest of the RCC team and me however he chooses.
-Above all else, please pray that God will be glorified in each situation that comes, and that we will fully submit to his leading in every circumstance.
More to come... Thank you so so much for praying!!
In His grace,
Elizabeth
This is My Story - part 1
We should always give thanks to the Lord-He will not stop loving us!
(based on Psalm 107)
Some people wander around aimlessly, not knowing where to turn, and overlooking the Lord's invitation to protect them. They end up starving and have no water to quench their body's thirst for life.
Finally, they cried out to the Lord from the midst of their trouble, and he rescued them from all their distress! He showed them a straight path to walk in and gave them a beautiful land on which they could make their home.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things!
Some people sit alone in a deep pit of gloom and depression. They are prisoners of their own sin, chained to addiction with no rescue in sight. They are rebellious and bitter, quickly losing their grasp of anything they had ever thought firm. For the longest time they have heard the voice of their Beloved, but in their humanity, still choose to ignore it.
Finally, they cried out to the Lord, begging to hear his voice. Though they had rebelled, the Lord loved them deeply. He rescued them from their pit of dispair, bringing them out of the darkness and destroying all their chains. They were no longer bound to the world or even themselves.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron!
Some people are foolish and rebellious, all the while suffering from the life they are living. They stop eating and misuse their bodies, coming dangerously near to dying.
But finally, they called upon the Lord, and he rushed to their rescue. He saved them from dying and restored them.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men!
...Therefore
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8
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