Monday, September 26, 2005

Heartbreaking

Does it break your heart to see how other people view the world, life, eternity, ect?
Well, in Spanish class today I was so saddened to hear what my professor said about the altar she has in her house. She says she's got statues of the virgin, the buddah, Indonesian angels, and even Jesus Christ. Why? "Because I want to be sure!" So sad. so, so, sad. There's only one thing she needs to be sure, and a statue of Him is sitting right in her living room. She sees His likeness everyday and still does not understand. Heartbreaking. I'll be praying for her.

Saturday, September 17, 2005

Update!!! Finally, my gosh.

Oh, time to update! What an unexpected luxury and a welcome reprive from papers, studying, work, ect.... I must say that my ministry has become a little more public recently, I have been featured in the Savannah Morning News (well, last thursday). Thanks to our honors program director who has taken an interest in my ramblings and work in Mexico, she wrote an article about my work down there just after Hurricane Emily on the mission trip with my church. Nevertheless, the fact that our main intent was to bring the light of Christ to dying souls, not simply do hurricane relief, was a bit looked over...but people want to hear about hurricane relief. So they heard. But regardless of how it got out, at least my ministry, my church, and even my school got some good publicity out of the deal. Also, I have begun to get info, paperwork, ect. ready for study abroad in Greece next summer. What fun that will be, to get a good dose of Mythology and Archaeology classes before I move on and do something useful with my life. Now what to do next May/early June? I've had a few ideas, but not really sure. Can't wait to see what the Lord has in store.

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Do you ever wish?

Do you ever wish your life were somehow different? Even in maybe just a few small ways? I certainly have this week. Everything seems to pile up and no matter how hard I work at it, the pile gets no smaller and the load on my back just gets heavier. Too much school, too much work, not enough time, not enough money, life either needs to change all the way or go back to normal.
But as much as I would like to get out of here, go somewhere I've never gone and do something I've never done, I know that I am right here and right now for a reason. I certainly don't want things to go back to the way they were. I know I wasn't living for Christ as fully as I am right now. I know I was sheltered in a lot of ways, and now that He has drawn me out into this world I am cut more deeply by these trials I go through...but He also is using me more than ever before and teaching me more than I ever knew. I've been reading II Corinthians 6, and I'll quote a bit "We are unknown and yet well known, we die, and yet, behold, we live! We are chastened, but not killed, we are sorrowful, yet always rejoicing, poor, yet making many rich. having nothing, yet possessing all things" (verses 9-10).
I am unknown to this world, yet fully known to Christ.
I am dead to this world's pleasures and joys, yet behold, vibrant and alive to the fulness and joy of Christ!
I may go through trials, but they cannot kill me.
I am sad, but I cannot help but rejoice in all I have been given that is ETERNAL.
I am short on money, but if this or any of my trials enriches others, it has been worth it all.
I have nothing of value on this earth...but everything I could ever need for life and for eternity.
What else could I want? Why ask for more? I have Christ. I know he has put me here for his purposes. I am content. Do not take me out, only give me the strength to do all I can here until You, my Master, choose bring me through. Yes, the sorrow is here tonight. But joy will come some morning.

As Jill, you are confident, respectful, and a little bit bossy! You have an acquired taste for adventure, and love any challenge that you have to face.