First Principles

This year one of my goals has been to read more. 

I've always been an avid reader, with the tendency to inhale books fairly regularly, and the reputation of always having a book in my bag (at least one physical book and my kindle for emergencies). However this year I decided to take an intentional approach to reading, something that I haven't done since my early teenage years. [Family lore has it that I once read 20 books in 21 days over a school break.]

My decision to read this year has brought me back to those days, reminding me of how much I love devouring a good book, and all the random tidbits of knowledge and whispers of experiences that come along with it. But more surprisingly, it's brought with it a renewed enthusiasm for life and an excitement that I'd begun to forget.

In many ways a return to the voracious reading habits of my childhood have been a return to first principles for me. A reminder that beneath, behind and between all the stress of adult life: the frustrations of the present and the uncertainty of the future, I have been rooted and grounded in somewhere safe.

God has been whispering to me through my reading habits, reminding me of first principles: love for all, commitment and consistency in my faith, a desire to grow deeper in my knowledge of Him. I have been reminded that:

• we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19)
• seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt 6:33)
• in this world we will have trouble, but Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33)
• God is my shield, my glory, the lifter of my head (Psalm 3:3)

These simple lessons have meant so much to me this year, these reminders that I am indeed rooted and grounded in Christ's love.

Be blessed and shine bright [like a reading lamp]!

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Where my trust is without borders...

As I get ready to start a new chapter of life, I've been learning a lot about trust and about faith. I'm at a time when everything in life is uncertain, or at least, the things that seem to have the greatest impact on my day-to-day life. But although I'm worried on the inside, I have also been (mostly) at peace, knowing that there is a hope and a future out there somewhere, even if I'm anxious to know what that looks like: where will I be living in six months? What will I be doing? What will happen to the friendships and relationships that I've built over these past few years? 

And through all this, I remember these words from Oceans by Hillsong United, which truly capture the prayers of my heart:

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters, wherever you would call me...

Whenever I hear this song, I always think of standing at the ocean, on the shore with the vastness of the sea before me. I smell the salt and feel the wind and the ocean spray hitting me. And then I hear the voice of the Holy Spirit saying, "Step out, walk."

So I take the first step, and then another, and then a few more. I look back and see the shore fading in the distance as I move away from its safety. But in looking back to see the shore, I've taken my eyes off of Him, the one who leads me, and I stumble, and panic. I cry out, "Lord, save me!" just as Peter did when he took his eyes off Jesus as he walked on water. I turn my eyes back to Him, and I stop flailing and I can walk on water again.

And so I follow Him, across the waters, far away from the shore. I still smell the salt, still feel the wind, and the brush of the ocean spray, but I've left the shore and I am walking into the unknown where my trust has no borders.

That's okay though, because as the shore becomes ever more distant and fades away, so does my fear, being replaced by increasing faith and trust in the One who leads me.

In this, I can be confident: that the One who leads me is always working for my good, and for the good of all those who love him. So who knows? Maybe in six months I'll be living in a new state or country, far away from all that I know and love. As scary as that may seem, that's okay. I'll just keep my eyes above the waves, and on my Saviour.

Be blessed and shine without borders!

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Hymn-ful Sundays! "Jesus Calls us o'er the Tumult"

Our hymn this week is the work of Cecil Frances Alexander, an Irish nineteenth century hymnwriter and poet. "Fanny" as she was best known, began writing at an early age, and wrote many many poems and hymns, including some well-known children's hymns. In fact, hymns for children was her specialty. This week's hymn is one of the few that she wrote that weren't for children.

Hymn-ful Sundays! "O the Bitter Shame and Sorrow"

This week's hymn is by Parisian Theodore Monod, who wrote these words during a series of consecration services in England. Monod was the son of a pastor in the French Reformed Church, and became a pastor himself, serving in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Hymn-ful Sundays! "We Have an Anchor"

This week's hymn is by another female hymnwriter! Priscilla Jane Owens was a 19th century American teacher, who wrote many hymns for the Sunday School students that she taught. This hymn is one of her best-known ones.

Hymn-ful Sundays! "Look and Live"

This week's hymn was written by William Ogden, a 19th century American musical prodigy and composer. Ogden, as a child, could write down music just from hearing it being sung or played. As an adult he wrote many songs and hymns, several of which he published in books. He was also a teacher of music.

Hymn-ful Sundays! "Now Thank We All Our God"

Originally written in German in the 17th century, this hymn was one of thanksgiving usually sung before meals. It was written as a celebration for the end of the Thirty Years' War, during which Martin Rinkart, the hymnwriter and a Lutheran minister, was the only clergyman in the besieged city of Eilenburg and bore the responsibility of thousands who died because of disease and famine. Yet he was able to write these words after the war, and it showed the depth of his faith in God. The lyrics were translated into English in the 19th century by Catherine Winkworth, who was known for her translation of many German hymns.

Hymn-ful Sundays! "My Faith Looks up to Thee"

Ray Palmer, a nineteenth century teacher, pastor and writer, wrote this week's hymn, shortly after graduating from Yale University, after receiving a vision of Christ. He carried the words that he'd penned around with him for two years, before meeting Lowell Mason, who asked him if he had any hymns to include in a compilation that he was creating. Palmer gave Mason the words that he'd written, and he set them to music. Mason told Palmer that he'd do many good things in his life, but he'd be remembered best for writing this hymn.

He Restores my Soul

Recently these words from Psalm 23 have been on repeat in my mind. I hadn't even read the psalm recently, when the words started to play in my head. They just popped in there one day, over and over: "He restores my soul. He restores my soul. He restores my soul." 

Perhaps the reason for me hearing these words was because my soul needed to be restored. It was a high-stress time of year of me, and I was tired and frustrated. Yet somehow, just hearing those words from Psalm 23 was calming, comforting. They were a gentle breeze blowing across the dry plains of my soul.

He restores my soul.

What does that even mean?

A few weeks ago I finished reading John Ortberg's most recent book called Soul Keeping. (I reviewed it here if you want to read about it.) One of the points he made was that the soul needs to be with God. In reflecting on "He restores my soul" in that context, I got greater clarity. Yes, my soul needs to be with God, because He is its source. If my soul were an electronic device, God would be both its battery and its charger. 

My soul is restored as I spend time with God, and as I make that my focus.

And how is my soul restored? How is my soul "with God"?

• It is revived through reading God's word
• It is replenished in reflecting on God's word after I have read it
• It is rejuvenated through communication with God through prayer
• It is re-energized by moments spent worshiping God

This is where my restoration happens. These are the ways that my soul fulfills its need to be with God. This is how He restores my soul.

This restoration is two-fold, it is both active and passive. Passively, just being in the presence of God is refreshing and replenishing to my tired and world-weary soul. Actively, seeking after the presence of God, seeking His face, provides the restoration that my soul needs to continue on this journey of life.

He restores my soul tells me that I don't have the strength to sustain myself throughout this life, and that I don't have to. He restores my soul because I am dependent on Him as my source. He restores my soul, for He is strong where I am weak, and His strength is made perfect in my weakness. He restores my soul as I walk with Him, so that I am encouraged to continue walking with Him.

Yes, my soul needs to be with God, for He restores my soul.

Be blessed and shine as God restores your soul!

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Hymn-ful Sundays "It is Well"

This hymn and the story behind it are so powerful. Horatio Spafford was a lawyer who lived in the latter half of the nineteenth century. In a four-year span, his life was turned completely upside down. He lost his only son in 1870, then in 1871, the Great Chicago fire burned down the city, and he lost most of his assets. Finally in 1873, he sent his wife and daughters to England on holiday, only to receive a telegram from his wife saying "saved alone." The boat that they were on had gotten caught in a storm, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. As he sailed to England to join his wife, he penned this hymn when the ship passed over the spot where the boat carrying his family had sunk.

Hymn-ful Sundays! "Hallelujah! What a Savior!"

It is Resurrection Sunday! (Also known as Easter Sunday.) Today we celebrate our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Not only did He die for our sins, but He conquered death itself so that we might have life in Him! Hallelujah!

This week's hymn really speaks to the purpose of Christ, so I thought it would be a good one for today. It's written by Philip Bliss, and was written shortly before his death. Bliss was a preacher and a hymnwriter in the 19th century.

Discontent is a Deadly Murmur

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate.

Genesis 3: 1-6 

Aaahhh...the serpent. Everything was perfect before he came. God had given Adam and Eve free reign of all of Eden, dominion over the earth. Then the serpent came and messed it all up. How? He led Eve to believe that she was missing something by not eating from That Tree. She was content until the serpent introduced the possibility that there was something more, that she might be missing out.

Encouragement in Doubt (Guest Post)

Hello everyone!

I'm guest posting at Comments on Christianity today!

Here's a snippet (read the whole thing here):

Head over to Comments on Christianity to read the rest!

Be blessed and shine through your doubt!

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7 Snippets of Encouragement for Young Christians

If you consider yourself a young Christian whether young-in-Christ, young-and-in-Christ, or both, this is for you. If you don't you can still keep reading too!

A few words of encouragement for my young Christian friends, with scripture references, of course.

1.  People look down on us sometimes because of our age.  Sometimes, they aren't even older people, our peers may do it too. They fail to understand that a lack of life-experience does not mean a lack of God-experience. As a young person, you are an extremely powerful Christian: not only do you have many years of serving ahead of you, but you also have a fresh outlook, a new perspective, an understanding of a generation that is still trying to define itself. Be encouraged by 1 Timothy 4:12 and Jeremiah 1:5-8.

2. Never dumb down the Word. Don't let anyone dumb it down for you either. Its potency and its power lies in its purity. Do not feel that because you are not as educated as some biblical scholars that God's word needs to be watered down for you. God created you. The Holy Spirit that lives in you is just as powerful as the Holy Spirit that lives in your pastor…it's the same holy spirit! Within you is an innate understanding of Him, an understanding of worship, an understanding of His will. So study the scriptures, test the spirits, and don't only rely on others to do it for you. Be encouraged by Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:160, Deuteronomy 4:2.

3. We have power. I have realized that as young people, our powers of discernment are sharper than we think. We can often tell when a person's spirit does not align with their outward appearance. We can feel when a worship atmosphere is forced. We can perceive what is just spiritual hype and what it true worship. In the same way, when we forget about trying to fit into the (sub-)standard of today, our worship is pure. It is beautiful. It can change lives. It can change nations. It can change generations. Be encouraged by Acts 1:8, Ephesians 3:20.

4. Position yourselves well. We always move in the direction of influence. Therefore we need to position ourselves to be influenced by the right people. The right influence for you is not the same for someone else. You'd be surprised at some of the people and situations that God will throw into your life to be a positive influence on you, pushing you towards Him. Be encouraged by Jeremiah 6:16. 

5. We NEED community. This is really part 4b, lol. No matter what you think, none of us can do this Christian walk alone, nor should we try to!  Bible study at home on the occasional Sunday is fine, and  watching service via live streaming every now and again is okay, but face-to-face interaction in a community of believers is a must. Seek out community. Find yourself in a church with solid teachings and teachers, get yourself a mentor, find some Christian friends who will build you up and hold you accountable. Use discernment to choose all three of these, because some are not as they appear, and there are definitely both some goats and some wolves among the sheep. Yes, some churches/Christians are a hot mess, but that's because people are generally a hot mess, which is why we all need Jesus. No one is perfect, but that's why we're a body: I bet your hands pick things up better than your feet do, don't they? Be encouraged by Romans 12:3-8, Hebrews 10:25, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 and this tweet by Beth Moore:

Just gonna say it like this: get your hind end into a strong community of believers & your head in the Scriptures. You cannot do this alone.

— Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) February 7, 2014

6. Keep praying. If you don't pray, start. Prayer is powerful for two reasons, it connects you to God, and it connects God to you. If you don't know how to pray, then I need you to do two things for me: (i) start talking to God. Just talking, tell Him about your day, share what's on your heart with him. Do it for just two minutes at a time; (ii) start reading and learning about prayer. Start with the scriptures first, then, if you would like, read what others have written about prayer. Develop a habit of praying. And if you have been praying for a long time, and it's always about the same thing, don't get discouraged -- God hears your prayers, he hears your cry, and he is faithful to answer your prayers. Keep a journal of your prayers and re-read it every few months and see how your prayers are answered AND how much you grow through prayer. Be encouraged by Matthew 6:5-15, Psalm 18:6, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 5:14-15. 

7. Shine boldly, beautifully, brightly. In order for a flame to burn it must have oxygen. Therefore, you cannot shine if there is no oxygen in your atmosphere, or if there are other "fires" burning that suck up all your oxygen. This points to two things: firstly, a need for personal space (not necessarily physical!); it also shows a need to remove the things (*cough*people*cough*) that suck the oxygen away from your flame. Surround yourself with oxygen-giving people. Interestingly enough, flourishing plants give off oxygen...think about that one. Be encouraged by Matthew 5:15-16.

To the young Christians in my life (or who may just have stumbled across this post), I love you all! I love our fire and our passion. I love our desire for Jesus. Let's all keep shining, and encourage each other to shine brighter.

Be blessed and shine magnificently!

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Through His Eyes

We often forget (or perhaps, don't realize) that God doesn't see us the way we see ourselves. What we see, in the mirror, in our lives, is but a blurred snippet of a much larger picture, a much greater story. God not only see that entire story, He writes it! So many times, God may call us by a name that we don't recognize, because we haven't gotten to those pages in our own story yet.

This is what Gideon experienced. Gideon was the "least in his family" and his clan was the weakest in his entire tribe (Judges 6:15). But the angel of the Lord appeared to him, greeting him as a mighty warrior, sent to save Israel from Midianite oppression. Gideon was doubtful. This strange man was telling him that the Lord was with them, when they were in the midst of being severely oppressed by another nation. And then, to top it all, the man was saying that he, Gideon, the least of the least, was a mighty warrior, being commissioned to deliver Israel! What?!

Anyone in Gideon's shoes would have been skeptical. Anyone in Gideon's shoes, like Gideon himself, wouldn't be seeing the rest of the story. 

When God calls us in this way, by names that we think don't apply to us, be it mother, pastor, leader, president, mighty warrior, we glimpse a bit of the story through His eyes. God is telling us, "You were called to do more, to be more. You will not always be who you are now. I am sending you out there for My glory."

Through His eyes, it is all for His glory. When we become the impossible, or attain the seemingly unattainable, it is by the grace of God alone, to the glory of God alone.

What is is the angel of the Lord calling you? What is the voice of God whispering to you? If it seems impossible or unrealistic, remember that the completed story of you looks entirely different through His eyes.

How did Gideon's story play out? He and 300 (yes, three hundred) men defeated over 100,000 Midianite warriors, freeing Israel from Midian's hold.

Be blessed and shine with new eyes!

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Hymn-ful Sundays! "Come let us use the grace divine"

I thought I'd try something new for the new year!

I love hymns, probably because I grew up in the Methodist church, where we sing a lot of hymns. My plan is to share with you one hymn every Sunday this year. Some of them will be pretty well-known, others more obscure.

Love, Faith and Faithfulness

Like many of the prophets of his time, God's word to Hosea changed his whole life. Hosea's task was to go make a wife out of a whore. (Hosea 1:2) So he married Gomer, and she bore him three children, whose names God told Hosea would mean, "God sows", "Not pitied" and "Not my people" (Hosea 1:3-4,6,8-9). Hosea's relationship with his wife was to mimic the faithlessness and infidelity of Israel to their God that had chosen them as a people. Yet even then, God tells Jezreel (God sows), to call his brother and sister "My people" and "Pitied", for Israel would be restored (Hosea 1:10-11, 2:1).