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Tuesday, 23 June 2009

I have had pleanty of time to read.

Since my laptop went under, about six weeks ago, I have been able to do some good reading. I would recomend most of these books to any of my friends.
1st Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller.
He writes like he is having a conversation with you. He isn't writing at you, or for you....if you know what I mean. This is a great book.
2nd Every Woman's Battle. I had heard good things about the guy's version of the book. So, when I had the chance to buy in at the Doulos bookstore, I jumped. It was a really good deal too! I appreciate the premise of the book, and the wisdom inside. No joke we girls are emotional beings. We need to take special care to guard our hearts in a uniquely, and specific way.
3rd Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. Priscilla told me I would not be able to put it down. That is truer than I expected. This is a beautiful portrayal of God's love for us. It was a little painful to read at first, the reminder of the depravity of our world is stark. But it is worth it. An amazing, WONDERFUL book! I highly recomend it. Especially to those who need to banish the lies that the enemy is trying to make you believe.
4th Desire, by John Eldrege. This is another great, MUST read. The battle is for our hearts. If our desires are too weak, we will settle for mediocre, uneventful lives. But if we burn with desire for God and His glory, we can make a difference. I can't say enough good things about this book!
5th Shame Off You, by Alan Wright. This is an amazing book. I want everyone to read this book. It will change your life. I promise! I don't know where to begin. Please, if you can read any of these books I have listed, read this one.

That is all for now. I am in line to read The Prodigal God and Searching for God Knows What. I am rereading Blue Like Jazz, and sorta reading The Pleasures of God, by Piper.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know! Thanks!

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Oh, I feel so spent.... What a feeling! How satisfying! I have been chosen, appointed, sent and now spent.

"You did not choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit...."

God be glorified, because I have been spent, but it has not been of myself, and my own resources! God has brought me this far! And He will carry me to the end.

I feel like an oak tree that has been giving shade and shelter all summer long, and is waiting for the winter. We usually think of the winter as a time of hard coldness and death. But really, it is a time of rejuvenation and rest. But before winter, we cannot skip autumn.

This time of year is hardest for an English Teacher living in a foreign country. Actually, it may be hard for all teachers everywhere! You are wearing thin, you have less to give. You open your hand and your heart, but force of the river that once was flooding the banks has now slowed to a gentle stream.

It is hard for me to be like this. I don't like to have less to give. But then God reminded me of Autumn. It is my favorite season, actually. With the colorful leaves, the beautiful fiery reds, yellows and gold. . I may think of this time as not being significant, and a time to be endured-but God wants to work mightily and beautifully! I may have less to give, but He becomes more, when I am less. My weakness is His strength.

The source of the river that flows from my heart is never lacking or in need of anything! Especially not from me!

My prayer is that God will flood my heart and flow through me these last few weeks before I go home. That He will show His power and strength. That His name would be lifted up higher and higher, here in Hualien.

I pray that God will bless all of my teacher friends in Taiwan; that they would be bright lights of red and gold in their communities. That He would daily be their life and abiding joy.

Receive from the Lord the blessings He wishes to give you. (talking to myself here!)

Sent and spent as salt and light. What a life!

Friday, 03 April 2009

I cannot imagine being told that I could not cry for my father when he died. And not just because I am Irish and wear my emotions like a flower in my lapel.

I have made my peace with death. Tears have been my companion, the channels of healing in my heart.

My Buddhist friends tell me that they cannot cry in front of the Buddha.

I am so grateful for my God, he catches all my tears in a bottle. He keeps a record of my sorrows. He grieves for me.

Psalm 56:8

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”

My personal God cares. My God feels. His heart aches when mine does. When my heart breaks apart, he holds the pieces. He aches for me.

His heart is large, His emotions are stronger than the raging sea and the powerful wind. When my God feels, my heart sings.

When His face is turned toward me in delight, when he rejoices over me with joyful songs, I know the purpose He has ordained me to, my heart finds its rhythm, my soul soars with the angels.

I delight to be a child, to love and serve an emotional God.



“For the Lord your God is living among you.
                 He is a mighty savior.
   He will take delight in you with gladness.
       With his love, he will calm all your fears.
     He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

                                                               Zephaniah 3:17

Thursday, 02 April 2009

In April many of my friends make their way home. Their journeys are ones of honor and respect. They go with a deep sense of responsibility and dignity. It is something to be proud of. Young and old, rich and poor. Teachers, lawyers, soldiers and students. It makes no difference who they are. The journey is not about the living, but the ones who are not with us anymore.

Tomb sweeping. A time to honor those who have impacted their lives in some way. Even if only by giving life. Many people pray to their ancestors for good fortune and guidance. Leaving offerings of food and burning spirit money.

April 4 is a day of looking back on life that is no more, and hoping for a better, prosperous future.

This makes me think of another day coming up. April 12 Easter.

This is also a day of looking back, at Jesus, the man who died to pay my debt to God. Except this is not a holiday to celebrate his death, but LIFE!

I do not go to Jesus tomb on Easter. Not because I do not respect the sacrifice that He made, but because He Is Not There! He did not stay in His tomb! Easter celebrates the day he conquered death and rose to life again! My Jesus Lives!

Easter is a day to look back, yes. But more importantly to look forward with hope, to the eternal life Jesus promises to us! I pray to Him, and He hears my prayers. Because He loves me!

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

You may ask, why did Jesus have to die anyway? I didn't ask him to!

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23

It was the only way.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." John 14:6

He is the only one who could live a perfect sinless life, die for our sins, and conquer death by raising himself back to life.

My God's tomb needs no sweeping. My journey is not one of duty, but of delight! It isn't a responsibility, because it is all about Love! Because He first Loved me, I can now offer Love. To God, to my family, my students and to Taiwan.

His tomb is empty. His heart is full of Love for us.

Monday, 16 March 2009

Happy St. Patrick's day!

Never knew I would be so homesick.

Last Saturday I watched a theatre production put on by the Hearing Impaired at Dong Hua University. They used Sign Language, and it was translated into Chinese. It was a pretty awesome experience. I felt like I was on the outside looking in. I haven't worked with the deaf for years, and I am not fluent in Chinese. It was so surreal. Between the two languages that I know a bit I was able to fill in most of the blanks, but there was enough so much more that I wish for.

I am not sure what God is going to do in this next year. I know it is something big. I know that I am supposed to be here in Taiwan. I am just getting restless with anticipation. It still seems unreal, like a dream. I haven't pictured myself in Taiwan for a third year, not much up to this point. I don't know what to expect. I am just trying to hold on. And at the same time, let go of everything that is trying to hold me back.

Needless to say, my heart is stirring today. One thing I have learned while here in Taiwan. It is all about Love. Unconditional, unbreakable, God sent Love. That love is a gift, that if we are willing to open our hearts, let them be emptied of everything else, we can be filled to overflowing. Only God is enough. His Love is enough.

God desires to give us good gifts. He wants to Love us.