Jeremy Camp:ReWind

Well, there are so many things to say that I can’t quite think rightly of any which thing to speak of first.  That’s the kind of mood I’m in. Enjoy. I have been singing a little ditty in my head for a little over a week now. The song: There Will Be A Day, by Jeremy Camp and Mary Smith. Allow me to divulge…

Senegal is dirty. I don’t mean disgusting and filthy, I really do mean there is a lot of dirt. We’re located right around the same area as the Sahara belt and the ever present drought continues to worsen our crusty condition. Our apartment, no matter how many times a day I sweep, always has a wonderful film covering our white-tile floors (don’t even ask me why anyone would put white tile across an entire apartment here…). Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, my feet have become permanently stained, and no this is not from my meticulously scribed tattoo.

As a part of attempting to keep my bedsheets clean, I either wash my feet before bed (this doesn’t always work that well because the walk from the bathroom to bed re-dirties my feet) or use baby wipes to remove the numerous impurities from my delicate pieds. One night a few weeks ago, I decided to go the baby wipes route. After seven, I repeat SEVEN, baby wipes my feet were still dirty. And what’s worse was those seven wipes were my last.

I defeatedly swiveled into bed and longingly stared at my feet as if they would magically transform into professionally pampered and polished feet.  It was then that the lyrics just came to me: “there will be a day with no more dirt, grody feet, dirty sheets, but until that dayyyyy…. la la la. etc.” I know, I know. How did I come up with such brilliant lyrics? Like I said, it just came to me.

So, this blog actually has no pupose except to inform you that for the past week and a half my sheets have been trampled upon by my very own contaminated feet, but there is hope that one day (this week?) I will have clean sheets. And that there will be a day when I will look back and actually miss sweeping our apartment multiple times a day (ha, trust me.. that day has not yet arrived). I’m going to miss looking down at my dirt lines on my feet and thinking, “Man I got so tan today,” only to be reminded that I’m still so white after a good scrubbing (you think I’d learn this one after 3 months…). I’m going to miss the constant reminder that beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.  I’m going to miss seeing the leftover journeys from the day on the roughened bottom of my feet.

I know we aren’t even half-way through with our internship here, but I really have come to love the little common inconveniences. Not that I delight in them or anything, but I love the feelings of uncomfortability they produce. I love knowing that this world cannot satisfy and that I am a sinner. I love seeing how easily common inconveniences can cause me to fall short because it automatically shows me the vastness of the grace and mercy of our holy and righteous God. I love the growth that comes from being frustrated, feeling defeated and unsure. Don’t get me wrong, I do not love my sin, sinful flesh, and sinful reactions. In fact, I hate those things. But, when I’m weak I am able to see that He is strong. When I’m defeated, I can rest in the truth that He is victorious and has made me victorious. These times of inconveniences are bitter sweet, but when I have an eternal perspective they are just sweet.

They are just sweet.

“I, the preacher of this hour, beg to bear my little witness that the worst days I have ever had have turned out to be my best days, and when God has seemed most cruel to me he has then been most kind. If there is anything in this world for which I would bless him more than for anything else it is for pain and affliction. I am sure that in these things the richest, tenderest love has been manifested towards me. I pray you, dear friends, if you are at this time very low, and greatly distressed, encourage yourselves in the abundant faithfulness of the God who hides himself. Our Father’s wagons rumble most heavily when they are bringing us the richest freight of the bullion of his grace. Love letters from heaven are often sent in black-edged envelopes. The cloud that is black with horror is big with mercy. We may not ask for trouble, but if we were wise we should look upon it as the shadow of an unusually great blessing.

-Charles Spurgeon”

Stories from the African Summer Project Team

That’s probably the longest title I’ve ever had and ever will have, but it serves it’s purpose.

My friend Shannon interned with Cru last year at UTC. For her summer position, Cru sent her to work on a summer project where I’ll be. She just got back last week and was anxious to meet with me to share what God did while they were there.

Well, now that you’ve met my friend Shannon, I want to share with you some of the stories she shared with me!

Amazing Story Number 1: There was an American student on Shannon’s team named Emily*. She had a dream one night that she was in Heaven. A native man, who she’s never met, came up to her and said, “Thank you for coming to this nation. Because of you all coming, all of these people now know Christ.” And he stepped aside and there was a multitude of  people behind him. Encouraging dream, right? Well it gets better just you wait!

About two days later, they all go out onto the campus to do some outreach. I can’t remember exactly how this part went down, but a guy ends up being led to Christ. And who do you think that guy was? Yep. The guy from Emily’s dream. So, Emily is like um… no way. That is the guy from my dream! How crazy is that!?

So, not only is that awesome and probably greatly encouraged the S.P. team, but that encourages me! Their work is not in vain. Nine people put their trust in  Christ this summer, and the gospel was shared over 800 times. In John chapter 4 Jesus talks about the harvest being ripe, sowers having sowed before us, and reaping the benefits of seeds that were previously planted. I’m excited to share the gospel with those who have never heard. And I will be encouraged by God growing what was planted long before I get there.

Amazing story number 2: I can’t remember if Shannon said they were on an outreach when they met this one guy, but I’m pretty sure this was a student they were talking to. This one guy apparently was talking to them saying that he kept having this dream about Jesus and he didn’t know why. Side note: Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, but not the promised Messiah or savior. The stories of Jesus in the Qur’an are very limited, and most Muslims don’t know of or believe in the miracles Jesus performed.

Anyways, this guy was saying that Jesus was standing next to a well and kept offering him water. WATER. WATER FROM THE WELL! How stinkin’ amazing is that!? If you’re not familiar with the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, you could probably be thinking that I’m nuts right now. So allow me to take a few minutes to explain why this is so awesome.

In John chapter 4, Jesus stops at this well in Samaria. The Jews didn’t like Samaritans because of the split during the Babylonian exile (I think…). The Samaritan religious leaders and the Jewish religious leaders didn’t think it was cool, or kosher, to hang with each other. My roommate described it as this elitist tension between the groups, the Samaritans were looked down upon. So, here’s Jesus. The Messiah and God in the flesh hanging out at a well in Samaria.

Jesus is at this well and there is a Samaritan woman drawing water at the well. Jesus asks her for a drink of water, and she’s shocked. Jews didn’t associate with the Samaritans let alone drink anything they had to offer. So they start talking and Jesus tells her that there is a well that is greater than the one she is drawing from. He says, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

This woman is like, “Man, I need that!” So they get to talking and he basically tells her about her past and that He knows about it. The really cool thing is that He sees her sin, lets her know He knows, and still offers her grace, mercy, and forgiveness. He then reveals to her that He is the promised Messiah. “The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

The woman at the well runs back to the people in her town and shares with them all that just happened. They investigate it for themselves and come to this conclusion:  ”They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’”

Jesus offers all of us this living water. The fact that this student, who probably has never heard this story before, keeps seeing Jesus in his dreams offering him water is amazing. We are all spiritually thirsty. Apart from Christ there is going to be this want, desire to be fulfilled, and longing for something more. Christ is the living water that we so desire. And he’s offering it to us. It’s amazing that we have these stories and almost take them for granted. The Senegalese don’t know these stories, but Christ is going to them in ways we think is weird. He comes to them in dreams and is inching them closer and closer to Him. And that’s awesome.

Praise God!

Milestone :)

Well, I thought I’d give you a little update. As of today, I’m at 41% of my support raised. So exciting! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to those who have financially invested, prayerfully invested, and invested in this ministry in numerous other ways. I know I’ve said thank you, but words cannot express the gratitude I have. I can’t wait to share with you how your sacrifice and investment will change peoples lives and make such a major impact on the Kingdom of God. Continue to be praying that I’m completely done with my support by August 1st.

God is so great and worthy of our praise. I can’t imagine what I’d do without the hope I have in Christ. Thank you for partnering with this ministry to share Christ with a nation that doesn’t have any clue about God’s love for them! The Lord is God and is good. Praising Him tonight for His provision, faithfulness, and His desire to draw the Senegalese closer to Him!

Created in the image of God?

I think this is one of those biblical phrases that I tend to read and think, “Well, that’s cool. We look like God.” And that’s about as in-depth as I get about that. That all changed about four days ago.

At around midnight on Wednesday night, my precious bunkmate (Aimee) and I were talking about the concept of being made in God’s image  being equivalent to being an image bearer of Christ. It hadn’t really made sense to me before. We were made in God’s image to reflect glory back to God. When sin entered in, that image was corrupted. We no longer reflect an accurate depiction of who God is because we are sinful. When we murder, steal, lie, commit adultery, worship idols, or commit any other sin, we are not reflecting an accurate portrayal of God or His character to those around us.

When we are in Christ, we die to ourselves, choose God over our sin, and walk in the power of the holy spirit, God works through us and in us to reflect His character to a generation whose eyes have been so blind to Him. He does this despite our sinful nature. He sent His son to die to make us holy, not so that we can brag and boast about our righteousness, but to give Himself the glory. God’s purpose for creating us was to give Him glory.

So what does this all mean?

It means that I, as a Christian and follower of Jesus Christ, have to understand that I am here to glorify the Lord. I am here to be an image bearer of Christ for the purpose of His names sake. I am a mirror that was made to reflect the Son. He works in me to do this for the purpose of bringing His sheep back to him.

I’m here to daily die to myself, and pick up the wooden cross. Sometimes it’s really heavy, but deep within my soul, I know it’s the cross I want to carry because I love my God. Jesus Christ is worth it.

What does this not mean?

Understanding our fallen condition and the fact that we can misrepresent the character of God by our actions, thoughts, heart, etc. is detrimental. But, at the same time understanding that manmade, manufactured “works” is not what gives God glory is important. It starts at the heart. If you’re heart is wanting to be obedient to the Lord (and wanting to be an open vessel), then God will work in you to glorify Himself. That may be through acts of service, kind words, prayer, or whatever.

Basically what I’m trying to say is that “good works” are just good works if they aren’t in response to something God is doing in you. I hope that makes sense. Works and faith work simultaneously, but without the faith part I’m just a “good” person. Whatever that means…

Anyways, I am excited to have finally written this. I’ve wanted to for the past few days. I just think it’s changed my whole perspective about starting my day off right. Praying that God will work through me, help me to die to myself, help me to choose Him over sin, and to allow His spirit to work through me to make Himself known. The idea of being made in the image of God to be an image bearer of Christ slapped me in the face this week. I’m glad I got to share it with you.

Your Vindication by Chris Tiegreen

I just read my daily devotional and the scripture for today was from Isaiah 54:17. It says, “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”

First off, I don’t know why I’m not just sitting here studying the book of Isaiah because it has some pretty solid truths in there!  Anyways, I’m going to post most of what Tiegreen had to say about this verse. I hope it blesses you the way it blessed me!

“A cold, hard truth in this fallen world is that those who side with God will share His enemies. They are numerous, and they can be vicious. They often have little regard for truth and a great capacity for scheming. David found it to be with Saul, the prophets with their prophetic rivals, Jesus experienced it with Roman and Jewish leaders, and Paul heard it from other preachers and churches. Whenever God does a great work, either in your heart or in your world, it will be greatly opposed. Those who are His servants will face the opposition firsthand…

We who claim God as our defender must not take up our own defense…. God has a way of vindicating His servants that is beautiful in the end. The aggressors fade into oblivion; the righteous remain in His glory.”

There was more but those were the main points. It’s beautiful to see this passage while I’m coming out of a dark time of questioning and doubts. I’m super thankful for God’s timing. He really does know when I need to hear these things and when I’ll be open to receiving them. 

Although I still think this past, well… I don’t know what to call it. We can call it my “Walk in the Dark.” I think this past “Walk in the Dark” was one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced. I’ve had to battle constant lies and depression. There came a time where I couldn’t put the armor on anymore. But I’m glad that I got to that point where I couldn’t fight anymore and I had to fully rely on God to be my defender. I am thankful He’s restored me to a sound mind, a beating heart, and a soul that is revived. 

Readers, if you don’t have a real, genuine, life altering relationship with the creator of the universe and you’d like to know how, please message me. I’d love to tell you about Him and how He loves you. He wants to vindicate you. He wants to be your defender.

This is a song that wrenches my heart. It’s beautiful. I think it’s fitting

Tyson’s First FB Status Update

Well, I’ve mentioned to you my friend Tyson. If you are new to reading my blog and are thinking, “Who is Tyson?”, here’s a link to my first blog post about Tyson. And please, read this next post. God’s been progressively doing amazing works in Tyson. It’s awesome to see. If in a year I still don’t know what I’m supposed to do with my life, I’ll be so grateful I have this blog to remember Tyson’s progress. It’s so beautiful to see and acknowledge God’s hand working.

ANYWAYS, Tonight he updated his FB status for the first time since the accident. This is what it said:

“I miss everyone in chattanooga really bad. I continually thank God for what hes doing, and I thank him for all the prayer support I know I have. I cant do much by myself, or anything, but its teaching me to rely on others. pray for continued success in physical training, and that I can get potty trained again. Know that God’s in control of everything, and I hope to be with you all soon.”

Amazing. He is back to the Tyson everyone knows and loves. And praise God, he still has his sense of humor! Here’s a link to the FB prayer group.

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of His name; give to Him glorious praise!… Come and see what God has done: He is awesome in His deeds toward the Children of man…. Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of His praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.” Psalm 66 verses 1,2,5,8, & 9.

Tyson and both of his parents at a cookout! His dad was also injured in the accident. Praise the Lord for His healing to both Wards!

That’s the power of Yahweh.

Love you all!

Freedom in Christ

Good news: Today was my first full day of feeling back to normal! Chicka-what! Praise the Lord for deliverance! Thank you Lord for that! I can’t describe to you how much better my day was than yesterday (and the many days before that). Such a blessing!

Well, I think one thing God has shown me today was how controlling I am. Yesterday, I mentioned to my bible study leader that this summer I was so confident in my ability to do overseas missions. And yesterday, I wasn’t feeling too confident in myself. She agreed with me. I think she’d rather see me do a stateside internship. Today I was looking at the application for Campus Crusade‘s STINT program. STINT is a Short Term International Internship. I had to have four references, one of which had to be my current bible study leader. My initial thought was, “Crap! I can’t put A.L. down! She won’t support me going.” This was me controlling the situation. This was me saying, “God, I know you’re calling me to Africa, but I need to try to control this area of the application so I’ll get accepted.” Wrong. If God wants me to go, He’ll make it happen. If I don’t get accepted, it wasn’t His will for me to go. I can rest assuredly knowing My God is bigger; my God is in control.

Chris Tiegreen has an amazing passage in his devotional. It says

“He is the Master of our circumstances; there is no need for our guile. The opportunities He wants us to have will be opened before us. The people He wants us to know will come into our path. No manipulation is necessary-or even welcome. All that He requires from us is our willing obedience to His plan.”

I am finding that I frequently put on the yoke of slavery that Paul warns us about in Galatians 5:1 “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” The cool thing about this verse is that Paul says, “… do not submit..” This implies that we have the active choice. Christ has set us free, for freedom. We are free. We, as free people (consciously or subconsciously) put ourselves under the yoke of slavery. That is not from God. Me trying to control everything is slavery to my own limitations. I cannot, but He who is in me can!

Too Glorious Not to Notice

So, I remembered why I wanted to update my blog frequently. I wanted to make posts daily so that my posts won’t be so long! I know reading stuff online for long periods of time gets boring, but today’s post is GREAT. So, please stick it out.

Thursday night at our CRU weekly meeting one of the campus directors came up to the front to talk about Tyson. He talked about his involvement with CRU, the accident, and how God has been healing him. We all prayed for Tyson and then sang a ton of worship song about God’s healing powers. It was a really, really overwhelming, powerful night. I felt the presence of God so much. I know everyone in that room was opened up to God’s faithfulness and love. It was super cool to see God pull His body together like that.

Friday afternoon I went to Bonnie’s house just to hang out. About an hour after being there, she gets this call from Tyson’s girlfriend Jenna. Jenna says, “Tyson’s mom walked into his room this morning and Tyson said, ‘Hi Mom.’” That’s not unusual because Tyson has started saying people’s names but normally people had to ask him questions for him to speak. Tyson didn’t just stop though with “Hi mom.” He continued talking. He was asking questions about where he was, what was wrong with him, he got all these scars, what happened, and my favorite question was, “Am I missing school?” Thursday night Tyson could only say names. Friday morning he is asking questions! REALLY!? Is this real? Yep. There’s no way I can ever deny the existence of God. This alone is proof that there is a God who hears and heals. Amazing. Here’s a picture!!!!

Thank's Bobby!!

I was talking to Bonnie the other day about people expecting God to show Himself or perform miracles before they’ll believe. The truth of the matter is, He does perform miracles everyday. He’s doing them now. We, the human race, tend to give credit for His work to others. We could say that Tyson is just a strong fighter, the doctors are just really good at what they do. So often, our eyes see what’s fleeting, and we give what’s tangible (and un-eternal) the credit. Our eyes are not seeing what is truly there. Proverbs 20:12 says, “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both.” Our eyes were created to see Him. We are blind too often. Open your eyes. See Him. See His hand working. (I’m saying this to myself too!) God is too glorious not to notice.

That’s all for now! I have a lot more I could say, but I’ll hold off for your sake! I love you whoever you are.

To God be the Glory.

Mary

Esther

One more quick post today! I’m going through one Psalm and one chapter of another book during my quiet time with God. I’m currently going through the book of Esther. Today, I’m on chapter four. Here’s a link where you can read the entire book if you’d like.

In chapter four, Mordecai finds out that Haman is going to give a ton of money to the king’s treasury if the king issues a decree that all the Jews be killed. The king agrees and all the provinces are told to destroy the Jews in the kingdom. Mordecai finds out Haman’s plans and is talking to Esther (via a eunich) about how she (as queen) has to do something to spare her people. She pretty much tells him she can’t do anything about it. In order for her to go before the king (her husband), he has to summon her. If anyone enters his court without permission, they’d be killed. In verse 13, he basically challenges her to intervene on behalf of her people. What blew my mind was where Mordecai says in verse 14,

“…And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Not only does he challenge her to act on his behalf, but he also tells her to question whether or not this was the reason God made her the queen. Imagine what had happened if he hadn’t challenged her to think about what God was doing through her and where He had her. Scary, huh?

I, like Esther, question if I can make a difference. Granted, I’m probably not going to be killed for standing up for Christ, I still question my ability to impact people’s lives. I think that I’m not smart enough, motivated enough, pretty enough, likable enough, or whatever to make a difference in the kingdom. I think what Mordecai had to say to Esther is so awesome. He’s hinting to her that she might have been put into the kingdom just for this purpose! He’s telling her, “Esther, open your beautiful eyes! Look around you. Where are you? WHO are you? And most importantly, who is your God?” I need people like that in my life to remind me of God’s sovereign providence. He knows what He’s doing. He has us where He wants us and where He can best use us.

I think we forget that we play an important role in God’s story. We each have our own Esther story. God has amazing plans for us. We may lead people to Christ, show people Christ’s love, lead people into worship, preach the gospel, heal people, serve people, etc. Whatever it is, God uses us.

This summer I learned a few questions that I should ask God daily:
1. What do you want me to do here?
2. Who do you want me to talk to today?
3. What are you trying to say to me?

I forget to ask these questions. Instead of keeping one eye on God and one eye on where He has me, I tend to either have my eyes closed or I’m distracted by something that is unimportant. This passage really has awakened me to stay more focused on what He’s doing. I’m fully confident He has me where He wants me. He can and will use me here. Awesome! Whoever you are, God has plans to use you too. Be encouraged!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 (New International Version)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Mary

Exhaustion

I don’t know how this happened so fast, but I’m already exhausted from school! I know, I know. It’s only the first week. Hear me out. I go to school on Monday and Wednesdays from 8:30 until 7:00. That’s a really long time to be on the go, learning, and trying to retain what I’m hearing. I am wiped out. I’m pretty certain I’m useless Monday and Wednesday nights. All I want to do is relax and sleep.

I’m getting pretty excited for mine and Lizzy’s bible study to start. We haven’t picked a day of the week to meet yet but as soon as I know I’ll let you know! We are going over 2 Timothy with the sophomore girls she (Lizzy) had last year. The bible study I’m in is going over Romans. It’s so funny because that’s the one book I avoid like the plague. There is some pretty heavy theology in there that I wasn’t sure I was ready to read. But, God thinks it’s time obviously! Ha. I’m pretty sure I’ll be posting blogs about my reaction to Romans.

In the communications class I’m taking we are working on web journalism type stuff. Here’s a link to the site where I’ll be posting stories every so often! It’s called The Loop, so stay in the loop! My first story topic is live music. I’m focusing on this festival called Livestock. A local music venue, The Warehouse, puts it together. It’ll be the third weekend in October. A ton of bands will be there, a ton of fun, and a time for fellowship! I’ll post my story on here when I’m done.

Okay, really though, I’m off to bed! I’m so so so tired. Goodnight world. Thanks for reading.

I appreciate you!

Mary