Monday, October 18, 2010

Back in L'ville

I made it back safely to Louisville by God's grace. I am so blown away by the Lord's providential and loving care. For the next few weeks I am driving my dad's car as mine had a cracked radiator. My dad could not believe it made it as long as it did (especially the trip to MO). I could. :) Many people were praying for my car and for the trip back to MO. I knew that the Lord was sustaining it for the last few weeks and when my dad looked at it, I found out just how much He protected and provided. I know He will provide for the financial aspect of this as well.

I had a good time at home. My dad and I had some really good (and deep) conversations. I also got to see some people from MH that I haven't seen in a very long time. Furthermore, the Lord used a message on finances to speak to a different area of my life in regards to trusting Him and evaluating my heart.

Speaking of finances, the Lord continues to grow and stretch me in this area. Besides a new radiator, I have a few other upcoming expenses that I cannot afford...but I have the peace that God will provide as He always does (Philippians 4:6-8). Usually I would be a little stressed about the circumstances, but I have learned from the previous years of financial tension that Jesus Christ is faithful (I am not at all saying I have victory in this area). One of these expenses is a road trip to Oklahoma to see my former South Asian roommate/friend get married. I am so excited to see her again and to witness her marriage, which is going to have a South Asian flare to it. :)

Kristi is gone now since I took her back last weekend and my roommate is in South Africa, which makes for a very quiet apartment. Though I do miss them, the solitude will force me to focus on my studies more. This is especially needed this week because I have a lot to do before Thursday: finish my Systematic project, write a position paper on miraculous gifts in the church and read, read, read. The project I am doing (along with a friend) is a photo book that has pictures of people from all of the world with Scripture verses that describe God's heart to redeem the nations. The goal of the project is to show how God from Genesis to Revelation is taking a people for Himself from every people group on the planet. There were so many verses/passages to choose from that it was difficult to narrow them down. As I read the Bible each day, I keep running across more and more. I was already in complete agreement with the purpose of our project, but I am so even more now as I keep running across verse after verse about God's desire for the nations to worship Him. And what's more is that He allows and invites us to be a part of His great plan of redeeming the nations!

Today at Wal-Mart (or is it Walmart?), a random guy asked me out in the shampoo aisle. Unexpected and akward (I was wondering what he was doing looking at feminine hair care), but I have to give the guy credit for boldness Just in case you are wondering, I said no. ;)

The Lord is still doing a work in my heart that I cannot explain. He has made me realize recently how much of our culture has influenced certain areas of my life and the way I think about some things. Now that He has made me aware, He is transforming my mind (Romans 12:1-2) through His Word and through other believers. I am in awe at the way the Lord weaves His lessons together through so many facets of my life. He is definitely not a haphazard Teacher for which I am so very thankful. His lessons are always relevant, intentional, necessary and purposeful (and sometimes very difficult), and by His grace, I will learn from them.

No comments: