Once Again....

I sat in church today and experienced something I have not ever experienced before and then something that God continues to do over and over again.

We only took communion............and though I was totally present in the moment at one point I was either daydreaming or having a vision. I felt as though I was back at my church in Denver and taking communion as I always had and there was three special people with me. Two of which I have always been with. I really felt like I was at Pathways......at one point one of the three others in this dream/vision actually put their hands on my shoulders. I had to really look back behind me where I was 'presently' because it felt as if someone really did have a hand on my shoulder.

It was very comforting in a way and I really felt God's presence. After communion Pastor was talking about how things were in the first church in Acts and asked if anyone wanted to share what God was doing or what He was to you. I didn't feel like I was suppose to share, but all I was sitting there thinking was He is my EVERYTHING. Pastor Tim then spoke the exact words that I had been thinking.........I wouldn't be writing about this if he hadn't done the exact same thing the week before. It was as though he was reading my mind again.........but then He was wasn't He.

I wish I was better at sharing in my blog..........I really haven't even touched on all that God has been doing in me and around me, and I can only pray that I am allowing Him to also be doing something through me.

All I do know is once again He was present in my present............and just keeps reminding me that HE is my EVERYTHING!!!

Opportunities

Before I came to Korea I said that the two places I would like to go and visit would be China and Thailand. God has just opened up doors for both these locations.

I will be going to Shanghai and Beijing, China over the Lunar New Year Break (February 17-25). I will also be going to Phuket, Thailand on a missions trip over Spring Break (March 24-31).

Praise the Lord.......He made a way for me to go to both places that were on my heart. However, if you have been reading my blog since the beginning you will realize that the three other places I applied to schools at were: Indonesia, China, and Thailand. Those are also the three countries God has made a way for me to visit while teaching in Korea. I just find it interesting and so like God........I am going to end up with a stamp in my passport from all the locations I inquired about in the beginning of this journey.

I also have two possible opportunities with orphanages. One here in Seoul and another in Indonesia. Seoul would be for now, and Indonesia would be for in the future. But both are in God's hands. I have been inquiring about orphanages since I got here, it is only a step but at least finally a place to start.

I have also been a part of a weekly Bible Study at Church which has been a great place to meet the Risen Lord. And it made a way for me to meet the family I wrote about who shared at church about adopting a child in China in a precious blog.

I have the opportunity to work out with a coworker after school. And God has given my class so many opportunities to grow and spread God's Joy. I am also thankful for the opportunity to see God work through the lives of others, especially in Noah Steven's blog.

And the most important of all is the opportunity He has given me in meeting Him in so many different ways. The opportunity I have here to draw closer to Him like never before, He is truly ALL I have here. The opportunity to embrace all the moments He has placed before me, especially the ones where I am growing and learning more about Him.

For all these opportunities I am so thankful. Thank you Lord.

Overwhelming Magnificent Love

Today it was easy to understand why God only gives us little glimpses at a time of Him.

We can not fathom how wide and long and high and deep is His Love.

I sat in church feeling overwhelmed by His Love and Presence. Actually for the past month now He has been speaking so loud and clear to me.

It began when I had a tearful conversation with a true friend whom means so much to me (Thanks Allyson). God spoke during my time in Bali. I began reading Eugene Peterson's "A Long Obedience in the Same Direction" on the trip and just finished it this weekend. God spoke through the pages. God spoke the loudest during a 1/2 hour on a country road in Bali. I know I have already mentioned this, and tough there were five other people in the car with me, it was as if it was God and I alone. I have tried numerous times since to sit down and write it all out, but God is not allowing me too. I came to the realization last week that it is because God wants the moment to only be for me and Him.

He has been repeatedly saying.....I love you, now be still.

That moment in Bali is something I have never experienced quite like that before with God. All I can share with you all, as well as in my personal journal, is that He was met and experienced in a powerful way that moment. That it was a time of reflection on the Past, a definite moment to be embraced in the Present, and He spoke very clearly about my Future.

And He continues to speak in each moment of each day to the point that I am overwhelmed by His Magnificent Love.

I have experienced Him in so many ways the past couple of weeks: through Noah and his family; my class, our Bible time; my quiet time; book I was reading; Bible Study; Church; a broken and hurt heart; laughter and sharing with a friend; and even today in a podcast from church at home (Can you hear me now? series).

What these have in common is God is Love. Yes, Love!! Do you know Him?

For when you know Him, you'll Love Him. When you Love Him, you'll Trust Him. When you Trust Him, you'll Obey Him. And when you Obey Him, you'll Share His Love.

In Sunday school we read Ephesians 3:14-19 and in church Ephesians 1:15-23.

I am humbly excited and overwhelmed in the magnificent Love of Christ.

I Have a Dream

Today we pay respect to Martin Luther King, Jr. who had a dream. Who expressed that dream in a speech titled "I Have a Dream."

Have you ever read or heard the speech? I have heard parts before, but today I shared the whole speech with my class and God really moved in my heart.

Since being in Korea I have experienced so much judgement as to whether people are American, Korean, Canadian, or whatever! Even more so the judgement of Christians............Christians giving Christians a bad name or being this or that kind of Christian.

I just don't get it!! BEing an American does NOT define my identity, but it is a part of who I am.

What we ALL are is God's children, period.

After reading the speech today, I felt I could replace some words with a number of different "labels" and most of the speech could still be prevalent today......how about just replacing words with the word "humanity" or how about "God's own".

Martin Luther King, Jr. said:
"I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

Which is actually recorded in Isaiah 40:4-5

May we too have this dream. May it be our hope and faith until the Lord's return.

Be reminded that it all is really about God's Love. Experience His Love by ACCEPTING/RECEIVING it, RETURNING it, and SHARING it.

Do you have a dream today?

R & R

I am getting a little rest and relaxation by staying at a friend's place over near InsaDong while he is gone. I have pictures of the area from the roof of the place, the Somerset. It has been a great get away and a great time spent alone with God.

Interesting that tonight was the first time since living in Seoul I heard sirens. I don't know if it was police or fire, but it is something I have not heard here before.

My friend also has a wide variety of cable channels. Praise God, I actually got to watch a NFL football game last night. I was hoping for some bowl games but NFL will do. Sure I knew the outcome already and it was in a foreign language (wasn't Korean, I think Japanese). However, it happened to be the Denver Broncos last game of the year. So not only was it a little football, but it was one of my teams. I got to watch the Pistons play tonight.

I have also been able to get up to date on listening to Podcasts from Pathways Church, as well as from Christ Church Nashville and Mosaic (Erwin McManus's church).

Bali

Bali, Indonesia was amazing. I had a great time and really enjoyed the people. They were actually a little too friendly at times. Every where we went we were asked if we wanted this or that.........I can't really share it all in writing. We were in Kuta Beach. I didn't know this until we were there, but it was also the site of the bombing October 12, 2002.

I did get a little tan, I have some lines to prove it. However, I fell in love with a group of people. The country and the people really touched my heart and I so hope that I have an opportunity to go back to Indonesia if not Bali again some day in the future.

The part of the trip that stands out the most for me is a part that I didn't get pictures of. I don't even know if I could truly write about it. All I do know is that I met the Risen Christ in it. It was on the way up to a volcano on Thursday, December 28. Just looking out into the country side of Bali and talking with God. I know that there were five other people in the car with me, but for this half hour........I am telling you, I was only with God. I know at one point I questioned why I was in Korea and not Indonesia. I was also able to get confirmation on my decision. God also spoke about the future and I had a good reflection on all the events and steps of the past year. I would have loved to have asked the driver to stop a million times so I could take pictures of all I was seeing, but even more I wish there was a way to take a picture or a video or something of what I was experiencing with Daddy God. All I hope is that it is something I can hold on to in my heart and mind for a while.

The past year of my life has been incredible........sure it has had its ups and downs, and definitely some surprises along the way but the best part is that God has and is in it all. The things I have learned and how I have grown. To see the Risen Lord in each and every moment that has come to be...........all I can say is Praise Him.

I will add that I got what I wanted for Christmas!!!! God is good. He has given me a peace and four confirmations now about coming home to Denver at the end of this school year. So I got my answer and a phone call.

Happy New Year

I wanted to start my first entry of the new year with something profound, especially after meeting the Risen Lord in such a powerful way on my vacation in Bali. However, after I read the January 1st devotion in "God Calling" by AJ Russell I knew I just needed to share it. It just says it better than I could. So here is most of what is written:

BETWEEN THE YEARS

Our Lord and our God. We joy in Thee. Without Thy

Help we could not face unafraid the year before us.

I stand between the years. The Light of My Presence is flung across the year to come-the radiance of the Sun of Righteousness. Backward, over the past year, is My Shadow thrown, hiding trouble and sorrow and disappointment.

Dwell not on the past-only on the present. Only use the past as the trees use My Sunlight to absorb it, to make from it in after days the warming fire-rays. So store only the blessings from Me, the Light of the World.....

Bury every fear of the future, ....Bury all thought of ....your sense of failure, your disappointment in others and in yourselves,.....and let us leave them all, buried, and go forward to a new and risen life.

Remember that you must not see as the world sees. I hold the year in My hands-in trust for you. But I shall guide you one day at a time.

Leave the rest with Me. You must not anticipate the gift by fears or thoughts of the days ahead.

And for each day I shall supply the wisdom and the strength.