A month in pictures

March news

I took these pictures from BBC. They are not mine.

Well, the big news of the month for me (and for a lot people in the word, honestly) is the earthquakes that shook Japan last week. I can’t stop thinking about what's going on over there. All the people who are still lost, homeless, in the cold, gieving for loved ones, and suffering. God promised, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves thos who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

I know it’s true. I pray that you know it’s true. And I pray especially these days that all of Japan will know it, and turn to God with all their hearts.

I was just reading in a Bible study Acts 4:23-31, and thinking about how that passage pertains to my life. First of all, the bravery and resolve of the disciples to boldy prolcaim the gospel, and to obey Christ in the face of hardship and persecution, is a clear call to me for how I want to live my life. I was really encouraged that after they had gathered together, and with one heart, one voice, sang praises to God and asked him for power, boldness, and miracles, God answered them with… an earthquake! Sometimes shaking needs to take place in our lives before we go out for God. Some unnecessary things have to be taken away. Some things that were not built well have to be torn down. And after that happens, only then can the building, the empowering, and the signs and wonders have room to burst out! My prayer for Japan is that this year of the earthquake will go down in their history as the year God moved and brought transformation to a culture in desperate need.

Be praying for the people in Japan who have been devestated by this disaster, that they will turn to God and receive healing and restoration from His hand. Pray that they will come to see that they need Him. Pray that Japanese will choose this time to take God up on his offer, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8

Augustine said this, based upon his own personal experience, “Cast yourself upon Christ and don’t be afraid – He will restore you and heal you.” My prayer is that all across the nation of Japan, people will respond to this crisis by going to the One Source of healing, the Great Transformer and Restorer, Jesus Christ.

So, news here in Nepal:

I had so much fun these past three weeks with Abby and Mei. Pictures will tell. They were such encouragements to me, and to everyone here. We hope they will come to visit us again soon!

A note on running...

So, I ran a mini marathon with some youth from our Nepali fellowship, which was a lot of fun… I came in dead last, but at least I did finish the race, which is what I was going for. My goals were met.

As I have been running a bit more recently, I have been reminded and encouraged by the different references to running in the Bible. When I am actually running physically, it is amazing how much more those passages jump out at me and become real in my life.

“I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.” Psalm 119:32. We have to be set free first, or else running isn’t going to be possible. Are we free to run? What’s holding us back from getting out there and going for God with all we’ve got?

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary.” Isaiah 40:31. I think sometimes we don’t run because we think we don’t have the energy or stamina to finish. But, God says, “Yes, you do have, because I give to you.”

“Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly. I do not fight like a man beating the air. No! I beat my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. This Christian life, this Great Comission is not a joke, or some kind of kiddie fun walkathon. Whether we finish this race or not, matters. How we finish matters. We are called to discipline, exercise our spiritual muscles, and to run with the goal in mind. Do we want to be careless bystanders, or do we want to be runners, who are in this thing for real?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverence the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1-3

* I did not take this picture, actually it is from a movie. ^_^ It's nice, isn't it?