This past Sunday our pastor preached on John 4:1-42, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
I love this passage. It shows how Jesus came to seek and save the lost, heal the broken, redeem the sick of heart----the most lost, the most broken, the sickest, the poorest . . . me.
Look at the barriers that Jesus knocked down to minister to the soul of this woman:
She was a woman . . . culturally inappropriate for a man to talk to a woman he did not know in public
She was a Samaritan . . . with whom the Jews did not associate
She was at the well at noon . . . she was shunned by her peers--shamed
She had been married five times and the man she lived with at that time was not her husband . . . she was immoral
Yet, Jesus, patiently, lovingly, without judgement draws her heart to his--even while pointing out the painful wounds of her sin.
Beautiful!!!
The part of this story that I am always drawn to is her response:
verse 28 says: "So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to people,"
She left her water jar.
She had journeyed to the well in the heat of the day with a "large earthenware pitcher, carried either on the shoulder or the hip." (ESV Study Bible)
It is like her trip to the well that day was symbolic of the burdens that she carried in her heart. She was alone, avoiding the scrutiny of her peers, hot, carrying a physically burdensome jar . . . and then she met Jesus.
After that conversation was over--she left her jar--almost like leaving her burdens behind
And then . . . Testimony
She was a shameful outcast in her town, but after she met Jesus she ran to town and told the people what Jesus did.
And they listened to her.
That is the power of a changed heart proclaiming the glorious riches of our amazing Savior!!!
verse 39 says "Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, "He told me all that I ever did."
Jesus used her as His tool to draw others to Himself. She was not spiritually educated before she went, or mature in her faith, nor did she have the ugly details of her life cleaned up.
She, simply, encountered the Savior of the world and was so excited that she broke out of her shameful existence and had to go tell the people of her town.
Amazing!!!
If we have been "saved by grace through faith" (Ephesians 2:8-9), we have a testimony to tell.
Do not for one second discount yours. How can any testimony of the work of God in the life of a sinner be less than glorious?!
It may be simple, it may have been a long time ago, it may be today. It may be the testimony of how you were first saved--or a testimony of God's grace as He has carried you through--or a testimony of what He has taught you today.
Leave your water jar . . . go tell!
The power and gentleness of the grace of Christ are absolutely amazing to me. God is so so good!
May I testify?
Deuteronomy 23:21 says, "If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin."
I just read this a couple of days ago. This verse touched my heart. I think it means so much because it explains the great urgency within me in fulfilling a vow that we feel called by God to do . . . adopting.
Many years ago we considered adopting after facing the trials of infertility. We saw adoption as a way to build our family if we were unable to do so "naturally". Then we had our son, Nathan. For a time, adoption seemed like something that we still would like to do---in the future. Oh, how our hearts erred in even the consideration of adoption! This spring a new burden came upon us. Enough talk about "our future"! Action . . . now. Like the scales dropped from our eyes, we found ourselves compelled to act----or live in disobedience. Adoption is not for the purpose of building our family (though a gracious byproduct). Adoption is what Christ has done for us. Adoption is the Gospel. We are learning more and more what this is and means and looks like. The Spirit has just placed in us a great desire for obedience to the things that are important to the heart of God. Please, please do not be impressed with us. There is nothing to be impressed about. We are but filthy rags. We have not taken hold of it. We are nothing apart from Christ (John 15:5). There is nothing good in us (Romans 3:10). We point to Jesus Christ! He receives all glory and honor and praise! This is not about us. He must increase, we must decrease (John 3:30)
And so----we have lived in the whirlwind that is the "process" for the last few months.
June 30 our home study was approved!!! That is a huge milestone. The Lord willing, we may be able to learn who our child is----who is by God's sovereignty---already Young at heart----in just a few months. Absolutely blows my mind!
I beg you to pray. God is faithful. Your prayers are strength to the weary---beckoning the help of the Almighty.
We do need help. It is humbling and incredibly awkward to share this. I know it meets the eyes of those with differing opinions on the subject. However, if there is a stirring in your heart---I do not want my pride to be a barrier to a way that God may use to help see this process to fruition. I can assure you that I do not offer false humility or assumptions----I only look to God----many times with wavering trust----asking Him to move mountains. I do not know, but He does. My view is so limited, but His is full.
Here is a way to give:
Make checks payable to: Dillon International, Inc. (our adoption agency)
designate on the check: donation for Jeron and Kristine Young adoption
mail to: Dillon International, Inc
3227 East 31st Street, Suite 200
Tulsa, OK 74105
(unfortunately, because the check will be designated for a specific person, the donation can not be used as a charitable contribution, even though our agency is a non-profit--but this option does help us, in that the donation will not be counted as income for us)
Thank you so very much
Monday, July 11, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Can You Relate?
I praise God for His Word. I am in awe of how many times I can relate to the men and women within the pages of the Bible. Sometimes it is wonderful to relate to the heartfelt praises of our amazing Lord. Other times, it is disturbing (yet comforting) how I can relate to the depravity of our humanity through their trials, tribulations, choices, doubts, fears, mistakes, etc.
Recently, I was reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (June 18). This particular day was relating to Peter. I have to say that many times I have felt I could relate to Peter---in his loving and denying-----trusting and doubting-----passion and sleeping. This was one of those days. Praise God!!!
Matthew 14:29-30
"He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."
Chambers says,
"The wind really was boisterous, and the waves really were high, but Peter didn't see them at first. He didn't consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and 'walked on water.' Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went."
Peter stepped out, boldly, in faith. Then considered what it was he was actually doing----and started sinking fast.
This is me.
Our adoption is something we have felt very strong leadership from God in pursuing. The point at which we decided that it was time to stop talking and start acting, we jumped in with both feet. Before we knew it, we were up to our ears in paperwork.
That is where it began.
Excitement gave way to fear. I began sinking. I have been overwhelmed by the process of preparing documents and gathering information. The looming issue of financing our adoption has weighed heavy on my heart. All I have been focusing on are the circumstances around me.
Like Peter, what was once a beautiful step of faith and obedience turned into despair and doubt.
Chambers goes on to say,
"If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes his rebuke, ' . . . why did you doubt?'(14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him."
These wise word of Scripture and reflections of a godly man, were exactly what I needed to read. I marvel at how God works.
Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Faith. Faith means we do not know how things will work out--but God does.
He will work out the timing. He will prepare our hearts. He will choose our child. He will straighten out the details. He will provide.
His provision for these things may look vastly different from anything I can think or imagine. I, however, need not dwell on the circumstances but focus and trust on the lovely face of Jesus.
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, thus saith the Lord
Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him
How I've proved Him oer and oer
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
O, for grace to trust Him more.
O, for grace to trust Him more . . .
Amazing.
God has encouraged my heart, extended His hand, and pulled me up out of the waters that were engulfing me. My Lord, I need to trust you more!!
I do not know how or when. I know a risen Savior! I know my God, His character, His promises! He is faithful to the utmost.
My flesh will creep up on me----I know myself too well----but I have determined that as soon as I feel as though I am sinking to purposefully refocus my attention to Jesus.
Adoption update: we have completed our home study and are waiting for approval. This could take 1-2 weeks. Once we have approval of our home study, we start to, officially, wait for our child. This is an exciting time. Approval of the home study is a benchmark in the process. After approval, we are placed on a waiting list for a referral for a child (which is when we matched up with a child) and we can start applying for grants.
We are also really starting to focus on funding our adoption. We have considered and analyzed many options. Our first steps have been to utilize money we have saved and take some serious steps in changing our spending and lifestyle. Next, we will apply for grants as soon as we are able. We plan to try and do a garage sale in the fall (when it cools off a bit and our schedules slow down). As I said before, His provision may look vastly different. Regardless, there will be a way.
Will you please pray for us?
Recently, I was reading My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (June 18). This particular day was relating to Peter. I have to say that many times I have felt I could relate to Peter---in his loving and denying-----trusting and doubting-----passion and sleeping. This was one of those days. Praise God!!!
Matthew 14:29-30
"He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."
Chambers says,
"The wind really was boisterous, and the waves really were high, but Peter didn't see them at first. He didn't consider them at all; he simply recognized his Lord, stepped out in recognition of Him, and 'walked on water.' Then he began to take those things around him into account, and instantly, down he went."
Peter stepped out, boldly, in faith. Then considered what it was he was actually doing----and started sinking fast.
This is me.
Our adoption is something we have felt very strong leadership from God in pursuing. The point at which we decided that it was time to stop talking and start acting, we jumped in with both feet. Before we knew it, we were up to our ears in paperwork.
That is where it began.
Excitement gave way to fear. I began sinking. I have been overwhelmed by the process of preparing documents and gathering information. The looming issue of financing our adoption has weighed heavy on my heart. All I have been focusing on are the circumstances around me.
Like Peter, what was once a beautiful step of faith and obedience turned into despair and doubt.
Chambers goes on to say,
"If you are truly recognizing your Lord, you have no business being concerned about how and where He engineers your circumstances. The things surrounding you are real, but when you look at them you are immediately overwhelmed, and even unable to recognize Jesus. Then comes his rebuke, ' . . . why did you doubt?'(14:31). Let your actual circumstances be what they may, but keep recognizing Jesus, maintaining complete reliance upon Him."
These wise word of Scripture and reflections of a godly man, were exactly what I needed to read. I marvel at how God works.
Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
Faith. Faith means we do not know how things will work out--but God does.
He will work out the timing. He will prepare our hearts. He will choose our child. He will straighten out the details. He will provide.
His provision for these things may look vastly different from anything I can think or imagine. I, however, need not dwell on the circumstances but focus and trust on the lovely face of Jesus.
Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise
Just to know, thus saith the Lord
Jesus, Jesus how I trust Him
How I've proved Him oer and oer
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus
O, for grace to trust Him more.
O, for grace to trust Him more . . .
Amazing.
God has encouraged my heart, extended His hand, and pulled me up out of the waters that were engulfing me. My Lord, I need to trust you more!!
I do not know how or when. I know a risen Savior! I know my God, His character, His promises! He is faithful to the utmost.
My flesh will creep up on me----I know myself too well----but I have determined that as soon as I feel as though I am sinking to purposefully refocus my attention to Jesus.
Adoption update: we have completed our home study and are waiting for approval. This could take 1-2 weeks. Once we have approval of our home study, we start to, officially, wait for our child. This is an exciting time. Approval of the home study is a benchmark in the process. After approval, we are placed on a waiting list for a referral for a child (which is when we matched up with a child) and we can start applying for grants.
We are also really starting to focus on funding our adoption. We have considered and analyzed many options. Our first steps have been to utilize money we have saved and take some serious steps in changing our spending and lifestyle. Next, we will apply for grants as soon as we are able. We plan to try and do a garage sale in the fall (when it cools off a bit and our schedules slow down). As I said before, His provision may look vastly different. Regardless, there will be a way.
Will you please pray for us?
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Waiting on the Lord
"God is never inactive in our wait time." --Beth Moore, Esther (session 5 video) I remember standing in my mother-in-love's kitchen, in the spring of 2009, weeping as I watched this video. I wept because I knew this was the truth----but more so because I had missed this truth and dredged through our "wait time" in weakness.
Beth Moore went on to say, "We feel so weak in the wait-----when we wait upon the event, the thing, the person we will be weak. BUT--when we wait upon the Lord our strength will be renewed. "
28Have you not known? Have you not heard?The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
30Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
31but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28-31
As I was standing there, I was 6 1/2 months pregnant with our son, Nathan. We had waited on this precious gift for over 4 1/2 years. A miscarriage and several years of unexplained infertility had passed by------and I was waiting on a child----not the Lord---and I was weak and my heart was troubled in that time.
The Lord was with me during that time. He was completely sovereign in that time. His timing was perfect. His plan was right and for our good. The reality, as I stood there thinking back, was that I realized this truth in hindsight and not in the midst. It broke my heart and comforted me at the same time.
John Piper says, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him".
I want, with all my heart, to be satisfied in Him.
My husband, Jeron, was teaching last week to our students---and remembrance of this time was brought to my heart and mind.
He was teaching from James 1 on trials. The truth penetrated deep into my soul, yet again. We are all in trials---whether we think we are, or not. If we are in need of something, or long for something (like a child), our trial is in wanting "the thing" over wanting God. If we have everything we need and things are good, our trial is that we rely on "the things" more than we rely on God. How perplexing---and true.
We battle every day to desire God above all things---to be most satisfied in Him. And for me, I fall on my face daily. And there is grace . . .
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Learning Curve
I feel like every day I am learning. Learning about my Savior, about my salvation, about serving, about loving, about being a wife, about being a mom, about praying, about being a steward of God's blessings, about humility, about faith and trusting the only One who is worthy of our trust . . .
There are some days I receive these lessons with an open heart and a willing spirit. Most days, however, I really feel like I am facing quite a learning curve. I feel unprepared, under-equipped, lacking in most of these areas. I battle my flesh and the enemy in the effort to surrender to my Savior. I have found that being at the end of myself---knowing that I can not do or be these things on my own---is exactly where I need to be. Not to live defeated---but to live surrendered to Christ---victorious! I need Him every day to manifest His grace in me that I may glorify Him in all I do.
And so begins my "blogging" journey. I find it odd to share about myself. Therefore, my hope for this blog is to make much of Him who has changed my life forever in the most amazing ways. I hope to share His wonders, His lessons, His love, His leading.
All for the sake of telling the world (at least the itty bitty part of it that might see this blog) that:
God created everything (Psalm 19:1, Psalm 22:28, Psalm 24:1, Isaiah 44:24),
He created you for His glory (Psalm 29:1-2, Isaiah 43:6-7, 1 Corinthians 10:31),
He is holy and righteous (Leviticus 19:2, 37, Deuteronomy 32:4, Romans 7:12),
We are sinful people (Romans 3:10-18, 20, 23),
God is just and is right to punish sin (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 1:18, Romans 6:23a),
God is merciful--He is kind to undeserving sinners (Psalm 145:8),
Jesus is God's holy and righteous Son (John 1:1, 14, 1 Timothy 1:15),
God put the punishment of sinners on Jesus--so that His righteousness might be put on them (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24),
God offers the free gift of salvation to those who repent and believe in Jesus (Mark 1:15, John 3:16-17, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9),
and Those who trust in Jesus will live to please Him and will receive the promise of eternal life--enjoying God forever in heaven (Luke 9:23, John 11:25, 1 John 2:15, Psalm 16:11)
----The Gospel
(adapted from Helping Children Understand the Gospel from Children Desiring God---childrendesiringgod.org)
I feel like our family always has many, many reasons to make much of Him. I look forward to sharing why we are . . . Hoping in Grace
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth." Ephesians 1:3-10
There are some days I receive these lessons with an open heart and a willing spirit. Most days, however, I really feel like I am facing quite a learning curve. I feel unprepared, under-equipped, lacking in most of these areas. I battle my flesh and the enemy in the effort to surrender to my Savior. I have found that being at the end of myself---knowing that I can not do or be these things on my own---is exactly where I need to be. Not to live defeated---but to live surrendered to Christ---victorious! I need Him every day to manifest His grace in me that I may glorify Him in all I do.
And so begins my "blogging" journey. I find it odd to share about myself. Therefore, my hope for this blog is to make much of Him who has changed my life forever in the most amazing ways. I hope to share His wonders, His lessons, His love, His leading.
All for the sake of telling the world (at least the itty bitty part of it that might see this blog) that:
God created everything (Psalm 19:1, Psalm 22:28, Psalm 24:1, Isaiah 44:24),
He created you for His glory (Psalm 29:1-2, Isaiah 43:6-7, 1 Corinthians 10:31),
He is holy and righteous (Leviticus 19:2, 37, Deuteronomy 32:4, Romans 7:12),
We are sinful people (Romans 3:10-18, 20, 23),
God is just and is right to punish sin (Isaiah 59:2, Romans 1:18, Romans 6:23a),
God is merciful--He is kind to undeserving sinners (Psalm 145:8),
Jesus is God's holy and righteous Son (John 1:1, 14, 1 Timothy 1:15),
God put the punishment of sinners on Jesus--so that His righteousness might be put on them (Isaiah 53:5, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24),
God offers the free gift of salvation to those who repent and believe in Jesus (Mark 1:15, John 3:16-17, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9),
and Those who trust in Jesus will live to please Him and will receive the promise of eternal life--enjoying God forever in heaven (Luke 9:23, John 11:25, 1 John 2:15, Psalm 16:11)
----The Gospel
(adapted from Helping Children Understand the Gospel from Children Desiring God---childrendesiringgod.org)
I feel like our family always has many, many reasons to make much of Him. I look forward to sharing why we are . . . Hoping in Grace
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,according to the riches of his grace, 8which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth." Ephesians 1:3-10
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