Moving men, through God, by prayer alone

So I am currently writing a biography, not to be mistaken for an autobiography (I might have been saying autobiography this whole week...), on Hudson Taylor. You can say that Hudson Taylor was a man of prayer. A man who understood that if God calls you to do His work, it can only be done by God, which requires prayer by the man. All week I have been encouraged and challenged by Taylor's lifestyle; by his never ceasing prayer life.

Funny how God works in our lives and how He meets us right where we are at. Lately I've been consumed by internal struggles. Struggles of seeing things that need to happen but being overwhelmed by the thought of the task alone. Prayer has proven to be the only solution. The only problem is that I have not yet fully comprehended the power or necessity of prayer. So I have lacked.

Over the last few weeks, God has been drawing me to prayer; over and over I have been amazed, and then ashamed. Amazed at the workings of God, and ashamed that I often think I can accomplish things without prayer and knowing what God is doing. Each time God proves to be Himself, I'm drawn closer and I comprehend just a little more. As I have been reading about the life of Hudson Taylor, I have seen countless times where Taylor had nothing but prayer. So he prayed. And God was there. Why do we not pray?

There are concrete things that God is teaching me about prayer and about my relationship with Him. I'll attempt to put my thoughts into words here.

First ~ God will do what He will do whether or not we are there with Him. I say that, not to say He does what He does and never thinks of us; but to say that He is at work and if we are not seeking Him to know what He is doing then we miss out. He still works; we just aren't a part of that one. How do we find where He is? We pray. Because He gives wisdom to those who ask.

Second ~ We pray, not to ask 8 million selfish things of God, but to find out what He is doing and where He wants us. There are things that I can physically do on my own, like finding a space to hold an English club. I can not pray about it, and still find a place. But I pray, and say "God, where do you want this English club to be." The outcomes may be different. I want to be where He is doing things; that is where I will see things happen.

Third ~ It all leads me to praying God's will. It is a fact that God has called me to this city to tell these people about Jesus. But, when and where and how is of God's will. So dare I not walk out of my house with the purpose of telling someone about Jesus, without first asking through prayer, Where? When? How?

I stand amazed at His power. Not because He answers MY prayers. But because, when we pray and seek Him, He has the power to tell each and every one of us exactly where He wants us, exactly when He wants us, and exactly what He wants us doing. He orchestrates the universe. Wow. I can't even remember the difference between biography and autobiography.

So I want to follow in Hudson Taylor's footsteps, and "move men, through God, by prayer alone."

It's that time of year again

It is that time of year again for a number of different reasons. Some of which are good, and some of which are not so good.

In Naples, November marks the beginning of the rain. At least in my head it does. It isn't exactly to the point of rain everyday yet, but I know it's coming. So I anticipate it. This year I'm determined to overcome the rain.

In my head, November marks the beginning of Christmas. Ok so maybe I am just a little early, but it makes me happy, so I go with it. It's also the time of pumpkin everything. Thanks to a one wonderful friend, I now have my very own can of pumpkin to make pumpkin scones with in the near future. I like the food of holiday season, but don't be mistaken, that doesn't mean I'm looking forward to eating it.

Most important, November marks the beginning of Lottie Moon Time. Why am I blogging about this? Because I love so very much the organization that I work for, and it is only made possible by your giving to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. I just returned from a retreat-type-thingy in Germany this past week. I was reminded of how "on-track" my organization is. Jesus being brought to nations is the goal. But necessary things, like keeping those they send spiritually sound, can't be overlooked. I'm thankful that they see these things as a need.

None of what I do is possible without people like you. So, be praying. Be following what's going on in the world. Be seeing the need for labors to be sent and kept on the field. Be willing to give what God calls you to give. Get involved with the Lottie Moon Offering this year. I will be more than thankful, and so will those who have the opportunity to know Jesus because of your involvement.

Italian Birthday Party with Mexican Food

One quarter of a century. That is how old I am now. Wow, I'm old. (If you are over 25 please disregard that statement) What better way to spend your quarter of a century birthday than in a foreign country. Well, at least that is how I spent mine.

At the last minute Shannon decided we would throw me a birthday dinner at her house. So I, at the last minute, invited some Italian friends for dinner.

We spent the whole day cooking, and it looked like this...

Though we are in fact in Italy, we opted to make Mexican food for dinner. Of course. I mean, we are American. So I got out my rolling pin and rolled out 80 tortillas or so.

An enjoyable way to spend the day, in the kitchen with Shannon. Oh the memories we shall have in 20 years from spending whole days in the kitchen.

And maybe right now you might be wondering why I was cooking for my birthday dinner. Well it's mainly because Shannon tortures me. Okay okay, just kidding. The kitchen is fun place to be, I was not pressured in any way. I promise. :)

At least she didn't make me make my own birthday cake. That would have been a little rude. Fear not, Shannon made my yummy carrot birthday cake all on her own. Brava!

We actually finished all of the food and preparation ahead of time. So then there was nothing to do but sit around and wait.

and wait...

and wait...

Eventually, everyone showed up.

Even Elmo joined the party.

It was an enjoyable, though late, night. I guess no matter how American you try to make things, it just doesn't work if you're not in America. So run on Italian time.

My prayer last night

Before going to sleep...

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for tonight even though I only understood half of what was said.

Amen.

Ministry in a foreign country.

Life Journey

If I could describe my feelings in a picture....

Maybe, I am the only one who is affected by this picture. Maybe, I am not.

Music.... insert sigh of relief.... now smile.

Yes that is me when I look at this picture. If you know me, then you know I love you music. It drives me (not really, because Jesus drives me). It's one thing that I would not mind doing 24 hours a day. When there is too much music in my life, then I am happy. Why am I telling you this? Because in thinking about what my life will look like at this time next year, I have been reflecting on where I have been already.

In 1996, I started playing music. My sister had a flute, so I was forced to play it. Moving right along.....

In 2000, I started learning to drum because I was tired of not being heard playing the flute.

In 2001, drumming brought me to a new school, in a new city, for no reason other than to drum.

In 2003, I started college and left music behind. Sort of.

In 2004, I needed money so I joined the college band and started drumming again. I played two seasons, and then quit to be able to finish my degree on time.

In 2006, I started learning guitar.

In 2007, I decided God was leading me to stay in school and pursue a music degree. Where in the world did that come from???

In 2008, I began pursuing a degree in percussion performance, was teaching drum and guitar lessons to children, and playing guitar and drums at church. Music was, well, a big part of life then.

In 2009, I moved to Italy. Where music is a little harder to find.

Why did I just list my musical history? Because when I look back, I see a continual draw back to music every time I walk away from it. I love it. God has blessed me with a heart for music and the ability to play it. So what on earth am I supposed to do with that??!!?? This is where you now tell me your opinion on what my life should look like next. Thanks. :)

p.s. I'm only thinking about this because dear sweet Paul and MacKenzie just went home and I realize how time flies. But I'm in no rush. :)

The joy of learning other languages

So, last week I was at the European Baptist Convention that was held in Rome. I was there because the Italian Baptist Union has put together a band and I play drums for them. We were the music for the convention. We spent all day practicing and working on music and would have worships services in the morning and after dinner. It was a fun time and I enjoyed getting to play music.

What does that have to do with language? Well...

One day during practice I walked up on the altar and picked up a prayer book. Since we live in Italy, we were at a Catholic retreat center and therefore in a Catholic church for worship times. I thought it would be funny to read in my best Italian accent from this prayer book. It's not very funny considering the fact that it was a prayer book, but I didn't think about that until after.

The story:

I picked up the book and read, in my dramatic Italian accent

"Io per te ho flagellato"

which means something like I have suffered or endure floggings for you

what I saw and thought in my head was

"I for you have flatulence"

which I then interpreted to mean I have farted for you. It doesn't mean that, and it's not even really that close. But that is how it happened in my head. Needless to say, I laughed real hard at something that wasn't really funny. And everyone thought I was crazy.

Tanti Aguri

What happens when you celebrate a birthday right after gospel choir.....

Italians show you the correct way to sing Happy Birthday