Israel's Only Savior

Isaiah 43
Israel's Only Savior

1 But now, this is what the LORD says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

3 For I am the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
Cush [a] and Seba in your stead.

4 Since you are precious and honored in my sight,
and because I love you,
I will give men in exchange for you,
and people in exchange for your life.

5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east
and gather you from the west.

6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!'
and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.'
Bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the ends of the earth-

7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

8 Lead out those who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.

9 All the nations gather together
and the peoples assemble.
Which of them foretold this
and proclaimed to us the former things?
Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right,
so that others may hear and say, "It is true."

10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD,
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.

11 I, even I, am the LORD,
and apart from me there is no savior.

12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God.

13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?"

Abba, Father

I would have to say that the past 3 weeks have been quite humbling. I am now almost in my 4th week of seminary and I am overcome by just how much this "little child" of God has to learn. As I was reflecting this evening, while writing a paper for my spiritual formation class, I began to think back on my past, the story of my life. At times I feel so inadequate, so little, so unworthy to be where I am today. Most definitely I should when compared to the Lord, Jesus Christ. The Lord has been so compassionate and gracious to me, so faithful in maintaining his love for me even when I don't deserve it. It's for sure all about His grace. As I was sitting in my Christian Philosophy class the other day, I just had a moment of aweness about the Lord's amazing grace. Who am I that He would choose me to use for His Kingdom? Who am I with all my imperfections that I should stand before Him? As much as I struggle to forgive myself for my past, why is it that He remembers it no more? Why is it that He threw my sins into the deepness and vastness of the ocean, to be forever lost? As far as from the east is to the west, my transgressions are forgiven. Why do I struggle with forgiveness? Forgiveness with myself and all of my many past mistakes. It's amazing just how much my life has been transformed by the Lord's amazing grace. As I reflect on my less-than-perfect life, I still see so many flaws, so much imperfectness, and definitely so much room for growth but I can now see the light of God's sovereign grace. I am learning what it means to forgive myself, let go, and embrace my story.

"who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles's." Psalm 103:4-5

(Christian Philosphy class... God written from 14 diff. countries)

Who am I? Thank you Abba, Father for your Spirit of sonship.

"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

"Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galations 4:6

the world in your hands

Another year has begun at RIS. This year I am teaching first grade and have been blessed with so many beautiful children from so many different countries. I have to say that I feel like I have the world in my hands. If it's possible for God to give you the world, than I feel like that's just what he's doing. My class consists of 8 different countries: Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Korea, and USA. It's actually quite breath taking to think that I have a part in shaping so many children's lives from all over the world. In a way it's a very humbling experience. I have already begun to learn so much from these children, and I can only imagine how much I will learn from them this year. Yes, teachers just don't teach but they learn. What good would a teacher be if they didn't learn too? Now only if I could begin Arabic lessons.

my beautiful first graders silly Osama

crazy chicken game friends

boys in trouble again just kick'n it