Turkey: Day Twenty-Five

At a cafe with two English students

Sadly, our time here in Turkey seems to be going faster and faster. More and more every day I think of Ephesians 5:16, as we seek to seize every opportunity in redeeming the time. Again I am reminded how easy it is to keep this principle in mind when I know the end is near, though it is at the beginning of things that I must remember it!

Making a friend in Cappadocia

Last week came and went, filled with many exciting happenings. Monday through Wednesday were spent with friends here in the city.  We had good long conversations with many of them and enjoyed getting to know them better. I really love the people-centered Turkish culture! It’s the journey that’s important, not the destination. This means that if you meet someone along the way, you stop and spend time with them—the destination will still be there by the time you get to it.

Turkey: Day Fifteen

Grace in Antalya city center

 Week two in Turkey has come and gone. Much has happened since the last time I posted, and our days have been filled as we empty ourselves into the lives of people.
Last weekend, I was challenged several time with reminders of what sacrificial, humble love looks like compared to what  my thoughts, emotions, words, and actions actually looked like. I was rebuked time and time again in many  ways and through many people, but I was worked on in a great way through it all.

A Turkish flag of red pepper flakes

 I realized that though I expected other people to be example of servant leadership and sacrificial humility, I did not hold the same expectations of myself in reality. My intellectual knowledge of what I should be held no comparison to how I was actually thinking and acting, and I was poisoning myself with my distorted expectations. Thankfully, I finally learned what was trying to be taught to me for some time, and I have since claimed the grace to overcome. Love is a choice, love is not based on feelings, love does not expect return, and true love does not come from myself.

Grace and Randa with a view of Kaleici

 With my new perspective and renewed dependency, the week began fresh and new. Beginning Monday, we started sitting in on classes at an English school to help the students with their conversational English and speaking skills. I so enjoy our time in the classes, as the students are so friendly and refreshingly ambitious. A few of the girls are around my age, and I loved meeting them and listening to whatever they were able to tell me about themselves. Although the two classes I was in were the most basic level, it was incredible to see how advanced the students were and how well they were able to communicate!

Turkey: Day Six

Mitchell, Noah, Caleb, and Darlene on the Bosphorus

It's hard to believe that the first week of our journey here in Turkey is nearly coming to a close! We have seen amazing new sights, enjoyed delicious new tastes, and met some wonderful people.

Visiting the Roman Cisterns in Istanbul

We spent the first three days in Istanbul, getting a feel for the culture while exploring the city and taking in all the busyness of the bustling city.

God wants to work through you!

As I write this, I am sitting half-way across the world from where I call home. I am with 4 other people from my college, and we have come here to study Turkish, teach English, and make friends. A fantastic 5 weeks it has begun to be! However, believe it or not, four weeks ago I was not planning on being here. I will be posting updates about the trip as we continue, but for now I want to share some background of how I got here.

Just one month ago, I stopped in to the office of the director of student activities at my college, just to quickly tell him something. After talking for a couple of minutes, Noah said, "I'm so glad you stopped in, because I needed to talk to you about something." My face conveyed my confusion, and he proceeded with, "Grace, you really need to consider going to Turkey."

One week prior, after discussing my crumbled plans for the summer, Noah had told me that a spot opened up on team Turkey and I would love going. I quickly explained that it was not feasible this year, but he suggested I think about it. I agreed, but later gave it no second thought whatsoever. So, when it came up again, I was completely surprised.

Again I proceeded to explain to Noah all of the reasons that I couldn't justify going to Turkey, primarily because of finances. As he listened, his expression said, "I understand-- God's not big enough for that."

Quest for Grace {Victoria Suich}

Lord, You've given me so much grace,
Give me grace in this:
That I may learn to do what's right,
And in You place full trust.

Even in the darkest hour, even in the night,
May I do what Love would do,
Though no one's looking on but You.
When the day is calm and light,
When there seems no need for me,
Yet may I always fight the fight
So none may be out there and see
My light turned off and no more bright.

Even when those my enemies
Gather round to laugh and jeer
May only love pour out of me,
That they may see Christ here.
When my work seems dull or hard
And I'm tempted to do less,
May I remember Your work on the cross,
Hands nailed, face marred.
And see in each menial task,
Your work to do, a work that lasts.
When the world looks down at me,
And tries to tempt me with its sin,
May I stand, firm, indeed,
And with You the fight win.

So much grace is needed, Lord,
But You'll give me all I need
For You said so in Your Word,
And I felt it when I was freed.
And now I  thank You for Your grace,

Abudant, overflowing to me.
For it was You who took my place,
And died for my sin on the tree.
Your love crosses nations
And offers true life to all,
Lord, I'm grateful for Your salvation
And I'm glad I answered Your call.
Amen.

Fighting to Finish

The verses Philippians 3: 13 & 14 are widely known, but here’s a refresher: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.”

“Forgetting those things which are behind.”

What are those things?

The first thing to forget is past failures. I think we all know how debilitating it can be after we have blown it big time. Maybe there is that one sin that you can’t seem to overcome or you are constantly reminded of the times you allowed yourself to be a coward. Whatever it is, you have to move on. 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us that if from all unrighteousness. Christ has set us free! If He is for us, who can stand against us?

        

          The second thing to forget is past successes. Maybe that sounds a little odd. But, have you ever met someone who always talked about the great things he is doing; only to find out those successes took place many years ago? He is stuck in the past and often isn’t busy doing great things anymore. The great things we do the first 25 years of our lives does not give us permission to selfishly coast through the next 25 years.

With this said, don’t go and give yourself self-induced amnesia. God clearly gave us a memory for a reason! We can learn from our past mistakes and successes. We learn to better discern our own actions and to warn others with our past mistakes. We can praise God by remembering what He saved us from and how He is changing us into His likeness. We can also gain encouragement from past successes, remembering where God had us and seeing His faithfulness.

But the point is, your past does not define your future.

Maybe a basketball team misses just about every single shot the first half and their defense was absolutely hideous. Do they grovel and quit? If they are serious about the game, they won’t. Giving up is one of the worst things they could do. Instead, they get back in and throw it into high gear. They accept the challenge and fight harder. Finishing requires integrity and strength.

Thoughts of Late

First of all, I apologize for being so lackadaisical in maintaining a consistent flow of posts! Lately I have been quite overwhelmed by life in general, but particularly school.
However, today the Lord has been teaching me some things that I just need to write out and share. I am remembering what was going on last year at this time, how I was in a different season of waiting and was focusing on trusting God and doing the next right thing. As I think back, I looked back at some things that I had written a year ago, including some of the posts on this blog.

Anyway, this is nothing profound, but I just wanted to share with you all a little something. So, a little glimpse into my thoughts lately includes:

~The importance of building spiritual memorials.
Throughout today, I have been thinking back to God's faithfulness, provision, and goodness in my life. I firmly believe that one of the biggest faith-strengtheners is simply recalling God's amazing faithfulness displayed to me personally.
I am reminded once again about the importance of setting up spiritual memorials (Joshua 4:4-7), whether they are written down or not. However, writing them down certainly makes tracing back through them a much simpler task. Not to mention, my memory is certainly aided in recalling all of the beautiful details of God's working.

~The importance of the constant reading of the Word.
Lately, diligence in my daily time in God's Word has truly been a struggle. However, He has been reminding me that my feelings do not change fact, nor do they matter, really! My feeling tired or unworthy or guilty or whatever does not change the fact that I am called to diligently (Hebrews 11:6) pursue my relationship with my God. The Word of God cleanses, convicts, renews, encourages, and equips, and it is God's communication of all that is necessary for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

~The importance of remembering the Cross.

A Change of Direction

The other day my brother and I sat down to watch this "180 Movie". Several friends had told me to watch it, but I had no clue how truly astounding and good it would be. It was better than good. It showed Biblcial truth on abortion, the robbery of human life, so powerfully and beautifully that it brought tears to my eyes.

Not only that, but as people were interviewed and abortion was explained to them in a new light, they started changing their minds...

Pastor and author John Piper had this to say about "180":
“I give my unflinching, joyful, trembling Yes to ‘180’. Unflinching, because it's right. Joyful, because it's good. Trembling, because this our defeated enemy is still vicious.”

Please, take 33 minutes and sit down and watch "180". It's so worth it!
(P.S. Sorry, I couldn't embed the video. The sites that actually sync with Blogspot are blocked on my campus' internet security, and Blogspot unfortunately doesn't feature an "embed" option.)