Not of this World October 2010
Plans to Prosper You By Katie G. “Don and I are contemplating moving back to the States.” Those words seared my mind like a branding iron. I had been vacuuming the living room and had come across my mom’s open journal. I had not meant to read it but those words had caught my eye. A vision of me from our last furlough walking into my Sunday school room and sitting in the first chair that offered the opportunity flashed in front of my eyes. They had said “hi” and had gone on talking about someone I did not know. How long I had sat there in awkward silence I don’t remember, but I detested it. The only time I enjoyed myself that summer was at an MK2MK conference in Colorado. I came back to the present with a
bang. Slamming the journal shut, I hastily walked out of the room. Later that evening I asked my mom about
“I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” -Isaiah 48:17 the possibility of us ever moving. She explained to me that since we were the only missionary family in Slovenia it was not a healthy situation and our organization had
given us 6 months, till June, and then they would see how we were doing as a family. After that we would most likely have to move. This was not so bad if we stayed Eastern Europe. It was the knowledge that we might move to the states that made it so difficult. That winter I spent wrestling with God on the subject. I wanted to stay in Slovenia, in our home near all my friends, being an MK. How could we move to the states? It was an inconceivable idea. Yet June was readily coming closer and with it, our deadline. Sometime around mid February
I came to the realization that the reason we were so happily situated in Slovenia was because my parents had trusted God and moved to Yugoslavia. At the time they were moving to a country just coming out of communism and would most likely live somewhere downtown in the capital city in a cramped apartment with their one year-old and another child on the way. (We ended up with a nice duplex in the suburbs with a big yard.) If they hadn’t had faith that what God wanted was what would be best we would most likely be in the states. I probably would have given my life to sports, my mom would have had a job teaching, and we
would have been your average American family, living our separate lives separately. Instead we are very close as a family, I have lots of wonderfully unique friends all over the world, and I spend my time on other things besides basketball and simply enjoy it instead of making it an idol. It took the course of a few days but, instead of being frustrated and tense, I began to give thanks to God for the many special memories He had given us; for how He had always provided for all our needs, how when we trusted Him everything always came out best.
partnership with Ohio State and Ohio University. Because they would be sending their first team over in that summer they would need someone already in Slovenia to help coordinate, as a result our deadline was extended to June 2011. Though there is still a possibility we will move I am much more secure in the knowledge that wherever God takes us will be the best for us. Wherever we are we will always be His ambassadors and can serve him, whether in Slovenia or the US.
Later that winter we were offered a
“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11
Flying Faster
by Michaela F.
Faster
Faster down the runway Then all of the sudden Everything is below The largest city looks just a child's play town Everything on a never ending grid, organized and planned The largest mountain looks just an anthill With many green ants crawling all around
All busy doing something What, I do not know
Each cloud a marshmallow
Each road a string of licorice
This is how it appears to me From high high in the sky
Beauty Redefined by Natalie Lloyd
My heart knows that beauty -- the real kind that threads from my heart to my soul to my mind, binding itself to the external -- is possible.
Real beauty is
quirky and timeless, elegant and artsy. It’s in a face full of freckles and in long Spanish braids and in a hard bicep or a soft stomach. It shines bright and breathtaking from a classic girl who wears pearls and stilettos and reads Kate Chopin. It blasts like a rock song from the funky girl on the fringe with blue hair and dark glasses and a collection of Bob Dylan records. It’s wrapped in introversion and extroversion, caught in the lilt of an accent.
Real beauty is more like a kaleidoscope, shining out of every part of our lives. It is evidenced in thousands of skin tones and smiles, illuminated even Beauty isn’t some pinpoint we’re all shooting for aimlessly.
from the heart of a girl who sees herself as nothing out of the ordinary. We can’t let the pursuit of paper beauty become our obsession. It will only leave us wanting. There is a deeper kind of beautiful that I want to be: I want to be beautiful like
Aunt Ruth, whose kindness and passion (and gorgeous art) makes me feel loved and inspired. Or like my Aunt Lillie, whose spunky sweetness my
makes me feel at home. I want to be beautiful like my sister: assertive, encouraging and passionate about her life and family. When she talks about
doing surgery, I wish I’d gone to medical school, too (which is ironic, as the sight of a paper cut makes me want to throw up). I want to be beautiful like my friend
Marie, who went
home to the Lord at a dazzling 87 years of age. Right up until the end, Marie lived life intentionally. She served in her church in a decade when it was 6 people around a wood-burning stove, and she served her church 60 years later when there was hundreds of people sitting in pews. Faithfulness like that is so rare. I want to be beautiful like my friend
Heidi. She has osteogenesis imperfecta as
well, though hers is a more severe version than mine. I saw some pictures of her at school dance that were fabulous: she looked gorgeous (as always) in a cute dress and chic short haircut. She was dancing with her friends, crutches and all. I want to be beautiful like
Caitlyn, who spends all
week in class and her weekends helping out with a student ministry. I want to be beautiful like my best friend,
Melanie, who spends her days engaging the imaginations of adorable fourth graders and then spends the rest of nights hanging out with her adorable twins. Those girls keep giving love whether or not they receive love in return. I want to be beautiful like my
mom, who
sees the good in people and brings out the best in a person. I want to beautiful like
Erin, who listens to
country music while she paints masterpieces, fearlessly takes up for people being picked on, and picks up broken seashells just because they’re beautiful. All those women are more than just pretty. They have different dreams and passions and are at totally different places in their lives, but they have something in common: God’s love shines so brightly from their hearts, it takes my breath away.
They live like they are loved.
The world is full of pretty paperdolls who dress alike, talk alike and spend 16 hours a day trying to be more
Far more rare is a woman who is beautifully real, who wraps her worth in the truth of God’s Word and carries His love into the world. I want to be that kind of beautiful. physically attractive.
I’ll always light up when someone tells me I’m pretty. I want to present the world the best version of me. I just don’t want it to be my obsession. Beautiful: heart, mind, soul and strength. Those four ways that God tells us to love Him are internal qualities that have outward ramifications. The Samaritan woman didn’t change clothes or lose weight or get a physical makeover on her way back into town after she talked with Jesus, but her transformation was incredible. It literally changed her world. She walked toward the well thirsty and searching. She walked away full and loved. I bet she never looked more beautiful than she did on her way back from the well that day.
We’re beautiful broken people who bear the image of a holy God; ordinary girls who have fallen in love with an extraordinary Creator. Let’s give Him room to pick up the broken pieces. Excerpted from Paperdoll: What Happens When an Ordinary Girl Meets an Extraordinary God by Natalie Lloyd. Published by Revell, copyright 2009. Used by permission.
Two Cups of Tea
by Courtney R.
There
are two cups of tea sitting in front of you. They look exactly
the same. You smell one and it smells a little funny, like tree bark or mulch. You smell the second one; it smells like spicy apple cider. After smelling them both you decide to take a little sip from each cup and they taste just like they smell. What tea are you going to choose to drink? Obviously, you’d rather drink the second tea instead of the first one because it smells, and more importantly, tastes a whole lot better. Even though the two cups of tea look the same, they’re drastically different, but they started out the same, as two cups of ordinary water. What made them so different were the tea bags that soaked in them. The longer the tea bags soaked in the water, the more the water changed, for better or worse. If you think about it, humans are a lot like cups of tea. Just like tea bags greatly affect the water they sit in, so does what we see, think, and hear affect our heart. If we watch movies with questionable scenes or listen to music with bad lyrics, slowly that is what is going to seep into your heart. But if you spend your time immersing yourself in God’s Word and spending time in prayer then you’ll be filled with truth, love, and peace. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”
What tea bags are soaking in your heart?
‘Sit Like a Pro with these simple tips
1.
Every book or basic instructions will tell you this, but it is
so true: REMEMBER WHO IS IN CHARGE! YOU are, don't think that because the child tells you something or says they are allowed to do something means they get to do it. If you think it may not be safe or do not want something done, take charge and don’t let them do it, no matter what they think.
2.
Compromise! Ex.:
You: You disobeyed, you may not have dessert. Child: But I really want it. You: Ok if you behave for the rest of the time you may have 1 cookie. You: Don’t take the shoe away from your sister. Use mine instead, or ask her to trade with you
3.
Don’t freak out over a small mess, such as a spill or dirty
diaper. Just calmly give the child instructions ( to please leave the room or not to move at all) and clean up the table, floor etc. and the wipe down the child. If they have a very messy diaper
you are trying to change use two; when you take the dirty one off place another under to catch the wipes and prevent anything from hitting the floor or changing table. Then proceed with putting on a clean one.
4.
Don’t be afraid to discipline or threaten
with punishment such as, you will go to time out, or you will not be allowed to play with that toy anymore. If they proceed to disobey, do what you said, take the toy or send them to
5.
Don’t let the child do anything that
makes you feel uncomfortable. If they want to hold their younger sibling and you don’t think they are safe say no, or have them get in a position you think is safe. If they may have an allergy to a food but you are not sure, or if they say they need their medicine and you are uncertain, wait and tell the parents they wanted something and let them make the decision. If they wanted you give or not give them something they will tell you, but if you feel it may be unsafe, wait. Remember YOU are responsible, and anything that happens while you are in charge, you are responsible. Written by Katie K., babysitterextraordinaire
“Be friendly and patient. Remem ber, you’re sharing God’s love!”
Bible Verses about... Sorrow “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” -Psalm 23:4
“For He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble; He will conceal me under the cover of His tent; He will lift me high upon a rock.” -Psalm 27:5
“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” -Psalm 56:8
“Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.” -Psalm 32:10
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” -2 Corinthians 1:3-4
What’s God up to? read how God is working in MKs’ lives around the globe!
I’ve only been in college for a few weeks, but it’s crazy to see how much happens in such a short amount of time. It’s in this transition period that students decide who they really want to be: followers of Christ, or followers of the world. Talking to skeptics and believers around campus, I’ve learned that hypocrisy among “Christians” is one of the main reasons more people don’t choose to follow Christ. God has shown me the importance of living a life dedicated to LOVING non-believers, versus excluding them. Jesus didn’t reject tax collectors, prostitutes, or sinners (“WHILE we were STILL sinners, Christ died for us”- Romans 5:8); in our modern context, neither should we. Matthew 5:13-16 explains that we are called to be the “Light of the world” that is to “give light to everyone in the house.” Why then do we so often make decisions to hide our light from non-believers? Be a light today!
-Amy C. Singapore/USA
God has been working in me more than I could have ever expected. Two months ago my family moved to Italy. Someone recently told me that their prayer was for God to make them more alive than ever in this country that was said to "kill". That is exactly what God is doing in me. Even in only two months God has shown me things from His word and His world and His people that have grown me more
in Him. I'm told Italy will strip me of everything but Jesus, and I want that. I want to only desire Him. God has been teaching me patience and humility more than anything. Things that I wouldn't have learned in America, or at least not in the same way. He humbled me and is humbling me to know there is no way I can do this on my own. And patience for learning (the culture and language) and relationships. I feel closer to God than I ever had because of having to trust Him more than ever. I am so thankful.
-Grace M. Italy
Moving thousands of miles away from my family this summer and starting college at Cedarville University has been a huge adjustment. There have been countless great moments, meeting so many people and making new friends. The first few weeks of college and I loved every moment. School has been rather stressful and at times I’ve desperately missed my home and family in Papua New Guinea, yet this period of my life is a great opportunity to grow immensely. I have seen God’s power at work, especially as I’ve prayed for others and they’ve prayed for me. On several occasions, when I felt homesick, I sensed God’s presence and he comforted me. Later I learned that people had been praying for me during those specific times, including my parents. One afternoon I had two tests to study for but no desire to. I did it anyways, because I felt that it was the right choice to make. When I checked my email hours later, I found an email from my mom in my inbox. I was amazed and struck with awe when I read that she had been praying that I would study and do my work for that very afternoon! God encouraged me by showing me the power of prayer, even with a small thing. The fact that God cares about every little thing and is involved in every moment of our lives was reinforced in my life. I have faced many changes in the past six weeks since arriving at Cedarville, and although it hasn’t been easy, God has provided people to encourage and support me.
-Jessica B. Papa New Guinea/USA
You know that
warm,
bubbly, wonderful
feeling
you get deep down inside when someone gives you a complement or a fun little treat? Take five minutes of your time today and give
someone else that feeling.
For more musings from Natalie Lloyd go to: natalielloyd.blogs pot.com
"Joy runs deeper than despair."
-Corrie Ten Boom
Make sure you spread the word about Not of this World!
In the next issue: answered prayer, Biblical
truths about friendship, an
MK’s life paralleled to Lord of the Rings, and much more!