For Goodness sake

When I went to India in Dec 08, I became suddenly aware of just how self-oriented we can be as Americans.  I’m not just talking about being selfish, but self-oriented. It seems that if we are unaware of it, underneath the majority of our activities we have ourselves in mind.  We seek friends to add enjoyment to our lives.  We look for a raise to add to our financial status.  We can serve others while being motivated by the good feeling we get when we do it.

Through the rapid process of building intense relationships with these wonderful people, I realized this by contrast.  I saw the hearts of those we lived with and laughed with.  I became aware of how they were more others-oriented than I had ever been.  It seemed that at the bottom of their actions of kindness was a genuinely selfless love for others. I felt like they were better people because of it.

What would Jesus say…

making something beautiful

When I first encountered the grace of God, It short-circuited my system. The concept of grace was something that I couldn’t wrap my mind around.  I wasn’t aware of it, but at the time I developed a response to it that has been driving me for most of my life.  Only now is God carefully unfolding it for me.  He has used many people and places to open me up.  I want to share it with you.

Give Me Your Eyes

In a few weeks I’m singing “Give me your eyes” by Brandon Heath.

Here’s the music video.

Here’s what it has done in me.

Clearer Vision

Monday this week (yeah I know, it’s wednesday… I’ve been a little busy) the various teams from GCC that are going to Tamilnadu, India this December met with Raj. Raj is GCC’s Director of International Mission and is native to India. You should take 12 minutes right now, even if you don’t read this post, and watch his story here. After spending a few hours listening to him and Jack, I was humbled to be a part of such an extraordinary chapter. By the end of the evening, we had a much clearer understanding of some of the details pertaining to our December trip.