Bucket List #2

"Ce qui nous sauve, ce n’est pas ce que nous faisons,
mais notre foi en ce que Christ a fait."

bucket list numéro deux:
short term: obtain a French Bible next semester
long term: read it in its entirety in French

Prayer of Jabez

"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request." -1 Chronicles 4: 9-10

I often thought that God was going to judge me based on what I asked for. Before approaching Him in prayer, I would have this preconceived notion in my head of what He would grant and what He would surely withhold from me and thereby carefully choose my words rather than beseech Him like a desperate, needy child. In those moments I found myself not only underestimating His great power and love for me, but also limiting my availability for God.

I need to pray more like Jabez, this unknown character in an obscure part of the Bible, who was recognized specifically for the nature of his prayer. I need to also remember: My Father loves me. A childlike faith. Ask and you will receive. I often forget it's as simple as that.

Thankful Thoughts

Happy Thanksgiving<3

I like how every last Thursday of November brings out this innate desire in people, Christian or not, to slow down, enjoy company, and give thanks--to acknowledge that wow, we are so blessed. Yes, the looming excitement of black Friday shopping has been increasingly threatening the blessed moments of this holiday season (take for example the tent set up in front of Best Buy this afternoon), but to me, there's still a sacredness to today that no crazed shopper can wholly disregard. You're making a little extra food, inviting the neighbor for dinner, calling a friend you haven't talked to in ages, or simply learning to smile more.



Whether someone attributes this all to Christ or not, there seems to be an undeniable comfort that comes from acknowledging that there's someone out there to thank for all this. Imagine if this were everyday here in the States, in the world...what a changed place we would see.

Lord, thank you for opening our eyes to see the wonders of your grace. May we learn to thank you like this every day. Please use us to reveal yourself to the world so that the source of these blessings will no longer be a mystery to them.

I thanked God a lot today, especially as I realized that this was my family's first Thanksgiving meal together, in one country, in one state, in one city, in what seemed like a really long time. I forgot how I much missed this. Thank you for bringing us safely together in one home again.



On that note, I also thank God for His word.
First His word in flesh, that is Jesus Christ.
And His word that I can read daily whenever I want.
I still have to remind myself that there are people in the world desperately waiting for the next chapter of the Bible to be translated into their language. I still have to remind myself that my Wimbum family still does not have a copy of the Old Testament that I have been enjoying tonight.

So on that last note, I also thank God for prayer.
For constant communication and a relationship with my Father.
The gift also given to little people like me to ask for big things from Him.
I began "The Prayer of Jabez for teens" by Bruce Wilkinson before cooking today and finished it after our delicious dinner tonight. Short read and jam-packed with such insight into a section of the Bible that I had obviously glossed over without much thought. I will comment on this tomorrow, but I highly recommend it. Simply put, I should not limit myself in prayer.

Thank you. 감사합니다. Merci. Beri weh.