sensational strawberries

Yes, this grows in Honduras in January (1 minute from my front door in a buddy's garden!)
For Katie, who loves to cultivate God's earth!

transformation

Sometimes I feel like I’m learning and being taught so much, it is overwhelming.
It’s tough to clearly communicate my thoughts and the changes that are occurring within me. It’s also difficult to know how all this “information” is translated into my relationships, my teaching, and my living.

However, in the difficulty also lies the assurance.
I’m being taught by the very Word of Christ.
I’m being transformed by the message of hope.
I am indwelt with the Holy Spirit and therefore filled with inexpressible joy!
I’m not just learning information, but I’m a living transformation!
I’m called to be a Christ-revealer to the world…not just regurgitating what I know, but living passionately and helping others to see and savour Christ in all his glory and power!

Wow!!!

As Christians, we know and are known by our Lord Jesus.
May we truly delight in Him and love Him. Period.
Not to another end, but to know Him and love Him and worship Him and glorify Him!

Then and only then will we be filled so deeply that we will overflow with spontaneous love and joy and service….to reveal Christ.
To Him be the glory.
Amen.

Psalm 130, Martin Luther style

Thy love and grace alone avail
To blot out my transgression;
The best and holiest deeds must fail
To break sin's dread oppression.
Before Thee none can boasting stand,
But all must fear Thy strict demand
And live alone by mercy.

Therefore my hope is in the Lord
And not in mine own merit;
It rests upon His faithful Word
To them of contrite spirit
That He is merciful and just;
This is my comfort and my trust.
His help I wait with patience.

Martin Luther, From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee (verses 2 and 3), Wittenburg, 1524 from Psalm 130
emphasis mine

I haven't heard this song musically, but the lyrics touched me powerfully!

a little landscape

Hello from the diversity of Tegucigalpa...

...bustling, polluted city...

...and peaceful forests.

(Usually minus the Char and Christy!) ;)

For all those who wanted a bit more landscape. :)

Behold - the Lamb of GOD!!

I am overflowing with joy and wonder right now! It is breath-taking to again glimpse the majesty and wonder of God and his incredible plan for the redemption of his people!

God has taken us, aliens through our sin, and rescued us by his strength! Just as the Israelites were led out of Egypt by the mighty hand of the Lord, so Christians are rescued from slavery and death. It is astounding!!!

Christ was the propitiation for our sin and so satisfied God's justice! The ultimate and complete sacrifice.
By faith, God leads us out of our "Egypts" and calls us to leave our fears and our idols behind. We are freed by the Lamb and so must adore him!

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:26b)

The Jews who heard John the Baptist would have understood the signficance of this statement. In place of a yearly Passover lamb, Jesus was the Lamb...the sacrifice...not just to take away the sin of Israel, but of the world!

Amen - worthy is the Lamb!

P.S. - I totally recommend listening to Andrew Peterson's song, Behold the Lamb of God.

His website is http://www.andrew-peterson.com/
If you click on the "open player" button you can listen to it online. The song I'm referring to is the second to last, Behold the Lamb of God. Worshipful!!!

Joy

"Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the joy of the Christ risen."

~ Mother Teresa

Motivation

Here is some visual motivation for all you teachers going back to school on Monday (or who started earlier this week).

What an opportunity: there are so many beautiful children waiting for you to love them, help them learn, and teach them about our Savior and Lord! :)

Blessings upon your work!

cleansing

Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do no cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 51:10-12 (emphasis mine)

Special Christmas visitors

Two of my dear Ontario friends blessed me with their presence in Honduras. What a treat!

Left to right: Charlene K., Christy VdV, and myself

Left: So sad- Christy and Theresa observe the damage done by the jellyfish!

Right: The two winter-birds thoroughly loved their time on the beach in Tela!

Oh, so many bonding experiences! :)

Christy and Char's main descriptive word of their visit: AUTHENTIC. Thankfully, they have been able to experience a lot of the diversity of the Honduran culture, food, landscape, etc.

Thanks for coming, ladies!!