Well, we are on our way! The Syracuse airport might not have much, but one thing it does has is Wi-Fi! So even though I can't indulge in an iced, tall, non-fat, half-sweet caramel mocchiato I can check my emails, say hey to a sister or two (or three!) and... update my blog of course.
The journey started on a high note this morning with a sing along including nothing but best... DC TALK! There's no better song to start a mission's trip with than "Lean On Me". Well, that's not really true, but it seems to be a re-occurring one.
Our trip has begun without a hitch, the team is pumped, ready to go, getting in gear and anticipating what God has in store for Miami.
More to come in the days ahead, maybe I'll even figure out how to post a video on here. You'll have to check back to find out!
PS - thanks for your prayers!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
A True and Inspirational Story
I was reading "The Gate Church" by Frank Damazio and this story caught my attention:
There's a lesson we can learn from the story told of a poor Scottish farmer named Fleming. One day, while eking out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to help. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy that Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you. You saved my son's life," said the nobleman.
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waiving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.
"Is that your son?" asked the nobleman.
"Yes," the farmer proudly replied.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of."
And the nobleman did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Medical School in London and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin.
Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son? Sir Winston Churchill.
Taking a poor Scottish farmer's son into his home did not further the nobleman's ambitions in any way and, in a class-conscious society, could have been a hindrance. But the nobleman did not allow these things to prevent him from forming a relationship that seemed to be of no great benefit to him, yet in time proved to be the very thing that saved his own son.
There's a lesson we can learn from the story told of a poor Scottish farmer named Fleming. One day, while eking out a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to help. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.
The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy that Farmer Fleming had saved. "I want to repay you. You saved my son's life," said the nobleman.
"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waiving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.
"Is that your son?" asked the nobleman.
"Yes," the farmer proudly replied.
"I'll make you a deal. Let me take him and give him a good education. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll grow to a man you can be proud of."
And the nobleman did. In time, Farmer Fleming's son graduated from St. Mary's Medical School in London and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin.
Years afterward, the nobleman's son was stricken with pneumonia. What saved him? Penicillin. The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son? Sir Winston Churchill.
Taking a poor Scottish farmer's son into his home did not further the nobleman's ambitions in any way and, in a class-conscious society, could have been a hindrance. But the nobleman did not allow these things to prevent him from forming a relationship that seemed to be of no great benefit to him, yet in time proved to be the very thing that saved his own son.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Pure Focus, Pure Obedience, Pure Success
The most successful people in history didn't become successful by always playing it safe or playing the status quo. They didn't become successful by sitting around watching tv and playing video games. But, who defines true success? What makes a person successful? I believe true success is not as difficult to obtain than everyone makes it out to be.
Success is not in a name, a title, or in a bank account balance. True success is simply this: obedience to God and His call. So why do so many people have a difficult time with this?
Because this kind of success calls for more sacrifice than the kind of success than the world wants you to obtain. It calls for sacrifice of your time, your desires, and... dun dun dun... your finances. This kind of success calls for humility so that He can be glorified.
At the end of the day the most powerful businesses, marriages, families, musicians, individuals and ministries are those who set their standard of success by God's. It calls for obedience at all costs - obedience, period. Obedience is really an outward sign of our faith in Him. And we know without faith it is impossible to please Him. When I obey God - especially in the times when I don't understand and it doesn't seem to make any sense to me - that's when He is the most pleased with me. Why? Because what I'm really saying is, "God I don't understand, but Your ways are higher than my own, I will trust You and follow You." Because He sees the end of the tunnel when we see only three feet in front of us.
Encouragement: decide to be focused on Kingdom things, choose to obey no matter what, and you will find what it means to be really successful is simply about furthering the Kingdom. As we pray "God break my heart for what breaks Yours" and we really seek to see His will established in our lives, He will knock our socks off. It calls for greater intimacy with Him, and greater sacrifice. I think if we only knew what the garden was like before the fall, maybe we wouldn't be so hesitant to pay the price for His presence and anointing increased in our lives. Something to think about.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33, 34
Success is not in a name, a title, or in a bank account balance. True success is simply this: obedience to God and His call. So why do so many people have a difficult time with this?
Because this kind of success calls for more sacrifice than the kind of success than the world wants you to obtain. It calls for sacrifice of your time, your desires, and... dun dun dun... your finances. This kind of success calls for humility so that He can be glorified.
At the end of the day the most powerful businesses, marriages, families, musicians, individuals and ministries are those who set their standard of success by God's. It calls for obedience at all costs - obedience, period. Obedience is really an outward sign of our faith in Him. And we know without faith it is impossible to please Him. When I obey God - especially in the times when I don't understand and it doesn't seem to make any sense to me - that's when He is the most pleased with me. Why? Because what I'm really saying is, "God I don't understand, but Your ways are higher than my own, I will trust You and follow You." Because He sees the end of the tunnel when we see only three feet in front of us.
Encouragement: decide to be focused on Kingdom things, choose to obey no matter what, and you will find what it means to be really successful is simply about furthering the Kingdom. As we pray "God break my heart for what breaks Yours" and we really seek to see His will established in our lives, He will knock our socks off. It calls for greater intimacy with Him, and greater sacrifice. I think if we only knew what the garden was like before the fall, maybe we wouldn't be so hesitant to pay the price for His presence and anointing increased in our lives. Something to think about.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33, 34
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A Blog About Nothing
So, listen readers. I have nothing, and yet I am itching to blog. How frustrating. And yet anything that comes to mind is so deeply personal and I just can't go baring my soul to the world. You can lol. But the thing is, that right now, I want so bad to be funny. But there just is no funny in me right now. You know that moment when you are like, "oh I so want to make everyone laugh right now" but you just can't think of anything clever or witty to say? Please picture me saying this with a latina accent. Just kidding. I'm so non-latina tonight. Wait, I'm not done, that might have sounded like closure but it wasn't. This is beginning to feel like a Seinfeld episode... the show about nothing. I love that. It's wonderful that someone thought to make up a show about nothing. And I reserve the right to blog about nothing every once in a while. If you are still reading... doubtful... then you are a die hard fan. And I love you for it.
Austa
the Philanthropist (it's very bad when you have to sound out your blog name... working it out.)
Austa
the Philanthropist (it's very bad when you have to sound out your blog name... working it out.)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
I Will Not Be Moved
I ran into a song I hadn't heard in a while. "I will not be moved", by Natalie Grant. The lyrics talk of brokenness... but in spite of everything falling all around her, she chooses to not be moved, declaring that she is standing on Christ. Moral of the story? No matter the trials that come, if you stumble and fall - choose to stay secure in the foundation of God. But to do that, you need to have a secure foundation in Him. And, as a philanthropist, help others find their foundation in Him. But no matter what, be unwaivering in your faith and in the truth you have found Him. If it's Bible, then it's divine truth. Period. Don't be moved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyEMJBhCtU8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyEMJBhCtU8
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