Week Three - "Turn over"

September 20 - "God, what habit/thinking are you asking me to change?" he brought this to mind this week in a simple, physical way. I was in pain in my bed, my neck stretched too far to one side. He spoke to me: "You can stay like this in pain because it's easy or where you are, oro you can turn over because it's better for you." Simple idea, right? Apparently God thought it needed repeating because the topic came up later again that day with a student when we talked about changing.

I'll personalize this here, though I have a feeling I could make it a statement that includes many of us.  I'm so prone to stay in "pain" where I am because it's comfortable, familiar, or because I'm simply too lazy to TURN OVER. To exert the small effort it takes to change a small habit or way of thinking. And God doesn't even ask me to do this on my own. He says in 2 Corinthians 3 "Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God...."

Could God be asking me to change how I approach people? To let them "in", to be vulnerable and trust Him, all while learning to have good boundaries too? Hmmm....

September 21 - "I declare today that I am here to glofiy God, that I am here because I love Jesus and want to share Him with others. Are my actions showing that?

And now, several Filipino "pictures of the week". :)

After rice harvest

29 in a jeepney?! Bring it on!

Blowing bubbles "au naturel"

Prayer walk and smiles, Samoki barangay

Debatable to some which are the real "eighth wonder of the world"...the rice terraces here or at nearby Banaue. We didn't see the others, so I'll remain neutral on this point. :) An amazing feat, regardless.

The other half of our team, children and all, returning from the 1+ hour trek to church in the nearby village. Unfortunately not all made it unscathed (read: un-muddy).

Returning to Bontoc. Breathtaking views atop the jeepney.

Children's ministry in the park. Learning team-building.

Making Space

Though last fall's outreach experiences aren't all logged, I wanted to share a video that was encouraging to me recently. For anyone who is or who knows an introvert (after all, that's 1/3-1/2 of us ;)), the words in this video bear some importance to what we need to function and contribute at our fullest. I don't always allow myself the time and space I need to hear God clearly and respond to Him, nor to even let myself be refreshed. This is especially "interesting" while living in community (4+ roommates and living on a campus) and it's taking some effort to work out. Or rather, some SPACE to give up excessive control and allow God to move.

So enjoy. And be refreshed, no matter your personality persuasion. :)
 
http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts.html?source=facebook#.T2KWjryTYJZ.facebook