Monday, January 19, 2015

REMEMBERING TWO KINGS...

How do you remember a king?


Two “kings” have been remembered and celebrated over the past few days. 

One king was remembered in my home country, the United States. This “king” was a man who would rise up to challenge a nation on the fundamental belief that all people are created equal and should be treated the same.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 1929-1968
Here in Ethiopia, the past few days, “The King of Kings”, God’s only Son Jesus, who came to earth to save people from sin, has been remembered and celebrated.  A holiday called Timket has going on, remembering Jesus.



Two kings, both changed history.

In the United States, Martin Luther King Jr was remembered on Monday, January 19th. A national holiday had people off school and work, to remember his life and work. He was an African American preacher who in the 1960’s challenged our country to change their laws so racism would end.  He took a stand against injustice and segregation and said- enough is enough. He peacefully led rallies and marches.  He shared “his dream” and eventually was assassinated in his fight for equality. 



People remembered this king in various ways on Martin Luther King Jr. day. There were breakfasts, rallies, and even a movie came out that people went to see that documented his life.


Here in Ethiopia, the holiday of Timket has been celebrated the past several days.  Streets have been decorated and huge parades of people have marched. The red carpet was rolled out, here, literally, remembering Jesus, this king who came.  




Timket celebrates Jesus' baptism. “Tabots” or models of the Ark of Covenant- were moved to fields, where people prayed all night, in preparation for the memorial baptism ceremony on Monday.  People then returned the tabots to their churches which will continue into Tuesday.  



More about Timket…

So what makes someone want to honor and remember a King? There have been many BAD kings or rulers or presidents in history that many would rather forget.

What made these “kings” different?

Both of these kings championed causes. They stood for justice, freedom and equality.   They were a voice for the voiceless.  And even died in communicating their stand.

And of course, JESUS- the ultimate King , rose up after willingly laying down His life- and now sits on His throne.

This King, God’s Son, gave us a new story line, a kingdom to be part of, a family to expand. It’s our story. Our history to celebrate.  We have good news to share!

And now what does our King want of us? To live comfortably in our salvation?

No, He tells us to continue to stand against injustice, to fight for the poor, oppressed and marginalized. To extend -through our hands and feet and voice- through His power in us- His love, His peace, His mercy, His compassion.

Psalm 82:3
Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed

Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting for the display of His splendor.

Do we look our King? This King? Are we about His work, expanding His kingdom? Sharing His love?

Philippians 2:5-11
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

1 Peter 2:9-10
You like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,…you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declared the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful life.

John 15:12-17
My command is this; Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that He lay down His life for His friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know His master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father, I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last…. This is my command: Love each other.

May we not cower to be His voice, His love in the hard places!

May my life always bring honor to my King!  

Prayer Requests, ETC
-We have two weeks remaining at Hope University College to finish out the semester, then final exams. Please pray for a good wrap up for students and teachers, and good results for finals for students.
-I start a new semester teaching at the seminary the week of January 26. Please pray a successful semester there as well, as I teach: Evangelism to Youth; Leadership in Youth Ministry; and Cross Cultural Communication.
-My sister will move to South Sudan in early February. Please pray for her remaining weeks at home and her transition there.

ANNOUNCEMENT…
Also- the “king” of our house, our GREAT DAD, Jim Garrett- has a birthday on Friday, January 23. WE love him soooo much! Please give a shout out to him on his special day. He’s the best Dad in the world and we love Him so much!!! J

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! (January 23)!!!! WE LOVE YOU
Thanks for your prayers, please keep in touch!

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

BEING REMADE...NEW YEAR...2015

When I was heading stateside a few short weeks ago, my list was long of things I wanted and needed to do while at home. Would I have time to get to everything done?  Even on arrival, my “To Do” list was going through my mind.

My arrival into Dayton just before Christmas
Topping my list of things to do were common things you want to do when you haven’t been “home” for some time- I wanted to spend time with family, visit my church, and rest.

Other things I wanted to try to enjoy included...
-consistent electricity and high speed internet
-hot showers with strong water pressure
-my car
-big mugs of chai tea from my favorite coffee shop
-and of course college football

I was thrilled to get to see a big football game with my family, watching the Ohio State Buckeyes beat Alabama, sending OSU to the national championship. Great Job Buckeyes :-)




Also on my list to accomplish while I was home was to...
-repair my computer
-renew my clothes
-reset my budget
-restyle my hair
-recheck my health
-rewrite lesson plans for my classes
-and restock my supplies

And inwardly… I wanted to…
-reflect on the way behind
-reprioritize for the way ahead
- and to get refreshed, recharged, and refocused in all areas with God

Looking at my list, it included alot of “RE”- words.

RE: when used at the beginning of a word- usually means to do something again, or to go back to an original place or condition.

And when I think about life, both of those are part of the journey.


We often need something more than once, we need a miracle- AGAIN, a healing- AGAIN, a breakthrough- AGAIN, energy, wisdom, courage- AGAIN.  We're not perfect and don't have ALL we need. But thankfully...God has an abundant supply of what we need!

Also, thankfully, because of Jesus, God is in the continuous and gracious process of remaking us, restoring us, into His original plan and design for us. We are being REMADE and He goes with us on the journey.

Revelation 21:5
I am making everything  new…

2 Corinthians 3:18
… we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus with ever-increasing glory…

As a new year begins AGAIN, I AGAIN have been thinking about how I can best maximize my life in the time ahead. And God's been reminding me that  I’m still  “in the process,” of being remade, yet even as I get older and in my weaknesses, He is still able to use me.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, but inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 12:10
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…that is why , for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

As I pack this morning and leave this afternoon to head back to Africa, my RE- to do list is still there. I didn’t get to everything during my time at home. I still a lot of “RE’s” to lift up to God in the new year.

But as I travel today, I will travel giving thanks to God that He is the author and finisher of our stories on earth and goes before and behind us and beside us.  And He is at work in us!  He has what we need again and again; and doesn’t give up on us- reshaping us and restoring us for Him and His glory!

Deuteronomy 30:3
…when you return to the Lord your God and obey Him with all your heart and with all your soul then the Lord God will bring you back from captivity and have compassion on you…

Ruth 4:15
He will renew your life and sustain you...

God has been reminding me too that He is bigger than whatever I need in the new year. He is bigger than what we all need.

Maybe you need healing; maybe a financial miracle. Maybe you need a new job, or you need an open door. A relationship needs mended. A storm needs calmed. Maybe you need a reset or a realignment.   God is able and bigger than anything you face and is able to bring you back no matter how far you’ve traveled away from Him.

Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Psalm 71:20
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again…

Psalm 126
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, … those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Jeremiah 30:10-11, 17
…do not fear, do not be dismayed, I am with you and I will save you. … I will restore you to health and heal your wounds….

Maybe the biggest thing you need is to return to God in the new year.  God says throughout His Word…. RETURN to me. His arms are OPEN and HE IS ABLE to do immeasurably more than all we can imagine. I'm so grateful He continues to welcome us back.

Hosea 14:1
Return to the Lord your God

Isaiah 44:22
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like a morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Jeremiah 24:6-7
…I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot the. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Joel 2:12-13
Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart…Rend your heart…Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…

Zechariah 1:3
Return to me and I will return to you.

Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Isaiah 59:1
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear…

Ephesian 3:20
…to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, to Him be glory…

A new year is a new start, a new season to re-prioritize and give our best to God.

May this new year, 2015-  be our best yet for God! May we move forward with confidence that we're being REMADE and we're His.

Thank you for your prayers and know I’m praying for you as well!

Prayer Requests
-Please keep me in prayer as I travel today and for my time ahead back in Africa- that God will help me maximize days and opportunities to share His love.
-Please keep my sister in prayer as she continues her transition to South Sudan to work with our church’s mission project there- that God will surround her path and her heart with Himself.
-Please keep my parents in prayer, they are wonderful and we’re so grateful for them. May God give them a wonderful new year.
-Please keep Ethiopia in prayer for the new year, also the Horn of Africa overall, that God will do a new and fresh work in the lives of people.
-Merry Christmas to Ethiopia today (January 7)- may God be honored as people there celebrate.

Please keep in touch and know you’re loved and appreciated.


Happy New Year- 2015!