A BLANK PAGE ...

Have you ever wished you had a chance to do something over? That you could go back into a moment or season and change a decision or words spoken? Maybe that you had a blank page to re-write a chapter or a page in your life?

These things questions were on my mind this morning. 

Today begins a new teaching school year for me. My seminary classes kick off this evening. And for me- it feels like I'm staring at a big white wonderful blank page. A new semester of stories will be written in the months ahead. I'm excited.  What a privilege it is to continue teaching here in Ethiopia!

The past few days, I've enjoyed seeing teachers posting pictures of their classrooms being decorated. And of parents posting pictures of their kids heading off to their first day of school.  Lots of blank pages and stories to be written.  I've smiled so much.

Many times in life though, it seems we often look back instead of forward. We're reminded of the pages already written in our lives. We all have history, both good and bad. Mistakes are there. Maybe regret. But- it doesn't have to define our now or discourage us from moving into a new season and chapter, beginning on a new blank page.

Every day is a blessing. A blank page. A new chance to live well and better in honor of God.

He is with us and can help us to experience amazing new places, new beginnings, and new depths in our relationship with Him!

One of the greatest pastors I know, Mike Bowie, used to say all the time: "life's setbacks can become God's set-ups for incredible comebacks."  And I agree. Old chapters or pages of our life can't be erased or forgotten. But those times can be viewed as part of our redeemed storyline and our testimony. When our minds drift there- we can feel gratitude and humility instead of guilt. 

God is the author and the finisher of our life story, what a great God we have! He is about redeeming us and carrying us through every season. The storms and trials we face can actually sharpen and strengthen us and our dependency on Him.

May this new school year, each day, each blank page I'm given- be lived better than the day before, in honor of God.  This is my new school year prayer.

As it begins, I'm keeping these verses in mind...

Lamentations 3:23
Because of His great love for us we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning...

Isaiah 43:18-19
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 54
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back...do not be afraid, you will not suffer shame... For your Maker is your husband- the Lord Almighty is His Name...In righteousness you will be established....No weapon formed against you will prevail. ...This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord...

So grateful to be on the journey with God. And with so many of you!
Onward!

Praises/Prayer Requests
-I had a wonderful short few weeks home with my family and returned safely back to Ethiopia over this past weekend. Thanks to everyone who prayed for that and supported my trip.
-Please keep my seminary classes in prayer as I teach two courses this semester, beginning tonight- a Communication course and an Intro to Youth Ministry course.
-As Hope College is now on break time, please pray for our staff as we get organized for a new semester starting in late September and that I can use the break time to connect on a deeper level with students.
-Please keep my family in prayer- I love my tribe.
-Please keep praying for the global church- and for this deep call to prayer that many are feeling led to take.  That a revival will happen in churches, families and in individual lives!
 

RETURNING...

I traveled out of Ethiopia last week for some time of rest with my family in the US.  There was a mix of excitement and anticipation as I boarded planes to return home. What would look different? How had things changed? How had I changed?

Seasons change us. Mountain climbs or valleys passed through sometimes leave increased muscle, other times- scars.

What had I learned from all I had passed through over the past several months in Ethiopia?  What had God taught me?

Definitely my clothes were ripped and jacket wrinkled. My shoes were barely holding together.

But I hoped that spiritually, there was increased depth, increased humility, and increased dependency on God that would be evident in my words and my actions.

In Washington, the passport control guy asked me many questions.  Finally he stamped my passport, and then said “welcome home.”  That moment always brings tears to my eyes and gratitude to my heart and it did again.

I was still getting choked up thinking about those words as I was re-routed through Chicago then on to Dayton.

I was thinking about how far we often travel away from God or get off course and how God STILL continues to say- return to me, return home, I’m here. I accept you back. My arms are open.

What an amazing, gracious, loving God we serve!

These were verses He led me to read as I traveled …

Hosea 14

Return …I will heal your waywardness and love you freely…for my anger has turned away from you…

Job 22:23

If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored…

Isaiah 44:22

I have swept away your offenses…Return to me, for I have redeemed you…

Isaiah 51:11

The ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing. Gladness and joy will overtake them. And sorrow and sighing will fade away.

Jeremiah 3

Return…, I will frown on you no longer, for I am merciful. Only acknowledge your guilt. Return, for I am your husband. I will choose you. I will cure you of your backsliding...Return…

Jeremiah 24

I will build them up, I will plant them, I will give them a heart to know me, they will be my people and I will be their God…

Hosea 6

Come let us return to the Lord…He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us. He has injured us, but He will bind up our wounds…

Joel 2:12-13

Even now, 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, and He relents from sending calamity…

Zechariah 1:3

Return to me and I will return to you….

I’m so grateful, God takes us back. 

And this theme of returning to God has continued to come into focus since being home.

My heart had been troubled the past several months watching from a distance things going on in the US.  My students would even ask me about it. What is going on with America? There are theater shootings, outbreaks of racism, so much. It seemed we were moving farther and farther away from reflecting a culture that respects and honors God in our laws and our relationships with each other.

I have been encouraged since being here to hear that so many people are feeling called to a season of prayer as a plan of action. For with God alone and His leadership- can there be wisdom and direction, healing and restoration.

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Pray continually…

We need to recognize and remember there is a battle going on for our country, our family and friends, our very lives. And we must seek God to help us.

Ephesians 6

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly realms.

John 10:10

The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. But I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

A new movie coming out this month called “War Room” and some books that go along with it, I highly recommend for families, small groups, business Bible studies, and churches to check out….

I've been encouraged and challenged by these books so far. Here are some of my favorite quotes and notes so far….

“This is war- the fight of your life. A very real enemy has been strategizing and scheming against you- assaulting you- coming after your emotions, your mind, your relationships, your future.”

“We don’t have the luxury of taking prayer lightly. Not if we want to be free from whatever is keeping us held down or held back.”

“Praying with precision is key.”

“The battle your enemy wages against you- is crafted with an intimate knowledge of who you are and the precise pressure points what you can most easily be taken down.”

“Satan wants to see you passionless, prayerless, quiet.”

Ten Common Strategies Satan Will Attack Against…

-your passion, your focus, your identity, your family, your confidence, your calling, your purity, your rest and contentment, your heart, your relationships.”

There’s also a challenge to have a “war room” in your office or house or church, where together with others in your family or team, you seek the face of God together. 

What is keeping you from FULLY returning to God? Is it pride? Distractions? Fear if He will take you back or not? 

God says: RETURN.  Come back to me. I accept you. I’m ready to lead your life.  Turn from what is holding you back or away from me. Seek me first. Trust my leadership.

This invitation remains OPEN.

Jesus died and rose with victory for us. The end has already been written. We don’t have to live in defeat or cycles of depravity. 

But our lives MUST be lived in intimate partnership with God, trusting His leadership in our relationships, our churches, our country.

Battles are waging to take us out for good. To ruin us. Our relationships. Our families. Our work. Our communities. The world.

Please join me in a season of prayer in the days, months ahead!  There is victory in prayer, for ALL that we face.

Let me know how I can specifically pray for you.

Onward with His leadership!

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for my short time at home in the USA- that I can get the rest I need and also spend good quality time with my family. It’s been fantastic so far.

 -I’m already beginning to pack and plan for my return to Ethiopia. Please pray for a good transition time back. And as I begin teaching again, first at the seminary in late August, and later in September at the college, that God will bless the new school year with opportunities to share Jesus.

-Please keep my sister, Noel, in prayer too as she helps our home church strategize about our projects in South Sudan and Sudan and pray for her as she prepares to return there.

-Please pray for America: our churches, families, and the upcoming presidential election- that prayer will be a driving force of change for the days to come.

-Let's be in prayer for churches globally, that we all will be called to a deeper place of prayer for our world and that God will raise us up represent Him well.

Thanks again so much for those of you who gave financially and those who prayed for my return home for this break time. So grateful to be on the journey with you!!!

Blessed fall season to you. Please keep in touch.

In Christ’s Love and Strength,

Holly