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.
-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
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