Do not be afraid. Only Believe.
Bueno, solo tengo pocos minutos, pero yo deseria decirse que estamos aqui en Paraguay y estamos seguro. Voy a escribir mas a otro tiempo.
Well, I only have a few minutes but I wanted to tell you all that we´re here in Paraguay and we´re safe. I will write more later.
Ciao!
j
It’s really hard to think of titles that start with “My” for everything. I’m taking a break for now.
If you know me, you know that music is a very important part of my life. Listening, creating, performing, the whole deal. Music speaks to people in ways words alone just can’t. A person can be moved to tears by a sweet melody or even a single note.
I heard this song on the radio this morning, and while it contains one of the most important principles a Christian can observe to really show faith, its message is often overlooked in our lives. Now, the song isn’t speaking to me specifically at this point in my life, though there have been seasons in which it has. I want to put the lyrics here so you can read them.
I was sure by now That You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still rainingAs the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes awayI will praise You in this storm, And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are, No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side, And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this stormI remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on If I can’t find YouI lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
This concept of being thankful in the midst of a storm is so foreign to the world. Our natural inclination is to whine and complain, to cry, to feel sorry for ourselves, to feel like life is over. That is what makes being a child of the Most High God so amazing. For one, He understands that we want to do that. But He also is bigger than our problems and our reactions. When the storm is over, we will marvel at the awesome beauty of the calm and realize that God has carried us through to dry land.
-j
“Praise You In This Storm” by Casting Crowns
ps> Bonus points to whoever can tell me where I ripped off the “My” post naming scheme.
Yet again. The song is bigger, but this is the part that was running through my head this morning.
And I know my heart is to feel you near
And I know my life
It’s to do your will
“My Desire” by Jeremy Camp
In other news, I’M GOING TO PARAGUAY IN 2 DAYS!!! The Lord has provided all of the funding needed for JC and I, and for that we are thankful. I only began to get nervous this morning. It’s going to be amazing. I was expressing to a dear friend who has been there that I feel unprepared and because I don’t know what I’ll be doing, I am afraid this would turn into not much more than a vacation. She said not to worry about that, they won’t let that happen, but also the personalities of everyone there are much more relaxed and relational than here in the States. I’m looking forward to much time spent fellowshipping with neighbors over a good cup of mate.
Please pray for safe travels (the crashes in Sao Paulo haven’t done well to calm the nerves) as well as a bit of the gift of tongues for us. Communication in Spanish is a bit different there than I am used to, so it will be tough to copy it. I should be ok understanding after a few days, but I would like to be comfortable speaking in my broken Spanish.
I’ll try to post while I’m gone, but I will only be able to go to the cabina (sort of an internet cafe) a couple times while there. Ellen only goes once or twice a week, as I’m told, and I’ll probably go when she does. Rest assured there will be photos and a recap when I get back.
I love you all!
-j
I'm Jason, and I like to write.