Thirty, Nerdy, and Arriving

Yesterday was my 30th birthday.  30.  Ten years ago that sounded so "old".  Now, it doesn't seem like that at all.  Maybe because I don't want to seem old.  Maybe because I never thought I'd still be single at 30.  I am.  But you know what?  God has done some great things in my life in the last 30 years.  I've gotten eternal ife.  I've gotten a great family that loves me and has raised me up in the way I should go.  I've gotten great friends that stick by me no matter what and encourage me.  I've gotten to travel and live in some of the most beautiful, unique, and amazing places on earth.  I've gotten to be educated at some of the best schools.  I've gotten to work at some of the best jobs.  I've gotten to live a great life.  Wow...what God has done in 30 years?!?!  If that is what He can do in the first 30...I can't imagine what He is going to do in the next 30 years!  For this 30th year of my life, I've set some new goals.  I want to make a little change, so I figured this was a great year to do it....start this new decade off right.  I want to lose 40 pounds and train for a half-marathon.  Yes....Brook wants to run.  I know, shocking!  I'm starting off slow.  There is a cool pair of running shoes that I want.  So, instead of just buying them.  I have to work for them.  I have to lose either 20 pounds or be able to run 3 miles without stopping---whichever comes first.  Another goal I'm setting for this year is a spiritual goal.  I still haven't thought through all the ins and outs of it....but I'm thinking of memorzing 30 passages of scripture...not just a verse...but a passage.  I also want to make it a goal to share Christ more often.  I haven't thought of a specific number, but I am praying through that.  If you know me, then you know this is a bit difficult for me.  I'm not a disciplined person, so I'm trying to incorprate some discipline in my life.  WIth my physical and spiritual goals, I think that I can learn some discipline.  Anyway, thank you for joining me on this journey.  I'll try to keep you updated on progress, and what God is doing in this chapter of my life!  Here's to the next decade!

"Aren't you scared?"

"We need to watch the news to make sure we aren't in danger."  "Are you sure it's over?  What if another comes?"  "I'm going to start wearing a helmet everywhere I go."  "I have a doctor's appointment on the fourth floor tomorrow, I'm so worried."  "I may have to start wearing a mask so I don't get radiation poisoning."  "I'm going to start taking potassium iodide to counteract that [minute] cloud of radiation headed our way."  "Aren't you scared?"  These are things I have overheard or been asked in the last few days since the devastation in Japan.  Afghan ladies here worried about another tsunami hitting our coast and destroying Fremont (pretty much impossible since we don't live near the ocean).  People are all a-chatter about what ifs.  As if we can control any of this.  What a great time to share my hope and assurance.  I'm not scared about what may or may not happen, today, tomorrow, or any other day.  I know that the God I serve loves me and has promised me eternal life.  I know that I will be with Him forever.  How miserable these people lives must be that constantly have to worry about what may or may not happen to them tomorrow.  It makes me sad to hear them talk about how terrified they are about what will happen.  Not to say that I wouldn't be scared if an earthquake hit, but what can I do, but trust in the One God that says everything will be okay---the One God that says ultimately, He wins over whatever evils this world may bring.  Honestly, I have never been in a situation where I felt truly terrified, so I can't say how I would act or what I would do....but I hope that when all is said and done, I could confidently turn to my God and say "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil."  Please pray for all of those people in the world walking around without any hope.  All those people walking around terrified of what tomorrow may bring.  Pray that the God of peace would speak to their hearts and they would become His child and know that whatever this day would bring, their Heavenly Father loves them and has promised them that in the end, they win!  Pray for conversations during these times.  Pray that all of us would be able to share what hope we have in Jesus Christ.  Also, continue praying for Japan.  Pray for the hearts of the people there to be open to God's word and love.  Pray for the Christians there that they will get so many opportunties to share their hope and peace with this lost and lonely people. 

Mission Monday and Talk to God Tuesday

Today's post is a link to my friend Amy's blog.   I decided to combine missions and prayer.  This is a huge issue for both.  Please be in prayer for Japan.  As the death toll rises, the stark realization of the need for Jesus comes to mind.  Did those people get a chance to hear?  Did Christians do their job?  How will we respond?

Pray for Japan

God loves them...do we?

Talk to God Tuesday--Church Planters in the Bay

If you read yesterday's post, you saw that San Francisco is one of the darkest cities in America.  With few churches, there are even less Christians and those willing to church plant here.  Being a church planter here requires patience, creativity, passion, and perseverance.  It is a hard job.  Please pray for us.  Pray that God will enlighten us to ways to best reach the people around us.  Pray that we would be full of ideas and visions to put into practice that would reach this area for Christ.  Pray that we would love the people selflessly and unconditionally, just as Christ loves them.  Pray for boldness and opportunities to speak truth into the lives of the people.