Out of Hiding.

I just have to share this song regardless of the fact that it's not a Tuesday. For anyone that's discouraged, in a rough spot, whatever it is.... please listen to this song. I love songs that are written/sung from the perspective of Jesus. And this is just one of those beautiful love songs. I heard it today on the treadmill at the gym and luckily I was pretty much done because I just had to slow down so I could close my eyes to keep from bawling right on the spot.

Breathe in, breathe out. And listen.

Come out of hiding
You're safe here with Me
There's no need to cover
What I've already seen

You've got your reasons
But I hold your peace
You've been on lockdown
But I hold the key

Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
You were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, My victory's yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You're not far from home

I'll be your lighthouse
When you're lost at sea
And I will illuminate
Everything

No need to be frightened
By intimacy
Just throw off your fear
And come running to Me

Cause I loved you before you knew it was love
And I saw it all, still I chose the cross
You were the one that I was thinking of
When I rose from the grave
Now rid of the shackles, My victory's yours
I tore the veil for you to come close
There's no reason to stand at a distance anymore
You're not far from home

Oh as you run
What hindered love
Will only become
Part of the story

Baby, you're almost home now
Please don't quit now
You're almost home to Me

Tunesday Tuesday.

Tunesday Tuesday.

Today I am sharing my favorite worship song since moving here to Argentina. I am glad that, as far as I am aware, there is no English translation. Some songs are better just left in their own language. This one is called, "Al que está sentado en el trono" and the chorus basically states this:

To Him who sits on the throne

To Him who lives for ever and ever

Be all the glory, honor, and power

Be all the glory, honor, and power

You are holy, holy, holy

Holy are You

Jesus Wins.

A few weeks ago, on August 4th, a young man was shot and killed in broad daylight for his bike all because he intervened in a street robbery and was trying to help a victim. It was a really harsh newstory to watch and learn about. The young man only had 27 years and was going to work like any other day, only this time he had no idea what was in store for him.

Now, in this neighborhood, only 4.7% of the population is evangelical, so his death was your typical disheartening, what-are-the-chances-he-knew-Christ scenario.

Last Monday night I was in my weekly prayer meeting and one of the requests was for this young man's family, who was in town for a while. They are believers and had been contacted and just, as you can imagine, asked for prayer for them and the other family involved. There sprang a little hope that maybe, this man had not died without hearing the gospel message.

Well, today I found out that this week his parents, while staying in town for the legal matters surrounding his death, are taking time to do work for the kingdom. They are going to be standing at the corner where he was killed sharing the gospel and praying with people! Isn't that a beautiful picture?! This city is so broken, but there is hope. This family is a symbol of faith not shaken. If I had to guess, it's because they know they'll see their son again one day (yes, he was a believer!) and that God had a purpose in this.

I see the enemy winning so often in this city, but not on this one. God has taken this man's innocent death and is using it for His glory. To make His name known in the city. Jesus wins here. And, of course, Jesus wins in the end.

Joseph's and Saul's

Lately I've been reading about Joseph in Genesis and so much about his story is sticking out to me. From the time his story of struggle begins with his brothers, we see God's hand over, in and through it. "The Lord was with him" is stated three times alone in Genesis 39.  Then as I read on in the following chapters.... Joseph's moment comes -- after two full years, chapter 41 tells us. {But don't forget chapter 40 where it begins with "some time later," so we know he's already spent a while in the prison before he's joined by the company of the cupbearer and baker. Then they get out. Well, one does anyway.} Then two full years later, Joseph has his time with the Pharaoh. Remember how God was with him? Well, good thing He hadn't forsaken Joseph, because in Genesis 41:38-40, Pharaoh lifts Joseph up to such a high place, second only to himself in all of Egypt!! What amazes me about this was that this pagan Pharoah is able to recognize the Holy Spirit within Joseph. And despite all this fame and fortune he's about to get (by the age of 30, mind you!), Joseph still honors the God of his fathers. In vs 51-52 he names his children Manasseh and Ephraim, names meaning God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household, and God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering, respectively.

Now, the story is not over. As you know the best part of Joseph's story is one of forgiveness. But I'll let you go read that on your own :)

I've also been reading through Acts in a Monday night Bible study, and on Tuesday I read ahead with a friend. It's the best! Right now we're only in the early parts, which are my favorite: the early church, Stephen, Saul. Ok, Saul wasn't the best example, but he makes for a great story. Peter and Stephen are great examples.

The thing both of these stories seem to have in common which I find applicable right now are suffering. It's amazing yet not surprising that God knew how His word would stand time and be applicable always. Yes, even the Old Testament, first book.  Reading about Joseph's journey I think about the people who are enduring hardships and how God does not forsake us.  I realize that Joseph was betrayed by his family, not for religious reasons, and that it worked out really well for him, but isn't that what God's word promises us (Romans 8:28)? Even if it ends up like the case of Stephen (Acts 7:54-8:3) there is good when God's glory is spread like wildfire!

I look to the east and I am praying for Saul's. For their hearts to soon see the glory of God. The enemy has no idea what is right around the corner from this tragedy. But I also pray for the Joseph's. For those that have been wrongfully captured for far too long. But we know they are not being held a day longer than the Lord's will, because just at the right moment, they will see their time come, for His purpose.

Tunesday Tuesday.

Well, this is a very special Tuesday, because I just bought tickets for my October vacation to.......

Rio de Janeiro! We're I'll be staying on the Copacabana beach and probably be singing about yellow feathers for months to come :) Now to start the visa process for Brazil....

City Sidewalks.

Today I was meeting a friend for lunch and as you can imagine, I was following American time, but following Argentine time, she was 45 minutes later. As I stood on a street corner waiting for her, I got to see a lot. Think a lot. Standing on this busy street corner, I got to thinking about how many people were passing by me on this beautiful spring-like winter day. So, I started counting how many people crossed the crosswalk at every light change. I usually got anywhere from 50-75 people in 1 minute crossing the street.  I didn't really keep track of the light changes, but if you can imagine in 45 minutes, I wouldn't be surprised if 750-1000 people passed by me this afternoon. And while I was watching, the biggest statistic for general Buenos Aires came to my mind: 1 out of 95 might be a believer. There on the street corner I stood, my heart breaking for the masses of people...wanting to know where to even begin.

God has been so good to me lately serving me opportunities for spiritual conversations, and He's using it to open my eyes to the broken reality that this city is. The broken world that we live in. It's one thing to read survey's done about what people think about God, but then to have those conversations yourself and hear people say:

 "All religions are just love. All those prophets, Jesus, Muhammad, they were just enlightened ones..." 

- or how about -

"Yea, I pray to God, to Jesus, but I am my own church. I don't need to go to one. I don't think there is anything after this life, so I feel good about what I have."

... Hearing that is crushing. But, it's encouraging that a) they're open to talking about things of God, and b) God is using them in my life to encourage me to do more. Keep talking. Because "this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14).

Tunesday Tuesday.

In honor the The Civil Wars officially calling quits, I dedicate today's song to one of my favorites, I've Got This Friend.

 So here's to all you loveless romantics waiting for the right one to come along.