Mental Vitamins: Faith Rises

Have you ever prayed for something and when it didn't happen according to your time schedule you began questioning God or became really anxious? If you answered yes then you are a normal human being. The rest of you are liars. ;) But in all seriousness...why do we do this? Why do we expect everything to fall together exactly how WE want instead of waiting for GOD's will? The Bible tells us that His ways are PERFECT, His thoughts are above our thoughts...why do we not believe in His promise to take care of us and trust that He will reveal His plan to us in His perfect timing?

My thoughts go to the story of Lazarus (John 11:5-6). Jesus and Lazarus are close friends, verse 5 says that Jesus LOVED Lazarus and his family. But the interesting thing is that when he heard Lazarus was deathly sick, he doesn't immediately run to his bedside and heal him. In fact, Verse 6 tells us that "Jesus stayed where He was for two more days." Seems a bit odd that Jesus, who has already performed many healing miracles, would not rush to the aid of His dying friend right away, doesn't it?

If we go on to read the rest of the story we learn that Lazarus actually dies while Jesus is away and everyone gives Him grief for not getting there sooner...for not being on their time schedule. But Jesus ends up performing one of His greatest miracles and raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus knew what He was doing by waiting those two extra days. Jesus could have healed Lazarus when he was sick but by raising him from the dead, He provided everyone with the opportunity for a great teachable moment to RAISE our faith. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Jesus operates on HIS timeline not ours. So if we start to feel like God isn't moving as fast as we would like in answering our prayers, it's not because He doesn't love us or isn't listening to us...it's because He already has a plan and it is more perfect than any plans we have in mind. We need to learn to trust Him in the waiting.

Displaced Devotion

I was listening to a webcast recently from Kyle Idleman and he talked about the subject of idols. (You know, all of those things that we make equal to or place above God?) And he shared a statement that sent shock waves through me. He said that we tend to take Christ off of the throne and put him on a loveseat with our idols. Think about that picture for a minute. We're talking about the King of Kings, the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty Savior who died for you and I. We've removed Him from His rightful throne and told him to share a couch with our sin. Or for some of us, we put that something or someone else in His place on the throne and don't even give Him a seat in our hearts at all.


What is it that you treasure most? What do you get the most joy out of? What is it that you spend the majority of your time focused on?  Is it a relationship? Money? Your career? Sex? Food? A sports team? Your appearance? Success? Pleasure? Who or what are you looking towards to satisfy you? What is it in your own life that you are putting before God? What are you making more valuable than Him? We can all fill in the blank with something that we have chosen to be first in our lives instead of God. I know I can. I unfortunately have put many things above him lately. But when I take an honest look into my own life, I can clearly see where my priorities have been grievously displaced. I have been asking these other things to do for me, what only God can do for me. I gave control over to these other passions and turned my worship from God  towards these lesser substitutes expecting to be satisfied.


Truth is that none of these things we put before God can save us. None of them can truly satisfy us. And none of them even compare to His glory. There is nothing wrong with enjoying things like relationships, success, etc. but it is when we allow these things to take center stage - to be the main focus in our lives - that is when they become idols and therefor are a distraction from God. We start to worship the gift instead of the Giver. Instead of allowing these gifts to enhance a deeper devotion to the One who blessed us with them in the first place we worship the gifts instead of God who gave them to us. God also gave us free will to choose where we place our devotion. And it is a decision we all must make for ourselves.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. -Joshua 24:15

Freedom In Our Future

If you have been following my blog then you know that we have been living in Switzerland for the last 2 years. Well, I am happy to announce that in just over 1 week we will FINALLY be coming HOME!!!

The original plan was to come home at the end of July, but if there is one thing I've learned in life is that things don't always go as we plan. But that's simply because God has a better plan than ours. We're currently still trying to figure out what His ultimate plan is for us but one thing is for certain...we are coming home May 3rd! Freedom is in our future!

Our cat, Tot, has been sick since December. We've taken him to the vet so many times I've lost count and our bank account has suffered right along with him. We've realized that the vets here can't do anything else for him so while he is stable enough to travel, we want to get him back to America where he can get better treatment. My parents had planned several months ago to make a trip over here in April so we coordinated our plane tickets so that we would simply return home with them. It will be a blessing to have them here to help us pack and move our belongings along with the two cats. When we moved to Switzerland, it was just Jared and I, 4 bags and two cats...flying the 8 hours then trying to navigate the Swiss train system(which broke down mid-travel also adding another 2 hours to the travel time and we almost got separated) then we lived in a hotel for a month. I'm pretty sure I blogged about that messy experience. I'm glad our return home will not be a repeat of that.

We had originally planned for me to go back with my parents and the cats so that Jared could finish up his work obligations, but the airline my parents had already booked did not allow cats in the cabin and all airlines allow one cat per passenger so Jared ended up booking a ticket with me and now we both get to come home to America...TOGETHER! I was really apprehensive about traveling without him and being apart from him for possibly months. But God takes care of the details.

One thing that needs to happen before we leave is that we can get out of our current apartment lease. Now, an apartment lease in Switzerland is not like in the U.S. You are absolutely locked in unless you can find someone to take over your lease. There is no option of breaking the lease early and paying a fee (unless you have $10,000 lying around...which we don't). Good news...we found someone who is willing to lease our apartment. It is an American couple who will actually be a post-doc at the EPFL just like Jared. But the trouble is that the Swiss system works differently than America's (go figure, right?). Here, the landlord selects the renter after reviewing their application (yep, here you apply for an apartment like you would apply for a job...and you don't always get the one you applied for and the waiting period can be forever). So there is a real possibility that this couple could be denied for any reason the landlord wants and we could be stuck in our lease until as late as October if we are unable to get someone in here before then that the landlord approves. Because this couple has an application that is practically identical to our own...we're hoping there will be no problem in transferring the lease over to them.

The real problem of it all is that we are now in a time crunch since Jared and I are both flying home in just over a weeks time. We need to get everything wrapped up before then but the Swiss are never in a hurry and there are always so many hoops to jump through before you can get anything done. So please pray that everything gets taken care of before our departure.

I'm certain most people would be in a bit of a panic right now if in the same situation, but I know that so many people are praying for us and I really feel God's peace about everything. These last two years have really helped me to grow in my faith and because I can look back and see the hand of God in so many situations, I know that He will take care of us in this current situation. He has come through each and every time and I can trust that He will again. He has never failed us and I know He never will. He will reveal His perfect plan for us in His perfect timing. While we wait on the Lord, we would appreciate your prayers! They are so valuable.

The Gauntlet

Living in Switzerland is a lot like running the gauntlet. Not sure what a gauntlet is? Check out this video clip from the movie First Knight where Lancelot takes on the challenge of the gauntlet.



Now that you have a better visual, here's how Switzerland is much like the gauntlet. It's as though you go through each day trying to avoid being knocked down. Each day is mentally and physically taxing because you are constantly in survival mode. Often the hits are coming fast from all sides and all at once. But the only way out is to go through it. To keep moving forward.

We're in it right now. Dodging blows. Trying to keep our heads up and taking it full on. I don't belly ache about our troubles publicly because I don't like to complain as a general rule...but I can tell you that the past 2 years have been a challenge...an extreme challenge. There have been many periods during that time where surrendering to defeat sounded like a viable option. Giving up and going home sounds so good especially in moments of weakness...we've had thoughts of buying plane tickets and getting the heck out of here even as recent as this morning. But God's word resounds in my head every time I feel like I can't take one more step or endure one more day here.


I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13) 

Did you know that the Bible mentions strength over 200 times in the bible? When God mentions something more than once...particularly that many times...he really wants us to get it. He is encouraging us for our moments of weakness because He knows those moments will come. We are weak, but HE IS STRONG! He wants us to draw from His strength.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)


There's that word 'content' again. I wrote a blog post about contentment a few weeks back. Contentment and strength seem to go hand-in-hand. Contentment is an illusive commodity today. In fact, much of the business world works hard to breed dis-content so that we will buy their product. They tell us something is "new and improved" so we will feel that we have less than the best and are somehow "behind the times." They are deliberately trying to make us feel dis-satisfied with life by playing to our greed. They want us to believe that we are not significant if we don't have the best and the newest.  

The problem with this mentality is that you are never satisfied. And if you are never satisfied, then you are unable to enjoy life fully because you feel deprived. Let me give you a definition of what the Bible means by contentment: Contentment is a state of satisfaction that is anchored to our confidence in God that results in a joyful celebration of life. 

Contentment is not something that comes naturally. Naturally, we are prone to: compare ourselves with others, to always want more than we already have, to interpret someone else's good fortune as coming at our expense, and to complain.

You don't have to teach any of these things. They come naturally to us.  Not so with contentment. Contentment is not instinctive. It is often our weakness and it is something that we must learn over time.  It is something we learn gradually. We likely will not just wake up one day feeling content.  We need to have a new perspective, a new attitude, a deepened faith. These things must be developed...they cannot be bought.

However, it is somewhat to our advantage that contentment is a weakness because God says that His power is made perfect in weakness. If we acknowledge our weaknesses and need for God we actually open ourselves up to receive God's grace and strength. But doing that takes humility and courage. It's something I personally struggle with, along with many of you.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:10-13)

When we finally make it on the other side of the gauntlet I am not looking for the applause that Lancelot received. I'm just looking forward to being embraced by our family and friends and being able to say "With the grace of God....we did it!"

Obedience

"During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered." (Hebrews 5:7-9)


This entire experience over the last year and a half has had its share of difficulties, frustrations and pain. Emotions come in waves and at the moment, I feel overwhelmed by the waters and I'm kicking desperately to stay afloat. In my weakness and desperation I have cried out to Jesus in prayer many, many times. Right now, this verse in Hebrews 5 brings comfort to me because just as "He was heard"...I know God also hears our prayers and our cries. We are learning obedience from our sufferings. And obedience to God leads to rewards of  peace (Isaiah 48:18), blessings (Deut. 28:1), safety (Lev. 25:18) and prosperity (I Kings 2:3). All of these things will be ours because of our obedience to Him. 


Although we may be suffering now, we can smile at our future because "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)  


This suffering WILL NOT last. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:17). Until then...we pray, remain hopeful and wait upon the Lord.

God Doesn't Make Junk

Great video from the Skit Guys....



God doesn't make junk. You are His masterpiece. You were created for good.

Contentment

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, [child] of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." (1 Timothy 6:6)

The very first line of this verse leaped out at me. "...godliness with contentment is great gain." Being content does not come naturally to us. It seems to be our human nature to always want more. To never be satisfied with what we have. I could rattle off a list of things I want right now...I want to be home closer to my family, I want to have a car, I want to lose weight, I want a bigger bank account, I want to go shopping...but all I really NEED is my Saviour. And when I quiet my mind and stop allowing myself to get caught up in everyday distractions, I realize He's all I really WANT too.

All of these things we want can never satisfy and bring true contentment like Jesus can. There is a gap in our hearts that can only be filled with His love and grace and when we try to fill that void with other things, like relationships, money, sex, drugs and/or entertainment, we'll never feel fulfilled or whole. That's the beauty of Jesus...He brings fullness...He delivers peace...He supplies everything we want and need. Contentment is found through Him alone.

 We have everything we'll ever need so long as we have Jesus. If we stop trying to replace Him with things then we will find the peace we are ultimately searching for. As my Dad says... "The most important things in life aren't things...you never see a U-Haul follwing a hearse." Which is exactly what this verse is saying:"For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." The most valuable thing we can ever have is our salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Have you found contentment in Jesus? His peace is freely and eternally yours.

Behind The Scenes Of A "Better View"

Do you ever feel like your strength, your spirit, your energy and your faith are completely on empty? I have. In fact, that is how I feel right this moment. Due to a multitude of stressors, disappointments and unknowns I find myself feeling desperate and weak. I knew coming into this overseas move that we would encounter tough times and have to endure difficult challenges. I did not have a fairy tale outlook about coming to Switzerland as many of my friends and loved ones did for me. I understood that this was going to be a tough 2 years. If you were to simply look at our photos it would appear dreamlike to most. Sure we may have what some call a "better view" but life is not a snapshot and the everyday challenges that are mounting up are part of the behind the scenes that often escape the highlight reel. This is not to be misinterpreted as ungratefulness...I realize I am blessed in so many ways, but I want to be real with you today and attempt to encourage others who may be struggling right now too.

My life is not perfect. I am not perfect.

In the year and a half we have lived overseas I have mourned the loss of several family members, I have gone nearly two years without being able to see and hug some of the family I love most not knowing if and when we may be reunited, I have endured isolation, financial stress, culture shock, depression, loss of friendships, life-threatening sickness, tests of my faith, living outside my comfort zone, countless disappointments and daily struggles, homesickness... you name it, I've experienced it. This is not to arouse sympathy but for others to understand life isn't always going to be picture perfect...not on this side of Heaven anyway.

We are going to face hardships that will force us to keep or abandon our faith because with every opportunity to believe God there is also an opportunity to disbelieve God. We can choose to give in to our doubts, our fears and our bitterness or we can trust that God has the power to do what He has promised. Jesus promises the He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. I know it can sometimes feel like we're facing these difficult situations on our own. We often find ourselves asking God to rescue us from our situation but we must remember...He already has! Salvation through Jesus Christ is available to anyone who believes in Him. He already completed His rescue mission and the Bible tells us that "Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17) Keeping our thoughts on Him and His promises is the only way we will successfully get through these difficult times. Reminding ourselves of His blessing and mercy in the midst of heartache and pain keeps us hopeful, keeps us going.


Talking to God through prayer and being openly honest with Him about what's on our heart keeps us close to Him and we can draw from His strength especially in our weakest moments. I am in the midst of some serious challenges right now, many of which are completely out of my control. If you can relate, then I hope you find comfort in knowing that you are not alone. God cares about each of us and His plan for us is always perfect, always purposeful and always good. It's our role to find that good and pursue our purpose. Don't lose faith.

Dealing With Loneliness

Isn't it interesting that in a world with nearly 7 billion people we can still feel lonely? After living half way across the world, in a country where I don't speak the language, don't have any family nearby, my husband works full time and my interactions with people primarily consists of "hello" and "thank you" to a clerk at the grocery store...loneliness became a very familiar concept for me. Within the first few months of moving here I was practically grief-stricken with the feeling of loneliness. Despite having my husband here with me each day, I somehow still felt alone. Not everyday...but there were many days that I felt confined to my loneliness. I couldn't seem to shake it, no matter what I tried. It was only after I fully grasped God's promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 that I was able to overcome this consuming fear of loneliness. It says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged...for the LORD your God is with you; He will never leave you or forsake you."


We are NEVER alone. Whether we are in an empty room or a crowded room...the Lord is with us. But His promise declares that He will NEVER leave us either. I can attest that in those quiet moments when I was seemingly all alone here in our apartment...I was actually in the greatest company. I've come to find that my "alone" time is actually the perfect time of day. It's time I get to spend with my Saviour without any distractions from the outside world. Just me and Him. I didn't realize just how much I enjoyed Him and needed Him prior to my change in situation. 


Maybe you are like me...you have allowed the world to distract you from your relationship with Jesus. You have grown dependent on others, or on things to fill your lonely heart. Well, let me tell you dear friend...everything in this life will one day pass away...those people and things that you are dependent on will not always be around. But God's love and presence is eternal. If we continue to fill ourselves with temporal things it is like pouring water into a bucket full of holes. Eventually we will run empty. God's grace permanently repairs the holes in our punctured heart and fills us with His unending love ensuring that we'll never be empty again!


I know first hand what it is like to feel like you are all alone in this world. But I also know that loneliness is simply a lie from the Enemy and the truth is that Jesus has been with you since your beginning and will continue to be with you throughout your life. For some of us this is a very difficult concept to grasp because we've experienced so many losses...loss of loved ones, broken relationships and various disappointments so we conclude that a loving, eternal relationship like God's is impossible. But in Isaiah 55:8-10, God tells us that  "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." In other words...let us not compare man to God or God to man. One will never fail to disappoint, the other is incapable of failing us. We cannot write God off because man has continually failed us. Through every disappointment caused by man...God remains faithful and is there to love us through the disappointments, the loneliness and the pain. Let Jesus fill you up and relieve you of your loneliness.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Have you ever waited a really long time for something? Have you ever felt greatly discouraged  during the whole waiting period? Been unsure of what steps to take in order to move forward, uncertain of what to do next, afraid of making the wrong decision? I think we all come to this place at some point in our lives, often more than once. What do you do when you're faced with the unknown? How do you respond to opportunities of faith? Did you ever consider that those moments when we are unsure of ourselves and uncertain of what to do they are actually opportunities to exercise our faith?

Just as our physical bodies need exercise...our spirit needs exercise also. We may not like the pain and/or exhaustion it can bring, but those tough trials are meant to strengthen us, to better us, and to train us for healthy lives. When we're in the middle of the mission it's easy to lose sight of the goal...it's easy to want to give in and give up. But if we endure, if we put our trust in the Lord knowing that He is our personal trainer who will never give us more weight than we can bear, our faith will be strengthened. And let's face it...there is a spiritual battle going on all around us, much of which is unseen and we need to be strong in our faith when the enemy attacks. The devil's greatest weapon is doubt, but we hold the shield of faith. Our trust in Christ will allow us to hold onto that shield even when it starts to feel heavy.

My shield has been feeling heavy recently. There has been a lot going on in our lives that has made me want to lay down my shield. I've felt weak, tired, overwhelmed, discouraged and angry. But through it all, I never laid down my shield. I kept my faith in the knowledge that Christ will never let me down. I was often reminded of this verse:


“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)


Jesus has already won the ultimate victory. He conquered death so that we can live eternally with Him. There is no battle we'll face in this life that we cannot win with the help of Christ. We can draw strength from Him whenever we feel weak or discouraged. 


These last few weeks my own faith has definitely been tested. So many things seemed out of my control. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. The struggles kept piling up. I felt helpless, worn down and on the brink of throwing my hands in the air and giving up. I did ultimately surrender...I surrendered my doubts and put my trust in God's Word...


"The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Your mercy, oh Lord, endures forever." (Psalm138:8)


Believe me, I did not surrender easily. I did what most of us do...I tried to rely on myself to produce answers, to achieve results. It wasn't until I said out loud in my empty apartment "God, I surrender...I want YOUR plan...I want YOUR way...I want YOUR help" that I finally got my answer. After weeks and months of waiting God finally revealed His perfect plan. We have been anxiously waiting to know what our next step is from here...where will we go after our time here in Switzerland is done. There were several options but we were unsure of which option was God's pick for our lives. Imagine sailing out in the open ocean at night with no land in sight and not knowing which direction to go in to find land. That's a little how this whole situation felt. Fear, panic, and despair began to set in. But after much prayer and many trials we now know with certainty what God knew all along. 


Jared had the opportunity to speak with his boss this week and he is giving Jared the opportunity to continue doing research for him while working in America. This is a HUGE answer to prayer. Basically, nothing will change except for the location in which he will be working. He will still have the same boss, the same pay, the same research...just a different lab space....closer to family! :) Jared loves what he is doing and given the multiple papers and patents he has achieved in the short year he has been here it is evident  that he is also good at what he does. But in order to pursue a career as a college professor, which we know is God's calling on his life, he will need to be back in the U.S. to do job interviews, because flying back and forth from Switzerland to do job interviews is not an option. This new opportunity will be the stepping stone that he needs to further his career. We are so thankful his current boss is being more than supportive. I think he sees the great potential in Jared as well. He has actually called Jared a "wizard" at chemistry which I now tease him about often. :) His confidence in Jared is very encouraging because he is very well-respected in the field and as an individual.


So where will we be moving you ask? There is a professor at Georgia Tech that Jared has had opportunities to work with in the past who practically jumped at the idea of sharing lab space with him. So by the fall of 2012 we will be living in Atlanta, Georgia. We have a few dear friends in the area so we are happy to be going somewhere that we'll already have friends close by and our family will be MUCH closer than they are here in Switzerland. So look out Atlanta...here we come!


Now that we can see enough into the future in order to relax a little, we plan on enjoying the rest of our time here in Switzerland as best we can before the brief time we have here is up. Lots to look forward to in 2012 and lots of memories and lessons from 2011 that we'll carry on with us. 


For those who may be dealing with some doubt and confusion yourself, please be encouraged by our experience. If you are looking for answers and all you seem to be getting is frustrated...remember that sometimes God's answer is "wait". His timing is perfect. Trust that He works the all together for good. (Romans 8:28) Pray it out. Ask God to help you while you wait on Him.  Ask others to pray with you. The power of prayer is the most effective tool we have.

Weakness Is Our Strength

There are a lot of people who think I'm a strong person. But I am NOT. I am a very weak person with a very strong God. I've been through my share of struggles in my life, but in those times where I think I don't even have strength for the day, I turn to The One who is the source of strength and ask if He would let me borrow a little. In my weakness, I am pushed up against God and He steadfastly reveals that His promises are true...  "God said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12.9-10) "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)


I am not ashamed to say that I am weak and that I need a Saviour. I don't have it altogether, it's God that has it all together and pours out His grace on me which I so desperately need daily. Life can be overwhelming and people can often be discouraging but we shouldn't let the weight of the world intimidate us because God has already overcome the world so that in Him we can have peace. (John 16:33)  Whether we are dealing with a disgruntled co-worker or someone with a difficult personality, or experiencing financial woes or a life-altering health concern, whatever hardship we are facing, know that God will help us through it by providing us with the necessary resources. All we have to do is trust in Him.


"For we do not have a king who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Have You Ever Wondered?

Yale scientist, Alexander Tsiaras, uses his training and experience in art, science, technology and journalism to share a powerful medical visualization, showing human development from conception to birth and beyond. Alexander Tsiaras has made a career of using advances in visualization technology to offer vivid tours of the human body. His books have taken readers inside the human heart, the kidneys and vascular system, and also human reproduction. Back in 2002, Tsiaras published From Conception to Birth: A Life Unfolds, a book that offers a “visual diary of fetal development.” Now, nearly a decade later, he brings that visual diary to video at a conference affiliated with TED.




What’s equally impressive is how he describes what he’s learned from doing these complex visualizations.  He mentions more than once the “divinity” of the process of human development, and about how, even as a mathematician, the extraordinary complexity of human development is many orders of magnitude more than we can comprehend. In other words...human development is miraculous. Each human being is uniquely designed, each of us has our own one-of-a-kind characteristics (our own unrepeatable DNA, fingerprints, etc.), we defy the odds of existence yet despite the odds against us, we exist.....


"Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering." -St. Augustine

(left to right: Day 1 of conception, 8 week baby, 8 month baby, newborn baby, adult)

I'll never stop being amazed by the fact that each of one us started out as this small, vulnerable trace of a human being and yet from Day 1 - at the moment of conception - managed to have all of the information necessary to grow into the steadfast, established adults we know ourselves as today.

Have you stopped and thought about just how carefully and wonderfully made you are? Don't let the world downplay your value....there has never been and can never be another you. You are not "just another human being" or insignificant...you are set apart(Jeremiah 1:5). You are the only you there has ever or will ever be. You are the first and last of you. You can never be repeated. You are a prodigy. Knowing how remarkably invaluable and immeasurable you are should help you to see others with the same value and respect. Though we are all unique we all share one thing in common....our humanity, and in turn, our intrinsic value. May this spark a greater understanding and appreciation for Life...not just of your own life, but the lives of all human beings from the moment a new human is created at conception until natural death. We fight to save endangered species everyday...aren't we all exactly that as individuals? The rarest of the rare? Saving one human life means saving an entire species from total extinction. I think each one of us are worth fighting for and on the pages of history I want it to read that I did all I could in this fight for human Life because I believe each individual is irreplaceable. 



(sources) LiveAction.org Google Images TEDTalks

Parable Of The Lost Sheep

Jared and I went for a walk this afternoon and came upon a field of sheep. I, of course, stopped to photograph the sheep and tried my best to get one of them to look right at the camera. I whistled, made kissing sounds, clicking sounds and even shouted "Hey sheep!" and not a single one of them looked at me. They just kept eating the grass and not once looked up despite all the noise I was making.

Then a few moments later a man in a simple shirt and blue jeans appeared. He had his hands in his pockets, he didn't make any noises, he just stood there at the gate and all of the sheep instantly looked up at him and began to bleat and baa in his direction as if they were talking to him. They all just stood there staring at him as if they were waiting for him to make a move and talk back. It was then I realized this man was their shepherd. They definitely recognized him and as he walked down the slight hill, they followed him. They knew him. They ignored me because I was a stranger, but they sought after their shepherd...because he was their leader...their protector...their caretaker.

photo I took of the sheep and their shepherd

I thought about this situation and how it relates to my relationship with my Saviour. There have been a lot of negative comparisons to Christians being like "sheep who follow blindly" but those sheep today didn't blindly follow their shepherd. He had gained their trust by proving himself to be a reliable caretaker, a devoted leader, and a true protector. Just as my Saviour has time and time again proven Himself worthy of my praise and pursuit. I do not follow blindly, I follow because I have experienced His goodness and faithfulness enough times to know that He will always lead me in the right direction.

I didn't always follow Jesus though...there was a time in my life where I ignored Him like He was a stranger. Just like those sheep had ignored me. But He never gave up on me, He continued to chase after me. Just like the lost lamb in Luke Chapter 15....

Then Jesus told them this parable:“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.


I want you to know today that Jesus is pursuing you right now, today. He wants to bring you home with Him and rejoice over you in Heaven. YOU matter GREATLY to Him. This story from Jesus' own lips reveals that your salvation brings Him divine joy. Having you as part of the heavenly family is something to rejoice about indeed! It's impossible to find our way home without Him. In John 14:6 Jesus tells  “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." We are all in need of a Saviour (Isaiah 53:6) and Jesus Christ provided the way to Him. All we have to do is follow.

Only Him

Isn't that the truth?! We can certainly make a mess of things, but only God can turn our mess into a message of hope. Life can really test us sometimes....it can test our patience, our endurance, our character and only God can use those life lessons as a testimony for others. We can be given a trial that seems impossible to win and only God can help us triumph in the face of hopelessness. We may find ourselves victims of evil and left with completely broken spirits but only God can lift us up, mend our hearts and help us claim our crown of victory.

I pray that in whatever you are facing that you remember these words....Only God. He IS the answer. No other answer is necessary and no other answer will suffice. He is the only One who offers a real, lasting solution. And that solution is His grace and love. With it we are free, we are restored, we are loved.

Through Him we have access by faith into this grace in which we firmly and safely stand. Let us rejoice in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. 

—Romans 5: 2

Think Before You Speak

If we all used this mnemonic device as our filter there would be significantly less word wounds and animosity in the world. If we ask ourselves these very simple questions before we speak, we could radically decrease the amount of "suck" in the world....

God knew how difficult it would be for us to watch what we say based on the amount of times this subject is addressed in The Bible. But it's also clear that how we speak to one another is very important because it is mentioned so much throughout God's Word. Here are just a few of the verses that mentions speech...


Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. -Ephesians 4:29


Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. -Proverbs 21:23


There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health. -Proverbs 12:18


A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. -Proverbs 15:1


Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. -Psalm 52:2-3


A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit -Proverbs 15:4


When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. -Proverbs 10:19


Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man. -Matthew 15:11


So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house. -1 Peter 2:1-5


A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. -Matthew 12:35-36


Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip strife ceases. -Proverbs 26:20


Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. -Psalms 141:3


We should strive to not just be heard, but to be heralds of truth, love and kindness. It doesn't take much thought or talent to harm and destroy with our words. It does however, take wisdom and strength to be effective and instrumental when it comes to speaking. Controlling our tongue is a daily challenge we all face...myself included. But to quote The Beatles..."in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make." I believe this to be true. In my experience, the more you give, the more you get. 


The times where I've lost my cool and said damaging things I lost more than just my cool...I forfeited relationships and respect. But in the times where I've spoken the truth in love - not always instantly, but eventually - I gained respect and harmony. I think if we're honest with ourselves we all want harmony. And peace begins with the individual. We have the choice to seek harmony or to harbor hostility. Each conversation, each interaction challenges us to make our choice. Choose wisely. Speak cautiously.


It's also vital to be reminded that we WILL inevitably slip up...none of us are perfect...therefor seeking forgiveness and extending forgiveness are integral parts of life. Forgiveness is one of the greatest gifts the Lord has given us. With it comes understanding. It's a virtue of the brave.

Dealing With Disappointment

To quote Max Lucado, "When God doesn't do what we want it's not easy; it never has been and it never will be. Faith is the conviction that God knows more than us...and he'll get us through. Disappointment is caused by unmet expectations...and it's cured by revamped expectations. Don't panic...don't give up...be patient...God is in control."

So when you're disappointed: 

1.) Look inward. David asked, "Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?" (Psalm 42:5) Admit how you feel. You can't deal with what you don't acknowledge. Ask God to show you the root of the problem. Is it pent up anger? Envy? Unforgiveness? Pride? Lust? Physical and mental fatigue? Be open to what He reveals.

2.) Look upward. David said, "I will hope in God! I will praise Him" (Psalm 42:5). Instead of focusing on your discouragement, focus on the One who knows the way out.

3.) Remember God's past faithfulness. David said, "I am...discouraged, but I will remember you." Through every trial we can cling to the assurance that we "can do all things through Christ who gives us strength" (Philippians 4:13). Recalling God's faithfulness builds your confidence that He'll continue to provide.

4.) Remember, you don't have to have all the answers. Just because you can't figure out what God's doing right now, doesn't mean it won't make sense later. He "causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him." (Romans 8:28).

5.) Don't give in to the bitterness. When your hopes are crushed, resentment can set in. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Regardless of how deep the pit may seem, God is on your side!

We've all experienced disappointment in our lives and inevitably will experience disappointments in the future.  But in those disappointments are lessons to be learned, wisdom to be unlocked, and believe-it-or-not...opportunities in disguise. Disappointments can help us to grow if we allow God to reveal His purpose and if we trust that He will reveal His plan to us in perfect time. It's important that we don't let ourselves get stuck in our disappointment by allowing bitterness and resentment to replace our hope and trust in Christ. How we respond to disappointments greatly determines the ultimate outcome.

Life Is Like Cake

Sometimes we wonder, ‘What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation my Mom shared with me! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she didn't make the soccer team, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.' 'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 'Yuck' says her daughter. 'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!' 'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?' 'Mom, those are all terrible!' To which the mother replies: 'Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! ' God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when these things are all put in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and eventually, they will all make something wonderful! God is crazy about us....about YOU! He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.  Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He freely gives love so that you can experience it to the fullest and never be without. He can live anywhere in the universe and He chose your heart.

Try to remember this when life doesn't seem to go the way you think it should. I’m sure most of us can look back at a time that was really tough and in the midst of it we didn’t understand why it was happening but then later in our lives we realize those tough experiences served a positive purpose somehow in the end. We have to wait for the cake to bake before we can experience its goodness. Just as we have to wait on the Lord to experience His goodness.

Revelation To Reconsider

I don't like to make consequential decisions based on emotions. Because emotions can be deceiving, they change, they are not constant. And I think because of the fact that faith requires more than basic human reason, people view that as purely emotional and therefor irrational or weak-thinking. But when it comes to believing in Jesus Christ it's not something I feel. It's not a feeling like we feel happiness or sadness or any other kind of emotion...it's hard to define...but it's more like intrinsic understanding rather than emotional response. I don't FEEL that God exists...I understand that He exists. And because of this spiritual understanding of His existence and His teachings I put my trust in Him. Not because it feels good, but because His truth is clear and constant.

Words without understanding are empty and leave us lost just as God without understanding will leave us lost - quite literally. To have faith is not to just feel Him - we must know Him. Once we know Him it is impossible not to feel love, admiration and devotion towards Him. I think this is where many are confused and see faith as purely emotional. First comes understanding and knowledge of Him then comes emotions of love, gratitude, and reverence. I hope this brought about some clarity. This was meant to reach those who may have had a false perception of Christ, who may have been led away from Him based on misconceptions or preconceived notions. May this be an opportunity for you to reconsider and revise.

My desire is to humbly share the good news of Christ with others. I am not special or claiming superior intelligence because I have come to know and love Jesus as my Savior. In my pursuit for truth I found Him and now I want to share Him with the world so that others can experience His sustaining gifts of love and life.

I keep asking that God may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe. --Ephesians 1:17-19




Song that inspired today's blog post: 'Under Fire' by Abandon
Lyrics below:


They try to trip us up
They try to make us doubt
Make us question what this life’s about
Our minds are criminal
They try to steal the soul
This moments pivotal who we choose to follow

We are under fire but we know, we know
The truth in our hearts
We are under fire but we hold, we hold
The proof of who you are
And though we haven’t seen your face
We know that we walk by faith
We are under fire
But it only burns, burns all doubt away

They tell us we’re all fools
That our minds are weak
How can we put our hope in someone we can’t see
They come with ridicule
To say that you’re a fake
But we are not alone, you endured the same

We are under fire but we know, we know
The truth in our hearts
We are under fire but we hold, we hold
The proof of who you are
And though we haven’t seen your face
We know that we walk by faith
We are under fire
But it only burns, burns all doubt away

We’re chasing what’s real
We’re chasing what’s true
We know it's God
We know it's You
We’re chasing what’s real
We’re chasing what’s true
We know it's God
It’s got to be You

We are under fire but we know, we know
The truth in our hearts
We are under fire but we hold, we hold
The proof of who you are
And though we haven’t seen your face
We know that we walk by faith
We are under fire
But it only burns, burns all doubt away
All doubt away
It burns all doubt away
All doubt away
It burns all doubt away

Mental Vitamins: Gratefulness

So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” Moses also said, “You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the LORD.”  —Exodus 16:6-8

Have you ever considered that when we complain about our circumstance we are actually insulting God?

I strive to not be a complainer. I never want to be ungrateful in my circumstances. I am undeserving of everything that I have or will ever have. But we as humans tend to have this attitude of entitlement. If things don't go "our way" we feel we have a right to bellyache about it because - in our minds - we deserve good things to happen to us. Truth is, everything is a gift from God. Each paycheck, each sunrise, each breath, our salvation....we can't earn or deserve any of these things. God freely gives. Yet instead of being thankful for all the things God has given us, we start complaining about the things we want to be different. When we complain we aren't just protesting to the air or complaining to a friend...we are criticizing God...we are declaring that what He has already done for us is not good enough. There is nothing wrong with wanting to better your circumstances and working hard to achieve greater things, but we can strive toward higher goals while still remaining grateful for what we already have.

Complaining, griping, whining and groaning are signs of ungratefulness. So when we feel the urge to complain, we should replace those negative thoughts with a plan on how to achieve our heart's desire, including prayer, while giving thanks for all the things that God has already given us. Life isn't always going to go "our way", but we should remain thankful for the blessings we've already received even when facing life's challenges. 

I've had to address my own ungratefulness throughout my lifetime. I'm not perfect, I face the same challenges everyone else faces and can catch myself in a whine session when things don't go according to MY plan. I have to adjust my own attitude from time to time. For example, I have caught myself complaining about having no car and being forced to carry our groceries each week instead of simply being thankful for the groceries and God providing for our most basic needs. There are plenty of examples of where we can choose to be thankful or choose to be ungrateful. Thankfulness is a decision. And Christ has given us several verses about thankfulness. Here are just a few of those verses that we can turn to each time we feel tempted to complain.

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. —1 Thessalonians 5:18

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. —Colossians 4:2

When we pause and think about all that God has done for us....we really have SO much to be thankful for.

Love Trumps Hate

Hatred and anger are powerless when met with love and kindness. 

Love trumps hate. 

Think about that for a moment. Love has the power to conquer hate. Kindness has the ability to defeat hostility. So why don't we use love and kindness when faced with hate and anger? Why do we "fight fire with fire" (hate with hate) only to find that in the end nothing survives the flames? Relationships, integrity, everything is swallowed by the fire of bitterness. Love is the water that puts out the fire. It stops the flames from spreading, from destroying everything in its path. Love always overcomes.

So the next time the world attacks you...the next time someone lashes out at you....the next time you are faced with hate and anger...pour out love and kindness to distinguish the flames. It's easier sometimes to react and use the same weapons they are thrusting at us back on them. Our savage reaction is a want to burn them back for burning us. But the best solution...the response that never fails....is to love and to show kindness in return. As long as you love you will always be victorious. As long as you share kindness, hate cannot succeed.

Don't perpetuate hate by repeating anything that is not meant to build others up. Don't initiate the hate by spreading anything built on the foundation of bitterness. Before you speak or write something, ask yourself "Are my words cancerous?" Will they progressively devour a person whole? OR "Are my words curative?" Will they be helpful or beneficial? We choose whether or not to be a part of the solution or a part of the problem. Will you choose to lead a life of love and kindness? Or will you choose a life of bitterness and despair?