Trip to China

I'm going back to China!  It's a short trip, just July 14-August 11, but it's going to be a blast. I've lived in China for a year and a half, teaching English and studying Mandarin Chinese.  But the purpose of this trip will be specifically prayer, service, and getting to know China better.

There is a lot happening with the Church in China at every level, in every dimension of society. This trip will be a sort of "tourist pilgrimmage".  I'll be visiting old churches and other places of interest throughout a country that is about as big as America (that includes Alaska!).  And I'm going to get to spend time with friends in Shanghai, Beijing, and elsewhere.  I'm really pumped about visiting places I haven't been able to before.

Anyway, this is a crucial first step in deciding where I'll be working and what I'll be doing long-term in China.  I've known that I wanted to live here since I was 10 years old...and I think it's time to get going!

Timely Reminders

Follow-up from the previous post:  I've had two more dreams that I missed a flight, and another that I missed an important meeting.
Needless to say, I've prayed earnestly not to be late for things any more...we're supposed to pray for miracles, right?

What a Great Idea!

I was praying with my friend Adam, and while we were praying, I had a simple thought, that struck me very profoundly.  Essentially, it was this prayer:
"God, thank You that You thought about what You wanted to happen, and thought it would be a good idea for me to be involved somehow.
You thought about making me, so that I could exist for Your glory, and You actually thought that was a really great idea!"

For a few minutes, I couldn't stop laughing at the beauty and hilarity of it...He actually thought about it, and He thought it was a good idea!  He thought that I was a good idea!

Today is my 27th birthday, and since Psalm 27 has had an especially deep influence on my life during the past several months, I thought I'd share it here:

Psalm 27

Of David.

 ¹ The LORD is my light and my salvation—
   whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
   of whom shall I be afraid?

 ² When the wicked advance against me
   to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
   who will stumble and fall.
³ Though an army besiege me,
   my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
   even then I will be confident.

 ⁴ One thing I ask from the LORD,
   this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
   all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
   and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
   he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
   and set me high upon a rock.

 ⁶ Then my head will be exalted
   above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
   I will sing and make music to the LORD.

 ⁷ Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
   be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
   Your face, LORD, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
   do not turn your servant away in anger;
   you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
   God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
   the LORD will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, LORD;
   lead me in a straight path
   because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
   for false witnesses rise up against me,
   spouting malicious accusations.

 ¹³ I remain confident of this:
   I will see the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the LORD;
   be strong and take heart
   and wait for the LORD.