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We returned earlier today from a short trip to Oklahoma. It turned out that we somehow managed to spend an 18 hour period in Okie that corresponded with massive rainfall and flooding. We hung out at the hotel waiting for the worst to pass while Noah proved he can eat disgusting amounts of bacon and Phoebe showcased her ability to put away box after box of cereal. Hope focused most of her attention on map-routes that might take us around the flooding.
It was a quick trip north with three of our kids that blessed us immensely. Last week when I was feeling very down and discouraged I asked Troy if he thought we should cancel. He said, "Our yes has to mean yes." For many reasons, I am thankful Troy got us there.
On our car ride I read aloud from a book called "Radical - Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream" to Troy and the themes and things we've been wrestling with continued and even multiplied. What we read challenged us to keep wrestling and to keep asking hard questions of ourselves about the way we use the gifts and the time He has given us. If you're sort of restless and discontent with the same-old regular things our culture values, we think you'll enjoy it.
David Platt wrote: "In this book I want to show you that, with the best of intentions, we have actually turned away from Jesus. We have in many areas blindly and unknowingly embraced values and ideas that are common in our culture but are antithetical to the gospel he taught. Here we stand amid an American dream dominated by self-advancement, self-esteem, and self-sufficiency, by individualism, materialism, and universalism. Yet I want to show you our desperate need to revisit the words of Jesus, to listen to them, to believe them, and to obey them."
The combination of music and the book and the rolling roads of OK and TX made for a sweet time of soul-searching for us.
Thank you God for your love that will not let me go. Thank you God for your Joy that seeks me through pain, I cannot close my heart to you; What are you calling me to sacrifice?
tara
8 comments:
Tara and Troy, thank you for coming to Oklahoma. We really enjoyed meeting you and hearing your stories in person. I'm sorry you got caught in our flood! I was grateful for my roof and remembered the Haitians who are living without one.
Troy, I really appreciate your comment, "our yes has to mean yes."
Lisa
(the one who was NOT a Howard :) )
I read that book aloud to my sweet husband while we were on a road trip 2 weeks ago. GREAT book! We are recommending it to all of our young adult kids and our teens. It's a message that needs to be heard!
Laurel :)
Love Hope's map!
I am so glad you didn't cancel! Your stories were such a blessing to our church and specifically me. For many years I have struggled with my past & the thought that because of it, God couldn't use me fully because I haven't lived a spotless life. Your testimonies showed me that God can use ordinary people in EXTRAORDINARY ways! I know that it isn't always easy to talk about past problems & issues, but thank you so much for doing so. It was exactly what I needed to hear!
Your love for the Haitian people & the passion you have for the work you are doing is amazing & I pray that you get to return to your home soon!
Thanks again!
~Erin
Recently watched the Radical sermon series on line and it was both a beautiful confirmation to my wandering soul that cannot settle in this American way of life, and a life destroying wake up call that I can in fact do more from right where I am. Still asking the questions, still wrestling with my love for security and comfort...
Nice to know even missionaries wrestle - outside looking in we tend to think you've nailed this sacrificial living thing! Reminds me it's a journey we are all on together.
Heather -
We have nailed nothing. Trust me. We have so far to go ... scared to take on the challenge of praying for the world for 365 days and being in the word too ... we are indeed right with you in the struggle. That book rocked our world and left us asking what else we can give.
It has been awhile since I last read your blog so I thought I'd drop in. Glad to hear that you're all in the States for a visit. Any plans for the east coast or have you already been out this way?
It looks like a book recommendation that I'm going to have to pursue since I keep hearing about this book. Thanks!
Don't you wish you had a recording of EVERY hymn with Robbie singing it? I attended Ecclesia for 2 years and I know I do. :)
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