Tisha B'Av

I love history, especially Jewish and Christian history, so I'm giving yall a history lesson, free of charge. ;) Tonight (Thursday) at sunset through tomorrow's sunset is a Jewish fast called Tisha B'Av. According to tradition and their calendar, this is the day when both Temples were destroyed (obviously several hundred years apart). Today our Jewish friends will fast, deeply mourn, and recite Lamentations. They will be mourning the loss of the Temple and, I'm sure, will be praying for the rebuilding of a third Temple.

Let's pray for our Jewish friends today. May the Truth of Jesus resound and be revealed to them today. May their hearts be softened by their One and Only Messiah. May they know the Truth. And may that Truth set them free.

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail." Lamentations 3:22 NIV

If only...

These people must've received their inspiration after watching a Ghanian wedding. :) This is perfectly normal in a Ghanian wedding - except add 50 more people walking down the aisle with the bride. If only my church would let me do this... ;)

Restoration

You know those times when your soul sings? When it just soars and sings away? Oh, I love those moments! I prayed for a moment like that just today (although I admit not believing it to happen anytime soon.) ... I've just been craving for my soul to sing.

And then it happened. Completely unexpectedly, too - only the way God works. :)

A deep friendship was restored to its rightful place tonight. Amazing. Only the hand of God could do something like this.

And now, my soul is singing...

I love Him.

Watch.

3 Books You Must Read This Summer

#1: Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell
In.cred.i.ble. Yall. There are no words except that this book WILL change you. Disclaimer: And by the way, I'm DEFINITELY not a Rob Bell fan whatsoever. This book is just that interesting.

#2: The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning
I accidentally read this all the way through when I was browsing at a book store. It's just that good. Jesus loves me and you.

#3: Crazy Love by Francis Chan
I'm actually only in chapter 2, but I have to make a complete list of 3, you know. And plus, this book rocks and I'm only in chapter 2 so I know the best is yet to come. Ah, the crazy love of God.

Hangin with Superman

Yesterday, I had the privilege of hangin with my friend, Noah, while his mommy took baby sister to the doctor. I love kids but hanging out with Noah always reminds me that I can't wait to be a mom one day - if the Lord wills it of course. If He doesn't, I'll be content being as much of a mommy as I can to all the other children I meet along the way. :) Anyway! I simply had to share Noah's mad cooking skills in pictures... if only I had thought to take more from the beginning!

Noah carefully placing each worm.

Noah stealing, er... taste testing... a couple worms.

Noah's Dirt

The fellas enjoying some dirt and comics.

A Must Read

Be convicted. Read this.

Sponsor a Child

***Found this blog in my "drafts" collection, and finished it. One down, 1359087 more to go. Stay tuned...***

Last summer in Ghana, our team visited a World Vision office and got to meet one of our team member's sponsored children. We also visited a Compassion International Compound and watched their kids put on a show for us. These experiences led me to sponsor a child in Ghana through World Vision. Her name is Nmowai Sonja, a precious 6 year old who got to start school this year. She has written me twice. Her first letter was a picture of an orange. She's my kind of girl: totally random. Go figure.

Anyway, I tell you all this for two reasons. Number one: I've been convicted. I have been reading Melissa (Moore) Fitzpatrick's blog on her Compassion trip to India. Her team's sponsor children have kept EVERY SINGLE ONE of the letters their sponsors have written to them. And I have yet to write Nmowai! Sad day!! This will now be my #1 project this weekend.

Reason number two: Sponsor a child through World Vision. (or any other sponsorship program!) I've seen firsthand what World Vision does with the sponsors' money and I know they are who they say they are. $30.00 a month will give your child - and his/her community! - basic necessities that we are blessed with each and every day: school, clean water, clothes, nutrition & agricultural education, and spiritual nourishment, just to name a few.

So, eat out one less time with your beau a month and sponsor a child instead. Eternity will be changed.