More blogging for Jesus.

Just wanted to point out what God is doing with a handful of bloggers. I’ve mentioned her before, but Anne Jackson (flowerdust.net) and a few other awesome bloggers (including musician Shaun Groves) are merging their blogging skills, Jesus, and the people of Uganda in a week, for a week. All of them will be heading off to Uganda, to share Christ — not only to the people there, but to the people all over the world who happen to run across their blogs.

This is something I would love to do during my mission trips, but for security reasons, cannot. So, much prayer goes out to the fifteen history makers - for security, health, focus, and the continued reminder to be open, honest, and willing vessels for Christ’s love to really shine in Uganda.

Keep up with Anne as she starts her journey February 10th. You can also check out the other bloggers listed on her site.

Blogging for Jesus?

I read a few dystopian novels in high school, like Fahrenheit 451 and Brave New World, so there is part of me that really hesitates when it comes to technology. I know, it’s strange, my job totally depends on it. To be honest, sometimes I see it more of a distraction from things that “really matter.”

However, I believe specific things happen at specific times, so it’s no mistake I am living right now, during the “Internet Age.” And I’m starting to learn that the church can totally embrace technology which is such a huge communicating tool. HUGE. I imagine it would boggle apostle Paul’s mind that we can shoot an e-mail halfway across the world in a minute and listen to sermons from other churches within a few clicks. To reach more people? Heck yeah, I think he’d do it.

Anyway, there are a few blogs I keep up with that have this feeling of community. These blogs see the advantages and how technology can be used for the advancement of the Kingdom. Specifically, I just wanted to point out the prayer request post at flowerdust.net that received a lot of responses. Anne, the blogger, understands communicating and it has been interesting to see her readers respond to this post and other posts. In fact, she’s jumping into it and will be working at lifechurch.tv which I need to check out in my spare time.

Even though I’ve never met her, her and other bloggers have got me thinking technology doesn’t have to be the big, hairy, distracting monster. In fact, I may just become best friends with this “monster.”

Discontent and Transformation.

I’ve been stupid busy lately. Some of it is valid and some of it isn’t. I’ve been slammed with changes at work, changes that affect my everyday routine. My habits. So, the changes haven’t exactly been met with open arms yet. But my invalid busyness is due to my increased procrastination in conjunction with my increased responsibilities. In sum, the more work Nina gets, the less Nina does. I know, Nina makes no sense.

I have been encouraged by a strange source: the blogging community. There are a handful of blogs I suscribe to and I read my feeds during my downtime at work. And I noticed a trend among all my fellow bloggers - that we all have dreams, goals to achieve but that there is conflict to overcome. Okay, okay, so that is a trend with every human being, but it has been encouraging to read these thoughts and know that I’m not alone in my discontentment.

My discontentment has been at an all-time high (or close), mainly because I feel like I am on the verge of something great, but I’m holding back. It’s like life is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t quite get there. So to resolve this friction, I’ve given myself more distractions, unnecessary distractions. And yes, nothing has been resolved. There is definitely a monkey on my back.

But I read this on Dan Kimball’s blog as he speaks about his church’s mission statement:

We start it with “asking God to transform us” as it needs to be God not human effort when we are serving on the mission and our sinful nature would likely make us more self-centered than others-centered - so it must be the Spirit of God changing us as we serve Him.

And I haven’t been able to forget it. Combined with guest speaker Eric Mason’s message a few weeks back on BROKENNESS and you’ve got me not only thinking about where God wants to take me, but also what God is trying to teach me RIGHT NOW.

Where am I right now? Discontent, procrastinating, self-loathing, stressed, insecure, hopeful, dreaming.

What does God want me to learn right now? I thought maybe He’d want to increase my patience, but in all my stale waiting, I think He is also reminding me that I need to at least get off my keyster. But maybe, just maybe, He doesn’t want me to get up to do, do, do. Maybe, just maybe, He’s reminding me that before I do, I should pray. And not just pray my usual prayer that He’ll give me strength for whatever I do, but to actually pray that He guides what I do. Pray for transformation. Because I can’t change the world and I can’t change myself.

Encouraged.

I have a peanut memory, but here are a few things people have said that have stuck with me for more than 24 hours.

At work
Client that knew I was going on a mission trip:  Enjoy the mission God has called you to be a part of!

On my birthday
Me: I’m getting old!
Mom: No, you’re just getting better!

Earlier this summer
Em: Just because people view God in a different way doesn’t change who God really is.

In other news, last night was a blast. After work, a handful of my friends met up at Luna De Noche for some Mexican food (specifically, I wanted fajitas with potatoes!) Although they were different groups of friends that had never hung out, we had an extremely good time - we laughed a lot, ate Mexican food, ice cream and tiny gummy bears, and laughed some more. It was about as much fun as one can have on a Wednesday night, so I can’t complain. My friends came through in a major way: Em and JB pitched in and definitely helped me financially for my upcoming trip and a few members from my band put together a big bag o’ “Keep Nina clean and healthy while in Asia” stuff. If I was a crying machine, I probably would’ve bawled myself a river to canoe back home in. The gifts were definitely thoughtful and it was so good to see everyone in one place.

Tonight was another good night. My small group spent a good while listening to me ramble about how I feel about the upcoming trip and prayed over me. Cupcakes and cookies were also had. I got to blow out a trick candle. With all the craziness that ensues in everyone’s lives with summer wrapping up, I was thankful to have the few girls that could make it. And it was insanely encouraging to hear their prayers because sometimes you find out what people think of you, and they said a lot of stuff that made me smile.

I do have a boatload of stuff to do that I haven’t made time to get around to doing. Mostly important things. Friday is my last day of work for a long, long time and I am looking forward to getting stuff done this weekend. Hopefully.

One week from now…

I’ll be in Asia.

This didn’t occur to me until late in the day. Feeling nervous, moreso unprepared. Told my friend Jenna tonight that I feel like I am going up the roller coaster, knowing there’s no bailing out now. But I’m feeling extremely curious about the ride so I think it evens out.

Tonight I am thankful for the Internet. There are loads of free online audio courses to help learn other languages. It’s strange to think that God decided I should live during this age of technology because I honestly don’t know how I’d live without it. (Seriously! I would not have a job! And you would not be reading this!) Just another reminder that He knows what He’s doing and I should trust in that.

In other news, my poison ivy rashes and blisters are drying up. Mandy, I would have taken a picture after your comment, but I’m afraid it’s not as gruesome as it would have been a day earlier. Most of the massive blisters have popped and I’m just left with tiny blisters. They are turning a nice dark red color and some are scabbing up. Thanks for everyone’s prayers. I’m hoping it will clear up enough not to be a health threat because the area in Asia I will be in is heavily polluted and extremely dirty. So, don’t stop praying now!