Hackathon

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31

 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.  If they were all one part, where would the body be?  As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 18-20)

 

^{These scriptures were brought to life for me this weekend.  I spent the weekend at a Code For The Kingdom, Hackathon.  Hacking for Jesus?  Yes!  I was witness to a group of smart, tech savvy, Jesus loving people doing what they do for the glory of God.} 

 

^{My involvement with Wycliffe Associates has shown me that we don't have to be a missionary or linguist to help in Bible translation.  God can use us just the way He has crafted us.  Together we can make God's Word available to everyone!} 

^{My personality, my abilities, my interests, my spiritual gifts and even my disabilities can all be used to accomplish the purposes of God, if I will let the Holy Spirit lead.  What about you?  What do you have to offer?  More than you think, I am sure.  Check out wycliffeassociates.org or talk to a friend.  Sometimes others can recognize gifts in you, that you can't.} 

^{Whatever you do, do it for His glory!  And in so doing, you'll find your sweet spot.}

JTH - Thankful

I have yet to find perfection or complete healing, but I have found thankfulness in the midst of this journey.

I am thankful for the days I awake feeling good! 

I am thankful for the days I get to start over...because yes...I blow it sometimes.

I am thankful I have the option to eat healthy.

I am thankful for a supportive spouse.

I am thankful for a God who works all things for my good.  And yes, I do consider this for my good.

The truths the Holy Spirit is teaching me through this challenge are priceless.  I see this journey as temporary, even if it lasts a hundred years, but the good it is producing in my character is forever.

You see, I read that an autoimmune condition can not really be cured, as a cure means that the desease has been definitely ended.  However, it can be in remission, which is when a disease is temporarily ended or in reversal; a disease remains but shows no symptoms.  With an autoimmiune condition, it is about creating a lifelong condition of health through diet, lifestyle, environmental factors and stress relief.

Wow! That sounds like our spiritual life!  Our flesh can not be cured this side of Heaven, but through the right diet (Bread of Life and Living water), a lifestyle of seeking God, removing temptations, and being thankful, we can begin to reverse our condition!  Our old nature still remains in our body, but the symptoms are removed in proportion to our surrender to this new way of living.

When people hear about how strict my diet is they say things like, "That must be so hard!".  And it is, but only because my old nature is still kicking.  My diet consists of delicious foods, however, I still WANT what everyone else is eating.  My mind and taste buds remember the delicacies of the world and my culture says I can have anything I want.  It is a fight indeed!  But one that can be won with the proper perspective and training, for His grace is sufficient and I can learn to be content in Christ.

So, on  I travel...sometimes running...sometimes walking...and sometimes falling on my face!  But I am learning to do it all in thankfulness, for my God is always there ready to pick me up and help me forward.  He is faithful and His lovingkindness endures forever.