A New Bible and New Discoveries...

I just recently purchased a new Bible, and so have begun underlining it as I do whenever I read. However, it's amazing the new thoughts and passages I have been discovering, as if, for the very first time.

Somehow, in my old Bible, amidst all the underlining, I had skipped over certain areas for quite awhile, feeling as if, "I already know what's in that area" etc. But now that I am reading a NEW Bible, fresh and untouched by my markers from the past 18 years, thoughts and ideas are leaping out anew like never before. I keep thinking, "Wow, amazing! That's just what I needed to hear!" or "Wow, I forgot THAT was there!" (Hmmmm.... maybe I should start over with new Bible's more often!!)

Anyway, so I've been reading in Romans the last couple days...one of my favorite chapters, Romans 8. And these are some thoughts that I've discovered afresh:

"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled (or made complete) in us, who walk not after the flesh (or after sinful human nature and inclination), but after the spirit (or supernatural power of God)." (Rom 8:4) and it goes on:

"For they that are after the flesh (or earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God) do mind the things of the flesh, and they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded (again here referring to "fleshly minded") is death (eternal death or separation from God); but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind (or human willpower and flesh controlled mind) is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Vs 5-7)

Oh yeah, that's all fine and dandy, and we've all heard these passages many times. And we know that if we don't surrender our lives and hearts to God, we will die. But the next passage makes things a little more practical and close to home and kinda hits you in the face and shakes you in surprise. Or at least, it did me!

"So then, they that are in the flesh CANNOT please God..." (Vs 8)

Whoa, hold on here...cannot please God???! Yep, that's right! Why does that hit me in the heart even harder then the threat of eternal death?? I don't know, but it does...

It's like I am told, "You're gonna get sick and die if you don't take care of your body!" Yeah, I know that...don't we all?? But it's such a far and distant thought! But the next verse is like, "Not only will you die someday, but you are basically committing spiritual suicide right now and separating yourself from the very ONE person in the Universe who did everything to save you!!!!" Ouch....the last thing I want to do is displease and separate myself right now from the ONE who has saved me!!

I horror to think of myself standing before my heavenly father...with tears in His eyes as He says:

"Melody, I love you, but I am sooo displeased. I wanted to save you...I wanted to live through you...I wanted to crucify your flesh...but you wouldn't let me. Thus your flesh has crucified you."

How it would break my heart to hear such words! Yet how careless even I can be as I find myself at times floating passively through my Christian experience just expecting to be spared from the effects of the "Carnal/fleshly nature" while all the time it is slowly controlling my very life. Thankfully, as the first few verses of Romans 8 indicate, there is hope. But it requires an active CHOICE...not a passive one, to be successful!

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh." (Vs 1-3) And again repeating verse 4:

"That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit." (Vs 4)

It's interesting how everything is backward, at least humanly speaking, when it comes to the things of God. The spiritual realities of life are so against our carnal self-filled nature of the world. A grain must fall into the ground and be buried before life springs forth, the bread must be broken before it is multiplied, a heart must die to itself and yield to God before it can truly live...

But as I've read these verses again, I am reminded of what is truly important in my life. Not what I've done, not where I've been, not who I know...but am I dead to self, am I covered in His Blood? Does my life please Him???

As a general rule, I love to please others, and I thrive on affirmation, especially from those I am close to. In fact, it hurts me if the slightest disappointment or dissatisfaction is shown by those I love. I think this is true for most of us. Yet, how often do we as Christians try to please our human companions and forget about the most important of all. ..our Creator and our God! Oh how I want to PLEASE HIM!!!!

"For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Gal 1:10

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." Luke 9:24

So once again...God's Word has convicted me afresh...and I am praying that He will help me more fully live, and only live, to please and honor Him!

My Answer to Prayer in Korea

Well, believe it or not...my time in Korea has ended and I am back on American soil! The flight was bumpy and I was relieved to touch the ground in LA. At the same time, I was sad to say goodbye to Korea, and sad to see the time over. It's amazing how much just a couple weeks can impact your life!

There were many special experiences while I was there. Although the kids challenged me, and sometimes stretched me (It's been awhile since I've taught in a regular classroom), being back made me realize that TEACHING and working with kids is still one of my first loves.

Each child was special in their own unique way, but one girl in particular became very near and dear to my heart. Her name was Anna.

From day one, she seemed to be set in her own ways. She was a second year student, and so had already been through the program. So she often seemed disinterested or wanted to do her own thing. When she would come late to meetings, or not participate in an activity, she always had some good excuse. I grew weary with her, and strengthened my resolve to "make her" obey. But often I felt my efforts were fruitless and I was just spinning my wheels.

Somewhere in the first few days, she skipped out on a evening worship session. (Or maybe she slipped out when I wasn't looking!) Someone found her back in the dorm. When I questioned her, she only had excuses. She was always falling asleep at meetings and ignoring what was being said. I decided more than likely, she just did not want to hear the messages. I didn't know what to do, so I kept being firm with her. But things didn't get better. Halfway through, I had to take her to our director for a second time...for more behavior issues. He told me, "If she has a third offense, we are just going to send her home! She signed the agreement for summer camp that she was going to cooperate, but she's obviously not doing that." I felt horrible as a teacher. What was I doing wrong with her?!

At some point in time during our first week together, during evening family time, I'd asked my kids about their religious backgrounds. Only three of them even attended church, and the others said they came from homes where no religion was practiced. As I shared the "Creation Story" and the basics of the "Plan of Salvation" I could tell that this was all new to most. And so I prayed...

As things intensified with Anna, I began to realize that this wasn't just happen-stance behavior, but that we were in a spiritual battle for her soul. And the devil did not want to allow a single foot-hold of faith for her to hang on to. So I began to pray more earnestly. "God, please help me to reach her heart! You brought her here for a reason. You brought her to my class for a reason. I don't want to have to send her home. Please help me reach her."

Our team even gathered in prayer, to pray for each other and for our kids. And amazingly, it was then that things began to turn around.

God impressed upon my heart to be firm, but to add more love, to be strict but add more good-natured care, and I sought to reach out to her more. With time her attitude softened, and she began to relax. She began to actually stay-awake in meetings and pay more attention. She began to try to help out more in the classroom. Finally one day, as we got in our circle for evening prayer before I sent the kids off to their dorms, she piped up, "Teacher, can I pray tonight?" I was shocked!! "Of course Anna, I'd love that!"

And she prayed,

"Dear God, thank you for today. God, I love you! Goodnight God...Amen!"

That was all, just simple and sweet, but how that prayer must have touched the heart of God. The prayer of a little child, spoken with all sincerity and trust, and child-like love.

As to be expected, there were no more issues with Anna, and when my director made the call for those to come forward that wanted to accept the "Creator God," she was one of those that responded.

At the end of the camp, after the talent and award ceremony had finished, she came up to me to give me one last hug and she slipped a card into my hands. In beautiful English she had written,

"I am so glad you were my teacher. You are a good teacher and a good nurse. And I will never forget you. Please, let's keep in touch. Don't forget me. I love you and I will miss you so much."

Of course, it melted my sentimental little heart. And I thank the Lord for answered prayer!!

Like I shared before, it's been over 16 years since my very first over-seas mission trip...the one that I incidentally took to Korea. Many more mission trips have followed, and I am sure many will continue to follow.

I don't know what the future holds, or what exactly God has in store for the next 16 years of my life. But one thing I do know, and that is, I am thankful for each new day and each new opportunity to serve Him! I'm thankful for the kids I got to teach and the memories we made. I'm thankful for the teammates and friends that He gave me on this trip, that have forever etched their ways into my heart, and most of all, I'm thankful for another opportunity to grow my faith and trust in Him.

And hopefully, it is NOT 16 years before I visit Korea again! ;-)