Fact: I can only take 3 suitcases with me for the next 2 years.
Fact: Early missionaries used to pack their belongings in their coffins... because they weren't coming back.
Conclusion: All things considered, I think I can handle my situation fairly well!
It's amazing to look at the paths that have been made before me, and it's amazing that I get to be a part of making some of these pathways. Lately, I have been reminded the importance of not complaining (even in the midst of visa drama!). What am I really giving up? What am I really sacrificing? When I look back to those who have led the way I am challenged. Would I be willing to pack all I need in my coffin for the sake of following God? What is my commitment to the Gospel being spread around the globe? I am reminded over and over again that "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses my life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39. Am I losing my life for the sake of Christ? I really weigh this out daily. I weigh out the depth of that statement, and if I'm willing to follow in suffering. I can say that those who have lost their lives, even if it's not a physical death, assure me it's worth it. I look forward to daily losing my life for the Lord, because His word tells me that in him I'll find it. What a blessing that is!
Do you want to lose your life? What are you holding on to? My prayer is that we all lose ourselves for the sake of the Word of God. I pray that no matter what this is my first priority (don't worry, I've already told my parents this!). As of now I'm going to a secure location where my life isn't endangered for a specific reason such as sharing the Gospel. What if one day God leads me to a place where I could be in danger? Will I go? Please pray I will because I never want to be outside of the guidance of the Spirit. I know people may start reading this thinking I've lost my mind. I am here to let you know that I probably have! (sometimes I wonder because what I say is what's challenging my heart). All of this is for the advancement of the Kingdom. Once you hear and see about the work around the globe it's impossible to not hunger for people to know the truth. My heart has been given to this, and I just can't fight it. The nations deserve to hear. God loves them enough to send people out.
Training has been great, but a lot of sitting and listening. Pray for alert ears and open hearts. Pray for my teammate Brook. She's still waiting for the necessary documents from Spain to apply for her visa. Pray for an easy visa application process for myself and another girl going to Spain, Meredith. Continue to pray for my team that's already in Spain. They are on my heart daily and please lift them up as well. I'm always excited to hear from you. Any prayer requests let me know or email me.
Love you all!
Taryn
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Christianity, Religion of Imprisonment?
Some people try to argue that Christianity is a religion that imprisons people to a certain way of thinking. Some people also say that Christianity is just a list of dos and don'ts that are legalistic and have no heart behind them. Some people when they think of Christianity they think of a loss of freedom. Without the right knowledge, a lot of these things would appear to be correct.
The good news is... these things are incorrect and proven wrong over and over again by lives full of freedom and abundance in the name of Jesus Christ. Have you ever felt so guilty and oppressed by something you've done wrong? Have you ever had a sleepless night where you wonder if there's any freedom from a dark feeling you have? I know I have, and it's no fun. There's also no physical way for me to find freedom from this feeling.
The good news again... I have found a freedom in Christ that is indescribable and isn't just a made up feeling to cover up the real pain. I don't think you can just think away or mask pain like that. I do believe that God is the great comforter that knows that the burden of sin and wrong we experience is too much for us. We can't handle it. Thus the restless nights, and yucky gut feeling when things aren't right. I'm not saying that things are perfect when you are a Christian, but there is a peace and a deep understanding that we do not carry the burden alone.
By our belief in Christ he takes away our sins. Now, I wish that this means we could forget everything we've done wrong, but sometimes we can't quite shake every memory this side of heaven. The great news is that God's word promises that when we repent he forgives us. Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Now that refreshing to my spirit! So many times I run to this passage and am reminded of the grace that I'm undeserving of. This leads to the next question of why does the Christian life demand so much? I think one thing to consider is that the commands God gives us is not to hurt us. His commands are meant to keep us out of the sin that entangles and keeps us awake at night with a restless spirit. Freedom from this is more than I can comprehend, but I'm blessed to experience it. So are we really talking about Christian imprisonment here?
Ask those around the globe who believe in Christ and are murdered, ostracised, and persecuted for their faith. Do they think it's worth it? Do they feel freedom? They claim that it is worth it, and they do feel freedom. When you think of paying that kind of price for your faith, it makes it seem pretty easy for us to believe here in the comfort of our U.S. lives. What freedom are you in desire of? Freedom to do whatever you want or freedom to rest in an indescribable peace only through Christ?
Please pray for Brook's visa information from Spain. For some reason it didn't make it, so the process is slightly delayed. Love to you all!
Love, Taryn
The good news is... these things are incorrect and proven wrong over and over again by lives full of freedom and abundance in the name of Jesus Christ. Have you ever felt so guilty and oppressed by something you've done wrong? Have you ever had a sleepless night where you wonder if there's any freedom from a dark feeling you have? I know I have, and it's no fun. There's also no physical way for me to find freedom from this feeling.
The good news again... I have found a freedom in Christ that is indescribable and isn't just a made up feeling to cover up the real pain. I don't think you can just think away or mask pain like that. I do believe that God is the great comforter that knows that the burden of sin and wrong we experience is too much for us. We can't handle it. Thus the restless nights, and yucky gut feeling when things aren't right. I'm not saying that things are perfect when you are a Christian, but there is a peace and a deep understanding that we do not carry the burden alone.
By our belief in Christ he takes away our sins. Now, I wish that this means we could forget everything we've done wrong, but sometimes we can't quite shake every memory this side of heaven. The great news is that God's word promises that when we repent he forgives us. Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Now that refreshing to my spirit! So many times I run to this passage and am reminded of the grace that I'm undeserving of. This leads to the next question of why does the Christian life demand so much? I think one thing to consider is that the commands God gives us is not to hurt us. His commands are meant to keep us out of the sin that entangles and keeps us awake at night with a restless spirit. Freedom from this is more than I can comprehend, but I'm blessed to experience it. So are we really talking about Christian imprisonment here?
Ask those around the globe who believe in Christ and are murdered, ostracised, and persecuted for their faith. Do they think it's worth it? Do they feel freedom? They claim that it is worth it, and they do feel freedom. When you think of paying that kind of price for your faith, it makes it seem pretty easy for us to believe here in the comfort of our U.S. lives. What freedom are you in desire of? Freedom to do whatever you want or freedom to rest in an indescribable peace only through Christ?
Please pray for Brook's visa information from Spain. For some reason it didn't make it, so the process is slightly delayed. Love to you all!
Love, Taryn
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Why Aren't There More Faces On the Map?
The other evening here at training, we had a mapping ceremony. This ceremony consisted of all of us standing up placing our faces on a map to show where we are going and sharing prayer requests. In the midst of these prayers and people standing up with their children, I was so moved by the commitment being made by these saints. People are going with infants, multiple children, and children with special needs. Needless to say it was pretty loud for most of the time because of the presence of these little ones. Through the noise I was quickly reminded of the sacrifice that these people are willing to make. I was also reminded of the sacrifice many other people are willing to make, but they don't have the opportunity to go because of finances.
As the ceremony ended I looked at the map and realized how empty the map looked. I thought why aren't there more faces on the map? I think there's a lot of reasons for this, but ultimately I believe the issue is when people are willing to go and funds don't exist we have a problem. How frustrating is it that people are willing to pick up their lives, more elsewhere, make the sacrifice, but they can't go because a sacrifice isn't being made by the church to send them? I'm not frustrated with anyone, but I am frustrated with myself because I am part of the body of believers. I'm frustrated that I haven't been a sacrificial giver, and I never realized it until these past few months. When have I ever gone with out grabbing a Starbucks coffee, eating out, or clothing whenever I wanted it? The answer to that is never. Sacrificial giving isn't giving out of our excess. It's giving that we can feel, and it affects us. That's why it's called sacrificial. It means that we have to rely on God for our needs instead of our bank account.
I don't want anyone to take this as a stab at the church. Because of you and many others there are over 5,000 people overseas now with the IMB, and I am HONORED to be one of them. I do hope it is taken as a challenge, because there are more people that want to go. Let's send them! This is such a challenge for me. It's a necessary challenge, because if I'm a Christian who believes the gospel is the most important thing in the world, then it should revolutionize my life. It should also revolutionize my bank account, because it's an essential investment. I hope I am revolutionized for the good news.
Love you all!
Taryn
Just FYI I love reading the comments!
As the ceremony ended I looked at the map and realized how empty the map looked. I thought why aren't there more faces on the map? I think there's a lot of reasons for this, but ultimately I believe the issue is when people are willing to go and funds don't exist we have a problem. How frustrating is it that people are willing to pick up their lives, more elsewhere, make the sacrifice, but they can't go because a sacrifice isn't being made by the church to send them? I'm not frustrated with anyone, but I am frustrated with myself because I am part of the body of believers. I'm frustrated that I haven't been a sacrificial giver, and I never realized it until these past few months. When have I ever gone with out grabbing a Starbucks coffee, eating out, or clothing whenever I wanted it? The answer to that is never. Sacrificial giving isn't giving out of our excess. It's giving that we can feel, and it affects us. That's why it's called sacrificial. It means that we have to rely on God for our needs instead of our bank account.
I don't want anyone to take this as a stab at the church. Because of you and many others there are over 5,000 people overseas now with the IMB, and I am HONORED to be one of them. I do hope it is taken as a challenge, because there are more people that want to go. Let's send them! This is such a challenge for me. It's a necessary challenge, because if I'm a Christian who believes the gospel is the most important thing in the world, then it should revolutionize my life. It should also revolutionize my bank account, because it's an essential investment. I hope I am revolutionized for the good news.
Love you all!
Taryn
Just FYI I love reading the comments!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Fingerprints of God
This last year when I was at the Kanakuk Institute one of our speakers encouraged us to journal about the times in our life where we really feel and see God moving. He said to name the journal the fingerprints of God, and we could use it for reference in time of doubt, fear, or worry. I haven't started this journal just yet, but the more and more I experience God the more I realize the necessity it is for us to remember what God does for us. Many times in the Old Testament the works that the Lord had performed were the things that Israel held dear, because those were the times when they could feel him the most. I truly believe we are the same way. I have rich and dry seasons where God is always with me, but I definitely feel him more at different times. I would love to share just a few fingerprints of God's in my life right now.
So, I have to take medicine every day. It's not for anything to serious, but if I don't take it... well, let's just say I feel very sick! This medicine also happens to be very expensive. For me to pay for it while on the field would constantly make a dent in my expenses, and it would be a struggle to pay for it. But, my mom told me today that for certain this drug is going generic! It will go generic in November, and I leave for the field in December. I've been taking this medicine for 5 years, and I truly believe that God knew my needs. He knew I would need this drug to be cheaper before I left the country! Some people may say, oh that insignificant, or oh that coincidence. The God I believe in isn't a God of coincidence. He's intentional and he's personal. He's so intentional and personal that he knew the importance of saving me over $100 a month. This is the God I serve.
Another moment happened today. We were given a spiritual retreat time of 3 hours. If any of you know me, that's a LONG TIME for me to be without contact or without talking to people. Usually when I approach God, I just talk a lot. For me this is a struggle because too often I approach our Father and the King of Kings in such a way that doesn't reflect my reverence for him. So I gave listening a shot, and I decided to try it first instead. I went to my room, sat on my bed and I sat there and sat there and eventually fell asleep. I woke up about 45 minutes later not realizing I had fallen asleep praying (or listening). I was disappointed in my inability to do a simple task of listening. I looked at my phone to look at the time. I saw that I had received a text message from one of my best friends. This friend I am certain is always praying for me, and shares a heart for missions. She has been a constant support and encouragement to me also. All her text said was "Tblocke... how can i be praying for u?" Despite the fact that I can't stay awake and pray for myself, or listen to God, God placed me on my friend's heart. God spoke to her and let her know the importance of interceding for me. How special is that? How extraordinary is that? Once again, some people may say that it's a coincidence, but the God I believe in is THAT intentional and THAT personal.
All of your prayers mean more to me than you know!
Love y'all,
Taryn
So, I have to take medicine every day. It's not for anything to serious, but if I don't take it... well, let's just say I feel very sick! This medicine also happens to be very expensive. For me to pay for it while on the field would constantly make a dent in my expenses, and it would be a struggle to pay for it. But, my mom told me today that for certain this drug is going generic! It will go generic in November, and I leave for the field in December. I've been taking this medicine for 5 years, and I truly believe that God knew my needs. He knew I would need this drug to be cheaper before I left the country! Some people may say, oh that insignificant, or oh that coincidence. The God I believe in isn't a God of coincidence. He's intentional and he's personal. He's so intentional and personal that he knew the importance of saving me over $100 a month. This is the God I serve.
Another moment happened today. We were given a spiritual retreat time of 3 hours. If any of you know me, that's a LONG TIME for me to be without contact or without talking to people. Usually when I approach God, I just talk a lot. For me this is a struggle because too often I approach our Father and the King of Kings in such a way that doesn't reflect my reverence for him. So I gave listening a shot, and I decided to try it first instead. I went to my room, sat on my bed and I sat there and sat there and eventually fell asleep. I woke up about 45 minutes later not realizing I had fallen asleep praying (or listening). I was disappointed in my inability to do a simple task of listening. I looked at my phone to look at the time. I saw that I had received a text message from one of my best friends. This friend I am certain is always praying for me, and shares a heart for missions. She has been a constant support and encouragement to me also. All her text said was "Tblocke... how can i be praying for u?" Despite the fact that I can't stay awake and pray for myself, or listen to God, God placed me on my friend's heart. God spoke to her and let her know the importance of interceding for me. How special is that? How extraordinary is that? Once again, some people may say that it's a coincidence, but the God I believe in is THAT intentional and THAT personal.
All of your prayers mean more to me than you know!
Love y'all,
Taryn
Thursday, October 15, 2009
An Extraordinary Call for an Ordinary Person
I arrived at my training just a few days ago, and I'm already overwhelmed by how the Lord chooses people to go and serve him. He chooses the weak, the broken hearted, the strong, the weary, the confident, and so on. He chooses all of believers to be a part of his plan. Today I was quickly reminded of how I lack a lot of humility in sharing the gospel at times. The most precious gift we have, and I either don't count it "worthy" enough to share, or I'm scared or intimidated. Other times I present it without grace and with an attitude that doesn't want anything to do with the person who disagrees. This may be an interesting thing to read by someone who has been hired to share the good news, but I'm just being honest. Why do we hesitate? What are we afraid of? Why do we become defensive and aloof? Something I heard that has impacted me is a saying that it is a sin to know where water is in the desert and not tell others. This is exactly like life. There are people around me dying of a thirst for the Lord, they don't even realize it, and I fail at telling them where the water/life source is. I fail at seeing the urgency and sharing the absolute truth with them. I had a fascinating encounter on the airplane with a peer. He had grown up in church his entire life, but wasn't quite ready to say that Jesus is the only way. These are the people I want to love, no matter where I am in the world. These are the people who I should care about and pray for always. It's everyone around me. You don't have to move to another country to share God's love and grace with a person. If truth is absolute, and we know it, let's be bold. Let's be honest. Let's be loving. Let's realize that the Holy Spirit is at work, and it's our responsibility to share. It's not our job to convince or talk someone into belief in Christ. We just have to present the information, and then it's up to them. I love that the Lord is working on people's hearts all of the time. I love that the Lord uses people like me who is unworthy of this call. It truly is extraordinary that God uses the ordinary people to share his word for it to resonate around the globe.
In Him,
Taryn
In Him,
Taryn
Friday, October 9, 2009
Just Call Me the Birthday Girl!
Another birthday... and I'm still always so excited. I kind of felt like I was 10 or so when I woke up this morning. I mean come on, shouldn't I be more mature, and not as into birthdays? Not at all. I was excited about the birthday gifts and of course the cake (with whipped frosting of course! the cake place spelled my name wrong, so we had to take care of that) Thanks for the birthday wishes from everyone, and for the recent prayer and support. As of now my important documents necessary for my Spain visa application are on their way to me. This is a huge answer to prayer, especially because this part of the process took too long. Pray for the rest of my team and that their documents come also. Brook is the girl that I'll be living with, traveling with, and breathing the same air with for the next 2 years, and she hasn't got her documents yet. Please pray for her as well! I leave for training in Virginia Tuesday and I'm so excited! Something funny that happened is that my dad and I have the same flight next Tuesday. He's having to travel for business and randomly his company sent him his itinerary with the same flight as mine! I know he's thrilled to travel a part of the trip with me. Funny how those things happen. Please comment and let me know that you guys are reading this. Your support means everything to me. Hopefully I'll have fun and exciting stories soon, and I'll keep y'all updated through my training. I pray that I learn the information I need to effectively share the gospel, and to share truth with Latin American immigrants. Love to you all!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
A little intro
Even though most of the people that will be following this know me, I thought maybe it would be a good idea to introduce myself to some of the people that don't know me. So here it is:
Hello, I am so excited about the call that God has placed on my life for international missions! It is an exciting time for me, and I pray that I use it to bring glory to God’s name. I am a graduate of the University of Arkansas. This past May I received my master’s degree in Youth and Family Ministry through a partnership with John Brown University and the Kanakuk Institute. My hope in acquiring this degree is a biblical preparation for ministry.
My call to missions began when I was seventeen. I had a constant tug on my heart to figure out what I was going to do with my life. God was so faithful to place international missions on my heart, even though I wasn’t sure what that would look like, and the fact that I had not been out of the country yet! The same year I felt a call to missions (my junior year of high school) my mother and I went on our first mission trip to an Indian reservation, Pine Ridge, South Dakota. My eyes were opened to the need here in the U.S., and my heart was opened even more to the world that I had yet to experience. From then on I have been pursuing missions as a lifetime commitment.
At this time I have made a 2 year commitment to missions. I will be in Spain working with Latin American immigrants. The initial goal is to discover where these Latin American immigrants are residing throughout Europe and then to see whether or not the gospel has reached them. It is estimated that 3-4% of Europe’s population consists of these immigrants. One of the encouraging things to know is that Latin Americans are one of the most responsive people groups to the gospel!
This is a basic bio I've been using to introduce myself, so hopefully it was informative! I hope that this blog is a great way for people to stay updated with me, pray for my team and for myself, and ways for everybody to go along with me in my journey!
As of now please pray for the team that is already in Spain. They are trying to figure out their long term living arrangements, and just getting the groundwork started for the job to be done! Also pray for myself and other team members that are stateside because we are working on getting our visas. Let me tell you... it's quite a process! As time goes on I know you all will hear more about these individuals that I'm working with, so please always be praying for them.
Until later,
Taryn
Hello, I am so excited about the call that God has placed on my life for international missions! It is an exciting time for me, and I pray that I use it to bring glory to God’s name. I am a graduate of the University of Arkansas. This past May I received my master’s degree in Youth and Family Ministry through a partnership with John Brown University and the Kanakuk Institute. My hope in acquiring this degree is a biblical preparation for ministry.
My call to missions began when I was seventeen. I had a constant tug on my heart to figure out what I was going to do with my life. God was so faithful to place international missions on my heart, even though I wasn’t sure what that would look like, and the fact that I had not been out of the country yet! The same year I felt a call to missions (my junior year of high school) my mother and I went on our first mission trip to an Indian reservation, Pine Ridge, South Dakota. My eyes were opened to the need here in the U.S., and my heart was opened even more to the world that I had yet to experience. From then on I have been pursuing missions as a lifetime commitment.
At this time I have made a 2 year commitment to missions. I will be in Spain working with Latin American immigrants. The initial goal is to discover where these Latin American immigrants are residing throughout Europe and then to see whether or not the gospel has reached them. It is estimated that 3-4% of Europe’s population consists of these immigrants. One of the encouraging things to know is that Latin Americans are one of the most responsive people groups to the gospel!
This is a basic bio I've been using to introduce myself, so hopefully it was informative! I hope that this blog is a great way for people to stay updated with me, pray for my team and for myself, and ways for everybody to go along with me in my journey!
As of now please pray for the team that is already in Spain. They are trying to figure out their long term living arrangements, and just getting the groundwork started for the job to be done! Also pray for myself and other team members that are stateside because we are working on getting our visas. Let me tell you... it's quite a process! As time goes on I know you all will hear more about these individuals that I'm working with, so please always be praying for them.
Until later,
Taryn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)