Currently, I am reading Filling up the Afflictions of Christ by Piper and have been struck by the life of William Tyndale. William suffered under the reign of King Henry VIII in England in the 1500’s for twelve years as he attempted to translate the Greek New Testament and Hebrew Scriptures into the common language of English. At that time, it was considered heresy and illegal to have a copy of the Scriptures in English for many reasons, albeit illegitimate.
William Tyndale was exiled from his home and his comforts to labor at translating the Scriptures into English so that “…a boy that driveth the plow, shall know more of the Scripture than thou dost.” William spoke these words to a man of great influence who was opposed to the Reformation and his efforts. William would eventually be murdered and burned for his relentless work and his convictions that the Bible was completely true and the common person should know the Words of God.
What an incredible example of perseverance and perspective in William Tyndale’s life! He suffered exile, jail, hunger, thirst, bitter cold and many other persecutions for many years, because he knew what had been promised to him in the Scriptures.
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice, insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” - 1 Peter 4:12-14
Because of the faithfulness of Tyndale and so many others, we have the Scriptures in English and are able to know our Savior in an intimate way. What a challenge to us to have perspective in trials and know that God has ordained every situation for His glory and for the spreading of His gospel! What a striking reminder that we are called to suffer and to be joyful, even in pain! What a sweet reminder that ultimately we are saved by God’s grace through faith; not by any works of righteousness! What a challenge to us not to back down from resistance to our attempts at spreading the gospel but to be joyful always; in seeing people come to know our Jesus and in many persecutions, however small or large.
God, help us to love Your Word, know Your Word, treasure Your Word and spread Your Word.
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Beginning
First off, I'm fully against blogging and am not fully sure why I'm starting this blog. However in an effort to chronicle the happenings of my life and what God is doing, I decided that blogging would be an effective medium for keeping track of what I'm learning and describing it to others well. So here goes nothing.
As of yesterday afternoon I am officially a resident of Midland, Texas. I start work with Chevron as a production engineer in the morning and have mixed emotions about it all.
On one hand, I'm excited to begin my career in the oil field, especially after having talked about it for over a year now with everyone and their dog. I'm also pumped that I am not starting another semester filled with lecture halls, labs and 12-hour examinations. I'm also excited to have a fresh start in a new place.
However, I can't help but be somewhat anxious about starting this job. Questions like 'do I have what it takes?', 'will I enjoy my work?' and 'is a career in the oil field truly what God has for me long-term?' have crept in and found residence in my daily thoughts. I know that I'll miss the college life of late nights, randomness and unprecedented freedom. More than anything, I'm already missing the community that I had formed in College Station. I desperately need community (and so do you...) and am ready to see how God provides that here for the next 18-24 months.
I chose to entitle the blog "Acknowledging our Savior" because that is what I hope to do in my life and in this blog. This phrase is Biblical and is seen in a few places but specifically Proverbs 3:5-6 and Luke 12:8-12.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge..." - Luke 12:8
I desire to trust God completely with my life. I don't want to question my circumstances or pray that they be changed, but I desire to acknowledge that God has placed me in those circumstances. I don't want to ask why but what is God trying to teach me, refine in me, change in me or prepare me for. I'm finding thus far in my life that my understanding is infinitely small in comparison to His. (Isaiah 55:6-11) I desire to walk by faith and trust that God is directing my paths for His glory and the spreading of His gospel.
That Luke passage goes on to say that those who do not acknowledge Jesus will not be acknowledged by Him. I don't know about you, but I don't want that. Acknowledging means to find out; to discern; to know by experience; to watch for in daily life. Acknowledging also implies being a witness and testimony in the presence of others. I desire to see where God is working and moving in and around me. I desire to grow in a more intimate walk with Jesus as I move to be found where He is working and moving. I desire to be a witness and a testimony of the grace of God to the people around me.
This job in Midland is only the beginning to what God is going to do with my life. My hope and prayer is that I'd be quick to acknowledge God in everything with my lips and heart.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." - Psalm 19:14
As of yesterday afternoon I am officially a resident of Midland, Texas. I start work with Chevron as a production engineer in the morning and have mixed emotions about it all.
On one hand, I'm excited to begin my career in the oil field, especially after having talked about it for over a year now with everyone and their dog. I'm also pumped that I am not starting another semester filled with lecture halls, labs and 12-hour examinations. I'm also excited to have a fresh start in a new place.
However, I can't help but be somewhat anxious about starting this job. Questions like 'do I have what it takes?', 'will I enjoy my work?' and 'is a career in the oil field truly what God has for me long-term?' have crept in and found residence in my daily thoughts. I know that I'll miss the college life of late nights, randomness and unprecedented freedom. More than anything, I'm already missing the community that I had formed in College Station. I desperately need community (and so do you...) and am ready to see how God provides that here for the next 18-24 months.
I chose to entitle the blog "Acknowledging our Savior" because that is what I hope to do in my life and in this blog. This phrase is Biblical and is seen in a few places but specifically Proverbs 3:5-6 and Luke 12:8-12.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6
"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge..." - Luke 12:8
I desire to trust God completely with my life. I don't want to question my circumstances or pray that they be changed, but I desire to acknowledge that God has placed me in those circumstances. I don't want to ask why but what is God trying to teach me, refine in me, change in me or prepare me for. I'm finding thus far in my life that my understanding is infinitely small in comparison to His. (Isaiah 55:6-11) I desire to walk by faith and trust that God is directing my paths for His glory and the spreading of His gospel.
That Luke passage goes on to say that those who do not acknowledge Jesus will not be acknowledged by Him. I don't know about you, but I don't want that. Acknowledging means to find out; to discern; to know by experience; to watch for in daily life. Acknowledging also implies being a witness and testimony in the presence of others. I desire to see where God is working and moving in and around me. I desire to grow in a more intimate walk with Jesus as I move to be found where He is working and moving. I desire to be a witness and a testimony of the grace of God to the people around me.
This job in Midland is only the beginning to what God is going to do with my life. My hope and prayer is that I'd be quick to acknowledge God in everything with my lips and heart.
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." - Psalm 19:14
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