Strongholds in the heart limit us in the complete expression of our life in Christ, and restrict our contribution, and thereby, our fruitfulness. We are constricted and cannot surrender fully when we have strongholds in our hearts. These have to be confronted and shown for what they are, enemies of the cross, in order for us to be free to come to full expression / reflection of Christ. This confrontation can be (and is) gentle at times, and other times dramatic. Our attitude may have a bearing on how gentle or dramatic it is, as well. Continue reading “Strongholds”
Lorensen Thailand Update – May 2017
The Thai summer break for Geshem and Iris is coming to a close. Next week Iris will start Preschool Level 2 and Geshem will go into grade 4! We were elated when we got Geshem’s first ever standardized test scores back last month. Even though we know that standardized tests aren’t the best indicator of skills or knowledge, we were amazed that Geshem scored around 17 percent higher than the national average in 2 of the 3 areas tested. We are so proud of who he is becoming. He has strong academic skills, as well as social emotional skills. He is a good example to us, his peers, and his sister:) Continue reading “Lorensen Thailand Update – May 2017”
Leaving the Path
A lot of times when people think that others have left the path of the Lord, what is really happening is that the other people are actually just no longer pacing with them, or they have been led in another direction. We see ourselves as the standard of what it means to follow the path of the Lord, but we are not.
Let’s be gracious to others and not impose ourselves as the standard of what it means to follow the Lord and keep pace with Him.
Jude
The book of Jude is one of my favorite books in the Bible… I really relate to his urgency and concern. He doesn’t mince words, but comes straight at what he perceives as opposing to the Lord and His work in the lives of people. He wants to make sure that we are not deceived, unwittingly accepting influence from wolves in sheep’s clothing. I have a lot of respect for him, because he senses our weakness and extends himself, sending an alarm. Today, many may think of Jude as an alarmist, but I think of him as a friend, and a faithful one at that.