Incredible India

When you make a life changing trip across the globe, it's hard to come home and write a few trite words that sum up your experience.  My first order of business is to profoundly thank those who prayed for me and the rest of our team.  There's nothing in the world like the power of prayer...especially when you're half way around the world.  Secondly, a huge thank you to those who supported me financially.  Your gifts, made this trip possible and gave you an active part in the ministries we participated in.  Lastly, I make the promise of stories, posts, and pictures to come...just as soon as I can sort through them!  (remember the days when you could use the excuse "My pictures are still being developed"?) 

In the mean time, I challenge you to ponder the softness of your bed and pillow tonight, the purity of every drop of water you drink, the dry roof over your head, and the freedom you have each and every day to proclaim your love for Jesus Christ.  There are many, many who are not so privileged...

Here I Go!

Well, tomorrow is the day.  I'm boarding the plane, headed for India.  It's a rare occasion when I'm speechless, but I'm not sure I have words to express my excitement for this trip!  I won't be able to post much to my own blog while I'm gone, but we will be posting trip updates via the Partners International Women's Blog if you're interested in following our progress!  Thanks again to those who have supported me financially and prayerfully!  You are a large part of what God is doing!


Blessings,

Dang

It's a bummer when technology doesn't work like you want it to.  I guess for my email subscribers, my embedded YouTube link didn't come through on that last post.  If you'd like to see/hear the song, you'll have to go back to my original post at marriedtothepastor.com to view it.

Technically Yours,

Music Monday - Yours

A couple weeks ago I saw Steven Curtis Chapman, Josh Wilson, and Andrew Peterson in concert in the "Songs and Stories" tour.  I'm not sure exactly what to say about that night, except that it was absolutely amazing.  I've felt a little spiritually parched lately and spending that evening listening to these guys sing praises to the Lord was like a spring of fresh water.  It quenched my spirit in a way that's difficult to describe.  Just about all the songs spoke to my heart, but one in particular felt like it was a direct reminder from God.  This isn't a new song, and I marvel that for all the SCC albums I own, I had never even heard it.  In light of the loss of my baby girl almost 10 years ago, my upcoming trip to India, and several other areas of my life where I just need some reassurance, this has become my favorite song in this moment.  It was so powerful live, and this video only catches a glimpse of that, but hopefully it will be enough to remind you, like it did me, that you belong to Him.



Blessings,

Renewal

I got an email the other day reminding me it's time to renew one of my domain names.  Each year I have to renew Marriedtothepastor and a couple other domain names I own.  I know.  The tech savvy ones of you are asking why I don't renew for 2, 5, or 10 years so I don't have to deal with it each year.  But the truth is, I need the reminders to happen annually or I'll lose track of them altogether and have to forfeit my websites and email address.  If I don't keep "renewed", the blog that I've worked hard to maintain will be lost and replaced by something else.

I've been reading "Battlefield of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer, and while I don't always agree with everything Joyce has to say, this book has been powerful in forcing me to stop and consider the state of my mind.  I've been pondering the topic of renewing the mind since early summer, when I was preparing to speak at our Women's Retreat on a related topic.  It's a concept I long for in my own life, but have difficulty attaining. 

I find that if I don't keep my mind renewed with the things of God, other things are ready and waiting to move in and occupy the void space.  Worry, anxiety, and fear move in and make themselves at home.  It's my job to get rid of these uninvited guests and focus my thoughts on what is pure, lovely, and true. (Phil 4:8)  The question becomes...how?

While I'm sure there are many deep, theological answers to this question, for today, I'll share one simple thing that has been helping me.  I took a few minutes and searched my iPod for music that speaks scripture and spiritual truth.  I have a ton of fantastic Christian music, but I was very intentional about what I chose.  It had to directly contain or clearly illustrate scripture.  I created a playlist and named it "Mind Renewal" and I've been playing it daily at different times--sometimes before bed, sometimes while working or driving. 

Music, and more so God's Word, really does soothe the savage beast in my mind.  Pair that with my Bose noise canceling headphones (not while driving), I really can block out the rest of the world and renew.

How about you?  Has your thought life been invaded and replaced by things that don't belong?  Is it time for your renewal? 

The Year That Wasn't

I think I might have amnesia.  Though I'm desperately trying to recall, I don't know what happened to this year.  I wandered into my home office the other day and realized I hadn't been in there in a long while.  I have this great space in my basement that's decked out with a large executive desk, bookshelves, and a fantastic whiteboard. Nicknamed, "The Mama Room", my office is a haven of rest for reading, writing, and relaxing...yet I haven't even darkened the door since...well, I can't remember.

When I finally did enter The Mama Room, I wistfully read my whiteboard, which had all of my goals for 2011 written on it. Ugh.  I haven't done any of them.  My kayak never touched the lake this summer, I didn't write any articles this year, and I never got the redesign of my blog finished (or started, for that matter).

I vaguely remember turning 40 this spring, then after that, it's only a blur.  So what happened? I had goals.  I had plans.  But, for all my attempts, I've accomplished none of it.  Even as I write this, Proverbs 16:9 is ringing in my ears.  "In his heart, a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

This has felt very much like the year that "wasn't".  It's flown by and I feel like I've missed it, but if I stop and think about the steps the Lord has directed me in, I see that I'm woefully wrong.  I took a fantastic two week vacation, visiting dear friends and family.  I was blessed to speak at our annual women's retreat for church. I've made new friends, learned new things, and been given new opportunities. And now, God is leading me to India.

Maybe this isn't the year that "wasn't", after all.  Maybe it's the year that "is".  And, maybe I am not in control, but I'm in the control of the great I AM.

An App For That...

Although i love my iPad 2, I've been lamenting that I can't properly post to my blog from it because Blogger uses flash for its blog editor, which isn't compatible with the iPad. If you don't know what I mean by that statement, I'll just say, until now, blogging from my iPad hasn't worked.

But, ta-da! I found this nifty Blogpress app that supposedly makes it work. I guess I'm not going to know if it really does until I hit the "publish" button.

I hear that wireless connections abound in the area of India I'll be visiting, so I'm hoping to be able to use this to send updates from the field. So here goes....



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Experiencing God

Experiencing God.  As Christians, we’d all like to do it, but often wonder how.  In his book, Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby says when God speaks to you, you know it’s him.  He leaves no doubt in your mind.  He’s clear and unmistakable.  Recently, this happened to me, and try as I might, there’s no denying what I need to do.  By God’s grace and with his help—I’m going to India.

In many parts of the world, especially India, women are among the most oppressed people on earth.  Partners International is an organization that has been working in India since the 1960’s.  The goal of their women’s ministry is to replace poverty and injustice with dignity and purpose in Christ. 

Along with my church, New Song Bible Church, I want to know how to join in and be actively involved in ministering to these women.   January 2-13, 2012, I and a few others have been invited to visit several of Partners’ women’s ministries.  Our goal is to learn, interact, and see how we might set up long term relationships in key ministry areas.

I am asking my friends and family to pray for me as I take this step of faith.  There are many preparations to be made and challenges to overcome.  If you'd like to join in this work with me prayerfully or financially, you can contact me via email at cari at carijohnson dot com.  (Sorry for the cryptic type, but you understand...)  I’ll be posting updates to Married To The Pastor as I prepare and travel. 

Most of all, thanks for your prayers!