Words of Wisdom from Dr. Byrd

He is demonstrating how people in Jesus' day reclined

My Greek professor and Honors' tutor in college, Dr. Bob Byrd, is a wise ole bird. He would be ok with me calling him a bird, considering he has a picture of big bird from Sesame Street on his office door :) He has been a professor in the Religion department at Belmont since before it was called Belmont College, and I greatly respect him. All that to say, he played a key role in my education...having sat in over 10 semesters of classes with him and countless hours in his office discussing my thesis.

However, one simple phrase has seemed to stick in my brain from first year Greek class. I wrote it on the back of my Greek book (created by Dr. Byrd...who reads his Greek Bible instead of an English version...yes ladies and gentlemen, he's legit) and it has been etched on my heart ever since...

We think we have to do EVERYTHING, so we end up doing NOTHING.

This phrase puts into words what I have been feeling over the past few months. Being in India, you're surrounded by obvious needs, both spiritual and physical. There are tons of needs in America, too (I don't mean to belittle them) but they seem more apparent here. Here are some visions I've been milling over in the past months...

*Sharing the gospel intentionally, specifically with youth

*Equipping Indian teachers with effective and engaging teaching methods

*Orphanage

*Discipling Indian Christians, specifically young people

Even things as simple as exercise can overwhelm us because when thinking of the 30 pounds we should lose, we set out an outrageous and overwhelming plan of working out 7 days a week and eating only raw vegetables. SO WE END UP DOING NOTHING.

I look at the above list and I think, "Megan, you're only 1 person!" Yes. I am. So, God, help me to be able to focus on one thing at a time, one step at a time. Because these things are important. They shouldn't simply be tossed aside because they seem overwhelming. Help me not to give in to what Satan wants...lukewarm-ness and giving up, satisfaction in the comfortable. And ultimately, You're gonna have to do it through me because I'm so prone to giving up and losing heart. Your kingdom come, Your will be done...on earth, as it is in heaven.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Phillippians 2:13)

Comparison

I don't know about you, but something I struggle with, regrettably frequently, is comparison to others (sometimes even those closest to me). I think this is probably one of the biggest struggles women, in particular, face. It creates discontentment, an inward focus, causes us to give up b/c we think we're not as good as someone else, causes us to deny our own unique-ness and image of God, etc...you can fill in the blank.

Comparison is Satan's attack at our IDENTITY

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." (Prov. 4:23)

We should guard our heart, our identity, because if we don't I believe we miss out on that abundant life Jesus talks about in John 10:10. We start believing lies like:

*"I don't look this way, so I won't be loved as much by others"

*"I'm a failure because I don't do as much as that person"

*"She's getting more attention than me...what can I do to get that kind of attention?"

*"God can't love you...you've done too much to hurt him. But maybe if you prove yourself worthy, he'll love you a little more or at least listen to your prayers."

*"He's a lot better at this or that, so I should just give up because I'll never be able to do it like that person."

*"Look at her. She's a better mother than you. She's judging you, so should stay away from her b/c she makes you feel inferior."

None of these come from God. They are lies from the world and Satan. But how often we listen to them! They are PARALYZING. And they keep us from God's specific call on each of our lives. These lies keep us from experiencing abundant life. So instead of comparing ourselves to one another, let's remind ourselves who we are in Christ and that ultimately Jesus is on the throne of our lives, not us. This is something I need to be reminded of often.

"Therefore, in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2)

Our plans and God's plans + I'm not the Holy Spirit

Me and Chokey

Tuesday I went with my friend Munnu to a hillstation 3 hours from Siliguri called Kalimpong. The climate is perfect and the water tastes...incredible! I couldn't believe how much cleaner it tasted. Gotta love that mountain spring water you can drink straight from the tap! Oh, and Michelle (IMB Missionary living in Kalimpong who drove us up) changed Caleb's diaper on the side of the mountain. Hysterical.

Jeff and Trish graciously allowed me to go so I could to see one of my friends, Chokey. She's a college student there (we met b/c her and her friends came to our house to play basketball one day when she was in town) and we've stayed in touch for the past 3 months. I've been able to share Jesus with her a few times...it seems like He always comes up in conversation. But I wanted to hang out with her in person. And my friend Munnu randomly wanted to come too.

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.

So I planned to go to Kalimpong to spend some time with Chokey and hopefully share the gospel with her. But it turned out I only really got to talk with her one time for lunch on Wednesday. When I got back to Siliguri I realized that maybe the main purpose of my trip was to grow closer to Munnu. We went all over Kalimpong shopping for stuff for her brother's shop in Siliguri and just had a jolly time. We've been friends since last October and are really starting to get close. She feels called to do ministry but is still praying for God's vision for her life. I'm excited to walk with her in this journey.

Brittany, Munnu, and Me

It's cool to see God calling Indians to different parts of India for His kingdom. Munnu, a Nepali, is originally from Kalimpong, where mostly Nepali's live. So moving to Siliguri was difficult. But God has used her in many people's lives here and it is obvious He is growing her faith. Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide her steps into His will and not her own. Sometimes I get myself confused with the Holy Spirit, thinking it's my job to convict people or lead people into His will. But God continues to give me rest in the fact that He is God and accomplishes His purposes. His words are powerful and effective.

"My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." (1 Cor. 2:4-5)

I have to remember this in regards to Chokey too. It's not my job to convince her of the truth. That's God's job. I'm only called to plant the seed of the gospel and love her. Pray that Chokey would know the forgiveness and freedom and life found only in Jesus.

ps - i'm so thankful for my sweet friend Brittany (journeyman for the IMB) and allowing us to stay with her. she's such an encouragement! (and makes incredible omelettes!)

Week in Pictures! (click on the link below)

Wedding/Naga Church

Prayer

So last night a couple of my Indian girlfriends came over - Mary and Munnu. They are crazy 21 year-olds and full of fun and laughter. But they also, like most Indian Christians, know the importance of prayer. A few days ago I went to Munnu's house, and as I was about to leave she said, "Wow, we've been talking this whole time and haven't even thought to pray." It kind of made me chuckle, but I agreed so we ended our time together in prayer. I love it!

But what is unique about many group prayers here is that, to start, everyone will pray individually at the same time. So it sounds like a jumbled mess, most likely with 5 different languages being spoken too. But then after everyone has finished, one person will close the prayer aloud. That is what we do at the house church I go to (maybe sometime I'll try to get it on video) and that's what me, Mary, and Munnu did last night. It was really neat because Mary was praying in Nagamese, Munnu in Nepali, and me in English. And then Munnu finished the prayer. I love the picture that Jesus hears and understands all of our prayers at once.

My Indian friends have encouraged God and prayer to be central, even when we're just hanging out. Gives this verse "pray continually" new meaning. It's cool when God isn't simply someone who we talk about on Sunday but someone who's in our everyday lives. I think that's how He wants it to be.

¹⁶Be joyful always; ¹⁷pray continually; ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Indian Houses/Buildings = NO INSULATION

Ok, this statement isn't completely true. However, Jeff noted this morning that one of the major differences from buildings in the US is that there is almost zippo insulation in buildings here...resulting in hearing every single sound outside when you're inside (and trust me, India is VERY loud - street dogs barking 24/7, Bhuddist chanting next door or some kind of annoying music, motorcycles/trucks/honking, constant construction, birds - not just sweet chirping birds, people on loudspeakers protesting anything/everything, etc) and letting the cold/hot air in depending on the season. Oh, and mosquitoes.

This post might appear to be a complaint (ok, maybe it is :); however, I am simply relaying cultural differences to my American amigos.

Sincerely,

Maggie

(a nickname Indians gave me because they say my hair looks like noodles, and "maggie" in Hindi means noodles...logical...and jolly)

Back in India

Well, it's official...I get an "F" in the subject of blogging because I haven't written a post in almost 2 months!

A lot has happened over the past couple months...including the outdoor youth concert we had been planning since October, finishing up Victoria's school semester, vacationing in Hyderabad with my sweet Indian friends, and visiting my family/friends in Nashville for 2 weeks as well as getting my business visa. My time away from Siliguri was refreshing, renewing, and much needed. The Wards and I flew back from Chicago last Friday and arrived in Siliguri on Sunday afternoon. It was great to see so many sweet people in Tennessee, but it was definitely good to come back to my second home in India (although jet lag is hitting me pretty hard this time!). Here's some bulletpoint tidbits:

*there were over 2000 people who came to the outdoor youth concert and heard the gospel through song, rap, dance, skits, and a message. pray for God to water those planted seeds as Christians in Siliguri continue to build relationships and share Jesus with those seeking life. there is actually another Christian concert right down the street that will happen January 29th, 30th, and 31st. please pray for this event as well.

*i spent 16 days in Hyderabad with one of my favorite groups of Indians...i stayed at the church with the pastor's family and spent Christmas, New Years, and many days in between with these friends. words cannot express how much they mean to me. God has truly used them in my life to lead me closer to Him. they challenge me to be a person of prayer and one who gives generously. i am grateful to God for putting them in my life.

*it was really fun to be at home, spending time with the familia. it was snowing when i got to Nashville, and mom, dad, and Becca all cried when they saw me. what a sweet time to all be together for a couple of weeks. pray for my sister, who's been going through some health issues...not fun for a senior in high school in her last semester.

*i got to go to my Community Group while I was in Nashville. it was SO sweet. to hear and share truth with my sweet brothers and sisters was much needed. oh, and below are john martin and william moseley, 2 of my favorite wee ones from Grace Community Church. i got to meet their new baby brother too! Congratulations Jamie and Suzanne!

*i met 3 of my Young Life girls for coffee. it was sweet to share life with them again in person.

*went to one of my best friend's (Christa) wedding and was reunited with my college roommates, known as Gangsta's Paradise

*got to hang out with my mom and go to lots of doctors' visits. below is a picture of her with the mask she has to wear for radiation treatment for the next 14 days. yes, she looks like a fencer. ha! thank you for all who have been/are praying for her...she is strengthened by them for sure.

I am looking forward to this spring...getting back into the routine of teaching (and learning! i feel like a student just as much as victoria but love trying to engage her in critical thinking and soaking up the material), going on a medical mission trip to Manipur (state in Northeast India), and continuing to build relationships with Indians. And I want to update more frequently as well!

Check out my facebook pics of the past month...

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2087570&id=34102968&l=a04c15fc6f
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2088463&id=34102968&l=2b7a36aa9e

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2089587&id=34102968&l=a3f938af9e