Saturday, May 19, 2012

Counting The Cost


This morning I am convicted that following Jesus costs me nothing. I fear that I have had an additive approach with regard to Christ. That just like I have loved food or my home, I have loved Christ. I am convicted as I look in scripture and read the words of Luke 9:
"And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:23-25 ESV)
I am convicted because I can see the immeasurable love of God toward me in the cost of the cross of Christ. I know that following Jesus to Scotland will cost me much, but oh the precious worth of the gospel. It is worth all. He is worth all. May I be like Paul and say,

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:7-11 ESV)"


Friday, May 18, 2012

How It All Began...

Six Years Ago



It all began six years ago when I met Alisdair for the first time. He sat behind me in our freshman English class and I was completely fascinated by him. His culture, his home country, his accent...I couldn't get enough of it! I had no idea at the time that I would eventually be living in his home country. All I knew was, all I felt was: "there is something here". We talked much about Alisdair's family background and about how he has three brothers, grew up going to church, his mum and dad planted a church in a little village in Scotland and how he comes from several generations of pastors. I rashly said, having only known him for a few months, "I think you are going to be a part of a revival in Scotland!" Now, those words were most certainly spoken without thought, but here we are, six years later on our way to Scotland based on what we believe is a call from God.

Although we have always believed that moving to Scotland is "a part of the plan", a year ago we really began to seriously consider it. Even before we got married, when asked about us moving to Scotland, Alisdair would nonchalantly say he thinks we'll move after we've been married for two years. A year ago we began praying daily about the move to Scotland. We prayed about if this was indeed where God wanted us and if so, when. And day after day we received more and more confirmation and assurance by the Spirit. So we began to take steps in that direction. We applied for my visa, we put in our notices at work, and we bought plane tickets...one way! Crazy! On September 4th (our two year anniversary), we will fly to Scotland.

We are not exactly sure yet what we will do in Scotland but this blog will be our way of keeping a little chronicle of what God does. We are anticipating much and are absolutely thrilled to get to be on mission with God in Scotland. Here we go!