Awe!
One of the disadvantages of using a blog to communicate is the challenge of coming up with a title. I mean, with a letter I can simply write, “Dear…” So it took me some time to think of an appropriate title for this week. Finally, I settled on something I’ve been thinking of a lot this year, awe.
Not just any awe, but jaw-dropping awe at the beauty, magnificence, power, love, and amazing grace of a God that provided a substitute punishment for my sin while I was still living in it, forgave me, clothed me with his righteousness, adopted me as a son, united me to himself so that I could be conformed to the image of his Son and is as committed to my growth in that as much as he is committed to himself!
“Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!”
Psalm 33:8
For my class at Moffat Bible College I’ve had the privilege of leading my students through Paul David Tripp’s, Do You Believe?. It has taken us through the study of and meditation on twelve major doctrines of the Christian faith, like God’s sovereignty, holiness, work of creation, etc. I’m telling you, if you are currently short on awe of God, use a book like Tripp’s to be reminded of just how astounding our God is!
But of course it doesn’t stop there. It’s daily walking in light of this awe that we see and know and experience, that’s at the heart of Christian living. So Tripp takes an entire chapter on each doctrine to consider how believing that particular doctrine should function in our daily lives. My students and I have been brought to the heights of worship and wonder, to tears of conviction and repentance, to our knees in brokenness, and to absolute stillness, standing in awe of our great God.
Thanks to all of you who have prayed for these students and provided the means for them to have these books. Yesterday they told me to communicate their gratitude to each of you. They also sent a picture you’ll find below.
Life at RVA
As you know, Lilli lost her mother, Kathie, in January, and was able to stay another three weeks with her father, Stan. We were so thankful she got to say goodbye to her mom, that the funeral was a wonderful celebration of Kathie’s life with many family members participating, and for the sweet time Lilli had with her dad for those following weeks. Thank you for your displays of care and comfort during this time. Of course, we, her family back at RVA, were very grateful to have her back with us after a month in the U.S.
Things seem to be returning to normal here in Kijabe. We are still required to wear masks indoors, but not outside. Playing other schools’ sports teams has slowly returned. Midterm was on-campus, but the senior class did get to provide a Senior Store during that long weekend. Interim trips for 11-12th grade take place in one week – Josh will head to the coast for Reef Ecology and Sophie will visit several locations for photography. Then it’s back for one more week of school with departure day on March 26.
Gratefully Pray
- Thankful for Lilli’s time with her family and safe return to Kenya
- Grateful to God for Jonathan’s opportunity to preach at RVA a couple weeks ago on James 4:1-10 with several students ministered to by God.
- Pray for Lilli’s dad, Stan, and family as they continue to grieve the earthly loss of Kathie
- Pray for Jonathan’s mom, Sue, as she recovers from illness and has moved, at least for now, from the farm
- Pray for us as we travel to Turkey at the end of the term for two weeks to have some intensive counseling for Josh
- Please remember our families as they minister across Africa and struggle with life and ministry along with the rest of us, and also miss their children at RVA. Pray for safe trips for their coming reunion in three weeks!
Snapshots
