Huge. Healthy. Holy?

As some of you might know from my post on Instagram, after many years of hesitation and fear, I have finally signed up for my first sprint triathlon! I've been "training" (as in I've been running the occasional 3 miles). Mom, Allison and I also started doing "Ripped in 30" by Jillian Michaels nightly (we'll see how this goes...). All of this exercise and concern with fitness has me wondering about the ultimate aim of health. Obviously the ultimate goal is to "glorify God" (1 Corinthians 10:31) but what does that mean. Each time Christians run marathons, do they need to be raising money for some cause? Are workouts primarily for those preparing for missions trips in rural areas? Is exercise only good for sermon metaphors and illustrations?

When searching the all-knowing Christian blogsphere for answers there was little to be found. Maybe because like Jen Wilkin, most Christians believe in "banishing body talk". Sure there are numerous articles on beauty, modesty, and general oneliners about how bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit (1 Corninthians 6:19-20), but little on what exactly that means and the application interms of health/ fitness.

Whose health is most holy?

Ligon Duncan

Matt Chandler

John Calvin

CJ Mahaney

CHS

I tired including pictures of contemporary Christian women, but there is little variation on body type--what does that mean??

Christians, how does the gospel affect your views and motives of health and fitness?

Is Body Gospel what it's all about???

TGC Pre-Conference and Conference

CHECK IT OUT

Caught David Platt's 2 Corinthians 4 message on missions from the TGC Pre-Conference--so encouraging! Wish I was there. Can't wait to hear the other speakers.

Noteworthy.

The Light in Darkness.

"Darkness, in fact, is not the opposite of light; it is the absence of light. A blind man does not see the color black; he simply does not see. The radiant presence of the Saviour, therefore, not only shines bright but also brings the dead to life."

"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light, those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone." --Isaiah 9:2

Excerpt from the Village Church's Advent Guide 2012--GET IT

Noteworthy.

Faith never knows where it is being led, but it knows and loves the One who is leading.--Oswald Chambers

Noteworthy.

"If you have men who will come only if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there's no road at all."--David Livingstone

Noteworthy.

Just finished reading "Give Me This Mountain"an autobiography by Dr. Helen Roseveare. Such an honest portrait of not only the life and heart of a missionary, but of a Christian. So encouraging.

They lost everything just as we had. 'We are now as we were when you first came to Congo fifty years ago...All the church monies have been taken; all the chairs, tables, etc., destroyed. But we have one piece of wealth left--our salvation. How we thank and praise God that He sent you to us to give us the only true wealth, that no man can take from us, that cannot be destroyed, the truth as it is in Scripture, our lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!'

If Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.

Now to read the second book, "He Gave us this Valley"!

 

Post Uganda (2/2)

To try and fit what we did in Uganda and what I learned there to a mere blog post seems nearly impossible. Though our trip there was short, our days there were long and even in my own journaling of what we did during our time there pages have been filled with stories about people we met, like Susan Blessing who though she is HIV positive has amazing faith and trust in a good and merciful Savior, foods we ate—I really do miss posho and beans!, funny stories about the missionary kids and their obsession with the topic of kissing, and many, many accounts of how God is working in Uganda and using the Hurleys there.

Tiffany already covered the gist of how we spent our time there. We did a little construction on a new house for a widow in the village where the Hurleys live, spent the night in Luwala village, helped at a huge youth conference, hung out with the Hurleys and helped do some house chores, helped put on a pretty big VBS, went on a Safari (got stuck in the mud!), and finished off with a little more construction on the new elementary school set to open in February.

Before, during and after this trip to Uganda I have seen so clearly God’s faithfulness and sovereignty. Everything was and is in God’s hands and in His perfect plan. It was seen in classes in college taken, reading Ann Judson’s biography, Desiring God posting a blog about Katie Davis, my dad letting me buy the “Dispatches from the Front” DVD series from Frontline Missions, CCAC reading “Radical” by David Platt together, and many other events. His faithfulness was seen in how people gave to us so generously financially and showered us with prayers and encouragement. Even in how both Tiffany and I ended up going on this STM could have only been because of Him. During the trip He was faithful to sustain us physically—no one got sick or injured save a few scrapes and bruises! Despite the intense schedule, especially at the youth conference (think Mt. Hermon on steroids), we were able to participate and serve well and with good attitudes!

God is still faithfully using this trip to allow opportunities to share the gospel with others as I tell them about why I went to Uganda, to deepen my affection for Him and the Word, and He has planted in my heart a love for the Hurleys and the Ugandans.

I read this passage during a crazy thunder and lightning storm we experienced prior to the game drive of the safari. I think it adequately sums up all that this STM has been.

Praise the Lord!I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.² Great are the works of the Lord,    studied by all who delight in them.³ Full of splendor and majesty is his work,    and his righteousness endures forever.⁴ He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;    the Lord is gracious and merciful.⁵ He provides food for those who fear him;    he remembers his covenant forever.⁶ He has shown his people the power of his works,    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.⁷ The works of his hands are faithful and just;    all his precepts are trustworthy;⁸ they are established forever and ever,    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.⁹ He sent redemption to his people;    he has commanded his covenant forever.    Holy and awesome is his name!¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;    all those who practice it have a good understanding.    His praise endures forever!--Psalm 111

Thank you all for "striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" with us! 

Post-Uganda! (1/2)

Guest Post: Tiffany Leung

Hello all thank you for your patience :) 

Where to begin....

Psalm 145 v. 3-7

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

There has been a chain of events and great timing that has led up to this trip that I am in awe by. Tracy and I are so grateful of the amount of prayer and financial support that came to us. It has been surreal coming back and reflecting upon the events that took place in Uganda. Who would of thought that I would have the opportunity to drink tea and have breakfast with Ugandans in a  village, be involved with over 400 students at a conference, help build a house for a widower and her family, laying the foundation for a school, helping with a VBS which consisted of over 300 children! 

I am most thankful and praise God for are the hearts of the people who have the burning desire and unquenchable thirst in wanting to know who God is and what the Bible is all about. It is a huge encouragement for me to see how joyful and hospitable people are without having much to give. It has been AMAZING to see the relationships being formed and how God is using the Hurleys (missionary family) in mighty ways to further His Kingdom. 

What I took away the most were redemptive stories of people and their faith and stories about faithful service from the Hurleys. A story that has encouraged me is the attitude of a 24 year old woman who recently loss her baby 2 months ago, her husband 2 years ago and does not have any contact with her Muslim family. After hearing all that she has been through she replies by affirming that God is in control over all thing, even though it has been difficult. 

Please continue to pray for the people of Uganda and perseverance for the Hurleys. The vision that they are working towards is to provide education, community outreach, and to strengthen the church leaders. It is so evident how this family loves God with all their hearts, souls, and minds in order for it to overflow towards the Ugandans!

Love,

Tiffany

At Home and Abroad--Revelation 5:9

Tiffany and I are home! Thank you for all of your prayers and support. We'll be updating soon; I promise!

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation...--Revelation 5:9