We are awaiting our flight at JFK to take us to Dubai and then on to India. We are excited, but more than that, we are already exhausted. We have extremely long days of travel and with our venture out into the city, we are ready to be on the plane and snoozing!
While we were waiting in the security line, the Lord started opening my eyes to the people who were around us. And then he even brought to mind the various people we had encountered in NYC. He reminded me of words that I spoke to Michael earlier in the day when we were at the Top of the Rock viewing the city. Michael wanted someone to take our picture and I finally said to him in frustration that there was nobody around that could even understand what we were asking. You see, we were consistently the minority everywhere we went today after leaving Charlotte. Do I think that is wrong? Absolutely not! And that's not the point of this post. I often hear people at home speak ill of those that utter a language that they do not understand. But there is actually a gospel problem with that. For as I waited in line in security and was marveled at the various languages I heard all at once, the Lord in his kindness reminded me that one day, people from every tribe, tongue, and nation will be before the throne of Holy God - worshipping the One who is worthy of all praise, worship, and adoration. Praise God that he has revealed himself both in creation and in his son Christ and I trust that he is orchestrating all things so that people from every tribe, tongue and nation will in fact be seated around the throne.
For from him and through him and to him are all things (including people)! To him be glory forever. Amen.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Off to India - Guest post from Michael
As many of you are reading this Jana and I (Michael) will be on our way to serve at the Logos School of Theology in Trivandrum, India. In this quick post, we want to express our thanks to you and our Lord, and then share how you can pray for us more specifically.
We have been humbled and honored over and over again by the way many have supported our trip, and supremely, by the way the Lord has provided for us. To be completely honest, we weren’t sure how we would pay for this trip when we committed to go. But we clearly sensed the Lord leading us to go and serve, and confident that where the Lord leads he provides, we began making plans, purchasing airlines tickets, applying for Indian visas, etc. We’re delighted to share that the Lord has abundantly provided. The trip has gradually grown more expensive than we first estimated—we learned in the last two weeks that we’d need to provide the textbooks for the classes we’re teaching, a cost of over $200!—and yet the Lord continued to provide. The entire $5300 cost of the trip for both of us has been covered with a slight abundance we hope to bless our hosts with. The Lord is good. And the Lord’s goodness has been shown to us through many of you. Many have given generously and sacrificially that we might go and serve. We are deeply thankful.
As you may know, Jana and I will teach Indian pastors at the Logos School of Theology. I’ll be teaching Biblical Interpretation and Jana will teach English. In addition, I’ll be preaching daily in chapel as well as for a gathering of pastors outside the school. We desperately need your prayers because, with a heavy teaching load in a cross-cultural setting, we expect to be mentally and spiritually drained.
We would especially appreciate your prayers along the following lines:
1. Mental fortitude and energy to pour Christ into those we meet.
2. A sensitivity to and quick grasp of the culture we’re engaging.
3. Humility as we teach and serve.
4. Protection from spiritual warfare (health, attitude, energy).
5. Impact on those we serve, and lasting impact in our own lives and marriage.
As you have given and as you pray, you are truly partners with us as we seek to equip Indian pastors to reach the untold hundreds of millions of Indians who do not know Christ. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
"for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard"
Strange title, I know.
In Sunday School, our student ministry has been going through 1 Peter and now we are currently in 2 Peter. 1 Peter was an incredible book for me to study and to see how the Gospel intertwined throughout the apostle's writing is distinct evidence of how dramatically the Gospel - that Jesus, who is the son of God, came and lived a perfect, sinless life, was crucified for the sins of the world, was buried, and was resurrected and is seated at the right hand of the Father - had truly changed this unbeliever's heart. Hallelujah!
2 Peter is different than 1 Peter. Peter wastes no time addressing his audience because he knows that he will be "putting of (his) body soon." He immediately addresses the problem of false teachers and is faithful to remain on that topic throughout this letter. His agenda is not to primarily warn them of these false teachers, but to encourage them to remain faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ to which he was an eyewitness and much more, we have the prophetic word which was true to it's proclamation of Christ.
As we get into chapter 2, Peter's main point is to make sure his readers know that God will judge the unrighteous now and in the future. God is not idle or allowing the ungodly to roam freely. Because of the judgement via the angels, the flood, and in Sodom and Gomorrah, we know that he will judge justly the unrighteous. Not only will God judge the unrighteous, but he will also deliver the righteous as Peter so rightly reminds them of Noah and his family and Lot.
It is with Lot, though, that God got my attention. In 2:7-8, God speaks and Peter writes, "and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)".
It was in that phrase and as I was reading through Dr. Moo's commentary on 2 Peter and Jude, that I was greatly convicted of sin in my life. Dr. Moo included a quote by Cardinal Newman, the 19th century Roman Catholic theologian, that states, "Our great security against sin lies in being shocked at it." When is the last time I have been shocked by sin? Since when have things contrary to God's word been acceptable to me? Why have I become so numb to the sin around me - please hear me, not only around me, but even in my own life. Dr. Moo suggests two reasons why we, as Christians, do not feel the same torment and distress that Lot felt. 1) We care too little about the holy standards of God 2) We care too little about this world we live in (both points taken from The NIV Application Commentary: 2 Peter, Jude) In Romans 12:2, Paul writes that we must not be "conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." When we become followers of Christ, not only are we now clothed in Christ's righteousness instead of our "filthy rags", but we also, as we grow and mature in our faith, should be transformed in our minds. Our minds should reflect that of Christ. Sin that once looked good, sounded good, enticed us, should now repulse us. However, far too often, need I say especially in American Christians today, we often adopt this idea that once we are saved, we are good and we can just make it until the end when we get our reward. Dear Christian, we have manipulated and minimized the work of Christ on the cross. The cross is not about your reward, but about making much of Christ and his finished work of salvation for us on the cross. Unfortunately we have neglected the renewal of the mind. As Peter writes in 1 Peter, we are to be holy for God is holy. Moo states, "as we internalize God's standards and values that our horror at the rampant disregard of those values grow." In a final statement he concludes, "We are not shocked at sin because we do not sufficiently share God's own horror at it."
Those last words are what cut straight through the middle of my sinful, prideful, wicked heart. I should loathe the sin in my life. I should do everything I can to destroy, kill, mortify the sin in my life. I must first look inwardly at the enormous amount of sin in my life and hate it as God hates it before I can begin to look at the world around me. However as I learn and strive to hate the sin in my life as God hates it, I will then begin to look around me and see sin the way I should.
In Sunday School, our student ministry has been going through 1 Peter and now we are currently in 2 Peter. 1 Peter was an incredible book for me to study and to see how the Gospel intertwined throughout the apostle's writing is distinct evidence of how dramatically the Gospel - that Jesus, who is the son of God, came and lived a perfect, sinless life, was crucified for the sins of the world, was buried, and was resurrected and is seated at the right hand of the Father - had truly changed this unbeliever's heart. Hallelujah!
2 Peter is different than 1 Peter. Peter wastes no time addressing his audience because he knows that he will be "putting of (his) body soon." He immediately addresses the problem of false teachers and is faithful to remain on that topic throughout this letter. His agenda is not to primarily warn them of these false teachers, but to encourage them to remain faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ to which he was an eyewitness and much more, we have the prophetic word which was true to it's proclamation of Christ.
As we get into chapter 2, Peter's main point is to make sure his readers know that God will judge the unrighteous now and in the future. God is not idle or allowing the ungodly to roam freely. Because of the judgement via the angels, the flood, and in Sodom and Gomorrah, we know that he will judge justly the unrighteous. Not only will God judge the unrighteous, but he will also deliver the righteous as Peter so rightly reminds them of Noah and his family and Lot.
It is with Lot, though, that God got my attention. In 2:7-8, God speaks and Peter writes, "and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)".
It was in that phrase and as I was reading through Dr. Moo's commentary on 2 Peter and Jude, that I was greatly convicted of sin in my life. Dr. Moo included a quote by Cardinal Newman, the 19th century Roman Catholic theologian, that states, "Our great security against sin lies in being shocked at it." When is the last time I have been shocked by sin? Since when have things contrary to God's word been acceptable to me? Why have I become so numb to the sin around me - please hear me, not only around me, but even in my own life. Dr. Moo suggests two reasons why we, as Christians, do not feel the same torment and distress that Lot felt. 1) We care too little about the holy standards of God 2) We care too little about this world we live in (both points taken from The NIV Application Commentary: 2 Peter, Jude) In Romans 12:2, Paul writes that we must not be "conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." When we become followers of Christ, not only are we now clothed in Christ's righteousness instead of our "filthy rags", but we also, as we grow and mature in our faith, should be transformed in our minds. Our minds should reflect that of Christ. Sin that once looked good, sounded good, enticed us, should now repulse us. However, far too often, need I say especially in American Christians today, we often adopt this idea that once we are saved, we are good and we can just make it until the end when we get our reward. Dear Christian, we have manipulated and minimized the work of Christ on the cross. The cross is not about your reward, but about making much of Christ and his finished work of salvation for us on the cross. Unfortunately we have neglected the renewal of the mind. As Peter writes in 1 Peter, we are to be holy for God is holy. Moo states, "as we internalize God's standards and values that our horror at the rampant disregard of those values grow." In a final statement he concludes, "We are not shocked at sin because we do not sufficiently share God's own horror at it."
Those last words are what cut straight through the middle of my sinful, prideful, wicked heart. I should loathe the sin in my life. I should do everything I can to destroy, kill, mortify the sin in my life. I must first look inwardly at the enormous amount of sin in my life and hate it as God hates it before I can begin to look at the world around me. However as I learn and strive to hate the sin in my life as God hates it, I will then begin to look around me and see sin the way I should.
His 2nd point that we "care too little about this world we life in" is very sadly true. That very statement is the reason I thought it was very God-ordained that I would find the prayer/thoughts I had for my students. When I look around at them and see the sin that they have entagled in their lives it burdenes me and it should. Believers should be "tormented" and "distressed" at not only sin in their own lives but also at the sin around them in the world. If I dare say, get our focus off ourselves and look around at the hurting world we live in, we (epspecially including myself) would be more intentional about sharing the saving knowldge of Jesus Christ.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
A Reason to Pray...my students
I just stumbled across this from March 17th. I remember writing this to blog when I didn't have access to the internet. Thankful the Lord reminded me of this tonight as I was getting ready to blog.
My students point me to the Lord to pray. Funny thing most would say, but it is true. Though most of my students do not know the Lord, they still point me to him. "Why," you ask? For it is in the moment that I look around and see all the lostness I am surrounded by that I realize I am so weak and cannot save all these students, my kids, that are perishing. The weight of seeing my students experience the hurt, loneliness, suffering, etc. of sin is almost unbearable at times. I come home and tell Michael that I'm not sure how much more I can bear. I want them to know the liberty that is found in Christ. I want to share freely with my students so that at least I know they have hear the Gospel once. My heart breaks for them. I understand why Paul shockingly says he would give up his salvation so that all his people may be saved. If I knew giving up my salvation would save all the students, people, etc. that I come into contact with, wouldn't that be the least I could do? I mean, all those people to know and have intimate fellowship with the Father through the Son - the one through whom all things are made, the one through whom all things are sustained, and the whom to whom all things were made. If they knew this God - the one true God - wouldn't they believe? Wouldn't they taste and truly see that the Lord is good? This is the One who holds the answers. This is the One from whom we have hope. This is the One from whom we find rest and peace. This is the One who offers true, living water that will nourish the soul eternally. Oh, that they may know.
Oh yes, Lord, that they may know and be saved.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Humble Gratefulness
Fresh in our hearts is to "give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Ephesians 5:20). We are humbled and grateful for the kindness that has been extended to us through donations and prayers as we prepare to go to India in less than two months. That support has come from those that we are extremely close to, friends and family, and brothers and sisters in Christ that we may or may not know. We are so very aware that all good things come from the Lord and it is through Him that donations are coming in and prayers are being answered. We know that it is because of Christ that people so freely give out of their pockets to support us as we go to equip pastors and students there. So as I write today, the words are hard to find to express how humbled we are by people's generosity to us.
I must say that this has at time been trying for us. Michael and I have both been discourage at various times as we seek to raise the funds we need to go to India. Earlier in the week I was contemplating how we could possibly raise enough money and in my car the Lord silenced me. It felt so clear to me in my spirit that the Lord was questioning who I was putting my dependence on for these funds. It suddenly shone his sanctifying light on my sinfulness and lack of faithfulness to seek him for all things - especially money to get to India. I realized (via the Holy Spirit) I had to be fervent in prayer about this and I had to, in faith, trust that if he sent us he would provide.
The next day I had a man come to me at school and call me out of class. He opened his wallet and gave me a sizable donation. I was completely humbled. The first thing I thought of was not - "wow, I just got some money!" Nor was my initial thought to praise this man for kindly donating to our mission. Rather, I was silenced out of sheer amazement and reverence of God being faithful once again to one of his children. I immediately felt the Spirit so strong give me assurance and a peace that he was sent by the Lord. This man may never know what all his donation stood for, but that was the beginning of donations coming in and the Lord never ceasing to supply.
We are half way there to our goal to raise for India and now I sit a week later confident that the Lord will surely provide.
"You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 118:28-29)
I must say that this has at time been trying for us. Michael and I have both been discourage at various times as we seek to raise the funds we need to go to India. Earlier in the week I was contemplating how we could possibly raise enough money and in my car the Lord silenced me. It felt so clear to me in my spirit that the Lord was questioning who I was putting my dependence on for these funds. It suddenly shone his sanctifying light on my sinfulness and lack of faithfulness to seek him for all things - especially money to get to India. I realized (via the Holy Spirit) I had to be fervent in prayer about this and I had to, in faith, trust that if he sent us he would provide.
The next day I had a man come to me at school and call me out of class. He opened his wallet and gave me a sizable donation. I was completely humbled. The first thing I thought of was not - "wow, I just got some money!" Nor was my initial thought to praise this man for kindly donating to our mission. Rather, I was silenced out of sheer amazement and reverence of God being faithful once again to one of his children. I immediately felt the Spirit so strong give me assurance and a peace that he was sent by the Lord. This man may never know what all his donation stood for, but that was the beginning of donations coming in and the Lord never ceasing to supply.
We are half way there to our goal to raise for India and now I sit a week later confident that the Lord will surely provide.
"You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 118:28-29)
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Reminscing...If only I could have known how I should cherish every moment.
Learning to cherish every moment that the Lord has given you is very difficult, especially when you lack wisdom and experience. I look back now and people that I have met, places I have been, and things I have learned have never been more sweeter.
I have days when a song or a phrase reminds me of someone that the Lord has so graciously placed in my life. I am so indeed thankful for his goodness to me in providing those people to me.
I could try to write all of the things and the little details that I didn't understand then, but it would far outweigh the amount of time that I have to write. I would be writing those memories until my last breath. But for now, I will only say how grateful I am for the Lord's goodness to me despite my unfaithful running away from everything that he placed before me. Oh how he pursued me relentless like he told Hosea to do to Gomer. I am so very grateful that he came after me with a relentless pursuit. After all, that is exactly what our gracious Father does. He comes after His own.
I am reminded that in blatant disobedience, He placed those people in my life that would force me to follow His will even if they were not aware. I'm thankful for a boss who told me to go and serve one summer and preserved my job so that it was there when I returned. For in that one summer, God ordained me to meet my husband. God gave my husband a clear direction as a result of that summer. God granted so many tiny (seeming at the time) details during that single event that effected not only our lives but the lives around us - and for that, I'm so thankful.
I guess to sum this up since it has been a draft for quite sometime is this - I may not understand (nor like) sometimes why we are here, why I am a teacher, why this or that, etc. but I do know that in every single event, every day, every moment, God is doing a million different things all pointing the world back to himself, all to glorify himself, all to result in good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. So what if I don't "like" something or understand what's going on or what he could possibly be doing in a situation. I must have faith that he is working all things for His glory, for the sake of the world knowing of His Son. This alone will be my focus and what will get me through even those toughest days. After all, he has been faithful and proven himself a million fold!
I have days when a song or a phrase reminds me of someone that the Lord has so graciously placed in my life. I am so indeed thankful for his goodness to me in providing those people to me.
I could try to write all of the things and the little details that I didn't understand then, but it would far outweigh the amount of time that I have to write. I would be writing those memories until my last breath. But for now, I will only say how grateful I am for the Lord's goodness to me despite my unfaithful running away from everything that he placed before me. Oh how he pursued me relentless like he told Hosea to do to Gomer. I am so very grateful that he came after me with a relentless pursuit. After all, that is exactly what our gracious Father does. He comes after His own.
I am reminded that in blatant disobedience, He placed those people in my life that would force me to follow His will even if they were not aware. I'm thankful for a boss who told me to go and serve one summer and preserved my job so that it was there when I returned. For in that one summer, God ordained me to meet my husband. God gave my husband a clear direction as a result of that summer. God granted so many tiny (seeming at the time) details during that single event that effected not only our lives but the lives around us - and for that, I'm so thankful.
I guess to sum this up since it has been a draft for quite sometime is this - I may not understand (nor like) sometimes why we are here, why I am a teacher, why this or that, etc. but I do know that in every single event, every day, every moment, God is doing a million different things all pointing the world back to himself, all to glorify himself, all to result in good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. So what if I don't "like" something or understand what's going on or what he could possibly be doing in a situation. I must have faith that he is working all things for His glory, for the sake of the world knowing of His Son. This alone will be my focus and what will get me through even those toughest days. After all, he has been faithful and proven himself a million fold!
We're going to India!!!
Months ago, Michael and I were asked if we would be willing to travel half way around the world. After weighing options, we agreed to go without really knowing any details at all! We now know that we will both be teaching at a seminary/college in Trivandrum, India. We are excited and eager to go and equip pastors and students who will then go back to their villages/cities where it may be very difficult for them to spread the Gospel.
Below is the letter that we sent to our family, friends, and coworkers:
Michael and I will be traveling to Trivandrum, India from July 29th through August 12th. We will be serving Agape Royal Ministries, led by Abraham Thomas, by training pastors and other workers at the Logos School of Theology. Michael will teach biblical interpretation and I will teach English to college students. The expected cost of our trip is approximately $4,500.
First, we ask that you would pray for us. Pray for us as we prepare our hearts to enter a country where the largest percentage of unreached people groups in the world lives. Pray for us as we make preparations for teaching men and women who will go back into their own country and share Christ with those who are lost. Pray that the Lord would grant us opportunities to clearly proclaim the gospel to the people we encounter. Pray for our safety as we travel and that the Lord would strengthen us when we grow weary.
Secondly, we are hosting an All You Can Eat India Mission Trip Benefit Dinner to raise financial support on Saturday, June 1st, 2013 at the home of Rick and Robin Garner. Their address is 1207 Confederate Road, Lincolnton, NC. The dinner is from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM. We are selling tickets in advance – $12 Adults; $6 Child’s Plate. The meal includes marinated grilled chicken, sautéed green beans, baked potatoes, tossed salad, homemade roll, desserts, and drinks. (FYI: to-go plates are available; the dining is outdoors in a nice backyard setting.)
If you would like to purchase a ticket, please email us at janaljonas@gmail.com or themdw@gmail.com to reserve your tickets.
If you are unable to participate in the dinner and you would like to make a financial contribution, we would certainly welcome that as well and we can give you an address where you can send it.
Grace to you in Christ! - Michael and Jana White
We know that you probably give to various things throughout the year and are pulled in many ways, but we would like to ask that you at least partner with us in prayer as we go. Grace to you in Christ!
I will try to continue to post here so you can be updated as we watch the Lord raise the funds we need to go! We are anxiously anticipating him meeting all of our needs! Thank you for partnering with us in prayer!
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