My anthem this week

I Surrender Lyrics
Verse 1:
There is no love, sweeter than the love You pour on me.
There is no song, sweeter than the song You sing to me.
There is no place, that I would rather be,
Than here at Your feet, laying down everything.

Chorus:
All to You, I surrender,
Everything, every part of me.
All to You, I surrender,
All of my dreams, all of me.

Verse 2:
If worship's like perfume, I'll pour mine out on You.
For there is none as deserving of my love like You.
So take my hand and draw me into You,
I want to be swept away, lost in love for You.

Bridge 1:
I surrender...

Bridge 2:
No turning back, I've made up my mind,
I'm giving all of my life this time.

Bridge 3:
Your love makes it worth it,
Your love makes it worth it all,
Your love makes it worth it all.

The Body of Christ

This week for Sunday school I am teaching about the importance of the "Body the Christ" or the Church. Often times we take advantage of it or we, like the Corinthians, discount its members. (1 Cor. 12:21-25)

As I was preparing today I was thinking that if my physical body was sick ie., I had the flu, cut my hand, or had a headache, I would care for it. I would find all of the materials needed to make myself better and I would take action right away; my action would be top priority.

I then started thinking about how easy it is to find/identify sickness in the body of Christ. I mean, its everywhere. The body of Christ is made up of people who are sinful and broken. We, as the "Body", suffer when one member suffers. No matter what ministry we find this sickness in, ours or another, what is our response to it?

I was deeply convicted today thinking about this. Most of the time I want to run far far away from the sick member. We think, "Ministry isn't supposed to be this hard, is it?" or "I'm not supposed to be this inconvenienced, am I?"

How prideful we are! We spend hours and hours throughout the day making sure our own bodies are fed, exercised, and groomed, but when it comes to the Body of Christ, we are lackadaisical. We are ready to quit serving because of people and differences.

Jesus give us grace to see where we are running away from people instead of embracing and caring for them. Humble us to see where your Church is hurting. Give us strength Lord to love Your Church. Help us to give of ourselves for her, just as you did.

Japan

I wanted to write about what's going on here in Japan. The earthquake and tsunami that took place last week were truly devastating. Here are some stats for you to think about:

- roughly 590,000 people have been displaced
- about 380,000 people are in shelters
- the expected death toll is 10,000 people
- over 1 million people are without water
- over 5 million without power



These stats are astounding! The crisis is far from over. I'm sure everyone has heard about the nuclear power plants and threats from radiation exposure.



Its so hard to hear about the mass amounts of people who have lost everything they own and not feel something in your heart for them, but most of us move on with our lives.

They say that the people on the coast had 10 minutes from the time of the earthquake to when the tsunami hit. Most people did't make it out.

The feeling around here, in places of business and leisure, is sobering. The people are cordial, as normal, but very somber. Many of the Okinawans have family or know people who are directly affected by this disaster.

The Okinawan Christians around the island are holding nightly prayer meetings to lift up friends and family in mainland. Words are not enough to comfort broken and hurting friends and family. These faithful servants ask the Father for help.



Let me tell you a story about a friend of a friend.

This woman is getting married in about a week. She grew up in Sendai, the town that was hit the hardest. Her parents still live there. Its been about a week since the earthquake and tsunami. She hasn't heard from them yet. They are postponing the wedding until she hears one way or another.

This is one story in a million. There is SO much action to be done to undo what the earthquake and tsunami did.

My husband was among 38 other Marines from his unit to deploy to mainland Japan. They were at work all last weekend preparing supplies and equipment to take with them on their journey to aid in the relief. Monday they took a 24hour boat ride to mainland. They are far away from the disaster right now. Their humanitarian efforts will commence upon hearing word from the Prime Minister of Japan and the President of the U.S. As of now, they are gone with an "open ended" return date.

I am so thankful that he left for humanitarian efforts. While the devastation is similar to that of war, it is not war. He does not need a weapon at all. I am thankful that he gets to reach out and be Jesus to these people in a very small way.

The need is SO great in northern Japan right now. We have a Saviour who knows our needs. We can reach out to others because we have been taken hold of by Him first.