Becoming God's Beautiful Waterfall
Setting priorities 

It's been a while and I have been quite busy so sorry for MIA posts! But some people have encouraged me to continue writing and felt prodded today to do so.

Ever since being "just renewed" I have wanted to bless others with my experiences that God has given me, especially in my last year at school. In my El Salvador trip, Dr. Juengel talked about finishing strong, and I want to finish strong.

Having a desire to do so though, I felt like a drained waterfall trying to bless others beginning this school semester. Not only that, I felt like I always needed to be catching up with my life, always running behind. This past September, ever since school started, because of medical applications with various essays, varsity frisbee commitments, school essays and assignments, my priorities were misaligned. Only if I had time, I would try to squeeze in my time for God. My medical applications were top on the list, then frisbee, friends- family-God, then school. Then all things just spiraled down hill. Seeing others having it "all together", I started comparing and seeking tangible help, results from others medical candidates as examples. Seeing how much they worried and did med apps and knowing I am not the brightest of all, I continually worried about them, seeking all the help I could. My mind to be honest was very clustered and I always felt I had to do something related to medical applications or school. Funny, it even reflected in my frisbee playing, "chillie when you get the disk, chillie." Instead of panicking and throwing the disk right away, you take a deep breath, examine best options, and trust your teammates will get open for you. When I had time I would ask God for help, but it lacked faith. In Isaiah 40, it goes through a series of questions of who we compare God to. We describe God as best we can with our limited knowledge and language, but we only limit our understanding of him and his power when we compare him to what we experience on earth.

Then it started this weekend when I met up with a friend who blessed me with God's love. I had prayed because I knew I was in a "not chillie". I was able to see again how God always provides (she gave me a physio treatment from my sore frisbee body and helped me edit some of the seven U of T essays) and was able to witness the peace and joy in life when God is the priority. As she devoted a whole night just doing devos and reflecting, it struck me that's what I was missing in life. Thus, this morning, I gathered up my energy after swimming and decided to do devos, and God is miraculous!

Priorities.

How can I live a life where I can glorify God in all spheres of my life? 

The Cascade Falls in BC is much like our relationship with God and all the other areas of our lives. When we come to Christ, God pour His blessings into us, filling us with His love, power, and grace. The more TIME we spend with HIm, the more we become full of His love, which spills over to those around us. I was reminded again when looking at the flow of the falls, my priorities. When my relationship with God is a the top, followed by the others - family, friends, ministry, med apps, frisbee, school. If I put my med apps first or ministry to others first and start at falls 4, everything else suffers. 

Amazing thing is while spending time with God and asking him to renew me, I ended my devos with my theme verse, Isaiah 40:31. Hoping in the Lord is expecting that His promise of strength will help us to rise above life's distractions and difficulties.

Question:
Do you believe God loves you and wants best for you? Can you relax, confident that his purposes are right? Are you convinced that He has power to control all of life- and your life as well?

As I gain a renewed perspective in life, I want to gain the faith to rely on Him as I set my priorities with God ALWAYS on the top. I put my faith and trust in God, not underestimating His powers, whether it be wanting to bless my frisbee teammates, trying my best with medical applications, etc.

I want to finish strong by setting my priorities straight and become a clear and beautiful waterfall for God, while having faith in His purposes for me.

Prayer: 
Lord fill me up to the brim so that I can spill your love, mercy and grace onto those around me. Forgive me for putting other people and priorities aead of You. Help me live and move and have my being in you today. Thank you for being with me at all times. Amen

Art of waiting for the Lord- God is cooking us the finest meal!

What does waiting for the Lord mean?

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD." - Psalm 27

Most of us in this instant want the quick fix; we have lost the art of waiting. If it doesn't happen now, we get the feelings it's never going to happen. That makes us feel uncomfortable  We start to feel as if we are no longer in control. If God doesn't answer our prayers immediately  or within a fairly short time, we start to suspect that something must be wrong, that He is mad at us, or not hearing us, or that the answer was no. Patience has become a neglected word. 

Throughout this month I have learned that waiting for the Lord means hoping and expecting God will answer in His time, knowing that He has the best result for us. Still, am I supposed to wait God out? Let enough time go by, just sit here and hope that something happens? As I come to know God more, it certainly doesn't mean passively waiting for opportunities to come.

'Hope' in Hebrew translates to: tikvah. Other dictionary definitions for hope is  trust, look eagerly for; gather, bind (twist). I imagine strands being gathered and twisted together to make a rope. God; however, is collecting strands. 

The process of waiting for the Lord is like waiting for Him to weave together a bunch of strands into a strong rope. For example, I did not get into medical school, but it is now becoming more clear to me why. God is teaching me to wait. To learn to be patient among many things. Throughout this past month, I have seen there is so much more God needs to weave together before that rope is strong. 

Here is my insight and process of waiting and hoping in the Lord: 

The first strand of rope is me. I know that once I learn my lesson: to have my priorities lined up to seek God's will, God will promise to give me a job that I love. He also loves me and knows my desires, but first I need to change my perspective. Then there's another strand like my family to learn to love and work together; and many more that I might not presently see. I know this is true because of what I am witnessing right now, how I am able to be deeper in thought about visions for my family and me- a desire to be sanctified. For me to grow in love, learn forgiveness. I know there's a lot of work to be done while I am waiting for the strong rope to be tied, but I know God's at work weaving these strands together. And because He created the heavens and the earth, how can He not weave together a strong rope? 

I love food so here's another analogy. 

God's the cook, cooking me a 10 course dinner. I know it will be good because of the reviews from the Bible I have read, but it takes time for each meal. God is cooking the best result for as many people who wants to be seated at the table of God's restaurant. So waiting means to be patient, to HOPE, to stay strong and not to change my perspective or doubt God or think He is punishing me.
Because God understands our anxious hearts for this wonderful meal, that's why Psalm 27 says, "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."  In Physiology, I learned that before we even see food, our Cephalic phase is initiated. When we think of food, our body secretes enzymes to get ready to digest the sugars we are going to eat! It's ok to be anxious sometimes, but God encourages us with His promises.

Before we wait for that perfect meal, we have to first be in the same restaurant as God; we can't be in a different restaurant. Next, we have to also order food. What kind of food? God is loving and is the most healthy cook knowing what's good for us; He has a whole menu planned of the most perfect- healthy and appealing to our senses kind of food. He is the best cook! He doesn't care as much what we eat, as long as it is healthy to our bodies; He will reward us with our desires when we ask for it (obviously first again we must enter into the same restaurant). Then we need to help set up the table, invite people in to enjoy the meal- it doesn't call for passiveness. Remember God is not just any chef and doesn't have favourites but He's an efficient chef, He wants to cook for as many people as possible. He wants to cook to make all His people happy. When God gave David the promise to make Him the greatest man, God also referred to all His people. So He wants us to invite people in to enjoy the meal and to witness His magnificent works. Another funny thing is that if we order something God knows is not right for us, He might completely reject to make it, or He might give us a taste tester to show you how repulsive it is! Once we wait on the Lord patiently knowing that it is going to be good and for our good, we are hoping in confidence that He is the best chef cooking the best meal. Then when the time is right, the tables are set, everyone is seated, God will serve out the best 10 course meal ever, ever. . . Who wants to have a meal by themselves? When the time has come and we, "have waited for the Lord, He will renew our strength; we shall mount up with wings like eagles; we shall run and not be weary; we shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 That's the food God cooks for us and WILL! Are you waiting?

Don't miss out on the best food ever in God's restaurant. I hope you're not waiting in another restaurant because there really won't be any good food served there no matter how much you try or how long you wait. Enter the right restaurant first! 

I call it an art because when we do see the true benefits of waiting, you want to give more time for God to cook an even better meal. You want to invite more people to come before you see the best meal ever so more people can enjoy! 

Prayer for M.I.A El Salvador Missions trip: 
I pray that when I am in El Salvador, that God will give me the opportunity to share my experiences- to give me the spirit not of timidity but of power, love and self discipline. During this time, there will be opportunities to share my testimony and to share the gospel, so I pray to be reminded of this story so I can invite more people to His restaurant and the joy it brings!

Walking with my 'umbrella'

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" Hebrews 11:1

I recently have been asking, "How do I walk by faith daily?" I just read this story of a little girl that exemplifies great faith and wanted to share it as an encouragement:

A drought continued for what seemed an eternity, a small community of farmers was in a quandary as to what to do.  Rain was vital to keep their crops healthy and sustain the way of life of the townspeople.   As the problem became more acute, a local priest called a prayer meeting to ask for rain.  Many concerned people arrived at the church and the priest greeted most of them as they filed in.   As he walked to the front of the church to officially begin the meeting he noticed the people were chatting across the aisles about their mutual situation and socializing with friends.  When he reached the front his thoughts were on quieting the attendees and getting the meeting started.  His eyes scanned the crowd as he asked for quiet and it was then that he noticed a young girl about 11 years old sitting quietly in the front row, her face beaming with excitement.   Next to her, poised and ready for use, was a bright red umbrella.  The little girl’s beauty and innocence made the priest smile as he realized how much faith she possessed.   No one else in the congregation had brought an umbrella.   All came to pray for rain, but the little girl had come expecting God to answer.”

Unlike the young girl in this story, some of us pray but do not expect an answer, because from our standpoint the outlook is hopeless and grim.  We fall prey to doubt and fear when things change and corrupt our serenity.  Nothing will help, we think, so we slump into depression.  Why doesn’t God listen to me?  And it is then that Satan steps in and whispers, “See, your God is not helping you.”  And so, we think God does not hear us or will not help us.  What we forget is that God is listening and perhaps has something else in mind for us. It is a good reminder to grab our umbrella, grab our faith. We are asked to pray in faith rather than in desperation. It is such a comfort to know that our prayers are heard. 1 John 5:14 reminds us, This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

 “I am the Lord, the God of all the people of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 tells us.

One thing I admire about children is their innocent boldness of faith we sometimes need to adapt in our lives. As I grow older, I realize that the word 'hope' has become a subconscious nilly-willy hope, "I hope I get this job..." But we are a child of God. Like a child, when we ask our dad or mom to give us something, we expect and have utmost faith we will receive it. Like how we have faith our parents will tuck us into bed and promise to protect us from the unknown darkness. 

Question:
Do I live like I know He will give me the strength to overcome the challenges and responsibilities God has given me? 

Prayer:
As I pray for my missions trips and the constant challenges I face, let my life be constant breathing prayers of a faith like the little girl with the umbrella. Amen

Refuel! Learning the unforced rhythms of grace

Yesterday, I planned what my summer would look like, praying to see how I could work in cooperation with God for the next month. I would be studying my MCATs, restoring relationships, and preparing my group for the missions trip to El Salvador- Med. Impact Abroad, a team from my Western University. This morning thinking back to the plans ahead, I will admit, they will be a challenge. I would have said in the beginning of this summer that my plan was to go back to London to study for MCATS while enjoying morning and night workouts, but realized more important things God wanted me to learn, such as reconnecting with family and friends in Toronto. Initially reluctant to adapt God's perspective in life (wanting to focus on my plans and selfish ambitions to achieve a result), He gracefully redirects my path for my good. Although I know I can work in cooperation with him, looking at the mountain I have to hike up ahead, which seems like Mt. Everest to me, I already feel exhausted. Will I be able to catch my breath through this process?

But God is good! While I doubted His strength and was tempted to focus on my strength and my limitations, God knows I will get burned out! When I was reading my devotions this morning He reminded me, "Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" Matthew 11:30, MSG. This is a reminder to renew my mind and to not conform to this world. We sometimes forget that our soul needs rest. Once I concentrate on His power, centre my heart on His splendour and approach Him with reverence, I can empty my exhaustion before Him.

God knows my every feelings because He has been there. In fact, other people in the Bible have been there too. Elijah was so exhausted at one point that he sank into a deep depression and lost his God-courage. Jesus spoke to a crowd of people in Galilee about the only sure refuel solution to our exhaustion problem.

He said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30, NIV

Keep company with Him today. All day. When you do, you'll experience His strength for each moment and His hope in each challenge. Live freely and light in Jesus, brothers and sisters!

Listen to this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnocGt3aeFw&feature=youtu.be

Question: 
Am I focusing on my strength and bounded by my limitations, or am I faithfully concentrating on God's provision with boundless soaring limits?

Prayer:
I am writing because it is so easy to do the former and focus on my strength. But God thank you for reminding me that my strength is limited, and I can always come to you and trade in my exhaustion for your rejuvenation. For You said to "Walk with me and work with me-- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matt 11:30, MSG) I come to You today and ask that You would hike up this mountain with me and hang on tight to your promises. Restore rest to my soul and allow me to find fuel in you- to continue to do good for your Kingdom and not for my ambitions. Amen

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Lessons Learned from Applying to Medical School

I was convicted to write this post during my process of applying to medical school. I thank you to all who have supported me in my preparation for applying to medical school, encouraging me, because each one of you have supported me and allowed me to understand that my focus should be to acknowledge an incomparable acceptance and to invest in God’s kingdom!

Throughout this waiting time to hear about the news of medical school, multiple times in my head, I have played the “YA! Got into medical school scene.” I would be able to tell all my friends and jump for joy, knowing that finally all the pressures, anxieties of the uncertain future can be lifted off and go on to fulfill God’s will- or what I think it might be. In medical school, I would be able to study without any pressure and not care about the result. It would be so much less work!

But during this experience, I learned 2 main things I want to share with those who are waiting on hearing back from professional schools or just anxious/worried about what their next step in life is:


1) Did you ever think that God is more concerned about you "being good 'His will is for us to be sanctified' than feeling happy?” Like Paul says, “Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the RENEWAL of your mind.” Romans 12:2. 

Throughout this past year, I realized that a Christian walk is not easy and requires me to surrender my MIND to God and change my WHOLE PERSPECTIVE so it can be aligned with God’s-so I can be one with Him. God is not as concerned for us to obtain a certain career or a certain respectability/ranking according to the world, but is more concerned about transforming us to become like Jesus and to obtain a high ranking from God according to heavenly standards. 

I encourage you to examine what's important in your life. Are we more concerned about fulfilling God's goals or goals that are worldly? Are we so set on becoming a doctor or lawyer but less concerned about transforming our character to become like Jesus? Let’s not conform to this world, but RENEW our minds into what’s unseen, and eternal!

To my beautiful sisters out there, God wants to sculpt you into a beautiful women. Oops, yes to my bros, handsome men too! 

2) One day I was thinking about my possible medical school result and became anxious about what I would have to do if I didn't get in- I would have to start the process of worrying again about applying to different schools, etc. But when I was driving home that day, God revealed himself to me in His ways! I had prayed so that I could hear his voice and my conversation with God went something like this:

God, “Renee, you’ve gotten in!" 

"Wait- to what?"

"YOU”VE GOTTEN IN TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD!” 

From thinking about that, it felt like all the 'worry free joys' of getting into medical school translated to what it is like already having entered into the kingdom of God- but way better. I just remembered it was one of the happiest moments, not the happy I got a good grade, but a -deeper fullness of Spirit- happiness. 

I realized, to Him, I’m called a CHILD OF GOD. We are not a label of a certain profession according to God. So why am I worrying so much about my future or what career I want? I realized that I can already live like I’ve gotten into medical school, but even better, His kingdom. As a child from loving and faithful parents, I am not concerned about obtaining provisions or what career I will have. As a child, we obey and expect provisions. Now without these worries, my focus should be investing into the kingdom of God.

Once our concentration is on God, all the limits of our life are free and under the control and mastery of God alone.


Why had I taken the final result of medical school more seriously than the final result of getting into the kingdom of God? The final exam we should be putting all our efforts into is when we stand before God. Our mentality should be the same as studying for MCATS or running a race to win. Paul says in Philippians 3:10-16.

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained."

If someone were to ask me ,”Who am I?” Do I want to more to be attached with the title, “I am a doctor” or “I am a child of God?” Those concrete things are fleeting, but CHILD OF GOD- I knew I needed to live with an ambition to obtain the highest calling in Christ Jesus, and everyone has the opportunity to; we are told to “He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” 1 Thessalonians 5:10-12.

I know this will be important to remember as I prepare for my El Salvador missions. As I am organizing a group from my University and tasks start to pile up- finishing the health education/ gospel pamphlet, helping my group with medical spanish terms and basic medical training- please pray for me to continually press on whenever I get tired, feel like efforts are wasted or feel overwhelmed and strive for what's desirable to God.

Question:

Do you live like you have already entered into the kingdom of God- With a renewed mind, with a strong faith, and with an ambition to achieve the highest calling of Christ Jesus- to pass HIS final exam?

Prayer:

I pray that we not only take these truths as theories but to apply it to our lives, yielding to You each day. I want to live each step in full dependence and cooperation with You Lord! Give us the strength so we can live like we have entered into your kingdom with a renewed mind, with a faith so strong there’s joy in whatever the circumstance, and with an ambition to achieve the highest calling of Christ Jesus- to pass HIS final exam.

1st Blog- Renewal!

This blog is to encourage those who are JUST renewed in Christ (that's me and you because of our need to come into humility to God and die DAILY to Him, like we are JUST renewed) and to build each other up in prayer. My theme is renewal. As Christians we are called to renew our minds daily; when we feel weary we can renew our strength and through God’s provisions, soar beyond our limits.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” 

Romans 12:2. 

Once we renew our minds and adopt God’s perspective, He promises us He will continually renew our strength when we yield to Him.

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40: 31

Just a synopsis of how I experienced God’s love and power to renew my strength and to encourage the renewal of my mind: I was feeling down about getting rejected from Ottawa Medical School, but God always has a plan to prosper us. Despite knowing this, I began to doubt God’s plan for me and lose faith in doing good. But showered by my friends’ prayers, God showed His power and love. He knows our every thoughts and emotions; He renewed my strength and revealed His power and love by placing the right mentor to talk to at the perfect timing! I was reminded and felt so happy to be reminded I am a child of God, not defined by our jobs or title! Our purpose is on eternal things and not on earthly things! Read more for my story below!

This blog started off randomly one day when my loving and amazing twin sister, Justina, wanted to keep each other accountable for our missions trip so we can shower our experience and struggles with prayer- come to Him for renewal in our strength and renewal of our mind. We also want to extend these blessings to others, so why not a blog? For each one I’ll try to share my current experience, a question, and a prayer.

Prayer is so powerful. 

Be prayer warriors for my missions trip to San Miguel, El Salvador.

Also please pray for Justina's missions to Japan too!--> blog 

http://just--renewed.blogspot.ca/.

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