At Hillview on Sunday, we sang a an old hymn that I can’t get out of my head. I hope it will be an encouragement to you. It’s #337 in the Baptist Hymnal.

I Know Whom I Have Believed

Daniel W. Whittle (Words, 1883) & James McGranahan (Music)

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

I know not how the Spirit moves
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus thro’ the Word
Creating faith in Him.

But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him
Or meet Him in the air.

But I know whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

Click here to hear it.

I have so much in my head right now. It’s hard to know where to begin. I want to write, but it seems like a luxury I can’t indulge right now. But sometimes I can’t NOT indulge it. Writing for me is therapeutic (hard word to spell, by the way!). It’s like baking–a work that takes some effort and some creativity and attention, but in the end there’s something to be proud of (hopefully.)

I recently turned 29 and remembered with a wave all of the goals I had for myself before I reach 30. One year left! Wow. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves. One of my goals is to write a novel or some large something that would be published and helpful to more people than just my family and close friends. I think this may still be a possibility. South Asia may even be a part of that. But, it’s ok if I don’t get it done by next September. I can keep living. The goal police aren’t going to cut me off. I’ll just keep moving forward, thanking the Lord for each new day.

Here are somethings I want to write about. Maybe you can check back and hold me accountable…

THE temple.

How God is teaching me that in every circumstance He gives me the opportunity to choose between joy and frustration.

How God is teaching me to be confident in my convictions and allow other people to be confident in theirs–even silently in my mind…you know, the things I don’t ever say out loud, but I’m thinking them, silently judging.

More thoughts on home.

Something about this quote from John Piper that I saw on Twitter: In Christ the best is always yet to come. Always. No exceptions. Forever.

The struggle to communicate about South Asia in a way that honors the differences in our cultures, but also glorifies God and causes people to pray.

The joy that comes from simplifying my life–but not in the trendy, new-age-y, green-for-the-sake-of-being-green kind of way.

How my concept of Church and community is changing.

How the uncertainty of this season and the kind of faith that God is growing in me through the waiting feels more like contentment than anything I’ve ever known.

Yea, so, those are a few things I want to write.