European Adventure Part Five: Paris

Yes, I realize this trip occurred in summer 2015 ... but I still want to post about it!

PARIS, FRANCE

5.26.15 - 5.30.15

By mid-morning, it was going to be an adventure to see if we would make it to Paris! 

From Lauterbrunnen, we squeaked onto a train for the second leg of our journey which departed a half hour earlier than the train we had planned to take. It appeared that we had plenty of time... until we pulled out our tickets for the next two trains and realized that we had reserved them for the wrong day, several days later!

Allow me to briefly explain. Although Eurail is a train system, some of the trains require reservations. It's not like the old-fashioned American trains for which one could walk up and purchase a ticket on the day of travel. It's more like an airline; you need your reservations in advance.

Thus began an exercise of faith. God foresaw this problem, had us on a train a half hour earlier than we had planned, and would see us through the rest of the day. But for an hour or so, all we could do was sit and wait.

I watched in amazement as God led us to the help desk, through the process of changing our tickets, and onto the platform where the train would arrive with about ten minutes to spare. God knew exactly how much time we needed and had provided it even before we knew there was a problem!

The Eiffel Tower was first on our to-do list in Paris, 
so we headed through Champs de Mars (a park).

All at once, the tower appeared through the trees.

Sisters in Paris!

I knew the Eiffel Tower was big, but I didn't expect it to be that big as I approached!

We started out on the lower platform ... 
and then went all the way up there (to the "lip" on the top!)

We watched the sun set from the top of the Eiffel Tower ... until my sister and I begged to go down because we were so tired. That is when we discovered it was nearly ten o'clock! 

As we reached the bottom of the tower, the crowds on the Champs de Mars began cheering. Lights began flashing. The Eiffel Tower was lit up - and not just lit up, but sparkling brilliantly!  

For about five minutes, the lights flashed and we enjoyed perfect views of the tower.  

As I turned away from snapping my last photo, the lights stopped sparkling.  

God had blessed us all day long with His truly perfect timing!

Musée d'Orsay is an amazing museum.  
I could have basked here for a few days, not a few hours!
The statues interested me more than I expected; 
I think I am gaining an appreciation for sculpture after Rome and Paris!
I especially appreciated the Monet, Degas, and Van Gogh exhibits.  
Each one alone would have merited a separate museum in America!  
Musée d'Orsay is built in an old train station with side rooms extending from the main hall.

(Mom, me, and Caroline)
Île de la Cité (isle of the city, situated in the middle of Paris in the Seine)
interested me far less than I expected.
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris was less spectacular than other cathedrals we had visited,
though the stained glass was lovely.

There they are... the gates of gold!  

Though the skies threatened, I was glad it did not rain as we waited in a long line at Versailles.

Other than the hall of mirrors (above), the rooms were not well-decorated.
I suppose the enraged peasants destroyed most of the furnishings during the French Revolution.
Versailles was a let-down for us; after all, it is the finest French palace, right?
Perhaps we would have appreciated it more had the weather been warmer
and more conducive to exploring the extensive palace gardens.

We went to Musée de l’Orangerie just to see Claude Monet's water lily rooms.

After WWII, Monet painted eight large canvases of water lily scenes and gave them to the city of Paris. He wanted the Parisians to have a peaceful retreat after the horrors of war.

Those paintings are now on display in two oval rooms.

  It really is a peaceful retreat - I could stay for hours.

Paintings don't usually stop me in my tracks, but this one did.
Does anyone else think the water is rippling?

Here we are at l'Arc de Triomphe!

The city spread out in all directions from the platform on top of l'Arc de Triomphe.

This is not a fancy bakery; this is MacDonald's.
Yup, we had real French fries. (But they didn't taste as good without MSG!)

On our last evening in Paris, we noticed something for the first time right outside our apartment.

Our apartment building sat on a corner with the above view to the Eiffel Tower!

We went outside and watched it light up... a perfect ending to Paris!

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Next travel post: a day trip in France.

Your Vocation's Unique Perspective

Paul had a clear understanding that our bodies are the temple of Christ. "Know ye not," he wrote, "that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Cor. 3:16) "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (2 Cor. 6:16) 

Paul also spoke of our bodies as a covering that will one day be removed. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ... For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." (2 Cor. 5:1, 4)

Why did Paul have such insight into the principle that we who belong to Christ are His dwelling-place? Paul was a tentmaker (Acts 19:1-3). Of what do you suppose Paul thought while he worked at his livelihood? That he was wasting precious hours that could better spent preaching the Gospel in Asia? That surely God would provide if he stepped out in faith and spent all his time discussing Scripture with the Jews instead of making tents? 

I suspect that Paul meditated on Jesus while he worked. And as the two spent precious hours together, Paul could not help but learn from the Master Teacher how Jesus built His tents.

Jesus was a carpenter (if He followed the same trade as His earthly father). He looked at Solomon's magnificent temple in Jerusalem and told the Jews, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (Jn. 2:19-21) "But he spake of the temple of his body." Jesus did raise up the temple in three days. And He is still very interested in the welfare of that temple, His worldwide Body (Rom. 12:5, Col. 1:18).

David was a shepherd, even after he had been anointed king. He did not despise the lowly work entrusted to him. Rather, he used it as his credentials when applying for kingdom work: "And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. ... The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." (1 Sam. 17:34-37a) 

Peter was a fisherman. He became a bold fisher of men (Mat. 4:18-20). 

The centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant understood Christ's authority because of his authority in the Roman army (Mat. 8:5-10). 

Vocations need not be a distraction from kingdom work, a sort of "necessary evil" that we bear. Our livelihoods can be beautiful testimonies of God's work in every area.

During times when I implement the principle of letting each action reflect God's truth, I have found that intimacy with Jesus flourishes. 

We may not notice, but we employ this technique all the time. Fathers have a special insight into the fatherhood of God. Athletics are often compared to our spiritual race (Heb. 12:1-2). But we need not stop there.

Even something as insignificant as taking out the trash can become an opportunity to praise God that He is purging me of my "old self" (see Eph. 4:22-24, Col. 3:9-10). 

As I learn new skills in grammar through college, I find myself noting the important role grammar plays in Scripture. As I practice reporting skills, I try to apply the same principles to my time with God. What is the main focus? How does everything else point to that? If the interviewee [or Scripture] says that, what follow-up question can I ask to uncover more information? How does music reflect the very nature of God? (That is another whole post in itself...)

Work is a good thing (in its proper place.) Whether your work is at home, at an office, or at school, invite God into every aspect of your life. I guarantee, He does not waste one moment. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." (Col. 3:17)

Are You Happy?

It came to mind recently that I've received that question a good bit when people realize I am going to college. "Do you like your college?" or "Are you happy at your college?" are common questions.

I really appreciate it when people take (what I consider to be) a more realistic approach and ask, "How is college?" Because college is not, foremost, about being happy. While I do deeply appreciate that people care how I feel and want me to be happy, it helps to have perspective.

Life is not about my personal happiness. What is best for me is probably not what is easiest and therefore most pleasant and therefore prone to make me instantly happy. It may be cliche, but I agree that the trials we never wanted to endure can be the key to our greatest growth. As Hebrews more eloquently states, "My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (Heb. 12:5b-6) 

While there have been times (as my family can attest!) that I have nearly crumbled under the unexpected workload, the greatest strain by far is spiritual. There is a kind of unique pain that comes from seeing people about whom you care brushing so close to religion, and yet so far from Christ. No matter how many times I hear my Lord's glorious Name misused, it still cuts me each time. I find myself smarting and furious under the blows aimed at the accuracy of God's Word and His Lordship--for He is my Love, my Life! The acceptance and even praise of outright sin sickens and wearies me. Amid raunchy jokes and crude phrases, I long for the purity of Heaven. "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were." (Psa. 39:12) 

Christians are not meant to live in a spiritual bubble (1 Cor. 5:9-13). But we are also not of this world (Jn. 17:16), and we long for our true, eternal home. 

Earth is so empty. 

"And the earth was without form, and void;" 

Exactly my opinion!

"and darkness was upon the face of the deep." 

What could possibly remedy such a situation?

"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."

Before any visible work of God occurred, the Spirit of God was moving upon the dark waters. Wow.

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." (Gen. 1:2-3)

I see people blinded by the god of this world. Their world is dark. God must bring the Light. 

Meanwhile, I continue to live in the world, the world that is without form and void, seemingly stripped of meaning and solidarity by relativism. And at the moment I feel so alone, truth triumphs. "We also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses." 

I am not alone. Not only does the Spirit of the Living God dwell within; not only am I invited to lean on my Savior's breast as John did; not only am I ushered into the throne room of my Father, the King of Kings; but I see, in a flash, the multitude of witnesses. Abraham, the first sojourner. Moses, who forsook earthly position for affliction with God. Daniel, no longer in Babylon. Mary Magdalene, who would not desert Jesus even after His death. Paul, the persecutor turned preacher. I see some of my favorite brothers and sisters - Richard and Sabina Wurmbrandt, Hudson Taylor, Ravenhill, Adrian Rogers, and so many more. I see the beautiful faces of unnamed lovers of Jesus from other tribes and lands whom I shall not meet till Heaven. Oh, what a beautiful Body of Christ! And they are witnesses!

Therefore, "let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us," 

This race requires endurance ...

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;" 

... and my Jesus is the Supplier of that endurance!

"who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,"

Jesus endured the cross, not for mere obedience, but for joy!

"despising the shame,"

The junk that the world throws at us is not to be passively accepted; Jesus endured His cross while despising and rejecting that which was not of God. 

"and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

For my Jesus has triumphed. Amen!

"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself,"

Jesus endured contradiction, opposition.

"lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." (Heb. 12:1b-3)

If we focus merely on opposition instead of the One Who conquered sin, death, and the enemy, we will surely be wearied and faint in our minds!

So set your gaze on Jesus. Know that though the world may offer us opposition and shame in place of ease and happiness, there is great joy in Jesus' victory!

Am I happy? Sometimes, but not always. But I have something better. I have the joy of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, even when my heart is breaking over sin.

A Letter to a Foreign Government

“Why do you want to adopt?”  I eagerly wait for the news that adoption legislation is proceeding, but instead, I hear that question.  “Why do you want our children?”

I want to tell why.

I, too, was adopted.  I was separated from the one thing a child needs the most—a Father.  I lived in rebellion.  My sin was literally killing me, and I was slowly dying.

That is when I was adopted.  My Father saw me, wallowing in my own filth, and chose me.  He didn’t just sign papers and pay fees.  He didn’t just make a trip to visit me.  He gave up His life for me.

I was adopted spiritually.  I was an orphan because I had sold myself to sin and wickedness.  I had cut off relationship with God.  I had rebelled against God, Who is my Father and Creator.  My own sin was slowly killing my soul.  Sin would separate me from God for ever.  I was headed to eternal death.

This is not a rare predicament.  We are all spiritual orphans—by choice.  We have allowed sin to rule our souls.  Sin is rebellion to God; it is embracing that which God hates and doing that which He abhors.  Sin is the absence of God's holiness, righteousness, goodness, love, justice, and mercy.  Sin makes us orphans by separating us from God.  And no one is exempt from sin and its fatal consequences.

God is not just my Father, my Creator, or the very Being of Love.  He is also my Rescuer.  Even while I rebelled against Him, He loved me.  He left His glory and His throne.  He came to earth as a man—a human being, just like me.  He identified with me.  He lived on this earth; He knows the trials and sufferings I endure.  But God did not just identify with me; He completely took my place.  Sin requires a punishment, and that punishment is death.  I was going to die for my sin.  Death means eternal separation from God, eternal pain and suffering to the extreme, a full realization of one’s own evil heart, and utter hopelessness.  God is perfect, but He took my sin on Himself and died an agonizing death on a Roman cross.  God died… for me.  Sin was fully satisfied, and I was set free.  God died… for each person on this earth.  For you.

How could God still adopt me if He died in my place?  God is greater than the power of sin and death.  He arose from the dead on the third day after He was slain.  God lives, eternally.  He reigns in Heaven.  And He extends His gift of life, purchased at the cross, to all who turn from their sins and believe in Him.

I have turned from sin.  I believe in my God.  He has cleansed, forgiven, and redeemed me.  When I turned from sin to God, He adopted me as His own precious child.  And though my Father is in Heaven, He has sent His Spirit to live inside me.  The Spirit of God has given me life.  God has no limits; He adopts each one who comes to Him as His child.  He sends His Spirit to dwell in each of His children.  Even while He reveals Himself daily to us on earth, the Holy Spirit is His promise that we will one day be with Him in Heaven.

That is why I want to adopt.  Not because my family wants another child for labor.  Not for horrors I cannot even name.  The very suggestion of such things is like an arrow to my heart.  We do not even want to adopt because we think another child will be a fun addition to the family.

My family knows that adoption is difficult.  We know firsthand how time-consuming it is.  Our bank account bears witness that adoption is not easy.  Bringing a new child into the family is a long adjustment that requires patience, love, and care.  Raising and supporting a child is a lifelong sacrifice of love.

Why, then, would we choose such a route?  Because God has poured His love into us.  We want to adopt because God has shared His heart with us.  He has blessed us abundantly with His life.  And He has also blessed us with a home and resources.  We want to share the blessings and love that God has given us with children who need a family.  This desire is unnatural; no human naturally chooses inconvenience and hardship.  Only heavenly love denies itself for the benefit of others.  Love is from God, because God is Love.

I am one voice in a sea of families longing to adopt.  How many others share my view?  In the United States of America, I have seen God laying a desire for adoption on the hearts of many Christians.  I cannot say that everyone from this country who adopts does so out of self-sacrificing love.  But I can say that my family is not alone in our desire to share our lives and God’s life with these children, for God is at work in many homes throughout America.

How do you explain self-sacrifice in a selfish world?  How do you explain pure compassion that pours out its heart, resources, and time?  How do you explain love that bares its deepest wounds to a harsh, hateful world over and over again?

How do you explain the Gospel?

The Gospel defies human explanation.  It is too big to grasp intellectually.  Logic cannot disclose God’s gain at utterly laying Himself down for mortal rebels.  And when this world sees the Gospel lived out in a human life on earth, it makes no sense.

But it makes perfect sense in Heaven.  We have freely received eternal life, intimate relationship with God, peace that passes understanding, joy that cannot be quenched, unmerited love, and undying hope.  We have entered into the very fullness and life of God.  Now, it is our privilege to sacrificially lay down our lives for others that they, too, may enter into living relationship with God. 

My Father desperately longs for His children… even more than I long for them.

(Note: this is an image from the internet, not a child whom we are adopting.)

Brothers and sisters in Christ who read this, please join me in praying that adoption will not be hindered.  Where God is at work, the enemy will always counter-attack.  Please ask with me that righteousness and unity would abound especially in foreign governments as well as in ours.  Please pray that these already vulnerable children will not be kept from their forever homes by governments struggling to maintain order.  Please pray that God will keep the doors of international adoption wide open.  My God's ears are open to the cry of His children, and His arm is not shortened that it cannot save.  May we not be the hindrance to His mighty working by lack of prayer.

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For anyone who comments... please refrain from mentioning specific countries with regard to this post in order to respect governments and protect privacy for families.  You are, of course, welcome to comment!  Thank you.

European Adventure Part Four: Lauterbrunnen

LAUTERBRUNNEN, SWITZERLAND

5.23.15 - 5.25.15

I should probably warn you... there will be a lot more pictures on this post than on the last one.  Because it was the only small town on our trip, Lauterbrunnen valley was my favorite.  (I wasn't going to pick a favorite because they were all so different, but people kept asking... so this is it!)

This was the view from the balcony outside my window.

Now add spring mountain air on a breeze, the soft sounds of cowbells, and you're about there. 

The cows all had cowbells ... and every sheep wore a bell ... and all the goats had bells, too!

I loved the bells.

Staubbach Falls is the "signature" waterfall for Lauterbrunnen valley ...

but only because it is the most prominent of 72!

As you can tell from the picture, Lauterbrunnen is definitely a valley.

The sheer cliffs on either side create the perfect Swiss retreat.

We took a train ride to the mountain Jungfraujoch. 

Although we did not expect the overcrowding at the top,

the views on the way up and from the observation platforms at the top were beautiful.

At the top, one was surrounded by snow-heaped mountains.

Yes, we are above the clouds.  

God blessed us with great views before the clouds enveloped the mountain in early afternoon.

Caroline, Mom, me, Dad

Here we are on top of Jungfraujoch!

(Doesn't Dad look like a Swiss mountain guide in his bright coat?)

There was just one chapel in Lauterbrunnen, visible from the opposite side of our hotel balcony.

Lauterbrunnen had the most beautiful cemetery I've ever seen.

Each headstone had its own flower plot, and every one was meticulously well-kept.

There was even a little station with tools for gardening.

More than aesthetics, the cemetery had a serene feel, as if the presence of the Lord was there.

Me, Caroline, Mom, and Dad at the top tram station.

We took a tram from Lauterbrunnen up the mountainside ledge to Grütschalp

to start our loop hike in the Alps foothills.

It. Was. Perfect.

This was part of the path we walked.

The views into the valley were beautiful, too.  (Can you see the buildings?)

Swiss people decorate every available ledge.  It's lovely.
This was from a building in Mürren, the town at the end of the upper ledge on our hike.

Our tram back to Gimmelwald swung over the ledge ... to this view.

Notice the parachutes in the field behind me.  We watched at least half a dozen land.

All at once, the sun broke through the overcast afternoon onto the falls.

We followed a path alongside the stream much of the way back.

It was about 3 miles through scenery like this to get back to our hotel.

I found another example of Swiss decor on our walk.

This was one of the two main roads through the valley.

It was so hard to say goodbye to Lauterbrunnen.
While it reminded me of my Appalachian mountains, it had its own distinctive feel.
I am immensely grateful for the two days we spent here!

European Adventure Part Three: Salzburg

SALZBURG, AUSTRIA

5.20.15 - 5.22.15

Salzburg had a beautiful, small-town feel that I really appreciated after the bustling crowds of Rome and Venice!  We spent a good part of the first day strolling through Salzburg and looking in the many charming shops.  I loved their woodwork and craftsmanship! 

Though it rained during our time in Salzburg, the city was no less beautiful draped in soft gray.

It was exciting to be in Mozart's home city!  I expected the best music to be in Italy...

but the instrumental music in Salzburg took my breath away.

I can't speak for concerts, but Salzburg's street music wins by far.

Many of the cars were in Salzburg were bigger than Roman cars, but not this one!

We saw several "trucks" like this both in Rome and Salzburg.

Our hotel was lovely and comfortable, but the European style bedding was a new experience!

Notice the folded duvets on the fitted sheet.

One is supposed to use only a duvet (and possibly an extra blanket but not sheets) for sleeping.

Does one sleep sleeping-bag style?  Or double-thickness style?  I never figured it out.

On the second day, we headed up to this castle (Hohensalzburg).

*The rest of the pictures are from the castle that overlooks Salzburg*

We had a lovely views of Salzburg from the castle above the city.

That is, until it rained the hardest on our entire trip while we were on top of the castle parapet 

trying to see the city and surrounding countryside!

Close-up detail from the previous picture.

Dad, Mom, John R., Eli R., Denise R., me, Ada R., and Caroline

We spent our second and last day in Salzburg with the Redmond family, 

who drove from the Czech Repulic to spend a day with us.  (Thank you, Redmonds!)

We went to church together before they moved to Europe for ministry.

Caroline and I lost the grownups occasionally while we toured the castle with Ada and Eli... 

but I don't think it was a problem!  We all found each other and really enjoyed the fellowship between our families.

Who could resist photographing this beautiful, old wood?

I think this door was in the royal apartments...

Throughout the castle tour, one caught beautifully framed glimpses of Salzburg.

The building is actually part of the castle compound.

The view leaving the main castle 

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The next morning, we travelled north to what would become one of my favorite places in Europe.