Ten Years ago I was a sophomore sitting in Band class with Mr. Heath when an announcement from the Batavia High School Principle came over the loud speaker. "Teachers, please turn your televisions on. There has been a plane crash in New York City to one of the Twin Towers."
The rest of the day we didn't have class. We watched CNN with our teachers & peers glued to what was going on in our country.
I got a ride home that day & immediately called my Mom & Dad & Sister (who was in Florida at college). That night we went to church & rehearsed for a Wednesday night service that had been planned for months.
I still remember watching the TV so closely those days that followed.
I still remember my Pastor praying, "Lord, let us watch less & pray more. Let us turn our eyes from the images repeating themselves & the reporters & the stories & turn our focus to You."
Ten Years ago.
Here I sit in a comfortable office.
In a church that is often mistaken for a mall.
There was no iPhone 10 years ago & now I can't imagine life without it.
I would have no idea that the Lord would allow me to go to school & study to go into ministry.
I had no idea who lived on Nine North or Six West of Houghton Hall, but the women I met there & the rooms I slept in for 2 years each would hold such a sweet place in my heart that have forever changed me.
Ten Years ago I thought my life would be so different at age 25.
And I would have it no other way.
I live in a suburb of Washington, D.C. ... WHAT?!?!
I have been blessed to travel to 9 different countries in those last 10 years.
Who would have thought what the last 10 years have held???
And yet, here I am.
We serve the same God as existed 10 years ago. But I love Him so much more. I know so much more about Him. Yet, I have SO MUCH MORE TO LEARN.
I cannot wait to see where I am on September 11, 2021.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thank You, Lord!
The past few weeks have been a lesson in trials & choosing to THANK the LORD in spite of them.
1. I found out 3.5 weeks ago that I have to move (like be out in 3.5 weeks!).
One problem...I don't have anywhere to move to.
Back to the Host Home/West Wing I go (Thank you, Lord, for providing hospitable people in our church!).
2. I was on a retreat with FLP Tuesday-Friday in OBX, flying to Chicago Saturday-Monday with the Rock, on FL retreat in PA Tuesday-Friday. Thats 2 weeks out of the office (Thank you, Lord for an assistant & boss to keep the plates spinning, an iphone to check emails, and a job!).
3. By BFF is going through one of the deepest, darkest valleys of her life, and I can't be there. I want to cry with her, not just on the other side of a computer screen (Thank you, Lord for technology to communicate in an instant though a thousand miles away).
4. I've been let down by a dear friend. The love & service I showed was not reciprocated (Thank you, Lord for YOUR love time & time again when I don't respond to your love & sacrifice for me).
The past few times we have sung Phil Wickham's song "You're Beautiful" I lose it at the last chorus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvCtoIj3bOY
When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory & tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're Beautiful
I'm choosing to say the Lord is beautiful, His works are beautiful, and all He does is beautiful in my life. In all the trials I face, the trials of those around me, and the trials of those to whom I minister, I can only say You're Beautiful, Lord, by the grace of God. I know that it is HIS power at work, because of myself I would throw in the towel & quit.
But just as this blog is named and I recently got tattooed on my foot:
WALK by FAITH. LIVE by FAITH.
There is hope. We will have faith. Thank you, Lord, for you are beautiful.
1. I found out 3.5 weeks ago that I have to move (like be out in 3.5 weeks!).
One problem...I don't have anywhere to move to.
Back to the Host Home/West Wing I go (Thank you, Lord, for providing hospitable people in our church!).
2. I was on a retreat with FLP Tuesday-Friday in OBX, flying to Chicago Saturday-Monday with the Rock, on FL retreat in PA Tuesday-Friday. Thats 2 weeks out of the office (Thank you, Lord for an assistant & boss to keep the plates spinning, an iphone to check emails, and a job!).
3. By BFF is going through one of the deepest, darkest valleys of her life, and I can't be there. I want to cry with her, not just on the other side of a computer screen (Thank you, Lord for technology to communicate in an instant though a thousand miles away).
4. I've been let down by a dear friend. The love & service I showed was not reciprocated (Thank you, Lord for YOUR love time & time again when I don't respond to your love & sacrifice for me).
The past few times we have sung Phil Wickham's song "You're Beautiful" I lose it at the last chorus.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvCtoIj3bOY
When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory & tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring
Your bride will come together and we'll sing
You're Beautiful
I'm choosing to say the Lord is beautiful, His works are beautiful, and all He does is beautiful in my life. In all the trials I face, the trials of those around me, and the trials of those to whom I minister, I can only say You're Beautiful, Lord, by the grace of God. I know that it is HIS power at work, because of myself I would throw in the towel & quit.
But just as this blog is named and I recently got tattooed on my foot:
WALK by FAITH. LIVE by FAITH.
There is hope. We will have faith. Thank you, Lord, for you are beautiful.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Hide His Word in your heart
After memorizing Luke 15, I've decided memorizing big portions of Scripture is so meaningful! So, after reading Psalm 15 as part of my Bible reading plan at the start of the new year, I'm trying to memorize it this week!
Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the LORD;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken.
will never be shaken.
Soooo good, right? Keep me accountable!!
Monday, November 29, 2010
Self-Righteousness Sucks.
I'm memorizing Luke 15.
It's been on my mind & heart the past few days as I was once again reminded of how self-righteous I am - SO much like the elder brother in the Prodigal Son story. While the Prodigal Son story is so much about the son deliberately disobeying the Father, living wildly, then returning to the Father to ask for forgiveness, it is a perfect picture of the Father's love. Not only is the Father waiting for the Son & runs out to greet & kiss him, but he leaves the party to go out & talk with the elder son. People matter to God. The LOST matter to God. The RELIGIOUS, SELF-RIGHTEOUS matter to God.
The elder brother was jealous of the blessings the lost son was receiving. He complained that he had worked & served his father "all these years" and "never once" was given anything he wanted.
I can so relate. The other night I had an elder brother moment. I was praying to God & it went something like this: "Lord, I've been obedient to everything you've asked. I've been faithful to you. Why do I have to wait any longer? Just give this to me NOW!" Sounds so much like the elder brother in this situation. So convicting...
Tonight I had to repent again for the Lord to forgive me for thinking of myself higher than I ought or that I deserve anything. Truth is I DON'T deserve anything. But the Father says "you are always with me & everything I have is yours" (31).
The blessings of the Lord are more numerous than I know.
I want to be obedient because I LOVE the Lord, not because I think I will get anything out of it.
I don't want to be threatened by grace towards my self-righteousness, but invite it to make me more righteous.
God's Fatherly love is deeper than I can comprehend & for that I am beyond grateful.
It's been on my mind & heart the past few days as I was once again reminded of how self-righteous I am - SO much like the elder brother in the Prodigal Son story. While the Prodigal Son story is so much about the son deliberately disobeying the Father, living wildly, then returning to the Father to ask for forgiveness, it is a perfect picture of the Father's love. Not only is the Father waiting for the Son & runs out to greet & kiss him, but he leaves the party to go out & talk with the elder son. People matter to God. The LOST matter to God. The RELIGIOUS, SELF-RIGHTEOUS matter to God.
The elder brother was jealous of the blessings the lost son was receiving. He complained that he had worked & served his father "all these years" and "never once" was given anything he wanted.
I can so relate. The other night I had an elder brother moment. I was praying to God & it went something like this: "Lord, I've been obedient to everything you've asked. I've been faithful to you. Why do I have to wait any longer? Just give this to me NOW!" Sounds so much like the elder brother in this situation. So convicting...
Tonight I had to repent again for the Lord to forgive me for thinking of myself higher than I ought or that I deserve anything. Truth is I DON'T deserve anything. But the Father says "you are always with me & everything I have is yours" (31).
The blessings of the Lord are more numerous than I know.
I want to be obedient because I LOVE the Lord, not because I think I will get anything out of it.
I don't want to be threatened by grace towards my self-righteousness, but invite it to make me more righteous.
God's Fatherly love is deeper than I can comprehend & for that I am beyond grateful.
Monday, November 1, 2010
It's all about celebrating!
"Any excuse to celebrate" is one of my family's mottos!
So, in honor of a one year anniversary of a blog, check this out!
www.rachelferkovich.com
So, in honor of a one year anniversary of a blog, check this out!
www.rachelferkovich.com
Saturday, October 30, 2010
The Holy Land
TAKE ME BACK! I loved Israel. So much that I'm going to go on the Advanced Holy Land tour in about 2 years (dates TBA).
Don't even know where to begin, but here are some of my favorite snapshots so far. I'm compiling some videos & will post my friend Heather's link to her Flicker account as soon as she gets them up (see http://www.heatherelliottphotography.com/ ) for some of her amazing work.
Don't even know where to begin, but here are some of my favorite snapshots so far. I'm compiling some videos & will post my friend Heather's link to her Flicker account as soon as she gets them up (see http://www.heatherelliottphotography.com/ ) for some of her amazing work.
The Mount of Beattitudes where Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount
The Mediterranean Sea
The Sea of Galilee where Christ calmed the storm
JERUSALEM! On the Mount of Olives overlooking the city
At the Wailing Wall
Can't wait to post some of the videos!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Holy Land, HERE I COME!
I leave Monday for Israel!
It took me quite a while to pack, but I'm ready!
Working a long day tomorrow to get things in order to be gone for 2 weeks, then I'll be on a bus to New York early Monday morning & flying out later in the day. I'll keep a journal & update when I'm back...can't wait to share!!!
Working a long day tomorrow to get things in order to be gone for 2 weeks, then I'll be on a bus to New York early Monday morning & flying out later in the day. I'll keep a journal & update when I'm back...can't wait to share!!!
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