The words of a worship song we were singing yesterday really hit me, "There is no one like you, there will be no one besides you." I started thinking about that and it struck me. Who would try and stand next to Jesus in heaven? Who would have the audacity to try? Who will be comparable? We will all bow down and worship when we see him as he truly is—no one will be even close.

But day to day, I have such a tendency to live for my own glory. I want to be acknowledged as a great writer, photographer, worshiper, teacher, servant—honestly the list is really long, but basically I want people to point to me and think I'm awesome.

But do I acknowledge that God was the one who gave me these talents? Do I use them to point people to him? Will I cause people to remember his character, his Lordship, his magnificence? Will he get more glory out of my talents or will I?

I'm just realizing how often I make life all about me. Help me Jesus!

Our team just got back from a long weekend in villages surrounding Antalya. It's widely agreed that the last four days have been the highlight of our time here in Turkey.

We packed into our vehicles, headed into the countryside and prayed that God would guide our steps. We were all excited to pray for places where the good news of Jesus has never been heard. What a cool thing, right? We were going to get the opportunity to bring brand new names before Jesus and ask him to reveal himself.

The reality of the weekend surpassed all of our hopes. The Turkish families welcomed us with incredible warmth and hospitality. We were continually invited into homes for tea. One family spent four hours with us and cooked an entire lunch for all 13 of us from scratch! We prayed simple prayers, showed love and trusted in Jesus to touch their hearts. I appreciated that these people were touched and it had nothing to do with my ability to deliver a good defense of Jesus. When I am weak, God is strong.

The last day we visited an Islamic holy site, a burial ground for a sultan that has now become a place of worship. I literally felt like I was staring at the idol worship of the Old Testament. But we were invited into their worship sanctuary and got to worship Jesus for an hour. We sang our hearts out and focused on the beauty and Lordship of Jesus. It was awesome!

We're having a blast here, praying for the sick, sharing the good news we have, interceding for breakthrough and living in harmony with one another. Sound like the bible, right? Really cool. Thanks again for partnering with me, praying for me and sending me encouraging emails!

Had an interesting thought last night as I was laying my head down to sleep. I was imagine what Jesus thought before going to bed. Was he thinking about normal stuff like we do? Then I wondered, did Jesus have dreams? Were they as confusing as mine? Wild thought.

What's God looking for from people? I don't think he wants everyone to do a YWAM DTS and live overseas for the rest of their lives. That's kind of unreasonable. We need businesses to run, schools to operate and someone to wake up everyday and pick up the garbage. I wonder what God expects from them. What does God expect from me?

Micah 6:8 "No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."

Micah 6:9-12 "Fear the LORD if you are wise...What shall I say about the homes of the wicked filled with treasures gained by cheating?...The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence. Your citizens are so used to lying that their tongues can no longer tell the truth."

Romans 12:9 "Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good."

1 John 3:23 "And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them."

Habakkuk 2:4 "Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God."

By acknowledging God's existence, we must accept his precepts. In doing so, we face our sin. We have all failed to obey God and love one another. Jesus has been revealed as our means of becoming right with God through faith in his sacrifice for our sins. Our spirits, the eternal part of ourselves, are made alive and the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. With his indwelling we have the power to overcome our sinful inclinations. We then choose to war against our rebellion, incited by the devil who tempts us to give into our sinful desires. Our inner faith in God is proved by our outward deeds as we follow his commandments. His commandments are to love him with all our heart and strength and to love others as ourselves.

I've been laying in bed, trying to abide in God's love. But my mind keeps wandering off to the future, trying to piece it together and figure out where I'm supposed to go in the fall. I'm working hard at living in the moment, so I keep pushing back my day dreaming trusting that God will show me what to do when the time is right.

So for a little focus I opened up my Bible and read Psalm 103 and it turned out to be especially good.

2 Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.
3 He forgives all my sins
    and heals all my diseases.
4 He redeems me from death
    and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
5 He fills my life with good things.
    My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!
6 The Lord gives righteousness
    and justice to all who are treated unfairly.
7 He revealed his character to Moses
    and his deeds to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 He will not constantly accuse us,
    nor remain angry forever.
10 He does not punish us for all our sins;
    he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
11 For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
12 He has removed our sins as far from us
    as the east is from the west.
13 The Lord is like a father to his children,
    tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
14 For he knows how weak we are;
    he remembers we are only dust.

Being from Chicago, I know a thing or two about pizza. And the pizza here in Turkey, well it's just not cutting it. But then I had a weird thought. All these kids grow up thinking this is great pizza and if they ever did try Chicago pizza, they'd probably hate it.

It's like Chinese food. I love the American style Chinese food I get from Wing Wah's on Arlington Heights and Rand. But if a Chinese person came and ate it, he'd probably think it was gross.

So I look at Turkish pizza and think it's gross and say, "They don't know what they're missing." And Turkish people look at my pizza and think it's gross and say, "They don't know what they're missing." And that's perspective.

"...but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God." --James 3:8-9

Ohhh nooo!! I've torn down so many people because with my words instead of lifting them up. How many times have I complained about someone's shortcomings in order to justify my bad attitude towards them?! Jesus has asked me to love people, even if they are wrong. The only reason I'm annoyed at their behavior is because it's exposing the same attitude of heart I possess. Yikes!

"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other...When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil...Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone." --Romans 9:9-18

Here's a video from Kona highlighting our prayer room--a room close to the heart of every Fire & Fragrance student. Can you spot me in this video?!

Just go ahead an drop your jaw before you press play.