I ran an errand to Blockbuster on Tuesday afternoon, but it was closed, because it had been smashed and ripped apart, inside and out...

Come Lord Jesus

There are a lot of things that I could write about the horrible and scary riots that are going on in London, and spreading across England. There are a lot of opinions that I have about it, and part of me would love to send some of these young kids to help in Somalian refugee camps in Kenya to give them a bit of perspective on how good they have it. But really, when all is said and done, my heart just cries, "Come Lord Jesus. Please come quickly." A stronger government, a more "robust" police force, firmer parenting, and a better education system is not what is going to ultimately change the darkness and selfishness and hostility in their hearts. These kids are depraved. They need to be saved from themselves. So please come, King Jesus, and bring conviction to the deep rooted seeds of sin that are in their hearts. You are the only One who can change their hearts.

The other night I was walking home from having dinner with a woman who has been coming to our Bible study. I passed a group of young teenage guys, and as I walked by them, one of them commented on my figure, and I heard him ask if I would like to have sex. My heart sank, and I felt sick inside. I kept walking on, but my head was swirling. What kind of environment have these kids grown up in that they think it's okay to treat a woman like that? They are SO young, and regardless of that, they should not be saying those things. Why do they look at a woman and immediately think that? There is so much more to me than what's on the outside. Are they growing up learning that that's what women are for? To be used and put aside? By the time I got into my apartment, I was so confused and probably kind of angry. I ended up going back outside and confronting the kids, after I had cooled off a bit and prayed. They just said the same thing that they had before, laughing and trying to impress eachother. And I walked back into my flat and immediately remembered a friend who grew up in a similar environment as them, who came from a really broken family situation, and who was really angry at the world. But when he was 16, he began to start asking questions and searching, and opened up a Bible and committed his life to Jesus. Now he's preaching and discipling his fellow Brits in London. So I began to pray that God would do a similar redeeming work in those boys' lives, and every time I look out the window and see them playing out on the pitch, I'm going to commit to praying that they grow up to be men of integrity and humility, who are like Jeremiah with hearts on fire for the Lord and His work in London. I wonder if anyone has ever prayed for them before.

In light of all the chaos and tragedy that has been going on around the world in the past 2 weeks, I've been reflecting a lot on parts of Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change. And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at is swelling pride.






There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.




The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.





THE LORD OF HOSTS IS WITH US; THE GOD OF JACOB IS OUR STRONGHOLD... THE LORD OF HOSTS IS WITH US; THE GOD OF JACOB IS OUR STRONGHOLD.