all your cares.

this commentary by Matthew Henry gets me every time. i am always so challenged by the words. listen to his take on 1 Peter 5:

"Cast 'all your cares', personal cares, family cares, cares for the present, and cares for the future, for yourselves, for others, for the church, on God. These are burdensome, and often very sinful, when they arise from unbelief and distrust, when they torture and distract the mind, unfit us for duties, and hinder our delight in the service of God. The remedy is, to cast our care upon God and leave every event to His wise and gracious disposal."

what are you caring for that has become burdensome and hindered your delight in the service of God?

homework... really?

this week, Agape Italia is holding it's first [in many many years] Institute of Biblical Studies course week! More than 1/3 of the Staff from around the country have come to Florence to take one of two offered courses. Some are taking Biblical Interpretations and others, like myself, are enrolled in Romans.

i have to say, i love school. i love learning. i love going deeper in the Word- into historical context and meaning. also, i really love school supplies. i've already purchased a new notebook for this journey back to school, and have been scouring every cartoleria for the perfect pen. it's out there- i just know it.

so pray for those gathered in Florence. pray that we would be alert, attentive, and fully engaged. Already, I am discovering things in Romans that I've never known before... seeing themes that I have never paid attention to. All of this, we want to transfer to our ministry here in Italy. All of it is training for the mission field. I am so grateful.

What an opportunity.

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:1-2.