Psalm 67

I have been reading perspectives and although I have read a good portion of it before it is making alot more sense these days. I have been reading Psalm 67 and really thinking through that passage the last few days. One thing that strikes me about this passage is that is seems to summarize the whole theme of the Bible in this one chapter. I realize that is a rather bold statement, but read it and really think about it. God's heart is a missionary heart. I realize in the church today in America this can sometimes be a statement that divides christians. People say "I don't have a heart for missions." This statement is one that my own mouth has muttered a time or two. For me making this statement is more about Fear than anything. I look at places like China, India, or even Mexico and I think yuck I don't want to go to those places. The really interesting thing is that none of that matters!!! If we align ourselves with God, and really humbly focus in on him nothing else matters. Suddenly our hearts simply want what he wants. He wants to be glorified through out the earth. His name should be lifted above all else. How amazing the picture that John gives us in Revelation 7.
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every
nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were
wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud
voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.
I don't know about you but that picture is so exciting and that is what is going to happen!! Picture every tribe, nation, people and language worshipping our God. We have to align ourselves with this purpose as believers. It doesn't matter where in this world we are or where he has called us but this is our central vision. To see him worshiped. John Piper states it well in "Let the Nations be Glad," he says "Missions is not the goal of the church, Worship is." I think the reason sometimes missions becomes a dividing point in the church is because most of the time the focus is not on God. It is on missions. The reason I always turned away from missions was because my thoughts were only on myself, and what that might mean for me....I was selfish, I was prideful. I will also admit that there have been times when I wanted to be a missionary and if I am honest have to admit it was for the adoration of fellow christians. How screwed up is that? Humility is central here, and understanding why we worship is key. We worship because he is worthy and because he deserves it, and our own will has to go out the window when we are really focusing on him. So it doesn't matter if you are scared, or uninterested in missions. Simply align yourself with God's heart. I DARE YOU!! 'See what happens. I promise as you draw near to him, you realize that the goal is not missions but for God to be worshiped by all of us!! It is for HIS GLORY, and that is far more awesome! Raging awesome some might say!

Lately I have been feeling so anxious to do something for God!! As I draw nearer to him though that focus changes, and the passion is even greater to see our communities, nation, and all nations fall to their faces in worship. If this becomes my passion it changes everything about the way I live and it doesn't matter what country he has me in it stays the same. I just want to see him glorified throughout the earth!! So on that note I am changing my blog up a bit. I want to have resources that I have found helpful on my blog for you all to read and think about with me. I think I have been very convicted that I need to shutup and pray pray pray! I want to pray for God's will to be done on this earth... let's all join in as believers, let's all worship him together, and let's pray for his will. Watch what will happen!!
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face shine upon us,
that your ways may be known on earth,
your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you,
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
for you rule the peoples justly
and guide the nations of the earth.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you.

Then the land will yield its harvest,
and God, our God will bless us.
God will bless us
and all the ends of the earth will fear
him. Psalm 67

These are some new pics of our little family. We went away this weekend to Galveston and sailed. We had a really fun weekend. What gifts of beauty the Father provides to delight His children!! That is the thought I had running through my head as I looked out across the water. Honestly as I stand and look at across the ocean it kinda freaks me out to think about how BIG our God is and how amazing his creations. "Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare." Psalm 40:5 That pretty much sums up my feelings about everything right now.




This is the boardwalk in Kemah where we sailed. Totally Fun!!!

Three Generations.....

Here are some new pics. I just love these kiddos!! I think it is so cool how you don't just love your own kids, you really like who they are. I remember Mom always telling me "I don't just love you, I like you a whole lot too." I always thought that was silly but now I really get it, and I really do like Emma, Lilli, and Joshua!!

These are the pictures from our Mothers Day camping trip. We didn't get to stay long, but we had fun, and it was nice to be outside. I love nature, and what it says about God. I really don't know how you can look at it all and not know there is a God. To me it just screams out his holy name. Being out made me remember camping and backpacking when I was younger. I used to think I was going to live in the North West somewhere and work at a little camping store with my kayak on top of 4 Runner. Life didn't turn out quite like I imagined back then. There are things I could have never imagined about my life. I have met some of the coolest people, and best friends. I have a job that allows me to make my own schedule with my family, and that I LOVE too. I have a three awesome kids who keep me smiling everyday, and a marriage that has been an absolute miracle from God. When I think of how far we have come, and what God has done it really humbles me. God is good even when life isn't so much.

I am really thankful for where God has brought the Akin family, or the Akin Frogs as some of you know us. This mothers day was a good time to hang out and see God's creativity, and just enjoy being a family. God really is so good. It is said that "Life is what happens when you are making other plans," and for me that has been true so far.
I Love this picture of Lilli Bean.
This was our campsite early Sunday morning. Happy Mothers Day, from God!!

Okay I am going to try and get caught up on the blogging. Our biggest event recently was the girls recital. They did such a good job and we had so much fun. I actually am going to be taking some ballet pictures next year for the school so I can cut back on the weddings a little. I am very excited about that. I actually had alot of fun doing these pictures. So much FUN!!