Chameleon Christian

I am blessed to have a church where I learn something new about God and His Word every week.  While some people only learn these things in independent Bible study, I learn them every week simply by going to church.  I've not always been blessed in this way!

Our pastor is preaching on Daniel and his courageous, unchanging faith.  Today he compared Daniel's unwavering stance for what is right with a "Chameleon Christian."  Chameleon Christians change their colors depending on the situation.  Kind of like this...

Pastor Phil said today that "Your character is revealed when you are tempted to do wrong, but you choose to do right."  I have to admit.....The Lord convicted me today because I have been acting like a Chameleon Christian the last couple of weeks.  I have followed the path of temptation.

The last two weeks have been hard for me.

I've faced my own Daniel's Den.

I've had no joy.

I've struggled and suffered under some frustrating burdens.

Because of those struggles, my colors changed from those of Christ to those of a complainer and a gossiper.  Those words are hard to type.  But the honest truth is that those words describe who I am when I am NOT IN CHRIST!
                                   
So today I choose to change my response to the struggles of the past two weeks.  I choose to stay in Christ because He is in me.  I choose to be a modern day Daniel -- never compromising my godly character....even when the going gets tough.

China Survival Guide

When you go where the Lord leads, you're in for one wild ride!!  I've spent the last three weeks serving Him in China, and He was so faithful!!  I have lots to share, but first......here's my very own China survival guide!

1.  Always carry toilet paper.  If you don't have your own TP, you'll be dripping dry (or worse!).  There's rarely rarely ever TP in the bathrooms.

2.  Buy a Go Girl.  It was the best $9.95 I have spent in my entire life.  China has these "lovely" devices we call squatty potties.  

Ugh.  

You either squat to potty or you use the oh-so-wonderful Go Girl.  This handy dandy device allows us girlies to potty in the squatty without having to squat!  

Best. Invention. Ever.

3.  Handicapped Stalls.  If you failed to purchase a Go Girl before leaving for China, handicapped stalls are a must.  If there's a handicapped stall, it's probably a western toilet!  (That's the best kept China potty secret.)

4.  Practice with chopsticks. We went out to dinner my first night in China.  They had tons of food for us (including rice, of course).  I was staaarrrrving so when I sat down I was ready to dig in.  And then they handed me a pair of chopsticks.  Uh oh.  Needless to say, I was still hungry when dinner was over.  Before you come to China, practice eating with chopsticks before you come!

This was breakfast.

5.  Prepare for paparazzi.  At least if you're not in a main hub city.  In the northwestern part of the country, Westerners are quite the spectacle.  If you're opposed to having your picture taken with complete strangers, people bringing you their babies to talk to or lots of fingers pointing at you, don't go to China.  Especially if you have blond hair and blue eyes.  Whew!

6.  Watch the road!  You know the rule in America that says pedestrians have the right of way?  Yeah.  That doesn't apply in China.  And the drivers are crazy!

This is the calmest I ever saw China traffic.  No one was trying to cut us off!

The last and most important tip...

7.  Get on your knees and stay there.  The power of prayer and serving the Almighty God was not only how we survived but how we were able to thrive.  We prayed for anointing and favor.....and that's exactly what the Lord delivered.