A Calm in the Middle of the Storm

Recently, I have been reminded of the delicacy of life and yet, scripture is so clear on this.

 

James 4:14 states that, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone” (NLT)

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14, NASB)

Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

Psalm 39:5
You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.

Tomorrow is not a guarantee.  These verses definitely put this into a different perspective and makes me ask, “what am I doing with my life?” Am I really making each and every moment, each and every breath that I take, count?!?  I would like to say, “yes of course I am” but truth be told, I wonder if I really am.  

This past week and a half or so, I’ve been finding myself at a point where I am begging God to simply take control, trusting that in Him, all things WILL work out for the GOOD.  I know they will, they always do.  God has proved that to me time and time again, despite the fact that He doesn’t even have to prove anything to me.  But still, He reminds me of this.  That He is alive and moving.  His spirit is here and it’s changing lives.  All He is requiring of me, is to love Him and to trust Him.  

 That’s it. There is no ‘magic’ formula or scale, simply trust and love. 

Guess what, it is also one of the most freeing experiences and emotions that I have ever felt.  In the center of the storm, there is peace.  There is grace.  There is redemption. There is FREEDOM and there is love. 

So yes, life itself is ‘fleeting’, here today and gone tomorrow.  But GOD is constant.  God does not change.  In the center of the storm, HE is there waiting.  Waiting for me (and you) to call on Him.  Arms opened wide, waiting for His children to come back to Him.

 

 *Bethel has a song that has been speaking a lot of TRUTH into my life lately and I wanted to share it with you HERE. I pray that it will help serve as a reminder of who God is*

400 and counting

I started this blog back in 2006? Roughly something like that I do believe!
And here it is folks! post #400!!!

Although I have been wanting to/needing to blog over this last week...I just have not.  BUT God IS ALIVE and HE IS MOVING.  This last week, was Crazy with different meetings, coffee/supper dates and appointments, youth, etc etc.  Each evening was filled with something.  All good things, but it was still busy. Yet amidst that craziness, God showed up.  He provided for me in some crazy ways for my WR trip.  From financial donations, to having my malaria pills covered, to just a calming sense of peace that ONLY comes from HIM.  He spoke to me through a friend.  He challenged and encouraged me through her.  I discovered aspects of myself that I was not yet fully aware of.  I am continuing to witness HIM freeing a good friend of mine from a bondage she thought she wouldnt ever escape from.  God has not only given HER joy, but I too, could not stop singing HIS praises.  Guys, GOD IS SO ALIVE AND IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GOOD!! Seriously, if I didnt live in the middle of FLAT prairies, I would scream that from the mountain tops! 

That being said, American got hit hard this past week.  Boston Bombings and a fertilizer plant that exploded in West Texas..both places in which I have friends in.  There is a lot of pain, a lot of questions, hurt and anger...yet in it-people are turning to God.  He makes ALL things NEW and works for the GOOD in all those who Believe.

So, I could go on but simply put- despite the junk in our own lives and in the world...GOD IS AWESOME. GOD IS ALIVE. AND GOD IS MOVING in AMAZING WAYS! 

Answer

Busy.  That sums up life now.  That will sum life up for the next few weeks as well!  But it is a good busy.  Friends.  Family.  Youth. God.

Some days tho-my head feels as though it is spinning and I cant catch up.  I still gotta give my final answer by Friday and I think I know what I am going to say and the peace-that I THOUGHT I would have with leaving in January, I now have with leaving later.  So this is not like I have said no to going-I just feel that to leave in Jan-is not the smart move.

I realized that my motives (partially) were/are wrong.  Once I get something in my mind-my mind is made up and I am doing it-no questions asked.  Although it gets stuff done-it is the wrong way to do it.  So with this-my thinking was/is that I have no right to challenge my youth girls to 'get out' be stretched and moved-when I myself cannot do it.  This was/is a concept that I have really wrestled with.

So I was talking to my lead pastor and wife the other day and was explaining some of this to them and he pointed out a fact to me that I had not thought of yet.  He pointed out to me, that this was/is a discerning process and can/does appreciate the steps that I have taking and that that in itself-is a witness and testimony to those around me.

Now the process of actually giving my aanswer to Adventures in Missions and letting the people around me know-fun and games!

BUT-bring on Africa and another youth year!!!
The best thing is-GOD IS GOOD! GOD IS FAITHFUL. GOD IS LOVE

Crossroads

I am at a cross road in life.  It is once again time to "step out of the boat' and on to the water.  A step of faith.  I know I have gotten too comfortable here.  Set routine, set working hours. Now these can be/are good things; however I DONT want to become docile and just accept life "as is".  I believe I (we) are called to more of that.

Now just to clarify- I KNOW God is using me right here at home.  I am in fact, 100% sure of that (and I got stories to prove it if you want to know).  Honestly, I 100% LOVE the ministry I am apart of here locally.  Just flick through previous posts and you will see how many relate back to youth and youth events and all.  I know I have said it before, but I will say it again- they are the reason I am still around.  They have blessed and encouraged and challenged me in so many ways during this last year and a half of getting to know them.  I know that they too, have changed and shaped me.  They are the main reason why it will be hard to leave town...even to do something I want to do/know I should do.  Part of my thinking, is that I have no right to challenge/push them to get out of their 'bubbles' or 'comfort zone', when I, myself, can't do it. 

This line of thinking (part of it) brings me to this cross road in life where I am now.  Although I'd LOVE to stick around, I can not let myself become docile to the world and the needs around me.  I truly and fully believe that God's plans for my life, involve me being outside of Canada.  Time and time again in scripture- Christ talks about ministering to the poor, helping the sick and looking after the widows and orphans.

Having a love for missions and travel-this is something I constantly wrestle with.  Do I "go" or do I "stay"?  Let's be honest.  God DOESNT need me (either here at home, or abroad) to do His work.  HE CHOOSES me and wants me to help in bringing HIS glory to this dark and broken world.  After all, we just finished Good Friday and am now on Easter sunday.  HE took it ALL on the cross and then rose again on Easter so that THROUGH HIM, we may have life.  Other than our sins, we had no part in that process.


However, I cannot ignore the call I am once again, starting to feel on my heart.  The call to "GO".  So, already I have taken the next step.  I am looking at a few different options, not for right away, but within the next year.  I will be returning to Zambia, Africa with my church in 212 days (yes I am already counting down! so excited!) but that will only be three weeks (but I will take what I get!) but beyond that- I am also praying and considering another option for 2013.  Actually it has been somethign I have looked at in the past but at that point, I didnt have a peace about it.  Now, I can feel a peace about it.  Although I have 7  months before application deadline-I hope to get my application in by mid summer.  There will be a few factors, including time off work for a week mid october but God's hands hold it.  They are hands that I KNOW are FULLY capable of holding it.  All I gotta do is trust Him with it.

If you think about it, pray for me.  Pray for the ministry I am in now, and the ministry I hope to be apart of in the new year.  Pray for peace and God's guidence.

Shalom

  

God is LOVE

Ever stop and just think that, the CREATOR of the universe...created YOU in HIS image?!? YAHWEH, the Alpha and Omega, Heavenly Father, Christ the King...created YOU and LOVEs you! so very much! I dont know about you, but my mere human mind can not grasp that at all! But what i do love, other than my Creator, is relishing in HIS love.  basking in it and soaking it in.  Despite a crappy start to this fall (Spiritually), right now...i can feel God next to me constantly throughout the day.  He is with me with I rest my head, when I wake and carry on my day.  I sitll have my moments, but I know God is right next to me.  I love that God overcame and won another victory in my heart. I love the fact that HE loves ME enough to go to amazing lengths to show me HIs love. Serving HIM truly is the best thing in this life. I can feel my insides 'bursting' with joy.  God is so so so so so So very good!!
thank you God for who You are. For Loving me the way you do!