Growth

When does a brush grow best?  After it’s been cut back.  Every fall my mom cuts all the branches off of the brushes in front of our house.  Once, strong, budding limbs become pudgy stumps. They do not look very pretty this way and if you are not a gardener then you might ask why someone would do such a thing.  However, if you are a gardener then you know that this is necessary for growth.  The branches and leaves that die when the weather gets colder need to be removed.  In the spring, the branches will grow back bigger and stronger than ever.  They grow best after they have been cut back. 

This is similar to what happens to us when we go through hard times.  Life is a continuous cycle of ups and downs.  We go through different seasons in life.  When a family member dies we might feel so down that we do not know how we will ever live again.  Or when a relationship is severed we may feel like our live will never be good again.  But, there is always hope.  When we overcome our hardships we grow.  When we look back and see the path that we took and eventually conquered we learn. 

Look at the words of 1 Peter 1:6-7.  

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

God does not delight in our pain, nor does he enjoy watching us suffer, but he does rejoice in our accomplishments when we emerge victorious from a seemingly impossible situation.   It might seem like a life without all the ‘pruning’ would be nice, but without it we would never grow or learn or change.  So when you start feeling like the sun is never going to shine on you again, just remember that the pain is necessary and that you will be stronger in the end because of what you have been through.   

Romans 10:14

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 
Romans 10:14

That You May Gain

Look over the hills

What is in sight?

Homes scattered around

Glisten in the sunshine bright

So many people

Who’ve never heard

So many friends

Lost alone in this world

What can we do

How can one reach

How can we tell them

Who will come to preach

So many people

How can we look

On so many faces

The task is so large

Make us more than a few

Send us revival

Teach us to follow you

Silence our fears

Make us strong and bold

We must take this task

Your glory must be told

Soon day will end

And night on earth will rise

Through your faithfulness

Let us lessen the cries

So many faces

Have never heard your name

Lead us to their homes

So that through us, you may gain

Written June 20, 2010

Praying for Change

There are two things that I know are true about myself: I know nothing about politics and I believe that little children are extremely important.  So naturally I don’t spend a lot of time keeping track of what the government is doing.  However, recently I came across a court case that has me very, very interested.   This case is concerning abortion and the point at which life begins.  The Ohio Senate is trying to pass a bill that would ban abortion after the first heart beat is heard.  I wish that abortion would be banned completely and that the people of our nation would no longer desire to have abortion as an option to being a parent.  But since we can’t have that yet, I’ll take this ban for now.  I believe that it is a step in the right direction.  This bill is called the Heartbeat bill and is currently being challenged in the Ohio State Senate for being unconstitutional.  I wish I could explain the bill a little bit better but my lack of political understanding has me at a loss.  If you want to know more about the bill just google it!  I was able to find several articles stating the details of the bill and the debate that way. 

This is important to me because I believe that life begins at conception.  Grab your Bible and look up the following verses: 

Psalm 139:13-14: God says that He made us while we were still in His mother’s womb.  We are wonderfully and fearfully made because we are a creation of God. 

Jeremiah 1:5:  God knew who we were going to be before we were even born. Our lives do not happen by chance.  God knows every child that is conceived and has a plan for their lives to use them to bring Glory to His name.  I do not think that God is glorified when one of His children are taken away. 

Genesis 1:27 and Acts 17:28:  God created us to in His own image.  Life is a wonderful and precious gift.  Who are we, as mere men, to take this gift away from someone else?

I will fight for this cause because I believe that God has given us as Christians a command to care for the weak and the helpless.  I may not be able to do much, but I have to do what I can to provide care for those who cannot defend themselves.  In this case, the unborn babies.  Take a look at these verses:

            Psalm 82:3: We are called to defend the rights of those who are weak and maintain their rights in times when they cannot speak for themselves. 

            Proverbs 31:9: We are to speak up for those in need.  This implies that we will need to take action.  Feeling bad about this the loss of an innocent life does nothing.  If we want something to change, we have to be willing to make that change happen. 

            I could go on and on with this, but you get the idea.  We are called to protect and defend. 

Being faced with a situation like this and knowing that I am required to do something about it leads to the obvious question of what can we do?  I had to think about this for a while.  It would be great if I could go to the Senate House is Columbus and ask the senators to pass the law, but I know that this isn’t really possible.  I could get mad and protest at an abortion clinic, but I’m pretty sure that would just make people angry and that might not be the best thing for our cause at the moment.  So, what I am going to do is devote a specific amount of time to praying for this cause every day.  I know that prayer is powerful.  It is a gift from God that we shouldn’t neglect.  Miracles happen when we pray.  Look at 2 Corinthians 10:4: “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”  The greatest weapon that we have is prayer.  If we are really passionate about getting rid of abortion we have to pray.  This issue is being debated in our courtrooms but it is part of a greater battle that is taking place between unseen forces as we speak. 

So what do you say?  Do you really want to see this law passed?  If you do, then I challenge you to spend at least 1 minute in prayer specifically for this cause each day until it passes.  If you want to pray longer go for it!  No matter how busy you are you can spare one minute a day to pray.  Put a post it note reminding you on your keys each night, and don’t leave the house until you’ve prayed.  Even if you are running late, stop and pray, 1 minute is not going to make much of a difference.  Or put a reminder by your toothbrush and pray while you brush.  I don’t think God will mind.  Do whatever you have to do, but make sure that you do it!  I want to see this law pass and I am going to do what I can, but I can’t do it alone.  So please, please, please join me in praying for the Heartbeat bill!

Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow

Today, I just have to take a minute to stop and thank God for all of His blessings.  A few months ago, I was invited to speak at Greenbush Baptist Church and after much planning and prayer I was able to share my experiences living in a Filipino orphanage with them.  The past week has been quite a challenge. Every story I wrote out and every picture I looked at was accompanied by a tear.  It’s been a year since I last spoke about my trip and I didn’t remember how much I miss those kids until I spent a week praying about them and reliving my time with them. 

                I’ll never forget the day that the kids took us to Lake Sampuloc and we almost got attacked my monkeys or the day that we celebrated Joseph’s birthday.  I still remember how much fun it was to have a tea party and dance party on the roof of the church with the girls.  I remember their names and faces and pray that God is keeping them safe.  I look forward to the day when I can be on the mission field once again, caring for God’s children. 

                I don’t know why God decided to use me in this way but I am thankful that He has.  I am not a public speaker but today God used to speak to a group of people who were interested to hear what I had to say, even if I didn’t say it well.  God can truly do amazing things if we are willing to let Him use us.  This afternoon Greenbush had a tea party for their CIA’s, which is their kids program, and they had “Lottie Moon” come and share about her life.  Then I shared about my time in the Philippines.  It was a great evening and I got to meet some very kind people.  God has reminded me of the urgency of spreading the gospel and the great need in the world. 

                Thank you, Lord for all of your great blessings.  I pray that you will continue to use me in my everyday day life and that you will lead me to service in missions. 

                I have now completed my first semester of Seminary. Yay!  I wasn’t sure that I would make it but I did.  I’m working full time at the preschool now that school is out.  This has been a fun experience.  Three year olds truly say and do the funniest things.  Those kids are such a blessing to me.

                Two weeks until Christmas!  In this time of giving I encourage you to remember missions and specifically Lottie Moon.  Pray about giving to the Lottie Moon Offering and ask God how He can use you to further His Kingdom and bring Him glory.    

Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow…

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

24 years ago no one know who I would become or what I would do with my life. I didn't even know I existed.  But God did.

Psalm 139:13-19
"For you formed my inward parts;
   you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;
   my soul knows it very well.
¹⁵My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,
   intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance;in your book were written, every one of them,
   the days that were formed for me,
   when as yet there was none of them.
 ¹⁷How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
   I awake, and I am still with you."

How can we ever cease to praise God for His good gifts?
This is my prayer today.

Dear Lord,

                I just want to thank you for the wonderful gift of life that you have given me.  You alone saw me and knew me before anyone else did.  You blessed me with a wonderful family you taught me to love You.  You have given me great and wonderful gifts all of my life.  You saw me on the day of my birth and all the days of my childhood and preserved my life.  You knew the hardships I would face and gave me the strength to carry on, even when things seemed desperate.   You have truly never left my side.  And I can never praise You enough for that.  Everything good in my life has come from You, nothing that I do on my own matters.  

                My life has changed in unimaginable ways over the past year.  One year ago, I didn’t know what Southern Seminary was, I had never heard of Ninth and O Baptist Church or the Gardner School, and I didn’t know my little room in Mullins hall existed.  Yet all of these have become a major part of my life.  Even more so, I had never met some of the best friends and mentors that I now have.  I am amazed at the good gifts that you have given me.  I have done nothing to deserve them, yet You continue to bless me. 

                Thank you Lord, for blessing me with 24 years of life.  I pray that you will continue to bless me with many more years and that you will guide my ways so that I will never stray from the plan that You have for my life.  I know that true life comes from You alone.  All that I can offer you in return is my life, so I pray that You would take it and use the rest of my years in whatever way it pleases You. 

Thank you Lord, Amen.

Some the best things from the past year of my life:

My new nephew Truitt!

Living close enough to my sister to have my nephew over for the day

Having the ability to study and learn no matter how difficult it is.

New Friends!

More new friends!

My amazing family!

The ability to be a student at SBTS and grow closet to God everyday!

In Memory of Amanda and Matt

Dear Amanda,

You don’t know it, but I think of you often.  I think that I will always remember best the last day that we saw each other.  It was Halloween and Alisha and I were dressed up as Indians.  Before long the plot was set and you were the mommy and I was the baby.  We ran and laughed and played until it was time to leave.  I wonder if the day would have been any different if we’d known it was our last chance to play together.   The next morning I didn’t understand why you were gone.  I thank God that I didn’t understand because I was only 7 and no child should have to understand what happened to you.   But I did understand that you were gone and that I missed you.  Many years have gone by now and I have moved on and grown up.  Over the years, God revealed to me that I was going to work children.  I would have never imagined that I would work with kids but here I am.  There are so many kids out there that need to be loved and cared for.  I have to keep fighting for them because they are important and they deserve to know that they are important.  I don’t know why God choose to let me live today while you remain forever 12 years old.  But I want you to know that your life was not unimportant.  When my work is too hard and I am filled with despair I remember you.  It’s not fair that you never got to grow up.  It makes me mad that someone would hurt you but unfortunately, there is nothing that I can do to change the past.  I can do something, though I may not always know what, to change what will happen in the future.  So when I’m teaching a child English, rocking a baby to sleep, or loving an orphaned child I am thinking of you.  You don’t know it, but you are my inspiration.  I won’t let evil win.  I won’t forget about you or let indifference reside.  I will fight for the ones who can’t fight for themselves and through this I pray that your short life will be the inspiration that gives life to many others.

Honored to have known you,

Brittany

Please God Let It Be

God has truly given me a beautiful day.  As always, I wonder why God decided to bless me so.  I finally finished writing my 15 page paper on the Brahman of India.  I also finally was able to get away from the seminary and spend some time at the park enjoying the beautiful fall colors and some good company.  Then, this evening I got to go to a Reformation Service on campus.  Once again, God has blessed me when I didn’t deserve to be blessed.  But with this blessing, he also reminded me that not everyone has a beautiful day like me.  There are still millions of orphans in the world who need to be loved.   Most days I wish I was finished at Seminary so I could go to them, but I know the time isn’t right yet.  There is still a famine in West Africa.  There are thousands of Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists who will die today without every coming to know God.  But anyway I was thinking today about how cool it would be if every person in the world knew God and his never-ending love.  Can you picture it?  I don’t know if it is even possible for all of the people in the world to hear and accept the gospel in my lifetime but I am going to pray that God would let it happen. 

Please God let it be

I’m picturing a world

And praying that God will let it be

From the fields of sweet Ohio

To the clear blue South China Sea

A world filled with nothing but believers

The Buddhist priest bowing down at noon

And praising our God instead

Please God let it be soon

I’m picturing a world

Turning golden as God is praised

Each orphan cry answered

God let our world be saved

Please God let it be

Human trafficking ends in India

The hungry in West Africa are fed

Please God consider this idea

I’m picturing a world

Where your name is spoken freely

And the whole world knows your love

Please God let it be

This is from Cherokee Park in Louisville.  Isn't it beautiful?

Things That Make Me Happy

Hello friends,

What a week! I feel like I've done nothing but write research papers all week, but still have so much more work to do.  The weather has been cold and rainy, which means the kids at work are crazy!  You all know how kids get when they can't go outside and play all day.  So somewhere over the course of this week I decided to make a list of little, everyday things that make me happy.  You should try it sometime.  It's theraputic. 

1. Doing laundry and knowing for next couple of hours that all of my clothing is clean.
2. The hilarious things that kids at the preschool say.
3. Listening to A Capella.
4. Talking to friends on the other side of the world.
5. Finding notes in my Bible that I forgot I had.
6. Reading the news from my hometown.
7. Drinking a cup of coffee that is exceptionally good.
8. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming.

Ok, that's all I have for now!  I guess I'll continue my research paper now.  I'm writing a people group profile on the Brahman of India.  They are one of the largest groups in India and hold a priestly status within the caste system.  They are a very difficult group to reach because many of them are Hindu priests.  There are few if any believers among this people group.  There are approximately 57,835,000 Brahmans.  Please pray for the Brahman of India this week!  Pray that they would be open to the gospel and for the missionaries who are sent to share the gospel with them.  And if it's not too much to ask, pray for me as I write this research paper!  Pray that I would have the knowledge and motivation to write it.  Thank you!!!

Remember the words of  1 Peter 1:8, "Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." 

This picture really has nothing to do with nothing, but it makes me happy because my dog is in it and you can see my bright yellow walls in the background!

Beautiful, Bright, Blue

I was out on the playground today with the kids when I noticed one little boy staring at the sky.  I looked up but I didn't anything so I said, "What do you see?"  He answered' "The sky," then added, "it's neat."  I agree with him, the sky was neat today.  No clouds at all, just beautiful, bright, blue. 
Kids always notice things like that.  That's one of the reasons why I think kids are so neat.  I was too busy to notice the sky until he pointed it out to me.  And I thought I was the teacher!

It's fall break this week at the Seminary and I've really enjoyed the extra sleep!  Please continue praying for me as I still have two months of school before winter break and many papers to write and books to read.  Praise God for the opportunity to study here and learn so much! 

I recently came across some beautiful scripture in Deuteronomy that I would like to share with you.

"For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing."'
Deuteronomy 2:7

What a wonderful promise! In this passage Moses is recounting all the Isrealites have been through in their exodus from Egypt.  God was with the Isrealites and blessed all the work of their hands because they were His people.  Aren't we also God's people?  I love how the verse ends as well, "You have lacked nothing."  God didn't promise the Isrealites an easy life, but he did ensure that they lacked nothing.  It's a wonderful thing to think that God also knows where I have been.  He has never left my side and I can truly say I have lacked nothing. It's even more amazing to consider that God knows my future as well and that He is going to be there every step of the way! 

How Wonderful

Who is this God

Who numbered the hairs on my head

And how does he know

When I rise and go to bed?

Who is this God

Who even cares to know my name

Knows my wandering thoughts

And loves me just the same

How wonderful, how wonderful

This being called God must be

And to think one such as he

Loves a sinner such as me

Who is this God

Who cares to know my fears

Yet walks with every man

On all distant frontiers

Who is this God

And how can I know him more

There is nothing like Him

That I’ve ever known before

How wonderful, how wonderful

This being called God must be

And to think one such as he

Loves a sinner such as me

Who is this God

Whose glory ever abounds

However could I please Him

With these simple human sounds

Who is this God

Who can touch my very heart

I know I’ll always praise Him

and never wish to part

Giggle Breaks

Today just seems like a good day for a laugh.  Maybe it’s because my kids at work made me laugh today, or maybe it’s the early onset of a three day weekend with family and all things good but it just seems like a good day for a laugh. 

What a strange experience it is to go every day from graduate level seminary classes to the 2 year old world of potty training.  My professors do a pretty good job of being entertaining however it’s the random, unexpected comments from my daycare kids that really get me going.  So here are some of the things that they tell me:

Little girl at naptime:  Did your brother paint your fingernails?

While waiting for parents to arrive at the end of the day:

Boy: what are we doing?

Me: we’re cleaning our classroom, then your dad’s going to come and pick you up, then I am going to go home.

Boy: (laughing) you can’t go home, you stay here!

Me: No, I go home at the end of the day too.  I have to go home and see my mommy too.

Boy: (laughing more) You don’t have a mommy!

Little girl in the lunch line: Are you a girl?

Little girls at potty time:

Girl 1: I have pink princess underwear, what do you have?

Girl 2: I have tink-owr-belle!

Girl 1: Miss Brittany do you have Tinkerbelle underwear?

And my fave…

Little boy at snack time eating a popsicle:

Boy: (starts crying hysterically) My popsicle is up-side-down!!!

(I take the popsicle from him and turn it around and give it back.)

Boy: thank you!

That’s all I can remember right now but I’ll post more as the kids say them.  I think it’s so important to always be looking for the things in life to be happy about.  Sometimes working with 2 and 3 year olds can be no fun at all, but when I remember that I am doing things for God and not I it’s a lot easier.  When I first started working at my job at the preschool, I just couldn’t understand why God would want me there.  I really feel lead to work with children in need and these kids are definitely not needy.  But they do need Jesus all the same. 

There is a teacher that I work with during naptime that I really enjoy talking to.  And believe it or not, she is not a Christian, but kinda, sorta interested in the subject.  She asks me about seminary and my church sometimes and I get to share a little about what God is teaching me.  Naptime can be pretty crazy and we only work together for an hour or two each day so sometime we don’t get to talk at all. But I am always praying for opportunities.  Please pray for this new relationship!  Also, there is another girl who is on lunch break with me that I am praying for opportunities to share the gospel with.  This girl is so negative that most days I would prefer to eat in my car than in our break room.   I’m serious, everyday it’s something.  But God didn’t put here there by accident, so pray for her, and me. 

Keep in mind that today is a wonderful day that God has given you! Don’t like opportunities to share Christ pass you by. 

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an Inexpressible and Glorious Joy." 1 Peter 1:8

Showers of Blessings

With classes starting this week, I've been just a tad bit busy, and in my business I've neglected writing anything for this blog.  So I'm going to share an older story with you.  I have a collection of stories that I wrote about spending the summer in the Philippines last year and hope to share them periodically.  So, here's the first one. 

Showers of Blessings

Once again it was a Saturday and we were free to do what we pleased with our day.  Saturdays always began with a few hours at the internet café where for a few hours took us back home to the United States, where we listened to stories of the lives we once lived and tried to explain what was happening in our new lives.  On this particular day we walked to the post office to mail some letter, the supermarket to pick up a few things, and Folcan, our favorite little café.  The café was probably the most American place in San Pablo.  We loved sipping our frappes and relaxing in the air con.  This day was especially hot and humid and as usual I was missing the mild Ohio summers.  Luckily the heat didn’t last.

We watched the clouds roll in as we dodged our way in and out of allies and back to the orphanage.  The storm came quickly and the first drops fell as we ran inside.  The Heavens split wide open and poured out the rain.  We all ran out on the balcony to watch the rain, which was the hardest rain I have ever seen.  The kids were all playing in the rain and before long, my team and I were out there too! 

 The water was only a couple of inches deep on the basketball court, but in the street it was up to the kids waist.  Soon the little boys were digging plastic bags out of the garage can to fill with water and launch at their ates, who were watching from the safety of the balcony. 

At one point, one little girl laid down in the water and waved her arms back and forth like she was making a snow angel.  We played basketball and had a dance party.  It was just a good time. 

In a way, playing in the rain that day reminded me of how God has showered us with his blessings.  He has showered us with strength, knowledge, and His Word.  Each time we encountered someone in the Philippines we had to spread the truth that God gave to us because he has blessed us with so much.  That day the streets were flooded with water, but I pray that someday the city will be flooded with believers. 

Oh Lord How I Love You

Oh Lord how I love you

And how I need you by my side

Each dawning day on Earth

In you do I confide

My heartbeat is in your hand

And my strength is your breath

You carry me through the desert

You crush my Goliath

I lift my hands to praise you

My always faithful King

When I consider your greatness

How can I cease to sing?

Ever unfailing and unstoppable

Your love encompasses me

I’ll never know it’s depth

‘Til in Heaven I join thee

Oh how I love my Lord

The creator of my soul

With thanksgiving I praise you

You have made me whole

Red and Yellow, Black and White, They are precious in His sight

Last Monday I officially started my new job.  It’s at a preschool and so I now spend a large portion of my day with 2 and 3 year olds.  What an adventure!  I arrive at noon, right as the kids are finish lunch and begin to lay down for naps.  Now I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to get 13 3 year olds to fall asleep at the same time but it’s quite an experience!  There are treasured few who lie down and close their eyes without protest, but with most of the kids, it’s a battle.  They want to be tucked in, read to, a back rub, a 20^th drink of water, or when all else fails, they cry for mommy.  And I have to confess that, though I don’t believe it’s ok to lie, when they ask for their mommies that I tell them that their mommies are also sleeping because it’s nap time for everyone.  Most of the kids are asleep within 30 minutes, but there are always one or two who need an hour and a half to fall asleep.  It’s crazy! 

If we’re lucky we might get a few peaceful minutes.  Once everyone gets to sleep the kids who fell asleep first start waking up.  The rest of the day flies by.  Bathroom breaks, snacks, outside playtime, inside playtime, inside activity.  Then before I know it parents are arriving and it’s time to start cleaning up.  I will definitely add parents of small children to my prayer list!

I love my job now, but I have to admit that I had some misconceptions when I began.  I feel really strongly about working with children in need and so I wasn’t sure about this job at a preschool for the privileged.  I wondered how God would use me there.  But, of course, God had something he wanted to teach me.  I already knew this, but I guess I forgot it.  Kids are kids.  They are the same whether they are privileged, not privileged, farm lads, city slickers, American or Filipino.  Kids are the same no matter where they come from.  They all just want to play and be loved.  It’s when they grow up they more differences can be seen.  When we become adults we have a way of tricking ourselves into believing that different is scary or inferior.   Yet, we aren’t so different.  Many of the people in my dorm building are of a different ethnicity than I am.  But they are all amazing girls and some of them have become very close friends. 

So anyway, my point in telling you all this is that God will use you wherever you are.  All people need Jesus.  Tomorrow I get to take care of a bunch of little children who need Jesus.  I’m sure that some of them are from Christian families, but some of them aren’t.  They are going to grow up and they probably won’t remember me, but I still have to do what I can to lead them to Jesus.  So when in the quiet, when I’m patting a child’s back trying to help them fall asleep, I’m also praying.  I pray for the kids, their families and my coworkers.  Today my challenge for you is to look around you and try to find your mission field.  Who can you be praying for in your quiet moments?  And remember that no one is so different from you that you can’t reach them.  Give them a chance and you may make a friend.  If you start to feel like you need some encouragement, go find some kids to play with. 

This is one of my favorite little kiddos!  One of my nephews!

Our Life, God's Way

I set myself a goal of updating at least once a week and it looks like I already broke that.  I’ve had time to update but I guess I didn’t want to. In the week or two since I last wrote I made the decision to leave my job.  Now, if you’re reading this then you probably know how I feel about children, and particularly orphans and poverty.  With that being said, giving up my job was a very difficult decision.  I wanted to be able to do my job, but my level of stress became a clear indicator that it wasn’t for me.  At first I was afraid that I had somehow failed myself or God, but after some deep prayer conversations with Him I realized that I wasn’t a failure and He already had everything figured out so I had better move on with my life. 

I’ve been unemployed for almost two weeks now and I don’t like it.  I’m the kind of person who likes to have a plan and stick with it.  Now everything is up in the air and it makes life uncomfortable.  I’m sure you’ve felt this way too.  As humans, we think no job = no money, no money = no bills paid, no bills paid = I lose my car, etc. etc.   Worry is a natural tendency.   A little bit of worry in these situations is ok I guess, but I find that when I give my worry to God and replace it with faith things start looking a lot more like Honolulu and a lot less like Mexico City.  With God in control we can realize that God must have something else in mind for us. 

Perhaps it’s a better job or a job where we will have more chances to witness to those around us.  Remember, we are called to be witnesses both near and far and more often than not our workplace is our mission field.  Like Jesus told the apostles in Acts, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts1:8).  Two things stick out to me in this verse, first, the three cities mentioned.  One is so near to the apostles that it could be considered home, and then the verse ends with to the ends of the earth.  We have A TON of space to cover.  So if you’re the only Christian in your workplace and you’re miserable, stop pouting and start witnessing!  Secondly, I notice how the phrase, ‘you will’ is used two in the verse.  ‘You will’ receive power and ‘you will’ be MY witness.  Jesus is very clear about what is expected of us and thankfully lets us know that we will have the Holy Spirit with us at all times. 

Now, realizing that God has a plan, already knows our needs, is with us at all times, and loves us with a greater love than we could ever possibly fathom, things don’t look so bad do they?

As always, if any of you need a little extra prayer or someone to talk to this week email/text/call me and I’ll pray for you!  As for me, pray that God’s will, will be done in my life.  I’ve filled out tons of applications and an interview today for a job that would be totally awesome.  But if it’s not where God wants me then I pray I have the wisdom not to take the job and continue seeking His will.

I think a great way to end the night would be by reading John 16:17-33.  Make sure you pay special attention to the last verse!

God's Love Letter

Sometime over the past year I came across this letter that is a love letter from God.  Essentially it takes Bible verses and summarizes them into letter form.  I think it's one of the most beautiful things I have ever read and it's much better than anything I could have written.  Then again the author is God so course it's awesome!  Anyway, I thought I would share

My Child,

You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.
Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.
Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.
Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.
Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.
Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.
Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.
Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.
Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented
by those who don't know me.
John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.
Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.
Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.
Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.
Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.
Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.
Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you,
not against you.
Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
Luke 15:7

I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…
Will you be my child?
John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you.
Luke 15:11-32

Love,Almighty God

Amazing right?  Well here's my idea for this letter. Print it out and hang it up by your bed or somewhere where you will see it everyday.  Then, when your feeling unloved or just having a bad day take a look at it.  It's pretty hard to be grumpy when your reading about all the wonderful things God has in mind for you!

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