Psalm 146:2 "I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live."

Monday, May 28, 2012

Don't Look At The Waves

Hi Everyone,
 I've been thinking about many things since the blog post that I put up a week ago.

Matthew 14:22-31
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Not trying to take the passage out of context or anything but I have a thought. It is so easy for us to look at the wind and the waves around us instead of keeping our focus on Christ. We  can become afraid and sometimes doubtful. When the circumstances of our lives or the lives of those we love become challenging and "stormy," it sometimes becomes a temptation to simply look at the trial in front of us, and we so easily forget that Christ is with us in the middle of the storm.

Our focus really can only be on one thing at a time. Either we are looking at the wind and the waves of our trials, or we are looking to Christ in the midst of them----and once we take our eyes off of Him, it doesn't take long before we find ourselves sinking--maybe in an ocean of anxiety or fear. But He reaches out His hand to rescue us--and turn our eyes back to Him.

As we keep our eyes upon Him, casting our cares upon Him, we find that he may not always calm the storm of the circumstances going on around us (although He certainly can and sometimes does), but what He does do is calms the storm in our hearts with a peace that passes all understanding. It is a peace that doesn't always make sense in the middle of what we are facing, but it is very real.

                                           (Photo from www.freefoto.com )

May you rest in Him today with your eyes fixed upon Him---no matter what you are facing.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Sparrows

Hi Everyone,

Psalm 91:2
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."

Something really cool happened tonight.

Conchita and I had a talk tonight--finally just the two of us. I can't give the details on the internet. There's been some more new  "challenging" news.

The amazing thing is that God totally prepared me a few weeks ago for the conversation and news of tonight--I can't quite put it into words, but what I am saying is totally the truth, and I don't want this to sound wierd,  but my heart already kind of knew. I don't know what God's plans for her are in this. There is definitely hope in the situation--but it doesn't mean it is an easy road. As I've said before , whatever happens, it will be okay and what takes place will be His good, perfect, and pleasing will.

And the coolest thing happened while we were talking. Two sparrows were just flying around us back and forth and eventually landed directly above us on a wire by the outer wall---and sat intently. People and cars came down the road, but they didn't  fly away and eventually fell asleep.

What a precious reminder right when we both needed it------a reminder that God knows about everything and that as He provides for the sparrows sold for less than a penny how much greater will he care for us and the situation on our hearts :)  He will answer-we don't know how--but He knows what is the very best.

Luke 12:6-7 "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." 

(I got this photo off the internet free download so hope it was ok to use)
 I am so thankful tonight for my God and my Savior in whom I trust.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Two Years Ago

Two years ago the God of the universe changed my life and drew me to Himself ---and for that I am eternally grateful :)

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Beauty Around Us!

Hi Everyone,

The other day as I was leaving for the sending base office, I saw these flowers and stepped back inside my room to take the picture----and I am glad I did, because when I got home art the end of the day, they were gone.
How often do we get so distracted by all the stuff that the world tries to throw at us that we miss the beauty of God's creation and gifts around us? 


Tuesday, May 15, 2012

In That Quiet Place of Trust

Hi Everyone,

I talked with Conchita earlier this evening.

They found someone that was willing to do the tests that she needed here PTL! Ok, so I want to be careful about displaying her medical stuff on the internet, but thankfully they found out that she doesn't have what the doctors thought she had, which is a praise. However, they did find out that she has a bacteria that is linked to causing cancer, and she is on various medications for the next three months to try to get rid of it. After that, depending on re-testing and results, further action will be decided.

God totally prepared me for that conversation with her today. And my heart is resting in this quiet place of trust, because I know that whatever happens, God's plans are good--and He is in control---and in the end, it will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Hope----My Sweet Birdie With Yellow Spots

Hi Everyone,

When I got my two cockatiels seven months ago, I told God that I wanted a yellow bird----ok sure it wasn't necessary---but when the girls molted, I began to be surprised about Hope's coloring!

Take a look!

I am not sure how well you can see it in the pictures, but Hope--who I named so appropriately, has yellow spots on the back of her head and on both wings, and some nice coloring in the tail with a few yellow tail feathers underneath, and light yellow on her front as well.

She is the tamer of the two---dear and sweet----and every time I see those beautiful spots of yellow, I thank the Lord--because He indeed gave me  my desire for a somewhat yellow bird!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

An Update

Hi Everyone,

I realize it has been awhile since I have updated. I guess between trying to sped time with Conchita and others here, work at the sending base office, practice for the mission trip in July on Sundays, and doing things at home in my rented room, the days have been escaping me.

The practices for the mission trip are going well. It is a really great group of kids so far working hard and all getting along----and learning amazingly fast! I think we will be in great shape to present things by the tine that the trip comes in July-2 months from now.

I really don't have much news on Conchita and her health stuff. Doctors decided they want to do the tests in Mexico City from what I have been told--so things have been delayed. I am not sure if the tests will actually be carried out or not now. So I guess we will see what happens. Thank you for your continued prayers.

It looks like I will be helping to supervise a short term worker that will be coming in August or September for six months. Pray that the details would come together for the family that she will be living with and her ministry while here.

My church is having an International missions focus week June 3rd through the 8th. I need prayer that the lady from church and I will have a chance to talk about this and get it planned. Sometimes the way to do things here is to plan at the last minute----which isn't what I prefer due to my personality, but I know that in the end it will go how God wants it to, and most likely we both have ideas and haven't had the chance to talk about it all yet.  Pray for flexibility on my part.

I am inviting a different lady from my church out to coffee tomorrow afternoon. Pray that it would be a good time of fellowship together and just getting to know one another.

Pray for another opportunity to get together with my friend Myra who needs Jesus. We had plans to meet this week but it got cancelled, so pray that the Lord would arrange another time for me to share with her.

Thank you for your prayers for all of these things and for all that you do allowing me to serve here! You are a part of all that God is doing!