I think it is funny how downright ridiculous I am sometimes. I mean, seriously, I can get some hair-brained notion about things or people and just run with it, even if it makes no sense. Knowing this about myself - It shouldn't be a revelation that God can surprise me. The great thing is - I Love It when He does.
This week was one of those times. My dad got engaged, my uncle (by marriage) passed away, it has been an insane college week and in the midst of it all - God did the unexpected (unexpected by me - which is the ridiculous part).
I have had this crazy notion that God is always going to make me walk by faith, doing without until the last possible second when He will make everything okay. I didn't even realize I thought like this until something challenged the idea. Knowing that when my dad gets married and moves away there will be some financial needs that I wasn't really sure what was going to happen. I have just been choosing not to worry about it (thinking if I didn't think about it - then it would go away). But God can see and He knows our needs - even before they arise.
I was offered a job - doing something I really love to do this week. How awesome is that!!! God didn't wait until I was freaking out and He didn't wait until I was having to really work to have faith - He just provided, before the need arose. Just because He is good and He does nice things for His kids. I guess I forgot that about Him. I pray I never forget again. It has just been a blessing to know that He is very involved in my day to day life, He loves me, and He does things for me just because He can...
I decided this was my new favorite song several weeks ago - but it is even more true in my life now than ever.... Listen if you have a minute!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAg_YWsX6Dg
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Fasting
I should probably start with saying that I am not totally proud of what I am about to admit... However, God is so good I think it is more important to share than to save face.
That disclaimer out of the way - today was my day to fast and pray for our church and for SCA. I have never fasted before. And to be totally honest, the thought scared me. Not because I was afraid of not eating; but making a commitment to fast is making a commitment to God. I was terribly nervous that I wouldn't actually follow through with it and then violating my word to the Lord.
But I really wanted to be apart of our month long fast... So I signed up to fast from 7 until 7 today. Truthfully, I chose those times because I figured I could eat a good breakfast and then tough it out until dinner. And since we're being truthful, I never completly committed. In the back of my mind, I assumed if it got tough I would quit and if I never made the committment to God then it wouldn't count.
I woke up late (7:15) and so I missed my chance to have breakfast. Which weakened my resolve even more. I teater close to being hypoglycemic so too long with no protein and I get really shaky. So I just assumed it would be a matter of time before I caved.
But I was still determined to try - for a while.
And then it happened. I have been praying for an opportunity to reach out to a girl in one of my classes for a while now. Based on what she has said I assume she is lost and I have been sitting next to her for an entire quarter... Today God opened a door. I don't think it was a coincidence. Mrs. Gale Tinsley said that during her quite time in the mountains she read that some things didn't happen without prayer and fasting.
I then fully committed to the fast! Not to say it has been easy. But every time I felt like giving up I would recieve a text or e-mail from one of the women from SBC reaching out to encourage me that I could make it. God is good! He has shown me today that He is faithful to His word and that He can get us through things we never thought we could do. With Him all things are possible....
It is now 7:07 and the oven timer is going off.... Boy am I hungry - I'm going to eat now!!!! Still can't believe I made it!
That disclaimer out of the way - today was my day to fast and pray for our church and for SCA. I have never fasted before. And to be totally honest, the thought scared me. Not because I was afraid of not eating; but making a commitment to fast is making a commitment to God. I was terribly nervous that I wouldn't actually follow through with it and then violating my word to the Lord.
But I really wanted to be apart of our month long fast... So I signed up to fast from 7 until 7 today. Truthfully, I chose those times because I figured I could eat a good breakfast and then tough it out until dinner. And since we're being truthful, I never completly committed. In the back of my mind, I assumed if it got tough I would quit and if I never made the committment to God then it wouldn't count.
I woke up late (7:15) and so I missed my chance to have breakfast. Which weakened my resolve even more. I teater close to being hypoglycemic so too long with no protein and I get really shaky. So I just assumed it would be a matter of time before I caved.
But I was still determined to try - for a while.
And then it happened. I have been praying for an opportunity to reach out to a girl in one of my classes for a while now. Based on what she has said I assume she is lost and I have been sitting next to her for an entire quarter... Today God opened a door. I don't think it was a coincidence. Mrs. Gale Tinsley said that during her quite time in the mountains she read that some things didn't happen without prayer and fasting.
I then fully committed to the fast! Not to say it has been easy. But every time I felt like giving up I would recieve a text or e-mail from one of the women from SBC reaching out to encourage me that I could make it. God is good! He has shown me today that He is faithful to His word and that He can get us through things we never thought we could do. With Him all things are possible....
It is now 7:07 and the oven timer is going off.... Boy am I hungry - I'm going to eat now!!!! Still can't believe I made it!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Finding Faith and Freindship in the Mountains
As I plan each year for our annual Women's Ministry Fall Retreat I always anticipate what a good time everyone will have and how refreshing it will be to get away with God and my sisters in Christ for a few days. But this year God blew my socks off!!!!
The group that attending was a little different, the material was a little different - I was a little nervous as to how everything would turn out. Thank the Lord He is in control and that the success or failure of the event was securely in His hands!!!
From the moment we arrived I could feel the anticipation of a fresh word from the Lord. As the study time came - I felt a real sense of involvement. Saturday morning we had an awesome time of prayer for our church and for the school and I could see God was really moving and changing our hearts.... How exciting!!!! It wasn't even half-way over and God was working!!!!
The afternoon was, of course, full of fellowship, fun, and this year a little football (Thank You Worth!)
Then after our evening session we went to this great little chapel nestled in the mountain and truly worshiping for more than an hour. I could have stayed all night!!! It was enough to take my breath away. I could feel God's presence and was overwhelmed by how good He is and how good He is to me!!!
The weekend just continued to get better. There was such a sweet spirit about everyone and such an amazing sense of love for each other and for growth in faith.
Sunday, as we closed, we spent a good amount of time on the back porch, overlooking the mountains - which were such a good visual for what faith can do-, and poured out our hearts to God. We tied cards that we had written things that were hindering our faith on to balloons and when we felt we were ready we released them into the sky. Straight to the Lord.
I have felt such a sense of joy and peace since that moment.
Women's Ministry has committed to fasting a praying the entire month of November (We are each taking a day) and i am so looking ofrward to the great things I know the Lord is going to do.
What a weekend!!!!
The group that attending was a little different, the material was a little different - I was a little nervous as to how everything would turn out. Thank the Lord He is in control and that the success or failure of the event was securely in His hands!!!
From the moment we arrived I could feel the anticipation of a fresh word from the Lord. As the study time came - I felt a real sense of involvement. Saturday morning we had an awesome time of prayer for our church and for the school and I could see God was really moving and changing our hearts.... How exciting!!!! It wasn't even half-way over and God was working!!!!
The afternoon was, of course, full of fellowship, fun, and this year a little football (Thank You Worth!)
Then after our evening session we went to this great little chapel nestled in the mountain and truly worshiping for more than an hour. I could have stayed all night!!! It was enough to take my breath away. I could feel God's presence and was overwhelmed by how good He is and how good He is to me!!!
The weekend just continued to get better. There was such a sweet spirit about everyone and such an amazing sense of love for each other and for growth in faith.
Sunday, as we closed, we spent a good amount of time on the back porch, overlooking the mountains - which were such a good visual for what faith can do-, and poured out our hearts to God. We tied cards that we had written things that were hindering our faith on to balloons and when we felt we were ready we released them into the sky. Straight to the Lord.
I have felt such a sense of joy and peace since that moment.
Women's Ministry has committed to fasting a praying the entire month of November (We are each taking a day) and i am so looking ofrward to the great things I know the Lord is going to do.
What a weekend!!!!
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