Hope for those who need it now

The promise from God to everyone who believes in Him…

I Am by CeCe Winans

I am the one yes I created the whole universe
Greater than anything in heaven and in all the earth
It’s my air you breathe so I’m the one that you should please
I am the one you need why should you be alone?

(adults) haha

I’m up too late, but I’m thankful. I’m just going to share a little of what I’m getting to experience at my job…

The instructions are to write a little about yourself and turn in at the end of class. One student wrote this and it made my heart so happy I had to share. There wasn’t a lot to the letter, but it was enough to understand a little about my student and a little about me too. The student simply wrote:

“I am a Korean and Christian….I am a generous and outgoing person…I wish I can speak English very well…I will overcome my situation.”

It was enough for me. Amen, amen, and amen.

I can try to work with that. Through the grace of God, and other believers, I will overcome my situations too.

“People didn’t used to expect the perfect job,

the perfect partner, the perfect life.

People were hoping for a good-enough life.”

- Psychology professor Barry Schwartz, commenting on young adults’ inability to make major life decisions because they think a better option might present itself, www.usatoday.com, March 24, 2008.

From Discipleship Journal, issue 166

“THE MIND OF MAN PLANS HIS WAYS, BUT THE LORD DIRECTS HIS STEPS.” Proverbs 16:9

In this month’s Discipleship Journal, Paula Rinehart writes on releasing regret - overcoming the questions and doubts from the past and letting God’s sovereignty overtake us. She encourages us to not look at years as if they’ve been wasted (such an evil lie!). As believers in Christ, we have a different way to live: “If we make the journey of life in Christ well, we will eventually come face-to-face with the sovereignty of God.”…

Good news: “The God who spoke the worlds into existence and keeps the stars in place is the GOD who knows you like no one else ever will. He has always loved you. He will love you to the end. His purposes for you are so set that you can rest every minute in the shade of His merciful superintendence over your life.”

Lord, you don’t even know how important this is to me! I want to see this relationship work! I was praying to God this morning and had to laugh as I was hearing myself. This is God I’m talking to. Oh wait, you completely know. In fact, you know more than anybody just how much I’m wanting things to work out…

I’ve been praying to God for some pretty big, pretty direct ways I’m asking Him to guide me. And I’ve been letting Him know in no uncertain terms that I’m leaning on Him for direction. What I’ve found so far is that…

He wants to know our hearts: delicately, He listens to us - He doesn’t make us feel foolish for our desires, our shame, our confusion. He let us come as we are, and He just listens. In a way better than any friend can listen, He leans in and shares with us. The intimacy and understanding of our Father is greater than anything of this world. “my sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.”

He delivers: He doesn’t leave us wondering. He speaks to us…like He spoke to Elijah in the tiny whisper. In so many different ways, He shows His glory. Now, it might not be in the exact answer that I want, but if I look back at the moments I’ve spent talking with God, I see Him working through my life and through other believers around me. More than encouraging, it’s awesome. “in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.”

He never leaves: no matter where we are, He’s there. Sometimes I feel so alone in situations that I just want to shut down. But whatever I’m thinking, He’s there - in just random ways I see. A memory, a beautiful day, a Scripture passage that drives home…He has not forgotten me. ”God will never leave us nor forsake us.”

Believe, God knows. God knows more than I can even try to understand.

Be blessed.

Sometimes we need the Lord a little more than we did before

And it’s ok to let Him know

Who we are

As a child of God,

As HIS child of God

I don’t know what’s happening

with my relationships, with my career, with the rest of my life

And I’m coming to God

Because I have no idea how I can make it

But He has to know that I need Him

He has to know that it’s me here who’s talking to Him

It’s me on my knees in the need of prayer.

I know He hears that.

Like Gideon, we have the ability to shoot a prayer to God like an arrow in our time of need. We pray because as Christians we believe God takes us farther than this world can carry us. He supplies all our needs and gives us life to the full through His provision - in this life, and the same promise after this life is over and we’re face to face with God. Doesn’t mean we won’t have problems…does mean we have hope…our trials have already been conquered.  

Yes, I realize these are girls shoes.

So you work with little kids and see them more and more, they start to grow on you. Even if you’re just selling them shoes. Their little hands and their smiles, their big eyes and the cute little accessories they’re wearing. Cute!!! Like these WeeSqueak shoes that make little squeaking noises every time they step properly from heel to toe, even their walking is precious!!! I’m telling you, these babies…so adorable!!!

So it could be that I was prepped for this verse, but when I read it today, I had to stop and thank the Lord for the beauty of His child. Luke chapter 2, Simeon has entered the temple just as Mary and Joseph are inside with the Christ child. He takes up the child in His arms, and says with so much revelation that the parents marvel:

“Mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel….Behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

While I see these beautiful little babies, I often hear children’s music playing in the background. One of the songs has a chorus that repeats, “Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful baby boy.” That’s exactly what I saw when I read this passage. My life has seen the salvation of mankind through the life, death, and resurrection of the Christ, brought to earth in the beautiful miracle of a baby boy. Thank God for the gift of children. Thank God for the gift of His Son!

It’s so possible to get burned out from doing too much at the church. Sad, but true. Where more than half the population should be on Sunday mornings is where 20% are going crazy over petty things like schedules, lunch meetings, he said-she said gossip, and random details that haven’t the least to do with God and evangelism. And it’s so easy to get over committed - at least for someone like me. So I got a little upset when the schedule I don’t even keep track of starts to invade my thoughts and gets me worried. It’s the wrong approach to church and I don’t want to be waking up Sunday mornings thinking of reasons why it’d be ok to stay at home this time. Hello…don’t forsake the fellowship of believers in God…it’s in the Bible.

Check yo attitude

But my frustration really has nothing to do with other people as much as I’d like to admit it. It’s the fact that I let them get in the way. I let the lunch meetings bother me. I let my good works show as if I depend on them rather than my faith in God’s grace to get me through the days. So I run ragged and forget to check my attitude. I can’t let it get to me, as simple as that sounds. I have to check my attitude at the door because it’s the only thing I can control sometimes.

Wherever you are, blessed be the name of the Lord. The sun is still shining. Let the other details slide.

Bob Marley - Sun is Shining…listen free at LastFM

peace

 (Saltillo, Mexico)

New heights in view now fully

Such heights I’ve never seen

What I knew was yet to be

Has shown itself to me

I overlook in disbelief

How crazy my God may seem

To you, to me

In each new height as He takes the lead

I don’t have an eye for good shots so when I take a picture that stands out, I get excited. This was one of those unusually good pictures.

About 2 weeks ago I was able to celebrate the awaited delivery of a good friend of mine at the church. It was supposed to be a surprise baby shower and a lot of the details were a surprise too - there was a lot going on that week. I got to the church a little earlier to help out and saw some of the behind the scenes frustration it takes to make cute parties like these work. I thought of all the sisters (in Christ) who had been so busy with their own families, other plans, etc. and still took the time to bring together a baby shower to show their love and support. It meant a lot (and for the record it wasn’t for me).

Sometimes we forsake time for convenience. Looking back at this beautiful shot and the memories it brings me (oh those crazy shower games), I don’t regret the stress, frustration, and minute problems it took to make this celebration happen at all. I’m sure the ladies haven’t taken any thought to it as well.