"I don't know how to say this, I don't know where to start, I don't know where to put my feet or where to put my hands..."
These lyrics by Sara Groves describe how I feel right now.
Have you ever felt like life comes up behind you and stabs you in the back, when you feel like you're trying so hard and it avails to nothing, when you know that your focus should be on the Lord, but instead it's on other insignificant, unimportant, and discouraging topics. I know that God is always with me and will never forsake me, but I feel as though all my efforts aren't amounting to anything, as though in all my trying...I fail miserably. I don't know...I guess I've been trying to run my own life, instead of trusting in God. I have to realize that "what I know, trumps what I feel", but sometimes it seems like I'm drowning in feelings that I can't get away from and then I remember this verse. "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13) I know that it's true, but at times it's so hard to grasp. I know that God puts us through trials to instill perserverance and trust in Him, but sometimes what I feel drowns out that knowledge. A lot of times the circumstances that God puts in my life seem so hard that I don't think I can do anything else but cry, but I know that God will bring me through it. Well, as I was writing this blog, I thought of my favorite Crowder song called 'All I Can Say'. This song has encouraged me so much in the past.
All I Can Say
Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in,
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while
Chorus:And this is all, this is all that I can say right now,
I know it's not much
And this is all that I can give
That's my everything
And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down
Bridge:I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were crying too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet
God's mercies are new every morning and what an awesome blessing that truly is. I don't know how I lived without Christ, without hope, without peace. But, now I know, that it is better to carry His burden, which is light, then to carry the heavy burden of my sin that kept me in bondage. So, even though I feel engulfed by my unfocused mind...what I know, trumps what I feel.
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
God is Doing Mighty Things
All over the world God is doing amazing things! Many people are hearing the gospel and coming to know Jesus Christ. As I was thinking about the amazing work that God is bringing to completion all over the world, a song by Matt Redman impacted me greatly.
All Over the World
Even as the world began the stars they sang
And all the angels
Shouted for joy, shouted for joy
And looking back through history
Your people they have always had
A song they must sing, a song they must sing
We are the people of God
We'll sing Your songs here on the earth
All over the world Your song will resound
All over the world Your praises ring out
Were living to see Your name and renown
All over the world
Young and old, near and far
There's a place or ev'ry heart
To join Your song, join in Your song
Ev'ry nation, tribe and tongue
Come together join as one
Give glory to God, glory to God
All over the world Your song will resound
All over the world Your praises ring out
We're living to see Your name and renown
All over the world
Great is Your name and great will be Your song
Great is Your name and great will be Your song
We lift up our hands and pray
We lift up our hands and pray
For holy is Your name
This really shows what we live for. We live to give God glory and see His renown all over the world. I was also recently reading a newsletter from a missionary family in Papua New Guinea. They have been working with the Mibu tribe. When they arrived, there was no written language, so they had to develop the language and learn it before they could start sharing the gospel with this tribe who were lost in their disilusions concerning many things. The following is what is currently happening in the Mibu tribe.
"I walked in on a conversation the other morning that sent my hopes soaring. I had gone down to Mibu early before teaching and stopped by my friend Sesi's house. When I got to the doorway of his hut, I could hear lots of people talking. When I called out, they invited me in. About a dozen people were sitting around the fire pit earnestly discussing recent events in light of what they were learning in the Bible lessons! This, of course, put a smile on my face! The village was being threatened with sorcery by the local delinquent. He took the credit for the most recent death which he said happened by his power (the man died of TB), and said another 51 people would soon die if his demands were not met. The demand being a wife... Of course, nobody wants to give up their sister or niece or daughter to such a fate, but there was more to it than that. Now more than ever their old beliefs are in direct conflict with what they are being taught in the Bible lessons. As I sat in Sesi's hut listening to men telling each other that sorcery has no power over them, and that they should not give in to his demands because they believe what God is saying now, my stomach did flip-flops. This is it! This is what it's all about! Even where they are at now, not even knowing who the promised deliverer will be, they are choosing to side with what they know about God and His Word and His power!They asked for my opinions, but I told them that I talk all the time, and to keep on in their discussion. Truth is, I wanted to just listen. To hear our friends siding with God even when it goes against everything else they have ever learned... I will never forget the moment. When it was time for us to go down to begin teaching, I left by adding this thought. I held up a flashlight very, very close to the page of a book. Just a sliver of light showed around the edge. "This," I said, "is the small amount of light or understanding that has been given to you by the teaching of God's Word. You are choosing to trust in it, to believe it, and God will give you more light. And more. As you choose to put your belief in Him, He will increase your light" (as I held the flashlight gradually farther from the page).To those of you sharing in the journey with us, let us praise God! We are not yet to the crux of mankind's salvation, but they are allowing what they are hearing to permeate their lives and thinking. If they will just continue to choose to believe the truth, it WILL set them free!!
"...and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God" (1 Thes. 1:9).
Yesterday, they sent out another newsletter that said:
The day of the beginning of the Mibu church is here!! Join us in praising our awesome God for the following people who have each professeclear testimonymony of their faith in Jesus Christ:Men: Royfo, Sesi, Kivisi, Samuel, Dopeke, Navang, Tima, Benny, Gero, Hone,Keteng, Semi, and JepiriWomen: Rao(Devit's wife), Yoonare, Eson, Nimoke, Joonoomeng,
WatikiyoRoyfo: "Thank you for telling me this! Jesus died in my place. Now I know I am going to heaven."
Sesi: (While still an unbeliever) Upon hearing about Davi's conversion said, "I'm so happy for him. Soon I will understand and believe too. Two days later, he gave a clear testimony of his own salvation. d
Kivisi: "Now I understand. It is finished. What is there to say!!"
Tima: "Just as people in the Old Testament offered animal sacrifices thinking, 'These animals are dying in my place', so I look to Jesus who died in my place."
Samuel: "Thank you for bringing this talk. May God bless you bringing this talk."There are also many others who are so very close to really understand how to it was that Jesus' death bought their forgiveness. We are overjoyed to tears at each new testimony shared with us, and expectantly watching more of the others on whom light is beginning to dawn. God's Word is very powerful!!
Having read all of these things, I have been in wonder at how awesome, amazing, wonderful, powerful, loving, amazing, and many more things, God IS. Praise Him!
All Over the World
Even as the world began the stars they sang
And all the angels
Shouted for joy, shouted for joy
And looking back through history
Your people they have always had
A song they must sing, a song they must sing
We are the people of God
We'll sing Your songs here on the earth
All over the world Your song will resound
All over the world Your praises ring out
Were living to see Your name and renown
All over the world
Young and old, near and far
There's a place or ev'ry heart
To join Your song, join in Your song
Ev'ry nation, tribe and tongue
Come together join as one
Give glory to God, glory to God
All over the world Your song will resound
All over the world Your praises ring out
We're living to see Your name and renown
All over the world
Great is Your name and great will be Your song
Great is Your name and great will be Your song
We lift up our hands and pray
We lift up our hands and pray
For holy is Your name
This really shows what we live for. We live to give God glory and see His renown all over the world. I was also recently reading a newsletter from a missionary family in Papua New Guinea. They have been working with the Mibu tribe. When they arrived, there was no written language, so they had to develop the language and learn it before they could start sharing the gospel with this tribe who were lost in their disilusions concerning many things. The following is what is currently happening in the Mibu tribe.
"I walked in on a conversation the other morning that sent my hopes soaring. I had gone down to Mibu early before teaching and stopped by my friend Sesi's house. When I got to the doorway of his hut, I could hear lots of people talking. When I called out, they invited me in. About a dozen people were sitting around the fire pit earnestly discussing recent events in light of what they were learning in the Bible lessons! This, of course, put a smile on my face! The village was being threatened with sorcery by the local delinquent. He took the credit for the most recent death which he said happened by his power (the man died of TB), and said another 51 people would soon die if his demands were not met. The demand being a wife... Of course, nobody wants to give up their sister or niece or daughter to such a fate, but there was more to it than that. Now more than ever their old beliefs are in direct conflict with what they are being taught in the Bible lessons. As I sat in Sesi's hut listening to men telling each other that sorcery has no power over them, and that they should not give in to his demands because they believe what God is saying now, my stomach did flip-flops. This is it! This is what it's all about! Even where they are at now, not even knowing who the promised deliverer will be, they are choosing to side with what they know about God and His Word and His power!They asked for my opinions, but I told them that I talk all the time, and to keep on in their discussion. Truth is, I wanted to just listen. To hear our friends siding with God even when it goes against everything else they have ever learned... I will never forget the moment. When it was time for us to go down to begin teaching, I left by adding this thought. I held up a flashlight very, very close to the page of a book. Just a sliver of light showed around the edge. "This," I said, "is the small amount of light or understanding that has been given to you by the teaching of God's Word. You are choosing to trust in it, to believe it, and God will give you more light. And more. As you choose to put your belief in Him, He will increase your light" (as I held the flashlight gradually farther from the page).To those of you sharing in the journey with us, let us praise God! We are not yet to the crux of mankind's salvation, but they are allowing what they are hearing to permeate their lives and thinking. If they will just continue to choose to believe the truth, it WILL set them free!!
"...and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God" (1 Thes. 1:9).
Yesterday, they sent out another newsletter that said:
The day of the beginning of the Mibu church is here!! Join us in praising our awesome God for the following people who have each professeclear testimonymony of their faith in Jesus Christ:Men: Royfo, Sesi, Kivisi, Samuel, Dopeke, Navang, Tima, Benny, Gero, Hone,Keteng, Semi, and JepiriWomen: Rao(Devit's wife), Yoonare, Eson, Nimoke, Joonoomeng,
WatikiyoRoyfo: "Thank you for telling me this! Jesus died in my place. Now I know I am going to heaven."
Sesi: (While still an unbeliever) Upon hearing about Davi's conversion said, "I'm so happy for him. Soon I will understand and believe too. Two days later, he gave a clear testimony of his own salvation. d
Kivisi: "Now I understand. It is finished. What is there to say!!"
Tima: "Just as people in the Old Testament offered animal sacrifices thinking, 'These animals are dying in my place', so I look to Jesus who died in my place."
Samuel: "Thank you for bringing this talk. May God bless you bringing this talk."There are also many others who are so very close to really understand how to it was that Jesus' death bought their forgiveness. We are overjoyed to tears at each new testimony shared with us, and expectantly watching more of the others on whom light is beginning to dawn. God's Word is very powerful!!
Having read all of these things, I have been in wonder at how awesome, amazing, wonderful, powerful, loving, amazing, and many more things, God IS. Praise Him!
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Great Friends
Ok, I really had to update this blog because one of my very best friends just got a blog...Megan Johnson!
I totally just got back from the gym. I AM SO EXHAUSTED! Yep, but it's all good! This is my new phrase that I have picked up from my amazing "sister", Heather Testa. Wow! Lately I have just been realizing how much I appreciate the wonderful friends that God has put in my life! I don't know if all of you will read this, but I am so encouraged by you guys.
Heather, you are an amazing friend. I love the close relationship we have and how we can hold each other accountable with our 'girl issues'. I totally remember meeting you a year and a half ago, but I never dreamed that we would be such awesome friends by now! I love how you spur me on to be more like Christ and to follow His word and...lastly...to guard my heart. Oh, by the way, thanks for teaching me swing dancing! I love it!
Brent, I am constantly encouraged by your love for the Lord. You are such an encouragement to me and, I know, my family. I'm glad we started hanging out more often now. We kind of all got busy and stopped for a period, but we're back in the swing of things. Thanks for being such an awesome friend!
John, well, where to start. I don't think I can say that I've met anyone like you, but...for the month that I've known you well, it has been awesome to hang out with you and get to know you more. I am constantly encouraged by your love for the Lord and your knowledge of Him. I praise God that we met you!
Hannah, thanks so much for always being there for me, even when times get rough. You are such an awesome sister and I love the great relationship we have. Yeah, you are quite unique and eccentric...but you are still very special to me and I thank you for the constant encouragement that you give me and how you spur me on to follow hard after Christ!
Megan, you are such an amazing friend and sister in Christ, and you always point me back to Him. It has been so awesome getting to know you over the past, oh, I don't know 3 years and I am so glad that I can be a part of your life! I love you so much girl, and you know nothing will ever change that! Thanks for helping me through the hard times!
I appreciate you all so much! I praise God that you have all come into my life. There are many more of you that I love and admire so much, but you don't have blogs so you probably wouldn't be able to read this, but you are all so awesome and I am constantly encouraged by the wonderful examples that you are in my life.
I totally just got back from the gym. I AM SO EXHAUSTED! Yep, but it's all good! This is my new phrase that I have picked up from my amazing "sister", Heather Testa. Wow! Lately I have just been realizing how much I appreciate the wonderful friends that God has put in my life! I don't know if all of you will read this, but I am so encouraged by you guys.
Heather, you are an amazing friend. I love the close relationship we have and how we can hold each other accountable with our 'girl issues'. I totally remember meeting you a year and a half ago, but I never dreamed that we would be such awesome friends by now! I love how you spur me on to be more like Christ and to follow His word and...lastly...to guard my heart. Oh, by the way, thanks for teaching me swing dancing! I love it!
Brent, I am constantly encouraged by your love for the Lord. You are such an encouragement to me and, I know, my family. I'm glad we started hanging out more often now. We kind of all got busy and stopped for a period, but we're back in the swing of things. Thanks for being such an awesome friend!
John, well, where to start. I don't think I can say that I've met anyone like you, but...for the month that I've known you well, it has been awesome to hang out with you and get to know you more. I am constantly encouraged by your love for the Lord and your knowledge of Him. I praise God that we met you!
Hannah, thanks so much for always being there for me, even when times get rough. You are such an awesome sister and I love the great relationship we have. Yeah, you are quite unique and eccentric...but you are still very special to me and I thank you for the constant encouragement that you give me and how you spur me on to follow hard after Christ!
Megan, you are such an amazing friend and sister in Christ, and you always point me back to Him. It has been so awesome getting to know you over the past, oh, I don't know 3 years and I am so glad that I can be a part of your life! I love you so much girl, and you know nothing will ever change that! Thanks for helping me through the hard times!
I appreciate you all so much! I praise God that you have all come into my life. There are many more of you that I love and admire so much, but you don't have blogs so you probably wouldn't be able to read this, but you are all so awesome and I am constantly encouraged by the wonderful examples that you are in my life.
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