Yesterday our pastor preached on Jeremiah 29. Normally when pastors preach on that chapter they go to verse 11. However, Pastor Sam focused on 4-7- specifically verse 7.

"But seek the welfare of the city where i have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."

Lots to think about

I have a lot to think about today.  I struggled with going to church today because my lower back caused me to have a lack of sleep.  Plus, on top of that it just hurt to stand up after sitting so I seriously contemplated not going.  However, after my shower I felt a bit better and decided to go ahead and go and figured as long as I had something to hold onto as I was standing up I would be okay.  Satan definitely was at work today because once I got there and we started the singing- I knew I was right where I needed to be and the message was one that hit home!  I'll compile some of the thoughts and then some of the scriptures we looked at in Singles and try to put them all together to make some coherent thoughts- but that's for another day :)

Francis Chan video

One of our pastors stepped down today- he is choosing to back into the workplace in order to reach more people (he was our missions pastor). His message was amazing and really got me thinking about my safety nets and how I need to be willing to to take risks (not, in my job I do have to be somewhat careful). Anyway, he ended with this video. I have the book Crazy Love by this man (Francis Chan) and I am looking forward to reading it.


Francis Chan

For some reason I can't get the video to post so please check out the link.

Waiting....

Being single I wait a lot- patiently and impatiently.  Here's a fabulous article I found that gives some timely advice in the period of waiting.

Christianity Today: Waiting

How Big is Your God?

I apparently wrote this sometime last year but am just now posting this (I went back and double checked)

So many times I limit God to my own personal experiences without really looking around to the experiences of others.  When I do that I limit the "bigness" of God.  I am pigeon-holing him into only my little world.  In reading My Utmost for His Highest for April 9 (remember this was written in 2008) I read the following and it's talking about seeing Jesus: "Jesus must appear to you and your friend individually, no one can see Jesus with your eyes.  And division takes place when one has seen Him and the other has not..."

Then in Luke 10:23 I read these words of Jesus- "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see."  I want my friends to see what I see but at the same time I cannot force them to do so.  Only God can bring about that type of vision.  My part comes by sharing what I have seen.

Am I Passing the Test?

Based on Deuteronomy 8:2-10

Deut. 8:2 states God LED them in the wilderness, to humble them and testing them to know what was in their hearts.  Two things stand out to me in that verse: 1) God LED them.  Even though they were out there wandering and I'm sure they felt alone and abandoned- God LED them.  He never left them, never forsook them- He LED them.  He was in front of them the whole way! 2) He was testing them- to see if they could keep His commandments.  I can't help but think of the stress they were under- the pressure that built up.  It all came down to one thing- did they obey?  How did they respond under pressure?  He provided food, water, clothing, and shelter for them- what was their response?  Was it trust?  What is mine?  Am I trusting HIM? and then rewards for passing the test- a good land, a fruitful land, a blessing from the LORD.

So now, my question is: Am I passing the test?

It's Not Friday yet...

My pastor told a story this morning in the middle of the sermon on Trusting God (in these economic times) that just really struck a cord with me.  I'm going to summarize the story as best I can.  There was a leader (maybe the president) of Moody Bible Institute who had to make a big decision and he was back and forth about what to do.  After stewing on it for a while he called a friend of his who asked him when he had to make the decision- he said Friday.  His friend said, "well, it's not Friday yet".  By the time Friday came he knew what God wanted him to do.  

So, when I start to worry about my future and what is going to happen- I'm just going to tell myself- it's not Friday yet!

WOW

Yesterday at church our Pastor preached on just how much God loves us and how can see it throughout creation.  The one that he said that mean a LOT to me was based on Psalm 139- being fearfully and wonderfully made.  I was diagnosed this past week with medullary sponge kidney.  It's knocked me back a bit but I have learned that I am not in control of anything.  That GOD must have control and if I try to take it then I will just mess it up.  There's going to be some lifestyle changes and some dietary restrictions but through it all I have learned so much- I have learned that God is Holy and I have learned that He knew this was my path in life before I was born.  He created me in my mother's womb and knew that at this point in my life this is the path I would take.  So, even though I'm sure I'll struggle every now and then- I'm choosing to look at this as a gift and enjoy the journey!