Working on it…. October 28, 2008

Well needless to say I need to work on updating more frequently!!! Jeff and I have good intentions of course, but such is life! This posting is going to be what I have been learning personally….

God has been teaching me how to love children!! Children of all ages, races, and personalities. I truly love them all….how they react to circumstances and love, how they are easily entertained, how they yearn and desire to be paid attention to….especially their parents!! I love that they are innocent but yet they know when they are being rebellious, how can that be?! Also, that they really don’t need all those toys, maybe just a few!! They love playing imaginary games and peek-a-boo, at least that’s what I have experienced : ) It is great that God has been teaching me these things for ministry and future parenting (which will NOT be happening for a while!!!)

Of course things have been hard and I am easily stressed out and overwhelmed with everything going on. I have realized that I am really not a city girl down in my heart….at least not everyday. I love things about it… all the stores and the random homeless people, the different cultures and trends…but not the crazyness or that it takes FOREVER to get anywhere!! God is working on me with that….or at least I hope He is!

Jeff and I have been learning a lot about each other and our dreams as well. We have been stretched in so many ways. With how we view our priorities, managing our time, knowing when to say yes and no, the importance of re-grouping with each other…Praise God that He is good and patient with us!!

The thing I am most thankful for is all the encouragement I get from everyone. It is like God’s reminder to me that He is alive and loves me (as well as everyone else!).

September 3, 2008

This was part of Old Faithful...it was wonderful!!!

Love Relationship September 3, 2008

Can you believe that God loves you, your neighbor, me…..the list just keeps going! I mean how amazing is that, I thank the Lord that He loves us.  I love that He desires me to love Him just as much….which is what I am currently learning….how to listen and recognize when He is speaking and how to love Him deeper and give glory to Him.

To be honest it hasn’t been easy to listen and learn how to love deeply. I have realized that I tend to place myself in the way, which is what the enemy wants! grrr! But thankfully God can forgive and overcome that, whew! : ) Through different Scripture, people, books, circumstances, and the current Bible study He has been revealing more and more of His love that is never ending.

The Shack September 1, 2008

Oh my goodness, I just read an amazing book and wanted to encourage as many other to read it as well…the book is entitled The Shack by William P. Young.  The author is a wonderful writer and is capable of describing the most beautiful pictures.  I would love to tell you more but I don’t want to give any of it away….I just really want to encourage you to read it yourself and then tell me what you think.

Ok God Bless and Love You All!

Listening and Loving August 26, 2008

Tonight we will have our first meeting in our house church.  We are doing the Experiencing God study, which I have heard great things from those who have already done the study.

What I have been learning:how to listen to God….

Listening to people seems to be something that comes naturally for me, but with God it is a different story… I find it hard to listen to Him because I want Him to speak to me like He spoke to Moses or Paul.

But I have a feeling that God just wants to speak to me through scripture right now.  This past week He has told me that He will always provides the riches that we need (meaning I will get a job sometime).  Also, with my interactions with people or lack there of, He has revealed to me that as hard as I try to love others, I need to seek and love Him first. 2 Peter 1: 3-7 are verses that speak of this and I encourage you to do so!

Matthew 6: 33&34 August 18, 2008

Matthew 6:33&34
33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

8/18/08

God, you are in control and it amazes me that when I am in your word I am comforted. When I am not, I just doubt and worry about the future. How can I wrap my mind around in being soothed for today and not be nervous about the what’s to come! This morning I felt great and couldn’t wait to trust in you. Now that I have been applying for jobs my mind doesn’t know what to think.

Be Still And Know That I Am God…
How amazing are you that you can talk to everyone at once….that you are literally GOD

I mean think about it – Averi was praying with you and I was thinking “mmm does He have time for me?” AND HOW GREAT BECAUSE YOU DO!! Really you are truly wonderful! Thank you for being that BIG!

So this is a journal entry from today, we are studying Experiencing God, written by someone who I can not remember.

I’m back!! August 15, 2008

Alright, I will now be able to update my blog on a regular basis!! So starting this week I will put up our trip out here, what I have been reading in scripture, where we are as a team, people that God has already touched, and job updates….and other random things : )

I hope that whoever is reading this is doing well and being blessed by God…

LOVE YOU

Blogs…the lack thereof April 7, 2008

As most of you may know, Jeff and I are living in Lewiston now with my parents. We will be internet-free for a while, so blogging will be few and far between…My apologies, but when I can, I will…

Women leading March 25, 2008

3-24-08

1 Timothy 2: 8-15

My husband and I are trying to be committed to reading God’s word outside of our financial and bible class. So I have decided on Timothy…dissecting the chapters into sections and then journal my thoughts and questions. God has been so faithful to answer all the questions I have with more scripture (with an added bonus of commentary). 

Well, as stated above (1 Timothy 2: 8-15) is what I just finished reading. I remember reading this my sophomore year in college, after praying about being a youth pastor or some type of leader and not understanding what Paul had meant by this verse. He says, “I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly.” (which is a whole other “feminist” topic that will not be discussed at this moment) I write this verse here and have questioned it twice now in my own life……..once as mentioned above and now with pursuing a leadership position with children in a church.

Questions: Is Paul saying I can’t be a leader, Does that mean God doesn’t want me to be a leader, am I allowed to be a leader of any sort, and of course with how our society is….submission what is that….listening quietly? 

Answers:

Thank the Lord though that He has revealed scripture as to why Paul has written on this subject of women leadership….. Paul was writing to the women in Ephesus because as they became new Christians they were teaching and not dressing modestly. Not that they can’t teach but they were uneducated in scripture (“immature”) and were more of a stumbling block rather than a productive leader. 

Even though Paul is basing the scripture on what these women were doing, I believe that this is just as applicable to me and other women just the same. To be modest, not a stumbling block, to be educated in the Word, to be under God’s authority, and to be willing to be placed in whatever position God wants to place you in. 

Hopefully my ramblings are understandable, if not…well I apologize. All I know is that God has given me comfort in the direction of His will that I am choosing and am completely excited for what is in store!!!!

The poor March 7, 2008

“Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’.” Proverbs 20:35

What does this mean to you and do you obey what the Lord says? 

These are a few questions that I have asked myself. This was our memory verse from Crown class and it really struck a cord in my spirit. I shared at class last night that there are numerous times when I despise living in USA. Why? or What!? You might be thinking…..well there are definitely reasons. I feel that we are too “blessed” (if that is what you want to call it) that we take it completely for granted (yes I know, not everyone does but doesn’t seem that there are many who do?). Have you ever experienced living hour to hour wondering when the next time you will get to eat because you don’t even remember the last time you had eaten. Or had shelter and clothes on your back….or running water….clean water.

It blows my mind to hear people complain about the most meaningless things…….do you have food, shelter, water…God….well you are set to go. I must confess, especially with my particular job, I find myself complaining a lot! Which is why this hit me so hard. I have GOD, I have food every time that I am suppose to eat, clothes on my back, clean and running water.

You see I read this verse and I wonder if we (USA) are really doing this….giving to the poor. Not just financially poor, but physically, mentally, emotionally, and/or spiritually poor. Is there more that WE can do……I challenge MYSELF and ALL of YOU to see where we can make a difference to those who are poor and in need. In a BIG sense….not just the comfortable ways….to push ourselves out of our own bubble and approach those in need.

Who knows it may be Jesus!! Read Matthew 25: 34-46