Friday, January 27, 2012
Becky
Yesterday I spent time with a friend that I haven't seen in close to 3 years. I kept telling myself that I needed to call her the last 18 months, and it never happened. Over the Christmas break, I went home and found her cd. I quickly added it to my i-pod. I always enjoyed hearing her sing in church....and when I heard her voice, I knew it was time to call. We spent 7 hours together on Thursday, and when it came time for me to leave, Becky was like, "Are you sure you have to go?" Since her parents died, they made that wing of the house into a missionary house, and that is where we met. She calls it her sanctuary, and it was sacred ground-so calm, serene, and peaceful. We talked, and talked, ate lunch, talked some more, went thrifting, and talked. And talked. And our conversation was always drawn back to the Lord. It was exciting to see the way God was working in their hearts to move them to a place 7 hours from where they live now-a place where the majority is on welfare and crystal meth is rampant. They desire to do in-home bible studies in an area most of us would shy away from. And I LOVE that about them. I had goose bumps as I listened to her speak of the way God was working everything together. We also talked about mentoring and discipleship, which she has a passion for as well. (and I know she is incredible at it!) Becky also opened her journal, and showed me how she has a verse on every page--she asks God daily to show her a verse, which she writes on a 3x5 card and places in her journal. How cool is that? What a gift Thursday was to me. I wish I could explain how beautiful it was-it felt like a divine appointment that God gave me-He used her to encourage me in a way I needed to be encouraged. I'm so thankful for you Becky, and for the blessing you are. You are so special to me, and I won't soon forget our time together! Can't wait for next time!
Monday, January 23, 2012
Update on Blake
Denise has said that Blake is awake-still on the ventilator, but they are hoping to get him off that soon--thanks for praying and please keep doing so for quick improvement. Our God is amazing! :)
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Denise and Blake
I went on tour with the gals last weekend, and on the last day of tour, one of the gals found out her husband had a severe asthma attack. She was able to get back to Chicago earlier than the rest of us, and my heart is just heavy for them. Will you please pray with me for complete healing for Blake? As of right now, he is still in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator. I haven't heard anything since yesterday, but I will keep you posted if do. Thanks so much.
Denise posted on her FB page:
I am so humbled and grateful for everyone that has visited, called, text, emailed, and is praying for Blake, me, and our family. Thank you all so much for ministering to us. The body of Christ is so beautiful and I'm so grateful I'm not alone and have so many people helping me stand. Continue to pray for us. Please know the Lord is showing His faithfulness to us all at this time and it is overwhelming how good He is especially now more than ever. The joy of the Lord IS my strength. Continue to pray. Love you all and don't deserve any of it so thanks.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Joy through the Trials
So I went to my parents in TN for Christmas, and came back to MI. And life got rough. I mean, the kind of rough where I feel like there is NO HOPE left. It didn't help that I was sick.....sick with headaches for 3 days straight. I couldn't watch tv. I couldn't read my Bible. I was on the couch or in bed, and had no desire to do ANYTHING. I felt like a mad person. I was angry and bitter at my situation and circumstances. I wondered why God was allowing everything He was. It was a rock bottom kind of moment....and then I started my new Bible Study (which just happens to be on James) for the following week. And wept. The tears flowed as I started reading about trials and tests, and why God allows them.
-to test the strength of our faith
-to humble us
-to wean us from our dependence on earthly things
-to call us to an eternal and heavenly hope
-to reveal what we really love
-to teach us to value God's blessings
-to develop enduring strength for greater usefulness
-to help us better encouage others who are in times of trial
I had everything wrong. I was loathing in self-pity. I was ashamed at how ugly I had become with my attitude and thoughts. And I had to repent and confess just how sorry I was to the Lord. I am SO incredibly thankful that He only kept me in that spot for a few days. And I am incredibly thankful that back in November, He knew the exact moment I would need to be refreshed....because that is when I got a call from the new Women's Choir conductor at Moody. She asked if I would be willing to go on tour with them as their sound person. What an incredible privilege and JOY to be with 40 women--women who I feel I've known for years, and it was the first time I was meeting half of them.
These gals make me happy. They love Jesus and have a servants heart. They encourage me and love me. And I love them back. I am so excited to spend 2 weeks with them in March!
I'm thankful for God's Word. I'm thankful for the blessings He gives and the people He has placed in my life. I'm thankful for the way He provides. I'm thankful for hope. And I am learning that I have to be thankful for trials....because even though I don't know the "why's," God does. We all face trials. And we know they are not always a pretty sight. But let's keep our focus on our amazing Creator-and have inexpressible J-O-Y!
-to test the strength of our faith
-to humble us
-to wean us from our dependence on earthly things
-to call us to an eternal and heavenly hope
-to reveal what we really love
-to teach us to value God's blessings
-to develop enduring strength for greater usefulness
-to help us better encouage others who are in times of trial
I had everything wrong. I was loathing in self-pity. I was ashamed at how ugly I had become with my attitude and thoughts. And I had to repent and confess just how sorry I was to the Lord. I am SO incredibly thankful that He only kept me in that spot for a few days. And I am incredibly thankful that back in November, He knew the exact moment I would need to be refreshed....because that is when I got a call from the new Women's Choir conductor at Moody. She asked if I would be willing to go on tour with them as their sound person. What an incredible privilege and JOY to be with 40 women--women who I feel I've known for years, and it was the first time I was meeting half of them.
These gals make me happy. They love Jesus and have a servants heart. They encourage me and love me. And I love them back. I am so excited to spend 2 weeks with them in March!
I'm thankful for God's Word. I'm thankful for the blessings He gives and the people He has placed in my life. I'm thankful for the way He provides. I'm thankful for hope. And I am learning that I have to be thankful for trials....because even though I don't know the "why's," God does. We all face trials. And we know they are not always a pretty sight. But let's keep our focus on our amazing Creator-and have inexpressible J-O-Y!
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