He Cares

By my last couple of posts, you can guess that my life hasn't been easy lately. I know that the Bible tells us that in this world we will have tribulations, but lately it has seemed ridiculous. However, in the midst of everything, I see God's hand and see Him working...even in the small things.

I lost most of my plants due to Hurricane Ike. However, this morning when I went out to look at them, my plumeria (which I thought was completely dead) has three very tiny leaves. He does care. He does provide. Even in the small things.

Purging

Last night I talked with a sweet friend about our Lord and what He is doing in each of our lives. We started out describing it as pruning (see yesterday's post)...and then stripping...but finally we decided that purging was the best term.

If you think about it, when you have the stomach flu, the whole nausea and stomach pain leading to the vomiting is horrible. Sometimes it feels like you are actually going to die, and then you vomit and suddenly relief comes. It's like your whole body relaxes and you rest.

Sometimes what God is doing in our lives feels like that. It's painful, and sometimes we may feel as though we would rather die. But the truth is that if we allow the Lord to complete His work in us...the other side is better. We will come out on the other side closer to Him...more resembling Him...and with a faith that is stronger than we have previously known.

And so Lord, we thank You. We thank You for Your leading. We thank You for Your discipline. Your rod and Your staff...they really do comfort us.

Pruning

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." John 15:1-2

Going through a pruning process is never easy. I know...I'm in the midst of one. God takes away or calls us to give up things that at the time seem so dear to us. But ultimately, it is for our good. He has a plan, and during the painful portions of that plan, He longs for us to turn to Him.

As the year comes to a close, is God asking you to give up "idols" and return to Him? Is He knocking on the door of your heart desiring to bring you closer to Him?

Mornings...

Some days I make really good coffee...some days I don't.

Houston Project

Every year my church does a what essentially is a mission trip within our city. Hundreds of church members go out to other churches, apartment complexes, and community centers to spend the early evening of every day sharing the love of Christ with people. As we spend our final days preparing for what is destined to be another amazing year...God is so faithful, I am realizing more and more how different Christians can look. Yes, we are unified through Christ, but some have tattoos, some have piercings, some have even have blue hair. I pray that as I go into this week God would continue to grow me and help me to truly know how big his love is.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all the nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" - Revelation 7:9-10

Believe ME

I'm not exactly sure why it happens. So often I blame it on being fallen...but the enemy attacks and doubt creeps in. I start to question God's path for me. I start to wonder if this is His best...surely there's got to be a way...a path that hurts less...and then He gently reminds me to believe Him...to trust Him.

I watch you looking out across the raging water
So sure your only hope lies on the other side
You hear the enemy that's closing in around you
And I know that you don't have the strength to fight
But do you have the faith to stand and...

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you and I am for you
So believe Me now
Believe Me now

I am the One who waved my hand and split the ocean
I am the One who spoke the words and raised the dead
And I've loved you long before I set the world in motion
I know all the fears you're feeling now
But do you remember who I am?
Do you..

Believe Me now
Believe Me here
Remember all the times I've told you loud and clear
I am with you
And I am for you

So believe Me now
Believe it's true
I never have, I never will abandon you
And the God that I have always been
I will forever be
So believe Me now

I am the God who never wastes a single hurt that you endure
My words are true, and all My promises are sure
So believe Me now
Believe Me now

Reminder

So often, I need to be reminded of the words of Eleanor Roosevelt,
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

Postcards

One of my friends always sends me a postcard when ever he goes out of town. I've gotten postcards from Chicago, Boston, Kentucky, San Francisco, and many other cities. They always bring a smile to my face.