And Pastor Preached On Patience…

Sunday morning’s sermon was on patience. God knew that I needed it. It’s interesting how God works in my life sometimes. The Saturday before was particularly challenging – a Romans 12:18 day for me. God was preparing me for Sunday morning. The message was excellent! Pastor spoke of how the Lord is not impatient with us, though He has every right to be; he listed some of God’s goals in His patience (to make us more Christ-like, to develop true inner worship of God, to mature us in our human relationships); he gave examples of when we need to have patience; then he spoke of how we can improve our patience…

Yep, it’s what you’re probably thinking: pray for trouble* (see James 1:2-4). 

Guess what? God still answers prayer. He has daily been teaching me to wait on Him – to rest in His strength. I suppose God knows that trials are the best way (quickest, most effective) to get us to rely on Him. Yet in every situation He has supplied the strength and grace to make it through. Praise His Name! He IS GOOD!!! I have in no way arrived, that much I know.

But He is faithful.

But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:8-9 

 

*Disclaimer: Pastor did not recommend using this method.

Is It Funeral Time?

The story is told of Martin Luther who was going through a time of depression. He was missing sleep, not eating very much, and was very discouraged about life in general. One morning he came down for breakfast, and was surprised to see his wife in black mourning clothes. He was very puzzled by this, and so asked her who died. Her answer shocked him:

"God has died," she said somberly.

His reply was quick. "That's impossible - God cannot die!" He continued to assure her that God was indeed alive, giving valid arguments and testimony to His Power and Aliveness.

When he had finally finished, she asked one question.

"Then why are you acting like He died?"

What a point! Even during tough times our God is alive and thriving! In fact, He says that we can "be of good cheer," even though tribulations do come (John 16:33). We must trust His Goodness and rest in His Strength.

(And who said life was about us, anyway?)

A Prayer Answered

My God is so good!

This past week I hit a tree with the door of my Jeep. It looked like a minor accident at first... until we took it to the body shop. My carelessness was going to cost me $1300 in repairs. And I wouldn't be able to drive the Jeep until I saved up that money to have the repairs done.

Needless to say, it was not a good day. And knowing that it was all my fault only made the situation more discouraging. I knew that God was in total control, but it was still hard to see it through the eyes of faith. Several friends encouraged me to trust God, and also reminded me of this passage:  

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."
James 1:2-4 (emphasis mine)

Monday morning we went back to the shop; I was expecting bad news. But the Lord provided for me; I'll be able to drive my Jeep for around $300! (It needs some new paint, but it is drivable!) 

Later, I learned that several friends were specifically praying for me that morning; God heard their prayers, and worked on my behalf. He Alone deserves the Glory!

Praise His Name!

Patience Is A Virtue, I Think....

It's almost been a month since I left North Africa. I think about it everyday, every hour of everyday. I really miss the culture, the places, but most importantly, I miss the people. And it's easy to get depressed, remembering it, thinking about the need there, wishing to return, knowing what I know, having seen all that I've seen, having been touched so deeply in so many ways. But God never stopped being in control, and He has brought me to where I am.

So I must be content with what He is doing. It's not easy, but it is a must. There is a definite need in North Africa, but there's also a definite need in the ATL, too. Right now God hasn't put me in NA, but He has put me in Atlanta. So instead of getting tunnel-vision for NA, I should be taking advantage of the opportunities that God has put around me; serving in my church, encouraging my friends in the Lord, studying at Bible college, spreading the Gospel in my Jerusalem, etc, etc, etc. But does this mean that I am so involved here that I forget the rest of the world? Not at all.

I suppose it pretty much comes down to one word - balance. I am patient, yet I am taking action. I am waiting, yet I am doing. I am sharing the Gospel at home, and still wanting to share it abroad. I am content where God has placed me, yet I am not stagnant, forgetting where I am headed.

A good friend recently encouraged me that God's Will isn't necessarily about a destination. It's about the journey. What am I learning now? How am I growing spiritually? Am I letting God teach me? Am I being a good steward of the time and talent God has given me now? Am I running my race with patience (Hebrews 12:1)? There should be long-range focus, of course, but bring that into balance with the 'here-and-now.' I'm not living in the future. I'm living in the present, with the future approaching me(ever so slowly, it feels like).

It's been a while since I posted. I have much on my mind, but hope that these thoughts have encouraged you in some way.

  "...let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..."

-Hebrews 12:1-2

Completely. Worn. Out.

I been traveling for the past 35+ hours. We successfully crossed from North Africa to NY, NY. Then we unsuccessfully flew from NY to ATL. In fact, we didn't even all fly to ATL. We missed our flight due to heavy air traffic. After trying to run from one terminal to another, we realized that half our group could fly out on the next flight home. Good. Then two students were able to fly on a "standby" flight home. So that left 4 of us remaining in NY through the night. And what a night! Trying to sleep in an airport is a near-impossibility, so instead we sat, talked, and drank coffee. Being stuck in tiring situations is actually fun with the right people - and the four of us (Jamie, Miranda, Casondra, and I) made a great group. Then, this morning, Miranda flew home to Pittsburgh. So now there's three of us, and we are about to get a taxi to La Guardia, since JFK won't fly us home. According to the schedule, we arrive home at 7 tonight.

On a personal note, I am completely exhausted. But so is everyone else, so we can relate to each other. Not only are we physically tired, but we're also emotionally drained. Leaving a country and friends that you love is very hard.

Pray for me as I adjust to life in the States again, and continue to seek God's Will for my life. Thank you so much for your prayers and support during the past 2+ months! God richly blessed, and I'm excited to share what has happened this summer!

A Preacher-Boy Once Again!

I got to preach tonight! Amen! I preached in English to 10 English speaking people (9 team members, and one native who speaks English well). There was no translator because the other pastor preached in Arabic as well. (No, we didn't preach at the same time...) The topic of my message was Elisha and Gehazi, and what separated their lives and ministries. The focal point was materialism - living for the "here & now", and not being concerned with eternal things. I can't judge how I preached, but the study/preparation time was very convicting! I preached the message to myself, and let the other people listen in.

It's exciting serving the Lord! Thank you to everyone who has encouraged/stretched/prodded/helped me grow in any way! I appreciate how the Lord has used you in my life, and am grateful for you!

Discipleship Time!

This weekend, I had the opportunity to lead a discipleship time with nine Nigerians. This area is where many Nigerians (mostly male) travel to in hopes of reaching Spain, and a better life. Few make it across the border legally, so there are groups of Nigerian men who live together, waiting for their opportunity to cross. The missionary here is good friends with several Christian Nigerians, and he meets with them 2-3 times a month for sandwiches and a Bible study.

I was asked (a.k.a. 'volunteered') to lead a lesson on "Eternal Security." I readily accepted the challenge, especially since I had no other choice. I was really nervous, wondering how God could use me (a very white American!) to encourage these dear believers across the globe from Nigeria. The past week, I had been suffering with some stomach trouble, and was still not completely better. Also, I didn't have as much time to prepare as I would've liked to have had. But, in spite of my many weaknesses, God blessed, and the believers were edified. Praise the Lord!