Me at Starbucks
Friday, May 20, 2005
Sunday, May 15, 2005
A New Journey Begins
What a ride my life has been the last three years. God amazes me at every turn, and it is so evident that His hand is guiding me toward something that I can’t yet see. By faith I’m taking the next step and accepting this internship in California. I can’t say I ever thought I’d move to California. But I feel God drawing me there for something. And I know it’s for more than what I can see right now.
This feeling started at the end of the Women’s Prayer Summit in February. Lori talked to me about volunteering at the Imagine Conference coming up at Arcade in March. I thought that sounded like a great idea, yet even then I had a feeling there would be more to it than just volunteering at the conference.
For almost a month I debated whether or not to spend the money to go. The first week in March, I watched the airfares go up hour by hour. Finally, the prices had gone up $250 from when I started looking, and I prayed that if God wanted me to go, He would open the door time-wise and money-wise. He did, as Nyke said it was fine for me to go, and I found out I would get my income tax refund just in time to cover the ticket.
But before I could buy my ticket, there was one more thing Nyke wanted to tell me. My job would be cut at the end of May. So it appeared I had my answer for what else God needed me to do while in California – look for a job. So in the two weeks between buying my ticket and flying there, I set up two job interviews, with a possibility of at least one more.
I ended up with three interviews, and one in particular that went very well. It was at a church in Danville, CA, for an internship in youth ministry. I somehow just felt completely at home there. It was hard to explain. I just knew after that day that I would be moving to CA, though I wasn’t sure for which job right away.
I waited almost two months for an answer. And I got it, on May 6th. And though I was worried about pay, it turns out my pay will be exactly what I need to pay my bills. And I leave in less than two weeks!!! It’s crazy to think by the end of the month I will be living in California.
God is so good. I’m not sure all that He has in store for me out there, but I know that it goes beyond this internship and its responsibilities. I have not yet discovered His bigger purpose for my life, but by being obedient, I’m coming closer to finding out. He is, after all, my Provider and Guide.
This feeling started at the end of the Women’s Prayer Summit in February. Lori talked to me about volunteering at the Imagine Conference coming up at Arcade in March. I thought that sounded like a great idea, yet even then I had a feeling there would be more to it than just volunteering at the conference.
For almost a month I debated whether or not to spend the money to go. The first week in March, I watched the airfares go up hour by hour. Finally, the prices had gone up $250 from when I started looking, and I prayed that if God wanted me to go, He would open the door time-wise and money-wise. He did, as Nyke said it was fine for me to go, and I found out I would get my income tax refund just in time to cover the ticket.
But before I could buy my ticket, there was one more thing Nyke wanted to tell me. My job would be cut at the end of May. So it appeared I had my answer for what else God needed me to do while in California – look for a job. So in the two weeks between buying my ticket and flying there, I set up two job interviews, with a possibility of at least one more.
I ended up with three interviews, and one in particular that went very well. It was at a church in Danville, CA, for an internship in youth ministry. I somehow just felt completely at home there. It was hard to explain. I just knew after that day that I would be moving to CA, though I wasn’t sure for which job right away.
I waited almost two months for an answer. And I got it, on May 6th. And though I was worried about pay, it turns out my pay will be exactly what I need to pay my bills. And I leave in less than two weeks!!! It’s crazy to think by the end of the month I will be living in California.
God is so good. I’m not sure all that He has in store for me out there, but I know that it goes beyond this internship and its responsibilities. I have not yet discovered His bigger purpose for my life, but by being obedient, I’m coming closer to finding out. He is, after all, my Provider and Guide.
God is...
This is something I wrote as a part of a study I’m working through. It’s my senior pastor’s book, “The 7 Most Important Questions You’ll Ever Answer,” and it’s been a phenomenal tool for my walk with the Lord. I read this list during my devotional time every day to keep me grounded in all that God is. If you’d like to check out the book, or possibly even order one for yourself, it’s under the “Personal Renewal” section of www.strategicrenewal.com.
These are statements about God, literally my theology. It is not exhaustive, as I could go on for many pages. But it lists the attributes of God that are most important to me and that have touched my life many times over.
God is Loving, unconditionally. He loves me so deeply that He sacrificed His one and only son for me. His love for me can never decrease or increase, and I can do nothing to change it.
God is Ever-Present – He is by my side, holding my hand, through everything in my life. I am never alone, and I cannot hide from Him.
God is Faithful – He never breaks a promise and I can fully trust and rely on Him.
God is Sovereign – He is in control of the entire universe. Even when my life seems out of control, I know it isn’t, because God is in the driver’s seat.
God is my Provider. He gives me all I need and will provide even in times of trouble, so that I have no fear of what may come.
God is my Protector who will guard me from the darts of the enemy in all of life’s battles.
God is All-Knowing – He sees my entire past, present, and future at once and directs my path. Even when I cannot see the end result of the road I’m on, God knows and has a plan for me.
God is my Friend, a friend who will never forsake me.
God is Just – when I am wronged by someone, I know that person will receive what he deserves in God’s time. Sometimes, though God’s justice is perfect, it may not always seem completely fair to me.
God grants never-ending Grace, a grace that by faith in Jesus Christ saves me from an eternity separated from Him.
God is my Peace through the storms of my life, the steady rock that keeps my feet firmly planted.
God is my Creator, who created me in His image. Everything was made by Him, yet He chose me to be His daughter.
God is Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord who died for me and redeemed me from the punishment for my sin.
God is the Holy Spirit who lives within my heart, comforting me and guiding me to all truth.
These are statements about God, literally my theology. It is not exhaustive, as I could go on for many pages. But it lists the attributes of God that are most important to me and that have touched my life many times over.
God is Loving, unconditionally. He loves me so deeply that He sacrificed His one and only son for me. His love for me can never decrease or increase, and I can do nothing to change it.
God is Ever-Present – He is by my side, holding my hand, through everything in my life. I am never alone, and I cannot hide from Him.
God is Faithful – He never breaks a promise and I can fully trust and rely on Him.
God is Sovereign – He is in control of the entire universe. Even when my life seems out of control, I know it isn’t, because God is in the driver’s seat.
God is my Provider. He gives me all I need and will provide even in times of trouble, so that I have no fear of what may come.
God is my Protector who will guard me from the darts of the enemy in all of life’s battles.
God is All-Knowing – He sees my entire past, present, and future at once and directs my path. Even when I cannot see the end result of the road I’m on, God knows and has a plan for me.
God is my Friend, a friend who will never forsake me.
God is Just – when I am wronged by someone, I know that person will receive what he deserves in God’s time. Sometimes, though God’s justice is perfect, it may not always seem completely fair to me.
God grants never-ending Grace, a grace that by faith in Jesus Christ saves me from an eternity separated from Him.
God is my Peace through the storms of my life, the steady rock that keeps my feet firmly planted.
God is my Creator, who created me in His image. Everything was made by Him, yet He chose me to be His daughter.
God is Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord who died for me and redeemed me from the punishment for my sin.
God is the Holy Spirit who lives within my heart, comforting me and guiding me to all truth.
Friday, May 13, 2005
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Peace, Sweet Peace
On Sunday night, I was doing my homework for my Interpreting Romans class. It had been a busy weekend for me with moving, helping with a junior high event, and going to my roommate's wedding. Yet, I had this amazing sense of peace. I heard the opening line of "It Is Well With My Soul" and a poem started forming in my mind. So here is what I wrote:
Peace Like a River
I am amazed at the peace that lies within
Though life is full of challenges and trials.
Just when I expect the anxiety to set in
God shows up to guide me across the miles.
I struggle and worry for no reason at all
About jobs, family, money and friends.
Yet God takes care of big and small
And His love for me knows no end.
This love that I cannot even imagine
That cost Him His one and only son
Saved me from the penalty of my sin
And now the battle is clearly won.
What is it about sin that always seems
To bring things like sadness and worry?
And only causes me to deem
Myself utterly, completely unworthy?
For even though Satan knocks on my door
And tries to bring to me lies
I am not the person I was before
And I no longer am fooled by his disguise.
My heart is now ruled by Jesus, my Lord.
He redeemed me and set me free.
It humbles me so to think that He bore
It all and I say “Why me?”
His answer, it comes, so sweet to my ear
“My daughter, because you are mine.
I love you and want you just to draw near
So I can also be thine.”
The bliss of that thought makes me smile and say
That “I love you too, dearest Jesus.
I never again want to be far away
Or there ever to be space between us.”
This love will always bring hope and strength
For whatever life leads me through.
For God will go to any great length
To help guide me in what I should do.
When trials, as now, come running my way
It would be easy just to give in.
But that peace like a river bids me to say
“Thank you Lord for being my friend.”
I am awaiting the news of a possible job in California, and my job at Grace ends on May 31. Some days in the last months the peace has been hard to find. I am at peace now with what God is doing and what He is going to do.
I attended Grace's All-Church Prayer Summit two weeks ago, and it was another amazing weekend of seeking God's face. He really gave me peace about the unknowns that are ahead. I give all the glory to Him for what He has done in me, and I am excited for what is to come.
Peace Like a River
I am amazed at the peace that lies within
Though life is full of challenges and trials.
Just when I expect the anxiety to set in
God shows up to guide me across the miles.
I struggle and worry for no reason at all
About jobs, family, money and friends.
Yet God takes care of big and small
And His love for me knows no end.
This love that I cannot even imagine
That cost Him His one and only son
Saved me from the penalty of my sin
And now the battle is clearly won.
What is it about sin that always seems
To bring things like sadness and worry?
And only causes me to deem
Myself utterly, completely unworthy?
For even though Satan knocks on my door
And tries to bring to me lies
I am not the person I was before
And I no longer am fooled by his disguise.
My heart is now ruled by Jesus, my Lord.
He redeemed me and set me free.
It humbles me so to think that He bore
It all and I say “Why me?”
His answer, it comes, so sweet to my ear
“My daughter, because you are mine.
I love you and want you just to draw near
So I can also be thine.”
The bliss of that thought makes me smile and say
That “I love you too, dearest Jesus.
I never again want to be far away
Or there ever to be space between us.”
This love will always bring hope and strength
For whatever life leads me through.
For God will go to any great length
To help guide me in what I should do.
When trials, as now, come running my way
It would be easy just to give in.
But that peace like a river bids me to say
“Thank you Lord for being my friend.”
I am awaiting the news of a possible job in California, and my job at Grace ends on May 31. Some days in the last months the peace has been hard to find. I am at peace now with what God is doing and what He is going to do.
I attended Grace's All-Church Prayer Summit two weeks ago, and it was another amazing weekend of seeking God's face. He really gave me peace about the unknowns that are ahead. I give all the glory to Him for what He has done in me, and I am excited for what is to come.
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