I know it has been quite some time since the last blog was posted. I've been trying to maintain them as much as possible, but life craziness sometimes has a way of taking over.... November has been a pretty busy month. Projects needed to be edited, and printed, community meetings to attend to, Genesis connects to listen in, etc... But life has been good here in sunny San Diego. In Mexico homes continue to be built each weekend by several teams, and schools continue to move right along.
I have been busy in the office making sure brochures and fliers are printed, as well as other print work that needs to be done. Some thing that is very exciting is we are gearing up for San Diego ministry. I along with two others will be meeting each week, and we will be preparing for Mission Adventures to join us in San Diego next year. In the prayer meeting this week, it was brought up that once a month we have city prayer walks as staff. That would be a great opportunity for all of us. As a team, we will be going through the city and getting ourselves familiar with what it is all about. I am very excited to see what God is going to do throughout all of this. I am glad He has brought me here and that the doors are opening for me to step foot into city ministry with my co-workers. God has placed the strong passion on my heart which has been around even before I joined YWAM. It is amazing how when I said yes to God and each and every step I took was a step of faith. I had no idea what God was going to do and I have no idea what He is going to do in the future. But as I continue on the journey of faith I know God will continue to move the mountains and open the doors to more opportunities and ways that I can serve Him.
God has placed the desire, and it amazes me how much He has led me through the past few years and even beyond that. I can testify that waiting on the Lord and trusting in His will and perfect time is worth everything I have and everything I've been through. I can only walk one step and one day at a time. Each day a new blessing comes, and through all circumstances God continues to build my character. I am here for the purpose to serve my King and no one else. God has called me to city ministry, and I know He will continue to lead me to it and through everything. Only He knows where I'll go next, but all I can say is I am ready and willing no matter what that may be.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
One Red Light, One Divine Appointment
It was a typical Saturday afternoon. I had just left Target, and was leaving the parking lot waiting for the light to turn green. The typical moment turned into a moment where I felt the Spirit tugging on my heart. A moment that I knew I had to listen to what God was asking me to do. My heart started to speed up a little bit, as I was taking a step of faith, and another leap out of my comfort zone. I don't know if I can define comfort zone for me anymore... it has been knocked out so many times, that determined that is one of the things my life is about. There I sat in my car, with the radio in the background, looking up at a distance I saw a man. His clothes were worn and dirty, his face looked pretty rough, but there he stood with a sign in his hand. He was one of many homeless men and women who stand on the street corners daily hoping someone would give them the time of day to help them out.
God was tugging on my heart to roll down the window, and to get his attention. The nudge was pretty strong, and I knew I couldn't ignore it and just wait for the light to turn green. So I sat there for a second, and slowly rolled my window down a few inches... just enough to stick my hand out. I had a small Bible that I kept in my car. I knew God was asking me to give it to this gentleman standing there. With the Bible in my hand, I reached out my window to get the man's attention. It was shaking a little bit, because I honestly didn't know what kind of reaction I was going to get in return. I mean he could have thrown it back at me, or said certain things that I've heard several times before, which I won't repeat in this blog. But he did none of those things, instead he took it, and he said "God bless you, this is something that I have never received before, I wanted one of these more than a dollar, a dollar I can live without, but not this." He smiled at me, and that said it all to me. He assured me he was going to read it. I'm trusting that God will begin to do some incredible work in this man's life. I probably will never get to know his story, but I don't need to, it is all for God's glory at that is what matters.
The light turned green and I moved along to my next destination. For the rest of the day I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. I was walking around in the water at the beach and kept thinking and wondering what God was up to. That was just the first step of what God is calling me to do. There are more homeless men and women standing on the street corners, sitting on the sidewalks in downtown, all are hurting, they all have a story, and they all have been ignored day after day. God wants more Bibles to be handed out, and He wants me to trust in Him, to keep leading me to people who need Him. I want to have more Bibles in my car. I know that I may have people say bad things to me, but I also know God is the God of the impossible, He can melt the heart of stone, and He can move in these people's lives, through the streets of San Diego, and all of the other places of the world. I just have to say, "hear I am Lord, send me." Where God leads I will follow. I will continue to be led out of so called comfort zone.
Please pray for these people, all the hurting and lost people of the world. Pray that I can receive more Bibles to give. This is only the beginning. God has asked me to move forward, I know that faith is not always easy, but I need to cling to God and His promises. I know that the pain can increase rapidly, but climbing a mountain, is not a piece of cake. I will keep climbing and I will not loose heart, I will keep my eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of my faith.
God was tugging on my heart to roll down the window, and to get his attention. The nudge was pretty strong, and I knew I couldn't ignore it and just wait for the light to turn green. So I sat there for a second, and slowly rolled my window down a few inches... just enough to stick my hand out. I had a small Bible that I kept in my car. I knew God was asking me to give it to this gentleman standing there. With the Bible in my hand, I reached out my window to get the man's attention. It was shaking a little bit, because I honestly didn't know what kind of reaction I was going to get in return. I mean he could have thrown it back at me, or said certain things that I've heard several times before, which I won't repeat in this blog. But he did none of those things, instead he took it, and he said "God bless you, this is something that I have never received before, I wanted one of these more than a dollar, a dollar I can live without, but not this." He smiled at me, and that said it all to me. He assured me he was going to read it. I'm trusting that God will begin to do some incredible work in this man's life. I probably will never get to know his story, but I don't need to, it is all for God's glory at that is what matters.
The light turned green and I moved along to my next destination. For the rest of the day I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. I was walking around in the water at the beach and kept thinking and wondering what God was up to. That was just the first step of what God is calling me to do. There are more homeless men and women standing on the street corners, sitting on the sidewalks in downtown, all are hurting, they all have a story, and they all have been ignored day after day. God wants more Bibles to be handed out, and He wants me to trust in Him, to keep leading me to people who need Him. I want to have more Bibles in my car. I know that I may have people say bad things to me, but I also know God is the God of the impossible, He can melt the heart of stone, and He can move in these people's lives, through the streets of San Diego, and all of the other places of the world. I just have to say, "hear I am Lord, send me." Where God leads I will follow. I will continue to be led out of so called comfort zone.
Please pray for these people, all the hurting and lost people of the world. Pray that I can receive more Bibles to give. This is only the beginning. God has asked me to move forward, I know that faith is not always easy, but I need to cling to God and His promises. I know that the pain can increase rapidly, but climbing a mountain, is not a piece of cake. I will keep climbing and I will not loose heart, I will keep my eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of my faith.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Steps of Faith
Today has been a wonderful day, a wonderful Sunday it was. This morning I attended an incredible church service. God spoke to me through the pastor this morning. I am called to take steps of faith in obedience to Him. The pastor said these words, "if you are wanting it to be easy, you are in the wrong place.... but we have to be armed with God's truth, because we are in a world where it's only going to get harder." I know that as I move forward I need to trust in God for His provision, His protection and His guidance. There is a call and tug on my heart that continues to get stronger. There are challenges that have come up along the way, and there will continue to be, but I know that I need to continue. I need to keep taking each step and be who God has called me to be. There are times when I fall, times when I struggle, and those times where I feel like I've felt like I've been slammed to the floor, but there has never been a time where God has been away, and never a time where I have been defeated. It is by God's grace that I can keep going, and it is through His strength. I know I have talked about this a lot, but it is one of the most important things I need to remember. I need to remember who I am serving, and why I do what I do.
It is not an easy journey. Choosing the narrow road has bumps in it. Hard ones. But that road also is leading to eternal life with Jesus Christ. The One who conquered death, suffered and died so we can live. He is walking the road with me, and He is in the boat with me. When the storms rage, God is my strength, He is my comforter, and He calms the storms in my life. This evening I spent some time reflecting on all that God has led me through. I was reading through my personal journal, where I wrote down every feeling I was feeling. There was a lot I went through, and probably a lot I'm going to go through. But one thing I've learned is how God is there with me every step of the way. As I've said so many times before, I must continue on the journey with faith and perseverance. Knowing that the race does have hurdles, but there are so many people out there walking in total darkness. I must keep being the hands and feet of Jesus, and going to where He is calling me to go. Many people need to hear the words I love you, and hear how valuable they are to their Heavenly Father, and how much He loves them. I am not afraid of what they may say to me, I've been called many things already, and have heard and seen so much already, but I still know they need Jesus. That is worth everything I have.
It is not an easy journey. Choosing the narrow road has bumps in it. Hard ones. But that road also is leading to eternal life with Jesus Christ. The One who conquered death, suffered and died so we can live. He is walking the road with me, and He is in the boat with me. When the storms rage, God is my strength, He is my comforter, and He calms the storms in my life. This evening I spent some time reflecting on all that God has led me through. I was reading through my personal journal, where I wrote down every feeling I was feeling. There was a lot I went through, and probably a lot I'm going to go through. But one thing I've learned is how God is there with me every step of the way. As I've said so many times before, I must continue on the journey with faith and perseverance. Knowing that the race does have hurdles, but there are so many people out there walking in total darkness. I must keep being the hands and feet of Jesus, and going to where He is calling me to go. Many people need to hear the words I love you, and hear how valuable they are to their Heavenly Father, and how much He loves them. I am not afraid of what they may say to me, I've been called many things already, and have heard and seen so much already, but I still know they need Jesus. That is worth everything I have.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
In the Midst of It
God, you are an amazing God, whom I love and adore more than anything else on the face of the earth. As I write this prayer to You oh Lord, I'm hearing the music from the song, "How Great Thou Art" my soul sings out to You Father, and I praise You for sending Your Son to die on that cross to take away all my sins. Lord You have done wonders in my life. So many times I have complained about all the hard times that have come across my path. But I instead want to praise You for the trials, I thank You for bringing me through them. WIthout the trials and sufferings my faith would not have been strengthened the way that it has. Father, I'm sorry when I have been negative, Lord I want to 'take captive of all my thoughts and make them obedient to Christ,' as it is written in Your Word. Lord as I begin this blog and share the things You have done may it be Your words coming through me, and give You all the glory. In Jesus' precious Name, Amen
It has been a few weeks since my major surgery. It has been a painful recovery, but I am getting better. I am planning on heading back to San Diego later this week. I want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, words of encouragement, and for being wonderful influences in my life. You all mean more to me, than you'll ever know, and I praise God for the amazing people He has placed in my life.
In my recovery time I've been taking it pretty easy. I can do a little more each day, and feel like I'm getting closer to my normal self. Yes the recovery has been more painful than the ones I've had in the past. In the midst of the suffering, God has had His healing hand upon me. I've felt the power of prayer in so many ways. God has been my strength when I didn't have any. Right after surgery my strength was pretty much gone. I couldn't even walk or stand on my own for a while. Now I have most of my strength back. As I've been thinking about it though, God is my ultimate strength. Spiritually, without Him, I wouldn't be able to walk. I couldn't walk forward and be all He wants me to be. As I walk on my journey of faith I need to remind myself that it is God who is my guide, He is my strength and shield. No matter where He calls me, He promises that He will walk by my side, and always be with me. No matter how much suffering the journey will involve, I can hold on to the hope, and salvation, knowing my Savior is there with me. He hears me, and He is my healer. The walk on earth does involve pain, it will have sorrow, but the time here is like a blink of an eye, compared to the eternal glory that awaits for me in eternity.
Yes times hurt, yes it can downright feel as if it is one battle after the other, but you know, I will keep running on the race for my King, the race that will have the finish line of a prize far greater than what the world can give me... it's the crown of eternal glory. I will glorify my Lord, and I will suffer for His glory. I will keep running the race with perseverance. I will not be doing it alone. God will go with me, and He will go before me. He is all around me wherever I go.
Thank you all for reading. God bless each of your abundantly and His grace is upon you. I close with this verse.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
It has been a few weeks since my major surgery. It has been a painful recovery, but I am getting better. I am planning on heading back to San Diego later this week. I want to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart for your prayers, words of encouragement, and for being wonderful influences in my life. You all mean more to me, than you'll ever know, and I praise God for the amazing people He has placed in my life.
In my recovery time I've been taking it pretty easy. I can do a little more each day, and feel like I'm getting closer to my normal self. Yes the recovery has been more painful than the ones I've had in the past. In the midst of the suffering, God has had His healing hand upon me. I've felt the power of prayer in so many ways. God has been my strength when I didn't have any. Right after surgery my strength was pretty much gone. I couldn't even walk or stand on my own for a while. Now I have most of my strength back. As I've been thinking about it though, God is my ultimate strength. Spiritually, without Him, I wouldn't be able to walk. I couldn't walk forward and be all He wants me to be. As I walk on my journey of faith I need to remind myself that it is God who is my guide, He is my strength and shield. No matter where He calls me, He promises that He will walk by my side, and always be with me. No matter how much suffering the journey will involve, I can hold on to the hope, and salvation, knowing my Savior is there with me. He hears me, and He is my healer. The walk on earth does involve pain, it will have sorrow, but the time here is like a blink of an eye, compared to the eternal glory that awaits for me in eternity.
Yes times hurt, yes it can downright feel as if it is one battle after the other, but you know, I will keep running on the race for my King, the race that will have the finish line of a prize far greater than what the world can give me... it's the crown of eternal glory. I will glorify my Lord, and I will suffer for His glory. I will keep running the race with perseverance. I will not be doing it alone. God will go with me, and He will go before me. He is all around me wherever I go.
Thank you all for reading. God bless each of your abundantly and His grace is upon you. I close with this verse.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Word of God Speak
In the rush of everyday life it can be very challenging to take time to sit still and listen to the voice of God. God has so much He wants to tell His children and often times daily activities can get in the way of listening to His voice. What about in times when we are forced to be slow because of the circumstances we find ourselves in?
As you all know, I have had a major surgery that has put me down physically. My physical strength has been knocked down big time, which has made me be still, and God has been using that. During these past couple of weeks, I have had those little nudges and tugs in my heart, whispers in my ears, and even odd dreams while I'm asleep. I know that it is not my imagination, it is not some random thoughts and it isn't anyone physical. It is the Holy Spirit. I feel God leading me again in directions that I honestly feel a little uneasy about, because again it is about that step, the step into the unknowns, and the steps in total faith. Over and over again God comes to me, puts these thoughts into my mind, and I just can't stop thinking about it. I have felt myself wrestling a little bit with it because it gets so intense, but I can't let it go because the nudges keep getting stronger.
I say to myself, "what am I supposed to do? I don't feel qualified for the job, how am I supposed to do something that seems so radical?" I have dealt with these thoughts and challenges many times through my walk, and everytime God has done incredible work in me, and has shown Himself faithful all throughout my life's journey.
A week ago, on Sunday morning I was at home. I couldn't go out to church yet because I wasn't up to it. So I pluggled my computer into the TV, and watched a live broadcast from the church I've been attending in San Diego. To make a long story short the sermon was about radical faith. An amazing service where I felt very strong nudges from God telling me "this is what I want you to have, you are going to need it for the work I have planned for you to do. You cannot walk life with Me and please Me without having faith in Me. So take all your fears and hand them over, for I will take care of you."
I know what I have to do. I have to continue to listen to the call. A call that is so strong on my heart, one that God has reminded me over and over again. It is one that makes my knees shake a little, but that's ok. God will be with me, and that is all I need.
As you all know, I have had a major surgery that has put me down physically. My physical strength has been knocked down big time, which has made me be still, and God has been using that. During these past couple of weeks, I have had those little nudges and tugs in my heart, whispers in my ears, and even odd dreams while I'm asleep. I know that it is not my imagination, it is not some random thoughts and it isn't anyone physical. It is the Holy Spirit. I feel God leading me again in directions that I honestly feel a little uneasy about, because again it is about that step, the step into the unknowns, and the steps in total faith. Over and over again God comes to me, puts these thoughts into my mind, and I just can't stop thinking about it. I have felt myself wrestling a little bit with it because it gets so intense, but I can't let it go because the nudges keep getting stronger.
I say to myself, "what am I supposed to do? I don't feel qualified for the job, how am I supposed to do something that seems so radical?" I have dealt with these thoughts and challenges many times through my walk, and everytime God has done incredible work in me, and has shown Himself faithful all throughout my life's journey.
A week ago, on Sunday morning I was at home. I couldn't go out to church yet because I wasn't up to it. So I pluggled my computer into the TV, and watched a live broadcast from the church I've been attending in San Diego. To make a long story short the sermon was about radical faith. An amazing service where I felt very strong nudges from God telling me "this is what I want you to have, you are going to need it for the work I have planned for you to do. You cannot walk life with Me and please Me without having faith in Me. So take all your fears and hand them over, for I will take care of you."
I know what I have to do. I have to continue to listen to the call. A call that is so strong on my heart, one that God has reminded me over and over again. It is one that makes my knees shake a little, but that's ok. God will be with me, and that is all I need.
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