God is Faithful Through the Challenges

It has been nearly six months now since I've been battling the headaches. There still hasn't been a miraculous solution and doctors have tried many different strategies. I have definitely fought the battles of frustration and discouragement. I may not ever understand the big question of why. There are days where I don't feel like going forward, there are days when I ask myself is it ever going to end, and there are days when I want to scream.

However, even though I've had those rough days, God faithfulness has continued. In spite of it all, I still count the trials as a blessing. Every one of them. I have challenged others to persevere through their struggles and to remember to keep their eyes on Jesus, and I challenge myself the same thing everyday. I have blown it several times, but God still forgives me, and wants me to get back up and follow Him. Life is a journey. It's a journey about faith, enduring hardship, and picking up the cross and following in the steps of our Savior Jesus Christ. The road we are led on is narrow, it has bumps in it, and sometimes we may trip over the bumps and fall, but God catches us everytime.

Jesus suffered for me all because of love. He wants me to spend an eternity with Him, and He knew the only way that would be possible is if He died on the cross and took my punishment upon Himself. He did that for the world. But there is a world full of people who do not know Jesus. Jesus called me to serve Him, and tell others about Him. He never promised that if I follow Him I would live a pain free life. He has promised however, that He would always be with me and guide me in every step I take. He promised to never give more than what I can handle. One thing I know is that God says to "Endure hardship like a good soldier in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:3) I'm a soldier for Christ. I will endure the sufferings for Christ even if that means I have to battle headaches for the rest of my life. My life on earth is temporary. I have an enternal destiny waiting for me. I want to do everything God calls me to do here on earth so I can receive the crown of glory at my finish line.

God will be faithful through all the challenges. He always has been and He always will be. I want God to use me to touch the lives around me. I want Him to continue to use me to keep planting those seeds. The Holy Spirit will continue to do so, and He will continue to work in the hearts of those I minister to. Through all ups and downs, I'm never going to stop running for my King. That is my purpose, and God will be with me through it all, both now and forevermore.

Father God, you are so faithful. Thank You for Your faithfulness, and unconditional love. God, though it isn't easy, You have always been by my side. I have been drawn closer to You through every trial of my life. You had a marvelous plan for me before I was even born, help me to follow that plan. I love You Lord, and I want to share Your love with those all around me. Lead me and guide me, and help me to never stop running no matter how much it may hurt. I pray for Your will to be done. Forgive me for when I fail and help me to do what is pleasing to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

It's Just Heartbreaking

I don't understand why sometimes there are people who are completely ignored like they don't even matter. I mean, when observing people and how they interact with others can be pretty hard sometimes. Let me explain what I'm getting at here. Today I was eating some lunch and I noticed a homeless man walk by. He smiled and waved, I smiled and waved back. A few minutes later I saw the man walk away, and as he walked by someone else he smiled and waved at them. The people he waved to, completely ignored him as if he didn't exist. I had to ask myself why did that just happen? He was just being friendly, not even asking for anything in return other than a wave, and smile.

I witness this kind of behavior very often. I see people walking by homeless people as if they're invisible. It really breaks my heart to see people ignored, forgotten, and sometimes even beaten. I've heard many stories from many homeless men and women in both San Francisco, and San Diego and every one of them broke my heart in one way or another. I've said this a while back, but I'll say it again.... my heart has been ruined, but ruined in love. There is a lot that I've witnessed already, but it has only given me a bigger love for these people. God has given me such a heart for them. The more I see people ignored, the more I want to sit by there side and let them know that they are valuable. They are loved. They do have a purpose. They are not forgotten. They need to hear it time and time again, because most of them don't feel that way.

God loves them. He loves all of us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. God loves everyone from rich to poor, young to old. God's love is so great that there isn't anything you can do to change that. Our job is to share that love. Let the world know who Jesus is and be the hands and feet of Jesus. It is something that I strive to do each day. With God's power working in me, and His strength guiding me through, I can. I want to continue to sit next to the hurting people in this world and listen to their story, but more imporantly tell them that God loves them. Share with them what Jesus did for them, and pray for them.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

Father, I pray that You will continue to break my heart for what breaks Yours. I pray for the people who feel forgotten, and unloved. Help Your children to share that love. Help us to let our lights shine for You. God I pray that those who feel alone, that You will surround them with Your presence. Fill their hearts with Your love, and may they have that everlasting joy and happiness that only You can give. God give me the words to share with them. I pray that Your Name will be glorified. In my weakness may you become strong. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Great Adventures

The summer has come and gone as we said our farewells to the final Mission Adventures team last weekend. It was an incredible week with them, and I will not forget it. Each student was challenged in one way or another to step out of their comfort zones, take a step of faith, and share Jesus with the people of the city. I can say that I am proud of each and every one of these students as I witnessed them sharing with the lost and hurting people of San Diego.

There were several activities my co-leaders and I did with the team. The students created signs to display in SeaPort Village. The purpose of the sign was to encourage people, make them stop and think, and also to start up a conversation with those walking by. Many did stop by and ask what the sign was about, and that gave the students the open opportunity to share their faith. The students also had a chance to make a lunch and share with a homeless person. We also took the teams down to Feeding America SD and labled 1500 cans for the needy. Each evening, we helped out with a VBS at a local church. On the final night of VBS I was asked to share about YWAM, and our mission. After the week long team left, a weekend team came and served with us. We did similar activities with them. I also was able to go to Mt. Soledad ("Prayer Mountain," is what YWAM calls it,) with this team. We took the team there to pray over the city of San Diego, and the seven spheres of influence. On top of the mountain is a huge cross pointing up to the sky. It really gave me that reminder of Who is over this city, nation, and world. We had a time of singing on the grass area, and as the students were singing I observed the people around us. We had a family stop and join us and sang with us. It was awesome! For both teams, I shared about the issues of poverty, hunger, and human trafficking in the city. I have done a lot of studying on those issues in this city. It is something that many of us don't realize that happens so much in the states but it certainly does. Each night the teams wrote down the names of the people they talked to and they filled several pages.

It was certainly an amazing week, and this summer really was a great adventure for us. This past week I was able to participate in mostly everything. God gave me a lot of strength to do so. Now as I sit here, I am reflecting on all that had happened this summer. God's call on my life to come back to San Diego and start urban ministry became a reality. There have certainly been quite a few battles along the way, and even though I'm not through the battles, I am fighting them with His strength. As I continue to walk forward, God has a lot He wants me to do and learn, and as I continue on ministering in the streets, I trust that God will be my guide and His name will be glorified through it all.

Running the Race

Have you ever ran in a race? Maybe you have back in grade school during track and field days, or maybe you were on the track team in high school. If so, do you remember the feeling of having the crowd in the stands cheer for you as you ran by? As you were running, and your heart was pounding, maybe you felt like you couldn't run another step. Maybe you were like me who wasn't the fastest runner on the track, and dreaded track and field day each year, or as my school called it "green and gold day." But what really got me motivated was the crowd. They would be cheering for me to keep running. Many times members of my family were there and that made me feel good about myself.

There is something about having an audience cheering you on as you run a race isn't there? In life we are running a race. One that God has marked out for us. Though it isn't a literal one, it is still one with many hurdles along the way. Some are high hurdles and very hard to leap over. Many times during the race I'm on I get really tired and weary. I feel like I can't run another step. God reminds me that He is cheering me on, not only that but there is a whole heavenly crowd cheering me on. God is also running by my side, and carrying me through. As I am running the race that God has marked out for me, God gives me the reminder of all the heroes of faith cheering for me. Jesus is my number one cheerleader. Though it is very hard, and painful I can keep going because I have God on my side helping me along the way.

Do you feel like you can't run the race anymore? Maybe you feel like you're defeated, worn, or just tired of the struggles in life. Maybe you feel like you don't have what it takes to run the race God has marked for you. If God marked the race out for you, He will give you the strength to run it. Though it may be hard, and painful, God promises that HE won't leave your side. You can keep running with His strength.

On Eagle's Wings

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31

This is a great promise to live by. It is during times like these especially when I can use that reminder. God has given me the strength I have needed each day, and has blessed me with many wonderful people running by my side. In times like now, when I feel worn, and weary, I am reminded of what God has done through me, and what He has yet to do in me and why He has called me here.

Lately I've been thinking a lot. I've been thinking, because physically I haven't had very much strength and I've been feeling like I haven't really been having much of a purpose. Tonight, as I've been resting for a while, I thought well maybe somehow through my hard times I can still be a blessing to someone else. I want other people to realize how much God loves them. That is why I do what I do. Though I may not be physically able to be out there on the field, that doesn't mean I still can't be soaring on wings like eagles. Through my pain I still want to be a blessing to someone. I want to still be the hands and feet of Jesus. I think that is what God is asking me to do.

I want to encourage others to keep their eyes on Jesus even when it does hurt. I want to let you know that it is okay to cry, and tell Jesus how you feel. Jesus doesn't expect you to be some iron robot that can handle anything and everything, He actually wants to to be open with Him, and tell Him what is on your heart. He's your friend. So dear friends what you go through, know that you are not alone. Remember that you are soaring on wings like eagles, because Jesus is carrying you through. Believe me when I tell you this. Maybe you are not physically hurting right now, but you know someone who is, pass this word on to them. Tell them to keep looking up to the face of Jesus. Tell them to cling to Him. If they do not know who He is, just keep encouraging them. Let me know how I can pray for you.

Father, even though I am unable to be physically out there on the streets sharing Your love, I thank you that I can still share Your love in other ways. God I thank you for the blessings of friendships and prayer warriors. Lord, I admit it is painful right now. But you have been so faithful, and I thank you for giving me the strength each day. I pray that you do the same for those who are in need of it around the world today. Lord, you are Lord of all the world and no matter what goes on Your hands will always be holding us all. Thank you for giving us the strength and power, and enabling us to soar on wings like eagles when we place our hope in You. May we find rest and shelter under Your wings, and always remember that You love us more than we can ever imagine. May I never stop lving for you God, no matter what. In Jesus' Name, Amen.