“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?   

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!"

He's Alive!  He's Alive!

He's Alive & I'm forgiven!

Heaven's gate is open wide!

He's alive! 

 

 

Letting Go

This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete. Take time to bask in the Light of My Love. As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possession into my care.

You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of My continual Presence. The One who never leaves you is the same yesterday, today and forever. As you release more and more things into My care, remember that I never let go of your hand. Herein lies your security, which no one and no circumstance can take from you.

~ Jesus Calling

Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

It's time.  Time to move.  Time to stop planning and start doing.

Last week I took the first real tangible steps to my future. I requested the application to become a missionary.  Yesterday I got a call from the Associate Director of World Missions.  We will meet in May to discuss where I'm going & set up a budget to begin itineration.

Passport will be required in May, two weeks. Then home one week for E's graduation.Then two weeks to Cambodia.

WOW.  That's a lot! This ball is rolling a lot faster than I expected. I thought I'd get the application, take my sweet time filling it out. Then send it in when the girls were going to school in the fall.

What will I do with my house? All the furniture that I won't be able to take?

I know it will all work out, but I'm already feeling the pressure.

What if I can't do this?   What if I don't love it? What if the girls need me?  

What if.......? Deep sigh...

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.   

He delights in every detail of their lives. 

Though they stumble, they will never fall, 

 for the Lord holds them by the hand. 

~ Psalm 37:23-24

Repent

How is it that two people read the same Bible but come up with different interpretations of the truth? How can one truly claim to be saved if they continue to do the same sinful thing(s) over and over and over again?  How is it possible that one can read how God abhors sexual sin like adultery and then go out and have an affair for years, all the while putting up a front of being a good Christian to all who know you?

It is my supposition that it is not possible to be saved and continue in your sin.  Either you are a Christian and are turning from sin or you are bound for hell, a hypocrite living a sinful life and lying to everyone about what you really are. And there is only one solution.

Dictionary.com defines REPENT as follows:  "to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better".  So is it fair to say that one truly hasn't repented if they are not "disposed to change one's life for the better"? 

"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord"  ~ Acts 3:19.

Awed by Our Awesome God

I'm doing two new Bible studies right now:  

"Nehemiah: a heart that can break" by Kelly Minter 

and 

"James: Mercy Triumphs" by Beth Moore. 

Both are very very good. I've been a little surprised at how well they complement each other since they are very different books of the Bible.

I was doing my work in "Nehemiah" and came to the following comment: 

"In the margin describe 

the last time you were awestruck by God."

I couldn't help but wonder about that and it hasn't left me yet.  There's only been one time I would consider myself "awestruck" by God.  How sad is that? 
Shouldn't we be amazed each and every day when we wake up,
breathing, moving, living? 
This God who cares for us so much He gives us a covenant of unfailing love ...

How marvelously wonderful is this God who loves us!  

May we never lose the wonder of our God, 

the ability to be struck with jaw-dropping, falling-to-our-knees, gasping-for-breath awe at our  

GREAT and AWESOME GOD!!

What is a Trader? Do you want to be one?

Sands of Time

Time is quickly slipping away. It's February already. Where did six weeks of 2012 go?

My heart has been heavy.  I'm trying to make some decisions for the future and it's not easy.  There are so many things I want to do and places I want to go, but they all take money - money I don't have. Yet God is my source and is guiding me and providing for me.

On a good note, I am finishing the paperwork to have STAF Ministries International accepted as a nonprofit in SC.  I will then start some fundraising for the girls' home :)  One of the things I'm praying about is if the home is to be in Asia or not.  I don't have clarity on that yet. 

Guatemala has been on my heart recently.  I am looking into an extended visit to see if that's where God is leading or not.

I saw this video and loved it. It is set in Asia but really applies to anywhere.  Enjoy!