His Ways are Higher

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

New Living Translation

This scripture really resonates with me lately because I can see it at work in my life. There have been a couple things in my life this past year that have completely confused and baffled me. One of those things I have not discussed (to the best of my memory) on this blog. Our church went through a very confusing, hurtful and seemingly disastrous trial beginning in February. We all were floored by the situation but God had His hand in it. Although to me it seemed like it was not going to end well at all God had better ideas. In the following months our church has moved higher and grown so much stronger in the Lord. Coming through the fire has refined us as gold and that has been tremendous. Although it hurts to think about the past the new converts and vibrant bus ministry that have been established recently are so worth it. Sunday night services that turn into deep intercessory prayer meeting are worth it. Powerful worship services are worth it. And I know that's just the beginning!!!

Isaiah 55:8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

King James Version

Furthermore, although I approached the prospect of changing my major to Education with trepidation, I now understand it is for the best. I knew that it had appealed to me for years but I really wasn't sure about changing from the security of nursing. This year has been so much better. I am so enthusiastic about teaching and can't wait to graduate and get to work. I have had so much more peace since then.

Although there are still things going on in my life that trouble me I know by looking back at the way God has worked things out in the last year I will be ok. My future is in the hands of the Master!!!

Monday Morning Muse

Zephaniah 3:17

For the Lord your God is living among you.

He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

With his love, he will calm all your fears.

He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

New Living Translation

Tiny, Timid Teen

Just a little introspection today... I often struggle with self esteem and don't feel good enough, worthy, etc. Today I was reading in 1 Corinthians and I felt a kinship with Paul as he said:

1 Corinthians 2:3

I came to you in weakness-timid and trembling.

New Living Translation

I know that feeling of timidity. Trembling is normal too. I kinda do tend to shake when I'm nervous. That said a few verses earlier Paul had pointed out something about who God uses.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

New Living Translation

I read that and realized that maybe that timidity wasn't a bad thing. Maybe it's good that I'm not "important" or "pretty and popular" maybe, just maybe, if I stay "insignificant to the world around me, then God can use me for great things in His kingdom. I pray He will because His kingdom is the one that lasts! I can do nothing without Him so why not give what I can back to Him? Anything else would be silly. To God be the glory!

Cheerful Giving

So, I'm just checking in with a Sheaves for Christ update. I promise to tell everything I can about campmeeting at some point this week. But first I'd like to applaud Oklahoma's generosity. I've been attempting to raise money for Sheaves for Christ ever since 20 Somethings' camp. It truly has become a burden of mine to raise as much money as possible. However things moved slowly at first. Over the course of the first month I raise just shy of $200. Awesome but my goal is at least $1000. This past week was campmeeting though and I came armed with chocolate chip cookies to sell. I thought I had enough to last all week, and it was enough to make about $50-$60. Decent for a week of vacation right? And I was collecting sponsorships for my "Heels for Wheels" walk as well. So I was hoping to double my money, raise my total to $400. However thanks to very generous donations, mainly from Oklahoma's ministry, I raised my total to $623.23!! Today I've been selling cookies by the dozen at my church and have orders for $65.00 worth of cookies today. :) That will put me close to $700. I fully believe I will exceed the $1000 threshold. I'm so excited to be able to give that much to SFC with just 2 1/2 months of work total. So remember this: Why Give? Because 1 lost soul = 2 many!!!!

II Corinthians 9:7

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

KJV

SFC Schemes

So many of you know I'm raising money for Sheaves for Christ, but most of you don't know my more outrageous plan. So tonight, as I will be hitting many of you up for funds at campmeeting this week, I will unveil my crazy scheme. First I have to put a little plug about what SFC is. Sheaves for Christ supports missions efforts at home and abroad. SFC supports Tupelo Children's Mansion. Sheaves for Christ supports the Kingdom of God.

So I thought about it and thought about it trying to figure out what I could do to raise money for this great cause. And then I came up with it. Now most of my ideas have a meaning behind them so I'm going to start with the meaning then the plan.

One of the big things Sheaves for Christ does is buy vehicles for all of our missionaries so it's easier for them to travel through the field spreading the Gospel. If we don't give to Sheaves for Christ then our missionaries could end up walking many, many miles to church to spread God's word. So as, Lord willing, a future missionary I realized I could end up walking many miles to spread the gospel if the next generation doesn't give to Sheaves for Christ, and how could I expect them to give if I didn't?

Now I don't have a lot of money to give but I'm willing to do something crazy if you all will give me money to give to SFC. I am a girl. I love high heels. I don't go to church without them. So if I don't have an SFC vehicle when I'm on the field I'll be walking in heels. So in fear of doing that when I'm old I'm going to do that now. On August 13th I'm going to walk a walk for Sheaves for Christ, in heels. Here's the catch. It's up to y'all how much I walk. Instead of telling you I'm going to walk 5 miles and letting you give as little or as much as you like, I'm going to let you determine how much I walk with your giving. The more you give, the further I walk. I will be walking on a 1/8 mile track so I'm going to walk 1 lap per 1 dollar raised. That's $8 a mile, not bad for you, awful for me, but worth it for God.

Why would I do that? Because 1 lost soul is 2 many. SFC vehicles enable the gospel to be spread much more effectively. Help me raise money for that!! You give me the money and I'll walk, because to walk in heels you have to be the real mccoy and that's what I want to be for God.

A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words

Child at Heart

Let me tell you a secret. Shhhh. Don't tell anyone. Did you hear me? Anyone! I mean that's why I'm posting it on the internet, I'm scared for people to know this secret!! Ok, are you listening? On the inside I'm secretly a little kid. *whew* I got that out, big shock that it was.

Ok so I cannot get enough of kids' books. Even though the junenille section at work is often so loud I get a headache when I work there I love shelving there just to see the great new books. I have a particular affinity for the highest level of "easy readers" which are the kind of books you read in about 2-3 grade transitioning you from picture books to chapter books. While working the desk earlier today I found that I just couldn't help but read the cutest kids comic book, Patrick in A Teddy Bear's Picnic and Other Stories.

I just adore it's completely cute art work and story line. And I love how the 4 different stories within it help introduce the concept of chapters. Fabulous. :)

Well since the Bible says we're to have childlike faith I guess I'm well on my way.

PS I still sleep with a teddy bear too.