To trial or not to trial??

^"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4. Pure joy. What exactly does that mean? Pure- free from anything of a different, inferior, or a contaminating kind. Joy-a state of happiness. We are to consider it happiness, free of anything else, when we face trials. Why? Well, the writer goes on to tell us that it is because we know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. So then what is perseverance? Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc. especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. Ever feel aimless? Like you a looking for a purpose or at least something greater than yourself. I sometimes do. I don't think when I was younger I would consider facing trials "pure joy" or that perseverance was something I longed for. There are times when life seems to fall lockstep behind us. Everything is coming easy and without trial or trouble. Then there are the trials. It doesn't mean that we are or have done something wrong or stepped out of line. It's in those times God is trying to do something with us or for us or prepare us for something else. The key to remember is that as His child, He is with us. He promises to never leave nor forsake us. What a great promise. No matter where we are, who we are with and regardless of having support of one kind or another, He is there. I am grateful. Grateful for all He's done and is doing in my life. I want to be aware of all He is doing in my "circle" of influence here and abroad. My prayer is that no matter what happens in your life and whatever comes your way that you would know there is a God, He knows all about you before you even open your mouth and say a word and wants you to know Him.

Wow

After watching the stories of all the Haitians on TV and seeing all the horrific images, I can't help but say one thing. WOW. Just how can I complain?? It's the overwhelming feeling I have every time I come home from Honduras. These folks lacked basic infrastructure and a strong economy to begin with, but complicate that with the recent tragedy and wow. Envision if you will going from a difficult daily life to not even knowing if your family members are dead or alive? If they died and were buried in one of the mass graves being dug, never being able to identify them? How tragic and awful. I cannot conceive of things that these folks have to deal with. In spite of this vast and awful tragedy there have been images of people surviving. People being pulled from the wreckages of their former homes and reunited with the remnants of their families. Many have given thanks to God as the reason for them being able to survive. Wow. I haven't got enough faith at times to see 2 feet in front of me and trust that God will provide a way, yet their faith is all they have. Sometimes I think God is up in heaven shaking his head at us saying "What are you thinking, you crazy people? Don't you know I am God the creator of the universe? If I created the universe, can I not handle your minor problems?". Do I really believe this? Yes, but do I have faith? Morgan put on her page that faith is moving without seeing. I have this intense desire to see before I leap, to be in complete control. How is it this lesson seems to be a lifelong one for me? I guess sometimes the Lord allows us to get to the point where we cannot do anything but pray and trust. Our actions have been played out to the extent that we have no other option but to wait and trust. It's in those moments we have an opportunity to practice what we preach and trust in Him. Lord I pray for those who have experienced this vast and great tragedy. I pray that you would be the strength for those who have none. I pray for those ministering in Haiti, Honduras and all over the world in your name. I lift them up not really knowing what they will encounter or what they will need from you, but just praying. Lord, help me to focus on you and all you are doing and not on my petty problems but rather give all things to you and give you the glory for working them out without my much unneeded input. Phil 4:19

Thought du jour

It's been quite a week. I was planning on going on a missions trip, then after a great deal of discussion with Mark decided to put it off until later this year and hopefully I'll go later with folks from our church. I want more people to have this experience, to catch the excitement of ministry on speed (this is the term I have coined for mission work in Honduras). A bit disappointing, but I will be praying as the work continues. In spite of my disappointment I am excited for the future. I am excited that Morgan is struggling with things like Theology and questioning what she believes and why she believes it. Blindly following without ever questioning is dangerous. It is how cults can "brainwash" people. We should always be working through scripture, wrestling with why we believe what we do. More people who occupy the pews of the church should be doing that. I never really understand why things happen the way that they do, but there is always a reason. Always. I guess this week's blurb is just about a bit of disappointment (for my own selfish reasons-missing the trip to Honduras), excitement for Morgan's provision and learning. I can't be too disappointed because the Lord's work always goes on. I am grateful no matter what my circumstances and situation because I know that God has it in control. I'm just along for the ride!

Missions

I am about to embark on another missions trip. This one is a little different because I will be going for 2 weeks instead of 1. Each time I am preparing to go, I try to do a lot of devotions, spend a lot of time in prayer and prepare for the trip. The funny thing is that as much preparation as I "try" to do, I am never going to truly be prepared for everything that occurs. It's almost like God, sitting up in heaven, is looking down at us saying "you crazy people, what do you think you're doing"? I think we miss it here especially. God only asks us to be willing and open to Him. It's a difficult thing. I don't think we do as much at home as we do in the mission field because we are not open to it. We aren't LOOKING for opportunities to minister. In the mission field, we not only are LOOKING for opportunities, but we are actively praying for them, every day. We prepare our hearts/minds for the work that will occur. It is an exciting thing to see God at work. How easy is it to get stuck in our "rut"? To go about our lives with our face down, nose to the grindstone without even looking up long enough to take a look around and see what God is moving in? How awesome when we recognize what He's doing and asking Him to show us where/when to use us and becoming an ACTIVE participant. The last trip to Honduras I was on we called the trip of miracles. We saw people healed! Yup, I said it, HEALED!! I witnessed several of these with my own eyes! How exciting! We saw a 90 year old man who had never heard the good news about Jesus saved! Yes, to those who aren't Christians, this may not be good news, but I find it to be very exciting. How many people get stuck in the Sunday rut? I am guilty of it. Many times! I am so blessed, beyond what many of the people we minister to will ever have. My time and presence there is the least I can do if I can be used as an instrument for God. I want Him to use me as long as He can. Lord, help me to remember to ask You for opportunities here in GA. Help me to not have blinders on, but be cognizant of what You are doing here! Thank you for thinking me even worthy of being used!