SIX
Lift Your Head
Hello everyone! I have missed you and I have missed writing my adventures too. I have been in the battle so strong, so many things have been coming against me. But today I felt a breakthrough and I am writing again. In the past weeks I have experienced so many emotions and feelings. I have been crushed, pushed down, almost stopped, stomped on, betrayed, hurt, sad, disappointed and discouraged. But at the same time I have also had moments that I have felt unchanging love, kindness, deliverance, pure joy and rest. It has been such a contrast. Have any of you had a time like that in your lives? I feel like I'm in a missionary theme park!! And there are some rides I was forced on, that I did not want to experience. Well, the good thing is that I survived them. Of course, not on my own. Really, if I didn't have Jesus I don't know what I would do--- I would be BALD!! why? I would've pulled out all my hair right now in pure anguish.. BUT, I do have HIM, so I'm able to continue on in the battle, knowing he's with me all the way and my hair remains intact-- :)
I have 2 more weeks left in my dandy leg brace, and I can now bend my knee 60 degrees! It's been very uncomfortable, and I haven't gotten a good nights sleep in over a month! Even so I must continue doing what the Lord called me to do. He continues to show me the blessings of obedience. There is nothing more that I have wanted then to remain in my bed for all these weeks-- but as I " lifted my head" I knew the Lord would be my strength and wisdom. I have seen Him do miraculous things.
Just this past weekend we celebrated our Easter Banquet and Freedom Square. Through the pain it was amazing to see that we were blessed with the baptism of joy in the Holy Spirit! We sang and sang and we all felt happier then ever, from the church members, to the children, to the workers. There was such an outpouring of joy in the place, which meant everything to me. After experiencing so much pain, physical,emotional and spiritual, I could not believe I was surrounded by dozens of people experiencing such joy. I " lifted my head" and saw God's promises come true right in front of me. "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness" Psalms 30:11. I saw the faithfulness of God once again. He is so good.
At the end of the day as we were just relaxing getting ready to close up one of our regular Freedom Square members Kolanji, invited his friend Nico to come inside. Kolanji is in his mid thirties and he has Aspergers. He's the most special person, and my sweet brother in Christ. I have seen him grow in his walk so amazingly. So, Kolanji brought Nico to the mission. Nico lives in a nearby squat, about 28 people live there, they call it communal living. Nico met Kolanji there as he went to a pot luck BBQ once months ago. Kolanji loves food, free food is his favorite! Hehe. At this pot luck there was food, but there was also tons of beer, liquor and weed. Kolanji told me about his evening there over and over. He told me that when he got home that night, he got on his knees and prayed for all the people there. Nico was one of the people there that he prayed for. Now Kolanji brought Nico to Freedom Square, and after talking to my husband,Nico stayed around and even helped to clean. I was informed that Nico was an atheist. As we were ready to close our day in prayer we all went around prayer, and behold who started praying? Nico, the atheist!! Wow! After his prayer Kolanji told him that he had gotten on his knees and prayed for him months ago. I " lifted my head" and saw and atheist pray to God and so is he and atheist anymore? No! Now we will water and plant in Nico's life, but only God gives the increase. So my brothers and sisters, today " lift your head" to the miracles small and great around you.. God is there-- " lift your head" and see that He is at the front of the battle, " lift your head" and see that He is leading you in green pastures, " lift your head" and see that He is listening to what you just prayed. And if all you can do is " lift your head" but for a moment, just know that He will never leave you nor forsake you!!! Even if you cant "lift your head" he promises to do it for you!
But You, O Lord, are a shield for me,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
Psalms 3:3
How do I know this? I'm a living, breathing testimony to this! Ask me and I will tell you, there will not be enough hours in a day to tell you all He has done for me! " LIFT YOUR HEAD"
I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth"
Psalms 121 1&2
" When on an adventure always lift your head, you don't want to miss what's going on around you"
~ Cheers
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
FIVE- Don't Let Anything Stop You!
FIVE
Let Nothing Stop You
Last Friday and Saturday we had the privilege to meet a wonderful woman from Alabama. She came to New York City to minister, hand out tracts and tell everyone Jesus loves them. Many christians may read this now, and think: " Oh, that's nice, but what's so special about that?", it's very special and I'll explain why. Jennifer is a wife and a mother of 4 boys, they all love football she said, they are cute typical little boys. They are filled with energy and boisterous. Jennifer was diagnosed with ALS last year, also known as Lou Gherig's disease. Her speech in greatly affected by the condition, yet she came to NYC to hand out tracts and serve God. It's not easy for her to talk and as she expressed to me, people don't have the patience to listen to her. As soon and she got off the plane she began her missions trip and handed out a tract to a young lady, then the guy who helped her with her suitcases, then the family at a store she went to, the owners of the restaurant she ate in. Not only did she hand them the tract but she also told them about the love of Jesus. Friday and Saturday she joyfully served in Freedom Square, wanting to be involved in everything from shopping, to cooking, to serving and handing out 300 bananas to which she was sure to tell every recipient that Jesus loved them. On Saturday my husband asked her if she would share her testimony and she agreed, touching many lives that were present in the feeding program. As we were driving home one night she shared that God had allowed this condition to happen so that it could challenge Christians. She said if I can do it, why can't other people? I have let nothing stop me from what God called me to do. I agreed with her as I also served in crutches and in pain for those two days. So my question is? What is stopping you friend? What is stopping you from doing what God called you to do? I think it could be fear or insecurity of course. But I think one of the most important factors that paralyzes Christians today is comfort. We become comfortable in our lives, we like them just so. We don't want to be moved, or bothered or challenged. We like our routines, our schedules, our activities. We like to do what we like. Many of us are called to ministry, to evangelize, to speak, to feed the hungry, to comfort the widow. But we just can't fit that in our busy lives. We keep putting that in the bottom of our to do list, and then it goes from being in the bottom to being completely written off. We pray and seek God , we go to an altar call perhaps. We know God wants us to step out in faith to do something, we understand that He will equip us. Then of course the opportunity will present itself to act and many of us look and say: oh, I have to go to the gym, that's the day I was going to organize my closet, my kids really need to get a haircut that day ( even though you had time all week to get it done) What I'm saying is this, don't let anything stop you!!! God has called you right? So that means He wants you to do something great for Him. Step out in faith and do it! Don't let schedules,friendships, fellowships, sports,nail salons,play dates, Pilates, pain, crutches, medical conditions, naps, ADHD, sewing or anything else stop you. Put what God called you to do at the top at the top of the list. Whatever it is, making a sandwich for a sad teenager or going on a missions trip to Africa. When we set this priority in order we will walk in God's will and I believe that to be a great blessing!
~ In God's adventure it is best to throw your agenda out the window and follow God's!
Cheers!
Let Nothing Stop You
Last Friday and Saturday we had the privilege to meet a wonderful woman from Alabama. She came to New York City to minister, hand out tracts and tell everyone Jesus loves them. Many christians may read this now, and think: " Oh, that's nice, but what's so special about that?", it's very special and I'll explain why. Jennifer is a wife and a mother of 4 boys, they all love football she said, they are cute typical little boys. They are filled with energy and boisterous. Jennifer was diagnosed with ALS last year, also known as Lou Gherig's disease. Her speech in greatly affected by the condition, yet she came to NYC to hand out tracts and serve God. It's not easy for her to talk and as she expressed to me, people don't have the patience to listen to her. As soon and she got off the plane she began her missions trip and handed out a tract to a young lady, then the guy who helped her with her suitcases, then the family at a store she went to, the owners of the restaurant she ate in. Not only did she hand them the tract but she also told them about the love of Jesus. Friday and Saturday she joyfully served in Freedom Square, wanting to be involved in everything from shopping, to cooking, to serving and handing out 300 bananas to which she was sure to tell every recipient that Jesus loved them. On Saturday my husband asked her if she would share her testimony and she agreed, touching many lives that were present in the feeding program. As we were driving home one night she shared that God had allowed this condition to happen so that it could challenge Christians. She said if I can do it, why can't other people? I have let nothing stop me from what God called me to do. I agreed with her as I also served in crutches and in pain for those two days. So my question is? What is stopping you friend? What is stopping you from doing what God called you to do? I think it could be fear or insecurity of course. But I think one of the most important factors that paralyzes Christians today is comfort. We become comfortable in our lives, we like them just so. We don't want to be moved, or bothered or challenged. We like our routines, our schedules, our activities. We like to do what we like. Many of us are called to ministry, to evangelize, to speak, to feed the hungry, to comfort the widow. But we just can't fit that in our busy lives. We keep putting that in the bottom of our to do list, and then it goes from being in the bottom to being completely written off. We pray and seek God , we go to an altar call perhaps. We know God wants us to step out in faith to do something, we understand that He will equip us. Then of course the opportunity will present itself to act and many of us look and say: oh, I have to go to the gym, that's the day I was going to organize my closet, my kids really need to get a haircut that day ( even though you had time all week to get it done) What I'm saying is this, don't let anything stop you!!! God has called you right? So that means He wants you to do something great for Him. Step out in faith and do it! Don't let schedules,friendships, fellowships, sports,nail salons,play dates, Pilates, pain, crutches, medical conditions, naps, ADHD, sewing or anything else stop you. Put what God called you to do at the top at the top of the list. Whatever it is, making a sandwich for a sad teenager or going on a missions trip to Africa. When we set this priority in order we will walk in God's will and I believe that to be a great blessing!
~ In God's adventure it is best to throw your agenda out the window and follow God's!
Cheers!
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