Have I mentioned God is good? Because I really don't think I can say it enough. Yesterday, Mark and Kristi had a big important meeting with a lot of influential people regarding (wait for it) FUNDING! My favorite subject :-). But praise Him, it was SUCH an encouraging gathering! Mark and Kristi both came back full of hope, humility, and joy. They were overwhelmed, as I think anyone would be, by the amount of support they were shown, emotionally and financially. It's quite a remarkable thing when a room full of people asks you, "What do you need?" you say, "x,y, and if I'm being honest, z." And they respond, "Okay, who can give x? Great! How about y? And z? Alright, you're taken care of." The Salazars came back utterly humbled and amazed at God's favor. God is really preparing C3 Indio for something huge and I feel so blessed to be a part of it.
Also, more of God's goodness, I spent last Thursday night completely encouraged and overwhelmed by the presence of God. I was invited to a prayer group with a group of women who are from all over the desert. We spent the evening in worship and prayer and sharing of how the Lord is working in our lives. It was such a blessing and really SO needed. My soul has been longing for Spirit-filled community; Thursday night was like a long drink of cool water. I'm so grateful for a new group of sisters in Christ!
I don't think I've written about the winds here in the desert, but they are so incredible. Haunting and powerful, frightening and awesome, frigid and surprising; they come out of no where. Stirring up soil, evaporating the mountains with dust. Rattling windows and howling through valleys. To me, it's a reminder of the spiritual battle raging here. A reminder to go out and fight for the Kingdom of God. Suit up, warriors of Christ. Ephesians 6:10-20
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
God.
I felt called to write this entry just about our Father. Praises for, reflections on, and thoughts of. So, off we go...
I have to be honest in saying, the last few months have been rough.
De-collegeifying has been draining, and I took it out on You.
I've been numb, chosen to be so sometimes because it was lazier.
I've been distant. Again, because it was lazier.
I've been overwhelmed, and for the first time in a long time, not by You.
Not good.
I am ashamed.
I am so very sorry.
And through all of this, You continue to adore me.
Not just love, but REJOICE? over me?
For lack of a better word, You are amazing.
I'm trying to come up with a synonym, but all I taste is stuttering in my mouth.
You take my breath away, You are so good.
You love this Creation that we've destroyed.
You love us; the destroyers and Creatures.
You love me; numb and dumb, distant me. So overly analytical that I back myself into corners, fold my arms and cry; just waiting for Someone to move my perfectly capable feet.
You really are incredible.
I mean...truly.
I'm trying to think of praises to type out and all fall short of You! You are just too awesome for words! Sometimes, I wish I could speak in the language of the angels rejoicing in Heaven, just so I could come up with something worthy to say about You.
You are good.
You are kind.
You are patient.
You are love and loving.
You are peace.
You love justice.
You are wisdom.
You are power.
You are wind, movement; never stagnant.
You are still. You still what is restless.
You reconcile. You heal.
You break down to rebuild.
You give. Over and over again.
You are faithful.
You are faithful.
Father, You are amazing. And I love You. And I'm Yours, forever.
May this jumbled post reflect my jumbled, praising heart that is devoted to You.
He is good. Praise Him today.
I have to be honest in saying, the last few months have been rough.
De-collegeifying has been draining, and I took it out on You.
I've been numb, chosen to be so sometimes because it was lazier.
I've been distant. Again, because it was lazier.
I've been overwhelmed, and for the first time in a long time, not by You.
Not good.
I am ashamed.
I am so very sorry.
And through all of this, You continue to adore me.
Not just love, but REJOICE? over me?
For lack of a better word, You are amazing.
I'm trying to come up with a synonym, but all I taste is stuttering in my mouth.
You take my breath away, You are so good.
You love this Creation that we've destroyed.
You love us; the destroyers and Creatures.
You love me; numb and dumb, distant me. So overly analytical that I back myself into corners, fold my arms and cry; just waiting for Someone to move my perfectly capable feet.
You really are incredible.
I mean...truly.
I'm trying to think of praises to type out and all fall short of You! You are just too awesome for words! Sometimes, I wish I could speak in the language of the angels rejoicing in Heaven, just so I could come up with something worthy to say about You.
You are good.
You are kind.
You are patient.
You are love and loving.
You are peace.
You love justice.
You are wisdom.
You are power.
You are wind, movement; never stagnant.
You are still. You still what is restless.
You reconcile. You heal.
You break down to rebuild.
You give. Over and over again.
You are faithful.
You are faithful.
Father, You are amazing. And I love You. And I'm Yours, forever.
May this jumbled post reflect my jumbled, praising heart that is devoted to You.
He is good. Praise Him today.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Busyness is Sanity
I don't think I ever realized until after I graduated how I thrive off of being busy. I knew there was a deeper meaning behind me overcommitting my self 3 years in a row at school; now I know. For me, to be sane, I need to be busy. The last few months before coming to Indio, I was as far from busy as I've ever been and, honestly, it drove me crazy. I felt I had no purpose; like I was wasting time God had given me. Indio has been a gift from God in so many ways, but one big way is it's definitely kept me busy. YAY! :-) Life is back to normal.
Yesterday, I went to an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meeting. I know, me being at an athletes meeting doesn't really add up, but FCA really is more a Young Life type organization that ministers to different high school and middle school campuses all over the desert (and the country, if you all are interested in looking them up). I went to the meeting at Shadow Hills High School in Indio. They meet twice a month at lunch, eat, and fellowship. It's awesome. These kids are so great, especially the student leaders there: Justin and Phil. They have such gentlemanly attitudes, which is SO rare for 15 year-old males today. Refreshing to say the least :-). I also got to meet Pastor Larry from Journey Baptist Church who was speaking at the meeting about the importance of the kids getting connected to a church. He and hi wife Julie have almost EXACTLY the story of Mark and Kristi planting their church, except they are about a year in the future. It was so encouraging to talk to them! God has been so faithful to them; so important to hear of and remember God's faithfulness.
Last night, I also went to Church Without Walls again. I found out the official name for the service is the Refuge, but everyone at the park calls it the former, so I think I'll stick with that since it's stuck in my head. It was SO GREAT!! Mark spoke and through him, God really convicted many individuals there. Four people gave their lives to Christ! Praise Him, Praise Him. I also spent most of the evening talking to a guy named Brett. What a sweet soul. I could see in his eyes and hear in his voice that God is preparing Him to climb completely out of rock botttom. There are some that feel guilty and turn towards God out of shame, and there are others that are touched by the love of God and allow Him to turn them. This is Brett. He is motivated to change by the love of Christ. It's so amazing to see God heal and renew!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Please pray God would send people to help us. We really need to build a team to go out into this community. We cannot do what God is calling us to alone. Please pray for more willing, Christ-centered individuals who God is calling to the desert.
- Brett and Michelle, the woman I met with last week. Both have taken healthy steps to grow closer to God. Pray that they would be protected from the enemy and that they would continue to run after Him.
- Protection for the Salazars and continued unity in their family.
- This may sound petty and selfish, but I've struggled a lot in the past with self-deprication. Lately, I've been getting a negative comments from strangers. I know it's the enemy trying to get to me. Please pray for protection over me and that Jesus would break off this attack.
- I'm taking the CBEST test this Saturday to hopefully get a substitute teaching job here in Indio. Please pray I would pass!
I am so loving this study through James. This passage particularly has my heart. I hope God uses it in your life this week:
"My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:1-12
Yesterday, I went to an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meeting. I know, me being at an athletes meeting doesn't really add up, but FCA really is more a Young Life type organization that ministers to different high school and middle school campuses all over the desert (and the country, if you all are interested in looking them up). I went to the meeting at Shadow Hills High School in Indio. They meet twice a month at lunch, eat, and fellowship. It's awesome. These kids are so great, especially the student leaders there: Justin and Phil. They have such gentlemanly attitudes, which is SO rare for 15 year-old males today. Refreshing to say the least :-). I also got to meet Pastor Larry from Journey Baptist Church who was speaking at the meeting about the importance of the kids getting connected to a church. He and hi wife Julie have almost EXACTLY the story of Mark and Kristi planting their church, except they are about a year in the future. It was so encouraging to talk to them! God has been so faithful to them; so important to hear of and remember God's faithfulness.
Last night, I also went to Church Without Walls again. I found out the official name for the service is the Refuge, but everyone at the park calls it the former, so I think I'll stick with that since it's stuck in my head. It was SO GREAT!! Mark spoke and through him, God really convicted many individuals there. Four people gave their lives to Christ! Praise Him, Praise Him. I also spent most of the evening talking to a guy named Brett. What a sweet soul. I could see in his eyes and hear in his voice that God is preparing Him to climb completely out of rock botttom. There are some that feel guilty and turn towards God out of shame, and there are others that are touched by the love of God and allow Him to turn them. This is Brett. He is motivated to change by the love of Christ. It's so amazing to see God heal and renew!
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Please pray God would send people to help us. We really need to build a team to go out into this community. We cannot do what God is calling us to alone. Please pray for more willing, Christ-centered individuals who God is calling to the desert.
- Brett and Michelle, the woman I met with last week. Both have taken healthy steps to grow closer to God. Pray that they would be protected from the enemy and that they would continue to run after Him.
- Protection for the Salazars and continued unity in their family.
- This may sound petty and selfish, but I've struggled a lot in the past with self-deprication. Lately, I've been getting a negative comments from strangers. I know it's the enemy trying to get to me. Please pray for protection over me and that Jesus would break off this attack.
- I'm taking the CBEST test this Saturday to hopefully get a substitute teaching job here in Indio. Please pray I would pass!
I am so loving this study through James. This passage particularly has my heart. I hope God uses it in your life this week:
"My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment." James 2:1-12
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Classic Jing Yan...
It's my cousin's birthday today!! She's 5!! And she's indubitably awesome. I love her so much and can't wait to see her in t-minus 16 DAYS!! Happy Birthday Lauren! I hope your birthday is...classic.
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