Hidden Sunrise

"And when by His light I walked through darkness;" Job 29:3b

"And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way..." Exodus 13:21a

The other day, I arose earlier than normal. While some people make it a habit of waking up before the God-given indication that the new day has begun, I've always been a firm believer in seeing sunlight first. So, needless to say, I'm not a morning person. But that morning I thought that I would take advantage of my random alertness and attempt to see the sun rise. I made the trek to the deck on the ship and set up my chair with expectancy.

Time passed and as I sat in quiet prayer, the peace of the morning covered me like a down blanket. I knew God was with me. I have to admit that, for a moment, I began to understand how it is that those early risers must feel. And as the sky moved from dark to light, I thought for a moment that I had missed the main point of my being out there...the SUN. In all the peace, I realized that I missed the fact that I didn't get treated to a beautiful sunrise filled with oranges and purples and reds and golds. The sky went from one shade of blue-grey to a lighter shade thereof. The peace that I felt had distracted me from missing that "show" of light.

And before I could even think of being disappointed at that fact, the Lord began to minister to me about how the sun was still there and had, in fact, still put on a show that I simply could not see. Even though it was veiled by clouds, it was there. It didn't cease to rise just because clouds were in the way or because it couldn't "show off" its splendor. The sun had risen behind the clouds and pushed darkness away. Regardless of what my sight was telling me, the sun didn't change its habits just because the clouds were in the way.

And so it goes in life. There are times when we can't see God and when it seems like the He's not there, but there's evidence of His presence comes as the light (joy, peace, love, etc) pushes out the darkness (confusion, anger, bitterness, etc.) of life. If we allow light to enter and meditate on those things, there's no way for darkness to stay. It must go! No matter what you are going through, you need to remember that, like the sun, The Son is always there. As Job testified, He can serve as a light to help us push through darkness. (Job 29:3a) As He was with the children of Isreal so long ago, He will guide us in the midst of the clouds. (Exodus 13:21a) If you focus, God has a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7) waiting to cover you like a down blanket even in the midst of your trial. At the end of the day, be encouraged and remember that the presence of God has the ability to distract you from the fact that you can't make sense of the light.Walk in faith. Don't worry about your sight.

Blessings,
PastorA

Faith = "Do It Scared"

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed 

from faith to faith; as it is written, 

“The just shall live by faith.” 

Romans 1:17

The other week, I got a chance to spend some wonderful "catch up" time with my friend Cassandra. I'm not a big phone girl, but every once and a while I get on these marathon chats with dear friends from near or far and really catch up on life. And as we chatted and testified one to another, she said something that stuck with me. She called what I'm going through and what she's going through by name. She said we are "doing it scared". 

Came across this painting by Herschberger that says it all

I haven't been able to shake her words. I told her then that I would steal it but in reality I just think that it's worth repeating. You see, both of us have had so many people ask us "how are you doing this?" People look at her incredulously as she explains that she's an older woman who has decided to go to medical school when most are deciding to retire. People look at me like I've lost my mind when I say that I'm not exactly sure what the next step is but that I just heard God say "go" so I'm doing it. It's an unnerving space to be in. Though fear sometimes tries to sneak in and steal a piece of my heart, I remind myself constantly that my faith must overpower it...that 'greater is He that is within me' (1 John 4:4). I described it as feeling like I'm floating through life with God alone as my safety net.

At the end of the day, there's no massive secret to this space we're in. You see, what it boils down to plain and simple 'ole faith. And I'm sure you're tired of hearing about it, but I can't preach/teach faith enough. It's more than a way to describe your religion...It's more than a principle, it's a lifestyle. You can't decide to embrace faith one day and shake it off the next day. Well you can but it doesn't do you much good. When you've really embedded yourself in faith and faith embedded itself in you, it means that you don't always understand what's ahead of you but it's alright. You don't always know where the resources are going to come from. You don't always know what people will stick around, who will go by the wayside, or who will resurface. You can't predict how it's all going to end. But WHEN GOD SAYS IT, YOU JUST DO IT anyway. Do it despite the fact that you don't understand and are shaking in your boots. Do it scared!

God will honor your faith. Be encouraged today to take that step closer towards Him despite your fears.

Blessings,
PastorA

P.S. If this spoke to you, praise God. If not...then perhaps it's for your friend so be a gem and forward it along. :) Thanks!

New Year...New Word

Well...we made it out of the "outstanding" year that was 2012 and are now shifting into 2013:  A year of bold steps and still small voices. You will be called to make faith decisions that will shift the trajectory of your life and the lives of those around you. You will be challenged to make the steps without knowing for sure the details of every part of your decision, but instead trusting God to fill in the gaps with his "still small voice" as the year progresses. And so that every bold step is grounded in His Spirit, you will need to spend some serious time in quiet spaces...listening to hear His urging in the smallest of ways. He will not hit you over the head this time but will be looking for you to be sensitive to the ebbing and flowing of His Spirit.

and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. I Kings 19:12

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ² For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. Hebrews 11:1 

Be encouraged!
MinD

Climbing Blind

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, 

the evidence of things not seen." 

Hebrews 11:1

Recently, I had the pleasure of chaperoning a teenager's retreat at a camp in Georgia. This wasn't any ordinary camping experience. The group of high school students I was traveling with were all in some ways legally blind and/or highly visually impaired. They are an outstanding group of young people who, on that weekend, gave me a new outlook on the idea of faith. You see, these kids were being challenged to do things outside of their comfort zone. With varying levels of sight, and some with none at all, they conquered things that some grown, sighted folks I know would run from. They went canoeing and participated in leadership building exercises. But there was one portion of the weekend that truly blew my mind. Many of them--limited/no sight and all--conquered a 30ft+ climbing wall!

They came back excitedly telling me of their varying levels of achievement. Some made it all the way up to ring the victory bell at the top and some simply conquered their fears and made it partially through. Either way, they came out victors and with a sincere witness of what it means to have a walk of faith.

As you climb through the rough terrain of your life, God has clearly called us to live a life similar to these young people--with varying levels of sight but with high levels of expectation to climb to higher heights at every turn. We must remember that faith is about what you CAN'T see and not what you can. And, in the end, you have to trust that you are anchored by the ultimate harness, Jesus Christ, and that God will constantly provide you with footholds as you keep moving in expectation to reach the end in victory. Today, you may not be able to see what's at the top. You may only be able to feel your way through one inch at a time, but KEEP CLIMBING even though you are climbing blind. For that's the stuff that real faith is made of.

Be encouraged!
--MinD


**Image Credit: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/blogs/chew-on-this/adventure-sports--an-antianxiety-prescription-20110124-1a2dc.html

Do You Have Luxury-Style Faith?

"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us"  Ephesians 3:20
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

I was talking with a friend of mine and she was updating a group of us on all the wonderful new blessings that God was bringing her way. We were all quite excited as we listened about the new house about to close, the great job, the anticipated graduate studies...We celebrated with her how God was doing a marvelous work. And then she began to talk about her car situation. You see, she had recently given her car to a family (yes...for free) out of obedience to God. So, for the time being, she is car-less. The faith she expressed in giving her car away was the kind that so many of us are scared of but yearn for all in the same breath--the kind that is pleasing to God. 

As she discussed getting a new car soon, she made mention that she had often felt like this was the year that she would get her luxury car. But, in the next sentence she began to talk about how that was not going to happen because of all the other blessings. She couldn't make sense of buying that luxury vehicle while incurring the new debt of a house and schooling. 

As she talked, the Lord placed on my heart to remind her that she needed to have "Luxury-style faith". 

Her faith had been astounding for the house. It had been on point for the other person's blessing in her previous car. But somehow, it stopped just short of the next exciting blessing. And while, cars and things are not to be the center of our faith (please hear that I am not preaching a "prosperity gospel" that says the point of faith is to get stuff), the Lord was using this example to remind her and me that HE goes further than the place that our faith stops. God's promise extends far beyond the reaches of our reason into a place that leaves us dangling on the edge of a cliff, unsure of how He could possibly make it work. And I was reminded of the spies that Moses sent out to check out the Promised Land (Numbers 13, 14). Of the twelve, only two (Joshua and Caleb) came back with a hopeful report. And, consequently, God blessed only those two to see the fruits of their faith. 
 
Joshua and Caleb had LUXURY-style faith...so how about you? Is your faith compact? Or even just mid-sized? Do you only go so far in your belief in what God can/will do? Does it just fall short of the extraordinary? Today, I challenge you to rid yourself of compact and mid-sized dreams and have LUXURY-style faith--understanding that those dreams truly can become a reality.

Be encouraged!

MinD

Confident of Better Things

"But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you..."

(Hebrews 6:9a)

I always think of the book of Hebrews as the book on faith. That’s always what sticks out in my mind—the definition of faith in Hebrews 11 that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (vs. 1). But in my current study of Hebrews this small verse long before that popular one jumped out at me. You see, I was having one of those weeks wondering what’s the point and crying out to God for clarity on why things are the way they are. I was feeling as though no one was listening and wondering why I continued to talk. I was feeling inefficient, ineffective, and unfruitful. So as I read the words in chapter 6, I felt as though God was whispering to me on saying to be ‘confident of better things for me’. No matter what my circumstances look like today, better things are coming my way as a result of my relationship with Christ. And, what’s more, vs 10 begins by saying that God is not unjust and won’t forget what we do in labor for Him.

What a gracious reminder from our loving Father! Perhaps you are feeling inefficient, ineffective and unfruitful too. Perhaps you’re wondering why you are where you are and trying to see the forest for the trees. I want to encourage you today from the Word of God that I am confident of better things coming your way. Hang in there.

Be encouraged!

Blessings,

Andrea

P.S. Don’t forget to share this with another…you never know who is in need of a Hebrews 6:9 Word.