The Flooding of God Over Me

I have not written on this blog in a long time and that's because of a few reasons. One, is that I have so much going on in my mind and my heart that I don't know how to put it all down.  Two, I really haven't had much time to do this type of writing, between journaling and ministry and life.  Seriously, we have found that, if possible, we could do ministry 24/7.  There is so much opportunity!  And finally, I know when I write on this blog it is mainly for me.  I know everyone has a busy life and so many things compete for our attention.  So when I write on this blog, I guess it is pretty much for me to have a log every once in a while to look back on, but I sure am encouraged whenever anyone wants to read what I have written.

I know this morning, my spirit wants to boast of God!  In fact, I should get in the habit of daily taking the time to just write down what I have heard from God and what I see Him doing.  I hope I can begin to get into this discipline.  It will be a lot of writing though, because anymore I see Him doing so much! Where in the world to begin??  How do I condense all I have in my heart from Him to just this small space?  Well, I will try my best.  "Lord, please give me your words to convey how amazing you are in what I have seen you do, recently."

Let me preface by saying that this year, God has shared with me to mainly stick to reading and studying and meditating on His Word.  I still read (cause I absolutely love it!), but minimally for now.  Also, He has worked in me the desire to ask and believe Him for great faith in Him! To really believe what He promises and what He is able to do!  He has also taught me to look at my life from His perspective, to live according to what His Word says why He created me.  To surrender my day each morning to Him and ask for His plans for the day.  Then to be sensitive to what I have asked Him for. I want to outlive my life!  I want to share the good news of Jesus' desire to save!  The best news on the planet!  I want to make disciples!  I want to live for what He created me to be!  I want to be used, to be spent for the gospel!  I want to see Him move mightily!  I want to see Him do miracles to bring Him honor to Himself!

I have been in awe and adoration of what I have seen Him do this past year!  As we have prayed for God to show us who He is drawing to Himself, He has shown us some.  Yesterday, we got to listen to two testimonies of two Chinese visiting scholars and how God drew them to Himself in America.  They had had seeds planted about ten years ago by ELIC teachers in China and along the way, and now they get to go back to China as followers of Jesus!  Excited about sharing the Truth with others around them!  They intend to be very pro active, as they have been discipled and are ready to serve God in China!  In the last month, we have seen many new Chinese come to church.  As we prayed and asked God to direct our steps to more Chinese relationships, He directed us to go to a small house church that's very international and strong in missional living.  How cool is that?  It's been SO good for us to be a part of this strong body, and a great way for all of us to build relationships with intention.  We all realize that we have windows of time, as most of these Chinese and other internationals are only here for a year.

So how can I find the adequate words to convey all that I have been honored to see God do in me and around me this last year?  I can't, but I will do my best...again.  I can't believe that God had this plan for my life!  I can't believe that I get to each day talk to and listen to God!  I can't believe that I get to see Him move in miraculous ways!  I can't believe that He has worked an increasing desire in me to do this work for Him!  I can't believe how He has grown my faith in Him!  God's Word says, "with man it is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible."  I believe this!  I finally believe this!  Even in all of the challenges that doing full time missions has, I am humbled, honored and grateful that I get to do this in the life that God gave to me!  He is way beyond worth it!

The Goodness of the Lord

I found this drawing and it spoke so sweetly to my soul.  It's because it expresses all that I have been feeling lately in my love relationship with my sweet Savior.

I have never been so much in love with Him and hungered for His presence more.  

He has brought me to this place and I am filled with great JOY and GRATITUDE!

He is faithful and has held me close as I have navigated through several tribulations this past year.  I've felt His great love and compassion as He has gently lead me through the wilderness.     

He's taught me to know that my natural slide into bitterness and anger could be caught by His rescuing hand of grace, then transformed into a state of mind that could only come from Him.  He's reminded me that sometimes He allows me to come face-to-face with an experience that could potentially breed bitterness, just so I can see His ability to work miracles in the way I feel.  He chose to do this with His Word in Isaiah, "You keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You."  As the Holy Spirit continued to bring this Truth to my mind, I have repeatedly prayed it over myself.  How miraculous it is to me that God's Word is living and true and it has transformed me!  I do have perfect peace when my mind is fixed on Him.

So, now when I am standing as the children of Israel, my feet planted in a place I don't really want to be....camping out in a location I'd rather be seeing in my rearview mirror, I will not waste what God is developing in me in the wilderness.  I will stay put until I am living a fully committed life with Jesus, and it is what I want more than anything.   I will camp there and I will look up and see Him in all His splendor and glory.  Being wonderfully astounded again and again at His goodness, His power, and His Holiness.  And I will remember that I am His child, I am holy and I am loved by Him! And someday soon, I am hopeful that He will take my face tenderly in His hands, just like the drawing... it's my greatest longing!