Saturday, September 27, 2008
A Good Quote
"Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!"
I received one of those, "pass this email on to three people and you'll have good luck" type emails today. I tend to just erase those, but this one I read. This quote was a little hidden gem at the end, and I liked it, so while I didn't pass the email on, I thought I would share it with all of you.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
"Multiply, Jesus. Multiply, Jesus. Multiply, Jesus"
I wrote a few posts ago about an experience I had in Kenya where I truly felt that God healed my baby when nothing else was working. A miracle? For me - yes. Is it explainable to others scientifically? Maybe...I don't know much about medicines and sicknesses. But, I know God worked.
Sunday night at Kingdom Meal Ministry (KMM)there was talk of miracles. Pastor Rusty, the KMM president, was telling me about a meeting he'd had with a pastor friend of his this past week. This pastor had just come back from Mozambique and spoke of miracles that he encountered while he was there. There were crutches lining the outer walls of a church building, because people were going in and being healed. There was one night when the group had prepared a dinner of stew for some event. The people of the village heard of this gathering, and "crashed" the party, and expected to be fed. The woman dishing out the stew was saying as she scooped up each bowl, "Multiply, Jesus. Multiply, Jesus. Multiply, Jesus." The pastor said that after the whole village was fed, there was actually more stew left in the pot then when they began. Did Jesus feed the 5,000 that night like he did when He was on earth? Why am I a skeptic sometimes? Why do I doubt things like this. Why do we hear about an event like this and think, "That's a nice story."
KMM was special this week. I showed up at 4 like normal, and instead of finding all the tables and chairs set up and all the workers getting everything ready, I found a locked, dark, empty gym. I was the only helper there other than 2 cooks, and there were already guests waiting outside to come in. I worked my butt off setting up all those tables and chairs alone - preparing to feed 130 or so people. I was panicking that no one else would come to help. But, Pastor Rusty tells us every week that God always provides. We ended up with only about 10 workers on Sunday when we normally have about 20 or more. But this week, we fed over 200 people - I have NEVER seen that many people come to be fed. When panic should have taken over, I was surprisingly calm and it was a very smooth evening. People were happy, I got lots of hugs, people's bellies were full, and there were plenty of leftovers. Is this a miracle? I don't know. But, I will not doubt that God was at work there that night...as I believe He desires to be at work - everywhere - all the time. Maybe it's not whether God "performed a miracle", maybe it's whether or not we choose to see the hand of God at work in our every day circumstances.
I'd like to do that. My friend Stacy has done that in the midst of her storms of life. The connection to her blog can be found in my friend's blogs section...it's worth checking out, for sure. Another amazing friend just experienced a second miscarriage in the span of only a few months, but continues to praise Him in her storm. To me, this is miraculous. Where do you see God at work in your life? Do you see it? What are your thoughts on miracles? I think - no, I KNOW they happen. I'm just gonna keep praying, "Multiply, Jesus. Multiply, Jesus. Multiply, Jesus."
Friday, September 12, 2008
An Evening of Meltdowns
So, normally under these circumstances I, too, would have a meltdown. But, something kept me sane; kept me calm. I have been praying for a long time now that God would bless me patience that can come only from Him, cause I know I can't conjure it up on my own. He granted me that patience last night, and I am truly thankful. I did, however, call Jon and ask him to pick up some ice cream on the way home. It was one of those "I just need to dig into to some delicious Handle's" nights. But...today's been great so far!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Supporting our Leader
For those readers who don't know, our pastor here at New Hope has just recently been diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, and after a tumor removal last week, is on bed rest for about 6 weeks. That stinks, huh!? He seems to be doing fairly well, all things considered. But, we miss him being in our gatherings, leading our community the way he does so well. So, I had this crazy idea yesterday that I assumed would be laughed at. I thought, how about those who aren't doing anything for lunch just go get fast food, and sit outside Paul and Stacy's house and eat together. Paul and Stacy would be under no obligation to help, or entertain or provide anything. We just want them to know that this community loves them, supports them, misses them and is with them - even when they can't leave the house. So, while Jon and I were doing music this morning in the gatherings, I took advantage of being up front to "announce" this idea to the people. I was a little embarrassed thinking people would think it was just a strange idea. BUT, after the two gatherings today, 40 people showed up with their Wendy's, MacDonald's, Chipotle, Subway, pizza, PB&J's and more, and we all sat outside on tablecloths just hanging out and being there - together. It was so great to see so many people ready to spontaneously support and love our leader and his amazing family. So, thanks Paul and Stacy for allowing us to intrude on your quiet time. We love you. We support you. We miss you. We're with you. We're praying for you.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Be Still. Trust.
As I was lying in bed last night waiting to fall asleep, I had a lot on my mind. A song came to me in the midst of my busy thoughts:
“Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am God.
I am the Lord that healeth thee. I am the Lord that healeth thee. I am the Lord that healeth thee.
In Thee, oh Lord, I place my trust. In Thee, oh Lord, I place my trust. In Thee, oh Lord, I place my trust.”
This simple tune had come to me one other time in my life, just about a year and a half ago when our family was far from home and living in
I believe that song didn’t just happen to pop into my head last night. I believe like before, God gave me that song to remind me that he is carrying me through. Right now I am dealing with some stuff that just feels completely overwhelming and out of my control. I am exhausted and feeling desperate. My “healing” may be a slower process than Johnny’s was, but the promise is the same. God is with me, carrying me through. He will not leave me nor forsake me. I need to be still and know that He is God. I know that He will heal my heart and help me through my moment-by-moment struggles. I just need to trust Him. And I do…not always an easy thing, but I do.