Be Still My Soul

This morning during my quiet time, I was listening to the awesome music of Page CXVI.

Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
To guide the future, as in ages past.
Your hope, your mind, your will let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's joys restored.

Be still my Soul, Be still my soul (6x)
And praise Him, and praise Him, (4x)

As I reflected, I thought of all the moments God calls me to "be still". It doesn't necessarily mean, just sit in a chair, do nothing and wait for Him to speak to you. (Which would be hard for me to do! I like to keep myself active and working on something... work or for myself.)

What I do think it means is being patient and choosing to trust Him. And in those "still" moments, you can still be worshiping Him, honoring Him, glorifying Him, praising Him... It could be helping your co-worker out with a task, being a good listener to a friend, praying for someone who shared a prayer request with you recently, making time to spend quality time with the Lord, seeking wisdom of an older wise person you look up to... As believers, I think we need to make the conscious choice to do these types of things!

How will you use those moments of being still and waiting for the Lord?

The disciples make me laugh

Recently for my quiet times, I've been reading through the gospels, "watching" Jesus. Mainly as I see Him interact with His disciples, I'm learning two things.

1. The disciples were so ignorant, it made me laugh many times! They daily questioned Jesus with what He was doing or saying. He often referred to them as "Oh you of little faith" - and they physically walked with and talked with Jesus. They sort of make me feel better when I think I'm "weak" in my faith.

2. Jesus always answered with kind and gentle words. His responses were always seasoned with grace and love.  He was 100% faithful and never got fed-up with them. 

The word "Christian" refers to 'little-Christ's. As believers, we've been given the gift of Holy Spirit, through salvation, the acceptance of a relationship with God. Therefore, He lives within us and calls us to live like Jesus did. That's one of the reasons Jesus came - to be an example for us in how to live life here on earth. And He is ready and willing to help us in that.

I know there are many times I don't utilize His help, and rely on myself - fail. Depending on myself is a set up for failure! I'm only human. But, when walking in step with the Spirit, I am not living out of my own power or abilities - and as much as I want to think I've "got it together" on my own, I don't. And won't without Him! 

Truly responding to others out of grace, kindness and love, I really need His guidance. And I'm thankful He is actively there to help and shows me how through Scripture.

Stranger to friend to a new sister in Christ to possible co-worker???

Do you guys remember my friend Meena? I just got this email from her - how cool is this!?

I got to spend some time with Meena when she was visiting Orlando in March.

"I have some exciting news -- I have been approached by the National Director of Agape (Campus Crusade for Christ in Europe) here in Birmingham, England to apply for the role as her PA in ministry! I'm really overwhelmed still to be honest, but know that God is growing me & strengthening me in considering and applying for the role alone. I'm asking for your prayers during this time as I'm completing my application and seek out God's will for me during what I believe to be a really essential time in my life! Your prayers are priceless to me! I'm thanking you in advance."

Will you join me in praying for her as God continues to reveals His plans for her? I will keep you posted as I hear back :)

Sharing my "God Story"

Thursday night, I was invited to share my “God Story” at GVSU Cru. It’s a time to share about how God has impacted and shown up in my life.

I took a picture from the stage at GVSU.

It worked out perfectly, because I was already on the West side of the state to babysit a few days for a fun family I met in college. Note: Props to all moms who manage multiple schedules, clean the house, feed the family, drive children to and from places, all while having her own life. Respect. It takes a lot of coordination, selflessness and patience.

As I prepared for my talk, I obviously spent time looking back on the past, on the journey God has taken me on thus far. Going to Grand Valley. Studying marketing. Getting involved with Cru. Attending various Cru conferences. Going on STINT and moving to France. Interning in Orlando with YearOne.

I enjoyed looking back on all these “life events”, which I now see how they all connected. Each fit, perfect for the story God has just for me. It was also encouraging for me, as I acknowledged God’s fingerprints all over these life experiences, reminding myself that I can trust Him. He’s proved Himself over and over.

It frustrated me how many times I doubt Him and His goodness or if He will come through. And then I realized something. Something so elementary to a modern day Christian believer; Its in those moments of doubt and worry, that I am living out of the flesh. Our of my own ability. Out of my own knowledge (limited as it is).

Clearly, if I solely lived out of my own desires and plans, I doubt I would be in ministry. I credit and attribute that to the Spirit’s working in my life. For this season of life, He has me here. Currently raising support, but eventually to be working with the JESUS Film Project, equipping missionaries with digital tools to reach the nations for Christ! With the eternal perspective in mind, that’s pretty rewarding. He obviously knows what He’s doing, and in my time of reflection, I found myself realizing I need to be thankful for that more and more. And also to absorb the peace that comes from knowing He’s got it all figured out.

"God Save the Queen"

"What does it mean?" We were both puzzled, unsure of the origin of this phrase.

Last October, during my internship with Campus Crusade for Christ in Orlando, I met Meena. She had been interning with the Disney program for several months and still wanting to experience some true American culture. As our initial conversation continued to unfold, so our friendship began.

We baked that apple pie right there, oh yes we did.

We ended up spending the classic, American holiday - Thanksgiving - together. I think Meena would agree, that this was a good "taste" of American traditions.

In the next couple of weeks in December and early January, we continued to hang out, going out to eat at classic American restaurants like Cracker Barrel and the Cheesecake Factory. We had many conversations about our internships, living in different countries, culture and religion. Based on the questions she asked, I knew Meena was definitely searching for the satisfaction only a relationship with God could bring.

Dinner at Cracker Barrel - biscuits and gravy! 

As the end of January approached, so did the end of Meena's internship and ultimately, her time in Orlando. As limited as it was, I was excited and thankful for the time we had spent together. We continued to stay in touch through out the spring and summer months. I was trusting God to continue to work in Meena's life as she had moved home.

WHICH HE DID!!! A couple of days ago, I skyped with Meena and she told me she had become a Christian!!! 

She explained to me that our friend Bryn had described the gospel in a creative way. We each have report cards, full of C's and D's, but Jesus has a report card full of A+'s! Because Jesus loves us so much, He is willing to trade His report card with us, so we can succeed and have a relationship with Him.

This August, she was visiting friends in Orlando. During her visit, she faced some challenges and tough choices. Toward the end of her trip, as she was processing life, her future and her journey thus far, she decided she wanted to trade report cards with Jesus. She realized He was pursuing her and wasn't going to stop.

Praise God for technology!

Since then, "I've been focusing on God, learning to really enjoy Him. My job right now is to become more Christian (Christ-like) everyday" Meena said this afternoon. My jaw dropped a little bit at how God has been transforming Meena in her newfound relationship with Him. Truely awesome!

It was so great to hear more of her testimony/story, listen to her questions and experiences as a new Christian. I asked her if I could write about her and share prayer requests.

Please pray:

• First that Meena would continue to trust in the Spirit and His work in her life.
• For a teachable heart to soak up the Word
• For patience and trusting God to heal and lead

And Praise God for a new sister in Christ!!!

Some quotes from our region

STUDENT-LED

“Mohamed is a college student I had the privilege to share the Gospel with many times. After one year and a half of seeking the truth Mohamed decided to give his life to Christ.”

"This year is proving God’s grace and mercy. How unlimited are God’s blessings, that nothing of our weakness can limit the power of God as long as we trust Him.”

LEADER-LED

“Other women who have heard about what’s happening in their city have asked if they can join in.”

CHURCH-LED

“This is my first time I heard about planting churches so I pray to God to give me a vision and power to start to planting a church in my area.”

“Praises to Lord Jesus Christ! He really likes me and other people. He is my Lord and Saviour. I thank him for this.” -

VIRTUAL-LED

“Since I gave my heart to the Lord, I feel lighter – it is like I got rid of seven mountains that were weighing down my back. Before, I beat and mistreated my wife, but now I have peace and I will never go back.”

Learning the change

This week alone has been nuts! I can't believe once month ago I left my family, my friends, my culture, my LIFE for Operations STINT in France... well, ultimately Jesus.

In the last 4 weeks, I have learned a lot about myself - both strengths and weaknesses. God is continuing to teach and refine me through many things - big and little.

...Starting language school, loosing my passport, adjusting to my position in the office, daily accepting the fact that "I am not a tourist, I LIVE IN FRANCE" [it can be hard to do because it almost seems surreal], squaring away finances for start-up costs, personality tests [which are actually fun and help our team get to know each other] meetings, making friends with the local business people, seeing weird looking cars...

So many new things all at once definitely brings, if not forces, growth.

My roommate, Beth, just made a comment while Skyping with her friend, "I do not know what I will look like at the end of this year."

How true is that? Not that I am expecting, at the end of this STINT year, that each of us to be total opposites of who we are today or even when we started a month ago. But there are plenty of scenarios, situations and experiences which cause room for growth - mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I expect and hope for a change; a change for the good. I have already learned a lot - I just need to remember to take time to sort through it all.