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Suffering Garunteed

I am so troubled by the many responses I read today over an article about a teacher in OK praying over her students as a tornado destroyed their building and for some, took their lives. Many people have said “if there was a God then this wouldn’t happen”. People have made God into a magic genie who answers all their wishes and prayers. A god who has said he will make your life easy and successful, with no pain until you die in your bed at age 100 alongside your whole family and all your riches. People are hurting and because the weather has no feelings, they blame God or the lack of God.

As a Christian, I do not expect to be exempt from suffering. I do not expect God to answer every prayer with a YES. In fact, I believe suffering is to be expected and if possible, endured by the grace of God. In the holy bible, my basis for my faith, it states in book of Genesis that we have been separated from God by sin, and we will suffer here, we will struggle until the seed of a women comes to crush the head of the serpant (Satan). The seed is Jesus Christ, in whom we live and breathe. And because of Him and if we believe in Him, we can have hope in a future past this earthly existence. In John we hear the principle of the whole bible. Chapter 3 verse 16. “For God so LOVED the world that he gave his one Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life” That is the promise. That means, that on earth which 1 John 2:17 says “is passing away”, we will struggle, we may get sick, we will die, but we can have hope, we can cheer, we can celebrate, because it gets so much better than this!!!!

James, Chapter 1, verse 2, ” Consider it all joy, brothers, when you meet trails of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your fatith produces steadfastness (endurance). And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”. This verse has helped me so many times. Because, as I have gone through trials (who hasn’t!), I have been able to see glimpses of what God says He will do for those who have faith in Him. In the book of Romans (which the first chapter alone speaks volumes about suffering, so give it a good read) it is said in Chapter 8 verse 28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

So when the news is hard to understand, to stomach to grasp, I pray for Philippians 4:7, “That the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. It may not all make sense now, it may really hurt, but tell Him about it, ask Him into your life, ask for wisdom and peace, and wait expectantly for His glory to be revealed to you. What do you have to lose?

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Servant Heart

Servant Heart. I think I have come down with a case of it. You might have caught it too lately. It’s hard not to feel the need to help out when there are so many people in this fallen world who are hurting.

Just today while waiting in the return line at Wal-mart, to exchange a bird feeder, a man with two little girls was getting a cash loan ahead of me. What’s wrong with this picture? I am playing with bird feeders and this man is taking a loan to feed his kids.

I can’t even watch the news without feeling the despair of the city. I have been known to say, “we should move” or “this place is awful”, on more than one occasion. Actually I gave up the news and the paper years ago. I have been going out of my way to miss the bad news.

Today, at Apex Community Church, Pastor Rob gave us another way to look at this dire news.

PRAY.

Take the bad news we get in any form of social media as an opportunity to PRAY for the people affected, our country, soldiers, citizens, yes especially our political “leaders”, and yes even the foreign countries. Heck, especially those in foreign lands or foreigners in our land.

Another point brought to my attention was how we can be helping.

By way of this illustration, some cobwebs got dusted off my eyes.

An illiterate child in Dayton does not learn to read by the 4th grade. From there on the child cannot read to learn. The child drops out of school and therefore does not get a diploma or GED. The child/adult cannot obtain employment. The child/adult turns to crime or drugs to survive. The child/adult is incarcerated and becomes the tax-payers responsibility.

So what if we met this person before the 4th grade? Imagine if everyone you knew volunteered to mentor a child at risk. There would be no need for needs! The need would be met. What if the at risk child got mentor-ship daily and overcame their reading deficit?(or math, or science, etc) The cycle could at least have a chance to not complete itself, then repeat itself with the next generation.

We are the hope, we are the light. We are the hands and feet that will bring the good news to the lost.

Why am I sitting by idle?

NO MORE.

Below are a few links to places that need help, being helpful.

Longer termed service opportunities:

www.bbbs.org/  Big Brothers, Big Sisters offer a school based program. Meet with a child once a week at their school for lunch hour mentor-ship.

http://circlescampaign.org/#form Instead of providing a surface need, Circles provides opportunity for people of the community to assist and befriend those living in poverty to rise out of it for good.

Immediate, One time, or short termed service opportunities:

http://www.thefoodbankdayton.org/ The holidays are just around the corner and most of us will be enjoying a hot meal within the comforts of our home. Let’s remember those who are not. Consider a canned food drive at your place of business. This site has great ideas under the How to Help tab.

http://servingorphans.blogspot.com/2012/07/hard-to-adjust.html Meet Adam, I just met him today. He is serving in India again soon, caring for the orphans lives and futures. He had a corporate job and gave it up to be a missionary. I like what his newsletter said, “I may be the one to go to India but your prayer and financial partnership can be the catalyst.” So maybe giving financially is more plausible for you, than going. It is still serving.

http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Order_Materials/ You all know this one of my favorite opportunities! Who doesn’t like to bless a child at Christmas? Today, I got to hear from a woman who was living in an orphanage in Russia as a child. She was sharing 1 toothbrush among 30 children, receiving 1 change of clothes a week and 1 shower EVERY 2 WEEKS. One day she received a box packed with toys, hygiene items and scripture translated in her language at age 10. The missionaries who delivered it and loved on her gave her hope. And that same year, as she prayed, she was adopted into a family in the United States. She currently lives in Nashville, TN.

Friends, I am so glad (okay, sort of glad and mostly feeling grieved) that God has convicted me so deeply as of late about the gaping wholes in my life. I was made to serve! And to have a servants heart. Being a servant is the most kind and loving act I cant think of right now. I feel like I can’t do enough. I’m going bonkers here trying to figure out where to go and what to do. But many hands make light work. Would you consider helping out or praying with, for or about one of these causes or another cause near and dear to your heart, city or in your arena of expertise?

2 verses that encouraged me this week.

James 1:27 “Religion that God accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.”

My gosh, I can’t name a time I have done either of those. :(

and..

Jeremiah 29:7 “But seek the welfare of your city where I have sent you into exile and pray for the Lord on it’s behalf for in it’s welfare you will find your welfare”.

This tells me to pray for my city! And reminds me of Jackie Fathergill’s quote, “Bloom (grow)  where you are planted”

Alright, I have poured out my grief enough. I love you all. Please be in prayer for me as God leads me through this new journey. I am so glad to have Jesus, my Savior, the word of God and the holy spirit. With all that armour on, I think I ought to be prepared for whatever and wherever I’m led next!

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When God winks

Yesterday, I had most of the day off. I was due to go into work from 5 to 8 as a half day.

I had big plans in my heart of running down to Ikea to get some things from the catalogue I had been yearning for. It just never happened. I kept getting this nagging feeling I should stay home!

I did tons of housework and even washed Dans car. I had asked Dan to keep his car home and take mine to work that day so I could detail it. All those things just took forever and a trip to West Chester seemed out of the question.

As I began to leave for work, I couldn’t find his keys. I searched everywhere and ended up canceling my even sessions because I had no way to get to work ! Dan had his set of keys so no spare was n sight. I was feeling foolish and guilty that I let down my clients.

When Dan got home with my car I took it to get a pizza. When I came home my car was parked facing the house and his the street, how I left it after it had been washed.

His keys had been located by morning and we were both set to leave for the work when his car would not start!

I found it Lovely that our cars were facing each other n perfect position for a jump. As I mused this, I also realized the irritation I was spared yesterday. I could have been in West Cherster when the battery decided to go. I could have been getting gas on the way to work or at work in the dark trying to leave. But instead we were home, facing each other and it jumped without issue.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, not calamity, to give you a future and a hope.”

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Girls Tri Too

Before the start

Lined up for the swim

We think this is me, Dad couldn’t be sure. Looks like my mouth.

I finished the swim!

Racking the bike, I was just too fast for a photo.. (riiight)

Hi Mom, Dad, Tiff, and Jenna!
They were my faithful supporters at every turn.

HOORAY! God is good! Those who know how dizzy I have been lately know it was a blessing that I didn’t fall right over along the way. I told dad this is the best race shot I have ever had taken, go DAD!

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Love of Summer

Remember what it felt like to have a whole summer off?

Weeks and weeks of hanging with your friends by the pool, drinking soda out of a cooler on the Fourth of July, grill outs, yard games, baseball practice, late night walks, and sleeping in late.

I get nostalgic over the memories each year and always look to recreate the feeling of freedom and pleasure in my 2 days off a week.

This year, for a brief moment, I am claiming back my summer of yester-year!

I took last Friday off to travel with my beloved and my parents to a wedding in D.C.

My cousin Brooke, sister of groom

My cousin Adam, awaiting his bride

Robin and Adam Watkins
June 30, 2012

These wonderful people and their friends, I know for a fact to be committed runners (in leiu of their Sunday wedding brunch they had their own 5k run). They are also some fine dancing machines.  No pics on that, but take my word for it. In my two trips to D.C. I have learned, D.C. people CAN DANCE!

Other fun photos from the trip include:

Mom and I in our semi formal wedding wear

Change of the guard at the tomb of Unknown Soldier (very serious event)

We saw Air Force One chopper land here earlier

And since, my favorite holiday is on Wednesday this year, I decided to make Monday till then my summer vacation. I had plans, grand plans. And then God laughed and gave me better plans!

Due to the wicked storms that chased us to and from D.C. my hubs and I are out of power like many, and taking up residence at the Comptons Cove. After a summer get away, I have napped on the porch, read for hours, swam long laps, grilled out and now…

We need a name for our band. The partridge family has already been taken I hear.

 

If only we were over a camp fire and the song were Kumbaya.

Tomorrow I have another day of outdoor fun followed by an evening of girlfriends!

I LOVE SUMMER!

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Reasons to be happy at the beach

My first waves, Panama City Beach 1989 with Dad

Reasons to be happy at the beach.

Aren’t there many? I was pondering this over an adorable 4 by 4 inch book with that very namesake by Sandra Gingrass. It is mainly a picture book with short phrases and watercolors. Small it may be, it elicits a big reaction to a lifetime beach -goer as myself.

So here are a few of my reasons to be happy while thinking about the beach. I long for a sunrise to sunset day there with my loving parents. They put salty air in my lungs early.

Jamaica


 

Jenny, September 2010

Amanda
June 2008