There are two things I’m working on (among many) right now. One is to finish reading the Bible again (I didn’t make it in 90 days), and the other is to memorize the book of Philippians.
There is a huge difference between reading the Bible as rapidly as possible, which gives you a great idea of the grand scheme of the Scripture, and memorizing verses. Both are equally challenging.
Today I was reviewing Philippians 1:6, which is one of the verses I remember from a long time ago.
It says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
The truth in this verse shook me, reminding me that God will bring to completion the good work He has started in me. He’s not done with us yet. He’s still working on us. We are His workmanship, but He will complete us in the day of Christ Jesus. It reminded me of the song I used to sing in Sunday School as a child:
He’s still working on me
To make me what I ought to be
It took Him just a week
to make the moon and the stars
The sun and the earth and
Jupiter and Mars
How loving and patient He must be
He’s still working on me.
Thank God for reminding me that I have not arrived. I still have many things that I need Him to complete. But I’m glad He’s started on me, and I’m happy that He is the one who will bring that good work to completion.
For the last few months our financial support has been low. We had to pay Youth Ministry International back for the plane ticket to the YMI Summit in France, and our reserve funds have disappeared. I was speaking about this with Anna, the administrative assistant at YMI, and she reminded me that God would provide for our needs.
A few days later, I received a message from her telling me that we had received a $400 special gift for our ministry. Her message (although she didn’t say it) had “I told you to trust” written all over it. I thank God for reminding me that He is in control and that He will provide for all our needs. He is faithful to us always.
We have friends who are moving soon to Ciudad Juarez, where another five women were killed earlier yesterday in a shooting.
All of this causes conflict in my heart and soul. There is no doubt that violence is spreading all over the world. It is certain that Mexico has its dangers. There are many things happening. And it is exactly why the church of Jesus Christ must be present there.
When I write that “It is in the darkest of hours that the light must shine the brightest” I mean that in the deepest of darkness is where the light is most needed. The gospel must shine in the darkness, and the Bible teaches that the light in the dark world is us. That’s why I posted the other link to Matthew 5:16.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Please join me in praying for Mexico. Pray that the true Light will shine in the midst of the darkness, because as Psalm 139:10 says, “Even the darkness is not dark to you (God); the night is bright as the day.” Let us walk close to the light and shine it in the darkness.
I heard this song on the radio today on my way home from the hospital. It is exactly where I am right now in my life, with 3 awesome kids, one of which is less than 48 hours old and Janell who is the most incredible person I have ever known.
This is my prayer:
Father give me the strength
To be everything I’m called to be
Oh father show me the way
To lead them won’t you
Lead me, with strong hands
To stand up when they can’t
Don’t want to leave them
Hungry for love chasing things
That I could give up
I’ll show them I’m willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this a home
Lead me
‘Cause I can’t do this alone.
Father, lead me
‘Cause I can’t do this alone.
It’s been a while since I went to Urbana ’09, but I wanted to write down one of the greatest memories I had of my time in St. Louis. It was the second night of the conference, and since I was at my booth during most of the conference activities, I really only had the chance to go to some of the general sessions.
The general sessions were held in the America’s Center, the St. Louis Rams’ stadium. The memory that I don’t want to ever forget was when 16,000 of us stood to sing “In Christ Alone.” It was a powerful moment. The words to the song have grabbed ahold of me since I first heard them a while ago, and when I had the chance to sing them with 16,000 people, mostly college students, I was overwhelmed.
Here’s a the song in case you haven’t ever heard it. If you have heard it, listen again. I hope I never forget this memory of Urbana ’09.
For those of you who don’t think that God cares about the little things in your life, I have a great story for you.
Today Nathan went to “school” for the first time. It’s really sort of like a summer camp for three weeks. I was nervous about how he would do, since he usually doesn’t really act all that great around people who speak Spanish. I seriously spent a lot of time praying for his experience and attitude. I pray for him all the time, but this was different. I specifically spent some concentrated time in prayer for him today.
When we were getting ready, he didn’t want to go. He took his shoes and socks off after we put them on him, but we got him into the car and drove to the school, trying to convince him that it would be great. We got there and the lady showed him the classroom and all the kids, leading him back without any problem.
I’ll never forget his face when I showed up to pick him up. The smile he had proved to me that God cares for even the “little things” in our lives.
It turns out that Nathan had a great time. He loved it and is excited to go tomorrow. Thank you, God, for answering the prayers of this worried father. What an incredible proof of His faithfulness and love for us.
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