Children in Thailand and disappointment.

Recently, I was humbled again and reminded that I am not capable on my own. I was scheduled to lead a missions trip to Colorado to work with a camp and serve an inner city church. I was super excited to see what God would do in and through the people that I would lead on this trip. Here's the thing... About three weeks ago, I found out that the people that we were going to serve were not going to be in the area any longer in Colorado. This rocked my missions world. I love short term missions and believe that they can be absolutely life changing and so I quickly began looking for another route that our team could take. I didn't find one that was suitable after a couple weeks of searching. I had to go back to the team and tell them that I didn't have anything. It was humbling. But I am reminded of this last summer in Thailand as I think about what it means to live in humility.

There was an afternoon when we had the opportunity to hang out with AIDS infected kids playing in the large pool at the school that we were serving at. We were excited to be there with these kids. We never knew how blessed we would be. You see, these kids lived life even though they would never live a normal life. They lived hard, enjoyed each other and us, and wanted to simply have a great time. I was humbled in that moment too. I was serving these kids who are the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. My hope and prayer is that they come to know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that he would heal them for his glory.

God is teaching me humility. Rose Kreis told me that I must be willing to follow God's plans and that my plans are here, but that God directs them ultimately. He does direct me. I desire him to do this. I just wish I knew what he was doing in the background as things play out in front of me.

God, please. Give me humility. Give me peace. Let me be a lifelong learner. Amen.

Mission

Mission: To Glorify God in everything that I do.

Vision: To be a fully devoted Follower (Disciple) of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Values: Relationship with God and with others all the time. (reading my bible, praying, worshipping God, Evangelism, discipleship, and giving God my best.)

But here is the thing...I ask myself the question, "Is this a vision and mission to die for?" is this something that I would stand up for and absolutely go after in every area of life that I live? You see, the reality is that I don't necessarily live this out all of the time. It is compelling. It is important for me to keep in front of myself. It is important for me to bring the things that I think about and attempt to carry out back to my mission statement for my life.

I am much better at some of my values than others. I am much better at being with people than I am at being with my God. That priority is messed up. My God deserves all of my life, everything that I am and do and say. I cannot go to people first, I must go to my God. If I can't go to my God first, my life is messed up with priorities.

God help me to seek you first and all these things will be added. Help me not to seek people and that relationship, but instead a relationship with you, my God the Savior. Amen.

Biblical, Scriptural, Life changing, powerful

The last several months have impressed on me the importance of scripture in my life. The bible that I hold is the word of God. It is active and it is sharper than any double edged sword. Think about that for a minute. When we think of God, we think of an invisible being who we don't get to see until after this life in his fullness. At the same time, he has put together a way of communication with those that he created. Each and every week, I get to look intot he truth of God's word and speak truth into the lives of teenagers. God teaches me so much each week and I am so glad that he points out his amazingness each time I open it up.

Often though, I don't open God's word up. I wonder if it is because it is a hard habit to begin to form or if sometimes the truth hurts to much. I wonder if sometimes I become apathetic and complacent and just don't want to spend the hard work on the relationship with my heavenly father...Pretty lame huh? The God of the universe wants to have a relationship with me, and all I can say is (in a whiny voice) "that's too hard!" It is lame...but I do it. I wonder if anyone else says this sometimes. I wonder if I am the only one? We are people of the scriptures and yet so often I am NOT!

God's word is God's word and whenever we open it, He speaks to us! I must listen. I must begin to understand that he is my rock and salvation and he wants to communicate with me.

Speak to me God. Through your word. Through your creation. Audibly. I want to hear! I want to listen! Amen.