Little did Bilbo and I know...

Today I feel a little like Bilbo Baggins- a simple, unassuming person who went on a great adventure.

Growing up I was the girl that, while all my friends wanted to get out of our smallish town, wanted to stay. I had everything I needed right there, why leave? I was the little girl that cried at night when I thought about growing up, because I knew it meant leaving home.

Looking back at that little girl I smile, for little did she know where God would take her.
Little did she know that she would carry the gospel literally around the world.
Little did she know that she would live in another state for a year.
Little did she know that by saying yes to God and one ten day adventure her life would never be the same. She would never look back at that moment in regret, for with that simple yes the world was open to her.

So yes, this morning I feel a bit like Bilbo as I get ready to embark on yet another adventure. Each one continues to stretch me and change me, but unlike Bilbo; when I come to my last adventure I will not feel thin "like butter scraped over too much bread."  No, I shall feel full, because God is leading me on this journey. He fills me every day as He calls me closer to Him.

Support Letter for the World Race

Dear

For many years my heart has been burdened for missions.  God began working this into my heart after my first trip to Romania in 2006.  A few months after returning home, I felt God’s call to surrender completely to missions. At the time I wasn't sure what that would entail, and after a few years I believed I had lost the passion I once felt. In October of 2011, God began to reawaken that call. Last year I was able to go to the Ukraine on two separate trips. One was a work trip on a home for graduated orphans, and the other was to help host a camp for orphans. Both trips solidified my desire for missions.  This year, I was able to travel with my church (joined by my mom and brother for their first trip) to Belize and minister to other missionaries there.

I first became aware of The World Race through a friend,  and about a year later I came across a newspaper article about a young lady leaving for the Race. At that point I began researching and reading about the program, but I had to trust God’s timing for when I should go.  After another year, the World Race was again brought to my attention.  This time I began seriously praying and felt it was time for me to step out and take the leap of faith. 

The World Race is an eleven month journey around the world.  In those eleven months I, with my team, will visit eleven countries and team up with ministries already in place to reach that area for Christ. What we will be doing will look different country by country, day by day. Some days we may be in the streets ministering, hosting VBS, or working in construction. Other days may simply encompass the daily grind of grocery shopping and caring for those on my team.  Every day will be full of prayer.

So why go? Ultimately I have been asking God for a long time what I’m supposed to be doing as a twenty-something, and this is an opportunity for me to step out in the call I believe He has on my life. It is a journey to minister to the least, lost, orphans, widows, and poor.  I don’t take this call and trip lightly.  I am essentially committing two years of my life to this endeavor with the hope of making a difference for Christ and being fashioned to look more like Him. With everything surrendered to God, here I am preparing for another, very different, mission trip.

I have signed up to leave in September 2014 for eleven months. Not only will I need a lot of prayer, but I have to raise all financing for the trip.  I will need to raise $15,500 plus $764 for insurance. That is a bit overwhelming, but that’s why I am trusting God and asking if you will partner with me.  Would you consider a monthly donation?  Or even a one-time gift?  If you can help in any way it will be much appreciated.  As I have heard often (and believe) “little is much when God is in it.”  Thankfully, I don’t have to have all of the funds all at once. Here is an actual break down of my financial needs:

§  $150 Deposit - Due 11/11/2013 (2 weeks after your acceptance date.)

§  $3,500 - Due 6/28/2014 (2 weeks before Training Camp)

§  $7,500 - Due 8/18/2014 (2 weeks prior to your trip)

§  $11,000 - Due 12/1/2014 (End of 3 months on the field)

§  $15,500 + $764 (*Insurance) = $16,264 - Total Due 3/1/2015 (End of 6 months on the field)

I cannot begin to thank you enough for taking the time to read this letter, and for your prayerful consideration of helping me reach this goal God has given me.

You may feel free to contact me or check my World Race blog: http://brookeconn.theworldrace.org/.

Through Christ,

Grand Announcement or Life is About to Change...a lot

Just a few days ago I got a call that I had been praying about for a few months now.

"You've been accepted!"

What!!!!...

Okay, let me back up.

At the beginning of this month I applied for a mission trip called The World Race. I wasn't really sure what I was doing, but I knew that God was asking me to take a step of faith (remember this post?).  So I stepped out and waited to see what God would do (here).  Little did I know this is what would happen.  I was hoping but...

So as it stands now I will be leaving in September 2014 for eleven months and each month will be spent ministering in a different country.

Here is my tentative route. To learn more hit the banner above.

Haiti




Bolivia




Peru




Ecuador




Malawi




Zambia




Zimbabwe




Thailand




Malaysia




Vietnam




Cambodia

To say I'm excited is an understatement!

I am still in shock at times and yet my brain has kicked into overdrive. Yes I have a year but that's really not all that long to get ready for a whole year of travel!

I wish I could say more but time constrains me at the moment.  I will say that in the coming days I will begin blogging on the World Race site.  As soon as I get that set up I will post the link here so you can keep up with me.

For now I ask for your prayers as I start this process.  I do, as any other missionary, have to raise my own support.  This trip will cost roughly $16,000 plus the gear I will be needing. And I know there will be a lot of changes in store for me and those around me.

I cannot wait to see what God does in the coming weeks and months!

Through Chirst,

Lady B

(Brooke)

Memories. or The One Where I May Have Lost My Mind

A year ago I was getting ready to leave for the land that stole my heart. Today I am getting ready for a Father/Daughter dance I've been a part of coordinating (that I'm really excited about). Last year my heart was bursting with excitement; this year my heart is breaking with longing. It's odd to be excited about the dance and yet so sad about Ukraine at the same time. So as a way to brighten my mood and let y'all laugh at me I give you the things I miss...

Airports- I know right, but there is something about the adventure and exhaustion of being in them and finally arriving at the destination

Ukrainian food- Oh my goodness, stuffed dumplings (w/ potatoes or cherries, yum), campfire in a cup (aka Uzvar- ошав), the juices, more of this below

Chocolate- the best I have ever had!! I couldn't tell you what kinds I had but they were amazing.

The Chocolate Cappuccino- Ukraine has made me a possible coffee drinker, but nothing I've had can compare with the ones there.

Ice cream- I can't even describe it except oh so good!
(see a trend in the last three ;))

Ukrainian bread- Okay I like bread but this had to be my favourite

Tea is better than coffee- No kidding the tea cups were twice the size of the coffee cups, and we got tea every morning with breakfast at the camp!

Salo- (this is one of the parts where you say I'm crazy) Yes. it's nasty (in my American opinion) and yes I almost gagged, but I would eat it in a heartbeat if it meant being back in the Ukraine.

Bogdan's peppers- so hot but so much fun to watch others try to master them.  And the time Alla and I each ate one and then drank our drinks and others because our mouths were on fire.

Photo credit

Squatty potties- (Maybe I have lost it) Okay, I don't actually miss these but just the initial experience (when in Rome...)

The roller coaster drives- rattle your teeth, loosen your joints, and a few bust your head on the ceiling jolts- again the experience

The language(s)- Russian and Ukrainian and something in between. I loved learning new words and just listening to everyone talk, although I hated not being able to reach out and being a listening ear or a word of encouragement.

Futbol- Aka soccer at 7-7:30 in the morning and any other free moment. 

The worship- Some songs I knew (in English) some I only learned a few words (in Ukrainian) but all had the same meaning.  Bringing God the glory and praising Him

Snow- сніг!


More than all the fun and craziness, I miss the people!  I miss getting to know new friends and meeting up with old ones. I miss learning to reach out and be a friend over the barrier of language.  I miss the smiles, the tears, the games, the laughter.  I miss being Jesus to the children and experiencing Him through them. The other counselors were amazing and I'll miss working with them.  I know they are having a great time and I'm praying for them!

PostScript: Since I'm a little behind in posting this I'll say, the Father/Daughter dance turned out fantastic!  Definitely a lasting memory.

Through Christ

Lady B

Did I?

Did I really just do that? Did I really just take a leap of faith?  

It's kind of odd to take a leap of faith and then have to wait. In a sense it feels like your just hanging out there not sure what is going to happen, but the truth is I have landed just where God wants me to- in His arms resting and waiting.  Who knows what will come of this jump.  Perhaps nothing.  Perhaps everything. Maybe it is just one step on the journey.  Maybe it's the beginning of a whole new adventure. Only God knows and it is in Him I trust!

Encouraging Thought from Jim Elliot

In a letter to his parents (August 8, 1950).

“Surely those who know the great passionate heart of

Jehovah must deny their own loves to share in the

statement of His. Consider the call from the Throne above,

Go ye, and from round about, Come over and help us, and

even the call from the damned souls below, Send Lazarus

to my brothers, that they come not to this place. Impelled,

then, by these voices, I dare not stay home while Quichuas

perish. So what if the well-fed church in the homeland

needs stirring? They have the Scriptures, Moses, and the

Prophets, and a whole lot more. Their condemnation is

written on their bank books and in the dust on their Bible

covers. American believers have sold their lives to the

service of Mammon, and God has His rightful way of

dealing with those who succumb to the spirit of Laodicea."

Emphasis added

Step of Faith

Where I’m At

I came out of a indescribable (really, there are so many words to try to describe it but none of them actually fit- a lot of different emotions in one moment) time with my King, Shepherd, The Ancient of Days- God- with this song on my mind.

I want so much to please my King.  To be a warrior, a mighty woman of God but also to have the heart of a five-year-old.  I want that unwavering trust coupled with heavenly audacity and swagger.  I no longer want to live.  I want Jesus to make my every decision and to live His life through me!  He has given me a promise and I will hold to it with hope and trust!
“I'm waiting
I'm waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I'm waiting on You, Lord”
Through Christ,
Lady B

Ever Changing

One of the neat things about giving your whole life to God is the variability.  I once heard that it was like chasing a wild goose only there is purpose with God.
One of the crazy, unexpected turns my chase has taken me on is in the form of working.  That is right, I am working, and at the same daycare.  My boss sent me a text last Thursday asking if I was interested in working permanently.  I only had that afternoon to pray about it, and pray I did.  And, well, I said yes.  So now I am working in a classroom four days a week for about three and half hours.  I love it. 
My first week has included such things as screaming kids, dirty diapers, scolding, saying no twenty dozen times and cleaning up vomit- twice.  But you know what, I love it!  
I also get to do things like soothe an upset child, read stories over and over, sing songs, listen to children's laughter, be piled with six kids wanting to sit in my lap at the same time, pat backs at nap time and laugh at the antics of toddlers.  I am a big part of theses kids’ lives and, even though they are only 1 1/2, I have a chance to help shape them.  I want to bring Christ into their lives as much as possible!
I have to say God does surprising things but I do so love “chasing the wild goose.”
Through Christ,
Lady B

Amazing Morning!

Wow, God is so amazing!  I cannot even begin to put into words the awesome time I had with Him this morning.  First off, I was talking to Him about living a set apart life in not just my inner man (character) but also in my outward man (environment, time, dress, etc.).  Afterwards I read Psalm 75 which was really good but I felt like reading more so I went to my reading schedule (which I have not been keeping up with but God had a reason for that) and read Leviticus 19-23.  It was amazing! There are  at least five verses that spoke about being holy or set apart, I was so excited that I just felt like God put them there for me today!  Then I went into my prayer time, and I have only done this once before, but I made a list of all the urgent prayer requests and as I made the list I added people as they came to mind.  I had no idea why I was praying for some of them, but if they came to mind I wrote them down and prayed for them.  It was the most amazing prayer time I have ever had.  I spoke with God about decisions people had to make, I called out to Jehovah-Jireh and pleaded with Jehovah-Rapha.  I shared my heart with my Beloved and my Father.  I cried; I laughed.  I feel a little weird sharing this stuff with you but I really feel like I need to.  Honestly, this is only the second time I have ever done this and I am so ashamed that I have not called out to God like this on behalf of so many.  That is something I want to change.  I want this kind a prayer to be just like breathing!

That was not the end of my amazing morning, though.  When I got up, in the time it took to wash my face and brush my teeth and one or two other things (about ten minutes), Mama told me about an email we had gotten asking for prayer.  As I read it I just started crying all over again.  It was from one of those people who had happened to pop into my head.  Everything I had prayed for (before reading the email remember) was in that email!  Wow, I am beyond blown away.  I had no idea but God knew and He led me to pray for this precious family and their ministry!

Never, ever think that your prayers are not important!  God hears them and He leads His people by His Spirit to pray for those in need!  I love my Lord and I am falling more in love with Him ever moment!  It is the greatest thing in the world.  I could go on and on, but I am sure it would be repetitive.

Please continue to call out to God daily for those in need and those that He brings to mind.  You never know when it will be life changing for someone, may be even you!

Through Christ,

Lady B

PostScript: I really feel like God must have something big planned, because satan is really on the prowl.
Please pray for those you know and do not know. Pray that God would send in His angels to do battle. That He would raise up warriors willing to fight for Him!

Learning- The List

I feel as if I keep learning more about myself.  Today it was the fact that apparently I have not completely surrendered the pen of my love story to God.  I realized that although I had “surrendered” it to God I had my own ideals of the kind of man I want to marry.  I even went so far as to say, “God I do not want to marry _____.”  Maybe I have good reasons for saying I do not want to marry a certain person but what reason is good enough if it is God’s will? 

It is hard to lay that down.  As ladies we tend to make lists (guys may also, I do not know) but what if the man God had for us matched nothing on own carefully constructed list.  Outside of being a Christian who follows and serves God what if the man God has prepared for us is nothing we ever wished for?  Would you be willing to lay down your desires for God’s will?  Will I?  I hope I can lay this down, take up my cross and follow God into whatever He leads me. 

Through Christ,

Lady B

Twenty-One

I will be twenty-one in a few days.

Am I supposed to be excited?  This birthday holds nothing exciting for me except the fact that I gat to celebrate another birthday.  Mama threw a wonderful party for my brother and I both (he turned thirteen on Christmas day) and everyone is excited for me about being twenty-one, but I am not.  I mean I am excited this year to really draw closer to my Lord and really learn what I will need in the future (the things I should have been learning already, erg).  Other than that what is twenty-one to me?  I have no desire to drink or gamble and really that is all there is to be excited about when it comes to the world.  With eighteen at least I had voting to look forward to. 

Another thing, I am a twenty-one year old lady and college graduate; what do I do now now? 

I would love to be a stay-at-home-daughter but I do not see that happening for me.  I have insurance(s) to pay and Papa does not want me sitting around the house (I am an adult, I should act like one).  I am thinking perhaps of getting at least a part time job (as I have done for the past seven years) but where?  That is my prayer…actually it is “What is my next step, Lord?”  I want my whole life to honour Him and be in His will.   Right now, I am thinking about putting in an application at our library, the Christian bookstore and a little boutique in town.  I do not know which one God wants me at or if he even wants me at any of them or if I am going to have to get a job at all.  Papa is actually starting a business (hopefully it works out) and I may be able to “work for him.”  It is rather exciting!

Ah, dear twenty-one, I do look forward to you but not with the excite of so many others.  I look forward to another year drawing closer to my Lord and perhaps my dreams?  Whatever God has in store for me I will, as Susan, “go on and take the adventure that shall fall...”

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

P.S. My dears, please take a look at the two polls I have posted on the <side.  That would be a tremendous help to me.  Thanks much!

Done!

I am done!  Je suis fait!  Ich bin erledigt!  Tá mé ag déanamh!  Am terminat!  ฉันทำ!  Ya he terminado!

‎"The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning."  ~Aslan

I just completed my last final!  Now all I have to  do is wait for my grades.  Hopefully I passed everything (a little worried about my science) and if so I will be done completely with college.  No more textbooks, quizzes, tests, etc.!  I am still unsure as to what God wants me to do now.  I pray that He will guide my steps and give me wisdom.  I can finally feel like I am part of my family and not just a wraith that moves in and out from time to time.  I get to read all the books that have been on the back burner and I get to get in a normal routine.  Most of all I will spending all the time I want with my Prince and the King of Kings!!! 

The first order of business, as of tomorrow afternoon, I will be shutting down my computer and putting it away for a whole week.  Yes, a whole week.  Why?  Because I can.  I have nothing to check every day, no homework to turn in and no tests to worry about.  I am free!!!!!!   I hope all of you have a lovely Christmas break! I will probably be back on before then but then again maybe not….

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

Oh, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is here!!!  I will be seeing it tomorrow.  No matter what I do I am excited.  “Oh please, dear directors, writers and such, do not crush me as you did with Prince Caspian!”

Thoughts for This Season

1.  I have been on the defensive.  In my spiritual walk, I have waited for satan to strike and then fought back in prayer.  I realized this Thursday, when I found out Grandpa had died.  I knew him for eleven years, yet I never once fell to my knees begging God to turn his heart to Him.  Not once did I ask him if he knew Christ, and then I found out he was dying a few weeks ago.  Then I prayed; then I tried to speak to him, but was it too late?  Has satan already struck the ending blow?  Not just with Grandpa but others, I have waited and now I wait no longer.  I want to be on the offensive.  I want to be there attacking satan (with God) before he even gets the chance to choose his next target.  It will take practice but no soldier goes into battle without some training.  Sometimes the battles even make him stronger.

2.  I want a man who will cherish me.  I want a warrior-poet.  Often I dream of the warrior side as just fighting for the things of God.  Yes I do want that to be my husband’s focus, but I also want him to be my warrior.  I want a man who will stand before me, God and the world and proclaim, “I love you.  I will fight for you; I will die for you!”  And, yet I have already found the perfect One who says, “I love you.  I am fighting for you; I died for you!”

3.  I did, in fact, watch Prince Caspian tonight for the first time in two years (since the day I watched it in theater).  Honestly, it is a love-hate kind of thing.  I hate it because it does not follow the book!!!! (what can I say, I am a purist)  But I like it because, well, it is Narnia.  Just do not expect anything more from me or I might go into a rant.  (very spiritual, I know)

4.  I will get my school work done so I can get to working on my Christmas presents and other projects.

5.  I will finish cleaning my room when I wake-up.

6.  I need to stop staying up so late and implement the schedule I wrote up Friday nigh…er…Saturday morning.

7.  This Thanksgiving when you think about the first celebration, remember the tragedy those Pilgrims went through before that day.  When you see the family of four think- the husband recently lost his wife (perhaps in childbirth), the wife was widowed the previous winter and the children lost their parents to some disease.  Yet they all came together to make a family and give thanks for this new country.  A country of freedom.

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

The Close of a Season

Now, this actually does not have anything to do with the end of summer and come of autumn.  The title is because of the end of a short chapter in my life (”a time and a season for everything”).  The chapter of daycare worker. 

As I was leaving work this afternoon my boss asked to speak with me.  They had to let me go.  It was not something they wanted to do, but they need someone who can work until six in the evening.  When I first started working there we had talked about my hours (11am-4pm), and I told them I could not work until closing, because I needed to be at home to help Mama with supper and such (here is where I blush because honestly that did not always happen).  Anyway, the two hours between when I leave and closing are the roughest part of the day and when they need the most help.  They found somebody who can work those hours, everyday too, so they had to let me go. 

The worst part of it for me was not so much being fired (for lack of a better term) but that I had grown quite attached to the kids in these past few months.  I really thought I would be there for a while and watch the kids “grow up” in a sense.  I also felt like a was just getting to know the other girls and enjoying their company.  Mrs. S may call me every now and then to substitute, and I know where to find them, but it is still quite a shock.  I cried all the way home, and when I got home I went immediately to my prayer journal.

I know God knows His plans and He does not have to reveal them to me.  I know He is in control.  All I can do is seek Him and wait “in the silence until [He] come[s] and sit[s] awhile with me.”

I will leave you with this quote from Ms. Jane Porter (author of The Scottish Chiefs) that I came across just last night (what great timing!):

The mourner banquets on memory; making that which seems the poison of life, its ailment.  During the hours of regret we recall the images of departed joys;and weeping over each tender remembrance, tears so softly shed, embalm the wounds of grief. 

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

I am a woman of many contradictions.

Sounds quaint, does it not?  At least in writing.  I can tell you it is not so quaint as it sounds.  I was just spending some time with God in prayer and I, well, I was having trouble expressing myself…to God!  There are many contradictions within me and I do not know how to understand some of them.  How can someone be so full of contradictions.  Things such as whether or not you drink.  I will not ever drink but I think drinking is…I cannot even put into words what I think because it sounds so illogical and unformed!  Another is I really do not like the computer and being on it, but I can spend hours on end doing absolutely nothing but wasting time!  . Then there is the issue of children’s ministry.  I believe that the Bible, the truth, should be enough to bring people to Christ.  that children should not be separated from their parents, families should learn together.  But then I think that children do need to be reached out to and have a focus on them.  How do you mesh the two?  I feel that God is leading me to children’s ministry but how can I? (I am starting to get that tense, anxious feeling so I had better move on before something explodes.)  Then there are even bigger things like I know I love God, but there is a verse in the Bible that says “if you love me you will keep my commands.”   I wonder if I really love God; I do not always keep His commands…  The old adage, “Actions speak louder than words,” is my constant companion and  antagonist.  I know what I know about myself, or do I?  The saying seems to tell me otherwise.

As I was praying I just began telling God all of this and asking Him for help, and when I could say no more I began reading today’s passage, II Timothy 2.  Here is what the first verse says, “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

I do not know what I am going to do with myself or my contradictory nature but I will learn to be strong in the grace God has given me in Jesus Christ!

Thank you for listening to my rambling today!

Through Christ,

Lady Helen

In Memory

 

“There are many prayers flowing from my heart,
Asking, "Why, God?"
I long for those with whom we had to part,
I feel the drip of each tear,
As I whisper in each ear,
"I'll keep you close,
Deep within my heart,
And when I get home,
We shall never again have to part."
A touch and a sigh as I whisper my last good-bye,
I'll see you one day soon
But for today I only cry. “

I wrote this about two years ago when a dear friend, my great-aunt and a man in my church died all within a day of each other.  I now dedicate it to my nanny.  From what I heard at the funeral, she was an amazing lady and I truly missed out in not spending more time getting to know her.
Through Christ,

Lady Helen

I am building an altar

These past few months have just been a season of lesson learning for me. I am beginning to wonder why all this seems to be happening all at once. Perhaps I have never really been open to learning more about my faults and being willing to change them. One of my biggest lessons right now is something I often face but have never dealt with, my tongue.
Everything came to a head last week at Jr. Camp. Long story short, I got aggravated with one of the counselors from the other church and said some things very unbecoming of a Christian lady. It was not until the following Tuesday that God pointed out what I had done and it was then that I decided I must surrender my speech, my tongue to Him so He can change me from the inside out. So with that long introduction here is some of what I am learning.
~Guard my heart. One of the hardest hitting chapters in Debi Pearl's book, Preparing to be a Help Meet, was the chapter on chaste conversation. She did not go on about what we should and should not say but more who we share with. Her point was that we as ladies do not need to share our hearts so openly with any other man but our husband. Doing so just forms an even deeper emotional connection with that man and it destroys our sacred mystique. This is something I really have to work at! I want my husband to be the only man (besides my daddy(s)) that knows and understands my heart.
~Honour others with my speech. Another thing that stuck out to me in Anna Sophia and Elizabeth Botkin's book So Much More is honouring my dad(s) with my speech. That is a tough one for me. God is our Father in heaven right? Well would it not make some since to show our fathers on earth some amount of reverence also? This goes for other people as well.
~Control what comes out of my mouth. I have a horrible habit of not thinking before I speak. Often I will say something and for days afterward it will eat at me. I need God to cover m mouth and help me to think about if what I am saying is appropriate.

Proverbs 11:22
Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

I want all of my speech to honour God in what I speak, how I speak and who I speak to.

My title mentions building an altar. In one of my favourite books, Hinds Feet on High Places, the main character, Much-Afraid, often finds herself building an altar along the journey that leads her to the High Place. So I have decided that on this adventure of life when times seem rough I will stop and build an altar an give whatever is going on in my life to God.

Father, here I build an altar and on it I lay my tongue, my speech and my will. Take them and do what you will with them.

Here are some verses that stood out to me.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.

Psalm 39:1
I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.”

Psalm 120:2
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue.

Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 21:23
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

1 Peter 3:10
For “He who would love life and see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit.

Miracle in my heart

This is a song that has really been my prayer, the cry of my heart for the past few days. I hope it blesses you as it blessed me!
Here is a link to youtube if you would like to listen to it. I, personally, like it better on the Revival at Belfast II CD.

Miracle in my heart
by Brian Houston

We are called to be prophets to this nation,
To be the word of God in every situation;
Change my heart, change my heart today.
Who'll be the salt
If the salt should lose its flavour?
Who'll be the salt
If the salt should lose its flavour?
Change my heart, change my heart today.

Lord, Loose the chains of opression;
Lord, set the captives free.
Lord, fill my heart with Your compassion:
shine Your light, shine Your light,
shine Your light through me.

Work a miracle in my heart,
work a miracle in my heart,
work a miracle in my heart, O Lord, today.

Lord, take all of my lies, and all of my greed;
Let me be a sacrifice
For those who are in need.
Change my heart, change my heart today.
Lord, without Your power
It's all just good intentions;
Lord, without Your grace
Who could find redemption?
Change my heart, change my heart today.

A Lesson Learned...I Hope!

I learned a lesson today. One that I have always known and "said" I believed.
God can be trusted with everything!
For several weeks I have felt God telling me to go to work at a daycare here in town (one I had previously worked at)and I kept questioning Him about it. When I finally decided to call the owner someone pointed out something out that started all the questions again. Needless to say I did not call S for several more weeks.
All this time I had these "What if" and "What about" questions going through my head. Finally, and I really don't know how, God just really changed my heart and yesterday I called S and spoke with her. I can't say that I felt relieved or happy or anything because, well, I didn't feel anything. I guess you could say I felt- peace.
Well, today was my first time back as an actually employee, and you know what? I was excited! Yes, excited. Excited to go work with kids I have no control over, excited to clean and give teachers breaks, excited to go ahead and ruin my hands and nails with bleach solutions again, excited to work. I relized then that God had truly called me to do this. I may not know why but I don't need to. All I need to know is God is in control and if I will obey Him, He will not fail me.
So that was my lesson today, or part of it. The other part- God will work all things out, and I need not fret over anything. Those questions, "What if?" and "What about?", vanished completely. Another lady is sharing the job I have so we can switch days when ever either of us needs to. See, God is so great and He deserves all our trust and more. Why don't we give it to Him though? I can say that today I have learned to trust Him, but I pray that it is a lesson I never have to learn again!

P.S. I am going to attend Kids Kollege this weekend so I hope to have something to share about my experience. If you want to learn more here is the ministry that started it Cool Kids Ministries.