Why Doubt?

In our human nature it becomes so easy to forget God's faithfulness, mercy, and goodness in our lives and resort to worldly methods of controlling our disappointments and hurt. It seems that in those low points of our lives when our prayer life, in our perspective, seems to go unnoticed that we begin to doubt our mighty God. So then the question begs, why doubt? Why do we tend to so easily forget. Why is it that like the Israelites who continually disobeyed the Lord and forgot what He did for them, we too wander through our cycles of disobedience and lose our tight grasp on Him.

Our fleshly bodies and desires are wicked, vile, and evil to the core. "These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts..." (Jeremiah 13:10). Apart from Christ's saving grace on our lives we would be incapable of Christian love and character. We would be continually living in our fleshly desires which would reap foul consequences. You see apart from Christ we have NOTHING good in us, yes absolutely nothing! "...there is no one who does good" (Psalm 14:1). As scripture clearly teaches, nobody does good, in fact "our" acts of righteousness are like filthy rags to the Lord.

When Christ saved us from eternity apart from Him, he provided us with the most amazing gift anyone could ever receive. Christ, God in human form, as Paul tells us in Philippians that He humbled Himself even to the point of death! If that doesn't show true mercy, grace, and love I don't know what does. It is our picture perfect, flawless example of love.

So when it comes to those seasons in our life when it seems like everything is unraveling, that we are facing the giants whether it be persecution or something else, we need to remember who we were without Christ and who He has made us through sanctification. We must cling tightly to Him...never letting go. He will never let you down in ANY season of your life. Although the pain that you endure may be incomprehensible and unbearable at times, the God who has been with you from the beginning is carrying you along the way. He is holding your hand, guiding your feet, and protecting you from all that rises against you. For if God is for you, who can be against you?

Why Doubt?? There is no reason to, because doubt does not come from the powers of light but of the powers of darkness. God does not bring us a spirit of fear or timidity. In those times of doubt heed 1 Corinthians instruction of taking your thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. Give those fears and worry to the Lord and let the peace of God surpass your understanding.

"I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself." --Psalm 89:2

Pic Site

I have made my picasa albums public...to check out more pics scroll down on the left and click on 'MY PHOTOS' :)

Sea World Adventure :)

Today we went to sea world for an adventure :) we enjoyed seeing polar bears, penguins, sting rays, dolphins and of course SHAMU...sea world's claim to fame! All in all it was a very fun day! Some of the pics below:

Bring the Rain

Mercy Me recently put out a new song and I found the lyrics very encouraging. It reminds us that no matter what season of life we are in, whether it be the happiest or most heart-wrenching we are to bring glory to Him! Here are the lyrics:

BRING THE RAIN
I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

What a Privilege

Last night at Compass TRUEnorth celebrated one year with our formal banquet!!! But more importantly we not only celebrated the amazing year we all had, but what God has done in and through the lives of the students there...it has been an incredible thing to watch. I remember coming back in October when there were about 35 students on a Sunday, and now look at us we are over 80!!! And what an encouragement it is to see the students who have given their lives to Christ this year, and the students in the ministry who are on FIRE for our Holy Heavenly Father! What better way to live then to glorify Him in all we do?!?!

Continue on faithful students and followers of our Lord, keep on running the race! "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:20

I feel so privileged to serve God by serving each one of you there (and not to mention serve alongside some of the most amazing Christian men and women I have ever met), and I am so blessed to watch God grow each of you! I love you all...especially my girls! Here are a few pictures from last night: