Mustard Seed Faith

On Thursday, June 25, a large group of people from church headed over the mountains to the Twisp/Okanogan area. Steve and I didn't arrive to the campsite until early Friday morning because of our schedules. This is our third summer in Twisp and our purpose for going is to preach the Gospel message. Our desire is to see God open a door to start a new work in the area.

Anytime you do something for the Lord or something that the Lord wants you to do, you can expect to be attacked by Satan. And, believe me, I was attacked. I have a few weak areas when it comes to sharing the Gospel of Christ, and the devil knows them all to well, but PTL! God knows them too and still can use this unworthy vessel.

One Thursday afternoon I was asked by one of our SPG (Singles Pleasing God) ladies if I was coming out to the Thursday night outreach. I got a little uncomfortable and said I didn't know. But, what I was really saying was "no, I don't think so." I went on to tell her that I felt inadequate and feared man. I went home that evening made myself a pot of coffee, picked up my Bible and was led to read all of IJohn. The Holy Spirit poked me in the chest over and over again as I read through God's Word: 1John 1:6; 2:4-6;23 and many more). I was so convicted I showed up to the outreach fifteen minutes early (and if any of you know me, you know that I always run late). The outreach that evening went well because God was there with me all the way.

I made it through Thursday night and now the Highway 20 Outreach was just around the corner. Do you think after the victory I had on Thursday that Satan would leave me alone? No, as the week approached the fears and doubt began. First, Satan attacked me mentally. I had "a gut feeling" - I just knew something was going to go wrong, and then I felt like I wasn't prepared and prayed up enough to be able to be of any help on the outreach. The second attack was physically made on my little dog Levi. He woke up Friday morning with an infected and sore bum, which led to many disagreements between Steve and I. Everything seem to take longer to get packed in the car, we had physical ailments, we were exhausted, upset and just beat up before we ever got out of Oak Harbor. The ride was long and our moods were unsettled. Trying to pray was even a chore.

We got to the campsite just in time as Brother Geist was finishing up his morning devotion on PB&J (which I heard was excellent). Shortly thereafter, everybody broke into their outreach teams and headed off to their destination. PTL! God was still with me and working on me...despite me. I kept recalling IJohn 1-5, but my nerves were on edge.

We arrived at our destination, received more instruction and then broke off into our teams. Right before we began to leave to go knock on doors, Pastor Sargent says, "and don't forget we are to have conversation with the people". Oh boy. Instantaneously my heart sank to my stomach, my pulse began to beat harder, my breathe got shorter and my mind began racing. I knew one thing for sure and that was I didn't want to disappoint God or my Pastor.

With that said, I knew that I wasn't going to get away with just handing the people a Gospel tract, now a full-fledged conversation was required. PTL! God knew exactly what I needed. This was the second time he partnered me up with a preteen who didn't want to talk. This forced me to led by example and trust in God alone for the words to say. There were times I experienced a boldness that I had not had before and I knew that it came directly from God. I've walked away from this experience knowing that I need to be ready to give an answer to every man. Now, I just need to do the studying. PTL! That God can take a unworthy vessel like me and still use me.

On Sunday morning, Pastor Sargent preached on the parable of the mustard seed. He had two points, 1) The mustard seed gospel and 2) The mustard seed faith. The mustard seed is a very tiny seed and all God asks of me is to have faith the size of a mustard seed. "..Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." My faith is little, but each time I go out, my faith gets a little bit bigger, just as a mustard seed would as it grows. PTL! God is so true to his Word.

I didn't get the opportunity to take as many pictures as I would have liked to, but what photo's I did take I posted as a slideshow. Check it out if you get a moment.

Cleaving and Leprosy...huh?

Being able to go to the Lord's house on Sunday is always a pleasure and like every Sunday we hear wonderful preaching from God's Word. This past Sunday was no exception. God was in the midst of our services and was very present in the singing, special songs and his spoken Word.

Sunday evening Pastor Sargent preached another message from his series on "Biblical View vs World View; this time it related to the institution of marriage, and since we just witnessed Dave and Amber's wedding on Saturday, it was very appropriate. His text came from Genesis 2:24 and it made me anxious to hear what he had to say about this institution.

Back in May, I gave a devotion at Amber's bridal shower and my text was Genesis 2:24,as well. God is so good, because I felt like everything the Pastor was led to say, confirmed what I was led to say in my devotion. But, what I found most interesting from Pastor's message last night was the illustration he used to help us understand the cleaving part of Genesis 2:24.

In my studies I had likened cleaving to glue or cement; being adhered to, or joined to, one another (like peanut butter and jelly). But the picture Pastor presented last night on cleaving was even better. In 2 Kings 5 Elisha's servant Gehazi is deceitful by taking what is not his and then lying to Elisha about his whereabouts. The Bible tells us in verse 27, "The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee (Gehazi)...".

Leprosy isn't a disease that just sits on the outside of the body, but comes from within the body. There is no separation: the body and disease is one; it is deep within the bones. I know this isn't the most pleasant analogy when you are talking about a marriage, but the concept of cleaving (or the union of two people becoming one) here is perfect. I don't think I know of a better illustration or definition for "cleaving" than this one.

I just love how God takes his Word and can show us exactly what he means and what he wants for our lives. Pastor's message on the institution of marriage last night was powerful, insightful, and right on. We must take a stand and share with others God's way: his plan and purpose for the institution of marriage. Thanks Pastor.

A Father's Day Poem

A Father means so many things...
An understanding heart,
A source of strength and of support
Right from the very start.
A constant readiness to help
In a kind and thoughtful way.
With encouragement and forgiveness
No matter what comes your way.
A special generosity
And always affection, too
A Father means so many things
When he's a man like you...

Happy Father's Day

Thank you dad for all that you have done for me since the beginning of my life. I love you.

The Two Shall Become One

Well on Saturday, June 20th Amber and Dave exchanged vows and became man and wife. The ceremony was nice and I can't wait to see the pictures John Pendleton Imaging and Photography took from the days event.

Steve and I tried to take a couple of pictures, but for whatever reason they did not turn out clear. I don't know if we were anxious or just plain not paying attention. I know I was more focused on enjoying the ceremony and watching the bride and groom as their eyes met one another.

Congratulations to the Bride and Groom!

Genesis 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

Could this be the Record Breaking Year?

Beautiful weather abounds and it has been amazing! Did I say A-M-A-Z-I-N-G?! Steve called me while he was on his way to work today, to let me know that this area has gone 27 days without rain. The record is 29 days. Could this be the record breaking year? I wonder. Hmmm.

Amazing Weather!

The weather here on WI has been extremely beautiful! This is our spring time and usually we get showers, but not these last sixteen days. I will take in all the sunshine and warmth God will give us. The temps have been hovering around the 75 degree mark and last night after a day in the 80's a cool breeze blew through the house. It was very nice indeed. Yep, this is my kind of weather. Usually, I have to fly to Florida a couple of times a years just to get a "fix of warmth" to last me through the dull months. I'll have to admit it is going to be a bit of a downer when the rain comes back, but if we don't get the rain, then we can't be called the evergreen state, now can we. Oh well.