Something I have been chewing on and that has been chewing on me.

Matthew 9:35-38

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

He had compassion on them, he was moved, because they were helpless. What should we do when we are filled with compassion- not only for the physical and emotional desperation, but also for their spiritual lostness? Jesus told the disciples to pray for more workers. Guess who God sent… The next verse starts chapter 10 and says Jesus sent the 12 disciples.

John Piper has said that there are 3 types of people that hear the Great Commission to go and make disciples of all nations:

1. Those who GO 2. Those who SEND 3. Those who DISOBEY

Will you ask God to give you a passion for God and compassion for other people like Jesus had? Will you be willing to surrender whatever he might ask of you to either GO or SEND?

After seeing seeing the scope and magnitude of the poverty, disease, and spiritual darkness in places like Haiti and Africa, it should compel us to do something. The people there are so hungry for and open to God’s word unlike anything I see in America, and I know that a lot of it is because we have so much and take so much for granted.

I have been praying that God would send more workers to the harvest there, and that I would be part of the answer to GO and/or SEND as God leads, and that he would help me to spread the word here and connect people with opportunities to make a difference.

I hope this comes across in the way which I intended it - not as a guilt trip, but as a challenge to all of us to look outside of our comfort to make sacrifices for eternal rewards of God’s Kingdom.

Please take a minute to watch this video this and read this blog post by Seth Barnes.

I think it helps to paint a little picture of some of the needs out there. Lets commit to find ways to make a difference in other for people’s lives. Lets have hearts of compassion and look for ways to meet needs like Jesus would today and every day.

I have been struggling to capture my thoughts and feelings after visiting Africa for 3 weeks. There is so much need and we as Americans could be doing so much to affect change and meet needs from the abundance of what we have.

I have been asking myself, how can I convey this and get across the urgency of it all? Answer, I can’t really - you need to go and experience it 1st hand and it will change you. But until then, I want to just share some of my thoughts and experiences with you, believing that God may use it to open your heart to whatever he might want to grow us all in.

How can I do something today to make a difference? I am working on it and praying about what God would have me do.

James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

James 1:27 (AMP) External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts] that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.

I came across this video tonight, and Rick Warren speaks in this video and captures some of the same thoughts and feelings I had during my visit, as I saw the effects of HIV/AIDS, poverty, the orphans and widows in their distress. Would you take a couple minutes to watch this and pray about what God might have you do to care for those in need?

Some of the people we met while traveling…

Here are a few pictures to share with you until I can get through all of them and get them organized.

Giraffes and deer grazing at the game park

Mass transit and a “family car” (Border-Border) in Uganda

Dry Cleaners

Home Sweet Home

Home builders

What’s in YOUR closet??

UPDATED: He had his other stint last night (Monday and everything went well. They let him go home this afternoon. Wow, modern medicine is amazing.

He went back to the ER this morning (Sunday) and they admitted him again to do testing. Dr may push up the other procedure to tomorrow or Tuesday.

Well, we wrapped up our Africa trip yesterday with a whirlwind day of speaking to pastor’s and churchplanters in Uganda, visiting a church, saying goodbyes, and so much more. I can’t believe its been 3 weeks - where did the time go? We traveled all day today and have an overnight in London and then finally home tomorrow night. Hope to unwind this week and spend time with Julie and the kids and gather my thoughts to share with you soon along with some pics and stories. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us on our trip.

Just wanted to share one quick story - We met a 15 year old girl Joanna - she shared her testimony at a women’s fellowship gathering. She is HIV positive, having received it at birth from her parents. She was raped last year and got pregnant, and somewhere along the line came to the women’s fellowship gathering and accepted Jesus into her life. She decided to keep the baby , now 1 month old and is going in today to have the baby tested for HIV - she had no money for milk for the baby (she can’t breastfeed or she could infect the baby), or for transportation to the doctor or for her ARV(HIV) drugs and other meds, which are $6 usd. The women’s group that was started by an ITMI short term mission volunteer, continues to meet every wednesday night and is having a great impact on many women in this poor community in Uganda.

We are heading to Uganda for a few days to visit the Bible college there - they tell us that there are 50-75 pastors coming to hear about discipleship and church-planting.  Pray that God will go before us for safe travel and to open the hearts of these pastors to whatever God wants to teach through us.

Some times we need to put aside our agendas and busy schedules and be open to whoever and whatever God brings across our path - how often have I missed an opportunity that God wanted for me because I was too busy. Today could have shaped up to be one of those days.

In addition to visiting, observing, speaking and teaching, God has continued to bring opportunities to encourage and pray for people that are really struggling. Between services we had an opportunity to meet with a pastor from Zimbabwe, Dennis Chuma. Bishop Jere and his church have been supporting this church and others in Zimbawe, smuggling clothes and food across the border to them. Pastor Dennis shared about the persecution, desperation and poverty in Zimbabwe. He says that there are over 500 orphans that their church tries to support. There is no food in any of the shops, and even if there was, they have no money to buy it, and the inflation is over 175,000%. Many people are starving and some dying from the dire conditions. The church here in Zambia took a love offering to send clothes and food back with Pastor Dennis.

We also met with another pastor, James, from here in Zambia. He had an orphanage that someone came in and tried to take over due to a disgruntled family member of a government leader. They came in and bribed several of the older girls to file false accusations against Pastor James and his wife. He was jailed for 2 days and is still fighting to clear his name and get the orphanage back. We were able to talk with 3 of the other older girls that were also bribed but refused to turn against him. They were given harsh treatment and threatened. It was a time of tears hearing their stories and getting a chance to encourage them, share some verses to encourage them and pray together with all of them as they get ready to go back to court this week on the case.

Before leaving we got to mingle and talk with the 20+ orphans that John & Joyce care for in their own home - Samaritan Children’s Home, and get some precious pictures to share with you. Pray for John & Joyce as the government has forced them to send away more than 60 of their children who were over the age of 12, and they say that a children’s home should not have children over 12, in line with UNICEF recommendations. Most of these kids have been raised cared for, educated and spiritually nurtured by John and Joyce since they were small children - they are mom & dad to them, but now they have been sent to live with relatives who can’t care for them or do not want them. These are the same officials involved in the case against Pastor James.

We spent Sunday (All day) at All Nations Church where Reverend John Jere is. It was so awesome to see people spend all day together – literally from 9 am-6 pm with their church family, including lunch and fellowship together. Lots of awesome worship – they really know how to praise God when they sing! They have a praise team and band – drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar (played by an older blind man who can really rock) bass guitar, and keyboard. It wasn’t extremely hot, but they meet under “God’s roof” in the open air as they are just beginning to build their worship auditorium. I can’t wait to post some pics and maybe some video when I get back.

Steve preached the morning service, and I preached in the afternoon. As I finished at around 5 pm, some pastors from the area arrived, and so Pastor John asked me to give another short message. I couldn’t believe that people could even sit and listen after a long warm day in the sun, but they did. It really encouraged my heart after the service as several people shared how God had used the message to challenge them. A girl named Blessing from the praise team shared that she now knows from God’s word that what she does is service and worship to God and not just her singing as a position, and how she desires to be used by God her whole life.

Another young 20-something named Leo who is the drummer, came up and said that he felt as though he was the only person there and God was talking directly to him about many of the things that he has been struggling with. Leo is in campus ministry at the university and I was able to talk to him about the importance of discipleship to go deeper beyond just the social gatherings they have, and he was so excited to pray that God would bring a few young men that he could start discipling.  Praise God that he would use us to speak his truth to others - a very humbling thought.

We had a very good meeting with the Vice President of Zambia Saturday night. It was a great time of sharing at his home. He really opened up when he learned that we were from the same area where his son went to school – Thunderbird School for Intl Management. We were able to encourage him to fight and stand strong for Christian values in government (Zambia is a Christian nation that is now starting to face challenges of conforming to western liberalism as they look at the US and UK as models of prosperity and success.) They are currently re-writing the constitution, and we were able to encourage him to stand against things like legalizing abortion, homosexuality, drugs, and more. By sharing about America’s decline in family and Christian values, we hope that we were an encouragement to him to do the right thing. We had a chance to pray with him before we left and continue to pray for his strength to stand and speak for things which support God’s word.

We spent the last 2 days in Kabwe, Zambia visiting Excellence Christian Academy and had a chance to teach some on discipleship and Christian maturity to 35 teachers and pastors from the area.  They were so eager to learn and grow in their own life and to take what they learn to pass on to others.  What a wonderful opportunity and to hear them share how God has grown them over the past few days was very exciting to be a part of.

We drove back to Lusaka, Zambia, 2+ hours in the dark last night which made me very thankful for our roads (and our driving habits!)

We meet tonight with the Vice President of Zambia to encourage him and hear about some of the challenges in Zambia currently.

We will speak at Pastor Jere’s church Sunday morning and evening, and then visit the Samaritan Children’s Home on Monday, and hopefully also to Lusaka Bible College.

We leave on Tuesday to visit another Bible College in Kampala, Uganda and teach pastors and church-planters there.

(via Julie)

We drive to one of the Christian schools this afternoon - and to visit and speak at the bible college tomorrow I believe. We have an opportunity to meet with the Vice Pres of Zambia on Friday night - we hope to speak some truth to him, he is a brand new believer.  Pastor John has used his influence and position to gain an audience and try to cast Christian values into the government. He is on a committee helping them re-write the constitution this week.

We hope to also talk with the Minister of Social Services to see about anything we can do to help John get back some of the 60 or so kids that they sent away from his children’s home since they were over 12 years old. Many of these kids have lived at Samaritan Children’s Home most of their lives and now are living with relatives who cannot afford to send them to school and often use them to work to bring in money for the relatives.

Inflation here is not as bad as Zimbabwe, but still very difficult on the people here. My chicken sandwich combo with fries and coke for lunch was 35,000 Quatche (Zambian dollars). John said that he was in Zimbabwe recently and it now costs 13 million zimbawe dollars for a loaf of bread. The people there have no food.

God has kept me from sickness so far which is a huge blessing. Thank you for your prayers.

We made it to Zambia late last night. We were the last ones waiting around to be picked up, which could have been somewhat un-nerving, but God in His plan allowed us to meet and become friends with the airport police. We chatted and they really opened up. Then took some pictures of them and gave them a pocket flashlight as a gift after they let us use their cell-phone.

Later, after we broke the ice, we waited and joked with each other and told them some things about the states and heard some about what they do and about their country. Steve then had a chance to share the gospel with them and invite to Pastor John Jere’s church here in Zambia.

Spending today in Lusaka. Pray for us this week as we will have an opportunity to meet with the Vice President of Zambia at a crucial time while Pastor John helps in the re-writing of Zambia’s constitution. We will also be speaking at the Bible college and to local pastors and speaking at church this sunday.

Steve and I did have an opportunity to speak last Sunday morning as well, and it was a joy to share God’s word with the people in South Africa.

We are leaving for Zambia for several days.   Should be a great time to spend with Pastor John Jere and his wife and their ministry with Samaritan Children’s Home and other ministries they are involved in, and we will get to stay in at a game park which should be some wonderful sights to see.  Not sure of internet access so check back but don’t hold your breath too long.

We spent the last several days in and around Capetown, South Africa. It is a beautiful place, and actually got to do a bit of sight seeing yesterday after church.

We have been staying with the LaRoux family “on the farm” - they have 8 children and a growing ministry that includes outreach to abused/abandoned children, men struggling with drug abuse, women contemplating abortion, and so much more. What a wonderful community of believers - several families living together on this farm and meeting each others and the community’s needs while teaching the word of God. They do so much more that can’t be captured in this brief account. I have been “Uncle Mark” to 8 children these past few days and they truly have the love of Christ radiating from them. What a joy and blessing it has been, especially as I miss my own 2 precious kids.

These are penguins is in the south tip of Capetown, called the boulders - in Simon Town. Pretty cool. Mark says, “Penguins everywhere and they come right up to you. I never thought that they would be in Africa.”

Hi everyone. I am alive and doing well. We started our trip by spending a couple days in Durban visiting Kelly and Cherise Smith and their 2 wonderful kids. They have a ministry reaching out to the Zulu people in a very poor hill country area where AIDS has hit very hard. It was a very sad and challenging time and place with so much need - I can’t begin to describe - I hope to post some pics soon. I look forward to spending some time with the Smith’s in may and June while they are in the states.

One story I will share is of a man we visited - he is disabled and can barely walk from an accident falling out of tree while harvesting and broke his legs but couldn’t afford treatment and never healed. He now stays home to take care of a 2 week old baby while his wife works washing clothes for nearly nothing to try to feed the family of 4. They all live in an 8×5 foot mud hut with barely room for 1 twin bed and a small end table that would go next to your couch - no electricity or water. So many needs in this area and many ideas to pray about and see how God might lead and provide.

This is Julie. Mark wanted me to post a quick update for everyone. We had a good conversation this morning - short, but at least I could actually hear him He is doing great. Right now they are in Capetown until Tuesday when they will leave for Zambia.

He is sleeping a bit better he said - probably starting to get his internal clock adjusted. Please continue to pray for safety and that he will be able to sleep.

I’m heading to Africa - will be visiting 3 countries and multiple projects. Please pray for safe travel and for opportunities to serve while I’m there. Very excited.

Also pray for Julie and the kids while I’m gone. I hope to have internet access at a couple spots along the way to post some updates and maybe a couple pics and will post a trip report when I return.

Well, for those that have been tracking me, I have been in limbo for a little while seeking what God has next for me. I have had a growing passion to do something missions related, and He has brought me an opportunity for a new and exciting journey.

I have decided to join with In Touch Mission International. We are currently praying and starting the process of raising support. I will be working out of the Tempe HQ office. They currently have projects they work with, mostly supporting & equipping Nationals in Africa (Zambia, South Africa, Uganda), and some projects in Poland and Romania. They range from churches, to children’s homes & orphanges, to Bible College and Christian elementary & secondary schools, Christian homeless shelter & job training ministries, Bible translation projects and more.

I will be working to meet with and assess the current structure and needs of the projects and see how we can resource them to better do their mission as well as look for ways to help them grow their vision and opportunities in the future -and looking to help churches and individuals here in the U.S. and elsewhere connect with opportunities to share in these ministries.

I am very excited to get started and see where God leads.

On the return trip back to Port-au-Prince, we traveled through the other side of town. We thought we had seen poverty the day before, but we were wrong. These pictures don’t do justice to the scope of the homelessness and the vast shanty-town dwellings that spread as far as the eye could see, nor to the scope of dire helplessness and hopelessness that you could see on the faces of people as we drove down the street. We were told that Haiti is the poorest nation in the western hemisphere and that it rivals that of many African countries.

The image of people washing clothes and collecting water from the murky, dirty and undoubtedly unsanitary water in the canal and gutters in the streets was absolutely heartbreaking.

For those that may wonder, the average annual income in Haiti is $350 us dollars per year. To put that in perspective, most americans spend more than that on their car payment each month, or on cable or internet in 1 year.

You can click on the pictures for a closer view.

Well, we did make it back home safely on Tuesday after a prolonged stay courtesy of American Airlines They were nice enough to put us up in a hotel in Miami for about 5 hours since we had a 6 hour delay due to mechanical issues in Haiti and then missed our connecting flight out and had to reroute on Tuesday. I couldn’t help but think of the people we had left in Haiti, and how grateful I was to be returning to so much, so how could I complain! We kept a positive attitude and enjoyed some down time in the airports.

But, on to the important things - our visit to Value Baptist Church on Sunday to spend time with our new extended church family and see the building that our church family was able help them build was the highlight of our trip. The people were such a joy to be around -

Try to picture people who are so poor they live with no running water or electricity, with no transportation climbing a steep mountain 5000 meters (several miles uphill) on foot - I thought it was a rough journey in the back seat of a 4×4 truck - one guy with only 1 leg comes up with a crutch & a stick - Oh what I would pay for video of that! They all dress up in their finest clothes and gather together for the highlight of their week.

Watching them for 3.5 hours, truly and passionately worshipping God together was amazing - and nobody got up early to leave or walk out during the last song! Wow. they could teach us all a few things.

They were so hungry to learn and so grateful for a meal that they could share together - I couldn’t help but think of the early church in Acts 2:

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

For all who gave to Palm Valley Church as part of the vision of the Seize the Moment campaign, which helped to also build Value Baptist church in Haiti, thank you for your gift to God and your love for others - I hope as you view some of the pictures you will reflect on the joy of giving as truly “it is more blessed to give than to receive” Acts 20:35

Some new friends from Haiti

Part of the daily grind for women (all ages)

New definition of a “Buyers” market

Daniel speaking to 1st year theological students at the Port-Au-Prince Christian Ministry Center

U.N. “Peace”-keepers giving the intl peace sign. Interesting to note that this vehicle was “manned” by young females for other nations, probably in early 20s.

For those that don’t know, I am in Haiti for a few days with Daniel Conner, one of the pastors at Palm Valley Church. We are visiting Value Baptist Church in Value, Haiti where Palm Valley Church has helped them to build their church building, to visit and encourage them and to see what is happening in the community and surrounding areas. Yesterday we visited the Christian Ministries Center in Port Au Prince after arriving and got to meet some of the theological students and pastors/leaders, as well as tour the facility to learn about the other vocational training classes they have there.

Today we spent the day in downtown Port Au Prince and the surrounding communities. I was reminded time and again of the many things that we take for granted living in America, from our freedom and security, to basic sanitation, electricity (which went out several times in the 1 hour visit to the ministry center as well as last night at our hotel), to the convenience of clean & running water that we don’t have to go and purchase and carry uphill several miles on foot to our home, to paved roads, not to mention luxuries like”High-speed” internet, cell phones that work (Verizon could make a great commercial over here - Can you hear me NOW?)etc. Daniel thinks the worst thing is that ESPN over here covers only Cricket, Rugby and soccer - they had a 20 second byte on 1 NBA game and it was a hoot listening to French & British broadcasters trying to report on it - That was Jolly-good ‘ol chap.

Well, too much to share in a short time - we are so blessed with all that we have.
Here’s a couple pics - hopefully they will load before the power goes out… 5 minutes and counting, don’t hold your breath. Seems Haiti is a little cleaner and safer than even 6-9 months ago - not many U.N. left around, but we did see a few - including an armored vehicle full of soldiers driving by the Haiti Palace (where the President it) taking pictures.

Love you all at home - you all need to get skype as any other type of communication just isn’t feasible and/or cost effective. Daniel got a prepaid cell phone when we arrived at the airport - we (he) had to ask the waitress to interpret the instructions (French) for us this morning at breakfast and she explained that the reason our call wasn’t going through is that we had about 2 gouldes of talk time left (1 dollar = 36 gouldes… you do the math) (not sure where all our minutes went, obviously lost in translation but I’m sure the salesperson had a good laugh at us tourists)??

Grandparents are great. They love to spend time with the kids and do fun things that grandparents do. You have to love them for all they do and for how much they love their grandkids, but…..
Sometimes grandparents can swoop in and do something that becomes an expected standard for parents to carry on (aren’t kids great!).
My dad loves the Ice Cream man - he always has, and he has passed that love on to his grandkids. Buy them ice cream once, and they think you’re awesome - do it twice and it becomes an expected ritual. They can hear that annoying music from miles away and they sprint to the door every time (this is several times each week mind you), and of course you know that the Ice Cream Man knows a sucker when he finds one, and drives really slow going down our street, just hoping that maybe grandpa is here today.
The worst part of it for me is that I just can’t bring myself to pay $3 for an ice cream sandwich when you can get a whole box of them at Walmart for that price - If you know me, then you know that would be excruciating punishment. I’ll bet that guy drives a really nice car though
Maybe I should try that out… 100 ice creams per day at $2 profit each= 73k per year???

I have really enjoyed spending some extra time with the kids the last week or so. I have played many board games (including pretty princesses - luckily Julie didn’t have the camera handy to snap a shot with the earrings, necklace and crown) and being there when they get home from school etc is fun.
So the thought popped into my head - I wonder what it would be like to become a stay at home dad?
Today sealed the deal. I was cleaning up around the house (yes, mom, now pick yourself up off the floor) and as I joyfully went about the duties that many men never know about around the house, I was picking up the wayward dishes that somehow found themselves into the weirdest places around the house. My naive and unsuspecting nature went to pour out a sippy cup that certainly had some juice in it - but upon opening it and dumping (or lumping I guess) the clumps of curdled milk, I realized there are just some things that women can endure (like childbirth, cleaning up after a sick child - you know, the “puke” parent) that men were obviously never meant to do.
And thus, I am back to the drawing board on seeking what is next.

Isaiah 40:30-32 (New American Standard Bible)

We were eating dinner tonight and Noah asked if I had a new job yet (after all its been 3 days now, right!?). I told him that I was still “looking” and that right now we were being patient and waiting on God, but reassured him that everything would be fine, and God would bring the right job at the right time.
To which Natalie replied in her very excited and animated voice, “Dad, I know, you could get a job at Petsmart! Then you could get us a free pet, maybe a new dog or a hampster!”

I assured her that I would keep that in mind, and who knows??? Of course if they ever found out about my blind 13 year old Bassett hound with no tail and our adopted 12 year old, deaf Cocker spaniel (what a dynamic duo they make!), I ‘m not sure that I would pass their screening and reference process.

The only thing funnier than this was when Noah informed us that his arm was going numb from eating his broccoli. Now that was a new one for me.

My verse for today:

30Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
31Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

For those that may have missed the announcement yesterday, I have stepped down from my job as Executive Pastor at Palm Valley. This was a rough weekend with lots of tears (many more inside than I let show - I didn’t know if I was going to be able to hold it together on stage for 4 services, but somehow God got me through) - so many memories of the people and experiences that God has let me be a part of over the last 6 years. So many close friends/co-workers that I will not be doing life with everyday (guys I will certainly miss lunch at Barros every week
The thought of not greeting every person that walks onto campus each weekend, which I have come to love. The hugs and thanks and emails I received from people who God has let me serve and help in some way. I treasure all of this and truly give thanks to God for allowing me to serve Him these past 6 years, as He has grown me and changed me along the way, drawing me closer to Him.
But at the same time, I know it was a close to one chapter in my life and a fresh start to what I believe God is tugging on my heart and calling me to - not exactly sure what that is yet, but I truly believe that God has something new prepared for me to help meet people’s needs and build the kingdom of God.
So, today is a day of new beginnings. Please pray for peace, patience to wait upon God (I need it), and provision, for me and for Julie and the kids. And for God to direct my path and open the doors that He desires.

Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

I have been meaning to post our latest family pics taken before Christmas. So finally, here they are. We can’t post name or pictures of our 2 newest family members until the adoption is finalized, but you can keep updated on our adoption blog www.fourplusmore.com and we will post pics as soon as possible.

Have you ever asked yourself or someone else or asked God what His will was for you? I think sometimes I/we have this idea that the will of God is this thing we can never comprehend or know. But I think that God is clear that he wants us to know and do his will (Psalm 143:10, Ephesians 5:17, Colossians 1:9)

All of God’s word (the Bible) contains God’s will for us - both what he wants us to do and not do. As we read and study the Bible, it guides us in the moral attributes and heart of God, and the love he has for us and the abundant/good/eternal life that he desires for us (John 10:9-10) that we can experience if we will put our trust in him and follow his plan.
God’s will is always good, acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2)

Let us know and follow God’s will in our every decision.

I came across this “Quote” a while back, and hope to go through and quantify some of these thoughts from God’s word.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

I’ve been thinking/studying about faith recently. What is it and how can I wrap my mind around it and tangibly explain it to others? Well, the answer is I can’t.
But I have come across several things recently that have been an encouragement to me in my faith journey, so I thought I would share just a couple.

From A.W. Tozer
“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the one who is leading.”
“Faith in God is to be demonstrated, not defined.”
“True faith commits us to obedience.”

Hebrews 11 is a who’s who of great stories of faith. Below are a few select thoughts, but I encourage you to read through it all.

Hebrews 11:1-3, 6
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.