Only God.
Well, I continue to feel like the most blessed girl that ever lived...but in one sense, I am. My life of sin was paid for by Christ-for good. Can we really ever be blessed beyond that? The past several days have been full of more amazing experiences; ones that challenge me, make me think, and cause me to grow and dwell on the things of God. I couldn't ask for more.
Friday evening I had the neat opportunity to help check in guys at the Men's Conference. Probably sounds silly and you are wondering why I thought that was so cool...(and no, it wasn't because I was trying to 'pick up a man' lol) well, I think it's awesome when I see men seek God. I got to smile and welcome and laugh with guys right before God was getting ready to move in their life. My anticipation grew as 7:00 drew near, and I ended up getting to spend some time in the auditorium in worship with them. What a sound to hear a bunch of guys lifting their voice in praise to the One who wholly deserves it-the Only One. I was moved.
You see, us gals look to you men-we look to you to be leaders; we look to you to be father figures; we look to you to be big brothers-we look to you to defend, protect, and honor Christ, His Word, others around you, and us. It's how we were designed. I think many girls would agree with me that there isn't really a feeling to compare to that of a guy defending and fighting for your honor...protecting you. Sometimes, that looks like speaking truth that dispels the lies of the enemy; sometimes that looks like not laughing at the crude humor our culture bathes itself in, and sometimes it looks like physically keeping us from harm, among other things. And sometimes it just looks like a man mimicking the love that God carries for His girls. It's a powerful thing to behold.
To be welcoming in men to this conference, knowing God had in mind to build them up as leaders; to build them as the men He designed them to be, and to build a passion and drive for the things of Christ in their heart, well, it just lit me up inside! I have seen the impact of that kind of man-the many lives they touch, the souls they win through Christ, the families they raise up, and the coming generation that they build. I was so excited too, because I know the impact on each individual when God comes in and upturns our world for His glory and purposes and the amazing blessing that comes from us stepping out, surrendering to Christ, and opening our hearts to what He wants to do. How could you not be full of joy at thinking about those things happening in hundreds of lives? I couldn't help myself!
Saturday evening I visited a church service for the "unchurched." It was awesome. Some came in filthy, some came in on drugs or wasted, but they came in. I'd so much rather they be there then wandering out on the street somewhere. Some came in looking pretty average and seeking to be fed the truth of the Word. But the only thing that really mattered was the fact that Christ loves every single person that enters that door just the same. One woman was heart-broken over her husband leaving her. Two men I was introduced to I later found out were big time drug dealers 6 months ago in Springfield; now they are praying with people at the altar and leading them to Christ. Even the guy preaching was in prison 3 years ago and had a rough path leading up to that...never imagined he could or would be preaching the gospel to people and sharing his story...ONLY GOD. Only God can change a heart & life...to see the work He is doing through this ministry is amazing. I will definitely be back. There is no life that is beyond the hope of the Lord. Seeing the people who have been set free and hearing their testimony and the power of them sharing it with others made my heart feel like it would explode-in a good way! :) Nothing is impossible for my God, and I'm going to make it a point to pray like I truly believe that!
Sunday I spent 15 hours doing ambulance ride-alongs. I met a man about my age who is an Iraq vet suffering from PTSD. He is now an alcoholic and is struggling through withdrawal. It was heart-breaking and he has a long road in front of him but is getting the help he needs. Dealt with a few other drug users, but with a new sense of restored hope after seeing what happens when God shows up in a life first hand the night before. I got to work with some really neat people that I definitely built a friendship with. I love working emergency calls and helping people and getting to show love to them. I hope and pray Christ shines through me and opens doors.
And then back to the classroom-my ongoing mission field. A little boy who is often in trouble has come up and hug me twice in the last week. I don't remember him ever hugging me this school year. It pretty much melted my heart. He has started making little pictures and things to give me. It's funny, because often I think, boy this kid is always in trouble, they must hate me because I'm always consequencing them...but then they turn around like this. It just shows that the Bible is very true when it talks about discipline and it's connection to love. Just like God disciplining us-it hurts, and we don't like it and we want to kick and scream and fight, but deep down, we realize we are deeply loved or He wouldn't even bother. Many of my little kiddos have missed out on so much love already in life; and yet they pour so much love out. Truly God's grace on their little lives. I just adore them and will miss them so much when school lets out. One more month-time to make the minutes keep counting!
Only God can build up a broken man. Only God can set people truly and completely free from addiction. Only God can heal the sick and broken lives-both inside and out; only God can pour undue amounts of love into the heart of a child. Only God can open up these doors I am so unworthy to even look at let alone step through--only God.
Friday evening I had the neat opportunity to help check in guys at the Men's Conference. Probably sounds silly and you are wondering why I thought that was so cool...(and no, it wasn't because I was trying to 'pick up a man' lol) well, I think it's awesome when I see men seek God. I got to smile and welcome and laugh with guys right before God was getting ready to move in their life. My anticipation grew as 7:00 drew near, and I ended up getting to spend some time in the auditorium in worship with them. What a sound to hear a bunch of guys lifting their voice in praise to the One who wholly deserves it-the Only One. I was moved.
You see, us gals look to you men-we look to you to be leaders; we look to you to be father figures; we look to you to be big brothers-we look to you to defend, protect, and honor Christ, His Word, others around you, and us. It's how we were designed. I think many girls would agree with me that there isn't really a feeling to compare to that of a guy defending and fighting for your honor...protecting you. Sometimes, that looks like speaking truth that dispels the lies of the enemy; sometimes that looks like not laughing at the crude humor our culture bathes itself in, and sometimes it looks like physically keeping us from harm, among other things. And sometimes it just looks like a man mimicking the love that God carries for His girls. It's a powerful thing to behold.
To be welcoming in men to this conference, knowing God had in mind to build them up as leaders; to build them as the men He designed them to be, and to build a passion and drive for the things of Christ in their heart, well, it just lit me up inside! I have seen the impact of that kind of man-the many lives they touch, the souls they win through Christ, the families they raise up, and the coming generation that they build. I was so excited too, because I know the impact on each individual when God comes in and upturns our world for His glory and purposes and the amazing blessing that comes from us stepping out, surrendering to Christ, and opening our hearts to what He wants to do. How could you not be full of joy at thinking about those things happening in hundreds of lives? I couldn't help myself!
Saturday evening I visited a church service for the "unchurched." It was awesome. Some came in filthy, some came in on drugs or wasted, but they came in. I'd so much rather they be there then wandering out on the street somewhere. Some came in looking pretty average and seeking to be fed the truth of the Word. But the only thing that really mattered was the fact that Christ loves every single person that enters that door just the same. One woman was heart-broken over her husband leaving her. Two men I was introduced to I later found out were big time drug dealers 6 months ago in Springfield; now they are praying with people at the altar and leading them to Christ. Even the guy preaching was in prison 3 years ago and had a rough path leading up to that...never imagined he could or would be preaching the gospel to people and sharing his story...ONLY GOD. Only God can change a heart & life...to see the work He is doing through this ministry is amazing. I will definitely be back. There is no life that is beyond the hope of the Lord. Seeing the people who have been set free and hearing their testimony and the power of them sharing it with others made my heart feel like it would explode-in a good way! :) Nothing is impossible for my God, and I'm going to make it a point to pray like I truly believe that!
Sunday I spent 15 hours doing ambulance ride-alongs. I met a man about my age who is an Iraq vet suffering from PTSD. He is now an alcoholic and is struggling through withdrawal. It was heart-breaking and he has a long road in front of him but is getting the help he needs. Dealt with a few other drug users, but with a new sense of restored hope after seeing what happens when God shows up in a life first hand the night before. I got to work with some really neat people that I definitely built a friendship with. I love working emergency calls and helping people and getting to show love to them. I hope and pray Christ shines through me and opens doors.
And then back to the classroom-my ongoing mission field. A little boy who is often in trouble has come up and hug me twice in the last week. I don't remember him ever hugging me this school year. It pretty much melted my heart. He has started making little pictures and things to give me. It's funny, because often I think, boy this kid is always in trouble, they must hate me because I'm always consequencing them...but then they turn around like this. It just shows that the Bible is very true when it talks about discipline and it's connection to love. Just like God disciplining us-it hurts, and we don't like it and we want to kick and scream and fight, but deep down, we realize we are deeply loved or He wouldn't even bother. Many of my little kiddos have missed out on so much love already in life; and yet they pour so much love out. Truly God's grace on their little lives. I just adore them and will miss them so much when school lets out. One more month-time to make the minutes keep counting!
Only God can build up a broken man. Only God can set people truly and completely free from addiction. Only God can heal the sick and broken lives-both inside and out; only God can pour undue amounts of love into the heart of a child. Only God can open up these doors I am so unworthy to even look at let alone step through--only God.
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