The sunlight conquers darkness.....gradually.

This morning, the day after Thanksgiving, I woke up, and went for a run. It was about 20 degrees out, I was wearing my sock hat, gloves and had my ipod blaring. The setting was perfect. The sky was clear and I had the BEST view of the sun coming up...I came home and decided to blog on my thoughts and the reflecting I did while i was running. Have you ever watch the sun come up? A sunrise is the most glorious if you are in the country or on the beach away for the light pollution of the city. Either way, it's an amazing thing to watch. It's interesting how the sunlight conquers the darkness little by little. It's doesn't suddenly become daylight like a switch being turned on. It's gradual. And, there is no doubt that the sun will shine. We don't have to stand at the window each morning wondering if the sun will come up; we have faith that it will. We expect it to arrive. You can go about your everyday life while the sun is coming up. You can fix breakfast, make your bed, watch the early news, take a shower - anything you need to do. It never occurs to us to "worry" about whether or not we will see sunlight.

That's the way it is with expecting change in our life. Most of the time, change doesn't happen instantly. You can't lose 20 pounds by snapping your fingers (though I wish I could). You can't improve your relationship with you husband or children in one day. After all, such problems usually don't develop in just one day. Most change takes time but that time is wasted if it is spent worrying about whether or not the change is coming. Also, that time is wasted if you just sit and do nothing while you're waiting for it. Go ahead with your responsibilities, recreation, work, worship, day-to-day life. Change will happen when you seek God and his will for your life. Your relationship with the Creator of the universe becomes deeper gradually. Be patient. God will answer your prayer. Happiness and joy will arrive - in God's time. After all, the sun comes up little by little every morning, doesn't it?

2 Corinthians 3:18
And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him.

Seasons

Just as the seasons change, so do the days of our lives.....ha! Cheesy, but truthful. Right now I feel as though I'm in a season of holding. In a way I feel like I'm on "pause", and there is almost an anticipation and nervousness of what's to come. So, for that to happen, I feel like God has put some things on hold for a time. I'm great with that. So much so, that if I'm not careful I can become complacent and sleepy in my walking with Jesus. "On hold" for me means I am to be in serious continual learning mode and observing. I know what God has gifted me with and I know that in His time he will use it accordingly and in more ways than I can imagine.

This season is one he has been teaching me in for more than a year now. Although I have no idea what will come at the end of this season, it is even more of an opportunity to be obedient in the instructions He has given me.

What season are you in? There are many. For instance: a season of quiet, a season of excitement. Maybe you are in a season of discipline, or habitual sin that God is dealing with. Think about what is going on in your life and how God is working in and out of all you say and do. Are you paying attention to him? Are you seeking Him no matter what season you are in.

This we can know; nothing stays the same with God and our relationship with Him except the fact that He doesn't change. What season are you in? Enjoy it. Learn from it. Experience it and use it for His glory. He wastes no time or season, they each are in His hand for His glory and our good.

Waiting for answers

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 47:10.

Why is so hard to just be quiet and still? There is always something to do, something to finish, somewhere to go, or someone to call. Even when the things that we do are good and important, we still miss the most important thing of all, spending time with God. We pray and wonder why God is not answering or maybe He doesn't even hear us when we are crying out. He probably has been answering, we just don't take the time to listen.

I am currently reading a book that talks about this. What does happen when we slip away to be with God? We exchange weariness for His strength, weakness for His power, darkness for His light, my problems for His solutions, my afflictions for His balm of comfort, my questions for His answers, my confusion for His knowledge, my doubt for His assurance, my nothingness for His awesomeness, the temporal for the eternal, and the impossible for the possible!

What are some other things that happen when we wait and listen and slip away to be with God????

Lessons from a 10 year old

He's already in bed when I get home from my meeting, but I go into his room anyway to tell him good night. As my head nears his, he stirs and rolls to his back.

"Good night, honey," I whisper, kissing his forehead.

His arms circle my neck and he holds me close, never opening his eyes. His lips tenderly find my cheek and I smile at the way he mimics his normal bedtime ritual.

"I love you, Mom," he says and hugs me tight.

Loving comes so naturally to him, he can literally do it in his sleep. He represents everything good and pure in life, reminding me love covers a multitude of sins.

And I am blessed.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Haiti Hurricane Relief

This was posted on Medical Teams International website.. Pastor Dellamy sent this to them regarding our disaster team...
____________________________________________

Medical Teams International deployed six volunteer medical professionals to Terre Blanche, Haiti, on September 26, 2008. These doctors and nurses brought lifesaving care to children and families suffering from pneumonia, infections, burns and wounds.

Haiti weathered several severe hurricanes and tropical storms in August and September. An estimated one million people lost their homes and are living in temporary shelters without access to food, clean water or medical care.

Our disaster response team returned home on October 23. In collaboration with our partner, the Haiti Foundation of Hope, our volunteers touched the lives of hundreds of hurricane survivors. One of our partners, Pastor Delamy Brazilme, wrote to us:

"Words are not enough to express our thankfulness. Your medical team was one of the greatest gifts that you could have sent. I observed several patients who came to the clinic like death and went out alive. Praise God! The Lord is making Medical Teams International a great institution, which is able to touch the needs of so many around the world."