Ding..Ding...Ding...The Avon Lady!

Anyone out there struggling with work? Unfortunately, I am. I've been praying for a long time about my job. It seems to me that each time I pray about this, something new at work happens---something good! I recently told God exactly what I needed, guidance in my current job. The next day I was blindsided. I got a promotion! Not a very big one, but nonetheless, a promotion. Praise God for answering my prayers, I asked and he provided.

He has answered my prayer, but I'm still struggling with work. I'm hoping this is normal, but it's a very difficult struggle. A lot happens throughout my day and each day I get very aggravated and stressed out about what happens. I get yelled at A LOT each day and put down by certain individuals. I feel bad that I've prayed and God has provided, but I'm struggling with staying in my current job because it's having a huge impact on my emotional and personal well-being. I don't want to disrespect or question God's plan at all, but I'm really struggling with work.

I recently found a masters program that I really would like to enroll in. AU has a masters in Christian Ministry with an emphasis in worship studies, ding..ding..ding....the Avon Lady!!! Something like this couldn't be more perfect for someone like me!

However, it is an additional expense. I would love to go to school full-time and work part time at my church, but what about that huge amount of student loan debt?

I'm praying about it and I know God will direct me where I'm supposed to go, he will always provide.

If there are any readers out there and if you wouldn't mind, please pray for my current work situation and whether or not I should return to school. Many thanks and blessings!

Currently listening to & hooked on: "King of Glory" by Chris Tomlin

God's Love Letters to You

Dr. Larry Crabb does not disappoint in his book titled ‘God’s Love Letters to You.’ Admittedly, I did not read this book over forty days. I read the book in a couple of days, I couldn’t help myself! The scriptures and teachings are so powerful! I jotted down several inspirational lines from this book, but here are some of the most beautiful ones:

“God says: You want me to solve your problems, but you don’t know what your worse problem is, the one responsible for all the others. You don’t yet realize that distance from Me is the most lethal problem you have. When the first thing (namely Me) is in first place in your life, every second thing will be taken care of.”

“If I exist, if I am good, if My story is loving and my plan is on course, My spirit will speak into the deep place in your heart that only terrifying doubt renders accessible. And in that place I will anchor you in hope.”

Wow! This brought so much light to my eyes. As individuals and as a whole, we need to realize that God should be our first love, all other things come after that. This book highlights many of those important points that we all need to be reminded of everyone once in awhile. You will not be disappointed!

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

What would you do?

Today church provided a message both encouraging and also heart breaking. Someone took a video camera in our town and placed a message about God in the middle of the sidewalk of a busy shopping center. Several and I mean several people walked back and forth glancing down at what they saw, but no reaction. Some people hesitated wondering why something so large was in the middle of the sidewalk, but didn't really think twice, they continued to walk. We didn't get to see exactly what was placed on the sidewalk, but watching some people glance at it and others ignore it made me curious. What would I do if I saw that? I would immediately stop and read and see what the message entailed. What would you do? Would you ignore God's word? Don't have time for God's word? What about the time he gives us all daily? What about the glorious gift he's sent? Sending his only son to die for our sins? I'll ask again, what would you do?

Fast forward to a few video clips of people in Africa and Indonesia. Missionaries were exiting planes with boxes full of bibles that had been translated into different languages. People were screaming, crying, dancing and praising God. They were so excited that they got to read God's word in a language they know and understand.

It made me hopeful for the people across the world so hungry for God's word, but sad for people in my city that just ignored a glorious gift on the sidewalk. This made me realize that God's love and mercy has washed over my sins and HE is using me to share God's word.

Today I finally turned in my information card at church. You know, the one that's on the back of chairs or pews or placed inside a program. I'd been meaning to do it for awhile, but never did. I told my mom I did so today and she said something that made a lot of sense, that I guess I hadn't realized. "Well, there you go, that's your home church."

Last week I finally got to meet the senior pastor, Pastor Dave and had a conversation with him about the burning desire that's in my heart for ministry and media. He said he may have an opportunity for me and we should meet. I immediately emailed him and anxiously await his reply. Today they stated a need for several volunteers of all different backgrounds: medical, IT, attorneys, fundraising and creative communications, among others.

There it is. In big bold letters, Creative Communications (special need for videography for both local and international ministries. )

Mom's right. Sounds like I've not only found my church home, but also my calling.

Heal my heart and make it clean. Open up my eyes to the things unseen. Show me how to love like You have loved me. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause. As I walk from earth into eternity. Hosanna, hosanna. Hosanna in the highest!

A new beginning.....

My first official posting. I'm creating this blog for two reasons: 1.) God 2.) Myself.

I have always been a Christian, but have recently dedicated my life to the Lord and I've realized that all good things come from him, in fact ALL things come from him. I recently was struggling with my faith and felt lost in the world. A good friend of mine pointed out to me that Jesus should be our first love, that everything we do should be for him and to honor him. Why had that not really crossed my mind before? She brought a fresh breeze into my thinking and it has since changed me.

To my lifelong best friend that I've known for well over twenty years: Carey, thank you. I love you!

So prospective friends, I ask to share and join in fellowship and lookout for future blogs as I have joined Booksneeze and am SO excited to learn more about Christ our Lord and share about it through writing.

"Into marvelous light I'm running, out of darkness, out of shame.... your breath fills up my lungs, now I'm free....."