What God Is Great Like our God?

I'm doing a Bible study with a young married girl from church.  We have started going through Loving God with All Your Mind.  I was reading in chapter 5 this morning and it was on thinking on what is true (Phil. 4:8) in regards to the past.  Elisabeth George was warning her readers that dwelling on the "I should have" of the past will only lead to discontentment now. 

She said to read Psalm 77, which I did.  It was just the scripture I needed this morning.  The entire chapter was very encouraging, but the verses that stood out to me the most are 11-13.  They say:

"I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will ponder all Your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is great like our God?" Ps. 77:11-13


Don't you love the question at the end?  It's one of those "duh" questions.  There is no god greater than our God.  I'm so thankful to have a God that knows my past and my future.  And He has proven His faithfulness again and again and again. I don't have to live in the "I should have" moments of the past or the "what if" moments of the future.  I must do as Phil. 4:8 commands and think on what is true.

Thanksgiving

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family.  This past year has been so full.  It was a year ago this week that I left camp.  When I reflect on all that God has done this past year, I'm overwhelmed with thanks.

Here's a bit of a recap:

• God directed me to leave the camp ministry....difficult, but part of His plan.
• God gave me a wonderful three months of rest and time with my family.
• God provided me with a job before I even started looking.
• God led me to buy my first house....all by myself.....I was scared out of my mind.  It has truly become a home.
• God led me to a wonderful church family where He is allowing me to serve Him.
• Last, but certainly not least, God brought a wonderful man into my life.....see previous post if you missed it. :)

This past year has been such a growing time for me. He has truly blessed me and I'm thankful for all He has done.  I can't wait to see what this next year holds.

Here are few pictures of our family celebration this year.

Donna, Me, & Mom

Mom, Me & Dad

Scott, Autumn, Jamie & Ethan - time to load up on the yummy dinner

Ethan and Me - I love the look on his face.  He's such a ham.

Donna & Uncle Smiley (just gave him that nickname this week)

We also celebrated Christmas with Scott and his family since we won't get to see them.  Below are the gifts I gave the kids.  I love them, but I'm sure their parents might not like the idea of them playing with their food.  What can I say....I'm a great aunt. :)

A Mighty Fortress

A Mighty Fortress is one of my favorite hymns.  A friends posted this arrangement on her Facebook and I thought I'd share it with you.  Read the words below as you listen.  In fact, sing along.  What an amazing God we have!!!

A Mighty Fortress Is our God
by Martin Luthur

A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing;

our helper he amid the flood

of mortal ills prevaling.

For still our ancient foe

doth seek to work us woe;

his craft and power are great,

and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right man on our side,

the man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth, his name,

from age to age the same,

and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God hath willed

his truth to triumph through us.

The Prince of Darkness grim,

we tremble not for him;

his rage we can endure,

for lo, his doom is sure;

one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,

no thanks to them, abideth;

the Spirit and the gifts are ours,

thru him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever.

Praise!

Psalm 100

Make a joyful nose to the LORD, all the earth!

Serve the Lord with gladness!

Come into His presence with singing!

Know that the LORD, He is God!

It is He who made us, and we are His;

we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, 

and His courts with praise!

Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

For the LORD is good;

His steadfast love endures forever,

and His faithfulness to all generations.

My heart is overflowing in praise.  God is so good.  I have had many struggles the last few years, but God has shown Himself faithful again and again and again.

Tomorrow I will be singing my first solo in church in over two years. With the health struggles I had the last few years, my voice was not dependable.  It would come and go and most of the time I was unable to sing.  For those that know me, you know how difficult that has been for me. I missed singing praises to my wonderful Savior.

My voice is returning.  It still isn't as it was, but I am so thankful that I can once again sing for Him.

Your Grace Still Amazes Me

I was listening to Pandora at work today and this song came on. It's one of my favorites.  The message is so powerful.  Hope you enjoy it.

Praise

I've posted this video before, but wanted to share it again. This song was on my heart this morning.  When you really think about God and all He has done, how can you not have a heart overflowing with praise?

Names of God

Hope this encourages you today.

Almost Time

Well, the time is getting closer and closer. I leave for Creston on Sunday. Close on my house on Monday. And try to get unpacked and settled. My parents are then coming on March 8 to help with some house projects. Then I start work on March 15. It's happening very quickly.

Part of me is so excited and ready to jump in. The other part of me is a little sad to be moving away from my family again and missing my friends from camp and church.

I am, however, very excited to see what God has in store. There is no denying that this entire process and direction has been laid out by Him. I'm very thankful for the time I've had off to rest and recuperate. I'm also very thankful for the time I've had with my wonderful parents. If I had a choice in picking my parents, I couldn't have done any better than the ones God blessed me with. They have been so supportive and so generous. I am truly blessed.

Praise!!!

I had previously posted about the surprise on my insurance bill. After my initial "freaking out" about it, God worked in my heart to show me that He will take care of me. I just needed to trust Him.

I heard from my insurance agent that it was a mistake and the extra $200/month is coming off! God is so good. Even if I did have to pay it, He would still be good! I'm glad I came to that point even before I had the good news. I'm very thankful for such an amazing God that cares about our needs. I'm also thankful that even when we fear and doubt, He cares and doesn't give up on us (or more specifically me).

Grace

At the conclusion of my devos this morning, I had a song running through my head. It seemed to fit with my bout of fear yesterday. So after another time of confessing this morning, I meditated on these word for awhile. My heart feels so blessed to have such an amazing God that forgives and blesses. I don't want to miss out on the joy of His leading because of fear. I don't want to fearfully follow God's leading, but faithfully follow. I'm not saying the fear is gone, but I'm working on it.

Grace
by Carolyn Hamlin

Lord, as I seek your guidance for the day,
I find my thoughts unyielding: confusion clouds my way,
But, then when I bow to you, the challenges you guide me through,
Your promises are ever new: I claim them for today.

Your will cannot lead me where your grace cannot keep me.
Your hand will protect me: I rest in your care.
Your eyes will watch over me: Your love will forgive me.
And when I am faltering, I still will find you there.

Each new day’s design is guided by your hand,
And graciously revealed as I seek your Master plan.
Keep my footsteps faithful when from you I go.
Return me to the joy that your blessings can bestow.

Your will cannot lead me where your grace cannot keep me.
Your hand will protect me: I rest in your care.
Your eyes will watch over me: Your love will forgive me.
And when I am faltering, I still will find you there.

Your eyes will watch over me,
Your love will forgive me,
And when I am faltering,
Lord, I will find you there

One Step Forward...Two Steps Back

Wow! God is doing things in my life and He's moving at rapid speed. I'm going to be honest here...I'm scared. Which is simply quite silly. It is so obvious that it's God's plan for me to move to Creston. It is also obvious that God placed a particular house in my path.

Let me back up a bit. My parents went with me to Creston on Thursday and Friday of last week. It's a long drive, so we didn't have lots of time to look at houses. In human terms, it really seemed impossible that I'd find a house in such a quick trip. But God does not have limits. We looked at a total of seven houses and the very last one was it. We almost didn't get to see it, but it was totally a God thing. It's in a great neighborhood and it's a really nice house. It needs some updates and a bit of work, but it's manageable.

Now, on with the story. My thoughts have been running along these lines for the last few days..."It would be so much easier to do this if I had a husband." I know that all of you married people out there are thinking it's just as scary when your married. Today in my devotions it hit me that what I was actually doing was wishing there was a living, breathing person in the flesh that I could trust in and rely on. Whoa! Isn't God so much better than that? And I'd rather trust a sinful man than trust an amazing God? See...that's just plain silly!

So I had some confessing and committing to do. And then the mail came. I got a letter that stated my medical insurance was going to be over $200 more a month than I had expected. Seriously....it was only like five minutes after my prayer. What did I do? I'd love to tell you that I had great faith and knew it was simply another twist in the road. Nope...I freaked out! Lots of tears and growing fears.

When will I learn that God will only allow what is best for me in my life? When will I learn that perfect love casts out fear? When will I learn that I should only fully trust in Him and in nothing else?

As you can see, I have a lot to learn. This process of moving to Creston has been amazing! I have no doubt that this is direction God has laid out for me. I have no doubt He wanted me to see this house. So why all the fears? I guess I'm still a sinner saved by grace that needs to refocus my attention on Him.

I'd appreciate your prayers throughout this process. We are still in the "counter-offer" stage on the house. I'll post and let you know as soon as it goes through.

Gazing or Going?

I heard a great message this morning. My dad was sick and couldn't preach (that's not why it was good). So Pastor Gruis filled in for him. He brought us to Acts chapter 1. In verse 11 it says, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?..." In verse 8, Jesus had just told them to go and get busy.

What a great picture of how most of us live today...including me. Instead of being busy for Christ, I'm gazing. Why? It's easier to gaze than go. It's more comfortable to gaze than go. It's more accepted to gaze than go. It's less controversial to gaze than go. Bottom line: because it's more about me than Him.

So I just thought I'd share this tidbit with you. I'm going to work on being more of a goer and doer than a gazer and watcher.

Merry Christmas

I wanted to wish you all a very, Merry Christmas! I'm currently in northern Illinois and ready to spend lots of time with my family. I can't remember the last time we spent Christmas with my brother and his family. I'm very excited to see the kids open their presents and make some fun memories with them.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior. In the midst of the busyness, please remember the reason He came to earth as a baby. He shed His blood on the cross and if we accept the gift of salvation He offers, we can have a home in Heaven with Him. Please take the time to reflect on all He has done for us. He wants a relationship with us, not just religion.

John 3:16
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:10
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:9, 10, 13

Giving Thanks

We had our Praise Banquet at church last night. What a wonderful time of praise to our Savior. One of our college guys gave the message and preached on Job. Not a typical thanksgiving message, but it was just what I needed. Somewhere in our little minds, we tend to make Thanksgiving about us. Oh, I know we GIVE THANKS for God's blessings. But what blessings to you tend to thank God for...family, job, home, friends, church, etc. Do we remember to thank Him for EVERYTHING? Job was left with nothing and yet offered praise to God. This is especially timely for me.

This is my last week at camp. Although I'm excited to find what God has around the next bend for me, it's also very heart breaking. I'm not just leaving a job, but my entire life from the last six years. Just thinking about it now is bringing tears. I know that it is an answer to prayer and I know that God will use this stage in my life to continue to draw me closer to Him, but it breaks my heart. But I choose to give thanks. I choose to give thanks for the difficult circumstances that brought me to this decision. I choose to give thanks I have no strength of my own and have to draw from His. (When I am weak; then He is strong).

I have wonderful things to be thankful for as well. But let's remember that even if God decides to take it all away, we still have a reason to be thankful - God. Job was simply rejoicing in who God was even though he had nothing..."The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Job 1:21b

One of our teens sang this song last night and it was such a powerful message. Enjoy the song and let's be thankful for our Savior together.

You Are God Alone

I just got back from the NARBC Conference. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with my fellow camp staff as well as camp staff from around the country. My first camp conference was a Camp Forest Springs in Westboro, WI and it was also my last (a little ironic). Not only did we have great fellowship, but the staff at Camp Forest Springs provided us with helpful workshops.

During the sessions, we were lead in worship by Matt Hoffland. I loved his selection of music, but the song that really stuck out to me is You Are God Alone. I've heard it hundreds of times and sing along with the radio, but seeing the word on the screen made such a huge impact on me this week. I thought I'd share them with you as well. What an amazing God we serve!

You Are God Alone
(Phillips, Craig & Dean)

Verse 1:
You are not a God
Created by human hands
You are not a God
Dependant on any mortal man
You are not a God
In need of anything we can give
By Your plan, that’s just the way it is

Chorus:
You are God alone
From before time began
You were on Your throne
You are God alone

And right now
In the good times and bad
You were on the throne
You are God alone

Verse 2:
You’re the only God
Whose power none can contend
You’re the only God
Whose name and praise will never end
You’re the only God
Who’s worthy of everything we can give
You are God
And that’s just the way it is

Chorus

Bridge:
Unchangeable
Unshakable
Unstoppable
That’s what You are

Chorus

Bridge

Where Does Your Help Come From?

Let's just say this week has not been fantastic. I've been sick. Again.

Yesterday was not a good day and I was feeling very sorry for myself. I had plans. I had things I really wanted to do this weekend that were not going to happen because I'm sick. I'm tired of being sick.

I emailed a friend who was a true friend and didn't let me wallow. Instead she helped me set my gaze on my wonderful Savior. He knew about my plans this weekend, but has other plans in mind for me.

She reminded me of Psalm 121.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help come from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber
Behold, He who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
the LORD is your shade on your right hand,
The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all evil;
He will keep your life.
The LORD will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

The author of this Psalm looked at the hills and realized that the creator of those hills is the same God to provide for his needs. I have the same God. He is faithful and powerful and can handle anything. Who better to trust with my plans. I hope that I can keep working on having the same plans as His.

Take a look at what our wonderful Creator did! Who better to trust? Where does your help come from?

And this last one is from the view right outside my window.

Start Spreadin' the News

Some of you that already know may be wondering why I haven't shared my latest news here yet. So I guess it's time to spread the news. This is difficult news, yet exciting at the same time. After much prayer and searching of God's heart, I've decided that it's time to leave IRBC. There are several factors that come into play. It's getting more difficult to keep up with the pace of camp life. I also want to be more involved in local church ministry, which is my love and passion.

I have loved my time at IRBC. Not only have I had a chance to minister, but being in the ministry here has changed my life. I will miss it more than I can put into words.

So now come all the questions...What are you going to do? Where will you live? Will you move to Illinois to be by family? Will you stay in the area? Those are very good questions...I'm glad you asked them. I have no idea. None. Nada. Zilch. Zero. But I know that I serve a God Who goes before me and knows all the steps He has planned for me.

I plan to be done at the camp on December 1. And right now, I'd like to take a month off to get my feet under me a bit and get a clear head. I'll probably start looking to answer all those probing questions after New Year's. Thanks for your continued prayers and support.

Heath Update: I went to Mayo Clinic again on Friday. I'm starting to get some answers, but it may continue to be a long process. He wants to establish a pattern with my immune numbers before heading into any kind of treatment. No recent bouts with bronchitis or sinus stuff, so I'm thankful.

On a lighter note...It snowed!!!! I could hardly believe my eyes yesterday when I saw it. Not only did it just snow, but it snowed all day!!!! Here's a picture to prove it.

God's Chisel

This video is powerful. I hope you enjoy it and it makes you think a bit.

Crazy Love

Some of you may see this title and think, "Oh, she finally met someone and fell in love." Well, I hope that's true, but not in the context you are thinking. I'm reading a book by Francis Chan titled, Crazy Love. It has been my doctor appointment book and I'm almost through it. It's amazing and all about truly falling in love with our Savior. It has very much challenged and convicted me. I would highly recommend that you read it.

Another option is that you can download it for free from this site only for the month of July. Here is a video clip of the author.

What I'm Reading

I just wanted to do a quick post about a book I'm reading. I started this for my devotions last month and am really loving it. I am also doing the workbook with it as well. I highly recommend it. It has really challenged my thinking in the area of God's sovereignty.

I was one of those that would say I absolutely believe in the sovereignty of God, but would put Him in this little box. I had my expectation as to how God is supposed to work and what kind of circumstances He uses in our lives. That doesn't go along with Scripture though. Just today, the verse that really spoke to me in the study was Job 42:2. Look it up. And better yet, read the book.