Ebola...

Pray for those in Africa and elsewhere who struggle with the Ebola outbreak. Over the news we hear of countless stories, of refugee camps, of the study for treatments and vaccines. But while they yet strive to control the situation people are dying. Victims are suffering. 90% of men, women, and children who catch it are likely to die. Outreach organizations like Doctors Without Borders go to their limits to help those in need, but they can only go so far.

Pray the Lord lay His hand on this situation. Pray many are healed, miraculously even. Pray many are given the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Let this time of suffering be an opportunity to manifest God's glory. May He give the physicians the clear minds to do their work. May He give peace and rest to those hurting.

He doesn't always pull us from the fire, but He is always there. May He show Himself and strengthen the hearts of those whom are weak. May He lay His hands on the countries of Africa and heal their nations.

For more information visit:
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/our-work/medical-issues/ebola

A Glass Pane

What is true joy? Some days one strives for it to no end. No one can deny the ill depression that sweeps our Nation. We long for happiness. Isn't that the goal of all individuals? The pursuit of happiness? To many that is a fountain of wealth, a fairytale romance, whole health, or success. The definition of fulfillment and contentment lies in what we can reap from this world.

As a Christian one finds joy in Christ, and in salvation. We find joy in the midst of a raging storm (that is not to say we don't have our ups and downs, for we too struggle to find hope in the fierce trials). But even the greatest joy in this world, cannot compare to that which we will discover when we come into the presence of our Lord in Heaven.

It is like looking through the pane of a bakery: unable to touch, to taste, to fully experience the goodness of those sweets.

  

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

I Corinthians 13:12 (KJV)

When this world fades away, when our mortal lives come to an end, when we stand before our Savior, He will look into our eyes and He will smile. We will feel His love like we have never felt before. We will be overwhelmed in a joy so great it surpasses understanding. Peace will rule so powerfully in our hearts it will shake the foundation of our souls. And suddenly... suddenly we will realize we were looking through a glass pane this whole time.

We are disconnected to a degree here on this earth, encompassed entirely by a world unworthy of God's glory. For He is a perfect God, and we live in an imperfect world. We are saved by grace, but we live in a world where Satan is the prince. We see God's glory as it were through a glass, separated. 

Yet take heart, there comes a day when the Lord will shatter that glass with an iron fist and His glory will resound like a thousand trumpets. We will be drawn to our knees everyone, and with our tongues confess that He is Lord. One day this world will fade and when it does, the Heaven's will roll back and we will behold His glory. The glory of the Father. And we will be encompassed, bathed, and baptized in His love, peace and joy.

Eurasia

I found an old bookmark in a book buried in a stuffed box in my closet last night. Actually, this "bookmark" was a folded up map that I had entirely forgotten about - a map of Eurasia.

http://eurasiacommunity.org/areas/what-is-eurasia/

Some months ago, a missionary had visited our church and shared with us the ministries going on there. He had provided us all with maps, requesting we pray for those people who had not heard the Gospel yet.

Eurasia consist of averagely 2.3 billion people, with 1.88 billion of them unreached by the Gospel. Christianity is not tolerable in many of these countries, but the Lord has been doing a great work.

I am reminded once again of the calling that the Lord has placed on all of our hearts: to preach the Gospel to the corners of the world. There is no place where it should not be heard. I know one day I will be over there in other countries, but for now I am here burying my nose in books at the college.

How I wish I could join our brothers and sisters across seas! How I wish I didn't have to wait and go to school! I know that God's timing is perfect, and in His will I vow to walk. Yet still I cannot say it is easy. He is teaching me patience.

I hung the map in my room last night, right where I could see it. I have been reading about Eurasia for quite sometime today, and every hour the restlessness within me increases. I am not restless only, but inspired. I am inspired to dare to step into the world unknown, beyond my borders, beyond the safety of home. I am challenged to reach into the darkest places of the world, but until then, I anxiously wait for the Lord to say to me "go".

Where is the cure?...

XDR-TB. Its a type of Tuberculosis that is sweeping the nations across the globe. Within weeks a strong, healthy warrior or maiden will fall critically ill and die. There are few cures. Scientists and medical organizations fight to save these afflicted lives and find a treatment, but the disease continues to mutate and transform. It is highly contagious. The victims suffer incredibly as it eats away their bodies and strength.

This is not even the worst. There are rumors of another TB, known as TDR-TB (totally drug resistant), that has absolutely no cure. There have been cases of this type in Iran, Iraq and India. Scientists have tried to find drugs that will fight this mutation of the disease, but they have yet to be successful. Those who catch this have no hope of survival, unless God intervenes. Beyond this, W.H.O. and several other health organizations refuse to acknowledge its existence.

Is their any hope? Or is this the next global pandemic? Please join me in praying for these people and their families. Perhaps there is no cure that man can provide, but God can always intervene. Let us pray in faith and watch miracles happen!

Because of Tradition

Prostitution Enforced by Tradition

I found this link while searching the internet today. It is on a small village in India, known as Naptura, where prostitution is forced upon young girls. This is such a huge battle all over the world, and this is but a glimpse of it. We need to stand up and be their allies. We need to be a voice when they have lost theirs. For they suffer in the silence of their homes, with none to care or feel their pain. "...The most shocking [and saddest] fact is that almost every woman here believes that she is just carrying on a ‘village tradition’. This thought [is] instilled in them by their family members and other male relatives in their childhood.."
 
 Let us not ignore this grotesque crime. Let us not be content to happily live our lives in free America while they struggle in pain and suffering. Let us rather carry their burdens and commit to do something so simple, yet so powerful. Let us commit to pray. Let us commit to make a change.

Don't Give Up!

 

So don't give up. God didn't give up on you. He laid His life down for you. Will you dare to live for Him? Will you dare to stay steadfast in Him, despite what come your way?

Endless Hunger - A Voice for the Voiceless

"...Children are the most visible victims of undernutrition.  Children who are poorly nourished suffer up to 160 days of illness each year. Poor nutrition plays a role in at least half of the 10.9 million child deaths each year--five million deaths.  Undernutrition magnifies the effect of every disease, including measles and malaria.

According to the most recent estimate that Hunger Notes could find, malnutrition, as measured by stunting, affects 32.5 percent of children in developing countries--one of three (de Onis 2000). Geographically, more than 70 percent of malnourished children live in Asia, 26 percent in Africa and 4 percent in Latin America and the Caribbean. In many cases, their plight began even before birth with a malnourished mother. Under-nutrition among pregnant women in developing countries leads to 1 out of 6 infants born with low birth weight. This is not only a risk factor for neonatal deaths, but also causes learning disabilities, mental, retardation, poor health, blindness and premature death..."

These poor children suffer all their lives, many never having a real meal. Truly nothing but skin and bones, it makes me ashamed to know how much we stuff our faces here in America. And think of all those millions of dollars going into dieting and special pills to help us lose weight. Think of how many people are bulimic. We spend $50+ on a steak dinner when that could indeed feed so many starving families across seas.

I'm not saying that it is a sin to enjoy a nice meal every now and again but don't forget about those who are going hungry. Don't forget about those children who are dying everyday, losing the battle of hunger. They can't even imagine what it feels like to be full. They don't know what it's like to "eat out of boredom". Food isn't a luxury to them. It's a prize they fight everyday only to find it many times unobtainable.

Please join me in praying to God for these people. They are suffering and in pain. These children many times are beyond recovery, but you and I know of Someone who can still heal them. You and I know that there is still hope. If nothing else than for their souls. Don't let us turn a blind eye to their anguish and cry.

"Lord hear their cry tonight. Hold them in Your arms and fill their bellies. Bring people to their aid and stop this hunger. Let them find hope in You. Rain manna down and bless them. Show them Your strength and power and grace and love. Let them know that You are near and have heard them. Let them know that they are not alone. You say to pray in faith. Indeed, in faith we pray. In Jesus' name, Amen."

For more information see below -
Just how hungry?

My first ever!

98 Dodge Neon. At the end of the day, when all else seems to fail, I feel Him lift me up and bless me. Indeed, He is faithful to those who seek Him. He is faithful and He is wonderful. Thank you God for all you do. Alas, I know you are with me.


Let me introduce you to my first ever...

 

Truth in Cliche

Saw this on the web and had to post it. How cliche yet so true! Indeed, even I am guilty of being too impatient. My prince will come in God's timing.

Depends on my ears...

I saw this yesterday and laughed. Its so true and I think we often find ourselves only listening to what we WANT to hear. When God's will doesn't align with ours we often tune out not realizing that we are.
I have been guilty of this numerous times. Perhaps the humor in this photo will help us never forget to be sensitive to what the Lord has to say to us.

Many times His answer is "Wait". It has been for me so many times and all too often I jump the gun and mess everything up. He may fix everything and eventually come around to saying "Now go" but by then there will have been so much time wasted. Time that, if I would have only listened and waited, could be spent invested in what He has for me to do rather than fixing my early arrival.

Today, this week, this month, this YEAR, my goal is to wait on the Lord and be lead by His voice. I don't want to take my life into my own hands because every time I have the people I love the most get hurt. I get hurt and many times I've lost my opportunity entirely because of it. That little blessing that God was going to grant me now is no longer because I couldn't learn to wait. But I will now.

I will wait on Him. I will go when He tells me go. I will stop when He commands stop. I will take the path that He has set before me. Dare to take on the challenge of letting Him lead. Dare to close your eyes and see what places you will find yourself when you take His hand.

There is a world out there just beyond our fingertips and God has a special purpose for each one of us in it. He has written our life story and it is beautiful and amazing beyond our imagining. All we need do is follow Him. All we need do is accept His hand. All we need to is open our eyes and ears and heart and be ready for His bidding. Dare you to see what amazing things happen when we dare to listen? When we dare to follow?

I want to do it ALL

When I first decided to go into overseas medical all I wanted to do was aid in the most critical and emergency demanding situations. But today while looking for a picture to add on the Voice of the Voiceless, I couldn't help but ache for every man, woman and child that showed up on the screen.
Faces of those who couldn't escape suffering. Their pain and sorrow echoing in their eyes as their weakening bodies bore the burdens of illness and hunger and abuse. How could we have it so easy and they from birth be dealt such a terrible hand? So many didn't even have a chance to save their lives.
What I wouldn't give to wrap them in a warm blanket or feed them a bowl of hot soup or give them to drink a cup of cold, clean water. What I wouldn't give to put a smile on a child's face.
Suddenly I realize, I want to do it all. It doesn't matter anymore if their life is on the line at that very moment. They've been waiting their whole lives to be loved. Who says they have to wait until they are dying?
I want to be like Jesus. I want to show them His love. I want to shower them with it and watch as His joy anoints them and His hope rains down on them. The promise of a new day. A better day. I want to be there when they smile and find out that Jesus loves them. I want to be the one to tell them. I want to hold them and tell them that I love them.

FreshLife!

Went to FreshLife today in Kalispell. Awesome message! =)
Check it out at http://freshlifechurch.com/3.0/index.php

Where great music, inspiring teachings and amazing people can come together to fellowship and grow. Apparently they have services there every Saturday night; and i just learned of them LOL Will def have to go again soon.

The Maker’s Canvas

The other day, while researching on the internet, I came across a photo of a Mandarin Duck. The caption spoke of some interesting facts about the mammal but what caught my eye was the color.
Do you see the ruby red, and golden yellows? Notice the vivid green or even the stark white. All of them and more decorate the feathers in so many patterns. Honestly, how can man say it was all by chance?
Doesn’t the sheer beauty and creativity portray the work of a skilled artist? For in truth, had Picasso or Da Vinci or Michelangelo crafted such a piece, the work would have been legendary. Yet they did not. And of all their paintings, great and small, none could compare to even one of God’s masterpieces.
But let us not defame or put down these gifted artists but see that in truth, artistry could not have come to us by chance. No you see, it started with the work of one Artist, who by painting, shaping, crafting, and etching made a world abounding in beauty and skill. And on the sixth day… created He His most cherished work. Created He man.

Trust...