I spent the past weekend in Gilbert, Arizona with about 65 students from our ministry. It was a great time to enjoy one another's company in a beautiful home, grow closer to the heart of Jesus and even spend some time jumping into huge mounds of cotton seed!
And here is my scavenger hunt team wearing Burger King hats in a McDonalds. Even though we lost, we had such a great time!
We had the privilege of having Mike Jordahl, the Navigators Collegiate president, with us for the weekend. Each morning he shared with us from the Word and pointed our eyes toward Jesus. His key question of the weekend was "What is God saying to you today?" It was so good to have opportunities to slow down long enough to really ponder the question...and then discuss what we were hearing with those around us. How beautifully refreshing.
I am so glad to serve a God that invites us into His holy dwelling and speaks individually to each of our hearts. And I was so grateful to have that reminder as I found out on Wednesday that my house had been broken into.
Our house was only empty for 45 minutes, but apparently that is just enough time for someone to kick the door in and steal 3 laptop computers and Lori's purse. While we are sad to have lost those possessions, what we find to be the most disconcerting issue is that they must have been watching our home to know when we were all gone. Please be praying for our safety and for the peace of God to guard our hearts and our minds.
God has given us such a great gift in the 5 men from our ministry that live just down the street. They were immediately at our side and stayed with us through out the day. Within a half hour a trip to Home Depot had been made and our door repair had begun. Below is a picture of the many hands that worked on restoring our door and sense of safety.
In the midst of this we were able to hear Steven's upcoming talk on Joy. How timely it was to hear of how our true Joy is found in the knowledge of our salvation and the immeasurable goodness that God offers us. Isn't it true that He is Good???This morning I was reading in Hebrews and came across these verses...yet another gift.
"Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecutions; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and
joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."
~ Hebrews 10: 32-36 ~
joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."
~ Hebrews 10: 32-36 ~
Today, we will choose joy. We will choose thanksgiving. We will choose to say, "Thy will be done."
