Guatemala

Guatemala

I just wanted to write a blog to celebrate one of my best friends, Colleen Cowart. Last May, Colleen left for a 6 month trip to Guatemala to live at New Life Children's Home. During those 6 months, she had to give up her own way of doing things and completely take on their way of life...UNCOMFORTABLE! When she returned, not only did she know Spanish from 6 weeks of language school and so much time spent around the people there, but it was like Jesus grabbed a hold of her heart and laid out who she is in HIM! Don't we all want that? In the midst of her closest friends getting married, getting engaged, getting "big girl jobs," Colleen took a step of faith a couple weeks after she graduated college and went.

Since she has been back in the states, she has known that it's only a matter of time until she is back there again with a commitment to stay for awhile. A couple weeks ago, she had the opportunity to go back and see her babies there. Well, while she was there the Lord confirmed that her next step is to make a 5 year commitment!! And she leaves in JUNE!!!! Crazy. Jesus calls us to do things that make us uncomfortable, and we have to make a choice if we are going to believe Him and follow through.

She has been such an inspiration in my life over the past five years.It seems like it was only yesterday that we were sharing crazy stories together in the Miami airport, during an 8 hour layover, after a mission trip to Honduras, going on and on about from where Jesus had brought us. She is crazy, and she has made me laugh so hard I peed myself many times. She also has some trendy plastic, clear high heels that she pulls out every now and then.Colleen is such a beautiful person, and it is so amazing and inspiring to see someone so close to me living the dream and fulfilling the purpose Jesus put in HER heart long ago. I know He is going to continue to make her story so beautiful!

Here's a recent update she sent from facebook today. You should check it out, be inspired, and pray!:

Colleen Cowart
Dear Sweet Friends I am so excited to announce today about my commitment to become a full time missionary at New Life Children's Home in Guatemala. I am making a 5 year commitment (though in my heart I believe it to be forever). I realized during my internship in Guatemala that more than anything I missed COMMUNITY, encouragement, and friends remaining informed of whats going on. In Statesboro I am having a supporters lunch to share what I will be doing and prayer/financial needs. If you live in or near the Statesboro area and would like to come to the lunch (its free!) please let me know you are interested along with a mailing address

For those who cannot attend I want to send a letter. I am asking God to show me a way of forming a support group that isn't about money but about me praying for you and you checking in on me and the ministry. If you are interested in being apart of that group please send me your address and I would LOVE to mail you information and put you in my ring of online blogs and newsletters.

If you have a small group that would be interested in hearing me speak I would love to do that as well

I am starting mission school in San Juan Texas this June so all of this is happening quickly, but clearly in Gods perfect timing. Thank you for who you are and what you mean to me!

In Him,
Colleen

PERU June 2012

Our Peru Support Letter:

January 20, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

2011 was an exciting year for us! We have enjoyed starting our lives together, and God has blessed us abundantly. Everyday is an adventure We are believing even bigger things in 2012. With that being said, we feel that our next step in faith is to serve together in Peru this coming June. We have both been all over the world, and we have been fortunate enough to partake in some amazing, life-changing experiences. However, this will be our first mission trip together as one, and we are pumped!

On June 1st through June 9th, we will be going to Lima, Peru with Crosspoint Ministries(based out of Statesboro, GA). The area we are serving in is a suburb of Lima, called San Juan de Lurigancho. San Juan de Lurigancho is Peru’s poorest, most populous district. This will be Alison's fourth time going to Peru over the past three years, and it has been amazing to witness and take part in all that Jesus has done there through Crosspoint Ministries. A unique bond has already been formed there, and we are excited to step into that in June, and as a team, we will be building on the relationships and ministries that have already been formed, as well as meeting new people.

The majority of the trip will be spent serving and ministering to physically and sexually abused women and children at a shelter and a girls' orphanage. Abuse is very prevalent in Peru, and it has greatly affected the majority of the people there. Victims have endured a lot of pain, but because of God’s grace and mercy, they have been given hope through the ministries down there. We want for them to continue to see that God hasn’t forgotten about them and that He loves them abundantly and unconditionally!! We’ll also get to visit and help out at a medical clinic, take part in several construction projects, and we will get to hang out and minister to kids around the poorest parts of the city. Finally, each evening, we will be putting on a conference at a church that Crosspoint continually ministers to and serves with.

Once again, we are so excited about this next step in our lives! Acts 20:24 says, "But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." God has given us a strong desire to love and serve His people, both in the U.S, and in Peru, and we are anticipating and expecting Jesus to do miracles in and through us, and for people to receive hope! We are certain that Jesus is going to change us during that week and the time to come.

We would love for you to consider being on our team. We are asking you to consider praying for us! We are depending on God to equip our team, to prepare the hearts of the people in Peru, and for safety. Also, the cost to cover the ten-day trip for both of us is $3,000. We need to have the entire amount raised by the end of March. Whether it is praying for us, giving financially, or both, we are asking that you would pray about being on our team. If you have any questions you can call us or email us. Our contact information is below. Thank you so much, and Happy New Year!

Love,

Daniel and Alison

**All Checks are Tax Deductible, and should be made out to Crosspoint Ministries.

Our Address is: 125 Duraleigh Rd. Anderson, SC 29621

Daniel: (864) 634-1799 ; Danstall@gmail.com

Alison: (912) 660-2305 ; Alison101887@bellsouth.net

Seattle

A couple days ago Daniel and I had the opportunity to go to Seattle! Actually Daniel had the opportunity to go for a conference for work, and knowing me, he figured I would want to go, so I was able to tag along for a couple days. We planned out most of the details in december, and mostly everything was paid for. We just had to pay for my airplane ticket and a few other things, and this past Monday the time came for us to leave! I've only been to the West Coast once, and Seattle is somewhere I've always wanted to go.

During the day, while Daniel was being studious learning about Phillips, 3-D echo machines, I ventured out around Lynnwood one day, and downtown Seattle the next day. Downtown Seattle is now my favorite place in the U.S. Everyone was so friendly and cool. They loved the southern accent, too. God spoke to me while I was exploring downtown. It was something so simple, but something I forget frequently. And that is just to sit back and take time to soak it all up and enjoy. I've been exploring just how abundantly and unconditionally He really does love me, despite my flaws. He loves me for who I am now, not for who I envision myself to be. I know it's so random to tie Seattle into that, but while I was walking downtown, He was just making His love, favor, blessing, and provision so evident in the form of spoiling me. The market in downtown Seattle was packed, and as I did some serious people watching, He told me that He loves each and every person there as well. This is so simple, but I do think we all need to be reminded that if we let opportunities go by without reflecting on them, we will miss Jesus SPOILING us like a proud and loving Daddy should do.

1 John 3:1 says, "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

Ephesians 3:18 says: "And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is."

I could go on and on with scripture that God spoils us with to show us how much He loves us

I had to come back today because I knew I couldn't miss any more work.I am so grateful for the 3 days I was able to take off. Daniel had one more day of the conference, so he isn't leaving until tomorrow, and that stinks coming home without him. We had so much fun though, and I'm thankful we got to spend that time together. Although we didn't get to go to the space needle, and Daniel missed out on the fish market, we still got to see a lot of cool things! We had a free hotel room, and free food at the hotel and around the hotel. But more importantly, we got to experience and explore an awesome, unique place. So, today, as I sit on this bumpy airplane on the way home, I am praying that I will never lose sight of how high, low, deep, and wide is God's love for me! I want to be more intentional about recognizing His blessing, provision, and love in my life, and just accept it because He is God! I pray that for Daniel too, and for you as well!

2011- year of abundance

I’ve taken some time over the past several days to reflect on 2011. Each New Year brings new resolutions, new goals, new ideas, etc. I’m not much of a new year’s resolution kind of person because I would probably be setting myself up for failure. However, every December I try to reflect back over the past year and recognize all that has happened. That sounds so nostalgic, but I think we all need to take a step back, give thanks to Jesus for all He has done and all He has allowed us to go through in order to draw us closer to Him. Some years seem to go better than others, but I think we can all find at least a few things to give thanks for.

For me, 2011 has definitely been the best year of my life. A lot seemed to go my way, even the things that didn't seem to be at the time! So, I made a list of the highlights from this past year.

-Umm…I got married. If that’s not a life-changer, I don’t know what is. I have seen the grace of God on a whole new level through the gift of marriage. It has been awesome to actually just live life with someone else, and experience everyday grace. I was so stressed about being the “perfect wife,” and to be honest, I really did not know what to expect, but since May, I have learned that each day brings new joys, trials, and experiences. We both mess up, and I still can’t cook more than about 5 different entres, but such is life, and what better way to experience that than with your best friend! I am definitely NOT the perfect wife I strived for, and because of that, God’s grace shines through so much brighter! I fall more and more in love with him each day. He is still a Florida Gator fan, and a pretty hardcore one at that, but I'll have many more years to hopefully change that.

-I’ve realized what an incredible opportunity and gift I have been given to be able to show the unconditional love and grace of Jesus to someone. Jesus has chosen me to be that to Daniel, and although I sometimes fail, I get to wake up and have another chance at it the very next day!

-God has shown me in 2011 that He HAS to be my everything. I’ve realized that “He must become greater, I must become less.” (John 3:30). He has allowed me to play a part in some really cool opportunities over the past year, big and small, especially since we have moved to Anderson. It has definitely made me rely on Him more as He has given us everything we need.

-I learned how important true, genuine friendship is through those all around me, while Daniel and I were preparing to get married. Jesus was and is so evident in so many people who are close to us.--Family and friends just completely made our dreams come true. I admire them and think the world of them, and I am forever grateful for their love and support they gave us before we got married. For real, we wouldn’t have been able to have a wedding if it weren’t for so many wonderful people who sacrificed A LOT!

-I moved up to Anderson in May, after we got married, and we love it here! In the past 6 months we have bought a house, had great jobs (his being a little more consistent than mine.) And last, but not least, we adopted a puppy named Charlie Moses. He’s a crazy pup, but we adore him.

-We joined and got plugged in a local church with such an overflow of Jesus and with tons of amazing people. We’ve learned so much and grown a lot closer to the Lord, and we have met some fascinating people who have been such an inspiration to me. I’ve learned more and more of the importance of being plugged into a local church, as well as how much each and every person matters to God. I’ve been able to see so many miracles as people have given their lives to Jesus.

-I’ve literally seen the “sun stand still” in the lives of my family. In the midst of an unwanted, broken situation, such as a divorce, God has shown Himself to be so much more powerful. My parents’ divorce went final in March, two months before my own wedding. Like so many other people, I have seen why God hates divorce. It brings a lot of pain. My pain was nothing like the pain I have seen in my parents, especially my dad. I prayed for God to do something to turn it into good. Although I wish nothing more for my parents to be together and in love, they have turned to God over the past several months. My dad looks the best I have ever seen Him, and He has actually shown me what it means to spend time with and pour into “the least of these.” He has been living on Tybee Island, and he started going to church down there, and he volunteers in a couple different organizations down there. I’m really proud of Him because He is so passionate about helping others. My mom actually came to church up here in Anderson with us in October. She loved it! I know she was definitely moved by it. She said she was going to start going to a non-denominational church in Savannah. Only God could do all of this. I’m really proud of them.

-I cannot believe my little brother is a senior in High School! I am more proud of him than ever. He’s a beast in football, and he’s waiting to hear back from some colleges about playing at the next level. Whether he does or not, I pray everyday that He will realize what an incredible opportunity he has been given through all of that. It's crazy how much you miss your family after you move away.

-I read through the entire bible in 2011 for the first time. I’m going to celebrate that because I read some crazy awesome stuff that I had never even heard of before. If it hadn't been for Tammy Gann encouraging all of us to do that, I probably still wouldn't have taken the time to read through 1 and 2 Kings, and they're now actually 2 of my favorite books in the bible! I definitely developed a deeper love for God’s word, and Daniel and I are going to read through it again in 2012.

-I’ve loved living in the same city as one of my favorite people, my Aunt Doris. She is one of the most selfless people I know, and I appreciate all she has done for us.

-I’ve gained more family! I’ve learned the importance of family through the Stall’s. Their family is so much closer than my family ever has been. They have such genuine love for each other, and they value time with one another. They have taken me in and accepted me, and I am grateful for that!

-We have gained some kind, wonderful, new friends since we have lived in Anderson. I've really treasured the time I've had with them since we've moved here, and I appreciate the people who have poured so much into us and given us something to look up to :)

-I jumped out of an airplane in April, in Florida, on my bachelorette weekend, thanks to some special people who surprised me and outdid themselves, and made that possible.

-Probably, most importantly, God has provided! We have a long way to go from where we want to be, but we have learned that "you can't outgive God." He has given us all we need, yet we still have to depend on Him to provide. That's a good place to be. He's also turned closed doors into open doors.

Obviously 2011 has been my best and most favorite year yet. I’m so grateful for each and every opportunity I have had over the past year. I’m thankful for just everyday life with those around me, and I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store. I know that Jesus has the same for you too. Let’s seek Him first, with eyes wide open to all in store for us! Happpppyyy Neewww Yeaaaarrrr!!

lately...

So, I've been such a bad blogger. I haven't written anything in a loooonngg time. For the past couple of weeks, I have been trying to find the time to write something, and there is so much to update on. But I thought about it today, and I think I just need to quit trying to ramble, and just keep it simple from now on.

The past month or so has been a little up and down. Things at the job at New Foundations didn't work out as I had planned. I haven't worked as many hours as I previously thought, and most of the hours available are 3rd shift and/or weekend. And let's face it, it's tough. So tough. No other way to put it. It stretches me. But God has been so faithful, and it's been so amazing to see Him do something in me that only He could do. He has built up my faith so much, because He has worked everything out so perfectly over the past month. I've been able to spend time, encourage, and build up kids at NF, and I sit back, and wonder why He trusts me so much. He has never left my side, and I still feel confident that in some way, He has used me to be a light of hope in such a dark place. But to say it has been hard would be an understatement.

Also, I have been able to babysit a couple of days a week, all day, for a beautiful, amazing family, with 3 boys! I feel so spoiled for getting to hang out with them and spend time with them. It really brings me so much joy. God trusts me to play a part, no matter how small, in their lives. I've also been able to help out a little more at church during the week, and even just those couple of hours is so awesome to be able to follow up with people and encourage them. Although everything I do is SO small, I am so thankful that God trusts me to do the things I've been able to take part in/witness everyday.

God is revealing to me what it means to be faithful with what is right in front of me. The worst thing any of us could do with our life is to be lazy and content. I've struggled with that over the past couple of months, because I have felt that way. I have felt like I wasn't doing enough. But, it all comes down to perspective. Sometimes I have to take a step back and look at the beautiful, amazing work that God is doing right in front of me and in my life. Then, it is my responsibility to act, using the heart, wisdom, strength, love, and faith that God has given me to actually give His 100%.

During our pre-marital counseling, Stewart Moody emphasized to us the importance of being intentional in our relationships, and of course, especially in our marriage. I think that is some of the most important advice I have ever received. Intentional basically means doing something with a purpose. As disciples and followers of Christ, we are called/commanded to be intentional, and carry out what God has given us with excellence. (Colossians 3:23). We are going to be held accountable for it now, and more importantly, when we finally face our creator face to face when we go to heaven.

So, what are you facing today that you need God to help you give 100%? Psalm 28:7 says, "The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy." How am I allowing Him to be my everything so I can actually give 100% with what He has entrusted to me in the first place?Everything we do: working, serving, building relationships, etc needs to be done with a purpose. I know that I need God to help me be faithful with what is right in front of me. God has called me to love people and give them a purpose and a hope for something that is bigger than themselves. I am so imperfect…we all are. I'm probably even more imperfect than the average person. But He keeps trusting me by giving opportunities. I want to make my perfect, heavenly Father proud.

I am so thankful for how God has provided for us, not just financially, but more importantly, He has given us every.single.thing.we.need….plus so much more. As we grow, learn, and mature, God will keep pointing us in the right direction by giving us opportunities. So, although we are an imperfect people, let us allow God to shine through us(Matthew 5:16), and make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16).

Each and every thing we do, person we talk to, experience we have should be used to show off God's goodness. I know that if I just keep that in mind, He can easily do the rest.

"Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith." --Galatians 6:1-10

What I learned from being a Sociology Major

In my Introduction to Social Work Class, fall semester of my Sophomore year of college, I learned that as a social worker, the best empowering tool I can have and give someone is The Strength's Perspective. This perspective looks at the inherent strengths of a person or family, and then builds on those strengths, reframing any negative thought about a person, and finding good in them, even in the worst situation. It has stuck with me ever since, and it made the most impact in my education at GSU.

So, what if we looked at each and every person around us from this perspective? I think the main thing that holds people back from really making a difference, in their own backyard and to the ends of the world, is because of an identity crisis on 2 different levels.

1) Not putting your faith, trust, and belief in Jesus Christ….Do you really believe you are saved by Him? If you are, you would know 100%---(Jesus is the ONLY way, truth, and life.--John 14:6-7….also read John 3:1-21, Romans 10:9, Romans 6:23)

2) Insecurity and a feeling of uselessness. (Charles Dickens once said, "No one is useless in the world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else). Our identity should come from Christ. The living word of God tells us over and over again that if we are a child of God, we were created to do awesome amazing things, because the one in us is greater than this world filled with hate, injustice, and death….John 16:33, also read John 10:10, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 3:20, and Jeremiah 29:11)

This past Saturday, I had the privilege of seeing one of the best bands our history has ever known. U2!!!!!!!!!! And we got to go see them Nashville! How cool is that?! It was a Christmas gift from Daniel, and we made a little one day/night trip out of it. So, we weren't on the first row or anything…actually we were in the nose bleed section, but it didn't matter! Ok, so I had heard a little of U2's story before, and Bono's faith journey, and their passion for several different social justice movements, especially aids. But as we walked on the Vanderbilt campus and made our way into the stadium, little did I know that I was about to partake in a time of worship with my Lord. Call me crazy, but there is power in that music because of the meaning behind some of the songs. Put that with a man doing his part to not only make people aware of a dying world around them, but he is acting on it. Since we've been back, I've been more and more intrigued by what I've read and seen about how they have used what they have: their obvious, God-given talents and abilities to change the world, and make Jesus' name famous, and encourage the church to be dangerous and powerful, like it was intended to be. You may be thinking I'm crazy, but I ask you to read about it for yourself and match it up to God's word. This video is kinda cool (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dingVac1W1g), but if you have time, I hope their story will encourage you like it has done to me if you have time to read about it. I know 100% where I stand with Jesus, and I know I'm definitely an imperfect…and it's been obvious over the last 30 or so years that Bono and the band aren't saints either. I'm sure they've done some messed up stuff! But so have I. I know they'll be judged, by God alone, just like you and me, but I know there will also be thousands, if not millions of people in heaven that will greet them and say "thanks for giving me hope, and for clothing me, and feeding me. Thanks for showing me faith by what you do..by loving me." But what will be said of you and me?

The only reason I even bring up the band U2 is for 2 reasons: to brag about me getting to see them live, but more importantly, to show how these guys, with an emphasis on the lead singer, have taken what they are good at, made music(powerful music with a purposeful message behind so many of the songs, that makes people think and know that life is about something far greater than ourselves…),they spread a message, and ACTED!… BONO CHALLENGES THE CHURCH TO BE ALL JESUS INTENDED FOR IT TO BE…and help people, one at a time, using our unique, God-given gifts. They've made millions and millions and given a lot of it away to help those in need. They've shown that it's not about what you have, it's about what you do with what you have. Bono is quoted for saying, "As a rock star, I have two instincts, I want to have fun, and I want to change the world. I have a chance to do both." He uses what he is good at to make a difference in the world, which may or may not be the same gifts you have.

So what are you good at? If you don't know, pray for God to show you. Pray to be burdened…and pray for boldness. Also, we should be encouraging one another and building each other up, letting God speak through us to help others see what they can contribute(1 Thessalonians 5:11 and Ephesians 4:29).Everyone needs to know that they have something to contribute. Also, as Christians, we are called to be "followers" of Christ. We read the bible and we're amazed, and then we look at the world around us, and it doesn't really look the same. It's easy to fall into the trap of feeling like there are so many injustices and problems and causes in the world that need attention, and it seems hopeless, so we just conform to it. I think that is my problem. I get so sucked into the beautiful picture of the gospel, and the life of Jesus, and cool people like Nehemiah and Moses and Joshua, and Paul…and on and on….and obviously, the abundant LOVE of God is all over that. I look at a life like Jesus Christ, a perfect life…And I look at other people today who have done crazy, radical things, or started some cool program, organization, or foundation to help people, and I think that I could never do that. But I'm starting to see that this is the wrong mentality. What are we doing with what we are taught in the word and in church? And with what we sing about in church? Why can't it just start with trying to make one person's life better? Instead of trying to think of ways to save the world (I used to do this, and I would jump from one cause to another, burdened by everything…sex trafficking, aids, hunger, clean water, homelessness, abortion, etc). It would almost overwhelm me, and then I would just give up and accept it because I would view it as hopeless.

But my perspective is changing more and more as I learn more about Jesus and am challenged by what He demands from the church. Instead of listening to the voices of doubt, I need to remember that I can't do everything, but I can do something…and so can you!! Daniel and I have been consistently burdened by hunger around the world and in our own backyard. I cannot fathom why I get to have good food, a roof over my head, warm showers, clean water, etc while most of the world doesn't.Anyways, that's a whole new blog for a different day. But God has burdened us with this to the point that it's making me actually sacrifice some things and make decisions based on it. We're praying to not be ignorant about this. We're expecting more opportunities, and we're starting to act more. Praise God. We know that we aren't the best with communicating the beautiful message of the gospel, and you may feel that way too, but God shines through all of that when we are willing to go out of our way for Him. So..there are hundreds of homeless people in our county, there are thousands of kids wanting to be sponsored through compassion, world vision, or other programs I don't even know about, there are millions of of people begging to sponsor a well that will bring them clean water, millions of kids burdened by aids, millions of people who need shoes or life saving sugeries, or people who are begging for someone to help them have education, or millions of innocent people who are taken advantage of and forced to do the unthinkable, or the almost half of pregnancies that end in abortion…you catch my drift?

Ephesians 5:1-2 says we are to follow Jesus' example,and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. We need to be sacrificing ourselves for our brothers and our sisters around the world… Jesus loved me even when I was useless to Him. He made a way and set an example for us to follow. The church is a dangerous weapon against the devil, but if we're not careful, it will be easy to prevent the church from shining like it is intended to….by being imitators of Jesus Christ--His hands and feet to a broken world. The only way we can do this though is if each and every one of us would BEG God to burden our heart with a cause. According to Ephesians 2, we were saved by grace through faith, which wasn't our own doing. It was so we could do wonderful things for God, because we are His MASTERPIECE! (verse 9).

So what burdens you? How can you help just one person even, and make Jesus and His CHURCH's name famous for doing wonderful things, instead of being so inwardly focused? The cool thing is, when you find out what you're good at, and when you use the "strength's perspective" to look for the best in yourself and others, giving hope to one person will turn into giving hope to much more. Let's look for ways to help as we find what we're passionate about. Let's look for the best in each other, as believers, instead of tearing one another down. Then the church will be unstoppable.

*1 John 3:16: "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters."

*James 2:5-18: "Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.”

God is faithful, no matter what!

God has been showing me daily, especially over the past three weeks just how faithful He is.

As Christians, we feel like we're supposed to proclaim that "God is faithful," even when we feel that He isn't for some reason. Hebrews 11, the great chapter of faith, says in verse 6 that without faith, it is impossible to please God. But do we really believe that God is faithful and that He wants His children to experience His BEST?

God has been so faithful to Daniel and me. I know that I have done nothing to deserve the Lord's faithfulness, but I do know that in everything that He has given me, He expects it to be used for His glory. If I look back over the past 23 and a half years of my life, God has proved faithful in the hard times and the good times. Isn't it cool to look back and see every single little detail pointed straight to Him? Even when we didn't see it at the time?

The first, and number 1 step, has been for me to know full well that without God, I am nothing. I am learning slowly but surely, that God has made me His masterpiece, created to do great and wonderful things in life, but this is only because of His grace. (Ephesians 2:4-10). As I surrender my life, detail by detail to the LORD, I see that without Him I am nothing, but with Him I am unstoppable.

Just in the past several weeks, He has:

--given me a job that I love (A job that can eventually turn into an even bigger opportunity at this school in August).

--He has practically given us a house, that has started being built!! And we should be moving in at the end of August. I mean He has given us a freaking house! I know He'll continue to provide us with those mortgage payments too :)

--He has sustained Daniel's job, and used him in so many people's lives through the hospital. I'm so proud of him.

--He has given us food to eat every single day, and occasionally, we even get to go out to eat, and somebody else cooks for us.

--We live above the means of 99% of the world's population, so we are rich. (ps: if you're reading this, you probably have a computer, so in all fairness, if you really stop and think perspectively, you'll see that you are rich, too) (if you make more than $45,000 a year, you are in the top 1% of wage earners in the world. So that would make you richer than 99% of the world as well) So we are rich by the world's standard, but the real issue is: "how do we honor Him with what we've been given?)

--He has led us to an awesome church that we LOVE here...NewSpring Church. It was hard to leave such a spirit/love/God filled church like Connection Church, but He has provided for us here. There is no better gift than the local church!! We've already had 2 open doors to serve Him and help build His kingdom. Daniel has started serving and volunteering with kids with special needs in the children's ministry), (which is a really cool ministry at our church), and I've been given the opportunity to volunteer and serve on the care team on Sundays. So God has been faithful in giving us the opportunity to serve Him.

--He has led us to meeting some cool people in the community to help. Hopefully we'll take full advantage of those opportunities as He keeps presenting them. We've failed at some, and probably didn't handle them the way He would have intended, but He has been faithful in giving us more opportunities.

--He has brought us into a small group through our church, which definitely shows His faithfulness because we've been praying for that! And it has already helped us to meet people, build community,and be changed and challenged by His word. This has really been pushing me more and more to come to the conclusion that in every aspect of my life, I have to let Him speak through me, and He will one again prove He is faithful. I have deep pride issues that I didn't even know I had, and He is showing me that all I need is Him for people to like who I am as a person, and if they don't, it's ok :)

--He has been faithful in teaching us so much about Him!…especially the principles of being generous, and I cannot tell you enough how much more He has blessed us.

--He has given us times with each other and with friends, that we will always remember. We got to go to Carowinds this past Monday with Mandi and Matthew, and this weekend, we're going to see U2 in Nashville! Dang, God is faithful! haha.

God really has been faithful to us, but He does expect it to be used for His glory and kingdom. I'm terrible when it comes to comparing myself to others, and it has only left me feeling sad, and it made me think less of my God. But God gives us according to His plan to make HIS name great. How cool is that?--That He gives us the opportunity to serve Him and honor Him with what He has blessed us with. Luke 12:48 says, "When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Also, one of my favorite verses, Luke 16:10-12: "“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?"

Anything that He has given us, He can take away. But isn't is amazing to know that God knows what is best for us and He is patient with us, so when He does take something away from us, it is for His glory, and He will continue to take care of us: (2 Peter 3:9 and Romans 2:4)

We need to remember God's faithfulness, even when things aren't working out perfectly for us. He gives us HOPE in the hard times, through the bible! If you are His child, and you know He is faithful, you know you are nothing without Him, and you have really put your trust in Him, and you've told Him that, then there is no hard time in which you can't look back and say, "you know what, even during that time, God was and is faithful." Think about it, be glad about it, believe it, and read about it in the bible. Even in the hard times, God is still God, and God is still good. Do you believe that?

**In Lamentations 3:19-27, things are rough for Jeremiah. He is frustrated with the people around him, and God may seem absent, but he declares: "The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him! "The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline."

**2 Corinthians 4:16-18 never gets old: "That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."

**Revelation 3:8: "I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me."

**2 Peter 3:9 demonstrates that the Lord is patient and always keeps His promises: "The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."

**Romans 2:4: "Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?"

And of course, Romans 8:28: "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

I can read His word, and remember His promises, and then inscribe them on my heart so I can rejoice and praise Him (and not myself) in the good times, and also remember His promises, so I can be prepared for the unfavorable times.

How are we using what He has given us? Are we taking advantage of it, into our own hands, to meet our selfish desires and make our name great? Or are we using it to make HIS name great?

Anyways, this is our life. God is faithful. We have a lot to be thankful for at the end of every day!