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Seeking Shelter in the Storm
Last night, our beloved terrier, Tess, encountered her first thunderstorm with us. As the thunder roared and lightning flashed, our pup’s tiny frame quivered with fear. The once adventurous and lively terrier now sought comfort and protection in our arms. In her vulnerability, she reminded us of our own moments of fear and anxiety. We, too, face storms that shake us to our core—uncertainty, loss, and overwhelming circumstances. Just as Tess instinctively sought shelter, we can turn to our heavenly Father for refuge.
I Know Thy Works
Today, we will dive into the book of Revelation and explore the significance of the phrase "I know thy works" repeatedly mentioned throughout the book. This phrase is a powerful reminder that God sees and understands every aspect of our lives, both the good and the bad.
First, let's take a look at what the phrase actually means. "I know thy works" is a statement that appears in each letter written to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way
Tess is undeniably adorable, but she's got a bit of a disobedience problem. She can't resist the urge to find a way out of our yard and into the sheep pasture behind us. Despite our best efforts to contain her, our mutt just can't help herself. Sound familiar? Observing Tess's behavior can give us valuable insights and lessons from a biblical perspective.
First and foremost, Tess's antics remind me of our human tendencies to wander from God's plan for our lives. Just like my pup can't resist the allure of exploring beyond her boundaries, we often find ourselves tempted by worldly distractions that lead us astray from God's intended path.
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is a powerful tool that Christians have been using for centuries to connect with God. In Matthew 21:22, Jesus says, "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." This shows the power of prayer and the importance of having faith in what we ask for.
James 5:16 also emphasizes the effectiveness of prayer, stating, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." This means that when we pray with sincerity and righteousness, our prayers can have a significant impact.
Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing
Some days I want to withdraw from social media altogether. One would think my aversion and distress would be due to worldly influences, and while there is a degree of that, my current frustration with social media lies primarily with Christians using it to attack one another. What’s up with that?
Like most things in life, social media has the potential for both good and evil.
If It Please the King
We live in an age where the main focus is pleasing oneself. Slogans abound, encouraging people everywhere to do what makes them feel good, follow their hearts, and live on their own terms. Most people live this life looking out for number one, and as a result, many are miserable.
What if, instead, we lived our lives to please the Lord? What if we followed His leading and searched out His desires? What if we sought His will in each situation? Nehemiah, one of my favorite Bible characters, could help answer these questions.
Do You Believe in the Power of Prayer?
Do you believe in the power of prayer? Join me as we look at Acts 12, where a group of people were praying for Peter’s release from prison and how they responded when the answer to their prayers literally came and knocked on their door.
God Knows What We Need
Typically, when facing some form of difficulty in life, my default setting is to escape. If I don’t keep my mind occupied with something positive and light, I spiral into the dark abyss of negativity, anxiety, and depression. My preferred method of escape is reading. Not only can I learn new things and uncover valuable truths, but I can also journey into mysterious lands and lose myself in someone else’s story for a while.
Usually, this is the perfect thing to keep my mind still while allowing it to be entertained. However, my reading material over the past few weeks has brought me face-to-face with my inner struggle.
Hope for the Heavy Heart
Some of you have probably wondered where I’ve been and why I haven’t been writing. It’s quite a long story, so let me sum it up the best I can. In the past three weeks, our entire ministry team has been sick with the flu. Tennille and I finished preparing for and hosted the annual ladies’ retreat with nearly 60 ladies in attendance for the week. Jason celebrated his birthday. And we’ve been finding and setting up a new sponsorship in Wales after finding out that the church hosting us was told they no longer qualified. Yes, due to some weird changes in the wording of the laws regarding sponsorship, our sponsorship was revoked, making our visas invalid.
Doggie Days and Unmet Expectations
With the spring weather finally emerging here in Wales, Jason purchased and set up a two-seater swing for me to enjoy. I love spending time outdoors and curling up in a comfy place to read or write. After he set it up, Tess and I spent much of the day snuggled together in the plush swing. To say she was as excited about it as I would be an understatement. She loved it so much that she went outside by herself after lunch. When several minutes had passed, and she hadn’t returned, I went to check on her. Guess where she was. That rotten little thing was stretched out on the swing, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine. In her mind, she had a new outside bed. After enjoying more time outside as a family that evening, Jason and I removed the cushions from the swing and brought them inside to keep them dry during the next few days of rain.