Monday, June 27, 2011

Below

Growing up in Daytona Beach I swam in the ocean - a lot. In fact, I actually swam before walking and had no fear of the ocean. My mother loves to tell the story of how when I was only around 2 years old I walked into the waves one day and just kept on walking... even when completely submerged. Until, that is, she was sure I would drown and pulled me to the surface. [I use to love that story as a teen. It was my Splash moment. I just knew if she hadn't intervened, I'd have been living in a mermaid city the rest of my life...]

I loved it!
That is, until I watched the movie Jaws.

After that, ever time I swam in deep water that I couldn't see the bottom clearly, it felt as though something was going to come up and bite me. I could just feel the seething activity of the animals below. Odds were, one of them was about to get me...  As I grew up, I knew that wasn't going to happen - most likely - and got over the fear. But a part of me still imagines all the teeming life below and curls my toes protectively.

That's how I'm beginning to feel about Ireland. But in a good way.

I've conquered my fear and jumped in the ocean, and for a while I've just enjoyed floating in it. Yet now, I'm beginning to sense all the activity below. I can't see it and haven't touched it, but I can feel it...

God's moving and working in the depths I can't see, and I have to trust Him - I have to have faith - that He's working it for my good.
Actually, I'm getting real excited - and can't wait to be bit!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Faith In Stillness

I've found it's a lot easier for me to have a vibrant faith in God when life's crazy. Whether it's a multitude of blessings flowing our way in confirmation or the trials are piling sky high, it's much easier to rely and lean on the Lord: When praises or pleading abound.

It's in these still quite moments that faith gets it's true workout. We must rely on what we know of Him. We know He is sending us down this path, we know that He will provide, and we know that He will make a way. But right now when all is quiet and life is happily skipping along, our faith is what we cling to.

Pray with us as we search for His particular path to where He has certainly called us. We are looking at another organization to speak with as well when we go over this fall: Greater European Mission. Please pray for wisdom as we take the next step in getting to know them while continuing our conversations with World Harvest. It's a tumultuous time, but Jesus seemed to prefer walking in those waters - We are in good company!