First off, a HUUUUUGE THANK YOU to Church at the Crossroads! I was invited to speak to the congregation this weekend and am floored by their generosity. Collectively, the church donated over $1000 to my missions trip…I mean, wow! Thank you Pastor for allowing me to speak, for supporting missions as a church and for all the love and prayer I have received.
God has been working me in some unexpected ways. I say unespected because I expected to go out into the nations and change communities, change lives and hearts by loving people. Here I am, being changed in so many good yet incredibly painful ways, before even touching foot in another country.
I got into work today, opened my email and read the Daily Devotion I get from my pastor Mike MacIntosh at Horizon Ghristian fellwoship. Here's a piece I'd liek to share that represents what God is teaching me to do. He is healing me from all the pain and anger I have towards my parents (sorry Mom, Dad, Vicki and Stev, you really were wonderful) that is holding me back, simply because I've refused to let go:
"There are things that we feel tied to–things that can cause a stranglehold on our lives. Like giant chains around our neck, they inhibit our ability to move, and prevent us from doing the Lord's work effectively. Maybe you're tied up by the distractions of the world around you. Maybe you're bogged down by despair, or paralyzed by fear. No chain is so strong that it cannot be broken by Jesus. You see, Jesus Christ is the truth (John 14:6), and when you give those chains to Him, the truth will set you free (John 8:32). You are free in Jesus.
Don't let the oppression or depression keep you from true freedom. Be willing to be loosed from your bondage and start living in the freedom that He has given you. Let Jesus send you somewhere out of your comfort zone-(Ha! Like 11 countries with a pack of gals and a backpack?)-whether that be across the street to share Jesus with your neighbor, or across the borders of another country. Jesus is loosing you, so run and be free in Him to serve Him and to love others wherever that takes you." Mike MacIntosh
Thank you Lord, for growing me.
