Fear God and Fear Nothing Else--Elizabeth Elliot

The world is shaking with fear. "What will become of us? Where will it all end? What if Russia...? What if cancer...? What if expression...?" The love of God has wrapped us round from before the foundations of the world. If we fear Him--that is, if we are brought to our knees before Him, reverence and worship Him in absolute assurance of his sovereignty, we cannot possibly be afraid of anything else. To love God is to destroy all other fear. To love the world is to be afraid of everything--what it may think of me, what it may do to me, what may happen today or tomorrow for which I am not prepared.

"The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?" (Ps 27:1 RSV).

And yet, Lord, the truth is that I am often afraid. I confess it. All the weight of your promises seems sometimes to be only a feather, and the weight of my fears is lead. Reverse that, Lord, I pray. Give me the healthy fear that will make light of all the others--"The fear of the Lord is life; he who is full of it will rest untouched by evil" (Prv 19:23 NEB).

Mike & I both have Elizabeth Elliot's devotional series sent to our email every day, and today's spoke deeply to me. We live in a world that is constantly looking to the "What ifs" of life. The economy, our retirement plans and financial security, our homes, the weather, our relationships/futures, our health, the End Times.This fear, even in its most subtle form, can absolutely consume us if we let it. Even with the best of intentions, our fear can hold us captive to our own minds and insecurities. And good intentions or not, each moment spent dwelling on these fears and questions is a moment not spent doing what God has for us right here, right now. Think of each moment that your mind wanders towards the "What Ifs" and add them up... I would guess that we spend many more hours worrying and thinking of our fears than we'd like to admit.

John 14:27 says--"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." The Bible says we should fear the Lord. And we should--but in our relationship with Him, He also provides peace and strength to get through anything that comes our way. So if the cancer comes, or the war expands; if He calls you to move, if you're living check to check-- if the world comes to an end--Praise Him. ALL things work for the good of those who love Him. Use those tough situations and valleys to minister to those around you. Use His peace to comfort your own heart, and speak to those around you struggling to find that peace in their own life.

He will provide. Light as a feather--cling to His promises. The freedom that comes from lifting that weight of fear is inexplicable. And in the same light, it is much easier to fly to our full capability and purpose in Christ without the weight of the world on our shoulders.

In a semi-related thought: this past week- I was part of a discussion about miracles in Africa and other third world countries, and why we don't see the same sorts of healing and "visual, tangible" miracles here in the United States. And the point was made that we are so engrossed in our culture--our jobs, material things, and personal aspirations that we miss out on those opportunities to just "be" with God and see Him work. To be honest- it made me want to hop a plane to Uganda where our World Vision Child lives and go back to the basics of life. To be surrounded by nothing but wide open spaces, people, and our God. To seek after God more than the newest iPhone app, facebook friend, or latest style. And I truly believe that if we did that-we would see the miracles we long for.

To seek after Him, and fear in Him alone, trusting that He will provide everything to overcome our Earthly fears. To cut those fears off at the root and rest peacefully in Him. What a beautiful thought...

In Him,

k

The Power of Ministering Together--Right here, Right Now & Other Lessons...

This week has taught me (Kait) all sorts of lessons and I just wanted to share some of my thoughts with you all on those things...

• Mike has the honor of serving at Red Rock Camp in Paynesville, MN this week helping with the music ministry. But due to working the summer school programs at my job, I wasn't able to join him this time around. I will be headed out Friday afternoon and staying through Saturday evening, but until then I'm on my own! God is moving in that place- I've heard it from Mike's stories in the first two days alone. And as much joy as that puts in my heart, I find myself struggling with the fact that I'm not there standing beside him in this opportunity. But as I've thought about it throughout my days alone, I think this was just God's way of showing me exactly what I've found in Mike, and the power of ministering together. We CAN minister alone. We CAN make it through the days and nights apart. But we truly are stronger together, just as our wedding vows spoke. It excites me for all the future opportunities that lie ahead of us and how our relationship will grow and impact people around us. And it makes me that much more grateful for the amazing man I married and every minute that I can spend with him.

• This week has also brought affirmation to our recent feeling of making the most of "right here, right now" in life. We know God is moving and speaking and that these changes we've been talking about will take place. But it's in His time. Right now it's our concern and our duty to make the most of EVERY moment we have, not to just wait for the big moments of life, the times we hear God the loudest. To make the most of the days we're serving apart, and to honor Christ just as much on our own as we do together in our marriage. I praise Him for the strength to do those things, when our emotions and our comfort zone close in on us.

• Yet another way God has been speaking to me this week is through reading the book of Acts. Two things that repeatedly stand out to me in this book are the sense of community in the early church, and the faithfulness of the apostle Paul.

Acts 2:44-47 says this: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." --- Can you IMAGINE what would happen if we adopted that sort of lifestyle? Can you even imagine?! To truly care about each other in that way, and to use our gifts/knowledge/ability to help one another instead of striving for our own gain? I almost cannot comprehend the beauty and meaning of these words. We are so stuck in our differences, in our traditions, doctrine, routines, and search for personal satisfaction that sometimes we don't even SEE the needs around us. And if the disaster is bad enough, or near enough... we might give a portion of our time and resources. But not like this. What a mindset to strive for...

And Paul... After persecuting the Christian church for years, killing believers for their faith, he had a miraculous encounter with God and his life turned a complete 180. But did life get easier with this new found insurance and salvation? Not so much. He traveled all over spreading the word of God-was thrown in prison, beaten, with plans for his death building all around him. Almost ironic isn't it? But none of this was enough to shake him. He praised God in prison, continued to preach in word and deed-simply telling his story when held on trial for his "disturbances". He was ready to die for Christ, ready to give his life for the simply act of sharing his testimony with the world around him. He wanted others to find the joy he had found--and shared that in any way he could. While on trial in front of Festus, King Agrippa asked him "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" His response hit me hard. "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." He stayed faithful. He kept pushing on, persevering in the race God had called him to. I want that faith. I want that confidence and assurance in my life that only God can provide. I want to care enough about others to put myself on the line to tell them about Christ. And I want people to see a difference in my life... causing them to want to know more. To again put others above ourselves and see their knowing Christ as a priority. To let the Holy Spirit move through our lives and minister to everyone around us. And to be a vessel-going where He leads to fulfill these things.

So we're still walking... and are excited for each and every step, following the example He put before us in His word. Blessings to you today!

"If the spirit is the source of our life, let the Spirit also direct our course" (Gal 5:25 NEB).

in Him,

k

Process + Praise

Well, as our journey has progressed, and is slowly stepping more into the open light-Satan has tried to tear us down left and right. The possibility of a job, home, and life changing trip one minute, only to have that door shut the next. The joy and excitement of some people in our life, balanced out by the pain and heartache this change will cause others. One step forward, two steps back it seems. But surprisingly amidst it all-God has provided an almost eerie sense of peace, unity, and affirmation. We are daily being bombarded by God's words of encouragement, support, and answers to the questions we have.

And today was no exception. Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost for His Highest" has become a staple in our days, and while sitting at work-today's excerpts refreshed and lifted my spirit yet again.

Out of the Wreck I Rise
May192010
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? —Romans 8:35

God does not keep His child immune from trouble; He promises, “I will be with him in trouble . . .” ( Psalm 91:15 ). It doesn’t matter how real or intense the adversities may be; nothing can ever separate him from his relationship to God. “In all these things we are more than conquerors . . .” ( Romans 8:37 ). Paul was not referring here to imaginary things, but to things that are dangerously real. And he said we are “super-victors” in the midst of them, not because of our own ingenuity, nor because of our courage, but because none of them affects our essential relationship with God in Jesus Christ. I feel sorry for the Christian who doesn’t have something in the circumstances of his life that he wishes were not there.
“Shall tribulation . . . ?” Tribulation is never a grand, highly welcomed event; but whatever it may be— whether exhausting, irritating, or simply causing some weakness— it is not able to “separate us from the love of Christ.” Never allow tribulations or the “cares of this world” to separate you from remembering that God loves you ( Matthew 13:22 ).
“Shall . . . distress . . . ?” Can God’s love continue to hold fast, even when everyone and everything around us seems to be saying that His love is a lie, and that there is no such thing as justice?
“Shall . . . famine . . . ?” Can we not only believe in the love of God but also be “more than conquerors,” even while we are being starved?
Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, having deceived even Paul, or else some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it— the love of God in Christ Jesus. “Out of the wreck I rise” every time.

EVERY time. With every tear, every breakdown, every obstacle thrown in our way. Even in total destruction-we can RISE and face another day. And not only that, but to know that we are MORE than conquerors. He won't let us just scrape by with the bare minimum. He will lift up, restore, and lead us to total victory in Him.

And so in our situation-as I think of every minute thing that seems illogical, the "what ifs" and "how will this come about" questions in my head--I can know and trust that God is with us, and that we are more than conquerors. The pain, doubt, and even fear is just part of a season, and as it says in Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. " This new chapter is for His glory. These challenges/sufferings will be turned around to make beauty from brokenness. He will be glorified in us and in our life by our obedience in this time. We rest in that and trust Him day by day for the next steps.

We are excited to make the big announcement when God places the green light on our hearts, and to recruit you all to join with us in our joy. We will be posting prayer requests and ways for you to join in on our journey as well.

In Him,
m&k

walk with Me

where to begin? God is moving... and life as we know it is going to change. but before we get to all the details of what that entails, i just wanted to share this song with you. through our processing of God's prompting, this song ministered to me in a powerful way. we have been talking a lot about God leading us day by day, step by step. we know that all that is to come won't be easy, it won't be clean cut and simple, but He will provide. He will protect and He will lead.


"Walk With Me" -- Caedmon's Call
Walk with me quiet, walk with me slow
With watered down coffee and words of gold
I can feel the edges of these things
When I hear you speak to me, so walk with me

Walk with me empty, walk with me strong
The hush of our voices, when the day seems so long
It is like a balm, it is like a jewel
It unravels all I thought I knew

Will you lead me, beside the still waters
Where the oil, it runs over, and my cup overflows
You restore my soul

Tell me the story, where old is made new
The promise of ages, and all things that are true
When the shadows fall and the wrecking ball
Swings and tears me through the heart


old is made new. life is made new. a new adventure lies ahead. and God is there every step of the way. when it feels exciting and adrenaline rushes through us, when it's terrifying and we are paralyzed by fear and the emotion and reality of all the logistics that await us.

for us-this walk is changing. God is speaking and calling loudly. and just when we begin to think through it all-He revealed this to us through the writings of a man named Oswald Chambers.

TAKE THE INITIATIVE
"Add to your faith virtue. . ." ("Furnish your faith with resolution.") (MOFFATT.) 2 Peter 1:5

"Add" means there is something we have to do. We are in danger of forgetting that we cannot do what God does, and that God will not do what we can do. We cannot save ourselves nor sanctify ourselves, God does that; but God will not give us good habits, He will not give us character, He will not make us walk aright. We have to do all that ourselves, we have to work out the salvation God has worked in. "Add" means to get into the habit of doing things, and in the initial stages it is difficult. To take the initiative is to make a beginning, to instruct yourself in the way you have to go.

Beware of the tendency of asking the way when you know it perfectly well. Take the initiative, stop hesitating, and take the first step. Be resolute when God speaks, act in faith immediately on what He says, and never revise your decisions. If you hesitate when God tells you to do a thing, you endanger your standing in grace. Take the initiative, take it yourself, take the step with your will now, make it impossible to go back. Burn your bridges behind you - "I will write that letter"; "I will pay that debt." Make the thing inevitable.

We have to get into the habit of hearkening to God about everything, to form the habit of finding out what God says. If when a crisis comes, we instinctively turn to God, we know that the habit has been formed. We have to take the initiative where we are, not where we are not.

welcome to our journey. walk with us--watch our journey unfold. the highs, the lows, and everything in between. God's blessing on you. thank you for coming along side us, and for loving us through this time.

in Him-
m&k