Antigua ~ Summer 2006

I created this blog to let people know about our trip to Antigua this summer. I decided to keep updating during the year to let people know about other ministry opportunities that we have during the year. I pray that it will be an encouragement to others to serve the Lord wherever you are and be willing to follow Him wherever He leads you.

Friday, February 23, 2007

A Poem

I found this poem and decided to post it because it was such an encouragement to me. Learning to wait--choosing to wait--is not easy, but it is worth it. God's way is always best!

Wait

by Russell Kelfer

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly, God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
and the Master so gently said,"Wait."

"Wait? you say wait?" my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.

My future and all to which I relate
hangs in the balance and you tell me to Wait?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign.
Or even a 'no,' to which I'll resign.

You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply."

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So, I'm waiting...for what?"

He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause mountains to run.

I could give all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of My love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.

You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
you'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
when darkness and silence are all you can see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love
when the peace of My spirit descends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,
the faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond getting just what you ask
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.

You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,
what it means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
but oh, the loss if I lost what I'm doing in you.

So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me.
And though oft My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still "WAIT".

Thursday, February 22, 2007

What do you think?

So what to you think of my new template? I felt like a change was in order. I have had trouble posting lately, so that is why there have been so few posts in the last few weeks. I'll try to post a few pictures that I've taken recently. I love San Diego!



San Diego Harbor from Point Loma



View of Coronado Island and the rest of the city from the Old Lighthouse



View from Point Loma--Pacific Ocean



Some good links...

I have been blessed and encouraged by a couple of blog sites recently, so I thought I would pass them on to whoever reads mine.
I do want to put a slight disclaimer on these, I don't necessarily agree with everything the author's post or link to, however the VAST MAJORITY I have found to be Biblical and encouraging. I am saying this just to be safe, not because I have found any errors promoted on them.
For girls and ladies: www.girltalk.blogs.com
Mostly for single women, but also has links to good stuf for guys too: http://solofemininity.blogs.com
By young men for young people in general: http://www.therebelution.com/blog/

Friday, February 09, 2007

Amazing grace...

The Lord has really been impressing upon me the amazing blessings of His grace which are poured upon all of us daily in overwhelming abundance. One simple example is this beautiful sunset which was such a blessing to me Wednesday night. God's uncomprehendable grace is also seen permeating His glorious Word. Here are a few examples:

God’s amazing grace sent His only Son to earth to die for us.
2Co 8:9 - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.

God’s amazing grace strengthens us in our weakness.
2Co 12:9 - And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

God’s amazing grace allows us to part of the family of God.
Eph 1:6 - To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.

God’s amazing grace has rescued us from ourselves!
Eph 2:8 - For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

God’s amazing grace has nothing to do with our own works or worthiness.
2Ti 1:9 - Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began…

God’s amazing grace supports us through difficult times.
Heb 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

God’s amazing grace has no end and is poured out even more generously on the humble.
Jas 4:6 - But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.

God’s grace sustains us through suffering by promising eternal freedom from suffering in heaven.
1Pe 5:10 - But the God of all grace, who has called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, make you perfect, establish, strengthen, settle you.

God’s grace comforts and keeps us to the very end.
Re 22:21 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

I am humbled by my unworthiness as a recipient of God's amazing grace and echo the hymn writer's thought, "How can it be? ...that thou my God, shouldst die for me." My personal response to the fresh view of this amazing grace which I have had this week has also been echoed by a new rendition of the famous hymn which says, "I'll sing throughout eternity, amazing grace, amazing love." I'll conclude this post with the full text of this beautiful song...

Amazing Grace, Amazing Love

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.

Amazing love, how can it be, that Thou my God, shouldst die for me? I'll sing throughout eternity, amazing grace, amazing love.

Was it for crimes that I have done, He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond degree.

Amazing grace shall ever be my song of praise my highest call. Love so amazing so divine, demands my life, my all.