Fresh Starts and Bad Haircuts

So, this week has been full of FRESH STARTS. First, Monday I had my first day at the church! So far, so good. You know, of course with every new job there are new computer programs to learn and all. And of course new names and faces-and this is I think the biggest company I have ever worked for, so there are alot of them.
Then, Tuesday night I had my first "day" at my part time job at Express. It may not work out cause of all the stuff going on this summer with wedding and events at the church, but I'd like to stay there for a while and try to make a little extra money.

In other news--I got a terrible haircut last week. Now, it's one thing to go in for a haircut and not get what you asked for. It's a whole other thing to get something that will destroy your social life! Now, those of you who know me well know I'll basically let anybody cut at my hair, and with no fear (thanks Kari for being my own personal stylist , and doing such a great job, en Afrique). But this was ridiculous. I mean, it was like the guy didn't pass cutting class in kindergarten! Who put a pair of scissors in this guy's hands?

Answered Prayer

. . . for He who promised is FAITHFUL!

Thanks to all of you who have been so faithfully praying for me. The last two weeks have been some of the most stressful of my life, but the Lord has worked in mighty ways.
On Tuesday I had another meeting at my church--and they offered me the job. Starting Monday I am officially the Missions Secretary at Hunter Street Baptist Church. So Excited! I can't wait to see what the Lord is going to do in and through me.

Choices

So, only a week ago I was totally stressed because I had no job and no prospects. And now I'm totally stressed because I still don't have a job, but the Lord has given me so many options. I've had several interviews and have more setup. Some of them are just for the sake of interviewing and continuing to search for a job, but there are two options that are both things that I would LOVE to do, maybe even for the rest of my life. But it's scary-what if I make the wrong decision. I don't want to be like Lot and make a decision based on what the land looks like-how prosperous and beautiful it is, but instead on where the Lord wants me and what He wants me doing.

Genesis 13.8-13
Then Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left." And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom. Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the LORD.

Friend of God

Still studying the life of Abraham-

He spent his life as a nomad living in a tent (he never had a "home"), but he built and altar and worshipped everywhere he went.

Held

WHO TOLD US WE'D BE RESCUED
WHAT HAS CHANGED AND
WHY SHOULD WE BE SAVED FROM NIGHTMARES
WE'RE ASKING WHY THIS HAPPENS TO US
WHO HAVE DIED TO LIVE, IT'S UNFAIR

THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HELD
HOW IT FEELS, WHEN THE SACRED IS TORN FROM YOUR LIFE
AND YOU SURVIVE
THIS IS WHAT IT IS TO BE LOVED AND TO KNOW
THAT THE PROMISE WAS THAT WHEN EVERYTHING FELL
WE'D BE HELD

THIS HAND IS BITTERNESS
WE WANT TO TASTE IT AND
LET THE HATRED NUMB OUR SORROWS
THE WISE HAND OPENS SLOWLY
TO LILIES OF THE VALLEY AND TOMORROW

THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HELD
HWO IT FEELS, WHEN THE SACRED IS TORN FROM YOUR LIFE
AND YOU SURVIVE
THIS IS WHAT IT IS TO BE LOVED AND TO KNOW
THAT THE PROMISE WAS THAT WHEN EVERYTHING FELL
WE'D BE HELD

IF HOPE IS BORN OF SUFFERING
IF THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
CAN WE NOT WAIT, FOR ONE HOUR
WATCHIGN FOR OUR SAVIOR

THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HELD
HOW IT FEELS, WHEN THE SACRED IS TORN FROM YOUR LIFE
AND YOU SURVIVE
THIS IS WHAT IT IS TO BE LOVED AND TO KNOW
THAT THE PROMISE WAS THAT WHEN EVERYTHIGN FELL
WE'D BE HELD

Held by Natalie Grant

Leaving Egypt

and on to the Promised Land!

Exodus 6.6-9
Say therefore to the people of Israel, 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the LORD.'"

But it won't be easy--

Exodus 13.17
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, "Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt."

I'm thankful that He'll be with me.

Exodus 33.15,16
And he said to him, "If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?"

And that He'll destroy the land in His justice.

Ezekiel 32.15
When I make the land of Egypt desolate, and when the land is desolate of all that fills it,when I strike down all who dwell in it, then they will know that I am the LORD.

I pray I'll never go back.

Isaiah 31.1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses,who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!

UNEMPLOYMENT

the involuntary kind.

Hosea 6.1-3
"Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn;he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth."

So, not that I like loved my job or anything. But it was a job. Atleast until 3:00 pm yesterday.

My boss called me in to let me know that they had decided to make some changes in the company-and that change was me. Apparently sales are down and the company is losing money and they had to get rid of one full time person. Since I am the last person they hired, that person had to be me. And it was immediate.

Now, of course, I am wondering what is next. I know the Lord has not deserted me, but I sure would like to know what in the world He is going to do with me next.

Psalm 121
My Help Comes from the LORD
A Song of Ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

MY RIGHTS

. . . are IRRELEVANT

if we are faithless, he remains faithful-- for he cannot deny himself. 1 Tim 2.13

I said something I shouldn't have said at work today. I called my friend a butthole. Granted, he is like a brother to me and we were joking around, but I shouldnt' have said it--it didn't reflect Christ to the people I work with. And my "boss" got really upset. She made me apologize, which I did while laughing because it was such a joke she would even think I was serious. And then I got upset. If I could only tattle on her--tell you all the things she does everyday that don't reflect Christ. But that's not important. What is important is that she called me down.

So Pharaoh called Abram and said, "What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, 'She is my sister,' so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go." And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.

Gen 12.18-20

God used her to humble me.

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 4.37

He used someone who does not serve Him to humble me. Because that is what I needed. Honestly, at first I was so angry. Angry that someone who lives their life so contrary to what is morally right would correct me, me someone who "loves the Lord and desires to serve Him". But then He rose above a whisper--"When you are faithless, I am faithful--I cannot deny myself". And I was faithless today. Not only did I say something I shouldn't have said, I judged someone and assumed they were wrong because they don't love the Lord--and I DO.

"There is beauty in the breakdown"

Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes. The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law. It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

Psalm 119.5,6,9-11,18,34,54,67-72,92,93

The Hope We Profess

Hebrews 10.23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 6.13-20
When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.”And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.