One Month Post China

I can't believe I have been home for over a month.  I never thought it would take me this long to share with you about what the Lord did while in China but here we are.  I think part of the reason why I haven't written yet is that I don't even know where to begin.  Even as I write this I don't know where I'm going but trusting the Lord is going to speak through me.

God is definitely present in China.  I have witnessed him doing a work in the most beautiful and mysterious ways.  I was able to witness a little girl receiving pictures of her adoptive family and hearing the name they plan to call her for the very first time.  Probably the most beautiful thing I have ever seen!  She took the photo album in her hands and held it so close to her face.  Her face radiated with joy, excitement, and immediate love for her mommy, daddy and siblings.  The bond to make them one family had already begun.  The Lord has called her into this family and is completing that promise. I got to see the character of God as he prepared the way for her to go home.

God is loving, gracious, merciful, kind, and good.  His will is perfect and he is faithful to complete it for is glory and to make his name known.  I saw the love of Christ as I witnessed this little girl opening the gift from her forever family.  As I write this post, her family is in China finalizing the adoption.  She gets to go home very soon.  Pray for her as her final moments in China comes to an end and a new life awaits her in America; praise God for his work of redemption.  Pray that through this she might know the Lord as her personal Lord and Savior.
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One of many takeaways from the trip was the blunt reminder that God is good and faithful to his children.  He is sovereign and worthy of all praise.  To God be the glory! 

Below is a link to watch the short clip of this little girl answering the question "What is your name?"

http://youtu.be/mqNpNINIcIo

I hope to write more about China but I definitely had to get at least one post up.

Coming Soon!

-Being a Christian in China

-A Wedding Story- Bethel Style

China Update - 7 1/2 weeks away - almost fully funded

God continues to amaze me with the way he is unfolding my life and the things he is having me do for his glory.  My trip to China is approaching fast and I am nearly fully funded.  God has blessed me with numerous anonymous donations and I am so excited to use them to serve in China and to make his name known.  Continue to pray for my trip.  Pray that I have the opportunity to share the gospel because I cannot share unless someone asks me questions.  Pray that my actions reflect God and his glory.  Pray for the people to have softened hearts ready to hear and accept the Lord.  Most of all, pray that God uses this trip in the exact way he intends to.  To God be the glory! Amen.

Check out the support tab to see the thermometer of my progress.  God is great in how he provides!  

Life Is But A Vapor

I could have gone home to Jesus on Sunday.  No warnings or signs.  A typical drive home from church, screaming "Behold Our God", turned into an accident that totaled my car.  Out of nowhere the car in front of me came to a complete stop and it didn't matter that I kept three car links of space between us.  At 55mph I crashed into him.  In .2 seconds I slammed on my breaks knowing that I was gonna hit him; the shiny gold car turned white and I could see nothing; the white airbags receded to my lap and an awful stench of smoke filled my lungs; I threw my car in park and panicked. I thought my car was going to blow up so I whipped off my seat belt and scurried to the door that was fixed to my side.  The fact that the door wouldn't open wasn't an option.  I needed out!! Immediately! I managed to squeeze out and walk across the road with my head feeling the size of a pumpkin.  I was thankful that I was small enough to fit through the tiny opening my door managed to give me.  A sweet woman got out to help me as soon as I got out of my car.  After the initial shock I was able to joke and say, "At least I still have my teeth."  The people that gathered to comfort me laughed and though it took the edge off I stare at my car in the middle of the road completely blown away by the fact that I wasn't stuck in there with no help.  In an instant I could've been standing before Christ giving an account for my life.  

You are not guaranteed tomorrow.  Are you ready to face Jesus and give an account for your life?  If you said yes you may struggle with self righteousness.  If you said no you may be doubting God's willingness to save.  The truth is you can't be ready.  If you could be there would be no reason for a savior.  This has reminded me of that incredible grace and astounding love that I have been so abundantly blessed to receive when Christ adopted me and made me heir to his kingdom.  It was nothing I did nor anything I could do but Christ has shown such love I simply do not have enough adjectives to supply.  
  

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1

Too often we take our days lightly; our sin lightly. We think, "Oh, I'll give up this addiction tomorrow," or "I'll just enjoy this sin and then repent because God has to forgive."   It is so humbling thinking about this.  I can only stand before God and be welcomed into his kingdom because of his amazing grace.  It is Only By Grace that I am saved and through Christ I have this glorious inheritance.  (See what I did there? haha) 

Putting aside the fact that I can't be ready to give an account for my life; I still desire to live my life in a way that glorifies God.  I desire to use this life he has given me to serve him, honor him, and share him.  Anything else you live for has no eternal value.  My joy stems from the precious gift I was given when Christ died on that cross and knowing I did nothing to deserve it; I stand amazed.  

This experience humbled me.  Life is but a vapor and we are not guaranteed tomorrow.  I desire so greatly that my life would be spent glorifying God and reflecting what he did both in my life and on that cross.  I am completely humbled this week by God's ultimate power and his abundant grace.  To God be the glory in all things.

 I am in awe of the work God is doing in me. 2014 has been extremely hard but probably the most beautiful year of all!

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14