Week 3, Day 3

Today's section really hit home for me (Regarding some of my students). The last few days have been filled with EVERY obstacle you could think of. Students have been dealing with issues of School, money, family, friends, self doubt, losing motivation, second guessing their decisions. It has all been building up & we have been getting the calls & e-mails coming at us from every angle.

My first response to every single situation is/was.. BREATH.. Just breath. Then I remind them of Psalm 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!"

There is peace in knowing God has it all ordained & is prepared to use us. It is exciting to see how he will use us.

I'm ready, are you???

Week 3, Day 2

I call this point of preparing for our trip: "The Hump."  When we first announced that we were going to Guatemala people were wow'd and excited about Guatemala.  It was exotic and fun.  Sure, we'd have to work to get there and work to be ready, but... Wow.  Now, we have been fundraising... and fundraising... and fundraising... and working.  I'll admit it.  Fundraising is generally not fun or how I'd like to spend my time.  So, it's hard for us to remain focused and keep perspective when we are still 4-5 weeks out from the trip.  We can't let the difficult prep work discourage us or allow us to lose focus on what we are working toward.  Also, that's why its important that the preparations we do for the trip are really an outflow of our lives and relationship with God.  Reading the daily devotional should just be something we do consistently, whether we are going to Guatemala or not.  The goal is that what we do in and before Guatemala is just part of our lifestyle and daily walk with God. So, as the book challenges us, have a not gonna quit faith. 

Week 3, Day 1

From the Week 3 introduction:

Jesus wants you to trust Him without seeing the big picture.

Boom. Read that quote again.  One more time.  This is so tough to do sometimes.  I want to see the whole picture and all the details, but God knows I can't handle that much info.  He gives me enough to be productive and do what I need to do.  

This leads us into today's devotional about focus.  Kim P. Davis, the author, asks us some great questions about what we are willing to let go of.  I hope we each take a moment to look at our own hearts and see where we stand and what we are ready to do.  Each of us have to be willing to sacrifice something for the trip.  It could be as simple as time and effort but it may be something of a greater nature.  

Also, Kim references Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper.  I strongly recommend this book and encourage you to pick it up... after you finishing this book of course.