Fresh Brewed Monday

I watched this video of Nicole Johnson's called "Just a Touch of Faith." She talks about her move from Nashville to California. She had a piece of stained glass in the moving truck. At the end of the trip, it was on the bottom of the truck, in pieces. A year later one of her friends gave her a Christmas present that was stained glass... reassembled from the broken piece.

One of my favorite verses is Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." The last couple weeks, we've been trying to teach our church kids about faith, and how things that you can't see help make things work (i.e. electronics, etc).

On K-Love they have these little radio spots with different artists. The one with Michael W. Smith got my attention the other day. It was something to the affect of "No matter who you are or where you've been, everyone can come to the cross." I love that! It doesn't matter your circumstance, God can take it.

Praying with Grateful Heart

I've always wondered and thought about my prayer life. I pray most often in the car -- that happens when you drive 80 miles a day to work. Are prayers still effective when you have the intent to pray before you fall asleep, but instead you being praying and fall asleep in the middle? I know God knows our hearts, but does He ever look down on us and say "Really? You can't even stay awake to talk to me?"

Now, in all fairness I have had company staying over when I fell asleep talking to them.... so when I do it to God, it's like doing it to a friend... right? The other night, it was 10:00 and I was ready for bed, done my routine, etc. My head had just hit the pillow and I began talking to God about various things. Today God gave me great hope about His answers to those prayers. I don't know what He has in store, but it's going to be great whatever it is!

My Testimony of Faith

I may have blogged about my testimony before... but I speak a lot about my faith and my love of God, that I thought I'd share it again.

I've always gone to church. I don't remember ever putting up a fight on Sunday mornings. Things weren't always easy in our house, but it's the one thing that was for me. Growing up the Lutheran church, I always assumed that being baptized and confirmed, I was "good to go." I've learned so much about having a relationship with Christ, it's amazing! When I was in high school I was helping out with Vacation Bible School. When I was in college I was active in Campus Crusade for Christ, teaching confirmation, and preschool Sunday School (even back then, God knew what he was doing... :)). In 2006, I began to get a tug on my heart. That's generally how God speaks to me... he says, "hey...(nudge)... this is what I have for you." CJ had just became the Director of Children's Ministries at her church. (God again says, "Hey... you should go.")

Looking back now it's quite amazing how things fell into place. I told my parents I was moving, the next day gave my two weeks notice at my job. Two weeks later I was packed and ready to go. Don't think the enemy didn't have his hand in it too. The week I was supposed to move the battery in my car went out. On my last day at work, my stepdad picked me up, took me to my house, jumped my car so I could drive it to my uncle's shop and get a new battery. Two days later I was singing "Kansas City here I come!"

The significance of events is nice too and I'm glad that God had it planned that way. I had planned on packing and leaving Lincoln early morning. I didn't get out of town until almost 2 pm. An hour later, as I was driving into Nebraska City to hit I-29, my mom passes me going the opposite direction, toward Syracuse. I wave and she calls me to say "good-bye."

Once I arrive in Kansas City, I managed to find temp jobs from October - December. I interviewed for a job in December, but it wouldn't start until January... the afternoon I was hired for that position, the same staffing agency called with a temp job that would last until December 30th. God is AMAZING, I tell you!!

I'm continually in awe of His grace and mercy. I thank Him everyday for allowing me the opportunities to serve Him. My favorite Bible verses are: Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." and Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." So true, so true...

Thanks for reading and I pray you've found some encouragement.