Sunday Sermon reflection: If our hero entered into our suffering and darkness by going to the cross, we can believe and know that He is not out for our destruction but for our salvation. 

Pressing on my heart--relationship. A nudge to unpack and tackle what my insecurities are. Learning to unveil myself, be naked and vulnerable to our Lord so that He can really change me.

It took some time getting used to the yellow landscape of the central coast. But a few hours into the drive I started to appreciate it. In fact, I found myself stopping often to capture a picture of the golden hills contrasting with the grey sky. Unexpected. I loved everything about this last short roadtrip--the spontaneity, the company, the relaxation, the nature. But I was not anticipating that one of the highlights of this trip was spending time talking to my friend's aunt and uncle, who graciously housed us the past couple nights. My friend and I found ourselves drawn to the wise words and amazing testimonies that the couple shared with us on our way in and out of the house, during meals, and in passing. I was blessed beyond measure by their hospitality, love, and faith in God. They shared stories of hardship and peace, loss and providence, heartbreak and love. It was really really amazing to hear about the transformations that took place in their lives as they committed themselves to prayer and trust in the Lord. This morning my friend and I drove away talking nonstop about how encouraging and challenged we were to live boldly in our faith because of our time with the couple. I found myself wanting what they had. The joy that they had was so apparent in all that they did. I want to be able to bless others in the same way and exude the same kind of joy found in Christ. I'm so thankful for these unexpected blessings that remind me that God is ALWAYS looking after us.

We are not meant to be seen as God's perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace...The routine of life is actually God's way of saving us between our times of great inspiration which come from Him. Don't always expect God to give you His thrilling moments, but to learn to live in those common times of the drudgery of life by the power of God.

Drudgery is the test of genuine character.

Words that are speaking Truth to me this week.
For the past several months I've been experiencing a lull in my spiritual life. No inspirational words, no strong convictions, no revelations or epiphanies. Silence. And in the midst of the silence, I understood the season of my life--relying less on my own feelings and desires as I depend more on Truth and discipline. But along the way, I got lost. The days seemed to pass quickly and I got used to the mundane, the complacency. I lost sight of how God played a key role in my life even in drudgery. I'm reminded of God's perfect timing and unique ways of speaking to His beloved children.

Thank you for always pursuing even when we are not, for being the perfect Lover, Friend, and Father.

Freeway Encounters

**came across this inspiring article about a man who takes pictures of homeless people in LA and listens to their stories--http://www.ryot.org/beautiful-photos-homeless-people/451489

About a week ago, I had gotten off the freeway and a homeless man stood in the corner. We made eye-contact and he motioned that he was hungry and I responded with a sympathetic look as to tell him that I didn't have anything to give him. Except I did. Horrible, huh? I was on my way to the gas station that was located right next to the exit and I had been saving the money for my car. I parked, felt uneasy, walked to the register, paid for my gas, and asked for change. I pocketed the money and ran to the corner to find the man, but he was gone. I felt...selfish. I was thinking about myself and my needs above this man's. A genuine and semi-ridiculous question popped into my mind--what if that had been Jesus?! I decided to save that money and give it to the next person in need.

Yesterday I was on my way to school. Stopped at a red light right before the entrance of the freeway and there was a homeless man standing in the corner. We made eye-contact and I looked away, only to remember that I had saved what I didn't give to the last man. I pulled out the money, rolled down my windows and tried to grab his attention. I handed it to him and he was super grateful. I started to roll up my window but stopped because he started to ask me some questions. Basic ones like, are you in school? where do you go? And I kid you not, every time I answered a question I was about to roll up my window but he continued to talk. The conversation came to an end and he started to walk away. The light turned green and I made my way onto the on-ramp when I saw the man stop, look back and wave and smile at me. I waved and smiled back and continued on my way to school.

I should have felt better about the second situation right? But I didn't. If you don't already know, metacognition is my forte (I don't even know if I used that word correctly). What I'm trying to say is that I think about thinking. So in that second moment, I was thinking about what I was thinking when I was rolling up my window. Did I really think just handing him the money would somehow make up for the first situation? Did I expect myself to feel better about it? Did I do a good deed to feel validated as a "good" person? And then I started thinking about how this man was going to use his money. I remember I used to be hesitant about giving strangers money because I was never sure of how they would use it (because I'm such a great steward of money, right? -_-) Was he on his way to buy drugs? alcohol? junk food? pay bills? These thoughts turned into prayers--prayers for him and for myself. Praying that he would have a real encounter with Jesus and that his journey would lead him into His arms. Praying that even though he had little he would realize his richness in Christ. Praying that I would trust God and that I would believe that no matter what this man uses his money for, I would have faith in his sovereign and good plans. I am humbled by His goodness.

Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Feelings are so fickle; feel one way one moment and feel the opposite the next. Why? Sometimes I don't feel like I belong. Other times I can't help but feel like I'm better than others. Why am I thinking about these things right now? My thoughts are almost always revolved around me. When does the self-centeredness stop? Lord, I pray for less of me and more of you. Fill my heart.

Struggling with not wanting to take part in the world. Not indulging in "life" but being completely satisfied in who I am in you. I don't want to be accepted by the world and be...happy. How do I become set apart? Is there something that my mind and heart is not quite understanding? Open up my eyes to your will and to you.

Beauty. Struggling with it. Feeling the pressure to be a certain way, look and dress a certain way to be perceived a certain way. I'm lacking trust that beauty comes from within. I'm having difficulty accepting myself as beautiful when I am constantly indulging myself in media and pursuing beauty by the standards of the world. I'm afraid of what people might think of me because of how I look and dress.

Question: If I believe Jesus is the Messiah over all the earth, why am I being the way that I am? Why am I not interested in Him but more interested in myself? Where is my fire for Him? My passion for Him? My desire for Him? What He said should matter to me. But why isn't it?

I have overcome the world

Continue to submit to Him, be obedient to the Father

Please keep Missionary Kim & Lee in your prayers.

We were informed that our missionaries in Nicaragua were robbed by 5 people who had guns. They took computers, money, IDs, and phones. Missionary Lee suffered from a few broken ribs.

I haven't had the chance to talk to the missionaries but the message was passed along to our team and we are saddened by the news. Please pray that the missionaries continue to remain in Christ and trust in Him. Pray for their protection and healing. Pray for the direction and decisions the missionaries may be faced with. Pray that the missionaries are not disheartened or discouraged. Pray that one day the hearts of those who stole will be transformed.

Missionary Kim had shared with us how much her heart broke for the people when they stole, especially from the church. She wasn't sad that they were stealing from her necessarily, but that they still couldn't see that everything the church has is also theirs. I'm sure her heart is broken as trust is continuously broken. She loves the people and the country so much.