True Peace

Jesus said:  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NASB)

Yesterday morning I woke up with an overwhelming sense of PEACE.  Peace that everything was going to work out for God’s Glory.  The this morning my verse-a-day that I get in my email box had this verse.  I could attest to that PEACE that Christ gives those who follow Him. 

Peace in the good times.  Peace in the hard times.

Christ is our PEACE!! What a awesome assurance.  May the Peace of Christ rule in your hearts as you rest in Him.

Joni & Friends Family Retreats

For the past three years I have had the privilege of attending the Joni & Friends Family Retreat for families affected with disabilities.  This camp is held at Spruce Lake Retreat.  It’s amazing!!

This year my role is changing, instead of being a camper I will be serving in the capacity as a STM (Short Term Missionary).  My focus for the week will be to serve a specific family.

I’m excited about this role change, but a little nervous.  When I woke up this morning I had an overwhelming sense of PEACE that everything was going to be just fine and that the week would go GREAT!! 

The theme this year is: BE FREE … “where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17

My prayer is that I will be the hands and feet of Jesus, as well as the ears.  Pray that God will give me an extra measure of understanding as I work with “my family”.

Driving Solo

Last evening I was sitting at a stop light waiting for the light to turn greed.  As I sat there I watched the cars drive by and the thought came to mind, only about 1 in every 7 cars that drove past me had two or more people in a car.  

Now days we do so many things alone, we even drive alone.  I thought, “What might all those people be thinking?”  “Do they feel as alone as the appear, as they drive past me?”

When I was a little girl, and my older siblings went to youth events I remember that there was never just one person going in a car, we went together.  In the times we live in, it’s not unusual for a family with teenagers to have one car per driver parked in their drive.  I think we only had one car for all the teenagers in my family. 

Has this independence brought anything better to our society?   What would happen if we started depending on other people to get us where we needed to go?   Would we be closer knit communities?

My Great Aunt Beulah, who is almost 94, remembers when she and her husband bought their first car.  It was after their firstborn was around a year old.  I asked her, “How did you get places?  Did you walk?”  She said, “We went with friends.”

I was challenged.  Should I feel blessed that I can live a life where I can “Drive Solo”, or should I be saddened that we no longer seem to “depend on” others like our parents and grandparents did?

So many questions …

Something Glorious

Something Glorious by revive

You're staring at the ceiling
But the stars are out tonight
You're looking for some meaning
But you're afraid of the Divine
Open your eyes
To see through the walls of doubt
Open your heart
To live beyond the shell that hold you down

Show me something Glorious
Show me something Glorious
I'll show you the Maker of it all
Show me something beautiful
Show me something beautiful
I'll show you the One behind it all

You're standing on the surface
You can't tell how deep it goes
Searching for a purpose
To this life you've come to know
Open your eyes
To see through the walls of fear
Open your heart
To live behind the shell that keeps you here

Show me something Glorious
Show me something Glorious
I'll show you the Maker of it all
Show me something beautiful
Show me something beautiful
I'll show you the One behind it all

You're staring at the ceiling
But the stars are out tonight

Every time this song comes on the radio I think about the world which God has created.  But also about the glorious things he does for each one of us.  So many times I too am staring at the ceiling, instead of out looking at the STARS. 

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27 (ESV)

This is something GLORUOIS!!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.    John 3:16-17 (ESV)

Another GLORIOUS thing!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

Oh, what a GLORIOUS thought!

Brand new in Christ!

For every GLORIOUS thing God has shown me, I want to Praise Him.

Prayer Walking

Recently the Lord has laid on my heart to do some prayer walking in the community surrounding my home congregation, Rockville Mennonite Church. 

1. That I would have a heart of compassion toward the people in the community of Rockville, and a desire for them to see the truth of the Gospel . Viewing them as people lost without the Shepherd.

• When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.   Matthew 9:36 (ESV)

2. Pray for doors to be opened to declare the Word of the Lord.

• At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-- that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.     Colossians 4:3-5 (ESV)

3. As I am in and out of the community, that my light would shine brightly.

• In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

I have grown up going to church in the community of Rockville and for some reason have in the past 5 years really had a burden, but never knew what I, a single young lady, could do to further God’s kingdom.  Now God has given me the answer.    I CAN PRAY!!!!! 

I can help to penetrate the darkness with the power of the Cross, Christ in me the hope of Glory!!!

Set an Example …

Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech,
conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those
who believe.   1 Timothy 4:12 (NASB)

Just on Sunday I was challenged with living a pure life.  Our preacher, one of our missionaries home on furlough, preached on “Purity the Door to Intimacy” – I was challenged to say the least.  And now here, I was sent an email verse.  Just the verse I needed!!!  I am called, by the God who loves me, to set an example to all who believe (and those who do not believe) be they older or younger, in my speech, the way I conduct myself, my love for others, my faith in God, and my purity.  Wow!! Talk about a high calling …

Father, help me to be true in these areas of life! Yours, Julia

The Birds Story

This afternoon I had the leisure of sitting on our new back deck.  I set up my tripod, zoomed in on the bird feeder, and waited patiently for the birds to fly up.  It did take some time before they were brave enough to embark on the adventure of feeding, while I was sitting only 10 feet away with all my equipment.   But the wait was well worth it.  

Here are some examples of what my patience produced:

I so enjoyed the time in-between pictures of birds, when the birds had flown away.  In the nearby tree, I saw them there, chatting away the entire time.   I can just imagine what they were saying:

“Is it worth the risk”

“If you go, I’ll go”

“Wow, that was a close call”

Upon hearing my shutter open and close: “What is that strange noise?” 

I’m glad that they were brave enough to embark on the mission of food, because I had a blast taking their pictures.  Looking forward to more days like this in the months to come.