So, I went on vacation this past week and was able to see different parts of Central America. haha, I don't think, however, that I was expecting it to be a "church camp" experience!! It was BEYOND wonderful!

I remember learning about general and special revelation at the BI, but the general revelation really came ALIVE to me while I was on this trip. I went to the Cayman Islands, Honduras, Belize, and Mexico. God's creation is so much more than I can take in.

My dad led a short devotional while we were embarking on our trip and had brought up something God was teaching him in Colossians 1:15-17. What REALLY stood out was in vs 16 - all things were created by Him and for Him. Even the things He gave us to enjoy are so that we can better bring Him glory.

When I was on the deck of the boat and there was water as far as the eye can see, I couldn't help but think of the fact that God's eye is watching EVERYTHING that happens in that water - every HUGE beast and tiny little fishy. All the plants that are in the depths, He knows and watches over. I went snorkeling in the Cayman Islands and was SURROUNDED by absolutely stunning fish. God designed each and every one of them!! There were so many colors and shapes and wonderful, eye-catching things!

Then we went to Roatan, Honduras and I watched the sun rising over the tree covered mountains and heard the music of the people on shore. God cares for all of it and has His gentle hand guiding all that goes on there!

On the last night, I witnessed the most gorgeous sunset I've ever seen and was brought to tears...

...how can I continue to doubt what the God who created this world is capable of? My will is always at war with His. I obviously think that I know better or that what I want should happen now and not according to what HE has planned for me! There is a road that seems easy to me right now. I would know my future - what I would do, who I would do it with, and where we would go...but where's the trust? I would be doing what would make me COMFORTABLE, not what would bring the Lord the most glory.

I need to be obedient - not obedient and angry b/c of what's NOT happening now - but obedient and at peace knowing that the God that created this world and keeps it in motion and everything in its place has an absolutely perfect plan. Haha, it's sad I have to keep reminding myself of this so often - but I'm so terribly impatient and discontent at times! I need to relax!!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!  This may be the second most stretching time I’ve ever experienced in my walk with the Lord!  And I’ve only experienced growth and thankfulness each time.

 

For those of you who don’t know, I am working at Word of Life Camp in Florida as a Supervisor over the Camp Bookstore.  Daily, I get to interact with campers of ALL backgrounds and show them the love of our Savior.  Lesson number one I’ve been reminded of is how even though I am not directly working with the campers as the counselors do, how I respond to them (work ethic, how I interact with those I work with) demonstrates how God loves them.  I John talks about taking into consideration how we respond to our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Knowing that the Spirit lives in them we need to be reminded that everything we do to/for them we do to/for Christ (simple principle, but one that few think about when initially to one another).  Also, Philippians 1:27-28 reminds us that how we treat one another (especially during trials) can and will show the unsaved that we are saved and that they are headed for destruction!!

A second lesson is in our NEED to understand who God is.  I have met more than a few young ladies who truly think that knowing God is to know a list of do’s and don’ts and if one doesn’t follow this list, they will be struck by deep, debilitating conviction that will hurt them for life.  God is only there to take away fun and keep us from enjoying life.  PRAISE THE LORD THAT IS NOT WHO OUR SAVIOUR IS!!  Everything He does and, more importantly, everything He IS, is Love.  When one gets to know Him, they get to know His desire for us and His desire for us to have the best – and the best is HIM!  Every chastening received, every conviction felt is because He wants us back on track with what is BEST FOR US [Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:11-12; Heb 12:4-8, 10-12; Rev. 3:19]!!

The only way to know what He likes or doesn’t like or what’s best for us and what’s not, is to be in His Word.  My summer has been full of questions about God’s will or questions of right and wrong when they haven’t even consulted Scripture over the matter.  MOST of the time, the answer is SO clear – other times it’s necessary to take biblical principles and apply them.  Christian liberties can be taken into consideration, but not when Scripture is blatantly obvious that a principle would be violated even if there is no set commandment saying “Thou shalt not.”  *if you want an example – ask later – I have many*

KNOW the Word and you will KNOW the desires of your Savior.

 

I know many of you who will read this are BI students and this is not new to you, but I do hope it’s a good reminder.  This is written mostly for those at home who are wondering how I’m doing and what I’m learning, and possibly for those who have never heard something like this.  Ask me questions – I want to help answer!

 

There is still so much more that I’m learning and applying – but this is stinkin long already so I’ll wait for later to share that.  Love you all!!

I know this sounds awkward or weird, but I LOVE it when I'm shown exactly who I am - which is absolutely nothing.  I don't love the fact that I have to be humbled - meaning on my own I am ONLY full of sin that deserves hell and eternal damnation - but I DO love the reminder that Christ has cleansed me from all of that.  When I am to the point that I recognize how much of nothing I am and how much of EVERYTHING He is...it's a beautiful thing!

I went into the youth service tonight where there was a group from Freedom Village there [Freedom Village is a Christian home for troubled kids of all ages in upstate NY- and where I want to work, God willing, after the BI and NANC training! ].  ANYWAY...their testimonies are those of lives of complete destitution and hopelessness.  Their lifestyles were leading straight to death and they didn't feel they could do anything about it.  Then they came to Freedom Village and heard about this man named Jesus Christ who loved them and gave Himself up for them!  Their lives were turned around and they are trying to follow Him with all their hearts.

Then in our college-age class tonight we were in Luke 7 talking about the woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair and expensive ointment.  She was FULL of sin - ones that anyone and everyone could see!  What a wicked woman!  What a valuable lesson Jesus teaches *as always* with the story of the debtors.  He told the story to Simon, on his level, with his mind-set.  The one debtor owed a LOT, the other didn't owe so much, but BOTH, no matter HOW much they owed, still owed.  They would BOTH be in the same prison.

Many lessons can be taken from this - the one I'm addressing now:  how foolish it is to get a big head about what I haven't done - because the cost of my sins done in secret, or ones that seem less than others, were just as painful to my loving Savior.  When one becames arrogant and proud of what he has or hasn't done in the open where others can see and criticize, I think first of Matthew 5:28, which brings James 2:10 [For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it] or of Luke 18:9-14 which talks about the pharisee who prayed to himself [ridiculous] of how wonderful he was and how he's thankful he wasn't as bad as the others - all the while this particular taxcollector couldn't even raise his eyes to heaven, realizing what a sinner he was. 

Just because my sins tend to be more of the mind than of action doesn't make them any less sin or any less worthy of death in hell for eternity - especially since I am not above and completely capable of making them action!

Oh, that I would have that heart and recognize all He's done for me.  That I would remember ALL THE TIME I'm not even worthy to look up to Him without complete humility, knowing that all the good in me is from Him.  This should also give me more of a heart for those who are living a lifestyle of sin because I should recognize that I am only not in their state by the grace of God!!

What a wonderful Father!

[I write about this more often than any other subject and sometimes the same things are repeated, but honestly, I don't care, a lot of times writing about it is what keeps it on my mind and heart more regularly.  and I desperately desire to have a life of humililty!!]