GRN

Tom Zurowski from Global Response Network recently visited Uganda and the Sudan this is a video from that trip...

The "E"Ticket ride

While spending time outside, enjoying some time in the shade, I found myself remembering a time spent with my sister and her family. We were at an amusement park and my nephew Michael wanted to go on the roller coaster. No one else would go on the ride. So I volunteered. Once on the ride I was screaming to get off- I could not wait for the ride to be over. Once off the ride I was boasting about how much fun I had. I also remember taking steps only to find out there is no turning back, no turning to the left or the right. Times when I would say oh why, oh why did I take that step. I felt thrust into a situation where there is no turning back, I was moving forward but not on my own strength, I was not in control (not the same as being out of control). I believe the Lord showed mercy by propelling me through situations that I was not strong enough to handle but needed to go through. Only to be overjoyed and filled with peace when it was all over. I believe there are times when our steps are ordered by the Lord and there is danger on every side but we are covered and protected by the Lord. There are times when we may not even remember the destination but we remember the journey and how the Lord guided and protected us. My friend used to call this the "E" ticket ride...Exciting and Eternal...

the two week challenge

I am currently reading a book written by Elizabeth Elliot and last night what I read offered a challenge...the challenge...stop complaining for the next two weeks! In the book the question was set before me...is complaining what is keeping me from entering into the promise land? This morning was to be day one and before my feet reached the floor...there it was...the first complaint of the day...this is going to be a struggle....I am looking forward to victory in this area and I assume those who have heard my many complaints throughout the years will be blessed by the sounds of silence where there once had been a barrage of complaints. That may be my first step- if you don't have something nice to say- Don't say anything. I look forward to the day where Praising the Lord in all my circumstances will be my immediate and constant constant response.

Still Waiting

Still waiting....I want to jump into something else...go forward with prayer meetings...yet this seems to be a not yet time...the same seems to hold true for employment(this has been one long -not yet)
I go so far with okay I'll wait and trust the Lord...then I get impatient, fearful and think well maybe I didn't hear right and jump in and take action...so far this has been a mistake...
At times it is physically, emotionally, psychologically uncomfortable. I liken this to losing weight- I have gained 10 lbs for every year since I moved back to N.Y.- It has been 8 yrs that I have been overweight...so I have been wanting to lose weight for a long time...within those eight years I have attempted to change my eating habits and exercise...but I have not been consistent for one reason or other...
So while it seems like I have been "waiting" a long, long time...because I have jumped in and tried to have things my way - I have not truly been waiting...waiting on my Lord and Savior looking to Him for direction and guidance...trusting His timing...not panic during the quiet times....I see that sometimes I want to jump into something, just do something is because I don't want to face what is confronting me at the time. I don't know how to stay put when it gets uncomfortable...sure there is a time to move out of uncomfortable situations but there are other times that dealing with the uncomfortable will lead to healing and deliverance...and my uncomfortableness seems to be more an internal rather than in an external circumstance.