Worthy of Confidence

We just spent a few days with friends at Assembly of God Ireland’s annual Dream conference. It was so great hearing teaching and getting to see people from all over the nation who we only get to see a few times a year.

In one of the talks, Brian Somerville (pastor at Cornerstone City Church, Derry) spoke about keeping our confidence in Jesus. He quoted Hebrews 11:8-12, which speaks of Abraham’s faith. God promised that Abraham’s numerous descendants would inherit the vast land where he had made his home. There were so many things that could have served to shake his trust in God’s promise: he was a stranger in the land and his wife was much too old to get pregnant. 

The beauty of God’s power is that He makes beautiful things out of the little we have to offer. Our trust should not be in ourselves, just as Abraham would have been crazy to trust in social connection or biology to make God’s promise a reality. Abraham waited years to see the fruit of his faith. In between receiving the initial promise and the day he saw it with his eyes, he must have been through some discouraging days…but God was still there. 

God is the God of every day, even the dreary ones. He has not left us, even if we feel stuck or if it seems like the ceiling is caving in on us. To keep our confidence in Jesus, we should seek Him every day. In Psalm 84:5, it says “Blessed are those whose strength in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.” We are on a journey with Jesus. Some days will be awesome and some will be a bummer. Either way, God is always worthy of our confidence. 

Sweet Times

We just said "see ya soon" yet again to Blake's parents last week. They were here for a fun-packed seven days. We mostly did a lot of activities geared around Eden - play places, the children's museum, etc. Eden had so much fun with his Nana and Papa! He finally had people who were happy to read him all the repetitive books on the shelf that mommy and daddy sometimes skip parts to. He was spoiled to the max and now feels the pain of not being able to stream videos on his mom's phone from his car seat. He actually has to just sit there like everybody else. Oh the humanity. 

We were able to maximize the time we spent with them while they were here. It always feels so nice to be able to sit and talk face to face with family members. Skype is a great invention, but being able to make a cup of coffee for your mom and dad and actually talk with them in the flesh is priceless. We simultaneously feel sad that this is not a regular occurrence and privileged to be doing the work we do. Moreover, we are so thankful that we have family who back us up one hundred percent. We are looking forward to the next time we get to all be together. Until then, God holds us all in the palm of His hand and continues to pour out a special grace to help us feel close. 

Eden at the children's museum...catching up on his fiber intake. 

Clear the Way

Two things happened to us this morning.

I'll start with the second thing. We found out this morning that our friends, who are in a very similar visa situation, were declined again. (Please take a minute now to pray for Ron and Sharon.) We are shaken for our friends, and we are now fighting anxiety about our own situation. 

The first thing, as I woke up and came down for my morning coffee, I checked my Facebook messages. A university student in Dublin (Josh) had sent me an incredibly encouraging and timely note. Josh prayed for us and our visa situation earlier in the week and God dropped a verse in his mind. 

"Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you." 1 Thessalonians 3:11

Observing the context of this verse, we see Paul, having just received a great report from Timothy, praying "night and day" to be able to go to the church in Thessaloniki. I read in Paul the same passion, desire, and draw that Katy and I have to stay in Ireland. 

As we wait on letters from immigration, we want to echo Paul's heart and faith. God WILL clear the way for wherever He has called us to be. While we may be shaken in the flesh, we trust God in Spirit and in truth that no man, woman, or government can keep us from going where He has called us to go.

We appreciate your continued prayers during this time of uncertainty.

Amen and amen.