"WAITING ROOM"

As I write this, my family feels like we are in a “waiting room."

My Dad’s medical scare from a few weeks ago still has NO known cause. Doctors have been baffled. Tests have led to more tests.  And now we’ve been told to “wait” again for more test results.

I’ve remembered all over again the past month or so that times of waiting are NOT FUN. 

Waiting times can be tense. They can make you crazy if you’re not careful.

Maybe you get impatient waiting for a result or a door to open or a phone call to arrive.

Maybe you get discouraged thinking you’re stuck where you are now and it will be that way forever.  

Maybe worry sets in and overwhelms you as you go over and over again in your mind the “what ifs.”

So, many of us are in these waiting rooms for whatever reason. 

And if you’re not in a waiting room, guaranteed one is not too far off.

Life seems full of these times of waiting.

Thankfully, God’s Word gives us some great insight for these times. God knew they would hit us and would be difficult for us. 

These verses have been encouraging me….

Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 33:20-21

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.

Lamentations 3:24

“The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

Isaiah 64:4

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

So what can we do while we wait?

I believe there are many things we can do.  Some key things are:

PRAY (talk to God and let Him speak to you)

God sees us in our time of waiting.  He wants us to talk to Him and allow Him to speak to us. He’s with us. 

In these times of waiting, may we be in active communication with the One who has the peace, the comfort, the words we need to get us through.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17

…pray continually         

James 5:13-15

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 55:6

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on Him while He is near.

1 Chronicles 28:9

…the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, He will be found by you

READ GOD’S WORD

We also can read God’s Word during times of waiting. He gives direction, encouragement. He’s “online.”  Sometimes we ask Google, or friends or family for what to do, before we ask God. God’s Word is living.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

PRAISE/WORSHIP

We can give Him praise and worship while we wait.  This may not be easy. But it’s an incredible time to pause and reflect on who He is, what He’s done.

Sometimes we focus more on the situation we’re in than on our God- who is bigger than any situation. He is able to part seas, calm storms, heal the sick, open doors, close doors, rout advancing armies, give provision where there is none, give protection, give victory against impossible odds.  When we look at Him, we can’t help but praise and worship who He is. 

1 Chronicles 16:12

Remember the wonders He has done

Deuteronomy 6:12

…be careful that you do not forget the Lord

Deuteronomy 8: 2-5

Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you.

Psalm 96:1-10

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.  Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 95:6-7

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for He is our God and we are the people of His pasture, the flock under His care.

BE WITH OTHERS (Stay in Community)

In the waiting rooms of life, we need to stay in or seek community. This is a tough one. Often when things aren’t working out the way we imagined, when we’re struggling in a difficult situation, we prefer to try to hide. We don’t want to burden others with what we’re going through.  But the Bible tells us we need to stick together. There’s strength in numbers.

We have an enemy as well that is seeking to “devour us.” To hit us when we’re down. Isolation is so dangerous. In our times of waiting, may we seek others who can sit with us there and help us pray. And may we be available for God to use us in others’ times of waiting too.

Hebrews 10:24-25

…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching

1 Peter 5:7-9

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings

PREPARE

In these times of waiting, we can also prepare in faith for whatever is next.  

Galatians 6:9

Let us not become weary in doing good

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

1 Timothy 4: 7-8

…train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Ecclesiastes 10:18

…because of idle hands, the house leaks

SERVE

We can also “serve” as we wait.  God can use you in incredible ways in these waiting times.  In our weakness, God is so strong. In our own brokenness and humility is often when God can most clearly be seen in us to others.  My Dad continues to be an incredible example of this to me.  He continues to serve at our church in Children’s Ministry- and he gives it his very best.

Ephesians 6:7

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord…

Matthew 20:26-28

whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

1 Peter 3:15

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…

A book I’m reading recently reminded me of an important truth. In “A Shelter in the Time of Storm” by Paul David Tripp, it said:  “waiting isn’t just about what you are hoping for at the end of the wait, but also about what you will become in the wait.”

We can be transformed WHILE we wait. Waiting is a pressure that God can use to deepen your faith, strengthen your trust in Him. You can come out stronger because you’ve passed through the waiting room.

Isaiah 64:8

You, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit

2 Corinthians 4:17

…our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Times of waiting rooms can come unexpectedly.  Some last WAY longer than we ever thought they could. We stress about the unknown.

But God says, TRUST ME.  He is with us. We’re becoming who He wants us to be while we wait.

Exodus 14:14

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Philippians 4:6-7

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 27:13-14

I am still condiment of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord: be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Isaiah 40:28-31

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

May we stay encouraged and lifting up our lives to God continually in our times of waiting. We can trust that He has us always!

ONWARD with You!

Prayer Requests

-Please continue to keep my Dad in prayer. He has test results that will be given the first week in November. During this time of waiting, my God give him peace and even joy that His life is securely in God’s hands.

-Please pray for family- that God will help us to encourage each other and enjoy this time together. We will celebrate my Mom’s birthday on October 27^th, then my sister ‘s birthday (and mine, ha ha) on October 29^th- that we can enjoy those days as we reflect on all God has done.

-Please pray for my way ahead. After much prayer, I have decided to take the semester off from teaching in Ethiopia. During the next few months, please pray that I can give good support to my family while also trying to finish my book.  Also that if a return to Ethiopia in January of 2014 is still God’s plan for me, - that He will provide and make the way clear. 

-Please pray that as I meet with supporters, etc., that God will give me opportunities to testify to individuals, families, groups, churches, for I want to give God so much praise.  If I can speak to any church, group, etc, that you know of, please email me, I’d be honored.

-Please pray for my book- as I work hard to finish the draft- that God will help it come together.

-A big praise for YWAM (Youth with a Mission-Virginia) and the 26 of us who were certified as personal trainers a few weeks ago. That God will use this training to make His name great. And that those in this group continuing in a six month mission training school- will be unified and blessed as they move forward. They will in Brazil for three months soon using fitness as ministry in the time ahead. What a group!

-Please pray for the staff and students at the college I work for in Ethiopia- that God will give them a great semester. Also for my neighbors there – that God will give provision and joy.

-Please pray for the Global Missions Health Conference in Louisville, KY that I plan to attend in November- for the speakers and workshops and those attending- that connections will be made for kingdom expansion. I hope to connect with many of my Louisville friends while in the city and may God bless that time.

-Please pray for many serving God globally- that God will protect, encourage.

And for ALL of those in times of “waiting,” that God will encourage and strengthen!

Thank you so much for your faithful partnership in all!

"BREAKING...GOOD"

It seems life is full of “breaks.” Broken cars can make you late for school or work.  Broken discipline can lead to distractions and unhealthiness. Broken relationships can lead to a lack of confidence and then bitterness. A government that can’t work together can lead to a break, then a shut-down. How is that even possible?

One of the most popular TV shows here that just ended was called “Breaking Bad.” Sometimes people for no reason at all just start doing “bad” things they never thought they would do.

When things “break” does it always have to turn bad or end bad? Is God able to take these breaks that seem so bad and turn them for incredible good?  That is of course part of how He’s worked in history.

These thoughts have come to mind the past few weeks for me as I have been taking time off from teaching in Ethiopia.

Our family had a big scare this past weekend, when something broke in my Dad’s body, something went wrong and he was rushed to the hospital with chest pain. He was in the hospital several days. When those you love experience brokenness in any part of their lives, it’s hard to see.  Though my Dad kept in his sense of humor through it all, I know it scared him and us all.

Doctors are still trying to figure out why this “break” happened in him and what is was. Thanks for continuing to pray!

My sister and I received this news about my Dad when we were in Richmond, Virginia at a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base. We had joined an intensive two week course to learn fitness as a way to do mission.  It’s interesting to me how God continues to use opportunities and circumstances to teach us powerful lessons.  God had something to teach me about brokenness while there.  Our time in Richmond included three tough physical workouts a day.  OUCH.  After our two weeks of training though, we would be certified by Coach Tim Powers as personal trainers through the Human Performance Center-Richmond; University of the Nations; and Vital Force International.

Our coach and trainer, Tim Powers

 For me, I loved the concept of learning a skill that I could use globally to teach people about wholeness and wellness.  So while learning these things, I also was deeply inspired by the students who came together to learn.  Each had a unique story that seemed to hold some element of brokenness that God was turning for incredible good. Amazing!

We joined these 24 students from around the USA and the world - learning the anatomy of the body, proper and realistic nutrition and how to design exercise programs to max someone’s full potential.  We ran speed drills, did lifting and squats, morning “ladders.”  We prayed together.

After week one, I felt inspired inwardly, but so tired outwardly. We all felt sore and felt like we had “breaks” in our tendons, muscles, etc.

What was fascinating for me to learn in our classroom training time was more about this idea of brokenness. I learned our bodies actually respond well to being stretched and literally injured. 

What you do when you train hard or lift heavy is you actually “break” your own body. 

And the amazing thing about the body is how it responds- it actually compensates to rebuild your body to handle the greater strain.  As you are broken down, it’s repaired stronger, with more muscle and power. All of that has to be done in the right way, but how amazing is that!!! The great Creator-Designer-Engineer of our bodies is beyond compare!!!!

I was reminded all over again some important truths. We are created by God and for a unique purpose. We are a masterpiece.  And we’re to maximize our time in these earthly tents.

Genesis 1:27

So God created man in his own image…

Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Psalm 39:13-14

…you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.  I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.

I was also reminded that brokenness is everywhere. 

But I was also encouraged in learning that not only do our bodies actually grow stronger through heavy weights and hard stretching and pain, but our lives can also be improved and strengthened through the things we pass through. Pain and breaks can lead to new construction and incredible muscle for the way ahead.  Breaking can turned for good.

Hebrews 12:11

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it

2 Corinthians 7:10-11

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.  See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done.

Isaiah 38:17

Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.

The story of Joseph in the Bible comes to mind. His life seemed crushed, completely broken. He was sold into slavery by his brothers and was taken to a foreign land. Later, he was falsely accused and imprisoned. Could it get any worse? But God turned it for good- and this is what Joseph said later to his brothers as God positioned him not only to save Egypt from famine, but his own family as well….

Genesis 45:7-10

Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!  And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping.  But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

I’ve been reminded that at any given moment, we can “break” into a bad routine or habit or thought pattern if we’re not careful.  We can choose the easy way or the comfortable way instead of the narrow way.  But because of God’s hard-wiring of us and His Spirit in and with us, we can break into good as well- choosing right even if it might cost us our jobs or a friendship. We can choose compassion and mercy instead of judgment and contempt. We can choose to love and serve our enemies. We can bless, not curse. We can sing instead of complain. We can worship in trust, no matter the breaks or circumstances, because of the one writing our life stories.

Most mountaintops are preceded by valleys or desert times of training.  These times usually involve dealing with brokenness or realizing brokenness.  Never easy to pass through!

 

But experiencing that brokenness might be just what we need.

Jesus himself did not shy away from the pain of the desert or from experiencing the brokenness of life. He entered a broken world and subjected himself t o a broken body….

Isaiah 53: 2-5

….He had nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces, He was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
 and by his wounds we are healed.

In His humanity and in the humility learned- He paid for our sin to give us power to overcome brokenness. To no shield us from it- but the ability to actually grow stronger from passing through it. He rose in power and so can we!

Philippians 2: 5-11

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 John 17: 15-18

 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.  As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

If you’re experiencing brokenness of some kind, maybe a break in your body, maybe a break in a relationship, maybe you are seeing and feeling injustice at your work or in your community, take heart. If God has allowed us to see or experience brokenness, He can turn it for our great good. Breaking doesn’t have to end bad but can be turned for good.  God can increase your strength!

Philippians 1:6

…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:20

He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine

Does God “cause” pain and suffering? Indirectly- yes. He gave us choice- and our choice brought the “break” between God and us into the world. Can God shield us from the breaks? Yes.  But often He chooses to let things play out- teaching us through the brokenness of our world and our decisions- making our stumbles and falls- as part of our testimonies.  We have a merciful high priest who has felt our pain and struggle.  We can still praise Him still through ANY pain or struggle!

This song has been encouraging me….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mmgV6mPvb0

Blessings by Laura Story

We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we have faith to believe

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You're near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the achings of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

May the breaks we experience and see, be lifted back up to God for Him to transform into a beautiful part of our story.

Psalm 30:5

…weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

Psalm 126: 5-6

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Isaiah 40:31

…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Onward with You!!!

PRAYER REQUESTS

-Please continue to keep my Dad in prayer, He’s home from the hospital but doctors are still continuing to run tests on him.  Thanks so much for your prayers!  We love him soooo much!

-Please keep our new YWAM friends-team in Richmond, VA in prayer! The majority of this group will continue in a DTS (Discipleship Training School) for five more months, three of those months being spent serving in fitness ministry internationally. May God give unity and impact for this special group! GO TEAM!

-Please continue to pray for our school, Hope University College in Ethiopia, as classes gear up to start this month. 

-Please pray for me as I continue to work on my book and pray about my best place in the time ahead.

-Please pray for finances as I continue to fundraise for Ethiopia.

-Please pray for dear friends in Ethiopia and for the country and region overall, that God will bless!

-Please pray for our government in the USA, that this shutdown will end and a good compromise will be found…that out of bad, good will come.

-Please pray for many serving globally, that God will take the brokenness they’re seeing or experiencing and use that to make them stronger.

Together we are stronger! Blessed October to you!