HOPE ... When the Way is Dark ... Thoughts for Easter (Fasika)...

Some days are dark and stormy.

The weather here in Ethiopia has been extremely weird the past few weeks, bringing that to mind.

Some days have been sunny with blue skies, the usual weather. Other days, it has felt too hot, the sun seeming to burn the sky.

And other days ... have been dark and cloudy, not usual for this time of year.  This is not a tornado place, but, some days have made me nervous... The weather overall has made everyone feel sick.

And life overall often has those variety of days and seasons... some are sunny and great when all goes well, other days and seasons have darkness and storms that surprise and can last for some time.

Darkness and storms are very hard...

Maybe an illness or a death changes your life and your family forever. And maybe fatigue and deep grief makes it hard to keep going.

Maybe doors close when they looked open, and you find yourself in an awkward hallway, where you maybe feel insecure and no other door or window can be seen as a way out.

Relationships can disappoint. People let you down, throw in the towel and walk away. And suddenly your world becomes dark.

And then you, we, disappoint ourselves at times. The darkness comes not from circumstances or others, but from within us. Negativity, jealousy, greed, maybe addiction comes from inside.

And the darkness from the inside or out, threatens to pull you, us,  down and enslave us to insecurity, fear, loss, and despair.

Are you in darkness now? Do you know someone who is?

What do we do when the darkness comes? Maybe you saw it coming. Other times it can hit by surprise.

There are common reactions by most of us. We often just ignore things. Make ourselves busy so we don't have to think about the situation or broken area/relationship.

Others maybe ignore the issue by sleeping or watching movies, reading books, escaping in some way. Anything- to not have to look at or deal with the problem.

Others try to fix the problems themselves. Maybe you pound on doors for a new job or work hard to try to mend a relationship or to mend yourself on your own. Maybe you go to the gym to feel better about your age or your status. Maybe you get new clothes to elevate your confidence. Maybe you buy "self help" books to get wisdom.

Other people use medicine or become addicted to some drug as a way to escape.

And people tend to give alot of advice in and during the dark days. Some say: I will pray for you. God has a plan. Stay encouraged. Others may say: lead yourself, invest in yourself. Lots of people give advice...but we don't need to lead ourselves or to invest in ourselves...

I can tell you what we need, what is the only hope for darkness, We need a Savior! A Leader. A Shepherd to guide Us.  And the good news is ... WE have ONE!

Psalm 40
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.... Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust

Psalm 130
If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, who could stand? but with you there is forgiveness. I wait for the Lord and in His word I put my hope...with the Lord there is unfailing love and with His is full redemption

Psalm 103
Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed liked the eagle's. ... The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger , abounding in love... He does not treat us as our sins deserve...

Romans 8: 1, 37
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us

Psalms 23
The Lord is my Shepherd, ... even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou are with me

John 8:12
I am the Light of the World..

Though the world is full of darkness and it's even in us, there's HOPE. The darkness doesn't have to overwhelm us and take us down. There is help. A HAND to hold and a person to walk with through the darkest valleys and nights that come. He is the way, the truth and the life. Dark valleys can be passed through and conquered. Freedom and joy and peace can be had, experienced, even in the dark.

The way, the hope, is Jesus Christ. A Savior for our Brokenness, a Light in the Darkness, a Hope that Doesn't Fail, He gives Peace, Joy, A Relationship that doesn't leave, or disappoint.

We have a Friend, a Savior, a Risen King who offers us Himself on Life's Journey. Do you know Him?

When you ask Jesus to be with you in life, He pays for your sin and allows you access to God. But the darkness doesn't go away. There are still disappointments that come in life. There's sin. But you will never again walk alone. And He changes the darkness in you if you allow Him too. He gives you His peace, joy, hope, perseverance.

Storms and darkness can actually become some of your greatest times of growth and fellowship with God.

Looking back on my life, there were many times of sadness, insecurity, disappointment with myself and others. Times of fear, loneliness, etc.

But looking back on those dark times, those dark hallways... I remember those and that God showed Himself to me the most during those times. God wants to enter into your darkness and comfort you. Advise you and help you sing and fellowship even in the dark. And when that time has passed, you walk out with Him together, in a new chapter, stronger with Him for having passed through the darkness.

I believe I've mentioned this before, but it deserves another mention. There are crosses everywhere in ETHIOPIA. I love it. In taxis, on gates, on churches, in people's hands and on necklaces, it's a constant reminder to me of Jesus and the cross.

Jesus had some very dark days, the cross, being the biggest darkness for Him, as he felt punishment for our sin and separation from His Father.

But that darkness, brought us light and life. The chance to live with God forever, our sins paid for. What an amazing sacrifice and gift!

This is Easter (Fasika) weekend in Ethiopia. Tomorrow, we will celebrate an empty tomb and our Risen King.

But yesterday and today (Saturday)- we've been focusing on the cross. The incredible price Jesus paid for us so we can have victory over darkness and know the hope and love of God.

Let us celebrate that light has overcome darkness and we have a Merciful High Priest and a Good Shepherd ready daily to lead us on. May we not lose hope. In the darkest of nights, He is there. We have the light of the world, hope, to experience and share.

May we celebrate what He did and what He's continuing to do on our behalf. And if we're in darkness, may we cling to Him and nothing else. And may we share Him with others who may be experiencing darkness.

Blessed Fasika to everyone celebrating this weekend, and Blessed Easter to those who celebrated last week!

When the way seems dark, cling to Jesus. He will see you through and goes with you!

Praises/Prayer Requests
-As most of you might have seen on the news, Ethiopia did finally elect a new Prime Minister. He is from the tribe that has been protesting and He's a Christian. So the country has returned to peace and most are hopeful/optimistic about the way ahead. Please keep this new leader in prayer and the government.
-Many of you probably saw this on facebook, my MOM is coming to visit me in Ethiopia Mothers day Week ( in May). My sister is bringing her for one week. To say I'm excited to show her here would be a major understatement. I'm thrilled. Please be in prayer as she and my sister prepares to come, as they raise money, etc.

-Classes at both schools have been going well. I give thanks for that. I love the students I get to be with.

-I've continued to work with the Student Parliament at Hope College and have been blessed to see them having events for charity and other events for students on campus.  We wore white and blue colors to support the events. And had guest speakers to encourage students.

 

 

-Please again keep Easter (called Fasika) this weekend in prayer here. May the Gospel be heard and Hope and Light pierce darkness in people's lives. We have so much to live for and be grateful for!

Blessed Spring Season to All. Please let me know how I can pray for you!

Grabbing Moments ... Thoughts on Living Secure in Insecurity

For me overall, being back in Ethiopia since Christmas has been a great start to 2018.

My love for this great land is deep. The coffee, the sunshine, the people, the cute kids ...there is so much to love about this place.

 

 

My start to the new semester at both ETC (the Evangelical Theological College) and Hope College has also been very good. I've loved getting to know new students and have felt God's leadership in lesson planning and preparation. I really feel so honored to get to do what I do. I've also started working again with the Student Parliament at Hope and love these student leaders and feel again humbled to be part of their life journey.

new freshmen class at Hope, Management students

Hope Student Parliament celebrating Valentines Day

We've had holidays to celebrate, birthdays, and I've loved seeing some of my best former students start new businesses. I've smiled much in 2018 and truly have felt God's hand on the new year.

 

Some of my ETC students helping celebrate my Dad's bday

My great sis Shali, celebrating her January birthday

H and H Leather Products... new business of my great former students: Hilina and Heldana (Hidi)

Despite the great start back to the new year, a few things have been throwing me off balance and have made things seem insecure. 

Big since my return has been the political situation here and the growing protests that have spread around Ethiopia. Though much of it has been outside of our capital city, Addis Ababa- where I live,  ... almost daily I'm getting email alerts to take caution in certain areas and to be prepared at any time for the city to change.  Often in taxis and on the roads, I find myself running scenarios in my head, if this or that happens up ahead, this is what I would do or try. There's an added level of vigilance I've felt I've had to keep. 

Late last week, the Prime Minister of the country resigned and that was a surprise. So, a six month state of emergency was initiated over this past weekend until new leadership is chosen and transition happens. Please pray for peace here.

http://www.aljazeera.com/topics/country/ethiopia.html

Another shaky thing for me has been a huge delay in the clearance of my work permit.

What usually takes a few days has now turned into seven weeks and though it seems it will process through, that it hasn't yet- has made me feel insecure. Not having documents processed with the government now transitioning is also not good, so that has made me feel off balance too. Thoughts have come to my mind- like what if I'm blocked from working. And what if God changes where He wants me to live and work. So, all of that has been on my mind.

So things seem insecure. But, I think life in general seems that way.

So how can I live secure in insecurity? That has been what God has trying to teach me. 

And Paul figured it out... it's time I did too.

Philippians 4:11-13
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... whether well fed or hungry, ... I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

God has been trying to remind me that the KEY to my STABILITY is HIM.

If my foundation is Him, if I stay focused on Him, and rooted in Him, I can live secure in insecurity.

He doesn't shake. His hand in mine doesn't let go.

Psalm 112
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord... He will never be shaken.. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting the Lord. His heart is secure...

Psalm 37
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord... He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn... be still and wait patiently for the Lord...If the Lord delights in a man's ways, He makes His steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.

2 Timothy 2:19
God's solid foundation stands firm

Psalm 40:2
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand

God has helped me to see the great value in constantly checking my connection with Him. For if I lose sight of Him or look at other things first, my perspective can be off and I can feel insecure.

Here in Ethiopia, there are often power outages. And with most people now having smart phones, it seems most people know places where you can grab a quick charge. I know most cafes around my school where if needed, I can sit at a certain table and find a socket where I can charge my phone and have a good cup of coffee.

God challenged me recently in those times. When I plug into a power source for charge for my phone, I heard God say- also grab those moments- to plug in with me, get charged in me. Talk to me, listen for me. Check your focus, your foundation- be with me, I'll give you security, perspective, peace, joy... grab moments, all the time,  to connect with me.

So, I've been grabbing moments, not just in the morning or at night, but several times during the day, to charge, to check my foundation and plug in with God, and literally my mood changes if it's off. For maybe I start to plug into frustration or doubt or insecurity or fear, but when I spend time with God, grabbing moments with Him, I plug into hope, joy, peace and security. And I leave those places charged, my phone and my spirit. 

Great indicators of what you're standing on, connecting to, or looking at ... are your words and actions. If jealousy, negativity, anger, bitterness, unholiness is coming out of your mouth or is seen by others in your actions, then you need to plug into God, get alone with Him, and let Him refocus you in Him and for Him. The world is watching and listening to our lives. We have to take care. And if insecurity is also evident, we can connect with God and experience His peace.

We CAN live secure, even in insecurity, because God is with us and in us.

But can we REALLY connect with God... a holy God, a just God, when we're not worthy?

Does He really want us to be with Him? That's the good news we have... a way has been made possible for us to connect- and it's only through Jesus. He's the connecter, with Him in us and with us, covering our sin- we can boldly approach God as much as we want. Amazing!

John 3:16-17
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but will have eternal life. For God did not send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.

Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ... let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.

If we're rooted in God, we can face any army, and not be afraid. We can look at any storm or disease, and still feel anchored in peace, having joy and hope. We can walk through any valley that has danger, we can see any door slammed shut and still come out the other side, secure with God. We can sing in the dark places, rejoice in the hallways and times when we don't see the next thing, because on the mountains, in the valleys, God doesn't change. He is for us and we can trust His leadership to see us through.

And as we countdown to Easter and reflect with humility the greatness of the fact that we are loved by God and can walk with Him, talk with him, grab moments with Him, be used by Him, and be with Him forever, thanks to Jesus, may we not lose days or time but make the most of all.

Psalm 91:
Because He loves me, I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble...

John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in me.

John 15:4
Remain in me and I will remain in you.

1 John 4:4
Greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world.

Romans 8:31; 39
If God is for us, who can be against us? ... Nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 28:20
I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

May we live secure in insecurity, grabbing moments to be with God. And sharing the connecting power of Jesus Christ in a world needing to know the peace He gives!  Onward.

Prayer Requests... Please pray...
-For Ethiopia, for wisdom in the coming days and peace as leadership transitions. Pray for new leadership that will unite the country and be just and fair for all the people here.
-For my work permit to process successfully this week.
-For my new classes at both ETC and HCBST, that God will use be at both schools to be a good example of Him
-For security in insecurity, that I will grab moments all the time, to be with God
-For this Easter-Lent season for us all, that we can remember and celebrate the great sacrifice made by Jesus
-for continued good health and for my family's health

Please let me know how I can pray for you too! Blessings from Ethiopia

 

Thoughts for a New Season ... Back in the Fields...2018

A new year has begun ... 2018. The year feels funny for me to write. It seems like it's way in the future, how can that be the year?

Time has passed.  What have I done with my life so far? Am I making the most of the life I've been given?

These are the questions I've had in my mind as the new year has begun...

I'm very grateful for a new season, back in fields, in Ethiopia. May God be honored in all.

 

I had a great few weeks at home in the USA with my family for Christmas and New Years. The time went fast and the weather was unseasonable cold, but I appreciated a white Christmas.  I enjoyed spending time with my Dad, Mom and Sister-Noel and catching up on the last several months in greater detail. I'm so honored to be part of this great family! I'm inspired by their lives, their ministries, their examples, their love. My Dad... the great Jim Garrett, all-star greeter at the children's ministry door at Ginghamsburg Church; my Mom- a great facebook writer of daily devotions...both of my parents- lay pastors.  And my sister, Noel, the greatest missionary I know. I'm humbled by her willingness to go wherever God needs her to go. She's humble, so brave, and loves Jesus so much. Again, no words to say what my family means to me. Thank you GOD for them!

 

 

 

 

I don't feel like I really was able to think about the new year, 2018, and what I needed/wanted to do different, better ... until I traveled back to Ethiopia a little over one week ago.

Almost immediately after I arrived, it was time to celebrate another Christmas, in Ethiopia... Christmas is celebrated on January 7. It was a great kickoff to the new year. I spent my time with the Kenna family, yet again. And loved our time together as we remembered and celebrated Jesus.

Is Jesus remembered like He should be? In my heart, in my life? Is He my cornerstone, my greatest friend, my Shepherd? Am I allowing Him to lead me and do I obey Him because I trust Him? Can people see Him in me? Is there light, salt, peace, joy, in my life that is noticeable? For Jesus is key and the greatest gift ever given... May we not forget Him!

As I continued to settle back in to life here ... I quickly became busy ... wrapping up the semester at Hope College, we finished last Friday with the final exam of the fall semester. And I also became busy prepping for ETC's spring semester beginning the third week in January. 

Yet, as those things were going on, I tried to take some walks, enjoy the sights and sounds and wonder of Ethiopia, this amazing land and people, and think about the new year.

I'm really so humbled to live here. If you're not sure what Ethiopia is like, a saw this video recently that gives a great five minute or so look at this country and people and culture. Very diverse from the countryside to my city Addis, from religious customs, and holidays, to dancing and music, food, coffee, fashion, ancient and modern all mixed together with a lot of sunshine and history. It's truly fascinating. No where like here.. in the world!

Here's the video if you want a great quick look at life here ...

https://vimeo.com/249782279

Since returning, I have been thinking about many things.

So here are many of my random thoughts and reflections that I wanted to share...

I think one of the biggest challenges and areas of concern for me in 2017 was just the realization that time indeed has passed and I'm getting older. Getting older is so weird really. I'm thankful that the calendar here is seven years behind and I use that for my age, which helps, ha ha.

But, I find myself  fighting getting older with all that I am. I want to be young, look young.  I largely work with young people, where fashion and style also has impact. So, as I reflected on 2017, was that too much of a focus for me? We do have this earthly tent we've been given to  house God's Spirit and take care of. But was my focus in 2017, more on the outward appearance of this tent, or was the inward focus where it needed to be, where TRUE BEAUTY literally glows from the inside out?

For I can't lose that as the most important thing. For the inward part of us ... where relationship is with God... can take ordinary and makes you extraordinary. It's a beauty, a grace, a light that is shocking and real and so attractive. Do I show that light to others... peace, joy, acceptance, approachability, no judgment, that Jesus showed?

 Last semester, I had young ministry leaders visit my Youth Ministry class. When my older class saw these young men enter our class, I'm sure many thought ... what can these young cool looking guys teach us older ministers about ministry? And literally, as soon as these guys started talking, I almost fell backwards in my seat. They were ordinary but had EXTRAORDINARY light, that literally impacted me for days after. They had a grace, a humility, a coolness, a wisdom, that was bigger than them. I could tell they had been with Jesus. It shook us all.

Do I have that here, show that also?

May I take care of the body I've been given but make sure it doesn't supersede my relationship with Jesus in the new year!

1 Timothy 4:8
For physical training is of some value, , but godliness has value for all things, holding both promise for this present life and the one to come.

A few other things I heard when I was home for the holidays, I've been thinking about as well ...

One was a sermon from Mosaic Church, a church plant of Ginghamsburg Church, One of the pastors, Wayne Botkin, challenged us to think about headlines from 2017. The world had crazy headlines. Natural disasters, terrorist activities, elections that surprised.

He asked ... what were the headlines of your life for 2017? Maybe you had some good headlines...? Maybe some bad ones?

Some common bad headlines ... maybe... indecisive; wrong turn; sick; lost; afraid; broken; jobless; attacked; directionless; unmotivated; lonely; sad; divorced; addicted; fired.

What will the headlines be of your 2018?

God can turn ANY headline, any life, into something new!

I just heard a sermon from Kyle Idleman at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, and he talked about making a turn in the new year. He also noted that God can turn any situation, any life around. But God needs all the broken pieces lifted to Him... for Him to be able to restore, renew your life.

And we have to say: because you say so Jesus, I will do that in trust. GREAT MESSAGE!

https://www.southeastchristian.org/sermons/

So again, it comes back to Jesus, to make sure I'm spending time with Him, that He's leading me, and is being lifted up in all I do.

If you want a Jesus check in your life... write down your thoughts, words, actions. Especially when you're under stress. If Jesus is your core- His response will come out. your thoughts will go to Him. Your words will please Him. If something else is at your core, when squeezed- other things may come out... negativity, suspicion, judgment, anger, fear. He can be the center, but we have to repent and focus on Him, be with Him.

It makes me so sad that so many churches today are leaving Jesus out of their messages. There's a focus on welcoming people and making people feel comfortable but nothing about the truth of what Jesus does and how He changes everything.

Jesus has to be lifted up.

That's a huge prayer request for 2018 for me here in Ethiopia as well, that as I help teach and instruct church leaders here, that I challenge them with that truth. We must focus on Jesus, be led by Him, and share Him! He's what people need, what I need!  He can change every headline. May I stayed connected to Him in all.

And one more random thing to share, the song I've been listening to the most on my laptop since my return to Ethiopia has been: Matt Redman's When We All Get to Heaven. This song has been helping me keep perspective.

https://youtu.be/LGAdaGbmfFs

Again, many random things I'm thinking on already in 2018, but all in all, I'm grateful for a new season,  a new chapter to live well, love well, and represent God well.

May 2018 be my best year yet for God!

My prayer is that for you as well. Keeping these scriptures in mind...

Isaiah 43:18-20
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 55:11-12
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst in song before you, and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, an everlasting sign which will not be destroyed.

Isaiah 41:8-13
But you, O Israel, my servant Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed...I will help you...

Isaiah 54:2-17
Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide; do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations... Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth. ... for your Maker is your husband, the Lord Almighty is His name- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; ... though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, my unfailing love for you will not be shaken. ... no weapon formed against you shall prevail, ... this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord...

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for me and my family. Please let me know how I can pray for you as well in 2018.

Prayer Requests
-Please pray for my new work permit and residence visa, it's in process of being renewed.

-Please pray for Hope College, as I finish grades, have two weeks off, then as a new semester starts in early February, that God is honored by my work and that I represent Him well to students, student leaders, and staff

-Please pray for ETC, I begin the spring semester in one week. I will be teaching four classes: Cross Cultural Communication; Theology of Mission; Integral Mission; and Contemporary Youth Culture. Pray God leads my preparation for those and His people are equipped through these classes.

-Please pray for my Bible studies with students here, also for many of my graduate students going abroad, starting new businesses, ministries, even some getting married, that God blesses them.

-Please pray for my language learning, that I quickly learn as I focus there as a new year commitment.

-Please help in wishing our great Dad, the amazing, charming, handsome and too cute JIM GARRETT, a very Happy big B-day on January 23. I'm so honored to be one of his girls! We love him so so so much!  Happy Birthday Dad!

Thank you again for your prayers and support!!!

If you'd like to join my financial support team in 2018, I'm still looking for new monthly supporters and those who can give one time gifts for various things.  Please email on that for more specific financial needs or you can contact my sister or Ginghamsburg Church to set something up online, etc.

Thanks again so much!

Blessings in 2018 to you and your family!

Much love from Ethiopia.

HEART CHECK... What To Do if You Need Peace...

What brings calm to your mind, rest to your soul? When does your heart feel at peace?

Maybe it’s when the sun is just rising or setting and you get a glimpse of the majesty of God.

 

Maybe it’s when you’re taking a walk and a cool breeze blows over you and you feel refreshed.

 

 

Maybe it’s when you see love between people or watch children playing.

Maybe it’s when you're sitting by water and listening to the waves hit the shore.

Maybe it’s when you’re curled up with a good book in front of a fireplace.

Most of the time it seems these moments of peace are few and far between. Days can feel stressful.

Many times your heart may not feel at rest, but at war. Maybe your heart is divided between two things. Or it feels insecure. Or lacking, or even broken. There’s disappointment, sin, Satan, struggles, loneliness, fear.

 

Tons of things weigh on the heart.

Last week my heart was not steady. Sometimes it was sad, sometimes weary, and sometimes stressed.  I wanted peace, needed peace.

 

One day in particular stressed my heart to the limit. One of my former students… her dad had a long awaited surgery that took several hours. They gave him a 99% chance of NOT making it through.

 

As I sat for the long hours waiting for the surgery to end, as I paced the halls, tears stung my eyes. It was literally walking in the valley of the shadow of death.  Would this Dad, we call him Gakey, would he make it?  I prayed for peace and a miracle.

 

On days like that and in life overall, how can we have peace? Can we really know and experience a “peace that surpasses all understanding?”

The sermon I heard over the weekend spoke exactly to that. It was such a good word, I wanted to share.

It was said, we must guard our hearts for this is where God gives peace.

Proverbs 4:23

Above all else, guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.

Everything about your life flows from what is going on in your heart. External fights with others usually stems from an internal dysfunction IN YOU. (James 4:1)  If inwardly your heart is not experiencing the love and peace of God, outwardly- this can be seen in how you live, what you say, and in how you respond and treat others.

Thankfully, Jesus came to heal our hearts and give us His peace.

We can have peace with ourselves ….from our insecurities, fears, disappointments, self condemnation from the mistakes from our past, thanks to Jesus! We can be healed.

Romans 8:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…

Colossians 1:21

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now God has reconciled you by Jesus’s body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. …

So how do you have peace in your heart?  If the heart needs guarded, and peace comes when you do that, how do you guard your heart?

 

The heart is tricky. It's like a throne room, a place where we worship something, give focus. What do you worship in your heart? Who or what do you think of and give worth to there? Often our insecurities grow there, brokenness can linger there- bitterness and envy can blossom there.

 

How can we guard our hearts, so that what is there, is not anxiety or stress, or other things or people, but God Himself?

The key is found in Philippians.

Philippians 4:6-7

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

God’s peace is what guards your heart. When life’s storms come… unexpected trials, wipe outs, change, when people disappoint you, in all seasons, we can have God as the foundation of our heart and we can experience His peace, no matter what.

 

But we have to watch our hearts. If our hearts aren’t guarded in God, if His peace is not there, the rest of us becomes unstable.

 

To experience peace in our hearts, He must be our foundation, on the throne of our hearts. Our part is to make sure He's there and then to present our prayers and all that we are to Him, with thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the faith part. We thank him because He can. He is able.  We thank Him because we can come to Him, rely on Him. He’s worthy of our praise and thanks. He wants us to seek Him first, love Him most. Trust Him. Then His part is He will then give you His peace that is beyond understanding and this peace will guard our hearts. 

AMAZING!

The source of peace is God. It’s not dependent on circumstances. We can experience this peace in the darkest of hospital hallways, when you’re facing job loss, a relationship ending, a change you didn’t see coming. When nothing is working out, you can still experience His peace and His joy.

God can deal with anything that faces us. Nothing is too big, too hard, too much.

We don’t have to be stressed or anxious, we must takes ourselves to Him and share all that’s in us, and with thanksgiving, thank Him for being with us and for us. Give Him our hearts, our requests, our everything. And we're promised His PEACE will come and guard our hearts.

If God has done anything for you, you have a reason to give thanks. If you're breathing or standing on two legs, those are reasons. Don’t forget the testimonies you have. Remember where God has brought you from. Use that memory to help propel you forward, to give thanks, trust God, and experience His peace.

 

We must constantly be checking our hearts. Is God at the center of us? Do we have peace inwardly and outwardly in our lives? If not, the heart is usually the problem.

God's peace can fill you and sustain you in whatever you're facing. And you might even get to witness a miracle as you trust Him with all.

In the hallways of that hospital last week… as the hours stretched on and there was no news that the surgery was finished… we prayed. And prayed. And prayed.  

Finally, the news came and what was said sincerely astonished us all,  Gakey had SURVIVED against all odds. Hugs and cheers and tears erupted. Later, we gathered in the small hospital room and gave thanks for a God that is bigger than anything.  A God able to do miracles!

Again, this surgery being successful here in Ethiopia was impossible. They said IF Gakey survived, he possibly would never wake up or be weeks in ICU after. One day later, I came into the room to see this dad sitting in a chair and he was bouncing a small basketball with a big smile on his face. I shook the hand of a walking miracle. And we gave thanks to God.   

 

Yesterday, only a few days after that surgery, Gakey left the hospital and went home with his family.  God can do anything!

So we must remember… if we feel anxious, stressed… we just need to take our requests to God with thanksgiving, then trust Him.  His peace will guard our hearts and see us through.

John 14:1

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in me … Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…

May we constantly check our hearts and live and move in the peace of God! Amen!

 

Onward!

Praises/Prayer Requests

-Time continues to speed by. I can’t believe it’s late October. Classes are going well at both schools. Please continue to keep those in prayer.

-Please pray for the continued recovery of Gakey.

-Please pray for Ethiopia overall, there are parts of the country that are not stable.

I want to wish a HUGE Happy Birthday to my beautiful Mom on October 27 and to my beautiful sister, Noel, on October 29. Very grateful for the example of both of these ladies in my life and the years of shared journey. 

Happy Birthday my Mom, on Friday, Oct 27

Happy Birthday to my sister, Noel, on Sunday, Oct 29

 

Very thankful for my family overall. Please love them and hug them for me if you're around them.

Thanks for the prayers and support and please let me know how I can pray for you as well.

Enjoy pumpkin stuff for me if you’re in the USA. And the cooler temps. J

Blessings from Ethiopia!