It's been awhile hasn't it?

These past few months have been a lot of ups and downs in life for both me and Jake. Jake started at ISU in Ag Engineering, a HUGE answer to so many prayers, so much time was spent with friends and family and working and just enjoying our second Summer here together in Ames. We even started attending a church here in Ames, called Bridgeway, and we know God has great things in store for this church and it's people!

My job was going really well, but I was and am still struggling with depression and it was starting to cause me to miss work. Yesterday I lost my job as a result of it, and now times are more stressful than ever. Today I received an email from my pastor, Pastor Bob as we call him, I had sent him and email yesterday about everything that was going on, and I'd like to share some of his response with you:

"As you go through this time, remember to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. We cannot muster up faith, but instead it comes as we lean on the One who is completely faithful to meet us in whatever we are facing. The great love, mercy and power of God in Christ Jesus is what grows our faith. Keep looking to him and claim is promises for you today that he will not leave or forsake you."

Just yesterday in church we had sermon about fear, and why we are afraid. Here are some of the notes that I took during that sermon:

There are 3 truths:

1. The storms in life we experience are real.

James 1:2-3 (TNIV) 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.

Romans 8:35-37 (TNIV) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

2.Fear comes when we look only at the storm

*Fear is the opposite of Faith*

3.An Overcoming Faith looks to Jesus

*God does not always deliver us from the storm, but he WILL walk with us through all the storms in our life*

John 16:33(TNIV) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Psalm 46:1-3 (TNIV) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, thought the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though the waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 107:28-32 (TNIV) Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them five thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for humankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

Woah. All I know is all that hit me on Sunday, and if it didn't resonate then, it sure did yesterday when part of my life crumbled around me. This is truly God using his word to touch and help shape our lives. These passages are all such a blessing to me and I know I will read them and study them more in the days and weeks to come. I know God will bring me through this, I "fell on my knees" today and cried out to God to show me his promise for my life, and to heal my sickness, and lead me wherever he wants and needs me to be. For him to show me the way because I cannot do this alone, for him to help me in my times of unbelief.....it was the most cleansing thing. After I finished there was this peace around me. I felt him there, once again in my little bedroom on Douglas Avenue. He's been there all along, I am the one who got lost.

Pastor Bob also emailed me the lyrics to a song. Another God thing. This song had been on my heart the previous week and has helped me immensely! Praise God!

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
Your perfect love is casting out fear
And even when I’m caught in the middle of the storms of this life
I won’t turn back I know You are near

And I will fear no evil
For my God is with me
And if my God is with me
Whom then shall I fear?
Whom then shall I fear?

Oh no, You never let go
Through the calm and through the storm
Oh no, You never let go
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me

And I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
A glorious light beyond all compare
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
We’ll live to know You here on the earth

Yes, I can see a light that is coming for the heart that holds on
And there will be an end to these troubles
But until that day comes
Still I will praise You, still I will praise You


-Matt Redman