Reality Check (and a bonus interactive section!)
A few weeks ago our pastor Steve Hayes posted this simple quote in his Facebook status: "This is the wonderful thing about reality; in the end, it wins." -Charles Krauthammer
I had a great conversation with a good friend last night and we were talking about struggles in our lives and how sometimes our experience tells us different than what is actually true. If you have been rejected by family and friends for what you believe or choices you have made it can seem hard to believe that there is a God that has never and will never reject you. Personally I have been struggling lately to believe that God is faithful and that he does fulfill His promises. I was meditating on this earlier this week and trying to figure out what or where specifically this is most difficult for me to believe and suddenly a thought struck me: it doesn't matter how much I do or do not believe that God is faithful. It doesn't change the fact that He is faithful and always has been and always will be. Now many of you may be saying "duh" at this point, but as a wise friend said to me, "Sometimes the most basic truths are the most profound." This was absolutely profound to me. Like the quote that Steve referenced, regardless of my skewed sense of reality and what feels real to me in the moment, the ultimate reality that God is good and just and righteous, in the end, wins. So I don't know what you may be going through in your life right now, maybe you don't even believe in God and think this is a bunch of rubbish, but again, weather you choose to accept it or not, it is reality and in the end, God wins.
Alright, as promised here is the interactive part! Yay! In this Christmas season I have been thinking not only of the wonder of God entering this world as a vulnerable baby, but about how God sent Christ as a baby, orchestrated the entire thing knowing what would happen in the end. He looked at each and every one of us and said, "you are worth sacrificing my beloved son." I do not have kids, but I imagine a lot of parents would rather spare their child the pain and agony that Christ suffered than bring a child into the world if they knew how it would all end. That is a miracle. Emanuel, God with us. Each year I try to do little things to remind me of the true wonder of this amazing holiday and this year has been no exception. Last night I made an advent wreath (a little late I know...) and I have also been doing an Advent bible reading plan. What I want from you guys is to hear what Christmas traditions you have for yourselves, your families, etc. in preparing for Christmas. I love this time of year and love hearing about different foods (be on the lookout for some recipes soon!) and festivities so PLEASE leave comments!
I had a great conversation with a good friend last night and we were talking about struggles in our lives and how sometimes our experience tells us different than what is actually true. If you have been rejected by family and friends for what you believe or choices you have made it can seem hard to believe that there is a God that has never and will never reject you. Personally I have been struggling lately to believe that God is faithful and that he does fulfill His promises. I was meditating on this earlier this week and trying to figure out what or where specifically this is most difficult for me to believe and suddenly a thought struck me: it doesn't matter how much I do or do not believe that God is faithful. It doesn't change the fact that He is faithful and always has been and always will be. Now many of you may be saying "duh" at this point, but as a wise friend said to me, "Sometimes the most basic truths are the most profound." This was absolutely profound to me. Like the quote that Steve referenced, regardless of my skewed sense of reality and what feels real to me in the moment, the ultimate reality that God is good and just and righteous, in the end, wins. So I don't know what you may be going through in your life right now, maybe you don't even believe in God and think this is a bunch of rubbish, but again, weather you choose to accept it or not, it is reality and in the end, God wins.
This song has really been speaking to my soul lately. Enjoy!
Alright, as promised here is the interactive part! Yay! In this Christmas season I have been thinking not only of the wonder of God entering this world as a vulnerable baby, but about how God sent Christ as a baby, orchestrated the entire thing knowing what would happen in the end. He looked at each and every one of us and said, "you are worth sacrificing my beloved son." I do not have kids, but I imagine a lot of parents would rather spare their child the pain and agony that Christ suffered than bring a child into the world if they knew how it would all end. That is a miracle. Emanuel, God with us. Each year I try to do little things to remind me of the true wonder of this amazing holiday and this year has been no exception. Last night I made an advent wreath (a little late I know...) and I have also been doing an Advent bible reading plan. What I want from you guys is to hear what Christmas traditions you have for yourselves, your families, etc. in preparing for Christmas. I love this time of year and love hearing about different foods (be on the lookout for some recipes soon!) and festivities so PLEASE leave comments!
New Life News
New Life just had their annual Christmas concert Sunday night. For the first time ever, we had to have two services because it has become such a popular event! It was such a beautiful time of remembrance and celebration of Christ coming. We had over 700 people attend between the two services!
As we head into the holiday season, unlike many churches, we start to thin out as students head home. One thing to really be praying for is students who have tough family situations that make it hard to spend time there. For some students home can be very isolating and a great spot for Satan to attack.
La Libertad Noticias
Praise God! My friend Claudia, whose dad was receiving radiation therapy for his cancer is on the mend. He is doing well and feeling better. Thank you so much to all of you who were praying! I recently had a chat via skype with one of the men that runs GCLA (our affiliate organization in Latin America) and everything seems to be coming together for me to head down to La Libertad. I am still in full time support raising, so if you could please pray that I can trust in God's timing. I am getting a little impatient and would really love to be done soon!
Standing in Awe of God's unfailing character,
Sigourney
P.S. Don't forget to check the side bar for prayers and praises!
Standing in Awe of God's unfailing character,
Sigourney
P.S. Don't forget to check the side bar for prayers and praises!
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