Revealing the Father's Heart

I do not usually like to share my journal entries with anyone, but I thought that this one was appropriate. It is my first entry in a journal that I received after I graduated which says "Use this journal to reflect on the Places You Will Go" referring to the Dr. Seuss book. 12/29/2014 Writing in a new journal is always exciting. There is certainly something about that blank page and getting the chance to fill it with thoughts and words. I wonder if God feels that way every time a new child is born? It is also unusual for me to be starting a journal two days before the New Year instead of afterward as another resolution. Anyways, believe it or not, I am currently trying to find the most comfortable positions for writing in a journal while in a sleeping bag...in my bedroom at home. Yes, I just set up the tent I got for Christmas in my room along with the sleeping bag and pad. I am also reading with the help of my very useful headlamp. (Okay so yes I am a little weird, bu

I finally did it. I just confirmed that I will be going on a missions trip to Namibia, Africa the summer of 2015. I am scared and a little unsure of myself. Am I sure this is God? How do I know this is right? His gentle leading is not always definite enough for me! Since I went on my first mission trip to Alabama, I have wanted to go on one overseas. Seeing God at work there was absolutely incredible and it challenged me to grow in my faith. I know that this will not be an easy experience, but I believe that it will be a good one. I look forward to seeing what God will do while I am there! The organization I am going with is called Experience Missions and encourages us first to build relationships with the people through being involved in the culture. The trip itself will last two and a half months and I will leave shortly after I graduate from St. Andrews in May. Part of the trip will involve living with a host family and for the other part, I will actually be camping with a tribe

Well I started this blog over a year ago and I have posted a few posts and gotten a small number of page views. More than anything, I have used it as a place to sort through my thoughts, but I feel like it is finally time to come out of hiding. When Adam and Eve saw that they were naked, they hid from God, and ever since we have been hiding from Him and those around us. We hide behind the masks we create and behind our fears. It is so hard to be vulnerable and open up my thoughts to others, which is why I have been perfectly happy to stay in the obscure world of cyberspace.  Jeremiah 23:4 says "Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD. Clearly there is no point in hiding from God, which Jonah demonstrated very clearly. I also believe that it is important to share with others. However, because I am currently too much of a chicken to do this with most people in person, mayb

I wrote about God's presence a while ago and I was just thinking about how just because we cannot feel God's presence, does not make him any less present. Instead, it is the awareness of God's presence that changes things. When we have our attention fully focused on him, our eyes on him and are seeking him, he shows up, whether in church or in a dump. Oftentimes, I will put the pressure on myself, saying, "well, I must not be seeking hard enough, or surely I would find Him" but I do not think this is how He intended it to be. All we have to do I believe is to put our attention on Him and He will do the rest. This stuff is not difficult in theory, but with all of the daily distractions we face, it is not easy to put into practice. Having a quiet time does not get us points with God, neither does going to church. It is more like a married couple that sets up date nights. This is obviously not the only time they spend together, but is a time when the couple can f