I believe Jesus fed the 5,000. But can He provide us with rent money? After all, considering inflation since about 30 A.D., our rent is probably more expensive than feeding those 5,000 people an all-you-can-eat bread and fish dinner.
My buzzword for this past year is “being real.” Not too long ago, a very special friend of mine took a big leap into the unknown and confided in me what was really going on in her head and heart. She had strong doubts about the very core that we as Christians believe. She knew that I still believed, but needed to share her heart and be real with me in order for our friendship to be genuine. Even though the words she wrote broke my heart, even though it put a big elephant in the room with us on a few occasions, I appreciated her honesty, her willingness to open up and be real. If people can’t be real with each other, there’s not a true friendship between them.
So now it’s my turn to be real. I doubt. I worry. I wobble. But looking deeper, I do have faith that GOD is more than enough to meet my needs – every need. I don’t want to ever mislead people into thinking that I am some kind of doubt-defying super-Christian. Just the thought of that is making me laugh!
We moved into our apartment about a year ago. One month out of those twelve, we had enough money in our account to pay our expenses through to the next month. The other eleven months, we have prayed and ask GOD to provide for our needs. And HE has. We have never been late on a payment. Not school fees, not rent, not credit card, nada. Sometimes the money came in just in time, but it always came. It came from different sources, but ultimately, it came from GOD. And when it comes in, we give part of it back to HIM.
Jonathan came to Lyon for his school interview in December 2003, back when we were just buddies. He went to a spot that overlooks the city and to talk with GOD. During this time, GOD told him two things. First, that he would be accepted into the school. Second, that HE would provide. At that point, GOD still kept number three, “you will marry Kari,” under wraps.
So here we are. Two years later and two weeks out from rent and school fees being due. And what am I doing? I’m doubting. I’m worrying. I’m wobbling. But beneath it all, there is a peace in knowing that the Creator of this universe loves me and has promised to provide. And I choose to trust in that promise.
Let us hold unswervingly to the faith we profess, for HE who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23
The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you."
Numbers 11:23
Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, "I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:26-27
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Article from Le Soleil
Translation of an article by Victor Diatta which appeared in Le Soleil, the national newspaper of Senegal. According to the World Factbook, Senegal is 94 percent Muslim.
United to spread the Good News, the Christian students of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar organized a day, May 13, named Jesus Christ the Savior to share the Good News of salvation and to make their presence known to other students. Three groups of evangelical Christian students, Campus for Christ, Biblical Group for Dakar universities, and the Ker Jamm (House of Peace) church, are represented on the Cheikh Anta Diop campus. Each group worked separately, but decided to come together to make Jesus Christ known, and also to meet other Christians on the campus. The idea developed and plans were made as of May 6, 2005.
The program for this day included a praise walk, clean-up activities around the campus, organized discussion, skits, and tract distribution. Events began at 1 pm at the campus entrance on the Cheikh Anta Diop Avenue. The walk praising God and Christ went to the main street via building A, Coud, building E, and ended at the basketball court near building J. Here the students changed out of their white t-shirts identifying the three sponsoring groups and their goal and began working on campus clean-up projects. Their actions were a way of saying that they support a clean environment for the well-being of all the students.
A large, convivial meal wrapped up the cleaning activities and introduced a themed discussion, “The wrongs in our society, and their solutions.” The theme was selected by leaders from the three groups. They chose this theme because it is what is actually happening in their world. “Idolatry, abortion, adultery, fornication, violence, are some of the things that are wrong in our society, particularly for students. For all of these wrongs, Jesus Christ is the solution. The students of UCAD need to know this, so we’re here to tell them,” they said.
Mr. Charles Ouabego introduced the theme and reminded the students that since the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin has been in the world. With sin came the wrongs of our society under the rule of Satan, the deceiver. “Today, the Good News is known to all of us: Christ came to deliver us from slavery to sin, from slavery under Satan and his army,” said Ouabego, “God placed Christ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ouabego concluded by saying that Christ has all power in the heavens and the earth. He is the solution to all the problems in our world.
Lively discussions followed this introduction. A skit was later performed and tracts distributed at the end of the day.
More information:
How to pray for Senegal?
More on Senegal
Who are the Lebou?
Fabulous Fish Tales
United to spread the Good News, the Christian students of Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar organized a day, May 13, named Jesus Christ the Savior to share the Good News of salvation and to make their presence known to other students. Three groups of evangelical Christian students, Campus for Christ, Biblical Group for Dakar universities, and the Ker Jamm (House of Peace) church, are represented on the Cheikh Anta Diop campus. Each group worked separately, but decided to come together to make Jesus Christ known, and also to meet other Christians on the campus. The idea developed and plans were made as of May 6, 2005.
The program for this day included a praise walk, clean-up activities around the campus, organized discussion, skits, and tract distribution. Events began at 1 pm at the campus entrance on the Cheikh Anta Diop Avenue. The walk praising God and Christ went to the main street via building A, Coud, building E, and ended at the basketball court near building J. Here the students changed out of their white t-shirts identifying the three sponsoring groups and their goal and began working on campus clean-up projects. Their actions were a way of saying that they support a clean environment for the well-being of all the students.
A large, convivial meal wrapped up the cleaning activities and introduced a themed discussion, “The wrongs in our society, and their solutions.” The theme was selected by leaders from the three groups. They chose this theme because it is what is actually happening in their world. “Idolatry, abortion, adultery, fornication, violence, are some of the things that are wrong in our society, particularly for students. For all of these wrongs, Jesus Christ is the solution. The students of UCAD need to know this, so we’re here to tell them,” they said.
Mr. Charles Ouabego introduced the theme and reminded the students that since the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin has been in the world. With sin came the wrongs of our society under the rule of Satan, the deceiver. “Today, the Good News is known to all of us: Christ came to deliver us from slavery to sin, from slavery under Satan and his army,” said Ouabego, “God placed Christ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ouabego concluded by saying that Christ has all power in the heavens and the earth. He is the solution to all the problems in our world.
Lively discussions followed this introduction. A skit was later performed and tracts distributed at the end of the day.
More information:
How to pray for Senegal?
More on Senegal
Who are the Lebou?
Fabulous Fish Tales
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
HE will be...
When Moses asked GOD what His name is, the name GOD gives is YAWEH, which means "I will be what I will be," in Hebrew. (Exodus 3:14)
HE will be what HE will be. If I want to know what that really means, I have to look at what GOD has said, and then pay close attention to see how HE fulfills HIS words in my life. I can only truly know GOD by experiencing HIM, by having a relationship with HIM. This can't be done in an afternoon or a weekend, or even in two years in France. This is a life-long journey to discover who HE will be for me.
It's often easier for me to believe that GOD will be the Comforter, Provider, and Father HE promises for others. It's much harder to believe that in my moments of need, HE will be there making my cup overflow.
But that is exactly who my GOD has been for me.
HE has been my Shield in danger and warfare.
HE has been my Friend when I was alone.
HE has been my Peace when my world was turmoil.
HE has been my Truth when I couldn't find my way.
HE ahs been my Joy when my heart was drained.
HE has been my Father and made me HIS child.
HE has been my Comfort when the pain was too much.
HE has been my Provision when the world could not.
HE has been my Hope when I had no reason to look for it.
HE has been my Rock when everything else shook beneath me.
HE has been my Redeemer every day.
And HE will be what HE will be. Taste and see that the LORD is good, says the psalmist in chapter 34, verse 8.
HE will be what HE will be. If I want to know what that really means, I have to look at what GOD has said, and then pay close attention to see how HE fulfills HIS words in my life. I can only truly know GOD by experiencing HIM, by having a relationship with HIM. This can't be done in an afternoon or a weekend, or even in two years in France. This is a life-long journey to discover who HE will be for me.
It's often easier for me to believe that GOD will be the Comforter, Provider, and Father HE promises for others. It's much harder to believe that in my moments of need, HE will be there making my cup overflow.
But that is exactly who my GOD has been for me.
HE has been my Shield in danger and warfare.
HE has been my Friend when I was alone.
HE has been my Peace when my world was turmoil.
HE has been my Truth when I couldn't find my way.
HE ahs been my Joy when my heart was drained.
HE has been my Father and made me HIS child.
HE has been my Comfort when the pain was too much.
HE has been my Provision when the world could not.
HE has been my Hope when I had no reason to look for it.
HE has been my Rock when everything else shook beneath me.
HE has been my Redeemer every day.
And HE will be what HE will be. Taste and see that the LORD is good, says the psalmist in chapter 34, verse 8.
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