Me, Myself, and I

Isaiah 10:9-19

            

The info at the front of this book in my Bible said these verses were about “God actively using creation and history, and even the wrongs of man for his own glory” (ESV).  And they do point that out.  Vs. 16-17 say, 

“Therefore the Lord GOD of hosts will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of a fire.  

The light of Israel will become a fire, and his Holy One a flame, and it will burn and devour his thorns and briers in one day” (ESV).  

These verses explicitly state that God will use His glory to bring these kings to their knees. 

These kings have done so many things out of their own glory and pride.  They think that they have done such great things and should be praised for it. 

“By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding” (vs.13). 

 It is by their own strength they boast of their accomplishments.  However, the prophet Daniel points out to King Nebuchadnezzar, 

“the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will” 

(Daniel 4:25b, ESV).  

Isaiah also says,

 “[It is He] who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.  Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stump taken root in the earth, when he blows on them and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble” 

(Isaiah 40 23-24, ESV).  

Clearly, it is God who is truly in charge here.  Nothing happens that he has not orchestrated.  These kings can take credit for nothing.

Even their power has been given to them by God.  

“For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1b).  

Those in authority have been given that authority by God.  God is the only one who can gift authority because he is the highest authority.

Apply this to a normal person.  Is God going to bring my “kingdom” to ruin because of my pride?  Maybe.  What little “kingdom” I really have.  It’s not about how large my territory is or my sphere of influence.  The focus here, is on the pride.  Thinking, I am doing all these cool things and I have done such a great job.  The reality of the situation is that I have really done nothing worth boasting about; God is the one who actually does the work.  I just think I am doing so well land trying so hard. 

Honestly, in reality, what I am doing is running on a treadmill.  I’m not really going anywhere or accomplishing anything; it’s all in my head.  When I run on a treadmill, I don’t travel anywhere.  I don’t make any physical progress.  That is what I do when I try, when I do.  I go nowhere. My efforts are completely in vain.  There isn’t a simpler way to put it: God does all the work, my effort is not necessary for Him to accomplish his goals.  Actually, my effort tends to get in the way.  Just imagine if I would step to the side and stop trying so hard.  How much less stressful would my life be?  

How much more of God’s glory would be revealed?  

Epiphany!...Again?

There are many times when I feel like I'm just going along doing the life thing and God doesn't really seem to be involved.  It's not that He's not present or involved, He's just doing it quietly.

Last night I had an epiphany. 

Let me give you a few background details.  I work for the High School as a Para.  This means that I get paid by the house (if I don't work, I don't get paid).  That means certain months of the year I get paid less than expected.  Take December for example.  We have two weeks of December off from school for Christmas Break.  It's a nice break from school, but it also means that the paycheck is half what it usually is.

For some reason our PSI (Personal Support Income), which is Dan's paycheck, was also half what it usually is.

1/2 Carey's Check  +  1/2 Dan's Check =
                                                                  CAREY FREAKS OUT!!!!!!!

You all know what it's like paying bills, budgeting the leftovers for food and gas and such.  And now I was not sure we could pay all the bills and have any leftover for the other essentials.  I do not like being late on a payment for any reason.  (I've become slightly paranoid about it lately)

However, as the month went on, and I tried to figure out how we could swing this month, I realized that i had paid all the bills for Jan in December.  I was an entire month ahead!

Even with less than the usual in each category, for food and gas, etc: we still didn't use all the money in each category.

How does that happen?  

Other months, we tend to use all the money in the categories.  However, we didn't go over budget anywhere.

How does that happen?

The only thing I can chalk it up to is God.  God provided for all those circumstances to add up and come out on top!  So was there really a need for me to freak out?  As Paul says, "By no means!"

God has it all under control.  I waste my energy and emotions freaking out when my plan doesn't go exactly as I plan.  You think I would have learned this by now.  I seem to have this epiphany a few times a year.  But God is patient with me.  So the patient, sometimes quietly working God had my back again.  Faithful he is.  

Thank God.

Unexpected Blessing

God blesses so unexpectedly.

Last Thursday, I reconnected with a friend from years ago!  We sat and talked for almost 2 hours.  We used to hang out all the time in Jr. High.  We would be at each other's houses quite often.  Then we went to different High Schools, and kinda lost touch.  Okay.  Totally lost touch!  She and her husband recently started attending the church I go to.  They also joined the worship team and we were on the team together this week, and it was awesome!  I haven't sat and talked about anything & everything with someone for a long time.

Her husband was super great about it too, he sat there for almost 2 hours with us listening and interjecting every once in a while.  Not all husbands would do that for their wives.

We were both super encouraged by the chat and the renewing of our friendship.

There have been times since I moved back to North Platte, that I have felt less than connected.  It's not that I don't have friends, or other women in my life, and for that I am thankful.  I have some great friends and fellow Camp Wives at Camp, but I have been struggling with a feeling of "cennectedness" in North Platte.  Women who aren't involved in ministry or camping and have time to spend chatting and hanging out.

Recently though, it seems God has been placing this type of woman in my path.  I met some women at a Progressive Dinner over New Year's and one of them even went to my church!!  Then God brought this friend and I back together.

I am so blessed by God to have these new women in my life.  I know I don't always look for these kinds of blessings.  I am sure I would see more if I just keep my eyes open for how God is working in my life.  This Sunday, my pastor encouraged us to keep a look out for how God is drawing close to us, or providing/blessing us.  Since this re-connection happened last week I guess it doesn't count for this week, but I am determined to see God work in my life this week.

I'll try to update you when it happens!  No guarantees though :)

(Blessed) Camp Wife

Wrath Undone

Wow.  I am really bad at this blogging thing.  I haven't posted since July!  I'll get to an update soon, but I thought I would share with you what I have been learning and realizing as I am reading through the book of Ephesians (slowly mind you - there's a TON of stuff in there).


Ephesians 2:3-5
We were by nature, objects of wrath. but God made us alive with Christ  (paraphrased).

To go from being an object of wrath to ones in God's favor seems like a very heavy thing right now.  Not sure why.  To be under wrath and then not.  That's a HUGE deal.  It doesn't sound pleasant  "gratifying the cravings" and "following it's desires"  It's like we had no control over ourselves.  There was this entity living inside us forcing us to serve it and do what made it happy.  That it craved things and it's desires were evil.

And God brought us out of that.

It does seem fun to b able to do whatever without worrying if God will think it's okay, or if it's right or wrong.  Just to do whatever one leases.  But that becomes tiresome and empty after a while.  There is not one iota of fulfillment in that lifestyle.  You are always looking for more, the next cool thing to make you happy, the eternal search for "something else."

And God brought us out of that.

Now, we can be fulfilled in Christ.  And this isn't a fulfillment that is partial that goes away after a while.  It is complete and FULLfillment.  That i what God did when h made us alive in Christ.  We were trudging along forced to gratify the cravings of the entity in our souls, the living dead.  (visualize a person with a parasite on their back walking around only doing what the parasite wills).  We were dead.  But God took us out o that.  He plucked the parasite from our backs, healed us, and gave us a path to follow.  Freedom to do what we want.  To follow him.  to make our own choices.  And we are alive because of Christ.  God allowed Jesus to be a substitute for me.  When Jesus died, God saw me through the perfection of Jesus.  It is in Jesus and through Jesus that I have this relationship with God.  That I have anything.

2 Years!!!!!!

Well, yesterday was our 2 year anniversary!  We knew when we were looking at dates that a summer wedding would make celebrating our anniversary difficult.  When Summer is in full swing there just isn’t time to get away.  We have tried though to do something special that day like go out to eat or something.  This year though celebrating our anniversary was a little more difficult.  Daniel was busy with Day Camps and Executive Director stuff, and I was 1200 miles away at a camp in Michigan with Victor and Linda Schiro.  Daniel being the stud that he is, made plans with Vic and Linda over a week ago to make sure I got flowers for the special day.  And I thought I was reminding him so he wouldn’t forget!  Silly me.  I did get Dan an anniversary present, he just has to wait till I get back before he gets it. 

When a couple is involved in camping ministry it can be difficult to set aside time for events with the family.  Everything that happens at camp is so important – we only have these kids for a week!  As a camp wife it’s important to be understanding and supportive of your husband so you are not the reason he feels guilty about doing his ministry. There are sacrifices that are made on time, eating a meal, going to church or even celebrating your anniversary together.  For all the sacrifices that are made – it is worth it, I think.  God has given us the ability and the opportunity to impact thousands of kids and adults each summer through our camps, and the groups who use the campground.  And if that means less time with my husband, so be it.  Life isn’t about me anyway – it’s about God’s will and his purposes.

I was conversing with a friend's friend tonight.  He did two tours in Iraq a short time ago, and he said something worth sharing.  He said, one of the things he learned in Iraq was that We are not in control of anything - God is.  The only thing you can do is to go on the path you are on and not worry about what is going on on the sides.  Cause you can be taken at any time.  And if you are that means that God is done using you and if you aren't, then God has something more for you. 

I don't live in a 24 hr combat environment.  In fact I live a pretty comfortable life.  Hearing someone who has been in harms way constantly for 2 years say this forces perspective.  I may live in a very safe and stable environment, but when God is done with me - God is done with me.  There are a lot of things going on around me and voices trying to get me off the path I should be following.  But what is best is to continue on the path I'm on and not worry about what's going on on the sides.  I need to focus on my calling from the Lord and forget about the doubts, fears, discontentment, and insecurities and just do what I know God has called me to do. 

Ah Weather...

We just received a wonderful bought of hail!  Ping pong sized hail!!  It came down for about 10 minutes, and it sounded like someone one tromping around upstairs, but really it was just the hail.   Thankfully it has stopped, and is just raining now.  Strange weather we are having!!  This morning it was cloudy and chilly, this afternoon for a few hours it was warm and sunny (had the windows open and everything) and then the hail!! 

I guess spring is really here!!!

Well, since I'm here I'll give you an update. 

School is almost over.  Classes have been going pretty well.  I have tried to keep up my 9-5 deal, and it has worked for the most part, there have been a few papers that I had to stay up late and write, but mostly because I have been out of the paper writing habit for long enough that I can't write a 6 page paper in 2 hours anymore.  Crazy deal!  Two more weeks left, then two days of finals!

I have really enjoyed being in Kearney.  I have been able to spend more time with some friends, and make some new friends.  I will not miss being in K-town however.  I am looking forward with great anticipation to the month of May. I will be done with school, and the Summer Staff arrives!!!!  I can't wait!  Daniel is gradually getting busier and busier.  The closer Summer gets, the more there is to do.  I guess it had to happen sometime. :) 

I have been looking for an English position somewhere close.  One position opened up at Brady, and I sent a resume and cover letter, but I haven't heard back from them yet.  Still praying!  The next closest position after Brady is a Language Arts position in Medicine Valley about 1 hour or so away.  I am praying for a position in North Platte to open up.  That is where I would really like to be.

Other than the crazy hail we just had, life has been pretty normal.  Oh wait!!  Camp opened a Coffee Shop called Camp Grounds (I love the name myself!!) and I have been working there when I am home.  It is so much fun!  I will even get to work there this summer and it is super exciting!  What's even more exciting though is how well it is doing.  People are actually paying for coffee!!  It shouldn't surprise us that people don't quibble about paying 4.00 for a cup of coffee, they do that everyday anyway.  But we are excited that guests are taking advantage of the coffee shop.  We just got a blender Thursday, so we can do frozen drinks, smoothies, and frapacinnos.

That is all for now!