Sunday, June 20, 2010

Caught!

Matthew 14:31 (New International Version)
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

A lot of people, myself included, tend to think that God only shows up when doubt is gone...not a factor, faith in full effect. I can't tell you the times that I've wondered if I haven't received something that I've prayed for based on my level of faith...anyone been there?!

However, the above verse in my opinion shows just the opposite. Verse 31 comes after Jesus asks Peter to walk on water. At first, Peter succeeds, his eyes on Jesus, he shows that he can walk on that very water. BUT, doubt sets in, the factors are considered, the reality of the situation sets in, and he realizes that there is no reason why he should be walking on the water?

We all know what happens next...Peter sees the wind, and begins to get scared and sink.

Have you ever been there? Where you can't understand why you are accomplishing something that you very well shouldn't be able to perform? What about you muster up enough strength to wrap your mind around the task, but once you start, you begin to back pedal, and question why you?!

God promises us that He will restore our faith (James 5:15). Verse 31 shows us that God does not turn away, or wait for our faith to be restored before He reaches out His hand in times of doubt. I needed to explore this verse because I naturally tend to doubt A LOT! I don't like that I do, but if I can be real and honest....doubt sets in often times way before faith. It has been comforting to read that God recognizes that His people doubt, and that He still reaches out to catch us despite our humanness...

One of my most favorite scriptures, (notice a trend here), is Exodus 14:14 'the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.' This scripture is positioned right in the middle of the Exodus led by Moses to take the people to the Promised Land. The people were complaining, scared, and fearful. This fear caused them to pray. God often brings us to scary places so that we have no choice but to call on Him, to pray and communicate with Him, and then to WAIT! (A topic that deserves a post for itself...stay tuned).

However, doubt many times manifests itself in the waiting period...will it happen, can I do it, why me, will I succeed, am I on the right path? I could go on and on! The answer is yes, it just may not be the answer we expected, or in the package we dreamed about....and only God's timing can bring peace...

~Goodnight!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Lo Siento...

I think this means 'I'm sorry' in Spanish. It has been a while since I've posted, but I promise I have valid reasons.

I have been running like crazy for the past 2 weeks, and while at least I am back in Houston, I am far from resting!

So...what have I been up to you ask? Well, summer cheer practice started with a bang, and then I had my family reunion on my father's side. I went down that morning, and came back that evening because I left for cheer camp the very next day...and that's where I've been for the past four days. I'm exhausted to say the least, but the firls did so well, and they had a blast.

I will post more tomorrow, Taviea's wedding shower is this weekend, and I'm hosting with Malitta, so there will be many more stories to share!

Hope you all are doing well.. ~

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

David said it best...

I'm still working on that post of my thoughts on shadowing my principals....it's coming, but I'm not in the mindset to finish it tonight!!!

Tonight, I just want to talk about whatever comes to my mind. Have I mentioned that this is my last week of school? Can you hear me screaming with joy...can you? My plan is to party hard this summer...to live it up! I've got eight weeks to pack it all in, and that's exactly what I plan on doing!

I've blogged about Psalm 27:8 a couple of times before, but tonight, I took the time to read the entire chapter...

1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation -- so why should I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger -- so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident. 4 The one thing I ask of the LORD -- the thing I seek most -- is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. 6 Then I will hold my head high, above my enemies who surround me. At his Tabernacle I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. 7 Listen to my pleading, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! 8 My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." 9 Do not hide yourself from me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don't leave me now; don't abandon me, O God of my salvation! 10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. 11 Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the path of honesty, for my enemies are waiting for me to fall. 12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I've never done and breathe out violence against me. 13 Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

David I feel, was in a place where he struggled with the goodness of God, and his current situations. Where he personally knew what God was capable of, but he had people in his life, many whom he respected that wanted to protect him, and offer their opinions. David was in a war...maybe physical, but definitely spiritual.

One can become spoiled when they've experienced the goodness of God, when they know that above all...He can. It's a dark road to travel when we are met with silence. It's not a good feeling at all.

Have you been there? Me too friends, me too!

Many people believed that David wrote the 27th Psalm in two parts...the break coming around verse 6. Verses 1-6 highlighting a time in his life where God's blessings were abundant, obvious, you know that place, where we can feel His hand and His presence?

Many Christians believe that verses 7-12 extend from a time in David's life when he desperately needed to hear from God. However, he felt that God was not answering him, that he was forgotten. Absurd yes....far fetched...I don't think so...

We all know that God doesn't move His face. The Bible says that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8). He is incapable of change....but we aren't. Our lives are in a constant state of motion, and with this comes the fact that we stray...maybe not for a long time, but a shift nonetheless. So, it's easy to feel that God is silent, hidden, or has pressed the ignore button on your calls, but the psalmist says it best, '13 Yet I am confident that I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. '

On this night my friends, it's enough for me. He is enough for me. If He understands, no one else has to. If He has said it will happen, then I believe it...I expect it, and I'll praise Him in advance for it.

The REACH! front:
Again, what can I say. Blessings all around! I met with part of the REACH! team weekend before last, and we started planning 'Defying Gravity,' the back-to-school event! I'm so excited. My summer days will be devoted to all things Principal and all things REACH! I bought a mini notebook computer today for easy travel so that I could take my work on the road with me. It was a GREAT deal...and the best part....it's pink! YAY!

Right now the date is September 18th if all goes well, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my principal will let us have it at my school. Our theatre is amazing...and free!!!!! Pray with me on that will you?

Goodnight bloggies....