If You Say Go

If You say go, we will go;
If You say wait, we will wait.
If You say step out on the water
And they say it can't be done,
We'll fix our eyes on You and we will go.

Your ways are higher than our ways
And the plans that you have laid are good and true
If you call us to the fire, You will not withdraw your hand
We will gaze into the flames and look for You

If You say go, we will go;
If You say wait, we will wait.
If You say step out on the water
and they say it can't be done
We'll fix our eyes on You and we will go.

I hope the Lord speaks to you through this song like he did for me.

Dagmar

Here is a collage of the orphans we worked with in Dagmar. They were a blessing and God showed that His love has no barriers.

Czech Collage

I went on this God Filled Mission Trip to the Czech Republic back in April. I don't think I have posted since, but I decided I would make a collage. There will be more to come. This is just one I made of the students we worked with. The collage of the Orphanage is to come.

God's plan

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
Romans 5:1-5
Suffering => Perseverance=> Character => Hope
God is only helping me to become stronger!!
<>< Maggie

Fortress

I don't think I can accurately put words on my thoughts right now. They are great thoughts. Have you ever been so consumed in wanting to do something? Have you ever wanted to do something so badly that you almost get sick to your stomach when you aren't doing it? I am in that situation right now.
I want to serve God so badly. I want Him to use me as His instrument. It is my consuming passion to serve Him. There is one problem, I have sin. This is what prevents me from doing so. I am letting sin tumble down my fortress. Today in the Czech meeting we were talking about this one castle we visited last year. There was only one entrance to the castle. To enter it you had to climb a spiral staircase where you would have to be left handed to draw your sword. After climbing the staircase you had to go through this tiny door where someone would be waiting to kill any intruder. I want my fortress to be built up like this against the sin in my life, but at the same time I hope that it is easier for others to enter my castle. I want people to be drawn to my castle, my life because of the King, Christ, who lives in me. I hope that I don't put up the same defense against other people.
The reason I am failing in my defense is I have been blind. I thought that by living a good life, I was fine. I mean I don't to anything outrageous, I try not to engage in any activity that I think is wrong. This is where I have been blinded. I have thought that I have lived a great life. But in reality good is not perfect. God didn't accept any good sacrifices in the temple. God only accepted the perfect sacrifices. And Christ was the perfect sacrifice. The only way I can serve God is by being like his Son. I have to live as Christ. The only way I can achieve perfection is through the blood of Christ. Through the perfect sacrifice.
It is funny how to serve God; He has to serve you with His perfect gift. But that is the way God wants it. God is the perfect Servant-Leader. SO was Christ. He put Himself last and others before Him. I need God's help to rebuild my fortress. Once it is built strong, I will be ready!

<>< Maggie

God's plan for you

If you have read some e of my previous post you know that God has a specific calling for min to go into Youth Ministry. I always have people my age come up to me and say you are so blessed to know what God wants you do with your life. I am blessed. But after reading 1 Thessalonian chapter 5 I have a lot more I can share with them.

The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonian 5:24

I hope you find this verse as encouraging as I did. To me this verse is saying God has a calling for everyone. His plan will be revealed to you. It will not happen in our own time, but he will call you in his.

Another thing I came across in this wonderful scripture is God's will for each of us. Yes His calling is different but His will applies to all. 1 Thessalonian 5: 16 shares what we are to do:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Before reading this scripture living my life for Christ was a guessing game. I did things that I thought would be pleasing to him. Many times they were, but not always. But I am reassured that if I am always joyful, I start praying in the morning and say amen at night, if I thank got for whatever is thrown in my direction (good and bad) I am following God's will for my life. I wish following these 3 things were just as easy as memorizing them. This however is not the case. Thankfully if we ask for God's strength and guidance He will help us do His will.

Approval

How many times have you been asked for approval? A better question how often do you seek others approval?
I have been growing my hair out since May. I finally have the ten inches I need to donate it it to Locks of Love. This is an organization which makes wigs for children who have lost their hair while undergoing cancer treatment. I am very excited about making this donation, but at the same time I am very nervous. I have really curly hair and I think it will go crazy when cut short. As much as I fear the outcome from getting rid of this much of my hair, it is something that I have been preparing myself for a while. I am actually eager to try a new hair cut. I have never had a professional haircut in my life. I have had many people share their opinions of my decision. I have hear that it will look great all the way to "you will look like a boy." Regardless of my outer appearance I know that hair will grow.
How does my hair problem provide some insight to you? Good question. It really doesn't directly, but the situation is similar to one of more importance. By getting this haircut I suddenly do not transform into a new person. I still remain Maggie. It is what makes me me that remains.
So often we try to seek people's approval in all areas of our life. We might not wear our favorite pair of sweatpants out of the house because of others' thoughts. We sometimes change our opinions because it might prevent us from getting the approval of someone we hardly know. Why do we rid so much on being accepted. Acceptance is something that everyone desires, but is that what we should hold on to with such importance. There have been times when I have felt strongly about a situation, but I have undertoned it to gain someone's approval.
In reality other people's approval does not matter. We should never settle our Faith or the way in which we show our love for Christ to get approval elsewhere. So what if someone sees you praying at the lunch table and thinks differently of you. You are standing up for your belief. "Am I now trying to win the approval of men or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10 NIV). Christ is the one we truly serve. It is his opinion that we should care most about. If we seek Christ's approval how much better would every situation be. If we approached every situation wondering what would please god the most would we not be making the right decisions? This is not a simple task. God's approval doesn't always match up with man's.
This is something I have been thinking about for while. Seeking God's approval is something that I want to achieve. I do not find this task to be easy, but I strive toward it.
Before
After

Spit Clean

When I was reading the Bible on night I happened to open it to Mark 8:22-26. When I first read the passage I didn't get much out of it. I re-read it, and I still didn't get anything out of it. I put a little post it note by it because I wanted to go back to it. I have read this passage many times, and I am finally able to see how it applies to me. The Bible could be described as God's letter to us. There is a reason for each verse, although it might not always seem clear to us.... Back on focus.
I think it best to have the verse in front of you while you read my responce to it

The Healing of a Blind Man at Bethsaid Mark 8:22-26

22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged
Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the
village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus
asked, "Do you see anything?" 24He looked up and said, "I see people; they look
like trees walking around." 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes.
Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything
clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."

One of the first things I questioned about this passage is why would the Bible mention a situation where Jesus didn't make something happen the first time. Another thing that bothered me was the spit. After spending a lot of time in thought I have reached these conclusions:

Christ spits on the man's eyes in verse 23 to heal this blind man. I don't know about you but I often think of spit as a grotesque thing. It is something that is meant to stay in the mouth. We often see being spit on as a negative thing. Who would have ever guessed (other than the fact that it was Jesus) that spit could have such power. After being spit on by Christ, the man only saw things in a blur. I don't know about you but if I ever see people who look like trees I would be a little concerned.

Verse 25 is what truly gets me. 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. it was after the spit that Christ uses his hands. It is after that that the man's sight is fully restored.

How does this effect you?

Teh bad times in life will always come. We often think that God must be spiting down upon us form heaven. Things are going the exact opposite of what we desire. The "big picture" is blurred during these time... Similar to the blind mans blurred sight. The reason for the failed first attempt? God often does things in steps. His full plan isn't revealed as a whole. Instead we only see parts of it. When the tough times come God uses his hands. Christ didn't leave this man blind. Instead he used his hands to restore the mands sight. As Christians we need to realize that we are always in God's hands. Altogether it might seem that he is against us by bring up our hopes and then letting them fail, but this is not the case. We are under God's control. He will reveal the big picture in HIs time.

How does this relate to me?

When I first came to GAC it was like God was spitting on me. I saw part of his blurred picture. I knew I had a reason for being there, but it wasn't made fully evident. I would go home everyday in tears. I was unable to find true good friends. I was lonely. When it seemed like things couldn't get worse that is when Good placed his healing hand on me. I felt comforted and my sight was restored. Although I still don't see all of the big picture. I do clearly see that GAC is a part of it. I have been blessed by wonderful Christian friends and grand opportunities.

Everyone needs a little spit clean once in a while. We can often be blind by our own ambitions. We often try to separate ourselves from God. We fail to realize that jumping out of His hand mean death. God is in control... No matter how weird or terrible things are going there is a beautiful big masterpiece of a picture that is right in front of us. Christ is eager to reveal it to us in His time.

If you are planted why not bloom?

It is amazing how you can think you are so right for so long...And then the truth is revealed. If you read my previous blog you were made aware of God's calling for me to be in the youth ministry. That hasn't changed, but the way I am dealing with it has. With college applications being on the forefront of my mind, All I have been able to think about it which college pleases both my parents and me. I want a college that has a major in some type of ministry. Here I am all concerned about where I should go to serve God... When I didn't realize that the opportunity is right in front of me. I had a long talk with my Youth Director tonight telling him about God knocking behind the missions door for me. (I have been extremely busy with RUMORS ((Neil Simmon's play)) that I haven't been able to spend as much time helping and leading within the youth group). He made me realize that God's timing is everything. He told me of the Bible passage (Acts 3: 1-10) where Peter and John were going to the temple to pray. They saw this crippled man begging at the top of the stairs. The man was asking for money. They said they did not have money but that they could offer him more. Although the story is important, what it is saying behind it is even more so. The man had been crippled since birth. Everyday he was brought infront of the Temple to beg. This is the same place where Christ came to preach. If the man was there daily and Christ ministered there, how come Christ never healed the man? The answer... Because it wasn't God's timing. God had an intended purpose. Although right now I know exactly what God wants me to do; I do not know where God wants me to go to college to peruse it. I am having to wait for God to share his timing. Patience is what I need right now. God's timing brings up another subject...
The passage shows God's timing has it's reasons. This is also the case in my story. There is a reason that God shared his calling for me in 3rd grade. I thought that I was responding correctly to it by living my life as an example as I waited (1 Tim 4:12). But that is not necessarily what God wanted me to do with me time. I have come to the realization that I am planted right now. I am stuck in my current situation with only 6th months left. I am rooted. I have all these seeds of lessons, topics, ideas, etc that just want to burst out of me... Yet I have been waiting till after college and my entrance into the ministry to let myself bloom to spill out my seeds. I am not doing God's will by holding out. I should bloom. God has told my his plan for 9 years now, now I realize why. God has planted me here for a reason. I am to share His message with everyone and everything I am around. Yes I should do so by the way I live my life, but also by sharing what He has to say.
I am not going to hold back any longer. God's watch is always right. There is a reason for his timing. I do not have to wait till I think the timing is right to share His message, he told me a long time ago that the clock started. Who knows what tomorrow might bring. For all I know this could be the very last thing I ever write. but I do know that the race has started. The time has been running and I do not know how much time is left.

"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

ACts 3: 1-10 "1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. "

My personal experience of coming to faith in Christ

While filling out my college application to Wheaton I was asked to write an essay on this topic: Share your own experience of coming to faith in Christ and how your experiences since have been formative in growing and developing that faith.
My response follows.

I was, and still am, extremely blessed to come from a family where Christ is an enormous part in our daily lives. I grew up in the church participating in everything it had to offer. On May 16th, 1991 I attended a production at our church. The group performing was called the Backyard Gang. They preformed Christ centered songs and dances appealing to the younger ages. At the end of their performance they shared a prayer which you repeated to ask Christ to come into your life. I repeated this prayer and firmly believed that Christ came into me and is my Savior. Since I accepted Christ at such a young age (right before my sixth birthday) there was not a youth group or something similar that could help me grow. I took my growth in my own hands. I closely listened to every sermon and gave up on drawing on the bulletin. I continued to have the desire to learn as much as I could about the One who is living in me.
When I was in the third grade I was attending a worship service on Youth Sunday. The youth group was wearing tie-died shirts and singing all these songs with guitars, basses, and drums. I found that service to be easier to understand. I sat there in the service anxiously waiting my sixth grade year, so that I could be a part of the youth group. It was during that thought process, up in the balcony on the left hand side, that I heard God speak to me. His voice was not one that I could identify as anyone I knew; yet at the same time I knew it was Him. God responded to my thoughts of being in that group by telling me that I would not only be a member of that group, but that one day I would lead a similar group. It was at that time God called me into youth ministries. I remember a couple of weeks later in Ms. Dionne’s third grade class we were making timelines of our lives. My timeline consisted of me playing the violin throughout college, becoming a youth minister after college, marrying, and having two kids named Meredith and Ben. Some things have since changed, but some remain. Like in my previous arrangement, I was again too young to do something. I was in third grade and youth group was three years away. Thankfully this proved not to be my case.
When I was younger I went to a Montessori school. I learned things such as cursive, geography, long multiplication and division, and how to read chapter books at an early age. When it was time for me to enter elementary school, my parents decided that they were going to place me in the first grade opposed to the second grade where people were more my age. My parent’s decision was based on my being in the lower percentile for size, and they didn’t want people in my grade to develop more quickly. Originally I strongly regretted, but because of being placed a year behind many doors were opened.
When I was in fifth grade I was the same age as all the sixth graders, so my youth director allowed me to join them. I was now finally able to get the youth group experience. On top of the fun games and worship, I loved being with people who were also growing in their faith. I did conformation that same year. I really took pleasure in diving into God’s word and learning so much about my Creator. I never take this for granted as I enjoy learning more and more about God and my personal walk with Him through Christ with each Bible Study. I was given the opportunity to participate in a Bible Study called Disciple. In that study we really spent a lot of time in the scriptures. I grew so much in reading God’s love letter to me.
As each new day presents itself, I realize the blessing and opportunities God gives me. Sharing my faith with the children I work with over the summer makes me stronger in my own faith. God has lead me to youth ministries and I continue to drive towards that path learning and preparing myself to serve him in that way one day. I describe myself as a sponge; I want to absorb everything in so that one day I will be able to use this to help people clean up their lives and see the One who gives me true joy. I have still not grown enough. I still take each opportunity that God presents to me because I know that I still have a lot to learn before I can fully serve Him. College is the next step in my preparation for serving God. I cannot wait to see how God will use college to strengthen my relationship with Him as I learn more about Him.