Richness

The Word of the Lord is rich...
The Word of the Lord is pure...
The Word of the Lord is true...

Over the past few months, I have changed from just reading the Word to craving it, dwelling in it and devouring it. I just love sitting with the Lord and soaking in more of Him through the scriptures. Now I will be honest and there moments when my day passes and the Word hasn't been opened. There are days when I read a chapter and wonder, "what am I suppose to do with that?" But more often than not the moments I sit, relax and calm myself at the feet of my Father with His handbook, I find exactly what I stood in need of, even if I didn't know I needed it.

With teams, I love to sit in the evenings and just talk with them about their day and open up the Word and grow with them. When you work with so many people from different cultures, backgrounds and personalities it can get overwhelming, but when you open up the Word, there is a true commonality that you all share. In preparing for the Haven team that was just here I had a full week of things planned. I was excited and ready about it and then tragedy hit in Michigan and I was no longer just talking to a team, but I was talking to my family who was hurting. I scratched the whole week's lessons and prayed. "Lord show me where to take them. Point me in your direction. Make me visible and your Word completely visible!" I love how God works when you sit and place your open ands in front of Him.

The Lord pointed me John 1 and for a week as a broken body we opened up the Word and saw the hope that only comes through the Lord. For myself, it didn't matter if we were at BG or in a room light only by one candle or on the side of the mountain, the Lord showed Himself to me. I am so glad the Lord had us soak in the first 18 verses of John 1. To me it seemed that everyday the Lord showed me more of Him. It was amazing.

"The light shines in the darkness an the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5)

"The Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

"For from his fullness we have receive grace upon grace." (John 1:16)

When was the last time you dwelt with the Lord and His Word? When was the last time you craved to be still with the Word? It isn't easy. It takes disciple. It takes courage. It takes time. But when it is done, your heart rejoices and sees the rest of the Lord's creation through His eyes. I will be honest with you all, I have been doing ministry since I was 19 years old and it hasn't been until the last year and half where I love just being in the Word.

For those of you who are struggling with it...Keep going. Keep seeking. Keep opening it. Keep dwelling in the Lord's promises for you. One day it will all feel natural.

And once you have dwelled, SHARE IT!!!!! Do not keep this treasure to yourself.

"moved into the neighborhood"

I have family in the United States. I have family in Lesotho. 

For a few brief moments each year they come together and everything feels right. 

This past week a team from my home church in Michigan (Haven Church) came to serve, but more than serve, they came to be. Each member came with their own struggle. Some struggles were deep grief, some were confusion, some were surrender. No matter what the struggle I know they God in Lesotho, exactly where they needed to be met. 

All week we sat down and looked at John 1. One night as we sat and watched God's faithful sunset from the side of the mountain, we dwelled with Him. The Message says, "The Word became flesh and moved into the neighborhood." This week Haven Church moved into Lesotho. In their arms they held children and loved them. They served the staff through encouragement and a willingness to do whatever needed to be done. They talked with teen mothers who choose two keep their children. They handed out audio Bibles in multiple places and as they pushed play and the Basotho heard God's Word in their language, the faces of those receiving it where overwhelmed with such a priceless gift. They walked through a village and learned about mountain life. They spent time dwelling in God's presence. 

My heart was overjoyed and moved throughout the week just watching them use the gifts God gave them to bring hope to the Basotho people. The amazing thing was as the week went on and they served those around them, they experienced the same hope they were giving to others and the wounds from their hurts, even though they still remain, became less. 

As the week flew by, in them I saw...

care...focus...gentleness...listener...wisdom...love...determination...respect...bold meekness...courageous faithfulness...mercy...power...obedience.

Team: Thank you! Thank you for coming and serving. Thank you for bringing your hearts and allowing God to use the things in your life to bring His glory. Thank you for being such a great encouragement to me. 

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He shine His face upon you and give you His Khotso (peace).