A Chance Encounter? Never!

November 28, 2009

Wow! I have just had an amazing, crazy morning like never before. God certainly is not a God of coincidence, but plans and purposes everything that takes place in our lives. He is strategically placing us where He wants us in order to bring Him honor and glory. So let me share with you my story, which is really just a small part of His story. May Jesus receive all of the praise and glory for He alone deserves it.

I woke up this morning and decided to spend my day off playing my guitar at the park in downtown Seattle, and then maybe go get coffee at the library or something like that; but God had something else in mind for me today. I made it to the park, got out my guitar, and started playing a little. Well, a guy with a guitar of his own came up to me and asked me what kind of guitar I had, which struck up a conversation about what kind of music I played. I showed him some of the songs I was playing---some of Mark’s music that I had printed at the library a couple days ago---and we started talking about Jesus and God’s Word.

He told me he had just got off the phone with His mom who was trying to get Him to become a Christian and how he just was not buying into it. So we started talking about Jesus. I shared with him that God’s Word is truth and that Jesus was the only one who could fill the empty void in his life. He started telling me his story. He had gotten into drugs and was battling addiction, he just got out of jail not too long ago, he was trying to get clean, but had just had a drug relapse and nearly died from an overdose the night before. So here I was sitting with this guy wondering what in the world am I doing---this sure is not the safest way to spend my Saturday; but God had placed me here on this bench with this lost, hurting young man who needed Jesus in his life. And so I sat there with Him, praying and pleading with God to work in his heart. This was definitely a God thing!

At first, he argued with what I was saying, but as our conversation continued on things seemed to start sinking into his heart. At one point, I just looked at Him and told Him point blank: “You need Jesus. He’s the only One who will fill the emptiness in your life.” And he agreed. The drugs only left Him emptier after each high. I prayed with Him and committed him to Christ. I gave him my little New Testament to read and told him I’d be praying for him---He wanted me to tell my family so that they’d be praying for Him as well. We were about to part ways when he asked if I’d go with him to his drugs anonymous meeting, which was just up the street a ways. For a second I was thinking, “Man what would my family and friends say if they saw me now---throwing caution to the wind.” But I also thought of Jesus, coming to earth and going to the sinners---identifying with the lost. So I prayed in my heart asking God for wisdom, discernment, and courage to be Christ to this young man. On the way, he called his mom and started telling her all about it. Then he handed me the phone and told me she wanted to talk to me.

She told me that she had prayed me up this morning, and had asked God to send someone into her son’s life who would point Him to Christ. She said it sure was not a coincidence and that she thanked God for me. I was just amazed at what God was doing---completely shocked and excited about the work I was seeing Him do right in front of me.

I went to the meeting with Daniel and listened as they had their sharing time---many drug addicts shared about their struggles. Near the close, Daniel raised his hand and started sharing about how he needed help. He told them about his relapse into drugs and asked for help. Then He started talking about the coincidences of the morning, which weren’t really coincidences in his mind anymore. How his mom had talked to him about Jesus and then someone in the park. I was just exploding inside at the next thing he said. He continued on saying that now he believed in Jesus. How awesome! Praise God!

I do believe Daniel’s confession was genuine, but I know he has a rough road ahead of Him. Please pray for him as He presses on, and pray for me to know how to help him. He wants to come to church with me sometime so I hope to get him linked up with one of the men at my church. I am just blown away by what has happened today---God is truly awesome in how He brings us to Himself.

Trials

November 27, 2009

God does not send trials and suffering into our lives for no reason; everything has a purpose. He sends both rain and sunshine upon the earth to accomplish their assigned purposes, and He also sends both hardship and happiness into our lives to bring about His sovereign plan. It is not always for us to know why God does what He does, but we should joyfully submit to His will and persevere through trials, counting it all joy. Yet This is very difficult to do; but as I look back over my life, I also realize that it is from the depth of my soul’s agony that the beauty of Christ-like character blossoms. God’s refining fire purifies my heart and purges deep within my soul, causing intense pain as He holds me in the flames. I cry out and long for relief, but God’s love for me is so great that He does not cease from His perfect work.

I Give Thanks to You!

November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Precious Savior, I give thanks to You for Your abundant love. You endured the pain and agony of Calvary so that I might be free. You experienced the greatest pain and loneliness---You bore God’s wrath---so that I could draw near to You. You have given me life---abundant life!

I give thanks to You for Your constant care and strength that You supply me with when I am weak, for Your endless mercies, and Your awesome friendship. You are my greatest treasure and my joy throughout the day. Every moment is better because You are with me ever leading me heavenward.

I give thanks to You for friends and family who support me in prayer and who have invested so much in my life. I thank You for the parents You gave me to raise me in Your ways and teach me to follow hard after You. I thank You for siblings who encourage me on after You and remind me to keep my gaze fixed on the cross. I thank You for dear friends who constantly urge me on in my race.

I give thanks to You Almighty God for the struggles and trials You send into my life. I thank You for the challenges and difficulties. I thank You for the Midgett and the challenges I face here. Your hand is in this and You are the one guiding me. I trust in You and look to You. I thank You for the loneliness, for the homesickness, I thank You for the hurting, and the pain. Oh, Savior, I praise You for the joys and sorrows, for the pleasure and pain, for the trials and triumphs, and for the delights and difficulties. You are awesome and I will trust in You. Blessed be Your name! I will give thanks to You---for You are good; Your love endures forever!

Pressing On

November 25, 2009

God has truly blessed me with another wonderful day. I got to go downtown and play my guitar and enjoy some coffee. Yet amidst these blessings my heart still struggles with great homesickness at times. My soul is tossed and thrown about by the seas of this life and terror and fear clench my heart, but Christ is always present---always holding me through each struggle and through each pain. The blessings God bestow are not always beautiful in themselves; but by and by in His good time, He will show us His beauty through them.

I am challenged right now to constantly fix my gaze upon the beauty of the Lord as I am hurting and feeling weighed down by struggles. He is my treasure and in Him I have salvation---I have hope! He is a rock and a refuge to those who call upon His name. These little sufferings I am experiencing now are of no comparison of the joy and happiness I’ll have someday in glory when I see my Savior face to face. Until then I must run this race God has placed me on with all I’ve got in Christ’s strength and for His glory.

My heart may hurt now, but one day I’ll be home. Time may seem long now, but really it will only feel like a blink and I’ll be in the presence of the Lord. He has placed me upon this earth for a reason and so I will press on. He upholds me and sustains me with His grace.

Thanksgiving

November 22, 2009

I can hardly believe that Thanksgiving Day is right around the corner. I have so much to rejoice and give thanks to God for…I am blessed beyond measure. True I will not be with friends and family per se this Thanksgiving and I’ll also be on duty, but as I was thinking about this earlier I realized that I will not be alone. My dear heavenly Father is always with me and my best friend ever---Jesus Christ---is always with me. He has blessed me abundantly this year, and I will rejoice in Him.

I give thanks to You, O God! You are awesome and beautiful; You are my greatest treasure and pleasure in life. I thank You that You have placed me on the Midgett, that You are taking me through difficult days, and that You are faithfully making me more and more like Your Son. I thank You for the joys and sorrows, for the sun and the rain, and for carrying me through it all. I thank you for the joy You put into my heart. Your love is better than life! I thank You for all the blessings You pour out upon me, but most of all I thank You for Jesus Christ---for the salvation I have in Him. I stand in grace with the hope of eternal life before me. Blessed be Your name!

All in All

November 22, 2009

Perhaps one of the hardest, but sweetest lessons God is teaching me right now is that He is all I need. As He had been removing all the crutches I have leaned on for support over the years, He is teaching my heart to echo what Paul wrote to the Philippians: “I count everything loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord….” Apart from Christ life is empty---everything is empty apart from Christ---but my wayward heart clings to its crutches. Praise God that He is faithful to make me like His Son---that He stripes me of comfort and my earthly all so that I find my all in Him alone.

The joy of the Lord strengthens me and His presence causes me to persevere through all circumstances. I am loved by the Creator of the universe, the Almighty God, the Savior of sinners---and in His hands I will find rest.

The Cross Before Me

November 20, 2009

The weekend has arrived! I am still on duty until tomorrow morning, but I am looking forward to a little break from work so I can get some of my own work done on my qualifications. Today I mostly stood watch and made security rounds. I am planning to venture out into Seattle tomorrow for a while and then do some hardcore drawing---I have to complete a set of drawings (diagrams) of the different pipe systems running through the ship. It boggles my brain and that is for sure!

God is continually teaching me and reteaching me such timeless lessons here on the Midgett---lessons like working hard, trusting in Him, rejoicing in sadness, clinging to Him, and the list goes on. I serve a faithful God who is faithful in keeping His word of transforming me into the likeness of His Son. He chips, chisels, hammers, and sands me to make me who He wants me to be---a painful process, but a beautiful product will be the end result. I want to be like Jesus and I want my life to be a fragrant offering to my Lord. His grace sustains me and upholds me as I press onward with the cross always before me.

JOY

November 19, 2009

Today was a counting day---lots of inventory! It was a fun break from the sanding and painting I have been doing the past several weeks. I cannot write it down enough just how awesome God is in blessing me with His joy throughout my day. He puts a song in my heart and a smile on my face as I go about my tasks. Oh, how great is the Lord!

Now I am taking a break to do some writing and reading---good old R & R. The rest of the night I plan on getting some studying done towards my qualifications. I do get so overwhelmed at times about all I need to get done on my quals, but God has blessed me so much in giving me great parents, siblings, and friends who help me press on and take one day at a time. God is going to get me through and it is with Him that I shall do valiantly.

I am reminded often as I go throughout my days that following after Christ is not easy, but the joy of running after Him is endless. So I will run hard after my Lord for His glory and my joy that others may see and know that Christ is the Almighty God---Maker of heaven and earth.

Work---With A Purpose

November 18, 2009

Whew! I am feeling worn ragged and it’s only Wednesday! Yesterday I had a very long work day---basically from 7am-12am. The boatswain’s mates on this cutter are relentless! At times I feel about ready to pop like a stretched out rubber band, but God sustains me moment by moment and gives me the strength I need. I’ve been learning a lot about work and worship---how they’re not two different acts done in different places and different clothes. Rather as a follow of Christ I should be living my life as a continuous act of worship---whatever I am doing, I should be doing it unto the Lord.

God is stretching me like never before; constantly challenging me in new ways and in ways I don’t like to be challenged. He loves me enough though to put me through pain so that I am refined and transformed into Christ’s image. I should not just look at work as “work” but as the opportunity that God is giving me to be made more like Christ, be a living testimony of how great God is by the way I work, and the very thing God is using to prepare me for going into missions. I struggle, but God is greater than my struggles. I am weak, but His grace is all I need. He is with me so I will not fear.

This is the battle I face momentarily---fighting for joy in Christ as I work and am far away from family. At times I don’t think I can go on and in fact would rather not go on, but Christ is faithful when I am faithless and does not leave me alone. He comforts me and holds me by His grace.

So today as I was sorting and resorting what seemed to be a million float jackets and moving them here and there, God gave me joy. I struggled, but He held me and brought me through the day. I pray that I pointed others to Christ as I worked today---He is the reason I am here. So I do have a purpose to the seemingly pointless work I am instructed to do. The biggest complaint I hear from other Seaman is that the boatswain’s mates have us do pointless work just to keep us busy---but I am not working pointlessly. I have a purpose in my work---a purpose from God. So I will not just work to get by, I will work with a purpose and do my best even when I am tired and weary---pray for me in this. God has placed me here on the Midgett to be Christ to these people. They need Him desperately and I am here to make Him known. I am here to glorify my Lord to this end I will labor. I am never just doing a pointless task---I always have a purpose in whatever I am doing because God has a purpose for it all.

Worship

November 16, 2009

Today was the start of another work week. I woke up bright and early, perhaps wishing I had had a few extra minutes to sleep, but ready to hit the day hard nonetheless. The Deck Force mustered in the Boatswains hole and then we began our day from 7am to 1pm. I did a whole lot of sanding…power tools are always fun to work with!

As I was sanding today, I was thinking about what a dull, boring, and mundane job I was doing. My life as a seaman---for however long that I’ll be here on the Midgett---will consist of sanding and painting and some more sanding. But my thoughts did not stop there…

As Believers we are to live every day worshiping the Lord…not just on Sunday at church, but everyday of the week in everything that we do. So as I sanded away, I was challenged to not just make it through my sanding and get through my workday and have it behind me, but to worship the Lord and enjoy Him as I sanded. Just because I am working does not mean I cannot delight and worship Christ, and in fact I should be worshiping Christ as I am working---whatever I do, I should be doing it unto the Lord in a heart of genuine worship.

Christ is my greatest treasure and if this is true it will reflect in the way I treat others, talk, act, think, and work. So today I was not just sanding---I was worshiping Jesus---and it made for an awesome work day. I may have been covered in dust, wearing funny-looking ear protection, and running a sander; but my heart was overflowing with joy from the Lord as I treasured worshiped Him.

So today do not just live life, getting by while dragging your feet along; but rather worship the Lord in whatever you are doing and glorify His name. Worship is not just singing to the Lord or going to church on Sunday, it is not always an exciting experience per se, but worship is pouring out one’s soul to the Lord day by day and step by step---treasuring Him and finding His love better than life. The smile turned heavenward during a difficult task, the heart quietly rejoicing in the Lord through turmoil, and the weary soul waiting in hope for the Lord are all ways we worship throughout the day. May your work place be transformed as You not only work but worship the Lord in all that you do.

Lessons From Hannah

November 15, 2009

God has truly blessed me today with time worshiping Him at church. Oh, how refreshing it is to sing praises to God with fellow Believers and hear the Word taught. In Sunday school I was challenged by our study in 1 Samuel. We were going over the story of Hannah when she gave Samuel back to the Lord and the prayer she prayed before leaving him with Eli. Her prayer is amazing and what makes it more amazing to me is that she prayed as she is about to part with her beloved son. Yes, she had promised the Lord to give him back, but still the pain had to rip her heart to pieces at the thought of leaving Her son. However she joyfully surrendered to the Lord and treasured Him above her earthly longings and desires. I want to have such a genuine faith exemplified in my life as well that when I am going through difficulty I turn to the Lord in joyful worship. I want to treasure Him above all things and count all as loss compared to His worth. So today I rejoice in my Lord and Savior…I rejoice even in hard times…I rejoice because I am in Christ and I am held by grace.

Not Home Yet

November 14, 2009

Today has been tough, and I have struggled fighting for joy in Jesus Christ. My desire and longing is to be completely satisfied in Christ, but it is a struggle and battle that is not easy to fight. I have been missing my family a whole lot lately and finding it hard to press on in my new life on the Midgett. At times things seem so dark and cloudy and the beauty of sunshine and light seem to have disappeared.

God is not absent though even when I feel discouraged. No, He is right here at my side, carrying me through every difficulty. He knows that this is best and He loves me enough to put me through tough experiences so that I come closer to Him.

So right now as my heart feels heavy and burdened, I quietly submit to God’s will and surrender my longings for home and familiarity for the road that God has deemed best. I press on for His glory not my comfort. He shall sustain me and uphold me. In my weakness His strength will be seen, in my sadness His joy will be made known, and in my loneliness His friendship will become ever dearer to my heart. He is my all in all---He is my treasure. May I live these short moments of life in light of eternity. I am not home yet.

Heavy Blessings

November 13, 2009

Today I was thinking and wondering how Christians should deal with disappointment in a way that honors and glorifies Christ. I know we all face disappointments in some shape or form and I am sure we would all agree that we do not like them. However, even though we do not enjoy disappointments how can we respond to them so that God is glorified the most?

I was thinking about this today because I had some disappointments myself---a big one and a little one. My big disappointment is the coming realization that Christmas is coming soon and I am 99.9% sure that I will not be able to come home for Christmas. I am going to miss out on seeing my two brothers who are in the Army, I will miss seeing my other little siblings, my parents, and my church family. So I was thinking and wondering how to deal with this disappointment in a godly way.

I came to the conclusion that I have to remember that God is the one in control of every day of my life---He’s the one writing my life’s story. All of my days are written in His book before they come to pass so I must trust Him and what He is doing in my life. He knows what is best and I must rest in His will. The other thing that has helped me deal with my disappointment is by rejoicing in the Lord---thanking Him for all the blessings He gives me even the heavy, difficult ones like not going home for Christmas.

My small disappointment happened while I was tuning my new guitar. I was having a tough time tuning it because I did not have a good tuner and one of my strings popped. I had been so excited about playing it after a long time without a guitar and now here I was going to have to wait until I could order some more strings.

I find that it doesn’t matter if it is a small disappointment or a big one, we must deal with them the same way. Disappointments can become joy stealers if we let them, but if we fix our eyes upon the Lord we can turn them into a reason to thank and praise the Lord. He has a reason for everything and though we do not know all the “whys” we know the one who does. Trust the Lord and rejoice in Him through disappointments. Do not become discouraged and bitter, but let your heart be filled with thanksgiving to our all-knowing, loving heavenly Father.

Lost In Christ

November 12, 2009

Life can be very confusing and it is so easy to distort the truth with half-truths, white lies, and deception. As Christians, our spiritual lives are just as confusing and it is easy for us to become discouraged and depressed from our circumstances, because of our sin, and because of a million other reasons. The road we are walking is not easy---the journey heavenward is steep and not many travel upon this path. If you are struggling, weary of battling sin, discouraged because you do not see yourself making any progress in your faith, tired of pressing on, and just worn out then come take a walk with me---you are not alone---but I will warn you now, we might get lost…

Just imagine a steep rocky path, leading up to a mount prepared for the condemned who are carrying their own crosses. Upon this path stumbles one who is marred beyond recognition; blood dripping down his face and body from awful beatings. He makes it to the place of execution with the help of a bystander who was ordered to assist him with his cross. He is than nailed to the cross and left to hang upon it and die. The death of the accursed endured by the perfect Lamb of God.

We are not done yet, though, because as bad as the physical suffering this man has already endured is---His suffering gets much worse. His Father whom He loves turns away and forsakes Him because the man took upon Himself our sin. His Father can no longer look upon Him because He became sin for us. Instead, the Father pours out all His wrath and anger upon the man, punishing Him for our sin. This man---Jesus---drank the bitter cup that should have been ours.

And now here is where we become lost…we are lost in Christ. Because now when God sees us He does not see us---He sees Christ. He sees the righteousness that Jesus gave us in exchange for our sin. We are completely hidden and lost in Christ. We will never lose our salvation because our salvation depends upon Christ not ourselves. God sees Christ when He looks at us.

So when you are discouraged about your faith take heart…you are lost in Christ. When you sin, repent and remember that God will forgive you and loves you because you are lost in Christ. When He looks at you, He sees Christ because we are clothed in Christ’s righteousness. Nothing depends upon us and our effort everything depends and rests in the work that Jesus accomplished at Calvary. We are lost in Christ, hidden in Him. What joy and gladness this will bring to heavy hearts because the salvation we have is not based on works but on grace---the grace of God.

Power Tools!

November 11, 2009

I had another fun-filled day on the Midgett. I was really feeling the power as I used a needle gun to chip away at some paint. This was a momentous day because it was the first time I have ever used a needle gun or really any power tool for that matter. It was fun!

Tonight (or perhaps tomorrow morning is more precise) I have in port security watch from 4am to 8am…fun stuff! I’m looking forward to it even though it cuts away at my beauty sleep. It will be another new challenge and experience.

God has truly blessed me abundantly today. He has showered me with His love and strength, and put joy into my heart. Oh, how I miss being around Believers who love the Lord, but Christ sustains me and is my closest friend. Even though I am lonely for Believers, He blesses me with unbelieving friends whom I can share my faith with. Pray for me that I do just that…be a bold, courageous, discerning witness of Christ.

I come away from this day knowing and believing with all my heart that God does all things well. I struggle (and will continue to struggle) but God is all I need. He does all things well---everything He brings into my life is for a reason and is good in light of eternity. I will press on today, trusting in my precious Lord and Savior.

Ever Seen Food Fly? # 9

November 9, 2009

Oh how very nice it is to be relaxing in my rack back in the grand city of Seattle! We pulled in to port around 3pm today after some smooth, fast sailing the day before. I do not know if it was the fact that we were going so fast or the seas got worse last night, but whatever it was I could hardly get a wink of sleep. The Midgett would roll one way and I’d be up against the wall. Then the it would be tossed the other way and I’d nearly be flying out of my rack! I could find a good position to get in that kept me from rolling around all over the place, but at least I was not sea sick. This morning was probably the funniest morning yet. As the cutter’s tossing and turning in the waves, people are in line for breakfast doing their best to keep from toppling over because of the waves. One second I’d see someone walking toward a table with a plate of food and the next thing I’d know is that the person’s plate is empty, and the food is flying across the mess deck! Drinks were spilling, people were slipping and sliding all over the place. I was in line and a huge wave came and the cutter made a dip so I slid back against the wall, and then it rocked the other way and here I’d go again. Life on a ship! Never a dull moment for sure.

As we came close, I threw line three over to the pier (I was so nervous I wouldn’t throw it high enough, but it made it across with out a problem…yay!). We were all decked out in float jackets and hard hats…it was definitely a cool experience!

I enjoyed visiting the Coast Guard Exchange and talking to my family later after escaping from the Midgett. All in all God certainly blessed me with an exciting day, filled with new experiences and challenges. He continually strengthens me and fills my heart with joy. One thing is though, I can’t just sit around waiting to feel that happy feeling well up in side of me…no God’s definition for joy is an action. So I rejoice, I give thanks, I cry and ask Him for help, I preach the Gospel to myself, and He supplies my needs. He gives me joy in sorrow, peace through storms, and smile on my face when I am weary. He is my all in all. Blessed be His name!

Never A Dull Moment # 8

November 9, 2009

I lose all track of days here on the boat…so it’s hard for me to believe that today is Sunday. I truly missed being at church today and worshiping the Lord with fellow Believers, but the Holy Spirit ministers to my heart and constantly comforts me. This morning as I stood my watch, the waves were much more calm and subdued than yesterday. The sun glistened over the water making it look like a golden sea of ripples. These are the sorts of blessings God sends my way to pick me up and put a smile on my face amidst my struggles, fears, worries, homesickness, etc.

I am certainly staying busy on the Midgett. Between double helm and lookout watches from 8am-12pm and 8pm-12am, I also have to study like mad to get qualified in various different jobs. At times I feel so overwhelmed that I won’t be able to get qualified and I’ll just fail and be stuck on the Midgett forever, but God reminds me that I am on His timetable and that is all that matters. I will do my best, but I must leave all in His hands and not become frantic and worried.

Every day I am learning new things---nomenclature to different pieces of equipment on the ship, how to drive the ship, how to report contacts from lookout watch, and the list goes on…there’s never a dull moment! Pray for me that I would make much of Christ throughout my time here on the Midgett and that I will not allow my fears and concerns to keep me from serving the Lord to the fullest. He’s the reason I am here and in His strength I will persevere.

One positive thing for which I am truly grateful…I have still not been sea sick. Yay! Lots of people aboard are sick and not feeling good, but so far I’ve just been riding the waves!

Standing Watch # 7

November 7, 2009

I stood helm and lookout watch this morning. The waves were rolling and crashing, reminding me of the time that the disciples were in a terrible storm. They nearly lost all hope and then cried out to Jesus who was sleeping through it. He calmed the storm by a word from His mouth. I enjoyed watching the swirling waves today, knowing that my Savior made and sustains them as He does and will continue to sustain me.
Operating the helm was pretty cool…not many nineteen year olds get to drive a 378’ boat!

One thought struck me as I was standing lookout. The key to being a good lookout and protecting the safety of the boat is diligence. You have to pay attention and watch the horizon even when you’re tired or bored. All that to say, what would my life look like if I took the same amount of diligence and care in killing sin and watching out for roots of sin in my life as I do on lookout watch? I need to be diligent and vigilant in killing my sin and destroying it. Christ is my strength, He is the One I want to honor and please, and by His help I’ll fight the sin in my life and destroy it.

Sorrowful Yet Always Rejoicing # 6

November 6, 2009

The Lord’s friendship is so dear to me and has become more precious to me than ever before. Working from dawn to past midnight with only a couple hours of rest in between and with people I don’t know has made me turn to the Lord and depend upon Him in a new way. The blessings He sends me are amazing and far outweigh the difficulties (which are blessings themselves!). He sustains me with His love and grace.

It is so easy to get off track and begin worrying and wondering how in the world am I going to make it through my time here on the Midgett, but I must mortify such sinful, faithless thoughts. God will sustain…I am His ambassador, His witness, and will be here as long as He sees fit. A verse in 2 Corinthians stuck out to me, “Sorrowful yet always rejoicing.” That is where I am at---sorrowful, but always rejoicing because I have everything to be joyful about. I am a child of the Almighty One and I get to serve Him on the Midgett. He is my treasure, my love, my joy---and I will honor Him by working hard, doing everything with a good attitude, and reflecting the Light to the lost sinners aboard the Midgett.

Oh, God, You have placed me here for a reason. Use me as Your vessel to be spent and poured out for Your glory---to this end I live and breath and press on. You are my treasure and my greatest delight. Fill my heart with joy and may I ever sing Your praises through the darkest night.

Setting Out # 5

November 6, 2009

I began my day in God’s Word, and found great comfort and encouragement in Paul’s second Epistle to the Corinthians. I studied Helm & Lookout Watch for most of the morning before Liberty expired for all hands. After that we mustered on the flight deck. All us new guys received our new covers [ball caps]. We were called up by the Captain, saluted him, shook his hand, took our covers, and saluted him again.

Next all us deckies prepared for “Special Sea” and manned our mooring stations. I was on the focsle (front part of the ship) on line three. I helped pull in the line (rope). Things went smoothly and we drifted away from the pier. The rest of the day was spent securing for sea…basically going around and tying stuff down and making sure there were no lose objects around.

One exciting thing happened while I was out sweeping the main deck’s starboard (right) side. I looked up from my sweeping and noticed dolphins jumping out of the waves! Amazing! I thanked God for letting me see and enjoy a part of is creation I do not usually see.

Behind the Clouds # 4

November 5, 2009

Amidst the raging seas of life and swirling tides of time
Stands one who walks upon the storms and calms this heart of mine.
He holds my heart in nail pierced hands and sustains my soul by grace
And though my eyes fail to see His work, I will trust Him and press on in faith.

The clouds block Him from my view---My precious Savior I can't see,
But I know without a shadow of doubt His eyes are upon me.
So I will press on toward the goal---this pain is apart of Your perfect plan.
And though my soul hurt , dear Lord, I will ever sing praises to You.

Fixed On The Son # 3

Fixed on the Sun~
November 3, 2009

As I sit in this airplane flying to San Diego, my thoughts turn to the adventure before me, my prayer and aim is to learn as much as I can, experience as much as I can (while honoring Christ), and grow closer to God through it all. He’s placed me here for a reason---so I’m going to sit back and enjoy the ride (thank goodness for seat belts---or I’d probably jump out! Just kidding!) knowing God is taking me where I need to be. I plan to make the most of every moment and not waste a second of it.

I fix my eyes on Christ---sometimes clouds get in the way, but my gaze must remain fixed heavenward. I joined the Coast Guard because I wanted to do something hard and I was telling my dad the other day, “I am realizing more and more that doing hard things is HARD.” Funny but so true. Living for Christ is hard, but worth it. You can’t give up even when the going gets rough---when things get rough that is good. It means you’re on the right path.

So press on with me today…whatever God may be teaching you, embrace it. If it burns---let it burn. If it hurts---then let it hurt. Turn the suffering of the moment into rejoicing for all time, turn your pain to praise, and know that if you are focused on heaven nothing can be too difficult to bear in Christ’s strength.

I write these thoughts to my own heart because I struggle staying the course that God has placed me upon. I hurt so I want to quit, the way gets hard so I want to find a new way, but God is faithful when I am faithless. I press on in His strength and help He continually fills my heart with joy beyond my wildest dreams.

The View From Here # 2

The View From Here
November 3, 2009

I’m in the air now en route to San Diego. The view out the window is amazing! Beautiful snowcapped mountains seem to go on for miles. Flying is such a good way for we humans to be reminded how small we really are because we see how big our world is---and think, it is nothing compared to God! How awesome it is know and rest in the confidence that God is holding me in His hands when I am nothing!

The journey so far has been enjoyable. I’ve been talking to the new “boot” who just graduated and is still stiff from boot camp (look whose talking!). He’s a seaman apprentice, so we’ll probably be doing a lot of painting together. We’ve been reminiscing back over our boot camp experiences…oh those were the days! Just kidding!

I am glad I’ll be arriving to the Midgett with other rookies like myself. One sad note on my journey so far when I was back at the airport---I have never spent so much money for such a tiny cup of OJ before! The price was so bad I can’t even write it down, but I’m trying to move past such aggravating memories.

Snug As A Bug # 1

Snug As A Bug~
November 3, 2009

I woke up bright and early this morning and finished some last minute packing. I rolled my sleeping bag up as tight as I could and then my roommate---FS3---and I pushed and shoved and squeezed until we finally latched my sea bag. Of course then I realized I had not packed my towel---so we had to start all over again!

Next we lugged our bags downstairs and laughed when we saw the car we were about to pile into. I would be traveling to the Midgett with four other Coasties---OS3, FS3, FN Harps, SA Jeppesen. So we maxed out the trunk with sea bags, boxes, and backpacks. Next four of us piled in the back and OS3 stuffed two more “sea bag” size bags on top of our laps. It was a little snug to say the least! We did end up making it to the airport without popping out of the car on bumps, and we all managed to somehow unfold ourselves out of the car once we arrived. So that’s how we kicked of our adventure to the Midgett!

And so it begins...

November 1, 2009

And so it begins…my life, living on the United States Coast Guard Cutter Midgett. I’ll be flying down to San Diego, California bright and early Tuesday morning to catch my boat! I am one of three other Coasties checking in on the Midgett, which is nice because I won’t be the only new person on board. I am getting all packed and ready to head out. I am excited, but nervous. God is sending me to the Midgett for a reason---to be His witness, bringing Him glory by what I say and do. This will be an amazing opportunity not only to gain invaluable life experience, see new places, and grow closer to the Lord, but also to be a missionary to the lost sinners aboard the Midgett. Pray for me…yes, pray for me.

God blessed me with another wonderful day at church, transshipping with fellow Believers and worshiping the Lord.

Precious Lord, I press on for You, through You, and in You
My heart may be weighed down with loneliness, weariness, and difficulties;
But You are the One who raises me up and carries me.
You care for me, love me, sustain me, and comfort me;
I may feel alone, but I am never alone. I may feel lost, but I am hidden in You. I may feel overwhelmed, but you are holding me by Your grace. I may feel like quitting, but Your hand keeps me on this path…Your faithfulness upholds me…Your grace sustains me…You are my all in all.