January 12, 2010
I thoroughly enjoyed a day off from work and decided to go to the gym this afternoon and work out! Afterwards I spent some time enjoying the sauna. As I was sitting there, I starting thinking back through the past couple years of how faithful and good God has been to me. I suppose life has not turned out as I envisioned it would back when I was twelve, dreaming about the day when I would go out on my own having amazing adventures. Back then it was almost like I was at the base of a beautiful and mighty mountain, thinking that once I was old enough I would leap right to the top. I did not take into consideration all the twists and turns, thorns and stickers, steep cliffs and hard rocks I would encounter along the way. And now I am climbing toward my goal and the path is not easy or smooth or comfortable. It hurts to press on, but that is exactly what I must do.
Perhaps things are far from what I expected at twelve years old, but I think even though I am facing difficult challenges that life has turned out much better than I could have imagined. Not because it is easy, but because I serve a God who puts hard things into my life for a reason---to bring Him glory which also brings me joy. Looking back, I see all the situations that felt completely impossible to me---I remember the despair and hopelessness I felt at times---but through Christ all things are possible. He brought me through the storms, He carried me through the pain, He sent me sunshine and rain, He held my hand, and He is the same today as He was yesterday. I am encouraged to press on heavenward through the impossible twists and turns in life because I know that the Lord is with me and will never leave me alone. Let us trust in the Lord today.
January 12, 2010
So today, I am out shopping and getting stocked up for the next two months. I already have my gum supply---30 plus packs! You can never have too much gum on hand. It really helps the hours washing dishes, doing helm and look out watch go by faster or at least more enjoyably. I am getting more excited about this patrol as it has gotten closer. It will be quite the adventure, and I am sure I’ll have lots to write about as the two months unfold. I pray that God we’ll continue to stretch and grow me in my faith and teach me lots the next two months as He has the past two months.
(A picture taken from a 378' cutter near where we'll be sailing!!)
January 11, 2010
Securing For Sea!
This past week has been very busy for all of us here on the Midgett; we have been securing for sea! Soon we’ll be underway again on our two month winter patrol. Our Commander has told us that we will be going into some pretty rough waters, so we have been preparing as best we can by tying down anything and everything in sight!
I am excited that I have the next two days off. I am planning on going shopping for some things that I’ll need for my voyage. I also will be studying hard for my inport security board that will be coming up most likely on Thursday. I am looking forward to having that done and out of my way.
Today has been busy, and I am glad to finally have some time to relax and write down some thoughts. I did a lot of dish washing today and cleaning. God filled my heart with joy amidst the mundane tasks. God constantly gives me strength and amazes me with His grace. A daily battle rages all around me and every Believer for that matter---will I live each moment for Christ or self? Will I make much of Jesus or much of me? I want everything I do to point to my Lord and I do not want to live life from my point of view. I am a child of the Living God and I will rest in His arms. He is my strength, my all, my treasure. I will delight in Him.
January 8, 2009
I have often heard Believers say that God does not give us anything (challenges, trials, hardships, etc) that we cannot handle. I would greatly disagree because I believe that God always gives us trials, hardships, and challenges that we cannot handle. The challenges He sends into our lives are for the very purpose of showing us that we cannot stand by ourselves; only through the power and strength of Jesus Christ can we survive and press on in our faith. God does give us challenges and trials we cannot handle, but He also gives us the grace and strength to persevere through it all for His glory and our joy.
“…I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” ~Phil. 4:13
January 7, 2009
Another day of mess cooking down, and I am finding it a very enjoyable task even if no body believes me when I tell them. God supplies me with strength and joy moment by moment. I will rejoice in my King who has sustained me through the past several months of changes and difficulties. It has not been an easy road, but one worth traveling upon because it has drawn me closer to my precious Lord and Savior.
One reason I like mess cooking is because I get to see everybody several times a day, which gives me the opportunity to encourage them and see how they are doing. Last night I was thinking though that I should not just try and encourage everyone who I see and talk to but that I should be praying for them. So that is the challenge I came to work with this morning. I want to share Christ with the people I work with but I cannot do it in my own strength and power. So I am committing to pray for my fellow coasties on the Midgett while I am mess cooking that God would work in their hearts and bring them to himself.
January 6, 2009
I started mess cooking today! All of us new deckies have to take a turn helping in the kitchen (washing dishes, wiping down tables, sweeping the floor, etc.) for a month. I enjoyed my first day of mess cooking and reminded me of the days I used to work at McDonald’s and Dairy Queen. Tomorrow is my “duty mess cook” day, which means I have to be up and ready to work at 5 a.m. So I’ll have an early morning tomorrow! Fun stuff(-:
As I think about the work I do here on the Midgett, I realize that it does not matter one bit what job I am doing, but who I am doing it for that determines what kind of day I am going to have. I am a child of God and so everything I do should be done for His glory. Whether I am painting or doing dishes, I should be having the time of my life not because the tasks are amazing in themselves, but because I am working for the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the One who fills my heart with joy and gladness while I am working.
This is something all Christians should keep in mind. Whatever we are doing, we should be working unto the Lord and not man---whether we are working, playing, completing homework---EVERYTHING we do should be done for the Lord. The darkest day turns brilliant and the ugliest task turns beautiful when I am doing it for the Lord and His glory. He gives me a smile and puts a song in my heart.
Press on with this in mind today and do all that you do unto the Lord.
January 3, 2010
God has blessed me abundantly with such a wonderful church family here in Seattle, and now as I get ready to go underway and be gone for several weeks, I know I’m going to miss seeing all my friends at church and fellowshipping with them. Waves of loneliness and fear crash over my soul, but God reminds me that He is always near---He is always with me; a very present help in trouble, a shield about me, my fortress, my deliverer, my Savior, and dearest Friend. I cannot live in the shadow of fear or I will not be making much of Christ. I must go forth in faith, trusting in Jesus to sustain me through the adventure that lies ahead. I may feel overwhelmed and I may fear what’s ahead, but it is with God that I shall do valiantly.
O Lord Jesus, You are my strength when I am weak, You are my joy when I am lonely, You are my rock to which I cling, You are give my heart peace amidst raging storms, and You sustain me when I do not think I can take one more step. And so now as I feel lonely and afraid, as I prepare to set off on an adventure and experience new things I ask that You would help me not lean on my own understanding but to put my trust in You. You have placed me here on the Midgett to be a shining light---to make Your glory know. Only through You, O Lord, can Your work be accomplished through me.
January 1, 2010
Not only is it the start of a new month today, but it is the start of a new year! God blessed me with a fun evening with friends from church last night as we celebrated the new year while playing Apples to Apples, UNO, and Catch Phrase. Looking back now, I cannot believe how fast this past year has flown by. It seems like just yesterday I was saying that about 2008, and here I am saying it about 2009! Well, I do not know where the time went, but I am so thankful to the Lord that He has brought me to a new year and taught me so many precious lessons along the way.
Now as I look forward to all the Lord has in store for me this coming year, my prayer is that whatever He brings into my life---all the changes, challenges, joys, sorrows, etc.---I would turn them back into praise to Him. I want to be like Job who after going through great calamities did not curse God but blessed Him. Oh that I would spend less time complaining about life and more time rejoicing in Christ. I pray that this year, I would grow deeper in my love of Jesus and know His love and rely upon it. I do not want to settle for the status quo but live my life on the edge---being spent and poured out for my precious Lord.
I do not want to make the mistake of living my todays in tomorrow or wasting my todays in yesterday---I want to live every moment to its fullest for the glory of my Lord. May He be praised as I live my life. I am His servant and I have no greater joy than serving Him.
THE MISSION
Written for my family as they move to Cameroon, Africa to share Jesus love with the people there.
Rejoicing in all God has done.
In your lives, I see Him displayed
As your greatest treasure of all;
Your mission: to proclaim His name.
Fix Your eyes on Christ…Run hard to the goal.
Consider the work He has done, He has saved your souls!
Press on, HOPE IN GOD…IN HIS HANDS you are safe. UNDER HIS WINGS…you are held---
you are HELD BY GRACE.
Take up your cross, follow Christ, let His praises resound.
Be BROKEN AND SPILLED OUT
as you journey HOMEWARD BOUND.
Cheering you on as you go
As you make much of Jesus today,
Considering all else as loss
Compared to the Savior’s name.
Fight the battle of faith…stand firm in Christ.
Trust Him with all of your heart, give Him your life.
Press on, HOPE IN GOD…IN HIS HANDS you are safe. UNDER HIS WINGS…you are held---
you are HELD BY GRACE.
Take up your cross, follow Christ, let His praises resound.
Be BROKEN AND SPILLED OUT
as you journey HOMEWARD BOUND.
Praying for you in my heart.
May God’s sustaining grace push you on
To follow Christ outside of the camp,
Calling the nations to join the song!
Jesus is mighty to save
For while yet sinners He died in our place.
Shout---shout His praise For He has given us grace!
Press on, HOPE IN GOD…IN HIS HANDS you are safe. UNDER HIS WINGS…you are held---
you are HELD IN HIS GRIP OF GRACE.
Take up your cross, follow Christ, let His praises resound.
Be BROKEN AND SPILLED OUT
as you journey HOMEWARD BOUND.
