Terrifying yet vital

~Tuesday Thoughts~

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

This is a terrifying verse. I'm on a mission trip at the moment, and this is one of the verses that we were supposed to really apply to our lives in preparation and during the trip. 

I (think) I am getting better at briefly mentioning that I am a Christian. For example, people ask me where I'm from and I say, "My parents are missionaries in [country]." Or to "What did you do this weekend?," I can answer, "I did homework, worked, spent time with a friend or two, went to church." When asked where I work, I say that one of my jobs is in the nursery at church. All of these are true, and I love bringing up Christianity in this nonchalant way. 

However, openly discussing the good news of Christ and why we need His love - that seems terrifying to me. But it is such a vital skill to learn. I am hoping that, throughout this week, I get better and better at doing this. Something that has been encouraging is that the leaders say that even for them this was hard at first. But you get used to it with practice. Not that they're perfect at this business, but that it really takes practice to get better, to feel less awkward, to get bolder*. 

And it for sure takes God's strength.

How about you guys? Are you scared by the idea of sharing God's Word with others or do you feel more comfortable with it? Do you have any stories of you sharing it that you'd like to share?

*I am speaking of the good kind of bold. I am NOT encouraging being bold and coming off as rude and obnoxious to anyone you pass.

He is with us - everywhere

~Tuesday Thoughts~

 "Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
  If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
  If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
   even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
   If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
   even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you."
Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV)

 Think about it. Think about all the places that exist on Earth. Hot places with beaches, freezing places with beautiful icicles hanging off the rooftops. Shabby homes with barely any furniture, massive palaces adorned with gold. Rockets sent to orbit Earth, submarines in the oceans' depths.

God is with us EVERYWHERE. Even of we don't feel like it.

Amen!

The peace I've so longed for

~Tuesday Thoughts~

I burrow deep
Into the covers.
I don’t want to get out;
It hurts too much.
The pain it gnaws.
The fear it strangles.
And I am left
With nothing at all.

I've tried again,
And again I've tried
To get out of this mess
By my own strength.
It doesn’t work;
It doesn’t pay.
I'm left alone
Yet another day.

So I give my fears
Oh, so reluctantly
To the One who says
He cares about me.
I give my hopes, my dreams,
But quake inwardly.
What will He do with them?
Will He comfort me?

And He wraps me
With His strong arms.
He lets me grasp Him,
Gets me out of the struggle.
He lets me fall into
The peace I've so longed for.
Now I know He cares;
I know I'm not alone.

How about you? Have you given your problems to God? How has he helped you?