The Month of April, And a Journey

It's hard to describe all the different events that have taken place this past month, not to mention the events leading into this new month alone! But one thing I can say is that God is once again always faithful. Faithful to direct and lead, faithful to protect and give strength, and faithful to be who He has always said He will be, the "I AM"  ~ Exodus 3:14.
God abundantly blessed the Big Sandy Regional conference! Around 2,000 people were there and we were blessed to take part in the wonderful fellowship, listen to outstanding messages, and enjoy the beauty of Texas. Many people were blessed and encouraged. I really enjoyed working with the publications team sharing materials and talking with ATI families. Every member of the team gave their 100% which in turn yielded an amazing week!
Returning from the conference, we were able to stop over in Tulsa, Oklahoma and spend a few nights with our family. We had a blast! It had been four months since we had last seen them and we relished every minute that we stayed. We miss them so much! I am now back in Chicago preparing once again for a Journey up North. This Journey will be a different Journey, I know. They are all unique and God always works in different ways and challenges me personally in different areas. I am looking forward in great anticipation to the work that only He can do in and through each heart and life...and I know that He has a special work to do in my own heart. =)
So, I will end this post with a prayer request. Please pray that as God works, every heart (especially the leaders =) will be soft, open, and receptive to His still, small voice. And that each young man will walk away with a deeper and more intimate love for the Lord and great love for others. Pray that I will truly take refuge in Him this week as I pour out my heart before Him. ~ Psalm 62:8 ~

God bless each one of you!

Conference Time....Big Sandy

About 4 years ago, I embarked on my first trip to Big Sandy. It was great. The people, the experience of late nights, the work, java drinks from Sonic, the humdity...lol....it was amazing. =)
I even found this pic that we got as a group at Eagle Springs. I am so excited, because we get to stop at Eagle Springs once again on this trip...and my  family is there.
I can't wait. I think this Big Sandy trip is going to be the best one ever.
Please pray for all the IBLP staff that will be heading down to serve at the first ATI Regional Conference for the year. Work has been keeping me pretty occupied (LOL....busy might be a better word =). But it has been good, and I know that these conferences are going to be good because He IS GOOD.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end" ~ Jeremiah 29:13

 (This was last year...=)

Northwoods Again

I didn't believe that I would actually be back in the Northwoods this soon. But it has been a wonderful opportunity.
Last night it was so refreshing to simply spend time outside enjoying the spring sounds and smells. It seems these sounds and smells have been indelibly impressed upon my heart from days on the farm as a kid...I loved it, and I love Spring. To me, it means change. A new year with new adventure. I am looking forward to all that will be taking place this year.
Please keep this coming guys Journey in your prayers. I know that God has great things in store for us! Pray that we would be made usable in every area and aspect of life.

Peru - 2012

Early this morning, a group of young people left for Peru. They will be spending over two weeks in South America and will be joined by students and staff from VERITY as well as ALERT. There will be a total of almost 48 people going! I wish I could have been among the 48. However, as I thought about it, I realized that even though I am not going, I am still apart of that group as a Believer. And I can be even more apart of this group by lifting them up in prayer. I would ask that you would pray with me for this group of people that will be sharing with the nation of Peru the most important message that can ever be shared. Pray that there will be a unity among the team and that God will give them strength and His grace to make the most of their time!

Weekend ~ O. Chambers

Natural human love expects something in return. But Paul is saying, “It doesn’t really matter to me whether you love me or not. I am willing to be completely destitute anyway; willing to be poverty-stricken, not just for your sakes, but also that I may be able to get you to God.” “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor . . .” (2 Corinthians 8:9). And Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s. He did not care how high the cost was to himself— he would gladly pay it. It was a joyful thing to Paul.
The institutional church’s idea of a servant of God is not at all like Jesus Christ’s idea. His idea is that we serve Him by being the servants of others. Jesus Christ actually “out-socialized” the socialists. He said that in His kingdom the greatest one would be the servant of all (see Matthew 23:11). The real test of a saint is not one’s willingness to preach the gospel, but one’s willingness to do something like washing the disciples’ feet— that is, being willing to do those things that seem unimportant in human estimation but count as everything to God. It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost. But before we will serve, we stop to ponder our personal and financial concerns— “What if God wants me to go over there? And what about my salary? What is the climate like there? Who will take care of me? A person must consider all these things.” All that is an indication that we have reservations about serving God. But the apostle Paul had no conditions or reservations. Paul focused his life on Jesus Christ’s idea of a New Testament saint; that is, not one who merely proclaims the gospel, but one who becomes broken bread and poured-out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for the sake of others.

Psalm 23

THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (myself); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him--not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.
(Psalm 23:1-6 AMP)

I was encouraged in this Psalm this morning...He really Loves us

An Amazing week! Part 3

Well, this past week has been busy. LoL! I guess that's why it has taken so long to post Part 3!
The third day we were in FL, we got to travel around Disney and see the sights with great friends! In short, it was a great day! Even though I lost my iPod at the end of the day (don't ask how I did it!...lol...it wasn't too bright =), it was a full day that ended with watching one of the most awesome firework shows I had ever seen!