God Listens

I borrowed the title of this post from my local Christian radio station. "God Listens" is there slogan...a wonderful reminder to the city of Houston that the God of the Universe hears the prayers of His people. He really does! I got to experience this sweet and marvelous truth this past Friday night. I was in bed already, and could hear my dad coughing and gaging horribly (he has acid reflux and was hospitalized in May for about a week when the acid pierced his lung, giving him pnemonia. The horrible cough associated with the acid reflux had recently returned). So my dad was gaging it up, and my older brother was scolding him for not going to the doctor, etc, etc. As the "friendly" family dispute and the coughing was going on, I got a urge in my heart to go downstairs to pray for dad's cough to stop. I thought about it a little, and hesitated a while. After all, what if I prayed in front of them all (my 2 brothers and dad), and nothing happened? Nonetheless, I decided to go downstairs and began to pray for my dad outloud in the name of Jesus. I finished and returned to my room. I continued to pray and worship the Lord, asking him to glorify His name-that my brothers and father would see the power and glory of the name of Jesus Christ. One of the songs I sang to God was, "How great is our God," by Christ Tomlin. "Name above all names, worthy of all praise...all will see, how great, how great is our God," says the chorus. That night my family and I saw experienced anew the greatness of God and the power of the name above all names-Jesus Christ. My dad's cough stopped minutes later, and He was able to sleep like baby that night. I know God could have stopped the cough even if I had silently prayed from my room, without a single witness. However, my family was able to share the miracle of answered prayer because I decided to ask in front of them. I pray their faith was increased.

"This is the confience we have in approaching God: if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him." (1 John 5:14-15).

Thank you Lord for hearing me.

(A Grateful People by Watermark)

It is time that we give you honor
This is the day to give you all the praise that you deserve
A Holy King, of everything
inhabit the praises of your people
Have we waited far too long to surrender?
Forgive us oh God for the years we failed to seek your face
Oh Lord, your mercy turns us into Grateful people
We can't seem to find the words
so take our lives that there might be enough to tell you
how grateful Lord, we are grateful

Whatever I do???

Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father (Colossians 3:17)."

How many times have we read or heard this? I have a ton, and maybe even taken it to heart sincerely. Today, though, it gripped me harder than before. Seriously, everything I do and say should be done not only as a representative of Jesus, but they should be done with a heart of gratitude and praise???? I'm challenged and convicted. I'm also thankful for my gracious God who wills and works in me to do what pleases Him (Philippians 2:13). There's no way I could even attempt to live us to this without the help of God. I hope you will hold me accountable to do and say everything in Jesus' name, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Happy Birthday Tia!

You're crazy and I love you!

New Job

After months, and months (and I mean months) of searching, applying, praying, and more searching, and more praying, and more applying, I have finally accepted a job! And not just any job, but a job that I am so excited about. It's been a frustrating few months of searching, getting rejected, and rejecting "good jobs," because I knew that I would be a miserable for 40-50 hours each week. (I wish I could explain the rollercoaster its been).

At last though, God has opened a wonderful opportunity. I will be working for an organization called Somebody Cares America, a network of relief/compassion organizations in the U.S. Their mission is "To let people know that Somebody Cares. Because Jesus cares, we, the church, care. As a result, through grass-roots efforts, communities are transformed and the church is uniting. This is unity with a purpose in action." I will be working with them on their marketing initiatives, fundraising/donor relations, media/communications, and many other operational things. For example, one of my first projects will be to help them finalize a diaster relief manuel to be used to train churches (and maybe other ministries and organizations??) on disaster relief prepardness, much of it based on lessons learned from Katrina and Rita. In addition, I will also be getting involved with the programs and initatives of the Somebody Cares Houston chapter and their parent organization Turning Point Ministries. There is probably a lot more I'll be involved in that I don't know about yet, so stay tuned.

Since I was about 17 years old, God had put a great desire in my heart to work for a international relief/compassion organization. It's funny how even though I toyed a lot with other career options (ones that would make more money, required less risk, made my parents super proud of me etc, etc), that desire never left me. It haunted me greatly. Graciously, God has brought me back full circle and has given me the opportunity to do something I love, something that He has put in my heart to love. I'm grateful and excited.

I also want to encourage you to not ignore those desires God has placed in your heart. Living for ourselves is far too small a goal in life. Sacrifice and risk might be involved, but if God has called you to do something, He has everything in the world at His disposal to help you achieve it. And I'm not necessarily talking about ministry. If God has placed a great desire in you to be a great athlete, musician, artist, teacher, accountant, doctor, whatever, then be the best at it for His glory (not your own), and make sure the world knows that you are the best at it for His glory.

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses [for many of us this could be jobs, degrees, money, titles, etc, etc] , but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7)

Happy Birthday Alan!!

My little bro is 14...aaahh! Mmmhh...I remember 14. Don't think I'de ever want to go back there, but I think it beats 13.

Anyhow, Happy Birthday Alan!! I know you'll enjoy 14 with you're text messaging, play stationing ways...(Kids these day) You are incredibly special to me and our entire family. We love you more than you'll ever know.

The little guy is on his way to the airport right now. He's going to Tampa, FL to play in a big wig soccer tournament. His soccer team, the Houston Pumas, are 1 of 2 teams in their division here in Texas that qualified for this tournament in Florida...Yeah! The fam (minus me) joins him tomorrow.

Shawn's @ Sea

"The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thuders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters...and all in his temple cry 'Glory!'" (Psalm 29:3,9)

Shawn is going to be a super star drummer for Princess Cruise Lines. He's my favorite drummer in the whole world, and I am so proud of him for how hard he works to go after his dreams and God's dreams!

Shawn, I hope your time on the Dawn is amazing! I can't wait to hear all the cool stories of how God will use you there. You are an awesome warrior for Him, and you will bless so many there!