Edify*

22 April 2007

.(Trust).

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint"

~Isaiah 40:31~

How many times have I read that verse and breezed right over it? "Yay! another chapter finished. moving on." It's printed on bookmarks, keychains, notebook covers, greeting cards. How many times have I seen it and not taken it to heart? Far too often, I confess.

Today Wayne preached on the 40th chapter of Isaiah. As almost all the messages in this series have been, this message was exceedingly applicable. It was entitled "Comfort of God's Promise" focusing on His greatness and His strength in our weaknesses. I don't really know how to write it out without just re-teaching all that Wayne said. in that case, you can just listen to the message.

anyways. I was reminded that God is way ahead of us all. always. Why do we worry about tomorrow, when He had it all planned out before time begun? I find myself not trusting God in the little things and in the not so little things. Sometimes I feel weak when I have to constantly pray for help. well, duh! wake up Rebekah. of course you're weak. and the good news is, He welcomes our cries for help and freely lifts my burdens. it is a sign of humility to be constantly giving up my cares to Him, all I have to do is ask, and submit it to Him. Now I am just preaching to myself. Sorry. getting off course.

In this, I see my self-sufficiency. (and impatience, but that's another story). My tendency is to think I know best, and if everyone did everything my way, everything would be sunshine and daisies. But what I am really saying is that God's strength is not enough to solve my problems and that I have to take care of it myself. Wayne asked the question: are you such a controller you can't live on God's terms? He also pointed out that that is having thoughts of God that are too small. I was convicted of that. as much as I would not like to think of it that way, it's true- I have diminished God in my mind, and created a false image of Him. that is idolatry. and that is sin.

I must repent (to completely turn around), and continue to give up my life to Him, trusting Him as all I need. easier said than done. but He is faithful, even when we are not, and He will not disapoint or let down. because He is gracious and loving, and blesses His beloved.

Not sure how to end this, so I shall let my friend Solomon sum it up in his words:

"Trust in the Lord with all oyur heart,

and lean not on your own undertanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make straight your paths.

Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."

~Proverbs 3:5-8~

wow. that was long.

25 March 2007

God's purposes will ripen fast, unfolding every hour

the bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower

"In the Bible, God is saying 'you won't understand Me, but you can always trust Me. If I surprise you with trouble, I will also surprise you with the joy I'll bring out of that trouble. You may struggle to believe that right now. But what seems impossible is the very thing I specialize in.'"- Ray Ortlund Jr

I'm not going through anything "major" or painful at the moment, but I thought those lines in the song "God Moves" and the quote were good reminders.

and maybe it can encourage someone who may be passing by. I hope it does.

/out like a squashed lightning bug/

11 March 2007

.Teach Me Your Paths.

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame...

Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;

they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long...

Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore He instructs sinners in the way.

He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble His way.

All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies.
For your name's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great.

Who is the man who fears the Lord?

Him will He instruct in the way that he should choose.

His soul shall abide in well-being,

and his offspring shall inherit the land.

The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him,

and He makes known to them his covenant.

My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

for He will pluck my feet out of the net...

Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins...
Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!

Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you...

:Psalm 25 ./condensed/.

04 March 2007

/restart/

Every morning that breaks
There are mercies anew
Every breath that I take
Is your faithfulness proved
And at the end of each day
When my labors are through
I will sing of Your mercies anew

When I’ve fallen and strayed
There were mercies anew
For you sought me in love
And my heart you pursued
In the face of my sin
Lord, You never withdrew
So I sing of Your mercies anew

And Your mercies, they will never end
For ten thousand years they’ll remain
And when this world’s beauty has passed away
Your mercies will be unchanged

And when the storms swirl and rage
There are mercies anew
In affliction and pain
You will carry me through
And at the end of my days
When Your throne fills my view
I will sing of Your mercies anew
I will sing of Your mercies anew

["mercies anew" by mark altrogge and bob kauflin]

22 February 2007

::Haiti::

Haiti:

Capitol: Port-au-Prince

Population: 7,527,817 millionn with a growth rate of 1.8% per annum; 95% African descent, 5% mixed

Official Languages: Creole, French

Government: Republic type of government with a President directly elected by the people; a Prime Minister designated by the President from the majority party in the two-chamber Parliament, or in the absence of a majority, in consultation with the legislative leadership. President,Jean-Bertrand Aristide; Prime Minister : Yvon Neptune.

Currency: Gourde; US$ 1 = Gdes 40 (October 2003)

+++++++++++++++

I had plans, and they seemed legitimate. Mission trip to Wales? I am so there! I have wanted to go to the UK longer than I can remember, and since recently I felt God was laying it on my heart. I wrote to the Sovereign Grace Churches in Wales and England, and got a repsonse from a cool young lady named Ruth. She lives in Wales, and I thought "this could be it- the roots are starting." so when I found out that there was going to be a team sent to Wales, I applied. We were told to put down our top 3 choices, so I listed 1. Wales 2. New Orleans, LA 3. La Paz, Bolivia.
As the time got closer to finding out our destiations, I was more and more certain that I was getting my wish. but, like He usually does, God had other plans. After weeks of tormentuous waiting, the letter came (when I wasn't expecting it, which made a nice suprise). My eyes quickly scrolled down to the highlighted part that read... Haiti?!?! What? that wasn't even an option to me! it wasn't even in the top 5! confusion. SHOCK. What the heck is going on? so to make a long story a shortish story, no, the wrong letter was not put in the wrong envelope, God must have said "Jeremy, send Rebekah Schwab to Haiti."

Yup. so I'm going to Haiti (not Hades, thankfully, I'm saved that punishment). I am so excited, I want to scream! the more I read about it, the more I learn, the more excited I am. It sounds so adventurous, and I know God has great plans for the trip. now I just have to wait to get details (I love details). At least I know I most likely will not have to get any shots, since I got them 2 years ago, and most of them are good for several years.

so this is a rather scatter-brained post, but I am so very excited and amazed at God's goodness and sovereignty, I have to write (type) it all out. I know He will use this time to teach me to Trust in Him, and teach me many other things that I need to learn.

*sigh* life is good.

"And we know that for those who love God all things work fro the good, for those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

19 February 2007

<=pink lemonade=>

These guys are fun. they make me laugh.

the 3-man tower is [[bottom to top]]:
:jOnAh+

:bRaNdOn//
:jAkE>

not pictured: @@ron and e\\iot

"everyone has to grow up, but no one has to be a grown up" - Sir J M Barrie

15 February 2007

stars

"when i look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
the moon and stars that You have set in place,
what is man that You should love him,
and the son of man that You care for him...
... O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!"

Psalm 8:3&4&9

+photos by beks and dams+