It's kinda funny the way things work. The past couple of weeks a lot has happened to Abby and I, let me give you a run down of what's been going on. In the past 3 weeks, our oven stopped working, one of the burners on the stove top quit functioning correctly and our crockpot died. So Abby's dad let us use his convection oven, which stopped working before we could cook any food in it.
Then the only computer that we have right now, that we plug into our tv so we actually have stuff to watch (because we don't have cable) and use for everything else a computer is supposed to be used for, broke. The battery does not hold a charge, and the tip of the wall plug in broke off making it impossible to plug in and use.
Then our beloved son put Abby's cell phone in the dog dish, I guess he wanted to baptise it in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The only problem is the phone could not take the spiritual experience and died on the spot. Which is not a huge deal except the fact that phone company has no sympathy for us and won't activate another phone with her number, rendering us to one functioning phone.
Then the key for our only car broke, now the silver lining is it broke off in the ignition so we can still start it and drive it but that is only a temporary fix.
Our dogs have been freaking out lately, digging into the trash and spreading it all over the house and using out living room carpet as their own personal bathroom.
And last night Abby and I found out that some rumor's have been circulated throughout our youth students, pretty much slandering Abby and I all in an attempt to stop kids from coming to out Group.
Now you may be saying to yourself "Wow that sounds like a lot of stuff" to which you would be correct. But you may also be wondering why I am telling you this. Believe me it is not to complain, as crazy as it sounds I am rejoicing in all that is happening, let me explain further.
In the same 3 weeks that all that stuff has happened, this is what else has been happening. The kids in our Youth Group are going through some really tough times and we are making some great breakthroughs helping these families out. We are so close to getting to the root of some problems and what we are studying is extremely life changing.
Crossway Community Fellowship had it first "Public" service which we had 22 people, then last week we had our second with 28 people. Our services are really awesome, the worship is great, we are praying for each other, sharing each other's burdens. It's been amazing, and God is really moving.
I started school again and am jazzed to get this class under my belt.
That rumor about us, after all the dust settled, gave us the opportunity to invite one of the Mom's of two youth students to our church, who has been looking for a church to go to.
Does anybody else hear that?? The enemy is shaking their boots.
Jesus said in John 16:33 "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. but take heart I have overcome the world." I think this is especially true if you are a follower of Christ in this world because we are moving towards a higher calling and the enemy does everything they can to keep us from that calling.
Now we could look at all this that is going on and be discouraged and give up. But I'm not giving up I know that God is moving and making our efforts worthwhile. He is doing great things in us and we just need to trust in Him and keep pushing through.
So let me say this, Satan you can do to us whatever you want we are not giving up, we are not backing down. As the great philosopher Tom Petty once sang, "you can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won't back down." I know that God is upholding us in all that we do, so give it your best shot, we are not going to stop. Jesus has already conquered you and I am putting my faith in him anew, every day. Bring it on, because you are not going to win, we are going to plow forward and God is going to change lives and save his people!!!!!!
