My favorite part of The Secret Garden

Current mood: excited

I finished up The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett today. Before I return the book to my local library, I wanted to share my favorite part with you all modified slightly (italics below). When I read it I thought of Jesus, and so that is how I modified this ...

"The sun is shining --- the sun is shining. That is because of Jesus. The flowers are growing --- the roots are stirring. That is because of Jesus. Being alive is because of Jesus --- being strong is because of Jesus. Jesus is in me --- is in me. He is in me --- He is in me. He's in every one of us that are adopted as his children. He covers all our weaknesses. Jesus! Jesus! Come and help!"

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Colossians 1:16-17)

Have you heard about this???

About two days ago I got online to search for news about Africa. I was interested in learning about the impoverished continent to prepare for my trip this coming summer and wanting to pray for it and its peoples. What I found was a news story that shocked me and got me praying more (thankfully). I have two friends in the DR Congo, so this news hit home moreso than expected. It also got me thinking about how I had never heard this news in America. Perhaps I just missed it, but if it's a matter of not being front page news here in America, then it's a rather sad day for us who can do so much to help our brothers and sisters overseas. Please check out the links below, be thankful for what you have, and pray hard!

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. - James 5.16

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7038346.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5213996.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7042373.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5213528.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/06/africa_congolese_children_living_rough/html/1.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/guides/456900/456977/html/nn1page1.stm

Please Help Africa & Its Peoples

I have had an interest in Africa and helping however I can for a while now, but recently my heart has really been burning for my neighbors and brothers and sisters in this oh, so forgotten continent. So, here and now, I'd like to be a voice for the unspoken living in a continent in dire need of so much love and aid. One group helping is called Every Child Ministries. A list of how they help others in Africa is below. You can check them out at www.ecmafrica.org or by contacting them at (219)996-4201. Please do not forget those in need in beloved Africa. :)

ECM Africa helps by ---

Empowering the African Church to evangelize the new generation:
- teacher training
- leadership training
- teacher's resource libraries
- literacy
- resource development

Building good character in the new generation through the schools:
- character building from the Bible, a program for public schools
- Haven Academy (school for orphans)

Showing the love of Jesus to street children:
- direct aid
- street fellowship
- child sponsorship
- orphan aid
- vocational training
- Haven of Hope Home for Children (in Ghana)

Showing the love of Jesus to slave children (illegal Trikosi slavery):
- cooperative project with Ghanian national efforts
- freedom, help in starting a new life
- Christian education

Showing the love of Jesus to orphans and war-affected children (in Uganda, Sudan, and Democratic Republic of the Congo):
- ministry in refugee camps
- ministry to displaced children
- orphan projects
- child sponsorship

The Path of Love

For about two weeks now, there has been this ongoing struggle with loving others within me. It got especially bad the past couple of days. I started getting offended and intensely upset/hurt by others. In the midst of that "turmoil," I cried out to the Lord and began reading a lot more of Max Lucado's book Come Thirsty. This book is really being used as of late to comfort and encourage me in Christ. Well, today though tired, I had a good day and loved on others, and I also spent some time reading through more of the book and wanted to share some of it with yall. :) I must say that when you're struggling or feeling down I think what's below can really encourage you ...

"He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need there is" (Acts 17:25). ... Why do people struggle? To display his strength. "I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I will act" (Isaiah 48:10-11). The prophet proclaimed, "You lead Your people, to make Yourself a glorious name" (Isaiah 63:14).

... I am the one who creates the light and makes the darkness. I am the one who sends good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things. (Isaiah 45:7)

Enjoy prosperity while you can. But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed? (Lamentations 3:38)

... Every so often in life, we find ourselves standing before God's counter, thinking we know the itinerary. Good health, a job promotion, a pregnancy. Many times God checks the itinerary he created and says yes. But there are times when he says, "No. That isn't the journey I have planned for you. I have you routed through the city of Struggle."

We can stamp our feet and shake our fists. Or we can make a sailor-in-the-storm decision. I know God knows what is best.

... Did God spare his Son from death? No. The glory of God outranked the comfort of Christ. So Christ suffered, and God's grace was displayed and deployed.

Are you called to endure a Gethsemane season? Have you "been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Philippians 1:29)?

If so, then come thirsty and drink deeply from his lordship. He authors all itineraries. He knows what is best. No struggle will come your way apart from his purpose, presence, and permission. What encouragement this brings! You are never the victim of nature or the prey of fate. Chance is eliminated. ... Would God truly abandon you ... Perish the thought!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God. (Isaiah 43:2-3)

We live beneath the protective palm of a sovereign King who superintends every circumstance of our lives and delights in doing us good.

C.S. Lewis is AMAZING!!!

Read this in Max Lucado's Come Thirsty. It is from C.S. Lewis' book Mere Christianity ... and, it is AMAZING and right on target! Enjoy and be inspired to jettison for Jesus the King of Kings! :)

"Christ say, 'Give me All. I don't want so much of your time and so much of your money and so much of your work: I want You. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half-measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch here and a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. ... Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think innocent as well as the desires you think wicked --- the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact, I will give you Myself: my own will shall become yours."