"God of My Everything"

Hi y'all. I'm sorry I have been silent on here for awhile. It seems I have been crazy busy lately with the school and visitors here on the island. I also feel even a lack inspiration of what to write.

However, as I was doing computer work this evening, and listening to one of my "newest" albums, I heard this song, "God of My Everything." It seems to capture what I am feeling at this time.

I pray this song blesses your heart as it has mine. God, our God, our Creator, our Heavenly Father, is and always will be our Everything.

Oh God of Heaven come and hem me in

Gather the pieces that are broken

Show me the wonder of You again

Oh God of Heaven

God of my heart

God of my need

God of my pain that no one else will ever see

God of my healing

God of my strength

God who is always and will forever reign

God of my everything

In all creation You call my name

In all the beauty that this world displays

Still I’m the one for whom Your heart aches

In all creation

God of my heart

God of my need

God of my pain that no one else will ever see

God of my healing

God of my strength

God who is always and will forever reign

God of my everything

God of my everything

And when the mountains shake

You are my God

You never change

And when the earth gives way

You are still God

You never change

God of my heart

God of my need

God of my pain that no one else will ever see

God of my healing

God of my strength

God who is always and will forever reign

God of my everything

God of my everything

God of my everything

God of my everything

Softened by the Rain

  Pitter, patter. Pitter, patter. As I write, I hear the faint sound of raindrops on our tin roof. I am hoping they increase and give us a nice, loooong, really wet rainshower.

 Last week we were becoming a bit concerned. Though we are supposedly in a wet season, it wasn't so evident. Our red dirt was dry and hard. Our thirsty plants appeared to be shriveling up, and our water tanks were also devoid of the wet stuff. Yes, we had some rain - but little showers were not enough to quench this thirsty land.

 Being a girl who hails from the Northwest, a place which hardly ever seems to lack rain, I never really thought I would be so desirous of those liquid drops.

 We prayed, and we asked our friends across the ocean to pray for rain. And, God heard. The other night - it rained, no, it poured. For about 45 minutes straight, God opened the storehouses of heaven and softened our soil, watered our plants and filled basins, jericans and our water tanks! Hooray! We were so happy!

 It is funny how dry, hot weather can make you so appreciative of rain!

 I personally feel as if I have been going through a "desert time." My spiritual life has become hard like our soil was, my faith has been shrinking up, and my tank of energy and vision is becoming empty. But, I am learning that God works in the desert times, as much, if not more, as in the times of rain and fruitfulness.

 And, just like He provided us with rain here on the island, He also knows how to bring refreshment in the spiritual desert.

 Last week by invitation, the Shepherd's Heart staff joined the area staff of YWAM (Youth With A Mission) at a beautiful YWAM base near Jinja. It was both YWAM and SHIM's weekly prayer day, and we joined forces to seek God over several topics. One issue that lay heavy on the hearts of both organizations and their members was a broken down YWAM base that at one time offered medical services to the people of the upper islands, but had been abandoned for a couple of years.

 We divided and conquered - listening to hear God's voice regarding the future of this base and SHIM's involvement in its restoration. It was a blessing to hear from those gathered that there was still hope for this once-forsaken place and it could be revived to once again provide vital services to people who desperately need them.

 After this time of waiting upon God, the entire SHIM team that was present was invited up front to be prayed for in regard to this opportunity and our overall ministry in the islands. My heart was softened by my tears as these precious people laid hands on and prayed for me and my SHIM family. I felt renewed, refreshed and restored - able to go on and serve as God had called me.

 God knows how to bring rain, especially in the desert.

 "We never know where God has hidden His streams. We see a large stone and have no idea that it covers the source of a spring. We see a rocky area and never imagine that it is hiding a fountain. God leads me into hard and difficult places, and it is there I realize I am where eternal streams abide."

- Streams in the Desert, pg. 262

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One Step at a Time...

  A Ugandan beauty

 Some encouragement from one of my favorite devotionals, "Streams in the Desert."

 "This is the blessed life - not anxious to see far down the road nor overly concerned about the next step, not eager to choose the path nor weighted down with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time.

 "God is in every tomorrow,

Therefore I live for today,

Certain of finding at sunrise,

Guidance and strength for my way;

Power for each moment of weakness,

Hope for each moment of pain,

Comfort for every sorrow,

Sunshine and joy after rain."

Source: "Streams in the Desert," pages 32-33.

Go Forward!

  It was so very good to be in a Ugandan church this morning!!  Today Amanda and I attended a nearby church neither of us had attended before, but one that was started by some Ugandan friends of ours just a little more than two months ago.

 I love the fact that the Ugandans love being in church and worshipping God. And they do it so enthusiastically, with much praising, clapping, greeting, dancing and jumping - how could you not be excited when in the presence of our awesome God?

 I just had to share, too about this morning's message as it was so very good. Both Margaret and Julius, the husband and wife who started the church, shared about moving forward - going forth into the new year and all that God has for us in it.

 Julius preached from Exodus when God led the Israelites out of Egypt. However, when they had their backs, in a sense, against the Red Sea, they cried out to God. And, He responded:

 "The Lord said to Moses, ' Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.'" (Exodus 14:15)

 Egypt was all that the Israelites had known. Although they had been in bondage, that had been their home for the last 400 years. But, God has something so much better for them. However, when they came to their first major obstacle, they doubted about the path ahead. But, God said to move forward - move forward and cross the Red Sea and go toward the Promised Land.

 In verses 13 and 14, God used Moses to assure the people.

 "And Moses said to the people, 'Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.'"

 Julius pointed out that there may be things in our past that our holding us back, choices, relationships, etc., but there is power in the blood of Christ to be freed from what is holding us back from moving forward.

 As I prayed, I realized that in myself I cannot loose my chains because I myself am bound. Therefore, I must rely totally on Christ to loose me from those things that are holding me back and keeping me from enjoying all that God has for me in the future.

 So, I am encouraging myself and you to move forward. Don't keep looking over your shoulder to the past - to what was or what might have been. But look forward in hope and expectancy for all that God has for you, and rely on His power to "part the Red Sea" and bring you into His "Promised Land."

 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:12-14

 Move forward!!

 Verse