So I don't have a mate...

Here I am in Amish Country down in good ole' Suger Creek Ohio. It is beautiful and later I'll post some pictures. Why am I in Amish Country one might as themselves...I am here for Ministers and Mates Retreat. Yes I am a minister but no I have no mate. It's been kind of a funny joke because people have asked why I decided to come out here with the rest of the pastor's on our district even though I don't have a mate. I have joked back with them and simply said.."I do have a mate..Jesus." At first this was kind of funny but then as I thought about it a little more...Jesus really is my mate. Or at least he should be. When I think of that word mate I think of someone whom is your first TRUE love. Well I can honestly say...that Jesus is my first TRUE love.

I have been doing the bible study "every single woman's battle." I love it! It has shown me so much. Sometimes it is hard being single but it is so nice...dateing Jesus. He is someone who will only tell you the truth, loves me no matter what, is patient, kind, loving, won't leave you nor forsake you and he is perfect! Wow! I think that I have the best man ever! Sorry ladies...he is taken!...ha ha

Goodnight from Amish Land!

At the beginning...

At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear...

This was at the bottom of a card that a friend made me...this is what the card said.

Fear or Faith

About midnight Pail and Silas were praying and singing to God as the other prisoners listened Acts 16:25

Great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation. It wasn't logic that caused Moses to raise his staff on the bank of the Red Sea.

It wasn't medical research that convinced Naaman to dip seven times in the river.

It wasn't common sense that caised Paul to abandon the Law and embrace grace.

And it wasn't a confident committee that prayed in a small room in Jerusalem for Peter's release from prison. It was a fearful, desperate, band of backed-into-a-corner believers. It was a church with no options. A congregation of have-nots pleading for help.

And never were they stronger.

AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY ACT OF FAITH, THERE IS OFTEN A SEED OF FEAR.

Many times in life we go through situations where we are fearful knowing that being fearful is a sin. Fear and worry is not of the Lord. So why are we fearful..is it okay and how do I get to the point of being fearless. Honestly I don't know if we ever will get to that point of being fearless...until we meet with our heavenly father. We often run into fear when we do a great act such as give money to the church knowing that money is not in your account...we are fearful that the check will bounce or that we will not be taken care of. Or what about those moments when we step out and become a mother or a father. This is a huge responsibility and thank you Jesus for that responsibility. But when we take on that role there is often that fear of not being good enough to raise a child..or the fear of not having enough money to provide. This is normal and common and above all we must remember to fear God more then any of these. He is all powerful and I praise him for his grace and blessings. I praise that in those moments of fear and desperation that he understands. Nothing that we go through in life will EVER compare to what he went through for our life. Thank you Jesus for filling me with the blood of the lamb. Thank you for making me white as snow and thank you for understanding me even when I am confusing (which is often).