a mighty fortress

inspiration: fortress, stronghold, refuge

about a week ago, i felt the Lord speaking to me through words like "fortress" and "stronghold" and "refuge".
ive been going through Scripture and finding where these words are used. so far, i've come up with 13 verses (and i'm still searching) that have really given me strength.

fortress

• a military stronghold
• a heavily protected and impenetrable building

stronghold

• a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack
• a place were a particular cause or belief is strongly defended or upheld

refuge

• a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble
• something providing such shelter

trial by fire.

inspiration: refined like silver

so update.
i'm leaving for Kenya in ONE MONTH!! so excited.
i still need to raise $700ish (our costs went up).
if you'd like to donate, go to http://www.seacoa.st/thewellkenya, select Pay as Guest and choose my name.

but in other news, i've been held to the fire, lately.
http://www.clarion-call.org/extras/malachi.htm

power to the weak.

inspiration: standing on the promises of God

He gives power to the weak 

and strength to the powerless. 

Even youths will become weak and tired, 

and young men will fall in exhaustion.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. 

They will soar high on wings like eagles. 

They will run and not grow weary. 

They will walk and not faint. 

-Isaiah 40:29-31

it's been a long couple of weeks.
but i am standing firm on the promises of God.

i pray daily for wisdom
and strength
and to be a light to those around me.

i pray for guidance
and to lead well
and to humble myself.

i know that God has a plan and purpose for the trials i'm going through.
he is holding me to the fire and refining me for his glory.

For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver. -Psalm 66:10

what promise are you clinging to today?

experiencing provision.

inspiration: the affirmation of God's call for me.

preparing for Kenya has been an up-and-down journey.
these last few weeks have been especially roller-coaster-ish.

i knew that God had called me to go this year. a couple years ago, the seed was planted. it wasn't ready to be harvested last year, but at the beginning of this year while i was doing the daniel fast, it was confirmed that i would be going this year.

but i didn't know how.

adventure to africa.

inspiration: I'm going to Kenya this summer!

i love mission trips.
they provide us true experiences to live out the Gospel, love others, and serve the Kingdom.
and guess what, we're commanded to do just that in the Great Commission.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28:16-20

what the Great Commission looks like for each us is different.