An Issue of Faith

I had a photo shoot one morning last week at the rose gardens here in town, and, after I was finished, I decided to capture some of my favorite subjects while they were playing. A few of the results are shown throughout this post. ENJOY :)

I would like to share something that really convicted me tonight in church. Several of the brothers from our assembly just returned from a mission trip to Haiti. Our church supports the Haitian ministry, and, when their world was turned upside down after that horrific earthquake, the men in our church got there as soon as possible. They saw the real needs of the people: food, clothing, shelter. Basic needs of every human. Yet, the stories they came back & shared with us were not sob stories of terrible poverty & human suffering, but of a wonderful all-powerful FAITH! These people had lost EVERYTHING! Homes, clothing, and, in some cases, loved ones...gone. The ones which are affiliated with our church are living in a commune-style camp; several families per tent. Washing clothing in muddy water. Existing on beans & rice. And yet, our men were wakened every morning to the most beautiful sound of singing. As they soon discovered, the Haitian people were meeting at 5 a.m. to start their day with praise & song to their God! PRAISE!!! How contrary is that to our human mind?!? Doesn't it make more sense to grumble? How about that sackcloth & ashes? What about a good ol' pity party--everyone is invited?!?

Nope, nope, & nope!

Can you even imagine? Probably not.

That was soon after the earthquake.

Tonight, we heard about how things are going now.

Has that praise & faith abated as the situation has progressed? NO!!

A story was shared about a woman who had lost everything, including her husband in the 'quake. Her pastor said that she REFUSED to grieve over her husband! She said that, if this was God's will for her life, she wouldn't grieve over it, she would just trust Him! BAM!! Right between the eyes! A real sucker-punch! I mean, I whine when my air conditioning isn't cooling below 78 (it is 110 degrees in Haiti & NO air conditioning)! God really touched my pity-partying, mully-grubbing, whiney-baby heart with this story. I felt so....petty. So...small. God, I....am.....? What? What do you say when you are just slammed with the reality of your gross humanity? I'm sorry? hmmm...seems....small.



Oh, there were many more stories of amazing faith & trust in God by these people who have nothing- really, less than nothing. Each one more convicting than the last.



One brother read from Hebrews 11...what my Bible has titled "The Honor Roll of the Faithful". Wow...you should read it! If your faith needs a boost, this is the passage for you.

After he read these words, with emphasis on FAITH, the Spirit truly gave witness to the fact that we, as a people, need to step up in this area. NOW!

I feel my need, dear Lord, of a closer walk with you...if I ever make it through. After this race is run, don't let it be in vain! Take my hand, dear Lord, help me the victory gain!

Oh, yes, Lord...help me, for I am too weak in myself!

"I believe, help thou my unbelief!" I truly want to serve God in such a way that, no matter my circumstances, I know that He is holding me in the palm of His hand, and I am right where He wants me.

"Not my will, but thine be done!" Can I say these words today?

no

My eyes have been realigned. I can see more of me, and, as usual, it's not as pretty as I thought. Ugh. If I am getting tired of the ugliness of me, I can only imagine how God feels. Well, no, I can't because as a human, all I can think is human thoughts. My impression is that God is sitting up there in the great beyond shaking his glorious head at my pitiful attempts, maybe chuckling at my vanity. Then, getting annoyed, and, maybe even angry. It is nearly impossible to imagine that He is sorrowed by my humanity, and that He loves me to a degree that I cannot even fathom.

It's a new day.

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

Yes, I believe I will.