"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Eph. 3:20-21
Looking back over the past 7 months since I came to Michigan. I have found this passage to be dripping with truth! (Or should I say "abundantly dripping?") To say it's an adventure may be putting it lightly. Let me add an adjective... let's call it a WONDERFUL adventure! :) (I'd call it "A Wonderful Life," but that's already been taken)
The idea of leaving a possible career path or job to go into a ministry where your income and every need is totally dependent on God alone may seem "daunting" or "crazy!" to some. At times it may seem like that, but I must say that living by faith in God alone for every need is amazing in so many ways! Not only have I seen God provide in some amazing ways, but through it I've grown closer in my relationship with the Lord. I remember growing up and reading biographies of men and women who served the Lord. They lived a life of faith and told stories of God's providing safety circumstances beyond their control, or of God's providing finances in the nick of time. I remember thinking "I would like to live like that, but possibility or probability of ME doing it? ...hmm, maybe not."
Ever since God's calling of me to the ministry, I too have seem Him work in similar ways in my own life! And all I can say is To God be the glory, great things He has done! At times of His provision I turn back to the verse mentioned above and thank God for not only providing, but providing in ways beyond what I've asked or in ways I can't even think of! God is so faithful and I echo the words of Paul in 1 Timothy 1:12 thanking God for enabling me and counting me faithful putting me into the ministry! This is by nothing I have done, but all by the grace of my Lord and Saviour. All praise be to His name!
Along with teaching me about a life of faith and trust, the Lord has been stretching me a lot. One of these ways is in giving me a class to teach! I know I've enjoyed teaching kids at Awana back home in Wichita, KS, but in a adult Bible school setting? Let's just say there was a lot of shaking going on in MY boots! The class is on Biblical discipleship, the terms, cost and rewards of being a disciple of Christ. One thing I love about teaching is that I learn so much at the same time and often the subject of the day was an area the Lord has been working with me on in my own life. To make a long story short I discovered I really enjoy teaching! But I also feel I have a lot to learn about teaching too! :D
Moving from Kansas to Michigan was a big change for me, not just because I'm 1,000 miles away from home, but because the climate is a bit different from what I'm used to! I have come to appreciate hot summer days so much more too! It has been really cold and snowed quite a bit this winter here in Michigan. Some have told me this is nothing really compared to some past winters! (I gain a layer of clothing just thinking about it!)
One thing that's inevitable with lots of snow is the arising of many snowmen/women. One night after getting home from a later night at the school, I pull into the parking lot outside my apartment to discover there in my headlights a monstrosity of a snow...thing! His base was about 3-4 feet in diameter and his whole being reached maybe 8 feet into the air! He had a necktie around his neck and pine branches poking out all over his "hairy" head. A carrot he had for a nose, and was looking pretty cooool with his sunglasses. To top it all he had gloves on his hands and there in one "hand" a booklet that read "May I ask you a question?" Yes, a gospel preaching snowman! With that I knew my neighbors (and students at TEPSE) had either some extra energy, or too much time on their hands (or both)! I chuckled as I went inside and readied myself for bed. Sleep came quickly, but I arose at one time in the middle of the night and was startled at the figure in the window of my apartment! I quickly remembered Goliath the Gospel preaching snowman outside and realized then just how close they had created this snowevangelist in conjunction to my bedroom window! With the nice parking lot lighting that shown through my window it cast a nice (large) shadow on my bedroom wall! I quickly realized I had nothing to fear as far as intruders go because they would either see this snowman and run, or would read the tract, be saved, and well... not rob me.
Although it was a cold winter, the sunshine has poked through the clouds the last few days and warmed things up a bit making me much appreciate the sun and thinking about Heaven where we will have no need of the sun because the light of THE SON!
There's so many stories to tell, so much that has happened since my coming to Michigan and much happening each day, but time is getting late and another big day is ahead of me tomorrow as I grade papers and prepare for the graduation of our students and the trips immediately following of which I will further expound on in a future post, so stay tuned!
Because He Lives! - Tim
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