Hi friends! 

I am going to Oaxaca, Mexico from March 30 - April 6, 2012 to work with the Hadingers. (check out their website -- hadinger.wordpress.com) 

Currently, our plan plan is to be working with 3 churches in the Puerto Escondido (area of Oaxaca), construction, ministry outreach, and painting at a nearby orphanage. 

I need to raise $1500 by the beginning of March. If you could provide through prayers, donations, or both that would be fantastic! If you would like to donate, please use the button below.

Thank you SO much in advance for all your prayers and donations!!! I am soooo excited to go! :)

Above is a picture of the trip we will be making! (we will be flying)

but, God...

people might fail you,

job(s) might not come through,

dreams might never come on your timing,

& money will never satisfy you.

but, 

God will never fail you. [Isaiah 40:28]

God always comes through. [Matthew 6:28-30]

God has the perfect timing. [Jeremiah 29:11]

& God will always satisfy you. [Philippians 4:11-13]

"Why can't you trust Me?"

As I was preparing for worship last Sunday, I was talking with God and was asking for a word to apply for myself and others. I then came across this:

Luke 8:22-25 (MSG)

  One day He (Jesus) and His disciples got in a boat. "Let's cross the lake," He said. And off they went. It  was smooth sailing, and He fell asleep. A terrific storm came up suddenly on the lake. Water poured in,  and they were about to capsize. They woke Jesus: "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

    Getting to His feet, He told the wind, "Silence!" and the waves, "Quiet down!" They did it. The lake  became smooth as glass. Then He said to His disciples, "Why can't you trust Me?"

    They were in absolute awe, staggered and stammering, "Who is this, anyway? He calls out to the winds  and sea, and they do what He tells them!"

It's amazing how we think our walk with God will always be "smooth sailing." Jesus simply says, "let's cross the lake," and then falls asleep in the boat while the rest of the guys (the disciples) are playing marbles or something.. I'm not quite sure.. and then BAM! A storm comes out of nowhere and they immediately freak out. Frantically, they run to Jesus and He calms the storm. The first words He says to the disciples is, "Why can't you trust Me?" 

"Why can't you trust Me?" Wow. Those were the words that hit me the most when I read that passage. Currently, in life, things aren't planning out the way I had intended (imagine that!) and in some ways, ok, a lot of ways, I'm getting a bit frustrated and/or worried that God has somehow forgetten where I am. (Which I know He hasn't, this isn't the main point. I'm just being real here)

You, me, they, he, she, we, them, all of us are on the journey with Jesus, and everything was smooth sailing when you came to know Christ until you get hit with a "storm."

- an unknown bill comes up

- you're car breaks down

- you're living from paycheck to paycheck

- friends move away while you're still in your hometown

- someone close in your life passed away

- you lose your job

- you're overwhelmed with your job

- you're too stressed out because of this or that

- you didn't get the job you wanted

- you didn't get the promotion you deserve

- family problems

- relationship problems

- YOU FILL IN THE BLANK

and then God comes to you and says, "Why can't you trust Me?" 

God knows what is best for us. So why do we always think the "storms of life" is a bad thing? I'm not saying that going through a "storm" is an easy thing, but why is the first few things to think of is that God left us, or He is mad at us? Or even the questions of "What did I do wrong?", "I don't deserve this!!" or "God, did you forget about me?"

Psalm 94:14-19 (MSG) says: 

"God will never walk away from His people, never desert His precious people. Rest assured that justice is on its way and every good heart put right. Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers? If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," Your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, You calmed me down and cheered me up." 

God has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us; He will be with us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:5&9)

Something that I really believe God has given me was this:

"God, I don't understand; but, I understand to trust in You."

You don't need to understand everything.

Let me repeat that: YOU DON'T NEED TO UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING.

What you need to understand is to trust in God.

Trust in His timing.

Trust in His love.

Trust in His grace.

Trust in His doing.

Trust in His leading.

Trust in HIM.

He created you.

He loves you.

And He know's what is best for you. 

so, why can't you trust in Him?

but that's the great thing

i was made for a greater purpose.

and so were you.

maybe you don't know Him,

and maybe you do.

are you living by His will, 

or your own?

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,  in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. (Colossians 2:2-4NIV)

don't know what i'm talking about, or struggling with this?

shoot me a message and we can go grab some coffee.

i don't know everything,

but that's the great thing,

we are all in this together.

-lindsay

ear plugs.

about a couple months or so ago, our neighbor's house caught on fire at 4am. Since we were next door, we had to evacuate our home.

at 4am.

that night i decided to wear ear plugs. so while everyone in my house heard the loud knocking on the door and began to run around trying to gather things, i was asleep, not being able to hear anything. (A+ to the people who made the ear plugs!) i finally was awakened by someone, and when i opened my eyes, my room was glowing with orange. then i began to gather things in case something had happened to our home. i ended up forgetting my phone, which isn't a first, but that isn't really the focus i'm going for right now.

ear plugs. it's crazy out of all nights, that night was the night that i decided to try them out and to see how peaceful i could sleep, and then, that all happens. but once all the chaos was over, i realized i could get a lesson out of this. my own neighbor, who i barely even know, has been through a lot.. and still is. and in my own way, had put "ear plugs" in not reaching out to her. and then one day, that glowing, bright orange, fire takes away everything she had ever owned, gone.

sad enough to say, it's how some of us are with "sinners", "non-believers", or however you label others. instead of helping them out, telling them about the love of God, or even trying to show that love to them because of their looks, financial disabilities, etc. just because you and i are just too darn stubborn, prideful, or scared because, "they might look at me funny" or "they will curse me out".

check out Matthew 25. 

Matthew 5:43-48

"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

So in the words from above, "In a word, what I'm saying is, "GROW UP. You're Kingdom subjects. Now live like it."

Take out the ear plugs, and listen to the cries of the broken and lost world.

make or break any situation

Snow can really teach you a lot of things, in many different ways. Now, adding ice to the snow just up's the lesson(s) a bit more. I'll give you two scenarios:

#1 a person see's the snow and ice all over the cars, back porch, steps, and sidewalk. The first reaction; why hasn't anyone done this yet?! I'll have to do it myself because obviously no one else is going to do it. Everyone else is just having the pleasure of sitting around while i am going to be outside in the cold weather, shoveling a million inches of snow and ice. Awesome. And while this person shovels and chips away the ice - complaining and mumbling like no other.

#2 a person see's the snow and ice all over the cars, back porch, steps, and sidewalk. The first reaction; holy moly that is a lot of snow. I should clean it up so no one will slip and fall on the ice. Yeah, maybe i wish someone else would do it, but i'm just sitting here.. why not do it myself? And while this person shovels and chips away the ice - not complaining and mumbling.

Looking at these two situations - who did the best job?

If you haven't guessed it, scenario #2. Both did the same job, but with attitude choosing, #1, wasn't the best of ways to approach the situation. Our attitude can either make or break any situation. Instead of complaining about a situation, do something about it! It's not always the easiest to choose the right kind of attitude - but why waste your life always being mad and fighting against everyone and everything?

You might be doing something like these scenarios, but God looks at the heart of everything you do - your job, how you treat people, your devotional life, how you spend your time, how you use your money, your worship, etc. Are you just doing something to get credit or to get a pat on the back? Be careful when it comes to that.

Choose the right attitude, even when it's not the easiest route to take - in the end, it'll be worth it. I know i'm working on the same, and it's definitely not the easiest. However, i know that if i want to become more like Christ, i need to get rid of my attitude and chose to have a better one like Jesus did.

Just something to think about.

10.20.10 12:57am

sometimes, i find it hard to sit down and actually right out what i'm thinking.

i'll be thinking about it so much that i feel so inspired to write. but when i come to actually right it out, or even speak it out. no words come to mind.

that's sometimes when i think or talk about God. no words even express or compare to the majesty that He holds. I could express so much about Him - His mercy, grace, love, compassion... i mean yeah those are some great words. but it's all just a bunch of mush when it comes to describe God.

some might know what i'm actually talking about. and some, might not.

i encourage you to get into God's word. because His word is forever stuff.

That's one of the great things about God. His words never change. He never backs out to what He promises. I know that one of His promises is "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." (joshua1:5) is one that i've held on to for years. and He's still keeping to His promise. even in the most darkest, loneliness of times of my life - God was still there.

I know that I have encouraged many of the youth @ Crux to really get into the devotional time. When it comes to devotions i really think we make it harder than we really think it is. it's really about spending time with God. and spending 3 hours doesn't make any person better than the person who spends 10 mins with God. it's all about the heart of the person. and if they are truly seeking after God. So if you're having a rough, lonely, empty, dark time in your life or even if you're on top of the world in your life, i encourage you to do devotions and stick close to God. Even if you are doing devo's now, awesome! i just hope it doesn't become a routine like some make it out to be.

God just wants to hear from you and talk to you. it's as simple as that.