A Little Update!

     Hello everybody!  Well I thought it was about time I give you all an update on my life and what is going on here at home in Canada.  When I first got home was when I was told I was suffering from several infections in my kidney's and liver as well as having issue's with my heart, thyroid etc.  It was challenging beginning medication for each individual issue knowing that we most likely were only treating the symptoms and not the root issue.  Well praise be to God the Lord gave my mom a very vivid dream in which she believed was the answer to my root issue.  I was skeptical and allowed her to do the talking but it turns out her possible diagnoses was worth a shot!  I started on medication for a whole new diagnoses.  I already am feeling much much better!  They say it will take up to two years for my body to start acting like a total 20 year old again (by that time 22 :) and I will have to be on and off strong medication for this length of time but I am fully willing to do that if it means getting to the bottom of this!  Thank you Jesus!!!
     However because of these medical issues I could not continue on with my dream of beginning ACTS school this summer.  It's been hard to accept this; well maybe hard is an understatement!  There is not a day that  goes past without my mind and prayers wandering to the injustices and unreached people on the other side of this earth we are on.  I don't understand why God would place somebody who loves the nations so much in a 1st world country.  But I trust Him; His ways are not my ways.  I do not live to gratify my own desires but rather to glorify Him.  It is not my will that I desire but His.  If He is more glorified through me while my feet are in Canada then I will stay here for the rest of my life.
     On the up side I am heading back down to Kansas City mid August!  I am currently doing full time correspondents with IHOPU (International House of Prayer University).  This way upon my arrival back in KC I can enter as a Sophomore instead of a Freshman.  I've been hesitant to let myself get excited for this next step seeing as I'm leaving behind much more then my eyes can see ahead but God is good and I know that He has plans to prosper me and not harm me for this next year!
     Now let's move on to the interesting stuff!  Lately the Lord has been opening my eyes to the truth that the same thing that brought us into salvation is what completes our transformation.  Now if you have ever shared the faith or even if you think back to your own salvation story what did it entail?  Now I'm guessing none of you are sitting there saying it was your own deep self reflection that brought you to your knees in repentance and acceptance of God's love for you.  Rather it was you beholding Him; looking upon His life and His love.  Looking at the biblical meaning of "the gospel" we see it being the story of Jesus from beginning to end.  Starting in Genesis with creation, following the Israelites and there 5 star drama, onto God's Word becoming flesh in the form of Jesus, Him dying on the cross.  Then we move onto His resurrection and finally my favourite part; Him returning to this earth to rule and reign forever.  That's a lot of looking at God!  If you stop and let your imagination wander on each of these "stories" allowing them to become reality within your mind you should become absolutely fascinated!  I think we can all agree by now that looking upon Him is what brought you to be saved.  Now what brings us from "glory to glory"?  What is it that transforms us to such a depth and degree that when Jesus shows us off before God He is not ashamed of us but rather counts us worthy to reign along side His Son?  I truly believe it's the same thing!  We must not loose the way of when we were first saved but rather return to it each and every day.  I find most of us (including myself) are guilty time and time again or taking our times of bible study and making them into times of navel gazing, bargaining and begging instead of times of beholding, adoring and worshiping.  We come before God and all we think of is how we have fallen short.  We look at ourselves and are so disgusted with our sin, rebellion and pride.  Therefore in our times before Him we try to convince Him to be proud of us, we beg Him to see a little beauty inside.  Or maybe we bargain; letting God know that because we only spent 15 minutes with Him today; tomorrow we promise to spend two hours.  Beloved it's time to return to the things that caused you to first fall in love with your King.  Look upon Him!  Gaze upon His beauty and be reassured that His love is far beyond your weakness.  In fact it's in your weakness that He is glorified the most!  Boast in your weaknesses and do not hide behind them. Come boldly before His throne, confess your sin, press delete and look at Him!  He is what matters!  He is what transforms us!
     Once again if any of you would like to get together and chat over a coffee I would be more than happy to do so!  I am heading back to Kansas City mid August so I am available for another two months...ish.  I hope you have a blessed week seek His face!