Thursday Morning:
The last few days I've had symptoms of a cold, but I've ignored them. It thought it was something small and that it would go away. I was wrong. I woke up this morning feeling miserable. I debated staying home, and concluded on praying about it. Every time I prayed, I heard God speak the words that He spoke to me this past weekend, "Rest." I was like, "yes I know I should rest, but should I stay home or not today. It would be a bad day to stay home from church. I have aftercare and during the 4 hours of Kindergarten assistance we happen to have 6 more kids visiting the class. But I felt God saying that he wanted me to stay home and rest. I thought, okay, well this will give me time to catch up on reading my SLI book and updating my blog - which I am really behind on where I would like to be. Plus it will give me an extended time with God today.
Well these thoughts quickly disappeared when I remembered that last night I had decided to leave my bible, book and laptop at church to prevent any distractions going to bed last night. drat. Well, ... hmm ... this put a little hiccup in my plan. In the end, I drove to church at a little after 7:00am and retrieved my book, bible and laptop and returned home. When I got home, I went straight to bed (around 7:40-7:50am). When I woke up I figured that it was late morning, but I had a good sleep. I rolled over and looked at the time and WOW, it was 2:40pm. I got some good rest, praise God!
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Trust - Words From God
Wednesday night: Life Groups (Week #1); How to Find your Miracle:
During Life Groups, I was taking notes and I noticed as Dot (on of the teachers) was reading John 5:30, an underlined area (that I had underlined long ago), "...I do nothing without consulting the Father." That section just slammed min really hard and went back to the verse, "pray about everything." God was just telling me that I need to talk to Him about Everything.
Then I felt the Holy Spirit pressing on me that I am fearing something. So I cried out, "Lord what am I fearing?" He replied that I am fearing by belief of inability to tell between His voice and my head. That is so true and I was in tears. I had never thought about that as a fear before. But God put it into words for me, thank you Lord! He told me that if I listen I will know His voice. If I dig intoHim, If I read His word, I fi seek Him, He will teach me His voice. The more time I spend with Him, I will learn to know His voice better.
Bryan (another leader) came over and talked to me (and blessed me by bringing over a box of Kleenexes) and prayed with me. His words were from God. God spoke to me that His words are true. That truth is pouring into me. I need to dwell in the truth.
Through Bryan, God also spoke, I am a child of God. He will teach me and speak with me. The lies in me are flow ing out and God's truth is flowing in. He is speaking to me.
As I was leaving church, I decided to leave everything at church so that I wouldn't have any distractions of going to bed when I got home. But I felt God trying to say something to me. I sat out in my car for a while and finally realized that God wanted to speak to me but knew that I would forget it if I didn't write it down. He wanted me to go back into my office in the church and grab my notebook. So I did.
On my drive home from church, I really had a strong feeling that God wanted to speak to me. So I din't put any music on and I just prayed and reflected on the evenings events. He told me what turns to make, taking me a different way home. At one point he had me turn onto a road which would lead me to a gravel/dirt road. I reminded Him that I don't like, nor do I feel comfortable, driving on gravel/dirt roads at night. He responded with, "I want you to do it so you will know that there will be things that you don't wan to do, things that feel unsafe, but I tell you to do." He is with me and has a plan.
As I was doing it, I thought to myself, "I'll just drive slow, God didn't say I had to go full speed, I don't have to go 80." God heard my thoughts and said to me, "I want you to drive 80 on the gravel road." At one point, He told me to let go of the wheel and let Him drive (while driving 80 on a gravel road at night). Every time I did let go, the car would go towards the ditch and I would reach out and grab the wheel again. Further down the road, I was able to let go for a bit longer, but God said, "You slowed down..."
All this to tell/show me the true depth of my trust in Him. . .
During Life Groups, I was taking notes and I noticed as Dot (on of the teachers) was reading John 5:30, an underlined area (that I had underlined long ago), "...I do nothing without consulting the Father." That section just slammed min really hard and went back to the verse, "pray about everything." God was just telling me that I need to talk to Him about Everything.
Then I felt the Holy Spirit pressing on me that I am fearing something. So I cried out, "Lord what am I fearing?" He replied that I am fearing by belief of inability to tell between His voice and my head. That is so true and I was in tears. I had never thought about that as a fear before. But God put it into words for me, thank you Lord! He told me that if I listen I will know His voice. If I dig intoHim, If I read His word, I fi seek Him, He will teach me His voice. The more time I spend with Him, I will learn to know His voice better.
Bryan (another leader) came over and talked to me (and blessed me by bringing over a box of Kleenexes) and prayed with me. His words were from God. God spoke to me that His words are true. That truth is pouring into me. I need to dwell in the truth.
Through Bryan, God also spoke, I am a child of God. He will teach me and speak with me. The lies in me are flow ing out and God's truth is flowing in. He is speaking to me.
As I was leaving church, I decided to leave everything at church so that I wouldn't have any distractions of going to bed when I got home. But I felt God trying to say something to me. I sat out in my car for a while and finally realized that God wanted to speak to me but knew that I would forget it if I didn't write it down. He wanted me to go back into my office in the church and grab my notebook. So I did.
On my drive home from church, I really had a strong feeling that God wanted to speak to me. So I din't put any music on and I just prayed and reflected on the evenings events. He told me what turns to make, taking me a different way home. At one point he had me turn onto a road which would lead me to a gravel/dirt road. I reminded Him that I don't like, nor do I feel comfortable, driving on gravel/dirt roads at night. He responded with, "I want you to do it so you will know that there will be things that you don't wan to do, things that feel unsafe, but I tell you to do." He is with me and has a plan.
As I was doing it, I thought to myself, "I'll just drive slow, God didn't say I had to go full speed, I don't have to go 80." God heard my thoughts and said to me, "I want you to drive 80 on the gravel road." At one point, He told me to let go of the wheel and let Him drive (while driving 80 on a gravel road at night). Every time I did let go, the car would go towards the ditch and I would reach out and grab the wheel again. Further down the road, I was able to let go for a bit longer, but God said, "You slowed down..."
All this to tell/show me the true depth of my trust in Him. . .
God's Words to my Life
Saturday afternoon; Encounter:
During a breakout session of quite time with God (60 minutes) I wasn't awake the whole time. During my sleep, God gave me a vision of something like an analogy or something. He showed me a kids puzzle of shapes. He said, "don't put the circle where the square goes and don't put the square where the circle goes. If they would fit in that slot they would have to be forced and they would only be temporary fro that is not where they were intended to be. Once they are in the right place they will be permanent and solid, for that is where they were intended to be."
I had no idea what this was suppose to mean. After this period of time alone with God, was a time of prayer and worship. I finally felt God prompting me to go ask one of the facilitators to pray over me that I may know what this means. So I did. As the facilitator's were praying, God told me that the puzzle pieces were gifts I have that He is yet to show me. But I am not to get them mixed up with Gifts I think I have now.
God has a plan for me. He has a great things in store for my life and here within the house (Koinonia; God's church).
During the time I was balling my eyes out from the words that God was speaking to me while the facilitators were praying over me, God gave a word to one of the facilitators and he spoke it to me, though he did say that he doesn't know what is going on in my life, nor what I am going through, but he felt God telling him to tell me this: "Rest! There are things you have been praying about. God says that He will work and is working. He will do them, show them, reveal them in His own timing. You can wait and rest! Rest!"
This really hit me hard, for there have been a number of things that this spoke right into. One being my visa. Canada has told me that I am not eligible to apply for an application right now, and that has really got me worried deep down. But the words that God spoke to me reminded me of words He spoke to me months ago, "Wait, for I am with you. I will protect and provide. Wait." God is soo Good!
Another facilitator felt that God was speaking to him other words I need to hear. He told me that when I pray for wisdom (which I do so, oh so often) I should hold my hands out together, like in a bowl, so that God may pour His wisdom into my bowl.
He also spoke to me concerning what He had told me the previous night. About what I still needed to let go of in my heart. He said, "Joshua, give me the wheel (of your heart/life). I don't want to be the passenger give you directions. I want to drive. Give me the wheel."
During a breakout session of quite time with God (60 minutes) I wasn't awake the whole time. During my sleep, God gave me a vision of something like an analogy or something. He showed me a kids puzzle of shapes. He said, "don't put the circle where the square goes and don't put the square where the circle goes. If they would fit in that slot they would have to be forced and they would only be temporary fro that is not where they were intended to be. Once they are in the right place they will be permanent and solid, for that is where they were intended to be."
I had no idea what this was suppose to mean. After this period of time alone with God, was a time of prayer and worship. I finally felt God prompting me to go ask one of the facilitators to pray over me that I may know what this means. So I did. As the facilitator's were praying, God told me that the puzzle pieces were gifts I have that He is yet to show me. But I am not to get them mixed up with Gifts I think I have now.
God has a plan for me. He has a great things in store for my life and here within the house (Koinonia; God's church).
During the time I was balling my eyes out from the words that God was speaking to me while the facilitators were praying over me, God gave a word to one of the facilitators and he spoke it to me, though he did say that he doesn't know what is going on in my life, nor what I am going through, but he felt God telling him to tell me this: "Rest! There are things you have been praying about. God says that He will work and is working. He will do them, show them, reveal them in His own timing. You can wait and rest! Rest!"
This really hit me hard, for there have been a number of things that this spoke right into. One being my visa. Canada has told me that I am not eligible to apply for an application right now, and that has really got me worried deep down. But the words that God spoke to me reminded me of words He spoke to me months ago, "Wait, for I am with you. I will protect and provide. Wait." God is soo Good!
Another facilitator felt that God was speaking to him other words I need to hear. He told me that when I pray for wisdom (which I do so, oh so often) I should hold my hands out together, like in a bowl, so that God may pour His wisdom into my bowl.
He also spoke to me concerning what He had told me the previous night. About what I still needed to let go of in my heart. He said, "Joshua, give me the wheel (of your heart/life). I don't want to be the passenger give you directions. I want to drive. Give me the wheel."
Encounter with God
Friday night; Encounter:
As I was worshiping I felt and extreme excitement and (un-natural) energy for worship. God spoke to me there. There was a line in one of the songs:
What can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart oh God
Completely to you
Those last two lines really struck me. I had my hands on my heart during this song - gripped quite tightly. The first time we hit this verse, at those last two lines, I started to remove my hands from my heart in showing and representing that I'm offering my heart completely to God. However, what surprised me was I stopped my hands, in saying to God, 'I want my heart.' God really challenged me through this and really worked with me. Finally I released my hands from my heart crying out to God, "Take my heart". But I still felt Him saying, "release your heart fully to me." I tried everything that I knew how to give it to him, but nothing seemed to work.
At one time I couldn't stand and I fell to my knees and worshiped, cried out, praised and prayed. God helped me, at that point, open my heart to Him more and He told me that is what he'll be doing this weekend. When I fell to my knees, I could not stop breathing deeply - which made me light headed. I felt faint, and that I was exhaling my selfish life and my heart to God and breathing in His life.
(The worship session had ended and everyone was back in there seats at this point, but I felt that God was still speaking to me so I stayed were I was on the floor, next to my seat and off to the side).
The position I was sitting in, on my knees and feet, it made my feet start to fall asleep (a not too comfortable feeling in this position), but I felt I needed to stay in my position, so I did. My hands dangled at my side, shaking, circling and out of my control. At one point my hands, tingly and lack of feeling (in the realm of touch), were pulled backwards strongly. So I let them go until God spoke to me saying, regarding my path ahead of me as a pastor, "you may feel like you are being pulled backwards but you will walk forwards." Then He twisted my hands and pulled them closer together behind me, saying, "and you may feel that your hands are tied/trapped and caught, but you will continue building my church."
Then I was pulled downward and He said, "you may fall, but you will get up." And I suddenly felt my laniard became really heavy around my neck and He said, "Things will pull you down, but I will hold you up." I felt lots of pain in my feet and he said, "life will have lots of pain, but keep going for I am with you and will protect you." I couldn't move my feet nor my legs and he said, "you may feel you cannot move, but you will move, you will go forward." "you may feel alone, but I am with you." "You will never be alone." As I was being pulled further downward, I tried to hold myself up with my arms, but God said, "Don't. Let go. I will hold you up, trust me." "My love is sufficient."
I felt pain in my feet like crazy from my body weight cutting off the blood circulation, and and I started to move, to shift positions to get blood flowing again, but God said, "Don't." He told me to only move when He says to. I may be in a position or situation where I know if I shift positions or move I will have less pain, but I AM TO WAIT! God will tell me when I can move. If I do it in my own time, it will be worse. God's got a plan and he will help me and heal me - IN HIS OWN TIMING! He will give me courage and strength.
After a long time when I finally fell to my side (for I couldn't move my legs or feet), I realized that it was about 40 minutes before I could move my legs and feet again. There was lots of pain too as the blood flowed back into that part of my body again. (As with almost every time the Holy Spirt takes me over like this, my feet become unearthly heavy afterwards for a period of time).
As I was worshiping I felt and extreme excitement and (un-natural) energy for worship. God spoke to me there. There was a line in one of the songs:
What can I say
What can I do
But offer this heart oh God
Completely to you
Those last two lines really struck me. I had my hands on my heart during this song - gripped quite tightly. The first time we hit this verse, at those last two lines, I started to remove my hands from my heart in showing and representing that I'm offering my heart completely to God. However, what surprised me was I stopped my hands, in saying to God, 'I want my heart.' God really challenged me through this and really worked with me. Finally I released my hands from my heart crying out to God, "Take my heart". But I still felt Him saying, "release your heart fully to me." I tried everything that I knew how to give it to him, but nothing seemed to work.
At one time I couldn't stand and I fell to my knees and worshiped, cried out, praised and prayed. God helped me, at that point, open my heart to Him more and He told me that is what he'll be doing this weekend. When I fell to my knees, I could not stop breathing deeply - which made me light headed. I felt faint, and that I was exhaling my selfish life and my heart to God and breathing in His life.
(The worship session had ended and everyone was back in there seats at this point, but I felt that God was still speaking to me so I stayed were I was on the floor, next to my seat and off to the side).
The position I was sitting in, on my knees and feet, it made my feet start to fall asleep (a not too comfortable feeling in this position), but I felt I needed to stay in my position, so I did. My hands dangled at my side, shaking, circling and out of my control. At one point my hands, tingly and lack of feeling (in the realm of touch), were pulled backwards strongly. So I let them go until God spoke to me saying, regarding my path ahead of me as a pastor, "you may feel like you are being pulled backwards but you will walk forwards." Then He twisted my hands and pulled them closer together behind me, saying, "and you may feel that your hands are tied/trapped and caught, but you will continue building my church."
Then I was pulled downward and He said, "you may fall, but you will get up." And I suddenly felt my laniard became really heavy around my neck and He said, "Things will pull you down, but I will hold you up." I felt lots of pain in my feet and he said, "life will have lots of pain, but keep going for I am with you and will protect you." I couldn't move my feet nor my legs and he said, "you may feel you cannot move, but you will move, you will go forward." "you may feel alone, but I am with you." "You will never be alone." As I was being pulled further downward, I tried to hold myself up with my arms, but God said, "Don't. Let go. I will hold you up, trust me." "My love is sufficient."
I felt pain in my feet like crazy from my body weight cutting off the blood circulation, and and I started to move, to shift positions to get blood flowing again, but God said, "Don't." He told me to only move when He says to. I may be in a position or situation where I know if I shift positions or move I will have less pain, but I AM TO WAIT! God will tell me when I can move. If I do it in my own time, it will be worse. God's got a plan and he will help me and heal me - IN HIS OWN TIMING! He will give me courage and strength.
After a long time when I finally fell to my side (for I couldn't move my legs or feet), I realized that it was about 40 minutes before I could move my legs and feet again. There was lots of pain too as the blood flowed back into that part of my body again. (As with almost every time the Holy Spirt takes me over like this, my feet become unearthly heavy afterwards for a period of time).
Encounter
This past weekend I attended Encounter at Koinonia. Encounter is a time Friday evening and All day Saturday at the church set aside to Encounter God. You sit under powerful teachings, in environments that tune your heart to hear God and Spirit-moving Worship services and Prayer Times. The next few posts will consist of some of the powerful notes God has spoken to me through this weekend experience.
The funny thing is I wasn't planning on attending Encounter. Not only that, I didn't realize that it was last weekend. I had thought it was a month or so from now, when all of a sudden all last week, people are talking about Encounter and I found out that it was last weekend. I figured, yes I would like to go to it, but it's kinda late and I can't really afford it. It was $40, and I didn't have room for that in my budget. Come Wednesday, less than 2 day prior to the event, I got an email sent out to all church staff informing us that registration for Encounter will now be open until Thursday night.
While doing Dishes Wednesday night, I was hit with a thought, "ask God". So I did. I asked God if I should go to Encounter. He immediately responded with an, "Absolutely." The way He said it was as if he were saying, 'why would you not go? I will be there, you will experience me, why not. Am I not wort more than all your money?' So right after dishes, I went and signed up online. I figured I could due without a month or two of something else in my budget to experience God in a deeper way.
As I was driving home Friday night, one of my first thoughts was, "what I experienced tonight alone was worth more than my $40. What I experienced tonight alone I would of paid $120 for a ticket for." In fact, I would of paid my entire bank account for it.
God is Good!
During all of this weekend and what's happened since, I've found the KEY to Hearing God is 1) have an open heart and 2) come expectant to hear from him.
The funny thing is I wasn't planning on attending Encounter. Not only that, I didn't realize that it was last weekend. I had thought it was a month or so from now, when all of a sudden all last week, people are talking about Encounter and I found out that it was last weekend. I figured, yes I would like to go to it, but it's kinda late and I can't really afford it. It was $40, and I didn't have room for that in my budget. Come Wednesday, less than 2 day prior to the event, I got an email sent out to all church staff informing us that registration for Encounter will now be open until Thursday night.
While doing Dishes Wednesday night, I was hit with a thought, "ask God". So I did. I asked God if I should go to Encounter. He immediately responded with an, "Absolutely." The way He said it was as if he were saying, 'why would you not go? I will be there, you will experience me, why not. Am I not wort more than all your money?' So right after dishes, I went and signed up online. I figured I could due without a month or two of something else in my budget to experience God in a deeper way.
As I was driving home Friday night, one of my first thoughts was, "what I experienced tonight alone was worth more than my $40. What I experienced tonight alone I would of paid $120 for a ticket for." In fact, I would of paid my entire bank account for it.
God is Good!
During all of this weekend and what's happened since, I've found the KEY to Hearing God is 1) have an open heart and 2) come expectant to hear from him.
God of Second Chances
Last week when I went to bed and was trying to fall asleep quickly, without much luck. It was one of those moments where your really tired but can't sleep. So I was asking God to help me fall asleep and He told me to change position (I was getting pretty warm since I had added an extra blanket, and I had resulted in taking my socks off to help my body cool off). God instead said to put my socks on and take the extra blanket off to cool my body off just enough. Though I think it was more of a test to see if I would follow what He said more than it was actually cooling off. Anyways, I was tired and I knew that the more I move around the more awake I would be, so for the time being, I said no. God simply replied, you won't be able to go to sleep until you do. So I resulted in following what he had said.
Shortly after, Daniel walked in the room and was over by his bed. While he was there it sounded like his allergies were really bad. So I prayed and asked God to take away his allergies. Again I think it was God testing me to see if I will follow what He says right away, for He replied, "touch him and it will be done." Sounds simply right, yeah it is, and I know that the Bible clearly teaches in the power of laying hands on people... BUT I was laying in bed, really tired and I wanted to go to sleep. Daniel wasn't going to just happen to walk over to my bed (he though I was sleeping) so I can awkwardly reach out and touch him. So I again told God my dilemma and that I didn't want to get out of bed. He said, "if you touch him, he will be healed." I said, "I don't want to get out of bed, if I get up it will wake me up."
Suddenly I was convicted that I was preventing someone from being healed do to my selfishness. As I was battling this, Daniel walked out of the room. I was kicking myself that I hadn't done something when I finally decided to get up and walk out and pray for him. I got up and opened the door only to find one of two options (both that would really wake me up): 1) he went outside or 2) he went upstairs. The problem with upstairs is that Laura had company over and it was all full of talking up there. So I sadly resulted in coming back to bed, sad that I hadn't done what God asked me to do, when He told me to do it. I just felt heavy and guilty. I started crying and asking God for forgiveness. As He assured me that I am forgiven, the song "God of Second Chances" from the Veggie Tales movie: Jonah, flooded my head.
I was so thankful. Shortly after Daniel walked in and I asked if I could pray for him, and I did (and I fell asleep quickly after). Then in the morning I asked him how his allergies were doing and he said they were great! Praise God!
Moral of the story: Do what God tells you to do the first time
Shortly after, Daniel walked in the room and was over by his bed. While he was there it sounded like his allergies were really bad. So I prayed and asked God to take away his allergies. Again I think it was God testing me to see if I will follow what He says right away, for He replied, "touch him and it will be done." Sounds simply right, yeah it is, and I know that the Bible clearly teaches in the power of laying hands on people... BUT I was laying in bed, really tired and I wanted to go to sleep. Daniel wasn't going to just happen to walk over to my bed (he though I was sleeping) so I can awkwardly reach out and touch him. So I again told God my dilemma and that I didn't want to get out of bed. He said, "if you touch him, he will be healed." I said, "I don't want to get out of bed, if I get up it will wake me up."
Suddenly I was convicted that I was preventing someone from being healed do to my selfishness. As I was battling this, Daniel walked out of the room. I was kicking myself that I hadn't done something when I finally decided to get up and walk out and pray for him. I got up and opened the door only to find one of two options (both that would really wake me up): 1) he went outside or 2) he went upstairs. The problem with upstairs is that Laura had company over and it was all full of talking up there. So I sadly resulted in coming back to bed, sad that I hadn't done what God asked me to do, when He told me to do it. I just felt heavy and guilty. I started crying and asking God for forgiveness. As He assured me that I am forgiven, the song "God of Second Chances" from the Veggie Tales movie: Jonah, flooded my head.
I was so thankful. Shortly after Daniel walked in and I asked if I could pray for him, and I did (and I fell asleep quickly after). Then in the morning I asked him how his allergies were doing and he said they were great! Praise God!
Moral of the story: Do what God tells you to do the first time
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
KCA Faculty Photo
Since I am an "assistant" or part-time teacher this year at KCA (Koinonia Christian Academy), I am in their Faculty picture. They decided that since I was the tallest, I should be placed right in the middle :)
Real Stories from the Minds of Kindergarteners
A group of kindergarteners had huddled around the lego table the other day and were testing their creative minds. One boy, Brady, had created a space ship and was traveling through space (and telling the world that he was doing so). An adorable girl next to him, Tiara, suddenly got a huge glow on her face and announced, "I've been to space before!" Brady replied, "Really? You have? When? What was it like?" Tiara again responded, now with everyone's attention (for we all wanted to hear where she was going with this) "I've been to space before! I went with my sister, and she slept the whole time!"
Brady's older sister who was in the room for a moment asked, "Tiara, do you mean an airplane?" Tiara replied, "Yes! I've been to space before! It was fun!"
---
After school care: a group of kids were playing 4-square with some of the kindergartner's in aftercare. The two kindergarteners that I was supervising were Ella and Erik. Ella had made her way to the King of Four Square position (square #1) and Erik was in Square number four. Ella bounced the ball towards Erik and it "slammed" the ground in Erik's square and bounced back up in the air. On it's way down it lightly made a temporary pit stop on the top of Erik's head before returning to the ground. The rest of the kids kindly informed Erik that he was out. On his cheerful way back to the line, he kept shaking his little head saying, "I can't believe a girl did that to me."
The Greatness of God!
Psalm 99
v1 The Lord is King!...
v3b. Your name is Holy!....
v5 Exalt the Lord our God!
Psalm 48
v1 How great is the Lord,...
v14 For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will be our guide until we die.
Psalm 47
v2 For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.
Psalm 46
v1 God is our refuge and strength
v7 The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Psalm 44
v4 You are my King and my God.
Psalm 42
v5b I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God!
v11b I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God!
Psalm 40
v8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,...
v16c ..."The Lord is Great!"
Psalm 34
v6b He set me free from all my fears.
v8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Psalm 29
v.10b The Lord reigns as king forever.
Psalm 23
v1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
v4 Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your tod and your staff will protect and comfort me.
Psalm 24
v8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, invincible in battle.
v10 Who is the King of glory? The Lord Almighty- he is the King of glory.
v1 The Lord is King!...
v3b. Your name is Holy!....
v5 Exalt the Lord our God!
Psalm 48
v1 How great is the Lord,...
v14 For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will be our guide until we die.
Psalm 47
v2 For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth.
Psalm 46
v1 God is our refuge and strength
v7 The Lord Almighty is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Psalm 44
v4 You are my King and my God.
Psalm 42
v5b I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God!
v11b I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again- my Savior and my God!
Psalm 40
v8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,...
v16c ..."The Lord is Great!"
Psalm 34
v6b He set me free from all my fears.
v8 Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Psalm 29
v.10b The Lord reigns as king forever.
Psalm 23
v1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.
v4 Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your tod and your staff will protect and comfort me.
Psalm 24
v8 Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, invincible in battle.
v10 Who is the King of glory? The Lord Almighty- he is the King of glory.
Monday, September 19, 2016
A Word From God
As I said in my last post, I have been making time for God so that I will hear Him when He speaks. And He will speak when I make time for Him and seek Him. He spoke to me this afternoon. Here is what happened:
I drove past a cemetery and asked God to show me what I like so much about them, what really gets me excited about them. Why do I want to visit them? He replied," it's where broken lives were sealed, it's where broken people lay (saved and unsaved). It's where my children, my people lay (at this point His voice had tears in it, it was full of emotion). I don't wan to see my children to die in brokenness. Don't let them die in brokenness. I want you to speak to the multitudes and show them the light. Through me, lead my people out of death, don't let them die in brokenness." I asked, "Lord How? What do you want me to do? How can I do this?" He replied, "Trust me. I will be your safety and shield. I will protect and provide. I will be your guide. Trust me." "Lord, give me courage." "I will be with you. Trust me."
(Some of this He spoke to me while I was still driving and the rest (including the text below) he told me a few words at a time while I was writing this down)
"I have great plans for you, you will lead my people. I have chosen you. Guide them as I guide you. Trust me." ... "You have fears, know that I, The Lord God Almighty, will make a way! I am with you, and I will not leave your side, you are my child. Trust me."
"Lives are going to be changed, a revival is coming, you will lead it. Trust me. I am building an army that will soon attack the forces of darkness in ways it has never seen since Christ's Resurrection. Prepare for war of war, for it is coming; Challenging Spiritual war is coming. Trials will be known, Persecution will prosper, but know that I will reign. My name will be known all through the earth. I, the Lord, have spoken."
["Lord, How shall we prepare?"]
"Read my word, worship, be still and know me. Listen for I am speaking. A day will come when you will no longer be publicly free to worship me without persecution, but stay true to me and share my love and rewards will await you in heaven. Be still and know, I am God!"
"Prepare by dedicating your time to me alone. I am your strength, shield and guide. I will protect you. Seek me and I will reveal myself to you. Fear not, for I am Love! Fear not, for I am God! Fear not, for I am Peace! Fear not, for I am Joy! Fear not, for I am life! Fear not, for I am light! Fear not! For I am, THE GREAT I AM! Trust me, Fear not!"
"Don't waste your time in money and material things that will not last, but invest in that which is eternal, in souls and lives that they may know me. I seek relationship, life, love and obedience. Trust me."
"Know that I AM God, and I, God the Father, have spoken."
"The things which I have spoken of shall happen in your lifetime. Live not in fear, but in joy, for many will come to know me and life will be given to them. Life comes to those who seek it."
"My Holy Spirit, God Almighty, is with you, He is yours and you are mine. Listen to Him. Seek Him. Seek His work, for He only speaks what I tell Him. He is me and I am Him. Trust God in 3 persons, bless our holy name, for I am your Lord and Father. I am looking out for you. Blessing and Honor will come to my name."
"Beware of false teachers and prophets. For many will come in my name who are servants of the devil. Know my work, know me and then you shall be able to know my voice. And when you know my voice, you will know the false teachers and prophets when they speak. For though they speak in my name, they do not know me. Their names are not in the Book of Life. Beware. Know my word, know me. Listen to what I have to say. Know my voice, Beware. Prepare yourselves for the day of the Lord is near! He is coming swifter than time. He, the Son, shall appear in the sky on a white horse to call His children to Him. And His children will go with Him and all the world will know that I am God. Prepare, Love, Grow and Learn. Listen and Speak what I tell you for I am coming with the armies of heaven and you shall not fear! I the Lord have spoken."
---
"Joshua, the cemetery is a reminder of this promise to you. It is a reminder of what I've called you to do."
---
I asked why I like cemeteries and God answered. Ask and you shall receive. God will answer when you call upon His name. God is Good!
Thank You Jesus!
Thank you Holy Spirit!
Thank you Father!
Your love is mighty and good! Great is your name, be lifted High and Glorified!
I Love you!
I drove past a cemetery and asked God to show me what I like so much about them, what really gets me excited about them. Why do I want to visit them? He replied," it's where broken lives were sealed, it's where broken people lay (saved and unsaved). It's where my children, my people lay (at this point His voice had tears in it, it was full of emotion). I don't wan to see my children to die in brokenness. Don't let them die in brokenness. I want you to speak to the multitudes and show them the light. Through me, lead my people out of death, don't let them die in brokenness." I asked, "Lord How? What do you want me to do? How can I do this?" He replied, "Trust me. I will be your safety and shield. I will protect and provide. I will be your guide. Trust me." "Lord, give me courage." "I will be with you. Trust me."
(Some of this He spoke to me while I was still driving and the rest (including the text below) he told me a few words at a time while I was writing this down)
"I have great plans for you, you will lead my people. I have chosen you. Guide them as I guide you. Trust me." ... "You have fears, know that I, The Lord God Almighty, will make a way! I am with you, and I will not leave your side, you are my child. Trust me."
"Lives are going to be changed, a revival is coming, you will lead it. Trust me. I am building an army that will soon attack the forces of darkness in ways it has never seen since Christ's Resurrection. Prepare for war of war, for it is coming; Challenging Spiritual war is coming. Trials will be known, Persecution will prosper, but know that I will reign. My name will be known all through the earth. I, the Lord, have spoken."
["Lord, How shall we prepare?"]
"Read my word, worship, be still and know me. Listen for I am speaking. A day will come when you will no longer be publicly free to worship me without persecution, but stay true to me and share my love and rewards will await you in heaven. Be still and know, I am God!"
"Prepare by dedicating your time to me alone. I am your strength, shield and guide. I will protect you. Seek me and I will reveal myself to you. Fear not, for I am Love! Fear not, for I am God! Fear not, for I am Peace! Fear not, for I am Joy! Fear not, for I am life! Fear not, for I am light! Fear not! For I am, THE GREAT I AM! Trust me, Fear not!"
"Don't waste your time in money and material things that will not last, but invest in that which is eternal, in souls and lives that they may know me. I seek relationship, life, love and obedience. Trust me."
"Know that I AM God, and I, God the Father, have spoken."
"The things which I have spoken of shall happen in your lifetime. Live not in fear, but in joy, for many will come to know me and life will be given to them. Life comes to those who seek it."
"My Holy Spirit, God Almighty, is with you, He is yours and you are mine. Listen to Him. Seek Him. Seek His work, for He only speaks what I tell Him. He is me and I am Him. Trust God in 3 persons, bless our holy name, for I am your Lord and Father. I am looking out for you. Blessing and Honor will come to my name."
"Beware of false teachers and prophets. For many will come in my name who are servants of the devil. Know my work, know me and then you shall be able to know my voice. And when you know my voice, you will know the false teachers and prophets when they speak. For though they speak in my name, they do not know me. Their names are not in the Book of Life. Beware. Know my word, know me. Listen to what I have to say. Know my voice, Beware. Prepare yourselves for the day of the Lord is near! He is coming swifter than time. He, the Son, shall appear in the sky on a white horse to call His children to Him. And His children will go with Him and all the world will know that I am God. Prepare, Love, Grow and Learn. Listen and Speak what I tell you for I am coming with the armies of heaven and you shall not fear! I the Lord have spoken."
---
"Joshua, the cemetery is a reminder of this promise to you. It is a reminder of what I've called you to do."
---
I asked why I like cemeteries and God answered. Ask and you shall receive. God will answer when you call upon His name. God is Good!
Thank You Jesus!
Thank you Holy Spirit!
Thank you Father!
Your love is mighty and good! Great is your name, be lifted High and Glorified!
I Love you!
Valuing God's Voice
Recently I've been listening to podcasts by Pastor Robert Morris from Gateway Church (near Dallas Texas). In his message Value His Voice I was challenged that I don't really value God's voice like I should. He shared one of the most practical ways to meet with God to hear His voce and He also shared a recorded Testimony from a guy (presented by Pastor Bill Hybles) at Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. It was a moving testimony how they guy made time to be with God and to Value His Voice. And How God spoke to him and changed His life. So between these two (Which I've listened and re-listened to this podcast a handful of times in the last two or three days), I challenged myself to do these seemingly practical things to make time with God. One big challenge with finding time with God, is that I can just move things around in my morning schedule and oh what do you know it's time to leave and I didn't get to it. So I took Pastor Morris's first step: Make an appointment. I made an appointment with God. I set a time, date and place with God. I said, "God I'm going to meet with you at 7:00am in my office at the church on Sunday the September 18, 2016." And I made time to be there at 7:00am. I had wanted to take a drive from the church to Sunnyside nursing home and back prior to church so that I know better how to get there when I go in the afternoon, but I didn't want to be late for my meeting with God. So I went to bed at 8:20pm the night before and got up at 4:40am. I left at 5:30am, drove to the church, then to Sunnyside and then back to the church for 7:00am when the church was opened and my appointment with God was. I made time for God. I spent about 40 minutes being still and worshiping, then 20-30 minutes reading His word followed by a time of Prayer and writing what He spoke to me. By then it was 8:30am, time for Church's Corporate prayer time. It's so powerful to spend such time with God. I will do it so that I may hear his voice.
Again, I set an appointment with God this morning. I knew that the church opened at 7:00am, and that I had to spend an hour or so setting up the Kindergarten room by 8:30am, so I needed to be there earlier if I wanted a good amount of time with God. So I set an appointment with Him at 6:00am in my car in the Church parking lot on Monday September 19, 2016. I put it in my calendar and made it official. I then went to bed at 7:40pm the night before and got up at 4:20am (I highly value sleep and try to get 7-8 hours of sleep at night - but when I get up this early I need at least 8-9 hours of sleep - So I set appointments based off of the guarantee that I will, if it is His will, get my needed sleep). I left a little late, a bit after 5:30am, and arrived at the church at 6:09am. I immediately jumped into my time with God; stillness and worship, reading His word, and praying and writing. By 7:30, I went and started to set up the kindergarten room.
Again, I set an appointment with God this morning. I knew that the church opened at 7:00am, and that I had to spend an hour or so setting up the Kindergarten room by 8:30am, so I needed to be there earlier if I wanted a good amount of time with God. So I set an appointment with Him at 6:00am in my car in the Church parking lot on Monday September 19, 2016. I put it in my calendar and made it official. I then went to bed at 7:40pm the night before and got up at 4:20am (I highly value sleep and try to get 7-8 hours of sleep at night - but when I get up this early I need at least 8-9 hours of sleep - So I set appointments based off of the guarantee that I will, if it is His will, get my needed sleep). I left a little late, a bit after 5:30am, and arrived at the church at 6:09am. I immediately jumped into my time with God; stillness and worship, reading His word, and praying and writing. By 7:30, I went and started to set up the kindergarten room.
God's Voice
Recently I have really been struggling with knowing the difference between God's voice and my own. I've really been asking God for help knowing the difference. This past week He gave me a great example.
I went for a walk and near the end of the walk had the thought cross my mind to send an email to someone specific. I brushed it away, but it kept coming back. So I asked God, "What do I say to [this person]?" He replied, "I will give you the words to write." I didn't really want to do it but it there so I finally sat down to write out this email. I started with something like, "Dear ... I feel like I am suppose to write you this email but I don't really know what to say." Then I figured that wasn't acceptable so I started a new line and God gave me a word to write. He then preceded to tell me words for two large paragraphs to write to this person. But typical of God, in keeping our need in Him, He only told me up to three words at a time for this entire email.
When I finished the email, I didn't really want to send it to this person for it had some strong stuff in it and it would be embarrassing if I had misheard God and sent it to them. I felt a slight nudge to send the email. I said, okay, I'll sleep on it and see if God is still nudging me in the morning. In the morning I felt a strong nudge all morning, "Send the email" it kept saying. I kept asking God, "Please give me confirmation that this is you, I don't want to send this email if you aren't the one telling me to send it." I kept feeling the nudge all the way to the church. On the ride to church, I felt God whispering to me, "when you get to the church, send this person the email, it is something they really need to hear this morning." Scared and fearful, when I got to church I didn't send the email. But with the constant reminder in my head, "They need to see the email this morning" I told myself that I would send it this morning. Of course not doing it right away, I forgot about it until I got home that night.
When I got home I knew then that it really was God speaking to me and so I asked God if He still wanted me to send the email... no response. I kept asking, and kept getting no response. The next handful of days - which seemed like forever since I couldn't get a reply from God, I kept asking and I kept getting no response. I knew that I wasn't getting a response because I had failed to listen to Him when He was speaking so why will He continue to speak to me if I am not going to listen and be obedient. One evening, finally, God suddenly prompted me (without me asking) to send the email now. So this time I did. I hope that it was meaningful and had as much of an impact on the person as it would of had, but I now am getting a better picture of what God's voice sounds like.
I went for a walk and near the end of the walk had the thought cross my mind to send an email to someone specific. I brushed it away, but it kept coming back. So I asked God, "What do I say to [this person]?" He replied, "I will give you the words to write." I didn't really want to do it but it there so I finally sat down to write out this email. I started with something like, "Dear ... I feel like I am suppose to write you this email but I don't really know what to say." Then I figured that wasn't acceptable so I started a new line and God gave me a word to write. He then preceded to tell me words for two large paragraphs to write to this person. But typical of God, in keeping our need in Him, He only told me up to three words at a time for this entire email.
When I finished the email, I didn't really want to send it to this person for it had some strong stuff in it and it would be embarrassing if I had misheard God and sent it to them. I felt a slight nudge to send the email. I said, okay, I'll sleep on it and see if God is still nudging me in the morning. In the morning I felt a strong nudge all morning, "Send the email" it kept saying. I kept asking God, "Please give me confirmation that this is you, I don't want to send this email if you aren't the one telling me to send it." I kept feeling the nudge all the way to the church. On the ride to church, I felt God whispering to me, "when you get to the church, send this person the email, it is something they really need to hear this morning." Scared and fearful, when I got to church I didn't send the email. But with the constant reminder in my head, "They need to see the email this morning" I told myself that I would send it this morning. Of course not doing it right away, I forgot about it until I got home that night.
When I got home I knew then that it really was God speaking to me and so I asked God if He still wanted me to send the email... no response. I kept asking, and kept getting no response. The next handful of days - which seemed like forever since I couldn't get a reply from God, I kept asking and I kept getting no response. I knew that I wasn't getting a response because I had failed to listen to Him when He was speaking so why will He continue to speak to me if I am not going to listen and be obedient. One evening, finally, God suddenly prompted me (without me asking) to send the email now. So this time I did. I hope that it was meaningful and had as much of an impact on the person as it would of had, but I now am getting a better picture of what God's voice sounds like.
Friday, September 16, 2016
Abi Got What????
So EXCITED!!!! Abi got her Driver's License today!!!! With lots of potential complications, God just pushed them aside and blessed Abi with her license just days after her 16th birthday! God is soo good.
It almost doesn't seem right though (sorry Abi :) ). Abi is my little sister, not someone who is old enough to drive, shes just a sweet little girl. Hahaha, nope, Time sure flies when your having fun. She has way passed that stage, now she may still be my sweet little sister, but she's grown up, and has her driver's license. Joking aside, Abi, I am so proud of you! You made my day and I am super pumped with you! Have fun, and don't learn to drive like David too fast now (haha). Love you!
It almost doesn't seem right though (sorry Abi :) ). Abi is my little sister, not someone who is old enough to drive, shes just a sweet little girl. Hahaha, nope, Time sure flies when your having fun. She has way passed that stage, now she may still be my sweet little sister, but she's grown up, and has her driver's license. Joking aside, Abi, I am so proud of you! You made my day and I am super pumped with you! Have fun, and don't learn to drive like David too fast now (haha). Love you!
Beauty Beyond Beauty
WHOA!!!! God is So Beautiful and Awesome and Amazing and Good!!!!!
This morning on the way to church, I. . . I. . . I have never, in my entire life, seen scenery so beautiful. It literally took my breath away, it . . . was Soooo beautiful. I honestly don't ever remember crying because something is so gorgeous, so astounding. I was completely overcome by the beauty of God's Creation in nature. The combinations of all that was this morning is beyond anything I can even begin to describe. Yet another reason why I so desperately want a good DSLR, so I can capture just a glimpse of this masterpiece. I know that a camera couldn't even get a good enough picture to show the true beauty behind it, but it would be a glimpse of God's beauty that others' could see who weren't there. W O W ! ! ! God is Amazing!!! His Love is soo good, soo great, and so much more! How great is our God!
This morning on the way to church, I. . . I. . . I have never, in my entire life, seen scenery so beautiful. It literally took my breath away, it . . . was Soooo beautiful. I honestly don't ever remember crying because something is so gorgeous, so astounding. I was completely overcome by the beauty of God's Creation in nature. The combinations of all that was this morning is beyond anything I can even begin to describe. Yet another reason why I so desperately want a good DSLR, so I can capture just a glimpse of this masterpiece. I know that a camera couldn't even get a good enough picture to show the true beauty behind it, but it would be a glimpse of God's beauty that others' could see who weren't there. W O W ! ! ! God is Amazing!!! His Love is soo good, soo great, and so much more! How great is our God!
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Letter from the Queen again
About 3-4 months ago I sent another letter to the queen full of questions for her. Today I received a reply from an assistant who told me due to the enormous amount of letters the queen gets, she cannot answer mine right now. I had asked in the letter for a few pictures and I received a handful of brochures for Buckingham palace. Hahahaha, So I will try again....
A Drive With God
Last night, Jim's dad and his girlfriend came over for supper before heading down to the States. Right after I finished eating I headed downstairs to my room for a bit. I felt that I wanted to go for a drive (for fun) and that I needed to spend time with God. God's been pretty good at showing me very clearly when I need to go for a drive, or walk or something to get away from life and it's distractions and just spend time alone with Him. Even though it was dark, I went for a drive.
The drive turned out to be a blast and lasted nearly two and a half hours. I don't know where I drove to (I've never been those roads before), and I don't really care, all I know is that I was alone with God. He really challenged me again with fear - on and off throughout the whole drive. I have too many fears. What I found really helpful is He prompted me to list my fears. Then I listed them again by saying, "Your love is stronger/greater than my fear________!" The whole trip was quite an emotional one and I spent a good mount of it crying. When God is near, there is no holding back the tears. I found fears that I had forgotten (or even didn't know) I had. God pushed me and challenged me. I am so thankful for what He has done.
He spoke truth into me and to me. He gave me life. He challenged me on things I am thankful for. He showed me His love, so much stronger. He is love. He has blessed me. He gave me courage to speak out agains pain, suffering and trials in His name. He answered questions - Abi, He told me to tell you not to fear, He's got his hand on you as you go on this trip. You will get what you seek. Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." We will be praying.
God is Good! He taught me things that I have been wanting to know for a long time. He showed me His smile and love. God is soo Good!
The drive turned out to be a blast and lasted nearly two and a half hours. I don't know where I drove to (I've never been those roads before), and I don't really care, all I know is that I was alone with God. He really challenged me again with fear - on and off throughout the whole drive. I have too many fears. What I found really helpful is He prompted me to list my fears. Then I listed them again by saying, "Your love is stronger/greater than my fear________!" The whole trip was quite an emotional one and I spent a good mount of it crying. When God is near, there is no holding back the tears. I found fears that I had forgotten (or even didn't know) I had. God pushed me and challenged me. I am so thankful for what He has done.
He spoke truth into me and to me. He gave me life. He challenged me on things I am thankful for. He showed me His love, so much stronger. He is love. He has blessed me. He gave me courage to speak out agains pain, suffering and trials in His name. He answered questions - Abi, He told me to tell you not to fear, He's got his hand on you as you go on this trip. You will get what you seek. Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." We will be praying.
God is Good! He taught me things that I have been wanting to know for a long time. He showed me His smile and love. God is soo Good!
Broken Lie
Sunday night was Twenty20 and I was serving on the ushering team. During the worship time God really spoke to me again. He has themed recently again on fear, pointing out all the fears I have, one by one. A good way into the worship he struck me with realization of a lie that I had believed so long ago. A lie that has been holding me back from what I am doing this year and a lie that really has been holing me back ever since I first believed it.
It was back 2 or 3 years ago when I was on a missions trip to the Dream Center in Peoria (LA has the mother Dream Center). On this missions trip, I spent a lot of time with kids, for we were doing VBS programs throughout inner city Peoria. I didn't feel that I was that good with the kids, in fact, I wasn't. l was very awkward around them and my mind seemed to blank every time I tried to talk to them and sharing the Gospel with them didn't go well. Because of a week of this, satan placed the lie in my head that I am not good with kids. Even though it was just a bad experience, I felt awful and I believed him.
Now, God has shown me this lie and has set me free from it. I know that I am good with kids, I just have to push myself out of my little comfort zone that has little fears of what could happen. But God is helping me through that. He is giving me confidence and assurance. Praise be to God! He is Good!
It was back 2 or 3 years ago when I was on a missions trip to the Dream Center in Peoria (LA has the mother Dream Center). On this missions trip, I spent a lot of time with kids, for we were doing VBS programs throughout inner city Peoria. I didn't feel that I was that good with the kids, in fact, I wasn't. l was very awkward around them and my mind seemed to blank every time I tried to talk to them and sharing the Gospel with them didn't go well. Because of a week of this, satan placed the lie in my head that I am not good with kids. Even though it was just a bad experience, I felt awful and I believed him.
Now, God has shown me this lie and has set me free from it. I know that I am good with kids, I just have to push myself out of my little comfort zone that has little fears of what could happen. But God is helping me through that. He is giving me confidence and assurance. Praise be to God! He is Good!
Sunday, September 11, 2016
No More McDonalds???
Those of you who know me well, know that I love McDonalds! It is the best, not to mention cheapest, fast food restaurant out there. I've found that I can get the most satisfying food there for my buck. I always go straight for the dollar menu and get 3 McChickens (~$1 USD each) and a large Fry (~$2 USD). So for about $5 or so I can get a full, satisfying meal and a ton of food.
Sadly to say, and yet not that sad, I may have found something today that has beaten that. Correction, I have found it. In fact it beats it on every level. Mike Beecraft (Koinonia's Youth pastor) for the past year has always raved about Shawarma. He's always saying how good it is; it seemed that nearly every time on the way to Kidzone it would come up. So I decided to give it a try for lunch today. Boy was it good! For a good price I was able to get a quite large Shawarma Chicken Sandwich. I think in total it had more food (+1 against my McDonalds choice); it tasted better (+2); it's way healthier (+3); it was more satisfying (+4); and, after tax, it was a bit cheaper (+5). My McDonalds meals may be over (to some extent), yes mom I am actually saying that. With all 5 strikes agains my past meals, Shawarma will take my service now.
Sadly to say, and yet not that sad, I may have found something today that has beaten that. Correction, I have found it. In fact it beats it on every level. Mike Beecraft (Koinonia's Youth pastor) for the past year has always raved about Shawarma. He's always saying how good it is; it seemed that nearly every time on the way to Kidzone it would come up. So I decided to give it a try for lunch today. Boy was it good! For a good price I was able to get a quite large Shawarma Chicken Sandwich. I think in total it had more food (+1 against my McDonalds choice); it tasted better (+2); it's way healthier (+3); it was more satisfying (+4); and, after tax, it was a bit cheaper (+5). My McDonalds meals may be over (to some extent), yes mom I am actually saying that. With all 5 strikes agains my past meals, Shawarma will take my service now.
Friday, September 9, 2016
Lord Help Us
I saw this picture on Facebook today and normally I would of ignored it, not liking it's content. However the Holy Spirit really convicted me with this and I could not stop staring at it. I was looking at it for 10, 15 minutes at least. I then started to read the comments, and it broke my heart. We live in blindness. How often do we really do this and not realize it. I want to challenge you to stop and think about this, pray about this; How do you as a person do this to others? Our outside shell tells us that we don't do it, but dig deeper, you'll likely find that you actually do. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you do, and ask Him how you can change so that we can share love with others rather than condemnation.
For those who are upset at Christians for doing this, I want to apologize. My goal is to spread love, to shed light in the darkness and to serve others. I don't want to condemn you or anyone else for anything. This is not easy to follow though. We today, the church of God, we too easily take out beliefs and expect others who do not share that belief to follow it. We have no such right to do so. Our right is to share Christ's love with you and nothing more. We won't make actions or decisions against what we believe but we will share our love with you. We want to love you as Christ loves us, and God will do the rest. God alone can work in our hearts. We too often think that our condemnation, our judgements, and out "fighting" for the truth in extreme ways will change peoples hearts. But only God can change your heart, that is not our responsibility. We may share out beliefs with you, but do not claim that as condemnation or judgement until it really is. Sharing and judgement are two separate things. We want to share and love, so that Christ's name will be glorified. We really do love you. God really dose love you.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
New Phone Number
Just an update:
I'm attempting to text everyone on my contacts list on my phone, but it's going rather slow, so I will post it here too.
I switched to a Canadian Phone Plan and I now have a new cell phone number: 519-500-3850
I'm attempting to text everyone on my contacts list on my phone, but it's going rather slow, so I will post it here too.
I switched to a Canadian Phone Plan and I now have a new cell phone number: 519-500-3850
Monday, September 5, 2016
Sierra
Last night I was at Sierra Guderian's Going away party. She (is a classmate from SLI) is heading down to LA to do a 10-month Internship at the LA Dream Center (the mother organization of the Peoria Dream Center). It's hard to say goodbye to close friends but God calls us all to different places at different times. We all had a great time and were blessed to spend some of Sierra's last moments in Canada with her. She left this morning for LA and won't likely be retuning until Christmas.
Sierra, we will continue to pray for you as you are following God's call into another country for this short season of life. You will be blessed, and are so blessed already. Know that God is with you always wherever you go and whenever you are in need. He is there when you think all is good and He is there when all seems to be crumbling. God is so thrilled that you are listening to Him and His laughters of joy are so life-giving to hear. He has been waiting for this moment in your life and He won't hesitate to make it one that you will never forget. He is excited to show you who you really are and things that you do not know that you love. The life you are heading into will be a pivoting point for your life. God's love and light are going to shine through you in ways that you cannot even imagine. He will bring down walls and build up lamps to light the way for others. He will open your eyes to see what He sees, He will speak to your heart words that no one has heard and He will fill your soul with wisdom from Heaven. Get ready, for God's taking you on the ride of your life. What joy will come from this; what peace will flow because of it; what hope will arise for what is to come and what revival will there be in that land! God is preparing the hearts of His people for the time is near when He will call out to His people and they will come. Rejoice for the day is near, God is moving. His armies are lined up and ready for battle. He is calling. Go, go in the peace, readiness and the Love of Christ. God said to Go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Go! Be blessed!
Sierra, we will continue to pray for you as you are following God's call into another country for this short season of life. You will be blessed, and are so blessed already. Know that God is with you always wherever you go and whenever you are in need. He is there when you think all is good and He is there when all seems to be crumbling. God is so thrilled that you are listening to Him and His laughters of joy are so life-giving to hear. He has been waiting for this moment in your life and He won't hesitate to make it one that you will never forget. He is excited to show you who you really are and things that you do not know that you love. The life you are heading into will be a pivoting point for your life. God's love and light are going to shine through you in ways that you cannot even imagine. He will bring down walls and build up lamps to light the way for others. He will open your eyes to see what He sees, He will speak to your heart words that no one has heard and He will fill your soul with wisdom from Heaven. Get ready, for God's taking you on the ride of your life. What joy will come from this; what peace will flow because of it; what hope will arise for what is to come and what revival will there be in that land! God is preparing the hearts of His people for the time is near when He will call out to His people and they will come. Rejoice for the day is near, God is moving. His armies are lined up and ready for battle. He is calling. Go, go in the peace, readiness and the Love of Christ. God said to Go into all the world and preach the Gospel. Go! Be blessed!
Labour Day
Well, it was nice to be able to get a handful of things done today. I declined two different offers to go to the beach today (one being the whole Baxter family) mainly so I could get some things done before craziness hits tomorrow. (Well, another reason I turned down the Baxter's offer to go to the beach with them was from what I've learned of girls over the past 3 or 4 years specifically. They're biggest reason (usually) for wanting to go to the beach is to lay out on the sand and tan. I have no interest in that and the beach is a lot less fun when you don't have people to hang out with, in general. Yes Daniel went, but he took his bike to ride around and that doesn't interest me either, at least not in the way he want's to ride. So I declined the offer, probably about an hour prior to their departure this morning.)
I went into town looking for a few things and I was shocked by how many stores are closed. Especially Walmart. From my memory, in the States Walmart is open 24/7 365 days a year except for 3 or 4 hours on Christmas morning. Here in Canada, I haven't even found one that's open 24/7. I thought at least a handful of decent stores would be open, at least for what I was looking for, but I was wrong, almost every store was closed. I glad for the companies and for the employees.
I also got a lot of good time alone with God away from distractions and such, which I was very thankful for. And I was also able to get a handful of Old Testament Survey's done. I only have 5 left (I think). Hopefully I can get them done before Bryce changes the password of this year's SLI class.
Though the day wasn't as productive as I would of liked it to be, I did get a lot done, and I am very thankful for that.
I went into town looking for a few things and I was shocked by how many stores are closed. Especially Walmart. From my memory, in the States Walmart is open 24/7 365 days a year except for 3 or 4 hours on Christmas morning. Here in Canada, I haven't even found one that's open 24/7. I thought at least a handful of decent stores would be open, at least for what I was looking for, but I was wrong, almost every store was closed. I glad for the companies and for the employees.
I also got a lot of good time alone with God away from distractions and such, which I was very thankful for. And I was also able to get a handful of Old Testament Survey's done. I only have 5 left (I think). Hopefully I can get them done before Bryce changes the password of this year's SLI class.
Though the day wasn't as productive as I would of liked it to be, I did get a lot done, and I am very thankful for that.
SLI Year 2 Schedule
SO it appears I'll have quite a busy schedule (compared to what I'm use to) this year. SLI year 1 and KCA start tomorrow, so SLI year 2 will also start it's actual "real-ish" stuff. Last week seemed to be just a lot of meetings and prepping for this week and the rest of the year. So here's my schedule:
Monday
7:45am -12:00pm --> Kindergarten; Lunch Duty
12:30pm - 5:30pm (give or take)* --> Operations; Facilities, KCA Childcare/Staff Meeting
Tuesday
8:30am - 12:00pm --> Kindergarten; Lunch Duty
12:30pm - 5:30pm (give or take)* --> Operations IT and Facilities; KCA Childcare
6:45pm - ??? --> KCA Parent Meeting
Wednesday
9:00am - 12:00am --> All Staff Meeting, Kindergarten, Chess Club
12:30pm - 2:30pm --> SLI (Year 2 time)
2:45pm - ??? --> Kindergarten Science
7:00pm - 9:30pm --> Midweek Service
Thursday
8:30am - 12:00pm --> Kindergarten; Lunch Duty
12:30pm - 5:30pm (give or take)* --> Operations IT, KCA Childcare
Friday
8:30 - 11:30 --> Kindergarten
Saturday
OFF
Sunday
8:30am - 12:30pm --> Services
Every 3rd Sunday of the Month: 12:30pm --> Sunnyside (Service @ a Nursing Home)
Every 2nd & 4th Sunday: 7:00pm - 10:00pm (give or take) --> Twenty20 Service
*Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons I will be doing KCA (Koinonia Christian Academy (JK-Grade 8)) Childcare. Childcare starts at 3:30pm and goes till 5:30pm. However the kids may get picked up earlier.
Overall, in general, I would guess that I will be at church around 40-50 hours a week. There will be lots of challenges and stretching moments, but I know they will be healthy for me and in the end I will like them and be thankful for them. I asked God to let His will be done and not mine... and that's what He's doing.
Now the schedule that I have posted above is only my schedule. Janette Kuepfer's and Brooke Nafziger's schedules look completely different (Janette & Brooke are the other two SLI Year 2 Students - who were in my SLI class last year). All three of us were accepted into different area's within Koinonia, and therefore we will be doing different things throughout each day. We won't all start at the same time each day, nor will we end at the same time each day.
Monday
7:45am -12:00pm --> Kindergarten; Lunch Duty
12:30pm - 5:30pm (give or take)* --> Operations; Facilities, KCA Childcare/Staff Meeting
Tuesday
8:30am - 12:00pm --> Kindergarten; Lunch Duty
12:30pm - 5:30pm (give or take)* --> Operations IT and Facilities; KCA Childcare
6:45pm - ??? --> KCA Parent Meeting
Wednesday
9:00am - 12:00am --> All Staff Meeting, Kindergarten, Chess Club
12:30pm - 2:30pm --> SLI (Year 2 time)
2:45pm - ??? --> Kindergarten Science
7:00pm - 9:30pm --> Midweek Service
Thursday
8:30am - 12:00pm --> Kindergarten; Lunch Duty
12:30pm - 5:30pm (give or take)* --> Operations IT, KCA Childcare
Friday
8:30 - 11:30 --> Kindergarten
Saturday
OFF
Sunday
8:30am - 12:30pm --> Services
Every 3rd Sunday of the Month: 12:30pm --> Sunnyside (Service @ a Nursing Home)
Every 2nd & 4th Sunday: 7:00pm - 10:00pm (give or take) --> Twenty20 Service
*Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons I will be doing KCA (Koinonia Christian Academy (JK-Grade 8)) Childcare. Childcare starts at 3:30pm and goes till 5:30pm. However the kids may get picked up earlier.
Overall, in general, I would guess that I will be at church around 40-50 hours a week. There will be lots of challenges and stretching moments, but I know they will be healthy for me and in the end I will like them and be thankful for them. I asked God to let His will be done and not mine... and that's what He's doing.
Now the schedule that I have posted above is only my schedule. Janette Kuepfer's and Brooke Nafziger's schedules look completely different (Janette & Brooke are the other two SLI Year 2 Students - who were in my SLI class last year). All three of us were accepted into different area's within Koinonia, and therefore we will be doing different things throughout each day. We won't all start at the same time each day, nor will we end at the same time each day.
Give Me Oil In My Lamp
Lord,
Give me oil in my lamp, Keep me burning
Give me oil in my lamp I pray
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning burning burning
Keep me burning till the break of day
Sing hosannah
Sing hosannah
Sing hosannah to the King of kings
Sing hosannah
Sing hosannah
Sing hosannah to the King
Give me oil in my lamp, Keep me burning
Give me oil in my lamp I pray
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning burning burning
Keep me burning till the break of day
Sing hosannah
Sing hosannah
Sing hosannah to the King of kings
Sing hosannah
Sing hosannah
Sing hosannah to the King
This little light of mine, I'm going to let it SHINE!!!
This little light of mine, I'm going to let it SHINE!!!
This little light of mine, I'm going to let it SHINE!!!
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!!!
Give me oil in my lamp, Keep me burning
Give me oil in my lamp I pray
Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning burning burning
Keep me burning till the break of day
Sunday, September 4, 2016
The Place With All The Echos
As many of you know, my uncle Jim has a humber of Toyota Echos on his property - He loves them. He was the one who taught me to love them too. Anyways, my poor old echo from last year has now been surrendered for spare parts for the other Echos, her last days are over.
However, what she (The Silver Bullet - My old echo) had to offer wasn't good enough. Hannah's Echo was in need of a gas tank and Jim has already "fixed" The Silver Bullet's tank 4 or 5 times, so it wasn't a suitable part. So to solve this problem does Jim go buy a new tank or take it to a shop like most people? No, (yet another reason why Jim is so awesome) Jim finds a used Echo for sale on Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist) that has a almost new tank and buys it for a really good deal. Now, not only did Jim get a great deal on a almost new tank, he also has a whole car's worth of spare parts - in addition to the one pictured above. His "new" one is pictured below.
No Jim has a total of 5 Toyota Echo's, 3 functional and 2 for parts.
What Jim needs to do now is park his Echos on his front lawn on little wood chip piles surrounded with flowers and display his fleet. Then this place would become a landmark, a reference point. You can just hear someone giving a friend directions, "then turn left on the first road after the place with all the Echos." The only problem with this idea is that there are those in the household that oppose it. So, sadly it won't be happening.
SLI Party
At the SLI party itself (5pm-Whenever) we sat and talked for a while. It was great being back together again - sad that not everyone could make it that night :( . There were 8 of us, out of the ten that are in our class. Then we ate supper, had some great talks, laughs, memories and so forth. Following supper we headed downstairs to watch the Missions Trip video and Slideshow that I had handed out earlier. We had many good laughs at the memories and stuff that we watched. Much of it was fast-forwarded through just for time's sake. After the movie, we sat and talked for a while and then a few people left, and the rest of us talked some more. At one point we went upstairs and Wayne Kuepfer asked us all, "how are you using what you learned in SLI today?" It was a great question and it got us all thinking. It took us a bit to actually answer the question, but it also prompted other questions that kept a good somewhat deep conversation going. It also showed in more ways than one, how Awesome God is! Then Dana mentioned that it was getting late and she was heading home but shortly after she left she texted Brooke to mention that her car was covered in toilet paper. Apparently Janette's brothers had did it, no surprise, while we were watching the movie.
We all were outside for a long while talking and such. Inside and outside, particularly outside, I had some Great conversations' with Wayne and Loretta Kuepfer (Janette's parent's). Our conversations were mainly on how great God is and some deeper "God thoughts". I am soo thankful for those talks and they are great memories. Loretta spoke some things that I think God wanted me to hear. Much of what she said were things that I really needed to hear. God was speaking directly into my life through Loretta and challenged my thinking. He gave me new insights and such from what He's spoken to Loretta. God is good.
We all were outside for a long while talking and such. Inside and outside, particularly outside, I had some Great conversations' with Wayne and Loretta Kuepfer (Janette's parent's). Our conversations were mainly on how great God is and some deeper "God thoughts". I am soo thankful for those talks and they are great memories. Loretta spoke some things that I think God wanted me to hear. Much of what she said were things that I really needed to hear. God was speaking directly into my life through Loretta and challenged my thinking. He gave me new insights and such from what He's spoken to Loretta. God is good.
Food
This weekend was out SLI Party (a final get-together before Sierra heads of to LA for a year at the Dream Center), and we all made food for the evening. The Kuepfer's (our hosts) provided the burgers, sausages, and veggies, but we were charged with either an interesting snack, a mediocre drink or a mouthwatering desert. Well, typical me, I decided to bring all three. However my budget said, "NO!" So I thought I would try something new and not bring anything baked, I would bring a snack and a drink. However when Janette posted on our Facebook page asking who was bringing what (so we don't all bring the same thing) a handful of people were bringing drinks and snacks, so I switched to deserts. I'm glad I stuck with just one because it was helpful to the budget. So I decided to make Saltine Toffee's again. I bought supplies to make 4 batches.
The party was on Saturday evening, so Friday evening I made one batch for the Baxter's - it didn't survive the night. Saturday morning I got up and made the remaining 3 batches. However on the first two I did something that I thought would speed up the process (that actually worked on Friday's batch) but it ended up burning all the chocolate. So I made a run into Walmart for more supplies. While I was in town I stopped at the market to get one of the Iced Mocha's Ariel's work is now offering - and I've found is quite good. - Man it was packed, Labour day weekend, St. Jacob's Market. Just driving from Walmart to the main road (just a little jog), I had to wait through 4 or 5 stoplight cycle since only a few cars could get through each cycle because it was Sooo packed.
Anyways I got supplies for another 2 batches and I came home and made them accurately.
The party was on Saturday evening, so Friday evening I made one batch for the Baxter's - it didn't survive the night. Saturday morning I got up and made the remaining 3 batches. However on the first two I did something that I thought would speed up the process (that actually worked on Friday's batch) but it ended up burning all the chocolate. So I made a run into Walmart for more supplies. While I was in town I stopped at the market to get one of the Iced Mocha's Ariel's work is now offering - and I've found is quite good. - Man it was packed, Labour day weekend, St. Jacob's Market. Just driving from Walmart to the main road (just a little jog), I had to wait through 4 or 5 stoplight cycle since only a few cars could get through each cycle because it was Sooo packed.
Anyways I got supplies for another 2 batches and I came home and made them accurately.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Prayer
Just an update and Prayer request:
For those who have been following my blog, you know that about a month ago I started having neck pain. I went to the Chiropractor several times (I've never gone before) and he really helped. But my neck still hurts. I've noticed a lot more pain in the past week and it pops, snaps, cracks a ton - many, many times daily. I don't like it and it doesn't feel good. My neck aches, hurts and is very uncomfortable. Please pray that my neck will be healed that I don't have to go through this pain anymore. But that most of all, God's Will will be done and His name glorified.
For those who have been following my blog, you know that about a month ago I started having neck pain. I went to the Chiropractor several times (I've never gone before) and he really helped. But my neck still hurts. I've noticed a lot more pain in the past week and it pops, snaps, cracks a ton - many, many times daily. I don't like it and it doesn't feel good. My neck aches, hurts and is very uncomfortable. Please pray that my neck will be healed that I don't have to go through this pain anymore. But that most of all, God's Will will be done and His name glorified.
So Stressed
Sigh, the past few days have consisted of lots of stress. Stress to the point that I don't remember the last time I was so stressed. Why am I so stressed? Well, it's kinda a long story but heres go's:
While I was in the USA over summer I switched phones since my phone was dying. I switched my flip phone with my grandma's old flip phone. While I was in Texas with family, I found a small problem I was having with my "new" phone. So I called Verizon support and come to find out, this phone won't even work up in Canada. Due to some new changes in Verizon policies, Verizon only offers two flip phones that have the ability to work in Canada. So I went online with my dad and bought one of the two - I love my flip phone! It's an awesome phone and I absolutely love it! Verizon did inform us that this phone would work in Canada. They also, when I asked, offered a new plan upgrade for an additional $10/mo I could get Unlimited Talk & Text between the US and Canada. So we got that deal and I was assured by multiple Verizon representatives that it would work for my phone in Canada.
When I arrived in Canada, my phone didn't work. So I contacted Verizon and told them my situation. After a lot of back and forth questioning, testing, and talking, it was concluded that there was a unusually rare situation that my phone wasn't shipped with a SIM card and it requires a SIM card to work in Canada. They couldn't do much for me so I asked to talk to a manager. After much hassle they shipped a new SIM card to my grandma's house in Illinois (since they have a company rule that they can't ship anything internationally). They paid for the overnight shipping to her place and then gave us $30 to cover the cost of overnighting it to me up here in Canada. Well that didn't all work out entirely, it actually cost about $42 to overnight it and took about 4 days to arrive. When I did get it, my phone still didn't work.
So I contacted Verizon again and they had no idea why the SIM card wasn't working. Then, again after much hassle, came to the conclusion that to be able to activate the SIM card I have to be within range of the Verizon towers (in the US). I told them my situation, that this was a Verizon error and I cannot afford to take a trip to the US just to activate my phone, but that I do need my phone activated ASAP. I also told them about the extra charge it cost to ship the SIM card up here. So they credited the account an additional $12 to cover the extra cost my grandma had to pay to ship the SIM card up here. But they wouldn't do anything else to cover my expenses. However they did give me the direct number to Verizon's Global Support.
I called Verizon Global Support and went though the whole challenge again of explaining my situation and all that. They told me that the SIM card could of been activated prior to being shipped to me. That made me more frustrated, because I now have to take 5-6+ hours out of my day to activate my phone in the US because they didn't activate it when they could of. They did however, credit me $20 to cover the fuel cost of driving down to the border. Come to find out, they found that Verizon had my phone in their system "activated" with a different SIM card number than the one they sent me - which would of caused lots o frustration further down the road. Verizon Global Support also informed me that the extra $10/mo plan that I got for Unlimited talk & text between the US and Canada is only available for Smart phones (my flip phone is a basic phone). I told they lady how I was told by multiple representatives that this plan would work for my phone. But they said now that it wouldn't. The best plan that was available was and additional $25/mo (on top of the already $30/mo) for 500 minutes to the US and 500 texts to the US. This is a plan that I cannot afford in my budget. I left it at that to think and pray about it and consult with my dad. Laura suggested that I "fight" them a bit more to see if I can get the original $10/mo plan on my phone for free since I've had all these situations, and false information.
I made plans to take a trip Friday morning to Buffalo to get my phone figured out. It was one of the only days off that I have and I planned on leaving around 4-5am to beat the Labour day Weekend rush. The last Call to Verizon (above) was on Wednesday night and lasted several hours.
Thursday morning I was super stressed - this was the point that I don't remember being so stressed. I left for church really stressed and I asked for God's help so that it wouldn't distract me from the day ahead of me. Within 5 minutes of driving with worship music on I became very emotional and within 20 minutes of driving, I was crying pretty hard. God was speaking right to me, He was there with me in the car. He spoke truth to me, He comforted me and encouraged me. By the time I got to Church, almost all of the stress was nowhere to be seen. Thank you Jesus
Thursday night, I contacted Verizon again to try Laura's idea. I didn't want to "fight" too much for I had a bit of an uneasy feeling about it in my Spirit for it gave room for the potential to sin and become angry and build up bitterness in my heart - which I don't want. So I asked God to give both me and the Verizon guy on the other end wisdom, guidance and patience so that His name will be lifted up. I also asked Him to speak respectfully and without the building of Frustration.
The lady that I talked to wasn't much more help, she said that she couldn't help me much, that I just have to take it and go down to the States to activate my phone - though she was nice and friendly about it. She also told me that Verizon Global Support was wrong in that Verizon could Not of pre-activated the SIM card before shipping it. She also told me that the $10/mo plan (which she said I didn't have - though I did buy it) has another catch. If more than 60% of the plan is used in Canada, then I can no longer us the plan. Even more frustrating. When she really didn't listen to me that much and didn't become much help I asked her if I could talk to a manager. She said that she's been consulting with a manager the whole time. But after a bit more of back and forth I assume that she was fed up and she transferred me to a manager. The manager said basically the same thing except he offer me $50 saying that they only way to get what I want is to switch to a smart phone. (I would rather pay more than switch to a smart phone because I know that I will get addicted to it and I don't want the temptation). So I accepted, for I felt the Holy Spirit telling me not to push any further.
By the end of the day, they actually transferred $100 into my account. I shared all this with aunt Laura and my dad. Laura suggested that I get them to refund the whole thing, my new phone the plan and all. My dad agreed to the extent of saying, "if there's a cheaper plan" then we'll do that. I've looked many times before at local Canadian companies, but they have always been way more expensive. But we looked again. ...and we found a company called Rogers. They offered $55 Canadian (vs Verizon's $55 US) for Unlimited texting and calling to Canada and the US (including long distance) with no contract. Plus I would get to keep my phone. Praise God. So I did get this plan and I'm thankful too. I've always been a proud Verizon user - haven't had much trouble with them before, but now I'm a Roger user.
While I was in the USA over summer I switched phones since my phone was dying. I switched my flip phone with my grandma's old flip phone. While I was in Texas with family, I found a small problem I was having with my "new" phone. So I called Verizon support and come to find out, this phone won't even work up in Canada. Due to some new changes in Verizon policies, Verizon only offers two flip phones that have the ability to work in Canada. So I went online with my dad and bought one of the two - I love my flip phone! It's an awesome phone and I absolutely love it! Verizon did inform us that this phone would work in Canada. They also, when I asked, offered a new plan upgrade for an additional $10/mo I could get Unlimited Talk & Text between the US and Canada. So we got that deal and I was assured by multiple Verizon representatives that it would work for my phone in Canada.
When I arrived in Canada, my phone didn't work. So I contacted Verizon and told them my situation. After a lot of back and forth questioning, testing, and talking, it was concluded that there was a unusually rare situation that my phone wasn't shipped with a SIM card and it requires a SIM card to work in Canada. They couldn't do much for me so I asked to talk to a manager. After much hassle they shipped a new SIM card to my grandma's house in Illinois (since they have a company rule that they can't ship anything internationally). They paid for the overnight shipping to her place and then gave us $30 to cover the cost of overnighting it to me up here in Canada. Well that didn't all work out entirely, it actually cost about $42 to overnight it and took about 4 days to arrive. When I did get it, my phone still didn't work.
So I contacted Verizon again and they had no idea why the SIM card wasn't working. Then, again after much hassle, came to the conclusion that to be able to activate the SIM card I have to be within range of the Verizon towers (in the US). I told them my situation, that this was a Verizon error and I cannot afford to take a trip to the US just to activate my phone, but that I do need my phone activated ASAP. I also told them about the extra charge it cost to ship the SIM card up here. So they credited the account an additional $12 to cover the extra cost my grandma had to pay to ship the SIM card up here. But they wouldn't do anything else to cover my expenses. However they did give me the direct number to Verizon's Global Support.
I called Verizon Global Support and went though the whole challenge again of explaining my situation and all that. They told me that the SIM card could of been activated prior to being shipped to me. That made me more frustrated, because I now have to take 5-6+ hours out of my day to activate my phone in the US because they didn't activate it when they could of. They did however, credit me $20 to cover the fuel cost of driving down to the border. Come to find out, they found that Verizon had my phone in their system "activated" with a different SIM card number than the one they sent me - which would of caused lots o frustration further down the road. Verizon Global Support also informed me that the extra $10/mo plan that I got for Unlimited talk & text between the US and Canada is only available for Smart phones (my flip phone is a basic phone). I told they lady how I was told by multiple representatives that this plan would work for my phone. But they said now that it wouldn't. The best plan that was available was and additional $25/mo (on top of the already $30/mo) for 500 minutes to the US and 500 texts to the US. This is a plan that I cannot afford in my budget. I left it at that to think and pray about it and consult with my dad. Laura suggested that I "fight" them a bit more to see if I can get the original $10/mo plan on my phone for free since I've had all these situations, and false information.
I made plans to take a trip Friday morning to Buffalo to get my phone figured out. It was one of the only days off that I have and I planned on leaving around 4-5am to beat the Labour day Weekend rush. The last Call to Verizon (above) was on Wednesday night and lasted several hours.
Thursday morning I was super stressed - this was the point that I don't remember being so stressed. I left for church really stressed and I asked for God's help so that it wouldn't distract me from the day ahead of me. Within 5 minutes of driving with worship music on I became very emotional and within 20 minutes of driving, I was crying pretty hard. God was speaking right to me, He was there with me in the car. He spoke truth to me, He comforted me and encouraged me. By the time I got to Church, almost all of the stress was nowhere to be seen. Thank you Jesus
Thursday night, I contacted Verizon again to try Laura's idea. I didn't want to "fight" too much for I had a bit of an uneasy feeling about it in my Spirit for it gave room for the potential to sin and become angry and build up bitterness in my heart - which I don't want. So I asked God to give both me and the Verizon guy on the other end wisdom, guidance and patience so that His name will be lifted up. I also asked Him to speak respectfully and without the building of Frustration.
The lady that I talked to wasn't much more help, she said that she couldn't help me much, that I just have to take it and go down to the States to activate my phone - though she was nice and friendly about it. She also told me that Verizon Global Support was wrong in that Verizon could Not of pre-activated the SIM card before shipping it. She also told me that the $10/mo plan (which she said I didn't have - though I did buy it) has another catch. If more than 60% of the plan is used in Canada, then I can no longer us the plan. Even more frustrating. When she really didn't listen to me that much and didn't become much help I asked her if I could talk to a manager. She said that she's been consulting with a manager the whole time. But after a bit more of back and forth I assume that she was fed up and she transferred me to a manager. The manager said basically the same thing except he offer me $50 saying that they only way to get what I want is to switch to a smart phone. (I would rather pay more than switch to a smart phone because I know that I will get addicted to it and I don't want the temptation). So I accepted, for I felt the Holy Spirit telling me not to push any further.
By the end of the day, they actually transferred $100 into my account. I shared all this with aunt Laura and my dad. Laura suggested that I get them to refund the whole thing, my new phone the plan and all. My dad agreed to the extent of saying, "if there's a cheaper plan" then we'll do that. I've looked many times before at local Canadian companies, but they have always been way more expensive. But we looked again. ...and we found a company called Rogers. They offered $55 Canadian (vs Verizon's $55 US) for Unlimited texting and calling to Canada and the US (including long distance) with no contract. Plus I would get to keep my phone. Praise God. So I did get this plan and I'm thankful too. I've always been a proud Verizon user - haven't had much trouble with them before, but now I'm a Roger user.
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