Perfect Love

He loves me perfectly...What does that look like? He loves me perfectly. When I really sit and think about that statement, it causes a realization of His all sufficiency in my life. It covers and fills all of me. We had a message today that focused on God's love and our experiences with it. For most of us...there is or has been a fear of punishment with the people who have had the most influence in our lives (parents, teachers, etc.) After growing up in such a conservative church environment I felt that I needed to make the right decisions so I wouldn't be punished. God is really removing some scales from my eyes about His TRUE character. Isaiah 53:5 "He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scrourging we are healed." He took my punishment and gave me peace. He's so amazing! There is no longer room for fear. I John 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear." He is always giving, we just aren't always recieving. The ever-flowing river of mercy saturates my heart.

Walk in it

It has officially been three weeks since I've been here. It was hard getting used to everything the first couple weeks, but God used that time in some amazing ways! I’m finally feeling somewhat settled here, but missing everyone I love SO, SO, much!

Yea!! School has finally started! One week down…. A LoT to go! This first week of school was great. Bill preached two of the days and there were so many times I wanted to put him on pause. God is teaching me so much already, and I know it’s only a piece of everything I will learn this year. It has been easy to feel overwhelmed with everything but trusting the Holy Spirit as He guides me into all truth.

Backtracking just a bit……

After deciding to attend Bethel, my mind was flooded with concerns of finances. The Lord used several people to tell me to ‘aim high’ when asking for support. So, when I sent out my letters I asked for a much larger amount than I felt comfortable with, but the Lord said "provision is not where you are, but where you step out to meet it." So, I stepped out and met His provision. I just want to brag on Him and His faithfulness to provide for me. He provided much more than I EVER expected!! He always shows Himself faithful. I am still trusting Him to provide a job… please pray!!


So.... About a week before I left I began asking the Lord what it looked like for Him to be my strength and my rock. He reminded me of a mountain and that a mountain is one big piece of rock. He said..."My heart is a mountain, a place for you to run and find refuge." Psalm 62: 6-8 “He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken. On God my salvation and my glory rest; The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.” To stay hidden in that rock is my strength, to remain hidden in His heart., to KNOW His love; To rest in Him. What a beautiful picture of His heart being like a mountain...the vastness, strength, steadfastness. The deeper we go into His heart, the more strength, more rest, more protection. Psalm 18:30-32 “He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock except our God?” As I drove into Redding, I saw mountains all around me. This to me was a physical picture of resting in Him. Just with being here a short time, I feel like my mindset has already been changed so much. He has just been so good to me... revealing Himself to me! Every time I see something new of Him, He reveals that it is only a glimpse of ALL of Him! There is so much more of Him to behold. "Taste and see that the Lord is good."

Beginning of the New

After two years of teaching I so felt the Lord was moving me in another direction, but up until a month ago I wasn't sure what that was. I enjoyed teaching, but there was just something in me that longed for more. Through a long decision-making process the Lord shed light for a new journey. He set me on a path to attend Bethel school of ministry in California. A new adventure! "I will lead the blind by a way they do not know. In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them and rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do and I Will NOT leave them undone." Is 42:16 What a sweet promise! The Lord speaks what I will become...He hovers over my darkness and speaks light into it. I can rest everything that I am not, into His heart. I am clinging to these promises as I embark upon the unknown...a path my feet have never walked. I rest assured that I will not walk it alone. He ALWAYS guides me and makes my rough places smooth. This is the beginning of something new!! He makes all of me new!