Wednesday 21 September 2011

Jehovah Jireh, My Provider

I entitled this "Jehovah Jireh, My Provider" because it reminds me of a line to a song I heard a long time ago. Those are all the words I remember actually. It's sung more like, "jehovah jirah, my providah", so the words rhyme. :) It's rather silly in my head. But the truth of the matter is that God is Jehovah Jireh, my Provider! He always comes through in provision because it's in His nature to, and He can't contradict his nature. He not only provides financially, but He provides healing - physically, emotionally, relationally, spiritually, psychologically, etc! He provides relationships in place of loneliness. He provides education and jobs.

Tonight He showed His provision to me in more than one way. I went to a local college-age ministry tonight, and was so blessed. The message that was preached talked about how our lives bare fruit to the attitude of our hearts, and good trees bare good fruit and bad trees bare bad fruit (Luke 6:43-45). He also talked on the message from James 4, about faith and deeds. At the end of the message, the worship band came up and led us all in a few songs, but during the first song, the worship leader stopped us and encouraged us to really think about if our lives are baring good fruit, and to ask ourselves if we need to confess sin and if so to find someone and do that with. My heart had been stirred during the message, and I went to the speaker/pastor's wife and asked her to pray with me after confessing my sin (James 5:16).
God provided me a save person with whom to share my struggles with, and to receive prayer from. He provided me healing and forgiveness.

God also provided for me financially tonight. A young man (whom I've met twice before) came up to me and inquired about my intentions with YWAM, and what the school is like that I'll be starting next week. I shared with him about the school, and then further about my reasoning for pursuing this school, as well as my previous experience with YWAM, as he hopes to travel with YWAM in the future. We had a great conversation, and at the end he told me he had something to give me. I was surprised. I hardly knew him, except for a few encounters. He handed me an envelope, and I politely tucked it into my purse, telling him I'd open it later. I had no idea what he had for me.

Later I got into my car and opened the envelope. Inside was a well-written letter in which he expressed his thanks for my praying over him last week on behalf of his brother (who had spinal surgery today). Between the folds of the letter were four crisp $100 bills. I was absolutely astonished!!! WOW!! $400!!! What an incredible testimony to God's provision. This guy knew hardly anything about what it was I was going to, and yet responded to what the Lord had put on his heart! Joseph, I am so thankful, and beyond words. THANK YOU!! My prayer is that you are blessed in return, and many times over!! Thank you for being obedient to what God laid on your heart. Thank you for believing in me, and what God is calling me into. Thank you for sharing your heart for the nations. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Jehovah Jireh! The God who provides!!! I am incredibly blessed. Thanks God! You're the best.

Tuesday 13 September 2011

Giving Anonymously

Apparently the link that I posted before for Giving Anonymously hasn't been working. My apologies for those of you who've tried to give.

Here is a new link that should work:

give to Lindsey


Thanks!

Minnesota

Minnesota means time with my sisters. Minnesota means trusting Jesus. Minnesota means spending time with new friends. And meeting up with old friends.

My time over the last two weeks has been so incredibly blessed here in Minnesota. I drove out here on August 29-30th with my twin, Carissa. She is spending the remainder of her "ministry sabbatical" here, and I'm visiting for another two weeks until I head back to Denver, CO for another YWAM school.

Minnesota means getting to celebrate my older sister's 26th birthday. Minnesota means riding the "log drop" at the Mall of America. Minnesota means pizza. A lot of pizza.

We've visited a couple churches with Cassie and her husband, Dean. I've gone on some motorcycle rides, swam in a lake, cuddled with a kitten, gone on walks at parks... Kickball and croquet have definitely been a highlight! :)

This weekend has been so rich!! On Friday night Dean, Carissa and I planned a surprise party for Cassie. Saturday was filled with fellowship, ministry, prayer, prophecy, and a deep revelation of God's love. Les Coombs (a pastor in the healing rooms at Bethel church in Redding, CA) was staying with the family that I've been living with, and led us in such a powerful time of teaching, etc. I was inspired, activated, encouraged, healed, and so affirmed. Yesterday I went with Dean, Cassie, Carissa and two friends Cody and Ethan to a church near "the cities", then adventured further south to the Mall of America. Then last night, I met up with my dear friend, Bethany, who was my small group leader when I did the YWAM DTS in Herrnhut, Germany. We stayed up until nearly 1am talking about all that God had done in our lives over the last 2.5 years since we'd last seen each other. The stories she told were so amazing - my mind was stretched and my spirit moved.

Minnesota means Jamba Juice and Bruegger's Bagels for breakfast. Minnesota means reading books. Minnesota means taking photos. Minnesota means hot and humid summer making way for crisp fall.

Minnesota is meaningful.