Exciting News!

Just wanted to share some encouraging and exciting news with all of my sweet sisters of faith. A couple of weeks ago I found out that I am expecting another wonderful blessing. Of course I am thrilled. Not focusing on the past but wholly leaning and trusting in the Lord. I am currently feeling all the nausea and morning sickness feelings which is normal or par for me. We told the children right off and they were pretty happy. Our due date is April 29, 2010. Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

Not knowing what the future holds means Faith is all the more important. I think sometimes Faith is underestimated. I like to think about the example of faith from the Bible to encourage my faith as well.

For instance, Abraham had great Faith to leave his country and family and move long distance away with only his wife and nephew. Then when God told him how plentiful his descendants would be and yet he and Sarah had not one son yet. Finally when Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son Issac, he Faithfully started to obey. Until God called out and prevented Abraham and spared Issac's life for the ram instead. (The story of Abram/ Abraham are found in Genesis 11 towards the end and through Genesis 22.)

I ask my self these rhetorical questions. Could I be willing to move a long distance away with only my immediate family to a country where I know no one? Then could I faithfully obey God to the point where it may cost me the most precious life of my child? I would hope my answers would be Yes. Faith usually asks the most of us b/c by sheer obedience to God we become stronger in our Faith. Thus Faith becomes easier to have or to use in every situation.

I also think about Peter and his faith. I know Peter gets a bad wrap b/c he had so many situations where faith wasn't his strong suit early one. Of course who could forget the walking on the water example. Brave enough to ask Jesus to allow him to go to him out on the water yet foolish enough to allow the wind and waves and his fear to loose his focus on Jesus and begin to sink.
Matthew 14:30-31 But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!"
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"" Yet at the end Peter seemed to exude as a purely Faithful follower and servant to the King!
1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Just some thoughts on Faith. I hope they are encouraging to you as I have found them to be to me.

Praying that your faith continues to grow and strengthen. Just as God continues to give opportunities to show and share our Faith.