Ladies Bible Study

Hope to see you sisters on Tuesday at 6:30 pm for the Bible study! Bethany and Candace have some great things planned, so mark your calendars: September 1 and 15. Watch the above video and join us as we discuss beauty, worth and God's heart. If you need directions, leave a comment or send me an email.

God's Faithfulness in Life's Doorways

“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Revelation 3:7). When doors of opportunity seem to be closing all around me, it is easy to wonder where God is. When I have spent hours of thought and energy attempting to make progress and see little results, it is tempting to become discouraged. Although many doors have recently been shut in my life, I now see God’s hand on the process I went through and the purpose for it.

At the end of March 2009, I came back to Pennsylvania after a trip to India and some other travels. By the end of April, I had quite a list of places where I had submitted job applications. I hadn’t heard a word back from many of them, but a few contacted me to set up interviews. Before one of my first interviews, I prayed that I would have favor and receive the job. Following the interview, I had decided it wasn’t the right place for me. After this experience, I began to pray, “God, I want this job, but I want your will.” My interviewing marathon continued, and so did my prayers: “Not my will, but yours, Lord.” I laughed with a childlike trust that God had something in store as I prayed this for the third, fourth, and fifth time: “Here I am again, praying for this job. I want this job! But, I want Your will more. Have Your way.”

By the sixth interview, I was worn out and tempted to become discouraged. I figured God must have had something specific in store, but I wasn’t sure how much longer I could handle the lack of response, my bills, and interviews that didn’t seem quite right. Thankfully, God provided a great place for me to live, many delicious home cooked meals, and many other blessings through a family that helped me out immensely. It seemed as though God placed His faithfulness in their hands, and they carried it to me.

In May, God opened a door and provided a part-time job that helped pay some bills. This was a relief, but only skimmed the surface of my financial needs. Shortly after beginning this job, I received a phone call from another place that I had applied to in April. The interview was very positive and encouraging. The position seemed like a great fit! Before I left, the interviewer said, “I look forward to working with you” but told me she had one more interview and would call back on Monday. Monday came without a ringtone. Tuesday and Wednesday passed and I still hadn’t heard. By Wednesday evening I was praying and thinking that if there was one more “rejection” I might not be able to keep from becoming depressed! Thursday I received the call and the job offer!

During the interview I was told, “The position actually opened in January, but they held it for some reason . . . I don’t know why.” In January I was still in India . . . as I think about that and give God a wink, I wonder if He was saving it for me! The position I received is one that I am very excited about and could not have imagined, thought of, or expected! During my three months of searching and “waiting”, God reminded me that the most important part of our prayers is not the answers we receive, but our relationship with Him. God was also stretching me and my faith while at the same time keeping me within the bounds of what I could handle. While my faith was being stretched, God was faithful to express His intimate involvement in my life, was faithful to draw me closer to Himself, and was faithful to provide. If doors are shutting all around you, please be encouraged that God knows where you are and He is there with you. His hand may be the one that is closing the doors. If it is, He will surely lead you to an open door that may just be something you could never imagine or ask for!

To read a blog post by Katie C that was written before her journey to India, check out "Down the Road" by clicking HERE.

Bonfire

Friday July 24 at 7 pm we'll descend on the home of Phil and Esther Mayeski for games, smores, bonfire & worship. Please bring a lawn chair & a drink. Smores will be provided. We're going a play a few team building games (fun stuff, trust me) and then we're going to make smores & talk around the campfire about the games we played. After some discussion about taking risks, learning to trust and living in community, we'll have some worship time to listen to what Jesus has to say about our lives, our community & stuff.