Gremlins Among Us

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:7-8

I have this habit.  At the time it seems like it helps, but eventually it just drags me down.  It takes over my thoughts, tires me out, and sometimes my muscles ache more too.  Anyone know what I mean?  It's a little something called worry.  Except in reality, it's not so little.  When you let it, it has power to take over your life.  It's best to catch it when it's small, before it grows into a gigantic monster that eats all of your energy, motivation, and peace.  Kindof like a gremlin.

But in the midst of all of this, God speaks.  God says, "I know what you need before you ask me."  Really?  Before I ask?  Yes.  Before I ask.  God knows me better than I know myself.  God knows what I need and I don't even need to say anything.  The other day I was feeling very discouraged.  I was talking with God about it and wondering why God wasn't changing the way I felt in some way.  Then I go upstairs (I was at work) to get some tea, and happen to go by my mailbox.  A large (but light) white envelope lay inside.  Curious, I picked it up and opened it before I went downstairs (patience has never been my biggest fruit of the Spirit).  Inside I found a rainbow of coloured paper and stickers.  I had no idea what it was.  A small white paper inside told me that two Sunday School classes from my home church (in Canada) had adopted me as their missionary.  These were cards from all of the kids!  "Our church feels empty without you."  "I've always wanted to be a missionary!"  "Praying for you."  Wow!!  So God knew exactly what I needed, and gave it to me at just the right time.  God's amazing like that.

I suppose that's why Matthew continues verses 31-33,

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear? For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

God knows what we need.  God provides what we need.  Not always when WE think he should, but ALWAYS on time.  "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!" (Psalm 150)

I hope that this story reminds you of the many times in your life where God provided what you needed exactly when you needed it.  But more than that, I hope it inspires you to trust God with what is in front of you.  God's got it.  In fact, God knows what you need before you ask him.

 Halesowen Youth Centre:  This is the government run youth provision where I live.  I've been trying to work through the process of being able to volunteer here for a number of months now.  It's a slow process.  Recently I had an informal interview with the area leader, who said he'd be glad to have me on as a volunteer.  All that is left now is for all of the information for my criminal records check to be processed.  Please pray that this would go through smoothly and without complications.

 My flatmate Elizabeth lived in Japan for three years, and really wanted to go out for Japanese food to celebrate Easter.  Here's a picture of us enjoying Teppanyaki - where the chef cooks the food in front of you with flames & all that jazz.  It was delicious!

 On April 6th I had the chance to hear Elizabeth preach at a Chinese church in Nottingham for their Good Friday service.  Elizabeth has been mentoring me for awhile now, and it was great to see her in action!  She preached on Revelation chapter 11, and it inspired me to dig deeper into the Bible.

 After the service, we visited the oldest inn in England, built in 1189!!  It's built into the base of the 'mountain', below Nottingham castle.

 You can't go to Nottingham and not visit Robin Hood!











For those of you on Facebook, you will have seen these photos of my trip to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, & Switzerland.  But here's just a bit more info from that time... 

 Here's part of our group on the shores of the Mediterranean in Tel Aviv, doing a short devotional.  Let me just say that this trip was a dream come true.  Studying the Bible where the Bible took place - epic.  Highly recommended!!  It has started my thinking on doing a Masters degree in some type of Biblical studies in Israel.  Right now it's a thought and a prayer request, nothing more... but the idea just fascinates me!

 This is the view from the top of Mount Carmel, looking out over the Jezreel Valley.  Read 1 Kings 18 for the account of God's defeat of the prophets of Baal through Elijah on Mount Carmel. 

 Here's a shot from Nazareth village, a re-creation of what Nazareth would have been like in Bible times.  This is where farmers would have scattered their seed.  Very different from the huge Prairie fields that I first imagined when I read Matthew 13 (parable of the sower).  You can see here different types of ground the seed would have fallen on - the path, rocky ground, thorns, and good soil.

 Also from Nazareth, this is a view from inside a typical synagogue in Jesus' day.  This is the type of roof the friends would have dug through to get their paralyzed friend to Jesus in Mark 2:1-5.  The only difference is the wooden poles would have been spread apart more (they're closer together here for safety reasons).  

Below is another view of the synagogue

 Group photo during our boat ride on the Sea of Galilee!!

 This is a photo of what the picture below would have looked like in Jesus' time.  Now we're at the ancient site of Caesarea Philippi. Look at Matthew 16:13 and following.  Jesus says that Peter is the rock on which he'll build his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.  This is what Jesus had in mind.  Caesarea Philippi  was a place for worshipping pagan gods.  Jesus was making a powerful statement!

 Sunset over the Sea of Galilee

 Check that off my bucket list!  A camel ride in Genesis land (the Judean wilderness).

 You wouldn't think so, but this is the Jordan River.  Not exactly the type of river I had pictured when I read the Bible!

 Can't forget Jerusalem!

 Wailing wall in Jerusalem.  I got to stick a prayer in too.

 At the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem.  In the distance you can see people standing by the tomb where they believe Jesus was buried....this was one of my favourite sites that we visited.  It really brought Jesus' death and resurrection alive for me.

This picture to the left is from inside the tomb.

 Markets in Old Jerusalem

 Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.

 

Taking a dip in the Dead Sea :)

 At the Giza Pyramids in Egypt

 In the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, I found the Israel Stele!!  This is the first time Israel (as a nation) was mentioned outside of the Bible.  If I remember correctly, it was from Pharaoh Merneptah's victory listings.

 Cave churches in Cairo

 Found this near the cave churches, looking out over Garbage Village.  You're the God of this city!

A final highlight was an overnight layover in Zurich, Switzerland, where I could visit my friend Stephi!  I met her on my first year in OM, and hadn't seen her in almost 5 years!!!  It was nice to reunite :)  Another blessing from God.

Well, that's all for now.  I hope you're blessed by reading this!

Tami