I am a bit of a skeptic by nature. I tend to doubt and worry more than I should about things. This is something that God is working on in me. More and more He asks me to place complete trust in Him, even when things look impossible - because our God LOVES to do the impossible to show us His power.

Recently, I’ve seen God at work so faithfully that even a skeptic like me has a hard time staying skeptical. Here is a recent example. Over the past several months, we have had some personal financial concerns facing us. We were facing expenses that simply were not in our budget to meet, and yet in great need of being met. We sought God in prayer and were reminded that He is in control and desires only our belief in His faithfulness. Well, shortly after Christmas, in a span of about 2 weeks, we met people who were interested in helping us meet this financial need. At this time, we are awaiting the final promised check to arrive so we can take care of this concern. To see God (and his body) meet this need so quickly, encourages us to keep trusting in Him for everything that we need and to keep our eyes open to watch Him work. He always has a plan.

I tell this story here to encourage you that as the summer arrives and churches all over the place prepare for summer mission trips and projects, that it is a time when fund raising is high up on everybody’s mind and priority lists. Be encouraged! God has the resources to meet whatever need you have (financial and other). Just keep trusting Him and seeking His leading. Sometimes the process of fundraising for a mission trip is discouraging if things don’t come together as we think they should. But God has a plan for such things. Keep listening to Him and trusting Him and see amazing, “impossible” things accomplished. Then remember to offer praise and thanksgiving to Him for His continuing faithfulness and desire to teach you to depend on Him.

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"Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?" Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, "Love others as much as you love yourself."

Matt. 22:36-39, CEV

It’s all about love.

God and I just keep on coming back to that. A simple lesson, one you’d think I’d have down by now. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor. Not so difficult. We humans, though, we have this need to complicate things. So we, usually unconsciously, add a little bit here or there. Love the Lord and your neighbor, and don’t drink or smoke. Love the Lord and your neighbor, and make sure you don’t skip your quiet times. Love the Lord and your neighbor, and make sure that you’re volunteering at church events. Love the Lord your God and your neighbor and, and, and…. We add this never-ending list of “ands” to what is required of us.

That’s all peripheral stuff. What’s the GREATEST commandment, according to our Lord Jesus Christ? To love. Love God with everything in you and love your neighbor. Not just in theory but worked out in the everyday practicalities of life. I am 100% convinced that if we simply loved each other as Christ loved us we would see revival on a scale we scarcely dare to imagine. I’m not saying that it’s easy to love like Christ loved. It’s not; sometimes it’s incredibly difficult. In my human efforts I fail at this daily, often hourly. God alone can teach us to love as He loves, and I have a feeling that it’s a lifelong learning process. But it’s one I’m willing to undertake and that I pray you are, too.

My father has told me more times than I can count that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing, to keep my priorities in order. Christ has prioritized for us, better than we ever could for ourselves. It’s all about love. I urge you to love Christ with everything in you and to love those around you with a passion stronger than you’ve ever had before.

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Here’s an update on what’s going on in my life: Things are going well with the family that I’ve been living with. Dima & Nina have been really wonderful in helping me learn more Russian words & how to use them. I feel more confident when I ask questions and sentences now. I even enjoy trying to follow conversations!

Since living there I’ve felt more comfortable with their different schedules, lifestyles and personalities. At first, it was challenging for me to pray for them, but now I know how to ask for specific things and even the little stuff that gets on my nerves. We had some great celebrations during the New Year & Orthodox Christmas. Even though it was a little sad to be away from my family, I was surrounded by good friends here. Lately Dima and I have had more serious discussions about Ukrainian history. I’m shocked at the things I’ve learned about Communism rule, the influence of the mafia and the exciting possibilities for the future. I truly believe that this is a time of change for Ukraine and I’m excited to pray in God’s will for this nation and city.

My work as a teacher here is also exciting. While a few of my students are ones that I taught last semester, many of them are new to me. It will be great to get to know them each more personally, through walking or going out for coffee/tea, etc. Also as a teacher, I’m excited about finding more creative ways to present the material. Now that I have taught a semester here, I feel a closer connection with the other teachers and office workers. (I hate calling them that because it is so formal. They are truly brothers and sisters in Christ.) It is amazing to work in an environment where we are free to uplift each other up in prayer at any time and speak out our feelings, no matter if we agree or not.

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 WOW!!! What an upset. David really did beat Goliath!!!

As I watched the last few moments unfold in this incredible game, I was reminded of all the situations in life that seem impossible. You know, we all have a list of things that can only happen if there is some sort of "divine intervention." For some it is a health situation, for others it is financial, for others it is relational and for others it is spiritual.

During the half time of the super bowl I shared a devotional with the fifteen or so people gathered to watch the game. I focused in on the testimony of David Tyree of the NY Giants. Tyree had gotten in to the drug scene at age 13. His life began to unravel. His mother was a Christian and tried to reach out to David. In college he began to drink every weekend and would black out. He was becoming an alcoholic.

After Tyree’s first year in the pros he was arrested for possession of marijuana. From his jail cell he cried out to God for his help and forgiveness. Shortly after getting out of jail he made his way to the front of a church and gave his heart completely to Christ. What a change, now that is a David and Goliath story, literally.

In the second half of the Super bowl, David Tyree caught a touchdown pass and caught what many are saying was the greatest catch in Superbowl history. He is living proof that miracles do happen.

I work with many people who are in need of a miracle in their lives.It sounds funny to say, but after watching the Superbowl and David Tyree, I have more hope for the people who need miracles. Christ changed David Tyree and he can change the lives of those you are praying for too. We serve a God who can do the impossible.

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