Clinging to Truth.

      This past month of ministry has definitely been one of the most challenging yet. After Tyler’s funeral and comforting the student that found him, I was left emotionally and mentally exhausted. I felt like everything in ministry was spinning out of control. On my retreat day last Friday I was studying 1 Peter, when I came across 5:6-11:

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

            Throughout all the insanity of ministry, God continues to show me that He is still in control. Through this realization, I am seeing that I must humble myself to God and stop trying to take control. I often revert to my sinful desire to manage my life and the student’s within it. I have this ideal picture of how I want everything to go and when it doesn’t pan out, I crumble becoming anxious and overwhelmed. 

            Capitalizing on my weakened state, the enemy’s desire is to destroy me. I continue to fight back, using prayer (please join with me) and attempting to be steadfast in my faith. It has been helpful to realize that God truly does love these students and this community more than I do. It has also helped me to realize that God knew all of this would happen, and He still has a plan. It brings me great comfort to know that God will restore me and use all of this for His glory. I am thankful for His continuous patience. 

A faithful God in the midst of heartache.

The last few weeks have been very sad for the Kenmore community 
as they mourned the loss of a son, nephew, uncle, student and friend.
Although it was one of the toughest weeks I have ever experienced in
ministry, God was still incredibly faithful to Tyler s family and the
Kenmore community. God s provisions were vast as businesses from the
community stepped up and provided for Tyler s family. 

Tyler s mother called us a few days after his death and informed us
that she was never worried about Tyler when he was at First Glance
Rec Nights with his friends because it was chaperoned and safe. She
told us that due to the provisions she received, any donations
received at Tyler's calling hours and funeral would be given to First
Glance. 

In addition, for around three years now I have been building a
relationship and mentoring the young women who found Tyler s body.
She called me in her brokenness and we mourned her loss together. I
have been able to lead her as her recovery from the situation has
just begun. She is going to counseling and is willing to talk as she
pursues healing. She told me at this point anything would help
because she is at the lowest point she has even been. Please pray as she is
in the anger stage of her grieving. We continue to have some of the most honest 
conversations about Christ I've ever had with her.

Though I ache for this girl, Tyler's mom and family, and the rest of
the community affected by this tragedy, I know God is at work in all
things. I continue to pray that this community would submit to Christ
and they will not turn to substitutions for comfort. I hope they will
cling to Him alone for healing and recognize His everlasting goodness
even through times like this.