The past week has been a changing world full of
unknowns in a time in my life where unknowns
abound, waiting for our bundle of joy to join us in the
next month. I jokingly told Jesse I just needed to
rearrange the bedroom furniture today so I could be
“in control” of something in my life. But really, I am
thankful for a Lord and Savior who is in charge and
has total control in the midst of what seems to us as
chaos. I don’t need to have control or function from
the need to restore order. Even more so my norms
are turned on their head. For the homebody in me, I
have been gently reminded to cherish moments
outside the home. For the introvert, I am made
increasingly aware of the need for fellowship and
communion with others. I am grateful for technology
and how even though we can be so isolated at times,
we are able to connect even on a virtual level – to my
mom across town, to many of you, and even abroad
to Mexico and Honduras where ones I love are living!
I am taken out of the rut I get myself into of everyday
living and am awoken in a new way – seeing life
through different eyes. Jesse looked at Elijah last
week and how his encounter with God proves He can
overcome any obstacle. As we look to Ezekiel this
weekend and the amazing unexplainable life brought
into dry dead bones, I am reminded of my own
encounters with a restorative, transformative and
overcoming faithful Father. I am encouraged to step
out and trust the God who has complete control and
to just to rest in His presence.

Our prayer for you this week is the same. Open eyes to
a glorious, powerful, present Father whose greatest
desire is to meet you this week and to pour out His love,
peace and goodness on you as you trust in Him to being
order to the disorder. Know you are loved and prayed
for.

We love each of you,
Emily and Jesse

As we head into the Lent season and look forward to Easter I want to share about the gift of Jesus’ death. Lent is a season where we acknowledge what Christ has given up for us by giving up something for Him. Typically, it is something costly. Many people change their diets for lent, or give up fast food, or some activity that is precious to them.  Christ gave up the security of heaven for us. He came to live as a Human and suffer all the things that we do because of the curse of sin. He came to conquer sin by living a perfect life and dying a perfect death for us so that we can now be under His covering and have restored relationship with God. Lent is a reflection on this gift from Jesus. Those things that people give up are symbols and reminders of the selfless giving that Christ offer to us. He gave up everything for US: People broken by sin, opposed to His ways, and distant from Him in every way. He made a way for restored relationship by building a bridge to God through the Cross and the Empty Tomb. What a powerful gift.

As we head into this season, what might God be calling you to give up for this season? What powerful gift can you give to God? Is it devotion? Is it prayer? Is it worship? Is it a relationship that needs to be submitted to His will? Ask God what would be a good thing to give up and I am sure that He will answer you.