Macie and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary this past Tuesday and it was a great time to sit down and talk over our lives and all that has happened. We are currently visiting Macie's family in Atlanta, Georgia so we went out for dinner together, walked through the park where I proposed to Macie and went out to Brewsters (ice cream shop) for dessert, the UK just doesn't do ice cream like over here. It was a wonderful evening.
During dinner we were able to sit down and talk about some of our funnest and hardest times during our time together and how God has guided and helped us along the way. By the end of the evening we both felt so undeserving of all that we have. We have been given so much, have such a fun marriage and three wonderful kids. We are both able to do what we love, as I play football and Macie gets to lead worship at church and home school the kids. We both sat there and felt completely overwhelmed with the blessings in our lives. We don't deserve this wonderful life we have been given and this made us thankful to God even more. Some people might say that we give a lot of our time to others, love and discipline our kids well and try to be the best we can and so we are getting what we deserve. Macie and I know however that at times we get angry, lose our temper with one another, can be very selfish and lots of other stuff we wouldn't want people to see. We have been given so much we don't deserve.
I am not saying this to brag on how good we have it, I have a point to telling you this. The club I finished playing the season for is going through a boardroom takeover and is therefore struggling financially. This has left the players with no pay for almost two months. On top of this the surgery I was promised at the end of the season for my hernia was not paid for. Luckily in the UK we have the NHS so I am hopefully getting the operation done when I get home from our stay in the U.S. Another factor is that my job is uncertain because that is the nature of football, unless you're as good as the likes of Wayne Rooney! My point is that by God's grace we are able to focus on Him, His goodness and everything that is good in our lives instead of the struggle and the unknown. This is why we can be so grateful and happy. It makes life much easier and peaceful when I focus on all that is good. Thanks for reading.
Jo, Macie and kids
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Monday, March 31, 2014
I'm going in for surgery
I have recently been diagnosed with a sports hernia and will have to go in for surgery pretty soon, haven't finalized a date yet. I have been playing with this hernia problem for most of the season but have managed to play through it up until about a week ago when I had to stop training because I was unable to sprint. I have been playing with a lot of stiffness and pain but have been able to play fairly well in most of the games this season.
The other week I got something tiny stuck in my eye which was really annoying and made blinking hurt. I tried to get it out a few times but eventually after 24 hours I'd had enough and asked Macie to have a good look at it and get it out with a Q tip. She managed to get the tiny speck after a few tries and the feeling of relief was fantastic. I was also able to see better and for the next few hours I kept thanking her for getting it out because I had forgotten what a normal blink felt like.
Like a hernia or something stuck in my eye I have realized that we all have 'things' in our lives that are really damaging to us if left alone. We simply learn to live with them and they go on hurting us, we forget what it's like to play fully fit or to see clearly. We simply learn to live in discomfort and think it is normal. I want to play fully fit again without any pain, I wanted to see clearly so Macie helped me and I was totally fine in an instant. I am going to a Dr. who knows how to fix my sports hernia so I can play fully fit again.
I have not been able to play to my full potential all year because of my injury but I have still done a good job and most people watching wouldn't even know I was injured. No one except my close family knew about the speck in my eye. I was able to hide it from everyone but I knew it was holding me back. I pray that God will show me things in my life that are holding me back from living my life to the full. Bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, fear of what people think etc. Then when he shows me I am going to ask him to heal/ help me because I can't heal myself sometimes. this could be instant healing like my eye or it may take a while, like rehab after surgery.
I don't want to get to the end of my life and find out I never had to live with a certain pain, injury or some sort of discomfort physical, mental or spiritual. Please lift up a prayer for my surgery and I hope this blog somehow encourages you to get 'fixed' anything that is hurting you..
The other week I got something tiny stuck in my eye which was really annoying and made blinking hurt. I tried to get it out a few times but eventually after 24 hours I'd had enough and asked Macie to have a good look at it and get it out with a Q tip. She managed to get the tiny speck after a few tries and the feeling of relief was fantastic. I was also able to see better and for the next few hours I kept thanking her for getting it out because I had forgotten what a normal blink felt like.
Like a hernia or something stuck in my eye I have realized that we all have 'things' in our lives that are really damaging to us if left alone. We simply learn to live with them and they go on hurting us, we forget what it's like to play fully fit or to see clearly. We simply learn to live in discomfort and think it is normal. I want to play fully fit again without any pain, I wanted to see clearly so Macie helped me and I was totally fine in an instant. I am going to a Dr. who knows how to fix my sports hernia so I can play fully fit again.
I have not been able to play to my full potential all year because of my injury but I have still done a good job and most people watching wouldn't even know I was injured. No one except my close family knew about the speck in my eye. I was able to hide it from everyone but I knew it was holding me back. I pray that God will show me things in my life that are holding me back from living my life to the full. Bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, fear of what people think etc. Then when he shows me I am going to ask him to heal/ help me because I can't heal myself sometimes. this could be instant healing like my eye or it may take a while, like rehab after surgery.
I don't want to get to the end of my life and find out I never had to live with a certain pain, injury or some sort of discomfort physical, mental or spiritual. Please lift up a prayer for my surgery and I hope this blog somehow encourages you to get 'fixed' anything that is hurting you..
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Not blogged for ages
Why has it been so long since our last blog? Mainly because every time I say, "We should blog again" Macie says, "go on then", and I do nothing and put it off. We do that with so many things in life, just put them off. I've been putting this post off since Feb 28th 2013, almost a year. I'm going to keep this blog simple and just give you an update on where we are at.
Hopefully most of you know we have a new addition to the family. Our first son Judah Myers Connor was born February 1st 2014 at 8 lbs 13. The name Judah means praise and Myers is Macie's maiden name. We have had this name picked out since before Miriam was born. We want Judah's whole life to be one that praises God and so we simply named him that. He has been with us two weeks now as in an incredible blessing to us all. Miriam and Eliana adore him.
I finished off last football/soccer season with Hereford and really enjoyed myself. I chose to play for Macclesfield Town this year because it was the closest professional club to home that offered me a contract. It has been a really fun season this year so far and if we continue performing the way we are there is a chance to make play offs and go for promotion.
Hopefully most of you know we have a new addition to the family. Our first son Judah Myers Connor was born February 1st 2014 at 8 lbs 13. The name Judah means praise and Myers is Macie's maiden name. We have had this name picked out since before Miriam was born. We want Judah's whole life to be one that praises God and so we simply named him that. He has been with us two weeks now as in an incredible blessing to us all. Miriam and Eliana adore him.
I finished off last football/soccer season with Hereford and really enjoyed myself. I chose to play for Macclesfield Town this year because it was the closest professional club to home that offered me a contract. It has been a really fun season this year so far and if we continue performing the way we are there is a chance to make play offs and go for promotion.
Miriam is doing really well with her first year of home school and is flourishing as a big sister. Everyday she loves to dance and perform and Eliana loves to follow along and copy what she sees her big sister doing. They have become best friends and when Macie talked about putting Eliana in day care for a few days a week Miriam started to cry because she would miss her too much. Children are a blessing from the Lord and we cherish our beautiful daughters everyday and try to teach them God made them for a purpose and has an incredible plan for their lives. I tell them almost everyday they were made to change the world because I truly believe that God would not create a life if he did not desire it to do something wonderful. It is our job to do the great things we were made for and help others fulfill the destiny God has on their lives. That's what we love most about being parents. God has given us the job of helping three incredible children discover the reason why they were made and help them live it out.
One of my favorite things we were involved in this past year was a New Years eve celebration at an 800 year old church. Macie and I were so blessed to be able to help out at a 24 hour prayer event that united a number of churches around Stockport and the local area to pray and worship under one roof. Christians from all different denominations came together and prayed together for God to move on the hearts of the people of this town and praise him in various worships styles together. Macie led the worship team for two nights whilst I led the service on New Years eve which was a great honor.
Loads more has happened to us this past year but I know how annoying a really long post can be so hopefully i'll be blogging again sooner rather than later. Love to all our friends and family we don't get to see enough and we pray for blessing over your lives.
Jo, Macie, Miriam, Eliana and Judah
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Taking the next Step
The last month has been a time of uncertainty and waiting for Macie and I. This season I established myself as club captain of my home town professional football team but when our manager was sacked on the 15th of January this year I haven't played a single minute of the past 7 games. Unfortunately I got injured just before the arrival of our new manager and was not able to play for two weeks but after getting back fit again I was told there was no future for me at the club. This came as a surprise because the new manager had never seen me play before and he had already made his decision about me. Whatever the reason for the club not wanting me, I was now in a position where I would have to find a new club or a new job within the next couple of months.
What do you do when things out of your control completely change or determine your future? I can honestly say that throughout this time I have had total peace knowing that "God works out all things for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28) and if his eye is on the sparrow then his heart is on me (Matthew 10:29-31). I have spoken and prayed over these scriptures so many times over the past month that in the middle of uncertain times I have had so much joy.
If the Bible is true, then because I love God he is working out all things for my good, and if he is watching over a sparrow than how much more is he interested in my well being. Some people reading this may have never heard of these scriptures in the Bible and some may be very familiar with them. To those who are familiar with these scriptures I say that this is a promise for those who are in love with God through Jesus Christ. Not for those who kind of believe but don't really follow or love him and his commands. Remember it is not always what we see as being the best outcome that is really the best thing for us. For those who are not familiar with the Bible I can say from my experience that God really does work out all things for my good and he is true to his word.
Today I am leaving Stockport to go play for Hereford United FC until the end of the season. A team that beat Stockport County on Tuesday night and are 10 places higher than them in the league table. This has all happened through people I had never met before until recently and the connections they made on my behalf had never even crossed my mind. It is easy to say I just got lucky but I am convinced that there is an unseen world around us that has been causing things to happen in my favor. There is a God that has been working all things out for my good.
If you believe in the God I am talking about please pray for me and my family moving forward because we will be separated throughout the week. Pray that I play better than I ever have before and that I am a blessing to Hereford. If you don't really know the God I'm talking about you really need to seek him out. He is so amazing and faithful to those who love him. Ever since I gave my life to Jesus my life has been an incredible journey and he wants to take you on one too.
What do you do when things out of your control completely change or determine your future? I can honestly say that throughout this time I have had total peace knowing that "God works out all things for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28) and if his eye is on the sparrow then his heart is on me (Matthew 10:29-31). I have spoken and prayed over these scriptures so many times over the past month that in the middle of uncertain times I have had so much joy.
If the Bible is true, then because I love God he is working out all things for my good, and if he is watching over a sparrow than how much more is he interested in my well being. Some people reading this may have never heard of these scriptures in the Bible and some may be very familiar with them. To those who are familiar with these scriptures I say that this is a promise for those who are in love with God through Jesus Christ. Not for those who kind of believe but don't really follow or love him and his commands. Remember it is not always what we see as being the best outcome that is really the best thing for us. For those who are not familiar with the Bible I can say from my experience that God really does work out all things for my good and he is true to his word.
Today I am leaving Stockport to go play for Hereford United FC until the end of the season. A team that beat Stockport County on Tuesday night and are 10 places higher than them in the league table. This has all happened through people I had never met before until recently and the connections they made on my behalf had never even crossed my mind. It is easy to say I just got lucky but I am convinced that there is an unseen world around us that has been causing things to happen in my favor. There is a God that has been working all things out for my good.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Journey with the one I love
Everyone has a story of their own. A history of relationships both good and bad with different experiences and events that shape who they are. Unfortunately in life we only really get to hear a handful of these stories, even from the people closest to us. How many people really know your story and how you feel? I tell my little girl Miriam every night before bed that God made her to change the world. One day I hope she will ask me, "how"? My answer will simply be, "one person at a time".
Since I became a Christian almost eight years ago it has been my to desire love as many people as possible in truth and grace that can only come from knowing Jesus. I have dreamed of speaking in front of thousands of people whilst Macie sings inspiring music to touch peoples lives and they instantly become the people God really made them to be. But our God is too loving for a simple quick fix solution. He wants to really know us, inside out. He wants to be the one who really knows your story better than anyone. Eight years ago I would have asked how can God know me and really care about me that much? Then I met Jesus. In a way that a child can understand he hung on a cross 2,000 years ago for me, stretched out his arms and said, "Jo, I love you this much. And i'm dying for you to know that. I want to walk with you everyday and know your story and help you write the rest of your life."
After saying yes to him and asking him to guide my life I can say with out a shadow of doubt how real he is and I found out he loves me a whole lot more than I first thought. Moving into a new year helps us to look back on what we have done, who we are and what we want to achieve in the future. I challenge you to really ponder those questions and ask God what he thinks about it all.
Everyone has a story, we only know a few peoples, but God knows every single one of them. Some seem to have had a nice easy life, some have suffered horrific things, some have lots of money, some have very little. But each person has a story that is unique and special that is worth writing a book about even if you're not famous. It is only those that hand the authorship over to their creator Jesus Christ that will have a story worth taking into eternity.
This new year find out some new stories from people. This can be hard sometimes and normally involves tears. And understand that your story is written everyday by the little choices you make. Write a story that God can look at and say, "That was worth dying for".
Since I became a Christian almost eight years ago it has been my to desire love as many people as possible in truth and grace that can only come from knowing Jesus. I have dreamed of speaking in front of thousands of people whilst Macie sings inspiring music to touch peoples lives and they instantly become the people God really made them to be. But our God is too loving for a simple quick fix solution. He wants to really know us, inside out. He wants to be the one who really knows your story better than anyone. Eight years ago I would have asked how can God know me and really care about me that much? Then I met Jesus. In a way that a child can understand he hung on a cross 2,000 years ago for me, stretched out his arms and said, "Jo, I love you this much. And i'm dying for you to know that. I want to walk with you everyday and know your story and help you write the rest of your life."
After saying yes to him and asking him to guide my life I can say with out a shadow of doubt how real he is and I found out he loves me a whole lot more than I first thought. Moving into a new year helps us to look back on what we have done, who we are and what we want to achieve in the future. I challenge you to really ponder those questions and ask God what he thinks about it all.
Everyone has a story, we only know a few peoples, but God knows every single one of them. Some seem to have had a nice easy life, some have suffered horrific things, some have lots of money, some have very little. But each person has a story that is unique and special that is worth writing a book about even if you're not famous. It is only those that hand the authorship over to their creator Jesus Christ that will have a story worth taking into eternity.
This new year find out some new stories from people. This can be hard sometimes and normally involves tears. And understand that your story is written everyday by the little choices you make. Write a story that God can look at and say, "That was worth dying for".
Sunday, October 7, 2012
What Are You Being Taught?
Last Saturday I was playing in a game when I went up for a header, hit an opponent and got my legs taken out from under me. I fell straight onto my right shoulder and tore a ligament that was very painful. I was told I'd be out for 4-6 weeks and sent home to go and rest. I have been unable to help around the house this past week which has caused so much extra work for Macie.
I believe in a miracle working God and I thought this would be a great way for everyone on the team, people who work at the club and all the fans to see how great our God is. I am writing this 8 days after the event and even though I should be ready to play soon I did not see the instant healing miracle I and many others were praying for. This blog is not about questioning if God still works miracles and if he does why does he only perform them at certain times or why when you pray does God sometimes seem silent. I believe in a miracle working God and have seen some miraculous things but I cannot give you an answer to why it doesn't always happen. This blog is about what I learnt this past week.
I am embarrassed to say that it wasn't until the following Saturday, a week later after listening to a sermon I asked God, "are you teaching me anything through this injury?" When I finally asked I felt like he was so quick to tell me.
Does this mean that God gave me an injury to teach me something? I don't believe he gave me the injury and I don't want to get into a deep theological blog about how a good God can let suffering happen. All I know is that I've seen God do miracles and prevent horrific things from happening and I've prayed for others and watched no change happen. God is way too big for me to understand his ways completely. The question is how do I react to this? How do you react in times like this? I think we should always be asking, "what can I learn in this situation?".
So here is what I feel God taught me and I'd like to share it with you. Your strongest, most important gifting can become your biggest hindrance My right arm is probably the part of my body I use the most in physical activity and this past week it has hindered almost all my physical activity. Be careful not to let your greatest gift become the thing that stops you from fulfilling the life God has planned for you.
He also taught me that I am only as strong as my partner (Macie) and the people around me. If any of you have been sick recently you quickly realize that without loved ones or someone helping out, you are completely useless. It is so important to understand how important your partners such as spouses, friends, family, work mates, etc are in your life.
I hope you enjoyed this blog and maybe learnt something from my experience this past week. What I really want is that you ask more often, "What can I learn from this?" Instead of trying to figure out the mind of God and why sometimes he seems to ignore our cries for help, healing, less stress, more money, better relationships etc.
I believe in a miracle working God and I thought this would be a great way for everyone on the team, people who work at the club and all the fans to see how great our God is. I am writing this 8 days after the event and even though I should be ready to play soon I did not see the instant healing miracle I and many others were praying for. This blog is not about questioning if God still works miracles and if he does why does he only perform them at certain times or why when you pray does God sometimes seem silent. I believe in a miracle working God and have seen some miraculous things but I cannot give you an answer to why it doesn't always happen. This blog is about what I learnt this past week.
I am embarrassed to say that it wasn't until the following Saturday, a week later after listening to a sermon I asked God, "are you teaching me anything through this injury?" When I finally asked I felt like he was so quick to tell me.
Does this mean that God gave me an injury to teach me something? I don't believe he gave me the injury and I don't want to get into a deep theological blog about how a good God can let suffering happen. All I know is that I've seen God do miracles and prevent horrific things from happening and I've prayed for others and watched no change happen. God is way too big for me to understand his ways completely. The question is how do I react to this? How do you react in times like this? I think we should always be asking, "what can I learn in this situation?".
So here is what I feel God taught me and I'd like to share it with you. Your strongest, most important gifting can become your biggest hindrance My right arm is probably the part of my body I use the most in physical activity and this past week it has hindered almost all my physical activity. Be careful not to let your greatest gift become the thing that stops you from fulfilling the life God has planned for you.
He also taught me that I am only as strong as my partner (Macie) and the people around me. If any of you have been sick recently you quickly realize that without loved ones or someone helping out, you are completely useless. It is so important to understand how important your partners such as spouses, friends, family, work mates, etc are in your life.
I hope you enjoyed this blog and maybe learnt something from my experience this past week. What I really want is that you ask more often, "What can I learn from this?" Instead of trying to figure out the mind of God and why sometimes he seems to ignore our cries for help, healing, less stress, more money, better relationships etc.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
How Quickly We Forget
Macie and I were recently lying in bed and I said, "the room feels empty". She responded by saying it was the first time we've had a room to ourselves in over 10 months. Eliana is now sharing a room with Miriam and so Macie and I go to bed alone for the first time since we left Charlotte, NC. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed that time at the end of the day getting ready for bed and chatting for a short time before falling asleep with my bride. We so quickly take for granted all the wonderful things in life because they become routine. Learning to treasure every little blessing brings so much happiness to any life and I wonder how many we over look everyday.
We are back in season with Stockport County now. We won our first two games and lost our third yesterday. Like overlooking blessings, I am so quick to focus on what is not happening in my life as opposed to what is. I am not playing great at the moment, we didn't win yesterday, my baby isn't sleeping well, my spouse isn't doing things the way I think they should be done, my outreach isn't very effective, the church isn't growing and lots of other things. But when I focus on all the things happening that are good my mood changes. After chatting to Macie today I was reminded that even if I can't see with my own eyes the things I want to happen, that doesn't mean that God isn't working on making it happen at this very moment. I firmly believe that there is an unseen world all around us where incredible things take place every moment to give us blessings we overlook way too much. Most of the real impact we have on people we will never know about and so much of what God does we have blind eyes to. A prayer I don't prayer enough is asking God to open my eyes to all he is doing. When I do this I don't focus on a God who lets people starve, or a God who forgets about people who are in horrific pain and suffering. Instead my eyes are opened to all the incredible things I get everyday that I do not deserve.
Here is a picture of an article published today in a national football newspaper. The headline sounds really sketchy (and I did not quote it) but the story was actually really good. I don't think you can read it on line but when I get a copy i'll try and scan it on the blog for you all to see.
We are back in season with Stockport County now. We won our first two games and lost our third yesterday. Like overlooking blessings, I am so quick to focus on what is not happening in my life as opposed to what is. I am not playing great at the moment, we didn't win yesterday, my baby isn't sleeping well, my spouse isn't doing things the way I think they should be done, my outreach isn't very effective, the church isn't growing and lots of other things. But when I focus on all the things happening that are good my mood changes. After chatting to Macie today I was reminded that even if I can't see with my own eyes the things I want to happen, that doesn't mean that God isn't working on making it happen at this very moment. I firmly believe that there is an unseen world all around us where incredible things take place every moment to give us blessings we overlook way too much. Most of the real impact we have on people we will never know about and so much of what God does we have blind eyes to. A prayer I don't prayer enough is asking God to open my eyes to all he is doing. When I do this I don't focus on a God who lets people starve, or a God who forgets about people who are in horrific pain and suffering. Instead my eyes are opened to all the incredible things I get everyday that I do not deserve.
Here is a picture of an article published today in a national football newspaper. The headline sounds really sketchy (and I did not quote it) but the story was actually really good. I don't think you can read it on line but when I get a copy i'll try and scan it on the blog for you all to see.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
So We're Kind of a Big Deal...
As Jo and I were driving the other night to the Mayor's Ball, he in his tuxedo and I in my ballgown, we just began to laugh as we thought back to nearly 7 months ago when we stepped off the airplane into an unknown life with no plans, no job, just a knowledge that God has said to us "go". We have always prayed that God would put us into situations that if He didn't show up and do something big, we would be made to look like fools. This has been one of those times in our lives and God has once again proven Himself faithful.
Jo has been made captain of Stockport County Football club and signed on for another year. We have a wonderful church where I can play the piano and sing for worship and Jo and I can work with the youth. We have good friends and wonderful family.
Yet through all of this, there are times when my heart still cries out for home. I miss driving on the right (and correct) side of the road, hearing a good old southern drawl, and going through the drive-through at Chik-fil-A. I miss my daughter having an American accent, knowing my way around places and my big Toyota 4Runner. But above all, I miss my family. They came to visit last month and it was the highlight of my time here in England. I feel like I can now truly say I know what it means when Jesus says we must be willing to give up our family to follow Him. I am more than willing to do this, but that doesn't take away the pain of separation. Christ is worth any sacrifice and he has proven that to us time and again throughout our marriage. Yet the pain of the sacrifice serves to remind us that this earth is not our permanent home. We are created for something so much better than this and one day I will spend eternity with my family. Jesus has sent us to England to bring others into that eternity with us. I am willing to give up anything for that, even if it means I never eat at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant again.
Jo has been made captain of Stockport County Football club and signed on for another year. We have a wonderful church where I can play the piano and sing for worship and Jo and I can work with the youth. We have good friends and wonderful family.
Yet through all of this, there are times when my heart still cries out for home. I miss driving on the right (and correct) side of the road, hearing a good old southern drawl, and going through the drive-through at Chik-fil-A. I miss my daughter having an American accent, knowing my way around places and my big Toyota 4Runner. But above all, I miss my family. They came to visit last month and it was the highlight of my time here in England. I feel like I can now truly say I know what it means when Jesus says we must be willing to give up our family to follow Him. I am more than willing to do this, but that doesn't take away the pain of separation. Christ is worth any sacrifice and he has proven that to us time and again throughout our marriage. Yet the pain of the sacrifice serves to remind us that this earth is not our permanent home. We are created for something so much better than this and one day I will spend eternity with my family. Jesus has sent us to England to bring others into that eternity with us. I am willing to give up anything for that, even if it means I never eat at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant again.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Time in England flies by
It's almost been 5 months since our family stepped off the plane to a cold, wet, uncertain England from the wonderful home we knew in America. The only plans we had were to move in with my parents until we were able to take care of ourselves.
I'm now sitting here in our new home getting ready to have breakfast with my wonderful family and thinking it only feels like yesterday since we got here. I just said to Macie this morning I feel like this is the fastest my life has ever gone. Rediscovering a culture I had forgotten and a brand new one for Macie and Miriam to learn, playing football, living with family then moving to a new home, new church and ministry and in the middle of all this a wonderful new baby girl joined us. People say that life goes faster when you have more kids and it definitely feels that way but I never want to be a person that says, "Where did the time go? I should have done more."
I was praying in the car the other day and asking God to use me to do 'big things' by helping people and impacting the culture I live in to know who Christ really is. I was just getting done praying and about to go inside the house to watch the Man City game with my Dad and I felt like God told me to do these 'big things' now. How do I do this while watching football I thought? God reminded me he made us to make every moment a special one. How do we do this?
The other night Miriam shouted me whilst she was in bed that she needed to go potty. I went into her room and helped her get down from her new bunk bed and as her feet touched the floor she took off running as fast as she could to the toilet screaming, "I'm gonna win!!!". Kids have an amazing way of making normal mundane situations into special moments. Miriam has no idea that she made me smile and my heart leap in my chest but I'm sure those of you that have kids can recall a similar memory. I believe our heavenly Father smiles the same way at us when we simply embrace life in every moment with the heart of a child.
How do I make sure I don't look back over a life that flies by and wish I would have done more? Simple, I race my heavenly father to the toilet every time I need to go! We simply need to embrace today, this moment, this mundane task or job that is here now, in the present. Don't be waiting and hoping for that big moment to come along but instead make this moment into it.
Here we are outside our new house.
I'm now sitting here in our new home getting ready to have breakfast with my wonderful family and thinking it only feels like yesterday since we got here. I just said to Macie this morning I feel like this is the fastest my life has ever gone. Rediscovering a culture I had forgotten and a brand new one for Macie and Miriam to learn, playing football, living with family then moving to a new home, new church and ministry and in the middle of all this a wonderful new baby girl joined us. People say that life goes faster when you have more kids and it definitely feels that way but I never want to be a person that says, "Where did the time go? I should have done more."
I was praying in the car the other day and asking God to use me to do 'big things' by helping people and impacting the culture I live in to know who Christ really is. I was just getting done praying and about to go inside the house to watch the Man City game with my Dad and I felt like God told me to do these 'big things' now. How do I do this while watching football I thought? God reminded me he made us to make every moment a special one. How do we do this?
The other night Miriam shouted me whilst she was in bed that she needed to go potty. I went into her room and helped her get down from her new bunk bed and as her feet touched the floor she took off running as fast as she could to the toilet screaming, "I'm gonna win!!!". Kids have an amazing way of making normal mundane situations into special moments. Miriam has no idea that she made me smile and my heart leap in my chest but I'm sure those of you that have kids can recall a similar memory. I believe our heavenly Father smiles the same way at us when we simply embrace life in every moment with the heart of a child.
How do I make sure I don't look back over a life that flies by and wish I would have done more? Simple, I race my heavenly father to the toilet every time I need to go! We simply need to embrace today, this moment, this mundane task or job that is here now, in the present. Don't be waiting and hoping for that big moment to come along but instead make this moment into it.
Here we are outside our new house.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
A new arrival
Hello everyone.
Eliana Deborah Connor arrived on February 6th at 3:45 am weighing 9.7 pounds. Macie delivered her naturally and again had a scare after giving birth with massive blood loss. Watching her in the delivery room was like a repeat of when Miriam was born. I was very sad that a wonderful birth would again be overshadowed by a traumatic experience that followed for Macie. How many times in life do we let a bad experience over shadow such an incredible moment God has given us just seconds before? When I remember this birth I will focus on watching the courage of a mother give birth to an incredible baby girl. How incredible is our God that allows us to experience such wonderful moments in life. We are much happier when we focus on what God gives us then when we remember what the enemy takes from us.
Everything else in England is going smoothly for us. We bought a car on Sunday, an automatic so Macie would be more comfortable on foreign roads. I was blessed to be given a good contract with Stockport County until the end of the season that will give our family more security. We love the church we attend and are enjoying living with my family but are now ready for our own place. Pray that the right house comes along in the perfect location for us.
Looking back on the past two months is a testimony to the faithfulness of Jesus. We came to England with no plans only knowing it was where God wanted us to live. We have a healthy new baby girl, a car, a church family and I am now able to play professional football for my home team I grew up watching as a boy. Thank you for every prayer you have lifted up to heaven for this family, we feel them everyday.
Eliana Deborah Connor arrived on February 6th at 3:45 am weighing 9.7 pounds. Macie delivered her naturally and again had a scare after giving birth with massive blood loss. Watching her in the delivery room was like a repeat of when Miriam was born. I was very sad that a wonderful birth would again be overshadowed by a traumatic experience that followed for Macie. How many times in life do we let a bad experience over shadow such an incredible moment God has given us just seconds before? When I remember this birth I will focus on watching the courage of a mother give birth to an incredible baby girl. How incredible is our God that allows us to experience such wonderful moments in life. We are much happier when we focus on what God gives us then when we remember what the enemy takes from us.
Everything else in England is going smoothly for us. We bought a car on Sunday, an automatic so Macie would be more comfortable on foreign roads. I was blessed to be given a good contract with Stockport County until the end of the season that will give our family more security. We love the church we attend and are enjoying living with my family but are now ready for our own place. Pray that the right house comes along in the perfect location for us.
Looking back on the past two months is a testimony to the faithfulness of Jesus. We came to England with no plans only knowing it was where God wanted us to live. We have a healthy new baby girl, a car, a church family and I am now able to play professional football for my home team I grew up watching as a boy. Thank you for every prayer you have lifted up to heaven for this family, we feel them everyday.
Below is a link from a British website about us. Everything is true except us moving back if I didn't find a team to play for. We would have stayed in England whatever happened. Sometimes you just know God has you in a certain place for such a time as this.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Enjoying the Journey
We have now been in England 2 weeks tomorrow (we landed in Manchester around 10am Tuesday, Nov 29th). We entered the country with 6 suitcases, an almost 3 year old and no plans for the future other than staying at Jo's parent's house until something else presented itself. A few years ago, I (Macie) would have called this adventure crazy and never even attempted something like this. Yet here I am, a testimony to God's gentle hand of guidance that is always pushing us to go farther and deeper with Him. I have always wanted a "risk-free" life. What woman hasn't? Who doesn't desire a nice house, well-kept children, and a husband with a steady job? No risk, no unwanted "surprises" and complete security. But through this beginning part of our journey, I am constantly reminded that my desire to lead a risk-free life is a way of telling God that I don't trust Him enough to guide us. When I pursue stability, I am proving my unbelief in God's perfect plan for my life. So, we have decided to live life on the edge, with leaps of faith becoming the norm instead of our constant search for a "safe" life. This has challenged us to completely rewire our thinking on what is important in life and has also led us on our biggest and most exciting adventure yet.
Two days after we arrived in the UK, Jo decided to just show up to the local football (soccer) club and see if they would let him train (really he couldn't have had better timing, they were just coming off a 7-0 loss). At first they told him no, so he sat down to watch. A few minutes into the practice they realized they were a man down and invited Jo to join in. After practice the manager invited Jo back the next day. And by Monday morning, they had made it clear to Jo that they wanted to sign him to play and would start the process to get his international clearance. His clearance came through on Saturday and today he signed to play with the league and tomorrow he will sign to play with the club.
God is so funny, isn't He? He is so faithful to those who put their whole lives in His hands. The circumstances for Jo to play with the club could not have worked out more perfect. God had even made it clear to us what day we were supposed to move back to the UK which present Jo with the perfect time to walk into the practice. Why do we doubt his plan? It can be scary to walk with only a little light to guide your next step, yet when you live life like this, it takes incredible twists and turns you never would have expected.
We are so excited for this next leg of our journey and can't wait to see where else God will lead us.
Here's a link to the football club. http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/Home
Two days after we arrived in the UK, Jo decided to just show up to the local football (soccer) club and see if they would let him train (really he couldn't have had better timing, they were just coming off a 7-0 loss). At first they told him no, so he sat down to watch. A few minutes into the practice they realized they were a man down and invited Jo to join in. After practice the manager invited Jo back the next day. And by Monday morning, they had made it clear to Jo that they wanted to sign him to play and would start the process to get his international clearance. His clearance came through on Saturday and today he signed to play with the league and tomorrow he will sign to play with the club.
God is so funny, isn't He? He is so faithful to those who put their whole lives in His hands. The circumstances for Jo to play with the club could not have worked out more perfect. God had even made it clear to us what day we were supposed to move back to the UK which present Jo with the perfect time to walk into the practice. Why do we doubt his plan? It can be scary to walk with only a little light to guide your next step, yet when you live life like this, it takes incredible twists and turns you never would have expected.
We are so excited for this next leg of our journey and can't wait to see where else God will lead us.
Here's a link to the football club. http://www.stockportcounty.com/page/Home
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Thank you Jay and Cindy
Yesterday Miriam and I (Jo) were hanging up fliers on the mailboxes around our apartment complex for an event we are doing next week. As I got out of the car to hang up a sign, I heard a cat meowing. I don't care for cats so I just thought it was under a car or something and I drove off. As I got to the next mailbox, I felt God's Holy Spirit tell me "Go back and look for that cat". You might think this was just my conscience but my conscience doesn't care for cats, so I believe it was Jesus telling me. Anyway, I went back to looked for the cat. I heard it coming from a drain/sewer so I looked down it. I could hear it crying out but couldn't see it so I walked across the street and saw it down at the bottom of the opposite sewer. It was about six feet down and Miriam got a little scared. A passer by helped me take off the grid and as I went down to grab the tiny kitten Miriam started to cry because I had to go quite far down. I picked it up and drove home with it shaking.
I have no idea about cats so I washed it in the sink and Macie got a towel for us to wrap it in. It was shaking and in it's little small voice crying out for help. Macie called our friendly neighbors Jay and Cindy to come over and help, they had taken in a stray cat before so they were sure to help us out. They were round in minutes with cat food, a bed, litter box and medicine. They didn't even speak to me, walking straight up to 'Nala' (that is the cats new name). Cindy held it close to her face and started loving on it. Jay checked to see if it was sick, had fleas etc and both of them surrounded it with love.
It is now 9:25 pm the next day and as Macie and I sit in our living room worshipping and praying to our God there is a little, beautiful kitten running about and playing. Nala was a pathetic, wet, little kitten that had tried so hard to crawl out of a sewer her paws were all scratched off. But because two of our neighbors showed love to her she is now an adorable (temporary) pet for my two princesses Macie and Miriam.
Jay and Cindy saw the gold in something I didn't. Because of their expression of love I now see why people love kittens.
My prayer is that I would see everything with eyes like Jesus, or Jay and Cindy. He sees the gold in us when nobdy else does. I sometimes work in a neighborhood in Charlotte where 'crack heads' and prostitutes walk down the streets; I wonder what gold is in them? When someone is rude, arrogant or selfish I will try to look past that and try to find the gold. Our heavenly Father made us all to shine. But because of this sinful world and the effects it has on us people sometimes look like pathetic, lost, beat-up kittens. Love draws out the gold in all of God's creation.
As I finished writing this Nala came and sat on my lap. We are looking for some people to love her and give her a home because we are moving to England shortly.
Thank you Jay and Cindy
I have no idea about cats so I washed it in the sink and Macie got a towel for us to wrap it in. It was shaking and in it's little small voice crying out for help. Macie called our friendly neighbors Jay and Cindy to come over and help, they had taken in a stray cat before so they were sure to help us out. They were round in minutes with cat food, a bed, litter box and medicine. They didn't even speak to me, walking straight up to 'Nala' (that is the cats new name). Cindy held it close to her face and started loving on it. Jay checked to see if it was sick, had fleas etc and both of them surrounded it with love.
It is now 9:25 pm the next day and as Macie and I sit in our living room worshipping and praying to our God there is a little, beautiful kitten running about and playing. Nala was a pathetic, wet, little kitten that had tried so hard to crawl out of a sewer her paws were all scratched off. But because two of our neighbors showed love to her she is now an adorable (temporary) pet for my two princesses Macie and Miriam.
Jay and Cindy saw the gold in something I didn't. Because of their expression of love I now see why people love kittens.
My prayer is that I would see everything with eyes like Jesus, or Jay and Cindy. He sees the gold in us when nobdy else does. I sometimes work in a neighborhood in Charlotte where 'crack heads' and prostitutes walk down the streets; I wonder what gold is in them? When someone is rude, arrogant or selfish I will try to look past that and try to find the gold. Our heavenly Father made us all to shine. But because of this sinful world and the effects it has on us people sometimes look like pathetic, lost, beat-up kittens. Love draws out the gold in all of God's creation.
As I finished writing this Nala came and sat on my lap. We are looking for some people to love her and give her a home because we are moving to England shortly.
Thank you Jay and Cindy
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Preparation
We leave our home in Charlotte in a little over three weeks on the 15th November and will spend 2 weeks in Atlanta with Macie's family before we fly out to England. We are selling things, giving stuff away and letting go of anything we don't need or want to take with us. It is amazing how much stuff we have that we do not use or do not need.
Two weeks ago I (Jo) spent alot of time trying to arrange/set things up for when we arrive in England. Getting try outs with teams, having a back up job, getting in touch with ministries I found on line etc. I had moments of complete discouragement and fear of failure. I was simply trying to be a good husband and be as prepared as possible. I felt God tell me "Do nothing, depend completely on me". This is very hard for a man who loves to bring home money for his beautiful wife and daughter.
When I spend time with God in his word and praying I am filled with so much peace about a pretty illogical move I am taking my family on. Charlotte is such a great and happy place for us. We have wonderful friends and great ministries we love being apart of. I am able to play professional soccer and Macie gets to sing with the 'Charlotte oratorio' which is her passion. We love it here and God really does use us to impact peoples lives, he has shown me the fruit. We have absaloutely nothing we can see waiting for us in England. We are moving in with my parents when we get there and that's all we know.
How do I know it is the Lord calling us? Abraham was literally called (audible voice I think) by God to leave his country, Elijah had encounters with God, Moses saw him face to face, Paul had a vision on the road to Damascus and John had his revelation in the final book of the Bible. How do you know God is calling you to do something?
If you feel God 'calling' you to do something, whether it's as simple as giving a friend an encouraging word, going back to church after a long time avoiding it, or something as big as moving your family to a new country with no promise of a job. Step out and do it! We are only given the chance to show God our faith in him while we live on this earth. When we get to heaven there will be no more need for faith because we will be in his presence all the time. Prove your faith and love to God while you still can.
Two weeks ago I (Jo) spent alot of time trying to arrange/set things up for when we arrive in England. Getting try outs with teams, having a back up job, getting in touch with ministries I found on line etc. I had moments of complete discouragement and fear of failure. I was simply trying to be a good husband and be as prepared as possible. I felt God tell me "Do nothing, depend completely on me". This is very hard for a man who loves to bring home money for his beautiful wife and daughter.
When I spend time with God in his word and praying I am filled with so much peace about a pretty illogical move I am taking my family on. Charlotte is such a great and happy place for us. We have wonderful friends and great ministries we love being apart of. I am able to play professional soccer and Macie gets to sing with the 'Charlotte oratorio' which is her passion. We love it here and God really does use us to impact peoples lives, he has shown me the fruit. We have absaloutely nothing we can see waiting for us in England. We are moving in with my parents when we get there and that's all we know.
How do I know it is the Lord calling us? Abraham was literally called (audible voice I think) by God to leave his country, Elijah had encounters with God, Moses saw him face to face, Paul had a vision on the road to Damascus and John had his revelation in the final book of the Bible. How do you know God is calling you to do something?
- The Lord's call never contradicts his word!
- The Lord's call will always take faith.
- The Lord's call will not always seem rational and may sometimes be scary.
- The Lord's call is always for the advancement of HIS kingdom.
- Whenever you truly get on your knees in prayer and ask God about the situation you will have peace.
If you feel God 'calling' you to do something, whether it's as simple as giving a friend an encouraging word, going back to church after a long time avoiding it, or something as big as moving your family to a new country with no promise of a job. Step out and do it! We are only given the chance to show God our faith in him while we live on this earth. When we get to heaven there will be no more need for faith because we will be in his presence all the time. Prove your faith and love to God while you still can.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Are English people a bunch of thugs?
Many have been shocked and disturbed at the looting and riots across England this past week. How can a seemingly peaceful nation such as England see such chaos and anarchy? Why would I want to move my pregnant wife and daughter to this country? Most English people would say these riots are just a few 'idiots' and it is not the majority. The same as when football hoolignas give our nation a bad name when there are so many great English football fans. We get mad and angry at the few that give a bad name to the masses. I agree that these riots are led by a small number in a country with so many good hearted people.
However, I cannot get angry at the people I see causing chaos on the streets of my home country. Would you get angry at a blind man if he walked into a wall, or a deaf woman for not pulling to the side of the road when the ambulence is trying to get by? The blind cannot see, the deaf cannot hear until the ones who have the power to open eyes and ears start to do what God has called them to do. England is a nation that has forgotten the God who created it; our history and our calling as a nation to impact the world for the good of all mankind through Jesus Christ.
Before I came to America I wasn't aware of the wonderful heritage I have in simply being an Englishman. We helped to defeat one of the most evil regimes the world has ever seen only 65 years ago in World War II. Men such as king Arthur, Churchill, Shakespeare, the Beatles, C.S. Lewis, William Wilberforce (who abolished slavery), John Wesley, Smith Wigglesworth (a great revivalist), Jane Austen and many other great men and women have come from my home coutry. Our generation has not had passed down to our sons and daughters the spiritual DNA that God had given us as citizens of a wonderful country. I want to be a part of reinstating God's name amoungst our children and in the home of the 'normal' English family. When we know who God is, Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit we can again be the nation that the world used to call 'Great Britiain".
I heard a Christian man say the other day that America's public schools are beyond reconciling. They have removed God so much that there is no hope for them. How can God work through a church with this mindset? What my Jesus did on the cross 2,000 years ago not just for man but for everything in this wrold from schools, government, the land to nations was much too powerful to say something is beyond reconciling. I want my family to be a a part of God reconciling a once great nation back to what is capable of being.
It's time for the English church to wake up and recapture the heart of the nation through the purest love of Jesus Christ.
However, I cannot get angry at the people I see causing chaos on the streets of my home country. Would you get angry at a blind man if he walked into a wall, or a deaf woman for not pulling to the side of the road when the ambulence is trying to get by? The blind cannot see, the deaf cannot hear until the ones who have the power to open eyes and ears start to do what God has called them to do. England is a nation that has forgotten the God who created it; our history and our calling as a nation to impact the world for the good of all mankind through Jesus Christ.
Before I came to America I wasn't aware of the wonderful heritage I have in simply being an Englishman. We helped to defeat one of the most evil regimes the world has ever seen only 65 years ago in World War II. Men such as king Arthur, Churchill, Shakespeare, the Beatles, C.S. Lewis, William Wilberforce (who abolished slavery), John Wesley, Smith Wigglesworth (a great revivalist), Jane Austen and many other great men and women have come from my home coutry. Our generation has not had passed down to our sons and daughters the spiritual DNA that God had given us as citizens of a wonderful country. I want to be a part of reinstating God's name amoungst our children and in the home of the 'normal' English family. When we know who God is, Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit we can again be the nation that the world used to call 'Great Britiain".
I heard a Christian man say the other day that America's public schools are beyond reconciling. They have removed God so much that there is no hope for them. How can God work through a church with this mindset? What my Jesus did on the cross 2,000 years ago not just for man but for everything in this wrold from schools, government, the land to nations was much too powerful to say something is beyond reconciling. I want my family to be a a part of God reconciling a once great nation back to what is capable of being.
It's time for the English church to wake up and recapture the heart of the nation through the purest love of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The plant can only grow as big as the pot it is in!
My writing is not as good as my brides but our hearts beat the same for our Jesus and so I hope love will flow from my posts as much as hers.
I love how the bible talks so many times about farming, reaping and sowing etc. God has shown me that for us to grow bigger like a tree that bears much fruit he must up root us from our comfortable small 'pot' and plant us in new ground. The ground we are going to be put in will feel uncomfotable at first and the process can be painful, but to become all that God wants us to be we must make this transition. If we stay in the same 'pot' we limit the potential of Christ to create something through us we never thought possible. In this move to England I am hoping for explosive growth in all areas of life. If we completely focus our hearts on Christ why wouldn't he want to see his creation grow and produce a type of fruit that every one wants to come and eat from, find rest in it's shade and simply gaze upon?
-Jo
I love how the bible talks so many times about farming, reaping and sowing etc. God has shown me that for us to grow bigger like a tree that bears much fruit he must up root us from our comfortable small 'pot' and plant us in new ground. The ground we are going to be put in will feel uncomfotable at first and the process can be painful, but to become all that God wants us to be we must make this transition. If we stay in the same 'pot' we limit the potential of Christ to create something through us we never thought possible. In this move to England I am hoping for explosive growth in all areas of life. If we completely focus our hearts on Christ why wouldn't he want to see his creation grow and produce a type of fruit that every one wants to come and eat from, find rest in it's shade and simply gaze upon?
-Jo
A New Path...
For several months now we have been feeling the call to go to England. However, with no timeline in place from God we simply waited and prayed and went on with life as usual. God is so gracious to us that when He calls us, He always lets us know when the time is to go. And that time for us has come...
So many doors that once miraculously opened for us here are now slowly swinging shut. We finish with our apartment ministry in November, Jo's job offered him fewer hours and reduced pay for the upcoming year, the inner city ministry is now being partnered with a church, and Jo's time at his soccer team here is winding down. God is closing doors so that we know for certain who controls the destiny of our lives. If we fight against Him, we only complicate things and make life more difficult. If we let His river take us where He wants it to lead, other doors will soon open and we will be taken to a new level of relationship with Him.
We are so excited about the amazing things God is going to do in England. There is a lost and spiritually dying culture that is simply waiting to be shown Love. Our prayer is that we become the vessels of this Love. That because of God's move in us, England will become a land for us that is "flowing with milk and honey". God has taken us so far in just a few years. And our journey has only just begun...
So many doors that once miraculously opened for us here are now slowly swinging shut. We finish with our apartment ministry in November, Jo's job offered him fewer hours and reduced pay for the upcoming year, the inner city ministry is now being partnered with a church, and Jo's time at his soccer team here is winding down. God is closing doors so that we know for certain who controls the destiny of our lives. If we fight against Him, we only complicate things and make life more difficult. If we let His river take us where He wants it to lead, other doors will soon open and we will be taken to a new level of relationship with Him.
We are so excited about the amazing things God is going to do in England. There is a lost and spiritually dying culture that is simply waiting to be shown Love. Our prayer is that we become the vessels of this Love. That because of God's move in us, England will become a land for us that is "flowing with milk and honey". God has taken us so far in just a few years. And our journey has only just begun...
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A Hard Road to Travel
Sometimes the pain of life is overwhelming. My soul longs for it's eternal home and I am hidden behind a dark veil that seems will never lift. A month has passed with many hard lessons learned and more valleys than mountains. There is a constant state of fatigue and an overwhelming sense of uselessness. What is the point of showing the world His joy when I cannot even find it myself? Is joy a thing that can only be a experienced every so often and only in fleeting glances? The answer that my soul longs for is "no". Sorrow will only last for a night but joy will come in the morning. Yet this has been a long night for my soul. I am beginning to see a glimpse of the sun on the horizon but only a few rays. Soon it will be fully risen and life will be once again colored with His light. But through it all, I know that He has never left me. Through it all, He has been standing right beside me though I was not conscious of it. I am never alone, no matter what my feelings tell me. And I live in that truth, in spite of it all.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Pleading with Him to leave
Matthew 8:34- Then the whole town went to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.
How many times have we pleaded with Jesus to leave because something he did was strange, frightening or out of the ordinary? How many times have I? It is easy to condemn these people, but they just witnessed evil spirits come out a two men and into a herd of pigs that then went and jumped into the river. Would I have asked him to leave? How many times in church have I felt uneasy or awkward because of something going on that I thought was strange?
How much have I missed of Jesus because I was uncomfortable with what he did or was doing?
How many times have we pleaded with Jesus to leave because something he did was strange, frightening or out of the ordinary? How many times have I? It is easy to condemn these people, but they just witnessed evil spirits come out a two men and into a herd of pigs that then went and jumped into the river. Would I have asked him to leave? How many times in church have I felt uneasy or awkward because of something going on that I thought was strange?
How much have I missed of Jesus because I was uncomfortable with what he did or was doing?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
The Cost
"It is not scientific doubt, not atheism, not pantheism, not agnosticism, that in our day and in this land is likely to quench the light of the gospel. It is a proud, sensuous, selfish, luxurious, church-going, hollow-hearted prosperity"
-Frederick D. Huntington
Is it easier to follow God in a land overflowing with milk and honey, where even our poorest are in the top percentage of wealth on earth? Or should I wish to be in a place where I am daily reliant on God for everything, even my very existence? How do I get to that place of daily reliance when there is very little tangible things that I need from God? Where are the miracles in my life that Jesus promised to His followers, that I would do "greater things" than He? Why doesn't my shadow heal a lame man as I walk by?
I know Love exists within me and therefore all things of Him dwell in me. So then why do I not show them daily?
If I were truly asked to give everything I have up and follow Him, would I? Would I really? Would I give up all my savings, my retirement, my house, my clothes, my accessories? What sacrifices have I truly made for Him? Why have mine been so "easy" while people on the other side of the world are killed for what I believe in?
I love my stuff. I love my country. I love vacations and clothes and buying things organic. What if all that was taken away from me? How much of "me" would be left? Am I really that wrapped up in these things that I would lose a part of me if they went away?
How many people in America would continue to follow the Lord if he took everything they owned away from them? Would I?
-Frederick D. Huntington
Is it easier to follow God in a land overflowing with milk and honey, where even our poorest are in the top percentage of wealth on earth? Or should I wish to be in a place where I am daily reliant on God for everything, even my very existence? How do I get to that place of daily reliance when there is very little tangible things that I need from God? Where are the miracles in my life that Jesus promised to His followers, that I would do "greater things" than He? Why doesn't my shadow heal a lame man as I walk by?
I know Love exists within me and therefore all things of Him dwell in me. So then why do I not show them daily?
If I were truly asked to give everything I have up and follow Him, would I? Would I really? Would I give up all my savings, my retirement, my house, my clothes, my accessories? What sacrifices have I truly made for Him? Why have mine been so "easy" while people on the other side of the world are killed for what I believe in?
I love my stuff. I love my country. I love vacations and clothes and buying things organic. What if all that was taken away from me? How much of "me" would be left? Am I really that wrapped up in these things that I would lose a part of me if they went away?
How many people in America would continue to follow the Lord if he took everything they owned away from them? Would I?
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