Real Simple Trues

I Am Planning On Making A Plan

2011-12-27T09:11:00.003Z

I remember it clear as day. I was sitting in the DCU dorm room after praying and reading from my NCV Devotional Bible, and I thought to myself, "How could believers ever get to the point where they don't pray about day to day decisions?"

It was ridiculous to me (at that initial stage of my Christian life) that people could ever forget how God answered their prayers. How could He answer prayers of repentance, prayers for more faith, and prayers for all sorts of material blessings and then we just forget altogether to ask him for wisdom about how to spend finances, what goals to set for the year, etc...?

Well, I have found myself in that very spot 5 years later. Working full-time in a Christian Sports organization, studying full-time as a Theology MA student, serving as a co-leader of various Bible studies, and married to a Christian spouse, I put my hand up as one who often simply forgets to (or maybe chooses not to) pray.

After praying and reading this morning, I felt the solution for my particular situation was quite clear. I need to make a plan and I need to plan some rest.

Certainly I would love to get back to reading the Bible consistently. I did that a few years ago and it was helpful to have a plan for the days when I didn't know what to read or even feel like reading. The plan served as an accountability partner and a guide. I know that for some, including myself, reading plans can open the door for defeat if one falls behind the schedule. However, I found that praying my way through the schedule alongside the reading helped me stay the course even when I found myself a month behind. Reading became a joy rather than a chore.

I also need to plan a time schedule. We (Amy and I) have been doing a lot and have made zero room for downtime and reflection. It can be most helpful from time to time to release from stresses of work, school, sport, relationships, etc... with a good secular activity. PS3, a good book, a walk, a bit of golf, whatever! I find these things can sometimes remind me that there is more to life than my present situation. This downtime also allows us to turn around and see if are on course for reaching our goals, whatever they may be, and/or to see if we are actually seeking and following God's will for our lives.

Plan. Plan to read, Plan to pray, Plan to rest.

We'll Be Home For Christmas

2011-12-22T04:54:00.001Z

We'll Be Home For Christmas from jamie gilbert on Vimeo.

(This is me shaking my head in disbelif)

2011-01-26T22:22:00.002Z

I opened my bible the other day and felt like a read in the OT. Don't know why, but of all things I turned to Ezekiel. Don't remember much from reading it before, but I sat there and read through the first 8 chapters and I was blown away by the pain brought to God by people who refused to stay faithful to him.

Imagine being a father and having your child disobey you again and again and again. And when you do your best to correct her she seems to have finally caught on. But you peek through the door or overhear her on the phone and you realize that she is obeying you to your face, but going the opposite way when you're not looking. Maybe you get angry, but certainly the heart would sink because your little girl doesn't want to have a relationship with you. That's why I found myself shaking my head in disbelief.

The disbelief is that the Father actually still wants us to be his people! Check out the end of ch 14. But even more so, he goes to the great lengths of coming down to us as a man and giving up his life so that we might return to him!

Straight off the cuff of Ezekiel I went to the first 3 chapters of Romans. What a story. What a Father.

One Word Will Suffice

2010-08-29T09:15:00.004+01:00

If someone was to ask you why you knew you were going to heaven, how would you respond? If you said "because Jesus died for me" and the person probed by saying "And..." would you go further? How much more would we add to our reason for entrance into heaven? Maybe we should just stop and let the person be amazed that our hope is built on one thing and one thing only: grace.

Peter says to: "Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." Completely on grace!

When I was applying to colleges there were many things that I hoped would grant me entrance into my favorite school: grades, exam results, perseverance through obstacles in life, character references, athletic abilities, and possibly people who knew the right people. I knew that none of those things on their own would be sufficient for getting me in, so I had to rely on the whole lot.

Well, that's one of the astounding things about the Christian hope: all our eggs are in the one basket. There is nothing more I can do to get into heaven than rely on that undeserved favor that came at someone else' expense.

So next time someone asks us why we know we are going to heaven, maybe we leave it with just a word: grace.

How Did I Ever Forget

2010-08-19T08:22:00.002+01:00

Has it ever happened that you came across a verse or message you knew and cherished some time ago, only now it carries so much more umph! Well I was reading last night in the first Bible I ever really read. It's a Max Lucado NCV that is hanging on by a few pieces of duct tape, but boy did it have an impact on me. A few very simple verses, which were a massive encouragement to me when I was beginning as a Christian, jumped out at me as I opened to the Book of Proverbs.

Trust in the Lord with all you heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do and He will give you success. Don't depend on your own wisdom. Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong. Then your body will be healthy and your bones will be strong. Proverbs 3:5-8

Why is it that when I began as a Christian I prayed about nearly everything I engaged in, everywhere I went, and everything I heard, yet now I only pray when big obstacles confront me and I am in desperate need? I remember thinking about this when I first came to Ireland and I made myself a promise that I would never get to the point where I neglected to pray about the seemingly small things in life. No need to beat myself up about it, but it is a helpful observation that there is a difference between my dependence on the Lord when I began as a believer and my dependence on the Lord as a 4 year-old believer. Where do we go from here?

Well, the more I read the Scriptures, the more I am convinced that the material things here matter very little in comparison to the living hope that is before us, and when I put my day-to-day activities or struggles in light of eternity it allows me to sigh, smile, and remember who I serve and what I am working towards. Right now, Amy and I are waiting to hear from our insurance back home so that we can purchase a car that we would be delighted with. But, there is a chance that the car might be gone by the time the insurance comes through, and even if it does come through, there are still a few hoops that we have to jump through. Whereas at any given point last year I would have run myself through the ringer worrying about how it will all work, these verses I read afresh last night helped me put this situation in its proper perspective and relieved me of overbearing anxiety and pressure. All we can do now is remember, pray, and move ahead guided by God's wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Though we want the car badly, if it doesn't come through we will just get on with it praying about what to do next.

So, do you have an old Bible that you could flip through? Or do you underline, highlight, or note in your own? Go over some of those old gems and read them afresh. It just might be that you'll be blessed as you do.

What Can We Offer?

2010-08-05T08:33:00.002+01:00

The other night Amy and I were watching a program called "How the Other Half Lives." It's a British program that takes an in-depth look at the lives of two British families on the two ends of the financial spectrum. These families come together and the wealthier family find ways in which they can assist or bless the poorer family and increase their quality of life.

The episode we watched recently involved a wealthy plumbing business owner and a city bus driver who was struggling to make ends meet for his family. It was quite moving how the financial assistance gave the family a bit of breathing space, and the holiday they were invited to allowed them to escape the shackles of poverty for a brief while. The children became quite fond of each other and the families promised to stay in touch so as to be a constant support for each other in the future.

When the program finished, Amy and I had the same question, "Why didn't the wealthier family try to assist by finding the parents steady jobs or teaching them some sort of skill?" That's not to say they didn't, because what we saw was edited and didn't explain things in their entirety. But for Amy and I, it was a real eye opener about what kind of assistance to seek to provide for people here in our local community. Money isn't something we have to spare and it seems that money will fade away eventually anyways. So, we are putting our heads together trying to think of what skills we have to offer to people around us that might increase their quality of life or allow them to escape, or better endure, the daily pressures that they face.

Immediately I thought of offering guitar lessons. Music has been such a helpful release for so many people and it could be a wonderful tool that could provide youngsterswith something to focus on and work hard at. Crafts and art are a few things Amy could provide to others around her. Anything football or basketball related, cooking, baking, or something to do with photography might be a a service that could offer a lasting release for people and could one day open up opportunities for them in the future.

What kind of skills or passions do you have that you might be able to offer to the people around you?

A Great Birthaversary

2010-08-02T19:56:00.002+01:00

So two years on from the wedding and we find ourselves in Dublin, sipping cider, and playing golf! So far for the birthday I have had chocolate chip cookies, fudge brownies, chocolate cupcakes with chocolate icing, and I am about to indulge in some Ben and Jerry's ice cream. I can't even begin to explain how my stomach feels right now.

For the anniversary we decided to play a bit of golf, so we headed out to the links on a gorgeously overcast day and had one of the most enjoyable rounds we've ever played. Of course the scores don't need to be mentioned, but there were enough pars to make us smile! To round things off, we are going to play another round out in Howth in the morning! Hope the legs hold up!

Something Fresh

2010-07-07T00:18:00.002+01:00

I can't quite explain it with words, but something fresh and pure is going on right now in and around me. No longer do I feel burdened with deadlines, uncertainties, or difficult situations, because in light of what I know and am experiencing these types of thing are stripped of significance. I feel as though a weight I couldn't bear has been lifted from my shoulders and a newness of life has been breathed into me and those around me.

Do you want to know what it is?

A Bit of Integrity Would be Nice

2010-04-29T22:54:00.003+01:00

I don't know if anyone has been watching football lately, but if you have then you can understand my frustrations. Players faking injuries and diving left, right and center have driven me to a real disgust with football.

I suppose the saddest thing for me is watching the 7-12 year olds doing the exact same things in the local parks. Yet what I find most interesting is the idea that it is okay when we get away with it, but when our own team is stung by a dubious dive, that simply won't fly and is labeled as unfair.

I guess whatever suits me best is the right way to go.

I'm Just Not Feeling It, Okay!

2010-01-10T22:43:00.005Z

I always used to say to myself that I would hang up my football boots the day that I quit enjoying the game. It sounded right to me that the moment the joy and passion was gone I had no reason at all for being around the game. What else would there be to do, to learn, and what benefit would it be to me if stuck around?

After a bit of experience and speaking with some really wise folk, I have come to realize that my world would be completely upside down if I simply quit doing something the moment I felt the joy and passion subside. I wouldn't be in Ireland right now if I left once the initial passion vanished, I certainly wouldn't be living in Ballymun working with kids, and I probably wouldn't be playing soccer anymore. In each of these cases I prayed and thought and decided to slog it out persevering in each circumstance even though the feeling was not usually present. I can't recall how many weekdays I have been here walking around the community, going to the grocery, or interacting with kids and have thought to myself, "Is this it? Is this my life?"

What makes it worse is when I hear about people I know who are holding down good jobs, paying a mortgage on a beautiful home, or are off somewhere "doing very well for themselves." When I hear these things those feelings are completely evaporated and I think to myself that there has to be more to life than this.

Thanks be to God, seriously, that He has helped me see the most minute glimmer of hope in what I am doing and has given me the strength and guidance to persist and chisel away at the context and situation I have found myself in. What I have learned, as I look back, is that the moments when I had to put my head down, bite my lip and slog it out have been the most significant moments in my maturity as a person. Selling fruit in the lashing snow and rain is partly what has made me who I am. Reading through Leviticus at 6 in the morning has made me who I am. Being an ocean away from family, friends, and fiance has made me who I am and I am grateful such challenges have come my way. So now when I find myself in a situation that is less than my "dream situation" I often think to myself, "this might suck, but it sure is going to reshape me."

Now that is not to say that we should put ourselves in difficult situations so that we can grow through the pain and agony, as if there is something noble about such an action. No. What I am saying is that sometimes the situations that we don't want to go through will actually have the greatest influence on the molding of who we are to become. If only we knew which decisions to make that would bring us to our desired character!!! Well thanks be to Jesus, seriously, that I can't see that far ahead, cause who knows where I would be right now!

What I am saying is be careful about how you measure and understand what you are feeling when it comes to decision making. Feelings can be fickle, short-lived, and completely misconstrued. Think of how many people have a feeling they have the winning lotto ticket this time!

So, where do you go from here? Just ask.

2009-10-07T11:32:00.000+01:00

I know its been a while since the last time I wrote on this, but as I was reflecting this morning on the shape of my life and how its all come together, I have been simply dumbfounded. The way things - good, bad, and just ordinary - have come together placing me with the most beautiful wife, put in a foreign country, around amazing people, and involved in changing lives simply attests to the uncomprehendable favor of God. He's used this little piece of leather that holds air, to take me places I have never dreamed. Simply Amazing.

There's more to come.

Making a Decision

2008-10-20T21:44:00.003+01:00

See, I'm a huge fan of journaling. I love putting down on paper the things that are in my mind and on my heart. There's something about writing them down and looking at them that allows me to see the value and worth of what's inside of me. Every so often I like to write down all the things that are in my head that seem to be wearing down on me and eating at my strength. You would laugh if you heard some of the things that are able to get me all worked up or get me extremely down.

Even better than writing theses things down, is leaving them and reading them a few months later. That's a common practice of mine. I love going over the journals I have filled picking out consistent themes that run throughout. And no doubt, as I have prayed about everything I write and as I strive to grow in God's wisdom, wisdom indeed pours out of those notebooks and gives me guidance as to how to walk closer with the Lord.

For instance, I know that over the last year and nine months that my two biggest struggles are without doubt thinking about money and thinking about the future. It seems like every flick of the page is an up and down rollercoaster ride struggling back and forth with these thoughts. Some days I have been able to brush those thoughts aside, but other days those thoughts just eat at me. Recognizing this through reading the journals, I am now able to understand myself better and impliment plans and strategies for conquering those struggles through Christ.

That is usually what I do when it is time to make a decision in my life. I pray, read the word, write, listen, and get to work. And as I reflect on decisions in the past that I recorded in those journals I am reminded of the fact that God is God. All-powerful and the only One with a plan. I am reminded of how His hand has worked in the past and draw strength from His faithfulness to His promises. That's what is going on now. I know that I may have to make a big decision concerning football come the new year. Do i stay where I am or do I move on.

Well, the past tells me that God will determine all that. It also tells me that if I give myself to Him and His will that He will carry it out. Furthermore, it tells me that the prayers of others surely lift me up out of danger.

I would strongly encourage those of you reading to pick up the paper and pen when you are doing devotional times or whenever, and jot things down. Save them and reflect upon them. Pray about them. For someday, the things you write and remember will be things that have the potential to change lives.

"...diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen,
and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.
And teach them to your children and grandchildren."
Deuteronomy 4:9

Testimonies, our lives, are meant to be used to teach others. This falls under our discipline of rememberance as laid out in Deuteronomy and throughout the OT. Go through chapters 6, 7, and 8 and count how many times the words "remember" or "don't forget" are mentioned. Hopefully that study will open your eyes like it opened mine.

I hope these words will be of encouragement to you and those you share them with.

So that all may know....

Not With Eyeservice

2008-06-09T12:03:00.002+01:00

I've got to tell everyone an amazing story. Over the last year and a half I have been blessed to work a few different jobs out here in Dublin, working at a fruit and veg market and at a cafe. For a while I had really been struggling to work the hardest I could throughout a whole day of work. At the market I would find myself hiding behind boxes eating fruit fearfully keeping an eye out for my boss. The same was happening at the cafe and I knew it was wrong when I was doing it. You know the way when you do something that everything in your heart tells you not to?
Well, a few months ago I came across a passage in Colossians that really hit home. I have read the passage a few times in other translations, but the wording of the NKJV really hit me.

"Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh,
not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of
heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord and not to men."
Colossians 3:22-23

I really tried to put this passage into practice over the past 2 months. At the market I find myself praying and asking God to show me what to do when I have a spare moment. In my mind I no longer say, "Is my boss looking," but rather, "God I know you are watching me." See, my focus changed from hoping that my boss would reward me for the efforts he saw, to believing that God would reward me for the heart attitude and commitment. The same happened at the cafe, and business at both places began to steadily rise.

Well, last week I got a call from my boss at the market who said that a customer had called him and told him how wonderful my market had been and that I was doing a very good job. Later in the week, the same boss called me and said that he wanted to talk to me about long-term stay in Ireland. He offered to register for a work-permit for me through his farm, something that doesn't just happen! The next day, my boss at the cafe asked me if I wanted to take a management position and run the cafe!

These were two brilliant offers that seemingly came out of the blue. But yesterday at church, this passage came up in Colossians and I was reminded of God's promises and His faithfulness to His Word. I heard a story once of lady who wrote tired/fulfilled by various promises throughout the Scripture.
I can do the same. He promised, I trusted, got to work, and He was faithful.

I know that many blessings and promises like this one may never be seen so clearly. I don't expect to see the fruit of the labors all the time, but it is little bits like this that encourage me to remain faithful. I pray that you all will keep in the Word and dwell on the promises, and just as God was faithful in fulfilling the promise of a redeeming Messiah, He will be faithful in all promises made in His Word.

I wish everyone the best.
Jamie

It's a HUGE Difference

2008-03-06T14:23:00.002Z

I have a friend here in Dublin who was facing some immigration issues quite similar to mine just last week. We had chatted about it before and he told me that he was to have a meeting with an officer who would basically make the decision as to whether my friend, his wife, and his three boys would continue living in Ireland for the next year.

So I shared a little bit about my experience with him and told him about how I just went in telling the truth and God took care of the rest. At that time, I really wanted to say to him that it was an excellent opportunity to see God show him exactly where he needed to be. But I could not bring myself to say that to him b/c, well, that may not be the easiest thing to hear. It's a sad commentary that saying, "God has a plan" is such a cliche or cop-out for many Christians. So I refrained and simply prayed for his family and to see God work His perfect will.

A week later I found out that he got his visa renewed here and he didn't even have to say a word to the guy. The things he thought were going to be an issue were simply looked over by the grace of God!!! Sounded just like my story!

Again, as we smiled at the grace of God I could not get the words out of my mouth, "It was a mater of God's will." I don't know why that was the issue but it was.

So last night as I was washing the dishes I a thought that came into my head so loudly that I had to actually say it: "It's not a matter of if God can, but rather if God will." Somehow (could it be the Holy Spirit?) I was led to Isaiah 50 last night in a quick study. There in verse 2 I found the confirmation.

"Do you think I am not able to save you?

Do I not have the power to save you?"

NCV

If we believe in the God of the Bible then we believe that when He says He can do all things, He means He can do all things! Maybe that is the depth of faith, knowing that at anytime God could do anything. Therefore, it's not the question of whether God can heal cancer. If the cancer is not healed I believe there is a reason for it, a reason God doesn't believe we need to understand.

Thank you God for your love and grace!

"What'd You Eat?"

2008-02-06T20:50:00.000Z

Here's a great little clip of what the Lord is doing out here with a boy and a ball.

We had a cup match this last Sunday against a good Sheriff Utd. side. Win and move on, but lose and you're done.

I woke up that morning and prayed for a bit and decided that maybe I should stay home before the match rather than going to church. There have been some big decisions and events that have happened recently in my life and I felt that I need some clarity on things. I committed to fast. I determined to give up my breakfast and spend time in prayer, worship, and study. I prayed about how powerful our Lord is and remembered how He has taken care of things in the natural when I have devoted myself to Him and moved patiently in faith. I decided then and there that I was not going to eat food bc I know that this life is not lived on food alone. I know that my spiritual food (prayer and Scripture) is far more important than anything else I can put in this body.

So off I went with my tummy growling. With every rumble I filled my mind with the ways in which the Hand of the Lord has worked in my life. I reminded myself why I am playing football, and committed my time with the lads to God.

Playing center-mid is no stroll in the park, and on this day it was more of a scrap in the mud. I was up and down and up and down the pitch for the full 90 mins. I stayed constant in prayer and again experienced a profound peace physically and mentally. I would honestly say it was a pretty good display of football.

Some of the guys said I was the best player on the pitch that day. But I wouldn't say that. I knew that the Lord was playing in me and that my football is not really my football. It's the Lord's.

Anyhow, one of the guys asked me in the dressing room what I ate before the match. I simply smiled and nodded my head. I didn't have to say anything. I knew that the Lord was my strength, and I know that the guys are starting to see that now.

It wasn't bc of my strength in deciding I would fast, and it definitely wasn't the fast itself. The power was from the one true God who delights in His people. He tells us to focus first on God and doing the things He wants, and the rest will be provided.

Hand of the Lord!

With Love,
Jamie

What's First?

2007-11-19T18:32:00.000Z

This is a testimony of the very first revelation or lesson the Lord taught me a year or two ago, and it has radically changed my life and the way the Lord works through me. Hope it helps!

I remember when I was at Memphis doing my final year of studies that I felt so overloaded with work every night. Honestly, I spent more time dreading doing it than I did actually working. I found myself with so many different projects, papers, and exams every week, and on top of it all I had rest for soccer practice and games.

As I began to really get into reading the Bible daily, I found myself worrying about how that would affect my studies and grades. Valuable time that I should have been spending in research for my paper was being consumed by the gospels. I was terribly shaken by that idea. So I began to pray.

I don’t remember exactly how, but a scripture came up to me that has been a focal point in my life ever since. Matthew 6:33 – “Focus first on the kingdom of God and all His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

That was it! Focus first on God. That meant, to me, give God precedence over your school work and watch your school work be taken care of. So I put it to prayer and began every study session with a good bit of reading in the Bible and praying. I remember specifically having a hectic exam schedule while trying to get home early for Christmas. I needed all of the time I could get to study and cram. But you know what, in my heart I knew that school wasn’t my life or who I was. Furthermore, I knew that there was absolutely no way in heck that I could get all that studying done in the few days I had. But I was not about to give up my relationship with Christ for an exam grade.

I came to a point where I had to make a big decision: God above school or school above God. I chose the Creator and truly believed that by putting Him first in my life, He could take care of all things. So I got to studying for those few days and believed, no matter what my mind or earthly logic told me, that God was going to carry me through that challenge. And He did not disappoint. I received the highest marks possible in all my courses.

What a revelation! This has been proven over and over again in my life and I am reminded every time that we serve a God that can do anything!

Now, it must be said that this does not mean you can just float through life believing God will take care of you. The Christian life is all about working hard. Read over Proverbs 6:6-11 and have a look at Colossians 3:23. Moreover, you cannot believe that just by reading the Bible before work, study, a match, or whatever that the act of reading is what God is searching for. No no no no. It’s the heart of worship. It’s the character of a faithful heart. It’s the fact that, like Abraham and Mary, you believe in a God that can do ALL things. Abraham was ready to sacrifice Isaac because he knew that God was so powerful that raising Isaac back to life was well within His power.

It is the act of saying, “You are God. You are first in my life and nothing else will come before you. I first seek Your kingdom, and I know everything else I need will be supplied.”

Take a moment to pray right now about what things have precedence over God in your life. Go on, what is three minutes of your life? If it’s gonna change your life for the better, why put it off til later? Put the Lord first with all your heart and experience the beauty and power of the Lord.

Give us a shout with any questions or to talk.

The Truth

2007-11-05T10:00:00.000Z

I was speaking at church yesterday and began to talk a little more about my immigration experiences to bring to life the message I was giving. While doing so, the Spirit revealed a bit more of what was going on during that time. He showed me about truth.

After the initial meeting and interrogation, I knew that I was to meet with the officers for round two only a week later. This time they wanted to meet with my pastor as well. I will admit that I was terrified! The only picture I could see in my mind was this officer asking me a certain question that would really raise question as to my intent in entering the country.

Now it must be stated that when i came over here I had no idea about any type of rules or regulations and rules that I did break I did unconsciously. Nevertheless, if the officers were to ask me a certain question, and if I held to my belief in the truth, there could have been complications that would have risen.

For a few days before the next meeting, I was an absolute wreck as this mental image weighed on my mind. I was sapped of my energy and I constantly had headaches, just feeling absolutely worthless.

Then God spoke to me through my pastor and the Word. My pastor told me straight from the beginning that there was no way he would utter any hint of a lie, because to due so was compromise our integrity and to go against God's commands.

I will admit that I was quite furious that he said that to me. But that night I got into the Word and God reaffirmed the idea. Proverbs 11:3 says "Good people will be guided by honesty." Honesty is one of the fundamental characteristics of a Christian! Then He gave me this one.

Isaiah 50:8-9 "He shows that I am innocent, and He is close to me. So who can accuse me? If someone wants to rove that I have done wrong, he should come tell me. Look! It is the Lord God who helps me. So who can prove me guilty?"

It was as if God said to me, "if you truly believe in God, Me, you are believing in a God that picked u dust, formed it in the shape of man, then breathed in it and created all of the fleshy organs, systems, and blood in that body of yours. If you believe in me, truly believe in me, you will understand how I have delivered you in the past. You will believe psalm 107 and Isaiah 43. You will believe that there is absolutely nothing I can't do. That is believing in the Lord."

As I began to recount how the Lord worked in my life in the past and went over those scriptures, this mental image of the immigration officer kicking me out began to shrink and was overwhelmed by a ever-growing vision of the Lord and all His power!!!

So I said "OK, You are God and I know you are going to carry me through. I will 'Trust in the Lord and not lean on my own understanding' (Proverbs 3:5). I will 'be quiet and know that You are God (Psalm 46:10).' "

As I walked up to the immigration officer the first thing he said to me was "we are not going to go back over how you got here, we're just going to focus on what to do with you now." Are you serious!!! Everything I was worried about was nullified by that one statement. It was as if God gave me a slap in the face and said "I told you so! LISTEN to Me!"

It was an amazing lesson not only in faith and listening to God, but in the truth delivering in all situations. I truly believe that the only reason things worked out the way they did was because the night before I had a change of heart and I made up in my mind that no matter what, I WAS NOT GOING TO LIE! I promised God and I said yes, no matter what. Because in my heart I knew for sure that if I did get in trouble with the law, that God was going to do something amazing through that. I knew that if God wanted to change the whole country's law system in an instant, He could do that, cause He is God.

As I surrendered to the will of God and listened to His Word, the Lord began to do an amazing work in me. And I pray that you will listen to the Lord and begin to find out just how big and powerful and mighty God really is. Cause when you do, there will be no limits on God and His amazing glory will shine through you.

Ballymun United

2007-10-15T17:23:00.000+01:00

Shortly after my dealings with immigration there was another twist in the story that is my life. I spoke with the Shelbourne manager about activating my contract after the next training session and he said "there's a big problem." I actually began to smile once he said that.

He told me that there is a new rule in the league about signing players after July that they were unaware of. Basically, I could not play. To be perfectly honest I was desperately wanting some kind of change, because it had become painstakingly obvious that I had learned all that I could from the training and players there.

As a part of God's great plan, I got a call only two nights before from Danny Crowley, a coach I first trained with upon arrival in Ireland. He had just taken over an amateur side called Ballymun United and wanted to know how I was getting on at Shels, and offered me a spot if I wanted. Honestly, I prayed for a little less than a minute about what I should do concerning finding a team and the Lord made it so clear that I should go out to Ballymun.

I found myself at training the next evening asking the manager what league we play in as I was signing the contract. It felt as though God's hand was just pushing me along while my hands were in my pockets just saying "Yes Lord."

At first glance, the move seems like a step backwards football wise, and honestly I wrestled those thoughts for a bit in the beginning. Honestly, in my mind it makes absolutely no sense to me to go from a pro club to amateur. But God reminded me that we aren't supposed to be able to make sense of the future. That's exactly what the Israelites did in the OT. They thought they knew exactly what the messiah would look like and how he would return. Because they "knew" what was going to happen, they missed the messiah as he entered the world.

The training with the new club is some of the best I have experienced. It is fun, focused, and played at a furious level. I have found it to be a breath of fresh air in so many regards: the fellas are great guys, the time commitment is perfect for my schedule, football is fun again, and I am in one of the roughest and most spiritually deprived areas in Dublin.

This journey seems to get better and better each and every day, and one thing has never changed: God has been right in front of me every step of the way. I keep going over my journals and I have struggle to find prayers that have not been answered. As I draw closer and closer to Him everyday in reading and in prayer, He shows me how close He has been all along. Awesome!

The Latest and Greatest

2007-10-08T11:30:00.000+01:00

Well praise the Lord that immigration is now cleared up. It was quite amazing to see how the Lord changed the officer I was dealing with over the two weeks. He went from abusing me verbally and adamantly refusing my stay in the country to smiling and actually wishing me the best with football! Amazing how He works, huh!?!

I spoke with my manager after getting cleared and he told me that there is a huge problem. As he said that i began to smile in relief. He told me that there is a new rule in the league that players cannot be added to the squad after the July transfer window.

What was truly a blessing was that a coach from an amateur team called me only the night before offering my a spot in his squad. I have trained with the coach a few times before and his training sessions are some of the best I've been involved in. He brings a lot of joy and excitement into the game and it is really enjoyable to play with him.

So I seriously sat down and prayed for about a minute, and the Lord made it quite clear that I was to step through that door he just opened. I will not lie though, I was still a little worried about joining that squad. But as I began to question why that was so, I found that the things that worried me were absolutely useless! "I wont's be getting paid, I'm playing amateur football, seems like a step backwards."

The the Lord reminded me that I was praying only a night ago that people would not refer to me or know me as the "Shelbourne Footballer." I didn't want that as my identity. So there is an easy solution to that problem. Also, I have been praying fervently that money would not be the source of my happiness and sorrow. So play for fun, that'll solve that one.

As I began to wonder why or how God was going to use me a very wise woman said something to me, "Jamie, the situation is probably more about somebody else and less about you." Amen sister! What an amazing way to look at situations. As I began to look at my situation in that light I realized that the coach of this team is actually the first person I witnessed to in Ireland. What a chance to water the seed!

That little bit of wisdom was a strong reminder that this life is absolutely not about ourselves. We are living here to bring glory to God, and we do that by living as servants to others so that they may see and understand the grace and love of Christ Jesus.

I would encourage you to think about that when you face some sort of situation or decision. Let me know if and how that changes your outlook on things.

God Bless

Don't Be Quick to Think

2007-09-17T12:51:00.000+01:00

I know that this is a bit long, but this is an important lesson that God has taught me. And it is something that we should all think and pray about. For when we do, God will change our hearts and show us how to live a more powerful life.

“Once there was an old man who lived in a tiny village. Although poor he was envied by all, for he owned a beautiful white horse. Event eh king coveted his treasure. A horse like this had never been seen before- such was its splendor, its majesty, its strength.

People offered fabulous prices for the steed, but the old man always refused. “This horse is not a horse to me,” he would tell them. “It’s a person. How could you sell a person? He is a friend, not a possession. How could you sell a friend?” The man was poor and the temptation was great, but he never sold the horse.

One morning he found the horse was not in the stable. All the villagers came to see him. “You old fool,” they scoffed, “we told you that someone would steal your horse. We warned you that you would be robbed. You are so poor. How could you ever hope to protect such a valuable animal? It would have been better to have sold him. You could have gotten whatever price you wanted. Now the horse is gone and you have been cursed with misfortune.”

The old man responded, “Don’t speak to quickly. Say only that the horse is not in the stable. That is all we know; the rest is judgment. If I’ve been cursed or not, how can you know? How can you judge?”

The people contested, “Don’t make us out to be fools! We may not be philosophers, but great philosophy is not needed. The simple fact that your horse is gone is a curse.”

The old man spoke again. “All I know is that the horse is gone. The rest I do not know. Whether it be a curse or a blessing, I can’t say. All we can see is a fragment. Who can say what will come next?”

The people of the village laughed. They thought the man was crazy. They had always thought he was a fool; if he wasn’t, he would have sold the horse and lived off the money. But instead he was a poor woodcutter, an old man cutting firewood and dragging it out of the forest and selling it. He lived hand to mouth in the misery of poverty. Now he had proven that he was, indeed, a fool.

After 15 days the horse returned. He hadn’t been stolen; he had run away into the forest. Not only had he returned, but he brought a dozen wild horses with him. Once again the villagers gathered around the woodcutter and spoke. “Old man, you were right and we were wrong. What we thought was curse was a blessing. Please forgive us.”

The man responded, “Once again you go too far. Say only that the horse is back. State only that a dozen horses returned with him, but don’t judge. How do you know if this is a blessing or not? You see only a fragment. Unless you know the whole story how can you judge? You read only one page of a book. Can you judge the whole book? You read only one word of a phrase. Can you understand the whole phrase?

“Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. All you have is a fragment! Don’t say that this is a blessing. No one knows. I am content with what I know. I am not perturbed by what I don’t.”

“Maybe the old man is right,” they said to one another. So they said little. But down deep they knew that he was wrong. They knew it was a blessing. 12 wild horses had returned with one horse. With a little bit of work, the horses could be broken and trained and sold for much money.

The old man had a son, on only son. The young man began to break the wild horses. After a few days, he fell from one of the horses and broke his legs. Once again the villagers gathered around the old man and cast their judgments.

“You were right,” they said, “you proved you were right. The dozen horses were not a blessing. They were a curse. Your only son has broken your legs, and now in your old age you have no one to help you. Now you are poorer than ever.”

The old man spoke again. “You people are obsessed with judging. Don’t go so far. Say only that my son broke his legs. Who knows if it is a blessing or a curse? No one knows. We only have a fragment. Life comes in fragments.”

It so happened that a few weeks later the country engaged in war against a neighboring country. All the young men of the village were required to join the army. Only the son of the old man was excluded, because he was injured. Once again the people gathered around the old man, crying and screaming because their sons had been taken. There was little chance that they would return. The enemy was strong, and the war would be a losing struggle. They would never see their sons again.

“You were right, old man,” they wept. “God knows you were right. This proves it. Your son’s accident was a blessing. His legs may be broken, but at least he is with you. Our sons are gone forever.”

The old man spoke again. “It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. No one knows. Say only this. Your sons had to go to war and my son did not. No one knows if it is a blessing or a curse. No one is wise enough to know. Only God knows.” (From In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado)

How does this apply to your life? I can think of so many examples myself. Share with me and I’ll share with you.

Cheers

You Want Me To Do What This Morning?

2007-09-16T20:22:00.000+01:00

This morning, as I was getting out of bed to read and get ready for church, i got a text message from my boss at the produce market. He was wanting to know if I could come in this morning to help unload a truck and set up a market. Now I usually only work Thursday through Saturday because I am completely exhausted and I like to go out with members of the church after the service. So I prayed about it.
This market I was going to is literally across the street from our church, so I agreed to help set up until church started.

The girls working the market had no idea I was helping them and were completely shocked when they saw me arrive. Although they were very grateful, they kept asking me WHY I was there. They said, "Oh you poor thing. I can't believe he called you." Well they don't know what God knows.

As I am unloading the truck one of the girls begins to open her heart to me about how stressful her life is right now. I believe she is in her late 20's or early 30's and has a nine year old son named Harry. Well, about a week ago she found out that her son's father was diagnosed with some sort of cancer. She began to tell me how worried she was about him and how her son would deal with the illness. The doctors, she told, me only gave him about 18 months left to live.
In my mind, I am saying great! That sounds awful, but let me explain. I told her about my mother working at a cancer hospital and all of the people I know who have cancer and are living. I then told her that many people are given a certain amount of time and then outlive it by months or even years. You wouldn't believe how helpful it was for her to hear that, because if you know anything about Irish folk you know that there is a large bit of inborn pessimism engraved in their minds. All she has heard, and probably all she has thought about, are the negative possibilities in the situation.

Now, I say great only because I know that sometimes people have to be stripped of absolutely everything until they can turn to the Lord. She said herself that herself and the father have become more spiritual through this whole thing.

Just a few words of encouragement changed this ladies whole outlook on the situation. Anyways, I came back to the market after church because I knew the girls would need a bit of help. Throughout the rest of the day I just chatted with the girls about all sorts of things. During the course of the conversations, they would ask me a few things about the church and I was able gently sow some seed. It was awesome!

Now if you know the nature of these markets, and the people who run them, you would be struggling to wrap your head around why I went in to help on my day off. At least I know Rivkah would. But the Lord showed me something today, something He has been showing all throughout the summer: If you listen to His commands and truly work for the LORD, amazing things will happen.

How was I supposed to know that I would have a chance to witness to someone today and help steam someone who was all dried out? I wasn't supposed to know. I just prayed and followed. His ways are greater than my ways (Isaiah 55).

Honestly, working the market is not the most thrilling job in the world, and like all others it is at times so very difficult to get up for. But, committing it to prayer everyday, the Lord has used me to speak to and encourage people every time I work. He has shown me that this life is not about us being happy and comfortable. This life we were given is all about living for Christ and helping people as a fruit of that relationship.

So I would encourage you, right now, to pray and ask the Lord to change your mindset about your work, school, or whatever environment you find yourself in daily. Pray that He will first make you useable, and that the Spirit will guide you into the paths of others. And know this, that God has each and every one of us right where he wants us at this very point in time.

Keep on truckin

I Told You So

2007-09-12T15:21:00.000+01:00

I think the last thing I wrote about was the interrogation by immigration a few weeks ago. Well I finally ahve some resolve to the situation that was accompanied by so many different and powerful lessons from the Lord. And here I'd like to share one with you.

Like I said, after the initial innterogation a few weeks ago, I left the place praying to God asking Him to bless those two officers with a peace that was unimagineable. When I told everyone back home about what happened they had some very comforting words and all said they were praying for me. A lot of people said "You know, if it's God's will it will work out. But what about going home?" Well that just wasn't right to me.

When I first came out here to Ireland, the Lord spoke to my mother and told her to write down these encouraging words for me. Part of what the Lord said was "Where else can I take him, and where else could he want to go... he is not finished and he is not leaving." Now this was way back in march when I had myy first few meetings with immigration, but before I was given the "special treatment" of a one on one in the back room. So I had God's words in my head and I kept going over them and over them. Yet the more I talked to people about the situation, the more they began to wind me up and allowed all sorts of thoughts to take over my mind. "You don't want to do this or that" and "well what if they say this or ask that."

Now to be fair, I had complete control as to whether or not I let those thoughts take over my mind, so I'm not pointing the finger at others. Don't you know that God gives us the strength to kick doubts and useless thoughts out of our minds.

So I began to doubt a bit. It reminds me of the Isrealites going through the desert. God told them He was taking care of them, but they only focused on what they could see with their worldly eyes and contrive with their worldly minds. The Lord tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9 that

"My thoughts are not like your thoughts.
Your ways are not like my ways.
Just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

It's amazing that during the past few weeks I have been reading Isaiah in my Bible in a year plan. Throughout the whole book God tells his people to listen to the prophet Isaiah who brings God's words directly off his lips! I kept reading over these things and going over the words my mother was given and just kept praying. A week ago, my mom said she heard again from God. When she asked Him what I should do concerning my situation, He replied "Stand up and move ahead." Well there you have it. I knew from the bottom of my heart that I was going nowhere. But people around me, Christians, kept asking what I would do if I went back home. They saw the this event as an end, and it really got me down.

So I went to meet the officer with my pastor standing with me vouching to be my financial support. We showed up and waited around, and finally they told us the officer wasn't there and that we had to come back in the morning. I was relieved. My pastor was a bit disgruntled cause he was unable to make it in the morning. But I knew that God was doing something with the whole timing of everything. That night, I felt a peace. The kind of peace that Paul talks about in Philippians 4:7 -"And God's peace that is so great we can't understand, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ." So I sat there and began praying for other people knowing that my situation was taken care of, and actually had been taken care of for a long time.

So I got up in the morning and went to the appointment. The officer met me and took me outside to chat so he could have a smoke. His first words were, "I'm not going to go over how you got here again. You are here and we are going to focus on what we can do with you now." So straight from the get-go there were no questions. All the questions I allowed myself to get worked up about were gone!!!

He told me that there was a problem, however, with my letter from the Dept of Ed. So I sat there and listened as he was explaining it thinking "well the letter is truthful and there is something missing here." Then he got a phone call and just looked at me with a blank face. The guy on the phone was from the office upstairs, and he just recieved word that my college recieved the proper registration at that very moment. Now the meeting the night before would not have worked. God's timing!

So the officer explained to me that he couldn't believe what just happened and that I only need to come back in a week to get my student card. From that point on I will be able to play and get paid for football and stay here as a student. After that we had a quick chat and laugh about the Irish rugby and I was on my way. A bit different from last time!

As I was walking away, God kicked me in the shin and said "I told you so. Listen when I speak to you and never forget that I am God." Looking back over my underlines in Isaiah, I see over and over again that God said something and it happened. Looking back and recounting what the Hand of the Lord has done in my life, God showed me that when we face a situation, we can look at it knowing that once on the other side of this obstacle, it is going to look so foolish and minute. Therefore, we can approach that situation or obstacle knowing that the Lord will bring us through it. He will, not us!!!

So I would encourage you to think of a situation that really drained you and wore you down in the recent or far past. Remember all of the worries you had and how burdensome it felt. Then look at where you are now. Look and think about how God carried you through it. It may not have been easy, but He carried you through. Now with the next situation you face, look at it from the endpoint. Go ahead and laugh as you begin to think of how important that situation is in light of eternity. Go ahead, laugh. Commit that ituation to the Lord and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit knowing that you God is the God who created Heaven and earth. He stretched out the skies with His hands and controls the oceans with His fingers! He delights in us and wants to see us do well!

Listen to God, and know that He is in control.

If anyone would like to share some kind of testimony along these lines, please make a comment here or email me. Testimonies are some of the greatest encouragement to both other people and yourselves. When you give your testimony, you remind yourself of how God has worked in your life and therefore you are strengthened and encouraged as well.

God bless and hit me back.

They Just Didn't Know Any Better

2007-08-28T17:41:00.000+01:00

Today marked my 6th visit to immigration since my arrival in February, and our relationship seems to get bumpier and bumpier as time passes on. Last week I went there to register and the guy at the front was ready to set me up without a problem, only I had forgotten the money. So I went there this morning expecting to pay my money and finally get my card that would allow me to breathe as a legal immigrant. What I wasn't expecting was to see the little back room of the building where they interrogate those of us seeking status.

For about and hour and a half I sat behind a small table as two large Irishmen fired questions at me. They wanted to know why I had all of these extensions stamped in my passport from my previous visits, and questioned my intent on staying here in Ireland. The funny thing was that they wouldn't let me speak. I would begin to answer a question and they would stop me and say they didn't give me permission to speak. The two gentlemen ran me ragged with the same questions worded in every different, all the while telling me they didn't believe a word of what I was saying. They even told me that it isn't fair that I'm giving the people at my church the run-around and I seriously need to reconsider my agenda before it catches me.

God Bless them! The whole time I was praying in tongues knowing that I only had to tell the truth and that God would make those words change the two men however God pleased. I think that I might have experienced what Daniel and the others experienced in the lion's den. I mean these guys were trying their absolute hardest to figure out something that would prove I was in the wrong, but every time they began to say things out loud they said, "well I just don't believe it." It was like I had a bubble around me that none of their words could penetrate, no matter how hard they tried! That must have been how Daniel felt in the furnace and the lion's den.

At one point they both left the room and I began to pray even more and found myself thinking, "how amazing is this that I get to see God work in such a way right in front of me." It definitely was a little un-nerving for the two officers because despite all of their personal attacks launched at my character and their constant bombardment of questions, God gave me peace with what I was saying. I have seen this elsewhere since I've been here. Praying in tongues as I talked with my coach in march I could see his heart change right in front of me as he offered me a contract and offered to pay for my application fee!

Matthew 10:19-20 says, "Don't worry about what to say or how to say it. For at that moment you will be given the things to say. It will not really be you speaking but the spirit of the father speaking through you." That is a scripture I have become quite familiar with over here. God has shown me that you can't posture truth, and if you would only rely on God to give you the words, they will carry more weight than you can imagine!

Despite being "150% sure" that I was fraudulantly trying to reside in the country and begin a bible course, the men gave me until the 10th of September to get a few documents in line to present to them at that time. In the end the man gave me his mobile number and told me to ring him about this meeting. Astonishment flashed across his face as I extended my hand in offerring of a handshake, and I was on my way.

After talking it over with my college, I need to recieve a letter from them stating that they are in the process of getting their international accredidation, and I also need to get a letter from the Dept. of Education confirming this statement. The only thing I can do there is committ it to prayer and watch as the Hand of the Lord moves on my behalf.

So if you wouldn't mind putting this to prayer yourself, asking that I will find favor with man and praying for peace for the two gentelmen I met with today, I would greatly appreciate it. God has told me before that the millions of prayers people have prayed for me in the past have lifted me up this far, and i know they will continue to do the same thing now. God Bless.

Right on Time

2007-08-21T12:33:00.001+01:00

Before I ever really got into God's word, I remember trying to get Him to speak to me. I used to just open my Bible randomly and hope that the page I turned to had the message I needed at that exact time. I've learned now that when you really get serious about the Lord and honestly devote your life to Him, He tells you exactly what you need to hear at exactly the right time!

I always think about this Bible I have now. It's a Max Lucado Devotional Bible that my Aunt gave me for Christmas. Inside she wrote that the Lord told me I should have this Bible, and I was bummed b/c that was the third Bible I had gotten in that month. Well it was the Bible I brought with me to Ireland and has changed my life. This is no exageration at all: with every situation I have faced here, this Bible has given me exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right time!!! At immigration, filing for the work permit, looking for a place to live, thinking about college, football, witnessing, repenting, casting cares... There really are too many events to list!

It's amazing that now, when something comes up I hear exactly what I need to hear from the sources around me. I pray, then my roommates give me wisdom with a decision. I pray, then my parents email me. I pray and the devotional gives me the answer. I pray, and the Word of God lights my path!

What's even crazier is that I am reading the Bible to the Bible In A Year program and have read ahead of schedule, simply b/c I felt I should. And everyone of these events had lined up with something in God's Word!

Today, I woke up and read in Psalms about casting cares on the Lord. For the past two weeks I have been so worn out by the thoughts of college, money, work, immigration, an apartment, football, and my future with my lady. Looking back now I realize that this is the reason my sleep has been terrible and I have been so tired in the day. Praying about this today and casting all of these things on the Lord, I was guided to get on my church's website. Now I didn't know what sermon to listen to, but I picked one and it was all about casting your cares on the Lord!!! This has happened to me so many times since committing myself to the Lord, and it all makes since cause he tells us that He delights in us and wants to see us do well!

So if you are looking for direction in your life, devote yourself to the Lord, get in the Word, and see how He directs you. Trust me, you will never lose that since of awe and amazement!!!!

If you want that lesson on casting your cares tyoe in Grace Church Tulsa in google and click on listen to services and it is called "Let's Walk Together."

So Gracious

2007-08-19T20:48:00.000+01:00

1 Timothy 4:8- "Training your body helps you in some ways, but serving God helps you in every way by bringing you blessings in this life and in the future life, too."

This has been one of the most important scriptures in my life! As an athlete we are told to put our bodies through the roughest kind of training possible in order to achieve our goal of success in our sport. For the longest time, probably since I was a freshman in high school, I knew that there was something terribly wrong with that idea. I have gone through so many training seesions where we absolutely abused our bodies only to achieve momentary and slight success.

I'll never forget when the Lord showed me how to get my focus off of soccer. I was doing foundations in the street at my house when He told me to look up. Now, foundations are supposed to be the most elementary part of football, but I was absolutely shocking at them. But when I looked up andput faith in what I heard, I was able to do them all day long, no bother. Same with my first touch. When I began to look up the ball seemed to magically fall right at my feet!

These were just little things He was using to prepare me for the bigger things.
When I really started to get into the Word and began reading daily, He saw fit to teach me a bit more. "Devote yourself to the Word and everything else will fall into place." Since then, I have just tried to read the Bible like a mad man. Every morning before work, on the lunch break, in the locker room ( you should see their faces), and at night. I began to notice that I wasn't thinking about football as much and I found myself reading instead of juggling and running around. Yet I was getting noticeably better!

Look, I train 2 -3 times a week for an hour each, and to be honest the seesions aren't much. Other than that, I play outside maybe, MAYBE, a half-hour a week!
Compare that to the 3 hours a day in front of my house growing up and the 3 hours everyday at college. Amy tells me she had never seen someone so obsessed with soccer in her life!

Yet now I am getting better? At training I am able to run right past guys. My touch is at times flawless. Somehow I am able to do turns and moves to beat guys that I didn't even know were behind me!!!! It is absolutely crazy!!!

Why is this so? Without a doubt in my mind, I can say that it is because I want to read the Bible so much more than playing. Because of that reading, my focus has changed from myself to my teammates. My goals have changed from winning to serving. My dream has changed from fame to God's glory. But in no way has that effected my football in a negative way. It feels as though the less I try, the easier it is. That does not mean I don't put out effort, but rather my effort is for the Lord and is prayer-driven. Instead of thinking on the field or in trianing, I pray.

I was playing in the street a few hours ago just in awe of how gracious the Lord is. I haven't touched a ball for weeks, yet the skills he gave me have been sharpened! I really don't even know what to say but "Thank You."

So are you training so hard and feeling like nothing ever works out? Are you one of those who rides the shortest high of success and feels the longer valleys of failure and inferiority? If so, look at that scripture and pray about it. Give me a call, PLEASE!!!

A Slap in the Face

2007-08-15T13:00:00.000+01:00

A little bit of God's wisdom hit me walking home from church the other day: I really do not have my focus completely set on heaven. Sure, I know and remind myself all the time that I must live in light of eternity, but there is still something missing here.
When I read passages that say something about God rewarding those who follow Him, I immediately start thinking of that reward as some amoun of money or material gain! Well, that ain't right.
For the past few days I have devoted most of my time towards searching for an apartment and trying to figure out the whole schooling situation. Because of that my mind is flooded with thoughts about the immigration fees, book fees, deposit for an apartment, rent, and similar things. I have committed these things to the Lord through prayer and I know He will give me what I need, but in my mind I continue to dwell on these thoughts. And these thoughts control who we are.
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that, "we capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ." It's amazing how when you get in the Word and let it control your prayers and thoughts, you are changed right there on the spot. I know that God will take care of these things. Remember Matthew 6:25-34?
This is some great stuff! Once I begin to cast all my thoughts and worries on God and repent for my worrying and admitt that I am too weak to do anything, the Lord gives me peace in my mind and heart and allows me to focus on the things that will truly matter in heaven. He allows me to live in light of eternity (I stole that phrase from The Purpose Driven Life).
I don't know how He is going to work or what He has in store, but I know He is working! Look at where I am right now and what He has accomplished through me. Every prayer, EVERY prayer, has been answered since being here in Ireland, and dare I think that a little money issue is going to keep me from doing His work? Hecks no!

In sum, God is amazing! If you truly are in Him, He is in you.