august worship playlist (which will get added to!)

matt redman: never once

matt redman: you alone can rescue

natalie grant: your great name

chris tomlin: God of this city

hillsong: the stand

hillsong: hosanna

chris tomlin: our God

matt redman: my hope

tricia brock: you are my shepherd

jeremy riddle: furious

feeling God

at camp in czech there was one girl who i adored right off the bat. she's heard the gospel before and hangs out with a youth group who's been praying for her for a while. she believes the gospel, but she wants to feel God before she becomes a Christian. no doubt there are other things in the way, but i feel like this is pretty valid. moses saw signs from God to know it was him, Gideon asked God for different signs, even his disciples had to see Jesus after the resurrection to believe it was him.

so...what do i tell her? that she may not ever physically feel God in the way that she wants? thoughts?

oh czech.

there's something about czech that always captures my heart. being there has only renewed my focus of being there. the next step of the journey is praying about moving there.

these beautiful people were just at camp with me for a week. they're the new crew who i've fallen in love with. there's so much to say about the camp, but i learned two great things.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

i experienced great weakness before czech, and i prayed for it for the team while we were there. during training one of the things that was talked about was praying without ceasing. in thinking about how to get to that point, i realized that with weakness there's more prayer, and therefore Christ is stronger. my weakness appeared in ways i wasn't expecting - different distractions and struggles. but God granted me them so i could rely more fully on him.

there were also some things that happened, or almost happened, that upset me a bit. while i was praying about it i clearly heard God telling me that his plan is greater than mine, and i couldn't see nearly as far as He does. and so i let this struggle go. it's his, and i trust him.

i made some great friendships. i was encouraged by the czech christians who were persecuted by their families for their faith. i watched it unfold at one time and saw the discouragement my friend felt. but what amazing people they are. i'm so thankful for them and their solid faith.