Easter --Christ is risen!

Romans 6:8-11
Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

As we celebrated Good Friday service at a local combined service I was jumping out of my skin- why? To celebrate! Even though Good Friday is a time to reflect on the crucifixion of Christ, and his burial....to me I cannot separate those events from the meaning behind it. His death means His RESURRECTION! It means VICTORY! It means HOPE for a relationship with GOD! It is not the 'end' but rather a new beginning of our salvation , the answer to a plan of redemption started since the first day of creation~ I pray I continue to always have my heart leap when I think of His death and resurrection, that my hands clap with joy when someone is baptized, that my mouth echoes a 'hallelujah' when I hear the salvation plan of my mighty God. ~

 Psalm 97:11-12 - "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name." (NIV)

Upcoming fundraiser in Belmond

You’re Invited

TO A PARTY

FIND STYLES THAT WORK FOR YOU!

Please join me to shop for fun, functional products from Thirty-One! At a Thirty-One party you’ll find organizing solutions to help simplify your life, available in stylish prints and patterns to suit every personality!

Join me on: Sunday April 7th

Hosted by: Alissa Qaranivalu and Joslyn Stock

Location: Evangelical Free Church Belmond, Hwy 69

Time: 4pm-6pm

Phone: 444-3908 (Alissa) or 641-425-7095 (Joslyn)

shop now at mythirtyone.com/ stockup

Bring

a friend!

Recovery

As Manasa and I heal from our recent surgeries, I am reminded on how the body takes it's time to heal. Sometimes on open wound can be closed and healed in a matter of a few days, and other times it takes a long time to heal leaving a scar. Makes me think of how we sometimes like to 'rush' our journey of healing with God. Once we become saved we sometimes expect an overnight miracle. I've seen it happen- addicts who no longer have urges, a depressed woman who now has joy on her face- these 'overnight' healings DO happen! However, it doesn't guarantee that the journey they experienced with God is the same way everyone will experience His healing. There are circumstances in our lives: deaths, assaults, disappointments, wrongs, illnesses etc that take more time. While walking the slow steps of recovery into healing, we can rejoice in each new level , knowing that God's healing is cleansing us. This leaves us with hope and joy as He works His emotional, spiritual and physical healings in our bodies. Yes, there is a season for everything (Ecc 3), and healing is one of them ~

Lenten Services

This morning I enjoyed the pleasure of doing a reading at the ladie's lenten service. The community holds a Wedn morning service at a different church each week during lent and it's a wonderful time for the christian ladies of the community to fellowship together. Our reading was from the perspective of Paul, challenging us with a 'stone' heart or are we developing a 'sheeps' heart for Christ. What a wonderful challenge- have the words of the gospel become just routine, have we lost the heart behind our Redeemer's love? Wonderful reflection time!

Marriage Conference

Manasa and I are blessed to be able to attend a marriage conference in Des Moines (about 2 hours from us) for this upcoming weekend. It will be a good time of hearing speakers, being challenged with different topics, and focusing on us as a couple.  As newlyweds this will be our first "marriage" focus conference/seminar and we are looking forward to it! Expecting lots of laughs :)

Faith and Finances

Malachi 3:10

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

As we are in the fundraising phase of our time in the USA I am constantly reminded that trusting and having faith begins to get routine....until the crisis hits. When it seems like I'm 'taking' back the responsibility of wanting to provide for my needs, I again learn the lesson of resting in God and trusting Him. When He's called you to do something, He will provide for it. I won't rush to start a new job, or new financial venture when I know my focus needs to be on getting back on the mission field to reach those who are yet to be unreached. I am amazed at the MILLIONS of people that haven't heard the story of Jesus, and who are continuing to be deceived by Satan into thinking that their gods, practices, tithes etc are satisfying their spiritual needs. We currently will be fundraising for 2 reasons. Firstly, we need to get back to Asia, and that will include airflight costs and monthly costs to cover our housing and living expenses. Secondly, because of health bills (my appendix and next week Manasa's minor surgery), we are expecting approximately 5000 dollars in medical expenses. We do not want to go back to missionary work with a debt at home (we don't feel this is biblical). Please join us in prayer as we watch for God's provisions and faithfulness during this time. Also please pray for our other preparations that need to be done before we had back to Asia!

Blessings

Here is some good listening regarding Trusting God with Finances, by my former pastor Pastor James MacDonald

http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/walk-in-the-word/listen/trusting-god-with-my-finances-part-1-185370.html