Do you believe in miracles?

The lady speaking to Pastor Ed was healed from bone cancer.
Praise God!

A couple of weeks ago we went to our church's Wednesday night service.  The church itself is a warehouse in downtown Jalapa and has nothing more inside other than a stage and small audio booth/bathroom, but the place crams in tons of people (about 400) and they know how to praise God with vigour.  People jumping with arms in the air, wailing out as they serve the God who reigns, weeping while singing songs of joy and gratefulness, and shouting 'amen!' and 'hallelujah!' when the pastor speaks. 

A mother holding her baby who was born premature that had
a heart attack, tremors, and diagnosed as being deaf and blind.
Child is no in good health and can see and hear.  Praise God!

Admittedly it is an odd church experience for most North Americans that visit, even for myself despite the many times we have attended.  However, what blows my mind is the belief of miracles in this church/culture.  Back home I would hear fellow church members talk about the miracle of God's provision when a donor would give groceries to help fill a food bank, describe the development of a newborn baby, or that the church budget would be fulfilled in the last month of the year.  Here in this church they had a miracle service a couple of months earlier where they called forward anyone who wanted to experience a healing in their life for anything.  Two months later, they followed up on this and asked those who experienced a miraculous change in their life.  A handful of people made their way to the front and began to explain their illness and strife.  Story after story, people described their faith in God, how they believed in His healing power, took the action to make their situation better, and explained how God provided them with this miracle.

The more I observe miracles in other people, the more I see that an action must happen for a miracle to occur.  God loves to be in community with His believers and He wants to be our provider.  We need to be in contact with God more through studying, meditating, praying, believing, and lining our lives with His desires for us.  However, our desires often may not line up with what God desires for us.  Understanding why God does miracles in some and not others is a complex subject, but I did like hearing what Pastor Ed had to say, 'That people need to see the result of miracles so they can be in awe of God and recognize where praise needs to be given.' (based out of the verse found in Matthew 9:8)  

My prayer and wish this coming Christmas is that we all look at where miracles happen in our lives and that we give God the glory for His awesome provision.  Put your faith in God and align yourself with His plan and ACT ON IT!  Not an easy task even according to Jesus (Matthew 19:24 - Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.")

Prost!

I just love when my family gathers for a celebration.  It is a busy household with all 17 of us.  There is a sense of excitement in the air as the door opens and in spills another sibling with their family.   The kitchen smells of fresh baked delights and the aroma of coffee brewed.  Inevitably, a glass gets raised and we toast to the celebration or individual we gather for.
Celebrating birthdays has always been a big deal to me.  I am usually the last one to bed the eve before the special day, decorating and finishing off any last minute preparations.  We just celebrated our very first birthday in Guatemala this past week.  And since he insisted on it not being a big deal, I thought I would give him the only gift I can.  My words.
If you have met my husband, you wouldn't be surprised when I tell you he is the most generous person I know.  He has taught me much on  patience,kindness, respect and grace.  He has seen things in me, and pushed me out of my safety on so many occasions.  When I have failed, he has been there to extend a hand and help me up, not only to his level but held me high.  If you have met my husband, you know his contagious laugh a mile away.  His candid humour has always made family gatherings interesting.  He challenges me to take a closer look at what being a Christ follower is.  He is the best partner in life,  most amazing father to our growing crew  of children and loyal friend!  So raise your glass with me and Prost!  Happy 35th birthday Matt!!!