Be Glorified.

I've learned so much on this trip, but there has been one resounding theme. God uses all things for His glory. No matter what the situation, He is in control and very evidently uses situations to further His kingdom.

On our vacation/road trip we visited Mt St Helens, a landmark of tragedy and the power of nature. But the fascinating part is that 29 years ago all life was destroyed within a certain radius of the volcano. Trees were flattened. Wildlife was wiped out. Lakes were boiled. And scientists, in all our earthly wisdom, claimed that there would be very little regrowth and repopulation for hundreds of years. BUT when I was there the lakes were full of fish, trees were new and fresh and living, and we even saw a large herd of elk. Creation scientists are now using this information and this miraculous regrowth as evidence that the great flood could have occurred. Isn't that amazing? A disastrous volcano is being used to glorify God!

In Paterson, Washington there is a very small church which used to meet in a double wide trailer but has recently been able to build a very nice building. Through donations and services the group was able to afford it all. The story that amazed me was how their church was bricked. A truck hauling bricks had turned over on the highway in front of the church. The brick was no longer usable for sale so the church was able to take all of it. How amazing it that? God is so cool!

On the 4th of July we were able to attend a free Jeremy Riddle concert. He's a Christian singer and it was really more like a big worship service. But the concert was in a park with free admission and carnival rides and concessions and other festive things. And if it was anything like the rest of the northwest, most of the people there were not believers. BUT God's named was being praised throughout the entire park. How amazing is our God?

Bethany is helping with Girls Camp and Youth Camp and has been having some serious health issues. She's been having seizures with no explanation and it's been very difficult on her and her family to deal with the symptoms while they wait on tests to explain what's going on. BUT one day in her college class she passed out. A classmate, Kaitlin, stayed with her until she was fully attended to. Bethany invited Kaitlin to church and last Sunday, Kaitlin accepted Christ! Even in the midst of struggle and confusion, God uses the situation to glorify His name.

I am in awe of the God I serve. I am so unworthy to be a servant of the Most High God, but for some reason He called this perishable container to carry His light this summer. And it is my prayer that He will be glorified in me.