God is Good!

God is awesome!  Wow, seriously praise the LORD!  He is mighty, He is all knowing and all wise, He is perfect and holy and He is good.  Hallelujah!

I am currently at staff training for my 6th summer of work at Hidden Acres and let me tell you, God is blessing me richly in many ways and I wanted to share some of that with you.

First of all, this last semester at college I went through a Bible study on 1 John with a campus pastor and the other Shift team leaders.  This study made me HUGELY aware of my sin and thus so much more aware of God's amazing grace!  As a result I am seeking God more in repentance for more sins that exist especially in my heart and my mind.  And, God has blessed me with JOY in the salvation He has given me.

At camp this summer we are studying the book of Hebrews which is filled with the Gospel and the declaration of Christ being King and above everything!  I am so excited to continue to see this incredible truth in Hebrews this summer and in Galatians (the book my T3ers will be studying) and in my personal devotions.  God's word is awesome and filled with God's love for his people.

This summer is also kind of hard, ok it's really hard.  Michael and I are in completely different places this summer as he has an internship in the cities.  We have never spent a summer apart for as long as we have known each other.  That alone is hard enough, but to make things a little more rough I am doing the exact same job I did with Michael last summer.  The last week and a half has been very lonely at times and I have had to cry out to God to satisfy me alone and to walk with me and to continually fill me with His truth.  It has also been humbling to realize I cannot do this alone.  I cannot do this job the exact same way as last summer.  Not only are my counselors different and will my campers be different, but I cannot coordinate as two people.  It is not possible.  I struggle with wanting control and with seeking the approval of man in what I do, and God has shown me early on this summer that those are not what He wants for me.  Those are idols that need to be cast aside and stomped on.

Despite the pain and loneliness that this summer has already brought (and that I will probably continue to struggle with),  I am so thankful to be here, so thankful that God continues to shape and mold me into more of His image despite my selfishness and wanderings.  He is truly good.  I praise Him for the convictions He has already given me and for His faithfulness thus far that will continue.

I apologize if this was jumbled, my heart is just very full and I wanted to share it with those who care enough to read my little blog.  I also wanted to ask for prayer:

1. Pray that God would continue to show me the Gospel in scripture and that I would take joy and full reliance in that truth.  
2. Pray that as God continues to humble, mold, and shape me this summer that I would turn to him always.  Not inward in self-pity.  
3. Pray that I would continually be seeking God; loving God and loving others as I am called to as a Christ follower.  

Finally, I just want to share the lyrics of a hymn we sang the other night in worship.  It blessed my heart with the truth it proclaimed.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!