"Is Anything Too Difficult?"
By Beth Sebek

Dear Pastors' Wives,

Recently we have had many challenging times. Times of recent joy with a new grandbaby, Isabella Candace Denning, being born and enjoyed. But mostly many challenges. It must be the year for it.
Friends walking through cancer and health challenges, and multiple friends losing loved ones suddenly and sometimes shockingly. One thing after another. The Lord is teaching us to trust Him in new and deeper ways. Then our own challenges add to it. What's one to do?

Cry out to Jesus is all we can do when the road gets rough. Seeing His light in the storms and valleys. Yet in the midst, we are also finding new moments of joy. Moments of serving together as a church family, for one another, and being Jesus' hands and feet to one another. Moments of drawing closer as a family and supporting one another and experiencing God's love and amazing grace.

My daughter Angela sent me a couple of thoughts today. She is reading Becoming a Vessel God Can Use by Donna Partow, in her girls group. I thought I'd share a few of these thoughts:

"There is no oil without squeezing olives, no wine without the pressing of grapes, no fragrance without crushing the flowers, and no real joy without sorrow. " Pack Up Your Gloomies In a Great Big Box by Barbara Johnson

"In time of trouble say,
'First, He brought me here. It is by His will I am in this place; in that will I rest.
Next, He will keep me in His love and give me grace in this trial to behave as His child.
Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the grace He intends for me.
Last, in His good time, He can bring me out again, how and when only He knows.
Say, I am here:
By God's appointment,
In God's keeping,
Under his training,
For His time.'"
-from Humility (By Andrew Murray)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

"Ask yourself now: 'Am I willing to allow God to mold me and shape me-using whatever tools, whatever circumstances He chooses?' If you can answer yes, then you can become a vessel God can use." Donna Partow

Here is a poem the Lord gave recently, encouraging my heart to trust in His greatness.

Is Anything Too Difficult?

It's a fallen world with a stormy sea,
Yet still my Savior walks there with me.
Thru a path of pain or with lonely chains,
Won't stop the One whose freedom reigns!

Have you lost your hope? Is your strength worn out?
Then lift your eyes to see His glory now…
For He speaks a Word with such command,
And He holds your hand throughout every land!

For the blind do see and the winds grow still,
When the Son of God breathes His truth to will.
There's no giant too great or a care too small,
That can hide from the One who sees them all!

He will fill your cup from His lavish love,
And clothe you with strength, from His stores above.
His truth will shield and yes, surround,
And defeat the lies that were meant to drown!

He will raise you with hope when there's none to be seen,
For this is the glory of His Majesty!
Oh, praise Him today for His wondrous ways,
And sit at His feet till His songs you raise.

Then whatever path or fears you face,
You can know that your Lord will bring vic'try to taste.
For nothing is too difficult for our King of Kings,
When I put my trust in Him to cling.

He will save and deliver, He will comfort your pain.
Whether tears or such fears, whether trials that remain.
DON'T give up or give in, till our Lord sees you thru!
He will triumph every foe, for His treasure…. is you…

Hebrews 4:16- Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,
So that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

February 11, 2008 Elizabeth Sebek

In the midst of the storm, the waves can look so large. But if we hold His hand and hang on, His light pierces the darkest storm and breaks through with the dawn.

Keep your eyes on His light, dear sisters. He is Jesus! The light of the World.

Love,
Beth

Prayer Request

Ladies, please pray for the upcoming Pastors Conference in June 2008, where the focus will be on The Joys and Trials of the Great Commission Family.