Have you noticed that God's economy is not the same as the world's economy? I hope you have all had the chance to experience God's economy and His generosity from two angles, the side of the giver and the side of the receiver. It's so important to be active from both sides. We all have SOMETHING we can give no matter how little we have. Often the giving releases God's provision. Then to the often more difficult part...receiving. As Americans, and I think as French as well, we have been taught to be independent and self-sufficient. It is often hard to receive and it's even harder to ask for help. It is humbling. When we begin to understand how God has created us to live in community and to be interdependent giving and receiving becomes normal life. It is honoring and it brings freedom. Acts 2:44-47. This is a stark contrast to the world system of acquiring things to gain happiness and power and then to rule and sometimes oppress those who have not. Who is really happy? Who is really free?
I thank God that He has blessed me with an Acts 2 kind of life. Even though I may not always have plenty in the bank, I live a life of plenty and I lack nothing I need. I have the joy of being able to bless others and the family of God blesses me. Thanks to all of you who are a part of this family and God's economy. What a great model of God's Kingdom come on earth!
Before I launch into my news I just want to ask again for prayer for Carolyn and her kidney. She went for a check up on her kidney and was admitted to the hospital for further tests because they suspect that the kidney is rejecting her body. Please pray for complete healing from the inside out for Carolyn and for complete kidney function.
The May elections brought a new president for France, François Hollande. This brings a big change from Sarkosy. I've heard a few people say they have felt a difference in the atmosphere since Hollande took office. What is certain is that it is time for the church to rise up and take its place by praying for the president and the government. The people of God always need to see that we can shape our world and our society through prayer and action. We need to hear the Father's heart for our nations and then imitate that heart and release it in prayer and declaration. We heard very clearly that we needed to release peace and joy over France. This is God's heart which is completely opposite of the reaction of fear and worry that was produced in many. Martin Scott also wrote in his blog that peace and joy needed to be released over France. God is speaking the same thing to His people in different places.
The legislative elections are coming up this Sunday. I have heard many say that 2012 is a year of shifting and changes. There are big changes already. Please pray for France and the elections this coming Sunday. Please release joy and peace over France when you pray.
A group of 9 youth from Joshua Church is planning a mission trip to the Philippines this July. A project like this is much more complicated than in the U.S. They have been working hard to raise funds and to get all of the paperwork in order. I think most of you understand the difference a trip like this can make in their lives and in the lives of the people they will go to help. Some of you from FOC will know several of these youth which includes a young lady from Moscow who will join the group when they pass through the Moscow airport. Please pray for Vincent, Elisabeth, Claire, Séphora, Jérémie, Benjamin, Uriel and Olya and their intercessor Timothée. Feel free to contact me if you would like to support them. You can check out a short presentation of their trip by watching this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFsk3oxIHKw&feature=youtu.be
June is the last month of school in France so we still have a few weeks of class left. I get to play trumpet with a group (rock band) from the music school on July 21st as a part of the Music Festival that is held all over France every year. I am really looking forward to it!
I think that's it for this entry. Thank you all for reading along and for praying along. I discovered that people from several countries are reading and that is encouraging. However, I don't know anyone from several of the countries and that makes me think they were searching something and came on my blog by accident. So, whether you be a friend or whether you are here by a happy accident, be blessed into the fullness of all that God has for your life!!
Prayer requests:
~Continued prayer for Carolyn Gore who is currently in the hospital waiting for tests results to see the condition of her kidney. Pray for complete healing!
~Pray for the youth who are going to the Philippines on mission this summer. Pray that all the paperwork and finances will come in as well as good health, protection and divine appointments.
~Pray for France as another round of elections approach. The legislative elections are next Sunday. Please pray and release peace and joy over the country during this time of change.
**A picture of one of the many poppies in bloom in the vineyards. One of the symbolic meanings of the poppy is 'resurrection.' Yes, Jesus, your resurrection power for France!!
