Do You See? & Faith Filled Friday

the weekly mtg where Luwam got to share the gospel with Ali

     God is always at work around us. He is in the business of drawing all people to Himself, like Ali. A couple weeks ago we had a couple from Texas staying with us for the weekend. They took us out to dinner at Red Robin where we met Ali, our waitress. She was originally from Tennessee where this couple was originally from and there was a Tennessee football game on TV at the restaurant. Ali really connected with this couple. Ali's parents are professors and very strong atheists  We found out she went to college at the campus we work with students on so we told her about the ministry and invited her. She was sweet but I didn't think she would really end of coming. I mean really, that takes a ton of courage to show up to some Christian thing knowing nobody because some strange people invited you. But last week (and this week) she actually showed up! Lots of girls talked to her and made her feet welcome. Two got a chance to share their testimonies with her (both of who didn't grow up in a Christian family) and Luwam, a girl who gave her life to Christ as a freshman on campus (a couple years ago) got to share the gospel with Ali who started crying when she heard about Jesus and what He did for her. God is pursuing people. God is always at work around us.

But there was some people who couldn't see that because they were so caught up pointing the finger, accusing everyone. When our eyes are fixed on ourselves or others we are blinded from the work of God. Mark 2:13-17 and Luke 5:29-30 tell about Levi's big party he threw for Jesus, "Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" (Lk) This guy was rich having stolen and bribed so many people's money. I imagine his house was pretty sweet. But how awesome is it that the thing that was once used for evil, now was being used for good. Isn't that just like God. Anyway, the pharisees, they were blind to the work God was doing in lives. I mean really,  "a large crowd of tax collectors" were there, with Jesus. I bet there are some pretty awesome stories of some of those guys putting their faith in Christ that night. But all the Pharisees could see was things to complain about. 

When we are complaining, it's like we wrap a handkerchief around our eyes keeping us from seeing the incredible things the Lord is doing. I guess it's a good heart check. But I'm grateful for clear indications like that showing me if I am living yielded to the Spirit or not. It's easy to tell when I am being complainy, and just and reminder to turn to Christ and yield, letting Him have His way in my heart once again.

PS A few weeks ago I told you how I was not feeling great through my first trimester of pregnancy (and my thyroid being totally out of whack). But I haven't been sick in a week and am starting to get my energy back! I can get through a whole day without a nap but come nighttime I get pretty tired (when I usually blog). I am hoping to be back to full energy and blogging regularly again soon.  Thanks so much for praying!


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More in this series on Mark:
A Glimpse of the Wow-ing God 1:1-8
I was Ruined for Anything Else 1:16-18 
Amazed and wanting to throw off a cliff. 1:21-28
When the need and your calling don't match. 1:29-39 
17 Years Paid Off  2:1-12
Outrageous Grace 2:13-14


I'm linked up with the beautiful ladies at Fellowship Fridays, Nebraska Graceful, Reflection of Him,Spiritual Sunday, Heart Reflected, The Better Mom, Create with Joy. 

You also might like:
Giant Blog Hop List
Is Porn a Problem? (from my Just Thinkin Tab)
God is Radically Changing Lives (from my Missional tab)

Faith Filled Friday's Blog Hop Link Up

W e exist to glorify God, to display His heart and character. And I just love how we are all uniquely built to do that. So every Friday I want to give you, uniquely designed by God, an opportunity to link up your thoughts on God, art, baking, photography, parenting, marriage, homeschooling, writing or blogging and more if they tie into or display the the Lord somehow. 

So go ahead and link up below by clicking the link below and following the prompts. Please just let your readers know by including a link at the bottom of your post (or somewhere on your side bar) or put my button code (found on my side bar or the Faith Filled Friday Tab) so they can find these other great people glorifying God and we can continue to grow as a community.Thanks! 

And in effort to encourage others in their writing by faith, please take a minute to comment on the two posts linked up before you.