Marion Yumori

Yesterday was Marion's funeral.

I truly believe she was one of the most faithful people I have ever met. I took her Crown Financial Bible Class, I listened to her speak several times, I heard many stories from Randy, I heard many more stories yesterday.

In Hebrews there is a section that talks about faith. They mention notable people in the bible who were faithful; Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Samson, David, and more. And this is what is said of them:

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." Hebrews 11:13-16

Because of Marion's overflow of faith, God is not ashamed to be her God and has prepared a place for her.

Marion, thank you for your legacy of faith.

Romans 8:26-27

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

And the Pot Thickens

For those of you who are following along with the faith pledges, I received my THIRD installment today! Apparently Josh was at school and looked down while studying and there was $35 on the floor. After waiting sometime to see if anyone would return for it, he took it home. Unbeknownst to me he decided to donate to my faith pledge. When I got home he had put it on my desk next to my post-it that is recording my incoming pledges!

(If anyone would contest that this is not a pure faith pledge I would argue that it totally is because I wasn't expecting him to give me any money - and he did.)

thus, I am now $35 closer to my goal! Score one for God today!

The Class of 09

In fifteen years I'm going to look back at this picture and see how God used each person to start a movement for the Lord. I can't wait.

This past weekend 77 young leaders in the PCJC gathered together to learn what it means to take responsibility for watering the seeds that God has planted in all our lives. It was amazing to see the response from everyone, to hear their hopes and dreams, to witness their testimony, and now to be able to see the change. I build an alter to Christ in thanksgiving for what He accomplished and what he will accomplish in the lives of these people!

Decor

You know you're reaching a new stage in life when your interests shift towards home decor. some of my favorites:

Worry This, Worry That

I am constantly worried. I actually didn't realize that I stressed so much until Josh pointed it out to me. For those of you who worry like me you might be able to appreciate these words I stumbled upon from our dear friend Oswald Chambers,

"Fretting rises from our determination to get our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God's plans."

Take heart! "Abide in the shadow of the Almighty" - Psalm 91:1

Lent

The season of Lent is upon us. Wednesday marks the beginning of the historic time when people fast and pray before the coming of Easter, 40 days. Just like the 40 days of temptation for Jesus.

Four years ago when I was having a rough go in life I fasted sleep in the morning in favor of daily devotions. Looking back I have never had a more on track, meaningful time of spiritual renewal and discipline. This year I have decided to do the same again. Normally I would be dreading Wednesday morning, the start of having to get up half an hour earlier than normal - but I just have a yearning of excitement that I can barely contain. I thirst for more of Him. I hunger for a deeper understanding of His ways.

Are you lenting something? I encourage you to stretch yourself beyond what you believe you are capable of. Keep your motives pure before the Lord and He will bless your obedience.

Where'd THAT come from!?!

I know a great blogger is one who updates often. I only seem to be able to write when I'm inspired. I find that this rings true in other areas of my life too: school, work, relationships, papers, other work, ministry... A used to call it J at 100% or J at 0%.

Needless to say I'm currently hitting the high 90's.

If you haven't heard, Venice is doing a Faith Pledge. Basically the church purposefully passed a red budget in favor of supporting different ministries, acting on faith that the Lord would provide even in tough economic times. With that said, the church was asked to consider making a pledge, of any amount that would somehow stretch your faith of offering. The catch is the money can't come from any source of expected income. Tangible ways of learning what faith really looks like. I was excited about the possibilities of other people having extraordinary stories by year end. Note I said "other" people. :) Well, two weeks ago I made my own pledge, not thinking much about it.

Today money that I wasn't expecting plopped in my lap. The funny thing is I didn't even think about this until I was sharing with Randy at work and he said, "oh that's neat, it's part of your faith pledge!" I stopped dead in my tracks when I realized I had just been given my first installment of my faith pledge! I've also learned that others in the church have also had the same experience as me. God truly does work in tangible ways, He's not only providing but teaching His children as well. I can't wait to see when the next installment happens upon me. This time though, I'll be watching out!

If you are apart of the body of Venice I encourage you to participate, not for the benefit of the church, but for yours.