Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
News!
I heard from ABWE again today and right now it looks like I have $260! Praise Jesus! I need $900 by April 1 and I know - KNOW - that God can provide. Thank you, thank you to each one of you for your continued support. To Him be all the glory.
And here's some inspirational reading for all of you. :-)
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Once upon a time, there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work. One day, as he was walking along the shore, he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so, he walked faster to catch up. As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, and that what he was doing was not dancing at all. The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean. He came closer still and called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?” The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.” “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?” asked the somewhat startled wise man. To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.” Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!” At this, the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, “It made a difference for that one.” - Adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley
One person can change the reality of another... and by doing so, can change the world.
One person can change the reality of another... and by doing so, can change the world.
Auckland, New Zealand. (C) Leah Cross
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
An update!
Many of you have expressed an interest to hear how my support levels are going so far. Last I heard (on Thursday of this past week) was that I had $25. I can't thank each of you - my supporters - enough -- whether it be through prayer or financial help. Everything is a such a blessing... and it's because of people like YOU that I can travel overseas to Thailand to share the love of Jesus with the dear Thai people. My deadline for $900 is due in 6 days, and I know that with God, nothing is impossible. He led me to this trip and I know that He'll lead me through it. I would definitely appreciate prayer - that I would continue to trust in the Lord for His perfect will and timing regarding the finances for my trip.
This, my friends, is a sneak peak of the journey God has led me on the last few weeks...
SELFLESSNESS
In the last few weeks, God has begun to show me more than ever that IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. I have been living in such a self-centered way of life. I want *my* wants and needs met. I want to be catered to. I want other people to first approach me.. and then I'll respond back. But Christ seemed to say to me, "You know what? If you want to be like Me, it means you need to love people no matter what they do in return to you. Because true love is about learning how to GIVE -- not having the attitude of 'I wonder what I'll get back?'" And sadly my friends, that's how I've been living. Yes, I love people and want to make a difference in their lives, but I've had that little seed of selfishness in there as well (actually, uh.. quite a big one..) and wondered what I'd get back in return... whether that was more popularity.. or getting the attention from other people I wanted. But the first thing we need to realize about impacting others lives is that IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. It's about HIM.
FAITH
"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:5
Alot of circumstances have popped up in my life lately and the natural (human) way to respond to each one of these situations would be to doubt, freak out, panic, and have a pity party. (And unfortunately I was doing that) But then one night I read this verse, and I realized that my faith has been "standing in the wisdom of men" lately. My faith must rest in the power of Christ... because the power of Christ can accomplish anything. (With God all things are possible.)
SURRENDER
God has been bringing countless tests in my life lately that deal with surrender. Yes, dying of my own dreams. Dying to my own desires. Dying to MY WILL. Yes -- it hurts. It knocked me down to my knees [heh, and I think I should stay there..]. It brings tears.
My life is not my own. God has every right to change my life at the blink of an eye. I need to be living a life with opened hands in surrender to His will.
EAGER EXPECTATION
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
So where do our desires flow from? Our hearts. I have realized that God has incredible things in store for me (as well as for each one of His people) and they may be things that I may not even have a desire for yet -- but in His time, He will put that desire in my heart. (Ps. 37:4-5)
TRUST [GOD WILL PROVIDE]
"...what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" Matthew 7:9-11
This verse speaks for itself. ;-) God loves to give good gifts to His children. He won't leave His children helpless. He will provide. Will you trust Him? He is trustworthy.
This, my friends, is a sneak peak of the journey God has led me on the last few weeks...
SELFLESSNESS
In the last few weeks, God has begun to show me more than ever that IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. I have been living in such a self-centered way of life. I want *my* wants and needs met. I want to be catered to. I want other people to first approach me.. and then I'll respond back. But Christ seemed to say to me, "You know what? If you want to be like Me, it means you need to love people no matter what they do in return to you. Because true love is about learning how to GIVE -- not having the attitude of 'I wonder what I'll get back?'" And sadly my friends, that's how I've been living. Yes, I love people and want to make a difference in their lives, but I've had that little seed of selfishness in there as well (actually, uh.. quite a big one..) and wondered what I'd get back in return... whether that was more popularity.. or getting the attention from other people I wanted. But the first thing we need to realize about impacting others lives is that IT'S NOT ABOUT ME. It's about HIM.
FAITH
"That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:5
Alot of circumstances have popped up in my life lately and the natural (human) way to respond to each one of these situations would be to doubt, freak out, panic, and have a pity party. (And unfortunately I was doing that) But then one night I read this verse, and I realized that my faith has been "standing in the wisdom of men" lately. My faith must rest in the power of Christ... because the power of Christ can accomplish anything. (With God all things are possible.)
SURRENDER
God has been bringing countless tests in my life lately that deal with surrender. Yes, dying of my own dreams. Dying to my own desires. Dying to MY WILL. Yes -- it hurts. It knocked me down to my knees [heh, and I think I should stay there..]. It brings tears.
My life is not my own. God has every right to change my life at the blink of an eye. I need to be living a life with opened hands in surrender to His will.
EAGER EXPECTATION
"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
So where do our desires flow from? Our hearts. I have realized that God has incredible things in store for me (as well as for each one of His people) and they may be things that I may not even have a desire for yet -- but in His time, He will put that desire in my heart. (Ps. 37:4-5)
TRUST [GOD WILL PROVIDE]
"...what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" Matthew 7:9-11
This verse speaks for itself. ;-) God loves to give good gifts to His children. He won't leave His children helpless. He will provide. Will you trust Him? He is trustworthy.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Support begins...
I am asking for support -- prayerfully, emotionally, and financially. Prayer support is crucial because there is battle going on around us. Emotional support is vitally important as well -- we all need to be encouraged, uplifted, and challenged. Financial support is also very important because of the financial needs I have in getting to Thailand.
I am expected to raise a Minimum Support Requirement (MSR) for the ministry experience. MSR includes application fee and financial account set up, pre-trip training, airline flight to Thailand, in-country transportation, housing, meals, and supplemental overseas medical insurance. The total for my trip to Thailand comes to approximately $2700. The only thing that could change this price, is if plane tickets are much more expensive than budgeted. Deadlines are as follows:
April 1- $900 Due—Full cost for plane tickets
May 15 - $1,800 Due—Remaining amount due for the trip
Prayerfully consider if you believe the Lord would have you financially support me in this missions trip to Thailand! Checks can be made out to ABWE. Along with the check, PLEASE make it clear that the donation is for Leah Cross. BE SURE to include my account number: 085769. In order for a donation to be tax deductible, all funds must be made out to and for the use of ABWE. Failure to do this may result in the donation being non-tax deductible. Receipts will only be issued as necessary for donations that meet the legal requirements for tax deductible gifts. Using the enclosed return envelopes, checks and support slips can be mailed to:
ABWE Attn: IMPACT
PO Box 8585
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585
More than anything, I am asking you to PRAY for this trip. Pray that I would be able to communicate a clear message through my photography, that God would give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand, pray for health, safety, strength, and most importantly, that I would be a bright witness in a dark world.
May God be glorified as He provides in His way, in His time, through His people!
I am expected to raise a Minimum Support Requirement (MSR) for the ministry experience. MSR includes application fee and financial account set up, pre-trip training, airline flight to Thailand, in-country transportation, housing, meals, and supplemental overseas medical insurance. The total for my trip to Thailand comes to approximately $2700. The only thing that could change this price, is if plane tickets are much more expensive than budgeted. Deadlines are as follows:
April 1- $900 Due—Full cost for plane tickets
May 15 - $1,800 Due—Remaining amount due for the trip
Prayerfully consider if you believe the Lord would have you financially support me in this missions trip to Thailand! Checks can be made out to ABWE. Along with the check, PLEASE make it clear that the donation is for Leah Cross. BE SURE to include my account number: 085769. In order for a donation to be tax deductible, all funds must be made out to and for the use of ABWE. Failure to do this may result in the donation being non-tax deductible. Receipts will only be issued as necessary for donations that meet the legal requirements for tax deductible gifts. Using the enclosed return envelopes, checks and support slips can be mailed to:
ABWE Attn: IMPACT
PO Box 8585
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8585
More than anything, I am asking you to PRAY for this trip. Pray that I would be able to communicate a clear message through my photography, that God would give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand, pray for health, safety, strength, and most importantly, that I would be a bright witness in a dark world.
May God be glorified as He provides in His way, in His time, through His people!
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