Hope

I'm touched some of you still check back with hopes of finding an update, really! :)

These days, God has been teaching me how to recognize small blessings that bring hope, joy and strength. My heart goes out to Japan, and the current crises she faces. The great nation of more than just sushi, shaken by a tsunami and its aftershocks, but humbled by a worsening nuclear crisis. How God works in sovereign ways reminds us of Who's in control - it broke my heart, but restored it at the same time.

Click for news update.

My prayers go out to those who are praying, hoping, searching, mourning, surviving, and waiting - may His grace be more than sufficient and His peace comfort them. Also to those who sacrificed, may His joy be their strength and His love envelope them. I pray for mercy upon the nation, the capital Tokyo, and her people to be spared. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

¹ I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
² When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.

³ I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
⁴ You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
⁵ I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
⁶ I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:

⁷ “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
⁸ Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

¹⁰ Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
¹² I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

¹³ Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
¹⁴ You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
¹⁵ With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.

¹⁶ The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
¹⁷ The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
¹⁸ Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
¹⁹ Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.

²⁰ You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

--Psalm 77

Hope amidst destruction.