Windmills In The Desert

Yesterday I took a drive out to the desert towards Palm Springs. I have heard of and seen on t.v. the huge wind turbines, or wind mills that are out there, I have always wanted to see them in person. I find the desert to be so interesting and beautiful yet so empty, small shrubby trees, rocky brown mountains, palm trees, just so different from Ohio! As I got closer to Palm Springs I started to see the huge wind mills, hundreds of them, for miles and miles left and right, it almost seemed like I was in a different world. I had decided that morning to drive out there and just seek the Lord on many things in my life. He always seems to share crazy things with me when I am driving in a car with a good worship cd on. With me being unemployed due to layoff, and not really sure of what was going on in my life I felt like a road trip was just what I needed. I drove for a few miles, asking God what he had planned, what he was gonna do, because I felt like I was going no where(literally on the road and in life ha!). I know that he has called me to ministry, and eventually into it full time, but when? I was even doubting that years ago I even heard God right. I was still kind of captivated by all these crazy windmills in the middle of the desert, and the wind they were producing kind of swayed my car a bit, when I looked to my right I saw a huge white billboard with a dialogue bubble in the middle of it, and inside it read “Big things are in store for you”. My mouth dropped wide open, and I almost had an accident reading the sign. I was silent in awe for a few minutes, not really believing what I had just read on the side of the highway...in the middle of the desert. I stopped on he side of the highway to write down what I had just seen. I got back on the road and started laughing, and thanking God for speaking to me. I could not believe how incredible this was...God...spoke to me, through a random billboard...in the middle of the desert. I believe God wants us to be in a “desert” from time to time, a barren place, with no or little life, a place where we depend on HIM, and HIM alone. In my case, I was actually driving through a desert. But maybe you are actually going through a spiritual desert, or as a friend of mine calls it “a dry spell”. And at times, when we are in that desert with God, there can be all these “windmills” distracting us from hearing what God is wanting to speak to us. Let this time be amazing, let God speak to you, when we feel like all hope is lost, and we have hit rock bottom that is when God wants to speak to us. God want’s to allure you , he wants to lead you into the desert, and there he wants to speak tenderly to you (Hosea 2:14). I know that in the spirit, God was calling out to me, he was taking me into this place, to speak to me. He wanted to make that valley of desolation into a place of hope, and thats exactly what he did to me...I was in the desert...amazed by all these wind mills...and out of no where he spoke to me, tenderly. He gave me hope. Let the Lord of all creation give you hope as you go through this tough time, no one said that following Jesus would be easy, I am learning that more and more every day. My spiritual father told me once “Tough times build faith, stand strong, you are a giant killer”, these words have stuck with me these past few days, because in my desert, God is building my faith. Perhaps you are in a place in your desert were NOTHING makes sense, you are doing just what God called you to do, and being obedient, and yet you are in a pit of some sort, if that is you I pray that God strengthens your faith, and that you stand strong. His word, which is truth, says that he has never seen the righteous forsaken, nor their seed begging bread, God will provide. In the desert he will provide fresh water. So beloved of Christ, I pray that as you go through this time, weather you are in it or coming out of it, that God will fill you up with his wisdom, revelation, and that you be not distracted by anything in the desert. I pray that you allow for God to speak tenderly to you, and through this your faith grow and becomes stronger. Stand firm on your rock that is Jesus! He will provide, and I pray that through this nonsense GOD MAKES SENSE. Be blessed in Jesus name!

Your servant in Christ,

Manna G.

blogspot!

So, I have decided to get rid of my facebook, kinda radical huh? Well it just can seem a bit childish at times, Im a 25 yr old grown man using  it like im a teenager LOL! So from now on I will be using my blogspot as a way to get people updated on whats going on in my life, I will be writting something pretty soon so keep checking!

Your friend,

Manna G.

This is me, so far....

A few of you have asked me to start blogging, so I decided to start! I have thought about it before, but I have allowed myself to become lazy in regards to writing, so in a way by me starting this blog you guys can keep me accountable to using a gift that I know God has given me which is writing.  Also, those that do not have a facebook can see what I have been up too and what not. I can't believe I have lived in California 7 months, it feels like just yesterday the Lord was talking to me about moving here. In these past few months I have seen how mighty and powerful God is, not that I did not know that before, or seen him like that, but he has just proven himself faithful time after time. I went from having no job, to working part time hours, to having a full time job. From wondering were my next meal was coming from to being able to bless others. I have grown up so much by being out here this past months. I have learned that God will supply my every need, according to His will, not mine. I have learned that he is my source of joy when I am depressed, because trust me being far from my family and friends has not been easy, but somehow God has provided so many awesome people to be a part of my life here. I have learned that he is all I need, I struggle with loneliness, but he has shown me that he is my partner,my best friend, my everything. It's hard to give yourself to someone you can't see, but man do I feel his presence in my life everyday. At the end of the day for me it has all been about surrendering all of my life and handing it over to him. Roots had it's first service this past Sunday, and man was God faithful. Saturday night Evan and Tiffy's house was the command center and we were BUSY getting everything finalized for service, wondering if anyone was going to even come. We could all feel the stress and tension in the house, so I decided to buzz cut my 6 inch curls that I have been growing out, and it most def broke the tension and we all had a good laugh. Sunday morning we were all just running around setting up and getting everything ready, we had a few issues with our media, but if it was not for Mr. Timmy Kelch being there who knows what would have happened. Service was supposed to start at 10am, and no one was there . We were all a little nervous, but at around 10:10 am people started showing up. I believe we had about 40 people come, and 15 give their lives to Jesus. Sarah Angne and I are starting up the Children's ministry and man do we have a LOT to learn, we had 7 children in our service, and I was so nervous to teach them (I wanted to be just like uncle Mark!) but God for sure did all the teaching, because I could not have don it without him.  After the children's service it was good to see that all had gone well, Evan was super happy, which made us all happy as well. We can't wait for all that God has for our team out here! Thank you all for the support and prayer, it is such a blessing to know that we have the love and support of our Church back at home. I look forward to sharing with all of you what the Lord is doing in my life! (rach d. i hope you are happy ;)

Your friend,

Manna G.