Hebrews 12:1-4 "Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful man, so that you will not grow weary or lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood."

This is one of my favorite verses.  The part that mentions perseverance reminds me to keep relying on God, even when situations get rough.  Jesus is the perfect example of this, enduring the cross.  I also like the last part (v. 4) that we humans all struggle with sin, but we haven't resisted it to the point of shedding blood like Jesus did.  God can help us with resisting temptations.  Not only can he, but he wants to!  We just have to be willing to let him.

I was having a rough day yesterday.  It was one of those days where nothing was going right.  The weight of outreach on my mind and it was affecting everything. Hebrews twelve popped into my mind.  I vaguely knew it, but only the words.  Reading it in desperation totally opened my eyes and gave me new revelations.  After this I felt much more peace.  The challenges are still present, but I know God is there too and he's helping me handle the situations.

Earlier in lectures we where given an illustration.  Two sponges were in different bowls of liquid that looked the same. When they were squeezed, one came out pure water, and another was gross looking dirty water.  This represented two different people.  "Joe and Jennie"  Both looked the same on the outside; representing the stereotypical perfect Christian. People who went to church, said and did the right things. But when they were "squeezed" or put into pressure situations, what came out of Joe was goodness, love and kind words.  What came out of Jennie was the gross water which represents anger, bitterness and hatred. It's easy to put on a facade and act perfect, but the time  spent in the word and pressing into God will come out in our actions in life.  No one is perfect. We all say and do things we shouldn't..  They told us to deal with this stuff during lectures, so when we're on outreach we'll respond in love.

Team Papua New Guinea left this morning.  We're praying for safety as they head off on their missions trip.  Waking up this morning, I looked at Tara from across the room and we both had the same reaction.  We're excited for what awaits us, but we'll miss each other greatly after being together for the past three months. Saying goodbye to everyone was not fun today. I walked back into my house and everything felt hallow and empty.  It's just our team now.  Getting started and occupied with outreach will be great.