Thank goodness its Friday. It's been waaaaaaay to long since my last post. Much has happened since December. I am officially a city girl as I missed my first bus today. Baltimore is different from Huntsville in that I am unable to park my car where I would like to-- right in front of the building. Being a major city with lots of hustle and bustle there just isn't enough space. To add cookies to the ice cream, most times people have to pay to park even to go to work. This was quite a shock to me at first. Not only to me but to my wallet. Just last week one of my colleagues showed me where the free parking lot is located. In the mornings I can park my car in this lot--just four blocks from my buiilding. I can also catch the "Charm City Circulator" to drop me off behind my building, which is super nice especially when it is cold! This morning, despite my efforts to run to the stop before the bus approached, it passed me by. This was quite disappointing, but one of the things I am learning in the season is how to embrace God's stops. I also learned that SKINNY girls such as my self need to work out too. I was hurting after that run!
In my bible study class we are continuing to study Acts of The Apostles. Last week we read about Paul's second missionary journey. This took place after Paul and Barnabas have a sharp dispute over Mark ( ACTS 16:36-41) John Mark left the other disciples during the first missionary journey to return home. Barnabas wanted to give him a second chance, while Paul thought he was too unreliable to take on the new journey. So Paul and Barnabas separate. Barnabas takes Mark and sails to Cyprus to check on the previously established churches, and continue proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ and his resurrection. Paul takes Silas and travels through Syria and Cicillia. strengthening the churches and believers there. In this situation both men were right, and God allowed it to further the message of the gospel. They were able to cover more ground apart! How wild is this? A greater good as a result of a disagreement? This is just further proof that God's infinite wisdom is beyond our often limited understanding. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, DECLARES THE LORD"~Isaiah 55:8. During this journey Paul also meets Timothy and he joins the team and begins to travel with the disciples. They leave Galatia and try to go to Asia, but they were stopped by the Holy Spirit from entering. I am sure this was disappointing as they thought this was the place God wanted them to go. I love the way the scripture reads on this " When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. " ~ACTS 16:7-8. The Spirit of Jesus and the Holy Spirit are the same. Later Paul has a vision of a man begging in Macedonia asking him to come over to help them. (ACTS 16:9). Paul without hesitation heeded God's call by the Holy Spirit's leading. While they were stopped from their original plans, God quickly responds by giving them a clear direction to where he wanted the gospel proclaimed next. God's stops are just as important has his directions to move forward. His ways are not our ways, so the key is trusting him to work things out for our best benifit. Its super hard and challenging to do, but with Jesus and the indwelling of his Holy Spirit all things are possible. Don't think for a second that I myself am teaching these words. In fact as I write, the Holy Spirit is teaching me and saying listen to these words you write!!!!!!!!
This week I also watched a beautiful movie on netflix. The movie is centered around Jesus Christ, but through the perspective of Thomas his disciple. The title of the movie is "Close to Jesus: Thomas." Thomas is known famously for questioning that Christ has risen, and that the others had seen him. "Doubting Thomas" was his nickname. I can sympathize with Thomas as doubt is something that I have severely struggled with. I am the type of person who wants to see facts. Jesus appears to Thomas and shows him his wounds. Upon seeing Thomas believes and Jesus says " Because you have seen me, you have believed, blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" John 20:29. During the movie Thomas is completely torn and distraught over the death of Jesus. He will not stop until he has found the body of Jesus that was not found in tomb, because he has risen. As the movie progressed I kept waiting to see Jesus. I kept wanting him to appear. The movie was 1 hour and 31 minutes long ,and Jesus does not appear until 1 hour and 25 minutes in. Talk about waiting till the very end. I kept asking "When will Jesus appear?". The moments in which I thought he would were premature. When he does appear it is such a beautiful moment! Thomas falls at his feet and you can see his wounds from being crucified. This is the type of relationship I long to have with Jesus. One where I can fall on my face in tears of joy and happiness just being in his presence. Just as Thomas longed for Jesus we too can experience this through a relationship with him. 1 Thessalonians is full of references about Jesus's second coming. Paul writes to the Church in Thessalonia "May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones"~ 1 Thessalonians 3:13 . So while I waited a long time Jesus eventually appears in the movie. Just as he will appear again because he is risen. There will be no more delay, and we will live with him for eternity. Every tear and sorrow will be a distant memory. Even now he is with us, and there is no separation even though we can't physically see him. This is the promise that believers have in Christ. His physical presence will be reestablished. Just hold on a little while longer because he is coming!!!!!!! May God's peace be with you!
With Love
Kohl
