One brick, two brick, dark brick, light brick

There's so many things that I would love to post. But it would be a whole series, and I'm sure it would bore you to death :-P so Ill spare you, and tell you one story at a time.

I was at work last week, and in the beginning I had to go through old bricks, and find ones that could be reused. As I'm going through the bricks, I noticed that a lot of them, having been holding up the house sense 1790, were cracked and weathered. But here's the weird thing. I would see some bricks that I deemed unworthy to be used at first. "The crack is to big, or the light color shows weakness." Id say based on what I was told. But as I would hit the brick to actually test its strength, it passed. It wouldn't break.

However, there were other bricks, that I would have bet my sour patch kids :-P that it would have passed. It was dark colored, and not even the slightest of cracks on the outside. And with one hit, it shattered. I'm so glad to have been able to do the job, though it hurt my back. It was a blessing, and I hope it blesses any readers.

See I thought it was a perfect picture. There are many people that seem broken, perhaps when we look at them, we may think... this person cant be used. This person is no good. Perhaps, you look at yourself, and you come to that same conclusion. I'm to old, or to broken down, I'm worn out, not strong enough. You begin to buy into the lie, and you feel useless. But that is far from the truth!!!!!! When God is allowing the hammer to crash down, you will pass with flying colors in the end (should you give it all to Him). You, or the people that you see, no matter how they are now. Whether their bitter and angry, prideful and selfish, whatever you may see, that's only because they most likely don't know God, or are struggling with (truly, only God knows what), and they need His love. God can use each of us to build back up a wall, that makes His house, His bride come together!

Some people appear strong, and you look at them, without a doubt you say, "their so perfect, they have it all together!" When really, inside their so weak, and ready to crumble.

Whether, your the first, or the second "brick" we can all take peace. I recently read Psalms 27. I would highly recommend reading it! Heres some verses that stuck out to me:

Lets start right off with the first verse! "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom Shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?"

Even David, the King of Israel, knew where he stood. He knew even as a shepherd boy when he took out Goliath, that it was God. He knew that he really didn't half to fear anyone! He continues through to verse three:
"...Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident."

David is but one man, and he knew he could stand against a whole army, he knew that his God, his Father, his Shepherd (I like that, Gods a Shepherd's shepherd :-) was watching over Him. Gods a King's King to!!! Sorry, that's really cool to me, but anyways :-P We can stand strong no matter who or what our enemy is. We can be bold and confident, for we do not fight on our own! God is our strength. The only way we can fail, is when we try to take the enemy out on our own!!!

Next is verse 5:

"For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock."

Gods love is so amazing, and He can shelter us and give us rest in the secret place :-) "What a mighty God we serve, what a Mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him, Heaven and Earth adore Him! What a Mighty God we serve!" And with all of His might, that endless fountain, also pours out peace and protection :-)

I came down to an interesting verse, vs.8:

"When You said, "seek my face," My heart said to you, "Your face Lord, I will seek."

I love it so much. And I'm in tears, because its sheer awesomeness. I know that Ive failed to seek Him so often. But God is so amazing, and He simply says, after all the failure "seek my face," that's all... We just have to seek Him :-) And what a joy and privilege it is to do so, to be allowed to!!! Praise God for His love and mercy! For His Word that has such joyful news in it!!!

The next verse, of course, does not fall short of sweet goodness :-) There seems to be an endless supply!!! Can I get a woot WOOT!!!! :-P Verse 10:

"When my father and my mother forsake me, Than the Lord will take care of me."

People will fail you, no ones perfect! But no matter what happens, when no one else is there, God still remains! Ready to take you in His arms, and be your support :-).

Now we come to the conclusion of this Psalm vs. 13-14:

"I would have lost heart, unless I had believed. That I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

One of the hardest things to do, is to wait on Gods timing! To continue through the hard times, wondering when it will be over. But we are reminded and reassured of hope in the future. Look to God, and you will be strengthened. Don't look at yourself, the circumstances around you, just keep your eyes on Him :-) Rest assured, you are safe!

As a final and short note, I promise! Pastor preached a great message with a great illustration on Sunday. Its the final message in the "Inside out living" series. Please check it out at sonrisebible.org Its a goodie, and definitely encouraging! I apologize, its not up yet, but I encourage you to keep checking. The whole series was pretty good. And the first message is posted. I hope you are blessed by it!