How do you share Christ at work?

I've been thinking a lot and praying about how to be a light for Christ at work. It's important to me and I can't stop thinking about it because I know that Christ has called us to share Him with those who don't know Him. The Great Commission, right? Well, I have to admit that I'm not at all doing well at being obedient in this. It bothers me and I've been feeling convicted by the Holy Spirit on this for a while. So I sit and I think and I pray and I try to devise ways I can share my faith- I try to get direct answers from God on this. Sure I live a life that reflects Christ at work...I treat my co-workers well, listen to KTIS on my radio, bake cake or cookies to bring in for them, yet God is showing me that this is not enough. It's not enough to just be a "good person" because that doesn't separate me from a "good person" who doesn't have Christ. It's a cop-out for me to say "But I'm sharing Christ through my actions" because I realize this is futile if I don't share my faith. Actions without words are as empty as words without actions.

But this is hard for me because I think too much! I care too much about how what I say might hurt or make another person feel awkward. I think too much about how others might conclude that I think I'm better. And all this is a sin. I know it is! It's me not having faith, not seeing things from an eternal perspective, elevating my feelings and their feelings above Christ's command to "go to all the Nations." It's like I see where I need to be but I don't know how to get there...

Recently, God has been showing me that I need to be in His word and in prayer every day and Jason and I have made this commitment. God's been blessing us through this and I'm praying that in seeking after God my passion for Him will grow. When I'm truly passionate in my love for Him I won't be able to keep quiet about what's He's done for me and about who He's been in my life and He'll give me the boldness I need to share His truth. And this is my goal. I want to honor God with every area of my life and I know I haven't been honoring Him in this. Christ says that,

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulturous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
-Mark 8:38

Tears fill my eyes at even the thought of Christ being ashamed of me in Heaven. Yet I know that it hurts Him even more knowing that I'm ashamed of Him here on earth- because it's not about me and my feelings, it's about people coming to Christ. I hate the word "ashamed," yet I know that if I'm too scared to share Him with others, I am ashamed of Him. Pray for me as I struggle through this. Pray that God empowers me to be a light and that I'm obedient and take steps to grow in this area...

Confused, Lord....

My heart is broken right now. I'm very confused. Why are children the victims of abuse and the victims of all the bad choices their parents make? I'm hurting and confused over my neices- these three beautiful girls that never asked to be placed in such a messed up world, with such a messed up life. I am angry with my sister. I am angered by her choices. I am angered by the state of mind she's in. I'm angered by the fact that she is not thinking about how her choices effect her daughters. I am angered by her constant rejection of help and God. I am angered by her and while I still desire that she turns to God, God has laid it on my heart to do all that I can to help her kids. I am confused about what God's plan is. I am very confused. Things did not go as we thought things would go. God's plan did not go as we thought it would. We still believe He knows what's going on. We believe that He has a plan in all of this. We have faith that He let all this happen for a reason. Sometimes I just wish God made things more clear to me. Sometimes I wish I could hear His audible voice rather than His still small voice. I cry out to God for these kids and I know He hears my cries. I have to pray in faith, knowing that saving these kids is in His will. I pray against generational consequences. Lord, I beg You not to consequence these kids for the actions of their mother- rescue them Lord. Protect them. Fight for them. Deliver them from the evil that surrounds them. Protect their little hearts, their little eyes... Have Your hand in all of this and give me understanding, Lord. I need your understanding...

I'm freezing!

I'm freezing. It's so stinkin cold in this office. Or maybe it's just me. I can't tell. Tomorrow I'm wearing a parka, a ski cap, and snow pants to work. If only I could type wearing mittens..... grrr.

Kay so I'm having issues....

So I tried updating my template and everything...which I managed to do. However, I am super annoyed right now because somehow I deleted the option of having the "dashboard, help, sign out" column that should run along the top of my blog page. Maybe it's visible to you all when you go to my page, but it sure as heck isn't on mine. So if I want to get to my dashboard page I have to click the "Go Back" arrow. Minor irritation. Any help?

GOD IS ANSWERING PRAYERS!!!

I am so awed right now by the work of God and by His huge provisions and answers to many prayers! MY SISTER GOT A JOB!!!!! Only 4 days after she arrived in AZ someone was let go at the hotel my brother's wife works at and since my sister turned in her application there last Friday, they offered her the job today!! It's a full-time position from 3pm-11pm, which is PERFECT!! Exactly what she was so desparately needing! We are amazed at how God is providing!!! Not more than 2 hours after she got that news, my brother's boss talked with him about promoting him to assistant manager, which is another huge unexpected provision! We are watching in amazement as God is working, rewarding my brother and his wife for their incredible faith and dependance in all of this! While she did not want to go to church with my brother and his wife yesterday, she did say she would come next week! God provides when we have faith, but we so often lack it. I am learning, through all of this, of how important faith is. And I am praying God will increase mine. And it's increasing as I see Him work through all of this. SOOOOOOO EXCITING!!!!:):):):)

Yesterday

Yesterday was emotionally overwhelming, yet God is working.... We took my sister and her 3 little ones to the airport to fly them into Arizona since they will be living with my brother and his wife, until she can get back on her feet. My brother and I are absolutely awed that this has actually happened. As we realized it was unfolding we sat on the phone with each other in silence, awed because God was following through. Although we missed the first flight we paid more to have her sent on the next available flight at 9:30 pm last night. She was so nervous. She was in tears at several points and was shaking. But somehow God gave her the courage to take the first huge step to do this, even though she may not realize it was God providing her with the strength. And now she's in Arizona, her first day, beginning a new life, living with her little brother and his wife in a crowded trailer, facing all her fears and insecurities, and being 100% exposed to the love and grace of God.

And you know what? God will work a miracle. We are waiting to watch it happen. We have been praying all along that God would allow this to happen ONLY if He is going to work a miracle. We have asked God to stop this if it's going to turn out bad. I know God honors our prayers and has been honoring our cries to Him for her and her three kids. He has allowed this to happen and will be glorified in this.

Please pray that God comforts her, calming all her fears, along with the fears of her children. She does not have a relationship with God and is scared of "the church" but God has the power to transform whomever's heart He pleases. Pray for my little brother as he strives to support her and her kids until my sister is able to find a job, and pray for Jason and I as we strive to help out as God directs us. My brother and his wife do not get paid more than $8.50 an hour so are making a huge leap of faith. Pray for my brother's church and for every interaction that she has with the believers there. She is afraid of being judged by Christians. I know his little church will shower her with love and grace and it's exciting to see how God will change lives through their obedience.

We want SO bad for her to give her life to Christ- to watch her kids grow up, learning about their holy and righteous Creator. We want SO bad to one day enter through the gates of Heaven with her, praising our Lord and Savior together.

God will be glorified in all of this and we are so excited to watch it happen.