"Behold, I am doing a new thing."

Thus says the Lord, "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" ~Isaiah 43:18-19

I've been dwelling on the past a lot lately, wishing things in my life were still as they used to be. But this passage clearly says I'm not supposed to think too deeply about the past. Instead, I should be thankful for the new things that God has for me now.

Actually, thinking back a year ago, I realize I was not as strong in the Lord then compared to now. So really I should not want to go back to how things were then. God has taught me so much, I should not want to lose those lessons just so things could be the way they were before. I should rejoice at how God has changed me, and face my current circumstances with faith. Even though I don't particularly like my circumstances, I must trust that God will use them to grow me even more to be like Jesus.
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A few updates:

-I have the first chapter of Philippians memorized now. :) Hopefully I'll stay motivated to memorize the whole book.

-I still haven't found a girl in M28 to reach out to. Maybe God wants to use me in other ways to speak to others, like being a cheerful servant.

-Work is getting hard for me. I /always/ do headset for drive-thru, so I don't enjoy it much anymore. I don't really see a point in me being there, 'cause I always do the same thing every day, and I'm not making a difference in others' lives. Plus, I'm tired from opening at work and then going to M28 at night. I wish I could stay home more, too. I feel like I don't see my family as much as I should.

But:
"Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well with my soul!"

Revival is possible!

Monday and Tuesday (the 11th and 12th), the M28 leadership team went on a retreat to Boone. The trees are already changing color there. I love the mountains! :)

After we unpacked Monday afternoon, we played volley ball and hung out until dinner. Then after dinner we had worship and a short teaching. Tuesday morning we made pancakes and sausage for breakfast, then had another time of worship and prayer. After that we headed out, stopping in downtown Boone for lunch and shopping. It was a very relaxing time away from work.

The message on Monday evening mainly focused on the importance of personal Bible reading and prayer. Joe challenged us to be committed to seek God every day through our devotions. Prayer has power, especially when we pray for the gospel to be spread. Revival is possible! Even today, with the world as it is, God can do amazing things through our prayers. Romans 8:26 says:

"We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us."

One song says: "The same God who conquered the grave lives in me."

Isn't that amazing? With the Holy Spirit living in us, helping us pray, the gospel /will/ go forth and people /will/ come to know Christ. And we don't have to be afraid, because "what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord." (2 Corinthians 4:5)