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• peace

Early this morning, I departed for Guatemala. My final destination: the mountains of Quiche state, the town of Chichicastenango. A congregation there will host a three day-seminar on the book of Philippians, presented in partnership with Health Talents International.

I am honored to serve with this group for a week and share with the women of several local congregations about the joy and peace found in Paul’s letter to the Philippian church.

This will be the first time in more than a decade that I will be working with a translator (and the last time was into Russian!). I will be teaching in Spanish and it will be translated into the local Quiche language.

I have reminded myself of the same truths that I share with campaigners I have taken with me to Venezuela and other locations: God’s love is universal; language is only a barrier if you allow it to be; God works even more powerfully when we have to depend on Him to communicate.

Good reminders as we all strive to depend on the Spirit for all we do.

With that in mind, I ask for the following specific prayers for this trip:

• That God will speak His message through me with clarity.
• That the women will be equipped to connect more deeply with God and one another.
• That the women will be equipped, inspired, and empowered to take the message home to their families and local congregations.
• That God will bless my health (especially food issues) and travel.

Thank you! And I can’t wait to share the ways in which God answered those prayers when I return.

• joy
• singleness
• contentment

There is no perfect life circumstance that brings us constant and eternal happiness – unless we choose to find joy in it. Paul said it best in Philippians 4:11-13.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

We quote Philippians 4:13 when faced with the challenges of whatever trial we are found. And Christ is our strength in each of those situations.

However, in the context of Philippians 4, Paul is reminding us that we can, through Christ, be strengthened to find joy, to be content in any and every situation – whether single, married, widowed, divorced, or “it’s complicated” (according to a Facebook status).

Philippians 4 is one of the key verses I am highlighting during a class for single women entitled, “Single and Lovin’ It (Mostly).” We will look at how to respond to the often asked and ever-annoying question “Why are you still single?” We will also discuss how to support each other and find joy through focusing our vision and our thoughts (Hebrews 12:2, I Corinthians 4:18, Philippians 4:7-9).

My prayer for you today is that you can find joy and contentment no matter what your circumstances. Count your blessings and be reminded of all God has done for you and in your life.

#singleness #contentment