JOY

Ok, so have you ever had those nights at a worship service- where you KNOW the pastor is speaking only to you? Like the Lord has given him the Word just for your benefit only? ha....

Well, that was tonight for me at the Flood, a church service here in town….

The title of the sermon was 'Obstacles to Joy'…. And it is kind of ironic because I was definitely having a pity party this afternoon- falling into a slump of depression… I feel like I have been robbed of my joy lately. Like feeling complacent & worthless in my ministry, feeling unloved, wishing things would happen that haven’t & wondering if they will in relationships with people…. & more than all of that- feeling separation from God because I haven’t spent the time with Him that I need to…. Basically feeling empty & spent & emotional. Heck, I even painted my nails dark yesterday… ha

Anyways, the message tonight was about how its ok to feel these things- as long as we bring them to God. We pour our hearts to Him. Let Him know how we feel- because he understands what we’re going through. & remember God’s faithfulness in our lives- be thankful. And rest in the fact that he LOVES us & directs His love to us in ways we sometimes don’t notice or see.
I’m normally a very joyful person- most people would describe me this way… but lately I haven’t felt it. Until tonight- remembering what it's like to THIRST after God like a deer thirsts for water… longing to be in His dwelling place so much so that seeking after Him produces uncontrollable JOY in my life. Joy that hopefully overflows onto others.

I have less than 3 weeks left here…but I am hopeful for these next few weeks. God is going to do some amazing things. He is faithful to do such. He is going to move in my church, in my youth, in me. He is going to reveal even more things about Himself to me… I’m going to learn some powerful things the next few weeks. And my relationships with others- are going to be strengthened. I know it. And I am joyful for the little bit of time I get to spend with these people here- never again will I be in this situation with these same people- so instead of withdrawing- like I was starting to- I will trust in Christ & make the most of my time left. Hold nothing back. Love with all I have. Be selfless. Serve beyond myself. Be USED by Christ. And laugh as often as possible:)

Lord- thanks for restoring to me the JOY of my salvation!!
I pray you do the same for those that actually read this thing…
Be filled with JOY:)

hosea 5.

This will change your life. hosea 5.. from the message.

(God speaking)
"And now, here's what I'm going to do: I'm going to start all over again. I'm taking her back out into the wilderness where we had our first date, and I'll court her. I'll give her bouquets of roses. I'll turn Heartbreak Valley into Acres of Hope. She'll respond like she did as a young girl, those days when she was fresh out of Egypt.
"At that time"—this is God's Message still— "you'll address me, 'Dear husband!' Never again will you address me, 'My slave-master!' I'll wash your mouth out with soap, get rid of all the dirty false-god names, not so much as a whisper of those names again. At the same time I'll make a peace treaty between you and wild animals and birds and reptiles,And get rid of all weapons of war. Think of it! Safe from beasts and bullies! And then I'll marry you for good—forever! I'll marry you true and proper, in love and tenderness. Yes, I'll marry you and neither leave you nor let you go. You'll know me, God, for who I really am.
"On the very same day, I'll answer"—this is God's Message— "I'll answer the sky, sky will answer earth, Earth will answer grain and wine and olive oil, and they'll all answer Jezreel. I'll plant her in the good earth.
I'll have mercy on No-Mercy. I'll say to Nobody, 'You're my dear Somebody,' and he'll say 'You're my God!'"

Dang, i just love this version of this passage. I love even more though, how God pursues us- even when we are worthless and empty and broken and "no mercy" and "nobody." He makes us Somebody. He loves us with an everlasting love. He wines & dines us. He takes us back to where we had our first date- He makes us fall in love with Him. He turns our Heartbreak alley into a valley of hope.

God is amazing. & he pursues us.... daily. The ultimate pursuer is at work- actively pursuing us. man, that is beautiful to me.

<3kath

Wow.

Wow.

This one word pretty much sums up how I’ve been feeling the past few days. Every time I think that God has been good to me, he shows up once again, surprises me even more & proves Himself even MORE faithful and good. Dang, God- my heart is in awe of what you’ve done these past few days!

So, this past week I took my youth to a conference here in san diego. It wasn’t my favorite conference I’ve ever been to, BUT God still did an amazing work there through my kids. Friday night, the closing speaker gave the final altar call- & the vast majority of my group went down. As I looked over them, I saw my group huddled together, praying for each other. I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to go join them, so I went down & had the AWESOME privilege of praying for each of them individually. I saw my four varsity football players- huddled together, CRYING, & praying for each other. I had youth come up to me and tell me how much the Lord had used me to impact their lives already & how much they loved & appreciated me. & here I was going down there to pray for THEM! And then, finally, I got to talk to one of my football boys- who told me he accepted Jesus Christ as His personal savior!! Praise God! But, the best part of that- was seeing how joyful his friends were that he had officially become their brother in Christ! They were crying- they were so happy! It was the best experience of my life. Because, at that moment, I knew that this summer I am right where God wanted me to be & where He was already at work. I know that my work here has been ordained by Him & that there is a reason why I, Kathy Meriwether, am here at New Seasons- rather than anywhere else. It is such a humbling, amazing experience to be used by God & to see the fruit of that!! PRAISE THE LORD:)

Sorry that was kind of long… but basically guys, god is good. Other than that, I’ve just been loving life here in san diego… hanging out with the other interns- has been so solid & I praise god for each of them…

Tomorrow we’re headed to los angeles… to the price is right. Ha. Should be an adventure… as it always is with us. I’m pumped!

Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks!

be filled with JOY:)
<3kath

last night.

God is faithful. Story of my life....

so let me tell you about last night:)

i went to my friend mallory's church for her lock in. She hasn't exactly had the most amazing turnout yet this summer... so we literally were expecting 4 girls. But.... we ended up with 4 girls PLUS 10 guys. Ha. so after a bit of rearranging & food purchasing & male chaperone finding... we ended up having a great night.

let me introduce you to gustavo. he is like 14 & awesome... & has these incredible piercings below his mouth...which kinda made me want some more piercings.... ha:) jokes (maybe)! anyways, he was really mature for his age & so he hung out with me, keiron, & mal all night. throughout the night we could tell he was curious about Christianity- so we kept on talking to him about the Lord as much as possible. anyways, so i go to sleep at like 5- mallory stays up & talks to him & shares her personal testimony.... then keiron wakes up this morning & following the holy spirit's urging... presents the gospel to gustavo. & he accepted Christ & wants to be baptized! praise God! We weren't even expecting more than 4 kids, had never met gustavo, were totally unprepared for the night...but yet- god is faithful & gustavo got to meet Jesus at a lock-in!

I'm just so encouraged & inspired by the way keiron & mal followed the urging of the holy spirit. i reallllly want the opportunity to introduce some youth this summer to Christ. I pray that i have that chance! God give me the words to say & the wisdom when to say it:) Use me this summer!

So, that was my night... other than that- this week was alright. I've gotta be honest, I feel so inadequate to teach & lead a group of 40 youth. I honestly have nothing to offer them but Jesus in me... I just have to remember that He in me is more than enough.... !

Well, tonight is going to be a busy night full of british comedies with Norma & her daughter Jane! I just can't wait:) i truly am living the life!

be filled with JOY:)

<3kathy

ps: here's a picture of my AWESOME youth & me (incase you cant find me- im the short white one in the middle...:) ha) & another picture of me with the other interns at Seaport Village this past week!!

blog name...

so, i've named the blog. hope you like it...

habakkuk 1:5 is my favorite verse. i live my life praying to be utterly amazed at what God does in not only my life, but everyone else's around me. especially in california this summer... my prayer is to be utterly amazed at His work done here. in fact, i already am amazed.

God is so faithful & has just taken care of me over here so far. Every concern I had before i got here.... is gone- replaced by calm assurance that He hasn't left me, nor will He ever. i'm so far out of my comfort zone here, it's not even funny... but at the same time, i'm oddly comfortable just resting in the arms of Christ. :)

Anyways, yesterday was interesting. We had tourist tuesday & got to tour Seaport Village- beautiful- & take pictures in trees:) & then we headed to mission beach & got to watch the sunset over the ocean... beautiful. guys, god is so good! then, well we had some car issues...but eventually we all made it home, right? ha. ill put up pictures soon!

i just love my friends here!

& thats all for now. be filled with JOY:)
<3kath

California....

So.... I decided to get a blog. & it's still unnamed... But, i'll fix it soon, so no worries:)


Well, i'm in California for the summer- living life as a youth intern here in San Diego at New Seasons Church. I've been here for about 2 full weeks now & dang, this place is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L! And the people here are incredible.

My youth are phenomenal:) there are about 40 of them & they just plain ROCK! I've gotten to know them over the past 2 weeks & they are so great. I definately have my hands full these next two months.... ha.

I'm staying with an elderly lady named Norma, however, I've recently started calling her Grandma Norma. She calls me "her girl." Every day Grandma Norma teaches me a new fact of knowledge to put in my "fountain of knowledge." She's great & is really taking care of me. She has such a great story & literally is the mother or grandmother to the entire New Seasons Church!! so great:)

I'm working here with 5 other interns- Mallory, Anne, Keiron, Seth, & Zack. We get to spend about 2 days a week with each other & it is such a blessing to have strong community so far from home & my friends & family:)

Anyways- heres a few pictures of us interns at the beach where we had worship this past weekend!

God is so good & I hope you realize that every single day!!

be filled with JOY:)
<3kath