Why Alaska?

So many people find out that we are going to Alaska, and the first thing out of their mouth other than "Don't you know it's cold up there?" is "Why Alaska?"  Take a couple of minutes to watch this video that was developed by the Alaska Ministry Network.  It does a terrific job of painting the picture of what I have tried to use words to describe.  I am so very blessed and overwhelmed by God's call on our family to reach into such a place!  I am also blessed that so many of you are either partnering with us currently or will hopefully be partnering with us soon, that we can raise our full budget and get to Alaska a.s.a.p.  Praise God for His calling, provision, and timing! 

Blessings,

Rev. Phillip J. Boswell
A/G US Missionairy to Alaska

In the wake of a horrific tragedy

This morning, there was another senseless act of wickedness that took place inside one of our nation's elementary schools.  As a father of two beautiful daughters, my heart is broken for the loss of all of these children, and also these adults.  In our normal minds, we cannot fathom the evil intent and insanity that is in the minds of those that choose to do wicked, but we are now left to face the hurt and pain!  Please join me in  daily prayer for all of those involved with this tragedy!  So many families lost their dear ones today.  Pray for the families that lost loved ones.  Pray that God's grace and peace will cover them during this painful season. Pray for those families that their children survived.  Pray that they will never take for granted the gift of family.      Pray for the family of the shooter.  I can't imagine what they are now facing.  Remember, they lost their son today as well, and they also have to live with the horror that he created on the way out of this world.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I do not have the eloquence of words to cover this situation in an elaborate blanket of prayer, but Lord out of my humble heart I cry out to you.  Please be with all of the families that lost someone today!  Be with the rescue workers, school faculty, and all the families in the community that are affected by this!  I pray that your peace and grace will abound in the midst of chaos.  I also pray for all of our schools in our nation.  I pray a special hedge of protection around them that you will guard the innocence of all of our nations children.  My Lord, for every tear that falls, please let us raise up a prayer for our brothers and sisters.  Let us truly be the family of God to stand along side of all of these!  In the all powerful name of Jesus Christ I Pray, Amen.

Be blessed my friends,
Phillip

Daily Renewal

Lamentations 3:19-24

19 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. ²⁰ I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. ²¹ Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: ²² Because of the Lord’s  great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; great is your  faithfulness. ²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

      From time to time, God will do things that just blows my mind, and keeps me desiring so much more of Him.  This morning, I was awakened by a dream that I was praying. Not just regular praying, but uninhibited, pure, and powerful! When I woke up, I was still praying the same prayer as if it never ended.  I am amazed at how the Holy Spirit will pray through us even when we don't know what to pray or why we pray.  I continued my prayer time, and then moved into time in the word.  God lead me to this scripture about His great love and faithfulness. If you continue reading, it says that the Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him.  

     It is so very easy to get consumed by the situations around us.  It is easy to start looking at the circumstances in the natural eyes.  But I challenge you this morning, just as God has challenged me this morning.  Faith is believing without seeing.  Right?  That is what the Bible teaches us, and we believe it, right? My question for you is simple... What are you here for today?  Obviously God is not finished with you yet!  No matter what your situation, God has allowed you another day!  According to the scripture at the top, it doesn't say that we just ignore everything around us.  It says I remember my afflictions, yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.  Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail!  They are new every morning!  Great is God's faithfulness!

     So here is the simple truth that I want you to understand from this... 

No matter what you have been through or are going through at this moment, God loves you!  God's love is faithful and never fails.  His compassions are new every morning!  Did you wake up?  Obviously you did if you are reading this.  Is there breath in your lungs?  If not, you are probably turning blue by now... lol!  So God loved you enough to allow you to receive His faithfulness and compassion again this morning.  This means that the God of the Universe is not through with you yet!  No matter what mountain you face this morning, it cannot stand in the presence of the Almighty!  Look at verse 5 below...

Psalm 97

¹ The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. ² Clouds and thick darkness surround  him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. ³ Fire goes before him and consumes his foes  on every side. ⁴ His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. ⁵ The mountains melt like wax  before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. ⁶ The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples  see his glory.

     Throughout the day today, try to stop dwelling on your circumstances and begin to see what God has for you to do!  His love for you is with you!  His compassion is new every morning, and you have been blessed with another morning!  I know that someone needed to hear this.  Stop looking at the troubles, at the past failings, at the discouragement around you and focus on the giver of life!  Exercise your faith a little bit and spend some time with God and allow Him to show you His plans for you and your life!  

     Be blessed my friends,

                Phillip