Dear Brothers/Sisters,

In James 5:9, he tells us that God does not like it when we grumble and complain about our situations.  Look at the nation of Israel. They were saved out of slavery but the leading generation did not make it into the Promised Land because they grumbled and complained and did not trust God.

First they are thirsty, God gives them water from a rock!

Then they are hungry, God gives them manna, daily bread from heaven.

Then that’s not enough, they need meat!  God gives them millions of quails.

This picture from the Old Testament hasn’t really changed that much.  God wants us to live in joy and peace by the Spirit but we are usually so occupied with our own expectations that we don’t trust Him and see what He has for us. In James, again he says “Let perseverance finish its work so you might be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4

The people said “We will die in this wilderness” and did not believe in the glory and signs of the Lord, that He would lead them into the land.  So the Lord said “As surely as I live, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say.”  IN OTHER WORDS, GOD WILL BRING TO PASS YOUR POSITIVE TRUSTING WORDS THAT HE HAS PROMISED IF YOU HAVE FAITH OR HE MAY ALLOW YOUR NEGATIVE EXPECTATIONS TO MANIFEST IF YOU DO NOT TRUST HIM IN YOUR SPIRIT. What we think in the Spirit determines how we get along in the life in this world!  Thoughts are things and affect our spirit!

When I see how little people have there, I realize how far removed from the real world we are in America.  And how we run so fast and hard for things but miss the richness of life and being free enough to believe that we can make a difference in children’s’ lives and communities. The joy in their eyes from the small gesture of love and kindness, makes my own life so much richer and full. We can make a difference together.  We are blessed to be a blessing!!I spent much time in Colonia last week, visiting the new community that the government started last year north of town.  They moved all the people who had been squatting in shacks by the railroad tracks to this new area. It is hard to see the poverty. We support the feeding program here. We also provided some medicine and shoes for kids after talking about the needs with Miguel, the director. Miguel came a long way to become not a man with faith but a man of faith. He is a guy off drugs who God has changed and is filled with His Spirit. And now Miguel is free and knows that because of the Spirit he doesn’t lack anything, he just wants to serve God and give back. We bought a bike for Miguel so he can get around and back and forth to town.  There was so much joy in his eyes. This was a huge blessing to him.

Let us we reach out and love in the Lord’s name in word and in deed.

More joy and peace, let’s keep shining the light of God’s love,

Cameron