This is WELL worth listening to. Straight-up truth from Evangelist Paul Washer, delivered at the 2002 Youth Evangelism Conference in Montgomery, Alabama. You'll either say "AMEN!" or get mad.

My neice sent this to her momma, who shared it with her friends (including me).  Here's what Angela wrote:

"To all my friends that are going through trials or suffering. To those who are looking for answers but it seems that you prayers are not being heard... this is for you!"

The video is "Simple"; just the words on the screen as you hear them in the song.  But touching nonetheless. 

So many of us are going through trials, tests of our faith and character.  The song says, "I believe in God, even when he is silent." That's our cue to be silent & wait for his answer.  "We are not forgotten"

“How long will my prayers seem unanswered?
Is there still faith in me to reach the end?
I’m feeling doubt I’m losing faith
But giving up would cost me everything
So I’ll stand in the pain and silence
And I’ll speak to the dark night

I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent
And I, I believe

Though I can’t see my stories ending
That doesn’t mean the dark night has no end
It’s only here that I find faith
And learn to trust the one who writes my days
So I’ll stand in the pain and silence
And I’ll speak to the dark night

I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent
And I, I believe
No dark can consume Light
No death greater than this life
We are not forgotten
Hope is found when we say
Even when He is silent

I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining
I believe in love even when I don’t feel it
And I believe in God even when He is silent
And I, I believe.”

(Turn UP your volume) This video shows only a portion of what God can do. One line in the song says, "I don't have time to maintain those regrets" This is something I'm learning more & more every day. I'm so glad to have God in my life, that I simply cannot put it into words.

I had been praying for some time (and others had as well) for the Lord to bless my husband. I asked for him to have work so that he would have fewer financial worries. Others prayed for him to get stable employment (he had been self-employed) with a reliable & sustainable income.  So when the opportunity presented itself for AC & I to move to another state and for him to start a new career, we were floored.

Over the next few weeks, we talked & prayed, and as we came up with reasons we could NOT to go, God opened the necessary doors so that we COULD.  Was He sending us simply because of AC's employment? I didn't think so; God is so much bigger than that!  Yet I couldn't for the life of me figure out WHY.  Was it for Megan (AC's teenage daughter), to help keep her on the right track or to expand her horizons in a good and honorable way? Was it to help me with the depressin I was feeling in being away from my family?

Little by little, God is revealing His plan for us here.  Reason #1 -- I have been having some health problems over the past couple of years, and having no insurance, I haven't been to the doctor.  Well, that matter is now being taken care of.  Turns out I have a problem with my thyroid,  which is the cause of the laundry list of symptoms I've been suffering from, and it is treatable (and the meds come in $4 generic form - YIPPEE!). 

Reason #2 -- Work seems to have "dried up" back in TN, and everyone is struggling.  AC is working here in a practically recession-proof industry: wastewater treatment. He's learning a new trade at the age of 44, and loving every minute of it!  He has a company vehicle, which saves oodles of money on gas. Although he's not formally educated, he's practically a genius, and is constantly coming up with ways to improve things around the plant.

Reason #3 -- This is the first time AC has REALLY been away form home, and it has not been easy - for him or his parents.  It's a very close-knit family. See, his family has lived there for generations, and they're all within 10-15 minutes of one another.  They all go to the same church, where his dad is Pastor.Thankfully,  they only live 2.5 hours away, so we usually get to see them twice a month. He has been able to establish a bit of independence, and we've been able to get some of them out of town to come see us, visit our church, etc., which is nice.

Reason #4 -- There are some issues in my family that I won't discuss right now.  But I believe that as difficult as the turmoil is, we are here for that reason as well.  Families members need support, and love, and sometimes gentle guidance from one another.  These things we're going through right now have forced me to rely solely on the Lord, because there is no one else who can comfort me in all this. I am learning to truly become dependent on Him, relying on his strength, and this is a GOOD thing!

I know - because I can feel it - that God has more in store for us here. I just keep praying that I will stay within his will for my life.  I've told him that I'll do what he wants me to do, but I also ask that he keep my heart tuned to the sound of his voice, that I won't miss his gentle guidance along the way.. 

 All I can say is, better her than me! It's definitely a calling, to have that many children on purpose! ~B~

Happy Mother's Day: Woman pregnant with 18th child