Sit back and relax.

Hey everybody, sorry it's been a couple days since my last post. Pretty busy week, but pretty good. Towards the end of the week, though, I started getting a little overwhelmed by the whole support raising process. I was looking at the deadline, the small amount of support I have raised so far, and the amount of work between now and Aug. 1st. And that's when I was like, "Yikes!" Ha. Crazy how much more complicated things get when we begin to focus more on our problems/situation and less on God. Why stress over things that are already under control? A little while back at Providence (the church I attend in West Chester), someone used the quote: "It's not 'God, look how big my problem is.' But rather, 'Problem, look how big my God is.'" - ? This week I found myself boxing God in and not giving him control. Sometimes we just need to take some time to sit back and relax, and let God do his thing. Ps. 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God . . ." So whatever you're going through, know that God is in control and "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him . . ." (Rom. 8:28).

But yeah, how are you all? I'd love to hear how your summer is going so far. Feel free to shoot me an email (jonah.burke@uscm.org) or facebook message.

Memorial Day

Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend! It was nice to spend some time with my family on Sunday for a cook-out. Went to the parade near my house Monday morning as well. Five dozen doughnuts + some family + a parade at 9:00 am = a good day! Ha. It is also important to remember those who gave their lives so we may live freely today, and those who are putting their lives on the front lines for us today. Many people forget what these days are actually set aside for . . . Got a few more "yes's" this week, in terms of support raising! So that's good. Gotta keep on trusting God to keep providing. Frito Lay (my job for now) is treating me pretty well. Keep reading along and praying, and thanks for your support!

Wind beneath my wings

This morning I received a text message that was so encouraging to me. It planted a smile on my face for the rest of the day, even now as I'm typing this up too, ha. It said the following: "'But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.' Isa. 40:31 . . . Hope implies trust and patience . . ." How awesome is that? This is a promise from God to those who place their hope in Him. To those who TRUST in Him and remain patient for God to do his work. God promises to be the wind beneath our wings and wants to carry us as we soar. He promises to walk along side us through thick and thin. He will be our strength.

Still moving along, slowly but surely. God is providing . . . ! Just received another financial commitment last night!!


PS - Thank you!!

A "little" thing called trust.

Ya know . . . it's pretty crazy how we sometimes ignore the important things, even when they're right in front of our eyes. We often get so caught up in what we're doing and our own efforts that we forget our true focus. Taped to my computer is the following verse, Prov. 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." It's right in front of my face, everyday! Guess what I've been struggling with lately? . . . Trusting. In a time when I should be relying on God the most, I've been concentrating too much on my own efforts and circumstances. In some areas I haven't even been really giving Him much consideration at all. Raising financial support in a "struggling" economy can be a rather daunting task, but God will provide. I was just reading today, Isaiah 30:15 "In repentence and rest is your salvation, in quietness and TRUST is your strength . . ." I realize that I have some learning and growing to do, and as I drove around on my forklift at work today, I was praying that God would change my heart to trust Him more. I also realize that I haven't been doing the greatest in trusting others, and for that I apologize. I know that God wants to a great work in my life and I am seeing that the more I trust Him, the more He can work.

No matter what you're going through, keep your trust in God. He will bless you for that and you will experience more of what He has to offer you. He has great plans for you! And guard your heart!! Don't let the doubts and fears of this world mislead your heart.

Ministry Partner Development

As I mentioned in the first post, this summer I must find people to partner with me in my year of ministry at West Chester University for next year. This involves people supporting me through prayer, emotionally, and of course, financially. Already, God has been raising up prayer and emotional support and it is great to have that force behind me. And trust me . . . I need it. The process of finding partners to support me financailly, though, has been going a little slower. As discouraging and frustrating as it can be sometimes, I know that God has brought me to this point, even (and maybe even especially) in the midst of a "struggling" economic time to show that He is bigger than money and all the monetary "struggles" we face. I have already begun to see my faith being tested and stretched as God is wanting me to rely on Him completely. I know that He will provide and need to put all of my trust in Him. Don't believe that God can pull through in the midst of a recession? Well, He's done it before . . . Check it out, 1 Kings 17: 7-16. Thank you for your continued support!

Here and there

For those who do read this . . . sweet, ha, but as you can tell I'm not too regular so far in putting up new posts. First full week of summer was a little busy, but I'm going to try to start posting more regularly now (Key word "try"). So keep checking up and reading, and thanks for your support.

Happy day after your mother's

It's always nice to let Mom know just how much she is appreciated. Even though yesterday was technically "Mother's Day," I try to let my mother know that all throughout the year. Do you really need a designated day to let someone know how much you love them? Nah . . . should be all the time. But anyways, it was nice to spend a beautiful day with my family and get some quality time with Mom. If you get the chance this week, show/tell someone else their appreciated. And you can even tell Mom, again . . . I'm sure she won't mind.

West Chester Graduation

Last Saturday, May 2nd, I walked across the stage to receive my diploma (cover) after sitting for a mere 3 hours. This walk was long awaited, but seems to have come way too soon. Am I really a college graduate already? Yup . . . pretty sure I am. Geez, where does the time go? I spent the next few days reflecting on my years at West Chester University and taking some time to "debrief." Now it's time for summer. In the past several months, God has made a few changes to the plans I set up for my self. I was intending to graduate from West Chester and go directly to medical school. Presently, I have received letters from 9 of the 10 med schools I applied to . . . all "no's." About 2 months ago, the Campus Director for Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) at West Chester University challenged me by saying: "If you get 10 'no's,' you come back here and work with me for a year." Welp, God has been pointing me this direction for some time now, so I am now working as an intern for Cru at West Chester. Along with the nice sunny days (even though we haven't really had any yet) summer brings a few adventures as well. I am now embarking on the journey of raising support to work as a Cru intern this fall. I am looking forward to what God will be doing this summer as I gather a team of partners to come along side me in my ministry at West Chester University. Well, here goes . . .