Thursday, January 15, 2009

The Lord's Provision



So this week has been about learning to operate in tangible ways in the trust that God will provide, and do that daily. We decided to purchase a vehicle, though we're still not sure how my employment is going to work out. We've really been in prayer about the coming year and it seems as though the Lord would have us just depend on Him. To be completely honest we don't really have much choice. We can trust Him, believing that He is exactly Who He says He is.. or we can worry ourselves silly. Frankly, He's never let me down. I have absolutely no experience of Him ever letting me or anyone else down. So I guess I should stop looking for reasons not to trust Him. My provision isn't based on my talent, ability or even my work. It's true He requires that I be willing to work but He tells us in His word that He provides even while His own sleep, because He gives them rest. Psalm 127 has been an interesting part of this week. Give it a read, it's short and beautiful.

Psalm 127

A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
2 It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late,
To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep.

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

23 comments:

Lou Martuneac said...

Hi Kev:

Good choice of car. Congratulations.


Lou

Orange said...

Lou, you surprise me. Me thinks the picture is a Hyundai Elantra and I thought I had you pegged as a Ford guy.

Orange said...

Doh! I was so quick to poke a joke at Lou that I forgot to say congrats Kev.

Forgive me if I've missed something obvious stated elsewhere, but what's up with your employment situation that's uncertain, if you care to share?

Regardless, you are right, God is always faithful and I know he'll be there for you.

Lou Martuneac said...

Stephen:

Last week I talked to Kev about is vehicle choices. Hyundai has a unique offer that IMO is a good one for Kev.

Although I am a big, BIG fan of Ford.


Lou

Kevl said...

Yup we settled on the Elantra GLS because we needed auto, air, and ABS. At least in Canada you can't get ABS on the base model.

We were able to get a great deal price-wise and a very good interest rate as well. And we met a really nice Sister in the Lord at the dealer who knows one of the founders of a ministry that TCC is working a partnership with right now.

:)

Kev

Kevl said...

Stephen,

Someone is trying to get me fired in a very nasty way. I'm very good at my job but the Lord allowed a really tough situation and though he has delivered us from the worst of it we are still seeing some fall out.

Sorry I know that's not a lot of detail... but it's just messy, complicated and humiliating.

Kev

Jan said...

Looks like you made a good choice Kev. It's a pretty car. May it give you much driving satisfaction!

We had to get a new car a couple of years ago because DH's Taurus got totaled between 2 SUV's. (I can't say that I was anywhere near as upset about that as DH, as he dearly loved that car. I, um, didn't. Ahem. I was just very grateful he was not at fault and was not hurt!) This was after Ford stopped making the Taurus so he couldn't replace it with a new one. (I did a very quiet happy dance over that.) So we went shopping just after Christmas. He first was attracted to a sporty Saturn, mainly because it was black, just like his Taurus. Still in mourning over his beloved black Taurus, he almost made the colossal mistake of buying it even though it was really too much money, wasn't really what he wanted, and was going to cost more to maintain. Actually it wasn't what he wanted at all, except that it was black. Well, for several years I had been drooling over the Nissan Altimas and Maximas. I don't recall ever praying and asking for one, nor did I say anything about it to Dave. We were in no position to be buying any vehicles any time soon so I just never said anything about it. But- there on the lot was this gorgeous 2003 Altima with around 19,000 miles on it (this was in 2006). I liked it as soon as I sat in it and loved driving it. So did Dave, but he didn't want to admit it, because it was green and not black. :) Also, it was lower mileage, a lighter car, and the same trunk room as the Saturn. Plus a lower sticker price. The choice was obvious. Thankfully Dave was able to see that too, even though he really wanted another black "hotness". :) He is glad we didn't get the Saturn and is going to turn the Altima over to me in another year or so, when he can get maybe a used Aura, or something similar. Black, naturally. :)

And the moral of the story is, God still loves to give good gifts to His children and provides sometimes even when we don't necessarily ask.

JanH

Kevl said...

We picked up the car today :)

yay!!

Kev

Orange said...

Very exciting Kev... I've got new car envy... maybe Lou can hook me up. :-)

Sorry to hear about your struggles at work. I'll remember you and your family in prayer. If you don't want to provide more details here I certainly understand, but I'll pray as specifically as I can... God knows.

BTW, you got kids or is it just you and the DW? You even know what a DW is? Huh, huh, do ya? I bet Jan knows!

Jan, your comment cracked me up. I love your car story, especially the "very quiet happy dance".

DH know about that dance yet, or you still keepin' that tidbit to yourself? :-) I wouldn't have known what DH meant except my wife participated at babycenter.com for a few years when our kids were born and I learned all their little acronyms so she could read their posts to... and make sense. Maybe DH/DW/DS/DD and such are used elsewhere as well, but that abbreviation always evokes images of babycenter for me. Anyway, funny story, thanks for that.

My mom drives a deep purple Taurus, loves it. My 'hotness' would have to be orange. Get that Lou? O-r-a-n-g-e. A nice little Ford commuter, not more than 3 years used, but it's gotta be orange.

Kevl said...

Hey Stephen,

DW = Dear Wife? Dandy Woman? Delightful Woman? Dangerous Wildfire?

Nope it's just the two of us. We hope that will change soon but all is in the Lord's hands.

We're learning that we need to be praying for His future provision, not so much for our current situation. If you could pray that we'd know AND obey God's will that would be great. We need to be able to eat and have a home while we minister. God knows this, but remind Him anyway would ya? :)

Thanks!

Kev

Lou Martuneac said...

Good Morning All:

I'll have more later, but Stephen, other than being a bit older than three years I suggest this one.

http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/2106


Lou

Lou Martuneac said...

And one of my personal favorites is-

http://www.pypesexhaust.com/07mustang-blueoval.jpg

With that one you'll get to work faster, which will save you on the gasoline expenditures.

Happy motoring!


Lou

Jan said...

Stephen,

It took me forever to figure out what DH stood for! Once I did it was like, "Duh!" Conveniently, DH are also my husband's initials.

I don't know if I ever told him about the happy dance. I don't recall anymore. Perhaps I didn't. (Whistles innocently.)

I eagerly await the day when he stops driving my car and gets one of his own. :) (My Altima! Mine mine!)

JanH

Kevl said...

I'm voting for this one

http://www.pypesexhaust.com/07mustang-blueoval.jpg

Kev

Orange said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Orange said...

Tough decision Lou, but I'm gonna have to go with curtain #1.

http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/2106

That orange classic convertible roadster is just too sweet, though I liked your reasoning on the Mustang.

Yep Kev, DW = dear wife, but Rachel and I got a chuckle out of the "dangerous wildfire" option. You tryin' to tell us somethin' about your wife?

Jan, DH = Dear Husband = DaveH, I like that. How did you start using that abbreviation? You have young kids or you pick that up somewhere else? Our kids are 5 and 2, and what a blessing they are... most of the time.

Sorry Kev, not trying to stray off topic, just enjoying the fellowship. Fellowship is one of God's provisions as well.

Speaking of fellowship, it's about time to leave for evening church so see ya'all later.

Jan said...

Stephen-

I guess when you say you want an orange car you aren't kidding! At least you would always know where you parked. :)

I don't know when I started using that abbreviation. I believe I picked it up from a forum or from other blogs. We don't have kids, which is kind of a shame. I understand they are very useful for keeping one insane. :)

Kev,

I have to agree with you on the car choice (of the two). For one thing it is a Mustang and, well, what else do you need? For another, it doesn't take "orange" quite so....mmm,...literally as the other one.:)

Unfortunately owning a Mustang around my neck of the woods is a complete waste, IMO. That car needs wide open spaces.

And no cops.

(Oops! Did I say that?)

JanH

Lou Martuneac said...

Jan:

Maybe this vehicle will suit your needs in your neck of the woods.

http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/f350_harley_2.jpg


Lou

Lou Martuneac said...

Hmm, the link was trimmed, here it is

http://trucks.about.com/library/graphics/f350_
harley_2.jpg

Jan said...

Lou, I guess it must suit peoples needs around here since there are MAAAAAANNNNNYYYY of them around.

MMMMMAAAAAANNNNYYYYY. If not that exact one, something else very similar.

We do have our share of Mustangs as well. I guess some people just don't care if there is anyone else on the road. Or maybe they think having more "obstacles" to negotiate makes it all more fun. I would find it exasperating. But the trucks are abundantly available here. Oh yes indeed.

JanH

Orange said...

I didn't have a truck in mind earlier but I could definitely go for a truck with large amounts of beautiful orange like that one. You tryin' to tempt me Lou? Bad Lou, bad! I have to live on a budget and that is definitely not in the budget... this year.

Lou Martuneac said...

Is this any better?

http://www.lyonsdesign.net/media%5C
MudzillaMITTCsmall.jpg

Perfect for the budget conscience, savvy and discerning orange vehicle shoppers.


Lou

Orange said...

LOL!

I think I'll stick to my budget and save my pennies for something... else.