A Desert Lesson

I'm reading a book by Dr. K.P. Yohannan, the founder and international director of Gospel for Asia. He is the author of over 200 books.
He along with other writers amaze me how they can take a book that is well over 2000 years old and help it to be more tasty. It reminds me of a sundae with whip cream on top and two cherries, not just one!
While reading his book "Destined to Soar," I have grown to understand my relationship with Christ a little more.
 
In the past few days I have been going through some spiritual war fare. It's kind of ironic. We go through these desert times in our lives when we think God isn't listening or we are being punished for something we did;so we go through our "sin list" and ask for forgiveness for anything we can find. We may also experience great emotional roller coasters. We may cry out to God and ask "what is wrong with me?" 
The realization and education that I have obtained in the desert is that it's a Great place to be!  It is in the desert that we are the clay in the Potter's hand (in God's hands) or we are being pruned like the Gardner at the rose bush. 
I recently asked the Lord to change me from the inside out.  From a sermon I found that I have to put on the armor of God in order to stand firm during this molding and pruning season. 
I want to be the best I can be for Christ (almost sounds like an army ad.....hmmm). I want him to cut off of me the things I don't need or what He doesn't want me to have anymore. 

So, the next time you are going through a "desert time" remember God is molding and pruning you for His glory and your work load for him. 
 
I would enjoy hearing from you. 
Have you recently gone through a "desert time?" what happened? Tell me, I'm waiting to hear.   

Your testimony

I recently had the opportunity to meet a firefighter.
He gave his testimony of how he had the fear of heights, but his family are either firefighters or police officers.
He knew what he wanted to do at the age of two.
He had trials in his life that confirmed he had the desire to save lives.
He then had to make a decision to get over his fear of heights and he worked on it.
He had to climb a ladder 120ft high, slide down it, wrap his self around the ladder and hang upside down.  He had to become an overcomer.
He now tells his story when someone ask him a simple question. 
What made you decide to be a firefighter?

My question to you is:
"what was happening in your life when God came to you?
What has he change in your life since that time?
What do you do for him now?"

Your testimony is that short, or long, story that tells others what Jesus accomplished through your trials.
You might say, "I got saved at eight years old" okay, you still go through trials and God still shows up and walks through it with you. Tell us your victory through Jesus.

What is your testimony? I look forward to hearing from you.