The Lord is my Shepherd

Psalm 23 has become the prayer of my heart during these difficult and stressful times. I have been wrestling with God for control and wanting to just figure out how to fix everything with COVID 19 . But God has been showing me that He is the good Shepherd, and He will lead me beside quiet waters, if I just trust Him and follow His lead. He is teaching me to take one day at a time and choose to put my faith not in myself or in man, but in my Father. He is teaching me that even though we walk through dark valleys, and even face death, He is with us, His rod and his staff comforting us. As a nurse, I have thought about the reality that hard times and dark valleys are coming. And I have felt and still am wrestling with God in feelings of fear and anxiety. And I know I'm not alone in wrestling with those feelings. But I am reminded of the words of Paul Philippians 4:6-7 that says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The answer to anxiety and fear isn't to stew in our anxiety or give into it, it's to bring it to God. I have peace in going to God with my fears and I would invite and prayerfully ask you to do the same! Our God is the same yesterday, day and forever. And we can trust His goodness and faithfulness, even in times of suffering and hardship. I would invite you to be praying with me during this season. 

Pray for our world and the suffering and death that this virus has brought. Pray for our nation and our leaders. Pray for our healthcare workers and our healthcare system. And pray for our campus pastors and our college students. And know that we are still making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit! We are replacing nearly every aspect of our ministry with a virtual tool. We are still continuing small groups, Thursday Night Worship and even 1:1 bible studies with platforms like Zoom and Facetime. We are even getting to laugh and play games like battleship, Quiplash and others through virtual platforms! We have a group of students that are even playing Minecraft online together. And despite everything crazy going on in the world around us, I have been so encouraged to see our students still desiring to meet together and learn about God with one another. I have been grateful more now than ever for the community we have at SMU and TWU Dallas. They bring so much light and laughter and truth into my life and for one another. Please pray that we would be able to continue to meet with one another an encourage one another in this time. Also, if there are ways I can be specifically praying for you or others in your life please let me know. Also if there is anyone that needs extra foods or supplies, I or someone I know will do our best to help!

Check out some pictures of our students and staff meeting virtually!

FOCUS Staff Meeting!

Our Leader Meeting on Monday!

SMU Ladies Small Group!

I love you all and appreciate each one of you. Thank you supporting campus ministry. Our college students (and really the world!) need Jesus and community now more than ever. And through your support, we are able to continue to pastoring our students, even while we are all physically separated! And I would encourage you to think about who God is calling you to share the hope we have in Jesus. during this time!