I asked you recently, if anyone here was feeling anxious?  Is anyone worried; maybe even feeling overwhelmed?  Maybe for you, it’s a health concern or a concern for someone you love, for their well-being, or a concern for the future; you worry about it, and even though you know you can’t control it, you are still anxious.
 
I wonder how many of you are feeling tired and weary, wondering where you will find the strength to carry on and desperately wanting to find rest of your soul.
 
Jesus said, Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  (Matthew 11:28-29)
 
There is a better way; a way to go through life that leads to soul rest.  King David captured it in one of the most well know passages in the Bible, Psalm 23.
 
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.   He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  (Psalm 23:1-3)
 
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I can live in such a way that I will experience His care and find rest and restoration for my soul.  When I am feeling hurried or anxious or afraid I simply need to run the Shepherd and allow Him to care for and protect me.
 
Because He is the Good Shepherd who cares for me and provides for me, I can with a sense of peace and contentment.  I can rest, knowing He will take me to the green pastures and lead me to the still waters; He will provide all that I need.  In His presence and under His care I am secure, free from fear and therefore able to cease from my own striving, from wrestling in my spirit; to stop running and allow the Shepherd of my soul to bring me to place of rest.
 
I have set the Lord always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.  (Psalm 16:8-9)
 
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  (Psalm 91:1)
 
Fear cannot abide in the presence of our Shepherd!
 
When we are reminded of His love and care and just how good and faithful He has been; that is enough to sustain us on this journey—to know God sees and God cares, that’s enough to bring rest to our souls.
 
God’s inviting you into His presence, into His rest; to say to Him, ‘I need You, You are my only hope.  God, I invite you into my pain, into my anxiety and worry, into my anger, doubt and fear.
 
God, we invite You in.  Come, and bring your peace.
 
May you meet God again and again as you journey with Him in the days ahead; may you open yourself up to Him and as you come into His presence, may He minister to the deep needs of your heart and soul and reveal Himself in mercy and kindness and grace and compassion.  My friends at Valley, may you find joy in walking with Him; may you find rest for your soul
 
The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  the Lord turn his face toward you  and give you peace.

Why Lord? Why am I here?"

That was my question as I sat at a conference with about 700 other women. I often feel alone in a crowd and I slip away within myself and talk to God, alone with Him in the midst of the busyness that surrounds me. I had just travelled by bus for 20 hours with 30 women who travelled to Calgary for this conference. There was much enthusiasm and laughter as the ladies looked forward to the music and speakers and powerful times of prayer. As for me I either read, slept or thought of my students who were so needy.
My first morning in the city I went for a solitary walk so I wouldn't disturb the four others that were sharing a room with me. I saw a woman on the street who was obviously a woman of the night and I could see pain and despair on her countenance. Impulsively I walked up to her and handed her a $20.00 bill and invited her to join us at the conference that night in the hotel next to us. I walked on and then began to second guess myself and thought that was foolish, she will just use the money to support her habit. Then I promptly forgot her.

Now I was sitting in the meeting feeling detached from others and I began to question the Lord, "Why?" I had felt very clearly that I was supposed to come. Suddenly I saw someone about 20 seats to my left stand up and begin to walk to the exit. I quickly followed down the aisle next to me and arrived at the back anteroom the same time she arrived. She saw me and held out her arms and ran to hug me. Without a word being spoken she clung to my neck and quietly sobbed. I was soon tired of holding her up so  I slowly backed up to the wall and slid down the wall. I stretched out my legs and she put her head in my lap and fell into a deep sleep. Not a word was spoken by either of us.

I held her and prayed for this wounded child of God for the next hour or so that the speaker spoke and the meeting ended after prayer and worship. I had the answer to my question of ' Why am I here?' As I stroked her hair I knew that I was Jesus' hands to minister love to this one who happened to be 2,000 miles from where I lived. She wakened as the people streamed out of the conference and I found someone to give her a ride home. There was a holy hush around us and there was no need to speak as the Holy Spirit was directing...I didn't even ask her name.

For the next two days I had a great time of fellowship as we corporately worshipped God, prayed and were fed from the Word.  Sunday morning there was a time for testimonies and there on stage before a crowd of 700 was the little lady from the street. She had accepted Jesus as Lord and had been loved into the Kingdom as many rallied around her, giving rides and ministering love.

Each of us has a part to play in the body of Christ, and we never know when an act of kindness will result in a miracle of new birth. I pray that I will respond to the urging of the Holy Spirit and not become hardened to the suffering around me. Keep me sensitive Lord!   

I've been asked by several people why I want to be baptized at this time.

 Yes my parents baptized me as a child, and yes I excepted Jesus as my Saviour, but over a year ago when I was reading Matthew 3:13 -17 where Jesus was asking John to Baptize him. I felt how important it was to Jesus.

I've given this much prayer and I feel I want to  do as Jesus did . I am making a public declaration that I am   a follower of Jesus.  I don't think this will make me a better person other than making it known that I am a follower of Jesus.

The Scripture I have chose is Psalm 73:26:  My flesh and heart may fail but God is my strength and my portion forever.