Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

The past week or so I have been challenged as I have read the biographies of 5 faithful women-Sarah Edwards, Lilas Trotter, Ahn Ei Sook, Gladys Alyward, Helen Roseveare. This book by Noel Piper examines the lives of each woman and shows us their journey including their struggles and challenges. My journal has been filled with quotes and things I have been challenged with. The lady I related to the most was the last one, Helen Roseveare. She was a medical doctor in the Congo. I could see that some of her struggles are my struggles and it was a blessing to see how God worked in and through her in spite of these struggles.

Three things especially challenged me. The first is on the subject of sin. Helen came to a point where she hated sin for what it is sin. Before she realized she had not really been hating sin so much as the consequences or guilt that came from the sin. May I hate sin as God hates it. The second thing was the picture of the African pastors' wife who upon meeting Helen immediately loved her fully. Helen was convicted of this thinking would she have done the same if the roles were reversed or would she have waited for the woman to prove herself. She was reminded of Romans 5:8 and how God loved us even when we are yet sinners. As I get ready to move, I am praying I can have the love this pastor's wife had for the people I will meet. Lastly she often struggled with becoming exhausted and then losing her spiritual energy and then the cycle would keep repeating itself. Another reminder of the need to try to keep a good schedule for my health and to stay connected to the Giver of all things.

If you are interested, you can actually downloaded the book from Desiring God.com. Here is a link.
Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God :: Desiring God Christian Resource Library

Dear God, May we be faithful to the journey you have for us remembering that you are an extraordinary God who uses even us. Amen

Moving

In 2 weeks, we will be moving again. In the last year due to training and getting ready for where God is sending us, we have moved 4 times. I am excited but also anxious about this move. The excitement comes from knowing we will be in the place we have been planning to go for so long. Even the kids are excited. The anticipation of a new room, a new school and making new friends is all part of the adventure for them. Of course, when our shipment comes it will feel like Christmas as we are reunited with some of our things we have been missing. It will also be nice to be in a place where we can call the things in it our own and hopefully get to settle a little bit. On the other hand, I am a little anxious. Where will I fit in? Will I remember all the language I have been learning and be able to communicate with the people there? Will I find confidantes that I can laugh and cry with?


All my anxious thoughts make me think of the best move we will ever make. We don't need to even pack for it. We don't need to be anxious about it. But our heart does need to be ready. In John, Jesus told his disciple that he was going to prepare a place for them in heaven. Heaven will be a place that we can really call home. We will automatically have our place as God's child. There will be no fear or tears only joy. And most of all there will be worship for our Lord and Savior. Some days especially when I am restless, I long for heaven and all that it holds. May this longing drive me to do the the work that God has for me here so that when I get there, God will say "Well done. Good and faithful servant."



Dear God, Thank you for your provision in each move and your guidance and provision in this one. May we cast all of our cares on you for you are the one who goes before us. May I set my heart on heaven where you are and serve you faithfully each day. Amen

God is Still on the Throne

On the news, we see the images of the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, an avalanche in Afghanistan and always wars and rumors of wars. In my email, I see that a friend has lost her husband, someone is sick and dying of cancer, a child is hurting and so is the mother. Where I live, each day I pass people who don't have enough clothes on to keep them warm and I wonder if they will have enough to eat that day. Sometimes it is overwhelming to think of all the hurt and pain in this world. We feel a burden for all that we see and hear. We pray and often do what we can. But the burden that we bear is nothing compared to the burden of sin and suffering Jesus bore on the cross for us. Even now He is at the right hand of God interceding for us and making a way. He knows how we feel.

Where is God? God is on His throne. He was on His throne in Isaiah's time when Isaiah came face to face with his sin and accepted God's call. He was on His throne as Jesus bled and died and rose again the third day. In Revelation, we read that God will still be on the throne and worshipped by all. And even though we may not see it, we know that God is still on the throne today. He has not taken a vacation. He is not asleep. He hears our prayers. He sees the pain and suffering. He longs for us to come to him and give him our heavy burden. We may not understand today. We may not know the why's. We can know that God is on His throne and is control and in Him we can put our hope and trust.

Dear God of all hope, May the people who are suffering look to you. May they see your face. May they accept your grace. May they find peace in you. May I be an instrument of your peace. May I pray for those who are hurting. May I love in action. May I never lose hope in You. Amen

Washing Machines and Other Things

Last week was a hard one for me. The week began with my Big D waking up with a sore throat and not being able to go to school. As the week progressed I wasn't feeling too great myself and then things began to break down. First it was our washing machine and then our toaster oven that we do most of our baking in. Lastly we had no hot water in the kitchen so we had to bring this in from the bathroom to do our dishes. So as this week began, I had a lot on my mind. Big D was still sick and we needed to decide what to do about the things that were broken. We are moving in a month so we had to decide if we could get by without these things for a month. Could we make do? I also found myself thinking about what my attitude should be about all that was going on. If I had to do without these things, would I be a complainer or step up to the challenge. I am reminded of Paul's comment in Philippians 4:12b, 13. He said, " I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength."



I am finding it is not so much what my circumstances are but the important thing is if Christ is with me in those circumstances. I am once again reminded of how as a westerner I am so spoiled. Many of the women here do all their laundry by hand and do much of their cooking outdoors. I at least have the luxury of a kitchen and a stove that works. My problems are petty compared to what others go through. But in the midst of the pettiness, Christ is there to give me strength in what my circumstance is. I am grateful for that.



Our week has been good. Our son is better after a dose of antibiotics. The washing machine was repairable. We figured out how the toaster oven could still work and if need be we could use the gas oven and open all the windows. And to top it all off our hot water in the kitchen started working again. Did I also mention that we got a care package too?



As I end, I am reminded of a quote from a book I read. The quote comes from The Shepherd's Castle by George MacDonald. The main character Donal says "When the storm is upon us, it seems as if there never could be any sunshine more; but our hopelessness does not keep back the sun when his hour to shine is come." Remembering also that someday that Jesus will be coming for us on the clouds. It will probably be on that day when we need Him most.



Dear God, May I trust your goodness in all things. Thank you for all you have done for us. You have provided above and beyond. Forgive me when I forget and am ungrateful. May I use what you have given me to be a blessing to those around me. Amen

BumbleBee

BumbleBee isn't actually a bee. He is a transformer. A transformer that is in a box somewhere waiting to be delivered to the country that we currently live in. At least that is what we are hoping. He is a birthday present for our son and we have been waiting for him to come since the middle of November. Now our son is doing a good job of waiting but at times he is doubtful. Other times he is hopeful especially if there is news that someone on our team received a package. One thing he does know is that his parents have promised to get him a BumbleBee. It may come in the mail or it may come when his father takes a training trip to the states. But we have promised this to him. He knows we will keep our promise unless of course circumstances beyond our control prevent it.

As followers of Jesus, we have many promises given to us by our heavenly Father. Some of these promises we have seen fulfilled and some are yet to be fulfilled. We have hope not only in our present salvation but that we will spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Just as my son is believing that his parents will keep their word so we even more can depend on God's word. At times we may get impatient to see the fulfilment of these promises but the fulfilment will come. At times we may doubt but that does not negate what God says. So as the writer of Hebrews tells us, "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise." May we be faithful as the men and women in the hall of faith were. They lived their lives in hope of God's words knowing that life would not be easy but that God was good and the ultimate promise keeper.

Many times we get so caught up in the every day details of life forgetting about the hope we have in God and His promises. Or maybe we are so overwhelmed by a tragedy or circumstances that surround us that we are blinded to what the truth is. I wonder how my life would be different if I lived each day remembering the hope that I have in me and the hope that awaits me in the future? I don't have an answer. I do know I would like to live as faithfully as those found in the hall of faith. (Heb 11) Only with God's grace and help can that be done.

Dear God, Thank you for your promises. Thank you that you are faithful. May I live life to its fullest and for your kingdom. May I live in expectation of seeing your promises be fulfilled in my lifetime. Amen

Something Parents Do

Do you ever find yourself repeating again to your children something that you have told them either that week, that day, that hour or even them in the previous minute? Why do we do that? I am not sure why other parents do it but I usually do it for two reasons. The first is that I know my children did not get it the first time either by the look on their face or by their actions in not following my instructions. The other reason stems from the fact that it is information that I consider important. I smiled today as one of my students was talking about how her teacher repeated everything three times and she demonstrated for me. I reminded her that all of his students were probably not as bright as she was and did not understand the first two times. She did not think that was quite it but she was able to repeat word for word one such item that the teacher had repeated three times. Which I think proves my point.



In Colossians 3, Paul has some repetition that at a first glance looks like he is repeating himself but on a second glance he is just making sure we get it. I am referring to Colossians 3:1,2. "Since then you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (niv) We have been raised with Christ. We are no longer dead. So where is my heart? Is it with my Savior and is with someone or something else? Honestly I struggle with this daily. I want so for my heart to be with my Savior but often it strays to what is comfortable or what is easy. It is not something I can do on my own but only through God's spirit. The heart deals with my desires, longings and passions. It is only when our hearts are set on things above that His Kingdom can truly be advanced. But Paul says that God not only wants our hearts but also our minds. Set your mind on things above not on earthly things. This almost seems to be saying the same things but I think it is different. The mind for me refers to my thoughts, what is going on in my head. It is a conscious act of my will that I am setting my mind on thing above. I am actively choosing the kingdom over the things of this earth. When I say that it is a conscious act of my will, I am not saying I am doing it on my own power. But when the Holy Spirit prompts, I still have to act. I still have to choose the things above. I have to choose if I will follow the Spirit's leading to pray instead of sleeping in. I have to choose to talk about the things of God with a friends instead of just everyday things. God doesn't just want my heart but my mind also. In fact, He wants all of me. I don't know if I am up to the task but I know I have a God who is.

Dear God, May today I set my heart on things above with your Son Jesus. May my wants and desires be for your kingdom. May I not only set my heart on things above but also my mind. May I choose the your kingdom over the kingdom of comfort I often try to build for myself. May Your Kingdom come. May your will be done. In earth as it is in heaven. Amen