Skirt Give Away

Just thought some of you might enjoy a chance to win a fun skirt. The give away is at The Stay At Home Missionary so go there for the details. Since I already have too many clothes, I thought it would be fun to try to win a skirt for W who is growing so fast and can now wear a small women's skirt. It would be an easy option for her to dress modestly in the culture where we live.

Fear Factor

I am not a stranger to fear. When my DH and I were first married, he had a 45 minute commute back and forth to Dallas. He would dutifully call me before he left work (pre-cell phone days) and then head my way. Sometimes the drive would take 45 minutes and other times it would take over an hour. At the hour point, I would find myself watching the clock and imagining all of the things that could be wrong. He was in a wreck. His car broke down and the list goes on. I didn't limit my worries to just him. I was teaching in a Ft. Worth city school at the same time as the shootings in Columbine. My room was on a hall way that led to the outside. Even though the school took security measures, I still at times did not feel safe partly due to my imagination. In both situations, nothing ever happened. I was fearful for nothing. Taking precautions is one thing. Worrying yourself sick is another.

Now I am in a different season of life. I live in a country where I have to wear a head covering and in a place that many people feel is dangerous. Actually my family and I just moved here. People often ask me, "Are you afraid to live there?" And amazingly, my answer is "No, I am not afraid to live here." What has brought the change in me? Over the years, God has worked in me on turning all my fears over to him. I am not perfect at it but am getting better. I am comforted by his promises and that the best place to be is in the center of his will.

The other day I was also reminded of how there is one fear that is good. It is the fear of God. Also when I am afraid, my first instinct needs to be to turn to God. This was a lesson that David in the bible also had to learn. David had just found out from his best friend Jonathan that David was no longer safe in the palace. Saul wanted to kill him. David would have to run and hide. First David goes to the priest and gets food and a weapon not telling the priest why he was really in a hurry. This step will ultimately end up in the death of the priest and most of his family. Then David tries to go to the King of Gath and take refuge there. The king's advisers remind the king that David was a great warrior and could still be his enemy. David seeing he is in danger acts insane to the point of saliva running down the side of his mouth. From here, David runs and hides in the cave of Adullam. (I Sam 21-22:1) It is after this incident that scholars believe Psalm 34 is written. David realizes in his fear he made some wrong choices. He should have looked to God first of all for guidance and given his fears to the Lord. In verse 4, it says "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." My favorite is verse 7 which says "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers him." As the Psalms goes on, David also instructs the reader to teach the children to fear God and look to him. I am encouraged by David's example. He didn't always get it right the first time but ultimately he looked to God for deliverance from his fears.

Dear God, You are an awesome God. May I fear you and seek you first in all things. Take away the fears that want to creep into my life everyday. Help me to be wise in my dealings but not afraid to go and do what you have called me to do. May I also teach my children to fear you and give you their fears. Amen

February 2010 Quotes ( a bit late)

Here are some of the quotes I have been collecting.





From Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs


"My response to my spouse is my responsibility. In my own marriage, my spouse doesn't cause me to be the way I am. He/she reveals the way I am."





From Tedd Tripp's Instructing a Child's Heart (Thanks C for this one)


"Friendships are for the purpose of glorifying God, encouraging others, showing love and compassion, and gaining encouragement to do what is right."





From Holy Experience by Ann



"I wrap love around her shoulder and invite her to come away to prayer because as a parent, the best I can do for the soul sick children is to bring them close to Jesus and let them feel his touch."



From A Simple Path by Mother Teresa



"Everything is God's to give and to take away, so share what you've been given and that includes yourself."



From Ordinary Women with an Extraordinary God by Noel Piper



""Oh how good," said the person once, "is it to work for God in the daytime and at night to lie down under his smiles!"" This was said about Sarah Edwards



Prayer of Lilias Trotter in the same book: She prayed for Open doors, open hearts, open heavens.

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