When my son was young, he was terrified of storms. Once the wind began to blow and the first sign of lightening was seen, he would run to me with a terror struck face. "Mom," he would say, "There is a storm coming." As the weather outside escalated, so did the fear within my young son. I would have to comfort him during those times. He would cling to me until the storm passed.
One day he asked me why did the storms have to come. My reply to him was simply: "The storms come so that the earth can be cleansed."
Just like the weather, storms begin to brew until its power is unleashed. Our life also produces such storms. Some of life's storms may be gentle ones. Ones that are easy to walk through, like a gentle rain on a spring day. Others may be more fierce like a thunder storm on a hot summer day. While others are more like the tornadoes and hurricanes that come when the warm weather collide with the cool fall days.
Confusion, anger, depression and a sense of hopelessness can overwhelm us during these troubled times. We may feel that we are lost and have no clue in what direction we should go in order to find shelter from the storm. We may feel that all hope is lost and want to simply give up. When these feelings begin to over take us then hear these words, "Hold on to My strength!"
My son clung to me during the storms, burying his face so he would not have to see the lightening; covering his ears so he would not hear the thunder, the wind and the rain pounding on all sides of the house. I would wrap my arms around him and hold him tight until the storm passed. We may not have our mom's to cling to, but we do have a Father. A heavenly Father. A Father that loves us unconditionally and has promised us that He will be with us always. He will hold us tight and carry us through the storms we encounter in our lives. He simply says, "Hold on to My Strength!"
Exodus 15:11-13
"Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?
Who is like you —
majestic in holiness,
awesome in glory,
working wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand
and the earth swallowed them.
13 "In your unfailing love you will lead
the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
to your holy dwelling.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
A Tribute to my Grandpa
It was an early Sunday morning on June 24, 2012, my phone rang and on the other end was the voice of my mom. "Your grandpa passed away early this morning" my mother said. I was saddened by the news, but at the same time I felt a since of peace knowing that my grandpa would no longer be suffering from cancer. This is a tribute to my grandpa:
I remember grandpa as a loving happy man. He was always laughing and cutting up. I can still see his smile and hear the roar of his laughter. Although I never went fishing with Grandpa like I did with my other grandfather, I loved hearing him tell of his childhood and other fond memories he had buried deep in his mind. My grandpa knew how to tell a story. I don't know if his stories ever changed, they always seemed like new stories in my mind each and every time. He captivated my attention with the stories of his childhood; with stories of my mother's childhood; stories about the jobs he had and people he had met; and when he and grandma came to visit us while living in Germany. We traveled to the places he had been while fighting in WWII all the while telling us stories of the friends he met and the events he encountered during the war. I never tired listening to him.
From the stories that he would tell, I had assumed that he was a hard working man. He owned rental property and I remember once in awhile when we visited we, my family and I, would go and help grandpa with repairs or cleaning. I also gathered from his stories that he was a loyal friend, a loyal brother, husband and father. He was also a loyal grandfather.
One year, I went to visit my grandparents. I was about 20 years old. Grandma and Grandpa would go to the VFW on the weekend to visit with some of their friends. I am not sure that my mom would have approved, but I went and enjoyed my time. There were many people dancing on the dance floor. My grandpa took me by the hand and led me out to the dance floor to try and teach me how to dance. I am not sure I was a very good student. I realized that I had 2 left feet, but he was patient with me through the song. After that though he handed me over to a younger man to dance with. My first dance lesson was given to by my grandpa.
Grandpa was also the first person I rode my first big roller coaster with at Worlds of Fun. I was scared to death, but not grandpa. If he was scared, he never showed it. He sat next to me and after that roller coaster made its way slowly up the hill and was getting ready to start its decent, my grandpa threw his arms in the air and screamed like everyone else did! He yelled as if he were a young man again. I did not have his sense of bravery though. I clutched the bar in front of me and stared at my grandpa hoping the ride would end soon! What a great memory of my grandpa.
The only memories I have of my grandfather are happy ones and with every visit, I looked forward to watching grandpa make a big pot of Tapioca pudding. He would serve it to us while it was still warm. It was the best I had ever eaten. Mine could never compare to his in a million years. I suppose it's because he made his with a lot of grandpa love!
I will miss sitting out on his back porch on a hot sticky Missouri afternoon, drinking cold lemonade and enjoying the stories he told of his past. I will miss talking to him about his garden and of being envious that his tomatoes would grow 5 times larger than mine ever did! He would tell me that the secret to his big tomatoes was Miracle Gro....I will miss my grandpa very much!
I remember grandpa as a loving happy man. He was always laughing and cutting up. I can still see his smile and hear the roar of his laughter. Although I never went fishing with Grandpa like I did with my other grandfather, I loved hearing him tell of his childhood and other fond memories he had buried deep in his mind. My grandpa knew how to tell a story. I don't know if his stories ever changed, they always seemed like new stories in my mind each and every time. He captivated my attention with the stories of his childhood; with stories of my mother's childhood; stories about the jobs he had and people he had met; and when he and grandma came to visit us while living in Germany. We traveled to the places he had been while fighting in WWII all the while telling us stories of the friends he met and the events he encountered during the war. I never tired listening to him.
From the stories that he would tell, I had assumed that he was a hard working man. He owned rental property and I remember once in awhile when we visited we, my family and I, would go and help grandpa with repairs or cleaning. I also gathered from his stories that he was a loyal friend, a loyal brother, husband and father. He was also a loyal grandfather.
One year, I went to visit my grandparents. I was about 20 years old. Grandma and Grandpa would go to the VFW on the weekend to visit with some of their friends. I am not sure that my mom would have approved, but I went and enjoyed my time. There were many people dancing on the dance floor. My grandpa took me by the hand and led me out to the dance floor to try and teach me how to dance. I am not sure I was a very good student. I realized that I had 2 left feet, but he was patient with me through the song. After that though he handed me over to a younger man to dance with. My first dance lesson was given to by my grandpa.
Grandpa was also the first person I rode my first big roller coaster with at Worlds of Fun. I was scared to death, but not grandpa. If he was scared, he never showed it. He sat next to me and after that roller coaster made its way slowly up the hill and was getting ready to start its decent, my grandpa threw his arms in the air and screamed like everyone else did! He yelled as if he were a young man again. I did not have his sense of bravery though. I clutched the bar in front of me and stared at my grandpa hoping the ride would end soon! What a great memory of my grandpa.
The only memories I have of my grandfather are happy ones and with every visit, I looked forward to watching grandpa make a big pot of Tapioca pudding. He would serve it to us while it was still warm. It was the best I had ever eaten. Mine could never compare to his in a million years. I suppose it's because he made his with a lot of grandpa love!
I will miss sitting out on his back porch on a hot sticky Missouri afternoon, drinking cold lemonade and enjoying the stories he told of his past. I will miss talking to him about his garden and of being envious that his tomatoes would grow 5 times larger than mine ever did! He would tell me that the secret to his big tomatoes was Miracle Gro....I will miss my grandpa very much!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Broken Dreams
Broken Dreams
As children bring their broken
toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreams to
God
Because He was my friend.
But then instead of leaving Him
In
peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help
With ways that were
my own.
At last I snatched them back and cried,
"How could you be so
slow?"
"My child," He said, "what could I do?"
"You never did let
go."
[ Author Unknown ]
How many times in our lives do we cry out to God to help us overcome a problem we are experiencing in our lives and never feel that God is doing anything for us?
Maybe we haven't really let go of the problem so that God can help us.
Psalms 144:1
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield, in whom I take refuge,
who subdues peoples under me.
Psalms 144:7-8
Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners
whose mouths are full of lies,
whose right hands are deceitful.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Walking in Faith!
Faith, a word that has been lingering on my mind today. The definition of faith according to Hebrews 11:1 is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. According to dictionary.com, faith is having confidence or trust in a person; a belief that is not based on proof; belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings.
When I get in my car to drive from point A to point B, I don't do a 10 point inspection of my car before leaving my garage. I don't raise the hood of my car to make sure the engine is still where it's suppose to be. I don't stand and stare at my car asking myself, "Am I sure this car will get me to my destination?" No, I don't do any of this! I get in my car, put the key in the ignition, start the car and put it in the proper gear. I drive to my destination without a worry. Now, if there were something obviously wrong with the car, I would have to stop and fix the problem. Sometimes, I will need to stop the car in order to refuel it otherwise, my car will stop moving and leave me stranded.
I have faith in a car to get me around town, but what does my faith look like in Christ? Do I pause to do a 10 point inspection each time I read God's word, or hear Him speak to me? Do I question God's words to me every time? Or, do I just get up and say, "Okay God, I'm ready to go!"
I read about people from the old testament, new testament or people from this era that I have read about and even met that had/have an unwavering faith. Let's look at Noah for instance. Noah believed in God, he worshiped God and when God told Noah to build an Ark and handed him the instructions for building it, Noah built it. The Bible tells us that people laughed at him and ridiculed him for building such a strange contraption. I am sure that when Noah told his neighbors that God was going to cause water to fall from the sky, called rain, and cause the earth to flood, repent of your sinful ways and join me and my family on the Ark, they laughed at him. Maybe they even made a sign to display to the entire town that said, "Noah is one crazy man! Stay away from that guy!" Noah stayed faithful. I am sure that he felt sad at times and maybe even angry at times. I am sure that his heart broke for those who would not be entering the Ark with him. What feelings would go through ones mind knowing that all would be lost? Noah still remained faithful and obedient to God's calling. As a result, he and his family were saved from the great flood that destroyed the entire world.
Joseph, the beloved son Jacob who was hated by this brothers and who sold him into slavery, had great faith in God. Joseph was taken far away from his home and made to be a slave. Just when things were going smooth for him, a women accused him of a crime he didn't commit, and as a result Joseph was thrown into prison. I can't begin to imagine what it is like to be a slave. Sometimes I feel like a slave to my kids always cleaning up after them and driving them here and there, and sometimes I feel like the slave master making my kids clean their rooms. But what I feel here at home does not begin to compare to what the meaning of a "slave" really is. I have read many horrible experiences from those who were taken from their homeland, Africa, and shipped to America to be slaves to rich land owners of the South. I have read how the Jews were taken from their homes during the reign of Hitler and made at work as slaves within the concentration camps. Maybe Joseph experienced some of these same things. Prison may have been a worse place to be. I don't know, but what I do know is that even though Joseph may have experienced awful treatment as a slave and prisoner, he still remained faithful to his God in heaven. As a result, Joseph was able to save his family and an entire nation from dying during the great drought.
Paul, in the new testament, a man with a temper whose prior job was to kill Christians, was transformed by the power of God. Paul had great faith in the God that gave him a new life. Paul was jailed many times for the sole purpose of preaching the Gospel to those around him. Today, this is still happening to preachers and believers around the world. But despite what people may say to and about them, they still hold on to their faith and endure. Paul may have never known the full impact that he made to the Gentile world, but many were saved because of his faithfulness to sharing God's word.
Personally, many of us have not experienced some of what I just mentioned. On the other hand, we all in some way have experienced illness, death, broken relationships, financial troubles, joblessness, and many other things that can bring us down and test us. Faith should be a constant in our life, but it is during these times when our faith is tested. Is my faith strong enough that it can endure a long term illness, a broken relationship, or a death? Is my faith strong enough to endure any hardship that I may encounter in my life?
Just as I need to stop and put gas in my car to keep it moving so I can reach my destination, our faith must also be refueled. In other words, we must read our bibles, pray and even lift our hearts in worship to our Heavenly Father. These thing are what refuels our faith because if we don't, we will begin to lose our faith. It will begin to fade until suddenly, we stop having faith.
We were never promised that our life would be easy, but we are promised that God will see us through our hard times. But we must have faith in God, a faith that will allow us to believe God will supply all our needs, not according to our will, but His perfect will. We may never know what impact our display of faith will have on someone who sees us. What does your faith look like? Is it strong enough to sustain you through your hardships?
2 Chronicles 20:20-21
Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."
NIV
Isaiah 7:9
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.'"
NIV
Matthew 17:20
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. "
NIV
Acts 14:22
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,"
NIV
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you
NIV
When I get in my car to drive from point A to point B, I don't do a 10 point inspection of my car before leaving my garage. I don't raise the hood of my car to make sure the engine is still where it's suppose to be. I don't stand and stare at my car asking myself, "Am I sure this car will get me to my destination?" No, I don't do any of this! I get in my car, put the key in the ignition, start the car and put it in the proper gear. I drive to my destination without a worry. Now, if there were something obviously wrong with the car, I would have to stop and fix the problem. Sometimes, I will need to stop the car in order to refuel it otherwise, my car will stop moving and leave me stranded.
I have faith in a car to get me around town, but what does my faith look like in Christ? Do I pause to do a 10 point inspection each time I read God's word, or hear Him speak to me? Do I question God's words to me every time? Or, do I just get up and say, "Okay God, I'm ready to go!"
I read about people from the old testament, new testament or people from this era that I have read about and even met that had/have an unwavering faith. Let's look at Noah for instance. Noah believed in God, he worshiped God and when God told Noah to build an Ark and handed him the instructions for building it, Noah built it. The Bible tells us that people laughed at him and ridiculed him for building such a strange contraption. I am sure that when Noah told his neighbors that God was going to cause water to fall from the sky, called rain, and cause the earth to flood, repent of your sinful ways and join me and my family on the Ark, they laughed at him. Maybe they even made a sign to display to the entire town that said, "Noah is one crazy man! Stay away from that guy!" Noah stayed faithful. I am sure that he felt sad at times and maybe even angry at times. I am sure that his heart broke for those who would not be entering the Ark with him. What feelings would go through ones mind knowing that all would be lost? Noah still remained faithful and obedient to God's calling. As a result, he and his family were saved from the great flood that destroyed the entire world.
Joseph, the beloved son Jacob who was hated by this brothers and who sold him into slavery, had great faith in God. Joseph was taken far away from his home and made to be a slave. Just when things were going smooth for him, a women accused him of a crime he didn't commit, and as a result Joseph was thrown into prison. I can't begin to imagine what it is like to be a slave. Sometimes I feel like a slave to my kids always cleaning up after them and driving them here and there, and sometimes I feel like the slave master making my kids clean their rooms. But what I feel here at home does not begin to compare to what the meaning of a "slave" really is. I have read many horrible experiences from those who were taken from their homeland, Africa, and shipped to America to be slaves to rich land owners of the South. I have read how the Jews were taken from their homes during the reign of Hitler and made at work as slaves within the concentration camps. Maybe Joseph experienced some of these same things. Prison may have been a worse place to be. I don't know, but what I do know is that even though Joseph may have experienced awful treatment as a slave and prisoner, he still remained faithful to his God in heaven. As a result, Joseph was able to save his family and an entire nation from dying during the great drought.
Paul, in the new testament, a man with a temper whose prior job was to kill Christians, was transformed by the power of God. Paul had great faith in the God that gave him a new life. Paul was jailed many times for the sole purpose of preaching the Gospel to those around him. Today, this is still happening to preachers and believers around the world. But despite what people may say to and about them, they still hold on to their faith and endure. Paul may have never known the full impact that he made to the Gentile world, but many were saved because of his faithfulness to sharing God's word.
Personally, many of us have not experienced some of what I just mentioned. On the other hand, we all in some way have experienced illness, death, broken relationships, financial troubles, joblessness, and many other things that can bring us down and test us. Faith should be a constant in our life, but it is during these times when our faith is tested. Is my faith strong enough that it can endure a long term illness, a broken relationship, or a death? Is my faith strong enough to endure any hardship that I may encounter in my life?
Just as I need to stop and put gas in my car to keep it moving so I can reach my destination, our faith must also be refueled. In other words, we must read our bibles, pray and even lift our hearts in worship to our Heavenly Father. These thing are what refuels our faith because if we don't, we will begin to lose our faith. It will begin to fade until suddenly, we stop having faith.
We were never promised that our life would be easy, but we are promised that God will see us through our hard times. But we must have faith in God, a faith that will allow us to believe God will supply all our needs, not according to our will, but His perfect will. We may never know what impact our display of faith will have on someone who sees us. What does your faith look like? Is it strong enough to sustain you through your hardships?
2 Chronicles 20:20-21
Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."
NIV
Isaiah 7:9
If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.'"
NIV
Matthew 17:20
I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. "
NIV
Acts 14:22
strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,"
NIV
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you
NIV
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Worship in spirit and truth!
John 4:19-24
"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
NIV
Last week I had to teach Sunday School. Our lesson was about the Woman at the well. I am very familiar with this story, but there was a few verses that really stood out in my mind as I studied. The passages was John 4:19:24. The woman questions Jesus as to where the right place is to worship God, on the mountain where the Samaritans have worshiped for years, or in Jerusalem where the Jews worship God. Jesus tells her that it didn't matter where you worship what matters is that the true worshipers will worship in spirit and Truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in Truth.
I began to wonder what it looked like to worship in spirit and truth. Am I a true worshiper or am I just doing what I am suppose to do? How far off am I from being a true worshiper? As I asked myself these questions, I prayed and asked God to show me what does this look like and what do I need to do to change. < Always be prepared when you ask questions like this....>
Sunday morning came quickly and I was to get a full dose of "worshipping in spirit and truth." That Sunday at church, I did something that I never dreamed of doing, stopping and praying over someone who was in need of prayer. I prayed with 3 ladies that day. I sang with confidence that Sunday (I am in the choir/praise team). To my surprise the sermon was from Mark chapter 7. Our worship needs to come from our hearts and not our lips. We need to let go of our traditions. The things we do all the time. The things we do without hardly thinking about it. We cannot worship God from our hearts if we are holding on to traditions. Traditions never change. They are constant. When we worship from our hearts, we are free to worship in the way that the Holy Spirit leads us. A way that will be honoring to God and only God! A way that will not draw attention to ourselves but that will draw other's attention towards God.
So, back to my questions: Do I worship in spirit and truth. The sad thing is, not really. I am holding on to my fears. I am hold on to some traditions. I am reminded that if I want to be a true worshipper, I will need to set aside all my fears. I will need to not concentrate on what others will think of me. I need to let go! I need to allow the Spirit to move. I need to allow the Spirit to flow freely though me and to put my focus on God.
Just a note, Sunday is not the only day we can worship God. It should be a daily thing. It may not always come in the form of a song either, but though our prayers; through our service and though our quite time.
Synonyms for worship: honor, adoration, revere, adore, glorify, adulate (excessive devotion).
"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
NIV
Last week I had to teach Sunday School. Our lesson was about the Woman at the well. I am very familiar with this story, but there was a few verses that really stood out in my mind as I studied. The passages was John 4:19:24. The woman questions Jesus as to where the right place is to worship God, on the mountain where the Samaritans have worshiped for years, or in Jerusalem where the Jews worship God. Jesus tells her that it didn't matter where you worship what matters is that the true worshipers will worship in spirit and Truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in Truth.
I began to wonder what it looked like to worship in spirit and truth. Am I a true worshiper or am I just doing what I am suppose to do? How far off am I from being a true worshiper? As I asked myself these questions, I prayed and asked God to show me what does this look like and what do I need to do to change. < Always be prepared when you ask questions like this....>
Sunday morning came quickly and I was to get a full dose of "worshipping in spirit and truth." That Sunday at church, I did something that I never dreamed of doing, stopping and praying over someone who was in need of prayer. I prayed with 3 ladies that day. I sang with confidence that Sunday (I am in the choir/praise team). To my surprise the sermon was from Mark chapter 7. Our worship needs to come from our hearts and not our lips. We need to let go of our traditions. The things we do all the time. The things we do without hardly thinking about it. We cannot worship God from our hearts if we are holding on to traditions. Traditions never change. They are constant. When we worship from our hearts, we are free to worship in the way that the Holy Spirit leads us. A way that will be honoring to God and only God! A way that will not draw attention to ourselves but that will draw other's attention towards God.
So, back to my questions: Do I worship in spirit and truth. The sad thing is, not really. I am holding on to my fears. I am hold on to some traditions. I am reminded that if I want to be a true worshipper, I will need to set aside all my fears. I will need to not concentrate on what others will think of me. I need to let go! I need to allow the Spirit to move. I need to allow the Spirit to flow freely though me and to put my focus on God.
Just a note, Sunday is not the only day we can worship God. It should be a daily thing. It may not always come in the form of a song either, but though our prayers; through our service and though our quite time.
Synonyms for worship: honor, adoration, revere, adore, glorify, adulate (excessive devotion).
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
"If anyone serves Me he must follow Me..."
John 12:24-26
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26 "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. NASU
When I was a child I played a popular game of "Follow the Leader." I am sure all of you have played this same game and are familiar with the rules. The leader of this game could go wherever they wished and do whatever they want to do. For example, the leader could walk zig zag, backwards or even jump. The leader could choose to walk waving their arms in the air, whistle or even hop one one foot. Whatever it was they did, the followers would have to do the same thing. We never questioned the leader we just did it and laughed out loud knowing that our turn to be leader was coming soon!
As children of God we are called to Follow Jesus. In the Gospel's of the Bible Jesus says to "Follow Me" at least 20 different times. Out of curiosity, I looked up the word "Follow." The Greek word is Akolouqeo which means to follow one who proceeds; accompany him; to join one as a disciple.
There are 3 different aspects of the word follow. My first initial thought of this word, is that it reminds me of the game, and that we are to simply follow the Leader. The leader being Jesus. If Jesus goes, we are to go. If Jesus stops, we are to stop. If Jesus walks through the fire than we are to walk through the fire.
We are to follow Jesus wherever He leads us exactly the way we played the game as children. Following Jesus is not always easy because many times we are lead into areas that are outside our comfort zone. As humans, we would prefer to stay where we are most comfortable. Although the Lord can use us within our comfort zones, the greater blessings come when we follow Jesus outside that zone of comfort. This is where part two of the word follow comes into play.
To follow: To join one as a disciple. Well, I had to then look up the word disciple. The
Greek word is Mathetes which means learner. According to dictionary. com, a disciple is one who is a pupil or one who adheres to the doctrine of another; follower. If we are truly following Christ, then we are just not going through the motions, but we are also learning as we go. Following the doctrine of Christ....well, that is simple the Bible. The Bible is God's inspired words (2 Timothy 3:16) The Bible is our Road Map, our directions, our encouragement and our example from the greatest Leader of all, God himself. Without this valuable tool, following Jesus would be almost impossible.
I have heard both my dad and husband talk about there experiences in the military. They have shared a training exercise that they had to do. They were given a map of coordinates and then dropped in the middle of nowhere. The goal was to find their way back to base by using the map. Imagine what would happen if they had left their map at home...When we do not use the Bible as our map, we would be lost in the world of the unfamiliar which is outside the walls of our comfort zone.
The third aspect of the word follow comes from the verb form of the word disciple. A verb is an action word. The action word for disciple is to teach or train. We are instructed to teach others to become disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
As a mother, I have passed on my childhood and teenage experiences with my children to either encourage them or to warn them of possible dangers; and to keep them safe and out of trouble. We are to share our experiences with other brothers and sisters in Christ. To share our experiences of following Jesus outside our comfort zones. Sharing our experiences can either encourage Christan Believers or warn them in hopes that they will be kept from harm and dangers. We are to also teach others to use the Road Map, the Bible so that they may learn to follow Jesus on their own paths that will lead them outside their comfort zones.
To sum all this up: Jesus wants us to follow Him. He has the plan and the Bible is our road map. Jesus wants us to follow Him even if it requires us to go outside our comfort zone. Just was we followed the leader in our childhood game, no questions asked, that is the same way we ought to follow Christ. We ought to be learning all we can about what it means to follow Christ and what His road map is telling us. In return, we should share with others all that we have learned as we walk as disciples following Jesus outside the realms of our comfort zone.
Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 "He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. 26 "If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. NASU
When I was a child I played a popular game of "Follow the Leader." I am sure all of you have played this same game and are familiar with the rules. The leader of this game could go wherever they wished and do whatever they want to do. For example, the leader could walk zig zag, backwards or even jump. The leader could choose to walk waving their arms in the air, whistle or even hop one one foot. Whatever it was they did, the followers would have to do the same thing. We never questioned the leader we just did it and laughed out loud knowing that our turn to be leader was coming soon!
As children of God we are called to Follow Jesus. In the Gospel's of the Bible Jesus says to "Follow Me" at least 20 different times. Out of curiosity, I looked up the word "Follow." The Greek word is Akolouqeo which means to follow one who proceeds; accompany him; to join one as a disciple.
There are 3 different aspects of the word follow. My first initial thought of this word, is that it reminds me of the game, and that we are to simply follow the Leader. The leader being Jesus. If Jesus goes, we are to go. If Jesus stops, we are to stop. If Jesus walks through the fire than we are to walk through the fire.
We are to follow Jesus wherever He leads us exactly the way we played the game as children. Following Jesus is not always easy because many times we are lead into areas that are outside our comfort zone. As humans, we would prefer to stay where we are most comfortable. Although the Lord can use us within our comfort zones, the greater blessings come when we follow Jesus outside that zone of comfort. This is where part two of the word follow comes into play.
To follow: To join one as a disciple. Well, I had to then look up the word disciple. The
Greek word is Mathetes which means learner. According to dictionary. com, a disciple is one who is a pupil or one who adheres to the doctrine of another; follower. If we are truly following Christ, then we are just not going through the motions, but we are also learning as we go. Following the doctrine of Christ....well, that is simple the Bible. The Bible is God's inspired words (2 Timothy 3:16) The Bible is our Road Map, our directions, our encouragement and our example from the greatest Leader of all, God himself. Without this valuable tool, following Jesus would be almost impossible.
I have heard both my dad and husband talk about there experiences in the military. They have shared a training exercise that they had to do. They were given a map of coordinates and then dropped in the middle of nowhere. The goal was to find their way back to base by using the map. Imagine what would happen if they had left their map at home...When we do not use the Bible as our map, we would be lost in the world of the unfamiliar which is outside the walls of our comfort zone.
The third aspect of the word follow comes from the verb form of the word disciple. A verb is an action word. The action word for disciple is to teach or train. We are instructed to teach others to become disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).
As a mother, I have passed on my childhood and teenage experiences with my children to either encourage them or to warn them of possible dangers; and to keep them safe and out of trouble. We are to share our experiences with other brothers and sisters in Christ. To share our experiences of following Jesus outside our comfort zones. Sharing our experiences can either encourage Christan Believers or warn them in hopes that they will be kept from harm and dangers. We are to also teach others to use the Road Map, the Bible so that they may learn to follow Jesus on their own paths that will lead them outside their comfort zones.
To sum all this up: Jesus wants us to follow Him. He has the plan and the Bible is our road map. Jesus wants us to follow Him even if it requires us to go outside our comfort zone. Just was we followed the leader in our childhood game, no questions asked, that is the same way we ought to follow Christ. We ought to be learning all we can about what it means to follow Christ and what His road map is telling us. In return, we should share with others all that we have learned as we walk as disciples following Jesus outside the realms of our comfort zone.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Have I Truly Forgiven?
"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassion's fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I hope in Him." Lamentations 3:23-24
The book of Lamentations is a book of sorrow written by the prophet Jeremiah. He laments over the destruction of Jerusalem and the people. While reading Lamentations chapter 3 I am reminded that no matter what troubles we are going through, God is always there. We have all found ourselves in situations where pain and devastation is so great in our lives. But we can also be encouraged that we do not have to walk through these times alone.
As I read these verses, I was immediately reminded of an incident that recently occurred in my life. An incident that literally crushed my spirit. What made it even more heartbreaking was the fact that the attack came from a dear friend of mine. I am convinced that "The Devil made her do it," but that thought could not ease the hurt. In fact it increased it because my sister in Christ had fallen into the hands of the enemy.
Day after day, hour after hour I replayed the words over and over in my mind. It was like a tape stuck in rewind. Over and over re-playing the words of pain and lies. With each repeat, I began to struggle with my anger and desire for vengeance and with the knowledge that I needed to forgive her.
Forgiveness is not easy. Coming face to face with someone who has deeply hurt you is also not easy, but we are instructed to forgive one another.
When we forgive someone, we are erasing the wrongs that were committed and according to Dictionary.com to "cease to feel resentment." Christ is our example of Forgiveness because he paid the ultimate price for all our sins. We are instructed to forgive one another and to love them. We are not to do this just once, but seven times seventy. (Matthew 18:21-22; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27). A lack of forgiveness can lead to stress, fear and sin in our lives.
How is this type of forgiveness possible? According to Lamentation 3:22-24, God's love never fails us. In fact, His love for us is renewed daily. God is faithful and in Him we have hope. True forgiveness can only come from God. True healing can only come from God's love for us and knowing that He will not allow us to become consumed with our pain or guilt.
I do believe however, that strictly believing and trusting in God is not the only ingredient to find this complete forgiveness and healing. But we must also begin to search out and examine ourselves as well. You see, I prayed and asked God to forgive my friend. That is the easy part. But I found myself becoming angry with her and thinking negative thoughts about her. I began to be careful not to cross paths with her because I did not want to see her. Sadly, I was thankful when she did not show up to church then I would not have to face the woman who lashed out at with me with hurtful words and lies.
I wrestle within my heart as the whether or not the words, "Lord please forgive her," were genuine when I sin with my thoughts and re-play the events of that day over and over again in my mind.
"Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven."
Lamentations 3:40-41
This is where True forgiveness and healing come. The second vital ingredient to forgiving and healing. We need to search ourselves to make sure that our hearts are right in God's sight. My heart was not right. My life was not tuned into what the Lord would want me to do therefore, I am convinced that I have not truly forgiven my friend of her wrongs.
I fall before the Lord today and thank him for revealing to me my sins towards my friend. I pray that God will forgive me so that I may truly forgive her. I lift my heart and hands up to my God that I may feel the renewing of His love within me each and everyday. A love that I know will not fail me but a love that will lift me up. A love that will give me strength and hope; a love that will allow all bitterness and strife to melt away from my lips and my heart so that I may completely forgive just as Christ forgave me.
Praise God always for His loving kindness and faithfulness
The book of Lamentations is a book of sorrow written by the prophet Jeremiah. He laments over the destruction of Jerusalem and the people. While reading Lamentations chapter 3 I am reminded that no matter what troubles we are going through, God is always there. We have all found ourselves in situations where pain and devastation is so great in our lives. But we can also be encouraged that we do not have to walk through these times alone.
As I read these verses, I was immediately reminded of an incident that recently occurred in my life. An incident that literally crushed my spirit. What made it even more heartbreaking was the fact that the attack came from a dear friend of mine. I am convinced that "The Devil made her do it," but that thought could not ease the hurt. In fact it increased it because my sister in Christ had fallen into the hands of the enemy.
Day after day, hour after hour I replayed the words over and over in my mind. It was like a tape stuck in rewind. Over and over re-playing the words of pain and lies. With each repeat, I began to struggle with my anger and desire for vengeance and with the knowledge that I needed to forgive her.
Forgiveness is not easy. Coming face to face with someone who has deeply hurt you is also not easy, but we are instructed to forgive one another.
When we forgive someone, we are erasing the wrongs that were committed and according to Dictionary.com to "cease to feel resentment." Christ is our example of Forgiveness because he paid the ultimate price for all our sins. We are instructed to forgive one another and to love them. We are not to do this just once, but seven times seventy. (Matthew 18:21-22; Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27). A lack of forgiveness can lead to stress, fear and sin in our lives.
How is this type of forgiveness possible? According to Lamentation 3:22-24, God's love never fails us. In fact, His love for us is renewed daily. God is faithful and in Him we have hope. True forgiveness can only come from God. True healing can only come from God's love for us and knowing that He will not allow us to become consumed with our pain or guilt.
I do believe however, that strictly believing and trusting in God is not the only ingredient to find this complete forgiveness and healing. But we must also begin to search out and examine ourselves as well. You see, I prayed and asked God to forgive my friend. That is the easy part. But I found myself becoming angry with her and thinking negative thoughts about her. I began to be careful not to cross paths with her because I did not want to see her. Sadly, I was thankful when she did not show up to church then I would not have to face the woman who lashed out at with me with hurtful words and lies.
I wrestle within my heart as the whether or not the words, "Lord please forgive her," were genuine when I sin with my thoughts and re-play the events of that day over and over again in my mind.
"Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven."
Lamentations 3:40-41
This is where True forgiveness and healing come. The second vital ingredient to forgiving and healing. We need to search ourselves to make sure that our hearts are right in God's sight. My heart was not right. My life was not tuned into what the Lord would want me to do therefore, I am convinced that I have not truly forgiven my friend of her wrongs.
I fall before the Lord today and thank him for revealing to me my sins towards my friend. I pray that God will forgive me so that I may truly forgive her. I lift my heart and hands up to my God that I may feel the renewing of His love within me each and everyday. A love that I know will not fail me but a love that will lift me up. A love that will give me strength and hope; a love that will allow all bitterness and strife to melt away from my lips and my heart so that I may completely forgive just as Christ forgave me.
Praise God always for His loving kindness and faithfulness
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Reflections!
I have been home from Kenya now for almost 3 weeks. I am finally able eat regularly (the transition from Kenyan food to American food took a little time for me to adjust to). Plus, I am back into my regular schedule with some postitive changes made along the way.
I started thinking about what this trip meant to me. What did I learn and how did God speak to me. When I went to Peur a few years back, God spoke to me in a very plain a loud voice. In fact, I think he actually yelled at me so that I would be sure to hear every word he said. Plus, I was only in Peru for a week, so God had to speak quickly.
God did not yell at me in Kenya. He spoke in a softer voice. I really had a lean in some so I could be sure to hear him. I was also there for an entire month and a lot was going on, so sometimes in the chaos of life, I think I failed to hear Him all together. So now, as I reflect back and write all this in my journal (journal of life as my son calls it), I begin to see how God spoke to me and to see what it was He taught me.
Lesson 1: My plans are definitely not God's plans. I can not tell you how many times I come up with some idea in my head and think to myself, without much prayer, that surely God will approve of this idea that I came up with. After all, it is a great idea, how could he possibly say "No!"
My Plans:
Before leaving for Kenya, I had my ideal of what I would be doing. I was sure that I would be staying in a decent hotel the entire time that I was there, choosing my food from a menu each evening with a continential breakfast in the mornings and having internet access at my finger tips so that I could stay in touch with my family and friends.
I had my lessons prepared, four days worth of lessons knowing that I would be speaking to the women only three days. I wanted to make sure I had a back up plan. I was also told I would be visiting a few schools so that I could speak to the children and share God's love with them. It was all perfectly pictured in my head. I was happy and this was going to be an easy trip to make.
Our first breakfast at the hotel in Nairobi, George, our leader, said to me and my dad, "Tomorrow morning Pastor Shem will be here to pick you both up. You will be staying with him and his family for the duration of the tirp." Well now, that threw a big kink in my plans!
God's Plans:
We we arrived at Pastor Shems, and I realized that we were going to be well taken care of by the Pastor and his wife, we will be well fed of what the Pastor and his wife eat regularly (no menu choices!) I will have a comfortable bed to sleep in and free transportation. There was only one problem. I had no internet! It's funny how we rely so much on the internet, Facebook and text messaging! Over time, I have taken all that for granted knowing that it will always be at my finger tips.
At our very first conference, I again relized that God had a complete different plan for me than what I had planned out. I was not going to speak for 3 glorious days to the women nor was I always going to have an hour to speak, but less than an hour. Plus, God tells me, "All those lessons you stuggled to prepare before coming, just keep them in your backpack because you won't be needing them. I have something different I want you to talk about." The truth of the matter, the messages were a little different at each conference.
The "several" schools I was suppose to speak at ended up only being one school. At first thought, I was a little disappointed, but when that day came to speak at the one school God had planned for me to speak at, was totally worth it. It was like speaking to several schools all in one. 600 girls were there that night and I was able to share God's love with each one of them!
Lesson learned:
Leave the planning to God! As good as our plans may sounds at times, they may not correspond with what God has already paved for us to do. Therefore, before plunging into Our pefectly thought out plan, pray first and be extremely flexible because God may have a different route for us to travel!
Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
NKJV
Proverbs 19:21
any are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
NIV
Jeremiah 29:11-12
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
NIV
I started thinking about what this trip meant to me. What did I learn and how did God speak to me. When I went to Peur a few years back, God spoke to me in a very plain a loud voice. In fact, I think he actually yelled at me so that I would be sure to hear every word he said. Plus, I was only in Peru for a week, so God had to speak quickly.
God did not yell at me in Kenya. He spoke in a softer voice. I really had a lean in some so I could be sure to hear him. I was also there for an entire month and a lot was going on, so sometimes in the chaos of life, I think I failed to hear Him all together. So now, as I reflect back and write all this in my journal (journal of life as my son calls it), I begin to see how God spoke to me and to see what it was He taught me.
Lesson 1: My plans are definitely not God's plans. I can not tell you how many times I come up with some idea in my head and think to myself, without much prayer, that surely God will approve of this idea that I came up with. After all, it is a great idea, how could he possibly say "No!"
My Plans:
Before leaving for Kenya, I had my ideal of what I would be doing. I was sure that I would be staying in a decent hotel the entire time that I was there, choosing my food from a menu each evening with a continential breakfast in the mornings and having internet access at my finger tips so that I could stay in touch with my family and friends.
I had my lessons prepared, four days worth of lessons knowing that I would be speaking to the women only three days. I wanted to make sure I had a back up plan. I was also told I would be visiting a few schools so that I could speak to the children and share God's love with them. It was all perfectly pictured in my head. I was happy and this was going to be an easy trip to make.
Our first breakfast at the hotel in Nairobi, George, our leader, said to me and my dad, "Tomorrow morning Pastor Shem will be here to pick you both up. You will be staying with him and his family for the duration of the tirp." Well now, that threw a big kink in my plans!
God's Plans:
We we arrived at Pastor Shems, and I realized that we were going to be well taken care of by the Pastor and his wife, we will be well fed of what the Pastor and his wife eat regularly (no menu choices!) I will have a comfortable bed to sleep in and free transportation. There was only one problem. I had no internet! It's funny how we rely so much on the internet, Facebook and text messaging! Over time, I have taken all that for granted knowing that it will always be at my finger tips.
At our very first conference, I again relized that God had a complete different plan for me than what I had planned out. I was not going to speak for 3 glorious days to the women nor was I always going to have an hour to speak, but less than an hour. Plus, God tells me, "All those lessons you stuggled to prepare before coming, just keep them in your backpack because you won't be needing them. I have something different I want you to talk about." The truth of the matter, the messages were a little different at each conference.
The "several" schools I was suppose to speak at ended up only being one school. At first thought, I was a little disappointed, but when that day came to speak at the one school God had planned for me to speak at, was totally worth it. It was like speaking to several schools all in one. 600 girls were there that night and I was able to share God's love with each one of them!
Lesson learned:
Leave the planning to God! As good as our plans may sounds at times, they may not correspond with what God has already paved for us to do. Therefore, before plunging into Our pefectly thought out plan, pray first and be extremely flexible because God may have a different route for us to travel!
Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.
NKJV
Proverbs 19:21
any are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
NIV
Jeremiah 29:11-12
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
NIV
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Final Week!
Our final week of conferences took us to Kwamiko which was just a few short miles (I think it was 6 miles) from where Pastor Shem lived. The short distance was stretched into 30 minutes because of all the large pot holes and speed bumps we had to dodge. It was actually the worse road we drove on the entire trip!
My dad was not feeling very well this last week in Kenya, but God was faithful to give my dad the strength and comfort needed to finish out the week.
This is the communtiy center where we held the Conference at in Kwamiko
Dad doing his thing! He is taught from the book of John and then taught a little from the book of Daniel. Every conference we did, the people were eager to learn!
Tea Time!
Our catering crew! They were excellent cooks!
There is always time to sing Praises to God and to humbly worship Him too!
Here dad is praying for the Pastors that attended the conference. There were approximated 45 pastors each representing a different Church. At the end of each conference each pastor and church leader had made a commitment to continue to meet together on a regular basis with the sole purpose to "do the work of God"
Graduation day!
We found out on this last day that a group of people lead by the woman in the gray suit in the front row, Ann, prayed regularly for some time to have a conference like this in Kwamiko! This time together was a product of an answered prayer. I am sure that God will do great things in this area through these great people!
We found out on this last day that a group of people lead by the woman in the gray suit in the front row, Ann, prayed regularly for some time to have a conference like this in Kwamiko! This time together was a product of an answered prayer. I am sure that God will do great things in this area through these great people!
Gitwe Secondary School for Girls. On our last Sunday in Kenya, dad and went visited this school. Pastor Shem is a teacher at this school where he teaches religion and swahili.
A list of the Core Values of the school
Here is the kitchen. Some of the girls were still eating their dinner.
The dorms. I was told that anywhere from 60-100 girls share a room. We were not able to go inside, but my guess is, the rooms are rather large.
The church at the school
We all met in the church Sunday evening. Me, dad, Pastor Shem and 600 girls. I had an opportuntiy to speak to the girls, my largest audience to ever speak to. I shared with them from Psalms 139 encouraging them that they are the great Workmanship of God. They were carefully formed by the hands of the Most High and there is nothing they can do or no place where they can go where God does not see them. He is always there with them. I then gave them some motherly advise that I have given to my 16 year old daughter. We talked about persuing their goals, we talked about dating, respecting others and putting God first and foremost in their lives. We had a wonderful time!
A mall we went to on our last day in Kenya I believe it was Called "The Villiage Mall"
My time in Kenya was great! I was reminded that no matter what the circumstance we are in, God is faithful and will carry us when we lose our step. I saw the zeal of believers in Christ set aside the demonational differnces and focus only on the Word of God and have a ginuine passion to work togther to do the work of God, whatever and wherever He leads them. I also experienced God's hand at work at times when I least expected, God reveled himself to me in a very real way, like what the time I had a Devine Appointment on week 2 or having a sudden change of message. Messages that would in some way, God would use to touch someone's heart. I may never know the whole impact of what our time in Kenya accomplised through the confences, the preaching at chruches or at the girls school. What do know, is that God led me there do His work. I am on Mission with my God in Heaven!
Hakuna wa kufanana na bwana (there is none that can compare to the Lord)
Hakuna was kufanana nawe (there is none that can compare to you)
Our trip back to the USA was, I think, longer than ever. Maybe becasue I had been up for almost 3 days with very little sleep on the plane. I was blessed though in the fact that I was able to see 2 sunsets. The first sunset was some where near Iceland and the other was just before landing in Chicago. The sunseting above the clouds is absolutely beautiful!
I need to add this picture. I took it at the Istanbul Airport. We were a little delayed here because they were experiencing the worse snow storm since 1987! We missed our plane from Chciago to St. Louis and had to reschedule our flight. I was so thankful for the 2 hour wait at the Chicago airport! Dad and I were able to eat dinner at Chili's, and it was great to sit in a chair and feel no movement......
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Week 3 in Kenya
Jeremiah 29:11-12
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Praise God that He has a plan laid out for me. I try so hard sometimes to work out my own plans. Thinking at times that the plans that I have made up will fit into God's plans. Truth of the matter is, my plans never work according to what God already has planned out. I must be obedient to His plans.
Week 3 was a difficult week for me. If I could have gone home during this week, I probably would have. On Tuesday, January 17th, we loaded up in the little car of Pastor Shem's. We prayed over the car and then began our long, almost 4 hour car ride to Eastern Kenya. We were going to stay in a hotel in a town called Mwingi which was just 30 minutes from Nguni where the conference was being held.
Eastern Kenya is a very dry part of the country. What little bit of corn that started growing during the rainy season a few months back, has all but dried up. The only living things were the cactus and a few trees that thrive in the desert heat. The hills were very rocky and later I found out that some of the rock in this part of the country was granite.
This interesting tree is called a Baobab Tree. Another name that has been given to this tree is "The Tree of Life" This tree can grow up to 100 ft tall and 35 ft wide. Inside the very large trunk of the tree, approximately 32,000 gallons of water can be stored. The water helps sustain the tree during the harsh summer days. People are able to drink from the tree by using a straw like piece of grass. The leaves are edible and are also said to have medicinal value to them. They can be used to rid headaches, fever and other ailments. The bark of the tree can be used to make ropes and clothing. Because of the amount of water that the tree can hold, it will not burn to the ground if there were a fire. This tree also bears fruit. This fruit has 3 times the vitamin C and calcium that is equivalent to an 8 oz glass of milk. It also contains potassium and tartrate which is the base for Cream of Tartar. This fruit can be cooked in many different ways.
As I said earlier, this was not one of my better weeks. I did not feel that I connected all that well with the ladies plus I felt sick and hot, but God had a specific purpose for my being there at this conference. He had set up an appointment for me to meet and speak with a certain woman on the last day of the conference. She is in the picture above wearing a white shirt and gray skirt with short hair. Her name is Joyce.
I was sitting in the very back of the church next to an opened window so that I could a catch a cool breeze every once in awhile. I sat on an old wooden bench. There was a gentleman sitting at the end next to the door. He made sure that everyone was registered for the meeting. I liked my special place. I don't like to feel crowded, so the bench was perfect because there was quit a bit of room between me and the man at the other end.
Joyce came in a little late. The conference had already begun. The church was crowded. As she was signing in, I scanned the room only to find that there were no empty seats, so I moved over to let her sit next to me. Some time had passed when she passed me a note that read, "Can I speak to you before you leave today?" I nodded yes.
After lunch, Joyce and I went into the church and sat in the back on the old wooden bench. She then began to share her story with me. Her story started with a dream that she had of meeting a white person and sharing her story with this person. She shared this dream with a friend of hers. The friend told her that there were white people teaching in the church at the edge of town. Joyce began to pray and heard the Lord speak to her. He told her to go to the church and the white person that you sit next to, share your heart with that person and they will help you. I was that person she sat next to.
I heard a song last Sunday, not sure of the name of the song, but when I heard these words: "I'm living in the days ahead and can't wait to see Jesus face to face." I thought to myself, we need to live day by day and look for Jesus' face daily. On that particular hot January afternoon, I met Jesus. I met him through a women who was troubled and was in need of an encouraging word and the knowledge that she will not be alone praying for the children she loves so dearly.
This meeting, this appointment that I had with Joyce in Nguni, Kenya on a hot summer day on January 19th had been pre-arranged by God long before I ever arrived, and I praise God that I did not allow my discomfort to interfere with this Divine appointment.
tell of all his wonderful acts.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Praise God that He has a plan laid out for me. I try so hard sometimes to work out my own plans. Thinking at times that the plans that I have made up will fit into God's plans. Truth of the matter is, my plans never work according to what God already has planned out. I must be obedient to His plans.
Week 3 was a difficult week for me. If I could have gone home during this week, I probably would have. On Tuesday, January 17th, we loaded up in the little car of Pastor Shem's. We prayed over the car and then began our long, almost 4 hour car ride to Eastern Kenya. We were going to stay in a hotel in a town called Mwingi which was just 30 minutes from Nguni where the conference was being held.
Eastern Kenya is a very dry part of the country. What little bit of corn that started growing during the rainy season a few months back, has all but dried up. The only living things were the cactus and a few trees that thrive in the desert heat. The hills were very rocky and later I found out that some of the rock in this part of the country was granite.
Digging to find water from a dry river bed
This is a Cactus tree. They grew pretty tall too.
This interesting tree is called a Baobab Tree. Another name that has been given to this tree is "The Tree of Life" This tree can grow up to 100 ft tall and 35 ft wide. Inside the very large trunk of the tree, approximately 32,000 gallons of water can be stored. The water helps sustain the tree during the harsh summer days. People are able to drink from the tree by using a straw like piece of grass. The leaves are edible and are also said to have medicinal value to them. They can be used to rid headaches, fever and other ailments. The bark of the tree can be used to make ropes and clothing. Because of the amount of water that the tree can hold, it will not burn to the ground if there were a fire. This tree also bears fruit. This fruit has 3 times the vitamin C and calcium that is equivalent to an 8 oz glass of milk. It also contains potassium and tartrate which is the base for Cream of Tartar. This fruit can be cooked in many different ways. I found this tree to be very interesting. It is not every day that you see a tree that can bring life to a dry and barren land. The tree was not blooming while I was there so I am not sure when it does bloom. And by the way, during my research, I discovered that this tree only grows in the desert areas and can live thousands of years. I believe that the oldest tree found was about 6000 years old (not exactly sure where the tree is). Imagine the stories that tree could tell. I wonder if our Lord Jesus passed by the tree.
The ride to Mwingi was long and hot. There was no air conditioning in the car just what came from the opened windows and the ride was not a smooth ride the entire distance either. Needless to say, by the time we got to the hotel, I was not feeling very well at all.
Here is the hotel we stayed at. It was not a bad hotel and we were very secure. The cars parked inside and at night, the large steel doors were closed and locked. There was someone there to guard the gate day and night. When we arrived, we went into the small restaurant to order our dinner. We ordered chicken and was told it would take about an hour before dinner would be ready. I was pleased with that. I gave me time to rest up before dinner.
Here was our dinner! I heard them clucking while I was resting and then they were quite. When I sat down for dinner, my dad leans over to tell me that our chicken is very fresh.......LOL...They were extremely tough birds and my mind just wouldn't let me enjoy my food!
My room was on the bottom floor this time. At night, about 3 of those white trucks parked inside the hotel garage. Between 6:30-7:00 each morning one of the drivers of a truck would come downstairs to start the truck, then the driver walked away. Maybe he went to eat breakfast, I don't really know. I can tell you that as the truck idled, the carbon monoxide fumes crept through the tiny window and filled my room. Every morning I left for the conference feeling a little queasy.. Add that feeling with being all day in the heat with no escaping it until late in the evening, all equaled a very miserable week.
The Church in Nguni where we held our second conference
Sweet baby taking a nap
The kitchen crew
Tomorrow's lunch
The kitchen
Graduation Day
As I said earlier, this was not one of my better weeks. I did not feel that I connected all that well with the ladies plus I felt sick and hot, but God had a specific purpose for my being there at this conference. He had set up an appointment for me to meet and speak with a certain woman on the last day of the conference. She is in the picture above wearing a white shirt and gray skirt with short hair. Her name is Joyce.
I was sitting in the very back of the church next to an opened window so that I could a catch a cool breeze every once in awhile. I sat on an old wooden bench. There was a gentleman sitting at the end next to the door. He made sure that everyone was registered for the meeting. I liked my special place. I don't like to feel crowded, so the bench was perfect because there was quit a bit of room between me and the man at the other end.
Joyce came in a little late. The conference had already begun. The church was crowded. As she was signing in, I scanned the room only to find that there were no empty seats, so I moved over to let her sit next to me. Some time had passed when she passed me a note that read, "Can I speak to you before you leave today?" I nodded yes.
After lunch, Joyce and I went into the church and sat in the back on the old wooden bench. She then began to share her story with me. Her story started with a dream that she had of meeting a white person and sharing her story with this person. She shared this dream with a friend of hers. The friend told her that there were white people teaching in the church at the edge of town. Joyce began to pray and heard the Lord speak to her. He told her to go to the church and the white person that you sit next to, share your heart with that person and they will help you. I was that person she sat next to.
Joyce then told me about her 4 children and how she worries so much about them especially her 16 year old son who dropped out of school and left home. Joyce knows that he is not living a very good life right now and she has not heard from him since he left. I could sympathize with her. I worry about my children too and pray for them often. Her request to me: "Could you just please pray for my children?" What a great request, Of course, I told her...."I will pray for your children when I pray for mine."
I heard a song last Sunday, not sure of the name of the song, but when I heard these words: "I'm living in the days ahead and can't wait to see Jesus face to face." I thought to myself, we need to live day by day and look for Jesus' face daily. On that particular hot January afternoon, I met Jesus. I met him through a women who was troubled and was in need of an encouraging word and the knowledge that she will not be alone praying for the children she loves so dearly.
This meeting, this appointment that I had with Joyce in Nguni, Kenya on a hot summer day on January 19th had been pre-arranged by God long before I ever arrived, and I praise God that I did not allow my discomfort to interfere with this Divine appointment.
John 5:30
By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me. Psalms 105:2-5
Sing to him, sing praise to him;tell of all his wonderful acts.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4 Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.
5 Remember the wonders he has done,
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Week two in Kenya
Our second week in Kenya took us Northwest to Mau Narok which means "Cold Place." It was on a large hill and it was truly cold outside until later in the afternoons. We stayed in a hotel which was about 45 minutes away in Nakuru.
To the right is a tea plantation. It smells heavenly when driving by! Tea and Coffee are the largest cash crops in central Kenya. The drive to Nakuru was beautiful....
This is near the Rift Valley.
Our hotel that we stayed in for a few days. It was a very nice hotel. We asked to be put on the first floor, and had no idea that Kenyans counted the floors backwards. After several flights of steps, we finally made it to the first floor all the way to the top floor!
This is the New Testament Church of God in Mau Narok where we held our first conference. There were approximately 175 pastors and church leaders from several different church that attended the conference. The conference lasted for 3 days. Dad did most of the teaching and the people were starving to hear the word of God.
This is a view of the country side from the church.
We had tea time at around 10:30 and then lunch everyday at about 12:00. This is where our food was cooked.
Here is the Kitchen staff.
One of our lunches. Our lunches mostly consisted of rice, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, some type of beef and greens. Kenyans eat very healthy portions of food. Dad and I had a ask for an American portion sized plate which was 1/4 of what they ate!
Here is a picture of all the pastors and their wives.
For 2 days the women and I walked though the small town of Mau Narok to the Deliverance Church of Mau Narok. It sat at the bottom of the hill at the end of town. It was a quaint little church with a dirt floor and wooden benches to sit on. The sun shinning through the walls gave the inside a nice soft glow and a comfortable feel. I shared with the ladies that they were uniquely created by the hands of God. Told them that they all were given a special talent and shared that God also attached a perfect plan for them when he created them. We had a time for sharing and testimony.
Some women shared songs while others shared their hearts. Sometimes we laughed and other times we cried. But by the end of the week, the ladies, who have never met together until this week, decided that they really enjoyed their time together and were going to plan on starting a bible study and meet on a regular basis.
The small town of Mau Narok
Entrance to the Deliverance Church of Mau Narok
Carrots, cabbage and wheat are the largest cash crops in this area. In this picture the carrots are being washed and bagged to sold.
Donkeys pulling carts is a very popular form of transportation.
We stopped on our way home for Barbecue "Nyama Choma" Here Pastor Shem is select the meat for us.
Humm....completely ruined my appetite! We were getting ready to eat barbecued goat!
Our lunch was severed on wooden cutting boards....I am facing the family of goats that were hanging in the window. I decided that I do not like goat meat at all. It is tough!
Some shops near the barbecue place
Over looking the Rift Valley. Next time I go to Kenya, I want to drive through the Rift Valley. That hill you see in the back ground is an inactive volcano.
Our week in Mau Narok was a great week. My dad encouraged the group of pastors and church leaders to set aside denominational differences and to concentrate on what we all have in common; our belief in the bible as God's inspired word, our belief in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and our belief in Salvation coming only from Jesus Christ. By the end of the week, you would have never known that several different churches were gathered together because they all worshipped and prayed and chatted as if they had known each other for a long time. I am excited to hear how God will work in their lives.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:23-25
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