...on the way from Guatemala City to Vasquez:
A car with a Stephen F. Austin State University sticker on the back.
An entire family riding on a motorcycle.
A Dodge Caravan (not grand caravan) hearse. Silver.
Eleven grown (and some over-grown) men in a 1986 Toyota minivan. That was us.
All kidding aside. It is wonderful to be back with this precious family that houses and feeds us. Their love for our God is evident in their love for us. We do not communicate well with them, as they speak a combination of K´iche´ and Spanish. But our hearts are knit together because we are one in Christ.
Terri Littrell is the missionary we work with here. Pray for her. She battles unbelief, works mentality for salvation, government and old Mayan practices.
Tomorrow we work on the two houses and with the ladies drama ministry. Trampus gets to be Ruth, Steve gets to be Boaz and I get to be Naomi.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Flight Out
We are thru security checks and waiting for boarding. Revisiting memories of last years trip has been hilarious and at the same time has generated excitement to be there and join in Gods activity there. Thank you for sending me well. The names of the ladies we will be helping are Lucia Puac who has a 13 year old son and Delfina Lucia who has an 8 a 5 and a 2 year old. Pray for our work with these two families.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Ramblings
The next few have been written over a month or so, as motivated to do so:
The God of mercy offers comfort. Part of the mercy He gives me is in the form of comfort. Comfort is needed in times when I dont know. When He hasnt revealed. Comfort is the peace that knows He is still in control. The circumstances may still hurt, but peace is there. That's comfort.
What's the deal with discipline? Why dont I have any of the 'self' variety? I can know what is needed or right or good and still talk myself out of choosing that way. Discipline always makes me think of the drill sergeant mentality. I dont think it really is though. I think discipline is more of a quiet resolve to do the right thing. I need that quiet resolve.
So everything I experience is for the comfort and/or salvation of others. My life is only valid when I have poured myself out to Him and into others. The exhaustion of being spent and used up as fuel for someone else is oddly gratifying. And when I'm not being spent or poured out everything begins to feel oddly empty. I'll take exhausted over empty any day.
Waiting is one of the hardest things I'm ever asked to do. But only on a spiritual level. Waiting in line at Six Flags with my friends is no problem. Waiting for the next Pink Panther movie to come out, again, no problem. Waiting on God seems to be the big struggle. Maybe if I'd spend the waiting time growing in Him instead of complaining or wishing time to pass the waiting would be more pleasant. I need to grow that way.
The God of mercy offers comfort. Part of the mercy He gives me is in the form of comfort. Comfort is needed in times when I dont know. When He hasnt revealed. Comfort is the peace that knows He is still in control. The circumstances may still hurt, but peace is there. That's comfort.
What's the deal with discipline? Why dont I have any of the 'self' variety? I can know what is needed or right or good and still talk myself out of choosing that way. Discipline always makes me think of the drill sergeant mentality. I dont think it really is though. I think discipline is more of a quiet resolve to do the right thing. I need that quiet resolve.
So everything I experience is for the comfort and/or salvation of others. My life is only valid when I have poured myself out to Him and into others. The exhaustion of being spent and used up as fuel for someone else is oddly gratifying. And when I'm not being spent or poured out everything begins to feel oddly empty. I'll take exhausted over empty any day.
Waiting is one of the hardest things I'm ever asked to do. But only on a spiritual level. Waiting in line at Six Flags with my friends is no problem. Waiting for the next Pink Panther movie to come out, again, no problem. Waiting on God seems to be the big struggle. Maybe if I'd spend the waiting time growing in Him instead of complaining or wishing time to pass the waiting would be more pleasant. I need to grow that way.
Blogging
Getting my thoughts out and onto a somewhat permanent media is sometimes a drudgery. Sometimes it seems to be more trouble than its worth. But I know its good for me to express what God is doing in my life, for multiple reasons.
It causes me to be honest with where I am in my relationship with Him. Reading what I'm going through is more real than keeping it in the back of my mind.
It allows me to share joys and concerns with people who care.
It helps to clear my head of bits of truth that may or may not be related. Sometimes things just bounce around in there and spark off each other.
It reminds me that God is still at work in and around me, whether I've joined Him recently or not.
So I suppose I've tipped my hand about what I intend to write about tonight. Or maybe its just obvious to me because I know what it is. Either way, here we go:
The human side of us is constantly warring against the redeemed, new, spiritual side of us. The physical, human side wants immediate results or has selfish motives. The redeemed sides is patient, waiting on God and has selfLESS motives.
I find myself locked in this struggle all too often. The human side of me rules me more than it should. Today, I struggle with knowing His will. Instead of patiently being quiet at His feet, I want to make decisions on my own, taking matters into my own hand. I know full well the devastating consequences that could bring. And I will end up waiting for Him to reveal His will, leading me into action based on His perspective. But MAN I'm impatient.
So if you read this, pray for my waiting. Pray for me like you'd pray for that friend that is always struggling with being stupid. You all have a friend who just doesnt get it. Pretend that's me and pray.
It causes me to be honest with where I am in my relationship with Him. Reading what I'm going through is more real than keeping it in the back of my mind.
It allows me to share joys and concerns with people who care.
It helps to clear my head of bits of truth that may or may not be related. Sometimes things just bounce around in there and spark off each other.
It reminds me that God is still at work in and around me, whether I've joined Him recently or not.
So I suppose I've tipped my hand about what I intend to write about tonight. Or maybe its just obvious to me because I know what it is. Either way, here we go:
The human side of us is constantly warring against the redeemed, new, spiritual side of us. The physical, human side wants immediate results or has selfish motives. The redeemed sides is patient, waiting on God and has selfLESS motives.
I find myself locked in this struggle all too often. The human side of me rules me more than it should. Today, I struggle with knowing His will. Instead of patiently being quiet at His feet, I want to make decisions on my own, taking matters into my own hand. I know full well the devastating consequences that could bring. And I will end up waiting for Him to reveal His will, leading me into action based on His perspective. But MAN I'm impatient.
So if you read this, pray for my waiting. Pray for me like you'd pray for that friend that is always struggling with being stupid. You all have a friend who just doesnt get it. Pretend that's me and pray.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Read the Word
John Piper has a great article (or sermon) on his website, desiringgod.org that uses Romans 12 as a tutorial for how to read the Word. Or better said, he explains how to read Romans 12 and that could be used to show us how to read the Word. Anyway, its entitled Let Love Be Genuine and the 'how to read' part is about a third the way down the article. You should check it out.
I've been teaching my kids here at FBC that reading the Word is an event that requires more than a desire to finish the chapter and that needs to be viewed as more than another check on our list. Reading the Word needs to be intentional. It needs to be an event that requires prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to give meaning and insight. Allowing the words to settle in our hearts and become a part of who we are. I've given the following analogy a couple of times, and I'll share it with you.
Unfortunately, many of us read the Bible like this: its like seeing an oh 10 model camaro coming past us on the highway. We see if for a split second, then go tell our friends "I saw an oh 10 camaro!!". If we are to get out of the Bible what God intends for us, we should treat it like this: Go to the dealership and look at the camaro. Sit in the drivers seat and crank up the sound system. Ask for the keys and take it for a test drive. Pull out on the highway and FLOOR IT!! See what that baby will do. Bring it back to the lot and plop down the cash to buy it. Take it home and wash it. Wax it. Detail every inch of it. Then when you want to tell your friends about that oh 10 camaro, you'll know what you're talking about.
Read the Word. And enjoy!
I've been teaching my kids here at FBC that reading the Word is an event that requires more than a desire to finish the chapter and that needs to be viewed as more than another check on our list. Reading the Word needs to be intentional. It needs to be an event that requires prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to give meaning and insight. Allowing the words to settle in our hearts and become a part of who we are. I've given the following analogy a couple of times, and I'll share it with you.
Unfortunately, many of us read the Bible like this: its like seeing an oh 10 model camaro coming past us on the highway. We see if for a split second, then go tell our friends "I saw an oh 10 camaro!!". If we are to get out of the Bible what God intends for us, we should treat it like this: Go to the dealership and look at the camaro. Sit in the drivers seat and crank up the sound system. Ask for the keys and take it for a test drive. Pull out on the highway and FLOOR IT!! See what that baby will do. Bring it back to the lot and plop down the cash to buy it. Take it home and wash it. Wax it. Detail every inch of it. Then when you want to tell your friends about that oh 10 camaro, you'll know what you're talking about.
Read the Word. And enjoy!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Worship
... Is our response to God. Unless He reveals himself to us thru the Word, how can we respond? The revelation of God is where worship begins.
...Is our response to God's work. He works in the world thru His word. Always has. Creation? Spoken. He told the prophets to speak His words. Jesus calmed the seas and cast out demons. You guessed it: by His word. The Holy Spirit gives testimony of the words of Jesus and gives us understanding as we read His word.
Worship is knowledge of and affection toward God thru His works. So the Word is prominent in worship.
The Word gives life. We were redeemed of imperishable seed, thru the living and enduring word of God. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Not just the first time, but faith is re-awakened by the word. The most incredible and miraculous of works, the redemption of my soul, is accomplished by the power of the Word.
So worship is about the Word of God. That makes preaching an incredibly weighty ordeal. No wonder the purifying preparation of my heart and character is so evident right now.
Oh to be God's man standing before God's people delivering God's message. I covet your prayers!
Sent from my BlackBerry Curve
...Is our response to God's work. He works in the world thru His word. Always has. Creation? Spoken. He told the prophets to speak His words. Jesus calmed the seas and cast out demons. You guessed it: by His word. The Holy Spirit gives testimony of the words of Jesus and gives us understanding as we read His word.
Worship is knowledge of and affection toward God thru His works. So the Word is prominent in worship.
The Word gives life. We were redeemed of imperishable seed, thru the living and enduring word of God. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Not just the first time, but faith is re-awakened by the word. The most incredible and miraculous of works, the redemption of my soul, is accomplished by the power of the Word.
So worship is about the Word of God. That makes preaching an incredibly weighty ordeal. No wonder the purifying preparation of my heart and character is so evident right now.
Oh to be God's man standing before God's people delivering God's message. I covet your prayers!
Sent from my BlackBerry Curve
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Committed to Christ
Not only for salvation.
For His view of God: as Holy and sovereign. Makes me want to surrender my (free) will to obey His. Seeing God as holy is a fearsome undertaking. It shows me the wretch I really am.
For His view of the world: heartbroken for the sin in it, spending ALL of myself to see it (them) redeemed. Making disciples of them, which requires that we walk alongside them and get to know them and love them.
For His view of sin and the devil: sin in me devastates my relationship with Him. Some sins need to be beat into submission. Some need to be starved to death. Some, God Himself has to remove from me; much like a Dr removes cancerous cells.
Will I choose to commit to Him in such a radical way that I have Christ's view in these matters? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
I will accept the responsibility of being transformed by the renewing of my mind.
Sent from my BlackBerry Curve
For His view of God: as Holy and sovereign. Makes me want to surrender my (free) will to obey His. Seeing God as holy is a fearsome undertaking. It shows me the wretch I really am.
For His view of the world: heartbroken for the sin in it, spending ALL of myself to see it (them) redeemed. Making disciples of them, which requires that we walk alongside them and get to know them and love them.
For His view of sin and the devil: sin in me devastates my relationship with Him. Some sins need to be beat into submission. Some need to be starved to death. Some, God Himself has to remove from me; much like a Dr removes cancerous cells.
Will I choose to commit to Him in such a radical way that I have Christ's view in these matters? As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
I will accept the responsibility of being transformed by the renewing of my mind.
Sent from my BlackBerry Curve
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