Blessed

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32

Good morning, dear friends,

This weekend as we visited with our friends at Eifel Baptist Church, we were wonderfully surprised by the generosity of God's servants there.  Before we arrived, they asked us to make ready a list of American goodies that we could not easily find in France, and then proceeded to fill up the trunk of our car.

Talk about a blessing we hardly could contain.  I thought we were going to have to leave a child behind to haul it all home.  

Just kidding...maybe.

As I filled my basement pantry today with these special blessings, I felt like I needed to visit a meeting of Hoarders Anonymous.

It was overwhelming.  But it got me to thinking:

How can you measure a true blessing?

Many people talk about their blessings in monetary terms.  A blessing can be lavishly extravagant, costly, of great dollar value.  A house. A car.  A raise, or a bonus.  A cash gift.  

Others talk about their positions or status as a blessing.  Receiving a promotion.  Gaining a new title at work. Getting a diploma.  Achieving a new ranking or level of experience.

Still others put importance on the blessings closest to themselves: their relationships with others.  A husband, children, friends, coworkers, family.  

How can one put a measurement on any of these areas?  Of course we can count dollars, but does that mean that the absence of dollars mean that I am not blessed?  I can receive a promotion, a new job title or degree, but does that mean that I am less blessed without it?  My personal relationships are a blessing, but if I find myself suddenly without any one by my side, does that mean that I am not blessed?

It is hard for me to think about God's blessings without thinking about Job.  Here was a man who was blessed in every way imaginable in the world's standards.  He had a wife, a large family, many possessions, and because of all this, a certain ranking in his society.  Most importantly, he enjoyed a close fellowship with God: "Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" (Job 1:8)

Satan's reply is worth noting:  "Doth Job fear God for naught...But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face." (Job 1:11)  Satan equivocated Job's love for God in direct relationship to God's material blessings on his life.  Take all away from Job, Satan told God, and his love for you will die, because Job only loves you as long as you are "blessing" him.  

Does Satan not tell us the same lie?  "If God truly loved you, he would give you..."  or "How can you say that God loves you when He withholds back ___ from you?"

If only I could realize that God loves, and has blessed, so much more than I ever could deserve or think to ask from Him, that if he were still to take away "everything" I possess from me, I would still be blessed!

There is one gift that even if I lost everything I possess, I would still be blessed beyond measure.  Job recognized this gift as well.  In the middle of the greatest test of his life, Job worshipped, and then made this statement: "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21)

What is the gift, that is a blessing that can never be taken away?

My relationship with God.

Job credited his earthly prosperity from God as the giver of all good things, just as I am reminded in the New Testament:  "Every good and perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (James 1:17) Take away all the gifts that we enjoy here on earth, and what (or whom) am I left with?

God.  Is that not enough?

I am truly thankful for the blessings that I enjoy, and I hope that I never find myself in the position of Job, because I'm afraid I would fail the test.  I might, as Job's wife suggested, "curse God and die."

But if I can just get to the place where I realize that without all the "stuff" in my life, I am still blessed.  God's gift of salvation gives me life with Him for all eternity.

The verse at the top of this blog reminds me that my position in God makes me blessed above all earthly blessings:  "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) The "all things" in the context of this passage do not refer to material blessings, but the blessing that comes from a restored fellowship and relationship with my God who created me.

The next time I am tempted to be impatient in waiting for God's answers to my prayers, or feel as though I am forgotten by God because I do not have "something" in  my life, may I remember that God has already given me everything, through His Son who took my place and died for my sins.

Now there is a blessing that cannot be contained, nor measured, and will never run out.

Missions Conference Eifel Baptist Church Germany

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you..." Philippians 1:3

Good morning, dear friends,

Pastor and Mrs. Pilalas invited us out for lunch

This weekend we had the special blessing of attending the Missions Conference at Eifel Baptist Church in Germany, one of our long-time supporting churches.  It was a special blessing to us to be with these great military folk stationed at Spangdahelm Air Force Base, and rub shoulders with some of our "heroes of the faith," our brothers and sisters in Christ in the US military.

For me it was especially nice to reconnect with some of the ladies from the Retreat in February.  It was almost like a family reunion!  Only the Lord could create such special bonds in such a short time!  

New friends from the Ladies Retreat, united again!

It was great to see our kids relaxed and welcomed by the other children, to the point of crying themselves to sleep when we returned home. Our children loved the encouragement of being with other kids in similar situations as they are--living far from their "home country"-- and enjoyed the fun, fellowship and service together.

Juliana made a new friend with Addie

The children sang a beautiful Servant's Heart

Thank you so much for your special blessings!  (More about that in tomorrow's blog!) We miss you all already!

Libby and I, our wonderful hostess for the week

Make Me a Blessing

"Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account...But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ-Jesus." Philippians 4:17,19

Good morning, dear friends!

This weekend my family and I are leaving for a missions conference at one of our supporting churches in Germany.  It is an American church associated with the military base nearby there.  My kids have been flying around happily for several days, anticipating missing half a day of school, the long car drive, the extra "road trip" snacks and goodies, and most of all, being with Americans in an American-type atmosphere.

Can you say, happy MKs?

Many of you are accustomed to hosting missionaries in your churches, taking us out to lunch or dinner, hosting us in your homes, watching our video presentations, and listening to us correct our kids in a foreign language.

Have you ever wondered how your missionaries prepare for visiting you in your home churches?

Of course, there is all the packing and gathering supplies (usually too much, because we never really know what kind of situations we are going into, and experience has taught us to be prepared!) We must plan for overnight stays, so sleeping bags and pillows (because we all know how we love our own pillows.)

Then the suitcases...what to pack? Church services mean garment bags and travel irons, and then the inevitable question:  what are people wearing for church at the particular church where we are going?  Do my daughter and I need only dresses and skirts, or do we need split skirts in case we are doing something more sporty?  For Wednesday night services, do my boys need suits, or can they wear khaki pants and polos?  Church shoes or sneakers?  Don't know?  Oh, well, pack them both.

Promotional materials are needed...stuff for our display, DVD presentations, prayer cards, Bibles (in English--where did I put those?), and don't forget the extra materials for special music, Sunday schools, and AWANA games.

Then there is the stack of books, games, snacks, vomit bags (don't forget those), and CDs for the trip.  Don't forget chargers and drinks...and a healthy sense of humor as my husband tries to pack it all in the car.

This is why our missionary family of five looks like it is going on a safari, even when we are just staying for a weekend.

Once we are settled in the car, before we begin our trip, we pray together, as we have been doing all week, for safe travels, and most of all, to be a blessing to the church where we are going.

How do we want to be a blessing to the church we visit?

We don't want to be the kind of folks that give missionaries a bad name.  We don't want to be labelled as "moochinaries," the kind of people that arrive at your church with their hands stuck out to receive a blessing from you.  We want to arrive at your church with our hands stretched out...to serve, to bless, to encourage, to challenge, to share the burden of ministering in a difficult field.

We want to get to know you, so that we know how to pray better for our churches.  We want to have faces that come to mind so at the house, when we mention "______ Baptist Church," it is more than a name to us.  We can picture the building, and some of the members.  We remember funny stories, sweet experiences, that help us to pray more personally for you.  And, Lord willing, just maybe, those same experiences will help you as churches pray more specifically for us as well.

I love the Bible verses at the top of this blog, where the apostle Paul reminds the Philippian church that he is not writing them with any expectation of receiving a blessing from them.  He is writing them to remind them that God is already taking care of his need:  "...not because I desire a gift...,"  but his prayer for them is, "My God shall supply all your need..." The emphasis was no longer on having his own needs met, but praying down a blessing for those to whom he is writing.

I want my family to enjoy this trip, revisit some friends and meet new people this weekend, some of whom I am sure we will be following their lives and sharing in our own.  May the Lord help us to be instruments of blessing to those in whose lives we will be joining, even if just for a short time.

Lord, make me a blessing...

Mentoring

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us..." Hebrews 12:1

Good morning, dear friends!

This must be my year for trying new things.

This week I made the decision to get back into jogging on a regular basis.  As I have mentioned here before, I like jogging, am not really that great with it, so I decided to get more regular in my training.  I found a program: Couch to 5K.  I downloaded the app (which is really helpful, and I'm not really an app person).  I announced my decision on Facebook (because where else do we announce life changing decisions any more?)

One last step...I found a mentor.

Webster's Dictionary defines a mentor as a person who "teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced person." I wanted someone who had gone through the program recently, is still doing it today, and can encourage me to stick with it until I reach my goals.  The Lord led me to just the right person, and I'm so glad He did.  She is sweet, funny, encouraging, and uplifting.  She has good advice and I believe will hold me accountable until I am finished.

There is just something about having personal accountability to someone, isn't there?  We are not called to please men, but sometimes we just need that encouragement from someone else to help us stick to our goals. We need someone in whose footsteps we can follow, who will cheer us on through difficulties and trials, and in whose experience we can trust because they have stayed the course and accomplished the task that we ourselves are trying to complete.

I'm so thankful that the verse at the top of this blog is included in God's Word.  As I run God's race here on earth, I have the examples of a multitude of men and women who are now in heaven, and their testimonies are shining beacons to encourage me to stay faithful to the Lord.

These are men and women like me, who struggled in their personal faithfulness, with feet of clay, with good intentions but sometimes less than stellar follow-through.  Others fell away for a time, only to be redeemed and set back on the path of faithful service to the Lord.  During their lives, each story is God's story, how God could take an imperfect person, pour His Son's likeness into him, and allow that light to shine brightly in the darkness around them.

My mentor in my jogging endeavors will offer me counsel about running that is borne of experience and effort.  She knows the pitfalls, the weights, the obstacles toward achieving my goals.  She can help me avoid some of the same problem areas and struggles that maybe she faced while training.  I would be foolish to push her help away, thinking that I knew better than someone who has already gone before me.

I would also be foolish, in a spiritual sense, to ignore the lessons learned by the "heroes of the faith" mentioned in Hebrews 11, who "died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." (Hebrews 11:13)

I would also be wise to take heed to the negative examples of those who lived selfishly and short-sided during their time on earth.  God reminds me that their stories are there to teach me: "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they were written for our admonition..." (I Corinthians 10:11).  I should learn from the mistakes of others and not repeat them.

May I be careful each day to listen to the stories of the faithful saints in God's Word, heed their warnings, examine their faithfulness, and follow in their footsteps, each step taking me closer to Jesus's likeness, and my heavenly home.  May I be the Christian today who mentors others in steadfastness, encouraging others to run their races faithfully in the Lord  as well.

May my feet hit the ground running for the Lord today.

Persistence

"With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments." Psalm 119:10

Good morning, friends!

My husband, the Cat Whisperer, with the pest Reese Cup

As I have already mentioned in this blog, we are cat people here in my home.  We have had several cats since we started ministering here in France, and currently have five cats, a mother and her four (not so little) kittens.

My husband is the cat whisperer.  I have never seen anyone have such a way with cats.  Each of my children have a cat that they say is "their" cat, but everyone in the house knows that the cats really belong to Daddy.  Ever heard the expression, "you can't herd cats?" Well, my husband can.  Every day as he heads for a cup of coffee, there are five cats trailing along behind him, hoping for a drop of milk in their dish.

One of our cats is a lap cat.  Not one of these cute, snuggly lap cats, but a pest.  Not only does he want your lap, he wants your constant petting and attention while he is in your lap.

Every morning, as I sit in my chair reading my Bible, or writing this blog, I have this little man in my lap, and he is not content to sit and let me type.  Rub, rub, rub, purr, purr, purr, until finally he settles down and lets me get to the task at hand.

There are times when I really need to get something done and I dump him off my lap, and no matter how many times I get rid of him, he keeps coming back.  I have literally brushed him off my lap, and as soon as his feet hit the floor, he is right back on, claiming my legs for his own.

If you can say nothing else about our cat, he is very persistent.  He does everything in his power to seek out our attention, spend time with us, and make his presence known.

If only I sought out my God in the same way.

I know that my God loves me, that He loves to spend time with me in fellowship with Him.  He loves to hear me when I pray.  He loves to answer prayer.  He loves my company.  He desires me to stay close to Him.

God is not the one who strays from me, but I do stray from Him.

The Bible has many verses that talk about seeking God dilligently and persistently.  Here are some that came to mind this morning:

"But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me." (Proverbs 8:17)

"The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him." (Lamentations 3:25)

With so many promises offered to those who faithfully seek out God and His will in their lives, why do my feet stray from Him, and the path He wants me to take?

Pride.  I think that I know which direction I should go, better than the one who made me, sustains me, and takes care of my every need.

Our cats are a constant reminder to me of God's care, provision and love.  My husband takes care of every one of their physical needs, loves them, encourages them, corrects them, and then loves on them some more.  The result?  The cats respond with kitty affection, desiring his attention, and placing themselves directly in the path (usually under his feet) of blessing.  These cats know that they are loved, and they persistently and consistently seek us out to enjoy a close relationship with us.

May God remind me today to seek Him dilligently, to desire fellowship with Him, and to run to Him with all the affection my heart can contain to spend time with Him today.

Thank You for...

"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;" Ephesians 5:20

Good morning, dear friends!

Last night, when I went to bed, I could tell that today was going to be different.

For one, I didn't move in my four layers of covers. (Yes, four layers, even in March.  I always sleep with a blanket, even in summer.  Don't judge us cold people.)

All four cats slept in the bed with us last night.  The mom was the only one missing.  Good thing we have a king sized bed.

I woke up this morning, to feel a nip in the air of our normally warm house, since we had turned the heat back as the days warmed up.  I looked out the window and saw a hard frost on the ground, and on the car windshield.

Winter is back, at least for a short while, and I am not a big fan.

I had dreams of working my garden this week, of setting up the outside furniture, of cookouts and walks in jackets and playing badminton outside.  I'm looking forward to the end of winter colds, sniffles and 24 hour bugs.

I could continue to grumble and complain, but there are so many better things to do than that.  So, instead of whining like a petulant child about the things I DON'T have, I want to choose instead to think about what I already have: a warm, comfy house, wonderful husband, great kids, friends, work for my hands, food to eat, and most importantly, a God who takes care and supplies my every need.

It sounds trite sometimes, doesn't it, when we have to remember to thank God for our blessings?  It's so easy to become disgruntled for the smallest things in life:  not having a favorite food when we want it, or complaining because we don't get good cell phone reception, or complaining about having overeaten and making ourselves feel sick.  We often joke about #firstworldproblems, but in some ways, it's very sad.

I don't think God is laughing with us.

My husband and I still treasure a memory that happened when our children were very small.  We had hit a very rough patch in our lives, where things were looking very bleak and hard in our eyes.  Our problems were very real, and we were at that moment all alone in France (after the departure of Carey's parents on furlough and before the arrival of our coworkers.)  We arrived at our Tuesday night prayer service just discouraged and beaten down.  After putting our children to bed, my husband and I got together for our prayer service and my husband, knowing how difficult things had been for us recently, said that instead of praying for our needs, we were only going to thank God for our blessings.

My husband and I both expected that it would be a short service.

Once we started praying, and "counting our blessings," we couldn't stop.  I think we prayed for almost an hour, with tears streaming down our faces as we recounted all the wonderful things that God had done, and is still doing, in our lives.

(I still cannot to this day sing "Count Your Blessings" without getting choked up, remembering that night.)

It was a turning point in our outlook.  Our circumstances did not change, and the difficulties did not go away, but God gave us the grace that night to look at Him, instead of our trials.

Obviously, it is still a lesson that I am struggling with today.

The verse at the top of this blog is not a difficult verse to understand, but it is a difficult verse to put into practice.  Do I truly give thanks in all things...

...even when my plans are changed, or interrupted?

...when I am called to do unpleasant tasks instead of the things that bring me joy?

...when dealing with difficult people?

...when I am tired and just don't feel like being an adult for the day?

...when I feel neglected, underappreciated, or simply abused at the hands of others?

...when I don't have a particular blessing that I want?

...when the spring weather that I have been long anticipating turns back into winter's grip?

YUP.

When I remember that God is love, He is always good, and He always acts for my best, then I should not have any problems thanking Him for the circumstances He places me in today.  Many times, the discomforts that I am experiencing, looking back, are not real trials but just simply me not getting my way.

When I am tempted to grumble and complain about my circumstances today, may the Lord help me have grace to accept the day's challenges as opportunities to prove the sincerity of my love for God, and ask Him for an "attitude adjustment" if needed.

Time to get another day started, and see what I will be thankful for today...

Guilty

"But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss." Luke 23:40-41

Good morning, friends!

I love thinking about my children's futures.  I guess every parent thinks that their child is the most talented, the most gifted, the brightest, the wittiest that has ever lived.   I see each of my children's unique talents and abilities, strengths and desires, and think how the Lord can use their personalities and gifts in His service.

No mom ever wants to think that her child will end up homeless, on drugs, committing suicide, or wandering aimlessly through life without any direct goals.

No mom certainly wants their child to grow up as a criminal.

This summer during Bible camp I taught the story of the two criminals who were crucified at the same time as Jesus.  For most people, these two men are only thought of in this "freeze frame" moment of Scripture, and so it is difficult to think of them being anything else except, well, two thieves on the cross.  For the first time this summer, I thought of them not as the Sunday school picture card, but as two actual people.

These men started off as babies.  Maybe they were lovingly prayed over as their mothers fed and rocked them.  Maybe they were neglected, or just another mouth to feed.  They grew up to be rough and tumble boys, scrapping and getting into mischief.  Maybe they were taken to the synagogue, or maybe they were raised as Gentiles.  These boys grew up into young teens, then older teens, and at some point in their growing up times, began the acts that put them on the crosses that day.

Perhaps they were married, with children, or had families.  There is no mention in Scripture of any one coming to mourn them, or to spend their last few hours on earth with them, so it is easy to suppose that no one came because there was no one special in their lives, but who knows?

While there are many unknown factors in their lives, one thing is certain, by their own admission:

They were guilty.

This was not injustice for these criminals.  There was no "wrongful imprisonment."  There was no appeal process.  They had been caught, condemned, and were being executed.  To put it simply, they had done the crimes for which they were condemned, and now they were doing their time.

Not so with Jesus.  II Corinithians 5:21 reminds us that God made Jesus "to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."  Jesus was not the guilty one, but He died so that I as the guilty one could go free.

I have often wondered at what point the thief on the cross realized that Jesus was innocent.  Although we tend to think of these two thieves only on the cross, there are other mentions of them before this moment.  They endured the long walk to Golgotha with Jesus: "and there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death." (Luke 23:32) They saw the throngs of people that reviled Jesus.  They as well were part of those who mocked Jesus: "The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth." (Matthew 27:44)

At some point, though, one of the men's attitude toward Jesus changed.

Perhaps it was Jesus's silence while other's mocked Him.

Perhaps it was His loving care toward His earthly mother, and his disciple.

Perhaps it was the forgiveness that He offered toward those that hurt Him.

In that agonizing time, one of the thieves began to hope.  What if this man next to him was not an ordinary man?  What if Jesus was something more than just another condemned prisoner?  What if this man had the power to save him, if not from this earthly torment, but from eternal condemnation and separation from God?

His disbelief became a lueur of hope, that burst into faith.

"Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." (Luke 23:42)

Jesus's promise? "Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

What a lifeline!  The thief who had not one ounce of hope to cling to, was now being offered the promise of eternal life!

He could not get down from the cross and do any good deeds.

He could not be baptized.

He could not pray to a priest or attend a last religious service.

He just simply believed Jesus at His word, and received the promise from Him, that He had eternal life.

Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus left this earth before the thieves did? (John 19:32 reminds us that the soldiers broke their legs to hasten their deaths, but that Jesus was already gone.)  The thieves witnessed the darkness, the earthquake, the final cry of Jesus, the astonished cry of the centurion:  "Certainly this was a righteous man." (Luke 23:47).

Jesus prepared the way, to welcome this former thief, this now-brother, into paradise.

My husband and I have talked at length about this:  I think we should stop referring to these men as the "two thieves" on the cross.  Yes, they were guilty of the crimes they committed, but one repented and turned in faith to Jesus, and that makes all the difference:  "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new."  II Corinthians 5:17.

I too was guilty before God.  I deserved to die as punishment for my sins.  I hope that when folks see me now, they do not see my guilty past, but Jesus's forgiveness in my life.  I am NOT the person I was, and I would hate to be remembered for all of the things I have been in my past.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:1)

As I live my day today, may I be reminded that I have been called to walk in newness of life.  May I not be found guilty of my past sins, but live in the life that Christ gained for me by His death on the cross.

I am forgiven.  One day, like the former-thief, I will be with Jesus in paradise.

And you?

Children's Discovery Club March 2015 Part Two

 "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." John 1:29

Good morning, dear friends!

Yesterday was our last Bible club for the month of March.  Thank you so much for your prayers on our behalf.  Yesterday the children heard the complete plan of salvation, many of them for the first time.  There were several first time visitors as well.  The Lord blessed with good attention of the kids and a good atmosphere for the club.







As usual, club begins with snack!  These guys are really good eaters.  Damaris made a marble cake--delicious!  I know that the snack is not as important as the rest  for its spiritual content, but it provides such a good start to our club, to talk with the kids and reconnect with them from the weeks before.

 Today's story was about Jesus's death on the cross.  The picture you see here is our "ticket to heaven," which was an origami that when opened took the form of the cross.  We made the bridge from the lambs offered in the Old Testament to THE lamb of God, Jesus, who takes "away the sin of the world."  At the end of the lesson, through which salvation was clearly presented, several of the children raised their hands for wanting to know more about how to receive God's gift of eternal life.  It is encouraging to see the openness of the hearts of the kids.

 Today's activity was a cross craft that the children were able to color and fold into a cube. It has pictures of the main stories that we have been talking about for the past weeks.

At the very end of club, we practiced our skit for Easter, which will be a program to which  the children can invite their parents





Thanks so much for your prayers for us!  None of this would be possible without the Lord's grace, and your prayers.  See you in two weeks!

Darkness

"Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift." II Corinthians 9:15

Good morning, friends!

It is rare that a natural phenomenon short of a "natural disaster" takes precedence in conversation by all ages of the population.

Yesterday, this was the case. Everyone in our area was talking about the solar eclipse.

Granted, it was overcast here, so there was not much to see.  But the reactions of people were nothing short of funny when describing what was happening.

Recess was cancelled at our primary school.  The children might burn out their eyes, my son was told. (Yes, I know that there are real dangers from looking directly into an eclipse, but "burn their eyes out?" Really?)

We were being encouraged to stay inside during the eclipse.  I guess for the same reason, that I might burn my eyes out.

There is just something about an eclipse, isn't it?  Doomsday prophets of all descriptions have always used eclipses to fortell dangerous events, tied with such superstitions as threats to the monarchy as rivaling Hindu gods seeking supremacy.  People display their  fear when something as predictable as the sun can be blotted out, even for a time.

I think eclipses are just cool.  Unfortunately, it was so overcast here that the sky just got darker, so thankfully my eyes did not burn out.  Oh, well, there's always next time.

Of course, this was an eclipse that every one expected, counted on, predicted, and studied.  This week in God's Word I read about a darkening of the sun, however,  that no one expected:

"And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour." (Luke 23:44)

The longest recorded total solar eclipse ever recorded was in 2009, lasting a little over six minutes.  This is hardly the three hours reported in Luke 23.  This was a specific eclipse in response to a specific action on the part of God.  During this three hour eclipse, something so horrible happened that Jesus cried out from the cross:

"My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46)

How could God forsake His own Son?  Knowing the love that He had with His Son, and the close bond that existed between the two, only one thing comes to mind.  God turned His back on Jesus, because He bore my sins.

Webster's dictionary defines an eclipse as "the total or partial obscuring (darkening) of one celestial body by another."

How fitting.  The Bible reminds us that God "hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." II Corinthians 5:21

God made an eclipse of the Son happen, so that I might have eternal life.

Isaiah 53:4-6 tells us that God is the one who allowed His Son to be afflicted, for us:

"Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with His stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to His own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

What great love of the Father for us, in allowing His Son to suffer for me!  What great love of Jesus, who was willing to fulfill His Father's plan.  Jesus suffered in my place to buy my pardon, took my spanking if you will, so that I would not have to be punished for my sins.

What can be my reaction in light of such great love, but great thankfulness!

The eclipse yesterday, as interesting as it was, only lasted for a short time.  It was dark for a while, but then the sun shone through, and it was finished.

That reminds me:  sin only eclipsed the Son for a short time.  Jesus cried out from the cross, "It is finished!" and then died.

I have to wait three more days after this moment to see the Son shine through.  But when He does, Jesus the light will shine forever.

May the Lord help me to be mindful of His gift today, and to share this blessed news with others.

Cookies

"And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand?" Exodus 4:2

Dear Friends,

One of the two plates mentioned in this blog

Have you ever done something once, created a habit, and then watch it grow bigger than you ever thought it would?

No, I'm not talking about the flowers that I planted in my garden six years ago that keep coming back, even though I don't want them there, and keep uprooting them as they grow.

No, I'm not talking about my Saturday night crêpe night, which has taken on a life of its own, to the point where I NEVER want to see another crêpe as long as I live.

No, I'm talking about a hidden talent, one I did not ever imagine that I would possess, or would grow to be part of my identity here in France.  Of all the things I had hoped to be known for, this was NOT the one I would have chosen.  Are you ready?

I am the Chocolate Chip Cookie lady.

I have baked cookies for neighbors, for the kids' school birthday parties, for sport fundraisers and end of the year tournaments.  I have baked cookies for Christmas tins and bake sales and for my family's enjoyment as well.

That's right.  I have a special ministry to the French ladies and families around me.  Basically, I make them fat.

I related this particular ministry to a church ladies' group via Skype this past weekend.  In the follow-up questions, one of the ladies asked me, "So, how did you get started in your fat ministry?"

Truth is, I really don't know.  It just kind of happened.

Whenever there is a visit to be made, or I'm thinking about making a visit, it usually starts with me baking a batch of chocolate chip cookies.  It helps that I really don't like sweets, because if not I would be in serious trouble.  While I am baking, I think about families that I need or would like to visit, and start praying over that visit while the cookies are baking.

Today I have two plates of cookies on the counter, waiting for me to finish writing this blog post, before they get delivered.  These are ladies that I have visited in the past, know me for the cookies, and, at least I hope, will welcome into their homes for the cookies' sake, if not my own.

I love how the Lord could use something so simple, and something that is fun and enjoyable, to bridge the gap between suspicion and friendliness.   Many times I have shown up at someone's house under the pretext of "I baked some cookies this morning and thought of you," only to leave an hour later after having shared a cup of coffee and some small talk that maybe, with the Lord's patience, will grow to something more.

There is nothing fancy to my cookies.  (The recipe is posted at the bottom of this blog.)  I use what I have, and then ask the Lord to bless it.  I think often of the verse I put at the top of this blog, when Moses was "explaining" to the Lord all the reasons why he couldn't do what God asked him to do. I'm not talented enough. I don't speak well enough.  People won't listen to me.   The Lord then asked Moses to show Him what He had in his hand.  There was nothing fancy to it, but how the Lord blessed that rod in the years to come!  It was this same rod that Moses held when God parted the seas, hit the rock from which water flowed, and budded in response to God's leadership over his life.

What have I got in my hands?  Chocolate chip cookies.  Who knows how the Lord will bless them in the minutes, days and years to come?  May my hands be willing to make, bake, distribute and share with others, the little that God has given to me, and may I leave the blessing for Him to achieve.

Chocolate chip cookies à la Suzanne
3/4 c. brown sugar (150 g. sucre vergeoise, bien tassé)
3/4 c. sugar (150 g. sucre)
1 tsp. vanilla (1 sachet sucre vanillé)
2 eggs (2 oeufs)
3/4 c. oil (150 ml d'huile végétale)
2 1/2 c. flour (325 g. farine)
1 t. salt (1 c à café du sel)
1 t. baking soda (1 c à café bicarbonate de soude)
1 6oz bag chocolate chips. (200 g. pépites de chocolat)

Mix sugars, vanilla, eggs and oil until well incorporated.  Add flour, salt, and baking soda.  Mix well, then add choco chips. Bake in 350° oven for 6-8 minutes until firm but not too brown.  Remove to cooling racks.

Mélangez les sucres, vanille, œufs et l'huile.  Ajoutez la farine, le sel et le bicarbonate de soude.  Mélangez bien, puis ajoutez les pépites de chocolat.  Faites cuire au four à 180° jusqu'à ferme mais pas trop dorés.  Laissez-les refroidir sur le comptoir.  Voilà!

Bon appétit!

One

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall become one flesh." Genesis 2:24

Good morning, dear friends,

(Do not be alarmed in reading the verse for today!  I am SO not going there.)

My kids are just normal kids.  Like all normal kids, sometimes they try to get away with stuff they shouldn't.  One of the oldest techniques in the book, which I believe my kids think they invented, is trying to get either parent aside and agree to something that they know the other parent does not want them to do.  Play video games. Watch TV. Drink an entire glass of chocolate milk five minutes before dinner.

To their credit, sometimes it works, which is why I guess they keep trying it.  However, there have been times when it has backfired on them.  Horribly.  The reason?

My husband and I are one.

It is uncanny to them (and to me) how so many times my husband and I, when questioned by our kids separately, in different rooms on opposite ends of the house, will respond with almost the exact same words to their requests.  My kids all astonished, ask us, "How did you do that?"  My answer?

"Daddy and I are one."

(Now there are times that my kids among themselves talk about things and tell each other, "Don't forget--Mommy and Daddy are one.")

Touchdown.

I guess it's normal after soon-to-be seventeen years of marriage, my husband and I are in sync about many things.  The amazing part of this, is that my husband and I are VERY different people.  My husband is pretty calm, reserved, and has a great sense of humor.  I don't mind making a fool of myself, being in a group, and can't remember a joke to save my life.  My husband is the glue that holds our family together, and I tend to go flying about in 50 different places at once.

How is it, that God takes two such very different people, and makes us "one flesh?"

My husband and I were talking about it the other day on a walk in our village.  Here are some of our findings:

1.  Honest communication.  From the very beginning of our marriage, my husband insisted
that we would always tell each other exactly what we meant, without any hidden agendas. This was hard for me as a woman, because quite frankly I didn't really know how to communicate directly.  My husband would ask me the question, "Are you hungry?" and I would ask him, "I don't know, what time is it?" I'm very grateful for his insistence that we talk honestly and openly with each other, and mean what we say.

2.  Spending time together.  I know that I am very blessed to have my husband at home during the day.  (Just FYI, just because we are both home at the same time does not mean in the same room. Usually he is in his office while I work around the house, but you get the idea.)  When we are able, we spend time together. He notices when I clean the house, or do the laundry.  I notice when he is working on something difficult and I can pray for him through that difficult task.  When we are together, we are together.

3.  Common goals.  When we talk, many times we talk about the kids!  We talk about attitudes, sins, joys, obstacles, talents, desires.  We share what we see going on in their lives, so that when we are hit with these strange requests, many times we know how to answer because we have already talked through the need before it arises.

4.  Submission.  I am far from perfect in this area, but my desire is to be submitted to God's authority, and then to my husband's in my daily walk.  A two-headed creature is after all a monster, isn't it?  After our coworker preached on wifely submission on Sunday, I asked the kids at the dinner table if they thought that I was submitted to Daddy.  My kids all said yes, and gave their reasons why.  Do you know what one of the reasons was?

"You and Daddy are one!"

WOO HOO!

We do not have a perfect marriage by a long shot, but it is a perfect one for us.  If my children learn nothing else from watching their parents interact, I hope they will remember what a true marriage is: two people who in love and submission, work together for the Lord with common purpose and desire.   I pray for my boys that they will make godly decisions as leaders in their homes.  I pray my daughter will learn that wifely submission is such a blessing and not a curse.

In what ways are you "one" in your family?  Feel free to comment below, or on Facebook!

Not My Will, but Thine

"...but he delivered Jesus to their will..." Luke 23:25

Good morning, friends!

I have extremely little patience with French TV.

If it were not for the local news, and occasional sporting events, I don't think that I would ever watch another French TV channel.  Period.

Nothing drives me up the wall more than the panel discussion shows that are so popular with French audiences.  Almost at every hour, on every channel, you can find a host, a panel group of politicians or experts in a certain field who spend an hour in overlapping dialogue, shouted insults, and general nastiness.  There is no moderator, only rude people engaged in a battle of wills, like a bunch of preschoolers fighting over a toy or a parent's attention.

ZAP.  Or better yet, OFF.

I have no interest in debate for debate's sake.  I enjoy a respectful, intelligent discussion of different points of view, especially about spiritual things, where different parties remain humble and listen to opposing viewpoints without demeaning or hurting others.  No offense to those of you who enjoy political debates or even spiritual ones, but when the discussions turn to an escalating battle of wills, I'm out.

(Maybe as a Mom, I have to deal with daily battles of willfulness, and all I want is peace...and quiet.)

It is very sad to witness firsthand people choosing to do or say things in their own stubbornness, isn't it?  Humility is such a rare quality, and arrogance unfortunately so prevalent, that seeing people insisting on their own wills and ways has become the norm more than the exception.

As I was reading in Luke this morning, my attention was drawn to the verse at the top of the blog.  During the confrontation between Pilate and the crowd of Jewish leaders, there was an escalating battle of wills.  Pilate's desire, after spending time in conversation with Jesus, was to release Him.  In Luke 23:14, Pilate tells the crowd, "Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof you accuse Him."

Granted, Pilate had all the authority to release Jesus.  He did not have to give an explanation to the Jewish leaders.  He could have said, "I release Him," and that would have been that.  He was after all the leader of Rome for that area, and his word was law.

There was also the will of the people, these religious leaders so stirred up by jealousy and hatred for Jesus, that demanded that a convicted murderer and traitor be released, instead of Jesus.  Their insistence on Jesus's crucifixion defied all logic and reason.  Their motives were not of justice, but of revenge.  Their arguments about not having another king than Caesar were ludicrous:  the Jewish hated the Roman oppression of their country.

What follows next is one of the saddest statements in this portion of Scripture:

"...but he (Pilate) delivered Jesus to their will..." (Luke 23:25)

How scary it is to make decisions based on my will!  The Bible warns me that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:  who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways..." (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Even Jesus during His earthly ministry acted in submission to His Father's will:

"...nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done." (Luke 22:42, in His prayer to God the father)

"...for I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him who sent me."  (John 6:38)

How sad to realize that Pilate, in the case of Jesus, allowed himself to submit, not to a higher authority in his life, but a lower one.  By allowing the will of the people to govern his actions, he committed the greatest crime of justice that has ever been accomplished:  condemning the Son of Man to die.

How sad to think that in my own life, I have been guilty of giving into "my way," or the way of the people around me, instead of standing firm in my faith and beliefs for God.  

May the actions that I do today be submitted to God's will and plan for my life, so that my willful stubbornness does not cause me to bring shame to my God.  When I sense God's leading in my life, may I be willing to humble myself, and act as His child, and not in prideful childishness.

At least, I hope that I will...

Common Cause

"And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves." Luke 23:12

Good morning, dear friends,

I am living in a history nut's paradise.

I have always enjoyed studying history.  I love seeing how mankind began, how countries and nations formed, and how past history keeps affecting the present.    Every day I see vestiges of Roman history, Middle Age history, Renaissance history, World war history, on display in our city not fifteen minutes away.

I am always amazed when I hear of ancient conflicts, many of whom began in Genesis, still bubbling over and shaping modern day tensions around the world.  History has a very long memory, and it is still being played out over and over again.  At other times, it is almost comical to see nations who have long been sworn enemies, band together as allies for someone they despise even more.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend, at least until that enemy is destroyed.  Then those nations become enemies again.

As I was continuing my reading in Luke this morning, my attention was drawn to the verse at the top of the blog.  I had never given it more than a passing glance before, just part of the longer narrative in the events leading up to Jesus's death on the cross. How sad that these two sworn enemies found a common cause that bound them together:

Hatred toward the Lord Jesus.

 How many political groups, lobbyists, reformers, and even religious groups, who share nothing in common with each other, find a common cause in the same reason.  How sad that so many people join in the cries of those who crucified Jesus, who like the wicked men in Jesus's parable in Luke 19, shouted, "We will not have this man to reign over us."

This had already been foretold in the Old Testament, where the Psalmist writes:

"The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." (Psalm 2:2)

I am reminded that as Christian brothers and sisters, we also have a common cause.  It should not be motivated by hatred or stirred up by jealousy or envy, but a task given to us by God Himself.  This passage was brought to my attention during the Ladies Retreat back in February:

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new crature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambasadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." (II Corinthians 5:17-20)

Herod and Pilate, and the many generations of Herods and Pilates that have ruled since, have waged war on Christ and rejected His rule over them.  As Christians, our message is not one of war, but of reconcilliation.  This word is defined by Webster's dictionary as quite simply "to bring a state free of conflicts," or to broker peace.

This is not a hippie love peace, warm fuzzies as world leaders shake hands for the cameras.  This is the lasting peace than can only come as people find peace with God in their hearts, and then find peace with others through lasting changes brought by the Holy Spirit living in their lives.  This is to be my message to others as I go about my business today:  "Be ye reconciled to God."

For a time, the world leaders of Jesus's day waged war against Him, and seemed to triumph, but only for a moment.  God's message is real, transforming lives for all eternity.

May this be my rallying cry as I live for the Lord today.

My Hour

"When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me:  but this is your hour, and the power of darkness..." Luke 22:53

Good morning, dear friends,

Time is a funny thing, isn't it?

I measure my life in time: seconds, minutes, hours, days, months, years, and decades.  My days are ordered by "times": time to get up, time to read the Bible and pray, time to get the kids off to school, time to clean house, make lunch, do homework, and time to go to bed.

Time continues on.  As much as I would like sometimes to have a fast forward, rewind, or pause button, it doesn't happen.  Hours either speed up during moments of intense joy and pleasure, only to drag on for a seeming eternity when waiting for a special event. Christmas. My birthday.  Graduation.  The last (what seems like the 11th) month of pregnancy.

It is amazing to me to think that God, who is eternal and therefore outside the realm of time, submitted Himself to human time during His life here on earth.  He measured his minutes, hours, days, months and years in the same way that I do today.

Jesus also referred to His "hour," or "the hour" to mean a culminating point of time, the climax of history distilled into one very concentrated focus of His life and earthly ministry.  The days and hours leading up to His death are the most anticipated and dreaded of His life.

After His arrival at Jerusalem, Jesus reminded His disciples of what was going to happen: "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." (John 12:23)

He spoke of the agonies He would soon face:  "Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.  Father, glorify thy name." (John 12:27-28a)

He led His disciples to the garden to pray.  The disciples fell asleep, while Jesus prayed during one of the most difficult hours of His life.  He chided them: "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matthew 25:40)

In His prayer to the Father, Jesus spoke these words: "Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee." (John 17:1)

During this time in His life, darkness would triumph, if only for a season, over the light of the world.  Jesus told the soldiers who came to arrest Him: ""When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me:  but this is your hour, and the power of darkness..." (Luke 22:53)

Time, however, does not stand still.  Even this hour passed...

As I approach the Easter season and meditate on Jesus's greatest love and sacrifice for me, I am moved again by His determination to finish the task that the Father set before Him.  The hour was dark, indeed, but lasted only for a moment's time.

His gift, however, is an eternal one.

Will I let His gift impact my hours today?  Will I remember the greatest sacrifice of love, and share this gift with others today?  Will I, when my life's final hour shall arrive, be able to affirm, like Paul, that I have "fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith?" (II Timothy 4:7)

May my time today be invested in God's calendar, and not my own, today.

Surprise!

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:21

My husband (in orange), the kids and Uncle Jeff

Good morning, dear friends!

Friday night was a fun night.  It's always a fun night when you can surprise your kids.

Uncle Jeff, my husband's brother, popped in for a surprise visit with us.  He was only staying Friday night, and then was leaving to return to the US early Saturday morning.

And we didn't tell our kids he was coming.

My boys, who were playing outside, saw him first.  My daughter was in the office when the doorbell rang, and we encouraged her to go open the door to see who was there.

I should have filmed it. Her shock and then joy were so beautiful and genuine.

That's one of the reasons we wanted to keep it a surprise.

I love surprises.  I love planning the surprise parties, or in being the "distraction" while plans and preparations are made.  That moment when the surprise is revealed, and shock gives way to tears of joy on the surprised guest, are just priceless to me.

Imagine hearing knocking on the other side of the door, and going to open it, and finding Jesus on the other side.

That would be a surprise indeed.

This verse in Revelation has been such a blessing and a promise to me, for several reasons.

1.  I am not the one doing the knocking.  Jesus is.  Romans 3,11 reminds me, "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." I did not go looking for Him.  He has always been on the lookout for me.

2.  He came looking for me with a purpose in mind.  I have done many days of knocking on doors for evangelism, but I do not make it a habit to go around knocking on people's doors for no reason.  Why do I knock on a door?  Usually I am seeking entrance to the other side.  I have business to attend to, or people to visit.  Jesus came and knocked, because He desired to do business with my heart, and to enjoy restored fellowship with Him.

3.  Jesus was calling and knocking. "If any man hear my voice..."  I had never really thought about this before, but Jesus did not only knock on my heart's door.  He called out to me.  His desire to see me open up to Him was so great that he knocked and called out.  This was not a hesitant rap, a second's pause, and then "I guess there's no one there."  This was an insistent knocking and calling.

4.  Jesus did not force His way in.  He could have barged into my life, giving orders and taking over by force. Instead, He waited for me to open to Him.

5.  There is a promise to be had here! "I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." Jesus is offering me sweet fellowship with Him for all eternity.  All I have to do is say "come on in" to Him, and He does the rest.

Perhaps you have been following this blog, hearing about my blessings and burdens here in Boves, France, but you do not have the joy of knowing Jesus personally, and enjoying sweet fellowship with Him.  I urge you today to make your peace with God, and ask Jesus to come into your life. He is standing outside your heart's door, knocking and calling out, waiting to come in. The writer of Hebrews warns the listeners, "Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Hebrews 3:8)

To know more about knowing God personally, click on the tab at the top of this blog entitled, "Home Away from Home."

I am so glad that when Jesus knocked on my heart's door, I opened up and invited Him in.  I have never regretted that decision, and I enjoy sweet fellowship and blessing from that time until now, with the promise of His fellowship for all eternity.

 Is He knocking today?  Will you answer?

In Denial

"...And when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:32

Good morning, dear friends!

Am I living in denial?

Webster's dictionary defines being "in denial" as "believing a statement that is saying that something is not true or real."

How many times, have I allowed my flesh and Satan to whisper these words to my heart:

"God doesn't really love you."

"You thought you were forgiven, but how can God forgive you?"

"How can you call yourself a Christian, after what you just did?"

In my readings through Luke this week, I came to the passage that I had been dreading.  Do you ever find yourself coming to a passage in the Bible, and imagine talking to the characters, hoping that if you could just persuade them, the writings would be different?

"No, Eve!  Don't eat it!"  "David, get off the roof!"  "Don't run away, Jonah!"  

Or, in this passage for today, "No, Peter!  Don't say it!  Don't do it!"

Unfortunately, the ink is already dry, history has been written, and what was done cannot be undone.  Life does not give take backs, or do-overs.

Peter denied the Lord.  Three times.  One time could be viewed as a misunderstanding, or a moment of weakness, or desperate fear.  After two times, one might wonder if Peter's devotion to the Lord was really all that he had claimed earlier that same night, when he said, "Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death." (Luke 22:33)

But, three times...

As difficult as it is to read of Peter's denial of the Lord, I wonder how many times a day I by my actions, or words, or attitudes, deny my association with the Lord?

Do I allow sin to keep me from living faithfully to honor the Lord each day?

Do I allow my daily fellowship with the Lord to grow cold, through apathy or busy-ness?

Do I allow my will, desires or plans to take first place over the Lord's will for my life?

Am I living in denial, of the very Christ whom I claim to love?

After Jesus's ressurrection, there is such a sweet restoration between Peter and Himself.  I am so thankful that God brought closure to this part of Peter's story.  Peter could have been left struggling with guilty reminders of his denial of the Lord, but Jesus reconciled Peter to Himself three times, once for each denial:

"Lovest thou me more than these?" (John 21:15-17)

This statement brings to mind another question:  What are my "these," and do I love Christ more than I love them?

Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us to "Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Instead of living in denial of my Lord, I should live daily denying my flesh its sins and weights, that keep from walking closely and faithfully with the Lord.

I can't "deny," that's the better idea.

I Have Prayed...for You

"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22: 32

Good morning, friends!

Are there any more comforting words to hear from a friend's lips than these:

"I'm praying for you."

There have been many times during our travels in the U.S. when we have been assured of prayers for travelling protection, for blessings in our ministry, for financial needs, for comfort and encouragement in difficult times.

Sometimes I want to help others in difficulties.  I want to offer words of encouragement, acts of service, a financial gift.  There are times when this is just not possible, because of distance, lack of wisdom or lack of means.  I offer others that assurance that, while I may be out of options, my God is not.

Imagine, however, being told by Jesus that He has prayed for you.

Wow

Jesus was entering into the most difficult hours of His life and ministry here on earth.  His days had not been easy up until this point in His life, but the next hours would try His obedience to His Father in a way that nothing else had.  He knew who was leaving Him (Judas), who was coming for Him (the Roman soldiers) and what would happen in the next few hours.

His friends would abandon Him.

His closest supporters would deny Him.

His "enemies" would triumph--temporarily at least--over Him.

He would suffer physically atrocies in Him.

He would have the sins of the world placed on Him.

His Father would forsake Him.

At this critical moment in the meal, with all these thoughts weighing on Him, Jesus cares for Peter.

"But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not..."

Didn't Jesus know that Peter would deny Him?  Of course, because two verses later, Jesus tells Peter what will happen: "the cock shall not crow this day, before that thous shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me." (Luke 22:34).

Still, Jesus reminds Peter, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not..."

There is a promise in this verse.  Peter's faith did fail him, at least for a time.  He did deny the Lord.  He hid fearfully with the other disciples.  He did forsake the ministry (at least temporarily) and return to his fishing boats.  In the same way that Jesus announced He would fall, Jesus also reassured Peter with these words:

"...and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." (Luke 22:32)

"Converted" in this sense is not referring to saving grace, but rather a change of heart.  "When you come to yourself, Peter, strengthen thy brethren."

Notice Jesus says, "when," and not, "if."

Proverbs 24:16 has long been an encouraging verse for me: "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."  For me, the emphasis in this verse is always on the part where he "riseth up again."  A just man may fall, but he will not stay down.

Jesus also gave Peter a job to do.  It's as if Jesus is saying, "When you come to realize what has happened, don't stay down.  Don't quit. I'm giving you a job to do.  Remember when your faith was weak, and use this to help build up the faith of others.  Strengthen the brethren."

Jesus praying for Peter must have been an amazing comfort to him in the days to come.  His faith was strengthened, and went on to serve the Lord for many years afterwards.

When I am tempted to quit, to fail in my faith, to walk away from my responsibilities, to stay discouraged and wallow in self pity, may I remember that Jesus prays for me as well: "he ever liveth to make intercession" for those he saves. (Hebrews 7:25)

May my faith not fail, but if I do, may I trust in the Lord's promise to raise me up again, and continue on living for the Lord.

Sibling Rivalry

"But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief as he that doth serve." Luke 22:26

Good morning, friends!

I am a mom of three children.  Anyone with children knows that at some point in their childhoods, their children are going to fight. I'm sorry to shock my single friends, but the cat's out of the bag.  It's true.

For years I have listened to ridiculous arguments about what causes sibling rivalry.  Some claim it is an attention-getter.  Some state it is the natural byproduct of the instinctive "pecking order," with one child or another seeking dominance because SOMEONE has to be the leader.

I do not wonder anymore about WHAT causes sibling rivalry.  The real cause?

Having more than one child.

At some point or another my children have discussed among themselves and in accusations to us, "So and so is your favorite!  You love (this child) more than you love me. You let him/her do things you never let us do."

(To be honest, my favorite child is the one who NEVER brings up this discussion again.  EVER)

The only thing worse than seeing this discussion among children in the same family is hearing this same discussion coming from adult lips.

"The pastor likes you better because he lets you..."

"The pastor's wife spends more time with you than..."

"Why was SHE asked to sing a special song?"

"Why did they let HER lead the Bible study?"

Worse yet, I bring these same thoughts to the Lord:

"Why don't I have (this blessing)?  Why don't I have this talent?  Why can't I lead someone to the Lord?  Why don't I..."  The list goes on and on.

Sibling rivalry, grown-up style, in the family of God, is a very sad thing indeed.

There are many sad occasions in the last days of Jesus's life here on earth.  As I am reading in Luke in preparation for Easter, I have arrived at the chapter that describes the last supper He had with His disciples.  What should have been a sobering time, a prayerful time, a watchful time, became a moment of dispute and tension among his disciples.

(Ah, sometimes the holidays just bring out that something special in folks, don't they?)

In Luke 22 we read about Jesus confiding again in His disciples that one of them sitting at the very table with them would betray Him.  That should have been enough to give them pause.  Any one of them could have been guilty of the betrayal that Judas accomplished later that evening.

Their discussion that followed however, was also a telling betrayal, of all that Jesus had been attempting to teach them:

Which disciple is the greatest?

Jesus's response to the disciples is a gracious rebuke.  Using Himself as the example to follow, He instructed them:

"For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth." (Luke 22:27)

When I think of all that Jesus gave up when He left heaven to come to earth, I am amazed again at the depth of His love for His creation.  When I think of Jesus's humble attitude here on earth, submitting to unjust treatment and unfair laws--He who is King and Lord over all--I am astonished at His servanthood.

Jesus continued, "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Jesus reminded them, as I often do to my children, that they are ALL His favorites.  ALL of them will one day inherit eternal life, ALL of them will rule and reign with Him, ALL of them will enjoy eternal favor and blessing, because they "continued with (him) in (his) temptations." (Luke 22:28)

Every blessing that they enjoyed, came first because Jesus loved them enough to come, and then die, for them.

The next time I am tempted to ask the Lord if He is playing favorites with His children, may I be reminded that everything that I am, and have, is a gift from His hand.  Jesus is the one who makes any good thing that I am able to do possible.

May I silence that childish "Who is the most loved?" voice in my heart, once and for all.

Giving All

"...but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had." Luke 21:4

Good morning, dear friends!

As a missionary wife and mom, I would like to thank all of our supporters who faithfully give to the Lord in order for us to stay on the field.  I cannot tell you the number of times we have been blessed by the generosity of God's people, sometimes in very extravagant ways.  I am always humbled and touched by your giving.  Thank you for making God the Lord over your giving, and blessing us in return.

As I was reading in Luke 21 this morning, my attention was drawn to the short anecdote of Jesus observing the widow giving her offering in the Temple.  I cannot help the tears that spring up in my eyes when I think about her act of devotion to God:

This widow literally gave her all.

The setting is very telling.  Jesus had been teaching in the Temple, and answering difficult questions from people not seeking the truth but seeking to trap him in a lie.  He observing the giving of the rich men who were hoping that their generosity would not go unnoticed by God and man.  

Then this woman came and gave her gift to the Lord.  It wasn't anything at all compared to the offerings of those before her in terms of financial worth, but it represented everything she had to live on.  Quite frankly, she gave out of her own "personal lacking" to show her love and thankfulness to God.

The phrase, "cast in all the living that she had" is an interesting one to me.  This widow put EVERYTHING she had in the offering.  There was not any left for herself.  She did not have a Plan B, an IRA, a "rainy day" fund.  She literally gave her all to God.

Many years ago, as I young Christian, I remember during a missions conference the main speaker talking about giving our lives to Christ.  He took the offering plate off the altar, put it in the aisle, and then stood in it.  This is the offering that pleases the Lord, he reminded us.

How many times do I give my "extras," or even worse, my leftovers, to the Lord?  Do I put myself in the plate, or do I give of the overflow, like the Pharisees?

May God help me to be mindful of my giving today.  May I give to the Lord, to my family, to my friends, to my neighbors, to my responsibilities, so that my living is all an offering to the Lord.

May I give my all to God.

Children's Discovery Bible Club March 2015

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying..." (Matthew 5,1-2)

Good morning, friends!

This week's Bible club fell on a busy weekend.  We were just finishing up our two-week winter break, so there were some kids absent, but all in all it was a good time!

We also had another first time guest.  We praise the Lord for our children being willing to invite their friends and for their parents letting them come as well.








As usual, club started with snack!  Today's snack was an American favorite:  Rice Krispie Treats!  It's so much fun introducing the French kids to American desserts!  One of our kids' moms also made a chocolate chip cake that was very yummy!

Damaris taught the lesson this week. It was more of a challenge for her since she had been battling a cough all week long.  This week's "mountain peak" was the Sermon on the Mount.  Damaris made the bridge from Christmas and Jesus's birth to Jesus's teachings on the mount.

Damaris had the children to draw a straight line on the chalkboard to represent our best efforts to live and obey God's laws.  Then, she took a ruler and held it up to the lines to show that our best efforts will never measure up to God's perfection.

 Our actvity today was acting out the Golden Rule in small groups.  First, the children had to act out a scene where they were not obeying the Golden Rule.  Then, they replayed the same scene by acting out the Golden Rule.  Here are some videos of their scenes.

 We also started to prepare our Easter program.  The children are learning and acting out a poem that begins with Palm Sunday and ends with Jesus alive again after Easter.

Thanks so much for your prayers!  See you in two weeks for our next club!

Unexpected Appointments

"And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest.  And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:37

Good morning, friends!

They happen when you least expect them, don't they?

I was taking care of an errand yesterday with my youngest son Joshua on the way to invite some kids to Bible club for this Saturday.  We stopped at the house of the Grandma of two girls that have been coming, to return something we borrowed, and then we were to carry on.

I was invited in for coffee, Joshua went out to play with the girls, and I was able to share the gospel with a woman that I had really just met for the first time.

When I returned home I mentioned to my husband why we were gone so long:

"Divine appointment."

There is no greater joy than knowing that I was in the right place, at the right time, and God used me to say the right things (at least, I HOPE they were the right things.)  So many times, when I am placed in unusual circumstances, I only think of what I should have said AFTER the fact.

Yesterday, with the Lord's help, the words were there.  Hopefully, I have created a new friendship that will one day be an eternal one.

I have always loved reading the story about Philip and the Ethopian eunuch mentioned in Acts 8.  Until preparing for this blog, I don't think I had ever paid much attention to the context of this passage.  Philip was travelling in Samaria after the persecution that arose after Stephen's death.  Sad, difficult days indeed for those involved.

There was also the encounter with Simon, who tried to buy the Lord's power and blessing with money.  Discouraging.

"Then the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip..." (Acts 8:26)

Philip left, met with this eunuch who just "happened" to be reading in Isaiah 53, a passage that talks about Christ's sufferings.  The eunuch had one question in his mind:  "Of whom speaketh the prophet this?"

Talk about a golden opportunity!  How sad it would have been if Philip had decided that he was too tired, or too discouraged, or too busy to go.  I'm so glad he did. I'm so glad that the eunuch trusted Christ, and was baptized.  I'm so glad that he "went on his way rejoicing." I'm so glad that Philip was in the right place, at the right time, until the moment that the "Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip."  What a day for rejoicing!

My encounter yesterday was an unexpected blessing to me, but not unknown to God.  He put me in that place, at that time, to meet a need that I couldn't have even known about ahead of time.

May my heart be always ready for divine appointments, whenever they occur.  May I keep my heart clean, my walk with the Lord fresh, so that I will not quench the Holy Spirit and speak His words only.

When the next "rendez-vous"comes, will I be ready?