Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!!


I recall as an elementary school student the wonderful festivities surrounding Valentine’s Day. Of course there was the search for the small cards and envelopes with a variety of catchy phrases that boiled down to “Will you be my Valentine?” They were always colorful and just the right size for a small hand and a mother’s wallet to deal with. Next was the hunt for a shoebox which would be decorated appropriately to serve as a simulated post office box to receive the cards slipped into the slot on top by the other students. But what became of all those signs of friendship?

Only a couple of my Valentine cards have been saved. Daddy would create a sonnet and typically sign it “Your Secret Admirer”. I think I may have kept a couple of those. In later years he added my girls as recipients of  his love-crafted messages.

In fourth grade near Valentine’s Day, a different car arrived at our house. Out popped my classmate, Richard Jones, and up the sidewalk he came bearing a handmade Valentine for me. After we greeted one another I unwrapped three pages of red, white, and blue construction paper held together as a booklet by white satin ribbon. On each page was a different take on his interest in me. I responded as positively as a fourth grader could, which meant we enjoyed different adventures together, such as hunting for his lost beagle through the woods, golf course, and literally through the streams.

I think at times we all lose sight of the marvelous Valentine prepared for us from the depths of time. As time began and creation unfolded Adam and Eve decided to take action of their own choosing, after being told not to mess with the tree of good and evil. The arrogance of doing things our own way has been preeminent in mankind’s heart since then. History records the blatant selfishness of individuals as well as whole nations. I see it in my own dealings and perhaps you do as well. The result tends to be evident in fractured relationships on all levels, including our relationship with God. 

While we cannot straighten out centuries of wars caused by this selfishness, or even reconcile ourselves sometimes with our neighbors, oddly enough we can experience a restored relationship with our Creator.  Recognizing His perfection, that is His holiness, God will not look favorably on those trapped by selfishness, or sin. For those of us who have worked hard to be people of integrity and good works it may be hard to admit our short comings, but the truth is we have them and they block us from a relationship with God who is holy and perfect. In demanding justice God set up, according to the Old Testament, with His favorite people of Israel, a system of sacrifices. A lamb without blemish would be offered, or other means of trying to pay for the sin.  And then God revealed more of His plan.

Around 712 BC, God told Israel He would send THE perfect sacrifice. Isaiah 53 spells out Who this Savior would be and how He would be the ultimate sacrifice literally instead of animal sacrifices that were representations of bearing our sin. Eight hundred years later Jesus Christ is identified as “… the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”, by a Jewish John, the Baptizer. As Jesus’ life and death unfolded it fulfilled at least 38 of the prophecies given to Israel hundreds of years earlier, as recorded in the Old Testament.
His life ended as foretold, through a horrible means of crucifixion, but then miraculously enough Jesus resurrected from the dead proving the Father’s satisfaction with his being the perfect sacrifice for sin. “God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21). “All this is from God; who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was in Christ, not counting men’s sin against them.” (2 Cor. 5:19). By personally believing Christ was the perfect sacrifice for my sin, my sin is paid for; God’s demand for justice is satisfied.  My relationship with God Almighty becomes alive and active.
I have come to the conclusion that God, expressing His love through Christ’s death on the Cross on my behalf is the ultimate Valentine. Will you be His Valentine?

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A Time for Every Season

Eccl 3:1-8

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
NIV

What a realistic passage of Scripture! Today in Ona, WV we are having snow. ‘Tis the season, although my utility bills reflect the mild winter we have had up until today. In order to get Dave off to work in a timely fashion I had the privilege of an early morning workout with shoveling snow off the driveway. I find that being grateful is more productive than complaining about this particular workout. After all the following is true:
I have a great down jacket
A cute, new wool cap lined with soft bunting
Reflective glove liners inside my plastic coated gloves
Cuddly duds
A fabulous shovel
The tight grade of sand to cover the ice patches
A cozy home to which I can retreat
A reasonably healthy body capable of the workout

So today I am celebrating the season the Lord ordained; His provisions of warmth and protection; I don’t live in Alaska.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Help Needed!

Imagine a day without the availability of water! What does that mean for you?

      No face washing. No toilet flushing. No teethbrushing. No dishwashing. No drinking. No laundry.
      No bathing. Limited food preparation.


The well at Into Abba's Arms orphanage serves our children and staff; provides water for construction of the new dining room and kitchen; gives our animals and garden their drink; and serves the community.
IAA neighbors coming for water.
Last week the pumped died.

Please pray for the promised repairman to quickly get to the site, diagnose and properly treat the problem. It is a very expensive project as the pump itself is very deeply set. It takes quite a bit of effort to remove pipes upon pipes upon more pipes before reaching the pump and then it must be pulled to the surface. Pray for parts to be readily available, which is not always quick to happen in rural Kenya. Pray for insight as to why this has to be done every five years. It is understood the pump should last longer.

Thanks for being on the prayer team!

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

I Love Being Aware of God's Activity and Free Give Aways!

I spoke of helpful devotionals used with our trip to Kenya. Journaling is so helpful to recount God's activity in our lives. Our daughter, Kitty, has included another encouraging journal on her blog. You can also enter for a giveaway of one of her favorite journal formats! Click here to read the good news.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Tools for the Journey!

I am all about equipping people with the Scriptures to do their everyday tasks. As we needed to prepare for our mission trip I loved using the devotional published by Deeper Roots.
This particular little volume is two weeks worth of devotionals helping the short term missionary examine topics pertinent to being mentally and spiritually ready for the challenges of the forthcoming trip. The authors Howard and Bonnie Lisech have had over 30 years so they know what topics are important to work into people's lives to create a successful trip.











But during a trip there can be limited energy and time to really enjoy personal time with the Lord. So I was so glad when I noticed what Howard and Bonnie had to offer for use during a trip. But I was THRILLED they had a volume for posttrip reentry issues! These tools are ministry items that help strengthen the team spiritually so they can minister more effectively to those they serve.

If you are interested in these and other similar materials you can examine the offerings at http://www.deeperroots.com/.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Thoughts Related to 9/11/01

I trust this will provoke some thought. Would love to know what you think.
   

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Recuperation and Pacing

Sometimes we just need to rest and recuperate. For me I have discovered the hard way that one can "Press On" and poop out. I have been obedient to do what I was asked to do to accomplish Mission:Kenya. I attempted to do it in the Lord's strength and not my own.

But I kept up the intense pace even after we returned in order to meet some deadlines so I could visit my elderly Mom who lives out of town. And then my body said, "Stop in the name of Love." The visit to see Mama will have to wait.

I am having to review some personal practices to prevent danger to my body, spirit, and emotions.
  1. Enjoy time with the Lord.
  2. If He tells me to do something I need to be obedient in the strength, wisdom, and love of the Holy Spirit.
  3. When I have "good ideas" I need to ask the Lord if they are His, or distractions from what is best.
  4. In the olden days when I would run, I would find a comfortable pace which would accomplish the task of winning. (In a particular race I went beyond the comfortable pace and thought I was going to die.) Currently I am evaluating my pace. Is it comfortable for the way I have been created and called? Am I going beyond what God is asking me to do? Why?
  5. It is ok to play. (I think when Jesus walked on water He was playing.)
  6. It is wonderful to be creative. When I am not being creative I have to ask myself have I lost the proper pace.
I would love to know what guidelines you use to know that you are in a comfortable pace as you accomplish what the Lord has called you to do.