Beyond the Next Mountain

I recently enjoyed missions conference, featuring Ron Kline. Saturday night he told a fascinating story about the Mhar Indians in India (check out the book and movie called “Beyond the Next Mountain). It is an amazing story of a man who listened when the Holy Spirit spoke to him and obeyed, no matter how crazy it sounded. He was supposed to get the gospel to a head-hunting Indian people group half way around the world, who spoke a rare language. Because of his obedience and faith, and through God’s amazing orchestration, there will be so many more people in heaven. (it is an INCREDIBLE story-- maybe I will expound upon it later).

Ron Kline’s three main themes of his talk were:
1. Always trust the Lord
2. Don’t try to figure stuff out
3. Just make Him look good
He also emphasized several times that “Satan will NEVER tempt you to witness.”

So, these things have been ringing through my head ever since. One instance was last week at the grocery store. I got in line to check out and this little voice that said to me, “give the check out lady the Halloween tract that is in your purse.” Immediately, I said to myself, “the Halloween tract? Nah! I should save it for a little kid.” Then, I remembered Ron Kline’s stories and “don’t try to figure stuff out.” So, I reached into my purse and gave the check out lady the Halloween tract. That instance made me realize how many times I probably quench the Holy Spirit and just out right ignore those little promptings I get!

We live in Disneyworld...

After returning from a mission trip in the Caspian region overseas, I am convinced that life in America is the equivalent of living in Disneyworld. The harsh reality is that we are wasting our lives by spending much of our discretionary time and money on entertainment and our own comfort and amusement. I am also convinced that this is one of Satan's tactics to distract us from living out a purposeful and fulfilling life. For years now, I have always said that my biggest fear is to finally meet Jesus face to face when I die and learn that I totally missed the boat-- that I had missed my purpose in life.

I am so thankful that due to a series of things in my life right now and revelations from God, that I don't have to mysteriously aim at what I think I should do and hope for the best. It is becoming clear to me that an unwasted and purposeful life consists of being a willing instrument for God to use in His plan, while proactively and uninhibitedly sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with all people. Two instrumental catalysts to this conclusion are the mission trip I took and continue to reflect on and being in a class that is reading through John Piper's "Don't Waste Your Life."

The problem is, and the reason I couldn't see this before, is because we are SO SO SO distracted in America!!! I cannot tell you how this fact has become so evident to me-- it is as if a veil has been lifted from in front of my face and I am seeing in a whole new dimension.

One of the main points I took away from my trip was how the missionaries where we were are very focused on their goal of advancing the gospel of Jesus. They have a plan. They have a goal. They strategically used our team as part of their plan and then sat down with us at the end of the week to debrief and get feedback. They are continuing to follow up with certain people we met. It is very empowering to be a part of God's plan-- because sharing the gospel is without a doubt, part of His plan.

So, we've been challenged. I've often said that I felt like I flounder through life, just taking in opportunities as they come. But, what would life, the church, the kingdom of God be like if we were all planning, goal setting and being very intentional every day about advancing the gospel.
(Read the book "No Compromise" to get a glimpse of someone in America who did just this).

PS: I think every American should visit a 2nd or 3rd world country and gain a whole new perspective...

Much more to come...

Only one life,

T'will soon be past.

Only what's done

For Christ will last.

(From "Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper)

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17

And God sent a cat!

Meet Meadow. Meadow was sent by God. No, really, he/she (we never figured out which one) really was. Jack and I were getting ready to head overseas for 11 days and I only had a few days left to tie up all the loose ends, get everything packed for us and for all of the kids and get all of the instructions for the kids to the people caring for them, etc. I remember saying, "Lord.... I do not know how I am ever going to get this all done." Now... use your Hollywood imagination, play Chariots of Fire in the background.... this tiny cat came trapsing into our backyard and suddenly all four of my kids were captivated and disappeared into our backyard and down into the ditch behind our house. I finally had to come out and see what all of the commotion was. Sure enough, there was a stray kitten. The kids became obsessed with this cat instantly! They drew it pictures and then would say, "can I go show the kitty the picture I made?" Insane! I got a little involved in this-- tried to facilitate the naming of the kitten. We settled on "Meadow." For the remaining THREE whole days before we were to leave, the kids were outside playing with Meadow and I was able to get everything done! I even ended up buying a bag of cat food and notifying a neighbor and my mom to keep an eye out for Meadow and make sure there was water and food out for her. When we got back, we were all anxious to see if Meadow was still here (she had moved from the ditch to under our mini barn and then even up to our back patio). Meadow was gone. The neighbors and my mom said there were no signs of her the whole time we were gone.

Is it beyond God to send a cat to occupy my kids in order for me to prepare for a trip? I think not. The God who spoke the mountains into existence also says He knows the number of hairs on MY head and calls each and every star by name! This is amazing love!

So, thank you, Jesus for sending Meadow and providing a way for me to complete my packing!

:)

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God.
"Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7

He counts the number of the stars;

He gives names to all of them.

Psalm 147:4

Has my heart turned back to Egypt?

I was just reading Stephen's answer to the Sanhedrin, when the people were falsely testifying against him, because they were jealous of his wisdom and power. He gives a wonderful account of God's story through his people, beginning with Abraham. At one point he says

"This is that Moses who told the Israelites, 'God will send you a prophet like me from your own people. He was in the assembly in the desert, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers; and he received living words to pass on to us.
"But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt.
(Acts 7:37-39)

When the Israelites were in Egypt under the new king, they were treated barbariously! They were slaves, making bricks in the hot sun, day after day and were even stripped of receiving the materials they needed to do so and had to scour for materials on their own, yet produce the same number of bricks (or it may have been double, I can't remember!). The Bible also says that the new Pharoah made them "throw out their newborn babies so they would die!" What a life! Then, God rescues them miraculously (parting the Red Sea for them!) and gets them out of there. This does not sound like something I would ever want to experience, let alone go back to!

So, the verses above in Acts got me to thinking about things I am grumbling about in my heart. When God has moved me to a new place, do I really want to go back? Or should I trust in His wisdom...

8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

The things I grumble about (in my heart or out loud) are really a blow to the face of God Himself (and rejecting him). Sure, sometime or something in my past might seem more apealing to me-- definitely nothing like the Israelites in Egypt, but I cannot see as God does. Maybe the situation was spiritually equal to slavery in Egypt or spiritually way backwards from where God has me now.

Anyway... I've kind of gotten off on a tangent and don't know if I am really getting my thoughts across. I was just froze when I read the words, "Instead, they rejected him and
in their hearts turned back to Egypt." (Acts 7:39b). Am I missing God's best in some areas of my life, because I am discontent and in my heart have turned back to Egypt?

I'm Thumbody Special

I took my kids to our county fair last night. We looked at lots of animals, but we also spent some time at the police tent. They had a station to get your kids' fingerprints taken, with a packet to send home for you to add a strand of their hair and file it all away in case of a tragedy. It was a morbid thought, but no one was in line, the kids thought it looked like fun and they gave away free t-shirts for all of the kids who did it. So, we did-- all 40 fingerprints of my kids are now recorded (it was a little bit of a process). :) But, as I held Joey on my lap and the lady officer took Joey's prints, it crossed my mind how absolutely amazing fingerprints are-- or should I say the God who created them is! I asked the officer if she had ever thought of how incredible it was that EVERY SINGLE person who has EVER existed EVERYWHERE has different fingerprints! None will EVER match! The more I think of this, the more it completely boggles my mind!!! A sense of satisfaction came over me as I thought of this-- knowing that this is truly another sign that God loves EACH of us with an INDIVIDUAL love, and that He designed and created each of us! We are one of His great works who He spent time and care creating us. I don't think we'll come close to comprehending it this side of heaven.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

Through the Fire

Some song lyrics I like. The title is "THROUGH THE FIRE." My favorite line is "My God will show up!" It's great too how it is emphasized in the actual singing of the song.


Another thought from the book, Do You Think I'm Beautiful by Angela Thomas--
The Israelites were facing the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army behind them. They were willing to return to Egypt to not have to face the impossible. Thomas states that we would rather do anything than face the impossible, but this is where God works at his best-- the impossible! Like any of the Israelites would have ever thought "hey. .. if God would just move this water out of the way, then we'd be ok." This is what made me think of the line of that song, "My God will SHOW UP!"

10 As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. 11 They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!"
13 Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Ex. 14:10-14

AND. . . I love the part of the song that says "He said help would always come in time"
Angela Thomas says that after the Israelites crossed the red sea to leave bondage in Egypt, they must have wondered why God waited so long to free them. But read this following verse:

“And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.” Ex. 14: 31

It was in His mercy that God wanted to show them how powerful He is to prove He is worth putting their trust in. Unbelievable love! And if He can part the Red Sea, surely He’s got our situations all under control.

The entire next chapter in Exodus is a song of Moses and Miriam rejoicing about God’s great power and what He did.



THROUGH THE FIRE. . .

So many times I’ve questioned certain circumstances
Or things I could not understand

Many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision
And my frustrations get so out of hand
It’s then I am reminded I’ve never been forsaken
I’ve never had to stand the test alone
As I look at all the victories, the Spirit rises up in me
It’s through the fire my weakness is made strong

And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
He never offered victory without fighting but
He said help would always come in time
Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision and the adversary says give in
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again

I know within myself that I would surely perish
But if I trust the hand of God, He’ll shield the flames again
And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again

It's all in Belonging

I read a great book last week called "Do You Think I'm Beautiful" by Angela Thomas. I'm not a good summarizer, so I won't even try. But, it is a great book... trust me!

One thing that got me thinking (and kind of socked me in the stomach), was near page 105, where she talks about women who think they are "no longer worthy." This is exactly what the prodigal son says to his father in Luke 15-
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

Angela Thomas argues that we are not good enough and never will be. But our worth comes from BELONGING to Jesus Christ. That's it. We can do nothing to be worthy of Jesus' love.
Angela goes on to say that she's seen lives stay paralyzed in the land of "no longer worthy."

I love how God gave us the parallel of His relationship to us as our relationship to our children.
Isn't this true of our children (and a good reminder)-- we love them because they belong to us, not because they clean their rooms. And sometimes, we can slip into this. But, if we are going to attempt to portray Jesus' love for us, shouldn't our love come pouring out because they belong to us-- an unconditional love that they cannot earn (and should not have to)?

And not only is God's love for us a perfect, merciful love, but He reminds us over and over again how He has His grip on us so tight that NOTHING can separate us from His love.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

So, we should aim to stop do, do, doing and thinking that this is why He loves us or that this makes Him love us more and start enjoying Him and His love for us. May we mirror this to our children also. May they rest in the security of His love and ours.

A Story for Imperfect Parents

I hope this encourages you as much as it did me!

Imperfect Parents

A young father followed the same routine every evening: He went into the kitchen, opened a cupboard, and took out a glass. He then walked over to a cupboard, pulled out a cookie jar, took out two or three cookies, and put them on a plate. Then he’d go to the refrigerator, get some milk and pour himself a tall glass. Following that, he’d walk into the living room and enjoy his milk and cookies while sitting in his favorite chair.
One evening as he was heading into the kitchen for his nightly ritual, the father noticed his three-year-old son heading into the kitchen ahead of him. The boy had a determined look on his face. Instead of announcing his presence, the father decided to stay unobserved so that he could watch what his son seemed so determined to do.
The boy pulled out several drawers, essentially making steps so he could climb onto the counter—something he was forbidden to do. Next he walked across the counter (another no-no) and opened an upper cupboard door. He reached in and pulled out a glass, knocking over several other glasses in the process. The young boy placed his glass down, hopped off the counter, then picked up his glass, and put it on the floor. He marched to the refrigerator and pulled out the milk, then poured it into the glass. The flowing milk proved too strong for his little hands, and it spilled over the top of the glass. The little boy wiped up the spilled milk with is shirt.
Then he left his milk, walked over to another cupboard, and pulled out the cookie jar. This was strictly forbidden; the fathers’ son knew he wasn’t supposed to get cookies without permission. But he reached in and while doing so pulled several other cookies out of the jar. The boy put them back and wiped up the crumbs with his now milk-soaked shirt.
The father stepped out to intercept his son, only to be greeted by a huge smile. “Here are your cookies, Dad. I love you.”
In this story, I want you to place yourself in the son’s position, no the dad’s. We’re the little child, trying to serve our heavenly Father and yet making a lot of messes in the process. We can’t reach as high as we’d like, so we make do with makeshift steps to reach the counter. We knock over a few glasses, and we spill the milk while we’re trying to prepare a drink. Lacking all wisdom, we come up with the great idea of cleaning up the mess with our shirt instead of with a washcloth. But what dad wouldn’t feel touched by such a display of service, however messy it might be?
We’re not the best parents, not by far. We don’t have all the wisdom we’d like. We don’t understand how everything fits together. We make mistakes, we make messes, we can do everything wrong—but God looks at us with a Father’s delighted eyes. Where we see weakness, God sees humility. Where we see mess, God sees intent. Where we see failings, God sees motives.
And he smiles. He takes us into his arms. And he laughs a delighted Father’s laugh.

From “Sacred Parenting” by Gary Thomas Pg. 51-52
I highly recommend this book!

Andi

Worry About Tomorrow?

This has to be one of my favorite stories. I read it in Linda Dillow’s “Calm My Anxious Heart”
I found it at: http://www.maxlucado.com/read/woodcutter/index2.html
I hope this encourages you!
Andi


Once there was an old man who lived in a tiny village. Although poor, he was envied by all, for he owned a beautiful white horse. Even the king coveted his treasure. A horse like this had never been seen before—such was its splendor, its majesty, its strength.People offered fabulous prices for the steed, but the old man always refused. "This horse is not a horse to me," he would tell them. "It is a person. How could you sell a person? He is a friend, not a possession. How could you sell a friend?" The man was poor and the temptation was great. But he never sold the horse.One morning he found that the horse was not in the stable. All the village came to see him. "You old fool," they scoffed, "we told you that someone would steal your horse. We warned you that you would be robbed. You are so poor. How could you ever hope to protect such a valuable animal? It would have been better to have sold him. You could have gotten whatever price you wanted. No amount would have been too high. Now the horse is gone, and you’ve been cursed with misfortune."The old man responded, "Don’t speak too quickly. Say only that the horse is not in the stable. That is all we know; the rest is judgment. If I’ve been cursed or not, how can you know? How can you judge?"The people contested, "Don’t make us out to be fools! We may not be philosophers, but great philosophy is not needed. The simple fact that your horse is gone is a curse."The old man spoke again. "All I know is that the stable is empty, and the horse is gone. The rest I don’t know. Whether it be a curse or a blessing, I can’t say. All we can see is a fragment. Who can say what will come next?"The people of the village laughed. They thought that the man was crazy. They had always thought he was fool; if he wasn’t, he would have sold the horse and lived off the money. But instead, he was a poor woodcutter, an old man still cutting firewood and dragging it out of the forest and selling it. He lived hand to mouth in the misery of poverty. Now he had proven that he was, indeed, a fool. After fifteen days, the horse returned. He hadn’t been stolen; he had run away into the forest. Not only had he returned, he had brought a dozen wild horses with him. Once again the village people gathered around the woodcutter and spoke. "Old man, you were right and we were wrong. What we thought was a curse was a blessing. Please forgive us."The man responded, "Once again, you go too far. Say only that the horse is back. State only that a dozen horses returned with him, but don’t judge. How do you know if this is a blessing or not? You see only a fragment. Unless you know the whole story, how can you judge? You read only one page of a book. Can you judge the whole book? You read only one word of a phrase. Can you understand the entire phrase?"Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. All you have is a fragment! Don’t say that this is a blessing. No one knows. I am content with what I know. I am not perturbed by what I don’t.""Maybe the old man is right," they said to one another. So they said little. But down deep, they knew he was wrong. They knew it was a blessing. Twelve wild horses had returned with one horse. With a little bit of work, the animals could be broken and trained and sold for much money.The old man had a son, an only son. The young man began to break the wild horses. After a few days, he fell from one of the horses and broke both legs. Once again the villagers gathered around the old man and cast their judgements."You were right," they said. "You proved you were right. The dozen horses were not a blessing. They were a curse. Your only son has broken his legs, and now in your old age you have no one to help you. Now you are poorer than ever."The old man spoke again. "You people are obsessed with judging. Don’t go so far. Say only that my son broke his legs. Who knows if it is a blessing or a curse? No one knows. We only have a fragment. Life comes in fragments."It so happened that a few weeks later the country engaged in war against a neighboring country. All the young men of the village were required to join the army. Only the son of the old man was excluded, because he was injured. Once again the people gathered around the old man, crying and screaming because their sons had been taken. There was little chance that they would return. The enemy was strong, and the war would be a losing struggle. They would never see their sons again."You were right, old man," they wept. "God knows you were right. This proves it. Yours son’s accident was a blessing. His legs may be broken, but at least he is with you. Our sons are gone forever."The old man spoke again. "It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. No one knows. Say only this: Your sons had to go to war, and mine did not. No one knows if it is a blessing or a curse. No one is wise enough to know. Only God knows." * * *The old man was right. We only have a fragment. Life’s mishaps and horrors are only a page out of a grand book. We must be slow about drawing conclusions. We must reserve judgement on life’s storms until we know the whole story.I don’t know where the woodcutter learned his patience. Perhaps from another woodcutter in Galilee. For it was the Carpenter who said it best:"Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself."3He should know. He is the author of our story. And he has already written the final chapter.

Much of You Jesus

Much of You Jesus
Steven Curtis Chapman

Lyrics:
How could I stand here
And watch the sun rise
Follow the mountains
Where they touch the sky
Ponder the vastness
And the depths of the sea
And think for a moment
The point of it all was to make
Much of me
Cause I'm just a whisper
And You are the thunder and

I want to make much of You, Jesus
I want to make much of Your love
I want to live today and give You the praise
That You alone are so worthy of
I want to make much of Your mercy
I want to make much of Your cross
I give You my life
Take it and let it be used
To make much of you

And how can I kneel here
And think of the cross
The thorns and the whip and the
Nails and the spear
The infinite cost
To purchase my pardon
And bear all my shame
To think I have anything worthy boasting in
Except for Your name
Cause I am a sinner And
You are the Savior and

Chorus

This is Your love, oh,
God Not to make much of me
But to send Your own Son
So that we could make much of
You For all eternity

Chorus

So, why is Good Friday Good?

Have you ever wondered why Good Friday is called "good?" If so, head to an analogy my sister-in-law, Becky, came up with. http://emerickhome.blogspot.com/2007/04/good-friday.html

Also, this video was played at our church on Good Friday. It is about 3 minutes long-- and it is incredible!
http://www.sermonspice.com/videos/1278/sundays-comin/

Andi

This is My Brain. This is my Brain on a Blog.

My First Blahg Post- Your First Peek Into My Brain On a Blog

I've started a blog. Yea! My sister in law says I've been trapped in the house too long, (minor illness among my 4 little kids-- we have our own breeding grounds for germs). She says I've become quite talkative lately. So, I'll talk to all of you until I can reach the outside world regularly again.

Jack frequently tells me that it is time to put my brain in shutdown (and, picture this, he imitates the sound of a computer shutting down as he pretends to push a button on my head! LOL!).

I love to think. This world amazes me. The Creator of this world leaves me speechless, wondering and thinking even more.

So, this might be a great place for me to post questions! I might get people who will give me their ideas or answers! That would be cool. . . .
I think I could give out some recipes. . . .
Well. .. . signing off from my first blah blah blog entry.
Andi
:)