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