Promise's Bible

Great-Grandma bought Precious Moments Bibles for all her grandchildren. She was a bit concerned because it was a Bible and not a Bible story book. She thought it may be too difficult for them. Promise's Bible is pink and Zion's blue.

Promise loves her Bible. Every time visitors come, she shows them the Bible her Great-Grandma had given her. Then she shows them her name written inside. She's so proud of this Book. Then our friends came one day and Zenaida told Promise she also has a Bible like that, and one day they would have a Bible reading date. Promise didn't forget the promise.

Today was that day. Zenaida came and picked up Promise, took her to the library for their Bible reading date. What a joy. Promise was so excited and had learned a verse while she was on her date—God will never leave me or forsake me. She told us that God always keeps His promises.

Am I this excited to read God's word? Has it become mundane to me? I pray not. I pray I will be the Grandma that doesn't squelch a little girl's excitement for His Word. This too is ministry and a mission.

God bless you

Not Walking Yet

Just a quick note...I am trying but not successful yet in walking. I will go tomorrow to have it adjusted again. Hoping this will help. Quite a process. I continue to talk to myself and the Lord to keep me from getting discouraged with this whole thing.

But that seems a bit ridiculous after coming so far. My family urges me on, as well as you all. I feel the prayers that are offered. I know some day soon, I will walk.

And for those of you who are going through a hardship right now, I encourage you to stand strong. God is with you. He will not let you go. If we stand together, then we are not alone.

God bless you

Alone on the Water

I was sitting at the dining room table this evening, looking out over the lake. The water was calm, one lone duck was swimming across the water. When it was in the middle of the lake another duck came along side from behind and they swam to the other side together.

It was a beautiful sight, yet it brought reminders of life. How often have I been on the waters alone! I chose to go alone. This can happen in mission work. We venture out, to do good, but then fall on our face. Let me give an example. When Patrick and I first started mission work in 1989, things didn't go as we thought it would. We knew God had called us to Haiti. We thought we knew what we were to do. But!

We were not connected strongly with others as a team to help us. We were independent missionaries. Things seemed to go from bad to worse. We were selling fruits and vegetables to other missionaries so we could have food on the table. Patrick was teaching in the Haitian/American Institute. God allowed us to suffer. This was a testing ground.

Then it happened. God sent a prayer partner into our lives. Then a book. I had always wanted to read the book "Grace Awakening" by Charles Swindoll. I read the book, but I only remember on paragraph toward the end of the book. Maybe it would be proper to say I remember a phrase. This was the thought—God never expected his people to work alone. If we work alone, then if there is success we take the glory. But if His children work together and there is success, then no one person can take the glory. God gets the glory! Then I understood.

Soon God provided a prayer team, support group, and an organization with whom we were accountable. Within a month, things began to change. God is so good in wanting us to work together as His children. The work load is lighter, and the work is done better.

This is to say, if you plan to swim across the lake, get some other ducks to swim with you. Then give God the glory for any success you have.

God bless you.

Run but not Faint

I am beginning the challenge of walking again. Yes, it is a challenge even though I have been through it before. I am trying to get strength into the leg since it hasn't been used for several months. There is no pain as it was before. I am still needing the walking for a few days for balance. I did take 4 steps without any support.

I can't believe how tired it makes me. Ok, so I admit I'm not young any more. But the Bible promises that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength, we shall run and not faint. Encouraging. I will be happy to walk even if running isn't on the list. But I can run in my heart, does that count? :) I need God's strength to accomplish this walking feat.

Count the garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll. ~Author Unknown

God bless you

Walking with 2 legs

Today has been a full day and tiring. I received my prosthesis today. Now I'm learning to walk again. It will take time. I am sure once my balance is back, and I walk without any support, it will be better. So needless to say, I'm not running a marathon or dancing yet.

Of course, it made it easier to have Patrick join me to the doctor, and watching the process. It is good to have him home. He works so hard when he is in Haiti. Life is more difficult. People more discouraged. And everything takes longer to accomplish.

Prayer is vital. It almost sounds like a cliche, but we do covet your prayers for the work, the leaders, the schools and churches. Pray for Francette. She is in the hospital. The doctors don't seem to know her problem. Pray for Rosano. He is a teen but has chest pain at times that he passes out. Pray for us, as we make decisions for the many facets of work there.

God bless you

Homecoming

What is the first thing that pops in your mind when you see or hear the word "homecoming"?

Family reunion? Class reunion? Parades, dances, proms? Heaven? Or spouse is returning home after 3 weeks in Haiti? Yes, that would be me today!! Patrick is in flight and arrives at 8:00 pm. It will be fun to hear the stories. Don't worry, I'll give him some breathing time before I start asking questions. :)

I didn't get my prosthesis today. It wasn't finished yet. So tomorrow is the day. Now Patrick can go with me to get it, although I really wanted to surprise him when he came home by meeting him at the door with 2 legs.

Homecoming—Heaven. That will be a real homecoming. One that never ends. Real rejoicing. No more good-byes. Worship forever.

Be ready.

God bless you

Hezekiah

I love the story of Hezekiah. Great leader. But more than Hezekiah being great was how God showed His attributes in his life. Hezekiah knew God, he commanded his people not to fear the army of Sennacerib because they only had the power of man but Jerusalem had God's power. Hezekiah confessed the sins of his people and God forgave them. Then in 2 Chronicles 32:31 says that God left him alone (Hezekiah) to test him to see what his true motives are.

God didn't leave him, he just stayed in the shadows a while to test him.

God is sovereign. God is holy. God is love. We serve an amazing God.

Today was wonderful having friends visit from Sarasota. Actually they arrived yesterday afternoon. We not only visited, but they also helped with some house chores. Wonderful. Ended the visit with lunch at Olive Garden. Thankful for friends.

Tomorrow is the day I get my prosthesis and also Patrick returns from Haiti.

God bless you

Imaginations

Daddy asks, "Promise, why did you open the door?" This was after he had put them to bed and it was the 2nd time she was out of her room. Then answer, "I saw a black dot under the door." Daddy, "No there is no black dot." Promise, "I think it was a mosquito walking like a turtle." Smile.

That's how we are—find excuses for our actions, and then justify them. How many times have I done that? So many times. And yet, God's patience exceeds what I deserve. And sometimes we can almost make ourselves believe it is truth, or at least excusable.

We do better if we just are honest with our Heavenly Father. He knows our hearts anyway. Saves us the pain and guilt of it all.

God bless you

Pride to Destruction

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

In 2 Chronicles 26 we find the story of Uzziah, King of Jerusalem. It is quite an interesting story with a good beginning but the it ends with an echoing thud. Uzziah was 16 years old when he became king of Jerusalem. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord. He did all that his father had taught him. He sought God in the days of Zechariah. He had an understanding of visions. As long as he obeyed the Lord, God prospered him. He was king for 52 years. What an accomplishment starting so young!

Uzziah built towers, he had an army, he had livestock, vinedressers, and farmers. He fought successful battles. He had it all or so it seems. But after all this, verse 26 says that when he was strong, his heart was lifted up and he disobeyed the Lord...

God blessed him so much, but pride took over. From pride came anger (when it should have been fear of God and repentance), then God smote him with leprosy. That disease was never left him. He was isolated from his family, the Bible says "from the house of the Lord."

We can learn from this. Remember all that we have is God's. If we accomplished something, it is still God's. He gave us the ability for whatever we do or have. So when all is well, and we think "we have it made," watch out. The enemy is right at our doorstep ready to attack with pride.

Let us keep our eyes on the Lord, not on our things. I personally believe pride is the most difficult sin to detect. Or should I say the one that is most difficult to confess.

God bless you

Joy and Weeping

Psalm 30:5 "For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning."

David's life was a constant turn of events. He experienced the valley as well as the mountain tops. He knew what it was to run for your life. He hid in caves, lost many friends. He was anointed to be king, yet not on the throne for many years. He loved the man, King Saul, who was trying to kill him. David shares the depth of his soul throughout the Psalms.

Just when David thought he'd be on the throne and not in the sheep pasture, the road took a sudden turn in the opposite direction. I am sure he had many angry moments, but the final emotion was joy in the morning. He didn't stay in the valley. He didn't stay in the negative, no matter how difficult things were. He always broke forth in praise to His Lord.

Perhaps you think you are finally at a place when everything will be just right. Then it happens...another debt, losing your job, loss of a loved one, or an earthquake. And our life crumbles before us. This isn't the end of the story. Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning. God always wants us in a position where we depend on Him and not our own strength.

"We understand the roller-coaster ups and downs of life simply through the lens of experience." David Jeremiah. Don't waste your roller-coaster experience. It is a tough ride, but God will meet you there. He may have even placed you there. Just remember joy will come.

God bless you.

No One to Help

John 5:1-9 gives the story of the disabled man who was laying by the pool waiting for the "angel to come stir the waters. Whoever enters the pool first after the water was stirred would be healed. It says that this man had been disabled for 38 years. I don't know if he had been laying by the pool for all those years. But when Jesus appeared He saw this disabled man there—I picture him being very thin, with gnarled hands, deformed legs and helpless.

Then Jesus asked him a question "Do you want to be healed?" Wouldn't this be a ridiculous question when He saw the condition of this man? I mean wouldn't we all want to be healed if in this condition. After reading this account again, I decided that I am not so disabled after all.

What makes me sad is when the crippled man replied, "I have tried to get to the pool but someone always gets there before me. I have no one to help me." No one to help. That is one lonely person. We have been so blessed with all our many friends and family who have helped in every way possible. But NO ONE to help! Oh that is sad.

But Jesus had it all planned out. "Just get up and walk." Now that would take faith. For those of you who have always had 2 legs to walk on probably just thought, "that is easy, just walk." Well, at least for me, to get up and try to walk after many months of not doing so is very frightening. I always had a feeling of falling, not knowing if my leg and prosthesis would hold me. But I had help. Someone helped me.

The air was electrified around the pool when the man got up and started walking. Jesus was His help and hope. Jesus brought normalcy to his life again. Why did Jesus choose this man? Why does He choose to help you and me? He blesses us, and wants us to reach out and bless others.

I pray we will always reach out to help someone. I pray we will not pass by on the other side and ignore the hurting and lonely.

God bless you.

Job's Burden

There is so much we can learn from the life of Job. Of course, the first thing most of us learn about is patience. We can also see his faithfulness to God. Even when his wife told him to curse God because of his miserable life, Job refused to do so. At the end of the book of Job, we also see Job's confession that he really did not know God and confessed his arrogance.

But there is a tidbit in Job 1:5 that captures my attention.

"So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly."

Job offered burnt offerings for each of his sons, early each morning after the days of feasting/festivities. I don't know if this is the only time he did this, or if the phrase "thus Job did regularly" mean this was a daily practice. But the reason for doing it was just perhaps his sons had sinned and cursed God. (the bold text is mine)

I believe every parent should intercede for their children. We need to bring them before the Throne of God. I remember a number of years of ago when our daughter was a teenager, not walking with the Lord. I was talking to her about her life, and she said "Mom, every time I'm ready to do something I know I shouldn't, I see you in your bedroom on your knees." That was the most encouraging word I needed. I knew that a mother's prayer is honored before God. Did she return to the Lord then? No. But I prayed more diligently.

Never stop praying!! We do not know the results it will bring. Our children, and definitely our grandchildren. I fear for the younger generation in this evil world. We must pray. Be a Job, and make it a daily practice. Just perhaps...they may have sinned, or cursed God. We need to be on a mission on behalf of our children.

God bless you

Treasures

I just am bursting with excitement. Yesterday I was looking for an empty journal, but instead I found 2 that are very precious. I didn't even remember that these were sent back to me from Haiti. I opened them and started reading. I found journal entries that were written right before the quake. It is interesting to see where my thoughts were then.

Let me share:

Jan 7 (5 days prior to the quake)— But the God of all Grace! He will establish, strengthen, and settle me.

Jan 8—2 Peter 1, meditating on the service of a bond servant. A bond servant is attached to his master serving in every way. My master over-pays in blessings. Constantly over and above to what I can ever imagine.

Jan 10—(2 days before the quake) Grace and peace is multiplied in me through the knowledge of God. His power has given me everything I need for life and godliness. (this is overwhelming, it was God preparing me for the coming catastrophe.)

Jan 11—(1 day before the quake) Be diligent in faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. I need to be diligent in the call God gave me—to be His servant.

There was no entry for the day of the quake.

I don't journal well or even consistently but this was a treasure, as I often wondered what I was thinking of before the quake.

Sometimes I wish you could all come to my house, so I could hear your stories too.

God bless you

Take No Offense

Matthew 11:2-6 gives an account of John the Baptist while he was in prison. Very interesting.

Quite a number of years ago I read a book "Prisoner in the Third Cell" by Gene Edwards. The prisoner being John. John, being the cousin of Jesus, was in prison because someone hated him and his message. John sent his friends to go ask Jesus if he really is the Messiah. Jesus's answer is very interesting. He tells the men to return to John and tell him what they have seen—the blind see, the lame walk, lepers are healed, the dead are raised and the poor have heard the Good news. But he adds another statement "Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me." What does that have to do with the miracles??

Perhaps John was like us, thinking..."what is wrong with this picture? He can heal and raise people from the dead, but he can't get me out of prison? His own cousin? I didn't even do anything wrong. All I did was preach the good news like I was told to do by God." John died never knowing the extent of his ministry. John didn't know that centuries later people would still be reading about him in the Bible. Jesus did not want him to be offended because he was not delivered from prison.

What about us? Do we take offense when we pray and God doesn't answer? Or even more He doesn't give us an explanation of our situation? Do we take offense when God chooses to bless another but not me? I have many questions that I have no answer or explanation. I may never have the answer. Do I take offense because of this?

Let's not take offense because of Jesus. Our prayers may not all be answered the way we want, we may not understand the "why's" in our life, but let's not take offense because of HIM. He knows the beginning from the end. He is the Alpha and Omega.

Be blessed today

Desert University

Have you ever been to a desert? How long did you stay? I've been there many times. From time to time, it is as if God says to me, "Time to draw away in the desert again. You have some lessons to learn." And sometimes, I just land in the desert on this pilgrimage of mine. It is lonely there. Harsh reality. The thorny cacti pierce my skin. I cry. Then I look up and see an oasis. Maybe my tears made the oasis.

In the desert I learned to trust my Lord. I learned forgiveness. I learned love. But why the desert? There are no voices there. I'm alone. Just me and my Lord. Moses went to desert university. He learned the foundations of leadership. Jesus went to the desert right before he started his ministry. Hagar found the God-Who-Sees in the desert.

I run to the water, the Living Water. He is my teacher. While I was in the desert (literally) in Haiti, It prepared me for future ministry. During those days, I learned to trust my God for food, water, finances, and how to treat medical problems even though I wasn't a doctor or nurse. I learned to love people with whom I could barely communicate with. (I did learn the language eventually). But most of all I learned that seasons of being alone were good for me. God's voice rings loud and clear.

Psalm 84:5-7 "Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca (tears), they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each appears before God in Zion."

These verses became a main stay for me. I spent many days in the Valley of Baca, but just when I thought I could take no more I found springs of refreshing, strength to go on and pools of praise for my Maker.

For Moses his first trip to the desert lasted for 40 years. His 2nd time in the desert was also 40 years long. But he also became a great leader. He was God's man for the children of Israel. Don't waste your desert seasons. Springs of refreshing will come. Pools of Praise will ring forth.

God bless you.

Culture or God's Will

Let's think about Mary, the mother of Jesus. Just a young girl when the angel first came to her to announce that she would be the mother of God's son. What would have happened if she would have been a bit more outspoken and selfish, and trying to live according to culture?

"Wait a minute. I'm engaged to be married, and if I come up pregnant by the Holy Spirit, I am sure that will go over big time with my mom and my fiance! Oh they will believe me. I don't think so. I mean really, Angel Gabriel, don't you know that I could be stoned for adultery? How am I going to explain this all to my family and friends?"

But it wasn't that way. She submitted to the announcement. She trusted God, and saw it as an honor to be a mother to God's Son. She knew culturally she was not going to be accepted. She was more concerned to do God's will than to please her friends. Joseph even hid her because he was embarrassed.

What about you and I? What is important to us? Culture? What will others think? Or to do God's will?

Philippians 1:6 "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete [it] until the day of Jesus Christ.." Know for sure that the work God has started in me and you He will complete it. Allow Him to do it.

God bless you

The God Who Sees

Gen 16: 13 "You are the God Who Sees, for she said, Have I also here seen Him who sees me?"

In Genesis 16 we find the story of Hagar—definitely one who was a victim of circumstance. Hagar was Abraham and Sarah's slave. She was brought from Egypt. She was a stranger in the land. Being a slave she had no rights. She was required to do as told.

So when Sarah, her mistress, told Abraham to take Hagar and see if she would bear a son. First of all, Sarah's faith was waning. She didn't believe God was able to keep His promise to give them a son. (Does this ring a bell? Do we lose patience with God, and then take things in our own hand?) Hagar did conceive, then despised her mistress. Sarah obviously wasn't pleased either with the situation. Life went from bad to worse. Until the day came, that Hagar ran away.

God met her in the desert. His question was "where have you come from?" Hagar answered Him honestly that she had run from her mistress. God didn't tell her to keep running, but told her to return where she came from. What? Really God? Back into the same situation!! But God also gave her the promise that the son she carries will also become a great nation.

Hagar named that encounter with God "He is the God who sees" I love the phrase after that which Hagar asked—Have also seen Him who sees me?

No matter what situation you are in, God sees you. Are you able to see Him through the "cloud of desperation?Are you able to call your situation He is the God who sees? God is there. His arm is not too short to reach to you. Are you able to see Him?

Since January 2010, my life has taken a total turn. Sometimes I hardly recognized it as being my life. The adjustments have been enormous. But every step of the way, I know, that I know He is the God who sees.

I trust you know too!

God bless you

A Crowd of a Million

Exodus 14:6 "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.."

I am reminded of the children of Israel on their way to the Promised Land. At last they are free from Pharaoh's harsh slavery. Then they arrived at the banks of the Red Sea. This was no river, it was a sea. They saw the water before them and the Egyptians behind them. They were afraid, angry and started yelling at Moses. Moses was God's mouthpiece and told them not to fear. God is ever with them. And sure enough, the waters were parted and they started the walk across the sea...on dry ground.

Today Haiti is not walking on dry ground. It has rained for 6 days, almost non-stop. Houses have collapsed, tent cities destroyed, mud slides, people under the collapsed houses, and people have died in this deluge. People are walking in mud up to their ankles inside houses. To top it off, Patrick is in the village and no way to get out at this point. Rivers are too high to cross, bridges are washed out.

The situation looks hopeless. Haiti oh Haiti. What can be done? I only know one answer "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." So many people have yet to turn to the Lord. Just as in Revelation, in spite of all the suffering people curse God. People still curse God in Haiti. God does have His people there, but there are more who have not turned their heart to God.

Asking for prayer for those who are hit hard in this rain. Pray for God's mercy on Haiti. Pray for more people to turn to God. Pray for Patrick. Pray for his safety and for a safe passage to return to the city. Also pray for the team that was to go in on Thursday. We do not yet know if it is safe for them to go at this time.

God bless you

Expensive Perfume

This story is found in Matthew 26:6-13. I'm sure you know it. It is about Mary when she brought the expensive perfumed oil to Simeon's house where Jesus was dining.

She went to the table and poured the oil over his head. Mary loved Jesus. She gave her best. Her heart was filled with love for him. She had been forgiven much, and she loved much. Her motive for this act of love was right. But...the disciples were disgruntled to think that Mary wasted so much money on perfume when it could have been given to the poor. They saw it as a waste. Jesus rebuked them saying this was for His burial.

Isn't this just the way it is? You are sincere in your actions. Your motives are right. You really thought you sensed God wanted you to reach out, even out of your comfort zone. Then someone comes along and finds fault. Your heart sinks. You wonder how you could have missed the mark when you thought it was so right.

It has happened me to me again and again. I was accused wrongly. What do we do? We do what Mary did—we continue to pour the oil of blessing. We do not need to justify our deeds if they are God-given. God is our defender. Our ministry is to keep blessing others as God blesses us. Forgive your offenders and look to your Defender.

Pray for Patrick. Rain has covered Haiti for many days now. He is in the village and cannot leave. I had contact with him this evening, and there is still rain. Pray for their safety. When this happens in the village, many people do not have food. They cook with wood, and all the wood is wet.

God bless you

Naaman

Story in the Old Testament 2 Kings 5

Naaman was a captain of the king's army. He was a honorable man, a man of valor, but...

He was a leper. The most dreaded disease of that time. It was a hindrance of his life. He had a "but" in his life. He was wealthy, noble and respected. "But".

The sad thing is that God had a way to heal him. He almost missed it. Through the course of several people, one being a young slave girl and one the prophet Elisha, telling him to go bathe in the river Jordan. Jordan? Really? That is the dirtiest river around. He is a top man in the army. He is renown. Now to humiliate himself to go bathe in the dirty river. He told his servants he won't do it. If God wanted to heal him, he could use an honorable method. Then his servants convinced him to try to do what the prophet told him to do. He did, and he was healed.

This is you and me. We pray, but we pray the answer. We tell God how to answer our prayer, and then when the answer comes we miss it because God didn't answer in the way we thought it should be answered. Then we get discouraged. But wait....Naaman did go to the river. He did what he was told to do and was healed.

I remember one of the first years in Haiti, I had tried to leave for the 3rd time and God shut the door tightly. So I said, "God I won't try to leave again until I know that I know you have called me out." It was 28 years later the quake happened, and I "had" to leave Haiti. Couldn't God have just nudged my heart, and gently told me, "Barb, it is time for a change." He probably could have done that but He didn't.

The lesson for us, Don't out guess God. He has reasons for answering our prayers the way He does. He is doing a work in us, and He will complete it. He wants us to be accomplished for His glory. His glory, not mine. He has a plan. He put me under the rubble to bring me out of the rubble. Yes, there was rubble in my heart. He is doing a work in me. And you. Don't miss it! Don't waste your pain or sorrow.

God bless you.

A Young Boy

We are never too insignificant for the Lord. In a crowd of 5,000, a little boy became the channel of a miracle. Can you imagine the story he told his mother when he returned home that night! What he thought was normal for a lunch that his mother packed for him as he left that day. Perhaps he was on his way to the river bank to go fishing when he noticed the crowd.

Curiosity always wins, especially with little boys. He found a large crowd just hanging around listening to one man talk. But he drew closer and closer. Then he couldn't take his eyes off Jesus. I wonder if he had seen him before? Little boys don't just stand around listening. They want action, and he got it.

Did he offer his food to the disciples? I think so. His eyes must have bulged when he saw what happened to his few fish and dinner buns. His feet couldn't run fast enough to get home to tell his mother all about it. I wonder if he stuffed his pocket with few crumbs to show his mother his story was true.

What am I getting at? Only a thought—there is nothing too small for the Lord to use. He only wants what is in our hands. He can use it. But often we are tight fisted. Or perhaps you don't see that you have something He can use for his kingdom. Open your hand and your heart, give Him all. "Don't be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." Exodus 14:6

Today was good news. I went to the prosthetic doctor. He will be casting (molding a fit) me for the prosthesis on Tuesday. THEN he said, "The following Monday you will return, get your prosthesis and start walking!" That is a week from Monday!! This is too much! I'm excited.

Pray for Patrick. He's in Haiti. Lots of rain. Makes travel to the village very difficult. He is in the village after trying the 3rd route to get there. The 1st two roads were impassable. I remember those trips. So far removed and long ago, it seems.

God bless you

Abraham

Today I'm thinking of Abraham, but really Abram because it was before his name was changed. God called him to leave his family, his land and go to a land where God would show him. He is going, not knowing where. And he went, not knowing where he was going, only that God had called him out of his land. Remember he wasn't from a christian home. He was in a land that served idols. He didn't have a Bible. How was Abraham sure it was God's voice? What caused him to decide to leave?

Years later, again, God called him to sacrifice his only son. The very one that God promised would make him a father of many nations. Abraham got up the next morning, started up the mountain with his son. Now wait a minute. How was Abraham so sure it was God's voice? Abraham became one of the great patriarchs of Bible history.

We have the Bible, we have the Holy Spirit, yet we doubt when we are at a crossroad which gives us an option to obey or not to obey God's voice. We have this idea that if it is not culturally accepted it must not be God. Where does this come from? Abraham's calling certainly wasn't culturally correct. But he obeyed.

There are so many voices all around us every day. The TV is on, news is blaring, sports, style shows, etc. Just noise. Maybe we are crowding God's voice out. Take the time today to be quiet before the Lord. Listen to Him. Read His Word. He may have a message for you. Will you obey?

Today our 2 little ones have a fever. Patrick is in Haiti, trying to get to the village but the rains have caused the rivers to rise and he can't cross. He was going to try one more road. I haven't heard if he got through. Pray for him.

God bless you

Thomas

We are starting a new month. Yesterday I was having some doubts about a few issues, like bills are coming in but the finances not so much. Now I really don't know why doubt came knocking at my door, but it did start me thinking.

Thomas, who many of us know as "Doubting Thomas" was with Jesus for 3 years. He listened to his teaching, saw how he related to people, saw miracles time and time again. Yet when Jesus told His disciples that He is going to leave and go to His Father. Thomas asks where and basically says "How am I supposed to know where you are going." Then after the crucifixion he said he won't believe the resurrection unless he can put his fingers in Jesus side. We may think this a bit ridiculous, but I don't think so.

We have the Word of God. We have the testimony of Jesus. We have His promises. And yet! how many times do we find ourselves in depression and discouragement because we just can't see a way out of our mess. We look everywhere but up. God promised to take care of us. He promised not to leave us.

Are you a Doubting Thomas or do you have faith as a mustard seed? That faith can move your mountains! Don't wait to have faith until you can see the end of your problems. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1

God bless you