We are home again after a busy 4 days in Kansas. It was a wonderfully, blessed trip. We were blessed to see old friends, and make new friends. We didn't see a yellow brick road, only a red one. :))
We were able to share God's story in many meetings, including a Ladies' Tea which was beautifully decorated. This was the first trip I've made that was pain-free!! Wonderful!
Now we have one day to finish preparations for Patrick's trip to Haiti. He leaves Thursday morning.
God is incredibly Good and Faithful. None of this would have been possible if it weren't for Him!!
God bless you.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Truly Thankful
I am just thinking this morning about my life, where I was, where I am and where I am going. I was reading in Matthew 13 where Jesus was teaching the disciples about the kingdom of God, but teaching in parables. Then He asked them "Do you understand what I am saying?"
Do I understand? Or do I come to the "table" with a bunch of "but's"? Why was satan allowed to sow wickedness into the world? Why not get rid of it while we are still on earth?
The bottom line, am I truly grateful for my life? Am I grateful for all that God is doing in my life? Even if I don't understand fully, I need to trust Him, walk by faith and keep going. Most assuredly God is doing so much more in my life than what seems on the surface.
Lord, change me, even if it hurts. I thank you for all those painful moments and seasons. Glory will cover all those times, and I won't even remember them. Thank you, Lord.
I will not be posting for a few days. We will be out of town for 4 days. So until my return, have a good weekend. Be blessed.
God bless you
Do I understand? Or do I come to the "table" with a bunch of "but's"? Why was satan allowed to sow wickedness into the world? Why not get rid of it while we are still on earth?
The bottom line, am I truly grateful for my life? Am I grateful for all that God is doing in my life? Even if I don't understand fully, I need to trust Him, walk by faith and keep going. Most assuredly God is doing so much more in my life than what seems on the surface.
Lord, change me, even if it hurts. I thank you for all those painful moments and seasons. Glory will cover all those times, and I won't even remember them. Thank you, Lord.
I will not be posting for a few days. We will be out of town for 4 days. So until my return, have a good weekend. Be blessed.
God bless you
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Guard Your Heart
In the message on Sunday, the pastor spoke of this verse, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of for life." Proverbs 4:23
When I had first arrived in Haiti, and saw the beautiful ironwork on the windows I thought it was for decoration only. But it didn't take long for me to realize that it was for more than beauty. It was an effort to keep thieves from breaking in. Not only was there ironworks across the windows, but also chain locks for doors and gates. Most houses in the city use this method against robbery. It doesn't always work, as thieves have often cut the ironwork and entered the houses anyway. Just for the record, we were broken into about 14 times in the course of 8 years. Not sure of the exact years, but do know it is no fun to wake up the next morning and find things broken into. On the other hand, it is a blessing to wake up and realize God kept us under the protection of His wings.
How much effort do I take to guard my heart? What needs to be guarded? Oh I have a list of things—pride, covetousness, gossip, idolatry, discouragement, and the list goes on. If for one minute, I let my guard down, satan is at hand to immediately to load me down with sins unguarded.
But the guarded heart is the happy heart. It is the one that has peace. It takes work to guard our heart. We need time in the Word, prayer, and sharing God's Word with others.
My encouragement to you: Don't let the enemy steal your peace and joy!! Stay on Guard!
God bless you
When I had first arrived in Haiti, and saw the beautiful ironwork on the windows I thought it was for decoration only. But it didn't take long for me to realize that it was for more than beauty. It was an effort to keep thieves from breaking in. Not only was there ironworks across the windows, but also chain locks for doors and gates. Most houses in the city use this method against robbery. It doesn't always work, as thieves have often cut the ironwork and entered the houses anyway. Just for the record, we were broken into about 14 times in the course of 8 years. Not sure of the exact years, but do know it is no fun to wake up the next morning and find things broken into. On the other hand, it is a blessing to wake up and realize God kept us under the protection of His wings.
How much effort do I take to guard my heart? What needs to be guarded? Oh I have a list of things—pride, covetousness, gossip, idolatry, discouragement, and the list goes on. If for one minute, I let my guard down, satan is at hand to immediately to load me down with sins unguarded.
But the guarded heart is the happy heart. It is the one that has peace. It takes work to guard our heart. We need time in the Word, prayer, and sharing God's Word with others.
My encouragement to you: Don't let the enemy steal your peace and joy!! Stay on Guard!
God bless you
Monday, November 7, 2011
Homecoming
1 John 2:28 "And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming."
Our daughter came home last night. What fun! She will be here for a few weeks while her husband is gone "on field."(military) Nate was ecstatic to see his mother again. Great reunion!
Isn't that the way it should be? Children love coming home to parents, and parents loving to have them home. Rachel said last night, as we were all sitting around talking, "Wow, it is almost like Agape and I haven't been married, and it is like it was when we were all at home!" But of course, by this morning, when the kiddos were up, there was no doubt that it isn't just like when they were still at home. :))
The homecoming in Heaven will be sweeter. We'll be home with the Father. And He will welcome us with open arms. He loves us so much. It is difficult for me to really realize the extent of His love! I know He loves me, but unconditionally is hard to grasp.
So thankful for His Grace, and looking forward to the Homecoming!!
We are praying that Pat can join us for Thanksgiving...we don't know when he'll be home yet.
Gracefully His.
God bless you
Our daughter came home last night. What fun! She will be here for a few weeks while her husband is gone "on field."(military) Nate was ecstatic to see his mother again. Great reunion!
Isn't that the way it should be? Children love coming home to parents, and parents loving to have them home. Rachel said last night, as we were all sitting around talking, "Wow, it is almost like Agape and I haven't been married, and it is like it was when we were all at home!" But of course, by this morning, when the kiddos were up, there was no doubt that it isn't just like when they were still at home. :))
The homecoming in Heaven will be sweeter. We'll be home with the Father. And He will welcome us with open arms. He loves us so much. It is difficult for me to really realize the extent of His love! I know He loves me, but unconditionally is hard to grasp.
So thankful for His Grace, and looking forward to the Homecoming!!
We are praying that Pat can join us for Thanksgiving...we don't know when he'll be home yet.
Gracefully His.
God bless you
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Walk on High HIlls
Habakkuk 3:17-19 "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there ice no heard in the stalls—yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, He will make my feet like deer's feet. And He will make me walk on my high hills."
We have all been there....work, work, work and yet not enough to pay bills. The children get sick, the car breaks down, husband loses his job. Try this one...the "to do" list is long, one item started, interruption, back to item one, oops another interruption...deadline is coming up...let me try once again...interruption...attitude check. Attitude, Barb! Be thankful in all things. Do away with the negative.
This is what the verse is talking about, no matter how bad the situation we can rejoice in the Lord. He is our strength. He will give us energy to rise above the difficult places. So yesterday was one hurdle jumped. Actually two hurdles...the last one completed at 11:30 pm...smile.
I think my enemy, Satan, is not happy I have this verse this morning.
Have a good weekend.
God bless you
We have all been there....work, work, work and yet not enough to pay bills. The children get sick, the car breaks down, husband loses his job. Try this one...the "to do" list is long, one item started, interruption, back to item one, oops another interruption...deadline is coming up...let me try once again...interruption...attitude check. Attitude, Barb! Be thankful in all things. Do away with the negative.
This is what the verse is talking about, no matter how bad the situation we can rejoice in the Lord. He is our strength. He will give us energy to rise above the difficult places. So yesterday was one hurdle jumped. Actually two hurdles...the last one completed at 11:30 pm...smile.
I think my enemy, Satan, is not happy I have this verse this morning.
Have a good weekend.
God bless you
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Keep Silence
Habakkauk 2:20 "But the Lord is in His holy temple, Let all the earth keep silence before Him."
The verses prior to this, is speaking of the ridiculousness of praying and crying out to images. Many images are overlaid with gold, bronze, silver yet have no breath in them. I remember the story Patrick tells when he was a little boy and his grandmother told him how St Michel (the catholic patron in his home town) was dropped during the parade, and broke into a thousand pieces. When Patrick was older, and told his grandma he was going to quit praying to Mother Mary and the saints as they are just wood, and couldn't help him anyway. His grandmother was appalled at the disrespect he showed. So the final statement was, "Grandma, you told me that. If St. Michel can't help himself when he falls, how can he help me with my school work."
I ask myself, how many times do I treat the Lord as an idol, and demand Him to "get up and do something," "do this," "when are you going to give me an answer?"
He is the Lord, He is Holy and I need to stand in awe of Him and keep silent before Him. This is a time of worship and not always a time of asking. It is not about me, but all about Him.
God bless you
The verses prior to this, is speaking of the ridiculousness of praying and crying out to images. Many images are overlaid with gold, bronze, silver yet have no breath in them. I remember the story Patrick tells when he was a little boy and his grandmother told him how St Michel (the catholic patron in his home town) was dropped during the parade, and broke into a thousand pieces. When Patrick was older, and told his grandma he was going to quit praying to Mother Mary and the saints as they are just wood, and couldn't help him anyway. His grandmother was appalled at the disrespect he showed. So the final statement was, "Grandma, you told me that. If St. Michel can't help himself when he falls, how can he help me with my school work."
I ask myself, how many times do I treat the Lord as an idol, and demand Him to "get up and do something," "do this," "when are you going to give me an answer?"
He is the Lord, He is Holy and I need to stand in awe of Him and keep silent before Him. This is a time of worship and not always a time of asking. It is not about me, but all about Him.
God bless you
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Where to Start?
It is 11:00 am and I am asking, "Where do I start?" Your question may be, "What, you are only starting your day?"
The answer is "No." But I have been at it since 7:00 and find myself going nowhere fast. It's one of those days, "the faster I go, the be-hinder I get."
So I can throw up my hands and decide the work won't get done anyway, so why try? Or I can decide to move forward step by step, and hope by this evening there will be a significant difference on the desk. Hmm, which will it be? Probably move ahead, after all I see the deadline coming up all too soon.
So I see this in relationships. We try to amend, be friendly and kind, love, or whatever the situation may be. The more we try the more contankerous the other person becomes. So many times we throw up our hands and quit trying to befriend them. But there is a deadline...our last day on earth, which we do not know when it is.
I do not mean to say to comply to every whim and wish to the one you are trying to win for Jesus. There is this thing called tough love. Love them through the difficult times. Our enemies know when we love them or not.
May I encourage you (and me) to continue working through the rubble of relationship, show love, be generous in kindness, and don't forget to pray for them. You may not see a big difference in a day or a year, but one day, you will be rewarded for your faithfulness.
Have a great day....I will too, as I work through the piles of papers on my desk.
God bless you
The answer is "No." But I have been at it since 7:00 and find myself going nowhere fast. It's one of those days, "the faster I go, the be-hinder I get."
So I can throw up my hands and decide the work won't get done anyway, so why try? Or I can decide to move forward step by step, and hope by this evening there will be a significant difference on the desk. Hmm, which will it be? Probably move ahead, after all I see the deadline coming up all too soon.
So I see this in relationships. We try to amend, be friendly and kind, love, or whatever the situation may be. The more we try the more contankerous the other person becomes. So many times we throw up our hands and quit trying to befriend them. But there is a deadline...our last day on earth, which we do not know when it is.
I do not mean to say to comply to every whim and wish to the one you are trying to win for Jesus. There is this thing called tough love. Love them through the difficult times. Our enemies know when we love them or not.
May I encourage you (and me) to continue working through the rubble of relationship, show love, be generous in kindness, and don't forget to pray for them. You may not see a big difference in a day or a year, but one day, you will be rewarded for your faithfulness.
Have a great day....I will too, as I work through the piles of papers on my desk.
God bless you
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