Our website, www.livingwordhaiti.org is finally up and running! We regret all the inconvenience of the problems with this. But Patrick worked hard and didn't give up, until he had the problem solved. This is what God wants us to do in our life with Him, Never Give Up. Keep pushing Ahead. I am so thankful for my husband to be so determined!
An update on my sister...she is still in an induced coma-like condition. Yesterday they started to wean her from sedation. The doctor says we may not see any change until Friday or Saturday. So we wait and pray. I need to keep my thoughts on those things I do know and not the things I don't. There is so much about her condition we do not yet know, but God is not confined into those limitations.
I do know that "all things work together for the good," "He will never leave me or forsake me," "In Him I have peace, and in this world we will suffer, " last but not least, "He is my Rock and sure Foundation."
It is of utmost importance that I keep my focus on Jesus. For you see, when I look at all those things around me, I become frustrated, impatient, discouraged...but our focus is on Him and in all these things Nothing will move me (Acts 20:24).
So whatever is on your agenda today, remember God is walking through the "fire" with you.
God bless you
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
Life is a Risk
"God did not create us, or sent Jesus to die for us, to make us safe and comfortable!" Christine Caine.
If you want to listen to someone who is speaking out in this lukewarm-to cold religious society, listen to her on Youtube. We were listening to her talk/message she gave at Conference One last night. Challenged again and again to get out of our comfort zone, and help others find the way of Jesus.
Our job isn't to stay safe. Everything has a risk. Life itself is a risk. Marriage, family, job, vacation all have risks. Nothing is danger-free. Death is certain for each of us. So why try to spare our lives of any hurts, risks, or even challenges? We have a job to do. There are so many hurting people, abused, orphaned, and wayward people. Let's reach out and help someone.
The Bible already told us we will have trials, persecutions, enemies, and trouble. But in all these, we will have joy unspeakable and a peace that passes all understanding! Seems so contrary. But in Jesus it all makes sense.
Let's remember that we do not see the whole picture but we are in the picture. We are His child.
God bless you.
If you want to listen to someone who is speaking out in this lukewarm-to cold religious society, listen to her on Youtube. We were listening to her talk/message she gave at Conference One last night. Challenged again and again to get out of our comfort zone, and help others find the way of Jesus.
Our job isn't to stay safe. Everything has a risk. Life itself is a risk. Marriage, family, job, vacation all have risks. Nothing is danger-free. Death is certain for each of us. So why try to spare our lives of any hurts, risks, or even challenges? We have a job to do. There are so many hurting people, abused, orphaned, and wayward people. Let's reach out and help someone.
The Bible already told us we will have trials, persecutions, enemies, and trouble. But in all these, we will have joy unspeakable and a peace that passes all understanding! Seems so contrary. But in Jesus it all makes sense.
Let's remember that we do not see the whole picture but we are in the picture. We are His child.
God bless you.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Storm Isaac
Today we are watching Tropical storm Isaac. It is hitting this evening. We are not hearing much, some rain and wind in Port au Prince. A lot of rain is expected. This causes many problems, mudslides being very dangerous. Also flooding.
Patrick spoke with a couple of the pastors this morning. They were a bit concerned. One thing that Patrick advised them was to have people gather dry wood before the rains started. This is one big hardship in the midst of torrent rains—there is no dry wood for fires to cook food.
So we are praying that God protects His children there. An approximate 400,000 people still live in tents and temporary housing since the quake. There are some shelters available, but wonder if there is enough for that many people.
We covet your prayers for the nation of Haiti.
God bless you
Patrick spoke with a couple of the pastors this morning. They were a bit concerned. One thing that Patrick advised them was to have people gather dry wood before the rains started. This is one big hardship in the midst of torrent rains—there is no dry wood for fires to cook food.
So we are praying that God protects His children there. An approximate 400,000 people still live in tents and temporary housing since the quake. There are some shelters available, but wonder if there is enough for that many people.
We covet your prayers for the nation of Haiti.
God bless you
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Counsel of the Lord
Joshua 9:14b "but they did not ask counsel of the Lord."
The children of Israel were so deceived, and this 9 word phrase gives the reason why they were duped by a neighboring country which posed to be poor travelers from a far away country. They made a pact with them, took some of their gifts...it "sounded" good and "looked" right. But it was so wrong. A lie.
How often we are in this same situation. When things look so right, yet we do not take counsel of the Lord. Assuming what appears right, must be right. Wrong!! We are living in the midst of a "me" generation. We are so deceived in believing we "deserve" to have all our wishes and whims. This couldn't be further from the truth.
The truth of the matter is that we "deserve" nothing. We are as "filthy rags," as God called the children of Israel. We don't even deserve His grace, but God so generously gives it. While we were sinners, God sent Jesus, his only son, His very best, so that we could have life eternal in the presence of God!
Before our next purchase, sporting event, vacation don't assume it is right because it looks good. I'm not saying it isn't good or that God wouldn't want it. But take counsel of the Lord before hand. Ask God what His will is. Often what He has for us, is so much more than what we can even begin to plan for ourselves.
The year of the earthquake, 2010, was also our 25th wedding anniversary. I had been checking some options and possibilities for us to celebrate and a small vacation. I had not made any reservations yet. It was still wishful thinking stage. We had never celebrated our anniversary, so I thought it should be ok to at least have one year to be special. I still think it would have been fun, but it wasn't to be. We celebrated by having the recovering time—doctor appointments, etc.
We learned so much through this experience. I doubt if we would have learned the same things on a "real" vacation. I confess, I never got to the counsel of the Lord on this issue. He just took us in another direction before I got to that.
God's counsel is a precursor to God's blessing
God bless you
The children of Israel were so deceived, and this 9 word phrase gives the reason why they were duped by a neighboring country which posed to be poor travelers from a far away country. They made a pact with them, took some of their gifts...it "sounded" good and "looked" right. But it was so wrong. A lie.
How often we are in this same situation. When things look so right, yet we do not take counsel of the Lord. Assuming what appears right, must be right. Wrong!! We are living in the midst of a "me" generation. We are so deceived in believing we "deserve" to have all our wishes and whims. This couldn't be further from the truth.
The truth of the matter is that we "deserve" nothing. We are as "filthy rags," as God called the children of Israel. We don't even deserve His grace, but God so generously gives it. While we were sinners, God sent Jesus, his only son, His very best, so that we could have life eternal in the presence of God!
Before our next purchase, sporting event, vacation don't assume it is right because it looks good. I'm not saying it isn't good or that God wouldn't want it. But take counsel of the Lord before hand. Ask God what His will is. Often what He has for us, is so much more than what we can even begin to plan for ourselves.
The year of the earthquake, 2010, was also our 25th wedding anniversary. I had been checking some options and possibilities for us to celebrate and a small vacation. I had not made any reservations yet. It was still wishful thinking stage. We had never celebrated our anniversary, so I thought it should be ok to at least have one year to be special. I still think it would have been fun, but it wasn't to be. We celebrated by having the recovering time—doctor appointments, etc.
We learned so much through this experience. I doubt if we would have learned the same things on a "real" vacation. I confess, I never got to the counsel of the Lord on this issue. He just took us in another direction before I got to that.
God's counsel is a precursor to God's blessing
God bless you
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Overcoming Obstacles
Finally I'm back. I was out of the office a few days, and busy those days. So now while I'm enjoying a cup of German coffee (Thank you, Linda), I will share a few thoughts.
We visited a church during the weekend, being invited to share on how to overcome obstacles. Three of the points discussed were:
1—Trust God and believe the Bible wholly. It is easy to trust God when things go well, but then when things go "south" we tend to blame God, and even be angry. One of the reasons is that we have a very wrong and negative attitude toward suffering. God seeing it as a season of growth. It is a time of pruning our hearts.
2—Focus and Attitude. When we suffer it is easy to see the obstacle and the situation. Yes, pain is no fun, neither is a debt, or prodigal child, abuse, etc. But in the midst of all this, God shows Himself faithful, if we determine to believe God and trust Him. There is no obstacle greater than God. The Red Sea wasn't bigger than God. How often have we stood on the banks of our own "red sea" wondering how we would cross over. Yet, God in His love parted the waters. God is faithful!
3—The third point was relationships. We need to build relationships with God's people. This should be done today. Many times we tend to withdraw in the midst of problems, thinking we can "do it alone." That is a lie. We cannot do it alone. We need each other. I do not know what we would have done during our recovery from the Quake if we did not have friends and people standing by us, loving on us. We need each other!
I, Barb, would be happy to share on this subject with you and the women in your church or Bible study. Please contact me...http://www.livingwordhaiti.org/contact-us.html
God bless you
We visited a church during the weekend, being invited to share on how to overcome obstacles. Three of the points discussed were:
1—Trust God and believe the Bible wholly. It is easy to trust God when things go well, but then when things go "south" we tend to blame God, and even be angry. One of the reasons is that we have a very wrong and negative attitude toward suffering. God seeing it as a season of growth. It is a time of pruning our hearts.
2—Focus and Attitude. When we suffer it is easy to see the obstacle and the situation. Yes, pain is no fun, neither is a debt, or prodigal child, abuse, etc. But in the midst of all this, God shows Himself faithful, if we determine to believe God and trust Him. There is no obstacle greater than God. The Red Sea wasn't bigger than God. How often have we stood on the banks of our own "red sea" wondering how we would cross over. Yet, God in His love parted the waters. God is faithful!
3—The third point was relationships. We need to build relationships with God's people. This should be done today. Many times we tend to withdraw in the midst of problems, thinking we can "do it alone." That is a lie. We cannot do it alone. We need each other. I do not know what we would have done during our recovery from the Quake if we did not have friends and people standing by us, loving on us. We need each other!
I, Barb, would be happy to share on this subject with you and the women in your church or Bible study. Please contact me...http://www.livingwordhaiti.org/contact-us.html
God bless you
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Give me Widsom
Proverbs 14:33 "Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, but what is in the heart of fools is made known."
I love the book of Proverbs. If I would apply all that I read, I would be much the wiser. This verse says to me, a wise person doesn't say everything that comes to his mind. But it is easy to know a fool when he speaks.
For today, I want to choose my words wisely. I want to speak wisdom, not foolishness. Today I want to praise God, and not grumble. Today I want praises to flow from my heart. For I know what is in my heart, will be expressed by my tongue.
This is difficult when there isn't a quiet moment in the house. We now have 3 little ones running around, and yes, they are wonderful little ones. But it shows my age, with all the activity. Smile. God knows this, and has been faithful giving me strength and energy needed for the day. I remember when our children were very young and I was always on the "run.," my favorite verse was "Seek the Lord while He may be found." Sometimes I was overwhelmed with the duties that I though God was far away. But He isn't, He is always with me and you. He never leaves us.
Lord, today give me understanding and a heart of wisdom.
God bless you
I love the book of Proverbs. If I would apply all that I read, I would be much the wiser. This verse says to me, a wise person doesn't say everything that comes to his mind. But it is easy to know a fool when he speaks.
For today, I want to choose my words wisely. I want to speak wisdom, not foolishness. Today I want to praise God, and not grumble. Today I want praises to flow from my heart. For I know what is in my heart, will be expressed by my tongue.
This is difficult when there isn't a quiet moment in the house. We now have 3 little ones running around, and yes, they are wonderful little ones. But it shows my age, with all the activity. Smile. God knows this, and has been faithful giving me strength and energy needed for the day. I remember when our children were very young and I was always on the "run.," my favorite verse was "Seek the Lord while He may be found." Sometimes I was overwhelmed with the duties that I though God was far away. But He isn't, He is always with me and you. He never leaves us.
Lord, today give me understanding and a heart of wisdom.
God bless you
Monday, August 13, 2012
Love is a Choice
Where oh where did this day go? At the end of the day, I look back and wonder what was accomplished. Am I the only one? Hopefully something was accomplished even if I don't remember.
That is life. We can go, go, go and then wonder what was done. That is why the quietness in the presence of Jesus is so important. I think I was more a "Martha" today than a "Mary." But in my busyness, I kept reflecting on the message from yesterday on I John 4:7-21.
The text was love. Love is not a feeling but an action word. Love is a choice. The verse given for this was Colossians 3:14 "And over all these put on love which binds them together." Even those who are difficult to love, I need to choose to love and bless them.
I choose to love, I choose to forgive and without this my heart is resentful. I cannot be resentful and love at the same time. There is no room for love in a bitter heart. Oh Lord, fill my heart with love, so that bitterness has no room.
Just like my house, there is always cleaning that can be done, so my heart, there is always cleaning and pruning taking place. Although, painful at times, it is so necessary.
I leave the challenge, don't be so busy in a day that you don't take time to learn at Jesus' feet.
God bless you
That is life. We can go, go, go and then wonder what was done. That is why the quietness in the presence of Jesus is so important. I think I was more a "Martha" today than a "Mary." But in my busyness, I kept reflecting on the message from yesterday on I John 4:7-21.
The text was love. Love is not a feeling but an action word. Love is a choice. The verse given for this was Colossians 3:14 "And over all these put on love which binds them together." Even those who are difficult to love, I need to choose to love and bless them.
I choose to love, I choose to forgive and without this my heart is resentful. I cannot be resentful and love at the same time. There is no room for love in a bitter heart. Oh Lord, fill my heart with love, so that bitterness has no room.
Just like my house, there is always cleaning that can be done, so my heart, there is always cleaning and pruning taking place. Although, painful at times, it is so necessary.
I leave the challenge, don't be so busy in a day that you don't take time to learn at Jesus' feet.
God bless you
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