Ok, so I admit it''s been a long time since I have written... I am surprised at how quickly time flies. I keep thinking I will write tomorrow and yet tomorrow never comes. It's always today and today is so full, that I don't seem to have time for my lists of yesterday.
Sadly we all fall into that trap. Good intentions are never good enough. As they say, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." So I would say is the road to apathy. We promise ourselves, "I will write a 'Thank You' tomorrow. I will clean my house tomorrow. I will call my friend tomorrow. I will exercise more tomorrow. I will diet tomorrow. I will, I will, I will," And yet tomorrow never comes. Apathy comes after we try to remove the guilt we feel from all of our "Could haves and should haves." There are only tow ways to remove guilt. One way is by the blood of Jesus, admitting we have failed and trading our life for His. The other is to deceive ourselves and say, "Oh these things don't matter. I don't have enough time." After a while we become apathetic and don't even try any longer and then all of our could haves and should haves get pushed aside.
Don't get me wrong. I too feel the crunch of doing everything I need to do in 24 hours. But I believe God has given me an answer. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:" Ok... so if there is a time for everything then I should consult the Time Giver about my day.
"Dear Father, Please guide me and direct me though out each day. Today, help me to complete my mission and fulfill your desires for me. I commit my list of "Need to Dos" to you. Help me to walk down the path you have made for me. When I finish my day with you, I want to hear you say "Well done."
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Twisted lives
I was just reading about a builder who uses junk and other people's castoffs to build houses in Texas for the poor. The story tells of broken glass, twisted wood and even bones that he has artfully arranged to build lovely housing. All of this he has done because he cares for the poor. Not thinking of himself he has invested his life to make something out of nothing. I am so glad God did this for me. He made something out of nothing. He took my castoffs and my junk, used them to make something that "surprise!" pleases Him. We are His temple, a living example of "God making all things new." I see so many people who think they are castoffs, rejected and worthless. It is so comforting to know that our God is a God who specializes in restoring broken and twisted lives... "Behold, I Make All Things New" (Rev. 21:5).
Friday, September 4, 2009
A Cat's Life
I know it has been several days since I have written. It seems like my days blend into each other and then all of a sudden I have lost a whole week. Oh dear...I don't like losing things.
Looking at my cat the other day made me think about what a cushy life he has. He doesn't have to worry about comfort. My whole house is at his disposal. When I am not looking he takes advantage of places he shouldn't be and with no cares in the world, he spends his life sleeping and chasing imaginary friends. He sits by the door and looks at the world outside but he never seems to want to leave the house. He must know how good he has it. What a life, no worries or cares. I would hold him more and give him a lot more attention but he doesn't want it. He is a little snooty and aloof and yet he does get lonely and seems to indicate to me that he likes me to be around but just not too close. I think that may cat and I are a lot like my relationship with God. He meets my needs and I have access to His presence whenever I want. I like having God around but not too close. I have no desire to leave Him but I can't help but see the world as it passes by my front door every day. It makes me realize how nice it is to be inside of God’s house and not outside. I too have a cushy life. God has given me enough to eat and plenty of love and protection. Sometimes I too forget how good I have it.
Looking at my cat the other day made me think about what a cushy life he has. He doesn't have to worry about comfort. My whole house is at his disposal. When I am not looking he takes advantage of places he shouldn't be and with no cares in the world, he spends his life sleeping and chasing imaginary friends. He sits by the door and looks at the world outside but he never seems to want to leave the house. He must know how good he has it. What a life, no worries or cares. I would hold him more and give him a lot more attention but he doesn't want it. He is a little snooty and aloof and yet he does get lonely and seems to indicate to me that he likes me to be around but just not too close. I think that may cat and I are a lot like my relationship with God. He meets my needs and I have access to His presence whenever I want. I like having God around but not too close. I have no desire to leave Him but I can't help but see the world as it passes by my front door every day. It makes me realize how nice it is to be inside of God’s house and not outside. I too have a cushy life. God has given me enough to eat and plenty of love and protection. Sometimes I too forget how good I have it.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Please pray for Fred's travels In Africa
Fred Travels - Please Pray!
August 26-27 – Fred & Robert fly to Accra, Ghana
August 27-28 – Drive North to Tamale, Ghana
August 29-Sept.1 – Graduation and Ministry in Tamale
September 2-4 – Travel to Accra and Ministry
September 5-6 – Robert flies & Fred goes to Lome, Togo
September 6 – Preach in Lome & travel to Cotonou, Benin & Frank Parrish of WorldMap arrives
September 7-9 – WorldMap Conf. – Cotonou, Benin
September 10-11 – WorldMap Conf.– Porto-Novo, Benin
September 12-13 – Travel to Parakou, Sunday service.
September 14-16 – WorldMap Conf.– Parakou, Benin
September 17-18 – WorldMap Conf.– Natintingou, Benin
September 19 – Travel to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
September 20 – Sunday service, & Meeting with Pastors & Bill Chapel arrives
September 21 – Travel to Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso & Meeting with Pastors
September 22 – Travel to Koutiala, Mali
September 23-26 – WorldMap Conf.– Koutiala, Mali
September 26 – Travel to Bamako, Mali
September 27-30 – WorldMap Conf.– Bamako, Mali
October 1 – Frank Parrish returns to USA.
October 1-3 – Fred teaches Bible School – Bamako, Mali
October 3 – Fred and Bill fly to Dakar, Senegal
October 4 – Sunday service Dakar, Senegal
October 5 – Fred and Bill return to USA.
August 26-27 – Fred & Robert fly to Accra, Ghana
August 27-28 – Drive North to Tamale, Ghana
August 29-Sept.1 – Graduation and Ministry in Tamale
September 2-4 – Travel to Accra and Ministry
September 5-6 – Robert flies & Fred goes to Lome, Togo
September 6 – Preach in Lome & travel to Cotonou, Benin & Frank Parrish of WorldMap arrives
September 7-9 – WorldMap Conf. – Cotonou, Benin
September 10-11 – WorldMap Conf.– Porto-Novo, Benin
September 12-13 – Travel to Parakou, Sunday service.
September 14-16 – WorldMap Conf.– Parakou, Benin
September 17-18 – WorldMap Conf.– Natintingou, Benin
September 19 – Travel to Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
September 20 – Sunday service, & Meeting with Pastors & Bill Chapel arrives
September 21 – Travel to Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso & Meeting with Pastors
September 22 – Travel to Koutiala, Mali
September 23-26 – WorldMap Conf.– Koutiala, Mali
September 26 – Travel to Bamako, Mali
September 27-30 – WorldMap Conf.– Bamako, Mali
October 1 – Frank Parrish returns to USA.
October 1-3 – Fred teaches Bible School – Bamako, Mali
October 3 – Fred and Bill fly to Dakar, Senegal
October 4 – Sunday service Dakar, Senegal
October 5 – Fred and Bill return to USA.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Update
I was pondering my busy life and realized that I have entered a whirlwind season. Often people ask me, "So what are you doing now?" Well.... let me tell you.
We just returned from New Hampshire and also Virginia. Yes I know they are not really connected however we did connect them in an asphalt kind of way....driving that is. Ha ha. While we were in Virginia we prayed for and sent our Daughter-in-law, Tina, off to Guatemala. She will be gone for about 2 weeks. Our Son Chris leaves on Saturday to join her.
On Tuesday/Wednesday, the 18th and 19th of August, Fred and I travel to NYC to pick up Dorcas Coulebly from Mali. She will become our "adopted daughter" for the next 4 years while she attends school in Olean NY. She was able to obtain a 4 year student visa.
On Friday (August 21st)we will take Marie-Louise to East Liverpool, Ohio. She will be traveling to Honduras with Mike and Becky Ingole on her first mission trip without mom and dad.
On Sunday the 23rd Chris and Tina return from their trip.
On Wednesday the 26th Fred leaves for Africa. He will not return till mid October.
Marie-Louise returns September 5th just in time for her to start school.
In the mean time, I have churches to visit and some ladies conferences planned. October 28th I leave to Palawan, Philippines. I have a feeling that I will sleep well on the plane. Ha ha!!!
We just returned from New Hampshire and also Virginia. Yes I know they are not really connected however we did connect them in an asphalt kind of way....driving that is. Ha ha. While we were in Virginia we prayed for and sent our Daughter-in-law, Tina, off to Guatemala. She will be gone for about 2 weeks. Our Son Chris leaves on Saturday to join her.
On Tuesday/Wednesday, the 18th and 19th of August, Fred and I travel to NYC to pick up Dorcas Coulebly from Mali. She will become our "adopted daughter" for the next 4 years while she attends school in Olean NY. She was able to obtain a 4 year student visa.
On Friday (August 21st)we will take Marie-Louise to East Liverpool, Ohio. She will be traveling to Honduras with Mike and Becky Ingole on her first mission trip without mom and dad.
On Sunday the 23rd Chris and Tina return from their trip.
On Wednesday the 26th Fred leaves for Africa. He will not return till mid October.
Marie-Louise returns September 5th just in time for her to start school.
In the mean time, I have churches to visit and some ladies conferences planned. October 28th I leave to Palawan, Philippines. I have a feeling that I will sleep well on the plane. Ha ha!!!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Quality Time or Quantity Time
Ah the great debate between quality time and quantity time. Is it better to have a lot of devoted time to a person or project or is it the quality of time that is greater? In pondering this I have discovered that both are true and they both demand commitment. Of course individual situations often dictate whether it is quantity or quality. Even for myself it is hard to determine which I prefer. With our lifestyle so busy and unpredictable having family time is sometimes a difficult task. I have discovered that I want both quality and quantity. I want the five minute talks and the quick little e-mails but I also long for the extended moments when nothing is said but we are all in the same room together, breathing the same air, knowing everyone is close. Our relationship with God is like that. God desires our day to day devotion time be it long or short. The fact that we designate some time to Him each day is pleasing to Him and yet He longs for those times when we retreat to a hidden place for an extended amount of time and just focus on being in His presence, breathing His air and knowing He is close. "Remember the Sabbath day" isn't legalism, it's a commitment. I don't have to be legalistic to devote quality or quantity time to God, I just have to do it.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Outside
Yesterday I painted some of the outdoor white trim on my house. I do not enjoy being outside so painting the outdoor trim was not pleasant. I do like to paint but only inside. Generally speaking I enjoy any kind of painting but for some reason painting outside took most of the fun out of the job. I know most people look for a reason to be outside and even enjoy it but this was not my idea of a good time. I love projects and I am not afraid of a challenge but they are all inside. As I painted, wishing that the sun would stop glaring in my face, I thought about how we all have to do things we don't like to do. Life isn't always fun, easy or comfortable. I'm different, I know that. I feel at home in an airport and I feel my best eating food I have never had before. Yet being outside in the sun irritates me. God knew just what I needed yesterday. He was stretching me, taking me outside of my comfort zone, making me go "outside". It's good for us to do things we don't want to do. I guess it's called growing up.
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