Wow...what a stressful couple of weeks we, the McEwen family have had. We have so many projects, deals, opportunities, schedules, events, must do's, should do's, can't do's, and won't do's it's INSANE!
We are selling one house, completely renovating another to live in as the first is under contract, having absolutely NO knowledge on how to do that renovating, taking our post surgery daughter to therapy 3 times a week, taking her to school 5 times a week, trying to run three stores, lead 18 employees, do all the bookkeeping, build an orphanage half way across the world and all the drama that entails, lead 6 Pastors in a country half way across the world, start a new Bible study here during the week, not behead someone we love for robbing us TWICE in two weeks, not shoot someone else we love for being a basket case and losing $250 of store funds...should I go on???
It's a bunch. No, it's too much...
I took my "worries" out on the Jesus today. Like it's His fault... He was patient with me. Ever so kind. Such a gentleman. He always is...
This is what He told me...
He said, "Baby, I told you all you had to do was ask, and I'd give you relief. And I did. Though you may have to endure some things, a lot of it is your own doing. I sent you not one, not two, but THREE people to help carry your load on the house. They do it because they love me, and they love you. I sent you a Godly doctor, one of my best, to help your daughter get physically healed and back in good shape. He does it because he loves me, and he loves you. I've given you a secure job for fifteen years and have never allowed you to feel the pain of unemployment and all it entails. I do this because I love you. You have asked me time and time again to be used for my Kingdom. I have shown you the people, the places, and many of the details that I needed you to do to bring glory to Me. I have given you grace and mercy in abundance so that you might give it to others.... Should I go on???"
I was like, wow...
He really is so absolutely faithful to do what He says He will do. He told me to ask, and He would meet my need. He told me to knock and He'd open the door for me to talk to Him. He said if I would seek, I would find relief. He said that if I, being the heathen that I am, was capable of giving good gifts to my children, how could I possibly believe that He, being my Father in heaven wouldn't do the same and more for me if I asked Him? Matthew 7:7-11
He is SO dependable. And even when I get huffy and start beatin the door DOWN...He still answers....because He love me.
I didn't mention that there was a P.S.
He said, "P.S....your daughter can ride the bus!"
We are selling one house, completely renovating another to live in as the first is under contract, having absolutely NO knowledge on how to do that renovating, taking our post surgery daughter to therapy 3 times a week, taking her to school 5 times a week, trying to run three stores, lead 18 employees, do all the bookkeeping, build an orphanage half way across the world and all the drama that entails, lead 6 Pastors in a country half way across the world, start a new Bible study here during the week, not behead someone we love for robbing us TWICE in two weeks, not shoot someone else we love for being a basket case and losing $250 of store funds...should I go on???
It's a bunch. No, it's too much...
I took my "worries" out on the Jesus today. Like it's His fault... He was patient with me. Ever so kind. Such a gentleman. He always is...
This is what He told me...
He said, "Baby, I told you all you had to do was ask, and I'd give you relief. And I did. Though you may have to endure some things, a lot of it is your own doing. I sent you not one, not two, but THREE people to help carry your load on the house. They do it because they love me, and they love you. I sent you a Godly doctor, one of my best, to help your daughter get physically healed and back in good shape. He does it because he loves me, and he loves you. I've given you a secure job for fifteen years and have never allowed you to feel the pain of unemployment and all it entails. I do this because I love you. You have asked me time and time again to be used for my Kingdom. I have shown you the people, the places, and many of the details that I needed you to do to bring glory to Me. I have given you grace and mercy in abundance so that you might give it to others.... Should I go on???"
I was like, wow...
He really is so absolutely faithful to do what He says He will do. He told me to ask, and He would meet my need. He told me to knock and He'd open the door for me to talk to Him. He said if I would seek, I would find relief. He said that if I, being the heathen that I am, was capable of giving good gifts to my children, how could I possibly believe that He, being my Father in heaven wouldn't do the same and more for me if I asked Him? Matthew 7:7-11
He is SO dependable. And even when I get huffy and start beatin the door DOWN...He still answers....because He love me.
I didn't mention that there was a P.S.
He said, "P.S....your daughter can ride the bus!"
24/04: Turtle Rescue 9 -1 - WHAT???
We love turtles. We have 2 turtles in a tank at our house. Every year, about this time here in South Georgia, the turtles seem to arrive from some alien planet from who knows where. I don't know where they've been, but they can be seen in every shape and size imaginable around here.
Last year, at one time, we had SEVEN turtles on our back porch waiting for us to release them in a safer place than we found them. We have wetlands or "swamp" if ya wanna be real about it, in our back yard. It's a great place to release wild animals we find in danger around here.
I don't really know why we find so many of them; it's like we have turtle radar or something. We always seem to come across them. And being the turtle lovers that we are, we wont hesitate to hold up traffic, stop school buses, whatever it takes to rescue these "slowpolks" from certain death.
This morning was no different for me. On the way to work, dogs in tow, I saw a really big one with his neck stretched out real far on the opposite side of the road from me. After I passed him and made sure there was no oncoming traffic, I whipped that car around, turned my EMERGENCY rescue flashers on and I went to save this poor creature. I parked that car right in the middle of the road so NO ONE on either side could pass (except motorcycles).
Now, not everyone is as thrilled with this effort as myself, so I do take some dirty looks, an occasional honk, and I'm sure some tasteful comments savored under peoples breath. I just don't care. My heart just will NOT let me pass without trying to save these things from there own lack of knowledge.
So, I jumped out of my car, told the dogs not to move, and proceeded toward the animal for a closer look. It was a big one! I noticed the alligator looking beak with tail to match and decided flip flops and bare hands were probably NOT the best items for which to move this fella.
Just so happened God provided me with a big, burly biker dude who had no choice but to stop. (I was in the MIDDLE of the road) He didn't look pleased. I motioned him to come to me and explained to him that I couldn't move this turtle alone and could he help me. He NEVER SAID A WORD... ya'll he just pushed that turtle gently with his biker dude boot, and got back on his bike and left. By the way, THANKS BIKER DUDE!
I stayed for a minute longer, making sure the turtle was moving in a direction opposite the road, and rescue complete, I made my way to work. Of course, I phoned my husband to tell him of the dangerous rescue mission I was just involved in.....
So later in the day, like....NOW...I was thinking....what if I had THAT kind of passion and zeal for PEOPLE who were in danger? Aren't there millions in danger EVERY HOUR of EVERY DAY of losing their life...forever..? There are. And I'm not slamming on my brakes, turning myself around and hustling over to them to help save them!!!
Luke 19:10 says,
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
I should be SEEKING after people like I do for turtles and directing THEM to THEIR way of safety... The way of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. People have an eternal soul....it WONT be over in a flash for them if they get hit...They WONT just die... their suffering will go ON, and ON, and ON, and ON for an ETERNITY!
If the thoughts of a TURTLE getting hit in the road make me want to weep, shouldn't the thoughts of a PERSON going to the way that is broad that leads to destruction nearly KILL ME?
Some might say, "well a turtle is stupid though." Hello, have you met the human race lately????
Some are ignorant or unknowing of the truth, so they'll wander out into that broad path...not really knowing where it is going...but it seems nice......Shouldn't I be telling them that it's NOT?
Others are indifferent. They'll take their chances. Whatever is on the other side of that road is WORTH IT to them...Shouldn't I be telling them that it's the same land...it just has a road going through it?
And some... some are just WAITING for me to turn my car around, come to a screeching halt no matter who I inconvenience, hop out and tell them that this is a dangerous and deadly road they are on. I should be telling them that there is another way...
Matthew 7:14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life...
So for myself and all the other
"turtle" hunters out there: SEEK them, SAVE them, HELP THEM FIND THE WAY...the way to the narrow gate, they need us to show them because ...
Matthew 7:14 continued...
... there are few who find it.
PS..Happy Anniversary my beloved...
Last year, at one time, we had SEVEN turtles on our back porch waiting for us to release them in a safer place than we found them. We have wetlands or "swamp" if ya wanna be real about it, in our back yard. It's a great place to release wild animals we find in danger around here.
I don't really know why we find so many of them; it's like we have turtle radar or something. We always seem to come across them. And being the turtle lovers that we are, we wont hesitate to hold up traffic, stop school buses, whatever it takes to rescue these "slowpolks" from certain death.
This morning was no different for me. On the way to work, dogs in tow, I saw a really big one with his neck stretched out real far on the opposite side of the road from me. After I passed him and made sure there was no oncoming traffic, I whipped that car around, turned my EMERGENCY rescue flashers on and I went to save this poor creature. I parked that car right in the middle of the road so NO ONE on either side could pass (except motorcycles).
Now, not everyone is as thrilled with this effort as myself, so I do take some dirty looks, an occasional honk, and I'm sure some tasteful comments savored under peoples breath. I just don't care. My heart just will NOT let me pass without trying to save these things from there own lack of knowledge.
So, I jumped out of my car, told the dogs not to move, and proceeded toward the animal for a closer look. It was a big one! I noticed the alligator looking beak with tail to match and decided flip flops and bare hands were probably NOT the best items for which to move this fella.
Just so happened God provided me with a big, burly biker dude who had no choice but to stop. (I was in the MIDDLE of the road) He didn't look pleased. I motioned him to come to me and explained to him that I couldn't move this turtle alone and could he help me. He NEVER SAID A WORD... ya'll he just pushed that turtle gently with his biker dude boot, and got back on his bike and left. By the way, THANKS BIKER DUDE!
I stayed for a minute longer, making sure the turtle was moving in a direction opposite the road, and rescue complete, I made my way to work. Of course, I phoned my husband to tell him of the dangerous rescue mission I was just involved in.....
So later in the day, like....NOW...I was thinking....what if I had THAT kind of passion and zeal for PEOPLE who were in danger? Aren't there millions in danger EVERY HOUR of EVERY DAY of losing their life...forever..? There are. And I'm not slamming on my brakes, turning myself around and hustling over to them to help save them!!!
Luke 19:10 says,
"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
I should be SEEKING after people like I do for turtles and directing THEM to THEIR way of safety... The way of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. People have an eternal soul....it WONT be over in a flash for them if they get hit...They WONT just die... their suffering will go ON, and ON, and ON, and ON for an ETERNITY!
If the thoughts of a TURTLE getting hit in the road make me want to weep, shouldn't the thoughts of a PERSON going to the way that is broad that leads to destruction nearly KILL ME?
Some might say, "well a turtle is stupid though." Hello, have you met the human race lately????
Some are ignorant or unknowing of the truth, so they'll wander out into that broad path...not really knowing where it is going...but it seems nice......Shouldn't I be telling them that it's NOT?
Others are indifferent. They'll take their chances. Whatever is on the other side of that road is WORTH IT to them...Shouldn't I be telling them that it's the same land...it just has a road going through it?
And some... some are just WAITING for me to turn my car around, come to a screeching halt no matter who I inconvenience, hop out and tell them that this is a dangerous and deadly road they are on. I should be telling them that there is another way...
Matthew 7:14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life...
So for myself and all the other
"turtle" hunters out there: SEEK them, SAVE them, HELP THEM FIND THE WAY...the way to the narrow gate, they need us to show them because ...
Matthew 7:14 continued...
... there are few who find it.
PS..Happy Anniversary my beloved...
I have a VERY interesting picture on my refrigerator. I also have a VERY interesting magnet that has been holding that picture up.
Several weeks ago we received a card in the mail. It was from the precious couple in California (Pam and Chuck Loomis) that opened up their home for Randy and myself while we were visiting Maribeth and the Montessori school there in Folsom. So while we were there, not only did we TOTALLY (that's for you Pam and Maribeth) fall in love with all the wonderful people we met, we fell in love with the Loomis' dogs (Jake and Sophie). By the way Jake, if your mom is reading this to you, Aunt Julie wants you to keep your nose OUT of trouble..(he knows what I'm talkin about).
So, Jake and Sophie sent us a card saying how much they missed us. They included a refrigerator magnet in their card. Here is a photo of it.
So of course this gift being so cute and from family and all, it HAD to go on the refrigerator. Those of you who REALLY know me, know I'm a LITTLE anal. I really don't like the front of my refrigerator to look . . . messy. . . so I normally hang EVERYTHING on the side where I can organize it and you can't really see it.
Well, the side was pretty full (softball schedules, work schedules, dogs' medicine schedules, travel schedules...WAY too many schedules) It was SLAP full (that's south Georgian dialect for those of you not from here) What could I do? I had NO CHOICE; It had to go FRONT and CENTER where EVERYONE could see it! I gotta tell you, it kinda bugged me. There it was, ALL ALONE with no clear purpose but to look cute and mess up the clean look of the front of my refrigerator. It clung to my refrigerator for about a week and a half all by it's lonesome. That's when company showed up.
My daughter has, in the past six months, developed a love for "nature" photography. She got a good camera for Christmas and has taken a few pictures around here in South Georgia. She was very excited to learn that since her Daddy was going to be away from home a lot this year, we had decided to take a quick little vacation to Aruba in March before Dad left in April. She's been there before, loved it, and knew she was gonna get some GOOOOOD pictures. So we went, she took lots of pics, we came home, Randy got prepared for Africa, and off he went to Malawi.
Her Dad had taken her in to Wal-mart to get her film developed about 2 days BEFORE he left. A day or so AFTER he departed, she and I went and picked them up. She was browsing through them in the car trying to show them to me. I told I would look at her photos when we got home.
We got home, I kinda flippantly looked through them. They were so pretty and she did such a good job. I found a really cool one that had her Daddy in it. I said to her, "Would you look at that... It looks like Daddy is walking on water!" Since he was gone, I said "We'll just put this on fridge and show him when he gets home". Here is a shot of the photo. I promise it has not been altered in any way.
So I stuck it up there with the only free magnet I had, the one on the FRONT of the refrigerator.
During the past 2 weeks, I have walked past, been in front of, and glanced at that magnet and that photo. What I find most interesting about them are two things. First, he (Randy) has his arm raised in the air, pointing, as if making a declaration. Looks like he's pointing to the heavens. Secondly, when the two items, (the magnet and the photo) were separate, they didn't really SPEAK to me. I LIKED them, but they did not SPEAK to me the same way they did when paired together. Here is a photo of the two together as they have been clinging to my refrigerator.
So I have really been pondering what the Lord was trying to say with these two things. And I KNOW He has been trying to speak to me about it because my Spirit is stirred every time I glance at them. I just cant seem to lock it down.
I have read Mark's account of Christ walking on the water about 50 million times in the past two weeks,
TRYING so hard to pull out of it what He has for me. I still don't know if I'm sure. I have tried to find something SO GOOD in my mind so I could tell somebody...anybody. ( I tend to get puffed up when someone likes what I have to say) ... I keep saying, "Lord, just reveal it to me, I'll tell somebody, they'll think I'm real smart when it comes to scripture, AND they'll love you".
But today as I sit here and type this blog that I CANNOT tear myself away from...it occurs to me that maybe God, and the amazingly bizarre way He does things, just wants to give a shout out to His people. Maybe SOMEONE needs to see and hear God remind them to "BE FEARLESS!" Is it YOU?
There is not one person on this Earth that could convince me that God doesn't use the most CRAZY things sometimes to speak to us. Yes, He uses His people, He uses His Word, He uses circumstances, He uses nature, and EVERYTHING else that is His! But would you BELIEVE?. . . COULD you believe. . ., that God could use two DOGS, one blonde and one black , and a little girl's eye to speak to YOU? He used a donkey. (see Numbers 22:22-34)
If you ABSOLUTELY, without a shadow of a doubt could believe it, then God wants you to know that you can BE FEARLESS! Maybe He wants you to know that you can be right in the middle of that thrashing ocean, no land in sight, no safe place to set your feet, and He'll be there TOO! You need not be afraid. You just have to recognize Him when you see Him. (see Mark 6:45-52)
When you CLING to the Father as that magnet clings to my refrigerator; when you do like the man in the photo and look UP to the heavens when you find yourself in a storm, you too CAN be fearless.
That's all He's given me folks. I cant make is sound pretty, I cant make myself sound scripture smart..
. . . .maybe the dogs know. . . . .
Many thanks to Jake, Sophie and Haley
Several weeks ago we received a card in the mail. It was from the precious couple in California (Pam and Chuck Loomis) that opened up their home for Randy and myself while we were visiting Maribeth and the Montessori school there in Folsom. So while we were there, not only did we TOTALLY (that's for you Pam and Maribeth) fall in love with all the wonderful people we met, we fell in love with the Loomis' dogs (Jake and Sophie). By the way Jake, if your mom is reading this to you, Aunt Julie wants you to keep your nose OUT of trouble..(he knows what I'm talkin about).
So, Jake and Sophie sent us a card saying how much they missed us. They included a refrigerator magnet in their card. Here is a photo of it.
So of course this gift being so cute and from family and all, it HAD to go on the refrigerator. Those of you who REALLY know me, know I'm a LITTLE anal. I really don't like the front of my refrigerator to look . . . messy. . . so I normally hang EVERYTHING on the side where I can organize it and you can't really see it.
Well, the side was pretty full (softball schedules, work schedules, dogs' medicine schedules, travel schedules...WAY too many schedules) It was SLAP full (that's south Georgian dialect for those of you not from here) What could I do? I had NO CHOICE; It had to go FRONT and CENTER where EVERYONE could see it! I gotta tell you, it kinda bugged me. There it was, ALL ALONE with no clear purpose but to look cute and mess up the clean look of the front of my refrigerator. It clung to my refrigerator for about a week and a half all by it's lonesome. That's when company showed up.
My daughter has, in the past six months, developed a love for "nature" photography. She got a good camera for Christmas and has taken a few pictures around here in South Georgia. She was very excited to learn that since her Daddy was going to be away from home a lot this year, we had decided to take a quick little vacation to Aruba in March before Dad left in April. She's been there before, loved it, and knew she was gonna get some GOOOOOD pictures. So we went, she took lots of pics, we came home, Randy got prepared for Africa, and off he went to Malawi.
Her Dad had taken her in to Wal-mart to get her film developed about 2 days BEFORE he left. A day or so AFTER he departed, she and I went and picked them up. She was browsing through them in the car trying to show them to me. I told I would look at her photos when we got home.
We got home, I kinda flippantly looked through them. They were so pretty and she did such a good job. I found a really cool one that had her Daddy in it. I said to her, "Would you look at that... It looks like Daddy is walking on water!" Since he was gone, I said "We'll just put this on fridge and show him when he gets home". Here is a shot of the photo. I promise it has not been altered in any way.
So I stuck it up there with the only free magnet I had, the one on the FRONT of the refrigerator.
During the past 2 weeks, I have walked past, been in front of, and glanced at that magnet and that photo. What I find most interesting about them are two things. First, he (Randy) has his arm raised in the air, pointing, as if making a declaration. Looks like he's pointing to the heavens. Secondly, when the two items, (the magnet and the photo) were separate, they didn't really SPEAK to me. I LIKED them, but they did not SPEAK to me the same way they did when paired together. Here is a photo of the two together as they have been clinging to my refrigerator.
So I have really been pondering what the Lord was trying to say with these two things. And I KNOW He has been trying to speak to me about it because my Spirit is stirred every time I glance at them. I just cant seem to lock it down.
I have read Mark's account of Christ walking on the water about 50 million times in the past two weeks,
TRYING so hard to pull out of it what He has for me. I still don't know if I'm sure. I have tried to find something SO GOOD in my mind so I could tell somebody...anybody. ( I tend to get puffed up when someone likes what I have to say) ... I keep saying, "Lord, just reveal it to me, I'll tell somebody, they'll think I'm real smart when it comes to scripture, AND they'll love you".
But today as I sit here and type this blog that I CANNOT tear myself away from...it occurs to me that maybe God, and the amazingly bizarre way He does things, just wants to give a shout out to His people. Maybe SOMEONE needs to see and hear God remind them to "BE FEARLESS!" Is it YOU?
There is not one person on this Earth that could convince me that God doesn't use the most CRAZY things sometimes to speak to us. Yes, He uses His people, He uses His Word, He uses circumstances, He uses nature, and EVERYTHING else that is His! But would you BELIEVE?. . . COULD you believe. . ., that God could use two DOGS, one blonde and one black , and a little girl's eye to speak to YOU? He used a donkey. (see Numbers 22:22-34)
If you ABSOLUTELY, without a shadow of a doubt could believe it, then God wants you to know that you can BE FEARLESS! Maybe He wants you to know that you can be right in the middle of that thrashing ocean, no land in sight, no safe place to set your feet, and He'll be there TOO! You need not be afraid. You just have to recognize Him when you see Him. (see Mark 6:45-52)
When you CLING to the Father as that magnet clings to my refrigerator; when you do like the man in the photo and look UP to the heavens when you find yourself in a storm, you too CAN be fearless.
That's all He's given me folks. I cant make is sound pretty, I cant make myself sound scripture smart..
. . . .maybe the dogs know. . . . .
Many thanks to Jake, Sophie and Haley
17/04: The Good Life
4/17/08
Ok, this is my first attempt at a “blog” so be prepared for, well, whatever.
I don’t talk well, but I love to talk so here goes. . .
This morning while dropping my daughter and neighbor off at school, running to the bank to drop off deposits, taking my oh so lovely but stinky puppies to the groomers, the Lord and I were reflecting upon the events of the past week and a half.
I have to say, it has been a rough one for me.
It normally is when my husband (aka ministry director, boss, problem solver, employee and child diciplinarian, house fixer-upper, dog pee cleaner-upper, etc, etc) leaves home to see about Acts III’s ongoing project in Malawi. I’ve pretty much come to expect it, but this time I have been WAY more tearful and overwhelmed than ever before.
I honestly couldn’t tell you why. No problems were exceptionally new. It’s the same old stuff I’ve been dealing with for fifteen years. Employees quitting, others getting injured on the job, some leaving two hours into their shift when you’re not there because they know no one else will tell them not to, and my personal favorite… the ones that come in on time ONLY to tell you they aren’t coming in…? Yep, that’s my favorite.
ANYWHOOO . . . Somewhere in the past few days of my “pity party” I think I may have yielded to the enemie’s lies... just a little bit. Okay, a lot.
At one time, can’t remember when, probably this past Tuesday, (guess I can remember when) the enemy reminded me that my husband left me here with ALL of this MESS while he was halfway across the world LIVING THE GOOD LIFE! That’s right folks! Living that GOOD LIFE..
He (the enemy) reminded me over, and over, and over how unfair this was to me. And for what? So my husband could go live the good life... ?
Those of us that KNOW God, KNOW the devil is a LIAR. An ugly, ugly LIAR.
But this time, dare I say it . . . he was right! It was true!
Stay with me. . .
You may have read Randy's and Michaels blogs. (If not, I highly recommend them.)
I’m sure you've heard and felt the stories, you've endured the hardships, you’ve seen the pictures and maybe you've even cried a little. You've read how Randy and Michael are sleeping (really like napping) in a tent (used as a dog house) on a concrete/dirt combination floor with no blankets, on a wonderful air mattress that completely deflates every 2 hours in the cold of the night (yes, it does get cold in Africa) with no windows to block Aids and Malaria infected mosquitos from biting them, cooking on a rusted one burner charcoal thingy, making apparently mortifying trips to the “toilet of death" in the middle of the night, dodging critters and crawlers and just so many other awesome things. They are living the “good life" indeed.
You’re probably wondering, "Did she say "THE GOOD LIFE"? Is she nuts? That my friends, depends on who ya ask!
Let me make something clear before you go any farther with me. I don’t give the devil credit for anything except being a nuisance. What HE kept reminding me of is NOT what made it true. What made it true is how GOD, the precious and sweet GOD that He is, can take something that the devil wants to destroy you with and pull it into His light where you can see it for what it truly is.
SO how can I call the hardships that Randy, Michael, Mother Teresa, Hudson Taylor, David Livingston and any the other Saint in this world who REALLY, REALLY put themselves out there endure, living the “good life”? Because GOD showed them to me under HIS light.
You have to start with what GOD considers good. Not me, not you, but GOD. When God calls something “good” it means that the something is complete and right. Take for instance when in Genesis 1 verses 17-18 He created the stars . . . it reads
17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,
18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.
Matthew Henry’s commentary says that the stars were made to serve Him purposefully. They do it faithfully, every season without fail.
And God called this “GOOD”.
Much like those lights that He made, we must serve Him purposefully, faithfully, in every season without fail, then He can say that this too, is “GOOD”.
Romans 12:9 reads:
Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
We are supposed to hold on for DEAR LIFE to what is “GOOD.”
Verses 10 though 16 goes on to tell us what those “GOOD” things are.
Being devoted to one another in brotherly love; giving preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality, blessing those who persecute you; blessing and not cursing, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who weep, being of the same mind toward one another; not being haughty in mind, but associating with the lowly and not being wise in your own estimation.
People of God, THIS is what the “GOOD LIFE” really is! Problem is, I didn't look under the light to see that I could have been living the "good life" here as well. And, I missed out.
I guess my whole point is that if ever again I allow the enemy to tell me how I’m stuck here dealing with this thing or that thing that really doesn’t matter and my beloved is half way around the world “living the good life”, I think I’ll tell him, “You got that right, now get lost!”
Ok, this is my first attempt at a “blog” so be prepared for, well, whatever.
I don’t talk well, but I love to talk so here goes. . .
This morning while dropping my daughter and neighbor off at school, running to the bank to drop off deposits, taking my oh so lovely but stinky puppies to the groomers, the Lord and I were reflecting upon the events of the past week and a half.
I have to say, it has been a rough one for me.
It normally is when my husband (aka ministry director, boss, problem solver, employee and child diciplinarian, house fixer-upper, dog pee cleaner-upper, etc, etc) leaves home to see about Acts III’s ongoing project in Malawi. I’ve pretty much come to expect it, but this time I have been WAY more tearful and overwhelmed than ever before.
I honestly couldn’t tell you why. No problems were exceptionally new. It’s the same old stuff I’ve been dealing with for fifteen years. Employees quitting, others getting injured on the job, some leaving two hours into their shift when you’re not there because they know no one else will tell them not to, and my personal favorite… the ones that come in on time ONLY to tell you they aren’t coming in…? Yep, that’s my favorite.
ANYWHOOO . . . Somewhere in the past few days of my “pity party” I think I may have yielded to the enemie’s lies... just a little bit. Okay, a lot.
At one time, can’t remember when, probably this past Tuesday, (guess I can remember when) the enemy reminded me that my husband left me here with ALL of this MESS while he was halfway across the world LIVING THE GOOD LIFE! That’s right folks! Living that GOOD LIFE..
He (the enemy) reminded me over, and over, and over how unfair this was to me. And for what? So my husband could go live the good life... ?
Those of us that KNOW God, KNOW the devil is a LIAR. An ugly, ugly LIAR.
But this time, dare I say it . . . he was right! It was true!
Stay with me. . .
You may have read Randy's and Michaels blogs. (If not, I highly recommend them.)
I’m sure you've heard and felt the stories, you've endured the hardships, you’ve seen the pictures and maybe you've even cried a little. You've read how Randy and Michael are sleeping (really like napping) in a tent (used as a dog house) on a concrete/dirt combination floor with no blankets, on a wonderful air mattress that completely deflates every 2 hours in the cold of the night (yes, it does get cold in Africa) with no windows to block Aids and Malaria infected mosquitos from biting them, cooking on a rusted one burner charcoal thingy, making apparently mortifying trips to the “toilet of death" in the middle of the night, dodging critters and crawlers and just so many other awesome things. They are living the “good life" indeed.
You’re probably wondering, "Did she say "THE GOOD LIFE"? Is she nuts? That my friends, depends on who ya ask!
Let me make something clear before you go any farther with me. I don’t give the devil credit for anything except being a nuisance. What HE kept reminding me of is NOT what made it true. What made it true is how GOD, the precious and sweet GOD that He is, can take something that the devil wants to destroy you with and pull it into His light where you can see it for what it truly is.
SO how can I call the hardships that Randy, Michael, Mother Teresa, Hudson Taylor, David Livingston and any the other Saint in this world who REALLY, REALLY put themselves out there endure, living the “good life”? Because GOD showed them to me under HIS light.
You have to start with what GOD considers good. Not me, not you, but GOD. When God calls something “good” it means that the something is complete and right. Take for instance when in Genesis 1 verses 17-18 He created the stars . . . it reads
17 God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,
18 and to govern the day and the night, and to separate the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good.
Matthew Henry’s commentary says that the stars were made to serve Him purposefully. They do it faithfully, every season without fail.
And God called this “GOOD”.
Much like those lights that He made, we must serve Him purposefully, faithfully, in every season without fail, then He can say that this too, is “GOOD”.
Romans 12:9 reads:
Let love be without hypocrisy Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
We are supposed to hold on for DEAR LIFE to what is “GOOD.”
Verses 10 though 16 goes on to tell us what those “GOOD” things are.
Being devoted to one another in brotherly love; giving preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, being fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality, blessing those who persecute you; blessing and not cursing, rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who weep, being of the same mind toward one another; not being haughty in mind, but associating with the lowly and not being wise in your own estimation.
People of God, THIS is what the “GOOD LIFE” really is! Problem is, I didn't look under the light to see that I could have been living the "good life" here as well. And, I missed out.
I guess my whole point is that if ever again I allow the enemy to tell me how I’m stuck here dealing with this thing or that thing that really doesn’t matter and my beloved is half way around the world “living the good life”, I think I’ll tell him, “You got that right, now get lost!”
