I can't believe I'm writing this - only 14 days until I leave for North Africa. That's 2 weeks! It's all overwhelming. There is still so much to do before I leave - and now is the first time in about 2 years I get sick. Perfect timing. Actually it's very good that I got sick now, not a week from now. Even during the seeming bad, I must praise the Lord for His goodness to me. It would be awful to be sick on the plane, or perhaps have to postpone my flight.
I have some prayer requests for my trip. I sprained my ankle about a month ago and it still hurts after being on it all day - so pray that it will fully heal because we will be walking A LOT in North Africa. This may sound really silly and funny, but pray for me as I pack. I need to know what to take with me and what to leave behind. Pray for our protection and safety. Most of all, pray for souls to be saved and lives influenced for Christ. We are going to a spiritually dark place - we will be shining our light to those who need it most.
26 May 2008
06 May 2008
Glory to God!
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow! I just wanted to share this praise - all of the support for the cost of my trip has come in!! Anymore money that comes in will be used to support me over the summer while I am not working. Well...not working in the States for a salary that is - I will be working, trust me.
I was reading just a little while ago in the Psalms about how Israel limited God. Because of their unbelief, they limited His limitlessness (if that is truly a word). So many times I limit God, the Holy One of Israel, by my unbelief. If He will give me this money for me to go, what else could He do? Anything. I'm overwhelmed by how great God is! And over just a relatively small amount of money. If we were to completely and utterly give ourselves over to God, what could be accomplished? I'll end this post with a quote by Andrew Murray:
"God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him."
I was reading just a little while ago in the Psalms about how Israel limited God. Because of their unbelief, they limited His limitlessness (if that is truly a word). So many times I limit God, the Holy One of Israel, by my unbelief. If He will give me this money for me to go, what else could He do? Anything. I'm overwhelmed by how great God is! And over just a relatively small amount of money. If we were to completely and utterly give ourselves over to God, what could be accomplished? I'll end this post with a quote by Andrew Murray:
"God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to him."
16 April 2008
The "Untouchables"
I've been reading a book by Ergun and Emir Caner entitled Out of the Crescent Shadows. Basically, they tell about Muslim women and what they believe, compared to what we believe. It's a very eye-opening book. (A very good read for anyone who's interested)
In one section of the book, Muslims are compared to the Samaritans back in Jesus' day. They are almost considered "untouchable." Everything about Muslims, the way they dress, act, eat, worship, etc., is much different than what we're used to, so we don't go near them. We avoid them in fact. The Samaritans were descendants of Jews and Assyrians, so they were considered half-breeds. Jewish people wouldn't have ANYTHING to do with them or their land. In fact, the very devout would travel days out of their way to avoid going near the land of Samaria. These were truly "untouchable."
I want you to keep this in mind while I share a familiar verse with you. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8 KJV) Jesus is giving instructions in this verse. It is a command. Mostly Jews are listening. He tells them to go to Jerusalem (their capital), Judaea (their country), and in Samaria - OH NO! Anything but Samaria!! They were told to go to the people they considered to be the lowest of the low and preach the gospel! Then, He commands to go to the rest of the earth. Jesus specifically tells them to go to these people. As the author puts it, "If you do not go to Samaria, the Lord reasoned, then how shall you go to the rest of the world?"
I considered that was a very intriguing thought. I knew of that verse. I even knew that the Samaritans were considered almost sub-human. I never put the two together. But the audience who was listening to Jesus would have understood the meaning. WOW! I really do see the comparison between the two people groups. If we're not willing to proclaim the name of Christ to those who are in utter darkness, in bondage to this religion, how shall we go to the rest of the world?
It's very interesting how the culture of that day brings new light to a very familiar verse.
In one section of the book, Muslims are compared to the Samaritans back in Jesus' day. They are almost considered "untouchable." Everything about Muslims, the way they dress, act, eat, worship, etc., is much different than what we're used to, so we don't go near them. We avoid them in fact. The Samaritans were descendants of Jews and Assyrians, so they were considered half-breeds. Jewish people wouldn't have ANYTHING to do with them or their land. In fact, the very devout would travel days out of their way to avoid going near the land of Samaria. These were truly "untouchable."
I want you to keep this in mind while I share a familiar verse with you. "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8 KJV) Jesus is giving instructions in this verse. It is a command. Mostly Jews are listening. He tells them to go to Jerusalem (their capital), Judaea (their country), and in Samaria - OH NO! Anything but Samaria!! They were told to go to the people they considered to be the lowest of the low and preach the gospel! Then, He commands to go to the rest of the earth. Jesus specifically tells them to go to these people. As the author puts it, "If you do not go to Samaria, the Lord reasoned, then how shall you go to the rest of the world?"
I considered that was a very intriguing thought. I knew of that verse. I even knew that the Samaritans were considered almost sub-human. I never put the two together. But the audience who was listening to Jesus would have understood the meaning. WOW! I really do see the comparison between the two people groups. If we're not willing to proclaim the name of Christ to those who are in utter darkness, in bondage to this religion, how shall we go to the rest of the world?
It's very interesting how the culture of that day brings new light to a very familiar verse.
11 March 2008
The Little Picture
I just wanted to give a quick update about the trip. I have about 45% of my support raised - PRAISE THE LORD! There was a payment deadline I did not know about (which they needed the money in order to purchase plane tickets - so I guess a little important :). All my support is being sent through the church, so I went to the office to get a check in order to send it in. The secretary got it for me, and it was the last check that had been signed by the missions director - AMEN! It's just a small thing, but it's God. If she didn't have that signed check the money might not have made it in time to buy tickets with the rest of the group and would have cost more money. I just needed that little encouragement from God. Sometimes when God does little things for me it just reminds me that he is in control (and interested in) the little details along with the big things. It also reminds me that nothing is too small for God to be interested in and care about - even me.
26 February 2008
Changing Heart
It is absolutely amazing how God can change your heart. I got an e-mail about Muslims (basically against a certain Presidential Candidate) and I got mad. I wanted to rant and rave about how Muslims aren’t bad people; they need Christ! Before I committed to this trip I knew we needed to reach them with the Gospel, but now it has really hit home. Don’t get me wrong, I do not want a Muslim president for my country - a great country with a Christian heritage. I want people to stop talking about how awful they are and see them as Christ sees them; sheep without a shepherd, lost people who are dying and on their way to an eternity in Hell. They have such strong faith, but their faith is misplaced. Christ is what they need!
19 February 2008
First Post
God is good! I am amazed at our technology that will allow me to write on a blog that people anywhere in the world can read. I plan on giving updates about the trip, what God is doing in North Africa and in my heart. I have just send out my letters, and support is already being given. PRAISE THE LORD!! Sometimes I really just cannot fathom the fact that I’m going to North Africa this summer – it is amazing! I just want to make sure that this is not about me, it is all about Him and giving Him unusual glory.
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