Purposed Pot-bellied Pig

A distinctive snort came closer, then wandered into camp. "Are there wild boar in these parts? After the fox last night, I would'nt  be surprised."  A talkative pot-bellied young pig greeted us. I knew immediately that some ones pet was on the loose.  Steve searched for owner while I entertained piggy with MY Turkey Jerky. (Thankfully it wasn't a pork product!) I was rewarded with a lick on the leg as she begged for more, her tail whipping back and forth.

The owner picked up "Charlotte" who wasn't excited to go home. They invited us to a nearby church which was having a week long VBS.  There was also a class for adults. Even though it was the last night, we still took up the offer and attended.

The pastor spent a year in northern Thailand! Steve was given time to share with the adults about what we were doing! They want us to give them updates! We had a wonderful time of fellowship and  blessing!

Fox News Live

Steve and I were in awe last night as we watched a grey fox calmly cross our path next to the cabin at dusk.  He or she was heading out for its nightly run for food. We will try to record the visit tonight with our iPad.

This made me think about Song of Solomon 2:15.  "Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom."

Father, as we begin searching Through Your vineyards and looking for blossoms ( people open to the gospel, or people needing tending), keep away The FOX who wants to spoil the vine and cause that potential to become blossom end rot. Go before us and keep the heart prepared. Don't allow any harm from our speech or our actions, which could spoil the fruit from being produced. Allow us to be true encouragers for those who are both barren or stunted.  Amen!

Prosperity Gospel

We attended a church service last night here in Live Oak, where a woman preached on the book of Esther. She kept emphasizing the word "favor" in the text. Esther quickly won favor, as she was advanced to the best place in the harem. (Chap 2:9)  This set the stage for the sermon to preach on the "power of our words" to advance in favor for a better position and greater wealth as King's kids.

I'm not necessarily against prosperity. See (3 John 1:2)  I'm just wanting to be taught the whole counsel of God and not just in part.

What will happen to a saint who only taught, "God has a wonderful plan for your life" (emphasis on wonderful)?  Jesus taught that in this world we will have tribulation. (John 16:33)  He taught that we would be "hated" by all nations for His name's sake. (Matt 24:9)

I'm just concerned that if we only preach prosperity, then; when persecution comes, we won't be prepared, and many will fizzle out in disappointment.  (Matt 13:21)

A Prodical Fish

Late last night we went to Wal Mart and a man greeted us, "How's things going?"  We both responded with our normal "Excellent!"  Doing this, seems to catch most people off guard, it did again this time as well.  We started talking, now having the opportunity to explain why we felt this way.

Jim shared his story with us.  He was in a tough situation right now financially, jobless for four months.  He had been going around and selling jewelry in exchange for cash, so that he could buy baby diapers and formula. We offered our help, making sure to give it in the Name of Jesus. He turned us down.  The man seemed very broken.  He offered jewelry for the cash, we refused. He insisted that he couldn't take anything for free. Steve told him to listen instead.  He did, as we tried spurring him onto love and good deeds, and encouraged him to return to his first love.
Jim expressed how he use to go to church but stopped, he felt the churches he attended were" cold and cultish."

 Jim wanted what he saw in us.  He desired to return to Jesus.  We prayed together, right in the middle of Wal-Mart. We exchanged phone numbers, promising to find a local church for him to attend. 

What a great way to end our first day in Live Oak, which is set aside solely for prayer and seeking His face!

Downsize/Supersize

We finally left D&D late Friday night and went to Brandon to spend the weekend with our grand-kids.  It was difficult fitting everything in our Toyota truck.  I had to downsize twice so that everything would fit!  Even then, I had to balance things on my lap!

Yes, I DO need those extra clothes!  Yes, I DO need ALL my journals!  Yes, I DO need my paints and those 10 canvases! (they are small).....and to think, I really wanted to purchase a rocking chair!

Today, the boys got excited when we invited them out for breakfast.  We walked outside and realized that we no longer have a four door Honda! LOL!  We had to borrow a car to go out!

Funny thing is, I had to get some needed things out of that mess and it took fifteen minutes to juggle things around.  Man, will I need to pack, repack, then downsize that super-size so I can survive with some sort of sanity!  On a positive note, I may become VERY organized! LOL! 

Trophy of His Grace

We listened to a sermon tonight by David Platt.  It really ignited me!  Jesus didn't say, "Go BE fishers of Men"  He said, "Go, and I will MAKE you fishers of men!"

FOUR THINGS I TOOK FROM THIS TEACHING:
1.  Speaking to Jesus....."You've taken the initiative to choose us, now apply your power to use us, and You get all the glory through us!"
2.  Jesus knows a lot more about fishing than we do, after all; He made the fish!
3.  We will follow Him, so that we can say to others follow us.
4.  Stop denying the power of Christ by thinking we can't be used!

                                         We desire to be seen as Trophies of Your Grace
       (examples showing that only God can take us in our weaknesses and do that!)                                                      

Prayer:  Father, shift me from being ME-CENTERED, to OTHER CENTERED, so they can become GOD CENTERED!  Amen....

 

Human Tackle Boxes

We are still at D&D, and if feels as we are going through trials which require sorting, sifting, and replacing old for new.  It's as if the Lord is checking each of us and saying, "This lure is worn and needs replacing, or this piece of equipment is not quite ready to be used for fishing."

For unspecific reasons, the delays in staying have been for a purpose; I have to believe that. I can only speak for myself, but, I have felt battered by it.  My emotions have been in like a fish caught in a hook and struggling to get free!  I struggled until I became both physically and emotionally drained. Once, I resolved to let the Lord sift through me, and show me my lackadaisical tackle box, He finally made progress with me.  The Holy Spirit has shown me that my heart was selfish in some areas and I needed to clear out and rid myself of some bad habits. If these areas are not changed, I can't function properly as a lure which attracts people to Jesus!

   Who am I to say to the Lord over the Harvest, Your going about this all wrong?  I desire to be that shiny lure, that lure that draws people to Jesus! Hopefully, Lord willing, we will be on the road tomorrow.

Fragmenting

I just completed the first chapter in the novel I am writing. In-between organizing and packing up things, so that we can move out of D&D, I'm writing.  The story line flows easily enough, however; the computer has been underlining my sentences, which show me that I have another grammatical error.  I keep getting the message: "fragmented sentence, consider revising." Funny thing, that's how I normally talk! So, I must be fragmented in the normal sense!

 Jesus seems to be augmenting our lives, namely our hearts, so that others can be fed. It's as if we were the loaves and fishes fragmenting and being given to others. Broken, but in a good way.

Normally, I would have been frustrated with all the delays in our plans and needing to stop to help others with their needs, however; I have found a refreshment in letting Jesus lead us. After all,  He is the Good Shepherd.  I have found that by listening to Him,  He has made me to lie down in green pastures. I see His grace flowing in our lives.

 And, like the novel which is a journey unfolding for others to enjoy, our lives also reflect a journey which includes the active participation in the lives of others.

I will always remain fragmented, if I struggle looking for my own pastures to graze on!

Its All About Perception

A precious person gave Steve a gold wedding band yesterday.

Some of you may know that we took Steve's original wedding band to the scrap yard. (actually the Diamond Store) to sell it.  We might have made more money selling it privately but we took the easier route.  The intention was to remove any threat of being robbed overseas. Diamonds and Americans in general are indication of wealth and we didn't want to tempt anyone. I joke about the scrap part now, but it was a disappointment to give up something so costly for the price of melted gold. The alternative of being robbed would have meant much more of a loss.

However, we didn't consider what people here in the states might think of Steve not wearing a wedding ring at all!  It might look as if he didn't consider our marriage sacred; or, on the other hand, we didn't consider a ring important.  It would be like a couple saying that marriage was only a piece of paper.  We didn't want to be a stumbling block or give any impression of a careless attitude toward marriage. We resolved to pick up a cheap wedding band for our trip across country. But, before having to do that, Steve was given a very special gold band, from a very special person, who is like a father to me.  The giver means much more to me than the gift! 

I'm officially remarried!

Thank you Jesus!

Watch For Who's Biting

I went out this morning with a group from another church to evangelize.

I met a Buddhist.  I asked her to share with me about Buddhism.   Shocking really..........doesn't believe in God.   Shared with her about building/builder, painting/artist, creation/creator. Makes sense, right?  If your familiar with the "Way of the Master", then you will know what direction I took to evangelize. Use the law as a schoolmaster to lead them to Christ......."The Good Person Test". Her two grandchildren listened as I asked the questions. Have you ever told a lie? Stolen something?  Anger=murder in the heart....etc.  God set a high standard.  Then she asked in astonished tone, "how then can people go to Heaven?"  Bingo.....bait taken.....share the gospel. The woman was convicted, couldn't talk and went into her house for something. People have to understand they have a disease before they can accept the cure.  I was hoping she would return and want more info.....

  Meanwhile, her granddaughter visiting from Georgia says, "they want me to be a Buddhist, but I want to be a Christian/Jew. Katie was maybe 10 years old. "Christian/Jew?" I questioned. "Jesus was Jewish right? I'd like to be like Him". Then she asked, "how do you know he is alive?" I  told her that the bible says that if you want to come near Him, He will come near you.  Ask him to make himself real. Read His bible and He will speak to you.  I also told her how to pray to accept Jesus.  Katie stated that she didn't have a bible nor has she ever attended church. I gave her the gospel of John with her grandparents permission. The grandparents invited me to a Buddhist seminar, which her husband teaches.  I just might....I have his email to inquire about the class, after my trip.

Funny thing.  I had my attention on catching the bigger fish, and I kept pulling the hook away from the little one, the one that was biting!

Friendship Evangelism

I listened to a missionary tonight, who serves in a Muslim Country, tell a person to "make friends with a Muslim and let your life be a testimony; then, wait until you are good friends, before sharing Jesus with them." Granted, one must be cautious in a country where you could be imprisoned for your faith, or killed for trying to convert someone, however; even in that case, it's more important to follow and trust the Holy Spirit's prompting, then to follow fear.. Here in the United States, however; there is no excuse to wait for a friendship to develop, before sharing one's faith. Currently, we won't be imprisoned, beaten or killed for being a Christian.  Sometimes, waiting could mean one won't bring it up at all.

My concern, even in a Muslim country, is that reluctance will breed fear in disciples. I am to teach obedience to the commands of Jesus, first; by being a living example.  If I am afraid to take a bold stand for Jesus in expressing my faith, then; how can I expect them to be any different?  Just last night, I heard a testimony from a missionary, who advised a newly converted Muslim to be hushed in sharing his faith to his family. Fortunately, this man didn't take his advice, and eventually his family converted to Jesus from Islam through his determination and boldness!