Ibanez Family MEXICO

2012-01-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

October

2011-12-02T16:57:00.000-08:00

David & Kids

Uninvited Guest!

Growing Fiesta Flowers

Really Small House

Soon to be "Dead" flowers

Village/New House

2011-10-14T06:43:00.000-07:00

David's hat Kids

Bathroom site for the new house

Our new house

Big Room

House/back

Colorful Ladies

Digging for the outhouse - the soil is heavy clay

Future Kitchen

We already have visitors

Taking a break

We have a door

Viva Mexico! Kids marching for Mexico Independence Day

Lily on the trail
(she's the little gray spot)

Elizabeth and Anna on the "slide"

Our room

Kids room

Kitchen: Ruben made all our windows, door and the sink stand (but he didn't make the mess in the kitchen)

Bathroom and shower

Our "friendly" fence

Our front view: the village "up top"

Back view: neighbors live just down the hill

Rainy Season

2011-07-31T06:39:00.000-07:00

Waterfalls are plentiful in the area at this time.

Rainy House

We just thought this sign was funny. It offers free beer with cement purchase. You can build your belly and your house at the same event.

Taxi- maby they are going to a house building.

El Tule, near Oaxaca City; largest tree (around anyway) in the world.

The kids and Chris in Oaxaca

Elizabeth at Monte Alban

Monte Alban is just outide Oaxaca City. It is a pre-hispanic city that has been uncovered - pretty interesting.

Bubbles

David turns 6 yrs old.

Boys in the rain with banana leaf umbrellas

Lily takes a guitar lesson from Jim

Clouds coming in

Corn everywhere

We really liked this pic because it shows 3 generations. The mom in the tradional hand made dresses and the daughter with tradional but store bought skirt and blouse and the granddaughter in pants. All the women dress in these with a few exceptions. The little girls usually follow also with the floral skirts but sometimes not.

Another mom and kids. The ladies all carry their babies like this, more often on their backs. With the rough roads and steep hills, it seems to work well. They certainly seem to have mastered it anyway.

Women cooking together

Created by Elizabeth

Fiesta

2011-06-06T16:44:00.000-07:00

Fiesta Dance Onlookers

Fiesta Dance

Firework Guy

BasketBall

Band

Boys in TreeKids with their neighbor friends

Settling in to Village Life

2011-05-07T07:54:00.000-07:00

Putting in the stairs to the outhouse Kids and Chris

Trying out the bathtub

Home is where my Master is

This is how Ruben spent his 50th birthday; digging the outhouse hole

Our "audience"

View from the kitchen door Road below

Banana tree; the flower makes a great bird feeder for finches and hummingbirds

Mixing Cement

Ruben gets a little help from the audience

Ruben's Birthday Cake

A little more help from the audience

Kids and books at the house

The school we are allowed to use for English classes

On a walk with kids

Scenery

Neighbor kids

Waiting on the outhouse

Kids in the tree in our "back yard" (or back hill)

Kids playing in front of the house

For our "stonewashed jeans". I wish I were kidding. Actually Ruben has moved this sink and hooked up a water line with a valve so it works pretty well for dishes and clothes.

The "guys" taking a much needed break

Birthday boy

Antonia and Irma in their kitchen

The bat evacuated when we moved in - whew!

At the river for a swim. Girl reading

Little boys with book

Kids with books

The basketball court is at the main town building "Presidencia"

Elizabeth turns 8! What a big girl

Ruben working on the shower house. He's not winking - sweat is rolling in his eye - poor guy!

Neighbor's son

We had not planned a party for Elizabeth's birthday - just a small cookout for the team. While Ruben and I took the kids and the neighbor girls to the river for a swim, Chris put balloons up for a surprise. Jim arrived with his guitar and as soon as he started playing we had a group at the fence. Chris had brought a boatload of hot dogs so we began passing them out with little glasses of soda and a small cup of beans. God, as always, provided the necessary supply. Some brought gifts; apparently they figured it was a B-party for Elizabeth and ran out to get gifts at the neighbor's who sells clothes and the little grocery store. It doesn't take much to get a party going around here.

Outhouse (bottom) and shower house

David in the shower house - almost done :)

Hmmm; looks like trouble

Kids waiting for "Kids Day" festivities

Boys at "Kids Day"

Women cooking at wedding reception

Wedding reception families. Notice the girl hauling the case of beer. The walk down the whole hill alone is a challenge without cargo and who knows how far she carried it before. The little girl with the big smile is Emiliano's grandaughter, Miraella - very sweet and friendly girl.

Eating area: Wedding reception.

This pic just says it all to me: little kid with a cola (which is more popular than water) sitting on whatever is available, a machete laying behind her and just to the left of it a little plastic shoe someone has left behind. All the women wear these. It explains why they would rather go barefoot.

This is a really big mango tree at Emiliano's place

This is a Jicaral tree. They pick these "fruit" which they say are not good for eating and they cut them in half and hollow them and dry them. They are like tan wood when dry and they use them for dipping bowls and drinking out of, etc.

2011-03-20T15:13:00.000-07:00

The kids played in the river where the church had the baptisms. Elizabeth and David are in this pic with the son of Karen and Martin, who pastor the church, and a friend from the church.

Classic watermelon girl

During Carnival Days there are several dances in the city. There are cowboy type dances and many people dress up and wear masks. From what I have gathered the cowboy dances here are traditional to the times when they used to run cattle in the mountains. A local, Christian man told me they would run them to the ships and ship them to Europe. The masks they wear don't really have anything to do with the tradition. Perhaps they just started wearing them in connection with the other carnival dances, in which they wear masks. These particular dances are not the same as the "Danza de los Diablos" (Dance of the Devils) that Oaxaca is known for.

In addition to many cowboy dances, there is also the Dance of the Masks which supposedly dates back to the time of European invasion. I read somewhere that it was about the French being here but someone also told me it was the Spanish. Either way, they were both here and they were European. When the Mixtec people were invaded, they fled to the mountains but would sneak down and observe the European dances the people would have. When the invaders went home, the Mixtec celebrated with dancing and dressed up like the Europeans, wearing white cloths over their faces with European like features drawn on them to imitate the Europeans. They made fun of the Europeans this way with masks and dress and exagerated dance steps. Apparently imitation is not a form of flattery.

The cowboy masks look scary at first but they are intended to be silly with crooked mustaches. Elizabeth and David were taken aback the first time we saw them walking in the streets with their loud whip cracks, music and dancing but after seeing them more closely and understanding the origin, they enjoyed the show.

The men have several different dances. It is most awesome on video but I couldn't get video uploaded :)

Passing on to the younger generation. Watching this little guy dance with one of the men (his dad?) was really neat.

They have the musicians with speakers on the sidewalk. The dancers knock their spurs together for additional sound and they yell alot - Mexican style.

The cowboys were accompanied by ladies who sat and watched for several dances and then joined in for other dances.

A Mixtec woman watches

They march through the streets with music and break out in dance here and there until they reach their destination to dance in formation. There are about 5 groups who dance in cowboy costume so as we followed one group, another one came the opposite way so we followed them. May as well stay close to home.

Have music, will travel

The others who were dressed up like "Europeans" ( and some just silly) also had their own dance, and sure enough, it was very European. Both the groups danced on the same street with their own music so that was interesting. The kids and I had a prime location; between the two. We decided the cowboys were more fun to watch.

Score! Cotton Candy! No, David does not normally look like this - he enjoys being silly. Don't ask me where he gets that from.

Day in the Country

2011-01-12T07:53:00.000-08:00

Emiliano and Family

Clouds

Walk on a hill

kids

clothes & smoke

House building

Field by the river

Our house

Kitchen

Bathroom

At the river

Ruben

Military Wife

2010-12-05T08:12:00.000-08:00

As we navigate the changes in life as a family, we are discovering God's grace in wonderful and new ways. This morning the Lord ministered to my heart and as is often the case, I found it coming out of a pen onto paper. For what it's worth, it seemed worth sharing.

We are a military family. This is a dawning realization for me. It seems that suddenly, today, the past two years of temporary homes has come crashing onto my weak heart. Perhaps not for the first time nor the last. I want so badly to make a home. the Lord has been showing me the privilege and honor of the place he has given me to be a wife and a mom. For years, he has faithfully been working in me, making me desire more and more to witness to His beauty and truth in the context of this position. At the same time he shows me that I cannot define what that means. I cannot get my head around it, let alone my hands, because of the ever changing environment which has become our lives.

When we left our things, our home and our ideas of "doing life" behind in Colorado, we moved to a friends home nearby. We knew it would be temporary; six months. We were free from the burdens of trying to fix up and settle down. Then we moved to Texas. We knew it would be temporary; 8-9 months. So we settled just a little to get school on for the kids and find some routine in our lives. Then we moved to Guadalajara. We knew it would be temporary; 8 months. There, it was much more difficult to find any idea of "settled", so we never did. We learned to open up our lives more. After Guadalajara, we returned to Texas and we knew it would be temporary but did not know how long we would be there. After about 4 months, we moved here to Juxt. We know this is temporary since we have an invitation and goal of moving to a village. And if/when we get there? It will be temporary. It will not be our home but a borrowed or rented dwelling.

We are a military family. Our earthly dwellings will always be temporary regardless of who holds the deed. As one who has lived in Colo Sprgs, I have known many military wives. I sympathize with military wives and feel so weak in comparison to them. They appear so strong and able to get their families on solid ground quickly. But there is a difference in the earthly military family and the heavenly military family. For the earthly military family, there is in sight (somewhat literally) a place and time in the future when they will settle down and stop moving - or so they hope. They plan for it and define it and this gives them a footing in life. I am tempted to think that one day we too will settle into a home - but today I am advised by the Holy Spirit not to do that. The family that is in the Lord's Army has no earthly place that will ever be their real home.

There may never be a place and time when I can make a home according to that which flows naturally from me - the desire and ability to create, change and enjoy routine and the certainty of my definition of what it means to provide a wholesome, godly life for our children. I desire very much to make a home; for better or worse. But I find that each time I think I might know how to do it, I cannot. Yet I see God doing it. Somehow, (somehow?!) our marriage is stronger than ever. Somehow, the kids are flourishing. I believe God gives these desires for "home" but I am not always sure about what place they ought to take or how they are lived out. What does this mean? I'm pretty sure it means I die. I die to every earthly, human definition of what it means to be a godly woman, a wife, a mom - all of it. I die to the ingrained ideas of security in permanency and routine. And I live in the permanency of Christ even though I can't see his "routine" or even my own feet at times. So I die to self and live for Christ. But I don't really know how to do that either! But I am willing. I trust my merciful Jesus will do the work in me. We fight a war that has been won. And our retirement home is already paid for. We are a military family in the Lords Army.

Ps 73:23
Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Clinic Trip Photos

2010-11-24T11:30:00.000-08:00

Recently, students from To Every Tribe made a trip to So. Oaxaca with a medical/dental team to bring to a village we have been visiting. The following pics were some collected from thier cameras - thanks to our teammate. It was very cool to meet the students, reunite with our friends from Texas and to work with the Mexicans on the team. We are so privileged to know them and be able to work with them. Students at the house in Juxt.

House in a neighbouring village

Store on the way to the village we visited.

Somwtimes you have to share the road.

Sometimes you have to wait for the road.

Setting up the kitchen.

The kids crowded around, watching our every move. Elizabeth had to get something out
of the tent and it was apparently very interesting.

Village kids

Porfiria - getting stronger; sitting up!

Elizabeth chasing a baby chick. If you look hard you can see it in front of her.

People waiting at the clinic

Moms with kids coming to the clinic

Gabe in camp

Chris and AJ with kids

AJ at registration

Juana, Elizabeth and David - with the baby chick

Ruben and Emiliano

Group pic - medical/dental team

Teri and Gorge - translators (Spanish/Mixteco) These guys worked so hard and had great attitudes!

Village Store

Mountain view from the clinic sight

Our Town

2010-10-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

Why do we bother to haul their toys?

Our living room. David is always ready for a picture.

Ruben working to get the hot water & washer lines in.

Guys working in laundry area.

This little girl was watching Lily play in the yard outside our gate.

At our front gate

Elote vendor

Ladies with kids.

Ladies in the town.

Kids hanging out.

Tarps set up to cover the open market.

Friendly lady on her way home.

"Puro Oaxacan" That's what he told me when I asked if I could take this pic.

Sept. 15 2010 was the 200th birthday of Mexico. Live Mexico!

In Juxtlahuaca

2010-09-20T13:23:00.000-07:00

As I write this post in an internet store, flies attack my computer, a skinny puppy lies behind my chair and a woman passes speaking Mixteco ( or some other indigenous language) to her friend. It is so different here. Duh! One moment I feel I could really enjoy this town and other times I feel completely alien. I would like to post pics but it will be easier when we get internet at home so I´ll wait. But I thought to try to describe some of what is happening with us here right now. We arrived less than a month ago and Ruben has been so good to get everything situated for the house to make it livable.

Shopping is fun; dry goods one place, meat another, chicken another, paper another. Most everything can be purchased in the open market so it´s fun to walk through. But practically speaking, I will need to get used to where to get what unless I want to take all day to shop. Everything is within walking distance so we don´t have to shop for much in one time. Parking is a challenge since the streets are small and our car is big so walking is easier. Women carrying loads and babies are everywhere. Most of the men Ruben speaks to have been in the U.S. to work in their past. Some speak some english and they speak spanish, of course, and indigenous languages as well. The food is good.

The Catholic church in the center of town is faithful to broadcast over loud speaker all of it´s services and songs. You can hear it pretty early Saturday mornings. The other day they were announcing a description of a missing boy so I guess the speaker system is pretty useful. I don´t know if the boy found his mom. I sure hope so.

Dogs are everywhere. Some look realy hungry and some are better off. It is sad but there are many people worse off so I resist the temptation to carry doggy treats with me. Besides they would just follow us home and then we would have a mess.

It rains alot and gets a little chilly and when the sun comes out it is very beautiful. The mountains are all around and they look mysterious and pretty at the same time, depending on whether it´s foggy or sunny out.

I hope to post pics soon but I don´t think even they can describe this feeling of being a stranger in a strange land. It´s good, it´s necessary and we would not be any other place. But for now it´s certainly different.

Oaxaca Trip

2010-08-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

The following pics are from the trip to Oaxaca that the team made recently. It was hard to choose what to post! The guys came back with awesome pics. We look forward to witnessing God show His love and power to the people there; as we are confident that he will. As we are able, by His grace to come into God honoring relationships in this area, we hope to share more that is up close and personal. For now we look from a distance.

Roads to the surrounding villages from Juxtlahuaca

Road to El Jicaral in the rainy season

El Jicaral from a distance

Juxtlahuaca

These are some pics of the market in Juxtlahuaca. I love the market colors and all the people so I have a few of these.

Ruben at the market. He's pretty tall there.

Standing By

2010-06-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Well, Ruben has been gone only a week and a day and we miss him terribly! He and the other guys on the team are on their Oaxaca scouting trip. For those interested, you can google in a couple areas to get an idea of where we are hoping to go. El Jicaral, Oaxaca is a village outside of a small city called Juxtlahuaca, Oaxaca. Chris and Jim are somewhat familiar with this area but Ruben and I haven't been there so I look forward to the pics and report when he returns.

Housing is a priority on the trip - so pray they will be able to secure something so we will have a place to go. There is so much unrevealed yet, that I have no idea what to expect. If we are able to live in the village we may be invited in to teach English. They speak Mixteco and possibly a little Spanish. To Every Tribe has visited this village in the past so there is info - I just haven't been there. If we cannot live in the village we hope to stay in the nearby city, Juxtlahuaca. It is near as far as miles but the road that goes to the villages is very bad so it takes 4-5 hours to reach them. As you can imagine we are very excited to see the outcome of this trip.

So we are standing by, still homeschooling - I'm begining to wonder if first grade will ever end. I guess that's what happens when you take too many field days and vacation in December. Today we are preparing and awaiting the arrival of hurricane Alex. Blizzards, I know, but not hurricanes. Just like any storm, except the windows are being boarded and if the electricity goes out we probably won't freeze - but it might get awfully stuffy since the humidity here is like 110% or something these days. Makes me miss Ruben more. Not out of fear, we are in good hands. But because these kinds of things are always much more fun with him. When he's gone, I realize how boring I am. Plus, he has my camera so I won't we able to take any cool hurricane Alex pics. Who knows, this may be my only hurricane ever.

So we are standing by. Walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Abide and stand by. Walk in the good works prepared in advance for you. Obey and stand by. God is timeless and all that we do by his Spirit is like stepping into what has already been accomplished. Like a storm that is already a storm, it just hasn'tblown on us yet. It has reached it's fullness in the heavens but has not yet been manifested on the earth. Like the fire stored up for this earth. Look up and stand by.

2010-06-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

It has been awhile since I have posted any pics. So here I am trying to catch up a little. Those who might be interested may have noticed I haven't posted many "thoughtful" posts lately. Well, God certainly has been faithful to continue to graciously lead, convict and teach us. While living in Guadalajara I came to appreciate true Christian fellowship - having been somewhat removed from it. We can take the privilege of our relationships in Christ for granted and have a tendency to just get "churchy". I'm really hating that more and more - beginning with my own tendencies.
I suppose in short, I desire to live what God speaks to me more than talk about it. I appreciate the encouragement from other's words and hope to be able to encourage also but notice that there are so many words and at least from me, many unnecessary. Some may be clapping at that :)
In an unknown language it doesn't do any good to think you have the right words because they can't be spoken in the way you are used to. But the really important things, like things of God , find a way out through imperfect language skills and loving gestures and just listening.
It just seems like we talk soooo much. We analyze and figure out all the angles and get it all straight until the lights go out. There is the delusion that if we can get a thing boxed up with the right words that somehow that is all that is needed.
God sent us a whole person. He sent His own son. The WORD became flesh - not mere words. And the WORD became flesh sent us - people. This is heavy on my mind lately because of my own convictions that it is easier to read a book about loving people than it is to sit in their living room when they could really care less about God or what you might say about him. It is easier to invite someone to "church" than to be the church for them. God sent us a person. He did not send a DVD or a virtual tour of the gospel but a living, breathing, eating, drinking, crying, praying person.
I am asking God to evaluate my "cultural christian norms". Our desire is to communicate the gospel to another culture. In doing so we will also communicate what God says about marriage and family and the value of such small things as we might not notice - but they will because we come as strangers. God is answering my prayers and I know He is just beginning to scratch the surface.
Thanks for listening. And thanks for being the "people" we need as well.

We arrived in Los Fresnos, TX just about the end of April. In time for Elizabeth to celebrate her 7th birthday. It did not take long for Ruben to get busy helping with things around here at the To Every Tribe apartments. TET is preparing to recieve new students for missionary training - praise to God! Ruben was involved with painting some of the apartments - with a little help. Here is the wall the kids helped with. I think he started locking himself in the apartments after that day.

After we left Guadalajara and before we landed in Los Fresnos, we made a stop in Queretero to visit with our teammates. Jim, our teammate who lives in Queretero took us on a mini tour of this beautiful city.

This little girl was just hangin' out. Probably a child of one of the vendors.

An woman who comes downtown to sell her crafts - with little baby.

Musician at a restaurant

The guys

A pyramid we visited

Ever since we visited the Shamrock Ranch in Dec., she wants to be a cowgirl.

Cactus fence at Pyramid park

At Jim's house

While preparing to haul our stuff out of the house in Guadalajara, we bought a couple big tubs to pack the kids toys in - and discovered they make an OK pool in a pinch
Genesis, Elizabeth, David and Aron (and Lily) at the house in Guadalajara. They are kids of a sweet couple we met at the church we visited there.

Mary & Deb

Adriana and kids

Anjelica & Deb

Pinata head

Pinata when it wore it's own head.

2010-04-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

Girls at Church

Chayo & Erica (teachers @ language school)

Friends

Studying Hard

Little Buddies

On the way to Los Guayabitos

Hard little workers

Friend or Follower?

2010-03-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

Acts 3:23 (Moses said) 'And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'

Peter quoted Moses in this bold address. Wow! It had not been very long since he denied he knew Jesus. I believe Peter was a zealous and brave man. He alone tried to keep Jesus from the cross; rebuking the Lord when he spoke of his coming death. It was Peter who rushed forward and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest right in front of the crowd who came for Jesus.

Now, in the time of his treason, he follows at a distance when most others had fled. I imagine in pretending he didn't know Jesus he may have been hoping to get into a position to help him. It's possible he thought that saying he was not with Jesus was not a problem. After all, what was important was what he believed inwardly. As long as he loved Jesus in his heart, it didn't matter. But it mattered to Jesus. Surly Peter was just trying ot get Jesus out of the mess he had gotten into so they could plot how to overthrow the Roman rulers together. After all, compared to the other disciples, he was probably the most loyal and helpful in practical ways. But Jesus wasn't comparing.

If it had not been for Jesus words earlier, Peter would not have even recognized his actions as a denial of the one he was trying to be so loyal to.

You cannot claim Jesus inwardly and deny him with your mouth; cursing him with words of love for the world while considering that it is your inward assent that matters. You cannot use his name like a brand of laundry soap to clean up the world - reclaiming the world for Christ - he doesn't want the world. Jesus Christ is the Lord of Glory! He defines the terms of all things!

Were it not for Jesus' words to Peter before his denial of him, Peter would not have understood that his idea of service was an injury and insult to the one he claimed to love.

If it were not for Jesus words....
Read them, listen to Him. Let the King define the terms of your service. He gladly accepts our bitter tears.

Just look at Peter after receiving the promised Holy Spirit! It appears that he could not keep himself from telling about Jesus; who He really is. His Holy Spirit filled mouth would not allow him to deny the Lord, even in the face of possible death, as he spoke to those who put Jesus on the cross.

That is the difference between trying to be a good friend and being a Holy Spirit empowered servant.

Sunday

2010-03-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

This morning I asked the Lord, "why have I not heard from you?" It seemed to me that He answered, "You know, you are only being religious. You say you are seeking me but your mind is on everything else. If you want to get up and drink coffee and daydream and mull over all your plans and problems, go ahead, but don't pretend that you are seeking my company. Don't think on everything else, including your religious duties and desires and then blame me for not speaking to you." OUCH!

"Mommy, what does the church do?" From my daughter. Immediately I thought about what the church does as opposed to what the church is supposed to do. I told her it is the body of Christ; all who believe and trust on Jesus. "I know, she answered, but what does it do?" I told her we were to get together and worship God by helping each other and by working together to bring the good news of Jesus to those who have not heard. Thankfully, I was able to give her a couple examples. Then we went to church.

We sang alot and many people seemed to really enjoy the music. Then the man got up and said he was going to talk about the Passover but spent alot of time talking about families, which was very nice but had nothing to do with the text he kept referring to. So we were all encouraged to make our families the center of our lives and Jesus the center of our families. Then we all got a snack and went home.

God does not delight in hypocrisy.

Heb 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Don't make me tell you.....

2010-01-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

Don't make me tell you... how awesome in power, brilliant in knowledge, favorable in friendship is God Almighty in Christ Jesus.

Don't make me tell you of the "silly" little things He does in "small" ways to show His kindness, love, friendship, understanding, generosity.

Don't compel me to try to convince you that God actually does know what we need and that he cares about our needs AND that He takes pleasure in not only meeting our most basic needs but fulfilling our desires - small and large.

You say that you know God cares but that He will mostly likely teach you your lessons of His love with the harshest of circumstances.

You say that you know He can help with your situation but that the need is probably not dire enough for His intervention.

You say you know He will meet your needs but you are really afraid that He won't.

You say you know the verse about first seeking the kingdom of God first "and all these things" will be added to you, but in reality you think it is a trick.

You force me into it. Now mind you - this is only my personal point of perspective. But after all, I am the one writing the blog.

There have been a few times here in the big city of Guadalajara when I thought "I have got to get out of this city". I didn't want to be anyplace else and I am extremely grateful for God's provision. But having not spent much time in large cities, I find them a little stifling and was really craving some space and quiet.

When we took our trip to Colorado. God arranged for us to stay at a ranch; big, beautiful and quiet with a great view of the mountains and Christian fellowship. I could not have asked for anything better.

One time a friend of a friend who works at a very fancy shoe place, offered all the wives of the missionaries in training a chance to order shoes for free. Well, I didn't order any because I wasn't there when she said it and I thought I probably did not need new shoes.

Someone else who ordered shoes got the wrong size and could not send them back so she gave them to me. In the cold in Colorado and also here in Guadalajara, I have worn them almost every day. I never would have bought such nice expensive shoes.

While we were in Colorado it was very cold. I had thought for a minute it would really be nice to have some jeans since the long pants I had were not so comfortable. I did not want to buy jeans because I don't wear them much in Mexico when the weather is warm so thought it would be foolish to spend the money.

When I visited my sister, she just happened to have two brand new pair of jeans that just happened to be my exact size. She asked if I wanted them because she did not. I wore them every day in Colo and when we returned to Guadalajara it was cooler than we expected so I wear them here also.

Also when we were in Colorado and my skin was dry to falling off because of the arid cold, I considered buying my favorite expensive lotion. We went to the shop to pick up a few gifts for some lady friends of mine here in Guadalajara. I resisted the temptation to buy some for myself and was quite happy with my conclusion that I really did not need to spend $10.00 + on lotion. I didn't give it another thought.

Until the day before we left, MaryAnne at the Shamrock Ranch made the short trip to Jeannette's, where we stayed, and gave me two bottles of my favorite lotion and it was one of my favorite scents. She is very sweet and she brought some snacks for our drive and said she had so much of this lotion that had been given to her she thought I might like some. It reminded me of a friend of mine whom I have heard say "I feel like God loves me best".

I could go on and on; seriously it is hard to stop. There are several more of these just from this trip alone - not to mention every day life. But I won't trouble you anymore with what you already know. God cares and He acts on behalf of those who love Him. Which are who? Those whom He has loved first. If the Father has loved you by revealing His son to you and the Son has loved you by revealing the Father to you and reconciling you to Him - you have been first loved by God and so are one who loves Him.

The point of this is NOT that we should be sad if God does not choose to give us a new pair of shoes today or even to pay our bills in the way and time we think He ought to. The point is that if God will pour out gifts; "unnecessary" gifts and favors not asked for, will He not answer to the cry of the needs of His children? He will. He does.

Isaiah 49:15-16 Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

Mercy Grace - song

2010-01-30T14:04:00.000-08:00

Your mercy flows

It flows down me

Your grace it rains

and I remain

It rains down on me

And I will receive

The joy of the Lord for my strength

And I will receive

The joy of the Lord for my strength

Your mercy flows

A river wide

Favor on every side

Your grace it rains

on all my plains

I stand in your domain

And I will receive

The joy of the Lord for my strength

And I will receive

The joy of the Lord for my strength

Your mercy flows

And where it goes

Blossoms arise to you

Your grace it rains

Where it remains

Praise grows forth to you

And I will receive

The joy of the Lord for my strength

And I will receive

The joy of the Lord for my strength

For my strength

Colorado Pics

2010-01-30T13:43:00.000-08:00

Easy

2009-11-11T10:09:00.000-08:00

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Forgiveness is easy to obtain. Too easy? Confess and trust. Lay down your sin and be cleansed; walk on. It is easy for us. It was not easy for Jesus to purchase for us. With respect to power and ability, nothing is difficult for God. But the purchase of our forgiveness cost Christ his blood and that cost pain and anguish and heartache. It cost excruciating and unfathomable pain.

Forgiveness and grace are free to us. They were very expensive for God. It is the very fact that it is so easy that causes us to lay down the flesh – to die. When we believe how easily we are forgiven because of the very expensive blood of Christ, we come to a point that we can’t stand it anymore. We see that we love Him because he loved us first. We cannot stand to continue to so easily lay down the same sin any longer. We come to be ready to die because we hate that it is so easy for us – when it should not be. As long as we try to fight our sin ourselves, we make it hard for ourselves. When we feel it is hard for ourselves, we are self justified. Regretting the consequences of sin may bring us to hate the sin. But it is the ease with which we are granted forgiveness that causes us to hate our own flesh. It is not enough that we hate what a particular sin produces. We have to hate our own flesh enough to carry it on our "cross" as we follow Jesus. As long as we are convinced that it is a burden for us; that it is difficult for us to be rid of sin and that it is our fight, we miss the immensity of the gift of grace. We miss the reality of the price Jesus paid so that we could be free. What makes sin so heartbreaking is that to be free of it is cost Christ His blood and it cost us nothing.

Jesus is Coming

2009-11-05T09:25:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Coming....

AND HE WANTS HIS CHILDREN!

Phil. 2:17
Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad

The purposes of God have been on my mind alot lately. I think alot about living for Jesus and not myself. I read a verse like this and can see that the Apostle Paul knew something of living for the purposes of Christ. I want that! How high, how grand, how.....overwhelming - if it is to be real. All the high and holy thoughts come crashing into the everyday. The purposes of God; obedience. It doesn't sound so glamourous when we say obedience. Well, if we are going to live for the purposes of God, we will encounter spiritual battles. Spiritual battle without obedience is like fighting with no arms.

Obedience is not an option - clear conscience or not. It is a matter of survival. We look forward to Jesus's coming with eagerness. That is strength and food. But today the enemy prowls, the flesh entices and the world hates. In every day matters, the purposes of God can seem too high, too far away. But they are never nearer or clearer than in the simple tasks that take up the moments of a single day.

We ought to spend less time acknowledging the sinful flesh and more time resisting it. We ought to spend less time whining and more time praying. We ought to spend less time wondering when we will get an "opportunity" to preach the gospel and a little more time loving someone other than ourselves. We ought to spend less time trying to escape our troubles and more time embracing them.

Jesus is serious about His purposes. He is set on completing His every word. The Devil is serious in keeping you from living for God. Jesus is serious about calling in the children of heaven from every nation. He is serious about building His church for the glory of His name. He is coming...He wants His children...and He will have them. How serious are you?

2009-11-05T09:03:00.000-08:00

Stormy Weather

2009-10-09T09:37:00.000-07:00

1 Peter 1:13
Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to at the revelation of Jesus Christ

When it's done
I'll see the Son
Bright and Clear
My only one
Jesus, Jesus, I'll be with you

Face to Face
I know your grace
Will be with me, always with me
I'm in the Shelter
In the Shelter
Of the King

So rage on, pass on through
Do all you came to do
I'm in the Shelter
In the Shelter
Of the King

Storm on
Rain down
Pour out - all around
I'm in the Shelter
In the Shelter
Of the King

And when it's done
I'll see the Son
Bright and Clear
My only one
Jesus, Jesus, I'll be with you

Psalm 57:1
In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by

Graduation and "Hasta Luego"

2009-09-27T17:24:00.000-07:00

We continue to be amazed at God's goodness, His immaculate planning and patience with us, His tenderness and how well He knows each of us. We are secure in the knowledge that God knows the plans He has and that He will be sure to bring them all to completion for the Glory of His name. We are astounded, continually, at the honor He has given us in bringing us into His family and allowing us the privilege to take this journey. Our gracious God continues to teach us and help us and we are a blessed family. There have been many changes in the past couple of years. One thing remains the same; we live to enjoy and pursue the knowledge of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus alone is our "one thing" and we are glad for all the places He will bring us because we know that He has gone before us and that He goes with us.

The next few posts show some pics of our departure from Los Fresnos and our arrival to Guadalajara.

Beach at night (R)

We have a Graduate! (Below)

Grads: (from lower left) Michelle, Caleb, Scott, Matt, Ruben - and wives.

TETM Staff (Below)

So Long Beach (R)

Lunch at Divine Providence

To Every Tribe "Communty"

Road to Guadalajara

2009-09-27T17:11:00.001-07:00

We're here - in Mexico!
Hard worker (below)

We are lost. (R)

Where Lighting McQueen stayed (?)

Scenery & people (Right & Below)

Around our place in Guadalajara

2009-09-27T16:45:00.000-07:00

Our School - House (R) We live on the 2nd floor.

"Gated Community"

Park (below), Giant Pineapple (R)

Upstairs Patio

Sweet Girl (R)

Big Boy (Below)

"Lily"

Faithfulness

2009-08-13T15:10:00.000-07:00

John 15:3-4
Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you.

If I know you can
I must know you will
and if you will
You already have
all that will be
You consider done

Because of Your faithfulness to Your Word

Near the Next Step

2009-07-26T17:49:00.000-07:00

Well, we will be moving to Guadalajara in less than a month! Wow - the time has gone fast here. I thought I would take a minute before we get crazy busy to catch up and post a few random pictures of some of our friends here. I have so many more pictures and there are alot of people that aren't on here, but I did say random, right? It is difficult to put into words how much we have come to love these people. It's like we are all displaced; seeking our heavenly home together. Of course, that is how it is for all who follow Christ, but it hits home when you bond with these others who have left homes, families, dogs, and cooler weather to come to this unique place and prepare to reach nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Boy, I always do that; I say how hard it is to describe something and then spend the next hour trying to describe it. I will spare you that. We will miss them, but not in the way we miss our people back home because there will not be a future opportunity to come back to them. Almost all of them will not be here soon. They will be off to different parts of the world. God is amazing. That is such an understatement but there aren't better human words that I know to describe Him. I am simply amazed at all He has done and is doing (that I can see). Look forward, look to the unseen.

RANDOM PICTURES

2009-07-26T12:36:00.000-07:00

My handsome husband.

Sundresses

This is how the "cutest kids ever" survive the heat.

Here is Tommi and Stephanie. Tommi is the one in the back looking like she's getting ready to scare Steph. Tommi is one of the most gracious people I have ever met. I can't think of a better word to describe her. Stephanie is just plain awesome - I mean she is from Michigan. Tommi is the administration queen and Stephanie is, I think, one of the princesses of Admin.

This is Kate and Scott. They are preparing to go to Papua New Guinea. Kate was in the hospital the same time as Ruben only she got to take home a precious baby and Ruben just got to take home his big leg (which I guess is better than leaving it there). I tell you, these women are tough and flexible here.

This is Kelly. I love this picture! Kelly is another of the expectant mothers here. She and her family (2 3/4 kids and hubby Alex) are headed to Papua NG with the cake lady, whom you will meet next, and her family (Faulkners with 2.0 kids)

This is Belinda. She forced me to take this picture. She is soooo cute but she was being difficult in the photo shoot. Belinda also forces us to eat alot of chocolate cake. Seriously, this lady can make some cake. She is my kid's favorite because she always treats them like little guests.

This is Scott, again. I forgot to tell you he plays guitar. And here is Chris. Chris, I think, just plays his IPod but he is very cool. He is going to head the Oaxaca Mex Team. Go Oaxaca!

This is Caleb. Caleb is a hoot! It looks like he's getting ready to swim here but he's going to get a dental exam. It was part of our dental training. Caleb plans to go to China - he's very serious about that. And he is a talented musician. Praise God for musical gifts!

This is Matt in EZ. Believe it or not, he smiles like that all the time. He and his wife are preparing to minister in Papua NG with their 3 3/4 kids.

These are the cutest kids ever!

This is Elizabeth, helping with tortillas.

This is Angel, a neighborhood boy. He speaks Spanish and English (like everyone else in Los Fresnos) and his uncle is a shrimper. Cool, huh?

This is Leanne, one of the three pregnant women here at CPCP. She's married to Mr Smiley. Leanne tries hard to seem serious - but she's pretty funny.

To Every Tribe Website

2009-06-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

To Every Tribe has an improved website - check it out at www.toeverytribe.com. They have given a page to each missionary and to those in training. You can find us under the "to train" section which tells about the school. We will have a blog attached to our page at some point in the future with a photo gallery as well. We will let you know if / when we switch blogs but hope you'll put the page on your faves.

Dental and Bible Study in EZ, Mex.

2009-06-29T12:45:00.001-07:00

Last month we took our in-training missionary denists to EZ in Mexico to visit our friends there and do some dental work for the village. Dr. Gerry Beauchemin offers a basic course for missionaries in dentistry that enable them to check for and fill cavities. It is a great way to reach out to people in remote or not so remote places. Dr. Gerry has a heart for showing compassion in this way and is very mission minded. Debbie thoroughly enjoyed connecting with the people of EZ in this way and we can see lots of potential for this skill in the future. Below are some pics we took while there.

2009-06-29T12:09:00.001-07:00

Waiting Room/Clinic

Dr. Gerry

Veronica (L), one of the translators with Michelle and Lupita in the EZ village

Debbie

Elizabeth

Dr. Gerry, Ruben, Matt, Randy (translator), and Efriam (Lupita & Juan's son)

Ruben and boys

Bible Study

Hidden From Sight

2009-06-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

Psalm 42:7-8
Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

There isn’t anything more unpleasant than feeling like you can’t find the face of the Lord. It seems there are times when sin clouds our view. We need a better perspective. Possibly at times we are too focused on ourselves or our circumstances. Our vision of God can be clouded by many evil thoughts. The enemy is always working to get our minds on the world and off of God. In those times there is the mental knowledge of God but no real sense of his presence. We fight with faith for faith until we can discern his voice again.

There are other times though, when it seems that we cannot “see” the face of God and yet feel strangely close to him. There are times when he takes us aside to himself and holds us in a way that we cannot see him in the way we like but feel he is very near. The picture that comes to mind is as if you were sitting in God’s palm and he put his other hand over you, to cup you in. There is a closeness that is undeniable yet it is a little lonely. You feel isolated from your ministry objectives and wonder how to be close to people. You feel alone with your sins and it seems that the consuming fire of God is dangerously close. It is dark in the sense of not cheery but not evil. Perhaps you have come closer than you bargained for? If you were not sure you were in his hand, you would have great fear of judgement.

This is a place of quiet and of few distractions. Sinful thoughts are unraveled and there is the exposing of some of the depth of sin you are capable of and are loving. This is a place to be stripped of filthy rags. This is not the awareness of some simple adjustment you need to make. It is an awareness of what justice would mean were it not for the wounds and death of Jesus. God brings conviction until you are at the brink of despair, yet you are not hopeless. God knows who you are and for this time you know some of who you are also. Gratitude and godly fear abound.

What can be prayed at this time? Who can open their mouth except to say, “save me or I will not be saved!”? There doesn’t seem to be voice for any other request. God is near; lovingly near. He is saving. He is close and you are glad that you are in his hand. He will not consume his own hand and he will not deny the request through his Son. Praise God! His mercy is real. Salvation is not a yesterday necessity that you have received. It is a right this moment necessity that you have the privilege of realizing. It is the kind of realization that doesn’t come on bright cheery days when you see God smiling. It comes when he draws you close enough for you to feel the heat of his holiness and the fire of hell within yourself. It is a gracious dose of his love and beauty that can only be seen in the darkness of his hand cupped over you.

This is the kind of love from God that made the Apostle Paul declare that he was the chief of sinners. He was given the discipline of God’s mercy and was able to see some of what he was being saved from. Thank God for all his wonderful and terrifying ways. He is a God to be bowed to, a hand to be cowered under and also the only safe place anywhere. When we see what we would be without Jesus (a little like toast) we can appreciate him more. When we see what we are and what we would be stuck with if he had not brought us the light of his gospel; we are blown away by what we have received. The hand is removed and something is different. God is bigger, you are smaller.

Heb 12:6
My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.

Enemies of The Cross

2009-06-13T09:45:00.000-07:00

Philippians 3:18-19
For many, of whom I have told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

How easy it is for us who claim Christ to think the enemies of the cross are those who are busy with blatant sins or those who would not even consider entering our churches. It is easy to see the unbeliever as the enemy of the cross. Those who don’t trust Christ do not know the value of the cross and have no part in it. But the Apostle Paul is talking about those who are among the children of God. Otherwise there would not have been reason for him to warn them twice.

Those who are enemies of the cross have no death in their gospel. For them, no death is required for life to be gained. They believe they can hold onto the world and have Jesus also. They think that Jesus’ death is all that is required. Certainly Jesus death is sufficient for our forgiveness. But Jesus calls his disciples to follow him in suffering and death; to pick up their cross daily. Paul says they are specifically “enemies of the cross”. These do not put themselves forth as anti-gospel or anti Jesus. They have knowledge of his atoning sacrifice for our sins but they refuse to accept the command to leave the world and die to the flesh. Since they are unwilling to follow in the prescribed way; they are eager to justify themselves with outward works.

Enemies of the cross are enemies of Jesus. If we despise our cross and hate the command to die to ourselves and set aside our earthly treasures, what do we have to look forward to besides the accumulation of worldly treasures? Without the company of Jesus at our cross, what do we have to enjoy besides the endless worldly pleasures? If we set ourselves against the cross assigned to us, our God will be our belly.

There is the tendency to quickly defend the appetites of the flesh. The natural appetites are not necessarily always evil. They are only evil in so far as they deter a person from following Jesus with their whole hearts. But here is the problem: we kid ourselves that they are not deterring us when they are. Since we do not have the ability to gauge our own hearts, Jesus protects us with the command to lose our lives that we may find them. He makes a perfect example of not living for earthly things and tells us to follow him in this. We protect our inclination to befriend the world with the claim that in would be legalistic not to.

Beware lest you think your appetites are too small to be harmful; it is a lie. Perhaps your satisfaction comes with a quiet life with simple pleasures like family and fishing. You say you don’t want many possessions – just a simple life. To do what? It doesn’t have to be riches and a breakneck pace to kill you, spiritually. Whatever your life is about, if it’s not killing the desires of the flesh – not merely turning away but running in the opposite direction; it’s just numbing your spirit.

Peacemaker

2009-05-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

Colossians 1:19-20
For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Jesus shed his blood for the purpose of making peace with God. It is reconciliation with the Father that Jesus is concerned about. This is why he was not interested in settling civilian affairs or overtaking the ruling government. A peacemaker is one through whom Christ makes his appeal for reconciliation known. Peacemakers chosen by God represent the policy maker and keeper; God. He sets forth the offer for peace before God’s enemies. He must be clear and thorough in dispatching the terms of the offer and in proclaiming the power of the One who keeps it. It is not his duty to wrestle with others to get them to accept the conditions of the peace agreement; only to proclaim in the most understandable way possible.

We who are given grace to know Jesus by faith are called to be his instruments for making his appeal for peace to the enemies of God. This should not be confused with a duty to merely avoid conflict or to make a life of promoting peace between men. The peacemaker promotes peace between man and God. As we can plainly see from Jesus earthly life, the work of reconciling men to God does not necessarily lead to peace with other men. This man to man peace was not even on Jesus’ agenda, although it is desired by those who follow him. We are called to live quiet peaceful lives and to live peaceably with all men but our first priority it to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ; the offer of peace, its’ terms and means of completion.

If a person is given grace to believe on Jesus Christ, he has peace with God the Father. If one is given peace with God, all his earthly relationships will fall into line with that. He will be at peace with all men – even those who want to kill him. The man of God has his peace, which is Jesus, even if others don’t. God’s children keep their peace if they are living according to the peace agreement as given by scripture. When we are at odds with others, it indicates we are not complying with the agreement. We are disobedient in some area. If we are obedient, people may at odds with us – someone certainly will be at odds with us, but we will have peace on our end. We can never point the finger at someone else if we feel we have lost our peace in a relationship. Our peace is with God and God keeps it, so we always have it. Likewise, we can never look for peace from others – God is the only source. Jesus Christ is peace and in Him only is peace with God possible. Peace with God defines all of our earthly relationships. If our main objective is to enjoy the gift of our peace in Christ and proclaim and promote other’s peace with Him, we will have the most serene life imaginable.

2009-05-06T17:00:00.001-07:00

In late April, we took an overnight trip to Emilianao Zapata. EZ is a small farming community about 3 hours south of the border. To Every Tribe makes frequent visits there to lay out the gospel. There are a few believers but they need leadership and discipling. They are loving and hospitable.

Ruben had the opportunity to lead the evening study. Those who attended (mostly women) asked great questions and we had a good discussion. Deb learned how to make gorditas and cheese. We enjoyed and benefited from this learning experience. The team was accompanied by two translators, Irian and Bianca (photos below). These young people are so awesome in ther helpful, God loving attitudes. We are so encouraged by those God has given us to learn with and to learn from as well as the faith of others. Using translators is a learning experience in itself. They have to listen and speak with a whole lot of thinking in between so you never know if you are talking too fast or too slow or using terms that don't translate well. More and more we understand why everyone is insistent on "learn culture and language" before you attempt to minister full time in another country.

The kids played, of course. They never have a problem finding something to play with. They are getting pretty good at being glad for whatever is given them to eat (it was all great) and learning to sleep - or not sleep. When we did this evening study, David slept on one a little bench and Elizabeth played until way past bedtime.

Pray for the believers in EZ. Pray God will send in a family or team to come beside them in forming a church. Pray especially that more men of the town will come to Christ.

2009-05-06T16:36:00.000-07:00

Lupita; sister, superb hostess and great cook

Evening Study

Ruben and Irian

Parade Girls

Muy Guapo

Bianca and Elizabeth

Making Queso

Getting Ready for Dinner

Counting The Cost

2009-05-04T20:04:00.000-07:00

Luke 14:33
So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Jesus demands the lives of those who would follow Him – nothing less. To say one must simply ask forgiveness is true, but, make no mistake about it; Jesus demands our whole life. He requires that all be given over to Him and He will have it all. Jesus will have our lives, each and every one. He will have it now; in our willing surrender or He will have it at the end in battle and by force.

Jesus doesn’t want lip service. He doesn’t want arrogance passing for belief that says, “Just come for me later, when I’m done here.” He wants all of our life and He has the right to claim it and take it. All things are from Him and through Him and to Him. All accounts will be settled.

We must repent. Meaning; we must ask for forgiveness and we must seek His pardon with the expectation of receiving it and we must be prepared to give over our whole lives and selves. Our repentance will not be true if it is anything less than that.

Those who do not believe often will say they are not willing to give up certain habits or vices. They know things must change and they are unable to know the power of Christ to change them. They are unwilling to give up notions of what they think will make for a nice life. We, who believe, have a bad habit of telling them they need not give up a thing – just believe, we say, and Jesus will take care of everything. We are surely saved by grace, and not of ourselves but by the faith given from God. However, Jesus tells us there is a cost and that we should consider the cost. His grace is free; it is not cheap. To communicate that God will make one’s life peachy with no cost to us is a lie. The cost is our life as we know it. The life we receive is not worth comparing with the old; but the old must go.

Jesus requires much more than changing a habit, behavior or attitude. Jesus requires the entire life of those who would be his disciple. In order to have Jesus, our eternal life, one must give up all. Jesus demands of those who profess Him; our minds, emotions, bodies, spirit, soul, possessions – all we are and all we have. The unbeliever who balks at the requirement of surrender is not mistaken; let us not tell them they are. They lack understanding, yes, but they are right in their assessment that it is not a small thing in receiving Christ. The Holy Spirit makes one hate his life so much he is willing to give it to Jesus. Any other seed will not grow because it was not planted by God.

Let the one who is not ready to give his entire life, keep it. God will make him ready in His time; or He will not. We must not try to make the exchange a small thing. Let us tell them of the treasure we have in Christ that they cannot even imagine and let us make sure they know it is absolute mercy that causes us to lay our lives down. Let us make it plain that we have gained so much more than we tossed off that it’s not even worth comparing. But let’s not act as if they must just say “I’m sorry” to receive the kingdom of heaven. Jesus makes it very plain that that is not the case. He does not hide this truth; if we are to follow Him, we must give Him all.

For those who do not know God’s grace, let us assure them of His love and power to work out all the details. We must communicate what a joyful giving over it is to know Jesus. Their desire to lose their lives must come from the Holy Spirit. We cannot tell them it doesn’t matter if they are unwilling to give their lives.

The day will come when those who have withheld from Jesus what is rightfully His (namely worship), will beg to give their money, their possessions, and their service in order to have peace with Him. It will be too late.

Doorkeeper

2009-04-18T08:05:00.000-07:00

Psalm 84:10b
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

To win a race one must run faster than all the other runners. He who runs a race is not to be content with second or third place; certainly not last. One who runs a race to win will probably know a little about what to expect from the competition. He would spend some time analyzing their strategies so he can formulate his own to the best of his advantage. He is running to win.

In Christ Jesus we run to win. We must pursue Jesus with fervor and focus. We must exercise our faith so as to be able to stay in the race and run well. We are running to win the most valuable crown of all; the crown of righteous won for us by our Lord. Yet, to be among the winners, we must not compete.

We train and run as if for a competition but we must lay aside all of the competitiveness of our flesh if we want to win. How do we win if we are not before others or better than others? We run against our own flesh. We have to be first at dealing with every temptation before our flesh entices us to take in it. We have to be quick to take every thought of ours captive to the truth of God’s word. We must train our minds in God’s word and train our hands for battle in prayer. The competition is fierce and it is to the death and it is against our own selves.

The most dangerous thing we will ever face is our own flesh. If we follow our flesh, we can be disqualified from eternal life. It would be better to be beheaded. The very thing we are deceived into thinking we must protect, our life, is the very thing that will take us to hell if we follow its desires. Your flesh serves Satan, plain and simple. It is not just a little confused or a little undisciplined. Without the grace of God, each of us would betray God in a heartbeat (less if we could move faster).

The enemy would like for us to run hard – against each other. We can be pursuing knowledge of God in great strides but if it is in comparison to others that we take our joy; we will have none. Let us beat our flesh by earnestly praying that our brothers and sisters around us will excel ourselves in all of God’s graces.

I pray that this will be my own mind: I will gladly hold open the door for my heavenly family to come through. I will, with great honor, be the last and pick up what they dropped on the way in. I will show them to their mansions and rooms and sleep on the front stoop. I don’t care; I just want to be on the right side of the door. Lord, just don’t let me dwell in the tents of the wicked. Don’t leave me to my wicked self.

If Jesus made himself the very threshold we walk across to gain entry; than to be a doorkeeper must be a great honor. With dependence on God’s understanding, let us pursue the righteousness of our fellow Christians us as if it were as important as our own. Let us not compare one to another but keep our eyes on the true mirror of God’s word and our hand in the hand of our lowly Jesus.

Lord, grant that we would see the deceptions of our flesh in the pride of competitiveness. Give us love for you and hatred for sin and open hearts to live in your truth.

Mission Learning Trip to Oaxaca

2009-04-05T19:03:00.000-07:00

Our trip to Oaxaca was wonderful! It is awesome to see God building His church. This picture was taken in front of the apartment we rented for the week while staying in Huatulco.
From left: Chris J., Chris B, Evan, Jim, Ruben, Stephanie, Deb, David, Elizabeth. Tom Wallen also went with us, he is Chris B.'s mission pastor - he had to catch his flight before I could get a group photo. Chris J, Chris B and Jim are planning to team together in Jan 2010 to live in Oaxaca to teach and work with the believers and plant a evangelical church . As for Ruben and I, our hearts are with the believers we met and worshiped and studied with. It is hard to leave people who are hungry for God's word and who have no solid teaching available to them. We will wait and see if God will have us return to this beautiful place and precious people.

On the following post we have posted random pictures. They are not captioned to save space and time. Some are from Huatulco at the apartment we stayed at and some are from the two villages we visited. We wanted to remember the faces and the homes of those we had the privelege of spending this time with. So you will see more face than scenery.

Friends from Oaxaca

2009-04-05T17:26:00.000-07:00

Christian Living

2009-03-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

Matt 19:21
“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

The Christian lifestyle and following Christ are not the same thing. In fact they are exactly opposed to each other. Endeavoring to make a lifestyle “Christian” is taking all things already in place in one’s life and polishing them up with a so-called Christian approval. There may be the appearance of sacrifice – but it is all for the sake of being able to keep what the person is coveting; worldliness and earthly treasures.

Living for Christ is the sacrifice of all things. All that are in a person’s life become nothing and the whole person is opened up to what God would put in it. These two may or may not have the same outward appearance but the state of the person’s heart is as different as day is to night. Jesus calls us to himself; not to “christianize” our lives. He doesn’t ask us to change our lifestyle or even ourselves; he demands that it all be given to him.

The Christian who sets out to follow Christ is tempted to hold onto his worldly treasures. One of the ways the enemy succeeds in holding so many back from truly following Jesus is by deceiving them that they need not seriously give all things up but just make them acceptable to their religious lifestyle. Many will pursue a Christian lifestyle and think they are following Jesus. They come up short on peace and joy and blame it on God. All they have heard they would gain is not really theirs so they disbelieve the promises of God.

A man may have a business and when he comes to Christ he is ready to lay it all down to go wherever his master would command. But instead he begins to think that this way is too radical and that he should merely revamp his business to coincide with his new found morals; biblical morals. There may be financial sacrifice in the revamping of his business and he mistakes these for actual suffering and sacrifice. This same man may change personal habits. Perhaps he stops drinking or cussing or hanging out with his rough friends. He makes changes to suit his conscience which has been pricked by the Holy Spirit but does not go so far as to actually please God. For to please God would require that he actually take his hands off of all things. His outward changes soothe him for a time. His busy-ness in creating and maintaining his new lifestyle make him feel quite productive, quite justified, but not free. He may be steadfast in teaching his children the bible, he may take up ministry. If he has not emptied his life before Jesus, he hasn’t followed him at all. If he has not ever offered up all of his life and waited for Jesus to fill it with God’s will; he has only managed to hold onto what he already had. He just made it more pleasing to his own eye. He is worse off than he was before because he is wondering why God’s promises seem to elude him. At least in his old life he didn’t care about God’s promises.

The man who follows Christ may also have a business and family and friends. When he meets Jesus he recognizes that everything must be given over to him. He knows that he has no ability to make right choices for himself; that he does not even know who he is or will be. He looks to Jesus to place in his hands what God wants him to handle for the sake of Jesus name. He might, by Christ’s decision, keep his business, maybe God will command that he change it a bit. He may begin to do things differently at home and his friendships may change. In fact, his outward life may not look much different from the man who claims Christ but follows the world, with one major exception. This man has peace, and it shows. This man is free, and he knows it. When the world shifts and the enemy prowls and things are threatened to be taken from him, he simply looks to his Master to whom he gave all things. He is following Jesus, and it is all he wants to do. He is not after a mere lifestyle but he is after life himself, Jesus the King.

Those who follow Christ may lay it all down to have God place much of their old life back into their hands; but made new in Christ. Then again, they may just make a “wreck” of it all. They may leave jobs for the pastorate, homes for missions, the good life for real life. They might lay down softball for Sunday School and only regret that they had not done it sooner. They may lay down the TV for the Bible and marvel at the deception they had been under. One thing is for certain, they will never long for what they had and they will walk with Jesus – hands empty.

So Many Trips, So Little Travel

2009-02-27T13:07:00.000-08:00

Ruben with Mark and Alex (far left)

Here are a few of the guys at one of our many pot-luck occassions. This was a super bowl party, however, I confess - we just went for the food. True to our Christian heritage, we enjoy many community pot-lucks. I think we have all gained weight since we came. I (Deb) was counting on the Papua New Guinea trip to help me with dropping of few pounds since they all say that the rigors of hiking, airport walking and "different" food will take some weight off a person. We were confident that God was working out the arrangements for me to go to Papua in Rubne's place - but alas, He is not doing that. Now I wish I had not had so many desserts and chips.

So this has been quite an interesting beginning for us. Ruben says maybe God is getting us ready to just go anywhere. Gotta love Ruben's sense of humor - he would be happy to just go to Walmart about now. To learn so much in this short time and yet to not be able to join the others on the trips has been, we know, God's training that he has for us. We know we will benefit and that He will get us where He wants us to be in His way and in His time. We do not at all feel that any of this has been in vain. We are more and more convinced of Jesus' tender care than ever before and we are relishing the company and love we share with the other students and staff and teachers here.

On the medical front:
Ruben's Dr has continued to be concerned over his leg; not happy with the slowness of the healing. He referred him to an ortho Dr. who just happens to be the guy who invented the knee replacement. As impressive as this is - we were both hoping Ruben would not need those services. This Dr ordered two MRI's which were OK. He saw Ruben a couple days later and things seemed to look better as far as the swelling so he said to continue on the meds he has and see him next week. Just as an aside - a gal here took her son for an MRI accross the border and it cost them $100.00. Very easy, she said and they gave her the results before she left. We did not do that though because this Dr was arranging his schedule to see Ruben and it was a rush. So Ruben is still in the healing process - not out of the woods yet. This is serious stuff, so the Dr's keep telling us. We sure do appreciate them but they act as if he were just ignoring the problem.

Trips:

Because Ruben is limited to elevating his leg 90% of the time and still has infection and swelling to combat, we have declined trip 1 & 2 to Mexico. The airlines refused to transfer the air tickets to Papua New Guinea from Ruben's name to Deb's so that trip is out also. We are working with the travel agent to get them to refund the ticket funds, which they are very relunctant to do. There is a trip coming up to LaBarra (very south Mex, coastal) Mar 23 that we have been invited to join and are really hoping to get to go there. This is not a trip that was scheduled for training but is being led by a former student who is hoping to work there full time. We are seriously looking at joining him in planting a church there. We feel this is an awesome opportunity for us that we would not have had if one of us were to go to PaPua. Certainly, God will reveal His will for us.

Community:

I will post more on the other students here later - when I get more pictures. Please pray for them all. Sisson, Faulkner, Wilkesons - hoping for PNG full time. Caleb, Michelle, & Ronyaks - not sure yet. Chris J and us - hoping for Mexico. The Ronyaks just had there second baby and the Sisson just found out they are having a third. Ruben and I are the old ones in this group. We are so encouraged by these young people (I know that sounds so old!) - but some are under thirty. Caleb is 19 and Michelle is 21. It is just awesome to see their love for God and their desire to follow Jesus and seek out His calling on their lives.

Please Pray:

PNG trip Mar 2 - for those going and for open hearts and ears
Labarra Trip Mar 23 - ditto and that we would be able to go
Full restoration for Ruben's leg with no further problems
God's direction concerning long term plans and language school options
Direction, protection and growth for all of us here.
For the release of airline money

We love you all and pray for you often

Little Beauties

2009-02-26T12:32:00.000-08:00

Here is Los Fresnos, we have an unusual tribe of little people. They seem to prize silliness and fun above all things in their culture. This "fun" typically takes form in the pretending to be somoeone else. They will spend hours (if allowed) taking on various roles; teacher, mother, princess, servant and some sort of person with super powers. They are persistent in their play, even when they repeatedly fall on the cement, incurring many scrapes and bruises. This is a resilient people who can cry or laugh at a moments notice. At times and for no apparent reason, they can be quite impish in their behavior; this is expecially true of the males. Our studies reveal that their social structure is maternal. One or two of the female little people will take on the role of chief game player. She will then tell the others what they will be playing and how they should do it. The males will usually follow along for a little while and then will go off on their own - probably because of the intricate rules of the games which can be confusing and change often. They are a loving and sometimes compliant group; they will receive food and gifts from any of us. Their language is mainly english with some terms that seem to express delight or displeasure and sometimes pain - it is a high toned whine. They all have this in common but the smaller ones seem to use this more often.

Our strategy for bringing the love of God to bear on this precious people includes very deliberate action coupled with patient waiting. They seem eager to hear God's Word if you can catch them at the right time of the day and if they are not too hungry. However, they do not seem to retain much of what they hear. Thus, the patient waiting. Also included are many kisses, hugs and lots of bandages. We have endeavored to divide the tribe and take two or three of them into our families. They still come together as a tribe during much of the day but are under the care of the families they have been assigned to. Each family, at their own discretion, takes time during the day to teach them the gospel with bible studies and most importantly, example. The little people are very bright and are quite adapt at spotting any inconsistencies - we are challenged constantly with this reality. These small ones are chief in our prayers and we have great hope for their future. We pray that our labor will not be in vain - we trust that God is faithful and that He will call them to His Son Jesus for His glory. Please join us in praying for these small ones and for us who have been privileged with the appointment of loving them in Christ.

Loss of All things

2009-02-26T11:33:00.000-08:00

Phil. 3:8,10
For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ, and be found in him….that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any mean possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

The ultimate goal here is to attain the resurrection of the dead. But the immediate goal is to know Christ in such a way as to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death. The Apostle Paul is saying he wants to share in the sufferings of Christ. He knows that there is not another road to becoming like Christ in his death so that he may attain to the resurrection from the dead. What is interesting is that he suffers the loss of all things in order to get to share the sufferings of Christ. He seems to be citing two different sufferings: the loss of all things and sharing in Christ’s sufferings. He seems to equate gaining Christ with sharing in his sufferings and is looking at the loss of all things to be a way to that goal.

When Paul says, ”For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things”, isn’t that the same as sharing Christ’s suffering? No, that is our suffering. We must suffer the loss of the world to gain Christ. Once we “gain” Him in such a way that His name is lived through us; then we get to share His sufferings. We get to be persecuted for the greatest and most powerful name in all time, Jesus. So it is all about more of Christ for us who love Him, but there seems to be suffering that is required on our part and a suffering that comes as a consequence. All is granted by the Holy Spirit, but we do have our place to take in it.

What is Paul meaning by “all things”? In Phil. 4, he says that he has learned the secret of facing plenty, hunger, abundance and need; so I don’t think suffering the loss of all things means all or most material or physical things. We can make a big conversation about what a person ought or ought not to have in the sense of material things. Possibly one does need to lose some material possessions in this kind of suffering; God alone knows each man’s heart. But the things the Apostle refers to in this passage preceding verse 8 have to do with esteem and position. They have to do with proving oneself. We are all tempted to prove to the world who we are; heathen and Christian alike.

Jesus was tested in the dessert with this same temptation we all have. Satan taunted Him to prove Himself. Prove you are the Son of God and make bread. Prove you are the Son of God and let the angels rescue you when you fall. And; prove yourself in the world with all the kingdoms I can give you. Many times Jesus was asked to perform a sign to prove who He said he was. Jesus refused to take any offer to prove Himself and to even prove God’s power at that time. In refusing to prove Himself, he proved who he esteemed as greater; The Father. And so with us; when we turn down the offers from Satan and from our flesh to prove who we are, we prove the greater, Jesus. What are you tempted to prove you are, good Christian? Humble, smart, savvy, knowledgeable, biblical, daring, loving, evangelical, truthful? The offers are many. When we proclaim God’s word the question is not what we are trying to prove, but who. If we are to suffer the loss of all things, we must suffer the loss of esteem among men. It is the greatest sinful desire of humans; to “be somebody”. We must suffer the loss of being somebody. We must starve out every desire for it by turning down all offers. It is not an issue of whether anyone knows your name. It is more an issue of what drives a person’s heart. If we follow Jesus faithfully, we will be an example to someone; they will know who we are and when they think of us they will think more lovingly about Jesus as a result. That proves God’s love, not ours.

Lest we be fearful of our every hidden motive, let us remember that we are children. We are not up to such suffering – the loss of all things. At every turn is the question, “is it real or is it for esteem?” God will guide us by His love and care in Christ. If we will delight in Jesus above all else, we will also desire to share in His sufferings and we will throw all else off to get to it. It has been granted to us – to suffer for Jesus, to suffer with Jesus; and to be risen and exalted with Him. God will bring to pass what He grants.

Immovable

2009-02-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Be still. God at times tells His people to stop, be perfectly still so we can see the salvation of the Lord. In Ex 14:13 He says, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today.” God was just about to work. The saving action for that problem was just about to break out on the scene. God wanted to get their attention so that they would be looking for His wonders. He told them to be still and watch, not to wait and see. Being still is waiting for the miracle that God has at hand. When God says, “Be Still”, He may be getting to show us His wonders. We should not take this directive with a sour attitude but as a cue that God is on the verge of bringing the solution that is best according to His wisdom. Being still is an exciting command because it indicates that God is about to bring us a knowledge of Himself. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God. “ There is a knowledge of God that comes with the stillness. He will supply a knowing of Himself that is necessary to the people and the situation.

In a hardship or trial we can become weary to the point of not wanting to move. That is not the same as being still; that is simply being tired and God may just tell you to get back up. Being still is not a passive response to a situation when you are out of ideas. Being still is not simply ceasing to strive. You can tell a child to stop running, and he may. But that is not the same as being still. We can put forth all our efforts to a circumstance or difficulty and then we can strive actively in prayer. Neither of these is wrong but when God says “Be Still”, they are to cease so we can be positioned to see His best for us. We tend to think of being still as the last thing a person does; when they have given up on a situation. We have little value for those who are not working hard to improve the problematic situation at hand. There is no esteem or respect for the direction to be still. We seem to think it as defeat, or a deflation to be told to stop and watch. But it is an invitation to watch God rescue us. It is a front-row seat to the miraculous, if we will but take our place. Being still before God is a deliberate action, by grace. We tend to overrate activity. We think we must always be doing something. There is a time for movement, a time for waiting and a time to be still. Waiting for God is not necessarily the same as being still. Waiting may just be a resting until further direction is given. Waiting is good; it is blessed. We should always wait on God when we don’t know what to do. Being still is a directive from God; it is an answer to the waiting. God may tell us to persist in prayer, to cry it out to Him until He answers. He may tell us to wait longer. He may tell us to run away or run through. And He may tell us to be still because He is about to show Himself to us in a way that we must be still to see.

In being still, we are immovable. We are still, immovable, steadfast, standing firm. That may mean we cease activity and it may not. It is an inner quietness that is immediately ready to embrace what God is ready to pour out. Stillness is intense, ready, peaceful and sure. It is like lightening ready to strike real close. Stillness hangs in the air like a static or the eye of the storm, or the quiet before a tornado. Our stillness is a sign to the enemy that he is about to come up against a wall. A big, unchangeable, wall – God Himself.

Seek the Lord - leg and all

2009-02-02T12:54:00.000-08:00

O.K. so here is the big leg guy we've been talking so much about. And of course the kids - silly as ever. Ruben is healing up well. He is still in pain but it is lessening. This picture is actually after much improvement. I should have taken one earlier but frankly - it is yucky. It seems, of course to be dragging for him. He is looking forward to being able to actually walk for more than a few minutes at a time without being sore. Every affliction has it's course of completeness and so will this one.

Otherwise we are well and God is faithful to supply the joy of His fellowship without which there is really no reason for much of anything. I am convinced of this more and more as I read and pray and converse with others. At times I have wondered if I am just naive to think that we can actually hope to enjoy God's blessed company daily. I have decided I don't care if I am. That is my hope and I will hold to it. It is certainly biblical to live this way - so by God's grace, I will. Why bring this up here? It has been amazing to me that for the past few months, everywhere I turn, I find myself in conversation with a sibling in the Lord and it always gets around to God showing His love, in a way known to us - in every circumstance of need. Always there is a look from the person and then, "Well, you may not always hope to know that He is near." or something like that. So are we to see every trial as the one time we will not "see" our Jesus with us? How frightening! Is he not Immanuel? Is God not with us? Does the Holy Spirit not live within us? So what is there not to know? He is either there or He isn't. Perhaps our faith will be weak and we won't discern Him. Perhaps. I will hope for His joy anyway because it is right and it is good and even the darkness is not dark to God and after all, The Father was pleased to crush His son so if He is pleased to crush me then I will be in good company. I have thought lots on this - at times troubled. I know and see the evidence of this hope in God's people. It is the glorious evidence of the life of Christ. So I will keep it and I will purify my heart in it each day as God makes me able. I recommend it to you also - if it is not your habit to expect to encounter God Himself in His Holy Spirit through Jesus, you have good reason to start.

Well, I suppose that is an update of sorts. I hadn't planned on preaching to you all - but I am not inclined to delete it either. Loving and patient friends that you are - you aren't surprised. So things are moving along. We are praying that Ruben will be well enough to make the next Mexico trip at the end of Feb and to go on the Papua new Guinea trip in March which will be a little demanding phisically. Please pray with us about these and also for general protection and help teaching Elizabeth and David. The kids are doing really well. They have learned alot about meeting new people and having new friends and still loving old ones.

Ps 27:8

You have said, "Seek my face."

My heart says to you. "Your face, Lord do I seek."

True Authority

2009-02-02T12:49:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 1:18-23
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know… what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come and he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Jesus has been given ALL authority. There is no authority or power or name over His. All things are submitted to Him. The church is His body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. The church is the fullness of Christ. This is not to imply that Christ is incomplete, but to declare who the children of God belong to and to whom they submit. We are His body and He is the head. The head runs the body. Our hand does not tell us what to think but our hand cannot move without the command from the head to do so. Eph 2:6 tells us that the church has been raised up in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

The church as the body and fullness of Christ is also above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named. The church as the body of Christ has all things under her feet. This authority is for this age and for the age to come. The Church has authority in Christ today on this earth; this age. The Church is the body and fullness of Christ. We, as a body become one with Him by God’s grace which gives us faith for our standing and keeping.

That is not to say that man has any authority. Man cannot even charge the ants to leave his yard, let alone speak life or do good or anything other than evil. Those who think they have power to fulfill their own agendas based on a scripture or two are deluded. Jesus alone has all authority. Man outside of Christ is only destined to destruction.

The church has full authority and backing of God Himself to do all the Head commands. If we are not following the direction of the Head, being Jesus, we can expect no power or help or backing of His authority. If my hand involuntarily waved around, I would tie it down to make it stop. My body must do as my head commands or it is dysfunctional and not useful. If my body acts outside of the authority and commands of my head; it is an obvious problem to others. If my limbs all moved without my brain telling them to; my whole body would have to be hindered to keep me from hurting myself or others.

When the church submits to Jesus as head, she has full authority and power to so all that He commands. In Christ we have the authority to preach His gospel. We need not be afraid of persecution or ineffectiveness or complete failure. We have been given authority and power to preach the very truth that offers eternal life to those the Spirit will enable to receive.

We have authority to love, to heal, to help, to endure beyond reason. In all that we are commanded to do in Christ we have Him to back us fully. We have nothing without Jesus and everything with Him. If God determines that signs and wonders are needed to fulfill His work, He will supply them. Whatever God has told us to do; He will supply all we need to accomplish the work He has given us. We must trust that He will not only show us but that He has already been wherever He will lead us to go. He has prepared the way for us beforehand. He knows exactly what we will need and is willing to grant us full power and resources to complete the work chosen for us if we will but ask.

If, at our occupations we did not believe we had authority from the manager to do our work; we would not bother to go to work. If we went to work we sure wouldn’t accomplish anything because we would constantly question our place in the company. We wouldn’t order necessary supplies because we wouldn’t feel worthy to sign the purchase order. We wouldn’t be very inclined to go to our manager with our mistakes because after all, if he doesn’t even really want us on the job, why would he help? The one who keeps his position, invests his talents, and understands his place to complete the task given him; is the one who will be successful. Weather it is the janitor or the president; he must have a knowledge that he has been given authority to do what is asked of him. He can delegate or seek aide or take initiative with boldness to complete his tasks. He is interested in doing his job well and he is not preoccupied with weather his position is low or high. He has confidence that his employer will supply all that is needed to make him able to comply with his orders. The work he does is a reflection on the one who hired him.

Laziness has nothing to do with humility. Those who are in Christ have a place and a duty to fulfill. Those hired on by Jesus have all they need and more. They are not required to bring any strength or resources of their own – in fact they are commanded not to. But if they do not understand the authority given to them by the one with the power and resources, they will accomplish nothing. If they are able to remain employed, their reward will be small.

Introducing - Los Fresnos

2009-01-12T12:22:00.001-08:00

Elizabeth at the Zoo.
Pulling his weight.

Our Apartment.

This creepster was one of those who greeted us when we came to our new home, here is Los Fresnos. I am not kidding! Matt, a fellow student here at To every Tribe, caught it just that day and took it out to show us. They are not as bad as I imagined (taratulas). In fact, a couple nights later, I actually let it walk accross my hand - with Matt's supervision. I did not look though. I guess it seemed safer if I didn't make eye contact.

Well, let me tell you a little about Los Fresnos and how God is blessing us right now. We dearly love each of our fellow students and neighbors. Just our circumstance and location bonds us, of course, but it is so encouraging to hear how God has brought each one and to hear them express their desire to serve and love and know God - in whatever and wherever. Everyone is adjusting to a little different life and new friends and missing old ones. The pastor and his wife on staff here are wonderful and they all are very encouraging and helping us to live with a more community mind. It is a little strange to live with and go to church with and associate with all the same people. Not at all bad, just different. Our new church is named Divine Providence and we are right at home with them - however we miss you all badly. We can go to church wherever we would like but in asking our resident pastor where they went, he recommended this church and it is very awesome in doctrine - apparently more unusual than I had realized. So far, it looks like all the other students are thinking the same thing. We also have community worship time here, on campus twice a week for a short time and that is nice also.

Los Fresnos is a small town about 20 minutes north of Brownsville, which is practically on the border. Sunday, Ruben was sick - he is still out of it with a fever - and I drove one exit too far to go to our new church and almost ended up attending service in Mexico. Church, Walmart and most of the city stuff is in Brownsville. Los Fresnos is also about 20 minutes from South Padre Island where the beach is. We have a park and library within walking distance of the apartment. The weather is very tropical and does get a little chilly but not as we would think of winter. It is 69 today but was 55 yesterday and 80 before that. So it varies. There is a pretty consistent breeze here and the locals say that helps in the summer - we will see. They are readying a building for laundry out back of the building but so far we go to the "washeteria". I think I will continue to wash there as it is a good way to meet people and practice Spanish. The spanish here is not great as many locals tend to mix the spanish & english language for non - words. But it is where we are so we will practice anyway and pray for discernment and help.

Ruben is adjusting to student life. He is enjoying the learning but is really out of his element with sitting all day - as many of the guys are. It is a new kind of tired for him. And there is just so much to take in. I have listened to some of it as they record the classes each day - so it will all be on audio. So far they have began in some of theological course, telling the bible chronoliogically and cultural studies. Most weeks we will have speakers come in to teach for the week. Each of the students gets to have the speaker for dinner one night they are here. We had David Sills come last week but he left early so we did not get to have him to our place for dinner. He wrote a book The Missionary Call and speaks and teaches on cultural issues. David Sitton has been teaching on the theology of suffering and maytrydom. I have listened to a couple of those - it is very sobering. It is quite and interesting contrast to think of having all our immediate friends and neighbors right now loving Jesus, loving us. To be surrounded by so many people on a continuing basis that are like minded in theology and desire to serve God and then to think of Christians in Vietnam who, as we speak, have their children taken from them and literally used for tiger bait. Apparently, as a way to torture Christians they put their children in traps for tigers - and they catch tigers. David said that many times persecution starts and it is the American missionarys that pull out and leave the people. Ruben and I know that God's grace will supply all things - we ask that He will supply such a love for Him that we will stand where He will have us stay. The second day of school, Sitton gave the students a burial form to fill out should someone die in a remote area and not be able to be transported out. He purposely want us to think of these things to understand the cost is real - for some people very real; but that God's grace surpasses that reality. Very good stuff to think on.

On a lighter note, the kids are adjusting wonderfully. They have a whole neighborhood's worth of friends right out back and they are really enjoying all their new neighbors and the warm weather to play outside in.

Next Friday we make our first trip into Mexico. It is just a first time trip to give us an idea of the place and people since many of us have not been over there yet. We will go to the Mezquital region which is not far south for a two day trip. Chris Johnson, one of the students from last year has arranged with some of the villagers for us to camp in their yards. We will post some pictures when we get back.

Tuesday we start our dental training. Ruben and I will both attend that and a couple of the ladies here are going to help us with the kids.

About the other students: We have two families as well as ours and one single gal and one single guy that are training. We also have two families and one single that are here that trained last year and came out to help with the school year. The two families from last year are waiting to go to Papua and waiting for another team member to join them and the single man from last year has his heart set on La Barra in Mexico and is also waiting for additional team members.

Please pray for us all - God's leading and direction, continued and additional support needed. Pray for us that we will both learn well, that we will be watchful and alert and use every opportunity to seek God's grace for various adjustments as we go. As we learn about cultural differences Ruben and I both want to have the mindset that wherever we go - that is our home. We are Americans and that is fine but we don't want to have a temporary mindset when it comes to helping others to receive us in order to receive God's word. All is temporary - except for Jesus. He is our place, our comfort, our esteem and more than anything we want Him to be our everything - in all places and circumstances.

We thank God for your love and your support and your friendship. We pray always for you and our hearts are with you. It is humbling to hear the speakers and teachers make reference to the Christianity here in America with respect to other cultures. It is not flattering and it is right for us to examine ourselves - for the sake of Jesus name. Mr. Sitton said in a lecture that he had the opportunity to meet with some believers who had been persecuted in Iran. The man asked him why only the third world brothers were being killed for Jesus. From what David said, he asked it honestly - without resentment intended. It is not entirely true - and the kingdom of God is not about comparison. But personally, I think it ought to make us jealous - in a God intended way.

Disease of Unbelief

2009-01-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

2 Chron. 7:14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn form their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Believe God. Just believe what He says. That seems too simple. It has already been said. We all know that this is what is we should be doing; don’t we? Believe God. Perhaps it is too simple for words to express or it is too plain for our ever searching hearts to crave. There are many ways and have been many words spent to express this serious, life saving direction from God. It is simple, yet at times seems so elusive. It is easy and childish yet it can accomplish all things that God desires. To believe God is big and it is best.

There are those who do not believe in Jesus and so cannot be saved. There are those who claim to believe in Jesus and yet do not believe God on certain points. So on one hand we have unbelievers and on the other hand we have believers who don’t believe. What is the difference? Unbelievers have been deceived and believe lies from Satan and because of their unbelief they cannot be saved. For the believer temptations to disbelieve God will always come, but we overcome by God’s favor and power in His grace in Jesus. At least we ought to be overcoming. God desires for us to overcome and has given us all we need to overcome. Overcoming unbelief is to be our lives work; it will lead to all other work in Christ’s kingdom.

God will not abide with unbelief. It is not just a little problem, it is a disease. It is taking lives. We who belong to Jesus are believers – that would be those who believe. At any place in God’s word that He shows us we do not believe Him, we must take up battle. We must side with Jesus against our flesh and the enemy and at times other people. Unbelief cannot be left alone – it does not just go away by itself but it grows. God will not have it. All of God’s word is for all of God’s children. We all have faith - the ability to believe – for everything that God is pleased to bring and do in our lives. There are not some things for only some Christians to believe. Jesus reigns and lives and dies for all. His Spirit is in all and works through all.

We must stop treating unbelief like acne; we all get it a little and some get it a lot and we mostly just grow out of it. It is more like cancer and it is not dormant. God will sweep away all unbelief from the earth. We need to part ways with it or be swept away with it. “Oh, I do believe”, you say. Believe what? If you believed God you would not be afraid, you would not be discouraged, you would not be in sin. So do fear and discouragement and sin never come? Yes, they come. But we tend to treat them like scraped knees and paper cuts. They are not minor injuries or blemishes; they are symptoms of disease, like cancer. When we see the symptoms of the disease we must treat it immediately. It must be burnt out by Jesus with His words applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who lives in you.

All that surfaces from us is a symptom of our inner health or lack of. Anxiety, fear, sinful habits, dismay, weariness of spirit, ungodly speech, joylessness, prayerlessness are – along with many other things – symptoms of unbelief. We need to open our eyes to the sickness and admit ourselves for treatment. That is all that is required of us.

We have made great progress in admitting our short comings to one another. We have practically made a religion out of it. We should not then, hide our wounds and weaknesses.
But sharing our neediness with others merely for the sake of making ourselves vulnerable before others does no good if we do not see it for what it is and take it where it belongs. If your liver stops working properly because of disease; all the sympathy and understanding in the world will do nothing for you. Standing in a room of people with the same disease may make you feel better but it won’t heal you. We have to do more than simply acknowledge the problem. We need to see it as deadly and see God for healing. Acknowledging that unbelief is a real health problem in a person’s life is a big step, but for some; it is time to move on from there to the hospital. If all we do is share and compare our symptoms, we may enjoy togetherness and tender human bonds, but we will not be healed. The healing of our unbelief will only come from Jesus. We must go to Him often and with full disclosure of all the symptoms we experience. Will you be healed?

Chin - Up

2008-12-19T14:49:00.000-08:00

1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Persecutions, trials and temptations are the lot of the Christian. There are hardships without, and with the lack of outward trials there comes the familiar inward trials and irritations; distraction and doubt. These can make us feel that we may never get home to our Father in heaven. Things can look so dark when the heart is cold and all one can see for the moment is the world and its’ darkness. But God encourages us through His word to look up to heaven and to wait for our sure promise, our Jesus.

Our minds may be distracted and our prayers feel weak but our inheritance is sure. God is not dragging us through the darkness of the world into the light of heaven. We are not blinded to Jesus in the everyday of today. We walk in the light. We are the light of the world. We have sight, however dim it may seem at times. We see dimly – but by God’s grace we do see. See what? We are in the light and we see the light, Jesus. We see Him in each other and in ourselves and in God’s word and He meets us in our prayer rooms. We are not consigned to gloom and clouds until Jesus returns. We do not wander aimlessly, waiting to see what we know little of. The more we seek to “see” Jesus now, the more we anticipate the fullness of Him.
Waiting for Jesus is not a resignation of what we cannot have now but an affirmation of all we hope for because we do see Him today. Those who do not eagerly await His coming have forgotten what it is to be near Him and so their expectations have grown weak. The directive to set our hope fully on what we will have may seem to negate the importance of today. And it does in the sense of what we have in this world. But it does not mar the beauty of Christ seen by His people today. We are to seek and search out God’s word for revelations of Jesus so that by cherishing Him more in the present we will be able to look forward to the future. We do not crave what we do not regularly partake of. A craving must be fed to be kept alive. So our craving for the fullness of Christ must be fed by partaking of Him continually.

We are not to resign to a world of darkness as if we do not know our destination. But we rest in that we walk in increasing light. We walk – and Jesus is on His way to meet us. The light increases as time goes on; even so the darkness of the world increases. To set our hope on the future grace to be given us at the revelation of Jesus Christ is to walk with our chins up. We walk looking to where he will come from. We live with our eyes on Him, regardless of how dark it may seem in the given day. We are not to walk with our heads down; watching our own feet. We will only bump into things if we do and they will seem bigger than life itself. No, we must have our heads up – not in pride, but in watchfulness. A runner never runs looking at the ground but he looks to his goal. That is what we are also called to. We need not worry about the pathway, God has made the way for us with His Son.

Chin – up brother, look up sister; God is with you and you are in light if you are in Jesus Christ. Look to the horizon from whence our Savior comes to save us forever. Walk boldly in the light of the one who saves you and who has secured your future for eternity. Look up, for Jesus. His coming is sure.

Birthright

2008-12-08T18:16:00.000-08:00

Genesis 25:30
Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.

Esau had so little regard for the promises given to Abraham that he thought them unimportant compared to mere food. Certainly he was aware of the promises that were to be his birthright. He either thought they were not true or perhaps he considered them too far in the future to be of importance in his present hunger. Possibly he just preferred fullness of belly over the fullness of God’s promise. Whatever may have been in his mind, he proved that he despised what would have been rightfully his and that he considered meeting the temporary needs of his body as more satisfying than the promise of God.

In Hebrews the writer says that Esau is unholy because of his giving up his birthright. He warns us to not be unholy like Esau. What is the birthright of the Christian? It is Jesus Christ himself. We who are reborn in the Spirit of God are promised eternal life in Jesus. Jesus, as the firstborn among many brothers (Rom 8:29), receives us as his birthright. All that the Father has he gives to the Son. We who are born a new creation each have Jesus as our birthright. In bringing us into relationship with the Father; Jesus gives us our portion in himself. Jesus does not despise his portion. He loves and cares for those given Him by the Father. He urges us forward to the completion of all that is promised.

Jesus is our portion and we are His. He is our inheritance. We are his inheritance. He belongs to us; we belong to Him. He has given us His very life; we are to lay ours down at His feet. God is gracious to give us a part of His promise even now, on earth. Each believer has fellowship with the Son to help him to endure in the pursuit to the end promise; holiness and eternal position of an adopted son of the Father. Since the Father recognizes this position as a reality today, because of the surety of the Son, He treats us as sons now.

If we lay down the promises of God for earthly, temporary needs and desires; we despise our birthright. If we despise our birthright we show we despise Jesus. That sounds a little harsh, you say. Maybe we simply are not seeing them as true today but we will come back to them later. Hebrews 12 indicates that this is not going to happen. It says Esau afterward desired to inherit the blessing; he sought it with tears but was rejected. He found no chance to repent (Heb 12:17).
Every promise of God directs us to His Son. It is one thing to be ignorant of promised blessing; we are all growing and learning like the children we are. But Hebrews gives clear warning to not set aside what one has already received. What have we received? The Son! Every child of God receives Jesus, the Son and is called to rest in Him. There are numerous promises in the Son. We must be sure we remain in and rest in the Son.

For those in Christ; ours is the life of the Son of God. God has given us the very blood, body and resurrected life of Jesus. He has no more to give. Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to remind us and teach us and lead us always to Himself. The gift of faith has been given to believe all that has been promised in Jesus. All has been given. There is not anything new for us to get! There is not a special formula of tailored blessings for your particular circumstances that you have not already been given. How quickly we get on the phone and the computer and to conferences and counselors to hear someone tell us something we can really, practically put to use. When we hear that we need to turn to Jesus, that all we need is in Him; we are exasperated. “I know that”. All the while looking outside of His word and counsel for our answers. We want someone to tell us exactly what we need for that time or trouble. Someone can; Jesus. Only the Holy Spirit can make known to you in the exact way you need to hear it; what is the way for you this very day and for all the days to come.

Don’t be deceived by the temptations that come with temporary desires. Hold to your future in Jesus and rest in Him. He is still to be trusted and He is still the one who saves. The answer for the day you were saved is the same answer today. As God’s adopted child; you have the life of the Son. That is not only sufficient as a meal of green beans would keep you alive but not really satisfy; He is more than enough to sustain and keep and satisfy. He is the whole enchilada so to speak. To say there is no more to be given is not to imply that we have not received enough – we have received far more than we know. God has given all in the Son – let us not look elsewhere and despise our birthright, like unholy Esau.

Deception of Contentment

2008-11-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

2 Corinthians 6:11
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.

Often we are led to receive Jesus through total discontent with what the world can offer. Most of us have explored the possibilities of where we can go, what we can do or who we could try to become but we come to a place where none of it is appealing. We become discontented with what we know life to be and with what we have in this life, no matter how “good” we might have it at the time. Sometimes this discontentment can be a shocking discovery. After all, don’t we have it all in this wealthy place? Well meaning people are always reminding us of how well off we are and urging us to be more grateful for what we have. So as an unbeliever, the voice of discontent can sound like ingratitude.
If a person is able to come to be totally discontented with what he can get from the world, it is good to examine exactly what it is he wants rather than write it off as general ingratitude. God means for us to give in to this unhappiness; lie down and cry like babies and say we hate our lives. It is in the midst of this life hating that we will search out our options. People do not deserve to be happy but we certainly do pursue it. We may as well pursue it where it can actually be gained – in the heart of God with Jesus Christ.

When we give our lives to God in Jesus, we give way under the weight of dissatisfaction with our lives. We are telling God, “You can have my life, I do not want it but I want the life of Jesus Christ instead.” When we lay our lives down at the feet of Jesus, we trust that His work is enough to qualify us for a relationship with the Father. When we repent and turn to God in Jesus, we immediately receive the life of the Son. There is an exchange; the life of Christ for the lives of us who receive Him. From that point on, God works in us through His Spirit to make us able to keep our end of the deal.

Our ability to be faithful to our part is contingent on our believing that God has been faithful to His. This believing is the free gift of faith. We enter in to the deal by faith.

There are times in a Christian’s life when we will find that we are drawn again into discontent. Many, if not most, come to feel a little disappointed in what began as such a happy journey. They wonder what happened to the beginning joy in finding Jesus and come to feel that the honeymoon is over and that they should be happy with all that God has done for them. After all, if a person is going to heaven, what more could they want? So as a believer, the voice of discontent can sound like ingratitude.

Christian, the devil wants you think that what you have now in terms of your relationship with Jesus is all you can have. It is a lie. Frankly, it is a lie believed just as readily by those who profess to follow Jesus as by those who do not know Him. As Christians, we easily accept the twisted truth of self sacrifice to mean that we are not to pursue happiness and joy and that if we are unhappy we should just pretend we are. We are Christians, we should be happy; therefore we should not complain but make ourselves happy with what we have. Right? We play into the enemy’s plans when we convince ourselves, out of guilt, that so long as we have a relatively peaceful life and an occasional glimpse of God’s glory, all is well. Scripture tells a different story.

Just as when we were first saved, we must be brought to kneel under our discontent and confess that we need and want much, much more. The 80% world and 20% Jesus life is not going to work to keep us alive and going in the calling God has placed on us. This life looks like reality and sanity but it is a mockery of the real life Jesus promises those who believe Him. The devil wants you to be content with keeping a “safe” balance on one hand and periodically touching the robe of the Master with the other.

Do you see yourself standing outside the doorway while Jesus is throwing a party inside? You also are invited. Regardless of how long you have been moping or if you have just arrived; He wants you to join Him in the fullness of His joy. He is not making it difficult for you. Ask Him to loosen your affections for Him and to help you see the lies of the enemy for what they are, most prominent among them is: Be Content.

Your power to give your life to God is in believing you have His life in you. It is a free gift that cannot be taken back or returned. It is faith. We continue and close the deal by faith.

Shadow

2008-11-20T09:25:00.000-08:00

Psalm 23:3
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

For those who walk with Jesus, death is but a shadow of reality. It is real as far as a shadow is real. We can see it and it moves and seems to cover light; but it is not the true reality for the Christian. The true reality for the Christian is eternal life. Real life and real death are spiritual. What happens in this visible, touchable life in this present world is only a shadow.

In Ephesians chapter 6 we are told that our war is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Many places in Scripture tell us to look to the spiritual reality and give no credence to the physical life. Our flesh and bodies are of no account. We are to look, by faith, to the unseen. The life we have here that seems so real is a shadow. The reality is in the spiritual realm. The Spirit of God, the Devil, Holy angels, demons: this is the reality that is taking place. The unfolding of God’s miraculous glorifying of himself in Jesus is taking place – ongoing – in this spiritual, unseen world. We see shadows of it here on earth. Satan toys with us and teases and tempts us with the shadow existence that he rules for this time. He is quite aware of our inability to see things clearly and our unwillingness to believe what is actually there without seeing it. This is why we are to live by faith and not by sight.

Within this real realm of life and death – the spiritual, there is one truth; Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself is the Truth. Jesus is the creator and sustainer of all things. That which remains and endures and proves true is truth. All that is outside of Christ is a lie. So we have a false reality – life in this world, a reality that is a lie – spiritual outside Christ, which will not remain, and reality that is Truth – Jesus Christ and all that is within Him. 2 + 2 =4. Those are real numbers and it is a truth. It will not change but will remain true forever. It cannot be altered and remain true. This is reality that is truth. 2 + 2 = 6. Here we have real numbers and an actual equation but it is a lie. It will never be true and will not stand or be of any use. # + $ = ?. This is a semblance of an equation. There are no real numbers; all can be filled in to mean anything. It is not true and not directly a lie; it is a shadow of a real equation. This is the world we live in.

Living in this unreal world makes us just a little vulnerable. If we will dwell in Jesus, we can live out our earthly life in God’s shadow (psalm 91). For those who live by faith, God is ever near. It may seem at times like our prayers have to go very far to reach His ears but He is quite close. We may call out to Him to come and be with us and help us to pray. He is there – it is us who must come. We must come out of the shadow – inwardly and into His forgiving and giving light so that we can pray and seek His favor and guidance to bring and be blessings for others.

The shadows cling and pull and make webs in our minds. The less frequently we pray; the more intense they seem. We must practice our faith close to the throne of God and continually step out from the shadows into His light so that we can discern His will and hear His voice. There are times when it seems just so hard to get free of the distractions of the dark world we live in. Fighting our own way is like fighting through fishing line. Jesus, our Savior, tells us to rest, to trust, to listen and to obey.

Rest on Jesus. Rest in the love of the one who cares for you. Trust in God’s love and power for others; they are His interest. Listen – be still, stop flailing and hear the heart of God. He is right there. Obey – do not turn from what is right because of difficulty. This life is a shadow but we who are Christ’s are spiritual so our prayers are real. We are carried to the Throne of God in the arms of Jesus. He will rescue us from the shadows that can only threaten and taunt.

I come to you Father, in the arms of Jesus
Thank you for having me.

Out of the shadows and into your light – I come in the arms of Jesus.

The True Unknown

2008-11-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

This present world is ever changing, full of illusions, delusions, self deceptions and dark mysteries. In this world, we cannot take what we see at face value. There is always another reality beneath the surface. We are ever looking for the real motive of people or the hidden truth in claims made. The very earth changes; it gets sicklier and sicklier with the sin of man that corrupts it. Our best plans are laid waste by bad weather, bad people and our own bad decisions. As soon as we think we are making headway in our happiness plan; necessity or opinion makes our plan obsolete and we have to get a new one.

In spite of all the evidence that we are standing on shifting sand we continue to pile hope upon hope and plan after plan for true happiness in this life and in this world. We are deceived in that things seem to roll along fairly predictably most years for most people. If you work hard and treat people right, it will most likely turn out well for you. Most likely? If you get a real good job and get your kids in the right schools and eat the right foods and subscribe to the right magazines and add the right religion to your routine; life will probably turn out pretty well. Really? Will it be as well as with God? Or just as good as the next guy? Would you bet your life on gaining more happiness with the world’s plan over following God’s plan? Many of us are doing just that.

It is amazing how we moan and complain about giving over our lives because we can’t seem to see how it will pay off to leave what is known (the world) and seek the unknown (God’s ways). Why is it that we tend to think the world’s ways as so predictable? Not one of us knows what tomorrow will bring on this earth. We won’t know that in following Jesus faithfully either. The difference is in the fact that Jesus makes His plans and promises known to us. He does not hide the distresses this life will bring or the joy He can give in them. We leave what is familiar to follow wholeheartedly after Jesus. We do not go toward what is unknown but to what is unfamiliar. The unfamiliar is in not pressing through on our own.

To think that we live with the devils plans for us in being entrenched in the world and that this means we make our own way is a deception. We do not make our own way – it is made for us. It is made by the world, ruled by Satan. Or, it can be made by Jesus, the ruler of all. Just because we have spent more time in the world does not make it reliable or safe or known or unchanging. An abused child will almost always choose to stay with their abusive parent if given the choice. They are afraid of the unfamiliar. Things can eat away at us so slowly that we may think all is going just as we had planned. We might think we have it all figured out because the changing nature of this world is typically slow and seemingly outside of us. Don’t be fooled. Look around at the constant changing, but never new world around you and realize the danger in trusting it over the solid promises of God.

God has proven many times over that He does not change or lie and that He is able to do all He promises. To give over the entire life to Jesus and obey all He says is the most knowable path we could ever have. God does not claim He will give us health, wealth or prosperity. He does not lie. God does promise to give us full and everlasting life and abundant joy in Jesus. He does not lie. On the other hand, Satan will promise comfort, health, well being and well doing in sticking with the familiar, “known” ways. He does lie. We only need to look around and for many, look at our own lives, to realize this.

Has God called you to a walk in a different direction? Are you aching for more of Jesus but are held back by the fear of what you believe to be unknown? It is not unknown. If you know Jesus, then you know the way. It may be unfamiliar but all God has revealed to us is more than enough for us to see that He is true to His every word. God will do all He promises for you if you obey. He will care for you. He will give you more happiness than you could ever ask for. He actually gives a written guarantee and pledges it with the blood of his only Son. You can’t get a better offer than that. It can’t be more of a sure thing.

Michigan Vacation

2008-10-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

Recently We Made A Trip To Michigan To Visit Deb's Family Before Moving To Texas. We Pray That As We are Sent To Love The Families Of Others; That Many Of You Will Be Sent To Love Our Families We Leave Behind.

2008-10-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

2008-10-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

By The Bay

2008-10-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

Michigan is beautiful in the fall!

Noah Took Seven

2008-10-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 5:16-17
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

Noah took seven into the ark to be saved by God. Noah worked by faith and preached destruction to those around him. He preached for years and years and yet he took only seven.

A little girl died last night. Her name was Madyson and she was four. I did not know Madyson but I heard on the news that she died as result of being thrown against the wall repeatedly by her mother’s boyfriend. It makes me cry to even write it. Those who examined Madyson said there was evidence of other abuse, long term abuse. How long term can it be when you’re four? It’s pretty long if you don’t live past four.
This isn’t the first of these reports I have heard and it probably won’t be the last. This moment there are tortures being done to people by other people; things we dare not think too much about.
My first inclination when I began to hear this report on the news was to not listen. I knew it would grieve my heart so much to think about what that little innocent may have thought and felt in her short life. Granted, no one is innocent before God, but the helpless are the innocents of our world. How hungry she would have been for her mother’s love and embrace only to find out her mother was not willing to help or protect her. Possibly all she ever knew of men was what she knew of her murderer. My heart can hardly bear the pain of all that reality. But that is the reality of the world we live in.
I didn’t want to listen but thought I must listen. I felt that God would have me hear it. This is the evil that He will destroy. This is the world. Do I want to be a part of that? No!!
Suddenly the promise of God to destroy this world seemed very clear and cleansing to me. Suddenly, I was gladder than ever to be able to say, “I am not a part of that, this is not my home.” The line between Jesus and the world seemed very real and good to me. I ask my Lord to come soon. I ask with the knowledge that He is not slow in coming but is being patient toward us. His people will be brought in before he comes to claim us all and cleanse this rotting earth. He is being patient. He has people here who haven’t heard how to get home yet.
What does that do for little Madyson? Not a thing, I suppose. And what will all the teddy bears and candles and tears in the world do? Even more nothing. But if I tell people how to get home through Jesus, another little “Madyson” might hear and when someone throws her into a wall she will have a real place to hide in Jesus and if she dies from it she will be in His arms forever. Or maybe a mother will hear and protect her baby or maybe a boyfriend will hear and teach about Jesus. If I don’t speak but just categorize those news reports as something I can’t stomach…well, God will still be patient and He will wait until the cup is full and all His people are in the ark of Jesus.
Noah only got to take seven – we can take many more!

Waiting

2008-09-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

Revelation 19:7
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;

For those who trust in Jesus for their eternal and temporary lives; dying not only is not to be feared but actually looked forward to. No one looks forward to the getting dead part, the physical pain and the pain of others that are left. There is, however, the anticipation of freedom from the weight of the flesh that we do not yet have here and most of all we will be home with Jesus. We wait here on earth to either die or for Jesus to come again. If we die before He comes we will still be waiting. It will be a much better waiting but we will still be waiting.

All heaven waits for the day of the Lord. They wait for the day when Jesus will return for His bride and judge the earth. All of heaven waits for the fullness of God’s purpose to be completed. We all wait for the full number of those who belong to Jesus to come in. Romans 11:25 tells us that there is a fullness of the gentiles to come in to God’s kingdom. In Revelation chapter 6 we are told of a vision of those who had been killed for the word of God and for their witness crying out and asking “how long?’ They were waiting for God to judge the earth and were told to wait a little longer until the number of their fellow servant and brothers should be complete. There is a waiting for Jesus even in heaven.

Entering heaven is not the same as receiving the full inheritance of Jesus Christ. Entering heaven upon death will no doubt be awesome but we wait for all to be completed before we come into our true reward. We wait for the full number to come in. Shouldn’t this truth just take the wind out of our selfish, competitive, individualistic ways?! We will receive our reward when we are one; in number of fullness, not before. God will not leave a single one out and none will inherit without the other. God’s word does speak of each being judged according to his own labor, but judgment, whether good or bad, will not occur until all have been brought into the kingdom.

Jesus prays for all believers in John 17. He desires that those who believe in Him would be with Him. All the citizens of heaven will be recalled from earthly duty to be with Jesus. He wants us ALL. He is quite adamant that we be one. He prays that we be one with each other, with Him and with the Father. There is a completeness that must take place before we can truly know this perfect oneness. Certainly, we have the wonderful privilege of fellowship with Jesus now; which we tend to enjoy too little and take too lightly. That is only a beginning portion of what will be received at the end. Not our personal end of life here but the end of it all.

So if you can imagine being in heaven waiting for the fullness of God’s people to come in; can you imagine the celebration of the angels when the last believer is saved? Can you imagine how all of heaven will be silent and listen to his or her profession of Jesus and then – the beginning of the real end? Can you imagine sitting in heaven and wishing you had brought a few spiritual children with you? Can you imagine waiting and wondering if anyone was doing their duty or if they were still just tinkering with their toys? Can you imagine wondering if anyone was loving your remaining family members as Christ loved you on earth? Wouldn’t it be wonderful to spend your time waiting with the restful knowledge that you had been faithful to live entirely for the purpose of God to bring about this blessed end. Wouldn’t it be great to know you had been a part of the REAL plan; not just a life plan, a financial plan or a retirement plan? I’m pretty sure heaven is not a a fretful place but we are warned many times in scripture that if we are not about the loving work of God, we will be ashamed at Jesus’ coming.

We cannot go home for eternity without each other. We may be in the waiting room, but the complete and glorious prize is only given out when the last of us is received into our Lord. Pray that God will open our eyes to each other and our real needs; our spiritual battles and victories and blindness. Pray that God will open our hearts and hands to those who are at this moment captives, waiting to be set free. Pray to God that He will send forth laborers and that you might be one. Pray these things for the sake of Jesus’ glorious name and for the sake of us all and for the sake of yourself.

Footsteps of a Traitor

2008-09-26T13:08:00.001-07:00

Isaiah 40:11
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Lambs do not have to be gathered in the arms of the shepherd and carried in his bosom because they can’t walk. They have to be carried because they can walk. A person might carry a lamb for the same reason a person might carry an eighteen month old. You spend a lot less time and energy chasing them around if you carry them; not to mention, it is usually safer for them.

I have a bookmark that has the little “Footprints” poem on it. You know, the one where the person looks back on their life and they see two sets of footprints and where they saw one set it was where the Lord carried them. It is a comforting thought that at the hard times in life, Jesus will carry us. The other day I looked at that bookmark and realized that if I had a chance to look back on my life in that way, to see the footprints - it would go more like this: I would see one set most of the time and at the places I saw two sets, one would be going the opposite direction. At any time Jesus isn’t carrying me, I run off after something “interesting” or so I think. Like the eighteen month old, I don’t have a lot of thought about it, I just find myself wandering off.

It’s a little cute in the context of a lamb or an eighteen month old but I know it is absolute treason. I am glad to know I have a traitor’s heart. If it were not for God’s sustaining grace and loving care and patience and incredible mercy; I would betray Him in less than a minute. Now that might not sound like a good thing to know but every time I am truly able to see it I weep tears of joy. It makes me hold onto Jesus and be happy He is carrying me in His bosom. I want to get home and it will go far better if Jesus carries me. I won’t have to spend wasted time bumping into things, falling down and being retrieved again and again.

Lambs grow up to be sheep and eighteen months old grow to be adults; both whom are perfectly capable of walking on their own without wandering off. One would think that when we mature in Christ we could be taught to walk beside Him to work with Him. One might think that straying away is only a temporary problem that is cured with spiritual age. Sure, that must be why we have so much unity and love and effective working in the church. Yes, that is a sarcastic remark. Growing up in the Lord is not as it is to grow up in the world. As with all things heavenly and worldly; they are opposites. Growing up in the Lord has to do with resting more happily and knowing more surely that we cannot walk on our own but must be carried. The cooperation we give God is our understanding and submission to this truth: without Jesus we can do nothing. Worse than that – we can do everything evil; nothing good. I hope when I am a hundred years old in the Lord I will understand that my old nature has not grown a bit and that if ever I look back on my footprints I will see only one set. Carry me Jesus, all the way home.

Spirit of One

2008-09-22T14:45:00.000-07:00

Mark 12:29-30
“The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:4-5 in answer to the question of what is the greatest commandment? One might have expected Him to say it was most important to have no other gods before the one true God. But He did not cite one of the ten commandments and the first part of the commandment He does cite is not a commandment but a statement. The Lord our God, the Lord is one. He is not saying the Lord our God is the only one, the only God; although He is the only God. Jesus is making the statement from Deuteronomy that the Lord is ONE.

The spirit that divides is the spirit of the antichrist. This is the same spirit that blinds the eyes of unbelievers to keep them from believing that Jesus is sent from the Father; that He is one with the Father. God is one. That is the issue of unbelief now as it was in the day when Jesus spoke this commandment as a man. Jesus is very serious about this oneness of God. Those who do not believe that Jesus is God and is one with the Father will not be saved. Those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. What do they accuse the Holy Spirit of? They blaspheme the Holy Spirit in separating Him from the Father and the Son. They attribute the work of the Holy Spirit to be that of the spirit of man or of Satan; as they did the Son.

In John chapter 17 Jesus makes a great prayer for all believers. He is very emphatic in His prayer that those who believe in Him be one with each other as He and the Father are one SO THAT the world will know that the Father sent Him. He does not pray that the world will believe that He died for their sins. First they must believe that Jesus is one with the Father. Otherwise, He is only a martyr. Our oneness is to be a testimony to His oneness with the Father. He prays also that we will be one with Him and the Father. We will be one. God will be one and when He calls all those home who have His Spirit we will enter into the fullness of the oneness of God.

It is no wonder that the enemy is so busy working in us to divide our loyalty to God within our hearts. Marriages and churches and every place there is godly unity is a target for the spirit of division. Mainly Satan aims at the individual heart because he knows that to rule the inner man or to keep him from being entirely ruled by God is to work division in others so that the world will not believe Jesus was sent from the Father and not be able to come to salvation. As with most other things God has declared as right and beautiful, Satan attempts to imitate. We have a great false unity in false religions and in our society of relativism and tolerance.

We must be careful to not seek unity in the way of the world and we also must be cautious about throwing out the true meaning of oneness because we are so sick of hearing about the false “oneness”. The oneness of Spirit of God’s people is crucial to others seeing God as He is and believing the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is beyond simply making a united front and showing others how well we can get along, although that is helpful. It is insisting on the rule of the Holy Spirit ALONE in ourselves and in our churches and families. Oneness is not a tolerance issue. It is quite the opposite. We must guard our own hearts first and then the hearts of others for our sake and for theirs and mostly for the sake of the gospel. God is one and the enemy is very busy trying to disprove that. Who will we work with?

God is one and we are to worship Him as one. We are to worship God with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength. We are to worship with all that we are; as one. We are to worship God corporately, as one. This cannot happen unless we are worshiping God as one within ourselves. Individually, our hearts must be united to learn from God and to truly worship Him. Ps 86:11 unite my heart to fear your name. If the spirit of division is at work within us it will be working from us to divide God’s people from each other and to encourage divided hearts in others. We must seek Jesus to completely rule every area of us and all that we have. We must give over ALL: money, jobs, children and marriages. ALL. Whatever we hold back from God will serve the spirit of division and Satan is never happy with just a little. Thankfully, neither is the Spirit of God!
Zachariah 14:9
And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.

Ambassadors

2008-09-19T17:21:00.000-07:00

John 20:21
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”

Jesus was sent to earth from heaven. He was not from earth, He was sent here. Jesus sends His people. Where does He end us to? He sends us to the world to make disciples and glorify His name by good works. Where does he send us from? He sends us from Himself. Jesus is from heaven and is in heaven, He sends us from heaven.

2 Cor 5:20 tells us we are ambassadors for Christ. Phil 3:20 says our citizenship is in heaven. Eph chapter 1 and 2 speak of those who believe in Jesus as being raised up to the heavenly places with Him and in Him. The point is this: we who trust Jesus are not from this world. We were from here but the moment we held to God’s promise of salvation through Jesus Christ and professed true faith in Him, we defected. We defected from the world to heaven.

An ambassador is from a certain country and lives in a different country. This was our old country and is now the country we are serving in. We have been sent to serve God here but we are not from here. We are from heaven with regards to our citizenship and loyalty and with regards to our resources. We are from God in heaven and will return to God in heaven. Just as Jesus was from heaven and returned to heaven. Only we are not originally from there; we are the defectors serving our new master in our old home.

Why keep emphasizing the point of citizenship? Many of us seem to have forgotten where it is we have been sent from. For many there is the concept that we are FROM here and are one day going TO heaven. No, that has already been accomplished. How could we be ambassadors to the world if we were from the world? We are in the world not of it. If we are not OF the world, what are we OF? We are OF heaven. Not in the sense that we are angels or gods but in the sense that we belong to God, in heaven, we work for Him, we get all we need from Him and we will go to Him when we are through here.

Why is this so important to realize? This is why: we operate here with the authority of Jesus in heaven, we draw on the heavenly powers in Christ Jesus for all the work HE gave us to do. We ask for and receive supplies, resources, direction and our training from heaven. The Holy Spirit is resident with us and navigates our course for us. We cannot have the mindset that this is our home – even a temporary one. This is not a home but a place to stay; a place to work. There is a difference. If our belief is that this is our home for now and we simply go to a new and better home later, we will be too busy making this the best home we can. If we can realize that this is simply a workplace; although we have much to enjoy here; we will enjoy more freely, work harder at our REAL jobs and look forward to leaving it all behind.

Most importantly we must see that we are not randomly in any situation or place. In every circumstance, we have the power from God, direct from our heavenly home, to accomplish His work here. He has sent us and He will supply all we need. We have what we ask for when we are doing the work He has sent us to do. We have been blessed with every spiritual blessing. We have access to our heavenly Father at all times and our Jesus always watches over us and intercedes for us. God dispatches his angels at our call in prayer when we are faithfully engaged in His work. And when we are not? Well, if we behave as if we have returned to our original home or don’t act as if we have ever defected, then we will have to be content with what the world has to give; which is nothing good.
We are Christ’s ambassadors and now is the favorable time and this is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:2)

Free Book For You

2008-09-09T13:33:00.000-07:00

We would love to send you a book that we hope will be used by God to encourage you in your walk with Jesus.

It is called "Beloved Believer" and was written by Deb. It is an exhortation/encouragement to the church to pursue Jesus joyfully and seriously as if your life depended on it (which of course it does). This is the outpouring of God's love for His people as He has laid on her heart.

If you would like a copy; leave your comment and we will send you one. The book is on CD and will need to be loaded to your computer and you can print it, or we can send it to you via e-mail. Much love to you in Jesus Name

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2008-09-09T12:51:00.003-07:00

2008-09-09T12:51:00.001-07:00