A friend whose son is turning 13 asked us to write a letter to him. They are going to take the letters that the people wrote and read to him at various points on a hike. I have excluded part of the letter because it has personal things in it but if I were to give advice to anyone (that was willing to my long-windedness (my new non-word)), this is what I would say.
I have learned over the years the safest and most dangerous place to be is following the Lord. It is not something for the light-hearted. I find that television portrays Christian men as weenies. I have found that to be to the contrary. The Christian men I have watched are bolder than any man that conforms to the world. A Christian man is willing to go where God calls out of obedience. The Bible says that God desires obedience over sacrifice. A heart that obeys is a heart that loves God. Being a man of God does not necessarily mean being a pastor or a missionary but just means you are a man that uses the talents God has given you for His glory. Seek Him with all your heart. He will direct your paths.
Do not leave it up to others to feed you, for example only listening to sermons (although that is good), but you cannot live upon another person’s bread. You must dive into the Word to grow. Anytime I have found that I stop listening to Christian music (or don’t want to), stop doing devotions, or stop reading my Bible, a red flag comes up and I know that I am moving away from the Lord. Doing these things have to be intentional. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. If you are not living intentionally and being in the Word of God and surrounding yourself with those that encourage you in your walk with the Lord you will slowly find yourself slipping away. It is okay to have non-Christian friends and listen to non-Christian music. We cannot live in a cocoon, but we need to be aware of their influence in our lives. We need to continually look at our lives and see what our gods are. Make sure that God is God. We also need to make sure that those we spend the most time with and surround ourselves with are those that honor God. Solomon slowly slipped away from the Lord by making unwise decisions and slowly surrounding himself with more and more wives that were not God’s children and ended up in disaster where he had the choice to have the opposite, and have a life that honored and glorified God, yet he threw it all away. It is a lot of little sins that eventually lead to the devastating, big sins that mark your life. No one plans on setting out and saying, I am going to ruin my life. It is the little choices we make along the way in everyday life that lead to the big monumental markers, good or bad in our lives.
Know your Bible. The days are evil and it will get worse because end times are coming and the Bible says that it will get worse. The GREAT news is: we have the truth of God’s word and the Holy Spirit as our helper. As a child growing up I learned that not all adults are mature adults. Just because they are in adult bodies, does not mean they all act like we think adults should act. As a student in college I would come to my professors with questions only for them to respond, “we don’t know” because those scientific discoveries had not been made up to that point. It was hard for me to wrap my head around that some things there were not answers to, yet. As a missionary, it has been hard to be on the field and have world missionary leaders proclaim false gospels. The way they were so sure of themselves and used Scripture to back up their arguments would have confused me had I not known Scripture well enough to explain certain things and the context of the Scriptures that they were using to twist. Test what the preachers and missionaries (anybody) say with what the Bible says. If it is not Biblical, throw it out! I don’t have the Bible memorized, far from it. I need to just dive into it and devour it. I also rely so much on my husband (Ludie) as the spiritual leader of our family to come to and ask questions. I pray that you will be that kind of leader your wife can rely upon to come to for guidance and to ask questions.
Everything is worthless in this life except for the work of God. Again, this does not just mean church work or missionary work, but meaning what God has placed on your life to do. When we leave this earth, we can take nothing with us. The only thing that is eternal is what God has done in and through you. Don’t be dulled by the lures around you. Don’t waste time by the lie that you have more time. Enjoy what God has given you. Enjoy life. But live it with a purpose. Above all else, love and love deeply. Guard your heart, for out of it is the well-spring of life.
Remember you are not God. That is why you need God. You will fail, but He is the one that will pick you up. He is the one that will dust you off. He is the one that will make your life count. He is the one that is worth the persecution the sacrifice. He is the one that will bless you in the middle of trials. He is the one that will uphold you and sustain you. He is the one that is the giver of life. He is the one that will comfort you in this fallen world and give you hope for the next to come (heaven). He is the one that will guide you. He is the one that will never leave you nor forsake you. He is the one that will wipe all your tears away. He is the one that has paid the price for the sins you committed and will commit. He is the one that is not surprised by our weakness. He is the one that is Sovereign, in control, over all, all powerful, knows the beginning and the end. He is the one that has scripted your life. He is the one that loves you, and keeps you. He is the one that is there when no one else is. He is the one that is there when you cannot feel Him and the weight of the world is pressing in on you but yet He is there. He is the One!
Monday, July 16, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit....(Children are a Blessing)
This year as a mother has been one of the hardest years of my life and therefore one of the best. It has been a year that for the first time in a long time the Lord has brought me to the end of myself where all my efforts are futile, and I have nowhere that is worthwhile turning except to Him.
For years I have been praying Lord give me a gentle and quiet spirit (as the Bible says this is one in which pleases the Lord). A gentle and quiet spirit means a peace in knowing that God is Sovereign despite the outward circumstances raging around you. It means a trust in the Lord that He is in control of all situations.
Here is an excerpt from one of my journal entries.
Lord, give me a gentle and quiet spirit with a heart that wants to learn.
Lord, give me a gentle and quiet spirit amidst an overwhelming to do list.
Lord give me a gentle and quiet spirit with priorities set, and working to the best of my ability having spent time with You through prayer and study of your Word.
Lord help me to remember what I learn in order to glorify You to my fullest potential. Thank you Lord for giving me a life that is washed by Your blood so that I am acceptable to You.
I can rest that I am right where He wants me to be because I am Yours and through grace alone that is given only by You. I trust that You are in control and when the baby wakes before my alarm clock goes off and I don’t get my devotions done when I want, I trust that You is in control of that. When I do find time to do devotions and spend time with You and desire to learn, I am also then interrupted by children or I am too tired to retain anything. I am not settling for less, but resting that You are in control of even those circumstances. My heart pants for Him. I seek Him. I pray and cry out for help. I am empty and need filling. It is a sin to turn my frustration to my children. They are blessings, a gift from God, the Bible says. They are blessings that I desired and asked for. It is a sin to see them as curses and resent their interruptions, needs and distractions that really help to reveal how self-centered, entitled and inwardly focused I am.
However, when I repent and turn away from that, ask God to fulfill and fill me with the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control), and see my job as a servant leader as Jesus was when He walked the earth, then my focus changes.
Perspective: When we as Christians fight our flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit and we are God focused and not self-focused, we are able to glorify Him and live a life in victory. Not perfectly. That won’t happen until heaven. Trust that in the interruptions, God is the one interrupting. Seek what He is teaching. To resent your children is to resent God.
Ask Him each day for wisdom as a mother to give you the perspective of seeing your kids through His eyes and to give you a servants heart. Set your mind on the fact that He has given you these blessings. They are His that He has entrusted to you. They are His and treat them as such. In doing so, your children can say that you pointed them to God. What you pour into these short years that seem so long, is the legacy that you leave on this earth.
…………………………………Resources………………………..
Two great life-changing sermons I have recently listened to and recommend are:
1) Francis Chan: Lukewarm….Are you a Lukewarm Christian or are you “on fire for the Lord”. Rev 3: if you are lukewarm He will spew you out of His mouth. What kind of lifestyle are you passing onto your children?
2) Matt Chandler: Suffering
You can google both of these or go straight to you tube and type in their names and titles in the search bar.
A great resource for sermons and topical studies is gty.org (Grace to You). The whole new testament in expository preaching is on this site and is downloadable for free.
Lord, give me a gentle and quiet spirit with a heart that wants to learn.
Lord, give me a gentle and quiet spirit amidst an overwhelming to do list.
Lord give me a gentle and quiet spirit with priorities set, and working to the best of my ability having spent time with You through prayer and study of your Word.
Lord help me to remember what I learn in order to glorify You to my fullest potential. Thank you Lord for giving me a life that is washed by Your blood so that I am acceptable to You.
I can rest that I am right where He wants me to be because I am Yours and through grace alone that is given only by You. I trust that You are in control and when the baby wakes before my alarm clock goes off and I don’t get my devotions done when I want, I trust that You is in control of that. When I do find time to do devotions and spend time with You and desire to learn, I am also then interrupted by children or I am too tired to retain anything. I am not settling for less, but resting that You are in control of even those circumstances. My heart pants for Him. I seek Him. I pray and cry out for help. I am empty and need filling. It is a sin to turn my frustration to my children. They are blessings, a gift from God, the Bible says. They are blessings that I desired and asked for. It is a sin to see them as curses and resent their interruptions, needs and distractions that really help to reveal how self-centered, entitled and inwardly focused I am.
However, when I repent and turn away from that, ask God to fulfill and fill me with the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control), and see my job as a servant leader as Jesus was when He walked the earth, then my focus changes.
Perspective: When we as Christians fight our flesh through the power of the Holy Spirit and we are God focused and not self-focused, we are able to glorify Him and live a life in victory. Not perfectly. That won’t happen until heaven. Trust that in the interruptions, God is the one interrupting. Seek what He is teaching. To resent your children is to resent God.
Ask Him each day for wisdom as a mother to give you the perspective of seeing your kids through His eyes and to give you a servants heart. Set your mind on the fact that He has given you these blessings. They are His that He has entrusted to you. They are His and treat them as such. In doing so, your children can say that you pointed them to God. What you pour into these short years that seem so long, is the legacy that you leave on this earth.
…………………………………Resources………………………..
Two great life-changing sermons I have recently listened to and recommend are:
1) Francis Chan: Lukewarm….Are you a Lukewarm Christian or are you “on fire for the Lord”. Rev 3: if you are lukewarm He will spew you out of His mouth. What kind of lifestyle are you passing onto your children?
2) Matt Chandler: Suffering
You can google both of these or go straight to you tube and type in their names and titles in the search bar.
A great resource for sermons and topical studies is gty.org (Grace to You). The whole new testament in expository preaching is on this site and is downloadable for free.
Word of Faith Movement (Truth or False Teaching)
The following comments are based on the linked article on the Word of Faith Movement.
Link: http://apprising.org/2012/06/24/john-macarthur-calls-out-the-word-faith-movement-cult/
I think the best summary I can put is: The Word of Faith (WOF) Movement is Blasphemous and Heretical. Why?...Because it claims God is not sovereign (WOF says God is almighty but not soverign-two different meanings).
WOF claims Jesus has no authority on earth and that authority has been given to the church.
In the WOF system God is not Lord of all, He can’t work unless we release Him to work, He is dependent on human instruments, He is dependent on human faith, and above all, He has to act in response to human words to get His work done.
My opinion: WOF teachings is dangerous because it contorts and twists the Bible for its own uses, claiming verses that unsuspecting people don't know the true context and will agree that what that person is saying is true. They will believe a lie. The only reason I don't think this can be distinctively called a cult is that it says it uses the Bible as its authority as compared to all other cults have something else as the primary authority over the Bible. This however uses experience as authority over the Word of God. It is not outwardly claimed so but in listening to what is preached and taught, this is the case across the board.
The Bible says the heart is deceitful. If what we feel and experience don't line up with the Bible. Throw it out. The false teachers of the WOF are the wolves, don't be deceived. The believers of this teaching need compassion, prayer and love just as anybody that is deceived by false teaching. The Truth of God's character should be stood for.
Definitions: (Source: Wikpedia)
Theology (from the Greek Θεός meaning "God" and λόγος meaning "study of") is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths,
Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for a religious deity or the irreverence towards religious or holy persons or things.[1]
A Heresy is any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs.
Great resources that go into more detail on the Word of Faith Movement:
A Call for Discernment DVD series by Justin Peters (also in one hour segments on youtube)
The Healing Promise by Mayhue
Link: http://apprising.org/2012/06/24/john-macarthur-calls-out-the-word-faith-movement-cult/
I think the best summary I can put is: The Word of Faith (WOF) Movement is Blasphemous and Heretical. Why?...Because it claims God is not sovereign (WOF says God is almighty but not soverign-two different meanings).
WOF claims Jesus has no authority on earth and that authority has been given to the church.
In the WOF system God is not Lord of all, He can’t work unless we release Him to work, He is dependent on human instruments, He is dependent on human faith, and above all, He has to act in response to human words to get His work done.
My opinion: WOF teachings is dangerous because it contorts and twists the Bible for its own uses, claiming verses that unsuspecting people don't know the true context and will agree that what that person is saying is true. They will believe a lie. The only reason I don't think this can be distinctively called a cult is that it says it uses the Bible as its authority as compared to all other cults have something else as the primary authority over the Bible. This however uses experience as authority over the Word of God. It is not outwardly claimed so but in listening to what is preached and taught, this is the case across the board.
The Bible says the heart is deceitful. If what we feel and experience don't line up with the Bible. Throw it out. The false teachers of the WOF are the wolves, don't be deceived. The believers of this teaching need compassion, prayer and love just as anybody that is deceived by false teaching. The Truth of God's character should be stood for.
Definitions: (Source: Wikpedia)
Theology (from the Greek Θεός meaning "God" and λόγος meaning "study of") is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths,
Blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for a religious deity or the irreverence towards religious or holy persons or things.[1]
A Heresy is any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs or customs.
Great resources that go into more detail on the Word of Faith Movement:
A Call for Discernment DVD series by Justin Peters (also in one hour segments on youtube)
The Healing Promise by Mayhue
Sunday, October 2, 2011
An Day in the Life.....
This would not be a typical day as the course of events go, but busy-ness is becoming normal for our family, and yet ...well it's hard to explain. Let me just tell you about today.
Overview: Ludie preached at our local church in Athlone this morning and it was broadcasted on national radio (the archive can be found at rte.ie) and then we went to Ballinasloe to meet up at the Ballinasloe Christian Fellowship, have a FABULOUS lunch with even more FABULOUS people. We then went from there with the Immersion Team and the First Baptist Woodstock team to the Ballinasloe Horse Fair. The kids and I then came home, ate, played chase and went to bed. Now I am sitting here with dirty dishes taking a sanity break.
Now let me fill in the details. ;)
Last night I stayed up until 1am getting ready for today. I cooked the sausage for breakfast and made the biscuits (not cookies, but savory scone type things) and put those in the refrigerator, got all the clean clothes put away, vacuumed/hoovered the living room (because the floor was just that nasty), cleaned the dishes that had been sitting on the counter since BREAKFAST and put the instant coffee, sugar and whitener (powdered cream) in the cups-because I knew I would need a big cup in the morning and quick! I was so proud I felt like June Cleaver. Probably one of the times I got it right.
So Lila and Ruthie woke up. I put her back in bed and told her it was not time to get up (so thankful for the later sunrise and heavy fog to make their room darker (even with blackout curtains). Fed Lila and then we were all up for the day. I was so excited. Breakfast was done in 15 minutes with a nice meal, coffee, scrambled eggs, biscuits and sausage (I know I already told you this but I just had to say it again). Ludie practiced his sermon on us while we ate. It had to be timed to 15 minutes. This is a miracle in itself because his sermons are usually 45 minutes. How do you pack everything in in 15? I did give him a pointer, (honey if you are reading hold on, it gets much better). I told him that it sounded dry, he needed passion. I know he was timing himself and that is what he was most focused on, but it needed passion. I was honestly so scared to tell him. Who really wants any type of input especially before going on national radio in a little over an hour.
We then we all got ready for church. Ludie went out and sat in the car and practiced his sermon again (it was too chaotic in the house I guess to concentrate). Maybe I should just go sit in the car. No, the kids would find me.
Ludie left to go to the Mullins house and pick up some Wellies for me to borrow for the Horse Fair later that day. He also took some things over for Andrew to have while he is in isolation for FIVE WEEKS! (pray for them).
Before we left I texted all our friends and acquaintances to listen to Ludie on the radio. Which is real scary for me for several reasons, however I am thankful for this because I learned about some issues in my heart that needed work. First I hesitated texting them. My pride said, what if something happens and Ludie just has his worst sermon ever, and that is their impression of him and what we are doing in Ireland? What if these people hear this and completely turn their backs on us or against us (a thought I am ashamed of). And just being plain scared (over a radio programme. Then I got frustrated and thought what is a little radio programme got me so worried about and if I were in battle, say the Battle of Jericho, I'd be on the sidelines with knees knocking and crying, I'm just a spiritual weenie.
This was a huge opportunity, one that has not come to our church in 10 years and this is the one chance we have to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Well I had to work on some heart issues.
First issue: Pride: it is not about us. It is not about our capabilities or lack there of. What other peoples' impression of us are is not the measuring stick or our validation.
Next Issue: I should care more about others going to hell than how others view or treat us. I should take every opportunity to share the Gospel and get over myself!!! I've been told not to share the Gospel because it might rock the boat...my response was, "you care more about not rocking the boat than whether or not that person goes to hell?". And yet, I found myself being a hypocrite. "If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for." Spurgeon.
Next Issue: The sin of worrying. When I worry, I am not trusting God. I am failing to see Him as God and in complete control of everything. Period. I also need to give myself grace. We are in a battle after all. So I asked forgiveness, repented and focused on who God is and not on who I am.
Anyway, we both met at church. I was early for once! However he forgot his coat and phone charger. I got the text after we got to church. We both forgot the offering and I forgot any money for later that day. Really rivetting huh?
I was on edge (again, yes I really need to take it down a notch). I was wondering how I was going to take care of Emily and nurse Lila while Ludie was preaching. I ended up feeding Lila before the service. Ruthie and Griffin would be in Sunday School. Thankfully the older kids were not with the younger kids this week so I sent Emily with Ruthie to Sunday school. Ludie checked on her and she was having a blast! Thank God. And I had only one child and she was sleeping in my arms.
The service was great. Everything went on schedule according to plan and Ludie really shucked some corn! He did a great job! His passion came through. Real passion, not just putting on a radio show passion but passion that comes from a heart that thrives in sharing the Gospel. You know that twinkle someone gets in their eye when they fall in love and they talk about that person to someone else? And as they talk that passion just oozes out of them? That is the way Ludie is when he talks about the Gospel. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is what flames his heart, and it is evident when he is sharing the Gospel individually or with a nation as was the case today. I know it is all God's doing, but I am sure glad He choses to use my husband, and that my husband is obedient.
We then left there and went to Ballinasloe Christian Fellowship for lunch with the church members, the Immersion Team and the First Baptist Woodstock Team. I just love that fellowship. The people there are some of the best in the world. They love on our family so well and just take care of us and take us in. My children know they are loved when they go there.
We then went to the Horse Fair. Now going to the Horse Fair is fun and Very interesting. It is not the everyday Ireland, and nowhere have I ever witnessed anything like this. There are 100's of horses, riders, carnival rides, and vendors on the street, and people selling poultry, dogs, goats and ferrets. The majority of people there are travelers (formerly known as gypsies). This could be it's own blog post so we'll skip those details this time. I'll just stick to my experience. We parked in the wrong spot so Ludie and David had to move the car and catch up with us. So CJ, Haley and Lindsey took me and the kids to "home base"-a church downtown- that was the meeting spot for our team. Haley pushed Lila in the stroller, Griffin is self sufficient, Ruthie held my hand and Lindsey took Emily because she got to heavy for me to carry after a while. While we were walking up a muddy slope as a cut through, a horse came down the hill while a car that was slipping in the mud tried to get up. We stayed back at a very safe distance but it was a sight to watch. We then met at our home base and then dispersed. There Ludie and the kids and I walked through the streets. I got shot in the rear by a bb from one of the traveler kids.
I honestly would feel completely comfortable navigating through there if I weren't trying to watch four kids in a crowd. I was also tired from the night before, tired from the stress this morning and now this. We got to the green where most of the horses were. I stayed out because there were too many horses for it to be safe for Lila in the buggy/stroller. However where we waited on the side, Lila, Emily and myself there were the occasional horses going by. One of which came flying with his rear end towards us because of his idiotic owner running down the street with him, whipping him around and not having control of him. I did not feel I could move Emily and Lila fast enough out of the way, so I just stood between them and the horse and yelled at the horse, and waiting for whatever happened next. With the adrenaline I had at the moment I think I could have taken Arnold Schwarzenegger out single-handedly. The Coueys, Pat Gaskin, and Ashley were so sweet and stopped and helped with the kids while Ludie had the other two. It all would not be such a big deal but I'm just not as mobile as I would be if I were by myself and could step out of the way, so moms who are reading this, do not worry about your kids. I could have and eventually did get into a safer place where we were blocked from the horses.
We then walked through the part I liked with the miniature horses, goat, chickens, ducks and goats for sale. I could eat that up. And then the strong mist came. We walked what seemed 1/2 mile to a mile back to the car. Emily and Ruthie did GREAT with their little legs and wellies. Griffin is just fabulous as always. We finally stopped walking and Ludie went the rest of the way and got the car for us. While we were waiting I hid Emily behind the stroller and changed her diaper while we were waiting. I was exhausted by then. I got in the car. I forgot to get petrol money out of our envelope. I was low on petrol, it was time for the baby to eat, my phone battery was low, the kids were hungry and tired and we were stuck in traffic. I chose not to worry this time....because God can handle it! I also chose to pray to Him first instead of texting my best friend Sarah. So I prayed and THEN texted Sarah. She prayed too. And then the traffic started moving, the baby fell asleep and the other three listened to a complete Magic Tree House audio book as we drove home. We then came home and ate left over biscuit and sausage, and also had turkey sandwich meat and tomato soup for dinner with orange diluted/squash to drink. Played chase. And now the kids are in bed. Ludie won't be in until the wee hours again, but at least he is somewhere local where he does get to come home for the night.
I got to see my wonderful friends that I have been waiting for so long to see, we really did have a great time at the fair. It was exciting and challenging, and most of all, God showed up today.
Though I unnecessarily fretted today, I have done a better job than usual about laughing at the days to come and not worrying, because I realize that God is in control, despite all the circumstances that surround us. Proverbs 31:25
Prov 31:25
Overview: Ludie preached at our local church in Athlone this morning and it was broadcasted on national radio (the archive can be found at rte.ie) and then we went to Ballinasloe to meet up at the Ballinasloe Christian Fellowship, have a FABULOUS lunch with even more FABULOUS people. We then went from there with the Immersion Team and the First Baptist Woodstock team to the Ballinasloe Horse Fair. The kids and I then came home, ate, played chase and went to bed. Now I am sitting here with dirty dishes taking a sanity break.
Now let me fill in the details. ;)
Last night I stayed up until 1am getting ready for today. I cooked the sausage for breakfast and made the biscuits (not cookies, but savory scone type things) and put those in the refrigerator, got all the clean clothes put away, vacuumed/hoovered the living room (because the floor was just that nasty), cleaned the dishes that had been sitting on the counter since BREAKFAST and put the instant coffee, sugar and whitener (powdered cream) in the cups-because I knew I would need a big cup in the morning and quick! I was so proud I felt like June Cleaver. Probably one of the times I got it right.
So Lila and Ruthie woke up. I put her back in bed and told her it was not time to get up (so thankful for the later sunrise and heavy fog to make their room darker (even with blackout curtains). Fed Lila and then we were all up for the day. I was so excited. Breakfast was done in 15 minutes with a nice meal, coffee, scrambled eggs, biscuits and sausage (I know I already told you this but I just had to say it again). Ludie practiced his sermon on us while we ate. It had to be timed to 15 minutes. This is a miracle in itself because his sermons are usually 45 minutes. How do you pack everything in in 15? I did give him a pointer, (honey if you are reading hold on, it gets much better). I told him that it sounded dry, he needed passion. I know he was timing himself and that is what he was most focused on, but it needed passion. I was honestly so scared to tell him. Who really wants any type of input especially before going on national radio in a little over an hour.
We then we all got ready for church. Ludie went out and sat in the car and practiced his sermon again (it was too chaotic in the house I guess to concentrate). Maybe I should just go sit in the car. No, the kids would find me.
Ludie left to go to the Mullins house and pick up some Wellies for me to borrow for the Horse Fair later that day. He also took some things over for Andrew to have while he is in isolation for FIVE WEEKS! (pray for them).
Before we left I texted all our friends and acquaintances to listen to Ludie on the radio. Which is real scary for me for several reasons, however I am thankful for this because I learned about some issues in my heart that needed work. First I hesitated texting them. My pride said, what if something happens and Ludie just has his worst sermon ever, and that is their impression of him and what we are doing in Ireland? What if these people hear this and completely turn their backs on us or against us (a thought I am ashamed of). And just being plain scared (over a radio programme. Then I got frustrated and thought what is a little radio programme got me so worried about and if I were in battle, say the Battle of Jericho, I'd be on the sidelines with knees knocking and crying, I'm just a spiritual weenie.
This was a huge opportunity, one that has not come to our church in 10 years and this is the one chance we have to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Well I had to work on some heart issues.
First issue: Pride: it is not about us. It is not about our capabilities or lack there of. What other peoples' impression of us are is not the measuring stick or our validation.
Next Issue: I should care more about others going to hell than how others view or treat us. I should take every opportunity to share the Gospel and get over myself!!! I've been told not to share the Gospel because it might rock the boat...my response was, "you care more about not rocking the boat than whether or not that person goes to hell?". And yet, I found myself being a hypocrite. "If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for." Spurgeon.
Next Issue: The sin of worrying. When I worry, I am not trusting God. I am failing to see Him as God and in complete control of everything. Period. I also need to give myself grace. We are in a battle after all. So I asked forgiveness, repented and focused on who God is and not on who I am.
Anyway, we both met at church. I was early for once! However he forgot his coat and phone charger. I got the text after we got to church. We both forgot the offering and I forgot any money for later that day. Really rivetting huh?
I was on edge (again, yes I really need to take it down a notch). I was wondering how I was going to take care of Emily and nurse Lila while Ludie was preaching. I ended up feeding Lila before the service. Ruthie and Griffin would be in Sunday School. Thankfully the older kids were not with the younger kids this week so I sent Emily with Ruthie to Sunday school. Ludie checked on her and she was having a blast! Thank God. And I had only one child and she was sleeping in my arms.
The service was great. Everything went on schedule according to plan and Ludie really shucked some corn! He did a great job! His passion came through. Real passion, not just putting on a radio show passion but passion that comes from a heart that thrives in sharing the Gospel. You know that twinkle someone gets in their eye when they fall in love and they talk about that person to someone else? And as they talk that passion just oozes out of them? That is the way Ludie is when he talks about the Gospel. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that is what flames his heart, and it is evident when he is sharing the Gospel individually or with a nation as was the case today. I know it is all God's doing, but I am sure glad He choses to use my husband, and that my husband is obedient.
We then left there and went to Ballinasloe Christian Fellowship for lunch with the church members, the Immersion Team and the First Baptist Woodstock Team. I just love that fellowship. The people there are some of the best in the world. They love on our family so well and just take care of us and take us in. My children know they are loved when they go there.
We then went to the Horse Fair. Now going to the Horse Fair is fun and Very interesting. It is not the everyday Ireland, and nowhere have I ever witnessed anything like this. There are 100's of horses, riders, carnival rides, and vendors on the street, and people selling poultry, dogs, goats and ferrets. The majority of people there are travelers (formerly known as gypsies). This could be it's own blog post so we'll skip those details this time. I'll just stick to my experience. We parked in the wrong spot so Ludie and David had to move the car and catch up with us. So CJ, Haley and Lindsey took me and the kids to "home base"-a church downtown- that was the meeting spot for our team. Haley pushed Lila in the stroller, Griffin is self sufficient, Ruthie held my hand and Lindsey took Emily because she got to heavy for me to carry after a while. While we were walking up a muddy slope as a cut through, a horse came down the hill while a car that was slipping in the mud tried to get up. We stayed back at a very safe distance but it was a sight to watch. We then met at our home base and then dispersed. There Ludie and the kids and I walked through the streets. I got shot in the rear by a bb from one of the traveler kids.
I honestly would feel completely comfortable navigating through there if I weren't trying to watch four kids in a crowd. I was also tired from the night before, tired from the stress this morning and now this. We got to the green where most of the horses were. I stayed out because there were too many horses for it to be safe for Lila in the buggy/stroller. However where we waited on the side, Lila, Emily and myself there were the occasional horses going by. One of which came flying with his rear end towards us because of his idiotic owner running down the street with him, whipping him around and not having control of him. I did not feel I could move Emily and Lila fast enough out of the way, so I just stood between them and the horse and yelled at the horse, and waiting for whatever happened next. With the adrenaline I had at the moment I think I could have taken Arnold Schwarzenegger out single-handedly. The Coueys, Pat Gaskin, and Ashley were so sweet and stopped and helped with the kids while Ludie had the other two. It all would not be such a big deal but I'm just not as mobile as I would be if I were by myself and could step out of the way, so moms who are reading this, do not worry about your kids. I could have and eventually did get into a safer place where we were blocked from the horses.
We then walked through the part I liked with the miniature horses, goat, chickens, ducks and goats for sale. I could eat that up. And then the strong mist came. We walked what seemed 1/2 mile to a mile back to the car. Emily and Ruthie did GREAT with their little legs and wellies. Griffin is just fabulous as always. We finally stopped walking and Ludie went the rest of the way and got the car for us. While we were waiting I hid Emily behind the stroller and changed her diaper while we were waiting. I was exhausted by then. I got in the car. I forgot to get petrol money out of our envelope. I was low on petrol, it was time for the baby to eat, my phone battery was low, the kids were hungry and tired and we were stuck in traffic. I chose not to worry this time....because God can handle it! I also chose to pray to Him first instead of texting my best friend Sarah. So I prayed and THEN texted Sarah. She prayed too. And then the traffic started moving, the baby fell asleep and the other three listened to a complete Magic Tree House audio book as we drove home. We then came home and ate left over biscuit and sausage, and also had turkey sandwich meat and tomato soup for dinner with orange diluted/squash to drink. Played chase. And now the kids are in bed. Ludie won't be in until the wee hours again, but at least he is somewhere local where he does get to come home for the night.
I got to see my wonderful friends that I have been waiting for so long to see, we really did have a great time at the fair. It was exciting and challenging, and most of all, God showed up today.
Though I unnecessarily fretted today, I have done a better job than usual about laughing at the days to come and not worrying, because I realize that God is in control, despite all the circumstances that surround us. Proverbs 31:25
Prov 31:25
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
This is what I want to do today....and all days.
I want to let my husband and children know that I love them more than anyone else on this whole earth.
I want to live sacrificially and respond with kindness, gentleness and joy.
When I need to forgive, I want to be reminded of how much I’ve been forgiven.
I want to run and jump and play and chase.
I want to have a puppet show.
I want to write the Word of the Lord on my heart and our children’s hearts.
I want to show grace when the opportunity arises that it is needed.
I want to teach what is right not what is not right by my example of Christ living in me.
I want to blow bubbles.
I want to laugh.
I want to tickle.
I want to read stories of adventures.
I want to act out those adventures.
I want to make new adventures.
I want to not be afraid to make a mess.
I want to stop still long enough to look at the flowers and ladybugs.
I want to lay out in the backyard and look at the clouds.
I want to not be afraid to learn or try something new.
I want to love.
I don’t want to be afraid to make a mistake.
I want to rest in knowing God will complete His work in me.
I want to laugh at the days to come (absence of fear, and have a gentle and quiet spirit).
I want to be able to readily deviate from my plan upon God’s plan taking precedent.
I want my children to know I love them…and that their heavenly Father is even greater and loves them greater than I.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Life and Appliances in Ireland
Here are some things that are different from how I grew up.
The shower is an electric shower. This is a luxury because when you turn on the shower, the water is hot. In our other bathroom the shower is run on an Immersion system (basically a water heater you have to turn on at least 20 minutes before you take a shower). The water heaters do not stay on here. The water is only heated by the furnace being on (heating the whole house, including the water in the water heater (or "Immersion system") or by turning on the Immersion system to heat it up only and not use oil to heat the whole house in the process. The electricity costs a lot and so does oil so you only use it for what you need and when you need it.
The stove has a main electric switch. If this is not on, then you cannot turn the stove on. The oven also has a switch too. I really like this feature for safety reasons also. What stinks is when I forget about it and turn on the burner to boil water or cook, and come back and it is not on because I forgot to turn the main switch on.
The heat in the house is regulated by the furnace which is set to a timer. It does not just automatically turn on or off when the heat goes above or below a certain temperature. If you are cold then you turn on the heat for more time, or hot, turn it off for more time. Usually we try to keep it off from bedtime until right before we wake up in the morning. So it can get really cold at night but the huge duvets take care of that. It also helps being married to Ludie who radiates heat. When he is not home however I turn on the hair dryer, heat up the bed and jump into it.
This is the switch for the Immersion system (or water heater) which not photographed is well insulated by the way. This is my best friend. :)
The outlets have on and off switches. They are 3 pronged outlets and have function on 220 Volts instead of 110 volts. 110 volts will electrocute a 70 lb pig and knock him out (we won't go more into how I know that). Let's just say, we are very careful with 220 volts and don't recommend plugging in any American appliances. Last time I tried, fire shot out of my hair dryer after it sounded like a 747 about to take off.
Well, that's a little fun insight into the life we have come to love here in Ireland.
The shower is an electric shower. This is a luxury because when you turn on the shower, the water is hot. In our other bathroom the shower is run on an Immersion system (basically a water heater you have to turn on at least 20 minutes before you take a shower). The water heaters do not stay on here. The water is only heated by the furnace being on (heating the whole house, including the water in the water heater (or "Immersion system") or by turning on the Immersion system to heat it up only and not use oil to heat the whole house in the process. The electricity costs a lot and so does oil so you only use it for what you need and when you need it.
The stove has a main electric switch. If this is not on, then you cannot turn the stove on. The oven also has a switch too. I really like this feature for safety reasons also. What stinks is when I forget about it and turn on the burner to boil water or cook, and come back and it is not on because I forgot to turn the main switch on.
The heat in the house is regulated by the furnace which is set to a timer. It does not just automatically turn on or off when the heat goes above or below a certain temperature. If you are cold then you turn on the heat for more time, or hot, turn it off for more time. Usually we try to keep it off from bedtime until right before we wake up in the morning. So it can get really cold at night but the huge duvets take care of that. It also helps being married to Ludie who radiates heat. When he is not home however I turn on the hair dryer, heat up the bed and jump into it.
This is the switch for the Immersion system (or water heater) which not photographed is well insulated by the way. This is my best friend. :)
The outlets have on and off switches. They are 3 pronged outlets and have function on 220 Volts instead of 110 volts. 110 volts will electrocute a 70 lb pig and knock him out (we won't go more into how I know that). Let's just say, we are very careful with 220 volts and don't recommend plugging in any American appliances. Last time I tried, fire shot out of my hair dryer after it sounded like a 747 about to take off.
Well, that's a little fun insight into the life we have come to love here in Ireland.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Bumps and Bruises and Bikes
Well, Griffin and Emily both have knots on their heads. I'm praying Ruthie is not the next one! Ludie, Griffin, Ruthie and one of Griffin's friends were in a car wreck last Tuesday. Griffin got the worst of it but thank the Lord, everyone is okay. He had a knot on his head, but thankfully no concussion. The car is done for. It collided with a tractor on a blind curve. Ludie was going slow but just one of those unavoidable things. Big tractors, and rainy narrow roads with hedges and stone walls on each side. Thank the Lord everyone is okay. Ludie is now riding a bike to work. Pray for his safety. .....Big tractors, rainy narrow roads with hedges, hills and stone walls on each side! We just got Griffin's bike repaired, and now it's broken again, ....narrow roads with hedges, hills and stone walls on each side!
Emily's head, just collided with the swing in the backyard.
I think I'll just tie bumper pads to everyone and put football helmets on them!
Emily's head, just collided with the swing in the backyard.
I think I'll just tie bumper pads to everyone and put football helmets on them!
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