It's a God Thing

     How well did you sleep last night?  Did you toss and turn all night?  Often a bed that has been slept in overnight looks like a frazzled mess by morning.
     I started having to use a breathing machine to sleep at night about twenty-one years ago.  The type of machine has changed over the years.  The one thing that has remained the same is having to sleep on my back in one position all night long. Yes, every night for over two decades. You might be saying 'I couldn't do that I have to sleep on my side or move around or how ever you like to sleep.'  I thought the same things back in 1992.  The 'God thing' is the peace and rest He has given me each of these 7,665 nights to let go of my body's desire to move around.  This is what 'Be still and know that I am God' means in part to me.  He is in control and can give us the rest we need, when we turn our burdens over to Him.

What You See

     We've all been there with something on our nose, mouth, teeth, etc.  We've also all probably seen the evidence on others and pondered whether to tell them.  'Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you.'  Yes, tell them.. it should be a law.  Who hasn't been out and come home to discover some obvious embarrassment and thought 'why didn't anyone tell me?'
     What do you see most in people?  The flaws or the good qualities.  Colgate has a new ad out that proves people will notice something in your teeth before a physical deformity.  I looked at it myself and never even noticed the 7 fingered hand.
    Where is our focus on what we see and think of others?  Most people want to hide their weaknesses but it's not always possible.  Therefore, you embrace your weaknesses and they will make you stronger.  Our reactions to what we see as out of our norm says more about us than them.
     God cares more about the inside than the outside of each of us.  Is my body of 40-plus years and any physical hardware that helps me really going to matter in an eternal timespan?  No, but how you handle any suffering will.  So if anyone thinks more of your physical flaws than of you then they really don't know you at all.  It's their problem and loss, not yours.

Critical

    What was watching the Super Bowl like at your house?  We all can get high-spirited and enthusiastic about different things, some more than others.  I love to be around people that are excited and passionate about whatever they love, as long as it isn't disagreeable to me.
    The caption above sends more of a message to me about our criticism of others.  I know I've used the phrase 'what an idiot' more times than I can count.  I'm not saying it wasn't true, but it does speak arrogance.  When we think 'they should have done it this way, not like that' then we can come across as a know-it-all.
     Some people confuse criticism as advice.  They are not the same.  Advice is well intended and hopefully preventative to a downfall.  Criticism is negative, accusatory, and a hindsight opinion.
     I know we all have opinions and there is nothing wrong with that. When they become harsh and judgmental, maybe we should stop and take a look at our heart.  Not everything we think should come out of our mouths.

To Know Him

     I started a new book the other day called 'Not a Fan.'  It is about becoming a follower of Jesus, not just a fan.  The caption above relates to what I just read in chapter 3.  Simon the Pharisee knew all 'about' Jesus but didn't 'know' Him at all.  He had memorized books of the Bible but yet there was no application in his life, just knowledge.  Jesus was snubbed by him and not given the proper greetings for life in those times.  Who would be the one to show to be the true follower of Jesus?  The prostitute who walked up to the table uninvited, washed His feet with her tears and hair, and used up all of her oil on His head.  She surrendered all she had in pride, fear of embarrassment and valuables to show her heart was His.
     Knowledge without application is just facts on a shelf.  In Matthew 15;8, Jesus said the Pharisees honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me.  Do you have head knowledge without heart usage in your life?  What if you went to your child to show them how to use a fork and they said 'oh I know what to do, I'm just not going to do it.'  Yes, it'd be a teaching moment.  Jesus wants us to go on and do what we know to do too.

FBF MISSIONARY PRAYER REQUESTS..FEB 2013

FBF MISSIONARY PRAYER REQUESTS.......FEB 2013


TED AND PRISCILLA CLARK

1. Please pray that our little school at the camp will continue to be a blessing for all who attend.
2. We have had a record number of unsaved men working in the cappucino business this season.  Please pray
that this opportunity to share the gospel with them will have a daily and eternal influence in their lives.

MONICA SERNATINGER AND QUICO

1. Remember our dear sister Rosi in your prayers. She has been suffering with a sore in her deformed foot for over 25 years. The sore has gotten so big and infected that the doctors are considering amputating it. She begs to the Lord for healing, if it would be his will. Also, please pray for her financial provision. There is a slight possibility that she could get support from the SS since her dad is a resident of the US. She has begun the application process.

2. Recent contacts: We have been so blessed with the Tuohys. Please, pray for Johan and Claudia. Martin has started an evangelistic Bible study with them, and the whole family is so involved in reaching out!!! What a joy!! Also, please pray for my neighbor Vero. Since her mom, a Jehova Witness proselite, came to live with her late December, she has stopped coming to the studies. May their hearts come to Jesus!

LESLEY WOLFE

1.        Sure would be great to have the last three chapters of Mark comprehension checked and then sent to consultant by the end of March.  It’s very doable IF those who help me with the comprehension check are able to come as scheduled.  And I’d like to get as many of the remaining chapters of Genesis comp checked as well, and to my consultant during these next two months (only Genesis 27 thru 36 remain to be comprehension checked).  I have to say that it sure feels good seeing these two books come to this stage!

2.       Amy and Aaron have just had a visit from their language consultant.  Pray that the help and guidance that he was able to give them (Aaron in particular) will be followed, and continued and good progress will be made where language aptitude/ability is concerned.  

MARTIN AND HANSY TUOHY

1. New evangelistic Bible study with couple that seem genuinely interested. Please pray they do not get distracted from studying the Word and that the seeds would fall on good soil. 

2. We continue to seek God's will as to if we are to return to Denmark to stay or prepare to come back to MX long term.

 

BOBBY AND NAMATHA AVILEZ

 

1)      Please pray that we find the right builder that has his own tools. If you are not careful some people will pose as builders when they know fully well that they are expecting to sub-contract out the work making it more expensive.

2)      Pray that our kids would respond more to the prodding of the Holy Spirit than to peer pressure!

Don't Hesitate

     Well Karla and I were out saving yesterday.  That's our code word for shopping.  We had been in Target  buying our needs and wants.  While unloading our basket, she found my emery board that I intended to purchase.  She asked me if she should take it back in to pay for it.  I hesitated with my answer, even tho I knew the right thing to do.  Yes, I thought about how much time we had left and was it worth the trouble to have Karla go back in.  The devil was working quickly with my mind.  Karla interrupted my hesitation with 'you know God doesn't like ugly.'  We then agreed for her to go back in and make it right.
      Right is right and wrong is wrong.  There is no in between.  Sin tries to justify a wrong into an acceptable form but that doesn't make it anymore right.  Be quick to say yes and make all actions involving you pleasing to God.  Hesitation is only needed when preventing a wrong decision, not when doing what is right.

Remember

      We are so forgetful.  Who hasn't gone to the store and forgotten what you went for?  Who can remember the name of that familiar face without a panic moment of fear of embarrassment?  We need reminders for these trivial things.
      The list above is what God wants you to know, believe and remember.  His will is looking out for your behalf.  What is on your list to God?  I will trust You.  I will call on You.  I will praise You.  I will rely on Your Word.  I will follow You.  I believe in Your Son's saving grace.  The list is endless.
      Remember, where your heart is there you'll find your treasure.

It's a God Thing

     We are supposed to think of other's needs before our own.  Sometimes that is an easy task but other times it is a true sacrifice.  I don't know if I could do what was done for me in this story.
      When we moved into our house about 30 years ago, the previous owner, Mr. Finch, had a dog but couldn't take him immediately with him.  My parents agreed that the dog could stay and be picked up when he was able to.  Well if you know me at all, you know I can fall in love with a dog in less than 30 seconds.  Bosco and I were best buds immediately.  About 2 months later, Mr. Finch told my dad's uncle across the street that he was going to take Bosco home with him.  My uncle told him 'if you do, you're going to break one little girl's heart.'  I know it was a God thing that moved his heart to think of me before himself.  Mr.Finch lived alone and was a former POW veteran.  I'm sure it was quite a sacrifice to give up his long loved companion to me.  What a generous gift I received.  Bosco lived many years after that and was loved like family.  He was the first dog to get to come into the house.  He met me every day as I got off the bus and I looked for him as much as he did for me.

Who is in Control

     Tonight we are expecting severe weather with possible tornadoes.  It is wise to be aware and prepared but not to be overly anxious about it.  What will be is in God's control.  We can take physical cover but there is no greater cover than to pray for His protection over you.
     We must remember that His control is consistent, reliable and never failing.  The earth is defined by physical laws that we count on and plan our days by.  Who makes the sun rise and set?  It's certainly not BillyBob down in some hideaway control room.  It is the Creator and Controller of all things.
      Do you still think you're in control when you sleep at night?  I can assure you that God brought you into this world and He can and will take you out one day.
      As much as we think we would like to be in control, I think it is comforting to know we are not.

For the Week

    My focus has been off lately.  They say 'don't sweat the small stuff' but that's more easily said than done.  Isn't it the little irritations of daily life that get us so worked up?  It makes me think of the song lyric 'where is the love, the love, the love?'  Well I can surely tell you, don't look to me.
    The ultimate show of love should be our focus and is found on the Cross.  Why did Jesus have to die?  We are born with a separated relationship to God because of our sin and sin nature.  Jesus was the innocent sacrifice who paid our sin debt with His blood.  There is no forgiveness without a blood sacrifice,  the Bible says.
    So when you're critical of others, remember how much it cost to forgive you.  We all fall short  and need a Savior who forgives all.

To Love

    We don't have to wait till Valentine's day to show our love, nor should we.  God tells us 'to love one another' as a direct command.  He doesn't say when the time is right or when you feel like it.  He wants love to be shown thru all our actions.  'Without love, we are just a clanging gong.'
     I'm no expert on love and have yet to meet a human that is.  So going to the Bible is the best resource for help on advice.  Above are ten ways on how we can express our love to friends, family or strangers.  If we could only remember these and apply them in our daily lives, would there be peace on earth?
     'All you need is love, love is all you need.'

Your Witness

     How would you define your witness to the world?  If a stranger could define you in five words, what would they be?  As Christians, we should be in a process of transformation of becoming more like Christ.  You should be better than you were yesterday or at least learned something from it.  We don't change that quickly, do we? 

    I want to give two examples of people I do not know but was a witness to their walk.  Our reactions to bad situations can affect our witness to others.

    The other day my dad and I were in Kohl's waiting for a worker to find the flashlights that were on sale.  Another lady was waiting on customer service too and she was fit to be tied.  Her anger was as obvious as the smoke coming out of her ears.  As we checked out, I heard the worker apologize for the problems she encountered.  The lady then said 'well I'm sorry for yelling.'   Do our problems justify the means in which we get them solved?  No, Jesus never threw a hissy fit.

     Back during my cruising days, I was driving down Camp Robinson but looking backwards at some cute guys.  I totally rear ended the car in front of me.  It was totally my fault and I was ready for a blame-filled, tongue lashing.  The man got out and I let him speak first...maybe, hopefully I said I'm sorry first.  He looked at the cars and said, 'I don't see any damage.'  Are you sure?  We agreed no harm, no foul and I high-tailed it out of there for the night.  Being in the right doesn't always justify retribution but forgiveness pays off a greater reward.

     May your witness to the world be the same as the one you want it to be in your heart and mind.

Winter

     Yes, I know it is January and this cold weather is to be expected.  I don't have to like it but just endure it.  This too shall pass, however so slowly it seems.  The temperature today is lower than my age so it's going to take a fire or a really good sale to get me out of the house.  I don't like to bundle up because it interferes with my ability to move.
     We can endure, tolerate and survive through more than we think we can.  My two years living in the Chicago area is proof of that.  I thought I was a frozen dead woman walking up there in the land of no sweet tea.
     I feel for the homeless, both human and animals, on days like these.  Be sure to be thankful for the things we often take for granted...heat, power, shelter, warm clothing and security.

It's a God Thing

   
    Are you aware of God's protection over you all the time?  I saw a sticker on a car the other day that said 'Faith 247'.  It took me a minute for me to realize that it meant that their faith was 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  It is in the moments that we didn't even realize we were vulnerable, that we can thank Him for the never failing protection He provides.
     In 1993, we moved from Dallas, TX to DeKalb, IL.  At the time, we had a brown boat of a car and a sportscar.  With the use of a Uhaul tow bar, we towed the sportscar.  We stayed overnight in Little Rock to visit and rest halfway.  We headed out the next day for the long drive and the less than desirable destination of the land of the frigid.  We stopped in a town [I can't remember the name] in Illinois about 3 or 4 hours short of our destination.  When we stopped to park, the tow bar hitch fell off the car.  Whoa, that was the 'God thing' moment of protection for us and others on the road.  What if it had come off while going 65mph down the highway?  You can just imagine the horrific possibilities.  Even tho it was hard for me, God gave me the strength to drive the car the rest of the way.  We weren't about to trust that tow bar again.
     There is no greater or safer place to be than in God's protective hands.

Praying for the President

    As Christians, we must accept the leaders that represent us in government.  God has allowed them to have  authority in their position.  We can, however, pray for them.
    President Obama claims with his mouth to be a Christian but yet his actions speak otherwise.  I'll let God be the judge of that because He knows the heart.
    I hear it often said 'We need to pray for our President and leaders.'  I also know we are to be specific in our prayers.  I found the following list on how to pray for the President on intouch.org.  I hope our prayers speak louder than our votes.

1. Realize his personal sinfulness and daily need of God’s cleansing power.

2. Recognize his personal inadequacy for the task and therefore depend upon the Lord.

3. Reject all counsel that violates spiritual principles and then trust the Lord to validate him.

4. Resist pressure from individuals or special interest groups that would have him act in violation of his conscience or godly principles.

5. Work at reversing our country’s trends toward socialism and humanism, both of which dethrone the Lord and deify man.

6. Be ready to forsake his political career and personal ambition for the best interest of the nation.

7. Rely upon the Word of God as his source of strength and key to success.

8. Bring dignity, honor, trustworthiness, and righteousness to the office of the presidency.

9. Be a good example, especially to the fathers and sons of the nation.

10. Be reminded daily that he is accountable to Almighty God for his attitudes, actions, and motivations while in office.

Right to Life

    God creates life and God ends life.  Anyone that interferes with either, commits murder.  Today was the March for Life walk here in Arkansas.  The unborn babies need a voice to speak for their right to live.  I think the woman's 'right to choose' ends with prevention.  After that, your choice is the chance you took to change your life.  Every life is a blessing and irreplaceable.
    Psalm 139:13  'For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.'

Till Tomorrow?

     Which do you prefer?  'Don't do today, what you can put off till tomorrow.' or 'Don't put off till tomorrow, what you can get done today.'  Well that depends on what it is, right?  Is it a priority to you or an eye sore that bothers you?  There are some things that can be delayed but eventually it will all catch up with you.  Like the dishes, you can refuse to wash them but soon there won't be a clean dish in the house.. your time is up.
     Our lives are on the clock and we don't know when the alarm will sound.  Are you prepared?  The decision to believe in God's only Son is one that many people foolishly think they can delay.  Tomorrow is not promised to us, but yet we so often take it for granted.
     My eternal future is secure in the One who paid my debt for me.  You can't pay it yourself so start today in trusting the One who has prepared the way for you.

What We See

     Perspective is how we see things.  Is it always right?  No, of course not.  We are biased, influenced and tainted.  I think it is interesting to hear someone else's comments on the same thing I just heard or saw.  It can open my eyes or ears to something I totally missed.
    Negativity can become a bad habit.  'You must learn a new way to think before you can master a new way to be.'  Do we look for the good in things or the troublesome parts?  I think life is like a rose, it has thorns so we will handle it with care and still get the beauty out of it.
    How do you turn a negative into a positive?  It's as simple as math, add positivity. -1 plus 2=1  So for every negative comment you hear, counter them with two things on the bright side.
    May you see the bright side of the ugliest days and share it with those who need glasses.

Christmas Recital Songs

'Bring the Rain' by Mercy Me

'Behold The Lamb'

It's a God Thing

    In May of 1989, I came home early from school one day not feeling well.  As I lay on the couch, my fever climbed and I got progressively worse very quickly.  My parents took me to the ER at Memorial Baptist Hospital.  It was there that I was admitted to the hospital with my first bout of pneumonia.  [I do not remember most of the rest of this story so this is my mom's recollection of events.]  I could not go to sleep and yet I was so tired.  At about 2am, the nurses or doctor decided to give me a little bit of oxygen.  I went to sleep immediately.  After about 30 minutes, my mom had a feeling that she should wake me up to check on me.  This was the 'God thing' moment because she should've been asleep herself and she had no cause, other than the feeling, to wake me up.  Normally, I wake up at the slightest noise or interruption.  This was not the case here.  My mom pushed the nurse call button as she struggled to get me awake.  When I did come to, my eyes were rolled back in my head.  I tried to talk but couldn't and whatever I did say made no sense.  The nurse ran in and then out to get help.  By the time they came back, I was coming around.  They removed the oxygen and the next morning the doctor drained over a liter of fluid off my lungs.
     So what happened?  We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide.  Because of the neuromuscular disease, I don't breathe out sufficiently to get rid of the carbon dioxide and that leads to poisoning.  Carbon dioxide build up puts you to sleep and turns off your body's natural response to wake up.  It's very dangerous.  The oxygen level in your blood will be fine but without a blood gases check of your blood, it can go unnoticed.  It can cause brain damage or death without intervention.
     So don't ignore your gut feelings, it could be God nudging you.  The results could be life-saving.