Boxes upon boxes...

Boxes upon Boxes....

It is not too early to begin gathering items for Operation Christmas child boxes...

I was just in their site and it sAid that over 124 million boxes have been distributed since it began in 1993.. That means we are on a second generation of children to receive these free gifts around the world in "open and closed" countries.   What a joy!!!

I think about my recent trip to Yucatan, and the joy that was in the faces of the children there to receive a soccer ball or a new toothbrush and toothpaste. What fun it would have been to give each child a box filled with goodies packed by someone praying for them in the United States...

http://video.samaritanspurse.org/channel/operation-christmas-child/

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/buildonline/

I just think of the abundance that we live around and take for granted...giving is so easy...help me to be that cheerful giver, imagining the smiles that simple gifts give,...Thank YOU for the opportunity...

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

Psalm 65:11 You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance. 

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

Jude 1:2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. 

Take words and return to the Lord....

Take words and return to the Lord...

I think Hosea has become one of my favorite books...along with the rest of God's Word....so redemptive, so seeking, so restoring ....so healing, so loving when all God  wants is to love us  back into His loving arms...

His boundaries are loving , not awful...

His words are comforting, not tearing down...

He desires that we flourish not die in the vine...

We wants us to understand , not be confused...

He is gracious....

Hosea 14:1-9 Return, Israel, to the Lord your God.

Your sins have been your downfall! 

Take words with you and return to the Lord.

Say to him:“Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

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

 Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses.

We will never again say ‘Our gods' to what our own hands have made, for in you the fatherless find compassion.” 

“I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.

 I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. 

Like a cedar of Lebanon he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow.

His splendor will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. People will dwell again in his shade;

they will flourish like the grain, they will blossom like the vine—Israel’s fame will be like the wine of Lebanon.

 Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols?

I will answer him and care for him.

I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me.” 

Who is wise? Let them realize these things.

Who is discerning? Let them understand.

The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. 

(Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. )

So many promises...

Ephraim=means "it is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering."..

We can be fruitful, by God's grace...and at His bidding and with His help...

Thank YOU that you care so much for us ...help me to walk in your ways...seeking your path ...turning to You and not the world...

Divided neighborhood ....

Divided neighborhood...

I woke myself early this morning...I was having a bad dream and didn't want to continue it....

We had moved into a neighborhood, new people all around and many new friends....which was great!!

The downside was that one woman asked the others over for a Bible study and all of them came...but  as the morning continued, there was a distinct divide with the older women versus the younger ones until the younger ones walked out...

My heart was broken as I desperately tried again and again to bring these two groups back together with no success....so I wanted to wake up from this nightmare!!!!

One group wanted it just as it had been in the past with no changes, while other wanted some change which weren't acceptable to the first...

The trouble was I had been there is real life...factions at "war" with one another in the church where we should be able to work things through in a peaceful manner...ending in shouts, bad manners, hurting words filling the air that should not have been spoken, hidden agendas,  generations torn apart...a body divided...over colors of rooms, or methods of teaching, or lack of information or no empowerment or the "old" way versus the changing times or old songs versus new ones...

I don't   know what prompted my dream, I rarely do, but the theme was as vivid as real life and just as uncomfortable....there was nothing I could do except pray that it would get better....splits in churches not only hinder the Gospel, but hurts the people both inside and outside the body of believers...and who wants to be a part of a dysfunctional body? Christ's peace doesn't reign nor is it sought...or proclaimed...the divisions if allowed to continue can rule and tear apart one congregation after another for years to come...so that people just walk away from the one  place that should give comfort the most ...

Christ, it seems, is nailed on the cross again and again for the divisions of the people instead of exalted as the Savior who brings salvation from the sins of division...the Holy Spirit is grieved....people come with divided hearts and no peace...we miss the blessings of God's comfort...

Thank YOU that you can mend broken churches when we seek You with whole hearts...help those who are hurting for past encounters to seek YOU above all...

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. —COLOSSIANS 1:27

Colossians 2:2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ....

Mark 3:25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 

1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 

Riches....

Riches....

For some reason, we humans measure riches by the size of one's bank account, the size of their house, the number of cars in the driveway, the amount of jewelry one wears, the most livestock, etc. ....outward adornments only...

But, having seen little ones come into the world and loves ones leave...they came with no "riches" and they left with none...the outward "adornment" that we call riches was totally not part of the arrival or departure ....they may have left an inheritable to others, but they took nothing with them...but riches/ wealth is  so much more than money or things...

The Word speaks of riches as God's statues, His instruction, His honor, His inheritance, a good name, humility, His i wisdom, His knowledge, His understanding ....these all cannot be bought for any price, any amount of worldly goods, gold or silver...they are, alas, priceless...no big house can be traded for them, or cars or livestock or land...

But, are offered free, for the seeking...for price of believing, faithfulness, the hope we find in Christ...and that hope is what we take with us into eternity...

King Solomon, the richest man, asked for understanding and God chose to add worldly riches...beyond his wildest dreams only only to come back to the basic of "Fear God" as his worldly riches didn't satisfy...as God did...

Thank YOU for the riches You bestow...help me seek the true riches in life....

Psalm 119:14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 

Proverbs 8:1, 10, 12, 18-21 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? 

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;

I possess knowledge and discretion. 

With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. 

My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver.

 I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, 

bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love   Me and making their treasuries full. 

Proverbs 22:1, 4, 9 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. 

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. 

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. 

Luke 16:11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,and his paths beyond tracing out! 

Ephesians 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 

Colossians 2:2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ....

Yucatan 7... Boundaries...

Yucatan 7....Boundaries ......

Driving around the area in the Yucatan, was Like driving in tunnels...miles and miles of brush, trees about thirty feet high, brush so dense it looked  impenetrable except for the small forest animals...

Most every family had a building made of poles and thatched roofs from this jungle of small trees, they also used this brush for feed for their animals...we saw many bikes loaded with branches on their way home with this staple...as well as wood for their cooking fires...but there was plenty of brush to go around, the forest wasn't being denuded....

When a family decided to build, they staked out their piece of ground, built a rock fence  about 3 feet tall all around it, cleared some of the brush, built their stick home and eventfully built a cement block home as well as an outhouse. Their water came to a spot in the fence with hoses attached. They had water tanks set on a frame for Gravity flow to the house or wherever... Each parcel looked pretty much the same... Some had gardens, livestock areas...although the chickens ranged freely, some had fruit trees, and even flowers...some parcels were neat and well kept while others were not...

But each had their boundary...

In the book of Numbers, there are lists of boundaries as God portions out the promised land to various tribes...God gave them specific pieces of ground which stayed in the family to be handed down from generation to generation.

It was both freeing and intentional to give boundaries...they knew their limits...

Psalm 16:5-6 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. 

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. 

In Hosea, God was protecting Gomer or Israel by "walling " her in...keeping her safe from the evilness outside the boundaries...  

Hosea 2:6 Therefore I will block her path with thornbushes;  I will wall her in so that she cannot find her way.

There have been times when raising our children that we prayed for boundaries that only God could make for safety for our children...we had set boundaries, but they chose to extend them and then they could only be kept safe by God...we could physically do nothing...as we handed them over and over the the real Safekeeper.... And now I find that I pray the same for them and their children...God has them in his mighty hand...

He does the same for me as well...He blocks certain paths and opens up others for my safety as well...so that I don't stray or "free range" following after the lusts of life ...there are consequences for going outside the boundaries ...but I desire those "pleasant places" and Him to be my inheritance...as David states in his song...

Thank YOU for the boundaries that you have established....help me to be thankful for Your portion and security ...

Yucatan 6...generations...

Yucatan 6...generations....

On the team, there were 6 generational groups...one day I sat with a 13 year old girl and asked how she came along..."when we turn 13, my grandmother takes us on a mission trip and I could hardly wait to come"....whoa, what a concept...passing the torch of being involved and giving.... 

There were two mother/daughter teams, two grandparent/grandchild teams and two families with children from 8-20's....working, playing and serving together ....

It took me back years to lessons I learned...my grandmother gave to missionaries in Alaska (that I know of), my parents gave to missionaries in Nicaragua...I heard of those as I grew up..we visited the Alaska one when I was in my teens...as our children grew, we entertained missionaries in our home, and supported  ones, we attended various missionary presentations as well over the years...then our oldest son wanted to go on a short term mission, followed by his sisters, while  our youngest did camp counseling...then my husband went to show the Jesus film twenty years ago, we went as a couple to teach English for two weeks in Asia, he went again to help with VBS, one daughter went with her family as missionaries for five years, the other daughter led and helped two teams various places, each serving in churches from giving to security, from encouraging others to discipleship, from makeup for fundraising to giving wood, from preaching to babysitting----service to others ....now our oldest grandson has gone on one summer mission and as I write this blog, two more are leaving for Mexico to build houses...passing the baton yet again....

All of my children and their spouses have given in time, resources, themselves  in some way to serve in the furthering of the Gospel of Christ...it warms my heart beyond imagination to see each serving in some way the God in whom we have put our trust...in whom they have put their trust...this trust has become their own...not mine or their ancestors ...their own ....

And I pray that it continues in for generations until Jesus returns...not for my sake, or their own, but for the glory of God...and to win more into the kingdom .... 

Thank YOU for generations, for the impact they make over the years, that we continue in Your path, not walking away, but walking with You to Your glory...and that these other families continue as well...serving in some way In your  kingdom...You are our blessing...

Deuteronomy 6:1-2 These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 

Deuteronomy 32:7 Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you. 

Loaves and fishes....

Loaves and fishes...

These two passages intrigue me. 

Jesus feeding the five thousand from five loaves and two fish...miraculous ...he turns a little into much by his power and His blessing and giving thanks...multiplication...many are fed...

Then later, after His resurrection, he waits for his disciples with  bread and fish on the fire ashore after their discouraging night of no fish...he is ready to feed the disciples again...but first their catch is multiplied to bursting....by his power ....blessing...

Following this he tells Peter to carry on feeding the flock of people who will come...

Each is about multiplying the kingdom...feeding them.,thankfulness..the power of God's Word...blessing...

Thank YOU that you continue to multiply and add to your kingdom...it wasn't a one time thing, but ageless....

Matthew 14:17-21 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 

“Bring them here to me,” he said. 

And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. 

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. 

Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 

The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

"the miraculous catch of fish, jesus films, Youtube"

John 21:4-6, 8 John 20:6 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”“No,” they answered. 

Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” 

When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 

The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 

John 21:9, 12-17 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 

Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” 

None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 

Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 

This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 

Yucatan 5...,impressions of mine....

Yucatan 5... Impressions....

Multiplication....of souls bound for heaven, of smiles, seeds sown, lives reached, tears shed, prayers answered, miles travelled, young  lives touched...ministry shared ...generational bridges...

Quotes remembered....

Life as a race...am I doing all that God has for me? Am I adding all that God wants to add? Marathon or fifty yard dash? Live  on earth as if we heavenly bound...go out as learners.  ...

What can I gain from the beatitudes ? Blessed because I know Jesus ...

Psalm 12: 

Teach us to number our days, so that we learn wisdom

Gives us perspective in life, steward of days and resources...each needs to be used wisely..be up to date with the Lord...

Ephesians 2: gift of salvation . To do good works ...prepared...everything we do is preparing us for something else...he includes us in the blessings. Live our lives with a value in eternity ....generations...

What happens in our lives, matters in life...

Observations...

A cool breeze each evening...cooling us, the spirit moving over us...refreshing us with truth and joy...

Simply painting a wall is worth a grandma's eternity...

Weeding yards costs some sweat and maybe some sun heat problems, but gains much Word seed in peoples' lives...

Hot soup on a hot day is like giving a cup of cold water to the hungry ....

Contentment isn't gained by riches...

Stick shelters and cinder block houses are easy to furnish with love ....

People don't need to speak the same language to communicate, especially children...

Chickens, turkeys, pigs and stray dogs are great welcoming committees ....

Waterless showers are great conversation topics ...as well as "how cold was your shower  this time"?

Beautiful Flowering trees bloom in the most unexpected places, adding their beauty for surprising colors...

There are Christians everywhere, hidden and unhidden...

God's truth reigns.... 

There is a harvest of souls waiting for the truth...

It is good to learn a few phrases in the language of the country you are visiting, especially "thank you". We need to be grateful in all languages...

http://omniglot.com/language/phrases/thankyou.htm

Toothbrushes and toothpaste make a very practical gift to take care of our earthly body, while the Word gives life and health to the soul...

Clean water is healthy, but the Water of Life flows freely for all people....

Luggage stickers and stickers catch the attention of various people....which can lead to the sharing of an "extra" Jesus Film dvd...

Birds in nightly chorus is wonderful background music to children's praise songs...

Thank YOU for saved lives, changed people, God charged people who are making a difference in the world...

Yucatan 3....God's delight...

Yucatan 3... God's delight...

Each morning we have a devotional...we watch a portion of the Jesus film and then ask the questions...

-what does this passage say about God?

-what does this say about people?

-what is there here for me?

We have watched the sower and the seed plus the fishermen after a night of no fish, ( the miraculous catch ) ....both memorable scenes and stories for thought as well as lessons in life...

The scenes from the miraculous catch show the disciples coming in from a night's fishing with empty nets, discouraged, tramping through the water, downcast.....Jesus is waiting  on shore and he tells them to try again even after their tiring try...they obey, throwing out their nets again....the waters churn with fish as if waiting to be caught, filling the nets to overflowing, nearly breaking them with the numbers....

The next scene show the men excited, but Jesus is smiling, delighted watching  their enthusiasm over the catch....knowing full well that their lesson is a picture to come of being fishers of people instead of fish....

"the miraculous catch of fish, jesuz films, Youtube"

Yes, there will be tiring, discouraging days,...days when there seems to be nothing in the "net" of life, but there will be days with overflowing abundance of people ready to be "caught" by the Word of life, waiting to hear the Word, challenged by it, ready for a Savior ...hearts ready and open to the message of healing and salvation.....

That is what we witnessed in each of the three villages in which we have shown the Jesus film...people waiting to be "caught" by the Word of life...from small children to grandmas...churning the seas, dreaming dreams of someone holding out the Bible to them, and their humble admission of faith in the one true Savior .....smiles with tears, hugs with joy....waiting and accepting...if only the net was cast into the sea of people...and obedience of the disciples ....prayer for the fishermen and their obedience to Christ's call to through out the nets again...

That is another  ", What good thing do I expect God to do?"...He filled the nets to overflowing .....the harvest was good...and only just beginning...

Thank YOU, God of all creation, the Winner of souls, the Mighty Fisherman, the powerful Word, all praise to you .....

Luke 5:1-11 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. 

Yucatan 4

Yucatan 4

How do you translate the Yucatan back to everyday life??

Driving miles and miles...

Limited water...

Limited bathroom facilities....

Dirt and grime...

Rain, rain and more rain...

Blistering Sun, sun and more sun....

Free roaming dogs, chickens, turkeys....

Houses made of bricks, sticks and palm fronds...

Rocky, productive soil....

People, curious, waiting .....

Soccer balls...

Language barriers...

Smiles, tears...joy...prayer requests...

Surrender....to the King of Kings....

" What good thing do I expect God to do?" I have no idea .....what His plans are....He is sovereign over all....but I know that He desires that none of this is wasted...He desires that all come  to Him breaking down barriers of seeming wealth or poverty....coming to Him humbly, seeking His kingdom, His forgiveness, His salvation...He is no respecter of wealth or not, nor position or not, tatters or not, grime or not, great houses or concrete 12x12 or mud huts,

He wants our hearts no matter from where we come .....Thank YOU, Jesus....that you have drawn these Mayan people ...and people from all over the globe....that You continue to draw ....that You draw me, ever so sweetly, gently...opening all of our eyes to Your glory day by day...

James 2:1-9 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 

Yucatan 2....

Yucatan 2.....what price a salvation?

We had the privilege of attending a local church for their services on Sunday  morning in a "local" town...I say local, everything is at least an hour and a half away from our Eco motel.

But, today the sun is shining, no rain in the forecast...different tests today...

Beautiful music in Spanish, Mayan, English...the Word spoken in Spanish, translated into English. Praise comes in all languages...just as the Word....

After the service, We are divided into groups, each assigned a translator, given paint, and yard equipment as well as a destination to a local widow's home.  There, we are to paint the front of the house or an interior wall, clean up the yard...my team painted the front of the house a bright blue, pulled weeds, racked gravel...in the intense 12-2 heat of the day...I loved doing this, but really struggled with the heat for the next few hours...trying to cool down...

But, the price was small as the local pastor was able to lead the widow to the Lord as we worked.as her family listened nearby..so for the price of some paint and some cleaning, one soul was entered the kingdom...

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

We later drove to a small village where most of the people turned out in the square for a beautiful, night of games, plays and the film...many showed their hands in acceptance of the Gospel of Christ...

" What good thing do I expect God to do?" 

His Word is strong...reaching to the lost in all nations, from the mud huts to the glass skyscrapers of the cities...nothing can thwart Him...He reached this widow in her cement block house with a can of paint and a yard rake....He loves....

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 

Thank YOU .....