Millions of smiles...prayers...

Millions of smiles...

I was struck this morning of the multitude of boxes sent out by Operation Christmas child..
In 2013, 10 million...if each was accompanied by prayers, that means that an average 27,400 children received one and were prayed for each day of the year...
Add to that the hundreds of mission organizations...MAF, Young lIfe, Angel tree, Living water, YWAM, Teen Missions, Compassion, to name a very few...plus all the churches around the world...

We have to sift through the news and we don't hear about all of the good that is happening as the following excerpt reports or the newscasts we watch or listen to...

We ask, "where is God in all of the bad we hear?"
But, the Spirit whispers, " I am here, I never leave or forsake. I am in the truth given out each minute of the day around the world, in boxes, in a hug, in the witness of miracles, giving, lifesaving acts, in the Word shared, prayers prayed.... "

God is victorious even when we don't physically see or hear about Him...

Thank YOU...for millions of smiles...in all the touches You send out to the millions of people through the ministries which glorify You...here and everywhere...I am awed by extent of your love...it is infinite...


"Hi - I'm reading "Jesus Always (with Bonus Content): Embracing Joy in His Presence" by Sarah Young and wanted to share this quote with you.

"TRUST ME AND DON’T BE AFRAID. Do not be frightened by world events or news reports. These reports are biased—presented as if I do not exist. News clips show tiny bits of world events from which the most important factor has been carefully removed: My Presence in the world. As journalists sift through massive amounts of information, they strain out everything about Me and what I’m accomplishing on the earth."


"This year, ( 2013) Operation Christmas Child will be going to 103 countries to distribute about 10 million shoe boxes.

He also has a more important suggestion.
"Before you send your box, pray," says Graham. "Pray for the child who's going to get that box because I don't know who gets it but God does, and when we pray we know God will hear the prayer of one righteous person.  But can you imagine 10 million people praying for 10 million children?""

Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 65:2 You who answer prayer, to you all people will come.

Zechariah 14:9 The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.

Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

Hope...and the Masqueraders...

Hope...and the Masqueraders...

"We never stopped dreaming..."

http://www.coolestone.com/media/17247/The-Masqueraders---A-Change-Is-Gonna-Come---AGT-2017/#.WVT0fOtHaK1

I listened to this soul group early this am and was in tears by the end of their short song...they put their heart and soul into the words and movements...

I really don't know anything about them, but their comment, "we never stopped dreaming" resonated to my being...

There are down times, dark times in our lives that feel like they will never end, we can see the tiny light of hope, we know that God is there in our heart of hearts, but the darkness lingers, hovering, or clinging to our souls...we cry out, we just plain cry, and the weight stays on, consuming whatever joy we hold...

I have seen it in the eyes of my children, in myself, in others around me, when hope seemed just beyond  our grasp and darkness reigns...one of
My daughters  put it so aptly, " I thought there was a light at the end of the tunnel, but it was another train" ( or similar words)...

It may be mourning change, lessons to be learned, hormones, grief, ...a multitude of reasons...but one day, we do see the light, the hope deferred, we feel the joy, and we know that the darkness really has an ending...we are climbing out of the pit, one hand over another...

I don't like the darkness, but the lessons learned are like no other...and the joy at the end is deeper, abiding in the very depths of my soul...
The quote, "we never stopped dreaming" and the song, "a change is gonna come", hit deeply...

Thank YOU...
Psalm 138:6-8 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 40:2-3 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.

48 1/2...

48 1/2....

Today would have been our 48 1/2 year anniversary.  But, we got 43 years instead. When I was reading the following devotional in "Jesus Always", I thought of those breaths that God has given...each one totally dependent upon Him...I can't  do it on my own, even though I may think I can...only He gives the air, the muscle power, the ability to draw each breath...

I remember watching, first my mom, then my husband, and finally my father draw those labored breaths as each body finally shut down and they entered into the next phase of their lives...I admit, I couldn't watch the final breaths, for me personally that as too much...watching death...but I held their limp hands as long as I could...giving them and myself permission to leave...

The song, "this is air I breathe...." Brings back those moments when they didn't need help breathing anymore...they were in God's hands just they had been all along..as each of us left are...a reality check...God gives and he determines length of days by the air we breathe...the breaths we take...the plans he has for us...

Thank YOU...for the breaths you alone give...

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Psalm 90:12, 14 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Hi - I'm reading "Jesus Always (with Bonus Content): Embracing Joy in His Presence" by Sarah Young and wanted to share this quote with you.

"June 28 EVERYTHING YOU HAVE IS A GIFT from Me, including each breath you breathe. I shower so many blessings on you that it’s easy to take some of My precious gifts for granted. Most people don’t recognize the wonder of inhaling My Life continually. Yet it was only when I breathed the breath of Life into Adam that he became a living being. As you sit quietly in My Presence, try thanking Me silently each time you inhale. As you exhale, affirm your trust in Me. The longer you do this, the more relaxed you will become. While you are taking time with Me, I help you appreciate and thank Me for blessings you often overlook: skies and trees, light and colors, loved ones and daily comforts. The list is endless! The more you look for good things in your life, the clearer your vision becomes. Of course, your greatest gratitude should be for eternal Life, which is yours because you believe in Me. This is a priceless forever-gift that will fill you with ever-increasing Joy in My Presence!"

Start reading it for free: http://a.co/7a3WtIo
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Where have all the birds gone....

Where have all the birds gone...

A long time ago, in a far away place, there was a song, "where have all the flowers gone?" Written by Pete Seeger and it is still performed...he wrote it during the Vietnam war era...gleaned from words the Cossacks sang as they went off to war in yet another war long ago...

The song streams through my head only I have changed the initial words to, "where have all the birds gone?"

This last year and a half, several contractors have been tearing up, building a new housing subdivision across the street...what once was an open field with trees, brush is now scraped off ground filling with houses one after another...signs stick out of the ground saying available and sold, dust continually blows, trucks of all sizes are lumbering up and down the street all during the day, six days a week...

This summer I have noticed, sadly, that the birds, which were abundant, are gone...not even the militant starlings, are gone as well...my bird feeders stand full, which in times past needed filling almost every day..
The hummingbird feeder has no takers as well...

I guess the birds don't like the noise and upheaval anymore than I and a new normal has been established...with them finding new homes further away in new trees...change...for us all...

I am disappointed that they have left...they were fun, entertaining, and brought life each day...they washed in the bird bath, sat in my trees or hooted in the big tree in the evening, scavenged food from the ground,  they brought their songs, babies to the feeders, fought over the nectar in the flowers...

Maybe next year when the building has calmed, they will return...

Another lesson in contentment...thank YOU...a tranquil heart and life...in the face of change...

Numbers 6:26 The Lord lift up His countenance (face ) upon you with divine approval, And give you peace (a tranquil heart and life).AMP

Philippians 4:11, 13 Not that I speak from any personal need, for I have learned to be content and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy regardless of my circumstances. I can do all things which He has called me to do through Him who strengthens and empowers me to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace. AMP

Columbia 12.. The Lord, he is God...

Columbia 12

The Lord, He is God...

Two weeks before taking this journey to Columbia, our pastor was sharing about Elijah on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18... How God rained down fire on a completely soaked offering  and sent much needed rain to a dry and thirsty land after a three year draught...

After the people who watched the  offering being consumed, they said...

1 Kings 18:39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”

One of the leaders alluded to this story on the first day of our journey into giving, observing, listening...

We were going to a newly built church on a "reservation" allotted to the Wayuu people.  Their family groups are usually led by witch doctors.
This particular group was in the process of getting a new one as one of the tribe was being trained for leadership...she was learning the craft...but God had other plans...He brought salvation to this woman and her family...

So, instead of witchcraft, she and her family bring the gift of life to the people...

The church was filled with children, some walking 2 hours to come...dressed in their best, some with backs packs to carry water or food, they sat in rows on the cement floors...girls on one side and boys on the other...waiting...watching ...excited about this special event...then the gospel was presented several different ways, through stories, clown acts, wordless book colors...at the culmination they received a box sent from a far place...just especially "hand picked" for them...

These children didn't know that they were getting a tangible gift nor a sandwich and juice, they were excited to come to a special event...in a new building...

The theme of the pastor and family is 1 Kings 18:39b, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”
They have seen miracles happen, they have witnessed how God moves people...how he works in the lives of their family... how he brings life to a dry and thirsty land...

Thank YOU...for sending your light to dark places...changing lives with your consuming fire...your love...

1 Kings 18...

Hearing aids...

Hearing aids...

4 years ago, I had a hearing test done, normal..2 years ago, borderline...this year, below normal....

I knew it was coming, I wasn't hearing the low tones I knew were there and I had purposed long ago that if I ever experience hearing loss, I would do something about it and not hold others captive because of my problem...

My father refused to acknowledge he was having trouble hearing, so we had to talk louder and louder or listen to his blaring TV that you could hear down the street as well as others who couldn't hear in his neighborhood. Your ears were ringing after awhile from the loudness...

So on with the aids...wow, what a difference...I can now hear the blinker in the car that hasn't turned off or even the light switch when I turn the lights off or on plus a multitude of other sounds that I had forgotten...what a difference...somethings are too loud as well...and it is controlled by my app on my phone or tiny buttons on the apparatus...light weight and fits my ears so well I panic once in awhile that I have lost them... 

The hearing aids have been a reminder yet again of God and his Word...I don't want to slowly not hear what He is saying  by listening more and more to the world and its noise...I want to hear the Spirit speak truth...I want to hear  God when he speaks and not be deaf to  his voice or Word...I want to hear the warnings, the love, the comfort, the admonishments, the encouragement...all that He wants me to hear...

Thank YOU that You speak to my heart, soul ...help me listen, help me not to be without hearing...let me hear...

Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable. 

Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 

Matthew 11:15 Whoever has ears, let them hear. 

Mark 7:31-35, 37 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” which means “Be opened!”. At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.” 

Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 

John 10:27-29 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 

Columbia 11...Young Life to the teens...

Columbia 11

Young life...to the teens...

One more Columbia...
After the quick trip to Columbia for Samaritans Purse, I stopped in Florida to visit with some friends who also work in Columbia, but commute back and forth...

He is a geologist who works in mining and exploration...and she is an art teacher turned to Young Life.   Or maybe I should say, Young life turned her and by the way she was an art teacher as well...

Anyway, they lived where I used to live and we have known each other since our  children were little...our husbands working together for a time in geology...she taught in the local high school and then went full time with Young life in two area high schools...building up that ministry into a wonderful outreach for teens...touching so many lives both teens and parents...and now the teens are adults...

Recently, they moved to Florida, to be closer to his work and to be warmer...
Not one to be idle, she found another Young Life niche in Columbia, so they can travel together, minister together ...encourage one another...

She is helping to get an area Camp going , expecting 240 teens in two sessions. The Columbian director is finding leaders, cooks, etc..and she is adding enthusiasm, prizes, prayer, wisdom from past experience...

What a delight to watch them in this new setting...but, the same goals of service and love for the Lord...

Thank YOU for them...build up, encourage them in this new venture...

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Psalm 112:9 They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor.