Settled when...

The chaos of moving has begun. What is staying in the house for James and Kels, going to another location for safe storage, or stored in our shed. Boxes are piling up...stuff to be organized still.  Shew!

As I was stressing in the midst of packing boxes, moving furniture - basically turning my home upside down -the other day and just wanting some order to my home I realized, "Debbie, you will not be settled now until you are in your new home in South Africa." Wow....that is true.

I sat in staff meeting yesterday realizing the plans being made were not something I would be a part of. My huddle has ended and I should be starting with another group of ladies...but now my huddle will be in SA with ladies I don't even know yet. 

Three weeks ago I heard the oncologist say, "You have a chronic type of leukemia...CLL...it's early and a type you may never really see serious symptoms from. It could be 10 years before you need treatment. In the meantime we will actively monitor you."  In those moments all you hear is "Cancer"  but I struggled to hear my Lord say, "All is well. It could be worse. We will get through this. You are still going."  

Settled when ...  I rely on the Lord of my life to give me a settled spirit. Looking forward to the new things He has for us and trusting Him with the big and little things.

Michael sent me this verse this morning and even though it is what God is using to speak into his life...it speaks volumes into mine....

Ps. 34:4  "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears."

Praise you my Father, Healer, Provider!

I'm settled when ... I trust you.

Caged? No way!

Lonnie submitted his retirement papers, James and Kelsey are scheduled to move in, decided what furniture stays (somewhere), goes (somewhere); passports are in and ready for the SA visa process; meeting with tax accountant scheduled; 3 big fund raising event dates set...

Crunch time spiritually? Yes sir it is!  I'm doing pretty good thanks to a great book I finished a few weeks ago....

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson

It changed my prayer life. 

• Be bold in prayers.
• Be specific in prayers.
• Don't insult God's power by praying wimpy prayers! I like that one best.
• Be consistent - keep praying and circling that prayer.

My prayer circles and scripture promises include:

• My children and their spiritual journey....Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it....
• Our mission to South Africa...the calling and the vision....He who began this good work in you will be faithful to complete it on the day of Christ Jesus.
• Our financial support ... everything is possible for him who believes!
• My peace....Be still and know that I am God...my peace I give you...

A key scripture right now to me that seems to overpower my doubts, fears, moments of distress...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the Peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.    Phillipians 4:4-7

Oh, I've had my meltdowns, my fears, my worries...but I just have to cling to these promises and what I know to be true.

I started a new book by Batterson titled Wild Goose Chase    "Wild Goose" is the Holy Spirit's name given by Celtic Christians. Batterson says it hints at the mysterious nature of Holy Spirit.  We are to chase after the will of the Holy Spirit.  An amazing quote written by Batterson jogged my spirit. It that speaks about us not following the adventure, nudging of the Holy Spirit:
"Sure, you can choose the safety and predictability of the cage, forfeiting the adventure God has destined for you.  But you won't be the only one missing out or losing out.  When you lack the courage to chase the Wild Goose, the opportunity costs are staggering.  Who might not hear about the love of God if you don't seize the opportunity to tell them?  Who might be stuck in poverty, stuck in ignorance, stuck in pain if you're not there to help free them? Where might the advance of God's kingdom in the world stall out because you weren't there on the front lines?"

This is the heart of Abba's Pride. This is why we are going.

Oh my,  Lord,

Please don't let us stay caged and in fear not to follow your Spirit's leading.  Children are stuck in poverty. Children are stuck in ignorance because they can't attend school. Children are stuck in pain because they have no hope or love.  Abba, make the way for us to follow you to South Africa. Bring the financial resources. We will live on what you give. But bring the resources to feed the children, care for them in daycare centers, send them to school and most of all help churches be their safe place where they learn of their Abba Daddy's love for them.

Amen.

Stop Pleading and Start Praising

Recently we had the amazing privilege to sit with three seasoned missionaries for wise counsel. The Smith's and Credo (from South Africa).  After an evening of encouragement and wise counsel I honestly left feeling overwhelmed and somewhat apprehensive about our ability to be in South Africa in July, 2012. I even turned to Lonnie and said, "Honey, you best not drop that retirement package just yet!"

What was the big deal? True to my battle ground...hearing that we should have the first years support in the bank before we leave. $60,000!  This allows us to be secure and launch the ministry well. We currently have just enough to buy or tickets there and 30% of our monthly needs pledged.

Lonnie and I talked briefly about the challenge on the way home...but not specifics.

I wrestled all night.

The next morning, a Sunday, we each had our quiet times in different rooms but God was speaking to our hearts in unison. He was giving us a plan...an encouragement and a plan to move towards the goal. We realized this after our QT's when we were talking about what God was teaching us.

If that wasn't encouraging enough the songs in my QT were of hope, and faith. The verse of the day on a Christian radio station was the same one God used to confirm the launching of Coastal Community Church...Phil. 1:6  Being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will be faithful and complete it on the day of Christ Jesus.  I about jumped out of my skin and wept.  Lord you are here. Lord you are there! Lord we are going there!

Reading The Circle Maker, by Mark Batterson, is also God's timing and encouragement. Two brief sections this morning were affirming and convicting.
    (1)  "There are moments in life when you need to stop pleading and start praising. If God has put a promise in your heart, praise Him for it.  You need to celebrate as if it has already happened.  You need to stop asking, because God has already answered.  And for the record, even if God doesn't answer the way you want, you still need to praise through.  That is when it's most difficult to praise God, but that is also when our praise is most pure and most pleasing to God."
  (2) "Nothing honors God more than a big dream that is way beyond our ability to accomplish.  Why? because there is no way we can take credit for it."

Wow! I'd say $60,000 in 5 months is a God sized dream, an "us"  impossible miracle.

But, I'm praising the Lord because he is a work and what he began he will finish (Phil 1:6)! He established His covenant with us many years ago (Genesis 6:18) and has been faithful to it.

Thank you Father for providing a way for us to be your servants in South Africa. Thank you for providing a base support of $60,000 before we ever leave and providing our every need while we are there. You are an awesome God!  AMEN

  
    

Take My Life...

Listening to the song "Take my Life" on my ipod during my quiet time caused me to cry. I really heard the words and felt what they meant. Take my life...my silver and gold...my intellect...my feet...my words...How easily I have sung the words in the past and yet this morning it hit hard. People ask how we are as we transition to SA...it is a journey...but it is one that requires all of us...to leave behind what we have known and move into the unknown.  Yet I was looking at videos last night and came across the one above and my heart ached to be with them...

Take my life Lord and let it be consecrated to you...for you and because of them...

New Year...Big Year

I've been slack! I'm thankful for a new year and opportunity to begin again. The Lord must just look at me and sigh at times thinking, "Ok, Debbie, let's give it another go!"  Oh, how he does love me!

Now that I've completed my Physical Therapy from the injury and surgery first of August I have 5 additional hours to my week. No more excuses!

This is what I've set as my goals:

• Read the Bible through - got the plan and already began
• Keep up with my online blog which acts as my journal - passwords reset and written down:)
• Be bold in my prayers - reading the Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
• Transition well from the States into the Mission field

There it is in a nut shell! This is going to be a big year and it will take me spending consistent time with the Father. 

Prayers for our children:

• Becca to receive an overseas teaching position after graduation in May
• Michael to dream the new dream and successfully launch his finance career. Connect with a faith community in St. Louis.
• James to continue in Seminary and balance marriage, ministry, school
• Kelsey to launch her Life Coaching career

Here's a new song that I love...The Broken Ones...I see the faces of the children I haven't met yet...thanks Becca for sharing it with me!

Week 2 Day 3

Luke 3:21-37

Jesus' Baptism and Genealogy

• v. 21 "And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.  And a voice came from heaven:  "You are my Son, who I love; with you I am well pleased."

As Jesus was praying the Father spoke to him.  How often do I miss what the Father wants to say to me because I'm not talking (praying) to him.  It's hard to talk with someone that is ignoring you.

Genealogy - seems boring but it actually shows God's faithfulness.  Through generations and generations men were instructed and love in preparation for the Son of God.  Our family history is important. Perhaps some of us have difficult fathers...mine was an alcoholic while I was living at home...but he loved the Lord and recovered from alcoholism  before he died. My children never knew him as an alcoholic.  If it was important enough for God to say to Jesus, "I love you" then our human children also need to hear this affirmation from us. Tell your children you love them!

Lord, help Lonnie and I to raise, continue to invest in, our adult children. They carry our DNA into future generations that only you can see. Help us to point them to you. To never miss an opportunity to tell them we love them! I praise you that you have taught us, and guided us, in how to parent them.  Also, thank you for desiring to speak to me every moment. Help me to be in connection with you and make that effort to hear from you.  It is vital to my existence. Amen

Week 2 Day 1

Luke 3:1-20

John the Baptist makes the way for Jesus. He is clear that he is not the Messiah.  When he teaches people about  being judged and like fruitless trees cut down,  the people begin to ask..."What should we do?" John's response is on actions...actions that demonstrate love and grace.  But, he goes on to tell them one will come that will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

• Actions do not replace a spiritual experience with the Father. We can be good caring people and not have experienced a life change and the Holy Spirit living in us.

Father,
Help me to remember my spiritual connection with you is vital. If I don't spend time with you then I will shrivel up and become a person of good deeds. I want to be a person in spiritual connection with you.
Amen