Building Houses

It's always a mess if you live across the street from houses being built.  Dust all over everything, roads being blocked and tore up with the heavy equipment it takes to build.  Everyday you can watch a new row of houses built, walls going up to protect the houses, street lights, sod being laid.  Costly project especially out in California where we live.

I think about those who will move into the soon finished houses.  Each family bringing their choices of decorating, each family usually taking on more debt then they can afford.  Each family with it's own story of how they got from where they were to that new home.  Each new home will house several souls who may not know the Lord.

Watching the building across from my friends house and then watching this link I am going to post is, well two different worlds.  People are watching a house going up in the jungle too, the  only heavy equipment is the helicopter swinging the lumber in, no roads.  To keep cost as low as possible, teams of people have come to help, paying their own way into this remote location.  The house going up across from my friends will probably sell for around seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.  Cost of jungle house even using a helicopter  about 45 thousand. 

But that is not the biggest difference, the houses build across from my friend has a different motive then the one in the jungle.  After gospel is presented to the Hewen people and there are believers also a functioning church the missionaries will tear their houses down, give the lumber to the people to build say a medical clinic, their church or even add to their houses.  The people in the village who will hear the gospel soon are excited, helping the missionaries build their houses.  knowing something big is coming or why would these white folks work so hard to live here. 

 Back to the village in the jungles of Papua New Guinea.  If you have a few minutes watch how a house is built in the jungle,  see the inside, but most of all look at the face of the people in the film clip.  You will probably see some of them in heaven someday. 

If you ever get an urge to help build a house...try New Tribes Mission...connect with a missionary who needs a helping hand.  Ever want to build something that you can take to heaven with you...a saved soul housing the spirit of the living God is how.  Become part of their team by supporting a missionary.
                                     
                                                http://vimeo.com/70312202

           Thanks for taking the time to watch the link...how did it speak to your heart?

Link to:"http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=207479"

Heart Beats

                                                                        

                           The Bible talks about people with different kinds of hearts.

FAINT HEART ---which is contagious Deuteronomy 20:8 "The officers shall speak further to the people, and say, 'What man is there who is fearful and FAINTHEARTED? Let him go and return to his house, lest the HEART of his brethren FAINT like his HEART. 

HARD HEART---has some side effects. Hebrews 3:8,13,15 Do not HARDEN your HEARTS as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness, but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be HARDENED through the deceitfulness of sin. while it is said: "Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not HARDEN your HEARTS as in the rebellion."

STOUT HEART--- unrighteousness Isaiah 46:9-13 Remember the former things of old, For I AM GOD, and there is no other; I AM GOD, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, 'My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,' Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it. "Listen to Me, you STOUT-HEARTED, Who are far from righteousness: I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.

STONY HEART---Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26 "Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the STONY HEART out of their flesh, and give them a HEART of FLESH, " I will give you a NEW HEART and put a new spirit within you; I will take the HEART of STONE out of your flesh and give you a HEART of FLESH."

BROKEN HEARTED-Presence of GOD---Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to those who have a BROKEN HEART, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Luke 4:18 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the BROKENHEARTED, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

TENDER HEART--GOD will hear 2 Chronicles 34:27 "because your HEART was TENDER, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its inhabitants, and you humbled yourself before Me, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you," says the Lord.

WILLING HEART---Always gives Exodus 35:5,21,22 'Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a WILLING HEART, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze; Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the Lord's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. They came, both men and women, as many as had a WILLING HEART.

WISE HEART--God works through them Exodus 36:1 "And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every WISE HEARTED artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded."     Written by the Faith, Hope and Love Ministry

We just got back from a week trip to the northern part of California.  Our goal was to meet with four missionaries scattered in different places home on furlough.  We were encouraged  listening  to their stories of seeing people groups come from a faint, stout or stoney  heart to a place of brokenness after hearing the gospel to a place of a tender, willing and wise heart.  It matters not your location for the gospel to penetrate a heart.  It matter greatly the condition of our hearts whether we allow God to use us.   

 How often my heart is not broken for the lost.  If my focus is pleasing Betty or getting the latest stuff out there or even just being lazy my heart will not beat for the lost around me. 
 
                                                   Can I ask, what does your heart beat for? 

 

 Pain is a teacher none of want to sit under...yet all of us will suffer physical pain of some kind in this world.  It takes a deep sense of God's love  to suffer on a daily bases, day after day, week after week, year after year and still give Him glory. 

Below is a post from my blogging friend, Martha who always  encourages my heart.  I have only been reading Martha for a couple of years but I am amazed how many opportunities God puts in her way to encourage others who struggle daily.  Pain is her theme, no, that's wrong, pain will not beat her is her theme.   Even when she writes on a different subject the chronic pain will seep through her words.  Yet sometimes her post are filled with such humor, she has grown in her ability to laugh at herself.    Sometimes I just cry and pray for her and try to bring God into my replies.  I know He will heal her someday completely. 

                  Say hello to Martha, a courageous wise hearted woman.

I fell out of a tree in 1997~~landing hard on my Behind (butt), having to crawl away from the tree as a new enemy entered my life-Chronic Pain.  The changes came fast--numb toes, aching leg as it felt like a Red Hot Poker had found a place to settle!  I prayed for relief, but the burning Pain grew each day--racing through my body.

 

My life was filled with the blessing of my husband~~we quickly learned the "test" our marriage vows would take "In Sickness & in Health" as we struggle through each day of Pain together.  I resented the changes in my life, having to watch my husband suddenly become my Caretaker. We have been married for 38 years~~and we are learning there can still be Joy--regardless of Chronic Pain. 

 

For me to have come this far through a horrid maze of Pain and illness~~its by the Grace of God--plain and simple.  I had moments in those early days of Pain as it felt nobody was with me in the battle~~I learned all that was needed of me was to reach out--a helping HAND was waiting--all I had to do was "Let Go and Let God!"  

 

For anyone who lives with Chronic Pain-please know you are Not Alone--I am with you in prayer.  My words are shared through my personal blog, Pain Won't Beat Me~~please feel free to drop by anytime.  Betty is a great friend who I met via the Blogging world--we share our ups and downs.  I am a better person for simply knowing her!  

 Hugs and Blessings!  Martha

I know Martha would love to hear from you...she is a good one to talk to if you are struggling with chronic pain.  God has produced a prayer warrior out her struggles. 
                                                          Pain Won't Beat Me!

A Minute of Margin...

On my small book shelf sits a little book titled, A Minute of Margin by Richard Swenson M.D.  It's been tucked away for quite some time till yesterday  when my soul was thirsting for a word of encouragement.   Let me just give you a small piece of the introduction to the book for it alone is priceless wisdom. 

Margin is like oxygen---everybody needs some.  If we have too little, we suffer from the shortage.  If we have too much, the excess will not benefit us additionally. But having the right amount permits us to breathe deeply.

Margin is the space, specifically the space between our load and our limit.  It is this space that enhances vitality and resilience. It is the space that guarantees sustainability. It is in this space healing occurs, where our batteries recharged, where our relationships are nourished, and where wisdom is found.

  We do not follow two inches behind the next car on the interstate...that would leave no margin for error.  We do not load boats until they are submerged...that would invite disaster.  Why then do we insist on leaving no buffer, no space, no reserves in our day to day?

         Our enemy is also our beneficiary: progress.  Progress is helpful but not pure. Even as progress results in many advantages, it is also accompanied by disadvantages.  Progress bring blessings, but it also brings pain.  Overload is a human condition. 

Progress will continue to give us more, axiomatically leading to increasing stress, change, complexity, speed, intensity and overload.  Such a list is not as negative as it might first appear, but it certainly implies that discernment must be used and priorities must be clear when choosing a future course of action.

We have limits as Christian just like everyone else.  Once these limits are exceeded, we have no margin for prayer, for caring, for stillness, for community.  That I have limits, of course, in no way means that God has limits. 

The recent death of my husband's sister has caused me to think on how I spend my time in these early fall and winter years of my life.  Cannot go back and recapture the past , cannot run ahead and capture the future.  But I have today to live to my fullest or waste it on things that matter not or have no eternal value.  Even the very words I write only have a tiny chance of even being read by others.   Which is why I probably do not post much and spend much time on face to face relationships. 

 Has someone  encouraged you today by their words, a hug, a face to face contact, a note, a phone call.     Aren't you glad they took that margin of time and thought about you ? 

Link to:     "http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

Rooted

 

In the spring trees bring hope as their new growth sings.  Lush greenery offers peace in the summer.  In the fall, their colorful collages inspires creativity.  And in their emptiness, tree grace the winter with silent elegance.  (Alicia Britt Chole from her book Anonymous)

 

More from Alicia.

In the winter, are the trees bare?  Yes

In the winter, are the trees barren?  No

Life still is:

 

 The trees in the pictures has seen many seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter.  Every season drives it roots deeper and deeper  as it abides in the creation of God's rich earth, bask in His sunshine  and drinks from  His rain  Through the years I have not enjoyed the winter seasons as much as the other three because I failed to recognize it as a "rest time."

 

Alicia has this to say about the seasons.  Such is the rhythm of spiritual life: new growth,  fruitfulness, transition, rest...new growth, fruitfulness, transition, rest.  Abundance may makes us feel productive, but perhaps emptiness has greater power to strengthen our souls. 

 

In spiritual winters, our fullness is thinned so that, undistracted by our gifting's, we can focus upon our character.  In absence of anything to measure, we are left with nothing to stare at except our foundation. 

 

We begin to examine the motivations that supports our deeds, the attitudes that influence our words, the dead wood otherwise hidden beneath our busyness.  Then a life changing transition occurs as we move from resistance through repentance to the place of rest.  With gratitude, we simple abide. 

 

What season do you find yourself in right now? 

 

 

 

The Test Taker

“Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood.” Charles Swindoll quote (random thoughts this quote brought to my heart.)

Most test of courage is plastered on front pages of magazine, newspapers for the whole world to see but those inner test that reveal the character of our soul take more courage then the big ones.  If we fail the inner tests then we will for sure fail the big ones.  Now grant you when we fail those inner test the results will eventually be seen by others.

Nobody knows what movies I watch unless I tell them, or what kind of books I read.   But soon the words of my mouth will spill out what ever it is I am taking in.  Facebook and tons of blogs have given outlets to let the whole world know what you are thinking about for out of the heart comes the words we say or write.  You can fool people some of the time but not all the time.  And we never fool God. 

My quest to be a courageous wise hearted woman has led me to test my heart motive  in all things.  I want to pass the tests that come my way daily, lay my head on my pillow at night knowing I did my best and not have guilt flood me over a test I failed that day. 

Sometimes when they give you a test you get to see a sample test to help you understand what the tester wants from you.  I ask the tester of my life to give me a sample and He gave me...  Jesus, He never failed a test.

Trust me when I say I have failed many test and instead of an F, Jesus the perfect test taker signed my test in red...blood red,  I have passed this for her.  

 

               Are you in a testing time now?  Take it to the perfect test taker. 

Family Coming Home...

Logan, Scarlett, Tony, Tara and Ava Jo

 

They are coming home...in less then 24 hours we will  wrap arms around our daughter and her family.  Four years have passed since they walked on US soil.    Because they have come from  land of few choices, (Papua New Guinea) they will be overwhelmed at the abundance of choices they have to make after arriving here. Their one year home assignment will pass so quick then they will return to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those who have not heard. 

If you would like more information on their ministry you can look on New Tribes Mission web site or connect with them: tony_sutton@ntm.org.  They are open to come share at your church or small group what God is doing in Papua New Guinea. 


“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”  

  

At My Lowest

  





When I was at my lowest, confounded by obstacle, I discovered an astonishing truth.  God is attracted to weakness.  He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him.  Our weakness, in fact, makes room for His power.

Have you been there? What brought you out of it?  Or maybe I should ask, who brought you out of your lowest point?  Were you humbled?  What did God show you about yourself during that time?

I ask all that because several weeks ago I had a friend come to me about an issue in her life that was causing her to struggle with being obedient.  It was refreshing to witness a heart being humbled by God.   Refreshing to listen to a humble heart seeks answers according to the Word of God.  Which brings me back to the first paragraph which is worth repeating again.    "God is attracted to weakness.  He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him.  Our weakness, in fact makes room for His power. 

The ladies bible study I belong to has started reading Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life.  Bro. Warren says this, "real spiritual growth is never an isolated, individualistic pursuit.  Maturity is produced through relationships and community.  Just today I had the opportunity to be mature and say, I am sorry about something that offended someone.  At first I tried to say nicely I was being misunderstood.  The more I tried to defend myself, the deeper my pit got.  Only way to get out was to say I was sorry, can you forgive me?   And I really am sorry for the offence.  Yeah I am feeling pretty low right now, I just hate it when I mess up.  Which is why I needed reminded, God is attracted to weakness, (that's me) He can't resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him, (that's me too).  My "weakness", in fact make room for His power.  I just want to shout with written words....BRING ON THE POWER GOD.  Use this weak, broken, desperate old woman for Your Glory.

Link to:
http://jenniferdukeslee.com/tell-his-story/"

God Never Leaves Us Without A Song

I was challenged  while on a trip back to our home area in Kentucky.  You see everyone there knows I sing so I am called upon to do so as soon as I walk into some churches.  Knowing this you would have thought I would take special care to remember my sound tracts, but I didn't.  Really I was  hoping I could get out of it which tells you the "song" had left my heart.   Up to about 8 years ago I was learning a new song  once a month in hopes I would get a chance to sing it.  Then I remembered it was a little over eight years ago we went to Papua New Guinea and had some of the toughest years of our Christian life and very few opportunities to sing. Besides the enemy of my soul dropped these words in...no one wants to hear an old woman sing.  Then God dropped these words in my heart and the devil had to flee.

God said,   find a song that speaks to your heart that you know well and can do without any music. 

The Greatest Of All Miracles

I wasn't there by the shores of Galilee, when Jesus touched those blinded eyes and made them see
And though I did not see the empty tomb, that day, I still believe
Yes I know what Jesus did for me.

Now I believe there is power in the blood of the Lamb
And I believe there is healing in the touch of His hand
But the greatest of all miracles is when Jesus touch me
Yes I know what Jesus did for me

Now I have seen the lowest sin sick soul, have life anew, be made pure, pure and whole
And I have felt Him loose the chains of sin and set my spirit free
Yes I know what Jesus did for me. 

My voice is not what it use to be of course but again I realized it's is the heart of a song that counts and the heart of the person singing it.  Both were right each  times I sang.  God never leaves us without a song. 




 Link to:  "http://lisajobaker.com/five-minute-friday/"

Bring On The Rain, Heat and Humidity

Yesterday I realized what the hard rains, heat and humidity had been producing besides buckets full of sweat from my body. Just outside our house, along the fence is the most beautiful flowers. It had been such a rainy, hot, humid week and all I had been noticing was the frustration it was producing in me until this morning when a friend pointed out the flowers. Then it hit me, how we will never be the beautiful flowers for the Lord with out the rain of our tears that come from the trials and the period of heat and humidity that it takes to bring beautiful blooms forth. Honest there are days I just want to escape to some mountain retreat where the air is cool and dry and be able to read a book without sweat dripping on the pages. This is not the place I would have picked to serve the Lord in but it is the place God has picked for me.

We have been studying in Esther how God placed her where she was "for such a time as this". God placed her in a palace for a time when she would have a part in saving her people. Her actions could have cost her life but she was willing to perish if necessary. All God is asking of me is to endure a little heat and humidity to be a part of reaching the lost in Papua New Guinea.

Oh I want to be a woman of courage and say, bring on the heat and humidity, I'll endure for your sake Lord but as I sit typing the sweat drips on my computer and my determination withers. Then I look at the flowers again and they give me courage to cease the day for Him.
One thing you cannot see in my pictures though is all the bees buzzing in and out of those sweet flowers. I pushed past my fear of getting a bee sting to take several pictures knowing any second one could lite on me and cause me pain. I would have missed the fragrance those flowers produce when in full bloom, a heavenly smell along with an important reminded God wanted to teach me had I just gave up the venture. Wish there was some other way to have beautiful flowers without rain, heat, humidity and stinging bees...but that is God's way.

( This is a repost from about 3 years ago while we were serving in Papua New Guinea.  Sweat is not dripping from my fingers onto the key board, thank God.   Moving back to the states to serve with our mission produced it's own set of trials. They follow us where ever we live but so does He, the one who we can lean on, He does not mind sweat, dirt, tears and weaknesses.  Instead of shying away from us in our frailness He is drawn to comfort and show His strength. )

                               How has God shown Himself strong to you?
link to:
"http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/"