Bring an umbrella

 .Science tells us we can’t stop anticipation from happening. The human brain is always on and always working. Anticipation is rooted in the portion of the brain known as the cerebellum, which controls “automatic, “non-thinking” behavior. (Now,  how many of you knew that little fact?)

With  anticipation always in play, the human brain desires more Dopamine. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter. It’s released from the brain’s frontal lobe and acts as a stimulant that prevents pain, stimulates arousal and causes excitement. Dopamine stimulation happens when we experience and expect good things. Anticipating positive events sustains the output of dopamine into the brain’s chemical pathways.

Scientific experiments show that most people anticipate future positive events, as opposed to future negative events. 

It doesn’t matter if you’re an optimist or a pessimist; the brain is wired to anticipate positive experiences.  ( God sure did create a great brain)
 ________________________________________________________________________________

All the above is knowledge for the head, now here is  some heart knowledge on, "anticipation", which is a powerful Biblical principal. 

To anticipate is ‘to foresee and act in advance of, example....

In Exodus 12, Moses instructed the Israelite's to get ready immediately for their immediate exodus from Egypt. They were to eat the Passover lamb in anticipation—clothed, prepared and ready to go on their journey. (Exodus 12:11)

Get ready! It is time to move!

 Anticipation is an expression of faith

Anticipation is about preparing and making room for what you know is yours by faith. It is getting ready for what God has told you is coming.

Noah began building the ark—a large boat—in anticipation of a flood. Hebrews tells us, ‘By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.’ (Heb 11:7)

‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ (Heb 11:1

Ten people gather to pray for rain in a time of drought. One person brings an umbrella. That’s 

anticipation!

Our family is not ark builders, nor are we preparing for an exodus from the United States,  but we  did start planning for a family reunion this Christmas. 

Our goal way back was to all be together in one house for Christmas this year.  Since last Christmas we had been putting aside a little funds just for this special event.  And God started working out the details and with each answered prayer our anticipation grew.  

 About three and half months ago  we, along with our son and family decided to do the California thing and rent a house together.   We had been looking for over a year for just the right house that would work for two families and God in His timing provided, and it's perfect for our family get together. 

This past weeks I have prepared everyone's favorite candy, cookies, bought the ham and turkey, stocked our cabinets with lots of goodies, planned our menus, checked on museums and zoos to go see,  and even praying about going to a theme park.  Honestly though,  our number one thing to do is just hang out together, play games together, do some hiking together, and of course eat all I have prepared.  

 There must be a lot of Dopamine stirring in my brain because I am super excited. Today is the day our faith will be come sight when our daughter and family step off the plane.

A friend ask me a few weeks ago, what if something happens and your plans do not come to pass.  It would be a huge disappointment but I trust the Lord to help me if that happens.  He did not promise us a family reunion here on this earth.  But there is one coming someday that no one can stop because God has planned it, prepared for it and He will bring it to pass.  The anticipation is building for that day when He shouts and calls us home.  But for now I am going to enjoy this Christmas to it's fullest.  

 This song popped into my heart as I wrote that last paragraph. 
 What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see

When I look upon His face , the one who saved me by His grace

When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the promise land

What a day glorious day that will be

(I've got my umbrella ready and waiting for that glorious day). 

                      Merry Christmas 

Latest update...on Member Care ministry.

 

    A recent ministry trip to visit some missionaries on home assignment had us driving through
Northern California and into Oregon where there was snow on the mountains surround by beautiful fall colors.  I know Ace got tired of me saying, oh stop here, then just around the next bend, I repeated it, please stop.  Thank God he is a patience man and even took pictures for me.

I started thanking the Lord for the meetings that prompted us to travel over 2000 miles and meet with eight missionaries. Our first stop was Fresno, California where we had our first meeting with a couple who had just returned to the states.  That night we met up with a gal, Mary,  who served in Papua New Guinea for years. It was encouraging to hear how God was meeting her needs since she returned.

Next day we head into southern Oregon, making it in time for the church service  at the church (Foots Creek) we attend when in that area.  That night they were celebrating Thanksgiving, it was great connecting with folks we had met on a previous trip.  

We fell into bed contented knowing  each meeting had the hand of God on it.  The third day of our trip while Ace was getting a transmission issue looked at , I visit a young mother who had served in South East Asia that was home due to family issues.  We talked for hours about what God has been teaching her about trusting Him. That night we went to dinner at the home of the worship leader of Foot Creeks church.  They had also invited a couple we had met at the Harvest Party who is very interested in New Tribes Mission.  To our surprise this couple wanted to meet us for breakfast and talk more about missions.  Our excitement was building as they ask one question after another about missions.

We had already arranged a meeting with another couple the next day and also spend some more time with the young mother home from Asia due to family issues.
 An extra bonus, we got to take her two girls to McDonalds and give her a little break.  We try to look for practical ways to help beside just sitting in meetings.

Our main ministry is to connect with those on home assignment but we always try to meet up with a retired missionary in whatever  area we are visiting.   We love to hear their stories, draw from the wisdom and insight God has given them through the years.  But mostly we just want to take them out to eat and say, thank you for your years of service.  John Jette was living about an hour away from where we were staying so we connected with him and he was willing to meet us at a great restaurant. John served 31 years in Papua New Guinea, mostly in the Aria tribe where he translated the bible into their language. He has the best stories, one in particular we love to hear him tell is when he tossed out of boat into the ocean for 7-8 hours in the open sea.  A government boat finally picked him up and told him he was the catch of the day. 


Our goal was to keep this update to one page.  We had several more visits and will share them next time.  The longer we do the Member Care ministry the more we see the importance of it.  To be able to give an understanding ear, counsel, encouragement and resources is just one way to help a missionary adjust back to stateside living. 

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support that makes it possible for us to be flexible with those who have given their lives to take the gospel to the least reached.  It's your support that buys our gas, pays for the meal we share with missionaries, supply the  resources  when needed.  It's about being part of a team whose goal is reaching the lost. Thank you.  
        
                                      In His Service, Ace and Betty Draper.

Going Deep

The picture on the left is called an underwater base jump.  It reminded me of Proverb 20:5 The purpose of a man's heart are deep water, but a man of understanding draws them out.  

Recently our mission held a coaching workshop giving us another tool to Member Care others. Below is the highlights that stood out to me.  

Coaching is an on-going intentional conversation that empowers a person or group to fully live out God's calling.  Keith E. Webb 
In couching, the focus is on the one being coached.  Steve Ogne says, if you are talking, you are not listening. There is a 80/20 percent rule in couching.   The coachee talks the most, they create their own action plans, they set the agenda.  Listening is of great value to the coachee and a wonderful gift to give.  Another great part of coaching is its about the person not the problem, I love this point.  

"I pray also 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 n the saint, and His in comparable great power for us who believe."  Ephesians 1:18-19  A coach can help others see what God has already put inside them.

A coach provides the process not the content.  A great question to ask is, "what result would you like to take away from our conversation?  Three times the Gospels record Jesus asking people what they want.  Amazing He has so much to offer, so much insight to their real needs, yet He allows these people to lead the conversation according to how they perceive their own needs or interest. 

Powerful questions come from profound listening and engagement with a person.  What makes a question powerful is it's ability to provoke reflection in the other person. This is where I would like to park and give some of the things I learned and still learning  

1. The question "Why" is difficult to answer because it may force judgments that are premature to the conversation. It is also backward-looking, while we want to be forward-looking. 
2. A closed question is one that can be answered "yes" or "no". 
3.  Open questions require coachees to reflect and to express their thoughts verbally. 
4. Directive questions guide the coachee in a specific direction or to evaluate a specific solution.  5. Emotions questions will give the coachee insight into their behavior, motivations, and plans.  
6. Facts questions answer the who, what, where, when, etc. Be careful not to interrogate!
7. Permission questions create openness by giving the coachee a choice before asking the question.  
8. Pure questions that are neutral and come from a non-judgmental heart. Questions that are judgmental or negative tear down and dis-empower rather than motivate and inspire others.(these are all discussed in more detail in a workshop or in the book)

Like all new tools  you must use it over and over to perfect it.  You can cut your finger off with a power hand saw if you do not practice carefully. Same goes for coaching, counseling, or mentoring, it takes practice to not wound someone with a questions.  The fear of hurting someone instead of helping can drive me to step back and not take the plunge into the deep, the unknown.  But it can also drive me to use caution and humility.   I can trust the Holy Spirit to bring understanding for every encounter I have. 

Most of this post is taken from the book, The Coaching Workshop by Keith E. Webb.  If using couching as a method to help others interest you,  it"s easy to find a web workshop on the internet.   At this point I am coaching one young lady by phone and my husband and I are coaching  a young couple on a weekly basis at their home,  so God is helping us put into practice the things we have learned and still learning.   

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, but let us encourage one another ---and all the more as you see the day approaching."Hebrew 10:24-25

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY BLOG FRIENDS, THANK YOU FOR THE INSIGHT AND WISDOM YOU SHARE ON YOUR BLOG, ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME AND OTHERS TO CONTINUE TO SHARE JESUS WITH EVERYONE.  BLESSINGS

Press On-Selah

         
Do you need a word of encouragement today?  Got any trials that are on going?  Wondering if you will ever see another mountain top?  Is the valley the lowest you can remember?  Take heart, God is our  help in our race, He runs besides you and keeps saying above the roar of the world, press on, come on you can do this, I am with you every step of the way, press on.  It's not much farther, you can finish, press on.  

Life has a way of reminding us how frail we are.  Every part of your body may hurts, and your minds cannot take in one more detail yet you must keep going, people depend on you.  

That"s the way it's been for a few weeks around our house.  You see, we have been in a move for a month and about a week ago we moved into a new place with our son and family.  We have moved a lot in the 51 years of marriage but this was the first time we moved two families at once.  And the first time we have done it at 68.  Even when you know the move is from the Lord, your feet still hurt so bad you cannot get to sleep.  

    God did not take the pain out of the move.  

This song kept running through my mind at each step we took to get to this lovely place.  Press on Betty, come on, one step before the other, it will be worth it when all the things are put away and you have time to enjoy each other.  God has walked every step with us, but my feet still hurt. 

Way before they nailed his feet to the cross, His feet hurt. He walked all over Israel preaching and teaching. Then He walked up Calvary, with blood dripping everywhere from the beating and whipping.  His feet must have been swollen beyond recognition.  He could have healed His own feet,  stopped the blood from flowing but He pressed on. A move to another house is a small thing in light of what He did for us on Calvary.  I pray this song encourages you as you press on in what ever situation God has you in.  
       
 
                  

       

      

Good questions

For the past 4 months, the Inapang Bible teachers and many faithful women have been making the long hike to Tangguat each week to live out the Great Commission and preach the Gospel to those who have been bound by the enemy's lies for generations. This past week they heard the amazing story of God Himself giving his life as a sacrifice for the sins of man. It has been a joy and a privilege to partner with and labor alongside the Inapang church and to see God bring glory to His name in this corner of the jungle. As Tim (missionary) sat with the Bible teachers late in the evening after the crucifixion lesson had been taught that morning, the Bible teachers were saying, "God has certainly prepared this place for Himself and His word! They are embracing it and believing it in such an amazing way. This is only God!"

Here is one of the testimonies that was shared with us after the finale of the Gospel presentation ..."God sent his Son to this ground to be born from a woman and He followed God's thinking all the way until he was grown, and it was all to pay for our sin. I believe what I have heard and I can't do anything to save myself from my sin. I heard that the Deliverer would come and I thought about him and I thought about him and wondered how he would save me. He came to become our "sin-person" and defeat Satan and get us back from him. I heard about him and I believed and trusted in him as I heard his story all the way until yesterday and today's story. I am giving God a big thank you that He sent His only Son to save us. I am getting a very big thank you and giving it to God because He was thinking of us and sent His Only Son whom He loved very much. All the sins that we were doing before and that we will do, we couldn't save ourselves from those, but God sent His Son for us and for all the bad people. True, true, true, true... This is God's story. Jesus is with us. He is the one door to God. His blood was shed for us and if we believe in Him, then by that road we will come to God. He has completely erased all our sin and because of that I am so happy. Thank you, Tim, (missionary) so much for coming. We were nothing, we were just bush people who were going astray, but God by His strength sent you to Papua New Guinea to the bush people to preach His word. And Jesus is with us now. He died for us. I am completely believing in that. He is coming again and those that believe in Him, He will come back to get us. But those who do not believe in Him will go to the place of fire. I cannot save myself from this... only God."

I love this testimony of God's work through missionaries who stepped out of their comfort zone to take light into these dark places.  Here the thing though...that darkness is all around us in America too.    Just a few days ago I sit across from a young women who was in darkness.  How did I know that?  By asking a few simple questions, such as, do you believe there is a God, a creator?  Have you heard of Jesus and who do you think he is?  Out of those few questions she begin to tell what she believed.  

 She truly believed she was re-incarnated several times and it was God who did that. She had heard of Jesus but did not know Jesus Christ was the perfect Son of God, God in the flesh. She did not know He came to die for her.  Just because there is a church on every corner and religious programs on the TV does not mean people have an understanding of the Bible.   We tend to think just those living in the remote jungles do not know the answers to the Bible.  

Occasionally I  watch, Watter's World on fox news.  He goes around asking specific questions about history which is embarrassing because it really shows how little American's know about America.   Good questions will reveal what we believe or know. 

       Below is a few questions to use when witnessing to someone. 

1. Transitioning question:  Can I ask you an interesting question? May I ask you what you think will happen to you after you pass away?
2. Where are you on your spiritual journey?
3. What is happening spiritually in your life.  
4. If you died tonight, are you 100 percent sure you would go to heaven and why?
Those are only a few questions that can bring the information needed to proceed in presenting the gospel.

  The young women I wrote about was willing to meet with me because I had earned favor with her by caring about her in general ways.  I did not have to travel to the jungle, only to McDonalds, or learn a new language to ask some eternal questions.  All I had to do was care more for her soul then what she ate that day.   This young women will now meet those Tangguat believers in heaven.  But just like those missionaries serving across the ocean our work is not done.  There is much disciplining yet to come to help these new believers mature in their faith.  

I Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to give an account (explanation)  for the hope that is in you with gentleness and reverence.  Lets reach the tribe we live around.  

Forgiven Unforgettable

   A few week ago I downloaded some free books for my Kindle to read as we traveled.   One by one I begin to read as we crossed off the miles on our trip. The first three were light novels, easy reads, until I opened chapter one of Nikki Lee Brannon book, Forgiveness Unforgettable.   With each chapter I kept saying to my husband as I read, "your not gonna  believe this", "this is uncanny, too real.    

(Forgiveness-Unforgettable )

You see, Nikki's  story  is also mine.   There are a few things that are different but the core of her story is so close to mine that I was left in tears with each page I read. My tears were full of gratefulness for not only surviving a painful childhood, but for God's love that has healed those wounds that left scars fit for the Master use.  

Nikki story reminded me how well I hid what went on in our home most nights.  Even my closest friend did not know because I never talked about it even with my best friend. Never invited her to stay all night with me for fear she would know.  Looking back I am amazed how I went on about my daily life as if nothing was going on.   Shame is a powerful emotion which toughens the heart by building a wall around it that keeps everyone out and pain in. 

There are times I  wish I could share  good memories of my father but, honestly they are not there.  What I have learned to do though, is not hide the bad ones. In doing so God, (my heavenly Father), has built great memories of how my past pain can help others to no longer live as a victim but as a victor.  Just reading Nikki's story, seeing in print how God brought her from being a victim to having the strength to write such a healing book made me feel victorious with every word. 

What I can write about is God love for me that pierced me deep enough to cause a yearning to be like Him.  When you want to be like Him you give Him permission to heal your wounds, through the power of His forgiveness. 

 Long before He became my Savior He gave  me the gift of choice.   When  I was a child I did not understand the power that gift contained.  The power of choice let me  affect  my destiny. Choosing God's way to forgive is often the hardest way, but God will reward you for your wise choices. Charles Stanley  frequently says, Obey God, leave the consequences to Him."

My choice, along with Nikki and many others is  to live as a victor rather then a victim which has resulted in a life of freedom just as John 8:32 says, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples, then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. So the power of choice is not a myth but the most solid truth you can find. When we choose God and let his ways dictate all of our choices, we receive the freedom that no other choice can equal. 

Forgiveness is a choice and a process, it's not magic. 
“Forgiving someone doesn’t mean condoning their behavior. It doesn’t mean forgetting how they hurt you or giving that person room to hurt you again. Forgiving someone means making peace with what happened. It means acknowledging your wound, giving yourself permission to feel the pain, and recognizing why that pain no longer serves you. It means letting go of the hurt and resentment so that you can heal and move on. ~Daniell KoepkeLife 

 Nikki and I have struck up a relationship through Facebook and recently she referred to her book as "our book".   I have pondered those words for I know many will see themselves in her book.  It is "our story", those of us who chose to forgive.   The enemy of our soul meant it to destroy, but he is no match for the God of the universe who can heal any willing heart.  

Need a touch from God, Nikki's book will give you that. 

He Is

Someone told me years ago if you want to stay excited about who God is, then,  muse, think, talk, study, teach, sing, meditate, pray, about His character.  I challenged myself to listen to this little 3 minute 11 second video clip for a month.   I double dare you to try this challenge, it will take you beyond excitement, it will take you past your emotions, consume your mind till you cannot do anything by praise Him and trust Him for whatever is going on in your life.  

   
                

A Team Effort...

Not sure why the video says 8 eight minutes on it because it is only 3 minutes and 37 seconds long.   Today I was watching some of New Tribes Missions video's thinking about which ones to share.   This one stood out because we have been on that helicopter with that pilot several times and I came to love it.  Unlike a plane the heli goes lower and slower so you can see more of God's creation.  And there is such beauty to see in Papua New Guinea but the best part was the beauty we seen  face to face  when we landed and met up with the missionaries and believers in what ever location we flew into. These folks will tell you they are  not extraordinary but their God is and it is He who they trust to do the task He has called them to.  

A team starts back in the local church, a missionary comes to visit, maybe your church supports or they are looking for support.  They stand before you pouring God's heart out that the whole world needs to hear the gospel.  Sitting in a pew you listen to God's heart and sometimes you hear Him say, "I want you to go", I want you to give", "I want you to pray".  I want you to be involved somehow.   I pray you listen...

 That pilot and the couple in the Hewa tribe sit just where you sit and heard God speak to their hearts.   Training came next for you would not want to do what the pilot or the couples does without it.  God loves for us to be prepared for the task so we can be more effective.  Finally after a few years you find yourself flying in a helicopter into a remote location excited to see what God is doing in the jungle.  He certainly not looking for Tarzan, He is seeking lost souls, bound for an eternal hell unless they have a chance to hear and accept the gospel. 


                     

 My heart gets all mushy every time I watch one of these videos. Our lives,  Ace and mine,  was forever changed when God ask us to be part of the team that serves in a foreign country.  Every time we meet with a young couple home from a foreign country and hear their stories , almost every time after we leave them, one of us will say, man, I could work with that couple.  And every time we both wish we were young again, just starting out.  

Tomorrow we start off on a three day trip to northern California to meet up with four different couples serving in three different countries.  They are on home assignment now, or as we oldies call it, furlough and we get to meet them face to face and with God's grace encourage them.   Possible give them some direction for helping them settle back into stateside living.  After living in these remote place it's pretty over whelming to come back into the land of abundance.  

We have come full circle, from the stateside church, to the foreign field, back to the states and we are still part of the teams, serving as Member Care Reps for our mission.  And you who pray for us, thank you, we never cease to need prayer, never.  Some of you have supported us and for that we are grateful.  Our journey is not over............more to come......

                       Where are you in your journey?

Writing has been hard for me lately due to a health issue that has required some new meds that literally makes my mind numb a lot.    Along with asking for prayer I wanted to share this song that does keep running through my mind.   

I've been in this place many times, you know that place where the only thing you can do is trust the Lord or fret.   Fretting never lift the Lord up, it always lifts up the circumstances.  

I have been reading many of your blog lately which has been an encouragement to me and  bring me back to the truth of this song.  He is the God on the mountains and the valleys.  He created both so we would learn to enjoy Him in what ever place we find ourselves.  

This little break I am taking has already been profitable for my soul.  Living with limitations tends to make us humble and God knows I need to be humbled.  But they also give us wisdom and insight into Him.  Before you get overly concerned, this is not a life threatening issue.  A little life debilitating at times in reading and writing.  

Just drop a prayer at the throne on my behalf when you get time.  Thank you. 

Being quiet before the battle...

 How did it get so late so soon? It’s night before it’s afternoon. July is here before it’s August. My goodness how the time has flown. How did it get so late so soon?   
~ Dr. Seuss

I do believe this has been the longest stretch of time I have went without posting.  With so much going on in the world and in our personal lives I have felt the need to just listen and read what others are saying and writing.  Silence is not sticking ones head in the sand and ignoring issues, personal or world wide such as, same sex marriage, racism, war in the middle east or the political problems.  Silence is best used to gain insight into what God has to say about anything and everything. 

In fact I have to agree with the wise men of the Bible, "even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise, when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. (Proverbs 17:28).  This period of time has given me a chance to really think about what my mouth says, is it wisdom that comes from the Lord or my opinion?    Is the words coming out of my mouth ones that would draw someone closer to the Lord, or drive them away.  Am I using my mouth to promote Godly values, and His view, not mine?  

I could easily get caught up in moral and injustice issues and spend my time fighting to bring about change in any area.  And I applaud others who do that but this silence time has helped me to confirm some things God has taught me and re-teaching.   

I am also a firm believer in this scripture, which covers for me all the hurtful, evil, sad, painful and terrible things happening in the world.   Matthew 15:18-23 ‘‘What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,  greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’” 

Our heart ultimately governs our behavior. So when we say or do something that "surprises" us, if we will get really honest with ourselves (and with God) and think about it, we will discover the root of that action.

God is more interested in our motives – the why behind the what. Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (NIV). He is not looking at our outer actions as closely as He is looking at what motivates them. Because what's inside us is the root of what comes out of us. God is much more concerned that the things we do come from a pure, Holy Spirit-led heart.

So instead of joining one of the good causes out there and battling that injustice I am going to join the battle of the ages again.  It the same battle that's been going on since creation.  It cannot be won with guns, laws, protest, marches, and even  votes.   The battle was fought and won at Calvary.  

I chose this day to fight the good fight, to give out the gospel which is the only thing that will clean a heart and make it pure.   With God's help I am going to share John 3:16 anytime, anywhere while I have the freedom to do so.  It is my weapon of choice. 

 "It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge, and my job to love.  Billy Graham