Fried Chicken

 Wasn't going to post this week, to many things going on. Then I read a post over at, After Thought, who wrote about her past two years of writing in the blogging world.  I thought it would be good to review and see if I had grown any in my writing skills.  I started blogging 2007 as a way to use the creative side of me and to me it was kinda like a journal.  First blog post below: I am totally white headed now)

Ladies, this is especially for you just in case you are wondering what you could do on the mission field or anywhere God has placed you. 

There are some women who are very gifted at languages and translation, praise the Lord if you are one of them. But I am not, I barely can talk the trade language Pidgin. 

Some of you may be computer smart, skilled in bookkeeping, but that's not me. Which is why my husband Ace does not ask me to help in the finance office. 

Teachers are greatly needed to teach missionary children at the boarding school but since I do not have a teaching degree no one is after me to teach.

 

There is also no call on my life to preach , but there is a call to teach women. 

God has called me to be a wise hearted woman just as He did those women in Exodus 35 who were helping to build the Tabernacle. Those women were willing to use the gifts and abilities, such as spinning goat hair to be use for the curtain surrounding the Tabernacle. Again something else I cannot do, spin goat hair but my desire to be a "wise hearted woman" led me to ask the Lord to give me a ministry that would support those reaching people who have never heard the gospel. 

That's how the fried chicken ministry got started.....a good dinner of fried chicken with the works will fill the belly but will also provide a time of fellowship that can be used to encouraged and help our missionaries adjust to living in a third world country. 

Most of missionaries are tucked away in remote bush locations for months at a time and when they come out need somewhere to stay and refresh themselves. A fried chicken dinner is a little touch of home and puts a smile on everyone face and gives me great joy and brings God glory.

 I will never be famous like Colonel Sanders but here in the country of Papua New Guinea,  just ask any New Tribe missionary and others we have hosted about Betty's fried chicken. Just this past week we had a family out for a break with their children and what a treat to see those children chow down on that chicken leg and drink sweet southern tea. Conversation flows freely around a table set with love and has the feel of home to those who have left their homes to minister in far away places. 

Because of this part of my ministry I have rubbed shoulders with women whose lives and experiences have made them wise beyond their years. So let me invite you to come visit us and we will sit down together over a plate of chicken, mashed potatoes and the ever full pitcher of ice tea and talk of the things God is teaching us. Then after our food has digested we can take a walk in a nearby village where what you will see will affect your heart forever. 

You might be wondering what part does my husband play in my ministry beside helping to eat all left over chicken when there is some. Well he is the best dishwasher a wife could ask for. I am really praying he does not break down for I do not know where I would get another like him. 

Let me challenge your heart first to be "wise hearted", willing to look for ways to use what ever skills, talents, abilities God has given you at what ever age. I have many friends who use the gift of encouragement in so many different ways. some send packages to missionaries, emails, cards, support financially and pray a lot. These women are my support team helping me support another team reaching people who have never heard the gospel. Be a 'wise hearted" women today and bring God glory.

 

Have you even been called, "extreme", concerning your faith? Have you had someone to say, "you need to cool it with that religious stuff"!

,If you have, then you realize you do not fit in with the world view and this is sad to say, sometimes not in Christian circles. 

 Last night I sit with a bunch of younger than me women, and listened to their conversations. Not once did they talk about the Lord, not once. What they did do was talk about other people issues, not their issues, but others issues. The bible calls it gossip. It was hard to keep my mouth shut, this radical Jesus believer wanted to call them out for their gossip. At one point I thought maybe, I should say, hey, wait a minutes, why don't we stop and pray for the ones they were talking about. But I didn't...my bad, I felt awful about not saying anything. I am sure a couple would have been offended but maybe I am wrong about that too. Anyway, I can't stop thinking about it. One reason is I am one of the, "older women the bible talks about that is suppose to teach the younger ones.

I am going to order a book titles, Faithfully Different by Natasha Crain. Read a post on it this morning and was convicted again for not saying anything last night. I am wondering if I am still an extreme believer? When did I slip into a worldly world view and worry about offending others by calling forth truth.

The author of the book says, the worldview that surrounds us is putting significant pressure on what we believe, how we think, and how we live. She goes onto say, she wrote the book to help Christians clearly understand the fundamental difference between secular and biblically worldview, both for the strength of our own faith and for our ability to be salt and light to others.

,I have to ask myself, when did I lose my extreme biblical world view? When did I stop shifting everything I heard through the Bible worldview. What stopped me from saying something as I listen to that extreme gossip. We, and I say we, because even though I did not enter into the conversation, I sit listening to it. So, what stopped me from calling it out, in love, and say, hey girls, lets just pray for this couple we are gossiping about. When did it get ok to gossip?

The most foundational difference between those with a biblical worldview and those with a secular one is our source of authority.

Therefore to him or her that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17. My biblical world view was confronted last night and I failed to hold to it. God help me to be salt and light in the darkness that can even surround a group of Christian women just sitting around talking.

Last night was a wake up call for me, one I am happy to be woke from. Grateful for His love despite my failures to be His mouth piece.

You might think I am being a little too hard on myself, I think not. You see, I pray to be one of those extreme Godly women and that conviction that has hit my heart I am thankful for. I believe I am called to be extreme in God's authority and His Word.  

Who's praying?

 

In the last couple days I have felt a surge of energy fill by frail body and let me tell you, it feels wonderful.  

Hubby and I walk a mile every other day so I know that is helping me gain back my strength.   He is a great couch because he stops when I do, allowing me time to get my breathe.  The days I think I can do more he remind me to take it slow.  If I try to push myself too much it only makes me worst.  It takes wisdom to get back in shape especially when you are older and did not exercise for a whole year.  

 But, in the last couple days I really have felt a surge of strength that I believe is a super natural touch from the Lord due to someone is praying for me in this area.  Felt it yesterday as I ran around town with my daughter and grand daughter. Then today as I walked I realized I was walking a little faster and a little longer between stop times.  It's a small thing but a huge one for me.     

I don't know for sure who prays for me but if you do, please keep it up.  Pound heaven on my behalf  please.  I know how hard it is to actually do prayer, it's my weakest link in my walk with the Lord. I want to be a spiritual prayer warrior but I know how easily I slip into just saying I will pray and never actually do it.  

So, let me say thank you again to those who are praying for me. Knowing that I am prayed for gives me encouragement to pray for others.  

 

Box

 

Sometimes I want to trade the box I am living in for someone else box.  It's those time I usually lose, not my salvation,  but I lose my attitude toward what ever is causes me to want to trade.  I become focus on me, me, me.   

I think you get the picture of where I am. It's been a couple of bad days because of my health which causes my box to stink of  self pity.   My box will probably get a little more shabby as I age, but it's the box God given me. 

One things that remains the same and brings me comfort, calms my worries, helps me deal with, "whatever"  my box, is the fact of being a child of God.

 Everything else may change but not who I am in Christ.  I may act like a brat at times but I am still His, bought and paid for by His precious blood shed on the cross.  He knows my box, He is in my box all the time with me, never leaves me.  

Just a look into others box and the heartaches it contains is enough to bring me out of my self pity box.  

I am not hiding out in  fear for my life and my family life.  

I am not on a respirator that is breathing for me. 

I am not crying with grief because someone I love has died.

I am not having to begging for food to feed my family. 

I am not living in a make shift tent. 

etc. 

If you are a child of God, you don't lose your status if you have a bad week. - Timothy Keller

I think I will play in my own box, how about you?

Trisha Yearwood - I’ll Carry You Home (Official Music Video)

Finding comfort while it seems like the whole world has went crazy can be found in scripture, a walk in nature, a good uplifting book, especially the Bible and also in music.

The below song has been my go to for comfort. I probably listen to it everyday. It's not a Christian song but there is an eternal aspect to the words. Knowing for sure when I die I will be going to my eternal home brings me comfort. The news depresses all of us, the middle east issues, Covid, mask, riots, random killings, evilness is everywhere and only seems to be getting worst. Even watching the weather reports now is depressing. All of this sends me to music a lot for comfort.

God is still in control of what seems like an uncontrollable world. There will come a day for me and everyone when we leave this messy world. Knowing where I am going and WHO has the power to take me to my eternal home gives me courage to face today and my tomorrows. What do you fall back on when you are discouraged and know you cannot fix whatever you are going through?

Can you see the end to our messy world? What does your eternal future hold? Does your peace come from this world or your future in heaven someday? Where do you get your courage from to deal with all that is around you that you cannot fix? Where do you get your comfort from? Do you have a song in your heart that comes to mind when you are discouraged that brings peace?

First World Suffering

 

This past Sunday I heard a message from a missionary to China that gave me a fresh look at suffering.   Got me to thinking about how we suffer in our first world country in comparison to how those who live in China, or Iran.   

Recently the gas to our place had to be shut off for a few days.  We still had electricity and water which made living without a cook stove easier.  There were times when we lived in Papua New Guinea we went without electricity for days and there was never a warning WHEN it would go off.  There was one small generator to be passed around for the 8 houses on the support center.  Each house would use it for a couple hours to run our fridges so not to lose our meat.  Eventually we were able to purchase a relay switch so when town power went off our big generator would kick on. 

If you are thinking, wow, Betty I bet you handled losing your cook stove for a few days easy.  Sorry, I wish I could say I did not complain or grumble.  I let the, woe is me  attitude over take me a little too much.  Still being sanctified. 

Comparison is not a good thing to do but after hearing this missionary stories of the believers in China I was convicted at my take on suffering.  Doing without a gas store for a few days is not suffering, a hardship yes, but suffering? 

 I read this somewhere and it struck  a cord in my heart.  In a first world country most people don't feel helpless with the conditions they live in.  Across the board that is probably true.  In a first world country we have the Red Cross,  Global Fund for Women, In This Tent, Action Against Hunger, Samaritan Purse, WHO, Lutheran Service of America, Heart to Heart, Go Fund Me, The Innocence Project, Hope for Women, Operation USA, American Civil Rights and that is just a few of the organization there is to turn to for help.  In China and some of the other countries the list is very short to turn to for help.  On top of all those I named is the countless churches in the USA.  Countless restaurant give out food to the needy, there are food banks all over America you can tap into for food.  I do think you get the point. Nobody kicked our door down for reading the bible or having a home church in the US. 

The modern definition of “first world” is used to classify countries that are highly industrialized and with advanced economies. First-world countries include the United States, Canada, Japan, and Western European countries.. 

=But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. I Peter 5:10

I like the last part of what the above verse says suffering will do, settle me.  Knowing what to expect helps settle a person even before suffering comes. I have met people who are settled with the lot God has given them.  They are a comfort to be around and their quiet ways comfort me and give me courage to accept suffering.  To not waste it. 

I wasted the  time grumbling about my lack of cooking gas recently and trust me it was not a settled astrosphere in our house.  How about you, have you wasted any of your suffering lately?

• 
  

 

 

Thought I would take a chance on this series on HBO.  Of course the language is horrible at times but the stories of the people who go to this therapist are not horrible. In fact I am finding as I listen I can easily see myself in certain mindsets.  It's a revealing listen as the therapist works to draw out from each one the pain in their life.  

Back a couple years ago I went to a pain therapist who was able to help me sort out some of the emotions from my childhood that still cause pain in the present.  That emotional pain showed itself in my body in the form of  fibromyalgia and chronic insomnia. 

I know I will never be free from the memories of my growing up years but they do not own me.  I use them often in working with others who have suffered emotional abuse.  But, sitting in the therapist office weekly knowing I could say anything and it was a safe place was just the start of getting freedom.  

If you had ask me when I was from 20's to 50's I would have told you I did not need therapist.   Really it was after I became a Christian and read a lot that I realize how my mental health was.  Yet it hard to talk about any mental problems in Christian circles. To take an anti depressant, or anti anxiety meds is a big no no in some circles.  Thankful for the Christian doctors I have had that understood the importance of mental along with our physical issues. 

• And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. Romans 12:2 AMP
• 
  
• We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.” 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 MSG

I am also thankful that God cares about my mental condition.  He speaks to the battle that rages for our mental health. To deny it is to allow room for the enemy of our soul to destroy us.  

Take care of yourselves mentally.  Need to talk, find a therapist, if not possible then find a lay person who will listen well and help you work through the issues.  Be brave and admit you might need help to gain freedom from some things.  God loves you completely, body, soul and spirit,  and He wants us to commit it all to Him.  

Below is a great article on mental health.  

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/basics/what-is-mental-health

Rocks

 Our son children  brought the  smooth rocks on the right to me from a trip they took to the ocean a few years ago.   They knew I had kind of have a thing of using rocks to decorate the yard with.  I brought them  with me to Northern Minnesota when we moved.   The rough rocks I pick up  the other day as hubby and  took a short walk on a wooded trail near where we live.  

I decided to display them on a small table that I see all the time to remind me where God has brought me from.  

When I started my walk with the Lord at 35 year of age, I was rough around the edges. As my pastor would tell me, I was a diamond in the rough.  That worldly rough wisdom I had learned from the world God would use to show me what didn't work in life.  From the minute I became a believer He begin to knock those rough edges and dirty place off me.  

As I walked with Him on a daily bases and especially through some tough trials He begin to smooth the edges off me and clean me up.  The Bible calls this the process of sanctifications and He does this for every believer.

I see me now in those smooth rock my grandchildren gave me.  The ocean  change the look of rocks,  as they  wash over and over  and  changed their appearance to be more pleasant to look at.  They are certainly are easier to handle then those rough dirty jagged edge ones on the left.  

 Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ in our conduct and character. The objective of this pursuit of moral integrity is to be holy as God is holy (1 Pet. 1:15, 16). 

In his recent book, How Does Sanctification Work?, David Powlison gives us five factors towards our sanctification:

1. God. “It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13)
2. Truth. The truth of God’s word taught, sung, preached, studied, and read is one of the surest means by which the Spirit brings about change in our lives
3. Wise people. God mediates our change “through the gifts and graces of brothers and sisters in Christ.”
4. Suffering and struggle. Though we don’t relish it, suffering and struggles work towards our growth in Christlikeness. Difficulties prompt us to rely on God. Writes Powlison: “People change because something is hard, not because it goes well . . . Struggles force us to need God.”
5. You change. Scripture calls us to actively believe, obey, trust, seek, love, confess, praise, and take refuge. We are not passive. The mystery of faith is that we are 100% responsible, yet 100% dependent on outside help.

How these factors play out in each of our lives may look drastically different. The Spirit is at work, applying the objective work of Christ, yet that work touches us all differently. While journeying towards the same goal, each believer will have a distinct path which they will tread.

__________________________________________________________

I heard this said, some grow like turtles, getting run over a lot.  Others grow like a rabbit, off to fast start but stops to eat a lot.  Either way the goal is to be like Jesus in the process.  

Which one are you, a turtle or rabbit?  

 





How does a person prepare for loss? How does a person maintain hope when at death’s door? How does a person have confidence in his faith when he wakes up to the worst possible situation? The incredible journey in this true story, as told by author Dave Wall, will take you to the brink of what every person will someday face: the death of a loved one. You will laugh and cry while finding answers to some of life’s toughest questions.

DNR - Do Not Resuscitate, is told in a deeply personal way. It will take you through the dramatic story of Dave’s wife’s double brain aneurysm that struck the morning of August 6, 2020. You will see an amazing puzzle come together one piece at a time. The story points directly to the fact Dave and his family were prepared by God Himself for this tragedy. You will see hope when no hope is visible. You will see confident faith overcoming daily hurdles that never seem to end. And you will learn how to live a win-win life no matter the circumstances.

( I had the honor of writing the forward for Dave Wall book because we are personal friends with he and his wife, Cindy. Together we served in Papua New Guinea with Ethnos360 formally New Tribes Mission for several years. You will not be able to put the book down as Dave writes about the trial that came into their life. It will challenge and encourage your faith all at the same time and cause you to tear up. And, it will make you ask yourself, what if that happened to me or one of my loved ones? What or Who would I be holding onto for strength, wisdom and comfort? You will not be sorry you bought this one and I pretty sure you will be telling others about it.) You will find this on Amazon.com, Kindle or paper back.







Minute

 
I was at the hospital the other day to have a test  that required the doctors to put me under so I would be comfortable through the test.  The test only took  20 minutes at the most...BUT...due to the meds used to put me out,  it Felt like I was only out for ONE  minute!   One minute I was breathing in pure oxygen, the next I was waking up in the test room with nurses checking me over to make sure I was ok.  It was a very strange feeling, literally I lost those 20 some minutes during the procedure.     I remember thinking that was an easy test, no bad side affects.   

I kind of hope that is how death is.  No matter the minutes it takes after I take my last earthly breathe till I awake in eternity, hope it only feels like a minutes, no, a second.  Hope that space of time from earthly living to heavenly living is short and painless. 

That one minutes feeling has got me stuck thinking about time here on earth.  The Bible is clear Psalm 90:1-10 that God and man view it differently which makes a huge difference how we conduct our lives.  Man has no power over death, but God can, has, and will overcome time and death by the power of the resurrection.  To God, these thousands of years pass swiftly, "like yesterday...like a watch in the night. "

Man's view of time is the days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for  it is soon cut off, and we fly away , Psalm 89:47-48.  

As of today, I have lived: (give or take a few minutes and seconds)

894 months

21,210 days

65, 3040 hours

39,182,400 minutes

  At 74 I am praying I will live maybe 10-15 years more.  Spiritually I am ready to go home to cross that gap between life here on earth and life in heaven.  Humanely, I would like to stay around a few more years.  Actually,  I am content to leave time up to God, He has a purpose for me here on earth or I would not be here.  It gives me comfort that, "my time to go" is in God's hands just as the start of me was in His hands.  

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Roman 8:38-39