You won't want to miss the awesome raffle going on here!!!
All proceeds go to Village of Hope. Check it out and bid on some cool stuff while your at it. :)
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
One of our amazing partners here at Village of Hope has the opportunity to win $50,000 to help special needs children all over the world- even here in Guatemala!
They have just a week left to vote and are currently in 1st place but the competition is gaining on them quickly.
Would you PLEASE take a second to vote for PROJECT HOPEFUL today and for the rest of the week? It's an EASY way to give without it costing you anything!!!
Simply go here: http://www.cultivatewines.com/give scroll down and find Project Hopeful and VOTE. THANK YOU!
They have just a week left to vote and are currently in 1st place but the competition is gaining on them quickly.
Would you PLEASE take a second to vote for PROJECT HOPEFUL today and for the rest of the week? It's an EASY way to give without it costing you anything!!!
Simply go here: http://www.cultivatewines.com/give scroll down and find Project Hopeful and VOTE. THANK YOU!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Outreach in the City...
After a week of moving into Village of Hope, dealing with a leaky roof and a theft, today was something Jesus knew I needed.
So often in life I am guilty of letting the small things get to me. Letting myself become consumed with things that in the long run don't really matter.
One of my favorite things in the world to do with our family is outreach. Today we had an opportunity to go to Guatemala City and do some outreach and my eyes were opened in ways I never imaged.
Our first stop was to meet a precious family who lives in the slums of Guatemala City and who grew up working in 'the dump'. Berta is 22 years old single mom of 3 kids ages 7, 5 and 3.
Berta has spent her entire life in the same area doing the same job ever since she was a child. And that job consists of picking through garbage. We visited Berta's home and community which basically consisted of tin houses...
and a shared community rest room....
Havyn (age 2) and Berta's youngest daughter (age 3)
So often in life I am guilty of letting the small things get to me. Letting myself become consumed with things that in the long run don't really matter.
One of my favorite things in the world to do with our family is outreach. Today we had an opportunity to go to Guatemala City and do some outreach and my eyes were opened in ways I never imaged.
Our first stop was to meet a precious family who lives in the slums of Guatemala City and who grew up working in 'the dump'. Berta is 22 years old single mom of 3 kids ages 7, 5 and 3.
Berta has spent her entire life in the same area doing the same job ever since she was a child. And that job consists of picking through garbage. We visited Berta's home and community which basically consisted of tin houses...
and a shared community rest room....
Havyn (age 2) and Berta's youngest daughter (age 3)
Berta works right outside of her home where she and her community clean, recycle and resell plastics from the dump.
Bertas next door neighbors repaired, reshaped, recycled and resells tin all found in the dump.
Another community near the dump...
And another precious family doing all they can to survive...
Inside of their home where garbage is gone through....
A child at work inside their home...
Berta also brought us to see the dump where people work day in and day out tirelessly hand picking through the garbage in hope to resell items that were thrown away.
I think for me though one of the most disturbing things I saw today was this...
Buzzards that were everywhere...
Because over looking the dump is the national cemetery...
And when you are unable to pay for the space for the year, they knock out the cement and simply throw the remains over the side of the mountain into the dump...
Notice the baby blanket and plaque....
The remains of this man was thrown down the side of the mountain right in front of us...
As I reflected upon the day, the desperation, the stench, the loss and the people who's lives seemed so hopeless...
I turned my eyes to the one who brings hope to the hopless and in the midst of it all...
I found Him.
Thursday, June 14, 2012
When you give- with BOTH HANDS.
(photo credit)
I’d like to ask you to do something for me. Real quick, right where you are, take just a minute and really look at your HANDS.
If something is in them, set it down, turn your HANDS over palms up and really look at the marvelous creation the human HAND is.
If you are like me, most days you do not give much thought about the importance of your HANDS. Yet can you imagine your life without them?
Throughout the bible ‘HANDS’ are mentioned over 1,800 times… in the beginning Jesus used his HANDS to form and shape us into His image, in the end those same loving HANDS of Jesus were nailed to the cruel cross…
And still today we place our lives in the HANDS of Jesus.
Isaiah 49:15-16 - I will not forget you...I have carved you on the palm of my HAND.
We use our HANDS to pray, heal, praise, speak, give, work, touch, hold, love and bring Him glory. They are a beautiful tool the Lord has given us to be His HANDS on this earth today.
As our team sought the Lord for ways to financially make Village of Hope a reality and glorify God at the same time- we knew it would take a lot of willing HANDS to bring His vision to completion.
And then the Lord brought the BOTH HANDS project to mind.
Both Hands is a beautiful, simple way of living out James 1:27 with your HANDS.
A Both Hands project is simply:
1. Gathering a group 15 to 20 people. (think youth group, small group, or awesome friends)
2. Finding a widow in need in your community.
3. Each member of your group sends out a support letter (can be through letters, email or facebook) to everyone they know explaining what Both Hands project is and asking for sponsorship for the project.
4. A day is chosen and your group goes to the widow’s house to serve by cleaning out gutters, mowing, trimming bushes, cleaning out garages, moving heavy items, painting, etc.
5.The funds are then collected and sent to Lifesong for Orphans for Village Of Hopes Both Hands project. The funds are then used to better the life of an orphan.
What I love about this is how God takes the circumstance of the widow and brings them joy in knowing that their circumstance is helping an orphan. It’s helping out in the community around you and at the same time touching the life of a child across the world. Plus-it’s a blast!
When a person comes along someone who is not in their family, lifts them up with their HANDS, carries the weight with them without expecting to receive anything in return- people see Jesus.
You have the ability to make a difference in this world by using the HANDS the Lord gave you.
If you are interested in coming along side of us and giving us a HAND in making Village of Hope thrive we'd love for you to do a Both Hands Project in your community. Please contact us at: amy@lifesongfororphans.org or christi@lifesongfororphans.org for more details.
We would love to have your help.
Village of Hope is an initiative of Lifesong for Orphans in partnership with Project Hopeful.
Both Hands Big Build Animation from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
If there is one thing I struggle with on a daily basis it’s trying to be enough for everyone…
as a mama to 9 and working in missions, seeing the overwhelming needs around me, I struggle with not being enough.
What I have come to realize is that I am not.
I am not enough.
And never will be.
But the best part is...
He is.
And He never intended for me to be-
or else I would get all the glory.
God has a plan better than anything I could ever come up with- and so I trust. Trust that in the areas that I am lacking- He will fill in.
I had someone asked me the other day- why Village of Hope was only going to focus on children with HIV/AIDS- because HIV wasn’t their ‘thing’.
All I know, is that I am pretty sure these children living with HIV/AIDS did not choose HIV/AIDS to be their ‘thing’ either…
but they were not given that choice.
And there is no doubt in my mind that if Jesus walked on the face of the earth today He would be hanging out with those with HIV/AIDS as it is the modern day leprosy.
"This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did" 1 John 2:5b-6
Because none of us can be enough I believe that sometimes God places certain things in our hearts. If we ALL only wanted to adopt from China- then who would take care of the kids from Ethiopia and who would take care of the kids from the foster system? If we all only wanted to adopt kids with cleft palates- who would adopt the children who are blind and the children who are deaf? If we all only wanted to adopt child with special needs- who would adopt the child who was healthy?
The point is- we are all called- but sometimes God places a special focus on that calling in our life… and He provides the resources that come along with that calling. Some of us are called to adopt, others are called to give. Some of us are called to go- others are called to be senders. Some of us are called to start an organization- others of us are called to teach Sunday school.
And one is not greater than the other.
God see’s the whole picture while we do not.
And we cannot.
Ever.
And so we trust- in His plan.
At Village of Hope we will welcome ALL special needs children- as long as God provides the necessary care for us to provide for them. We can’t do it without funds, without help, or the things needed to care for that child properly. We are trying- trust me… we said 'YES GOD'- and left those doors open wide- for God to send those needed…
Now we pray and we ask and we work….
And we remain willing.
Starting a project like Village Of Hope from scratch is no easy feat. Trust me, we have laid in bed many nights loosing sleep wondering how in the world we will be able to do this.
And what we have come to realize is- we can't.
But God can.
And so we are doing all we are able to do, and being blown away by those God has sent us to come along side of us doing all they can- instead of pointing out what we cannot.
Training is being translated into Spanish for house parents- all God’s people.
Camps are being put together for the children- ALL God’s people.
Partnerships are being made- ALL God’s people.
Donations are being gathered- ALL God’s people.
State Reps are standing in the gaps- All God’s people.
Boards are being assembled- ALL God’s people.
People are advocating and using their voice- ALL God’s people.
Fundraisers are being planned- ALL God’s people.
Prayers are being prayed- ALL God’s people.
What the Lord has taught me along this journey is that I don’t have to have all of the answers. That I’m not supposed to be everything to everyone, and that I don’t have to do it all on my own. I just have to be willing to do what I can do today…
And trust Him to do the rest…
Because it’s going to take a VILLAGE…
A Village Of Hope.
I wondered why somebody didn't do something. Then I realized, I am somebody.~ Author Unknown
as a mama to 9 and working in missions, seeing the overwhelming needs around me, I struggle with not being enough.
What I have come to realize is that I am not.
I am not enough.
And never will be.
But the best part is...
He is.
And He never intended for me to be-
or else I would get all the glory.
God has a plan better than anything I could ever come up with- and so I trust. Trust that in the areas that I am lacking- He will fill in.
I had someone asked me the other day- why Village of Hope was only going to focus on children with HIV/AIDS- because HIV wasn’t their ‘thing’.
All I know, is that I am pretty sure these children living with HIV/AIDS did not choose HIV/AIDS to be their ‘thing’ either…
but they were not given that choice.
And there is no doubt in my mind that if Jesus walked on the face of the earth today He would be hanging out with those with HIV/AIDS as it is the modern day leprosy.
"This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did" 1 John 2:5b-6
Because none of us can be enough I believe that sometimes God places certain things in our hearts. If we ALL only wanted to adopt from China- then who would take care of the kids from Ethiopia and who would take care of the kids from the foster system? If we all only wanted to adopt kids with cleft palates- who would adopt the children who are blind and the children who are deaf? If we all only wanted to adopt child with special needs- who would adopt the child who was healthy?
The point is- we are all called- but sometimes God places a special focus on that calling in our life… and He provides the resources that come along with that calling. Some of us are called to adopt, others are called to give. Some of us are called to go- others are called to be senders. Some of us are called to start an organization- others of us are called to teach Sunday school.
And one is not greater than the other.
God see’s the whole picture while we do not.
And we cannot.
Ever.
And so we trust- in His plan.
At Village of Hope we will welcome ALL special needs children- as long as God provides the necessary care for us to provide for them. We can’t do it without funds, without help, or the things needed to care for that child properly. We are trying- trust me… we said 'YES GOD'- and left those doors open wide- for God to send those needed…
Now we pray and we ask and we work….
And we remain willing.
Starting a project like Village Of Hope from scratch is no easy feat. Trust me, we have laid in bed many nights loosing sleep wondering how in the world we will be able to do this.
And what we have come to realize is- we can't.
But God can.
And so we are doing all we are able to do, and being blown away by those God has sent us to come along side of us doing all they can- instead of pointing out what we cannot.
Training is being translated into Spanish for house parents- all God’s people.
Camps are being put together for the children- ALL God’s people.
Partnerships are being made- ALL God’s people.
Donations are being gathered- ALL God’s people.
State Reps are standing in the gaps- All God’s people.
Boards are being assembled- ALL God’s people.
People are advocating and using their voice- ALL God’s people.
Fundraisers are being planned- ALL God’s people.
Prayers are being prayed- ALL God’s people.
What the Lord has taught me along this journey is that I don’t have to have all of the answers. That I’m not supposed to be everything to everyone, and that I don’t have to do it all on my own. I just have to be willing to do what I can do today…
And trust Him to do the rest…
Because it’s going to take a VILLAGE…
A Village Of Hope.
I wondered why somebody didn't do something. Then I realized, I am somebody.~ Author Unknown
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
A sweet friend made these beautiful necklaces as a fundraise for Village of Hope!!! I absolutely LOVE them!!
Check them out, get one for your mom, all of your friends and neighbors too. ;)
Thanks Stacy!!
You are such a blessing!!!
http://jubileesjewels.com/voice-of-hope-necklace
Check them out, get one for your mom, all of your friends and neighbors too. ;)
Thanks Stacy!!
You are such a blessing!!!
http://jubileesjewels.com/voice-of-hope-necklace
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Open doors... Our exciting news...
If I am honest I have to admit one of the things I like least in this world is change. Change is hard. Change says something you are doing is going to be different. Change implies loss of comfort. Change is scary. Change means letting go of control. Change means putting everything you know in God’s hands- and trusting He has a plan.
Our family has been through much change this past year- and through it we have experienced growth that would have never been possible otherwise.
And yet God is not done.
Through a series of events the Lord began to open some doors BIG,WIDE and OBVIOUS in a way that only He could do.
When a door is opened you have two choices- walk through it or close it... and miss out on what the Lord had planned...
When the Lord first called us onto the mission field He placed a burning passion in our hearts for the least, the lost, the last and the lowest in our hearts. This requires faith in a God who operates from a different set of values that are sometimes difficult to measure from human standards. We asked the Lord to use our lives in a mighty way, for a cause greater than ourselves. And so we will move out of the way and let Him have His way in us… even when we cannot see where the road ahead will lead.
This blog post has been one of the most difficult I have ever written... how do you begin to put into words something that the Lord has been working on since before you even understood what He was up to?
We have been given the opportunity to extend our ministry in a way we only dreamed could be possible. This June our family will be leaving Eagles Nest to begin a new ministry called Village Of Hope in San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guatemala. Village of Hope is an initiative of Lifesong for Orphans and a partner of Project Hopeful in conjunction with Manna Worldwide. We could not be more honored and thrilled to be serving under the leadership of these well-respected, Godly organizations. Yet God took it a step further and blessed us with another amazing missionary couple The Uchereks to join us in this endeavor. We could not be more blessed.
The vision of Village of Hope is to provide family, faith and a future to the least of these- to give them a place where HOPE can enter their world. We will do this by providing holistic orphan care to special needs orphans, primarily focused on those living with HIV/AIDS in a family style setting. Each family style unit will consist of house parents as well as 6-8 children in the home. Our hope is to create a family unit as God intended- a family to provide life- long support as well as teach the children to have life values. The goal is to avoid institutional living and prevent children from being thrown out on the streets when they are 18. We will do this by equipping them with family- as well as life skills that meet their physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational care. Because adoptions are closed in Guatemala there is little hope of the children ever begin adopted into families of their own. One part of our vision is to develop relationship in the Guatemalan Evangelical churches, to come along side of them, educating them on God’s heart for the orphan, HIV/AIDS, as well as adoption.
We have learned so much from serving here at Eagles Nest. We have grown to loved the workers, the people in the community and especially the children we have come to think of as our own. Now we find ourselves in a place trying to figure out how to let go... We treasure every last hug, every last giggle and we cherish the memories of the day Jen got her hearing aids and heard clearly for the first time, the day I first held 10 day old Abi in my arms, the day Kevin was reunited with his siblings and the day Lizzy took her first steps. We will tuck those precious memories away in the corner of our hearts and pray we never forget a single moment...
Yet as hard as it is to let go we look ahead to the future, to the children who need to know He is Lord, the children who need a chance and who need to know HOPE is in the Lord. And so it is, we will once again say “yes Lord” use us in the way you see fit and we take that first step forward.
We fully admit starting from ground zero at Village of Hope is scary and yet at the same time exciting! Because it’s going to take a village- we cannot wait to see who God sends to partner with us. We cannot wait to see who else says 'YES LORD'. So we invite you to join us and become a part of what He is doing here in Guatemala. We challenge you to really pray and ask the Lord what part He may have you play. We are in need of state side reps who will advocate for Village of Hope, sharing the stories of children, be a voice to the voiceless, and making the needs known. We are in need of prayer partners, financial partners and people who are who are willing to do something more than just sit on the sidelines for the Kingdom of God. We are in need of The Church. So we encourage you to ask God what part He may have you play. We invite you to come, to see, to visit, to experience, and to become as invested in the lives of these orphans – as He is.:)
If you would like to know how you can be a part of Village of Hope please feel free to contact us at: amy@lifesongfororphans.org
Our family has been through much change this past year- and through it we have experienced growth that would have never been possible otherwise.
And yet God is not done.
Through a series of events the Lord began to open some doors BIG,WIDE and OBVIOUS in a way that only He could do.
When a door is opened you have two choices- walk through it or close it... and miss out on what the Lord had planned...
When the Lord first called us onto the mission field He placed a burning passion in our hearts for the least, the lost, the last and the lowest in our hearts. This requires faith in a God who operates from a different set of values that are sometimes difficult to measure from human standards. We asked the Lord to use our lives in a mighty way, for a cause greater than ourselves. And so we will move out of the way and let Him have His way in us… even when we cannot see where the road ahead will lead.
This blog post has been one of the most difficult I have ever written... how do you begin to put into words something that the Lord has been working on since before you even understood what He was up to?
We have been given the opportunity to extend our ministry in a way we only dreamed could be possible. This June our family will be leaving Eagles Nest to begin a new ministry called Village Of Hope in San Lucas Sacatepequez, Guatemala. Village of Hope is an initiative of Lifesong for Orphans and a partner of Project Hopeful in conjunction with Manna Worldwide. We could not be more honored and thrilled to be serving under the leadership of these well-respected, Godly organizations. Yet God took it a step further and blessed us with another amazing missionary couple The Uchereks to join us in this endeavor. We could not be more blessed.
The vision of Village of Hope is to provide family, faith and a future to the least of these- to give them a place where HOPE can enter their world. We will do this by providing holistic orphan care to special needs orphans, primarily focused on those living with HIV/AIDS in a family style setting. Each family style unit will consist of house parents as well as 6-8 children in the home. Our hope is to create a family unit as God intended- a family to provide life- long support as well as teach the children to have life values. The goal is to avoid institutional living and prevent children from being thrown out on the streets when they are 18. We will do this by equipping them with family- as well as life skills that meet their physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational care. Because adoptions are closed in Guatemala there is little hope of the children ever begin adopted into families of their own. One part of our vision is to develop relationship in the Guatemalan Evangelical churches, to come along side of them, educating them on God’s heart for the orphan, HIV/AIDS, as well as adoption.
We have learned so much from serving here at Eagles Nest. We have grown to loved the workers, the people in the community and especially the children we have come to think of as our own. Now we find ourselves in a place trying to figure out how to let go... We treasure every last hug, every last giggle and we cherish the memories of the day Jen got her hearing aids and heard clearly for the first time, the day I first held 10 day old Abi in my arms, the day Kevin was reunited with his siblings and the day Lizzy took her first steps. We will tuck those precious memories away in the corner of our hearts and pray we never forget a single moment...
Yet as hard as it is to let go we look ahead to the future, to the children who need to know He is Lord, the children who need a chance and who need to know HOPE is in the Lord. And so it is, we will once again say “yes Lord” use us in the way you see fit and we take that first step forward.
We fully admit starting from ground zero at Village of Hope is scary and yet at the same time exciting! Because it’s going to take a village- we cannot wait to see who God sends to partner with us. We cannot wait to see who else says 'YES LORD'. So we invite you to join us and become a part of what He is doing here in Guatemala. We challenge you to really pray and ask the Lord what part He may have you play. We are in need of state side reps who will advocate for Village of Hope, sharing the stories of children, be a voice to the voiceless, and making the needs known. We are in need of prayer partners, financial partners and people who are who are willing to do something more than just sit on the sidelines for the Kingdom of God. We are in need of The Church. So we encourage you to ask God what part He may have you play. We invite you to come, to see, to visit, to experience, and to become as invested in the lives of these orphans – as He is.:)
If you would like to know how you can be a part of Village of Hope please feel free to contact us at: amy@lifesongfororphans.org
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Nothing left but Jesus...
For whatever reason, the word ‘risk’ keeps going through my mind lately.
Risk standing up for what you believe in- even when people think you are crazy.
Risk taking that first step- even if you don’t know where it will lead.
Risk giving your heart away- even if you know it will hurt.
Risk looking different, being different and living different- in a world where fitting in seems the right thing to do.
This morning when I was flipping through the pages in my bible the Lord brought me to this verse:
Matthew 25:24-25 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, “Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’
In this verse there is an element of safety that I have to admit- I can relate to. Play it safe, stay comfortable, the world out there is a cruel place- you must protect yourself and come out on top.
And then I turned to the study notes and here it what it said:
“This man was thinking only of himself. He hoped to play it safe and protect himself from his hard master, but he was judged for his self-centeredness. We must not make excuses to avoid doing what God calls us to do. If God truly is our Master, we must obey willingly. Our time, abilities and money aren’t ours in the first place- we are caretakers, not owners.”
I am sure admitting to be self-centered is something that most of us are not going to want to do... so, just to bide my time, I looked up the definition of self -centered and this is what it said:
self-centered Adj.
1. self-centered - limited to or caring only about yourself and your own needs interested only in one's own affairs; selfish. She's too self-centred to take any interest in my troubles.
And so, I got honest with myself and honest with God... and I challenge you to do the same. Look back over the past week of your life… and then back over the past year. Who or what have you been living for? Now open your checkbook- what do the numbers show? Who or what has been in the #1 spot of your life?
For some of you, it will be the Lord… and I want to say thank you for that. Thank you for the example you are to me and to those around you. You have no idea how many people are watching- and how they are seeing Jesus on earth through your life. For others of us, we have some confessing to do- and it won’t be easy.
So often in my life I admit I have been the one standing, clinging to my bag. And, if I’m honest- it felt good to have ‘something I can cling to.' It felt good to fool myself into somehow thinking that I was safe if I did so. But that my friend is such a lie. It’s not who gets to the end with the most prizes- it’s who gets to the end and hears the words ‘well done, my good and faithful servant.
Yesterday we did home church as a family. As I was listening to David Platt he said these simple words that shook me to the core “It’s better to lose our life than to waste it.”
Did you catch that?
Did you really let it sink in?
If you are living solely for yourself- than your life is considered a waste.
It’s better to have a short existence here on earth and make your life count for His Kingdom- than to live to be 102 years old and have it have counted for nothing- but yourself. We, you and I, are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have- but how well we use what we have been given.
If you haven’t already I challenge you to GIVE CHRIST your life. ALL of it. Every single tiny morsal of anything you have been holding tightly in the palm of your hand.
I don’t know what your ‘bag of crops’ looks like- but you do- and so does God. So go ahead and ask Him how you can turn what He has given you into something so much more- for His Kingdom.
I’ll end this with a few more wise words from David Platt that hit home with me. He said: “Christianity which cost nothing- produces the same." I don’t know about you, but one day when I stand before God I want to have used ALL that He has blessed me with for His glory. I don’t want to try to impress Him with my big house, pedicured nails, and vacation photos… only to hear Him say “I don’t know you." More than anything I want to be dirty, wrinkled, empty handed and exhausted knowing I used it all for His glory.
(photo credit)
Dear God, more than anything in this world I want my life to bring YOU glory. Forgive me for the times I have made it about me. Forgive me for the times I hesitated to trust you, the times I let fear stop me from living full and completely for you.Forgive me for the times I put pleasing man in front of pleasing you. Forgive me for the times when I saw a need and I had something to give- only I did not. Help me to release my bags and in joy give you ALL I have and all that I am. In Jesus name. Amen.
Risk standing up for what you believe in- even when people think you are crazy.
Risk taking that first step- even if you don’t know where it will lead.
Risk giving your heart away- even if you know it will hurt.
Risk looking different, being different and living different- in a world where fitting in seems the right thing to do.
This morning when I was flipping through the pages in my bible the Lord brought me to this verse:
Matthew 25:24-25 “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, “Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’
In this verse there is an element of safety that I have to admit- I can relate to. Play it safe, stay comfortable, the world out there is a cruel place- you must protect yourself and come out on top.
And then I turned to the study notes and here it what it said:
“This man was thinking only of himself. He hoped to play it safe and protect himself from his hard master, but he was judged for his self-centeredness. We must not make excuses to avoid doing what God calls us to do. If God truly is our Master, we must obey willingly. Our time, abilities and money aren’t ours in the first place- we are caretakers, not owners.”
I am sure admitting to be self-centered is something that most of us are not going to want to do... so, just to bide my time, I looked up the definition of self -centered and this is what it said:
self-centered Adj.
1. self-centered - limited to or caring only about yourself and your own needs interested only in one's own affairs; selfish. She's too self-centred to take any interest in my troubles.
And so, I got honest with myself and honest with God... and I challenge you to do the same. Look back over the past week of your life… and then back over the past year. Who or what have you been living for? Now open your checkbook- what do the numbers show? Who or what has been in the #1 spot of your life?
For some of you, it will be the Lord… and I want to say thank you for that. Thank you for the example you are to me and to those around you. You have no idea how many people are watching- and how they are seeing Jesus on earth through your life. For others of us, we have some confessing to do- and it won’t be easy.
So often in my life I admit I have been the one standing, clinging to my bag. And, if I’m honest- it felt good to have ‘something I can cling to.' It felt good to fool myself into somehow thinking that I was safe if I did so. But that my friend is such a lie. It’s not who gets to the end with the most prizes- it’s who gets to the end and hears the words ‘well done, my good and faithful servant.
Yesterday we did home church as a family. As I was listening to David Platt he said these simple words that shook me to the core “It’s better to lose our life than to waste it.”
Did you catch that?
Did you really let it sink in?
If you are living solely for yourself- than your life is considered a waste.
It’s better to have a short existence here on earth and make your life count for His Kingdom- than to live to be 102 years old and have it have counted for nothing- but yourself. We, you and I, are responsible to use well what God has given us. The issue is not how much we have- but how well we use what we have been given.
If you haven’t already I challenge you to GIVE CHRIST your life. ALL of it. Every single tiny morsal of anything you have been holding tightly in the palm of your hand.
I don’t know what your ‘bag of crops’ looks like- but you do- and so does God. So go ahead and ask Him how you can turn what He has given you into something so much more- for His Kingdom.
I’ll end this with a few more wise words from David Platt that hit home with me. He said: “Christianity which cost nothing- produces the same." I don’t know about you, but one day when I stand before God I want to have used ALL that He has blessed me with for His glory. I don’t want to try to impress Him with my big house, pedicured nails, and vacation photos… only to hear Him say “I don’t know you." More than anything I want to be dirty, wrinkled, empty handed and exhausted knowing I used it all for His glory.
(photo credit)
Dear God, more than anything in this world I want my life to bring YOU glory. Forgive me for the times I have made it about me. Forgive me for the times I hesitated to trust you, the times I let fear stop me from living full and completely for you.Forgive me for the times I put pleasing man in front of pleasing you. Forgive me for the times when I saw a need and I had something to give- only I did not. Help me to release my bags and in joy give you ALL I have and all that I am. In Jesus name. Amen.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The difference love makes..
Polo came to the children's home just one week ago sad and afraid. So afraid that he actually tried to run away. Polo's father died just 15 days before arriving at Eagles Nest and his step mother was unkind to him. Seeing this scared little boy come to life has been such a joy to all of us here. We love you Polo and we are so blessed to have you in our lives.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Enough
Someone asked me the other day if I still had a blog... and I felt something catch in my throat, and in the pit of my stomach. You see, I love my blog. I love looking back over this amazing journey the Lord has brought us on. I love the people I have met along the way and the priceless friendships that have been formed. I love seeing the growth our family has made spiritually and in size. I love having it on record.
But lately, so many things have come in the way of my having time to keep up on here... and I am learning very quickly that full time mission work and raising 9 children of my own is no easy feat.
God blessed me with these precious souls and I need to be there for them...
and for him...
and for them...
and the many others who continue to come to our children's home in need of so much...
To families who are hurting...
And families who are lost...
And I am left wondering how we are ever going to be enough..
good enough
wise enough
strong enough
fast enough
cool enough
organized enough
And left with the realization we never will be.
But then in the still of the morning, as my feet hit the floor and a new day has begun...I seek His face.
And I am reminded once again that I don't have to be...
Because He is.
He is enough.
'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:10
And so today, we begin anew. One foot in front of the other, relying on Him, trusting in Him, seeking his face in all we do. Blog posts may go unwritten, laundry may pile up, and emails may go answered for weeks- but we keep moving forward even when we fail, even when we can't be enough.
Because when God called us He never expected us to be perfect. He never expected us to have all of the answers. He never expected us to do it on our own. All He asked was for us to GO out of obedience and to make Him known.
But lately, so many things have come in the way of my having time to keep up on here... and I am learning very quickly that full time mission work and raising 9 children of my own is no easy feat.
God blessed me with these precious souls and I need to be there for them...
and for him...
and for them...
and the many others who continue to come to our children's home in need of so much...
from early morning feedings...
to late night emergency runs...
To families who are hurting...
And families who are lost...
and those who are struggling...
And I am left wondering how we are ever going to be enough..
good enough
wise enough
strong enough
fast enough
cool enough
organized enough
And left with the realization we never will be.
But then in the still of the morning, as my feet hit the floor and a new day has begun...I seek His face.
And I am reminded once again that I don't have to be...
Because He is.
He is enough.
'Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' Isaiah 41:10
And so today, we begin anew. One foot in front of the other, relying on Him, trusting in Him, seeking his face in all we do. Blog posts may go unwritten, laundry may pile up, and emails may go answered for weeks- but we keep moving forward even when we fail, even when we can't be enough.
Because when God called us He never expected us to be perfect. He never expected us to have all of the answers. He never expected us to do it on our own. All He asked was for us to GO out of obedience and to make Him known.
I am here Lord...
your will be done.
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