Warren Wiersbe quote for the day. Are you ready for this? I found this 2 years ago and it so spoke to my heart. I couldn't find it though and was like man I really wish I could find that!! And today when I was organizing some stuff I found it!!!! Be Blessed =0 )
"When God places a burden on your heart, don't try to escape it; for if you do, you may miss the blessing He has planned for you."
Also on the same sheet of paper these words just shown off the paper Time spent waiting on God is never wasted!!!
So Praising the Lord for his direction. He has it all planned out. The greatest joy is only found in obedience and worship of our Great God!!! ( that was my quote =0)
Have a super day whoever is reading this out there in Cyber space
I just want to tell you about a great day in the life of this missionary - enjoying the last week in Kansas before moving to Nigeria for 2 years. After enjoying a delicious meal with another friend at one of my favorite restaurants in town, my mom and I went to Wal-mart. I wanted to soak in every isle of this store- so I can remember it in my new country. Well- that wasn't really the idea but I think if you gave me an isle by aisle quiz of that place I could score pretty good. One thing about America is all the choices. This can be tiring after 4 hours and answering questions like do I take 2 or 3, name brand or "can we trust what this is made of" off brand, how much deoderant does one woman use in 2 years, what isle do I find matches, what color do I like best- and do I take the secret ingredient for my favorite chocolate chip recipe or find an african substitute. =0)We also met several familiar faces in the isles of Wal-Mart. After receiving a record long receipt from the cashier we joyfully took our cartload praying it will all fit in my boxes. Thanks mom for the fun afternoon =0)
Our dear friend we spent lunch with quoted a favorite Psalm. 1 Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits— Psalm 103:1-2 He's loaded me with a cart load of blessings- and so much more!!!! Praise the Lord!!
I just finished a great cup of coffee ( only the best with cream and sugar- creamer of the day Coffee Mate Belgian chocolate toffee). Yes I was drinking coffee while reading the last few pages of a life-changing book- Cat and Dog Theology- rethinking our relationship with our Master- Living Passionately for the glory of God- by Bob Sjogren and Gerald Robison.
My friend, Mary Buzzell, had heard about this book at perspectives- and said I needed to read this book before I go to Africa. Although this book has taught me so much- challenged my thinking about living for the glory of God- I just want to share a paragraph today. Be Blessed and challenged.
"God's glory is all around us. It can be seen in many ways. Never stop looking for it. Never stop hungering for it. Never stop being awed by it! Radiate to god the glory He is worthy of! Life should be one big worship service!
I got to do a little language learning this morning. I went to my friends house that spent several years in Nigeria and are my neighbors. ( Crazy how God works things out) Anyway, I went to their house this morning- to have a Hausa lesson. English is the national language in Nigeria, but Hausa is the heart language of many in the Jos area and this couple - Lois and Del- volunteered to teach me some greetings. And guess what- Hausa is so much like Spanish =) ( If I knew spanish that would be more exciting) but they have the same vowel sounds, have the masculine and feminine words- and I think the grammar structure is a lot the same too. =0) So "Yauwa Sannu!" is my new Hello!. I love that word- Yauwa! It's like the word of enthusiasm.
God has so timed it that very soon,less than 3 weeks - June 24,I will be saying Yauwa Sannu to a new land, a new culture, meeting new People- but learning from and sharing about Jesus Christ- who's the same yesterday, today, and forever! He makes all things new!!! I can't wait to see what God has planned for my 2 years in Nigeria!
A Psalm I wrote down today to start memorizing- Ps 91. Check out these 2 verses 91:1, 11-12
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.”
Guess What!!!!!! SIM called me today to tell me my visa came in the mail today!!!! I also found out my ticket for June 24th would be confirmed on Monday June 1st.
Joy was their for a second- until Anxiety kicked her out. How in the world do I know how to pack everything up for 2 years. I looked at the list of all the things to remember to pack and do before I leave. Anxiety brought in more friends with her- you may have met them, Inadequacy, Despair, Not E. Nufftime, and Whut M. I-doing. So there I was in my dining room, on my computer, with all this company telling me that being ready to leave June 24th was not possible.
I took a break from my computer. I went for a walk. Then opened my Bible. God directed me to one of my favorite Psalms- Psalm 91. As I was writing it down to memorize, my thoughts settled on verse 11-12. God would give His angels to hold me up so I wouldn’t stumble.
Anxiety left. Soon Despair left too. Then Whut M. I-doing said see ya later. ….Not E. Nufftime is still thinking she wants to stay- but I think I will soon have to ask her to leave. Cause I am choosing to claim Ps 91:2, I will say of the LORD, “ He is my refuge and my fortress, My God, in Him I will trust.!! I gotta start living like I believe He’s my refuge, He’s trustworthy. He will provide what it takes to make everything happen in the time He’s given me.
“Father, you know me better than anyone else. You chose me for this ministry. You know what kind a mess I am when I let Anxiety and her friends stay in my home- and try to invite Trust in at the same time. I’m choosing Trust. Trust in my God- and I really like having my home
"With our hands lifted high and the world wonders why- we'll just tell them we're loving our King- Oh we'll tell them we're loving our King" ( a song from the worship time this morning)
Hey today I write with my heart filled with joy and sadness. First of all the joy- This morning I worshipped the Lord together with my brothers and sisters at the Nigerian Church in Wichita- The Redeemed Christian Church of God. What a blessing to share this experience with my parents, 2 sisters, and good friend Staci. The preaching was powerful and the music so beautiful and worshipful. They truly live like they believe Psalm 16:11
"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." They truly rejoice in the presence of the Lord. =0)
Some thoughts from this mornings teaching Sunday School
* We have been called by God to do a special assignment * He's the boss! He asks for hunility and faithfulness as we serve Him for His glory! * God will accomplish His plan with or without us. If we won't do it- someone else will. Elijah thought he was the last faithful man- God told him their were 7,000 more faithful followers of God in Israel. * Don't ever think "I am the only one God can use in this position." For every Elijah their is an Elisha, every Moses a Joshua, and for the Eli's theirs a Samuel- If you won't follow God in everything he can use even a child who listens to God's voice to replace you. *Will I be obedient or does God need to look for a replacement? * Do your God-given assignment with joy, right from the heart!
The pastor dynamically shared the joy of the resurrection in His sermon from I Corinthians 15. Oh the hope that we who have faith in Christ share- not only for this life- but for the life to come! "Ifinthislifeonlywe have hopeinChrist,we areof allmenmost miserable." One day we will all be changed and be with the Lord forever!! Speaking of our hope of Heaven and exalting His name together was so great! They even prayed for me as I go to Nigeria and do the assignment God has called me to do there. What an honor to be prayed for by this family of God!! My heart was filled with joy!
After church we went to the hospital where my parents visited a man from our home church (61) who was just diagnosed with terminal cancer. Apart from a miracle from God he has 6 months to live. And while we were there we heard that our friend- Doug Pearce (24) went to be with the Lord this morning. He had been battling cancer for a year. The e-mail his parents sent to the church this morning included this verse from I Corinthians 15:54
" Death has been swallowed up in victory." It makes me wonder how God can handle the joys and sadnesses of this broken world he sent his Son to redeem. This morning a new life was celebrated during baby dedication. Also this morning- a dear man breathed his last breath on this earth. Rejoicing and sorrow in the body of Christ. The world wonders why we can still praise God. It's because of the hope we have through the work of Jesus Christ. For the believer death is not the end, it's the beginning of an eternity with Jesus Christ, Amen.
As I think about this joy and hope that we have in this life and the next-I know it does make the world wonder. How can we be filled with such joy? We are just loving our King. How can we have hope in the midst of sadness? Our hope is in a Risen Savior who had victory over death!
"With our hands lifted high and the world wonders why- we'll just tell them we're loving our King- Oh we'll tell them we're loving our King" Let's praise the King of Kings! One day those of us who he's redeemed will see Him face to face. (one day soon I hope)
Lately I have been writing and addressing thank you's ( for those of you who have been looking for them in the mail for some time- thanks for your grace ) Wow as I was writing and going through the list of all the people that have contributed to this Africa adventure God has called me on- I kept thinking- this whole thing is not about me- but totally about God. Only He would call an ordinary Ks gal to go to Africa- only He could touch so many hearts to give- only He could confirm this calling to me the ways He knows I need to hear it- Only He is worthy of everything I can give Him. So sing it out to the King who is calling us to lose our life to find it- who blesses obedience- who triumphed oer the grave.
We sang this song Easter Sunday and I love the lyrics-
Crown Him the Lord of Heaven. One with the Father known. One with the Spirit thru Him given from yonder glorious throne. To Thee Be endless praise, for Thou for us has died; Be Thou O Lord, thru endless days Adored and magnified!!!
"My lips will shout for Joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed. " Psalm 71:23
