The End of 2008

Dear Loved Ones,

As I am reflecting back over the year 2008 the word that comes to my mind is faithfulness. Our Lord has been so faithful to me this year. When things were hard it was to His faithfulness I turned, knowing that my faith was being stretched and built during these times of trials in my own personal life. I am so thankful for our Lord's sustaining faithfulness. As I read through the book of Hebrews recently Chapter 11 encouraged me to be found faithful as the people the Lord mentions there, because they stepped out in faith and believed that God was who He said He was and He would do what He said He would do. “Now Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

As I summarized why these people were chosen to be mentioned in Chapter 11, one word comes to my mind, Obedience. They stepped out in faith and were obedient even when they didn’t know what would happen. So the character trait I have chosen to ask the Lord to help me work on in my life in 2009 is disciplined obedience.

A song that I have come to love the past couple of months says it all.


Speak O Lord by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend

Speak O Lord as we come to You
To receive the food of Your holy word
Take Your truth plant it deep in us
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak O Lord and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory

Teach us Lord full obedience
Holy reverence true humility
Test our thoughts and our attitudes
In the radiance of Your purity
Cause our faith to rise
Cause our eyes to see
Your majestic love and authority
Words of power that can never fail
Let their truth prevail over unbelief

Speak O Lord and renew our minds
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time
That will echo down through eternity
And by grace we'll stand on Your promises
And by faith we'll walk as You walk with us
Speak O Lord till Your church is built
And the earth is filled with Your glory

It is my prayer for each of us that we may use this song in the new year as we continue to grow, step out in faith and become obedient to the Lord in every area of our lives.

Hopefully none of us will be the same when we reach December of 2009. I pray that all us grow more to be like Jesus in 2009.

Happy New Year!

Christmas is Almost Here!!!

Dear Loved Ones,

Christmas is almost here. I wonder some days how that could be as it was just December 1st on my calander, but in two days we will celebrate Christ's Birth!

I have to admit this has been one of the most relaxed and restful Christmas Seasons I have had in a long time. We decided to keep gifts to a minimum this year and instead enjoy the relationships and friendships of others. I have so enjoyed watching some of the Hallmark Christmas Movies as a family, Reading outloud the book the Christmas Hope as a family each evening. Our advent devotions have been such a good reminder to help keep us focused on who we celebrate. It will be our last Christmas season with Hannah at home and I can say I have enjoyed it the most!

Today we were in Hastings to do some visiting with a couple of shutins from our church. What a joy to hear Pastor Jon read the Christmas Story and remind us about why we celebrate! What a joy to spend time with my pastor hubby today, even with a lunch date at Runza. What a joy to go to WalMart, not with a big list or any gifts to buy there but just to pick up a few necessities before we headed home. WalMart was full of people still shopping for Christmas gifts but I wasn't and that brought me great JOY! It was one of the most relaxing trips I have made there in recent days. What a joy to drive home with it snowing, knowing we will have a White Christmas this year. Joy isn't that what Christmas is all about! Joy that Jesus came down from Heaven as man so that we could have a personal relationship with Him! Joy is Jesus, Others and You and that is my prayer for our family and for our friends this year. Joy to the World the Lord Has Come!!

May you have a blessed time with family and friends as you celebrate the Lord's Birth.

Merry Christmas!

Reflections...

Dear Loved Ones,

We woke up this morning to the most beautiful snowfall I have ever seen. It was just gently coming down and not blowing around. As I sat by the window I was amazed at how peaceful it was. This was a day I didn't have to run here or there, I didn't have to teach a Bible Study or lead a discussion group. I didn't have to clean my house or worry about which group of people were coming over next. It was just a day of peacefulness for me. I am so thankful for this little bit of respite that I was so in need of and I am thankful that I was able to spend it with my family.

I just finished reading "Becoming a True Woman" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. As I was reflecting over all I had read the following came to my mind and I wanted to share it with each of you.

In her book she gives the following explanation: The dictionary defines tur as "consistent with fact or reality; exactly conforming to a rule, standard, or pattern...

The True believer is the real thing. They are a gunuine, authentic Masterpiece. The Master has set eternity in their heart and is conforming them to His own image. There is consistency in their outward behavior because it is dictated by the reality of their inner life. That reality is their redemption. The True believer is a relection of their redemption....By the transforming power of the Gospel, the believer is empowered by God's Spirit to give an increasingly true reflection of their Savior and thus to be a true believer.... This is the essence of a true believer. Regardless of time in history when they inhabit the earth, they are the ones who live in the prescence of glory. Their redeemed character is shaped and driven by God's Word and Spirit. Because they are the very dwelling place of the Lord God, their reflection of Him is manifested in every relationship and circumstance of life. The distinguishing characteristic of their life is His presence in them radiating out to all who see them. The true believers life is not segmented into sacred and secular. All of life is sacred because it is lived in His presence. The true believer is a true reflection of God's glory.

Oh to have this to be said of you and me who love our Lord and want to pursue Him with passion. As we celebrate the Lord's birth may we be a true reflection of God's glory!

Merry Christmas!

Celebrating the Season

Dear Loved Ones,

I usually try to update my blog on Monday morning, but now it is Thursday! I dont' know where this week went!

This has been an unusually busy week with something going on day and night. Each night as we have been having our advent devotions I sit quietly listening to what the Lord wants to talk to me about. Most often the Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about coming quietly before the Lord during the Holiday Rush! I have been cherishing this part of my day as I sit with my hubby and daughter and sing the Christmas Carol in our book and then read how the author of the carol came to write it. The last part is my favorite as the author of the book encourages you to reflect on scripture and then give an plan to apply that scripture to our daily lives. This time has really kept my focus on Christ this Christmas.

As I have been praying about where the Lord will lead me in ministry in 2009, I have also heard the Holy Spirits voice. Beginning in January I will be helping with the children in a local MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) Program. The exciting thing is that I will be ministering along side a great friend as we care for these dear children. An added perk is that it pays a small amount of money each time which I plan on using to invest is the lives of others who I am ministering to. I am excited about this new adventure. With Hannah leaving home next summer to attend College I have been pondering in my heart what I should do with the time I have invested in homeschooling her all these years. I know this is part of my answer.
The other ministry the Lord has been speaking to me about is Prayer. With four young adults who have been part of our family over the years, I know the best gift I can give them is praying for each of them. I am excited to begin pursing this in January. I bought a new NIV Prayer Bible which is loaded with scripture and helps for a deep prayer life. I also have requested a devotional book on prayer to use each day. But for now I will continue to sit quietly listening to the Lord as he teaches me this Christmas Season.

I pray that you will take time to sit at his feet and learn from him also.

Christmas Blessings,

Deb

It's Beginning to Look alot Like Christmas!!

I just love this time of the year! I love everything about Christmas. Focusing on Jesus during our advent family devotions, Decorating our house to the max with all the lovely things people of the churches that we have served have given to us over the years, baking lots of traditional Christmas cookies and candies, shopping for the right gift for each person in our family which expresses my love for them,
Christmas Carols, Christmas Programs, Hosting people in our home for a meal or for dessert, eating German Chocolate each night off of our German Chocolate Line that the Molkenthin’s send us each year… I just LOVE the Christmas season!


This year we are using a book called Christ in the Carols for our advent devotions. Tonight the carol was Silent Night. Pastor Jon, Hannah and I sang it in three part harmony as we sat in our family room looking at the Christmas Tree. What a precious moment that was for me. The thought in the story behind the Carol was that it was written in 1818 because the organ at the St. Nicholas Church was not working. The author talked about what Bethlehem may have sounded like on that night so many years ago when our Savior was born. Was it busy with travelers coming to the city for the census? Were the animals in the manger snorting and neighing? In that stable on that cold quiet winter’s night our Savior came quietly into this world. God’s still small voice was speaking then as it continues to speak to us today. The application was that we need to stop and listen for that still small voice of God.

During this busy time of year as each of you has numerous things to do. Don’t forget to listen for the Lord’s still small voice. For we don’t want to miss out on anything the Lord may be trying to tell us as He speaks to us through His Word.

May the Lord be real to you today!

Deb

Pruning...

Dear Ones,

As I have been reading through my Bible this year this thought has kept coming to the forefront.
"Look at how the Lord pruned His people" which in turn has caused me to look at how the Lord is pruning me! Pruning defined is growth! The character trait that our family has been working on this year is Faithfulness. Am I willing to be faithful even when being pruned is another question that I have asked myself this past year.

The self fungus of sin will never leave us alone while we are here on earth. It will constantly try to attach itself to me and I must be determined to fight it! Most often it is fueled by our arch enemy Satan. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us "Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowles around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

One of the books I have been reading is by Nancy Leigh Demoss's entitled "Becoming Gods True Woman." she states: When God prunes us, the result will be greater growth and sweeter fruit. When the Devil attacks us, his intention is destruction. It is important to know the difference. As believers we must understand that Satan can ask God's permission to prune us in some way, but the Devil has the power to do so only if God allows it. Isn't is wonderful to know Satan cannot do just anything he desires to us? I'm sure we would all be sick or dead if he had his way.

Pruning usually takes place when God uses siruation, people, and circumstances to hlep mature us in our Christian disposition, attitude and temperament.

Where are you being pruned in your life today? Are you filled with confusion, fear, and murmuring? Have you been asking, "Why me? Why not raise your branch high in the air, look into the face of your wise, Heavenly Father, and say, "Kind and gentle gardener, I'm willing...

That is where I am standing today. Asking my wise Heavenly Father "Kind and gentle gardener, I'm willing? I'm willing to be pruned, uncomfortable... for YOU!

I don't know where each of you are at in your spiritual life right now, but are you willing to stand along side of me as the Lord prunes us to be more like him?

It is my prayer that you are.
The Lord will use whatever it takes to get us to where He wants each of us to be in our Christian disposition, attitude and tempreament.

May you each have a Blessed Thanksgiving this week as you celebrate with your family and friends.

Blessings,

Deb

Another Monday

Hi! Love Ones,

It is another beginning of a new week and I am praying a better week healthwise for me. I began with a cold last week that became a flu bug. It really hit me hard and I feel like a whipped puppy. But atleast today I felt like taking a shower and getting dressed. Somthing I hate to admit I haven't done much in the past week.

My devotional thought today was appropriate for all the situations that each of us may be going through in our daily lives. Our family has been working on the character trait of faithfulness this past year. We have been through much in 2008 and in each situation the Lord has continued to show His faithfulness to us.

So Here it is!

“Perhaps the Most profound miracle of all is living through something we thought would kill us.” Beth Moore

Here is my prayer for each of us as we continue to walk faithfully in Christ.

I pray that out of Your glorious riches You will strengthen us with power through Your Spirit in our inner beings, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And I pray that we, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together will all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19)

Father, help us to be confident of this, that He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 1:6) AMEN

Thank you for praying for me. I am on the road to recovery from the flu bug, but feel weak.
I know I am not back to full strength so will you pray that I can accomplish each day what the Lord wants me to. Tomorrow it is leading the women’s Bible Study. Wed-Being able to attend Team Kids Thurs-Leading a women’s Bible Study and then as next week approaches getting ready for our family to arrive for Thanksgiving. Jon and Hannah are a great help and I am thankful for them!


May the Lord show you His faithfulness today!

Deb

Another Busy Week...

Hi!

Hope you all are having a great start to your week.

To be honest my week has started out stressful. Having a cold, having too much on my schedule, Not enough time to sit a Jesus feet like I want, Feeling overwhelmed, Disappointed and scared over circumstances… The list could go on but I will stop there.

As I was looking at my devotional book today this thought was given.

James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.

“Life need not be easy to be joyful. Joy is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ.”

So as I conclude my day I am going back through all the trials and disappointments I mentioned above and I am finding joy in each of them. Joy that I did have time to read my Bible today while Jon was driving us to our VM Fellowship. Joy in knowing the Lord is in control over my life and not people. Joy in being able to be in the presence of fellow Village Missionaries who struggle just as I do. Joy in sitting in the presence of the Lord who understands my heart!

I pray you will find His joy in your journey this week.

Please be in prayer as my dad (Fred Fairchild) went to the Dr. last week and found out he is having a heart problem. He will have some medical tests done tomorrow (Tuesday AM) and then will see the Cardiologist later in the week. Pray that they will be able to determine what the problem is and give him the help he needs. I am realizing that my dad is aging and even though he thinks he is still in his 40’s, He isn’t and I am~~ It is his desire to be active and teach at Kansas State University as long as the Lord allows him.

I am praying for each of you as you follow the Lord as He leads you in your daily lives.

Blessings,

Deb

Changes

I find myself constantly thinking about changes these days. Maybe because I am preparing myself for Hannah leaving home next Summer, or maybe because there are so many things changing around me.

Changes in the seasons of life, changes in the weather, changes in our nation....

Isn't it great to know that the Lord never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

I have prayerfully considered the changes that this past election may bring to my life.

Will I be able to worship the Lord freely without goverment involvement? Will I be able to continue to share the gospel with the unsaved of this world without it being considered a hate crime? Will I be able to freely speak when led to and not tolerate the things of this world?

I think many may have been thinking these same thoughts. A question I have asked myself the past two days is:

Why Lord would you put a man into office who goes against every biblical principal I believe in?

The answer is simple. He is God and will bring about His plan using both the godly and ungodly.

In my devotions today the author shared this thought.

Any "NO" an earnestly seeking child of God receives from the Throne is for the sake of a greater "YES."

Father, help me to remember in my impatience that the end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride (Eccles. 7:8)

You led Your children, the Israelites, all the way in the desert for forty years, to humble them and to test them in order to know what was in their hearts, whether or not they would keep Your commandments (Duet. 8:2)

Help me to understand that sometimes You lead me on certain paths to humble me also, to see what is in my heart.

Purify my heart, Lord, so that I will be patient in the waiting times, and so that You will take joy in what you find.

Could this not be God's plan for the Christians under a more liberal goverment? As I have prayed and sought the Lord I feel the answer is yes. He is sifting those who say they believe in God like wheat to see who are really His and who have only been giving him lip service. I want to continue on in my journey with Him with joy no matter who the president may be. I also think the Lord is calling us to pray for President Elect Obama. The Lord can turn the heart of a king or person in authority. We as believers have to model Christ before this unsaved world like never before. We know that this world is full of troubles, but scripture tells us that our Lord has overcome this world. He ultimately will have his way and is in charge of all these things we tend to worry about.

So my friend. Go in peace today knowing the Lord is going to carry out his plan. We don't have to worry about changes in the future, we only need to be faithful!

Election Day

Election Day is finally here and I went to vote this morning.

Our church also had its annual soup luncheon today and we had many people in our building. It was interesting to here the politics that people were talking about. So many people are fearful of what tomorrow will bring. Isn't it great to know if we know Christ as our Savior we don't have to worry about tomorrow.

In my devotional time this morning I read the following:

"Every time we suffer loss, we have an opportunity for the loss to bring gain for Jesus' sake by allowing His life to be revealed".

The scripture read:

I pray to You, O Lord, in the time of Your favor; in Your great love, O God, answer me with Your sure salvation.

Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters. Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

Anser me, O Lord, out of the goodness of Your love; in Your great mercy turn to me. Do not hide Your face from Your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble (Psalms 69:13-17)

According to Your Word, in this world I will have trouble, but I am to take heart! You have overcome the world! (John 16:33)

So whatever the outcome of todays election. I know one thing for sure. God is still who He says He is and because I know Him as Savior I am safe in His arms no matter what situation I may find myself! Isn't it so great to know Who really is in control!

Just food for thought for today!

By the way... While I was working at the church today the lady from the exchange program came up to me and asked if we would be interested in the future taking more students. I told her I would pray about it and if the Lord led one to us, of course we would take him or her!

So... Our nest may never be empty!!

Hi Friends and Family,

I have finally decided to put together a blog for or ever growing family! We are excited to see how the Lord has been working in each of their lives! I hope to keep this updated on a weekly basis so you can check in and see how you can pray for our family. Please let us know how we can pray for you also.

Our Hannah is now 17 and is in her Senior Year of High School. Pray for her as she applies to the Bible Colleges she has chosen. Our Exchange daughters: Esther who is a freshman at the New York institute of Design and Technology in New York City. Pray for Esther as she once again makes many new changes in her life. Pray she will be a witness there in New York. Damaris who is a Sr in high school and is getting married to Dietrich in September of 2009. Pray for her as she has experience problems with her voice and desires to use her voice for Christ, and Steven our spiritual son is getting ready in January to begin his Sr. year at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Steven will be coming again at the end of May as our pastoral intern with Village Missions. We are excited to see how the Lord will use him in the ministry here in Red Cloud. Please be in prayer for him as he balances his studies, work, ministries and relationships of family and friends.

Jon and I continue to serve the Lord faithfully with Village Missions in Red Cloud, NE. at the Congregational Bible Church. We are now in our 6th year with the dear people of this congregation. What a blessing it has been to see all of us grow together in Christ.

Our nest looks like it may be empty by next September but we are open to having other young people come into our family to love and disciple for however long the Lord gives them to us.

We also continue to care for Jon's mother Harriet. Pray for her health to be good this winter and for friendships to fill the emptyness she has after the loss of her beloved husband last Januray.

As you can see our lives are and adventure. I was reminded yesterday in my devotions that

"We were created for the purpose of giving Christ’s invisible character a glimpse of visibility."

Lord, many have run this difficult race faithfully. I want to be among them. Therefore, since I am surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, help me throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and help me run with perserverance the race marked out for me. Help me fix my eyes of You, Jesus the author and perfecter of my faith, who for the joy set before You endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will You, my God, rejoice over me at Your appearing. (Isaiah 62:5)

We are in a battle for righteousness so lets all put on our armor and run this race to WIN. I want to hear the Lord say “Well done my faithful servant” not for me, but for Him.

Blessings to each of you today.