Hi!
Tonight as I looked outside of our front door I heard a voice of change as the secadias were singing their familiar song. Six weeks until fall. As I listened to them I realized that when God places a new change on our heart it is like he is singing to us telling us just a little more time until I come to get you for your eternal home.
Well change is coming to our household. The following is our prayer letter that we sent out to our prayer and financial supporters this week.
Dear Family and Friends,
This past year has been a whirl wind for our family. With Hannah graduating, getting her to college, moving Jon’s mom to Iowa, taking on additional duties with Village Missions as an Assistant District Representative and continuing to pastor the flock here in Red Cloud, we have been busy. Through it all we have seen the Lord’s hand as he has directed us each step of the way. When we set out on this journey of faith fourteen years ago we would have never imagined that we would serve four VM fields, (Wood Lake, NE, Pierceville, KS, Mingo, KS and for the past seven years we have served here at the Congregational Bible Church in Red Cloud.) These years have been a journey of faith as we have leaned and relied on the Lord for his direction, provision, guidance and wisdom.
This past year we have sensed the Lord was doing a new work in our lives. In May we were invited to teach at the Village Missions Candidate School and while we were there we were asked if we would consider leaving Red Cloud and becoming the District Representatives for the Mountain Central district which includes overseeing 25 missionaries and the churches they serve in the states of NE, WY, SD, MT, CO and KS. After much prayer we have accepted this new position and will begin our new duties on August 1st
One might ask is this a promotion, no it is not, because in Village Missions everyone is equal in position, we just have different duties. Our duties will require a lot of traveling, listening, encouraging and being a servant to the dear missionaries who serve on the fields. We will also be the liaison between the local church and Village Missions, and we will be representing Village Missions at Bible Colleges in our areas, recruiting others who may consider serving with Village Missions.
We ask for your prayers as we enter this new time of ministry. We will be relocating to Chadron, NE sometime the end of August. We have chosen this location so we can still be close to Hannah while she attends school at Frontier School of the Bible in LaGrange, WY. We haven’t had to look for housing for the past 14 years so this was another journey of faith as we waited for the Lord. He has provided a lovely home for us to rent from Christian people. We will begin our travels shortly after getting moved and settled. Our new address is 300 Chapin Street Chadron, NE69337 and our phone number is 402-746-8166. Our emails are pastorjonvm@gmail.com and debhansenvm@gmail.com
You may ask if we still have to continue to raise support, and the answer is yes. We still have to raise the same level of support as we have done the past fourteen years. The mission will be giving us a housing allowance to help us to rent or buy a home. We are so thankful for the faithful supporters the Lord has provided these past 14 years. If you have never supported us and would consider joining our team, we would love to talk to you about how you can be part of sharing the gospel of Christ here in rural North America. As you know there are a lot of unseen expenses with relocating. If you would like to send a one-time gift to help with these expenses that would be appreciated too.
As with all decisions, there are difficult things too. For us it is saying goodbye to the people of the Congregational Bible Church and the community of Red Cloud. We have grown to love them and they are part of us. The great thing is we don’t have to say goodbye completely as Red Cloud will be one of the fields that we will oversee. Red Cloud has become home to us. This is the place that Hannah grew up. It was here that we enlarged our family with the additions of Esther, DeeDy and Steven. We were also able to take care of Jon’s parents before his dad’s death and his mom’s move to Iowa. The church accepted them as family and loved them too. We know this parting will be hard, but we also know the Lord is going to watch over both our family and the church family here, as this change takes place. Village Missions is planning to have an associate missionary (one who has retired from full time service who does interim work) to come for up to six months before placing a new missionary family. This will help everyone during this transition time.
Pray for us as we close up many loose ends and say our goodbyes.
As for our kids, Hannah leaves on August 18th for her second year of college. She has been working at Quizno’s in Hastings, NE this summer and helping us sort and pack. We have so enjoyed having her home. Pray for her as she leaves here in August as she will be saying goodbye to the home, church and friends she has made these past seven years. After getting Hannah settled at Frontier we will come back to Red Cloud and finish the final preparations for our move.
Esther was able to go home to Korea this summer to see her family. She will return the end of August to begin her third year of college.
DeeDy and Dietrich are continuing their education in Leipzig Germany. They live in a small apartment and are enjoying their first year of marriage.
Steven is living in Chicago and working for Moody Food Service. It is our prayer that someday he may become a Village Missionary. He has a special girl in his life Grace Esther Huesby and we are enjoying watching from afar as they seek God’s direction in their lives.
In a few short weeks we will celebrate our 21st anniversary as we set out on this new journey before us.
Please be praying for the following: A quick adjustment to our new responsibilities, the new Village Missionary and family that will serve Red Cloud, and that we will be warmly accepted by both the missionaries and churches that we have been entrusted to oversee.
Once again we want to thank you for your generous prayer and financial support of this ministry. We would not have been able to serve these past fourteen years if you hadn’t played such an important part through your gifts and prayers. As we travel to the fields that we serve, we hope we can stop to see many of you along the way.
Blessings,
Deb
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Summer 2010
Hi! Loved Ones,
I can't believe it has been over month since I wrote anything. Alot has been going on and it seems like the days are just running into one another. My quiet uneventful summer has taken on a different direction.
The Lord has been teaching me alot about letting him direct my steps. Psalms 37:23 tells me that "The steps of a good man (or woman) are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way.
Learning to trust Him more and more for the everyday things in life has been challenging to me. It has been easy for me to trust Him in the big things but it has been more difficult for me to trust him in the daily stuff.
Several years ago I bought a little plaque at a quilt shop in Estes Park. It says the following: Good Morning. This is God. I will be handling alll your Problems and Worries today. I Won't need your help. Now have a Great Day! I Love you So Much. Love your Heavenly Father ~ God
I have this little plaque on my night stand. This summer I have been reading this saying over each morning and then praying and putting each day and all the details in His hands. It is so good to know as I relinquish the control over to Jesus that I don't have worry or be stressed out about all that will and won't happen in my day. All I have to do is be obedient and walk in his way~
I am so thankful that my Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Praying as you trust the Lord for the day to day stuff!
Blessings!
I can't believe it has been over month since I wrote anything. Alot has been going on and it seems like the days are just running into one another. My quiet uneventful summer has taken on a different direction.
The Lord has been teaching me alot about letting him direct my steps. Psalms 37:23 tells me that "The steps of a good man (or woman) are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way.
Learning to trust Him more and more for the everyday things in life has been challenging to me. It has been easy for me to trust Him in the big things but it has been more difficult for me to trust him in the daily stuff.
Several years ago I bought a little plaque at a quilt shop in Estes Park. It says the following: Good Morning. This is God. I will be handling alll your Problems and Worries today. I Won't need your help. Now have a Great Day! I Love you So Much. Love your Heavenly Father ~ God
I have this little plaque on my night stand. This summer I have been reading this saying over each morning and then praying and putting each day and all the details in His hands. It is so good to know as I relinquish the control over to Jesus that I don't have worry or be stressed out about all that will and won't happen in my day. All I have to do is be obedient and walk in his way~
I am so thankful that my Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!
Praying as you trust the Lord for the day to day stuff!
Blessings!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Travels
Hi! Loved Ones,
Well after a month of travels I am back home.
What a month it has been.
My month started out by traveling out to Frontier School of the Bible to ride home with Hannah. After a trip through Colorado and several mishaps along the way after I arrived, I was finally able to enjoy meeting several of Hannah's friends parents, going to graduation and traveling back home on Saturday with Hannah in her old trust worthy car! I made great memories during this short time and look forward to the next couple of years that Hannah has at FSB.
We then turned around in less than 24 hours and began our trip to Iowa to see Jon's mom. She is doing well at age 84 and has been leading a Stonecroft Bible Study at her assisted living. While visiting her we had the chance to lead a afternoon hymn sing for the people living there. They so appreciated us giving of our time and we enjoyed getting to know them better. At the end of the week we headed for Missouri to attend a family dinner in honor of my nephew Michael's High School Graduation. We left Hannah there to celebrate with my family and drove to Kansas City to Jon's brother Dave's place to spend the night so we could catch our flight to Portland on Sunday morning.
Our trip to Oregon went smooth. We made all of our connections and were picked up at the airport and driven to Dallas, OR. We had dinner with some of our friends and then went back to the apartment we were staying in to prepare for VM candidate school.
The candidate school went well. I so enjoyed going back through it again. It was a great refresher course after 14 years in ministry. The candidate couples were great. Such sweet spirits amongst them. We also enjoyed working along side of the VM staff as we presented the work of VM to theses dear people. The interviews were done on Friday evening and that was the close of the school. During the week, Jon enjoyed connecting with his former missions instructor who serves as a visitation pastor at a local church and also a retired VM who is a Grace School of the Bible graduate.
Saturday we drove up the Pacific coast highway to Cannon Beach. My grandmother use to attend a Bible Conference every year there, so it was fun to see where those were held. We also ate some fresh seafood and spent time gazing at the ocean and walking on the beach. What a refreshing day after a busy week. Sunday we attended church and then met some dear friends who we hadn't seen in 10 years. It felt like it was just yesterday as we picked up where we left off and enjoyed an afternoon of visiting.
Monday we flew home and Tuesday drove to Red Cloud. Now we are back in the saddle again and trying to adjust to the time zone changes all over!
As I was thinking about all that I have done this past month, I found myself thinking over and over about the peace only Jesus can give us. At every situation He proved himself faithful. Resting in His peace has given me confidence that He has everything under control. So as I enter this next few weeks and the busy schedule it will entail, I know I can turn to Jesus and seek His peace in every situation. What refreshment that brings to my weary soul.
Blessings,
Deb
Well after a month of travels I am back home.
What a month it has been.
My month started out by traveling out to Frontier School of the Bible to ride home with Hannah. After a trip through Colorado and several mishaps along the way after I arrived, I was finally able to enjoy meeting several of Hannah's friends parents, going to graduation and traveling back home on Saturday with Hannah in her old trust worthy car! I made great memories during this short time and look forward to the next couple of years that Hannah has at FSB.
We then turned around in less than 24 hours and began our trip to Iowa to see Jon's mom. She is doing well at age 84 and has been leading a Stonecroft Bible Study at her assisted living. While visiting her we had the chance to lead a afternoon hymn sing for the people living there. They so appreciated us giving of our time and we enjoyed getting to know them better. At the end of the week we headed for Missouri to attend a family dinner in honor of my nephew Michael's High School Graduation. We left Hannah there to celebrate with my family and drove to Kansas City to Jon's brother Dave's place to spend the night so we could catch our flight to Portland on Sunday morning.
Our trip to Oregon went smooth. We made all of our connections and were picked up at the airport and driven to Dallas, OR. We had dinner with some of our friends and then went back to the apartment we were staying in to prepare for VM candidate school.
The candidate school went well. I so enjoyed going back through it again. It was a great refresher course after 14 years in ministry. The candidate couples were great. Such sweet spirits amongst them. We also enjoyed working along side of the VM staff as we presented the work of VM to theses dear people. The interviews were done on Friday evening and that was the close of the school. During the week, Jon enjoyed connecting with his former missions instructor who serves as a visitation pastor at a local church and also a retired VM who is a Grace School of the Bible graduate.
Saturday we drove up the Pacific coast highway to Cannon Beach. My grandmother use to attend a Bible Conference every year there, so it was fun to see where those were held. We also ate some fresh seafood and spent time gazing at the ocean and walking on the beach. What a refreshing day after a busy week. Sunday we attended church and then met some dear friends who we hadn't seen in 10 years. It felt like it was just yesterday as we picked up where we left off and enjoyed an afternoon of visiting.
Monday we flew home and Tuesday drove to Red Cloud. Now we are back in the saddle again and trying to adjust to the time zone changes all over!
As I was thinking about all that I have done this past month, I found myself thinking over and over about the peace only Jesus can give us. At every situation He proved himself faithful. Resting in His peace has given me confidence that He has everything under control. So as I enter this next few weeks and the busy schedule it will entail, I know I can turn to Jesus and seek His peace in every situation. What refreshment that brings to my weary soul.
Blessings,
Deb
Sunday, May 2, 2010
A School Year Gone By!
Hi!
I am sitting here at my desk looking at the date on the calendar. May 2nd! Where has this school year gone.
9 months ago we had just graduated Hannah from our Home School and now this week I am making the trek out to LaGrange to drive home with her. WOW I am speechless!
Many people have asked me over and over how I have adjusted to our empty nest. As I have thought back about this last nine months I am thankful how the Lord has been working in my life, and though I miss the kids the Lord has entrusted me to, I know they are His first. They were entrusted to me some for 18 years and some for a short time.
I would have never thought last May as we were getting ready for Steven to arrive that in a few short months the Lord would change some of the direction of our lives.
These are a few things that I have learned and enjoyed.
1. Jon taking on the Assistant District Representative work has given us another focus. We love serving our church here in Red Cloud as they are our family, but we also love the missionaries the Lord entrusted us with as they are family too. A month hasn't gone by where we haven't been on the road, or on the phone visiting with these dear servants of God. What a joy to rejoice in seeing people come to know our Lord and to pray with those with hurting people within their own families and church. Jon and I don't know what the future holds but we will look back at this time of our lives with very fond memories.
2. The Esther Women's Bible Study was such a blessing and growing time for me. The concept that I learned is that the Lord already has my destiny set out before me. I can hinder his work by wanting my way or I can jump on board and go for the ride of my life. What a ride it has been and I anticipate it will be as I was chosen to live for such a time as this.
3. Quilting has become a passion of mine. I have loved taking some classes and making a few items that I have given away. As always the Lord has provided a creative outlet for me and I have some friends and family who enjoy this pass time too.
4. Life just isn't what I think it should be at times, but God is still faithful. I have been growing through this in a real lived out way this past nine months. Relationships that I would like to be restored are still at loose ends. People I would like to see saved, still don't know my Jesus, People with illnesses and injuries that I am praying for healing still aren't healed... My list could go on and on, but through it all I can see the Lords faithfulness. He has challenged me greatly that He is enough period and that even though I would like things to be different, he has a plan and loves me and those that I love.
5. Being an Empty Nester isn't all that bad! I love "my kids", but I have loved getting to know my dear hubby in our middle years better. Jon is truly a servant and he has showed me his love so much through serving me. After years of serving others, he saw this need in my life and has jumped in to help out wherever I need help! I have loved our time of quietness, after many years of a loud and hectic house and schedule. I just love being with him!
So as I drive out to pick up Hannah for this summer I am thankful what the Lord has put in my life. I am so looking forward to getting to know my daughter as a friend this summer. And I am thankful that my Lord is faithful. He will never change!
Blessings,
Deb
I am sitting here at my desk looking at the date on the calendar. May 2nd! Where has this school year gone.
9 months ago we had just graduated Hannah from our Home School and now this week I am making the trek out to LaGrange to drive home with her. WOW I am speechless!
Many people have asked me over and over how I have adjusted to our empty nest. As I have thought back about this last nine months I am thankful how the Lord has been working in my life, and though I miss the kids the Lord has entrusted me to, I know they are His first. They were entrusted to me some for 18 years and some for a short time.
I would have never thought last May as we were getting ready for Steven to arrive that in a few short months the Lord would change some of the direction of our lives.
These are a few things that I have learned and enjoyed.
1. Jon taking on the Assistant District Representative work has given us another focus. We love serving our church here in Red Cloud as they are our family, but we also love the missionaries the Lord entrusted us with as they are family too. A month hasn't gone by where we haven't been on the road, or on the phone visiting with these dear servants of God. What a joy to rejoice in seeing people come to know our Lord and to pray with those with hurting people within their own families and church. Jon and I don't know what the future holds but we will look back at this time of our lives with very fond memories.
2. The Esther Women's Bible Study was such a blessing and growing time for me. The concept that I learned is that the Lord already has my destiny set out before me. I can hinder his work by wanting my way or I can jump on board and go for the ride of my life. What a ride it has been and I anticipate it will be as I was chosen to live for such a time as this.
3. Quilting has become a passion of mine. I have loved taking some classes and making a few items that I have given away. As always the Lord has provided a creative outlet for me and I have some friends and family who enjoy this pass time too.
4. Life just isn't what I think it should be at times, but God is still faithful. I have been growing through this in a real lived out way this past nine months. Relationships that I would like to be restored are still at loose ends. People I would like to see saved, still don't know my Jesus, People with illnesses and injuries that I am praying for healing still aren't healed... My list could go on and on, but through it all I can see the Lords faithfulness. He has challenged me greatly that He is enough period and that even though I would like things to be different, he has a plan and loves me and those that I love.
5. Being an Empty Nester isn't all that bad! I love "my kids", but I have loved getting to know my dear hubby in our middle years better. Jon is truly a servant and he has showed me his love so much through serving me. After years of serving others, he saw this need in my life and has jumped in to help out wherever I need help! I have loved our time of quietness, after many years of a loud and hectic house and schedule. I just love being with him!
So as I drive out to pick up Hannah for this summer I am thankful what the Lord has put in my life. I am so looking forward to getting to know my daughter as a friend this summer. And I am thankful that my Lord is faithful. He will never change!
Blessings,
Deb
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Learning to Surrender
Hi!
I haven't been on here in a couple of weeks. These past few weeks have been some of the busiest weeks in recent times but also very enjoyable times too!
Two weeks ago we held our annual Palm Sunday Cantata. I have to admit that my heart really wasn't in to being part of this again, but knowing I need to support my pastor hubby who loves working and presenting the gospel in this manner was my reason to get on board.
The Risen Christ with music by Keith and Kristyn Getty really ministered to my heart over the weeks that followed. This year for the first time we had the smallest group of choir members we have ever had. This year we had the fewest number of kids involved in drama, but this year we had a group of people who committed themselves to the practices it involved, we had a group of ministers who went out on faith and spent the money needed to have the drama on video, this year the Red Cloud Opera House offered their building with great sound and a giant screen to this effort free of charge. Who could have done all this but the Lord!
The day of the cantata arrived. The chairs in the opera house were full! I was full of nerves because for the first time in my life except in our local church, I was singing a solo all by myself in public. Something this gal had never felt comfortable or confidant about doing. You know what, The Lord showed up that day. The music ministered to the people, I didn't trip over all the cords in the dark that would have caused me to sail into the grand piano! My voice didn't wobble like my knees were doing and I am so thankful that the Lord challenged me to surrender to Him and be a part of this group that ministered the gospel to our community that day.
The theme of my life for these past few years has seemed to be Surrender.
Surrender to what the Lord wants to do within me, surrender all my hopes and dreams for His, Surrender to His will and not my own.
Today in church, my pastor hubby preached one of the best sermons that I have heard him preach from James chapter two on surrender. He spoke of Abraham and how he had learned to surrender so many times throughout his life. He spoke on how Rahab who was known as a harlot and she surrender her life to God and how in Matt chapter 2 she is mentioned in the lineage of Christ. As I read not only in James chapter 2 but also about both of them in Hebrews chapter 11 I began to see just what the Lord has been doing in me these past few years.
I have learned to surrender my life more and more to His will.
I have learned to surrender my plans for His.
I have learned to surrender my "kids" to Him.
These are just a few areas that I have seen His working in my life. No it doesn't mean that I haven't struggled as He has been teaching me this thing called surrender. No at times I have followed Him kicking and screaming, because I thought my will and my plans were the better idea. I have shed numerous tears over surrendering people to Him because they are not mine, they are His. But little by little He has been showing me what it means to surrender more easily than I have in the past.
A passage in scripture which has really spoken to me as of late is 1 Peter 1:3-9 where it says
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain and inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."
You see this process of surrender is just another part of the sanctification process in my life.
Having this eternal view in my mind has given me such comfort and peace as I continue on this journey of faith that I surrendered to Christ by asking Him to be my Savior and Lord and declaring myself as a sinner in need of a Savior as a 7 year old girl in a small rural church in Kansas almost 40 years ago! I still have a ways to go because the Lord hasn't called me to my eternal home yet, but which each passing step my hearts desire is to be more and more willing to surrender easily to His will, His ways and His plan.
Are you willing to be surrender to Christ?
Have you put your faith in Christ alone for your salvation, if you haven't you can do that today. '
I would love to pray with you and get you started on your journey of faith.
If you have surrendered to Christ, are you following after Him, are you in love with your savior and are you desiring to say no to yourself and surrender to His ways.
These hard questions but ones that will matter for eternity I believer.
Know that I will be praying for each of you as the Lord brings you to my mind.
Blessings,
Deb
I haven't been on here in a couple of weeks. These past few weeks have been some of the busiest weeks in recent times but also very enjoyable times too!
Two weeks ago we held our annual Palm Sunday Cantata. I have to admit that my heart really wasn't in to being part of this again, but knowing I need to support my pastor hubby who loves working and presenting the gospel in this manner was my reason to get on board.
The Risen Christ with music by Keith and Kristyn Getty really ministered to my heart over the weeks that followed. This year for the first time we had the smallest group of choir members we have ever had. This year we had the fewest number of kids involved in drama, but this year we had a group of people who committed themselves to the practices it involved, we had a group of ministers who went out on faith and spent the money needed to have the drama on video, this year the Red Cloud Opera House offered their building with great sound and a giant screen to this effort free of charge. Who could have done all this but the Lord!
The day of the cantata arrived. The chairs in the opera house were full! I was full of nerves because for the first time in my life except in our local church, I was singing a solo all by myself in public. Something this gal had never felt comfortable or confidant about doing. You know what, The Lord showed up that day. The music ministered to the people, I didn't trip over all the cords in the dark that would have caused me to sail into the grand piano! My voice didn't wobble like my knees were doing and I am so thankful that the Lord challenged me to surrender to Him and be a part of this group that ministered the gospel to our community that day.
The theme of my life for these past few years has seemed to be Surrender.
Surrender to what the Lord wants to do within me, surrender all my hopes and dreams for His, Surrender to His will and not my own.
Today in church, my pastor hubby preached one of the best sermons that I have heard him preach from James chapter two on surrender. He spoke of Abraham and how he had learned to surrender so many times throughout his life. He spoke on how Rahab who was known as a harlot and she surrender her life to God and how in Matt chapter 2 she is mentioned in the lineage of Christ. As I read not only in James chapter 2 but also about both of them in Hebrews chapter 11 I began to see just what the Lord has been doing in me these past few years.
I have learned to surrender my life more and more to His will.
I have learned to surrender my plans for His.
I have learned to surrender my "kids" to Him.
These are just a few areas that I have seen His working in my life. No it doesn't mean that I haven't struggled as He has been teaching me this thing called surrender. No at times I have followed Him kicking and screaming, because I thought my will and my plans were the better idea. I have shed numerous tears over surrendering people to Him because they are not mine, they are His. But little by little He has been showing me what it means to surrender more easily than I have in the past.
A passage in scripture which has really spoken to me as of late is 1 Peter 1:3-9 where it says
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain and inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls."
You see this process of surrender is just another part of the sanctification process in my life.
Having this eternal view in my mind has given me such comfort and peace as I continue on this journey of faith that I surrendered to Christ by asking Him to be my Savior and Lord and declaring myself as a sinner in need of a Savior as a 7 year old girl in a small rural church in Kansas almost 40 years ago! I still have a ways to go because the Lord hasn't called me to my eternal home yet, but which each passing step my hearts desire is to be more and more willing to surrender easily to His will, His ways and His plan.
Are you willing to be surrender to Christ?
Have you put your faith in Christ alone for your salvation, if you haven't you can do that today. '
I would love to pray with you and get you started on your journey of faith.
If you have surrendered to Christ, are you following after Him, are you in love with your savior and are you desiring to say no to yourself and surrender to His ways.
These hard questions but ones that will matter for eternity I believer.
Know that I will be praying for each of you as the Lord brings you to my mind.
Blessings,
Deb
Friday, March 19, 2010
Coming to a End
Hi!
Last night our ladies Bible Study on Esther came to an end. This study has been one of those life changing studies for me. I needed this study for such a time as this to refocus me on God's purpose for my life. This week as I prepared for this last study I found myself crying. First when I finished the book and secondly when I watch the last DVD. For one like me who doesn't cry easily I knew this had touched my heart and life changing way.
You see it really doesn't matter what we think our life should be. They only one who matters is Christ! He already before the world even existed had a plan drawn up for my life. It doesn't matter what men try to do, it only matters what God is doing. Christ holds my destiny.
I can come to Christ, obediently following his plan or I can try to run, kicking and screaming the other direction, but it the end He will have his way with me. Do I want his way with the blessings it brings or the consequences that my sin brings.
One thing that Beth Moore said really got me to thinking. In a world where we are focused on beauty and self and wanting to defy the process of aging to feel like we have accomplished anything in our lives, the Lord Jesus plan is just the opposite for those who love him. His plan is that we get more beautiful in His time. That inner beauty that can come only through Jesus Christ and what he did for us on that cross. When we enter into his presence these old worn out bodies will be exchange for a glorious body that will never have the affect of sin in it or on it. Can you imagine!! It is my goal to become more beautiful inside so that Jesus will shine on my outside.
The other statement that hit me so profoundly was "God is never more near when we don't see His imprint," So when I go through the trials of life which I don't understand, I can know that God is with me! He will bring me to an understanding of theses trails when I get to heaven, if he doesn't reveal them to me here on earth.
Recently I have been praying that the Lord would show me the whys of my life. It seems like that is all I have had to focus on is "Why Lord?" The Lord knew that this study would change my outlook on the Whys, to help me focus on Him and not my circumstances. Now I can say not why, but how do you want me to use this circumstance in my life to help me and others focus on Him.
So when life gets overwhelming and it will, when trail come and they will, when questions come and they will, let's focus on Jesus, who already has everything worked out for his good and ours.
I think this may be what Paul meant when he wrote he has learned to be content in all circumstances.
Blessings,
Deb
Last night our ladies Bible Study on Esther came to an end. This study has been one of those life changing studies for me. I needed this study for such a time as this to refocus me on God's purpose for my life. This week as I prepared for this last study I found myself crying. First when I finished the book and secondly when I watch the last DVD. For one like me who doesn't cry easily I knew this had touched my heart and life changing way.
You see it really doesn't matter what we think our life should be. They only one who matters is Christ! He already before the world even existed had a plan drawn up for my life. It doesn't matter what men try to do, it only matters what God is doing. Christ holds my destiny.
I can come to Christ, obediently following his plan or I can try to run, kicking and screaming the other direction, but it the end He will have his way with me. Do I want his way with the blessings it brings or the consequences that my sin brings.
One thing that Beth Moore said really got me to thinking. In a world where we are focused on beauty and self and wanting to defy the process of aging to feel like we have accomplished anything in our lives, the Lord Jesus plan is just the opposite for those who love him. His plan is that we get more beautiful in His time. That inner beauty that can come only through Jesus Christ and what he did for us on that cross. When we enter into his presence these old worn out bodies will be exchange for a glorious body that will never have the affect of sin in it or on it. Can you imagine!! It is my goal to become more beautiful inside so that Jesus will shine on my outside.
The other statement that hit me so profoundly was "God is never more near when we don't see His imprint," So when I go through the trials of life which I don't understand, I can know that God is with me! He will bring me to an understanding of theses trails when I get to heaven, if he doesn't reveal them to me here on earth.
Recently I have been praying that the Lord would show me the whys of my life. It seems like that is all I have had to focus on is "Why Lord?" The Lord knew that this study would change my outlook on the Whys, to help me focus on Him and not my circumstances. Now I can say not why, but how do you want me to use this circumstance in my life to help me and others focus on Him.
So when life gets overwhelming and it will, when trail come and they will, when questions come and they will, let's focus on Jesus, who already has everything worked out for his good and ours.
I think this may be what Paul meant when he wrote he has learned to be content in all circumstances.
Blessings,
Deb
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Requests
Hi!
As I have been studying about prayer in my quiet time this past year, many times I have brought prayer requests before the Lord for all kinds of people who I have had involvement in their lives in one way or another. What a privilege for me to bring those requests before the Lord and pray for all kinds of people and circumstances.
As I thought about what to write in my blog this time, the Lord brought to my mind that maybe I should share some of the requests that Jon and I have in our lives at the present time.
So if you would like to bring us before the Lord in prayer we would deeply appreciate it.
1. We have been doing respite care for an 11 year old who started five fires in the matter of two months last fall and it ended with him setting fire to his families home. Because he is underage, it up to his parents to decide what kind of restitution he should do. His parents have chosen to send him to a 18 month Christian Boys ranch that will work with him not only on his behavior but on his heart spiritually also. I know how hard this decision has been for this family, but both Jon and I believe it is the right choice for "J". "J" was having a hard time getting along at home so after much prayer his parents asked if we would keep him until they leave to take him to the ranch. We said yes and are now in our second week with him living with us. Please pray for us as we teach and train and prepare "J" for his departure on March 20th and pray that "J's" heart will be open to what the Lord wants to do in him during his time away.
2. My Mom is having knee replacement surgery on March 17th. I will be traveling to KS to help in her care after she gets home from the hospital for a week. Please pray that I will have a loving heart for my mom as she copes with the pain and the therapy that comes along with knee replacement. Pray also as Jon is home alone and will have a lot on his plate as this is the week before our annual Palm Sunday Cantata that he directs. Pray for my mom's healing as she wants to be able to walk pain free by the end of May as my Dad is taking her to Ireland on a trip.
3. Pray for Hannah. She isn't going to be able to get home this semester because of her schedule. All of us have realized this is the longest period of time that we have ever been apart as a family and we are all missing one another. Jon and I will be traveling out to Frontier after our service on Easter Sunday so we can go to her choir concert on Monday night and then leave on Tuesday to do some business for Village Missions. Pray also that the Lord would show her where she is to be this summer. She has a good job in Scottsbluff, NE but she does desire to be home. We are asking for the Lord's provision in a job for her either here in Red Cloud or Hastings.
4. Pray for our board chairman Jack who is having surgery for his colon cancer on March 26th in Omaha. Because of the extensive surgery they are preforming he will be in the hospital for about two weeks. Pray for Jack and his family as they continue to go through this trail that is set before them.
5. Pray for Jon and I as we have been asked by VM leadership to teach at the upcoming candidate school in Dallas, OR, May 17-21, 2010. Pray as we prepare that we will seek what the Lord wants us to share while covering all the material that we have been assigned. Also pray as we are organizing the mini conference to be held at Rexford, KS in July. We have about 70 people attending this conference with adults and children. It should be a fun time for everyone!
As you can see our lives are very full even with our church responsibilities added to this list.
One thing for sure, life is never boring!
I would love to pray for you if you have something you would like to share with me.
Until the next time.
Blessings,
Deb
As I have been studying about prayer in my quiet time this past year, many times I have brought prayer requests before the Lord for all kinds of people who I have had involvement in their lives in one way or another. What a privilege for me to bring those requests before the Lord and pray for all kinds of people and circumstances.
As I thought about what to write in my blog this time, the Lord brought to my mind that maybe I should share some of the requests that Jon and I have in our lives at the present time.
So if you would like to bring us before the Lord in prayer we would deeply appreciate it.
1. We have been doing respite care for an 11 year old who started five fires in the matter of two months last fall and it ended with him setting fire to his families home. Because he is underage, it up to his parents to decide what kind of restitution he should do. His parents have chosen to send him to a 18 month Christian Boys ranch that will work with him not only on his behavior but on his heart spiritually also. I know how hard this decision has been for this family, but both Jon and I believe it is the right choice for "J". "J" was having a hard time getting along at home so after much prayer his parents asked if we would keep him until they leave to take him to the ranch. We said yes and are now in our second week with him living with us. Please pray for us as we teach and train and prepare "J" for his departure on March 20th and pray that "J's" heart will be open to what the Lord wants to do in him during his time away.
2. My Mom is having knee replacement surgery on March 17th. I will be traveling to KS to help in her care after she gets home from the hospital for a week. Please pray that I will have a loving heart for my mom as she copes with the pain and the therapy that comes along with knee replacement. Pray also as Jon is home alone and will have a lot on his plate as this is the week before our annual Palm Sunday Cantata that he directs. Pray for my mom's healing as she wants to be able to walk pain free by the end of May as my Dad is taking her to Ireland on a trip.
3. Pray for Hannah. She isn't going to be able to get home this semester because of her schedule. All of us have realized this is the longest period of time that we have ever been apart as a family and we are all missing one another. Jon and I will be traveling out to Frontier after our service on Easter Sunday so we can go to her choir concert on Monday night and then leave on Tuesday to do some business for Village Missions. Pray also that the Lord would show her where she is to be this summer. She has a good job in Scottsbluff, NE but she does desire to be home. We are asking for the Lord's provision in a job for her either here in Red Cloud or Hastings.
4. Pray for our board chairman Jack who is having surgery for his colon cancer on March 26th in Omaha. Because of the extensive surgery they are preforming he will be in the hospital for about two weeks. Pray for Jack and his family as they continue to go through this trail that is set before them.
5. Pray for Jon and I as we have been asked by VM leadership to teach at the upcoming candidate school in Dallas, OR, May 17-21, 2010. Pray as we prepare that we will seek what the Lord wants us to share while covering all the material that we have been assigned. Also pray as we are organizing the mini conference to be held at Rexford, KS in July. We have about 70 people attending this conference with adults and children. It should be a fun time for everyone!
As you can see our lives are very full even with our church responsibilities added to this list.
One thing for sure, life is never boring!
I would love to pray for you if you have something you would like to share with me.
Until the next time.
Blessings,
Deb
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Straight Paths and Mature People
Hi! It has been several weeks since I have written anything here. So I thought I would share about what the Lord has been teaching me recently.
Pastor Jon has been preaching through James and it has been such a good study and reminder to me that I should consider it Pure Joy when I go through trials of various kinds, because the testing of my faith develops perseverance!
Perseverance is a hard lesson for me. Recently I have just wanted to give up in many areas, but the Lord keeps reminding me at every turn that he wants to develop my faith more and more.
Today in my quiet time I read the following devotional and I thought it was written just for me!
Proverbs 3:6 He will make your paths straight.
The author goes on to write: This isn't a promise for an easy, obstacle-free life. There are rugged mountains to climb and deserts to cross, rivers to ford and jungles to traverse. That's where wisdom comes in.
There is a bonus in this straightening process; for in the straightening of our paths, we too are made straight. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance MUST finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in ANYTHING!!" (James 1:1-2) Struggles can be good for us if we have the wisdom to handle them. "So, if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God." (James 1:5) There you have it: As paths are made straight. people are made mature.
Proverbs 3:6 says "In all your ways acknowledge Him" What does ti mean to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways? It means to live by his Word in every circumstance, in every place we find ourselves.
A father and son were traveling to a city in a far country. The journey would take several days. As they walked over mountain passes and through forests, the boy wanted to explore things. They would enter a meadow, and the boy would want to run to the other side. If they passed a rock outcropping the boy would beg his dad to let him climb it. The boy got bolder and bolder as they journeyed. One day he wanted to go a greater distance off the road that he had ventured. The father agreed that he could, but as the boy started off, he felt a tinge of fear. He asked, "How can I know if I've wandered too far away, Father?
The father smiled and answered, "I'll call your name every few minutes and you answer. You call my name every few minutes, and I'll answer. If you get to a place where you can't hear my voice very well, you've wandered too far.
That is what it looks like to acknowledge the Lord in all of our ways. It is a picture of prayer and the Word of God--his voice calling to us, and our voice calling to him.
Prayer-O dear Father! Speak, for I am listening. And hear me when I pray. Make my paths straight and my life mature.
With all of that said, I am learning that the Lord is still working in my life to mature me in Him. Yes he has grown me up so much these past 40 years since I received him as my Savior at age 7, but he still isn't through with me. The trails, circumstances and crooked paths that I have been experiencing and even rebelling against at times, have been the one thing that the Lord is using to make my paths straight and mature me in Him.
My prayer for each of you is that the Lord is maturing you day by day. That He is taking the trials and circumstances of your life to make your paths straight so that you run to Him and Him alone.
Blessings!
Pastor Jon has been preaching through James and it has been such a good study and reminder to me that I should consider it Pure Joy when I go through trials of various kinds, because the testing of my faith develops perseverance!
Perseverance is a hard lesson for me. Recently I have just wanted to give up in many areas, but the Lord keeps reminding me at every turn that he wants to develop my faith more and more.
Today in my quiet time I read the following devotional and I thought it was written just for me!
Proverbs 3:6 He will make your paths straight.
The author goes on to write: This isn't a promise for an easy, obstacle-free life. There are rugged mountains to climb and deserts to cross, rivers to ford and jungles to traverse. That's where wisdom comes in.
There is a bonus in this straightening process; for in the straightening of our paths, we too are made straight. "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trails of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance MUST finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in ANYTHING!!" (James 1:1-2) Struggles can be good for us if we have the wisdom to handle them. "So, if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God." (James 1:5) There you have it: As paths are made straight. people are made mature.
Proverbs 3:6 says "In all your ways acknowledge Him" What does ti mean to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways? It means to live by his Word in every circumstance, in every place we find ourselves.
A father and son were traveling to a city in a far country. The journey would take several days. As they walked over mountain passes and through forests, the boy wanted to explore things. They would enter a meadow, and the boy would want to run to the other side. If they passed a rock outcropping the boy would beg his dad to let him climb it. The boy got bolder and bolder as they journeyed. One day he wanted to go a greater distance off the road that he had ventured. The father agreed that he could, but as the boy started off, he felt a tinge of fear. He asked, "How can I know if I've wandered too far away, Father?
The father smiled and answered, "I'll call your name every few minutes and you answer. You call my name every few minutes, and I'll answer. If you get to a place where you can't hear my voice very well, you've wandered too far.
That is what it looks like to acknowledge the Lord in all of our ways. It is a picture of prayer and the Word of God--his voice calling to us, and our voice calling to him.
Prayer-O dear Father! Speak, for I am listening. And hear me when I pray. Make my paths straight and my life mature.
With all of that said, I am learning that the Lord is still working in my life to mature me in Him. Yes he has grown me up so much these past 40 years since I received him as my Savior at age 7, but he still isn't through with me. The trails, circumstances and crooked paths that I have been experiencing and even rebelling against at times, have been the one thing that the Lord is using to make my paths straight and mature me in Him.
My prayer for each of you is that the Lord is maturing you day by day. That He is taking the trials and circumstances of your life to make your paths straight so that you run to Him and Him alone.
Blessings!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
These Things Remain...
Hi~
This weekend I attended a Women's conference with a dear friend of mine.
The conference was entitled Spaghetti for the Soul. I wasn't sure just what to expect but I knew if Kathy Troccoli was on the list of speakers, I would at least enjoy her music. She is one of my favorite Christian artists because she writes her songs from the depths of her being.
I had never heard of Ellie Lafaro before, but the moment she began speaking she had my attention. She opened by saying "I don't know why you came here today." You may have been a capital C christian for along time, but I hope you will go home today challenged and encouraged." That really got my attention. So many times when you have walked with the Lord for as long as I have you wonder if you have heard it all at women's conferences. O I knew I would laugh! How could I keep from it as these two Italian born women bantered back and forth from everything from Child Birth to Menopause!! Very funny stuff!! I was ROFL (Rolling on the floor laughing) actually I was sitting on my chair trying not to roll of onto the floor laughing!!
But when the laughing ceased and the Word of the Lord was presented, the Holy Spirit took over and began showing me why I had left home for a day away from the pressures of life and ministry. The Lord once again wanted to speak to my heart. One of the fist things the Holy Spirit said to me was "Don't let where I am today, be where I stay."
When my life is said and done, How do I want to be remember? A loving wife, a great mom, a caring mentor... All those things would be wonderful but scripture tells me that only three things will remain and that is Faith, Hope and Love.
You see faith is rooted in the past. I need to look back and see what the Lord has done. I need to tell the storm I am facing right now, how big My God is! Christ gives me the faith I need daily and all I have to do is receive it from him. Romans 1:17 tells me that the righteous live by faith. Faith is necessary to walk with the Lord, because without it, it is impossible to please him. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith, saved me, it gives me peace and it helps me to persevere and grow when I am led into the valleys in my life. Do I want to be remembered as those Bible saints of Hebrews chapter 11? YES I DO!!!!!!
Hope is our future! It is what God will do! Did you know that Hope has a name. His name is Jesus! All the things that seem to bind me up here on earth I should consider as grave clothes and they need to come off so I can live in freedom. Someday they will!!! That is my hope!!! Hope never leaves! My earthly view is to have the Fairy Tale in life, but Jesus is the only one who can satisfy. I was made for another world!! Often I interpret pain as the absence of God working in my life. He is never closer than when I feel pain. God is writing my story and sometimes I am slamming the book on His hands. Feelings and Circumstances don't make his promises null and void! Until we admit that we are stuck! He can't change us. The question is "What do I think that Christ won't give me"? I need to hold onto hope! This is my responsibility. God never wastes our pain. God will use my story and orchestrate my pain for His Glory!!! You see that Christ in me is the Hope of Glory!
God's love is infinite, eternal and secure! Most of us were raised I love you if.... Or I will love you when... His love is not like earthy love. Part of our loving God is that we should be expectant of what the Lord is going to do in our lives. He loves me!!!! The speaker said we should get out of bed praising God and saying, "Lord I am reporting to duty today." That is the great legacy we have in the cross that as Christians we can ask the Lord to show us how and what to do each step of this journey of life. We need to love ourselves as God see us. God values each and every life. Because he loves me. I need to engage in the culture he has placed me. The speaker challenged us that if everyone in your circle of influence is a Christian, then you are not engaging the world the Lord wants us to win for him. Really made me look at who in my life is not a believer and how I can be a better influence for Christ to them. She also challenged me that every believer needs a Paul in their life. Someone who has mentored you. I can say I cherish the Paul's the Lord has placed in my life. One is a second mother to me, the other has been a godly example of a Pastor's wife and the third Paul in my life taught me so much in the area of prayer. The speaker also challenged me that we should always have a Timothy in our lives. Someone who you are mentoring. I am so glad the Lord has provided and continues to provide young adults who I can poor my life into, sharing how the Lord has been with me as I have grown up in the faith. You may be saying, but.... Remember God qualifies the call. I don't have to worry about all the logistics, I have to just be available. I need to Love others as Christ would. I was challenged by this chiastic structure (those of you who have studied the Beth Moore's Esther Study will understand) You can give without loving but you can't love without giving! What can I do for others who cannot repay me!
This weekend I attended a Women's conference with a dear friend of mine.
The conference was entitled Spaghetti for the Soul. I wasn't sure just what to expect but I knew if Kathy Troccoli was on the list of speakers, I would at least enjoy her music. She is one of my favorite Christian artists because she writes her songs from the depths of her being.
I had never heard of Ellie Lafaro before, but the moment she began speaking she had my attention. She opened by saying "I don't know why you came here today." You may have been a capital C christian for along time, but I hope you will go home today challenged and encouraged." That really got my attention. So many times when you have walked with the Lord for as long as I have you wonder if you have heard it all at women's conferences. O I knew I would laugh! How could I keep from it as these two Italian born women bantered back and forth from everything from Child Birth to Menopause!! Very funny stuff!! I was ROFL (Rolling on the floor laughing) actually I was sitting on my chair trying not to roll of onto the floor laughing!!
But when the laughing ceased and the Word of the Lord was presented, the Holy Spirit took over and began showing me why I had left home for a day away from the pressures of life and ministry. The Lord once again wanted to speak to my heart. One of the fist things the Holy Spirit said to me was "Don't let where I am today, be where I stay."
When my life is said and done, How do I want to be remember? A loving wife, a great mom, a caring mentor... All those things would be wonderful but scripture tells me that only three things will remain and that is Faith, Hope and Love.
You see faith is rooted in the past. I need to look back and see what the Lord has done. I need to tell the storm I am facing right now, how big My God is! Christ gives me the faith I need daily and all I have to do is receive it from him. Romans 1:17 tells me that the righteous live by faith. Faith is necessary to walk with the Lord, because without it, it is impossible to please him. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith, saved me, it gives me peace and it helps me to persevere and grow when I am led into the valleys in my life. Do I want to be remembered as those Bible saints of Hebrews chapter 11? YES I DO!!!!!!
Hope is our future! It is what God will do! Did you know that Hope has a name. His name is Jesus! All the things that seem to bind me up here on earth I should consider as grave clothes and they need to come off so I can live in freedom. Someday they will!!! That is my hope!!! Hope never leaves! My earthly view is to have the Fairy Tale in life, but Jesus is the only one who can satisfy. I was made for another world!! Often I interpret pain as the absence of God working in my life. He is never closer than when I feel pain. God is writing my story and sometimes I am slamming the book on His hands. Feelings and Circumstances don't make his promises null and void! Until we admit that we are stuck! He can't change us. The question is "What do I think that Christ won't give me"? I need to hold onto hope! This is my responsibility. God never wastes our pain. God will use my story and orchestrate my pain for His Glory!!! You see that Christ in me is the Hope of Glory!
God's love is infinite, eternal and secure! Most of us were raised I love you if.... Or I will love you when... His love is not like earthy love. Part of our loving God is that we should be expectant of what the Lord is going to do in our lives. He loves me!!!! The speaker said we should get out of bed praising God and saying, "Lord I am reporting to duty today." That is the great legacy we have in the cross that as Christians we can ask the Lord to show us how and what to do each step of this journey of life. We need to love ourselves as God see us. God values each and every life. Because he loves me. I need to engage in the culture he has placed me. The speaker challenged us that if everyone in your circle of influence is a Christian, then you are not engaging the world the Lord wants us to win for him. Really made me look at who in my life is not a believer and how I can be a better influence for Christ to them. She also challenged me that every believer needs a Paul in their life. Someone who has mentored you. I can say I cherish the Paul's the Lord has placed in my life. One is a second mother to me, the other has been a godly example of a Pastor's wife and the third Paul in my life taught me so much in the area of prayer. The speaker also challenged me that we should always have a Timothy in our lives. Someone who you are mentoring. I am so glad the Lord has provided and continues to provide young adults who I can poor my life into, sharing how the Lord has been with me as I have grown up in the faith. You may be saying, but.... Remember God qualifies the call. I don't have to worry about all the logistics, I have to just be available. I need to Love others as Christ would. I was challenged by this chiastic structure (those of you who have studied the Beth Moore's Esther Study will understand) You can give without loving but you can't love without giving! What can I do for others who cannot repay me!
We ended the day with the challenge of God's love for us. God has a gracious love. God has a victorious love. We must be filling up daily on God's word. That is how we will know that God Love us. It is written as a love story in His book the Bible. The speaker asked "What are we eating on?" I must contineu to be a woman of the Word!
I have written all of this to say I am so glad that I took the time to attend this conference. As much as I just wanted to go and get away from the busyness that so often overtakes me, and to be with friend and mentor of in my life, the Lord took me away for the day so that I would listen to His voice and to refocus my thoughts on Him and the things that really matter and will last for eternity. Faith, Hope and Love.
I am praying that the Lord will speak to each of you and show you His wonderful, but sometimes painful and challenging story that He is writing on your life.
Blessings,
Deb
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Spiritual Renewal
Hi!
Just this morning I said to Jon, "I will never ever pray for colder weather again, because the Lord has provided that just for me her in Red Cloud this winter." You see I love the colder weather especially since it kills all the outdoor allergies that I suffer from. I love the white glistening of snow, I love wearing layers upon layers of clothes to stay warm, I love drinking hot tea and curling up with a good book. This is usually my time of year, but this year has been different. I am longing for the sun to shine like it is today after almost a whole month of gray sky. I am longing for what spring brings with its newness! I am wanting a spiritual renewal to begin in me again.
This past weekend our church hosted an Attachment Adoption Seminar for families within our community who are struggling with kids that have never attached to anyone. I came away with a whole new awareness of what some of these dear friends go through every day of their lives.
God created us to be children that bond and attach to our mother, father, caregivers... Just like He created us to bond to Him as His children. So often because of circumstances this does not happen at birth like it should. A child is born with an illness or a parent has a illness or issue that causes them not to hold, rock, look into their babies eyes... all the things that are to come so naturally in parenting. It isn't per say any ones fault, but when attachment doesn't happen naturally then it is so hard to make it happen in a person's life.
Looking at this from a spiritual view point in relationship to attaching to a Savior has given me so much new insight into situations that have happened within my own life. Attaching to my Savior involves being with Him daily, hearing Him speak to me from His Word the Bible and in prayer,
looking into the eyes of a loving Savior and focusing just on Him and not all the things that distract me.
As I shared earlier the Lord has been using a situation within my own life to mold me to be more like Him. I have no answers, but I know He does. The Lord cares so much about me and about what is going on that He won't let me just brush it aside. He has decided it is time for me to deal with this situation with His help.
This past weekend, the teaching I received helped me so much. Sometimes we bond to others who have no idea how to bond to us. It has given me freedom from guilt that the enemy has showered upon me as I have continually blamed myself for what happened in this situation. And now I am feeling the freedom to love other people who may not respond and that comes only from Christ .
As I thought about what I said to Jon about the weather, I also know that I won't stop praying for this situation because God already has a plan and for His purposes He has allowed me to be involved.
My prayer for you this week is to open your heart to Christ and let Him direct each step that you take on this journey towards Heaven as a believer. I often have to remind myself that Heaven is still awaiting!
An old song chorus says it so well. O Rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistakes, He knowest the end of each path that I take, but when I am tried and purified. I SHALL come forth as GOLD~
Blessings
Just this morning I said to Jon, "I will never ever pray for colder weather again, because the Lord has provided that just for me her in Red Cloud this winter." You see I love the colder weather especially since it kills all the outdoor allergies that I suffer from. I love the white glistening of snow, I love wearing layers upon layers of clothes to stay warm, I love drinking hot tea and curling up with a good book. This is usually my time of year, but this year has been different. I am longing for the sun to shine like it is today after almost a whole month of gray sky. I am longing for what spring brings with its newness! I am wanting a spiritual renewal to begin in me again.
This past weekend our church hosted an Attachment Adoption Seminar for families within our community who are struggling with kids that have never attached to anyone. I came away with a whole new awareness of what some of these dear friends go through every day of their lives.
God created us to be children that bond and attach to our mother, father, caregivers... Just like He created us to bond to Him as His children. So often because of circumstances this does not happen at birth like it should. A child is born with an illness or a parent has a illness or issue that causes them not to hold, rock, look into their babies eyes... all the things that are to come so naturally in parenting. It isn't per say any ones fault, but when attachment doesn't happen naturally then it is so hard to make it happen in a person's life.
Looking at this from a spiritual view point in relationship to attaching to a Savior has given me so much new insight into situations that have happened within my own life. Attaching to my Savior involves being with Him daily, hearing Him speak to me from His Word the Bible and in prayer,
looking into the eyes of a loving Savior and focusing just on Him and not all the things that distract me.
As I shared earlier the Lord has been using a situation within my own life to mold me to be more like Him. I have no answers, but I know He does. The Lord cares so much about me and about what is going on that He won't let me just brush it aside. He has decided it is time for me to deal with this situation with His help.
This past weekend, the teaching I received helped me so much. Sometimes we bond to others who have no idea how to bond to us. It has given me freedom from guilt that the enemy has showered upon me as I have continually blamed myself for what happened in this situation. And now I am feeling the freedom to love other people who may not respond and that comes only from Christ .
As I thought about what I said to Jon about the weather, I also know that I won't stop praying for this situation because God already has a plan and for His purposes He has allowed me to be involved.
My prayer for you this week is to open your heart to Christ and let Him direct each step that you take on this journey towards Heaven as a believer. I often have to remind myself that Heaven is still awaiting!
An old song chorus says it so well. O Rejoice in the Lord, He makes no mistakes, He knowest the end of each path that I take, but when I am tried and purified. I SHALL come forth as GOLD~
Blessings
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Half way through
I can't believe we are half way through January. Time flies and life continues on with its ebbs and flows until we blink and another year will be complete. My thoughts lately is that we are one day closer to the Lord's return and that gives me joy to think about the time of His return. It also makes me think about all those people around me that don't know Jesus. Oh they know his name and may even use it from time to time but they don't have the HOPE of heaven that only comes when you accept what He did on the cross to pay the price of yours and my sin. My heart aches for friends and even family who don't know Jesus in a personal way. I guess if I could some up what I want to be remembered for is that I would be a living Jesus to those around me, imperfect as I am, that they might see Him through my witness and my life.
I finally was able to see the movie "The Blind Side" tonight, as I sat there watching it I was reminded of times when the Lord has brought someone into my life to pour out His love into. Sometimes is has been for a brief time and at other times for an extended period of time, but each time it was of His leading. Only Jesus can bring the people across my path that need that kind of love. Over the years I have been in the ministry alongside my hubby the Lord has brought so many individuals with varying personalities and backgrounds, for me to be a living Jesus to, they all are seeking something that only Jesus can give them.
I think back to how He has brought each of our kids across our path at just the time He had planned. I can remember each time that the Lord birthed each of them in my heart. Although some times the pouring out has involved pain and suffering, I am reminded how much Jesus suffered for me. Other times there has been so much joy to share and I am reminded how Christ rejoices over me! He gives me the opportunity to love and to give and to pray knowing that He has a plan for each of them.
Last week I shared I have been reading "Praying for your Adult Children" by Stormie Omartian.
The chapter I have read this week has emphasized that the most important way to pray for them is to ask God to pour out His Spirit upon them and pray that they will welcome an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I have to keep in mind that God can do far more for them than I can ever do and I must ask Him to speak to their hearts by the power of His Holy Spirit. My job is to pray and God's job it to answer!
This is also what I need to do with all those that come across my path during my lifetime. Prayer is the best way for me to be a living Jesus to them.
So who do you need to be a living Jesus to today? Could it be the lonely neighbor who needs to be encouraged, a lost relative who needs the saving knowledge of Jesus in their lives, a child who is pondering the Lord's will in their lives... I encourage you today to be that person who leads them closer to Jesus.
Praying your week will be filled with the Lord's Blessings,
Deb
I finally was able to see the movie "The Blind Side" tonight, as I sat there watching it I was reminded of times when the Lord has brought someone into my life to pour out His love into. Sometimes is has been for a brief time and at other times for an extended period of time, but each time it was of His leading. Only Jesus can bring the people across my path that need that kind of love. Over the years I have been in the ministry alongside my hubby the Lord has brought so many individuals with varying personalities and backgrounds, for me to be a living Jesus to, they all are seeking something that only Jesus can give them.
I think back to how He has brought each of our kids across our path at just the time He had planned. I can remember each time that the Lord birthed each of them in my heart. Although some times the pouring out has involved pain and suffering, I am reminded how much Jesus suffered for me. Other times there has been so much joy to share and I am reminded how Christ rejoices over me! He gives me the opportunity to love and to give and to pray knowing that He has a plan for each of them.
Last week I shared I have been reading "Praying for your Adult Children" by Stormie Omartian.
The chapter I have read this week has emphasized that the most important way to pray for them is to ask God to pour out His Spirit upon them and pray that they will welcome an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives. I have to keep in mind that God can do far more for them than I can ever do and I must ask Him to speak to their hearts by the power of His Holy Spirit. My job is to pray and God's job it to answer!
This is also what I need to do with all those that come across my path during my lifetime. Prayer is the best way for me to be a living Jesus to them.
So who do you need to be a living Jesus to today? Could it be the lonely neighbor who needs to be encouraged, a lost relative who needs the saving knowledge of Jesus in their lives, a child who is pondering the Lord's will in their lives... I encourage you today to be that person who leads them closer to Jesus.
Praying your week will be filled with the Lord's Blessings,
Deb
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
A New Year
Well the first thirteen days of 2010 have come and gone. This month is almost half way over and I still feel behind as I recover from our Christmas Holiday.
We had a wonderful time with two of our three girls being home for Christmas.
Hannah spent three weeks with us and it was so hard to see her drive off to LaGrange, WY last Saturday morning! I think the goodbyes are the hardest part of loving my adult children. Seeing them leave over and over really tears me up, but I know with each goodbye it means that our next Hello is just that much closer!
Esther spent two weeks with us and we had such a great visit. We all just picked up where we left off almost two years ago and quickly got into a routine. We ate wonderful Korean food and laughed over silly things. We made many new memories over the two weeks she was with us.
DeeDy and Dietrich called us on Christmas Day over Skype. We had a good time all six of us talking and laughing and yes also crying as they played the piano over the computer. I am so thankful for technology that keeps us linked together. It was fun to help them celebrate their first Christmas as a married couple!
We saw Steven in Chicago for his graduation in December. He is living in Chicago and working for Moody Food Service until he determines what the Lord's next step for him is.
A dear family member bought me the book "Praying for your Adult Children" by Stormie Omartian. I have been slowly soaking in each page as I am learning a whole new area of prayer. From time to time I will be sharing what I am learning through reading it.
The one thing that has been emphasized in the first chapter is that just because your children are adults doesn't mean that they need our prayers any less. In fact this is the time of life they need them even more. I have always prayed for my kids each morning but now I am being challenged to pray specifically and fervently for them. I look forward to see how the Lord works in each of their lives in the years to come as I lift them up before the Lord each morning.
On another note, Jon and I are rejoicing as Hannah made the Dean's List at Frontier School of the Bible. She really worked hard at studying and it really payed off. We are so thankful to see how the Lord is working in her life. I just watch from a distance as she matures and grows more in the Lord. What a blessings she is!
Well for now I will close, wishing each of you A Happy New Year in our Lord.
Deb
We had a wonderful time with two of our three girls being home for Christmas.
Hannah spent three weeks with us and it was so hard to see her drive off to LaGrange, WY last Saturday morning! I think the goodbyes are the hardest part of loving my adult children. Seeing them leave over and over really tears me up, but I know with each goodbye it means that our next Hello is just that much closer!
Esther spent two weeks with us and we had such a great visit. We all just picked up where we left off almost two years ago and quickly got into a routine. We ate wonderful Korean food and laughed over silly things. We made many new memories over the two weeks she was with us.
DeeDy and Dietrich called us on Christmas Day over Skype. We had a good time all six of us talking and laughing and yes also crying as they played the piano over the computer. I am so thankful for technology that keeps us linked together. It was fun to help them celebrate their first Christmas as a married couple!
We saw Steven in Chicago for his graduation in December. He is living in Chicago and working for Moody Food Service until he determines what the Lord's next step for him is.
A dear family member bought me the book "Praying for your Adult Children" by Stormie Omartian. I have been slowly soaking in each page as I am learning a whole new area of prayer. From time to time I will be sharing what I am learning through reading it.
The one thing that has been emphasized in the first chapter is that just because your children are adults doesn't mean that they need our prayers any less. In fact this is the time of life they need them even more. I have always prayed for my kids each morning but now I am being challenged to pray specifically and fervently for them. I look forward to see how the Lord works in each of their lives in the years to come as I lift them up before the Lord each morning.
On another note, Jon and I are rejoicing as Hannah made the Dean's List at Frontier School of the Bible. She really worked hard at studying and it really payed off. We are so thankful to see how the Lord is working in her life. I just watch from a distance as she matures and grows more in the Lord. What a blessings she is!
Well for now I will close, wishing each of you A Happy New Year in our Lord.
Deb
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