I heard once that “logic ends the minute Faith begins” is that really what those of us who believe in God, think?

Last week I was blessed, blessed to sit with some amazing women of Faith at a home Bible Study group. They had a visitor from Black Forrest Academy, Renee Grubb, there with them to share about ministry, about the kids that she ministers to on a daily basis and a small bit from the word.

 

Upon looking around the room and listening to the comments I was reminded of the Faith that it takes each of us to get through each day.  Is it ordinary Faith for ordinary people living ordinary lives?  Could we take it a step further and claim extraordinary Faith?  Is it Faith so common as a middle name or as strong as an inner belief that Faith can move mountains, draw lost people unto Him and make the lame to walk again?

 

More than anything I was reminded that we are called to live out what the word tells us.  Head knowledge is wonderful but if it doesn’t get lived out it is much like the talents that get buried and not used. I pray that I would be a walking, talking, living, breathing BIBLE.  That the very character that I read about in God’s word would penetrate my heart, mind and soul only to be lived out in me.

 

When it came time to share prayer requests I was reminded again of the exuberance or excitement of the Woman at the Well after her conversation with Christ or what about the woman with so much Faith that she knew she would be healed by just touching Christ’s garment?  What of the men that lowered another in through the ceiling for healing?   

 

These people had incredible Faith and reached out to Christ to change them making all the difference… much like the prayer requests shared for lost loved ones, sick people that need healing through Christ, a man whom has lost control over the left side of his body and young people trying to find their way with Christ at the center.  Are they extravagant prayers, NO but they require Faith just the same. Seems only logical to me to have Faith!

 

I treasure the relationships and prayer that those women exemplified to me, moreover the living breathing examples of Christ that they are to everyone around them.  

Who ever dies with the most toys wins?

 

Today I had the great opportunity to help an elderly couple in my family clean out a home in which they have lived in for the last 35 years.  The history tied to every item that was picked up was incredible.  There was excitement, sometimes finding a treasure that had been misplaced. Remembering the moment something had been given or even made and even sometimes it was easier to follow the family tree through an item, dish or piece of furniture rather than through relationships now that is something to ponder! The emotional attachment was just as incredible especially in this world that we live in today! They have things that I never knew existed and duplicates of so many items.

 

It was a long process today with 8 people putting their noses to the grindstone, focused on cleaning up and cleaning out every crevice of their garage, dining room, family room and a covered patio area.  It seems as if we had not even worked a minute on the huge amount of things that we really need to get through before moving day in April.  Really we had been working over 7 hours today, crazy!

 

For someone like me today was an easy process because in my mind how much do you really need?  There are always others that need things more than I do. For others, material items are very much what hold them and bind them to this planet. Maybe such strong connections to items draw them stronger into a family history?

 

I know that since I made my decision to follow the Lord overseas into full time ministry that there are things that I will leave behind.  Mentally and physically remembering every day that you don’t need items and stuff to be comfortable and reach people for Christ.  The need is the Love of God, giving love to God and loving others.

 

I don’t begrudge others their “stuff” I just treasure the path that I have been on for the last two years and the final outcome in my mind of the “stuff” not having me.

This has been the week of a lifetime! Last Friday February 2, 2007 we brought Steve home to stay with my Mom and myself.  Unfortunately this was plan “B” because he was denied a transfer to the acute rehab facility.  All of this translated just means that we have become rehab facility workers.  It has been decided that Steve needs to be up to 3 hours of exercises, either in his wheelchair, on a personalized platform that my Stepbrother, Michael made, or in bed.  If Steve can work up to 3 hours of continual therapy then he could possibly be admitted to an acute therapy, rehab facility.  Until then we NEED everyone praying.  I am confident that the Lord is being blessed in this physical, mental and very spiritual challenge ahead of us.

 

Please Pray specifically for:  Sound and rejuvenating sleep. All three of us are up at different times in the night, with intermittent sleep nerves are becoming shot. Attitudes are not the best and the volume for demands and answers in conversations sometimes should shake the walls of the house.  We often wonder if the neighbors can hear.

 

Pray for opportunities to share God’s love and word with Steve and my Mom.  That I would be able to grab hold of every opportunity, with the help of the Lord.  Steve has asked that someone read scripture to him each day but it has become complicated because of his hearing.  It sounds more like scripture screaming.  Since his recovery time in the hospital Steve has been calling out to God and very committed to living the life outlined in scripture.  I am sure that he made promises to the Lord during this process.  I am praying that they are long lasting and not fleeting.  

 

Pray for Steve to call upon the Lord for strength to get through each day. He needs to learn to get around in a wheelchair and do the basics on his own. He is relearning actions to get out of bed, move to the sink, pull himself up, shave, brush teeth, feeding himself and getting a glass of water. The exercises are sometimes very taxing and my Mothers expectations sometimes might be a bit high or pushy in Steve’s eyes.  Pray that he would not give up but that he would give–more grace and less demanding to everyone involved.

 

Pray for those around us to see the immediate needs for help even when we can’t ask directly.  What a great opportunity for those in the family of Christ to come together – unify and take on some of the physical burdens. The daily chores become daunting when you have someone with such great disabilities.  Pray also that my Mom would let go and ultimately let God use others to lift those daily burdens.    

 

I know that I am here in CA with them right now for a reason.  I pray for stability, for peace in the craziness of each day, God’s blessed reassurance and guidance in each step, each exercise and conversation.  May I be quick to listen and slow to speak no matter the circumstance!  I know that I need to be more intentional in finding a new quiet place to read and be at the feet of the Lord because that is where I draw my strength, attitude and heart healing. I am confident that God can be glorified in all of this won’t you join me in prayer on behalf of those who are struggling?

I recently found myself in Virginia for the month of January, 2007.  It was such a blessing to be with my sister and her family day in and day out but I was just a visitor and realized that there was something missing.  I had been helping them find a church home but the one that we visited seemed cold and not the right fit after all.

 

After a couple of weeks I met up with a new friend, Kathy who is the pastors wife at Harvest in Reston there. My Sister and I took the children on a Sunday and just being in the sanctuary singing praise songs to the Lord I started to feel something wet cascade down my cheeks.  Those tears were so very cleansing deep into my soul. The warmth that permeated from each and everyone attending that church helped me to feel something that I had been missing.

 

I treasure the people at that church for their hearts, welcoming spirits and transparency.  I hope and pray that I would be filled with God so much so that I could convey those great qualities to others when they really need it.  I hope to share God’s love and grace and most of all acceptance every place God takes me. 

 

I am constantly reminded that the church, our church and every church is filled with broken people just like those people in the world.  Instead of expecting everyone to be perfect and without need I hope to walk into churches everywhere to find people hurting, and broken because only then will we be unified in Christ and long for healing.

Two weeks before Christmas I received a notice to appear for Jury Duty at the Superior Court building in Santa Ana. They must have really wanted me because my Mother told me I had received three notices before I arrived back from Madagascar.   I know so many people that get summoned every year for Jury service and yet out of all my eligible years I have only ever had to report once before. What incredible timing! 

 

 

To begin the 20+ questions to each of us as possible jurors was both grueling and filled with plenty of thought.  I had to recall any conversation or relationship with anyone involved in Law Enforcement or any involvement in gangs and give as detailed of an account as I could to the lawyers and Judge. Funny but you get to know details about people in a very quick amount of time. Everyone has to sit and listen to the questions and to the answers. In essence you have a very attentive audience. After all of that the Judge would look each one of us in the face and say “knowing all of that information do you think that you can make a fair and just decision in this case, remembering to separate any personal feeling or judgment?”  I was asked specifically “do you think that you could find someone guilty if they should be found guilty?”

 

I have sense been wondering, thinking that I could use that sentence in life both here and overseas.  I know that it is imperative to give each and every situation my best, untainted and purest attitude.  Sharing the character that God would have me share.

 

Well, the 12 of us on the Jury bonded as we showed up for court every day for that week. Some of us would take breaks together or go to eat lunch with each other. It was a great time for me to share with people that I would not necessarily have come into contact with!  I really enjoyed being the missionary jury person and fielding all the questions that came my way.  I look forward to the next opportunity to do my duty as a fellow citizen of the United States, I hope you do too? 

 

So, when you receive your summons for your respected duty to serve our country by showing up for the Jury pool and possible case, remember that anything can happen when the Lord is in control.  You could meet someone that is in need. You could share Christ or just end up being a friend.

My Step-Father Steve (59), had a major stroke on October 12, 2006.  Since then he has endured two brain surgeries, about 14 days of a medically induced coma and daily attacks of the enemy in his thoughts.

Steve has been residing at a Rehab/Hospice center about 20 minutes away from our home in Brea, CA. My Mother, Deanna is very dedicated to being with him daily. She typically gets up about 8 am and is at the center about 9 am to start working with the nursing and physical therapy staff to recover what we can and "Get Steve Back" as she puts it.  It is amazing to watch how strong she can be and what she doesn't tolerate at the center. 

She and Steve had been attending a local church off and on since 2004 when they were married.  My mother has attended church when she feels she can get away from Steve to keep them updated on his progress or prayer needs.  The pastors have been very loving and caring and available to listen quite often.  They have even made random stops at the center to see Steve and possibly pray with him, at Steve's request.

This last Sunday was a hard one for me. I went to the Rehab facility after church and stayed for about 5 hours. We cried together, smiled a bit with each other and were even able to use a crane type lift to put Steve into a chair and roll him out on the patio for a nice outside visit.  He has been so drugged up on sleeping aids that he is not quite himself, who would be after what he has gone through over the last couple of months anyway?

That day there were many moments in which I know that he is trying to have a real conversation with me and then moments when the subject matter changed rapidly into something tragic or random.  It was a very emotional visit with many tears for both patient and visitor.   He apologized for not being behind my heart for Madagascar along with the regret of not supporting me financially. He even wanted me to know that he was ready to decorate this year with a nativity on the front lawn instead of santa clause, presents, snoopy and reindeer.  I did not have the heart to let him know that we had returned the new nativity set four days previous as we will need the money to care for him during his stay at rehab.  We aren't much into the decorating of the outdoors for the holidays as much as we are in getting our hearts and insides right with the Lord and with others. 

Steve seems very connected to the spiritual situation despite his condition.  About every ten to twenty minutes he said "we need to pray!"  In his hardly recognizable speech he would sometimes start out "Dear Lord" and other times he would be still as tears ran down his face.  All the while he would grab someones hand with his good hand (his left side is still not moving or feeling much) and draw it to either his heart or his mouth for kisses.  Many times he would mention that we are in a battle and Satan will not stop until he has won.  "We can't let him win."

That day I was blessed with the nick name of "prayer angel" as were a couple of others.  Steve is very aware of the spiritual battle going on in his head daily.  He thinks about if he will ever walk again, ever come back to his home, ever be able to sleep with his wife (my Mom) and Nightly there is this battle as well that goes on with whomever is visiting. Steve will say "Don't leave me here."  "unhook me and help me up, I will get into the car and we can go home."  Whomever is on watch at that time has to remind him that we can't care for him at our home, He will have to stay, try to get some sleep and that we will see him the next day.  

So, with all of the conversations and events of the last two months not only including time at the rehab center but on support discovery and adjusting to life back in California instead of Madagascar I have been on the ride of a lifetime Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually!  Last week when I was sharing with a group of believers that I used to work with I just broke down into tears and cried, sharing about this journey with them. They were precious to me and listened with some hugs at the end of my time with them. Much needed human contact for me at this bump in the road of life.  Good to know that others are there and that we are all a family! 

I am reminded of God's love for us as his children, the promises that God is behind, beside, and before us in everything and that HE knows all of our anxious thoughts.  It is hard to go through this Thanksgiving and Christmas season with a dear loved one in the condition that Steve is in but a good reminder and strong accountability to have my heart right with GOD every day.  

 

Wow - OK, I understand the details of needing to have a specific picture to put in the legal passport document but some agencies seem to go a bit overboard on what they require. After an entire 24 hours of taking pictures, editing them, making sure there is plenty of white space atop of my head and that the background is stark white enough. All my 37 attempts at a picture that would be sutiable enough for the government to accept FAILED. I ended up taking yet another picture at the post office that was rushed and terrible of me and that is what was accepted. YIKES! Of course as long as you can tell it is me it will have to do for the next 10 years. You will have to ask me to see it the next time that I see you and if you are lucky or blessed enough I will grant you that one request. :0)