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As I speak internationally to English speakers as well as through an interpreter, some of my greatest joys have been speaking to groups where participation from the audience is possible. Not only do I value the input of those in my conferences, but if they are actively involved (share testimonies, participate in prayer, read Scripture aloud), it is obvious that everyone is with me. I am interested in theological study, Christian writing, historical application of Biblical principles as well as writing as a craft and the current status of the publishing industry as a whole. As a result, I find myself following blogs of those whom I have learned to trust who contribute information in those fields. It occurred to me that blogs are the internet equivalent of audience participation in a conference setting. So, this blog is a result of that discovery. As much as possible (sometimes when I travel I do not have internet access), I will be making weekly posts of how everyday life is related to what God has revealed about Himself in His Word - maintaining one focus on that most important relationship. I would welcome your participation.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Cleaning House

My husband and I own a house in the U.S., but we are seldom there.  When we do return home, it is obvious we have been gone.  Not so much from the outside (we have wonderful neighbors and church friends who look after the yard), but when I walk in the door, it isn't long before I head for the vacuum cleaner. There is a layer of dust all through the house, covering the furniture and floors.

Beautifully crafted pieces of furniture do not look attractive with a layer of dust.  In order to see details of a piece, dirt must be removed.  Sometimes a good polish is also in order.  After that is done, I remember why we bought that piece of furniture.  Clean, it is very appealing.  Dirty, it is not.

The house is a 1905 Queen Anne Victorian. Although there has been much restoration done (and more in the process), there are some things lacking that most modern houses have. There is no insulation in the walls or under the floors. Daylight can be seen underneath entry doors. Where pocket doors inset the wall, the ground is sometimes visible from the floor.

As a result, insects can easily find their way into our home. In our absence, spiders take up residence.  There are cobwebs everywhere - especially in the corners of the twelve foot ceilings. Getting rid of the cobwebs is quite an effort. I am short. I need to stand on a ladder just to reach them with the extension on the vacuum cleaner or a long handled broom.

I really notice those cobwebs when I first return home, but a strange thing happens if I don't tackle them right away with the dirt that is so easily seen.  I forget about them.  I no longer look up in the corners of the doorways or the ceilings. I get busy with other things - office work, yard work, shopping and visiting friends and neighbors. I feel a bit like Morticia from the Addams Family.  The cobwebs can stay. They are part of the decor.

It occurs to me that sin in my life is a lot like the dust on the furniture and those spider webs in the corner. If I don't insulate myself (by staying in the Word or talking to God about everything) against things displeasing to Him, I tend to get used to them.  I don't notice the irritable thoughts, the lazy attitude toward the commitments I have made to Him, the selfishness that rears its ugly head.  I get busy with other things and neglect to clean in the corners of my life.

The best remedy for cleanliness at home and in my spiritual life is to tackle the dirt immediately. A close examination of my house always requires more cleaning. A close examination of my life does the same. Maybe I get accustomed to those unattractive, sinful attitudes, but I'm sure God does not. His desire is for my life to be pure and clean. He wants to see the reflection of His Son in me.

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart. . . (Psalm 24:3-4a NKJV). Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10 NLT).  

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

National Checkpoints and Boundaries

Yesterday evening, I returned from yet another trip to see part of my very large family -  the family of God. As God has called my husband and me to work with His family internationally, we travel a great deal. So far this year, our ministry has taken us to France, Poland, Cuba and South Africa.

Most of the time we fly to our destinations. In the process, we encounter many checkpoints - passport checks, immigration checks, custom checks, etc. These checkpoints mark a boundary between two countries: either the country of our residence or the country where we are traveling from to the country we are traveling to. Each country has a specific form that must be filled out on entry with information on the person who is traveling - the foreigner.  Even though people at the checkpoints speak English, it is still obvious we are entering another country.

Although we mostly travel by air, we sometimes use a train or drive to another country.  When we lived in El Paso, TX and traveled to Mexico, the long lines at the border were stark reminders that this was a checkpoint - a boundary.

There was a time when car travel in European countries meant going through tedious checkpoints at national boundaries.  Now many who are part of the European Union can travel freely from one country to the next without being stopped, but the physical checkpoints are still there as a reminder of the boundary.

When traveling by train from one country to another, even if the train does not stop at the border, there are officials who enter the train and check your documents.  Boundaries exist for security reasons.  We have observed people without proper documentation being removed from the train we were on.

I learn a lot by watching people in airports and train stations.  I hear many languages being spoken around me. As I pass through the check out lines, I observe the variety of colors in the passports people are holding in their hands.  Even languages and passports are a type of boundary.

God's Family Has No Boundaries

Once we are through the checkpoints, have collected our luggage and are joined with our partners in ministry, there is a great sense of relief.  Boundaries no longer apply. We are all part of the family of God, no matter what country issued our passports.  Even if we don't speak the same language, there is still a bond. I am not a foreigner in their homes or in their churches. I am part of their family. What a blessing it is to be part of a world wide family of God where boundaries do not exist.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). There is one body and one Spirit. . . one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4, 6).



Monday, July 11, 2011

The Anticipation and Excitement of Being Face to Face with Loved Ones

When it comes to a reunion with a loved one, I'm like a child. Not only do I prepare for the visit - cleaning house, making beds, preparing meals -  but there's something about the moment of greeting that brings joy to my heart. I get excited.

When my family drives in for a visit, I  go to the window or the door constantly looking for them. I am seldom in the house when they arrive.  I am usually waiting for them on the back porch.  By the time they turn off the ignition in the car, I am by their side.

My husband and I work together, travel together and play together. When he does go out by himself, I find myself listening for the car to come down the driveway or for the door of our house to open.  I am often upstairs, but head downstairs to greet him at the door. I want him to know I missed him.

We travel frequently and for the last few months have been living in a third story apartment in France. The kitchen window overlooks the entry way. Recently, anticipating the visit of a dear friend, I was able to greet her as she arrived - from the window!

If I am meeting family or friends at the airport, I look through the crowd until I see their faces. It is not hard for me to recognize them.  I know them. They know me. They are like me. They are part of my family, either my immediate family or my spiritual family.

The same is true when a loved one leaves.  I watch them until I can't see them any longer. I often feel like a part of me is leaving with them because we are family.

I can identify with the apostles who stood gazing into heaven as Jesus was taken up. They couldn't take their eyes off of the clouds just in case they could catch one more glimpse of Him.

The sense of joyful anticipation I feel when greeting loved ones, I believe, is a small preview to what it will be like for me to see Jesus face to face.  I want to be ready to greet Him.  I cannot wait to see Him. I know I will recognize Him because I know Him and He knows me.

As eager as I am to see Him, I believe He is also looking for me much like I watch for the arrival of my loved ones. I get excited just thinking about it.

But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2b).

Monday, July 4, 2011

America Bless God

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! 
Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (Psalm 103:1-2).

This year, as we celebrate Independence Day
There are some things we need to recall
How God has blessed us each step of the way
Without Him, we would have no blessings at all

What our ancestors acknowledged as true
We must remember this day and every day
It should be the same, even more now, for me and you
As there are those who would argue, the meaning is falling away

“All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator
 with inalienable rights,” states the Declaration of Independence.
Those men who unanimously penned this document, included later
Their “firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence.”

“The Star-Spangled Banner,” the anthem of our land
Praises the God who has blessed us
With His power and His hand
As the One in whom we should trust.

Read these words written by Francis Scott Key
In 1814, nearly two hundred years ago
As I read them today, I could plainly see
How he recognized that God had blessed us so

“Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

In 1918 Irving Berlin wrote another patriotic verse
“God bless America, the land that we love"
In the form of a prayer, he acknowledged God first
And asked for this nation His blessings from above

“In God We Trust” was placed on the two-cent coin in 1864
Followed by the nickel, quarter, half dollar and the one
Finally all coins contained this motto, and more
For currency was also included, now it is on every single one

Over the years, God’s activity has been acknowledged
As our leaders continued to recognize His hand.
For Eisenhower, in 1954, included in the national pledge
“One nation under God” as Communism threatened our land.

It is not Communism today, but America is definitely under attack
Not from terrorists alone but also from some of our very own
There are those who want to rewrite history, turn the clock back
And say that what our ancestors said, they did not mean

The only hope that the blessings America has experienced will last
Is, like our ancestors, we recognize His hand on this land we trod
He does not need us - we need Him and His blessings of the past
God has blessed America.  America should acknowledge and bless God.

If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).