I Am So Glad That Jesus Loves Me

This is often sung as a kid's song, but a few weeks ago we sang this in church, and the tune has been stuck in my mind and heart.  At our church, we put the words to the songs on an overhead.  This keeps people from singing into their songbooks!  Each week I type the words to the songs that we will be singing that Sunday morning in our worship service.  This makes me stop and think of the actual words we are singing.

Have often do we sings songs and realize at the end that we don't remember what we sang?  Our minds drift, we have kids to keep still, so and so just walked in, or whatever distractions you have in your church, and song time becomes routine and we mumble our way through it, singing empty words.

Song time is part of our worship to God, and I'm as guilty as every one else, but shame on us for allowing ourselves to just go through the motions!

Ok, enough parenting from me!  I want to share the words to this song, and hope you'll take a minute to think of the words, and that they will bless your heart today.

I am so glad that our Father in Heaven
Tells of His love in the Book He has given
Wonderful things in the Bible I see
This is the dearest, that Jesus loves me

Aren't you glad God gave us His Word?  His Word is filled with so many promises, and over and over it tells us that He loves us!  John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 are two of my favorites.

Though I forget Him and wander away

Still He doth love me wherever I stray

Back to His dear loving arms would I flee

When I remember that Jesus loves me

I love this verse.  Though I forget Him and wander away, still He doth love me wherever I stray.  Praise the Lord!  I John 1:9 - He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin...oh, how undeserving we are of the grace and mercy of our God!

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing
When in His beauty I see the great King
This shall my song through eternity be
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!"

Can you imagine walking in Heaven, beholding the glory of our Savior?  We are so unworthy...oh what a wonder that Jesus loves me!  I am so glad that Jesus loves me...aren't you?

What songs have touched your heart recently?

When You Say, "I Am Praying For You"...

(image source)

 

 

 

I've been pondering this sentence quite a bit lately, and as I write this, I realize I've thought about this for years.  When I share a burden with a friend and they reply, "I'm praying for you."  I often think, do they really?  Are we really praying for each other, or do we simply hope things work out.   My husband often says,

 

"We often accuse others of what we are guilty of ourselves." 

 

Ouch. 

 

But I do have to wonder, if I am guilty of telling someone I am praying for them, and then don't, how often do people tell me and later forget to pray.  Telling someone you are going to do something, and don't is a lie, plain and simple.

 

Maybe it's just me, and you all are doing fine in this area.  If so, great.  But I know the Lord has been working in my heart lately to pray.  To stop and pray for people. To be more intentional (my word of the year).   Not a quick, "Dear Lord, please be with so and so, Amen."  No, not anymore.  I stop and put focused time on praying for my friends, even people I don't know if someone asks.

 

When someone shares a prayer request on facebook, I will not reply "praying for you" until I have stopped and prayed for them.  Because I know, that when I shut my computer and go on with my day that I will probably forget. 

 

This verse has been a good reminder to me:

 

"Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you:

but I will teach you the good and the right way:"  I Samuel 12:23

 

More thoughts on prayer coming soon.

 

Do you have a prayer request that I can pray for?  Please leave a comment or email, and I promise I will pray for you.

 

 

 

Written by Jen Bauer, missionary wife and homeschooling mum in the Northern Territory of Australia.

I also blog at www.bethouexalted.blogspot.com

 



The Importance of Family Time

I've heard it said before to "Come apart, before you fall apart."  I never thought much of this saying until we were in the ministry full-time and being pulled every which way.   My family (which includes myself, my husband, and our two children) currently serve the Lord in the Northern Territory of Australia.  My husband is currently pastoring two churches (3 hours apart), I lead a Ladies Bible Study every Monday night, we homeschool, and my husband and I teach at our local homeschool co-op.  So, top all that off with our normal family responsibilities and needless to say it can get a bit crazy around here.  As I am sure you all can very much relate.

 

 

 

 

 

I have this quote written in the cover of my Bible:

"No amount of success in the ministry will make up for failure at home." 

 

 

I am thankful for a husband who sees the importance of spending time as a family together.  He also does his best to take time each week to spend one on one time with our children.  Here is a photo of him and our daughter on a bike ride (that's the ocean in the background!).

 

We find it important to let our children know that we love God first, then our family.  Ministry is important to our family (we did pack up and moved to the other side of the world), but our family comes before the ministry.

 

 

I often wonder what my children will remember from the childhood.  I do hope it's all these good times, and that all my failures will be overshadowed by the love we have showed them.

 

Recently I talked with a friend whose parents are in the ministry, and she mentioned that her dad was busy...a lot.  She knew her dad loved her, but I got the idea that the ministry came first.  Please don't get me wrong, we love where God has place us, we love the people, this is the most content I have ever been, BUT like the quote says above, "No amount of success in the ministry will make up for failure at home."   It's not worth losing my family in order to have a great ministry.  To me that's hypocritical.  My first ministry is my family!

 

I do hope you and your family make a regular habit of making time for just your family.  I thought I would share a few ideas of things we do.

Family Time Ideas:

• Bike Rides
• Go out to dinner
• Talk a walk around the block
• Visit a local tourist attraction
• Make a special dessert together
• Movie night
• Game night
• Bowling
• Picnic in the backyard (or in the living room!)

 

 

I'd love to hear your ideas! 

What are your favourite family time activities?

 

 

 



The 12 Spies of Canaan...Which One Are You?

12 men went to spy on Canaan, 10 were bad, 2 were good...

 

Do you remember singing that song in Sunday School?  Well, I taught this lesson in Sunday School a few weeks ago, and as I was preparing for the lesson the Lord really showed me some things.  I thought I'd share them with you.
 

 

Image courtesy of Google

 

These 10 spies looked at the land of Canaan and were overwhelmed, they didn't see how they could possibly inherit this land.  Although it flowed with milk and honey and had delicious grapes, it also was surrounded by tall walls and scary giants lived inside.  They didn't think it was possible.  They were scared.  They were negative.  They didn't think their God was big enough.  They saw the glass as half-empty.  Actually they probably saw it empty!

 

The 2 spies, Caleb and Joshua, they knew that if it was the Lord's will, He will would help them.  Where God guides He provides.  They knew that Canaan had tall walls around the city and it was filled with giants, but they also knew their God was far bigger.  They were positive.  They saw the glass as half-full.

 

 

Do you know someone who is like those 10 spies?  They look at things and see the glass is half empty.  They see the negative in all situations.

 

Do you know someone who is like those 2 spies?  They look at the situations and think, "If God brought us to it, He will bring us through it."

 

Which one are you like?

 

Awhile back God brought some negative people into our life that was like those 10 spies.  They told us a particular situation was difficult, that if we didn't do this or that correctly we'd never last, they were the glass is empty kind of people.  Thankfully God surrounded us with positive people, reminding us that God called us to do this, and He would give us the power to do it.

So what kind of person are you.  Do you see the good in the situation or do you see the bad?  Do you see the glass as half full or half empty?

Do You Spend Too Much Time Online?

 

 

Do I spend too much time online?  This is a question I've been asking myself lately.  For missionaries (especially us women) this is our escape to all our friends and family back in America.  It allows us to not miss our nephew's first birthday, or a friend's wedding, or what so-and-so had for lunch (because, really we all gots-ta-know!)  Loneliness, homesickness, fear, these are all things that can drive us to escape in the internet world.  But how much is too much?

 

I am currently reading an e-book call The UnWired Mom by Sarah Mae.  It is very thought provoking and convicting.  I've really been watching myself the past few days to see how much time I really spend online, and let's just say, I'd be embarrassed to tell you!

 

With all media outlets: blogs, twitter, pinterest, facebook, instagram, google+, etc., there is so much time that can be wasted online.  Just minutes can easily turn into hours.  I often wonder what my children will remember about their childhood, and about me.  Will they remember our game times, mommy reading books to them?  Or will they just remember mommy always on her computer?

 

One of my New Year's Goals this year was to say 'yes' to my children more often and be more intentional in my children's lives.  My kids are growing up so fast, it's almost frightening.  God has given me this huge responsibility to raise my children for Him.  How can I possibly do that while I check my facebook notifications every half hour?

 

Please understand I'm not saying the internet is evil (although I do believe a large portion of it is), I am saying though that all things be done in moderation.  Balance.

 

Balance.

 

I just love that word.  It can be applied to so many areas of our life.  Right now I am applying it to the internet world. 

 

Sarah Mae asks in her book, "Is how you are living your days how you would live them if they were your last?"  Ouch!  I wrote out that quote and put it on my bulletin board just above my desk...which holds my laptop.  It has helped motivate me to get some things done that I've been putting off.

 

Here are some of my suggestions on limiting your time online...

 

• Pray.  Ask God to help you balance your time. 
• Keep your computer turned off.  Our mornings are consumed with homeschooling, if I turn on my computer, then my kids only get half my attention.  My goal is to keep my computer turned off until after lunch.  My kids are past the napping stage, but we still have room time.  After lunch we all go our rooms for an hour (or longer if they don't notice...shhhh!).  This is the time I allow to check my email and facebook messages.
• Use apps.  The book lists several apps and programs (for Google chrome) that limits your time on social networking sites.  I have not tried any of these yet, I'm too scared!
• Take a media fast.  This is something I plan to do, but I really want to plan it out, and not go cold turkey.  I'm thinking I may just take one day a week where I don't go online...at all.
•  

What are some ways you moderate your time online? 

Is this a struggle for you?

 

 

If you're interested in the book, The UnWired Mom by Sarah Mae, I'd encourage you to check out her website and purchase her ebook.   (This is my personal recommendation, I am not being reimbursed in any way.)

 

 

Meet Jen

Hello, I'm Jen and this is my family.

We are serving the Lord in the Northern Territory of Australia.

 

 

Here is my introduction in case you missed it...

 

Hello, I'm Jen.  I'm a missionary wife and homeschooling mum living in the Northern Territory of Australia. I'm told we have 16 of the top 20 deadliest snakes in the world.  Our beaches are also filled with crocodiles and jellyfish.  Fun place to live!

 

We moved here in November of 2011, so we've been on the field for 18 months.  Some days it seems like we just got here, and other days I feel like I've been here forever!  We waited for over three years for our visas, so sometimes I still pinch myself to see if it's real!

 

I have a wonderful husband, who can do just about everything.  If a car is broken, he can fix it.  If you need a trailer, he will weld you one up in a couple day's time.  Need some electrical work done?  He's your man. He also plays the guitar and draws.  Seriously, I don't think there is anything he cannot do.

 

We have two kids - Autumn (10) and Cody (5).  We homeschool, and I really enjoy that.  I think we finally found our niche'. 

 

As for me, well, I play the piano (not well, mind you).  I love to take photos and scrapbook.  I am a homebody, so I prefer to stay home.  I enjoy cooking, and if you come visit, I'd be more than happy to cook you a kangaroo burger.

 

 

Now for you questions:

 

Sarah asked, "I would love to hear how you were drawn to Australia and more of what it is like where you live (some cultural differences, the spiritual climate, etc). Also, what encouraged you and what lessons did you learn from your long wait for visas? And, do you really eat kangaroo!?"

My husband felt the Lord calling him to Australia when he was six years old.  Yes, 6!  He was sitting in a chapel service at his Christian school listening to a missionary lady from Australia, and felt the Lord calling him.  When I met him in Bible college I knew that he wouldn't date anyone not interested in Australia.  We both prayed for God's will, and believed that it included each other.  During our survey trip to Australia, I knew this is where God wanted us, but I prayed and ask that He would give the calling to me as well, and not just my husband.  I clearly remember the night where God spoke to my heart while we were in Australia, and said "This is where I want you."  It was such a special moment between God and myself, one I will always treasure.

 

We learned so much during our 3 year visa wait.  I wrote a lot about it on my blog - Be Thou Exalted.  I claimed Isaiah 55:8-9, and just focused on the fact that in God's perfect timing He would open the doors.  God taught me the meaning of the verse in Psalm that says, "Be still and know that I am God."  Also, during those years we worked on Native American Reservations out west.  This was clearly of God, because our heart's desire to work with the Indigenous People of Australia (Aboriginals).  So what better preparation than to work with America's Indigenous People?! 

 

Australia is quite similar to America, but without the Christian heritage.  Most people don't have time for church, their weekends are for relaxing and spending time with their family.  Australia is just as diverse as America is.  You can't say churches in South Carolina are similar to churches in New England.  There are several large churches in Australia, but here in the Northern Territory, there are only 3 good churches in a 300km radius.  (There may be more, but this is all that I know of.)

 

And, yes we do eat kangaroo!  We probably eat chicken and beef more often though.  Kangaroo is sold in our grocery stores.  It's a very lean meat, and I often don't cook it well.  I'm still learning! 

 

 

 

Phyllis asked, "English-speaking country, similar people on the surface: what do you see as the biggest cultural difference between Australia and where you grew up? What do you love most about Australia?"
 

Our church on a Sunday morning.

We meet at the Charles Darwin University.  :)

Yes, they do speak English, but, wow, there are so many different words!  I often get teased for saying words that they have never heard of!  Just a quick example - gas = petrol, hood = bonnet, trunk = boot, fries = chips, mozzie = mosquito, sunnies = sunglasses, shrimp = prawns and so on.

 

For me, the biggest cultural differences between Australia and where I grew up would be how people dress for church.  I know this isn't a big deal, I am thankful they wear clothing, but I grew up where we dressed up for church, we looked our best.  Here it is just another day, another place.  People dress very casual here. 

 

As for what I love most, I would have to say the people and the slow paced life.  Although we can get very busy, people are very laid back here, and things move a little slower here.  This is one way the Indian Reservations helped prepare us.  We live in the Northern Territory (NT).  They say it stands for not today, not tomorrow, not Tuesday, not Thursday.  They had a similar saying on the Reservations.  Native time (NT).

 

 

Ashley asked, "I'd love to hear how you live with the daily threat of dangerous animals around you all of the time. What does that look like practically and spiritually?

Also, the only Australia I really know about is the city life like in Sydney and Melbourne (haven't been there, but just have read and seen pictures). What is life like where you are? I know it must be quite different. What are the people and the culture like?"

 

I promise there is glass between them!

 

Although we live about 20 minutes from the ocean, we don't often go.  Why?  Jellyfish and crocodiles.  We were told when we first got here that if we went to the beach to take vinegar and a dog.  The vinegar was if we got stung by a jellyfish and the dog, well, it was for the crocodile.  During the dry season (May-September), it's a little safer to go to the beach, but if we do go, we just play in the sand.  Normally if there is a crocodile sighting, it will hit the news, and they will post signs.  As for the poisonous snakes, we do need to be careful, but I have not seen one.  My husband has found a few, but he avidly looks for them.  He is a snake lover!

 

Honestly, I don't worry too much about the deadly snakes or animals (well, except maybe our neighbour's dog!).  It could be because I don't see them often, but I would like to think it's because I have complete trust that the Lord will protect us.  If something does happen, it is because He has allowed it.

 

We live in Darwin.  It is the capital for the Northern Territory.  Sydney and Melbourne are much bigger cities.  Just as a comparison, Sydney has nearly 5 million people, and Darwin has nearly 130,000. 

 

 

 

On a side note, Australia's population is estimated to be 23 million, and the US population is estimated to be 316 million.  The two countries are nearly the same size (minus Alaska).

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I mentioned before, Territory life is very laid back.  The people are very kind and easy going.  We have adjusted well, especially my husband.  He is very outdoorsy, he enjoys hiking, fishing, camping, etc.  This is the place for all that.  My kids have done well with the transition.  They do miss their family and friends back home, but have also made new friends here, and many are like family to us.  I do love my life here.  I cannot remember being more content.  Don't get me wrong, I miss my family like crazy and all the conveniences that America has to offer.  But there is something special about being exactly where God wants you to be.  I wouldn't change it for anything the world has to offer.

 

 

 



A Typical Weekend at My House...

This photo was taken a few months ago,

sadly since then 3 families have moved away.

 

 

 

Saturdays and Sundays are extremely busy days for us.  Most pastors take off on Mondays to relax, but because my husband is often traveling and I lead a Ladies Bible Study on Monday nights, we normally take Tuesdays to relax, or at least I do.  I'm not sure my husband knows how to relax!

 

Here's a little peak into our Saturdays...

 

Normally Saturday mornings my husband is running errands, so I start a load of laundry and clean our room.  I  like to clean our room on Saturdays because my husband will spend the rest of the day in our room finishing preparing for Sunday.

 

After my room is clean, I hang the load of laundry and start the next load.  While the kids are having lunch I bake morning tea for Sunday.  Sometimes I just make muffins, which are quick, other times I make cinnamon rolls or donuts, which take most of the afternoon.

 

The afternoons consist of hanging more laundry up on the line, folding and putting away what is dry.  Then I finish preparing for my Sunday School and Children's Church classes.  I am working my way through the Bible using Betty Luken's flannelgraph.  We were given the deluxe set  from a wonderful church in Wilmington, Delaware.  It isn't all cut out yet, but I cut what I need each week.  Eventually it will all be cut out! 

 

In the evening I try to cook a simple meal, and keep on working.  We have an overhead projector where we have church so we put up the songs and Scripture reading for the service.  I normally type all that up for my husband.  We also have bulletins we hand out at church, so those need to be typed, printed, and folded.

 

After all that's done, it's time for the kid to get their showers and get ready for bed.  I then get everyone's clothing ready for Sunday, ironing if necessary (I hate ironing, so it's only done when necessary!).  I also pack up our jeep for Sunday.  We rent two rooms at the local university.  They let us keep some things in a storage room, but things like my Sunday School bag, the morning tea bag, and signs get brought back and forth each week.

If you're still reading :) I'll share our Sundays!

Mornings are a bit crazy, but with all the preparations on Sunday it's a lot easier.  I like to put a meal in the crockpot.  It's so nice to come home to a meal cooked and ready!  Once we are all ready we leave around 9:20am.  We pick up anyone that needs picked up (sometimes we have to make 2 or 3 trips!), then get to church and set up.  We have to set up our signs outside, move tables around inside, set up our welcome table, morning tea,  set up the keyboard, set up the computer, and lay out hymnals.  I'm so thankful for our kids, they are a big help.  It's such a blessing to get to church and see them going about their duties serving the Lord in this way.

Because our church is small, I teach both Sunday School and Children's Church.  I miss being in church and hearing the sermon, but I know that this is just a season.  I also play the piano for the morning service, I'm not great, but it's all we have!

After church, we have to put everything back the way we found it.  Thankfully everyone pitches in and helps and it only takes a few minutes.  Church gets over around 12:15, but we rarely leave before 1pm. 

Once home, we have lunch (which thankfully is ready and waiting in the crockpot).  After lunch, Patrick packs up and drives 3 hours south to Katherine to preach for a small, but quickly growing church.  Sometimes we go with him if I know he will make it home before my ladies Bible study on Monday nights.

So there you have a quick peak into our weekends.  The weekends are crazy busy, but I love them!  Hope I didn't bore you too much!



What does a typical weekend at your house look like?

 



 

 

I'm a Work in Progress

 

I recently led a Bible Study on the Proverbs 31 woman.  I have done several studies on this lady, I don't feel I will ever measure up, but didn't think there was much else I could learn about her that I haven't already learned.

 

That's where I was completely wrong.

 

I began praying that God would work in my heart, that He would mold me into the woman He would have me to be. 

I thought I was ok.

I thought my marriage was ok.
I thought my relationship with my kids was ok.

It was ok, but it wasn't what God wanted.  He wanted more.  More of me.

 

Little things started happening.  I was getting frustrated.  Blaming Satan for trying to mess with my head before my Bible Study.  My kids would be running around like crazy just minutes before I was to leave.  For example, last week my floors had just been cleaned, I was finishing up my lesson for the evening, when my daughter came into my room and said my son  dropped a watermelon.  He was rolling the watermelon on my counter and it rolled off and splattered all over the floor.  Watermelon, watermelon juice, watermelon seeds...everywhere.  Did I mentioned the floors had just been cleaned?  Poor Cody, he kept saying, "I'm sorry, mom.  I'm really, really sorry, mom."  Me?  I broke down in tears.  I told him to sit and not move while I cleaned it up.  As I finished cleaning up the watermelon mess, he spilled a cup of orange juice all over the table, and yes, all over the floor.  Poor kid.  I didn't handle the situation like I should have. 

 

My tears were unnecessary.  My words were harsh.

I cleaned up the orange juice, sent the kids to their room and I went to mine.  I cried.  "God, I'm supposed to lead about study about being a godly wife and mother, and here I am in my room crying over a watermelon.  What is wrong with me?  Why is Satan attacking me like this?"

This is when I heard God speak.  Not in an audible voice, but in my heart.  He reminded me that I had been praying for Him to mold me into a more godly woman.  And He is gently showing me areas in my life that I need to work on (ie how I respond to watermelon all over my floor). 

Once He started showing me things that needed to change in my comfortable life, I complained and blamed Satan.  He {Satan} gets too much credit sometimes.

I was comfortable being an ok mom, being an ok wife, being an ok friend.  But I asked God to mold me into His image, to help me to be a woman that pleased Him.  When He showed me what I needed to work on, I stiffened up a bit.  "But God," I said, "look at everything I do, isn't that good enough?"

No, it's not.

He wants more of me.  He wants my all.  And honestly, I wasn't giving it my all.  I settled into a comfortable routine and stuck with it.  I got lazy.  My husband deserves more of me.  My kids deserve more of me.  My God...He deserves ALL of me.

So, God, here is my life.  I'm ready to take it to the next level. To step out of my comfort zone.  To kick it up a notch.

To be like Christ, to be Christlike...this ought to be our goal as Christians. It's my goal.

Make me, mold me, fill me, use me. 

Help me to never settle for the mundane life.  I always want to press toward the prize, forgetting the things which are behind me (tears over a watermelon), and reaching forth unto those things which are before.

 

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things which are behind,

and reaching forth unto those things which are before.

I press toward the mark for the prize

of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:13-14

 

By the way, after my time alone with the Lord that day.  I called my son into my room and apologized to Him for being upset.  I asked Him to forgive me, and He graciously did.  Oh, to have the forgiving spirit of a little one.  His mommy is far from perfect, but she won't settle for living the mundane life.  

I understand I don't often show my heart like this, but God has been working and I felt I ought to share.  Hope it's an encouragement.  Don't always blame Satan, God is far more powerful, and He love you very much.

 

How about you? 

Are you living a comfortable life? 

Are you ready to step out of your comfort zone

and give the Lord more? 

Give Him your all?

 

 

 

Our Family Motto

I've been trying to find a beautiful photo or piece of art to hang in our home that would remind us of why we are here {not necessarily here in Australia, but here on earth}.  This thought: Love God, Love Others - Serve God, Serve Others has been on my heart for awhile.  It comes from Mark 12:30-31:

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,

and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself,

There is non other commandment greater than these."

Since I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, I decided to go to Picasa and see if I could make one myself.  I recently had it printed.  Now to get it framed and on my wall!

Do you have a family motto or statement?  Please share yours?

For more about my family and ministry, check out my blog - Be Thou Exalted.

What Would You Do For a Klondike Bar?

 

 

 

For some strange reason, sometimes the commercial for this famous ice cream bar comes into my head, and I find myself singing, "What would you do-o-o for a Klondike bar?"

 

I would actually prefer an ice cream sandwich.

 

I got to thinking, which I really try not to (about this topic, not thinking in particular), about the things I miss in America.  Cracker Barrel would probably at the top, with Sheetz being a close second.  Come on, 2 hot dogs for $1?  You can't beat that.

 

Sugar Cereals.

 

Hershey's.

 

Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate.

 

T.G.I.Fridays

 

Friendlys

 

Oh, I better stop there.  See, it's not good for me to start thinking about all that I miss in America.  I could do without all that, but truly, deep down, I miss my family.  Sometime, I  miss them so much that my heart just aches.

 

I am blessed to have a close-knit family.  I'm even close to my aunts and uncles.  Facebook can be such a wonderful blessing.  I honestly cannot imagine what it was like even 10 years ago without the technology we have today. 

 

To wait weeks for a letter by mail, to now waiting just seconds to see their reply on instant messaging.  To possibly never seeing loved ones again, to now having Face Time and Skype.

 

How blessed we are compared to missionaries years ago.

 

But I often wonder how much of a distraction it is to us?  How much time we waste online?  Or even the feelings of envy it brings when we see friends or family posting pictures of them altogether celebrating a birthday or some other life event.

 

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not telling you to throw out the internet!  I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to watch my youngest brother graduate high school via Skype.  This way he couldn't tease me for crying!

 

I am merely saying we need to be careful.  All things in Moderation.

 

Balance.

 

Be careful not to long for 'home' so much that we are distracted from what God has called us to do.

 

Facebook, Skype, Blogs, Pinterest.  All that stuff is fun, and can be good for us, but keep it in check. 

 

Balance, my dear missionary friends.  Balance.

 

 

 

 

 



Learning to Wait on God

It's amazing to look back and see how the Lord has worked all things together for His good.  After we finished deputation we applied for our visa (we couldn't apply for the visa until we were at 100% support).  Three years later our visas were approved.  Let me tell you, those were a loooooong three years. But the Lord taught me so much during that time, and for that I am grateful.  One of the things He taught me was what it means to be still and know that He is God.

During that long wait, I claimed these verses:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

It is so easy for us to plan out our life, even sincerely thinking that what we are planning is God's will.  I did that, but God showed me that His ways aren't always my ways.  When we finished deputation I thought we had to immediately go to the field.  I mean, we learned so much during deputation, right?  What more is there to learn?  Ha!  God's ways are far higher than our ways.

Here are a few things the Lord taught me on "Being Still"

Learning to be still…

Here are a few people from Scripture who were told to be still...

~ Ruth 3:18 – Sit still and wait for God to work.  Ruth had left all she had and followed her mother-in-law to an unknown (to her) land.  And the Lord blessed her greatly.

“Sometimes when a believer has done all he knows to do according to God’s Word,

he must be content simply to “sit still” and wait for God to work.” 

Henry Morris

~ Exodus 14:13 – Stand still and let God work.  I love this.  Here we find the Israelites in the midst of a dilemma.  Behind them they see the Egyptians, from whom they just escaped from years of slavery, and in front of them they see a great body of water.  In their eyes they were stuck, there was nothing they could do.  Moses tells the people, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord..."  And God preforms one of many miracles for the Israelites, He folds back the waters of the sea and allows them to walk across on dry land.  Once they are all safely over, Moses stretches out his arms and the waters flow back to normal and the entire Egyptian army drowned in those waters.  What an amazing God we serve!

“There are times when believers have done,

 to the best of their understanding,

all they know how to obey the will of God,

and the challenge confronting them still seems impossible to meet. 

Rather than becoming fearful and depressed,

however, they should simply “stand still” and let God work.” 

 Henry Morris

~ Isaiah 30:7 – Sit still and let God be his strength.  The third mention of being still is found here, and again this deals with the Israelites and the Egyptians.  God tell the Israelites to sit still and let Him be their strength, warning them not to depend on the Egyptians.

“There are times when God’s people have done all they know how to do

to solve a desperate situation, to no avail. 

They are then tempted to turn to unbelievers to help them,

but this is a dangerous compromise. 

These are the very situations in which God delights to honor true faith. 

“Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity.”

In such circumstances the believer is best advised to

“sit still” and let God be his strength.” 

Henry Morris

  

Learning to be still brings peace…

We Must Desire Him – Psalm 37:4

When I am walking closely with my Lord His desires will become my desires.  He knows us better then we know ourselves.  When you don’t trust God you’re saying you know better than God.  I want His best for my life, I don’t care to settle for anything less.  I want His desires to be my desires.

We Must Wait on Him – Isaiah 30:7 – sit still

Waiting…no one likes to wait.  (Drive-thru, pregnancy, trips, etc.) Psalm 62:1 – tells us to wait silently.  When we are still and silent that is when God has the opportunity to speak to us.  We live in a fast-pace, must-have-it-now society, we need to just learn to wait and be still. 

We Must Walk With Him – Numbers 9:15-23

The Israelites “walked” with the Lord when He told them to walk, and they stayed put when the Lord told them to stay put.  Exodus 13:21 – God went before His people and they followed Him.  Don’t allow yourself to lag behind Him, but also don’t get ahead of Him, walk with Him.  Lord, help me to step aside and allow you to do what you want to do.  Don’t get in God’s way.

Then We Can Exalt the Land! – Psalm 37:34

Personal encouragement for me!  In His perfect timing we exalted the land (or to personalize it for us, move to Australia!).  In the same way, when you wait on the Lord you will exalt the land.  What are you waiting on the Lord for?  A sick family member to be healed, the salvation of a loved one?  Whatever it is, are you for are you waiting with patience?  Are you waiting with peace?  Are you standing still?  Are you waiting on the Lord?  Isaiah 64:4

Trust brings peace.

I once heard a story about a famous 19^th century trapeze artist who walked a tightrope hundreds of feet over the Niagara River, near the rushing waters of the falls.  After accomplishing the feat several times, he began to show off a bit. 

“How many of you believe I can roll a wheelbarrow clear across this tightrope?” he asked the on-looking crowd of spectators and reporters that had assembled to watch him. 

“Yes, I believe you can!” shouted one man, anxious to see him try. 

“Good,” the trapeze artist replied as he rolled the wheelbarrow up to the tightrope.  “Then get in.”

Isn’t this just like us?  We say that we believe that God can, but we are not willing to trust Him with our own life (or get into the wheelbarrow).

I wonder how much we miss out on because of the box we have placed God in. 

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly

above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” 

Ephesians 3:20

In peace there is complete rest.  We can go to sleep in the wheelbarrow; do you really think God’s going to mess up just because we fell asleep?

In closing, I'll leave you with this song:

Like a river glorious is God's perfect peace

Over all victorious in its bright increase

Perfect  yet it floweth, fuller everyday

Perfect yet it growth, deeper all the way

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blessed

Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest

By the way, we have been living in Australia for nearly 18 months.  Looking back those three years went fast.  I am thankful that He has taught me to "Be Still".  Although there are times where He needs to remind me, I've learned that His ways are far better than any I could have planned for myself.  God is good, all the time!

I also write at Be Thou Exalted.  Please stop by and say hello!

The Comparison Game

 

I've learned a lot about contentment these past few years. It's easy to look at others and want what they have. More money, nicer house, well-behaved kids, romantic husband, prettier face, skinnier body, etc. I enjoy reading blogs and on the screen I read about well-put together families, moms who do lots of projects with their kids, moms who decorate better than Martha Stewart, or cook better than the Pioneer Woman, husbands who are more romantic than Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail. It's easy to get caught up in the "oh, I wish I had that life". Is this you, do you sometime get bit by the jealousy bug? Or is it just me?

 

Don't get me wrong. I am very content with my life right now. I really am. I love where God has put us (and I'm quite excited about the future!), I love my husband, I love my kids. But, oh, sometimes, I let my mind drift to the "what ifs".

 

What if we still lived in America?

 

What if our church was bigger?

 

What if we had more money?

 

What if...

 

Satan likes that. Because when I allow those thoughts to run through my mind, I become discontent with the life has given me. So how do I combat this?

 

I don't have some great advice, well, actually I do. I quote Scripture. Some of my favorites are...

 

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Philippians 4:8

 

"For we dare not make ourselves of the number,

or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:

but they measuring themselves by themselves,

and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise."

I Corinthians 10:12

 

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

 

Philippians 4:19

 

By quoting Scripture, I am able to refocus. I need to be careful of the things I think. Coveting what others have is not pure or lovely or of good report. Comparing myself with others is not wise. And lastly, I need to remember that God has supplied all my needs (and many of my wants). God has given me exactly what He wants me to have in this season of my life.

 

Often what we don't see behind those blogs or status' on facebook is the struggles, the heartaches, the cranky kids, the dirty houses. We put up our best photo (often the 20th take), pics of our kids on their best days, the fun quote of the day, or whatever it is to hope no one sees behind that screen is a family who is imperfect. A family who struggles with sinful children, a sinful husband, a sinful wife.

 

Don't get me wrong. I post all the good stuff, too. I don't like reading about people's fights or whatever is bothering so and so. What I am trying to say is that we need to keep in mind that everyone has something going on in their life. It's not all roses.

 

So the next time you hear or read about someone else's blessing. Praise the Lord with them. Don't be envious. Keep in mind that everyone is facing some kind of battle. And although it may seem like the grass is always greener on the other side, keep in mind that yours could be too if you just watered it.

 

Do you struggle with comparing yourself to others?  What do you do to help keep yourself content with where you are?

 

 

 

Let Him Have His Way With Thee

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,

saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

These are my life's verses.  I always felt left out during high school and Bible college because everyone had a life's verse and I didn't.  I remember asking God to to give me a life's verse.  I hadn't intended for Him to bring difficulty in my life to show me my life's verse, but He did, and now I officially have my life's verse.  God is good.  :)

During high school, my future plans consisted of marrying my pastor's son and then going on to become a pastor's wife.

 

During my first semester at Bible college, I felt the Lord leading me into missions.  I broke up with that pastor's son telling him God was going to send me to NYC to be a missionary.  (I really love NYC!)

 

During my second year of Bible college the Lord brought me and the man who is now my husband together, and I knew the Lord was sending me to Australia, not just Australia, but Australia's Outback.

 

We married, finished Bible college, completed deputation in a record two years and then...

 

we waited...and we waited...

 

for three years we waited on our visas for Australia.

 

You know the phrase, "hurry up and wait"?  Yeah, I knew it all too well.

 

That was so hard.  Here we were ready to head to the land God called us to, but for some reason He told us to wait.

 

I learned many things during that 3 year wait, but today I will share just two...

 

~ I Learned To Delight In Him - Psalm 37:4

       I learned this verse didn't mean that God would give me the whelms of my heart, but that it means that I needed to allow His desires to become my desires.  And to do that, one must…

- Love Him Matthew 22:37

- Serve Him

          - Please Him

- Delight in Him

 

~ I Learned To Trust In Him - Proverbs 3:5-6

        I had to learn to truly trust God.  Trust God, not myself.  He created the universe.  He knows the beginning and the end.  We don’t even know what will happen in the next 10 minutes, yet we feel our worrying will somehow control what happens.  Allow God to have complete control.  Think of when you were a little girl with your Barbie dolls.  You played out the scene as you saw fit.  You had control.  They went with what you wanted.  Go with what God wants.  He has your absolute best in mind.

Oh, if we could only imagine the blessings we miss out on by not following God’s best.

I remember hearing this saying in Bible College, “Don’t doubt God in the light what He gave you in the night.”  We had (well-meaning) people come up to us and say, "Are you sure it's God's will for you to go to Australia?"  Or "what's your plan B?"

 

 

 

After those three years, God opened the door for us to move to Australia.  It's hard to believe that we've been here for over a year.  I love back at those three years and am amazed at what God did in our lives.  He is so good, and I wouldn't trade that time for anything.

 

Delight in Him, Trust in Him, Follow His will for your life, I promise you will never regret it. 

 

 

 

I'll close with a song... 

 

His Way With Thee

Would you live for Jesus, and be always pure and good?
Would you walk with Him within the narrow road?
Would you have Him bear your burden, carry all your load?
Let Him have His way with thee.

Refrain:
His pow’r can make you what you ought to be;
His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free;
His love can fill your soul, and you will see
’Twas best for Him to have His way with thee.

Would you have Him make you free, and follow at His call?
Would you know the peace that comes by giving all?
Would you have Him save you, so that you can never fall?
Let Him have His way with thee.

Would you in His kingdom find a place of constant rest?
Would you prove Him true in providential test?
Would you in His service labor always at your best?
Let Him have His way with thee.