Thoughtful Thursday:Amazing Faith

Love this definition of faith from Martin Luther:

"Faith is a living, bold trust in God’s grace, so certain of God’s favor that it would risk death a thousand times trusting in it. Such confidence and knowledge of God’s grace makes you happy, joyful and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures."

(taken from: http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/martin-luthers-definition-faith/)

I am reading in Luke right now along with reading a book written by Beth Moore called, "Jesus, the One and Only".  The book is an intimate look into Jesus' time spent on Earth.  In Ch. 7 of Luke is a story of a Roman centurion.  Not just any Roman centurion, one who was loved by the Jews. Not too many like this at that time!  He was so kind to the Jews, that when his Jewish servant got so ill he was on his deathbed, he asked the Jews to go ask Jesus to heal his servant. At the last moment, he is so humbled (meaning he didn't even think he was worthy enough for Jesus to come to his house), he sent the Jews with a new message.  Check out what he said in the MESSAGE version of the Bible:

"Master, you don't have to go to all this trouble,

I'm not that good a person, you know.

I'd be embarrassed to come to you in person.

Just give the order

and my servant will be well."

Just a few things that hit me square in the nose.

1-We don't deserve His favor, His healing, His love, but we get it anyways.  The Roman centurion was right.  Even though he was loved by the Jews and was known to be a "good" man, nobody will ever be good enough, nor does anyone have to be "good" enough to reach out to Jesus in faith. He understood this.  Like the quote above, "faith is a LIVING, BOLD, trust in God's GRACE!"  Some people don't ask because they don't think they deserve and they are right.  We don't deserve, but that is not why God gives. Thank Him for that!  

2-This man never even saw Jesus.  Never got to lay eyes on Him.  Yet, He still believed.  He knew that Jesus was so powerful, that he didn't even need to come all the way to the house!!!  All he needed was Jesus to say the word.  Now, get this.  The faith of this man even impresses Jesus.  Luke 7:9-10 ^{9 "}When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” ¹⁰ And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well."  Jesus had never witnessed this bold of a faith before in His time on Earth.  I desire for Jesus to marvel at my faith.  How cool would that be!!! Not that I am there, but I pray my faith would become as strong as this Roman centurion man.  I love the end of the Martin Luther quote, that this type of faith will make us, "happy, joyful, and bold in your relationship to God and all creatures."

I hope you learned something right along with me about this man's amazing faith, how we can always approach God-even when we think we don't deserve it, and the benefits of living with this type of faith.

Musical Monday: "Yearn"

Take a few moments and worship Him with me tonight, will you?  This song is about that.
We are so fickle about so much, aren't we?  I don't want to be fickle about God.  I love the line in this song that says, "I want to burn with passion over You, And only You!" That is my prayer...May it be yours as well.  From personal experience, I can say there is no other passion that will satisfy. But don't we all try?
Lord, I want to yearn for you. Help me to let go of my worldly desires. You promise, "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with your whole heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)  Have my whole heart Jesus.

(Shane and Shane are amazing by the way, my little brother introduced them to me years and years ago and they are talented and sincere. I love the depth of their songs.  Check out more of them if you can!)

Shane and Shane- "Yearn"

Holy design

This place in time

That I might seek and find my God

My God

Lord, I want to yearn for You

I want to burn with passion

And over You

And only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You

I want to burn with passion

Over You

And only You

Lord, I want to yearn

Your joy is mine

Yet why am I fine?

With all my singing and bringing grain

In light of Him

I want to yearn for You

I want to burn with passion

And over You

And only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You

I want to burn with passion

And over You

And only You

Oh, You give life and breath

And in You we live and move

That's why I sing

Lord, I want to yearn for You

I want to burn with passion

And over You

And only You

Lord, I want to yearn for You

I want to burn with passion

And over You

And only You

Lord, I want to yearn

Songwriters

Shane Barnard

Published by

RIVER OAKS MUSIC COMPANY

Musical Monday:Thrive

Thrive

Proverbs 13:19 Souls who follow their hearts thrive; fools bent on evil despise matters of soul.

Last September when we arrived in Zambia, it was pretty overwhelming.  Everything was different and difficult.  When meeting as a house church one Sunday morning with some of our American missionary friends, we talked about the choice we needed to make about our time in Zambia.  

Looking at the year ahead, we could either

Survive

                      or 

                           Thrive.

My husband and I decided we wanted to thrive.  God had gotten us all the way there and we didn't want to waste it by merely surviving the year.  Now, I can't say there weren't any "survival" days.  There definitely were.  But for the most part, I can say we tried our best to "thrive".  This is what my song choice is about today.  In fact, we couldn't believe when Casting Crowns came out (after our discussion) with an album titled, "Thrive".  Love it.  

Now we are home and we are still faced with this choice everyday.  And there is no better time than now-we are not guaranteed more than what we have right now, today. So, make the choice with me today, to thrive! And if you need a little more motivation-I love this lyric from the song, "Just to know you and make you known".  Just knowing Christ should make us thrive anytime, during any circumstance.

"We know we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive."

"Thrive" by Casting Crowns

Thoughtful Thursday: Temptation

Luke 4:13

The Message

"The devil retreated temporarily,

lying in wait for another

opportunity."

When I am tired and hungry, I make the worst decisions.  I snap at hubby and/or children, and make a really unhealthy eating choice.  It gets ugly around here.  How about you?  Can you relate?  These are the moments when it gets tough to do the right thing.  And this is why I love our God.  Our God knew that this would be case.  He provides for us in His Word not only a teaching on how to handle these times, but He also shows us by His example.  He went through it.  I think we forget this sometimes, that while Jesus was still God on this earth, He experienced human fatigue, hunger, and pain.  We have to remember this about our Savior.  Let's look at Luke 4. In the beginning of this chapter, we find Jesus being led by the Spirit to a time out in the wild.  Picture with me Jesus in the wilderness.  A true wilderness, no interstate nearby with food or lodging option and no distractions.  Straight up in the middle of nowhere.  (Already, I would be panicking.)  We learn in v. 2, Jesus spent 40 days and nights and He ate nothing during those days.  Whoa.  Nothing?  Hard to believe but every commentary I found says it is not an exaggeration.  It also seems it was done by men before him-Moses and Elijah.  

"And he did eat nothing [It used to be thought that a forty days' absolute fast was a practical impossibility, and Luke's words were therefore modified to mean that he ate very little. But as a forty days' fast has been safely accomplished in modern times, and as it was Jesus who fasted, we see no reason why we should not take Luke's statement literally, as indicating an absolute fast] in those days: and when they were completed. "(http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/the-fourfold-gospel/by-sections/jesus-tempted-in-the-wilderness.html)

As you are probably thinking right now, wow, I bet he was hungry on that 41st day. Guess who showed up at this difficult moment? The one that always shows up at difficult moments-crossroad times in our life where we can either make a good or bad decision.  Satan.  Why?  He knew this was a perfect opportunity to do what he does best. Temptation.  What do you suppose Satan tried to tempt him with first?  You got it, food.  Who wouldn't do ANYTHING for food at that point?  Jesus, that's who.  He responded with the best way to conquer anything in life-with Scripture.  That's it.  No giving in with human reason or trying to make a deal, just simply responding with the written Word.  Satan tries again, this time tempting Jesus to be prideful.  He tells Jesus that He could rule the world, but He would have to worship Satan.  Same response, another Scripture.  Last, but not least, Satan tries one more time.  He tests Jesus.  He wants Jesus to prove who He is.  Not going to happen.  What do you think He did?  More Scripture.  

Let me explain why this hit me hard today in my quiet time and I felt I needed to share it.  I have been tempted in many ways lately.  Tempted to be angry, hurt, lazy, prideful, etc.  It has been overwhelming.  This reminded me how I need to fight.  If I try and fight with my earthly mind and sinful self, I will lose more than I win.  Even when I do win, it will have been tough and taken all of me. This has been the case lately. The simple and most effective answer to handling temptation is responding with His word.  But how do I do that?  I have to equip myself with it.  God's word is living and active and provides an out for every temptation.  I am challenging myself today to really be consistent in reading His word and writing it on my heart.  Because if Satan attacks and I am not ready, he will win. If he wins, that means myself and those around me, lose.  We all can't be winners.  But if I have as quick as response as Jesus did each time, I can knock him down.  This takes time to be able to do that, to be so ingrained with Scripture in our heads that we are ready for anything, but oh, what benefits.  

Finally, I quoted a verse at the beginning that ends this little temptation session in the desert.  It may be the most important part.  

Unfortunately, Satan does not give up easily.  You might defeat him time and time again, and think you can take a few days off, but you can't ever rest. He certainly doesn't. "He lies in wait for another opportunity"-Luke 4:13.  So, if you learn anything from this today along with me, arm yourself with His word.  Be consistent in your time with Him. There is always an escape if you are prepared.

For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
1 Corinthians 10: 13

(http://www.heavensinspirations.com/word-temptation.html)

Adoption Update: Joe and Emannuel-Where are they Now?

I apologize for not writing this update sooner.  It's not that I didn't want to, but as you might know from following our adoption journey in Zambia, you are never too certain what is actually happening there.  But I am over the moon excited to share with you today that Joe and Emmanuel are with the family that we know God uniquely appointed for them.  I will jog your memory for you...
When we decided that our adoption of these boys was neither the right situation or timing for us or for them, we already had them in our home.  We visited our social worker one day and let her know what was going on.  She directed us to check out an amazing orphanage/school run by a church out of Texas.  We immediately visited there and got right in with the director.  (An amazing feat in Zambia!) It is called Tree of Life Children's Village.

Check it out! Tree of Life...

What an amazing place-seriously hope you took time to see pictures of the houses they live in, the education they receive, and the whole philosophy the organization has.  So cool.  Back to the story. After meeting with the director, Mickey and I took a few days to pray about whether it would be the right fit for the boys.  We loved it, but at the same time, we had this tugging at our hearts-these two needed a family.  I am not saying at all that this place wouldn't have worked for J and E; I think it definitely would have been great for them.  But I just felt God telling me to find a family for them.  How in the world was I to do that though?  Social welfare made it seem like we were it and they didn't even want us to have them!  This is where God busted out of the box I started to put Him in...why I do that, I don't know.  God does not belong in any box. He can not be confined to a box even if we try to put Him there.  And why was I even thinking "I" needed to find a family?  God already had!   A few days after praying and trying to discern God's will while caring for all 4 kids (it was crazy!), we got a phone call.  It was the director at Tree of Life.  He told us he and his wife had dinner with some American missionary friends that they hadn't seen in OVER A YEAR.  I have to emphasize that part.  This dinner was planned before the director talked to us and heard our story.  At dinner, he felt prompted to share with these American missionary friends about us.  About a couple that stopped at Tree of Life, trying to decide if that would a good fit for two sibling orphaned boys.  This is when the magic happened. This couple, their jaws dropped, and they couldn't believe their ears.  For over a year, they had waited patiently to adopt a sibling set of boys, ages 4-9.  They were on the list with social welfare, but not once did they get a phone call about J and E.  (This is sooooo the Zambian government by the way-Ugghhhh.)  Anyways, God did this without the help of social welfare of course and showed us our role in helping these boys.  Now, long story short, we met up with this couple that week.  We continued to meet up with them the following weeks before social welfare made us bring back the boys to their original orphanage.  Not something we wanted to do and one of the hardest things we have ever done, but we knew we had to obey social welfare so they would not get angry and take it out on this new family.  Isn't this the case in a lot of situations in our lives?  Some times, things get worse before they get better and if we just stay the course, we get to experience the better.  Social welfare did play some games for a while as usual and the boys spent a little bit of time back at their old orphanage, but in June, this other family was able to pick them up.  We keep in touch with this family and learned recently, that things are going well.  The boys are even starting in on a school routine and are happy and healthy.

Can I just get an 

AMEN, 

HALLELUJAH, 

PRAISE THE LORD? 

I know too that these boys have a long ways to go and much healing needs to happen in their little hearts, but I am confident they are right where they need to be for that to happen.  This family will be in Zambia for at least 3 more years, and possibly more after that.  This was one thing that was clear to us about these boys; they needed to be in their home country to begin the healing process. We weren't going to be able to allow them that.  This family has already adopted a sibling set of girls from Zambia too that were in about the exact situation J and E were in. They had great experience under their belts.  
While it still hurts to think about all that happened in our adoption journey, and Mickey and I are still sorting all that out, I couldn't ask for a better outcome.  So many lessons have been learned and if I needed to go through all of this, then so it is.  We are thankful that God allowed us to play a part in finding these boys their forever home.  Please pray for them when you think about it, we do...they will always have a huge part of my heart.

A Picture of the Family with the Boys!

Special Announcement...drumroll please!

We are so excited to announce the beginning of a new adventure God has us on...starting a non-profit we are calling AgriHope.

The mission will be to bring people the hope they desperately need through the avenue of agriculture.  A great focus of our time in Zambia was to understand why so many are starving when there is so much usable farmland and adequate climate.  It was a question that nagged at my husband after his 3 previous trips to Zambia.  We send bags of food to a continent that could literally feed the entire world if people used the ground effectively.  Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, does it?
Combined with learning a tremendous program called Farming God's Way and talking/working with the locals, we felt God showing us how we could be a part of the solution.
You see, many people in Zambia and all over Africa will tell you they believe in God, but their actions prove otherwise.  How?  They are hopeless.  Many have given up. It's obvious in what they choose to do.  They cry out to God for help and find themselves in the same, difficult situations day after day.  Does this mean God doesn't care?  Is He is not listening? Absolutely not.  God has given what is needed and they need to take action. That might sound harsh, but we found it to be true over there for most. If you are praying for a certain job, but you don't apply or go talk to the company, are you going to get the job just because you prayed?  Most likely not.  (All though I am not counting God completely out on that one!) We found that the methods they were using were not making the most of the land, doing the same thing year after year and expecting different results. They are asking where is God? And God is saying, "I am right here. I have been here all along, in the land, trust me."

"And my God will supply every NEED

 of yours according 

to His riches in glory 

in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

He does supply all our needs; sometimes we just don't see it.  We are grateful for our time there so we could understand how they got to this point, how they don't see what God has put right in front of them.  How many times a day do I not see what God has put right in front of me?  

One of AgriHope's main goals will be to teach correct farming methods.  This is the starting point of change for this continent brimming with sustenance farmers. We believe if they will use the methods we teach them, they will have years of bountiful harvests.  This will in turn, show them our faithful God, who does care, who is listening, and does provide.  They will see that all they needed to do was act and trust.  We pray this will be the beginning of a sure and confident hope in our loving God.  

Want to know more? 

The next blog I write about AgriHope will explain the "how" we plan to accomplish our goals! Stay tuned...

Visit our website: AgriHope

Like us on Facebook: Click Like and Follow Us on Facebook!

Thank you for taking the time to read this.  We could not be more excited to see all that God does through AgriHope!  Pray, pray, pray for us as we start down this path...

My hubby and fearless leader of AgriHope with the man we have hired as our in-country leader-Chimbaza

Mickey going over things with Prince-he is the headmaster of Kalungula School, our pilot school and training grounds for AgriHope

Some of the kids at Kalungula-they learn the methods too!

Volunteers planting our 1st field according to Farming God's Way methods

Musical Monday: A Tribute

Everyone has at least one song that signifies a moment in their life.  When you hear that song, it is like your mind is transported back to that moment.  My song choice today transports me back to my cousin Zach's funeral, 12 years ago this month.  There is not a time that I hear this song that I don't go back to that church overflowing with all who love him, where we sang this song, his favorite hymn.  Zach is the son of my dad's brother, my Uncle Ron.  My brother Josh is the oldest cousin, with Zach being the next oldest, then me, out of 13 cousins.  He was a video game whiz, excellent swimmer, Bears super fan, smarter than all of us, competitive, had a contagious smile/laugh, and overall, amazing man. I am blessed to call him family.  This post and song choice is in memory of him.
We were all together having our yearly summer family reunion in Decorah, Iowa.  All of us cousins would swim, tube down the river, hike around Dunning Springs, fill up on Mabe's Pizza, ice cream at Whippy Dip, and cinnamon rolls, run the track at Luther, and generally just drive the adults nuts I am sure. On the last day, we said our typical, "See you at Christmas" and gave out hugs.  Except, later that day, sitting in Cedar Rapids with Mickey getting ready to go to a wedding, we got the phone call that Zach had died in a car accident after leaving Decorah.  What???  I remember immediately thinking of my Aunt Jane and Uncle Ron.  They are strong Christians with a deep faith, but this is too much.  It doesn't make sense.  How could this happen?  Why???
I can honestly say too, that I still don't completely understand.  He was 21, about to graduate college, with a fantastic girlfriend, and a whole life yet to live.  But I trust in our God. I can't dwell on those thoughts.  And I am so thankful for his godly parents, who told him about our Savior, because we all know for sure where Zach is right now.  As much as we want him here with us, he is in a better place. I really believe that-He is in heaven with God! Where all our hearts long to be, because this place is not our home.  I rest in that, and I know his parents do too.  Thank you Uncle Ron and Aunt Jane for showing me what faith looks like even during the most difficult of times.  I know He is still your vision.

I heard this song earlier this year, and it is a new twist on the old classic hymn he loved.  I think he would have loved this version too.  The original hymn is called, "Be Thou My Vision".  This take is called "You are my Vision" by Rend Collective Experiment.

"Your are my Vision" by Rend Collective Experiment

Below are the lyrics as well-they are just so good.

"You are my Vision"

Oooohhh [repeats]

You are my vision, oh king of mine heart
Nothing else satisfies, only You, Lord
You are my best thought by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Your presence, my light

Oooohhh [x2]

You are my wisdom, You are my true word
I ever with You and You with me, Lord
You're my great Father and I'm Your true Son
You dwell inside me, together we're one

Oooohhh [x2]

You are my battle shield, sword for the fight
You are my dignity, You're my delight
You're my soul's shelter and You're my high tower
Come raise me heavenward, oh, power of my power

Oooohhh [x2]

I don't want riches or a man's empty praise
You're my inheritance, now and always
You and You only, the first in my heart
High king of heaven, my treasure You are

Oooohhh [x2]

High king of heaven, when victory's won
May I reach heaven's joy, oh, bright heaven's Son
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, oh, ruler of all

Oooohhh

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, oh, ruler of all

Oooohhh [x4]

Schooling Choice

Evan is starting kindergarten this fall.  Cue the tears.  I know everyone says it, but seriously, it is nuts how quickly this happened.  I am so excited to have made the decision to keep him at home this year and homeschool.  I just wanted to explain our choice and offer my two cents on the whole public school/homeschool debate.  First off, this is our choice for our son and our family for this particular school year.  We prayed about it and know that this is right for him.  I don't mind you asking me to share why we made this decision, but please don't take it then as you should make the same decision.  This is when the trouble starts because comparison and judgement begins.  I do NOT want to be part of that.  Because the thing is there are positives and negatives to both just like anything else in life.  Ultimately, if we fall into the trap of comparison and thinking whatever choice you have made is the only "right" choice, then that means the choice someone else has made is obviously the "wrong" choice.  Whoaaaaa...Who would I be to tell you that you have made the wrong choice?   Even if we are the best of friends, we are not the SAME.  Our children are different. Our family makeups are unique.
The only pieces of advice I could give any family when making the decision to either homeschool, public school, or private school is to: PRAY, talk with your husband, study your children, and get informed on all options.  That's it.  All I got.  Never will you hear me say that one schooling method is the only way.  If you have done those things and made a decision, great.   Like I said above, you get on a slippery slope with judging others and I don't want that.  That causes division among moms-and women don't need anything else to divide them.  I know amazing mothers who choose to send their children to public school, some who choose to send their kids to private school, and some who are homeschooling.  Someone slap me if I ever sound like my child will turn out better than your child because we are homeschooling and you are not.  Ok, enough on that.
So, why are we homeschooling this year?  Simply because we think it is best for this particular child for this particular grade at this particular time in our lives.  We will reevaluate each year. If you want to know more, please ask.  Just know that when I explain, I am not trying to "convince" you that you have to do what I am doing. I am not trying to "shame" you for making a different choice.  I am in no way saying that mine is a superior choice.  :) We are all in this together and ultimately, how we school our children is not that important.  It is how we train our children that is.

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go,

and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Eternal perspective, that's what it is all about.  

Thanks for reading, and I will post a few of our homeschooling adventures from time to time.  Our family is excited for this year-especially Alea who didn't even like her brother being gone for VBS for 2 and a half hours one night.  :)  

This is the little cutie I get to teach: