Pound, Pry, Pull

[Confirmation the Lord is moving both of our hearts in the same direction, when Brian and I write similar thoughts.  

I have asked him to be my guest blogger today. ]

There have been times as I worked on a project that I have reached into my tool box and in that moment the tool I needed was not available. I am a son, and have a son, so I am well aware of who likely saw that tool last. Yes, I could complain about not having the right tool, I could even stop the project and go searching for the right tool, maybe even buy or borrow a new one. There have been times though that I have actually used a wrench to pound a nail into a board or a screw driver to pry something apart; even a set of pliers to pull out the bent nail my wrench just hit. I will admit,  I have used tools to accomplish a task for which they were not designed. Pound, pry, pull; the bottom line was, I got the job done even if it took a little longer because I used a different tool than was intended.

As the owner of the tools I can choose to use any of my tools as I see fit. If the right tool is unavailable for the job at hand and I need to get the job done, then I can choose to use the next best tool available. In that project, it is not the tool that decides if or how it is used. It is the owner of the tool that makes the decision.

I often wonder how God’s kingdom would be impacted for eternity if we chose to understand these truths. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I have submitted my life to be His tool and He can choose to use me anyway He sees fit.

If God had a tool He intended to use for a kingdom task and it was not available, can he choose to use a different tool? Maybe it would help me in my journey to ask myself which tool am I choosing to be? The one that is available or unavailable? Do I bristle up when the Lord reaches for me, slipping out of His grasp with my own self-will refusing to be used. Do I yield to His will? And if I happen to be the next best tool, can God still do amazing things for the Kingdom with and through me? 

I have been asked on more than one occasion why in the world would I choose to leave a ministry position I love... serving a church family that loves me and my family? Why would I leave a place so close to the ocean, right on the Gulf of Mexico with all of its outside activities on or near the water?  Why would I choose to part with most of my earthly possessions and move my family halfway around the world to live in a third world area that has the highest HIV/AIDS rate of any country on the globe? 

In those moments with those questions I can only reply that as the Lord’s tool He has the authority to use me anyway He chooses.  At this time, for this task, He has chosen to use us in this way. I believe that He knows the end result and I am only a part of the project. A tool in His hand to pound, pry and pull with as He sees fit.

Brian

Paddle Partner

{I am not a canoe-er, kayaker or any kind of paddle boater, whatsoever. So when I say, 'we took the youth group canoeing,' I mean, I sat in the boat and ducked, dodged and did my best to help steer our canoe away from branches.}

Many lessons can be learned on a canoe trip down the river.  For instance, who you choose as a partner is critical.  Does your partner have the same goal as you or does your partner's goal for the day look more like a bumper boat party?

So step 1- choose a good partner. Enough said.

Step 2- get a game plan.   Exactly which side of the boat do you paddle on?!! You might want to know that paddling left takes you right, and vice versa.  Good knowledge to have when you are heading in the direction of a tree trunk.

Step 3- COMMUNICATE with your paddle partner.  The two of you will have a smoother ride down this river if you anticipate the obstacles together, or even better, trust the front rider to shout out which direction is best...after all, she has the best view on that canoe!

Step 4- don't panic....well, ok, scream a little if you need to (I sure do), but don't rock the boat!  You can do this!

Step 5- when you do hit the obstacles in the water, and you WILL hit them, paddle together to get yourself turned around and headed in the right direction.

Step 6- enjoy the ride.  Really.  It can be both leisurely and stressful, but the best strategy for canoeing is ride the current.  Over-paddling can get you in worse trouble, you could end up going around in circles or flipped backwards or upside down!

I'm sure you've got the point of this illustration by now.  Many lessons.  Christian living.  Marriage. Friendship.  Mentoring. Teamwork.  Really good stuff for life.

During one point in the trip, one set of youth 'paddle partners' said to the adult chaperones, 'Hey, can you go ahead of us, so we can see how you do this and know what route to take?'  Seriously good advice for the generation following us.  Let us help you map the river.  We know at what points you will need to make adjustments, duck or dodge obstacles that are in your way.

This is what we do as followers of Christ.  Follow Him.  Some further down the 'river' than others, but ultimately, all rowing in the same direction.

m

Change of Direction

I grew up in a glass house. You know, the ministry kind? People looking in, your family is watched....good example or not! As a teenager, I made my decision. I was NOT going to marry a minister and my life would NOT be dictated by glass walls.

Hhhmmmph.

Little did I know, God was preparing me all that time to do just that, live life with people looking in.

When Brian and I married, almost 20 years ago, we had great plans. Business opportunities, great sales training and skills, on our way to acquiring wealth.

God's plan; however, turned out to include wealth of a totally different kind. Brian had been working in management with a company who decided to eliminate his position. (There is a much longer version of this story, if you ever want to know it!) Following losing his job, many long nights of prayer and counsel, we took a position in full time ministry....right where I said I would NEVER be. BUT GOD prepared our hearts and He directed our path.

A church in Pensacola took a chance on an inexperienced pastor more than 9 years ago. Our family has grown, not only physically, but a tremendous growth spiritually as we have led the faithful people of our church. We love the people and we are blessed to be loved in return.

Once again, here we are, a change in the direction of our path.

Several years ago we met a couple, Harry and Echo VanderWal, who were doing mobile medical mission work in Swaziland, South Africa. We were intrigued. We spent time with them and had annual visits upon their return to the US. In God's providence, we had the opportunity to serve along side them when in 2010 we took our family to Swaziland for a month long mission trip as well as the celebration of the centennial of the Church of the Nazarene. One night, while staying with the VanderWals in Manzini, Swaziland, they shared with us their miracle campus dream concept. Their desire was (and still is) to have a clinic, a home for themselves, a commercial size kitchen and eating area, small cottages where work and witness teams would stay when they came to serve and finally, they pointed out a small home, possibly for 4, that they would like to have a pastor living there on staff. I though my heart would beat out of my chest or I might throw up. I thought then, 'this is a place we can serve.' I had no idea that God was planting the seed in me to return 2 years later.

Our hearts have been drawn to the work Harry and Echo are doing with their organization, The Luke Commission. And so, after years prayerfully considering the timing, we now have been asked to pastor with The Luke Commission. How humbled and honored we feel to be serving in such a capacity.

I could not have prepared for what God continues to teach me in this glass house life. These God lessons and blessings have been far more valuable than the world's definition of riches. Obedience is the real wealth.

We covet your prayer and support as we prepare to go in January 2013.

This blog will begin to be linked to a website my family is creating. It will turn into more of a journal of God's stories. I look forward to writing them.

As was written on the fly leaf of Brian's great-grandfather, Harmon's bible:

“Lay any burden upon me; only sustain me. Send me anywhere; only go with me. Sever any tie, but that one which binds me to Thy service and to Thy Heart.” ― David Livingstone

Matthew 28:18-20 MSG
“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NRSV
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.' "

Go as He commanded.

m

Be Our Guest

Our church is all abuzz, our home is flittering with activity. We are preparing for guests. Our local church celebrates 50 years of God's faithfulness this coming weekend. We have invited those who have been part of our church family to worship and fellowship with us, thanking God for all the lives that have been touched throughout the ministry of the church.

You know the feeling of anticipation and excitement when company is coming; cleaning, shopping for supplies and getting meals prepared...waiting for your special guests to arrive. It is such a joy to experience fellowship with each other.

I wish we felt like this every weekend. We have an opportunity at every gathering to make a difference in people's lives.

Think about it from the guest's perspective. Don't you love it when you go to visit someone and they have made provisions for your stay? Don't you feel special? I know I do. When you see that beds have been prepared, towels laid out, coffee or your favorite drink purchased, it makes you feel like your host or hostess was anticipating your arrival!

Our home and church are extensions of one another in a way. As Christians, we are extensions of Christ. Loving people and being hospitable should flow naturally from us because of our love for Him.

And so it goes with our spiritual lives. Ready yourself for worship. Prepare your attitude and spirit to meet with Him, more than Sundays! We worship Him with how we live our lives. When you are in the right spirit, anticipating His arrival, surely you will feel His presence and sense His touch. He's the most distinguished Guest you will ever host, and He wants an Everlasting stay!

Let me encourage you today, if you don't know Him, invite Jesus to be your Guest. If you are already a believer, welcome others to know Him too.

Hebrews 13:2 MSG
Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it!

Philemon 4-7 NASB
I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints;and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

m

Listening for The Voice

Early June has been our daughter Katie-Beth's favorite time of year since she was two, it's dance recital time! She loves all types of dance; but ballet, pointe and lyrical rank among her favorites. We have the awesome privilege of being involved in a Christian dance studio, with a goal of praising God and declaring the message of Jesus.

During recital week, rehearsal is intense. Last minute run thrus polishing each choreographed move is vital to each dancer. One day, I was watching one large group as they finished up their rehearsal. Several teachers were involved and it seemed as if some dancers didn't quite know whose voice to listen to. Each giving instruction just as important as the others, yet many voices were speaking all at once. Don't get me wrong, I didn't see this as a negative sight. You guessed it, I saw this as a spiritual application!

Sometimes, our lives become overrun with the voices all around us. Some voices very good and worth listening to. Some, not so good. People in your life are always going to have something to say. It's up to you to decide who to listen to. You can evaluate the opinion of those who speak into your life by asking yourself a few questions like this:

How's their walk with God? Is this a person you would call to pray?
Do they live what they say they believe? How are their personal relationships?
Do you value this person and their opinion in your life? Are they trustworthy?
How are they raising their kids? (especially in light of giving me parenting advice...would I want my kids to turn out the way theirs have?)

I could probably go on with this list, but you get the idea. If the voices in your life do not meet your criteria, you might want to consider making some changes.

Most importantly, listen to The Voice. His is the One that matters most. This world makes A LOT of noise. We've got to get still and get familiar with the sound of the Savior. Knowing His voice will guide our life's direction. You can start with the Word. This is His Voice written down for us.

John 10:1-5 Message
Jesus tells of the shepherd and the sheep
“Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”

Be encouraged.
Jesus cares for us just as the shepherd cares for the sheep. He knows us, just as we should know Him, and recognize the sound of His voice.

m

A 5 Dollar Bill

My son, Peyton, loves money, what teenager doesn't!?? He likes to earn cash. He does yardwork at our house, occasionally at his grandparents and their neighbor's homes as well. To my surprise today, he came in with a 5 dollar bill and asked me what it was worth. (In my head, I'm thinking, where is this going? He's good at coming up with a plan to make more dough.)

I answered, "It's worth 5 dollars."

He kept going.

Peyton, "Mom, what if I crumpled it up?"
Me, "Still 5 dollars."
"How about if I stomp on it and roll it in dirt?"
"Still 5 dollars."

Then he gets to his point. "Ok, see even if your life is crumpled up, rolled in the dirt of sin, you still have value to Jesus. You are still worth something to Him."

Awesome. And I thought this was going to be a 'make a buck' scam. I'm impressed.

He's absolutely right on. You have worth, you are loved and valued. Don't let the stink and dirt of sin in this world tell you different.

John3:16-17 MSG
"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help , to put the world right again."

Simple reminder, you are loved.

m

Stop Blowing Your Horn!

Picture this:

I’m driving to school one morning (in my big suburban-type vehicle) and I approach a green light; just ahead of that green light is another traffic light that is red.  Traffic is backed up into the intersection, so I slow down upon the green light approach.  The young lady in the small sedan behind me blares the horn.  What she cannot see in front of me, is all the traffic stacked up from the red light ahead.  For all she knows, I am just stopping at a green light.  Immediately, I think, “Really, you’re going to blow your horn when you don’t even know what is happening in front of me?” As the light ahead turns green and the gridlock eases, I begin to spiritualize this scenario.

How many times have we laid on the horn to try and speed up the plans God may have?  He drives the large vehicle in front of us and His view is greater than ours.  We cannot see what is ahead, but He knows. Many times in my life, I have blasted the horn at God, trying to move things along more quickly.  His timing is not our own.  Perhaps He sees the gridlock and is trying to protect us from it. 

How many times will it take for me to learn this lesson?   Maybe you needed a reminder too.  Allow Him to drive ahead of you…sometimes even rolling out the pavement before you.  Be encouraged.  He is the Master of Road.

Isaiah 40:31

“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. “

Lay off your horn and wait on Him!

m