Archive for March, 2009

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Prayer and Fasting

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

I want to be like 84-year-old Anna! Luke 2:37 says she spent her days worshiping God in prayer and fasting. Her heart was obviously sensitive to spiritual matters, for when the infant Messiah came to the Temple, she immediately recognized Him as the promised Savior.

Oh, that my heart would be so spiritually in tune with the Lord. I long to be a woman who hears His Spirit’s whispers, and feels His gentle nudges. I want to maintain an attitude of worship throughout my day so I’m aware of His presence and power at all times.

Becoming that kind of woman doesn’t happen overnight, nor does it come from being heavily involved in public ministry. Rather, it comes from private time with the Lord. It comes from being intentional, as Anna was, with my prayer life and other spiritual disciplines such as fasting. Yes, if I want to be a woman like Anna, it won’t come automatically. It takes effort, but the payback is worth it!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | No Comments »

Staggered by God’s Power

Monday, March 16th, 2009

When was the last time you were staggered by God’s power?

In Psalm 59, David recalls a time when Saul sent soldiers to his house to kill him. He asked God not to kill his enemies on his behalf, but to stagger them with His power and bring them to their knees. What a prayer! As I thought about this verse, I decided it would make a good prayer not just for my enemies, but for other believers. Here are a few examples:

* For those engaging in sinful behavior — “God, stagger them with Your power. Show them that You’re in control. Help them understand that they will give account to You someday, and that You hold their destiny in Your hand. Bring them to their knees in repentance as they grasp who You are.”

* For those overwhelmed by fearful circumstances — “God, stagger them with Your power. Remind them that You hold the universe in Your hands and call the stars by name. Nothing is too difficult for You. Bring them to their knees in acknowledgement that You are the Almighty, and You are their shield and fortress.”

* For those afraid of embracing God’s assignment for them — “God, stagger them with Your power. Give them the courage to step forward into the unknown and to trust You for the details. By Your power, grant them everything they need to get the job done. Bring them to their knees in praise as they see You work in and through them in amazing ways.”

* For those who are proud in spirit — “God, stagger them with Your power. Show them their frail state in contrast to Your endless might. Reveal to them their inadequacy, and then show them Your eternal strength and wisdom. Bring them to their knees in humility as they understand who You are.”

It’s a great prayer for me, too. “God, stagger me with Your power. Leave me awestruck as I gaze upon You and learn to know You more intimately. Remind me that You are Almighty God, able to do more than my imagination can comprehend. Bring me to my knees in humble adoration, and keep me there moment by moment. I love you.”

How about you? What’s your prayer?

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | No Comments »

Wait on the Lord

Saturday, March 14th, 2009

Saturday – March 14

 I’m in Everett, Washington as I write this. It’s only 7:15 a.m., so morning is just beginning to break outside. The group for which I’m speaking this weekend made reservations for me in a hotel overlooking a marina. The empty berths are waiting expectantly for summer sailboats to drift in and take up residence. The seagulls are singing wake-ups calls as they soar on the breeze. Reminds me of living on Quadra Island.

(more…)

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Devotionals | 1 Comment »

Getting Ready for Another Trip

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Hello, my friends! I finally got caught up on the blogs from our recent trip to Eastern Europe, and now it’s time to travel again. It’s true — we’ll leave on Wednesday.

Once again, I’ll try my best to post blogs as we go. We ought to have internet access about every third day as we travel through Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary, and then back to Poland. Sometimes it’s just dial-up as opposed to high-speed, so that makes posting pictures difficult, but I’ll do my best. I also intend to go back to posting my devotional thoughts on a regular basis.

BTW, I was in Toronto for a day of taping at “100 Huntley Street” recently. I did an interview about International Messengers with Ann and Ron Mainse, and then did 14 devotional segments for “Truth to Go.” I don’t know when these will air, but hopefully it will be later this spring.

Grace with Ann and Ron Mainse on the set of "100 Huntley Street"

Grace with Ann and Ron Mainse on the set of "100 Huntley Street"

Blessings on you! I pray for you regularly.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Announcements | No Comments »

Banking Boo-Boos, and Bye-Bye

Thursday, March 12th, 2009
At the end of a long journey...

At the end of a long journey...

Journal Entry for Monday, February 16

 From a Romanian village back to the bustling city of Bucharest. Today Darlis and I went shopping with Jill, another IM missionary. Bless her heart – that woman’s driving skills surpass anything I’ve ever seen. Let’s just say she’s very, very good. And I was very, very thankful that SHE was the one driving in the city…not yours truly. I’m sure I would have gotten us killed in the process of trying to figure out which lane to use.

  (more…)

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Travels | No Comments »

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Journal Entry for Sunday, February 15

 We were given explicit directions for church this morning: Wear a dress or skirt. No heavy makeup, and no jewelry.

 Inside the church, men sat on the left side. Women and kids on the right. There were three sermons. The service lasted 2 ¼ hours. The building was so cold that we could see our breath…and no one complained. No one looked at their watch, annoyed that the pastor went overtime and caused the roast to burn in the oven back home. The people listened to God’s Word being preached, they sang hymns of praise, and enjoyed several special numbers – a group of young girls sang a couple of songs, and about a dozen teenagers played a medley on their mandolins. It was fabulous!

 

The church in Heather and Pawel's village

The church in Heather and Pawel's village

Mandolin orchestra

Mandolin orchestra

I love worshiping with the family of God in tucked-away corners of the world. This is like a touch of heaven – different cultures, different languages, different songs and music – all worshiping God with one voice. I wish I could take all my friends and family with me on trips like this so they could share the experience. Words simply cannot explain what happens in my heart in these situations.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Travels | 1 Comment »

Valentine’s Day in Romania

Thursday, March 12th, 2009
typical village scene

typical village scene

Teaching "Dum-Dum Ditty" to the youth group and sponsors

Teaching "Dum-Dum Ditty" to the youth group and sponsors

Journal Entry for Saturday, February 14, 2009

 Spending the morning with newlywed IMer Jenn Soare and her Romanian husband was a real treat. They live on the top floor of a typical Eastern European apartment – we arrived at their door after climbing a spiral staircase. Round and round and round we went until we reached the top. Jenn volunteers at a crisis pregnancy center – she simply focuses on loving the women and their babies and helping in other practical ways such as preparing meals for them. Another extremely important ministry. Without this resource, many women would likely abort their unplanned/unwanted children. Apparently the average Romanian woman has had 14 abortions. My mind can’t even fathom that!

(more…)

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Travels | No Comments »

Blizzards and Bathrooms — or Lack Thereof

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

Journal Entry for Friday, February 13, 2009

 If only my readers could see me now, I thought when I got up at 2 a.m. to visit the bathroom. The bathroom, in this case, was in a different building…and it was still snowing outside. I was wearing a polar fleece nightie and socks (with pom-poms at the ankles, nonetheless) to stay warm in bed at night. Going outside in the storm meant bundling up in my parka. For ease, I slipped on my street shoes – black pumps with heels. What a sight! Enough to make Frosty the Snowman keel over laughing!

(more…)

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Travels | No Comments »

Romanian teens with HIV/AIDS

Monday, March 9th, 2009
The Joshua Project offers free dental care to kids with HIV/AIDS

The Joshua Project offers free dental care to kids with HIV/AIDS

Journal Entry for Thursday, February 12, 2009

 

I woke this morning with great excitement at the prospect of visiting our teens with HIV/AIDS in a city about 2 hours’ drive away. I hoped that many of the kids we met last year would once again visit the day center so we could see them again. I was not disappointed. Nineteen teenagers showed up, about a dozen being the ones we met last March!

 

Some speak English; some don’t. Some are embarrassed to speak it around us. In an effort to build relationship despite the language barrier, I invited a half dozen to play “Uno.” It worked. We had great fun together at our end of the table while Gene played “Connect Four” with others.

 

Tony and Claudia Udrea are Romanian IMers who helped found “The Joshua Project” with Andy and Tresha McKnight. They spent the day with us, acting as translators. When Gene stood to share a devotional, the kids asked him why we returned. Aren’t you afraid of us like everyone else is? they asked. And why do you always tell a lesson from the Bible when you come? What a perfect lead-in to explain that God loves them (and so do we) and wants to communicate with them through His Word.

 

A highlight of this ministry is that the government has finally approved their application to hire a dentist who’s willing to treat these kids. Thanks to an American donor, the day center is equipped with state-of-the-art dental equipment, and finally…after three years of wrestling with bureaucracy…a dentist has arrived. What an answer to prayer!

 

Our drive home was anything but fun because it had snowed all day with no let-up in sight. Roads were slick, and many cars were either parked off to the side or in the ditch. “Thank you, God, for a safe return to River of Life, and thank You for loving the kids at The Joshua Project. Please draw each one to Yourself so they won’t go into a Christless eternity.”

Tags: , ,
Posted in Travels | No Comments »

Senior Care

Monday, March 9th, 2009

Journal Entry for Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Lovin' on the senior women from this Romanian village

Lovin' on the senior women from this Romanian village

Door hangers par excellence!

Door hangers par excellence!

What a fun morning! When we showed up at the dining room for breakfast, the women who we met last year greeted us with warm smiles and hugs. Even the older children seemed to remember us.

 

Following a staff Bible study, about 17 senior widows from the village came for the equivalent of a “Girls’ Morning Out.” I’d brought a simple craft for them to make. At first, they wanted me to glue the shapes and rhinestones onto the door knob hangers, but I was able to convince them to place the shapes where they wanted them, and then I did the gluing for them. Once they got started, they really enjoyed themselves. Here’s a great photo! The lady in the middle is 97 years old!

 

When the craft was finished, I shared my testimony with them, reminding them that God is with them and will help them when they feel afraid. A hot lunch for them followed, and then it was time to take them home. Our IMers did that, pushing wheelchairs for those unable to walk the distance to their houses.

 

Caring for the village seniors is a very important ministry. Some of these folks live in houses with dirt floors and no hot water. Some suffer physical abuse at the hands of their grown children. All need to feel loved and valued, and this weekly outing is where it happens.

 

The care home has a new resident. She’s 27 years old and began living on the streets 21 years ago after being sexually abused by her father. In December she gave birth to a wee girl, but she has no idea how to care for her. She’s sniffed glue for so long that her mind isn’t working properly anymore, so she needs significant help in learning to care for her baby. I thank the Lord for the River of Life ministry and the staff who run it. What an amazing place! (Note: about a week after our visit, this young gal left her baby at River of Life and returned to the streets. Pray for wisdom for our staff, and for this woman to return.)

Tags: , ,
Posted in Travels | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »