Saturday, July 5, 2014

No Solamente Otro Sello


Que yo pueda regresar diferente - determinada para invertir el resto de mi tiempo aquí en la tierra para un propósito eternal, celestial.

Estas son las palabras que yo escribí antes de llegar a Honduras esta semana pasada. Yo verdaderamente quería que Dios hiciera una obra en mi corazón. Mi oración fue que esto no seria solamente orto viaje. Claro yo estaba entusiasmada de comer comida nueva, ver lugares diferentes y abrazar una cultura nueva. Pero no quería que eso fuera todo. No quería regresar simplemente agregando otro sello a mi pasaporte. 

El Senor respondió a mi oración.

No tuva una experiencia de una zarza ardiente como Moises y no vi la escritura en la pared mencionado en el libro de Daniel. Pero en maneras pequenas Dios hablo con mi corazón durante nuestro viaje. Y resulta que en querer que Dios me cambie el me mostró que en realidad no se trataba de mi, se trataba de el usandonos nosotros para animar a otros. 

Para ayudarle a entender, yo siento la necesidad de darle una breve historia de fondo del misionero que visitamos, Arvil Smith.


El ha estado sirviendo fielmente al Senor en misiones desde 1977. Empezando en Costa Rica y ahora en Honduras. Hermano Smith ha dado su vida compartiendo el evangelico con la gente de America Central. 

En realidad, una declaración que el hizo en este viaje lo resume todo:

'Si yo me muero o Cristo viene, El me va a encontrar sirviéndole. Eso es seguridad de trabajo!'

Piensa en esto un momento. 

Como podríamos darle vuelta a esta mundo para la gloria de Jesucristo si todo Cristiano, incluyéndome a mi se despertara cada mañana dandose cuenta que eso es nuestro trabajo verdadero mientras estamos aquí en la tierra.

Pero Dios uso otra declaración que hizo el hermano Smith en este viaje para agarrar mi corazón y ensebarme que me estaba contestando mi oración de ser cambiada, pero lo hizo de una manera que nunca pensé.

El hermano Arvil simplemente dijo en referencia a nuestro grupo viniendo a visitarlo:

'Esta es una de las bendiciones mas grandes que he recibido desde que soy misionero.'

Empece a pensar.

Y entonces el pensamiento comenzó a hundirse aun mas.

Quiere decirme que este hombre que ha sido misionero por mas de 35 anos fue bendecido tanto simplemente teniendo una visita de nuestro grupo esta semana?

No me sentia que estábamos haciendo algo especial. En realidad pasando el rato con los estudiantes fue un privilegio y un honor para mi. Quería hacer eso mas que ver a los lugares de interés de Comayagua, el pueblo donde nos quedamos. (Yo quería traerme a los niños para mi casa en Estados Unidos también!)

Y entonces comencé a tener el corazón roto. Pasar tanto tiempo sirviendo al Senor fuera de su país natal y lejos de su familia y no tener a nadie de su iglesia visitare. 

Me pregunto cuantos misioneros mas les falta ese tipo de apoyo?

Eso es cuando comencé a ver este viaje bajo una luz diferente. Este viaje sirvió un propósito que nunca había pensado. Si una semana puede animar a una persona a seguir sirviendo al Senor, entonces mi tiempo y mi dinero no fue en vano. 

Quieres ser alguien que da animo a otros?

Yo quiero motiva a aquellos que están sirviendo fielmente para que sigan adelante.

Su servicio al Senor esta haciendo la diferencia. Vida están siendo afectados y cambiados y viene una recompensa, si no es ahora, definitivamente en el Cielo.

Si nunca has tomado un viaje de misiones, lo recomiendo. Usted sera cambiado y en el proceso usted sera una bendición a los que visitas.

Por ahora mi pasaporte solo tiene sellos de 3 países diferentes (y yo no voy a contar uno de ellos porque fue un niaje personal y no del ministerio). Si es la voluntad del Senor estoy pidiendo que este libro este lleno de sellos antes de que se termine mi tiempo aquí en la tierra.

Pero esos sellos ya no son solo una marca de verificación en una lista de destinos de viaje. Quiero que representen gente que necesitan ser animados y mas importante, almas que necesitan oír el evangelio de Jesucristo.











Not Just Another Stamp


May I come back different - determined and driven to invest the rest of my time here on earth for an eternal, heavenly purpose.

These were the words I penned before arriving in Honduras this past week. I truly wanted God to work in my heart. My prayer was that this wouldn't be just another trip. Sure, I was excited to experience new food, see new sights, embrace a new culture. But I didn't want that to be it. I didn't want to come back simply adding another stamp to my passport.

The Lord answered my prayer.

I didn't have some 'burning bush' experience like Moses or actually see the 'handwriting on the wall' mentioned in the book of Daniel. But in little ways throughout our trip, God spoke to my heart. And it turns out that, in wanting God to change me, He showed me it really wasn't about me at all. It was about Him, using us, to encourage others.

To help you understand, I feel I need to give you a quick background story on the missionary we visited, Arvil Smith. 


He has been faithfully serving the Lord on the mission field since 1977. Starting out in Costa Rica, and now in Honduras, Brother Smith has given his life to sharing the Gospel with the people in Central America. In fact, a statement he made on the trip pretty much sums up his heart:

'Whether I die or Christ comes back, He's going to find me serving Him. That's job security!'

Wow! How this world could be turned upside down for the glory of Jesus Christ if every Christian, me included, woke up each morning realizing that that's our true job while we're here on earth.

But God used another statement Brother Arvil made on the trip to grip my heart and show me He was answering my prayer to be changed, but in a way I wasn't thinking about.

He simply said this in reference to our group coming to visit him:

'This is one of the biggest blessings I've had since being on the mission field.'

I began to think.

And then the thought began to sink in even more. 

You mean to tell me that this man, who has been on the mission field for over 35 years, was blessed that much simply by having our group come down to visit him for a week?

I didn't feel that we were doing anything special. In fact, hanging out with the students was a privilege and honor for me. I looked forward to that more than I did seeing the sights of Comayagua, the town we were staying in. (I may have wanted to bring the kids back home to the United States with me as well!)

And then I began to be heart broken. To go that long serving the Lord, away from your native country and family, and to not have someone from your home church come to visit.

I wonder how many other missionaries there are lacking this same type of support? This same type of encouragement?

That's when I began to view this mission trip in a different light. This trip served a purpose I had never thought about. If one week can encourage someone to keep serving the Lord, then my time and money was not in vain.

I want to be an encourager.

I want to motivate those who are faithfully serving to keep going. Your service to the Lord is making a difference. Lives are being affected and changed and reward day is coming, if not now, then definitely in Heaven.

And if you've never taken a mission trip before, I would highly recommend it. You will be changed and, in the process, you will be a blessing to those you visit.

Right now, my passport only has three different country's stamps in it. (And I'm not counting one because it was a personal trip that wasn't ministry-related.) If it's the Lord's will, I'm asking for that book to be covered in stamps before my time here on earth is over. 

But those stamps are no longer just a check mark on a list of travel destinations. May they represent stewards who need to be encouraged and, more importantly, souls who need to hear about the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ!













Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Becoming Mary When My Flesh Screams Martha



If you could only see what I'm surrounded by even as I type this blog. There's probably glitter stuck to me somewhere, there are construction paper footprints on the floor next to me (our VBS spy-themed curriculum explains this!), and there are markers strung across the table. On top of that, I can't help but think of the looming video deadline for my church's patriotic 'God & Country' Sunday that's just around the corner.

These are just a few of the major things atop my 'To Do' list. And when I think about all of the other stuff I need to get done, it can stress me out.

I'm sure you, friend, can find yourself in a similar situation. Your list may be comprised of different items, but the list is still there, nonetheless. And no matter how much you ignore it, the fact remains that we are a busy people.

I wonder if this is how Martha felt?

Sure, Martha didn't have detective-inspired room decor all over her living room floor. But still, there was work to be done. Jesus Christ Himself was coming to HER house! Can you imagine the cleaning that must have been going on?

But, no matter how busy Martha was, it was Mary who Jesus said 'hath chosen that good part.' She simply sat at Jesus' feet and heard His Word.

As I was preparing for one of our VBS lessons next week, these two verses stuck out to me:

And thou shalt love the Lord they God with all they 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 neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.


None other.


Let that sink in.  None. 


That means I can be as busy as I want, but if I'm not loving the Lord with everything I have, then I'm missing God's purpose for my life, no matter how many items I cross off my 'To Do' list. And it's not the type of love that's so casually used today between individuals. It's a love that requires ALL of me - my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength.


It's only then that this love for God will pour over into loving others and serving the Lord with the right intentions. But it has to start with spending time with God, in His Word and in prayer. 

Sure, I love what I'm doing. I am excited to be teaching some young girls next week about God's love for them. I'm excited to be able to put together some videos for our church's patriotic service. But I don't want the busyness of my schedule to distract me from ultimately choosing the better option. 

Jesus Christ goes further to say that not only did Mary choose the good part, but she chose that which was 'needful.' 

May we see the NEED of spending time at Jesus' feet. Lord, even when my flesh screams for Martha, may the Mary spirit be what I choose!


Monday, April 28, 2014

Real Love Is Confrontational


Confrontation. 

The mere mention of the word makes me uncomfortable.

I've always been a people pleaser. A 'yes' person, so to speak - even if it meant doing something I didn't want to or taking on an additional task or assignment when my work load was already full.

One summer I took a babysitting job I didn't want to simply because I couldn't bring myself to tell the parents no!

Pathetic, right?

I know that may seem like a trivial example that plays no significant role in the grand scheme of life. (Hey, if anything, it was good preparation for motherhood!) But I'm afraid the fear of confrontation has spilled over into more meaningful areas of my life, namely being more bold in my efforts to share the Gospel message with a lost and dying world.

What if they think I'm judging them?

What if they stop talking to me?

What if it creates an uncomfortable situation?

The problem with all of these questions is that they are saturated in pride. The focus is on me rather than on the Savior who died for them. The real question that should be daily burdening my soul is, Where will they spend eternity if they don't meet Jesus?!

God showed me something a few days ago that really opened my eyes. It's this...real love is confrontational.

Jesus Christ Himself was a very confrontational person. He confronted individuals with their sin.  And in doing so, His love was not minimized in the slightest bit. If anything, it was during these times that it shone brightest. 

In Mark chapter 10, Jesus tells of a rich young ruler who came to Him asking how he could inherit eternal life. This man considered himself to be a good person, as indicated in his response to all of the areas of the law he had not broken. Verse 21 says:

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, and sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

This isn't teaching a works-based salvation. But before this man, or anyone else for that matter, could accept the Gospel, he had to recognize his need. Jesus saw how he trusted in the observance of a set of rules. As a result, his need was for Christ to confront him with the one thing he lacked.

But the part that stands out to me the most is what preceded Christ's confrontation.

Then Jesus....loved him!

Oftentimes, confrontation has a negative connotation. And I'm sure our politically correct society does not help with this at all. After all, we can't truly love someone if we don't agree with them, right?

Wrong.

I'm so thankful that Jesus Christ was confrontational with me. At the age of nine years old, He showed me I was a sinner, lost without Him, and on my way to Hell. And that was the GREATEST act of love I've ever been shown in my entire life!

What a perfect example to follow.  

Lord, help me to be bold. Help me to be confrontational. Help me to love. 






Thursday, February 27, 2014

For My Brother

I don't even know how to begin this blog.

I thought about using a quote. You know, something powerful and captivating that would pull you in and make you want to read further. (Because my own writing doesn't always have that same effect!) But I couldn't find one that said exactly what I wanted it to.

How do you describe someone so special in such a short amount of words anyways?

A person who you've known your entire life, who shares your same last name, and who is about to embark on a life changing journey in just a few short hours.

Meet my brother, Travis.


He's four years my junior, despite being a good 7 inches taller than me. He has a unique love for our parents' cat, Skittles, and succeeds in practically everything he tries. He's become my Braves game companion (when he's in town), and he has an uncanny ability to always make a joke about our mom's doilies.

(No, you didn't just read an eHarmony dating profile about him, although, ladies, he is single!)

Tomorrow my brother leaves for his second deployment to Afghanistan with the United States Army. I don't know what he's feeling right now. The emotions going through his head...the thoughts as he packs his last bag and boards his long flight to the Middle East.

All I know is that I love him and I'm grateful for the choice he has made to serve our country. Trav does what he does because he wants to. No one forced him into the military, nor does he come from a family lineage full of servicemen. It was a choice he made and a pledge, I feel, he's upholding with integrity.


I know I sometimes struggle with telling others what they mean to me.  It's a shame, really, that I often pass up an opportunity to thank someone and encourage them. After all, we are commanded in God's Word to exhort others. (Hebrews 3:13)

So, Trav, as you leave to serve our country - to serve me - here is what I want to say to you:

I don't know what it's like to pack up everything I own and head into the middle of a war zone, to have the unfamiliar suddenly become normal routine. But I do know one thing. God is faithful and will keep every promise He's ever made to you. He will be there when you feel you have no one to turn to- when homesickness starts to settle in and you just want to leave. I pray that you'll feel God's presence and guidance every step of the way and that you'll turn to Him always. And just like your physical job requires armor, so too does your spiritual calling. (Ephesians 6:10-20) Thank you for choosing to serve and for your willingness to go. I'm honored to call you my brother, and I look forward to having you back home safe. I love you, Travis!   



(Don't kill me for this one, Trav! You were too cute not to post!)










Sunday, February 16, 2014

A Glimpse Into Heaven


As we stood in a circle praying before we left, their beautiful brown-toned skin clasped our pale white hands. The horns of jeepneys and music from the food vendors below seamlessly vanished, leaving only the voices of two nationalities lifting up their cries to the Lord. English, Tagalog...it didn't matter. The Holy Spirit was moving in that upstairs church building, and I suddenly felt my eyes fill with tears. The last 'amen' was said, we gave our goodbyes, gathered our luggage, and headed to the airport to begin the trip home.
____________________________________

This was just one of the wonderful memories I will carry away with me from my trip to the Philippines. I believe the Lord has shown me a very tiny glimpse of what Heaven will be like one day.

Rev. 7:9-10 'After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.'

I think it's easy, at least for me, to get trapped into having an American mindset, rather than a proper world view - one that includes all nations and ethnic groups.

It's not something I intentionally set out to do. But, if I stop and think about it, I'm around the same type of people every day. We are Americans. I eat with them. I work with them. I go to church with them. And I love them.

I am grateful to God for allowing me to be born in the United States. But Christ died for the world, not just America. (John 3:16)

When God talks about the harvest being ready, those are not just lost souls in Cumming, Georgia. There are people all across this globe needing the salvation that can only come from having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

And the exciting news is that Christ will save anyone who comes to Him by faith. American. Filipino. They are all precious in our Creator's eyes.

I'm thankful that, despite being in the Philippines for just a very short time, God allowed me to meet and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ. It was amazing to me that, despite our obvious physical and cultural differences, the bond we share in the Lord was strong enough to overcome them all.

As I sat on the plane scribbling down my thoughts, only a few hours away from arriving back home, I feel like I have left a piece of me in the Philippines. Lord willing, we plan to go back next year. But my prayer is that no matter where the Lord takes me, I'll be reminded of my duty as a Christian to carry the Gospel message to the world. And I am encouraged knowing I have new friends half way across the globe who share this same desire and who, I believe, will be with me one day in eternity praising and worshipping our Lord and Savior together!

Ang Panginoon Ay Karapat-dapat Sa Lahat Ng Kapurihan!






















Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Loving Valentine's Day...yet single?



Grocery stores are being peppered with pink and red candies. Hallmark seems to have birthed an entire new aisle of cards for the occasion, while flower stores are amping up for the sudden surge that's about to hit them.

And I'm sure every year around this time you hear the jokes and bitterness that seem to surface by those who are without a significant other.

'Happy Singles Awareness Day,' you hear them say, with cynicism in their voice that I'm sure makes all married or dating people want to avoid them at all costs.

I have a secret confession.

I absolutely LOVE Valentine's Day. And guess what? I'm single!

No, I didn't write this blog post to condemn any single person who's ever felt left out during this time of year. Nor did I write it to come across as if I have it all together. I would be lying if I told you there were not times that have been more difficult than others. When many of my friends are already experiencing parenthood, it's easy to put my life next to theirs and, with not even a boyfriend in sight, begin to question the Lord.

You know, God, I'm not getting any younger.

My childbearing years aren't going to last forever.

As if God doesn't know my current circumstance or what is best for me. Silly, when you stop and think about it, I know!

But that's exactly what we do.

However, I know God's ways and His timing is perfect. And I know He's working, even in the waiting.

Perhaps, friend, God is working in you in ways that will prepare you to be a better wife. A better mother. And I know I'm speaking to the ladies (since that's the only perspective I can attest to), but it's the same for you single guys as well.

God has taught me some things during this time of my life that I would love to share with other singles out there that might change not only the way you view Valentine's Day, but how you look at your relationship status altogether.

God is the only One who can truly satisfy you.

Even if God were to send you a boyfriend/husband today (or girlfriend/wife for all the guys), this person will never be able to fill the place of your Savior. The joy. The peace. The abundant life. It all comes from having a personal, intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. And no matter how many lies the world tries to cram down your throat, you will never experience that by trying to put another individual in the place designed only for your Creator.

Is marriage wrong then? Absolutely NOT. God ordained the institution of marriage and said it's a good thing. But when we take this good thing and place it over the BEST thing, we've created an idol and have set ourselves up for a life of discontentment.

Don't let God's love for you be dependent upon whether or not you have a significant other.

I doubt many have you have actually verbally done this. But if we get down to the core of our heart and thoughts, I think many of us (you can't see me, but I've got my hand raised as well) have questioned God's love for us during our time of singleness.

Everyone else is married, or at least in a relationship. God must love them more than He loves me. Why else would He be withholding that from me?

Friend, God's love for all of us was displayed at Calvary. John 3:16 says, 'For God so lovED the world.' The loved is past tense, which points back to a particular time and place. That time and place is the cross. God's love for us shouldn't be measured by our present circumstances - married or unmarried. Instead, we should always look to the cross as the measuring stick of God's love. Even if you don't feel like it, you are LOVED!

Don't put your life on hold while waiting for a significant other.

If you are His child, God has called all of us to be in full time Christian service. Sure, we might not all be called to be missionaries or pastors' wives. But we are all called to love God, to obey Him, and to share His truth with a lost and dying world. Don't waste this time of singleness saying you'll start serving God when you get married. Now is the time. God could open up doors for you that can only be fulfilled during this particular season of your life. And I'm pretty sure that if you aren't serving God now, a wedding band around your finger isn't suddenly going to make you change your ways.

Expressing your love isn't confined to a significant other.

I think many times single people don't like Valentine's Day because they automatically think that only people in a relationship can enjoy this holiday. Love isn't confined between a husband and a wife or a boyfriend and girlfriend. I have so many people in my life that I can truly say I love. Why can't I send them a card letting them know how much they mean to mean to me? What's stopping me from sending flowers to someone who's impacted my life in a special way?

I challenge you, single readers, to do something like this for someone special in your life. You'll be surprised how good it will make you feel. (And I'm positive the person on the receiving end will be blessed!)

So, friend, February 14th is coming. You can allow Satan to stir up bitterness in you towards those who are in a relationship. Or, you can embrace it head on and use it for God's glory.

As for me, I choose the latter. After all, I love Valentine's Day!