You may have made the difference that kept us on the mission field! This is what I said to a lady who has over 70 years on this earth and is still passionately working to help missionaries that need help with educational decisions and special needs children. I don't know at this point and probably never will know exactly what a difference she made, but we are feeling a lot more informed at this point. Praise God for those who serve him so selflessly.
Like a tree growing in Canada, we are going through many different seasons, and each brings with it different potential for growth. Each season leaves a mark as the tree grows in a rapid spurt. If I were able to see these different seasons of growth and challenge, I am sure that there are already many rings in my trunk. I look forward to more learning and challenges, knowing that God is sufficient for all my needs! Phillipians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. KJV
Please pray as we continue to seek to meet the needs of our children's education. It is hard to see the holes that have developed in their education due to the different moves and life changes they have followed us through. But, we trust that God has all of this as part of his plan for us, his best for us, and that he will use it for his glory.
And, if there is anyone interested in coming to serve as a teacher of a few missionary children, please feel free to let us know...:)
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Consistency and New Beginnings
Yes, consistency is an important quality, and here I am, blogging every 2 months! Never thought it would be so easy to let time slip by without an awareness of what all is slipping. This seems to apply in other areas too, not just in trying to put updates on the blog...discipline in exercise - let that slip since before Christmas; memorizing scripture - let that slip even longer...I think you get the picture. So what has been happening that is pushing important things out of mind?
It is actually hard to put a finger on any one thing. There seems to be a general business that I have become caught up in, and here I am trying to decide what is blognewsworthy.
Sports Ministry Initiative is an updated prayer request, and this has been the topic of a few conversations lately. God has brought a couple to partner with us, reaching out to our community through sports. There are so many ideas and possibilities that it has become a flurry of notions piled so high we can't seem to see any light. But that is what we are praying for, illumination, God's divine guidance, providence, opened doors, connections from divine appointments...light!
Please pray with and for us as we seek the Lord's face, to walk with Him in this venture.
At this time, I have started to coach a soccer team for ages 9-10. It has been a challenge in many ways, but with Christ, I am up for the challenge. The 25 boys are fun, energetic, rambunctious and varied in skill and experience. This is a large group to run through drills and settle down for some good talks. But it has been a growing experience, and we are learning to respect each other more and more. God has given me a love for these youngsters who love life, and need Jesus.
Keyana has started training with us and Josiah's team as well; she is taking a break from swimming during the cold season. If you live in Mexico, you need to understand the "beautiful game" some what so you can connect with the passion of the people.
We are hoping to develop a consistent visiting plan for 2 orphanages that we have served. They are very open to our support, and are interested in regular sports and games events with our youth group. This is a great opportunity to support ministry of wonderful Mexican folks who are loving the children who need the family of God to be their family.
I am also starting to teach another day at the school attended by our children. They lost a teacher and haven't found a replacement for the 2 hours of PE. I trust that I will be able to share double Jesus love with double the time at the school. I may try to start a basketball team at the school, but don't want to stretch myself too thin.
Again, we appreciate the prayers of the saints who are behind us in all that God is doing in, through and around us everyday here in Mexico.
It is actually hard to put a finger on any one thing. There seems to be a general business that I have become caught up in, and here I am trying to decide what is blognewsworthy.
Sports Ministry Initiative is an updated prayer request, and this has been the topic of a few conversations lately. God has brought a couple to partner with us, reaching out to our community through sports. There are so many ideas and possibilities that it has become a flurry of notions piled so high we can't seem to see any light. But that is what we are praying for, illumination, God's divine guidance, providence, opened doors, connections from divine appointments...light!
Please pray with and for us as we seek the Lord's face, to walk with Him in this venture.
At this time, I have started to coach a soccer team for ages 9-10. It has been a challenge in many ways, but with Christ, I am up for the challenge. The 25 boys are fun, energetic, rambunctious and varied in skill and experience. This is a large group to run through drills and settle down for some good talks. But it has been a growing experience, and we are learning to respect each other more and more. God has given me a love for these youngsters who love life, and need Jesus.
Keyana has started training with us and Josiah's team as well; she is taking a break from swimming during the cold season. If you live in Mexico, you need to understand the "beautiful game" some what so you can connect with the passion of the people.
We are hoping to develop a consistent visiting plan for 2 orphanages that we have served. They are very open to our support, and are interested in regular sports and games events with our youth group. This is a great opportunity to support ministry of wonderful Mexican folks who are loving the children who need the family of God to be their family.
I am also starting to teach another day at the school attended by our children. They lost a teacher and haven't found a replacement for the 2 hours of PE. I trust that I will be able to share double Jesus love with double the time at the school. I may try to start a basketball team at the school, but don't want to stretch myself too thin.
Again, we appreciate the prayers of the saints who are behind us in all that God is doing in, through and around us everyday here in Mexico.
Monday, December 8, 2014
Like The Criminal On The Cross
It's not often that I take time to put my thoughts on paper. But this morning when I was having my devotions I was convicted very clearly and as thoughts started coming to my mind, I started putting them on paper. Below is what resulted. I share it in hopes that it can encourage those who read it.
Luke 23:32-43New International Version (NIV)
32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. 39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[b]” 43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah?
Save yourself and us!”
As I was reading my devotional this morning I was convicted that I’m often like the criminal on the cross, demanding that God do things my way, like I know what’s best. And yet God, who knows all and sees all and is in control of all, works to do things greater and mightier and better then I could ever imagine. As I reflected further, I asked myself, “What if He had listened to the criminal on the cross and saved the criminal and himself from their crucifixions?” Granted, the lives of the criminal and Jesus, would have been physically saved but the criminal and the whole world with him, every person, including you and I, would have been eternally condemned.
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Surely God knows what’s best. He sees the big picture and I don’t. Like the criminal who was consumed with his own struggle and pain, I too become consumed with my situations, my trials, my pain, my sorrow, my problems to the point that I shout at God, demanding Him to save me now and take me down off my cross and out of my difficulties. And yet I forget that Jesus is right there beside me, carrying my burdens and pains and worries and sin, all the while pleading with me to realize that His ultimate plan will bring me far greater benefits, far greater results, far greater hope and far greater good then I could ever imagine or expect to receive if He immediately swept me up and out of my troubles.
"For I know the plans I have for you….”
"“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
How short sighted I am, how consumed I become with me and my problems, how arrogant of me to think that I know what needs to be done better then God himself. Jesus isn’t swayed by my complaining or my demands. He sees His plan through to the end, no matter how many insults or abuse I hurl His way because He knows that His way is the only way, He knows that His way brings salvation, He knows that His way brings hope and life and freedom. He knows that his way is good and right and best. He calls me to relinquish control, to accept the fact that I’m incredibly shortsighted and to trust the truth that even when I can’t, He sees the big picture, He’s in control, He’s working for my good and His ways are higher than my ways and his thoughts are higher than my thoughts. He knows the plans He has for me because He’s a big picture God.
~ Karlene
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