Monday, November 23, 2009
My 'Egyptian'
This morning as I was reading Daily Light, I was struck by Exodus 14:13-14. In this passage, Moses answers 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you. You need only to be still.' Wow. That so spoke to my heart. I did not automatically see Egyptians as flesh and blood but instead as powers of this dark world. This comment is not meant in any way to be demeaning to Egyptians. It represents an oppressive time for the Israelites in biblical history. What can you replace the word 'Egyptian' with today? Depression? Pride? Addictions? Whatever it is, stand firm, be still and let the Lord deliver you today. And you will never have to look upon it again. GLORY!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Amazing Love....
It's amazing how transforming the Gospel is to our lives! Especially marriage! As a believer in Christ, it can take time to really grasp the depth of God's truths. As I mentioned in a previous post, my husband Barry started a sermon series entitled Fireproofing Your Marriage. Barry and I celebrate our 13th wedding anniversary next month. Like so many young adults, we both spent years trying to fill a void in our lives that could only be filled by Jesus. That Jesus-size void was instead filled with many bad habits for both of us, some quite addictive. But to the glory of God, all things have been made new including us! I am so thankful that because of the Gospel and what Jesus did on the cross for all of our sins, we can present ourselves clean and pure if we ask for forgiveness and turn from our sins. Are there consequences for our bad choices we have made in our past even once we have asked for forgiveness? Yes, but the Good News of Jesus Christ can make even the worst consequences bearable. Darkness has no place where there is LIGHT! And we don't have to live in yesteryear! Glory to God for the Redeeming Blood of Christ! And for a marriage of almost 13 years that owes it's success to the Grace of God!
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Peter has been our neighbor for 8 years. Today we learned that he has either squirrels or mice giving him a fit at night. It's cold in Maine and the animals long to come inside if they can find a way.
In the winter, we may see the top of Peter's truck (just the top due to the large snowbanks) go by on his way out. In the summertime, he may strike up a conversation in the front yard while walking his dog. I saw Peter last week just as I was leaving the optometrist. He held the door for me. I recognized Peter but I don't think he recognized me.
If you saw Peter, you would probably assume that he is an elderly self sufficient Mainer. Today we found out that even Peter needed a hand. While the kids were sledding, Peter pulled into our driveway. He asked the kids if their dad was at home. The kids informed me that he had stopped by as he was pulling out of the driveway. A visit from Peter was out of the ordinary and it concerned me a bit. I wondered if maybe he needed Barry to help him lift something or perhaps needed snow cleared from a hard to reach place. I immediately called Barry at church to let him know.
Barry went by Peter's house on his way home. He lives on a dead end street that goes by our house. We have only been to his house once. Our family had taken goodies to Peter two Christmases ago. He had not been at home so we had left them on his porch. When Barry stopped by tonight he found out that Peter needed his help with setting mouse traps. Mouse traps. God used mouse traps to help connect us with Peter. Sometimes here in Maine and I am sure in other places, too, it can be hard to find a way to start a relationship with folks. Some relationships may be easier because of age, common interest, children, work, etc. I am so thankful that God gives us a jump start sometimes. Barry and I repented tonight because we had not done more to develop a relationship with our neighbor Peter. Barry made plans for me to cook a meal for Peter and left our phone number just in case he needed us to check the traps or for anything else. I am thankful that when we fall short of God's greatest commandment, He still loves us.
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " Luke 11:27
Please pray that Peter comes to Christ as we commit to share the whole gospel with him in the near future.
Mice. I loathe them. But I am thankful that God used them to open my eyes and to lead me to repentance.
In the winter, we may see the top of Peter's truck (just the top due to the large snowbanks) go by on his way out. In the summertime, he may strike up a conversation in the front yard while walking his dog. I saw Peter last week just as I was leaving the optometrist. He held the door for me. I recognized Peter but I don't think he recognized me.
If you saw Peter, you would probably assume that he is an elderly self sufficient Mainer. Today we found out that even Peter needed a hand. While the kids were sledding, Peter pulled into our driveway. He asked the kids if their dad was at home. The kids informed me that he had stopped by as he was pulling out of the driveway. A visit from Peter was out of the ordinary and it concerned me a bit. I wondered if maybe he needed Barry to help him lift something or perhaps needed snow cleared from a hard to reach place. I immediately called Barry at church to let him know.
Barry went by Peter's house on his way home. He lives on a dead end street that goes by our house. We have only been to his house once. Our family had taken goodies to Peter two Christmases ago. He had not been at home so we had left them on his porch. When Barry stopped by tonight he found out that Peter needed his help with setting mouse traps. Mouse traps. God used mouse traps to help connect us with Peter. Sometimes here in Maine and I am sure in other places, too, it can be hard to find a way to start a relationship with folks. Some relationships may be easier because of age, common interest, children, work, etc. I am so thankful that God gives us a jump start sometimes. Barry and I repented tonight because we had not done more to develop a relationship with our neighbor Peter. Barry made plans for me to cook a meal for Peter and left our phone number just in case he needed us to check the traps or for anything else. I am thankful that when we fall short of God's greatest commandment, He still loves us.
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " Luke 11:27
Please pray that Peter comes to Christ as we commit to share the whole gospel with him in the near future.
Mice. I loathe them. But I am thankful that God used them to open my eyes and to lead me to repentance.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
GET OVER YOURSELF
My husband Barry pastors Lakeside Community Church. Maine is 93% unchurched. Only 1% of the folks living in Maine attend an evangelical church. The International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention considers 97% unchurched to be an unreached people group. Does that give you an idea of the lostness here in Maine? I did not jump at the chance to move here. In fact, when Barry first mentioned the possibility of moving to Maine as church planters, I replied with a loud, "No! Are you serious?"(emphasis on serious) Shortly after that, missionaries from Indonesia spoke at our church in NC. I was amazed at what this family endured everyday in the Name of Jesus. Could I do that? Would I do that? That same night when God moved in my heart to accept the move here, he pierced upon my heart that it was not a third world country, it was Maine. I heard it as "GET OVER YOURSELF!" I replied in a very quiet, humble voice "Okay, God."
Where are you willing to go? It doesn't have to be another state. Look around. Is there a place in your neighborhood, your town that needs Jesus? A park that you and a few families could host a summer VBS, a back yard bible club, a sports camp? It's great to do this as an outreach for your church but does your congregation need a jump start? Do you need to be the 'idea' person casting a vision for how God wants to reach those around you? I encourage you to think outside of the box. So many times we get comfortable and don't do things things that take us to the lost or bring the lost to us. Does your church have the means to host a movie night? All you need is a large video screen. We have hosted several with free popcorn, candy and soda. This past weekend we did three showings of Fireproof and had 400 folks turn out. Barry started a sermon series on Fireproofing Your Marriage on Sunday and many returned as a result of us advertising this series at the movie. We have offered free oil changes to single moms, free car washes, community Easter egg hunts, trunk or treat, etc. God has used these events to bless folks and bring them to Him.
What can you do? Do you have ideas? Events that God has used in your community?
Where are you willing to go? It doesn't have to be another state. Look around. Is there a place in your neighborhood, your town that needs Jesus? A park that you and a few families could host a summer VBS, a back yard bible club, a sports camp? It's great to do this as an outreach for your church but does your congregation need a jump start? Do you need to be the 'idea' person casting a vision for how God wants to reach those around you? I encourage you to think outside of the box. So many times we get comfortable and don't do things things that take us to the lost or bring the lost to us. Does your church have the means to host a movie night? All you need is a large video screen. We have hosted several with free popcorn, candy and soda. This past weekend we did three showings of Fireproof and had 400 folks turn out. Barry started a sermon series on Fireproofing Your Marriage on Sunday and many returned as a result of us advertising this series at the movie. We have offered free oil changes to single moms, free car washes, community Easter egg hunts, trunk or treat, etc. God has used these events to bless folks and bring them to Him.
What can you do? Do you have ideas? Events that God has used in your community?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
WIP. That's how I feel sometimes. Well, WIP with another p and an ed. I first heard this term when I graduated from college and got my first 'professional' job at Revlon, Inc. My position involved working with production plans and a lot of my focus was spent on WIPs. However, my work experience did not spark my desire to name this blog 'A Work In Progress' but rather my relationship with Christ. God is and has been wipping me-shaping me into His work in progress. That's acutally a very comforting thought to me because it means God has His righteous right hand on me!
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I look forward to sharing weekly what is going on in my life as a pastor's wife, a homeschooling mom and a missionary that testifies to God's grace and mercy.
In His Hands,
Missy
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I look forward to sharing weekly what is going on in my life as a pastor's wife, a homeschooling mom and a missionary that testifies to God's grace and mercy.
In His Hands,
Missy
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