Just a thought

Part 3, Stand by your man.

2009-08-05T15:08:00.000-07:00

Your support in listening to his dreams—and even enabling a few to come true—communicates your respect. Dreaming together is like marriage insurance: You're blending your hopes for a shared future.

Be on his side.

Keep thinking of you two as a lifelong team. So when your husband has a problem, it's your problem, too. A husband longs for this kind of companionship—to know he's not alone.

My friend, Alicia, talks about sticking up for her husband in public. You won't hear her voicing complaints about her husband, Dan, to friends at church, or making belittling comments to him in front of others. If they've got problems, says Alicia, they deal with them privately.

If you have children, include your husband in parenting decisions (even if he defers most of the troubleshooting in this area to you). Stand by his discipline decisions. Model your respect for him in front of your kids, and he'll really feel your encouragement!

Get off your agenda and onto his.

We get accustomed to organizing our family's weekly menus, schedules, social calendars, and errands. So sometimes it may be hard to let go of the reins and let our husband "drive" some of the family time. Yet it may be as simple as starting one Saturday with a flexible attitude, prepared to rearrange our tasks and errands around his plans for the day.

This is a tough one for me. I like to plan ahead—while David's approach is more laid-back. He'll say, "Let's take a bike ride," and the next thing I know, we're at the park, then at Tastee-Freeze. But the family fun that evolves when we're doing things spontaneously creates a nice balance for us all.

Nothing shows our love and respect more than backing off to give our husband's plans and ideas some room to develop.

Be available for physical intimacy.

I asked David, "What do I do that encourages you?" Right away he answered, "Your black nightgown encourages me!" Of course David was deliberately being naughty. But you know what? I think he's right. He does handle the demands of work and family more cheerfully when we've been having sex regularly. Maybe it's because when that strong physical need is met, there's one less thing to distract him. But it's also because our physical intimacy's a barometer for the rest of our relationship. If we're coming together physically, it's a good sign we're working well as a team. It's a signal (an encouragement!) to him that he's doing fine at home.

Don't wait for your husband to "deserve it."

This last bit of advice is perhaps the most important. Maybe your husband takes you for granted. Maybe he never says thank you. So what I'm asking—for you to encourage and respect him anyway—seems like something requiring superhuman strength.

Here's the good news: There is superhuman power accessible to help you. Ask God to give you his love for your husband. Ask God to help you see one or two good aspects in your husband you can praise and respect.

My friend Michele Weiner-Davis, a popular marriage therapist, calls this "tipping the first domino." Jesus called it doing "to others what you would have them do to you" (Matt. 7:12). You both need affirmation and encouragement, but you can't make your husband speak the words you need. You can only be responsible for your actions, so go first! Be the one to set a new standard for encouraging words and behavior in your marriage. God will honor your efforts, and your husband's going to love it!

Part 2, Stand by your man

2009-08-05T15:06:00.000-07:00

I've discovered that when I notice my spouse's efforts at self-discipline, it motivates him to keep working on his areas of weakness. And while David still doesn't have the keenest fashion sense (it took me a couple years to eradicate the Hawaiian shirts from his wardrobe!), and he may be the world's biggest packrat (he still has his library card from when he was 13 years old, living 4 states away), he's a fabulous cook and gardener. And he's a tender-hearted father. Knowing him well, I get a close-up view of all that's best about David.

Search for significance.

God created us with a deep desire for meaning and significance. David has told me he finds the most meaning in being a father, so I do my best to affirm the good stuff I see going on between him and our kids. I pretend to be "jealous" of the way Julia and Robbie fly out the back door to meet David at the end of his workday, and I fake despair over the way Robbie only wants David to rock him to sleep. The kids know I'm delighted they're so attached to Daddy. I thank David for the time he takes to talk with our kids at bedtime. I encourage him that his investment in their young lives will create a long-lasting closeness between them.

Dreaming together is like marriage insurance: You're blending your hopes for a shared future.

Maybe your husband finds meaning in his job. So show interest in what goes on at his workplace: What challenges does he face, what new projects is he involved in, what goals must he meet? As you understand the specifics, your encouragement can become more specific. You can enter into his enthusiasm over praise from a supervisor or a breakthrough with a difficult coworker.

If you've never talked to your husband about why he thinks God put him in his job and in your family, ask him!

Dare to dream with him.

Is there something your husband always longed to do when you were first married, but he's stopped mentioning it now that you're busy with bills and kids and ministry demands? What's his dream for the future?

In all our years of apartment dwelling, David grew flowers on windowsills and small porches. At garage sales and thrift stores, I'd pick up how-to books on gardening and building greenhouses. We'd lived in our first home about two minutes when he started building a greenhouse in our backyard (even though, in my estimation, there were more pressing projects to tackle). I shut up and prayed he wouldn't spend too much. He didn't—and now I've got bouquets in the house almost year-round.

I'm just glad he only wanted a greenhouse and not a motorcycle (with my vivid imagination, I can't stop visualizing skin on pavement). But my friend, Jane, swallowed any fears she had and encouraged her husband to buy a decent motorcycle, even if it wasn't his dream Harley. She even rides with him!

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Stand by your man, Part 1.

2009-08-05T15:03:00.000-07:00

Stand by Your Man

8 winning ways to encourage him

Annette LaPlaca

Most women do about 11 things at the same time (including talking on the phone)—especially if they're married with children! We get good at responsibility-juggling because wehave to: There's a job to manage, diapers to change, a house to clean, books to read, friends to reach out to, not to mention a husband to care for. We know how it feels to lose heart when we get burdened by too many responsibilities.

While your husband may not juggle the same number of details you do, the challenges he deals with are heavy ones, too—starting with a wife to love and serve, a career at which to succeed, even children to nurture. And, just like you, he can lose heart while carrying heavy responsibilities.

That's one of the reasons why God put people together in marriage—for mutual encouragement. Unfortunately, building up is harder work than demolishing, which comes all too naturally! But an encouraged husband makes a great life partner—he's more positive, responsive, and better equipped to work and serve your whole family.

You have an incredible ability to "make or break" your husband's day or week—or decade—by what you say and do. Here are a few ways to stand by your man and make him feel as though he's the greatest.

Say thanks.

If you find it hard to come up with ways to encourage your husband, saying thanks is a great place to start. If things are rocky just now and you don't feel particularly thankful for your husband (believe me, this happens!), start small. Thank him for holding open a door, picking up the newspaper after he's finished, or tucking your kids into bed.

Many women hold back grateful affirmations because they think,Why should I thank him for things he should do anyway?! The first reason to do it is because you've signed up for this gig (being his wife). The second is that your positive words pave the way for your husband to do more of the same.

At our house, I make a point of profusely thanking my husband, David, every time he gives the kids a bath or gets up with our early risers so I don't have to. These things still don't happen as often as I'd like them to, but that's not stopping me from expressing my gratitude when David does come through.

Know your man.

What are his strong points? His weak ones? Become an expert on your spouse.

Maybe your husband's a wonderful father. Or maybe he's a good financial provider. But unless you're married to Mr. Perfect Guy, he probably struggles somewhere, too. Does your husband have a quick temper? Does he spend too much money—or time on the computer? While these are points for prayer, they're also areas in which encouragement can make a difference.

Develop a sharp eye for noticing small steps in positive directions, then encourage your husband in them. Every time I see my husband, David, who tends to be a spender, make an effort to save money, I notice it out loud. I tell him how much I appreciate him disciplining himself for some of our long-term goals instead of dropping cash at the local hardware store every Saturday.

Am I teaching and learning

2009-06-16T04:37:00.000-07:00

"The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips." Pro. 16:23

When I read this I just thought about, if I had wisdom. Am I learning from what my heart shows me and being wise with what I learn and add it to my speech to keep my mouth and lips in check. I hope so. Often times I stick my foot in where wisdom should be. Lord help my to take the wisdom you show me along the way, and put it into practice.

Build him up, not tear him down

2009-05-29T18:40:00.001-07:00

Strengthening Your Husband's Self-EsteemBarbara Rainey

Our children and I once watched a new shopping center go up near our home. Initially, progress was rapid; the lot was cleared and the concrete pads were poured in one week. Then the walls went up, quickly followed by the framing for the roof.

But one day, we turned the corner and slowed our van in disbelief. The entire structure had collapsed! The wooden roof trusses lay flat in neat rows, surrounded by the remains of the crumbled brick walls. It appeared that there had been an explosion.

Puzzled, we asked what had happened and learned that the carpenters had failed to secure and brace the new structure properly. The building's roof, held in place only by two boards, had collapsed under the weight of two carpenters.

As I reflected with amazement on the need for support in the building's structure, I saw a parallel in our marriage. The roof is like my husband's self-esteem.

Ephesians 5:23 teaches that the husband is "the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church." When we first married, I committed to being under the roof of Dennis's protection. He had all the structural basics, but he was brand-new at being my protector. Like that roof, he appeared to be solidly in place, but he needed me to help secure him—to brace him by believing in him.

Fortunately, I did come alongside him. Through the years, the weight of life's pressures has sometimes shaken him, but he has remained solidly over me as my roof, my protector. Today, although still not perfectly secure, my husband's structural integrity is much more stable. He tells me that I have had a major part in helping him to feel more sure of himself as a man and as a husband.

Likewise, you can strengthen your husband's self-esteem. But first you must recognize where he needs bolstering. Many women today are so caught up in finding their own identity that they, like the carpenters who were building the shopping center, make assumptions about their husband's self-confidence and security. Your mate may be full-grown on the outside, but inside he undoubtedly feels some insecurity. He's not so sure how to be a man in this world where women have growing independence and society is changing the traditional rules of relationships.

How does a wife build her husband's self-esteem? Basically, by making her responsibility as wife her number-one focus. By developing the right attitudes, a wife can meet some of her husband's needs—needs to be believed in, supported, and encouraged.

It has been said, "Behind every great man is a great woman." One woman believed that literally. She and her husband, the mayor of a large city, walking down a city street one day when a construction worker on a nearby scaffolding leaned over and shouted, "Hello, Peggy." She turned to look and recognized the carpenter as an old boyfriend from high school. She returned his greeting, and they had a brief conversation before she and her husband continued their walk. The mayor chuckled and said to his wife, "See there, if you had married him, you'd be the wife of a construction worker."

She looked at him and said, "No, dear, if I'd married him, he would be the mayor of this city."

No matter what type of man you are married to, God wants you to set your sights on building his self-esteem.

Build him up, not tear him down

2009-05-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

Strengthening Your Husband's Self-EsteemBarbara Rainey

As I reflected with amazement on the need for support in the building's structure, I saw a parallel in our marriage. The roof is like my husband's self-esteem.

She looked at him and said, "No, dear, if I'd married him, he would be the mayor of this city."

No matter what type of man you are married to, God wants you to set your sights on building his self-esteem.

Make time for who is important

2009-04-12T04:28:00.000-07:00

I have to remember to make time for God. It doesn't always come easy. You have clothes to wash, dishes to do, food to cook, ect. When you sit down to read and take in some quality time with God what happens, the phone rings, there's a knock at the door, you see where I am going with this.

We, meaning I, need to stop and remember what is important, most important in my life and that is the Lord and my walk with him. It will effect everything, the love, affection and most of all respect I have for my husband; the way I treat and talk to my friends and family.

If I do not seek him everyday I am distant or disconnected with him I feel ashamed and embarrassed that I waited so long to talk to Him that there is an awkwardness between us. I love God for all sorts of reasons, because he loved me when I was unloveable, when I didn't even love myself, He loved me so much he gave His son to the cross so that I might be saved from the world and myself.

Oh, how can I not long to spend time with such a God.

So many times I race through our time together when I should be taking in ever moment and word. Don't freak out at what I am about to say. What if instead of feeling it is my duty, which it is (study to show thyself approved), I read God's word as if it were the last time I would ever be able too. The last time I could see his written word, the last time I could allow myself to get swept away with wild adventures of Paul and David or when Esther made her appeal to the king, Jonathan's loyal friendship, Mary and Joseph's testimony and faithfulness to the will of God for their lives and Jesus Himself.

What if I told those who don't know him, what I've read and learned with the same enthusiasm as a new electronic or movie that just came out. What kind of difference would that make not only to the people I've told but the walk I have with Him.

Just a thought

I wonder?

2009-04-12T01:34:00.000-07:00

JOHN 20:1

Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early,

while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

It's nearly 5 am , things are still and silent, as restlessness put its hold on me I could sleep no longer and my thoughts were drawn to Mary Magdalene.

I wonder if she slept at all? Could it be that she waited to go to Him as long as she could, then when she could wait no longer went to the place she thought she would find him.

Was she with the others when she left to see her Lord . I can see her in my head, moving about gathering together things she would need to honour her Master, Lord, her Jesus. Between the tears and her heart break realizing she could do this last thing for Him, for he had done so much more for her. He had for given her sin.

When we loose someone so dear to us we can not but help replay our lives together with them. The moments that changed us, reassured us, gave us hope, made us angry and bonded us to this person in the first place. We remember the first time we meet them, the first time we loved them, the times that led to us loosing them.

Oh, the pain that she must have felt of losing her Lord, and when she could not sleep one more minute if she slept at all, she went to were he was supposed to be, what kind of preparation she must have been making in her heart, to see her Lord one last time.

Then she saw the unthinkable, the stone rolled away from the tomb. The terror that must have over taken her as "...she ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, whom Jesus loved,..." John 20:2 , "So they both ran together,..." John 20:4

Here comes the good part.

John 20:13 "Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" The two angles speaking here. She probably exclaimed through her tears and heart ache what happened as she began to feel the heart build with in her, when a man's voice asked her what she was seeking? Not know it was Him, I asked if he or if he knew what happened to her Lord, letting him know she would take her Lord away.

Then He called her by name, "Mary!" she turned around and saw Jesus, her Jesus, the one who she saw die from our sins as he hang from the cross. Did her heart leap for joy, skip a beat, overflow with love for her master, oh I think it did and all at once. Then he gave her the task of telling the others, telling them the wonderful news, that he was not died but had risen. What Peace she must have had knowing her Lord was not laying in a tomb but He had risen.

That is the same peace we have today. How exciting is that? To know my God, my Lord, my King, is not in a tomb somewhere, he is alive and with the Father.

A merry heart

2009-04-05T05:31:00.000-07:00

I really want to be an encouragement to my husband and more times then I would like to admit, I am the opposite. My actions, body language and tone of voice at times ring out loud and clear I am not happy with this or that. I have to be on guard about the way I am acting or thinking because even though I do not say I am unhappy, mad or sad; my actions will betray me.

I need to remember that a merry heart doth good like a medicine and to guard my heart at all cost or it will betray me.

What will please God and my husband? Contentment, faithfulness, a meek and quiet spirit. The last thing my husband needs is to worry about my feelings every second. He needs to free to work in or on the ministry God has given him to do. I need to help him be able to do that by not making a deal out of everything if it doesn't go my way. I need to learn how to trust in God to guide him and trust in him to listen to God's guidance.

Pray for your marriage

2009-03-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

That was the plea from a friend of mine, who's marriage is under attack.

She begged me to make sure I didn't let the little things slip through the cracks because the devil can use something small and grow it into something that will slowly destroy your marriage. I was moved by the way she is drawing strength from the Lord, in this very difficult time.

There are so many things in this world that can cause use to loss our testimony. I am guilty of taking things for granted. Ladies, I don't know about you, I need to pray for my husband more, for our marriage and our testimony.

Please heed my friends warning and remember to pray for your marriage, husband and family God has given you.

When was the last time you were moved?

2009-03-17T07:13:00.000-07:00

What makes, drives or push us to the point of action? Often times I find myself watching a situation from a distance trying to figure out the out come from a distance so I don't rock the boat. The last thing I want to do is have someone get up set with me or worse make me feel like I am a dim wit for saying or doing something when I didn't know the big picture.

Yesterday, was on of those days. As I stood in line at Kroger, carefully sorting my purchase and placing it on the belt. I noticed the person in front of me was finishing, a little old black lady carefully getting out her little wallet and handing all she had, to the young man barley 18 behind the counter. After the cashier told her the total and counted what she had, he then called her over and said the total again and with a dazed look she went back to her little wallet trying to find the difference. By this point I knew what was coming. I had worked in a grocery store before and had to do the very thing, I was now dreading that the cashier would do. The little old lady with a careful thought asked to put back some of her very modest purchase.

I couldn't help but be moved with compassion for this lady who could very easily be my granny or me in years to come. I turned to Stephen and quickly explained what was taken place and asked if it would be okay to take care of her balance, without hesitation Stephen said " of course".

By this point the lady was standing over her bags trying to decide what she could do without. I explained to the young man that we wanted to take care of her balance. There was an odd pause and then he started talking to his manager, explaining to her what we where doing and she told him how to handle the transaction. You'd think I was trying to pass a bill through congress or something. Then the sweetest thing happened that just melted my heart and brought me to tears in the middle of kroger. The cashier told the lady I was taking care of her balance and she started crying and saying she couldn't believe it. Then I started crying and told her not to worry one bit about it because if it were my granny I would hope someone would be kind to her. As she cried the bag boy and manager helped her to the side of the store out of the way because she was moved. I found a Whitfield Baptist Church invitation to give her on our way out and let her know that we would love to have her stop by for service and take her out to eat.

We got out to the car and I just cried. I was just so upset at the thought of it being my granny. The manager, bag boy and cashier were so surprised that we would do such a thing. They said people just don't do that any more. Which also eat my lunch because how many times have there been that I just was so focused on myself I couldn't or wouldn't be moved by what was going on right in front of me. I praise the Lord for this wonderful opportunity to be a help to this little old lady and for the reminder it is, to let myself be moved more often to do something then just wishing I had after the situation is over

Standing in the Gap

2009-01-02T04:20:00.001-08:00

That is the theme of this years Summit, in Pigeon Forge TN, with the Our Generation team. It has been wonderful so far and I look forward to seeing how God moves today.

We started off with a joint session then we broke up into specialized classes. I have to say I really enjoyed the Stand by your man class taught by Amy Coffey and Mrs. Betty Gardner. It really hit home.

After the session, I was talking with a lady and she started telling me how she couldn't do what they were talking about because her husband needed this or that, that he wasn't good with this, she had to be the way she was because she didn't have a choice. I really had to take a step back because I had said some of those exact things to myself at times.

I can say that my attitude has not been right, a lot, when it comes to my role as a wife. It is something I need to work on daily, ok maybe hourly. I really have to be careful not to make excuses for the disrespect of my husbands position (hard to say that) but that is what I am doing when I correct him, give advice or options (especially in front of others), make decisions without consulting him first, ect...

When I do that, I am basically under minding his authority over me, the position God put him in, so I am actually doing all those things to the Lord as well.

Don't get me wrong. I don't set out to embarrass or dishonor my husband, my intentions are good and mean well. "I am trying to help, isn't that what I was made for" the problem is that our way of helping is not always God's way of helping.

Am I standing in the Gap for my husband. Am I willing to help him in God's way and not my own.

Understanding

2008-12-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

It's something we desire so much from others. Yet we often have a hard time having it for the people we come in contact with, especially those that are closest to us.

Thomas Edison believed that the concept of understanding comes from the two simple words under and stand. When one acknowledges that he stands below someone or something else, he makes himself receptive to obtain and retain information from it, thereby allowing for understanding to occur.

I wonder how often I really allow myself to acknowledge I am below someone or something, that I may be receptive to the information I am getting.

Little actions, Big lessons

2008-12-19T05:04:00.000-08:00

A blog from our time in N. Ireland.

Wondering if you are having an impact on the kids you teach?

I know that I do. We have been here a while now and it seems as if we are not making any head way at times. Recently, I had been thinking how I would like to see something to know what we were doing is having some effect. I had not told anyone I was a little discouraged, so I wouldn't bring them down with me. Then God allowed me to see something so good that I thought I would share.

It was a Tuesday night at the youth club, like any other. John Silverson, Stephen and I played some games with the kids until half 7, then John gave a lesson from the bible. The lesson was about the women who gave all she had to the Lord for her offering. I thought the kids listened well about the same as they do every week.

I believe God was doing something in their hearts I couldn't see, because the next Sunday Amy one of our faithful Tuesday night goers came in for sunday school. Now from what I understand Amy used to come in for Sunday School but has not been in for a long while. Well I was sure glad to see her. She looked a little out of sorts, her long hair not fully brushed and kind of sleepy eyed still, but she was there and I praised the Lord in my heart for it.

The service began with some songs and then the offering. That is when God let me see something very special that the others apparently didn't notice. Amy went up to give her offering and very shyly so no one would notice she pulled out a bag of coins from her jumper pocket and placed the bag gently into the bucket so none would hear them then she meekly made her way back to her seat. She left that day never bragging about her gift or bringing any notice to herself.

It has been a couple of weeks since that event and Amy has not been back to Sunday school, I don't know why? I hope she starts coming back in soon. She is a very good listener and really enjoys the fellowship at our Tuesday club. So I don't understand what is keeping her away on sundays.

I just thought it was a great blessing from the Lord. I had been a little down in my heart about seeing some sort of effect for the work we are doing. God had apparently spoken something to her for her to be there, maybe it was the lesson on Tuesday about the women giving to the Lord, I would like to think God moved in her heart about it.

I pray the Lord continues to move in the hearts of the people we are working with.

Sometimes it is the little things God uses to show me a big lesson.

Visiting with Mom

2008-12-18T10:36:00.000-08:00

One of the Joy's of being a missionary is you get to see the world or the part of it God has called you to, which also means you are not able to spend as much time with family as you would like.

So today my mom decided to make the 3 hour drive and come visit with me for the day. I am very excited about getting to spend some quality time with her.

Blogging made perfect

2008-12-18T05:57:00.000-08:00

I am afraid my blogging has been next to nothing. Mostly because I have been struggling with what to write. Sometimes I just over think things and would rather do nothing. Glad nobody else has that problem.

Lately, I have really been struggling with comparing myself to others. When I read the other wives blogs, I get discouraged about some aspects of my life I can not control. God didn't make us all the same and He doesn't have the same plan for our lives either. God has really been helping me see this in my life recently. I am a slow learner.

My hope is to be more faithful in blogging. I heard this statement again, "I will only be more tomorrow, what I am today." over the last few days and it really has been eating my lunch as Bro. Tony would say.

So I figure I got to start somewhere. So please forgive the roughness of this blog.

It's been two years...

2008-12-18T05:29:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe it myself when I say how long I have been married. Wow, where does the time go.

More then once this year has someone congratulated us on our first year of marriage. While saying thank you, I simply add it's been two. Their response is the same, "Wow, Really, It doesn't seem like two years."

Honestly, it hasn't felt like two years to me either, it has gone by so fast or maybe the years went by slower when I was single, who knows.

Over the past two years God has opened many doors and we have had a marvelous time going through them together. We are excited about the future and look forward to what God has in store for us.

Great Blog... Thought I would pass it on

2008-11-05T08:44:00.000-08:00

Some things I know about our new president!

Last night Barak Obama was elected president of the United States. There are several things you should know about this election as God’s people.

Psa 75:6 For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
Psa 75:7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

It is God that puts up and puts down. I must trust that God has chosen Barak Obama to be the president of our country now!

Pro 8:15 By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
Pro 8:16 By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.

In our desire to think that we make many of these decisions I think it is wise to remember all of these verses from Scripture.

Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
Dan 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

So I recognize that God is of greater power than the people and not only that I recognize that He has the heart of the king in His hand and will do through the president what He pleases.

Pro 21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

I know that God can work in the king’s heart and place thoughts there:

Ezr 7:27 Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:

I recognize my need to honor the authorities that God has placed over me and to pray for them. I hope you will do the same. Please remember that to obey is better than to sacrifice–in other words God prefers that you obey Him even to the worship that you could give Him.

Rom 13:1-8 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

I hope you will commit to pray for our president and all other authorities in positions of leadership above us. We can disagree with their policies but I think Biblically should respect their position. We should honor them. We ought not get into bad attitude bashings of our leaders.

1Ti 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
1Ti 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Be careful of the attitude that you have.

2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

Let us put the ignorant who would talk bad about us as God’s people to silence. Do not have a bad attitude. Do not go around talking trash because your candidate didn’t win. Do not show disrespect for the president just because he wasn’t your choice.

1Pe 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
1Pe 2:14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

So let’s sum it all up:

God has placed Barak Obama in this position as our president!

God is still in charge and we can rest assured that He will accomplish His purposes under Barak Obama!

I need to honor and respect the authorities that God has placed over me.

I do not want to allow any kind of bad attitude or actions to ruin my testimony before those that do not know God personally.

I need to pray for all the authorities that God has placed over me.

I can disagree with policies and principles but ought not to get into personalities.

I know that God is at work to bring great honor and glory to Himself and I anxiously await what He has planned!

Stay on Course

2008-08-21T05:08:00.000-07:00

Over the past week, I have really been thinking about the importance of staying on course.

In these pictures you see the airstrip to the left and a photo of a small branch stuck in the wing about two feet in.

Two feet off course that is all it took for my grandfather to loose control of his plane and loose his life.

I started thinking about my own course in life. Am I off course some where? Am I still in the race? Two feet. That's it.

We think we can do this or that and it is not really a big deal but it could be, that one thing that turns your world upside down along with everyone else's.

I asked myself what course am I on really? Am I on the course God has set before me am I running the race that He has asked me to run? Maybe I started out on course and I have started to drift away from it. Two feet. Some times that is all it takes for your race to be over.

I want to finish the race God has given me and stay the course that is before me. I know this with out him that is impossible because he is my compass, my guide, my everything. Just how you can not fly a plane with out the right instruments, you can not stay on course with out the word of God to guide us.

Life goes by in an instant. My grandfather didn't realize he was off course till it was to late.

I don't want my life, the vapor it is, to be over and stand before God and not have stayed the course he set before me.

A plane crash

2008-08-13T12:55:00.001-07:00

I just received a phone call that my grandfather died an hour ago. I don't know anything other than he was trying land his two man plane on his airstrip in Florida.

Please pray for his wife Anne who lost her son in a motorcycle accident just 6 months ago.

Stephen and I are going to leave as soon as possible.

Before and During the Call

2008-08-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)

Quick work this! The Lord hears us before we call and often answers us in the same speedy manner. Foreseeing our needs and our prayers, He so arranges providence that before the need actually arises He has supplied it, before the trial assails us He has armed us against it. This is the promptitude of omniscience, and we have often seen it exercised. Before we dreamed of the affliction which was coming, the strong consolation which was to sustain us under it had arrived. What a prayer-answering God we have!

The second clause suggests the telephone. Though God be in heaven and we upon earth, yet He makes our word, like His own word, to travel very swiftly, When we pray aright we speak into the ear of God. Our gracious Mediator presents our petitions at once, and the great Father hears them and smiles upon them. Grand praying this! Who would not be much in prayer when he knows that he has the ear of the King of kings? This day I will pray in faith, not only believing that I shall be heard, but that I am heard; not only that I shall be answered, but that I have the answer already. Holy Spirit, help me in this!

Just a thought from Spurgeon.

It's a small world...

2008-08-13T00:55:00.000-07:00

After all.

Last night the Lord gave me the opportunity to speak at a ladies meeting in Ooltewah, TN for the first time. They have been such faithful supports through their giving and prays, it was an honour to get to know them better.

As the Pastor, his wife (Bro. Gene Hooker and Mrs. Bessie) and I introduced ourselves we realized what a small world it really is. Turns out Bro. Gene was a Rock of Ages man for over 25 years, so of course we knew some of the same crowd of people. The more we talked the more we thought about friends and places we had in common. I told him my home church during that time and he fondly remember Bro. Landy and Mrs. Rita, John and Sandy, and our little church on the hill. He said he really enjoyed our church and the people there and it was a real blessing to see them in the new building.

It was an encouraging time in the Lord. I meet the Ladies and had a wonderful bit to eat. God allowed me to share from my heart about Ireland, the times we spent there, the people we meet and give God the glory for the souls saved during those four months.

I shared a lesson about overcoming bitterness, kindly shared and written by Teri Snode (Thank you Teri), that had really helped me to see bitterness for what it was and how it effected my life, others and warnings signs to avoid becoming bitter.

The lesson really helped me to grow closer to the Lord and see that there is just so much more we can do with our time then be bitter, be it bitterness toward someone I love that has hurt me or bitterness toward the Lord over a problem I am facing. God wants us to have a life full of Joy and yes sometimes some trails come along the way, maybe so we can remember and embrace the sweet times just a little more and forebear the bitter ones a little easier.

The ladies seemed to really get a lot out of the lesson. At different times each lady let me know just how much they enjoyed me being there and more importantly how much they needed that lesson. They shared some their hearts and some situations taking place in their lives. I am grateful it was blessing to them. The Lord always knows what we need to hear.

Some thing that was a blessing to me. Was the young ladies involved in the meeting. Some of the girls are as young as 11 & 13, helping to set up and coordinate the speakers, meals, read the minutes form the meetings. It truly was a wonderful example of the older women training the younger.

I praise the Lord for the great meeting and the fellowship.

Just wanted to say

2008-08-10T10:25:00.000-07:00

I was thinking about how much the Lord has blessed me over the years with good, I mean great men of God who I have had the privilege to call my Pastor, along with those men were sweet Ladies of God who were shinning examples of what a Pastor's wife should be.

I just wanted to say thank you to my Pastor's and their wives.

Bro. Landy & Sis. Rita, Bro. Austin & Mrs. Betty, Bro. Wayne & Mrs. Connie, for loving me and always being there.

When we thank God for our pastor
We must give Him thanks for two,
For when your husband came to us
God also sent us you.

A pastor's wife must be many things,
You have many hats to wear;
And we say thanks for all you do
And lift you up in prayer.

You adjust your life to meet the needs
Of your husband's congregation,
And it seems that you can always cope
With most any situation.

Your presence blesses all of us
Who know you from day to day
As our pastor's wife, you are serving God
In a fine and worthy way.

by: Helen Bush

2008-08-09T21:14:00.001-07:00

Pray for Sandy Pearson and family

by gardner@bcwe.org

Sandy Pearson’s brother Tommy Cofer died on Friday afternoon. He is the son of Pastor Kenneth Cofer of Trinity Hills Baptist Church!

I wanted to inform you of the plans so that you can express your love to Sandy, all the Pearson family and also the Cofer family.

Everything will take place at the Bill Head Funeral Home in Tucker! The viewing will be Sunday, August 10, 2008 tomorrow, from 2 until 8 PM. The funeral will be held on Monday at 2 PM with Michael Dickens preaching.

Lilburn/Tucker Chapel
6101 Highway 29 • Tucker, GA 30084
(770) 564-2726 • Fax: (770) 564-2527 • Email: bhfuneralhome@earthlink.net

This is the information that I have received from John Pearson. Thank you for praying for the family!

From Spurgeon

2008-08-08T03:55:00.000-07:00

Confidence Not Misplaced

The Lord God will help me. (Isaiah 50:7)

These are in prophecy the words of Messiah in the day of His obedience unto death, when He gave His back to the smiters and His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. He was confident in divine support and trusted in Jehovah.

O my soul, thy sorrows are as the small dust of the balance compared with thy Lord's! Canst thou not believe that the Lord God will help thee? Thy Lord was in a peculiar position; for as the representative of sinful men—their substitute and sacrifice—it was needful that the Father should leave Him and cause Him to come under desertion of soul. No such necessity is laid upon thee: thou art not bound to cry, "Why hast thou forsaken me?" Did thy Savior even in such a case still rely upon God, and canst not thou? He died for thee and thus made it impossible that thou shouldst be left alone; wherefore, be of good cheer.

In this day's labors or trials say, "The Lord God will help me." Go forth boldly. Set your face like a flint and resolve that no faintness or shamefacedness shall come near you. If God helps, who can hinder? If you are sure of omnipotent aid, what can be too heavy for you? Begin the day joyously, and let no shade of doubt come between thee and the eternal sunshine.

A thought from Charles Spurgeon

2008-08-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

Rules for Prosperity

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:7)

Yes, the Lord will be with us in our holy war, but He demands of us that we strictly follow His rules, Our victories will very much depend upon our obeying Him with all our heart, throwing strength and courage into the actions of our faith. If we are halfhearted we cannot expect more than half a blessing.

One of God's greatest blessings

2008-08-06T10:35:00.000-07:00

Our Pastor

Who is it calls when we are ill
With cheerful words and right good will,
And lingers gently then to pray
And soothe our care and fear away?
Our Pastor!

Who is it comes when sorrow falls,
When death of friends our heart appalls,
And tells us of mansions fair,
And that sweet home, "just over there"?
Our Pastor!

Who is it shares our happiest hours,
When life is crowned with wedding flowers,
And to the scene lends added grace
By reverent voice and kindly face?
Our Pastor!

Who is it on the Lord's day
Points to Heaven and leads the way,
And brings a message from the Word,
Until our hearts within are stirred?
Our Pastor!

For whom then shall we daily pray
And ask for him God's grace alway,
And wish for him a glad new year,
With new-born souls his heart to cheer?
Our Pastor!

Lean G. Browne

A thought from Charles Spurgeon

2008-08-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. (Psalm 37:31)

Put the law into the heart, and the whole man is right. This is where the law should be; for then it lies, like the tables of stone in the ark, in the place appointed for it. In the head it puzzles, on the back it burdens, in the heart it upholds.

Two years ago, today....

2008-07-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

Stephen and I went out on our first date, since I had gotten back from Peru.

I am just starting to understand what everyone has meant over the years, about how you love someone more today then you did when you married them.

Everyday God shows me how Stephen is the man I dreamed about all those days, I was longing to be married. Through the good times and bad times God reaffirms that we were made for one another.

I can truly say that God has blessed me with a wonderful husband who loves and adores me. I am so grateful to God for bringing us together. I can't imagine my life with out Stephen being there.

I love you Stephen.

Please remember Andrew Pearson

2008-07-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Please keep Andrew Pearson in your prayers as he was in a motorcycle wreck several weeks ago and has seriously injured his leg/ankle. Here is an update from him:

"Just an update, the doctor called today and I have to have another surgery before the end of next week. It is a very specialized surgery and the specialist is not under my health insurance. I don’t know very much about it but I know it is a microvascular surgery and grafting to repair my heel pad and the skin which was torn off in the accident. As a result of this surgery they say I will be in the hospital (emory crawford long) for “several” weeks. I also wanted to say thanks to everyone who has stopped by. You guys have been great friends and a great help to me and I really appreciate it. Please keep praying and thanks again."

Made my day....

2008-07-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

How can one phone call make my day? Well let me tell you.

Stephen and I were working this afternoon and the phone rang. I thought it was probably a wrong number or someone trying to sale something because we don't normally get calls on Saturday's.

So when I heard him say hold on a minute, my brain went into overdrive thinking about who could that be and why do they want to talk to me.

Then I got on the phone and it was a young lady form a church in Tennessee , she explained who she was and that she was hoping I could come and speak at their lady's meeting they have at their church next month. Honestly, I was a lot shocked because I have never been asked to speak at a church out of the blue before. I got all the information I thought I would need and said thank you and let her go.

I really just don't know how to describe the feeling I am having right now. I have this sort of butterflies flying around in my stomach at the idea of talking to people I don't know. Then I have this really scary what do I talk to them about thing happening. Along with a great since of wow I wonder why they asked me and what a great privilege it will be to share what God did while we were in Ireland.

I am so thankful for the opportunity that God is giving me to talk to the ladies that will be at that meeting. Please pray that I will say and do what will honour and glorify the Lord, and be a blessing to the people he brings in.

2008-07-04T01:17:00.000-07:00

Being from the peach state down here in the south, when the 4th of July rolls around we know its time for about 50,000 people to, wake up before dawn, put on their running shoes and head off to the marta stations, highways and byways to swarm downtown Atlanta for a race called the Peachtree Road race, where everyone may not know your name, but they at least got your number.

So today my family and I are headed off to see just how well we finish our race today. If we finish, I mean when we finish, we receive a T'shirt. Now, to my knowledge this shirt is like any other tee you might come across in your travels, with one very big difference you have to cross the finish line before you to receive this trophy of what you have just accomplished.

I am so glad I didn't have to stand in line to receive the gift of salvation. I am also glad that when I finish my race in life I know the prize is that I lived my life for and in the high calling of God through Christ Jesus. That is the greatest Trophy I could ever have and one day I pray to hear the word's "Well done".

I may not finish the peachtree in first place but at least I ran the race. So if you are reading this blog you may want to think about what kind of race you are running in life. Are you running to win fame or fortune? Maybe the race you should be really running in life is to see how many people you can tell about the God in heaven that sent is son to die for you and I, who gave us the strength to run any kind of race at all.

"Well done" what are you waiting to hear at the end of your life's race?

Urgent Prayer Request

2008-07-03T10:10:00.000-07:00

I just received a call that my sister is on her way to the hospital.

She is going in for emergency surgery for her gallbladder. It has not burst as of now, please pray that they can get the surgery completed before it ruptures.

Stephen and I are on our way to the hospital and see how we can help with the kids. I am sure Riley is a little scared and the other two may know something is going on, so please as the Lord to comfort them.

Thank you for your prayers.

Please Pray

2008-07-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

Please be praying for this Macedonia missionary family who just lost their wife/mother to cancer. They will need lots of prayer at this time.

Sister Sandra Stewart, age 37, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Sister Stewart was the wife of Mark Stewart, Our Field Director for the Middle East, and mother of two girls, Maggie and Millison, ages 8 and 6. Sister Stewart had been battling breast cancer for two years. Sister Stewart was a godly woman that cared for her family and loved lost souls. Her desire was that they could be the greatest possible blessing to all our missionaries and especially to those in the middle east.

Provoked, you say......

2008-07-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

Like most of us, I read blogs and lots of them.

So this morning I was reading Brother Tony's blog, on being provoked. It really made me think about the times I have been provoked in life. So I wanted to share one of the times with you and with him.

Sometimes in life we have an effect on someone and we never know it. I have had somethings taking place in my life lately and it has really been impressing me to share with people, now what they mean to me or how they have made an impact on my life.

Brother Tony & Mrs. Stacey,

I remember the day you provoked me, to think about what God really had for my life.

How you sat across the table at John's house surrounded by young men hanging on your every word.

As I listened, my mind was wondering about how God was going to use them and how great it must be to go and tell people about the Lord. I looked around the room at their young faces and thought about where the Lord would send them, Africa, Asia, India ect...

I thought about how much God had done for me and I wished one day God would use me to reach someone for him. I thought about where I had come from and just how much my life had changed. How such a short time before I was sitting around a table much like this, surrounded by so called friends wasting my life in sin. I thought about, how God had changed everything in the last few months; my friends, my home, my job, not one part of my life was left untouched by the loving hand of our Lord and that's when you said it.

"So when are you going to Peru?" What a question. Man o man, I was caught so off guard, so surprised. One because you noticed me and pointed me out of the group, two because I didn't know that anyone would want someone like me to go.

As I stammered for the words, searching for something in my brain to come out of my mouth, while everyone was starring waiting to see what I would say. I am sure John was a little nervous, my foot and mouth disease was really bad back then.

I honestly don't even remember what finally made it's way out. I do however clearly recall what made it's way in, God sent the holy spirit to prick my heart and sew a seed of hope within me that God could use someone like me. That he saved me for a purpose and that I was starting to see for the very first time that he was lining things up for him to use my life, in a way that only he could.

Oh, how that seed of hope would be watered in the days to come. I just get plum excited when I remember that day. When I think about how God moved in and began to rearrange my plans, for his plans, for my life.

How God in heaven would provoke me to action. How I would start going to mission conference's for the fun of it, how I would enjoy learning in bible classes, how he would change the way I dressed, my music and I wouldn't care. So much had already changed in my life and the great part is it is still changing today.

I don't know exactly all he has planned for us and I pray he will use Stephen and I to provoke others to action for the cause of Christ, the way God used you and Mrs. Stacey to provoke me and so many others along the way.

We love you both very much.

Stephen & April

Ahh what did you say? ?

2008-07-02T21:03:00.000-07:00

This is a response from one of the girls we worked with in N. Ireland. I thought you might get a kick out of how they talk and write over there. I am glad Stephen likes to write books, cause I really need a Text messaging and emailing for Dummies, some time before we move. I am so glad God had her email me today, I was really thinking about them this week a lot.

Awwww Thank Yhoo, Yea Every One Has Bein GOOd lol ......I Dont Run About WIFFF THEM Any MOre lolz ............. WELL CANT WAIT TO SEE YA AGAIN I REALLY MISS YHOO . Well WBZ Again .............XOx0 LUFF YHOO """"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MISSS YHOOO XOX0O

Any one want to translate, just kidding I am not that bad off, yet. Please continue to pray for these young people and for us. We desperately want to get back to Northern Ireland. We need 25 more churches to take us on. Please pray that God would send us to the churches he would have take us on. We really want God's will to be the focus of our life so the when is up to him.

Good Friends.......... like these

2008-07-01T11:50:00.001-07:00

Okay, When I first meet Martin and Carrie, the day we landed in Northern Ireland I was a lot nervous and honestly just plan scared. Although, I tried to cover it, I am just one of those people that wear their emotions all over their face, which I am going to have to work on being in the ministry. So I am sure the only one I was fooling was myself.

From the very start we hit it off well with the Wickens Family. They are extraordinary people with a great love for the Lord and desire to reach the people of the British Isles and the world with the truth of the Gospel.

It was so exciting to hear Martin and Stephen talk about ways to reach the Island. It was also sad listening to Martin explain how there are churches all over the country that have no Pastor and no prospect of one.

Martin is doing a great work over in Newtownabbey with the young and old a like. The people of his church just adore all of them. They are respected in the community and they have a great relationship with fellow believers.

It really was such a blessing to share a part of their lives and the work they are doing in N.I.. Martin and Carrie opened every part of their life up to us while we were there. They let us live in their home, work in their church, shared their friends, and let us drive their car (if you knew how we drive you'd really understand that one) put us on their insurance.

Carrie helped me a just to the culture and truly I have never meet a more acclimated missionary wife then Carrie, she was such an example of how to adapt to your surroundings, food, weather and the people. I don't know how she does everything. She is definitely on my list of Proverbs 31 ladies, I want to learn from.

I can not explain what a tremendous blessing they have been to us. Our time in Northern Ireland was exciting, educational, and gave us evidence of where the Lord is leading.

I don't really know who reads my blog but the Lord does, so that being the case I would like to say this. If you or anyone you know would like to have a part in a ministry that is helping to reach people just like you and I. People who need a friend, people who need to know someone cares about them, people who are lost and need to know that there is Father in heaven that loves them, not because of who they are but because of who he is.

Then Martin and Carrie Wickens are the missionaries for you. I know they have a web site that has all their information on where to send financial support and we know where to send the prayer support already, so give them a google and learn a little bit more about this great couple and how the Lord is using them in Northern Ireland.

I am so thankful God gave us the opportunity to meet Martin and Carrie, as well as work and live in N. Ireland. It was a life changing time for us in so many ways. We just Praise the Lord for allowing us to be part of what he is doing there at this time.

Everyone has a ministry.

2008-07-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

As, I was reading today and thought I would share this.

If you're saved, you're in the "Master Ministry". If you have a husband, you're in the "Marriage Ministry". If you have children, you're in the "Motherhood Ministry". If you belong to a church, you have a "Membership Ministry". If you live in a neighborhood, that's in a city, that's in a state, that's in a country, that's in a world full of people dying with out the Gospel, you have a "Multitude Ministry."

from the Mrs. Ministry, by Cathy Corle.

What Ministry are you taking part in? It is never to late to start making a difference in our generation.

A breaking heart.

2008-06-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Do you remember the post about the girl who cut herself?

I don't know how to start. My heart is breaking a bit today. I heard from the young lady, she is 14 now, that cut herself after one of the meetings.

Have you heard about facebook or that kind of thing, well they have something in Northern Ireland kind of like it, called bebo. So before I left for the states, I signed up for this so the kids could have a way to keep me up dated and I could see how they were doing.

Well, I got a message that made me bust into tears. Stephen, was so worried someone died or something. It read simply, "Miss yohoo :) ". Oh, how my heart is hurting, thinking of that little girl.

I didn't realize how much those two simple words could mean to me. She didn't say she missed the pizza or the games, she missed me.

In my heart I know it really isn't me at all that she is missing, it is the love of Jesus Christ that she saw through me.

Oh, how I miss her and the other kids. I miss the way they would wind me up during our Friday night outreach. I miss them coming to the house to talk about the Lord. I miss them telling me about their day. I miss them playing ping pong with Stephen and singing songs on a Saturday morning after visitation.

I miss the way they would tell me what their teachers said about america or how they would ask if I knew 50 cent ( a raper in LA somewhere I think). I miss hearing them run up the stairs for sunday school. I miss correcting them when they say bad words, or asking them not to smoke in the hallway. It is the million little things I miss most.

I miss them so much. I have not talked a lot about them since I got back mostly because it hurts so bad not knowing what is happening to them. I praise the Lord for the 10 that got saved while we were there and my heart breaks for the ones that are still lost.

I am praying that we get back to Northern Ireland soon. Not just for this young girl and these kids but for all of them. They all need a Sister or Brother that cares about them, someone that will tell them about a Father who loves them more then they could ever imagine.

Please pray for this young lady, she is still lost and looking for the piece to the puzzle of life, only God can fill.

Who is reading your blog?

2008-06-27T05:08:00.001-07:00

Well the answer for me is I really don't know. I was at a missions conference this week and one of the wives told me she read my blog. I was shocked and amazed, one that she knew I had a blog and two that she would actually take the time to read something on it.

I have to admit that sense getting back from Ireland, I have fallen down on my blogging. It is not that we are not doing anything important or staying busy, I just kinda felt weird about writing how things are going when all of you live in the states. Then I was reminded that even if you live here things pop up that are blog worthy.

We may live in the same country and all of that but every place we go is unique in its own way.

The people, church's, town's, states, they all have a way of showing you something about yourself God want's you to see. Maybe every situation isn't perfect and it may challenge you in ways you could not imagine that is all the more reason to share it with others.

Then there are those people and places that bless and encourage you beyond word's. People should get to hear that sort of stuff too.

I really want to share what the Lord is doing in this journey, called our lives.

C.H. Spurgeon

2008-06-18T02:38:00.000-07:00

Just a thought from C.H. Spurgeon

"Thy Redeemer."—Isaiah 54:5.

JESUS, the Redeemer, is altogether ours and ours for ever. All the offices of Christ are held on our behalf. He is king for us, priest for us, and prophet for us. Whenever we read a new title of the Redeemer, let us appropriate Him as ours under that name as much as under any other. The shepherd's staff, the father's rod, the captain's sword, the priest's mitre, the prince's sceptre, the prophet's mantle, all are ours. Jesus hath no dignity which He will not employ for our exaltation, and no prerogative which He will not exercise for our defence. His fulness ofGodhead is our unfailing, inexhaustible treasure-house.
His manhood also, which he took upon him for us, is ours in all its perfection. To us our gracious Lord communicates the spotless virtue of a stainless character; to us he gives the meritorious efficacy of a devoted life; on us he bestows the reward procured by obedient submission and incessant service. He makes the unsullied garment of his life our covering beauty; the glittering virtues of his character our ornaments and jewels; and the superhuman meekness of his death our boast and glory. He bequeaths us his manger, from which to learn how God came down to man; and his Cross to teach us how man may go up to God. All His thoughts, emotions, actions, utterances, miracles, and intercessions, were for us. He trod the road of sorrow on our behalf, and hath made over to us as his heavenly legacy the full results of all the labours of his life. He is now as much ours as heretofore; and he blushes not to acknowledge himself "our Lord Jesus Christ," though he is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Christ everywhere and every way is our Christ, for ever and ever most richly to enjoy. O my soul, by the power of the Holy Spirit! call him this morning, "thy Redeemer."

Father's in the Ministry

2008-06-15T05:21:00.000-07:00

On Father's Day, I have a ton of men that pop up as father figures in the ministry. I thought I would share some of them with you and most likely they are a father figure to you.

John Pearson and his family are very precious to me. They knew me before I knew Jesus so you can imagine the history that we share. The thing is they loved me from the very start. I was a hard shell to crack so it took some time invested to see any results from their acts of kindness. The little things made the most difference.

One of my favorite memory's is when I got saved and John came up to me and said "Write this date down in your bible, the devil will try to steal it from you." I nodded and that was it. Then a couple of years later after the devil tried stealing it from me, I remembered what he said. Oh, there have been a million times the Lord has used John and Sandy to help me deal with some dozes' in life. Some times they didn't even know they were helping, I would see how they lived, they made me a part of the family , through that God allowed me to see changes I needed to make in my own life.

Another thing that really brings back memories, is when I asked if the girls could spend the night at my house. Honestly, I thought they would say no. So when they said yes, I was so honored I got to take care of there girls. It was a huge blessing and encouragement that John and Sandy trusted me that much.

I could go on and on about the Pearson's, I love them with all my heart.

I really have been blessed to have some great father figures in the ministry. Brother Austin, Brother Tony both of these men, on more then one occasion have given me my fare share of correction but never without an equal or greater amount of love to back it up.

Good Night, I have seen these men flat on their faces praying for the world, in a room full of young men, hoping God would touch the hearts of men in that room, in america and the world. Asking God to move men to action to get the gospel to a lost and dying world.

I have had them ask me tough questions I didn't know the answer to. Just to see if I would try and figure it out. I have seen rooms moved by the love these men have for the ministry and for those that work in it with them. Really, there is not a way to fully describe how it feels to know that you work with such great men of God or Men of a Great God.

Mark Coffey, is not old enough to be a father figure to me, but he as been a great brother figure and since he is a dad. I wanted to say how much the friendship I share with him and Amy, has ment to me over the years. You both have ... well you are ... I can't even find the words that express just how much, Stephen and I love you two. When we need you, you are there, when we say we don't need you, you are there. So we wanted to say thank you for that. Amy and Steph are the sister's he never had and Mark and Trent are the brother's that drive you to do more.

Thank you guys.

Happy Father's day to all of you. Please know that you have more people thinking about and praying for you today than you think.

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T04:28:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful day to remember our Daddy's of this world along side the heavenly Father we all share.

I just want to say how much I love God the father for always being there when I needed him and especially for being there when I thought I didn't. I think after I got saved I truly realized what a father was supposed to be. It is not always hugs and kisses on special occasions, all though I do love those times. It is a lot more correction then I want but I always need. I have been through some trials growing up and I'm sure I will have tons more come my way. That is why my relationship with my heavenly father is just so important. Not because of what he does for me, because of who he is. He is my everything.

Really, I just am in awe of how much he loves me.

I love you Dad.

I wanted to take a minute to send a Happy Father's Day not only to my Heavenly Father but the Daddy God gave me here. My dad is great, it took him a while to get God's drift on what being a dad is all about, and after a couple close calls, he got the point. So I thank God for the Daddy he gave me and how he cleaned him up to the man he is now. My dad calls me for no reason just to say he loves me. He reminds me that Jesus is coming again and to be ready. He is always there to lend a helping hand. He loves Stephen like he was his own. God gave me a better daddy then I deserve.

Why I Love my Husband

2008-05-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

There are a million reasons, why I love him.

1. He is a gift from God.

2. He loves the Lord and seeks to serve him daily.

3. He sees the good in people, even if they aren't so good.

4. He loves helping others.

5. He goes out of his way to be a help to his Pastor and church.

6. He is so Cute!!!

7. He sings to me constantly, making up songs as he goes along.

8. He always has a hug for me in the morning, even if I got up on the wrong side.

9. He knows how to make me laugh.

10. He is never to busy, for an "I love you".

11. He is a good cook.

12. He opens the door for me.

13. He drives us every where.

14. He holds my hand, just because he can.

15. He loves my smile.

16. He needs me.

17. I need him.

18. I can be myself when we are together.

19. He is forgiving.

20. He loves me with or without make-up.

21. He never gives up on me.

22. He never makes fun of me.

23. He is simply irresistible

24. He has an awesome sense of humor!

25. When he looks at me, I thank God for him.

26. I feel safe when we are together

27. I love that he isn't perfect.

28. He is a giving person.

29. His smile.

30. God made him just for me.

31. I love the way he says my name.

32. He is so smart.

33. He is a great teacher.

34. I love that he is so affectionate.

35. He has reachable goals in life.

36. He has God reachable goals in ministry.

37. He gets along with my family and friends.

38. I still get butterflies when he kisses me.

39. I love to watch him sleep.

40. I love the way he smells.

41. He looks so hot in a suit... My preacher man.

42. I love the way he acts like a geek.

43. He takes complete care of me when I am sick.

44. He is a computer genius.

45. He is not embarrassed to call me pet names in front of others.

46. How he isn't afraid to speak his mind.

47. He tells me his feelings.

48. How he makes me feel when I think I am nothing.

49. He inspires me.

50. How he loves his family.

These are just some of the reasons why I love my husband. I thank the Lord every day for allowing us to share our lives together as we serve God in the ministry.

God has truly blessed me with the best husband in the entire world.

I love you, Stephen.

Home again.

2008-05-04T02:57:00.000-07:00

So we got into the states almost two weeks ago and have been traveling ever since.

We got to my sister's house last night from south Florida. We had a safe trip and got a chance to stop off in Macon to have a quick visit with some of our good friends. It was so good to see them and their baby (Sugar Bear) the cutest dog you have ever seen.

We are headed to Vision Baptist to spend the day, in the morning service some of my family I have not seen yet is going to be there so it will be good to see them. We are also looking forward to spending some time with all of our church family and friends that are there.

After three states and who knows how many miles, it will be nice to be at home late tonight. Something about waking up in your own space, you know what I mean.

I sometimes can hardly believe all the wonderful things and places God allows us to do in our lives as we seek to serve him. It is overwhelming to remember, where I was and what I was before I knew him.

God is God. He is so amazing to me. I praise him for all he is.

Great News.

2008-04-30T07:42:00.000-07:00

From across the pond.

I just got off skype with my good friend Laura from Ballyclare. She told me that a young man got saved Friday night at the youth meeting.

Praise the Lord for all that he is doing in the hearts of these young people.

As Laura told me about this young man, my heart was just leaping for joy. I began to remember all their little faces and was overwhelmed by all God is doing there. She said that D. told her he has been coming to the meetings and during the talk his heart is just ponding because he knew that he was a sinner and he needed to get saved. He also said he hadn't until then because all his friends told him how stupid he was if he did. So while all his friends went out to a parade Friday night to party and have a good time by getting drunk or high, D went to the youth meeting because he wanted to become a christian.

D told Laura he couldn't wait to go home and tell his Grandmother, she was a christian and she had been praying for him to get saved. He also wanted to go tell his sister how to get saved.

I am just so happy. What a good way to start the day.

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord for all that is happening.

Good Morning, Everyone

2008-04-30T05:36:00.001-07:00

I hope today is as beautiful a day for you all, as it is for me.

We have been back now for little over a week and we have been to a church in Georgia, Ohio and Florida. So we have been on the move.

It has been nice seeing family and friends and I am really looking forward to meeting up with those we have not had a chance to see yet.

Just wanted to give a quick update.

2008-04-20T01:16:00.000-07:00

It is 9:30, so we are getting ready to leave for church soon.

I have a living room filled with bags that are in the middle of being packed for our trip tomorrow. It will not be easy to leave but it is necessary. The sooner we go the sooner we can come back. I have grown to love our life here in Northern Ireland.

I find my self worrying about the teenagers more then I probably should. Praying that they stay involved and build relationships with the church people.

We have been seeing a lot more of the paramilitary influence here. Honestly, it is a little scary when you hear people talking about it. For our teenagers it is a part of everyday life. On Friday, our youth club was about half the size due to a party in the forrest. May heart sank when I saw some of our most faithful follow the crowd down the street. I have a pretty good idea what kind of future they are headed for if somethings don't change.

Some times it really hurts to care and you wonder why you work so hard to share your heart and life with others who seem not to listen. The the Lord shows you something you were not expecting.

I was down on the street talking to some of the boys who got into trouble the week before so they couldn't come up to hang out. As I talked to them another young man came around and started asking some questions about if I smoked, drank, or did drugs.

I was amazed at what happened next. Before I really had time to respond, these two boys who seem never to listen and always have to be the center of attention began to speak for me. They recounted my testimony to this young man, only to stop a couple of times to ask me if they had it right. I almost cried as I watched them tell this stranger to me, how God had changed my life and they told him all about Wesley and the phone calls we shared before he died. They told him how God had let me talk to him three different times before I got the call from my mom to say he had died. I couldn't believe God was giving me this wonderful gift before I left to go home. To watch these two kids share what God had done in my life to someone else, was priceless.

After they finished, I told them they really were listening, they just smiled and said yeah it really got their attention.

The people of the church have been amazing, how they have welcomed these rough around the edges kids into their church above the shops. Please pray that God would continue to grow this work.

Pray for Martin and Carrie as they return home. I am sure they are excited to come back and work with these young people. They will certainly have their hands full. I look so forward to seeing and hearing how God uses them in the days to come.

Mixed Emotions

2008-04-18T03:50:00.000-07:00

My stomach is just turning with butterflies right now. I am excited about going home to see my family and friends. I am also looking forward to sharing what God has and is doing here in the hearts of the people, as well as share the vision and desire God has put in our hearts for this place and all the people here.

Tonight is going to be very hard for me. I will be saying goodbye to our Friday night teens. I am just wrecked about leaving them. I have grown to really love these kids. They have been a pain in the neck at times but they have also stolen a piece of my heart. I see myself in them so much. The trails I grew up with as a child and the pain of not knowing exactly where I fit in the scheme of things. Some the things they are facing, I remember so well others I have tried to forget. "For such a time as this" Esther 4:14. Every situation in my life has helped me prepare for the ministry God has called us to. I am so glad preparation time is not wasted time.

Watching them grow over the last few months has truly been amazing. I wish you could have seen they way they used to come to the church all big and bad, with a flip you attitude. Now most of them come in with a you really must care about me side showing through.

How do I put into words what God has done here. Not only in the lives of these kids but in my own heart.

I came to the place willing to serve where ever I could and not really knowing where that would be. Then God took my life and showed me just how much I could be of help. Not only to Stephen but also to the ministry to which he has been called. Oh how I praise the Lord and thank him for allowing me to see my past used for his glory. I am so grateful God gave us this opportunity.

PLEASE PRAY

2008-04-16T01:04:00.000-07:00

We have some dear friends of ours working in Africa who need our prayers. I received this email and would ask you to pause what ever it is you are doing right now and go to God on their behalf.

This is one of those times they need the Lord's wisdom, understanding and healing touch.

Hey everyone,
I just wanted to ask everyone to please pray! A. went to the doctor
yesterday and to make a long story short he is getting much worse. I
finally heard the whole story. He has been couching up blood now for four
days in a row. He is short of breath. The process here to determine what
is causing the problem seems to be just a little slower than we can
trust. Also just over night he has gotten worse. We will be flying back
to states tomorrow or Friday so he can get to the doctor as soon as
possible. He admitted his travel home from Egypt was very hard on him.
The slightest thing now is resulting in more blood. Please pray for us
that we can get home and get this takn care of. Thank you, I am so glad I
can trust all of you to pray!

Love in Christ,
J

Our Tuesday Kids Club

2008-04-16T00:45:00.000-07:00

This has been one of the most rewarding times in our lives.

When we started helping in this kids club in January, we had a faithful 4 or 5 every week. God has really done a work here. In nearly four months God has allowed us to watch him grow the club. We had 14 kids last night with 2 of our teens volunteering to help and with the leaders we had 19.

One of the kids got saved on Saturday so we are very excited about what God is doing in the hearts of these kids.

It has been such a joy to work with these children and we have learned so much. I will miss not being there next week.

Which one do I pick?

2008-04-13T00:44:00.000-07:00

Flour is one of the world's most known basic ingredient to most dishes you would fix for your family.

I have really only needed two kinds of flour thus far, All-purpose and self-raising. Until now I had not even realized there were so many to pick from. Here you have self-raising soda bread, golden fleece plain, strong bread, medium wholemeal, coarse wholemeal along with cake flour.

Who knew that there were so many different types available.

It will be fun trying out some of these when we come back.

Slemish Mountain

2008-04-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

Stephen and I took a couple of hours today to drive around the country side and pray that the Lord would show us the place he would have us go.

While we were out we stopped off to see the legendary Slemish Mountain.

Probably, you have heard of a man, most people refer to as, Saint Patrick. According to legend he tended herds as a boy here on the lower slopes of Slemish Mountain.

It was a breathtaking view that is for sure. As I stood there looking out onto the villages below, I couldn't help being moved by the sheer awe of what God has done for me. He suffered, died and rose again so I would have the opportunity to except him as my saviour.

If that was enough he gave me the privilege to tell others about him and all he had done in my own life.

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain;...." 1 Cor 15 v.10a

It is very humbling to be here sharing with people what God has brought me out of. I am so honored to be able to share all that God has taught me along the way.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:13-14

I want to honour God by being the help meet he has prepared me to be to my husband. God has given Stephen such a wonderful vision to see the U.K. reached with the gospel, so that once again they would become a great sending nation of the gospel into all the world. I am just so thankful to be able to share with him all that God has called him to do. We press toward the mark.

Our growing, tuesday night club

2008-04-09T05:21:00.000-07:00

We had 13 in our kids club, Tuesday night, 3 of them first time visitors. We had so much fun playing rounders (kinda like baseball) and some good old fashioned dodge ball.

Keeping up with these youngsters is hard to do, but worth every second. I am sad to say our last Tuesday night is next week. I almost cried thinking about it last night.

The time here has been such a blessing and it has been tremendous to watch God grow the ministries of this church while we have been here.

I really have seen God do a mighty work and look forward to hearing what God does in the future through his church and people serving him in Newtownabbey.

Stephen playing some songs for the teens.

2008-04-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

After Saturday visitation, we had about 13 kids come up to the church to fellowship and sing some songs. It was so nice to see them signing and enjoying such a wholesome moment in time.

I heard about ten different times from the kids that christians are fun to hang out with. It just warmed my heart to hear them say such a nice things so genuinely.

If you knew these kids and how they have been raised and what kind of environment the live in, you would understand just why what they said meant so much to us.

We know what they are really seeing Christ through us.

Little actions, Big lessons

2008-04-07T07:25:00.000-07:00

A blog from our time in N. Ireland.

Wondering if you are having an impact on the kids you teach?

I pray the Lord continues to move in the hearts of the people we are working with.

Sometimes it is the little things God uses to show me a big lesson.

The Rich Family In Church

2008-04-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

I heard this for the first time about 8 yrs ago. It touched my heart then and again today. I thought I would share it with you.

The Rich Family In Church
By Eddie Ogan

I'll never forget Easter 1946. I was 14, my little sister Ocy was 12, and my older sister Darlene 16. We lived at home with our mother, and the four of us knew what it was to do without many things. My dad had died five years before, leaving Mom with seven school kids to raise and no money.

By 1946 my older sisters were married and my brothers had left home. A month before Easter the pastor of our church announced that a special Easter offering would be taken to help a poor family. He asked everyone to save and give sacrificially.

When we got home, we talked about what we could do. We decided to buy 50 pounds of potatoes and live on them for a month. This would allow us to save $20 of our grocery money for the offering. When we thought that if we kept our electric lights turned out as much as possible and didn't listen to the radio, we'd save money on that month's electric bill. Darlene got as many house and yard cleaning jobs as possible, and both of us babysat for everyone we could. For 15 cents we could buy enough cotton loops to make three pot holders to sell for $1.

We made $20 on pot holders. That month was one of the best of our lives.

Every day we counted the money to see how much we had saved. At night we'd sit in the dark and talk about how the poor family was going to enjoy having the money the church would give them. We had about 80 people in church, so figured that whatever amount of money we had to give, the offering would surely be 20 times that much. After all, every Sunday the pastor had reminded everyone to save for the sacrificial offering.

The day before Easter, Ocy and I walked to the grocery store and got the manager to give us three crisp $20 bills and one $10 bill for all our change.

We ran all the way home to show Mom and Darlene. We had never had so much money before.

That night we were so excited we could hardly sleep. We didn't care that we wouldn't have new clothes for Easter; we had $70 for the sacrificial offering.

We could hardly wait to get to church! On Sunday morning, rain was pouring. We didn't own an umbrella, and the church was over a mile from our home, but it didn't seem to matter how wet we got. Darlene had cardboard in her shoes to fill the holes. The cardboard came apart, and her feet got wet.

But we sat in church proudly. I heard some teenagers talking about the Smith girls having on their old dresses. I looked at them in their new clothes, and I felt rich.

When the sacrificial offering was taken, we were sitting on the second row from the front. Mom put in the $10 bill, and each of us kids put in a $20.

As we walked home after church, we sang all the way. At lunch Mom had a surprise for us. She had bought a dozen eggs, and we had boiled Easter eggs with our fried potatoes! Late that afternoon the minister drove up in his car. Mom went to the door, talked with him for a moment, and then came back with an envelope in her hand. We asked what it was, but she didn't say a word. She opened the envelope and out fell a bunch of money. There were three crisp $20 bills, one $10 and seventeen $1 bills.

Mom put the money back in the envelope. We didn't talk, just sat and stared at the floor. We had gone from feeling like millionaires to feeling like poor white trash. We kids had such a happy life that we felt sorry for anyone who didn't have our Mom and Dad for parents and a house full of brothers and sisters and other kids visiting constantly. We thought it was fun to share silverware and see whether we got the spoon or the fork that night.

We had two knifes that we passed around to whoever needed them. I knew we didn't have a lot of things that other people had, but I'd never thought we were poor.

That Easter day I found out we were. The minister had brought us the money for the poor family, so we must be poor. I didn't like being poor. I looked at my dress and worn-out shoes and felt so ashamed—I didn't even want to go back to church. Everyone there probably already knew we were poor!

I thought about school. I was in the ninth grade and at the top of my class of over 100 students. I wondered if the kids at school knew that we were poor. I decided that I could quit school since I had finished the eighth grade. That was all the law required at that time. We sat in silence for a long time. Then it got dark, and we went to bed. All that week, we girls went to school and came home, and no one talked much. Finally on Saturday, Mom asked us what we wanted to do with the money. What did poor people do with money? We didn't know. We'd never known we were poor. We didn't want to go to church on Sunday, but Mom said we had to. Although it was a sunny day, we didn't talk on the way.

Mom started to sing, but no one joined in and she only sang one verse. At church we had a missionary speaker. He talked about how churches in Africa made buildings out of sun dried bricks, but they needed money to buy roofs. He said $100 would put a roof on a church. The minister said, "Can't we all sacrifice to help these poor people?" We looked at each other and smiled for the first time in a week.

Mom reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope. She passed it to Darlene. Darlene gave it to me, and I handed it to Ocy. Ocy put it in the offering.

When the offering was counted, the minister announced that it was a little over $100. The missionary was excited. He hadn't expected such a large offering from our small church. He said, "You must have some rich people in this church."

Suddenly it struck us! We had given $87 of that "little over $100."

We were the rich family in the church! Hadn't the missionary said so? From that day on I've never been poor again. I've always remembered how rich I am because I have Jesus!

Back at Faith

2008-04-07T03:02:00.000-07:00

We arrived at church Sunday night excited to hear about the service sunday morning and how many of our kids were there.

The report was good we had 13 show up for Sunday school and most stayed for the morning service. A missionary we know preached for Stephen Sunday morning and we had good comments on how things went.

Sunday night we were a little on the slimmer side, although one of the girls came out all by her self, I was very proud of her for being there. It is really hard to be faithful when you do not have support in the home or from your peers. Praise the Lord for this young lady.

The message Stephen brought Sunday night was a great encouragement to all of us. As most of you know when God is doing a good work and things are going well in the ministry the devil starts throwing trails at you left and right. The Lord really spoke to my heart through the message, "when weeks become years" out of the book of Daniel. He brought out how when we are facing trails it is hard to see an end to what is going on. So we have to put our faith in the Lord and understand that it will pass. It may not be in our timing but it will be in His. God does not give us more than we can handle. I was reminded of what Mrs. Betty once told me, about God counting us strong enough to handle the trail he is allowing us to go through. I guess what point I am trying to make is, I am glad that God thinks I am strong enough to handle what is going on, even if at times it doesn't feel that way.

Our weekend

2008-04-07T01:36:00.000-07:00

We spent Saturday night with Travis and Teri up in Londonderry, so we could be closer to Roe Valley Baptist Church in Limavady Sunday morning where Stephen was getting to preach.

We had a great time with the kids and Grant even shared his birthday cake with us. He is getting so big, he is talking up a storm too, as long as he isn't waking up. I have to say it was so nice to be around friends we know so well. Sometimes you don't realize just how much you need fellowship with other christians, it has been a true blessing from the Lord the few times we have been able to go visit with Travis and Teri. Teri is a great cook so anytime we have an opportunity to go for dinner... I mean a spend time with them, we are excited about going.

We woke up bright and early to get ready for the drive to Limavady, I had not been there before so I was looking forward to seeing the church and getting to know Marsha and the kids a little better. Pastor Ronnie Smith was a away preaching in Wales so we missed out on visiting with him.

We had a good service at Roe Valley, Marsha and the kids did a great job with the music. It was a blessing to here Austin and Amber sing. I hope I got the names right. Stephen preached a great message on the lions in our life. The church people were so friendly and like most northern Ireland people I have met they like to wined you up or get you going.

Marsha invited us and the Snodes over for dinner after church. So after the service we went over and got to visit with her and the kids well she made supper. She out did herself for sure. We had home made rolls, mac & cheese, chicken tenders, corn, coleslaw, mashed taters and apple carrot cake to finish it off. What a great meal. We really had a good time.

We started to get ready to leave when a storm blew in bringing with it pea size hail, lasting only about 10 minutes, pretty normal weather for here.

We headed home with a warm heart and very full belly.

An opening door

2008-04-06T13:51:00.000-07:00

We are seeing God start to move in the hearts of some parents of the kids saved in the last couple of weeks.

Saturday after visitation, I had the privilege to led a young lady to the Lord. This young lady is the sister of two boys that got saved last week. So the Lord is really doing a work in their family.

One of her brothers left his bible at church so Stephen and I decided to run it by his house because we were so close. When we got to his house we were greeted at the door by a younger sister we have not met. We asked if the boy was home and when she said no we asked if her dad was there. We handed her the bible and she disappeared into the living room, so we were left on the front steps with the door wide open. It was a little awkward to say the least. We didn't know if we should go or stay she had not said anything before she walked away so we waited to see what happened. A few moments later the father appeared in the door way, it was very clear we caught him off guard. The father explained he had just got a call about his father so he was a little frazzled, we told him we would be praying for their family, said our goodbyes and away we went.

We normally would have called before ever stopping by someone's home unannounced. A lesson I learned from my mother (thanks mom). One of the girls needed a lift up that direction and we were right next door so we stopped in. We felt bad about our poor timing. So we headed home with a prayer in our hearts for this father of 5 and his dad's bad health. We really were hoping we had not put the father off with our unexpected visit.

A few minutes after getting home my mobile phone rang. It was I. the man we had just stopped by to visit, he had my number from when the kids came to the house last week. He wanted to apologize for not having us into the house and let us know we were welcome anytime, it was just a bad time when we stopped in because he thought he was going to have to leave and check on his dad. I told him we understood and not to worry in the least.

Then he said he wanted to thank us for what we are doing for his kids. He explained that they have been going through some very dark days in their family and the kids getting saved has brought a light into their home. The kids have been talking to their parents about church and how salvation makes you feel, they have also been inviting their parents down to our meetings. He then explained to me that he and his wife have been talking the last couple of days about coming round, they just are not ready yet. I told him that we would love to see them and gave a personal invitation from Stephen and myself. He said he would try to come around before we left.

We are planning on stopping by to visit this family in the next day or so calling first of course. Please be in prayer for this family as it is the Lord continues move in their hearts.

American Hamburger

2008-04-05T02:36:00.000-07:00

So we went to a chippy here in town to get some take away the other night. When I was looking at the menu I saw an American Burger as an option, so being the American I am, I ordered one.

When we got back to the house the American burger had a slightly different spin when it came to the toppings. Thats right your eyes see a very large slice of pineapple resting on the traditional lettuce, tomato, and onion.

It just goes to show that everyone has a different view of what American really is.

In the burgers defense, Stephen said it was delicious, I however was not so daring this go around.

Not just another Friday night!!!!

2008-04-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

The more I look at this arm, the more upset I get.

This arm belongs to 13 yr old kid. She came into a room tonight where I was talking to some other girls about getting saved, when one of the girls noticed she was bleeding. I asked her what happened and she showed me her bloody arm this is the cleaned up version here.

What is going on in her life hurts so much she thinks this helps make it better.

This girl is lost and I believe she wants to get saved. She even told me tonight that she was going to get saved after the meeting but some of her "Friends" told her she would be stupid to do it.

I think what hurts most for me is knowing I can not make the decision for her. I just am so tore up over this. If you could have been there to hear the things she is going through and what life is like for her. I am not an easy person to fool and I read people pretty well so I think she is on the level. Please pray for her. She needs the Lord so much. Pray for God's protection for these kids, some of the things that happen here are just crazy.

Wednesday night

2008-04-02T13:43:00.000-07:00

We are rejoicing in the Lord for 12 in service tonight 2 of which were first time visitors brought by one of the boys saved on Friday night.

It is such a great encouragement to have these come and be part of our services.

Please keep these kids in your prayers. They will be faced with a lot of challenges a long the way.

What language is it anyway?

2008-04-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

So have you worked with teenagers before? If you have you understand they have a language all their own.

Stephen and I were getting ready to head to the church and we got a text message from one of the kids that got saved Friday night. I saw it first, I could not help but have a puzzled blank look come across my face. I then asked Stephen if he could understand the message. We even got out our laptop and tried to google text messaging codes to see if we could avoid the dreaded, I am old and just don't get it, talk.

I mean can you all tell me what this means? (We're der nie) Ok we did get the first word pretty quickly. We are leaving in another country and some words mean different things. Can I just say that with every text I was thinking what language are they speaking? With words popping up like, tym, dat, oryt, and a phrase like TB Nii3. English was not my first guess.

It has been fun learning a new language while we have been here. I do hope some writes TEXT Messaging for dummies soon, I know that I sure need it.

Please pray for our meeting tonight, we are praying the teenagers come back. It has been two whole days and a lot can happen in a young persons life in two days. I will tell you all about it tonight.

Sunday nights results

2008-03-31T01:47:00.000-07:00

Sunday night 18 in total, 5 of them young people,

We heard a great message out of the book of Daniel on the ram, goat, and little horn. Stephen did a wonderful job preaching to our new demographic. I can only imagine how hard it must have been to teach to a older generation mixed with a group of teenage newbie christians. God really used the message to capture their attention. The boys were just mesmerized by Daniel's vision, I suppose they never thought the bible had such interesting things in it.

We had the Lord's supper tonight as well, I was very impressed how each of them paid attention to what Stephen was saying. Stephen, did such a great job explaining everything and teaching why we do the Lord's supper the way we do.

After the service we loaded up three car loads of kids and headed to our house for get together. The young people had asked to talk to Stephen about being baptized, so what better time then the present. It was so awesome to see them excited about coming over. I had told them in the service Sunday morning if they didn't have a note from one of their parents they would not be able to go. So I was tickled that they started coming in Sunday night with notes in hand. One young man and his brother said they would not be able to go because his parents had not been home all day, so he couldn't get his note. I made an exception and talked to his father on the phone to get permission. So by the end of it we had 7 young people at our house eating pizza and listening to people talk about being baptized, they also asked some very good questions.

I really am standing amazed at what God has done. It is such an amazing experience to be here with these young people watching the change God is making in their lives. Please continue to pray for these young souls as they grow and learn more about the God in heaven that loves them.

God is moving

2008-03-30T06:24:00.000-07:00

These are some of our young people that got saved Friday night. God has truly been giving us answers to our prayers. We had 17 in our Sunday school, 26 in our service and 2 of them lost visitors.

I was thinking back on the first couple of Friday night meetings, when I caught one of these boys smoking weed (blow it is called here) right out side our front door. I was so upset about it, not so much that he did it because that is what lost kids do. It was more of a longing in my heart and soul for them to get saved because I knew that this life style only ends one way, BADLY.

I remember calling my sister when we got to the house and telling her about the kids and what had taken place, I was crying so much she could barely hear me. I asked God that night to help Stephen and I reach these kids, so that they would know people care about them, more importantly that they knew God loved them. God has answered prayer because four of these kids in this picture are now saved by the Grace of God and one of them is the kid I caught smoking weed that night.

If you could only hear me praise the Lord for the victory of these young men and lady's.

I am just so plum full right now.

These kids are amazing me, they asked if they could come to the house tonight (no school this week) and talk about getting baptized. So Lord willing, we will have a house full of teenagers learning what the bible says about being baptized.

Please be in prayer for Stephen and I, we are in uncharted waters and we need the Lord to guide our every step.

Teen Alive meeting

2008-03-30T00:55:00.001-07:00

We had a great service last night with some of the new young people that got saved the night before. It was so good to see them come back for the real deal.

We had a good time in the Lord. We began the service with prayer, thanking God for the decisions that were made on Friday and asking God to protect these young people in the days to come. We then had a time of singing, followed by a good round of "fluffy bunnies".

We then had the guys and girls split up for the lesson. Both groups listened to what the leaders had to say and they asked some very good questions. In the guys class, I am told the young men asked about being baptized, they also said how much they needed this Saturday night meeting to keep them off the streets. Praise the Lord for the Revival that is happening in the hearts of these young people.

We wrapped the meeting up with some snacks and fellowship. It was so wonderful to watch these kids want to spend time talking about the bible. We started the meeting at 7:30 and ended 9:00, the kids stayed until 10:30 talking about what had happened.

Some of the young men want to go out this afternoon and pass out tracts and info about the church, can you say, amazing.

It really is beautiful to see the change God make in peoples lives.

Please continue to pray for God to place a hedge of protection around these kids.

Who can sleep?

2008-03-29T02:16:00.000-07:00

I tell you what, when God has given you a day like we just had, you will understand how sleeping right now is near to impossible.

Wow!!! I am still in complete awe of what I saw God do last night.

We started the night off with some ping pong, table soccer and a lot of fellowship. Then we moved into the talk around 9:00 pm. Tony began sharing his testimony with the kids and the Holy spirit moved in.

It was amazing to watch these young people, who are normally unruly and load, be so attentive hanging on every word that was being said. They were like sponges taking in God's word. You could see that their minds were thinking about their own lives and how they didn't have what Bro. Tony had.

When the talk ended they hardly moved a muscle. Then slowly the leaders started moving around the room talking to them about what they had just heard and what they thought about it. The great part is they started really talking and asking questions about being saved. They didn't want to leave, it was fantastic.

Homeward Bond

2008-03-29T01:29:00.001-07:00

Tony and Stacey are on their way back to the states. God has truly blessed us this week. We have seen God do a mighty work over the last few days. We have been to some marvelous wonders of this world but by far the best thing that has happened is the miracles God has done in the hearts of the people.

As the Howeth's travel back to the states on their way home, my heart is filled with joy for the 10 that asked Jesus Christ into their hearts and are now homeward bond for heaven.

How beautifully sweet it is to see God moving. We have been praying for God to do a mighty work, in my heart I know that HE has only just began.

Please keep these 10 souls in prayer. The devil is probably already at work trying to convince them that what God has done in their lives and hearts, isn't real and it can not last. Pray a hedge of protection about these babes in Christ, that they would be at church on sunday and they would get grounded in the word of God.

More to follow.........

Glory to God

2008-03-28T19:56:00.001-07:00

I want to praise the Lord for what he is doing here.
Tonight we had 9 young people trust the Lord as there saviour.
I don't think that I have words to describe just how much my heart is
overflowing.

God still saves sinners

2008-03-26T17:45:00.000-07:00

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. God saves.

Tonight is a very special night, David the man shown here with the great big smile next to Stephen, just asked the Lord to save him.

I am so very happy for David, he is the young man I have mentioned in earlier blogs.

A group of young people came to the house after church to fellowship with us. David has been under conviction for a while now, so when he decided to come over Stephen took the opportunity to have some one on one time with him.

They went to a private room in the house and talked for well over an hour. Stephen was able to take the word of God and show David his need of a Saviour, the holy spirit moved in David's heart.

I praise the Lord so much for the work he is doing in our lives and how he is working in the lives of the people we are working with and for.

To God be the glory.

Making the most of our time

2008-03-26T07:43:00.000-07:00

Monday afternoon we took the Howeth's over to Carrickfergus to see the Castle. We got to see some remarkable architecture that was used in the construction of this over 800 year old master piece.

The picture seen here is from the south east side of the castle, the mid-Victorian period 68 pounder gun is on the right. How would you like to shout one of those?

It is a gorgeous view that is for sure.

We had a great time and after the tour of the castle we headed over to a local restaurant for a bit to eat and some good fun.

We are enjoying our fellowship with the Howeth's they are such a wonderful blessing to us.

God opened the flood gates

2008-03-24T02:35:00.000-07:00

We had a great time Sunday night! I really don't know how to describe it, my heart was running over with praise to the Lord for the 32 in attendance.

There were 14 from our church, then Tony & Stacey, 10 from Ballyclare Baptist, 3 first time visitors, 3 returning visitors (4 of whom know they are not christians). The Gospel was clear and the message was explosive. I pray not one person slept soundly if they are lost or not right with God. The service was brilliant absolutely brilliant.

In my own heart, God showed me how I fall short and how he wants and will use other areas of my life if I would only carry my cross more. Sometimes I get weary but I forget I don't have to carry it alone.

I dare say that the people we had last night in our service had probably never heard a message that filled with passion. Truly, it will be something that they will not soon forget.

There was a time of fellowship afterwards and I just loved every minute. It was such a sweet moment in time. I just wanted to absorb every second. I love how God gives you what you need when you need it and I needed that.

To God be the glory.

Sunday update

2008-03-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

We had 13 in our am service as we enjoyed a great Easter message from Stephen. We then partook of the Lord's supper as we remembered all that he had done for us so many years ago.

God brought David back to join us for services Sunday, it is so good to have visitors and see lost people being convicted by the Holy Spirit. David has not made any kind of profession, there is however some stirring going on, he has been present for the last 5 activities and he seems to be getting a lot out of the messages. He is asking questions and making plans to come to future services, please pray with us that God would soften his heart to the spirit and he would get saved.

Farewell Service

2008-03-21T04:33:00.000-07:00

This is the youth choir at Ballyclare Baptist. They were singing a couple of songs to honour the Pastor's wife Jayne, who taught the youth group for the last 22 years. It was no surprise Mrs. Boreland was moved to tears by such a gift.

Pastor Stephen Boreland was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1959. He was saved as a young man of fourteen, four years later, he surrendered to the Lord for service. When he was nineteen he went to Bible College and at twenty two he was called to the pastorate of his first church. He met his wife while they were students at Bible College. They were married in 1983 and now have two boys, Andrew and David. After 22 years at Ballyclare Baptist Church, Pastor Boreland has now received the call of God to Bethesda Free Church in Sunderland, England.

It was with sadness that the church and members of Ballyclare Baptist Church as they said farewell to such a faithful minister of the Word of God. They took the opportunity to wish Stephen, Jayne, Andrew and David every blessing of God for the future.

At the end of night the church presented the Pastor with a Laptop and all the fixings. It was a blessing to see people honour the man of God in such a wonderful way.

Wednesday night

2008-03-21T04:24:00.000-07:00

Prayer meeting & Bible study

Stephen finished the book of I John this past Wednesday. He did a wonderful job with the series and notes he gave us to study. We also had a great time of prayer and praise to the Lord. God is starting to do a work here in the hearts of the people. As the men prayed, I was encouraged and strengthened by their love of the Lord and their faith in his word.

Please pray with me that God would let them see fruit for their faithfulness and prayers.

Kids Club on Tuesday's

2008-03-21T04:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a wee video of our Kids Club. They are a wee restless.

We are out on Easter break until the 8th of April. I am hopeful that some of them will start coming to Sunday School in the meantime.

What a day.

2008-03-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, have you ever just ran around all day and thought I can not believe what all we got accomplished today.

Most of the time, if you are anything like myself, you run around like a chicken with your head cut off and think by the end of it I didn't get half of what I wanted to do done. Then there are those days that you go and go, look back after you get in and say I don't know where I got the energy to do all of that.

Today was one of those wonderful days that are filled with moments you remember. Our day started fairly early for most. We were having company, so like most women do, I woke up with a million and one things on a list in my head to get done before we walked out the door for the airport.

So if you know me, you know that I started the day with a very large cup of coffee and a lot of vanilla creamer. After getting my all important caffeine rush, the race was on. I dusted, wiped, put away, washed, and tidied everything a could think of. Stephen, thought I was crazy for sure. Then out the door we went with my coffee in hand. Thankful, Stephen drove because drinking and driving is against the law, even if it is only coffee.

We got to the airport around 8 and waited for our friends to make the walk down the corridor. I was a little jittery by this point, a pot of coffee will do that to a person, I should have eaten something I guess. So I paced the floor by the time Tony and Stacey came into view. Oh, how good it was to see somebody from home, especial friends like Stacey and Tony. We headed to the car and away we were excited about our adventures for the day.

Stephen drove us to Ballyclare, the Village we call home, so our guest could get washed up before we headed back out again. I felt bad they didn't have time for a nap, since they had been traveling all night, I wonder if it counts as the same day if you hadn't really been to sleep yet.

Around 11 we ended up at Relish a local cafe, for some Irish Stew and wheaten bread. It is a hearty meal so Stephen and Tony, took one for the team, while Stacey and I had a more delicate dish. We did have a good crack with Caroline the owner and manager of the place. After lunch we drove down to Carrikfurgus, to the grammar school (High School), where Tony was going to give a challenge to the teens, we had 30 in attendance, as he began to speak about Jonathan and his armor barer. He did a fantastic job, he gave some very real examples in his message and it really hit home. They got a good taste of american culture as he preached with zeal and passion, moving some of them I hope to makeup their own minds about how they too can make a difference in the world through serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

Then off again we went on our way to Londonderry. It was fun watching Tony and Stacey try to stay a wake in the car as we drove the hour and a half. We got to Travis and Teri's about 3:30, they got a quick tour before they went out passing out information on the meetings that start tomorrow. I was glad to visit with the ladies and the baby, Darci is the prettiest little girl in this time zone.

Teri fixed a great meal, and we enjoyed a little fellowship. Little being the key word. Stephen and I had a youth meeting to get to, so we had to eat and ride. It is great having friends that understand a busy day. Thanks ya'll.

We made it home in time to stop off at the loo (restroom) before heading out the door, we didn't even shut the car off. The kids were great tonight. Stephen taught on the crucifixion, the kids were on the ball tonight, they like to keep us guessing. Sometimes they get all the question right and you think how did you know that. They are great kids. I got a chance to talk to some of the Parents and let them know our plans and invite them to church. The school takes off two weeks for easter and we hold the meeting in the school, so no school equals a no youth night. We did tell the parents that we have a sunday school they can come to as well, so maybe they will decide they miss us.

We drove home, I don't remember feeling so tried but so happy at the same time. We got to see friends from home, eat lunch, see teens preached too, a gorgeous drive, visit local friends, another gorgeous drive, fellowship and witness to some youth, and come home to spend some time with each other, although in about 10 min there might be some snoring taking place.

I hope this gives you an idea just how nice a day it really was.

We have visitors.

2008-03-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to go to the airport this morning and pick up Tony & Stacey Howeth. They are members and great friends of our home church Whitfield Baptist.

God has given us the opportunity to take Tony & Stacey to a public school in the area, to preach a message to 40 teenagers, before we head up to Londonderry to drop them off with Travis & Teri.

We are headed out to for a good ulster fry, for breakfast. I will fill you all in how it goes later.

Sunday night update

2008-03-17T06:16:00.000-07:00

God blessed both services yesterday. We had a visitor in the am service and he brought his wife and baby girl back sunday night. We also had another new couple with us in the pm service.

Stephen preached a great message about the gospel according to Saint Patrick, the people said they didn't know much about Patrick and they really enjoyed learning how Patrick reached so many for the Lord. It is funny how you can live in a place and not know very much about your own history. I know the same is true with so many of us in the states as well, I have to laugh when someone from here starts talking about things that have gone on in the states that I have no idea about.

I tell you what God was really on fire in the pm service as well, Stephen preached out of Daniel on the ancient of days, I was so thrilled I got to go home with the preacher. The people really got a lot out of it and talked afterwards about how they had never seen it preached that way or understood exactly how it pertained to today's world. We had a visit with everyone after the service, people lingered about chatting and enjoying their tea with some southern fruit cobbler.

The best part of the night was when David, our visitor from the am service that returned with his wife in the pm service, talked to Stephen about the fact he knew he was lost. Stephen, asked David if they could talk about it, but David said he wasn't ready to saved. After they talked for a few minutes David said he would like to talk to Stephen more about it later.

Hailey, David's wife was keen on trying some sweet potato pie, so I told her that next Sunday I would make one so she could try it. I don't think that she is saved, so please pray God would open up her heart and I might have a chance to speak to her about it.

The other couple that came go to a Free Presbyterian Church about 40 min away. They actually meet Stephen at meeting we went to a week ago and wanted to stop in for a visit. We enjoyed their fellowship and hope they come back to see us soon.

We are so thankful to the Lord for giving us such a wonderful day.

A Friend like Mark.

2008-03-16T07:43:00.000-07:00

Mark,

I know there is never a bad time to thank someone for what they have done for you. So I thought what better a time then your birthday when I have to be nice to you.

Where to begin? That is a very good question.

From the very start you have challenged what I have thought, in regards to missionaries, missionary service, and discipleship. You have been an extraordinary example of what a Jonathan should look like. I was touched by the love you have for the Lord, your wife, the ministry, and for all those you work with or teach.

When I first got to Peru I was out of place. I had no idea what I was good at or how God would use me there. You helped find a place for me to serve and learn. You made it clear I could be as involved as I wanted. You and Amy took time to mold me and scold me. You helped me see the importance of my two favorite words. I had never had people out side of John's family open up their home and lives and allow me to be a part. I never felt out of place at your home or in the way. You trusted me (well Amy did) to take Emily to the post office to get the mail. You let me do so many things I would have never imagined, I would do. Like the time we went to Chile with a group to mail Jason's things and we slept on the ground until the shipping yard opened. Wait, maybe you weren't with us on that trip.

Mark you are sold out to reaching the world in our generation and it shines through to all those around you. I am so honored to know you let alone call you and Amy our friends.

I have seen you work with Brother Austin, helping him do what God has called him to do. I know that he could not do it alone, God has blessed him with your help, your friendship and your loyalty. You have taught me so much, not necessarily what you have said but how you have lived.

I have watched you work sunup till way past sundown, making every minute count. I was moved when to thought of Vision was coming to light and how Brother Gardner, you and all the men in the room would pray and plan, asking God to show you all where to go and what to do. Helping you all start Vision is one of the most special moments of my life. Being a part of what God has started doing in Alpharetta will not be forgotten.

You have been a good friend to Stephen and I, we thank you and Amy for praying for us. We love you both very much and hope God continues to bless you and the ministries you are involved in. I know that God is going to do a mighty work through Vision and all the people there.

Keep up the Good work. We are praying for you.

Meet our New Friends!

2008-03-15T14:40:00.000-07:00

Our new friends, Kyle and Karen. We are no strangers to making new friends along the way, so when we meet Kyle and Karen, we hit it off first thing. In the photo shown here we are having some american food, (Pizza Hut) at U.K. prices (35 Quid) or 70 dollars. We won't be going to Pizza Hut again, until we are in the states. I would rather have fuel in the car at that price. You live and learn, eat american in america.

We have a grand time with our new friends. We have taken quit a shine to them.

Kyle works in the Royal hospital in Belfast and Karen works for the Royal in the accounting department in the city center.

They enjoy a good spot of tea with biscuits whilst visiting in the lounge.

I think I am picking up the lingo. I love hearing everyone talk here, I just think when I say it, it sounds odd. They tell me I am getting an ulster accent and Stephen still has his souther u.s. voice. So you all we have to be the judge when we get home.

Making a difference, Part III

2008-03-15T06:59:00.000-07:00

I believe that God wants us to use the tragedy's in our life to make a difference in someone else's.

So that is what I tried to do last night. I had the oppurtunity to speak to some teenagers that come to our teen outreach on Friday nights. I had been praying about what to talk about when God started speaking to me about Wesley. It is really hard for me to think about Wes, much less share his story.

I didn't know what I would say or how I would say it. I just started talking, it was like God filled my mind, heart and mouth with every word. I gave examples of how I wanted to be the cool sister, and I tried to buy the things of the world to impress my brother and his friends with. I told them how when I felt bad about something I was doing, to feel better I got others to do it with me.

I told them the story of how God had Wesley call me three times before he died. How I had blown him off, how I had thought I had tomorrow. I reminded them that Wesley could be one of them. That it could be their best friend getting married with out his best mate standing beside him.

I told them about the little girl left without a dad. Wesley, had signed a picture for his baby, before he died, and said "I hope I always make your proud, Love Dad". So I asked how proud will that girl be when she is 2, 10, 16, how bout when she walks down the isle to get married. They responded not very.

They took it in. All of it. I know it was the Holy Spirit they were listening to and not me. These kids, talk out every chance they get, and they said nothing the entire time. Their faces in deep thought, thinking of their mates, or themselves I am sure.

I had given them a blank piece of paper at the start of the talk and when we were almost down. I asked them to look at it. They replied there was nothing on it. Exactly, I said, that is how God sees us when we get saved. He doesn't see us for what we were he sees us like a blank sheet of paper, clean and white, forgiven of the lies, drugs, drink, stealing, all the things we are guilty of. They were thinking.

I assured them that they didn't have to make a discussion in front of their friends. I asked them before they went to sleep that night. To think about what was said, and to remember that they could be Wesley, with no tomorrows to make a discussion.

I thank the Lord for giving me the chance to share Wesley with these kids. For the first time I am not ashamed that Wesley was proud of me.

May I never forget to share Jesus with the ones I love and the people I meet.

Making a difference, Part II

2008-03-15T06:35:00.000-07:00

Even though I didn't want it to, the sun did come up the next morning. I went to the church and worked for a couple hours before I went to see my brother. I wasn't much good to anyone, I was so upset. I was replaying in my head over and over the last three phone calls with Wesley. What I would have said if I had known that he wouldn't have long. I just couldn't stop hearing his voice.

I talked things over with my Pastor and felt a little relief from the hurt and the guilt. I just prayed for God to help me. I should have done this or that, the what if's filled my head. I had to pull it together because I was on my way to be with my brother.

I couldn't not fully describe the pain in my heart as I headed up the stairs to find my baby brother curled in a ball crying over the lose of someone he loved so much. I hugged him and he simply hugged me back. He whispered, how they had promised each other they would grow old together and how they were going to be best men for each other, he promised, he promised my brother repeated. That night was hard to handle, as he watched home movies of Wes. In one of them, Wes had stopped acting and looked into the camera and began to tell people what he thought of them. He told my brother Billy, how he loved hanging out and what good friend he was, he called out a couple of people, then he said April, I love you, your cool. I just had to walk away.

I wasn't cool. I had done so much to encourage the life style he was into. Then when God saved me I walked away. I didn't do much to undo what I had started. Three weeks ago, I found out he was proud of me for getting out, and now he was dead.

I was there when my brother said goodbye to his best friend, when he carried his coffin to the grave yard, when he watched him lowered into the earth. I was there as all of Wesley's friends wept tears of pain and hurt over the lose of their friend. I was there on the drive home watching as my baby brother laid in my mothers lap, weeping because he would never again see his friend, hear his voice, or hug his neck.

What would we do if we could make a difference? If our loose could change a life. If our pain could help someone else. What would we do?

Making a difference, Part I

2008-03-15T05:44:00.001-07:00

Have you ever had something happen and later thought about how it could have been different?

Just over two years now, that happened to me. I had just gotten back to the states from Peru, South America. I was so pumped about being part of a new work here in the states, as well as excited about returning to Peru for another 6 months to continue a work there. I was in the zone you know what I mean, working hard so what were doing would make a difference.

Then I got a phone call from my brothers best friend. I had let my brother use my cell phone while I was out of the country, so I didn't think much about it when I got calls for him. Wesley, was really a part of our family, he and Billy were closer then brothers. So when he called we talked for a few minutes, getting caught up on what I had missed the last couple of years.

He told me about his new baby girl, just a month old. He mentioned how Erin, his soon to be wife was doing. He explained where he was working and living now. I listened to the sweet way he was describing everything going on in his life. He had a sheepish way about him. Then he said, "April, I want you to know I am proud of you." I just had to laugh it off and said "Wes, why are you proud of me." He replied, "Becuase you are not doing the same things you use to." I was caught off guard and just responded with, "You know Wes, you don't have to do the things you are doing". Then with a laugh he shrugged it off "Yeah, I know."

The conversation was over and I was thrilled I had the chance to talk to him. I went back to the office in high spirits. I told a few people what happened, I was thinking it was great maybe my brother and Wes would start going to church or at least visit. I remember feeling so good about my self that day. Then back to the grind stone.

I was helping start a new church, I had tons going on. Meetings, classes, calling, setting up for this or that. So when Wes called again, I laughed it off, because I had told him that I was using my phone while I was in the country and that I would tell Billy to give him a call. I still don't remember if I made time to do that.

I was in the kitchen at the church when he called the third time. I was busy, too busy to talk to him much at all. I reminded him, I had the phone, he was always a little forgetful, although the drugs didn't help. He seemed embarrassed, and I felt a little sorry for him. I told him I would have Billy call. I didn't make the time to call my brother.

I was in my own little world at the church, putting together something. When I got a call from my mom. I could hear her crying as told me that Wes was dead. I just couldn't believe it. No, I talked to him, I just talked to him. It wasn't true, I know it's not true. She said, it was drugs they found him in the dealers (his friends) house. I told her I had to go, I couldn't hear anymore. I hung up the phone and freaked out. Lets just say I couldn't see straight, I felt like someone had just punched me in the chest. I was hurting not only for myself but for my brother who had lost his best friend. I was trying to make a difference in the world and I couldn't make a difference in Wesley's life.

What was I doing? Why couldn't I see God giving me the chance to talk to him. He was gone, no more accidental phone calls & no tomorrow's to ask him about salvation or invite him to church. I had failed him. God gave me three chances and I let all of them slip through unnoticed.

Drive up the coast

2008-03-11T05:11:00.001-07:00

So what do you do when the power is turned off at home for 8 hours?

You go for a drive!

Stephen & I left monday morning for a drive up the antrim coast. I have to say that it was brilliant. I was just so taken back by the beauty of it all.

It was almost like being on the bridge overlooking splash mountian at six flags. As we made our way along side the ocean, large waves would hit the rocks below and splash the road and anything on it. It was a little tense at times, we would see signs that would warn us about flooding, rock and mud slides. Not to mention the fact the road was narrow and very curvy in places. It was good fun and we really enjoyed the trip.

Who knew?

2008-03-05T04:46:00.000-08:00

One of the great things about being a missionary, is how God allows you to see and do so many different things in life. I am just so delighted to be in N. Ireland, serving the Lord along side the husband that God blessed me with. I could have never imagined being able to do the things God has allowed me to do over the years.

When I first started reading and learning about missionaries, a good friend gave me a book called "A chance to die" about Amy Charmicael. It was a wonderful book and opened my eyes to so many things, it let me see how one person can change the life of someone else that would one day change the life of so many.

I now am living on the very island where Amy was born, where she heard Hudson Taylor speak about missions, where she decided to become a missionary. We live just an hour away from Millisle, the place Amy use to call home.

Amy's life touched the heart of man like Jim Elliot, who inspired men across america to give their lives for the cause of missions. I wanted to share this Quote I found. I think it is a very touching and true statement.

While serving in India, Amy received a letter from a young lady who was considering life as a missionary, She asked Amy, "What is missionary life like?" Amy wrote back saying simply,

"Missionary life is simply a chance to die."

Teen outreach

2008-03-04T05:14:00.001-08:00

Can it be that we are hitting home with some of these teen?

Last Friday, we had a brilliant testimony from Andy, he goes to Bally Baptist. Andy, was involved in all kinds of things when he was a teenager through his early twenties. He really got the teens attention through his artistic abilities, he drew some images that are very real for most of these kids, then he drew the nail scared hands of Jesus for them.

I believe they were getting a lot out of what he had to say. They even stayed over to listen to him. It was good to see some of them listening to what God had brought Andy out of.

Thank the Lord for young men and women willing to tell their story to see others reached with the Gospel. These teens are moving into the world faster then you can imagine.

Please pray for all the work that we are doing with these kids.

Tuesday night youth club.

2008-03-04T05:07:00.000-08:00

I am happy to report we had a high last week with 11 kids out to our tuesday night club. It was so much fun hanging out with the all of them playing games and having a good time. The lesson time had a lot of participating which was great to see.

We are hoping that we will have a lot more kids tonight. The school where we have the club is starting a class for adults at the same time, so we are hoping they will need someone to watch their children while they are in class.

Please pray for these young souls as we are starting to see God move in their hearts.

Sunday night

2008-03-04T04:53:00.000-08:00

We had a very nice service sunday night at Faith as we honored women for mothering sunday.

I just think it is great they call it mothering sunday because even if you do not have children you can be mothering. We honored all women present with a small gift, I think they were touched that no one was left out. I gave a brief testimony about mothers and how God honors the prays of mothers for their children.

We had tea afterwards and talked a little about upcoming events and things we would like to do. The ladies are excited about having Mrs. Stacey with us the end of March.

The Sweet ending

2008-03-04T03:51:00.000-08:00

Stephen and I spent the am service on sunday with Breahill Baptist Church in northern Belfast, there are about 79,000 people in the area surrounding the church.

Stephen preached a great message on the holy spirit. The church people seemed to really enjoy it, they also mentioned how the sunday before the message was on the same subject. I don't know if they thought that was bad or good, I just think God is trying to get a point across.

I got the opportunity to share a short lesson with the children at the start of the service. It went well, until the end when culture strakes again, it is customary here for the children to get a sweetie at the end of the lesson. So I finished the lesson (which is done in the front of all the church) and there was an odd silence and the children did not budge, I repeated that the lesson was over very sweetly, they did not move a muscle. I was to say the least shocked and confused. I just was racking my brain, what do I do now I thought. Then I said very kindly did I do something wrong. Then a very kind women got up and said they are waiting on their sweetie, as she went to the back to get them a treat. I know I looked like one of those cartoons when the light bulb goes off on the top of their head. Sweetie of course, why didn't I think of that.

The whole church got a little chuckle out of it. Murmuring about how they kids were frozen where they sat until they got their sweet. I was so embarrassed about not having something for them.

The moral of the story for me, is to never leave home without a purse full of sweeties.

Beware of the fool

2008-02-26T02:12:00.000-08:00

April Fool's Day

Even though I feel like it sometimes, no, I was not named after this holiday. You might be wondering what brought this up because it is the end of February.

I was reading in Proverbs 26 today and I began to reflect on just how many times I have allowed myself to "Answer a fool according to his folly,..." v.5a.

You may know what I am talking about. Someone is being foolish in their actions towards you or maybe towards someone else you love and without hesitation you respond in the flesh. While, justifying it within your self of course.

I am the first to admit how foolish I have been over the years, just bursting out with comments and being critical. It just upsets me so when people I know and love don't stand up when they didn't do anything wrong and are being abused or taken advantage of by the fools of this world.

As I look back on many of those situations I can see how they were not giving the fool what he wanted. I am also more aware of how many times I have.

The prayer I have today for myself and for all of you, is that God would make clear the fool and his folly. That we may honour God with the way we handle the events that unfold in our lives.

God help us all to be a better withness to the people around us.

The big wheel

2008-02-21T06:31:00.000-08:00

This looks like a ride you might find at a fair in the states with a couple of differences, it is about 3 times the size and 1/2 the speed. The car or unit you board will set six and is completely enclosed. I am not normally afraid of heights, although when we got to the top and they stopped the wheel I have to admit I was nervous. I sure was glad I had Stephen up there with me.

We enjoyed the view, as we looked out onto the city of Belfast and it's over 300,000 people. As the city lights stretched out as far as the eye could see. It reminded us so such much of Arequipa, when we would go to the top of the city and pray for the lost souls there. As we reminisced about all the people and places we each had the oppurtunity to see while we were there, God reminded us how fortunate and blessed we were, to be given this chance to make a difference in the world. We never want to waste the time God has given us on this earth.

Sometimes we are given these brief moments in time to help us recall what is truly important.

God make Daddy brave

2008-02-17T13:33:00.000-08:00

Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy a British Anglican minister who volunteered to be a chaplain on the Western Front durring the First World War, wrote to his son:

“The first prayer I want my son to learn to say for me is not 'God keep Daddy safe' but 'God make Daddy brave, and if he has hard things to do, make him strong to do them.' Life and death don't matter my son. Right and wrong do. Daddy dead is daddy still, but Daddy dishonored before God is something awful, too bad for words. I suppose you'd like to put in a bit about safety too, old chap, and Mother would. Well, put it in, but afterwards, always afterwards, because it really does not matter near so much. Every man, woman and child should be taught to put first things first in prayer, both in peace and war, and that, I believe, is where we have failed.”

I Love Jesus Banquet

2008-02-15T05:14:00.001-08:00

We had a great turn out for our "I love Jesus Banquet" with 14 for dinner and 17 for service.

Everyone had a good time trying some new dishes to the area. We served meatloaf, sweet potato casserole, chicken enchiladas, chicken broccoli casserole, & baked beans w/mince & sausages. The meatloaf was a big hit some of the people had never tried it before and they all loved it. It was nice that they enjoyed everything and had a good time as well.

Having a good time fellowshiping

2008-02-15T04:57:00.000-08:00

After our friday night teen outreach a group of us come back to the house to fellowship for a while. We have a great time eating crisps (chips) and playing games. They have a lot of fun party games here, if you just want to have a good crack (laugh). Of course most of them are just trying to get you wound up.

Valentines Day!

2008-02-15T00:16:00.000-08:00

This is when I remember the most important day of my life.

What would make Valentines Day so important. Well it is the day the Lord saved me. Saved me from a life of sin, set me a part, made me a new creature, pulled me out of the miry pit, and when he lifted the weight of the world off my shoulders and showed me I do not have to be alone ever again. It is the day I asked to be forgiven, believing that Jesus Christ died on the cross at calvary not just for the millions who had already trusted him and millions more that would come to know him in the years to follow, but for me lowly me. I could do nothing to be good enough to deserve this gift from above. I thank God for his mercy and grace.

Nine years now have gone by since that day, in a church on a hill with a small group of believers God spoke to my heart with these simple words, "Pride is a horrible thing to go to hell for." Oh how he was right.

I can't tell you exactly what happened after I stood up to go forward, it all seemed so surreal, as I prayed and cried out to the Lord to do what I could not; save me from death, hell, and sin. I just remember telling him that I believed Jesus Christ died for me, I confessed that I could not save myself and I asked him to save me. No magical words, fancy speech, just my heart open to God asking him to come in and save me.

What happened was something else, altogether different. It was almost like I felt him lifting away the burdens and guilt, that I had been caring for so many years. All at once I was overcome with a very clear since of freedom, a renewing, and cleansing of all that I am.

I have never forgotten what happened that day. Praise the Lord for the salvation that only he can give. My life has not been the same since. The devil tried to still from me many times. Not only had I written down in my bible (thank you JP for the telling me to do that), so that I could see it and remember the day; I get to remind myself everyday I get the privilege to read his word and serve him in the ministry.

So you see why Valentines day is the most important day of my life.

I used to spend Valentines day alone wishing I had someone to share it with. This very special day of mine. Then God being the amazing God he is. Sent me my husband who loves and adores me, a man who loves the Lord and seeks to honor and serve God through all that he does in life. A man who has such an amazing faith and trust in people, God has given me a husband above and beyond what I could have ever imagined or picked for myself.

Thank you Lord for all that you are & do.

To day is a special day.

2008-02-07T09:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Amy!

Amy is the wife of Mark Coffey and daughter of our Pastor Wayne Cofield. Amy has been a very good friend to me over the years. Although, I have known her a relatively short amount of time, God has used her, her husband, family and ministry to help me in ways to numerous to mention.

Of course it only helps me love her more, that my husband views her like sister

I love you, Amy. Thanks for all the time you have invested in me over the years.

Knowing your loved,

2008-02-07T04:25:00.000-08:00

Makes all the difference.

Oh how true that is. If you love me, you can say just about anything and I won't hate you. I might get my feelings hurt that you see some sort of bad quality in me, I hadn't seen in myself yet.

Being the independent person I am. I have at times felt like I haven't needed anyone, I could do everything myself. Weather that was true or not I thought it. So I had a friend, a very good friend lay it on the line for me one day, in front of his wife of course. That I couldn't do everything myself. Just came out and said exactly what I needed to hear.

Now I didn't say I wanted to hear what he had to say, I needed to hear what he had to say. I listened and took it to heart, not because it was so profound but because he loved me. I knew he and his family loved me so when he called me on the carpet about something, I took it in. I knew he was trying to help me grow not only as a person but in the Lord.

To be honest if the same thing had been said by someone else I could have cared less, but this man and his wife had shown me that I meant something to them, I counted, I was a part of their home and family; therefore what they said meant something to me.

I thank God for the people he uses to help us grow.

Driving Instructor

2008-02-07T02:19:00.000-08:00

Well, living in a country where being able to drive is a big deal is great, until you think about how much it is going to cost you to learn.

In N. Ireland you take lessons to learn the rules of the road, much like the lessons you learned from dear old dad or mom, except you are paying someone who is licensed and qualified by the law. To have this teacher come to your house, pick you up, drive around with you for an hour, cost around 25 pounds ($50) an hour. Thats right I was surprised too, how many lessons do you take, well that depends on you. When ever you think you can pass the test, it could take 5 lessons or 20. So I hope you are saving your penny's.

I said all this so that one might understand what God did for us. We meet a young lady here named Laura, that has been such a wonderful friend, showing us around town and helping us learn the ins and outs. Well we mentioned we were going to call someone to get lessons, so we don't kill ourselves driving on the other side of the road and all. Laura said wait to call until we talked to her. She has a old family friend she hooked us up with, nice. It gets better this family friend is only charging us for gas, that is right he is only charging us 10 pounds ($20) an hour. Hey when gas is $8-10 dollars a gallon and you are driving for an hour, it is a bargain price. Plus Jim is a very nice guy.

I just wanted to send a praise to the Lord for this blessing.