A few weeks ago I wrote about walking through the “blahs” and last week I talked about faith and the battle–neither of these seasons are necessarily times we seek after.  However, if we keep steadfast in our walk we will come through those times into a time of rest and grace.
I mentioned that my family has had their share of battles this past while.  As they are adults, I want to honor their privacy and not get too specific or personal.  I am proud of them and how they choose to stand and see his salvation in each of these challenges.  God has answered many of the prayers prayed during this time, and they manage to see his handiwork even in the midst of these struggles.

But life is not always about the hard things, there are seasons of open blessing and favor.  A time where you stand back in awe of the manifest goodness of God that sometimes comes our way.  About a year or so ago, someone came to my son-in-law, Andrew and gave him an envelope with a thank you card.  Along with the card was the gift of a time share week in California.  Andrew grew up close to Disneyland, and to him especially, there is no happier place on earth!    These people were so grateful for Andrew and Rosanna’s   influence in their life and church they wanted to bless them.  So the Phillip’s  family of five left this past Sunday to travel to southern California.  They report a wonderful time, including a visit with his mom.

My daughter Elizabeth and her husband Tim began planning their vacation as well. As they did one of her long time friends offered a week of their time share in the same hotel during the same week as Rosanna and Andrew!  So they left early Saturday morning with their four children, stopping and seeing friends and family too.  They, too, are sharing some great reports.

Andrew, my son and his wife began to pray as well.  They wanted to join with the others and Becca kept looking for places to stay in the Anaheim area.  Then they too, were gifted a week in the same time share as the other two!

Andrew Phillips had asked Rosanna to see if I wanted to go too, and stay with them!  So my whole family including the nine grand children will be together in the same hotel, sharing experiences together.  My son and his family (with me!) fly out today!  The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich and he adds no sorrow to it.  Proverbs 10: 21   I know some of you reading this may have to employ the scripture rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.  For you may be in the season of battle, or blahs and find it challenging to appreciate this blessing and favor our family is receiving.

I recognize this blessing and I am humbled by it.  I am grateful I have the strength and energy to enjoy this moment in time with all of my children.    It takes faith to receive God’s blessing as much as it takes faith to stand during the storms.  I get to go because of the blessing of my children’s friends!.  Isn’t that remarkable?  Andrew Phillips was a blessing, so he received a blessing that his whole family received and it started a chain reaction in my family!  I am so blessed because they want me to join them.

I know what it is to stand-off and watch others do things that you never thought you would be able to do.  At times, I admit, it was with a green eye of jealousy and a bit of pity for the poor me. God eventually convicted me and showed me a better way.  I was acting like the elder brother of the prodigal son.  Mad because I did not get the party.  What a childish attitude.  Learning to truly rejoice freely when others are blessed takes maturity and trust in our bountiful Father.

If you find yourself in such a place, I challenge you to pray.  You may have not, because you have not asked (James 4:3)  It may not be this particular blessing that provoke jealousy, but it may be something else.  It could be large or small.  Envy and jealousy can be provoked over some pretty small things (trust me, I know!)    Take those thoughts captive.  God is no respecter of persons.  He is such an amazing God.  My thoughts used to be so small.  I had to enlarge my understanding of how good a God  he is, and how he desires to bless us with the desires of our hearts, in order to really truly rejoice with those who rejoice.  I had to accept his love, and that blessing and favor was mine simply because he loves me.  To be honest, sometimes I did not even know what I desired, so I could not even ask.  He desires to bless your marriage, your family and even just yourself.  He delights in blessing us.

It is difficult in some ways to go on this trip knowing people are still suffering from Hurricane Houston’s disaster and the impending hit of Hurricane Irma, so we go in prayer for them and trust and faith our good God has a plan and we trust him.

Life Church, my local church here in Oak Harbor, Washington encourages its members to belong to small groups we call, Life Groups.  I am privileged to lead a group of lovely ladies. We love to celebrate and acknowledge each other, especially on birthdays.  It is recommended that each life group take the month of August off for a break to re-group for a new start in September.  My birthday is in August, so for the past few years, it has slipped under the radar.  One of the gals did not think that fair, so she organized a special gathering for us August birthday ladies (another gal joined who also has an August birthday).

We usually share words of encouragement during this time for the birthday person.  What a joy to hear the blessing of how our gathering has impacted the lives of those present.  My heart was overwhelmed to hear them share little things that made just a big impact on their lives.

I want to encourage you that as you love others–your family members, your co-workers or ministry team release your faith to know that God is using you to touch their lives with his love.  When the Holy Spirit speaks to you to reach out to someone, through a phone call, a text or a special act of kindness, do it!   You may think it is optional or not needed,  but the Holy Spirit knows what they need at the time.  A well placed phone call with a word of encouragement can lift a load that might otherwise be crushing.

Facebook has some naysayers, but those of you who use it, it can be an effective ministry tool.  If you read where someone is struggling, take the time to write and pray for them.  During my husbands struggles Facebook was often my lifeline to the “outside normal” world.  It helped me stay in touch with those whom I was far away.  It was so special and uplifting to read this year the posts on my actual birthday.  I have heard others say how strengthening it was to read the posts on their day as well.  These are small things that we can do.  They do not take much time but the rewards in strengthening some ones soul can be huge!

Some of the ladies gave me verbal words of encouragement, others wrote them in a card.  Both ways were special and touched my heart.  We had some first time visitors last night as well.  They got a glimpse of the love and care we share for one another.  It will be a joy to get to know them as we journey life together.  Prayer is also something we do for one another.  Last night we heard some marvelous God stories as different ones shared how God had showed up for them.  We can not always be the answer to the needs of those around us, but we can always bring these needs to the one who can.  What a joy to rejoice with our sisters when God answers these heart-felt cries!

Therefore be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.  Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.  Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.  God has given each of you a  gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.  Use them well to serve one another.  I Peter 4:7-10

Do not let our enemy rob you of the blessing of the joy of doing the small things, they truly make a difference!  Thank you Morgan for your inspiration and cake.

Last week I shared about walking through a season of what I called
“the blahs”.  They may occur after a season of victories, or they may show up during a time where you see little or no progress.  In the United States, like in other countries we are faced with some serious issues that have led to death and destruction. A few weeks ago a young woman was killed protesting the protestors in Charlottesville.  Many were killed in Spain around the same time, the murder weapon a car in both situations.  As I was reading my devotions, I came across 2 Chronicles 15:5.  I was amazed at how accurate it described our present day scenario.  During those dark times, it was not safe o travel.  Problems troubled the people of every land.  Nation fought against nation, and city against city, for God was troubling them with every kind of problem.  Wow!  I am not so bold as to say ” God ” is troubling us–I do know he can use and is using these problems we as humans, with our sinful nature have created for his purpose and plans.  I know these kinds of reports affect my spirit.  I admit I do have to fight what I call “turtling up”.  Drawing my head and heart inside and hiding away through distractions, busyness or depression.  I am so thankful for the next verse.  It gives us clear instruction.  But as for you, be strong and courageous. for your work will be rewarded.  2 Chronicles 15:7

The Chronicler is speaking clearly to you and me, be STRONG!  Be COURAGEOUS!  This definitely is not the  time to draw back, but it is a time to press in, using all the weaponry at our disposal.  Ephesians 6: 10  Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the whole of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

God has called and positioned  each of us in our sphere of influence to bring light into this world. We can do everything he has called us to do.  My friend, Bill Hinckley, (my bathroom remodel rescuer) was asked first by the Lord and then  his friend Mark to go with him to Virginia.  Unfortunately, that young woman, killed in Charlottesville, was Mark’s daughter.   Bill called, asking for prayer as they made the journey.  God went before them.  They discovered grace, peace and supporting care as they traveled.  They also encountered the spirit of division and hate that was the source of the rally’s that took the death of Heather.  Bill shared with me that as he prayed he watched attitudes change and love prevailed.  We must remember we are in a spiritual battle.  The main war, of course, was completed on the cross by Jesus; however, we must fight to bring the freedom he died for into our lives.  It may seem easier to just surrender to the blahs, depression, discouragement, but at what cost?  Our enemy will continue to try to take more and more from us.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor  so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.  Ephesians 6:13  It is God’s desire that we come through these battles with victory.  My family  all been having their share of battles lately, but we are all determined to come through still standing–not only for ourselves, but also for the next generation.  It is definitely not all about us.  So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable  always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 16:20

Two close friends had family members who passed recently.  One was the mother of Justice Ekuban Jr.  I met his mom when Darryl and I taught at a Bible Training Center in London, UK.  I happened to sit next to her and during a break when we introduced ourselves she said her name was Elizabeth.  I said, I won’t forget your name, because my daughter is also named Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was from Accra, Ghana.  She and her husband came to the UK, leaving their three children for two years as God led them to graduate from this program.  When they returned to Accra they began their own Training Center.  Darryl was invited to be a speaker at their graduation.    I did not go the first trip, but went the second time, I believe.  It was there in their home that I really got to know Elizabeth.  She was a strong woman, who loved her children.  She supported her husband’s call to sharing the gospel.  In between Darryl`s first trip and mine we hosted their son, Justice Ekuban Jr.  You could tell home much he missed his mother and how much he admired her.  She impacted his life immensely.  Her practical daily life was lived differently than mine, due to the cultural differences between the US and Ghana, but our hearts were the same.  She had the most beautiful smile. Continue reading “Faith and Memorials” →

Sometimes life leads us into unexpected surprises.  A few years ago, God used my grief journey to help support and comfort a family in our church I hadn’t even met yet!  Her daughter died unexpectedly and then two months later her son-in-law passed as well, leaving a young son in their care.  For some reason a God friendship connection was made and this friendship has led to many adventures. Continue reading “Faith and Unexpected Journeys” →

(I did not post a blog last week because I was on a cruise to Alaska…more about that in an upcoming blog!)

Acts 16 tells the story of some of God’s travels.  He and his friends felt it was time to go.  It was the second of his missionary journeys and I am sure he was eager to see what God was going to do.

Matthew 28:19 instructs us to go into all the world and make disciples of all the nations.  I assume Paul and Silas knew of these instructions, so how do you think they felt when they passed through Phrygia and Galatia the Holy Spirit forbid them to proclaim the Word in Asia? (Acts 16:6), Then they tried to go into Bithynia and again they weren’t permitted to go.  If it were me, I probably would have either been frustrated or excited!  If these were the “no’s”, what are God’s “yeses” going to be?  So passing Mysia, they went down to Troas.  There a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man from Macedonia stood pleading with him and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us!  And when he had seen the vision, we, including Luke, at once endeavored to go on to Macedonia.  So off they went.

Continue reading “Faith and God’s Yes’s and No’s” →