13. January 2014 · 4 comments · Categories: 2013

Why? Why does God sometimes lead in such hard ways? I was sure I had seen his leading… but now all I see is a complete dead end. With no other options. Perhaps I just don’t have enough patience.

Deep down I know He knows what He’s doing, but it’s so hard when you can’t see it. It’s easy to get caught in the moment, to become focused on the present, and to lose sight of His infinite plan. But you can’t see all of His plan anyway, He only shows bit by bit as time goes along. I suppose it’s probably a good thing. I couldn’t handle it all at once.

I have no more options… except one. I know God’s plan has already included every one of these experiences, and it also has a solution to all this. My only option left is to trust Him… Because He has a plan. I don’t have to settle for less.

12. January 2014 · 2 comments · Categories: 2013

Jan 9 2013
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She was driving through the airport… then she saw him come out the doors. Jumping out of the car, she ran to meet him and greeted him with a heart touching embrace. He was her son. A military man. The reunion was so touching it brought tears to my eyes just seeing it… and I didn’t even know them.

This got me to thinking… There’s another Son that wants to be a part of our lives. How does our reaction compare? Do we appreciate His desire to know us, to be our friend, to abide in us?

Perhaps this is why I’m crossing the desert of North Africa at 40,000 ft. As I look out on the sand scattered with patches of rocks and formations, I realize this desolation is very real among the world’s population but in a different way. So many don’t have a real true picture of who The Son is and why they should care. They are living a desolate life, but they don’t have to. But someone has to tell them that there’s another way.

What about me? Am I living a desolate life? Do I truly know this Son? What about you? I want to welcome Jesus into my life the same way this loving mother greeted her son… with love, joy, heartfelt emotion, unable to refuse, and a friend to be valued above all others.

04. December 2013 · 3 comments · Categories: 2013

“Be of good courage.” Those words mean so much to me now. Amid a flurry of things I don’t understand these four words of encouragement spoken in due season are such a blessing.

Sometimes God leads us on a path that seems so different than what we thought it was going to be. It may be rough and challenging at times, but one thing I know: God is with me every step of the way. There is no doubt. Even when the circumstances are the most discouraging, and the most forbidding, God’s promises still stands. “I will never leave you or forsake you.” “All things work together for good to them that love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

In the middle of life’s roller coaster of emotions, I’ve found that God’s promises give hope, faith, and assurance that He doesn’t make mistakes. Without Him we would be like a ship without an anchor, tossed this way and then that way. But with Him at the helm of our bark, we will never shipwreck.

15. November 2013 · Comments Off on Boutros · Categories: 2013, Mission Reports

In the country of Syria, not far from the city Paul was converted Christians are witnessing for God despite a fierce civil war. Hundreds, yes even thousands there are coming to know Christ!

“You need to stop!” Boutros’ pastor told him. “We can’t afford to lose you!”

Boutros is an active member in an evangelical church located in Syria. He takes to the streets with Bibles, witnessing for his Savior! He knows he could be kidnapped and questioned, tortured, and even cut in pieces! These thing have happened to others. This is why his pastor is concerned. Yet Boutros refuses to stop.

One evening his wife called the pastor with with bad news! Boutros hadn’t come home. They tried to call his cell phone, but there was no answer. Two hours later they tried again, but this time the phone as a turned off. They knew something was wrong. The church leaders gathered at the church and began interceding in prayer. Boutros could have been cut in pieces! At 9pm they called the secret police to see if they knew many thing about Boutros. The other possibility was that Boutros had been taken by the extremists, which was much worse. The police wanted to know what he was doing. “Giving out Bibles” the members answered. “Why are you doing this? Are you crazy?” They claimed no knowledge of Boutros whereabouts.

It was a dark moment for the brethren. They cried and prayed, committing him to Gods care. Two days went by, and the whole congregation gathered at the church… No one ate anything. Then in the midst of their discouragement and despair God answered their prayers.

Suddenly Boutros walked through the door with a story to tell! The police had locked him up, but when they took him for interrogation the next day, the interrogator kept yelling and cursing at him! He didn’t even know what Boutros had done. When he asked Boutros told him, adding that the Bible teaches to respect and pray for your leaders. The interrogation stopped. The head interrogator was touched by Boutros’ words. He gave Boutros his personal phone number with instructions to call him if he had any more trouble with the police!

The next day Boutros again went into the streets with Bibles witnessing for our Savior.

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This story I adapted from the Voice of the Martyrs magazine got me to thinking… How many of us would actually get up and leave our safe home country to go to to a country like Syria! Let alone taking to the streets in such a place to witness for Christ in the face of possible death! How much is our faith worth? Is it worth giving up safety? Is it worth giving up our very lives? What if our faith was worth as much to us as Boutros’ faith is to him? What if we would lay fear and safety aside and go out to witness for Christ regardless of the consequences?

“Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” John 15:20

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20

14. November 2013 · Comments Off on A Dedicated Life · Categories: 2013, Posted Videos

Here’s the story of Sarah Van Hee and how she ended up in Cambodia. She also shares about one of her students who struggled with demon harassment and how she found victory. Very interesting!

You can watch the video below. Hope you are blessed!