Girls will be Girls

This Past month February 20-27th and March 16-22 I went on mission trips.  The first to Honduras to work with Open Door Ministries and help build a play ground for the kids in the Orphanage there.  The second to Houston Texas to work with the homeless and low income in the inner city.  Both were eye opening and something I will always treasure.  As I sit here at home for the second day in a row sick form work, with no voice (I have laryngitis) for the third day I miss what I was doing on both of those trips.  I though I would share over the next few weeks about both experiences.

Honduras was incredible, life changing.  I have never been to any place like that before. Preparing for this journey was difficult.  I researched and thought I knew what I was going to see, but it was nothing compared to the reality of what I really did see and experience.

The trip to Honduras was pretty uneventful.  We took two planes one from Wichita to Houston and another from Houston to San Pedro Sula Honduras.  I think we flew for about 5 1/2 hours.  After retrieving our luggage and getting through customs we head outside to get our transportation to Tocoa.  The drive took more than 6 hours to get there!  We learned very quickly that a Honduran hour is much longer than an American hour.  Several times when we would ask about how much longer the answer would be about an hour or so!  It became our running joke through the week.  When we finally did arrive we first went to the Girls Home, so we could take them to Wendy's for dinner.  When we pulled up several of the girls were outside waiting for us, they had been waiting all day in anticipation of us getting there.  At that moment I knew that there was nothing that could prepare me for what I would see and experience during my time in Honduras.

These girls who knew nothing about us, other than we were American Christians, were waiting in anticipation of our arrival.  They cheered when we got there. And they hugged each of us as we got out of the van. This was the first time I cried, but not the last.

 To see the beautiful and so very young faces of these girls and to know that the reason they were all here in this girls home was because they had been sexually abused, sold in to prostitution, and or taken advantage of by their fathers, brothers, uncles etc... broke my heart.  I have  a little girl at home the same age as many of those girls I saw the first night, and it would kill me if someone would ever hurt her in that way.  For many of these girls they didn't have some one to protect them or keep them safe from that happening.  Three of the girls in the home have babies, two are 14 (the same age as my girl)!  When I think of the life change they have before them, not only having to take care of themselves but a baby also I am speechless.   I want them to know that God didn't do this to them.  That they are not defined by what was done to them, that they are made a new creation in Christ.

 At that point I wanted so much to take them all home with me, and protect them, keep them safe from harm, and take all their hurts away.  But I can't.  So I did the next best thing, I showed them love.  Even though I barely understood any Spanish, and they barely understood any English we shared, and talked (a little) and we connected.  Because we have something in common: God's Love!

Several people donated items for us to take with us to share with the girls, dresses, jewelry  bras, and under clothes, flip flops and new backpacks.  I found so much joy in seeing their faces light up when they got to pick out a new dress, you would have thought we had the spring line from Paris or something.  Several took one or two to try on and were so very proud when they came back out to show off how beautiful they were in their new dress.  This process was repeated with the other items as well.  All 14 girls in the Girls Home got a new dress, two new bras, under clothes, flip flops, a backpack and  3 or 4 pieces of jewelry.

For those moments we got to see them be typical teenage girls, no responsibilities, no sign hanging over their neck, just fun loving, giggly teenage girls.  That's what I pray for these girls that they get more moments like that, to be typical, normal teenage girls.  That they will grow up to be loving mothers, and wives, and that they will not be burdened with their past, instead that they would be free from it, and know God.  Choose to be in relationship with Him, and to share His love with others. So that they may break the cycle of abuse in Honduras.

The Girls range in ages from 10-16.  There at 14 girls and four babies who live there.  Everyday I am back home I miss them, and wish that I could be back there.  But I know for now home is my mission field, and I am ok with that.  I believe however that God is asking me to be open to where ever He sends me, whether it be back to Honduras, Africa, or here in the USA.  And so that is my prayer, that I would be open to where ever He sends me!

Have a Beautiful Day!

Christina

P.S.  Tomorrow I will share about the Orphanage and the amazing kids there.

Answered Prayers! (Jesus Calling)

Today's post is from Jesus Calling from January 9th. 

I have mentioned before how I am a planner,  I like things to be organized and know what's going on especially when it pertains to my life and my family. 

All along this journeyI have prayed that we would be obedient to whatever and wherever God calls us to.  That we would know if and when He was calling us to move on to other area's of ministry.  Right around this time (the beginning of this year) I was trying to help the kids with plans for summer, classes next year etc... and really felt like we were in a holding pattern just waiting.  And I am willing to wait until Gods timeing is perfect, thankfully God knows my heart and He answers when we call out.  And that's what I began doing.  I prayed that we would know with out a doubt soon (by the end of that week) if God was calling us to move on.  And He answered me on January 9th.  After reading this days devotion I knew God heard me. 

Jesus Calling(1/9):  I AM WITH YOU AND FOR YOU. When you decide on a course of action that is in line with My will, nothing in heaven or on earth can stop you. You may encounter many obstacles as you move toward your goal, but don’t be discouraged—never give up! With My help, you can overcome any obstacle. Do not expect an easy path as you journey hand in hand with Me, but do remember that I, your very-present Helper, am omnipotent.

Much, much stress results from your wanting to make things happen before their times have come.

If you want to stay close to Me and do things My way, ask Me to show you the path forward moment by moment.

“For nothing is impossible with God.” -LUKE 1:37

Father God thank you for going before me and making my path clear.  Thank you for answered prayers and comfort while we wait for those unanswered ones.  I pray that we will be obedient to what and where you are calling us.  And that our eyes, ears, and hearts will be open to see, hear, and know you are near to us. 

Catching Up... Jesus Calling

Last year I read through the bible, and for the most part didn't get to far behind.  When I did I always found the time to get caught up.  (Thank You Jesus)  This year I am going to be doing/have been daily reading the devotional book by Sarah Young Jesus Calling.  I received this book last year as a gift from a friend and love it!  I would recommend it to anyone!  Each day I read the devotion and then the scripture that goes along with it.  I have been journaling the thoughts and prayers that I have as a result of what I read that day.  I hope to share a few of those over this next week, and today is no exception:  On 12/30/12 I wrote this:

From Jesus Calling  I am leading you along a way that is uniquely right for you.  The closer to Me you grow, the more fully you become your true self-the one I designed you to be. 

For we are God's Workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  Ephesians 2:10 (My Life Verse)

Dear Friends let us love one another, for love comes from God.  Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is Love.  1 John 4:7-8

Father I may not always understand why or how you are at work, but I trust that you are and that you are with me through each and every obstacle.  Lord I want to be obedient to your calling on my life and become who you've created me to be .  Help me Lord to love others in-spite of our differences and to be a light to those around us.  Lord I pray that I'll be worthy of your calling.  Help me to remember your calling on my life. Your Love for me so that I may love others with the same compassion and forgiveness that you've shown me.   Amen


When I wrote this I was (and still am) seeking what God was calling me specifically and us as a family to be doing ministry wise.  This past year has been a difficult one spiritually.  I have never felt like I have had so many moments in the valley, and so few mountain top moments in such a short time.  I had wanted to quit and runaway more than once, but God wouldn't allow it!  You see He knows better than me, He can see the final picture when I get stuck on the day to day.  And Thank God for that!  If I were in charge of my own life I would hideaway when things got difficult, and maybe even run away, instead God asked me to stand firm holding on to His truths, and to depend on His  power.  When I do this my doubts fall away and I feel like I can keep on going.  I know I am slowly becoming more of the woman God has called me to be, not through my own strength or power but only through God.  So that is my prayer today that I will be obedient to what God is calling me to do and that I will do it with a joyful heart.  Than You Lord for not giving up on me, for Loving me, and showing me what Love is!

Christina

DRAFT...

James 1:2-5, 12 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

This Blog post has been a draft for far to long.  I get busy and have great intentions of blogging but things happen, life gets busy and for whatever reason other things take my time and blogging gets pushed aside for a while.  I want to be better about blogging because I really do believe that I am not the only one who struggles with or feel like I do sometimes.  And if my struggles and seeing God work through them can be an encouragement to one person then it is worth it.

I honestly believe that the times we struggle and have kept our eye on Jesus it's not a punishment but rather an opportunity for growth for us and even those around us.  A chance for our endurance to grow, and our faith to grow.  It's an time to call out cry out to God and wait patiently and listen for His response.  And I know that some day I will see what the struggle was for.

Thank Father for your truth and love and for never leaving me alone.  Thank you for the times of struggle, and growth, and for the endurance to make it through those times.

Christina    

No longer a "Law-Man"...

I am a bit behind in my on-line bible study and so tonight rather than watch all the news coverage I stayed in my room with the bible open, pencil sharpened and highlighter ready and dug in!  (Another night like this and I will be completely caught up!)

 I am studying Paul's Life and Journey.  While reading in Galatians Chapter 2 Paul was accepted by the Apostles, not because of who he was but what God had done in his life.  Paul called Peter out when he was swayed and failed to follow God's Plan, even pulling Barnabas into swaying.  The laws are good but they aren't what make us acceptable to God.  We are justified by Christ's death and resurrection.  There is nothing we can do that will make God love us more.  Yet all to often I fall into  the same trap as Peter.  I am swayed by the crowd, or I am afraid to stand out or stand up to those that are not following God's truth.  The rules/laws were written for us to follow before Christ came to show us the way.  Now I am a rule follower by nature!  I like rules, order, structure.  So sometimes I struggle with God's amazing grace, that it comes with out a price (at least for me) with out some stipulation that I must follow first.  God knows this about me and helps me to see that I don't have a list of do's and don'ts to follow instead He says when you Believed you received the Holy Spirit!  There isn't any list of things that I can check off that once completed I am justified, instead it's only through Christ's death and resurrection.  

My Prayer is that I will take Paul's words (The Message Version) from Galatians 2 19-21 and make them my prayer/petition before God.  That I will no longer try to please the world and live by the worlds way of thinking but instead remember Christ's Life was given for me so that I wouldn't have to.  

Galatians 2:19-21(The Message)  

What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.

Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a loving relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.

It is my hope that I will no longer be a "law-man" but instead be a woman after God's heart.  A woman who is completely free from the laws, ways of this world!  

I know that God knows what He is doing in my life and even though I can't see the end result I am satisfied to know He is with me right here and now. That my life is lived for God and not the world!  That I am not alone.  


Christina 

Stirring the Embers...

While studying to teach the Sunday School Lesson tomorrow, I came across this : 

A bundle of small twigs can start an enormous fire. But left alone, a blazing ember from the fire will quickly burn out. The same can be said for us as Christians. In order to experience authentic community hearts and minds must come together-we cannot go it alone. When we come together we need to stir the embers, adding to the warmth of our community.

I want to be a part of stirring the embers so that I may experience this true community, togetherness with other believers.  I don't want to feel like we are going it alone.  Instead I want to be a part of something bigger than me, something only God can stir up in me and others around me.  

So How do we fan the flames or stir the embers to experience this true community?  I think Romans 12 is a pretty good example! 

Romans 12: 9-21 (Message Version) 

9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.   

I so want to be more like this Love deeply and put others needs above my own, I don't do this enough!

11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.

Being in the word each day is one way I can keep myself fueled and aflame.  I fail at this, then wonder where is God, why isn't He keeping the fire going when it's me who has doused the flame.  

14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.

17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you've got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”

Don't hit back!  (wow, needed that conviction!) I think it's somewhat human to "hit back" especially when we feel we have done nothing wrong to deserve being "hit" or treated in an unfair way.  I do try to see the beauty in each person, trying to remember that each of us was created in God's image His likeness and when I am not seeing the beauty in that then I need to get my eyes checked.  (Usually its a heart check that I need) 

20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Doing good even when it's hard, or maybe especially when it's hardest would be the better way to say this.  

I know God's not through with me yet, so I need to keep my eye's alert for Hid beauty in each person I come in contact with , I need to dig into His word so that I may know and grow in Him more, and I need to allow Him complete control over my life.  Until I can do this I am like the ember that just burns out.  I wan to be more than that burning out ember. I want to be a part of something bigger, a raging fire burning for the Lord.  SO that's my prayer tonight that whatever God has for us, where ever He sends us that we will be more than a spark/ember that burns on our own and burns out but a part of a raging fire shining God's light, love for the world to see.  

Christina

Our inner attitudes do not have to reflect out outward circumstances...

Today I stayed home with both kiddo's they weren't feeling well and we all needed a day of rest.  During this  time of rest i continued my efforts to declutter the house.  While cleaning out a closet and the dresser in the living room I came across a notebook with sermon notes from November of 2008.  I did get both things cleaned out but also got some encouragement.  I thought I'd share with you today:

Being Thankful in Difficult Times:

Philippians 4:6-8

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

1.) Worry about Nothing
v. 6 Don't be anxious about anything.  40% of what we worry about never even happens.  Worry can not change the past or control the future it only messes up your life today.  

Matthew 6: 25-34 tells us not to worry about what you will eat or drink, about your body, or what you will wear.  v 27  reminds us worrying does nothing for us! Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

2.) Pray about Everything
v.6 but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. 

God is concerned about everything--
1 Peter 5:7  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 
Matthew 11:28 Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Pray with out ceasing! 

3.) Thank God in All Things

People who are thankful are happier and more joyful.  
1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.  

God has a purpose bigger than my problems.  God will give me what I need in that problem.

4.) Think about the Right Things

v.8 Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.  


5.) Experience Peace of Mind
v. 9 And the God of Peace will be with you-- will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

Our inner attitudes do not have to reflect  out outward circumstances.  

Wow this last statement about our attitudes  not reflecting our outward circumstances really struck me today.  You see yesterday at work first thing some one gave me attitude about something I did trying to be nice for them, now I could have just brushed it off but I didn't instead I allowed it to color my attitude for the whole day.  Let's just say as the day went on it seemed to get worse. I allowed my inner attitude (especially the negativity that I had experienced during the day) to be affected by my outward circumstances.  I could have stewed on it today and repeated it constantly in my head but instead after finding this I an encouraged to allow God to work on my inner attitude!  To allow His truths to penetrate my heart and not to focus on my outward circumstances.  

Christina