One Lone Boat

It was one of those days struggling to turn from spring to summer.  Everyone was on the river walkway in shorts and sweatshirts waffling between the desire for the sun’s warmth and reality of the morning briskness.  Dogs running back and forth sniffing into the blossom-filled air and the sound of children’s laughter drew me over.  I sat on a bench to pray.  I love these moments of solitude where Your Presence fills me with the peaceful knowledge that You are in control; it’s Your power that is the treasure in this earthen vessel.

I heard it before I could see it.  Isn’t that the way.  I hear your voice, feel Your leading before I see the purpose.  One lone boat on the river.  One lone driver guiding it through the glass.  As he drove by, people began cheering, waving and shouting their ‘hello’s’.  He did a few tricks, causing waves to form.  The rippling effect hit the shore causing the children to jump up and down with glee.  The more they asked for, the bigger the show.  Soon everyone was gathered where the water meets the sand, enjoying the damp coolness as it washed up their bare legs.   But, the water was still cold and one by one they began their assent back up to the walkway.  The boatman moved on down the river and all was quiet once again.

I watched, entranced with the thought that it was in their encouragement he was moved to continue blessing their day with his antics.  Who knows what kind of mood he was in, where he was from or even headed to; he stopped for just that moment to bring laughter and joy to the hearts of many.  Just like so many of us.  The one’s who walk the roads unknown to serve strangers and make them your friends.  Those who bless with words of Christ on your lips and joy in your heart.  The ones that step out of the shadow of comfort to share a kind word, a prayer of healing or a piece of rice.  The men and women hiding behind work visas, teaching degrees, building permits and medical ships just to touch the one that God has called you to. 

We all come from somewhere.  The lone boat on the river.  We all carry the presence that will cause a rippling effect to collide with those congregated and watching.  I want to encourage you.  We have all been called.  “Some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preacher and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some Pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.  His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (that they should do) the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church).” (Eph 4:11-12 AMP)  

Each of us is a piece of the puzzle creating a beautiful masterpiece as we allow the eyes of our heart to be opened and follow He who leads and guides us in our journey on earth.  We are all missionaries to someone or somewhere.  Roy & I (Eden’s Song) are missionaries to the missionaries.  We live, breath and pray for them every single day.  Our goal is that all we set our hands to foster the life of a missionary.  Can we do it all?  No.  We can only provide a portion of need.  Others will provide another part and on it goes. 

You are causing a stir in the water.  You are creating waves as you walk out your calling; touching a fortune of people along the way; moving the atmosphere over the cities, countries and nations you are led to cry out for.  The whole of Heaven is waving the checkered flag as you so eloquently run your race.  Do not let down, do not give up. 

Gentlemen, Ladies, Start Your Engines!

Front Line Warriors

I found myself anguished today and with so many exciting things going on in life, I wondered why.  Finding a few moments of solitude I asked the Lord what was hurting my heart so and a flash of tenderness hit me.  Many of my dear friends are leaving or have already left to join the group of selfless souls that spread the word of God through a passionate display of Love.  I found myself on my knees for these that are so heavenly minded as to work endlessly to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to earth.

One friend, in particular, comes to mind.  For so many years, Don has sought after God’s will to serve ‘the least of these’.  He has served the destitute and the homeless; after one trip to China he found his niche and the Lord has since taken him all through Africa bringing the Word of God and the love of the Father to those in small villages and communities.  But, the Holy Spirit continued to cry out to Don for more and his heart began to set upon the pygmies.  He studied them, he consulted the Lord and these past years Don & his wife, Jenya, have found themselves in the midst of a particularly beautiful pygmy tribe in the Congo.  Within days the Favor fell upon his hands as he obtained entrance and acceptance and is now able to walk freely among those he feels called to.

Another set of friends work in a sensitive area of the world doing a delicate work.  They are literally saving children from the enemy’s plot to lie, kill and destroy.  Wells are being dug, schools are being built, children are being healed, and gardens are cultivated.  Smiles rule the day and the favor of the Lord rains down on them even through the tears and pain of children having to be pulled from subjection.  We shipped them some women’s totes through visiting missionaries.  When the travelers received the totes they were worried about the weight and how they would get them there.  They were asked to open the boxes to see how many they could fit in their already swollen suitcases; when they did they were blasted by a wave of Love that came out of the boxes..their very words were "I felt the Love of God pour out of them".  When they got to the airport, they were not charged for the 'over' weight. Favor. 

There are so many stories of God's precious hand stretched out to His children; my friend who almost lost her life during an attack of malaria has now built a medical clinic on their property in Uganda with a birthing center in construction as well; another who just had emergency gall bladder surgery is, just a few days later, up and taking care of the many she serves in Rio De Janero; a sweet woman who lost her husband a few years ago continues their dream by running a large ministry in Kenya freeing people to live self-sufficient lifestyles; those who travel back and forth to serve for the few weeks they have vacation from full-time jobs are taking the needed supplies and supplements to pass on. Just this week, a dear team in Nepal were taken in for interrogation and imprisoned after lies were spread about them. We still await their fate. 

And the Lord says pray for them as the persistent widow in Luke 18. "..and shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge the speedily". God will certainly reply to the continual prayer of believers. He will respond to the injustice and religious persecution handed over to His people and in the end He will turn all things to good. Jesus is exhorting believers not to lose their enthusiasm, their heart or their faith but to stand strong in the throes of intercession as we lift those that go to the uttermost parts of the world, taking the love of Christ to a starving people. 

And I fall to my knees. 

Easter Sunday

Lamentations 3:22-23
"The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness. His mercies begin afresh each morning". (NLT)

1 Corinthians 1:20
"So where is the wise philosopher who understands? Where is the expert scholar who comprehends? And where is the skilled debater of this time who could win a debate with God? Hasn't God demonstrated that the wisdom of this world's system is utter foolishness?"

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I love Resurrection Day. The beauty of what the Lord has done for us reduces me to tears and brings me to my knees. I am humbled. I rejoice. I am contemplative. I am giddy. I am seriously in love with my Father, my Lord and the One Who loves me most.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday.  When I was young we always got new Easter clothes. Even if we couldn't afford clothes all year we dressed up fancy on Easter. Dad & Mom made sure we honored what the Lord did on our behalf. Patent leather shoes shined from under, dare I say, crinoline skirted dresses and little white purses hung from our wrists. My brother sported black pants, little precious coats and bow ties. We were too cute.

This year I have the perfect pastel beads that a Kenyan lady friend strung for me, but I have nothing to go with them. It's still chilly and I'm not prepared for spring attire. I'm comfortable to stay cozy, delve deep under the quilted covers and remain firmly planted in my fuzzy, flannel PJ bottoms.

I think it's the same feeling I get when God reveals a new prophetic pronouncement over my life. The excitement is there, it wells up inside me but it seems too far away from the moment I'm living to grasp. I'm not sure how to wear it, balancing the climate of now. It's hard to embrace what I don't comprehend. I would feel safer to stay where I'm at.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. Sometimes the season changes before the weather catches up, however it is time to put away the heavy coats, boots and leggings that bind us. It's time to say goodbye to dead leaves strewn throughout the yard so we can pamper the little grass growths underneath. It's time to look past the dreariness of the wind and rain to rejoice in the new life it brings to the rose bushes, apple trees and daffodils. It's an opportunity to reach out for what we can trust will be there. Spring comes every year; God's Word never returns void. There is a brilliance in the sun today belying the chill of the air and I'm ready for winter to be over.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. I think I'll take the Word I heard from the One who rose out of His grave for me and run. Arms outstretched. At the ready. Not looking back. Racing straight ahead, without fear but with anticipation that many more will come to the knowledge of His Saving Grace because of it. Spring has finally sprung in my heart once again and with it the birth of promise.