...And I will follow you all of my days"
I think this is my 3rd cold this winter and I'm getting really frustrated. It's made me think about warmer climates. What will it be like to live in an area of the world where it's between 65 & 85 all the time, all year around. I'm thinking about Sierra Leone more and more. The Lord is deffinately making this burden greater. I have started having the mind frame that I am not suppose to be here. Wether it's Africa or not working for the Lord is all I want to do. Oh I know I need to work, but I can't help but read about efforts around the world. Than I wonder when is it going to be me. When are you going to use these hands Lord, that I have committed to you for the rest of life?I think it's harder knowing what your suppose to do with your life and having to wait to do it, than not knowing at all. I itch with it all, I get so anxious. I also know that it God's timing and I have to be patient. I have to take it step by step. He will lead me and I am learning what trusting in Him really means. I think that I know where my heart is but my mind has been in turmoil. My realization is that Satan is the king of discouragement. Our doubt, our debates has been what for? Discouragement! It's time to have an understanding of what is my mind getting in the way of my Calling. Faith and Trust that nothing is impossible with God needs to be my crutch!
Lord take my hands and use them for you, here and where ever you are sending me! Give me the stamina to do what you want me to do, for my health, for a job, for my walk with you and for our calling to serve you. Amen
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
"We were made to be Courageous"
We were made to be courageous!
In church today we heard a missionary speak today about 4 things we need to carry with us as we journey through life.
So here is my take on what I heard!
#1 Our Christian Legacy
One of the examples the preacher gave was Charles Wesley. This man wrote many of our Hymns that we sing today. I read a biography on his mother and remember them talking about how she would throw her apron over her head to have alone time with God. When that apron was over her head everyone knew to leave her alone. She had 19 children but only 9 survived to adulthood. It's amazing to me that he got to grow up in a such a house where Charles saw his mother retreat to God everyday no matter the struggles they faced. Taking what he saw everyday he once told someone that God burdened him to write ten lines of praise everyday. He did this everyday for 50 years and in doing so completed over 3,000 hymns. What a legacy that over 300 years later we still are singing his hymns.
Are we doing enough as parents that our children will turn to the Lord and serve Him in everything they do? Are we leading by example to serve the Lord in everything we do? Not only that but can people around us tell that we are different?
#2Pride in our Father
I can't remember what the preacher called #2 but this is what I view what he was telling us. We have this heritage we want to have and pass around to those around us. How do we do this ?by surrounding ourselves with Him. What books do we read? What music do we listen to? I like what he called himself "A world Christian". What he meant is every time any kind of news brief or outside influence is in the home he asks himself 1 of 2 questions. Where can I see God in this situation ? or How can I pray that God makes himself known in this situation?
Are we doing that ? Are we praying for our president and politicians every time they come on TV? Do we pray for the deadly car accident on the news? You understand what I'm getting at don't you? Jesus was in constant communication with God and he always knew what God wanted him to do even if he wasn't comfortable doing it. Now that He set as free from the bondage of sin we have access to that same type of relationship and that is totally awesome to me and a goal of mine. That in every situation I go to him first. The music we listen to , the literature we read and the shows we watch on TV help in starting that state of mind.
#3 No Fear Got God
As Christians the Bible says that living a life for Christ is difficult, that temptations are much more and trials are much more. I know that's because Satin is ever present and he hates that we are God's children. Life is scary and God is ever testing our limits. Fear is everywhere but we do with that fear is what matters. The Greek word for fear is actually more closely translated to the meaning of the word cowardes. What is the opposite of that? Yes courage. Here is my new meaning behind the phrase "Fearing the Lord". Having the understanding that without the Lord we fear and are cowards, but when we have the Lord yes we have fears especially of the unknown but we can be courageous.
#4 Just Do It!!!!!!!
Yeah I think this phrase says it all, but let me explain why this hit me in between the eyes this morning! Rob and I know where we are suppose to be headed and what our purpose is. God took this phrase and screamed it in my ear because I think we've been using everything that's been going on to distract us from His purpose. I can tell you now that we'll be working on that over the next few weeks. We need to be persistent for the Lost. Yeah I have a kids club in my home once a week where 11 children have prayed with me and asked God to lead their lives. At times it humbles me but part of me wants to do more because it's not enough. God has given me a burden like Charles Wesley. I just need to do it!!!! No more putting everything on hold just because of our insecurities.
Time to have faith in my heavenly Father, stand up and be courageous while I take my legacy and be persistent about sharing it with the Lost.
In church today we heard a missionary speak today about 4 things we need to carry with us as we journey through life.
So here is my take on what I heard!
#1 Our Christian Legacy
One of the examples the preacher gave was Charles Wesley. This man wrote many of our Hymns that we sing today. I read a biography on his mother and remember them talking about how she would throw her apron over her head to have alone time with God. When that apron was over her head everyone knew to leave her alone. She had 19 children but only 9 survived to adulthood. It's amazing to me that he got to grow up in a such a house where Charles saw his mother retreat to God everyday no matter the struggles they faced. Taking what he saw everyday he once told someone that God burdened him to write ten lines of praise everyday. He did this everyday for 50 years and in doing so completed over 3,000 hymns. What a legacy that over 300 years later we still are singing his hymns.
Are we doing enough as parents that our children will turn to the Lord and serve Him in everything they do? Are we leading by example to serve the Lord in everything we do? Not only that but can people around us tell that we are different?
#2Pride in our Father
I can't remember what the preacher called #2 but this is what I view what he was telling us. We have this heritage we want to have and pass around to those around us. How do we do this ?by surrounding ourselves with Him. What books do we read? What music do we listen to? I like what he called himself "A world Christian". What he meant is every time any kind of news brief or outside influence is in the home he asks himself 1 of 2 questions. Where can I see God in this situation ? or How can I pray that God makes himself known in this situation?
Are we doing that ? Are we praying for our president and politicians every time they come on TV? Do we pray for the deadly car accident on the news? You understand what I'm getting at don't you? Jesus was in constant communication with God and he always knew what God wanted him to do even if he wasn't comfortable doing it. Now that He set as free from the bondage of sin we have access to that same type of relationship and that is totally awesome to me and a goal of mine. That in every situation I go to him first. The music we listen to , the literature we read and the shows we watch on TV help in starting that state of mind.
#3 No Fear Got God
As Christians the Bible says that living a life for Christ is difficult, that temptations are much more and trials are much more. I know that's because Satin is ever present and he hates that we are God's children. Life is scary and God is ever testing our limits. Fear is everywhere but we do with that fear is what matters. The Greek word for fear is actually more closely translated to the meaning of the word cowardes. What is the opposite of that? Yes courage. Here is my new meaning behind the phrase "Fearing the Lord". Having the understanding that without the Lord we fear and are cowards, but when we have the Lord yes we have fears especially of the unknown but we can be courageous.
#4 Just Do It!!!!!!!
Yeah I think this phrase says it all, but let me explain why this hit me in between the eyes this morning! Rob and I know where we are suppose to be headed and what our purpose is. God took this phrase and screamed it in my ear because I think we've been using everything that's been going on to distract us from His purpose. I can tell you now that we'll be working on that over the next few weeks. We need to be persistent for the Lost. Yeah I have a kids club in my home once a week where 11 children have prayed with me and asked God to lead their lives. At times it humbles me but part of me wants to do more because it's not enough. God has given me a burden like Charles Wesley. I just need to do it!!!! No more putting everything on hold just because of our insecurities.
Time to have faith in my heavenly Father, stand up and be courageous while I take my legacy and be persistent about sharing it with the Lost.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
" I will serve you while I'm waiting" continued
I am so excited that I just figured out how to blog on my I phone. We are still out a computer but now I feel back in the loop. I now feel I need to update you on our journey to the field.
So I decided that if I'm going to serve the Lord on the field,I need to make some changes in my life. So we have kind of put things on hold. A few months ago when Rob was going through all his stuff with his hernias. I slipped on some stairs and twisted my knee. It still bothers me a lot especially in this cold weather. I know that I am way over weight. I never felt it though. I always looked in the mirror and always saw someone fatter than I felt. When we first got to Maryland I was able to run up the stairs. Now since I hurt my knee I feel like an old lady going up and down the stairs. I am starting to feel the affects of my weight for the first time in my life. I now feel every pound every time I take a step, get up from a chair, climb a stair, etc. I came to the realization, how am I suppose to work for the Lord in another country if it hurts to climb stairs? I asked myself what am I doing to myself? I decided to do something about it.
I dont have the 300$ that my mother and others I know are spend a month to loose weight, so I did the only thing I knew to do. I made an appointment to see a doctor. One of the things she suggested was seeing a counselor to see if we can figure out what my relationship with food is and see if we can find another way of coping with stress. Everybody has coping mechanisms and I've discovered that when I am stressed is when I can easily pack on 30 or 40 pounds in a few months. So now I am on a new journey with my therapist. Most people would be like "Meg why are you sharing this? This is personal". Yeah it is but everyone can see that I have a weight problem. I want you all to know that I know I have a problem. There is a lot of women that are big like me and are comfortable with themselves and can feel beautiful and they are beautiful. Me however I am not comfortable in my own skin. That and i no longer feel beautiful and wonder how anyone can view me as such. I am also ready to do something about it. I know that God views me as beautiful but I think it hurts Him to see me hurt. As far as the therapist goes he's helped more than I ever expected. He's asked Rob and I to come In and unload. Which is something we would normally do with a pastor but we don't have one right now. I told him I was scared to write everything down that's happened to us in these last 8 years. When we started to tell our story he was astonished that with what all we've been through. He said he hasn't seen this many trials in any 1 marriage before. That and he probably wouldn't see this many trials in a marriage of 50 years or so. He said you need to decompress "how many people are in your life out side of family that know about everything that's happened to you? I think you need to unload and just have someone to listen". I can't tell you how refreshing that is to hear. Someone to listen? I feel like this could really help. Who knows maybe I'll write a book. God is already revealing a lot to me about the heart of my weight problem! I am however taking one step at a time. You may not see me loose any for a while but we'll see. The motivation is slowly building. Do me a favor don't pity me just smile and say "That's honesty" and then pray for me. Missions is not happening until I can take action for myself and get myself healthier!
So I decided that if I'm going to serve the Lord on the field,I need to make some changes in my life. So we have kind of put things on hold. A few months ago when Rob was going through all his stuff with his hernias. I slipped on some stairs and twisted my knee. It still bothers me a lot especially in this cold weather. I know that I am way over weight. I never felt it though. I always looked in the mirror and always saw someone fatter than I felt. When we first got to Maryland I was able to run up the stairs. Now since I hurt my knee I feel like an old lady going up and down the stairs. I am starting to feel the affects of my weight for the first time in my life. I now feel every pound every time I take a step, get up from a chair, climb a stair, etc. I came to the realization, how am I suppose to work for the Lord in another country if it hurts to climb stairs? I asked myself what am I doing to myself? I decided to do something about it.
I dont have the 300$ that my mother and others I know are spend a month to loose weight, so I did the only thing I knew to do. I made an appointment to see a doctor. One of the things she suggested was seeing a counselor to see if we can figure out what my relationship with food is and see if we can find another way of coping with stress. Everybody has coping mechanisms and I've discovered that when I am stressed is when I can easily pack on 30 or 40 pounds in a few months. So now I am on a new journey with my therapist. Most people would be like "Meg why are you sharing this? This is personal". Yeah it is but everyone can see that I have a weight problem. I want you all to know that I know I have a problem. There is a lot of women that are big like me and are comfortable with themselves and can feel beautiful and they are beautiful. Me however I am not comfortable in my own skin. That and i no longer feel beautiful and wonder how anyone can view me as such. I am also ready to do something about it. I know that God views me as beautiful but I think it hurts Him to see me hurt. As far as the therapist goes he's helped more than I ever expected. He's asked Rob and I to come In and unload. Which is something we would normally do with a pastor but we don't have one right now. I told him I was scared to write everything down that's happened to us in these last 8 years. When we started to tell our story he was astonished that with what all we've been through. He said he hasn't seen this many trials in any 1 marriage before. That and he probably wouldn't see this many trials in a marriage of 50 years or so. He said you need to decompress "how many people are in your life out side of family that know about everything that's happened to you? I think you need to unload and just have someone to listen". I can't tell you how refreshing that is to hear. Someone to listen? I feel like this could really help. Who knows maybe I'll write a book. God is already revealing a lot to me about the heart of my weight problem! I am however taking one step at a time. You may not see me loose any for a while but we'll see. The motivation is slowly building. Do me a favor don't pity me just smile and say "That's honesty" and then pray for me. Missions is not happening until I can take action for myself and get myself healthier!
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