Easter = Hope

Perhaps you have lived enough "life stuff" to know you wouldn't be "stable" if it wasn't for Jesus. I know I have. When Easter comes each year, I am reminded of the dark moments the midst of my "life" story when I didn't think I could make it, when my mind and heart were playing tricks on me, when the enemy of my soul was speaking lies...then, when I focused on Jesus...the author and finisher of my faith, HOPE broke through!!!

Now, be patient with me...I need to talk about Christmas for a moment. I love Christmas...the sights and sounds and anticipation of it all. Trini's love Christmas...Food, Fun and Fellowship! Yep, it starts early and goes as long as possible. LOTS of special events lead up to December 25th and than thats not all...the day after Christmas is Boxing Day (another holiday). I love it! But...

I love Easter more...As great as the birth of Baby Jesus is, if Jesus had not followed through and finished the goal of the cross and the empty tomb, it would just be a nice story. He was born to die! He died to live! The Easter story of resurrection brings a Hope to every heart that the Christmas story alone can not do.

I have lived long enough to have life altering moments of loss. My story includes the loss of my daughter Alexandra. It has been 19 years now. She was born on Christmas Day and lived one day. I remember that Christmas Day as though it was yesterday. Christmas has never been the same for me. More importantly, however, Easter has never been the same for me. It took me awhile to come up for air after she died, but I will never forget the Easter after she died. As I stood at her grave, I thanked Jesus for the RESURRECTION! You see, He didn't just get STARTED with the job He came to do, He FINISHED the job!

So, as Jesus continues to write your story and mine, in the darkest moments...remember that EASTER = HOPE! A hope you can count on, breathe in, speak to, listen to and live for. Thank you Jesus that you came...but Thank you even more that you finished what you came for.

Words!!

I LOVE words...I love their sound, their meaning and their history. I would love to attain the status of "Word Smith" in my lifetime. Don't know that I will ever attain it...but's it's a goal I aspire to:)

I love how ONE word can mean something different depending on how it is used, where it is used or who is using it! I have new found respect for linguists and those who speak more than one language now that I live outside the U.S. Even though Trinidad is an English speaking country, it is the Queen's English and don't let anyone tell you that Trini's don't have their own way of saying things!

Back to WORDS. I have been thinking about the Lord's provision today. Now...the moment I thought about the word provision guess what popped into my head! In Trinidad, a dish that is prepared often, is called "provision". It is a staple food of "root vegetables" like yams, sweet potatoes, eddoes or dasheen, made into soups or stews or eaten as a side dish. See what I mean! One word can mean so many things...

When considering the Lords provision, we can come up with different meanings also. When we talk about the Lord providing for us, we often think of our basic needs of food, shelter or finances. We must be careful thinking along these lines or we start looking at God like a gum ball machine. Put a quarter in and get something out. Don't get me wrong...I believe God delights in giving us the desires of our hearts, but if all we do is go to Him for "stuff", then we are not in a healthy relationship with our maker. (Have you simply "enjoyed" Jesus lately?)

It might be better to look at God Himself as our Provision rather than our provider. If God is our Provision, then we walk differently.

We walk differently because we then need Him for our very breath instead of the next "handout". We are connected by relationship. In that relationship He provides more than stuff but instead, all that we need to walk this lifes journey. Things like peace, comfort, humility,confidence, wisdom, spiritual authority and the list goes on.

Jesus, you are my provision. You don't just give peace, YOU ARE PEACE. You don't just give comfort, YOU ARE COMFORT. You can not separate what Jesus does from His character. He does not have a bad day and decide not to be PEACE, COMFORT,WISDOM etc. Those are who He is, not simply something He does.

Provision...hope you think about it a bit differently now:)

Until next time...that's my take on it!

Upcoming Events to pray for:

Time at Children's Home this Saturday

Mike is preaching at Barrakpore #4 this Sunday

Team has last service at Marabella this Sunday...we will join for lunch after our service

Lot's of packing and last minute details...pray for a smooth week

Seen and Unseen

Well...Satan's been busy.

I wonder... if we could actually see him wringing his ugly hands in anticipation of victory, if we would get mad enough to live differently... to stay the course...to forge ahead.

Scripture tells us to..." fix our eyes not on what is seen (people,places,things), but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The unseen is the spiritual warfare going on in the heavenly realms on our behalf. Yeah...it's happening right now as I speak. It's Christianity 101 stuff, but we forget. God has a plan. Satan wants to stop the plan. Satan throws a fit. God sends his holy angels to war for us. God wins. Did you hear me? There may be skirmishes that Satan gets the upper hand on, but GOD WINS! In fact, truth be told God ALREADY WON on the cross. The last chapter of the story has already been written and WE WON!

Since Satan knows that he has already lost, he will throw fits and cause havoc any way and any where he can. Sometimes he even uses well meaning Christians:)

Be self‑controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

Ephesians 6:11

We are so clueless much of the time and aren't even aware of his devices. We call it a bad day, or a dry season...a dark night of the soul. I think it is often Satan throwing a fit because he sees and feels the threat of God's Kingdom advancing!

So it's time to "get a clue!" Let's call it what it is...Spiritual Warfare! And...if it's warfare, then let's fight! Let's "war" in the spirit for God's plan, God's strategy and Godly results.

Now, I have to say, because I speak the truth, doesn't mean I "feel" the truth. I am a bit exhausted right now, and my flesh wonders about all sorts of things. I must also say, however, that my "feelings" do not change the truth.

Let's speak the truth out loud...even when we don't feel it. Even when we don't see it. Let's walk by faith not by sight!!

Until next time...that's my take on it!

UPCOMING EVENTS TO PRAY FOR: Planning meeting with a local pastor regarding children's outreach and evangelistic home Bible Studies. We are teaching a Missions Class on the North Campus of the OBTT Bible College. Outdoor Crusade in a Hindu/Muslim community. Please be praying for future SGL students. Please continue to pray for Ashleigh's homeschooling. Biology and Math are the most challenging. Pray for our health...we have had a lot of health related issues...back and hip problems, flu etc. We are also in the midst of critical and strategic planning for SGL. Cover us right now! Thanks!

Did God Really Say?

I know some of you read my blog to see what's happening in Trinidad. Even though we are going through a very difficult time right now and desperately need your prayers, I must be obedient to write what God is asking...so here goes. (You can still pray in the Spirit for us!)

Happy 2011!

As Christians (me included), it seems to me, we should go into 2011 with a greater commitment to obedience rather than resolutions...just saying:)

I am personally making a renewed commitment in obeying God by thinking and meditating on the Word. You can read the Word without thinking about it. You can read the Word without applying it to your life. I want to meditate and obey.

Sooooooooo...as I was reading and meditating on the third chapter of Genesis this week, I saw a phrase again for the very first time. The serpent (the enemy of our souls), said to Eve, "Did God Really Say?" It's important to remember that God had already said something, for Satan to be able to say this to Eve. Let me repeat myself...Satan was responding to things God had already said. It's kinda like the story in the N.T. where Jesus said to His disciples, "get in the boat, we are going to the other side." When the storm came up, they were afraid. Nobody remembered that Jesus had said, "we are going to the other side". God has already said many things to us and continues to speak. What did He say to you...to me, earlier today or yesterday? How about what He said last Year? Satan is still using the same tactics he has always used. He is still asking, "Did God Really Say?" If Satan can get us to question what God has said to us, then he has us exactly where he wants us! Let's not forget Satan is a liar, the Father of Lies and Lying is his native language! (John 8:44)

It's important to know what God says to you, it's your anchor. When negative self-talk starts or the enemy of your soul lies to you...you must go back to what God said.

Remember, do not question in the darkness, what God said to you in the light. And...oh yeah, don't rely on your feelings to convince you that God keeps His Word. That's what your faith is all about.

Some of the things God has said to me in the last couple of years...

• I want a friendship with you (It's easy to enjoy His faithfulness without being His friend)
• Will you let me write your story
• Will you let me decide how to spend the rest of your life
• Grab everything from heaven you can possibly get and give it away as quickly as possible!
• Go to the Secret Place and spend time with me
• I am with you even when you settle on the far side of the sea

If you can't think of anything that God has personally said to you recently, then go to the Word. He has already said plenty there...and it's as personal as it gets! Just read today that there are 7,487 promises in the Word. Take just one of them and say it to yourself over and over until it reaches your spirit. Promises like...

• I will never leave you or forsake you
• I have written your name in palm of my hand
• I will give you the strength you need for today
• I am your defender
• I see you
• Fix your eyes on me
• Do not dwell on the past...I am doing a new thing!

When Satan says, "Did God Really Say?" You and I can say...YES! Yes He said it...Yes He meant it...Yes He can do it and most important...Yes He Will! Use your eyes of faith this year with the things God has already said that haven't come to pass yet and don't forget to say "Thank You Jesus", when they do!

Until next time...That's my Take On It!

The "Imperfect" Christmas

What is it about Christmas this year that you would like to be different? Do you miss someone who has passed away, moved away, too far away or chooses to be away because of relationship issues? Do you wish that you had more money to spend or do you wish you had less money, because of expectations people place on you. Do you wish you had less parties or events to attend, or do you wish someone would invite you to at least one...

Christmas MUST BE more than parties, gifts, family and friends, because we will not always have those at Christmas time.

It is hard and sad to believe, but there are people all over the world who are just trying to survive... spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically and financially this time of year, that Christmas will be just another day to them. Some people are hurting so badly that they sigh in relief when Christmas has come and gone.

There is often a bitter-sweetness about Christmas. I think even for Mary the Mother of Jesus, there was a bitter-sweet moment when she "pondered all these things in her heart." She knew that Jesus was hers but He also belonged to the world. She had to share Him from the very first moment she laid eyes on Him.

I have many sad Christmas memories...life altering Christmases...imperfect Christmases...but the Christ of Christmas has never let me down.

History choose a day for us to celebrate His birth, but I think even for Jesus on whatever day He was actually born, the first Christmas was a bitter-sweet one also. You see, He was born to die. The moment He was born a plan was set in motion that led to an excruciating death. What makes this story sweet for me, is that Jesus kept walking toward the cross from day one. He had to live an obedient life in order to walk all the way to the cross. The great gift at Christmas is not that He was born, but that He began walking toward the cross for thirty-three years and said "Your Will, Not My Will" at that crucial moment of obedience.

Thank You Jesus for Christmas, Thank You Jesus for the Cross and Thank You for "Beating Death" so that I can live!

I think Jesus would have liked to change some things about Christmas, but He didn't because of His great love for us. In the midst of your imperfect Christmas, look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of your faith. He makes ALL THINGS NEW and when we focus on Him...Look into His eyes...a gaze, instead of a glance...Christmas will be more sweet than bitter.

Thank you Jesus for Christmas, in all of it's imperfections...

That's all for now...until next time...that's my take on it!

The Vintage Generation

I have had some precious moments in Trinidad, but one of the most precious so far happened in church a week ago...

We had our first missions team in service with us for the worship time before heading to the ocean for a water baptism...during worship an elderly woman walked forward to worship at the altar. She was walking very slowly and a bit unsteady so I took her arm in mine and went up to the altar with her, helped her kneel and stayed with her worshiping alongside her. I motioned for Nate to help me get her up and she continued to pray and praise during which time she took my hand and kissed my palm a few times. She looked at me and told me how much she loved me. Our team needed to leave so I got someone else to help her. That experience will last me awhile.

Marabella Open Bible calls the elderly at their church the "Vintage Generation." I like that. When I think of Vintage, I think of rare, priceless, in many cases "one of a kind." I am not there yet...(although some would disagree:) but I want to be up at the altar in my Vintage years, whatever it takes!

*********

So much has happened since my last blog...

We have a Van! Thank you to those who have been praying...We still have some paperwork to get done, but we have keys in hand! Thank You Jesus!

We have had our first missions team here from Oregon. They were here for 9 days of amazing ministry. It is our heart to help shape the missions culture in our American Churches. I believe we were able to show a realistic picture of the heart of God for the World to the team. They were a blessing and we have made new friendships which will last a lifetime!

It was hard to be away from family for Thanksgiving. We were able to skype, but nothing is as good as a real hug and having my granddaughters on my lap! It was still a very special Thanksgiving, with the Oregon Team here with us. We did the best we could to put a traditional Thanksgiving meal together. Either we couldn't find the "normal" things or had to get creative with ingredients, but we pulled it off and got as stuffed as past Thanksgivings:)

One Thanksgiving Tradition that Melanie brought to our day was chasing everyone with a can of whipped cream...oh my:) My big disappointment was not having pumpkin pie. I may make one from scratch for Christmas!

Our weary bodies have reminded us about our firm conviction that we must set a realistic pace here in Trinidad, so our work is sustainable. While it is necessary to put many experiences into a missions trip, we know that we can't live that 24/7. So we have intentionally taken it a bit easier since the team left.

We just celebrated Ashleigh's adoption day...She is our party girl so from early on she wanted to celebrate the day she legally became a "Lumbard" Our tradition is ice cream so we had the SGL team and two of Ashleigh's Trini friends over for the celebration.

The team goes back to Immigration this Friday. The Missionary Permits are in for everyone, so now the process for multi-entry visas is next. Pray that all will go smoothly for this process.

We haven't had any of our personal things shipped from the states yet which included our Christmas Decorations. We were blessed to receive money specifically to decorate for Christmas. We have been able to put some decorations up to give our home a festive atmosphere! We are making new memories!

That's it for now...Until next time, That's my take on it!

Hurry Up and Wait!!!

Add my type A personality and my western mindset and you get frustration!!! I could mention many "hurry up and wait" moments while living in Trinidad, but the one at the forefront of my mind is a 12 passenger van we are waiting to get possession of so our team can travel at the same time to ANY PLACE!!! We have heard later today, tonight and tomorrow so many times that you have to laugh or cry. I am not laughing...

I realize all this is the making of "missionaries", but let's move on to the next lesson...sigh...

We had a wonderful time with the TT National Board this last week. Their support is vital to what we are doing here and we are excited about our partnership with them.

We have our first missions team from Oregon coming at the end of this week. We have a full itinerary of ministry planned. They will experience a water baptism at the ocean, Caribbean style worship services, preaching in services, prayer meetings, they will sit in on a class of perspectives, visit a crisis center, a children's home, soup kitchen, children's outreach and evangelism at a church outpost (church plant) and a traditional Thanksgiving meal with our team (with perhaps a Trini flair)!

Christmas is BIG in Trinidad! We heard our first Christmas music in a store in September, Sang our first Christmas song in Church in October. We will have Christmas dinners to attend, special Christmas services and a huge Christmas Village event put on by First Church that goes for several days. The School of Global Leadership is also putting on a Christmas Open House on our top patio to say thank you to many!

We are still in the rainy season, in fact, the team played football (that is soccer here in Trinidad) in the rain and mud last Saturday at Operation Smile Children's Home. We are told it will start drying out and getting hot in December/January. That is when it is really getting cold and snowy back home:) I do miss Fall. I won't miss ice. There is something soothing about staying inside with a cup of hot cocoa and looking out at a blanket of white...getting out in it is a different story. Here, the only thing that might keep you home is torrential downpours that lead to flooding, mudslides and horrific traffic jams.

It won't be a "white" Christmas for us, but Jesus is Celebrated all over the world in every type of climate... Hot or Cold, Wet, Dry or Snowy. From grass huts, to dilapidated shanties, under trees and in mansions. From Turkey to lamb, Roti to rolls, a clear broth with little else, food purchased, grown or donated...believers will worship the same Christ this Christmas. I encourage you to "shake up" your Christmas a little this year. Do something outside of your normal routine, do without so someone else does with. Christmas is about Christ, not about our traditions, comfort or presents. Celebrate Christ. Do whatever you have to do, to make this happen!

Until next time, that's my take on it!