In Other Words

"If a commission by an earthly king is considered a honor, how can a commission by a Heavenly King be considered a sacrifice?"
~ David Livingstone ~

To be commissioned by a king has always been an honor. But the honor of carrying on the work of the king, of acting in his stead and in his power in his kingdom, has never been without sacrifice. Those commissioned by the king have had to be willing to leave home, family and country, forgoing comfort, even risking loss of life. So it is for us as those who have been comissioned by our Heavenly King. Those committed to the "ministry of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:18) must see our commission for what it is-- the highest of honors. We are ambassadors of the Most High God! Infused with His very power, we have been given the greatest of privileges- to be called His children and to do the work of His kingdom on His behalf, for His great glory. But, worship and service to our Heavenly King has always involved sacrifice, even for His own Son, Who gave His very life doing what He had been commissioned to do. Can we say with David, "I will not offer... an offering to the Lord which cost me nothing." (2 Samuel 24:24)? The commission is an honor-- the sacrifice, a privilege.

No one knew this better than David Livingstone, who was moved by "the smoke of a thousand villages–villages whose people are without Christ, without God, and without hope in this world." Those words, spoken by his mentor, Robert Moffat, solidified Livingstone's commitment to the commission he received from His Heavenly King. The honor of the commission is what must have sustained him in the crushing jaws of the lion, the disease-ridden days in the interior of Africa, and the years of not seeing his beloved family. All sacrifices, to be sure, but infinitely worth it because of the honor of carrying out the commission of the Lord Most High.

My commission is worth whatever I am asked to put on the altar. What will I offer Him today? May I count it an honor.


Laurel Wreath is our host for this week's "In Other Words." Please visit Laurel to read some other thoughts on this quote, and to link your own. Thanks for hosting us, Laurel!

In Other Words

"At the heart of the story stands the cross of Christ

where evil did its worst and met its match."

~ John Wenham ~

I wonder if he can still see it in his mind's eye. I can just imagine the enemy as he "prowls like a roaring lion" throughout the earth, "seeking those whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8) What a horrible reminder that must be for him as he passes the exact place where the cross stood on that day. Man may not be able to pinpoint exactly where it was, or may have to rely on tradition as to it's precise spot, but make no mistake- Satan knows. I wonder if he avoids that particular location (for he is not omni-present). Or maybe he goes back there to get "re-inspired" when he gets tired (for though he is powerful, he's not all-powerful). How it must continue to mock him. After all, he was "made a public spectacle" there that day. (Colossians 2:15)

You see, he gave it all he had. He used his best ammo. And for a brief moment, he must have thought it worked. How me must have listened with glee, almost giddily, when Jesus cried out to His Father Who had forsaken Him. He probably had a host of demons high-fiving him. Their "victory" (even if it was in their own minds) was short-lived. And praise God, Christ's victory is eternal. And so is ours if we are in Christ. We'll never have a day as bad as Christ's was that day and by His grace we'll never have an eternity as tormented as what is in store for the enemy.

They both gave all they had that day, and only One came forth the victor. I'd say Satan met more than his match when he pitted himself against the Son of God. So, what does that say about his chances against God's children? I must remember Whose child I am, and the victory that was won for God's glory and on my behalf. Evil can try to have its way in my life, but... it's met it's match because of Who dwells in me.

By God's grace and mercy, the cross is at the heart of my story. I pray it's at the heart of your story as well.

Iris is our gracious host this week. Visit her at Sting My Heart to read more views on this week's quote, or to post your own. Thanks, Iris!

Coffee's On!

... at the Internet Cafe. We've got a comfy chair ready for you, and a tasty cup of "Bloggers Blend" is waiting! Come sit a spell!

I'm posting this:

Over here today:

Click here to go directly to my post called "Choose You This Day" or click the above logo to go and read what others have been writing recently. If you haven't visited the cafe lately, I encourage you to. The ladies there always inspire me.

Love y'all!

A Missions Grip

It started with a $250 check.

In fact, the money wasn't even originally in our account, but was the result of selling a Southwest Airlines voucher on Ebay. My husband traveled frequently for business at the time and would receive such vouchers periodically, which we didn't need, so he would sell them for cash. As a newly-single-income-family, with mom now at home with young children, we desperately needed money more than airline tickets! What we did with that check has, in my opinion, changed the course of our family.

You see, we took that check and gave it to someone who was taking a short term mission trip to Ghana, West Africa. A boy, actually. An eight-year-old boy in my husband's Awana group was going with his father. "How nice for them," I thought. "If God says go, you should go. More power to 'em," I inwardly told myself. At the time we were living in an apartment, having sold our first house much more quickly than we thought we would (a great problem to have!). We had scrambled to find a place to live while we built a new home in a neighboring city, a beautiful upper middle class suburb. It was an exciting time, but we were "short" on cash, as such transitions can be quite financially draining. We received the support letter from this sweet boy, looked in our bank account, and didn't see funds readily available. Luke remembered the Southwest voucher and we gave what we had. There. Done.

But, we weren't done. Not by a longshot. Up until that point our means of supporting missionaries had been through tithing to our church, which we knew supported missions worldwide. We received periodic updates from our denomination's publications or via email. This time it was personal. We knew this boy and his father. I knew his mother. I couldn't imagine what that would be like, your husband and young son half a world away! How could she put them on a plane like that? They would definitely need prayer. I caught a vision, though, of what they were going to be doing- taking the gospel to those who had never heard it, muchless going to villages where they had never seen a white person. Whoa! How must that be, to be used of God like that? Good for them! So, I prayed. I prayed more personally and fervently for that mission trip and for that part of the world than I had ever prayed.

I believe this is a prime example of "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Until we consciously, deliberately gave what we treasured to the work God was doing in another country, my heart had not so firmly been planted there. My heart definitely followed my treasure.

And it never returned. Such a transformation took place in our family as a result of contributing to and praying for this trip, it would take me miles of posts to write about it. I will tell you that by the time my daughter was ten years old, I found myself where I "couldn't imagine" that mom had been several years earlier: putting my young child on a plane with her father to go half a world away to share the gospel. That's one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. My heart certainly followed my "treasure" that summer as well! Within months, our family returned to Ghana together, and again the following summer. It has become a driving force in our family, so much so that we are now preparing to sell that house we built six summers ago in the beautiful country club subdivision so that more of our resources will be available for involvement in mission work.

I titled this post after a typo I made at the beginning of it. I mistakingly typed "mission grip" instead of "mission trip." When I saw those words together, I smiled. Missions has a firm grip on our family. It has infiltrated how we see our earthly possessions, how we interact with our community, and how we see our ministry at our church. My daughter and I are preparing for another trip to China in just a few weeks. My son told me the other day he wants to go anywhere... anywhere God would send him. "I just love mission trips!" he said. Praise You, Lord! You have done this!

"It is insufficient to proclaim that the Church of God has a mission in the world. Rather, the God of mission has a Church in the world."

~ Tim Dearborn ~

The church, the Body of Christ, is made up of many members, all with different functions and callings. I know that not every family is to do what we have done, and there are certain seasons when our family has been called to stay. (I am reminded of the man whom Jesus healed who wanted to follow Him, but Jesus told him no, to go home and proclaim Him there.) Missions does not always entail going across the world, but so often just across the state line, across town, across the street or across the room.

Wherever you are to go, here is what God told my anxious heart the night before my first transatlantic flight, "The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you." (Deut. 31:3) Jesus Himself crossed the barrier 2000 years ago, leaving the familiar and walking foreign soil.

I have learned that "mission work" is not just for other people, the uber-Christians, the super spiritual, or for those who sell everything and go live in a hut somewhere. Involvement in missions ...from sending money, reading biographies, praying through the countries, emailing missionaries, reading their blogs and praying for them while dinner is in the oven or the kids nap... is for all of us! "The God of missions has a church," and that's us!

Let's let it grip us.

The other "In Other Words" participants have touched my heart today. Go to Laurel Wreath to be linked to their posts and be touched as well, or to write your own take on this week's quote.

Informed and Chic

"If I'd abandon all that seeks to make my faith informed and chic, could You, would You, show Yourself to me?"

~ Nichole Nordeman~

Last spring I was on a mission. A new Bible study had come out, and I wanted it. I had my heart set on it. My "mission" was to actually find it. It had sold out at every store I went to. It seems that women's Bible study groups all over the tri-county area had reserved large quantities of them, so when they came in they were already spoken for or were gone by the time I got there. But...but... I wanted it! So, I drove around. I called. I waited a few days. I called and drove around some more. ( I could've ordered it online, I suppose, but then there's the whole "thrill-of-the-hunt" rush that comes from actually going to find it.)

For the umpteenth time (it seemed) I went to a Christian bookstore looking for this particular study, when my not-thrilled-with-shopping-son finally asked me, "What is it we're looking for?" I replied, "A Bible study I want, son." He paused for a few moments, then looked me right in the eye and asked, "Can't you just, you know, study the Bible?"

I stood there, without my fun, hip, new study, and without an answer. As we left the store ,empty-handed, to go buy a Slurpee, I thought about what he had said. I knew he was speaking from the point of view of a ten year old boy who was simply tired of shopping, but he had a point. So often I feel like I need to have a "Bible study," or be "in" a study. And, goodness knows I can look back at my BSF years, my time in Precepts, and the Beth Moore studies I've done and remember some profound things I learned from some truly gifted teachers. (Not to mention what I've gleaned from the seminarians who are beamed into my iPod each week...) I've been "informed" by some of the best! But my deepest, most embedded truths from God's Word are what He has taught me when I "just" study the Bible. When I have prepared my heart in prayer, come clean before Him, humbly gotten up from my knees and have searched the Scriptures for myself. There are days when certain passages seem to just leap off of the page! I ask Him out loud at times, "Was this always here??"

Yes, I finally got my trendy, new ("chic") study. Yes, it was wonderful. But I haven't forgotten what my wise son said. God has a Word for me, from Himself. He is more than willing through His Word and through His indwelling Holy Spirit to "show Himself" to me. Though it's certainly enriching, I don't have to depend on what He's shown to others. I am still somewhat of a Bible study junkie, and at times I need the accountability that a group study affords.

But mostly I just, you know, study the Bible.

To read more "In Other Words" participants, visit Christine at Fruit in Season. Thanks for hosting us, Christine!

In Other Words: What Manner of Spirit You are Of

"Satan's ultimate lie is that you are capable of being the god of your own life, and his ultimate bondage is getting you to live as though his lie is truth."
~ Neil Anderson ~

They obviously thought Jesus didn't have the situation well in hand. Upon seeing the Samaritans reject Jesus, James and John asked, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" (Luke 9:54) This cracks me up every time I read it. It's just what I do. I can just imagine, if Jesus were still on this earth in the flesh standing before me, I might say the same thing. I might actually ask God incarnate, "Do you want me to handle this? Let me get this one." But Jesus rebukes them, saying, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of." (v. 55) You are not God. He then explains what His plans were- which at that point did not involve charring the Samaritans, but saving them.

It's the first lie that humankind ever bought into. Satan convinced Eve (the woman fell for it first!) that God was holding out on them, that He had something He didn't want them to have, but that they deserved: the position of being God. And, ever since, that's been our main struggle in one form or another. We do not know what manner of spirit we are of.

Sometimes like James and John, I just want to help. Like maybe I'm saving Him the trouble of dealing with my minutia while there are such bigger things in this world for Him to handle. "It's okay, God. You formed me in my mother's womb and died for my eternity, but I can take it from here. You've got bigger fish to fry. Like that whole thing in Iraq." Other times it's more out of a desire for comfort or image. "I'm afraid God won't give me what I want if I leave it up to Him." At times it's out of fear. "I've seen what happens to people who are 'sold out' for Jesus. They end up as missionaries or martyrs. No way!"

I've been struggling personally (off and on) for the past few years with another form of "being the god of my own life," a baptized version of it: Doing God's will in my own strength. It's exhausting! He didn't call me to tasks for which I wouldn't need Him, just the opposite. He is about relationship. He calls me to what will send me running to Him and keep me clinging to Him, for my good and His glory.

No matter how the enemy convinces us we can be our own god, we are as succeptible to it as Adam and Eve were. But I like to remember that even after they fell for the lie God came looking for them. He still sought them. What grace. What love! He still scoops me up, pushes my hair back from my eyes, brushes the dust of self-will off of me, removes that ill-fitting crown from my head and says, "Why don't you let Me, child. You do not know what manner of spirit you are of." No matter what I may have thought I was, His answer is "I AM."

I think I'll let Him.

To read more insights from other IOW participants or to add your own link, visit Christine at Fruit In Season. Thanks for hosting, Christine!

In Other Words: Influencing the Lost

"You act more like a Christian by your influence on the lost,

than the saved people you impress"
~ Dr. Alvin Reid ~

It's simple, really. It's why we're still here. What were we created for, exactly? According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and worded so well by John Piper, "The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." But, we can do that in heaven. If that's all He wanted us to do He could take us all home right now. Are we created to praise Him? Again, we could do that in the heavenlies. (And will! I can't wait!) Fellowship with other believers? We will enjoy that for eternity in heaven as well. The one and only reason we are still on this earth at this very moment is to "influence the lost." Every other purpose for our existence could (and will) be realized in heaven. I will spend eternity being impressed by other saved people, no doubt. Corrie Ten Boom, Jim and Betty Elliot, Joseph, Amy Carmichael, Apostle Paul and Adoniram Judson, among countless others come to mind. It's not wrong to be impressed by the saved, but it's not what we're here for and there's time for that (in the proper perspective) later. The one thing (for which we were created) that we can't and won't do in heaven is influence the lost. The time for that is now.

To read more thoughts from In Other Words participants, visit Laurel Wreath.

Thanks for hosting us today, Laurel!

In Other Words: Words Spoken Against Us

"Let us learn to discern whether the words spoken against us or against God or against the truth are merely for the wind--spoken not from the soul, but from the sore. If they are for the wind, let us wait in silence and not reprove. Restoring the soul, not reproving the sore, is the aim of our love"

~ John Piper from "A Godward Life"~

I have often heard the quote, "Hurting people hurt people." I have found this to be so true. When I am hurting, I lash out. When someone hurts me I can usually discern that they, too, are hurting.

I have also heard, "Never miss an opportunity to keep your mouth shut." Is what was said truly against me? Give it to God, my Shield and Defender. Is it against God? Then I don't need to answer it, He can answer for Himself. Was it spoken against the truth? The truth, God's Truth is not threatened at all by human words which fall like pebbles being cast against the side of a mountain. If the words that were spoken are "merely for the wind," then being silent allows the wind carry them to the One Who commands both the wind and the waves.

We are to not just stand idly by in our silence, but stand praying. It is in carrying the sore and the wounded soul behind it before the throne of grace that we find ourselves there as well. And that's where we both need to be.

For more reflections on this week's quote, visit Loni at Joy in the Morning.

In "Other" Words

"Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas."
~ Calvin Coolidge ~
Former President of the United States

As I read the above quote last Friday, I wondered what I would write about. Immediately I thought about all the people I know who embody the above qualities: those who cherish peace and goodwill, are plenteous in mercy. God has been so faithful to surround me with such godly, Christmas-minded people. It was fitting that I read that quote the week of my sweet son's spiritual birthday. I didn't write much about him that day, as I did when his sister had her spiritual birthday this summer, but this quote is so befitting of him that I'm glad I waited. In fact, it makes me all the more glad that his spiritual birthday is in the Christmas season. Here are some pictures that portray what I'm talking about. Please view them and read these words, not from the perspective of a boastful mom, which I cannot be as I cannot take credit for what God is doing in his life. But, view them in much the same mindset as those who visited the manger... those getting a first-hand look at something that God Himself was bringing about. That's how we can all view our children, don't you think? God is doing something wonderful! And just like that Christmas so long ago, He is bringing about some of His most awesome works through children...

Christmas is...

"A state of mind..."

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Kyle's baptism day, Dec. 13, 2003

"...to cherish peace..."
A visit to a Ghanaian clinic in 2004 where he encouraged and prayed with patients

"... and goodwill..."

Sharing with some Ghanaian schoolchildren in November of 2004

"...to be plenteous in mercy..."

"' I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these ...you did for Me.' " Matthew 25:40

Summer 2005

"... is to have the real spirit of Christmas."

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for first revealing the spirit of Christmas in the incarnation of Your Son. Thank you for continuing to reveal it to me in the lives of others, including my own son. I stand in awe as I watch You raise up a generation who lives out the real spirit of Christmas and will boldy declare Your name among the nations. Amen

Visit Darlene to be blessed by the stories of more "In Other Words" participants.