When Telling our Story Reminds Us of the Miraculous

Yesterday, I visited with three ladies who have lived in this area for decades. Over Turkish coffee and sweets, they shared fascinating stories of their lives, including experiences during the Six Day War in 1967 and the war in the 1970's. 

Toward the end of our time together, one lady suddenly remembered something remarkable. She spoke in rapid Arabic to her sister, who turned to me with a surprised look on her face. "Oh, yes," she said in English. "Miracles did happen back then. You're right." 

Many years ago, her sister was terribly sick with kidney failure. The doctors admitted her to the hospital and attempted treatment, but nothing helped. After a few days, they stopped everything they were doing and gave her the grim news. "You're not improving. You're going to die."

One of the nurses in the hospital couldn't bear the thought that this young woman was terminal. She summoned everyone to the chapel to pray for a miracle. They begged God to heal her, then waited to see what He would do.

Two days later, the sister's kidney function returned to normal, despite the fact that all treatment had been stopped. 

She was completely healed.

"How did you forget something so miraculous?" I asked her.

She shrugged. "It was a long time ago..." she told me, her voice trailing off. 

I can't get their words out of my mind. The memory of a major miracle faded to insignificance by the passage of time. They'd stopped retelling the story and simply forgot.

The ladies sat up a little straighter after they shared their miracle, their smiles spread across their faces. The joy of the Lord was renewed by recounting His great and mighty deeds.

Although there are definitely benefits to a written history instead of an oral one, retelling of stories of God's goodness serves an important function. It helps us remember His blessings, preserves our sense of wonder at the divine work in our lives, and fills our hearts with gratitude.

King David wrote about the importance of remembering the forgiveness, healing, redemption, lovingkindness, compassion, and blessings we've received from God. An amazing thing will happen when we recall God's goodness. Our youth will be "renewed." 

The word translated as renewed implies "polishing" or "cutting," much as one might polish and sharpen a sword. The process of remembering, in a way, renews the sharpness of our spirits and our minds and restores a youthful freshness.

If we want to be youthful in heart, even when our bodies are old, the solution is simple. Be diligent to remember the blessings of God.

Today, let's spend some time remembering all the good things God has done for us, His blessings, His miraculous interventions in our lives. As we savor our sweet memories, let's also share those blessed memories with someone else so that they, too, can be encouraged.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits...so that your youth is renewed like the eagle." (Ps 103:2, 5) 
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In case you missed the most recent post, here the link: Getting Rid of the Excuses and Pressing On 

If you feel led to partner with this ministry, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Getting Rid of the Excuses and Pressing On

Last night, we went to church. The sermon was in Arabic, which, despite all my lessons, I still can't understand too well. Fortunately, one of the ladies posted the interpretation on the screen in English. As you can well imagine, that's much better than having the words to the songs.

There was a phrase the pastor used that caught my attention. He preached from Acts 16 and talked about the hard times the apostle Paul went through and how he never gave up, but kept on trying. 

"Do not make excuses, but complete inviting people about Jesus," he said. I had to ponder those words a bit. 

When we share Jesus with someone, it's an invitation to know Him, of course. It's so easy to make excuses like, "I'm too busy" or "Will this person be unhappy that I tell them about Jesus?" or "What will it cost me?" Those excuses can easily stop us in our tracks and cause us to abandon our efforts too soon. 

Get rid of the excuses, the pastor said, and just do what God expects of you, including completing what you start. Especially if what you've started is sharing about Jesus.

"Finally," he said, "Don't look for excuses while serving...but have as your aim to glorify God by all you do."

I've spent some time thinking about the excuses I use for not doing more in serving God: Not enough time. Too much happening right now. Don't know what to say. Don't feel comfortable. My list goes on and on, doesn't yours? 

Today, let's take a close look at the excuses we use for not completing our service to God, then get rid of them. If Paul, despite all the hardships he faced, could persevere, surely we, who live in such ease and luxury, can do the same.

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14 niv

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If you'd like to share in my current experiences, you can join me for mostly-daily email updates. Please message me with your name and/or email address. I'll update as I have internet access. (I will not be able to share most stories on the blog.)

Please join us for corporate prayer at 12 noon daily. 

In case you missed the most recent post, here the link: When the Fragrance in the Air Smells Like Home

If you feel led to partner with this ministry, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

When the Fragrance in the Air Smells Like Home

The gate for my flight out of Chicago was in the International Terminal. It was twenty minutes away from where I'd entered the airport, the security guard told me. A long walk, a quick train ride, and another long walk and I was there. A turn to the right and the gate sign was clearly visible. 

My nose told me I was in the international terminal well before my eyes did. The aromas of the not-so-American spices filled the air, and I stopped to breathe in the foreign fragrance. The further I traveled, the stronger the aroma grew.

When I stepped off the last plane and entered the final airport terminal, the heady scent of foreign lands greeted me like a warm embrace. 

"I'm home," I thought for just a second before I remembered I'd left home to come here.

The apostle Paul used the imagery of fragrance more than once. In his letter to the Ephesians, he described the sacrifice of Christ by His love as a fragrant aroma. 

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma." Ephesians 5:1-2 nasb

The word translated as "love" is agape and can also be translated as "love-feast." The "fragrant aroma" metaphorically represents a "thing well-pleasing to God."

Selah. Ponder that for a moment.

As disciples, we are to live in such a way that our lives are literally a continuing love-feast of obedience to Christ. When we share such a feast of love, we'll emit a sweet fragrance that will be well-pleasing to our Lord. 

I don't live in a continuing love-feast of obedience, but I wish I did. Don't you? 

Today, let's surrender those things that keep us from pouring out love on all those we meet. Pray that we'll be filled with the same river of love that flowed from Christ so that we, too, can be a fragrant aroma that's well-pleasing to our Lord.

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If you'd like to share in my current experiences, you can join me for mostly-daily email updates. Please message me with your name and/or email address. I'll update as I have internet access. (I will not be able to share most stories on the blog.)

Please join us for corporate prayer at 12 noon daily. 

In case you missed the most recent post, here the link: When You Read the Book and Do What it Says

If you feel led to partner with this ministry, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

When You Read The Book and Do What it Says

She said what a lot of people say. "You're doing a good thing taking care of Sam."

I shrugged it off. It doesn't seem particularly impressive to me. "I'm just doing what The Book says, doing unto as I want to be done unto," I told her. 

"Yeah, but hardly anyone does. You actually try to do what the Bible says. That's what's so remarkable."

I laughed at that. She doesn't get to see all the times I fail at obedience, or hear me whine about the workload. She doesn't see all the other people who are serving as caregivers, either. I'm not the only one. There are lots of us.

Her words, though, have stuck with me. It took me a while to understand her fascination was with the concept of no-holds-barred obedience, not with caregiving. 

Her comments left me wondering. Why don't we try harder to obey everything God's Word tells us to do?

Yesterday, I stopped repeatedly to repent of a bad attitude. I knew where that would take me, and I didn't want it. I took a step toward making a strained relationship right, because the body of Christ should be a picture of unity. I sacrificed my own desires to give someone else what they wanted, because my greater desire was to please God, not myself.

None of those things made me special. They made me obedient. 

If we're disciples of Jesus, we do what He says. It's that simple. It's that hard. We need look no further than the Greatest Commandment, the Royal Law of our King, and the Second, to see that Jesus was serious about how we live. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Love your neighbor as you love yourself."

Those two sentences change everything. Our desires must take a back seat to God and our fellow men. That's it. How we treat people must be directed by our love, as well as the words we say and the actions we take. 

Love of this magnitude is not optional. It's supposed to be the driving force behind our lives every single day.

I like the way the Message says it. "Merely hearing God's law is a waste of time if you don't do what it says. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with God." Romans 2:13 The Message

Paul's right. If we're disciples, we do what our Master says. If we don't make an effort to do all He said, we're not disciples. That truth has eternal implications, so we need to get this straight in our hearts, then walk it out with our lives.

Christians act like Christ. 

Today, let's ask God to give us a Holy heart-check. How obedient are we? In what areas are we lacking? What needs to change so that we, too, can follow our Master through obedience? Knowing what needs to change isn't important if we refuse to make the changes that are needed. 

Today"s the day for change. Love with abandon. Live like eternity is just a heartbeat away, because it is. Read The Book (Bible) and do what it says.

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I'm headed back to that beautiful land of Gilead. My small group, the Sisters of Strength, are praying me through, just as they've done before. They've scheduled an alert on their phones at 12 noon daily to stop and pray. My phone is already set. I hope you'll schedule a prayer-alert, too.

If you'd like to share in my experiences, you can join me for mostly-daily email updates. Please message me with your name and/or email address. I'll update as I have internet access. (I will not be able to share most stories on the blog for a variety of reasons.)

In case you missed yesterday's post, here the link: Becoming the Balm of Gilead

If you feel led to partner with me for the upcoming Middle East trip, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Becoming the Balm of Gilead

The hills of Gilead. 

In case you don't remember, Gilead was a mountainous area that included Mount Nebo, located east of the Jordan River.

It was from one of those Gilead mountains (Nebo) that Moses viewed the Promised Land. He died and was buried by God there. Some people believe Jeremiah hid the Ark of the Covenant in a cave on Nebo.

The prophet Elijah was from Gilead.

In the Tyndale translation of the Bible, (KJV) there's reference to the "balm of Gilead." It was used for healing and thought to be made from a specific shrub that grew in the area. Jeremiah used the phrase to symbolize hope. 

In a way, the land of Gilead is a place of hope and healing, and it's one of the sweetest places I know. 

A few months ago, I had the great joy of visiting that beautiful area, and am still in awe of the people there. They were the most generous, hospitable, and welcoming of any group I've ever met. 

In a very real way, the people were the balm of Gilead to me.

My time there changed me in deep ways. I came home with a new appreciation for their culture and a desire to be as gracious and welcoming to visitors in our country as they were to me. 

We, the church, should be among those with the most hope to share, the most healing to offer, for we know the Great Physician. We should be the balm of healing and hope to those in need. 

If my experience is any indication, becoming balm begins by welcoming strangers, whether they are from another country or from our own. Stopping to listen. Opening our arms. Opening our hearts. Opening our lives. 

If we want to be balm for those who need it most, we must be willing to slow down and invite others into our lives, our faith, our hope, our healing. We who know the Healer must we willing to introduce Him to those in need.

Here's our challenge for today: Look for that one person in your path today in need of hope and healing and be the balm of Gilead for them today.

"Go up to Gilead and obtain balm..." Jeremiah 46:11 nasb
"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 esv
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I'm headed back to that beautiful land tomorrow, and am eager to see the friends I made, to hear their stories, and breathe the air of Gilead.

My small group, the Sisters of Strength, are praying me through, just as they've done before. They've scheduled an alert on their phones at 12 noon daily to stop and pray. That's 8 pm where I'll be. My phone is already set. I hope you'll schedule a prayer-alert, too.

If you'd like to share in my experiences, you can join me for mostly-daily email updates. Please message me with your name and/or email address. I'll update as I have internet access. (I will not be able to share most stories on the blog for a variety of reasons.)

If you feel led to partner with me for the upcoming Middle East trip, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to the most recent post: When Our Faith Rests on the Power of God

When Our Faith Rests on the Power of God

My spiritual comfort food is usually found in Psalms, the Major Prophets, the Gospels, or the book of James. Lately, as a discipline, I've been reading through the writings of Paul. Today, I landed on 1 Corinthians 2:5 and got stuck.

"that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." (1 Cor. 2:5 nasb)

The first part of this verse is easy to understand. We don't base our faith on man's wisdom. It's a good thing, too, because man's wisdom is not always quite as wise as we would hope. 

The second part is worth considering. 

Our faith should rest on the POWER of God. 

Ponder that for a moment.

The faith we say we have should be based on God's POWER. The word translated as "power" is dynamis, from which we get the word "dynamite." It refers to the inherent power of God to act in us, through us, and for us. 

It's the same power that defeated sin and death on the cross. It opened the tomb of Jesus to reveal folded bed linens, an empty grave bed, and a risen Savior.

This is get-it-done power that can handle any situation that comes our way. 

God's power wasn't "used up" when Jesus raised from the grave. It didn't run out at Pentecost. It wasn't depleted when the original disciples died.

God still has as much power as ever, and He'll manifest it through us, if we allow Him. He'll help us pray prayers through which He will work. He'll help us love the unlovely, serve the least among us, and humble ourselves. He'll help us keep going when the way is too hard.

What we sometimes forget is that the same power that allowed Jesus to still a storm, heal a leper, open the eyes of the blind is still present today. 

He still quiets the storms.

He still heals.

He still opens the eyes of the blind.

Our faith doesn't rest on past-tense power. It takes root and depends utterly on present-tense power. Power that's still available, still at work.

That fact changes everything.

When we put our trust in Jesus, we're trusting in the completed work of redemption on the cross, but we're also trusting in the ongoing power of God to do miracles, change lives, intervene in the matters of our everyday existence.

Wonder-working power is still available today.

So where is it? It's in places around the world where people are so impoverished they are desperate for a move of God. It's also right here in this country when believers reach out in faith and ask God for the impossible. 

How do we access God's power? For disciples, it's easy. Just ask. 

Being a disciple presumes that we've put our faith in Him and have a relationship with Jesus. It presumes we study Scripture, plant His Word in our hearts, and allow Him to cleanse us of sin, and that we pray to find what God wants in our situation. 

If that's not where we are, let's make the changes necessary to be a disciple. 

If we're a disciple of Christ, let's act like one. Pray as Jesus prayed. Expect what Jesus expected from God in answer to our prayers. Seek His will and ask accordingly, fasting for more power.

If wonder-working power is available to us, and it is, let's live like it, both in our words and in our deeds.

"that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." (1 Cor. 2:5 nasb)
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If you feel led to partner with me for the upcoming Middle East trip, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: Caregiver Chronicles: When God Makes a Way

Caregiver Chronicles: When God Makes a Way

It's time to let you know about the upcoming schedule, and to ask for your help with prayer support.

I'm heading back to the Middle East next Tuesday. I'll be there for just over three weeks. Part of my time will be spent on a major writing project, but I'll also do some medical work while I'm there, and some teaching. 

This trip was scheduled long before Sam came to live at my house. When the tickets were bought, he was still able to walk around, drive his car, walk the dogs, and cut the grass. He can't do any of that now.

I tried to find someone who could stay in my home and take care of everything...dogs, horses, bunnies, house, and (most important) Sam. From the first time I mentioned my plan, the hospice nurse shook her head. "No one person can do all that," she gently suggested. 

"But I do it," I argued.

It took me a while to understand that I'm called to it, the responsibilities are familiar to me, and I'm accustomed to the routine. Despite all that, this is a huge responsibility, even to me.

"Let Sam stay at Hospice House," she recommended. His insurance would cover five days, but the remaining 20 days would be billed at $120/day. Yes. $2400. 

I live on a missionary budget. I couldn't possibly handle that expense, but I didn't know what to do. I cried many tears. I prayed. I cried some more.

Ultimately, Sam's responsible for himself. It took me a while to understand that. 

Since Sam, who has never owned a home or had a big bank account, couldn't afford to stay there on his own, I turned to my pastor and one of my friends. "Please pray," I asked them. 

They did more than pray. Dana contacted friends and fellow church members and told them of the need. She asked them to pray about sponsoring a day for Sam. 

My pastor contacted the church leadership and they offered to give $500 for Sam's care directly to Hospice House. 

Numerous people sponsored 1/2 or whole days. Not all the money that's been pledged is in hand yet, but it appears all will be paid by the first of next week.

God has made a way.

The body of Christ has, once again, hit a gram slam home run. In addition to providing for Sam, people have volunteered to do everything from cut my lawn to take care of my animals to house sit. Every physical need is met, both for Sam and for me.

There's one more need that still needs to be met. Prayer coverage.

When elderly patients are taken out of their environment, it's unsettling to them, even when it's a nice change. Sam needs your prayers.

When tired caregivers go abroad for weeks to write and teach and work, it's unsettling, too. I need your prayers as well. 

Because of security and internet connection issues, I may not be able to send updates via social media. I may or may not be able to post blogs daily. If not, when I return, I'll start back up as usual. (I've scheduled evening blogs for the duration already.) 

If you'd like to have updates via email, message me your email address and I'll add you to the list. 

Thanks in advance for your prayer support. We're depending on you to pray us through.

"...the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much," James 5:16 nasb

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If you feel led to partner with me for the Middle East trip, here's the link to give your tax-deductible donations: Global Outreach Acct 4841 

You can also mail your check or money order to: Global Outreach/ PO Box 1, Tupelo MS 38802. Be sure to put Account 4841 in the "for" line.

Please like and share to extend our digital reach.

In case you missed it, here's the link to yesterday's post: When You Know Who to Call in Time of Need