A New Chapter

"There is a time for everything, and a season for  every activity under the heavens......a time to weep and a time to laugh" Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 4. 

We are beginning a new chapter in our lives -  a new chapter that the Lord has already written in our book of life. We have felt lead to return to NW Arkansas and finally sold our place here in S Texas. Tomorrow we will be on the road - to Joshua, TX to be with friends for a few days, then on to AR to family. The past few weeks have been a flurry of work as we prepared others to take over the food and clothing ministry that the Lord has allowed us to serve here in the colonias in S Texas the past 10 years in various areas.  (We have been in the Valley 16 years) We have been blessed with friends who have become family, people who worked diligently with us, giving of their time and energy - the two things that they have to offer as their resources are extremely limited. We have learned so much about daily living, and using whatever you have to enjoy life. It is a bittersweet time, but we look forward with anticipation to see what the Lord has in store for us. After making sure all of the beans, cereal, bacon bits and cheezits ( I will never forget the cheezits in huge totes) we bagged and delivered to the distribution area, along with any other items that were donated, we began the job of packing up and preparing for our journey.  We met with various friends, having a time of fellowship and prayer as we (and they, too) go on to other adventures. Sunday we were presented with a plaque, a beautiful cross with a tree representing how the Word of the Lord grows branches like a tree, as well as branches of the family we all belong to, and a gift certificate to McDonald's for our travel. It was a time of reflection, tears, and laughter. Last night we met with Greg and Suzy York, of Lovelight Ministries, (Check them out on the web, an amazing couple),who are our music ministry team at CRM.  Suzy prepared a quiet meal for us in their beautiful new home, after which we enjoyed a time of relaxation playing a board game. We love Suzy's love of the Lord, and her faith in just waiting for him to speak and tell them where to minister next. Their musical talent is a joy to hear. They, too, are preparing to leave on their next assignment, singing, preaching, and praising the Lord in parts of the US. 

Suzie took this picture of our hands, forever bound in friendship 

We have finished loading the vehicle and trailer, ( a young man in the park  helped us - he was much spryer and able to jump into the truck much quicker and easier than we can. He and Fred did a great job - it is all tarped and ready to go. The young man then washed and waxed the truck, all much less expensive than hiring it out somewhere. This young man is laid off right now, and does many things for folks here in the park( mowing, loading, washing trailers and vehicles, etc. for extra money). His wife is recovering from some type of surgery, and then they will return to work on the pipeline. Yes, there is work on the pipeline here yet. The border situation is not getting better, only worsening, no matter what the media says. We know God is in control and is always with us

 I will continue with this blog, as our home church in Prairie Grove, Arkansas, has work waiting for us when we are ready (although we are always ready to serve the Lord) after we take a few weeks of relaxation and then a vacation to Wisconsin to visit family and friends. 

Hopefully, I will be able to continue with the ladies of Scripture next week after we settle a bit and I can find my references. 

Continue praying and caring for our country, our families, and each other as God commanded us to do. 

More Storms

Yesterday we had another storm, just as bad as the one we had earlier, except there was no wind. It rained and rained and rained.  (A real gully washer). It poured so hard you could not even see out the front window. The lake is totally full - much more water than it has had all year. Lots of flooded streets, but not impassable. The plants and trees loved it though. As we drove around, some of the orchards are coming back - the older trees do not look so great, but the newer ones look reallly good. Of course, it will take 2 years before they produce. It was sad to see some orchards totally pushed down - at  least one is being prepared for housing. What a shame. 

It was a busy week as we spent every day cleaning up some storage areas and taking the food to the church where  from where the distribution is going to be. The last load of beans was put in pails, brought home, bagged and boxed (thanks Miss Linda), and taken to the church. It was a lot of loading and lifting but are sure glad it is done.

   load of food for the colonia delivery - lots of farm to  family boxes which include meat and daily products

1000# of beans - those are 5gallon pails Fred and I packed, plus a baby green pail

Claudia - a beautiful name that a person still hears often today. Her name actually means lame. Her claim to fame comes more from tradition than from the Bible. She was known to be from one of the great houses in Rome, an honorable and noted woman. She was associated with Paul and her church who helped sent encouraged Timothy by sending him Christian greetings. Some scholars suggest that she was the wife of Pudens and the mother of Linus, who became a bishop in Rome. Some others suggest that she was the wife of Pilate. All that the Bible tells us of her is that she was among the devout women who encouraged Paul in his work for the Lord. 

As Vance is continuing through his series on marriage, today he focused in in traditional marriage vows. Love, honor and obey until death due us part. Commitment is the front runner in any marriage. Marriage in our churches is under attack . The church stands for what marriage is and how it exists. Marriage is romance, reality, resentment, and rebellion. How do you grow a marriage with a continued intimacy - a true lasting marriage? It can happen but you have to do it God's way. Most people get married without a plan and think all will go well. God has a blueprint on how to  make your marriage grow. "submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ". Ephesian 5:21. Satan wants to use every influence to destroy marriage. We have to honor, respect, and be sacrificial to one another. God shows us how to love and cherish one another until death does us part in Ephesians 5. Ephesians has the longest passage on marriage.  We believe the Bible is the Word of God, so we believe what He says about marriage. We like what it says about what is expected about our spouses, but not necessarily what is says about us. Living the way God says is not natural, because as humans we are selfish.  Marriage is a win/win proposition. we have different roles in a marriage, but need to submit to God's plan. We should not be afraid of the passage, as it is not to  make a victim of someone else. It is designed to bring about intimacy between husband and wife. To have intimacy, you have to open your heart to someone else. Wives need to  let their husbands feel respect. A man who feels that respect will demonstrate a loving attitude. #1 need of a woman is security. A man needs to make a woman feel secure.  They do so when they have a sacrificial love towards them. Intimacy is the prize of a marriage. You cannot be intimate unless you open your heart. You will never give your heart to a person threatening you. If you are going to have intimacy in marriage you must have trust. A man trusts a respectful woman, a woman respects a sacrificial  man. 

 

Happy Mother's Day

 

Jesus . . . said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. — John 19:26-27

In many countries at some time of the year there is a focus of thankfulness and celebration for the life and influence of mothers. This Sunday is such a day in the United States and Canada as we celebrate Mothers Day.

On this day we generally celebrate the mothers who gave us birth, or adopted us, or stood in a mother’s place for us (such as an aunt or grandmother). We give thanks for and honor the people who have cared for us and loved us.

In God’s family the basis of our relationships is love and care as well. Being part of God’s family is about recognizing the love and provisions we receive from God, coming to faith by God’s grace, and then connecting with others who have a similar relationship with God—and inviting still others whom God wants us to welcome into his family.

As we learn about how the early church developed, we see that the mother of Jesus became part of the household of the disciple John. She also became a “mother” to John and took care of him. Jesus made sure that this relationship of mutual adoption formed their future even as He paid the ultimate price for all our sin.

Let’s not forget about this important link between Mary and John. The early church was noted for their love for one another in Christ. May we follow that example today too and live out that truth.

Have you held an unrealistic view of the model Christian woman? Did you grow up believing the ideal godly woman was an over-worked, exhausted wife and mother, whose kids were perfect, home was spotless, and who always maintained a selfless and sacrificial attitude, — regardless of her circumstances or state-of-mind. Traits that, at the time, I thought were needed for any devoted, Bible-believing, woman of God. Have you been one of these women?

To me - being a Proverbs 31 woman is no longer about getting everything right, keeping the perfect house, being the perfect mother, or even having the perfect attitude all the time. After all, perfection is unattainable for anyone other than Christ. It’s about giving it all you’ve got, striving to keep a positive perspective. The real woman described in this passage, is a God-fearing, dedicated, and independent woman. She bravely dives into leadership roles and takes on challenging positions with courage and confidence. Really, it’s impossible for any woman to live up to the full description of the Proverbs 31 woman, but I believe this passage is meant to inspire us to be the unique, persistent, fearless women that God created us to be. Therefore, let’s push past the boundaries that our society sets, and those we set for ourselves, and embrace our God-given potential with God’s ever-present help, persevering when the task at hand is difficult, taking care of yourself and caring for the needs of others, and embracing your God-given abilities in order to reach your God-given potential.

Let’s join together - mothers and all women - and allow Proverbs 31 to inspire us to be the fearless, dedicated, faithful, women of God, He is calling us to be. Will today be the day you put aside any hurt, shame, or self-condemnation and run with courage the race God has for you?

You are all wonderful women - mothers, grandmothers, stepmothers, caregivers, aunts, sisters, and best friends and deserve to be honored on Mother’s Day. May this Sunday be a truly blessed day for you all.

The above is a devotion that I gave to the ladies in the colonias on Friday. After the distribution we had a short devotional time, gifts for all the ladies, a meal, and then the ladies had a Bible study group. We left  because we had more items to lead and get ready for Tuesday as well as a move to Iglesia Bautista De Emanual church, where Caring Hearts Ministry will be distributing all the time now. The church has a new pastor and wants to become more involved in the ministry, and we are so grateful for the help. On Tuesday we were blessed with a group from Iglesia Bautista Nueva Esperanza (New Hope Baptist Church). They are interested in the ministry, as an outreach for the youth in their church. What a wonderful help they, too, were

                                         

                                                they parked their van under one of the few shade trees in the yard

                                       

                   lots of help - even the youngest did help although he rather enjoyed eating the candy

We have a lot of things in storage containers that we need to get moved to the church, rather than  leave them in the heat. The building in the colonias is gong to be moved to the church soon so we cannot store them there. 500# of cheezits, 1000# of cereal, and a ton of beans. Thanks to the wonderful help of Linda Smith, we bagged all of the cereal and cheezits this last week.. Monday will be bagging 500# of beans, and Thursday another 500# - a difficult job well done.

                                  

Linda bagging cereal - I opened the bags, Linda filled them, I handed them to Fred and he packed them in boxes. 

                                           taking a break from the cheezits - same process s the cereal

                                                               Linda working on the cheezits

Chloe's name means Green Herb. She is the emblem of fruitful grace and beauty. Paul was a guest in her home when he heard of  the problems among the leaders of the early church. not much else is known of her background except the fact that she as the head of a Corinthian household and well known in her community. She is mentioned in I Corinthians 1:10-11. 

Today is all about ladies as Vance's sermon this morning was about the lady at the well, taken from John4.We don't know her name, probably so we can identify with her. She had a conflicted past and an uncertain future Jesus left Judaea to reavel to Galilee because the Pharisees had heard of the baptizing by Jihn and Himself. Jesus went through Samaria, even though He did not have to as the Samaritans were hated by the Jews Most people took the way around Samaria. There He met a woman at the well. He spoke to her which was unheard of at that time because there was a lot of racial and religious tension between the Jews and Samaritans. The Jews hated them because they were half-breeds and had different religious celebrations. Jesus had to go to Samaria instead of around it so He could have a divine appointment with God. He had to met not only a Samaritan but a Samaritan with a past. It was inappropriate for Jesus to talk to her. Because her community knew of her past, she came to the well alone as she was almost an outcast. She knew she had a complicated past but it was not too complicated for Jesus to overcome. Jesus knew it all and was not surprised by anything she said. Jesus is the only one in the universe who knows you but still loves yo completely. Jesus told her to call her husband, but He knew she had 5 husbands,. She did not deny this and thought Jesus was a prophet. He knew she was spiritually bone dry. She tried to change the subject because He was getting too close to the truth. The most important issue we must deal with is who Jesus really is. The one relationship that can fill you completely can only come from Jesus, the living water. Only He can live with your past, present, and future. The woman went back to the town and told everyone what Jesus said and did. The Samaritans then believed that Jesuis was the Savior of the world. Jesus accepts you just as you are, but He wants you to come to Him. If you won't let your past die, it won't let you live.  

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Day of Serve

 Today as we tried to access our home church service in Prairie Grove online, I just could not get today's service to come up, when I realized that this is the day of serve at the church. After a short service, the church congregation went out into the community to serve the community - building wheel chair ramps, weeding gardens tending lawns, general handyman work,  whatever was needed, either for individuals or for the parks, senior center, nursing home, etc. Those who could not do the physical work stayed at the church and packed meals, and whatever mission work was available. That is what I love about our home church and small community - everyone works together and serves everyone.  The mission statement of the church is Love God, Love Others, Serve Others. Prairie Grove Christian Church certainly lives up to that!!!!

Work is still as busy in the colonias - the food is as plentiful as ever. As we picked up early at last Friday at Border Missions, we had a lot of help loading the produce. It really goes quickly as 3 vehicles are loaded at the same time, everyone pitching in and helping. After arriving at the colonias, we again had lots of hep from our faithful ladies.  Everyone was in a great mood, enjoying the cool morning and companionship.  

                                                       loading 3 vehicles at once, lots of help

                just as it was drizzling the first three vehicles were loaded and on their way, some to                                                         Mexico.  I was sitting in the truck, waiting our turn next. 

                                                  mmmm twizzlers - even the colonia kitties love boxes. 

another bagging completed - this time it is bacon bits.

The weather is been really hot and humid here in S Texas, although the other night we had some wonderful showers which were much needed. the pace seems much slower with the Winter Texans gone - not the seemingly rush to attend all of the activities and entertainment offered in the area. There are a few music jams, some huge flea markets, even the flea market next door has their weekend music which we can listen if we are outside. Traffic seems lighter and the stores and restaurants are not so busy. When we get a chance, we just sit outside and enjoy the quiet - except for the birds and those huge frogs whose mating calls sound like ships coming into port!

Candice - whoever thought that was a Biblical name. The meaning is Queen or Ruler of Children - actually not the name of a particular person but used for years by the Queens of Ethiopia, just as Pharaoh was the hereditary title given to ancient Egyptian kings . According to Luke, the eunuch, a man of great authority, was returning through the desert to Ethiopia. He was interested in Old Testament Scripture when Phillip found him sitting in a chariot reading Isaiah 53. Phillip preached to him the full truth of the cross and preached also about Jesus. The eunuch was converted to God, was baptized there in the desert, and returned rejoicing to his country. He witnessed to his Candice and she too embraced the Christian faith. Ultimately many souls were saved, and the eunuch became the bishop of the first Christin Church in Ethiopia.  

This was a most interesting week, as I learned how important it is to wait upon the Lord. Patience is not one of my virtues, and I tend to become discouraged when things I want did not happen fast enough, forgetting that everything is in God's hands and will happen according to His own timing. I humbled myself before Him, asked forgiveness for my impatience, accepted His will, and promised to try to do better. When I find myself trying to get ahead of Him I realize that it just does happen that way! Be still and wait.

Asking for prayers for our son-in-law who will be having surgery the second time for a detached retina tomorrow morning.