Waiting, revisited

The Lord has spoken! After waiting uneasily on the Lord, He has finally showed me His will in the matter that I am concerned about. He answered my prayer. Not in the way that I wanted, but now I see that it is the way it must be. God graciously allowed me independent confirmation from not one, but two sources. I am sleeping better now, although there is still much to wade through. There will be a few more tense moments. I am praying even now that God will deliver us from any such moment.

I hope I am not too dissapointing to the Lord for my lack of faith. I do not like for my faith to be tried!!!!!! I am now waiting to see God's hand move miraculously in this situation and for Him to be glorified in His Church.

Modesty and shamefacedness, revisited

Don't mean to harp on a controversial subject, but I can't help myself!
When an unsaved journalist is more honest than many Christians, its time to take notice!
Today on MSN.com, there is an article about Hannah Montana. I have never seen an episode, but I have seen her photos all over the place.

Here's a link to the article, and below is a quote.
"The virginity shtick, which is overrated, is also pretty insincere. Either that or it's as confused as a hot dog with frosting. There is one point to dressing sexy: to attract sex partners. Anyone who says otherwise is in a losing argument with Mother Nature. "

We need to be more and more modest about our dress! All (ok, alot of) the 'tween girls in the US want to dress and act like Hannah Montana.

Why I blog

I have to admit, I don't know. I love reading others' blogs. So many talented people! Frugal living, home management, parenting, Christian living, you name it. Now, I do all those things, but I am not an expert at any of it. I've been on the mission field since I was 11, but I'm not an expert at that either. In fact, when I read Jungle Mom, I feel totally inadequate as a missionary! We have no big bugs, snakes, piranhas, dugout canoes or huts.

I guess I blog because I need all of you, those I know, those I don't know. Those blogs I visit everyday and those I visit once in a while. You challenge me, encourage me, sometimes you outrage me! But at least I know that there are others like me, imperfect, who need to connect. You encourage me in the Lord. Thank you

Waiting on the Lord

I have heard about "waiting on the Lord" for all my life. I've even told people to wait on the Lord. But you know what? Its not quite the same when you yourself are in a position where you must wait upon the Lord.
Wait..........upon..........the Lord

I have been bombarded lately by God telling me to wait quietly. Listen in the silence, in the darkness. Wait. Truthfully? I'm not doing to good. I want to TALK! I want to ask counsel, but I feel that God is leading me to be quiet and let Him do the talking and the counseling.

I am in a position to have to believe God. Believe that He can do what I cannot. Oh, Ok, so this is what it means to live by faith. Ouch.
God will do what I cannot as long as I do not interfere.
Lord, I believe,......help thou my unbelief!

"Then darkness fled" by Stephen Mansfield

Mom got me this book for Christmas. She knows that Booker T Washington is a hero of mine. I read his book "Up from slavery" in school.
Three years ago, she gave me a book about BT Washington and George Washington Carver. I didn't like that one very much, because it seemed to paint Washington in quite a negative light.

This one I like very much. It seems honest about faults without being entirely negative. It also explained why some at the time didn't like Washington and considered him a traitor to their cause.

What I appreciate about Washington was his Christian character that he displayed in the face of unfairness, and irrational prejudice. I also greatly appreciate that fact that he encouraged those around him to better themselves through hard work and diligence, something I lack at times. Here's a quote: "The cleaning of rooms had a great deal to do with forming one's character"

Here's another about the real and the artificial: "We shall prosper in proportion as we learn to draw the line between the superficial and the substancial, the ornamental gewgaws of life and the useful"
How's that for our materialistic age?

I weep for those who endured slavery and for those who endure bigotry today. I also know that even in the darkest places, and the most unfair circumstances, God is there. And He can make things right and His grace can be sufficient.

I truly enjoyed this book and will continue to do so for a long time.

Submission

This is a topic that comes up too often in my life because I realize that I am not submissive by nature.
Here are a few things that I have learned, and am still trying to practice.
Submission sometimes means that I don't give my opinion, not even with a sigh or a face. If DH wanted my opinion, he would have asked. I say this because I am so opinionated.

Submission is true submission only when I disagree. Otherwise, I'm not submitting, I'm agreeing. Its true submission when he's wrong. Ahh, there it is! the hardest thing in the world to do! This hit me like a ton of bricks!

Now, you can say that a woman has the right to make her opinions known.
Well, yes and no. I say, follow the Spirit's leading when and if you want to make your opinion known. If you have been prudent in the past, I'm sure your Dh will appreciate your imput. If you have been like me, once he learns that you can shut up, he likes it!

Of course this has been a hard lesson and a long process which I am still in.
Once I win this battle with self, I'll let you know how it went!

Another book

I bought "Family Driven Faith" by Voddie Baucham. Wonderful, of course. Even though I don't like the idea of family integrated worship, I agreed wholeheartedly about most of the book.

Several other well-known bloggers have reviewed this book, which talks about the importance of family, namely the father, in the evangelization and discipleship of children. Naturally, I agreed, but what I felt was missing is what to do if the husband doesn't take the spiritual leadership. If a woman reads about how important her husband is in the spiritual growth of her children, it would be discouraging to see him not fulfill that role, and out of place for her to take that leadership role. So, to me, its a book meant for men to read.

I rarley see a man take full charge of his family's spirituality, so what's a woman to do? Taking the leadership herself will backfire. When her kids see her in a spiritual leadership position apart from her husband, they will not be seeing the submission they need to see. Here's where I take a Sovereign God at his word. I believe that if I what is right, my God will make up for the deficiencies of others around me. God promises to reward faithfulness. I know that God will protect the children of faithful women. I have to believe that! If not, women would be desperately trying to make their husbands "spiritual", for the sake of the children. And we all know that you cannot "make" someone spiritual.

The book is great, I'd give it to young men for a wedding gift!

Things are getting back to "normal"

If there is such a thing! After our furlough, the Church seemed a little "limp" Things have begun to pick up and we are grateful for that. We're still trying to get our attendance back up to where it was, but being the middle of Summer isn't helping much!



We had a bit of a dissapointment. During our furlough, big money was raised to buy a building for our mission church in Mafil. We were so happy! We made a verbal agreement with the owners of a large house, right on the Plaza in Mafil. Then, a few days later, we received a call saying that others had come and made an offer of 22,000 more than we had offered and that they were going to take the other offer! Now, we know that all things work together for good and that God is sovereign. And we don't that if God doesn't want us to have that house, we for sure don't want it. Still, we had our hopes up and are a little dissapointed. Its back to square One, but at least this time, we've got the money!

I covet your prayers. Pray for me and for other missionaries you know.

family integrated worship

I am curious about FIW. At our church, we take the little ones out so that people can listen up and pay attention. Those who advocate FIW say that you must train your children to sit through a service. That's all good and well, but what about immature Christians in your church who have no idea about child training? What about visitors? It takes one fussy child to take people's attention off the preaching and onto the baby.
I am curious to see FIW in practice rather than read about it in theory. Anybody see it work?

Wifely advice

Last year I shared with you about a young woman in our Church who was going through a time of temptation to date an unsaved man. We prayed, pleaded, advised, and waited on the Lord. This young woman who is a dear friend to my family, came through the trial shaken, but unblemished. She was a little uneasy, seeing no man in our Church her age that she liked.
Well, wouldn't you know that while we were in the US, God brought back an old beau of hers, "all growed up" and mighty keen on getting her back.
Long story short, he has asked for her hand and she and her parents have accepted.
So now, I have been gleefully dishing up all my wifely advice, thank you Debi Pearl! Thank you, Mama!

I was talking with DH about marriage advice a few months ago and told him that my basic philosophy now was that a wife need to provide "good ministry (wink, wink) and good food" He looked at me, cocked his head while he thought about it and said, " you need to teach that at the ladies meetings!" Could it be that simple? No, not really, but its a good start!

I got to meet Sis Julie!

Now that I have the time, I'll tell you all about it. We were going to be in Birmingham AL, headed to Florida. I told my DH that we could easily swing through the Atlanta area so that I could meet my friend. He agreed, so I contacted Sis. Julie. We would be there the Wed. right before Thanksgiving. I don't know what she was thinking, but I knew that we were in for a treat! She is exactly as she seems to be on her blog, a woman passionate about her Saviour. Our families hit it off at once. Julie's girls are several years older than my 12-year-old, but they were great with her! She felt so special having the "big girls" paying attention to her. They even taught her to crochet, and she's doing quite well. My little Ronnie and her big Ronnie are quite similar. All Boy. Of course now her Ronnie's "all growed up" since he married his sweetheart, Jessica, which we also got to meet. We enjoyed worshiping with them at their Church. Sis. Julie's husband kindly invited us to his Mom's for Thanksgiving dinner. We gratefully accepted and had a wonderful day where we felt like part of the family. Pastor Brown's folks are sweet folks, too. I don't think that I could explain to a non-believer just how easy it is to become friends with other believers. We are family and there's no other way to explain it.
I'm honored to have Sis. Julie as a friend.

Oh the books I've read!

Here in Chile I don't often get new books. So the time I spend in the US, I get books! I didn't get too many because books are so expensive. I just love buying books on Ebay or Amazon, used.

Anyway, I bought a few that were a real blessing to me.

The first was "Me, myself and Bob" by Phil Vischer, creator of VeggieTales. Now, I happen to love the wacky-doodle humor of Veggie Tales. Its not for everybody, but I love it! So I was really interested in this book. I found it on sale for 4.95 (yeah!) and started reading. I read about Phil's life, and how he created the talking, bouncing, limb-less veggies and why they don't do any stories about Jesus.(His mama told him that he should never portray Jesus as a veggie. Makes sense to me!) It was a great read. I laughed out loud many times. Then I started reading how he eventually lost BigIdea, his company. I was devastated! Then I marvelled as I read how that he began to see God's hand wooing him into a place where there was only God and Phil. Where being a Christian was about being and not just doing. Being in Christian service myself, I can totally relate. Its a trap we all fall into, thinking that its our service that matters to God. Service should flow out of a life that is in a vibrant relationship with Jesus. If you've got that relationship, you've got everything. If you don't, you have absolutely nothing, no matter how much "service" you're doing for God.

I desire to be in that place of close relationship and stay there, abide there.
There is nothing else.

I'm back!

In Chile, that is. We returned on the 16th of January. I just got internet a few days ago, so I 'm just now getting caught up on everyone.



We had an amazing furlough. We travelled everywhere and the Lord blessed in a mighty way. We were showered with love from everyone. We made new friends and enjoyed sweet fellowship with old friends. I love the Family of God! I love worshipping with friends. I love being prayed for.

It was also great coming home. We are starting camp week. Please keep us in your prayers.


I can't wait until I have some time to blog peacefully. I have so much to share!

Keep the Son in your eyes!
Rhonda

Furlough update

WOW! We have had the most incredible time. We have driven over 6000 miles, from border to border and from sea to shining sea, well, almost. We are now in Birmingham, Al, on our way to GA, where I will get to meet Sis. Julie! How great is that?

I got to meet Tori. That was great! She was a doll and we all had a good time. Of course, all missionaries are related. I always feel a kinship with other missionaries right from the start.

The Lord has been good us. He has showed me so much. This furlough has been a great time of closeness with the Lord.

Now, if I could only get up to see Happymama!

God bless and a special greeting to Sarah, if she's still reading.


Rhonda

Authentic Worship

Well, I've been listening to Voddie Baucham again, this time about worship. While I do not agree 100% with what he says, I agree with a great deal about it. What I've been able to apply to my life is this definition of authentic worship. (not necessarily just music)

Authentic worship happens when I place my mind's attention and my heart's affection on God, praising Him for who He is and for what He has done.

I find this helpful because even if you have good, godly music, and I think you can and you should,
you must put your heart and mind into its . It can be singing, praying, giving, listening to a sermon, witnessing to others. That's all worship.

Furlough!

Its been a great one so far! We spent a lovely month in So Cal, visiting Churches and family and getting ready to hit the road in our "new" (1983) motorhome. Since then we have driven thousands of miles and are now in Amarillo, TX. We are in a nice hotel with 2 rooms and internet, so, PTL!

The Lord has greatly blessed us. We have met many new people, children of God and fellow-laborers. I love meeting God's people!

The only thing I'm upset about is the new laptop we bought. I think its demon possessed!!!!!!!
It causes me no end of grief!

We have been spiritually blessed as well. We have heard great teaching and preaching. We were given a CD with music and testimony by a man named John Bishop, who had meningitis several years ago. He lost all his memory and had many other physical problems. But he continues to serve the Lord and testify of His grace. His motto is "God is always good, and God is always right" Just let your teeth sink into that one!

More when I can,

rhonda

5 more days

I only have 5 more useful days before we leave for furlough. The house is in a state of flux, my cooking has been limited to what's left in the cupboard. My printers are not working. My vonage phone service is spotty at best. And its COLD!

Still, I am thrilled to be going back. We will be staying in a lovely missions house in Bellflower, CA. for a month before we hit the road in our motorhome.

The church people are sad, and afraid that we might just stay in the US. That's not going to happen unless God moves in a miraculous way. We've had all sorts of tragedies and people problems, many of which were taken care of last night at Lord's Supper.

Just got a call from the dentist and they worked me in for tomorrow at 11 am. Great.

I'll probably have my internet shut down tomorrow as well. So, if this is my last day to blog from home, just know that I'll be back!

Exercise????

So often lately I've read about good Christian women and exercize. Everyone from Candy to Julie Fink to Beth Moore.
So, where does one find good, godly exercize videos? If I put on any old exercize video, my neighbors would think I was having a party!
Any ideas?

Ten more days

We have ten more days before we leave Lanco for furlough. It has been determined by the Powers that be that these will be excruciatingly busy days. This morning around 2 a.m., Sister Miriam's mother passed away. We were on alert since last night. Her son came and got Neil at 2:40, Neil stayed until 5, then came home and got a little rest before going to Mafil. This afternoon after kid's club, he and the guys set up the portable baptistry. It took about 2 hours. Then he came home, had a cup of coffee and we headed over to Miriam's house for the "velorio" which is where everybody sits around the casket. After a few minutes of that, we were ushered into the kitchen. I was there for about an hour, Neil is still there, talking and drinking "mate". Sister Miriam is sad, but no longer hysterical. (I cannot handle "hysterical") This is the third "velorio" I've been to in the past 3 weeks.
I won't be able to attend the funeral on Monday because I have a last-minute dentist appointment (oh joy)

Bro. Jose and has family will arrive next Saturday a.m., so I only have 6 more days of "normal" family life. I will be sooooo glad to get on that plane!

We had 32 kids at club today, which is really great considering the cold and the rain. Actually, I can't believe so many moms let their kids come, knowing full well that they'll get soaked.

Tomorrow night we'll have a baptism, then Tuesday night we'll have the Lord's Supper. As you know, we take the Lord's Supper very seriously around here. Its a big deal to us!


I don't know how much blogging I can do before we must turn off the internet. I already miss it!
Please pray that the Lord will get us through these next few days victoriously and that Neil might not drop dead from exhaustion.

Have a great Lord's Day!

Reading good books

My friend Sarah wrote a very interesting post yesterday. I had also been thinking about books and blogs, both of which I love. But one of the dangers about reading about God (outside of the Bible) is that it does seem like vicarious living, a sort of vicarious Christianity. I remember reading something Max Lucado wrote. He said something about people who live their spirituality through someone else, always hearing about how God is working through someone else, either an author or a pastor. Lucado likened it to always being around and living off someone else's romances, never having a romance yourself. When it comes down to it, its got to be personal! I know it may seem selfish, but I want to hear from God myself. (I am not talking about a new revelation) I want to open the Word and know that God is speaking to ME. So often, we get second-hand spirituality from someone else and that is just not enough.

That being said, I still love books. And I believe that not all books are for every season of your life. My mom admitted to having "My Utmost For His Highest" for years and never read it. Now she reads it daily, and gives it as gifts to everyone she knows. There are books on my shelves that I did not enjoy greatly, but who knows? Maybe in another time, another set of circumstances, I will be ready to read them and get the full benefit.