God loved Leah

http://youtu.be/rRm99TmblLE - Testify to Love - Wynonna Judd

When I was in high school, I had a boyfriend. He had the most incredible blue eyes.  He could give me a certain look that just melted my heart.  We were in love.  Well, one of us was in love.

We both worked at Tom Thumb along with several other kids from our high school.  There was this really cute girl who worked there, too.  One day, I had gotten to the store a little early for my shift.  I saw my boyfriend sitting over at the snack bar having a coke and talking with this other girl, so I went over to join them.  When I sat down next to my boyfriend, he didn't acknowledge me at all.  He was talking to this other girl and looking at her with the same special look that I thought was just for me.  I felt invisible, like I was intruding into their private little world of flirtation, and it made me feel horribly alone and unloved.  
  

I think Leah must have felt that way.  Her husband didn't choose her.  He chose her sister - the "pretty one".  Her dad played a dirty trick on Jacob, and Leah found herself married to a man who loved someone else.

Leah's story is sad, at least in the beginning.  But God saw her tears.  He understood the pain she felt watching her husband and her sister, Rachel.  Leah was a third wheel - not wanted... not loved.  But God loved her.  And God blessed her with a great honor.  The Messiah, Jesus Christ, would be born from Leah's lineage. 

Jacob may have chosen Rachel, but God chose Leah.  I like that.

http://youtu.be/k_MyC6kJzPg - Unfailing Love - Chris Tomlin


Father, there are times when we feel alone, like no one understands or cares. Our friends are so caught up in their own lives, they don't always "see" when we're hurting or struggling. But You see, LORD. And You care. You're always there, whether we realize it or not. Thank You for being our Comforter and our Strength. Your love, O GOD, is unfailing. We will trust in You. We pray this in the Name of Jesus, our Savior, who makes all things new. Amen.


Psalm 56:8
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.You have recorded each one in your book.


2 Chronicles 30:9
For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him."
Psalm 25:6
Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.


Jacob loved Rachel. It was love at first sight. He knew this was the woman that he wanted to marry. But to win her hand in marriage, Jacob had to work for his uncle Laban (Rachel's dad) for seven years. He did that willingly because of the prize set before him. After seven years of hard work and honorable service, Jacob was finally marrying the love of his life.

Laban was not quite as honorable as Jacob. You see, Rachel had an older sister, Leah. Evidently, Leah was not a woman who would make heads turn. Depending on the translation, the bible says Leah had tender or weak eyes. I'm not sure what that means. Either her eyes were soft and gentle - her one true asset, or they were weak and not pretty at all. I'd like to think that the Scripture was pointing to her one good trait, tender eyes. One things we do know, Rachel was a a knockout in every way. And Jacob wanted her, not her sister.

Laban decided he need to get Leah married off and the only way he saw that happening was to trick Jacob into marrying Leah. From what I've read, a marriage officially took place when the bride's father would bring his daughter to the groom on the wedding night - basically handing her over to her husband. That was the final act that sealed the convenant of marriage. So Laban delivered the bride (Leah) to Jacob in the dark of night. Jacob expected Rachel, but he was fooled.

Poor Leah! She was stuck in a marriage with no love - worse yet, her husband loved someone else, her very sister. As I read about Leah in Genesis 29, I couldn't help but feel sorry for her. God had compassion on Leah, also. In fact, the bible says "because Leah was unloved, the LORD let her have a child, while Rachel was childless." Leah had six of Jacob's 12 sons. After each birth, she named the sons:

Son                   Meaning of               What Leah said at his birth:
                           his name
_________________________________________________________________

Reuben                    "look, a son!"            "The Lord has noticed my misery and now maybe
                                                                                           husband will love me"

Simeon                   one who hears           "The Lord heard that I was unloved and has given me
                                                                                             another son."

Levi                       affection for              “Surely now my husband will feel affection for me, since
                                                                                          I've given him three sons"

Judah                        praise                                       "Now I will praise the Lord!"

Issachar                   reward                                          "God has rewarded me"

Zebulun                    honor                            "God has given me good gifts for my husband.
                                                                               Now he will honor me, for I have given
                                                                                                     him six sons"

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Doesn't it break your heart? She knew that Jacob didn't love her. Every day, she had to watch him with Rachel. All she wanted was for Jacob to love her. Can you imagine how miserable it would be to be stuck in a loveless marriage?

But God is so rich in mercy. He saw her pain and had compassion on her. Not only did He bless Leah with six sons, He also blessed her son, Judah, with an amazing blessing. Jesus, the Messiah, would descend from Judah, whose mother was Leah, not Rachel!

God blessed Leah.

One other thing I find interesting about this "love story", when Jacob was dying, he asked to be buried in the cave in the field of Machpelah, near Mamre in Canaan. He told his sons, "There Abraham and his wife, Sarah, are buried. There Isaac and his wife, Rebeccah, are buried. And there I buried Leah." Jacob was buried with his wife, Leah. Rachel, the one he loved, was buried alone in Bethlehem.

For the record, my research shows that these two burial sites were about 13-14 miles from one another. Jacob could have easily chosen to be buried with Rachel, or he could have had Rachel's bones moved to the family burial cave, but for some reason, he didn't. Instead Jacob chose to be buried with Leah. Maybe she was loved more than she knew.

Three things I've learned from this story:

• God sees our pain when no one else sees, and He has compassion.
• God can use the worst circumstances for good. He has a purpose for what he allows in our lives.
• Sometimes, our greatest blessings come after we're gone, to our children.

These are the names of the twelve sons of Jacob: The sons of Leah were Reuben (Jacob's oldest son), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun." Genesis 35:22b-23

Matthew 1
The Genealogy of Christ, the Messiah

1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:
2 Abraham was the father of Isaac.
Isaac was the father of Jacob.
Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar).
Perez was the father of Hezron.
Hezron was the father of Ram.
4 Ram was the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
5 Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab).
Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).
Obed was the father of Jesse.
6 Jesse was the father of King David.
David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).
7 Solomon was the father of Rehoboam.
Rehoboam was the father of Abijah.
Abijah was the father of Asa.
8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram.
Jehoram was the father of Uzziah.
9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham.
Jotham was the father of Ahaz.
Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah.
10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh.
Manasseh was the father of Amon.
Amon was the father of Josiah.
11 Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon).
12 After the Babylonian exile:
Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel.
Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel.
13 Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud.
Abiud was the father of Eliakim.
Eliakim was the father of Azor.
14 Azor was the father of Zadok.
Zadok was the father of Akim.
Akim was the father of Eliud.
15 Eliud was the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar was the father of Matthan.
Matthan was the father of Jacob.
16Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

http://youtu.be/rVcCKe2sz0Y - Give me Your Eyes by Brandon Heath



Have you seen this post on Facebook?

The Girl you just called fat, she's been starving herself & has lost over 30lbs. The Boy you just called stupid? Has a learning disability & studies over 4hrs a night. The Girl you just called ugly? Spends hours putting makeup on hoping people will like her. The Boy you just tripped? He's abused enough at home. The girl you called "Jesus Freak", she spends hours in prayer for you. There's a lot more to people than you think. Put this as your status if you're against bullying!

It's a good reminder. People are hurting and instead of encouraging and coming along side them, we sometimes make their pain even worse by our words and actions. I don't want to do that today. I don't want to do that ever.

God tells us in His Word that we are to encourage one another. He also tells us how powerful our words are. We can build people up (encourage) or we can tear them down. One careless word can do great harm to someone who is already feeling discouraged or alone.

Today, I have a challenge for you. Look around you. Really pay attention to the people God puts in your life. They are there for a reason. Look at them the way Jesus does. Can you see their pain? Do you see worry or discouragement? Instead of a cursory, "hi, how are you?". what if you really stopped to hear their answer to that question?

People are hurting. People you know and deal with every day are hurting. They are struggling with sickness, financial worries, divorce/separation, depression, ... Do you know that your friend may feel alone or discouraged? It's easy to ignore the signs, especially when they are so good at acting like everything is great. I dare say that there are very few people in this world who are really doing "great!". I guess the whole point of this message is we need to reach out with love to those around us, so that when they are ready to reach back, they will know we truly care.

What does Jesus see?

One thing I know is true. When you see someone "acting out", doing things that draw attention to themselves, chances are they are hurting. The "acting out" that we see, and unfortunately, that we judge, may really be a scream for help. Are you listening, or do you judge and condemn without taking the time to reach out and show you care?

What would Jesus do?

Today, my challenge to myself and to you, is to reach out, let's show people we really care by taking an extra moment to listen to their answer when we ask "How are you?" If they say "fine", look into their eyes and say, "are you really fine?" We might be surprised by their answer.

Today, I'm going to try to take "me" out of my conversations. I'm going to listen more and talk less about "me". Maybe then my friends will know I care about what's happening in their lives.

James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.


Philippians 4:8 ESV
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.


Proverbs 10:21 NLT
The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.


Proverbs 31:8 NLT
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice to those who are perishing.


Proverbs 11:17 NLT
Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.


Proverbs 17:17 NLT
A friend loves you all the time, and a brother helps in time of trouble.

Proverbs 3:27-28
Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help. If you have what your neighbor asks for, don't say, "Come back later. I will give it to you tomorrow."


Hebrews 10:24 NLT
Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back again is drawing near.

Hebrews 3:13 ESV
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.


Acts 20:35 ESV
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”


Prayer
Merciful Father, thank You for loving me and showing me how to love others by Your example. Thank You for Your patience when I am slow to learn or too caught up in my own problems and cares to notice the pain others are feeling. I'm sorry that I fail so miserably most days.

I want to see what Jesus sees. I want to be an encourager, someone who makes things better, not worse. Open my eyes and soften my heart towards others so that I can make a difference for You in their lives.

I give You this day, Lord. Use me for Your glory, for You alone are worthy of all my praise and devotion. In Jesus' precious Name I pray. Amen.



http://youtu.be/g_m2FkisN98 - I Refuse - Josh Wilson

“For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."Hebrews 8:12 NKJ



http://youtu.be/VpodVp6LH8s - Mercy Came Running - Phillips Craig and Dean

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 NIV
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.


“That wasn’t me.”

That’s what Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York told Oprah during an interview regarding her latest indiscretion that was caught on video. I understand exactly what she meant.

When I look back over the course of my life, I can’t believe some of the terrible choices I’ve made, choices with far reaching consequences, choices that hurt people I love. I can’t understand how I sunk so low. I was a good person, or at least, I always thought I was a good person. How could that good little Christian girl do those things? I look at her and say, “that couldn’t have been me”. I don’t want it to be me. But it was and it still could be, if I don’t keep my eyes on Jesus.

http://youtu.be/JEqfMFAIyGI - Let Your Mercy Rain - Chris Tomlin

Mercy is a wonderful gift  from a loving God! Thank You, Father, for Your mercy!

Fortunately for me, I didn’t have a frenzy of media announcing my downward spiral. Poor Sarah. Caught on tape, betraying one of the kindest men she knew – her ex-husband. She tried to sell him for a few pieces of gold. Well, not really. but it must have felt like that once she realized what she had done. The shame must be unbearable! The relationship she has with the one man who has stood beside her and who had forgiven her so many times, is the same relationship she tried to used to barter for her own selfish reasons.

I do not condone what Sarah did, but I have compassion towards her. I see her shame and her remorse. If she could just go back in time and make a different choice, if she could just have one “do-over”… But it’s too late. She can’t take it back. She can’t undo the harm she’s done. I understand all too well. I hope Prince Andrew is gracious and forgiving. I pray that people don’t think him weak if he finds it in his heart to reach out to Sarah with the kindness and compassion. I think that’s what Jesus would do. He forgives. He helps those bent low from their burdens. He gives second chances, then third chances, and fourth, and on and on and on. Why can’t we forgive like that?

I don’t like to think about the past when my life was such a mess. I look at who I am today, and just for a moment, I say to myself “I could never make those mistakes again.” But the truth is I could. I am a fallible woman. I can be selfish, gossipy, lazy, self-righteous, hateful… I might look good on the outside, but my heart is far from perfect. If I’m not careful, my thoughts can be ungodly. I know that about myself. I know how easy it is to lose my way. I know the path to destruction doesn’t start with one bad choice. It begins with a tiny little thought. “I wished my spouse would be more like …” or “I deserve to be happy…”

Sarah, finding herself in a financial hole with no way out, let her thoughts become actions. “I’ll just do it this one time, and after I’m back on my feet, I’ll never do it again.”, “what could it hurt?” And the thoughts go on… “no one will ever have to know…” That’s how it works, thoughts lead to a plan and the plan leads to action.

What if we could win this battle of the mind? What if we could simply take control over our thoughts and “make them obedient to Christ”? Which thoughts do I have that don’t honor Jesus? I need to get rid of them!!!!

I know where my descent started. I know the thoughts I had, the planning and imagining… I know the little baby steps I took at the beginning of my journey. Before it began, if someone would have told me that I would do the things I did, I would have been insulted and indignant. NOT ME!!! I’m a good Christian!!! I wished I had known how little it takes to get off track so that I could have been on guard - prepared for battle. I could have protected my marriage, my family, my own heart. But I thought I couldn’t fall. I thought I would never do those things.  But I did.

What do I do to keep from ever falling into that deep pit again?

 I guard my thoughts. If Jesus wouldn’t want me to think it, I need to kick it out of my brain.

 I keep my eyes on Jesus. I remember the price He paid for my sins.

 I read, pray, praise and thank Him for my family and all my blessings.

 Before I do anything, I ask myself: If Jesus was physically standing by my side, would I still do what I’m about to do? Would I still go to the place where I want to go? Would I say the words getting ready to tumble out of my mouth?

 When I think I’m not appreciated, I ask myself: Do I ever take others for granted? How can I make the people in my life feel appreciated? Can I be the Hero in my relationships?

 I refuse to be offended. I just don’t go there in my mind. Let it go. Don’t think about it.

 I give others the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they’re having a really bad day, and their words are just coming out all wrong. I chose to forgive - because HE forgives me.

And oh, by the way, I forgive myself when I fail to do any of these things, which is often.

There’s a bumper sticker, “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” I love it! I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. But God loves me with all my faults and flaws. He has compassion on me when I fail because He knows I am just dirt (Psalm 103:13-14). He loves me. He knows every thought that pops into my head, and HE still loves me. (Psalm 139:2-4) How great is that?

I hate the pain I caused to the ones I loved most. I hate it. But God in His infinite mercy, uses the pain and sadness I feel over those mistakes to draw me nearer to HIM. I am grateful for the lesson God showed me. Newsflash!!! I am human and my human nature is not good. I know without a doubt who I am without Jesus, what I’m capable of. Yes, I can put on a nice face and look pretty respectable. But as I sit smugly thinking what a great person I am, Satan is plotting and scheming to bring me down. (1 Peter 5:8) He watches, and he sees my weaknesses, and he patiently lies in wait, pouncing at just the right time. “No one will know” he whispers. “It will be our little secret” he promises. But he is a liar; in fact he is the father of lies. (John 8:44) But we want those lies to be true, so we listen (2 Timothy 4:3), then we begin to justify in our mind, and we start taking baby steps down, down, down...

I’m so very thankful to Jesus that I am not under the power of Satan any more. (Colossians 2:20) I still make lots of mistakes every day. My human nature can seriously trip me up from time to time. But, then Jesus picks me up and dusts me off - and I’m like new again. (Psalm 103:11-13)

I belong to the King of the Universe. I am HIS, bought and paid for with His very blood. HE defeated my enemy, and He has given me His very Spirit to guide, protect, strengthen and rescue me from every situation. Every time I reject Satan’s lies, I do it by the Power of the Holy Spirit. And the more I refuse to listen to the lies of the Enemy, the more clearly I can hear Jesus whispering in my ear, “the Spirit in you, child, is greater than the spirit of this world. Be strong, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

And it starts with simply capturing that little thought.

Psalm 103:11-13 (New Living Translation)
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
The LORD is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

Psalm 139:2-4 (New Living Translation)
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
The LORD is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

1 Peter 5:8 (New Living Translation)
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

John 8:44 (New Living Translation)
For you are the children of your father the devil and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.


2 Timothy 4:3 (New Living Translation)
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.


Colossians 2:20a (New Living Translation)
You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world


James 4:7-8 (New Living Translation)
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you.


http://youtu.be/b9JqhYTjHl0  - Before the Throne of God Above - Shane and Shane


Holy Father, You provide everything I need for life and godliness.  You are patient and forgiving, full of grace and mercy.  I'm so thankful for Your love and forgiveness.  Father, thank You for sending Your precious Son to die for me.  Because of His amazing love, my sins are forgiven.  My wounded soul is healed. 
Father, when I am weak, it is Your strength that upholds me.  When I take my eyes off of Jesus, it's Your Holy Spirit that draws me back.  You, Holy God, are always with me providing strength, courage, encouragement and hope. I know who I am without You to guide me, and I don't want to be that person. I can't do this life on my own and because of Jesus'sacrifice, I don't have to.  He is my Shepherd.  He leads me to safety through every danger and carries me when I cannot walk another step.  I will fear no evil because You are with me.  Thank You for loving me.  Thank You for saving me.  I give You all my praise and worship for You alone are worthy!  Be glorified in my life, Lord.  I am Yours forever.  I pray this in the blessed Name of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Telling the world

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

St. Francis of Assisi 

                                                           

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=1CBMNNNU - BEFRIENDED - Today's Christian Videos
 
 
Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.



And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

 Emma and Oscar

I met Oscar and Emma a few years ago through a correspondence course our church offered.  Emma had signed up to take the World Bible Study course, and I was assigned to be her study helper.  After a few months, we lost contact when I stopped participating with World Bible School. 

A couple of years later, after a sermon on the Great Commission,  I realized how little I actually "evangelize".  My excuse was that I was surrounded by believers and didn't have much opportunity to "witness" to non-Christians. I guess this wasn't a very good excuse because God kept putting it on my heart that I needed to share the gospel with others. I wasn't reaching out to the lost like I should, but didn't feel comfortable "knocking on doors" like my Dad does. He goes to where the people are instead of waiting for them to come to his church!  I'm too chicken for that. But then I remembered my former students from World Bible School, how hungry they were for the Word. So I decided to reach out to them again. I wrote letters to a few of my former students and was able to re-establish contact with Emma from Kenya.

I was accepting the Great Commission of Christ.  I was "going into all the world".

Funny thing happened on my way to Africa.  God blessed me with Emma and Oscar!  Although my intention was to "evangelize" others, Oscar and Emma have become my teachers.  They have demonstrated real faith - faith that stands firm against all odds.  Believing when it makes no sense.  I sought to obey the great commission by "teaching the gospel to the lost souls in Africa", but instead Oscar and Emma taught me how to live the gospel, not just talk about it.

When I first begin talking to Emma about their ministry, Happy Choice, I asked her what all Happy Choice did.  She sent me a copy of their plan for Happy Choice. It was well written and the ideas they had for the future seemed very optimistic, at least to me.  Here were two people who didn't have material blessings to share but that didn't stop them from taking in several children who had been orphaned and left alone on the streets.  Oscar's church, which consists of mostly widows and the poor, was providing some food from time to time. And Oscar had a couple of friends who would donate food when they had it.  But other than that, it was Oscar and Emma trusting God to give them what they needed to take care of these children.  And HE has been faithful.

Emma told me that when she and Oscar got married, he told her that he had many children and that if they got married, she would have to love those children as her own.  She agreed, and together they have cared for several orphans over the years.  Right now, there are twelve children living in the hostel with several others in the village who need help, too.  The local children live in very poor situations, usually with a sick mother or grandmother who has no real way to provide for the children other than a roof over their heads. So Oscar helps these kids, too.

Living at the hostel,  Timoland is one of the oldest, and he has been with them for nine years.  He considers Oscar and Emma and all the children his family.  He is a very big help in caring for the younger children.  Timoland will be graduating from secondary school in the next few days and has hopes of attending a university.  He wants to be a doctor, and just like Oscar, he wants to help needy children.  I believe God will give Timoland everything he needs to accomplish this very optimistic dream.  Like Timoland, every child who lives at the Hostel has seen God move in powerful ways.  They know HE is able to do the impossible.

As I think about what all God has done for Happy Choice, I'm amazed.  So many of the plans that were on that original paper Emma sent to me, have come true.  They have a new latrine, new hostel, new kitchen, and they even have running water piped in from Kisumu!  That was a bonus from God.  It wasn't listed on their original plan, but the children kept getting sick with typhoid and malaria.  Their water source was a bateria ladened river that was used for everything from drinking/cooking to bathing to washing clothes, to watering their gardens... Animals used the same river, of course.  The kids were sick so often.  I asked about building a well or a water filtering system, but Oscar told me that the best way would be to have water piped in from the nearby city of Kisumu.  It was less expensive than having a well dug.  Oscar had the water faucet set up near the hostel - outside - so that others in the village can use it also. That's so like Oscar - sharing his blessings with others. Since God provided the piped water and also, mesquito nets, the kids are hardly ever sick.  God is faithful.

I just wanted to share this story, again, to give people hope.  God continues to provide and care for these children through Oscar and Emma and through "well-wishers" as Oscar says.  To think that God would allow me to have this front row seat to witness His faithful provision towards this ministry touches my heart more than I can explain. I feel honored that God has shown me His goodness and compassion through Happy Choice.  I've seen HIM work in this ministry in amazing ways.  Someone asked me how I know God is real. My answer is that GOD is the only explanation for what I've seen happen with Happy Choice.  There's no other way to explain all that has been accomplished in this little ministry. Through it all, Oscar and Emma have remained steadfast in their faith - even during times when there seemed to be no hope, they both trusted God.  And He is always faithful.

Oscar has seen a need and has done everything he can to answer that need.  His heart's desire is that every homeless child would come to know his Friend, Jesus.  When Oscar was a young teen, he was left on his own after both his parents and older brother died. He told me that one day he met a new Friend. This Friend took care of him and provided for him and protected him.  This Friend never left him alone.  Oscar knows how it feels to be alone on the streets.  He knows how much those homeless children need hope.  He wants them to have the Hope that he has.  So one child at a time, he is spreading the gospel, telling others about his Friend, Jesus.

Oscar and Emma consistently renew my faith with their faithfulness.  I have a safe place to sleep each night.  I have food on the table for every meal.  I have clean water.  I have everything I need and most of what I want.
But sometimes I forget to thank God for my blessings.  Oscar never forgets to praise God in all circumstances.  There are days when the cupboard is bare - no food at all. Can you imagine?  He has twelve children plus three of his own - all hungry and looking to him to feed them.  But there is no food.
Then, I get an email from Oscar, asking for a little help with the food situation.  Breaks my heart that he has to ask. Emma told me once that it is very hard for Oscar to have to ask for help.  She says he tries so hard to take care of the children without burdening anyone else, but sometimes he just can't do it.  I wished he never had to ask.  And I have prayed for the day when Oscar would have consistent monthly support from "well-wishers" so that money for food would always be there - before he had the need.  I believe that's beginning to happen.

Happy Choice is now one of the ministries that is listed on the Lost Orphans Website.  Lost Orphans is an organization that works with several other ministries that provide assistance to orphans all over the world.  Through Lost Orphans' website, people can sign up to sponsor one of Oscar's children.  This can be done monthly, randomly throughout the year, or just a one time donation.  The sponsorships have already begun to make a difference.  The added blessing of being part of Lost Orphans is that donations are now tax deductable!  This was something I struggled with for a long time.  In the past, we have received some pretty large donations, and I hated that we couldn't provide a tax benefit.  But now we can through Lost Orphans!  Once again, God has provided in amazing ways.  http://www.lostorphans.com/ 

Oscar's latest goal is to provide bibles as Christmas gifts to as many people as he can.  After a breakin last month, Oscar also wants to build a fence around the Happy Choice compound in order to make it a little more secure from intruders. If the children need to use the latrine in the middle of the night, they must walk a little distance to the latrine.  With strangers lurking around, this is not safe any more.  Most homes do have fences for protection so this is not an uncommon practice.  As Oscar says, we're trusting God to protect and provide however He sees fit. 

I was going to send Oscar's email.  His words always encourage me and pump me up to do more for the Kingdom.  But as always, I've babbled on way too long.  If you'd like to read Oscar's email, just let me know.  I'd love to share it with you.

I have an  update on Felix, one of the young men who has been with Oscar and Emma for several years.  Felix didn't do as well in school as Timoland, but Felix is mechanically inclined. A few months ago, Oscar requested tuition for mechanic school for Felix and God provided.  Felix is now a certified mechanic! He is looking for a job and all he needs is his own tools.  We're trusting God for that, too. 

Thank you all for taking the time to read about my dear friends.  Thank you for praying for this little ministry that is touching the lives of not only the children who live at Happy Choice. It also has touched several of our hearts to witness such faithful believers as Oscar and Emma.  They are definitely making a difference in this world through their testimony to God's faithfulness. 

God wants us all to be Oscars and Emmas.  Maybe not in Africa, but somewhere.  Where is God drawing you to minister?  Don't think just because you don't have great financial resources to share that God doesn't want to use you.  All of us are certainly asked to give according to how we have been prospered but not everyone has the "Gift" of giving.  What are your gifts? We all should be ministering to others, one way or another.  God put this little ministry on my heart.  There's no doubt about it.  I know God is working in your lives, too. If you don't know where He's leading you, ask Him to give you opportunities to serve Him.  He'll do it, if you just pay attention.  But when He puts a ministry on your heart, allow Him to use you however He sees fit.  It's not always about money.
But it's always about your heart.  Love them like Jesus.  Carry them to Him.  That's our most important mission.  The Great Commission of Jesus.

James 1:27
 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

http://youtu.be/_NqtgE22w58 - What Can I Do - Paul Baloche

Father, I give You all praise and honor, for You alone are worthy. I am in awe of Your goodness and Your faithfulness in my life and in the lives of others, like Oscar and Emma.  I feel extremely blessed to have these two very special people in my life.   Father, thank You for teaching me about true faith through Oscar and Emma.  Thank You for teaching me about sacrificial service through their unselfish lives.  I thought I was going to teach them, but instead, LORD, You used these sweet godly people to teach me.  Thank You for the wonderful blessing of our friendship and love.  Father, forgive me for all the times I fail to go where You want me to go.  Forgive me for making excuses of why I can't do this or that.  Forgive me for ignoring Your direction.  Help me to hear when You speak to me.  Help me to honor You with my obedience to Your calling in my life.  I may not have much to offer others but I want to give what I can give.  I want to serve however You want me to serve.  Use me, Lord, however You see fit.  Let my life be for Your glory.  That is my prayer in Jesus' Holy Name.  Amen.



I'm beautiful like me! = )

 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. - Ecclesiastes 3:11a

"I'm not beautiful like you.  I"m beautiful like me."

I like this quote.  It comes from a song by a group called Joydrop.  It speaks to the struggle with body image issues that is so prevalent in our country.  Our self-esteem gets shot down everyday by expectations placed on us by the movie and modeling industries. We begin to believe the lie that if we don't look just like the stars or the models, we're some how less beautiful than they are.  That's not what God says.

Psalm 139 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.  It always reminds me of how very intentional God was as He created each of us.  The amazing process of our growth and development while we're still in the womb has been overlooked, discounted by science and even by some of us believers. How can we not be in awe of the incredible process that happens before birth?  Science has tried to eliminate Divine design by saying we simply evolved from some freakish act of nature.  How in the world do bright, seemingly intelligent people think that's a logical explanation? 

Am I the only one who wants to know how our scientific community thinks that this could happen, not once but twice? Supposedly, the first evolution became a male and then it had to "accidentally" do the same evolution process again with just exactly the right changes (ovaries, uterus, womb) to evolve into a female?  These two "evolutionary" creatures just happened to be perfectly matched to procreate?  They just happened to evolve at the same place on the earth, at the same time?  They would have to, right?  Otherwise how could they procreate if they weren't together?  So far, this amazing bit of "evolution" only happened one time in all history.  ????   How can anyone believe that?

Are we so determined to keep God out of Creation that we can convince ourselves that this ridiculous concept is science?

I was created in God's own image; knit together in the womb by my Creator. And He doesn't make mistakes. He designed me just the way I am so that I could fulfill His very special purpose for me. I'm beautiful just the way I am, fully equipped by God with everything I need to accomplish what He has planned for me to do.

I'm beautiful like me - great message.  Isn't it interesting how may of the really insightful thoughts and quotes we hear are really just an interpretation of what God said a long time ago?  Look again at the verse from Ecclesiastes - "God has made everything beautiful for its own time."  I have a purpose that God prepared for me before I was even born.  I am uniquely qualified to accomplish what God has purposed for me.  He's given me everything I need to accomplish that purpose.

"I'm not beautiful like you.  I'm beautiful like me."  Joydrop
photo by Chrysalides



http://youtu.be/IgsfESBDFcg - You Make Everything Beautiful - Rebecca St. James










Holy Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth and everything that is, was or is to come, I bow down before You in awe and amazement!  Your Creation is incredible and perfect in design. Every tiny creature is unique and designed with great detail and purpose.  I'm just baffled that anyone could think even one little iota of Your Creation just happened by some freakish act of nature.  Please forgive us for failing to give You praise and worship for Your beautiful Universe.  Father, forgive me, too, for all the times I've complained about the body You designed for me.  Thank You, Lord, that I am wonderfully made.  Thank You that I can see, hear, talk, smell, taste, move, think, laugh, cry, love...  These are just a few of the amazing gifts You have given me and I fail to appreciate what a treasure I have been given in this human body.  Thank You, Father, for making me beautiful for my very unique purpose that You have for me.  Lord, mold me and make me however You see fit.  I'm trusting in Your wonderful plan for me.  I know it's for good and not evil, a plan that gives me hope and a future.  I'm Your Creation, God, do with me as You please.  May You be glorified in my life, in every thought, word or action.  All glory, honor and praise I give to You, Creator and Almighty God, my Holy Father!  In the Name of Jesus, my Redeemer, I pray all these things.  Amen.

http://youtu.be/eBdG2hUgrRI - Love Letter from God

Psalm 139
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!

What's really important?

Napoli!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C72KanzniYk&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL47AE142600DFF3D8 - Baseball makes me religious -

For the last several weeks, most of us have been focused on the Rangers.  We rearrange our schedules so that we won't miss a single swing of a bat.  Napoli, Beltre, Kensler, Hamilton, and I can't forget Michael Young, my grandson's favorite... Everywhere I go I hear their names being dropped as if they are our close friends. In reality,they are just the "flavor of the day".  These players are experiencing their 5 minutes of fame. Yet we spend more time talking about these guys than we do talking about our Savior.  And He deserves so much more of our attention than any sports star.  

It's exciting to watch the Rangers do so well.  It's fun to rally around a winner. The Rangers' victories becomes our victories.  We celebrate each win as if we actually played on the field with the team.  And there's nothing wrong with that.  It's all in good fun. The Rangers winning season has given us something to get excited about.  But what if I got as excited about what Jesus did for me?

This life is so short.  In a couple years most of us won't remember who had the most home runs or which pitcher had the best series.  We will have moved on to the next "flavor of the week".  Dare I say it?  Whether the Rangers win or lose won't matter in Eternity.  What will matter is how each player used his fame to speak the name of Jesus. 

Thank you, Josh Hamilton!  Although his stats are good, they won't count for anything when he stands before God. After all, his athletic abilities were given to him by God. What will count is that he proclaims that Jesus is his Lord. He has pointed suffering people to the One who can save them. Every person who has been encouraged in their faith, every young kid who looks at Jesus in a little different way because Josh Hamilton is a believer, those are the things that will go with Mr. Hamilton into Eternity.

Josh Hamilton has not lived a perfect life.  He's made many mistakes and will be the first one to admit that. But because he has put his trust in Jesus, his sins are forgiven.  Because Josh turned to Christ, God has used his failures and struggles to accomplish good things.  Because of his struggles, Josh Hamilton knows that he needs the Savior.  He has learned the hard way. Now, he wants others to know what he knows.  Jesus is what matters, even more than baseball. = )

http://youtu.be/0vdLi8h-xdI - Dependence - Jamie Slocum

This life is short; we need to make every moment count for eternity.

Max Lucado tells the story of a woman who was unhappy in her marriage.

"Seventeen years of his mistakes, her mistakes, his drinking, her impatience. And now, she wanted out. After all, her life was blitzing past. If she is going to live, she'd best get busy! Besides, who can assure her that the marriage will work? How does she know that she's not in for two more decade of tough times? She doesn't.

'All about me' counsel says: "Life is short - get out."

God's wisdom, however, says: "Life is short - stay in."

2 Corinthians 4:17
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,The brevity of life grants power to abide, not an excuse to bail. Fleeting days don't justify fleeing problems. Fleeting days strengthen us to endure problems. Will your problems pass? No guarantee they will. Will your pain cease? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But heaven gives this promise: "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".

 ETERNITY

I can't wrap my brain around that concept. I'm ashamed to say I am definitely a "live for the moment" kinda girl. Instant gratification, right? I have trouble thinking about tomorrow when I all I can see is today, right now!

But God has planted eternity in my heart. Ecclesiastes 3:11

What if we could understand Eternity? What would really matter in this earthly life if we understood that our lives here are but a vapor?

James 4:13-15
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

Paul got it. He understood that this life is here today and gone tomorrow. He had everything from an earthly perspective. Prestige, power, influence, money...

Philippians 3:7-11

2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!


5I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.


7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

He walked away from it all for Christ. Paul suffered unbelievable attacks, both physical and mental. He didn't always have a warm bed to crawl into at night. He didn't always have food for the day or shelter from the storms. He didn't have a wife. Friends sometimes let him down.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27
"I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm."

I haven't suffered like Paul. Yet with all that he endured, he was able to rejoice in his sufferings. He considered it an honor to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ. For him, saving one more person by proclaiming the Gospel was worth the risk and pain.

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

I'm not going to live forever. My life is so short, even if I live to be 100. When my earthly body dies, what will I be able to take with me into Eternity?


Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

What can I do today that will matter in Eternity?

Eternity is a really long, long time. I can't even begin to imagine time without end. If I could fully grasp "eternity", these few years on earth, no matter the struggle or pain I may face, wouldn't even be equal to a tiny speck in the Universe of time. What am I doing with the little time I have here on earth that will matter in Eternity? Am I laying up treasures in Heaven, or are my treasures things
I won't even be able to take with me to heaven?


Prayer


Holy God, You must grow so weary of my shallow, empty earthly desires, my fascination with meaningless things. Material things that seem so important right now, will mean nothing when I die. Please help me keep my eyes focused on Eternity, not the here and now. Help me to use my time wisely so that others may come to know Your Son because of my life. Help me to share with those who have less. Help me to come along side and bear the burdens of my friends and family, and even those people who may be strangers to me now. Father, help me to take the attention off myself and look to see what I can do to spread Your love to the people I meet. Help me see the opportunities You put before me to store up treasures for Heaven. Please forgive me for all the times I fail to be the person You would have me be. LORD Jesus, be gloried in my life as I look forward to the day when I'll spend all of Eternity with You. I ask these things in Your precious Name. Amen.



http://youtu.be/lW0QJfcmqYQ - You Be Lifted High - Michael W Smith

Remembering Jesus

As I get ready to my day, I'm thinking of all the things I absolutely must get done. I have this plan to hit the day running, jump out of bed and attack my list of things to do.

Unfortunately, too many times, I forget the One who makes everything I do possible. But He never forgets me. He's never too busy to take time for me when I need to talk. And when I'm in trouble, He's always there, on my side. I'm the most important thing in the world to HIM. Boy, does HE love me.

I think I want to start my morning remembering HIM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSo7M4e0jZk - Remember Me - Mark Schultz

Isaiah 30:18
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.

Too often, I forget what Jesus has done for me.  I forget all the times He's answered my desperate prayers.  I beg and plead with Him to do this or to do that, and as soon as He answers, I move quickly on to my next request with barely a quick "thank you".

I don't want to forget the answered prayers, but I do.  Now days, when I know God has answered a prayer, I write it down so that I won't forget.  Someday, I hope my children and grandchildren will be encouraged to see all the times God interceded in my life; all the times He heard my cry for help.  I want them to know where I turn in times of distress.  He is my Rock.  He is always ready to listen to my concerns.  And unlike some friends, Jesus doesn't always tell me what I want to hear.  He speaks truth to me - even when it's hard.  He answers my prayers by giving me what's best - and that's not always what I think is best.

I've taken excerpts from "Today's Quiet Walk" from Walk Thru the Bible

Prayer:


Holy Father, because Your loving kindness is better than life,


my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name. . . .
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me (Psalm 63:3-4, 6-8).


Lord, I confess the sins I have in my life.
You know those things I've brought before You.
You know those secret sins in my mind that
no one else can see. Please forgive me of those,
and also those sins that I do unaware.


You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifice You want from me is a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart-
This, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:16-17).



Father, please give me a greater commitment to Christ, a greater love for Your people. Help me to hear Your voice and to be able to quickly discern the lies of the enemy.


Holy Spirit, please take control, guiding me in all that's good and perfect so that my life will be a pleasing and acceptable sacrifice to You.


May You, the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after we have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us.

To You be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
(based on 1 Peter 5:10-11).

http://youtu.be/33aGaYAZvL4 - Through it All - Hillsong