As I reflected on this recently, it occurred to me that these dear people just happen to be living and raising their families in the city or country where God has called them to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Is not the same true for every Christian? How often do we Christians view our life this way? How often do I view my life this way? Our earthly locale is secondary to the fact that wherever we are, God has called us to “preach the word“¹ and “make disciples.”² Most of us have that backwards and instead see these God-given directives as secondary to the outworking of our daily life and responsibilities.

Are we purposefully developing creative ways to share the Gospel with those around us? I dare say that most American Christians go about their daily life with little thought of proclaiming the message of the Gospel. And for those who do share the Gospel, it’s more something that they do on the side instead of the driving motivation of their life, myself included. It could more truly be said, “For to me to live is to make money…” or “For me to live is to pursue intellectual pursuits…” or “For me to live is to work on a political campaign…” Oh that instead my daily motto, along with Paul, would be, “For to me to live is Christ…“³

1. 2 Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”

2. Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

3. Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.“

Oh, it is joy to feel Jesus living in you; to find your heart all taken up by Him; to be reminded of His love by His seeking communion with you at all times, not by your painful attempts to abide in Him. He is our life, our strength, our salvation…He is our power for service and fruit-bearing, and His bosom is our resting place now and forever. ~J. Hudson Taylor

taken from Encouragement for the Missions Heart daily flip calendar, November 18

A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything…
A woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her…
A woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future…
A woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes can also be God’s blessings and capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks sure-footedly…
A woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face…
A woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey…
A woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

Author Unknown

Here’s a little excerpt from the article:

This is the essence of what I call structured procrastination, an amazing strategy I have discovered that converts procrastinators into effective human beings, respected and admired for all that they can accomplish and the good use they make of time…the procrastinator can be motivated to do difficult, timely and important tasks, as long as these tasks are a way of not doing something more important.

read the rest of the article >>

I believe in the sun

even when it is not shining,

in love

even when I am alone,

and in God

even when He is silent.

-words found scratched on a wall in Germany in 1945, written by someone hiding from Nazi concentration camps

I was quite honored when Natalie asked me to write a guest post. Of course I couldn’t resist such an opportunity! Before Natalie asked me, I was skimming through her posts about “Thursdays of Thankfulness” and I really enjoyed them. So when I was asked to do a guest post I thought of a title right off the bat, “Thankful for Memory Work.” I know it’s too late, and too early, but by the time it’s November it will be old news!

Ever since all of us kids were young, Dad was sure to make us do memory work! None of us were very thrilled when we had to start (well, at least I wasn’t). The worst part was having to write out our verses over and over if we did not memorize them well. When we first started memorizing Scripture (as far back as I can remember), we would sit on the couch with Dad on Sunday when it was our turn and quote our verses to him. It was very nice having a Dad that seemed to stay up even later than usual on Saturday, because he would get very tired when we did verses. The second he closed his eyes we’d be off that couch and on our jolly way. Over the years I gradually got better at being diligent and just memorized the required verses. Now I’m to the point I see the value of hiding God’s Word in my heart!

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

Ever since the Lord convicted me of how important it is to memorize, I haven’t stopped. Now that I look back on the years I wasted, I regret it!

Noelle (my 16 year old sister) and I attended an I.B.L.P Seminar (Institute in Basic Life Principles instructed by Bill Gothard) this past week for the first time. It was incredible! The teaching, the inspiration, the encouragement…everything was wonderful! I have never been to something that was so life changing! I told Natalie that I didn’t necessarily go looking for answers, but Mr. Gothard spoke about many different topics that will change the way I live from now on! In fact, one of the topics was about engrafting Scripture in your heart. He said to engraft Romans 6-8 in our hearts, which was nice because I already have those chapters memorized. But I don’t really have them hidden in my heart. So it was inspiring when he said to quote them in bed, quote them in your sleep, etc. (don’t ask me how you’re supposed to do that!). Later I found out that Mr. Gothard had almost the entire seminar memorized, all the Scriptures, all the stories, etc… After that I was even more convicted that it was very important to engraft Scripture in my heart. I thank the Lord for giving me a father and mother who care about the value of their children memorizing Scripture.

Even though I didn’t appreciate it at first, now I can see the lasting impact it’s going to have on my life!

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the games, but Mom recorded it so that I could watch it later. Naomi gave me permission to post the video here, along with a transcript below. May you be blessed by the faith of one of my amazing little sisters, who has taken to heart the words of Paul, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) She truly is an example to me!

YouTube Link

 

What It’s Like to Have C.P.
by Naomi – February, 2007

Hi! My name is Naomi. I have played Upward for 5 years; sadly, this is my last year, but as the Lord allows, I hope to stay involved in Upward.

I know some of you have wondered, and have even asked me why I have this brace on my left leg; well, here’s why! In June 1994, the Lord brought me into this world – about 4 weeks early – with a birth defect called Cerebral Palsy (CP). In my case it’s a disconnect between my brain and the left side of my body, which causes my left side to be weaker than my right. My Mom and doctor figured this out soon after I was born.

There have been some discouragements, but my parents have put Deuteronomy 6:7 into practice following the Lord’s command to teach me every day and along with lots of other great things they’ve taught me, they’ve helped me learn how to strengthen my left side. Their example of obedience has influenced my life and showed me to thank the Lord for what he has blessed me with rather than feeling sorry for myself because of my CP. My parents have taught me to work hard at everything I do, and that has helped me learn to do some physical things that are harder for me because of my CP. So I try to work hard every day to strengthen my left side.

My Mom has told me, “You can do whatever others do if you just put your mind to it,” and I have treasured that in my heart. Yes, I have gotten discouraged, and even angry at times, because it’s so hard for me to do some things, but the Lord has taught me that He has His own good reasons for allowing me to have this disability.

I do think about, though, what it would be like not to have CP … For one thing, if I was able-bodied, I wouldn’t be able to encourage people the way the Lord allows me to. The Lord does have purposes for why He does things, and they’re perfect. So, I have no regrets that I’m disabled, because the Lord has used me to shine His light in ways I couldn’t if I did not have CP.

Each of us has strengths and weaknesses. The Lord gives these to us to glorify Himself, so let’s learn to appreciate them and work with all our hearts to use these gifts. (Colossians 3:23) You may think, how can I do that, work at things with all my heart? Remember these verses, and they will help answer your question: (Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 41:10). These verses have helped me in hard situations, and they continue to give me strength when I need it.

I vividly recall numerous occasions as a young girl when I would proudly present to my Dad a paper I had written. I would anxiously await his response, hopeful that he would “stamp” it with his approval. Instead, he would open up his desk drawer and retrieve the Red Pen.

After considerable time spent reading and re-reading my words and his editing marks, Dad would return my paper to me. It could easily have been mistaken for a blood-drenched piece of correspondence that had barely survived the second world war. After Dad finished going over all of his “recommended” changes with me I would often leave his office in tears to re-write the masterpiece that had been mutilated before my eyes. Emotions of anger, self-pity and indignation flooded my heart and blinded me from appreciating the value of the important lesson that Dad was teaching me and the character it was forming within me.

For years, the painful process continued as paper after paper endured the strokes of the Red Pen. And little by little my writing improved, as evidenced by the increasingly less battle-scarred papers that Dad would return to me. I knew I had “arrived” the day he gave me back a paper and said, “Very well done.” Period. I looked in astonishment at the paper before me, remarkably colorless. Not a single drop of red ink met my eye. After questioning his health and whether his supply of Red Pens had been depleted, I was satisfied that my paper really had passed Dad’s rigorous review. To this day, much of my writing passes first across the desk of my forbearing father. And to this day, it is often met with the ruthless Red Pen. But I can honestly say I am grateful for every mark that it makes.

Looking back on these experiences, I can identify at least four specific things that I have learned from them:

1. The end result of any project or idea is always better if the suggestions and criticisms of others are carefully weighed and duly implemented.

2. Always strive for excellence. Put in the time and effort to do the job well. Oh yes, and always proofread!

3. In addition to helping me improve my writing skills, Dad was doing something far more important – something that every parent must do for their children. He was driving the foolishness out of me. He was training me to receive instruction and to accept reproof and correction. Many times since, I have been in situations where others have instructed, criticized or corrected me. Were it not for the invaluable lessons God taught me through my Dad, I am quite sure that I would have responded foolishly and missed many opportunities to learn and grow.

4. Dad did what was best for me in the long run despite the temporary emotional trauma it caused me. A wise and loving parent and/or teacher will do what they believe is best for their child/pupil, even if it brings temporary displeasure or dislike.

Whether given in love (as was the case with my Dad) or harsh insensitivity, the criticism of others can be one of the most rewarding means of personal growth. While not all criticism should be taken to heart, I have found that it can always serve as a tool to evaluate my own actions, attitudes and motives and to constantly look for ways to improve whatever project or idea I may be working on. I will be forever thankful for the Red Pen.

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.”
Proverbs 1:7-9

“He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
Proverbs 29:1

“The 1599 Geneva Bible was a veritable milestone in our spiritual heritage: it was the first study Bible; the first to assign chapter and verse numbers; the first to be printed in a portable and affordable edition.

It was the Bible of the Puritans; the Bible of Shakespeare; the Bible of the great Reformers; the Bible of the common man.

It has been over 400 years since this edition of the Geneva Bible was first printed.

Now you can own a piece of this history of God’s Word.“

You should go check out this brand new site! And if you post about it on your blog, you can enter Kim’s contest too!

Elisa Natalie Camenisch was born Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 10:31 p.m.

Isn’t she precious??! I can hardly wait to meet her!