Thoughts on the Book of Mark
A few months ago I decided to read through the book of Mark and try hard to see with clear vision what was really going on, not read with the dullness of familiarity. Since childhood I’ve heard and read the accounts of Jesus’ life and activities and it is easy to become bored when just skimming over the surface of familiar words.
When I was a child we visited the Silver Springs in Florida, where we rode in one of the famed “glass-bottomed boats”. Through that boat-bottom “window” we could see everything under us in the water; a whole new world of life below us not visible except through this glass pressed into the water’s surface.
This is what I wanted to do, figuratively speaking, as I read the book of Mark. There are words quoted in the gospels which Jesus actually spoke. When you think of it, it is amazing. And I know we should pay close attention to the words Jesus spoke and the things He did. There is much to learn from them.
So as I read I am thinking, listening, looking hard. I do not want to miss what is there because I am skimming the surface. I want to gaze down deeply into the depths of what is really going on, what is really being said. I want to take my time and hear what Jesus is saying to me, his follower.
There are a lot of things I still do not understand in scripture but I stop and go over and over again, as days go by, certain verses and passages, so I can get a better feel for what is at least some of the truth of the passage. This is not a verse by verse commentary, but rather a “rock hound” or “collector’s” commentary on verses that strike me at the moment. It is like when I walk on the beach and I have my eyes downward to discover shells or stones which I fancy and pick up, turning them over to see all sides. I then pocket them and move on, scanning the sand for more treasures. I will attempt to unload my pockets of their scripture treasures in these pages.
Mark 1:40-45
Not every treasure will I unload here, but one of the first I want to look at is this one about the leper who came begging on his knees to Jesus to heal him. We all know lepers were the out casts of society. They were not allowed near others, they had to shout “unclean” when approached by people so they would know not to come near them. I get the impression this leper caught Jesus when there were not the huge crowds around him and was able to get close enough to fall on his knees before him. His pathetic words were “If you are willing, you can make me clean”, which says to me that though the man believed the reports of Jesus’ ability to heal, he wasn’t sure that he himself was considered worthy in Jesus’ eyes to be healed. “If you are willing….” Jesus made it abundantly clear he was willing (Mark records the inner feelings of Jesus that he was “moved with compassion”) and did the unthinkable, he touched the leper and said, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
Wow. There is no one, no matter how cast off by society, whom Jesus does not care for, even to the point of “touching” the untouchable and cleansing him.
But this was not what caught my attention reading this passage. It was what follows. Jesus told the cleansed leper to go present himself to the priests to verify his cleansing and offer the sacrifices ordered in the book of Moses. This would be his legal proof to be allowed back into society and carry on a normal life. And Jesus had sternly warned him not to tell anyone else about Jesus healing him. Simple enough. Of course the man would be ecstatic about the whole event and would want to shout from the roof tops that Jesus had healed him. But Jesus clearly and “sternly” gave him directions to do otherwise.
Apparently the man thought he knew better than Jesus. Or maybe he just had a habit of ignoring wise counsel, not considering consequences of his actions. The consequence of his blabbing to one and all that Jesus had cleansed him, was that Jesus couldn’t even go back to the city. He had to camp out under the stars for a few days, away from populated areas, because of the crowds which clamored for his attention.
Jesus had gone into city and village after village preaching and healing. This was what he came for, he said (v.38) and now he was hindered from doing it because one recipient of his mercy and grace disobeyed his clear commands. This former leper kept others from hearing Jesus preaching about the kingdom of God and experiencing for themselves his healing touch, either for themselves or a loved one.
And it made Jesus’ task more difficult. Instead of a bed under a roof, and a welcoming host, he was forced to camp out doors away from the comforts and conveniences of the city or village.
I wonder if we have unwittingly done this kind of thing to Jesus because of our insistence on doing things “our” way. Sometimes Jesus, by his Spirit, directs our hearts a certain way but we either do not hear or do not want to hear and go in that particular direction. Sometimes others, perhaps well meaning, prod us to go in a direction which is contrary to that of God’s leading and instead of taking the stand we should, though unpopular and perhaps we cannot even explain it other than that we sense God is leading us that way, we cave to the voices of man rather than God.
What negative consequences have I caused because of plain and simple disobedience to God? Not sinful activity as we think of it. But disobedience to the Spirit of God is still missing the high mark of God and causes grief to our Lord. And hinders his work among us.
This is what I thought of as I contemplated this section of scripture. All scripture is given us to learn from. I want to learn from this record of a man who had a tremendous blessing of healing given him as well as strict warnings and instructions from Jesus. Though Jesus' instructions, or at least part of them, seemed contrary to common sense (don’t tell anyone but the priests about your healing), Jesus knew better and suffered the negative effect of the man’s disobedience.
I pray for humility and discernment to hear Jesus’ word to me in every situation so that I can obey and not cause him to suffer because of my disobedience, even if I cannot explain my actions to others.
May we all hear and obey in this brand new year rushing toward us, to the glory of God!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
These have been busy weeks. Randy and I had made the decision to spend Thanksgiving with our family, traveling to Georgia from West Virginia, and we are glad we did. Thanksgiving found us in the Atlanta area with several members of my family including my mother, who was with us for the day on an outing from the Alzheimer’s home she has lived in for about a year and a half. It was a gorgeous day and we took advantage of being outdoors on the deck. Mom loved it too. It was so good to have her with us enjoying her family.
Thursday, December 1, we were able to assist in moving my mom from her place in Atlanta to a new nursing home in TN, where she will be close to my sister. She is settling in and though change is difficult for someone with Alzheimer’s, and she has her moments of anxiety, we see the grace of God at work in her as she is adjusting. She has been cheerful and responsive to the kindness of the caregivers and is even witnessing and speaking words of encouragement in the Lord to the other residents. Through all her frustration with the effects of the Alzheimer’s dementia, she will still tell you, “God is good”. What a joy and example to us!
Saturday, December 3, we were at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Mustard Seeds and Mountains. Mustard Seeds is not run by Randy and Jacque, but rather a dedicated board of directors gives godly, insightful leadership to the ministry. At this special meeting we saw the hand of the Lord directing each board member as we dealt with some very important issues. We had all been seeking the face of the Lord for months and we are excited at the leading of the Lord and grateful for the unity we experienced as we made decisions.
Randy and I often practice seeking the Lord independent of one another about important issues, then coming together to share what is on our hearts and it is always a wonder, an amazing experience, to sense oneness in the direction we both feel God is moving us. It is a similarly extraordinary experience when several diverse individuals, such as the M&M board of directors, each independently seeking the Lord for direction, wisdom and discernment for the ministry, come together in unity of heart and purpose, lending leadership to the ministry, working together for the glory of God. We are humbled and grateful for all these board members; who they are and what they do in carrying out the work of the Lord through Mustard Seeds and Mountains.
The very next day, Sunday, December 4, Randy and I were on a plane to California to spend, for my sake, the winter months away from snow and ice. We are, of course, enjoying being with our sons and daughters in law and our 5 wonderful grandchildren.
But this time is not all vacation! Along with other tasks we are responsible for, we are thankful for the teaching Randy will be doing in the month of January in the church which we attend here in California. God has opened this door of ministry, as well as others, and we are praying He continue to open many more doors of service, giving Randy opportunities to teach the Kingdom of God principles he teaches to teams in WV and writes about in the book Mission as Life: Making the Kingdom of God Your Family’s Passion. Our passion is to teach and lead Christian families into Kingdom of God lifestyles, as the scriptures teach, so that ministry will flow out of thousands of lives to the world around them, and the gospel will be passed by word and deed to the succeeding generations. Pray with us for ever increasing opportunities for this to take place all over the country.
Recently I had asked you to pray for Angie and her family; her mother was dying of lung cancer and Angie was her caregiver. Angie’s mom, DeeDee passed away several weeks ago. She received many words of witness as well as lots of loving care from her family. Continue to hold up Angie and her girls in prayer. Thank you.
I hope in future blogs to share thoughts on passages of scriptures I have been contemplating recently. Perhaps you’ve heard me talk about “camping out” in a particular section of scripture; I’ve been doing that again in a couple of places. The more I read, day after day, the more I “see”. Simply reading, though good, stops short of deep learning. So much to be retrieved if only I’d make the effort to dig a bit. And spend time contemplating the rich truths waiting for me to realize. And put into practice in my life.
May this season we are entering, a time of remembering the birth of Jesus, God the Son, our Savior, be rich with the realities of our need and His supply. But may we not stop there but rather go beyond to the life and lifestyle God purposes for those who follow Jesus: becoming like Him; loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength…and others as our own selves.
May God bless us to be a blessing to others.
Jacque
Thursday, December 1, we were able to assist in moving my mom from her place in Atlanta to a new nursing home in TN, where she will be close to my sister. She is settling in and though change is difficult for someone with Alzheimer’s, and she has her moments of anxiety, we see the grace of God at work in her as she is adjusting. She has been cheerful and responsive to the kindness of the caregivers and is even witnessing and speaking words of encouragement in the Lord to the other residents. Through all her frustration with the effects of the Alzheimer’s dementia, she will still tell you, “God is good”. What a joy and example to us!
Saturday, December 3, we were at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Mustard Seeds and Mountains. Mustard Seeds is not run by Randy and Jacque, but rather a dedicated board of directors gives godly, insightful leadership to the ministry. At this special meeting we saw the hand of the Lord directing each board member as we dealt with some very important issues. We had all been seeking the face of the Lord for months and we are excited at the leading of the Lord and grateful for the unity we experienced as we made decisions.
Randy and I often practice seeking the Lord independent of one another about important issues, then coming together to share what is on our hearts and it is always a wonder, an amazing experience, to sense oneness in the direction we both feel God is moving us. It is a similarly extraordinary experience when several diverse individuals, such as the M&M board of directors, each independently seeking the Lord for direction, wisdom and discernment for the ministry, come together in unity of heart and purpose, lending leadership to the ministry, working together for the glory of God. We are humbled and grateful for all these board members; who they are and what they do in carrying out the work of the Lord through Mustard Seeds and Mountains.
The very next day, Sunday, December 4, Randy and I were on a plane to California to spend, for my sake, the winter months away from snow and ice. We are, of course, enjoying being with our sons and daughters in law and our 5 wonderful grandchildren.
But this time is not all vacation! Along with other tasks we are responsible for, we are thankful for the teaching Randy will be doing in the month of January in the church which we attend here in California. God has opened this door of ministry, as well as others, and we are praying He continue to open many more doors of service, giving Randy opportunities to teach the Kingdom of God principles he teaches to teams in WV and writes about in the book Mission as Life: Making the Kingdom of God Your Family’s Passion. Our passion is to teach and lead Christian families into Kingdom of God lifestyles, as the scriptures teach, so that ministry will flow out of thousands of lives to the world around them, and the gospel will be passed by word and deed to the succeeding generations. Pray with us for ever increasing opportunities for this to take place all over the country.
Recently I had asked you to pray for Angie and her family; her mother was dying of lung cancer and Angie was her caregiver. Angie’s mom, DeeDee passed away several weeks ago. She received many words of witness as well as lots of loving care from her family. Continue to hold up Angie and her girls in prayer. Thank you.
I hope in future blogs to share thoughts on passages of scriptures I have been contemplating recently. Perhaps you’ve heard me talk about “camping out” in a particular section of scripture; I’ve been doing that again in a couple of places. The more I read, day after day, the more I “see”. Simply reading, though good, stops short of deep learning. So much to be retrieved if only I’d make the effort to dig a bit. And spend time contemplating the rich truths waiting for me to realize. And put into practice in my life.
May this season we are entering, a time of remembering the birth of Jesus, God the Son, our Savior, be rich with the realities of our need and His supply. But may we not stop there but rather go beyond to the life and lifestyle God purposes for those who follow Jesus: becoming like Him; loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength…and others as our own selves.
May God bless us to be a blessing to others.
Jacque
Monday, November 7, 2011
Frost on the grass and rooftops. Steam rising from roofs as the sun rises. Warm afternoons on my porch, where I go to warm up since we keep the thermostat low inside the house! Ah, late autumn in West Virginia.
The past two weekends Randy and I traveled by car and plane to two very different areas of the country. The last weekend of October saw us heading north into central Ohio. Literally, the center of Ohio, to Centerburg Christian Church. Farm fields surround small towns and homes reminding me very much of central Michigan where I grew up. I felt quite at home, actually, but it wasn’t just the terrain; it was the people.
What a joy to be hosted in the home of the pastor and his wife and 4 children. We really connected with the kids; they reminded us so much of our own grandchildren in ages and delightfulness! I received a supreme compliment when one of the girls (there are 3 of them, aged 11, 9 and 7 with brother aged 5 years) said to her mom, “Know what, Mom, Miss Jacque reminds me of Grandma”. Wow. To be associated with a person who loves her grandchildren and is loved by them… I was humbled. And that was just staying in the home! We had a good time with the church folk the next day.
Randy was given the whole preaching part of the Sunday service and God abundantly worked in that time, as well as in meeting and talking with the people of 3C church that morning, and later at a pot luck dinner (oh yum!) and special evening singing service. These folk reminded me of so many church people I grew up with as a child and young person. The phrase “salt of the earth” people kept coming to mind; the kind of caring folk you want for your neighbors! We were so privileged to minister to them and thank God for that opportunity.
Then this past weekend we were off again. Just yesterday (Sunday 6th) we got back from visiting another part of the country, very different from Centerburg, OH.
Randy had been asked if he would be a speaker in a Marriage Retreat being put together by Arcola Covenant Community Church, situated outside Newark, NJ (New York City, “the City”, is just across the bridge). He agreed, though we had never done anything like this before! Randy was the main plenary speaker and had 3 sessions. I shared the floor with him in the last 2 sessions. This was really a first for us. We had prayed much that God would speak and pour out His spirit on His people as Randy opened the Word of God. We believe He answered prayer.
God was working mightily in this whole marriage retreat (there were 2 other presenters who held workshops as well) in answer to prayer, not just ours but the church as they prepared for this weekend. These dear couples, ranging from married 4 months to 20+ years, were all so eager to hear what God had for them, were so open to learning and growing! They were a delight to be with. I wish we could have more time with them! They are in a growing, dynamic church; they have a young pastor who really has a heart for the Lord and we rejoice so in that!
In both these very different parts of the country and different cultures; one white, middle-class, rural, mid-America; the other first and second generation Korean-Americans, highly educated and all in professional careers, we felt the love of God pouring through each group and each person. The bonds of blood, the blood of Jesus Christ, bind us tightly together as family. What a privilege and joy has been ours to meet so many brothers and sisters we didn’t know before! We are richer for it.
We thank God for these opportunities to minister to Christ’s body, the church, in different ways. This is really “up our alley”, so to speak! We have a passion for this very thing, and sense God’s gifting by His spirit for it and we are so excited about the doors God is opening to serve His people across the country.
I remember as a young wife and mother, attending a ladies’ Bible study hosted in the home of one of the ladies in our church in Florida, studying a passage of scripture which spoke about the older women teaching the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children and so on, and thinking with desire in my heart, I want to do that! I want to teach the younger women to love the Lord and their families. Then immediately I also realized, I was one of the “younger” women and had much to learn. So I have been trying to faithfully learn and grow over the years, in my walk with Jesus. Now, as an “older” woman, I get to share what I have been learning! Who says there aren’t benefits to getting older?! Even “Senior” discounts can’t hold a candle to serving others!
Thanks for your prayers for us. Continue to pray for Randy and me as we make ourselves available to serve wherever God opens the door. May He be glorified and His church built up.
Jacque
The past two weekends Randy and I traveled by car and plane to two very different areas of the country. The last weekend of October saw us heading north into central Ohio. Literally, the center of Ohio, to Centerburg Christian Church. Farm fields surround small towns and homes reminding me very much of central Michigan where I grew up. I felt quite at home, actually, but it wasn’t just the terrain; it was the people.
What a joy to be hosted in the home of the pastor and his wife and 4 children. We really connected with the kids; they reminded us so much of our own grandchildren in ages and delightfulness! I received a supreme compliment when one of the girls (there are 3 of them, aged 11, 9 and 7 with brother aged 5 years) said to her mom, “Know what, Mom, Miss Jacque reminds me of Grandma”. Wow. To be associated with a person who loves her grandchildren and is loved by them… I was humbled. And that was just staying in the home! We had a good time with the church folk the next day.
Randy was given the whole preaching part of the Sunday service and God abundantly worked in that time, as well as in meeting and talking with the people of 3C church that morning, and later at a pot luck dinner (oh yum!) and special evening singing service. These folk reminded me of so many church people I grew up with as a child and young person. The phrase “salt of the earth” people kept coming to mind; the kind of caring folk you want for your neighbors! We were so privileged to minister to them and thank God for that opportunity.
Then this past weekend we were off again. Just yesterday (Sunday 6th) we got back from visiting another part of the country, very different from Centerburg, OH.
Randy had been asked if he would be a speaker in a Marriage Retreat being put together by Arcola Covenant Community Church, situated outside Newark, NJ (New York City, “the City”, is just across the bridge). He agreed, though we had never done anything like this before! Randy was the main plenary speaker and had 3 sessions. I shared the floor with him in the last 2 sessions. This was really a first for us. We had prayed much that God would speak and pour out His spirit on His people as Randy opened the Word of God. We believe He answered prayer.
God was working mightily in this whole marriage retreat (there were 2 other presenters who held workshops as well) in answer to prayer, not just ours but the church as they prepared for this weekend. These dear couples, ranging from married 4 months to 20+ years, were all so eager to hear what God had for them, were so open to learning and growing! They were a delight to be with. I wish we could have more time with them! They are in a growing, dynamic church; they have a young pastor who really has a heart for the Lord and we rejoice so in that!
In both these very different parts of the country and different cultures; one white, middle-class, rural, mid-America; the other first and second generation Korean-Americans, highly educated and all in professional careers, we felt the love of God pouring through each group and each person. The bonds of blood, the blood of Jesus Christ, bind us tightly together as family. What a privilege and joy has been ours to meet so many brothers and sisters we didn’t know before! We are richer for it.
We thank God for these opportunities to minister to Christ’s body, the church, in different ways. This is really “up our alley”, so to speak! We have a passion for this very thing, and sense God’s gifting by His spirit for it and we are so excited about the doors God is opening to serve His people across the country.
I remember as a young wife and mother, attending a ladies’ Bible study hosted in the home of one of the ladies in our church in Florida, studying a passage of scripture which spoke about the older women teaching the younger women to love their husbands, to love their children and so on, and thinking with desire in my heart, I want to do that! I want to teach the younger women to love the Lord and their families. Then immediately I also realized, I was one of the “younger” women and had much to learn. So I have been trying to faithfully learn and grow over the years, in my walk with Jesus. Now, as an “older” woman, I get to share what I have been learning! Who says there aren’t benefits to getting older?! Even “Senior” discounts can’t hold a candle to serving others!
Thanks for your prayers for us. Continue to pray for Randy and me as we make ourselves available to serve wherever God opens the door. May He be glorified and His church built up.
Jacque
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
My first 30 miles of walking have been completed! It took me longer than expected but there are good reasons for that. These first 30 miles I dedicated to the Lord who has been graciously with me every day through the various physical problems I’ve encountered. The She Is Safe (http://sheissafe.org/ ) promotional “Run to Rescue” inspired me to begin my walking regimen again, which had been suspended in the last year due to leg pain, subsequent broken right femur December 1 of last year, surgery to both legs to implant titanium rods, and months of physical therapy which ended in July of this year. At times I wondered if I’d ever get back to “normal”, if the pain would ever go away. Well, “normal” can change; I have a new normal, still have some pain but not to the point of taking medication for it. For these improvements I thank God. For so much I thank God.
My “Run to Rescue” project calls for sponsors and I am thankful for those who let me know they committed to sponsor me. If anyone else wishes to contribute as well, a dollar amount of your choosing for each mile walked can be sent by check to She Is Safe, 11095 Houze Road, Suite 100 • Roswell, GA 30076 • (877) 552-1402. Or you can go to their web site (see link above) and contribute online.
These funds will contribute to the rescue of hundreds, thousands, of girls and women in places in the world where they are routinely oppressed and abused, under-valued and deprived of basic necessities. She Is Safe partners with local ministries in numerous countries all over the world, which bring the light of the Truth, the Good News of Jesus Christ, coupled with physical “rescue” efforts to the lives of these precious girls and women. Thank you for joining me in supporting these efforts.
One of the “good reasons” I took longer to tally up 30 miles (these were added up on my treadmill calculator as I walked) is that last week I attempted something that I had never done before in my life: I drove, me, myself, alone, to Erie, Pennsylvania, to be with my sister who had recently undergone major surgery, and on top of that she and her husband were packing their household to move out of state(which is taking place as I write).
From here to Erie is about 8 hours of driving. I have never been strong enough to attempt something like that. The MG I’ve had since a young teen has always hindered me from such physical stresses. However, since 2009 I have been stronger and, in fact, since November of 2009 I have been off one of the drugs I started taking right after I was diagnosed with MG at age 15. A good “side effect” of chemotherapy for breast cancer? (Some of my doctors thought that would be a fascinating study: the relationship of chemotherapy for cancer to MG treatment. I agreed.)
So, in some trepidation I started out. I did not attempt the whole drive in one day. I broke it up and stayed overnight roughly halfway, same coming home. I experienced no weakness (such as in my eyes) during the whole week.
I was able to lend some small assistance to my sister, herself a cancer survivor, and I am so thankful I could do that. So many people, over the many years of my life have helped me in so many different ways. I am thrilled to be able to give back to others, especially to my own flesh and blood, and be able to get myself there and back on my own!
I share this with you so that you can join me in giving God praise and glory, for it is all of his goodness and mercy. When we experience hard things in life we are tempted to say, “why, God?” or “where are you, God?”. Especially in these times we must fall back on the revealed character of God. The scriptures are full of the revelation of his goodness, patience, kindness and love. We only need eyes to see. Our lives are routinely filled with the effects of God’s goodness daily poured out on us. We only need eyes to see. God hasn’t left us in trials! He is still Emmanuel, God with us, no matter what we must face. He walks with us through all of it. We only need affirm this amazing truth. And give him his due: the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to God.
God is going before us, Randy and me, as we forge ahead with the mission he has given us. New doors of opportunity have been opening and we are walking through them. One of the interesting developments for us is taking part in leading a Marriage Seminar in a church. Randy is putting it all together and will have 3 sessions in which he will speak. But I, too, will have a part with him, sharing in at least one of the sessions. Pray for us as we minister to these couples. You know Randy will lead people into the Word of God, bringing it to bear on their lives and relationships. Pray for an outpouring of God’s spirit, on us, the other presenters, and the couples in attendance.
We are excited about the doors opening for Randy to share and teach about Kingdom of God principles, as outlined in the book, Mission as Life: Making the Kingdom of God Your Family’s Passion. A new blog related to this you will find interesting is “Growing Godly Families”, which is at http://missionaslife.blogspot.com/ .
Pray with us that more doors of opportunity open for Randy to hold seminars in churches around the country teaching on these biblical principles and getting God’s people involved in local outreach, challenging God’s people to a Kingdom lifestyle.
You actually are the keys to opening doors! We are looking for local “sparkplugs”, Advocates of Mission as Life/Mustard Seeds and Mountains, to stir up interest in their local churches and among individuals to read the book Mission as Life, to come on a Mission as Life mission trip to WV, to have Randy come hold a Mission as Life seminar in their church. Pray again for open “ears”, hearing unto obedience, among God’s people as Randy speaks and teaches.
Randy recently declared he was making October a month of thanks and praise to God. We have so much for which to say “thank you” to God. There is so much we take for granted and forget to say thanks for. It is a good exercise in gratitude to think about and verbalize to God our thanks for all these everyday kindnesses he routinely pours out on us. And contrary to the undercurrent of our thinking, God doesn’t have to do all these good, kind things for and to us. We do not deserve them! We deserve what we don’t want to think about and acknowledge, but because of God’s mercy and grace, he doesn’t deal with us according to our sins. This is grace. The grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
And because of the character of God, revealed in scripture and every day of our lives, our only right approach to God is in all humility, and overflowing gratitude, ready to do all he says.
If you enjoy these blogs and want to keep getting them, please become a “follower” of Jacque’s Journey. It is very easy. At the very top of the blog page you will see the word “Follow". Click on this and follow directions. I found it quite easy to do (and I need easy when it comes to technology). Once you have successfully subscribed, whenever I post a new blog you will automatically receive it by email. In future months I will stop sending email notifications that I’ve posted my blog so please take a moment to subscribe. Thanks! (If you have trouble doing this, please let me know.)
Jacque
My “Run to Rescue” project calls for sponsors and I am thankful for those who let me know they committed to sponsor me. If anyone else wishes to contribute as well, a dollar amount of your choosing for each mile walked can be sent by check to She Is Safe, 11095 Houze Road, Suite 100 • Roswell, GA 30076 • (877) 552-1402. Or you can go to their web site (see link above) and contribute online.
These funds will contribute to the rescue of hundreds, thousands, of girls and women in places in the world where they are routinely oppressed and abused, under-valued and deprived of basic necessities. She Is Safe partners with local ministries in numerous countries all over the world, which bring the light of the Truth, the Good News of Jesus Christ, coupled with physical “rescue” efforts to the lives of these precious girls and women. Thank you for joining me in supporting these efforts.
One of the “good reasons” I took longer to tally up 30 miles (these were added up on my treadmill calculator as I walked) is that last week I attempted something that I had never done before in my life: I drove, me, myself, alone, to Erie, Pennsylvania, to be with my sister who had recently undergone major surgery, and on top of that she and her husband were packing their household to move out of state(which is taking place as I write).
From here to Erie is about 8 hours of driving. I have never been strong enough to attempt something like that. The MG I’ve had since a young teen has always hindered me from such physical stresses. However, since 2009 I have been stronger and, in fact, since November of 2009 I have been off one of the drugs I started taking right after I was diagnosed with MG at age 15. A good “side effect” of chemotherapy for breast cancer? (Some of my doctors thought that would be a fascinating study: the relationship of chemotherapy for cancer to MG treatment. I agreed.)
So, in some trepidation I started out. I did not attempt the whole drive in one day. I broke it up and stayed overnight roughly halfway, same coming home. I experienced no weakness (such as in my eyes) during the whole week.
I was able to lend some small assistance to my sister, herself a cancer survivor, and I am so thankful I could do that. So many people, over the many years of my life have helped me in so many different ways. I am thrilled to be able to give back to others, especially to my own flesh and blood, and be able to get myself there and back on my own!
I share this with you so that you can join me in giving God praise and glory, for it is all of his goodness and mercy. When we experience hard things in life we are tempted to say, “why, God?” or “where are you, God?”. Especially in these times we must fall back on the revealed character of God. The scriptures are full of the revelation of his goodness, patience, kindness and love. We only need eyes to see. Our lives are routinely filled with the effects of God’s goodness daily poured out on us. We only need eyes to see. God hasn’t left us in trials! He is still Emmanuel, God with us, no matter what we must face. He walks with us through all of it. We only need affirm this amazing truth. And give him his due: the sacrifice of praise, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to God.
God is going before us, Randy and me, as we forge ahead with the mission he has given us. New doors of opportunity have been opening and we are walking through them. One of the interesting developments for us is taking part in leading a Marriage Seminar in a church. Randy is putting it all together and will have 3 sessions in which he will speak. But I, too, will have a part with him, sharing in at least one of the sessions. Pray for us as we minister to these couples. You know Randy will lead people into the Word of God, bringing it to bear on their lives and relationships. Pray for an outpouring of God’s spirit, on us, the other presenters, and the couples in attendance.
We are excited about the doors opening for Randy to share and teach about Kingdom of God principles, as outlined in the book, Mission as Life: Making the Kingdom of God Your Family’s Passion. A new blog related to this you will find interesting is “Growing Godly Families”, which is at http://missionaslife.blogspot.com/ .
Pray with us that more doors of opportunity open for Randy to hold seminars in churches around the country teaching on these biblical principles and getting God’s people involved in local outreach, challenging God’s people to a Kingdom lifestyle.
You actually are the keys to opening doors! We are looking for local “sparkplugs”, Advocates of Mission as Life/Mustard Seeds and Mountains, to stir up interest in their local churches and among individuals to read the book Mission as Life, to come on a Mission as Life mission trip to WV, to have Randy come hold a Mission as Life seminar in their church. Pray again for open “ears”, hearing unto obedience, among God’s people as Randy speaks and teaches.
Randy recently declared he was making October a month of thanks and praise to God. We have so much for which to say “thank you” to God. There is so much we take for granted and forget to say thanks for. It is a good exercise in gratitude to think about and verbalize to God our thanks for all these everyday kindnesses he routinely pours out on us. And contrary to the undercurrent of our thinking, God doesn’t have to do all these good, kind things for and to us. We do not deserve them! We deserve what we don’t want to think about and acknowledge, but because of God’s mercy and grace, he doesn’t deal with us according to our sins. This is grace. The grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ.
And because of the character of God, revealed in scripture and every day of our lives, our only right approach to God is in all humility, and overflowing gratitude, ready to do all he says.
If you enjoy these blogs and want to keep getting them, please become a “follower” of Jacque’s Journey. It is very easy. At the very top of the blog page you will see the word “Follow". Click on this and follow directions. I found it quite easy to do (and I need easy when it comes to technology). Once you have successfully subscribed, whenever I post a new blog you will automatically receive it by email. In future months I will stop sending email notifications that I’ve posted my blog so please take a moment to subscribe. Thanks! (If you have trouble doing this, please let me know.)
Jacque
Monday, September 12, 2011
It is a blessing to walk. Almost normally. Almost without any pain. Aches and pains have increased as the years have increased; now, added aches and pains and I do not know if they will diminish with the years, or not. But in the overall picture of things, one must be grateful for the good and nod, without grumbling, to the unpleasant. In everything give thanks. There really is much for which to give thanks.
When we inform ourselves of the greater world in which we live, we have to realize at some point that we in this country, at this time in history, are some of the most resourced, healthiest, wealthiest, most educated and most comfortable people on the face of the earth. Given that reality, we followers of Jesus should be humbled and challenged to also realize that what we have been given was not intended for ourselves, but was given in trust for us to steward for our King; to treat as his property to accomplish his purposes.
Just as I might entrust funds to an investor to do with as I direct, not as he chooses, so God has entrusted us with his resources to do with as he directs, not as we decide. These resources include our very lives as well as financial and all other resources which come into our hands. They are “to further the Kingdom, not feather our nest.”
When I look at the world we live in, look outside my referent group, those people who are pretty much like me socially, economically, ethnically, etc., in other words, to look beyond my “comfort zone”, to real people in other parts of the world who look and live different from me, who, for most of them, have known a world neither informed nor influenced by the word of God and have not enjoyed the advantages that world brings…as we have in our country and culture (we take so much for granted), I am confronted with the stark reality that I am one who must respond as a true and faithful steward of God’s resources to serve the needs of God’s world. The world he so loved that Jesus died.
When I was in California, away from my home, in pain day after day from 2 recent surgeries on my bones and feeling very literally “broken”, with weeping and a new depth of commitment, I yielded myself, my broken body, anew as a “living sacrifice”, to the God of my salvation. Is there any other reason to be alive? I have not found it. All my emotional struggles bubbling up through my pain and suffering in the body flowed back down into the center, my renewed center in Jesus Christ, in the God who redeemed me for his purposes, and called me to fulfill those purposes through my broken body.
Peace.
God called me to serve him before I met Randy. He brought us together in Bible college as we both sought to go in the direction of his leading. Our paths converged and we have been serving God together since that time.
Each of us must attend to the most important relationship of our lives, our relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ. Each of us will work out our specific calling in a little different way. But we must all be moving in response to the leading of God’s spirit, encouraging and upholding one another in our pursuits for the kingdom of God. We must keep looking to Jesus and focus where he points us in his world.
As I gained strength in my muscles which had been misused for almost a year, I knew the next step was to get back to walking on my treadmill every day, building up to my former 30 minute routine.
Enter a motivator I couldn’t ignore, Run to Rescue! I’ve already indicated my belief that based on God’s love for the world, and his subsequent all time greatest sacrifice to save it, we his followers are blood-bound to act on God’s passion to reach that world…in whatever ways we can.
I can walk. I can use that God given ability at this point in my life to also do something to reach girls and women who live in a very different world, culturally and spiritually speaking, from the one I live in, bringing them the good news about Jesus Christ in many different tangible ways. And I will never have to venture out my door. Not in body anyway. But hopefully I will join in spirit with those other believers who are the ones “on the ground” extending a physical hand and help to these girls and women.
I have a specific calling and work here in this my home country of the United States of America, but you and I have a responsibility to the world for which Jesus died and in this day and age we have almost unlimited ways of carrying out that responsibility to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus in his world. This is one way of many I have chosen to steward some of my resources; my time and effort, for the Kingdom.
I still need more sponsors to turn my first 30 miles of walking, dedicated to Jesus, into tangible resources to be his “hands and feet”. Would you prayerfully consider sponsoring me to do this by donating a dollar amount per mile for each mile I walk, to SIS once I complete my 30 miles? I’ve worked up to my 30 minutes a day (1 mile) since starting August 11 and have logged about 13 miles so far. I do not intend to quit.
She Is Safe (SIS), the mission organization through which Run to Rescue is offered, has a new web site. Please check it out at www.SheIsSafe.org
Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.
Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision
Jacque
When we inform ourselves of the greater world in which we live, we have to realize at some point that we in this country, at this time in history, are some of the most resourced, healthiest, wealthiest, most educated and most comfortable people on the face of the earth. Given that reality, we followers of Jesus should be humbled and challenged to also realize that what we have been given was not intended for ourselves, but was given in trust for us to steward for our King; to treat as his property to accomplish his purposes.
Just as I might entrust funds to an investor to do with as I direct, not as he chooses, so God has entrusted us with his resources to do with as he directs, not as we decide. These resources include our very lives as well as financial and all other resources which come into our hands. They are “to further the Kingdom, not feather our nest.”
When I look at the world we live in, look outside my referent group, those people who are pretty much like me socially, economically, ethnically, etc., in other words, to look beyond my “comfort zone”, to real people in other parts of the world who look and live different from me, who, for most of them, have known a world neither informed nor influenced by the word of God and have not enjoyed the advantages that world brings…as we have in our country and culture (we take so much for granted), I am confronted with the stark reality that I am one who must respond as a true and faithful steward of God’s resources to serve the needs of God’s world. The world he so loved that Jesus died.
When I was in California, away from my home, in pain day after day from 2 recent surgeries on my bones and feeling very literally “broken”, with weeping and a new depth of commitment, I yielded myself, my broken body, anew as a “living sacrifice”, to the God of my salvation. Is there any other reason to be alive? I have not found it. All my emotional struggles bubbling up through my pain and suffering in the body flowed back down into the center, my renewed center in Jesus Christ, in the God who redeemed me for his purposes, and called me to fulfill those purposes through my broken body.
Peace.
God called me to serve him before I met Randy. He brought us together in Bible college as we both sought to go in the direction of his leading. Our paths converged and we have been serving God together since that time.
Each of us must attend to the most important relationship of our lives, our relationship with God through his son Jesus Christ. Each of us will work out our specific calling in a little different way. But we must all be moving in response to the leading of God’s spirit, encouraging and upholding one another in our pursuits for the kingdom of God. We must keep looking to Jesus and focus where he points us in his world.
As I gained strength in my muscles which had been misused for almost a year, I knew the next step was to get back to walking on my treadmill every day, building up to my former 30 minute routine.
Enter a motivator I couldn’t ignore, Run to Rescue! I’ve already indicated my belief that based on God’s love for the world, and his subsequent all time greatest sacrifice to save it, we his followers are blood-bound to act on God’s passion to reach that world…in whatever ways we can.
I can walk. I can use that God given ability at this point in my life to also do something to reach girls and women who live in a very different world, culturally and spiritually speaking, from the one I live in, bringing them the good news about Jesus Christ in many different tangible ways. And I will never have to venture out my door. Not in body anyway. But hopefully I will join in spirit with those other believers who are the ones “on the ground” extending a physical hand and help to these girls and women.
I have a specific calling and work here in this my home country of the United States of America, but you and I have a responsibility to the world for which Jesus died and in this day and age we have almost unlimited ways of carrying out that responsibility to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus in his world. This is one way of many I have chosen to steward some of my resources; my time and effort, for the Kingdom.
I still need more sponsors to turn my first 30 miles of walking, dedicated to Jesus, into tangible resources to be his “hands and feet”. Would you prayerfully consider sponsoring me to do this by donating a dollar amount per mile for each mile I walk, to SIS once I complete my 30 miles? I’ve worked up to my 30 minutes a day (1 mile) since starting August 11 and have logged about 13 miles so far. I do not intend to quit.
She Is Safe (SIS), the mission organization through which Run to Rescue is offered, has a new web site. Please check it out at www.SheIsSafe.org
Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.
Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision
Jacque
Thursday, August 18, 2011
When most of your body doesn’t work “normally”, is weak and everyday life is simply more difficult because of that weakness, you learn to be thankful for what you can do, and don’t let bother you what you cannot do. I learned these things early in life.
Right around my 13th birthday I began to have difficulty speaking, eating, keeping my eyelids open, raising my arms to do my hair (a very important aspect of a girl’s life) and carry things, like school books, and was generally tired and worn out all the time…not your typical teenage lifestyle. When I had a couple severe episodes of choking, my parents went into high gear to find out what was wrong. It took about 2 years before we had a diagnosis: Myasthenia Gravis. A big name for an auto-immune, neuro-muscular disease which robbed me of the ability to function normally and almost robbed me of my life many times in the next several years. The strongest part of my body seemed to be my legs. I could still walk; my legs worked better than my arms and the rest of my upper body.
It is by God’s grace and mercy, His kindness to hear hundreds of prayers on my behalf, that I am alive today and can tell you that my heart’s desire is to love and serve the living God with all I am and do. I’ve been trying to do that in my stumbling, halting way for over 40 years.
Through MG (myasthenia gravis), breast cancer and most recently, a broken femur and surgery on both femurs to insert titanium rods (ye old Wolverine woman), I am happy to tell you, I’m still kicking and ready to Walk for “Run to Rescue”, a challenge presented by She Is Safe (formerly Sisters In Service)! I want to help little girls and women in places in the world where they would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn of their loving Savior, Jesus Christ, or have a safe and healthy life, like you and I have, were it not for the intentional intervention of lovers of Jesus who often risk their lives to bring Life to them.
You and I can have a part by partnering with She Is Safe as they partner with ministries in many of the hard places of the world. Did you know that the word “fellowship” Paul uses can be translated “partnership”? Fellowship is not coffee and donuts! It is faithing for the Kingdom; putting our faith into practice, risking for Jesus.
What have I risked for Jesus? Not much. I want to, as my legs are now able to carry me in an almost normal fashion, walk for Jesus, walk to Rescue, so His life can be expressed through others who are really risking for Him, to rescue those who are without Him. And I get to “Partner” in a small way and get to participate in the rewards in a tiny way, of those efforts to reach the least, the last, the lost, the left behind.
I need more sponsors who will give to “Run to Rescue” once I complete my 30 mile goal. Little girls and women in dire need physically and spiritually around the world also need more runners, walkers, rope jumpers, mountain climbers…whatever you can and like to do…you can do it for the Kingdom!
Please take a look at the She Is Safe web site at www.sheissafe.org or http://sheissafe.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/run-to-rescue-2/ for info on Run to Rescue.
All Jesus asks is “a life for a life”. This is how we know what love is; Jesus laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers (I John 3:16). Love is a verb.
Jacque
Right around my 13th birthday I began to have difficulty speaking, eating, keeping my eyelids open, raising my arms to do my hair (a very important aspect of a girl’s life) and carry things, like school books, and was generally tired and worn out all the time…not your typical teenage lifestyle. When I had a couple severe episodes of choking, my parents went into high gear to find out what was wrong. It took about 2 years before we had a diagnosis: Myasthenia Gravis. A big name for an auto-immune, neuro-muscular disease which robbed me of the ability to function normally and almost robbed me of my life many times in the next several years. The strongest part of my body seemed to be my legs. I could still walk; my legs worked better than my arms and the rest of my upper body.
It is by God’s grace and mercy, His kindness to hear hundreds of prayers on my behalf, that I am alive today and can tell you that my heart’s desire is to love and serve the living God with all I am and do. I’ve been trying to do that in my stumbling, halting way for over 40 years.
Through MG (myasthenia gravis), breast cancer and most recently, a broken femur and surgery on both femurs to insert titanium rods (ye old Wolverine woman), I am happy to tell you, I’m still kicking and ready to Walk for “Run to Rescue”, a challenge presented by She Is Safe (formerly Sisters In Service)! I want to help little girls and women in places in the world where they would not otherwise have the opportunity to learn of their loving Savior, Jesus Christ, or have a safe and healthy life, like you and I have, were it not for the intentional intervention of lovers of Jesus who often risk their lives to bring Life to them.
You and I can have a part by partnering with She Is Safe as they partner with ministries in many of the hard places of the world. Did you know that the word “fellowship” Paul uses can be translated “partnership”? Fellowship is not coffee and donuts! It is faithing for the Kingdom; putting our faith into practice, risking for Jesus.
What have I risked for Jesus? Not much. I want to, as my legs are now able to carry me in an almost normal fashion, walk for Jesus, walk to Rescue, so His life can be expressed through others who are really risking for Him, to rescue those who are without Him. And I get to “Partner” in a small way and get to participate in the rewards in a tiny way, of those efforts to reach the least, the last, the lost, the left behind.
I need more sponsors who will give to “Run to Rescue” once I complete my 30 mile goal. Little girls and women in dire need physically and spiritually around the world also need more runners, walkers, rope jumpers, mountain climbers…whatever you can and like to do…you can do it for the Kingdom!
Please take a look at the She Is Safe web site at www.sheissafe.org or http://sheissafe.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/run-to-rescue-2/ for info on Run to Rescue.
All Jesus asks is “a life for a life”. This is how we know what love is; Jesus laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers (I John 3:16). Love is a verb.
Jacque
Sunday, August 14, 2011
August 14, 2011
“Despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him.” Hebrews 7:5
The reference given for the verse quoted at the top of the page of the devotional was Hebrews 7:5. But the reference did not ring true so I looked it up. I knew that verse was in chapter 12 and I didn’t think it was in chapter 7 as well.
Sure enough, 7:5 is in a discussion about Melchizedek and the priesthood he represents as opposed to the priesthood of Levi. Fascinating stuff; a mystery to us, this Melchizedek. But the writer was not here in chapter 7 talking about the discipline of the Lord; that is for chapter 12.
The book of Hebrews is my favorite book of the Bible (I’ve confessed this before), if I may claim a favorite. I’m not one to choose favorites in anything since it can be prejudicial, or perceived that way. But I love this book, and so an exception. I figured out one time reading through it, why I love it so much. No other book of the Bible, in my opinion, speaks of the superiority of Jesus in such a point by point way, going into the far reaches of history, revealing so much yet making you hunger for more. So much there; so much to ponder and grow on.
So here is the author of Hebrews, as he starts chapter 12, pointing us to Jesus, admonishing us to “fix” our eyes on him as we go through life, especially in the difficult times of our lives. And to hark back to all those he had just enumerated in chapter 11, those who lived by faith in the One they couldn’t see and what He had promised but was not yet accomplished in their lifetimes…but has come to pass in ours: the revelation of Jesus the promised Savior of mankind and his ultimate rule over all, his kingdom come.
I reread the chapter, because I have so much to learn and it is so rich in truths hard to grasp, on the one hand, yet, on the other hand, simple enough to get a grip on, and hang onto (the truth is profound yet, as one has said, “near us”, accessible, “graspable”, yet we can never fully grasp it!). The author speaks of looking to Jesus as we live in a hard world, remembering those who lived by faith before us, giving us examples to follow, and who even now surround us. Then he speaks of not fainting when our heavenly Father treats us like sons by instructing, disciplining us, for a much greater purpose than the discipline we received from our earthly parents. God’s purpose is holiness and the peaceful fruit of righteousness. As I read I thought of Job.
Job was declared a righteous man by God; it wasn’t a made up idea of Job’s. But Job knew God and lived with all his might in the way he understood God wanted and required men to live (Job 27-31), and he knew he was in right standing before God. So when the calamities blasted into his life, he clung to his rightness and his understanding of God. But like us all, Job’s understanding of God and His ways was limited. Job’s world began to shrink, enclosed by walls of pain and accusation.
Pain and suffering are powerful inducements to inward looking, to a focus on only oneself. We see only a tiny part of the whole of reality when we focus on ourselves. We unknowingly close off ourselves to the bigger picture. And life is in reality lived in that bigger picture, of which most of us for most of our lives live in oblivion. We see through a glass darkly, so darkly.
This shrinking of our world leads to accusing the only one we believe can make a difference in our pain: God. We believe God is all powerful, as the scripture teaches us, but we have somehow skewed that to mean He will be all powerful for us whenever we want Him to be, according to our concept of the world, our very small world, enclosed by our problems and pain and suffering. We lose perspective living in that small world. And as with Job, God has to teach us about Himself.
Are we listening?
Job saw only his problems and pain and knowing he had lived right in the world, he couldn’t understand why God didn’t justify him before others, especially his accusing friends. Friends indeed. They all had the same theology, the same understanding of God; who He is and what He does. So when the fingers of accusation pointed at Job, Job pointed his finger at God, accusing Him of injustice.
God had to teach him. I say “had to”; He didn’t have to but He did for God is gracious and compassionate and very, very patient with us. Even though in our small worlds it doesn’t always feel like He is.
God had to teach Job.
Are we listening? He is teaching us through His instruction to Job. That is why He had it all written down! God let Job know Who He really is (Job 38-41).
And Job got it (Job 42). He had nothing to say in response to God. He was humbled before the living God. There was no more self-justification, only humility and repentance.
Are…we…listening. Do we get it?
When God speaks…we must listen, and with keen ears, ears that “hear”, as Jesus said, which meant ears that take in what is said with the determination to do, to obey.
Our response to pain and suffering, to the hard times of life, should be the same as Job’s response to God. Speechlessness and humility. “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.” (Job 40:4).
But God is not finished. “Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you and you instruct Me. Will you really annul my judgment?”
“Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?”(Job 40:7).
Are we listening?
“Then Job answered the Lord and said, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask you and you instruct me.’
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.”(Job 42:1-6).
I do not understand the ‘why’ of much of what happens to us. But I am coming to know the 'Who’ and I continue to give myself to His Sovereignty, hard as it is sometimes, at least initially. He is the only One with the right to say what is what, not me. Light comes only from Him, His words. My response, our response should be repentance.
We must always go back to the scripture. God caused His words to be written down for our instruction. If we are not taking these words in, and submitting ourselves to them, is it any wonder we end up as drifting boats on a vast ocean of troubles, crying out to a heaven which seems brass?
The text in the devotional may have been mistakenly attributed to Hebrews chapter 7, verse 5, but the admonition, which is actually in Hebrews 12:5 (a quote from Proverbs 3:11), we do well to listen to, with “ears that hear”, ready to obey: “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” God only instructs, disciplines and chastens sons, that is, His blood bought, born twice children, male and female. He has a purpose in it. Believe it. Humble yourself under His hand.
I only know this because I’ve been walking this pathway, learning these things. I have tested the truth of God’s words. I pray I do not soon forget.
I’ve written this for my dear friends who are yet making their way to that truth. Please keep moving in the direction of His light. “The entrance of Your words gives light.”
I love you.
Jacque
“Despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him.” Hebrews 7:5
The reference given for the verse quoted at the top of the page of the devotional was Hebrews 7:5. But the reference did not ring true so I looked it up. I knew that verse was in chapter 12 and I didn’t think it was in chapter 7 as well.
Sure enough, 7:5 is in a discussion about Melchizedek and the priesthood he represents as opposed to the priesthood of Levi. Fascinating stuff; a mystery to us, this Melchizedek. But the writer was not here in chapter 7 talking about the discipline of the Lord; that is for chapter 12.
The book of Hebrews is my favorite book of the Bible (I’ve confessed this before), if I may claim a favorite. I’m not one to choose favorites in anything since it can be prejudicial, or perceived that way. But I love this book, and so an exception. I figured out one time reading through it, why I love it so much. No other book of the Bible, in my opinion, speaks of the superiority of Jesus in such a point by point way, going into the far reaches of history, revealing so much yet making you hunger for more. So much there; so much to ponder and grow on.
So here is the author of Hebrews, as he starts chapter 12, pointing us to Jesus, admonishing us to “fix” our eyes on him as we go through life, especially in the difficult times of our lives. And to hark back to all those he had just enumerated in chapter 11, those who lived by faith in the One they couldn’t see and what He had promised but was not yet accomplished in their lifetimes…but has come to pass in ours: the revelation of Jesus the promised Savior of mankind and his ultimate rule over all, his kingdom come.
I reread the chapter, because I have so much to learn and it is so rich in truths hard to grasp, on the one hand, yet, on the other hand, simple enough to get a grip on, and hang onto (the truth is profound yet, as one has said, “near us”, accessible, “graspable”, yet we can never fully grasp it!). The author speaks of looking to Jesus as we live in a hard world, remembering those who lived by faith before us, giving us examples to follow, and who even now surround us. Then he speaks of not fainting when our heavenly Father treats us like sons by instructing, disciplining us, for a much greater purpose than the discipline we received from our earthly parents. God’s purpose is holiness and the peaceful fruit of righteousness. As I read I thought of Job.
Job was declared a righteous man by God; it wasn’t a made up idea of Job’s. But Job knew God and lived with all his might in the way he understood God wanted and required men to live (Job 27-31), and he knew he was in right standing before God. So when the calamities blasted into his life, he clung to his rightness and his understanding of God. But like us all, Job’s understanding of God and His ways was limited. Job’s world began to shrink, enclosed by walls of pain and accusation.
Pain and suffering are powerful inducements to inward looking, to a focus on only oneself. We see only a tiny part of the whole of reality when we focus on ourselves. We unknowingly close off ourselves to the bigger picture. And life is in reality lived in that bigger picture, of which most of us for most of our lives live in oblivion. We see through a glass darkly, so darkly.
This shrinking of our world leads to accusing the only one we believe can make a difference in our pain: God. We believe God is all powerful, as the scripture teaches us, but we have somehow skewed that to mean He will be all powerful for us whenever we want Him to be, according to our concept of the world, our very small world, enclosed by our problems and pain and suffering. We lose perspective living in that small world. And as with Job, God has to teach us about Himself.
Are we listening?
Job saw only his problems and pain and knowing he had lived right in the world, he couldn’t understand why God didn’t justify him before others, especially his accusing friends. Friends indeed. They all had the same theology, the same understanding of God; who He is and what He does. So when the fingers of accusation pointed at Job, Job pointed his finger at God, accusing Him of injustice.
God had to teach him. I say “had to”; He didn’t have to but He did for God is gracious and compassionate and very, very patient with us. Even though in our small worlds it doesn’t always feel like He is.
God had to teach Job.
Are we listening? He is teaching us through His instruction to Job. That is why He had it all written down! God let Job know Who He really is (Job 38-41).
And Job got it (Job 42). He had nothing to say in response to God. He was humbled before the living God. There was no more self-justification, only humility and repentance.
Are…we…listening. Do we get it?
When God speaks…we must listen, and with keen ears, ears that “hear”, as Jesus said, which meant ears that take in what is said with the determination to do, to obey.
Our response to pain and suffering, to the hard times of life, should be the same as Job’s response to God. Speechlessness and humility. “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth.” (Job 40:4).
But God is not finished. “Now gird up your loins like a man; I will ask you and you instruct Me. Will you really annul my judgment?”
“Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?”(Job 40:7).
Are we listening?
“Then Job answered the Lord and said, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask you and you instruct me.’
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes.”(Job 42:1-6).
I do not understand the ‘why’ of much of what happens to us. But I am coming to know the 'Who’ and I continue to give myself to His Sovereignty, hard as it is sometimes, at least initially. He is the only One with the right to say what is what, not me. Light comes only from Him, His words. My response, our response should be repentance.
We must always go back to the scripture. God caused His words to be written down for our instruction. If we are not taking these words in, and submitting ourselves to them, is it any wonder we end up as drifting boats on a vast ocean of troubles, crying out to a heaven which seems brass?
The text in the devotional may have been mistakenly attributed to Hebrews chapter 7, verse 5, but the admonition, which is actually in Hebrews 12:5 (a quote from Proverbs 3:11), we do well to listen to, with “ears that hear”, ready to obey: “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” God only instructs, disciplines and chastens sons, that is, His blood bought, born twice children, male and female. He has a purpose in it. Believe it. Humble yourself under His hand.
I only know this because I’ve been walking this pathway, learning these things. I have tested the truth of God’s words. I pray I do not soon forget.
I’ve written this for my dear friends who are yet making their way to that truth. Please keep moving in the direction of His light. “The entrance of Your words gives light.”
I love you.
Jacque
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Summer in West Virginia. Visually refreshing with densely packed trees in full-leaf greenery covering the mountains wherever you look, everything growing like weeds…no wait, those are weeds…pretending this profusion of plant life is actually what I want growing around the borders of my yard…. Ah, the joys of living in a northern rain forest. It is amazing and wonderful.
Teams of volunteers from all over the country, and even Canada, have been our guests a week at a time for the past 6 weeks, doing helpful tasks with and for local families in our neck of the woods (my fingers actually started typing “weeds” instead of “woods”; either way it would be correct!). We have had a good time with teams so far, no injuries and no problems, for which we are very thankful. There are 4 more weeks to go before our summer volunteer ministry ends and our staff takes a breather. We have 3 interns this year (college students who arrive in May and leave in early to mid-August), 2 of which are returnees, and a new guy who wants to come back again! All these things and people are answers to prayer and we, again, are very thankful.
Randy has been teaching the evening sessions with the teams, the topic this year being the fear of God. It has been powerful. We are hearing good feedback from the families whose homes we work on as well as from the teams which work with them. Please pray those who need to come in faith and repentance to Jesus, will; and those who are believers will be strengthened and built up, encouraged to greater commitment to Jesus, because of interactions with others. This is for both those who live here and those who come to serve here. And for those of us on Mustard Seeds staff.
Randy has numerous responsibilities heading up a mission organization. One recently added is weekly 5 minute radio spots to promote the prayer campaign he is trying to start in the county. We pray for a true awaking and stirring up of God’s people here and an outpouring of God’s Spirit to revive his people and redeem the lost. We his people must be ready for the harvest.
I am slowly progressing as my leg strengthens, to walk properly. Building up and retraining muscles takes effort and time but in the last two weeks I have been leaving my cane behind, even for walking outdoors! I still have 4 more days of driving in to Princeton, WV, for physical therapy, concluding the additional 6 weeks of therapy after leaving CA. The pain is slowly lessening for which I truly thank the Lord.
I spent a week in the Atlanta, GA, area to visit my mom where she lives in a home for Alzheimer’s patients. She is unable to do anything for herself anymore. She is still recognizing us but gets frustrated, in her gentle way, in her inability to communicate and do things. I spent several hours each day sitting with her, pushing her wheel chair out to the verandah so she could enjoy the fresh air and outdoor scenery, talking with her and reading a bit of scripture to her. At one point, as she mumbled something I couldn’t understand, I choked up, looked away and told myself, “one day we will have a real conversation again”. I know that won’t be until we are both in heaven, but it will come, one day.
I was also able to spend some time with several friends from the Atlanta area which was really nice. God has given us many wonderful friends from all over in the 40 years we have been serving the Lord and what a blessing they are to us.
One of our staff members is going through a very difficult time now and needs your prayers. Angie is taking care of her mom at home every day; she is in hospice care dying of cancer. Pray for Dee Dee’s comfort and true salvation to be ready to meet the Lord. And for Angie and her young girls as they walk this path with her.
Throughout what I have written you see italicized phrases. These are prayer and praise points and I hope you will join us in prayer and praise for these things. Without the intervention of God in all we do, our efforts are in vain. Thanks for “listening” as I’ve shared my thoughts with you. Thanks more for praying with us for God to work out his perfect, eternal purposes through each of us, to his glory.
Jacque
Teams of volunteers from all over the country, and even Canada, have been our guests a week at a time for the past 6 weeks, doing helpful tasks with and for local families in our neck of the woods (my fingers actually started typing “weeds” instead of “woods”; either way it would be correct!). We have had a good time with teams so far, no injuries and no problems, for which we are very thankful. There are 4 more weeks to go before our summer volunteer ministry ends and our staff takes a breather. We have 3 interns this year (college students who arrive in May and leave in early to mid-August), 2 of which are returnees, and a new guy who wants to come back again! All these things and people are answers to prayer and we, again, are very thankful.
Randy has been teaching the evening sessions with the teams, the topic this year being the fear of God. It has been powerful. We are hearing good feedback from the families whose homes we work on as well as from the teams which work with them. Please pray those who need to come in faith and repentance to Jesus, will; and those who are believers will be strengthened and built up, encouraged to greater commitment to Jesus, because of interactions with others. This is for both those who live here and those who come to serve here. And for those of us on Mustard Seeds staff.
Randy has numerous responsibilities heading up a mission organization. One recently added is weekly 5 minute radio spots to promote the prayer campaign he is trying to start in the county. We pray for a true awaking and stirring up of God’s people here and an outpouring of God’s Spirit to revive his people and redeem the lost. We his people must be ready for the harvest.
I am slowly progressing as my leg strengthens, to walk properly. Building up and retraining muscles takes effort and time but in the last two weeks I have been leaving my cane behind, even for walking outdoors! I still have 4 more days of driving in to Princeton, WV, for physical therapy, concluding the additional 6 weeks of therapy after leaving CA. The pain is slowly lessening for which I truly thank the Lord.
I spent a week in the Atlanta, GA, area to visit my mom where she lives in a home for Alzheimer’s patients. She is unable to do anything for herself anymore. She is still recognizing us but gets frustrated, in her gentle way, in her inability to communicate and do things. I spent several hours each day sitting with her, pushing her wheel chair out to the verandah so she could enjoy the fresh air and outdoor scenery, talking with her and reading a bit of scripture to her. At one point, as she mumbled something I couldn’t understand, I choked up, looked away and told myself, “one day we will have a real conversation again”. I know that won’t be until we are both in heaven, but it will come, one day.
I was also able to spend some time with several friends from the Atlanta area which was really nice. God has given us many wonderful friends from all over in the 40 years we have been serving the Lord and what a blessing they are to us.
One of our staff members is going through a very difficult time now and needs your prayers. Angie is taking care of her mom at home every day; she is in hospice care dying of cancer. Pray for Dee Dee’s comfort and true salvation to be ready to meet the Lord. And for Angie and her young girls as they walk this path with her.
Throughout what I have written you see italicized phrases. These are prayer and praise points and I hope you will join us in prayer and praise for these things. Without the intervention of God in all we do, our efforts are in vain. Thanks for “listening” as I’ve shared my thoughts with you. Thanks more for praying with us for God to work out his perfect, eternal purposes through each of us, to his glory.
Jacque
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Much has happened in the last few weeks. I am now back in West Virginia, having flown home Saturday June 11. I have enjoyed being back in my home, savoring the gorgeous visual splendors of summer in Appalachia. I drink in the sights of trees everywhere, of all varieties, fully leafed out, shimmering and waving in the breezes; trees in my yard casting shadows into the lush lawn, bushes forming enclosing walls on the edges of the yard, arching and reaching and sheltering. The day lilies are continually in bloom this month and though I have missed several earlier blooming trees and shrubs, the wild roses I rooted from cuttings and planted several years ago along a section of back fence are thriving and blooming profusely, casting their long reaching arms along the fence. Along with the sights, the weather has been perfect, in the 70-80 degree range.
Before I left CA, however, after a week of sickness and cancellations of appointments, I had a busy final week making up for lost PT sessions, meeting with friends, and final doctor appointments. The appointment with my oncologist indicated everything is fine on that score, for which we thank God. But in other meetings with doctors I learned there is abnormal bone growth into the soft tissues around the bone at the upper end of the femur (called Myositis Ossificance), that the NSAID drug prescribed for me to treat it, which I had begun to take, was nixed by my cardiologist because it adversely affects heart function, and that my only other option is low dose radiation to reduce this process. And the pain it apparently produces. The pain, from this source or wherever, along with some weakness of muscles is probably the reason I haven’t progressed further in my physical therapy and recovery to normal walking. I need your prayers for God’s intervention for healing of this problem and the ability to get back to normal walking with no leg pain.
On June 10 I was reading Psalm 124 and wrote:
I cry out to the Lord again…another medical/physical issue has arisen and only God can bring a solution, a living, working solution to my problem. Reading through the Psalm I reinterpret it for my situation. I do not have a flesh and blood enemy pursuing me, but I do have an Enemy which works to destroy me. I read the psalmist’s accounts and make my own personal application. If God were not on my side (and I on his) then I would be destroyed by the billows and waves of troubles flowing over me. I read this testament to God’s intervention as my own.
“If it had not been the LORD who (is) on my side when these troubles in my body rise up against me, then they would have swallowed me up alive, the waters would have engulfed me, the stream would have swept over my soul, the raging waters would have swept over my soul.
Bless the LORD, who has not given me over to be torn apart by these troubles and the enemy of my soul.
My soul has escaped as a bird out of the snare of the trapper. The snare is broken and I have escaped.
My help is in the Name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 124 (my changes)
It is always the word of God which holds me up, holds me together, gives me peace. I humbly thank God for his mercies to me. All his mercies to me. Though I haven’t yet physically “escaped” this trap of the enemy, my hope is definitely in the LORD “who made heaven and earth”. He did that, he can do all things.
My busyness at home is moderated so I do not over do. And oh do I have much to do! One week before flying home to WV my laptop computer crashed and the experts told me the hard drive was “kaput”, nothing was retrievable. So now I am reconstructing everything not backed up (and unfortunately my last backup was weeks prior) from other records and files. Alas, I have learned a hard lesson. The computer I use in the Mustard Seeds’ office here was also on its way out but all data was able to be saved and reinstalled with a new hard drive. We have an enemy but our God is greater. With his help I will get through this without too many lumps.
This past week we hosted our first Mission as Life team and it was a good week. The next nine weeks we will host several hundred more Mission as Life volunteers as they make their way to the beautiful green mountains of southern West Virginia. Pray for these teams, our staff and the families here who will be working with them. May God be glorified in all our hard work.
Jacque
Friday, June 3, 2011
Perhaps I was being a bit optimistic in my goal setting. When I set up my 4 weeks of outpatient physical therapy sessions, I was asked what goals I wanted to set for myself. My biggest one was to walk normally without the cane by the end of those 4 weeks. Well, this marks the end of 4 weeks, although because I was sick this week and missed my scheduled sessions of PT, 3 sessions are rescheduled for next week, and I am far from walking normally without my cane. I have done some walking without it but it is not straight and normal in any sense of the word. I still must build up strength in muscles which, when I think of it, and Randy also mentioned it, have been used improperly for many months. Back the end of last summer (before we knew the damage to my femurs) I began to have pain in my legs and started walking abnormally; I’ve been walking incorrectly since at least August.
I know I have been making incremental progress. I just had hoped I’d be further along by now. And I’m still having pain in my left leg. So all in all, your prayers for me are very much appreciated.
Though I am going to miss my families out here in California, I am looking forward to being back with Randy in West Virginia. I fly back Saturday, June 11, just in time for the first incoming Mission as Life team, kicking off our summer Volunteer Ministry of Home Repair for the needy, elderly and disabled, as well as VBS programs put on by various of the teams coming throughout the summer. Everyone is in high gear.
Also kicking off our summer, starting this Sunday, is 16 hours of prayer daily by Mustard Seeds and Mountains’ staff (in 4 hour shifts per person). Of course, Mustard Seeds is also instituting a Rend the Heavens Prayer campaign in McDowell County. We are encouraging God’s people in the County to seek His face daily in line with II Chronicles 7:14. We want to see His people strengthened and emboldened to stand against the darkness around us, living in the power of God, and then see God’s spirit poured out to change lives. It will only happen by concerted and fervent prayer. If you’d like to join us in this campaign (and include with McDowell County your own community in your prayers) you can get more information by writing us at Rend the Heavens, P.O. Box 686, Northfork, WV 24868. I have a strong feeling your area could use this too.
Pray for all of us as we seek to work alongside God, whose co-laborers it is our privilege to be. Another prayer request is for my oldest son, Jeremy, who will be leaving this Tuesday, June 7, for a 3 week missionary trek to India with his uncle, Daniel Rickett. Please pray, of course, for their safety and good health, but also that God would accomplish in and through them His plans. Pray also for Monica, his wife, back home with 3 young children during the 3 weeks of daddy’s absence.
One more urgent request is for Bryon Thomas and his family (a young couple raising support to join us on staff at Mustard Seeds). We just learned Bryon’s mother was killed in a head on car collision. Hold this family up before the Lord.
Thank you for your prayers for us as we continue to follow where He leads.
Jacque
Saturday, May 21, 2011
How good is the Word of God! So often in my readings of Scripture my heart almost bursts for the truth of it, the knowing in my heart it is so. Even the hard parts, such as, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, but now I keep your word”, and “It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn your statutes” (Psalm 119:67, 71). I have to bow my spirit before the living God in acknowledgment of that truth. Yes, I know the desperate sickness of my own heart, and only the treatment prescribed by the One we call the Great Physician can bring healing. And sometimes it is not pleasant medicine. So to be honest, I am always brought back to this I know to be true in the depths of my being, “You are good and do good; teach me your statutes” (Psalm 119:68). Then I can lift my eyes, looking about me, and acknowledge wholeheartedly, “The earth is full of your lovingkindness, O LORD; teach me your statutes (Psalm 119:64).
We so often focus on the healing of our bodies that we forget God is also interested in our ever-living souls. He sees what we fail to recognize and works in us to perfect his purposes for us, as we are a part of a greater, overarching scheme: the redemption of a people for his name.
So when he works painful measures in us, literally physically and emotionally painful, and we cry out, “what in the world is going on here? Why are you doing this to me?”, we have to stop ourselves and get perspective, God’s perspective. He sees what we cannot. He knows what we do not. He understands how all of the circumstances of our lives can work together for our eternal benefit (and that is a long time…beyond time). But we cry out against it, for the moment forgetting his goodness and lovingkindness at all times, to all peoples.
Stop! How often have I had to stop myself! And remind myself that I do know and believe with all my heart “God is good”, his word is true. It has been proven time and time again in my own life, not to mention all through history and is evident around me in the world I live in. It is in the midst of pain and struggle that we must affirm, sometimes to our own selves primarily, and then to others in the saying of it, that God, the Infinite, all-knowing God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, knows best and he is good. His word is true; he is faithful and is faithfully working all things out for his great and grand purposes, even through my pain and suffering.
It is ok if I don’t understand it. God, who does know, understands. All his ways are right.
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating”. The proof of our faith and trust in the word of God is in the doing of it…putting it into practice in our lives, even when it is hard. The proof of our faith in the true and living God, the sovereign God, is humbly acknowledging his goodness and righteousness, his sovereignty, at all times, the good times of our lives and “bad” times, and living faithful to his word, his truth.
Then we can come to the point of saying, “You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word” (Psalm 119:65).
This is how I have been step by step getting through another difficult time in my life. “This is my comfort in my affliction, that your word has revived (or preserved) me” (Psalm 119:50). Going back, and back again, and back yet again, and again to the word of God, to the God of his word! Casting myself on the mercies of God, which never fail.
Light is dawning! Re-focusing on what I need to focus on, first his kingdom and his righteousness, trusting to him my physical and emotional needs, which he has promised to meet when I put them in the proper order, that is, second to his concerns, has given me again a corrected perspective. The waves of chaos of soul have settled. Smoother sailing.
Randy and I are embarked on new adventures once again as we serve God, fulfilling our calling from him. We are excited for what God is doing and will do. We want to see him proven great and mighty! For that is what he is.
I have purchased my airline ticket and will be winging my way back east after 4 ½ months in California, on Saturday, June 11, just before our first summer team arrives in West Virginia on June 12. It is a busy time for us all on Mustard Seeds’ staff, expanded by 3 summer interns, for whom we thank God.
Pray for our vital summer Mission as Life season as hundreds of volunteers, many of them families, will come from all over the country week by week into McDowell County, West Virginia, to work alongside local families and our staff. Pray for the volunteers, pray for the local families, pray for our staff as we strive to serve them all in the spirit of Jesus.
Pray for Randy as he has many responsibilities as the head of Mustard Seeds and Mountains, and new ones added to the old ones as we forge ahead, walking where the Spirit of God leads us into ever-widening areas of service. Hold him up in prayer, for you lighten his load as you do!
It is all for the Kingdom of God and the glory of his name!
Jacque
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