Thoughts on Mark 11
Who was this anonymous donor? We are not told, but he played an important role in Jesus’ ministry. There are numerous Old Testament prophecies which were fulfilled by Jesus during his life on earth, riding a donkey into Jerusalem is just one of them. But Jesus didn’t even own a donkey. He had to borrow one.
I was struck by this account of Jesus telling two of his disciples to go into a nearby village, as they approached Jerusalem, and without asking anyone, just start untying a young donkey to bring it to Jesus. Rather audacious, don’t you think! I’m not sure I’d be too keen on doing that. I was taught to ask before taking what belongs to another. What if someone confronts them?
Sure enough, some fellows standing there said, “Hey! What do you think you’re doing untying that donkey?” Good neighbors. They weren’t going to let some strangers walk off with their friend’s transportation! You want neighbors like these guys.
Thankfully, Jesus had told the two disciples what to say if this situation came up. “Tell them the Lord has need of the donkey; and he (the owner) will let you take it with you.” Um, that’s it? Ok, Jesus. If you say so. And they did what he said, on his “say so”.
Jesus needed a donkey to fulfill prophecy. He knew this. He had studied the scriptures from the time he was a child. He knew who he was and what he had to do to accomplish the Father’s will. Somehow now, when he needed this mode of transportation, he knew where to get it.
And he got it. There was a man who knew in his heart that “the Lord” would need something from him, and he was ok with it. He immediately gave assent when the disciples declared who needed the donkey. Jesus’ need was met through the willingness of this anonymous donor.
For nearly 20 years (February 13, 1992 marks Mustard Seeds’ twenty year anniversary) Randy and I have relied on God to move the hearts of men and women like the anonymous man in Mark 11, to provide the means needed to accomplish what we discerned to be God’s will for the ministry. And Mustard Seeds has received what has been needed all these years from the hands of many donors, both anonymous and known.
Today we continue to look to the Lord to provide what is needed and he tells us to “go get the donkey”, because he needs it. And we’ve seen the need being met by the willingness of the owner of the donkey, the donors. Of course, we don’t go after literal donkeys! It is the supply of the financial and personnel needs which are most pressing in ministries of the Lord today.
We have recently been praying for God to “release” the funds, the metaphorical donkeys, needed to continue the work He is calling us to do. Rather than shrinking the ministry in these economically tight times, and Mustard Seeds has been feeling the effects like many other ministries, we are being given new vision for expanding the ministry of teaching and leading his people into deeper commitment to Kingdom lifestyles, taking it “nationwide”.
Who will join us as new donors, anonymous or otherwise, to accomplish these goals? Those men and women whose hearts have been touched by God to do whatever “the Lord” requires of them to accomplish his purposes.
Many have blessed the Lord by being ones who willingly give of their means so the Lord can fulfill his work through Mustard Seeds. They have blessed us over these 20 years, and blessed countless individuals and families both in West Virginia and those across the country who have been touched by the ministry of Mustard Seeds and Mountains.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
As I am becoming familiar with the terrain in the book of Mark, I become fascinated with various features of the landscape. I’m seeing things I hadn’t recognized, or hadn’t taken time to connect before, because this time I am going back and forth over the same ground repeatedly, looking carefully…and finding gems.
One of the thoughts I’ve had is that the disciples were not “connecting the dots”, so to speak, when it came to who Jesus is. I, of course, have the benefit of looking back to the events written, knowing much more than the twelve disciples knew when these events were taking place. At the beginning of the book of Mark, I already know how it ends.
But the significant issue is that, like the disciples, who grew up hearing and perhaps reading for themselves, the scriptures (and that would be, for them, what we call the Old Testament), I too can be faulted for not “connecting the dots” when it comes to understanding or interpreting, making sense of, the Bible I have, even though I grew up hearing the Word taught. And worse, having understood some things, not living according to what I know is true.
We all take in what we are taught but don’t always “do our own homework”. The Pharisees and other religious of their day had their ideas and traditions about what the scriptures taught. They closed-mindedly held to these in the face of Jesus’ teachings and works, rejecting him and teaching others the same. We can learn what not to do from looking at the Pharisees.
The Bereans (Acts 17:10-12), on the other hand, heard Paul preach the good news about Jesus and then, not just taking his word for it, searched the scriptures to see what was written and made up their own minds, based on what the Word of God said. They came to the conclusion Paul was correct and embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can learn a lot from their example, too. We need to be like the Bereans, taking in new information and going to the scriptures with openness to what the Word really says. Not openness to any and every idea of men, rather, testing everything against the Word of God.
In Mark chapter 4 verses 35-41 and chapter 6 verses 7, and 30-52 we have some accounts of events after which Jesus expressed disappointment with the disciples for their lack of faith. This is always interesting to me. I want to learn what is really going on with the disciples, and try to understand Jesus’ thinking in these situations. Not for intellectual reasons, but so I can benefit from others’ experiences, so I can avoid the same errors for which Jesus had expressed disappointment and sad amazement.
At this point in Mark’s narrative the twelve disciples had heard Jesus preach and teach about the Kingdom of God; had decided to follow him; and had witnessed Jesus heal all manner of sickness, disease, deformities and injuries. They had been chosen by Jesus to join him in his itinerant ministry, and had seen the crowds growing day by day. They had also begun to experience the disfavor and hatred of the Pharisees for Jesus and his followers (Mark 1-4:34).
The first incident, in Mark 4, after the explanation of the parable of the seed and soils, and other parables of the Kingdom, Jesus says to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side (of the Sea of Galilee)” (4:35). So off they go in the boat.
This is the account of Jesus falling asleep in the stern of the boat and “there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up” (4:37). Apparently this storm came up so fast and was so violent that the twelve, 1/3 of whom had spent most of their lives on this very sea, were completely panicked, being convinced the boat was going to sink and they were going to drown. They were scared spitless!
Their reproachful cry to Jesus had nothing of the “save us” plea in it, no hint of asking Jesus to do anything about the situation, or that he even could do anything. “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?” (4:38). They thought everyone in the boat, including Jesus, was going to die within minutes.
But Jesus got up, spoke the “hush” word to the wind and everything became “perfectly calm”.
Did the disciples, having just been saved from sure death, shout and praise God? No. Now they were even more afraid; “very much” afraid! Of what or whom were they “very much” afraid? Of Jesus! “Who is this?” they said among themselves. Even the wind and waves obey him. Wind and waves do not obey men, even gifted Teachers of God’s word, even Healers. So who in the world is this guy we are following around?
Jesus’ response to their abject fear of death by drowning was “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” We’ll come back to this statement.
Skipping over to Mark 6 verse 7 Jesus commissions the twelve disciples to go out by two’s, giving them authority to cast out demons and preach the Kingdom of God. Just prior to this the they all had witnessed Jesus cast out a “legion”, which being interpreted is, a whole bunch, of demons from a man; healed a woman of a long-standing illness; and raised a girl from the dead. Peter, James and John, called into the death chamber, were eye-witnesses of this astounding event.
So then, after having fanned out by two’s across the countryside fulfilling their assignment, in Mark 6:30ff, Mark records they all come back and tell Jesus what they have been doing…things just like he’d been doing. Amazing stuff! They’d been walking all over Israel, village to village, duplicating the works of Jesus, preaching repentance and the Kingdom of God, healing the sick and casting out demons.
They are exhilarated…and exhausted. Jesus says they all need a rest so off they go to a secluded place, but of course, the people these things have been happening to see them and beat them to the desert resort. Jesus compassionately teaches and heals and then, when the disciples, who recognized the need of hungry people, deny they can meet the need of feeding these 5000 plus when Jesus tells them to do it, Jesus takes it upon himself to feed, with a small lunch, all 5000 men, and the women and children. He then sends them all away so he can go pray. The disciples he sent on ahead in the boat.
You know what’s coming. In the middle of the night Jesus walked on the water to cross the sea and was about to pass by the struggling men in the boat (the wind was against them) but when they see him and are petrified with fear because they think he is a ghost, he speaks reassuringly to them and climbs into the boat and calms the sea. This was nice of Jesus because these exhausted guys had been having a number of adrenalin pumping experiences lately.
(I really don’t get what Jesus was doing intending to pass them by when they were struggling. But then again, I have often struggled with “life as it is” and Jesus let me struggle. But if and when I call out for help, Jesus always helps. There’s something here….Thoughts for another time.)
Anyway, when Jesus spoke and the wind stopped, once again, they were “utterly astonished”. Why? “They had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves (feeding of the 5000) because their heart was hardened” (6:51, 52). They were not “connecting the dots” about Jesus.
They had been witnessing the miraculous and even been participants in producing miraculous events in their ministries, but they hadn’t really seen what was, even though it was right I front of them. Apparently their concept of Jesus was that he was a man, like them, with powers from God…but they didn’t see Jesus as being God.
They were right if they thought men couldn’t command the seas and winds. They were right if they figured the miracles they witnessed and took part in themselves were evidence of God’s power being given to men. That makes perfect sense. Even their concept of the promised Messiah, the Deliverer spoken of so much in scripture, could fit within this framework.
But something else was going on here and it was stretching them outside that framework they had always been taught and in which they had felt comfortable and safe. They were being blasted with truth through the events of Jesus calming a deadly storm, feeding 5000+ people, walking on water and again calming the wind and waves with a simple word of command; and they were hard-pressed to “connect the dots” to make up the picture so they could recognize who Jesus is.
If I have “connected the dots” of Jesus’ identity and say with my mouth I believe Jesus Christ is Who He claims to be, God the Son, King over all kings and nations of men; I must act out of that belief, mustn’t I? Yes, because faith without acts is dead. Faith in God is evidenced by our actions (James 3:14-26).
When we act based on faith in Jesus, rather than fear and unbelief, then we will hear Jesus say to us, “good job!”, rather than “don’t you have faith yet? Why are you afraid?” I’m sure I prefer to make Jesus smile (and even chuckle at my childish attempts to please him) than hear disappointment and astonishment in his voice because I still…don’t… get it.
And, oh my heart, every time Jesus says, “Take courage; it is I, don’t be afraid”, with the commentary that they hadn’t gained insight because their hearts were hardened, and “Why are you afraid? Don’t you have faith yet?”; I cringe, for how often Jesus has said these very words to me? I who have read the “end” of the book and know so much more than the twelve did at the time they were going through these stretching events. I have less “excuse”, if you will, for not “connecting the dots” of who Jesus is (God in the flesh who commands nature as well as mankind) and not responding to his words with “utter faith” in Jesus rather than “utter astonishment” at what he does.
I do not want to have a “hardened heart”, blind to what is right in front of me! When I, who have witnessed, both in scripture and history and my own life, the mighty acts of God, see an obvious need in front of me and come to Jesus to do something about it, and he says to me, “you feed them”, whoa! I want to say, “Ok,” trusting absolutely that I will be able to accomplish what he tells me to do. And then figure out a way to do it. It may not, no, most likely will not be easy; it will take effort. But I am convinced that Jesus will honor even seemingly foolish attempts at stepping out in faith in him to do what he says! (In fact, I can even attest to some foolish attempts to obey the Lord and he has graciously worked through me/us!)
He will feed the thousands through my hands, if I act in faith at his command. He will calm the storm at my word calling on King Jesus who rules waves and wind, as well as the hearts of men. He will keep me in perfect peace in the midst of unbelievable chaos, when my faith in him is absolute. Fear comes, but Jesus takes it gladly from us when we give it over, and he gives his peace in its place (Phil. 4: 6,7).
It all comes down to daily, simple obedience to God by making Jesus, and God’s Word the priority in our everyday, mundane lives. God is always calling to us; as we draw near him we will hear his voice. Then we have the opportunity to choose to do what is impossible for us, at his command. And not fail. Because we trust not in our puny abilities, but in the Infinite and All powerful God.
I am convinced Jesus, who spoke to the disciples, is speaking today to us to do those works he did, and even greater works. We know the disciples did these greater works after Jesus ascended to the Father. They finally got it, after Jesus gave them his spirit. And we know he gave the spirit not just to the disciples, but to all of us who believe as well. To be our companion and comforter, to be sure, but not just to make us feel safe and good. Rather, to accomplish his works in the world. Our world. In our lifetime.
One of the thoughts I’ve had is that the disciples were not “connecting the dots”, so to speak, when it came to who Jesus is. I, of course, have the benefit of looking back to the events written, knowing much more than the twelve disciples knew when these events were taking place. At the beginning of the book of Mark, I already know how it ends.
But the significant issue is that, like the disciples, who grew up hearing and perhaps reading for themselves, the scriptures (and that would be, for them, what we call the Old Testament), I too can be faulted for not “connecting the dots” when it comes to understanding or interpreting, making sense of, the Bible I have, even though I grew up hearing the Word taught. And worse, having understood some things, not living according to what I know is true.
We all take in what we are taught but don’t always “do our own homework”. The Pharisees and other religious of their day had their ideas and traditions about what the scriptures taught. They closed-mindedly held to these in the face of Jesus’ teachings and works, rejecting him and teaching others the same. We can learn what not to do from looking at the Pharisees.
The Bereans (Acts 17:10-12), on the other hand, heard Paul preach the good news about Jesus and then, not just taking his word for it, searched the scriptures to see what was written and made up their own minds, based on what the Word of God said. They came to the conclusion Paul was correct and embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can learn a lot from their example, too. We need to be like the Bereans, taking in new information and going to the scriptures with openness to what the Word really says. Not openness to any and every idea of men, rather, testing everything against the Word of God.
In Mark chapter 4 verses 35-41 and chapter 6 verses 7, and 30-52 we have some accounts of events after which Jesus expressed disappointment with the disciples for their lack of faith. This is always interesting to me. I want to learn what is really going on with the disciples, and try to understand Jesus’ thinking in these situations. Not for intellectual reasons, but so I can benefit from others’ experiences, so I can avoid the same errors for which Jesus had expressed disappointment and sad amazement.
At this point in Mark’s narrative the twelve disciples had heard Jesus preach and teach about the Kingdom of God; had decided to follow him; and had witnessed Jesus heal all manner of sickness, disease, deformities and injuries. They had been chosen by Jesus to join him in his itinerant ministry, and had seen the crowds growing day by day. They had also begun to experience the disfavor and hatred of the Pharisees for Jesus and his followers (Mark 1-4:34).
The first incident, in Mark 4, after the explanation of the parable of the seed and soils, and other parables of the Kingdom, Jesus says to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side (of the Sea of Galilee)” (4:35). So off they go in the boat.
This is the account of Jesus falling asleep in the stern of the boat and “there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up” (4:37). Apparently this storm came up so fast and was so violent that the twelve, 1/3 of whom had spent most of their lives on this very sea, were completely panicked, being convinced the boat was going to sink and they were going to drown. They were scared spitless!
Their reproachful cry to Jesus had nothing of the “save us” plea in it, no hint of asking Jesus to do anything about the situation, or that he even could do anything. “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?” (4:38). They thought everyone in the boat, including Jesus, was going to die within minutes.
But Jesus got up, spoke the “hush” word to the wind and everything became “perfectly calm”.
Did the disciples, having just been saved from sure death, shout and praise God? No. Now they were even more afraid; “very much” afraid! Of what or whom were they “very much” afraid? Of Jesus! “Who is this?” they said among themselves. Even the wind and waves obey him. Wind and waves do not obey men, even gifted Teachers of God’s word, even Healers. So who in the world is this guy we are following around?
Jesus’ response to their abject fear of death by drowning was “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” We’ll come back to this statement.
Skipping over to Mark 6 verse 7 Jesus commissions the twelve disciples to go out by two’s, giving them authority to cast out demons and preach the Kingdom of God. Just prior to this the they all had witnessed Jesus cast out a “legion”, which being interpreted is, a whole bunch, of demons from a man; healed a woman of a long-standing illness; and raised a girl from the dead. Peter, James and John, called into the death chamber, were eye-witnesses of this astounding event.
So then, after having fanned out by two’s across the countryside fulfilling their assignment, in Mark 6:30ff, Mark records they all come back and tell Jesus what they have been doing…things just like he’d been doing. Amazing stuff! They’d been walking all over Israel, village to village, duplicating the works of Jesus, preaching repentance and the Kingdom of God, healing the sick and casting out demons.
They are exhilarated…and exhausted. Jesus says they all need a rest so off they go to a secluded place, but of course, the people these things have been happening to see them and beat them to the desert resort. Jesus compassionately teaches and heals and then, when the disciples, who recognized the need of hungry people, deny they can meet the need of feeding these 5000 plus when Jesus tells them to do it, Jesus takes it upon himself to feed, with a small lunch, all 5000 men, and the women and children. He then sends them all away so he can go pray. The disciples he sent on ahead in the boat.
You know what’s coming. In the middle of the night Jesus walked on the water to cross the sea and was about to pass by the struggling men in the boat (the wind was against them) but when they see him and are petrified with fear because they think he is a ghost, he speaks reassuringly to them and climbs into the boat and calms the sea. This was nice of Jesus because these exhausted guys had been having a number of adrenalin pumping experiences lately.
(I really don’t get what Jesus was doing intending to pass them by when they were struggling. But then again, I have often struggled with “life as it is” and Jesus let me struggle. But if and when I call out for help, Jesus always helps. There’s something here….Thoughts for another time.)
Anyway, when Jesus spoke and the wind stopped, once again, they were “utterly astonished”. Why? “They had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves (feeding of the 5000) because their heart was hardened” (6:51, 52). They were not “connecting the dots” about Jesus.
They had been witnessing the miraculous and even been participants in producing miraculous events in their ministries, but they hadn’t really seen what was, even though it was right I front of them. Apparently their concept of Jesus was that he was a man, like them, with powers from God…but they didn’t see Jesus as being God.
They were right if they thought men couldn’t command the seas and winds. They were right if they figured the miracles they witnessed and took part in themselves were evidence of God’s power being given to men. That makes perfect sense. Even their concept of the promised Messiah, the Deliverer spoken of so much in scripture, could fit within this framework.
But something else was going on here and it was stretching them outside that framework they had always been taught and in which they had felt comfortable and safe. They were being blasted with truth through the events of Jesus calming a deadly storm, feeding 5000+ people, walking on water and again calming the wind and waves with a simple word of command; and they were hard-pressed to “connect the dots” to make up the picture so they could recognize who Jesus is.
If I have “connected the dots” of Jesus’ identity and say with my mouth I believe Jesus Christ is Who He claims to be, God the Son, King over all kings and nations of men; I must act out of that belief, mustn’t I? Yes, because faith without acts is dead. Faith in God is evidenced by our actions (James 3:14-26).
When we act based on faith in Jesus, rather than fear and unbelief, then we will hear Jesus say to us, “good job!”, rather than “don’t you have faith yet? Why are you afraid?” I’m sure I prefer to make Jesus smile (and even chuckle at my childish attempts to please him) than hear disappointment and astonishment in his voice because I still…don’t… get it.
And, oh my heart, every time Jesus says, “Take courage; it is I, don’t be afraid”, with the commentary that they hadn’t gained insight because their hearts were hardened, and “Why are you afraid? Don’t you have faith yet?”; I cringe, for how often Jesus has said these very words to me? I who have read the “end” of the book and know so much more than the twelve did at the time they were going through these stretching events. I have less “excuse”, if you will, for not “connecting the dots” of who Jesus is (God in the flesh who commands nature as well as mankind) and not responding to his words with “utter faith” in Jesus rather than “utter astonishment” at what he does.
I do not want to have a “hardened heart”, blind to what is right in front of me! When I, who have witnessed, both in scripture and history and my own life, the mighty acts of God, see an obvious need in front of me and come to Jesus to do something about it, and he says to me, “you feed them”, whoa! I want to say, “Ok,” trusting absolutely that I will be able to accomplish what he tells me to do. And then figure out a way to do it. It may not, no, most likely will not be easy; it will take effort. But I am convinced that Jesus will honor even seemingly foolish attempts at stepping out in faith in him to do what he says! (In fact, I can even attest to some foolish attempts to obey the Lord and he has graciously worked through me/us!)
He will feed the thousands through my hands, if I act in faith at his command. He will calm the storm at my word calling on King Jesus who rules waves and wind, as well as the hearts of men. He will keep me in perfect peace in the midst of unbelievable chaos, when my faith in him is absolute. Fear comes, but Jesus takes it gladly from us when we give it over, and he gives his peace in its place (Phil. 4: 6,7).
It all comes down to daily, simple obedience to God by making Jesus, and God’s Word the priority in our everyday, mundane lives. God is always calling to us; as we draw near him we will hear his voice. Then we have the opportunity to choose to do what is impossible for us, at his command. And not fail. Because we trust not in our puny abilities, but in the Infinite and All powerful God.
I am convinced Jesus, who spoke to the disciples, is speaking today to us to do those works he did, and even greater works. We know the disciples did these greater works after Jesus ascended to the Father. They finally got it, after Jesus gave them his spirit. And we know he gave the spirit not just to the disciples, but to all of us who believe as well. To be our companion and comforter, to be sure, but not just to make us feel safe and good. Rather, to accomplish his works in the world. Our world. In our lifetime.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
I was encouraged and challenged the first day of this new year as I was reminded to be and do my very best for Jesus Christ; to be totally surrendered and obedient to Him, to put self and my desires, even the consideration of others, aside and make my consideration Jesus and His desires, His purposes. To live a life worthy of the One who gave His life for me.
Immediately I recalled Hebrews 12: 1-3 in which God’s people are called to cast aside every sin and whatever holds us back or trips us up, being aware of the presence around us of those who have preceded us who have walked by faith (Hebrews 11), and above all fix our eyes on Jesus.
I like the term “fix” our eyes on Jesus. It is a strong word and to me feels like an anchor which hooks onto something which cannot be moved and therefore holds fast even in forceful waves; fixing, riveting, our eyes on Jesus, never taking our eyes from him as we go through each day. And then the capstone of these verses, “consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (12:3).
Oh my goodness. When we get a glimpse of what the people being addressed in the book of Hebrews were going through, we realize what we face is so small in comparison! They were being persecuted, harassed, oppressed; their possessions were confiscated, they stood up for friends and family whose goods and properties were also taken away…as well as their lives. They stood in mortal danger of having their families ripped apart and being killed themselves.
I know these things are happening today in many places in the world and we must try hard to identify with and pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering various kinds of persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. But I cannot say I have suffered such things. I have faced other sufferings but not abject fear for my life or that of my family, or even fear of my property being taken away, have you?
I am reminded of a verse God made real to me when Randy and I left everything to follow God’s call to start a ministry to the poor in West Virginia, which we named Mustard Seeds and Mountains. It was a struggle in many ways and on many levels. As I cried out to God for help and strength, in my Bible reading I came across this: “If you are slack (or faint) in the day of distress, your strength is limited (small)” Proverbs 24:10. What an indictment against my weak-kneed faith! It shouted “Buck up and be a man!” Be strong in the difficult times. God has not changed!
This verse is similar to one which has challenged us since Bible college days: “If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5. In other words, if you fail the easy test, when life is not hard, how in the world will you survive when real dangers come?
Whew. We live in the “land of peace”, friends. We have yet to face tribulations. We have much to learn from our family members in Christ in other countries who are facing life and death every day for their faith in Jesus Christ. Will you or I do as well as they in the difficulties of life?
I want to live in Hebrews 12: 1-3, in the company of those who faithfully walked in the fear of the Lord, casting away from myself all that hinders that faithful walk in my life, and fix, rivet my eyes on Jesus, never forgetting what He endured, so that I will not grow weary and give up the fight!
So when I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year…this is what I have in mind for you too! May we all walk worthy of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.
Jacque
Immediately I recalled Hebrews 12: 1-3 in which God’s people are called to cast aside every sin and whatever holds us back or trips us up, being aware of the presence around us of those who have preceded us who have walked by faith (Hebrews 11), and above all fix our eyes on Jesus.
I like the term “fix” our eyes on Jesus. It is a strong word and to me feels like an anchor which hooks onto something which cannot be moved and therefore holds fast even in forceful waves; fixing, riveting, our eyes on Jesus, never taking our eyes from him as we go through each day. And then the capstone of these verses, “consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (12:3).
Oh my goodness. When we get a glimpse of what the people being addressed in the book of Hebrews were going through, we realize what we face is so small in comparison! They were being persecuted, harassed, oppressed; their possessions were confiscated, they stood up for friends and family whose goods and properties were also taken away…as well as their lives. They stood in mortal danger of having their families ripped apart and being killed themselves.
I know these things are happening today in many places in the world and we must try hard to identify with and pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering various kinds of persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. But I cannot say I have suffered such things. I have faced other sufferings but not abject fear for my life or that of my family, or even fear of my property being taken away, have you?
I am reminded of a verse God made real to me when Randy and I left everything to follow God’s call to start a ministry to the poor in West Virginia, which we named Mustard Seeds and Mountains. It was a struggle in many ways and on many levels. As I cried out to God for help and strength, in my Bible reading I came across this: “If you are slack (or faint) in the day of distress, your strength is limited (small)” Proverbs 24:10. What an indictment against my weak-kneed faith! It shouted “Buck up and be a man!” Be strong in the difficult times. God has not changed!
This verse is similar to one which has challenged us since Bible college days: “If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? If you fall down in a land of peace, how will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” Jeremiah 12:5. In other words, if you fail the easy test, when life is not hard, how in the world will you survive when real dangers come?
Whew. We live in the “land of peace”, friends. We have yet to face tribulations. We have much to learn from our family members in Christ in other countries who are facing life and death every day for their faith in Jesus Christ. Will you or I do as well as they in the difficulties of life?
I want to live in Hebrews 12: 1-3, in the company of those who faithfully walked in the fear of the Lord, casting away from myself all that hinders that faithful walk in my life, and fix, rivet my eyes on Jesus, never forgetting what He endured, so that I will not grow weary and give up the fight!
So when I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year…this is what I have in mind for you too! May we all walk worthy of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.
Jacque
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
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!
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!
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
