Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Preparing to Move...



Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19

    • Mission Trips PowerPoint 

    • As my family and I are in the stages of moving to Phnom Penh many thoughts and emotions come to mind. I am praying we will be a blessing there...please keep us in your prayers...this morning I went to my daughter's nursery school to pick up her little yearbook, and I went into the director's office to say goodbye. This is what I found on her board....

 I Am a Christian.

When I say that "I am a Christian," I am not shouting that "I am clean living." I'm whispering "I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say "I am a Christian," I don't speak of this with pride, I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say, "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches. So I call upon His name.

When I say "I am a Christian," I'm not holier than thou. I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace...somehow!


With these thoughts my family and I prepare to go to Cambodia....bringing with us the grace we have received....

May I Pray? Father in heaven, thank you for your grace in all our shortcomings and sins. Please continue to have mercy on us and lead us to where you would have us serve with the strength you give us. I pray that you would protect my family and me in Cambodia...I pray you give us the love and mercy to share with those you put in our path. Thank you for this opportunity to serve you. And continue to give us your discernment, wisdom, understanding, and knowledge as we go and make disciples no matter how flawed we are . We trust you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Monday, June 10, 2013

OPEN DOOR


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What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open...See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.

Revelations 3:7-8


My family of five (my husband, three daughters, and I) are making plans to move to Cambodia for one year departing August 5. We feel the leading of the Lord as we leave the states and head towards unchartered waters...unchartered for us anyway. One door after another has been opening...so we take a leap of faith and trust in the Lord as we go to Cambodia to serve with the gifts we have been given. My husband will help teach along side the new neurosurgery residency program in Phnom Penh. I will teach the International Baccalaureate English Diploma Program for juniors and seniors at a Christian school part time. Our house here in New Jersey will be rented by the new pastor and his family of six moving from Africa who will be joining my local church. Filled with excitement, wonder, thanksgiving, nervousness, and anticipation, our family prepares for what God has already planned in Cambodia. Please keep us in your prayers as the departure dates quickly approaches and much needs to be done. More to come as we are Cambodia bound.....



Things to Think About:

Phillipians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

May I Pray? Dear God, thank you for opening doors! Thank you for making us wait when you want us to wait...and nudging us to go...when it’s time to go...we ask that you order our days as we plan and be purposeful the days ahead. Please go before us and light the path you’d have us walk. We pray for salvation, healing, learning, fellowship, growth, success and all the things you want us to experience in Cambodia! Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your people! In Jesus name, Amen!

Monday, June 3, 2013

It's NOT all about me....


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For by Grace, we are saved through FAITH...it is not by works but a GIFT from God so that no man can boast.

Ephesians 2:8


God’s grace is all around us. What is God’s grace anyway? Max Lucado has a new book out called GRACE. This book describes the grace of God at many different levels. Lucado writes beautifully the story of when Jesus challenged the Pharisees who were about to stone the adulteress woman. He said, “If anyone has not sinned....go ahead and throw the first stone.” We all know the story....Everyone...one...by one...dropped their stones....because they knew deep inside that they were NOT without sin. Such is with each one of us. We are not without sin. Therefore, we too need to drop our stones of judgement of condemnation towards others and self condemnation towards ourselves and realize the GRACE of our father. 
He loved us so much and wanted nothing to ever come in between us. He created a way....a brilliant way....a way that no man could ever come up with....a plan such as this...to send His only one and only Son to die on the cross to pay for all our sins...past...present...and in the future.... A one time sacrifice so that it became the ULTIMATE sacrifice. The sin that was created in the garden was overcome on the cross. This....my friends...is grace....a free gift....when we least expected it...or deserved it....because God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). 
As we are called to serve the Lord with our gifts and talents...going out into the farthest corners of the world to heal medically, preach the GOOD NEWS, heal the emotionally wounded, construct buildings, teach orphans, children, and parents about the love of God...the unexpected happens....on my last trip back from Cambodia I contracted E-coli...DOUBLE JOY!!!! My flight home was tortuous...each step during the long winded lines at the passport check point brought cramps, chills, and fever....I laid hunched over during the first leg of the flight. Hunched over the second leg of the flight. But through the unexpectancies.....God’s grace is bigger...stronger...and better...God’s grace always wins out....and the miracles are just ahead:)

Things to Think About:
When the going gets tough...do you ask the Lord for His GRACE?
Hunched over or not....keep asking for His grace...

MAY I PRAY? Lord Jesus, Abba Father....you are all mighty! Thank you for your grace...each time...forgive us for relying on our own strength instead of your grace. Teach us and make us more like you...abounding in grace. We love you...in Jesus name, Amen.