On to Victory!!

So, yesterday was Sunday:  the start of our new "work week".  The start of setting up new habits and routines.  However, all I accomplished was homeschool with the kids.  I shouldn't say all because it took quite a bit of effort to get anything done while battling the start of the "usual" stomach irritations that come along with moving to a new country.  In the end, it WAS a successful day, and we lived through it to fight another day. 

And that day would be today...and oh man...did I face a "battle" I was not expecting!

Matt did not have to be out of the apartment until after lunch today, so he graciously volunteered his time (sweet man is one of the hardest workers I know!) to sit with the kids while they worked on lessons so that I could catch the 2 hour window that they allow women into the gym at the hotel. (men and women do most things separately here)  So, I got the kids off and going with school and then raced down to try and have a good workout.  When I arrived at the gym, I was the only one there.  Humm, not to be deterred, I began to try to figure out how to get the treadmill turned on and working properly.  From this point forward just think of an I love Lucy episode!  I turned on and off the lights, flipped switches, unplugged and replugged the machine, pushed the reset on the power outlet countless times and finally "walla" on came the machine.  "Well, okay, all is good now.  Here I go!" I thought.   However, the machine had a mind of its own!  I tried desperately to find a "normal" setting, but just as soon as I began at a pace that suited me, the machine would take off.  The incline would change; the air vent would blow; it hummed; and it kept asking for my heart rate!!  At first I tried to keep up; then I desperately tried to slow it down; how can I fix it....cancel, cancel, CANCEL!!  Man, that was a fight I was not sure I was going to be able to walk away from!  Truth be told, I am sore and my back is killing me!

My panic attack in the gym made me think more today about life's battles.  Daily we all face all sorts of battles:  Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, Small, Big, Personal, Family Related, Job Related, and the list goes on...The question I keep asking myself is, "How can I ensure victory in life's battles?"  What keeps coming to me are the words HABIT and FOLLOW.

Follow - well, it was certainly hard to follow that machine today.  Why?  Well, it didn't know me, love me or have my best interest in mind.  Matt's dad says, "Sin will take you further than you wanted to go, make you stay longer than you wanted to stay and make you pay more than you wanted to pay."  Wow, do I feel that right now!  I put my trust in something that did not deserve it.  I followed when I should have just left the machine and walked around the building in circles.  It would have provided better results!  In what areas of my life am I battling and feeling like I am about to be taken over?  Perhaps I need to look at where I have placed my trust.  Who am I following?  Do I know the will of the One that has my best interest in mind; the one that loves me!  Have I surrendered to His desire in my current battle?  If I have than I can take heart...HE WILL NOT LOSE!  1 John 5:4 says, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith."

Habit - this is a hard one isn't it!  I want so many things out of life:  to be physically healthy and in shape; to learn a new language; to keep an orderly home; to learn culture; to have good relationships; and list goes on.  How do I accomplish any of these?  Steadfast Habits!  So often you hear people say, "You have to make time for this or that."  Well, this is simply not possible.  Matt told me a long time ago, "Amy you have to take time.  You cannot make it."  God gives us all 24 hours in a day; 365 days in a year; and only HE knows the number of years that we will be given in our lives.  We have to treasure each moment and use it best for His glory.  What has He called me to?  How can I ensure victory in that area?  Unwavering Habits.  When I say "habit", I am not talking about "just get by with life" bad habits.  Matt quotes his high school choir teacher a lot by saying, "Practice does not make perfect.  It only makes Habit.  Perfect Practice makes Perfect."  What I need is to set up routines in my life that lead me to faithfulness in Christ.  This is what will be key to not just surviving to "fight another day", but to have the victory in the war.  Psalm 144:1 A Psalm of David:  "Blessed be the LORD, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle"

On to Victory!  AT       

A New Weekend

Friday marked one week in our new country as well as the start of a big change in our lives.  For the first time, we are moving our day of corporate worship from Sundays to Fridays....and all good Baptists gasp...Why are we doing this?  Well, the United Arab Emirates is a Federal Monarchy.  Basically, that means that the ruling family decides how the government and everything else is run.  The ruling families in the UAE follow the practices of Islam.  In Islam, the holy day is Friday; therefore, the weekend was set as Friday/Saturday. 

I confess, I am always a little hesitant when looking into change, but I have learned that usually this is the time when God is desiring to work something great in my life.  This Friday was no different.  The Emirate of Dubai allows Christians to gather for worship.  We decided that for our first official Friday in the UAE to visit an international church in Dubai.  The church is very young.  It is only about to celebrate its 3 year anniversary, yet it weekly already has several hundred in attendance.  We were overwhelmed with the diverse congregation that gathered.  We met people from 6 continents!!!  (I don't think Anarttica counts anyway!!)  As we were worshiping, God gave me a beautiful picture of Heaven.  To my left was a family from Kenya; in front of me India;  behind me Bangladesh; across the isle Pakistan and all around Australians, Brits, East Asians and other Europeans....WOW!  I have never before worshiped with such a wonderfully mixed group.  It was AWESOME!  We are asking the Lord for direction in plugging in to a new family (perhaps this one) and ministry in this country.  We are thrilled to see all that the Father is doing!  We spent the rest of the day visiting with new friends and learning more about the country.  Just like most Sundays, we finished the day exhausted but energized at the same time.  However, the great thing was it was FRIDAY!!  We did not have to get up and start our school/work week!!!  We were able to slide into our Saturday with ease - no pressure!

Over the last 2 years, I have been reading many blogs, books and posts about "taking back the Sabbath".  It has been on both Matt's and my heart to take more time to rest; enjoy each other as a family and "download" all that God is teaching us and wanting to do in our lives; however it just hasn't felt possible with all that pulls at us.  For the first time, I think we are going to really try to capture and set aside time for a Sabbath.  I look forward to seeing all that the Father is going to do with this time in our lives.  I am praying that it helps us to be more productive and affective for the Kingdom during the rest of the week!  Yesterday, we all read books and lounged around.  It felt amazing!! 

God we give you this time and this new weekend schedule.  Use it for your glory.  Show us how to be good stewards of rest and servants in your Kingdom.  AT            

On our Knees...Together

We are really trying to get creative with "killing time" in a hotel room;  so yesterday, I let Grace practice putting earrings in and out of her ears.  I know I was asking for trouble, but I let her match all the earring in our travel box and lay them on the dresser while she played "dress-up".  She spent several hours occupying herself with the jewelry.  The next thing you know the "I should have seen it coming" happened.  Grace appeared in the doorway with a long face and said,  "Mom, I have lost one of the earrings."  OH MAN - was my first thought, but thankfully, I paused.  I had a decision to make.  I could get mad, give a consequence for irresponsibility, give a lecture on the importance of certain things, etc. OR I could take her by the hand and go to the room and get on my knees with her.  Grace is 9.  She could have tried to hide her error from me.  She could have employed her brother to help her find the earring.  She could have tried to just carry the guilt, and hope I would not find out.  First of all, I'm the mom...I would have found out!  Second, and most importantly, I want an open relationship with my daughter.  How I deal with her today will determine the trust between us.  We didn't find the earring.  Am I sad? Yes.  Is she sad?  Yes.  Do we still have a relationship?  YES!  We worked through it together. 

Recently, someone I love dearly confessed a sin to me.  Did they have to come to me?  No.  Would I have found out about it eventually?  Yes.  In that moment of openness I had a choice...I could lecture, preach and condemn, or I could commit to getting on my knees with the person. 

God already knows when we mess up!  In fact, His word says that "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)  I think so often we view God as a Lord that sits around ready to hand out consequences.  Yes, consequences will come; we have to live with the repercussions of our actions. Sometimes there is loss and sometimes what has been done will change not just our life but everyone around us....however, God is a Father that desires relationships.  He is sitting at the right hand making intercession for us.  (Romans 8:34)  He is praying for us when we don't know how. (Romans 8:26) In other words, HE gets on His knees with us because there is nothing too big or too small that should keep us from HIM!

Where in our lives do we need to stop judging and lecturing and simply get on our knees with people?  Are we living a life that when our family, friends, the lost around us...are in "trouble", need freedom, need help, need somewhere to turn...they know they can come to us?

Yes, sin is still sin, but the sinner is dearly loved. Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."

Let's get on our knees together...AT     

Beatitudes: Poor in Spirit - I refused to not be moved!

This year Grace and I are working through a devotional book together.  It is entitled Truth and Dare.  It teaches the truths of God and dares girls to apply it to their lives.  I am asking the Lord for great things in Grace's life as well as in mine. On a normal basis, it is a 5 day a week study.  However, the next 8 weekends the book is giving us a beatitude challenge.  This last weekend was poor in spirit.  Matthew 5:3 says, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Usually, lessons on this beatitude are about humility.  This time the author brought out the fact that "being humble is not about considering yourself below everyone else.  It is about seeing yourself for exactly who you are. " Wow, this really hit me.  Humility is not just about putting others first (selflessness); it is about having a accurate picture of who you are in Christ and without Christ.  God has uniquely designed each of us for His glory.  We are each special and at the same time outside of Him we are nothing.  Learning that truth allows us to be poor in spirit.  

During our time in America, I really struggled when people wanted to "admire" me if you will and say, "I don't know how you do what you are doing." (and other such things like that)  I also really had a hard time not being hurt when people would say, "There are lost people here in the States.  I don't think you should take a family to those countries.  Don't you love your family.  Don't you miss your parents. etc., etc."  I am nobody special and at the same time I am someone very special. (poor in spirit)  I honestly do not know what else to do with my life.  God was very specific in His calling and to refuse just didn't seem like something I could do.  Yes, I struggle all the time.  New languages, cultures, places...wanting the best for my kids, missing family and friends; missing spiritual community, etc....This life is simply the one that HE chose for me.  To live otherwise would be dissobedience.  

What has God called you to?  Some of you are doing amazing things for the Kingdom.  I "admire" your courage, strength and commitment.  No one "job" is more significant, difficult or more important in the Kingdom.   We are all serving as the body together for His glory according to how HE calls us out. 

I recently heard a new song by Josh Wilson entitled "I Refuse".  I think it really says well what our response should be when God convicts us in an area.  I believe this is what it looks like to be poor in spirit.  It is not that we are to walk around like we are poor, but rather we walk about humbly doing our part in Kingdom business as God calls, equips, and sends us. Let us be poor in spirit today and not refuse to be moved!!  AT

Click on the song to listen and watch on YouTube. Lyrics are below if you want to read first. 

"I Refuse" by Josh Wilson
Sometimes I
I just want to close my eyes
And act like everyone's alright
When I know they're not

This world needs God
But it's easier to stand and watch
I could say a prayer and just move on
Like nothing's wrong

But I refuse
'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I can hear the least of these
Crying out so desperately
And I know we are the hands and feet
Of You, oh God

So, if You say move
It's time for me to follow through
And do what I was made to do
Show them who You are

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

To stand and watch the weary and lost
Cry out for help
I refuse to turn my back
And try and act like all is well

I refuse to stay unchanged
To wait another day, to die to myself
I refuse to make one more excuse

'Cause I don't want to live like I don't care
I don't want to say another empty prayer
Oh, I refuse

To sit around and wait for someone else
To do what God has called me to do myself
Oh, I could choose
Not to move but I refuse

I refuse
I refuse

The Music

The Music - "Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." James 5:13b
Music is so powerful!  Recently, we were at some friends' house for prayer and fellowship.  One of the friends asked for some help coming up with 80's songs that could be played at a women's fellowship.  The next hour was filled with memories and laughter as we all tried to remember songs from our youth.  Amazing how music has a way of provoking emotions, touching our hearts and filling us with joy.  The Music - so fun!

The Music - "A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" Psalm 100:1-2 - I have shared with a few of you that over the years I have developed some feelings of anxiety when traveling.  I am not sure what it is: claustrophobia; motion illness; spiritual attack....I just know that it puts me in a miserable place at times.  Well, Thursday around midnight Dubai time, I had been traveling almost 24 hours.  I could feel myself slipping into a bad place when I remembered that I was given an iphone, and Matt had filled it with praise music.  I pulled it out of my bag and immediately began to worship.  Amazing how all the feelings of worry and anxiety just disappeared!  I know it was only by prayer and by filling my mind with words and melodies of praise that I was able to make it the rest of the way without a major breakdown! The Music - so powerful!

The Music - “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” Hebrews 2:12 - Grace has been living in a Muslim country almost half of her life.  When we first moved overseas we decided to use the 5 times a day that the imams at the mosques send out the call to prayer as a time to ourselves pray for the people around us.  Yesterday, our first day in country (after 6 months in America), we were walking down the street when the call to prayer sounded.   Grace stopped in her tracks and said, "The Music!  Ohhhh, I have missed the music."  Amazing how different sounds might be scary to some, but to my sweet 9 year old the sounds of the "music" from the mosques makes her feel at home.  People might think that is strange; they might even think that is "un-christian", but I think that it is a picture of love.  Grace has learned to love people that are different from her.  She faithfully prays that all would know God's love and that no one would be lost.  The Music - AMAZING! 

"Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!" Psalm 95:1

"Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! ..." Psalm 150:1-6

The Music - AT

Come

I pray that everyone has had a wonderful start to the new year.  I know that the flu is touching many homes, but I hope that you have all had time to praise the Father for the year that has ended and have begun thanking Him for what He is going to do in 2013.  Good or Bad - He is in control.  As I was finishing reading through the Bible last year, I was struck with a verse in the last chapter of Revelation.  "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."  And let the one who hears say "Come."  And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost."  Rev. 22:17  Re-read that several times if you need to.  It is powerful when you break it down.  I think as Believers it is normal for us to quote  "The Great Commission".  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations....." Matthew 28:19  The word go seems in great contrast to the word come.  I do believe that we are all called to go into the world and participate in "the great commission".  It was a command not a suggestion.  However, I was intrigued by the word come in Revelation.  In this case, I don't believe that go and come are opposites.  I think that come is simply taking us into a deeper meaning of our calling as Believers.  The word come suggests a more togetherness.  In my mind, It exudes the feeling of being in fellowship.  I love that it says the Spirit AND the bride (the church/believers) say come.  I think that many people give an excuse for not witnessing by saying that it is the job of the Holy Spirit to draw people to God.  This verse would seem to indicate that we (the bride) are to say to people, "Come." as well as the Spirit of God.  As the verse continues,  I believe it shows us a picture of a person asking Christ to come into their life.  The hearer says, "Come."  God does not require a fancy prayer, certain words or a special ritual.  We simply have to ask Him to come.  Amazing!  The verse goes on to say that anyone who is thirsty can come and anyone who wishes to take the water of life without cost can come.  Wow, how often do people think that they need to clean up their lives before they can seek God; how often do they try to "do" something to pay for salvation.   God simply says that if you are thirsty come; if you wish to have the water of life for free come!  Father, help us this year to be people that in our going we say, COME!"  AT

His Law is Love and His Gospel is Peace

I love this time of the year!  One of my favorite things is singing Christmas music.  I think it is great that we have special music set aside for this amazing time of remembrance.  During this holiday season, I have been stuck by one song particularly.  It is the hymn "O Holy Night".  It is not a new song to me; it is just that God has really laid a line of it on my heart:  His law is love and His gospel is peace.  How often do we try to fill our lives up with rules and regulations to following Christ.  How often do we try to add to the gospel.  God loved us so much that He gave Himself so that we could know peace.  It's that simple!  I just want to pause and praise HIM for that!  The baby in the manger is love and His gospel is peace.  Let us not try to add to that; let us put away trying to earn our salvation or work towards some sort of "favor".  May you experience God in a new way this season by resting in His truth and learning to simply walk in His grace.     

O  Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!