Greece Trip 2013

We love the life that the Father has given us.  What an adventure!!  We are so often in amazement at the opportunities that are before us.  Our family was overjoyed to be given the privilege to attend a week long conference just outside of Athens, Greece.  The resort was amazing.  The day tour of the ancient ruins is indescribable.  It was a "once in a life time trip" to be sure.  The highlight of the week hands down, was the privilege to serve the amazing group of expats at the conference.  We loved listening to their testimonies, the passion for their work and their dedication to the Father.  Many of them live in hard places, yet they have so much joy.  The kids even ministered to William and Grace through their words and actions all week.  I'll be honest, I have truly been struggling to "find my way" in the UAE.  I believe our family has been in a grieving time.  It was good to get away and gain back some perspective.  I know that God is more interested in my holiness and growing me than He is in my happiness.  He has us here for a reason.  We need to be serving Him no matter where we are.  We can't keep looking back, replaying the "what ifs" and wondering how long we will be here.  It felt good that at the end of the trip to Greece that we were all saying, "I'm ready to go home."  I know that may sound strange, but all 4 of us have come to a place where we are ready to call the UAE home.  Time away was fun, but we were ready to go home and begin serving with our whole hearts in our new country.  We will always love Turkey.  We are thankful for modern technologies and the ability to stay in touch with our friends.  We are thankful for the Turks here that we are getting to know and that we are trusting the Father will bring our way.  GOD sees the whole puzzle.  Thank you Greece for a time of refreshment and renewing of the mind!  We know you have bad history with the Turks, but you helped us end our grieving for that precious country!  AT        

 

What kind of a fisherman am I?

Fishing takes ALOT of patients!  I have watched people come day after day to our beach and not catch a thing.  Men come out early in the morning, stay most of the day and often leave with  very little.  Some will say, "Oh there is nothing in these waters worth catching."  OR "The waters are too difficult to fish." However, the other day, a man caught a whopper of a fish.  I am not a fish person so I do not know what kind it was, but people gathered, all listened to the story of the adventure of catching it and many changed their minds about the waters.  You can probably guess what happened the next day....YES, the jetty was full of men giving it a go again.  Perhaps today would be their day, maybe the waters are not too hard, maybe there is something worth catching. 

 

What about me?  How do I view the fishing I've been called to do?  Just because a people or culture are different than I am or appear to be crude or harsh, do I say, "There is nothing worth catching."?  Is that how God views people?  Just because I am not seeing my line tug, my basket full and my cooler stocked, does that mean that the waters are too difficult to fish?  Did God promise it would be easy?

 

My cousin is an avid fisherman.  I am so impressed with his dedication and abilities.  He recently posted on Facebook a video of people that have "invented" a new way of fishing.  In essence with their invention a person can "deep sea" fish from shore.  They freeze a small bait fish in a "bullet shaped" tube and then shoot it out of an airgun.  It goes into deeper waters and when you catch something you have the challenge of hauling it all the way onto the beach.  It is a different mindset, a different challenge...a different approach....BUT it works!         

 

Have I been in such a hurry to evangelize that I've shaken searching fish off the hooks?  Have I been so caught up in how things have been done before that I cannot embrace a new strategy?  Am I so involved in my own "world" of what I think that I am capable of doing that I forget that I am just the "bait"/tool the Great Fisherman is using for HIS glory?

 

David Brainerd a missionary to the Native Americans once said, "O God, let me make a difference for you that is utterly disproportionate to who I am."  Let that be so of me as well.  I am not a great fisherman, but let me be faithful.  Let me be one who tells of HIS excellent greatness!!  AT  

Impressions

In "western" culture, for decades now there has been great emphasis and educational campaigns placed on "no littering" in the 80s; recycling in the 90s; going "green" in the early 2000s and now the catch phrase is looking at our "carbon footprints".  First of all, let me say, I am all for taking care of our earth.  I think it is very important. However, I believe that we need a mindset shift in our push to "save the earth". We need to look at what we ARE leaving to the next generation not just what we don't want to leave.

Last winter, during a storm at sea,  a large Russian cargo vessel stalled out and was thus washed ashore.  It remained there for months as repair experts tried to get in running; however, it was deemed inoperable.  This summer it has been painstakingly disassembled and piece by piece hauled away by large trucks.          

It is totally gone now, but the "impressions" are there.  I don't mean "physical" impression.  Besides the occasional piece of metal found buried in the sand, no one would ever know by looking at the beach that the monster lay marooned their for months.  However,  the people that live here still say, "I'll meet you where the boat used to be."

When our family has moved from this apartment, what will be said of us?  "We live on the same floor where the Travis family used to live."    "Remember there was a kind American family on floor 18.  We live where they used to."  I do not hope for these things so that the Travis name gets glory.  I pray about what impressions I am making because I know that in a country where Christians are in the minority what I do and say leaves a picture in people's eyes of Believers as a whole.  Right or wrong, often how people see followers of Christ is how they see Christianity as a whole.  What impression do I give as a Christ follower?  Does my impression make people want to know more about my God? 

I may come to their shores looking like a big ugly foreign ship, but in the end what shines through me?  Let it be the Sonlight!!  Let eyes be opened to the wonder of a loving God.  Let their impressions be that they must seek out this ONE that washes away all the things of the past and can restore them to new life.  AT    

 

She is 10!!

What a blessed family we are to have Grace Michell in our lives.  She is learning to bake and cook.  She made her own birthday cake this year.  Her gift was roller blades, which she loves, but it is too hot to use them in this 120 degree weather!!  For now, she is enjoying her ice skating lessons.  Who would have thought....ice and snow in the desert!  Grace's truth theme for herself this year is:  I am beautiful, tender-hearted, gracious, kind and determined to follow God with my whole heart.  We love you Monkey!! AT

16 Years and Counting...

A few years ago in an interview we were asked to rate our marriage on a scale of 1 to 10.  Matt immediately piped up and said, "Oh, we're a 10!".  I must admit I was a little embarrassed.  My first thoughts were that Matt should have been more humble and that our marriage is not perfect.  The interviewer responded with what appeared to be a skeptical "hmmm" and asked Matt to elaborate. The brief yet confident explanation that followed changed the way I looked at Matt and our marriage forever.

"I will never look at my marriage as anything less than a 10.  The moment I do is the instant that the enemy has the opportunity to attack.  We know we are not perfect, but we work each day to be sanctified in Him.  A mentor once told us that our marriage is like a garden.  The fruit, beauty and pleasure that it yields will be a direct result of the time and effort that is spent on and in the garden.  In my mind, Amy is a 10 and our marriage is a 10, and I am committed to this thought process and relationship."

The interviewer sat back and grinned broadly.  His response amazed me.  He said, "In all my years of interviewing couples (hundreds of Christian couples mind you) you are only the second couple that has responded with this answer."  He went on to say that he too believed that his marriage was a 10 and he wouldn't settle for any other thoughts towards his wife or their relationship.  He believed that many issues within marriages today start with flawed thinking and a misunderstanding of unconditional love.

Unconditional is...well - no conditions.  You choose to love someone no matter what.  As a parent I don't say, "I'll love you if; I'll love you until..." 

God says, "I loved you even when you were in sin; I loved you first; and I'll love you always."  Why should our relationship with our spouse be any different?

To say that you are in a 10 relationship is not ignoring issues.  If there are things in your personal life or marriage relationship that are keeping you from believing you are a 10, then you need to work on them.  DO NOT SETTLE by saying, "Well we're a 9 maybe an 8.  We know we have issues."  If you know there are issues, FIX THEM!  NO it is not easy, and YES it is that easy.  Change is a choice. 

Sometimes the only change is accepting someone for who they are (flaws and all) and just beginning to speak positively about them and your marriage.  It is amazing how someone will begin to act when you tell them they are a 10.  Suddenly, they want to be a 10.  When you say your marriage is a 10 you begin doing things that keep it/make it a 10! 

Last week Matt and I were in another interview (non-Christian setting) and the question was posed, "Rate your marriage on a scale of 1 to 10."  We smiled at each other....then I responded, we are a 10!

Happy 16th Anniversary My Love!
Yours Forever           

There are always critics! What do I do?

Recently, we were approached by a fellow brother in Christ and asked if we would pray for him.  He has embarked upon a new work for the Lord and seems to be bombarded with negative criticism.  After spending time in prayer for him, here is what Matt and I agreed we were to share.  Perhaps it will be helpful to you too:
 
What do I do when I am feel attacked by criticism?

Step 1:  When the first person comes to you, consider the source.  Does this person have "the right" to speak into your life, or have you allowed someone that doesn't know you and have your best interest in mind to cross a boundary that you did not have well established?  If they have freedom in your life, begin to pray about what was said.  If they do not, let it go.  Do not let it take root in your heart.  Pray for the person and set better boundaries in your life!

Step 2:  When a 2nd and 3rd person come to you with the SAME criticism, you need to take the matter to your mentors and people that hold you accountable.  What can they speak into the situation?  Do you need to take action?  Perhaps you need to evaluate, repent, ask God to help you grow, seek forgiveness.  However, beware of 2 things:  the first is make sure that the people that are coming to you have done so independently.  Make sure that they have not conspired together to confront you simply because it would benefit them.  Secondly, if the criticism has not been the same,  meaning one person is unhappy with "this" and another with "that", you could simply be under attack by the enemy to make you feel defeated and cause you to retreat from the mission that the Father has given you. 

Step 3:  When multiple people come to you in love with the same criticism, you need to take action.  NOW, still be cautious.  Action does not mean that you are in "the wrong" and need to stop what you are doing.  If the Father has given you revelation, clear direction and instructions, you must obey.  However, perhaps the people that you are leading/influencing need more time in their personal growth in order to follow.  Maybe you need to do a better job in explaining your vision and shepherding those that you are leading/influencing.  The Holy Spirit will convict you and lead you in how to make changes in your life:  be it flushing out sin or maturing in your walk. 

Be encouraged.  If you are going through this, you are being used by God in a powerful way.

Right now, my son is experiencing terrible bone aches.  He is growing and growth of all kinds can be painful!  He keeps saying, "I will be taller than you mom by the time I am 12...three more months."

You too will be "taller" than this present struggle and it does have an end.  Embrace sanctification; invite transparency; and guard yourself against the enemy!  You are the child of the one true King - Go out and shake up the world for Him! 

Don't let pride keep you from growth; and don't let critics rule your behavior!! 

AT   - Hello My Name Is         
 

Not Today Temptation!

Overall, I am not a sweets person, AND...hold your breath....I really don't care for chocolate. Yes, I am 100% female, but alas, I don't see what the big deal is over the stuff.  I do have my "guilty pleasures".  You don't get to be my size by accident.  However, as a general rule I am not tempted by sweets.  At least I thought I wasn't tempted...

Over the last 20 years, the U.A.E. has been invaded by fast-food chains.  (I find it no coincidence that obesity and diabetes are huge problems here!)  One restaurant is often linked with another sharing precious real-estate space.  They have all mastered the art of crafty advertising, bargains and specials as well as seasonal/monthly give-a-ways.  However, it is my opinion that none do it better than Baskin Robins/Dunkin Donuts.  Yep, and that opinion is coming from a non-sweet eater.  In fact, two of my least favorite things are ice cream and cake donuts, but EVERY time I walk or drive past an establishment I think, "Hmm, I'd like to go in there."

The stores are splashed with vibrant colors, well placed advertisements, incentives, festive lounge areas, patios, shade, etc.  I often find myself thinking, "I should try a donut.  Look how cute it is.  Perhaps I will like it this time.?" 

Wait - WHAT?!  I am getting closer to 40 than I would like to admit....I have eaten Dunkin Donuts....I know what they taste like...they are not my thing...WHY do I think that will change just because of fancy icing, umbrella chairs and freebies?

The crazy thing is...it IS working.  People are flocking to these stores.  They are ALL OVER the country.  You can't drive down a street without seeing one.  Now, granted, I know that to many they actually like the sweet stuff.  However, it can't be just the taste that is luring very picky eaters. (Most Central Asians and Arabs are "finicky" about foods...learned that hard lesson in Turkey.)  Some of the credit has to fall to the craftiness of the marketers. 

The question I am asking myself today is, "Why do I so easily fall for the gimmicks?"

Well, perhaps it goes back to what the Bible says about the lust of the flesh and eyes, and the pride of life.  I know I need to drop some pounds, but it is so hard to say no to my flesh.  My eyes are deceived by what seems to be good, but is not good for me.  My pride wants to tell me that I can make up for the calories with my next visit to the treadmill, but time has not lied to me.  The months of eating wrong have not "paid off" by exercise.  I have to make a hard and fast choice to change. 

I think it is like this in so many areas of our lives.  Temptations my be great but they do not have to be given the victory.  I can walk past the bright yellow, smiley faced donuts and ice cream snowmen and say, "Not today temptation; not today!"    

James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him."  There are all sorts of debates around what that crown of life will be; to whom and when it will be given, but the bottom line is this - the momentary pleasures of this life are nothing compared to what God desires for us. 

Right now, I know that God desires that I trust Him for what is good and pleasing.  Jesus overcame the world by understanding the power of the Word of God.  May I spend each day with my focus not on food or exercise (or whatever tempts you) but on filling my mind with His Word.  I know that it will be a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Ps. 119:105)  It will guide me right past the donut shops and over to the Asian salad bar! 

Speaking Truth over Temptation today!  AT