Leaving for China

Time is drawing near for our trip to China to visit orphanages, visit with missionaries, visit local churches, take supplies to the orphanages, and provide labor for a farm on one of the orphanages. We are going to be able to visit the little girl we both sponsor and have time to play with her and many others at Shepherd's Field. We are so excited for what God has planned for our future and what this trip may reveal to us. We ask for your prayers,

Blessings, R.B.

China in June!

Amy and I are going to China in June just after our wedding. We just received the tickets this week. We are so excited to go and see what God has for us on this trip. We feel this is the right time and a good way to start our journey together. We are hoping to visit little Mel, the girl we both sponsor from Shepherd's Field. This will be an amazing opportunity and to see the way God has arranged all this is a testimony of His greatness and faithfulness. Can't wait to see and experience what He has for us. We will be taking a video camera to capture and remember the experience and for our first time seeing Mel. We would appreciate all the prayers we can get. All for His Glory.

R.B.

God's redeeming love

Well, here I am... where I didn't think I would be at this time. Looking back, all the waiting makes sense now. God was working on me, working on Amy, working on circumstances, healing hearts, and focusing desires. Six months ago I didn't think anyone was reading my blog.... turns out my future wife was reading!!
That's right, the beautiful Ms. Amy that God brought into my life said YES to my proposal last Saturday. So the countdown has begun for a wedding in May, just in time for new life, new growth. Rain brings forth flowers and beauty from death.

Amy and I have made a decision not to kiss till marriage and so many question this and wonder why we are doing this. We want to honor God and do all we can to protect each other from falling into sin. We have done it different in the past and it didn't work out well and was not God honoring, so we want to do it different this time. In Song of Songs it says in 3 different verses...."that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases." or " For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;" (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 ESV).
Proverbs also warns about it in many places.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. "
(Romans 12:2 ESV)

So we may be doing things different, we may not be doing it the way the world does and that is good. Jesus said he was not of this world, and as His chosen people we are to be called out, to be separate from the world, not to blend in and look just like the world. Ok, to continue...

We have much planning to do as we are also considering going on a trip to China in the middle of June to visit orphanages. We need to plan where we will live, who is moving where, jobs, and so on. If you are reading this, then please pray for us. We trust in our heavenly Father to guide and provide. I pray we will listen and obey. We are still praying about little Melanie and we are sad she has to be in a crib so much, we are thinking of you little one.

Let us not be afraid to step out in faith when He is calling us to. We know that when we align ourselves with His purposes and agenda that He will support, fund, and watch over it. This marriage is not as much about us as it is about Him, this is for His glory. We didn't do it, He brought us together, He must know we will be stronger together than we are apart, use us for your glory, your purposes, let us shine your light to a dark and hurting world.

See, you can trust Him. Wait on Him, if He is silent right now, be patient and know He loves you.

R.B.

Update on Uganda Fund

So far three people have donated and I am thankful for them and I know God sees their gifts. $80 was sent to In His Hands to help support the home building. I think this is just a beginning and pray more is raised in 2011.

What else is in store for 2011? A wedding? Travel? I am sure steps of faith and trusting more in God will be part of this new year. New challenges will come up and more sacrifice, in all that comes I pray I (and you) come to know our God in a deeper way. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. ( James 4:8).
As we draw near and seek Him, let us believe that He is. For without Faith it is impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Let us remember God's love and provision for the poor, the orphaned, the homeless, the widows, those in prison, those who are persecuted for the Gospel. We, His people, are His hands and feet, to help meet the needs of them. What is He asking of you this year? Is it time to take the step towards adoption? Has he been leading you towards a certain ministry and now is the time to take a step of faith? Is there a special trip you need to take to help clarify direction? Let the Spirit lead you, speak to you, then take a faith step.

The question is do you believe you can TRUST Him? If you absolutely do, then just be open and ready to move. He is faithful and we CAN TRUST Him in every situation we face. Open yourself to whatever He has for you and surrender your Will to His. Let this year be the year of a deeper and closer fellowship with the God who created you.

R.B.

Give and Recieve?

If you would like to help support this cause in Uganda and also have a chance to win a cool scooter you can contact me for details and payment options. You can help support this great cause and get something in return. Even if you don't want the scooter you could sell it or give as a gift. This was given as a donation and we want to make the sacrifice worth it. It is a used Genuine Buddy Scooter 125cc. Pink in color, great condition, approx 2,680 miles and is an '06. Winner will be announced on Feb 10, 2011, just in time for a great gift for your sweetheart :). Arrangements will be made for pick-up or delivery. Thanks to all who help out and support this cause, may God bless your gifts. Thanks and Merry Christmas.

Give back.... all year

As God challenges me to give more, to invest in eternal rewards, I am praying He is giving you whispers and promptings to do the same. I gave a challenge on FB for people to give up their preferred coffee vendor for a week and to donate that money to a greater cause. The response was....nothing, surprised? No.

So I am posting it on here also. Some people spend $3-4 a day on a fancy coffee drink. For a 5 day work week that can be $15-20, or $780 a year. I am just asking for you to give that $5 or $15 to something that will have a lasting impact.

I would even suggest if you will give up that drink to go a step further and start purchasing your own coffee from a fair trade and local income supporting supplier like this Gobena. We all can make little changes to make a big impact, but you have to start.

Would you like to give a special Christmas gift this year to your friends and family? Why not give a gift that will help save lives? In His Hands Orphans Outreach is raising money to build and furnish five orphan homes in Gulu, Uganda that will house 50 children. You can find their website here InHisHands. I will be matching donations given dollar for dollar up to $200.

Spread the word, send to your friends and family and lets do something for the least of these. We can make a difference! Thank you and may God bless your sacrifice.

R.B.

After waiting, a love story in the making.

It has been sometime since I have written, I have been traveling a lot lately because God led this amazing women (Amy) into my life. The funny thing is, she was reading my blog 3 months before we made contact. I really didn't think I was going to meet someone this year. Someone from my prayer group told me that at the harvest time this year, God was going to give me more, and part of my destiny would start to be fulfilled. I prayed with faith that this was going to come true...

So after hearing about me from a friend Amy found my blog and started reading. She liked what she was reading and found herself crying about some things she read. She never made any comments despite her friends persuasion. She felt God saying, Your not the pursuer. So she waited..

She found herself praying for someone she didn't even know, not knowing that God was weaving our paths closer and closer together...

My friend told me about her and said she might be interested in me and I should make contact with her. I said I would pray about it but didn't want to be set up again. I did pray and wasn't sure for a couple weeks. After about 3 weeks I decided to take a risk and contact her. After our initial contact by computer I acquired her phone number and made a call...

So our first phone conversation was on Aug 15, 2010 and lasted about 8 hrs! I guess we didn't have much to talk about, ha! We kept in contact and decided to have a face to face, not a date yet, but wanted to see what would happen in person. We met at a Panera in the early afternoon, I ordered her a iced green tea and had it waiting for her upon her arrival. I was a little nervous waiting there in anticipation of what this afternoon may have in store for us...

I see her pull up and am trying to decide what I should do.... Umm do I stand here, meet her half way? act cool, don't let her think your desperate. Well.. I see her coming and she is caring something so I go to help her and... she is beautiful! the pictures on the computer didn't do her justice. I am excited.... I wonder what she thinks?? We greet, we sit, we talk... for around 11 hrs ! what! Yes that is not a mistake typo, we shut Panera down and watched the workers come in to make the bread! Leaving around 2:30 am, haha.

We shared so much, we laughed, I read to her, we looked at pictures. We have so much in common and share the same interests. We both love God and want to search out His will for our lives. We have had many confirmations that God is in this. I do believe this is who God has chosen for my future spouse. I can't believe this is happening, and never saw it coming. We never know what God may be up to. He has been forming us and remolding us for each other and at Just the Right time, He shows us some of what He has been up to...

So on Sept 3, 2010 we started our courtship. We have made a commitment not to kiss till marriage and to keep ourselves pure physically and try our best mentally. We want to do this His way and for Him to get the Glory! We want people to praise Him when we speak of what He is doing.

Now we wait for more of His plan. He has put more contacts for orphans and adoption in our path and recently a specific little girl in China named Melanie who is in an orphanage. She is 14 months old and doesn't have full arms or legs, would you pray for her? God showed this girl to my Amy weeks before and I didn't know about it. She had forgot to tell me about her and I came across her by looking through the children at this orphanage on-line. She caught my eye out of many many children and all with special needs. I send Amy a link showing her Melanie and she doesn't yet realize this is the same girl that was brought to her attention weeks before.... till she finds a paper with some things she wanted to tell me. I also found out about a guy named Nick Vujicic who doesn't have arms or legs and has a ministry you can found out about HERE.

I don't know yet what this all means for Amy and I or Melanie, but God does. I will just keep on being obedient to what He does show me. I will keep praying for His will to be clear and for me to keep walking the narrow road.

To Him be the Glory, Honor, and Praise forever! Be encouraged friends and keep seeking Him!

Roger

Who is your Hero?

Have you ever noticed how everyone is looking for a hero, someone to look up to? I think it is a natural desire, a created longing by God, to want to associate ourselves with someone or something greater than ourselves, ( He desires that it be Himself ) in return it makes us feel significant. I thought this song by Bonnie Tyler shows the longing of the human heart.

Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn and dream
of what I need

I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life

Up where the mountains meet the heavens above
Out where the lightning splits the sea
I would swear that there's someone somewhere
Watching me

Through the wind end the chill and the rain
And the storm and the flood
I can feel his approach
Like the fire in my blood.

If you follow my blog you may wonder how this ties into the things of God. Well it seems pretty clear to me that this song is crying out for God. You have probably heard this song, but maybe never knew exactly what the lyrics said. Look over them again, she is speaking of Jesus!

Have you ever noticed how people talk about "their" sports team, or "their" favorite player, entertainer, actor/actress? As if these celebrities are aware of our existence. Again, I believe people want to associate themselves with these people or teams to feel like they are apart of, to feel better about, or have significance in their life. Please hear me, these things will never satisfy. These people don't know you, they don't care about your family, they don't want to know about your problems. Are you looking to add worth to your life by making an idol out of a celebrity?

Give your affections, time, and attention to the one who created you. God desires a relationship with His creation. He wants to fellowship with you, He does care about your hurts, your trials, your struggling marriage. Nothing else can satisfy like a close relationship with your Heavenly Father. Jesus, God in the flesh is above all as this scripture clearly states...

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. [16] For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. [17] And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
(Colossians 1:15-17 ESV)

Do you want a hero? You need not look any further than the maker of all, your hero is Christ Jesus.

I am the LORD; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
(Isaiah 42:8 ESV)

You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the LORD your God. [2] You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD.
(Leviticus 26:1-2 ESV)

Don't worship the created rather than the creator, may God reveal Himself to you this day as you read this. Ask Him to be your All, ask forgiveness for putting your hope, or significance in anything other than Him. He will supply all you need, He loves you so much, God put on flesh and came down to become the only sacrifice that could satisfy the wrath of the Father for the sins of the world. He has reconciled Himself to you by the, Once for All sacrifice, you need to turn from your old ways, ask forgiveness, put Him head over all, seek to follow His ways and not your own. Put your full faith and trust in Him and choose to follow Him forever!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9 ESV)

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— [22] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: [23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.
(Romans 3:21-25 ESV)

Amen,

R.B.

Are you sleeping?

I'm calling on Christian men to rise up and be heard, stand up for what God says is right. It's time to get out of the lazy boy recliners and get on your face before God in prayer, time to get into His Word and study what He has given us to lead, live, and serve. As men, we need to be leading our families, our businesses, our towns, this country, under the leadership of God. As we put ourselves under the guidance and authority of God and seek His will, then we will be able to lead others. We need to be looking at His ways and not the ways of men.

I believe satan, the enemy, (yes he is a real being not just a fairy tale story as he wants you to believe). That he has pulled this veil over us and with that comes a complacent mentality, a defeated outlook and has made men into push overs that would rather play video games, watch TV, drink, or whatever else to distract us from doing what is important to God's heart. The enemy is putting us to sleep with all our comforts and entertainment and dragging us down with lies about sins we can't seem to shake. This is bondage and this IS NOT what God wants for His redeemed children, Amen?!

The Bible says in Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,

We need to break free from the bondage and the slavery of sin, when (or if) you accepted Christ as Lord over your life and as Savior you were made free by Him, through His sacrifice for YOU, not by anything you did, you didn't have anything to bring or offer to God accept your will.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
(Galatians 5:1 ESV)

Again, the lie of the enemy is. So you are free, now you can do whatever you want, you are forgiven.... sorry, lie. The attractions of this world are a yoke of slavery and most put themselves under this yoke because it is "freedom". Well, the Word speaks of this type of thinking also. Don't you just love God's Word?

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? [2] By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? [3] Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
(Romans 6:1-4 ESV)

Did you catch that phrase at the end, Newness of life, that is good news brothers! We don't want to return to what we did before we accepted Christ, we are to go on and grow from faith to faith.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
(Galatians 5:16-17 ESV)

We are called to be holy, As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, [15] but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV)

Holy.., now that's not a word you hear very often. That's what God calls us to though. I believe we struggle in sin because most of the time we don't want to deny self. How serious are we about overcoming that sin that clings so closely? Did you know about the Gospel of Gary? What about the Gospel of Susy? or Jack, Steve, Mike, Lisa and so on. Do you get it? Most unbelievers won't read about Jesus in the Bible, they won't read the Gospel accounts in the NT, but they do See the Gospel according to us. Faith without works is dead according to James 2:17-18. We are what they see, the example by which they judge if this Christianity is for real, is there any power in it, any healing, any grace? and so on. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, His body, the church.

We are losing this young generation to video games and other stimulating entertainment because they don't see anything they want in Christianity.
Meanwhile.............. millions are starving to death, dying of preventable diseases, are without shelter and basic care. We turn our eyes, we hold onto our finances, we don't shed any tears, we don't fast or pray for them.

Do YOU even care???????

All this to say, God has a purpose for YOUR life and it is not to make yourself more comfortable, relaxed, plan your retirement, and see how good your life can be here. Brothers and Sisters, this is not our home, don't act like this is all there is.

I could give you lots of verses in the Bible that tell us to care for the poor and needy, to look after orphans and widows, but the verses won't change you if you don't want to be changed.....

I beg you, I challenge you, to ask God to give you His heart, His compassion, His eyes. Do this in sincere, tearful, honest, gut wrenching prayer and see what He will do. Please awaken from the stupor of this age and the lies of the enemy. Please, get a vision for something, God is multifaceted, there are many ways you can be used, many ways to be a voice, to be an example.

Get up... do something.

WATCH THIS!!!!!


In Him, R.B.

God is good

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
[23] they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
[24] “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

[25] The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
[26] It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.
(Lamentations 3:22-26 ESV)

That's all, He is GOOD to those who WAIT for HIM, to the soul who SEEKS HIM.

Haha, ooohhh He is good, thank you Lord!

Wait for Him, R.B.

Blessed in the waiting

Remember, the journey, not the destination, is the key to relationship, with cultivating intimacy with your Savior. Eye hath not seen beside Thee, O God, what He hath prepared for them that wait for Him.

Here are a few more excerpts from "waiting on God" that blessed me. I pray it does the same for you.

p.81 Yes, blessed even now in the waiting. The promised blessings, for ourselves, or for others, may tarry; the unutterable blessedness of knowing and having Him who hath promised, the Divine Blesser, the Living Fountain of the coming blessings, is even now ours. DO LET this truth get full possession of your souls, that waiting on God is itself the highest privilege of the creature, the highest blessedness of His redeemed child.

p. 84 "Oh, that thou wouldest rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might flow down at Thy presence." We must desire and believe, we must ask and expect, that God will do unlooked-for things. We must set our Faith on a God of whom men do not know what He hath prepared for them that wait for Him. The wonder-doing God, who can surpass all our expectations, must be the God of our confidence. Yes, let God's people enlarge their hearts to wait on a God able to do exceeding abundantly above what we can ask or think, ( Eph 3:20) (emphasis added)

This verse is speaking to me lately in what I am experiencing and God is showing me how Wonderful His is. I wonder if this verse is speaking to anyone else out there??

More to come.....

R.B.

God's vantage point

I had a thought the other day driving to one of my jobs. It was early in the morning and I saw a hot air balloon in the southern sky. My mind starts to gather the many thoughts and I start to have a picture that reminds me how I want to live my life. I want to live my life to make a difference, zooming out from each small thing, to see how I can... me personally... affect the lives of orphans, to care for the least of these, to practice James 1:27. Let us pull back and view things from the vantage point of God.

This picture of the hot air balloon reminds me how I want to live with the big picture in view. I picture myself up in that balloon looking down, everything would look smaller, you wouldn't focus in on one certain car or a person walking down the street. You would take in the beauty of what God has created, seeing the forest and not just the trees. Should the Lord allow me to be married, this is a picture also of how we should look at the big reasons of why and what's the purpose? Now I believe we should enjoy the small things, but the reason for everything is to glorify God. Look at how you can do that in whatever you do.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

Let us take time to consider our reasons for doing what we do. Are they mainly for selfish reasons? Are we considering what is best for the others? Are we seeking to glorify God and show His love, forgiveness, and redemption?

Let us have a single passion to love God, to make much of Him, for He is most worthy to be praised. Let us set our gaze upon the one who gave it all, Jesus, the sacrifice that brought reconciliation, adoption, and forgiveness to all! (many more big words could be used, but this works)


Another excerpt from, Waiting on God.
"He stirs up your nest. He disappoints your hopes. He brings down your confidence. He makes you fear and tremble, as all your strength fails, and you feel utterly weary and helpless, and all the while He is spreading His strong wings for you to rest your weakness on, and offering His everlasting Creator-strength to work in you. And all He asks is that you should sink down in your weariness and wait on Him; and allow Him in His Jehovah-strength to carry as you ride upon the wings of His Omnipotence.
Dear child of God! I pray you, lift up your eyes, and behold your God! Listen to Him who saith that He fainteth not, neither is weary, who asketh nought but this one thing, that you should wait on Him."

This chapter is based on the promise of Isa 40:31, one of my favorite verses and one I have been looking to for 3 years. I literally wear it on my hand. This is how it goes,

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:31 ESV)

also as of lately I feel He has given this promise to me,

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
(Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV)

Which is pretty awesome because I also like this one with the same chapter and verse.

Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
[9] Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV)

Let us rest in the Lord and wait upon Him only, for He is our Provider, our Redeemer, our Strength, our Healer, our Friend, our Father, and our God.
My Soul, wait thou only upon God!

R.B.

great book, Scared

Tonight, I am wandering outside alone with my thoughts, walking toward the kraal, and thinking about Momma, who is at home trying to get some rest. Precious and Abu are asleep, dreaming of candy, I am sure. It is better for them to sleep when there is no dinner. I can't help but think of the burnt corn we ate two nights ago. My mouth waters for more. When the food is cooked, some always burns. We scrape the kettle to save the char for days when there is nothing else to eat- but now that is gone too. I try not to think of the ache in my stomach, but it's almost impossible. I think the reason Momma rests all the time now is because of the ache in her stomach. Whenever there is food, she gives it to Abu first, then Precious, then me.

I can see every star in the universe. The sky is a deep blue bowl filled with magical, milky fairy dust. My mother told me that fairies live in the stars. The brightest ones are the most powerful. I dream one of those fairies will find me and give me three wishes.

I first would wish to see my real daddy again, the way he used to be, and have him home with us. The second would be lots of food so nobody in our village would ever get hungry. And the third would be wings, so I could fly away...... No, not wings. I don't need to fly. The third wish would be that no one in our village would ever get sick again.......

........I am more tired than I have ever been. I fall back into a dark sleep with no dreams.

I wake to a great pain in my stomach. I try to stand, but I double over, my outstretched hands narrowly stopping me from falling on my face. My mouth starts to water, and I feel like I'm going to throw up. But still there's nothing in my stomach, so it is another gagging fit, I hate these fits.
Auntie comes rushing over and helps me back onto the bed. "There, child. Let me get you some water." She puts little drops on my lips. "You have slept for two whole days."
I try to sit up. Auntie sits behind me, lending me her big shoulder to lean against.

Life and hunger must be brother and sister..........................

to see a video of the real pastor Walter in this book visit http://vimeo.com/3285879

This is a fictional book which I don't normally read, but the author has a heart for orphans and this is based on real events and real life in Africa. It is by Tom Davis and is called Scared. Check out his others, Fields of the Fatherless, Red Letters, and his newest is Priceless. His website is http://www.hopechest.org/

B Blessed, R.B.

My soul waits

I am still reading this small book, Waiting on God by Andrew Murray. I may have stated before it is a small book but I am taking it slow and rereading the chapters to soak in the truths. I wanted to share another excerpt from it.

And if you ask, How is it, if He waits to be gracious, that even after I come and wait upon Him, He does not give the help I seek, but waits on longer and longer?
There is a double answer. The one is this: God is a wise husbandman, "who waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it," He cannot gather the fruit till it is ripe. He knows when we are spiritually ready to receive the blessing to our profit and His glory. Waiting in the sunshine of His love is what will ripen the soul for His blessing. Waiting under the cloud of trial, that breaks in showers of blessing, is as needful. Be assured that if God waits longer than you could wish, it is only to make the blessing doubly precious. God waited four thousand years, till the fullness of time, ere He sent His Son: our times are in His hands: He will avenge His elect speedily: He will make haste for our help, and not delay one hour too long.
The other answer points to what has been said before. The giver is more than the gift; God is more than the blessing; and our being kept waiting on Him is the only way for our learning to find our life and joy in Himself. Oh, if God's children only knew what a glorious God they have, and what a privilege it is to be linked in fellowship with Himself, then they would rejoice in Him; even when He keeps them waiting they would learn to understand better than ever.
" Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you." pg. 74

I hope this blesses whoever may read this. Part of that verse really jumped out at me, ( that He may be). Our God loves us so much that He waits for us, so He can be gracious to His children.

May the Lord bless you and challenge you in your pursuit of Him. May He draw Himself closer and closer to you.

R.B.

God's Timing

God keeps teaching me about patience and waiting on Him. I am still reading this little book by Andrew Murray, called Waiting on God. I'm taking it slow and reading each chapter twice, trying to soak it in.

While reading the Word one morning this verse jumped out. I have read it before and it was good then also, but it had a special ring so to speak this time. The verse is in Deut. "It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
(Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV)

It reminds me that I should not worry ( along with many other verses about worrying ) about what will come. I fear it shows lack of trust, but in my heart I feel it's more that I will miss what He has for me. I don't hear clearly from the Holy Spirit as some describe they do. I get little impressions that are hard to discern and easy to miss. Each time, I have to question, is this you Lord or just my conscience? I guess that makes us more dependent on Him??

I started reading and have since finished a book on Gladys Alyward, a 1900's missionary to China. It was a great book and inspiring story of her life and work for the Lord. It also showed me that just because you do what the Lord wants you to do, doesn't mean it will be without trial and testing. Her life was not easy to say the least. I would recommend this book to people interested in missionary work. The one I have is from YWAM publishing.

This particular part was so good, I had to put the book down, laugh, and just reflect on how God works and His timing. At that time in China little girls feet were bound, which means they were bent under in half and wrapped with cloth to make their feet "small". They thought women shouldn't have "big" feet. The mandarin came to Gladys, which is the high official of the local army, and told her he needed her help. The mandarin doesn't visit you unless you are going to be executed or something else very important. To make it short, He asked for Gladys to go with escorted soldiers while being paid to each village, and make sure every girl's feet were unbound.

She was the only one who could travel to do it, since her feet were not bound like Chinese women. Men couldn't do it because they shouldn't look at woman's feet. He said she was the only one who could do it! Then she tells him, she is a Christian and came to share her faith with others and would want to make others believe as she does. This is how he responded. " It is most important that foot binding stop immediately. As to your religion, it is not of any importance to me. Speak of what you will. If the women become Christians, they will want their daughters to have unbound feet like you, and that will be a good thing." Ha, like wow, God is so amazing. I won't spoil the story for you but if you read the book, keep this statement in mind.

So it inspires to keep waiting on the Lord and His timing, that I will be where He wants me to be if I keep seeking, asking, and waiting. It doesn't make it easier as each day I have to remind myself of this. I feel God is stirring my spirit and I don't feel comfortable where I am at now. I want to be living for His glory in light of eternity, to make an impact on lives, for the least of these. Thanks for reading, may God lead you.

R.B.

Wait upon God

I am reading a little book called, Waiting on God by Andrew Murray. I am learning that even if it doesn't seem like God is leading me because I am not where I want to be, or feel I am being used, that He is leading me. (story of Joseph's life) If I am seeking His will, abiding in Him, waiting on Him for guidance, then I must trust that I am where He wants me. Even this past weekend when I took a short trip to MO, I can see His guidance with people I met, and the timing of everything.
This book is good and I wanted to share a paragraph on page 23.

"Let us resolve at once that it shall be the one characteristic of our life and worship, a continual, humble, truthful waiting upon God. We may rest assured that He who made us for Himself, that He might give Himself to us and in us, that He will never disappoint us. In waiting on Him we shall find rest and joy and strength, and the supply of every need."

I feel time is drawing closer that it will be a season of change for me. I am excited as to what the Lord will lead me into. I have prayed for specific requests and have written them down, so when they come to pass, it will be a testimony to share, and an encouragement to my faith.

May the Lord bless you in your walk as you wait upon Him.

R.B.

The cross made a way

There are many things that I haven't written on here because it doesn't seem like people read it. I felt this was worth putting down either way.

Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, for the cross has made a way so we can enter in, where we were once not allowed, there was a separation, but now there is reconciliation.

The man Adam sinned in the garden, he followed his Own will. He caused separation, death, and cursing.

Jesus came to make a way back to God, Jesus went to a garden and prayed, not My will, but Your will be done. Jesus wanted His Father's will above his own. He brought reconciliation, life, and blessing to mankind, by following the will of the Father. Aren't you glad he did?

I want to follow His plan for my life, He knows the end, He knows what's best. I will follow the Lamb wherever He goes.

One True GOD

In this age of choices and the "salad bar of options" where everything is "whatever is good for you" and "anything goes" or "as long as you are sincere in what you believe", but no more absolutes for the sake that we might offend someone. The Bible, the Word of God stands unchanged, unwavering in it's absolute truth. There IS only ONE GOD, and only ONE WAY to be reconciled, or to be made right with God. That is by the way He MADE for US, through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. That through belief and trust in Him ALONE, by repentance, turning away from sin, and walking in His ways, with Worship and affection for Him alone! Don't be upset that Jesus is the ONLY way to God, be thankful that there IS a way!

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

In India there are + or - 33 million gods, goddess's, or idols that are worshiped. Millions of man created objects that are bowed down to and given attention and affection to. This may seen strange to us and it may be easy to point our fingers at them, but how much different are we than them?? I will be speaking to believers specifically now, followers of Christ that want to walk in the ways of God.

Ex 34: 14-17 Yes this is the OT, but do you think He changed in this?
"(for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), 15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice, 16 and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods. 17 “You shall not make for yourself any gods of cast metal."

As followers of Christ, we must be careful not to make idols out of objects or people. We can worship and make idols out of materialism, entertainment, our TV's, the gain of wealth, our careers, sports teams, or players, houses, cars, motorcycles, actors, musicians, fashion, even our children or spouses. Now before you think I am crazy or being legalistic or too serious about this, do a study on idolatry for yourself. There are many good resources on-line, I like the ESV Study Bible and here is there site. http://www.esvstudybible.org/search. Just type in idolatry in the search and enjoy! If you only believe what is in the NT applies now, just start reading all those verses. You can also put in, worship, or just, idols. www.biblegateway.com is another good resource.

Worship is what we give our time, affection, and money to. So I would challenge you, what occupies most of that for you?? Do you sit in front of the TV for hours daily? (this use to be a problem for me) Do you play video games for hours daily? (again, was a problem years ago) Do you spend hours on Face Book daily? Do you spend countless hours cleaning, tuning your vehicle, spending excess amounts of money on it? (was a problem) Do you spend most of your time reading novels that take you into a fantasy world? Do you care way too much about celebrities and what is going on in their lives? Do you care too much about a certain musician, would you spend large amounts of money just to meet them? Do you spend your time and money fixing up your house because it is not good enough, or needing to upgrade to keep up with the culture?

These are just some questions to get you thinking, if they are convicting then don't get mad at me, maybe that is the Holy Spirit trying to speak to you about it. I'm not saying I am perfect, I know I have my own weaknesses, but I am working on them and God has been showing me what needs to change.

God wants your affection and He is jealous for it. In the NIV, Ex 34:14 "Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Ps 78:58 "For they provoked Him with their high places and aroused His jealousy with their graven images."

Our Hope needs to be in what can not be seen, Heb 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." , and to store up our treasures in heaven. The world NEEDS to see this from US. If we are following the same things they are, and putting our hope, affections, desires, time, into the same things they are, then why would they want God? They see us chasing the same things as they are, and looking for satisfaction in other things besides the ONE TRUE GOD.

I love this OT verse, Deut 6:4-9 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

I'm not trying to sound harsh or come off as judgmental because I have things I need to work on, but I want us to go deeper in God. To have our affections set on God and not on the things of this world, because they are empty and never satisfy. If you are a Christian, you should know this and not want to return from what you were saved out of. I want to speak the Truth in Love,

Your fellow follower of Jesus, challenging you to go deeper into the heart of our God,

Roger

Oh the Savior's love

It was a relaxing day (though not over yet) with reading (Bible and Hudson Taylor bio), doing a little around the house and lightening the load of possessions. It is a joy hard to explain, ridding yourself of things not used anymore and things that are not a necessity. To not be burdened by the abundance of earthly possessions is a joyful thing indeed! I thank the Lord for His constant work in my life and the preparation for whatever lies ahead. While pondering His Mighty Love and Awesome Grace, I wrote these words down. To the praise of His Glorious Grace!

To pen the words,
my soul longs to say;
To tell thee of our Savior's love,
how He walks with me each day.

Oh what a struggle it is,
these words can't explain;
the volumes that could be written,
and still not obtain!

Most worthy are you, O Lord,
though short do I fall;
To tell of your great Mercy,
Thou deserving most of All ! R.B.

I pray you also come to know the Lord God more deeply and intimately each day. For does His Word not say, Draw near to Me, and He will draw near to You?? Indeed it does!

Reminder of God's grace

I was at a prison this thurs and fri for my job. I have to go to a few of these a year and am always thankful that I get to leave. With this job I have to go into each building and am surrounded by the inmates. I do have an escort but no one is armed because they don't take chances that weapons could be taken and used on the officers. It can be a little nerve wrecking at times but I trusted the Lord would protect me.

What hits me though is the fact of all these people that live in this little world. A prison is like a small enclosed city and some will live their lives inside. As I walked around and saw the sadness and despair in people's eyes, I was hit with the reality of God's grace anew. (and to think of how much better conditions are and how much better people are treated in the U.S. prisons than that of other countries)

I am thankful for His grace in my life, for where I was born and grew up, for how He watched over me and helped me make decisions. I realize that what separates me from the people locked behind bars is often one bad decision. Sometimes it's the fact that most are just not caught and these people were. This won't be a long post, I just wanted to share how God makes his mercy and grace real to me.

If I would have made different choices and taken different actions at certain times or in certain situations, then I could be sitting behind bars also. Some may be innocent and in other countries lots of precious souls are locked up for faith in Jesus. God's heart is for all and He wants us to care about all.

Matt 25:36 "I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

May you find His grace new and fresh in your life and be thankful for it.

Roger