Luke 10:2 Ministries

February, 2010

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”  Matthew 6:33-24

When I started writing this, it was 28 degrees in Dallas, TX and it snowed a foot. I think it was the coldest temperature we have had yet this year.  And this winter we have been in Minnesota, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho!  Global cooling. We are now in the Houston area enjoying 50 degree days and 30 degree nights.  We get to stay at our friends Ron and Jeanette Allen while we’re here.  They just welcomed their 8th child, Peter Emmanuel, born on January 2. Praise the Lord!

We are now in our sixth month of traveling since we left home in the fall.  It is always amazing to me when we enter back into central and eastern time zones.  We spend 5 months heading west, and getting used to setting our clocks back, gaining an hour as we go.  Now it is time to set our clocks ahead. And soon we will be springing forward!

This year has, again, been one of many blessings.  Of course we have trials, but they are minor and few, praise God!  And they always strengthen us, so we welcome adversity in order that we can give even more glory to our wonderful Savior.  We thank Him for every big and little detail that He takes care of. It is astonishing to me every time.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?  and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”  Matthew 10:29-31.

As we arrived in the Dallas area, we stopped to get gas.  A man that Shawn spoke to said  “Don’t go west to Amarillo.  The roads are an ice sheet everywhere.”  Well, we had already come from there a day earlier and the weather was fine.  I praise the Lord for keeping us ahead of the bad weather and dangerous driving conditions. We completely missed it!  All glory to God.

I know I have said it before, but once again this year, we have been blessed beyond measure meeting many new friends…..and seeing old ones again! If I could write and write and write, I would tell you of the wonderful new best friends I have in Christ. We meet many sweet godly families!!  It is so encouraging to see there are people throughout the country who are living for God and raising their families in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Teaching their children to love and fear God and to live pure lives because of what the Lord has done for them, and to go out and tell others the Good News!  Every place we’ve been – homes, churches, and even streets and campuses – the Lord sends saints into our lives.  It helps because of all the wickedness, perversion, and hatred of our Holy God that we see all around us.

When I do go out on the campuses with Shawn, I am completely overwhelmed by the stuff I see and hear the students boasting of and the way they hate godliness and purity – it is so foreign to them that they can’t even imagine or think of the possibility of loving purity and hating sin.  We want them to know that God can save them, make them a new creature, give them a brand new heart, make them born again! And become a new person who will hate and forsake their sin and not be asking “how much sin can I continue doing and still call myself a Christian?”.  Jesus said if your eye causes you to sin, cut it out.  As a preacher once said “what, are you just using a butter knife?”

It’s heartbreaking to see the de-sensitizing of sin because it seems to be getting worse.  But praise His wonderful omnipotent Holy Name that He saves sinners just like us!  And we get to see it once in a while.

At Arizona State University, a young woman, after hearing the Gospel preached, came up to one of the men and was weeping and asking what she must do.  Mike was able to explain repentance and faith and putting her trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. The Lord saved her right then and there!  She went from weeping over her sin, to being filled with joy in her heart so much, she wanted to just hug everyone.  She couldn’t believe the burden lifted off her shoulders! She was free!  I didn’t get to see this because I was on the other side of the crowd. But it was a wonderful blessing to hear about. That same day a man also surrendered to the Lord.  We pray that the seed of God’s Word did indeed land on good soil. We’re thankful for some of the campus ministries and area churches that will be able to follow up and disciple these young believers.

At New Mexico State University, I was able to witness to a young man named John for about an hour.  He had so many questions and was very open to hearing the truth about God’s Word.  He kept bringing up “weed” and asking why it was so “sinful”.  By the end of our conversation, he began to be very concerned about his soul and where he would spend eternity.  I pray that the Holy Spirit did indeed convict him of sin, righteousness, and judgment and that he will cry out to Jesus Christ who is merciful and will forgive.  I have prayed for John several times since that day and I hope someday I get to hear a testimony from him.

Since I last wrote in October, we were just leaving South Dakota.  We got to stay at the home of our friends Jon and Julie Lane and their four children like we did last year.  It was great seeing them again! From there, we traveled to Nebraska, and made our way to Colorado.  We were able to spend time with my brother and his wife and our two nephews which was wonderful. We took a couple of days off of school and ministry to go skiing.  After Colorado, we headed north to Wyoming.  The Lord blessed Shawn’s time on the campuses there so much.  And we were able to worship at a church we had gone to last year, so we got to see all those wonderful brothers and sisters, as well as hear a very powerful sermon preached by Ken Lowry.  We ended up staying at church that day for a couple of hours talking and visiting some of our friends there.  One of the families, Craig and Diane Bauman, had us over for dinner during that week.  We enjoyed a delicious meal and wonderful fellowship.

From Wyoming, we headed to Utah, and then onto Idaho.  We were able to stay for 12 days with Ted and Laurel True and family and parked our RV on their property again this year.  It was wonderful to spend time with them again!  William ended up staying an extra week with them and joined right in on their home-school days and got all of his work done.  Then he flew to meet back up with Shawn and me in Portland, OR in time for Thanksgiving.   Shawn and I had a week alone together and traveled to Washington and then Oregon. We always miss our kids SO much and it’s strange not having them around.  But it’s also wonderful to have time together, just the two of us!

We were able to see some of Shawn’s aunts, uncles, and cousins while we were in the Seattle area. It has been a treat to be able to see family members as we travel through the country.  Otherwise, I believe the only times we would see some of them would be weddings and funerals.

From Seattle, we headed to Oregon and stayed at Roger and Phebe Hertzler’s again this year.  I love getting to stay with the same people we stayed with last year.  We have the opportunity to grow closer in the Lord, and I love seeing their children a year older.  We got to worship at the church again in Halsey, OR and see many friends there.

After getting William back, we had such a nice time traveling along the coast of Oregon and into the Redwood Forest and coast of California.  Shawn was able to preach at universities in WA, OR, and CA.  We saw old friends and met new ones there too.

Every Sunday since we have been on the road this year, we have been blessed with good solid churches who preach the truth, and live the truth!  You’d think we would feel “un-fed” by not worshipping in the same church every week. But this is not true!  In California,  for example, we met so many new couples and families serving the Lord.  We worshipped at Blessed Hope Fellowship in Modesto, CA and also stayed with our new friends, Chris and Amy Bauman and their three children.  Chris is the brother of Craig, from Wyoming, so that is how we met Chris and Amy.  Amy and I became instant friends – well – sisters, as she reminded me recently that we have the same Father .  While we were in California, the Lord brought several new brothers who also preach and witness in public places regularly.  We were so blessed, challenged, and strengthened by these men and their families!  We even have future ministry trips planned with them.

After leaving California, we headed toward Las Vegas and then into Arizona. We stayed with our friends in Kingman AZ, Gary and Londa Weigand, who we had met one other time in Pennsylvania over a year ago. What a blessing it was to get to know them and some of the people from their small church. We were able to spend time talking and fellowshipping with them.

As I talk with many of the families, I learn how many of them were married at very young ages – anywhere from 17 to 21.  As I was sharing with one of the ladies about Eliza and Kent and their courtship,  I said “I know they are young, but they are ready”.  And she said to me “I was 17 when I married Rick and it was the best decision I have ever made.”  She and Rick have been married for 30 years. One of their biggest joys now, is definitely their grandchildren!  There have been numerous other times where I have been in wonderful conversations with people I meet and of course we end up talking about godly courtship and marriage.  It has become clear to me that when the Lord brings two young people together and they know they have met their spouse, and they have remained morally and spiritually pure because of their love and obedience to the Lord, that there is no reason to wait if they have met the requirements laid out by their parents.  It is our duty as parents, and it has been a privilege, to raise our children for marriage – to prepare them now and to raise them with this purpose in mind, so they are ready for whenever it is that the Lord leads them to and brings them their spouse, if it is His will.  Our culture no longer esteems marriage and no longer believes God who says clearly in His word that children are a blessing and not a curse.  But preparing our children for marriage is not the way of the world.  Actually, it seems to me that preparing the way for divorce is now the way of the world. But we see in God’s Word the purpose of God and the beautiful mystery that marriage is and how it represents Christ and the church. He is coming for a spotless bride.

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”  Ephesians 5:32

Time and time again I meet couples who waited for their spouse, got married young, and have reaped the benefits of what they have sown. And the Lord has blessed their marriage and made it glorious – how He meant it to be from the beginning.  All glory to God for His wonderful creation.

As God said right away in Genesis,

“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24.

And Jesus said again thousands of years later,

“But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.  What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” Mark 10:6-9

And the apostle Paul said in his letter to the church in Ephesus,

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” Ephesians 5:31

How beautiful!

Okay, back to our travels and another story of God’s kindness and provision in the little things….

Our friends, Rev. Moe and Donna Stevens, offered their same rental house to us again this year, free of charge, to stay in while we were in Phoenix.  This year as it turned out, however, Moe and Donna’s own house had had major water damage so they needed to stay in their rental house until the repairs on their house were done.  Donna told us that they hoped the rental house would be available to us by December 30.  We were scheduled to arrive in Phoenix by December 14th because we booked Eliza’s flight to arrive in Phoenix on Dec. 15th for her 3 weeks off from school for Christmas vacation.  We would have been happy to be in the RV during that time if we had to.  Kent was scheduled to come visit us as well for one week during Christmas, so I was praying that the Lord would miraculously open the house earlier than expected so we could spread out in the house for those weeks.

Our friend Edwin Lo, from Mesa, offered his driveway for us to park in until the house would be available.  Well, as we were literally backing out of the Weigand’s driveway in Kingman, AZ and getting ready to drive the 4 hours to Edwin’s driveway, Donna called us to say she found another house for us to stay in until theirs opened up.  Praise God!  The pastor of their church had a house that was not rented out until January.  Donna, bless her heart, had been working behind the scenes trying to find us something to stay in.  And it was just down the street from hers!  The first thing that came to my mind as I talked to Donna and she explained that we could move right in, was:

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” Ephesians 3:20a.

We didn’t even think to pray that ANOTHER place would be an option.  I had just prayed to the Lord days before this and said “Lord, the RV will be fine.  We don’t need a house.  There is plenty of room in the RV for the five of us. Thank you that you supply our needs. You already have given us more than we need.”  Basically, I had just surrendered the whole thing and was truly and completely fine with not getting a “house” for two more weeks.

We are thankful to the Lord and to our friends who are so generous to give us so much.

I know that these things sound like trite things.  But these are just the little details that are behind the scenes of our ministry that I like to share with you to show how the Lord takes care of us.  There are so many other examples.  I am learning to trust Him more every day as He shows Himself faithful, even while I am not.  I am reminded that if the Lord calls you to do something, He will make every way straight.  I love how He doesn’t show us perfectly clearly until we step out and obey Him.  He gives us everything we need for the day.  And we can trust Him to show us as we walk by faith and not by sight.

“If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised)” Hebrews 10:23

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight)” 2 Corinthians 5:7

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

There were so many witnessing and ministry opportunities in the Phoenix area.  Even though the colleges and universities were closed for up to six weeks, the Lord provided many other places for ministry.  This time we knew ahead of time because we had been there last year during these same weeks.  We got to join up with lots of brothers and sisters again, such as Jeff and Pearl Rose and their four little daughters, (we were able to lend our old RV to them this year as the Lord provided us with a different one!), Edwin and Anna Lo, Linda Essary, and many others from the area.

We also found a precious body of believers at a church there where we ended up worshipping on Sundays!  While Eliza and Kent were with us, we visited a church where the pastor and his wife recognized Kent’s last name.  It turns out they knew both sets of his grandparents, as well as several other mutual friends.  They also knew some friends of ours from Lake Placid.  It was wonderful getting to know everyone there during our time in Arizona.  Shawn preached at two of their youth services where the church reaches out to many of the hispanic neighborhoods in the vicinity.  Brother Chuck Boardman and his wife Arlene, along with Adam Price and his wife Esther, reach out daily to many families who otherwise do not know the gospel.

It was beyond wonderful having Eliza with us for her 3 week break.  And we had such a great time having Kent with us for a week.  They are both at Bible School this semester and doing fantastic.  I think Eliza is even more disciplined (and getting straight A’s) with Kent there this semester because he is so organized and disciplined. Praise God!  Their courtship is going very well and they are able to continue their guidelines at school with the help of accountability with the same rules the school has for anyone in a courtship there.  We are thankful for that!  They can’t even go off campus together alone (which they wouldn’t because of their own convictions), but as it is the school rule also to go with others, they still need permission even though others are going with them.  We are all glad to have the same accountability at school as they would have at home.

Kent will be turning 20 and Eliza 18 very soon, and at this point neither of them are planning to go to school for more than this year.  Kent has a very good trade which he loves (carpentry – building and remodeling) and Eliza plans to be a wife and mother.  As they look forward to marriage in the future, we are so blessed to know we will not be losing a daughter, but gaining a son.  Praise the Lord!  Eliza and Kent are meeting us in Florida for a week while we are there for their late winter break.  We can’t wait to have them with us.  We are praying for a house/mobile home to stay in at Hobe Sound Bible College, otherwise we will be fine in the RV!

While we were in Phoenix, we had the wonderful blessing of having our dear friends, Scott and Patte Smith come stay with us for two weeks.  Scott and Shawn were able to preach together with Jeff Rose, Edwin Lo, and others.  They preached at three AZ campuses.  And Patte and I got to hang out together every day as William did homeschool.  We just talk about the things of God all day long! What a truth it is that,

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

And we get to see Scott and Patte again soon when we get to their home state, Florida! Please visit one of their ministry websites at www.sanctuaryministries.blogspot.com and be challenged and encouraged to reach out to our modern day American orphans who desperately need someone to speak on their behalf…

Well, Shawn and I had another week of no children.  Ted and Laurel True had invited Will to join them for their family vacation, so he had saved up his money and was able to fly to Idaho. He spent a couple of days there and then they drove to Lake Tahoe, CA for a few days and went skiing. He had a wonderful time!  Kent’s brother Andrew and Will have become very good friends, and share some of the same hobbies, like photography, skiing – and they both like witnessing:) Shawn and I had another nice time together, but we were very glad to have him back.  While William was gone, we moved back into the RV, left Arizona and traveled to New Mexico, and then onto Dallas where he flew to meet us.  He had a nice break from school, but is definitely back to “hitting the books again”.  We will take a few days off while Eliza and Kent are with us, but otherwise we’ll be working hard until he finishes his school year, hopefully by the end of May.

I thought I’d share a Scripture verse that spoke strongly to my heart recently.  It is found in Luke when Jesus told Peter to head back out to sea and let down his nets for fish. (bold font mine)

“…Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.  And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.  And when they had done this, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them.  And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.  When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.  For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon.  And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.  And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.” Luke 5:4-11

When I read “nevertheless at thy word” it was like my eyes opened.  No matter what logical reasoning, or leaning on our own understanding that we have trained ourselves to do, if the Lord is telling us then we need to just do it because He said so.  To Peter, it made no sense whatsoever to go back out there when they had worked hard all night and got absolutely no fish.  But Peter said “nevertheless at thy word”.  And isn’t that what we need to be willing to do? Believe God at his word and just do it?  Jesus also said “fear not”.  We really need to put this into practice and do this.  God’s word tells us not to worry about tomorrow and also not to be anxious about anything.  I want to challenge us to take this seriously.  Tomorrrow really does have enough trouble of its own.  So let’s please, really and truly, trust God TODAY. To do otherwise is sin. Peter, when he realized how he had not believed that the Lord’s way would work, nevertheless he did it, saw for himself the Lord meant what He said, and then Peter fell down at Jesus’ knees and confessed “I am sinful”.

“Be careful for nothing; but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?  If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?  And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.  But rather  seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Luke 12:22-34

Let’s take God at His Word and obey what we read.  We can only do this through His Spirit as we walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

And remember,

“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?  or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:11-13.

What a Savior we have.  I am so grateful that, because of what God Himself did through Jesus Christ His Son, He can now look on Him and pardon me.

Here are the lyrics to a wonderfully truth-packed and powerful hymn.

Written by Charitie L. Bancroft, 1863.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Amen to that!

And here are some prayer requests we have:

Shawn’s dad, Bill Holes.  He is in the last stages of Alzheimer’s and is now being taken care of by Hospice who come in to their home. Please pray also for Shawn’s mom, Charlene, for strength and comfort during this difficult time.

Lorraine McCulley, a dear sister in the Lord who has cancer. She is also in hospice while at her home.  Also for her husband, children, grandchildren, and church family. Lorraine told me in a letter that she is leaning hard on our precious Lord.

Jesse Hochstetler (age 10) who has Leukemia.  Pray also for his parents, Dave and Charlou and his sisters and brothers. They are from the church we visited in Wyoming. Craig Bauman has been faithfully forwarding updates to us. We have been so blessed reading about Jesse’s faith in Jesus Christ as well as his parents. Here is something Dave Hochstetler wrote in a recent e-mail:

“Someday you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody is dead. Don’t

you believe a word of it.  At that moment I shall have gone up higher;

that is all; out of this old clay tenement, into a house that is

immortal–a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint; a body

fashioned like unto His glorious body.  I was born of the flesh in

1837.  I was born of the spirit in 1856.  That which is born of the

flesh may die.  That which is born of the spirit will live forever.”

–D. L. Moody

God bless you and thank you for reading our blog.

~Lisa

October, 2009

It has been over four months since I have sat myself down to write on our blog.  I have no excuse except to say we’ve been very busy. We had a wonderful summer, but it seemed to have gone by faster than any other summer.  It was absolutely a blur!  As you know, we were able to live near the city again. It was a blessing beyond description to be able to minister there as well as with the Great Commission Bible Church.  Actually, we are always ministered TO more than being ministers. We were very sad to leave everyone in New Jersey/NYC, but excited for another year of traveling the U.S.

We love the travel trailer that we have this year. I call it a palace!  As you know, our sweet daughter is not with us this year as she is attending Bible school.  We miss her so much and it’s especially hard as we travel to the same places as last year and we remember all the wonderful times we had in these places and with these same dear friends.  But she is doing very well at school – both academically and spiritually.  We are so thankful!  She made the college choir, which is the highlight for her.  She is also taking piano as well as four other classes which she loves.  We were recently there with her and we were able to attend two church services in the area where the Choir sang.  It was beautiful.  It was so refreshing to see and hear so many young men and women singing, praising, and worshipping the Lord with their voices. Especially after seeing so much of young people on public universities living their lives so deep in sin they don’t even recognize their darkness or know of a way out.  But to see these young students from the Bible school desiring to live for God, serve Him, and please Him.  It encouraged us to see the desire and LOVE for godliness and purity…oh were we ever blessed, and at the same time we were sad and burdened for those who hate God. He is so worthy and so merciful and so ready to receive ANYONE who will go to Him in true repentance with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.  He will in no wise cast out! We just want young people across this nation to know of this God who will take you out of darkness into His marvelous LIGHT.  So we press on to tell them while there is still time.

William is a joy and I do appreciate the one-on-one time we have with him. He is working hard with his schoolwork and he seems to enjoy it.  He also loves to go out with Shawn on the campuses, but we try to do school every day. He misses his sister for sure, but we are always blessed with lots of friends and fun things for him to do.  This past summer he was able to go on a mission trip with our home church in Lake Placid. They went and volunteered at an AIDS village in the Bahamas for one week.  They helped with fixing up the buildings and grounds as well as sharing the Gospel and handing out tracts.  At one point, Eliza was in Idaho visiting Kent and his family at the same time William was on the mission trip, so Shawn and I had no children at home.  We had a nice time together, but we were ready to have them both back.

One of the great benefits of traveling is that we get to visit many churches. In the last seven weeks, we have been to seven different churches and every one has been amazing. Out of the seven, Shawn was the guest preacher for three and was asked to share his testimony at one. The Lord puts these wonderful brothers and sisters in our path everywhere we go. We are grateful for the warm hospitality and Christian love that we continue to receive in countless homes and churches.

My time in God’s Word has been a blessing to me these past weeks. We read Isaiah 55 this morning together as a family and WOW, was I encouraged.  If any of you are in a season of discouragement, go read Isaiah 55 today!

One of the things the Lord has been pressing me on recently is what it truly means to reverence your husband.

“Nevertheless let everyone of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Ephesians 5:33

It seems easy for me to do this because my husband is easy to respect.  I trust him because he is a man of God and he is trustworthy. But the Bible doesn’t say to reverence your husband “if he earns and deserves it”, but simply because this is the will of God, and for very good reason.  But there are times when my self-will peeps it’s ugly head and the Holy Spirit convicts me right then and there!  The extent to which I respect, honor, love, and trust my husband is representative of the reverence I have for Almighty God.  Have you read Titus 2 lately? Check out the verses and meditate on them and how we can blaspheme the Holy Word of God (Who is God Himself!) by failing to do those things listed.

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2:3-5

Debi Pearl does a wonderful job dissecting these verses (and many others) in her book “Created To Be His Helpmeet”. I highly recommend you read the book. You can purchase it at nogreaterjoy.org for about $12.

I am discovering that I am frequently the oldest woman in a group sometimes. Or at least I am one of the older ones because I am now 43 years old.  So how am I helping to teach the “younger women”?   Being “older” came upon me so fast it seems, but it’s the truth! And I really have no sorrow or fear in getting older. Seriously! I have no problem with it.  We are all just getting that much closer to seeing our Savior! I can’t wait to see His face and look into His eyes and say thank you. It hardly seems like enough.  He is so worthy.

I made it through the Bible in one year, as I had mentioned a while back that I was on a reading plan. Praise God! I started the same one up right away and I have about 42 weeks to go.  My friend Gen and I are both doing it, so it helps to keep each other accountable as well as talk about what we’ve read (actually we text more than we talk).  She just had her 5^th child, so she has a better excuse if she gets behind…

A preacher friend of ours was sharing his testimony with us recently and one part stuck out at me. He said “If I am not seeking God diligently and with all my heart, and if he isn’t my first love and desire, I get depressed. And isn’t it God’s will that we be depressed without Him?”  I thought, wow, am I so self sufficient that I am perfectly happy and content when I am not seeking the Lord like I should? Is His Word and His presence what I desire most during my day? Or am I perfectly satisfied without Him.  And recently, my friend Julie said to me “we are most satisfied when He is glorified”.  What a blessing!

In Psalm 73, David describes how he almost slipped when he became envious of the prosperity of the wicked. But when he entered into the presence of the Lord (a.k.a sought Him through His Word and prayer), then he understood.

“Until I went into the sanctuary of God…” Psalm 73:17

This sanctuary is not a building. He is a Person! And we can come boldly to the throne room of grace every day. And there are new mercies every morning. Great is Thy Faithfulness! I am so glad that He is there to receive me and wash me with His Word every day.  And there is never anything I could do to earn this love. I mean NOTHING.  It is all Him and absolutely nothing of me.  I could never do enough or be good enough, yet He lavishes His love upon me.

I need to seek Him more diligently every day. Not to earn anything, but because it is my desire.  I think I fail miserably at this.  But as I grow closer to Him, the more I desire Him.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33

To end, I thought I’d write out the lyrics to this wonderful song, “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”, which many of you know. The lyrics are amazing. The one that gets me every time is the verse that says: “Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, call out among the scoffers”.  When we’re out witnessing and I get overwhelmed by the mockers, I remember I was once one too.

How deep the Father’s love for us,

How vast beyond all measure

That He would send His only Son,

To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,

The Father turns His face away

As wounds which mar the chosen One,

Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,

My sin upon His shoulders

Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,

Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there

Until it was accomplished

His dying breath has brought me life

I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything

No gifts, no power, no wisdom

But I will boast in Jesus Christ

His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom

Like I said earlier, I cannot wait to thank Him face to face.

~Lisa

June 5, 2009

I am amazed how fast the time went by as I now look back on our eight months of travel.  I would say “time flies when you’re having fun” but I don’t know what Bible verse that is. Rather, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12.

I am so thankful to God for how He brought us thus far and blessed us beyond measure. We had so many amazing times, met so many wonderful and precious friends, and were taught many things. Each place we were able to go now has its own special memory in our hearts.

To recapture some of our travels since the last time I wrote, I will begin with our time in Florida, which is where I left off the last time I wrote.

Florida was wonderful. Eliza, William and I got to stay in Hobe Sound again at Hobe Sound Bible College where the four of us stayed last year for the month of March. Shawn was able to be down there with us on two separate occasions. We got a lot of school done, saw many friends from last year, met new ones, and were blessed to worship there.

Right after we moved into a single-wide trailer on the campus, Eliza and William met some friends.  Directly across the lane from our place was a travel trailer. A family we called the real McCoy’s (their last name is McCoy), were a traveling family of four – not counting their 2 dogs and 1 bird. They have a daughter Eliza’s age and a son Will’s age. They were parked at the college for several weeks as well. Both children were homeschooled and have completed their high school requirements already. They spent nearly every day together and became great friends. We continue to marvel at the way the Lord has provided countless families with godly friends for our children everywhere we go! It’s another example of the showers of blessings we continue to receive from the Lord.

After leaving Hobe Sound, we traveled to meet Shawn in the panhandle of Florida. It was a very sweet reunion. It was wonderful to be back together after being apart for two weeks. We were able to spend the next few days with our friend Michael Marcavage until he left on March 23^rd. From there we traveled north to Savannah, GA, Auburn, AL, Atlanta, GA, Hickory, NC, Nashville, TN, Dayton, OH, Auburn, NY, and then home to Saranac Lake.  We were able to spend time with many friends as well as seeing my sister, our pastor and his family, and Shawn’s cousin and their new baby.

While in Hickory, NC, we stayed with our friends Jesse and Jamie Boyd, and their sweet little daughters, Bethany and Charlotte. It was such a blessing to be there. Jesse and Jamie know first hand the life of a traveling missionary family. They continue to plan for more road trips of their own for the Lord. Visit their ministry website at www.fpgm.org to see what they have been up to and where they need prayer support. You may have heard Jesse on One:One Radio back in March. Oh, they are such precious friends.

Our next stop was Tennessee, where we got to stay in the home of our good friends Kurt and Linda Nichol and their three children. We were able to spend Resurrection Sunday with them. Another blessed week! There are many wonderful memories I could record from our time together with the Nichol’s.

We left Tennessee a day early because of more tornadoes forecasted. We had been there during the destructive tornadoes a few days prior, and decided not to risk it. So on the evening of Easter Sunday, we headed north to Ohio.

We spent four days in Dayton and Cincinnati, OH and had a wonderful time. We were able to attend a Christian Conference, see great friends and relatives, visit a bible college, and preach on some college campuses.

While in Ohio, our daughter Eliza began what is now her courtship with her good friend, Kent True. Kent and Eliza met at Hobe Sound Bible College last year in March, during the “Welcome Week” for prospective students. We allowed them to be friends over the past year.  Kent came to do street ministry with us in New York City last summer, and we spent time with him and his dear family at their home last fall.  While we were all in Dayton this spring, Kent asked Shawn if he could begin courting our daughter for the purpose and intention of marriage. After talking and praying, and meeting together with his family, we gave them permission and our blessing. Kent and Eliza handed us their list of guidelines and we accepted. They are committed to continued moral and spiritual purity, so part of the guidelines for their courtship are no physical contact, and no being in a car or house alone together, etc. They plan to hold off on holding hands or kissing until marriage. Kent is from Idaho and will be attending Bible College in Ohio for a year, and then will continue working with his father in their construction business. He is a wonderful and godly young man and we just love him.  Eliza has finished her high school requirements this year and plans to stay with us next year wherever the Lord may lead. They will continue a long distance relationship, with visits throughout the year ahead. We are so thankful and blessed!

After leaving Ohio, we drove east to Adam & Christine Sabo’s in Auburn, NY. We spent 5 wonderful days with them before heading home to Saranac Lake and were able to be home for a month to wait on the Lord. We weren’t sure where He would have us this summer, and sure enough He showed us. Shawn has been asked to pastor a small congregation in New Jersey for the summer months as interim pastor at Great Commission Bible Church. We will be living part way between the church and New York City, where we can continue with street evangelism.  We are praising Him and so thankful for this opportunity!

I have been spending a lot of time in the Old Testament recently. I  find it hard to keep back tears as I read. I am just pierced in the heart as I see God’s mercy and His love for His people. Yet over and over again, they would disobey. And over and over again He would chastise them because He loved them. And then He would rescue them.

They would hear the Word of God, promise to keep His statutes, then be drawn away by their own lusts to worship other gods.  All the while, knowing the blessings that would be theirs and their children’s and their children’s children if they obeyed. How quickly they forgot! They stopped teaching their children, and instead let their children learn the ways of the world and not the ways of God. Before long, they no longer knew Him.

God’s people had forgotten the clear warnings and consequences of disobedience. They were not ignorant of His promises – the promises for obeying as well as the promises for disobeying. They knew full well and were without excuse.  Although many did perish, He never broke His Everlasting Covenant with His people. His judgment was swift and right. Yet His mercy was unending. And still today it is His desire that none perish. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  He went to the Cross for us, and said “It is finished”. His mercy is available to every soul who will turn from their sins and receive Him, and trust Him for salvation. Can you imagine a King inviting His enemies to His table?  This is what He has done.

“Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 33:11

How dangerous it is for His people today to start turning their hearts toward the idols of this day. We need to be careful not to allow even the appearance of evil to enter our hearts, our homes, and our lives.

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22

What mercy He has given us through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let God’s people of the Old Testament be to us an example.

“But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.” 1Corinthians 10:5-14.

We need to check ourselves here, go before the Lord, and ask Him to purge us of any idols we may have in our life. If the Lord isn’t our first thought and pursuit when we awake, what have we put before Him? I am thankful His mercies are new every morning. But for me, I know I need to seek Him first in the morning and surrender my will to Him daily, and moment by moment. I need Thee every hour Lord.

Another thing I have had on my heart lately is joy. Do you live daily in the true joy of the Lord? Is the joy of the Lord your strength?  Or do you try to get your strength through other things that do not last and do not strengthen. Surely, there is a time to grieve and to mourn as we face trails, tribulations, and tragedies. The Bible tells us this is right. So I’m not talking about that. I’m thinking more about the joy that lasts and that shows on our countenance as a rule. Does joy characterize you? Does it show on your face and in your words? You can tell a lot from a person’s countenance.  If we remember what we have been saved from, and by whom we have been saved, then we will have joy restored! If we walk in obedience to God, we will have joy.

Here are just a few Scriptures on the fruit of the Spirit called joy:

“…for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b.

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

“…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5b

“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” Proverbs 15:13

“Pleasant words are as an honeycomb: sweet to the soul and health to the bones.” Proverbs16:24

If we live in joy, we will speak pleasant words. And pleasant words will bring physical and spiritual health to our families, according to Proverbs 16:24.

I know I have nothing to complain about, even in trials, because I have been redeemed out of darkness and into His marvelous Light. So the joy of the Lord is truly my strength! Lord, help me to shine Your Light for all to see, and to open my mouth so others can hear the truth. In Jesus’ Holy Name.

~Lisa

February 22, 2009

Since we left Arizona, we have driven through and spent time in the beautiful states of New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, and now Florida. We’ve stayed in Walmart parking lots, KOA campgrounds, a missionary college parking lot, friend’s houses, a Christian Retreat Center, and even a beautiful guesthouse for a week while we were in Houston.

It was great to be back in Texas. When we first set out into ministry in November of 2007, our first trip was to the Houston area. We had come down for a month to preach the gospel and to help our friends, Ron and Jeanette Allen, with their new ministry in Crystal Beach, TX. Little did we know that less than a year later, most of the inhabited Bolivar Peninsula would be wiped out from Hurricane Ike. We visited Crystal Beach with the Allen’s while we were there and were surprised to see the little beach house on stilts that we stayed in was still standing. It had been hit and the front side of the house was the worst hit, but it was still standing. Many of the houses next door and across the street were gone. Ron and Jeanette along with their 7 children (ages 1 month to 19 years) are living outside of Houston now, awaiting their “marching orders” from the Lord as to what to do next.

Once again, I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to meet sisters and brothers everywhere we go.  After we left Texas, we attended a camp meeting outside of Baton Rouge where we were fed the Word of God by some mighty preaching for three days (the Lord knows our needs and provides for every single one!). We had such a blessed time of worship and fellowship with some godly families.  We didn’t know about this meeting until a day or two before we happened to be driving through that neck of the woods (and it was the neck of the woods).

The focus of the camp meeting was for the open air preacher. Preachers preaching to preachers!  As you can imagine, it was very encouraging and it was perfect timing for us. Many of these men are pastors of churches, and some are lay people, but they all preach open air or witness to the lost regularly in streets, college campuses, events, and prisons.

One evening, Pastor Charlie preached a powerful message about our mouths. After the service was over, there was plenty of repenting going on in our family and in many other families as well. The Lord was exalted and glorified. It also gave me a new burden for us as women, especially wives and mothers:

“…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 10:30b

“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” James 3:10

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! James 3:5

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. James 3:11-12

How are you doing with your mouth? Are your words sweet or bitter.

And here are a few more Scriptures that address us women specifically, and our words: (bold font mine)

“While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.” 1 Peter 3:2

“But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” 1 Peter 3:4.

I looked up the Greek and the definitions of some of the key words in 1 Peter. Here they are:

Chaste – Hag-nos’ – properly clean, innocent, modest, pure

Meek – prah-ooce’ – mild, humble, gentle

Quiet – hay-soo’-khee-os – still, undisturbed, undisturbing, peaceable

The question I asked myself was this: Does this describe me?

If we asked our husband and children, would they say yes?

I think it is a great challenge for us to go ahead and ask our husbands and our children. Or if you aren’t married or you don’t have children, ask a trusted friend. It would be a very humbling thing to do. But as we know, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. James 4:6.  So He will help us.

Our Lord is so gracious and so faithful and so beautiful and holy. We cannot just coast along in our walk with Him without being convicted to the depths of our heart after spending time in those Scriptures. It is only when we meet with Him, through prayer and reading His Word that we can see ourselves as we truly are. When Isaiah was in the presence of the Lord, he discovered something.

“Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips. Isaiah 6:5a

Let this be an encouragement to make sure we meet with Him every day. We can’t be relying on last week’s time with the Lord. We need to go out and get that daily manna…lest it rots and breeds worms.

The Lord wants us to grow in holiness. He is the author and finisher of our faith. We can trust Him to do it when we submit to His Lordship daily.

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” James 4:8a

In Christ!

~Lisa

January 22, 2009

It has been a wonderful month here in AZ.  We have had some great family time, lots of school, and some exciting times of ministry.  We definitely want to come back here again sometime.  I have been amazed at the number of Christians from all different churches in this area who come out to witness to the people…on a regular basis. There are sometimes 15 or 20 brothers and sisters out there!  It is a great encouragement.  We haven’t seen anything like it in any other city in the U.S.

The Lord continues to bless us with meeting the most wonderful people along the way.  Last Saturday evening in Tempe, a family came walking up the sidewalk toward us and right away we introduced ourselves to each other. We had no idea who they were or what they were doing. Within minutes, Jeff and Shawn were a preaching and witnessing team!  Jeff’s wife Rose and I hit it off immediately and started asking each other all about what the Lord is doing in our families.  They have been in full time ministry for about the same time as we have. Three years ago (Rose was 8 months pregnant with their fourth child), they sold and gave away EVERYTHING, went to bible college in Texas, and then the Lord sent them off to Glasgow, Scotland. They are back home in AZ for a few months before they head back to the U.K. We had them over for dinner and fellowship the other night – what a blessing!   They have four precious little daughters ages 8, 6, 4, and 2.  They have a similar ministry to ours with street evangelism being their main focus. Visit their website  www.jcryministries.com and you will be blessed.

On a different evening, we had been downtown Tempe and were headed back to our car after a great night of witnessing. The four of us were talking about God and His creation and how He made it obvious for us to see His handiwork and know that He is God.  We turned the corner, and heard this nice gentleman say “Ooh that’s good”.  We ended up stopping and talking to him as he shared about his wife and small children and how they are serving the Lord. He prayed for us, encouraged our children, and off we went, strengthened and edified by the brethren! Thank you Lord.

A few weeks ago Eliza was sharing something recently that she had learned in her history class — that years back, it was not uncommon to be walking down a neighborhood street in America in the evening, and hear the sound of families singing hymns and praises together.  Isn’t that beautiful? To think that it was not uncommon? Wow.  Do we have regular family worship together? If not, get your family together, bring your bibles and hymnals to the table, and get to it!  I read about a family who would even wake up their napping babies and young children so as not to miss this very important time.

The bible says in Deuteronomy 6:7 “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”  In other words, we are to talk of the things of God everywhere and all the time!  His Word, His character, His truth and love and mercy and perfect judgment.  Are we spending most of our time talking about the things of God with our families or are we so attracted to the things of this world that it’s all we can think and talk about. What we love the most will be evident in our conversation.  Yikes! It’s a convicting thought for me.  The bible says in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”  It’s a very good thing to check ourselves here.

I was blessed by this short piece that Kirk Cameron wrote recently on the  www.livingwaters.com newsletter regarding their children:

“Chelsea and I have been blessed with six wonderful children.  As adorable as they are, as priceless and treasured we hold them, they most certainly have the sin of pride and foolishness, bound up within their hearts.  The Bible explains the reason we never have to teach our children to be selfish, disobedient, or indulgent.  It is because they are born with a heart as bent toward sin as yours and mine.  While that may sound harsh and cruel, wise parents recognize their child’s true dilemma, a sinful nature, and lead them to the Savior early.  Pop-psychology tells us that children are born morally neutral and must be taught to be bad, but as readers of God’s Word, we know that the “badness” is rooted in their own hearts, and all that is needed for the resident sin to grow is for parents to do nothing.  Our job as fathers and mothers is to help our children perceive their own sin and then lead them to our kind and gracious Savior.  Our precious little children need Jesus as much as we do.”  Kirk Cameron

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  We can only do this with the Lord’s help. It is crucial to realize the true state of our children’s souls and their need for a Savior. This brings me to another experience I had while here.

A friend of ours who we have met down here in Arizona, ( he is a faithful fisher of men ) was sharing his testimony with us recently.  He described how when the Holy Spirit began to convict him of his sin, he was desperately looking for a way to be forgiven, but he didn’t know the Gospel well enough. The only “church” he had been to was the Mormon temple. He didn’t know what to do! He felt the burden of his sin which reminded me of Christian in “Pilgrim’s Progress”.  He started going to church with a friend and when he would ask someone there for help and tell them he needed to repent, they would just pat him on the back and say, “You’ll be okay.  You’re doing just fine!”…pat pat pat.  He KNEW there was something wrong, but the church was not helping him.  Finally the Lord brought some godly men into his life who told him the Good News.  Praise God, he was able to repent and trust the Savior, Jesus Christ.  Gone was that burden of sin! Gone was the guilt and in its place was forgiveness and a clean slate!  The Bible says in Isaiah 1:18 “…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”  And we sing the hymn “Are You Washed in the Blood?”, in which one verse says, “Are your garments spotless, are they white as snow?” and “Lay aside those garments that are stained with sin, and be washed in the Blood of the Lamb.”

The Gospel is SO much bigger than a changed life, obedient children, or a better marriage. Those things are important and do happen as a result of true salvation. But the Gospel is first and foremost about forgiveness of sins.  Sin is our biggest problem and forgiveness is our greatest need.  We don’t need happiness, we need HOLINESS!  And the same goes for our children. We live in a culture of “Don’t worry, be happy”.  But that is such a dangerous lie.

I’m thankful to the Lord for showing me the true state of my soul, and the way of forgiveness to the glory of God. When Jesus talked about the “poor in spirit”, He was talking about every human being! Our souls are completely bankrupt!  Oh, I’m so glad that He made a way for us, aren’t you?

I pray we will all be seeking His righteousness daily and keep our eyes set on heavenly things – things eternal, and not temporal.

“Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2

Bless God.

~Lisa

December 27, 2008

We are now in Mesa, AZ. The Lord has been so kind to provide us with a house to live in while we are here. We arrived on Tuesday, December 22 and hope to stay through the end of January. It is a blessing to be able to spread out! The pastor and his wife from the church in St. Cloud, MN that Shawn grew up in, live down here and have an extra house they have opened up to us. They plan on moving into this house someday when they are ready to downsize. Until then, they open it up to missionaries and friends who need a retreat! They have been so gracious and generous to us. We had a wonderful Christmas here.

Living in an RV with two giant children and an 85 lb dog (Daisy), is a blessing. We have grown closer to each other as opposed to wanting to get away from each other. There are opportunities to practice and learn one of the fruits of the Spirit called longsuffering, and the Lord is so faithful to be growing us in that area. We love being together and I love seeing our children be best friends.

There are so many fun times…and FUNNY times…that we have while traveling. Sometimes the four of us get laughing so hard we can hardly stop. I don’t know that they’d be funny to someone outside our family – they are kind of “location jokes”. But hopefully I will be able to share some of them with you as we go along.

I have been reading my Bible with a “52 week Bible reading plan” since August 31st. I have attempted these before, but this one is working out so well. It is laid out so that every day of the week I am in a different book of the Bible. Monday through Friday I am in the Old Testament, and Saturday and Sunday in the New Testament. If you are interested in this bible reading plan, Shawn got it for me online at www.Bible-Reading.com by Michael Coley. I highly recommend it! There are times of course that I am reading outside of the plan, but so far I have been able to keep up with it. And when I do get behind, I am able to catch up again. By next August 29th, I will have read through the Bible in one year. Then I plan to begin again.

I have been in Jeremiah on Fridays, and was struck by the words in Jeremiah 20:9 which say “…But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.” Jeremiah had tried to keep his mouth shut when it came to preaching because of all the ridicule and mocking he had been receiving. But he could not keep it in! He actually was weary of not speaking the truth to the people. It sounds like he was ready to explode and burn up if he continued to keep his mouth shut.

Are we weary when we don’t share the good news? Or is it the opposite: we are weary if we have to share. Are we more comfortable NOT sharing? I thought of a few people I know when I read these words in Jeremiah because they are ones who definitely cannot bear to NOT tell people about salvation in Jesus Christ. I think they would burn up if they had to keep it in! It’s such a glorious and BIG gospel, and it is the best news there is. And yet I sometimes find myself more comfortable keeping it in, in fear of how someone might respond. My prayer for myself and for you is that we would be like Jeremiah. So convinced and persuaded of our own miraculous redemption, that we cannot help but tell people the gospel. Forgiveness of sins, a clear conscience, being made right with God, no longer a child of wrath because of our sin, but made a child of God, oh, and the gift of everlasting life!? What a mighty and merciful God He is to save sinners such as I! How can we keep this in?

Two Scriptures come to mind:

“…for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12b.

(can’t read that Scripture without singing it in the tune of the famous hymn!)

“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Eliza and William love choosing the hymn “There’s Power in the Blood” during our family worship. The first line is my favorite: “Would you be free from your burden of sin?” Because if you would, then God has made a way! And we know the answer. It’s time we start telling more people.

My favorite way to witness is to hand out tracts. As my husband often says to believers he meets, “at LEAST be doing that”. And I agree. We can hand out tracts everywhere we go. Make sure it is a good tract that tells the truth about God’s law, man’s sin and wickedness, and the glorious and only way to be forgiven. When you are confident about the tract, it is easier to hand them out. And my experience is that most people not only take them, but they thank you. I personally know people who were saved by reading a tract. It is God’s word and we know from Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

So first we need to make sure the words on the tract are indeed God’s word and not some fluffy gospel that has no power and no true peace offered. Then we need to be bold and courageous and hand them to everyone we can! I try to keep tracts in every purse or coat and remember to not leave without them. I encourage you, if you don’t already do this, to make it a priority. It also may open the door to stay and talk with the person. I love seeing softened hearts ask questions and see how the Lord will direct the conversation!

God bless you and as Ray Comfort recently said, “Have a very evangelistic New Year!”

~Lisa

December 5th 2008

The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. Psalm 12:6-7

For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. Psalm 119:89

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:8

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Oh, I am so thankful to the Lord for His Word. How He has kept it and preserved it for us…forever! It is completely true and settled in heaven. It is the power of salvation to convert our wretched souls! It is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. I am GRATEFUL we get to know our Lord by His Word. The more we read it, the more we know Him! The more we know Him, the more we can be walking epistles of Christ.

I am looking forward to having this space to write and I hope it is an encouragement to all my sisters. I have been considering this for a few months now, but I kept thinking, “I’m too busy. When will I find the time?” Well, the other day I finally mentioned it to Shawn, and within minutes there was a new tab on our blog…

Some of the things I hope to write about are topics such as witnessing and sharing our faith, being a godly wife and mother, homeschooling, traveling, etc., but I also hope to just write about what the Lord is showing me in His Word and how it affects us as women. I’m hoping to write once a week, but it may be less than that. Please feel free to comment and share. Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. We appreciate your love and support so much. God bless you.

~Lisa