October 12, 2015 2 Tiimothy 1:7 No Fear......

2 Timothy 1:7

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Power. Love.

Did we exude those today? Yesterday? This past week or month?

Too often, we live in fear. For some of us, the fear is extremely tangible. Our lives are on the line as soon as we commit to follow Him. For others, our lives might as well be on the line for the fear of what others might say or think paralyzes us into forgoing the force that God has created us to be.

We keep longingly looking at doors that God has closed wanting to be let in. We forget that doors closed are closed for a reason though our flesh desires to be a part. Sometimes the desire is so much that we can taste it. We bring it into our minds and we toss it around hoping for a simple droplet of the seemingly forbiddenness. It's often times nothing bad yet just simply not ours to taste.

Not our path. Not our way.

We can choose, though, to walk on in. We can choose to forge our own path fueled by our own desires. And while we may reach a destination, we will find emptiness and will have missed the path blazed by Our Creator. A path that isn't for the faint of heart. A path the builds warriors with each step, each turn and each mountain.

A path that, through, self-discipline molds us to stand ready so that when the arrows of opposition come our way, we stand firm knowing in Whose plan we forge. Self-discipline that comes from one day at a time, one prayer at a time, one reading at a time. Much as a marathon, the race day is simply the conglomeration of hours upon hours of a focused life.

An intentional life.

It doesn't come by accident. It doesn't come by chance, church attendance, family relations nor by accident. It comes from every moment of every day choosing to live the life that He has intended us to live.

Live worthy.

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2 Timothy......

Today, we begin to delve into 2 Timothy. Written by Paul while he was in prison for what would be his last time ending in his execution, I am inspired by his faith...his endurance, his realness. A man, who used to execute Christians himself, in prison for being a Christian...and not just a Christian by name but a radical, fully sold out believer who used ever moment that he was given left on this earth to further the Kingdom.

These are his last words.

I think back to my father's last words...his last days on this earth. I remember how I saw his faith strengthen as his earthly strength started to fade. During his life, he didn't speak outwardly much about his faith. He actually held it pretty close to his chest, however, when faced to his end here, He spoke mightily and outwardly to all who would listen. And the words weren't spoken as a walking dead man spewing his last bit of hope, but rather as one who seemed to understand deeper the closer and closer he was getting towards the end of his time on this earth. 

Perhaps death brings clarity.

Clarity. A reminder in what matters, what will be left when the end comes. A reminder of the residual. Earthly provisions no longer hold their value as we slowly get closer to our heavenly home. Reality sets in as we realize that we are tethered less and less to this earth but rather find that our souls are drawn to Him in a manner that we have never gotten to experience before. Slowly, the bonds that hold us here gradually become less and less. Not in actual strength or importance but rather we find ourselves experiencing strength of such a magnitude of proportions that our greatest loves become not the greatest anymore.

And that is okay.

That doesn't belittle or change anything that we have experienced on this earth. Doesn't negate or dissolve any of our relationships or loves but rather opens our soul to an experience in which we were created to be. No longer held back by the decay of this world, no longer limited by the depravity of evil but rather exalted into the glory that our souls have always sought. Finally, at rest in the place in which we were always meant to be.

Timothy knew where he was going and his last words were written with such passion and courage that inspire and propel us to keep our eyes on the horizon for each of us will one day have a final word on this earth. A final thought, a final day....may it encourage and propel.

Live worthy.

Update on Taellor's House!

Wow! Is this not incredible? Taellor's House.

I've had a few people ask what Tae's House will do...its purpose. The purpose is to share the Hope that can be found through Jesus Christ by building relationships through the ministry that will be done there. The first phase that has been completed with the exception of painting houses the classrooms and kitchen area. The second phase, which is under construction now, will house additional classroom space and housing for our coordinator and interns. 

There are many young girls and boys who are not able to go to school because they have to stay home to watch their younger siblings. They may only be 6, 7 or 8 years old themselves yet they are already responsible for the home while their single parent has to work. Tae's House will provide a safe place for the younger siblings during which time educational programs to include preschool, English, Bible and computer skills will be taught. The children which are old enough to attend school will spend their time outside of school at Tae's House in tutoring, computer, Bible and English classes. Their mothers will also be in the women's program designed to empower them by walking beside them in their journey providing classes in business, parenting, family dynamics and Biblical principals. An internship program will also be housed here to allow interns who have an interest in foreign missions to come from the US to serve with Project Hope while gaining experience in the mission field.

At this moment, Denise Meyer Winn, who is the children's program and intern coordinator, and Claudia Carrion are evaluating surveys that have been conducted by the community group. When I return, we will interview the mothers of the top 50 children based on greatest need analysis. By the middle of October, the first 50 children will have been selected to begin their journey of Hope here starting in February 2016.

Join us in prayer that God will guide our steps in this phase of the process. Join us in praising Him in the progress that had quickly come to fruition. He is ever faithful. Thank you to those who have continually supported through prayer and finances.
Hope can change a generation....one life at a time.

August 11th.... Our Twenty-fifth Wedding Anniversary, Dad's Birthday and Dad's Heaven Date

In the midst of our 25th wedding anniversary this year, we found ourselves separate on two different countries and the passing of my father on his birthday.

August 11th.

Looking back we were young yet we knew that the commitment that we were making seemed as natural as could be. I will never forget the advice given to me by an elderly woman as she exited the church on that evening. " This will be the hardest thing that you will ever do. Done right it will be a lot of work and will be one of your greatest gifts on this earth. Done with little work, it will be fleeting and will be one of your greatest regrets" . I remember being taken back by her almost biting words. They were mixed in with all of the typical happy and encouraging wedding sentiments. They didn't fit with the ceremonious occasion. Yet, hers were the words that would permeate my hear and mind.

It is interesting that this is the advice I tend to give, also. Not on the wedding day, that was a little shocking, but in light of marriage, I have found it to be true. This has been my hardest work yet is the greatest gift. We " started young" as many exclaim and shared life together from the beginning. We've celebrated some life's greatest joys such as being called to the mission field in Nicaragua and have walked some of the darkest of life's journeys the darkest watching Trav lower our daughter Taellor's coffin into the grave in Nicaragua. Together. We could not have done any of it without God. He continually blesses us greatly.

As I think back on the love that I felt for Trav that day. I couldn't have imagined loving anyone more....and yet, on that day, I didn't really have any concept of the depth that love could carry. A love that understands and above all else simply loves. God continues to guide us and we strive to be obedient. As I look at Trav today, I marvel at the man he is. I see God's hand upon his life and a man who seeks Him with His whole heart.

Quite simply, my very best friend.

2 Timothy 1:1-2 Who are you?

2 Timothy 1:1-2

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

An apostle of Christ Jesus. By the will of God. According to the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus.

One sentence identified Paul as who he was. One sentence summed him up. He was an apostle of Christ Jesus. An identity that was bestowed by the will of God. An identity that was according to the promise of life that wasn't found in Paul himself but rather through Christ Jesus.
So, who are we? If we were given a statement to write with the first sentence being specified to identify ourselves, what would we say? Or perhaps even more relevant, what would those around us write?

Would we be identified by our careers? Successful business? Our positions as husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters? Duly devoted, of course? Would our summation refer to our own accomplishments and laurels so that when read they would trigger someone's memory of ourselves?

Would the merit of our faith even come into play? Would it point to identify us or add information that those close to us would not recognize? Would they be surprised? Or are we hesitant to add it to our description to whom we are because we are afraid it would come into play?

Who are we? At the core of who we are, what words describe us?

For some of us, we might have several descriptive statements about ourselves each relevant to specific areas of our life. One statement for who we at work, one for home, one for our friends, one for our other friends, one for our church friends and the list goes on and on.

Yet, Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. The rest of who he was were simply minor details. Window dressings, perhaps, not identifying details. Paul's life was so identified as being a believer of God that there was no other information that was needed nor that mattered.
Perhaps, it was expected of him and all given his position such as ministers and missionaries today. Absolutely their faith should be first and forth most. For the rest of us, it is personal. A personal matter. Which is exactly where satan wants us to keep it. Personal. Hidden and not lived out. And as our believers hide their faith for personal reasons, those who do not share in following Christ seem to begin to speak bolder and with greater authority daring us to speak out.

Do we believe or not? Being humble doesn't mean hiding nor does it mean being lesser than, it means not to be prideful. Somewhere, somehow we have begun to mistake living our faith overflowing out loud in our lives as being prideful. We should stand worthy of the blood that was shed for us. We should speak of our faith with a boldness that can only be from the assurance of being followers of the Great I am.

Who am I? I am a child of the Almighty.

Live worthy.

1 Timothy 6:20 Be Where You Are

1 Timothy 6:20

Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless clutter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,

Guard what has been entrusted to our care.

How often do we tend to languish where we are? We barely touch ground where we have landed before our hearts and minds start to reach for the next place, the next class, the next job, the next home, the next phase....the next moment. And if we aren't careful, we either spend our whole lives on in self pity where we are or on stepping stones towards no where.

We step in anticipation of the next step. We live in anticipation of the next phase. We contribute in the anticipation of the finished product. We love in anticipation of the relationship to come. We work in anticipation of the next day off, raise or payday. We pray in anticipation to what we will be granted.

If we aren't careful, we base our lives on the future instead of what we have been gifted in the present. We live for what might be instead of what is.

But what if the purpose is in the journey? What if the purpose of our day wasn't the completed project at work or school but rather in the long, frustrating line that we had to wait in at midday in order to get the supplies that were needed? The lady that stood behind us, the gentleman in front of us or the cashier that was having a rough day might have been our purpose for that day.
However, how many times to we rush past focusing on the end result that we completely butcher the in between. We literally miss our cue. We miss our part and it simply passes us by.
Perhaps we need to take stock in where we are at this very moment, take heed and see where God is working in our midst. Instead of praying at the beginning for help and with gratitude at the end, we need to seek wisdom in our every day mundane encounters that may not be so mundane.

Every single, every single encounter that we have is a divine appointment. A moment in time that we will never be able to replay. A moment in which our testimony can either encourage fellow believers and the seekers or it can cause a blemish on our faith. Every encounter.
Does that seem like too much pressure? No down time?

As we seek to become faith walkers instead of talkers, our lives will reflect our faith. We will find that our down time isn't any different than our most stressful times. We will live in the moments of the journey instead of simply trying to hold it together for the finished product. Our faith is not a sprint but rather a marathon. A marathon of discipline, endurance and perseverance that is covered by mercy and grace.

We don't have to run the rat race. We can choose to be different.

We can choose to live worthy.

Slaton's Last Words for His Pappa

He wanted to give a beautiful speech for Pappa...and that he did. His Pappa would have been proud.

I don't remember his exact words but I remember his determination to say his few words. I remember how he realized that he would be wearing his suit that he had bought with his birthday money from Pappa and he responded that God knew then what he would need.
I love his faith that already has seen more adversary and death in his young years than most of us do in a lifetime and he doesn't waver ever in the love that He knows His Father bestows on his life. May it continue to grow greatly and not be tarnished by this world but rather strengthened in boldness.

I was asked last night if I have more patience raising Slate than I did Devon and Tae. I responded that I have more wisdom and I do. After walking through the sudden death of Tae, my instincts were confirmed. Its not about material possessions, talents or riches. It's about having a relationship with the Almighty and whatever as a parent that I can do to foster that, to model that, to live that...so that they might know. Sometimes that simply comes by living life together and other times it comes from heartfelt prayers on our knees. That's our purpose.