THOUGHT FOR TODAY: whatever you are going through right now you can be assured: 1) Your Heavenly Father knows exactly what you’re facing; to the smallest detail 2) He has at His command everything required to meet your need 3) He loves you so much He sent His only Son to die for you. Therefore there is only one reasonable explanation for what you're going through; He is teaching, guiding, training, and testing, in order to take you to a higher level of faith, which is no less that life itself.
Yesterday was payday and it looked like we were going to be short. Then I remembered that Nicholas had not withdrawn the 3000 lemps we transferred to the bank in Cortes a couple weeks ago. We needed a total of 37,044. When we added everything up, we had 37,380 --- 336 lempiras ($18 ) to spare…. Vicky came to me yesterday morning and said there was a problem. The 16-day-old baby of a family in her village had died the day before. The burial had to take place within a few hours, and they had no means of getting even a casket. Nicholas and I were eventually able to get one in Cortes. Brothers and sisters from our church in Owasso also provided food for the family.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: whatever you are going through right now you can be assured: 1) Your Heavenly Father knows exactly what you’re facing; to the smallest detail 2) He has at His command everything required to meet your need 3) He loves you so much He sent His only Son to die for you. Therefore there is only one reasonable explanation for what you're going through; He is teaching, guiding, training, and testing, in order to take you to a higher level of faith, which is no less that life itself. I left Tulsa at 7:30 yesterday morning and arrived in San Pedro about seven o'clock last night. It's good to be back, though I wish Cheryl were with me…. I would like to go to the missionary conference in Siguatepeque this weekend. However I learned when I got here last night that we, along with every other property owner in this area, have until Sunday to present our property deeds to the municipality for inspection. Nicholas and I went by there this afternoon and spoke with a man who had arrived last night at 9 PM and as of two o'clock this afternoon had still not gotten to the front of the line. Nicholas said he wants to do this for me if they will allow it, in which case I will probably go to the conference.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Last time I wrote, "…Thus, on Sunday morning we hear the teaching; the rest of the week we go through the training." I should have added, “… and periodically there's a test. Unfortunately, the grading is “pass/fail”; fortunately we get to keep taking it until we pass." 9/26/2011 On Saturday I went to the church and spent some time with those packing the Christmas boxes for the children in Honduras. If you haven't been there, and if you have opportunity, you ought to go. Having done the project for the last 10 years, they've got it down to is science. It was amazing that at the end of the day all 800 of the boxes were packed and shrink wrapped in batches ready to be sent to Gulfport. Our thanks to Candy Matheny and all the others who have sacrificed their time and effort in this project… I will be leaving for Honduras in the morning; and this time Cheryl will be staying behind. I ask for your prayers for her and for all the work that has to be done during the remaining weeks of this year. We have stated that we hope to be producing items for sale at the beginning of 2012 (one of the groups that has worked on the project is praying for a start date of December of this year). In any event, we will need a miracle to meet either goal. But then, it's a miracle that we’re as far along as we are right now.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Things like trusting God go against our human nature. Thus, being the Master Teacher, He uses both teaching and training. The dictionary defines teaching as imparting knowledge; training is being shaped, formed, and bent by practice and discipline. Thus, on Sunday we hear the teaching; the rest of the week we go through the training. Yesterday we had coffee with Mark and Linda Bullard and brought them up to date on Honduras. From their visits and the blog they know many of the places and the faces. This noon I met with a welding engineer/consultant here in Tulsa to explain the wood and metal working projects we plan to begin. He will try to give us some ideas about equipment and materials needed to get started. Tomorrow a group will gather at Beacon Hill Baptist to start packing the children’s Christmas boxes for Honduras. An email today read, “…need 122 more bars of soap…37cents at Wal-Mart…I bought all they had.” This project is a blessing for everyone involved. Tonight we spent the evening with the McMillons and the McCombs; it was a great evening of fellowship.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: From time to time we all “blow it”. That’s always discouraging, but not a total loss if I learn from it. My tendency is to roll it over and over in my mind, trying to make it seem like it wasn’t so bad after all. That approach guarantees it will continue to happen. We should live with it and let the Lord talk to us about it, so we’re better prepared next time. Tonight Cheryl had dinner with members of the Carpenters Sunday School class from First Methodist. They are always interested in what’s happening with Gathering Hearts and are a real encouragement. While she was there I was attending a meeting at Oral Roberts University…. Nicolas called today to find out my schedule for the next couple weeks; it’s a relief to me that he’s always thinking ahead. I’m planning to return to Honduras next week; Cheryl will remain here for the time being. Last call for any donations to the Honduras children’s Christmas boxes; packing this Saturday 9/24, at Beacon Hill Baptist in Owasso. Contact Candy Matheny at [email protected].
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Sometimes it seems there are problems on every side; thinking about how to solve each one is overwhelming. There is comfort in remembering our responsibility is to stay before the Lord in prayer until we hear His still small voice, and then do as He says. Simple, but certainly not easy. There is comfort in remembering our responsibility is singular; to stay before the Lord…. I mentioned on Thursday that Norma and Mirna’s father had died. I received a note from Nicholas next day that they had not yet had the burial as they were waiting for one of the sons to return from England. The last information I received said that the burial was at 4 PM yesterday. Please keep the family in your prayers…. We had dinner with the Wards and the Briscoes on Friday night; and we had our traditional fish fry at the Foster's last night. We showed the video that Matt Pile made while the group from Christ Presbyterian Church was at the mission center last month. This morning we went to the first service at Broken Arrow Assembly and heard former attorney general John Ashcroft speak; and afterward went to our own church, Beacon Hill Baptist.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I've found that even the simplest task seems to have so many variables I feel I need God’s guidance; in fact I suspect that some of the things I need to know in order to make a good decision haven’t even happened yet. If that’s all true, what is the likelihood that a group of politicians gathered around a table giving their opinions is going to result in the right solution to our country’s crisis? I went to our home church, Beacon Hill Baptist last night. Much of the conversation centered on the Honduran children’s Christmas gift boxes and other things that are right now being collected for the container that will be coming to Honduras later on this fall….Nicolas called yesterday to say that Norma and Mirna’s father died unexpectedly yesterday. Nicolas represented Cheryl and me at a gathering last night. Today was payday; all the employees were taken care of.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I have been feeling that I need to start memorizing key Bible passages again. Some might ask how that can be relevant or practical when we all have such busy schedules. Besides the obvious, our arch enemy is continually putting thoughts into our mind. Some of these threats sound plausible and can cause us to worry—until we look at them in light of the truth. If we can meet that thought with the Truth the moment it appears, so much the better. We had brunch with Randy and Marcy Ellis today. It’s always more fun to talk about the ministry when people know the faces and places as they do. Tyler came for dinner tonight and helped us get set up to begin bookkeeping…. I had a note from Nicolas today asking if there was enough in the bank for him to cash the payroll check for the 15th. Thank the Lord I was able to tell him yes.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Last week we discovered an important document was missing. The next few days I was obsessed with trying to imagine where else I could look. We found the document; but I had failed the test. With a little effort, I could have chosen to hand the matter to God and He would have handled it…perfectly. Then next time this happens (and you can be sure there will be a next time) trusting Him would have been easier. Our goal in these situations is to stop the pain; His goal is to heal the disease -- in this case self will, self sufficiency, lack of trust…. Friday night we had dinner with Joan Wilkin and Sharon Ryan and afterward a time of prayer -- a great evening. Things are starting to take shape for our visiting team schedule for 2012; four groups have indicated an interest in coming to Honduras. We spent Saturday and Sunday at an evangelistic conference and were greatly blessed with the teaching and fellowship. Today we had lunch with the Presleys and another friend and brought them up to date on recent Gathering Hearts activities….. Nicholas sent photos of the children displaying their treats on Children's Day; and of the red van which is now repaired and back at the mission center.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: I was trying to decide whether or not to attend a certain meeting this weekend. Then it dawned on me, it's not my decision to make. I am a servant, and as such I inquire of the Master and then do as He says. How many times have we missed something key to our mission when we decided to make the decision ourselves? I had a doctors appointment yesterday; mostly just to make sure everything is okay. Tyler was here today. His business is evolving, and he’s going to have to transfer the Gathering Hearts bookkeeping to someone else. At least for now, Cheryl will be doing much of it, though Nicolas may take on some also; and Tyler will be available to answer questions. We’re going to miss having regular contact with him; he’s been a real blessing…. I had a call from Nicholas. There are some serious health issues with Laurdes’s daughter Mary Lee that need our prayers.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Often I think how many minutes, hours, days are stained worrying about things that never happened. |