James flew for the first time in his life this past week.
Pray for this process to go smoothly.
Pray for our family as we transition from the Philippines to the USA. We will need to purchase a house shortly after we get to the states and a car. There are many transitions ahead. Prayers and assistance are appreciated.
Paul states in Philippians 4:11 "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content" and I was thinking about this statement as I watched the repair men carry our stove out of the house to take to the shop for repair.
Losing a stove for a few days is nothing when compared to friends and acquaintences here who regularly cook with wood.....
and regularly deal with flooding....
My Filipino friends teach resiliance in their joyful life style. Yes, things are hard, but as one friend recently told me, "it's always been hard, since I was little. This is our normal so we accept it and go on"
Contentment is a choice. Setting my mind on the things of Christ, seeking His way, Him, FIRST, in ALL of life is His directive to me. Living here in the Philippines has taught me many lessons about resiliancy, contentment, and joy.
I thank God for His abounding grace and teaching, for His Word....Philippians 4 continues instructing....I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me......I am well supplied......And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus...." (Phil. 4:12-20)
Yes, He does!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.Philippians 4:23
This friend and I have been friends since 1983, before either of us married........35 years....and though our paths have gone in various directions, when we do get together, it's like we were never apart. She and her husband inspired us to look into becoming missionaries. Conversation picks up easily and deeply with her and I thank God for her.
This friend and I have shared many meal-making times at church, coffees, fun, deep conversations. And even though I've been half a world away for much of our friendship, when we get together....like with the other two....conversation picks up easily and deeply. I am thankful.
Proverbs 27:9...Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and so does the sweetness of a friend....
The past couple days in Davao have seen many lose their homes, be displaced while cleaning up from floods, and lose loved ones in a mall fire.
Why God ordains these things to happen is hard to know, but like we sang this morning at church "God is too wise to be mistaken God is too good to be unkind So when you don't understand When don't see His plan When you can't trace His hand Trust His Heart Trust His Heart"
Our hearts are saddened this holiday season as one of the workers who lost her life in the mall fire December 23 was an alumni of Faith International Academy. She'd played on the soccer team along with our oldest daughter. We grieve for her family and her loss.
The sudden ways life can change makes me appreciate all the more time with my family, phone conversations with my daughters, friends, relationships.
We sang a hymn this morning at church that reminded me every generation knows pain and suffering. Jesus promised us we'd have suffering in this life, but He is our hope and I rest in His leading!!!
In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet, God leads His dear children along.
Refrain: Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long.
Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along; Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night, God leads His dear children along.
Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose, God leads His dear children along; Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along.
Away from the mire, and away from the clay, God leads His dear children along; Away up in glory, eternity’s day, God leads His dear children along.
To read more about the fire at the mall check out http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2017/12/23/Davao-City-mall-fire.html
Christmas lights blink and glow
Muslim call to prayer plays in the distance
Fan rumples paper, blows cooling breeze
Fresh coffee hot and soothing A snowman mug its container
Not a white Christmas here but a content-filled holiday
Decorations and shopping done
holiday peace
baking cookies, my relaxation and fun
baking breads, cinnamon smells, memories wafting
meloncholy and contentment
missing daughters, sisters, friends
happy to be here, this missionary adventure as I call it
relationships the focus
Christmas breakfast with friends
skype calls to daughters, sisters, relatives
enjoying the taste and smell of baked goods and ham
the sound of laughter
playing games
holiday peace
meloncholy and content
gifts are nice but not the point
playing games, reading, baking, talking
not busyness
the Muslim call to prayer resonates peace
centeredness
Centers me on Christ
His birth, His death, His resurrection
and all the world will know one day that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
His mercy and grace abound
Christmas lights twinkle and glow my heart glows in His love
my heart sings
“oh for a heart to praise you more... A heart in every thought renewed, and full of love divine; perfect and right and pure and good — a copy, Lord, of thine.”
I pray for family and friends yet unsaved
The best gift will be to see them in Your eternal home, Dad.
And, as the song playing now sings,
“All is well, All is well
Angels and men rejoice,
For tonight darkness fell
Into the dawn of Love's Light
Sing Alle, sing Alleluia!!!”
Christmas lights twinkle and glow
my heart glows in His love..........
Song authors and words:
"Oh For A Heart To Praise My God"
Charles Wesley, 1742 1 O for a heart to praise my God, a heart from sin set free; a heart that's sprinkled with the blood so freely shed for me: 2 A heart resigned, submissive, meek, my great Redeemer's throne; where only Christ is heard to speak, where Jesus reigns alone: 3 A humble, lowly, contrite heart, believing, true, and clean, which neither life nor death can part from him that dwells within: 4 A heart in every thought renewed, and full of love divine; perfect and right and pure and good — a copy, Lord, of thine. 5 Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart, come quickly from above; write thy new name upon my heart, thy new best name of Love.
"All Is Well"
Michael W. Smith, 1989.
All is well all is well Angels and men rejoice For tonight darkness fell Into the dawn of love's light Sing A-le Sing Alleluia
All is well all is well Let there be peace on earth Christ is come go and tell That He is in the manger Sing A-le Sing Alleluia
All is well all is well Lift up your voice and sing Born is now Emmanuel Born is our Lord and Savior Sing Alleluia Sing Alleluia All is well
