I intended to post again today about the mission trip, but that's not the case.
Another member of the team shared something they learned on this trip. Our intentions and plans are not always God's will, and I shouldn't get angry or upset or impatient when His will doesn't fit my plans or timing. His way is always more perfect and will always end up with a better outcome for me and for His kingdom.
Yesterday, Aimee's grandma passed away. While we're glad that it happened after we returned, it's still hard when someone close leaves for a little while. It's hard to lose a source of wisdom and comfort. It was a year ago today that my grandpa passed away from cancer. It is still hard not to be able to talk to him or work with him in his wood-shop.
Grandparents are a source of wisdom and strength. They are comfort and peace. They are laughter and joy. We will miss fishing trips with Vienna Sausages and Chicken in a Biskit crackers. We will miss gumbo. We will miss talking and warm memories. We will miss welcome arms and homes.
I only hope that when I am a father and grandfather that I point to Christ and His comfort, peace, joy, wisdom, and love.
Romans 8:28 - We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
Friday, July 22, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
God Changes Perspectives
Well, if you didn't know by now, we did make it home safely. We tried to bring home the weather from France, but it only cooperated a little ways to Houston with the rain. The temperatures didn't follow us. The blast of hot, humid air as we stepped off the plane in Tulsa was mind-boggling, overwhelming... You pick the word. It was HOT and stifling!
For our first meal back in the states, Aimee and I enjoyed a baked potato with BBQ turkey in the Houston airport. Nothing says, "Welcome Home", like a big pile of BBQ on a potato! Then, we had Maria's Mexican when we landed in Tulsa. Real food, home! We then got back to our house where the A/C was cranking like mad to bring the house back down to a 'liveable' temperature (still warmer than Paris), and we got to greet our sweet puppy and cat. We missed our pets!
Sorry that I've not posted again since we left, but it's been crazy getting stuff unpacked, going back to work, answering 300 emails (I'm still behind!), and shopping for groceries. As I said in an earlier post, I hope to post what we learned from the great Teacher.
Aimee and I sat down in a cafe drinking espresso and hot chocolate while we waited to board our boat for the dinner cruise on our last night in Paris. We discussed the trip, what we liked, what we didn't, and answered a question that Randy asked me a few days earlier... "How has this trip changed your perspective?" Randy really meant my eternal perspective or how the trip changed how I view God's kingdom and purposes. So, Aimee listened while I wrote and talked about how my view was altered. I have 10 items to share that I hope will help me to continue this growth.
I won't get to write about all of them today, but I'll get a start. I'd like to have them done by this weekend to be able to share with those who helped us go.
There is a passage in Philippians chapter 2 (1-5) which sums up several of these items for me.
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
I want to have this mind and love! I'll post more of my experiences tomorrow. I know Aimee has her own list, so I'll let her post. Keep coming back to hear more, ask questions, and keep us accountable for these things.
Post-Trip Prayer:
Pray that the gospel would continue to bear fruit & His Kingdom grow.
Colossians 1:3-6 -
For our first meal back in the states, Aimee and I enjoyed a baked potato with BBQ turkey in the Houston airport. Nothing says, "Welcome Home", like a big pile of BBQ on a potato! Then, we had Maria's Mexican when we landed in Tulsa. Real food, home! We then got back to our house where the A/C was cranking like mad to bring the house back down to a 'liveable' temperature (still warmer than Paris), and we got to greet our sweet puppy and cat. We missed our pets!
Sorry that I've not posted again since we left, but it's been crazy getting stuff unpacked, going back to work, answering 300 emails (I'm still behind!), and shopping for groceries. As I said in an earlier post, I hope to post what we learned from the great Teacher.
Aimee and I sat down in a cafe drinking espresso and hot chocolate while we waited to board our boat for the dinner cruise on our last night in Paris. We discussed the trip, what we liked, what we didn't, and answered a question that Randy asked me a few days earlier... "How has this trip changed your perspective?" Randy really meant my eternal perspective or how the trip changed how I view God's kingdom and purposes. So, Aimee listened while I wrote and talked about how my view was altered. I have 10 items to share that I hope will help me to continue this growth.
I won't get to write about all of them today, but I'll get a start. I'd like to have them done by this weekend to be able to share with those who helped us go.
- Mission trips aren't just about expanding God's kingdom to/in other places, though that is the primary goal. It is also for letting it grow in me! I can go to other places and preach and share the Gospel, but if I don't allow myself to grow in Christ on the trip and bring that attitude back home then the trip wasn't a complete success. I can't be on mission with God and stay as I am. I must become more like Jesus. And, if I am changed, then I come home with a new attitude and outlook that God can use to change here as well as there.
- God can work despite me. God can/will accomplish His will and purpose. It felt sometimes like I was trying my hardest to get in the way or do things how I wanted to do them, but God still moved, sent His Spirit, and showed Himself faithful. I just need to get out of the way sometimes or see what He's doing and help.
- The body of Christ is REAL! We have brothers and sisters everywhere. I met many of them on this trip, Au, Pearl, Snow, Teddy, Anna, Annie, etc. These people are giving, sharing, praying, helping, serving, and using their talents as hands, feet, hearts, knees, and elbows in the body. I knew about this concept intellectually; we've studied it in Sunday School numerous times. I've heard it preached countless times, but until I saw it working it didn't come to life. We were with people of three languages (English, French, and Chinese), but we were all able to work together in our own areas. Each person contributed to do more for Him than we could have done on our own. And, the part about each hurting if the other is? That's real too. When something went wrong, or someone was hurt, we each felt it, prayed together, cried together.
There is a passage in Philippians chapter 2 (1-5) which sums up several of these items for me.
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
I want to have this mind and love! I'll post more of my experiences tomorrow. I know Aimee has her own list, so I'll let her post. Keep coming back to hear more, ask questions, and keep us accountable for these things.
Post-Trip Prayer:
Pray that the gospel would continue to bear fruit & His Kingdom grow.
Colossians 1:3-6 -
Monday, July 18, 2011
At The Airport
We are at CDG airport waiting to leave. Pray for safe flights and connections. God has been so good to us!
We aren't ready to return to the heat though. It will be a shock after one day where it got to 78. A lady here said that was a very hot day for July!
We aren't ready to return to the heat though. It will be a shock after one day where it got to 78. A lady here said that was a very hot day for July!
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Last Time This Time
Today we had our last meeting (this trip!) with the little church from Paris with the big, loving, caring, reaching heart. We had a fun morning of singing, taking pictures, handing out certificates, and praying with our brothers and sisters in Paris. As much as we went to encourage these wonderful people, we reaped a blessing of encouragement and strength two-fold or more.
We finished the day out with a final sight-seeing trip to Versailles. Not even rain and cold wind could dampen my joy. Yes, it made it harder to walk, and we got wet transferring from the train to the subway car. But, that was just for a little while.
I pray that we made a difference for eternity this week. I pray that God will continue to send His Spirit among the believers here. They, in many ways, are already past us in living as the church Jesus wants us all to be.
Most of the team is headed back to Oklahoma tomorrow. We will hopefully be leaving behind encouragement to keep running the race and encouragement to push outside the current boundaries. I hope we left behind a portion of God's Spirit and love. I know that we are leaving this trip spent of our energy.
Aimee and I are staying a couple extra days to take in some other sights and enjoy each other, but it will probably contain a lot of rest. I praise God for giving us strength this week. Even through the last day people were up on time and ready to help. I thank God for pouring out an extra measure of patience on us this week. It would have been easy to let the little things begin to rip little tears in the group as the fatigue set it, but we still laughed together and sang even to the last moment.
I thank God for new friends and brothers and sisters. I thank God that He has done more to change my perception of His kingdom this week than I was prepared for. It's going to take a while to process all He's spoken in my heart this week, but I'm ready to obey it. Please, keep asking me about the trip, and keep me accountable to the things I tell you.
Ready to come home changed forever.
Pray that He will receive the glory His sacrifice deserves.
2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith
We finished the day out with a final sight-seeing trip to Versailles. Not even rain and cold wind could dampen my joy. Yes, it made it harder to walk, and we got wet transferring from the train to the subway car. But, that was just for a little while.
I pray that we made a difference for eternity this week. I pray that God will continue to send His Spirit among the believers here. They, in many ways, are already past us in living as the church Jesus wants us all to be.
Most of the team is headed back to Oklahoma tomorrow. We will hopefully be leaving behind encouragement to keep running the race and encouragement to push outside the current boundaries. I hope we left behind a portion of God's Spirit and love. I know that we are leaving this trip spent of our energy.
Aimee and I are staying a couple extra days to take in some other sights and enjoy each other, but it will probably contain a lot of rest. I praise God for giving us strength this week. Even through the last day people were up on time and ready to help. I thank God for pouring out an extra measure of patience on us this week. It would have been easy to let the little things begin to rip little tears in the group as the fatigue set it, but we still laughed together and sang even to the last moment.
I thank God for new friends and brothers and sisters. I thank God that He has done more to change my perception of His kingdom this week than I was prepared for. It's going to take a while to process all He's spoken in my heart this week, but I'm ready to obey it. Please, keep asking me about the trip, and keep me accountable to the things I tell you.
Ready to come home changed forever.
Pray that He will receive the glory His sacrifice deserves.
2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith
Friday, July 15, 2011
Final Night
Last night was a crazy night to try and blog about the day. We had a fantastic day of helping with the kids with crafts from Zacheus to stories about the prodigal son and Jesus' birth. We were able to see Notre Dame then go to the Eiffel Tower where we watched the fireworks. We split off from the rest of the group. Nobody really had a great time because the crowds were crazy and pushing. But, it was an experience to be able to say we saw Bastille Day fireworks in Paris.
Our friend Will left early in the morning without trusting Christ. I am praying that he will continue to have chances and people in his life to help him do that. I was able to get his email, so we will continue to chat when we can.
Today was another long but fun day. Roger told about Jesus' death and resurrection, Bryan got into one of his big balloons (though we busted the first and then almost couldn't get the blower to work), we did lots more crafts, and made paper airplanes with the kids in the park. I need to brush up on my airplane folding skills before having kids. Haha!
Then we ate dinner before the church came for the final service. Randy then shared a lesson about how we can know the Bible is true followed by a presentation of the gospel. Be praying for any who might have asked Jesus to be their Lord. We know of at least 4 there who were not believers! This was also our last night to hear the adults worship. I'm going to miss their heart and passion for bringing praise to the King!!
I'll be posting more even when we return to tell how this trip has changed and blessed me. People talk about going on mission trips to encourage others, win souls, and see Jesus lifted up. All those were there for this trip, but the changes in those who go is just as significant and amazing!
Be praying tomorrow for our wrap-up service for the kids and travel for most of the group on Sunday.
Two days of prayer.
15th - pray that at the church may be encouraged and new believers established.
Ephesians 3:16-19 - That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
16th - praise God for victory in all things through Christ.
Romans 8:35-39 - Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
"For Your sake we are being put to death all day long ;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Still excited to be on mission with God! Praying it continues at home.
Our friend Will left early in the morning without trusting Christ. I am praying that he will continue to have chances and people in his life to help him do that. I was able to get his email, so we will continue to chat when we can.
Today was another long but fun day. Roger told about Jesus' death and resurrection, Bryan got into one of his big balloons (though we busted the first and then almost couldn't get the blower to work), we did lots more crafts, and made paper airplanes with the kids in the park. I need to brush up on my airplane folding skills before having kids. Haha!
Then we ate dinner before the church came for the final service. Randy then shared a lesson about how we can know the Bible is true followed by a presentation of the gospel. Be praying for any who might have asked Jesus to be their Lord. We know of at least 4 there who were not believers! This was also our last night to hear the adults worship. I'm going to miss their heart and passion for bringing praise to the King!!
I'll be posting more even when we return to tell how this trip has changed and blessed me. People talk about going on mission trips to encourage others, win souls, and see Jesus lifted up. All those were there for this trip, but the changes in those who go is just as significant and amazing!
Be praying tomorrow for our wrap-up service for the kids and travel for most of the group on Sunday.
Two days of prayer.
15th - pray that at the church may be encouraged and new believers established.
Ephesians 3:16-19 - That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
16th - praise God for victory in all things through Christ.
Romans 8:35-39 - Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
"For Your sake we are being put to death all day long ;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Still excited to be on mission with God! Praying it continues at home.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. There's just something about that name!
I know that I can't top the day that Aimee had. Our Lord is wonderful and faithful! Please continue to pray for Will. I had a chance to talk with him again today. He is so ready to accept Christ. Just pray that God will put a hedge of protection around him until tomorrow (both a physical one and a spiritual one).
I had so much fun today, and God is doing amazing things! This is going to be a short blog post because it's late again. Aimee posted the best part of the day even though we went to the Louvre, played with kids, made salvation bracelets, saw fireworks, talked about Daniel and the lions den, and talked about Zaccheus. It was just a full day of seeing God work despite us.
In Love With My Savior!!
I had so much fun today, and God is doing amazing things! This is going to be a short blog post because it's late again. Aimee posted the best part of the day even though we went to the Louvre, played with kids, made salvation bracelets, saw fireworks, talked about Daniel and the lions den, and talked about Zaccheus. It was just a full day of seeing God work despite us.
In Love With My Savior!!
An Incredible Day!
What an awesome day!! There are not enough words to describe how incredible I am feeling, so I know that God is rejoicing even more! When we got to the church today, there was only one mother that stayed behind for Bible Study. We weren't quite sure what to do, but went ahead to the apartment in hopes that more mothers would show up later. When we got there, I had the chance to introduce myself and also get to know this mother. Little did I know that today I would have the wonderful experience of leading her to Christ! She had a lot of questions about what it means to be a follower of Christ and also why Jesus came to the earth. God was definitely at work! I have absolutely no idea what came out of my mouth, but that's always when I know that God is speaking, not me.
I'm so encouraged by her and am so humbled that God chose me to teach her about Him. I am nothing without Him, but He used me. Wow! This is proof that when I step out of the way and let God take control of each situation, God shows His mighty hand. To God be the glory and all praise goes to Him!!! Thank you again for all your prayers. :-)
Please be in prayer now for her as she continues to grow in a deeper relationship with Christ, and also for a church home and small group to attend. She does not live very close to the church we've been working with; she just wanted to bring her children to VBS.
I am looking forward to the next 3 days as we all continue to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there's NOTHING my God cannot do!!
In His name!
-Aimee
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