Roller Coaster

I think the roller coaster is a great picture of life, my life anyway. Maybe I am the only one like this, but there are times that I can't help but rejoice, worship, witness and praise my Lord. Then there are those other times. I feel down, discouraged, stagnant and apathetic. I worry about everything and try to take it all on myself. I wonder why our church isn't growing, why people aren't changing, why preparation is sometimes difficult, why people tell me some things. Why? Why do I do this worrying? I suppose it is like the man said in the New Testament, "Lord, I believe but help thou my unbelief." I know He is my Savior but I suppose at certain times I allow Satan to win the "Joy" battle. I believe in Him and know He is capable of all things, but still I lose focus and forget about the Joy of God.

I wish I could go into the part of my brain that has to do with discouragement and remove it. :) I know this isn't possible but it would be nice. Up for a while and then down for a while gets old! I suppose this makes sense, however, because if we were up and happy all the time then we might not appreciate the blessings and grace of God as we should. Before every mountain there must be a valley!

So...I guess I wanted to whine some. Ha! This is pathetic. I'm going to go do something fun like be happy, talk about Jesus and leave my life, family and ministry results up to my Father!

Later---Preacher out!

God's Timing

Isaiah 55:8 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 - For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

This is something I have to remind myself of often. Months back I was introduced to a man named, Thanmi Kazingmei. He is a man in India who has a huge burden to share Jesus with lost souls. He lives in a place where this is not a popular message. His life could even be in danger because of his bold stand for Christ. Nevertheless, he presses on to share his faith in Him. God has opened some amazing doors in letting us meet and get to know each other. Our church wanted to meet this man, hear his burden and consider sending him out as a missionary to India. Well, this can be a laborious process and we knew that but God, again was opening doors so we walked through them. Thanmi went to great lengths, spent his own money and put his life in danger just to secure a passport for his wife (he already had one) so that they could come here to share their burden. The day they received the passport they were told by her Dr. (she is pregnant) that she was not allowed to fly. This was discouraging to them and us too, but he decided to come alone. So, he started the visa process. He had his first interview and was denied because he did not have sufficient supporting documents. This was understandable because he didn't really know what he needed. We saw this as a blessing in disguise really because the man doing the interview told him exactly what he did need and that he could re-apply any time. We went to work! We prayed and prepared. He gathered documents and again worked strenuously to do things just right so he could come and share his burden. The second interview was set for this past Monday. He went and what do ya know...They denied him again, however, this time they gave no reason. I can assume it was denied because of the invitation letter saying he was coming to preach in our church, but that's just assuming.

So what now? Well, we will pray and let God work. Am I sad? Yep! Let down? Yep! Is he? Absolutely! Are we hopeless? Not at all! We both know God has ways and thoughts which are higher than ours. His timing is all together different. This often makes me go bananas (as Walker would say), but this is the life of a believer. We, by faith, believe that God has a higher purpose. I will not stop praying nor will I stop working to get this man here. Why? Because why would God put such a peace in my heart about a man I have never sat and talked with if He didn't have a higher plan? No I will not get ahead of God and no I will not take matters into my own hands. Yes I will pray and look forward to the day we can meet and discuss the Kingdom work of God to be done in North India.

Until then, we must understand thus "Saith the LORD."

P.S. Please add this man of God, Thanmi Kazingmei on Facebook if you have not done so already. Offer a word of encouragement to he and his wife, Sereno.

Bone Head

That's me! No this is not in response to Julie's post about me bringing home too many dogs. Lol. It is my admittance to what you all already know. I am a bone head. I know this because I do things like sell my bow and all the goodies which go with it. This seems like a fine idea when it's 110 degrees in July. When it is 44 degrees on opening day of BOW SEASON, however,...thus you have a bone headed decision. Making me a bone head. 

I don't know why I am using this term "bone head" so often these days, but you understand. Haha!