Created By Him – For His Glory

Ke$ha's got Jesus on her necklace

2012-01-22T14:13:00.000-06:00

I've heard this song but never paid much attention to the lyrics. Just recently, my ears caught a part of the lyrics from Ke$ha's We R who We R and my heart jumped out of my chest: "Got Jesus on my Necklace -ace -ace." Here are the lyrics and opening of the song that lead up to that line:

Hot and dangerous
If you're one of us, then roll with us
Cause we make the hipsters fall in love
When we got hot pants on and up

And yes of course we does
We're running this town just like a club
And no, you don't wanna mess with us
Got Jesus on my necklace-ace-ace-ace

What is happening to Jesus here? He is being treated as an equal with wearing hot pants, being hot and dangerous, and is degraded to a status that is less than holy.

We're referring to the creator of the universe, the maker of all things, and the creator of all life. This is the God who created Adam and Eve, promised His son through the lineage of Abraham, gave babies to the barren and to a virgin, walked on water, commanded raging seas to be calm, and will bring you and me into eternity with Him when we urgently pursue His relationship.

What has our culture done to our Jesus? We have desensitized ourselves to His true value. So, what of his value is implied in the lyrics of the above song? What is His true value?

In the above song lyrics, the implication is made that Jesus is simply someone that comes running to the rescue, or even worse, serves only as a body guard. Is that all that we need Jesus for? Jesus is much more than my body guard. Does he protect me? Sure. All the time, every time? Nope. He allows me to make mistakes and suffer consequences, from which He will teach and discipline me. Above His protection, he is my King, my Father, and my know-it-all.

His value is inexplicable. He is the King of Kings, the ruler of everything on this Earth. He is my Father, intimate and ready with relationship. He is to be declared these things because of WHO He is: omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, merciful, graceful, faithful, glorious. His value does not first exist in what he does, but who he is.

Jesus, we will love you first for WHO you are, and second for WHAT you do.

Going Gray: What to do with gray hair?

2012-01-14T11:27:00.001-06:00

What is gray hair? From where does it come? I am no scientist nor hair dresser. Logic tells me that over time our bodies begin to wear down. These bodies are not meant to last forever. Although I've been doing some reading in Physics of the Future , by an author who proposes that this generation will be the last generation to ever "grow old." He says that science and technology of the future will keep us from aging. That's another post for another day. For today, let's deal with age and the gray hair that accompanies age.
Our culture tells us to cover up the gray, it's not beautiful. Go to your hairdresser and spend money on coloring your hair. Gray hair makes you look old and the media of our culture tells us that youth is desirable and growing old, is, well not hip. Who says? The culture, the magazines, the models, the creators of pop culture.
From an article in Time magazine about a set of female twins who lived far from one another and experienced a face to face reunion: One kept her natural gray and the other covered it up with color. As they reunited the gray-haired twin's comment: "I saw my brunet twin coming toward me and had the uneasy feeling that she looked like me, only five or 10 years younger. After I saw her, I hated my hair."
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1658058,00.html#ixzz1jS9E32IN
Clairol research reports that the 71% of women who dye their hair do so in order to "look and feel more attractive." Another powerful motivator for gray-haired women to dye, according to Clairol's in-house creative director of color and style, Marcy Cona, is to live the fantasy that they're still 30 or 35 instead of 45 or 60.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1658058,00.html#ixzz1jS8FN0dy

The gray-haired twin ended up coloring her hair to cover up the gray. That's it, right there, our culture tells us that gray hair is undesirable. What does the Lord of Lord's say?

"Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life." Proverbs 16:31

"The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair." Proverbs 20:29

Gray hair is a crown! Gray hair is splendor! Let us rejoice in our gray hair! It's a sign of wisdom and life experience. Let's be young while we are young and have color in our hair. Let us walk cautiously as we lack wisdom in our young age. As we age, let us embrace the age, the gray hair and the wisdom that accompanies.

It's easy for me to say that we should not cover up the gray. I don't have gray. Well, if I do, it's camouflaged in the blonde. Will I cover up my gray? I don't know. I'm not gray yet. I'll let you know when I go gray. I can image that a head full of long gray hair might just have a unique shimmer in the sunlight, but we shall wait to see.

Righteous people: Zechariah and Elizabeth

2012-01-12T13:44:00.001-06:00

        Is Zechariah without fault? Is Elizabeth perfect? Are they righteous?
        Here we are again, the the first chapter of the book of Luke. As my followers know, the two previous posts were a discussion of Zechariah and his disbelief and the consequences: blessings and reminders resulted.
As I was re-reading this selection, yes again, I picked up on a vital word "righteous." See for your self: In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. They were both righteous.They kept the commands of the Lord. They honored and loved him. Were they perfect? Let's see.
        At one point in my life, I defined a righteous person, as someone that did no wrong and could do no wrong. I had no scriptural basis for this, it's simply what I was taught, and possibly shown. As I have grown in my faith and knowledge of the Lord, I have come to realize the extent to which my viewpoint was twisted. Twisted to the point of sin because for me to believe that anyone is without sin or fault is fallacy. Only Christ can handle the pressure of perfection. There is no human being on this earth that does not do wrong, and everyone is capable of doing wrong. Scripture supports this, see the book of Romans.
        So, what is a righteous person? A righteous person is one who stands before the throne of the Lord, justified and spoken for. Jesus Christ is our righteousness. To know him and walk in relationship with him is righteousness. Luke names Zechariah and Elizabeth righteous. He knows of their faith and commitment to the Lord. They want to do the right thing, but fail. Zechariah failed when given the opportunity to believe the angel of the Lord.
        So, why the muteness? Why the consequences? Are righteous people to live free of sin and consequences? No, and scripture will support that as well, see the book of James. The Lord promises us His strength amidst trials and His joy for our times of conquering.
Cling to Him, hang on His every promise, and know that with Him you are righteous.

Promises fulfilled in spite of disbelief

2012-01-09T15:26:00.000-06:00

        I think there is value in reading the scripture and trying to understand it for yourself before reading the interpretation of others. There are at least two possible outcomes when reading the interpretations of others: we could be swayed to untruth or exposed to more truth. We must be careful. Nonetheless, when you are looking for help interpreting scripture, find a source (a person, commentary or footnotes) which you feel is reliable; one that has proven true again and again.
         If you read my post yesterday, then you will be ready for today. If not, you might want to take a minute and read yesterday's post for a better understanding of today's post.
This morning I read this story again (see yesterday's post) along with the footnotes of my ESV study bible; this being the first time I've looked at the footnotes. I have added to my presentation of the interpretation of this scripture. It is from this clip of the story that I continue to make my presentation of this interpretation:

“I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

This dialogue takes place after Zechariah questioned the "how" of angel's announcement that the Lord will answer Zechariah's prayer for a child. In yesterday's post, I presented the position that the possible reason for loss of voice was a possible consequence due to disbelief of the message from the angel. The ESV study bible footnote suggests the later position, along with the idea that the loss of voice could be a constant reminder of the promise "which will be fulfilled in it's time." And, we do in-fact see, that Zechariah regains his voice after the birth of their son and as soon as this disbelieving father confirms Elizabeth's request to name the child John. Hence, the promise is fulfilled.
So our could our consequences and/or sufferings be a reminder of the promise that will be fulfilled? This is quite possible. Consider the promise of the return of Christ in relation to our present sufferings. Christians are not at home here; our spirit is made to live in eternity, face down in worship at the throne of the Father. We are not promised an easy life, but we are promised the presence of the Lord in eternity.

Could our present sufferings be a constant reminder of the promises that will come?

I think so.

The Consequences of Disbelief

2012-01-08T22:29:00.000-06:00

Blogging has been a long time form of therapy for my world wary soul. To me, my blog is a clean slate, an empty dialogue box. It's like a blank canvas, and I'm an artist. A blank canvas can be compared to a fresh start with the anticipation of an astonishing result.
I have several blog ideas in the waiting room: "saved as draft." They will soon come to fruition, so stay tuned. Until then, this is what I have, and on this is what I've pondered since the new year.
In order to fully understand this blog entry, please take time to read this story:

Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him,

“Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many willrejoice at his birth, for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

This story comes from the Holy Bible, and can be found in the first chapter of the book of Luke.
Zechariah prayed to the Lord for these things to come to pass, and then when he was told that his wife would become pregnant, he acted in disbelief, as if he knew what was possible. It seems that there is not much explanation needed on my part. You are smart people, you can see the deeper meaning.
How often do we ask the Lord for something and then show our disbelieving faces? He owes us nothing. But, in the midst of His grace and mercy He gives. He often gives what we ask for, and we react in disbelief. We question. I do it. Do you?
Let us not suffer the consequences from our unbelief. Let us pray and believe the promises of the Lord, notably the words that comes from His mouth, His inspired word: the inspired scripture.

Remember the King: amongst trials and joys

2011-12-07T06:14:00.000-06:00

Even amongst our most ridiculous days, calling out to our Savior is the only option. As our theology tells us, there is no other solution compared to Him. He brings us all joy, peace, comfort, hope and most importantly, He provides us with the greatest eternal reward: our salvation.

The Psalmist of the 42nd Psalm, scribes relatable words:

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.
My soul is cast down within me
therefore I remember you. (vs. 5-6)

The psalmist recognizes in writings just previous to this one that he previously came to the Lord with a glad heart and willing praises, even leading the people in songs of praise. But now he pants for the living God, even as the deer is thirsty and searches out watering streams. Ups and downs, can we not all relate?

As believers and followers of Christ, we can take hope in the revelation revealed by the psalmist: even in times of trouble, we can still find our hope in the Lord of the universe. Nothing will shut us away from him (see Romans 8) and nothing can keep us from his presence. It's simply our choice: choose to be with him, or choose to be without him.

I choose, as hard as it may be sometimes, to be with him:

My soul is cast down within me

therefore I remember you.

It's nothing more than simple act of remembering. In the midst of our trial, and even in the midst of our joys, we must choose to remember him. Here specifically, we read the writings where the psalmist chooses to remember his God, the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings, the one of salvation and everything.

Choose today to follow him in your trials and joys.

When We Act Crazy

2011-12-06T06:31:00.000-06:00

Blogging might be one of my favorite ways to write expressively. Blogging is the virtual journal, except that the entire world has access to the journal. So, world, enjoy and self, beware as you write that the entire world is invited to read.

I've been spending time in Psalm 56 lately. I've noticed that this is a Psalm by David during a time a lament and sorrow. I went back to 1 Samuel 21:10-15, as guided by the ESV study bible, as a place of reference of where this Psalm is possible connected.

By this time, David has conquered many feats with King Saul, and comes to a place where, once again, he must stand in truth with his friend Jonathan, Saul's father, against King Saul.

David is so afraid when face to face with the king of Gath, Achish that "he changed his behavior before them and pretended to be insane in their hands and made marks on the doors of the gate and let his spittle run down his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, “Behold, you see the man is mad. Why then have you brought him to me? Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to behave as a madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?” (vs. 13-15)

My question to us, as believers, is when we are afraid, how do we respond? Do we become someone that we are not? Do we let "spittle run down our beard" or as translated into modern day English by the message (which is a healthy translation when you are look for a variety on the wording/translation): pounding his head on the city gate and foaming at the mouth, spit dripping from his beard.

Is this how we want to be seen by the world? Isn't our God more powerful than that? He is able to overcome our fear when we decide to let him in and allow him. So, in the Psalm, David expresses his fear. (I suppose the Psalms were David's way of blogging.): "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."

Well, from first sight, it doesn't seem that David is putting his trust in the Lord, which is always easier said than done. Seems that he is putting his trust in himself. Again, we see David repent and lament over his worries, fears and trouble. In doing so, he acknowledges the God of this universe: "In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"

I speak these next words to you as much as I speak them to myself. Next time we are afraid, how will we respond? We will respond be and called "crazy man" as David was called, or will we remember the Psalm of David "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."

Let me encourage us to take the hard and high road and do the latter. Put your trust in the Lord, and not in your ability to act crazy when you are afraid.

What I need, He gives

2011-12-02T06:36:00.000-06:00

It's simple really. Blessings. I don't deserve them. Yes, I am a saint, sanctified by the life of my Savior and my relationship with him. I am made holy in the sight of my God. I love Him and commune with Him daily, but still, why do I deserve the blessings that He gives? I love Him for who He is, not for what He gives.

I could rattle of a list of the material blessings, in which I am abundantly provided, but that's not what satisfies my soul. That's not what keeps me moving. In fact, when I stop moving, He gives a jolt, sometimes large, other times small. This jolt too quickly zaps me back into the place from which I was straying. My Savior meets me in my weakness. He hears my cry for help. He defends my cause. He reminds me of His promises and sustains me in them. This is what satisfies my soul.

To know Him and be known by Him, that is the purpose.

What I need, He gives

When I need His word, He gives me time to study.
He gives Himself.
When I need His people, He gives me their friendship.
He gives Himself.
When I need His communion, He gives me prayer.
He gives Himself.
When I need His time, He gives me the morning.
He gives Himself.
When I need His understanding, He gives me his word.
He gives Himself.
When I need His wisdom, He gives me His wisdom.
He gives Himself.
When I need His counsel, He gives me a meeting place.
He gives Himself.
When I need His help, He gives me the Holy Spirit.
He gives Himself.
When I need His love, He gives me His son.
He gives Himself.
When I need Him, He gives me Himself.
He gives Himself.

This is what satisfies my soul.
Be satisfied in Him.

Tape Sculpture

2011-11-18T19:42:00.000-06:00

Kick guilt to the curb

2011-07-30T20:42:00.000-05:00

People. Christian people. I am one.

Recent conversations leave me thinking about us, us Christians. We claim the grace of God, and all that goes with it, which does not include guilt, so go ahead right now and get over your guilt. Christ did not suffer and sacrifice so that we feel guilty about anything in this life. He suffered that we might find freedom by his death and live life walking with Him, learning every day, with each new situation.

Also recently, close friends, on multiple occasions provoke my thoughts about me as a Christian. How am I living? Am I living in the guilt of not "obeying the rules" or am I free in the death of Christ to find grace in those times when I do "mess up."

The fact is we are going to mess up - we are not made to not mess up. If we were designed to not mess up, some know it as being perfect, then there would be no need for Jesus. Yet, we are saints, but still sinners. We are made new and enduring the process of sanctification to be made more like Him while we suffer and sometimes become slaves to our flesh. We are not slaves to our flesh because of our freedom in Christ, but when we embrace the guilt we becomes slaves that in which Christ did not intend for us find bondage.

A friend, let's name this friend Carter. Carter has a deep knowledge of the Lord, finds company amongst believers and is heavily involved in her church community. Carter struggles with anger and language. She will have a flare up and be unable to control her emotions and her language. That's her flesh. That's the sin that so easily entangles. If it were hard to fall into sin, no one would ever fall, yet it's easy to give into the temptation and when we do, or before we do, we must turn immediately to the grace of Christ and not the guilt from Satan.

So, friends, embrace grace and kick guilt to the curb.

lil Misa

2011-07-07T14:36:00.000-05:00

She's not sure what to think. She's been left multiple times before this time. By left, I mean, abandoned. Misa, is her given name, but she doesn't know it. She responds to "mi amor."

You see, Misa came from a place where no one knew her name, literarily, no one, not even herself. The caretakers did simply that: took care of her basic needs: food, clothing, and shelter. No one cared enough to learn her name, and understandably so.

Doña Ada was doing her job of taking care of 51 different kids

and how was she supposed to know each one personally? The kids come and go. Kids

come to her from unhealthy homes and are soon placed in a more nurturing situation

-- at least that is the hope of the program.

Misa is one of those kids in transition from the run down orphanage into a foster home setting -

into a place that offers hope and promise of stability. A place where kids can grow up with

the example of a home built on the promise of a couple committed to marriage.

She has doubts. Will she be left this time? Will someone attempt to care for her and then

just up and leave? For whatever reason, she has had 4 different caretakers in her mere 2.5 years

of life and has no knowledge or memory of "mommy and daddy."

Misa is up in the middle of the dark night, every single night. She tip toes across the clean tile floor

to the seemingly telling wooden door. Who is behind that door? "Are they still here? Are they

committed to caring for me?" could possibly be some of the thoughts running through this 2.5

year old's undeveloped mind. How does she possibly have the worry of this as such a young age?

Shouldn't kids of less than 5 years be concerned with discovering life, not worried about with

whom they will continue the next day? Not for Misa.

The door knob, cold and gold - catching a gleam of the moonlight shining through the narrow window.

The small hand grasps a hold of this golden cold knob, twist and turn. CREEEEEEK, the door

meets ajar, and with a quick peek, Misa notices two bodies buried beneath the covers. One body

rolls over, catches her eyes with a promising glimpse. Misa quietly brings the door back

to the position of which it was found. She meanders back across the home, into her cozy bed.

One more night of assurance: they are still here.

Mr. and Mrs. Greene will be there in the morning and have been in that bed each night that lil

Misa ventures to the cold golden knob for a quick check on what she will soon recognize as her

permanent care givers.

Ramon and Pepe (4/23)

2011-07-06T15:31:00.000-05:00

Imagine that you have a brother, and maybe you do. You grew up with him and you know almost everything about him: his friends, his favorite food, his mannerisms, his pet peeves, what he does to get in trouble, and more importantly, you know how to communicate yourself to him. He understands you and you understand him.

Now, imagine that you have that same brother, but you have never met him because you were separated at birth and given to different foster families. You know nothing about him. He would be a stranger to you. Even though you share the same blood, born from the same mother and held by the same father, yet you don't know him. You only know of him.

Maybe all that we know of nature says you should be able to know him, simply because you share blood? Probably not.

Now, keep imagining with me. This brother that you know you have is about to become a part of your life. You are only about 5 years old and this so called brother, but really a complete stranger, is about to come live with you and look up to you. He needs your leadership, he's only 3.

The best part: he is an exact physical replica of you when you were three years old.

Wouldn't you be proud? Wouldn't you want the world to know that this lil guy is related to you? You and him share the same blood? And he even looks like you, so much so that people that knew you at age three think that time has turned back a few years.

This is the case for Ramon. Ramon was separated from his younger brother, Pepe, before either of them have a memory of this separation. Ramon remembers me from when I was a part of his life for three short years. He is quick to point out Pepe as I pass by the playground.

"Miss Shelly?" Ramon states, almost as if he is asking a question. "Yes, Ramon." "Do you see that little boy over there on the pila?" Ramon gazes across the way at Pepe with hope in his eyes. He is has something to tell me and he thinks that I don't already know. He continues, "That's my little brother. His name is Pepe."

Little does Ramon know that I received news of this addition several months ago. "Oh really?" I comment, "How old is he?" Ramon precedes to tell me his age and a little bit more about Pepe. I can see the pure joy and excitement on Ramon's face. His blood family has been given to him and now the two of them can grow up under the same roof, with the same foster parents; making memories that will last a lifetime.

Honduras in July: 3/23

2011-07-05T16:11:00.000-05:00

What is essential to culture? What makes cultures different, and is there a right or wrong? I don't think so. It's all about experiencing the differences and respecting the cultures. Cultures can differ between countries and even between people groups within the same country.

The Honduran culture is warm, welcoming and hospitable. As one Honduran puts it "You just go to someone's house to stop by and they already are offering you something to eat or drink. And then they are making dinner for you." Relationships come before tasks.

The North American culture is task accomplishing, with little focus on relationships.

Which one is "right" or "wrong?" Neither. Each culture must be recognized and respected in the appropriate context.

What part of the story that I will tell will incorporate culture? As North American's we have a tendency to think that our way is the right way, always. This is not necessarily true. Again, maybe it's a matter of opinion.

My conversations with Honduras and some North Americans are beginning to make me think that pursuing this story plot will actually work.

I'm hesitant, though.

Honduras in July: 2/23

2011-07-03T23:54:00.001-05:00

I put on a pot of coffee, listened to it brew, slid into my red Razorback hoodie and grabbed a captivating novel. Listening to the rain bounce off the tin roof as the girls climbed on the top bunk to play Barbies, I propped up my feet and cracked open the book that momentarily is capturing my attention: "The Help", by Kathryn Stockett.

For several years now, I've wanted to write a book. Not that I think I'm some super author with insight about anything, but I do want to write a book to bring perspective to something to which little perspective is shown or even known. So maybe I do think that I have some insight about something, haha, or maybe research and interviews need to happen to bring to light my desired plot. Whichever be the case, where does one start when pursuing this desire?

The first step seems to be to decide upon a plot. Well, maybe today that came to me while reading "The Help." Here is a summary of the book pulled from a Google books write up:

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step. Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone. Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken. Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own. Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed. In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.

The book, yet more powerfully, the story -- it must contain a sense of the unknown, possibly slight secrecy. Don't we all enjoy discovering the undiscovered? Knowing the unknown? or at least thinking that we've discovered and known.

At least I can write here, even if it's never published. You can preview it, and even be a fan, and maybe one day own a copy of the story that I want to tell about the very thing that intrigues and captures my heart and mind each time I spend time in Honduras.

Honduras in July: 1/23

2011-07-03T08:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's travel was more eventful than most trips that I take to Honduras. Let's start by saying that I got in bed much later than I should have and enjoyed about a 3 hour cat nap until 4:45 a.m. rolled around.

I set my alarm before going to bed. Did it go off? I'll never know because I certainly don't remember hearing it, but it was still set when I was jolted to consciousness by "Shelly, it's 5 o'clock, are you going to get up?" My mom, she basically saved my trip. If she didn't wake me up, I might still be asleep. Thanks mom. (I stayed at her house that night so I would have a shorter trip to the LR airport.)

The plane we took from LIT to IAH was one row length of seats larger than normal, so that means about 30 more passengers, which means the check in lines were even longer. The great thing about the LR airport is the counter people are great about getting everyone checked in so that no one gets left behind. Considering that Continental has one plane leaving before 7am, if you are there within the hour of departure, you are almost guaranteed to catch your flight. It was close, but I made it.

Then, on both planes, I slept. All the way. Too tired. Not enough sleep.

Arrival in Houston, a few minutes late. Usually we land and park in terminal B, but this time we were in terminal A: unfamiliar territory to me. I found me way around and to the tram and all the way over the terminal E. My TGU flight began boarding at 8:30, but my LR flight didn't land until 8:24, ah! Did I run? Nah, the flight didn't actually leave til 9:05, so i had a handful of minutes to make it across the airport. I even stopped for my habitual Starbucks for the CO 1817 flight to TGU. I was one of the last people in line for boarding this flight, but hey, I made it, so no complaints.

Landing in TGU is always exciting. If you are unfamiliar with the airport, runway and landing, please check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_z5HtME9n8. It's hard to get bored during the last 20 minutes of this flight.

We landed, went through customs and baggage claim and I found my friends. We stopped by the mall on the way home, where the supermarket store now goes by the name of WalMart. That's right, the roots of Arkansas have made their way to this central American country.

Last night was a true joy for me. I spent time with several of my old students. They are all high school graduates and working or in college. We watched "Sweet Home Alabama" after walking around the city in search for Vanilla ice cream. We bought Coke and Mirinda and made coke floats. Perfect.

What will today hold? Only today will tell.

To get us started

2011-06-21T00:11:00.000-05:00

According to the original 1828 Webster's Dictionary (which actually references scripture sometimes) the following words are defined as such:

1. justification: the act of justifying...vindication or defense. Our disobedience to God's commands admits no justification. In theology, remission of sin and absolution from guilt and punishment, or an act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner and accepts him as righteous, on account of the atonement of Christ. (p. 410)

2. sanctification: the act of making holy. In an evangelical sense, the act of God's grace by which the affections of men are purified or alienated from sin and the world, and exalted to a supreme love to God. God hath from teh beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, 2 Thess 2:1 and Peter 1 (p. 623)

3. glorification: the act of giving glory or of ascribing honors to. (p. 326)

Stay tuned for what will come of these definition. These words are only a start of what I see to come over the next few weeks/months.

My DAD taught me

2011-06-19T10:27:00.000-05:00

He taught me how to:

ride a bike
budget my money
save money
spend money
stay fit
iron clothes
be a leader
mow the grass
drink coffee
drive (in the rain and snow)
use the middle lane
pick up sticks
shop for a car
run
play soccer
never pay what someone is asking
make eggs
dry an iron skillet
love being tall
enjoy classic rock
pick out a good lookin' tie
how to be pretty AND nice ;)
wear my cowgirl boots

work first, play second

never give up

and much more......

Love you dad! Happy Father's day 2011!

Confidence in Christ until the End

2011-06-13T10:58:00.000-05:00

"Now, Moses was faithful in all God's house, as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope" (v. 5-6)

"For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end." (v. 14)

In chapter 3 of Hebrews, the writer exhorts us to "hold our confidence" -- we are to hold it "fast" and hold our "original" confidence. What does that mean?

Here are my thoughts, and this conclusion comes after some reading, studying and conversation with my Wednesday night small group of friends who gather to discuss scripture, amongst other fine rabbit trails of topics that we manage to navigate.

How do we "hold our confidence" and what exactly is the "confidence" that we are to hold fast to? Well, one (amongst many, I'm sure) reference to answer the "how" and "what" is found in Philippians chapter one:

"And now I am sure of this that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel." (v. 6-7)

What do we do?    nothing, Christ will complete the work that he started in us

Who does the work?    Jesus, from day one until the end

Does that mean that we just do whatever we want?    No, because we trust Christ to bring us to complete sanctification and justification on the day in which we will see His glorious face. Between now and then we continue in affirming the gospel in ourselves (by communication with the Lord: through reading His Word and prayer) and affirming the gospel for others by sharing the eternal rewards for those that come to know Christ through a saving relationship.

Our confidence in Christ and the work that He has already completed will carry us 'til the end! PTL!

RiverTrail at dusk

2011-06-05T17:22:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I went biking. I like to mountain bike down by the Arkansas river, on the River Trail. It's basically amazing. We were out late yesterday, and biking at dusk. Most of the people were off of the trail or headed back in the direction that we were traveling.

We came across a variety of interesting creatures but the most powerful encounter would be the deer. We were riding through some of the trails that pass around the soccer fields, and all of the sudden, this mass movement of, well, deer!

They were in their habitat, uninterrupted, just doing their thing. Obviously, they saw us first (or heard us) because we didn't see them until they began to move: first a slow gallop, then an all out run, sprint, back into the woods. Not to be seen again.

I quickly realized that the deer could have taken me off my bike and trampled me over. This did not happen. Instead, I got to slow down, and enjoy watching the deer (about 20 or so) in their natural form.

Brush your teeth

2011-05-31T19:10:00.001-05:00

As I sipped my morning coffee, I was pondering the reality of life and how the earth groans (Romans 8) and desires to return to perfection, like it once was before the Fall.

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²²For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴For in this hope we were saved.

Paul makes his message clear. The earth is groaning, we are groaning, eagerly waiting the return of our Savior and the restoration of our bodies and of this earth.

So, what was I pondering this morning as I sip my coffee? Do you really want to know my train of thought? (As my friends in Honduras know, crazy things go on in my mind, and my brain too often jumps quickly from one topic to the next.) I was thinking about how drinking coffee is effecting my teeth, or how it will effect my teeth. Then I remembered how just yesterday, my friend was sharing with me about this book that she is reading. In the book, the author writes about a man that "used to have all of his teeth." Like having all of your teeth was uncommon, as it was before the advance in dental medicine. Maybe this man was groaning over and suffering because of the lack of teeth.

Dental medicine brings us toothbrushes, toothpaste, x-rays, fillings, etc. At one point in time, these things did not exist and people just suffered and lost their teeth (as many still do in third world countries, and even here in the States.)

Then I started thinking: what do we groan about today? Six familiar letters: CANCER. Can you think of anyone that groans and suffers because of cancer?

I can.

So, one day, will there be simple preventative medicine for cancer, something as simple as toothpaste? Maybe not as simple, but may be.

What does all of this mean? Creation will groan (the earth, the seas, the mountains and the wildlife), we will groan and all of this will not stop until we reach the point of complete adoption as sons of God - the day of Christ's return.

So, hold out: brush your teeth, care for those with cancer and share the good news with those that don't know because we want their groaning to end with ours when our Savior returns.

break-fast

2010-12-04T18:48:00.000-06:00

Do you know why it's called "breakfast?" I guess I always thought I knew why, but I really didn't. Leave it up to my super intelligent Biology roommate to clue me in.

Over dinner tonight, we were talking about dieting and establishing healthy eating habits (as we cram our mouth full of the Special Edition Christmas Oreos costing 100 calories per cookie). We got to talking about metabolism and eating several small meals a day and breakfast. We talked about how it's not a good idea to drink coffee on an empty stomach, like just after waking up, and then not eat anything for several hours to follow. Then we talked about how we are suppose to eat within the first hour of waking because that will set our metabolism for the day.

Then, the revolution for me, Kristin goes: "Yah, it's like breaking the fast. Your body has been on a fast all night and you must break the fast." The dendroids created a spark, and BOOM! I understood.

So, to all you readers out there, start your day: break your fast with breakfast!

Babel, in chapter 10?

2010-11-26T10:45:00.001-06:00

I was reading this morning in Genesis. I came across a part of scripture that confused me because it came before the account of Babel (Genesis 11, when the Lord mixed up the one world language.) The passage is from Genesis 10 when all the accounts of Noah's descents, but look specifically at verse 5:

"From these the coastland peoples spread in their lands, each with his own language, by their clans, in their nations."

Whaaaat? I thought that there was only one world language before the Lord confused the languages at Babel and caused the people to spread across the lands.

So, what do I do with this? Well, first, I looked below to the footnotes of my ESV study bible (if you don't own one and read it, then you are missing out.) The footnotes tell me that this passage is out of place and that because of the content of verse 5, this part of scripture obviously comes after Chapter 11.

What did I learn from this? I must read the content of the scripture and place it in the most logical place based on the content, not necessarily the chapter number. This is liberating because I am not locked into the numbers of the chapters, although many times, the chapters help me stay aligned and keep me reading in correct chronological order. So, remember, test and try to scripture, make sure it aligns, and if it doesn't, do some research to solve the problem.

Scripture is truth, no doubt about that, but we must be careful when reading that we understand the purpose of the location of scripture.

He's provided

2010-10-21T22:49:00.000-05:00

There are too many things to mention, but just so we all know, the Lord's provision is abundant.

Check it out.

For me, He has provided a large loving family, tasty food, a nice house, stable church, educated and committed pastor, faithful friends, enjoyable work, students, eye sight, private showers, indoor plumbing, Wal-Mart, His word, musical instruments, musically talented people to sing His praises, theology, the heavens, this earth, other galaxies, new friends, His son and salvation, eternal life, restful weekends, eventful weekends, technology, backpacks, running shoes, photography, changing seasons, sleep, medical cures to disease, new born babies, wise Grannys, and the list goes on.....

water in Genesis 7:11

2010-06-23T11:27:00.000-05:00

This blog is the result of a comment from the later blog. The comment being:

"in regards to your post about the water...perhaps that was what finally came to the Earth from the sky in Genesis 7? Just a thought."

Scripture says in Genesis 7:11:

In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.

The windows of the heavens were opened. So, we saw in Genesis 1 that the "expanse" is also known as "the heavens." I am curious to know if this usage of the word here in Genesis 7 is the same word used in Genesis 1.

Interesting thought, blog reader. I have no direct evidence to lead me to believe that there is no connection between the two, nor do I have evidence leading me to believe that there is a direct connection between the two.

At this point, I return, once again, to Deuteronomy 29:29:

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Thank you Lord Jesus, for keeping some things a mystery because I'm certain that the brain you gave me won't hold more information than you reveal to me.

what about the waters above the expanse?

2010-06-21T21:58:00.001-05:00

I've read Genesis 1 numerous times. This blog is a testimony to the fact that all scripture is alive and able to impact our lives no matter how many times we may have read the same passage. I challenge you to ask the Lord to make scripture new to you and He will.

Genesis 1:6-10 -- about the waters and the expanse:

⁶And God said, "Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters." ⁷And God made the expanse and separated the waters that were under the expanse from the waters that were above the expanse. And it was so.

⁸And God called the expanse Heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. ⁹And God said, "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear." And it was so. ¹⁰God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

Are you seeing what I see here? We have these waters, which according to Genesis 1:1, already existed when God began creating the earth (yes, true, check it out). These waters are separated by the expanse in verse 7 (expanse = the heavens, but the literal meaning of the word "heavens" here is "what humans see above them"). In verse 9 we see what happens to the waters under the expanse, but we do not see what happens to the waters above the expanse.

What about those waters? I am for all time curious about this.

say

2010-06-13T01:05:00.001-05:00

Enjoy a song I have some thoughts about and then check out my thoughts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQtGqmi2O2U&feature=related

_________________________________________
Say
by. John Mayer
Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations

Say what you need to say [x8]

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only . . .

Say what you need to say [x8]

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say [x24]
_______________________________________

What do I need to say? A lot, but I'm not going to, but the lyrics of this song make me think differently about not saying what I need to say:

At one part it goes:

"You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again"

Maybe I should have been a song writer so that I can say what I need to say and people will sing it, think about it, and even blog about it, just like I'm doing here. Maybe I should just say what I need to say.......

Maybe I am.

I relate to something here

2010-06-05T23:36:00.000-05:00

Here is the promised blog. (see "Night Owl...")

I'm not exactly sure why this song appeals to me, but it does. Maybe it's the piano, maybe it's the beautiful voice, maybe its pure emotion, maybe its the tranquility, maybe it's her gift of writing in the early morning, or maybe it's these lines of the lyrics:

And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
'Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

Sometimes a blog feels like that. Just like now you will wonder why I wrote this, when really I don't even know. I just know that I am attracted to this song and I had to write about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPz3YaIJkjQ&feature=fvsr

Lyrics:

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake,
"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?
I don't love him. Winter just wasn't my season"
Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyes
Like they have any right at all to criticize,
Hypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track,we're like cars on a cable
and life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe, just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe

May he turned 21 on the base at Fort Bliss
Just today, he sat down to the flask in his fist,
Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year.
Here in town you can tell he's been down for a while,
But, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smiles,
Wanna hold him; Maybe I'll just sing about it.

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table.
No one can find the rewind button, boys
So cradle your head in your hands,
And breathe, just breathe
Oh breathe, just breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnel, you shout
'Cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
and These mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a song
If I get it all down on paper, its no longer
inside of me, threatening the life it belongs to
And I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowd
'Cause these words are my diary, screaming out loud
And I know that you'll use them, however you want to

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, now
Sing it if you understand,
and breathe, just breathe
oh breathe, just breathe,
oh breathe, just breathe,
oh breathe, just breathe

Night Owl is alive for 3 short months

2010-06-05T00:04:00.001-05:00

When I have a choice, I am a night owl, that's for sure. My job, teaching teenagers how to speak a foreign language and create beautiful art, requires the real me to hibernate for 9 months of the year. Seeing that I arrive to work at 7:30am, I get up at 5:30am and I must get to be earlier than midnight+. I don't like it, but I love my job so it evens out. The other 3 months, best months of the year-summer!, the true me is alive and up late. :)

See, this is my first day of summer, and yes, I'm still up and actually just beginning to feel productive with writing. I love writing and I enjoy writing late at night, for whatever reason I don't know.

As I was working on my paper for one of my classes at grad school, I was listening to Pandora and this song came on that immediately captured my attention. Turns out I recognized the lyrics once the chorus surfaced, but for the first few minutes I was captivated by the lyrics, thinking I'd never heard the song before.

I'm going to blog about it, but not now. Look forward to it.

waiting room

2010-05-26T21:32:00.003-05:00

waiting room

by shane barnard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdGM61NCVFc&feature=PlayList&p=4AC86EE7FB8C960B&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=14

i will run when i cannot walk
i will sing when there is no song
i will pray when there is no prayer
i will listen when i cannot hear

sitting in the waiting room of silence
waiting for that still soft voice i know
offering my words up to the rooftop to Your heart
trusting that this closet's where You are

Lord i know if i change my mind
You will change my heart in time
Sovereign Lord this time's from You
so i sit in the waiting room of silence
cause its all about You

i will fight when i cannot feel
i will trust when You dont seem real
i will tell when i cannot speak
i will step when i cannot see

Tonight, I was folding some laundry and listening to Shane and Shane. The simple purity of their music captivates me, more often than not. I heard this part more loud and clear than ever:

Lord i know if i change my mind, You will change my heart in time

and I began to reflect on the past and struggles that I have overcome due to the Lord and His pursuit of me.

There were times in my life when my actions changed or my life course changed but my heart was yet to follow those changes. The Lord is faithful, He is a heart-changer, sometimes even when we aren't looking for a heart change. He is a path director or path changer, despite our perfectly created path.

So, we wait, we wait on Him to do His work: to speak to us about what next step to take, where to go in life, what to do and how to do it, how to love Him first and show that love to others, when to sacrifice for the sake of His name and, most of all, we wait to see His face in eternity, which is our reward in full.

the delightfulness of His love

2010-04-26T21:15:00.001-05:00

As I have certainly mentioned many times before in this blog, the Lord reveals His faultless love for me though a delightfully glamorous sunset. I left my house tonight to make a quick (almost daily, I admit) run to the store for some food.

I pulled around the corner and BAM! slap in the face BEAUTY! I've seen nothing like it here in the United States. A delightful sunset was not a rare occasion in Honduras, where I lived for three years. But today, I couldn't stop looking. Pure and undefiled beauty, in the coming night sky. Nothing stopping me from watching, except for the laws of staying in the yellow lines and not hitting the car in front of me. The artist in me wished that I had my camera to capture the moment, but I knew that time would not allow. I simply had to make a mental picture of the beauty that was quickly fleeing from the sky.

A song was playing with lyrics that say "there is none like you." All I could think: Yes, Lord, you do love me. You are all i need, forever. No one nor nothing compares to you, nothing. I will choose to embrace that today."

Thank you, Jesus, for life and liberty in you, and sunsets to remind me of your unfailing and unconditional love.

Happy 4th birthday, Blog!

2010-04-11T08:49:00.000-05:00

About this time, four years ago, I was opening a new chapter of my life; stepping into a new season if you will: Honduras. Close to ten months ago, I closed that chapter/season of my life - at least the part which called me to live there. A part of that chapter will always be open and dear to my heart. I already have and plan to continue to visit.

I began this blog in 2006 in the months just prior to taking my two fifty pound bags on that small Embraer Jet and moving to a land to which I never visited.

Thank you Jesus for your provision over those years and now. You are faithful to refine me, renew me and pursue me. This blog speaks to the truth of your power, mercy and grace.

He calls our name

2010-04-08T06:25:00.000-05:00

The word of the Lord certainly is alive. Want proof? Ok, here's what I discovered this morning. I've read Genesis 22 (the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac) many times. This morning, I got something totally new from the story, thanks to John Calvin actually.

I was reading in my "Day to Day with Calvin" and the scripture was Genesis 22:1:

"After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, 'Abraham!' And he said, 'Here am I.'"

Look, God called Abraham by name. The Lord knew that Abraham would have all reason to doubt the words that soon followed: Go sacrifice your son. If you know the story (and if you don't, go check it out in the proceeding chapters), you know why this just wouldn't seem right; God would keep His promise, right?

When the Lord has a purpose/His will/plan for us, He will make it perfectly clear, or give us the confidence to walk in obedience and faith to fulfill His will. He called Abraham by name, and He does the same for us today and in a number of different ways he "calls our name." Abraham was given no excuse to doubt what the Lord was laying before him. Abraham walked into the command the Lord gave and the Lord kept His promise. :)

Thank you, Jesus, for your continued faithfulness, day after day!

Seasons change - People Don't

2010-03-30T20:10:00.000-05:00

To one side went the sun and the other side came the moon! What a joy! I am thousands of feet above the land, watching the day fade to night, the dark coming over the light. One short ride from Houston returning Little Rock is all I have left in my short trip to Honduras. This long awaited journey and now it’s return is coming to a quick close. Thank you Houston for helping me close this well. Janice, flight attendant on CO3105, if you EVER read this blog – know that you made my night joyful as I stepped onto your plane. Your smile and the joy in your voice lifted my spirits.

This past week I visited the ministry of which I was a part of for three powerful years of my life. I experienced the joy of seeing familiar faces, revisiting relationships that will never end – lasting even into eternity, suppressing the emotions of sadness and now realizing the healthiness that comes with a few tears and picking up all that I am and preparing walking into my classroom and share with my students the grace of the Lord and how abundant life is with Him.

I paused this blog to return to finishing an e-mail. As I paused during the writing of the e-mail, sipped on my Coke Zero and reflected, the moon caught my attention. As the sun fully retried for the night, a beautiful full moon now dominates the navy color of the dark night sky.

Lord, your timing is perfect: even amongst this fallen world of hurt and pain. I treasure you and rejoice because of You!

If I learned one thing is past week, it’s this: seasons change, people don’t! J

Airliner emotions

2010-03-29T22:58:00.001-05:00

What is it about airplanes that evoke too much emotion? Those emotions being: joy, excitement, impatience, exuberance, sadness, and maybe pain of leaving something dear behind. After passing through the security check point in Tegucigalapa, Honduras this morning, after having my deodorant and toothpaste taken away (since when are those items liquids?), after passing the full body inspection, after purchasing an ice-cold bottle of water, I found my way to a bench of black pleather chairs. This very chair faced the exact parking slot for the Continental 747 aircraft upon which I boarded about an hour later. This hour left me time for reflection. I even wrote some notes so that I could remember about what I wanted to blog.

Having spent the past week with the people of whom I gave my life for three years, there was much on which to reflect. I found myself wanting to return, but knowing that the Lord places us where He wants us and it’s obvious that I am to be where I am, and I want to be because He has this for me. I want nothing less than what He wants for me, but that longing to be with the people that I love will never leave. I must learn to channel that longing into prayer for those people and that country and visit when the time and finances allow.

One last thought, as the plane landed and approached the big glass window, begging us to board and head to the States: I joyfully and willingly walk back into the season of life the Lord has for me. Don’t read this wrong: I am 100% confirmed in my choice to be in the States and there is peace being in the will of the Lord; for me, that is Conway. I find joy in the Lord as He leads me and continues to lead me. He will not leave me nor lead me astray; I have total confidence in Him.

One of my students from Honduras took this photo below. He's way gifted in composition and lighting dealing with photography.

discipline of wisdom

2010-03-20T12:28:00.001-05:00

Wisdom is something of what this world doesn't offer. On the other hand, the Lord promises us wisdom if we desire it, seek it and cry out for it. Check out this part of Proverbs 2:

"Tune your years to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding,
Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding,
Search for them as you would for silver,
seek them like hidden treasures" (2-4)

"Then you will understand what is right, just and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
Wise choices will watch over you,
understanding will keep you safe." (9-11)

From this, I gather and I am reminded of what I already know, that wisdom does not just find it's way to us, but in-fact, it is there for us when we choose to "cry out...search and seek it"

Notice the blessings and rewards of seeking wisdom: "the right path, joy and safety."

The discipline of wisdom is super unnatural to us, but worth the effort to find it.

dominating thoughts

2010-03-17T06:12:00.002-05:00

This morning, I read Matthew 6:32 with a new set of eyes. Not on purpose did I try to understand this little bit of scripture better, but I believe that because the Word is alive and living, it speaks to me differently each time I read it. Certainly I have read this scripture numerous time, but never before have I "seen" this part so clearly. Changing up Bible translations every now and then can bring a fresh twist to your scripture reading:

"These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers."

Dominate is a strong word and is used here to describe the thoughts that unbelievers have about worry. Just before this verse, Jesus asks: "So don't worry about these things saying, ' What will we eat? What will be drink? What will we wear?' " This specific translation of "dominating thoughts" just grabbed my attention this morning and caused me to reflect and consider: Do I worry like an unbeliever?

Essentially when we worry it's like telling the Lord that we don't believe in His power and ability to think, reason and plan out whatever situation with which we are worried.

Don't be dominated by worry, leave that for unbelievers, and even then, pray the Spirit will reach down and grab the attention and lives of those unbelievers to save them because the only thing we can take to heaven with us is people.

Some say scripture is boring

2010-03-14T11:39:00.001-05:00

Hey, this is for those of you that think scripture is boring. I used to think the same thing. Each time opened my Bible, I was like: ok here we go, boring but must read material.

Let me just show you some stories that are very interesting, or at least I think so. First, check out 2 Samuel 13 - the first part of 15. RAPE! Did you know that rape exist in the Bible? It's actually a sad story, but very interesting, especially when we see David's response in Psalm 26. So interesting. Very valid and relevant to today, huh?

I'm not going to ruin the story for you. You must go check it out and you might change your mind about the "boringness" of scripture. Let me know what you think!

I was originally going to blog on Psalm 26, and after I read the Psalm, I was intrigued and had to get some background on what cause David to write the Psalm.

The part of Psalm 26 that impacted me this morning was this: "Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity, I have trusted the Lord without wavering. Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart." (vs. 1-2)

I was pondering David's words: "innocent . . . integrity . . . trusted . . . cross-examine . . . test."

Ponder with me.

The tongue in the body of Christ

2010-03-06T09:39:00.002-06:00

I was reading yesterday morning in James chapter 3, and I came back to it this morning. I enjoy reading in the book of James, and if you read through my blogs, they are probably full of stuff from James. James is a practical book with practical ways to apply our faith.

The middle part of chapter 3 is about the tongue. Isn't it true that our mouths can get us in much trouble? Even one or two wrong words and we have the opportunity to truly bless someone or hurt them.

Consider this:

". . . but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. ¹⁰ And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!"

James is vivid with this description. The part that hit me like a ton of bricks yesterday was ". . . it curses those who have been made in the image of God."

As brothers and sisters in Christ, what business do we have using our tongue, given to us by the Lord Himself, to curse our brothers and sisters? Should we not instead be uplifting each other and building one another up in the faith and not tearing each other down?

Several years back, I was somewhere, listening to someone talk about this very topic. I remember one thing they said: "If you can't say it with that person standing in the back of the room watching you or if you can't say it to their face, you should not say it at all!" I find loads of wisdom in that statement.

So, the next time we have negative thoughts about each other or comments that we want to share that are certainly not uplifting or encouraging, let's stop and consider: will it uplift the body of Christ or tear Him down?

We certainly don't want to be guilty of "cursing those who have been made in the image of God" as verse 9 of chapter 3 says. That's like cursing the Lord God Himself.

from I-40

2010-02-13T12:23:00.002-06:00

[I-40 is an interstate and I was stuck on this interstate just a few nights ago, dead stop, for 30 minutes. I contemplated what do to. So, what else, but write? I grabbed a piece of scratch paper and found a random pencil and began writing:]

Semi-frustrated that I am writing this blog sitting in my car, stuck now for 28 minutes at a dead stand still on I-40, Iam grateful because I have plenty to keep me busy. [Reflecting back on this statement, I'm not certain what I thought I could get done in the car where I had few supplies for things to accomplish, but either way, I thought I could be productive......] I want to roll down my right passenger window and ask this friendly trucker if he has any news on his CB [what does "CB" stand for? and do they still use those things?]

Ok, we are moving and yes, I am still writing. Paul talks to the Philippians and in the fourth chapter eleventh verse we see he exhorts them from his own experiences to remain content in whatever circumstance. In fact, I am grateful for this situation and the work of the Lord in my life is showing itself to be true.

[At this point, traffic was moving and I stopped writing, but will now finish the blog.]

He is the one that constantly instills patience into my being; into my "ser" if we are speaking in Spanish.

I remember praying a prayer as a junior in college: Lord teach me patience, teach me how to be patient. I knew the "dangers" of this prayer. The Lord is faithful to hear his people and answer our prayers and several years post patience prayer, He continues to be faithful to answer it. I can assure that if this situation found it's way into my life ten years ago, I would be have been angry, mad and trying to figure out the best way to quickly resolve the situation; which might have included taking my small Honda across the median covered in snow. Not now; the Lord has done a magnificent work in my life in teaching my patience in all areas of my life, and His fruit abounds. What harm will 30 minutes stuck on an interstate cause me? none.

Once again: salvation as a gift

2010-01-24T09:33:00.002-06:00

I was reading through 1 Thessalonians 4-5 this morning.

Last night, I was surrounded by the conversations of Calvinists (and I support these views.) Of course, the idea of salvation by choice or gift arose. Faith and salvation are given to us and there is nothing we can do for it or about it. As my favored author says: It's like we are dead on the bottom of the ocean; we are helpless, and Christ comes to the bottom of the ocean, takes us, breathes new life into us and brings us to the surface. Thanks John Piper.

My beliefs are once again confirmed this morning through scripture. Take a look for yourself, as this scripture is just a taste of the many scriptures that support salvation as a gift given, not chosen:

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ . . . (esv)

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. (nlt)

These are from I Thessalonians 5:9, two different translations to help us grasp the full potential of the scripture.

What do you think?

Don't abandon me!

2010-01-23T12:56:00.003-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76ifTTuL4XI

As I sit here and sip my coffee, I am reflecting on Christ's pure love for us. We do absolutely NOTHING to earn his love, He gives it freely. We just accept the love, the grace and the mercy and live life!

I was reading this morning in several different passages:

Romans 8, Galatians 5 and Psalm 138

Romans 8:38 - Paul writes to the Romans:

"I am convinced that nothing can separate us from the love of the Lord. Neither death nor life, nor angels nor demons, neither fears for today nor worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of Hell can separate us from God's love."

All I know is this: it's a good thing that the Lord didn't allow Paul to forget to put in that one small word "nothing" because if that word was not there, I'm pretty sure that I would find something that could separate me from the Lord, because isn't there enough hurt in this world for us to try to find a way to be separated from His love?

Psalm 138:8 - David cries out to the Lord:

"The Lord will work out His plan for my life - for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me"

It seems as if David cries out to the Lord: Don't abandon me, because David recognizes the powers and lies of the flesh to believe that the Lord doesn't want anything to do with us when we mess up and fall short of His glory. We must continually cry out to the Lord: Don't abandon me or else our flesh will believe that He can and will abandon us. That is a lie! He will not abandon us, it's a promise of scripture. I must not let my flesh trick my spirit into believing this lie but instead, I will cling to the power of Romans 8:38.

Lord, today and everyday, Don't abandon me. Teach me how to fully embrace your grace and your promise that nothing can separate us from your love!

Yes, this blog is a response to our conversation, you know who you are. :) I love you and so does He.

But Satan Prevented

2010-01-17T09:24:00.004-06:00

"But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy." 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20

There is a significant connection between brothers and sisters in Christ, it's supernatural. I have found that when one meets a Christian, even if that person is from a different country, culture or language, a common foundation exists.

Paul is writing to the church at Thessalonica, a very young church and Paul was writing them concerning Christ's return. As I was reading this morning, I noticed the bolded part of the scripture (see above). Paul made plans to come visit this radiantly petite church. Paul knows that they are legit and growing in their faith because when he writes, he tells them that he has heard of their faith.

Satan hindered Paul from physically going to visit. How many times are we hindered by what appears to be works of the evil one? I feel that way often. The question I have for us is not what do we do to keep the work of the evil one way, because that is not possible, especially if we are the living and breathing the hands and feet of Christ. Satan will forever be after those of us that claim Christ.

My question for us to ponder is: what do we do in spite of the works of the evil one? Paul was hindered from physically visiting them, but he was not hindered from praying for them (He tells us in 1:2 that he prays for them) nor what he hindered from writing to them (this letter is proof of that).

What will we do next time we feel the evil on hindering us? Will we put up the white flag? throw in the towel? cry out surrender? No! We will press on and do what we can still do despite the works of the evil one.

Paul couldn't visit, but he would write and pray. Next time we feel hindered by Satan, let's take a minute and stop to think about option two, then let's embrace it, as if it were option one!

If you read or if you don't read

2010-01-09T12:33:00.001-06:00

On January 2nd and in response to one of my previous posts, one of my followers posted this:

From Sydney White, "People's Punisher is not about being read, it's about being written."

Hum, now that is something to contemplate. I think that is partly why I write, because for me, it's about writing and not so much about being published. Writing can be a release. I am content with simply writing on this blog and having no one read, but it is nice to know that someone is reading. I really don't write for you, I write for me. That's selfish.

I'm selfish, I know this and it's a constant battle between my flesh and my spirit. There is much to learn from being selfish. This life is certainly not about us or anything that we are or anything that we have to offer that is outside of the glory or working of the Lord. The Lord gifts and equips each of us to contribute to His kingdom work.

So, if you read, or if you don't read, I will write. I'm trying to discover if writing is a gift from the Lord or if it serves to satisfy my selfish desire of release.

I need you: my readers, my followers.

2010-01-02T00:25:00.001-06:00

That's kinda creepy!

Well, let's be honest, all of these online social networking sites: facebook, myspace, twitter, etc, are basically a way of inviting the world into your personal life. That's ok. I don't have a lot to hide, and that which I don't want you to know, I won't post. Duh!

I do want to know you. I want to know who is reading this stuff. See just to the right, I've created a place for you to let me know that you are here. Just add yourself as a follower. :)

I'm excited to meet you, my readers, my followers.

Breakfast date at 9am with two of my fave gals! You know who you are.

nite!

why don't you write a book?

2010-01-01T22:51:00.003-06:00

I recently had lunch with a high school friend (and I hope she reads this). She asked "So, when are you going to write a book?" My immediate response what "I don't know." The thought has crossed my mind. My mind, that's a totally different subject, but it relates completely to the idea of writing a book (this subject) because my mind goes in a million different places all in one single minute. Maybe not a million, but a lot! (My UCA graduate professor, Dr. Gallavan, would not approve of "a lot" because it's not a very descriptive word. She's a fabulous professor and I've learned A LOT from her ;) )

I once made this comment: "You should be in my mind" and my roommates about went crazy. But they also go crazy when I make off the wall comments and they are like "where did that come from?" I don't know, it just came out because it's what I was thinking.

Therefore, I feel like I would have a lot to write about in a book, but where would I start? what kind of book would I write? would I just write to write? I'm open for suggestions, leave me a comment.

Maybe before I write a book, I should get serious about blogging, because, in a way, blogging is like getting published, it's out there, for all to see, for eternity!

I'll spend some time researching the implications of becoming serious blogger, and after I accomplish the feat about being a serious blogger, then maybe I'll consider how/when to write this book.

I enjoy writing and apparently some of you think I'm good at it because you tell me so. I just tell you about my life, and hold back very little and apparently it's interesting. Hum .....

mixed emotions

2009-12-29T23:57:00.005-06:00

Driving home tonight on I-40, I found myself in the blogging mood. It's not rare that I find myself in that mood, it's rare that I act on the mood. All the way home, I thought: what can I blog about? how do people who blog come up with their ideas? For me, there seem to be more times over the course of the year when I am more "bloggy" -- if that can be a word.

Quickly approaching my exit, I began to see blue flashing lights, and not just one or two, but many! Not on just one side of the highway, but on both sides. I knew it was bad.

As I crept closer and closer to the scene this song by David Crowder Band (DCB) began to play over the radio "How He Loves Us": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJyW55AXJAk&feature=PlayList&p=A3B185BA816CDC5D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=23

As these powerful lyrics poured over my radio, snow flakes began to fall. Now, for most people not a big deal, but for me, it's been about three years since I've seen snow flakes fall before my eyes, due to living in Honduras where snow is not a part of yearly weather vocabulary. A huge smile came across my face and my visual senses were satisfied. The background audio of DCB was reminding me that "oh, how He loves us, oh." Watching snow fall on the ground, through my headlights, this thought about the Lord is easy to believe.

Drawing ever closer to the scene, the line of creeping cars continues on. I pass several police cars on my right. There stands a police with his orange wand waving us on. To the right, a car, mangled and missing the rear. Officials are digging through the drivers side of the vehicle, maybe searching for evidence? I crept along a little bit more and see, oh, gasp my heart sank, a body bag! full! I literally and verbally let out a sigh of hurt and grief. Somebody, some family, and possibly some rescue officers are going to have a hard time sleeping tonight. Moving on, closer to the exit, there was a truck turned over, on it's side revealing the underneath of the vehicle. No people were walking around that weren't in uniform.

"Oh, how He loves us, how He loves us, Oh"

How can this be? Death in the physical form from this Earth is hard for me to grasp and fully understand the Lord's purpose in it all. I very well am not connected to any of the victims, as their identity remains a mystery to me at this point, of this tragic accident and I will be left a passer by, but "He loves us."

Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt at all the He loves us, by snowflakes and vehicle accidents, through life and death, through success and failure. It takes a strong faith to see His love through the accidents, death and failure and it's only by His strength that it can be done.

And, as it turns out, I had something about which to blog.

why are we shocked?

2009-12-11T23:58:00.003-06:00

Here is a thought: why are we shocked when we hear of the fruits of the sinful nature? Is is not true that each one of us have and even hide our very own sin? Satan is alive and active, don't be deceived! He is out to kill, steal and destroy anything that is bringing glory to the name of the Lord. You can be sure that if/when you are attacked with temptation, you are under attack from the enemy because you are a threat to him.

So, let us continue to confess our sins to each other and pray that we might not fall into temptation. It's NOT a sin to be tempted, it's sinful to fall into that temptation and allow it to become sin and to then live in that sin is dishonoring to the Lord.

But even then, after the act of sin, not repenting of that sin is a sin in itself, and choosing to trust in ourselves instead of Jesus for forgiveness of the sin is not how it works.

So, all my readers, hear me out: We must admit our sins to each other and hold each other accountable.

Playing and practice

2009-09-13T10:48:00.003-05:00

I just finished listening to the FBCLR message online from last week. It slightly disturbs me that I am now a good 30 minutes away from the church that totally revived my walk with the Lord and challenged me in so many ways, and then sent me to foreign soil to serve with World Gospel Outreach for three years. Not to say that I can't just get in the car and visit, because I can, I will. It's hard to let go of something so meaningful in one's life, especially when the only reason is distance.

Mark spoke on Daniel 6 last week at FBCLR. The book of Daniel and Daniel's life are powerful. I've always looked up to Daniel's integrity and conviction as a follower and believer in the Lord. Mark made a simple statement that should hit home with all Christians, myself included. Mark played football, so appropriately, his analogy related to sports (and maybe I'll use this one in class with my football players to get them to study some.) Mark said:

"You play like you practice."

That's so true. Take some time and think about anything for which you have practiced. Usually there is some larger competition and you practice and practice so that you can perform your very best.

How are we practicing with the Lord? Do we take intentional time each day, maybe just 15 minutes, or possibly up to several hours, to meet with Him? How many times a day do we stop and pray for the person/people in our direct path? How often do we repent and tell God that we're wrong and sorry for doing that or acting like this? Do we ask Him to reveal Himself to us thru His word? How will He meet us in His word if we are not in His Word, daily?

How are we going to play our best for the Lord if we don't set aside time to practice and listen to the coach?

broken bones

2009-09-10T06:51:00.004-05:00

Ok, I have about 8 minutes to write this blog. Then I must continue with my morning so that I can make it to school/work on time.

Yesterday at chapel, the speaker spoke from Psalm 51. This verse, and the illustration that he used, really have made a profound impact on me:

"Let me hear joy and gladness

Let the bones that you have broken rejoice" vs. 8

The speaker told us that this is probably David (author of Psalm 51) relating to his days of shepherding when he spoke of the broken legs. When a sheep would stray too far, the shepherd would have to break it's legs, carry it back to the flock, secure the leg and let it heal. This was in hopes that the sheep would learn not to stray far and to allow it to suffer a bit from the broken leg and inconvenience of hobbling around.

I got to thinking today: has the Lord "broken any of my legs"? I think I would know, and yes, I think He has broken my legs before. Did I learn, maybe a little, and am I still learning, yes!

The more important part, I think, is being able to see the shepherd chasing after us with that threat in his eyes of "I'm about to break your legs, if you don't return to me!" I'm certain the Lord is chasing after me in part of my life and screaming this from behind "Shelly, turn around and come back before I have to break your legs and teach you a lesson the hard way!"

Ahhh!! Lord don't break my legs. That would be too painful and the recovery might take too long! Lord help me to hear you calling me back. Help me to turn around and see you right there, and then take me back into your arms and teach me without needing to break my legs.

There. Done. That's a 7 minute blog. Now time to move on with the day, listening for His voice and turning around before I get my legs broken.

request of a different sort

2009-08-30T16:50:00.005-05:00

I'm radical. I like the truth and exposing it, in love of course. I like Derek Webb and I'm looking forward to his new album. He is not afraid to tell it how it is, nor am I. This is what I see in the church today. Open your mind and your heart and hear me out.

In the realm of church and fellowship with one another, we often talk about prayer request and many times sickness and surgery are the first to be offered up. By sickness we're talking about physical and by surgery I'm also referring to physical. I have a thought: what about the sickness and surgeries that aren't physical? What about the spiritual sicknesses that often plague our churches and the surgeries that you and I are put through, if we are honest, probably most daily: are we in tune to the surgery that the Lord is trying to preform?

Have we considered:

pride?

jealousy?

hate?

anger?

drunkenness?

homosexuality?

lust?

adultery?

bitterness?

doubt?

fear?

selfishness?

depression?

The list goes on and on. I'm certain you could add a few of your own, as could I if I sat here all night. When we are talking about our Spirit, aren't these all sicknesses? Why do we, as a church, tend to ignore the majority of the issues and sicknesses that Satan uses to capture us and make us sick in the Spirit? As the church, we are called to love one another, to confess to each other and to encourage and lift up one another so that we all grow closer to the Lord.

What would happen, how would the church leaders respond to a prayer request card filled out as so:

Prayer Request/Sickness: selfishness

Surgery: taking away of self

time of surgery: immediate and lifelong

Hospital: my heart

What would you do, if you were a church leader and you came across this one? What if your best friend mailed this to you and asked you to pray? How would we respond?

As a church, we are called to do these things: confess and pray for each other, and in my opinion this includes physical, mental, emotional and spiritual sickness.

thank you, Wal-Mart lady

2009-08-28T23:29:00.004-05:00

After being gone for three years, one begins to wonder what it will feel like to return. I must say, my return has been much easier than expected. That is a different blog entirely.

When thinking over the past two months, and of all the words that have been spoken to me, there are two words that just bring such a smile and a warm feeling to my soul: Welcome Home! I would have never thought these words would mean more.

(Now, if we want to get really theological about it, this is not really my home and my home is neither here or there in Honduras, but we will keep it light tonight.)

A number of people have "welcomed me home" through their words, actions and by other ways that no one girl could have ever asked for.

Just tonight at wal-mart, I was making small talk with the cashier, and she brought so much joy to my night. It's amazing what God will do through each and every person that you encounter. I started out a conversation with her:

"So how did you get stuck with the Friday night shift?"

She responds: "Oh, I've worked the night shift for years. Those college kids like to have friday nights off. I work so they can go to their parties, b/c they really like going to their parties."

How selfless is that? She continued to share w/ me that it made no difference really to her. She said she will just get off work at 9pm and go home to watch Bonanza. She just brightened my night.

Then we got to talking about the bagging system there at Wal-Mart. See, I'm one of those people that brings her own bags. So, I had my own bags, but it was so difficult for her to load them b/c they did not fit nicely onto her lazy susan type plastic bag device. I felt bad.

We were talking about how there needs to be a better system since so many people are brining their own bags these days. She then began telling me this story about how she heard that Wal-mart was thinking about going "bagless" just like they did during the Olympics in China? who knew?

So, get ready, we could have a plastic bagless Wal-mart, which I think would be fabulous!

Oh, so then I was telling her how that in Honduras at one of the stores they stopped using the plastic bags (it was a Sam's club type store). So, she quickly learned that I lived there for a few years. That's where the conversation ended.

As I was leaving, I said "have a good night" and she returned the gesture adding "and Welcome back!"

ahhh, the wal-mart lady welcomed me back! what a great country in which we live. Now, don't get me wrong, there are a lot of things we don't do right, but there are a lot of things that we do right!

Thank you, Wal-Mart lady, for working on Friday nights so college kids can party and so that I could hear you welcome me back to the States.

He can not, He will not

2009-08-04T08:45:00.004-05:00

This morning I was doing some reading and studying. Leave is to Beth Moore to make the Lord's word come alive in my heart. What a servant and true woman of the Lord, seeking Him alone and taking others with her on this journey.

In the Esther bible study of Beth Moore, she points out something that should be very obvious to any Christian, but not me. haha! Sometimes I need the obvious to be pointed out.

How many times do we see, in the Old Testament, that Satan tries to destroy God's people? Many times, probably more than I know or could even find in Scripture. This morning, I was reading about Haman and Mordecai and how there was a plot to destroy them. Mordecai's gallows were being made. The following statement brought a renewed sense of confidence to me:

"If the Jews has been annihilated, the promised SAvior could not have come from its bloodline" (Beth MOore, Esther study)

At first my belief in God's sovereignty said "nope, that's not true, the Lord would have found another way. The truth is, this is the "other way." God was constantly able and choose to save His people so that His son could come thru this bloodline. Satan thought he found a foothold but God is bigger than footholds.

Then Beth points out this Scripture:

".... if we are faithless,

he remains faithful, for he can not deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13)

He can not deny Himself. How powerful. What a promise! We can cling to that. We can cling to the fact that the Lord not only will not but he can not deny Himself. That would contrary to His nature!

Take confidence in this. Take confidence in Him, and all that He is. We can take confidence in His promises but first take confidence in Him, Him alone!

post-captivity

2009-08-02T23:00:00.005-05:00

"I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!— ²I beg of you that when I am present I may not have to show boldness with such confidence as I count on showing against some who suspect us of walking according to the flesh. ³For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. ⁴For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. ⁵We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete." II Corinthians 10:1-6

If you know Jesus, chances are you have come across this exhortation by Paul, the great exhortist (or maybe it's exhorter, yes, exhorter).

Take note of how Paul so purposefully presents the reality of how we battle each day with our flesh and this world! He reminds us of the power that we (as Christians and friends of Jesus) hold to destroy those strongholds. We destroy them, with whatever of our armor (Eph. 6) we see fit best for the fight.

He makes a special point to remind us that our THOUGHTS can be some of our more sensitive places. He exhorts us to "take captive every thought." Sure, we've all heard that, known it and probably we've take captive a few thoughts. But, um, then what? What do you do post-captivity? I never took the the time or care to finish the scripture, which so very clearly tells us what to do with that thought.

take every thought captive to obey Christ -- to obey Christ.

If you are convicted by the Spirit to have the NEED to take captive a thought, chances are that you know what to do to obey Christ. The trick: walking into that obedience! Yup, that's where we fail. We are able to take a thought and capture it and not let it go, but how often do we follow that captivity with obedience?

summer time reading

2009-07-17T17:45:00.003-05:00

There are many reasons to love the summers. But let me tell you, at least, this summertime book worm found a cozy and inexpensive spot today to make some quality purchases that will last a lifetime. The Public Libraries of Central Arkansas filled the basement of the Main Library with all kinds of old books, classics and some, well, not so classics. I could have spend hours down there, looking and searching every shelf. I did, sorta.

I walked away with 10 books and I paid, guess, take a guess, I'll give you three:

1. $17

2. $11

3. $5

Did anyone guess $5! I was beside myself.

Not just any ole books, I choose some classics: Screwtape Letters by. C.S. Lewis, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, a Spanish Grammar book, and some book with Protestant Reformation writings. How fun! Maybe I'm a dork, but it's fabulous!

Thanks to the Libraries of Arkansas, my personal library is now 10 books larger. One day I want to have a huge room with all my books and one of those cool ladders like you see in the movies! :)

Now,

books shelves: my inheritance ??

2009-07-16T16:11:00.001-05:00

There is a bit of a rumble in my stomach as I sit here tonight to write what I'm about to write. I should go fill it with something, esp so all of you think that I DO eat enough b/c I do! I love to eat but I also enjoy exercising. I ran tonight and the air was so damp, so humid that when I walked in the doors of the house, water was literally running down my arms and dripping off of my face.

To Deborah, miss, I'm sad that you don't appreciate my most recent blogs. I'm a sporadic blogger and a coffee snob (I've had such bland coffee these past few days.). Miss, maybe you will enjoy this one.

I am up in MO with my mom and we are visiting her parents and my only set of living grandparents. There is purpose in this trip, but that is not what I want to write about.

Tonight, we were just sitting around after eating (and running for me) and talking. This side of my family loooooves to just sit around and talk, and that is great and all, but something within me doesn't seem to have things to contribute to conversations about visiting the doctor or how it's impossible to keep up three different homes (this is what my grandparents are struggling to make happen.)

In the mix of conversations about everything medical and everything non-medical, my grandfather, more affectionately known as Papa or Pop, decided to open the bank of stories about my great granddad, whom I never had the privilege of knowing. I could go on and on recounting the stories that he shared with me, but I won't. There was just one simple thing that continues to amaze me about my Papa.

My Papa loves life! He truly does. His joy is evident and what is more evident is that his joy comes from something that is not of this world. My Papa has created, lived and left a great legacy of faith for me. As I am in the upstairs room of their farm house, perched on one of two beds in this room that probably hasn't seen life in months, I am starting directly into a bookshelf that makes it's home between two windows and takes up half of the wall. It's full of all kinds of books, a wide variety. I have yet to ask, but I would really like to be found in this will to inherit these books. I love books, and I love to read, so how perfect would these books be. Let me list some of the titles and authors, just so you can get a feel for the treasure that I am sharing a room with tonight:

The Joyful Christian by C.S. Lewis

The Best Loved Poems of the American People

The American Presidents by Whitney

How to Win Friends and Influence People by. Dale Carnegie

Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy by J Barton Payne

Knowing God by. J.L. Packer

The Bible Code by. Michael Drosnin

The Western Bible Commentary

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The Poetry of Robert Frost

Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens

The Holy Bible

Wow, I could go on and on. I have made my way to the feet of this mighty bookshelf as I gaze up to read the titles. I am mentally in awe of this. I could discover something new each time I'm here. I usually do.

Back to this idea of a legacy that my Papa has created. How could a man with this much knowledge, wisdom and experience in life NOT leave a legacy. I began building my personal library several years ago. I hope to add some of these books to it and leave such a legacy that my Papa is leaving. Don't get me wrong, just because you have awesome books on your bookshelf does not guarantee a legacy will be left, but it certainly can't hurt and by all means, it probably does contribute to the person and man of the Lord that he has become.

Thanks Pop!

Music as Remedy for most Common Aliments

2009-07-03T10:39:00.006-05:00

I have always enjoyed the sweet sounds of music, and all genres at that. From as early as I can remember, when I was old enough to know music and truly appreciate music, I was always listening to music. I was the first in line to buy a new CD, the first in my family to own a Walkman or Discman or iPod, thought the latter was gifted to me. I can remember on family trips or youth group events I would always take my music with me. I was "that" kid w/ the music. I might have been the only one with my ears plugged up, but it was ok for me. Music was/is my release, my outlet and my way to enjoy just living.

Who else enjoys music so much? I hope you can find a way to embrace the gift of music that the world has been given. There are different types of music in my music library: pop, classic rock, soft rock, rap, regga-tone, worship, folk, alternative, chill, and yes, a touch of country, but the era to be most treasured would have to the any sound that came out of the 80's! Anyone agree?

Why music? I'm not sure, there is just something about it that does my soul good. No matter the condition of my "ser" (my being) I can usually find a music to match the mood in which I find myself.

When I feel joy I enjoy embracing music from Passion. When I feel sorrow I find myself embracing certain songs from Amy Stroup. When I feel rebellious I embrace Everclear, haha, one my favorite's from jr. high/high school. When I want to just be with Jesus in a "non-be with Jesus way", Dave Barnes. When I feel reflective I find my way to Joe Purdy or Leigh Nash. When I feel chill, like just existing they way I am, or in a complete place of being over taken by the Spirit I find my way to Shane and Shane. They have a way of honestly speaking to the existence of my knowledge about the truths of scripture. When I want some lyrics to ponder over, I find my way to Coldplay, U2, or Jack Johnson. When I feel a need to get in touch with my roots, Johnny Cash. When I just want to have fun, I find myself going back to the 80's to Madonna or Bon Jovi. When I want complete randomness, Tom FM :). When I need some truth back in my life (which is more often than not) you will find Derek Webb coming from my speakers. When I feel socially apt, Billy Joel or Elton John are always fun. I've always thought pondered on the historical significance of that one night that The Piano Man represents. (I once won tickets, in the 5th grade, to go see Billy Joel and Elton John play together at the Pyramid in Memphis. I was too young to exactly appreciate what I was experiencing.) What other emotions with which are we most regularly acquainted? Oh, when I want to dance alone in my room, you might hear Nelly coming from underneath the door, yes I said: Nelly and he is in my music library. If I'm dancing with others, then those well established and distinguished dance songs will get the job done. Partner dancing is the best. There is just something about enjoying music and the movement of the body with someone else, while facing them and embracing those moments of physical touch for 4 lovely minutes, and even more minutes if you're fortunate to get more than one dance from him.

So, whatever your aliment (positive or negative) try music as a remedy. Reach deep into your pockets and fill your iTunes with a variety of songs from which you can create a variety of self-prescribed treatments for whatever your "ser" is feeling in the moment.

the internet lives!

2009-07-02T21:00:00.008-05:00

Urg, I get so frustrated with myself when I realize how long it has been since I last wrote a blog. My excuse this time is that for the last months that I was in Honduras, I was on super conservative internet usage mode, which means, no blogging. But now that I am Stateside again, get ready for this: maybe I'll blog regularly. (I journal daily, what if I just journalized (cool word) everything here? Then you would know how I talked to our Lord, you would feel my deepest inner thoughts and I would be super vulnerable.)

That last blog was good though and those thoughts on Hebrews still resound with me today.

Life has taken it's fair share of twists and turns over the past several months, and I have landed back in the United States of America, permanently. This was a planned thing, when back in January I notified WGO that I would be moving back to the States. I do have a job and plan to move into a duplex here within the month or so.

If there is one thing that I have come to terms with, it's this: my ministry is not over. If anything, my life-time of ministry is simply getting started, and what a better place to jump start Shelly's life-time ministry than in a foreign country? I feel so blessed to have lived in Honduras for the past three years of my life, and as I transition back into Arkansas, I totally look forward to what the Lord has for this next chapter of my ministry.

God is in the middle of revealing some cool things to be about Elijah. I've been so intrigued with his life and the power of prayer in his life. Stay tuned for more about him and what the Lord is teaching me (and maybe you) through Elijah.

not the normal guy

2009-03-03T21:10:00.004-06:00

This past Sunday, Pastor Darren and his family were gone on vacation, which means that someone different was speaking. You know how it is, the normal Pastor is gone and somebody else fills us.

God used one of his people to speak volumes into my life, as well as others, I know. We all discussed how Trevor did such a great job and how he really has a gift of speaking, in a way that hit home with several of us. Maybe it was just the topic, but I left there just thinking and I am still thinking about what was said.

I'm tried right about now, as my everyday work is getting the best of me, but I just have to share with you what I've seen tonight, just as I go back and reread my notes and study the Scriptures a bit more on this message from Hebrews 12. You know me, I could go on and on, but just a few simple points:

I am a runner, right, so I am familiar with the idea of hitting the road and what it takes to make a good run happen. One thing that you don't want is extra stuff! Trevor is also a runner and he made this point: a runner does not, by any means, take extra stuff on the run that might slow him down.

Hebrews 12:1 says this:

" Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us... "

so my question for myself is: What is my sin that clings and slows me down? I must discover it and get rid of it!

And, before I fall asleep here at the computer, one more thought from verse 7:

"It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?"

Since I am a child of God, I am being disciplined. I must look at my strengths and my weaknesses (more so the latter) and discover how God is trying to show me and direct me in discipline.

so the question is: what is the discipline that God has be under? and am I willingly and hopefully embracing it.

These are just some, for me, very life-changing thoughts: 1. what sin is weighing me down in my run? and what type of discipline am I under right now?

His will taking root in our lives

2009-02-14T11:22:00.003-06:00

I've been hanging out in the Proverbs over these past few days. Wow, how I've forgotten the riches that are in Proverbs.

Where ( typed that word and then went to do something else and forgot what I was going to write, so moving on )

oh, I remember, I was going to say "where do I start?" I've only made it through the first four chapters of the Proverbs, and I've read the Proverbs before but never before have they impacted me the way it has this time.

I guess I'll choose one thing and go with it:

Proverbs 3:6 --

"Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take" (that's the NLT)

"In all your ways acknowledge Him

And He will make your paths straight" (that's NASB)

(disclaimer: I like to study these two versions side by side. I find that the NLT can speak to my heart and the NASB can speak to my mind and intellect.)

This morning, God revealed to me that when we find Him and acknowledge Him in all that we do, He will help us succeed. He wants His name to be glorified and when our motive for doing what we do is to glorify Him, why wouldn't He be on our side and help us do what we want, as it lines up with His will. The tough part is discerning if/how/when it is His will and if/when/how and it our own will with our own selfish motives.

So, taking that, a few chapters later I found this:

Proverbs 4:23 --

"Guard your heart above all else,

for it determines the course of your life." (NLT)

"Watch over your heart with all diligence,

For from it flow the springs of life" (NASB)

From what I've discovered, we will spend the most time doing things that we love; we will do things that our hearts are drawn to doing. If we aren't careful in guarding our hearts with all diligence -- meaning, our hearts will be revealed in the things that we spend our most time doing -- and keeping our hearts focused on what God loves and His purpose/will and glory, then it's very likely that our hearts will become distracted and drawn to things of this world; things that don't bring glory to our Lord and essentially, things that aren't good for our being.

That was a lot of babbling. That last sentence was a long one, with lots of part, kind of like Paul when he goes on and on in some of his Epistles. Oh well.

So, as we move forward, or as I move forward, my goal is to keep my heart focused on the things of Christ, things that He approves of, things that glorify Him. As I do this, the promise found in Proverbs 3:6 will prayerfully take root in my life: that God will make my paths straight, or give me success, as I seek His will, find it and live it out.

Now, this is will not be easy.

He named the Stars

2009-02-07T10:35:00.003-06:00

This morning was so refreshing for me. God has been revealing Himself to me in such clear and obvious ways. It's comforting to be in love with the creator of the universe and to desire more and more of Him each today.

Today I was reading Psalm 147. I've probably read this Psalm a dozen times, but this time, something new just stood out to me. It's nothing revolutionary but it gave me a renewed sense of peace in my soul and a new recognition for the grace of our Savior:

"He counts the number of the stars

He gives names to all of them" vs. 4

continuing further:

"The Lord favors those who fear Him,

Those who wait for HIs lovingkindness." v. 11

Our God not only created the number of stars, he knows where each one is placed and He even named them. Amazing! Simply astonishing!

As I've pondered on this thought many times, it just hits me in a new way today: This same God made us, He knows our every detail, even better than we do.

If you had a friend that could do something as amazing as know every name of the people, let's say: in your hometown, wouldn't you be enamored with the idea of that? Amazed at his capability of something so hard to understand HOW that could work. None the less, enamored with the person himself?

Look at what God did, with the stars, the universe, ALL of the people of the world and probably so much more that we don't know of right now; but to be revealed to us in eternity. This same God is our best friend, when we allow it.

vs. 11: God favors those who fear him.

Those who wait for His lovingkindness

The point: who could not fear a God that knows the name of every star, every person, every tree, every mouse, every coffee plant, every cloud and every other living thing that He created? Not a fear in a sense of "Oh, I'm scared of you" but a fear of honor and love and desire to know the person even more.

I want to know Jesus more! I want to love Him more each day. I want others to love Him with me and fear Him with me, fearing in such a way that we recognize that He holds us in His hands, he is protecting us, and guarding every part of all that we are!

I'm going outside.

2009-02-06T16:24:00.003-06:00

I like to sleep in. I like to get up early and be with my Jesus.
I like the cold. I don't like to be cold.
I like the sun. I don't like to sweat, unless I'm exercising.
I like to stay up late. I like to crawl in bed early with a good book.

I like to sing. I don't like to sing in front of people.

I like a hot shower. I don't like cold showers.

I like food. I don't not like food.

I like friends.

I like 80's music.

I like to run. I like day off from running.

I like to figure out the answer to a problem. I don't like problems.

I liked high school.

I liked being 17. I didn't like being 15.

I like thought out photography. I don't appreciate poor photography.

I like art. I don't like to discuss the definition of art, but I do it.

I like order. I like disorder just as equally.

I like to be included. I don't like to leave others out.

I like my family.

I like the beach. I don't like the salt water.

I like straight hair. I don't like to straighten my hair.

I like curly hair.

I like clean bed sheets. I don't like to make the bed.

I like Coke. I don't like the empty calories in it.

I like Coke Zero.

I like jeans that fit. I don't like shopping for jeans.

I like my jeans with holes. I don't know how the holes got there.

I like movies. I don't like paying for the expense of a movie in the States.

I like going to movies in a third world country.

I like patience. I don't like being patient.

I like the banjo. I don't play the banjo.

I like getting fancy and dressed up. I don't do it often enough.

I like reading. I don't know why I hated it so much in high school.

I like traveling. I don't like the ridiculously insane rules at airport security.

I like being a teacher. I don't have the qualification to be a teacher.

I like dancing. I don't do this often enough either.

I like using my cell phone. I don't like checking the voicemail, so I usually don't.

I like people. I don't like to be alone for long periods of time.

I like my life. I don't own this life.

I like to learn. I don't see education ending in the classroom.

I like doing this. I don't feel the sun on my face in this room though.

I'm going outside.

January 2009 Updates and Big News!

2009-01-26T22:01:00.002-06:00

The Time Has Come

Since I moved here in July of 2006, I knew God would bring this season to an end when the time was right. Each year, as it came time to renew or terminate my commitment with WGO, I fervently prayed and asked the Lord for wisdom and discernment. Each year, He provided an answer.

This year was different. Beginning in May of 2008, I was seeking the Lord and His face concerning what to do in June of 2009, as I knew that a decision would need to be made by the end of 2008. At the end of 2008, I felt a peace about not knowing which way I would go, but I still didn’t know what to do. I rested in that peace and continued to ask the Lord for His wisdom over the Christmas vacation.

Two Words: Be Faithful

The time had come and gone to decide and I still didn’t feel a firm answer from the Lord. The ministry asked for my decision. For the first time, maybe in all my Christian life, I felt the Lord saying: “Shelly, just make a decision. You can go either way, just choose one and be faithful.” Two key words stuck out to me: be faithful. At this point, I knew that either way: stay or go, just be faithful. Be faithful.

So, I have chosen to continue my life in the United States starting in June of 2009, which is when my current term with WGO ends. My emotions vary. I am very excited at the opportunities that have presented themselves back in the States. My heart breaks to leave this ministry, at least for a time. I do see myself continually being involved, be it through short-term trips, or financially giving and prayerfully supporting this ministry. Please continue to lift up this ministry in your prayers. Pray that God will send someone to fill my shoes. Pray for a peaceful time of transition for those here as well as for me.

Academic Success

I have watched so many of my students grow academically. I can remember one student in particular. She came to me with poor reading skills and a true lack of Phonics knowledge, therefore, impacting her reading, writing and spelling. I knew that she would be coming through my class. At the time, I had the option to move on with my current class, therefore, not having her in class. It would take a lot to bring her up to speed. I really didn’t want the extra work. It was recommended that I stay at her grade level and help bring her up to par. I did. In the course of one school year, she went from making D’s and F’s to making the A/B Honor Roll! Her academic goal this year is to make the A Honor Roll and she is well on her way! Praise God!

Three Years of Giving
God has continually confirmed me and blessed me with finances. Even over this past year, I have gained more monthly supporters than ever before. In the past, I have depended mostly on “special gifts” and the monthly gifts subsidized the financial reserve from special gifts. Each month, the ministry deposits all of my monthly support into my checking account and then, that which is given as a “special gift” is added to the monthly gifts to help me have enough to meet my approved budget each month. This year, about half of my budget is covered by monthly gifts, the other half is covered by the “base” that is built in my account.

Finishing Strong: I Need You
I need you to know that my financial reserve account is running low. Right now, there is enough to cover one month of my budget. What does this mean? This means that, without my monthly supporters, the finances will run out after February. But, it also means that with my monthly supporters giving faithfully each month, through June, and with the rest being subsidized by the reserve account, I can make it about three more months. The timetable does not match up: three months is April. I am committed through the end of June.

To make a complicated thing simple: I want to finish strong! I believe that God will provide for me to finish out the time that I’ve committed here, but I will need your help. If you give monthly, thank you so much! Please help me finish strong by giving monthly through the end. If you give special gifts, and maybe you’ve been waiting to give, I ask you, please give now. I need about double of what is currently in my reserve account. Whatever is leftover in my account, the ministry will give to me over three months after I’m gone to help with the transition and to lessen worry of immediate need for finances. Remember, you can give online at www.wgoreach.org or mail a check made out to WGO to the address in the bar on page one, designating the check to “Medlock fund.”

I know that you probably have questions about what I will do. I don’t have exact plans yet, but I’ll be glad to share with you ideas that I do have. Shoot me and e-mail: Shellymedlock@gmail.com and I’ll fill you in!

Thanks for taking this journey with me. God has made a difference through me. He has recently revealed that to me through the words of those I’ve been with over the past three years. Without you, and your belief in this ministry and mission, God would have had someone else to be His hands and feet here. Instead, the blessing is all mine, and what a joy it has been!

Be Blessed in Jesus-

Shelly

What do you think about most?

2009-01-25T21:01:00.003-06:00

Just recently, I was chatting with one of the teenagers that God has so graciously placed in my life. (I learn a lot from them.) While we were talking she shared something so profound, that one of her friends said to her:

Do you love God? they asked her.

She answered yes.

Do you love (fill in your blank--thing of this world)? they asked her. (They filled in the blank for her, but for her privacy I'll withhold it.)

She didn't answer yes.

Do you think about (fill in your blank--thing of this world) more than you think about God? they asked her.

When she was sharing this story with me, and we got to this part, she just smiled. We both knew the answer. NO, of course she didn't think about God more than this other thing.

So, what's my point? That teenagers can teach us so much, if we just stop and choose to listen to them? Nah, that's not my point, although, it is a very relevant and valid point.

My point is: what DO we think about most? Do we revel and joy in constantly enjoying the presence of our Heavenly God, our Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ? Probably not.

I believe that it takes special attention and focus to really keep Christ at the forefront of our thoughts, but once we are able to do that (not that I have master experience, some weeks are better than others) anything BESIDES Him becomes so trivial and not of much importance.

Does it make you a "better Christian" if you do and are able to do this? Does God love you any more? to that: a big BOLD NO! God loves you despite what you do or are, but we will probably be able to enjoy HIM if we are able to embrace this truth and discipline.

So, as you go about the rest of your day, focus on what you do focus on, and, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, do your thoughts revolve around our only reason for life: to Glorify His name and worship Him in all we do? (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Now, this leaves us something on which to ponder.

A God without Need

2009-01-22T08:30:00.003-06:00

"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."

Acts 17:24-25

As I was reading this morning, this passage hit me so strongly. Paul comes into this city and finds idols. It's not the presence of idols that stuck with me, it's what Paul's response was. Look at it: Paul tells them that he "perceives that they are very religious" but he also goes on to point out that their statues of gods are attributed to the "unknown god."

"What, therefore, you worship is unknown to you" are his exact words, well as exact as the English language is able to translate it. Thought provoking. Put yourself in their shoes and what would that make you think.

I think I would think: hey, he's right, I don't even know this god that I am worshipping. But, even more than that, I'm entirely smitten by Paul's words in verses 24-25:

I see Paul making this statement in such a way that makes me consider how the worshippers of the "unknown god" believed about their god: Maybe they thought that they owed him something.

How entirely liberating is it, knowing and believing that we don't OWE anything to our God? We can't serve him in a way to GIVE Him anything, yet He actually allows us to be involved in all that He does for our simple blessing and by His grace we get to see the fruit of His Spirit through our works. We GET to serve Him, but not in a way that makes Him a better God, but in a way that allows Him to form us more in the image of Christ.

Cool hu? I thought so.

reading books

2009-01-17T20:41:00.004-06:00

I never wanted to become one of those bloggers that blogged like once a month. At one point in time in my blogging career, I was so discipline and posted blogs very regularly.

I could make all sorts of excuses, but I won't.

So, I'm reading four books right now. Crazy! In high-school and college, I didn't enjoy reading at all! I wonder why? Maybe b/c someone was asking, or rather, telling me to do it. Who wants to do what they are told? No one, but through discipline, we can learn to do what we are told or asked. Isn't more fun when you are asked to do something, rather than demanding it of you?

So, just today, I realized all the books that I am currently reading. Call me a bookworm and I'm ok with that. Not much else to do up here, on this mountain. I love to read though, I really do. If you are looking for some good books, join me in reading:

1. Of Mice and Men (it's for teaching school, but still a classic)

2. Same Kind of Different As Me (modern-day autobiography, also which I am using in school)

3. They Like Jesus but Not the Church (don't get all defensive, now - all you church goes, it's a real eye opener and in-sight to the up and coming generations (mine) thoughts about Jesus and the Church: they like Jesus and the man He is (was) but the "church" has left a bad impression on them. We've got to put this to an end.)

4. Twilight - saw the movie last night with the girls and now I'm reading the book. Note to self: always read a book first. It's just not the same having seen the movie.

Anywho, there's a blog for ya!

a pair of shoes

2008-12-06T20:26:00.003-06:00

The other day I was looking for a shoe. Just one. I had just returned from some time away from my home and I was unpacking and looking for my other shoe. In the middle of my unpacking, I thought to myself: "hum, maybe I lost one shoe." Then I started thinking some more: how do you loose one shoe? Have you ever lost JUST ONE shoe before? I haven't.

This is a curious matter. I've never heard of someone losing just one shoe. From my knowledge, I don't think I've lost one shoe. Then I was thinking about my socks. I loose socks all the time. How is this?

This is a curious matter that leaves on wondering.

None the less, I found my one shoe and continued on with my day.

GRADUATION!

2008-11-26T18:51:00.009-06:00

School is over until January, and we're all so ready for a break. Enjoy some pictures from graduation! :)

Nilsy and Oscar, the graduates

Folding the Honduran flag

North American Teachers

Oscar and Brayan

The ants go marching one by one......

(The cutest skit ever!)

We celebrated the close of this semester with our 2008 Graduation ceremony! Today, two of our Hondurans graduated from High School, a great success and honor in this country. They will go on to attend college soon. They have been properly prepared to move on in life and they both seem to be excited about the future.

Enjoy some pictures below and praise God with us as we send off Nilsy and Oscar into the real world. :)

A break down story

2008-11-24T22:26:00.005-06:00

About a week and half ago, I broke down. I was totally and completely overwhelmed with everything in my life. From work, to family, to friends, to all things personal, Satan really got the best of me and I just lost it. (I thank God for a friend that was there at just the right moment and brought me exactly what I needed to recoup.) I knew that I was on my way to a break down, but I have yet to learn how to stop the process of a break down. someday.

As I have just become vulnerable with the whole world by posting this blog, I'm so much ok with that. Why? Because I'm a Christian. But don't Christians have it all together? you ask yourself. No!

Guess what? Being a Christian doesn't mean the hard times will go away. In fact, it's Biblically know that they will come! James reminds us to "Consider it all joy, my brethern, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." (James 1:2-3) My faith has certainly been tested and I'm feeling the work of building endurance as I type this. We know that when we endure under the trials we will "be approved and receive the crown of life which the Lord promises to those who love Him." (James 1:12)

Guess what else? Christians are not perfect. If we were, we wouldn't need a Savior.

Really. What is the purpose of a perfect and Holy Savior if I have it all figured out? He becomes nothing if I know everything and have it all together. I don't, so it's a good thing I have a Savior who knows it all. Jesus Himself makes this very clear to us: "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick" (Matthew 9:12). I'm sick, aren't we all? I need a Savior, don't we all.

During the break down, God held me all the way. He is still holding me. He's never let me go, even when I scream and try to twist myself out of His grip, He says: "No, Shelly, no! I love you, and you aren't getting away! Never! So stop trying."

AMAZING. Simply amazing.

LOVE. Simply Love.

Salvation: God brings home one more!

2008-11-16T20:48:00.004-06:00

It's been over two years since I began to pray for a specific teenager in this ministry and for God to bring salvation to this teen.

Guess what? GOD DID! He did! Recently this teen accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and is now beginning a new life by living for Jesus.

I would say that over the past year or so, I have seen a gradual but drastic change in this young persons life.

When I first joined WGO, this young teenager and I had a bit of a head-on collision. I found this teen doing something that I thought was questionable, so I took it to leadership. There was confrontation and it was not pleasant. Let's just say that for about the next year, this teen didn't speak to me. So, I began to speak to God. Daily, almost, begging God to take away the evil that I was seeing in the heart and life of this teen.

Now, things are so different. One day, about a year or more ago, this teen began to come around toward me. I could tell things were still not the same in this formerly harden heart. My prayers continued.

I remember specifically praying through one of the Psalms (one of the smaller numbered Psalms) but I can't remember which one now. I was praying for Satan to be cast out and way from tempting this person into believing the lies that we believe and the temptation we fall into.

I just know that God was working in this teens life from the moment of birth: calling, pursuing and tapping on the heart. Just in God's perfect timing, this now Child of God, turned over the old way of life and now lives for the life everlasting!

PRAISE GOD! Join me in prayer and praise for the salvation of one more. We now have one more to join us in eternity, for eternity Praise our glorious God and Savior for ever and ever!

PRAISE YOUR NAME JESUS!

Jephthah: a Hebrews 11–Hero of the Faith

2008-11-16T19:24:00.003-06:00

God's word is so clear.

Our pastor here in Teguc, of Union Christian Church, has been taking us on a "Journey with God" by highlighting a different "hero" of the faith from Scripture each week.

Each week has left a particular impact on certain parts of my life, after taking a deeper look at specific, sometimes the lesser mentioned, heroes of the faith.

JEPHTHAH was the topic of conversation this week.

Check it out in Judges 11, that's where we spent most of our time today.

Once we began reading the text for today, the story struck a familiar cord with me, but I will never look at it the same again.

Hum, to make a long sermon short let me just say this:

Jephthah's word was GOLD. Those are not my words, but solid and very true words they are.

After you read the text you will be able to see that this man of God made a vow to the Lord. He promised God something: "If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, then whatever comes out from the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the Ammonites shall be the Lord's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering."

God give the Ammonites over to Jephthah.

Jephthah went home and his only daughter came running out of the home with tambourines to meet him after his victory. His only CHILD! This was it – her – she must sacrifice her! wow!

And he does. By Faith, he sacrificed and kept his vow to the Lord.

Did he make a rash vow? A vow and promise without thinking?

Scripture says that the "Spirit of the Lord" came upon him, he did some things and then made this vow.

He followed through, by the power and strength of Jesus Christ on his vow he made to the Lord, he sacrificed his only daughter.

Talk about integrity! Talk about a man of God! Talk about walking by faith! How exciting to get the heaven one day and meet this guy. Yes, you too, child of God, will get to meet people like this.

He made the Hebrews 11 "Heroes of the Faith." He's one of those that the writer of Hebrews mentions toward the end (11:32) among those that the writer "finds time failing him" to write about several other heroes.

Do You Drink Coffee?

2008-10-24T21:55:00.009-05:00

I do! Here on the Ranch, we grow, roast and bag coffee. Below is a quick tour of how the process works. (A few pics are still missing, I'll add them later. ENJOY! Oh, and don't forget to check out the coffee website and order some: www.hondurascloudforestcoffee.com.

The coffee grows, all 22,000 plants of it, around the school where I teach.

The coffee plants are the smaller ones, under the shade trees, hence: Shade Grown Coffee.

Walking through the coffee plants.

These coffee beans are ripe for pickin' (the red ones).

Our workers picking the coffee beans.

Drying and turning the beans, in the hot sun during dry season.

Bagging the coffee. Sell. Drink. Buy more. Drink more. Share with friends.

www.hondurascloudforestcoffee.com

Design Projects

2008-10-24T20:32:00.008-05:00

For a larger view, click on the image. These are some of my most recent pieces of design. The first is for recruiting teachers for the 2009-2010 school year. The second is to recruit more Medical/Evangelism and Ranch Teams. Enjoy!

Full. Full. Full. Full. Full. Refuel.

2008-10-22T23:57:00.005-05:00

(p.s. this photo has absolutely nothing to do be with full. It was really cold one day, so I put on all my warm clothes, including the spandex under the jeans, and took and picture.)

This past week has been full.

Full of a variety of things.

Full of Rain. For the past week, actually probably much longer, closer to 10 days, we have had rain, almost non-stop. Sometimes it's soft and sweet, sometimes it's hard and scary sounding-like it's going to come right thru my roof and soak me while I am sleeping nice and warmly in my bed. I think this is the most rain that I've seen fall upon this place since I've lived here. I just keep thinking: what if it were cold enough for this to be snow? I'm certain that it would be like being at the top of a ski lift in CO. :) Nice, but only for a few days. This has lasted much longer.

Full of Prayer. Most of my days and weeks are full of prayer. It just feels like this past week and a half, God has placed certain, very specific things in my path to pray about. It's an honor to get to pray to God, and He has given me, He always does give me, plenty of chances to come before His throne.

Full of Work. I'm talking about both kinds of my work: school work and design work. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed this week with work. It will get better, it always does, but for a time God has been keeping my hands full and busy of glorious things that He is trying to accomplish through me.

Full of Naps. I must say, without my approval and sometimes without my acknowledging it, my body takes naps. Sometimes, I know that I won't be able to get through the rest of the day without a siesta. Even though Hondurans do not take siesta's like Mexicans supposedly do: I join the Mexicans in post-lunch rests. No more than 20 or so minutes will really give me a bit of extra energy. Sometimes I give into unsolicited naps; like tonight:

In fact, after tonight, I knew for certain that I need to take a step back and gain some rest and sanity. I am one to really push and push myself until, sometimes, there is nothing left to push with or my body gives in and contracts some kind of sickness, therefore causing me to slow down. Tonight, we ate dinner. It was so good, I was so full. I had thirty minutes until I had to go down the hill and help my 8th grader study for her Science test. I laid on the bed while I waited for time to pass. I remember trying to keep my eyes open, thinking: I'm not tired, I can make it. An hour later, and thirty minutes late for our study session, I wake up to the phone ringing. I was so terribly confused. I answered the phone, and when I heard her voice, I knew what I was suppose to be doing. I started thinking to myself: what have you been doing? Have you had dinner? Why do you feel nauseous? How did you fall asleep? Either way, I feel asleep, got an extra hour of unsolicited rest and now, as I write this, I am unable to fall asleep at the appropriate time; when it's time to sleep.

Full of Mud. My clothes, my hair, my shoes, my room, my house, my backpack, my EVERYTHING is full of mud. Ok, well, maybe that is an exaggeration, but there is mud just about everywhere around this place right now. It's hard to keep clean and dry during rainy season, that's for sure.

Refuel. I have decided, it's time to refuel. I need to be full, but not so full that I can't function properly and do my best work. I need to be full of the things that will fill me up and give me energy. My calendar has been full of a lot of stuff, things that are energizing to me, but they can also take a lot out of me. So, time to take a step back, relax and refuel.

One Glimpse

2008-10-19T13:18:00.004-05:00

I'm listening to Amy Stroup's album "Here I Am." Great album if you are looking for some new music to tune into.

In line with all that God has been taking me through in the past week or so, this song has helped me to see the purpose of Him in all this.

She sings:

"Just one glimpse, one glimpse of your glory, can quiet my soul within

Just one glimpse, one glimpse of your glory, can quiet my soul, come quiet my soul. Come. Come."

From what I can see in this past week, from what He has revealed to me, he simply wanted to share with me and show me a glimpse of His glory. He revealed to me, renewed my faith again: He loves me so much! He goes to all lengths to reveal that love to me. All I have to do is see it.

We do hear that often, from the pulpit, from our bible study leaders, from our mentors, and from our best friends: "God loves you!" I think that until He makes it real to us and until we choose to see it that way, it does not become real to us.

Why is it so difficult for us to just take Him at His word?

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

This was like the ultimate for God, He gave it all. I believe in it. I cherish it, it's my lifeline. I have nothing else. But, He reveals His love to me in other ways as well; ways that are more personal to me, very obvious ways. I have to choose to see these things as His love for me, or else they are just things that happen in this life and I don't "see" His glory.

Paul's words to the Ephesians really drive home this love of God:

".... 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. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church an din Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen" Ephesians 3:18-20

Do you notice how Paul says that he hopes that we can "comprehend" the love of Christ. This love "surpasses all knowledge." Ok, Paul, so how are we suppose to comprehend a love that surpasses our knowledge? Interesting. God doesn't leave us guessing though. First He sent His son, well actually first, He decided to communicate love, give mercy and grace to Adam and Eve after they sinned, then He did other things, then He sent His son. But...

How much more real is His love when He expresses it in a real way? He gives us a drip of water when we are so thirsty and hungry for Him. Even that, even one glimpse of Him can calm our soul. :)

Then, even as God loves us, really that's all we need, but He goes on to tell us that He can do far more than we can possible imagine or think. (Eph. 3:20) He goes to the lengths to remind us of His love. If we can't see the little things because maybe our faith is being tested, or there is something blocking us from seeing His love, He goes to the end of the earth to satisfy us with His love!

All of this for His glory!

Glory be to you MY GOD! God of my salvation. God that I love. God that loves me!

The Love of Christ

2008-10-15T21:00:00.005-05:00

Just lately, God chose to use some unexpected circumstances of my life to reveal His love for me. Sometimes all we need is a quick reminder. It seems that I forgot how He loves me. He loves me just because. He loves me.

In the midst of recognizing His powerful love for me, it brought me to repentance. After revealing His love to me, again, He was gracious to show me my fault and quick to cover it with His blood as I asked for His pardon.

Why do we not allow this to happen more often?

It can be in the smallest things in life.

He revealed to me His power to do something that world would say is completely impossible.

Through this, He reminded me that I am not forgotten, He knows my name, He loves me completely and He, only He, has the power to act out His will, first, for His glory and secondly, for my good.

Look for His love. It's there.

the small pleasures: rainbow chip icing

2008-09-20T19:27:00.006-05:00

Who else likes Rainbow Chip icing? For me, it's a memory from childhood, and I think that's why I like it so much. A few years ago, when I lived Stateside, I remember looking for the Rainbow Chip, aka. funfetti, icing, but found that it no longer existed. I was heartbroken. It's like a bit of my childhood had been taken away.

Moving here, I found my childhood, well a small piece of it: Rainbow Chip Icing. Ok, this is different from the most recent stuff I've seen in the States, which they pose as "rainbow chip" aka, funfetti, but this is the real deal that I've found here. The stuff with the little wax balls of color amongst the vanilla icing, and not just vanilla icing where you add sprinkles, which is what I've been very disappointed to find when I've looked in the States.

Anywho, it's one of life's small pleasures. I bought this can about two weeks ago. I've been watching it sit on my shelf, wondering when would be a worthy time to open it. I decided today. I ate a spoonful, yes, just the icing. I will continue to do so until it is gone!

YUMMMMMIE!

Blessed be the God of (your name here)

2008-09-16T11:58:00.004-05:00

I was reading in Daniel this morning. First, what a rich book, in so many ways. Daniel was such a faithful servant and man of the Lord, as were his best friends! Amazing. He stood up for what He knew was right, as to not deny His Lord. His friends followed his example even when Daniel was not around.

One thing in particular stuck out to me:

These these three men: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, (aka. Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah) refused to bow down and worship something other than their Lord, God and Father in Heaven. Maybe we know this, maybe we've heard this story so many times growing up, but, there is something more here. Do we see it? Do we apply it?

Reference Daniel 3:28---

"Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God."

Yes, these men choose not to bow down and worship something that was not their God. What really struck me in an new refreshing way was Nebuchadnezzar's reaction: he recognized that these three men were so faithful to our Lord that they would risk burning up their bodies rather than worshiping anything other than God. God is the center of this story, as with all of life, really. He's the center of everything, but how much more glorious it appears when one recognizes the reason that Christian's don't bow down and worship what the world considers worthy of worship.

THE CHALLENGE: obviously, to worship God and God alone, which includes putting anything before him, but not so obvious:

We should/must live in such a way that others see His glory and recognize his worth through our actions. How often do we put his worth behind that worth of the world. Do people recognize in our actions, words, thoughts, mannerisms, that we serve a better God than this world can offer?

Do we leave people saying: "Blessed be the God of (your name here)" as they recognize His hand and power in our lives?

Free.

2008-09-14T23:43:00.004-05:00

People are awesome.

I am certainly a people person. I am energized by being around people. I don't even have to say anything around these people, but just to exist with them. Or I can say something, like what I am thinking or speak my mind, and people either look at me or laugh cause I said something like "they had to go 'by' the 'yuck' " (had to be there.) or they challenge my thinking, which I totally welcome and thrive on.

So many special people come in and out of my life (did you know the word "file" is just "life" with the letters twisted around? I probably knew this but just rediscovered it as I typed "file" as I was trying to type "life." So yah, sometimes you just gotta be in my mind.).

Who has played a memorable role in your life? There are so many in my life. In critical seasons of life, God seems to find just the right people and He causes my path to cross with them, and He does glorious things.

I am becoming more and more grateful for Kymm. She lives here on the Ranch with me/us. Her family moved into the ministry just a few months before I did. God has used her in so many critical times in my life.

I've learned what it feel like to be discipled by an older woman. She speaks so much wisdom and truth into my life, but not her truth or wisdom, God's wisdom and truth. One night, I'll never forget, it was a revolutionary night for me. She said: "Shelly, what will you really loose?"

She was right? What did I have to loose? Nothing, if anything, I had everything to be grateful and thankful for, and everything to gain. God used her to speak to me and loosen chains of bondage.

I was free.

I am free.

I will continue to be free.

Free.

SEPTEMBER UPDATES!

2008-09-10T23:47:00.016-05:00

Parts of Speech posters :)! Yeah for Grammar class!

Posters in the classroom (dr. jekyll and mr. hyde :) )

The boys in ESL.

Nade diving into the Word during Chapel.

Jason teaching Chapel.

With Dad at the Lake this summer.

Skinquarter crew!

My friend Sara from Skinquarter Baptist

APOLOGIES
I will be very quick to say “I’m sorry” for failing to get this newsletter out earlier. The truth is, it has been written for over a month now, but I have lacked the time to sit down and lay it out so it looks “pretty.” I could have just e-mailed you the text format, now that would have been something new and different, but, being the Graphic Artist and very visual person that God created me to be, I just couldn’t do that. So, a month later, here are the updates.

TIME MOVES ON
As the summer moves on, I look back with fond memories of visiting the States. I met a new church family, Skinquarter Baptist, in Virginia through my extended Roberts family. I visited HOG country and spent some quality time with my cousin. I went to Lake Norfolk with my Medlock family – a true joy in it’s own special way. I was honored to stand by a long-time friend as a bridesmaid in her hometown wedding. I spent time in Little Rock with my mom and dad, my best friends, and my church family. One of the most memorable times for me is when I landed in Baton Rouge (from Honduras) and my little sister came to pick me up. She gave me a huge hug and quickly whipped out the camera to make a quick snap shot memory. I miss her so much. We’ve never been separated for this long of time and I’m beginning to feel the effects of it.

YEAR THREE BEGINS
This next year, my third year of ministry here, holds so much exciting opportunity. My job has slightly changed. With great desire and excitement for the transformed job, I am serving as a part time High School Language Arts teacher (literature, grammar, and English as a Second Language). I look forward to teaching Language Arts because I got some great ideas from my best friend this summer and I am already putting them into use. My other part-time work involves Graphic Design/Media work! I am getting to use my God-given skills in the arts to benefit this ministry and I’m ready and excited to tackle what He puts before me. Pray for me as I move back into the arts that it will all come back to me with ease. We are currently bringing a fresh look to all the print media of the ministry. I will also continue to write articles and take photos for the WGO ministry newsletter (so watch for it that) and I serve as a co-editor.

GOD’S TIMELY PROVISION
God used many of you over this summer to provide for me. He gave me your hospitality as I came to visit you: a place to stay, food to fill my belly and conversations to encourage this mission. He used you to provide finances to send me back for a third year of ministry and I know He will continue to use you through out the year to provide. I know I say this a lot, but I become more and more grateful for you, especially as I see new people join my team, and as I see faithful supporters give regularly. You may never have an idea of what it feels like to get my monthly statement and see that God is forever good and provides enough for me each month! I am literally blown away each month by seeing just how He does it and who He uses! What grace!

Summer is over, school has begun, so let’s put the sweet tea, summer time walks, neighborhood ice cream shops, colorful swim suits, meaningful conversations, jet planes in the scrapbook and conclude Summer 2008. Let’s watch with great expectation to how God will work as we finish strong the second half of 2008!

EPILOGUE
I sit here now, a month after starting to write this newsletter, and I have so much more to say. I guess you will just have to be sure to read the next newsletter so that you can hear all I wish I could fit into this newsletter. I wanted to add a few things here in order to update my update! Ha! So much for being timely. Next time, there’s always next time.

I must celebrate with each of you that continue to give monthly. This summer, I gained several monthly supporters. You will never know the encouragement that I get each time my statement comes in and each of you have remembered to give. For you and your sacrificial hearts and lifestyles, I am able to be here and serve.

I have been given an opportunity to help with our weekly Chapel for the High School group. I am taking the lesson and creating an interesting drama to go with it. Then we get the kids to help us act it out, and so far, it’s been a hit. Continue to pray for those of us that are involved in planning Chapel each week. It is such a critical time of Biblical teaching, but with each week, the planners have to find new energy and ideas. Pray for God’s perfect wisdom to be upon us as we plan.

Also, I am tutoring one of our 8th graders. She is very smart and has a lot of potential. My desire is to help her reach that potential. Pray for her, to receive the knowledge and pray for me as I build important study habits into her.

Please notice that we were given new e-mail addresses. You can now reach me at “smedlock@wgo-hn.org” as well as at “shellymedlock@gmail.com.”

Blessings in Jesus- Shelly

p.s. Remember to pray for this country, it’s leaders and political powers. Also, pray for physical provision and protection as we are in the middle of hurricane season.

Big Words by Pastor Darren

2008-08-17T18:27:00.002-05:00

(PREFACE: One of the true blessings for me since moving to Honduras is my home church here, and the pastor. Pastor Darren loves God so much and pursues Him with all his heart. I'm encouraged and motived by his life and desire to drink from the living Word!

For almost a year now, I've been toying around with the idea of collecting "big words" that Pastor Darren uses during service to write a book. His messages are very exegetical in form, therefore, causing him to use big, hard, deep vocabulary. I am coming to the realization that writing a book entitled "Big Words by Pastor Darren" might not come into a flesh form for several years. So, until then, I'll just blog about the word.)

Today, Sunday August 17th, 2008, I caught at least three:

1. indicative

2. epitath

3. ethos

Some of those he has used before, of some of them we know the general meaning. For the most part, these are words that he uses cause me to frown my brow because of a lack of understanding. These are the kinds of words that will be words that I will use in this book (or for now, blog)

1. Indicative: serving as a sign or indication of something.

(I fail today because I just wrote down the word but not how it applied in the sermon, next week.....)

2. epitaph - a phrase or a statement in memory of a person who has died

3. ethos - the characteristic spirit of a culture or era or community as manifested in its beliefs or aspirations.

spaces and places with God, cool.

2008-08-16T20:14:00.003-05:00

Today, I moved into bedroom number 5, house number 4 since I've moved to the Ranch and joined this ministry back in 2006. That seems like a lot of spaces to be in, well, it is. At one point, during one move, move #3 I think, I took on a very sour attitude, bitter and semi-angry that I was asked to move. As a single person, I felt like I was being taken advantage of. I felt like "they" thought "oh she's single, she's flexible and can just move and it's no big deal. I didn't feel appreciated or loved. Then, God used a wise woman and some life lessons to snap me out of it!

This time, I choose to let my mind set be different. Just tonight, after getting settled into this new place, (very nice brand new housing), I was thinking: a new space and such a different place. I am physically sleeping in a different bedroom, cooking in a different kitchen, and having life changing conversations in a different living area. As I look around this Ranch, and think about all the different spaces that I've lived, I think about all the different places that God has taken me, spiritually that is. I look back at the first bedroom, then the second, the third and fourth and I see the journey's He's taken me on, the fires He brought me through, the blessings He's given to me, and the opportunities He laid before me.

I am taking a different perspective with this new "place" not necessarily the space, but I am letting the space help make memories of the "place." Where will God take me now? What kind of encounter will We have in this bedroom, kitchen, porch and living area?? Who knows. We will wait and see, and then, when I moved my suitcase out of this "space" I can look back and see the place where We are!

cool. space and places with God.

Back, I'm back!

2008-08-11T21:48:00.005-05:00

(random photo of me serving with a Medical team in the city:

not my regular job)

I'm back to regular blogging, oh, wait, I guess we will have to test that. In theory, I'm back!

Just the other day, some of us were talking about blogging and how I was so regular at blogging, at least weekly I made an entry. I never wanted to be one of those bloggers that blogged once in a blue moon, but none the less, that is what I have become. Sorry to all my loyal blog readers. I resolve to be better. For my sake and yours, God's first.

I had an extra help and push this morning to get back to blogging. I drove the morning "bus run" into the surrounding community, San Matias, to pick up all of our workers and bring them up to the Ranch. For those of you that know, a ride up that mountain is much appreciated. For those of you that have yet to experience it, there are hardly words, until you come and see for yourself.

So, on my way down to the first stop, one of our employees (I guess she had the day off) stopped me on the road and asked if she could get a ride as far as I was going on the dirt road toward the city, until I had to turn around and head back to the Ranch. Of course, I let her, her son and another young lady a new born baby have a ride. emphasis on: new born baby!

I can't hardly do justice to the undying joy that was on the dad's face! He was all smiles with this most precious creation of God, a miracle really, relaxing in the soft of his forearm. The baby was so quite and peaceful most of the trip. If you know this road, you would imagine that a newborn would make a fuss for the huge disturbances caused by the washed out road. It wasn't until just before the end this baby's first trip down the mountain that I heard a cry. A newborn cry! For mothers, you've experienced this: the cry of what I would expect from a baby arriving into the world. Obviously that baby was new, it was like he was trying to find his lungs and his cry was merely a peep of sorts, hard to describe. You've heard it, but on movies and stuff, or maybe you've heard it in real life. Cool sound, unique all to itself.

There was something overly peaceful about this cry. I can't put my finger on it.

As I was driving back up the mountain, baby off to the city, bus full of Honduran workers grateful for the ride and surprised to see me behind the wheel (today was my first time to run the route). I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and joy in my season of life. I know that God has placed me on this remote mountain, up some tough hills, into a place that is receiving so much blessing and direction from God. These people have come to know me and I have grown to love them and learn from their selfless hearts of service.

I think that's all for now.

The Summer is Ending

2008-07-14T23:34:00.001-05:00

Hello Everyone!

As I was typing in each of your e-mail addresses, I was pleased to know that I got to see most of you, at least once, over the summer. Some of us have yet to connect, and there are only a few days left.

I am schedule to fly out of Little Rock on July 18th, at 6:15 a.m. The airport in Tegucigalpa has reopened and I will fly back into the city! What a blessing and relief of stress it is to know I will fly back there, but yall, pray for us. Pray for the pilots, for wisdom and discernment about maneuvering and landing at the airport, as it is still very dangerous.

I will take most of Wednesday and Thursday to shop, prepare, and pack the things that I need to go back, which leaves today and Tuesday for visiting and saying goodbyes.

Thanks to each of you for taking time to see me this summer. Going back is bittersweet. I feel like I could use some more time here, but on the other hand, I am so excited about this next year.

The team is coming together for another year of ministry. I have a number of prayer warriors and financial supporters ready to move forward with me! Thanks to each of you for your generous hearts!

If you still want to join the team, it is never too late. Just contact me, or mail in the form you received in the mail, and let me know how you want to be involved: prayer warrior, financial supporter or special needs partner. Remember our website: www.wgoreach.org is a great place to conveniently make online donations.

I will miss each of you but what a wonderful summer it has been to catch up and see everyone that is so important to me in my life and ministry.

Blessings in Jesus

Just some favorite scriptures/quotes :)

2008-05-24T00:18:00.000-05:00

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act" Psalm 37:5

"God remembers our sins no more because they are of no use to him!" -Beth Moore

"Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ." -Paul in 1 Corinthians 11

"For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another" Isaiah 48:11

"There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine they are guilty of themselves ... it was through Pride that the devil became the devil: Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind." - C.S. Lewis

"Our theology has got to have a head on collision with our reality" –Beth Moore

"If we believed that our hold-up at the long red light was God's keeping us back from an accident about to happen, we would be patient and happy. If we believed that our broken leg was God's way of revealing early cancer in the x-ray so that we would survive, we would not murmur at the inconvenience. If we believed that the middle-of-the-night phone call was God's way of waking us to smell smoke in the basement, we would not grumble at the loss of sleep. The key to patience is faith in future grace of God's 'glorious might' to transform all our interruptions into rewards. In other words, the strenth of patience hangs on our capacity to believe that God is up to something for us in all our delays and detours. This requires great faith in future grace, because the evidence is seldom evident."
– John Piper in Future Grace

The church in action

2008-04-09T23:55:00.003-05:00

April 2nd, after obtained wisdom, I made a call to Carol. I knew that she would take care of me. She saw me just as this sickness was coming on. She was the first to tell me I should go to the doctor. She was very persistent, a blessing to me. I expected that we would just go to the doctor and I would get some meds and come right back. Before leaving for the doctor, Carol called me back me back and told me to pack a bag and plan to stay with her. Her husband would bring me back home the next day.

Well, little did we know, that I would be staying with her for a week. As you read in the latter blog, the sickness was much worse than we thought.

If there is one thing that I experienced over this week, it was the fellowship of the church fleshing itself out. Terry and Carol and even their son, WHOLLY opened their home to me: nothing held back! Not only did they open their home to me, but they opened their home to me, and cared for me while I was sick -- not just almost sick, or sort of sick, but really really sick. I was so sick that I didn't even know what to do. Carol was very quick and with great discernment knew exactly what to do and made wise judgement calls when two days after seeing the doctor, I was not getting better.

There is something refreshing and liberating about knowing that the church is called to "do good to everyone, especially to those who are in the household of faith." I not only saw this in action but was able to enjoy the benefits of a sister in Christ opening her home to me and willingly with much joy, take care of me.

"So then,as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Galatians 6:10

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Romans 12:13

These are the marks and fruits of a Christian and of the church.

Glory to God for His mercy on us and for His provision of the church. Thanks you Jesus!

better by injection

2008-04-09T23:18:00.003-05:00

I'm currently coming out of a valley. The valley of death it felt like, but not. Just a valley of bronchitis that probably turned into pneumonia before the antibiotics finally kicked in.

Over the past three weeks I have suffered with a terrible cough; deep chested cough. If you know me, you very well know that I don't really care to go to the doctor, and certainly will do anything I can to avoid a shot. This time, my stubbornness only brought a lot of pain.

After two weeks of the same cough and no sign of relief, I decided that it was time to ask God for wisdom about what to do, because obviously my plan of DOING NOTHING was not working. So, I asked, for wisdom. Within a few hours of asking for wisdom, FOUR people told me to go to the doctor! Talk about a direct answer. So I went to the doctor.

The doc was a nice Honduran guy. He didn't speak much English, so most of the examination was done in Spanish. He listened to me breath and then asked for a chest x-ray. I went and took the x-ray, took it back to him, anticipating an easy answer. Well, he looks at it and said: "There is nothing of pneumonia, but it is bronchitis." Ok, so it wasn't as bad as it could have been. He wrote out several prescriptions, including antibiotic pills for five days, cough meds, nebulizer breathing treatments and a shot of steroid and muscle relaxer to get it all started. I didn't avoid the shot after all. Little did I know what was to come......

This appointment took place last Wednesday (a week ago). I woke up Thursday, not feeling much better, and just suffered through the day. Friday morning when I woke up, I expected to feel much better. After all, I was on antibiotic that should be working by now--but--it wasn't! We were about to go back to the hospital, but before we went, we called over a nurse and doctor for a second opinion. The nurse said she heard signs of the first stages of pneumonia. Apparently the antibiotic was not doing its job quickly enough. The doctor that came to the house where I was staying for these few days, brought over a stronger antibiotic, BY INJECTION!!!

Like I said, if you know me, you can probably see my reaction. I was terrified! I don't do doctors, I don't do blood, and I CERTAINLY don't do shots, especially again!!!! I had just taken a shot (in the bum) two days earlier and now he wanted to do it again, in the bum, again! I was not getting better, so this was like a last resort before going to the ER. Here's the catcher, this has to be repeated TWICE A DAY for FIVE days!!! THAT'S TEN SHOTS in the bum.....ahhhhhh!! and ouch!!!! It was that, TEN SHOTS, or not get better. So, over the past five days, I have been traumatized (ok, not traumatized...) by being shot with antibiotic twice a day in a very unpleasant place to be given a shot. Have you ever had an antibiotic shot? THEY HURT! The doc also put me on a steroid, which has caused me to eat everything in sight. I have continued the breathing treatments and pain meds for the chest pain.

I can say that today, a week later, I am finally regaining my strength, feeling back to myself and ready to get on with life.

God has a purpose with all that He ordains, and I'm certain that He ordained this sickness to me, along with everything else in this world that He creates, sustains, allows and ordains. This is especially true for His saints, as we see in the Romans 8:28:

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

So along with everything else going on in His world, God is working this downtime and illness of mine into the good for His people. Maybe it's for my benefit, maybe for the benefit of another. Either way, it's for OUR GOOD--so--for that I an suffer.

As of just a few minutes ago, I was not sure the purpose of all of this. I'm still not certain that I see the fruit of it, but a friend of mine speaks this wisdom into my heart concerning this sickness:

"You know He's going to work it out, and you and I are both pretty sure that you got this so that you can slow down and give Him time to work some things out."

God is working out things. I probably keep Him pretty busy, ha! or maybe I just keep myself busy with myself. I wear me out.

I will say this, over the past week, I have lacked the energy and, sadly yes, the desire to even meet in my quiet place with my Jesus. We meet most regularly--daily. It's something about the way my physical body relates to my mental body -- it just didn't happen. One thing that did happen, though, is a lot of thought and a considerable amount of prayer. We talked a lot, scriptures came to mind, and He softly wrapped me up in His arms and held me and gave comfort like no other could have through this valley.

"Blessed be Your name, On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering, Blessed be Your name"

PRAISE YOU JESUS!

again on prayer

2008-03-29T18:34:00.002-05:00

Today I've been camping out in the Psalms. This is a rich book-full of truths, praises, prayers and so much more. Over the past sevearl years, and since moving to Honduras, God has revealed to power of prayer. Not only my own prayer but the prayer of others as they share with me their prayers and the answers God gives. He always gives an answer. There is never such a thing as unanswered prayer, sorry Garth Brooks. God gives answers, not only do we see it in our lives, but it's in scripture:

I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4, ESV)

So, how do we pray? Do we pray and believe that God hears us? Do we talk to Him (which is all prayer is) in the same way we talk to our best friend? He made us. He knows us even better than our best friend. He knows what we are thinking and wouldn't it be nice for Him to hear us tell Him what we are thinking? It's like this: He can hear what we are thinking, and then He can hear us say to ourselves "God doesn't care, He won't listen, He won't answer." And the enemy will continue to feed us that lie because it will keep us from communicating with our Father. So let's start expecting something more:

In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. (Psalm 5:3, NASB---hey that rhymes)

When we pray, let's watch eagerly and expectantly. He will answer. He always answers, and from my experience, there are several different answers: yes, no, not now, not yet, in my timing, not your way but mine, or yes--because your way and my way are the same. So let's have confidence that He will answer:

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my words. (Psalm 17:6, ESV)

Will he answer overnight? He has. Will He wait several days? Sometimes. Will He wait several months, even if there is pain? Probably. Will He even wait as long as five, ten, fifteen, or fifty years? Yes. But HE WILL ANSWER, we just need to remember paitence, as it is a fruit of the Spirit (see Gal. 5:22).

I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry. (Psalm 40:1)

We cry out to Him. He hears our cry along with our praise. He answers and He waits. He teaches us patience along the way. We wait, eagerly and expecting an answer.

Praise you Father for you are good, merciful, gracious, and faithful to strengthen us and encourage us through our prayers as you answer them and teach us the reason for your answer.

3am

2008-03-27T11:27:00.003-05:00

I am a hard sleeper. I usually sleep through most nights, without waking up. Last night was different. I've been battling this head/chest cold for over a week now. Just as I thought I was getting better, I wake up last night at 3am, with a terrible, terrible sore throat and a clogged nose. I was miserable. I took meds before going to bed, so I couldn't take anymore until I woke up. I was wide awake! I sat on the edge of my bed, holding the box of medicine, comtemplating if I should take another med and risk an overdose. I decided that would not be the best idea, so I laid back on the bed----light on, eyes WIDE open, with nothing to do.......... then I remembered some words from Ada. Once, she told me that sometimes she wakes up in the middle of the night and can't sleep. She told me that when that happens, she often prays.

So, 3am, wide awake, what else was there to do? I was too lazy to get the computer out, so I just laid there, head propped up, cause that seemed to help with the pain in the throat, I started praying, talking to Him. Then I got sleepy. I think I finally shut off the light and rolled over and fell asleep.

Since I've been sick over the past week, it's been so hard to get out of bed, but not this morning. And get this, my throat was not even sore. Ok, so I had a headache, but that's easily cured with some Alieve. Now, yes, the throat is a bit sore, but not nearly as bad as last night. I thought I was dying, ok, not really, but kinda........

Werid hu? It's kinda like God wanted me awake to talk with him for those few minutes. Ok, so God has His way in His timing, even if it's at 3am.

the church

2008-03-07T22:42:00.006-06:00

a church is more than a mere building. the building is simply a place of meeting for the church. the church is the people. God's people. Paul says it best in

1 Corinthians 1:2 ---

"To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours."

as the church we are

1. sanctified by Jesus Christ
2. called saints, its our name!
3. we call on God by the name of Jesus Christ

He's your God and mine, if you believe in Jesus Christ.

let these images of "churches" represent the building itself. know that the church includes the people.

want to know more about the church that God created and a model He desires for us to follow.

check it out:

http://www.unionchurchhonduras.com/sermon_archive.htm

Because Hezekiah prayed....

2008-03-05T20:33:00.003-06:00

Hey check it out! Does God hear our prayer and change His mind? Sure. Is He surprised that He changes His mind? Nope.

Um, so I was taken back at first thought of God changing His mind. He's God right? He's not suppose to change His mind. He's God, He should know ahead of time and not have to change His mind. The thing is, He knows that He will change His mind, hum, thought provoking. Ok so turns out that I am the one confused, not God!

The reason we see that we can stand on the truth and know that God does change his mind when we pray is because He tells us that He does: more than once He tells us. For example Hezekiah. We see it told in Isaiah 38.

God sent Isaiah to Hezekiah to tell him "Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live." Ok, see it, God tells him HE WILL NOT LIVE, BUT DIE. So, just incase Hezekiah was confused, God was sure to tell him twice: you will NOT live, you WILL die!

What does Hezekiah do? He didn't wait, not one second, but quickly turned to pray:

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, and said, "Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight " And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

Then God tells Isaiah to go BACK to Hezekiah and tell him His message: (side note: I wonder what Isaiah was feeling?)

God tells Hezekiah through Isaiah: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life."

AHHHH!! Look, yes, this good stuff in right in your Bible! God adds 15 years to his life! Not a few days, not 5 years, even more than 10..... 15!!!!!

So, how then, will we pray?

A great word picture: Potter and Clay

2008-02-28T21:22:00.004-06:00

I have been reading Jeremiah lately and have been so blessed by this prophet's words. I ran across Jeremiah 18 today, and today was just the day that I needed to hear this words spoken into my heart.

In chapter 18 we see our Lord speak to Jeremiah, telling him to go to the potters house and listen to the Lord's, which go like this (from the ESV and similiar in the NASB) :

"And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. "

I usually like a more literal translation when trying to really understand what the Lord is trying to teach through his Word, such as the NASB, but for this passage I also looked in the New Living Translation (a more paraphrase/idea based translation) and this translation really hit me:

"But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over."

He CRUSHED the clay and started all over.

Being an artist, and having several months of wheel-throwing pottery under my belt, I can relate. Crushing a piece that you have been working on, and staring all over is a huge deal! No one ever wants to start over, but when the pot does not cooperate, it's just what you have to do. There is no hope, once the pot has become lopsided you must just crush it and start over. The good thing about doing this is, your clay becomes eaiser to work with, more pliable. It has now been thrown once, sometimes twice, and has been worked with and is more formable, forms easier to your hand, and even feels smoother in your between your fingers.

I like the word "crushed" used in the NLT, but at the end of the ESV translation we see "as it seemed good to the potter to do." Any potter will tell you that the second pot will MOST LIKELY turn out better, more beautiful and easier to work with, when compared to the first pot.

But CRUSHED! That's a harsh word, but its what has to be done. Many times, I CRUSHED pot in anger or frustration, never in love.

Even though this even may have been intended for a different audience (Judah), I see it as very ablicable today. Many times, doesn't God choose to "crush" (in love, I hope, not frustration or anger like I did to my clay) us and "start over" because "it seems good to him to do" ? Here's the kicker, after we are crushed, spoiled and God starts over again, are we more pliable, smoother and easier to work with?

Are we submissive to the "crushing" and "starting over" because it "seems good to God to do?"

What a beautiful word picture.

A Daddy's Influence

2008-02-09T22:39:00.000-06:00

As I was in bed, trying to fall asleep tonight (pre-PBJ), I heard the dogs barking and felt my stomach growling. I thought to myself: "why am I hungry? I ate dinner, I had lunch and snacked all afternoon." Then I remembered: I ran just before dinner. Running, or any exercise for that matter, always makes me extra hungry.

Why do I run? Who got me into running at an early age? None other than my dad. I always remember him coming home just after dark, all hot and tired from a nice run. When I was about 13, he started asking me to go run with him, or maybe I asked if I could join him. Either way, we started running. It became this "thing" that "Shelly and dad" did. It was our time. No one else, just us. Such sweet moments. To this day, I still run, more regularly now, but I attribute it to my daddy. He encouraged me, taught me good rules of running and showed me the best way to avoid a runners cramp. He would stop and walk with me when I got tired and encourage me: "You can make it, come on, let's go!" Then we would sip on cold water, sitting on the steps of 149 El Dorado, listening to the cars whiz by and enjoying a "runner's high."

Dad's may never realize the influence they can have over daughters. A simple word or act of love can do so much for a little girl. I do understand and know for a fact that this influence can sway to both sides: positive and negative. Some women may have never experienced what I am describing, so I consider myself blessed to have shared some amazing experiences and learned some life lessons with my dad. I have so many awesome memories with my daddy, he's my dad, the one God blessed me with.

As I sit here, eating two pieces of peanut and butter and jelly toast (trying to kill the "post-run" grumble in my stomach), I am reminded the many times in my later teenage years and during the times I visited home during college, dad and I ate a "midnight" snack around 10:30. After a while, it became a habit, and a ritual that I looked forward to. I sit here tonight, eating my toast, wishing that I had my dad here, or that I was there to share this moment with him. No one else shared this moment with us. Something about the both of us, we just got hungry for a snack around this time of night, or maybe it turned into a habit of "quality time" with hunger as an excuse to simply get 10 minutes of each others day. I will always think of him and remember him each time I make PBJ toast (two pieces) for a late night snack.

Now that the dogs have stopped barking and my stomach has stopped growling, maybe I can fall asleep......

dirty diapers

2008-02-02T19:38:00.000-06:00

why would I blog about dirty diapers -- right? this blog actually has nothing to do with dirty diapers, its just the way I can remember something. what is it called when you make up a silly sentence to help you remember something? I can't remember, but anywho.....

OK, so I was wanting a way to help me remember the 10 plagues that Pharaoh inflicted. I just could never get it, so now, I got it.

But Forever God Forgives Little Babies Having Little Dirty Diapers

But = blood
Forever = frogs
God = gnats
Forgives = flies
Little = livestock
Babies = boils
Having = hail
Little = locust
Dirty = darkness
Diapers = death of the first born

but forever god forgives little babies having little dirty diapers

UPDATE: January 2008!

2008-01-30T16:47:00.000-06:00

FOR THE SAKE OF HIS NAME
January 2008 Vol. III Issue 1

Shelly Medlock serving with World Gospel Outreach in Honduras

Blessings flow!
I am forever indebted to you as my friends, family and church. There is no way that I could be fruitful here without God’s grace and the provision of you. It’s by the grace of God that I am here. I am the blessed one. The love, encouragement, and support I get from the States is completely overwhelming. A single, female missionary could not ask for much more. I received so many encouraging Christmas cards and gifts, Birthday cards and gifts, and an abundance of year-end financial support. I thank God for each of you!

My first year on the mission field, the Lord was faithful in encouraging me by providing almost 100% of my financial needs before I left. My second proves different. It seems that the Lord has decided to test my faith and continues to increase my faith, month by month! Like He promises, He never fails. Each month, I have just enough, and I do believe it’s because the Lord uses His Spirit to prompt His people and moves them just at the right time to provide. Thank you and Praise God for the incredible gifts of monthly and year-end finances.

Christmas on the Coast

Most of you know that I spent Christmas here, in Honduras. It was different being away from my biological family, but I knew this was what the Lord had for me for this year. I chose to find joy in it because I was truly excited and joyful to walk where the Lord led: spending Christmas here. I learned what Paul meant when he spoke in Philippians 4: “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” It was a joy to be here and celebrate Christmas with my Honduran and North American brothers and sisters and family in Christ. I can’t wait to see what Heaven will be like: with all tribes, languages, peoples and nations glorifying God all day long!

Since I was in country for Christmas, I had an awesome opportunity to visit other parts of Honduras. Several of the North Americans of the ministry took a four-day vacation to the North Coast. We went to the beach at La Ceiba and stayed at a resort called Hotel Palma Real, right on the beach. I was blessed as my parents decided to gift me the trip as a part of my Christmas blessing. The coast was beautiful, and the resort was amazing. The resort was all-inclusive: all meals, on-site activities, snacks etc. It was really quite a great deal! The meals were served buffet style and they had every kind of food and a lot of it. I ate way too much! We had an awesome time, enjoying each other’s company and even some sun on the last day. Yes, it rained three of the four days that we were there, but fortunately there was plenty to do. There were several covered outdoor areas around the resort. So, we were still able to enjoy the ocean and beach, even with the rain. I would certainly go back again and I refer anyone to go there on a vacation get away!

Remember Ada? We had an opportunity to visit her around Christmas and bless her with some necessities. We got to spend a few quality minutes just being with her in her home, laughing, talking and seeing her domestic pig, chickens and cat. She is a blessing to me personally and she often has encouraging words for me and warm greetings when I come home from school each Tuesday.

“Friends, romans, Countrymen”
So, now that the holidays are over, and school is back in full swing, I am reminded just how much I really enjoy my job and the current call the Lord has placed in my life. He continues to confirm me in so many ways. We started school on January 7th, putting us in our fourth week. We’ve gotten off to a good start. The spring always seems more difficult. We have more weeks and less breaks in this semester. In 10th grade Literature class, we started Julius Caesar. My 10th grade English teacher made Julius Caesar fun, and she has inspired me to do the same. Shakesphere can be fun to read and enjoyable if someone can help you understand it. I pray the 10th graders will enjoy Caesar as much as I did. In my Art classes, we are currently working with Pointillism. It’s an interesting concept–explaining that you can create a piece of art by just using dots, only dots. During class, all I can hear are markers hitting the table, one after the other, but at least I know they are working.

I have found a new joy in teaching English Grammar and Language. These past weeks, with my homeroom girls, 7th and 8th grade, we have been studying pronouns. I put an example sentence on the board today. I will admit, it was far from the perfect example, but makes for a good story. I wrote: “The class took them clothes.” (I should have wrote ‘The class took them the clothes.’) We were studying Objective Case Pronouns and I was trying to get the girls to recognize that “them” was serving as the Indirect Object, and therefore, in Objective Case. Here’s the funny thing: the girls read “them” as an adjective or something else that just was not right. They saw it as a way of describing the clothes, instead of seeing it as a pronoun. If you’re from Arkansas, you might have heard this incorrect lingo or jargon and lazy way of talking. This was NOT the way that I intended for the sentence to come across but it caused quite the moment of laughter. We regained composure as I reminded them that we are studying Grammar, and that, yes, you may hear people say that, but it is NOT grammatically correct. They were quick to see that “them” was functioning as an objective pronoun.

Training with The Arrow Project

A few weeks ago, The Arrow Project came to visit our ministry. The Arrow Project is Child and Family Foster Care Ministry based in Texas. They came for a week, bearing a wealth of knowledge and guidance about fostering abandoned and orphaned children. They blessed us in a tremendous way, brining encouragement and insight into our ministry. Praise God for their vision (www.arrow.org) and their desire to partner with us!

New Opportunities
Over the past few weeks, two new opportunites to serve within the ministry of World Gospel Outreach have been laid before me. I would ask that you join me in prayer in petitioning the Lord for wisdom and guidance. God promises His widsom, if we will only ask for it. I seek His will in these decisions and as I approach the end of my second year and begin my third year of service in July. I want to hear His voice and following His leading. Won’t you join me in prayer?

ABOVE: Color Month at School: represented by CRAZY HAIR/HAT day at school.
Top to Bottom:Jefry with spray painted red hair, Cristian with a colorful hat, and Maria with chopsticks in her hair.

ABOVE: Color Month at School: represented by colorful classroom doors!

Visiting Ada

2008-01-26T22:10:00.000-06:00

Over Christmas, we had the chance to go to the home of one of our Honduran workers and bless her with the overflow of blessings that God pours out on us. Ada works here on the Ranch with many of the North American missionaries. Between the five days of the week, she blesses us by working in our homes on the Ranch. She will do most anything that we ask, including cooking, cleaning, and for some, doing laundry.

She has been quite the blessing to me. She most always has a smile on her face, and provides me with much encouragement, usually after a crazy day at school. She is a Christian and it is obvious that she has a heart for the Lord.

One day, she was cleaning my bathroom, and I shared a scripture with her that had encouraged me. I had it written on a note card and taped to the mirror. I translated it for her so that she could share in my joy in applying the scripture to my life. She proceeded to tell me that she memorizes scripture and repeats it to herself when she is scared. She quoted all of Psalm 91 to me.

Ada has four children who are in school, but she herself doesn't have much schooling. She is able to read, but probably not to her fullest capacity, probably because she has never been given the chance to be educated. When she was quoting scripture to me, and she knows several lengthy passages, it reminds me of the scripture in Psalm 119:11 that says "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Although Ada can read, it's obvious to me that "storing up God's word" in her heart might prove more valuable to her since she hasn't completed a high level education and may not be able to read the Bible as you and I can. Don't we take it for granted sometimes? Shouldn't we store up more of God's word in our hearts? What if we are ever in a place where, God forbid, our Bible is taken from us, or we don't have access to the scriptures?

having passion!

2008-01-21T21:33:00.000-06:00

ok, I will admit. I opened the computer, but even before that, I didn't know what I was going to blog about. I knew I wanted to blog about something. Blogging is a, um, release for me. It's a way to express some of the non-verbal me, so, lucky you, you get to know more about me. I opened my "dashboard"---the part of the blog where you can check out/edit/view comments to all of your posts. At this point, I still didn't know what I wanted to blog about, but I knew something....

I was about to click on "create new" and then I noticed a comment on the blog that I posted last night about blogging...haha! It was from Ricky, no last name, but I'm pretty sure it's my Ricky from high school, prom date, gulf shores, yah--fun times hu--Ricky? It's been a while, how are you? I'm doing awesome, thanks for asking!

Well, Ricky's comment says:

"Shelly, cool blog. I'm envious of your passion. Hope things are well."
So, I was inspired! RICKY YOU INSPIRED ME! :)

Passion, I have a passion that's for sure. Well, I have a lot of passion about a lot of things, but I will only express the passion about things that I am MOST passionate about.

What is Passion? According to this lovely dictionary included on my MacBook, PASSION: is a noun, 1. a strong and barely controllable emotion, 2. a state or outburst of such emotion 3. an intense desire or enthusiasm for something.

Well, I certainly have some passion.

I am passionate about Jesus Christ and spreading His Name all over this Earth, especially to those people that have no one in the flesh to tell them about Jesus (mind you, Paul makes it clear in Romans that God is capable of revealing Himself to all through His creation, Romans 1 and Psalm 19)! There has to be some kind of miraculous joy in sharing the Gospel to one who has never heard the name of Jesus Christ! I desire to discover that joy!

I am passionate about art, and helping others learn about it and appreciate it. I am passionate about learning what makes life matter. I am passionate about my friendships: friendships/relationships are a lifeline for me. (I'm sure one day I will be passionate for my husband and the family God blesses us with.) I am passionate about justice, which many times, is left out of my hands and is in the hands of my Maker---I have to just let that go. On the other hand, I am passionate about grace, getting it and giving it---because I've been given much! I am passionate about the sky: during the day when the clouds are beautiful, at 6pm when the sun sets, and at 9pm when the stars are amazing. And my passions go on....

So, Ricky, thanks for the inspiration! And the thing is, this passion is not limited to me. Anyone can discover the joys of this passion, a passion for Christ. The thing is, I'm certain that my passion is not wasted when it's for Christ, because God makes it clear through Paul when he speaking to the Corinthians --first book, chapter 10, verse 10:

"Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

A passion for Christ will never die! It will show in WHATEVER you do! God is glorified when we make much of Him and show Him for the God that He really is---not belittling His glory or worth. There are some awesome promises in the book of John, looking at chapter 15, as far as what it looks like to have a passion for Christ and be His disciple. It doesn't take much, simply a humble heart and repentant spirit (God help us all, me included!).

only for the sake of His name and glory, may my passion never die.....

blog (blogged,blog•ging)

2008-01-20T19:00:00.000-06:00

to blog: a verb in the English language, originating from the action taken when one UPDATES or ADDS new information to his or her blog

to blog: something that I have neglected to do lately.

to blog: something that I am going to pick back up on a regular basis!

to blog: something that I will begin doing tomorrow, or the next day . . . .

to blog!

Something about 12's!

2007-11-09T22:45:00.002-06:00

I've been a Christian for half of my life now! One would think that I could name the 12 disciples of Christ. Tonight, I was challenged. Can you do it? Nope, I couldn't.

I became a Christian at the age of 12, that was 12 years ago. I don't know the 12 disciples of Christ. Maybe this would be a good time. So, quiz yourself, ready, go!

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

So, how did you do?

I'll have to cheat tonight because I have yet to memorize them, but I will! So, quoting from Matthew 10:

first, Simon (also called Peter),
then Andrew (Peter’s brother),
James (son of Zebedee),
John (James’s brother),
3 Philip,
Bartholomew,
Thomas,
Matthew (the tax collector),
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,
4 Simon (the zealot),
Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

So, there's your lesson for the night!
By His grace, love and mercy we live!

Ode to FBC Medical/Evangelism Team 2007

2007-11-03T19:05:00.000-05:00

Remember when....

.... yall came to Honduras last June?

.... you welcomed me as a part of your Medical/Evangelism team?
.... ladies in my room, we quickly made friends (Allie....GO CENTRAL TIGERS)
.... we ate that really amazing bean dip at that restaurant and we were so hungry?
.... Amy arrived?
.... Amy tried the banana soda?
.... Dr. Terry Watson always had a smile on his face?
.... Anna arrived?
.... Dr. Alfonso used that cool stuff that put someone to sleep so he could pull some teeth?
.... Scott was NOT taking pictures (I don't remember any of those times....)
.... our team had so much unity?

.... Chandler played the guitar, and did an AWESOME job!?!!
.... Rachel was in charge of the key to the place where we kept all of our valuables, trustworthy she is!
.... everyone tried to get next to Kim in the nightly massage line?

.... Tonya helped the ministry view some children to bring to the Ranch (They arrived two weeks ago!!!!!)
.... I fell asleep on the concrete floor, or the bus, or on Rachel's bed?
.... Jeff made a new friend through the concrete floor ministry?
.... Sandra had great advice about evangelism?
.... Scott and Dr. Steve did a dance for us?
.... everyone thought the Loren and Kristyn were lifelong BFF, but really they just got to know each other over this trip?
.... Duane made Honduran friends by using his Spanish!
.... Pat joined the team to made it the most complete Medical team ever?
.... Jim and Gregg demonstrated a God-centered man-to-man, father-son relationship?
.... Gregg stayed behind and served for an extra 6 weeks with our ministry, leaving a huge blessing?
.... Mike and Lyn F. showed us all what it means to give away your life, and leading by example as the guide this ministry of WGO?
.... Jessica joined the REAL doctors and did her own medical work!?
.... the family from the house with the new concrete floor accepted Jesus Christ?!!!!!!!
.... Jason also joined our team, creating a neat dynamic?
.... Kat and Chandler worked side by side, as brother/sister, not only in Christ, but blood too?
.... God spared us from any physical harm while we were in the poorest, most dangerous parts of Teguc!?

.... Dan and Glenda celebrated 22 years of marriage?!
.... Jeff saw a scorpion (or so he thought)
.... Dr. Steve demonstrated the love of Christ as he washed our feet, and the tears flowed?
.... Tery and Mary stayed behind in Honduras for a vacation and sent the rest of us (yall) home?
.... Glenda and Amy were baptized when we returned home!
.... I got to see some of you while I was in LR this summer?
.... you were change by giving of week of your time and energy to serve the people of Honduras?

You may not know how many times I think about that week of my life. Even living here as a missionary, I was blessed by the week. I was blessed by the unity of our team, the open arms you extended to me as I joined your team. The fire and passion of the energy of your team flowed all week long! Christ's love was shown! This country was blessed. Our ministry was blessed! I was blessed as together, different people, from one church, we gathered to serve this people of Honduras, a foreign culture and land!

I'm praying for next years team, that it might be full of just as much energy and enthusiasm, causing a ripple of Christ's love to flow over this country! (I hope to join yall again!)

All glory and honor to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, over all the EARTH!

The Story of My First Love: Chapter 4

2007-10-27T11:56:00.000-05:00

So, over the next few months I searched for something to do. I wanted to remain in the Art field to some extent but I wasn't sure exactly how. I thought about teaching Art at a local school. I had never taught before and certainly had no training to be a teacher, but as a child, I always desired to be a teacher. I began to pursue this avenue of becoming a certified teacher. I looked into a program in Arkansas about how to obtain in Non-Traditional Teaching Certificate and immediately began to pursue this. As this point, I was sure the Lord was leading me into teaching, but I still didn't know exactly where. I began to ask Him where He wanted me to pursue a teaching job. He was quick to answer.

In March of 2006, three of my close guy friends and the Singles Pastors of my church took a short-term missions trip to Honduras to serve with World Gospel Outreach on a construction team. They helped to build a brand new school building for the ministry. They came back a week later and had so many stories to share, including the fact that the ministry was looking for teachers for the 2006-2007 school year. All five of them were very encouraging and upfront about the fact that they thought I should pursue this. They were aware of my desire to go into teaching. (It's sorta of a small miracle the way the Lord uses His people to speak wisdom into our lives.) At that point, I said "Yeah right! NO Way!" but I soon discovered that when it's the Lord's plan He has a way of working it out! After few weeks of those words spoken to me about the opportunity, the Holy Spirit moved and used those words to reveal to me that I should pursue this opportunity. I was literally falling asleep one night and it was almost as if they Spirit woke me up and said "Shelly, I want you to go teach in Honduras, with WGO!" I will never forget this night, as I got up out of bed and went to talk to my roommate, Ashley, about it. She was very encouraging and told me that I should make a contact first thing in the morning. I wanted to take a few days and pray about it and seek confirmation. I told very few people and just asked the Lord to confirm it in my heart.

Over the entire weekend all arrows were pointing to open doors. I knew this was what the Lord wanted for me. So, it was Saturday night and I just wanted one more firm confirmation from the Lord about this opportunity that He laid before me. I asked Him to confirm in at the church service on Sunday morning. I remember thinking to myself "Yah right, God can't do this, I will have to make something up to 'make it fit' as a confirmation." Oh, I was wrong! God used this very morning to speak to me in huge ways. I remember being excited about what I was going to hear this morning and I quickly grabbed a bulletin and looked at the "selected scripture" for the morning. And, by the grace of God, it was none other than Matthew 28:19 (where Jesus commands us to take the gospel into all the world) and Genesis 12 (when God tells Abram to leave his country). Needless to say, this did it in for me. God worked through my lack of faith to start me on a new journey of increasing my faith. I knew from that very moment, even before the service started, that the Lord was confirming this call in my Spirit and giving me a very firm, loving push out the door into what would turn into a huge step of faith.