about lottie...

Since Christmas is fast approaching, I’ve thought about Lottie Moon. She gave her life to serve God in China.  She was an encouragement to others, a brave servant for God, and was passionate about leading others to Christ.

She served 39 years as a missionary, mostly in China’s Shantung province.  Lottie frequently wrote letters to the United States, detailing Chinese culture, missionary life and the great physical and spiritual needs of the Chinese people. Additionally, she challenged Southern Baptists to go to China or give so that others could go. By 1888, Southern Baptist women had organized and helped collect $3,315 to send workers needed in China.

"When the gospel is allowed to grow naturally in China, without forcing processes of development, the 'church in the house' is usually its first form of organization. God grant us faith and courage to keep 'hands off' and allow this new garden of the Lord's planting to ripen in the rays of the Divine Love, free from human interference!"

- Lottie Moon, Pingtu, China Sept. 10, 1890

In 1918, the Woman's Missionary Union named the annual Christmas offering for international missions after the woman who had urged them to start it - the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®

quick quotes

and speaking about communion. . .

Our prayers have stains in them, our faith is mixed with unbelief, our repentance is not so tender as it should be, our communion is distant and interrupted. We cannot pray without sinning, and there is filth even in our tears.

Charles Spurgeon

Whatever is your best time in the day, give that to communion with God.

Hudson Taylor

All Christian power springs from communion with God and from the indwelling of divine grace.

James H. Aughey

Thus may we abide in union; with each other and the Lord, and possess in sweet communion joys which earth cannot afford.
John Newton

a thursday morning drive

It was a bit chilly this morning when I left the house.  After getting on the intersate, I noticed a misty fog slowly rising from the ground.  As the morning sun began to rise, I saw a wonder unfolding before me.  I began to see sunbeams reflecting off the fog.  There were some areas thick with trees blocking the sunbeams from view.  There were other places that the sunbeams peeked thru small openings.  And, in cleared land, the sunbeams were bright and beautiful.  I love nature, and was grateful to witness this awesome unveiling.

I was listening to a CD of contempary Christian music, but my thoughts were reflecting over sunbeams.  There have been difficult times in my life that I felt all alone.  Times that I felt discouraged and hopeless.  Even thou I couldn't look over or thru the trees to see Jesus, He was always there.  Sometimes, I have wavered back and forth. between blessings and frustations. When I see Him right before me, I can bask in His love and His grace.

I love sunbeams. . .

pause 'n ponder

and speaking about communion. . .

Our prayers have stains in them, our faith is mixed with unbelief, our repentance is not so tender as it should be, our communion is distant and interrupted. We cannot pray without sinning, and there is filth even in our tears.

Charles Spurgeon

 

Whatever is your best time in the day, give that to communion with God.

Hudson Taylor

All Christian power springs from communion with God and from the indwelling of divine grace.

James H. Aughey

Thus may we abide in union; with each other and the Lord, and possess in sweet communion joys which earth cannot afford.
John Newton

worthy words

do i count?

In 2000, my Dad walked thru the gates of pearl.  Mark read the poem below at the grave side service.  My other Dad (affectionately called Padre), took the same path in 2003.  This poem exemplifies the men they were.  We’ll never know how many lives they touched. . .

THE LIFE THAT COUNTS

The life that counts must toil and fight;

Must hate the wrong and love the right;

Must stand for truth, by day, by night…

This is the life that counts.

The life that counts must hopeful be;

In darkest night make melody;

Must wait the dawn on bended knee…

This is the life that counts.

The life that counts must aim to rise

Above the earth to sunlit skies;

Must fix its gaze on Paradise…

This is the life that counts.

The life that counts must helpful be,

The care and needs of others see;

Must seek the slaves of sin to free…

This is the life that counts.

The life that counts is linked with God;

And turns not from the cross…the rod;

But walk with joy where Jesus trod…

This is the life that counts.

Anonymous

amazing grace – a legacy of faithfulness

John Newton (1725-1807) was the author of “Amazing Grace”, I read somewhere that it’s America’s most famous and favorite hymn.

He wrote this hymn as a prayer of deep gratitude poured from his heart to God for having saved his life and his soul. Before he died, he wrote a short statement to some friends that could perhaps sum up his life. “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.”

He wrote his epitaph, and it’s engraved on a marble plaque in St Mary, Woolnoth, UK.:

JOHN NEWTON, Clerk [preacher]
Once an infidel and libertine
A servant of slaves in Africa,
Was, by the rich mercy
of our Lord and Saviour
JESUS CHRIST,
restored, pardoned and
appointed to preach
the Gospel which he had
long laboured to destroy.
He ministered,
Near sixteen years in Olney, in Bucks,
And twenty eight years in this Church.

I think there’s a lot more to learn from John Newton..

there's power

When I close my eyes and shut out all distractions, I can release all my tension and stress.  This time is one of worship and praise and prayer, this time is to bow down before my God.  I pray each day that I will trust God to use me to make a difference and that my life will honor Him. 

It’s a journey, it's a journey on my knees, until I meet Him face to face. . .  

There's a song I like named 'On My Knees' by Jaci Velasquez

This portion has great meaning to me:

I get on my knees!

I get on my knees!

There I am before the Love
That changes me
See I don't know how
But there's power
When I'm on my knees

quick quotes

Step by step, prayer by prayer, the Lord will always get you there.
~Unknown

Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door.

~Unknown

Calmness is the way we show that we are trusting in God.

~Unknown