What am I holding on too?

Did you ever wonder what controls you? What you really want out of life? What you are holding on to? I got a new look at the story of the Rich Young Ruler in Mark 10:17 this morning. How many times have I read that and easily said, that's not me. I am not rich. I don't hold on to money. Poor guy, why didn't he see that Jesus was more important than his riches.

But there is more to that message than just money. Now I need to put some other word in there besides money. What am I holding on to? Is it to be a great author? Or maybe known for speaking? Maybe I just want to be important? Humm. It is interesting to stop and think about this. Nobody can answer this question but me. I have to step back and look in my soul and see what really does control me. I need to listen for the voice of God, to see me as he sees me, and to be honest with myself.

Jesus' reply to the young man was "One thing you lack, Go sell everything you have and give to the poor. Then come follow me." I think his reply to me is "Go get rid of what is controlling you and come follow me." Now the choice is mine as it was the young man's. Humm. I never saw this message in these verses before but there it is. Yes, Jesus I want to follow you and be useful to you. Cleanse me and use me for your service according to your agenda. I open my hands and lift up my arms and give myself to you.

I want to do what you want me to do.
I want to say what you want me to say.
I want to go where you want me to go.
I want to be what you want me to be.
I want to give what you want me to give.
You are my God, my King!

Blessings,

Donna

What Are Your Thoughts?

Okay, I have been blogging for a couple of weeks now. Evidently you have read some of these or at any rate are tuned in today. I would appreciate it if you would read a couple and add your comment at the bottom on the right. I could use your ideas, your thoughts, your advice, because I have discovered (years ago) that I'm not perfect. :-)
I am hoping to be perfect when I enter that Pearly Gate but it won't happen before then.

So what are your thoughts?

Blessings,

Donna

God Has His Purpose (of course)

It's a week later and now I realize God's purpose in sending Joshua here. This is just another example of how big our God is and how small our world is. God doesn't worry about distance or language or time. He sees us and wants the best for us regardless, and then he works it out. What love, what concern, what tender care from Almighty God, creator of the Universe, and he loves even you and me.

In this past week Joshua has learned much about American culture and how we do things. We do them differently, not better or worse, than they do in India, just different, our way. In India the more important you are, the later you can show up for a meeting. Not so here. And of course they drive on the other side of the road. And there are many other differences too. But in their culture and in ours, and in all others, relationships are the most important thing we have. Joshua now has some great relationships here in the U.S. and he also values even more fully the precious relationships he has back home in India.

This reminds me of my precious relationships. My most precious relationship is with my Abba Father. What a privilege to call him Abba and to have his love over me every day, every hour, every where.

I also have a wonderful family and I want those relationships to always be foremost in my heart and mind. And my special friends! Wow! The Lord gave me you and I cherish all of these too. Relationships. Yes, at church, at the grocery I regularly go to, at my favorite restaurant, at the bank I use, I have special relationships. These are in different degrees but they are there and I thank the Lord for giving them to me in all these places.

My relationship with Samuel and Prati in India is why I am going over in November for their son's Danny's wedding. I will also get to see Joshua again and so many of the people from previous trips.

My relationship with my extended family will be renewed when I go to Oklahoma in October. I plan to see my Uncle Tom, whom I haven't seen for years and is in a nursing home. He is first on my list along with my cousin Chet and his wife Maureen. Who knows how long they or I will be around to enjoy each other and to cherish all that has been given us.

Yes, Joshua's coming has helped him value relationships and also helped me value mine. We all need to remember those around us and what each one means to us. And our relationship with Jesus Christ is to be stronger and more precious each and every day. This reminds me that Jesus is always available for time with me. I have to be sure I am available for him.

Blessings,

Donna

One of God's Surprises

For several years now my prayer each morning has been, "Okay Lord, what do you have in store for me today?" There were often very interesting encounters. Sometimes wonderful opportunities. Occasionally things beyond my expectations. And sometimes there was nothing unusual at all. This last Tuesday I prayed that prayer again and by noon had a very interesting surprise.
My phone rang and I discovered it was Joshua from India. Of course I know Joshua. He is Samuel Stephens brother whom I met many years ago. He has a ministry similar to Samuel's in the area of Banglalore. Well, Joshua was in Indianapolis and he told me he had been praying about coming to the United States and when a lady in India gave him the funds to come, he felt this was the Lord's answer. He had my phone and he knew how I had helped Samuel and not realizing that I was no longer doing that nor involved in Project Partner or any ministry of that nature, he came asking for help in finding partnerships for his ministry called Arms Open.

I really didn't know what to do or where to start but I knew that if the Lord had made a way, I was to help him all I could. I immediately got help from Tim Broyles and Andrew Gale at Church at the Crossing and then the Lord gave me a couple to house him and a friend that was willing to drive him to various places. That was a tremendous help.

So far, we have been able to introduce him to a group of mission pastors, attend the Overseas Council meeting last night, and a meeting of mission leaders tomorrow morning. I also have a call to a pastor in Kansas that might be able to be of major help to him.

My prayer now is "Okay, Lord, how do you want me to help him and where do I start?" I do want to be a partner with the Lord in this and not a hinderance. Therefore, I am asking you, my friend, to pray with me about this that much good for the Kingdom will come through God divine appointments and his plans for each day while Joshua is here.

This does make each day exciting and filled with expectancy as to what the Lord is going to do today. I'll keep you informed. And if you have any ideas, let me know. Dthomas29@indy.rr.com

My Bucket List

Several friends had told me about the movie Bucket List. Just from their conversation I got the basic idea and started thinking about it. This week I finally rented the movie to see it for myself and it carries quite a story.

Of course it is secular and there are words I don't approve of but the overall idea can also be gleaned from the scriptures. It is basically what do you want to do before you die? What is of vital importance to you? And what legacy do you want to leave behind?

Having caught this idea of a Bucket List from a friend, I started thinking about my own. The fellows in the movie wanted to go to see the Taj Mahal, the pyramids, the great wall of China, Hong Kong, and a host of other places. Well, thinking about all those places I grabbed my pencil and paper and started listing all the places like that where I have already been. I have quite a list and have actually done all those things. Mine were side trips however, while doing what the Lord had me doing in these various countries. (A special blessing from the Lord)

Now for my list for my future. One of the first things I put on my list was taking all my kids to a dude ranch in Colorado for a week. Now that isn't exactly cheap. But with the assurance of my son Paul that it could be done, I did it. Yes, last July we were altogether at the North Fork Dude Ranch. One of the neat things about that was the communion, the bonding, the enjoyment we experienced. It was a great fantastic and wonderful week. And I can now mark that one as done.

I am working on more on my list, writing things down, and seeing when I can accomplish them. Just this alone gives me hope and vision for the future in a new and different way. Amazing. I was talking to a young man this morning about his purpose of life and his future. He doesn't have a written list but he is beginning to work on one. One of the things he can now mark off is that he has quit smoking. Of course he is proud of that. Another is that he is learning to take care of his health. And another that is growing in importance to him is his desire to know the Lord better and become a disciple of Jesus Christ. Pretty good list, wouldn't you say?

Okay, I am still adding to my list and working on it. Have you considered a list for yourself? Actually this is fun, exciting, and adds a special joy to each day. Try it and see what you think.

Blessings,

Donna