A Woman of Noble Character

Ok...So my quote for today is not even on my blog! But I loved this one and feel like I should point you to this very excellent blog! Enjoy!

Match Made in Heaven

Faithful in Loss

Well, I'm just about finished with Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God.

One more section left. It's titled...

Faithful in Loss

Each of the Women I've read about thus far have been an inspirational challenge to me.

Faithful in the Mundane

Faithful in Weakness

Faithful in Humility

Faithful in Suffering

I'm so overwhelmed by their examples, that, for now, I can read no further. I'm just pondering. Applying. Looking.

And now...

Faithful in Loss

While I have not read the woman in the book's story yet, I was recently acquainted with a very human example of the faithfulness of one woman and her family in the midst of great suffering and loss. I hope that you are as struck, sober, and challenged as I was.

The Audrey Caroline Story

Rest

All you who are weary and burdened
Come to me
Find rest for your souls

Take my yoke...
learn from my gentle humble heart
and find the rest for your souls!

because...
working with me is easy and light!


and as I have found
a joy filled surrender of perfect peace
and rest!

A Melissa Paraphrase of Matthew 11:28-29 with an ending thought

A Quote Revisited

"...unable to bear the sight of a congregation of a thousand or more Christian people rejoicing in their own security, while millions were perishing.......

the Lord conquered my unbelief, and I surrendered myself to God for this service. I told Him that all the responsibility as to issues and consequences must rest with Him; that s His servant, it was mine to follow Him - His, to direct, to care for, and to guide me and those who labor with me."

Hudson Taylor

Ordinary....

Well, I have to say I am absolutely exhausted and not sure how clear any of this will be!

BUT!

Quiet is not my thing!!!

Surprised!?

OH...Yeah, you already knew that, huh?!

Alright! Alright! All kidding and joking aside, I love to talk! I love to hear myself talk! Yeah, I even think I'm something special. And your right on to think...What a jerk!

Not a very pleasant thing to discover about ones self, but like it says in Hebrew 12, discipline may not be pleasant, but a loving Father faithfully prunes away what is dead to bring forth the vibrant life of righteousness! That is something to get excited about!

OK. OK. What does any of this have to do with the title "Ordinary"? I don't know...I was just talking!

No, seriously, I've been so blessed to be reading the blogs posted on the right one of which belongs to Noel Piper. I've been reading her book "Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God".

In the introduction Mrs. Piper explained that she originally planned to the the book "Ordinary Women and their Extraordinary God". That is until a husband complained that he could never give his wife something that insinuated that she was only ordinary!

But I agree with Mrs Piper when she says there is something extremely comforting in knowing that God uses ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary tasks!

She quotes Jim Elliot as saying "Missionaries are very human folks just trying doing what they're asked. Simply a bunch of nobodies trying to exalt Somebody."

And as Mrs. Piper points out, each of the women in her book was an ordinary woman. But these women "...had an extraordinary God who enabled them to do extraordinary things. And He is the same today for us. "Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8)"

He is the same today....The same God who can take my weakness, frailty, and inability, and work through it for His Ultimate glory!

Oh praise Him!

A Quote Revisited

"The plea of destitution is even stronger than that of opportunity.
Opportunism is not the last word in Missions. The open door beckons;
the closed door challenges him who has a right to enter."

Samuel Zwemer

The Hard Questions

Am I ready to give up everything....to die to selfish ambition....to even die to this physical life, if need be....

Am I ready to die for the sake of the cross? To count the cost of bearing the cross...the one that God has willed and planned for me? Am I willing?

It's hard to say that I am willing to die. I want to live! Death seems scary.

I'm no saint. Things scare me. Being alone. Being in pain. Suffering. Fighting. Guns. Dogs. Being unliked...rejected....Loosing someone I love....

...dieing

And yet...when we are called to follow our Master, we are asked to count the cost...to leave everything we hold dear...everything that is valuable to us. To be willing for whatever our faithfulness might bring.

Have you ever read in Hebrews 11 about the great men (and women!) of the faith. Abraham! Moses! Sarah! They all won great victories.

Ever read to the end....those who were counted faithful in death. Burned at the stake....sawn in sunder...suffering...dieing!

But counted faithful and entered into the hall of faith....by the ONE who was FAITHFUL even in their death. The ONE who was VICTORIOUS even in their death!

Oh Friends! Loved ones! Its a high calling this life of faith. Are you willing? Are you ready?

He is faithful and victorious no matter what....as my next post will expound on...He is not looking for extraordinary ability. Only ordinary people willing to trust in an Extraordinary God that His extraordinary purposes might be seen within our frail lives.

Please do not waste your lives living for vain and trivial pursuits! Please don't live for the moment only to regret it in eternity! There is only one thing of true value and worth. It will take dieing to have it...but oh! it is so worth it! It truly is the pearl of great price! Jesus Christ and His Eternal Kingdom!

He's Alive!

He's alive guys!

Really! Truly Alive! Living! Breathing! Victorious!

Friends, do you know this?

NO! I don't mean just mentally assenting...do you know in your heart of hearts...the reality....is it alive to you that ....HE IS ALIVE!


Come on church! Shouldn't we be excited about this? Shouldn't we be passionate about this? Or hearts should just be overflowing with rejoicing! Our Savior! Our Lover! Our Master! is living!!!

Go now quickly to the the garden with Mary Magdalene, she who had just a few nights before washed of the feet her master with her tears and aromatic perfume!

See where they laid Him! Weep for the loss of Him who had your whole heart - all your love!!!!

And then the heart break suddenly exploding into joy so full ...your heart hurts even more!

HE'S ALIVE!

HE'S ALIVE!!!

HE'S ALIVE Saints!!!!

Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise Him!

Lift up your voice! Cry aloud! Our God's Alive!


VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!