CHRISTMAS ... Remembering the Reason...

I’m sitting under a brilliant blue sky, enjoying the warm sun. Huge birds are flying overhead. A donkey just made its funny noise and children are playing a game of soccer in a nearby field. A light breeze brings smells of spices and roasting coffee.

 

 

 

Is it really the Christmas season????

 

Having grown up in the mid-west part of the USA, the Christmas season was in full array by this mid- December date. Temperatures would now be cold. Stores decorated in reds and greens. Houses displaying colorful Christmas lights. Stores would be bustling with shoppers and Christmas music helping to set the atmosphere. Special hot chocolate drinks and coffees and candles, candies/pastries would be tempting.

 

 

Are these the things we now most associate with Christmas?

 

Many love the season and the generosity and hospitality that seems more evident.

 

But what is the true meaning of Christmas and why do we celebrate? Has the real message, the real meaning been lost?

 

Christmas is when we remember and celebrate the greatest gift ever given. A gift from God to us, the gift of Jesus, His son, paying for sin. We were separated and condemned, unable to reconnect with God and unable to be free- to live in relationship with God and live into our life purpose.

 

But God did the unthinkable. Creator entered creation to redeem us, a people, a family, for His own and His glory.

 

 

What an undeserved, unfathomable gift!!!! But do we remember He did this?

 

Can people still see that He came? Can they still hear this amazing story and truth as they enter churches this holiday season? Past the decorations and lights, can they hear the story of what was done, can they see the evidence of this gift being given? 

 

It won’t be the lights, the food, the coffee, the decorations- that will tell the story. For God’s family is not a building decorated. It’s a people- whose lives have been altered by the life-giving and life-changing power of Jesus Christ. It’s the people whose lives will reflect their King and His gift.

 

Can people see Him in us? May it be so!!!! And may this love, this change, be so attractive, that others will want the gift too!

 

In ten days, I will travel home for Christmas. As I pass through the hustle and bustle of airports and holiday traffic, I will be remembering Jesus. I'm so thankful for Him. For giving His life for mine. For giving me a purpose and a place in His family. The chance to know Him and love Him and serve Him and spend forever with Him!!! May we celebrate Him and honor Him this holiday season.  May we not forget He is the gift we celebrate!!!!

 

This writing helps give perspective...

 

ONE SOLITARY LIFE…

He was born in an obscure village

The child of a peasant woman

He grew up in another obscure village

Where he worked in a carpenter shop

Until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him

He never wrote a book

He never held an office

He never went to college

He never visited a big city

He never travelled more than two hundred miles

From the place where he was born

He did none of the things

Usually associated with greatness

He had no credentials but himself

He was only thirty three

His friends ran away

One of them denied him

He was turned over to his enemies

And went through the mockery of a trial

He was nailed to a cross between two thieves

While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing

The only property he had on earth

When he was dead

He was laid in a borrowed grave

Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone

And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race

And the leader of mankind's progress

All the armies that have ever marched

All the navies that have ever sailed

All the parliaments that have ever sat

All the kings that ever reigned put together

Have not affected the life of mankind on earth

As powerfully as that one solitary life

by Dr James Allan Francis © 1926

 

 

Let's not forget Jesus this holiday season. He changed and is changing EVERYTHING!

 

Luke 2:10-11

Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!

 

Prayer Requests

-Please pray a strong finish for me for my ETC semester. I have two exams to give this week and final grades to turn in. What an honor it has been to be part of the ETC staff and team and to get to help build the current and future church leaders of Ethiopia.

 

 

-Please pray for me as I continue teaching at Hope- that I can handoff my teaching load and prepare students for my return in January- and that God will also help me with a good finish to this semester in late January. I've loved my time helping with Student Parliament and also with my Bible study students! 

 

Culture Day, November 2016

-Please pray for my travel- for safety for the holidays.

-Please pray for my time at home with my family. Though the time will be short, please pray we can rest and enjoy each other as we celebrate Jesus and this past year, 2016.

-Please pray for support I need to raise while I’m home for supplies and airfare. If you’d like to give to that, let me know.

-Please pray for my return in January. Quickly I will be starting a new semester at ETC. Please pray that I can be ready. Also, I will have to process my work permit the day after I return, please pray for that process.

 

Hope to see and/or connect with you many of you while I’m home!

 

Thank you for helping me continue here with your support and prayers!!

 

With a grateful heart, from Ethiopia…  BLESSED HOLIDAY TIME TO YOU!

 

Make Me Like A Palm Tree ...

In so many places around Addis, the capital city of Ethiopia where I live and work, are palm trees. They line the streets and back alleyways. And they tower over things, slender and graceful, almost regal.

Recently I read a passage in the Bible that talked about being like a palm tree- and that brought them into focus even more…

Psalm 92:12-15

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree ….planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming,  “The Lord is upright, He is my Rock … “

Having recently passed another birthday and still wanting to “bear fruit” as time continues to go by, I researched a bit more on palm trees… and their characteristics… and God challenged me in that with some questions back about my own life … 

PALM TREES GROW UPRIGHT… they always seem to be facing up.

Is my focus always “up,” on God? Is my perspective for my day and my life gained by looking at Him first and most? Or is my focus quickly diverted from God to other things? There is ONLY ONE who can tell me which way to go and fulfill the deepest longings of my soul.  Am I steady in a position of worship and praise and trust in His direction?

 

 
My I grow upright in my God, my eyes and heart fixed on Him always…

Romans 12:1-2

…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

2 Corinthians 4:18

We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen… for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Colossians 3:1-2

Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated…Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things…

PALM TREES ARE GREEN IN ALL SEASONS AND ARE NOT AFFECTED BY DROUGHT

Am I? Am I nourished enough and rooted into God enough- that no matter what circumstances come- I show a freshness, an energy, a hope, a joy- fruit that comes from being in Jesus?

Or do I look stale and dying, withered by drought and fatigue? In times of drought- maybe in times of extreme loneliness or long periods of closed doors – does my faith falter? Or do I stay green and healthy, able to flourish even in desert times, like a palm tree?

Am I giving a fresh word to people from God? Or is it a thing of the past? 

Is there a spring in my step, a song in my heart? Am I discouraged about getting older, or do I actually feel younger, more spiritually fit than ever before? Is inner beauty growing? It can. If I’m rooted in God, allowing Him to pour Himself into me- to water my soul and satisfy my thirst- I can share that with others. 

May I be green in ALL seasons and not affected by drought …

 

Isaiah 58:11

…The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

John 15:1-5

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener… remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. If you remain in me, you will bear much fruit…

Philippians 4:11-13; 19

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. … God will meet all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

PALM TREES ARE KNOWN TO BEND, but NOT BREAK

I was trying to watch the news and see video, pictures, of the recent hurricane that hit Haiti as it was happening. Several videos I viewed showed palm trees literally seeming to bend in half at the force of the winds.

But the palm trees weren’t breaking. And they were still standing after.

 

When wind comes or storms in life, does my faith break, my confidence in God?

When I’m stressed or overwhelmed, do I give up or press on, hold on, rooted deep?

Sometimes I feel like I could break because there is too much to do. Other times, I feel broken because of myself- mistakes I’ve made. Other times, I’ve felt broken by others or just because of life’s circumstances.

But God can help us withstand anything or anyone we face.  We may bend, but God can help us not to break.

2 Corinthians 4: 7-9

… we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Matthew 7:24-25

Everyone who hears these words of mind and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

PALM TREES SHOW PROOF OF A WATER SOURCE

If we’re truly grounded in God, our lives should show proof of a living water source. Do people see Jesus in me … that He is flowing in me and working in me? Or do they see someone whose source is self or culture?

May my life point people to the only source of living water!

 

Psalm 1

Blessed is the one whose delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law He meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

John 4

Everyone who drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. …

 BUT… I’M NOT LIKE A PALM TREE…

You might say, Holly, I’m not like a palm tree for whatever reason…. I’m not focused on God. I’m in a drought. I’m tired and weary. I feel broken. I’m not able to stand tall. I don’t think others can see Jesus and His living water in my life. So many times, we get there it seems.

But the good news for us all is that doesn’t have to be the end of the story for me or you. God is always calling us to return. He’s willing and able to uproot us from where we need uprooted from and replant us in Him. We just need to call on Him…repent, and allow Him to begin to renew and restore us… and grow us into beautiful palm trees. He is able!

Joel 2:12-13

Even now, return to me with all your heart…rend your heart, return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love…

Jeremiah 30-31

I am with you and I will save you… I will restore you to health…I will build you up again… they will come and shout for joy…they will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more… there is a hope for your future…

Isaiah 40

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. … those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar… they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

It’s interesting in Scripture that most of the people used in great ways by God first passed through the desert, a time when they didn’t feel like a palm tree. When brokenness, disaster, fatigue, loss of focus, sin, self… was the dominant characteristic of that person’s life.

But in humility and repentance, renewal and beauty came. God grew palm trees of these lives and examples that we can all learn from.

May our lives also tell a unique and beautiful palm tree story!

Onward!

Prayer Requests…

-I can’t believe its early November. This fall season is speeding by. I have 260 students this semester between the two schools. Please pray that I have good creativity, good stamina and good time management- but mostly that I can stay planted in God, nourished and green and healthy in Him, maximizing all opportunities in and out of the classroom to share about Him.

 

-Ethiopia continues to be under a “state of emergency” with social media still largely blocked. Things seem much more peaceful than they were even just a month ago. But please pray for the leadership of the country and good governance and peace to prevail for this beautiful people and land.

-Please pray for the USA and our presidential election this coming week. We’re praying here and the world is watching.

-Please keep my Mom, Dad and sister in prayer. I praise God they have this time together. Please pray good health for them. Pray for my sister that as she works at our home church in missions, that her heart will stay encouraged.  I’m so honored to have this family of mine!!!

-Please keep my students and staff teams here in prayer. Also, our ETC staff- as we’ve moved forward with a building project- that God will bring in the funds needed to finish the new building so we can continue to equip churches.  This past week, we traveled to the building project and stood on the foundation, literally in the walls, and prayed a miracle of funding and blessing on the land.  I’m so honored to be part of this team of incredibly humble servants of God!

 

 

I do plan to come home at Christmas/New Years for a few weeks. I will need to fundraise before then for my ticket home and for supplies to be bought there for my return. Also, I will need to find more monthly supporters. If God leads you to give one time or to join my monthly support team, please let me know and I can give more information.  For those of you currently giving monthly, thank you so much. For those who have given one time, thank you so much. I’m grateful to you all and wouldn’t be here without your support and prayers!

God bless you this month of November. Thanksgiving is soon, I hope to post another blog again before then.

Much love from Addis,

Holly

 

Learning to Lean ... Thoughts for a New School Year, Fall 2016

I left Ethiopia for a few short weeks...

My time at home for a break in America sped by but was so refreshing. I had time to relax with my parents and sister- they are so great! And I also enjoyed some of the things that are really a luxury for most of the world- things like paved streets, running water, consistent power-electricity, high speed internet, bath tubs and showers with soft water, such a big variety of things to choose from in supermarkets, and clean swimming areas. Oh, and did I mention already trying on clothes, the loveliness of  AC , and the yumminess of ice cream? Ha ha. So nice. 


our adorable parents :-)

my Mom and Sister

B and A :-)

poolside, USA

ICE CREAM!!!!

I also had the privilege of speaking to individuals and to groups and classes about Ethiopia. What a blessing to see family and friends and our church family and to share about what God has been teaching me in Ethiopia.  There are always so many stories to share!

Someone asked me what had changed most about my communication style since living in Ethiopia for the past several years. Communication has always been a big part of my life and education background, public speaking, teaching and writing are my favorites. But the way I communicate now and how I now plan has definitely changed. Before, I memorized word for word every teaching, every talk, every lesson and I would spend hours practicing. But now that’s impossible. With the amount of teaching I do and the hours I teach, I just have to work more from an outline and go with the flow, without being so scripted. Scary...  but it was a necessary change and actually brought more freedom.

 

But by far the bigggest thing that I’ve realized most about communication and really living overall on “mission,” is the real impact you can have comes from what you lean on as you speak, teach ,love others and live.

For most of my life, I leaned on ME- my own strength. I would rely on my own skill as a communicator, for example, to be effective. And though sometimes that would end up being okay and maybe even very good- at the end of the day- when I leaned on my own strength, it wouldn’t have the power or impact it could have had.  My skill was without a spiritual edge. My insight too narrow. My love too shallow.

We’re often taught to do things out of our strength.  But what God has been teaching me is that when I reach back and touch my dependency on Him- when I lead from and love from that relationship-that’s when real impact happens. The first big evidence is that genuine humility is displayed which is good salt. Then I believe this lean into your relationship with God is the invitation He waits for to use your gifts for His glory. It’s when you’re teaching, preaching, serving and loving others can take on a whole new level that leaves an impact for eternity. 

When you don’t do things because of you or for you or by you; but it becomes of Him, for Him, and by Him. That’s when timely words are given, divine appoints happen, and God does amazing things through your words and actions.

If you serve in weakness, love others in weakness, teach and preach in your weakness, ...

but lean on God in that weakness- that’s when God can use the most ...

Paul seemed to get this…

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak; then I am strong.

It’s also what turned unlearned guys, Jesus’ disciples, into world changers:

Acts 4:13

Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.

So if you’re tired or stressed from teaching or preaching, or maybe feel no energy or passion to love others or lead others- take heart. Lean into your weakness, acknowledge it, then plant your feet firmly into your relationship with God- lean into that- and watch Him change you to be like Him- and do amazing things in you and through you!

May we remember to lean on God. And may this be our greatest season yet as we follow Him with courage where He leads us!!!

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Zechariah 4:6

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord.

Onward!

Prayer Requests

-A new semester has started at ETC (the Evangelical Theological College).  I have two freshmen Study Technique classes, a Missions class, and a Youth Ministry class. Please keep those in prayer.  It’s about 80 students so far.

-I have agreed to help cover one additional class at ETC until their teacher arrives, 5 extra hours of teaching a week, about 40 extra students. Pray for the month of September- that I can manage that, though being busy.  It's an honor to be part of this school and helping to equip the church here in Ethiopia!

-Hope College is still on break time but will begin back in early October. Pray for my role at the school and how best to also add that into my schedule.

-Pray for my time of adjustment and catching up with students, staff, many of whom have just returned from break time or on still on break- that God will continue to build these relationships.

-Happy New Year to Ethiopia- on September 11. It will be 2009! Ha ha. Seven years behind our calendar which helps my age! May this be the greatest year yet for Ethiopia- may peace be here and God be lifted high and his Kingdom expanded! Amen!

Thank you so much for your prayers!

HOME STRETCH

Well, I’m in the “home stretch” of another school year here in Ethiopia. My Bible College semester is done. And I’m down to one final stack of papers to grade and one final exam to give at Hope College and that will be it- for teaching at two schools here in Addis Ababa for another year.

What a great honor and privilege it continues to be to live and work here in Ethiopia. To get to pour my life into some of the most amazing students and learn from some of greatest and most humble people I know. 

 

 

 

 

LOOKING BACK… on this past year here in Ethiopia, what have I learned?

God has again taught me so much. I’ve learned more about Him- … about His power, His protection, His provision, His love. He’s continued to show me that in my weakness- He is strong and where I lack- He does not. He fills my gaps. God is more about building my character than my comfort. And I’m grateful again for the journey, the opportunities He’s given me to be stretched and to grow in my relationship with Him.
 

I was thinking about this current “home stretch” for me and how it’s felt like a lot. Too much at times. It’s interesting how that last distance you have to go in a season can be the hardest, when you just have to take one more deep breath, put your head down, and give all you have to get it done. It’s a stretch and a reach deep.  We all have home stretches- last seasons or semesters before a break or a vacation or a change. Often, not easy.
 

And in general, life has many times and seasons that stretch us.  Stretching can be painful.

It’s funny, one of my goals in physical fitness for myself in this year is to stretch more. It’s a big weakness of mine. I feel I’m in the best shape of my life, EXCEPT in stretching.
 

Stretching to me is not comfortable nor does it feel nice. Yet, I’ve learned if you don’t stretch- you won’t be able to move as quickly and with ease. You can also get injured.  So I need to stretch!
 

I believe it’s the same in our relationship with God. We need to allow God to stretch us. We often become still or comfortable. We don’t like stretching because it’s outside of what feels comfortable or easy. But to get stronger, to stay mobile and flexible, we have to stretch.

 

I so much in every way want to be at my best for God as I continue on my journey with Him. I don’t want to become still or stagnant. I want my weak areas, to become strong. I want to be able to go anywhere for God, do anything. With trust in the stretch position He asks me to do.  Will I allow Him to push me into a deeper stretch than I thought possible? I believe God is wanting to constantly stretch us- for our faith to expand, our influence for Him to lengthen.  

Isaiah 54:2-5; 14; 17

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; … do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. … For your Maker is your husband- the Lord Almighty is His name… In my righteousness you will be established; tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. … no weapon formed against you will prevail, … this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me.

God often asks us to do things just beyond what we can do, so we’re stretched, and He fills that space in ability or funding or skill- so He gets the glory. And again- we get stronger when stretched. God’s kingdom can expand.

Is God wanting to stretch you? Has He asked you to do something that’s just beyond you? To love an enemy? To serve a neighbor? To share your time, your money, with someone who needs it? To go on mission trip or be more involved in what God is doing in the world? Is He asking you to trust Him with something? To leave something? Or move somewhere? To let go of something? Or to open a new door? Then to hold that position for a time?

Whatever it is …. maybe it feels uncomfortable, it’s a stretch for you. But God’s leadership can be trusted. You can trust, that if God called it, He will bring you through it, He will hold you together and in place.  And you will actually come out stronger in life and faith, in prayer and in influence because of that stretch move.

 

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

… my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…so I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 4:19

My God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 41:9-10

I took you from the farthest corners of the earth … I said I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and will help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

May God continue to help us be stretched for His glory!   Onward!

Prayer Requests

-Please pray for my final weeks of wrapping up here- that I can finish my home stretch at Hope College, please pray students will also be successful on their exams. Pray for our graduation on July 23- that it will be a wonderful celebration time. And as student celebration trips happen in the next few weeks … that those will be a time a great reflection and time of thanks to God.

-Please pray as I even now begin to prepare for next semester and for a quick return and start back in mid-August- that a good schedule will come together for me for next year and that I can prepare as much as possible now.

-Please pray for continued good health in the next few weeks, it’s rainy season and cold now and is a time of common illness.

-Please pray for my safe travel to the USA on July 25 … that as I pass through airports and get on planes, that I will not fear about terrorism but will be peaceful and restful and that God will even use that time for me to share about Him and give testimony to other travelers.

-Please pray for a good few weeks of break time in the USA, that it will be a solid time of rest and also a good time in connecting with my family, supporters, and home church.  I praise God for my Dad, Mom and sister – that they are well and for my home church, Ginghamsburg.

-Please keep my fundraising for airfare and supplies in prayer- as I will need to raise support for my trip home and for my return. If God leads you to be part of my prayer-financial team, please let me know.

God Bless You and thanks for being with on this journey!

MIRE CHA ... Decisions...

I have been thinking the past several days about choices I’ve made and the impact they’ve had.

Every day, we’re making decisions. In Amharic, these are called “mire cha.”

Some choices are big, some are small.   Looking back on my life, there have been a million decisions I’ve made, paths I’ve chosen to go down or up.  Some have been good decisions, some have not.

To stay or leave. To start something or finish. To hold on or to let go. To buy this or that. To go here or there. To go the gym or to take it easy. To spend or to save. To sleep or to work. To move on or be still.  To pay attention to something now, or wait. 

Some decisions can change the course of your life forever.  What you decide today, does indeed often effect tomorrow.

So when you’re on life’s journey, how do you know which path to take? How can you make wise decisions?

We were having some discussion in some of my classes last week about choices.  I asked my students what they thought the biggest choices in life were. Some mentioned: what to study or major in; who to marry; and how to manage time. The biggest one most said was whether to follow God or not.  I agreed with that.

For the idea of choice started with God. He chose to create. He chose to make us like Him.  And to give us the amazing ability to have relationship with Him, to be part of His family and His redeeming work in the world. We have been chosen and are loved.

Genesis 1:26

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule…

Deuteronomy 7: 6-8

…the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number…but because the Lord loved you… he brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you

John 15:16

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last- …

Ephesians 1:4

…for He chose us in Him before the creation of the world …

1 Peter 2:9

You are a chosen people …

Yet, part of our uniqueness in how we we're made in God’s image is we have this ability to choose, we have free will. So, we don’t have to choose God back. We can do our own thing, go our own way. Make our own decisions.

That was a huge decision by God to give us that freedom. He could see ahead, that many would decide NOT to be with Him. NOT to trust His leadership- but to live their own way. Bringing sin and pain and destruction to the world He made.

BUT, God valued voluntary devotion, He wanted people who would choose to love Him and know Him and follow Him- not because they were made to, but because they wanted to. So, we have choice. Decisions to make.

Choosing to be in relationship with God IS the biggest choice you’ll ever make.

You can either live with Him and with His help or without.   If you chose to be with Him, - you have to know and understand Jesus and what He did for you. He paid the way for you to have relationship with God. What an amazing gift this is that changes everything about life. The Bible says, apart from Jesus, we’re dead in our sin, unable to have relationship with God. But, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. He is the way to God and the payment for our sin.  We have to decide to believe in and accept this gift or not…

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

John 14:6

I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.

1 John 4:10

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins

If we accept this gift, decide to be in relationship with God, then He stands ready and willing and always there to help us in the decisions we make in life.

But we often do our own thing, don’t we? We act quickly. Or too slowly. We lean on our own ideas. Or lean on the advice of maybe Google or our friends, before asking for God’s wisdom.

This is great scripture to consider in making decisions, because again, decisions impact us, others, and the future. So we must take care and act wisely.

 

Another thing God reminded me recently about choice had to do with invasion. Ants invaded my home, literally. Now, I didn’t choose to let them in, they just came in. They covered one of my walls near an electrical socket. It was weird and I couldn’t get them to go away. I tried everything people suggested- but they just kept coming in and coming back. Some people said- just choose to let them be. They are harmless. It’s Africa.

Ummmm. Not a fan of crawling things in my home. It would have to be them or me. J

So my choice in responding to the invasion was to figure out how to get rid of them, for good.

 

Thankfully, one of my neighbors had American-made bug spray and I felt like the weapon I had was the right one. Then, I looked for the source.  I found what looked like the nest- outside on the wall behind my home. Then I sprayed almost a whole can all over the ants and that nest.

Well, the choice was a good one and the right one. It finished them and the nest. And they didn’t come back. And haven’t been back since. I was thankful.

the "remains" of my ant invasion

That experience had me thinking about choices we have to make if an “invasion” is happening in our lives. What invades us? Attacks? There are things from the outside and things from the inside.

There are fears, insecurities, doubt, and depression. There is laziness. Fatigue. There’s disappointment, discouragement, mismanagement, persecution. There’s sickness, disease, death of those we love. There are troubles. There is sin.  We’re being invaded more than we know.

And of course, Satan is lurking like a lion- wanting to deceive us and devour us. We must choose to fight whatever invades us, our families, our homes, our churches, our country, with the right weapon. It’s a choice to fight or not to.  And it’s recognizing the source and taking care of it for good, at its core.

Ignorance of the problem, sleep, medication- short term remedies- are not solutions to invasion. We have to figure out the core or source of the invasion and knock it out. Wipe out its power. Wipe out it's doorway into our lives.

 

And the biggest weapon we have to fight with is PRAYER- connection to God. We can fight and win!

Are you being invaded… then fight, make war on the floor in prayer.  Get in your prayer room, war room, and get the strategy, the energy, the courage, the ability to stand up and fight.   Victory has already been won. We have to remember our Risen King and walk in the authority and power of our identity in Him!  We must make a decision to not settle or be defeated. We must run towards our big God dream and not be held back or stomped down. 

Isaiah 54:17

No weapon formed against you shall prevail … this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord …

2 Corinthians 10:4

The weapons we fight with are not of this world, on the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds.

Ephesians 6:10-18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

May we lean on God's leadership in the decisions/choices that we face- knowing He can help us and wants to! And that invasions can be stopped by the power of our God.

 

May we seek Him always through all of life's mire cha! Amen!

Isaiah 48:17

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Jeremiah 6:16

This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls

Matthew 16:34

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Joshua 24:15

Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve….

Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight

Proverbs 4:26

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.

Deuteronomy 5:32-22

So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

May the choices we make honor God always.  May we make the most of each day and not give up or be defeated!

Onward with you.

 Praises/Prayer Requests

-We celebrated Easter (Fasika) here last weekend, what a privilege it was to share in that time with Shalom Kenna, one of my Hope students, and her family. Praise God we have a risen Savior and King!  How wonderful to get to celebrate that holiday twice and every day to be thankful for what Jesus did and who He is for us.

 

-Happy Mother’s Day to my beautiful Mom- Rosie! My sister and Dad celebrated with her yesterday. She has also retired from work recently after 30 years. I’m so thankful for her life and example. I hope to still grow up to be like her. J

 

-Classes are back in session this week after some holiday time off. Please pray I can manage everything well and continue to be the best instructor I can be.

-ETC, the theology college, is in a new building project. Please pray that we can find partners for this great new initiative.  I’m humbled and honored to get to instruct at this college and help build up the church here. We have two weeks left of the semester, then finals week. may it be a strong finish.

 

-Rain has been frequent, very shocking for this early in the year. Please pray for good health, and for the rain overall- it makes things messy but parts of Ethiopia need it so much.  

 

Please let me know how I can pray for you as well!

Blessed month of May to you!