the team of 11 has arrived in peru safe and sound after 36 hours of not in a place to sleep, we were all thankful for bed last night. we are on our way to church with the boys from the home, and tomorrow the hard work will begin.
please continue to pray for our safety and our health and that God would use us to his glory.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sacrifice and Obedience
"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:34-37
Recently, these 2 words have often been on my mind. They are not words that create in me a feeling of comfort or joy. The words make me shrink away. I want comfort and I want things MY OWN WAY! But Jesus words are simple. He asks his followers to take up their cross and follow him. If we look to save our own life, we will lose it, but if we lose it for the sake of his good news, we gain it all.
So, what causes me to turn away from my fear of these words and run with joy towards a life of sacrifice and obedience? We need to rewind approximately 2000 years ago and look at the scaredy cats that made up Jesus' 11 followers. These men went from shivering and hiding, sending women to Jesus' tomb, to imprisoned, abused, rejected, and some, ultimately, murdered for the Gospel. The change came when they realized who Jesus was and what he had done.
When I recognize the weight of my sin spread against the magnificent backdrop of God's amazing grace and mercy, I am overwhelmed by the Father's deep love for me. It pushes me beyond myself, it finds me sacrificing and obeying when I may not want to do something. But first I have to remember all that has been done for me. The great love that has been poured out over me.
Recently, these 2 words have often been on my mind. They are not words that create in me a feeling of comfort or joy. The words make me shrink away. I want comfort and I want things MY OWN WAY! But Jesus words are simple. He asks his followers to take up their cross and follow him. If we look to save our own life, we will lose it, but if we lose it for the sake of his good news, we gain it all.
So, what causes me to turn away from my fear of these words and run with joy towards a life of sacrifice and obedience? We need to rewind approximately 2000 years ago and look at the scaredy cats that made up Jesus' 11 followers. These men went from shivering and hiding, sending women to Jesus' tomb, to imprisoned, abused, rejected, and some, ultimately, murdered for the Gospel. The change came when they realized who Jesus was and what he had done.
When I recognize the weight of my sin spread against the magnificent backdrop of God's amazing grace and mercy, I am overwhelmed by the Father's deep love for me. It pushes me beyond myself, it finds me sacrificing and obeying when I may not want to do something. But first I have to remember all that has been done for me. The great love that has been poured out over me.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Opportunities abound at PTM
Preston Taylor Ministries an afterschool and mentoring program, is in need of more volunteers for this school year. With the addition of a third site beginning this fall and the growing number of children throughout PTM programming, the need for volunteers is greater than ever. No matter what your experience level is, now is a great time to join the amazing staff of PTM volunteers. New Volunteer Orientation will be held on August 20th from 3:30-5:30 at PTM’s Hal and Martha Wilson Center. Veteran Volunteer Check-in will be on August 21st from 11:00-1:00. To register for one of these sessions, or for more information, please call Chan Sheppard at 596-4386.
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