Thursday, May 30, 2013

I require it of thee...

The last couple of days I have been able, in the middle of a difficult time, to be still with the LORD for the first time in a while. Last week, at a friend’s house, God showed me that I needed solitude with Him. Like you, I know we need that but I also know we all get caught up in the distractions and storms of the moment. However, God not only showed me I needed it, He also made a way for me to have that time of solitude with Him.

His voice through His Spirit to my heart was clear. There are things I require of thee that I do not require of all my children. And I know that means there are things He requires of others that He does not require of me. Don't be confused here.... there are things He requires of all His children universally. But, individually, just like a real parent, He has to deal with each child differently. And like our children we often respond to God by saying, “Why do I have to do that ...so and so doesn't!”   

In the middle of this time with Him and this awareness I am thankful that His Love is so personal and that what He requires of me is what makes our relationship uniquely ours!

Is He requiring something of you that seems unfair, that you feel no one else has to do, that is hard and seems so impossible? Trust Him ... His Love and concern for your personal relationship with Him and spiritual growth are at the middle of this requirement!

Don't forget our North East Asia trip is 4 months out.  We so need your prayers and financial support as never before!!  Pray and ask God to direct your giving!!

Love you so much!!
His,

Vickie

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

That's what I'm talking about...


Last night our church family had our first 'Celebration Service' in our new expanded sanctuary.  Translated that means we had a sweet time of worship, a sweet message which was even more exciting because our associate pastor and Spanish pastor shared the message together!  Following that worship and message we had 30 people baptized. 

It was such a sweet time and the church was full as we celebrated the testimony of so many young and old having accepted the Good News of the Gospel.

But ...... there was one scene that touched my heart to the very core.  That scene was the little girl who was sitting and standing (whatever the circumstance required) in front of me.  Picture this cute little brown haired 6 or maybe 7 year old girl.  Curly locks of hair bouncing with total freedom about her face.  Black rimmed glasses with magnified lenses and the sweetest smile and spirit.

As her daddy stepped out during the last part of the message to get dressed for baptism along with the many others, the praise team began to sing "Here I Am To Worship".  The praise team, instruments, and the church were singing out, “Here I am to worship, here I am to bow down...”  All of a sudden, this little girl’s arms lifted up to the Lord in praise.  It was angelic as can be, no pretense, almost as if she was swept away in His presence and couldn't have not lifted her arms ...  Pure, innocent worship as if no one else existed.  My heart was so moved as I watched her worship our King!  Equally as sweet was the look on her face when her daddy came to sit down beside her after his baptism.

As I watched all this the verse from Psalm 8:2 ( NIV ) came to mind...

“From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.”

He inhabits the praise of His People!!  There is no room for the enemy where He is present!!

Is the enemy wearing you out?!  Praise HIM and silence the foe.

Love you all much,
His,
Vickie

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Sweet Time of Fellowship...


Friday night of last week I had the opportunity to speak at the Annual Women's Banquet of Stillwell Baptist Church, Clarksville, AR.   What a sweet group of women of all ages from the littlest smiles to the oldest smiles.  Their theme was “How beautiful are the feet of those that preach the Good News!" Romans 10:15   God gave me a precious word for them and myself. I am confident that I will "never" recall that passage in the same fashion ever again. It will always bring a picture of the parallel verse I laid the foundation with from Isaiah 52:7, " How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace who brings goodness of happiness, who proclaims salvation, who says, to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’"   I can see the runner, the proclaimer, the hearlder, running across the mountains and hills of Jerusalem bringing the good news that the children of Israel are being released after 70 years of captivity because of their disobedience to God even though He warned them and gave them every opportunity to turn back to Him before having to experience such terrible consequences.   But now they are free! 

I pray we all realize as believers we are the runners, proclaimers, and hearlders, that are to share the Good News that Jesus has come to set the captives free!  On both sides of the cross!  As Sinners separated from a loving God due to Adam and Eve's sin in the garden and or as a born again believer that has been in bondage to the lies of the enemy!   Jesus is the Good News!

Please continue to pray for us as we are locking in all the details for our North East Asia trip. We already have some missionary women that have contacted us and are so excited about this opportunity. Please start praying diligently about how God would have you be involved with this trip.

Hope this blog finds each of you having had a good Mother's Day.  For those of you that lost your moms this past year, my heart is tender for you.  For those of you that are moms that lost children this past year, my heart is tender for you. This I know...Moms are really something and life is hard for moms!  Being a mom is great and has its joys, but it is equally tough because a heart doesn't get much bigger than a mom's.  And this includes all grandmothers, sisters, aunts, friends, etc. that are acting in that role alongside others.

Hope all our Belize ladies are settling back into God's plans for the journey! Please know we continue to lift you in prayer.  Love hearing from you all! We love hearing from all of you that have ever attended a retreat.  When I hear from you girls it makes my heart smile.Just like I know it makes your hearts smile to hear from others. So, if you haven't made a missionary smile today, please do.

Running bare feet across the mountains…

His,
Vickie

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Gotta Love His Plans...

As I write these words today, I have just finished spending time following up with one of our Belize team members. After a retreat, it is interesting to hear from the hearts of team members what God was up to in their lives during the retreat and to get their input on the strengths and weaknesses of the ministry and my leadership, so we can always continue to do it better each time for His glory and for the sake of the kingdom!

Also, it is so fun to watch the missionary women themselves connecting back and forth after a retreat! And their feedback to our ministry is such an encouragement to stay the course!! I wish the whole team could fly back in for some of the luncheons and get together times the missionary women are planning in the future.

I love watching the connections that come as a result of the retreats. I still like watching the emails that have gone back and forth in the past from our group of women in Uganda who have tried to encourage each other as they stay in touch! The same goes for the women of the retreats in Prague and all the other countries in which He has given us the opportunity to love on and connect with women who participated in Pure Joy retreats.

We have begun preparation for our East Asia trip that takes place in the fall. Please pray as the team comes together. Also, pray for our staffing this week as we look into expanding our territory regarding Pure Joy. We want His wisdom and direction as we expand.

Please begin to pray about your part in giving toward this East Asia trip. Our sponsorship per missionary will increase for this particular trip, so, just pray and be obedient as the Holy Spirit leads. This I know: He is always faithful to provide for the needs of the missionary women. And I don't expect that to change other than to increase, because this is His ministry to the women, and we just get to be in on it!!! Praise God for the privilege to join Him in encouraging and loving on the body of Christ to propel one another forward for His glory, the salvation of souls!

Love you all much!

His,
Vickie