From all of us at Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry...

 

Breaking Bread Together….

 

Finally, the Pure Joy International Staff was able to break bread together in person in an exclusive location of a dear friend.  It is the first time our ministry staff has been able to meet since January of this year.  Wow!  We have met through Zoom meetings, but it is not the same as being with each other and hearing each other’s hearts.  Time was spent in prayer for each other and for the future of the ministry.  God was so good to guide our hearts into focus and direction for the year ahead.  Having said that let me share a couple of things we are looking at going forward. 

We hope to be able to honor our trip scheduled for Portugal last year in the Spring by projecting a possibility of the Fall of 2021.  Counseling with missionaries overseas and stateside continue via all means possible.  In the meantime, the staff came up with a few good possibilities to keep ministering to our people group (missionary women) in some interesting ways.  First, however, it will require some leg work on our end.  We have set the end of January to get that accomplished.  So, please pray that God will make a way for us to get the information we need to move forward.  Also, pray for the staff, board, and advisors of Pure Joy International and their families.

To those of you that have asked us recently to investigate more ways to minister to you in the middle of all this craziness, keep us in your prayers and look forward to February.  If God allows this to come together it will be awesome!

 

In the meantime, be encouraged from these words of Jesus and the following thoughts.

John 14:27 (ESV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

When is the last time you have been stuck somewhere?  For many of you it was a traffic jam on the way to work today.  For others, it could be having to be quarantined for 5, 10, or 14 days, a job that you cannot afford to leave right now but there is no room to grow, a line at the grocery store, a delayed flight, etc.  The list of things that position us to be stuck at times is endless.  But the one word that accompanies being stuck is always the same “waiting”.

Talk about a word that stirs up a basket full of emotions.  Whew!  Waiting can trigger excitement, anticipation, frustration, anger, anxiety, fear, hopelessness, discouragement, etc.  The list is so long.

As believers we are “waiting” between time (this world) and eternity (timelessness).  Scripture tells us we are sojourners here, aliens, just passing through, this is not our home.  I suspect most believers have really have not thought about that much until this year. But with all the chaos of this world we may be reminding ourselves of that truth as a reminder during the “waiting”.  Now days being a sojourner passing through reminds us of His Sovereignty and this is not our home.

Again, take heart believer in these words from Jesus Himself...

John 14:27 (ESV)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

And let us not forget we have a mission while we are sojourning through this world.  Seek first His kingdom and righteousness, serve others, share the gospel, baptize, and make disciples.  So, do not be deceived into living in the horizontal of this world.  Live vertically and keep walking!

His,

Vickie

Thankful for you …

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you

As we head into this Thanksgiving Holiday, I want to say how thankful we are here at Pure Joy International for those of you that have continued to give faithfully to the ministry, through prayer, encouragement, and financially. 

Many of you know from your own experience and through your missionary daughters, sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends that overseas travel has been deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

We have many missionaries stateside in holding patterns for now.  We also have missionaries still on the ground in different countries, and Covid-19 has affected them, too, regarding ministry on the field.  We have missionaries that have come home for good because of the time lapse of not being able to renew passports, work visas, etc., and the list could go on and on.

All of this to say do not lose sight of our missionaries that God has called to the ministry of missions overseas.  They, too, are walking out the daily journey of how God would have them serve where they are.  So, as we continue to pray for family, friends and loved ones regarding this pandemic please remember to pray for our missionaries near and far.

On another note, the ministry of Pure Joy International has also been interrupted regarding overseas travel.  We highly suspect it will be the fall of 2021 before we are able to leave the country, if then.  In the meantime, we continue to provide counseling for our missionaries overseas and stateside.  We would ask you to pray with us as we seek the LORD on His continued plans for the ministry.  And may I ask you to include all missions’ ministries and organizations that travel internationally in those prayers.  If the consequence of Covid-19 has shown us anything it is that “people need the LORD”.  So much hopelessness among those that do not know Him and hard times, challenges, and difficulties among those that do.

I encourage all of us, keep walking we know the ending!

1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV)

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 

 

From: The Staff, Board, and Advisors of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry

To: You

     “Happy Thanksgiving 2020”

Thankful for you …

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) 

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

As we head into this Thanksgiving Holiday, I want to say how thankful we are here at Pure Joy International for those of you that have continued to give faithfully to the ministry, through prayer, encouragement, and fina1ncially. 

Many of you know from your own experience and through your missionary daughters, sons, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends that overseas travel has been deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

We have many missionaries stateside in holding patterns for now.  We also have missionaries still on the ground in different countries, and Covid-19 has affected them, too, regarding ministry on the field.  We have missionaries that have come home for good because of the time lapse of not being able to renew passports, work visas, etc., and the list could go on and on.

All of this to say do not lose sight of our missionaries that God has called to the ministry of missions overseas.  They, too, are walking out the daily journey of how God would have them serve where they are.  So, as we continue to pray for family, friends and loved ones regarding this pandemic please remember to pray for our missionaries near and far.

On another note, the ministry of Pure Joy International has also been interrupted regarding overseas travel.  We highly suspect it will be the fall of 2021 before we are able to leave the country, if then.  In the meantime, we continue to provide counseling for our missionaries overseas and stateside.  We would ask you to pray with us as we seek the LORD on His continued plans for the ministry.  And may I ask you to include all missions’ ministries and organizations that travel internationally in those prayers.  If the consequence of Covid-19 has shown us anything it is that “people need the LORD”.  So much hopelessness among those that do not know Him and hard times, challenges, and difficulties among those that do.

I encourage all of us, keep walking, we know the ending!

1 Chronicles 16:11 (ESV)

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! 

 

From: The Staff, Board, and Advisors of Pure Joy International Retreat Ministry

To: You

     “Happy Thanksgiving 2020”

 

Hmmm?

 

Luke 18:31-34 (ESV)
And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise” But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said. 

 The disciples did not understand what Jesus was sharing with them regarding His death and resurrection.  God’s word says, “it was hidden from them and they did not grasp what was said.” 

 Have you ever felt like God has hidden something from you and or is hiding something from you and or holding out on you?   Maybe He has not given you answers when you were/are sure that you would be fine if you just knew the answers?

 I suspect if we are honest, we have all felt that way at times.  May I encourage you to not lose sight of God as “Our Father”.  A father wants to protect his family from harm.  Just like a father and or mother measure the things they believe their children are capable of understanding or grasping developmentally God does the same with us.  We each are growing from the time we became a spiritual baby at our salvation experience until the present.

 John 1:12-13 (ESV) 

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

 So, maybe today instead of believing the lies the enemy Satan wants us to believe you could replace it with the truth that God knows all things and He knows just when to open our eyes to things around us and when not to because we couldn’t understand it and the enemy could use it for the purpose of fear, harm, discouragement, etc.

  

Regarding Pure Joy International…

We would ask you to please be praying with us as we step into the month of November.  It will be during this time that we believe God will begin to give us more direction about our travel overseas for 2021.  Please pray that God will speak clearly to us as a ministry and His good and pleasing will would become clear to us regarding His timing.

 

His,

Vickie

Grief/Grieving

 Usually when we hear the word grief/grieving, we associate it with the death of someone close to us.  But the truth is, people can experience grief for other reasons.  Any situation that causes the feeling of loss can result in a person experiencing grief. 

I believe we are in the “grieving” process as a nation and do not even realize it.  I believe we do not recognize we are grieving because “fear” is being promoted irrationally.  This does not mean there are not things we should fear.  It simply means it is out of balance. 

For those of you that do not know the stages of grieving I am listing them now with just a short definition of each which is only a breath of how much stuff could be identified for each stage. 

• Denial - The inability to accept the reality (truth) of the situation initially.  Knowledge (head) and emotions (heart) just do not connect.
• Anger – Lashing out blaming others, self, and even God for the loss.  What lies behind the anger/frustration is anxiety/fear.  Anxiety and fear cause us to feel out of control, not knowing what to do or how we will make it, what about kids, our home, etc. 
• Guilt – Usually has to do with “if I had only” statements. If I had only been there.  If I had been watching more closely.  If I had put more money in savings.  If we had gotten to the doctor sooner, etc. 
• Bargaining – This usually takes place when dealing with a terminally ill patient. In the case of a terminally ill person bargaining with God for more time. In the case of a parent bargaining with God to take them instead of their child, etc. This stage involves the hope that the person can avoid a cause of grief
• Depression - This stage brings on feelings of being overwhelmed, feeling hopeless/helplessness and belief that things will never get better.  This can result in loss of interest or desire for usual life activity, crying spells, anxiety, insomnia, loss of weight, gaining weight, anger outburst, etc.
• Acceptance/hope – This is the final stage of grief/grieving.  It is when we have had time to work through the other stages and are accepting a new normal. We can talk more freely about our loss without emotions overwhelming us. The acceptance stage does not mean we have forgotten the loss, whether a person and or other circumstances. It just means we have moved on to putting a new plan/options in place for our life without allowing the loss to keep us stuck in the past.

The grieving process is not an exact science and it does not always follow the 5 stages in the model Kubler-Ross shared in her book in 1969 “On Death and Dying”.  It has however become a common foundation for many to understand the grieving process. The stages do not always happen in order and many times we go back in forth between the stages and can even get stuck in the stages.  The magnitude and intensity of grieving varies between individuals, the circumstances of the loss, personality types, beliefs systems about God, etc.

Why did I take the time to give you all the information on the grieving process?  Because I want you to be able to understand what I mean when I say I believe we are grieving as a nation.

So, what are we “grieving”?  Here are just a few possibilities of many.

• Loss of freedom- The ability to come and go without considering covid-19 to church, the grocery store, hospitals, family gatherings, schools, nursing homes, funerals, etc.
• The ability to have an opposing opinion without being attacked verbally, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 
• Loss of lives to Covid-19, rioting and murder.  The loss of jobs, homes, businesses, our   history whether you agree with it or not, good, or bad it is still history.
• The loss of feeling and or being safe.
• The loss of order that has been replaced with chaos.

That is a lot of loss my friends!

So, would you mind doing something today as you read this?  Check yourself.  Be honest. Could you be grieving?  I can promise you that many of you have been in touch with the term “fear”.   It has been being instilled in us since Covid-19 broke out.   Again, we should be wise about Covid-19 it is real, but we should not live in the fear that is being perpetuated about it.  Then add the George Floyd’s death, rioting, media, politics, and life as we knew it is gone. 

So, I took the test if you will.  I got honest with myself and I realized that I am in the grieving process.  So here is what the grieving process looks like for me. 

•  Denial –.  I have had days when I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing.  I still have them occasionally.  But in the beginning of this I could not believe this was our nation.  Each day I am confounded by the craziness of it all!  When I finally accept what is occurring at face value, I go straight to the angry stage. 
• Anger – I have a difficult time believing people can be so deceived.  I can get angry about how the loss of freedom in all those areas I mentioned earlier has affected our nation.  The anger for sure has been perpetuated by all that I see and hear.  I do hold lots of government officials responsible for where we are as a nation.  Some of my anger is righteous anger as people make a mockery of the things of God.  The absolute disrespect of authority starting with God, coming back down to governmental authority, police, etc., wears me out!  But I keep most of my thoughts to myself and immediate family members. Which stuffing things as we know can lead to the next stage.
• Depression – Yes, I for sure have been in and out of this stage.  Some due to side effects of chemo medicine.  But some from stuffing feelings about everything that has been going on in the world instead of taking it to the LORD!  He is such a Gentleman.  He does not grab it from us, but He is there waiting for us to hand it over. 
• Guilt – I suspect I get concerned that I am missing opportunities to bring truth into the middle of this chaos.  But then I am reminded by His sweet Spirit, do what I can where I am. 
• Bargaining – Not really
• Acceptance/Hope – About 2 weeks ago, I started going in and out of this stage.  Mostly by being reminded by His Word that He is Sovereign, All Knowing, All Powerful, and He fights for His Children, He avenges wrongs, and He is a shield about us.  He is our Hope and our Salvation.  He is not knocked off his throne by what is going on anywhere in this world including our nation.  Is He sad, displeased, and angry at the sin?  Yes, but as believes we know how it ends and it does end my friends.  God will not be mocked! 

So, can I ask you the question again.  Is it possible that you are grieving the loss of freedom as you knew it?  Are you really living in fear and or are you grieving loss?   I suspect many people are stuck in the angry stage of grief regarding our loss of freedom.  Are you stuck in any of these stages?  Do you realize grieving is happening to you more than fear?  Being able to move forward requires us to be able to identify the real issue.    

I would like to end this blog with a paragraph from Charles Stanley’s 30 Life Principles Bible Study, which is well worth your time if you get a chance to go through it.

And I quote, “…because His standard it higher than that of the culture in which you live, obeying His commands will set your apart from the crowd.  In certain circumstances, it will make you a target or scorn from the world that denies His authority.  As you strive to meet God’s standard, you might be accused of intolerance and narrow-mindedness, or single out on social media or in social settings.  The consequences can be sever …which is why God instructs you to leave them to Him.  He can bring ultimate good from even the direst consequences.” 

And remember Ephesians 6:12 (ESV), “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

His,  Vickie

                           Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him

Coming out from hiding?

Well, I suppose it is time to catch everyone up on what has been happening with me since I have been silent on blog posting for several months.

I started a blog almost 6-8 weeks ago and actually have looked at it weekly up until two weeks ago.  It is a blog that I just have felt I needed to be careful in wording and what I believe God would have me share instead of my opinions about things.  Like so many of you in the days we are living in, I have some opinions believe me!  All that to say that next week I will post that blog, finally!  I feel peaceable in saying that. 

In the meantime let me share some things with you going on in my life personally and with the ministry.  In January I was diagnosed with breast cancer again.  I was diagnosed with cancer the first time 15 years ago.  This was a different kind of cancer than the first time.  Pet Scans, CT Scans, MRI’s all showed it was no place else in my body.  Therefore, I made a decision to have a double-mastectomy.  At the end of February I had the procedure.  It went well, and the doctors gave me clearance for our trip that was to take place in Lisbon, Portugal in April as long as I continued to heal well, and I did.   In March I had my first visit to the oncologist.  He placed me on a chemo medication that has provided me with some trials for sure.  Please pray as I visit with him about some options on my next visit. 

Then as you know Covid-19 hit, then the protest, then the rioting, and then there is the election coming up here in the US.  In fact, my blog next week is regarding all of those things.  In the meantime, Pure Joy International like so many other International ministries is having to be still and wait on God as travel from here to most any place in the world right now is unacceptable.  Even for the very few areas we could get into you have to quarantine for 14 days because we would be arriving from the US.  This added to the 10 days for the trip makes it difficult for team members that cannot be away from their homes and families that long.  And as many of you know that is just a few of the problems encountered.

So, in the meantime I will have my final surgery from the double-mastectomy in a couple of weeks.  While healing I am continuing to look at a series of pod-cast I would like to do for our missionary women around the world to encourage them since it will be next year before we can leave the country again.  Our plan is to follow-through when possible with the retreat we wanted to provide for the women in Lisbon, Portugal with the women that had already registered

So I hope this catches you up on things.  Please know that I am good, my spirit is good but my body is confused because of the chemo medication! Ha,ha,ha,ha  This too shall pass.

We pray for you as we know everyone is having a difficult time adjusting to the things going on in our world today no matter where you live.  Watch for next weeks blog.  I believe it will be worth pondering.

Good to be back at it!  Love you all..

His,

Vickie

 

Watch the Lamb…

When I was early in my walk with the LORD, He used my spiritual mom and dad to build upon the sure foundation of Jesus Christ at work in my life. I would read books and listen to cassette tapes (smile), of solid bible teachers of God's word.

Two statements of many that have been essential in my continuing walk with the LORD have been; (1) You become like that which you focus on and (2) You move in the direction of your most dominant thoughts. I was trained up early to understand that Satan wants to distract us from all things that help us walk out the truths of who we are in Christ!

As I watch the situation of this world, I am reminded that we do not war against flesh and blood. Eph. 6:12. Remember, the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. John 10:10.

I am also reminded of the words of an old song that was popular in the early years of my walk. It is a song by Ray Boltz titled, “Watch the Lamb”.

Below are the words to the song and here is the link  https://youtu.be/UNT1AThOgME

As we continue in our daily journey with Him, never forget “Watch the Lamb”

His,
Vickie

Watch the Lamb…
Walking on the road to Jerusalem,
The time had come to sacrifice again,
My two small sons,
They walked beside me on the road,
The reason that they came was to watch the lamb.
"Daddy, daddy, What will see there,
There's so much that we don't understand",
So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham,
Then I said "dear children watch the lamb".
"There will be so many in Jerusalem today,
We must be sure the lamb doesn't run away",
And I told them of Moses and Father Abraham,
Then I said "dear children watch the lamb".
When we reached the city,
I knew something must be wrong,
There were no joyful worshipers,
No joyful worship songs,
I stood there with my children
in the midst of angry men,
Then I heard the crowd cry out
"Crucify Him".
We tried to leave the city but
we could not get away,
Forced to play in this drama
a part I did not wish to play,
"Why upon this day were men condemned to die?,
Why were we standing here, Where soon they would pass by?".
I looked and said, "even now they come",
The first one cried for mercy,
The people gave him none,
The second one was violent, He was arrogant and loud,
I still can hear his angry voice
screaming at the crowd,
Then someone said "there's Jesus",
I could scarce believe my eyes,
A man so badly beaten,
He barely looked alive,
Blood poured from His body,
From the thorns upon His brow,
Running down the cross, Falling to the ground.
I watched Him as He struggled,
I watched Him as He fell,
The cross came down upon His back,
The crowd began to yell,
In that moment I felt such agony,
In that moment I felt such loss,
Till a Roman soldier grabbed my arm
and screamed, "you, carry His cross".
At first I tried to resist him,
Then his hand reached for his sword,
So I knelt and took the cross from the Lord,
I placed it on my shoulder,
And started down the street,
The blood that he'd been shedding
was running down my cheek.
They led us to Golgotha,
They drove nails deep in His feet and hands,
Yet upon the cross I heard Him pray
"Father, forgive them".
Oh, never have I seen such love in any other eyes,
"Into thy hands I commit my spirit"
He prayed and then He died,
I stood for what seemed like years,
I'd lost all sense of time until
I felt two tiny hands holding tight to mine,
My children stood there weeping,
I heard the oldest say,
"Father please forgive us, the lamb ran away".
"Daddy, daddy, What have we seen here?,
There's so much that we don't understand",
So I took them in my arms,
And we turned and faced the cross,
Then I said "dear children watch the lamb"

Quicksand…

When we hear the word “quicksand” it stirs some thoughts that have been logged away in our minds from movies and or tv shows. Scenes like, people running through a forest and suddenly disappearing into the ground around them and/or a good western where the ground swallows up an animal. You get the picture.

Those thoughts most likely trigger the emotion of fear. In fact, most of us have probably developed a belief system about quicksand based on that fear, which is, most people that get caught in quicksand do not make it out. But truth is, no-one has ever died from stepping into “quicksand”. I could not find one death due to quicksand drowning anywhere. That truth totally dispelled my fear of quicksand along with the following facts.

Here are a few facts about quicksand.

• It is impossible to become fully submerged in quicksand. (Meaning you as an individual.)
• Most quicksand is less than several feet deep.
• Humans are only half as dense as quicksand so; you could not sink much lower than your waist unless you struggle.  
• Struggling causes you to sink more making it more difficult to get out. Depending on where you are circumstances could lead to dehydration, starvations, hyperthermia, sunstroke, and/or attacked by predators because you become more stuck.

How to get out of quicksand.

• Stay calm.
• Get rid of all items that you are carrying because they will only cause you to sink deeper. Items, such as backpacks, hiking tools, etc.
• Lean back in quicksand and water will come in and fill the space allowing you to slowly begin to move your body towards the surface. If you can, grab a stick and wedge it behind your back and it will give you leverage till help gets there. 
• If there is not help coming, then you can get out, but it will be a slow process and take a long time and all your strength.

You might be thinking right now, “Gee, Vickie thanks for the lesson on quicksand, that I will probably never be exposed to in my life!” Ha,ha,ha But...

Life can show up like quicksand sometimes. We have all been there, when you are going through your day and suddenly out of nowhere a situation occurs and you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or trapped. Then fear steps in and captures your thought and emotions. Everything in you wants to struggle free of those thoughts and feelings but, the more you struggle the worst they get, the deeper you sink into them. If we are being totally honest here, I suspect several of you are dealing with those thoughts and feelings even as you read this post. I do not know what your quicksand is right now, but I do know this, we can take some of those suggestions about how to get out of quicksand and apply spiritual truths.

How to get out of quicksand, spiritually speaking.

• Stay calm.
• Isaiah 41:10 …fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
• Psalm 34:4 …I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. 
• Get rid of things weighing you down.
• 1 Peter 5:6-7 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
• Lean back and trust Him.
• Isaiah 26:3 (ESV) You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. 
• Psalm 40:2 (ESV) He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 

The last bullet of getting out of quicksand in real life says you can get out by yourself, but it will take a long time and drain you of all your strength. May I say to you that God “never” intended for us to do life alone and without Him. So, if you have stepped into a quicksand pit recently, please Trust Him and let others know, so, they can pray, lend an ear, give you a hand or just sit with you. 

His,
Vickie

Is your Plate Clean?

Oh, how many of us remember those famous words told to us by our moms when we were old enough to feed ourselves, “make a happy plate”, “make sure you clean your plate off or no desert”, “you are not getting up from this table until you eat everything on your plate”, “there are children starving all over the world that would love to have this food”, etc., etc.. etc.

I think it is safe to say that most of the parents that have made such statements were not trying to bring harm to their children. In fact, they were trying to make sure their children were properly fed and nourished, knowing the importance of fueling the body for growth, health, and activity.

Can I ask you something? Is your plate clean? I am not talking about food now. I am stepping into spiritual matters. So many times, in the counseling ministry, I see people bogged down with unconfessed sin on their plate. We all sin. Truthfully, unless we are fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit throughout the day, we have no clue how much sin we engage in. It could be as simple as an unkind word towards someone, refusing to extend a hand where we can, having a critical spirit, gossip, etc., and/or sin as blatant as gluttony (which I suspect we all have engaged in since Covid-19), fits of anger, jealously, strife, etc., etc. You get the point…we all sin! While we are no longer a Sinner, Big “S” as a believer, we are a Saint that sins Little “s”, until our eternal exit and/or His return. God did not intend for us to carry around guilt, shame, and/or the need to hide, fear, or blame others for our sin as believers. His word tells us in …

1 John 1:8-9 (ESV) “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

When is the last time you, as a believer, bowed the head, the knee, laid out flat before Him, and confessed your sin? I make it a daily practice to ask God to forgive me for my sin, hopefully the minute I recognize it. I also do my best to ask others for forgiveness when it involves others. But, for good measure it is one of the first things I do when I lay my head on my pillow at night. I ask His forgiveness for sins unknown that I may have committed during the day. I also ask Him to reveal sins to me that I am unaware of. That forgiveness from Him makes for a “Clean Plate” and starts my next day off anew!

The enemy loves plates that are full, that have not been emptied. He loves the guilt, shame, fear, and behaviors of hiding and fear to pile up on your plate! Disarm HIM!!!!! Clean your plate! 1 John 1:8-9! It is a plate cleaner! (smile)

His,
Vickie

YOU ARE MY REFUGE…

The Webster dictionary defines “refuge” as a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble. In 1 Samuel 22:1 we find David hunkered down in a cave in Adullam. Why? So, he could take “refuge” from Saul and his army that were in pursuit of him. Psalm 142, written at this time by David, is an incredible prayer. As you read this Psalm consider, David is experiencing emotions similar to what you or I would be. He probably has made his way as far back against the back-cave wall as possible, his heart is probably racing and before he gives room to total fear, he runs to his ultimate “refuge”, the LORD. Picture this intimate conversation (prayer) in your mind as he is hiding, fearful, and feeling somewhat hopeless.

Psalms 142:1-7 (NKJV)
 I cry out to the LORD with my voice; With my voice to the LORD I make my supplication.
I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble.

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk, they have secretly set a snare for me.

Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul.

I cried out to You, O LORD: I said, "You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living.
Attend to my cry, For I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me."

Instead of marinating in fear David runs to the LORD. He says… I cry out to you with my voice. It’s me LORD! My voice! Here is what is going on, I’m in some big trouble here!

It is an understatement to say there is a lot going on in our world today. But, can I encourage you, if you are at the back of the cave, you have lost your job, finances are tight, you have loved ones that contacted Covid-19, or lost loved ones to Covid-19, or have lost loved ones and not been able to attend their funeral, have a house of kids and you are not a home school parent,  and you are going stir crazy being isolated from family and friends, etc., etc.
Please remember this, the cave isn’t your ultimate refuge, God is. Cry out to him, tell him your troubles, believe He cares and hears you.

Finding my refuge in Him,
Vickie

Things I KNOW…

As we watch, listen, and each acclimate to our particular part of the world being attacked by the corona virus, I challenge us to not be consumed with fear of the unknown but to stand strong on the things we do KNOW as believers.

There are 3 major truths I know in my life that all else is anchored to.



The first is, God is Sovereign over all.

Genesis 1:1-3 (ESV) 
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Psalm 33:9 (ESV)
For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.

I don’t understand about the corona virus, I am saddened by the lives lost from around the world near and far, by those that have lost jobs, for weddings put on hold or cut back, for school graduations being cancelled, etc. But it doesn’t move me away from the truth that God is in control. He has either allowed this or brought it into our lives. In any case, HE alone is God. And that is where my peace and confidence are anchored.

The second is, I am a Child of God.

John 1:12 (ESV) 
But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (ESV)
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.

What a joy to be able to rest in our identity in Christ! You can’t add to it or subtract from it with your performance and it can’t be taken away from you, it’s called Grace! It’s not about what you do but it is about what HE has done. Talk about your greatest form of identity theft protection. (ha,ha,ha)

Thirdly, all my days are ordained.

Psalm 139:16 (ESV) 
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 

Job 12:10 (ESV) 
In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. 

It is clear to me through God's Word that my check in and check out dates were set before the beginning of time. I cannot change that. However, I do get to decide how I live within the time frame. I pray, I am living it with these verses in mind…

Mark 12:29-31 (ESV) 
The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.   And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

May I challenge each of you to look at the truths of God’s Word, that anchor you to Him in the storms!

His,
Vickie

Portugal Trip Cancelled…

It will come as no surprise that our trip to Portugal has been cancelled. We prayerfully have been waiting, watching and praying until this past weekend. Our Pure Joy Board made the best decision concerning the number of people that were being impacted and that was to close the conference. Sunday night, I visited with our staff at Pure Joy to let them know the trip was cancelled and then Monday made our Portugal team aware of the cancellation. Then began the process Monday night of letting the missionary women that would have been attending know as well. By the time Tuesday rolled around we were informed our flight to Lisbon had been cancelled. For all of you that have been praying, giving, gifting and, yes, even were apart of the team that was going, HE KNOWS. All moneys donated for sponsorship of missionaries for this trip will be moved forward to sponsor missionary women for the next trip. If you have questions regarding this, then please contact me at vickie@purejoyinternational.org

It goes without saying that we all need to be in prayer for one-another, our communities, the nation and the world. I would remind us during this time to not be carriers of the chaos! Where chaos abounds, the enemy is at work. So, be wise, follow the instructions of those that are doing their best to direct us to ways of protecting one-another.

And seriously, if anyone can explain to me the toilet paper hoarding, I’m open to it. I must admit I have seen some creative funnies posted on it.

Stay, safe!
 
His,
Vickie

Portugal Retreat is full and has gone to a waiting list!

We have no more open spots for the Portugal Retreat, and we have gone to a waiting list. Final Registration for waiting list will close March 18th. It is not uncommon for several people to have the chance to move up from the waiting list. So, if God prompts your heart, sign up still.

We still have 43 missionary women sponsored as of this writing. If God moves on your heart to give, please do so. We have 7 left to sponsor. Go to www.purejoyinternational.org and scroll down to Donate.

As we continue to prepare for the trip on this side of the world, I am reminded of how important it is to get your brain to take a breather. If I can possibly get my brain to take a breather. Ha,ha,ha,ha  
Just to show you how on task it can be: Many years ago, when I first got out of graduate school, I was a therapist in a group home setting for kids that were In Need of Treatment (INT). Most of these kids dealt with different levels of mental illness, such as, bi-polar, schizophrenia, major depression, etc. One particular day a young man that was a resident there decided he did not want to go to school that day. I explained that was fine, but he would be confined to his room for the day since he was so sick (his reason for wanting to stay home).

He was not happy about being confined to his room. In the meantime, I got up to go to the kitchen to get a cup of coffee. When I walked out the door of the office, he kicked me from the side across my jaw and knocked me out. The next thing I remember I was lying under a big light in the emergency room at the local hospital with a cracked skull and a concussion.

The house staff told me the following when I returned to work a week later. They said I got up from the floor that day when I came to and went back to the young man’s room and said, “(his name) that type of behavior will not help you get what you want” and  then returned to my office. One of the house parents stuck her head in and said, “Vickie, do you still want a cup of coffee?” To which I responded, “who’s  Vickie?” She said, “you are”. To which I responded,  “I am?”

It was at this point I suspect she thought, “Houston, we have a problem.” Ha,ha,ha,ha

So, maybe my brain will take a breather and maybe it won’t. I can only hope! Ha,ha,ha

In the meantime, please continue to pray for all things Portugal. Pray for the missionaries coming, the team going, the prayer warriors at home, the prayers warriors overseas, those making gifts, those writing encouragement notes, those giving towards the last 7 missionaries to be sponsored, for the messages being prepared, testimonies, the worship being prepared, etc., etc.

Love you all and so appreciate your love for the ministry of Pure Joy International.

His,
Vickie

Lots of Flu Going Around…

Not sure how things are in your part of the world, but the flu is taking over here in Arkansas and obviously lots is going on with the Coronavirus around the world. I personally have been isolating myself due to some surgery coming up in the next couple of weeks. It’s really been nice. I didn’t realize I needed the isolation so much. (ha,ha,ha) But, for the last couple of weeks I have lived between our home and my office, which is only about a quarter of a mile from our home. My longest trips away are to my Aunt Myrna’s and to our ‘Portugal Prayer’ time at my home church 25 minutes down the road once a week.

Speaking of Portugal, we have 46 missionary women signed up with 4 spots still open. Please get the word out!  Also, thank you so much for your missionary support for this trip. We had 3 more missionary women sponsored last week, which brings us to only 7 more needing sponsorship. Thank you all, as you continue to give.

May I leave you with a word picture from Deuteronomy? God is addressing the children of Israel.
His Word says…
Deuteronomy 11:8-12 (ESV)
“You shall therefore keep the whole commandment that I command you today, that you may be strong, and go in and take possession of the land that you are going over to possess, and that you may live long in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers to give to them and to their offspring, a land flowing with milk and honey. For the land that you are entering to take possession of it is not like the land of Egypt, from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and irrigated it, like a garden of vegetables. But the land that you are going over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water by the rain from heaven, a land that the LORD your God cares for. The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year."

Did you catch God’s promise of provision when we obey His commands? We will have strength to do what He has called us to do. Forget your past (Egypt), where you did things in your own strength. He will make provision from heaven. He will take care of that which He has provided for you because He cares for you!!!!

Never think that our God is an uncaring God. He loves you! Trust Him!

His,
Vickie

Only Four Spots Open for Portugal Retreat Before We Go to Waiting List…

Just wanted to get a quick reminder out to those of you that are planning on coming to the Portugal Retreat April 29 – May 2, 2020. We have 4 spots open before we go to our waiting list. Yes, I know the graphic has 5 people in it and yes 3 of them are men. Forget all that and stay with me here (ha,ha)!!!!

It is not uncommon for people to move up the waiting before the final deadline for the Retreat closes. So, even if you get put on the waiting list, God knows. We strongly believe that He will have exactly everyone that was supposed to be there when we step off the plane at Lisbon. To sign up go to www.purejoyinternational.org and click on registration for Portugal. Must be a missionary woman serving Internationally, outside your country of origin with a sending/supporting missions organization and/or sending/supporting church.

I want to give a shout out to the LORD because we already have 40 of the 50 missionary women attending the retreat sponsored. This means we only lack 10 more missionary women to be fully supported for this trip. If you would like to donate to missionary sponsorship please click on donations to the right of this page or go to www.purejoyinternational.org scroll down and click on donate.

I absolutely love watching God make provision for that which He has orchestrated. He is faithful!

Have a Great Week!
His,
Vickie

Lisbon, Portugal Registration Is Open

Please get the word out to missionary women serving cross-culturally, outside their country of origin. Registration for the Lisbon, Portugal Conference is open. As always, we will go to a waiting list after the first 50 women are registered. If you have questions contact me vickie@purejoyinternational.org.

As we step into 2020, I am praying for an amazing year in the LORD for all of us as His children. I hope that you have taken time to ask God to give you a verse for the year. If you haven’t,  may I encourage you to spend time with Him and ask Him through the power of His Holy Spirit to direct your path to a verse for 2020. The verse God put on my heart for the year is Psalm 4:3, “Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for Himself; the LORD will hear when I call to Him.”

I think of it this way:
I am confident in knowing the LORD has chosen me and set me apart for Himself and therefore cares about what I have to say to Him, whether it is praise and worship, confession of sin, prayers for the lost, prayers for my brothers and sisters in the LORD, cries for family, friends, and/or self, etc. He hears because His word tells me so!

Therefore, again, I encourage you to ask God to give you a verse to stand on for this year. And as you wait on Him to speak to you through His Word and Spirit, write it down. Memorize it.

Have a great week coming up and get the word out to your missionary women friends serving outside their country of origin to register for the Lisbon, Portugal Retreat. Go to www.purejoyinternational.org and follow the directions on the home page.

His,
Vickie