Are You Welcoming Sin Into Your Home?

Recently, a dear friend of mine, after weeks of praying about it, made a choice to share some loving words to someone she and her family truly love and care about. What made it hard was this person they care about is a professing Christian. I have asked permission to quote a portion of the letter…

Hey, Honey
I want you to know that you are always welcome in our home. However, just as we would not intentionally welcome any sin into our home, the sin of homosexuality is not welcome. I am heartbroken that you would make a willful choice to live a life of sin---whatever the sin is. When the world says a sin is okay, that does not mean that God says it is okay. No matter what the sin is. What you have chosen isn’t any worse than any other sin. The willful decision to live a life of sin is sin. Just as I have prayed for that you would not (list of things she prayed for this precious one throughout the years) I will pray that God draws you to Himself and that you will repent from the choice you are making and that your testimony of deliverance from the sin of homosexuality will bring glory to God.   

I Love You _________

Wow. There is a real life demonstration of Christian love. She loved that dear young woman enough to speak truth in love over her life. She did not say we never want to see you again; you’re not welcome here. What she said without saying it is, you are always welcome here, however, we will not honor your choice to intentionally sin against God by allowing you to come to our home presenting yourself as a couple.

We happen to be talking about the sin of homosexuality (same sex-attraction) but we could just as well be talking about pornography, living together, sex outside of marriage, adultery, drug and alcohol addiction, greed, un-forgiveness, etc.

I so respect my friends’ desire to protect their home from “intentional” sin. The point here is the word “intentional”. Translated, I know it is wrong but I’m doing it anyway because it meets my needs. Wished I could say I had never intentionally sinned. But if I did that would be an intentional sin because it would be a lie. (smile) Don’t get too spiritual on me too quick, we all sin. I praise God that He died on the cross for all our sins. Thankfully, being a Christian and in God’s Word for 22 years has helped me to grow stronger in my resolve to live my life for Him, through Him and according to His Word. I pray the same for you.

I do, however, close this blog with the following question…… “Are You Welcoming Sin into Your Home?” Are you intentionally sinning against God in your thoughts, behaviors, choices, relationship, finances, etc. If you are, Jesus died on the cross for that! Repent, turn back to God and experience that peace that surpasses all understanding.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV)
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Romans 12:2 (ESV) 
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 John 1:9 (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Philippians 4:8-9 (ESV) 
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (ESV)
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

Just a quick note on Kathmandu…..We opened up registration last week and as of this blog writing (Wednesday afternoon, we have 33 women registered.) Now is the time to start giving towards this trip if God so leads you. As of this moment we have none of the women sponsored. I tell you that because I like for you to see the movement of God, as people give towards each trip, so you can experience the journey with us. Our job as a ministry is to KNOW to the best of our human ability He wants us on this trip to our missionary women in that part of world. His part is to provide for that which He has called us to. So, join with us and watch Him work!!!

Love You All,

His,
Vickie

Kathmandu, Nepal on-line registration opened up this week….

Wow! Once we open up on-line registration the reality of the trip hits! The women will begin to sign-up and tell their friends about the opportunity. Please pray with us that the women that need to have this opportunity will hear about the retreat.

If you are a missionary serving in that area of the world please go to our web site at www.purejoyinternational.org to get more information or contact me vickie@purejoyinternational.org 

For those of you that have been a part of our teams by giving, gifting and praying, then please pray about how God would have you be involved in this trip.

For those of you that do not know, here is a little information on Kathmandu, Nepal that Kim (staff member) put together for our team members.

Very Brief History of Kathmandu, Nepal

Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country located in South Asia. With an area of 147,181 square kilometers (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 27 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India. Nepal is separated from Bangladesh by the narrow Indian Siliguri Corridor and from Bhutan by the Indian state of Sikkim. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and largest metropolis.

The mountainous north of Nepal has eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest, called Sagarm?th? in the Nepali language. More than 240 peaks over 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level are located in Nepal. The southern Terai region is fertile and humid.

Brief History of Kathmandu Earthquake 

The April, 2015 Kathmandu, Nepal earthquake (also known as the Gorkha earthquake) happened while Pure Joy was in Italy. The quake killed more than 8,800 people and injured more than 23,000. It occurred at 11:56 NST on 25 April, with a magnitude of 7.8 to 8.1. Its epicenter was east of the district of Lamjung. It was the worst natural disaster to strike Nepal since the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake.

The earthquake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing at least 19 making April 25, 2015 the deadliest day on the mountain in history. The earthquake triggered another huge avalanche in the Langtang valley, where 250 people were reported missing. Hundreds of thousands of people were made homeless with entire villages flattened, across many districts of the country. Centuries-old buildings were destroyed at UNESCO World Heritage sites in the Kathmandu Valley, including some at the Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Patan Durbar Squar, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the Changu Narayan Temple and the Swayambhunath Stupa. Geophysicists and other experts had warned for decades that Nepal was vulnerable to a deadly earthquake, particularly because of its geology, urbanization, and architecture. 

Continued aftershocks occurred throughout Nepal within 15–20 minute intervals, with one shock reaching a magnitude of 6.7 on 26 April at 12:54:08 NST. The country also had a continued risk of landslide. A major aftershock occurred on 12 May 2015 at 12:51 NST with a moment magnitude of 7.3. The epicenter was near the Chinese border between the capital of Kathmandu and Mt. Everest. More than 200 people were killed and more than 2,500 were injured by this aftershock.

As you can see the impact of the earthquake and aftershocks have been over whelming to the country of Kathmandu, Nepal. Please pray for us as we began preparations for leaving the country in November.

His,

Vickie

Warning! Warning! Danger! Will Robinson…..

Get ready for me to show my age and for those that understand that opening title and those that don’t it shows all of our ages. LOL (Laugh out Loud …for those of you that are reading this and don’t know those initials, which also reveals our age. Ha, Ha, Ha) Anyway, the opening title comes from a show we used to watch when I was growing up called “Lost in Space”. This snippet from Wikipedia is a sufficient explanation of the phrase. 

“Danger, Will Robinson” or “Warning, Will Robinson” is a catchphrase from a 1960’s TV series. A robot acting as a surrogate guardian, says this to the young Will Robinson when the boy is unaware of impending threats. In everyday use, the phrase warns someone that they are about to make a mistake or that they are overlooking something.

God doesn’t speak to us through a “Robot” but He does speak to us through His Word.  In the following verses He “Warns” us…

Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV)
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.  For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reaps eternal life.

I think it is safe to say there is a lot of sowing to the flesh going on in this world today. However, God also “Warned” us in His Word about this as well.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV)
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

Friends, we are here. You know when you go to map quest and it has a blue circle to show you where you are or a mall if you are looking at the store map it says next to a black X you are here. Well, we are here.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV) goes on to say…..For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,  treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

In short, it isn’t going to get better so “Don’t be deceived”. We live in a world that sows to the flesh not to the Spirit. God’s Word tells us how to deal with this…

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)  And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Do not grow weary and give up. Translated make sure you are sowing good seed daily and don’t get distracted with these last days. Don’t get distracted with those that are Lovers of Self…because it will steal your joy!  

God will not be mocked. He is a Just God and His timing is perfect. Stay the course friends!!

His,

Vickie

Back in the office….

Wow, last week was a whirlwind. Actually, it really was at the beginning of the week because we were in Oklahoma. The wind truly blows there! My mom and I pulled up to a hotel we were staying in and I pulled some hanging clothes out and put on the hotel dolly while I reached down to get our suitcase out of the trunk. When I turned around my hanging clothes were gone. No, I mean really, they were gone. I looked to the left, right, front and behind. I finally saw them sailing across the parking lot and chased them down. My white blouse did not come out of it so well.

I met with our worship leader for Kathmandu and three other potential team members who are praying through to be sure it is God’s leading for them to be on this trip. We had a sweet time and I love meeting new women who are interested in ministering to missionary women overseas.  

We then made it back home Tuesday afternoon and I had a day in the office on Wednesday before heading out to Shreveport, Louisiana on Thursday afternoon. I met with another one of our team members for Kathmandu who will be joining us. The thing that is so sweet about this meeting is this particular team member will be flying in from the Ukraine to meet us in Kathmandu. She is a missionary who attended our Italy retreat and felt God leading her to be a part of the team for Kathmandu…her way of paying it forward to other missionary women. God is so good!

Made it back in Friday late afternoon just in time to catch the storms that passed through Arkansas. So, there is my life in a nutshell and why you received a short blog last week.  (smile)

For those of you who are praying for our hotel location in Kathmandu, our contact person on the field and another missionary located several hotels and sent pictures and information to our logistics person (Linda). Please pray that Linda will have favor with the hotels as she negotiates.

Once the hotel is settled we will open up registration for the retreat. Please pray as I have asked before that the word gets out to exactly the women who God would have be at the retreat. He knows.

Love you all,

His,

Vickie

On The Road This Week ...

I'm on the road this week visiting Kathmandu team members and possible team members. So pray as I meet with those praying to confirm His will for them regarding the trip. I'll catch you up next week .

Love u all,

His,
Vickie

Kathmandu, Nepal…..

Quick note on Kathmandu: We are still praying about in which hotel God would have us hold the retreat. We have gotten a report back from our contact person there regarding several that are structurally sound. For those of you who are interested in giving towards the sponsorship of the missionary women, you can begin doing that now. Click the following link and it will take you to our donation page Click here. Please designate for the sponsorship of Kathmandu missionary on your check or online via PayPal.

Much prayer has gone into our decision to continue travel to Kathmandu in November. God is honoring that decision by bringing the team together for this trip. We have 8 confirmed team members and 7 that are praying through their decision by the end of June. If God is speaking to you about this trip in regard to going, please contact me to be put on the waiting list. We have already had two women that moved up from the waiting list to the team. So, God knows. If you are interested in ways to be involved without leaving the country please email me at vickie@purejoyinternational.org.  

Our theme and verse for Kathmandu in November…

Have a great week…

His,

Vickie

Cross the Line…

Do you remember the game “Cross the Line”? We used to play it all the time when I was growing up. You would divide up into two teams. You would use a rope or dig a line in the dirt with heel of your foot that would separate you from the other team. You also had a designated place at the back side of your court called “jail” in which to place your captured opponents.

The rules were simple. If someone from the other team crossed over to your territory even with just their toe and you tagged them….they became your capture and were escorted to “jail”. The only way they could get free was for one of their teammates to break through the ranks and rescue them from “jail” without getting tagged. If you made it to the “jail” without being tagged, you and your friend were free to walk back to your side as long as you were holding hands. The first team to capture all the opposing team members won.

I loved that game growing up. Of course, I could run like the wind. Ok, if you know me, I have never been able to run like the wind. But, I do like the idea of it. Ha,ha,ha,ha! Anyway, I loved being able to break through and rescue people from “jail.” As I’ve thought about that game I’ve realized God has given me a heart as an adult not only to want to rescue people from the lies and bondage (“jail”) of sin but to also to want to say, “forget about crossing the line, how about being so far from it that you can’t even see it! Flee!!”

We play close to the line, don’t we? We believe we can handle it. We believe we won’t get caught. We even test it…stick a foot over and jerk it back quickly. Then we nahhhh nahhhh, na, nah, na nahhhh with the enemy. Then we deceive ourselves into thinking we can leave that foot a little longer the next time. And before you know it……tag, gotcha!

Are you playing close to the line in any area of your life? Does it blur your testimony to others? Does it confuse others as to what a true follower of Christ really is? Please get God’s perspective on whatever it is and move so far away from the line that not only are you not tempted by the line, you can’t even see it! 

Love you all…

His,

Vickie