Deb's One Life

Ready to Serve from a Heart of Love

2012-02-12T06:31:00.000-07:00

“This willnever be my church,” I said to myself defiantly.

It was ourthird Sunday at Christ Baptist Church. I missed our church family, Pastor Brett and especiallyour Sunday School class. Faith-builders, the Sunday School class here started at 8:15?! It was going to takean exercise of faith for me to get myself up and ready to be there that early.Our Sunday School class in the states began at 9:30.

We have manygifted Pastors here at CBC that passionately divide the word of truth for us eachweek. Their 60-75 minute sermons was another adjustment I had to make. I’m allfor a challenging sermon, but didn’t they know the average sermon in the stateswas 30-45 minutes? Now I found myself not only having to get up earlier, butalso having to fight staying awake during church. Just like Toto and Dorothyrealized they were no longer in Kansas, I was no longer at Second Baptist in West Frankfort. Oh, how I missedmy church.

I served. Ihelped with Burger Bash and began doing some things in the office. If there wassomething that I could do, I was always there. But there was one problem. Noneof it was from a heart of love. I served because I figured it was expected orit was something to do to fill my time.

I was alsoserved. From day one at CBC, we have felt welcomed. Many helped us with different things as we settled in our rondavel and life here inPolokwane. They embraced us but I was unwilling to embrace them.

A few weeksago God began heart surgery. The Elders spoke frequently about the church beinga family and that we all have a part. They encouraged being involved andserving where God directed you. I knew God was displeased with my attitude.Finally it came down to one question for me:

Was I going to keep heart hardenedto the people and ministry of CBC or was I going to lovingly embrace my newchurch family and serve wholeheartedlywithin it?

Mycommitment was made when someone shared from 1 Peter 4:8, 10-11 at the women’sbrunch:

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers amultitude of sins. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, asgood stewards of God’s varied grace…whoever serves, as one who serves by thestrength that God supplies-in order that in everything God may be glorifiedthrough Jesus Christ...

God laid thescalpel down. This round of heart surgery was complete. I am ready and willingto serve my church family from a heart of love.

Have you ever struggled in being a part of a new church family? How did you handle it?

Linked to Spiritual Sundays

Desiring Discipline

2012-02-07T00:54:00.000-07:00

Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life

and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him

who called us by His own glory and excellence.

-2 Peter 1: 3 NASB

Lately when looking in the mirror, I've realized that I don't really recognize the person staring back at me. Who is this 30lb. overweight person with the full cheeks and flabby, fat arms? This person didn't evolve overnight. Five pounds here and there over the past few years contributed to this stranger. While I would love to blame it on reaching the 40s and all the hormonal issues going on, a search of my heart reveals the bottom-line: lack of self-control...lack of desire to exercise self -control. I want to eat what I want when I want it. It's about my selfish desires and not eating to the glory of God.

While some may think, as a missionary in Africa, I'm eating mealies and an occasional goat, let me assure you that I have access to most all the foods available in the states. Much to my husband's delight, a love for cooking has been birthed in me. With all the wonderful dishes I've found on Pinterest, my choices have not been the healthier ones. While I do believe everything can be eaten in moderation, for me, I feel, that a healthier lifestyle needs to be obtained.

Revive Our Hearts is currently running a series with Elyse Fitzpatrick on her book "Love to Eat, Hate to Eat". I read this book several years ago many times. I highlighted passages and prayed about my eating. The problem was that I wanted God to zap me with self-control in this area. I didn't want to discipline myself. Elyse's book is different from other "diet" books as she directs the reader to the real cause of eating issues and leads us to God's word to break this bondage.

You can listen or read a transcript of the programs thus far:
- Are You Preoccupied with Food?
- More Than a Diet
- Appetites and Answers
- When Is It Wrong to Eat?

So once again, I pursue to discipline myself in this area. Trusting, through prayer and His word, I can gain some victory...all to His glory.

Have you started the New Year with some type of weight loss plan or goal?

Linked to
Titus 2days

On Your Heart Tuesday
Living Well Wednesdays

SPADE

2012-02-04T03:20:00.000-07:00

I learned another method of Bible study at small group onWednesday night. It is called SPADE. A spade is used to dig things and thusthis acronym helps us to dig in deeper to the scriptures.

S- Setting. Where is the event taking place? Whathappened before this event?

P- People. Who is involved?

A- Action. What is going on? What are the people doing?

D- Doctrine. What biblical teachings does this passagebring out?

E- Essential truth. What do we see in this passage thatcan pertain to our daily walk with the Lord?

We took a SPADE to Mark 9: 2-13. If you have time, grabyour Bible and give it a try.

S- The setting was after the transfiguration of Jesus.

P- The people there were the disciples, scribes, crowd,demon-possessed boy, his father and Jesus.

A- There was arguing and the boy was convulsing.

D- This passage teaches about: faith, Jesus being Lordover evil spirits, nothing is impossible for Him (omnipotence), He iscompassionate, the importance of prayer & the sufficiency of Christ.

E- The supremacy of Christ over everything. He will helpour unbelief. We can trust Him.

There are many tools on the internet to help with ourBible study time:

SOAP Study stands for scripture, observation, applicationand prayer. At their website you create an account and can record your findingseach day as sort of an online journal.

Blue Letter Bible offers maps, commentaries, dictionariesand numerous bible translations etc. for you to study.

E-Sword is a free downloadable program that I have heardmany people enjoy using.

Of course I think the ultimate is Logos Bible Software.The beginning program ($149) is the basics for a Christian home. Plus theyoffer programs for students, leaders, pastors etc.

Do you have a certain method or program that helps you instudying God’s word?

Linking to Spiritual Sundays

Married to Mr. Steady

2012-01-31T00:37:00.000-07:00

Our 25th Wedding Anniversary Party

God gives imperfect women to imperfect men so they can beheirs together of the grace of life and become something more together thaneither one of them would ever be alone.

-from Created to Be His Help Meet: Discover How God CanMake Your Marriage Glorious by Debi Pearl

This past year my husband and I celebrated our 25^thwedding anniversary. It was truly a new beginning as we had left our life inthe states for missionary work in Mozambique. We had a new home and culture toadjust to in Polokwane, South Africa along with new friends. One might think after25 years of marriage, I would have my role as his wife figured out. This movestretched our marriage more than I ever would have thought.

Back in the states, we went to 8 hour jobs, came home,ate, read or watched some TV and went to bed. He had his desk to go to and Ihad mine. Here we live in a 24ft. one room round house. Unless it is outside orin our tiny bathroom that sets off the circle I have no place to go to just bealone. I am a thinker and I like alone times. He is a talker and he doesn’tcare about having time to himself.

As we spent more time together than we usually did,things about him that I didn’t care for became more noticeable to me.

I wanted to changehim into what I thought he should be.

Well, my attitude and promptings were not going over verywell.

Maybe I was the one that needed to change.

A few years ago God had begun a work in my heart concerningmy role as a wife. I wasn’t to be the spiritual head of the home. He was andthrough prayer God began to work that out. Yet, I wanted him to be a leadereverywhere, but that is not the role God have him.

As I read this book I learned my husband was not “ACommand Man” or “The Visionary Man” that I wanted him to be but he is “Mr. Steady”. Debi Pearl writes:

Many women believe Mr. Steady is mediocre and lacksstrength and authority, when in actuality, Mr. Steady is a manly, steady fellowthat lacks a good wife.

Ouch! Yet as I read how a wife should respond to a Mr.Steady I realized how lacking he was of the wife I should be. I need to stoptrying to remake him into Command Man and support him as Mr. Steady.

I can do that by:

-not assuming his silence over an issue is indecision andI’m going to have to make the decision for him.

-cheerfully sending him off to go help whoever with thisor that. A Mr. Steady loves to help people. He is not meant to lead but tosupport others.

-not abuse his desire to want to make me happy.

-accepting him for who God made him to be without tryingto change him.

What is one characteristic of your husband that you arethankful for?

Linked to Titus 2days , Domestically Divine, Soli Deo Gloria
and Thought Provoking Thursday

State of the Heart

2012-01-26T01:05:00.000-07:00

Let the words of my mouth

and the meditations of my heart

be acceptable in Your sight,

O, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

The heart-

The seat of my mind, will and emotions.

God has been dealing with my heart lately.

As I read His word,

I form a red-penciled heart over the word.

This morning I read 1 Chronicles 29. The heart is mentioned six times:

-with a whole heart

-You (God) try the heart

-in the integrity of my heart

-in the intentions of the heart

-direct their heart to You

-a perfect heart to keep Your commandments

The heart is a busy place.

It thinks, acts and feels.

It is also sick.

The heart is more deceitful than all else and desperately sick;

who can understand it?

-Jeremiah 17:9 NASB

God knows my heart is the problem.

When I believed with my heart to be saved,

God poured out His love within my heart...

...because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts

through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

-Romans 5:5 NASB

So that Christ may dwell there.

How is the state of your heart today?

Good Housekeeping Bad for My Heart

2012-01-23T23:56:00.001-07:00

You shall not covet...

-Exodus 20:17

During a grocery run to Pick N’ Pay, I wandered upon thelatest issue of Good Housekeeping. Scanning the article titles I noticed theword “summer.” It’s winter in the states, “Why do they have something aboutsummer?” I questioned. It was a gray-haired blonde moment…for I then noticed itwas the South Africa version of the magazine. I didn’t realize they haddifferent versions for other countries.

Though, none of the articles pertained to my life:

1. Conquering clutter is prettyeasy when you live in a one room round house.

2. The only mad morning rush Ihave is to the bathroom.

3. I’m past caring about 5 waysto wake up beautiful.

4. While I could definitelystand to lose 5kgs in 4 weeks, Dr. Oz’s One Day Diet has foods that are not onthis missionary’s budget.

Yet, off I went to purchase the magazine that wouldremind me of home. How wrong I was! In the words of Paul:

“But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment,produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead.”Romans 7:8 NASB

Yes, I began to covet. I wanted those cute little mugs on“The Good List.” Wouldn’t I look great in the reversible hat by Gyspy Lou inMozambique? Wow, they even have a coupon for Milady. I could really use somenew clothes. On and on almost every page was a feast for my lustful eyes.

Covet: Greek word-Epithumeo.

Means to set the heart upon;long for-covet, desire, lust (after).

A simple magazine corrupted my heart.

Is there some place you shouldn’t go or something youshouldn’t do because it leads you to covet?

Linking up to Titus 2days and Missionary Mondays.

Homesick

2012-01-18T07:39:00.002-07:00

December 2010 Birthday Dinner with Family

I hear a voice. See a reminder. Receive a card.

Sigh. The heart wistful...

Homesick: experiencing a longing for one's home

during a period of absence from it.

Oxford Dictionary of English

Seven months has passed since we left the states for South Africa.

Days into weeks...Weeks into months.

Time passes quickly.

When the feeling comes, I pray for those I miss.

I remind myself of the reason I am here-

to bring good news to the lost

and to disciple new believers in their faith.

There's another kind of homesickness.

A longing for our HEAVENLY home...

"having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on earth...

But as it is, they desire a better country,

that is, a heavenly one."

Hebrews 11:13b,16a NASB

The desire to be in the midst of HIS presence...

"and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes;

and there will no longer be any death;

there will no longer be any mourning, or crying or pain..."

Revelation 21:4 NASB

Do you ever long for your heavenly home?

Linking to Spiritual Sundays

Epaphras Labored Earnestly

2012-01-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

Epaphras…always laboring earnestly for you in hisprayers. Colossians 4:12

I love to delve deeper into the barely mentioned names Icome across in God’s word. Always laboring earnestly…As I read these words Irealized that it had been a long time since I had done any laboring in prayer for anyone. I thought of this man whose name means “lovely.” He is mentioned just a few times inthe Bible and from that I learned:

Colossians 1:7

-He shared the gospel with the church at Colossae

-He was a beloved fellow bond-servant with Paul andTimothy

-A faithful servant of Christ on their behalf

Colossians 1:8

-He informed Paul & Timothy of the church’s love inthe Spirit

Colossians 4:12

-He was a bondslave of Jesus Christ

-He always labored earnestly in prayer for the Colossians

Colossians 4:13

-He had a deep concern for the Colossians & other churches

Philemon 23

-He later became a fellow prisoner with Paul

Epaphras labored earnestly, not just in prayer but in the work of the gospel going forth. Yes, there is much I can learn from this barely mentioned man...

Do you have a barely mentioned person in the Bible that has intrigued you?

Linked up to Spiritual Sundays.

In a Cooking Mood Today!

2012-01-12T03:30:00.000-07:00

I’m in a cooking mood today! Thought my stateside friendsmight enjoy seeing some of the baking products I use here in South Africa.Since I’m not known for my culinary skills, they also might like to see what I’mup to in the kitchen…

Alicia Raley, my fellow American missionary and friend, gotme hooked on guacamole. Her neighbor has two avocado trees. I got some from herthis past weekend.

I then visited Everything in Moderation for Sherri Murphy’sguacamole recipe, but I changed it up a bit.

Deb’s Guacamole

1 avocado peeled, pitted

¼ tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. taco seasoning

¼ c. chunky salsa (not something I generally have becauseof the cost here but broke down and bought some for another recipe I wanted totry)

Mash the avocado with a fork. Add rest of ingredients.Stir. For it to last longer place the pit in with the guacamole. Refrigerate.

I've never claimed to be a food photographer

Tortilla chips are almost impossible to find here so we justuse Doritos chips. The chips come in much smaller bags than the states. Theirchips are the “Big Grab” size you buy in the states. Most all of the chips comein flavors though you can get Lay’s plain salted.

I was in the mood for muffins. My Dad had sent somebutterscotch pudding mix over in a Christmas package. I found this yummyButterscotch Muffin recipe at All Recipes. Their brown sugar (Demerara) is alittle coarser than what is in the states.

While they do have whipped topping in a can (not myfavorite), they do not carry Cool Whip or such in containers to buy. So I buythis dessert topping add a little icing sugar (powdered sugar) and whip it witha mixer for whipped topping. Wow! Never realized how easy it was! Could havebeen doing that back home!

Milk is available in regular containers in therefrigerator section but we seem to never use it as quickly as it expires.

Manypeople use boxed milk. It does not need to be refrigerated until you open it.It is the kind of milk we use on outreaches and in our home.

While I was baking, my friend Wilheminah brought us oversome lychees. We had never tried this small fruit before. You remove the peeland a bright white fruit is visible. It kind of tasted like a plum with someother flavoring in it.

Yep, food photography is not in my future

Of course everything here is in Celsius or grams. I keepa chart handy to help me with the oven temperature and measuring.

That's what I've been up to in the kitchen today!

Eucharisteo Embraced

2012-01-09T23:29:00.001-07:00

And when He had taken a cup and given thanks,

He gave itto them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you…”

Matthew 26:27 NASB

Jesus had given thanks. Eucharisteo. It means to begrateful, to express gratitude towards.

Eucharisteo, it’s the central symbol of Christianity.Thanksgiving.

The table with its emblems is the essence of what it means tolive the Christ-life.

–from 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Through painful tragedies, the author challenged herself tolive a life of Eucharisteo…of giving thanks. A symphony of beautifully placed words falls from her pen leading the readerinto a concert of gratefulness.

This book made me look at the Lord's Supper deeper. When I come before the Lord’s Supper do I truly realizethe significance of what I am doing? Eucharist. Christ’s body given for me and His blood shedfor my sins expressed through the symbols of bread and juice. Coming before Him with a clean heart and giving thanksfor His work on the cross.

As God would have it, there set before me the elements ofthe Lord’s Supper this past Sunday. The message also was from 1 Corinthians11:17-34 where Paul gives instruction for the Lord’s Supper.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,

youproclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

1 Corinthians 11:26 NASB

Proclaiming His death…giving thanks…may our lives befilled with Eucharisteo.

I'm linking to Titus 2days and On Your Heart Tuedays.

Sin, A Bug Zapper & Mortification

2012-01-06T01:17:00.001-07:00

Our Bug Zapper

Be killing sin or it will be killing you. –John Owen

High on our wardrobe cabinet, overlooking the front dooris our bug killer. Like the sound of air escaping from a tire, it releases itsbug-burying chemicals every 15 minutes. Upon its arrival, I would jump eachtime it went off. At night, much to my husband’s dismay, I would have him turnit off for the noise would startle me when I was trying to sleep. As dayspassed, I no longer jumped as it spewed its spray. At night, I no longerrealized it was on and began to sleep peacefully.

The bug killer became a symbol of sin to me. At first sinstartles, just as the zapper did but the more I engage in it-the more I becomedesensitized to it. My heart no longer becomes heavy over my separation withGod. Sin separates us from God not just concerning salvation, but also our everydaylives. As our hearts become hardened because of lack of repentance, we grievethe Holy Spirit and His work is no longer evident in our lives.


The Bug Zappers Name...Mortein...Mort...Death

Romans 8:13 tells us: “For if you are living according tothe flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit, you are putting to death thedeeds of the body, you will live.” Thanatoo is the Greek word for “put todeath.” It means: to make, to die, destroy, render extinct, by death to beliberated from the bond of anything, literally to be made dead in relation to(something). This is part of our sanctification process. The Holy Spirit uniteswith our desire to “be liberated from the bond” of our sin and we begin tomortify our sin. While God can, He usually doesn’t just zap our sin away, butwe also have to engage ourselves to fight the battle with His help.

One New Year’s resolution that encompasses them all is:To kill sin. We want to lose weight. Why? Because we practice gluttony (Prov. 23:2). We want to have more control over our mouths. Why? Becausewe gossip and slander (Romans 1:29-30). We want to read our Bibles more. Why?Because we love the things of this world more than the Lord (1 John 2 15:16).

Let us begin the New Year killing sin and most of ourresolutions will be met.

Linked up to Spiritual Sundays.

Storing Up God's Word

2012-01-04T00:19:00.000-07:00

Your word I have treasured in my heart,

That I may not sin against You.

-Psalm 119:11 NASB

In the ESV Bible it reads “stored up” instead of “treasured.”In relation to memorization I think I like “stored up” better. It gives a senseof work. Like storing up food for the winter, we are storing spiritual food forlife. What is the result? We would not sin against the Lord.

Colossians 1: 9-10

One of my goals for this year is to be more diligent inverse memorization. This past year I have been drawn to the book of Colossians.I find it to be such a practical book for everyday living. I really wanted tocommit to memorizing the book of Colossians in a year with a plan developed byAnn Voskamp at A Holy Experience, but decided that may be too big of an endeavor.So I am going to memorize portions of the book of Colossians beginning with 1:9-23 and followed by Colossians 2: 9-14, 3: 1-3, 8-10, 12-13, 15-17 and 4: 2-6.It totals 37 verses, which is almost one per week. Divide it out and it is memorizinga verse every 10 days. Seems doable does it not?

A friend sent me a pretty note holder for my purse whichI am using to carry around with the verses written in it. I can easily pull itout wherever I’m at to meditate on the verse.

Writing out the verse several times during the week alsohelps me. Revive Our Hearts also has some great bible memorization helps.

What about you? Do you want to memorize more scripture in2012? Do you have a plan? I would love to hear what you are doing to store upGod’s word in your heart.

Planning the Days Ahead

2012-01-02T04:57:00.000-07:00

My 2012 Planner

The heart of man plans his way,

But the Lord establishes his steps.

-Proverbs 16:9 ESV

As I thought about the New Year I was reminded of whatpeople say frequently here when they have to figure something out: “Well, wewill just have to make a plan.” In reading Genesis 1 this morning, I envisionedGod’s daily planner: Day one-create light…

Our God is a God of order and planning. He had plans forIsrael as Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us. As we write our goals and daily to-dos letus remember it is the Lord that establishes our steps according to HIS plansand purpose. We should never be so set in OUR planning that we forget it is allaccording to His will. (James 4: 13-15)

I want to be accountable for my time and not waste the daysGod has given me. So I bought a planner for this year. It has three of myfavorite things on it: lime green color, a daisy and one of my favorite verses.

Psalm 118:24

One doesn’t have to have a planner. A simple sheet ofpaper will do. For something fancier, this is a simple but elegant daily sheet.Or here are weekly, daily and menu planners. What do you want to accomplish today? This week? Month or year? Write it downand begin marking them off as they are completed. There is such a since ofsatisfaction in looking at a completed to-do list.

I like that I can jot down prayer requests

In your prayer time, which you have scheduled in your planner :), commit the things ofthat day to the Lord. Pray for the people and situations you will encounter. Thiswill help in preparing your heart for any difficult situations that may arise.

Some days are made for scrapping the to-dos and having aspecial time with the husband or kids. Don’t be legalistic or rigid with yourlist. The work will always be there tomorrow.

May God direct your steps as you plan the days ahead ofyou…

Linking up to:

Remain Steadfast

2011-12-29T23:43:00.000-07:00

As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, takethe prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider thoseblessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, andyou have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate andmerciful. –James 5:10, 11

I couldn’t have ended the year with a more appropriatebook for me. Even as a missionary, life can become routine. The more time thatpasses and I am not in Mozambique, the more I lose sight of my purpose andGod’s call on my life. Yet sharing Christ is every believers call, not justmissionaries. This book encouraged me to remain steadfast.

“Stand: A Call for the Endurance of the Saints” edited byJohn Piper/Justin Taylor is a collection of writings by five icons of theChristian faith: Jerry Bridges, John Piper, John MacArthur, Randy Alcorn andperhaps not so well-known, Helen Roseveare. Each author challenges the readerto finish well the race set before us and to endure to the end.

Jerry Bridges shares four elements for finishing well:

· Daily time of focused personal communion withGod

· Daily appropriation of the gospel

· Daily commitment to God as a living sacrifice

· Firm belief in the sovereignty and love of God

John Piper follows with a look at Polycarp the Bishop ofSmyrna. After being arrested and told to denounce Christ, he replied: “Eightyand six years have I served him, and he hath done me no wrong; how then can Iblaspheme my king who saved me?” Piper stresses that there is no retirement forthe aging Christian, but they should grow old to the glory of God.

John MacArthur, whom I can’t believe is over 70 yearsold, reminds us of the life of Paul and his perseverance in ministry. He tellsus to embrace suffering and stand on the word of God throughout whatever ourlives may bring.

I have seen Randy Alcorn’s books but don’t believe I haveever read one. He shares his personal testimony of standing up for the unbornand the cost he and his family endured. His story is really amazing and hascaused me to want to read his books. By the way, he surrendered ownership ofhis book royalties (part of his testimony in dealing with a judgment won by anabortion clinic), so 100% of these royalties goes to the work of God’s kingdomthrough different means.

Helen Roseveare, a missionary whom I had never heard of and should be embarrassed to admit after reading about her,described perseverance as steadily going on and refusing to give up, no matterwhat comes. She writes: “Let our motto be: In everything to please him.”

The book closes out with written transcripts of interviewsby Justin Taylor with the authors.

“Stand” is a great book to have on hand when one isexperiencing discouragement and needs to be reminded to endure.

Life Found in God's Word

2011-12-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

"My soul clings to the dust;

give me life according to your word!"

-Psalm 119:25

The New Year is fast approaching. Have you ever purposed to read the Bible in a year? It is a task that can seem overwhelming to some and to others it is simply the air that they breathe. I'm challenging myself and you to commit to a plan. Justin Taylor at his blog Between Two Worlds has made a great list of Bible reading plans to choose from.

I chose the ESV Study Bible plan. The Bible is available for free. Take a peek here. You can highlight, bookmark and record notes or you can also just listen as you are working about the house. Everything is right there at your fingertips.

"Holiness Day by Day: Transformational Thoughts for Your Spiritual Journey by Jerry Bridges is the devotional I am going to be reading for the year on my Kindle.

There are so many scriptures on the value of reading God's word. While you may not be able to see the Bible in a year through, I hope you will read what you can...

"If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life."

-Psalm 119:92,93

I'm linking up to: