Valley of Vision 04

Things are coasting along here. Came across these thoughts thing morning.

• Cement my oneness with me blessed Lord.
• that faith may adhere to Him more immoveably,
• that love may entwine itself around him more tightly,
• that His spirit may pervade every fibre of my being.
• Then send me out to make Him know to my fellow-men.

Valley of Vision 03

Saturday morning here. I never can sleep on the this long summer mornings in Ireland. I will be tired until August.

Mary's birthday was yesterday, Caleb's is today. All of the family/friends in Alabama are getting together for a cook-out on Monte Sano. Of course, I wish with all my heart that we were there are the moment. It is better, but I still have that yearning this time.

I needed this reminder from the "Valley of Vision" today -

• Lord, use me as Thou wilt,
• do with me what Thou wilt;
• but, O, promote Thy cause,
• let thy kingdom come,
• let thy blessed interest be advanced in this world!
• O do thou bring in great numbers to Jesus!
• Let me see that glorious day,
• and give me to grasp for mutlitudes of souls;
• let me be willing to die to that end;
• and while I live let me labour for thee
• to the utmost of my strength,
• spending time profitbaly in this work,
• both in health and in weakness.
• It is thy cause and thy kingdom I long for, not my own.

Valley of Vision 02

As I struggle with the lack of movement in our work here - we only had one neighbourhood lad with us in church this morning - I am grateful for reminders from the saints of the past, as well as from the Word of God.

Enable me to realise as mine the better heavenly country. Prepare me for every part of my pilgrimage..."

As I mentioned earlier my focus is too much on me at the moment. I was reminded in the same reason today of this thought -

Teach me that Christ cannot be the end if I am the means...

I need the reminder that Christ it to be the means and the end.

I am thankful for Jack being in church week after week. God's Word will not return void.

Missing

You know what I really miss? Even though we only have one grandchild, Morgann, I really sense the loss of her not being around. I know she is only 20 months, and Lord willing will be here in a year or so - but I still miss her. Another part of my present pity party pit.

It sure helps me to indentify with Mary's mom and dad.

I really need to get myself out of this pity party pit - my focus is far too much on me and not enough on our Lord. My motivation for my thoughts is purely selfish.

Old posts

Saturday, May 21, 2005
Back from the airport

Just back from the airport taking Caleb and Jay for their trip to Alabama. I do wish that we could have been with them. My challange comes from the fact that we do not seem to be seeing anything happen at the moment here so we "might as well" be there instead.

The Lord was good - He gave me a special blessing in my devotions yesterday (See 20 May, 2005 at Rogers Reflections ) about how nothing is too hard for the Lord in His appointed time.

I do not do well at waiting. I want to wait on the Lord - but struggle with not "seeing" anything. Sometimes I feel like the Jews who "require a sign."

posted by Naas Preacher at 06:04 | 0 comments

Tuesday, May 17, 2005

Thoughts on a May afternoon
I have been struggling a bit of late with discouragement in this work. I am grateful for all that God has given us with our children's ministries, but for the life of me can't understand why nothing really seems to get going with the church.

I keep hearing from the Word lessons on being patient. For example this morning I read how Abram and Sarai messed things up by trying to "help" God. I know all of that is true - I am sure we are serving God where we should, but I can't reconcile that to what I "see."

I think we need a furlough. Caleb and Jay are going to Alabama Saturday and I really wish we were going. This is the first time I have felt this way.

We must keep our focus on the Lord and strive to be faithful in our service.

posted by Naas Preacher at 18:03 | 0 comments