SWAZILAND ~ The Final Frontier

  Tonight I am in South Africa preparing to return to Swaziland.  I call it the final frontier because it is the last stop on this long journey in Africa. (Even though I will spend one more night in South Africa before my return to the USA). The beauty of Swaziland is like no other place I've been.  When we get near the border tomorrow the whole view becomes like the photo I took not far from there.

   Have you ever been some place you can't wait to return to?  Do you keep a picture around to remind you of it?  This is that picture for me.   For me today LIFE is: knowing that GOD has called me to the place I am headed.  I have many mixed emotions about going there. But, GOD has given me peace about going there to minister to those who need encouragement.

   It's been a rough day for me.  I preached a sermon yesterday: "It's Your Choice to REJOICE!" I preached that message not long ago in KENYA and soon after ~ it seemed like it set off an explosion of circumstances that made that choice nearly impossible for so many of us.  It brought about the same explosion here in South Africa.  GOOD NEWS! If you choose to REJOICE ~ the JOY of the LORD will be your strength.  So, you know what my CHOICE is! 

   No matter what you face today ~ if you have JESUS, you have the power to make that choice too!  That's my prayer for you today!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!

Thoughts about Noah

I took this picture when we crossed the desert in Kenya

   A few days ago we were crossing the desert on our way to Nairobi and we came upon a group of baboons. I love these creatures even though they can be quite dangerous.  I have had several encounters with them over my years traveling to Africa. Seeing them made me think first  of a movie I saw recently about a "modern day Noah".  But then I thought about the real Noah.
   Imagine being Noah and given the task of building an Ark when he was nowhere near water.  The people laughing and making fun of him. And imagine all those animals? At times - the things GOD is asking me to do seem almost as strange and people even laugh at me when I attempt them, believing I can actually do them.
   For me today LIFE is: Knowing that GOD has a plan to help me do the things HE calls me to do, no matter how impossible or rediculous the task may seem.  Even if HE told me to build an Ark, I would start gathering wood.
   Does the task ahead of you seem impossible?  Do you feel liike a fool for even thinking of doing it?  Well, I encourage you to stay on the path.  Don't move to the right or to the left.  And when you get tired, REST!  GOD will see you through.  If HE called you to do it - it will be done.  Just keep pressing ahead. 
   Today is a GOOD day to be obedient to GOD!

LIFE is GOOD! Just do it!

"Seek and Ye shall find!"

   When I took this picture I couldn't help but wonder what this child was looking for around the corner. I wondered if it would bring joy or sorrow?
Then I remembered: "Seek and ye shall find."  The Word of GOD encourages us to "Seek, knock & ask!" When we "seek" we will find!  When we "knock" the door is opened.  When we "ask" it will be given to us!
   For me today LIFE is: knowing that GOD loves me and that HE has plans to bless me. There are times when I am lacking something because I did not "seek, knock, or ask."  I decided I will just do it on my own.  Why? Pride!  I don't need the help of someone else - "I can do it myself."
   Have you ever thought like that?  "I don't need mom and dad to help.  I can do it on my own.  While there is nothing wrong with being responsible, and working hard to provide for our wants and needs, GOD wants us to know that HE wants to bless us.  We can come to HIM with our requests for help. 
  I encourage you today to remember to "seek, knock, and ask."  For what?  Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, faith, hope, love, patience, forgiveness!  Oh, you thought I meant "seek" money, material things etc.  Well, GOD may also grant those things.  But, I am also reminded to "Seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteous" and GOD promises to take care of everything else.  Trust HIM!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!

The Power of Prayer!

   Today has been quite an emotional one for me. It was my last day with the students and faculty of Dow Christian Academy in Kapsiratet, Kenya.  After nearly eight weeks as their chaplain on this journey I have grown to love them so much.
   At the end of our daily worship and prayer time - "mom" had all the kids gather around me, kneel and pray for me.  What a powerful experience that was! There is such power in prayer.
   For me today LIFE is: knowing that there are people all around the world praying for me on this mission that doesn't end when I leave Kenya on Tuesday.  It continues in South Africa, Swaziland, the USA and Nicaragua before I begin a sabbatical the beginning of May.
   Have you experienced the amazing things that happen when people pray for you? Are you in need of prayer?  Don't be afraid to ask someone to pray for you.  Today, I prayed for so many people in so many places.  Why? Because GOD answers those prayers.  Our heavenly Father is honored by our requests.
  Today I pray that GOD will bless you - even as you read this.  Pray for someone today!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!

When"the rains" come

     I took this photo yesterday as they were working quickly to begin putting a roof on our new school building before "the rains" come.  It's actually been raining some every day but when "the rains" come it will be a lot!     This picture made me think of Noah as he was working on the ark.  "The rains" were coming. And it was not just a little rain.  "The rains" would be for a long time and flood the whole earth.    Some people think this was just a "story" put in the Bible to illustrate something. Not me!  I believe it happened just the way it was written.  Often we are warned about something that is coming but, we don't believe it and we don't prepare.  Then when it comes it's too late!   For me today LIFE is: knowing that when "the rains" come I will be prepared if I have a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST and live according to the Word of GOD.  GOD loves us so much that HE sent HIS one and only SON to die in our place so that we could have a home for eternity with HIM in heaven.  A sure as the rains came in the days of Noah - Jesus is coming back to take us to that place HE has gone to prepare for us!  Are you ready?  Is your family ready?  Are your friends ready? Have you told them? Will they be ready?

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!

Stop and smell the roses.

   Several years ago I had a friend who was one of the best motivational speakers in the country.  His name was Ray Pelletier. His company was called January 1st.  Ray's thing was . . . everyday is January 1st.  You don't have to live today according to what happened yesterday! You can start fresh. 
   At Ray's big corporate conferences he would have a dozen roses put in each of the participants rooms. Later in one of his talks he would ask how many people took time to "stop and smell the roses!"  I love that!  Ray went home to be with the LORD a few years ago but every time  I see a rose (or any flower) I think of him, then I stop to appreciate them. I have hundreds of pictures of them.  I took this one this morning after chapel at Dow Chrisitan Academy.  I couldn't pass this up. It's just too beautiful!
   I'm curious?  When is the last time you "stopped to smell the roses", look at a sunrise or sunset, listen to the birds sing, or watch the rain fall? Do you notice the beauty GOD created all around you - just for you?
   For me today LIFE is: Realizing the need to slow down - yes, even come to a complete halt - and pay attention to things I've missed along the way.  To listen - rather than speak.  To give without thought of receiving. To smile even when I don't feel like smiling.  And most of all to thank GOD for all the things I often take for granted! 
   As I write this there is a cricket in my room!  He's (or she's) loud!  I am hoping when I go to bed in a few minutes the cricket will also go to bed.  But, I am thanking GOD for that cricket right now.  If you read my Online Journal for today however - you would laugh. I won't tell you, go and check it out.  KENYA Week 7  (Wednesday - March 9 - "JUSTICE!")
   A challenge for today: Stop, look and listen for GOD in the simple things you might otherwise miss.  Enjoy them and give thanks to the GOD who made them just for you!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!       What to know about Ray Pelletier?

Fresh blessings overflowing!

   Today seeing little Brian holding his cup up for me gave me the idea for today's topic!  I don't know why I am fighting against this being a song theme since another song just popped into my mind that goes perfect here so I won't fight it.  "Fill my cup LORD, I lift it up LORD . . . Bread of Heaven feed me till I want know more, fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole. " 
   A few years ago I was speaking for a youth retreat and I was talking about "our cup of blessings."  I showed them a cup filled to the very top. One drop would make it overflow.  I explained to them that they could keep those blessings for themselves or share them with others - but, I reminded them that GOD could only fill their cup until it overflowed.  It takes FAITH to believe if you share your blessings with others until your cup is empty that GOD will fill it again!  But, unless the cup is emptied ~ the blessings in the cup will become old and worthless.  Even if you half empty it - fresh blessings and old blessings become stale quickly and not a blessing at all.

   For me today LIFE is: sharing the blessings GOD gives me with others knowing GOD will fill my cup again.  

  How's your cup? Fresh blessings or stale? Afraid to take that leap of faith and empty your cup?  Take a leap with me today! You'll be blessed!

LIFE is GOOD! Just do it!

JOY that goes beyond simply being happy

   I was thinking today about the days when I am not so happy about the situation or circumstances I am facing yet deep in my heart there is "JOY". As a Christian, I have JOY in my heart even when happiness seems almost non-existent.
   For me today,  LIFE is: knowing that JOY is not based on how happy I am about things but, WHO I know lives in me!  The JOY of the LORD is my strength.  (ooops - I feel a song coming on again).  Of course that song is based on scripture.
   So what about you today?  Are you happy? Do you have that  JOY.? When I was a young Christian someone told me to really understand JOY I must break it down to . . .   J -O -Y   J = Jesus  O = Others  Y = Yourself. WOW!  When I put Jesus first, others next and me last, my JOY is complete. 
   That's my prayer for you today.

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!

The WIND beneath my WINGS

I've often thought about where I get the strength to do the things I do sometimes.  I have a few health problems that should keep me off my feet and "out of the race" so to speak and yet, each day I am able to accomplish so many things. 

I love the song "Wind Beneath My Wings" because it says so many things that I want to say to GOD about who HE is and what HE does.

For me today LIFE is: knowing that: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." I can overcome the obstacles of life because: "greater is HE that is in me that he that is in the world!

Needing a boost today? Not soaring with the eagles? 

"Lord JESUS today ~ bless the one who is now reading this blog and give them courage and strength.  Be the WIND beneath their WINGS! AMEN"
I promise I will not be writing about my favorite songs each time in this blog ~ however, what a great song. During worship a few days ago I took this picture. Peter (the oldest Dow child in Kenya - made friends with some eagles. This is "Shadow".

"HE AIN'T HEAVY - he's my brother!

Sometimes the burdens of life really begin to weigh me down. I often forget that GOD has offered to partner with me in that burden when HE says: "take my 'yoke' upon you and learn of me . . . you will find rest for your soul'" We are not alone! And we can also help shoulder each other's burdens!

I love that old song - "He Ain't Heavy - He's My Brother! That song was one of my favorites back when I became a Christian (42 years ago). Wow! That's a long time. And GOD has been helping me carry my "burderns" (sometimes carrying me and my burdens alone), all that time.

For me today: LIFE is remembering how easy the journey can be when we help carry one another's burdens. I was reminded of that when I saw the kids playing tonight and some rode on the backs of others. PRICELESS!

Did you help someone carry their burden today in some way? Did someone help you. If not, as Mary Rose Dow would say: "Get to gettin'!" LIFE is GOOD! Just do it!

http://dowfamilychildrenshome.org/

The Journey Ahead

As I think about LIFE and the jouney ahead of me, at times it seems I don't have the energy or resources to do it. Then I watch the people around me - doing the impossible.
   Like this little boy in Swaziland who carries water for his family from the river. He walks over a mile each way climbing and decending huge hills. I can't imagine doing that. For him it's just LIFE!
   For me today LIFE is: knowing that "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." What seems impossible for me - is possible for GOD! If I am "willing" GOD is able!
   Is there something in front of you that seems to big?  Too wide? Too deep? GOD is waiting to help you!  Just call on HIM. Be encouraged today!

LIFE is good. Just do it!

The "HOME" that LOVE built

   In the little village of Kapsiratet, Kenya is a place like no other. It's a a home filled with love and warmth. Until Greg & Mary Rose Dow literally gave up everything in the USA and took a leap of faith, these children didn't stand a chance of living.
   The Dows rescued these children from the jaws of death.

For me today LIFE is: knowing that these children are not only "alive"; they are happy, healthy, children who now have a "mom" & "dad" and know what it means to be loved to have a "family"

   This is not an orphanage! It's a "HOME". A good one. A Christian home, with parents who teach the children about the LOVE of GOD and what it means to love each other.

LIFE is GOOD!

One more HALLELUJAH!

    As though I need one more thing to do, I've created this personal blog to share my thoughts with you about "LIFE". For me today ~ it's about the struggles our "brothers & sisters" face in AFRICA. Whether it's Swaziland, South Africa, Mozambique or Kenya I see the same struggle. "How will I survive?" It's not so different in some ways from the USA but, the poverty is more visible here.
    The faces of the people, often tell their story. But, if you take time to sit down with them and listen for a while, and you know their "story", you can begin to feel their pain and enter the fellowship of their suffering.

    As one who desires to "help" these people, it requires some financial resources. I am thankful for those who are willing to sacrifice even $1.00 to help someone in need. In most cases I am looking for ways to help these needy people develop some sort of business so I'm not just giving them a fish (as the saying goes), but providing a boat and net!

Thanks to the "Friends of PEI" we are doing it!

LIFE is GOOD!  Just do it!