Good Reminder for Myself

“We comfort the afflicted sinner in this manner; Brother you can never be perfect in this life, but you can be holy. He will say, ‘How can I be holy when I feel my sins?’ I answer, ‘You feel sin? That is a good sign. To realize that one is ill is a step and a very necessary step, toward recovery.’ ‘But how will I get rid of my sin?’ he will ask. I answer: See the heavenly Physician, Christ, who heals the broken-hearted. Do not consult the Quackdoctor, Reason. Believe in Christ and your sins will be pardoned. His righteousness will become your righteousness, and your sins will become His sins.” Martin Luther, Commentary on Galatians, 1538

WOW 2 Posts in 1 Day!!

I am in love with Travis Cottrell!! He has an amazing voice - was studying to be an opera singer when the Lord changed the direction of his life. His music speaks to my soul often and says what I wish I could say. Linz and I were able to worship with him one Friday night and it was an amazing time of worship!!

Anyway, one of his songs - You Came reminded me of why my life is not my own. Here's a portion:

"Before YOU came we were stranded in the dark bearing wounded heart's without hope.

Before YOU came we were drifting on the sea desperate and in need, sinking low.

We cryed for help because we could not save ourselves.

YOU heard, YOU saw, YOU knew and YOU felt it all, YOU wept when YOU watched us fall.

YOU could not stay away and YOU came."

"Praise YOU Lord Jesus for leaving the glories of Heaven and coming to earth, to suffer and die for my sins."

Who Is In Control of My Life?

"The desire to be God rather than to serve God lies at the bottom of every sin that anyone has ever committed. Sin is rooted in my unwillingness to find joy in living my life under the authority of, and for the glory of Another. Sin is rooted in my desire to live for me. It's driven by my propensity to indulge my every feeling, satisfy my every desire, and meet my every need." Whiter Than Snow - Paul David Tripp

I love these devotions (thanks Belinda) as God has used them to really show me my heart and my need for a Savior! I confess I so want to live for myself - do what I want to do and it's often a struggle of surrender to my Lord.

"You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Cor 6:19-20

"Thank You Lord Jesus for loving me in spite of my wanting to be in control of my life; for wanting to do it my way. May the power of Your blood allow me to surrender my all to you day by day."

Something to Ponder

Religion is, ‘I obey, therefore I’m accepted’. The Gospel is, ‘I’m accepted through what Jesus Christ has done for me, therefore I obey’. Religion gives you control, that’s why its so popular…If I am saved by what I can do, then there’s a limit to what God can ask of me. I still have some control. But if I am saved by sheer grace, then there’s nothing He cannot ask of me”. Tim Keller

I Jumped Off the Cliff Friday July 17, 2009

As many of you know I have been reading the Prodigal God by Tim Keller. It is a must read and has really changed my life like no other book. I've always known that I am a Martha but God has shown me through this book more of the why and reason that I live as a Martha.

I grew up with a perfectionist Dad who ruled by fear. If you didn't sweep out the carport correctly then you had to do it again. If you didn't get the paint line straight along the base board, you had to wipe it off and do it again. While I don't like to blame things on my past, God has really shown me through this book how my childhood really did shape my image of God.

The book has helped me to see that I am an Elder Sister who does, does, does, tries to pull myself up by the bootstrap (doing my moral duty) all to gain God's approval and acceptance. Tim Keller helped me to see that I have really been saying, God, thanks for my salvation, now I've got it under control but will you please sit up there in the bleachers to help me when I need you. (A dear friend of mine pointed out so clearly how that is health and wealth prosperity gospel!) I've always considered myself a prayer warrior. But I have been so convicted that my prayers are often "vending machine" prayers. And if I am so busy doing, seeking my own righteousness, how can I love God or others??

"God is committed to enthrall me with what is most deeply and durably satisfying, Himself." "The gift is God Himself above all His other gifts." John Piper in God is the Gospel

God has deeply convicted me that I have missed the relationship with God (and others) because I have been so busy doing, doing, doing. I have lived my life seeing how close can I get to my surrender without loosing all control. I have not believed that God Himself is all I need. (Somewhere in the Middle by Casting Crowns). So last Friday, I jumped off the cliff in total abandonment to God. Only by God's grace, I really am beginning to see that God is ALL I need.

I (by God's grace) can so live in the day BUT am often fearful that when I get down the road (i.e. Mexico) the day is going to overwhelm me and knock me down. But as long as God is with me, being knocked down isn't the worst thing that can happen to me. I often feel overwhelmed with Mexico, a new culture, a new language, new ministry and in the past would have spent an enormous time praying for God to help me (which of course I need to do some of this) but recently I have the most incredible peace and have even been able to say to God, "I only need you to go with me and be with me." What peace, freedom and joy there is in this abandonment to God. However, I must confess that I don't feel like I have my arms around all of this but I am thankful that only by God's grace, I have begun a relationship with my Savior, not based on my needs but on loving and enjoying Him forever.

I can sure make this Christianity thing much harder than it is supposed to be!! Thank you God for your grace and mercy to this sinner, for not giving up on me and for loving me just as I am in spite of myself!

Scotts July 2009 Update

“See, I have called by name Bezalel, and have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability, intelligence and knowledge…..that they may make all that I have commanded you.”  Exodus 31:3,6

As we feel that time is drawing closer for us to go to Mexico, we are reminded of our need of God and His grace to fulfill His calling through us for His glory.  So, may we share some specific praise and prayer requests with you, which are on our hearts?

-Praise God for our supporters who have sacrificed much during these difficult economic times.

“Through eternity (we) shall thank God for the silent flame in the hearts of those and what they did for (us).  Not many of them has ever had their path opened into foreign work, but the light of the Day that is coming will show what He has let them do in kindling others.”  Lilias Trotter

 - Please praise God for our supporters who have given much and prayed much during the past 5 years.  We are thankful to God for each one of you who support us financially and through prayer.

-Praise God for His detailed provisions for us during these past 2 months.  Please praise Him for the loan of a car.  Our dear friend, Chaplain Don Malin is serving our country in Afghanistan and they have graciously given us his car to use.  Please pray for him and his wife Bess. 

-We are so thankful to our daughter Lindsey for allowing us to move right into her home.

-Praise God for our encouraging communication/visits with most of our supporters during these 2 months.

-Praise God for special times with our Children and Grandchildren.

-Praise God for using our son Chad to encourage us, counsel us, point out sin and listen to our hearts.

-Please pray for God to grant us ability, intelligence and knowledge to accomplish His ministry in Mexico.

-Please pray that doors will be opened and that hearts will be opened for the gospel.

-Please pray for God’s abundant grace during language school, and for us to learn the language quickly. We are planning on attending school in Guadalajara, Mexico in September.

-Please pray for a place to live in Guadalajara (a place that feels like home) and for quick transition to this country/city.

-We only need $352.55 per month to be able to depart for Mexico.  Please pray for God to raise up commitments for this amount through churches and individuals so that we can depart in September.

With many thanks and much love – Deborah and Steven

Future Deer Hunter - Isn't He Adorable?