REMAIN FAITHFUL

When we are with family we are blessed. Blessed for many reasons.
One comes from reflecting on the phases or our ministry life. A preparation phase was serving in many capacities at local churches. During  these years we grew in our understanding of God's plan for our lives. This was followed by 30 years now of serving full time as missionaries. 

When we were called of the LORD to pick up and leave our comfort zone and serve Him full time as missionaries, the ministry phase began. Both of our sons were in high school and college and they never interrupted this call to full time missionary service. Indeed a blessing that helped us greatly to focus on the tasks at hand. We focused on God’s work. Sharing his love with a needy world.

Another blessing is we are sharing time with grandchildren this month during an important time in their lives. The twins graduated from high school. One is going to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. One is going to pursue a nursing career at a local college and just received her CNA certificate.

Our grandson as a junior in high school was first chair tenor saxophone in the all state orchestra. He is a member of the professional SWING FACTORY BIG BAND and we enjoyed their concert kicking off the June musicals in Woodland Park, Colorado.

And our son celebrated a big birthday and it was great to attend because we are not with him very often on his birthday. This was followed a few days later as we celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary. It was nice to be with family this year for these important events. 

Perhaps the blessings we enjoy with family is because we have tried to remain faithful in our service to the churches we have attended and our ministry years with Reach Beyond and Reaching People far from God.
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Old Testament profit Samuel understood faithfulness mentioning this numerous times in his writings.

1 Samuel 2:6-9
God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up. He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives— a place in the sun! For the very structures of earth are God’s; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. (The Message)

ways to remain faithful . . . . . 

INTIMACY with God        John 15:1-9
Does my heart break for the same things as God’s? Talk with God about my life.

INTIMACY with God’s people    John 13:3
Other people are the tools that shape me. People need to know me, I need to know them. Intimacy is going to hurt. In the process it is character building. It makes me vulnerable.

INTIMACY with lost people    John 17:15-18
We are sent here as a mission to represent and present God to the world, a lost world without Jesus. And the world is a dangerous place without God. without the saving grace of Jesus.

The Bible flies on the wings of relationships.“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened, that he considered me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.”  1 Timothy 1:12 NASB

Or, “trustworthy, appointing me to his service.” As translated in the NIV of the Bible.