Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Doors - Hooray!

Have you ever set your sights on something that you know is real but seems like a dream? Do you find yourself wondering what God may have in store for you, or if what you are going through could really be used somehow later in life? We do! So many times, so many experiences, so many times I have looked at the cross trying to run faster towards it while my feet seem to be mired in mud. My heart yearns to be in heaven... why am I still here?  Clearly there is more for me to do.  What will it be this time?

When you want to have some accomplishments, yet doors remain closed - no matter how hard you push- rest in God's plan. He is ever the gentleman. (I just imagine Him leaning on the door, keeping it closed, calmly checking to make sure his cuticles are just right while I am trying with all of my might to push the door open!).  Then I head in a different direction, or just down the hall & I see there is a door open, so I get ready to pull it shut (after all, all the other doors are closed), and I hear, "Oh, Carrie! Could you help me with this for just a moment? It's ok, you can keep the door open."  Before I know it, hours/days/months/years have passed as I had set my hand to whatever... and realize that door was so easy. It was God's will.

Sometimes my dreams have become a reality - like my awesome husband, my terrific sons, a kindred & fun daughter-in-love, our instant and wonderful grandchildren and an expectation that I would be living somewhere else other than the US.

Wow, we are now getting closer!! Thanks to many of you! (and if God is nudging you & you haven't pledged yet, He also wants you to help us) - just an aside, there.

Our team in Hungary also has great ideas for service organizations, should they want to help with a project or two. Maybe they would like to hear what is happening in other parts of the world? We can help! Do you have a small group that would be interested? We would love to share! Do you have a church that wants to expand their mission-mindedness? We can help! Do you want to know more? Ask! We would love to talk to you.

Somehow God plans on using all of our experiences, goals and dreams out on the field - us! Just regular old Kurt and Carrie - and God can use us! Wow!! Is He crazy? No, He's God! He can change water into wine, I know he can change our "ordinariness" into His divine purpose for whatever He chooses. Us! You, too!

Even still, we press on towards our goal, knowing Jesus is at the end of it. Keeping our eyes only on Him, learning all we can to acclimate easier, breathe deeper, run stronger, faster, lighter.....

Come on! Join the race with us!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Beautiful feet?

     Feet are quite amazing parts of our body, aren't they? We (hopefully) use them, stub them, shoe them, wash them - but mostly we forget them unless they hurt, don't we?  There are 26 bones in the foot - well, 27 if you count another in the big toe. Twenty-six bones that we rarely think of - how astoundingly complex our feet are.  Can you imagine walking without feet? Many do. Are you feeling more and more blessed? You should!

  "...How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!" Romans 10:15 (nasb)  Some versions say "...How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel"   Well, you're looking at two pair that are in preparation and yearning to run for their purpose!  We still do that here, but we are being pulled to go & share with many who have never had the chance to hear the good news that Jesus, who was perfect, died for their sins so that they may choose to accept Christ and live a changed life not only here on earth, but in heaven as well.  However, there are some parts of the verse that are missing.... let me fill it in for you:

  "How then shall they call upon Him (Jesus) in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are SENT? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good things!' "  Romans 10:14-15

  Did you catch that? All missionaries and pastors need to be SENT! Many people don't realize the Christians in NORTH AMERICA alone- thanks to the many blessings of the Lord-  have more than  enough financial resources to complete this task of reaching the rest of the world (if they used them). To our shame, Mongolia is the leading sending nation of missionaries per capita in the world!

  Do you feel really close to God? Are you trying to out-give God yet?  Think of ways that you can help direct your resources to further the gospel, rather than fill your shelves with more stuff. One way you can help is by helping to pledge a monthly amount to Pioneers in our account (just to the right of this column)- Would $100 a month be do-able? Less? More? Is God "nudging" you? If He is, it is real - He wants your heart active in changing His world.  Go ahead! Pledge today!!

 "This service that you perform is not only supplying then needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!"  2 Cor. 9: 12-15
 "


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Praise the Lord! We are at 30% monthly support!

Praise the Lord!! We are finally @ 30% monthly support!! Feel free to help us out! Check out the link to the right on this blog...

Friday, February 3, 2012

How strong is your tool?

  Have you ever actively pursued bringing about God's revealed purpose for your life? Have you felt thwarted with nay-sayers on every side? We have been going through quite a bit of this since Jesus showed us we need to go onto the mission field and we said "Yes" .

   I gathered a lot of comfort this morning reading the book of Nehemiah - he went through much of the same as they were rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. He had the backing of one of the most powerful kings in the world at that time. The opposition spread rumours and created plans to attack Nehemiah and the men rebuilding the wall. Fortunately, there were others who were for the rebuilding & they had warned Nehemiah and his men, so they took up arms. 

   Can you imagine building and carrying your weapons at the same time? If you are a believer, you should be doing just that - only your weapons are from the heavenly realm.  The Holy Spirit can warn you of an upcoming attack, and then join with you in your fight against your enemies. Jesus can also supply more helpers to join in the battle to help you win the battle. There is power in numbers. There is also a great comfort.  Challenge yourself - who can you help today? How can you help? Who can you call on should you need help? Prayer is a mighty help to have in your toolbox - make sure to use it daily and keep it in prime condition.