Amanda's posterous

"Clear the Stage"

“WHAT ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF!?!?”

“I am afraid to……hope”

This conversation struck me as I was watching the movie “Dying Young” featuring Julia Robert’s character as a hired nurse who falls in love with her patient who suffers through an aggressive treatment of chemotherapy.  This man seeks to have a real life and tricks Julia to go on vacation with him, when she finds out that in fact he has not finished his chemotherapy and is actually very sick.  When he is faced with the decision to go back home and in turn not put her through the struggle of watching him die without fighting, he expresses his fear in placing his hope in getting well and then it not coming true. 

Very dramatic scene.  Very real situation.  Very wrong focus.

(*disclaimer – am not promoting this movie, quotes from memory)

What was his hope in?  His hope was in fulfilling what he thought should be a normal life, his hope was in seeking his own pleasure.  Isn’t this so true in our lives though?  We set our hopes on so many things other then what God calls us to; loosing those extra 5 lbs, happy family and many friends, a boyfriend or girlfriend we will marry, a car, a house, a job, a dog, and enough money to take care of all of that. 

We also have hopes in areas that are real, hopes that take away those hard feelings; cure for that daughter with cancer, relief from the pain of a veering son, pain free life, safety for a grandson at war, etc, etc, etc. 

Hopes are everywhere in our lives.  The Bible says in Proverbs 13:12: “A hope deferred makes the heart sick”

We all know that feeling when what we were longing for; that job, that healing, that goal, that dream, does not actually come to fruition.  It is like someone took the very wall you were clinging to out from underneath you and you land headfirst onto a cement wall.  At least that’s what it feels like to me.  You place your whole focus and plans on that hope and then it just doesn’t go your way!  I used to be such a mess when an experience like that happened.

That is until………

Until the Lord brought me through experiences to make me realize it is not about my earthly hopes.  It is about a greater hope!  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is my favorite verse to read when life does not go the way I planned it.  We can live with a greater hope – when we know that Jesus died for our sins and rose again we know that we will be taken up with the Lord FOREVER!!  We will be in Heaven forever praising God and living a perfect life!

AWESOME!  That sure makes all other hopes pale in comparison to this future glory! It has been a very long process for me to reach this understanding; God has been very patient with my stubborn heart!  It took losing a boyfriend, not finding a job, losing control of all of my plans, life change to Africa, Maleria, deaths, adoptions…..oh the list goes on! I know that I am a work in progress but I am so thankful for this lesson He has been teaching me!

I just love seeing how God works – Jimmy Needham’s newest cd (my all time favorite artist) is all about this very fact.  One of my favorite songs on the cd is called “Clear the Stage”.  In life we allow other things to fill our minds, love, heart, and thoughts.  But, the Bible is very clear in telling us that anything that takes the place of GOD is an idol.  Even if these are very good areas of life – the desire for a sick person to be healed, the relief from pain, the wish for a job, etc.  If anything fills our mind’s spaces and takes up God’s space on that “stage”, that is an idol in our lives. 

Jeremiah 2:13 reminds us of what we can do on this earth – to keep God on our stage – and to live in that future hope.  “My people have committed two sins; they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”  God is burdened by His people who are forgetting their Father who is real, fresh, never-ending water and seeking their own pleasure, their own plan in dirty, toilet water. 

How many times have I cried because I lost something?  How many tears did I cry when I broke up with my boyfriend?  What was my response when I couldn’t understand why I could not find a job?  Oh TOO Many! How often do I cry because I have not placed God at center stage?  Eh…..hard to answer that one after answering the previous one! 

I am making a statement in the public right now!  I vow to keep God as my hope. When things do not go my way or when I see the unfairness in life, I will choose to remember that in this life I will experience the sin of this world. BUT, this life is fleeting and I will soon enter into a beautiful eternity with my Heavenly Father!  Revolutionary! Hold me to this! 

When I don’t feel like I can run that race, I will turn to Isaiah 40:28-31.  When I feel like I am falling down to that cement ground, face-first I will cling to HIS strength and the hope He has given to me!

I pray this can work for you all!

Laugh darkness in the face!

How does one begin to choose the next person to focus on in a spotlight post, after 2 years of building relationships and seeing God’s light in so many lives!?  So many faces that I cherish, so many smiles that are unique, so many laughs that bring much joy, but most importantly so many lives that have been drastically changed by the hand of God!

I have been in prayer over who I should spotlight this week – I want this blog saga to not only be a time for me to process, but also a time to show you the people that I call family here.  A way to show you what God is doing worldwide!

 I believe the Lord led me to Uncle Sam. 

Uncle Sam is one of our askaris (guard).  He is from Lira – Northern Uganda.  As you see in the picture, he has a beautiful wife name Judith and two sons; Jovan and Mark.  He makes a meager living but is constantly serving others.  The baby in the picture is Daniella, they are watching over this baby for her mother who is studying in University.  Sam is a born leader and very motivated.  He has furthered his education in leadership and music – making him a great worship leader in our GSF chapel.  He is very passionate about music and leading others to praise.  Uncle Sam also has a boda service where he is able to make extra money transporting others on his motorbike (which he worked hard to buy).  Despite all of these small jobs he does exceeding well in his main jobs here at GSF.  He is a great askari – one that demands attention.  Most importantly he is a GREAT husband and father.  In a culture where fathers are often absent, husbands mistreat wives, or have many wives, Sam stands out as a shining light.  He cares for and provides for his family in such a Godly way that is a great example to our kids here at GSF. 

This did not all come easy.  Living in Lira during the Amin generation, he was taken at a young age and forced to be a soldier.  If you have not read anything about the rein of Idi Amin in Uganda – I urge you to read about this horrible time of history!  This all happened during the lives of the mothers and grandmothers that are still alive today.  The effects are still very present and very much a part of the culture.  Sam, amazingly, was able to escape the grip of the Amin soldiers but not without much pain and loss.  He saw a lot of death, even the death of his brother, and felt a lot of physical pain in this period of his life.  Through these experiences I believe that Sam is able to cherish life more, value relationships, and stand firm in His faith.  He is a hero!

Sam, with the help of two other workers here at GSF, has begun a Bible study that is meeting in the local village.  This Bible study is meeting every Thursday in hopes of becoming a Bible-believing and preaching church, another light that will stand out amidst so much falsehood in many of the local churches.  Uncle Sam is a perfect candidate for the job – a born leader, a strong speaker, and a foundation built on the Bible.  I am excited to see where the Lord takes this church and the impact it has on the local village.  Please be in prayer that the church will see growth, will continue to be built on a foundation of truth, and that the Lord will direct each step! 

In the process of writing this, I read this passage to my students during our class reading time;  “you know the thing about hope, how it sneaks up behind you when you’re sure everything’s in the toilet, and starts whispering to you that maybe, just maybe, things could turn around.  That’s the gift Harry gave us that night.  Some people, all you have to do is stand next to them and you feel protected.  Mrs. Gladstone said he was always like that, too, a presence of hope, even after all he’d been through, able to laugh darkness in the face”.  (On the Road, Joan Bauer) I pictured Sam while I read this.  He sure is a picture of hope to all those he comes in contact with!  That hope is from His firm faith in the Lord’s goodness and power!  He has a heart that desires to serve others and see the Lord’s name glorified!

What an example to live in hope no matter what our circumstances! 

Prayer for a broken spirit of sacrifice!

They say never to pray for patience, because the way to gain patience is to spend time practicing that very virtue.  I submit, one finds themselves in the same situation when praying for brokenness.  Recently, I have started to pray for a heart that is broken for what God desires.  He has sure brought that to my life.  You know though – it is all part of the growing pains of life and I am so thankful for this experience. 

If you were to ask my roommates if I am an emotional person, the instant reply would be “NO!” It takes a lot to make me cry normally. Lately though, It has been as if the flood gates have opened up!  Getting a hug from Henry, watching a movie in class, praying for a local woman in the village, all of these and more have brought me to tears these days.  A mixture of situations are the cause of this- but I would say the biggest cause is my prayer to have His heart for others!

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart.  O, God you will not despise” – Psalm 51:17

In experiencing a deep emotion for the people around me - I have been urged to pray for them and love them in the way Christ showed us true love.  In doing this, as a way of expressing myself and sharing my heart, I wanted you to meet some of these very special people!

Meet Betty:

I always refer to Betty as my running partner.  Betty feels very deeply!  She loves to lead the church in worship music.  Betty loves to talk and ask questions.  Her and I have stayed up many a nights just talking away.  Betty was, this year, a leaver of GSf.  This means that she had to be resettled due to her age.  I watched as Betty struggled with this at the same time as taking her S4 exams.  This, I would say, is an equivalent of our SAT – only these tests determine your future as they either allow you to A level  classes, a technical school, or a job.  I saw Betty cling to her Heavenly Father and overcome these struggles.  I was so proud of her!

Betty has had to apply the life lessons she learned during this time of her life recently.  She is attending a boarding school about 30 minutes from GSF. Because this school is so close we are able to go and pick up these students for church on Sundays.  Betty’s mom has been coming on Sundays, knowing that her daughter will be at GSF.  The issue with this is that her mother is not able to take care of herself.  Her mother has mental health issues.  Betty has a deep love for her mother and hates seeing her this way.  Betty has the constant struggle with wondering if her mom will have food each day, if she will have clean clothes, if she will have a place to stay for the night. 

I have been so broken by this!  It hurts to watch as Betty struggles with this.  She came to my house last night in order to talk.  She sat and shared her heart on this issue and many others.  I could just feel her pain.  She left for holiday to spend it with her grandparents, in which she is also worried about.  Betty and I sat and prayed together.  It was an expectant prayer.  Betty and I both agreed to pray fervently for her holiday, for her grandparents, and for her mother – knowing that the Lord is good, that He has a plan, and that He will answer our prayers!

Betty has taught me a lot through the past two years.  One of the biggest areas is the importance of an expectant prayer.  She has been praying for her grandfather for years to be saved and over the Christmas holiday, as he was sick in bed, he asked God to be His heavenly Father! AMEN! 

It’s time we pray expecting God to answer in miraculous ways!

“He didn’t know the Lord had left him”

“He didn’t know the Lord had left him” –

Such a sad verse.  I was filled with sorrow when I read this verse this week.  Samson was a man of strength.  Samson could not be defeated.  He killed a lion with his bare hands!!  Where was his strength from?  How could this man have such super strength?  Some would say, because he got his hair cut and lost his strength, that it was his hair.  Some would argue he was born with the strength.  I submit that the Lord was living in Him – it says:

“The spirit of the Lord came upon him ….”

The Lord was in Samson and providing the strength that was needed to fulfill the Lord’s purpose.  After 3 attempts, Delilah tries to find out what the source is to his strength.  Each time Samson tricks her and the Philistines, I envision Samson getting a little more and more prideful.  I can just see him respond to Delilah’s face of surprise when he breaks through the unused ropes, or the loom attached to his hair.  She was definitely plucking his ego!  She was also being a hindrance to our hero with super strength.

Samson did not follow God’s will and was not relying on God’s strength; he was trusting in his own strength, this led the Lord to depart from Samson and leave him weak and helpless.  I can picture Samson getting up the 4^th trick from Delilah, thinking “ah – I got this, won’t this woman ever quit?”  Then the Bible says that tragic statement:

“He didn’t know the Lord had left him”

Can you imagine waking up, thinking you had it all under control, and realizing that life was falling apart around you because the source of your strength had left you?  I surmise that this is just like having faith in your legs as you are walking, you don’t even think about the fact that they are holding you, and then all of a sudden your leg gives out from underneath you.  You are left stunned!!

I think, as my time is quickly coming to an end, that I have been approaching each task with a “get it done” attitude, relying on my ability to keep focused on my schedule, and keep focused on following my to-do list.  This approach has taken God out of the picture.  Even though I call to him for strength and wisdom for each day, if I am not clinging to him as my strength and relying on my own abilities then I will fail.  This past week I was tired.  I was worn out.  I was doing it on my own.  I have claimed this verse:

“You, dear Children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

He has overcome any of my struggles.  What a great realization, from a story that has been told since childhood! 

I picture it this way – God is like Batman.  Any struggle that I am facing, any sin, any fear or worry – is like Alvin (from “Alvin and the Chipmunks” ).  They are going to have an arm wrestling competition. Who would win?  HA! Not even a competition!!  God has already won and is greater than anything we may go through. 

Where is your strength?  Do you believe that HE has overcome your struggles?  

"Come and tickle me!"

If there is one thing I hate – it is to be tickled! 

I can feel the assault of your fingers way before you even reach my stomach.  When tickled, I have absolutely NO control of my body.  When people find out that I hate it so much they insist on tickling me and laugh so vehemently.  The reasons are simple – I lose all sense of control over my body and end up hurting all those in the vicinity of my flailing appendages, and I just plain don’t like the feeling! 

If there is one thing I love most – it is to be tickled!

I love when someone slowly moves their fingers on my face, my arm, or my feet.  I remember growing up and sitting in the hot car with my Uncle “tickling” my face while I fell asleep;  or, when my mom would “tickle” my arms during church. 

Why do I confess all of this to you?  I had a revelation tonight.  While having dinner at one of the girls’ houses, I was asked to chase the girls (ages 4-10) into their room and tickle them.  “Auntie Amanda, Nurse Katie! Come tickle us”.  I at first wanted to say, are you kidding me – why would you willingly submit yourself to such torture!? Or, “I am tired guys!”  But, then it hit me – these precious children do not have a father to chase them or wrestle them on Saturday mornings.  They do not have a mother to tickle them sweetly while they are watching a movie or when they can’t sleep.  Though these, joy filled children have Aunties that love them very much – it is not common to find this kind of interaction among families. The kids always find it funny when I try to sweetly tickle them.  So, what followed was a massive chase of tickling, rasberries, and kisses!

Just one of a few observations I have made lately of the elements in my life that I take for granted. 

Another thing that I absolutely love?

To hear the church bellowing out “I have a Father”.  To listen to the kids sing out “I have a father, He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He hears me when I call!”  Though these beautiful blessings do not have the experiences or sweet memories I have from a life of special moments with a loving earthly father and mother.  They have the most important and most rewarding experience of all – a relationship with their Heavenly Father! They have special moments with their Heavenly Father!  They have the PERFECT love of that Father – who knows more than just their name; but everything about them!  What more could you want!? 

Do you have such a Father?!

Here’s to valuing the special moments we have with those here on earth – but living with the hope of those GREAT moments we will have with the FATHER in Heaven for all of eternity! I will tickle any of these special kids any time they want if that leads them into a further understanding of HIS love and security!  I may not value so much the times when I am tickled! : )

You do not know what you had till you have lost it!

One of the biggest areas I have learned about during my time here in Uganda would have to be the importance of having a purpose statement and principles for every area of my life.  I have, therefore, applied this in the youth group.  I saw the importance for having a purpose to look back at in all decisions made for the eternity of each of these kids.  I met with David Malisi (the tailor) and prayed over what specific principles we would like to see applied with the youth at GSF.  We wanted something in place so that no matter who was at GSF, the youth group could continue. 

We had our first meeting this week.  Last week I had a pretty tough week continually battling many emotions.  Thinking about all that was ahead; thinking about all that I need to plan for the summer and for my parents coming; focused on planning for school; and making every moment count with the kids.  Often, this week my initial reaction was to just stay inside and avoid the fact that my time was quickly ticking away. I continued to combat these attacks with the truth: “I am just grass that withers away, His words stands forever”; “Not by Power, nor by might, but by the Holy Spirit”.  I stayed up Wednesday night just praying and seeking the Lord’s face as I prepared for Thursday night’s meeting.

We spent the first part of the time playing “four on a couch” (compliments to John Maynard!) and then went into a time of discussion over the purpose and future goal of the youth group.  We discussed different verses that point to the importance of Quiet Time, prayer, scripture memory, Bible Study, and Church involvement.  Then we discussed the plan of a leadership team – a group of the older kids that would meet to delve into the Bible and answer questions, plan for the youth group activities, and pray for the youth group.  Lastly, we looked at an introduction to 1 John – the book we will study for the next couple of months. 

I am very excited for what the Lord has in store! This youth group was one that I saw and felt the Lord present.  I could sense the students connected and engaged as well.  We discussed that each of the principles are put in place for them to choose a relationship with the Lord.  We can only offer them – but as they get ready to be settled and leave the orphanage; these encompass areas they are going to wish they paid more attention. 

“You don’t know what you have till you have lost it”

Isn’t that so true?  A friendship that we wish we had spent more time in, but not realizing till it is too late.  Wishing you had gotten more involved in the local church and fellowshipping.  Realizing what that person meant to you too late.  Taking each Sunday in church, spending time in the word each day, praying every step of each day are all opportunities that these kids have daily and readily here at GSF.  I challenged them to invest in their lives now the importance of these principles, as when they leave it will not be so easy or readily available. 

What is in your life right now that you should be paying more attention to?  Investing in your kid

s everyday lives?  Keeping in touch with a friend?  Studying the word?  Praying each moment? What if God took away your freedom to have a Bible?  Or your freedom to study with a group of believers – would you wish you had valued it more now?  What about if that friend passed away?

Look at alkruppenbacher.posterous.com for my newest blog post! Live to make each day count, not count each day.

It's not a burden, It's a blessing!

Barb-q-Chicken, mashed potatoes, rice, green beans, and……….Strawberry Cheesecake. 

Sounds like a good ole’ home cooked meal.  What made special? 

This is why. 

  Betty, our house helper and her family came to have dinner at our house this week.  This woman keeps me sane.  My roommate from University can tell you that I just cannot get work done and not feel stressed if the house is cluttered and a mess.  It’s a problem!

Auntie Betty comes to our house 3 times a week and makes my life a whole lot easier by keeping our house clean.   In Uganda you can’t get away with a once a week sweeping and mopping – the floors should be cleaned AT LEAST once a day. 

Auntie Betty knows that I love the salsa she makes – so she makes sure she keeps a supply in our fridge.  She knows that Eli likes beans so if he is eating at our house for lunch she gets extra beans. She knows that Titus loves to put Soy Sauce on his rice and so she puts it out any time he eats lunch at our house. Auntie Betty is always observing to see what we like.  She is always looking for new things to learn how to cook. She loves to serve people, especially by making lunch for anyone I invite over.   She finds so much joy in serving all those around her.       

I love to just sit down and spend time with Betty (when she will allow herself to not be working).  Betty has become such a close friend of mine – I told her this week that she was family!  We celebrated boxing day at her house with the village elders and people who were not able to make a Christmas meal.  The next day we had them over for dinner. 

I asked her daughter how the cleaning up after the Christmas meal was and she said “It is not a burden, it is a blessing!”  What an encouragement – I pray I always have that outlook.  It is not a burden, it’s a blessing!

Which leads me to a prayer request. With the Greer’s leaving GSF we are taking the over the lunch provided for the HIV kids at GSF.  Katie and I will be having the kids with HIV over four days a week to have a more balanced diet.  This puts a lot of strain on Betty as she will be making lunch for 6 more kids who eat A LOT of food! I am very excited for this opportunity.  Betty is very excited as well!  Please pray for Betty and I as we take this on. 

It’s not a burden, It’s a blessing!

I have a father...

These streams of blogs have been centered on the idea of His righteousness and love in the hard times.  I sum it all up with Betty. 

Meet Betty:

(download)

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Doesn’t her face just light up the room!?  This girl’s smile is just so infectious and innocent!  Betty, is our newest member of the GSF family.  We have nicknamed her “Tomorrow”, due to the way that she joined our family.  Over a month ago we were told of a young girl who was living with extended family, but the family was not able to take care of her and provide the care that she needed.  A local probation officer and our social worker visited the home and decided that the best option was for her to join our family.  We then prepared ourselves to welcome a new sister (or could be brother as often these things are lost in translation).  When the day ended and she wasn’t there, we were told “oh, she is coming tomorrow”.  So, we would prepare ourselves and got excited to meet this precious daughter of the Lord and would be told yet again, “she is coming tomorrow”.  This carried on for about a month and a half. 

Finally, last week Betty came and has been smiling every since!  She is always ready to greet you with a smile, it always stops me right in my tracks – it is so radiant and unsuspecting! She eagerly approaches you for a hug and grabs your hand.  What a bundle of joy! Here are a few pictures from her first day here:

       Betty with “big sister” Patricia

Betty’s mother has passed away and her father is not able to be in contact.  This precious 6 year old joins our family with scars.  I cried out to the Lord and asked the questions why? But, was reminded of her smile.  The Lord has already overcome this struggle in her life and has already redeemed her.  Though she is safe and in a home where she is cared for, it is not perfect.  The Lord is the only answer.  His sacrifice on the cross is able to wipe away all of her past and in the end make her beautiful and bring all the glory to Himself! 

Isn’t this how we all join the family of God?  Filled with a history of sin, we realize that He has overcome the world and has taken away that sin.  He has sacrificed His life to make us pure.  He then provides the comfort and strength for each day and the hope we have in an eternity with Him! 

That smile is the picture of what we have in Christ.  Hope and restoration.

Betty, you are a precious daughter of our Father!  You have a Father and HE knows your name!  He’ll never leave you, no matter where you roam! He knows your every need.  He knows your every thought. He hears you when you call!  He loves you!   

Preaching the gospel to yourself in the potholes!

So, to go along with my last blog – what do you do when in those hard times!?  When you get to that rough patch in the road filled with pot holes, people, animals how do you focus on the beautiful scenery passing by?  How do you find the love letters sent daily by the Lord when facing the potholes of life?   

Proverbs 11:5 – “The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them.”

During youth group, we have been digging deep into the gospel and what our response should be to the gospel.  Jesus’ dying on the cross accounted for our righteousness; the gospel should guide and direct our steps.  Yes, but how can we move forward?! How can I keep my thoughts on what is “true, noble, right, pure, and admirable when my life seems to be crashing down all around me?” 

I have heard it said that sadly, people often view God like a pilot does his parachute.  They know they have that safety net when times get rough but they pray they never have to use it!  Let’s not fool ourselves – this world is full of sinful people whose actions cause the hard times, sadness, and the loneliness.  We have been given the PERFECT comfort, Father, and guide if we would just turn to Him – not only when we need Him! 

So, when facing that doubt, that fear, that struggle, that sadness Pray and Pray and Pray! 

We read in Mark 5 this encouragement:

“Don’t be afraid, Just believe!” 

I believe that we need to have the same mind as Christ.  Knowing His promises and His character can guide us in those hard times.  Those hard times are going to be there and we need to prepare ourselves for them.  This is what I shared with the Youth group a few weeks ago, it is now hanging on my wall, and something I will turn to in those hard times:

T  rust in His voice

R est in His presence

U nderstand His compassion

S acrificed for our grief

T his world is not our home!

Yes, the teacher is coming out in me here!  Let’s break it down a little bit more though. 

Trust in His voice.  In Matthew 14:27-29, and many other occurrences, Jesus says, “come”.  We are called to His presence.  He is open and ready to receive us if we would just have faith and turn to Him!  This account of Peter walking on the water may be one of my favorite Bible stories.  It is a reminder to focus my eyes on the Lord and His presence, on His voice, in the midst of the storm; not to focus my eyes on the waves that are all around me! 

Rest in His presence.  In the account of Lazarus’ death in John 11 we are reminded that: one, God is in control; and two, that He is there with us!  Jesus was told about the failing health of Lazarus and “stayed where He was for two more days”.  WHAT?! But in order to bring the focus and glory to the Lord this is what He saw best.  Staying right where He was until the time was right, until He would get the glory, until the disciples faith was challenged is exactly what would have brought God the most glory!  If we focus our thoughts beyond our human understanding, we would understand that He is there in the times we just don’t understand and He has a greater plan than we can see, than we could ever even imagine!

Understand His compassion.  Continuing on in John 11, we have my brothers famed verse to quote when asked to state a Bible verse: “Jesus wept”.  You got that right, Jesus wept.  I don’t know about you, but that is very comforting to me.  That tells me that Jesus understands my feelings of sadness.  Knowing that He was here on earth and understands what I go through each day is such an encouragement to me!  What better counselor and friend then someone who understands and will sympathize with your feelings!? 

Sacrificed for our grief.  One of my favorite verses to quote when faced with a struggle: John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  The Lord knows our sinful nature and yet He chose to come and bear those sins to make us righteous!  He came to sacrifice His life to overcome our troubles!  He has already won each and every battle we may face – just turn to Him!

This world is not our home.  If all of that was not enough, He has promised all those that have His white coat of righteousness on would be able to join Him in heaven; spending all eternity praising Him!  I yearn for that day!  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is a GREAT passage to look to in those hard times.  It reminds us that this world is not our home.  We are just passing through this world full of sin and sorrow!  “We will be with the Lord forever!” AMEN!

Let’s not pretend that those potholes don’t exist!  We live in a fallen world; filled with wretched people.  BUT, because of His sacrifice, we can have peace that “transcends all understanding” in the hope we have in Christ.  He has promised to be with us and to guide us.  With our righteousness we can move forward in paths that are straight!

Let’s not forget that these “waves” and “potholes” are times that bring Him the glory by strengthening our faith and developing us to be more like Him!  As Job says in 23:10 – that “I will come forth as gold!”

Preach the gospel to yourself!  Remember to TRUST in the hard times! 

Riding on a boda

I was on a boda-boda (public transportation on dirt bikes) the other day and had a sudden revelation.  I was continually looking down to make sure to see the pot holes and cars that were coming in order to be ready for what was ahead.  When I am in the car I will often be looking straight ahead to see what is coming so that I am prepared, as if my knowing what is coming will stop any harm from occurring.  Now, don’t get me wrong it is of great importance to see danger and run from it.

 Prov. 27:12 – “the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.   

But, how often do I just sit back and look at the beautiful scenery driving by? How often, when I am going through life looking down at the “potholes” of my life, do I see the amazing power of the Lord just passing by each day?  The Lord is ever present throughout the day! 

Daily, I am sent little love letters from the Lord in Betty’s full faced smile, Lilly’s daily walk by the house saying “hello, school is ova, I’m not Lilly, You know Lilly? Not sure!”, Caleb’s “Ka-po-po”, Chloe’s big hug, Eseza’s care of Mercy, the breathtaking sunsets, the clouds, the stars, my list could go on and on. 

But, I hate to admit that there are days I just do not see these love letters.  I am not looking for those love letters.  I am just looking at those potholes ahead of me in the form of stress, weariness, death; the big potholes of when times are not going as I had wanted them to go; the speed bump of my desire to please others. 

These are the times that we need to focus on His power, His grace, His love, His beauty, and His presence in every point of our day!

Here in Uganda there are a huge number of man sized potholes, speed bumps the size of a dead hippo on the road, escaped chickens, goats, and cows, and crowds of people to dodge.  It is almost like playing Frogger!  Reaching the destination safely is a daily reminder of His great mercy!  In order to drive one needs to pay attention and be ready for the obstacles on the road.  This is the same in life – we need to be ready and prepared for any obstacle that we may face. 

BUT – we should never get so distracted in this that we miss the beautiful scenery passing by!  Driving in Uganda is one of the most beautiful adventures you can experience!  The luscious green grass, wide open fields filled with tea, sugar cane, and quaint trees, the beauty in the houses and faces you pass, and the picturesque sights! 

Look at these: