On Location

This past monday, the Sanford clan invaded Lowry.  We had a meeting with a key person in the community to start the day.  Key people who can open up the community and organizations are commonly referred to as a “Person of Peace”.  These individuals are non-believers who help with relationships, community approval and open doors to community resources.  Please pray that God brings us people of peace in Lowry.

Secondly, we met with the NAMB, Send North America representative and his wife for lunch.  I have been meeting monthly for coaching.  I am grateful for the experience Dave brings to the table, for the encouragement that he has provided me, as well as the challenges he has given me through assignments and tough questions.

Finally, we spent time playing in a windy, cold park and driving around in the warmth of our car to show the children the neighborhood.  We desire to make Lowry home and not just somewhere we live.  Monday was a step toward that for our children.  I am grateful for a family that is willing to go as God calls and enjoy the journey together.

AWE

Lately, I’ve been camped out in the Psalms. So much good stuff to absorb there! This week, I spent time really digging into and studying Psalm 34 and taking it to heart. Such good words!!

This Psalm begins with, “I will bless The Lord at all times. His praise will continually be on my lips”. I’ve been praying this for myself, Eric, and our children. We’ve been having a joy campaign at home, rewarding positive thought, praise to God, and great attitudes, especially when external circumstances threaten and tempt otherwise. I am so beyond blessed and I want to praise the Lord at ALL times. What a powerful testimony to the world when we, as Christians, keep our joy regardless of circumstance!!

This Psalm also speaks to God taking away fear. It actually says “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them”. I don’t know about y’all, but God has delivered me from some BIG fears in my lifetime, some very recently, when I stand in awe and reverent fear of Him. I need delivering and to know His angel encamps around me is a powerful word picture for me to cling to always! No fear or doubt is too big for my God to deliver me from! Amen?!?

This is also the Psalm that says we should “seek peace and pursue it”, another very familiar quote in our home, some days easier said than done. We want to honor God by being peace seekers, peace pursuers…another outward testimony to a lost world, of Christ in us!

Lastly, Psalm 34 says God hears us when we cry out and He delivers us from troubles. “He is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit”. I know many, if not all, of you have big hurts, large wounds, some physical, some not. God is so personal and caring. What comfort I find in knowing He cares for me and for you.

May the people in our lives see change and transformation that boasts in God alone! May our lives reflect what we learn of Him in His Word. May revival fall on our land and God’s name be made famous…our Deliverer and Comforter!!!!

God at the Movies

This past weekend Amanda and I went on a date to celebrate my birthday. I was privileged to have a late lunch and take in a movie with my sweetheart. Our movie of choice was Les Miserables. Having seen the movie that came out a few years ago, I knew the story line but I was taken back by the musical version. As we sat there glued to the silver screen, several biblical themes came to the forefront and, since then, I have not been able to put them to rest.

First, the idea of justice verses mercy, personified by Inspector Javert and Jean Valjean. Both men claimed religious reasons for their actions. Javert reminded me of the Pharisees while Jean Valjean made me think of Christ. Javert wanted justice to be done at the cost of humanity, while Valjean was more worried about the person than the law. Too many times, I am so focused on doing the “right” thing that I miss the rights of the person. As a believer, I struggle to show mercy like Christ. This idea throughout the film revealed my sinfulness and focus on rules, not souls. I am to show the mercy of God in this fallen world, not demand justice that I myself cannot enforce or live up to.

Secondly, discipleship is seen in the life of Jean Valjean and Cosette. When Valjean follows through on his commitment to care for Cosette, he promises that he will always be there for her and love her. Later in life, Cosette voices those same words to her future husband. Our goal as followers of Christ is to make disciples. This is not a class you take or a number of books to be read; discipleship is walking together toward God. It is allowing Christ to shine through in our lives so that it will be reflected in those who we are discipling. Those we disciple will look like us. It is my prayer that I am leading people to follow me as I follow Christ (to take the words of Paul in 1 Cor. 11:1).

Finally, the theme of revolution loomed large in Les Miserables. These young men were captivated by revolution, not just for personal glory but for the betterment of their people and those who would come after them. Are we willing to give our lives to the revolution that God is creating though His Son, Jesus? Are we captivated with the ideas of the Kingdom of God, the redemption of man through Christ and the desire to see all nations turn to Jesus in repentance? If not, we are missing the whispers of revolution that is God-created and God-centered.

All this from a movie. God is so good to speak to us if we will only listen. Ephesians 5:16 tells us to redeem the time. We need to allow God’s redeeming desire to flow into all parts of life, even a night at the movies.