On Sending and Going and How Sunday School Lessons Can Do Both

According to the countdown my daughter has set on my phone, there are 340 days until we leave for Uganda.  Yup.  Seriously.  That is one long way off, do we really need a countdown, child?!

However, maybe you, like me, have noticed that, well, as we don’t get any younger, time seems to go a whole lot faster.  Which means before I can say, “How much money did you say it will cost to get us to Uganda!?” we’ll be packing our bags.

With the click of the “Publish” button, this post will be the official launch of our first fundraising effort – selling Sunday school curriculum.

Curriculum which began as one lesson written in response to a friend’s frustrated cry, “I just wish I could find Sunday school lessons with some meat to them!”  One lesson became one unit.  As the Lord built it, one unit became a full 41 week curriculum for kids’ age 7-11-ish.  And now, after a God moment I will never forget, I am selling this curriculum to raise funds for our upcoming Mother/Daughter mission’s trip to Uganda.

It seems strange sometimes the path the Lord weaves for us – how things so seemingly disconnected from each other become intertwined and united.  Like Sunday school lessons and imprisoned children in Africa.

It is with fear and trembling that I launch this out into cyberspace, for I do not take lightly the words of James 3:1, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  Yet I earnestly long to see children taught biblical truths not just entertained and taught good morals; to be fed meat not fluff, as my friend would put it.

So here is the background and general information and here is the outline and ordering information.

Could I ask you a favor?  Would you be willing to help pass this post on, to those in your circle who are Sunday school teachers, Children’s ministry leaders, friends, family, neighbors to these teachers and leaders?  Or if you are one, would you try even just one unit for your class?  My friend, who is teaching this curriculum for the second time through, has told me over and over how she is so blessed to see the kids in her class remember these lessons, the memory verse and apply concepts learned into other, later lessons.  She sees them “getting it” and it blesses her so.  And praise the Lord for that!

Would you help spread the word?  By doing so, you will be helping to send my daughter and I as we go to love and serve with the love of Christ, and bring the gospel of hope to imprisoned children in Uganda who have not love, nor hope.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ."   1 Cor. 12:12

Life Changing Cupcakes

Just one year ago I found a recipe.  The page it was written on was wrinkled, dog-eared and well read, but found forgotten and unused. 

It was a recipe for life.  A life changed.  I found the recipe in Isaiah 58 and the ingredients listed were:

• Loose the chains of injustice
• Untie the cords of the yoke
• Set the oppressed free
• Break every yoke
• Share your food with the hungry
• Provide the poor wanderer with shelter
• Clothe the naked when you see him
• Spend yourself in behalf of the hungry
• Satisfy the need of the oppressed

Mix these ingredients together in prayer and faith, and bake in the context of the Book of James.  Add to that the Book of Jonah if you like (I did). 

The result of trying this recipe, for me and my daughter, was cupcakes - Life changing cupcakes. 

You see, after being greatly convicted by the above mentioned Scriptures, I was strongly compelled to DO something.  But I had NO idea what to DO - Till I found a ministry that was hands-on heavy and administratively lite.  And this ministry was giving ordinary people like me and my daughter in small town Canada an opportunity to make a REAL difference in the lives of oppressed, imprisoned, hungry, naked, and abandoned children living in despair on the other side of the world.  It was this ability to have a direct impact on real lives for the Kingdom of heaven that drove me to do something.

That was one year ago.  And just around the corner, is another opportunity for my daughter and I to make, once again, a real difference in the lives of these same children, and to others who have been added to their living environment over the past year.  It is also an opportunity for you and your family to make a difference, a real difference, in the lives of these same children.

Saturday, May 5^th, is {Inter}National Cupcake Day where kids and families from across the world will host a cupcake stand.  Yes, you heard that right, a cupcake stand – you know the kind at the end of your driveway, or at the door of the grocery store, or wherever.  Easy, simple, fun and most of all rewarding, because it is for God’s Kingdom.  It is taking the ingredients of life as He has prescribed it, making cupcakes, and changing lives for eternity – yours and the children imprisoned in Uganda.

And don’t worry about how much money you might make at your stand.  Whether it’s $200 or $2,000, it will change lives; it will make a real difference when placed in God’s hand for His glory.

Interested in life changing cupcakes?  Check out the site which enables kids withbig hearts for God to serve the imprisoned children of Africa.  They’ll be the best cupcakes you ever had! (Did I mention they'll also change your life?)

Reaching Beyond Fear to {really} Receive a Gift. Gracefully.

Last night was my daughter’s dance recital.  Forty eight dancers gathered excitedly, dressed in colorful costumes made especially for the evening, and performed various dances they had learned over the season.  If I had a word to describe the occasion it would have to be ‘graceful’.  I watched my daughter bring to life this word as she danced so long and lean, poised and flowing to the music.  Dancers are graceful.  They twirl and leap, sway and spin, bend and bow.

We surprised her afterward with a bouquet of tulips.  She received this gift the same way she danced, with grace and a grateful smile.

She did not get her gracefulness from me.  I am a klutz – two left feet, ten thumbs and the coordination of a gazelle (my older sister nicknamed me ‘Gazelle’ when I was about my daughter’s age.  Her nickname...was 'Lady Di'). 

I cannot dance.  Lately God, in His faithfulness, has opened my eyes to something else I cannot do  - I cannot receive a gift as gracefully as my daughter.

Gifts make me feel guilty.  Uncomfortable.  Because I haven’t earned them.  And so I receive them with the coordination of someone with two left feet dancing - awkwardly.   Fists clenched so I don’t have a firm grip on it - just in case you change your mind and realize that I don’t deserve what you’ve given; so feel free to take it back. 

Twisted?  Yes.  But true nonetheless.

Recently I received an incredible gift.   Lord willing, I will be travelling with my daughter and a teenage girl from my church (aka my girls), as well as other mom’s and daughters from the States, to Uganda to serve, love on, and share the gospel of hope to imprisoned children. 

For two years, I knew the Lord was going to send me somewhere, sometime.  For one year, I knew where I wanted to go.  For 6 months, I knew the exact missions trip I wanted to go on.  And 6 weeks ago the Lord gave me an answer to my ferverant prayer.  I am going to Uganda.

However, for the last month I have stood still.  Frozen.  Overwhelmed and full of doubt.  Locked in place by fear.  Unable to accept this gift with grace and gratitude, I smile half-heartedly at well-wishers as my stomach cringes silently inside.  One mountain has been overcome, and a bigger one now stands before me.  I look at it and say “there is NO way!”.  

I have received this incredible and blessed gift with uncertainty, fear and tightly clenched fists.  Just in case the Lord changes His mind; or realizes that I am totally the wrong girl for such a blessing.

Do you know how much money these three Canadian girls need to raise to get to UG?!!  $10,000!!!!!  (Don’t tell my girls I said that with fear and trembling in my voice, I’m their leader and they need to think I’m in control here!) 

My eyes set on that end result, I have given up before I’ve even begun.  And so I have stood still, on the safe side of this open door, peering out and then shirking back into the comfort of this small space. 

But my mind and my heart scream “go”.  God says GO.  His Word promises He will be with me, do not fear, do not be afraid, He will provide, He will finish this thing He started.  I know it in my head, yet I do not act as one who does.

FEAR.  It is a small word, but packs a lot of power.  It clenches fists tightly as if clinging for dear life.  I WANT to step across the threshold of this open door, out of this tiny box I have built for myself.  I have prayed for the courage to do so.  This whole thing started with comfort zones, so what am I doing hiding in one again?!

Today the Lord broke though. 

I was graced with some alone time this afternoon and I went to John 14-16.  And the Lord brought His Word alive to me.  These verses, read so many times before, breathed fresh life and meaning.  And they came in power.

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.  You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”  John 14:13-14

Yeah, Lord, I know, but TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS for measly old selfish me and two teenagers?  We have $50!

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  This is to my Father’s glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”  John 15:7-8

Anything?  Whatever I wish?  Yeah, but Lord, do you know how many people take that out of context and then go ask for a new car?  Aren’t you tired of giving us whatever we wish, even if it is money for a mission’s trip?

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.  Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:16-17

SLAM! 

There go the walls (of my comfort zone) again.  Freshly painted they were.

Jesus just said to me, “When you are going to bear fruit, eternal fruit, showing yourself to be my disciple, loving others, thereby putting my word into practice, it is to my Father’s glory.  When you are doing this – you may ask whatever you wish, you may ask for anything you need to get this done, and whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”

Ok, Lord.  Humbled, bended and bowed, I have not one thing to refute that statement with.  That rock solid promise.  Not.  one. thing.

And so, now I stand at a threshold that no longer has any walls.  It is for His glory, so I must step forth in faith and trust in His promise, “Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Josh. 1:9

As Ann Voskamp says the fists, they must open in order to fully receive.  And to receive a little more gracefully I might add.   In holding to that, in releasing the grip on my ten thumbs, the first step is the scariest. 

Over the next week or so, Lord willing, there will be a new page on this blog.  It will be a page providing the opportunity for those in search of Sunday School curriculum to purchase Biblical foundational lessons for kids age 8-12.  The Lord enabled me to write this curriculum, it is used at two of my local churches, and I feel this may be one way to begin raising funds for this mission’s trip.  There has been lots of prayer and preparation leading up to this, but,.... well,..... you know.

So if you know any Sunday School teachers, or Children’s ministry leaders, I would greatly appreciate you passing the word along when the new page is up (hopefully within 1-2 weeks).

To Him be all the glory. 

Jesus, The Cross, and Good Friday Thoughts

I have seen a lot of crosses lately.  Maybe it’s because it is Easter that I have noticed them more.  I’m not sure.  But I have noticed that there are a lot of people who wear crosses around their neck.  The crosses I’ve seen vary in shapes and sizes, from large, chunky and obnoxious to small, delicate and humble.

As different as each one is, the majority of the crosses have one thing in common – Jesus is on the cross, nailed and dead.

I’m not dissing crosses for jewelry.  I have one.  I wear one.  But when I see one with Jesus hanging there, well, honestly, it makes me sad.  Actually it makes me want to scream, “Don’t you know Jesus is actually ALIVE?!”

Yes, He did die.  On a cross. Humiliated.  Broken.  Tortured.  His body pierced.

That was Friday.  Good Friday.  The day the Father turned His face away and poured his cup of wrath onto His Son.  His One and Only Son.

The wrath of mankind’s sin.  Your sin.  My sin.  Sin already committed.  Sin yet to be committed.  Every last drop of wrath – holy justice – was poured from the cup.  The punishment for every sin was given to one, the Only One, who did not deserve it, the one, the Only One, who could bear it and survive and by doing so make a way to the Father, the one, the perfect Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ, Son of God.

It was a day of death.  A day of punishment.  A day of hopelessness.

Or so it seemed.

If that was the end of the story, how hopeless are we who believe?  In what is the hope we have?  A dead body?  What hope, what good, what grace does a dead body offer anyone?  It is as if those that leave Jesus Christ dead on the cross say to the world, “Yes, Jesus was a wise and good man while he lived.  And then he died. What a shame.  Well, at least he left us with some great wisdom to help us muddle through our time in this place. Ho Hum.”

Paul says to such words as that, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”( 1 Cor. 15:19)  If Jesus died, and that is the end, and we believe that, we are to be pitied. More than all men.  Oh, how sad!

Yes, Jesus died.  But on the third day, Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead.

The tomb is empty.  He is NOT hanging dead on a cross. 

He is sitting, radiant in glory, on the throne made for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The throne made for Himself.  How do I know this for sure?  John saw it with his own eyes:

"Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”  But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.  I wept and wept because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside.  Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders.  He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.  And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. ...And they sang a new song:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation." Rev. 5:1-9

Good Friday, the day Jesus died, was the darkest day in the history of mankind.  But the light of hope shines brightest against a backdrop of darkness.  Have you ever noticed the stars in a clear night sky?  They shine the brightest on the blackest night.

So what does all this mean you ask?  As these simple words in a song our choir is singing this Easter say:

“He is Alive! He is Alive!  I am free!”

Are you?  Because if the Son has set you free, you are free indeed.

So wear a cross if you like. Or don’t if you don’t.  But for Jesus’ glory, make sure it’s empty.  And for your sake, believe it so.

When You Aren't Sure What to Do Next

Been quiet around here lately.  The Gardener has been doing some pruning. 

And so I've been doing more abiding, less striving.  More praying and reflecting, less talking. 

I stand still for I do not know what to do next, unable to decide which direction, which path to take.  Or maybe it's fear and doubt which keep me standing here.  Maybe it's both. 

But for now I wait. 

In the meantime, I thought I'd share this Desiring God link......seems appropriate for around here....for those who are patiently waiting......

When You Aren't Sure What to Do Next

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  Is. 40:31

Five Minute Friday: Empty

It's Friday.  Linking in with Five Minute Friday.  Today's word: Empty

Everyone tells me I’m good, you know

Even though it isn’t so

Me, myself and I

Measure so full with pride

Praise so dear, becomes a snare

Peace so longed for is found in prayer

Truth shows me the way I’ve taken

'Tis self so full that has me shaken

Yoked with the Saviour, His burden is light

Yesterday’s sins, confessed and forgiven, lead now to delight

The way to full, is EMPTY; less of me, more of Him.

"And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matt. 10:38-39

Of Comfort Zones & Cupcakes

Recently I was asked to speak to almost 300 people at an event celebrating the work the Lord is doing through Sixty Feet in the lives of imprisoned, abandoned children in Uganda.

For some of you that probably isn't a big deal.  For shy, quiet me, who likes the safety of home, there is something big and uncomfortable about getting on a plane, crossing an international border, and 2,000 miles later landing in a warmer climate and then standing before 600 eyeballs.  All watching my every move.

But the Lord asked, so I went.

And now, I've been asked to share with you what I said that night.  So I am over here and here today.

Won't you drop by?  It's an interesteing story about dangerous prayers (I dare you, but hold on), comfort zones (I really just need to stop building them) and cupcakes (who doesn't like these things?).  And how the Lord can use you.  And me.  And anyone with a willing heart to make a difference in the lives of those dear to His heart - the orphaned, the oppressed, the hungry, and the forgotten. 

Weren't we all of these at one time?

It all started with.........