periclete

Short term mission trips

This morning I went to the church early to pray with the team that is on their way to New Orleans.  I am not going this year because I wasn't sure how my shoulder would turn out.  I am looking forward to our Mexico mission trip in February.   Short term mission trips are a great way to spend a family vacation or school break.  Over the years I have loved getting to know those that make up the team as well as knowing that I am making a difference for the kingdom.  Some mission trips cost more than others but are so worth it.  Some years we go to Christian Encounter Ranch for a day and there isn't any cost. 

My first mission trip was back in 1973.  I bought a plane ticket for France and spent a month near Aix-en-Provence helping to build a Christian conference center.  I joined about 8 other young men from 5 different countries digging mud and setting forms for the foundation.  They gave us room and board. I took all the money I had left over after buying the plane ticket (I think it was only $10 but it might have been $20).   I remember coming home with $5 and I didn't have a credit card.  I am not sure how I managed a month in France spending what we spend now on a cup of coffee.  I did have other motives...something about a wonderful young lady named Debby that was going to college just 15 km from the place I was working

I imagine that there will be a day that I will retire and have lots of opportunities to go on mission trips. 

snow is melting

 

This picture was taken from just outside our livingroom window around the first of the year.   There is still snow on the ground but it has been melting away.  We need much more to get caught up for the season.  I keep track in a note book of the snow I shovel each time it snows and our total for the season is only 40 inches.  The forecast is for more sun and warm temps (over 50 some days).  As much as I would rather not shovel the drive and around the house, we do need the snow.

I have yet to do any snow shoing this season.  I hope to get out in nature and tromp around to enjoy the cold crisp air and the beautiful place we live.  Maybe soon

New Year

Here we are again at the beginning of a new year.   At the beginning of each new year, I usually evaluate the previous year and pray about what is ahead for Portola Station.  I look forward to what God wants to do in the church, but I also expect that God will continue to do His work in my own heart and life.  January 1^st, I wrote down some things in my prayer journal that I am praying for me.  When I wrote this, it wasn’t meant to be shared with others, but I will share them with you, with the hope that you may be encouraged to pray through your own list in the months to follow.  These qualities will grow in my life only as I lean on the Spirit of God to produce something of value in my heart and life.

Here is my prayer list.

1. Grace               May I be impacted daily by his grace.
2. Thanks             May I be continually grateful.
3. Holiness           May I live without compromise.
4. Service             May I be selfless.
5. Joy                   May the life of Christ in me be contagious.
6. Intimate            May Jesus be so close to me.
7. Love                May God produce His love more and more.
8. Obedient          May I listen and be quick to obey His lead.
9. Fruitful  May I see God do His work through me.
10. Content            May I sense God’s peace no matter what comes my way.

 

As I have been teaching in II Corinthians, I have often mentioned that one of the qualities of a healthy church is “Every Member a Minister”.   Another quality of a healthy church of course is that it is filled with “healthy” Christians.  By healthy I mean that we would be authentic, growing, and Spirit-filled believers.   Our relationship with Jesus Christ should produce godly character.   Our reputation is who people think we are.   Our character is much more important for it is who we really are.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Phil. 1:6

“God is at work in you to will and to work for His good pleasure”  Phil 2:13

 

May God receive the glory as we are daily “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29)