Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Lent Day 6: Please rock the boat

How is God rocking your world? Is your little ship in squalls of health, job, or finances? You on the move?  God is the one who can set you safely on the next shore. (Maybe it's even time to jump ship entirely and learn to swim!) For a start, let's take a deep breath, say a prayer of thanks, and trust that the one who made the waves will calm the storms and see us through.

W and I are on a mini-vacation, catching our breath during W's Spring Break. We treasure time together, staying on a friend's boat for two nights. We've had a few tiring weeks and full weekends between. We love itineration, and are overwhelmed by the kindness and welcome of the churches.

Our mission coworkers who are also on itineration do this full time, visiting church to church, contact to contact, asking for help in going to missions. However, W's still teaching at Northwest U through May; we only have weekends to enlist partners.

It's interesting to hear how many people are maxed out on giving. Givers give and find it a glorious privilege to invest in God's mission, to plant a legacy in places we may never go. But some have never made mission giving (investing in God's mission with our hours at work =salary ) a part of their lives.

At this point, W and I are coming to the wire. We see the finish line of our Seattle life as we're prepping for a new life. We're getting our vaccines, paring down the final stuff, and thinking about the move to Indonesia, now just 3 months away. Our departure is one season away ... when summer comes, we'll be gone.We can start applying for visas once we have pledges for merely $1500/month more. We're almost there!

We're asking all those who are excited about this calling, who have encouraged us, and who have thought about supporting us to step forward now. To rock their boats, cast aside complacency, and throw out their nets to see what's in them. How has God provided for you? How are you part of his mission?

Will you help send us to the unreached, to those who swim in uncharted waters? We trust that God is laying on many hearts the burden we feel. With your help, with large and small gifts, we'll be on our way. Thanks for coming alongside to send us out! Click here to donate.

May your ship sail safely today. Blessings and peace for your Lenten journey!

Read more:
*I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the Lord. Psalm 118:17 ESV

*"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:55-58  NIV


*Paul wrote: Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death so that we would rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Gracious Lord and God, may the simple joy and certain knowledge of our salvation move us to take up your great good work. May your Spirit move in our hands and in our hearts. Amen.

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