Facetime Faith

Four Faces We Love

If you have grandchildren, I know you love to see their faces. Whether in person or in a photo, I always love seeing our grandchildren's faces. And, FaceTime (a blessing through Internet) is a grand spot for me on any day of the week if their faces shine through the screen. Surely God grins from ear to ear when we, His children, turn our face toward Him. The words to the hymn Turn You Eyes Upon Jesus still linger in my thoughts after our recent trip to the States. The following words became reality to me somewhere between 30,000 feet and landing in Miami.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his glory and grace, ~Helen H. Lemmel

Those who know me best pray extra hard when they know I am flying. Thanks to prayer, I can now sit with my back against the seat for the flights. In earlier years of our ministry, I couldn't relax while flying––truth is, it is still an issue. But, something incredible transpired upon landing in Miami two weeks ago.

After months of doubt as to whether we could leave our ministry this summer, God directed us to step out on faith, order tickets for our trip, and trust Him for the ministry. We did. And from that moment on, we began to see His wonderful workings daily. Things fell into place, and He not only provided for us travel to the States, He provided faithful servants once more to step up and take over for us. And, our to do list miraculously diminished daily with little effort on our part.

It was truly a supernatural carpet we were riding on as God helped us to do all the necessary tasks before leaving. Never had we seen things become so easy to complete, nor did we feel pressured or exhausted in the midst of accomplishing so much so quickly. We glided through on His wings.

As we descended on our last flight from the heavens and prepared for landing––always a hard time for me––I was deep in thought and prayer. Thanking God for all that had been accomplished by Him to bring us to the doorstep of our home country, I conversed with God as though He sat next to me holding my hand. I became so caught up looking full in His wonderful face that I never realized we had landed.

Ephesians 6:16 says, "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith." While looking fully in His face, the things of earth grew so dim I never noticed the things I feared.

When we walk by faith with our eyes on Jesus, we don't focus on our circumstances, we only see Him. Have some face time with Him today. It's a wonderful place to be, "in the light of His glory and grace."

God's Masterpiece

To some degree, I resemble the lady on the unicorn. I can understand why I might be viewed in that way. As a children's writer, I live in a fantasy world much of the time. And, I'm quite content to be there. I might not be thought of as a work of art but rather a "piece of work." Smile here. But, I am a work of art, God's work of art. And, so are you! But, what my neighbor once accused me of being totally shattered my world at the time.

A knock at my door. I opened it to find my neighbor from across the hall glaring at me with malice in her eyes. She came to say, "You are such a phony. No one could smile as much as you do and be real."

True story. We were in our last semester of our missionary training when my neighbor, a new student and young mother, felt led of God to minister to me on a biblical principle she had just discovered. Matthew 18:15 says, "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained a brother." (ESV)

At the time, I wished she'd kept that verse to herself, but God knew the exact words I needed to grow in Him.

The conversation went something like this. My neighbor blurted, "How can you smile so much? I watch you every day and there it is--that smile. Get real! This missionary training is the pits. How can you be happy here?"

My reply, "Thank you for sharing that with me. I'll work on it." Although, seconds later a not so nice thought crept in––Wow lady, you're some piece of work. Then, quickly confessing that thought because in my heart I knew she was God's work of art, and He was trying to teach me something through her.

And, work on it I did. My heart was bruised and my ego too. For the next few weeks, I walked around campus with a straight face. Have you ever tried not to smile? When a fellow student greeted me, I puckered my face, mumbled a reply, and tried to not be that phony person my neighbor detested. I became a complete phony while trying not to show my glistening teeth to anyone. After a few horrible weeks, I realized what a phony I had become by not smiling.

God had no intention for me to stop smiling. It wasn't a sin to smile, but He did teach me to not be a people pleaser but rather to please Him. By being ourselves, we allow God to chisel out our areas that need to be tweaked by Him. Then and only then, are we free to be all He wants us to be and shine for Him in our own unique way.

Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."

God didn't want me to quit smiling, but He did want me to be sensitive to the needs of others––especially my neighbor. She became a good friend when I noticed she wasn't smiling and needed a friend to help her through the difficult time she was going through with young children and the pressures of classes and homework. I listened to her, and she gained a friend (brother). I didn't need to quit smiling, but she did need a friend. And, I needed to learn how to be a friend.  God used me just as I was––fearfully and wonderfully made––and smiling.

How about you? What attributes has God given you to bless others? We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. He has a purpose for each of us so that the world will see His wonderful works through us and turn to Him. Even if people see you as delusional––riding a unicorn––or phony because you smile too much, He has a purpose for you and will use you because you are fearfully and wonderfully made. So be yourself! Allow God to use you––just the way He made you. Ephesians 2:10 says, "We are God's workmanship," the Greek word for workmanship means work of art. We are His work of art! Thank Him for planning each detail of His creation––His masterpiece––YOU!

"Don't change so people will like you. 

Be yourself and the right people will love the real you." ~ author unknown

Our Bumps are In His Grip

"Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I am your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you." Isa. 41:10 (MSG)

My year started out with a bump. A small bump on my head developed into a small tumor––thankfully benign. It caused me to ponder what the next steps would have been if the results had been different. When I look at the tiny bald spot now growing into a crew-cut spot, I am reminded that we aren't promised tomorrow. That bump has motivated me to once again cherish every day as I feel His grip––a firm grip.

Then, just last week, came another bump–-this time on my eyelid. "I'm with you," echoed in my heart. To remove it, I had to be admitted to the clinic again. Benign, again! Whew, thank you, Lord! What next?

This week, our Golden, Jake developed a bump on his neck. Another bump! Three years ago, Jake had an aggressive cancerous tumor removed from his tail. He's been doing fine until this week. I was already concerned about our animals since we will be leaving Bolivia this month for a five month furlough. The bump turned out to be a calcium deposit, not another cancerous tumor. What was God trying to tell me through the bumps? Maybe, "Don't panic, I've got this!"

Leaving Bolivia is never easy for me. But, the joy that waits on the other end motivates me to pack and step foot on that plane. Oh, did I mention I don't like to fly either? Missionaries don't have extraordinary powers or sail through life as if on a magic carpet. However, they have an extraordinary God who gives them strength and power to do His will. His Word says, "I'll help you."

These bumps seem like baby bumps after the fact, but going through them I felt like they were big bumps. But, our God is bigger than any bump life can bring, and He holds us steady through them.

One other bump has occurred here at our mission base, Rumi Rancho. This bump makes it hard for us to leave Bolivia at this time, but furlough is set in motion and it's been four years since our last furlough. Time to go.

This one is a joyous nine month Baby Bump. Our Quechua couple who lives here on the property with us will welcome a gift from heaven on June 10th. Juan and Amelia will need lots of prayer as they welcome a new baby and at the same time have the responsibility of the ministry while we are gone. But we know God will help them, and  He'll hold them steady as we head to our homeland on May 28th.

We are blessed by God's promise that through the bumps, He has a firm grip on us––He holds us steady!

Spinning Out of Control

Spinning is a popular form of exercise almost everywhere now. Although, in my neighborhood spinning has a totally different connotation. When I hear the word spinning, I immediately visualize a gym with a spinning class. Don't you? But, in my neighborhood bicycles are not used for exercise per se. Yes, they are a means of exercise for my neighbors, but their main purpose is to provide transportation by spinning to and from their alfalfa fields before sunrise.

As I watch my neighbors spinning by my house in the early mornings, I sometimes long to take a spin with them. Not to help them cut alfalfa, but to stop my fruitless spinning and set my priorities on these people I came to serve instead of focusing on the 100 things on my to-do list for the day. When I step down from the merry-go-round of life, I find refreshment from being with God's people and enjoy His beauty around me. I focus on the reason God has me here in this place of service––to spread the Good News. It's not easy stepping off that merry-go-round. Some days I keep on spinning and some days I wobble as I come to a halt––however, it is always possible.

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans." (Proverbs 16:3, NIV)

Each day is a new opportunity for service. It's easy to allow each day's tasks (our plans) to keep us from God's checklist for the day. But, when we ask God to establish our plans (to-do list) and take control of our spinning, He will establish our to-do lists and prioritize our days. Everything will change when we commit our plans to Him. The spinning out of control will cease, and our days will be fruitful and calm. Try and see. The verse says He will––not He might. He keeps His promises.

Cracked Light-Bearers

 ..."Light only gets in through the cracks." ~ Philip Yancey

When we are on furlough in the States, we get invited to speak often. And, by often I mean virtually every day. We try to keep a full schedule because our time is limited usually to only four months. Sometimes we speak in churches or places we've never been before. One Sunday we were speaking in a new church to us. We didn't know many people, in fact,  just one family, so I told Chuck I'd keep a tight rein on my funny side.

He said, "Just be yourself."

Good advice. Honestly, I don't know how to be anything else. My funny side just slips out when I least expect it––as it did that day.

After the service as we were shaking hands, a sweet lady turned to Chuck and said, "Is she always like this?"

He replied, "No, sometimes she's not so reserved." That brought laughs. He's a funny guy when I give him time to speak. :)

Don't we all have little cracks in our personalities? Okay, some of us more so than others. We know who we are. :) God made us the way we are. Our cracks can be used of Him to let His light shine through! So let's shine!

Jesus said, "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand––shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." Matt 5:14-16 (MSG)

Why Write?

~ Rabbit Smiles ~

While sitting at the dentist last week, I met these two little sweeties. I asked their names, and I was shocked when they began speaking in English. Their mother explained they were attending an English-speaking school in the city. By their appearance and their school, I knew they had advantages that the majority in Bolivia only dream of having. Even visiting a dentist is a privilege for most children in a developing country such as Bolivia.

When I began writing, I wrote for my grandchildren who live thousands of miles away from me. God enlarged my vision to write not only for my grandchildren but children everywhere. I know I am called to write for children. And, I am blessed to write for the privileged and underprivileged, and to those outside the borders of the United States and Bolivia. I thought my books could only be used of God in the Spanish language for Bolivian children. My vision was small, God's vision, however, is global and includes all languages.

Although children such as these––who speak English in a Spanish speaking country––are in the minority, they need to hear the gospel also. Every day God opens doors to minister to those waiting to hear of His love––whatever their age, whatever their circumstances, and wherever they live. We can speak and write words that will change lives––God's words.

Why write? For moments like these!

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Luke 18:15-17 (NIV)

Now, through Worthy Words Press we are reaching children who speak Spanish only. No matter what language we speak, let's spread God's Word so all will hear the Easter story and believe.

Names––Want a good one?

The Tablet of Your Heart

Do you have a word for this year? I chose love for my word––mostly because I always pray that God would let me show His love through me. On the mission field, I encounter cultural things that annoy me. For instance, mañana (tomorrow) is a frustrating word for me. How many times do I hear this? "Tenga paciencia!" Have patience! That phrase has caused me to grow in patience and love over the past 30 some years. As a new missionary, I couldn't accept being told to have patience. After all, it wasn't my fault if things were not done on time. Why couldn't people be on time? And, why couldn't they have something ready when they promised it would be ready? That's what I thought about the whole mañana thing.

Then God began to show me that I had to change in order to show His love. Besides, was I always on time? Did I always deliver on time? I began to react as He would react in those frustrating situations. Oh, I'm not saying it was easy, or is even now, but I am saying that God can change hearts to be more like His. I began to see that my reaction to those situations was a way to show Christ through me. When I didn't, it was a pretty ugly scene, and I didn't want that impression of me––or Christ–-to be the image I projected. And, I wanted a good name. So the change began. The culture here hasn't changed much, but I've changed. Or should I say I'm changing, but still, it's an everyday challenge and process.

Proverbs 3:3-4 says, "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man." (NIV)

How do we win a good name? When we let love and faithfulness never leave us. When we write them on the tablet of our heart.

My writing goal this year–-and all years––writing love and faithfulness on the tablet of my heart.