Saturday, December 31, 2011

A Season to Sit

      But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.  Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.                                                                  

    Luke 10:41, 42 ESV

 
Often we accuse Martha because she was in the kitchen and Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus.  But before we place the blame we must inventory our own lives.
 
Martha was excited to be preparing for the Lord.  After all, she had invited Him to their home (Luke 10:38).  But when her sister, Mary, decides to sit in the presence of Jesus, Martha’s self-absorption shines through.  She complains to Jesus about Mary’s lack of service.  Then Jesus kindly speaks to Martha the words listed above.
 
To be sure, there are times when we MUST be serving.  In fact, serving  should be a MAJOR part of our life.  However, there are seasons when we MUST sit at the feet of our Lord; when we must FOCUS and LISTEN to what He is saying to us.  
 
Beginning Wednesday, January 18, we will once again enter 40 Days of Fire.  This time of prayer and fasting is our chance to be Mary—to sit at the feet of Jesus and LISTEN to Him.  A chance to quiet our spirits and seek His face.
 
We encourage ALL of you to join with us as we pray for the church, pastors and missionaries around the world, the nations and our families.  You can sign-up for meals and days by filling in the calendar at the altar, contacting the church office, or email at: dryfork.assembly@ymail.com
 
Additionally, we are encouraging everyone to fast something for the entire 40 day period.  This can be dessert, coffee, meat, internet, television;  anything that is important to you.  As we do this—laying aside distractions and things of importance to us—He will speak into our lives. 
 
Now is the time to be still.  Now is the time to listen.
 

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Changes of Life

Twelve years ago my oldest son, who was eleven at the time, went to Peru on a missions trip. He went with a group of 5th and 6th graders from our church and a LOT of adult supervision. My wife and I were NOT among the adults. However, there were very good friends in the group. People we trusted with our eleven year old. Hey...they were going OUT of the country!!

My wife and I stood at the departure gate at Columbus International Airport. We watched our firstborn walk down the long corridor. We watched the 747 that would carry him 3591 miles begin the process for departure. We were standing at the gate, watching our son take his first plane ride. Not just any plane ride, but one out of the country.

This is somewhat fresh in my mind because earlier this year I took a missions trip to Kenya. My wife and youngest son dropped me off at the terminal door of the Pittsburgh Airport. I then made my way through two layers of security to my departure gate. I sat for and hour and a half (because you have to be there 2-3 hours early) by myself. I texted my wife. Quite a contrast to twelve years earlier when we talked with our son until he boarded the plane.

Why the difference in twelve years? The date of change was 9/11/2001. On 9/11, our lives were forever changed. We do not view the world with the same childlikeness we did on 9/10. Family going to the boarding gates in airports to see their loved ones off became a thing of the past. It is a distant memory like 8-track tapes and the test pattern on TV.

One thing for certain is that life brings change. Some good, some bad. We cannot prevent change. It is part of the existence of our world. But our hope is not in this life. Our hope is in an unchanging God. He is an everlasting rock, unchangeable, immovable.

No matter what change life brings, we can trust in the Lord forever. He NEVER changes.

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:4


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