840 Barclay St.
Craig, CO 81625
No hate mail please. :)
Address
We have had some requests for our address, making us realize that we didn't tell you all. Our new address is
Name Change
Since we are no longer in Haiti, we figured we should probably change our blog's name. Our good friend Matt, some time ago described to us the hebrew word hesed. I remember even the way he pronounced the word was cool. But the definition was what drew us to the word. The following is an exerpt from a sermon by Martin Rolfs Massaglia called "The Power of Hesed"
Hebrew scholars tell us hesed is a strong Hebrew word that sums up the ideal lifestyle for God’s people. It’s the way God intended for human beings to live together from the beginning – the “love-your-neighbor-as-yourself” brand of living an active, selfless, sacrificial caring for one another that goes against the grain of our human nature.That is what motivates us. That is what we want to live. To live out the gospel, and as you pray for us to be able to do that, we pray the same for you.
Two parties are involved – someone in desperate need and a second person who possesses the power and the resources to make a difference. Hesed is driven, not by duty or legal obligation, but by a loyal, selfless love that motivates a person to do voluntarily what no one has a right to expect or ask of them. They have the freedom to act or to walk away without the slightest injury to their reputation. Yet they willingly pour themselves out for the good of someone else. It’s the kind of love we find most fully expressed in Jesus. In a nutshell, hesed is the gospel lived
out.
Aberle's No Longer in Haiti
Four full days in Colorado and it feels like a lifetime. Partially because I grew up here, it's not hard to jump back in, but also because we came with a purpose. We came to Craig knowing that they, like the people in Haiti, need to know and have a real relationship with Christ. I am a doer and when things are not getting done, I just want to fix it. Yet this isn't something that I can go and "fix". It is God's work to call people, to move hearts, and I must be patient and faithful to Him and Him alone, despite my accomplishments.
Yesterday I knew that my natural tendencies, the sin nature in me, was starting to win. I had already researched and plotted the existing churches and their ministries. I was stewing because I didn't quite know where to start. So instead of rushing into my day I took extra time to pray and read the Bible. Without this, I have no doubt that I would have been capable of rushing into my own man made ministry. But, I know this never works and have learned that I desperately need the Spirit to lead. I just needed Him.
As I read through Acts I was once again amazed at the boldness and one mindedness of the apostles. Christ was their ALL. They were ridiculed, beaten, put in prison and killed for the cause of Christ. They were fully committed to their Savior. This book always challenges me. I am reminded that I have the same Spirit inside of me. And I wonder if the same thing could be said of me that was said about Peter and John in Acts 4:13
Acts 4:13
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Would I pray the same prayer?
Acts 4:29-30
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus."
Are there needy around me that I CHOOSE to not help?
There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Is the power of God so apparent in me that people don't dare join me unless they are really a disciple of Christ?
No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
Could the following be said about me, day after day?
Acts 5:42
Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Am I strengthened by the Spirit? In good times? In bad times? Do I live in fear of the Lord?
Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
Will I testify to God's grace despite the consequences? Will I complete the task that the Lord Jesus has given me?
Acts 20:22-24
"And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Just shortly after this time with God, He provided three new people for me to meet and talk about the Lord with. When I stewed and anxiously looked for people to talk to I received no one, God gently reminded me that I needed only to seek HIM.
Please pray with me as I seek to complete the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. I recognize that the Spirit of the living God lives in me. I pray that every ounce of my being would please the Lord that I love. I already know that HE is faithful.
Off to Colorado
What a great time in Kansas. We have truly enjoyed the time we have had with our family and friends and with our church. Thank you all!
The above and below pictures are from the church planting workshop we held at NorthRidge church. It was great to have the privilege of together, taking another look at God's word and what it says about sharing the gospel and making disciples. We want to send a big thanks to our brothers and sisters that participated!
Below, Gideon, Azi and Benji are taking a walk. We were so blessed to have time with family. Thanks Aberle's for all of your love and support!
Off we go. We are excited about seeing the other half of our family, but we are also excited about all of the possibilities that await us. God continually proves His faithfulness. What an awesome God we serve that we can go without jobs, without a clear plan, just a passion for our glorious God and a vision for his work.
Psalm 72:11
Psalm 72:11I caught myself in a little doubt today as I read this verse. There are many places, many people and many ways I have seen God work in mighty ways, but government is hard. I have gotten to the point that I don't really like to even talk politics, because it discourages me. As I read this verse I thought, that would be really nice if we had a leader that would bow down to worship God, if our nation served God, and I thought, IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. As if I was reading someones commentary and I thought they were just wishfully thinking.
All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him.
God was quick to remind me that I COMPLETLY had the wrong attitude.
I was putting that portion of my trust in them, and taking it from God. I did it with out even noticing.
That will never do.
God reminded me that He is in control, and that I must love and pray for all who don't know him. Recently I have heard that some are calling Christians to pray Psalm 109:8 for our President. I knew this was not the prayer that I should be praying for him, but I had instead chosen to just not pray at all for him. I think this is also the wrong action. Just as I prayed for the Haitians, my friends, my neighbors and others to accept Christ and to know him in a real way. I must pray for our leaders also. I must pray real, heartfelt, prayers that trust God. I must not give up on people.
I was reminded of Robbie, a Scottish brother that I met in Haiti. I would love you to hear his full testimony, but I will give you a bit. Robbie was one those that most of us think we could never reach. He was deep into organized crime, drug trade etc. When God revealed to him His abounding love, Robbie went full out for Christ. He walked away from everything... his houses, cars, cash, everything. He knew that everything he had was from sin and he wanted nothing to do with it. He gave his life to Christ and has been living for God from that point on.
We must pray for people, because Robbie reminded me, that NO ONE is unreachable.
"Tortured for Christ" (free book) by Richard Wurmbrand, is about the underground Romanian Church when the communists first came to power. Wurmbrand remembers two Christians risking everything to reach one of the communist leaders, knowing full well what would happen to them if they shared publicly. They disagreed with almost everything this man did, but they loved him.
Once, on the steps of one of our government buildings, two Christian brethren pushed their way to our Prime Minister, Gheorghiu Dej. In the few moments they had, they witnessed to him about Christ, urging him to turn from his sins and persecution. He had them thrown into prison for their daring witness. Years later, when Prime Minister Dej was very sick, the seed of the gospel, which they had planted years ago and for which they had suffered greatly, bore fruit. In his hour of need, the Prime Minister remembered the words that had been spoken to him. Those words were, as the Bible says, "living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Heb_4:12). They cut through the hardness of his heart and he surrendered his life to Christ. He confessed his sins, accepted the Savior, and began to serve Him in his sickness. Not long afterward he died, but went to his newfound Savior all because two Chris tians were willing to pay the price.
Those brothers understood the sacrificial love that Christ has for us. We however live in a free country, risking only embarrassment, and we struggle to share with friends and family, let alone our leaders.
I have been convicted to love my family, friends, neighbors and LEADERS as Christ loves them .... sacrificially.
I have been convicted to love my family, friends, neighbors and LEADERS as Christ loves them .... sacrificially.
"A man really believes not what he recites in his creed, but only the things he is willing to die for." - Richard Wurmbrand
A Real Seeker
11-17-09
A real seeker is very hard to find. Many are seeking, but no one knows it, many are seeking on only a superficial level and many are not seeking at all. Today, I met with a real seeker. As we talked I could see the internal struggle. It was not a new struggle, but one that had been waging for quite some time. God had been calling her, but at the time it felt more like a war, an argument. She had inside her that empty spot, that can only be filled by God, but after being let down by people she felt God was the last place to be filled.
Today I had the privilege of helping her see God in a clearer light. Not the view we get when we look through men, but the view you get when you look to the Word of God. Yet, God laid everything in place, every contact, every “coincidence”, every tug on the heart. It really is HIS work. God loves us, calls us, saves us and keeps us. And as we seek Him, He enables us to not only do His work, but to only desire to do His work. Baby step, by baby step God draws us into a deeper and deeper relationship with Him, if we seek it. But as my friend said “That first step is hard”.
As this seeker took that first step, she understood that it would be one of many in a life of following Christ. She understood that life would not be easy, but full of struggles, persecution and problems. That is what we can expect, that is the life Jesus had. But just as we get the hard parts from Jesus’s life we also get the good. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we receive the opportunity to have a relationship with almighty God, we receive peace and joy despite our circumstances.
Having the privilege to see this seeker, understand the weight of the cross and choose to continue to seek God wholeheartedly, encourages me to do the same. I pray that I may always seek God, God’s heart, His face, His will, His friendship, everything I can. As I seek Him I KNOW that He will find me. And when He does I pray that I will follow Him, despite the consequences, obeying everything that He commands. Not out of obligation, but out of absolute love for my Savior.
A real seeker is very hard to find. Many are seeking, but no one knows it, many are seeking on only a superficial level and many are not seeking at all. Today, I met with a real seeker. As we talked I could see the internal struggle. It was not a new struggle, but one that had been waging for quite some time. God had been calling her, but at the time it felt more like a war, an argument. She had inside her that empty spot, that can only be filled by God, but after being let down by people she felt God was the last place to be filled.
Today I had the privilege of helping her see God in a clearer light. Not the view we get when we look through men, but the view you get when you look to the Word of God. Yet, God laid everything in place, every contact, every “coincidence”, every tug on the heart. It really is HIS work. God loves us, calls us, saves us and keeps us. And as we seek Him, He enables us to not only do His work, but to only desire to do His work. Baby step, by baby step God draws us into a deeper and deeper relationship with Him, if we seek it. But as my friend said “That first step is hard”.
As this seeker took that first step, she understood that it would be one of many in a life of following Christ. She understood that life would not be easy, but full of struggles, persecution and problems. That is what we can expect, that is the life Jesus had. But just as we get the hard parts from Jesus’s life we also get the good. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we receive the opportunity to have a relationship with almighty God, we receive peace and joy despite our circumstances.
Having the privilege to see this seeker, understand the weight of the cross and choose to continue to seek God wholeheartedly, encourages me to do the same. I pray that I may always seek God, God’s heart, His face, His will, His friendship, everything I can. As I seek Him I KNOW that He will find me. And when He does I pray that I will follow Him, despite the consequences, obeying everything that He commands. Not out of obligation, but out of absolute love for my Savior.
Who are the Sent Ones?
11-15-09
Jesus sending out the seventy-two in Luke 10:1-24 jumped out to me. Many times when I think about the sent ones, I think of a few select people, like the 12 apostles. I realized today that Jesus sent out these seventy-two with the same commands and power that he sent out the 12 apostles. Going with the current theme in churches today I had somehow thought that sent ones are few, a privileged select. Judging from this scripture I just can't see how that is true. Yet when the seventy-two came back rejoicing because they drove out demons with the power of God, Jesus simply said
Luke 10:20 (New International Version)
20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Jesus clearly states that they should rejoice that their names are written in heaven. This makes me think that being a disciple of Christ is what matters, and that we must be sent ones to be a disciple of Christ.
Jesus continues with this theme in the following verses from Luke:
Luke 11:23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.
Luke 11:28 "He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Luke 13:6-9 (New International Version)
To be a disciple of Christ I must gather with Christ, I must OBEY the word of God and I must bear fruit. Easy to say, hard to live. As I look at my inadequacy I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit none of this is possible, I could never be a disciple of Christ. But with the Spirit I can live life in a manner worthy of being called a disciple of Christ and I can be pleasing to my Lord.
The following Psalm speaks of the abundant blessings from the Lord. Blessings I am so grateful for, but I have come to understand that the greatest blessing he bestows upon us is himself. The Holy Spirit, the presence of God.
Psalm 65
For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.
1 Praise awaits [a] you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave [b] our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.
9 You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it. [c]
10 You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.
Today I choose to live for HIM, holy and pure, enabled by HIS power.
Jesus sending out the seventy-two in Luke 10:1-24 jumped out to me. Many times when I think about the sent ones, I think of a few select people, like the 12 apostles. I realized today that Jesus sent out these seventy-two with the same commands and power that he sent out the 12 apostles. Going with the current theme in churches today I had somehow thought that sent ones are few, a privileged select. Judging from this scripture I just can't see how that is true. Yet when the seventy-two came back rejoicing because they drove out demons with the power of God, Jesus simply said
Luke 10:20 (New International Version)
20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
Jesus clearly states that they should rejoice that their names are written in heaven. This makes me think that being a disciple of Christ is what matters, and that we must be sent ones to be a disciple of Christ.
Jesus continues with this theme in the following verses from Luke:
Luke 11:23 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.
Luke 11:28 "He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it."
Luke 13:6-9 (New International Version)
6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'
8" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
8" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
To be a disciple of Christ I must gather with Christ, I must OBEY the word of God and I must bear fruit. Easy to say, hard to live. As I look at my inadequacy I am overwhelmed with thankfulness for the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit none of this is possible, I could never be a disciple of Christ. But with the Spirit I can live life in a manner worthy of being called a disciple of Christ and I can be pleasing to my Lord.
The following Psalm speaks of the abundant blessings from the Lord. Blessings I am so grateful for, but I have come to understand that the greatest blessing he bestows upon us is himself. The Holy Spirit, the presence of God.
Psalm 65
For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.
1 Praise awaits [a] you, O God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
2 O you who hear prayer,
to you all men will come.
3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave [b] our transgressions.
4 Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.
5 You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness,
O God our Savior,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
6 who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
7 who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
and the turmoil of the nations.
8 Those living far away fear your wonders;
where morning dawns and evening fades
you call forth songs of joy.
9 You care for the land and water it;
you enrich it abundantly.
The streams of God are filled with water
to provide the people with grain,
for so you have ordained it. [c]
10 You drench its furrows
and level its ridges;
you soften it with showers
and bless its crops.
11 You crown the year with your bounty,
and your carts overflow with abundance.
12 The grasslands of the desert overflow;
the hills are clothed with gladness.
13 The meadows are covered with flocks
and the valleys are mantled with grain;
they shout for joy and sing.
Today I choose to live for HIM, holy and pure, enabled by HIS power.
Just Be His.
11-06-09
I have more of God's faithfulness to share with you today. After a tough two weeks, I feel like things are getting better. At first I was afraid that, as everyone wanted me to, I was assimilating into the culture. I desperately did not want it to be the same, to go back to the way I was before, to go back to settling with giving God something other than my best and my all. As I started to get used to the culture I thought that that was what was happening and I was horrified at myself. It took my friend Stacey in Haiti to get me back to the truth. Stacey writes:
"It was for Freedom that He set us free, not so we could all get by with more good than bad. Keep pouring your heart out, because that's Jesus, the One thing that is needed. Don't worry about losing the "Haiti Cammie" or losing the passion that you had here, the drive, the hunger that you had here. Don't cling to that. Keep it, lose it, doesn't matter. You just keep IN the LORD. Keep IN the Lord, and you will be, not American Cammie or Haitian Cammie, Evangelist Cammie or anything else...You'll just be HIS. Just be His. "
What a simple, profound, absolute truth. We must cling to that and nothing else. We must spur one another on toward HIM. Iron sharpens iron and without that we are nothing but dull, useless Christians. That's not what Christ died for at all.
After that hard to hear truth, I was encouraged. My attitude changed and I was content with seeking a great relationship with Christ. After my perspective was refocused on God, God started to use me again. Just this week I have had two separate contacts with non Christians. I also have had numerous opportunities to share God's faithfulness in my life with other Christians, I pray that will encourage them to step out in faith.
Bottom line, God loves us, He died for us, He rose again, He is all we need, and I am His.
What else is there to live for?
HE is working everywhere!
10-27-09
More and more I am amazed at the love of Christ. God loves us all the time, when we are lovely and when we are .....well.....not. God's love isn't the mushy, superficial stuff, it is the true, deep, difficult to receive, I'll stick with you kind of love. Unconditional, tough love.
Reentering the US has been somewhat hard for me. I loved the Haitian people and had great friendships in Haiti. The ministry was what I had been waiting for my entire life. I was mourning over the fact that I had waited all of my life to have the privilege of doing that kind of ministry, then it came, I loved it, even more than I thought I would, and it only lasted one year. What a disappointment. I had been ready to spend my whole life like that.
Deep down inside I knew that God still wanted me to do "that kind of ministry". He wanted me to do it all the time, wherever I ended up. But home is hard. You would think that it would be much easier when you can understand every word that someone else is saying. You don't have to struggle, at least in language and culture. I however find it harder. I feel displaced, without a clear plan or direction.
I am starting to understand that walking by faith, trusting God can mean that I must do what God has called me to do, despite my circumstances. I must be faithful to what God has gifted me with, even when I feel displaced or without a plan. That my plan must be to trust God and follow Him with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. When I do that, I have confidence that God will work out the details much better than I could have.
It is no secret that evangelism is my heart, my joy and my privilege. Today as I talked with Sharon about ministry opportunities and peoples in need of the Gospel, the Mexican restaurant and it's employees came up. I just wanted to go eat Mexican, check out the place and look for opportunity. Sam is always game for food and God stuff and Sharon is our plan maker, so off Martin, Sharon, Sandy, Sam, the kids and I went for lunch.
At the restaurant we were friendly, and Martin, Sharon and Sandy drew employees in to conversation and I could tell that a good relationship had already been built. As I looked for opportunities to share and found none I caught myself thinking maybe this isn't my place. So many people have already built relationship with them, so many other people know Spanish, but I still kept looking.
At the end of our meal Azi knocked over a large glass of water right into Sharon's lap. What a mess. Everyone was looking and the workers came running to help. Due to the mess we decided to go ahead and go. The manager, speaks the best English, and was over helping, so he went ahead and rang up our bill. Martin and Sharon were having a great conversation with him about missions and other things when I came up. That friendly conversation gave me an excellent opportunity to share a bit of my testimony and ask the fellow how his relationship with God was.
What a great conversation. He is open to the Lord and God is calling him. We already have plans in the making for setting a time for him to learn more about God. I thank God for using all of the parts of the body today. Martin and Sharon took an idea and made it happen. Sandy, Martin and Sharon had previously lived for Christ in a way that others could see it and want it and continued with this witness today. Sam was so very supportive and helpful with prayer and with the kids. (Those of you with kids know how helpful this is), even Gideon and Azi gave witness as we prayed together before eating. Who knows what bugs, other Christians in the area have placed in his ear. We need all of the parts of the body working together, seeking the heart of God and seeking kingdom growth. (As Charlie puts it)
Thank you Lord for showing me, again, that you died that all might be saved. Yet you never send us alone, you are always with us.
More and more I am amazed at the love of Christ. God loves us all the time, when we are lovely and when we are .....well.....not. God's love isn't the mushy, superficial stuff, it is the true, deep, difficult to receive, I'll stick with you kind of love. Unconditional, tough love.
Reentering the US has been somewhat hard for me. I loved the Haitian people and had great friendships in Haiti. The ministry was what I had been waiting for my entire life. I was mourning over the fact that I had waited all of my life to have the privilege of doing that kind of ministry, then it came, I loved it, even more than I thought I would, and it only lasted one year. What a disappointment. I had been ready to spend my whole life like that.
Deep down inside I knew that God still wanted me to do "that kind of ministry". He wanted me to do it all the time, wherever I ended up. But home is hard. You would think that it would be much easier when you can understand every word that someone else is saying. You don't have to struggle, at least in language and culture. I however find it harder. I feel displaced, without a clear plan or direction.
I am starting to understand that walking by faith, trusting God can mean that I must do what God has called me to do, despite my circumstances. I must be faithful to what God has gifted me with, even when I feel displaced or without a plan. That my plan must be to trust God and follow Him with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. When I do that, I have confidence that God will work out the details much better than I could have.
It is no secret that evangelism is my heart, my joy and my privilege. Today as I talked with Sharon about ministry opportunities and peoples in need of the Gospel, the Mexican restaurant and it's employees came up. I just wanted to go eat Mexican, check out the place and look for opportunity. Sam is always game for food and God stuff and Sharon is our plan maker, so off Martin, Sharon, Sandy, Sam, the kids and I went for lunch.
At the restaurant we were friendly, and Martin, Sharon and Sandy drew employees in to conversation and I could tell that a good relationship had already been built. As I looked for opportunities to share and found none I caught myself thinking maybe this isn't my place. So many people have already built relationship with them, so many other people know Spanish, but I still kept looking.
At the end of our meal Azi knocked over a large glass of water right into Sharon's lap. What a mess. Everyone was looking and the workers came running to help. Due to the mess we decided to go ahead and go. The manager, speaks the best English, and was over helping, so he went ahead and rang up our bill. Martin and Sharon were having a great conversation with him about missions and other things when I came up. That friendly conversation gave me an excellent opportunity to share a bit of my testimony and ask the fellow how his relationship with God was.
What a great conversation. He is open to the Lord and God is calling him. We already have plans in the making for setting a time for him to learn more about God. I thank God for using all of the parts of the body today. Martin and Sharon took an idea and made it happen. Sandy, Martin and Sharon had previously lived for Christ in a way that others could see it and want it and continued with this witness today. Sam was so very supportive and helpful with prayer and with the kids. (Those of you with kids know how helpful this is), even Gideon and Azi gave witness as we prayed together before eating. Who knows what bugs, other Christians in the area have placed in his ear. We need all of the parts of the body working together, seeking the heart of God and seeking kingdom growth. (As Charlie puts it)
Thank you Lord for showing me, again, that you died that all might be saved. Yet you never send us alone, you are always with us.
Thank you for partnering with us!
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Almost every Christian knows these verses, and knows that He is speaking to all of us. But does "make disciples of all nations" apply to us? How do we make disciples? How do we live that? The verse itself gives us the answer when it says "Baptizing them..... and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Over the past year God has removed part of the veil from our eyes. It became increasingly clear that in order to "make disciples" we must BE disciples. In order to teach others to obey everything Christ has commanded us, WE must obey everything Christ has commanded. EVERYTHING. We discovered in a real tangible way that the little things matter. That all of the commandments of Christ matter, the ones that no one else can see, or everyone thinks are not that bad. That the appearance of sin is just as detrimental to our walk with God and the cause of Christ as "real" sin is. Thus making it sin. That we can never "BE Holy as He is Holy" unless we get rid of us. Our wants, our desires, even the things we deserve.
Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.. We lost our life and found one full of trouble and persecution... and we have never had more joy and peace.
The last year has been full of evangelism, church planting, joys and struggles. We have come closer to the heart of God. We want to thank you for the opportunity to go, to be the sent ones. Thank you for sticking with us, praying for us. Your prayers have not gone unanswered. Many came to a new relationship with Christ, many grew in their relationship with Christ and we, were changed forever.
Now we want to ask you to continue to keep us accountable and to pray for us. We come back to the States with different people, heavy on our hearts. Our own people. We don't have all of the details, but we feel God calling us to Craig, CO. We are sad, when we realize that many of our own people have not experienced life with Christ. Craig is a place where the Church is struggling and the majority are not disciples of Christ. We plan to do exactly what God has gifted us to do. Evangelism, Church planting and exhorting Christ's church.
1 Corinthians 1:2-4
To the church of God . . . to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
Thank you,
Sam and Cammie
Almost every Christian knows these verses, and knows that He is speaking to all of us. But does "make disciples of all nations" apply to us? How do we make disciples? How do we live that? The verse itself gives us the answer when it says "Baptizing them..... and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."
Over the past year God has removed part of the veil from our eyes. It became increasingly clear that in order to "make disciples" we must BE disciples. In order to teach others to obey everything Christ has commanded us, WE must obey everything Christ has commanded. EVERYTHING. We discovered in a real tangible way that the little things matter. That all of the commandments of Christ matter, the ones that no one else can see, or everyone thinks are not that bad. That the appearance of sin is just as detrimental to our walk with God and the cause of Christ as "real" sin is. Thus making it sin. That we can never "BE Holy as He is Holy" unless we get rid of us. Our wants, our desires, even the things we deserve.
Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.. We lost our life and found one full of trouble and persecution... and we have never had more joy and peace.
The last year has been full of evangelism, church planting, joys and struggles. We have come closer to the heart of God. We want to thank you for the opportunity to go, to be the sent ones. Thank you for sticking with us, praying for us. Your prayers have not gone unanswered. Many came to a new relationship with Christ, many grew in their relationship with Christ and we, were changed forever.
Now we want to ask you to continue to keep us accountable and to pray for us. We come back to the States with different people, heavy on our hearts. Our own people. We don't have all of the details, but we feel God calling us to Craig, CO. We are sad, when we realize that many of our own people have not experienced life with Christ. Craig is a place where the Church is struggling and the majority are not disciples of Christ. We plan to do exactly what God has gifted us to do. Evangelism, Church planting and exhorting Christ's church.
1 Corinthians 1:2-4
To the church of God . . . to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
Thank you,
Sam and Cammie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)