Friends & Coworkers

Mike, Fran, Bret & Rachel VanBruggen

We dropped our friends & coworkers off at the airport today. They are returning to the US for approximately 5 months to share with churches & individuals about all that God is doing here in South Africa. The VanBruggens have become a vital part of our team, and even more, a part of our family away from home. God has used them to strengthen the ministry of Word of Life in South Africa, and it wasn't easy to say goodbye, even for just a little while. Fran, I still swear that we're related somehow. ;) We'll miss you! Hurry home!!!

Struggling with Self-Discipline

This week I have had such good intentions with no desire to do much about it! I want to have the energy to run my home with efficiency and to exercise and eat right, but I just had no will power of my own. I have been exhausted physically due to recent activity in my life - all of which has been amazing! And I have been challenged by verses such as "She looks well to the ways of her household,And does not eat the bread of idleness" Prov 31:27, and "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God," 1 Cor. 10:31 and yet I continue to lack will power.... As I sat down to blog about this last night (and blogger was having technical issues) I was reminded of the following verses:

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.

Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Romans 7:14-8:1

These verses spoke for me so well! I am feeling encouraged today!

The Glory of my King

Do not claim honor in the presence of the king,
         And do not stand in the place of great men;
    For it is better that it be said to you, "Come up here,"
         Than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the 
          prince,
         Whom your eyes have seen. Proverbs 25:6-7


Help me, Lord, to focus my life on the glory of my King rather than to seek glory for myself. When I have a clear picture of who God is, it will lead me to true humility.

Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.

Holy, holy, holy!  Merciful and mighty,

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy!  All the saints adore thee,

casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy!  Though the darkness hide thee,

though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,

only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,

perfect in power, in love and purity.

Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!

All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.

Holy, holy, holy!  Merciful and mighty,

God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

A Gentle Tongue

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, 
   and a gentle tongue can break a bone. Proverbs 25:15


"Solomon writes that the gentle tongue breaks a bone, saying that even a gentle and sensitive tongue can be a powerful force. 'Gentle' means delicate, soft, or tender and is used elsewhere in Proverbs of a 'soft answer turning away wrath' (15:1).... Either wisdom or foolishness is always reflected in my speech!" Todd Kinzer


Are my words gentle? Lord, please continue to remind me that my tongue reveals my heart. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Help me to spend more time meditating on Your Word "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."