Mixed feelings

The Next Christians
By Gabe Lyons

I have mixed feelings about this book. There are parts that I agree with, and parts that, though I don't outrightly disagree with, I feel are left wanting.
I agree that the world is changing - it is our responsibility to communicate unchanging Biblical truth to a constantly changing world! And I also agree that there are all different types of "Christians" as he reviews separatist and cultural Christians. I was almost holding my breath waiting to hear what Lyons finally came to when he said, "Isn't there another group of Christians who are getting it right?"
Lyons states of the restorers, that "Their faith activity isn't restricted to "religious" activities, but carries over into every day of the week and each aspect of their careers, relationships and social lives." I also agree when he states that this is not some new Christian idea, it's actually an old one.
I also agree that it is our responsibility to do everything we do to the best of our ability in order to bring all the glory to God. But I feel that some without a strong Biblical background would think that it's enough to "do good." It's a fine line that I don't feel is made clear in this book. 
I also feel, that while evangelism isn't the ONLY goal of a Christian, that it is downplayed in the book. I think that there are times to simply be a witness by our actions, but there are times that it is also important to do more than that.
These are just a few examples of the reasons I kept putting this book down, yet coming back to it, as I received this book for free from Multnomah Books and agreed to read it and write a review.

A Month of Thankfulness

I'm going to attempt to write about 1 thing I am thankful for every day in November, in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

1. I am thankful for my family - both immediate and extended. I am grateful for each and every one and their unique ways!
2. I am thankful for cuddle time with my children tonight while we watched a movie. I love who they are becoming!
3. I am thankful for sweet rest, and for the feeling of accomplishment after checking quite a few things off on my "to do" list. Also for doctors and homeschool curriculum suppliers who allow God to bless me through them by giving discounts to missionaries.
4. I am thankful for my parents. My mom & dad have been an encouragement to me my whole life, making me believe I could accomplish whatever I set my mind to. My mom is still the one who believes I can do it all! I love you, Mommy!
5. I am thankful for Christ, His mercy and grace. I love that His mercies are new every morning, and that it's all about what He's done and who He is, not about who I am. "How refreshing to know You don't need me. How amazing to find that You want me."
6. I am thankful for my husband of 18 1/2 years! Brad is an amazing husband and father, and I am looking forward to growing old with him.
7. I am thankful for God's provision for all my needs, and that He even goes above and beyond and gives me many of my wants, as well!
8. Today I am thankful for God's forgiveness. I am thankful that a God who knows the depths of my heart still loves me.

Psalm 103:11-12
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

9. I am thankful that it snowed while we were in the US! It made me feel like a little girl that got just what she wanted from her Daddy. Thank you, Abba Father, for Your simple yet amazing gifts!
10. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in the lives of South African youth.
11. I am thankful for the ministry of Bobby Francis and Dave Weir, and for a new believer that is special to me!
12. I am thankful for my fuzzy brown "bear" socks given to me by my friend Jess Case! I love them, and I love you!
13. I am so thankful for the reminder tonight that my God is that same God of David. The same God who has provided all my needs in the past is the same God who will continue to do so in AMAZING ways in the future. I am so excited to be along for the adventure!

1 Samuel 17:37 And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

14. I am thankful for an amazingly supportive home church and especially for our Serving As Senders team! You are all such an encouragement to us!
15. I am thankful for the chocolate scented Hershey pen from my friend Ella.
16. I am thankful for the opportunity to spend a long layover in Switzerland next week to visit my friend Marianne!
17. I am thankful for the van that was donated to us from Ada Bible Church in Michigan! Thank you for allowing God to bless us through you!
18. I am thankful for an unexpected check in the mail!!!
19. I am thankful to have my Mom's wedding ring. It makes me feel close to her when I wear it.
20. I am thankful for an early birthday present from Jane Stahl - an ice cream cake! :)
21. I am thankful for dinner out with friends!
22. I am thankful for a buyer for our van!
23. I am thankful for my husband's family and their love for our children.
24. I am thankful that my children were spoiled today with gifts from their Uncles.
25. I am thankful for an amazing time in Switzerland, including trips to Pilatus and Bern, and having Swiss food like Raclette, Swiss fondue, Berliners, and more! But even more thankful for the time together with forever heart friends.
26. I am thankful for our South African home church. We received such a warm welcome home from them and had an amazing time of worship together this morning!
27. I am thankful for a Pastor who preaches the whole Word of God.
28. I am thankful for the reminder to find new ways that I can show love to the body of Christ.
29. I am thankful that I can sleep in my own bed again!
30. I am thankful for the warm welcome from our friends at the airport.

Torn, Part 2

I said goodbye today. It's been a long day of travel, and now some 18 hours later, the tears flow freely. I miss my Mom. I want to be curled up in her chair and a half sleeping softly and feeling like a little girl, like Mom can heal all wounds.
So for just a little while, I allow myself to grieve - to cry over moments that will be missed, loved ones that will guard their hearts from growing too close to protect themselves from the hurt of saying goodbye, of the possibility that some goodbyes could be the last in this life.
And then I rejoice in memories that were made, laughter that was shared, and words that were spoken. And as I prepare to drift off to sleep, God begins to heal my heart.
I love you, Abba Father, Daddy. Thank you that Your mercies are new every morning, and great is Your faithfulness.

Something Big is Coming and a $56,000 Homeschool Sweepstakes! | Home Educating Association

Something Big is Coming and a $56,000 Homeschool Sweepstakes! | Home Educating Association

Homeschool Giveaway Link

Sally at With Eager Hands posted homeschool planning information (with photos!) and a giveaway she is sharing this week - The Ultimate Homeschool Planner. Thank you, Sally! http://bit.ly/n9p5R9 
Here is an excerpt from her blog:

God has been good to us through homeschooling in so many ways, but the one I'm most thankful for is how close we are as a family. Yes, I think the education is better, particularly in the long run, but it is the relational aspect of homeschooling that has had the most impact on us. 

Mya

I made an adoption book for Mya on Snapfish today. Here's her story that I included....


This is the story of how I was adopted into my family.
Mommy and Daddy wanted another baby, and God showed
them that He had just the right baby in mind. They just
had to wait and pray! So they prayed and they prayed,
and they waited and they waited. They prayed for me
while God was knitting me together in the womb! I was
born on May 28, 2007, and at just the right time they
were told that I was ready to come live with them and
be a part of their family.

On October 2, 2007, I came home! I get lots of
attention! Daddy likes to cuddle me, Mommy likes to rock me
and sing to me, and Brandon and Marissa are enthralled with
my tiny little fingers and my tiny little toes.
We are a family!

Adoption Day: December 14, 2009.
"Born not from our flesh, but born in our hearts, you
were longed for and wanted and loved from the start."

Torn

10 years. We have lived in Africa for almost 10 years. It's hard to believe! And now we're preparing to go on furlough to the US for 4 1/2 months. We have been on furlough 3 times before, but never have I felt so torn. How do I explain?

How do I leave for so long? This has become my Africa. I am intertwined with the people here. Their hurts are my hurts and I rejoice with their rejoicing. I am pouring my life into others, and in turn get so filled!

How, in the midst of discipling 3 young girls that live in not so ideal situations - girls that come stay with us for a few days every now and then just to get away? How, when a friend's marriage is on the line, and you have the chance to encourage each other often in the Word? How, when a young girl in your small group just accepted Christ as Saviour and has so much growing to do? I am not so naive as to think that Christ cannot grow, heal and encourage His children without me. But I love them! They have become family to me. I love being a part of their lives.

Yet I can't imagine not going, when my family in the US is changing so quickly that I do not really even know them! While away these three years, just to name a few changes, my brother died, 2 nephews got married and I haven't met their wives, babies were born, cross country moves.... I miss the laughter. 

(I must admit, this is not a daily struggle that I allow myself to indulge in. It would be crippling. I find I actually miss my family more as I come close to going back each time, as I allow myself to think about it more.)

I want to drink in every moment of the time I will have with them. I want to know them, and I want them to know the me that I am today. And then I want to come back.

It won't be easy returning to Africa, either. I will say goodbye again, leaving the family that I love. And then I will try to jump back into the lives of people that have gone on with their lives for a little while without me.