The Scarlet Thread

Imagine a beautiful quilt, each square depicting a scene from your life - joys and tears, triumphs and tragedies, successes and failures…What would your quilt look like?

I just read The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers. What a wonderful book! It’s the story of 2 women who lived centuries apart, but had so much in common. Both were uprooted from their homes; both journeyed through painful struggles that left them doubting, questioning and even rejecting God; and both returned to God after realizing His presence, provision, and unconditional love through every situation.

A tattered journal, an heirloom quilt, and a shared heart for God knitted these two women together.

I couldn’t help but think how my spiritual journey paralleled theirs. I’m no stranger to putting things in my life before God – career, marriage, other goals. I’m no stranger to the pain of infidelity or divorce. And I’m no stranger to the lure of independence, thinking I need to handle everything on my own, feeling alone in my struggles.

Fortunately, like these two women, I also came to realize that God was with me through it all. He cried when I cried, He lifted me when I stumbled, and He welcomed me with open arms when I returned and recommitted my life to Him. Whether I knew it or not, He was the scarlet thread woven in and through each quilted scene. And He still is – there are so many more squares to be sewn.

What common thread runs through the scenes of your life? What (or who) do you rely on to hold everything together? What does your quilt look like?

Divine Appointments

Have you ever met someone briefly that changed your life forever? Perhaps a divine appointment of sorts? Yesterday, we said goodbye to our Crown College mission team after 2 wonderful weeks of ministry. In the short time they were here, they built relationships and made an impact that will last a lifetime.

One way they did this was through a week-long afternoon children’s program at Real Vision church. Each day, about 65-75 kids came to play games, sing songs, and hear the Word of God taught in exciting, kid-friendly ways. Children’s ministry has a huge impact in the villages because kids really don’t have it in their home churches. The kids loved the special attention and the fun teachings, and they really got a kick out of meeting people from America. And when the kids share their excitement with their families back home, they get excited too! And they also see how welcoming and vibrant the local church is – in this case Real Vision. (The mission team had a blast as well!!)

Another way the team had great impact was through each family they ministered to during Relationship Evangelism. As they planted vegetables gardens, they also planted spiritual seeds of faith. As they mended a woman’s fence, they also mended racial tensions in the name of Christ who loves everyone as His children. As they led people to Christ, prayed for the sick, and discipled Believers, they also grew more mature in their own faith. Quite an impact every way you look at it!!

Please pray with us that the Lord’s work continues in and through each mission team member – in the village of Khelangoni, in Minnesota as the team returns, and wherever they are called to next.

Blessed

I am truly blessesd! Do you know that you are too? This weekend we took the mission team to Real Vision Church in Khelangoni, also known as Tshiame C. After just 2 days of ministry in the village, the team built loving relationships and many of the families joined us for the service. Another special treat that morning was several songs by the children’s choir – sooooo cute!!

Pastor Abram was given the honor of preaching, and spoke of the spiritual blessings we’ve already been given through Christ (Eph 1:3) It was a passionate and powerful reminder that we need to align our minds and our flesh to the Spirit of Christ in order to take hold of the blessings we’ve already been given.

When our minds agree with our flesh, or worldly desires, it’s basically 2 against 1 against the Spirit of Christ that is in us. When our minds are aligned with the Spirit of Christ, it’s 2 against 1 against whatever is trying to lead us astray.

For me, it was a simple but powerful way to view it – there’s strength in numbers.

Weekend Fun

This weekend I climbed Mt. Everest…literally. For those of you who don’t know, Mt. Everest is the name of one of our mountains here on the Thrive Africa mission base.

Matt and I hiked up with our current mission team – 10 men and women from Crown College in MN. They are a great group – fun-loving, energetic, and passionate about serving and sharing Christ with others!

It was a feat for me to keep up because this team is mostly comprised of collegiate-level soccer players – much more fit than me and just about half my age.

The weather was beautiful, the views were spectacular, and the team had a great time exploring and taking fun pictures of their accomplishment.

My Revelation

I often pray to receive things from Christ – everything from wisdom and strength to provision and blessings. But what is Christ supposed to receive from me? Revelation 5:12 says “In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Christ is worthy to receive all these things, which got me thinking about what they meant and if I was giving them to Him.

I’ve been studying Revelation during my morning devotion times…it’s a difficult but rewarding book of the Bible to chew on. Thankfully I found a good commentary to help out.

Power: Do I give Christ power over my life? Do I release the reigns of control to Him?

Wealth: Do I give Him all my silver and gold? Do I tithe appropriately and cheerfully? Do I use all that I have for His glory?

Wisdom: Do I give Him the finest of my intellectual powers? Do I use my mind and my abilities for His glory?

Strength: Do I give Him my physical strength for His service?

Honor: Do I have a single, pure desire to magnify Him in everything I do?

Glory: Is my entire life devoted to glorifying Him?

Praise: Do I use all of my abilities and powers of praise for Him?

I’ve heard the verse many times before; it’s even recited in a worship song I listen to regularly. I think I’ve heard it so much I quickly skip past its deep meaning. That Christ is worthy to receive all these things from me, and from each of us. And that I’m a work in progress, but that’s not a bad thing...