Every morning the various groups within Source of Light gather for prayer and a quiet time to be with The Lord. Many of us have already had our own private quiet time, devotions, or scripture reading. But when we gather as Operations, Print Shop, MDS, Advanced Studies, Accounting, Field Department or Administration, we have time to pray for specific department needs, health concerns, missionary requests from overseas or within our North American branches.
Each Tuesday morning we meet as a larger group to pray for our foreign branches and on Wednesday we meet for Chapel and a time of worship and a message or presentation of some kind before we take our lunch break. Every gathering is a worshipful, prayerful time to thank God for all He has done for this Ministry for the past 60 plus years and seek His direction as we move forward to reach the world for Jesus Christ.
Prayer does work. We have seen many needs met, financial situations resolved and health concerns addressed. We have prayed when things go wrong and praised when things go right and in every case we know that God hears us and answers as He wills and often surprises us with the timing and the resolution. What peace I feel with the call on our lives and the work we have been led to do in His Name. As I've said many times, it may not always be easy, but it is always rewarding and worth the effort we expend each day. Work hard, enjoy life, and keep on praying. God is Good.
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Thursday, February 18, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
February 15, 2016. Madison, GA. Holiday
Today is Presidents' Day. It is also National Gumdrop Day, National Hippo Day, National I Want a Butterscotch Day, Remember The Maine Day, Singles Awareness Day and Susan B. Anthony Day.
That's quite a lot to celebrate but it doesn't hold a candle to yesterday which was, of course Valentine's Day. It was also Autism Sunday, Frederick Douglas Day, International Book Giving Day, International Quirkyalone Day, League of Women Voters Day, Library Lovers Day, National Call in Single Day, National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day, National Ferris Wheel Day, National Have a Heart Day, National Organ Donor Day, Pet Theft Awareness Day, Race Relations Day, Read to Your Child Day and World Marriage Day. It was also a good day to attend Sunday School and Church, and listen to a sermon entitled, "Pay-Day Someday" delivered by Dr. R.G. Lee in Edgefield, South Carolina in 1919.
While each day may invite us to celebrate some event, person or occasion, we can always thank God for His mercies which are new every day and more than sufficient to bless and keep us regardless of what the calendar tells us we should be remembering.
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That's quite a lot to celebrate but it doesn't hold a candle to yesterday which was, of course Valentine's Day. It was also Autism Sunday, Frederick Douglas Day, International Book Giving Day, International Quirkyalone Day, League of Women Voters Day, Library Lovers Day, National Call in Single Day, National Cream-Filled Chocolates Day, National Ferris Wheel Day, National Have a Heart Day, National Organ Donor Day, Pet Theft Awareness Day, Race Relations Day, Read to Your Child Day and World Marriage Day. It was also a good day to attend Sunday School and Church, and listen to a sermon entitled, "Pay-Day Someday" delivered by Dr. R.G. Lee in Edgefield, South Carolina in 1919.
While each day may invite us to celebrate some event, person or occasion, we can always thank God for His mercies which are new every day and more than sufficient to bless and keep us regardless of what the calendar tells us we should be remembering.
Sent from my iPad
Friday, February 12, 2016
February 12, 2016. Madison, GA. Coincidence
"Oh, that's just a coincidence", Really? I've heard it said so many times, but when things happen the way they do, over and over and over again, I think there is more to it than just plain happenstance. It happens for a reason, and the reason is, that's how God happened it to be.
Karen and I named our ministry, Ministry of Miles before we even had any idea of where we would be going or what we would be doing. We just thought that "miles" would represent road miles, and a lot of them. But as we set out to minister to Vietnam Veterans about benefits they were entitled to, but possibly not aware of, we found that there had to be more, so we added the element of telling people about our faith and how God had an eternal plan for each of us, and so MILES became MILitary and Eternal Salvation. MILES had more of a meaning.
When we heard about the volunteer opportunities at The Great Passion Play in Arkansas, we thought that would be a good place to pursue the Eternal Salvation element while still being able to minister to the vets. But we soon realized that ES stood for Eureka Springs where TGPP was located and so our MILES had a second meaning.
After the 2014 season of TGPP ended in November, we headed for Madison, GA and Source of Light Ministries, finding a home for the winter of 2014-2015. Felt like we were where God wanted us and when spring rolled around it was back to TGPP for the 2015 season. And after that, no reason not to return to Madison for a second go-round at SOL, or as it is formally known, Source of Light Ministries International. And, then, two nights ago as I settled into bed, it struck me, that SLMI is nothing more than MILES rearranged, with an E not in the equation. But E could well stand for Evangelism, or enthusiasm, or Eternity.......or........Everything.
In any event we have a third meaning for MILES, and the best thing we can do is just SMILE (anagram of MILES) and accept the reality of no coincidences. There is a plan ordained for each of us. All we need to do is realize Who the planner is, be obedient to Him and smile at the blessings He showers on us every moment of every day, no matter how many miles we may minister through. At last count, our ministry miles in motor home and car........about 16,169 in 26 months. THANK YOU, LORD.
Sent from my iPad
Karen and I named our ministry, Ministry of Miles before we even had any idea of where we would be going or what we would be doing. We just thought that "miles" would represent road miles, and a lot of them. But as we set out to minister to Vietnam Veterans about benefits they were entitled to, but possibly not aware of, we found that there had to be more, so we added the element of telling people about our faith and how God had an eternal plan for each of us, and so MILES became MILitary and Eternal Salvation. MILES had more of a meaning.
When we heard about the volunteer opportunities at The Great Passion Play in Arkansas, we thought that would be a good place to pursue the Eternal Salvation element while still being able to minister to the vets. But we soon realized that ES stood for Eureka Springs where TGPP was located and so our MILES had a second meaning.
After the 2014 season of TGPP ended in November, we headed for Madison, GA and Source of Light Ministries, finding a home for the winter of 2014-2015. Felt like we were where God wanted us and when spring rolled around it was back to TGPP for the 2015 season. And after that, no reason not to return to Madison for a second go-round at SOL, or as it is formally known, Source of Light Ministries International. And, then, two nights ago as I settled into bed, it struck me, that SLMI is nothing more than MILES rearranged, with an E not in the equation. But E could well stand for Evangelism, or enthusiasm, or Eternity.......or........Everything.
In any event we have a third meaning for MILES, and the best thing we can do is just SMILE (anagram of MILES) and accept the reality of no coincidences. There is a plan ordained for each of us. All we need to do is realize Who the planner is, be obedient to Him and smile at the blessings He showers on us every moment of every day, no matter how many miles we may minister through. At last count, our ministry miles in motor home and car........about 16,169 in 26 months. THANK YOU, LORD.
Sent from my iPad
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
February 9, 2016. Madison, GA. Winning
For the second time since we've been on the road, we had the opportunity to try to watch the Super Bowl and the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning and the boys go for the title. In 2014, we couldn't get our computer connected to the game and had to endure a frustrating search and an even more frustrating game as the Broncos took it on the chin from Seattle. We were kind of glad, in hindsight, not to have seen the blow by blow.
This year we tried to use a laptop connected to a flat screen TV in the Mission Kids Room of the Headquarters building, and for the first half had little success other than seeing the first drive, but not the field goal or anything thereafter. When we got back to the motor home, Hugh was able to pick up CBS on his TV antenna and we were able to see the whole second half and the resulting Bronco victory.
It's fun to have your "team" win, but with the emphasis of our lives being less focused on sports and other "worldly" things, we are more tuned in to the spiritual and eternal and we are rooting for the ministries we serve and seeing the winning efforts of missionaries, prayers answered and lives saved and changed. That may sound "churchy" or like a Sunday School answer, but Karen and I have really found peace and joy in serving as we have at The Great Passion Play and at Source of Light Ministries. When the bell rings In the Madison Discipleship School and we hear that another person has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, we celebrate that victory and for that person, it will mean more than their team winning the Super Bowl. We are always available to talk with veterans about their benefits and VA matters, so our lives are more focused on the needs of others and trusting God to take care of our personal issues and concerns. God has been more than sufficient in meeting every need, even when it seems that we are facing an impossible situation or tough decision. Through it all we continue to trust and believe: God is Good. All the time. All the time. God is Good.
Sent from my iPad
This year we tried to use a laptop connected to a flat screen TV in the Mission Kids Room of the Headquarters building, and for the first half had little success other than seeing the first drive, but not the field goal or anything thereafter. When we got back to the motor home, Hugh was able to pick up CBS on his TV antenna and we were able to see the whole second half and the resulting Bronco victory.
It's fun to have your "team" win, but with the emphasis of our lives being less focused on sports and other "worldly" things, we are more tuned in to the spiritual and eternal and we are rooting for the ministries we serve and seeing the winning efforts of missionaries, prayers answered and lives saved and changed. That may sound "churchy" or like a Sunday School answer, but Karen and I have really found peace and joy in serving as we have at The Great Passion Play and at Source of Light Ministries. When the bell rings In the Madison Discipleship School and we hear that another person has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, we celebrate that victory and for that person, it will mean more than their team winning the Super Bowl. We are always available to talk with veterans about their benefits and VA matters, so our lives are more focused on the needs of others and trusting God to take care of our personal issues and concerns. God has been more than sufficient in meeting every need, even when it seems that we are facing an impossible situation or tough decision. Through it all we continue to trust and believe: God is Good. All the time. All the time. God is Good.
Sent from my iPad
Saturday, February 6, 2016
February 6, 2016. Madison, GA. More Hands
We are beginning to see more volunteers here at the Mission. Some are coming for a couple of months, but most are staying for just a few weeks. So far there are no other motor homes, so Hugh and LaVon our neighbors under the trees are still the only RV'ers. We have both moved up the hill, away from the trees and the mud and are "guardians" of the parking lot. It's windier, a little noisier with the road just a few hundred feet from us, but it's closer to my donkey friends who graze with the cattle in the field to the north of us.
I enjoy talking to the donkeys and have a call which they usually respond to which brings them over to the fence and a healthy dose of forehead rubbing, back scratching and conversation. I do all the rubbing, scratching and conversing, but I really have a good time with them. It keeps me "in shape" for our return to the Passion Play donkeys. If we ever have a pet, I think I'd opt for a donk.
With all the extra people, it hasn't made any difference in my work duties, since most of the people are working in the Discipleship School (MDS) and the large volume of lessons in and out of that department. Some of them help in the print shop, where I work when there are jobs to be collated, wrapped and inventoried, but the work load there has not been too heavy. Karen is the jack of all trades in accounting, MDS and wherever needed, so she stays busy most of the time. Our game nights and potluck are more frequent and more attended, so that is the main place to get to know people and share our lives and experiences.
We are blessed to be able to serve as we are are and haven't really explored other opportunities besides Madison and Eureka Springs. Many of the people we volunteered with in Arkansas are settled down back at home, not getting on the road as much and seem to be content with a more normal life. We are happy doing what we're doing and being away from the cold and snowy climes of Colorado. We're beginning to think about our "medical vacation" during June or July or possibly August, but nothing definite yet. One day at a time, sweet Jesus, and glad to be able to do it.
Sent from my iPad
I enjoy talking to the donkeys and have a call which they usually respond to which brings them over to the fence and a healthy dose of forehead rubbing, back scratching and conversation. I do all the rubbing, scratching and conversing, but I really have a good time with them. It keeps me "in shape" for our return to the Passion Play donkeys. If we ever have a pet, I think I'd opt for a donk.
With all the extra people, it hasn't made any difference in my work duties, since most of the people are working in the Discipleship School (MDS) and the large volume of lessons in and out of that department. Some of them help in the print shop, where I work when there are jobs to be collated, wrapped and inventoried, but the work load there has not been too heavy. Karen is the jack of all trades in accounting, MDS and wherever needed, so she stays busy most of the time. Our game nights and potluck are more frequent and more attended, so that is the main place to get to know people and share our lives and experiences.
We are blessed to be able to serve as we are are and haven't really explored other opportunities besides Madison and Eureka Springs. Many of the people we volunteered with in Arkansas are settled down back at home, not getting on the road as much and seem to be content with a more normal life. We are happy doing what we're doing and being away from the cold and snowy climes of Colorado. We're beginning to think about our "medical vacation" during June or July or possibly August, but nothing definite yet. One day at a time, sweet Jesus, and glad to be able to do it.
Sent from my iPad
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
February 3, 2016. Madison, GA. Ministry
When God calls............answer the call............and stay the course until the next call comes. Ministry is not always along the lines we envision it, and often the tasks we are asked to do are not in our comfort zone or conform to the skills we have or the training we have been through. But, ministry demands our full attention, our obedience and our willingness to trust God, walk in complete faith and let God call the shots and supply the strength and stamina to keep at the task.
I mentioned that our friends Mike and Linda were coming to visit, and while they were here, I gave up my planned Chapel presentation today to give Mike an opportunity to give his testimony, discuss his background in law enforcement, firefighting, military, EMT, a shooting incident in which two people were killed and Mike himself came close to death, as well; their marriage counseling and current ministry to those who are now, or were in these professions as well as training people in security issues at churches, schools and faith-based organizations (see: hart rescue.us). The presentation was moving and brings up the fact that ministry sometimes asks us to relive our past, comfort others who are going through what we have been through and trust God to comfort them as He has comforted us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). To paraphrase: How many times, Lord must we comfort others by reliving our difficult experience? Seven times? .........no, seventy-seven times........no, seven times 70 times............no, as many times as God calls us to, and then we will be called to comfort them, again and again............and again.........
Ministry isn't always easy, and yet it's not our call, but His, and when God calls, answer the call and stay the course for as long as God gives us the strength and stamina to do so. And for this we say........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
I mentioned that our friends Mike and Linda were coming to visit, and while they were here, I gave up my planned Chapel presentation today to give Mike an opportunity to give his testimony, discuss his background in law enforcement, firefighting, military, EMT, a shooting incident in which two people were killed and Mike himself came close to death, as well; their marriage counseling and current ministry to those who are now, or were in these professions as well as training people in security issues at churches, schools and faith-based organizations (see: hart rescue.us). The presentation was moving and brings up the fact that ministry sometimes asks us to relive our past, comfort others who are going through what we have been through and trust God to comfort them as He has comforted us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). To paraphrase: How many times, Lord must we comfort others by reliving our difficult experience? Seven times? .........no, seventy-seven times........no, seven times 70 times............no, as many times as God calls us to, and then we will be called to comfort them, again and again............and again.........
Ministry isn't always easy, and yet it's not our call, but His, and when God calls, answer the call and stay the course for as long as God gives us the strength and stamina to do so. And for this we say........Thank You, Lord.
Sent from my iPad
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