And The Story Continues...

In March of 2011 I traveled with a number of students from Cedarville University, Colton Branson, my daughter and her husband (they were dating back then).  Anyway, on Friday afternoon I met a little girl named Norma.  I told that story on this blog on March 29,2011 (www.ivinsupdate.blogspot.com/2011/03/touched-by-angel.html)

Well, this morning on my desk I received a letter from Norma.  It was a glowing report of how she is doing and what God is doing with her.  The most exciting part of the letter said this,

"Norma participates in the biblical stories.  Her mother is always beside her and attends the biblical studies we have on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the church.  She (the mother) accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior..."

A "chance" encounter of a little 4 (almost 5) year old in Lima Peru lead to another sister being brought into the family!  Praise God for the ministry of AMG in Peru.  Thank God for the faithfulness of Jose Apon, Lutgarda Apon, and the whole Apon family.

God is still in the business of saving lives - and the cool part is - He uses us to do it!  Amazing Grace!

I can't wait to see how the rest of the story unfolds...

Is there something wrong with this picture?

Kentucky Fried Chicken has recently put out an ad promoting their "chicken bites". 

The ad begins with "mom" and "dad" confronting their son.  They have some things they need to talk about.  Obviously their twenty-something son still lives at home and spends the day playing video games.  They begin to address the "issues" they have, and start with the "chicken nuggets" he is eating.  It is then the young man is bothered by his dad's accusation telling him that they are "chicken bites" not "chicken nuggets".  The father tastes one and then turns to the woman and says something to the effect, "honey, let's leave this man to do his work." 

Amazingly enough, this is a commentary on the current generation and their parents.  This generation is filled with kids that behave like adolescents well into their late 20's - some into their 30's.  The question is, where is the problem?  I have my thoughts, but I will save them for another day.

The Forks of Life

Robert Frost's wrote a poem called "The Road Not Taken".  It is about a man who makes a decision to take the path "less traveled by" and finds that it made "all the difference".

The question I am wrestling with today is - what if both paths are equally traveled, lead to equally satisfying objectives, and have equal possibility to produce results.  Then what?  I mean, both roads lead to something good - yeah, there is a path that has destruction and misery at the end, but the two roads before me now are not that one.

How is a decision reached when the objectives for both directions are similar, when the personal "fit" for both roads is similar, and the fruit of either path is good?

Today I ask the question - I will see what God does to block one path or the other.  I have asked many to pray regarding this decision, and this is what I have asked them for.  I do not think either path to be greater than the other, but I know God will guide as we seek His leading.  I am praying for clarity - to know His will, guidance - to make the right decision, and boldness - to walk after Him no matter what.

I guess that really is all I can do now. God has already laid out my plan, obedience is all He requires.

Father help me to obey with wisdom and to walk after You with all my heart.

(Robert Frost's poem can be found at
http://www.bartleby.com/119/1.html ) 

Insignificant??

I was sitting in the dentist's office yesterday waiting for my wife and they have a video of fish on the screen.  The fish are amazing.  It is extremely relaxing to watch them do their thing.

Then it hits me - what is "their thing"?  Do you realize that apart from people braving the depths of the ocean, these fish would NEVER be seen by a human eye?  Then, as is often the case, the thought continues on.  These fish are at a depth that humans have been able to make it to, and yet only a small percentage of them have ever been seen by a human eye.  What about the fish that are below the depths that we have been able to dive to?  They live, reproduce, eat, "breathe" and eventually die without ever being identified/seen by anything other than the other "beings" in their surroundings.

What is their purpose?  Why do they do what they do?  How do they know if they are successful?  Or if they failed?  They hunt each day for food.  They make shelters to hide in.  They breed and bring the next generation in, but to what end?  Ultimately, they live and die.  They have no purpose - or do they?

This is when the amazement with our God is overwhelming.  Not only did the creator of all create things for us to see that are beautiful, but he has designed a world that works together for HIS GLORY whether we see it or not.  The fish in the sea function to shout the praises of the creator and designer.  They do it by simply living day to day doing the things they are designed to do.

What a comforting thought when it comes to us as humans - the top of the food chain - the only being created in the image of the creator.  If a small, seemingly insignificant fish can glorify it's Maker by going through it's daily routine without a worry or care, how much more should we be able to glorify Him by doing the things He's designed us to do?

The problem...  a fish doesn't think about it's own glory.  It doesn't wonder if it is the most important fish in the sea.  It doesn't brag about it's abilities or accomplishments.  It is what the Creator made it to be.  It does what the Creator made it to do. 

How about we think like a fish today.  Glorify the God who gave you the abilities He has given you, who allows you to accomplish what you accomplish, who deserves ALL of the praise.

Berean Bible Church - Guatemala Trip - Day 10

This is the day I usually forget to blog about – it is usually a very exciting, albeit sad day, as the team begins their journey home, splits up somewhere along the way, and eventually arrive at their destination tired, but happy.  It is a day of travel, waiting, carrying stuff, wondering if stuff will get where it is supposed to get, eating things you’d rather not eat…  It is a long day.

And today was no different.  The team loaded up around 8:00 this morning after a nice breakfast, and headed for the airport.  I was up rather early this morning, so I went out and took pictures of Pacaya (the volcano) and the city of Guatemala.  I took some video also of the place we were staying, and even took a video that I converted to a sound byte of the natural sounds of Guatemala City.  The team is going home with over 11 gig of pictures and video – I hope it tells their story well.

We reached the airport – handed out the passports and checked in.  Everything today went very smoothly.  Even our arrival in Houston was smooth – in and out of immigration and customs in just 30 minutes or so.  It was obvious that people were praying for us, because things went very smoothly.

Eventually we hugged and parted ways.  I really was blessed by the members of this team.  I pray that God brings us together again soon.

Berean Bible Church - Guatemala Trip - Day 9

The worship service this morning was wonderful.  Diego and Rene lead the worship (they are Guatemalan Nationals).  It would have been wonderful to have Tim and Eli join them, but there wasn’t enough time to practice.  Tim and Eli have done such a wonderful time throughout the week preparing for and leading in worship, so it was probably nice to allow them to participate today.

Dan Anderson spoke, he’s a third generation missionary – his family were missionaries to Columbia – so he is actually more of a Columbian than an American (although he looks very American).  He shared with us from I Samuel, and challenged us to fear God, serve God, and consider God – three points that came directly from the passage.  It was a great start to the day.

Then the fun stuff – shopping!  I hate shopping, and apparently so does Jeff, but it is a great experience for the team.  It was fun to watch them barter for stuff and then come back and “brag” on the prices they got their things for.  The deals they made were pretty good – but the experience was probably more beneficial than the things they acquired.

I hung out in the middle (as is my custom) but I was able to watch the Spain v Italy futbol game, that made my 2 hour wait go by so much faster.  Spain won – 4-0 – just in case you were wondering.

Since it was raining, we did not get to tour Antigua like I would have preferred, so we headed off to TGIF for dinner.  What a joy it is to watch this group interact over their meals.  They are a riot.  They laugh together often – and as I said before, that speaks volumes about the intimacy in the group.

We headed back to the guest house and said goodbye to Nico and Phil.  Many of the team members shared their thoughts with them before they left.

Finally, the best part of the week – the sharing in blessing from person to person.  Because of the size of the team, my usual patterns really do not work (it would take way too long), so Jeff had the team share the things they are taking away from the trip and what changes they would like to make in their lives when they get home.  They shared some great stuff.  Then Jeff (in the spirit of Winter Weekend) had the kids go around and speak to the other kids – 1 on 1 throughout the complex.  It was neat to listen in to the kids challenging one another, caring for one another, encouraging one another.  I pray that the things resolved here tonight will stand firm and true as they return.  They will need support of family and friends, and they will need to be faithful in their relationship with God, but I know that God desires their success, and they are in a great youth group to be successful.

It is about 11:30, and it is time for bed.  Tomorrow we head to the airport around 8.  It will be a long day, but I know the kids are excited about getting home.