Ezra seemed to enjoy his Christmas gift!
"Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you are mature and complete--not lacking anything." (James 1:2-3) The beginning of the book of James gets right to the point. We've been experiencing a few trials of late--nothing major--just the kind that cause one to really put the Christian faith into practice. Beth Moore says the word "consider" calls us to a mental exercise. Not an emotion. James isn't, Beth says, telling us to have a knee-slapper over all we're going through. He's telling us to think, to reflect, and to esteem the unalloyed joys available to us whenever we experience various trials. The Greek word here literally means when we "fall into" various trials. That's what it feels like sometimes, doesn't it? The Jesus Calling message for one day this month says this, "Don't waste energy regretting the way things are or thinking about what might have been. Start at the present moment--accepting things exactly as they are--and search for My way in the midst of those circumstances. Trust is like a staff you can lean on, as you journey uphill with Me. If you are trusting in Me consistently, the staff will bear as much of your weight as needed. Lean on, trust and be confident in Me with all your heart and mind." We have been doing a lot of thinking about this word, "trust." Again Beth says, "Trials don't get to steal from followers of Christ unless we hand over the goods."
It's been a busy December, and the busyness has continued into January. In December, Dave spoke at the Christmas party for Faithful Heart Foundation, and we had our own Gathering church Christmas party. We are so thankful Matthew and Audrey work with Faithful Heart; it is a wonderful ministry here for children, and they are blessed to work with godly people. We are also very thankful for a wonderful Christian couple who run an international school here.
Had dinner after church with some dear friends
and allow our church to use
their beautiful facility at no cost. This has been a huge blessing since
we don't have a building of our own.We usually have a lot of guests visit our
church during this of year in Chiang Mai, because many come for Christian
conferences at this nice weather time. It is a blessing to meet many
people from different backgrounds and cultures--but all brothers and sisters in
Christ. In January, the social worker (Joy) at Matthew's foundation
is getting married on January 27th. On the 20th, I (Sher) gave a devotion
at a shower for her.
Joy and Sher at the shower (trying on her wedding veil)
The Gathering Family Christmas Party 2017
"...the testing of your faith develops perseverance." What does the testing of your faith give you? There are two meanings for perseverance. From our study we learned that neither are like the passivity we tend to associate with patience. First, perseverance means nerving oneself--determined to stay on one's feet, holding tightly to Jesus while the storm winds try to toss one like a rubber duck on a swelling sea. The other meaning is "heroic endurance." I especially like this one. With Christ's help we can have heroic endurance in the storm, and we can be a flesh and blood example of doing so.
From my nephew's wedding this summer--granddaughter Evie and Ezra
What can I say? I just love this picture and forgot to use it earlier!
This bear is entirely made of paper--amazing!
We've had some interesting conversations with new friends from a different country that are living here. They were given a Bible in their language and have a lot of questions. Please pray about this. One can speak enough English for us to converse. What she doesn't know, she is able to use an App on her phone to translate the English word to her language for understanding. Amazing what the technology can do! We had a great time of sharing at our last ladies' Bible study, and I am greatly encouraged by several ladies seeking to memorize some of James.
So, Beth Moore says in our study, "What are you going
to do with what you are going through?" Will we grow up fully in
Jesus as we submit to Him in our tenure here on planet Earth, bearing much
fruit, giving God the glory, and not missing a single thing that Christ died on
the cross to give us. Please pray for us in this. And please pray
for the following:
- Our
visa renewal in Bangkok January 29-30
- Still
some uncertainty about our house situation
- Wisdom
and discernment for leadership of this diverse, transient body of
believers called The Gathering
- For
health and strength to continue to minister here
- For
Sher's Bible study and Dave's ministry in preaching
- Good
visit with Dave's brother and wife in February--safe travels for them
- For
missionary family here who lost 8th grade daughter to severe asthma attack
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