tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75166957682398151812024-03-19T14:52:32.865-04:00Life Off the Beaten PathWhat does "Life off the beaten path" signify? As followers of Christ we are told that our path Home is a narrow one, not commonly traveled. This blog is intended to share with our family and friends our journey off the beaten path, whether that be ministering here at home in Puerto Rico, strengthening our ministry branches abroad or while traveling on furlough in the States. Life off the beaten path has many twist and turns, valley's and mountain tops, we invite you to experience them with us!Heather Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12315313684777167267noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-46220450819139811032018-03-06T09:32:00.002-04:002018-03-06T09:50:52.203-04:00Sorry Dad...<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="2i6bk" data-offset-key="7jiod-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="7jiod-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">First, it was a hit to the mouth, then to the eye. Not too hard but enough to startle me awake with a verbal "ouch".Then in the darkness came the whisper of the cutest voice, "sorry Dad" immediately in my heart all was forgiven.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> As I got up I sent him back to his own bed where he could go back to sleep. He must have had a bad dream sometime in the night and got in our bed. As I think about it I can remember getting up after some bad dream or noise that startled me. I too would go into my parent's room if the door was unlocked, if not I would stand at the door and listen for my dad. I was fine as long as I could hear the rhythmic sound of him snoring. I fell asleep there at the foot of their bed or on the floor in front of their door more than once listening to my dad snore and knowing all was going to be ok.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is just something about your Father's presence that gives you peace and calms your fears. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am thankful to have been adopted by my dad. He came into our lives when we needed him most. We did not always get along. Regardless, he faithfully provided for us in all the ways we fathers do for our families, quite often that means simply being present.</span>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="8eq5o-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="3535e-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I am also grateful for the presence of my Heavenly Father. Just being near Him gives me peace and calms my fears. How awesome it is to know that wherever I am He is there with me.</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="c0sht-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Sadly there are times that I too, just like my son Jacob, will need to whisper to Him, "Sorry Dad".</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="d9mt6-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> I am so grateful to know that in those moments His response is always, "All is already forgiven!"</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="eb0oi-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">"All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.” The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ if we really suffer with him so that we can also be glorified with him." </span><span data-offset-key="1m871-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Romans 8:14-17</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have you ever been there?</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="9mm6b-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Have you called and said, "sorry Dad"? </span></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="fg29r-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Do you need to and not sure how?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="c4lm8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to talk more about this give me a call or send me a message.</span></span>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="c4lm8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span data-offset-key="9261d-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Blessings,</span></span>
<span data-offset-key="cndci-0-0" style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal;">David</span></div>
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David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-20027302551215456802018-01-16T09:29:00.001-04:002018-03-06T09:20:00.339-04:00Are you a Christian?Are you a Christian?<br />
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Are you sure?<br />
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Can you be sure?<br />
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Jesus said that if we love Him we will obey his commands. He went on to say that not everyone who says that He is their Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven but only those who do the will of his father.<br />
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The question we should ask ourselves is what is it that Jesus commanded of us and what is the will of the Father?<br />
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He replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”<br />
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Do you love God and your neighbor as yourself?<br />
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We live in a time that most do not love their neighbor as themselves. Satan knows how do drive his wedge. This wedge comes to us in the name of politics, in the name of patriotism, in the name of traditions, in the name of safety, in the name of security, in the name of popularity, in the name of acceptance. Though it comes in the name all of these and more we know it by another name, it's true name. The enemy's wedge brothers and sisters is fear! The fear of men separates us from one another and separates us from God. It is this year that dibiltates and destroy.<br />
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Does fear drive your decisions?<br />
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Remeber this: "There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18 CEB<br />
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The true followers of Jesus the anointed one will Love God and love others, they will be merciful as their Heavenly Father is merciful, they will be perfect as there Heavenly father is perfect. We will be driven by love not fear.<br />
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"This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love each other as he commanded us. The person who keeps his commandments remains in God and God remains in him; and this is how we know that he remains in us, because of the Spirit that he has given to us."<br />
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Are you a Christian?<br />
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It is easy to know the answer to this question.<br />
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What drives you?<br />
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Is it the Holy Spirit of God that guide you, gives you boldness, and power to live out the Lord's comand to love God and others.<br />
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Or does fear drive you to place yourself first above all and everyone else?<br />
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If it's the ladder then message or call me today.<br />
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God is ready to transform your life!<br />
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Are you ready?<br />
<br />David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-27654462711002594872016-08-14T08:31:00.000-04:002016-08-14T19:27:11.840-04:00New Day Christian Ministry Minister’s Retreat 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic94zSpgUknnzD2ORFPpu7uoVyygIvWwf1hqRTJQKOAxIbVOLTRc8B4MklNMFQV5xQ65ekHyiLRPRkPSg_QqSzTxm40jBpe483ZDsfbJoLv5I7kPbuASAHzpP6gy6zcniBSa6Wb03k6Uw/s1600/13709711_10208318927103584_1564117275_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic94zSpgUknnzD2ORFPpu7uoVyygIvWwf1hqRTJQKOAxIbVOLTRc8B4MklNMFQV5xQ65ekHyiLRPRkPSg_QqSzTxm40jBpe483ZDsfbJoLv5I7kPbuASAHzpP6gy6zcniBSa6Wb03k6Uw/s320/13709711_10208318927103584_1564117275_o.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">We are proud to announce our second annual Minister’s Retreat!!</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Through the years of ministry we have come to realize the many pressures pastors and their families face from day to day in ministry and in their personal lives and the great importance there is to build up and edify one another in the faith. It is our desire to provide this unique opportunity for pastors and their families to come together to minister to one another and to be ministered to. We hope that we will see you, or your pastor, and your/their family for this very special ministry to these men and women of God.</span><br />
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<b><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">This year’s retreat will held<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">November 10-12</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">at Laurel Lake Baptist Camp in Laurel, Kentucky</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Over the years the camp has provided great opportunities for folks of all ages to come</span></div>
to a place where they can grow closer to God and one another. The director of the camp is a long time friend of David’s and has given us a very special rate. <br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">The cost of this year’s retreat is $70 per person. This covers all expenses including lodging and meals. Children 2 and under are free. </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><i><span style="color: maroon;">“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing”</span></i></span></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><i><span style="color: maroon;">(1 Thessalonians 5:11)</span></i></span> </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">We
are hopeful that our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord will be
willing to support this ministry to pastors with a special gift to
offset the cost for them and their families wishing to attend.</span> If you or
the church you serve is willing to help support those who are attending,
whatever you give is going to be greatly appreciate. </span></span></span> <span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> <br /> Donations for this ministry to ministers can be given online or by mail:</span></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=S4U9BE2EDT8PC" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">(Click Here To Donate) </span></span></span></a></span></b><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> Donations can also be sent to:<br /> New Day Christian Ministry<br /> PoBox 49610 West Carrollton OH 45449 </span></span></span><br />
<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> For mailed support please add minster’s retreat support in the memo of the check. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0aJzFrSJPr7FzmiNPIlMvxv-IxNDO2IOc1_Fz37NxR8v31YF5PjQ3AP1D9PIq8Ce5EyzzH5iD8PNY-HAgrolrRoIja1MUKzLZU0KL49uQdpp1n1XV1Wifll7Gkr8sOEfhMxiwQt520c/s1600/Pastor%2527s+retreat+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0aJzFrSJPr7FzmiNPIlMvxv-IxNDO2IOc1_Fz37NxR8v31YF5PjQ3AP1D9PIq8Ce5EyzzH5iD8PNY-HAgrolrRoIja1MUKzLZU0KL49uQdpp1n1XV1Wifll7Gkr8sOEfhMxiwQt520c/s320/Pastor%2527s+retreat+2015.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">For all of the information and to register for this year’s retreat visit:</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://newdaycm.org/mensretreatemail2016.pdf" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt;">http://newdaycm.org/mensretreatemail2016.pdf </span></a></span></b></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Or contact us at 937-307-0694 or david@newdaycm.org </span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">All pastors must preregister to attend. </span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">See you real soon!!! </span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span class="fsl"><span class="text_exposed_show">If you are needing
assistance with registration cost please let us know as you have already read we are seeking
support to help those in need and may be able to assist you. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">I would like to thank all of you who will share the word of this great opportunity to minister to those who minister and I look forward to seeing all of you who will be attending in November! </span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">God Bless,</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">David Ingram</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">New Day Christian Ministry</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Isa. 43:18-21</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Forget the past; see God is doing a new thing! </span></div>
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<b><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><a href="http://newdaycm.org/" target="_blank">newdaycm.org </a></span></b><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Please
help us share this information by sharing this posting with your
friends and family and we do have bulletin inserts that can be printed
and shared with your church here:</span></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.newdaycm.org/2016bulletin.pdf" target="_blank"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">http://www.newdaycm.org/2016bulletin.pdf </span></a></b></div>
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David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-23833636433929157192016-07-19T11:17:00.000-04:002016-07-19T11:17:58.814-04:00Greetings from Ohio and Puerto Rico...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 118%; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Greetings from Ohio and Puerto Rico! Yes, that is correct, the Ingram family is currently in two different parts of the world I, Heather, am writing this update letter from Ohio while David is in PR. I will explain why later on in the letter, but first we have an exciting update concerning the land loan for the orphanage that we shared about in our last monthly report.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 118%; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> As you r<o:p></o:p></span><span style="clear: left; display: inline !important; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 118%; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">emember there was a loan on the land that the orphanage was built on and there were past due payments totaling $2,060. The total balance of the land loan was $4,500 which was to be paid off by December 2016. God has seen to it through supporters such as yourselves, that not only the past due amount was paid off but the remaining balance of the loan has been paid off too! Praise be to God! We are so relieved to have the orphanage now operating debt free. We can not thank you all enough for your financial support, not only on a monthly basis but as well as for special needs such as this one. We are praying for you all that God will continue to richly bless you so that you may continue to be a blessing to others!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTo_Kzis8BZQrv9ZRLxThfR79Iu4MQjCQ6vNbq6fXR6eLO2KAzidkfZ3rXgkfj_QsuYZBLlvxFwlZvteYW9Cwoiiepp5HAfDkQAx1GeTE0_0gusqBUWZPwbOb_j1W2VNNoACCqicLN9Fd/s1600/13709711_10208318927103584_1564117275_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTo_Kzis8BZQrv9ZRLxThfR79Iu4MQjCQ6vNbq6fXR6eLO2KAzidkfZ3rXgkfj_QsuYZBLlvxFwlZvteYW9Cwoiiepp5HAfDkQAx1GeTE0_0gusqBUWZPwbOb_j1W2VNNoACCqicLN9Fd/s400/13709711_10208318927103584_1564117275_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 118%; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> There are several ministry and family announcements we would like to inform you all of at this time: on Fathers Day I surprised David and the rest of our family with news that we are expecting our 4th baby! With us living in PR during a Zika outbreak David and I made the difficult decision to spend the pregnancy in the States and deliver the baby in Ohio. However, this was not an easy decision and it also comes with a lot of necessary planning and preparation which of course takes time. During the pregnancy we are planning to travel on furlough to provide updates for our supporters and Lord willing, speak at new churches. Planning a furlough, temporarily moving a growing family, and wrapping up ministry activities in PR we estimated was going to take us at least a month to accomplish. We were expecting to be ready to come to Ohio and begin everything sometimes in August for the rainy season came to PR. However, at the end of June David’s grandmother passed away unexpectedly. David, </span></div>
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myself, and the children flew up to Ohio for the funeral which was held on July 1st. Thankfully, his grandmother was a believer and the family is being comforted with this hope and peace through the Lord’s strength. If you have ever hear David sing you have heard him sing one of his grandmother's beautiful songs. So now, we find ourselves with another difficult decision : for everyone to fly back to PR for a few weeks to try to accomplish everything that’s necessary while I stay cooped up in the house away from mosquitoes carrying Zika OR for David to fly back on his own and do everything himself. We weighed out the pro’s and con’s and ultimately decided that it would be best for David to return to PR solo that way he can focus on getting everything done without worrying about family needs in addition to work. David flew back to PR July 11th and hopes to be back sometime around the first or second week of August. The children and I are currently staying with David’s parents in Ohio. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 118%; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> David already has a couple speaking engagements and a revival meeting lined up for our furlough trip and is looking for more dates to fill and opportunity to preach revivals. A phone call from David will be coming to a phone near you shortly! We look forward to seeing everyone again in the coming months and sharing with you what God has done. Feel free to beat David to the phone and give him a call at </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #540000; font-size: 13.0pt; font-weight: bold; line-height: 118%;"><span dir="ltr"></span>937-307-0694 </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 118%; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">to schedule our visit for your church, small group, or simply a friendly visit, he’d love to hear from you! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 118%; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> David is also planning on a second Pastors/Leaders Retreat sometime this coming Fall. Making phone calls and setting dates is another activity David is planning on doing in the coming weeks while he’s in PR. If you’re interested in attending or would like more information about the retreat, give David a call at the number listed above. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 118%; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> Along with these announcements there is of course prayer needs that David and I would like you all to be praying with us about. Going on a furlough with a family of 5 requires vehicle space; space for luggage, a projector screen, Joannah’s play pen bed, and of course 3 car seats of various sizes. This means we will need a vehicle bigger than a compact car. We have contacted an RV sales lot to put the bug in their ear about who we are </span></div>
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and our needs. As it would turn out the proprietors of the company are Christians. They currently didn’t have anything in the size we needed but they said they would pray with us for God to provide what we needed. If you and your church group could begin putting the word out to everyone that a missionary family is looking to use an RV or van for furlough, that would be helpful. If an RV isn’t available to us then acquiring a van would be our next option. A moderate sized RV would really be the ideal solution; as most of you know we have 3 highly energized children and staying with people while we travel isn’t always easy. We know God already has a plan already in place and knows how our needs will be met, whether it be through an RV or a van and really patient and hospitable people willing to open up their homes to our unique family! We are excitedly waiting to see how God will work everything out and we will do our best to keep everyone updated while we travel. Please remember that a phone call is always welcome!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; language: en-US; line-height: 118%; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> We know and understand that our needs are great but thankfully they are not greater than our God. Last month God provided $4,500 for our orphanage land loan, if that isn’t a testament to how awesome He is then I wouldn’t know what would be! Right now there are more questions than answers and more unfulfilled needs than provisions. Please be praying for us about everything we’ve shared in this letter. We look forward to writing you all again in August to share with you how God has already begun fulfilling these needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Heather Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12315313684777167267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-68965808201508660872016-05-26T14:13:00.000-04:002016-05-26T14:13:38.334-04:00Falling, it can happen to the best of us!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been quite a while since I or David sat down to write
a blog entry. As you can see from the length of this article, I have made up
for lost time. David recently suggested that I sit down and write something.
Since a writer writes what he knows and right now all I know is how frustrated I
am at our current situation. Yes, frustrated, I admit it; although I think
David and my children already know this! Why am I frustrated? On Monday (4 days
ago) I had a pretty bad fall while I was jogging. I have been running since I
was 12 and running in the same place for 4 years. I have never had an accident,
ever, until Monday. And it just so happened that I was running downhill when my
ankle randomly gave out and I went skidding down a paved road on my hands, knees,
and elbow. I was taken to the hospital
and my wounds cleaned and bandaged; x-rays concluded nothing broken or
fractured. So, here I am on the couch unable to do much with my hands (lift,
clean, or move anything) and unable to walk without limping and wincing from
the pain. And of course, there is a serious need that needs David’s immediate
attention concerning our orphanage in Kenya which means he has to be at his
computer communicating with people and informing everyone of this need (see
your e-mail newsletter for details). BUT, because of my injuries David is
having to clean, cook, help with the children, run errands all the while trying
to keep the orphanage building from being repossessed by the bank. Talk about having too many pots to stir at
once!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, you say, what’s my point of all this? As I was in the
shower getting my wounds cleaned out, I had something dawn on me. Sin (before
it happens, during the act, and experiencing the consequences of it) can be
kind of compared to my accident. Allow me to elaborate:<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I already shared I am an experienced runner. Picture
this, it was a bright clear Monday morning and I was excited to have my “mommy
time” and listen to good upbeat music and go for a good run. I had just run up
my hill and was preparing to go downhill. I was enjoying the wind and sun on my
face when all of a sudden before I could even react, I felt my ankle turn out
and my hands go out to brace for my fall…pause that image.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now, for most
seasoned Christians we do not go looking for opportunities to sin. We have
overcome many immature troubles and temptations in the past and feel like
certain sins (an affair, pornographic viewing, lust, addiction to prescription meds,
a drinking problem, gambling addiction, gossip, gluttony, constant bitterness
and anger, addiction to anything harmful etc etc etc) are beyond our realm of
even being possible to happen. But, there comes a day when we least expect it,
that a sin of some kind trips us and we find ourselves falling. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Even though my fall only took seconds to happen, I am amazed
that when I remember it I can recall thinking about what was taking place:
denial it was happening, “What is going on?! How did this happen?” Fighting
against the momentum of my downward fall, “I gotta stop falling; have to stop,
ouch ouch ouch!” Then finally thinking, “Oh
my gracious, this is really bad. I can’t believe this is happening!” <o:p></o:p></div>
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When we have found ourselves in the midst of this unexpected
sin we might deny that it’s happening at first. Then as it continues to happen
we realize what we’re doing and we try to stop it from continuing; we fight the
momentum of sin so that it doesn’t continue. Then finally it is finished and we
accept that it’s happened and we look down at our bloodied selves and think, “Oh
my gracious, this is really bad! I can’t believe this has happened!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I sat on the road crying, I tried to get up myself but I
couldn’t. My palms were shredded so I couldn’t use them to push myself up. My
legs and knees were stiff, bleeding, and in incredible pain. I sat there crying
and bleeding and looked around for help. There was no one. So, I tried to
figure out what to do on my own. But all I could do was sit there and cry and
bleed. Then a black SUV pulled onto the street and stopped next to me. It was
an older man with a kind face who was some type of policeman (somehow in the
midst of everything I noticed mace, a gun, and a knife strapped to his person,
go figure!), he knelt down in front of me took my wrists and spoke softly, “Calmete
calmete calmete” (translation, calm down). I managed to calm down surprisingly
and he asked a few simple questions in Spanish to which I was able to process,
translate into English, and respond with a shake of the head yes or no. Then he
said something I didn’t understand and I said, “I’m sorry I don’t understand”.
He smiled and began speaking in broken English. He helped me up, put me in his
car, and drove me down the hill to the parking lot where my car was parked. He
was hesitant to leave but I told him I was alright to drive (yeah, right! I
just didn’t want to bother David who was in the middle of cooking breakfast and
taking care of the 3 kids by himself. And for some reason I though my bloody
shredded palms would allow me to operate a vehicle). I got in my car, whimpering and bleeding, and
pulled away slowly. I didn’t get far down the road before I accepted the
glaring fact that I could not drive the 5 miles home with bloody hands and
searing pain. So I called David and he quickly morphed into Superman flying to
my rescue! Pause narrative.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After we have come to realize the gravity of our sin and
what we’ve done, we begin examining our situation and try to think of a way
out. Maybe we’ll look around for help and find no one or maybe we’ll try to fix
it and get out on our own. Rarely do Christians escape a sin on their own
strength. Most times sin has us too cornered or damaged that there is no “pull
yourself up by your bootstraps” strength left. God has created us to “need”. We
were not put on this earth to be away from Him or one another. We “need” the Holy
Spirits strength every day and we need fellow believers too. The good Samaritan who seen me fall and
stopped to help is like how God has blessed us with the Holy Spirit and/or
fellow believers to be there for us, to help us get up and get us where we need
to be. Although, sometimes we can still be stubborn and think we can finish
getting ourselves out of our sticky situation flying solo. We typically don’t make
it too far before we realize how debilitated we still are and we call upon a
rescuer. Our rescuer gets us the help we
need which is only found in God’s healing touch and abundant forgiveness.</div>
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David realized my wounds were severe enough that I might
need stitches. So he took me to the ER. I was allowed in immediately and a Dr.
came to asses and clean my wounds. It hurt! I had to sit there, not pull away
and submit to more pain as 7 different areas were cleansed of road debris,
dried blood, and skin then were sanitized and re-bandaged. The pain continued
as I was getting x-rayed and ultimately 3 shots (no stitches thankfully!). We were there I think for about 3 hours. I
came home and slept for another 3 hours. Every day David and I go through the
painful procedure of cleaning my wounds and re-bandaging them. Then I hobble
around and try to do small jobs to help out David. I can’t do many things yet;
can’t scrub dishes, I can’t carry Joannah around, I can’t exercise at all on
any level, I can’t drive and the list of things goes on inevitably ending up in
frustration and yes, maybe even in a bit of self-pity. The only real thing I
can control is my attitude, which stinks at the moment! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiL6T99chuIzySE0WvdaLszdXRdvrWTHAUp7IYw_fDNtxCQ0zobPhhvDTeV7CGU1_lV6EXdQ4aTGUEJ1zTzHCkU8080lFHmE67OcCgx78zlR8BbWde3QaI_E6IMNfbruRZQ6Sx0pd_Slw/s1600/13268029_10209417748901614_3922667797422415061_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiL6T99chuIzySE0WvdaLszdXRdvrWTHAUp7IYw_fDNtxCQ0zobPhhvDTeV7CGU1_lV6EXdQ4aTGUEJ1zTzHCkU8080lFHmE67OcCgx78zlR8BbWde3QaI_E6IMNfbruRZQ6Sx0pd_Slw/s200/13268029_10209417748901614_3922667797422415061_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I do get better a
smidge every day and find it interesting how my wounds have progressively
healed more each time I take off the bandage (I have always marveled at how God
made our bodies to heal!). The healing process is slow and tedious and it has
had an impact on our family and has dictated what our activities can and can’t
be for the time being. I know it’s only temporary but it’s hard to be patient;
I want to press the FF button and be able to have my freedom back. And oh boy,
when that day comes how relieved and excited will I and David be!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In order for sin to be eradicated from our lives it takes
God’s healing and forgiveness, although it doesn’t come without pain and
consequences. It hurts when God scrubs the sin away and the consequences of living
with the repercussions of that sin every day is not fun for ourselves or for
those around us. It puts a damper on what we do and what others have to do to
help us. The people in our lives have to deal with the consequences too of our
sin even though they didn’t commit the act. Recovering and healing from sin isn’t
fun and it can be damaging and the process might leave scars on us and/or those
around us. But after the damage from sin has healed, the wounds are no longer
fresh, and we have regained our strength, we are able to put the past behind
us, get up from the couch, and continue to run the race towards our prize in
Heaven. Halleluiah, thank God that we
are no longer bound to the law of sin and death and it cannot hold us down any
longer! Freedom from sin through Christs sacrifice is such a freeing gift.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I close this article, I would implore my fellow believers
to be on guard, to be alert whether night or day to the snares of sin and the
temptations of the devil who never sleeps and is always looking for a way to
trip believers in their run for the Lord. It was my pride and ego that caused
me to believe I was above a trivial act of tripping and falling; I was too
seasoned of a runner to trip, how silly to even think it would happen (do I
dare to admit that I have even scoffed at David when he would encourage me to
pick a different route due to safety concerns, whoops!). Well, Christian reader, SIN CAN HAPPEN! The
Bible repeatedly warns us directly and through parables that we should always
be on guard and never fall asleep. Each day arm yourself with the armor of God,
which is why it’s there, to protect us, but in order for Gods armor to work, we
have to put it on. Armor doesn’t protect us if it’s in our closet. We have to
choose to put it on and stand ready. So, today are you awake and ready to stand
firm? Or have you forgotten where your armor is?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Your fellow runner in life’s race,<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
~Heather~<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Heather Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12315313684777167267noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-77701601700464913692015-09-17T16:55:00.000-04:002015-09-17T16:55:58.929-04:00It Is Time For Revival <h1>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-default-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Calisto MT";">Did you know that during 1904-05 in Wales a great revival broke out? The revival was such a move of God that within the first 6 months 100,000 had come to the Lord. During that time this testimony from a mine manager was shared that I would like to share with you:<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5KhBhCOzz_9FH5G7k4_I4wZu9W64HRaDFAMKkxNIkI_7UUYczhrIxnrlZZsmKdUpSEObTYnhxbq17mnwy1Gdlr1QMeZB4NUL336YSSTiaB2jj-_Y8Ix1Ug9v2BYExB9ZFkbmA5d-TBs/s1600/welshrevival.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5KhBhCOzz_9FH5G7k4_I4wZu9W64HRaDFAMKkxNIkI_7UUYczhrIxnrlZZsmKdUpSEObTYnhxbq17mnwy1Gdlr1QMeZB4NUL336YSSTiaB2jj-_Y8Ix1Ug9v2BYExB9ZFkbmA5d-TBs/s320/welshrevival.png" width="320" /></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #540000; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #540000; font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Yu Mincho Light"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; mso-braille-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; mso-currency-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Yu Mincho Light"; mso-default-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; mso-eudc-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; mso-greek-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: "Yu Mincho Light"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Yu Mincho Light"; mso-kana-font-family: "Yu Mincho Light"; mso-latin-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; mso-ogham-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol"; mso-runic-font-family: "Segoe UI Symbol";">“The horses are terribly puzzled. A manager said to me, “The haulers are some of the very lowest. They have driven their horses by obscenity and kicks. Now they can hardly persuade the horses to start working, because there is no obscenity and no kicks.” The movement is characterized by the most remarkable confessions of sin, confessions that must be costly. I heard some of them, men rising who have been members of the church, and officers of the church, confessing hidden sin in their heart, impurity committed and condoned, and seeking prayer for its putting away. The whole movement is marvelously characterized by a confession of Jesus Christ, testimony to His power, to His goodness, to His beneficence, and testimony…” </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">(</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">The Story of the Welsh Revival by Arthur Goodrich ect.)</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #540000; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; mso-bidi-language: ar-SA; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; mso-default-font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; mso-greek-font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; mso-latin-font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Monotype Corsiva";"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-default-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Calisto MT";">If ever we, as the church, as a town, as a country, as a people needed revival we most definitely need it now. What changes would we see if God did with us what He did with those Welsh miners! I know that it is somewhat late in the season for planning revivals but if it is the Lord’s will, then this is arriving to you just as it was intended to be. As we return to the States this fall we do so looking to see God do some great things. We are excited about the Pastors’ Retreat in KY, and the Leaders’ Training Conferences in Africa but we are also eager to see God bring revival where you are. As Ron shared earlier, two years ago there was a group of leaders who were considering whether or not reduce the number of days or to hold a revival at all that year. Concerns were shared that there was no money to pay a speaker, people would not want to attend. In short, they were feeling pretty discouraged. What I said to them that day I still believe even stronger today: “If God has given a message, a burning desire to share, then the messengers only care about giving the message. Nothing else will matter to them.”<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-default-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Calisto MT";"> Maybe you, your church, or town is also seeing the need for revival, desiring to see God move in a mighty way, but are also feeling discouraged, doubtful it will happen, or wondering if you have the money to give to a speaker to hold a revival. If so we want to hear from you! We do not ask for anything to come, other than a place to stay, if it is too far to drive from where we will be staying in Eaton,OH. We would love the opportunity to come and work with you. If your church is also feeling the Lord’s leading for revival, and leading you to contact us please do not hesitate. Whether it be for a time of teaching others how to share their faith, going out to share the gospel, holding revival meetings, or all of the above we would love to be a part of it. Please give me a call soon at </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #540000; font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-default-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Calisto MT";"><span dir="ltr"></span>937-307-0694 </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-default-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Calisto MT";">or send me an email at </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #540000; font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-default-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Calisto MT";">david@newdaycm.org </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-default-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Calisto MT";">so we can plan accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<h1>
<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Calisto MT"; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-default-font-family: "Calisto MT"; mso-latin-font-family: "Calisto MT";">God Bless,<br />
David Ingram</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: Garamond; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Garamond; mso-default-font-family: Garamond; mso-greek-font-family: Garamond; mso-latin-font-family: Garamond; mso-latinext-font-family: Garamond;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-61356480591484859052015-06-13T09:00:00.001-04:002015-06-13T09:40:02.707-04:00God loves me just the way I am...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Do
what thy will shall be the whole of the law." Or a more modern twist,
"just do it"</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We live in a
culture today that has made this their chief commandment and as you talk with
many who claim to be Christians they too seem to believe this is God's message.
But does God say that doing what we want is what He wants? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sadly many
today believe so. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will often hear
from a Christian content to continue in sin, "God loves me just<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the way I am" or they may say "I
know the Bible says,_________ but....." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or "God did not really say....."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"Do
what thy will shall be the whole of the law" originates from Magical
Diaries of Aleister Crowley. The forefather of the modern day Satanic church.
Though he died in 1948 the rock and roll crowed of the 1960's took greatly to
his message and became his spokesman. It is not a new message though. God's
word says it is the mentality of fools:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The way of
fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. <span class="crossverse">Proverbs 12:15</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He said to
them, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but
God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God's sight. Luke
16:15</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sadly
somehow even Christians today have accepted the notion that we can do whatever
we want and all that matters is whether or not it makes us "happy".
And it is true that sin and rebellion can bring a measure of joy, excitement,
or what people often just sum up as "fun" or as the Bible calls it,
"<span class="text">the fleeting pleasures of sin</span>." and those pleasures
are fleeting. But what is worse is that in the end they lead in one of two
directions. For the nonbeliever they lead to the finality of all sin, God's judgment.
To the wayward believer they lead to a wasted, shortened life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Throughout
my life, time and time again, I have had to say good-bye to those I loved
greatly, who I miss deeply, who also just could not get this concept down and
apply it to their lives, despite many pleadings by those who loved them and did
not want to see them to continue on the way they were headed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many of us
go on in this life believing that if we are a Christian we can do and say whatever
we want and He will simply forgive us and we can go on doing whatever it is we
want. Sadly this is a very poor understanding of life, God, and consequences.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We are
warned against having this mentality many times Throughout scripture and I will
share a few of those times in a moment but first let me tell you it in a way we
all as parents or as children can easily relate. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whether it
was you as a child or you now as a parent we all know what it is to be called
in to the house for misbehavior. If you have children playing out in the yard
with some friends and you see them do or say some things they should not be
doing, you will call them to the door and give them a warning as they go back
to play, perhaps a stronger warning a second time but if they continue you
eventually tell them, Ok it is time to come home, come and get in the house. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You bring them in the house because that is
where they need to be when they are being disrespectful, causing themselves, or
causing others harm. You may even say, "We do not behave that way in this
family."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Time and
time again God does this very same thing with his children when He sees that
it is time for them to come home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Bible
tells us that there is a time when God must tell the believer "It is time
to come home" because of sin: "If anyone sees his brother committing
a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to
those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I
do not say that he should make request for this. <span class="highl">All
unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death."</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This should
at least give the believer pause before deciding if it is best to do what they
want over what God has already told them not to do. Sadly for whatever reason
they do not. </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Therefore, since we are surrounded by
such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and
the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us, <sup> </sup>fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and
perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning
its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. <sup> </sup>Consider
him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary
and lose heart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding
your blood. <sup> </sup>And have you completely forgotten this word of
encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 3;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“My son, do not make light of the
Lord’s discipline,<br />
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,<br />
<sup> </sup>because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,<br />
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Endure hardship as discipline; God is
treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their
father? <sup> </sup>If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes
discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover,
we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.
How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They
disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us
for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. <sup> </sup>No
discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it
produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained
by it." (See Hebrews 12 for the full passage.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In closing my desire for you today is
that you will not be wise in your own eyes but rather will seek to see the
world through the Lord's eyes as you go off today to see what the day may
bring.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">David Ingram</span></div>
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David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-27069339553024328042015-03-20T15:12:00.000-04:002015-03-29T11:00:59.271-04:00Our day... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have a story to share about our day; it is quite long so be prepared! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWEF-Xqe5HNbIkh-zfGTVguuTdwTEWE65uaxD50fd3pO0U7strgsPdrvs_cZ2QPHyA_xRd8g8fsDcSIA0An4BlgkEozqOkFzXOR3tSFq4S4TtoIf-9RkzH85J_YOWayEVRsDBiEDjXsZ2/s1600/IMAG3291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWEF-Xqe5HNbIkh-zfGTVguuTdwTEWE65uaxD50fd3pO0U7strgsPdrvs_cZ2QPHyA_xRd8g8fsDcSIA0An4BlgkEozqOkFzXOR3tSFq4S4TtoIf-9RkzH85J_YOWayEVRsDBiEDjXsZ2/s1600/IMAG3291.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a>Epilogue: for the past 3 weeks we have been traveling back and forth from our home in Juana Diaz (aka “JD”) an 1 ½ hr to the city where we have our current Deaf ministry in Hormigueros. We have been renovating a 3 apartment condo due to water damage and poor maintenance through the years. In exchange we are allowed to stay in the 2 bedroom apartment on the weekends so we can spend more time in this area in order to make more of an impact with our ministry goals; currently we are unable to spend more than a few hours every Sunday in Hormigeuros because of such a distance from our home and traveling with small children. After the baby is born we are looking forward to being able to stay there on the weekends and teach language classes and hold Bible studies at the local university close by.<br />
<br />
Chapter 1: So,today we had finished apartment #1 and because I am 37 ½ weeks along we need to<br />
<br />
pause with ministry for awhile until after the baby is born, thus returning to our home in JD where our Dr. and hospital are for the delivery. In order to stay in this apartment we have to bring bedding, cooking + eating supplies, toiletries,cleaning supplies, food, toys, tools for repairing the condo, our bunnies and there accessories, and whatever other miscellaneous items a family of 4 needs in order to live away from their home for a week at a time. All the above fits into our Volvo and Chevy van (i.e. 2 vehicles). This morning as David was finishing up the final details of apartment #1, I was packing everything up and cleaning our apartment with a toddler in toe. This project started after breakfast, about 8am. David & Hannah began to leave to run errands in our van but discovered the battery was dead. It took about 10 minutes to get the battery fully charged. After that little set back they finally left and I continued packing and cleaning. They returned at about noon and found the luggage,bunnies, various bags, coolers, and boxes ready to be loaded into the van. At this point Jacob was pretty bored with his movie and was getting into several different adventurous things. We all were ready for lunch as well and questions about when we were eating and where began at 5 minute intervals. We finished loading our 2 vehicles and cleaning both apartments with promises of eating at McDonald's playland before starting our 1 ½ hr trip home. It is now about 1:30pm. I followed David down our street to leave but when I came to the stop sign something odd happened…I had no breaks. At first I thought it was just the incline of the street and me not paying attention to how fast I was going and thus needed to apply more pressure to my peddle in order to stop, “Surely the breaks couldn't be bad” I thought. Then came the slowing down as I approached a speed bump and it happened again: I heard a soft “whoosh” as I pressed on the breaks and felt my foot go all the way to the floor before our car gently came to a slow halt. Jacob currently has my phone saying his last goodbyes to his daddy so I try to “calmly” ask for it back so Mommy can speak to daddy. Hannah’s antenna’s perk up at my fake calm voice and starts asking, “What’s going on?!” I get the phone back and say, “David, I have NO breaks; the peddle is going all the way to floor before I can stop”. We pull both vehicles over. Hannah is now beginning to get excited and Jacob recognizes that where we have stopped is not at McDonalds and begins complaining. David quickly realizes that the car is leaking brake fluid. We switch cars and head back to the condo. Now the children are in full mutiny. He inspects the car further and calls AT&T roadside assistance for a tow to the nearest PepBoys. AT&T gives us the terms and we agree so the tow truck service is ordered and expected arrival time is 3:18pm, it is currently 2:30pm. Because this is PR there is not always an address to give so a person can quickly find you, many times we give step by step driving directions in order for someone to find us. In this instance the condo has no address and the tow truck driver does not speak English and our limited Spanish is useless. Both our cell phones are complaining of a low battery but my husband brilliantly remembers our GPS in the van has a feature that tells you where you’re at. We look up the coordinates and relay it to the company to relay them to the driver. About 30 minutes later we get a call from the driver wanting specific instructions…apparently he does not have a GPS. So we call the owner of the condo and patch him through to the tow truck driver and listen in on the precise directions to the condo. We are told that the driver will be here in 35 minutes, making his ETA 3:45pm. At this point it is inevitable we are spending 1 more day in the area and I enlist my understandably grumpy daughter to help me unload some of the lighter things from the car we will need for spending the night, with the promise of snack food and another movie while we wait for the truck driver to arrive. The snacks and movie rerun only last so long and boredom again sets in. Oh yes, at this point,cue the rain. It is now 4:10pm when we hear the long awaited sound of the tow truck arriving. However, upon his arrival he hands us his phone to speak to his boss. David is told the terms of service have been changed. As he watches our car get loaded onto the truck we’re told that instead of the $11.44 charge there is now a $3 per mile charge and AT&T will only cover the initial $50 service fee. We all quickly load back in to the van and as David is pulling out we are abruptly stopped by a light pole in our way. David and I both exclaim, "Seriously!" at the same time. We decide to inspect our bumper when we arrive at PepBoys. As we follow the tow truck to the PepBoys, in the rain with hungry & tired children, I call AT&T back to try to find out why the service terms were changed and what could be done about it. By the time we arrive at the PepBoys I still am on the phone wondering what to do. The driver unloads the car and David once again speaks to the driver’s boss, explains the confusion and informs them that unless the driver takes debit or credit, he only has $10 in cash on hand.Miraculously the company agrees and all is settled. I reminded David to check our bumper and brace myself to hear about the damage. However, there is none, somehow! Chalk it up to being a Chevy, I guess! As often times happens with unexpected car repairs, we aren't prepared and are leery of the cost, thus we have picked up the habit of finding coupons for various repairs. David thankfully finds one for PepBoys for break inspection/repairs. He presents it to the service manager and thankfully they accept it and we get a discount on our repairs, thank you Lord!<br />
<br />
Chapter 2:Current time is about 5:30pm. After the car is enrolled in the PepBoys system and all gets taken care of we drive next door to the long awaited for McDonald’s playland. The children play, we charge our phones, eat horribly unhealthy food,and everyone is happy or at least feeling better. About 30 min into our wait a boy arrives at the empty playland and Hannah and Jacob have a friend to play with. However 5 min later the dad comes in to announce its time to go in English. David comments, “Oh Dad that’s not fair I just got here…” The dad laughs and makes a comment about needing to go. But like most spoken conversations with strangers we have here in PR (since we are mostly with the Deaf who do not speak), we are quickly asked if we live here or are visiting. This begins an hour and a half long conversation not only with the dad but his older daughter and wife who have eventually wondered in to the playland looking for their dad/husband in order to leave. We enjoyed talking and sharing with this family immensely as we laughed and got to know one another. By the time we realized we hadn't heard from PepBoys it was almost 7pm. We said goodbye to our new friends,exchanged contact info with the promise of reconnecting after the baby is born, and David walked next door to see what progress had been made.<br />
<br />
Chapter 3: David returns to tell me a mechanic had been sent out to buy a new break line hose and we should be getting a , “We’re finished with your car” call soon. It is currently 7:30pm. About 20 minutes later Hannah comes out of the playland crying and holding her bloody chin. We brace ourselves for an ugly scrape but cringe when we see a nice open slice on her chin instead. We look at each other and as only married couples can do, we have communicated wordlessly that we’ll be going to the ER to make sure stitches are not needed. We find Jacob, load both children into the van, and try to figure out where the nearest hospital is. Oh yes, cue the empty gas tank notification! Hannah is screaming, Jacob is confused & tired, I want to pull over for gas, David wants to go to the ER first, and let’s throw in some more raining while we’re at it. We discover hospital lights on the horizon and quickly agree that we have enough gas to get us down the road. I drop Hannah and David off at the ER entrance and try to figure out where to park for free that’s close. Praise God I find a spot quickly and the rain quite's so Jacob and I could walk to the hospital without being drenched. We arrived at the ER and upon first visual assessment there are wall to wall injured people, some standing, sitting, or lying in beds. Jacob is wide eyed taking it all in and begins greeting people by smiling and waving. A friendly security guard helps me find David and Hannah. Jacob happily and loudly reunites with his daddy and sissy while we talk about Hannah’s initial assessment. Needless to say there’s a long wait. Oh yes, cue the call from PepBoys saying our car is ready and they close in 30 min (i.e. its 8:30pm).David makes arrangements to possibly pick it up in the morning or make it thereon time. At that point a nurse arrives and wades through the crowd of people who are all wondering why they are getting passed up by this nurse for a little girl with a scraped chin. He further examines Hannah and David follows him back to an office to discuss treatment options. Jacob is not happy about Daddy leaving him behind and begins screaming, not crying, but screaming. While David is with the nurse for about 10 minutes I begin receiving curious, annoyed, and angry glances from fellow ER patients as Jacobs tantrum only worsens. David emerges from the office and says, “Let’s go!” He tells us that since Hannah’s injury is not that severe enough to need stitches and that since the ER is crowded that evening, it would be better if we just got some supplies at Walgreens and treat her ourselves.<br />
<br />
Chapter 4: Currently it is about 8:45pm. We high tail is to PepBoys, also conveniently located next to<br />
Walgreens. David pays for the repairs as I shop for supplies. We also pick up some things we need for breakfast. As we wait in line to buy our items Hannah finds a PEZ dispenser shaped like a nurse. We decide to get it for her as a reward if she lets Dr. Daddy treat her without fighting. She agrees to our terms although she expresses trepidation regarding the amount of pain and whether or not she would be allowed to call for a “pause” during her treatment. As we’re leaving Walgreens I remember that as I was packing this morning the bed sheets for the kids’ bed is in with the dirty laundry for washing when we got home. It is now 9:30pm as we head to Wal-Mart for bed sheets and a shirt for me since mine are all dirty. Jacob denies being tired and Hannah is excited about getting a new PEZ dispenser. We leave Wal-Mart in record time and arrive back at the condo a little after 10pm. Jacob is asleep and carried in and put to bed. Hannah gets into position for treatment. We treat her as best we could with <br />
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the large butterfly band-aids and Liquid-skin band-aid ointment. There was some painful tears but she was brave and when finished posed for a picture holding her prized nurses PEZ dispenser.<br />
<br />
Prologue: So, over 2,000 words later I can sum it all up in a few verses: James 4:13-15 “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”<br />
<br />
Since it is past 2am, I am assuming most of you will be reading this as you wake up this morning or while eating your breakfast. As I listen to my family sleeping I am so incredibly thankful for all the ways God was with us today! I pray that each of you will have a blessed and safe day living out the plans God has for your life! I pray that tomorrow (or rather today) we will get home safely and without incident. I know full well whom I serve and am confident that He loves me, is taking care of my family, and has an awesome plan for our _______ (insert your own adjective here describing our day) day!<br />
<br />
~Heather~<br />
February 24th 2015 <br />
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Heather Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12315313684777167267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-91700873793473613442014-08-29T09:52:00.000-04:002015-09-04T07:59:29.480-04:00Through the tears and the pain there is still hope and a future.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 11.8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: Cambria; mso-cyrillic-font-family: Cambria; mso-default-font-family: Cambria; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: Cambria; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: Cambria; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: Cambria; mso-latinext-font-family: Cambria; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;"></span></span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: inherit; line-height: 20px;"></span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span> My beautiful, happy, always cheerful, incredibly playful, and loving son was in tears, large crocodile size tears, just a few moments ago. He was so very upset about loosing something he must have felt was very important to him. What he could not see, that I could see, was that it was too harmful to him for him to keep as he went to bed and so I did not let him keep it. It was small, made of rubber, and could have easily caused him to suffocate the next time he put it in his mouth. All that he could focus on though was that it was gone and he still wanted it. He did not start off crying those alligator tears at first. First he tried to get it back from me, he called out "dadda" with his hand stretched out for it. As I said no again he got angry and his eyes welled up with tears. "Dadda, dadda", he would say with his lip all pouty as the desperation to get it back continued to grow, and then they came, those deep, sobbing, crocodile tears came streaming down his cheeks. I felt so bad for him. I love to see him laugh and smile, to be happy, and full of cheer. I love the way he waves to me every time we leave each others' sight or when he sees me again how he smiles real big, giggles, waves and says "Dadda". He is always smiling and happy and I do not like it when he is upset. Still I knew that it was best for him to not let him have what he wanted even though I understood how upset it would make him. As Heather took Jacob and Hannah for her time to snuggle with them before bed I could not help but think of a time, long ago now, that I too was so terribly upset and crying out for my heavenly father to help me, to change the heart of the person I loved so that I would not loose them. I remember sleepless nights up crying, full of crocodile tears, as I too was crying out, 'Daddy, daddy, please, please". Just like Jacob I was angry, sad, and desperately wanting God to give me what I felt I really needed, wanted, and just had to have.</div>
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</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tonight in the tearful eyes of my son I was reminded of the great wisdom, compassion, and love my heavenly father has for me and for you. There are many times we cry out for God to move in our lives in this way or that way and we like Jacob get hurt, we bargain, plead, get angry, ask Him why, and to make it all better not realizing that by not doing what we want at that moment He truly is.<br />
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</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These past two months have been very hard for me in many ways. I have been so sick for so long, there have been those who have lied and sought to tear us down and damage our ministry and though the attacks are nothing new this time they deeply hurt. There were many times I asked God to just take it all a way, to turn the hearts of the ones who were attacking, and to give me back my health. I wanted so desperately to wake up in the morning and it all be better only to wake up and find that it wasn't. He didn't do what I wanted when I wanted it and how I had asked but He did speak to Heather in a dream that gave us both great encouragement, He sent a man here to minister with us and to us just when we both need it the most. He sustained me and though I felt so awful, every test I took only came back to show that I was healthy. Thankfully for over a week now the sickness has been gone, leaving as mysteriously as it came. And I learned today that the exercises I have been doing is correcting my back problem as well. I know that these times of refining are necessary and that there will be more to come until the Lord takes me home. They always serve to draw me closer to him. The long walks, those times of prayer, all of the time spent studding God's word, I can see are making me a kinder more gentler person. I have learned through the trials of life that no matter how I feel from moment to moment I can trust and find peace in the fact that the Lord loves me more than I can understand and has promised us all that He will never leave us nor forsake us.<br />
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</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;"> After Heather had her cuddle time I went in to have mine. Jacob was no longer crying and he crawled up to me and gave me a kiss and a hug and said contently, "Dadda", as he rubbed my face. He did not understand why I took the thing that I did away from him but at the same time he knew that his daddy loves him, and I do too.<br />
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</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;"> Maybe you are where I have been or where Jacob was tonight, wanting something, something so badly, and not knowing why He is not letting you have it. Can I just share with you with all confidence that He loves you too and even though you don't understand why the things are happening in your life or in the lives of those you love God still loves you and whatever it is you are facing or will face your heavenly father loves you and it will be ok.<br />
</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 4.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #540000; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.8pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;">Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #540000; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.8pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;">Proverbs 3:3-8<br />
</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: inherit; mso-armenian-font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: inherit; mso-asciisym-font-family: inherit; mso-bengali-font-family: inherit; mso-bopomofo-font-family: inherit; mso-braille-font-family: inherit; mso-canadianabor-font-family: inherit; mso-cherokee-font-family: inherit; mso-currency-font-family: inherit; mso-cyrillic-font-family: inherit; mso-default-font-family: inherit; mso-devanagari-font-family: inherit; mso-ethiopic-font-family: inherit; mso-eudc-font-family: inherit; mso-georgian-font-family: inherit; mso-greek-font-family: inherit; mso-gurmukhi-font-family: inherit; mso-halfwidthkana-font-family: inherit; mso-han-font-family: inherit; mso-hangul-font-family: inherit; mso-hansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-hebrew-font-family: inherit; mso-kana-font-family: inherit; mso-kannada-font-family: inherit; mso-khmer-font-family: inherit; mso-lao-font-family: inherit; mso-latin-font-family: inherit; mso-latinext-font-family: inherit; mso-malayalam-font-family: inherit; mso-mongolian-font-family: inherit; mso-myanmar-font-family: inherit; mso-nonhansurrogate-font-family: inherit; mso-ogham-font-family: inherit; mso-oriya-font-family: inherit; mso-runic-font-family: inherit; mso-sinhala-font-family: inherit; mso-syriac-font-family: inherit; mso-tamil-font-family: inherit; mso-telugu-font-family: inherit; mso-thaana-font-family: inherit; mso-thai-font-family: inherit; mso-tibetan-font-family: inherit; mso-yi-font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
God Bless,<br />David</span>David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-57197829825635323412014-05-28T23:24:00.000-04:002014-05-28T23:24:38.982-04:00Watch Your Step!<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ32k5vGwkR7-XcbBBQ3FlIfvjRrh9vOSlYZ4ZrbaRws44ZjDAXQbl28t-nLse9aN_vO-bFXkdClULPqS9MIE4a2121amvExtmXe4_aVtjuRQ67UQeR6KCPsYHtctrmmqWdqs0HIOoUQ/s1600/1_vieques+wild+running+horses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZ32k5vGwkR7-XcbBBQ3FlIfvjRrh9vOSlYZ4ZrbaRws44ZjDAXQbl28t-nLse9aN_vO-bFXkdClULPqS9MIE4a2121amvExtmXe4_aVtjuRQ67UQeR6KCPsYHtctrmmqWdqs0HIOoUQ/s1600/1_vieques+wild+running+horses.jpg" height="227" width="400" /></a>One of the many beauties of Puerto Rico is that horses (among other
types of animals) roam the land free. You may see a horse crossing in front of
your house, at a stop sign, across an open field, really anywhere, anytime.
Sometimes they are being ridden or put out to pasture or they are wild and just
doing there “horse thing”. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the byproducts of free-range horses is their
manure deposits; again, at anywhere and at anytime. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This morning as I was hyperventilating on my morning jog up
a nearby hill, I spotted a horse manure pile up ahead right smack dab in the
middle of my narrow path that runs close to a busy street. It was large, with multiple flies congregating
around it, and it was downwind from me so it provided a distinct odor for which
I was unable to avoid smelling by holding my breath since I was already in such
short supply. With little time to contemplate how to go about maneuvering
around it without tripping and falling either into the manure pile or into the
street, I was able to successfully and carefully avoid both possibilities
without breaking my stride.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then God gave me a light bulb moment (yes, God spoke to me
as I avoided falling in a pile of manure)!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On this narrow path that Christians travel on together how
times do encounter a “manure pile” in our path? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The road is “straight and narrow” so there is little leeway
for circumventing stumbling blocks. When we encounter a stumbling block left by
a fellow believer it is never pleasant, normally we curl up our nostrils in
disgust as we are forced to take in its stench, it surely is not visually
appealing either, and sometimes we see others ensnared in it as well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What do you do? There are a few scenarios that you can
choose from: you could quickly look for a way to avoid tripping and falling
into their “manure pile” and successfully avoid it and then continue on your
way happy and praising yourself for your skills in avoiding entrapment! You
could also stop and complain about it while pointing it to others as they pass
by and exclaim how nasty and dirty it is proclaiming, “Unclean unclean
unclean!”. You could also recruit someone to clean it up and get it out of the
way for you in an effort to remain clean. Also,
you could simply ignore it, pretend it doesn’t bother you and practice
the “mind over matter” technique because
who has time these days to deal with such annoyances that will only bog you
down and ruin such a nice day? Or…. you could face the problem of the stinky pile;
help the “depositor” of said manure pile clean it up while showing them how to
properly take care of it for the next time. Hmmm, so many choices, wouldn't you say?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know there is a flip side to this analogy as well! Until
we reach the end of our path to Heaven we will never stop encountering “manure
piles” or…..wait for it…..making them ourselves. Manure piles are a fact of
life even on the straight and narrow path with other believers. We all do it
and won’t stop doing it until we are fully transformed. So for now, as we
traverse this path together in our tents of flesh, what about you?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You make “manure
piles” as well. Does yours make others stumble? Does it create road blocks for
other travelers hindering their walkway? Do other travelers make the error of
stumbling smack dab in the middle of your “manure pile” Your “manure pile”
isn’t any more pleasant than the last guys pile a while back, you know! Hhhmmm,
something to think about</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sanctification is rarely pleasant, just like cleaning up a
pile of manure. And, sometimes we get the added bonus of helping out someone
else bear their burdens and giving them a little extra push along the way so
they can overcome their own stumbling blocks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Manure is manure, we all do it. </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The only difference is: what will we do when we do it
ourselves and what do we do when we encounter someone else’s pile?</div>
David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-65809293121839914682014-01-15T13:08:00.000-04:002014-01-16T10:53:07.758-04:00Road Weary & Yet longing To Finish Well!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRmNEM4dMWbX3cJIDcbDPkjcoXLBG7W5OIAoaF7hLy8Tr60S8N-T-pkRC-qeYQmxjMoJAB92IsTPbBJrFmeP30DoGOHBk4Hx5T1o2Ze_NS7kudnD9E1e3DCOZ8KESOfQ9XwqXFu-LPKg/s1600/IMAG4026-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRmNEM4dMWbX3cJIDcbDPkjcoXLBG7W5OIAoaF7hLy8Tr60S8N-T-pkRC-qeYQmxjMoJAB92IsTPbBJrFmeP30DoGOHBk4Hx5T1o2Ze_NS7kudnD9E1e3DCOZ8KESOfQ9XwqXFu-LPKg/s320/IMAG4026-1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It has been an amazing adventure but like all adventures they
eventually need to come to an end, don't they? This furlough like the ones
before has been an exercise in faith from beginning and I am sure it will be
until the end. We left PR in pretty bad shape and unable to pay the bills for
the last two months we were there. We did not know where we would go, how we
would get there, or where we would sleep or what we would eat. We had some ideas though, and most
things turned out to be completely different than what we had thought they would.
The trip has been a mixture of mountain tops and valleys as most good journeys do.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Lord led a man we had never met to give us a car to drive
throughout the course of this journey, fully insured, and it has ran great for
over 10,000 miles now. We have met more amazing people than I could name here,
and I have had the opportunity to preach two revivals, in two separate states
just days apart. Reports back say that they are continuing to impact the
communities they were in. The one in IL was the most <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmR9M9MTfJtbq2_VkPgTMZO2_jppPbzX7jV7VJcEvfmtqbk93iXsaY63-n6km9bglUg9YFZ1D9C4yZdgpHMaPlkyIgTRINcdxrLelMsDnBUVkO_702i6r5bl6ROB26KZIQSnwYStRHLA/s1600/IMAG4957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmmR9M9MTfJtbq2_VkPgTMZO2_jppPbzX7jV7VJcEvfmtqbk93iXsaY63-n6km9bglUg9YFZ1D9C4yZdgpHMaPlkyIgTRINcdxrLelMsDnBUVkO_702i6r5bl6ROB26KZIQSnwYStRHLA/s320/IMAG4957.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">20 min. before revival service begins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
attended they have had
there and several of the churches that participated are now seeing real growth.
Though several of the places we went cost us more to get to and stay for the
time we were there than was placed in our donation box, others took up love
offerings that made up the difference and kept us on the road headed to the
next one. There have been many unplanned Bible studies that came perfectly
timed and we have made new friendships that will continue to grow and flourish in
the years to come and we have had several opportunities to reunite with dear
friends we have not seen in years. </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have also had our fill of bumps
in the road as well. Sadly the Bible I have <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm5kwyoyXCFquykGJp_jiM_M5mE2qwTVFib7vJSHj88CT43GM69xKVUv_je-PgSJ4Gl3N95qLiKXzsyKH4yV5CCgLkQ-Tj4XN-2DNl8Q37Y_673Dx8mDFboFKhMXZ_aNpX12ehDdTibA/s1600/IMAG7316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm5kwyoyXCFquykGJp_jiM_M5mE2qwTVFib7vJSHj88CT43GM69xKVUv_je-PgSJ4Gl3N95qLiKXzsyKH4yV5CCgLkQ-Tj4XN-2DNl8Q37Y_673Dx8mDFboFKhMXZ_aNpX12ehDdTibA/s320/IMAG7316.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So what are my choices?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
taught every Bible study, preached
every sermon with, each revival, and every church start since I was 14 was lost
on this journey after having been placed on the roof of the car while kids and materials
were being loaded from one church to the next. In truth each one of us
have lost more than one thing on the trip. It is to be expected really with all
there is to keep up with, the lack of sleep, and those endless miles something
is bound to get lost along the way. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
have also been battling illness. For three weeks we each had our time with the
flu, both congestive and stomach. Poor Jacob’s temp reached 103.7 and it prompted a
trip to urgent care. Since we do not have health insurance as we travel, medical
costs are typically high for us. Thankfully Jacob and all of us are back to our
healthy selves. May God grant us health and safety the rest of our time here.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here it is now mid Jan. and we are wondering what is next,
longing to be back home in PR, we have not yet met our ministry’s fully funded
goal, we have spoke at most of the churches we have in the past, new opportunities
are not opening up like they did when we first arrived, and we have even lost existing
support as we have traveled (though new support has balanced that back out now). We are not that much further ahead in committed monthly support than when we
left PR.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal;"> Yesterday I was
feeling pretty discouraged as I thought on these things and also <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFqmVK6Lc1MgUA_uE-MxIvra-lIVs2EOCh0zi_BKRYBJNlh4SvNjgMDjxfoMYmGzzFKXwh00kmxX658gR2DD_TMk-2y-FdPyq9qS6vCZzmGZq3FlnjPlrUaLw5zz7IuZtNUY2Q8IfM74/s1600/IMAG6775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFqmVK6Lc1MgUA_uE-MxIvra-lIVs2EOCh0zi_BKRYBJNlh4SvNjgMDjxfoMYmGzzFKXwh00kmxX658gR2DD_TMk-2y-FdPyq9qS6vCZzmGZq3FlnjPlrUaLw5zz7IuZtNUY2Q8IfM74/s320/IMAG6775.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday surprise with friends </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
from the response
I received from a church I had reached out to earlier in the day when I received
a text from my best friend. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been
best friends since High School (20 years) and though we do not always get to
spend as much time together as we would like to visiting with each other and
our families or talking over the phone because of our schedules, we do seem to
know how the other is feeling just in the way the other will say hello. Having
not heard from me in a while he texted me with encouragement on the journey and
hope for a good and what he felt would be a well earned ending, even though he
knows that means we will be an ocean apart once again. His text came at just
the right moment with exactly what I needed. One of only a few times I have
seen Eph. 4:29 fulfilled to its fullest by others in my life:</span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><sup><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span></sup><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let no corrupting talk come out of your
mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it
may give grace to those who hear.” </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">~Ephesians
4:29</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> His words surely fit the occasion of my
life at the moment and I am grateful both for my friends love and encouragement
and for the Lord’s leading and timing in our lives. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Those words reminded me of another
portion of scripture that are often needed and to easily forgotten: </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“</span><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt;">And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, <a data-resourcename=""esv"" href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ga6.7-9#footnote6"><i><sup><span style="color: #c00000;"></span></sup></i></a>if we do not give up.”</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">~ Galatians 6:9</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgGWajiWjugmrXTZyl0qYcTDgDWSICvgCB0DKdaF4RqDQ2e2CWjKfXiXr_yv3vqEYoeb2yT4poSbxo3NfCykQokLckciODCBCyepluHwNCypU4b3MQ6aru2WWg0SI79ObnhVEycODPUw/s1600/IMAG5439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgGWajiWjugmrXTZyl0qYcTDgDWSICvgCB0DKdaF4RqDQ2e2CWjKfXiXr_yv3vqEYoeb2yT4poSbxo3NfCykQokLckciODCBCyepluHwNCypU4b3MQ6aru2WWg0SI79ObnhVEycODPUw/s320/IMAG5439.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The journey continues.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">This coming
month will be our last month of furlough. I do not know yet where we will go,
who we will meet, what opportunities or challenges lay ahead but I do know with
the Lord and the love and support of our family and friends we will press on
being encouraged to not grow weary of doing good and looking for the time of
reaping of all that has been sewn. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Maybe things have not gone as you had
planned or working out quite the way you felt they would. If so let me say to
you with all confidence and with all the love I posses that God loves you and
has far better plans for your life than you or I can even imagine at this
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">…”</span><span class="text"><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt;">that you may be filled with the
knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; <sup><span id="en-NKJV-29476"> </span></sup>that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully
pleasing <i>Him,</i> being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the
knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the of Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins." Col.1:9-14</span></span></span></div>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><sup><span id="en-NKJV-29479"></span></sup><sup></sup></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><span style="color: #c00000;"></span></span></span> <span class="text"><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><sup></sup></span><sup><span id="en-NKJV-29477"></span></sup></span><sup></sup><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt;"><sup><span id="en-NKJV-29476"></span></sup></span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">God Bless,</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">David
Ingram</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">New Day
Christian Ministry</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Isa.43:18-21</span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://www.newdaycm.org/">www.newdaycm.org</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">PS. Any
church, Sunday School Class, or small group that you are a part of that would
like to have us come and share about this marvelous work the Lord has called us
to we would love to have the opportunity to come and share before we head back
and continue on with what the Lord has called us to. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Update:</b> <span style="color: #660000;">After writing this blog post we faced a very scary challenge later in the day. While I was on my way back from the store Heather called very upset explaining Jacob could not lift his head or craw and that he was in a lot of pain. Hannah had been playing with him, thinking she was entertaining him. She lifted him up about a foot and dropped him on to her air mattress thinking he would like it. We did not know how badly he was injured and was 40 minutes from the hospital which was the only place prepared to work with children in the area. When we arrived they looked him over thoroughly and decided that nothing was broken and that his muscles in his neck, back, and shoulders were strained. He has been bathed in prayer since we left for the hospital and we are grateful for all who have been in prayer for Jacob. He struggled to go to sleep and woke many times through the night. Today we are happy to say he has improved greatly though still recovering. He is able to sit up, hold up his head, and has crawled. He is still recovering and clinging close to Heather but we are encouraged by all of his improvements this morning. </span> </span></span></span></div>
David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-56192956130438865232013-07-29T07:29:00.000-04:002013-07-29T07:48:31.016-04:00Hope to see you soon! <!--[if !mso]>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIPtQ7V1vwPi8kRHxz9VjaeqgNVo2q243LQZ4VyAAhmmu4cVrpipP8q8vzOATQhJMAxO0swmUDUZnVhB1KMPAUGKLrRV87bggPuTj0FRCRAGrsVgDfi9M8aHRcByINbAKX2-l-8xtspc/s1600/furlough+pic+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIPtQ7V1vwPi8kRHxz9VjaeqgNVo2q243LQZ4VyAAhmmu4cVrpipP8q8vzOATQhJMAxO0swmUDUZnVhB1KMPAUGKLrRV87bggPuTj0FRCRAGrsVgDfi9M8aHRcByINbAKX2-l-8xtspc/s320/furlough+pic+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Hello and greetings in the Lord,</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have great and exciting news! For those of you living in the states, the Ingram Family will be coming to a church near you starting this September! We have not had a furlough in 3 years and our ministry is in great need of one. We will be stateside from September until January 2014. We will be traveling extensively to Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, North and South Carolina, possibly Georgia, and Michigan and to any other state that we get and invitation to come and share. Our goal is to speak to new churches and also visit existing supporters. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We do not yet have tickets but we do have a ride to the airport on Aug. 27th and our first speaking engagement is scheduled for the first week of Sept. in Illinois. We plan on staying there in the area and sharing with churches and groups for the whole month of Sept. We are then planning to hold a revival at Germantown Baptist Chapel in Germantown, OH from Oct. 7th-11th. After that we plan on heading south. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If we have spoken at your church before or if you have started getting our updates in the past 3 years and have not yet had us visit your church<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or group we are wanting to here from you. Soon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">Please call us at </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #c00000; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"><span dir="ltr"></span>1-937-307-0694</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">, email us at </span><a href="mailto:david@newdaycm.org?subject=Come%20and%20visit%20us%20"><span lang="en-US" style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">david@newdaycm.org</span></a><span lang="en-US" style="color: blue; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">or write to us at our stateside mailing address: </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 14.0pt; font-weight: bold; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">New Day Christian Ministry PO Box 49610 West Carrollton OH 45449</span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US;">. </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;">We are willing to go anywhere that will extend the invitation for us to come.</span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; font-style: italic; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; text-decoration: underline; text-underline: single;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> <span style="color: blue;"> <b>We have a letter for you to print and share with your church and small group. We hope that you will help us by sharing it with them and also forwarding this blog post on to others who we hope will also share it and help us spread the word. You can print the furlough letter from here:</b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="en-US" style="color: black; font-size: 14.0pt; language: en-US; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="color: blue;"><b> </b></span></span><b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://www.newdaycm.org/furlough2013.pdf"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 14pt; text-decoration: underline;">http://www.newdaycm.org/furlough2013.pdf</span></a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Here are some important things
to pray along with us for as we are preparing for travel:</b> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>1.)Airfare</b>:</span><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
have a ride to the airport on Aug. 27th
but we have not yet purchased tickets. Please pray the Lord will provide
money to purchase tickets for travel. One way tickets for our family to travel
is going to cost about $700.00</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>2.) Transportation: </b>We will be in the States a total
of 5 months and we do not yet have transportation. It would be great if we could use a motor home to travel and lodge in but any transportation would be greatly appreciated. If you, or if you know of anyone who
has an extra vehicle that we could borrow please contact us soon or pass along our information to anyone you know of that may be able to help with this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>3.) The Ministry:</b> Please pray for our ministry here in Puerto Rico as we travel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>4.) Health: </b>Although we have insurance here in PR it does not go with us when we leave. Please pray for a healthy and safe trip for us and our small children. While in the States we will need medical insurance of some kind, pray that the
Lord will work out the logistics and just protect us while there so we won’t
even need to see a doctor. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b> 5.) Blessings along the way:</b> Please join us as we pray that the Lord will bless us with many places new and old to visit and share this wonderful work the Lord has led us to these past 3 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Donations are needed and gifts of any amount would be greatly appreciated as we prepare to set out on this next big adventure. You can give a donation of any amount here: <span style="color: #cc0000;"> <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=GBTTRP8GSH95C" target="_blank">(Click Here)</a></span> , through the mail at the address given above, or you can also find donation options at the bottom of this page. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May God bless you and make you a blessing. We are really excited about this trip back and hope to see you really soon! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God Bless,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">David Ingram</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">New Day Christian Ministry</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Isa. 43:18-21</span></div>
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<br />David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-2082401139612142872013-07-19T19:37:00.000-04:002015-06-09T15:23:20.718-04:00May I please have 5 mins of your time? It would me the world to us.<!--[if !mso]>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hello and greetings in the Lord,<br /> </span><br />
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You know I can still remember the excitement, nervousness, and resolve we had on another July like this one 9 years ago. We were a newly married couple who had gotten to the point that we had to say, "Here we are Lord, send us" earlier that year or there would have been no peace in our hearts, and now here we were carrying through with that commitment. <br />
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Everything we owned was spread out on my parents' yard. I must say it was quite a site. All of our furniture, appliances, our vehicles and our household items were all there set out for sale. It was an odd and yet interesting experience as people came through combing through our things, not seeing the same value in them the way we had. <br />
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Whoever paid $100 for our bed that had cost $700 less than a year earlier, got a great deal. You could not tell it by their attitudes because they seemed pretty miffed to have paid that much. Looking back I should have kept it, it would be another 6 years before Heather and I would own a box spring and mattress to sleep on again. All we did keep were some personal affects, books, and a computer that we were packing and shipping to PR ahead of us. <br />
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We had no idea what laid ahead but we knew the Lord was leading us to go and that is all we needed to know. I will say that first night as we arrived in the house we were to live in for the next year with things scattered about, nothing but our luggage, and needing to clear a path to get to a place to sleep, was an eye opener. I could see in my young wife's face that look of "What have we gotten ourselves into?" Still she and I made it through that night and several far harder ones than that one over the years. Honestly the first year was pretty rough for us for many reasons but we made it through. It was very much a time of growth, dependence on the Lord, and a coming together far stronger than our first year of marriage had brought us and still that cementing together has lasted and grown only stronger through the years. (Heather and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary soon on Aug.30th 2013.)<br />
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Here we are now 9 years later, me and my beautiful wife and our two beautiful <br />
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children. We are still on the mission-field and today like so long ago feeling excitement, nervousness, and a resolve to serve the Lord no matter what. We have seen and done too many things to name. The Lord has preserved us through so many hurts, losses, and difficult times and He has blessed us with so many amazing life changing experiences. <br />
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We have walked the line of faith for years, each month we have trusted and waited for the Lord's provision. It is true that we have struggled to pay the bills many times from that first day in Ponce until now but at the same time the Lord has also blessed us with perfectly timed relief as well. Often we have had just enough to pay all of the bills and coast through until the next month began. There have been those times that all the bills have been paid on time and we were able to set some aside for the next month, and then there have been times where past due bills were mounting and we would begin to wonder if we had been forgotten. Thankfully each time help would come from the most unexpected places. <br />
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We have not been the type of ministry that sees large donations that come in regularly or many small donations that would come in each day and yet the Lord has provided and <span id="goog_1692522183"></span><span id="goog_1692522184"></span>taken us to so many places, introduced us to so many amazing people, and provided for us in so many amazing ways, we could have never imagined 9 years ago at that yard sale in my parents back yard what all the Lord had planned. <br />
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We have seen hundreds come to Christ, traveled to Africa three separate times, started two churches in PR, traveled back to the states on 3 furloughs and seen our ministry go from a handful of people meeting in a school class room in 2005 to now having close to 50 New Day branches around the world. Our online ministry reaches into nearly 100 countries with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we have a weekly Monday night Bible study that airs live each week for all who want to participate & every month we help to make sure that the orphans in our ministry in Kenya have food to eat. <br />
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We will never truly know what an impact this ministry is having in the world this side of eternity but we know it is the Lord's and He is doing a tremendous work and we are grateful to be a part of it. <br />
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I guess in some ways this July is much like that one we had 9 years ago only now it is not the material things that are being combed through. With so many other concerns, is the work we are doing for the Lord still seen as valuable? Do people not see the same value in this ministry work in the way we do? Is it something else? All of these changed lives, all of these amazing things the Lord has done and is doing, and yet at the same time we were past due on our rent, we had to cancel church this last week because we could not afford the gas, and the number of personal health needs, vehicle repairs, and past due ministry bills continue to grow. <br />
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Those faithful gifts that come in each month are coming still but the special gifts that we also depend on have all but dried up for the moment and we have really been affected by it these past couple months. I guess I kind of feel like my wife did on our first day on the Island, "What have we gotten ourselves into?" Still I know we will make it through this too like we have all the rest in the past. <br />
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I would like to say to all of you who have stayed with us these past 9 years, who have stayed up praying for us during the hard times, gave what you could, even when it was not easy, took the time to write us, made the effort to call us, or to send us an email, I want you to know that each time was a tremendous blessing and encouragement to us that has kept us going.<br />
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We have been told, and indeed we have considered, moving on to something else when our hearts had fallen or the way has gotten very hard, much harder than it usually is. Looking back however at each of those times I can see now how much wonder, joy, and peace the Lord had brought to us ,even in the midst of those times, that we would have missed out on had we not stayed the course. <br />
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Despite what some may say the Christian life is not a series of mountain top experiences. You must also go through the valleys so you are better able to be used by the Lord as you continually learn to trust in Him more. Maybe you too have come to one of these points in life when things just seem too hard, too hurtful to stick with what the Lord is leading you to do, or to do so cheerfully. <b><span style="color: #660000;">"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."</span></b> Gal. 6:9<br />
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When you find yourself like we have a few times over the years asking God, "what have I gotten myself into" just know you are not alone and more importantly that God is going to bring you through it. We know that He will not just because we hope so or think that He should. We know it because He has said He would in His word, and God can not lie. <br />
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<i><b> </b></i><b>If you have read down this far I truly appreciate your resolve to see things through and I am hoping I can ask just one or two more things of you to do before you go on with your day. <span style="color: #660000;">For this ministry to continue, and continue to grow, it is going to have to have more support.</span></b><br />
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<b>1.) </b> We need to expand the number of people and churches that know about and would be willing to support this work in whatever ways the Lord would lead them. If you have been a friend of this ministry and are already familiar with all the Lord has been doing through New Day please share this letter in places like facebook and twitter, with your email contacts, friends, churches, and small groups so that they can also learn about all that the Lord is doing through this ministry and pray about getting involved. If you have received this letter from a friend please visit our web page at <a href="http://www.newdaycm.org/">http://www.newdaycm.org</a> and learn more about this work and see if He is leading you to join Him in it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBFqn_lJuuo1sjn7Q6MUbW_PK77EdYXtRboh_sBY6fN-Zp91RPQ_EfrWzzNJc7PuwnryJ5MGVJCuQPRyKM3SpqwbcDCkenNNHYa43FVHkGQV0mBcZQpfG50_10BFxWhX_1os3bvKqlRE/s1600/furlow+trip+00153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBFqn_lJuuo1sjn7Q6MUbW_PK77EdYXtRboh_sBY6fN-Zp91RPQ_EfrWzzNJc7PuwnryJ5MGVJCuQPRyKM3SpqwbcDCkenNNHYa43FVHkGQV0mBcZQpfG50_10BFxWhX_1os3bvKqlRE/s320/furlow+trip+00153.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>2.) </b>It has been 3 years since our last furlough and we are now planning to return this fall to the states. As of yet we do not know everywhere we will go, where we will stay, or even what we will drive. All of these thing we are praying about right now. We need resources now to get us through the next couple months here in Puerto Rico and we need to start planning for where and when we will travel to share. If you have been a friend of this ministry or you are just hearing of us we would like to hear from you and to make plans to come and share with your church or small group in the coming months.<br />
<br />
Please call us at: <b><span style="color: #990000;">1-937-307-0694</span></b>, email us at: <a href="mailto:newdaycm@yahoo.com">newdaycm@yahoo.com</a> or write to us at<b>:</b><br />
<b><span style="color: #990000;">New Day Christian Ministry PO Box 801438 Coto Laurel, Puerto Rico</span></b>. <span style="color: #20124d;"><i><b>We are willing to go anywhere that will extend the invitation for us to come. </b></i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>3.)</b> All of the churches we have started over the years are in poor, mostly unreached areas. They do much on their own but they also need help. There is a tremendous amount of ministry taking place every day and an abundant amount of opportunity for mission trips for anyone willing to go. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4.)</b> We need prayer! We need pray each and every day. If you are willing to pray with us and for us please contact us and let us know. We do have a prayer ministry and we would love for you to be a part of it. You can begin by visiting our prayer ministry page at: http://newdayprayer.blogspot.com<br />
<br />
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this long but very important letter to us about this work. May God richly bless you and make you a blessing. <br />
<br />
God Bless,<br />
David Ingram <br />
New Day Christian Ministry<br />
Isa. 43:18-21<br />
<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4Ct1Itu7Cm8atp58U13cZEzTH0tCcmlT1dKpdYJjt5SHbnYRa7RC4BtfBU47n8XuYLg9C2a9BcRxNswuAvX8ZY5sCzqw3db2nXZNimZTVMrJjCK7KSI3G63tfYVi36XGgYuqX_8YKS8/s1600/David+&+Heather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4Ct1Itu7Cm8atp58U13cZEzTH0tCcmlT1dKpdYJjt5SHbnYRa7RC4BtfBU47n8XuYLg9C2a9BcRxNswuAvX8ZY5sCzqw3db2nXZNimZTVMrJjCK7KSI3G63tfYVi36XGgYuqX_8YKS8/s320/David+&+Heather.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David and Heather Ingram Aug. 30th 2003</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">Have you heard that old song
that goes a little like this:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>♪♫ ♪</span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> You've lost that loving feeling, oh,
oh, that loving feeling, you've lost that loving feeling and its gone, gone,
gone.....</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"> ♪♫</span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">♪</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many a person who claims to be "falling
out of love" will gravitate toward this song like it is some type of profound
truth but is this "loving feeling" being felt or not felt enough to
base a marriage on? Truly, marriage is under attack in this country far greater
than we have ever seen before. Is that really such a bad thing? Well if you
listened to the popular tag lines of our culture you may assume it is
not. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I however am not so easily
convinced. I know what it does to you and those you love when a marriage falls
apart and God's instructions for marriage are ignored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a brief count I can think of at least 6
couples I know who are having a difficult time right now or were very recently,
in trying to figure out what it means to be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>engaged, married, to be parents, and I know some now single parents who
are trying to figure out where do they go <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>from here and divorced couples trying to figure out how to bring together two broken homes in an effort to make one that is not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It can be very rough when pride and unforgiveness keeps you from
seeking the reconciliation you need and God wants for you to have if you would just
be willing to seek<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it. Sometimes even
when you are completely willing to work things out sadly the other person
simply is too stuck on their path to budge. A lot of the problem comes from our
desire to do things our own way and not the Lord's. It is an incredibly painful
way to do it but as many a person has boasted, "I have to learn things the
hard way". The reality is you really are not being forced to learn things
the hard way by anyone but yourself and sadly some lessons learned come at too steep
of a price to ever fully recover from. Why not save yourself the trouble and
try learning it the easy way, listen to those who have already been where you
are now and have learned the wisdom you now need? As God's word says,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> "All
praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of
all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go
through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside
someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for
that person just as God was there for us."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the couples I thought of earlier
have also claimed the name of Christ and stated they wanted to commit their
lives to one another and to the Lord. They were wise to make such a commitment.
After all it is the Lord that brings the husband and wife together. As God's
word asks," Didn't the LORD make you one with your wife(husband)? In body
and spirit you are his."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God indeed
has made us one as a unit, or as Jesus states it, <span class="red">“But at the
beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female. ‘For this reason a man
will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will
become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh.</span> <span class="red">Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="red" style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a man and women are
married it is clear in His word that He is the one who unites you to your spouse.
</span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what does He want and expect of our
marriages? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We may think of many answer we would
like to hear or feel are the most important:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>true happiness, romance, friendship, encouragement, passion, security,
comfort<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and stability to name but a few.
And indeed in a God honoring home and marriage we would find many if not all of
these present but these are not the reasons God has brought you together and
formed you together as one flesh. The purpose He has given us is that he
desires, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Godly children from your
union." and He admonishes you and I to, " guard your heart; remain
loyal to the wife (husband) of your youth." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God's one solid reason for marriage
and for why He does not want the union He has brought about to be broken is
because he has purposed that we shall raise up for Him Godly children. And He
is pretty serious about it. God hates divorce, He hates what it does to the
couple and He hates what it does to the children. He hates it so much so that
He states the following: "</span><span style="font-size: large;">You cover the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>’s
altar with tears, weeping and groaning because he pays no attention to your
offerings and doesn’t accept them with pleasure. You cry out, “Why doesn’t the
L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> accept my worship?” I’ll tell you why!
Because the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span> witnessed the vows you and your
wife made when you were young.... For I hate<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> divorce</span>!” says the L<span class="smallcaps">ord</span>,
the<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> God </span>of
Israel. “To<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> divorce </span>your wife (husband) is to overwhelm
her(him) with cruelty"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>God cares very deeply about the way
we treat one another and how it will also impact those around us. An
unwillingness to forgive others will always get us in trouble with the Lord.
"</span><span style="font-size: large;">But<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> if </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">you </span>do<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> not </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">forgive </span>others their sins,<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> you</span>r
Father<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">
will </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">not
</span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">forgive</span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> you</span>r
sins."<span class="crossverse"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="crossverse" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Your, "feelings" rise and
fall from day to day and moment to moment but they do not dictate what is right
and what is wrong. They do not release you from the spouse the Lord has given
you to and you to them and it does not take away the responsibility the Lord
has given you both to raise your children to honor the Lord, not just in your
words but in your testimonies. The first place this will always be seen by them
is in the home and in the way you treat the spouse the Lord has given you. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even
when those times come when one spouse leaves, choosing rebellion over God, we are
not given a free pass to do with that freedom whatever we desire. If
we have children, especially when we are raising them on our own or in strained
relationships, our first and highest priority has not changed, we are still to
lead our children to honor the Lord. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So wherever you find yourself now:
whether the one wanting to leave, the one wanting to hold on, the one who has
already left, or the one left behind. It is not too late to make the right
decision in following the Lord's command. If you are leaving, repent and
return; if you are the one holding on, do so with love and not bitterness and resentment.
If your marriage has already ended and the divorce is final and you were the
one who left make sure you get your life right with the Lord, stop focusing on
yourself and reach out to mend the relationships which your selfishness has
injured, and if you were the one who was left be willing to forgive. Do not use
the children as pawns in an ongoing battle with your former spouse. Seek peace
so that you can help your children heal and for you to grow in the Lord. No one
can heal if the wound continues to be ripped open and exposed afresh and if you are the one who is trying to bring two broken homes together to try and make one whole one understand that it will take time patience, love and really seeking the Lord together. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No matter how much you want it to
be, according to God, it is not about you and your "feelings" and it
never will be. It will always be about what you have done and will do with
those He has entrusted to you. He wants you to direct them towards Him, not
just with your words but also by your actions and your attitude. Are you ready?
I hope so because you really need to get start today, in fact, we all do. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>If this has been helpful to you or
would be helpful to someone you know please do pass it along. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">God Bless,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">David Ingram</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">New Day Christian
Ministry</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Isa. 43:18-21</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">For more please
see:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mal.2, Mark 10, Matthew 6, Matt 18. 1 Cor. 1 Also you
will find many wonderful resource for family and marriage in our new family
corner:</span><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.newdaycm.org/family.html">http://www.newdaycm.org/family.html</a>
and we are always available for counsel and prayer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-16132192389206326522013-06-30T22:06:00.000-04:002013-07-01T08:44:21.439-04:00"... maybe I will just become a missionary and live off of other people's money. " <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbpueaOoz-HGZCCD1iRVXIHwGUQW8RzB_pIfQbgzwcXwn37hf3DKT7bHIxZs4zjHJsway_m7ekV5I9CtGq1RunliyisQ8Cg44VtO-6mXcXsGXgS7n0RvJjkAERBoWDF3347uFVhPK9wE/s1600/furlow+trip+00154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbpueaOoz-HGZCCD1iRVXIHwGUQW8RzB_pIfQbgzwcXwn37hf3DKT7bHIxZs4zjHJsway_m7ekV5I9CtGq1RunliyisQ8Cg44VtO-6mXcXsGXgS7n0RvJjkAERBoWDF3347uFVhPK9wE/s320/furlow+trip+00154.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No one has
offered me a penny for my thoughts today so the following ones are free to you
to have and do with as you see fit. :-)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A statement has been haunting me since
I heard it this past week:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"... maybe I will just become a
missionary and live off of other people's money. " </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I do not know enough about the person
who said it to know what their intentions behind it were. And really it does
not make any difference to me at this point for the words have led me far past
the initial hearing to all the thoughts and questions I have been asking myself,
not just on the long drive to and from our ministry activities, but also
looking back on this month that is now coming to a close. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To say that money concerns hindered
our hearts and attitudes this past month would be a gross understatement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a distraction that it even caused
frustrations and hurt feelings between the two of us. That is something that in
nearly 9 years of living as faith based missionaries, has only occurred one or
two times in the past. We resolved years ago that this is the way we wanted to
live. To trust and to serve the Lord fully no matter what may come. It has by
no means been easy. Many, many times we have struggled with what has been laid
before us, but the Lord has seen us through each time and each time our faith
has grown stronger. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I really do not know what it was that
tipped us over the edge of faith this past month. We have seen many, many
months that started out really rough and ended ok. This should have been no exception.
For me I do think one of the things that really troubled me was to have had to
send out an update letting folks know we were having some difficulties. It is
something both of us really loath to do. If you have ever seen the movie Oliver
Twist you will understand when I say, I do not like to be the one who is sent
up to say, "Please sir, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>can I have
some more..." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time I also know that if we do not
share when we do have a pressing need we could be robbing someone else of an opportunity
to serve the Lord and receive their blessings. It is an internal struggle I
have long since dealt with. I guess that is why I took it especially hurtful
when friends from back home wrote to ask to be taken off the weekly update. Was
it the info about needs, was it something else? I just don't know and it
bothered me. More so than it normally would but it did. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Am I and my wife," just living
off of other people's money?" </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQYIi0o9T2fwWWCmIVnpOuFNTRvrfPLlpXNCOVxBQu66-U29BOi67UhvbgaFri2XBDUBwDG9_UteClx1AgPHYNyQnWGC9yfwNo6GJdecC5d4NynM92okyMZaWkWeXr1cLSY-HGmE7844/s1600/IMG_1729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQYIi0o9T2fwWWCmIVnpOuFNTRvrfPLlpXNCOVxBQu66-U29BOi67UhvbgaFri2XBDUBwDG9_UteClx1AgPHYNyQnWGC9yfwNo6GJdecC5d4NynM92okyMZaWkWeXr1cLSY-HGmE7844/s320/IMG_1729.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The reality
is we would have a lot more of these, "other people's money" if we
just used it for our own needs. But that is far from who we are. Each month we
send at least $100 to our ministries in Africa. Whether we have anyone send a designated
gift for them in or not we have set that aside each month to make sure that no
matter what, the children are fed and their needs are met. We also travel 5
hours each week for our services for the Deaf and their families living in a
town 60+ miles from our home as we also pick up, drop off, and even try to
provide something for them to eat; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>it
makes for a long taxing day in more ways than 1. We do collect an offering each
week. This week it came from my daughter's allowance. She gave her $.30 from
this past week's allowance. Can't tell you how proud of her I am. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The reality is the people we reach
just do not have much to give. They are just trying to make it by and the food
and coupons we give them help them to make it that much further. It is Sunday currently June 30th, 2013 at 8:30 in the evening as I am writing this. I had much to think about on the long drive home. Today my wife paid the last of this month's bills and nothing will be carried into the next month unpaid and overdue. We also made the journey and back from church, bought bread and meat for sandwiches and everyone had their fill, and we made it back home safely. There is currently $2 left in the church account and that is fine. We have made it through the month and are ready for the new one to begin when we will start the process all over again. In a way it has already begun as the first donation for this next month is going through the process of clearing the bank in the next couple days.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1P7z1Upm4RFlLB519ZVoaPY4xNeTkoArVdHJhBZy-51ebdlu_IIkpqWse5wHZAmMyY-1DXVzGT-KOBiIu_vAJ6-5Dyra4wMn9BzjJO4SjLJ6geUE889qWkiFBIY3668Yrg7pyGIhgwA/s1600/IMAG1711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1P7z1Upm4RFlLB519ZVoaPY4xNeTkoArVdHJhBZy-51ebdlu_IIkpqWse5wHZAmMyY-1DXVzGT-KOBiIu_vAJ6-5Dyra4wMn9BzjJO4SjLJ6geUE889qWkiFBIY3668Yrg7pyGIhgwA/s320/IMAG1711.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tonight as we were coming home
Heather put in a CD from Ray Boltz that I have owned for 20 years now. We have
not listened to it for a long time and thought we would listen to something
different. As we were traveling home and I was alone with my thoughts I was
thinking about those words I had heard earlier, "... maybe I will just
become a missionary and live off of other people's money. " When the 9th
song on the CD began to play, "Thank you, for giving to the
Lord....." I had once loved the song years ago but had long since
forgotten it, or so I thought. It did not take long for the lyrics to all come
back to me. What a great song to put it all back in to perspective. Is it
really other people's money, is it just to live off of? I have never believed
that but hearing it so often has made me weary. As the song ended I was
reminded of a verse, "Each of you should give what you have decided in
your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a
cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This verse
is often cited in reference to a monetary gift but in the context of sewing and
reaping to means far more. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Nine years ago this Oct. 4th, Heather
and I landed in PR following our request of the Lord," Here we are Lord,
send us." We set out to give the Lord our lives, we sold off our possessions,
and left our home, our family, our friends, and many of our comforts and we did
so without reluctance, not under compulsion, with great joy in our hearts. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Tonight, thinking back on all that has
transpired, at the pain of loved ones lost, debts accrued, hassles, and
headaches <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all pale in comparison to the
loves, joys, achievements, the thrill of changed lives, and the excitement of
what lies just up ahead around the next bend.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"All that has come and gone, and all
that lies ahead may we continue to give it all to thee as cheerful and not
reluctant givers, is my prayer and my plea to you my Lord today, and forever
may it always be. "</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">May the Lord
bless you and make you a blessing,</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">David Ingram</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">New Day
Christian Ministry</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Isa.
43:18-21</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.newdaycm.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">www.newdaycm.org</span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">PS if you
have never heard the song, "Thank you" or would like to be encouraged
by the words once more you can view it here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFrdJ2V3r7Y</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-62343634895937456642013-06-08T11:06:00.001-04:002013-06-08T11:06:33.730-04:00Are you a sports fan? <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBOKXJpdXUlPmBplCEQSXtEa0TS9Mkmf7t9NBK0FbTGIhLvd9hyphenhyphenbGPSVMcJNAKzUnRyi6eSmqP5HBDvjSVGLUnPZ3D-Y6Qsp85JHlgstDUGg7PmZxY8cN6Ph4w4PI0LDQsYLBo7hsVeI/s1600/perfect+game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBOKXJpdXUlPmBplCEQSXtEa0TS9Mkmf7t9NBK0FbTGIhLvd9hyphenhyphenbGPSVMcJNAKzUnRyi6eSmqP5HBDvjSVGLUnPZ3D-Y6Qsp85JHlgstDUGg7PmZxY8cN6Ph4w4PI0LDQsYLBo7hsVeI/s400/perfect+game.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red's perfect game Sept. 16th 1988</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> You know I have never been a sports fan. I did enjoy playing when I
was younger. As kids we played all the normal ones in the yards, fields, and parking
lots. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I played baseball 1 year and I
played football 1 year on normal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>teams.
In both we played the seasons undefeated. I have never played on a team that
lost. Clearly not because of anything I did, although in football I was pretty
good at tackling the quarterback. Not much effort in learning game plays is necessary
for the defensive end. Keep the ball from leaving the quarterbacks hands is all
you really needed to know. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </span>Although I enjoyed playing sports <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>enjoyed watching them. I have never gotten all
excited about who is playing, what they are doing, where they are from, their
stats, etc. I can't tell you the names of but just a few teams of any sport.
The and ones I do know I have heard a lot about. The Reds, Browns, Bengals all
of these you pretty much heard about all the time growing up in Ohio. Despite
my lack of enthusiasm I have been to some historic events, at least as far as
baseball goes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first baseball game I
saw was at the old Cincinnati stadium before they tore it down and built the
new one. Dad took our whole family to our first baseball game when I was 12 years old. We had 6 tickets
so I assume someone else was meant to join us but they didn't make it. It was a
miserable, rainy, and dreary day. The game was delayed for a few hours and we
just sat there uncomfortably waiting with our umbrellas waiting to see if they
would play or not. Finally the rain cleared up but not before many of the
people had already left. I did perk up when they started to pull back the large
tarp that had been covering the field. I would have liked to gown down there and
helped them, it looked like a lot of fun. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The game
seemed pretty boring to me. The Red's had a few runs but for the most part not
much happened. Every time the other team was at bat they would either miss the
ball all together or it would be a foul ball. No one got on base, no one did
much of anything. It went on this way the whole game. I was board with watching
the game but did like to see how excited everyone began to get as the game was
getting close to the end. They were so excited and I just could not figure out
what the big deal was it had all been pretty boring to me so far. One of the
fans close to me said, " If <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Tom
Browning strikes out this next batter he will have pitched a perfect
game."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough he struck out
that last player and all of the fans who were left, after the 3 hours of rain,
did their best to scream and shout for all those who had missed it.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> We kept our
ticket stubs and the one that went unused and as it would happen Tom Browning
was signing autographs at a mall several months later and mom took us to get
those tickets signed. He signed them all and was happy to see some folks who
had been there for his big game. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The second year Heather and I moved
here to Puerto Rico we were just starting our first church and I was teaching
conversational English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One night after
my classes I went to the school office to do some paper work and say good bye. As
I was getting ready to leave the man I worked for back<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>then, Dr. Jack (though he was not all that fond
of being called that) introduced me to the father of a brother and sister who
were in my class. The man was from New York and was in PR for the summer. Him
and Jack were good friends. As we were talking I noticed he had a really large
ring on his finger and in conversation I asked about it. He smiled and said he
had more than one and had gotten them playing baseball. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explained that players from the major leagues
would come to PR in the summer and play baseball. Each of the teams playing
here was made up of players from each of the teams back in the states and he
was the coach of one of those teams. He invited us to the game that was coming
in San Juan as his guests. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On the day of the game Dr. Jack insisted
that we ride on a bus that was going to take us to the game and back, so that
is how we went. That bus ride was quite the cultural experience for me to say
the least. On the bus ride up to the game everyone was excited about the trip
and the music was loud by my standards. I was grateful that it was not the
modern music popular on the island. That stuff is unbearable. This was a softer
older style music that older people of Puerto Rico enjoy and play and dance too
often. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can often see them dancing on
the boardwalk at night in Ponce to this style of music on any given weekend
night. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When we got to the game the coach had
front row seats set up for us and after getting our ballpark cokes and hotdogs
we went down and waited for the game to start. Again this time I was enjoying
the atmosphere but not really all that interested in the game. I did enjoy
listening to Dr. Jack talk about his memories of baseball growing up. I could
tell that it meant a lot to him and this was a special moment he was really enjoying.
Through the course of the game he told me who all the players were and from
what major league teams they played on during the regular season. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After the game the coach brought us
down into the dugout and introduced us to all the players. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed meeting them all and shaking their
hands. We were given some autographs. I later <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sent mine to my brother who is a baseball <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>fan and Dr. Jack has his autographed ball
tucked away some place special to be sure. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As the night came to a close it was
time to climb back on to the bus and go home. I must say the ride home was
louder than the ride up. The music was not any louder but with all my new
traveling companions inebriated from being at the game and celebrating that the
team they had traveled to see won they must have felt compelled to sing along
with the music, and sing they did! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
only assume that they felt that the louder they sang out the better they felt
they sounded, though I am convince that was the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally made it back to the baseball stadium
in Ponce where our trip had first begun and Dr. Jack drove me the rest of the
way home that night. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No doubt my two big baseball events
would have been far greater enjoyed by a true baseball fan. I would imagine a
person who could tell you about all the players and all the teams would have
gotten far more from these experiences than I did. I am grateful to have been a
part of both of them as I was with people I love and care for but I can't help
but think they would have been more appreciated by friends of mine more into
sports than me. I am pretty sure my friend Jim would have been thrilled to be
at both events and would have known far more about what was going on than I did.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As a missionary apart from our work
here in Puerto Rico and in Africa we also travel back to the states every few
years to share what the Lord is doing. The things that the Lord has done these
past 9 years have thrilled my heart. I have seen Him change so many lives, and
done so many incredible things<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and taken
us to meat so many amazing people. I can't imagine a life not committed to
serving Him. Through the ups and downs. The home runs and the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>strikeouts I see His hand at work and I am
thrilled to be where I am today and doing what I do as I have been taking in
all that the Lord has been doing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Despite our enthusiasm for what the
Lord is doing as we travel and speak at churches, youth groups, and even a
couple college groups it seems to get more difficult each time we go, especially
when visiting the youth groups and colleges. The last time was the most
difficult so far. All those glazed over looks and questions asked to distract
that have nothing to do with what was just shared. I grieve to see so many
becoming cold and indifferent to the work of God. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Earlier I asked you if you are a
sports fan, now let me ask you,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Are you a God fan?" Do you get excited about all that God is
doing? Do you know the word of God like you know that stats of your favorite
team? Are you committed even if it calls for you to sit out in the rain? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you stay faithful or will you leave and
miss out on a once and a life time experience? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen God change countless people as
they have given their lives to him. I saw God bring love and forgiveness in my
own heart towards my father where there was much anger and spite before. I saw
Him give a brand new tongue <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to a lady
named Hazel and heard her use it for the first time as she sang <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the song "Jesus Loves Me" with me in
a hospital in KY, I held my baby girl Hannah for the first time after 5 years
of praying for her and God telling us that she would be coming, what she would
look like, how it would happen, and what He wanted her name to be 3 years
before she was born. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have met a women <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that was on her death bed in Uganda dying of
aids who God saved when she called out to him and then gave her a brand new
life, healing her of aids and restoring her health. I have seen so many, many
things it would take me months to write them all down. God has done so much for
me and my family there is no way I could tell it all. I have made the journeys,
I have stayed through the rain, and I have seen the miracles and my life will
never be the same. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> What about
you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When the rain comes, when the time
comes will you stick it out, will you be God 's biggest fan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know I am and I hope that when those times
come you will be too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God Bless,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">David Ingram</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">New Day
Christian Ministry</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Isa.
43:18-21</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-66453488951999862622013-04-19T18:03:00.000-04:002013-04-19T21:42:09.158-04:00More than just a look at marriage and family. Part 2<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
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<i><b> The illustration does not demonstrate the responsibilities of the children in the family at all, whether in their childhood or later as adults.<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /> </span></b></i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Perhaps one of the most important lessons being lost today is the responsibilities of the children in the family and in the diagram we have been looking at there is no evidence given that the children have any responsibilities. The reality is God has given every child two main responsibilities, the first is to follow the instructions of their parents and the second is to care for their parents in the elder years as they had been cared for by you in your young years.</span><i><b><br /><br />1. Children have a responsibility to obey the instruction of their parents:</b></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">Of all the commandments given to us by God the one that comes with a promise is that of the commandment for children as we read in</span></span> Eph. 6:1-3</span> <span style="color: #660000;">”</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000;">Children,
obey your parents because you are Christians. This is the right thing to do. <sup> </sup>“Honor
your father and mother<sup> </sup>that everything may go well for you, and
you may have a long life on earth.” This is an important commandment with a
promise."</span> we also see in <span style="color: blue;">Colossians 3:20</span> this truth about obedient
children: <span style="color: #660000;">"Children, always obey your parents. This is
pleasing to the Lord."</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #660000;"> </span> </span>Obedience to
your parents pleases the Lord and will bring you along life! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"> God has made it clear in His word that If
you want everything to go well for your children and for them to live a long
life you need to teach them the value in obeying your instructions in the Lord.
When we fail to discipline our children we fail our children and we fail the
Lord. Just like obedient children are a sign that we are producing Godly offspring,
disobedient children are evidence we are failing in this task. It gets so bad
at some point that the disobedience of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the children becomes a hallmark of the generation that for the most part
have failed God completely: </span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #660000;">You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there
will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their
money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their
parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving
and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will
be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be
puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act
religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away
from people like that!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="color: #660000;"> </span> </span><span style="color: blue;">2Tim. 3:1-5</span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Children have the
responsibility to care for their aged parents and grandparents:</b></i></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> The first elderly person I really got to know and love
outside of my family was a lady I only knew as Mrs. Farmer. To this day I still
do not know what her first name was. I could not have been more than 8 or 9
years old when I first wondered into Mrs. Farmer's yard. She did not live that
far but a lot further than I would allow my own children to wander now. Mrs.
Farmer knew all about me the moment she saw me. All I knew about her was that she
was old, had a dog, and liked to take care of her flowers. Mrs. Farmer was my first
elderly friend and she taught me a lot about life, though I did not know she would
at the time. The first thing she taught me was all about her flowers. She taught me that some flowers started out as these little bulbs you would plant
in the ground and some would start from seeds. We planted them all that first summer and we would sit out on her patio in the shade and watch them grow together.</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> As I got older we stayed friends and she was always on my list
of places to visit. Eventually she got to where she could not keep up the yard so I would
mow her yard for her and when her little dog died we were both sad together. We
moved when I was in the 7th grade but it was not long until I was driving to
see Mrs. Farmer. Unfortunately with no one to stay with her she was eventually
moved into a nursing home on the hill above where we used to live. I would go
every week to visit my old friend and read to her from God's word. It was her
favorite thing to do when I would visit. It was not long into those visits I
realized how sad a nursing home could be. One time they moved her from one room to another and they did not bother to move her Bible when they did or several other things of hers. I had to go and
find them. Many people there did not have an advocate like Mrs. Farmer did and I
learned that many were lonely. It was then I started what has been a lifelong
habit of visiting folks in the nursing homes and hospitals.</span></span> </div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> Mrs. Farmer taught me many things
but perhaps the one thing she taught me the most was the value of getting to
know and love everyone no matter how young or old they are. In all the visits I
have made over the years to the nursing homes I have yet to meet one person who told me that they had wished they had
worked harder or longer here or there. They normally tell me of the good times
they have had with family and friends over the years, we share some jokes and stories, and
often I will read them their favorite Bible passages. Over the years the one
thing that stands out the most is that the majority of them will go long spans
of time with no visitors. Their family members are just too busy, too far, or just
don't desire to visit them and so, too often than not, they die there with no
more visitors than the occasional church member making rounds and the staff of the nursing home.
Sadly, at least in America, the elderly are all too often sent off to a form of
boarding school with others like them to which they never return home from. </span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
It is often assumed today that when God said, <span class="text"><sup> </sup>“Honor
your father and mother<sup> </sup>that everything may go well for you, and
you may have a long life on earth.” that He placed some form of statutes of
limitations. The truth is He did not. Whether you are 10, 25, 50, or 70+ the
command to honor your father and mother never expires. Jesus Himself was
concerned for the way the people were treating their parents in their aging
years. </span><br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span class="text">He replied, </span><span class="woj">“Isaiah was right when
he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:</span><span class="woj">‘These people honor me with their lips,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="woj">but their hearts are far
from me. They worship me in vain;</span> their teachings are merely human
rules.’<sup value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-24471a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"> </sup>You
have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”<span class="text"></span><sup value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-24472B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"> </sup>And
He continued, <span class="woj">“You have a fine way of setting aside the
commands of God in order to observe<sup value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-24473b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">
</sup>your own traditions!</span> <span class="woj"><span id="en-NIV-24474">For
Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their
father or mother is to be put to death.’ But you say that if anyone declares
that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that
is, devoted to God) then you no longer let them do anything for their father or
mother.</span><sup> </sup>Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition
that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="line">
<span class="woj"> The act of Corbon was a way to get out of
providing for your aging parents by committing your estate as it were to the
temple though you would not lose control of how it was used until after you
died. In this way they were avoiding the care of their aging parents and using
piety as an excuse for what was truly breaking God's law and desire. </span></div>
<div class="line">
<br /></div>
<div class="body1">
<span class="woj"> Jesus Himself as the first born did not neglect
His responsibility to His mother. That is why on the cross we see Him say, <span style="color: #660000;">''</span></span><span style="color: #660000;">Standing
near the cross were<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> Jesus</span>’<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> mother</span>, and h<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">mother</span>’s s<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is</span>ter, Mary
(the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw h<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">mother </span>standing
there beside the d<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is</span>ciple he loved, he<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> said </span>to
her, <span class="red">“Dear woman, here<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> is </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">your </span>son.”</span> And he<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> said </span>to<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> this </span>d<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is</span>ciple, <span class="red">“Here<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> is </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">your </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">mother</span>.”</span> And from then on<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> this </span>d<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is</span>ciple took
her into h<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is </span>home.'' </span></div>
<div class="body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="body1">
As we see here in Proverbs 23:22 "<span style="color: #660000;">Listen to your father,
who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old"</span> To
honor your father and mother is a lifelong endeavor as Children of God. And as
we see it is not one that God is silent on. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps the firmest statement from God on how
important this responsibility <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is found
in<span style="color: blue;"> 1 Timothy 5:3-8</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span class="text">"Honor widows who have no families. </span><span id="en-GW-29748">The children or grandchildren of a widow must first learn to
respect their own family by repaying their parents.<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> This </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is </span>pleasing
in God’s sight.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span id="en-GW-29749"><span class="text">A widow who has no family has placed
her confidence in God by praying and asking for h<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is </span>help
night and day. </span><sup><span id="en-GW-29750"> </span></sup>But the widow who
lives for pleasure<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> is </span>dead although she<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> is </span>still
alive. </span><sup><span id="en-GW-29751"> </span></sup>Ins<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is</span>t on these
things so that widows will have good reputations. <sup><span id="en-GW-29752"> </span></sup>If anyone doesn’t take care of h<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is </span>own
relatives, especially h<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is </span>immediate family, he has denied the Chr<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is</span>tian faith
and<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> is </span>worse
than an unbeliever." </span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="color: #660000;"><span class="text">"Denied the Chr<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">is</span>tian faith and<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> is </span>worse
than an unbeliever.</span>"</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
care for orphans and widows has always been a main stay of the Christian faith.
So much so that the book of James states that the only pure religion is that
which cares for the orphans and widows and keeps oneself pure from the world.
How much more important then is it that we care as much for the members of our
own household? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently to God it is
of the utmost importance and is a measuring rod of the type of person you truly
are.<br />
<br />
God Bless,<br />
David Ingram<br />
New Day Christian Ministry<br />
Isa. 43:18-21<br />
www.newdaycm.org<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />To go back and read part 1 <a href="http://newdaycm.blogspot.com/2013/04/more-than-just-look-at-marriage-and.html" target="_blank">(Click Here)</a></span>David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-17048518324786632262013-04-18T21:43:00.001-04:002013-05-03T09:36:22.426-04:00More than just a look at marriage and family. Part 1 <!--[if !mso]>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKYGaHNTmTLjFjD7KKaAdPjEbOwVRxVixCFxqzliOsh1dlmZLfHAboqt_zO0EcQnHJUMs8s5yamipwcU6i7bfUffin4PwrOQN_05otDBQHuDXElSbF4u5RY4YJyUm7SgVFVxFfNH2ZlI/s1600/603622_10151546344790661_352330137_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKYGaHNTmTLjFjD7KKaAdPjEbOwVRxVixCFxqzliOsh1dlmZLfHAboqt_zO0EcQnHJUMs8s5yamipwcU6i7bfUffin4PwrOQN_05otDBQHuDXElSbF4u5RY4YJyUm7SgVFVxFfNH2ZlI/s400/603622_10151546344790661_352330137_n.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> Have you seen this diagram yet? According to facebook it has been shared 7,000 times from just one person's profile and there is little doubt many others have shared it as well, just as I have done here. I have seen it shared many times by various people in the last couple days. The illustration is a good one for starting conversation, and that is always a good thing. It is also over simplified like most illustrations are and therein lies the opportunities for confusion and distortion of what the Bible does say about the family and the roles we have in marriage. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> I did not make the chart and since it is not given there is no real way to know what passages of scripture the person had in mind if any when creating this illustration. All too often in our day and age Christians have abandoned the word of God for Christianized verbiage or generalized assumed teachings of God without the actual word of God present. Without any scripture present in the illustration the viewer is left to, "fill in the blanks" and this is always a recipe for disaster. I do not know if that was the case when this was originally created. Perhaps there is a study associated with the illustration, perhaps there were verses to the side that have since been cut off. This is all that I have seen each time it has been shared. The best thing to do at this point is to view the umbrellas and words given in this illustration in light of scripture.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /><i><b>Jesus Christ the top and largest umbrella for which the others are beneath: </b></i><br /> 1 Cor. 11:3 says the following: <span style="color: #660000;"> "However, I want you to realize that Christ has authority over every man, a husband has authority over his wife, and God has authority over Christ." </span> Although this passage is primarily dealing with the roles of husbands and wives in the church Paul uses this theme throughout his writings both in the church and in the home as often the church and the home were the same place.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /> We also see this three tiered structure of authority again in Ephesians 5: 22-24:<span style="color: #660000;"> "Wives, place yourselves under your husbands’ authority as you have placed yourselves under the Lord’s authority. The husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior. As the church is under Christ’s authority, so wives are under their husbands’ authority in everything. "</span> We could look at several other passages but there is no need to spend more time here than necessary. We have already seen that in these passages we see that Christ is to be the head or final authority in the family. We also see that the husband is the head of the wife. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><i><b><br />The husband, the second umbrella comes with two (what are assumed to be) responsibilities.</b></i><br /> As we have already discussed above the wife is under the husband's authority in the family there is no need to revisit that now; what we do want to look at is what is assumed to be the responsibility of the husband towards his wife and children. A brief look at the chart and the word of God shows that the chart does not give a complete and accurate illustration of these responsibilities. Does the Bible say that the husband is to protect and also provide for the family? Well let us look and see what the Word of God does say about the responsibilities of the husband</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> <span style="color: #660000;">"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> <span style="color: blue;">(Eph. 5:25-33)</span></span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b>Concerning Protection:</b> <br /> The illustration does not indicate whether "protect family" is physical protection, spiritual protection or both. As we look at the scriptures we see that the husband as stated in vs 25 is to be willing to lay down his life for his wife just as Christ was willing to lay down his life for the church. Throughout the New Testament we always see the comparison of Christ and the church with the husband and his wife. All that Christ has done for his church the husband is expected to do for his wife this includes being willing to lay down his life for the sake of his wife. We also see in vs 26 the responsibility to also provide spiritual protection. The husband is to wash his wife in the word of God just as Christ did for the church so that he can be able to present her to God without spot or blemish. The husband is to protect his wife not only physically but spiritually as well. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /><b>Concerning Provision:</b><br /> <span style="color: #660000;">"He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church for we are members of his body,"</span> Here we do see the responsibility of the husband to provide or feed and care for his wife just as he would his own body. The husband must make sure that the needs of his wife are met just as his own needs are met. If he loves his wife he loves himself. <br /><br /><b>A few problems with this simplified illustration of the family:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">At this point we see one of the first glaring problems with this illustration of umbrellas. Just as we abide in Christ and he in us so to the husband and wife have become one.<span style="color: #660000;"> “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."</span> <br />The husband and wife are now "one flesh" and as one flesh they are to be working together for the same goals with the unique gifts each has been given from the Lord both in the family and in the church. The illustration can be seen to demonstrate some of the dynamics of the family but it also does not demonstrate well that: Christ, the husband, and the wife abide as one.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><b>The illustration fails to demonstrate mutual submission.</b><br />Although we have looked at Eph. 5:22-33 already we have not yet looked at vs 21 until now<span style="color: #660000;">. "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" </span>it is no accident that vs 21 that states that the husband and wife are to mutually submit to one another out of reverence to Christ comes first in this passage. Without this mutual submission out of reverence for Christ there can be no peace in the family. "Then he said to the woman, “I will sharpen the pain of your pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you." Gen 3:16 Because of the curse there is a struggle that takes place in each family that is not mutually submitting to one another in reverence for Christ and that struggle is who will lead in the home. We see this in wives who use manipulations to get what they want and husbands who are bullish and overbearing with their wives. This is why God says the following to the wives and husbands of the church:</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="color: #660000;"> "In the same way, wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, even if some disobey the Christian message, they may be won over without a message by the way their wives live when they observe your pure, reverent lives. Your beauty should not consist of outward things like elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold ornaments or fine clothes. Instead, it should consist of what is inside the heart with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very valuable in God’s eyes. For in the past, the holy women who put their hope in God also beautified themselves in this way, submitting to their own husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children when you do what is good and are not frightened by anything alarming. Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."</span><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #660000;"> </span>(1 Peter :31-7)</span> </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> Mutual submission and love toward one another in reverence to Christ is paramount to obtain the type of marriage God desires. </span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span><i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">The illustration fails to demonstrate the mutual responsibility of the husband and the wife to provide for the physical and spiritual needs of the children as they grow into adults.</span></span></b></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /><b>1. Providing for the physical needs of the home: </b><br />The illustration does not demonstrate the full council of God's word concerning how the family is to be provided for. It is often assumed that the main responsibility for provisions for the home is to come through the efforts of the husband and is dismissive of those efforts of the wife. The Bible however gives many examples of wives who helped to provide for the needs of the home. The most commonly recognized passages concerning the wife's efforts in providing for her home come from Proverbs 31. I will not quote the whole passage but here are a few well known ones.</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> "How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels! Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor. As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm. She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth. She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do."<span style="color: blue;"> (Pro 31:10-14)</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">"She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard. She is a hard worker, strong and industrious." <span style="color: blue;">(Pro 31:16-17)</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">"She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future. She speaks with a gentle wisdom. She is always busy and looks after her family's needs. Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her. "<span style="color: blue;"> (Pro 31:25-28)</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">There are other passages but the above are enough to illustrate that in scripture both the husband and the wife are capable and praised for providing for the various needs of the family.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /><b>2. Providing the spiritual needs of the children: </b><br />It has been said it takes a village to raise a child. God however says it takes a husband and a wife who love Him, one another and are committed to raise their children to serve the Lord, to produce Godly offspring</span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><span style="color: #660000;">“This is another thing you do: you cover the altar of the LORD with tears, with weeping and with groaning, because He no longer regards the offering or accepts it with favor from your hand.“Yet you say, ‘For what reason?’ Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth, against whom you have dealt treacherously, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.“But not one has done so who has a remnant of the Spirit. And what did that one do while he was seeking a godly offspring? Take heed then to your spirit, and let no one deal treacherously against the wife of your youth.“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD</span><span style="color: blue;"> (Mal. 2:13-16)</span></span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> God is so concerned about the way a husband and wife treat one another and how it will affect their children that He says he will stand as a witness between the husband and wife and will not hear the prayers of those who deal treacherously with their spouse. God takes the health of the family very seriously and so should we. It is God's love for the family that shows us the importance of raising our children to love and serve him. God feels we need to have both the husband and the wife in this and so should we.</span></span><br />
<br />
Throughout scripture we see that God desires the whole family to know and serve him and teaching the children was the responsibility of both the husband and the wife. The book of proverbs was almost written entirely by a father to his son. God says in the very beginning of Proverbs in chapter 1 vs 8<span style="color: #660000;"> "Hear, my son, your father’s instruction And do not forsake your mother’s teaching; Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head And ornaments about your neck.</span> in Eph. 22:6 we read:<span style="color: #660000;"> "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." </span><br />
<br />
In a day and age that the family is under attack from so many fronts there are many who say a child needs only one parent and does not need both a father and mother. In my life I have been both. I have been a single parent and I have had a wife and children. The simple truth is children do miss out when they do not have both a father and mother and when they do not have both often someone else outside of the family is needed to help fill the gap. <br />
<br />
Over the years on several occasions I served as a youth pastor and then as now when we do have the occasion to go on furlough I see many churches that have operated by keeping the various age groups separated. It seams we have lost touch of our Lord's instruction and have done what has seemed right in our own eyes for far too long. As a youth pastor I often would bring the young people and the older folks together. I wanted them to be together to help and learn from one another. In the churches I have served in over the years I have often seen two mind-sets prevalent, the first is that the youth are good to have but troublesome. Regardless of where I served I was often told they were ''my youth'', hence when they did good or bad it was my responsibility. The reality is they were never my youth to begin with. They were their parents youth and they were the youth of the church and also the responsibility of all the congregation. I have also seen another attitude prevalent in the church and it was normally that of the older members. They would often feel they had done their part and were not responsible to do much but attend their age appropriate Sunday school class. Sadly often the youth and elderly were in the same boat, good to have but not much use. <br />
<br />
The reality is in the family and in the church we are missing out on a tremendous truth given to us in God's word: <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #660000;">"But you must teach what agrees with sound doctrine. Instruct the older men to be sober, sensible, and self-controlled; to be sound in their faith, love, and endurance. In the same way instruct the older women to behave as women should who live a holy life. They must not be slanderers or slaves to wine. They must teach what is good, in order to train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, and to be good housewives who submit themselves to their husbands, so that no one will speak evil of the message that comes from God. In the same way urge the young men to be self-controlled. In all things you yourself must be an example of good behavior. Be sincere and serious in your teaching. 8 Use sound words that cannot be criticized, so that your enemies may be put to shame by not having anything bad to say about us.</span></blockquote>
In a generation with so many without their father or mother in the home the church should be filling these gaps not dividing up into our own little groups. As fathers and mothers it is important that we take those moments to teach and instruct our children as fathers to sons and as mothers to daughters why we have the opportunity to do so for this is what the Lord intends. <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"><br /><i><b>To continue on to Part two please follow this link: <a href="http://newdaycm.blogspot.com/2013/04/more-than-just-look-at-marriage-and_19.html">http://newdaycm.blogspot.com/2013/04/more-than-just-look-at-marriage-and_19.html</a></b></i><br /><br />God Bless,<br />David Ingram<br />New Day Christian Ministry<br />Isa. 43:18-21<br /> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><br />David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-75322713280090423652013-01-23T22:01:00.001-04:002013-01-23T22:09:04.467-04:00A missionary mom<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpctQ-SdQ_8SowjMMrEZb5Wg9DI2L2QH33npcSvgbELUJ4MZ-Q2Ce0dI5RKaDOyeY7Skm2XHbNf5Sz-tp2pa25hOn0BEaCpkZhcyoLryBObSMXoAs8rWrQoWuKfVu6taUTTbw2n0elz83E/s1600/475488_10200163958682642_1444103036_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpctQ-SdQ_8SowjMMrEZb5Wg9DI2L2QH33npcSvgbELUJ4MZ-Q2Ce0dI5RKaDOyeY7Skm2XHbNf5Sz-tp2pa25hOn0BEaCpkZhcyoLryBObSMXoAs8rWrQoWuKfVu6taUTTbw2n0elz83E/s320/475488_10200163958682642_1444103036_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As a missionary, one is faced with many choices not just in
ministry but especially in your personal life. But as a missionary mom a whole
new dynamic is added to life’s decisions while on the mission field. Lately
among my fellow missionary mom friends I have noticed that we are facing
similar choices with varying circumstances. The same dilemma we face is
this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How as mothers do we reconcile
raising our children in the healthiest and best environment and at the same
time be totally committed to our calling?” We are called by the Lord to “go and
make disciples” and sometimes that means exposing our children to environments
that poses threats and risks to not only their health but also to their
upbringing. For moms this is scary and daunting to make these kinds of life
choices with your husband; choices that are made FOR your children not WITH
your children.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I have heard of testimonies by other missionary families that
have lost children to the mission field through various situations. This is a parent’s
worst nightmare, especially for any mother who tends to be emotional and thinks
the worst about life’s “what ifs”. Immediately the following floods our minds:</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“How can I raise my children in such an environment” (an
environment that might mean less comforts or a health risk).</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“What if I actually were to lose my child, how could I live
with that?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“What will my family say about moving their grandchildren or
nieces/nephews to such a different /risky environment?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“Is this the best time to be moving my child? Should we wait
until they are older or moved out of the house?</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“What about school and the friends they have? Will they be
able to find a spouse where we are moving to?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“What if we wait? Not to say that we won’t go at all but
maybe we should wait until the kids are_____?”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“I can’t possibly go on a mission trip with a baby who is
breastfeeding and not potty trained!” or “We can’t move to the mission field
with a newborn, there’s no support system, I will be all alone!”</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I could go on and on but, well, you get the picture. Maybe
to a seasoned missionary mother who “has been there done that” this may not be
an issue for you but for other mothers, including myself, these questions and
doubts are real and are confusing. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">For myself, I have always said, “I never want to tell God ‘No,
I won’t do____’ “. Yet I have before and it didn’t last very long. But there
are other ways we tell God “no”; we can delay in our obedience or we can choose
to take a different route, one that leads to the same result but just not the
way God has indicated for us or maybe we squelch the Holy Spirits persistent
drawing with our doubts and questions that we end up giving in to our emotions
and in the end we say, “I want to___ BUT it’s just too____”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgpsd4VlFkAimMWeWLYZBGAvfjXQj0xS08NaPeqhIVUjwFXjGO7xQGuxSojaODWeaX5HlXdTStKYgoKtd43gzifJfp8X-gx-uQuHAUn-eI2TmoBoVqnEzUYO4WrnxQAXTWFGHY5tKj-U4/s1600/374400_3540751438423_1660546148_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYgpsd4VlFkAimMWeWLYZBGAvfjXQj0xS08NaPeqhIVUjwFXjGO7xQGuxSojaODWeaX5HlXdTStKYgoKtd43gzifJfp8X-gx-uQuHAUn-eI2TmoBoVqnEzUYO4WrnxQAXTWFGHY5tKj-U4/s320/374400_3540751438423_1660546148_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Let me get more specific and more personal. David and I are
facing a decision ourselves, one that is a year away but to me I think about it
every day, contemplating and testing the waters of which avenue to take. As I
am sure you all know, we are expecting our 2<sup>nd</sup> child, Jacob. We also
have planned our 4<sup>th</sup> mission trip to Kenya, one in which I play a
vital role. I lead 2 VBS programs and this year had planned on leading a woman’s
discipleship course. These two events eclipse one another. Our mission trip is
scheduled when Jacob will be 10 months old. He will be breastfeeding and not
yet potty trained and Hannah will be 6. What do we do?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fact: The Lord has called me to “Go and make disciples”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fact: It is not an accident that our 2<sup>nd</sup> child
will be less than a year old at this time that we are supposed to be in a 3<sup>rd</sup>
world country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fact: We would come against opposition from many people who
would disagree with taking our infant into this environment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fact: The Holy Spirit (always taking from the Father and giving
to me) is ever constant and never changes in His leading and imparting wisdom.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fact: God has never led us into something then left us and
He has never failed us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwrZafd1l2AAXLuuj9-PVotig4gPYnGR3AGnqGDTt5nfmFBEVJyAEoOml3NNLcPjZpgy9F6jjjxlbzeAeCQUoRSRffoE_DPxNCuQRIXwSDGFL-Hf9kqx3PoEo4hU2DXYxAYH9cGjHdG4C/s1600/394793_3540654315995_833141757_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNwrZafd1l2AAXLuuj9-PVotig4gPYnGR3AGnqGDTt5nfmFBEVJyAEoOml3NNLcPjZpgy9F6jjjxlbzeAeCQUoRSRffoE_DPxNCuQRIXwSDGFL-Hf9kqx3PoEo4hU2DXYxAYH9cGjHdG4C/s320/394793_3540654315995_833141757_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Ok, say we do take our infant and 6 year old to Kenya. I
would be breastfeeding, changing diapers, taking care of Hannah, trying to keep
to a minimum sanitary problems that come with staying in Kenya, doing all of
our laundry by hand for all 4 of us, all the while leading a woman’s
discipleship class and a VBS program. David will be able to help and bear some
of the load but he has his own responsibilities while there, he is responsible
for 2 pastor’s conferences, private counseling with leaders when necessary and
preaching church services on the side. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will I be able to do this with an infant and
young child in toe?! How can I be of any benefit to those I have come to serve
if I and David are so stretched thin with just family responsibilities? Is it
even healthy to take a young baby to this environment? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, again, what do David and I do? Whenever I am faced with
this kind of question, whether in my own life or from listening to someone else’s
dilemmas, this statement always pops into my head: “What does the Bible say
about this situation?” Now unfortunately I can’t turn to, let’s say, Deuteronomy
3:6 and find the answer specifically for David’s and mine current choice (but
it would be nice). That means our choice is subjective, meaning there is no “one
size fits all” answer, meaning that we have to make a choice based on what God
would want us to do, not what other people want us to do or what we would
prefer to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Two things come to my mind, a passage of Scripture and a
song. The song is “I surrender all” and the passage is Luke 14:25-33</span></div>
<u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">“<span class="versenum">25</span><span class="versetext"> Once when large crowds
of people were going along with Jesus, he turned and said to them, </span><span class="versenum"><span id="lu14-26">26</span><span class="versetext"> "Those who
come to me cannot be my disciples unless they love me more than they love
father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and themselves as
well. </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7516695768239815181" name="1"></a><span class="versenum"></span><span id="lu14-27">27</span><span class="versetext"> Those who do not carry their own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciples. </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7516695768239815181" name="2"></a><span class="versenum"></span><span id="lu14-28">28</span><span class="versetext"> If one of you is planning to build a
tower, you sit down first and figure out what it will cost, to see if you have
enough money to finish the job. </span></span><span class="versenum"><span id="lu14-29">29</span><span class="versetext"> If you don't, you will not be able
to finish the tower after laying the foundation; and all who see what happened
will make fun of you. </span></span><span class="versenum"><span id="lu14-30">30</span><span class="versetext"> "You began to build but can't finish the job!' they will
say. </span></span><span class="versenum"><span id="lu14-31">31</span><span class="versetext"> If a king goes out with ten thousand men to fight another king
who comes against him with twenty thousand men, he will sit down first and
decide if he is strong enough to face that other king. </span></span><span class="versenum"><span id="lu14-32">32</span><span class="versetext"> If he isn't, he
will send messengers to meet the other king to ask for terms of peace while he
is still a long way off. </span></span><span class="versenum"><span id="lu14-33">33</span><span class="versetext"> In the same way, concluded Jesus, "none of you can be my
disciple unless you give up everything you have.</span>”</span></span></u><span class="woj"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="woj">Wow, both hit home for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now applying this verse to our situation and
the solution is one that intimidates me and leaves me stuttering, “But..but…but…”.
This choice cannot be made hastily or recklessly or can even be made by taking
a poll amongst our friends and family members to see what they think. In the
end it is us following our Savors plan for us and our children, young as they
may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="woj">Thankfully, a choice does not
need to be made right now at this very moment. But there will come a day when
David and I will need to look at this choice square in the face and make a
decision. Right now, I am praying. Praying for what, you might ask. Praying
that until that time comes, I will not worry, I will be patient and I will not
rush the leading of the Lord in our life. The fact that my future and this
choice remains unresolved at the moment drives me insane because I like to have
everything planned out and know what to expect and what to do ahead of time. Therefore,
in this scenario I think the lesson just isn’t in making “the choice” but it is
also in the “waiting” to make the choice. Sometimes God does say “wait” and for
the time being that is what David and have heard from the Holy Spirit. Obviously
God knows what we will do and how everything will unfold but for some reason He
has chosen to conceal the answer from us at the moment and I am just gonna have
to learn to be okay with that! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="woj">I ask everyone reading this to
pray for us this coming year. Pray that we will follow Gods leading no matter
what it may mean for us, even if it means an unpopular choice. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJFpX60N7c-1GDAXNKgsniwJV59Og5uvs6uohS5qt_vXdsf3z3IAZLmGVru1r9W61txhuzv82OCW6i5YsreVFr7-hGGdrxrntGAxFiG7-ExsdfQgW9yEpPkN_SoQ1b8-eZEnhh4VVMIGQ/s1600/775675_4755713603546_361203876_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJFpX60N7c-1GDAXNKgsniwJV59Og5uvs6uohS5qt_vXdsf3z3IAZLmGVru1r9W61txhuzv82OCW6i5YsreVFr7-hGGdrxrntGAxFiG7-ExsdfQgW9yEpPkN_SoQ1b8-eZEnhh4VVMIGQ/s320/775675_4755713603546_361203876_o.jpg" width="202" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="woj">All I want as a missionary mom is
to exhibit to my children through my life what it looks like to be a total,
sold out disciple to Christ every single day and in every situation. Yeah it
might mean doing things that seem “risky/unwise” to many, yeah it will probably
mean discomfort not only for me but for my kids as well and yes it might even
mean sacrificing our earthly lives for our heavenly one. In order to be
completely sold out, David and I need to count the cost and be ready for
whatever might come. Praise the Lord He has found us worthy to be trusted with
the family and ministry He has given us to lead while here on earth. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="woj">Whatever may come I know that David
and I can say, “I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="woj">Only by His Grace,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Heather</span></span></span><br />
<br />Heather Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12315313684777167267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-78561079126976807012012-11-01T00:47:00.000-04:002012-11-01T00:47:15.208-04:00Improving the bottom line <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSbv-c8gmuflw8ADMZznQovLQa-nYkB9r4MipY3IyuV6lrmM5ayLRNpqm1M2LK8R4NcBO_2Elt2Sh1_GD4Rjo3s3gn4idc-HDzYYDheopM2pIy710nZDrcQh3a46bResmZ0mLT0Cte4B5/s1600/IMAG2882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSbv-c8gmuflw8ADMZznQovLQa-nYkB9r4MipY3IyuV6lrmM5ayLRNpqm1M2LK8R4NcBO_2Elt2Sh1_GD4Rjo3s3gn4idc-HDzYYDheopM2pIy710nZDrcQh3a46bResmZ0mLT0Cte4B5/s320/IMAG2882.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So for the past 2 months David and I have been trying to
lower our monthly food bill. We have come up with 3 ways so far. The first is
the art form of couponing. We started out trying to find coupons here in PR and
on the internet. We discovered most Puerto Ricans do not know what coupons are
let alone provide coupons in the Sunday papers. That left us with finding them
online. We were able to print many coupons at first but soon realized there is
a limit. We combined in-store sales with the coupons we had and our bill was
$130, without sales + coupons it would have been almost $200. This first
attempt lasted us a month, it blew my mind away that we had food that lasted us
a month for only $130! Normally $130 grocery bill would mean what we bought
would only last about 2 weeks. We were so excited and the next month tried
finding more coupons but our coupon supply was dwindled from the last grocery
trip and we couldn’t find any suitable coupons that we needed or we could
use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is how we came up with the
following idea: why not ask our friends, family members and our supporters if
they would be willing to clip coupons for us if we provided a pre-posted
envelope? We sent out e-mails, letters and posted the idea on facebook. A few
people came forward and said, “Yeah, sure I can do that!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We received our first “coupon donation” and
excitedly sifted through the coupons. We have received 4 “coupon donations” so
far and it has helped tremendously!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go
figure, right?! We use coupons for everything now, shampoo, dog food and
basically any household, grocery or office item you can think of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hannah is even learning what coupons are and
how they work. When she see’s candy or her favorite snack food she immediately
asks if we have a coupon for that! We have had to retrain how we view in-store
sales and how we shop using coupons. Even though PR isn’t as engrossed in
couponing as the States, they still have websites where you can view each
stores weekly sales circular. So instead of driving around and gathering all
the circulars, we can just view them online at home, compare them with the
coupons we’ve received, and make out a shopping list. No longer do we hop in
the car and arrive at the store couponless and ignorant of sales! </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUgEj2QqRXXO0AjQd4_W2fp6wvf31Eg0f0Z-X1te4ctfVlJ8gA5ZLTts-IJM13mANUuJinTbW2Ha4mKtQElGY3WTfrYzwUfC093NERqjic_F3ClMMZ0YZGWd5KEOXVnutAlsX6_d0e1MG/s1600/IMAG2818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUgEj2QqRXXO0AjQd4_W2fp6wvf31Eg0f0Z-X1te4ctfVlJ8gA5ZLTts-IJM13mANUuJinTbW2Ha4mKtQElGY3WTfrYzwUfC093NERqjic_F3ClMMZ0YZGWd5KEOXVnutAlsX6_d0e1MG/s320/IMAG2818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The second way we are reducing our food bill is that we have
started a vegetable and fruit garden. We have taught Hannah to gather seeds,
plant them and water them. Hopefully in a few months we’ll have our first crop!
We also plan on using the fruits and vegetables to help out anyone who is in
need. We don’t have a big yard but we have learned various ways of growing
things inside and how to recycle pop bottles as planters for when the seedlings
grow out of their indoor pots. We have made a shelf outside that sits on our
porch. David is already building another place for when the plants get bigger
and start producing food. Hannah is so excited about gathering seeds that every
place we visit she is looking at the ground for various seeds; she has gathered
Kenipa and palm tree seeds so far. She has said many times that if we take the
peanut from her M&M’s and plant the “seed’ we could grow our own chocolate
tree!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n3VjAHrPax19W5raZpz9BdWdEOmzXr60QE_1dgYOKCKI7q8JUTKIDj-53B6y0Nwt-LB6_a4dPcihV_d8h8V07VLu9AMT17wqsn5vJq89b6kVY3Fj2tZ_DK4KJ5cDzsnIU5biwd5HKHFb/s1600/IMAG2876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7n3VjAHrPax19W5raZpz9BdWdEOmzXr60QE_1dgYOKCKI7q8JUTKIDj-53B6y0Nwt-LB6_a4dPcihV_d8h8V07VLu9AMT17wqsn5vJq89b6kVY3Fj2tZ_DK4KJ5cDzsnIU5biwd5HKHFb/s320/IMAG2876.jpg" width="320" /></a>The third way we have come up with goes hand in hand with
our food garden. David has been learning and researching about Aquaponics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically you raise fish in a tank of any
sorts and recycle their water to grow and fertilize your food plants. Through
various means of pumps , piping and simple gravity the water starts in the fish
tank or tub, gets pumped up a pipe to your plants, the water passes through a
sediment bed, watering your plants and the excess goes out another pipe and
goes back down to the fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>David is
even researching and learning about solar powered pumps so that we won’t be
using electricity to run the pump. Buying a small solar power system and
battery is surprisingly cheap; the cost of the small system is even cheaper
than using electric for running this Aquaponic system the first month!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many people just use goldfish or some other
small fish in this system but we have discovered that you can use Tilapia.
Raising them and caring for them is practically free, you just have to make
sure there is enough room in your fish tub. Tilapia are perfect fish for rising
in our PR climate, they are resilient to illnesses and produce offspring
quickly. Therefore, we will not only be raising a food garden but growing our
own Tilapia as well. Now, I am not crazy about fish but as any good mother who
wants to set a healthy example, I make a fish dinner at least once a week and
Hannah has no problems eating Tilapia. But with this new means of food we’ll be
eating fish probably about 2-3 a week along with fresh veggies from our garden!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OFd338RlqpiQuCSR0dXkbYRoSrvgD3LQ4o3biUXiRzeWUwBLlNOGlfLOuHQ3y8T-MnnNBZqmOPvSdwVe-bIDScrXzuN-tIYesZktvDx4ikDtKH-w4KxDd3kV-hrThNc4oWjdJTrIhSYQ/s1600/camping+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OFd338RlqpiQuCSR0dXkbYRoSrvgD3LQ4o3biUXiRzeWUwBLlNOGlfLOuHQ3y8T-MnnNBZqmOPvSdwVe-bIDScrXzuN-tIYesZktvDx4ikDtKH-w4KxDd3kV-hrThNc4oWjdJTrIhSYQ/s320/camping+025.JPG" width="320" /></a>It will take about a 5 months to build, raise the fish to
maturity and produce our first harvest before we can take advantage of our
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have an old swimming pool that
has sat outside going unused for about 1 ½ years; we are cleaning it up and
getting it ready to accommodate its first aquatic habitants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is exciting to work, grow and harvest the
food that you will be giving to your family for meals on a daily basis. Raising
a garden and your own food is something that American culture has almost lost
but in other parts of the world it as an every day event that is naturally done
and taught to the children along with their ABC’s. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I hope that as you have read this article it has encouraged
you and maybe even given you some ideas to try to reduce your own family’s food
bill. All of this might sound complicated and you might think it takes a lot of
time but really anyone is capable with the mind God has given them and the
Bible says, “We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have any ideas to add, I would love to
hear them as would the other people reading this article.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God bless,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Heather</div>
Heather Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12315313684777167267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-10804372683710745812012-10-10T10:29:00.002-04:002012-10-10T10:30:47.840-04:00Hannah Banana<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd17oLcGD63NI8mBhR3Sds_yRQk7tOkibN757uHQ5ASi0egNMVNmn1RwxKLtbEOB1ZGRiy5eYi6J25uNPx1oUL_l9IXbeqKwnJzb0H3h2DiPsdDJb6sSzqAqfurNccKEoCbccmV1YRU9w/s1600/204616_4194903663648_2023253187_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCd17oLcGD63NI8mBhR3Sds_yRQk7tOkibN757uHQ5ASi0egNMVNmn1RwxKLtbEOB1ZGRiy5eYi6J25uNPx1oUL_l9IXbeqKwnJzb0H3h2DiPsdDJb6sSzqAqfurNccKEoCbccmV1YRU9w/s400/204616_4194903663648_2023253187_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We both had fun making her Birthday cake and cupcakes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Our first born just turned 5 a few days ago. I can
still remember bringing her home from the hospital and marveling at how amazing
it was to finally have her home and begin our life together as a complete
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those of you who are unaware
of her story let me share with you now:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
David and I started out as any newly married couple wanting
a family. However after 4 years of trying to conceive we were pretty sure that
something was wrong and the possibility of never having a child was very real
and hurtful. We did not have the means to get ourselves tested or even try for
IVF (<i><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
vitro fertilization</span></i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8ZCX2uET_tudNJULrchU2JbuoA_GXCX_I2TV_31cKaqeyMVWrx80mqFPoWKWaiWTSdlLJWJhFEk2ae20T8vTkHDHsZ5goJxXjgrnNxFlniEmUKV1dweQiOxze6hJgOG0iv0LnKnCb-QQ/s1600/300575_2393099379667_1224777619_a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8ZCX2uET_tudNJULrchU2JbuoA_GXCX_I2TV_31cKaqeyMVWrx80mqFPoWKWaiWTSdlLJWJhFEk2ae20T8vTkHDHsZ5goJxXjgrnNxFlniEmUKV1dweQiOxze6hJgOG0iv0LnKnCb-QQ/s320/300575_2393099379667_1224777619_a.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corky just after his surgery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When we first moved to Puerto Rico in 2004 we hadn’t been here for
more than a couple weeks when news came that David’s dad was going in on a Friday to
have angioplasty but was immediately rushed into surgery for a quadruple bypass
surgery. Since we had just moved 3,000 miles across the ocean we were pretty
tapped out for money. We could only wait by the phone and pray. News came Saturday
morning that David’s dad had sat up during surgery and lost more than 30% of
his blood but the surgery was over and successful. We called our friends back
home and our supporting churches to pray. Sunday morning when David’s mother
went in to see her husband, he was sitting up in his hospital bed eating
breakfast and asked where she had been! We went to church that day still
worried but prayerful. A Deaf friend of ours named Tony was there and he could
see that David was worried but David did not take the time to explain
everything that had happened, he simply said, “My dad is sick”. Tony went home
that night and prayed and asked God to show him what was wrong. God did show
him in a dream and that next Sunday morning Tony shared with David all that God
had showed him. God had showed him about the surgery and his recovery, he said
that his dad was having problems eating and recovering but because David had
honored God He would smooth all of his dad’s recovery problems
away and he would live a long and healthy life. We did not know about his
recovery problems because David’s parents hadn’t told us because they didn’t
want us worrying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
dad started eating normally that same day. We praised and glorified God over healing his father and the
miraculous recovery. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
It was about 2 months later that Tony came to us again and
told us that he had had a dream about us. He said God had showed him a picture
of David and me with a baby girl that had blond curly hair, brown eyes, her
name was Hannah and for the first 3 months we wouldn’t tell anyone we were
pregnant. Tony knows Spanish, not English but he spelled “Hannah” in English
not Spanish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were very excited to
hear this news but we didn’t know when this would happen. In February 2007 we
went on furlough and returned back to PR in May. We normally gain quite a few
pounds from our traveling and staying with other people so when David started
losing and I maintained my thick waist he began to wonder if I was pregnant. I
was skeptical simply because over the years of trying to have a baby and buying
EPT tests I was frustrated and didn’t want to get my hopes up. We bought a test
and it was inconclusive. We bought another digital one and the result came
instantly but I waited the full 3 minutes to tell David because I didn’t know
if it would “change its mind”! It was positive and we didn’t wait to tell
anyone we just started calling everyone. So much for waiting 3 months. or so we thought.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQ4zzXsUtAcKVeXTwNxEThE1b47HNygfYv8Ym1BWltoGFhFYniPAzK-vSdZMNSVdMUsJ09QjCxegFH1ToDBVgjStGrNWz6jenehvjOo4YaI4uZov0A_P-DT5LS-BGfTBmiSfIlXEg7sxn/s1600/24217_1402510503736_913086_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQ4zzXsUtAcKVeXTwNxEThE1b47HNygfYv8Ym1BWltoGFhFYniPAzK-vSdZMNSVdMUsJ09QjCxegFH1ToDBVgjStGrNWz6jenehvjOo4YaI4uZov0A_P-DT5LS-BGfTBmiSfIlXEg7sxn/s320/24217_1402510503736_913086_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather, Hannah, Tony, and Papa Paul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
By the time we got in to see an OBGYN
and to see the ultrasound the doctor told us we were 5 1/2 months pregnant! David
nearly passed out and fell over! We told her all that Tony had told us and she said we were having a girl. On the
delivery day all the nurses knew about Hannah's story and how we had been waiting for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Hannah was finally delivered the nurses
and our doctor all said, “Wow she does have blond hair the story was
true!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Tony had said we wouldn’t tell
anyone we were pregnant for the first 3 months because we didn’t know we were
pregnant. We were overjoyed and amazed at this unexpected blessing that we
thought might never possibly have come true. Hannah means “The Lord hears”,
the Lord heard our prayers and even gave us a messenger to bring us peace while
we waited!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsyGpg5gGkWXZ_yEbdOxyrFf1DQtA8aP-XFOX0ywuie2IwRl5bmQNHJhXQysExnrAWx5SQdlPNrjT24vmBPmAKXpo9_Ppj92hgV_3WmSkLHka2vtDt0t29LGU3JL4tLSR2GnlHFXlLNru/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsyGpg5gGkWXZ_yEbdOxyrFf1DQtA8aP-XFOX0ywuie2IwRl5bmQNHJhXQysExnrAWx5SQdlPNrjT24vmBPmAKXpo9_Ppj92hgV_3WmSkLHka2vtDt0t29LGU3JL4tLSR2GnlHFXlLNru/s320/IMG_1748.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah helping with the laundry. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hannah has traveled to the States 5 times and went to Kenya
twice. She can remember what the Amsterdam, Holland International airport looks
like and where the “Jungle Gym” is located in the airport. She has a passport
with about 5 pages filled with stamps and visas. We have taken her into third
world countries and she has built snowmen with her grandparents in Ohio. In
each circumstance and in each environment she has adapted and “gone with the
flow”. To her if mommy and daddy are there when she goes to bed at night, she
feels comfortable and at peace. We are so blessed to have an exceptionally
graceful child!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI4-_QmIobqDKDGLLsgLyQzA1V76VRy9MtDyJ9oswe4oHMylo5-7t__2xKS3UmrRPjQmUo-joZayqU9Ik7nfcgeyEbt7LdaxyNfEEJbm3PAfAxk8CPDXexytLTVzlMnwcIq8-Tm3gspX8/s1600/339603_4487541067572_1812027221_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGI4-_QmIobqDKDGLLsgLyQzA1V76VRy9MtDyJ9oswe4oHMylo5-7t__2xKS3UmrRPjQmUo-joZayqU9Ik7nfcgeyEbt7LdaxyNfEEJbm3PAfAxk8CPDXexytLTVzlMnwcIq8-Tm3gspX8/s320/339603_4487541067572_1812027221_o.jpg" width="234" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we have a second
blessing on the way! Hannah can’t wait to be a big sister and is practicing
taking care of a baby on her dolls. She talks all the time about how she will
care for her baby brother and about all the things he will need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asks almost daily if the baby is “big
enough to come out”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hannah likes to
tell everyone that “mommy has a baby in her belly”!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We know that the Lord has a special plan for Hannah and for
Jacob even though he is still being formed by our Master. We pray for the grace
and wisdom as we lead these 2 blessings as we raise them up with this verse in mind:<i><span style="color: #660000;"> </span></i><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #660000;"> So that you, your children<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> and </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">the</span>ir children after<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> the</span>m may<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> fear </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">the </span><span id="dtx-highlighting-item">LORD </span>your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> and </span>comm<span id="dtx-highlighting-item">and</span>s that I give you,<span id="dtx-highlighting-item"> and </span>so that you may enjoy long life.</span> </i><span style="color: #660000;"><span style="color: black;">Deuteronomy 6:2</span></span><br />
<br />
We are excited to see where the Lord
will take them and what He has planned for them.What a truly awesome God we serve. We are not sure what tomorrow might bring that we know whatever may come the Lord is already preparing the way.<br />
<br />
In Christ,<br />
Heather =) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Heather Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12315313684777167267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-62103567889305119152012-09-14T20:06:00.001-04:002012-09-20T09:01:36.199-04:00And the story continues...<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So in my last post, "</span><a href="http://newdaycm.blogspot.com/2012/08/is-your-life-like-bank-vault.html" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;" target="_blank">Is your life a bank vault</a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">" I wrote about our finances and how the Lord had led us to make new commitments
and renew old ones. Let me write a follow up because it’s uncanny how things
worked out that following week. I believe I wrote it on a Saturday night and
sometimes when you get specific with God, He’ll work in ways that are just as
specific! Here is what I said last week:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“<span style="background: white; color: black;">What will we do if tomorrow we get in the
van and it breaks down? The Lord will provide and care for us.</span>”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBudsJBbLax-MJDmwkl8loAK0btjiFeGQ9381K9encaRvOgKosY9pKXmOq7k9fOBcqNUyhXrqzPRwE3baB7T1gXH6I_f-Kpia-9iuiG0Sytyhc8sgwuAAK-3aytYgiuZxuvKSb-IdM5G3k/s1600/218684_4048779250629_1875671273_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBudsJBbLax-MJDmwkl8loAK0btjiFeGQ9381K9encaRvOgKosY9pKXmOq7k9fOBcqNUyhXrqzPRwE3baB7T1gXH6I_f-Kpia-9iuiG0Sytyhc8sgwuAAK-3aytYgiuZxuvKSb-IdM5G3k/s320/218684_4048779250629_1875671273_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9MgSE1OUaRYP1IzVRtn4I536T7rEEtQAH22sxCq3IwKRTpGaD6WcjYC9Ayq4I5W7oHhUGrU7q3INSxhYy8uMhKs-oVfby87o-6Xd_bpx8DAfQ6jNvCH3r4AzAhTWYM4UegENX07QSXuC/s1600/202815_4089464907745_1166023522_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9MgSE1OUaRYP1IzVRtn4I536T7rEEtQAH22sxCq3IwKRTpGaD6WcjYC9Ayq4I5W7oHhUGrU7q3INSxhYy8uMhKs-oVfby87o-6Xd_bpx8DAfQ6jNvCH3r4AzAhTWYM4UegENX07QSXuC/s320/202815_4089464907745_1166023522_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, true to His word He did take care of us because on the
way home from church the next day, Sunday, we heard a strange noise. I shook my
head and said to myself, “You just had to use the van breaking down as an example
didn’t you?!” Come to find out the tension pulley had worn out and needed
replacing and it was probably time to replace the serpentine belt as well. If
we were to have taken it somewhere it would have cost us a couple hundred but
David said he could fix it with the help of our friend therefore lowering the
cost to just parts, about $75. But we didn’t have $75 at all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wouldn’t you know Monday morning we got a call
saying a donation had arrived! Wow! However, when David began taking things
apart he realized that the fan clutch needed replacing as well. Another $60
expense that we couldn’t meet! But we waited on the Lord and He provided for
that as well. We made a commitment, and then within 48 hours we were faced with
a situation where in the past we would have used the credit
card to take care of everything. But we didn’t and God honored our commitment and
made sure we had what we needed. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In addition we received another gift specifically for me to get
an eye exam. I had been wearing the same contacts for 3 + months (for the
fellow contact wearers we both know that that’s a big NO NO!) and hadn’t had an
exam in a year and a half. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally
went in and the doctor informed me that contacts probably aren’t the best for
me to wear for awhile because due to over usage of a single pair of contacts
and from wearing only contacts for over 11 years my eyes weren’t getting the
oxygen flow they needed and thus blood was not circulating enough and blood was
pooling around my eye. She said on a scale from 1-5 I was a 2 ½. The damage is reversible
but only if I stop wearing contacts and switch to glasses. The donation we
received was more than enough for an eye exam + contacts but glasses are a
different story. Thankfully though with the exam and a new pair of glasses we
had $6 left over. As always God knew ahead of time what was needed and provided
a skilled Dr. to give me advice and warn me of where I was headed. Even though
I am not at all happy about wearing glasses, I am thankful that I serve a God
who not only knows what I need long before I even am aware of what is happening
but provides and takes care of me! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTJ20klDqHF7-JLZtSeD6LkUpmys1Ka6abmW700wJkI5R6xL0BINpBzTUwXXSf2V2IHhTB9p8_ntkCG0zMAj6tbVpuQ3kQe7T3tBqohpVyuEAt3f5F_jhAt_MCKdxL2DXukMgHlRfc_By/s1600/IMAG0602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTJ20klDqHF7-JLZtSeD6LkUpmys1Ka6abmW700wJkI5R6xL0BINpBzTUwXXSf2V2IHhTB9p8_ntkCG0zMAj6tbVpuQ3kQe7T3tBqohpVyuEAt3f5F_jhAt_MCKdxL2DXukMgHlRfc_By/s320/IMAG0602.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the midst of all of the above there was a brother in
Christ who had begun e-mailing David. He lives in Iowa and works part time here
in PR and was led to do a search for ministries here. He found our web page and
read through everything. He shared that he would like to meet with us and get
to know us better but Hannah and I had become sick and as a last resort David
decided to meet with this brother by himself before he had to go back home to
Iowa. David and this man had a wonderful time and David took him around town a
little and they enjoyed lunch together. At the end this brother gave us $200
and told David to take me on a date when I am feeling better, take Hannah to
the hot springs and then use the rest for whatever we needed to use it for. We were so blessed and
surprised. God used this man to provide a nice break in the midst of all our
stress and answered another need we had, up until this point we still had not
enough funds to purchase Hannah’s school books. This was a need we had no idea
how God was going to provide for, let alone provide for it through a brother in
Christ who is here all the way from Iowa! And at the time our cabinets and frig were empty, we found as many coupons as possible and went to several stores who had different sales in an effort to make every penny count. God took what this brother gave us and multiplied it like He did when He fed the 5,000 with only a boys lunch. God never ceases to amaze me!!!</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So where are we now? Well after 2 weeks the van is finally
fixed and my glasses are here. Has God snapped His fingers and
made our debt disappear and all of our bills get paid? Nope. Do we have what we
need to pay for this month’s bills? Nope. Are all of our problems gone just
because we are obedient? Nope. God never promised us a problem free life in
exchange for obedience and servant hood. BUT He did promise us that He’ll never
leave us, forsake us or let us stumble. God’s timing is perfect and right now,
when we are unable, God is doing and we are giving Him the glory and honor. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Does money and financial wealth equate Gods approval on what
we’re doing? Not in the least. As my Dad reminded me last week, “There are
thousands of churches/ministries who have more money than they know what to do
with but they are spreading heresy and destroying lives”. We are here doing as
the Lord leads us, we are obedient to His calling even though sometimes we don’t
understand the reason or the “how”. For instance, when we tell people we started
doing ministry in PR but we have 46 churches in Africa and Pakistan, we never
fail to get, “How does that happen” response. It happens when His servants say,
“Here am I, send me” and then put their faith in action. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Let me share this promise that encourages me every time I am
faced with something I don’t understand:</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“</span><span style="background: #F9FDFF; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And we know that
in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been
called according to his purpose.</span>” Romans 8:28</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBp7YgYUjizze8aNJk4BTjMXpP1JUAuxmUDZ52qS0BjOMu7ubo5kTYiHFvmvqoUaXw5C0FI2bG3drQ6kzA0BXVEFnWzRSPZkPI25Hwpci2cB-2iFzBYHSj6OKnGnZovjzhceZ_Yq6FzeY/s1600/169314_10151106964566354_533544584_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBp7YgYUjizze8aNJk4BTjMXpP1JUAuxmUDZ52qS0BjOMu7ubo5kTYiHFvmvqoUaXw5C0FI2bG3drQ6kzA0BXVEFnWzRSPZkPI25Hwpci2cB-2iFzBYHSj6OKnGnZovjzhceZ_Yq6FzeY/s320/169314_10151106964566354_533544584_o.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background: #F9FDFF; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">When God called us to the mission
field, He didn’t call us to worry about paying the monthly bills and allow that
to become our focus. He called us to be obedient as He leads us down the path
that will prosper us and grow us. We can’t try to fit that into what we think
it should look like; we must be willing to allow Him to shape and mold us as
we serve Him in any way He leads. </span></div>
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<span style="background: #F9FDFF; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It appears for now that this struggle
will be with us for at least the foreseeable future. God has us where we are
for our good and for the good of those we minister to. God has never not taken
care of us. What we need to learn to do now is let go of our frustrations and
worries about finances and focus on how God wants us to continue touching lives
and discipling those around us for the glory of His Kingdom. </span></div>
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<span style="background: #F9FDFF; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">His servant,</span></div>
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<span style="background: #F9FDFF; color: #001320; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Heather </span><br />
<br /></div>
Heather Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12315313684777167267noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-59275395187313853672012-08-25T23:39:00.000-04:002012-08-26T00:17:21.214-04:00Is your life like a bank vault?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnhU9EzTr2u_1lGlxT0la36X4ZMeelqrYLenkUOBiu_FjtpxudIw5PSxAl492AXKrnWSPutaLD_15_HR-OO8jyjfcrd8NDtfYtiZY-zpjuVhRMjRkXtBcE-yZmzO88Jia8i6Sh_ElweE/s1600/Vault-Heart-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnhU9EzTr2u_1lGlxT0la36X4ZMeelqrYLenkUOBiu_FjtpxudIw5PSxAl492AXKrnWSPutaLD_15_HR-OO8jyjfcrd8NDtfYtiZY-zpjuVhRMjRkXtBcE-yZmzO88Jia8i6Sh_ElweE/s320/Vault-Heart-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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What does that mean, you might ask. Ever hear of the
expression, “It’s none of your business”?
Sometimes I feel like people need to make sure everything must be kept
secret, “Nobody can know about_______ because it’s none of their business.” But
is this the way Christ intended the Body to behave? Are we supposed to pull
ourselves up by our bootstraps and have the attitude that our lives are our own
and everything uncomfortable that happens to us must “stay in the family”
because “it’s none of their business”? You might say, “Well I don’t want so and
so to know all my dirty laundry and see all the skeletons in my closet, what
would they think of me!” Oh really? Then why does the Bible say to confess our
sins one to another? How are we to bear one another’s burdens if we have an
attitude of “it’s none of your business”? </div>
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Let me be the first to say that for me, being raised in a
private-like family, it is hard for me to be open and candid about our family
struggles. The Lord has been working on me in this area for awhile which all
started about 3 weeks ago while talking to a fellow missionary friend. She shared
about her family’s commitment to pay off their credit card debt and stop the
cycle of adding to the debt. Yesterday as I was helping David edit his article
for our weekly update and working on our personal/church finances I went to bed
very frustrated and troubled. I stayed up ‘til 2am last night praying and seeking the Lord and then the Holy Spirit hit me with this truth: how can I
expect God to bless me and my family if I am unwilling to give Him the
opportunity to show Himself strong on our behalf (2Choronicles 16:9)? We want
God’s blessings and provisions but we’re unwilling to give Him opportunities to
do so then we blame Him for not providing or answering our prayers.</div>
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Let me provide an example through a personal experience of
ours. I am going to share a testimony that for most is “taboo” to talk about. I
want to talk about our personal and ministry finances. We have credit card debt
that has been accumulating over the last 8 years. Our second year of marriage
David’s employer in the States bounced 4 payroll checks in a row six months
before we moved to Puerto Rico. We were able to get the bills repaid after our
own checks bounced but we carried with us all the bank fees that were a result
of the bounced checks. We tried to do things on our own by working 40 hours a
week but the ministry was suffering and we couldn’t pay the bills. David came home one day fed up with trying to do both ministry and work and not getting anywhere with either and told me that he quit his job, I said, “Finally!”
That day we prayed and made the commitment to focus solely on ministry and not
have an outside job deciding that if God wanted us on the mission field God was
going to take care of us while we focus on doing His work, the same day we received
a donation and were able to pay many past due bills. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1O7goHg077KDLMvhiakqR2FATVDkNiYt_UET_iB6CM4Sr0USOtU91v0l7ZyFrXAC6nEfTjDQ1o5CEY_foDvtTj84BJ1pA_CRtSc_J0LQZt3oKPJAMK_RTfAF5xx_MqglvH0NpN3nmcI/s1600/chopping-block12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1O7goHg077KDLMvhiakqR2FATVDkNiYt_UET_iB6CM4Sr0USOtU91v0l7ZyFrXAC6nEfTjDQ1o5CEY_foDvtTj84BJ1pA_CRtSc_J0LQZt3oKPJAMK_RTfAF5xx_MqglvH0NpN3nmcI/s320/chopping-block12.jpg" width="320" /></a>It wasn’t until 2009-10
that the economy began to slow down and churches were cutting their mission
support. We began using credit cards to supplement ministry needs and occasionally
we would buy groceries and gas as well. This habit has been building ever since
and now we are in a position where we have added too much ministry debt onto
our personal credit cards. There is not enough money coming in through the
ministry to meet its monthly expenses as well as pay down its debt. Now we find
ourselves back where we were 5 years ago. We have no way to save on a monthly basis
after our bills are paid and groceries bought because there is nothing leftover,
we can’t afford to buy our daughter school books, I personally have needed an
eye exam and new contacts for the last 5 months, any prenatal expense that
comes up we have had to use credit and a whole other list of things that we
can’t afford to take care of at the moment simply because we lack money. Some
have said that we need to go out and get a second job (mission work assumedly
being our first “job”), others have suggested food stamps or social security
checks to help supplement our income. </div>
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In the article that I was editing for David he shared his testimony
about his recent health problem and what God taught him through that experience
and he also shared a verse that is so amazing and fitting for what God has
shown me that I am going to reshare: </div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text">I lift up my eyes to the mountains, where does
my help come from?<sup> </sup>My help comes from the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">,</span> <span class="text">the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not
let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who
watches over Israel</span> <span class="text">will neither slumber nor sleep.</span>
<span class="text">The </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> watches over you, the </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> is your shade at your right hand;</span> the <span class="text">sun
will not harm you by day,</span> <span class="text">nor the moon by night.</span>
<span class="text">The </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> will keep you from all harm, </span><span class="indent-1-breaks">he</span><span class="text"> will watch over your life;<sup> </sup>the
</span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text"> will watch over your coming and going</span> </span><span class="text"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">both
now and forevermore. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Psalm 121</span><o:p></o:p></span></blockquote>
<div class="line">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">Every time I or David are faced with a financial
dilemma we say, “If God doesn’t provide I guess we’ll just have to put it on
the credit card.” Where and when did we allow this false dilemma to dictate how
God provides for us on a daily basis? Have we prayed about it? Have we sought
other ways to fulfill this need? Do we really “need” to take care of this
situation right now or can it wait? When we whip out the credit card to fulfill
a need then we have essentially robbed God of Him providing and blessing us. We
have “taken care” of it ourselves. We have been given a multitude of Bible
verses filled with promises that God will never let us come into harm, that He
will take care of us and be our Provider and that we shouldn’t worry about what
to eat or drink, but yet here we are brothers and sisters faced with financial
hardships every month that temp us to “fall back” on credit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">Five years ago we made the commitment to trust God
with our finances. Recently as a family
we realized the need to renew that same commitment by putting away the credit cards
and allow the Lord to FULLY be our Provider 110%! What will we do if tomorrow
we get in the van and it breaks down? The Lord will provide and care for us.
What will we do if we’re out of cash and the cabinets and refrigerator is empty
and our daughter and unborn baby need fed? God will not let us starve because
His promises are real and always reliable!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg9u_03zcsid_Z4ycxOeEOLnZGV6haoUC58INjVf6kYMtHEGDgIZ_Qc4mFd8nggELeA0R_ukw9SWfpPHbFoHBAP4ItD7YVZTwOHRwiAJB-BlwT98bewlb2WiDqMRclD0GTHED3NUoQSA/s1600/mogoko.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkg9u_03zcsid_Z4ycxOeEOLnZGV6haoUC58INjVf6kYMtHEGDgIZ_Qc4mFd8nggELeA0R_ukw9SWfpPHbFoHBAP4ItD7YVZTwOHRwiAJB-BlwT98bewlb2WiDqMRclD0GTHED3NUoQSA/s320/mogoko.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">You know, we have been to Africa 3 times! Our
ministry has been a conduit for providing for others’ needs in amazing ways
every month for years now. In addition, God has grown this ministry to nearly 50
international branches. If God can do all these things, surely He can provide
for our month to month needs as well as provide a way out of our debt and stop
the cycle from continuing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">So, why you ask, have I laid bare our financial
situation and how does this relate to the title? I have shared this difficult
situation because it is the one thing I have kept hidden in my “vault”, ashamed
to allow others to see it, fearful of what others might think. But I know for sure that there are other Christians out there struggling with
the same situation and feeling the false dilemma pushing the credit cards into
their hands at the grocery store and I have to ask myself, if God want us to
confess our hardships and bear one another’s burdens, why am I so willing to
hide my own? I need to remember that when I do share the contents of my “vault”
it is for the encouragement and edification of others. How can we share burdens
if we live out our lives as bank vaults; keeping everything private, locked
away from the public and not letting anyone know we have problems? How can I
pray for my sister in Christ when she shares an “unspoken prayer request” and
how can others pray for me when I do the same? David and I always ask for
people to pray for us but how will they know what to pray for if we don’t want
to share with them everything that we’re struggling with?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text"><br /></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text">Brothers and sisters let us bear with each
other, let us confess our hardships and sins to others and let us be ever ready
to be there with the mind of Christ when we’re called upon to share someone
else’s burden. Let us allow the Lord to fully take care of our families, don’t
allow our wrong and unbiblical thinking lead us into false dilemmas. Whatever
situation you are facing right now, God has your provisions and blessings
waiting, all we have to do is put the credit cards away, throw away
depression/anxiety pills and stop looking in other places for “help” and
“answers”. As I close out this article I
would like to share some verses that have encouraged me and the Holy Spirit uses
often to remind me of the importance of relying solely on the Lord: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="text">2 Chronicles 16:9<span style="color: #660000;"> “For the eyes of the </span></span><span class="small-caps" style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span></span><span class="text" style="color: #660000;"> range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are
fully committed to him…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="line">
<span class="text"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="text"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Proverbs 3:5-6 </span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Trust in the Lord with all your
heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him
and He will direct your path”</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="text">His Servant,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="text">Heather Ingram<o:p></o:p></span></div>
David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-38735047685157904562012-08-24T20:41:00.000-04:002012-08-24T20:59:48.727-04:00Where does your hope come from? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzaXabt3-ZHkl32PYGsZ6sDHto9M8z_xAzJJH5egIDWdzPK1XTViNvhi8GxG5jg1K09YDGmi_RDDkG00-u1BRRxnlo2auBEeIFdU6RY9p3bI0M7Lm-hIlTPhyphenhyphenY2glASM_jMrq2TBwIOo/s1600/IMG_4533+(2304+x+1728)+(1800+x+1600).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzaXabt3-ZHkl32PYGsZ6sDHto9M8z_xAzJJH5egIDWdzPK1XTViNvhi8GxG5jg1K09YDGmi_RDDkG00-u1BRRxnlo2auBEeIFdU6RY9p3bI0M7Lm-hIlTPhyphenhyphenY2glASM_jMrq2TBwIOo/s320/IMG_4533+(2304+x+1728)+(1800+x+1600).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.</span> </b></span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Psalm 121 </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have not shared this publicly, and only my closer family and friends knew about it but during the time I was on my 40 days of renewal I was also dealing with an issue of my own. When we first learned of Heather’s pregnancy we were very excited to say the least. We scheduled an appointment and went in to have the blood work done. I had been having pains in my chest and so I made an appointment for myself to see the Dr. My right breast was very tender and was a little bigger than the other. He did an exam and shared that he felt something there and said I better go and get a mammography. Heather’s blood work came back confirming that she was indeed pregnant. My emotions that day were a bit scrambled. I was overjoyed knowing we were expecting our second child and at the same time fearful that I might not be there to see it grow up. News that the Dr. thinks you may have cancer is difficult especially when you half to discuss it with him in a combination of English and Spanish. He ordered tests for blood and urine. I left his office trying to stay positive and yet found myself fearful of the uncertain news. The following month I kept the matter in prayer. I have a close friend who also was my teacher in HS. He just had surgery for cancer a couple weeks ago. He is a strong Christian man and a good friend. I found that it was a great comfort to be able to talk with him about the aspect of unknowing and trusting in the Lord come what may. The Bible says.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2 Corinthians 1:3-5</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>When we do suffer we do so knowing two things. The first is that we are never alone in our suffering. God is always with us. In the ups and downs of my life I can attest that this is most definitely true. The other thing we can know as we have suffered and found our comfort in the Lord is that we too can comfort others when they suffer. When I meet a person who is divorced I can minister to them in away a person who has not been through a divorce would be able to and have learned to trust in the Lord in a distinct way. I have been through it and am on the other side happier and wiser than I have been or had hoped for when I was in the midst of it and can share of this hope with those who are suffering through it and can’t yet see how God will bring them through it. <br />
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Sadly, this aspect of building one another up in the faith does not happen as it once did. Christians are too busy, too disconnected or just fearful of what others would say. Each culture has certain mindsets that define it. For America the notion of pulling yourself up by the bootstraps is prevalent. Even in the church, though it is contrary to scripture. Christ does not expect us to do it on our own. He said He knew that we could not accomplish His will on our own. He shared that He was going to send us another just like Him. He has given us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit goes with us from day to day. He empowers us, convicts of sin, reminds us of the word of God, and gives us the words to speak even when we have no words among many more wonderful things. We are promised that we are never alone in this world and that God is always with us, that He will never leave us or forsake us. <br />
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It is unfortunate if the Christians around you are not mature enough in their faith to pray with you, encourage you with the word of God, give you a shoulder to cry on, comfort you as they had been comforted, and know enough of the scriptures to remind you of where your hope comes from. In my darkest times in the midst of so many flawed voices there have always been those one or two people strong in the Lord who have been able to go to God’s word and share with me words of hope and peace. Whether or not others have been there for you in this way I pray that after you finish reading this you will determine in your heart to be this way for those the Lord will bring into your life. <br />
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We need not put our faith in anything else other than Christ. I need to be reminded of this as much as anyone else. My friend recently helped me to remember that when I needed it. If I can be there for you, I hope you will give me the opportunity to do so. <br />
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I did get my results back over a week ago. My blood and urine tests came back all better than normal. In fact the Dr. was very impressed with the results albeit a bit surprised. I had to have an ultrasound in place of the mammography. My tests came back perfect. I am doing much better now. <br />
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With each trial we face in life we have one of two choices, will I trust God or will I place my hope in trust in someone or something else. As we have all seen in one form or another trusting in anything apart from God is not without its own types of risks whether that be, relationships, wealth, education or medical experts, medications, illegal drugs, ext. These often come along with unexpected consequences. Sometimes the risks are not as bad as we thought while other times they cost us more than we had intended. <br />
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These things I know for sure. We who are brothers and sisters in the Lord should be quick to lift one another up in the faith, to comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God We must always be willing to place their needs above our own. Sadly telling them to straighten up, snap out of it or handing them a pill is easier for us to do. Knowing what God’s word says and how it applies to our lives, praying with others and not just about them, and sharing with others that you have learned as you have suffered that when God says in his word,”.. that we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..” You can do so not because you have read it once but because He has proved it to be true in your life and He will prove it in their lives as well as they hold on to the hope and future God has for him. <br />
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When I was at my lowest point in my life a man, mature in the faith, gave me this passage of scripture and my life was forever changed. Perhaps God will use it to change your life as well. <br />
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<b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing;now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches,for I give water in the wilderness,rivers in the desert,to give drink to my chosen people,the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.</span> Isa. 43:18-21</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">God Bless,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">David Ingram</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">New Day Christian Ministry</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Isa. 43:18-21</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">www.newdaycm.org</span></div>
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David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7516695768239815181.post-24357113589984860732012-07-12T13:42:00.004-04:002012-07-12T19:58:19.088-04:00Prayer and Support For Jesper Moreka<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzX-U2sGq0zCBnhBB26hLOlWTYlXxGt4MY1JB7uzkG6ANQ3wFu2mY-39mRkrcPmRkJ2VTMcpuqyAd3xIVYO-nuhOGV0Bql1zIh4AbtiYaeMHjiAxWxbZfVQl5tKr9sjtXz8wj71Lulac/s1600/Resper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzX-U2sGq0zCBnhBB26hLOlWTYlXxGt4MY1JB7uzkG6ANQ3wFu2mY-39mRkrcPmRkJ2VTMcpuqyAd3xIVYO-nuhOGV0Bql1zIh4AbtiYaeMHjiAxWxbZfVQl5tKr9sjtXz8wj71Lulac/s320/Resper.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resper Moreka Recovering</td></tr>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Imperial; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: normal;">In 2009 Peter Siobe after having left our first leaders training conference set out to help new branches get started in Kisii, Kenya and beyond. Brother Joseph and his wife Resper Moreka were among those first new leaders. Joseph leads NDCM Awendo and has since it was established in 2009 not long after our first training conference. Joseph is very much like our own Timothy. It is one of the youngest of our leaders and where ever Peter is Joseph is not far behind. They have both traveled together extensively establishing new branches. Joseph and Peter were traveling to prepare for our newest church plant in the town Opapo where Peter spent last month in while his family was in the hospital. While they were there they we received the horrible news that in the night robbers had broke into Joseph’s home and attacked his wife Resper and taken all of their things. They traveled back through the night to reach her not knowing fully what to expect. The assailants had left her for dead after cutting off her hand, tongue, while also cutting her leg and back, leaving her for dead. She is currently in Tabaka private hospital recovering. They both will need all of the prayers and support we can give them. Their medical bills are mounting. They are needing 48,000 KES. ($575) Our NDCM branches are already taking up collections. They have raised 5,000 KES ($60) so far. If you feel the Lord leading to help this wonderful brother and sister in the Lord you can give a donation here now by clicking on the following link: </span><a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=VRKTEAYY4V23W"><span lang="en-US" style="color: #0000cc; font-family: Imperial; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: normal;">https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=VRKTEAYY4V23W</span></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Imperial; font-size: 13.5pt; font-weight: normal;">Any amount will be greatly appreciated!<br /> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Imperial; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><br />
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Imperial; font-size: 13.5pt;">Update:</span></h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmR4Ogq-fYs5UT_kFjcqD6gyHc4AqwOokDTR0kk9jbsu0yRERwVVOodovDrr0GzGtFl7QVu-_yLndjsE7BcdzrVlLSp4qYMcQKRvL7Z6j3o6R1OsS1LeSgH4XhgKHPPmJO4iN0ZvgFbA/s1600/IMG_1915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUmR4Ogq-fYs5UT_kFjcqD6gyHc4AqwOokDTR0kk9jbsu0yRERwVVOodovDrr0GzGtFl7QVu-_yLndjsE7BcdzrVlLSp4qYMcQKRvL7Z6j3o6R1OsS1LeSgH4XhgKHPPmJO4iN0ZvgFbA/s320/IMG_1915.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David with Joseph Moreka </td></tr>
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<span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 13pt; font-weight: normal;">Hello,</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 13pt; font-weight: normal;">
I hope you are doing well. last Sunday I did a service at NDCM Awendo church to see on how they are doing, and I was so much blessed. pastor Joseph was not able to attend the service because he was sick and confused mentally but we prayed with him and he hopes to come normal soon. we are praying that God will provide the remaining amount because the bill is coming up and it is preventing the release of her from the hospital. I thank the churches from Kisii, Tanzania, Mombasa ,and Rwanda for their response by now we are able to raise 5,500 Kenya shillings plus 10, 000 Kenya shillings which the churches had raised for the conference at Opapo. So the total amount we have in cash is 15, 500 kes ($185 USD). so we are lacking 32, 500 kes ($387 USD). Kindly because the bill is going higher as she stay in the hospital its our prayer that God to open ways for the remaining amount, and remember that family and pastor Joseph to gain and come back to the ministry. God bless you and yours.<br /> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 13pt; font-weight: normal;"> ~Peter Siobe~ NDCM Mochengo<br /> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/:%20https:/www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=VRKTEAYY4V23W"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 13pt; font-weight: normal;">(Click Here)</span></a><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: Corbel; font-size: 13pt; font-weight: normal;"> to help this special couple in the Lord. <br />
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<br /></div>David Ingramhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10665267080168766025noreply@blogger.com0