Isaiah 58

Monday, I posted about how reading through Repenting of Religion was like having water poured out on a dry and weary land. (see "All We Need Is...") The very next day in Jesus Calling one of the Scripture references was Isaiah 58:11.

And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire (soul) in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. (NASB, emphasis mine)

What a great visual to apply to what I was already feeling. I definitely wanted to post something about this, but didn't get around to it. Today, I copied this verse down on two index cards, one for my bathroom mirror and one for my purse. I like to think of the purse Scriptures as my "promises on the go!"

Then, just a few hours ago, I found a stray index card with a Scripture on it laying on my desk. Hmmm...interestingly enough, it was Isaiah 58:12. I remember writing it down when I went through Living Beyond Yourself the second time. Here's what I read when I picked it up:

Those from among you
Shall build the old waste places.
You shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach
The Restorer of Streets to Dwell In. (NKJV)

Having read these back to back on two consecutive days, I decided to give a read through to the entire chapter of Isaiah 58 so I could understand the context. I invite you to do the same now by clicking on that link.

Verses 1 and 2 sound like first, a call to Isaiah to call out the sin in Israel, but then He switches gears and talks about how much the people delight in Him, so maybe there's a little more to this than I understand by just diving into the passage at chapter 58. But here's what began to catch my eye...verse 3. It seems the people are fasting and humbling themselves and they feel like God isn't taking notice. But He reminds them that even during their fasts, they still satisfy their own desires and "drive hard" their laborers. By verse 4, He's all out accusing them of not fasting so their voice will be heard on high, but rather they fast for "contention and strife and to strike with a wicked fist." Obviously, the outward practices don't line up with the truth that is hidden in the heart.

In verses 6 and 7, God proceeds to tell Israel the type of fast that He would choose...a fast that

• loosens the bonds of wickedness
• undoes the bands of the yoke (heavy burdens in the King James)
• lets the oppressed go free
• breaks every yoke
• divides your bread with the hungry
• brings the homeless poor into the house
• when you see the naked, covers him
• hides (veils) yourself from your own flesh (nakedness)

What happens when we participate in God's type of fast? (verses 8 and 9)

• your light will break out like the dawn (talk about the most amazing Breaking Dawn ever!)
• your recovery will speedily spring forth (not walk forth...spring forth!)
• your righteousness will go before you
• the glory (true character) of God will be your right guard (yep...He'll have your back!)
• then you will call and He will answer (you don't even have to go without food, humble yourself or lay on a bed of ashes...verses 3, 5)
• you will cry and God will answer "Here I am"

Sounds incredible doesn't it? Oh, but there's more in verse 9, when we:

• remove the heavy burden from your midst which is the pointing finger and speaking wickedness
• give yourself to the hungry
• satisfy the desire (soul) of the afflicted

What's the result? We're coming up to the verses God gave me over the last two days, the second half of verse 10 along with 11 and 12 :

• your light will rise in darkness
• your gloom will become like midday
• the LORD will continually guide you
• He'll satisfy the scorched places of your soul
• He'll give strength to your bones (not just your muscles...but all the way down to your bones!)
• He'll water you like a watered garden...it will be like a spring of water whose waters don't end
• Those that fast God's way will rebuild ancient ruins (NO life has been ruined so long that we cannot aid God in the rebuilding of it! Hallelujah!)
• We will raise up age-old foundations (We won't be building for this temporary earthly kingdom...rather working on the foundations of a kingdom that has existed before time on earth began!)
• We will be called the repairer of the breach (Wherever the "walls" have been breached in the past by sin, they will now be repaired!)
• We will be known as the restorer of streets to dwell in

This is a lot of lists, I know...but what I hope you draw from them is that sacrificing "things" like food or going without (fasting) so that we can hear from God, may not be what He really wants from us. He'd much rather that we'd find a way to bestow honor with food, clothing or shelter for those whom society overlooks. Sacrificing our comfort for others is what reveals God's kingdom to the world. Loving others out of our limited resources is a blessing in and of itself. And although giving sacrificially is what we're called to without expecting any reward...there are rewards, benefits or blessings that are evident when we live this way...that's what the last list is.

Look at that list again. Wow! Over the last year, I've been learning more about the discipline of fasting...but maybe I've had it all wrong. While abstaining from food is admirable and does produce a spiritual awareness and discernment...it appears that God's kingdom is best lived out fasting the way that blesses the poor and downtrodden. Not only do we receive the blessing of giving to others, but in the process of serving, we are revived, refreshed and renewed.

Time and again, God tells us to serve the poor, love the downtrodden and bless those who are afflicted. What will it take before we listen? Maybe passages such as these that list the blessings of a sacrificial life will enourage us to do so. I pray this is true...there is a lost and dying world that's counting on it!

November Financial Statement

Here's the November Financial Statement for Boundless Ministries.

End of Month Prayer Requests and Updates

Here are the latest Updates and Prayer Requests for Boundless Ministries and the single moms we have the privilege of getting to know.

I'm going to add an additional request:
I know from first-hand experience that the holidays exacerbate the financial crisis that most single moms face. I've already seen one mom joke about this on Facebook...particuarly wondering if her kids will accept IOUs under their Christmas tree.
In the midst of your revelry, cheer and good times, when the Holy Spirit brings some of these families to mind, please pray specifically for their peace and for joy even when there are no "things" to celebrate the season with. Pray that they can begin to delight in Jesus their Savior and that the children who already are accustomed to going without so much are comforted and can have the hearts turned toward the "things" that are eternal.
I'm not sure I expressed this well...but it's just been on my heart lately for so many of the families we know!

As always, we are greatly thankful for our Prayer Partners that walk beside us on this journey by praying for these requests. If you would ever like to become a Prayer Partner for Boundless Ministries, please send me an e-mail at a.barthauer@gmail.com with "Receive Prayer Requests" in the subject line of the message.

"All We Need is..."

Love!

Right?

It's exactly what I've needed the last week or so...and it's exactly what my Abba has been pouring out on me! It may sound very melodramatic, but the feeling has been like water being poured out onto a dry and weary land. The odd thing is, I didn't even realize how parched I was.

For several weeks I've been thinking that I should pick up Repenting of Religion by Gregory Boyd and read it again. It's been at least five years since I read it. I remembered it being good at the time and speaking directly to many issues in our life...but I couldn't quite get my head around why I should pick it up again now.

Finally I did...and my soul has been drinking it in...gulping is probably the more appropriate word. From the first day, I wanted to blog about it but have been hesitant because I really don't think I can do justice to the book without copying large portions of it here and I really do want to honor copyright law. So bear with me as a share (possibly over the next several days) the lessons I'm learning or being reminded of...because they are too amazing to not share them!

I guess I could sum up the whole book with the Beatles song title that I quoted in the title of this blog...but honestly, that's a bit simplistic. God's Love is simple, but in our culture we have to be very specific to understand what this Love is not: It's not phileo (brotherly love), eros (sexual love/passion) or storge (affection for a thing). Rather it is agape, an unconditional, never-changing, all-consuming love that is only perfectly fulfilled by God in the life of Jesus the Messiah.

I John 4:8, 16 tell us that God is Love! That's where we begin...and what an awesome place to start! Boyd quotes Peter Kreeft: "Love is God's essence. Nowhere else does Scripture express God's essence in this way. Scripture says God is just and merciful, but it does not say that God is justice or mercy itself. It does say that God is love, not just a lover. Love is God's very essence. Everything else is a manifestation of this essence to us, a relationship between this essence and us. This is the absolute, everything else is relative to it." (Knowing the Truth About God's Love: The One Thing We Can't Live Without)

God's very essence...I like that. Better yet, I've experienced that...and it's great to be reminded of it! In fact, as I've read through these 50 or so pages, I've been reminded a lot of a former pastor we were blessed to have. Weekly he spoke of God's Love and how we are all "loved, accepted and forgiven" and to be honest, there were some people that didn't like to hear that so often. That makes them sound harsh or somehow bad...and that's not what I mean at all. I think they just got tripped up by arguments like Paul's in Romans 6:1 "Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?" And that couldn't be further from what was being taught in our church. Paul's reply is actually pretty strong, "By no means!" The Cottonpatch Gospel paraphrases with a very southern, "Hell no!" (Sorry if that offends...but for me, it perfectly fits!)

Boyd says, "Whenever the grace of God is preached uncompromisingly, we should expect people who have a fleshly mind to have this misunderstanding (Rom 8:6-7; I Cor 2:14). But it is a misunderstanding!" But I tell you what...every week when I left those services, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was loved...with an unsurpassable, unconditional, unfathomable Love like I would never experience apart from a relationship with my Abba. This was at a time in my life when I absolutely needed to know this...unequivocally...and I was blessed to have a pastor telling me (and hundreds of others) this message almost weekly. Not by coincidence, we came into possession of Boyd's book because he gave it to Dale.

All these years later, I'm at a different place emotionally, spiritually and even physically. Yet, God's love remains the same. But, there are parts of this book that I feel like I'm reading for the first time and I am soaking it up...I guess I'm at a place where I absolutely need to know the Love of God again...and I think I know why He's brought me back to this book at this time.

The message that has really impacted me, I don't even remember reading before. It's so deeply meaningful that I think I must have just missed it completely the first time. I'll do my best to put it into words...mostly Boyd's words though.

When Jesus died on the cross, He ascribed unsurpassable worth to me, to you, to everyone. And because He participates in the Triune relationship with God and the Holy Spirit, they too, ascribed unsurpassable worth to us. Since I have believed (put my trust with) Jesus, I am in Christ. Paul says, we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20). Because of this...I too participate in the Love of the Father, through Jesus.

Then here's what's been sinking in and I've been delighting in: As we allow this Love to transform our hearts, our minds and our very lives...we become confident of who we are in Christ. I am loved by the very God of the universe...so it doesn't matter what someone else may think of me. I become assured of my standing before God and it completely revolutionizes who I am...and how I love.

The subtitle to this book is "Turning from Judgment to the Love of God" and as we embrace His Love...open up every part of our lives to His perfect Love...we can't help but want to live out this Love with others. Jesus told us the two greatest commandments were to love God with all of our self and to love others as we love ourselves. As Boyd puts it, He was banking everything on Love. Because of this, we shouldn't be asking ourselves if we've conquered a particular sin in our life, if we have the best facility or programs or even if we're growing our churches exponentially...miracles don't even matter. The one "measuring rod", so to speak, that we can even consider using is "Are we growing in our capacity to love all people?"

So when you look at my life, if you're judging me by any other standard, you are not judging according to God's commandments. Simply ask, "Is she growing in her capacity to love all people?"

I'm still formulating this all in my mind...still chewing on it...asking God to put this all together for me to understand with His discernment, not my own, but the conviction that Chan, Platt, Stearns and others share in their books regarding saving the lost and dying world is valid...for the most part, we in the American church are not reaching out to those all over the world who have not even heard the name of Jesus let alone been helped to understand the healing power of His Love.

Is it too great of leap to say that it may be because we haven't opened up our own lives to the power of His Love? If I truly believe that God, through the life and death of Jesus Christ ascribed unsurpassable worth to my life and allows me to participate in His Love, why wouldn't I want to shout that out to the whole world?

There is a direct correlation to the increase in Love I have opened myself up to and how much more I'm noticing the need for Love in others. For months I've been saying it's God replacing my desires with His. Well at it's most basic, His desire is to Love all...so it should  be my desire too, right?

While I admire David Platt, Francis Chan and the many others that have been challenging me to get outside of my own egocentricity, I'm beginning to see that maybe we simply need to start with proclaiming God's Love. Once we grasp that...even while still in the process of grasping it...as we're filled to overflowing with this boundless Love of God...we won't be able to stop ourselves from proclaiming it to anyone who will listen.

Just in case I wasn't catching on to what He was trying to say, He brought me back to this passage in Psalm 119:29-32.

Remove the false way from me,
And graciously grant me Your law.
I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.
I cling to Your testimonies;
O LORD, do not put me to shame!
I shall run the way of Your commandments,
For You will enlarge my heart.

When the false love that this world offers is removed and I place His ordinances, before me and I choose His faithful (His really real reality) Way...running in His commandments to love Him with everything in me and to love everyone else as I love myself...what will He do? He will enlarge my heart.

That's why He brought me back to this book at this time. He wanted to remind me of His Love because there is a whole world out there that needs desperately to know it too! Amen!

Mentioned in this post:

Slumdog Millionaire

I know this movie has been out a few years. I know it was very popular when it originally came out. I also know it received the Oscar for Best Picture. But more than this, my original memory and emotions I experienced still stuck with me when I watched it again a few nights ago.

I remember sitting in the theatre with very few other patrons. I remember that I went to the movie by myself...because I just knew it would be the kind of movie I'd want to see by myself. But most of all, I remember being shocked, appalled and at times disgusted by the living conditions and utter chaos these children had to endure.

I mean, I could tell myself it was a fictitious story with a happy ending...but I just couldn't get past the images of that slum...that garbage dump...that "orphanage" that takes them in...and what they had to do to survive. Because no matter how much I told myself, 'It's just a movie'...I knew deep in my soul that these three fictional children represent millions more that really live in these types of conditions.

So a few nights ago, when I was looking for a movie to watch, I intentionally watched this movie to remind myself one more time that I have absolutely no reason to complain about anything in my life. Now I'm not one to believe in "happy accidents"...so to say that merely by happenstance or a simple accident of birth that could be me...doesn't comfort me. In fact, it challenges me even more. One of the major points David Platt makes in Radical is that because we have the privilege of knowing Jesus as Savior, we have the same responsibility to carry the knowledge of His saving Love to this lost and dying world.

As deeply disturbing as is the living conditions portrayed in this movie, if it is not even more deeply disturbing to me that more than a billion people living on this earth are living without ever having even heard the Name of Jesus...then I have to ask myself some serious questions about my faith.

I know, a fairly serious post regarding a movie that was probably filmed with just the intention of providing entertainment. Honestly though...I see more and more each day that God really isn't concerned with my entertainment...but He is concerned with what I do regarding the blessing of knowing Him that I've been given.


Mentioned in this post:

Thankful for the Privilege

This time of year, we Americans, focus on being thankful. We have a holiday for it, in fact...Thanksgiving Day. It used to be a bigger deal when I was a kid, but now it gets shoved aside because everything Christmas, including music and Santa, comes out in our stores the day after Halloween. Many purists fight to give Thanksgiving Day it's rightful place. They refuse to decorate for Christmas, listen to the radio stations that play all Christmas music and won't even buy Christmas presents until the day after Thanksgiving. And this year, I've noticed a large number of my Facebook friends posting the reasons why they're thankful. Many are even trying to post something new daily.

These posts have ranged from coffee to a warm bed to sleep in. Thanks for friends, family, church, small groups, favorite restaurants, safety, employment, and various other blessings have been offered throughout the month.

Do you notice the things that are missing?

I have yet to see anyone say "Thankful that my husband lost his job this year", "Thankful that we're living hand to mouth with nothing to spare", "Thankful that my parent passed away", "Thankful for being brought up in a broken home", "Thankful that my kids are doing poorly in school", "Thankful for being falsely accused of wrongdoing" or "Thankful that my marriage is falling apart". You may be thinking, "Is she thankful she's losing her mind?" Why would we be thankful for the nasty stuff in our lives...the pain...the grief...the burdens...the "yuck"?

Glad you asked! Please do not think that I make light of anyone's pain! Here's what I read last week in Habakkuk:
"Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD is my strength..." (Hab. 3:17-19a, NASB)

I intended to write these verses down on an index card and put it on my bathroom mirror last week, but the day got away from me and I never got back to doing it. Well, I guess God wanted me to remember this lesson, because it was one of the Scripture references for Jesus Calling today.

Both times I've read this Scripture, I've been reminded of a "crisis" point that God brought me to back in May 2010. I'd had dinner with someone and they said something like, 'I wish your family could just get a break.' It wasn't me, it had to be the Holy Spirit who in that moment gave me the ability to reply, "Being completely dependent on God for absolutely everything...I can't imagine a better place to be."

A day or so later as I reflected on that conversation, I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude...I think like I've never experienced before...and I soon found myself face down on my floor, sobbing and telling God, "Thank You for the privilege of living this life." This life in which others can see You working. This life in which others can see Your Hand of provision. This life that may have lost everything material...but has culminated in the opposite of Jesus' warning: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26, NASB)

I still vividly remember that day and look back on it as a day when I put a "stake in the ground" that keeps me focused on God...not on self-pity or wallowing. I can't truthfully say I've never doubted or struggled since that day...because in many ways our circumstances are even worse than they were on that day in May 2010, but self-pity and wallowing have no longer been the prevailing attitude hanging over my life since I humbly submitted and thanked God for the privilege of all we've gone through.

Now, I readily admit that losing everything financially and not knowing where the money for bills is going to come from is a far cry from many of the trials that others have faced. There is deep nastiness in many of our lives for which we could never dream of being thankful...or is that just our own perception of our trials?

This has challenged me the last few days, and particularly since I read these verses in Habakkuk again this morning. So today I thought back over some of the no good, awful, very bad...yes, nasty...stuff that has happened in my life. I intentionally even tried to think of the things that have happened through no fault of my own...the things for which our culture would say we are the "victim": issues with pettiness from others in my past (sometimes not directed at me, but at people I loved); my past grievances with the way I was raised; the loss of two children through miscarriage; my dad's sin that robbed my children of a typical grandfather relationship; the death of my father-in-law before two of our children where even born; my grandmother attempting to turn into her driveway and being run over by a man that had admittedly smoked pot recently; and yes, the loss of our home, half of our stuff, our car and the lifestyle with which we were comfortable...and this is only the beginning.

Today...I chose to thank God for ALL of it...the good...the bad...and the downright ugly. And the things that are too personal to even put here...yeah, I thank Him for those too! Why? Because even if it seems like there was absolutely no redeeming value to what I went through (even though with almost all of these there is!)...the thing to be thankful for is that He brought me through it.  It didn't kill me...and what's that saying? "If it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger."

And if I truly believe that anything God allows to happen to me is for my good and His glory...then there has to be good for me in each of these. If I'm growing stronger in Him and He's able to shape me into becoming more like the woman He created me to be...that is to His glory (revealing His true character).  I was even able to share a little of this lesson with my kids this morning and we talked about even the loved ones that we've lost...we can be confident it was for their good because they now stand before their God complete and worshipping Him for all eternity.

What did Paul assure us? "For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison..." (2 Corinthians. 4:17, NASB) Even if the rest of my life is spent suffering one trial after another...this is "momentary" and "light" compared with the heaviness of the weight of glory when we stand before our God for all of eternity.

Do you think Abraham Lincoln grasped this when he legalized Thanksgiving as a national holiday? Southern states began seceding right after his election. He's the only U.S. President to come to Washington for his inauguration in the cover of night. He's the only one to serve over a divided nation for his entire term. He was assassinated before the final end to the Civil War. He never knew a day of complete peace during his presidency. Yet, in 1863...in the midst of the bloodiest fighting this nation has ever known...while small towns lost an entire generation of young men...our country celebrated it's first nationally declared holiday of Thanksgiving. I can't think of a worse time in our nation's history to officially celebrate being thankful...but we did!

So I challenge you...it won't be easy...and it will take intentional thought, much prayer, and an openness to giving up some of your wounds and scars. In other words, this is something that could turn your way of thinking completely upside down...but the things which have happened to you and/or your family...for which the world says you deserve to be hurt, depressed, maybe even bitter...on this day, you feel God's Holy Spirit leading you to thank Him for how He has moved and worked in your life through that situation. You may choose to just start with the most recent circumstance and let Him lead you from there.

Two things I can absolutely guarantee you if you allow Him to lead you to do this:

1. It will be one of the most difficult spiritual exercises you will ever do, and
2. You will experience His Spirit as Comforter in a whole new way.

And do not forget..."where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" (2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mentioned in this post:

Follow Up on the Purple Ba

If you're thoroughly confused and don't know what a "Purple Ba" is...you need to read my previous post, Two Not So Simple Questions. But I just wanted to give some closure to this great gift my daughter was willing to give in an effort to do "Whatever it takes."

I washed her blanket (Purple Ba) and Noah's quilt as well and was planning to take them with us when we volunteered at LifeLine Ministries last night. To be honest, yesterday it did cross my mind to ask her if she was certain this was what she wanted to do...but I kept my mouth shut and proceeded as planned. I laundered the blankets, folded them and had them laying on our bed, ready to go.

And then about 30 minutes before we left, I saw her lay her head down on my bed...on her blanket. I didn't want her to second guess her decision, so I just asked if she was trying to get one last cuddle with her blanket...she said yes. Well, she took a few more "drags"...for lack of a better word...and I was beginning to get concerned. One of her siblings even came in and was sort of questioning why she would give this away when it is so special to her. Her reply made it sound like it was no big deal.

Then right before we left, I headed out of my room to get a bag to carry the blankets in...but she thought I was leaving and yelled after me..."Mommy, don't forget to take my blanket."...so I knew all was good...and this was the right choice for her.

I know it doesn't make sense why we would give up our most valued treasure to serve God, or even why He would ask us to. But He gave His best and His all for us...I pray that when He asks, I can do the same.

And final update: Two of the three clients I interviewed at LifeLine last night asked for blankets and sheets. One man had just moved into a new apartment and has been sleeping on the floor with nothing underneath him. I don't think our blankets went out last night, because I know the servants at LifeLine sort through everything before it leaves. But I have prayed for these gifts of love from my kids to be used to keep someone warm and that God's glory and Love will be shared when they are given. I can have confidence that prayer will be answered.

Two Not-So-Simple Questions

Last Friday while reading through Radical, I was struck by something David Platt asked, "What would happen if we stopped asking how much we could spare and started asking how much it was going to take?"

Two questions that are easy to ask...yet each carry such different choices/consequences to the answers:

1. What can I spare? or
2. What will it take?

The very next day in Jesus Calling, Sarah Young had a Scripture refrence that I've read before...but in the context of having chewed on these two questions for about 24 hours...absolutely floored me:

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32, NASB)

Young's devotional was about learning to accept God's good things freely. But what struck me was this word...spare.

God didn't ask "What can I spare?" when He knew there needed to be a Way made for salvation. No, He asked "What will it take?" And then...He did it...costing Him absolutely everything in the process. If I call myself a Jesus follower and my heart's desire is to be more like Him...which question should I be asking?

Every time I give away my extras or spares and pat myself on the back about it, am I just missing the point? We have so much to spare in America, can we even get to the bottom of the second question? These are some of the questions I've been asking myself the last few days.

And today, I decided to run it by my kids...pose these questions to them. They all told me something they could "spare" and then I challenged them to think about and tell me later something they could give or do with their time that is an example of doing whatever it takes. I gave them some examples of not just sacrificing stuff but maybe giving up some media time to write a letter to someone or doing an extra unpaid chore...the possibilities are endless. Just so you know we're not perfect, some of the first things they suggested to give away were my things. Oh yes, they wanted to freely give away my popcorn popper, our food and even some of my Thanksgiving decorations. I knew this was going to take some time for them to chew on too!

I had a chance to prompt a couple of them later in the day and here's what happened. First, my son made a few witty remarks, but then he said something about giving away an item that reminded him of his quilt. It's a quilt I made for him that he honestly doesn't need. Friends sent him a Colts comforter and he just kept the quilt for sentimental reasons and as an extra layer when he's cold. So technically, I guess this is a spare, except I've asked him before to give it away and he's always said no. Today, he sees the value of giving it to Lifeline because they always have people asking for bedding and blankets...and winter is coming soon.

Then I asked my youngest, and she drew a blank. I told her to think about it and she could let me know later. I went to take a shower and when I came back out, there...laying in front of my bathroom door was a treasure trove that even a few hours later is making me weep. To the casual observer they may be nothing...and honestly the four small stuffed animals, she can spare...but her mermaid Polly pockets are some of her favorites and the Rapunzel Barbie is a sacrifice beyond what I ever thought she would part with....but what they were all laying on...folded neatly underneath...far surpassed anything I ever dreamed my child would give...her Purple Ba. (that's toddler speak for Purple Blanket!)

I know...sounds like a big build up to nothing...but this is not nothing. When each of my last three babies were born, I had crocheted them a baby blanket. But Leah was never attached to hers...instead by the time she was a toddler and she needed a blanket, she went for the Purple Ba...actually a burgundy blanket I crocheted for our family room that was really soft and snuggly, but someone at some point had stuck Silly Putty in it that didn't come out. Leah didn't care and over time the Silly Putty has come out and this Purple Ba has travelled with her to everywhere she has gone. We do not leave for an overnight trip without it. It is a priority at every bedtime.

When I saw this jewel laying on the floor before me, my first inclination was to call for her and ask, "Do you really want to give away the Purple Ba and all of these toys?" But as Holy Spirit choked me up and made me pause to think...first that yes, she could spare the animals, and next that although the Polly Pockets and Rapunzel are very special to her...over time they will not be missed...But "No!" I interjected. I can't allow her to give away part of her childhood. This is my baby we're talking about. And as my eyes brimmed with tears this is what He told my heart, "But you asked her to think 'What will it take?'" So I bit my tongue and instead thanked her and praised her for her willingness to give away so much. I even asked her to think of where we should send these and I think we came up with two really great places...one for the Purple Ba...one for all of the toys.

And a few hours later, as I'm typing this up, I don't know what this lesson will mean to Leah or any of my children but here's what it means to me:

What will it take?

It will take the willingness to give up what comforts me, give up the things that make me feel secure, giving up my treasures that I've held dear for most of my life and yes, it even means that I have to part with my childish ways and grow up to become the woman God created me to be. But most of all, it will take faith like a child and an open palm through which God can pour His blessings so that no matter the cost, no matter the loss...whatever it takes...people will know the saving Love of Jesus.

Amen!

Mentioned in this post:

Bi-Monthly Prayer Requests

God is always moving and working in the lives of His people...and we are extra thankful this month to see Him do so much for the single women we know and love. We've update the Prayer Request Page with a few more requests...but just as many, if not more answers and praises for the wonderful way in which God is displaying His glory! We praise Him ultimately for who He is...not what He does!
Amen!

An Exciting Next Step!

Had a great offer from a couple who are both accountants to sit down with us and explain the process for Boundless Ministries to become a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation. They had already spent some time researching the process and made it much easier for us to understand.

We are very thankful to them for their time, and for God's provision. He obviously led this couple to offer their expertise and experience in His timing and I, once again, just love how He brings everything together to work for our good and His glory.

There is still praying to do and steps to take and His guidance to seek every step along the way...but just having the information...the basics, so to speak, is a great place to start. To top it all off, I love the feeling of no longer being absolutely clueless about where to begin!

Ode to a Red Head

16 years ago today, I heard quite possibly five of the most life-changing words that have ever been spoken to me. As the doctor held my squiggly, wet newborn, he literally yelled, "That baby has red hair!"

And my life has never been the same!

We didn't have an easy time getting her here and a few days later we thought we were going to lose her, but as I've told her and written to her many times over the years, "God gave you life twice...and that must mean He has a special plan for you." I'm sure He does.

As I've watched her grow from the "peanut" the nurses named (She started out at only 5 lb, 11 oz) into the radiant red-headed beauty she's become...I've also had the privilege of watching a loyal, deeply compassionate, loving and kind, creative, gifted, funny, intelligent and wise, mature-beyond-her-years woman emerge from the child I have been blessed to know.

It's still not always an easy time. She is after all, becoming an adult. And two women so similar yet so different in the same household, will at times create some stress. But this is normal.

Conversely, some of my most treasured conversations reveal her to be more mature, deeply rational and a wise intellectual beyond many of the 30-40 year olds I know. If I had viewed relationships and community with the same respect and wisdom as this "child" does even in my 30's...I would be a different person today. There is no following the crowd, no peer pressure to conform, no acting a certain way just to make someone happy. When there is a problem with a friend I have been awed to see her confront the issue, honestly accept her part for any error and work toward reconciliation and restoration of the relationship she holds dear.

I know these glowing accolades will lead some to believe I'm just melancholy, reminiscing because my "baby" is growing up. But I can assure you, I am not one prone to exaggeration and I am truly one of the most critical people you could ever know. That's precisely why I'm so amazed at the woman she has become. You see, she's had to endure a lot from me.

While I floundered to find my footing before my Abba and sought healing from my own upbringing and disappointments and pain from my own past or present...she had to go along for the ride...and it wasn't always a "pleasant jaunt to the sea". I've tried to admit my failings along the way and to be honest that I am not perfect, but I realistically know there will be issues regarding me that someday God will lead her to sort through and let go.

My prayer has always been to never believe that I've raised my children perfectly...but to strive to give them better than what was given me. Shouldn't that be the goal of every generation? My parents for all their failings, did pass on better than was given to them in many ways. As I relish the delightful young woman that she has become...I happen to believe my prayer has been answered!

A Meditation

Over the weekend, I felt like Holy Spirit was giving me a "nudge" in a new direction. I became aware of how every day I as I'm spending a lot of time pouring out my concerns to Him...I'm not spending much time listening to Him. This is similar to what Sarah Young speaks of in her introduction to Jesus Calling. So I wondered what would happen if I just asked Holy Spirit to guide me to a passage or verse in the Bible to meditate on and then I sat quietly, what would He say?

Keep in mind, this is a hodge-podge of things He's laid on my heart over the last several months and pulls from various verses He's led me to recently. On Monday, as I read through Habakkuk 2 again and sat quietly before Him, an interesting thing happened...I began writing my thoughts. In my journal, the first few lines are from my, first person, perspective but then it seemed His thoughts became mine and I think this is what He wanted me to hear:

(It begins with me...) "The knowledge of Your glory will cover the earth like the waters cover the sea! Amen! (Hab. 2:14). I never want to go back to Law- but only by the gospel of Your grace!" (Galatians 3)
(Then it becomes not just my thoughts...)
"Treat Your body as My Temple!
The day you think this isn't a battle, satan already has a foothold. Take up your shield. Always go for the shield!
You will be reproved...but I will gently guide you back to My path. That is true discipline.
My faithfulness, My really, real reality, endures forever- the rest of this is just a smokescreen, a facade...people searching for Me, yet painstakingly satisfying it with other things. Yet they will never be satisfied because it isn't reality. It is falsehood and indulgence and it pacifies the brain but only temporarily. Everyone who's ever existed has been on a quest to find Me and My utopia...but it's not a place...it's a Person and He can only be found when He is sought with all your heart.
Come to Me and rest in My reality, My faithfulness--that is where you will find true peace--not  a false peace of TV, video games, vacations and pleasures. The man of God serving in the bush, passionately seeking Me, though his belly is empty and his clothes are threadbare, he has more peace than the wealthiest man in the world!"

I know this seems to ramble...but that's the way I talk too! It's interesting what He said when I just waited for Him to speak instead of coming to Him with my agenda of concerns to cover. Actually, on that day I think I just summed them all up by saying, 'You know what's on my heart and as they come up throughout the day help me to release them to You. But right now, I just want to hear what You have to say.' I'm glad I listened...He apparently had a lot He wanted to share!

An Amazing Reminder

Usually when someone posts something on Facebook that I like, I share it on Facebook and leave it at that. But this is too good to just "share" and hope someone sees it. Most of the people that read this blog are parents and this story is one we should all hear.

Please read it and be reminded that...

"Parenting, I’ve come to understand, is about loving my child today. Now. In fact, for any parent, anywhere, that’s all there is."

Notes From a Dragon Mom

Wow!

What Do We Believe?

Sometimes we get a little scared...I get that. Sometimes things are shaky...I get that too. And yeah, sometimes things are a little ambiguous...like this blog post so far!

But sometimes...we just have to have faith. And sometimes we have to know what our culture knows so that we can have honest, intelligent, rational conversations about it.

And yes, there is evil in this world. And yes, our enemy does like to pervert the Truth. And of course, we are all tempted by different things, have different weaknesses and varying degrees of spiritual maturity.

Case and point: I do not watch the same types of TV shows or movies that I used to. Over the years, as I've grown deeper in my walk, Holy Spirit has challenged me about the junk I watch and the images that are replayed in my mind. So, yes...I totally understand why people have different convictions regarding media, books and even music. (The key here is, the Holy Spirit convicted me!)

But have you ever even taken a look at a banned book list? Little House on the Prairie is on there, for pete's sake. I mean, instead of reading it with school children and explaining why early settlers were scared of Native Americans and challenging them to use their critical thinking skills as to the reasons why Native Americans weren't nice to the whites that were taking over their lands...let's just not read the book, because it might offend someone's sensibilities.

And as Christians...sometimes can we admit we go off the deep end? I will! I was an obnoxious parent that said I would never let my children read any Harry Potter book...ever! And then my very practical, husband said, "I think you'd like them." He was right. What amazing lessons about sacrificial living for others, how we go wrong in our own selfish pursuits, how people laying down their lives for others is what God calls all of us to do...I could have completely missed the opportunity to share these lessons with my children had I not allowed the possibility that God's Spirit can even work through secular media.

One time in a book group we led, a Christian man was talking about reading the Koran so that he would understand his co-worker's religion and could then have rational conversations with him about the difference between Allah and the God we worship. His comment, "Yes, it is possible to take Jesus with you when you read the Koran," has stuck with me some 6 years later.

So I guess my real question is this...is it possible in our time and in this world, to live so radically close to God's Holy Spirit that we can trust Him to show us what is truth and what is not? Feel free to comment to this post...I'm truly seeking some open dialogue on this.

Last thought on this, I promise...God's Spirit is never the author of fear, doubt or worry...that comes from someone else. So if I'm living my life, sheltered and secluded because I'm afraid that what I'm exposed to will cause me to doubt God...then maybe I need to ask myself a few questions. Do I trust the One I call Lord to keep me from tripping up would be a good place to start!

We All Have Gifts

And don't say that you don't...because it's just not true. In fact, most of us have so many gifts that we don't know where to start to use them. I'm not talking about money or stuff either!

What talent, what vocation, what experience do you have that can be used to serve God and His purpose for your life? At the same time, it will most likely serve others.

Case and point...an accountant has stepped forward and offered his assistance to help us apply for tax-exemption status so that donations made to Boundless Ministries can be tax deductible. We knew this was the direction we were headed, but had no idea where to start. We didn't even have to ask for assistance. God laid it upon this person's heart to offer at just the right time.

There probably aren't too many accountants out there that other than serving on a church's financial committee foresee how their skills can be used...our example isn't only perfect for us...I think it's creative to use his skills in this way.

So what about you? What skill, experience, talent, knowledge or giftedness do you have that can be used to help an individual, a church or a minsitry? Think outside the box a little...get creative...you'll be surprised at how God can use what He's already given you!

Little Did I Know!

With only two months left and an oldest child turning the big "16" next week...I'm in a bit of a reflective mood I guess. On occasion, when I need some inspiration or just some reminders of how faithful God has been, I read some of my past blog posts. This is sort of a journal for me. Yes, the things that are too close or personal to reveal do go into my journal for my eyes only...but I'm such an open book about God's work in me that there isn't much that doesn't get disclosed here.

So I went back to the beginning of this year...and here's what I posted on January 1st:

Here's to a New Year!

Not much to say about the New Year other than once again, I'm sure it will bring big changes. I no longer fear this. I know we all experience change, but if I could timeline or graph the last 6 years of my life, it would show an almost constant state of change.

Yes, there have been "lulls" where maintaining the status quo has occured. But I now view these more as God's season of rest for me. He knows I can only handle so much at a time and by His grace gives me a time of respite. Then during a season of change (or sometimes upheaval!) He is always near...guiding, leading, sheltering, protecting, cheering, but mostly loving me along the way.

Honestly, people that come home from work every day, eat dinner, watch the news, zone out watching TV for a few hours & go to bed day after day...I don't know how they maintain their sanity!? When life is never dull, it keeps your wits sharp, your laughter flowing and your heart so full of God's joy that your eyes are often brimming with tears at just the thought of all He's done for you.

So here's to 2011! Don't know where the LORD will lead us, but as always, I know it will be exciting!

 

"Little did I know" is an understatement at best!

 

How could I know the financial stress and strain, the blessings, the gifts of love from God that would come my way?

 

How could I know the spiritual battles that would be fought or the revelations and huge lessons that He would teach me?

 

How could I know where He would lead us...all the way to saying "yes" to directing a ministry that says to the forgotten and overlooked, "Yes, you are loved with a Boundless love and we would delight in showing you how!"

 

How could I know that the Holy Spirit would say, "In this ministry, I do not want you to solicit donations from anyone. I will show My power and might when My people humble themselves, seek Me and pray."?

 

How could I know?

 

Well, apparently I knew something...because there it is in the last line of that post: "So here's to 2011! Don't know where the LORD will lead us, but as always, I know it will be exciting!"

 

I don't want to write off the last two months of the year...God will continue to do amazing things by the power of His Holy Spirit...but I can't help but think...'If 2011 has been this awesomely awesome...look out 2012...'cause here we come!'

"Child Slavery with Rageh Omaar"

Yesterday, I watched this documentary on TopDocumentaries.com. The quality wasn't that good and it by far wasn't one of the best documentaries I've ever seen...but it carried a message that we all need to hear: There are still, to this day, millions of children that live enslaved in our world.

This BBC production follows Rageh Omaar a man whose parents came from Somalia to England in search of a better life. He is educated and is making a living as a journalist all over the world. He admits that he had begun to take for granted the beggars and street children that he has seen in overcrowded cities but, perhaps because he himself became a father, now wonders about their stories. What happens in a family, in a community, in a country, in a world to create a system that tolerates not hundreds...not thousands...but millions of children who are daily living out there lives as slaves.

Omaar often comes back to the definition of what exactly is slavery. He uses an agreed upon definition such as the one I found on dictionary.com: "Slavery, bondage, servitude refer to involuntary subjection to another or others. Slavery emphasizes the idea of complete ownership and control by a master: to be sold into slavery. Bondage indicates a state of subjugation or captivity often involving burdensome and degrading labor: in bondage to a cruel master. Servitude is compulsory service, often such as is required by a legal penalty: penal servitude" But Omaar returns repeatedly to the idea that we cannot know exactly how many children are enslaved...because there are so many millions more who are not controlled by a "Master"...but are in "subjugation or captivity" to the cruelest "master"...poverty.

Each year, children are sold, sent away from families or take off on their own with the hope that they will find work and can somehow provide for their families by sending money back home. This does not even account for the children that are trafficked through networks with the sole purpose of being exploited for begging, prostitution or military service. All of these except coerced child soldiers (such as the Lord's Resistance Army in Democratic Republic of Congo) are mentioned in this movie.

But as dark and overwhelming as it can be, Omaar also gives attention to the agencies and government programs that are attempting to put an end to child slavery...some even providing rehabilitation and recovery for victims. One such place in Cambodia was started by a woman who as a child was forced into prostitution.

Omaar mainly focuses on Africa and southeast Asia, but this is a global problem. Wherever there is poverty, there is greed, there is evil and there are people taking advantage of the disenfranchised.

If this all seems like too big of a problem...one for which there is no hope...then stop and remember the One who is the giver of hope. Wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (Isaiah 61:1,  Luke 4:18, and II Corinthians 3:17)

Then, there are practical, helpful steps you can take to combat slavery:

• Know where the items you buy come from. I was disgusted to find out that all of those beautiful saris I have admired for years which Indian women wear, most likely come from a "factory" where boys as young as 7 sit on a cold, concrete floor for 18-20 hours a day embroidering them by hand.
• Buy from companies that only sell Fair Trade Certified coffee, chocolate and other items where slavery is common.
• Do not shop at megastores (you know which one I'm talking about in particular!) that do not monitor the vendors and suppliers to verify that fair wages and labor practices are being observed.
• Support organizations like Hagar International, Stop Traffick Fashion and many more who help support survivors of human trafficking.
• The biggest thing we affluent Americans can do is to be aware of where our money goes...that's what being a good steward is all about. And just in case the word "affluent" trips you up, if you have food in your fridge or pantry, have running water, a warm bed to sleep in and clothes not just on your back, but also in your closet...you are affluent by the world's standards!

This post isn't meant to make anyone feel guilty, it's meant to open our eyes to the world around us. There is a world out there that is lost and dying without Jesus Christ and child slavery is just one way in which this manifests itself.  I was reminded in Radical this morning that God gives us His grace, so His glory can be shared with the world. God's heart is for the world. So when we say we're not concerned about what takes place in other countries but rather, we have a "heart for the U.S."...we're admitting that we only care about 5% of God's heart. That just doesn't seem acceptable to me anymore!

Become aware. Educate yourself.  And then, ask God what He wants you to do about it.

The Widow of Zarephath

My friend, a single mom of 3, sent me an e-mail last week expressing her desperate need for heating oil. We sent out an Urgent Request for prayer regarding her need. I knew God's people had been praying...I knew I'd been praying, but on October 29th, I shared how my heart was heavy with so many requests (see "A Heavy Heart"). By Sunday morning as I was 'standing on my guard post and keeping watch for what He will speak to me' (Habakkuk 2:1), I had the thought that we had the $25 in Boundless Ministry funds to repair the fuel gauge for this mom's oil tank.

We hadn't even included this in the prayer requests because that seemed like a minor thing compared to the urgent need for fuel. She didn't even know how low her fuel was because the gauge wasn't registering anything. And as soon as I thought about fixing her fuel gauge...Holy Spirit did a wonderful thing...He reminded me of the Widow of Zarephath.

I Kings 17:1-16 tells the story of Elijah's prediction of drought over the land. First, God sent Elijah to camp out by the brook Cherith and the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening. I recently read, (I think it was in the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day) that ravens are notorious for neglecting to care for their young...but God can redirect the natural, inbred inclination of any animal (yes, even humans!) to do His will for His glory! That's an amazing story in and of itself. But it only gets better...

After a while, even the brook Cherith dries up and God comes to Elijah and says, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” Elijah meets the widow and asks her for a drink of water (remember...it hasn't rained for years...this water would not have been easy to come by!). As she is going to get it, he yells after her to give him a piece of bread too. And here is her reply:  “As the LORD your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks that I may go in and prepare for me and my son, that we may eat it and die.” (verse 12) Elijah reassures her and says 'Go ahead...but make a little cake for me too. Because God has said your flour will not run out and your jar of oil will not run dry until it rains again.'

She did as Elijah requested and they ate together for many days.

Praise His Name! This is what Holy Spirit reminded me of on Sunday morning (it just takes a lot longer to type it out here!) and He added, "Don't fix her fuel gauge...let's go on faith that the oil will not run dry until she has the money to buy more." Ahhh! What a God we serve!

Ohhh...but it just keeps getting better...

I shared this with my friend Sunday night. I told her that we could get her fuel gauge fixed, but God said not to yet...that I was going to have faith that it would not run out until she had the money to get more oil. I also told her that I've been praying to God that we are desperate for Him to come through. I'm not sure how she took in all of this...she has a great spirit and can laugh at the worst of times...but she was having a really low moment over a lot of different issues. Regardless of all that's been happening,  she chuckled and went along with what I was saying anyway.

Then, Monday morning, I wrote this in my journal: "Lord, (mom of 3) desperately needs Your provision and it does not have to come thru us (Boundless Ministries) it needs to come thru You! I just want to hear about it so I can praise You along with her! She needs oil. She needs 4 credit hours to finish her Associates Degree. She needs peace. She needs You!"

About an hour or two later, I logged onto my e-mail and I had a notification of a donation received through Paypal! And it was enough to cover her heating oil! Even two days later...I'm still choking back the tears thinking about how our God works!

Now, in all honesty, I'd been in contact with the donors over a few days and knew they might be donating some money. But I didn't know how much and neither of us had put a timetable on when...so I'd never mentioned it to my friend. I also don't like to "count chickens before they hatch", especially in regards to building up someone else's hopes. So, I truly was not certain of a donation at all when I wrote that prayer in my journal. I also know to compare my friend to the widow of Zarephath may put off some people. After all, she is not a widow...but she has experienced the death of a marriage. We are not living in the midst of a drought or a famine...but there are times that the figurative "brook" runs dry and she is solely dependent upon God's provision.

 But I have to go on...yes...there is even more...

While I am sitting at my kitchen table crunching numbers to see if we'll have enough to cover her oil costs, the phone rings...and it was her! She had some great news to share with me about a possible opportunity that would help to provide for her! She asked me to keep the details under wraps until she knows more. Again, we're not counting those chickens yet! But, I could tell in her voice that she was maybe a little disappointed that I wasn't as excited for her as she thought I would be. There's a few reasons for this: 1. It takes me awhile to process things anymore! (age, I guess!) 2. It almost felt like she "caught" me when the phone rang while I'm researching oil delivery companies on the internet for her, and 3. When I saw the caller ID, my heart stopped and I thought, "She's calling to tell me someone else gave her the money for her heating oil." She wasn't, but all of this combined to make me sound a little less than enthusiastic I'm sure. Although...I genuinely am thankful for how God is putting all of these pieces together for her!

Then today, after having exhausted any hope of getting her fuel to her anonymously, I felt almost sick to my stomach because I don't ever want her to be thankful to me for this donation. It didn't come from us, it didn't even come from the people that donated it...for "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17) Praise God...even when I dropped it off...He took care of my fear of the focus being thrown onto me...she wasn't home! Her boys were, so she'll know I dropped it off...but I told them that it wasn't from me. One of the boys said, with a knowing nod, "Ohhh...it's a secret." Not wanting him to keep secrets from his mom I said, "No...it's really not from us...it's from someone else. So tell her just to be thankful to God for it."

And that's how it should be!

Amen!

Mentioned in the post:

Probably Not a First...

but this time it caught me off-guard.

I'm not one to enjoy Halloween very much. In fact, I thought about blogging about how much I actually despise the holiday...but I'll save that for another time. Instead what caught me off-guard was what happened before Dale and the kids went out to Trick or Treat.

Even though I fail almost daily, I really try to eat healthier and feed my kids healthier than we ever have at anytime prior to now. Now maybe you get a glimpse into why I so strongly dislike Halloween!? Because of this, right before they left our home, I saw Dale had a water bottle filled with liquid (tea or water, I'm not sure?) and I asked all of the kids to take water bottles with them. I wanted them to be able to start flushing out the sugar crud with lots of water right from the start. But he said, he didn't want to carry water bottles while they walked and about the same time a few of us said, 'well, they could leave them in the car.' [They were driving to another neighborhood to Trick or Treat] Then Dale said something like, "They've never taken water bottles before, I don't know why they need to now."

And that's when it happened...the words crossed my brain...I was taking a breath...I was ready to open my mouth...

and my 11 year old said, "Well, we've always gone trick or treating near our house before."

Instantly...I recognized what had happened...my daughter has become me (just a smaller, younger version of me). My funny side kicked in and thought, "hmmm? I didn't know I could throw my voice?" And I started to chuckle...looked at Dale...it clicked with him what had just happened...and he started laughing too. All this while two of the kids started saying, "What? What's so funny?"

In the moment I was tickled and laughed...but as I processed through this, here's what I came away with: I need to be very certain that the things I'm teaching my kids are God's Truth, God's Word and God's Ways...not mine. Because they are not only watching and listening...they are becoming part of who we mold them to be.

And I recognize that this child with her intelligence, deep thinking and analytical nature is a little bit more like me than the other ones. But the others have characteristics of mine too...passion, creativity, drive, emotional volatility, critical nature toward themselves and others. Yeah...not all of those are always good. Our greatest strengths, in this case critical thinking skills...can be perverted by our enemy into a negative...for example, a judgmental, critical spirit. I know...I've struggled with this my whole life.

So I've realized this for years, but in a delightful, humorous moment, God reminded me that I not only need to speak, act and live in a manner that reflects Him...but identifying my children's giftedness also carries with it the responsibility of teaching them how to use those gifts for God's glory and not for selfish gain or in a negative way.

What a reminder! What an amazing God!

Bi-monthly Prayer Requests and Updates

Click on the Prayer Requests and Needs Page to see how single moms are seeking God in their needs and the updates as He provides and/or answers prayer.

Prayer is absolutely essential to this ministry and we are so thankful for our Prayer Partners who stand beside us on this journey. If you'd ever like to become a Prayer Partner for Boundless Ministries, please send me an e-mail at a.barthauer@gmail.com All you have to do to register for the bi-monthly prayer requests listing is to put "e-mail prayer requests" in the subject line. You are also free to unsubscribe at any time.
God is faithful!

Archiving?

Can you really archive the works of God?
I'm not so sure...but He did record His miracles throughout a large portion of history in His Word to us, the Bible. So from day one of starting this ministry, it has been very important to me to document not only the requests of God's people...but the way and the timing in which He answers them.

Some you will recogize were not answered in the way we imagined...but they have been answered and in the way that best glorifies Him. (God's glory means to reveal His true character.)
God has been doing so many amazing things in our lives and the lives of the women we know, that the Prayer Requests Page was getting a little lengthy. I've decided to archive previous months' requests when they've all been answered or can be relisted or modified. To distinguish them from the current requests, I've created a new label Archived Prayer Requests and Answers

Anytime you feel doubt of God's work, His power, His faithfulness, or His provision to His people...please click through these and remember that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)

September 2011 Prayer Requests (Archived)

9/26/11: Mom of 1 at home, new to the Northern Kentucky area, is in need of immediate assistance for food, clothing and medical care. Pray that God leads them directly to the ones that can help them best and that His provision will bring peace in this chaotic season of life. 10/01/11: God has been providing for some of this family's very practical needs. Continue to pray that He will go before them as she faces expenses with medical care and pursuit of employment.

9/18/11: As we look forward to beginning a Bible study/small group for single moms, pray for us to be faithful to follow the Holy Spirit's leading and never run ahead of His work or His timing. Also pray that our facilities can always accomodate the families that want to attend. We're praying for godly men and woman, as couples, to be raised up and join us in sacrificially pouring ourselves into the lives of single moms and their families. 10/01/11: We begin this new phase of Boundless Ministries on 10/02/11. please continue to pray that God will provide and be the ONLY One to lead, guide and direct this ministry.

9/16/11: A situation occurred during preparation for the 24-Hour Famine Event that has caused me (Angela) to begin to doubt some next steps I believed Holy Spirit had laid out for this ministry. Please pray for Him to give me courage, discernment and faith as I follow Him step by step. Update 9/26/11: God continues to be faithful in granting courage. Also communication with the ones that caused confusion and a minor uproar during the Famine Event has been clarified and the offending parties are amicably working with us again. Praise God...He always prepares the way!

9/16/11: Continue to pray for Mom of 3 as she struggles with overwhelming financial burdens. She also needs strength and endurance as she disciplines and guides her children. With no backup to "tag team" at home, the responsibility and simple fatigue of 24 hour parenting comes with burdens that few of us can understand. Pray for Holy Spirit power to aid her and give her peace as He leads her in His way. 9/16/11: God supplied a $200 donation to Boundless Ministries which helped to provide a few gift cards to two families and will provide childcare money for the upcoming Bible study/small group. Praise Him!

9/16/11: HUGE Praise for God's provision during the 24-Hour Famine and subsequent event on
9/11/11. We're so thankful to all who participated either through fasting, fundraising or both! The opportunity to meet business owners in the area and begin relationships with them was a huge blessing as well!

9/3/11: Mom of 3 has a brother who pastors in Puyallup, WA. She received the following e-mail about her brother today: "Pastor ________ suffered two seizures last night and was taken to the hospital after the first one. One was about a 3-4 minute seizure during his sleep at home and then he suffered a two minute seizure in the ER. His heart rate got as low as 26 in the ER during his second seizure. He is now home and is on the mend and is very sore. He will be unable to drive for 6 months. Please pray for his full and rapid recovery." 9/8/11: Update- Pastor is on anti-seizure medication and doing better. Scheduled for more testing soon.

August 2011 Prayer Requests (Archived)

8/29/11: 24-Hour Update for prayer: We've received numerous donations from area businesses. Please continue to pray for there to be an amazing outpouring of God's Spirit and that hearts will be moved to donate to this amazing African Relief effort through Kids Against Hunger. I would love for September 11th to be so covered in prayer that God can show up and do amazing things!!! 9/16/11: Over $877 raised so far with more to come in! God has provided for 7 children to receive life-sustaining meals for the next year! What an amazing blessing to be a part of His global work!

8/25/11: Pray for Mom of 4 as she seeks wisdom and answers regarding provision and interaction with her former spouse. God's timing will be perfect. Pray for her peace in the waiting. 9/16/11: Mom of 4 has recently experienced great freedom through prayer. She feels that the shackles of past pain, wrongs and inappropriate guilt have fallen away. She continues to seek God's perfect will in His plan for proceeding in school, provision for her children and to be at peace with her ex-husband no matter the choices he makes.

8/21/11: Pray that Holy Spirit will move the hearts of His people and of those that may not even know Him yet to help end the horrible famine in the "Horn of Africa". Pray for us to follow the Holy Spirit's leading as we prepare for the 24-hour Famine Event and confidentally anticipate His glory and power. Pray for God to passionately plant a seed of compassionate service in His people. We would love to see dozens if not hundreds of people participate in some way to see God's dream come to fruition! Amen! 8/22/11: Praise- We received our first donation and it will feed one child for over 2.5 months!!! God is working out the details and others are catching the vision and the passion for raising money and awareness about this devastating famine. Continue to pray for God to do amazing things that only He can do through the power of His Holy Spirit. 8/29/11: Praise- We have received numerous donations and commitments to donate from Hebron area businesses. See the 24-Hour Famine Event Page for how you can participate. 9/16/11: Praise: God provided through many unexpected venues for these children to receive the food they need to survive. He is STILL working and STILL moving the hearts of His people! 9/26/11: Final Update/Praise: Final total raised for KAH $1000.30. Our family, along with another friend, was able to be part of almost 300 people packing food on 9/24/11. 85, 536 meals were packed!!! What an amazing God we serve!

8/16/11: Pray for Mom of 1 that God will speak to her heart clearly what direction He has for her. As she contemplates choices and decisions (schooling options for her child and what to do regarding living arrangements for herself) pray that God's voice will rise above the others that are vying for her attention. 8/23/11: Praise- Mom of 1 was able to enroll her child in a local private school and received financial aid to make it possible. She's also moving forward regarding decisions for housing. She will still have many needs over the coming weeks. Continue to pray for God to work out the details and for her to follow His clear leading through it all.

8/11/11: Urgent prayer request for Mom of 5 (4 still at home) who receives no support from her estranged husband. Today she received call that her vehicle would be repossessed. She had already made arrangements to look for employment tomorrow, but without a vehicle, this appears impossible. Yet, with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). She has heard from the bank that they will delay repossession until tomorrow (8/12/12) so she can attempt to get money to them. She is contacting her church to see if they can provide assistance. Please pray this situation will work out for her good and God's glory. He is Jehovah Jireh...the God Who Will See To It! Update 8/16/11: Mom has started a new job effective 8/15/11 and is still in need of affordable childcare options. Repossession of vehicle has been temporarily delayed, please continue to pray for financial provision and direction to be given by God. Update 9/16/11: Mom was recently blessed with FREE assistance to get an old unused car working again!

8/6/11: In recent weeks, God has laid on my heart two very specific dreams for Boundless Ministries. One a short-range dream the other a HUGE one, probably long-range one. But in recent posts (Some More Praise! and A Few Little Things) I've shared about how I'm learning that He delights in sharing both with us. These desires came from Him, so I know He'll provide (Psalm 37:4). Please pray for me to recognize His perfect timing and to faithful obey where He leads. Also important for my personality is to pray that I will not develop preconceived notions about how He will accomplish these desires. Pray I stay open to His leading no matter what. Just as important, I always pray that God would confirm with Dale anything that He calls me to. 9/16/11: Update- As we look forward to one of these dreams soon coming to fruition, some situations have occurred that the enemy has used to cause doubt, fear and concern. Please continue to pray for God's leading and His obvious will for this ministry. Pray for Him to increase our courage, show us HIS direction and to give us the faith to see it through as He leads.

8/3/11: Urgent prayer request for Mom of 5 who needs prayer for safety and protection from a potentially dangerous situation and is also struggling with a critical financial situation. Pray for comfort and assurance as she takes steps to protect herself and her children. Update 8/5/11- While steps have been taken to protect the family, the estranged spouse has now asked to see the children he abandoned many months ago. This is not a safe or wise thing to permit. Please pray for the process to legally prevent him from being with the children will flow quickly and smoothly.