Hello again. We are coming to you this time with wonderful news. We had been experiencing a "lull" lately. It hasn't been that there is no work or anything, there had just been difficulties in everything that we were doing. Satan was on the prowel, but greater is He who is in us, than he who is in the world. I was just reading that other day in Ephesians and it says, "together with the Lords people we may grasp how wide, and long, and high, and deep the love of Christ is. His love surpasses all knowledge and we may be fulfilled". Imagine what that statement says, it is incredible. This is something that we can't fully comprehend while we are here on the this earth, however, there are times that we see this in the middle of struggle, and then there are times that we see this in the middle of victories. This last week was a time of victory over the forces of darkness. On all sides it seemed that Satan was trying to attack us. He knows that he cannot touch us directly because of the Blood of the Lamb that is over us, however, he can manipulate the circumstances around us to directly effect us. I want to add at this point a big thank you to all the people back home that have been praying and fasting for us, you know who you are!!! This week was a direct answer to those prayers. I want to first start out telling you about the status of our immigration paperwork, we are finally accepted. We are going this weekend to take our photos for our Mexican Passports. Thank you Jesus, you are faithful. We will hold dual citazenship with the States and Mexico. This will allow us the freedom to live here, own a vehicle here, get insurance here, and travel freely into the States. With our American citazenship it allows us the same rights as a normal American citazen. Then secondly we went and found out that the car that we bought is ok. We were told by a mechanic here that the motor was wrecked and needed to be fixed for over $1,100. There is no way that we could afford this, so we just had it towed to our house. I was telling a friend of ours about it, and he told me he has a mechanic friend that is a Christian. We took is and after all the work he told me it was $157!! This is still alot of money for us, but thank you Jesus for the people who gave to us extra this month. We got the exact amount of money to fix the car and pay for an emissions fine we received because of some wrong information we received. This exact amount of money came from extra people who are not monthly supports. God is our provider!! Then after that we went to the chiropracter and he worked on Mandy's back. We found out that she has scoliosis. Also her spine was out in four places and she had pinched nerves. He spent over an hour working on moving her back and muscles around. After we left the appointment she is much, much better. She is so much better it is incredible. She has had two doctors working with her these last two weeks. They told us that they are doing all the work on her for free because we are here helping their people. Thank you Jesus for the knowledge of these men and their giving hearts. These guys are wonderful brothers in Christ. One of these doctors went on my last missions trip with me, and I will continue to go with him, on the trips to the Indiginous villages. He told her that it will take about 3 weeks of not carrying heavy things, and no running, to repair it fully. Our God gave us time to "rest" and study His word more fully, and spend time with Him. Now we are ready to start all over again, getting back into the "normal" swing of things. This leads me to the final thing that God allowed for us. We meet with the people from AINDAC that we are working with and they told us that they have authorized us to move into some new places. Not only that, we were given some shelving units, and locks and things to give us a place to organize, count, seperate, and make a detailed inventory of what we have. We have had very little shelving and actually very little space as well, so this is a huge development for us. We are now starting to take in donations, and seperate them, organize them, put them in boxs or bags and have them ready to ship out. This makes life alot easier, and alot more organized. Then when someone needs a donation of food, we have it ready to go. Or they need a donation of bathroom supplies, it is ready to go. We have pictures (on our Flickr account) of this idea from when we went on our day of social help. We will take a clear bag and put in it, a kilo (2.2lbs) of rice, a kilo of beans, a kilo of sugar, 2 cans of refried beans, a bottle of oil, a bag of cereal, a bag of cookies, maybe some suckers, or other little candies, two bags of pasta, and some powdered milk. This is one time "donation". We are trying to get set up, to give out these donation every month to the people that need help the most. For example, this Friday our friends at one of the CIFAM integration houses came and got 140 donations. This will then be taken to the houses and the people that need the food the most will be given one of these to take with them if they have a house, however, only after they sit through a service, and listen to the gospel message. This allows them to hear the good news of the gospel, and not just take the food and run. Then for the people that accept Christ, the houses are there all the time to provide discipleship, and trainning. We also, on a diffent level with AINDAC, go and take cloths, and other items out to these houses as well. I told you this, because the more room Mandy and I have to work, the more donations we can take in, and the more help we can provide to the people that need it. Thank you Jesus for your faithfulness. This weekend we moved shelving units into our building and next week are ready to go building them, moving things, and starting to organize.
I just want to say thank you Jesus for your faithfulness, and also those of you that are supporting us in prayer, financially, and through all the kind words and emails. We miss all of you very much back home. Because of your faithfulness, there are people that are entering the kingdom of Jesus, one meal at a time. In Him, Ross
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Alyssa's birthday party.
Hey again we have yet another blessing to tell you guys. We were able to have Alyssa birthday party in a big garden that the Church owns and rents out for large events. This is not your normal garden. This place is beautiful. A little excape from the city. At this garden that we were allowed to us for free was a beautiful tent that had been rented for a fancy wedding the night before. We were also able to us this for free. Tables, chairs and all. What would have costed someone $1,000 to use, the Lord gave it to us for free. It was a wonderful party. It was a costum party for the kids. We had 30 adults show up and 20 kids. Lets just say we were glad that we were serving hotdogs, not steaks. This was the first birthday party here without family with us. Zoe had a party in May but we here blessed to have Linda, Harry, and Amber here with us. I (Amanda) was missing my family a lot during this time. I was thankful for all the people that came but they will never replace family. I was very busy to say the least, thankfully that helped. I was very glad the girls had such a wonderful time. When they can home they fell asleep immediately. They ran and played a lot. There is not alot of places in the city that they can't do that. Alyssa was Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" and Zoe was Snow White. They were very precious. I am once again on the couch though because of all the running and work yesterday. I am unfortunately paying for it today. I go to the chiropractor tommorrow to get the places in my back corrected. Thank you Jesus for that situation also. We have two doctors that have been helping me for the last two weeks. They are doing it for free. They told me that we are here helping their people so the least that they could do is help us. God is our provider. Soon those disc's in my back will be healed and I will be back to my normal self. Thanks again for those of you that gave money for Alyssa'a b-day. She was very blessed by it. Her real birthday is on the 28th of Jan. but we did the party earier. We will have been here exactly one year on the 28th of January. We get to celebrate two special things on this day. To all our family back at home: We love and miss you!!!!!!!!!!!! Amanda
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Jewish Post on the war in Gaza
I took the liberty to take this information from the Aish.com post, as I felt it was very touching. Please allow me to share this post written by an IDF Rabbi.
At the beginning of the Gaza ground offensive, I had the privilege of accompanying the soldiers of the Golani Brigade's Regiment-12. I am the regiment's rabbi, in reserves, and I was called up to serve just like all the rest, to "aid Israel at its time of tribulation."
We spent most of the week in "wet tents" with the terrible cold preventing me from sleeping at night. I wasn't working as hard as the other soldiers, because they fell asleep the second they hit the pillow.
When the Golani Brigade soldiers were about to go out to war, there wasn't a soldier there who didn't equip himself with a Book of Psalms in his pocket or combat vest. But the big surprise we had was when we gave out tzitzit. Usually only the religious guys take them, but this time, every soldier there seemed to want one.
"Rabbi, bring me some tzitzit, my whole tent wants." Here, achi (my brother), take one of these, it's better than the ceramic vest!" These were the type of calls we kept hearing over and over. Every package of tzitzit that we opened was snatched up within seconds.
There was one young fighter who came to the synagogue whose face fell when he heard that there were no tzitzit left. He was totally bereft, until one of the officers who wasn't going out to battle took off his own tzitzit and gave it to him, saying, "Take it, achi (in the Golani Brigades, you can't say something without achi), you need it now more than I do."
Friday evening Shabbat prayers were simply unbelievable. The Rabbinate realized that the synagogue was too small to fit all the hundreds of soldiers, and so it turned the soccer field into an impromptu synagogue, with prayer books, Holy Ark, and everything else.
Almost the entire Golani Brigade, officers and soldiers, yelling out the Kaddish and Tehillim prayers. If it wasn't for the uniform I was wearing, I could have almost thought that I was at a Yom Kippur service in a large yeshiva!
Our Father doesn't ask, "Where have you been until now? Why do you remember Me just when you go out to war?" He welcomes all His children and embraces them with love.
After the Shabbot meal, we were privileged to hold an Oneg Shabbat "social gathering" for the soldiers. We sat outside in the cold eating cake and sunflower seeds, but inside our hearts it was warm.
When it was time to go, the Regiment Commander gathered everyone for last minute words of strength, and explained about the "corrective experience" we were about to impart to the enemy.
Then the Deputy Commander read aloud the prayer before going out to battle. "Repeat after me," he ordered, and a whole regiment of hundreds of soldiers yelled out, "O God, save us! O God, grant us success!" After the prayer, the Deputy asked me to blow the shofar, just as thousands of years ago when we conquered the Holy Land.
Though I've blown the shofar in public before, this particular time was something that will remain with me my whole life. And then, in perfect coordination, the moment that I finished blowing the shofar, our IDF planes bombed the enemy area, as if to signal us to begin the ground offensive.
The soldiers lined up in two columns, & as I parted from them with handshakes, I thought to myself, 'What a special nation we have! This is how a Jewish army looks as it goes out to war - not with boastful 'We will win' stickers, but rather 'We will win with God's help.'"
Where I live in Modi'in Illit, we have a clever interpretation of the verse "God's voice is powerful" - the word for power (ko'ach) is spelled with the letters kaf and chet, which we say are the intitials of kova and chalifa - hat and suit, our usual yeshiva garb. But now I know they are also the initials of the kumta chuma - brown beret, worn by the Golani soldiers. There, too, the voice of God is heard. We are truly united as one nation, may the Almighty protect us.
I hope that you are as deeply touched by this first hand report as I am. I was among the very first outsiders (tourists) to be allowed to visit any military base in Israel, ever, in February of 2005, just as they were preparing to evacuate Gaza. I still have vivid memories of the young faces and how they told me that they hated to remove their own families from their own homes to be invaded by the enemies of God. I have photos of those faces and I can remember them without having to look through my album. How much more does YHWH remember not only their faces, but everything about them? I pray that none of the ones to whom I spoke have lost their lives. I still remember them sometimes and pray for them, where ever they are.
I shall never forget the shock of an experience there as I was about to depart. The Commander of the base at that time was a Druze. They are a branch of Islam, but they are faithful to Israel. He spoke no English. I had been asked to help a young soldier who had expressed hate for YHWH because he had lost his beloved father. The person who dragged me off the bus at the last minute to "help" the soldier thought that because I was the only Jewish person on the tour that I spoke Hebrew. The rush over getting to that soldier prevented that person from understanding that I do not speak Hebrew. I just prayed very fast that YHWH would help me. When I got to the young man, I realized that he did understand a very little of English. I mostly used hand language. I made him look into my eyes. When he looked back down, I would lift his chin and point back to my eyes to make him look. I references the Psalm about his father being in the palm of YHWH's hand and no man can snatch him from there. I added that he too was in the palm of YHWH's hand and that YHWH knows how angry he was, but YHWH is not angry with him. It worked! He collapsed in my arms. This was bringing much attention and gathering of other soldiers. Then I looked up and saw the Commander (the rough looking Druze as big as a grizzly glaring at me) because we are forbidden to witness to the troops. I had been very careful not to mention the Name of Messiah. Then YHWH told me to witnesses to that Commander! HOLY COW! Talk about being scared about being punished and all future tours being cancelled! I found myself unable to control anything. My body straightened with my back straight and my shoulders back. I could feel resolve on my face. I felt my boots hitting the ground hard and fast. I quickly was in the face of the Commander and he wasn't smiling. Other soldiers were looking at me in amazement at my boldness. All I could do was pray the same prayer I had just prayed before. When I got to the man, the soldiers told me he speaks no English. I asked for an interpreter and quickly a young man in the IDF, but from New York came. You should have seen all the looks and running to be there. With the interpreter, I told the Commander, "You see that man over there in the cowboy hat? He is my husband. I am a Jewish woman. My husband is a rubber manufacturer who does military contracts. That HumVee over there. When it takes a direct strike, you can survive. The windows can be kicked out with your combat boot. My husband manufacturers the rubber window seal that holds it in place, but allows you to kick it out." He looked at my husband who was unaware of all of this going on. Then he looked at me. He grabbed me up off the ground and bear hugged me so tightly that I almost couldn't breathe. He told me in my ear in perfect English, "I love you." As he did so, he kissed me on the check. I though he would never put me down. When he finally did, he was shaking and tears were running down his face. All the soldiers were standing around stunned by what they saw. I must explain to you that a Druze man MUST NEVER TOUCH A WOMAN IN PUBLIC, NOT EVEN HIS OWN WIFE. He just picked me up, hugged me, kiss my check and told me that he loved me.
Lesson: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A SIMPLE PRAYER AND THE ABILITY OF YHWH TO ANSWER IT IMMEDIATELY, OR TO MAKE YOU DO SOMETHING YOU CANNOT CONTROL, OR TO TOUCH THE LIFE OF SOMEONE NO ONE ELSE CAN TOUCH.
This is what Torah living is about. It is about being what you say you know in your head. It is about living on the edge. Torah is about more than hope, it is a profound and assured knowledge that you are in the kingdom of YHWH!
Blessings to all, Rivkah
Here are also 2 quick videos from the aish.com website showing the reality of what Israel (God's Chosen People) have to live with every day. Please stand up and show your support for them.
In the words of one my friends, "While there are thousands upon thousands of people may be protesting Isreal's actions, there are millions of Christians that are standing with you"
Go Israel.
If the video doesnt work follow this: http://sderot.aish.com/SderotPetitions/15Seconds.php
If the video doesnt work follow this: http://sderot.aish.com/SderotPetitions/MissilesFromGaza.php
At the beginning of the Gaza ground offensive, I had the privilege of accompanying the soldiers of the Golani Brigade's Regiment-12. I am the regiment's rabbi, in reserves, and I was called up to serve just like all the rest, to "aid Israel at its time of tribulation."
We spent most of the week in "wet tents" with the terrible cold preventing me from sleeping at night. I wasn't working as hard as the other soldiers, because they fell asleep the second they hit the pillow.
When the Golani Brigade soldiers were about to go out to war, there wasn't a soldier there who didn't equip himself with a Book of Psalms in his pocket or combat vest. But the big surprise we had was when we gave out tzitzit. Usually only the religious guys take them, but this time, every soldier there seemed to want one.
"Rabbi, bring me some tzitzit, my whole tent wants." Here, achi (my brother), take one of these, it's better than the ceramic vest!" These were the type of calls we kept hearing over and over. Every package of tzitzit that we opened was snatched up within seconds.
There was one young fighter who came to the synagogue whose face fell when he heard that there were no tzitzit left. He was totally bereft, until one of the officers who wasn't going out to battle took off his own tzitzit and gave it to him, saying, "Take it, achi (in the Golani Brigades, you can't say something without achi), you need it now more than I do."
Friday evening Shabbat prayers were simply unbelievable. The Rabbinate realized that the synagogue was too small to fit all the hundreds of soldiers, and so it turned the soccer field into an impromptu synagogue, with prayer books, Holy Ark, and everything else.
Almost the entire Golani Brigade, officers and soldiers, yelling out the Kaddish and Tehillim prayers. If it wasn't for the uniform I was wearing, I could have almost thought that I was at a Yom Kippur service in a large yeshiva!
Our Father doesn't ask, "Where have you been until now? Why do you remember Me just when you go out to war?" He welcomes all His children and embraces them with love.
After the Shabbot meal, we were privileged to hold an Oneg Shabbat "social gathering" for the soldiers. We sat outside in the cold eating cake and sunflower seeds, but inside our hearts it was warm.
When it was time to go, the Regiment Commander gathered everyone for last minute words of strength, and explained about the "corrective experience" we were about to impart to the enemy.
Then the Deputy Commander read aloud the prayer before going out to battle. "Repeat after me," he ordered, and a whole regiment of hundreds of soldiers yelled out, "O God, save us! O God, grant us success!" After the prayer, the Deputy asked me to blow the shofar, just as thousands of years ago when we conquered the Holy Land.
Though I've blown the shofar in public before, this particular time was something that will remain with me my whole life. And then, in perfect coordination, the moment that I finished blowing the shofar, our IDF planes bombed the enemy area, as if to signal us to begin the ground offensive.
The soldiers lined up in two columns, & as I parted from them with handshakes, I thought to myself, 'What a special nation we have! This is how a Jewish army looks as it goes out to war - not with boastful 'We will win' stickers, but rather 'We will win with God's help.'"
Where I live in Modi'in Illit, we have a clever interpretation of the verse "God's voice is powerful" - the word for power (ko'ach) is spelled with the letters kaf and chet, which we say are the intitials of kova and chalifa - hat and suit, our usual yeshiva garb. But now I know they are also the initials of the kumta chuma - brown beret, worn by the Golani soldiers. There, too, the voice of God is heard. We are truly united as one nation, may the Almighty protect us.
I hope that you are as deeply touched by this first hand report as I am. I was among the very first outsiders (tourists) to be allowed to visit any military base in Israel, ever, in February of 2005, just as they were preparing to evacuate Gaza. I still have vivid memories of the young faces and how they told me that they hated to remove their own families from their own homes to be invaded by the enemies of God. I have photos of those faces and I can remember them without having to look through my album. How much more does YHWH remember not only their faces, but everything about them? I pray that none of the ones to whom I spoke have lost their lives. I still remember them sometimes and pray for them, where ever they are.
I shall never forget the shock of an experience there as I was about to depart. The Commander of the base at that time was a Druze. They are a branch of Islam, but they are faithful to Israel. He spoke no English. I had been asked to help a young soldier who had expressed hate for YHWH because he had lost his beloved father. The person who dragged me off the bus at the last minute to "help" the soldier thought that because I was the only Jewish person on the tour that I spoke Hebrew. The rush over getting to that soldier prevented that person from understanding that I do not speak Hebrew. I just prayed very fast that YHWH would help me. When I got to the young man, I realized that he did understand a very little of English. I mostly used hand language. I made him look into my eyes. When he looked back down, I would lift his chin and point back to my eyes to make him look. I references the Psalm about his father being in the palm of YHWH's hand and no man can snatch him from there. I added that he too was in the palm of YHWH's hand and that YHWH knows how angry he was, but YHWH is not angry with him. It worked! He collapsed in my arms. This was bringing much attention and gathering of other soldiers. Then I looked up and saw the Commander (the rough looking Druze as big as a grizzly glaring at me) because we are forbidden to witness to the troops. I had been very careful not to mention the Name of Messiah. Then YHWH told me to witnesses to that Commander! HOLY COW! Talk about being scared about being punished and all future tours being cancelled! I found myself unable to control anything. My body straightened with my back straight and my shoulders back. I could feel resolve on my face. I felt my boots hitting the ground hard and fast. I quickly was in the face of the Commander and he wasn't smiling. Other soldiers were looking at me in amazement at my boldness. All I could do was pray the same prayer I had just prayed before. When I got to the man, the soldiers told me he speaks no English. I asked for an interpreter and quickly a young man in the IDF, but from New York came. You should have seen all the looks and running to be there. With the interpreter, I told the Commander, "You see that man over there in the cowboy hat? He is my husband. I am a Jewish woman. My husband is a rubber manufacturer who does military contracts. That HumVee over there. When it takes a direct strike, you can survive. The windows can be kicked out with your combat boot. My husband manufacturers the rubber window seal that holds it in place, but allows you to kick it out." He looked at my husband who was unaware of all of this going on. Then he looked at me. He grabbed me up off the ground and bear hugged me so tightly that I almost couldn't breathe. He told me in my ear in perfect English, "I love you." As he did so, he kissed me on the check. I though he would never put me down. When he finally did, he was shaking and tears were running down his face. All the soldiers were standing around stunned by what they saw. I must explain to you that a Druze man MUST NEVER TOUCH A WOMAN IN PUBLIC, NOT EVEN HIS OWN WIFE. He just picked me up, hugged me, kiss my check and told me that he loved me.
Lesson: NEVER, NEVER, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A SIMPLE PRAYER AND THE ABILITY OF YHWH TO ANSWER IT IMMEDIATELY, OR TO MAKE YOU DO SOMETHING YOU CANNOT CONTROL, OR TO TOUCH THE LIFE OF SOMEONE NO ONE ELSE CAN TOUCH.
This is what Torah living is about. It is about being what you say you know in your head. It is about living on the edge. Torah is about more than hope, it is a profound and assured knowledge that you are in the kingdom of YHWH!
Blessings to all, Rivkah
Here are also 2 quick videos from the aish.com website showing the reality of what Israel (God's Chosen People) have to live with every day. Please stand up and show your support for them.
In the words of one my friends, "While there are thousands upon thousands of people may be protesting Isreal's actions, there are millions of Christians that are standing with you"
Go Israel.
If the video doesnt work follow this: http://sderot.aish.com/SderotPetitions/15Seconds.php
If the video doesnt work follow this: http://sderot.aish.com/SderotPetitions/MissilesFromGaza.php
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Falling In Love all over again.
Hello, HOW ARE ALL OF YOU??? It has been a while since I have taken the time to sit and do this. I recently took a personal profiling test and found out that I am the type of person that finds my most satifaction in doing things with my hands (Shocker), and I decided that doing things with my fingers doesn't count. Therefore I don't feel completed while blogging. Just Kidding. I am putting more pictures from the last couple months on at the same time as well, so I have the time. Anyhow, since I do have the time today and do this, here I go.
I was just sitting here this morning thinking about all the things in this world that surround us. I seen that Barack Obama is taking the helm of our country this morning. This is such an exciting time in the history of our world. I know that this presidency will be filled with twists and turns as our world changes very rapidly. As many of you know, my wife and I are avid students of eschatology and are even more excited about the things that are happening in other parts of the world. I am bringing this point up because if there ever was a time in our lives and the lives of the people around us to experience Jesus all over again, this is it. Things are happening on such a global scale in our world that it is impossable not to see the fact that the only peace possible is in the hands of God. I was asked this last weekend where in world I most wanted to go, or live. I thought about it for a little bit and then gave my most honest answer. The only place that I want to be is in the middle of Gods will. I am taking a class on the weekends with a group of people from all over that are all missionaries, or people getting ready to leave for the mission field. It is interresting to see how the Holy Spirit is quickening the spirits of His people all over the world and drawing us all in one direction. I love to see how we all are being united in love, kindness, and a desire to fall in love with our bridegroom Jesus all over again. It is time that the Christians learn to, or return to, the first love that we had for Jesus. There are things coming, and times coming that will challenge, stretch, push, and pull us as Christians, in this world. We need to be prepared. I was reading in Matthew, Daniel, and Revelations about how the love of many will wax cold, and there will be a great falling away from the faith, one that has not been seen since the beginning of the world. That tells me that they were in the faith, and they willingly chose to walk away, or fall away. I was given a revelation as to what that meant, and it scared me to death. As I sit and think about this more and more, I realize the need for us to press in more and more to Jesus. If we think for one minute that our actions some how justify us unto salvation, then we are kidding ourselves and stand condemned. I was just reading Mark 16 where Jesus gave us a clear defination of what believing in Him is. I challenge you all to go read that. If you don't have a bible there is one on the web http://www.biblegateway.com/ just type in Mark 16 and hit "enter". We are not saved by works, but when we are saved, these sign will follow. By default they will just happen. Jesus gave us these signs to judge ourselves by. I looked at this and cannot tell you how many times I have prayed these words as I sat down to a meal with people that I didn't know, eating food that I didn't know, in places that I didn't know, only for the brief opportunity to share the love of Christ with the company around us. God in His loving grace has placed us in many wonderful situations, being able to share His love with many wonderful people that I love from the bottom of my heart, that openly confess that they don't like the Christians. I am saddened to see that even among many brothers and sisters in the Lord there is a lot of religious mumbo jumbo that holds us down and does not allow us the freedom to walk in close communion with God. I myself am guilty of this, and I am trying to find out what is of God, and what is of man. You see, the things of man will pass away and be burned up, but the only things that will last will be the things of God. This presidency will eventually end, this country will eventually end, this world will eventually end, but our love for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit must never end. If there is a time that we feel ourselves growing cold toward the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, we better check ourselves. I was saddened to read a report that came out that said that 90% people that confess to be Christians have never share there faith with anyone. How is that possible???? I stand back when I read the passage about the love of most will growing cold (Matt. 24) because of the increase of sin in the world, and the words of Jesus saying that many false prophets coming in the name of Jesus will lead many away from the faith. Listen, "Away from the faith". Not just in another direction, or a seperation of people, but literally away from the faith. You can't be in something and away from something at the same time. Jesus himself said these words. This has struck me to the center of who I am. I have been given a renewed spirit for searching for the face of Jesus. I am learning to not find my faith in somebody, or emotional teachings from somebody, but to seak for the face of God personally. Learning to listen to the Holy Spirit in my soul, and confirm His words through the Bible. This is the only way that we are going to stand firm and find our place in heaven, with Him. There is a reason that Matt 7 says that Jesus not only told us that the gate is narrow, but also the road is narrow as well. He specifically told us that many will walk in the road to destruction, and only a few will find real salvation. "The road is narrow and few will find it", what does that truly mean????? Don't search for the answer from somebody, seak the face of God for that answer. He is the only one that can answer that for you. I am so happy to report, however, if we push into our heavenly Father, there is nothing that can seperate us from the love of the Father, neither height, nor depth, nor powers, nor principalities, nothing above, or below the earth, nothing, nothing, nothing. If we live in the center of His will, in His loving hands there is nothing, nothing, nothing that can touch us. We just need to check our motives, hearts and what we love and make sure that we are on that little, narrow path that leads us home. Now is the time to stand up foryour faith so in the end we will hear, "Well done good and faithful servent". Why because in the end, that is all it is about.
We love you all, and can't wait to sit and visit more about our first love, Jesus.
Ross
Here is a video we thought you all might enjoy. Paul says in about one hour what we are truely trying to teach here in Mexico. Like the Lord told us when He brought us here, "This is a time of teaching us, and discipleship of younger believers". This is exactly our hearts and what we feel. Enjoy
If the video doesnt work click here ---> http://mx.youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8
I was just sitting here this morning thinking about all the things in this world that surround us. I seen that Barack Obama is taking the helm of our country this morning. This is such an exciting time in the history of our world. I know that this presidency will be filled with twists and turns as our world changes very rapidly. As many of you know, my wife and I are avid students of eschatology and are even more excited about the things that are happening in other parts of the world. I am bringing this point up because if there ever was a time in our lives and the lives of the people around us to experience Jesus all over again, this is it. Things are happening on such a global scale in our world that it is impossable not to see the fact that the only peace possible is in the hands of God. I was asked this last weekend where in world I most wanted to go, or live. I thought about it for a little bit and then gave my most honest answer. The only place that I want to be is in the middle of Gods will. I am taking a class on the weekends with a group of people from all over that are all missionaries, or people getting ready to leave for the mission field. It is interresting to see how the Holy Spirit is quickening the spirits of His people all over the world and drawing us all in one direction. I love to see how we all are being united in love, kindness, and a desire to fall in love with our bridegroom Jesus all over again. It is time that the Christians learn to, or return to, the first love that we had for Jesus. There are things coming, and times coming that will challenge, stretch, push, and pull us as Christians, in this world. We need to be prepared. I was reading in Matthew, Daniel, and Revelations about how the love of many will wax cold, and there will be a great falling away from the faith, one that has not been seen since the beginning of the world. That tells me that they were in the faith, and they willingly chose to walk away, or fall away. I was given a revelation as to what that meant, and it scared me to death. As I sit and think about this more and more, I realize the need for us to press in more and more to Jesus. If we think for one minute that our actions some how justify us unto salvation, then we are kidding ourselves and stand condemned. I was just reading Mark 16 where Jesus gave us a clear defination of what believing in Him is. I challenge you all to go read that. If you don't have a bible there is one on the web http://www.biblegateway.com/ just type in Mark 16 and hit "enter". We are not saved by works, but when we are saved, these sign will follow. By default they will just happen. Jesus gave us these signs to judge ourselves by. I looked at this and cannot tell you how many times I have prayed these words as I sat down to a meal with people that I didn't know, eating food that I didn't know, in places that I didn't know, only for the brief opportunity to share the love of Christ with the company around us. God in His loving grace has placed us in many wonderful situations, being able to share His love with many wonderful people that I love from the bottom of my heart, that openly confess that they don't like the Christians. I am saddened to see that even among many brothers and sisters in the Lord there is a lot of religious mumbo jumbo that holds us down and does not allow us the freedom to walk in close communion with God. I myself am guilty of this, and I am trying to find out what is of God, and what is of man. You see, the things of man will pass away and be burned up, but the only things that will last will be the things of God. This presidency will eventually end, this country will eventually end, this world will eventually end, but our love for the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit must never end. If there is a time that we feel ourselves growing cold toward the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, we better check ourselves. I was saddened to read a report that came out that said that 90% people that confess to be Christians have never share there faith with anyone. How is that possible???? I stand back when I read the passage about the love of most will growing cold (Matt. 24) because of the increase of sin in the world, and the words of Jesus saying that many false prophets coming in the name of Jesus will lead many away from the faith. Listen, "Away from the faith". Not just in another direction, or a seperation of people, but literally away from the faith. You can't be in something and away from something at the same time. Jesus himself said these words. This has struck me to the center of who I am. I have been given a renewed spirit for searching for the face of Jesus. I am learning to not find my faith in somebody, or emotional teachings from somebody, but to seak for the face of God personally. Learning to listen to the Holy Spirit in my soul, and confirm His words through the Bible. This is the only way that we are going to stand firm and find our place in heaven, with Him. There is a reason that Matt 7 says that Jesus not only told us that the gate is narrow, but also the road is narrow as well. He specifically told us that many will walk in the road to destruction, and only a few will find real salvation. "The road is narrow and few will find it", what does that truly mean????? Don't search for the answer from somebody, seak the face of God for that answer. He is the only one that can answer that for you. I am so happy to report, however, if we push into our heavenly Father, there is nothing that can seperate us from the love of the Father, neither height, nor depth, nor powers, nor principalities, nothing above, or below the earth, nothing, nothing, nothing. If we live in the center of His will, in His loving hands there is nothing, nothing, nothing that can touch us. We just need to check our motives, hearts and what we love and make sure that we are on that little, narrow path that leads us home. Now is the time to stand up foryour faith so in the end we will hear, "Well done good and faithful servent". Why because in the end, that is all it is about.
We love you all, and can't wait to sit and visit more about our first love, Jesus.
Ross
Here is a video we thought you all might enjoy. Paul says in about one hour what we are truely trying to teach here in Mexico. Like the Lord told us when He brought us here, "This is a time of teaching us, and discipleship of younger believers". This is exactly our hearts and what we feel. Enjoy
If the video doesnt work click here ---> http://mx.youtube.com/watch?v=uuabITeO4l8
Friday, January 16, 2009
O when O when will we not be sick?
Sorry for the lack of writing lately. I (Amanda) have been on bed rest for the last 4 days. I have 4 places out in my back and my nerves are pinched in these areas. I have been on bed rest since last Monday. I just returnedfrom the doctor and I am allowed to walk around a little bit now but in seven days I need to go back to the doctor so he can check out my spine again. Then another doctor friend is going to move my whole spine back into the right location. He has to move it about 10 degrees to make it correct again. These guys are so awesome they are doing this all free for us. They told us that we where here helping there people so they wanted to help us in return. God is so good! Then to fix the whole cause of the problem they are going to help me get fitted for shoe inserts because of my flat feet. Also they are fitting me for a knee brace to wear because my knee is also part of the problem. Well in all I will be corrected with physical therapy and two great doctors help. Thanks for your prayers. I do also think this was God way of saying slow down. I just wish I wasn't so stubborn and would have listened so I could have bypassed the pain. Well I need finish now because it hurts to sit up for to long. We will catch up with all our photos and the ministry we have been doing as soon as life go back to normal again. Blessings Amanda
Monday, January 05, 2009
A couple links we thought you might like to read.
Here are a couple websites that explain the different holidays we have been dealing with here in Mexico. Since Oct. 31st we have seen alot of new things that keep us asking"why do you celebrate this?" Some of these holidays have the right idea just really twisted and take the truth about Jesus out of them, but then there are some pure demonic celebrations happening. Today is the "day of the magicians" or "the three wisemen". I can sure tell you a little country girl has learned alot about the different cultures of our world since I left home. The thing that amazes me though is that alot of the traditions (expecially the demonic ones) are all over the world just with different names. It makes me sad to see the people that God has placed so close to my heart celebrating such lies. If it hurts me I hate to see what it does to my Father in Heaven.
We will also be posting new pictures and blogs within the next couple days. We have been busy and I (Amanda) pinched a nerve in my back and some othe things that I have had to go to the doctor for. This has slowed us down a little. I once again realize that God will slow us down even if we are stubbern and don't like to. He knows best. I just wish it didn't have to hurt so bad :) Well better go many blessing to you all this new year. Amanda
http://www.inside-mexico.com/featurereyes.htm
http://mexico.pinnacle-travel.org/culture.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_dead Wow this one was really crazy and disturbing.
We will also be posting new pictures and blogs within the next couple days. We have been busy and I (Amanda) pinched a nerve in my back and some othe things that I have had to go to the doctor for. This has slowed us down a little. I once again realize that God will slow us down even if we are stubbern and don't like to. He knows best. I just wish it didn't have to hurt so bad :) Well better go many blessing to you all this new year. Amanda
http://www.inside-mexico.com/featurereyes.htm
http://mexico.pinnacle-travel.org/culture.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_dead Wow this one was really crazy and disturbing.
Friday, January 02, 2009
O where O where have we been?
Well I finally got time to sit down and share some amazing things with all of you. God has been amazing and faithful during this holiday season. We both were a little worried about December this year knowing this is a tight season for many people and with the way the states are going we just said God its in your hands. WE have also been praying quietly for money to come home for our airplane tickets this summer for fundraising. We, like all of you, got hit with some big bills that were do around the first. Thanks to the love of our brothers and sisters in the Lord we are all caught up with them, money for airplane tickets and are being bought. Plus a little extra blessing for our childrens Christmas. We have been blown away by peoples thoughts and generosity. We see we are not down here alone. We never like to talk about money on our blog but this was such a huge inspiration and incouragement to us we had to tell of God's faithfulness and His peoples goodness.
We work with alot of new and older Christians here doing disipleship and counceling. We also work with non-chrisitans. At times it is 100% harder working with the Christians but even thought we all have our regrets as a lukewarm Chrisitan for a time we always are shown by Jesus HIs faithful children. We get frustrated at the religiousness in people but He always balances out His children in our eyes. It can become unbalanced at times when so much garbage surrounds you. You can look at the Christian bubble and become discouraged but that is always when He comes in and shows that many people are truly living a Christ inspired life not just the so called "Christian life". There are so many time we look for your emails to write and personally thank you for supporting our lives and ministry. Please if you have given at any time and are reading this now please email us at rossandmandy@yahoo.com. We want to personaly thank you for your support and tell you how your money helped us. We rememebr them all. I am also not just talking about financal gifts either. We know that alot of you are praying for us as well. This is just as powerful to us. When we have people that are faithfully praying for us this is also as beautiful as gold. We need both types to keep on going. Thanks from the deepest parts of our hearts.
We have had parties at our home, alot of counceling, many people we are with looking for a place to live, sick kids, Ross's best friend here within this last month alone.. We have set three days aside after this last crazy year here in Mexico City. We are locking our doors, closing our shades and shutting of our cell phone. We are going to spending time with the Lord, each other and our kids. Everytime we have had a break from school or work we have had large amounts of disipleship at our home and have not really been able to just take a deep breath and breath. We are very thankful for this time alone. Please be praying the next three days for us to be re- strenghtened, refreshed and most of all to be able to hear His voice speak to us. We all seem to get to busy with all the things around us to just let Him have front stage and quite time. I think even more in ministry this is true. There are times that we are doing everything for Him all the time and temporarily forget to let Him have intimate time with us personally.
Once again we would like to thank you all for this last year. Without your sacrifices we would not have been able to build heavenly friendships with many people who have not heard the great message. We promise we are wise with the money we recive from you and we make it strech as long and far as we can. Our hearts are overflowing with thanks and prayers for all of you. Thanks and we wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year or in spanish Feliz Ano Nuevo.
Ross, Amanda, Alyssa and Zoe Johnston
We work with alot of new and older Christians here doing disipleship and counceling. We also work with non-chrisitans. At times it is 100% harder working with the Christians but even thought we all have our regrets as a lukewarm Chrisitan for a time we always are shown by Jesus HIs faithful children. We get frustrated at the religiousness in people but He always balances out His children in our eyes. It can become unbalanced at times when so much garbage surrounds you. You can look at the Christian bubble and become discouraged but that is always when He comes in and shows that many people are truly living a Christ inspired life not just the so called "Christian life". There are so many time we look for your emails to write and personally thank you for supporting our lives and ministry. Please if you have given at any time and are reading this now please email us at rossandmandy@yahoo.com. We want to personaly thank you for your support and tell you how your money helped us. We rememebr them all. I am also not just talking about financal gifts either. We know that alot of you are praying for us as well. This is just as powerful to us. When we have people that are faithfully praying for us this is also as beautiful as gold. We need both types to keep on going. Thanks from the deepest parts of our hearts.
We have had parties at our home, alot of counceling, many people we are with looking for a place to live, sick kids, Ross's best friend here within this last month alone.. We have set three days aside after this last crazy year here in Mexico City. We are locking our doors, closing our shades and shutting of our cell phone. We are going to spending time with the Lord, each other and our kids. Everytime we have had a break from school or work we have had large amounts of disipleship at our home and have not really been able to just take a deep breath and breath. We are very thankful for this time alone. Please be praying the next three days for us to be re- strenghtened, refreshed and most of all to be able to hear His voice speak to us. We all seem to get to busy with all the things around us to just let Him have front stage and quite time. I think even more in ministry this is true. There are times that we are doing everything for Him all the time and temporarily forget to let Him have intimate time with us personally.
Once again we would like to thank you all for this last year. Without your sacrifices we would not have been able to build heavenly friendships with many people who have not heard the great message. We promise we are wise with the money we recive from you and we make it strech as long and far as we can. Our hearts are overflowing with thanks and prayers for all of you. Thanks and we wish you a Happy and Blessed New Year or in spanish Feliz Ano Nuevo.
Ross, Amanda, Alyssa and Zoe Johnston
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
