from Elliott and Katherine
We were recently invited to speak at Peachtree City UMC, our former church. But it was not a ‘Missionary Talk’ like some other presentations. Instead, it was the kick off of their stewardship emphasis month. We were pleased with the invitation but we did not realize that it would provide us a chance to ponder deeply the question at hand as we prepared our remarks. We were asked to focus on the overarching importance of obedience rather than the specific act of pledging your time, talent and treasure.
As we prepared it became much clearer to us that if we fully give God our hearts all else falls into place and that doing so is truly an act of love and an act of worship. What else does God desire from us? When we give God our hearts His will and our plans become one.
The day of the presentation was exciting. After all, we had been members there for 12 years. As we looked around the Sanctuary we saw ‘family.’ Indeed, with the many people and experiences that God had placed in our path during our time at PTCUMC it would be easy to say that is where our journey began!
It is amazing the detail in, and duration of, God’s plan. Nothing is wasted; everything that happens in our lives gives our story its voice. It is a joyous experience simply to acknowledge His presence, provision and plan!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Bound For the Promised Land
from Elliott
The last month or so has been difficult. Children headed off to college in Florida and South Africa, home school starting again, and then, my elderly father was hospitalized with a significant head injury. It has made me wonder how many more challenges I can handle.
As I pondered the challenges, I was reminded of the passage in Joshua where the Israelites were tasked with the dangerous crossing of the river Jordan. With the river at flood stage I can imagine that they were filled with fear and uncertainty. What must they have thought when the voice of God told them they were to cross the mighty river Jordan?
God stopped the flow of water and they were granted safe passage. As they passed, they were commanded to pick up a stone from the river bottom. The stones would be used to create an altar as a reminder of God’s presence and provision in difficult times.
God made the way for the Israelites and he does for each of us also; He was and is faithful through all perils. But it isn’t just to get us through the ‘difficult times’ and challenges because he is all about getting us to a new place – our Promised Land.
I wonder, what does that land that He has promised my family look like? We know that He has called us to ministry in South Africa but what does He have planned for us there. What altar might we erect to remind us of His presence and provision? We still have many questions but we know one thing that the God of the Israelites will be with us each step of the way.
The last month or so has been difficult. Children headed off to college in Florida and South Africa, home school starting again, and then, my elderly father was hospitalized with a significant head injury. It has made me wonder how many more challenges I can handle.
As I pondered the challenges, I was reminded of the passage in Joshua where the Israelites were tasked with the dangerous crossing of the river Jordan. With the river at flood stage I can imagine that they were filled with fear and uncertainty. What must they have thought when the voice of God told them they were to cross the mighty river Jordan?
God stopped the flow of water and they were granted safe passage. As they passed, they were commanded to pick up a stone from the river bottom. The stones would be used to create an altar as a reminder of God’s presence and provision in difficult times.
God made the way for the Israelites and he does for each of us also; He was and is faithful through all perils. But it isn’t just to get us through the ‘difficult times’ and challenges because he is all about getting us to a new place – our Promised Land.
I wonder, what does that land that He has promised my family look like? We know that He has called us to ministry in South Africa but what does He have planned for us there. What altar might we erect to remind us of His presence and provision? We still have many questions but we know one thing that the God of the Israelites will be with us each step of the way.
Friday, July 30, 2010
The Power of God's Plan
from Elliott
We finished our training at MTI on a Friday. We were especially awaiting that day because Emily and Ryan were flying to Colorado to meet up with the three of us and begin a week touring the beautiful mountains. The five of us had not been together in the US since the first of the year - a long time!
We left Colorado Springs and headed south and then west. The gently rolling foothills quickly became jagged mountain peaks with a wide range of vegetation as we climbed in altitude. Valleys were filled with cold mountain streams and scurrying chipmunks and deer. In one spot there was a curious sight-the tallest sand dunes in North America.
Everywhere we turned there was something of beauty to gaze upon in wonder and in awe. God's fingerprint was everywhere!
While it all left an imprint on my mind, I wonder if any of it was as powerful as seeing God at work through the interaction of our three children; back together again after seven months apart. Their laughter, play and and love for one another are clearly evidence of God's plan for our lives together.
As I pondered that thought, I quickly realized how blessed I am to have been called by their heavenly father to be their earthly father.
We finished our training at MTI on a Friday. We were especially awaiting that day because Emily and Ryan were flying to Colorado to meet up with the three of us and begin a week touring the beautiful mountains. The five of us had not been together in the US since the first of the year - a long time!
We left Colorado Springs and headed south and then west. The gently rolling foothills quickly became jagged mountain peaks with a wide range of vegetation as we climbed in altitude. Valleys were filled with cold mountain streams and scurrying chipmunks and deer. In one spot there was a curious sight-the tallest sand dunes in North America.
Everywhere we turned there was something of beauty to gaze upon in wonder and in awe. God's fingerprint was everywhere!
While it all left an imprint on my mind, I wonder if any of it was as powerful as seeing God at work through the interaction of our three children; back together again after seven months apart. Their laughter, play and and love for one another are clearly evidence of God's plan for our lives together.
As I pondered that thought, I quickly realized how blessed I am to have been called by their heavenly father to be their earthly father.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Hear My Cry, O Lord
from Elliott
Today we focused on grief and losses. We noted that as God severs our roots and brings our story in our home country to a close, that we will feel an unfolding loss and enter into a period of grieving. We will feel a loss of identity, stable home or nest, friendships, family relationships and others. In order to better understand the feeling of loss that we have and to learn productive ways to deal with that loss we were encouraged to ‘cry out to God ‘by writing a lament on one of a number of sheets identified by a particular type of loss.
As we prepare to move, I find myself without a job to explain my value to society, soon(very soon I hope!) to be without a home and venturing into unknown territory. Yes, I am finding myself without an identity or at least certainly not anywhere near the one I have enjoyed previously. So my crying out to God involved my growing loss of identity. I wrote…
“Who am I? I know that I am yours but what does that mean? How does that express itself in your plan for our life in South Africa? Allow me to be a blank sheet that you will write upon. Use bold strokes and vibrant colors. May I reflect fully your creation in me.”
Today we focused on grief and losses. We noted that as God severs our roots and brings our story in our home country to a close, that we will feel an unfolding loss and enter into a period of grieving. We will feel a loss of identity, stable home or nest, friendships, family relationships and others. In order to better understand the feeling of loss that we have and to learn productive ways to deal with that loss we were encouraged to ‘cry out to God ‘by writing a lament on one of a number of sheets identified by a particular type of loss.
As we prepare to move, I find myself without a job to explain my value to society, soon(very soon I hope!) to be without a home and venturing into unknown territory. Yes, I am finding myself without an identity or at least certainly not anywhere near the one I have enjoyed previously. So my crying out to God involved my growing loss of identity. I wrote…
“Who am I? I know that I am yours but what does that mean? How does that express itself in your plan for our life in South Africa? Allow me to be a blank sheet that you will write upon. Use bold strokes and vibrant colors. May I reflect fully your creation in me.”
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Hitting the Road with Jesus
from Elliott
We spent the day studying and discussing Sabbath rest. I have been a part of previous discussions about the concept but have always had difficulty in this culture and with my personality practicing it fully. We mediated today on the familiar Matthew 11:28-30 Scripture. This time though we used the Message version which spoke to me in a very different way.
It reads, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I immediately focused in on ‘Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life.’ What an invitation! When I read it though ‘Get away with me’ became ‘Make a Getaway with me’ and what a vision that was. Jumping in the car with Jesus and hitting the open road, maybe even in a red convertible on a sunny day!
It sounds like an adventure or a journey of discovery. Perhaps it would be like exploring unknown destinations with an expert guide – Jesus no less. What would He show and teach me? I can feel the pressures of the day quickly lift away; those things that have sucked the life out of me or those distractions that have kept me from a divine appointment with God and alignment with His plan. The destination… 'recover your life'. Not just any life but the one that a gracious God has planned for you – nothing less!
Wow! Is it possible to turn down that invitation? Katherine and I now know the crucial nature of this blessing, especially to the missionary in a new land.
We spent the day studying and discussing Sabbath rest. I have been a part of previous discussions about the concept but have always had difficulty in this culture and with my personality practicing it fully. We mediated today on the familiar Matthew 11:28-30 Scripture. This time though we used the Message version which spoke to me in a very different way.
It reads, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
I immediately focused in on ‘Come to me. Get away with me and you will recover your life.’ What an invitation! When I read it though ‘Get away with me’ became ‘Make a Getaway with me’ and what a vision that was. Jumping in the car with Jesus and hitting the open road, maybe even in a red convertible on a sunny day!
It sounds like an adventure or a journey of discovery. Perhaps it would be like exploring unknown destinations with an expert guide – Jesus no less. What would He show and teach me? I can feel the pressures of the day quickly lift away; those things that have sucked the life out of me or those distractions that have kept me from a divine appointment with God and alignment with His plan. The destination… 'recover your life'. Not just any life but the one that a gracious God has planned for you – nothing less!
Wow! Is it possible to turn down that invitation? Katherine and I now know the crucial nature of this blessing, especially to the missionary in a new land.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
"As Is"
from Katherine
Greetings from Colorado Springs and Missionary Training International. We have finished the first week of cross cultural training. Our group has 30 adults and 37 children. We have come from all over the US and will head to 4 continents!
As we wrapped up class yesterday our instructor directed us to add the words, 'As Is' next to our names on our name tags. The purpose is to remind us that we are God's work still in progress. This was very freeing to me.
For years I tried to be what my mom and dad wanted me to be. Then as I grew older, I let society tell me what I should be. Now I can just hear God saying, "I can see my fingerprints on her and I like what I see."
God will continue to mold and shape me and while I will grow in Christ likeness, I can be content being who I am today - As Is.
Greetings from Colorado Springs and Missionary Training International. We have finished the first week of cross cultural training. Our group has 30 adults and 37 children. We have come from all over the US and will head to 4 continents!
As we wrapped up class yesterday our instructor directed us to add the words, 'As Is' next to our names on our name tags. The purpose is to remind us that we are God's work still in progress. This was very freeing to me.
For years I tried to be what my mom and dad wanted me to be. Then as I grew older, I let society tell me what I should be. Now I can just hear God saying, "I can see my fingerprints on her and I like what I see."
God will continue to mold and shape me and while I will grow in Christ likeness, I can be content being who I am today - As Is.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Stops Along the Way
from Elliott
When we were planning our trip to Colorado for additional cross cultural training we mapped the route on Google. When we examined the route we knew we had been presented an opportunity. The route went through St. Louis and Lawrence, KS both locations of friends and family.
The St. Louis stop offered us a mini-family reunion with one of the branches of my family, the Metzenthin’s. We were grateful for the enthusiastic response. A picnic was planned and an invitation went out and four generations responded! All graciously received ‘our story’ and it was fun to catch up on each one of their lives. We left encouraged and with a sense of increased connectedness as we prepare to leave the US.
The next stop was Lawrence, KS. I had heard what a great town it was but my interest was one of its residents. I had not seen George Thompson, a Davidson College roommate, in many years. In our time together, as we traced each others stories, we realized that much had changed in our lives since Davidson. The surprise was that in some ways, despite starting out in different places after graduation, our paths had converged. Many of his areas of interest and professional focus bear a strong similarity to the journey of discovery that we have been on.
Amazing how God places people in our path and uses others to encourage us along the way!
When we were planning our trip to Colorado for additional cross cultural training we mapped the route on Google. When we examined the route we knew we had been presented an opportunity. The route went through St. Louis and Lawrence, KS both locations of friends and family.
The St. Louis stop offered us a mini-family reunion with one of the branches of my family, the Metzenthin’s. We were grateful for the enthusiastic response. A picnic was planned and an invitation went out and four generations responded! All graciously received ‘our story’ and it was fun to catch up on each one of their lives. We left encouraged and with a sense of increased connectedness as we prepare to leave the US.
The next stop was Lawrence, KS. I had heard what a great town it was but my interest was one of its residents. I had not seen George Thompson, a Davidson College roommate, in many years. In our time together, as we traced each others stories, we realized that much had changed in our lives since Davidson. The surprise was that in some ways, despite starting out in different places after graduation, our paths had converged. Many of his areas of interest and professional focus bear a strong similarity to the journey of discovery that we have been on.
Amazing how God places people in our path and uses others to encourage us along the way!
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