Death and Life

We’re back at mom’s again. I can’t believe how often we run back and forth like this. Anyway, this is day 2 of William finally feeling better from the hive episode, it’s only in his feet now; however, his back is still out – he has a chiropractic visit tomorrow.

My Aunt Gloria died Sunday. Then, William got a call yesterday from his brother, who’s son lost a child. God has his reasons for life and death, for whatever we go through. All this DOES work together for them who love the Lord (Rom. 8:28) – we don’t know the reasons, sometimes never in this life time, but we have to accept God’s will. They are believers, I just pray that God gives them comfort and acceptance during this time.

We had an awesome time worshiping the Lord on our trip over this time. We cranked up the music and sang loud all the way! Totally awesome! At times, one or the other of us would be overcome by the majesty of the Holy Spirit, then sing again. It was such a God-time, loved it. The last few days we’ve been in the Word, watching various sermons, having awesome discussions. I’m so glad we get so into all this, it’s awesome! We had such an awesome discussion over 2 Tim 3 and 4 yesterday and today. We are for sure living in the last days (3:1-8, 12-13, 4:3-8). There is such a self-centeredness in the world today, especially in America. 2 Tim. 4:5 – we are ALL called to be evangelists. There should be NO problem if Christ has REALLY changed you, if the Holy Spirit is indwelling and making you new! It just blows me away how people still stumble over this issue!

Flooding in Coquille

William and I were discussing v. 6 this morning. William had a revelation about that one: Christ was poured out as a drink offering for us on the Christ, His saving atonement. Then in v6 Paul is saying how he is being poured out as a drink offering. Christ was the FIRST of many, we are followers, to do what He did. We are poured out also when we, operating in the power of the Holy Spirit, are poured out in the service of others, even to the point of death! That is why the wedding supper of the Lamb (4 cups of Passover: 1-Sanctification, 2-Blessing, 3-Redemption, 4-Acceptance – Jesus only took the 1^st 3 cups at His Passover) is so important; we get to drink the final cup with Him, we have all been ‘poured out’ in our lifetimes serving Him. (Luke 22:20, Mark 14:24, Matt. 26:28) If Christ is poured out as a drink offering (partaking of the communion, partaking of the death of Christ) we have to partake of that in order to partake of the resurrection. We become the offering, we still lay our lives down. That is what the communion is all about – a remembrance that what He did is true. The ‘church’ (ie those who just sit in the buildings year after year not going out from their comfort zone) is not teaching the fullness of the communion table. It is also to be the death of us as well – to our will. The watered down gospel is not effective! Rev. 12:11 “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

 

William’s talking again about where/when we go next: for the past year or so, he was saying that we’ll spend a couple months in Crescent City (March/April) then work in Coquille until June or July, then move to Crescent City and help in the mission there for a year or so. Now he’s saying that we’ll spend a couple weeks in Crescent City, then move to the Rogue Valley by June. He says we have to be very careful not to add to what God says, and I guess that is what he did last year when he declared the Crescent City thing – he said that God told him we would be spending more time in Crescent City – he took it and added to it saying we would live there working in the mission. Now he’s saying God has been speaking to him again about what/where we go next. He said we were to go back to Ashland and continue the work there ….

Either way, I’ve been feeling out of sorts lately because I don’t know where we’re going, how long we’re to be there, etc. and I have to get over it! We both really feel like something BIG is about to happen and we are supposed to be in the middle of it all (revival, but something else too – not sure what). We are led by God when and where he says, that’s it. Accept it and be happy about it. We have to be ‘dead’ to self and self-interests and be focused on God and God-interests. Sitting here on the coast, enjoying the art center, teaching again, etc. and etc. is not our purpose on earth. Our purpose is to do God’s will and see souls saved! I understand that and accept it; however, I still get all out of sorts because I can’t stick ‘my way’ in there as well. I call it having a ‘human moment.’ I’ve really missed not going to the beach for the last few months (with all our travels, William being laid up, little $$), we just haven’t gotten over there. I need some beach time! However, the weather hasn’t cooperated much either, even when it’s been sunny (which has been so very rare this winter), it’s not all that warm (30s to 50s).

Mice are still getting into our RV – they chewed a larger hole into the cupboard door, got in and started in on the food up there! More mousie dung everywhere … uggg!