What’s the Problem?

Most of us have struggled with a wrong perception of our loving heavenly Father in some way at one time or another.  Can you imagine how it must hurt His heart when we refuse all His love, mercy, grace, provision, etc., because of erroneous theology, tough life experiences, maybe both?  Yet He still offers it all – to all.

No, God is not the problem.  Our image of Him is the problem.  The right image includes the simplicity of knowing His love is pure and offered to each of us, without expecting anything in return.  This is the God we want to keep ever before us.  This is the God we want to reveal to others who are struggling.  This is the God Phillip Yancey wants the world to know:

Remembering You

I’ve been reading another biography of a missionary. As usual, it brings you to my mind with a fresh awareness of the added time, cost, spiritual battles, and every other thing when you live in a culture so different from your own.  Once again, I am so thankful for your willingness to be there, wherever “there” is, sharing the love and grace of our heavenly Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!

The particular book I’m reading, There’s a Sheep in My Bathtub, by Brian Hogan, tells of going into and living in the mission field of Mongolia just after communism’s grip had been broken.  There is much humor in the stories shared, much of which the Mongols also found very funny.  They are a culture given to appreciating physical (slapstick) comedy, and have no problem laughing at themselves or others in one of those moments.  (I know this would be a welcome relief in some of your chosen nations.  )  Many of their struggles came from the corruption at many levels in the government, which had also become the mindset of many of the everyday people.  In the midst of all these, a powerful working of God is wrought among them all, as the believers of Mongolia, along with the missionaries from America, Sweden, and Russia, become a tight-knit, yet ever-expanding family in Christ.  His love is truly mightier than any human or demonic barrier devised!

It’s this kind of book that stirs my heart once again: to pray for you as you pour yourselves out for those where you live to know and be changed by Christ; to share this amazingly powerful gospel of Jesus Christ where I am; to give to you in practical ways of friendship, money, gifts, and hospitality when you are in my part of the world; to go to the foreign mission field myself, even if only for short times.  It’s not that I expect, in my one or two week excursions, to plant the church, as did the Hogans over the course of years.  I do expect to sow the love of God in Christ, watering, fertilizing, and even reaping for His kingdom – all while coming alongside to encourage, strengthen, pray with, and help you however you need.

That day is coming again soon, my precious sisters!  Meanwhile, I will keep writing this little blog, hoping somehow to remind you of Daddy’s unlimited love and grace for you and your family there.

May His blessings cover you today as with a sudden downpour of rain (for which you have no umbrella ,

Kay