Monthly Archives: August 2008

Free at Last!!!!!

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I received this delightful email a few days ago and they gave me permission to share it on the blog as it might be an encouragement for other families. Steve

“Hello! I’ve written to your family before and just wanted to let you know about a momentous event in our household. Today the tv (aka, the beast) finally went where it belonged-the curb for the garbage men to pick up today. You don’t even know how big this is, and very strangely, a little scary too!(that’s our culture’s indoctrination saying that you’re crazy if you don’t have a tv). The phrase about the “beast” going to the curb stuck with me after hearing Steve mention it at a conference we attended in Plymouth, PA some time ago. Even though we only used the tv when sick and only for videos, it always turned into watching more and more. Then the children would start to regularly ask for it, and I would give in. Not anymore! I feel freedom and am excited about this!! The children weren’t so excited when we first explained it to them, but I kindly emphasized that it wasn’t a punishment, but simply a matter of what’s best for them. They are very resilient and after about 5 min. they were fine and ready to go outside to throw the football around!” A Free Family

Are We Ambassadors for Christ?

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One word. Mentioned twice in the New Testament. And yet living that word out will impact every aspect of our life.

2 Corinthians 5:17-20
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

For years I have been fascinated with the idea of being an ambassador for Christ. Five years ago, with a goal of wanting to learn more about ambassadors, I went to the library and checked out some books written by or about ambassadors. One book, in particular, contained a number of stories that illustrated practical aspects of being an ambassador for Christ.

I recently purchased a used copy of the book (Ten Years in Japan, by Ambassador Joseph C. Grew) and am re-reading it. As I come across some of the analogies I thought about sharing them on the blog. Perhaps as the Lord challenges me and speaks to my heart others will also be encouraged. At the very least, maybe the stories and analogies could spur worthwhile discussion for families during their meal time or Bible time.

In Christ,
Christopher

It’s Off!

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August 1st was a day of special significance for several in our family, namely Dad, Mom, and me. It represented the deadline of a new resource project.

I remember well the evening back in May, when I was driving back from Home Depot with Dad. We were having a wonderful time of fellowship, and our conversation drifted to a topic that Dad and Mom felt that it was time to write about. Dad mentioned that he would like to have the book done this summer to take on our fall trip, and Mom’s school time would be freed up with summer arriving.

It didn’t seem possible to accomplish, but the next day, Dad called a family meeting without telling us what it was about. He had our curiosity aroused, but he did tell us it didn’t have to do with matrimony :-). That evening, he shared about the project the Lord had laid on his and Mom’s hearts, and asked if we children were in support and if we would be willing to pitch in and take care of Mom’s responsibilities so she could write. We all joyfully agreed, and so the project began, back in May.

The last few months have been quite busy because Dad and Mom have spent many, many hours working on the project. I became involved with it this month because I format the book and do a lot of proofreading. The last two weeks have been very intense as Mom and I have worked to wrap it up.

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(Mom and I Thursday afternoon, with book copies in hand.)

Yesterday afternoon, with a happy and relieved heart, the book was sent to the printer—praise the Lord! I’ll give you a peek of a bit of text from the back cover :-).

Joyfully His,
Sarah

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