Mission Impossible?

What does the phrase, "The Great Commission" mean to you?  If you are not a Christian you probably are drawing a blank.  If you are a believer, you might (should) know.  If you are in ministry, you know exactly what it means.

I grew up in the church but didn't hear that phrase until I was in my 30s.  I suppose it either wasn't a phrase used or I wasn't paying attention.  Now that I know what it means and it's significance, I'm doing my best to put it to use.  

My One Word Challenge for this year is USEFUL.   I believe the Great Commission and Useful go hand in hand.

What am I talking about?  Jesus Christ was crucified and buried in a tomb.  On the third day he came back to life and presented himself to his disciples.  "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.  When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.  Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Mathew 28:16-20.

I have struggled with my purpose, my usefulness, my abilities as a Christian for years.  Often my prayers have been, "Use me, God. Don't care how or when, but use me."  Then, when opportunities arose, I became frustrated by the lack of finances, which prevented me from doing what I thought was God's will.  Several years ago, I was blessed with the ability to go on a local mission trip.  Of course, at first I didn't consider it an actual 'mission trip'.  I was wrong.   I wrote a book based on that trip,  "Mount Mission".

This upcoming November, I have the opportunity to go on a mission trip to Panama.   Will finances prevent me from going?  Life happens, AC's break, kids get sick, etc., etc.   If I don't raise the money, does it mean God doesn't want me to be the "hand and feet of Christ"?   (see: 1 Corinthians 12)  The hands of Christ is 'serving', the feet indicating 'going' into the world.  

I'm doing my part, praying, studying, praying, fundraising through my businesses (Origami Owl and my books).  I have also created a GoFundMe account for donations.  

Now, I'm asking you for support.   Please prayerfully consider supporting me through any of the routes above and by sharing this post with your friends and family.  Feel free to download and print the attached flier, go on Facebook and share my event page.  Every little bit helps.  Five dollars from 600 people, $10 from 300 people, $100 from 30 people.  You get the idea.  

One last thought, Luke 1:37 "For nothing will be impossible with God." (English Standard Version).  If it is God's will for me to go to Panama, it will happen.

Thank you for your prayers and your support.

ShopFoward for Panama www.marathonmom.origamiowl.com

www.marathonmom.origamiowl.com

The Homeless Interviews

This is part 2 of Scott:
Scott and I talked for a few minutes about how Matthew's Hope came to be.  To sum up, he was looking for a church/building to help and house the homeless when the temperatures dropped. Initially he found no one.  Eventually he found my church. We opened our doors whenever the temperature dropped below 39 degrees.  We provided shelter for the night, breakfast, and since we had 1 shower in the building, a shower. The local news found out about this and people began bringing us blankets, clothing, money, food, etc.  We had extra space, they needed a space.  God provided. 


Colleen:  How did the homeless know to come here?

Scott: Because we were going to the camps.  I had been going to the camps for years, for 8 years, so I knew where the camps were and I knew where I could find them and word started to spread once we got out there.  Initially people were very leery because what they really thought was going to happen was- listen to me preach and i will feed you.  Show me where Jesus did that.  Normally he fed them and then he shared his word with them.  It goes down so much better that way.

We got to talking with the shepherds a little more and they said, what’s your vision? I don’t know if I have one but God is certainly doing something here and they agreed and I said could we get ongoing use of that trailer?  The attitude was sure, we don’t care.  At the time they were talking about possibly using the back half for some other things and so they gave us half of the trailor to use and we said we want to offer something for every Tuesday. (Currently Matthew's Hope feeds and takes care of the homeless's needs on Tuesdays).

Colleen:  What is the most difficult part of working with the homeless people?

Scott: Not becoming an enabler.  That is everybody’s problem. 

Colleen:  What is the easiest part?

Scott: The easiest part is we are based on Matthew 25 right out of the Bible.  Who can argue with a mandate from God like that when He said- when they are thirsty give them something to drink.  We do that.  We got bottled water back here.  We give it away by the case.  It says when they are hungry feed them.  We do that.  We now offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner every Tuesday.  We also provide MRE’s and some other things given to us when people are new to the woods and try to help them set up.  When it said, they were naked, clothe them.  We clothe them.  When they are in prison, visit them.  We visit them.  We do go to jails sometimes and between our own folks and a few volunteers that go to visit them at 33rd (a local jail) and we also partner with some prison ministries that are helping minster to these people. Just becuase they go away it does not mean they let go of them. So the easiest part was, here is what God said do, for crying out loud do it.

Go into al the world.... part 2

This entry is the second installment with the theme of: "Godly people I know who live Mark 16:15-16 and Matthew 28:19-20." Loretta Parrish is, in my opinion, the person who most exemplifies these verses.  I have had the great pleasure of knowing Loretta for 15 years. Her life story is quite amazing. I do not have the time or space to tell it properly, therefore, I am only giving a snippet of her heart:

1) Loretta, who do you say Jesus is?

Jesus is the Creator God, who chose to humble himself to become a flesh and blood man born to one of the women of His creation.  He came to be the savior and redeemer of the lost children of every age - for those who choose to trust in him and obey.  God is one God with three persons, Father, Son (word) and Holy Spirit.

2) When did you first believe this and what did you do about it?

I first believed at the age of eleven and made the choice to follow him.  I was baptized and began teaching a Sunday School class almost immediately.  A few years later, I became very hurt and angry with my Lord because I thought he had been unjust and harsh toward me.  It took about six years of  struggling with my pride and resentment, with my conscience fighting for  my repentance.  Finally, I prayed and told God that I was sorry and just wanted to come home but did not know how.  He lovingly led me back and has helped me develop and very close and personal relationship, including giving me understanding of the hurt and anger of my youth.

3) What have you done in the past to "Tell the World"?

Three of my strongest gifts of the Holy Spirit are sheparding, teaching and discernment.  Before I knew these were gifts given me to glorify God and to equip the body of Christ, I knew they were part of my being.  I was always drawn to teaching, counseling and reaching out to people.  My husband used to say I had a mark on the forehead that attracted those people who needed me.  I worked with many women struggling with marriage, parenting and many who were returning to the workforce.  I also volunteered with a pregnancy counseling center and women in abusive relationships.  I owned and operated an adolescent substance abuse treatment center for many years.  We did not just treat the teens but also their parents and siblings.  The treatment model was adapted to the teachings of the Bible.  Every client was given their own Bible and we had weekly classes they could request to attend.  It was amazing to see the changes when God was invited in to help with recovery.  Over the years, I have been invited to speak at various women's events, both in the church and in the secular world.

4) What would you like to do in the future?

My prayer to God is that He will take me home the day after I am useful in the Kingdom.  So, the answer would be more of the same.  I seek to keep myself aware of the leading of the Spirit and to respond immediately.  Whatever God wants me to do, I want to do.  It is important to me to walk the walk that I teach others.  I also seek to empower those I teach to develop their own close, personal relationship with our Lord and to also listen to His voice.

5) Who inspires you?

Besides Jesus, my inspiration has been King David and the apostle Paul.  I devour their writings to direct my thinking, and try to learn from their mistakes.  As for people on earth, my parents and grandmothers definitely set the role model of  seeking God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  I watched them individually study the Bible daily, worship in spirit and in truth, and serve others as if it were Christ himself.  Anyone who empties self and lets the love of God fill their hearts to serve others will always inspire me.  I have known many of these humble servants over the years.

6) You have lived through many trials.  What helps you to keep your eyes on Jesus? What do you do when you feel in despair? 

The Word.  I learned from my period of hurt and rebellion that nothing in the physical world (no matter how bad, how hard, how painful or how humiliating) gives evidence of God's love for me.  He loves me because He said He does - He is the unchangeable God.  All things work together for my good because He said they would if I love him and am called according to the promise.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  He is greater than every thing of the created world because he created that world.  What I do when my flesh feels despair?  I pray and tell him everything, including my anger, fear and evil thoughts.  I read scriptures that help the situation.  Finally, I simply obey and ask him to forgive them - and then ask that he help me mean it.  For instance, there are some things that are almost impossible to forgive and forget.  But, we are told that if we seek we will find; if we ask we will receive; and, if we knock he will answer.  So the bottom line is:  Trust and Obey - He does the rest.

7) What are you passionate about?

Jesus Christ died so that we can have life eternal and be restored to the Father.  Therefore, I am passionate about seeking to know Him so intimately and personally that the power of my flesh fades into oblivion.  I am passionate about teaching others, helping others and seeking the lost children.

8) I often refer to you as my moral compass.  You have also been my 2nd mother, mentor, teacher, and friend.  Many people feel the same way. Why do you think this is and how do you feel about it?

When the Spirit equipped me for service in the body, this became the greatest joy I could ever know.  You are my heart and my blessing, as are all the other young women and some men that God has brought into my life.  I feel humbled but very joyful and filled with love.  A previous question referred to how hard my life has been on many fronts, and it truly has been hard.  But all of the women, men, teens and children that are brought into my life heals every wound because the things I learned in the hard times are what all of you need.  So, they just prepared me to love people.

9) What would you like to say to the readers from around the globe who do not know Jesus?

Look around at all the things created by Jesus - heavens, earth, fish, animals, birds, trees, green things, the wind, the waves.  He created them in perfection but our selfish and self-willed sins have brought the defects.  Jesus was God and came to live on earth in human flesh.  Because he chose to perfectly trust and obey the Father even to death, he redeemed us from the death and decay of sin.  The Good News is that he conquered the grave and with that act give us the ability to conquer the grave and have eternal life.  He then gave us a gift - He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the heart, mind and soul of the redeemed.  The Spirit can do everything we cannot if we give up self will and trust and obey.  The Spirit will give us love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  He will teach us, correct us, lead us and comfort us.  What does the world offer that is greater than that?

10) In closing, is there anything you would like to add?

The greatest commandment is:  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  The second greatest commandment is:  Love your neighbor as your self.  

Everything in the Law of Moses and spoken by the prophets were based on those two commandments.  When we leave this earth and join our Lord in heaven, these two commandments will define how we will live.  There is no law or requirement by God that cannot be met by obeying those two commands.  These are not suggestions.  They are commands.  Let us trust and obey.

*** Loretta, I am honored to be able to call you friend and sister in Christ. ***