Good afternoon! God is alive and well in Arkansas and in Ecuador!
I just wanted to let you guys know that our MAPS team has arrived safely in Ecuador! They are tired from traveling, but all is well.
They landed at the airport in Guayiqil around 9:10pm last night. Customs was a breeze and I believe they were settled in their hotel there by 11pm. This morning after breakfast they boarded a bus and started the 3 hour trip to the worksite, the campground in Ayangue.
We will post as many pictures and updates as possible throughout the next 2 weeks.
Your prayers are so vital to the success of this missions trip. Thank you for lifting up our team members and continually praying for their safety, health, and abilities.
God is awesome!
blessings,
dorinda
Monday, June 30, 2008
Informed Citizens make Powerful Citizens
Okay. This is an election year. Everyone of you are registered voters and believe in your duty to vote- right?
It is great to let your voice be heard by voting, but voting is just a final act that should be preceded by prayer and study. Yes, you read it correctly. Prayer and Study. Study what?
I believe each citizen needs to know a candidate's stand on the issues. Research their beliefs and values. How will each candidate respond to issues that are important to you? More importantly, how will each candidate lead our great country in the issues that are important to God?
So, here are some websites that I hope you will look at and find out where these guys stand on the issues of:
Sanctity of human life- (God says Abortion is murder.)
Economics
Religious Freedoms
Dignity of Life
Health Care
and many more
Click the names to find out more:
John McCain
Barak Obama
We should begin praying now for God's will to be done in our country in November.
Our God is mighty and holy. His people should make a stand for the things that please Him. Let's not just sit back and let the liberal media dilude our minds with a world view. Instead, let us saturate our minds and spirits with the Truth of God's Word and return to a Biblical view.
Pray for our country!
blessings,
dorinda
Out of My Treasure Box:
If you want a good FICTIONAL read this summer - try Dead Heat by Joel Rosenberg
It is great to let your voice be heard by voting, but voting is just a final act that should be preceded by prayer and study. Yes, you read it correctly. Prayer and Study. Study what?
I believe each citizen needs to know a candidate's stand on the issues. Research their beliefs and values. How will each candidate respond to issues that are important to you? More importantly, how will each candidate lead our great country in the issues that are important to God?
So, here are some websites that I hope you will look at and find out where these guys stand on the issues of:
Sanctity of human life- (God says Abortion is murder.)
Economics
Religious Freedoms
Dignity of Life
Health Care
and many more
Click the names to find out more:
John McCain
Barak Obama
We should begin praying now for God's will to be done in our country in November.
Christian complacency is lulling our country into a
cesspool of neglect and liberalism.
Pray for our country!
blessings,
dorinda
Out of My Treasure Box:
If you want a good FICTIONAL read this summer - try Dead Heat by Joel Rosenberg
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Power in Prayer to our Creator
I believe in the power of prayer!
Right now, I am asking anyone and everyone who reads this blog to pray for my mom.
Most of you know that she has major heart problems- congestive heart failure. She went to the doctor today because of fluid build up in her legs, feet and abdomen. They are hospitalizing her as I write with the hopes of draining fluid off. Her heart is now twice the size it should be. Her heart is already in a weakened condition and cannot handle much more stress on it.
I ask that you remember her and my dad in your prayers. I want a miracle. I am believing and hoping for that complete healing from my Jehovah Rapha - the Lord our Healer!
Thanks for remembering us!
love you all!
dorinda
Right now, I am asking anyone and everyone who reads this blog to pray for my mom.
Most of you know that she has major heart problems- congestive heart failure. She went to the doctor today because of fluid build up in her legs, feet and abdomen. They are hospitalizing her as I write with the hopes of draining fluid off. Her heart is now twice the size it should be. Her heart is already in a weakened condition and cannot handle much more stress on it.
I ask that you remember her and my dad in your prayers. I want a miracle. I am believing and hoping for that complete healing from my Jehovah Rapha - the Lord our Healer!
Thanks for remembering us!
love you all!
dorinda
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
The Heart of God
I have heard so much and read so much about The Heart of God. We all want to know the heart of God.
I don't know about you, but I want to know His heart so I can please Him in everything I do, say, and think.
The heart of God would be the thing that He is most passionate about. I believe the heart of God is about reaching the lost. He came to seek and to save the lost. He gave everything so that all might know Him.
I believe the heart of God is wrapped up in Missions- taking the gospel to those who do not know Him.
Missions is about traveling to cultures foreign to us and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Missions- "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 to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age."
Missions - The Heart of God.
Opportunity.
Opportunity to pray.
Opportunity to give.
Opportunity to go.
In those 3 verbs are where the enormity of opportunity lies.
Missions.
So, my challenging question to you today is, where do you stand in these opportunities?
Do you have missionary families that you faithfully pray for?
Do you continually and faithfully give (sacrificially) to missions?
Have you prayed for an opportunity to go?
I love you all and pray you are challenged way out of your comfort zone today!
blessings,
dorinda
I don't know about you, but I want to know His heart so I can please Him in everything I do, say, and think.
The heart of God would be the thing that He is most passionate about. I believe the heart of God is about reaching the lost. He came to seek and to save the lost. He gave everything so that all might know Him.
I believe the heart of God is wrapped up in Missions- taking the gospel to those who do not know Him.
Missions is about traveling to cultures foreign to us and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Missions- "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 to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age."
Missions - The Heart of God.
In the simplicity of Missions is the enormity of opportunity.
(Let that sink into your thinker.)Opportunity.
Opportunity to pray.
Opportunity to give.
Opportunity to go.
Pray. Give. Go.
In those 3 verbs are where the enormity of opportunity lies.
Missions.
So, my challenging question to you today is, where do you stand in these opportunities?
Do you have missionary families that you faithfully pray for?
Do you continually and faithfully give (sacrificially) to missions?
Have you prayed for an opportunity to go?
In the simplicity of Missions is the enormity of opportunity.
Pray. Give. Go.
What will you do with the opportunity placed in your time bank?
What will you do to find the Heart of God?
I love you all and pray you are challenged way out of your comfort zone today!
blessings,
dorinda
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Family Treasures
We have been on vacation- Soaking up the sun and relaxin' and chillin' on the beach - well, not actually chillin'-chillin'.....
This week is all about family. We are making memories for ourselves, our children and grandchildren. Every night as I go to bed, I ask God to help my children remember the special moments we have with each other and our extended family.
God has been so gracious to allow us this time together. Family time is a treasure we so often take for granted.
Here are a few pictures of our "fun in the sun" week!
blessings,
dorinda
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Three Men and a Lady
The Creator sat in heaven and awaited for the deliveries on the cold November day.
One little soul was waiting. He chuckled to Himself. Where would He put this one?
He realized she would need the most patient man to call "Daddy".
Hmmmm. He knew the perfect one.
This man was a man after His own heart. This man sought the face of his Creator and loved his wife and his first daughter. This man was the perfect father for this little bundle of demands.
Charles.
Strong.
Godly.
Nurturing.
Compassionate.
Loving.
Kind.
Firm.
Faithful.
Devoted.
Steady.
Hero.
Daddy.
My dad- the most wonderful father to my sister and myself. He has always reflected our heavenly Father. He is an amazing and passionate follwer of Christ.
I remember family devotions out of the Big Family Story Bible. I remember prayer times. I am so blessed to have learned the power of prayer from such a giant in the faith as my dad! Wow! Did God smile on me when He allowed this man to be my daddy!
It was 18 years later, and the Creator knew this was the time for the second man to enter her life. He had this moment planned before they were both born. His timing was everything. His timing was perfect. This was the moment. This was the place. This was His Divine Will.
This man was a man after His own heart. This man sought the face of His Creator and would love his wife and his children. This man was the perfect to be man number two in her life.
Rusty.
Handsome.
Funny.
Chivalrous.
Godly.
Passionate.
Nurturing.
Compassionate.
Loving.
Kind.
Firm.
Faithful.
Devoted.
Steady.
Hero.
Husband.
My husband, my best friend, my soul mate. He is the most wonderful father to our children. He is such a strong, yet compassionate soul. He always reflects the love of the Father and is the absolutely the most amazing man I have ever met! Wow! Did God smile on me when He fashioned this union in the heavenlies!
It was 30 years after that November delivery. She had waited a long time for this day. Now was the time for man number three to be introduced to her. Today she would conceive. Today the Creator would continue the godly legacy for another generation. His timing was everything. His timing was perfect. This was the moment. This was the place. This was His Divine Will.
Nine months and he was born- a healthy, handsome baby boy.
This will be a man after His own heart. This young man will seek the face of His Creator and will love his mother, and one day love his wife and his children. This man will be the perfect man number three in her life. This man will be her only son.
Wow! Did God smile on me when He gave my Jordan to me as a son!
Three men and a lady.
Blessed beyond measure.
Happy beyond words.
Fulfilled beyond understanding.
Thankful for eternity for my three men.
Happy Father's Day, to my awesome, wonderful Dad!
Happy Father's Day to the father of my children, my soul mate!
I love you all!
dorinda
One little soul was waiting. He chuckled to Himself. Where would He put this one?
He realized she would need the most patient man to call "Daddy".
Hmmmm. He knew the perfect one.
This man was a man after His own heart. This man sought the face of his Creator and loved his wife and his first daughter. This man was the perfect father for this little bundle of demands.
Charles.
Strong.
Godly.
Nurturing.
Compassionate.
Loving.
Kind.
Firm.
Faithful.
Devoted.
Steady.
Hero.
Daddy.
My dad- the most wonderful father to my sister and myself. He has always reflected our heavenly Father. He is an amazing and passionate follwer of Christ.
I remember family devotions out of the Big Family Story Bible. I remember prayer times. I am so blessed to have learned the power of prayer from such a giant in the faith as my dad! Wow! Did God smile on me when He allowed this man to be my daddy!
It was 18 years later, and the Creator knew this was the time for the second man to enter her life. He had this moment planned before they were both born. His timing was everything. His timing was perfect. This was the moment. This was the place. This was His Divine Will.
This man was a man after His own heart. This man sought the face of His Creator and would love his wife and his children. This man was the perfect to be man number two in her life.
Rusty.
Handsome.
Funny.
Chivalrous.
Godly.
Passionate.
Nurturing.
Compassionate.
Loving.
Kind.
Firm.
Faithful.
Devoted.
Steady.
Hero.
Husband.
My husband, my best friend, my soul mate. He is the most wonderful father to our children. He is such a strong, yet compassionate soul. He always reflects the love of the Father and is the absolutely the most amazing man I have ever met! Wow! Did God smile on me when He fashioned this union in the heavenlies!
It was 30 years after that November delivery. She had waited a long time for this day. Now was the time for man number three to be introduced to her. Today she would conceive. Today the Creator would continue the godly legacy for another generation. His timing was everything. His timing was perfect. This was the moment. This was the place. This was His Divine Will.
Nine months and he was born- a healthy, handsome baby boy.
This will be a man after His own heart. This young man will seek the face of His Creator and will love his mother, and one day love his wife and his children. This man will be the perfect man number three in her life. This man will be her only son.
Wow! Did God smile on me when He gave my Jordan to me as a son!
Three men and a lady.
Blessed beyond measure.
Happy beyond words.
Fulfilled beyond understanding.
Thankful for eternity for my three men.
Happy Father's Day, to my awesome, wonderful Dad!
Happy Father's Day to the father of my children, my soul mate!
I love you all!
dorinda
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
I Have a Dream
Sometimes things get in my spirit and I just can't let go of them.
Tonight is one of those nights.
I remembered a song by the Christian music artist Carman (www.carman.org).
I cannot even tell you how many times in my life that this song has reminded me of my dreams and visions God has placed in my heart and spoke into my spirit.
I found the lyrics on a website and I do not believe I am infringing on any copy write laws by pasting them here. (I do encourage you to visit the singer's website. If you click here, and go to Number 6, you can hear a sample of this awesome song.)
The Destination is There
You've felt in your spirit
God's shown you something new
Something that has strengthened you
And only you can do
But as your desire grew
You got a little depressed
'Cause you found no destination
For your dreams to manifest
Chorus:
Your desire is the confirmation the destination is there
God wouldn't put it in your spirit if it wasn't going nowhere
So set your sights on the promises and don't you be scared
For your desire is the confirmation the destination is there
His vision's for a certain hourI know it won't be late
His promises will strengthen you
If only you will wait
Don't follow someone else's dreams
Keep your own in sight
For the vision that God gives
Will keep you all your life
Chorus
_________________________________________
Hang on. I am going to ramble a little. :)
Dreams.
There are different kinds of dreams.
You know. You might eat too much pizza at night and then you have this wild and crazy dream about aliens or something.
Then there is a dream that settles in the deepest part of your spirit and hangs on throughout the seasons in your life.
It is then that you know you didn’t just have a dream in your sleep, but you have a dream- as in – you possess a dream, a goal, a vision of something you want to one day accomplish.
A Dream.
Everyone has one. It is God’s way of putting His purpose in your life.
One of the greatest speeches of all time, by one of my greatest heroes goes something like this-
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
Martin Luther King, Jr., certainly fulfilled his dream and God’s purpose for his life and this country. (He is on my big list of people I want to meet in heaven!)
I believe that when we are children, God plants seeds of purpose and destiny in our hearts. I believe He plants seeds of greatness in everyone’s heart. I believe He lovingly and longingly desires for each of us to fulfill His purpose for our lives.
I have a dream.
You have a dream. Do you know what your dream is?
I almost forgot mine. I knew it as a child. I even mentioned it as an adult. But somewhere between childhood and growing up, I began to belittle the seed of greatness that had been planted by my Creator. I somehow began to believe the dream He lovingly placed in my heart was foolish and a waste of my precious time.
Consistently the dream has remained. I may stuff it down in my heart and ignore it or even pretend it doesn’t exist, but my dream is in my spirit.
When I nurture the dream, it becomes a desire that pleases my Creator. The psalmist tells me in Psalm 37:4:
“Trust in the lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
I have a dream.
Whether or not I fulfill it is dependent upon my decisions today, my course of action tomorrow, and my willingness to see it through.
I have a dream.
Today I choose to seek my Savior and pursue the purpose He has for my life.
I have a dream.
blessings!
dorinda
Out of my Treasure Box:
The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
(You gotta read it!)
Tonight is one of those nights.
I remembered a song by the Christian music artist Carman (www.carman.org).
I cannot even tell you how many times in my life that this song has reminded me of my dreams and visions God has placed in my heart and spoke into my spirit.
I found the lyrics on a website and I do not believe I am infringing on any copy write laws by pasting them here. (I do encourage you to visit the singer's website. If you click here, and go to Number 6, you can hear a sample of this awesome song.)
The Destination is There
You've felt in your spirit
God's shown you something new
Something that has strengthened you
And only you can do
But as your desire grew
You got a little depressed
'Cause you found no destination
For your dreams to manifest
Chorus:
Your desire is the confirmation the destination is there
God wouldn't put it in your spirit if it wasn't going nowhere
So set your sights on the promises and don't you be scared
For your desire is the confirmation the destination is there
His vision's for a certain hourI know it won't be late
His promises will strengthen you
If only you will wait
Don't follow someone else's dreams
Keep your own in sight
For the vision that God gives
Will keep you all your life
Chorus
_________________________________________
Hang on. I am going to ramble a little. :)
Dreams.
There are different kinds of dreams.
You know. You might eat too much pizza at night and then you have this wild and crazy dream about aliens or something.
Then there is a dream that settles in the deepest part of your spirit and hangs on throughout the seasons in your life.
It is then that you know you didn’t just have a dream in your sleep, but you have a dream- as in – you possess a dream, a goal, a vision of something you want to one day accomplish.
A Dream.
Everyone has one. It is God’s way of putting His purpose in your life.
One of the greatest speeches of all time, by one of my greatest heroes goes something like this-
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
Martin Luther King, Jr., certainly fulfilled his dream and God’s purpose for his life and this country. (He is on my big list of people I want to meet in heaven!)
I believe that when we are children, God plants seeds of purpose and destiny in our hearts. I believe He plants seeds of greatness in everyone’s heart. I believe He lovingly and longingly desires for each of us to fulfill His purpose for our lives.
I have a dream.
You have a dream. Do you know what your dream is?
I almost forgot mine. I knew it as a child. I even mentioned it as an adult. But somewhere between childhood and growing up, I began to belittle the seed of greatness that had been planted by my Creator. I somehow began to believe the dream He lovingly placed in my heart was foolish and a waste of my precious time.
Consistently the dream has remained. I may stuff it down in my heart and ignore it or even pretend it doesn’t exist, but my dream is in my spirit.
When I nurture the dream, it becomes a desire that pleases my Creator. The psalmist tells me in Psalm 37:4:
“Trust in the lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
I have a dream.
Whether or not I fulfill it is dependent upon my decisions today, my course of action tomorrow, and my willingness to see it through.
I have a dream.
Today I choose to seek my Savior and pursue the purpose He has for my life.
I have a dream.
blessings!
dorinda
Out of my Treasure Box:
The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
(You gotta read it!)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Having a Christ Centered Summer!
Our family is slap dab in the middle of a hectic baseball/softball season. I love it- and I hate it!
I love it because I get to watch my children have fun doing something they love. I hate it because, 9 times out of 10, we are split up as a family. Almost all of the games occur at the same time at different ball parks- even in different towns!
We have ballgames on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Tournaments usually on Fridays and Saturdays. Church is on Wednesday and Sundays. That is all 7 nights of the week.
To say that a busy schedule can put a strain on your marriage and family time is a massive understatement. We have to work extremely hard during the "sports" months to maintain a healthy balance in our family life.
God must remain central and top priority if we are to continue reaching our goal of being a Christ centered family.
How do we do it?
Well, sometimes we fail. Yep. You read it right.
Just because my husband is the Senior Pastor of our great church does not make him perfect. (Although I think he is pretty close! :)) And for sure, I am not!!!!!
Sometimes we get caught up in the whirlwind of life and can't find the way off the cyclone.
Colossians 3:1-3 says
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." NIV
But other times, we plan ahead (that would be Rusty and not me :)). If we know we are going to have a hectic week, we make a special effort to have family time during the day- if possible- or eat an early supper together, etc. We purposely talk about God's Word and ask each other questions about our Bible reading. We hold children and adults accountable for time spent in God's Word.
The biggest challenge is quality alone time for our marriage. Summer makes it a little harder to have our weekly "dates" and time typically spent just with the 2 of us. Again, it takes planning ahead and definite persistence! But it sure is worth it!
I received a wonderful resource today for building great marriages. I encourage you to check out this website for some great online stuff! You can also sign up for a weekly encouraging email. I haven't explored it all completely, but so far I like what I see at Marriage Today.org.
My prayer for each of you is that you keep Christ at the center of your hearts and your families! May you continue to seek His face with all your heart! May you know His Truth. May you imitate His ways. May love His Word and live His Will! I simply pray you have lots of S.K.I.L.L. in your life!
I love you all and pray you enjoy this beautiful summer ahead of us!!!
(Oh, how I love summer time!!!)
dorinda
I love it because I get to watch my children have fun doing something they love. I hate it because, 9 times out of 10, we are split up as a family. Almost all of the games occur at the same time at different ball parks- even in different towns!
We have ballgames on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Tournaments usually on Fridays and Saturdays. Church is on Wednesday and Sundays. That is all 7 nights of the week.
To say that a busy schedule can put a strain on your marriage and family time is a massive understatement. We have to work extremely hard during the "sports" months to maintain a healthy balance in our family life.
God must remain central and top priority if we are to continue reaching our goal of being a Christ centered family.
How do we do it?
Well, sometimes we fail. Yep. You read it right.
Just because my husband is the Senior Pastor of our great church does not make him perfect. (Although I think he is pretty close! :)) And for sure, I am not!!!!!
Sometimes we get caught up in the whirlwind of life and can't find the way off the cyclone.
Colossians 3:1-3 says
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." NIV
But other times, we plan ahead (that would be Rusty and not me :)). If we know we are going to have a hectic week, we make a special effort to have family time during the day- if possible- or eat an early supper together, etc. We purposely talk about God's Word and ask each other questions about our Bible reading. We hold children and adults accountable for time spent in God's Word.
The biggest challenge is quality alone time for our marriage. Summer makes it a little harder to have our weekly "dates" and time typically spent just with the 2 of us. Again, it takes planning ahead and definite persistence! But it sure is worth it!
I received a wonderful resource today for building great marriages. I encourage you to check out this website for some great online stuff! You can also sign up for a weekly encouraging email. I haven't explored it all completely, but so far I like what I see at Marriage Today.org.
My prayer for each of you is that you keep Christ at the center of your hearts and your families! May you continue to seek His face with all your heart! May you know His Truth. May you imitate His ways. May love His Word and live His Will! I simply pray you have lots of S.K.I.L.L. in your life!
I love you all and pray you enjoy this beautiful summer ahead of us!!!
(Oh, how I love summer time!!!)
dorinda
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