Life Journal – Page 2 – Life in the Deep End

Where is Your Tesoro? (Treasure)

April 19, 2011April 19, 2011Vona Wilson

IMG01675-20110419-0746 — Dogwoods are in bloom!

I am home in Tennessee. The dogwoods and honeysuckle are in bloom. The fields are green and the pine trees in our yard stand tall and strong. While I was away my sister (whom I call “Pincho”) took care of my dog, Tiki, in addition to the home we share.

Just before I left we had a big storm and several of our trees fell down so she has been busy taking care of everything from the storm damage. This morning I was just thinking about all the people who went to Guatemala with me. Maybe not “in person” but were still on the journey in spirit. There are many! Norris who was given a vision for Tennesse to be in relationship with Guatemala over 20 years ago; Sarah Mc Ginley who led the charge for our church to be involved in that mission; Debbie who covered my Bible study on Wednesday nights; John who covered my worship responsibilities on Sunday; Lynn who shouldered the care of the congregation; Pincho who kept our home in order; Fido Fitness who stepped into take care of Tiki when needed; and every person who offered a prayer or read the blog or had a conversation to tell a portion of the story. So many people – too many to count or even know.

IMG01673-20110419-0744 — For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

My reading today is from Matthew 6. It is rich. It encourages us to store our treasure in the spiritual realm where NOTHING can take it away. Everything mentioned in this teaching is done in spirit – with the wisdom that wherever your treasure is – your heart will be also. We do it by

1. Praying (verse 6)

2. Surrendering to God’s will (verse 10)

3. Fasting (verse 17)

4. Seeking kingdom righteousness (verse 33)

Those who have taken this journey “in spirit” by praying, by hearing the story and by covering the gaps so I could go…every one is part of the treasure God revealed during this return to Guatemala. I am confident God will bless every one of you – those I know and those I don’t. Because when we are engaging in the spiritual with our Creator, we are no longer limited by distance or ability or resource. I am thankful for this amazing power of God! What treasure are you storing up in your life today?

Am I Not Sending You?

March 29, 2011April 19, 2011Vona Wilson

My Life Journal Reading for today….

SCRIPTURE

Judges 6:13-14. “But sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all the wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian. The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have an save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

OBSERVATION

The Lord propels Gideon forward – no looking back. Pay attention to what I’m doing NOW.

APPLICATION

The question Gideon asks is one that is foremost in my mind when I am teaching anyone who is under great stress, oppression, grief, etc. Life can be so hard and the question, “why has this happened to us?” is a common one. This teaching shows me that the Lord called Gideon into a new day. God doesn’t spend a long time explaining the past – God simply sends him. He reassures him with signs that he is acting within the Lord’s protection. And the Lord ushers in a new day.

Sometimes things have been one way for while and then suddenly you realize – wow…it has changed! That happend for us in Guatemala. God doesn’t ask us to understand how or why doors open or close. God asks us to be obedient to what we are being called to do right now. The restraints of the past never restrict the work of God today. God sent Gideon and Gideon said, “yes”. It is humbling and instructive to remember that I can easily miss open doors if I am always looking back.

PRAYER

Lord, you are so gracious. Thank you for this teaching. Please keep my eyes focused on you. Keep my ears tuned to your voice. Please don’t let me miss what you are inviting me into right now. Thank you for your faithfulness and love.

YIELD

Make decisions today that “yes” to now.

The Prayers of Many

March 17, 2011March 17, 2011Vona Wilson

My life journal reading today….

IMG01173-20110304-1032 — Pacaya Volcano in Antigua.

SCRIPTURE:

II Corinthians 1:10b-11

On him we have set our hope that he will come to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

OBSERVATION:

Our prayers sustain people in their journeys. Our prayers uphold and sustain the work of God on earth. When we pray, God acts. Paul and the other disciples experienced many hardships. He does not say that prayer removed those hardships – but it is clear that the challenges he met were NOTHING compared to the power of the Spirit to move and act in spite of those hardships. Prayer changes things.

APPLICATION:

It is easier to talk about prayer than it is to stop the chatter and just start praying. It is easier to NOT ask someone to pray for you than it is to say, “yes…please pray for….” The power of prayer is unlimited. Prayer reminds me that God is able to do what looks impossible by human logic. Prayer will break down barriers and remove obstacles when the Lord’s plans are involved. It doesn’t mean that the obstacle is always gone – but it has no power to obstruct the purposes of God.

Since I returned from Guatemala I have been sharing the story of how doors were opened to us and we were blessed with much hospitality and grace in the La Toma School. This was the fruit of many years of relationship building and it was the fruit of much prayer. I have asked people to pray about the continued work there and very specifically for discernment and open doors if it is within God’s plan for me to return for a bit more teaching and encouraging while the door is “open”. As I was reading II Corinthians this morning, Paul’s journeys sparked a deeper interest in me because of this. We all have desires and dreams but it is in prayer that the Lord aligns our hearts with the plans of the Creator. There is always much we do not know, but with our humble prayers we can trust the Lord to act for the greater purposes in all things.

IMG00976-20110301-1036 — Expressions of faith.... soon to be partnered in prayer

We are establishing prayer partners for many of the children in the 4th grade class at La Toma. When we went back into their classroom to teach more, we asked them to express their faith with art. Our team brought the art home to share with the church and get prayer partners for the children. It is such a joy to see people take on an act of love that costs no money, but is a pure gift of the heart…to pray for someone. Who is praying for you? Who are you praying for?

PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for providing a clear and easy way for us to stay in communication with you in prayer. Thank you for involving us in your work on earth. I trust you completely.

YIELD:

I will depend on prayer and invite others into the blessing of prayer so that we can all rejoice together as prayers are answered. I accept the will and timing of God.

All things are possible…

March 2, 2011Vona Wilson

Title: All Things are Possible

Scripture Mark 9:23

Jesus said to him, “If you are able! – All things can be done for the one who believes.

Observation

Everything is possible with God. We can never limit His powere except for unbelief and not praying.

Application

Yesterday the Lord blessed us with making the impossible, possible. Chester (the translator) and I went into the 4th grade classroom of the La Toma school to teach an eager group of youth. We had been with them a few days before as Sarah led the VBS team in singing. But my heart was burdened to return because we saw their great desire for more. So Chester and I went in and we began. We let their ideas and thoughts guide the conversation. We asked them what they thought was needed for a “good life” (they have a moral values class so we began with this common ground” and they had a long list of about 10-12 things. From there the conversation grew in depth. We taught from Romans 12, Psalm 61, and Jeremiah 29:11 to meet them where they were. I wrote on the white board in English while Chester wrote behind me in Spanish. We did it!! It was SO MUCH FUN and such a blessing to us. I am still overwhelmed with God’s faithfulness.

We had asked this same class to express their faith in art the first day we were with them so we retrieved that art and will bring it home with us. We can pray for these youth as they grow in their relationship with God; we will share their names and art with anyone at church who is willing to go to God in prayer on their behalf. I am so grateful.

Prayer

Father, I am completely confident in your abundant provision and your faithfulness to work miracles on earth. I love you. Thank you.

Yield

Trust. Trust. Trust.

Changed Perspectives

February 19, 2011Vona Wilson

Date: February 19, 2011

Title: Changed Perspectives

Scripture Acts 26:6-7

And now I stand here on trial on account of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors, a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly worship day and night. It is for this hope your Excellency, that I am being accused by the Jews.

Observation

Paul is persecuting Christians one day and standing before Agrippa defending his hope in Christ on another day. God changes our perspectives.

Application

Something about Paul’s story of conversion gnaws at me today. Confident, secure and determined be knew what was “right”, he acted out of rage (26:11) to condemn others. It reminds me how easy it is to draw conclusions about others as if what we see is all there is to see. And it so humbling to see how dramatically our perspectives change once we have an encounter with Christ. On any given day, the Spirit may show me something that completely changes my heart, my actions and my life. I’m at the airport with a team of people on our way to Guatemala. Seems like a good lesson to begin the journey.

Prayer

Father, thank you for reminding me not to hold so tightly to my perspectives or expectations. Help me to just hold on to you and enjoy the adventure of following. Thank you for the gift of other cultures and perspectives. It shows me so much more of You.

Yield

The days ahead in Guatemala will reveal God’s purposes, not mine.