Body + Soul + Mind

God is in the business of restoration. He is a healer. He desires connection and wholeness even more than we do and He doesn't care how long it takes or how painful the process. He cares more about our character than our comfort... a friend of mine likes to remind me.

It has been an intense season. And God is doing some deep healing in my soul. He is renewing my mind. He is arming me for battle. After reading The Bondage Breaker by Neil Anderson and walking through the Steps of Freedom I was set free from some major lies I have been believing and was able to  break some agreements that I have made with the enemy.

So, during retreat in Kenya I felt the need for my body to catch up with my soul.

It is Lent... a preparation season... as I was crucifying more of my old nature, God invited me to experience these truths in a fresh way. By making a physical, public declaration I was identifying with Christ in His death on the cross and in the power of His resurrection! What precious timing.

The work of God is a spiral curriculum. He addresses something within us. We think we have mastered it. Then it comes back around deeper and more thoroughly. I've been saved since I was six years old. I surrendered my future to God when I was thirteen. I surrendered again when my mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was fifteen. I surrendered the daily living of my life to God (dead to self alive to God) my freshman year of college. And countless times since then I've laid it all down. But always deeper and more thoroughly. He is preparing me for some big things (please watch this 1 hour talk)- and all it stirs in me is humility- I've got so far yet to go!!

He is so kind. But also jealous. There is no room in my heart for God + _____...

He doesn't just want our songs on Sunday morning. Or our prayers when we wake each morning. He doesn't just want our weekly tithe. He wants all of us- our whole lives. And the good news is- when we give Him all of us, we get ALL OF HIM. Seriously the best news ever. He wants authority over my eating, my resting, my preaching, my parenting, my screen time, my spending... and guys, I want that too... He is so good. I can trust Him with it all. There is so much freedom there! Just a one piece life. (I struggled to find the Ann Voskamp post about living a one piece life- here is an excerpt from another blog- sorry I can't link it for you)

"When you let all the fabric of your life weave fluid together — the kids, the serving, the going, the giving — your life becomes this seamless tapestry. Live into the kind of ministry that lets you bring your life with you. Live into the kind of vocation that lets you live a full life. The work of family can flow fluid into the work of serving, which can flow fluid back into the fabric of the family, and family and ministry and your life’s work can be a One-Piece Life and what corporate model threatens to make our lives so profoundly disconnected? What corporate model has infiltrated our collective thinking such that family and work and living and modelling for the next generation what life is all about —  has left us with painfully disjointed and fragmented and compartmentalized lives? When you live a One-Piece Life — you don’t see your life as falling to pieces as much as it is falling together.... 

I have profaned the sacred, treated the holy in an unholy way. There are times, I still do. But I am prayerfully purposing to walk towards all of life as sacred ground, all of life as hallowed--because God is here, everywhere.

For me, it is about holistic living. We know that our health is not limited to just what we eat, or just if we exercise, or just where we live, or only what medications or vitamins we take, but it is about being a whole person--all of those elements factor into our being healthy. To live a spiritually holistic life, one can't simply have "Bible time" and expect to nourish an intimate relationship with Jesus. It is about keeping company with Jesus for the other 23 hours of the day, speaking with Him, singing toHim, praying to Him, calling out to Him, resting in Him--living in Him. There is no divide between holy and sacred. God wove life to be seamless, a tunic like Jesus’: one piece. For all is in Him. “In God…we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). “Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence” (Ps. 139:7).


Some may think of this as "Practicing the Presence of God"--but to do that we have to practice being *aware* of the presence of God. He *is* already here--we just need to wake up. We do not have to practice *making* Him present--He walks this moment with us.


His word is not confined only to a quiet time for “they are not just idle words for you—they are your LIFE”( Deuteronomy 32:47).


Life is our liturgy. *All* of Life is our time with God.

Throughout your day, you will worship God, together. And you'll learn to die to self together. There will be no fragmented scraps of learning, home-life, friends, work, God.

You will make a one-piece life--hallowed threads of parenting, love, education, living, creativity, wonder, sacrifice, and God all woven together. You'll wear it, and it will fit: Grace, Love, Gratitude." -Ann Voskamp

Praying Isaiah 44

The war rages on. The battle in the heavenlies. It's been thick lately. And I am learning so much. Since January I've been trying a new practice that has really been strengthening my faith. And I would love to share it with you.

Praying the Scripture has been on my radar for years. And as I pray I weave bits of Scripture or verses or phrases into my requests. But this year, I have been praying one chapter of Isaiah at a time. And it has been powerful.

Aligning our prayers with God's will is vital. What better way to do that than pray His own words back to Him?

Here is a prayer based on Isaiah 44:

"I am Your servant, O Lord- chosen by You, made by You, formed by You- help me. I won't fear, my Master- for You have chosen me. Pour water on those who are thirsty, flood the dry ground with Your living water. Pour out Your Spirit on our descendants (and our students). and Your blessing on our offspring; may they spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses. May they say "I am the Lord's", call themselves by Your name, and write with their hands, "The Lord's". May they be wholly Yours. You are my King, my Redeemer, the Lord of hosts; You are the first and last, besides You there is no God. Who can proclaim as You do? I won't fear, I won't be afraid; I am Your witness, there is no God besides You. Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.

All our idols are useless, the precious things we run to and cling to won't profit us anything. May they be ashamed. Forgive us for forming gods and molding images that profit us nothing. God, we work so hard to please, and bow so deeply to things that cannot satisfy us. Hear, and forgive our idolatry. May they utterly fail and disappoint us. Give us eyes to see the futility of idol worship. Forgive us for falling down and worshipping anything but You. We feed on ashes; the deceiver has lied to us, turned us aside- but we cannot deliver our own souls, nor can I deliver anyone else's soul- You alone are our Deliverer. 

You have formed me, and I am Your servant- don't forget me. Blot out our transgressions and our sins. May we return to You, for You have redeemed us.

Let us sing for You have done it! We shout and break forth into singing! For You, Lord have redeemed us, and glorified Yourself in our midst. You are the Lord, who makes all things, who stretches out the heavens all alone, who spreads abroad the earth by Yourself... frustrate the signs of the babblers, drive diviners mad, turn wise men backward, and make their knowledge foolishness. Confirm the word of Your servant, and perform the counsel of Your messengers, raise up our waste places, O God and be exalted. Use everything- good and bad- for Your good purposes on our behalf and for Your glory. In the name of Jesus, Amen."

Slowing to See

I breeze by my son's classroom on the way back to my office- and am stopped in my tracks... fiery crimson petals act like a stoplight to my soul... I must pause and take it in. Appreciate the way the raindrops catch the morning light. The contrast of colors.

I've said it before, but living in Uganda is like living in technicolor. Everything is vibrant and intense- the colors, the scents, the cultural differences, the people (so very friendly, welcoming, and enthusiastic), even the weather (though pretty much perfect year round) is an intense contrast of just two seasons: rainy or dry. And I have a choice. I can allow the harsh contrasts to assault my vision- or I can stop and just appreciate it for what it is. No judgement.

This flower is audacious in it's beauty. And that's just what I love about it. I am not a fan of the color red- and I could have just kept walking... because its not my own personal concept of beautiful... but I slowed to see it for what it is. A canvas for the wild, audacious glory of God.

And I was challenged in that moment- how often do I rush by another person without slowing to see the fingerprints of God on their souls?? Do I just see the things that make them different from me? Do I simply dismiss them as "other"? Or do I see "child of God"... my sister or brother?

It just takes one moment of a day for your world to get rocked. One second to pause and really see.

I want to be a woman who truly sees. Someone who's gaze isn't always on my phone, who's agenda isn't the next item on my to do list, who's got enough margin in her day to stop and actually ask how you're doing, and listen for the answer- to really see you.

Solo Mama Survival Planner {free printable}

We shared this quote HERE years ago- but it is relevant now as Josh is traveling more often for ministry.  Pray with us while he is away- here is why:

"But why was this frustration of sickness allowed?  One cannot always discern the reason for these things, but two are plain to us: (1) We learned that when one member of the party was thrusting out into Satan's territory, it was also necessary to put a prayer guard over those who stayed at home.  We were all praying for John and his party as they pressed into the demon-plagues territory of Goomoo.  Those prayers cleared the party's way (they were much blessed there) so Satan, in furious spite, struck at the unprotected home base.  Both those who go down to battle and those who stay by the stuff need prayer-coverage.  We have never forgotten this lesson." -Isobel Kuhn, In the Arena 

Pray for me and our kids, and Lillian as our men thrust out into Satan's territory.  If you will stand guard over these who stay home- please leave a comment!

One of the precious reasons I stay home :)

And as I stay home I've got plans in place to stay well!  If you're a mama who finds herself home while your husband travels- I pray that this little planner will help you stay well!

Download Solo Mama Survival Planner HERE 

Soaking in the Son: Ephesians TBT

**repost from the archives- these thoughts from Ephesians came to mind as we prepare to return to Uganda.  Will you join us in the fight?  Will you pray for Uganda?

this view. the ominous clouds. the palm tree swaying in the breeze.
the sunlight illuminating the veranda. a storm is brewing.  but there is such beauty.

and we, with Christ, take our place above the storm in the heavenlies.  

"If we are to grapple, not with flesh-and-blood adversaries, but with principalities and powers in the heavenlies, we need to come to grips with one basic truth of God's Word: that when God raised Jesus Christ from the dead and set Him in the seat of authority "far above all", He made us co-sharers with Him in every stage of the mighty finished work and then seated us with Him.

From only one position is it safe to approach and resist Satan, and that is from this position in Christ in the highest heavenlies.  From this position Satan and his hosts are completely vulnerable.

So for us also (like the fighter pilots of World War II) altitude is a vital factor.  Victory depends on it.  Understandable, therefore, Satan's craft is dedicated to luring us away from this place of advantage and causing us to forget his vulnerability." -R Arthur Matthews, Born for Battle

So, how do we soar to our rightful place with Christ in the heavenlies?  And how do we stay there day in and day out?  Praise rises.  Gratitude lifts.  As we fix our eyes on Him in praise and thanksgiving- we take our place beside Him.  Praise is our response to His glory.  Gratitude is our response to His goodness- it unites us with Him.  And Satan does not want us thanking God for all things.  He wants us grumbling and complaining for every minor inconvenience.  It lowers us beneath him and leaves us vulnerable to his attack.  

As Ann Voskamp notes in One Thousand Gifts: 
"The brave who focus on all things good and all things beautiful and all things true, even in the small, who give thanks for it and discover joy even in the here and now, they are the change agents who bring fullest light to all the world."  

Will you take your seat with Christ in the heavenlies?  Will you thank Him for all things?  We need grateful, valiant warriors who will fight beside us for the hearts and souls of those in Uganda! 

Pleading.

I am reading a little booklet called Praying Effectively for the Lost, by Lee E. Thomas, (though I haven't finished it, so can't recommend the whole yet). In it he talks about the effectiveness of pleading with God.  I think that word has a bad rap- it sounds so desperate.  But, shouldn't we be desperate for the lost to find God??  Isn't that why we are involved in missions?  

How are we to plead?  What does that even look like?  He outlines six things:

We can plead:

• the purposes of God
• the promises of God
• the power of God
• the personage of God
• the attributes and attitudes of God
• His past performances!

How will this change your prayer life??  Are you desperate for the lost to know Him?

Praying the Psalms

photo: Lake Victoria, October 2011

Praise is Powerful!

It's midnight. He's locked in jail. And he is praying and singing hymns of praise. All of a sudden an earthquake rocks the prison and locked doors swing wide open.  Read the rest of the story here.

Praise is powerful.  Praise unlocks prison doors.  Praise will silence the enemy.  Join us in praising the Lord today!  He is on the move and making a way for us!  Can't wait to share all that He has done this week as a result of our months of praying and our Praise Week!  Stay tuned.

Enjoy this video of African worship at our university church!  We love to hear them praising the Lord with loud and beautiful voices!

The Secret Weapon

We are engaged in a very real battle.  The enemy does not want us to return to Uganda.  He does not want God to get fame and glory in our Homeland Ministry.  He would love for the focus to be on us and our efforts.  He would love to get us down and discouraged.

He isn't winning this battle!  We have been so encouraged this weekend.  We got new financial and prayer partners.  We made a new church connection.  And we were reminded of my very favorite story in the Bible at a banquet on Friday night.  I encourage you to check out the story of Jehoshaphat this week.  

Growing up we did a musical of this story, and I still have the songs running through my head "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid- the battle is not yours, but it's God's" and "God's been beneficent, benevolent, tender and benign, gracious, meritorious, merciful and kind. He is lenient and laudable, commendable and just.  But these words only start to say how good He's been to us."

The past few weeks we have heard Him tell us, "Stand still and watch Me fight for you"  And we are and He has been!  I love that those words are echoed in this passage, with an addition, a secret weapon.  

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you... -2 Chronicles 20:17

The secret weapon comes next: as they headed into battle, the strong warriors did not lead the charge... the priests, the worship leaders led the way!  As they praised the beauty of God's holiness He set ambushes against their enemies and won the battle for them!

So this week we're engaging in praise warfare!  Will you join us in praising Him?  We would love to rejoice with you- leave a comment on how He is moving in your life.

Enjoy this video from our university ministry to kick off our Praise Week!

#tbt A Battle Plan

They've got us surrounded. We hear the sound of the armies advancing. They're getting into position. 20,000 Syrian foot soldiers stand at the ready. The people of Ammon are at the gate. And here we find David's men. In the midst of this dangerous situation.

"When Joab saw that the battle line was drawn against them before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians. And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon. Then he said, 'If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight." -2 Samuel 10:9-12

You and I are engaged in war whether we live like it or not. These are challenging days (We have been on the road for 24 days, and have sat in 44 hours of training at Headquarters, and are at our second and final Camp Meeting).

On the Road... in our X-Wing... Ready for Battle!

And what is so exciting is that if we are in God's business of ushering in the kingdom- we cannot fail. God will always forward His purposes, whether His people cooperate or not. What I love about this story in the Old Testament is its beautiful illustration of the partnership between the church and missions.

You are on a mission. We are on a mission. If your battle is too hard for you- e-mail us. We will pray. We will help you. And if the battle us too hard for us- we will let you know so that you can pray. And you can help us. We are not at odds- we're a team. We are excited that we can partner together for the sake of the gospel.

We head home to New Jersey on August 9!  Thank you for praying for us while we have been on the road- we couldn't have done it without you!  How can we pray for you and your mission?

**edited and reposted from the archives: June 2010

Shadow Hanging Over Christmas?

We have been walking with Scott and Meg through the valley of the shadow of death the past two weeks.

The battle has raged.  Death hangs overhead.  Darkness crouches at our doorstep.  But we are a people of hope!  He has already won the victory!

He is Emmanuel~ God-With-Us~ even here in the shadows.  His hand was all over that day.  And it declares in Isaiah 9, that He will use garments rolled in blood to fuel the fire of passion for the nations!  Even this death can accomplish His purposes.  We don't have to walk in the gloom and anguish forever- a light has shone in our darkness!

I'm not feeling as merry and bright this Christmas as I usually do.  And maybe there is a shadow hanging over your Christmas this year too.  Here are some ways to push back the darkness and bask in the glow of the Light of the World:

1. Light a candle.  be still and remember He is the light.  "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." -Isaiah 9:2
2. Give thanks. for He is always good.  "He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces.  Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness..." -Psalm 107:14-15
3. Focus on others.  He will meet you there.  "If you extend your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.  The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought..." -Isaiah 58:10-11
4. Arise.  allow the Lord to minister to your heart and bring healing, then arise. there is a season for sitting down in mourning and a season for getting up.  "Arise, shine, for your light has come!  And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.  For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you." -Isaiah 60:1-2
5. Praise Him! for He is always worthy.  "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness, and into His marvelous light." -I Peter 2:9

Is there a shadow lurking over your Christmas this year?  
Leave a comment- I would love to pray for you today. 

homemade missions Day #7

We're feeling the weight of spiritual warfare, and we need you to fight for us!  We feel as though there is much God wants to do, and Satan is fighting against that.  For more information on our team in Uganda, and our need for prayer now click here.

Wesley Duewel shares some specific ways to pray in his book, Touch the World Through Prayer:

As you carve out extended times of prayer for Uganda (or that country you named yesterday), pray for God to:

• Deepen hunger in the members of the team
• Reveal a new dimension of His holiness and power.  This is always an important preparation for God's mighty working.
• Produce a holy discontent with things as they are
• Quicken and strengthen faith that it is God's will to move and act on our behalf
• Give God's children new sensitivity to His guidance and voice.
• Give God's children an eagerness to be used of God and to obey Him
• Give new awareness to His people of the urgency of our need for revival
• Prepare the key individuals whom He plans to use
• Motivate and coordinate the prayer and faith of large numbers of Christians so they continue in earnest, prevailing prayer.

We long to love one another, to know God more, to serve Him faithfully here in Uganda.  Will you pray for unity among our team, for spiritual victory and deep joy in the Lord?

**edited and reposted from the archives

Heading Out!

Josh and the men head out tomorrow on their survey trip to DRC and Mbarara!  Pray for safety and good connections with people while they are out, but also please pray for us as we stay behind.  Joy Burke and her kids will stay with us so we won't be completely alone!  We are praying that the Lord leads and guides us as we pray over our plans for the next term!

Check out these two links for more ways to pray! 

• Survey Trip July 2012
• Women and Children

Monday with God

Monday, 21 May 2012

5:30am- i wake coughing.  but it's the Lord's gentle nudging.  come.  be alone with Me.
6:30am- the boys sneak downstairs for some morning snuggles.  i welcome them.  we snuggle.  then i go get Josh- it's his turn for morning duty.
7:00am- i take my african chai to the balcony.  and keep company with Jesus.  He speaks.  i listen.
8:00am- praise music flows from the ipod.  i spread my calendar and agenda before Him.  we figure out the to do list, He and i.
8:15am- Josh comes up and joins me.  we discuss the slow week before us.
9:00am- i get to the computer and blog and email and feel productive.  He is helping me!
11:30am- Josh leaves to get the boys.  i finish up my posts for the week.
12:15pm- Josh gets a call.  there is an emergency at the palace (where we do university ministry).  he makes a few more phone calls.  two of our student leaders have been taken downtown to court.  this is spiritual attack.  Seth cries out- he banged his finger.  Josh heads down to the palace.  he decides to walk- i wonder if he needs those moments to pray up before he arrives.
12:30pm- seth bangs his poor finger again.  i snuggle him and i pray for Josh and the palace and victory over darkness.
1:00pm- i make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  and we hear the call to prayer- Caleb calls from the dining room- "mommy, let's pray for the men who pray at night (aka muslims)." So we pray for the muslims to come to know the True God.  And we pray for Daddy and all the university students. 
1:20pm- Josh calls.  apparently a neighbor doesn't like the ministry taking place at the palace and has been complaining about the noise level of their prayer nights and other weekly activities.  she's gotten the City Council involved.  but Josh said that our lawyer sent someone down to help the guys in court.  we wait.  we pray.
1:50pm- we print some coloring pages for rest time and i send the boys to their room.  i need some lunch with Jesus. 
2:15pm- Josh comes home with a package and a Family Fun magazine.  i enjoy some downtime while the boys rest. 
3:00pm- Josh gets Rachel from school.  i figure out what i'm going to do about dinner since i haven't gotten to the grocery store yet!  might be rice and beans.  thankful i have beans in the freezer and rice in the pantry.  write my grocery list.
3:15pm- didn't get that list written. went to play outside with the dog.
3:45pm- Josh and Rachel got home.  boys asked Rachel to watch Veggie Tales with them.  i thanked Jesus for Rachel.  then made an afternoon snack for my guys.  these. i always have the ingredients on hand.
4:30pm- they need 300,000 UGX per person bail bond.  Emmy Mugisha is with them.  he says they are in good spirits. I'm glad the guys have each other.
5:00pm- start dinner. Josh gets a call.  they don't have time to get to the bank to pay the charges there.  When they returned from the bank, the man to receive the payment receipt had already left.  Seems it was intentional. the guys will have to spend the night in jail.  ugh.  keep praying.  get the boys praying.  get facebook friends praying.
6:00pm-say grace. pray for the guys. eat dinner.
6:30pm- Seth is tired.  Bathe the boys.  Seth poops in the potty- praise the Lord for a small answer to prayer! Josh rallies prayer warriors to meet at the palace at 8pm.
7:00pm- Read the boys a story.  Pray for a good night (for everyone).  Think about joining Josh for the prayer vigil.  But then wonder, "if we both go, will Satan shift his attacks toward our boys??"
7:30pm- Head downstairs and tell Josh I don't think I should go.  He had already been wondering, "if we both go, will Satan increase his attacks and we could all go to prison??"

So here I sit.  At the end of my day with God.  Alone with Him.  Fighting the hardest battle we've had lately.  Who would have thought this is where I'd be today??

Friday Five: Gateway Cities

Friday Five, is actually Friday Seven this week.  Did you know that WGM Uganda is targeting 7 Gateway Cities for potential ministry?  Will you join us in praying that God would send more laborers into the harvest?  Ask that He would raise up African missionaries from our local AGC churches, and the university ministry.  Pray that He would soften the soil and prepare connections for us in advance. 

1. Arua- Billy and Joanna Coppedge, Scott and Meg Rambo
2. Fort Portal- ??
3. Gulu- ??
4. Jinja- Matt and Joy Burke
5. Mbale- ??
6. Mbarara- ??
7. Kampala- Jon and Lisa Mayo, Kenneth and Delight Hopson, Lisa Fish, John and Beth Muehleisen, Josh and Kelly Hallahan

Pray for these cities by name.   Claim them for the kingdom of God!

Is He calling you to PRAY for one of these cities specifically?  Is He calling you to come to Uganda and be a part of advancing His kingdom here?  There are many ways you can GO with WGM:  CLICK HERE!  Is He calling you to GIVE toward the ministry here?  Contact us if you want to get involved financially. 

And continue to pray this Field Declaration with us!

You are the Front-line!

We cannot be here without you!  We need faithful men and women who will stand in the gap for us!

"I am not asking you just to give 'help' in prayer as a sort of sideline, but I am trying to roll the main responsibility of this prayer warfare on you.  I want you to take the burden of these people upon your shoulders.  I want you to wrestle with God for them.  I do not want so much to be a regimental commander in this matter, but an intelligence officer.  I shall feel more and more that a big responsibility rests upon me to keep you informed." -J.O. Fraser, The Prayer of Faith

• Pray for health and safety for each missionary and each missionary kid.
• Pray for protection and security of our properties. 
• Pray for spiritual protection from the enemy, that we would not let him get a foothold in our lives individually or corporately. 
• Pray for clear and effective communication on our teams and among our teams: Arua Team and Kampala Team (and soon to be Jinja Team, yay Burkes!)
• Pray for solid times in the Word and in prayer individually.
• Pray for our marriages and families.
• Pray for our ministries, that our work would simply be the overflow of our relationship with the Lord.  
• Pray for our upcoming field retreat-that we would meet Jesus in real ways that bring healing, freedom, joy and unity!