Sunday, June 29, 2014

Traveler's Checks vs. Cashier's checks


So Tracy and I have been extremely blessed by so many people who helped out in contributing to our car fund!  We are feel so loved by so many people.  We actually met our goal!  I had communicated with my mom to bring me cashier's checks so we can purchase the vehicle.  You see I was confused and for a moment I thought they were interchangeable.  So when my mom and sister came and I took the checks to the bank I was very surprised when I heard that it would take 4-6 weeks to have the check cleared...my heart sank.  I was to return home with a large sum of money and I thought I would be able to get a vehicle for my family by the weekend.  I went home and broke the news to Tracy...we were both heart broken.  I admitted to her that I needed to repent...I had idolized this vehicle, thought it would rescue my family and make our lives so much more convenient...and thus better.  As I knelt by my bed that afternoon and asked The Lord to forgive me of my idolatry...I felt a peace of our future.  So here we are waiting...and enjoying life!  Jesus is so good to my family and I...and He is showing me so much as I wait on Him.

Cecil

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Sharing life


So I have learned so much about how The Lord works in the past 13 years of being close to Him.  One is that He always bring just the right people in my path, at just the right time.  When I was 21 years old I lived in Lima, Peru for 5 months and without even looking for it He brought college age Christians in my life.  When I was in Vancouver, BC He brought guys like Rhyson and Arnold in my life to be a great source of encouragement and men who would allow me to pour into their lives but were men who were rich in the Word as well.  Here in Thailand there are many people that I have been blessed to know.  I will mention two of them.  To the far right is a young man named Jay.  Jay is a missionary here for the states and he and his family have been here almost a year and a half.  He goes to the same language school as we do, the truth is ever since I've met him I have been really impressed with his Thai.  Recently our families have become good friends, they have two little boys as well.  The amazing thing is The Lord brought Spy into my life--the young man in the middle--and since he speaks little English and my Thai is still at a basic level I have had a difficult time communicating with him at a deeper level.  Recently he has been going through a very difficult time in life and Jay has been a huge blessing as he has ministered to Spy and translated to me when I needed it.  We recently had coffee together and I was able to share with Spy part of my story growing up, and that if after being in Thailand for 10 years if the only life that was changed was his...it'll all be worth it.  As I shared this with Him, with tears in my eyes, I was so honored for his friendship and willingness to allow me to be part of his life.  I honestly couldn't have communicated the heart of my message without Jay.  The Lord certainly gives you exactly what you need...exactly when you need it!

Cecil

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Most Misused Verses

                                            

So just finished reading this book, and it was a pretty good book and very informative.  Some of the verses he went through were: "Do not judge, or you will be judged." Matthew 7:1. This was fun for me to go through.  Truth is before I read this book I learned that many Christians, and non-Christians for that matter, misinterpreted and misused this verse quite frequently actually.  Usually is quoted when someone does want to hear a rebuke, or what they are doing is wrong...many times it's usually when a guy is sleeping with his girlfriend, or someone is feeling uncomfortable about a situation or conflict has been raised.  That isn't what this verse means at all.  In fact, we see Jesus exhorted his disciples to take the "plank out of their own eye so they can see clearly to take the plank out of their neighbors eye."  We also see through Proverbs how "many kisses come from the enemy--flattery and fake compliments--but faithful are the wounds of a friend."  It also says that, "a foolish man thinks himself right in his own eyes but a wise man seeks counsel."  Yet another one shall we, "rebuke a fool and he will curse(hate) you but rebuke a wise mine and he will become wiser."  In the New Testament we see many examples of believers being called to exhort, admonish, challenge and even rebuke our brothers and sisters in Christ.  We are also called to watch out for the wolves and to call out false teachers.  More and more I see this done less and less.  I see a great fear and battle going on in the hearts of men and we on I know who love Jesus.  Many have "fear of man" issues.  Many seek the "approval of man rather than the approval of God."  Jesus Christ himself says, "woe to you when all men speak well of you."  We are called to "judge."  The apostle Paul makes it clear on the letter to the Corinthians that we are called not to judge those outside the Church but those in the Church.  We are called not to judge their hearts or motives-only Jesus knows those--but we are called to judge the words and actions.  I know many say, but it needs to be done "in love."  What they really mean is it needs to be done being ultra sensitive, politically correct, overly nice, indirect, subtle, with your voice low, head bowed, and posture insecure.  I agree it needs to be done in "love" but that's not always loving...I see love as being personified and portrayed perfectly in Jesus...and I didn't see him take that posture too often.  He had boldness, strength, authority and a confidence about him that sadly many followers that I have met don't have.  Many times the language He used was so stark, harsh, and strong many would deem it as inappropriate and "un-Christian!"  Truth is I desperately want to be like Christ...I want to follow Him...and I want to live for His approval, rather than men.

Cecil

Friday, June 6, 2014

Driving anxiously


So this picture kind of emotional state I was in earlier this week as I was driving to pick up our boys.  A friend offered me his manual transmission truck to pick up the boys from school.  To be perfectly honest I was praying the whole time.  I actually haven't driven in Thailand at all and we have lived here for 6 months.  Grateful The Lord protected us and we made it home in one piece.  The picture is an accurate description if my emotional state.  Ita like riding a bike really...just need to keep at it.

Cecil