Stand Firm

We continue to rest in the grace that God has shown us this past year. We are confident that much of the growth he has allowed in our hearts and minds will be continued until it is completed and we stand before Jesus face to face. Here are some of the things we have been learning lately.

1. David is learning how God is faithful in the midst of uncertainty.
2. Allison is learning to trust that God is good in the midst of difficult circumstances, and he can be trusted with the decisions we make and decisions our leadership will make about our future.
3. Allison is learning how to recognize and change the thoughts and deeply rooted assumptions about life and God that have been developed through experiences from childhood and reinforced throughout adulthood.
4. We are learning how to love each other in the midst of busy schedules and not merely be ships passing in the night (to and from the bedroom of whichever kid is crying). We are learning to practice intentional acts of kindness and forgive whether or not the other person is changing his/her behaviors.
5. Our daughter is learning how to trust the authorities God has placed in her life. She is beginning to listen to our explanation of why there is sin in the world and how our disobedience toward God earned our consequences, especially the consequence of death. She understands that "Jesus died so that we wouldn't have to die". Jesus placed himself under God's punishment for our sin so that we who believe in Jesus' death and resurrection would be forgiven and not experience spiritual death. My favorite evidence of how this truth is penetrating our daughter's heart comes from her prayers for the little four year old girl in a village in Papua New Guinea. The families in the Pei village are beginning to gather regularly to hear teaching from God's word, beginning with the truth about how God created men and using every Bible lesson to point to the one who died "so we wouldn't have to die". Join our family in praying for the people of Pei and those teaching the truth of the gospel to them this year.  The names we are specifically praying for are Pol (40), Tema, Tamalis (7), Telma (5), Akwilta (4), Aitsiluse (2), and Seseli (9 months). 
6. Our son is learning that his parents always come back to pick him up from childcare and naps have a good purpose. He is also learning that it takes hard work and lots of practice to learn new life skills. He is learning to be a fine cook who stirs hot pots, uses sharp knives, and washes his dishes later. Finally, he is discovering that what goes up must come down, including himself....

Ephesians 6:10-18 is on my mind tonight. This is the piece that sums up our thoughts about standing firm in the midst of uncertainty because of our faith in God and our hope of salvation

Paul wrote,

"13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."