Copy and paste the link into your browser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck58d3BMBX0
Or search YouTube for Softly & Tenderly (Official
Lyric Video)
Kristyn Getty, Vince Gill, Ellie Holcomb,
Sierra Hull by KeithandKristyn Getty
“More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of
the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered
the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may count
them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him,
“ …not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law,
but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from
God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him, and the power of His
resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His
death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
“Not that I have already it, or have already become
perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I
was laid hold of by Christ.
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of
it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting
what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the
goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:10-14
Thank you for those who wrote and encouraged me to share a
bit more about my mission field. So yesterday,
I shared the two Scripture passages that changed my life forever because they
led me to my mission field.
I continued my daily devotions but moved on from that ‘mountain-top’
experience, thinking I was having silly dreams and being selfish – besides it
didn’t really make much sense. Yet God
was working in ways that were as miraculous as His working in the lives of
Bible characters like Hanna, Gideon, David, Elizabeth.
My role in Buffalo was enough of a miracle -- as I, who had
only ever balanced my check (cheque) book twice in my life, was now in a senior
position in a big financial institution!
One of my challenges was to look at ways to accommodate
customers in a more convenient way (for them) and this led me to investigating
and analysing some new computer hardware and software.
I found myself on the brink of some huge decisions that were taking me around the United States to speak at conferences. I had the most remarkable leader, Jeff Westergren, who believed and supported my contribution. (He also helped me develop my leadership skills).
One evening, as I boarded a plane (with a first-class
ticket), little did I realise this night was just another part of God working
out His mission plan for me.
An upset woman boarded the plane and demanded my seat. She would not be quieted. I felt sorry for the flight attendant and
thought it a better choice to just let this emotional woman have my seat so the
flight could leave.
The flight attendant breathed a sign of relief and walked
with me out to the gate. She apologised
and directed me to walk to the lobby of the hotel in the airport, where they would
welcome me. She then handed me an
envelope before hurrying back to the plane.
Inside the envelope was a complimentary reservation for the hotel,
meal tickets for their restaurant, a ticket for the first flight out the next
morning to my speaking destination -- and a voucher for $1,000 toward any
flight of my choice in the future!
That voucher haunted me from that day because I had no idea where
I might go. But I added it to my prayer
list right after my memory verse in Acts.
Eventually, I decided to see just how far I could travel with the
voucher and discovered I could make it to Hawaii.
Well I’d never BEEN to or imagined going to Hawaii. My travel agent called me with the news that
she could also secure a rare, round trip from Hawaii to Sydney Australia for
only $400. Did I want to book it?
I was a little excited and the travel agent arranged a 17-day
tour through some of the high points of Australia. It was November 1987 and off I went. Australia, however, was a notable humanistic,
secular, even heathen land and I was worried to be travelling alone.
Tomorrow, I will share a bit more of my first adventure in
Australia and hope that by sharing this amazing personal experience, God will
use it in your life to encourage you, whatever challenges you might be walking
through right now.
Take care with love, especially His, Darlene (who still
prays for you each day)
PS: Find my
statement of faith: https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com
(where you will also find a series of beginner Bible studies to share). You
can easily find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for
‘WeakDay Devotion’. (Also, there is an
android ‘Google
Blogger’ app you can download to read them on your phone. Not sure about Apple.)
NEW PRAYER REQUESTS (any updates?)
· Tonga – volcanic explosion and tsunami – destroying one third of the island, unknown number
of deaths. The island is without water,
normal services, communication and further damages continuing. Please pray for those on the island and all
those rushing to aid those left behind.
· Christians in Afghanistan – Many Christians went to this country to share the Good News to many who would never have heard of Jesus. These leaders and baby Christians are now in heightened danger and need your prayers to protect them and sustain them during this time.
·
Ray Jr. –Pray the Lord holds Ray Jr. (and his brothers) closely
as they deal with the practical matters after the loss of their father and
comfort their hearts.
·
Family of Eric – Eric at 52 died suddenly leaving his 47-year-old
wife and three girls (ages 16, 19 and 23).
Pray the Lord comforts the family through this time of mourning. Pray for their wisdom and that Go-d will send
trustworthy, honourable, Bible-based councilors for the many decisions that now
must be made.
· Peyton - eldest granddaughter of Jeff and
Rachael – now in her second year of college.
Please continue to pray for her that she does well, makes good decisions
and continues having a good relationship with the Lord.
·
Adam –
please pray for his strength and peace as he pursues new job possibilities and
that the Lord will guide him clearly in his decisions and to know without doubt
the depth of forgiveness; and that his wife will be the loving supporter he
badly needs.
· Barb – my brother’s
faithful and kind wife. Thank you for
praying for her. She needs prayers to
sustain her and protect her health and energy during this time of additional
stress and challenge at work.
·
Sophie – three-year old daughter of a friend. She is chronically unwell and frail. Please pray for her, her parents and health
carers to find ways to manage the symptoms and heal her.
·
Hans –
a dear friend in Germany, the cancer seems to be stable for now. Pray for his financial situation to improve
and for his ongoing strength through the pain when it comes. Pray for his patience and God’s mercy. Pray for his healthcare providers and that he
is surrounded by faithful and compassionate Christian friends who will support
him through this journey. Pray for his
Mom (age 84) who is also unwell -- that their time together is filled with
extraordinary good memories and lots of love.
·
Callilah
- a lost child. Pray the Lord will
capture her heart.
Pray for those in full-time service
Pray to uphold our Christian leaders – that they never compromise God’s Word, are bold and courageous in the face of evil. Pray for their wisdom, safety, ingenuity, strength and for their families.
Pray for those with ongoing health concerns
Many of us have family, friends and loved ones with fragile health. Pray God takes special care with them and protects them in practical ways and that the Lord will have mercy on them during this challenging time.
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