As we pass from one year to the next, my thoughts again turn
to Psalm 90 - a reflection Moses makes at the end of his journey through
the dessert:
1. Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
...
12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
....
14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
...
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
17
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our
hands for us-- yes, establish the work of our hands.
My heart and mind gets focused with the wisdom of this Word:
When I tend to worry over our 401K, or miss Chile, or wonder
about staying in this house, I´m reminded that God is our dwelling place,
a Constant and Strong Rock, our Refuge - our Home - more than Miami, Chile,
or anywhere He places us.
When I spend long hours trying to advance on my online
courses, or in correcting student homework, I am reminded that I am a servant
of a "missional" God and my satisfaction in the "work of my hands" comes
from His love, favor and Grace resting upon us.
When I see a new generation of grandchildren born to our
daughters and Daniel at the University, (and generations of FLET and MINTS
students becoming teachers), and I worry about their spiritual welfare and
if they have grasped the gospel correctly, I am reminded of God´s covenant
promises where His Splendor transforms and He is the One that takes a hold
on them.
I sing for joy and am glad as I realize how much God loves me unconditionally and unfailingly.
God, keep me teachable and desiring you day by day
in 2009 so as to gain a heart with Your Wisdom and Your deeds be shown to
your servant.
Ministry webpages:
When I went to El Salvador a couple of years ago, among
my students in my Intro to Counseling course was Darío González, he was on
a three month furlough from his church planting ministry in Brasov, Rumania.
The family brokenness in Rumania was so overwhelming and so heavy on his
heart that he asked if I would go to Rumania and teach my courses - he would
translate from Spanish to Rumanian. Instead I encouraged him to take them
and teach them himself. A year later, after taking the Crisis Counseling
course through the internet from Rumania I then trained him to put the course
on line in Rumanian through hours on the video phone (Skype.com) . He is
now using this course to train his leaders.
