Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
The following is what I received this morning from Foursquare...
Good morning!
“Return home, and care for your grandkids,” were the words Foursquare missionaries Glen and Rosemary Mickel began hearing from the Lord in late 2007 after serving in the heart of Southern Africa for the last 8 years. It did not make sense at the time, and there were many reasons to discount or disregard this word of the Lord. They were seeing doors of fruitfulness open wide as a healthy Regional Council and many dear relationships all seemed to indicate they should remain in their present assignment. Yet Glen and Rosemary listened, and obeyed.
Less than a week after arriving back in the United States in early December 2008, the call came: “Jeremy, your youngest son, has just passed away at age 34.” After some physical challenges, Jeremy went home to be with the Lord, leaving three precious young grandkids, Jacob, Jonathan and Josiah. The Lord knew that these three young boys would be in great need of the comfort of their grandparents, and what awesome grandparents they are!
My friendship with the Mickels and some of their great children, Steve & Suzanne, goes back a few years, but not as far as I would like. In these last few weeks (as has always been the case), I have been touched and enriched again by the Spirit through them. Having just moved back to the USA from a wonderful assignment in Brazil ourselves, we’ve been strengthened by their courage and reminded that…
- Effectiveness is spelled “O-B-E-Y” in the real (His) economy. Thankfully Glen and Rosemary were not persuaded by ministerial pressures and result orientation, but prioritized the apparent ministerial ‘inefficiency’ of returning to family.
- Their grandkids are an important part of the harvest to Jesus! The discipleship that can happen through me in my family is my first calling.
- In the jungles of Africa or in the cities of the USA, hearing His prophetic voice continues to be key. May my heart always be listening to His love and guidance…even when not making sense in my limited perspective.
After breakfast with the Mickels several days ago, I was praying that I might have the same obedience, sensitivity and priorities. Glen of course thanked me for breakfast, and I thanked the Lord for the privilege of serving Him with them. Today (and frequently) I’m strengthened by the health of so many of our Foursquare leaders, and the faith of our awesome missionaries. May you and I pray this week, “Jesus, may I be more like You as I consider the outcome of the Mickel’s way of life and imitate their faith. (Heb. 13:7 NIV)
Be Blessed,
Nate
Friday, January 9, 2009
Hey Everybody,
Just wanted to quickly say hello and ask for Prayer this month. My schedule has become so filled that it seems I can't keep up with everything including this blog. I'm going to do my best and continue to electronically encourage.
God is doing some great things in His people and it seems to me that the challenge is how to push forward when the world is telling you to stop pushing. Moses had a very unique challenge in convincing Pharaoh to let the people of God go. He kept pushing Pharaoh and telling him that things in his life and the people he was leading were not going to turn out well as long as he kept the Hebrews hostage. Pharaoh's heart each time would harden to the word of the Lord. I never want to find myself in that place that my heart is so hardened that sin and disobedience don't affect me anymore.
So pray with me that our hearts would remain soft and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and that our personal walks with God would be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that the slightest of nudges gets us to pay attention. I love all of you very much and pray for you often.
Many Blessings,
Nate
Just wanted to quickly say hello and ask for Prayer this month. My schedule has become so filled that it seems I can't keep up with everything including this blog. I'm going to do my best and continue to electronically encourage.
God is doing some great things in His people and it seems to me that the challenge is how to push forward when the world is telling you to stop pushing. Moses had a very unique challenge in convincing Pharaoh to let the people of God go. He kept pushing Pharaoh and telling him that things in his life and the people he was leading were not going to turn out well as long as he kept the Hebrews hostage. Pharaoh's heart each time would harden to the word of the Lord. I never want to find myself in that place that my heart is so hardened that sin and disobedience don't affect me anymore.
So pray with me that our hearts would remain soft and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and that our personal walks with God would be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that the slightest of nudges gets us to pay attention. I love all of you very much and pray for you often.
Many Blessings,
Nate
Friday, January 2, 2009
Hey Everybody,
Nothing is more clear to us than the call to preach the Good News. Please take a moment and write down who needs Jesus in your life and pray for their Salvation in 2009.
Thanks,
Nate
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Hey Everybody,
I wanted to start a video blog for each day of the week. They will be short thoughts that I feel God impressing upon my heart. We do wish you a Happy New Year and believe God for big things this year. Please be praying for Israel right now as they are in a conflict that requires our Christian attention.
Much Love,
Nate and Shell
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