THE SCOTLAND JOURNEY THROUGH MY EYES

“Set us afire Lord, stir us we pray!  While the world perishes, we go our way, purposeless, passionless, day after day; Set us afire Lord, stir us we pray! -Cushman

As I begin this I’m still asking the Lord what He would like shared.

So much has taken place but most of it is for my learning; but I want to share that which will benefit others that may find themselves in hard places.    This has been such a challenging year for me both personally and spiritually and it continues to be.  The trials and the warfare are on going and I keep looking and waiting for the breathers (respites) I used to get in the States.  I’m finding myself sounding like someone who wants the quick fix rather than staying as absolutely close to the Lord as possible while He holds me up in the trials.  One of the scriptures that has continued to be in front of me is Acts 4:13b “and they realized that they had been with Jesus”. So the question is have I been with Jesus and can they see Him?  I know that before leaving last year I don’t know that they could see that I had been with Jesus, there was too much worry and fear to show faith and courage and for that I ask forgiveness.  After going to the pastor’s conference in York a few weeks ago and talking with so many missionaries who have been here a long time, I realize that I still need to rest even in the midst of the fire.  One woman shared with me that our lives here are like the skin of an onion constantly being peeled away.  As the Lord molds and makes me more dependent on Him the layers of me must go.  I find that I must rely on Him literally moment by moment for my strength to be renewed.  This actually is so encouraging. To know that even though the pressure may remain, this is life here with Jesus.  Only through His continual feeding can I truly live in this desolate land and they will know I’ve been with Jesus.  Amazing how God will orchestrate whatever circumstances are necessary to be sure we are close to Him.

So Scotland…, this is a dry and thirsty land of hearts that don’t even know that they’re captive, poor, and brokenhearted; it’s just a way of life here.  In so many ways they live for the moment and have no thought of eternity.  Even though this is considered a democratic country it is quite socialistic, much more so than the States and the people are quite regulated in so many ways.  There’s a certain oppression that keeps them from really looking for change in their lives.  Our hearts desire is to present Jesus to these people that they might have our hope of eternity with Christ Jesus.

Col. 2:2-3 “that their hearts may be encouraged being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding to the knowledge of the mystery of God both of the Father and of Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Please pray for a dear sister here who is so broken from this life.  She goes it alone so often and will only let us love her sometimes.  Her spiritual and emotional needs can only be met by Jesus.

Pray for us to have more access to the people in everyday life; that we can show by our actions… Jesus.

Pray that as the Word goes forth that the lives of those in our fellowship would continue to grow and hold fast to the Lord.

Pray for Scott and I to daily put on the full armor of God and then walk in it trusting the Lord for all that we have need of to fight the battle.  Also that we would be passionate about what concerns the Lord… the souls of men.

Pray for health for both of us and that I will rest in the Lord fully, walking each day with what He gives.