NTM - New Tribes Mission | Planting Tribal Churches

I’ve been thinking and observing these days the situation we find ourselves in both personally, and as a nation.  It reminded me of the early 70’s when Jeri and I were living in Southern California.  I was awakened one morning to the sensation that the bed was moving.  My first thought was that Jeri was shaking the bed, but as the sleep cleared from my mind, I realized that not only was the bed moving, the swag lamp was bouncing on the chain right above my head.   Being from Nebraska, I was experiencing my first earthquake.  I tried to get up and get to safety, but every time I moved the bed moved and I couldn’t get out.  I felt helpless.  Fortunately the tremors, centered off Point Mugu, lasted only a few seconds, and everything returned to normal… except my heart rate.

These last few weeks have been kind of an earthquake for us.  We are facing decisions in our lives that leave us unsure of what the future holds.  The death of Jeri’s dad has necessitated that we spend some time with her mom helping arrange things for her.  We battle with what is best for her… and what the Lord is desiring from us. In addition, the violence in Mexico continues to cause fear for us and our loved ones.  The economy isn’t helping either.  The little church that dad was pastoring is suffering through the economic woes of this area, and many are without work.  These things and many others have the same effect on us that the earthquake did many years ago.  Everything we tend to lean on for stability is shaky at best.  Jeri and I find ourselves unsure of just what our next step is, and frankly our appeals for direction seem cloudy at best.   You would think that after 35 years looking to Him for direction it would be easier to just wait patiently but it isn’t.  Jeri has started writing down the encouraging verses from her devotions and sticking them on the bathroom mirror.  The other day she put up Psalm 100:5…

For the LORD is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting

And His faithfulness to all generations.

We are strengthened by your partnership and we meditate on His absolute sovereignty in our lives.  The absence of clear direction from Him does NOT mean He has abandoned us.   His love for us and His faithfulness to us is never affected by our feelings, or even our behavior.  NOTHING surprises Him.    NOTHING escapes His knowledge and authority.  He is incapable of failure.  We need to simply trust Him as my kids used to when we were traveling.  They had no idea which route we would take.  They never worried when there was snow on the road.  They simply trusted my choices and rested in being my child. We deeply appreciate your prayers for us these days.