Pearls of a great price

We were on a search for significance. Significance found us. This was the last month of our ministry time in Europe. In London and the south coast our eyes were widened to God's treasures. Our assignment was within the one square mile of the center of london. We visited or did outreaches in at least 20 churches.
The last two months, my husband and I, literally put our lives in Az on hold to be a part of these outreaches (Ywam). We saw provision come at the last minute to encourage us that nothing is too costly or extravagant. This reminds me of the parable in Matthew of the pearl of great price. The merchant went out in search of pearls and he found one pearl to be very expensive.
Being a designer, I chuckled at this truth.This is so typical of a design project, we are in search of that perfect item and find one that blows our whole budget. We then make sacrifices.
We knew this mission would lead to something of far greater value than the cost. What we did know was how valuable it would be to teach us the high cost of our faith. Inquiry always leads to discovery. We knew we were searching for something but when revealed we understood. For the first time we were able to appreciate our Christian worldview in a city as diverse as you can imagine. Our flat was located where 300,000 people commuted into work everyday in the most affluent world market center.This same city is where Richard Dawkins unraveled atheistic thought.
We discovered how many people are searching for truth. Truth comes when love is alive.The love deficit in the streets can overwhelm you unless you uncover it for yourself. The truth is we are all starved for love and searching for significance.
We were so excited to open our hearts with others and share the extravagance of what had already been paid for by Jesus. His love and the free gift of grace that the bible tells about in Romans opens ones eyes.

One thing we did was read the entire book of Romans out loud in the city of London. Truth lept from the pages and landed in our hearts causing conversations leading to conversions in the streets. Truth triumphed. Love vanished fears. So many treasures were found, these precious pearls are still being strung on the necklace of our hearts. We discovered how many people like in the parable of the pearl of great price that when they finally behold love for the first time perspective changes. You will do anything to purchase it.
Funny thing is, the Olympics was going on and many were purchasing expensive tickets. We chose to walk with the history makers, like Oliver Cromwell, John Wesley and William Carey who shaped Christian thought. They certainly weighed the cost of the Kingdom to burn at the stake for what they believed. There is price tag attached to everything. What are you searching for?
The Kingdom came to us. We are so grateful to those who have gone before us. We were thrilled to meet so many who are walking with us.

Germany,In whom the Father delights!

Germany was a land of splendor despite the devastation of Hitler. I am going to leave you with a few highlights thru my photos. Pictures tell the story better than I. In everything there is a season, suffering often produces beauty. I know in my own life when I do not get my own way I am miserable in the moment but when the breaking comes....
Germany was a journey much like working on a project, not real pleasant to begin with but the end result satisfies the soul. I knew my heart was going to be tenderized because every time I tried to give the book I brought by M.Schlink "In whom the Father delights" I could not find it. I have reread it at least 3 times thus far on the trip. It is about growing closer thru suffering, sound familiar? Often in a room there are pieces of furniture that compete for attention or one dominates and causes confusion in the space . Well I think you get the picture. Like "irritability " in us we often show ourself like the wrong colors, and textures in a room. I love it when we learn to see God's hand,even in our own irritability .
We had Castle top moments. Our hearts knit to the new Ywam leaders while they showed us places that caused jagged emotions to arise. It is hard to imagine such pain and suffering in a place where noble Kings walked. We bowed low before our heavenly King declaring restoration for this land! Our thanks to our great King for the many we prayed for and saw healed and delivered. Our fondest times were with our German family remembering the wedding and sharing grandchildren pictures.
In such beauty, pain is still evident in the death camps while life is reappearing in the remaining synagogues. History came alive as we uncovered our own sins identifying with a nation and at the same time asking to be reignited for Missions like the Moravians. We were saddened to learn from Sisters of Mary of the Moravians compromising stands now. Another lesson gained.We must be true to the commandments stated in the Bible. It does matter. Just like design, there are certain principles that change not.
I know history teaches us and the
Bible warns us about departing from
God's heart. He aches like I do when things clash. May we embrace truth.

Miam-Miam! Yummy!

France has been filled with wonderful delights;scrumptious fromage and yummy flan. We had wonderful times relaxing in the countryside around a meal with our new family. The ice cream is like non other but the warm conversation goes into the night.
Ever so exhausted from the move from the farmhouse to the 4 story town home we were always welcomed to a soothing meal. This relaxed our bodies while the laughter quenched our soul. Songs of deliverance arise as we shout Viva la France! This move has been a testing teaching us all to savor each bite.
Our greatest memory of this Ywam base is a meal they served that keeps on giving. They told of when they moved to the old farm house in Ales and how they bought food for a team coming into their home for 8 days.
To their surprise the team cancelled. What to do with this abundance? They found a band of wanderers and passed on not only the food but let them taste Jesus too. Yesterday, this same group gave back and extended a hand in the move. That was yummy!

Quel est plus important dans la vie?

Today, as we are leaving France I learned a valuable axiom. Life is precious and to value what really counts can only be measured by connecting hearts. On the bus ride from Ywam Bridges we met Luc. His name would be Luke. His heart met ours as we shared our journey from Az to look into hearts and share ours. Jesus is all we have. His love leaped from our heart. Tears of joy ran down his face as he met our best friend on that bus ride.
He is going on to Munich too. We believe he will have unlimited favor at the show for his idea for handicapped children. They will ride on a donkey with his special seat. I said a donkey carried Jesus. Luke1:37 came to mind for him and us, we will see the fulfillment of our dreams. I also am praying luke2:52 for him and us, we will increase in wisdom and favor with God and man.
Today we learned what is really important in life. Jesus gave his life that we might give His love away. Luke went on a separate train. He now has what is most important in life. He
will now give this love away.
I am going to write more of meeting Luke.

Voila!

Faith Tabernacle

June 21, 2012
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SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by MARSHA BURNS:

Beloved, it is My will and desire that you not only establish yourself in My presence
as you walk in the Spirit, but I would have you establish My presence, power and
glory in areas where you live and work so that I am never far from you, says the
Lord. Constantly maintain peace and righteousness in yourself and in your surroundings.
You are indeed the light of the world; let your light shine to illuminate the darkness,
yes even deep darkness and gloominess on the earth.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ.

We are now in Marsilles where my grandmother came from and her family brought the light of the gospel to Kansas. We are now here establishing light. Here it is! Voila!
We had a wonderful time on the train with 2 women I prayed with one who had a heart for the Jewish people. The French connection for sure and she was at Chuck pierce praying with Paul Wilbur in Lyon . Your heart never changes and mine grows deeper.

I love Paris .....continued

More pics of praying with sweet Kelly in Paris releasing gods grace ... We are counting our blessings one by one. The Paris flea market shots gave me lots of designer inspiration I am sure worn paint and faded fabric will be seen forever in my heart. I am learning to look deep into the souls and face of France . Hope to capture the heart that will not fade and be worn longer than today's chic.

I love Paris

We arrived in Paris June 6 under the arche de triumph. Love the architecture and the wonderful houses in the country where we are staying. I will try and post. We went on to the Eiffel tower and danced to celebrate victory as ps24 opened the gates. Our next stop at the dance studio was wonderful Kelly is doing an amazing job. It was the battle of normandy on the 7 so a tribute to the soldiers as truth and righteous arose. Our night of ministry at st peters in chantilly was wonderful. I am so grateful for all that is happening. The vision I had for Paris is a reality.
The yummy candy store was a treat indeed Gucci designed the interiors only in Paris such extravagance like heaven.