CARLOS' CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTION

I received a letter from Carlos, my correspondent in El Salvador.  He is eight years old, and just recently started writing his letters by himself.  I have dubbed him the Cutest Little Boy in El Salvador.  I think you will agree.


One thing I like about Compassion is that they teach Jesus to the children.  I know when my children go to the project, they are receiving Christian teaching.

Here is his letter:

I learn about God at my home, at my project, and at my church.
What I have learned about Jesus and I like the most is He loves me and saves me, He heals me.
When I pray to Jesus I do it for my sponsor, my project, my friends, and my family.
My favorite Bible story is David.
My favorite verse is Joshua 9:9.
What is your favorite song to sing at the project?  The Toad.
What is your favorite character from the Bible?  David.

He drew me a picture of Moses and the parting of the Red Sea.

Hello, dear sponsor, I greet you with affection.  I wanted to thank you for your letters.  I loved the stickers, I showed them to my friends and the bookmark you sent, and it's in my Bible.  thank you alot.  My family is doing well, and they send their regards.  How is your family?  I ask you to keep praying for me.  I pray for you as well.  In the project, they teach me about the creation, and I like the story of Moses.  I hope to hear from you soon.  I love you a lot.  Carlos.

MY PICTURES

Have I mentioned I love taking pictures?  One day, I would like to take a photography class, just to improve.  I don't want to be a professional photographer, but just to enhance the beauty of my personal photos.  Here are some of my favorite ones, ones that I have taken recently.

I just like the look of pathways in the midst of the forest.

How can you not think this is adorable?  A squirrel was consumed with its food it didn't notice me driving by and snapping the photo.  I did stop, by the way.  I'm not reckless!

During a severe thunderstorm, two baby birds and a hatching egg fell from the nest.  I placed all three birds back in the nest.  Unfortunately, later that day, two of the birds fell again and died.  I don't know what happened to the third bird.  But, as I took this picture, I was reminded that all new life is fragile and precious, whether it is a baby bird, or a baby human.  We must take great care of our animals and children.

I just love water.  Waterfalls, creeks, rivers, ponds, lakes, the ocean.  Water has a way of restoring peace to my soul, and I am reminded of the verse that peace will wash over me, just like a river.

I was on my way downtown, to a huge craft fair.  I crossed a bridge, and happened to look over the side.  I couldn't escape this rare photo opportunity.  I tried several times to get a better photo of the duck and ducklings, but they kept swimming away from me.  I think they were trying to hide!

Have I mentioned that I love water?  This is one of my favorite pictures, and it was taken the same day as the ducks.  I truly believe God loves beauty and water just as much as I do.

Okay, I couldn't pass this up.  An old water wheel.  I reminds me of a past we are so quick to forget; a past that reminds us of how far we have come and how much we have lost.

I couldn't help but take a picture of this little beggar.  

Sunsets are a beautiful and wonderful thing, aren't they?  If we stay outside long enough, if we pause just long enough, we can be reminded of everything the Lord has in store for us, all in a sunset.

OVERWHELMING PEACE

OVERWHELMING PEACE

Isaiah 26:3

You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.

Right now, I am overwhelmed with peace.  I am in God's will.  I am obeying Him in this new stage of my life.  My mind, spirit, and body are dependent on Him.  I am trusting the Lord to see me through.

The peace I have is overflowing.  Anything can happen, and in fact, has happened.  Yet the peace has not left me.  It is constant and always present.

Sometimes in our lives, we can experience this incredible peace.  Other times are marked by confusion, pain, and fear.

When we are in the will of God, He sends us His peace.  Everything will be okay.  It will all work out in the end.

I do not know what all the Lord has in store for me.  Or for you.  I do know that it is good.  He will bring each of us into a time of peace.

Where are you right now?  Are you experiencing overwhelming peace?  Rejoice and thank the Lord for His peace.

Are you confused or fearful?  Pray for His peace.  And listen to His guidance.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your overwhelming peace.  Continue to send me Your peace and Your love.  In Jesus' name, Amen

LOOKING FORWARD

LOOKING FORWARD

John 14:3

If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.

Nothing gets me excited about the future than this verse.  Jesus is returning!

The thought of Jesus returning fills me with joyful anticipation.  One day, He will set all things right.  He will conquer Satan and call the faithful to Him.  What a joyous day that will be!

What do I really look forward to about Jesus' return?  Meeting Him in person.  To see Him.  To hear Him.  To be welcomed by Him.

I truly believe that within every Christian, there is a joyful anticipation.  Each of us has a place in His kingdom, here and in the future.  He welcomes each of us.  And He will one day return and welcome us to Him.

What feelings are invoked in you at Jesus' return?  Excitement, anticipation, relief?  Is it fear or uncertainty?  If it is excitement or anticipation, rejoice in His promise.  If it is fear or uncertainty, open your heart to Him and ask Him for that assurance.

Lord, I praise You for Your promise of Your return.  Continue to prepare me for that glorious day.  In Your name, Amen

AFFLICTIONS AND BLESSINGS

AFFLICTIONS AND BLESSINGS

Deuteronomy 8:16

He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.

I have been humbled and tested through afflictions.  Humbled by the Lord's care of me.  Tested by neverending troubles.

A couple years later, and I am just learning all the good things Jesus has in store for me.  Last year, it seemed as if God was telling me to rest and relax, to enjoy life, that the difficult time was finally over.  This year, the message seems to be prepare and to move, that there is more ahead.

So many good things seem to be happening to me as I continue to seek and obey God.  Most recently, I am experiencing His blessings.  Jesus is causing me to prosper.  Right here, right now.  I am enjoying the outpouring of His blessings.  I do not deserve them, especially after I have doubted Him and considered rejecting Him.  Yet, He still chooses to bless me.

I know there will be more troubles.  This is life.  When they do come, I will hold onto this promise; JEsus is going to feed me in the wilderness.  He is going to humble and test me.  And, in the end, He will cause me to prosper.

Consider your past troubles.  Do you see His feeding you?  Do you remember His testing of you?  Have you experienced your own time of prosperity? Rejoice.  Jesus is still caring for you, whether you are experiencing a troubling or prosperous time.

Jesus, thank You for all You have done for me.  I am forever grateful to You.  When troubles come, I ask that You will open my eyes to Your care and feeding of me.  When prosperity comes, I ask that You keep me humble and grateful.  In Your name, Amen.

A VERY CUTE LETTER PLUS AN UPDATED PHOTO OF THE CUTEST LITTLE BOY IN EL SALVADOR

I still consider Carlos the "Cutest Little Boy in El Salvador".  I noticed his photo updated yesterday, which was a pleasant surprise.  I can't get over just how cute and adorable he is!  Carlos is eight years old, my youngest out of all my kids.

Also, yesterday I received a letter from him.  He just melted my heart with this letter.

It is My Dreams template.

When I grow up I want to be a firefighter (a good career)

Some day I would like to go diving

I would like to meet the snow (I think my winter pictures inspired him to say this)

Some day I would like to meet my sponsor because for you to tell me what your house is like and tell you I love you very much.  (Aw!)

Hello!  I hope that you are in good health with your family and friends.  I want to thank you for the letters received.  When I grow up, my dream is to be a firefighter and to serve in the community.  I would like to dive in the ocean and to see the fish and the sea plants (ideas as to what to send him now), and to be close to them.  Please, pray for my mother and for me so that God will bless us.  I pray for you, so that God is watching over you.  Until next time, Carlos Efrain

And, I must be a bad correspondent, for I noticed last month that he is now writing by himself!  I looked over the last few letters, and he's been writing by himself for quite some time!  I completely missed it until recently!

FREEDOM THROUGH FORGIVENESS

FREEDOM THROUGH FORGIVENESS

Ephesians 4:32

And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in christ.

For me, the hardest part of following Jesus was forgiving my abusers.  I held onto the anger, the bitterness, and the hatred for as long as I could.  I knew Jesus wanted me to forgive them; I just wanted to hold onto my sin a little while longer.

It took me years to forgive every one of my abusers.  But, I finally surrendered my bitterness and anger to the Lord.  I chose to forgive them.  However, I cannot forget their actions.  Even though I have forgiven them, I will no longer allow them to hurt me.

Forgiveness has freed me in ways I never thought possible.  I no longer feel burdened, as if the weight will crush me.  No more do I compare people or events against my past.

Jesus has forgiven me; what choice do I have but to forgive those who have hurt me?

Today, I pray not for revenge, but for their salvation and healing.  And, when I find that bitterness and anger eating at me again, I choose to forgive the person who has hurt me.

Take a moment now.  Who do you need to forgive?  Let go of the anger and bitterness.  Embrace the freedom that comes through forgiveness.

Jesus, thank You for forgiving me.  I ask you to forgive me for the anger and bitterness I have held against others.  I choose today to forgive those who have hurt me.  In Your name, Amen.