ON A MISSION…THE THEN AND NOW
It’s almost sad how long it took to change the context of what “being on a mission” meant for me!
It used to be one of my expressions for describing the deliberate vengeance I was on to find oblivion. It meant that I would not stop, despite the cost, to NOT FEEL!
I've come a long way if you measure from that starting point!
DEDICATED TO DANNY AND JUDY ARMSTRONG
(and Jay their son and his wife Andra!) XXOO I couldn't leave u out!
WHO’S WALK REFLECTS WHAT IT MEANS TO
LIVE WITH GOD’S EYES WIDE OPEN
AND HAVE TOUCHED MY LIFE SO DEEPLY
it leaves me SPEECHLESS (well not really, LOL)!
WOW, I went to early service this morning so I could sit next to some of most special people in my life.Danny has just returned from overseas. How I was blessed to know them involves other peoples stories that I have no right to share. I can tell you they are “who” I want to be, if and when, I ever grow up! So, even If I share my hope about sobriety, abuse, depression and anxiety, with you ….and it encourages you to seek it, without GOD it is of little use and won’t work anyway!
They are also the people that parked themselves at my doorstep and refused to leave until I got help when I was about to give up on living altogether (several prior attempts but this one would have succeeded). They are far to humble to take any credit for their part in saving my life, but the truth is, GOD picked the only people in the world, at the time, that could pull me from the depths of depression I was in, and got me some help. They have not left my side in years -even when they are halfway around the world! Judy’s beautiful eyes filled with tears determined to restore my hopelessness. It was me that I had lost faith in not God. On her knees crying and holding my shaking hands, telling me how much she loved me, how much God loved me. No, she isn’t a doctor, which was what I needed at the time, but had she not cared so much I wouldn’t have made it to that DR! And Danny, as even keeled as any man I have ever seen, sitting quietly on the couch close by, saying little, but praying constantly I’M CERTAIN!
They are ALLWAYS ON A MISSION; thank God I was one of them!
Missions from a NEW PERSPECTIVE:
On a mission… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8
Most people miss the and part.
It means around the corner and to the ends of the earth!
The command is not a one or the other option.
To me if means Go where He sends me!
They are the EPITIOMY of living a life of purpose. And yes, THEY ARE MISSIONARIES devoted to touching the lives of the “unreached.” If they only knew THEY TOUCH THE LIVES OF EVERYONE HONORED TO KNOW THEM! Their lives, with unimaginable sacrifice, has been given over to God joyfully to do the work of the great commission. Something, I was too self-centered most of my life to care about. Then when I did begin to care I was too embarrassed and concerned about what you might think of me to share my beliefs. Still selfish. Easy to share any belief you have with people who believe the same things or have experienced the same feeling. Just like it’s easy for me to share my story in AA. They know! It's the STEPING BEYOND the COMFORT ZONE that puts me on shaky ground. More concerned if you are going to judge me than if I can be used as a channel to share the TRUTHS that I have found. Well, I no longer am concerned, (for the most part) what others think ,
IF I am doing what God wants me to do.
IF I am doing what God wants me to do.
Danny and Judy, who you are about to meet, are just humans and have had their own struggles to cope with that were difficult and painful, but unlike me, they didn’t seek to soothe themselves and waste their lives letting their struggles control them. I have never seen them put themselves before God’s work. I have never seen them pass up an opportunity to share salvation with anyone anywhere. Yes, they are human, but to me they are EXTROADANARY! I love them with all of my heart. Even believers lose their way…they walked me back to God.
It’s easy for us; Americans have a freedom unheard of in a large part of the world, and a worship place on every corner. To risk your LIFE for GOD? There was a time I couldn’t post a picture of them because they worked in areas of the world that would have imprisoned or killed them if they were exposed! I’m only now scratching the surface of what it means to live for HIM so I am a spiritual baby in comparison. I share them with you today because they touch me so deeply that I’m praying the work they do becomes part of your prayer life. Supporting people who devote their lives to God is done in many ways, depending on what God puts on your heart and if you listen.
Often people say, why help people in other countries when there is so much need right here? Well, there is no greater need than salvation. The people that have the most availably for help and hope, are right here among us, and most turn away from it. What about the people that don’t even know HIM?
So, I introduce you to Danny and Judy, my treasured mentors.
Currently Danny and Judy Armstrong are the Southeastern Regional Directors for ACMC. The ACMC helps churches mobilize their resources for effective involvement in world evangelization. After years overseas they now spend part of their time in the US teaching and growing church missions.
ACMC “ACMC helps local churches become more effective in impacting the least reached around the globe and mobilizing their congregation to participate in this task through learning, leading, sending, and engaging culture. We deliver our services to local churches through four vehicles: training events, consulting / coaching, local mission leader networks, and cutting edge mission resources.” WHAT A JOB! They love every minute of it! Challenged by the economy and support, they believe and trust God for all their resources. WHAT FAITH! I couldn’t do it I’m not strong enough yet but they have done it almost 30 years if not more. Worldly possessions mean little to them and yet they have needs like the rest of us. The treasures they have stored in heaven must be immense!
“We have been missionaries since 1986 spending most of our time in Southeast Asia. We were first in Indonesia working with a wonderful local pastor. Working together we launched a Bible School in North Sumatra. This school has trained Christian workers that are now working literally all over Indonesia. In 1994 we moved to Penang, Malaysia. From this base we worked with an International team to launch the Center for Southeast Asian Studies in Thailand. This was a training and mobilization center for reaching the unreached peoples of Southeast Asia. Since 2000 we have been living back in the U.S. We have divided our time between here and overseas. We have been moving more and more into a role of mobilization with churches and individuals. This change has lead us to join ACMC (Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment) in October of 2008.”
Thanks for sharing this Karin -- May we see the world through God's eyes!
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