Our Team, on the beach at Pacasmayo, Peru. I received word yesterday from the administrators of the the "BJ School" of a baptismal service that will take place while Brad and I are there (in Piura), next week (we leave Tuesday the 4th and return Thursday the 13th). We are excited and anxious to participate in this! I want to thank those of you who have sent financial support for the school. We will be taking this to them and know it will be invested in the children of this school.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEANNA...MY LOVE!!!

This morning as I rose early to prepare for Deanna's Birthday, I was reminded of all the times that we had the privilege of doing the same with BJ. He would set his alarm and be the first one up. He would rise and make breakfast. If others weren't up in timely fashion, he would "assist them," assuring they made it for the onset of the celebration.

He had such a joy in doing this. Giving to others brought joy to the receiver and to him. I can remember when he began to want to pick out gifts for his family. They were thought out and special. Deanna still wears a ring and a necklace that were selected and given by BJ. I do not like to think about the possibilities of them one day breaking or getting lost.

His care and concern for the women in his family was deep. His desire to see them be honored and made to feel special was precious. His protectiveness of their honor and and physical presence was unique for a small young man with a huge heart. He gave to others as well.

He gave to his friends. He gave to those he encountered on the internet. He gave to those who were in need. He was focused on the things that were important. He did not often get sidetracked with the folly of worldly things. He assisted others in raising the direction of their vision from this, to Christ.

It sickens me when I hear others say that living life like he did is not possible. Unfortunately, this has come from both parents and children. I live as witness to the fact that it is possible and should be aspired to. We are far too willing to give up on seeking God and being a witness for Him.

We all struggle in places of darkness, whether they be physical locations or recesses within us. So did he. We cannot afford to let the enemy have victory over us after our failures. He does not have dominion. We may succumb to his divisive games from time to time, but that does not make him lord of our lives. That place is reserved for Christ alone!

He has provided forgiveness once for all, if we but confess and receive Him as Lord. The sinful struggles are not who we are. They are simply part of the journey of being human. The old nature does not die easily. The enemy sometimes fools us into thinking we have nothing to offer and should give up trying. I see this play out in the lives of students all the time. I see this play out in my own life, regularly! None of us are proud of such failures.

Christ is victory over the failures. He is forgiveness when we fail. When we submit to Him daily, moment by moment, we begin to live the life He has in store. We begin to impact others in small ways, and our lives begin to make a difference.

Part of the problem is we look too much to ourselves to see how we are doing. We look for evidence of impact on our world and are quickly defeated. BJ knew he would fail. He knew I would fail him. He knew to look beyond self, to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There and only there is fullness. When we die to self and surrender each heartbeat to Him, we begin to see the world as He does.

When we look within, we see failure. What will it take for us to keep our eyes off of failure...off of self, and on the Saving One? Yahweh is the reason that each of us can live with such passion and devour difficulties by and in the strength of Jesus!

When we look to Him to live our lives, we shed failures and stave the flow of guilt. The enemy is the author of this disparaging ugliness. We must learn to leave it at the foot of the cross and rise to walk in His power.

BJ learned to do that at a young age. Through Christ, you and I can do likewise.

Be encouraged! Seek Him! Live for Him! Die to self. Walk in His power!

dad