Greener Pastures

It's summer in Iowa, which means that it's pretty safe to assume that I've either just mowed, am getting ready to go mow, or am trying to figure out how to avoid having to mow. I'm sure you can relate.

To the outside observer, it would appear that I mow the same way I vacuum - infrequently, haphazardly, and with no discernible pattern. (I'm pretty sure the reason aliens have never landed on Earth is because the mismatched patchwork left behind my mower clearly indicates that there's no intelligent life down here.) Despite the way it looks, however, I actually have put a of thought into my mowing habits.

My first experience with a mower was when I was a kid, roughly 10 years old. It was my job to mow the front yard, side yard, back yard, and Little Nebraska. (This was a shadeless, barren, endless wasteland of grassy uniformity. My apologies to the great state to the west of us. But, you are a tad bit boring.)

I managed to do a passable job with the yard as a kid, but didn't really master it until years later, when we bought the home (and yard) from my parents.  After almost 5 years as mistress of the house, I finally got the point where I could mow that yard with my eyes closed. I had figured out the best pattern, exactly where to turn the mower around, and even how to get done mowing Little Nebraska in the fastest possible way without having to actually run. (I don't really like running.)

It was at that point that we moved.

Same story, different location at our last house. It boasted a front yard, side yard, back yard, and yet another Little Nebraska. Perhaps it was the experience I had gained at the last house. Perhaps it was just the fact that I'd matured. Perhaps it was just that I was more motivated, since the yard was bigger, but it only took about 3 1/2 years to get my 'system' down there.

It was at that point that we moved.  (Do you see a pattern here?)

And, would't you know it - this house also has a front yard, back yard, side yard, and a Little Nebraska. (Though, admittedly, even though the actual Nebraska looms larger here than ever before since we are so much closer, this Little Nebraska is the smallest I've ever had to deal with. Hurrah!)

So - here we are - a mere 16 months later - and I've already got this yard allllll figured out. You know what that means, don't you?

Yep - it's time to move.

This time, however, our 'greener pastures' are a bit father afield, you could say. Like, in Guatemala.

That's right - God has called us to the mission field, and we couldn't be more excited! There are still a lot of details to be worked out (we're not planning on leaving until next summer), but we are ready and willing, and we know that He will make us able.

If you want to find out more about what we'll be doing, or how you can help us with our mission, check out our website at:

http://farriersoffaith.org

or our mission-specific blog at:

www.farriersoffaith.blogspot.com

Now, if you'll excuse me, I really must be getting outside to mow the yard. Just because I've figured out the best way get the job done, doesn't mean I actually want to go out in the heat and do it...

Gideons

A few weeks ago Mark and I had the distinct privilege of officially becoming members of the Gideons and Gideons Auxiliary (respectively). 

Yes. Those are the people who hand out Bibles. If you've ever stayed in a hotel room in the U.S. (or elsewhere), chances are good that you've slept next to a Gideon Bible. That's because of the faithful service of these men and their wives who recognize the importance of God's Word, and who are dedicated to making sure everyone has access to it. 

It wasn't that long ago that I would have scoffed (sorry to say) at such ambitions, and such an organization. I thought that everyone who wanted to hear about Christ had already had the chance to do so, and that it was rude and pushy to share the gospel with people. After all - who was I to make others feel uncomfortable? To tell them how to live their lives? To try to push my religion on them? 

Now I've come to realize just how wrong those thoughts were.

I'll tell you who I was then (though I didn't realize it), and who I still am today. I'm an ambassador of Christ. That is my whole purpose on earth. (By the way - if you're a Christian, that's your purpose too. If you're not a Christian, it could be yours soon. Send me a message. Give me a call. We'll talk.)

Don't get me wrong - I'm sure people do think I'm being a little rude and pushy sometimes when I put one of those New Testaments in their hands. It probably makes them feel uncomfortable, like I'm trying to tell them how to live their lives, and push my religion on them. But that's because I am, and I do it because I care. 

I care because I've heard too many people tell me that they're not sure what happens after a person dies, but they're okay with that. I care because I've known too many people who have vague aspirations and hopes of going to heaven, but haven't got a clue about how to get there. I care because I've finally come to the place of putting eternal salvation before momentary discomfort. 

It's about time, too.

Perhaps the best explanation I've ever heard for why I want to share the gospel with people came from Penn Jilette, an avowed atheist. In a video segment (see below) that he made after being handed a Gideon Bible, Penn states the following:

If you believe there is a Heaven and a Hell, and that people could be going to Hell...and you think, 'well, it's not really worth telling them, because it could be socially awkward,' - how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible, and not tell them that?

Ouch. Well said, Penn. 

So, that's why there really is no choice for me but to tell people about Jesus, and to share God's Word with them. It was in a kitchen in a farmhouse in rural eastern Iowa that I gave my life to Christ on June 8th, 1988. It was just me, my savior, and a little Gideon Bible with a green cover, but it was a moment that changed my life and my eternity. I'd hate to think someone else missed the chance to have their precious moment with the Lord just because I was afraid of making somebody uncomfortable - especially if that somebody was me. 

To find out more about the Gideons - including powerful testimonies about how their work has brought people to Christ, check out their website-

http://www.gideons.org

Press play for more of Penn Jilette's eye-opening thoughts about evangelism. It's worth watching. And, I'm praying for Penn to come to know Christ. I know, first-hand, how effective those little Bibles can be, if you'll just open them up and read what's written inside.