Ephesians 1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
En Español:Efesios 1
Pablo, apóstol de Cristo Jesús por la voluntad de Dios, a los santos y fieles en Cristo Jesús que están en Éfeso: Que Dios nuestro Padre y el Señor Jesucristo les concedan gracia y paz.
Alabado sea Dios, Padre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que nos ha bendecido en las regiones celestiales con toda bendición espiritual en Cristo. Dios nos escogió en él antes de la creación del mundo, para que seamos santos y sin mancha delante de él. En amor nos predestinó para ser adoptados como hijos suyos por medio de Jesucristo, según el buen propósito de su voluntad, para alabanza de su gloriosa gracia, que nos concedió en su Amado. En él tenemos la redención mediante su sangre, el perdón de nuestros pecados, conforme a las riquezas de la gracia que Dios nos dio en abundancia con toda sabiduría y entendimiento. Él nos hizo conocer el misterio de su voluntad conforme al buen propósito que de antemano estableció en Cristo, para llevarlo a cabo cuando se cumpliera el tiempo: reunir en él todas las cosas, tanto las del cielo como las de la tierra.
En Cristo también fuimos hechos herederos, pues fuimos predestinados según el plan de aquel que hace todas las cosas conforme al designio de su voluntad, a fin de que nosotros, que ya hemos puesto nuestra esperanza en Cristo, seamos para alabanza de su gloria. En él también ustedes, cuando oyeron el mensaje de la verdad, el evangelio que les trajo la salvación, y lo creyeron, fueron marcados con el sello que es el Espíritu Santo prometido. Éste garantiza nuestra herencia hasta que llegue la redención final del pueblo adquirido por Dios, para alabanza de su gloria.
Por eso yo, por mi parte, desde que me enteré de la fe que tienen en el Señor Jesús y del amor que demuestran por todos los santos, no he dejado de dar gracias por ustedes al recordarlos en mis oraciones. Pido que el Dios de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, el Padre glorioso, les dé el Espíritu de sabiduría y de revelación, para que lo conozcan mejor. Pido también que les sean iluminados los ojos del corazón para que sepan a qué esperanza él los ha llamado, cuál es la riqueza de su gloriosa herencia entre los santos, y cuán incomparable es la grandeza de su poder a favor de los que creemos. Ese poder es la fuerza grandiosa y eficaz que Dios ejerció en Cristo cuando lo resucitó de entre los muertos y lo sentó a su derecha en las regiones celestiales, muy por encima de todo gobierno y autoridad, poder y dominio, y de cualquier otro nombre que se invoque, no sólo en este mundo sino también en el venidero. Dios sometió todas las cosas al dominio de Cristo, y lo dio como cabeza de todo a la iglesia. Ésta, que es su cuerpo, es la plenitud de aquel que lo llena todo por completo.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
We are Chosen!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
A Church is More than a Building
Didn't the people in Bluefields show us that! Even after a full week of work with 50+ workers, the church 'building" was not even close to completion, but 250+ villagers came to worship God under the Nicaraguan sky the Saturday night after we left. Did the lack of building matter to these folks? Apparently not! We look forward to our return in late April to share with our brothers and sisters in Christ about how God has changed our lives!
I love this passage of Paul's to the Roman church in Chapter 12...
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Supply Pipeline for Non-Profits
The organization that donated the sewing machines offers a variety of goods to non-profit organizations is called NAEIR. This is not a pyramid... and I do
not benefit one iota from your participation!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Team is Assembling - Back to Bluefields!
Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
En español... 2 Tesalonicenses 2:1-4
Ahora bien, hermanos, en cuanto a la venida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo y a nuestra reunión con él, les pedimos que no pierdan la cabeza ni se alarmen por ciertas profecías, ni por mensajes orales o escritos supuestamente nuestros, que digan: "¡Ya llegó el día del Señor!" No se dejen engañar de ninguna manera, porque primero tiene que llegar la rebelión contra Dios y manifestarse el hombre de maldad, el destructor por naturaleza. Éste se opone y se levanta contra todo lo que lleva el nombre de Dios o es objeto de adoración, hasta el punto de adueñarse del templo de Dios y pretender ser Dios.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Actions Steps - Now What Are We Going to Do?
Individually and collectively, we must now begin to process how God will use this experience to glorify Himself. We have been blessed by our team preparations, the journey itself and also by the daily interaction with the people of Bluefields.We all have our own story to tell... how we were affected by the trip... I pray that we continue to have the opportunities now and and in the future to share with others hat we have learned.
I also pray that God continues to influence our daily thoughts and deeds to conform our ways with His.
Maybe a little review would be good for all of us... from my February 6th entry...
What DID I learn about myself?
What DID I learn about God?
What DID I learn about the people of God, about the church, about community?
What DID I learn about how culture affects the way we live and understand the Gospel?
What DID I learn about justice, economics, poverty and politics?
What DID I learn about discipleship?
What DID I learn about a globally appropriate lifestyle?
What DID I learn about my own vocation?
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Bluefields SubZero is Calling Us!
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.
Well, we have a chance to do just that. Hermano Dave Leahy has challenged us to offer the same enthusiasm and energy we freely offered in Bluefields to the Doring family just outside of Treadwell. The day we left brought the snowstorm of the decade... we all remember the harrowing travel adventure we had... this family was devastated by this storm... their main dairy barn was destroyed and many of their cows were killed. They need our help, so Hermano Dave who is their veterinarian, has asked if we have time rally and lend a hand to our neighbors! Next Saturday will be the biggest day to help - be prepared for 
rubble removal and dress for the cold! Maybe we can get a line like the "Bucket Brigade" to move out the mess.
This morning it was -10, just about 100 degree difference from Bluefields... this and next weekend will be better, but bundle up anyway!
Interested? Can you give a couple hours? Give Dave a call! May God Bless your efforts to lend a helping hand to this neighbor in need!Short and sweet... the need is there... no airfare required... no malaria medication... no amoebas... and when you are done a warm shower awaits and you can be home sleeping with your favorite pillow!
Thursday, March 8, 2007
The Children's Programs
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' "
The children of Bluefields are about at the bottom of the list when it comes to earthly status or importance, but Jesus tells us that this perception could be not further from the truth. Amongst all the hard work on the church building, we dedicated three afternoons to serve the children. The real blessing came as a result of giving of our time and talents! One thing is for sure, kids are kids, no matter where you go or whatever circumstance they come from. Their laughter, enthusiasm and desire to play and interact with us will remain in our hearts for a long time! The only sad faces we noticed were on our last day as we said our "goodbyes" - and that was not exclusive to the children.
In the valley just below our work site was a rodeo with grandstands - to Rigo, this was a perfect opportunity to introduce himself to the owner. Along with Dave Leahy, a veterinarian back home, Rigo offered to have Dave check out his stable of horses... all were AOK per Dr. Leahy! Rigo then asked if it would be OK to use the rodeo for three days for the children's programs during the week. Not a problem, he said, so there e had a wonderful setting - in the shade from the intense Nicaraguan sun!
Led by Pastor William, Lesly and Carla, our teams began with music and interactive songs with the kids to prepare them for the Bible lesson. The music filled the valley and seemed to call children from all over - each day's total was different, but there ere no less than 90 and as many as 200 in attendance. The Bible lesson were taught by the use of puppets, or titares en español - the common chant by the kids in anticipation would be "¡titares! ¡titares! ¡titares!". Between Pastor William's musical talents and Lesly's zeal to reach these children, the program was a complete success! The team members would act out their parts once prompted by Lesly with a tap on the shoulder... all this was behind a "stage curtain" made of a bed sheet. It was fun to watch the "behind the scenes" action and to hear the excitement of the children as the Bible lesson unfolded.
After the puppets' third or fourth return to sing, the children began the craft of the day - day one was a paper plate Noah's Ark. Day 2's craft was vests made from Kraft paper shopping bags and day 3's was a salvation bracelet made out of string and colored beads signifying how Jesus is the savior of the world. 
On the third of the children's programs was a special treat - we presented every child with a "grab bag"of treats... including toothbrushes (thanks for Butler Gum for their donation of over 200 pairs of toothbrushes), graph paper notebooks (special thanks to MeadWestvaco for this kind donation - some of the kids used them as autograph books... it as fun!) to crayons, pencils and stuffed animals - all very simple gifts, but it meant a lot to the kids! 
I will leave you today with more photos and the lyrics from a song that caps off our experiences with the people we met in Bluefields. The song is In My Life, made famous by The Beatles, then so beautifully sung by Selah - it was re-composed with the song, If We Never Meet Again, by Albert Brumley...
In My Life/If We Never Meet Again
In My Life (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)
If We Never Meet Again (Albert E. Brumley)
All these places have their moments
But of all these friends and loved ones
Though I know I'll never lose affection
Soon we'll come to the end of life's journey
If we never meet again this side of heaven
Where the charming roses bloom forever
