Financial Testings

We've owned rental property for 17 years.  For 17 years our renters have pretty much paid on time.  Now, I'm not saying that we've not had 1 or 2 a year who have left owing us a couple of thousand dollars but what I am saying is that if they got a couple of months behind, and was making no attempt to pay, we could evict them and they'd at least leave. 

Ever since we decided to move to Ecuador some have decided they don't have to pay anymore.  When we evict them they contest it and get 10 more days.  Never, in the history of our rentals, have we had someone contest an eviction notice....until now.  Is this something new that people have just learned how to do? 

My husband has two pieces of rentals that he totally allows families to live for free.  He gives people chance after chance.  He falls for every hard luck story.   He loves and tries to work with his renters.  He gives in with the down payments.  Yet, people continuously do not pay him.  If  he takes an eviction notice then he is considered mean and heartless but the people who are stealing from us are not anything but poor victims (even though they have done this repeatedly to others).

It is hard owning property.  It is hard because you really do love people and want to help them.  It is hard being thought of as "non-Christian" because you need your money.  I think people forget that we are using the properties to pay our bills (doctor bills, grocery bill, electric bill, car note). 

What is sad is the ones who are cheating us of our living are driving nicer cars than us, eating out more than us, are on governmental assisstance, and all have jobs.  Yet the courts always side with them.  We are the big, bad landowners!

I guess, I'd rather say, "I have been robbed but I have not robbed."  I would rather be the one stolen from than the one stealing!  To my knowledge, in our 30 years of marriage, we have NEVER left owing anyone anything.  And we have deeply struggles (and are still struggling) financially during these years.

(Rom 13:8) Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

(Exo 20:15) Thou shalt not steal.
(Psa 37:21a) The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again:

First Ecuador Post

Sunday was our last day at Grace Independent Baptist Church. We have a trip planned to visit Ecuador during the month of September. We are very excited but very nervous. Our grandaughter, Desiree, will be making this trip with us.

I was very emotional Sunday. It wasn't as easy as I had hoped. I wept every second of the day.   I loved the 17 years we spent here in Moultrie.  It has nothing but wonderful memories in my mind.   However, I am super excited to start phase 4 of our life. Phase 1 - childhood Phase 2 - Dope and drinking years Phase 3 - Pastoring years and Phase 4 - Missionaries.

I think often of how blessed I am. I have been to 49 states. I've been to every major city and every major tourist attraction. I've been poor and I've had plenty. I've loved and been loved. I have had a wonderful marriage. And I have 4 kids that are all good, decent people....but more than that....they all love the Lord and are in church faithfully.

What wonders await us in Ecuador? I have studied Spanish until my brain is tired. I've prayed, planned, and now I am about to go. God has been good to me!

Autumn Revival!

Grace Independent Baptist Church is so excited about the revival with Bro. Dan Carr and Bro. Chris Dallas.

How I Control a Sunday School Class

1. I am always in the class when it starts so that
it never “really” gets out of control and all of what seems out of control to an outsider is really “controlled chaos”....which helps get energy burned up!

2. I start out with singing and lots of energy burning songs. I offer rewards for those who sing the loudest, etc. My reward could be anything from a balloon to a tootsie roll. They have to put the reward in their pocket or I get it back.

3. I tell them that I have games planned and a quiet prize reward. I tell them that the games are super fun (and they are!!!!!) & we will ONLY play them if I can teach my lesson without interruptions. I also tell them that I will choose one kid for the quiet prize and if it is really hard to chose....I will pick two. (You would be surprised how many kids think they could never win first but will try for second place.)

4. I pray right before my lesson and mention kids by name. Often if I have 20 kids, I will pray for all 20! Fast, yes, but I will pray around the room. Kids love to hear their name mentioned in prayer.

5. As I teach, I ask questions. I walk around the room and gently touch a wiggly kid. If someone starts to talk I just stop and look at them. I will place my finger over my mouth and say, Shhhhh!

6. After each 2 or 3 points I will stop and say, “Let’s Review what we have learned so far.” I will ask 2 or 3 questions and offer a similar prize as the ones mentioned above for each correct answer. Then I will restart my lesson.

7. I smile a lot and never beg or threaten. I tell the kid only once to be quiet. Then I gently lay my finger on his shoulder and stare him down until he back down. They always do. I am smiling the whole time so the kids believes that he is doing a favor for a very nice teacher. He gets quiet because he likes me and believes I like him....and I do!

Why My Home is Heaven on Earth

1. Flowers, grass and trees.
I have such a variety of trees. I have apple trees, tangerine trees, peach trees, blueberry bushes, pecan trees, dogwood trees, oak trees, pine trees, eucalyptus trees, redwood trees, pomegranate trees, fig trees, cedar trees, pear trees, lemon trees.

I have flowers! Tiger lilies, spider lilies, roses, azaleas, Easter lilies, grape vine, jasmine, gladiolas, irises, camellias, and more!

I have beautiful green grass with fields of green but, I have small sections of wooded areas.

I live close to town....about a mile from a store and about 5 miles from Wal-mart....but I live in the country with lots of privacy.

There is a slow moving creek (edged with beautiful clover that stays green all year long) that runs across my back property that provides water for my animals, lodging for my ducks and hours of play for my grandchildren.

I have enough pecan trees to completely pay for my Christmas vacation to mom's every year.

Yes, I love my little heaven because of the sheer beauty of it.

2. The home itself.
No, it isn't the faniciest of homes but it suits me. It has 5 bedrooms with 4 being on one end and my bedroom (which I've made into a little apartment) on the opposite end. I could literally live in my bedroom. It has 3 full bathrooms. And, a large living room.

It is clean. It has huge windows and constantly looks bright and cheery. There is no clutter (except the closet which the grandkids keep their stuff and the dining room table when it is rent collecting time).

I have my mother's china displayed in the dining room. I love her china!

The kitchen has a table which we all eat around. I love to crowd around that table so much more than to eat in the dining room!!! The kitchen is a place of a lot of happenings around here. Every Saturday my 8 grandchildren come over and spend the night....the kitchen is where it is happening! Every Sunday I have a big get-together after church....the kitchen is wall-to-wall people! I love it.

I have 3 big porches and 3 porch swings! You can sit on the east porch and watch the sunrise. You can sit on the back porch and watch the animals. You can sit on the front porch and watch our renters (haha, I never sit on the front porch).

I do not have a TV. The only noise you hear in my home is the sound of wind blowing through the open doors and windows and, on occasion, the piano....when my children come home to visit.

3. The animals.
I love animals. I have cats, dogs, cows, goats, ducks, chickens, and lots of squirrels. I love to sit on my back porch and watch my animals. Every animal I have is tame (even though we do raise them for food).

And the animals provide hours of outside and active entertainment for my grandchildren.

4. The people.
I have the most pleasant home. There is no fighting or yelling. It is a happy place. People love to come visit and often do come! The people are happy. Right now I have 2 boarders....Lee and Amy. They are pleasant people who chip in and do their part.

But, the most wonderful person of my home is my husband. He is a true man of God. He is pleasant to me. He spends just the right amount of time with me. He takes care of me. He is brave and not afraid of confrontation. He is gentle in kind. He doesn't smoke, drink, cuss or look at pornography. He is a devoted husband who has shown me nothing but kindness. He was good to our children.

I'll admit, he does run the house. He definitely is the rooster of our home. But, the rest of us respect him because he is so good. He doesn't put off jobs that need be taken care of today. He wakes up early (5:00) and studies his Bible and prays. He prays for our marriage every day. He is also very careful to not wake me when he leaves.

He has done many SUPER romantic things in our 26 years of marriage but that is for another paper.

In the evening he walks with me to bring the animals in. We talk and hold hands and if we have time we sit on the porch and swing together.

Anyone who likes the simple life, would love my home.

Time to Grow Up

(1 Cor 13:11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

God gave us an example of the age at which a person should be mature.
(Luke 2:42-52) And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after 2three days they found him in the 1temple, sitting in the midst of the 3doctors, both 6hearing them, and 4asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and 9answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye 5sought me? wist ye not that I 10must be about my 8Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was 7subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and 11man.

Jesus was actually in the temple teaching when he was twelve. So I take this two-fold:

1. Our children should be through acting like kids at age 12 and should be about their earthly father’s business. They should put away the toys and be a blessing to their father. They should be in the kitchen helping momma or in the garage with daddy working!

2. As born-again children of God then we should, after 12 years of salvation, be about our Heavenly Father’s business. We should no longer need to be entertained or self-centered but should be working for our Father.

If, after 12 years, your children still can’t walk, feed themselves, dress themselves, or talk, we think they are backward. After 12 years as a Christian there are some things we should have outgrown and some things we should know. Babies need to grow . . . it takes a good 12 years to grow to the point of usability for Jesus. See why it’s important to get saved young? (That’s why it is important to disciple those you win to Christ.) Just think, if you get saved at 5 then at 17 you are ready to teach a class or be a missionary. (Heb 5:12)

Baby Christians are new Christians. They should have spiritual parents that help them grow. There is almost no way that a new born Christian can grow on his own. Just as a baby born of the flesh must have help to grow to maturity so must a spiritual baby.

Some Interesting Facts about Babies

1. Everyone loves babies - but an 8 year old acting like a baby is not cute. A church full of babies is fun and exciting but there needs to be some maturity there to help grow those babies or we have a bunch of retarded Christians.
2. Babies choke on meat - Meat is the deep things of God . . . Standards are deep. People just don’t understand the deep things of God. Can you imagine teaching a 3 month old baby how to multiply? Well how in the world can you expect a 3 month old Christian to multiply (win souls). It must be taught slowly and gradually. Some Christians, just like some babies, mature more rapidly that others but all normal babies can be mature by age 12.
3. Babies want constant attention - We have to teach our children little by little to stand alone. When you are spiritually training someone you have to give them a lot of attention or they will not make it as a Christian. (Prov 29:15) ... but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
4. Babies are self-centered - They want everything done their way.
5. Babies get sick easily - They catch attitudes. That is why you need to watch who your converts hang around.
6. Babies cry and complain - They have to be taught to be content. Sometimes you may chastise them and maybe tell them, “Now, Melinda, you are being a little critical. I am sure Jill didn’t mean anything by that.”Just as you would a earthly baby.
7. Babies have no modesty - Babies don’t see anything wrong with showing their thighs.(Isaiah 47:2-3)
8. Babies have no sense of danger - They don’t see anything wrong with rock music. They don’t see what’s wrong with mixed swimming. Just as fleshy babies have to be protected from a hot stove, we have to protect our spiritual children from a sin.
9. Babies get dirty quickly - Backslide! However, when a baby gets dirty what does the parent do? Well, that is what the spiritual parent should do . . . help clean them up!
10. Babies can’t handle responsibility - That is why we have a 6 months waiting period for teaching a Sunday school class. We need to know if you are a baby pretending to be an adult . . . you know . . . playing dress-up. You know, if you give me a few minutes alone with a child I can pretty much guess their physical age. If you give me a few minutes alone with a child of God I can pretty much guess their spiritual age.
11. Babies want to play all the time - They complain if church goes over 12:00. They can’t pray or study their Bible because it is over their head. That is why they need spiritual parents to tell them the Bible stories, teach them to read, and whet their appetite so they read on their own.
12. Babies need boundaries defined and repeated - Babies have to be told over and over what is right or wrong. They just can’t see it. They are very short-sighted.
13. Babies are takers - Gimmy! They have to be taught to give.

A Good Test of Maturity -
Jesus at 12 was:

1. He was at church
2. He was responsible
3. He hung around the right crowd
4. He hungered for truth
5. He was respectful
6. He listened to counsel
7. He was obedient to authority
8. He was totally dedicated to God (godly)
9. He was teaching others about His father
10. He had a purpose (Goal)
11. He had a pleasant personality

Here are what spiritual parents need to give their spiritual children:
1. Proper atmosphere (Friendship and companionship) If they don’t hang around you then they will hang around somebody.
2. Nourishment (Food) You need to feed them at first.
3. Rest (Church) You get them there if you have to.
4. Exercise (Soulwinning) Take them with you. Church work also is applicable here.

Now, the reason we have Sunday School. . . It’s not ideal but its similar to a nursery . . . it takes up where parents are failing as spiritual leaders. We have got to win people to the Lord. We are only human so we can’t disciple everyone we reach but we should try our best. Sunday school is for the multitude that needs growing but don’t have the spiritual leadership they need. That is why we have Sunday school standards . . . to grow kids similarly so the kids can grow their full 12 years without contradictions. Remember consistency is the key to good parenting. If a kid gets one teacher that says you don’t have to go to Sunday school and another says you do, then you have a contradiction before spiritual maturity and you lose that kid. Yes, our kids are in Sunday school but when their 12 years of spiritual maturity is up they need to be prepared for their spiritual future.

Problems People with Little Faith Face

Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Naturally the world lacks faith....but so does the church! As a pastor’s wife I see the lack of faith daily. People don’t truly believe God anymore.
• Marriages break up because people don’t believe God can make their marriage great.
• Women don’t believe the part of the Bible that says to reverence her husband. “It may work for Mrs. Lisa but it you don’t know my husband.” etc.
• People run to Egypt for financial help because they don’t believe the Bible when it says “My God shall supply all your need.”
And I could go on and on. I’ve heard every excuse.

Even the Isrealites who saw the great miracles of God (parting of the Red Sea, the Manna, the earth opening up, the shoes that never wore out, the many battles won) didn’t have faith in God.
Deu 1:31 And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
Deu 1:32 Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,

And they didn’t please God and life was tougher for them because they chose their own way instead of God’s.

Thoughts on faith:

1. Faithless people are the most miserable ones in the church:
Deu 32:20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

And in all their “frowardness” they drive a wedge between them and God (an often other people). Their prayers don’t get answered because God rewards faith.....not faithlessness.

These are the people that it is said, “They are always miserable. They never smile. I can’t please them.”

2. Faithless people are a fearful people.• Fearful that there won’t be enough money to pay the bills (or a McDonald hamburger)
• Fearful of bumps in the night
• Fearful of people
• Scared you won’t have any friends
• Afraid of “stepping out on faith”

Mat 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

(If you study this story you will see that Jesus SENT them into the storm. Storms are actually good for us. They reveal our faith or lack of faith.)

Mar 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

3. Faithless people are disobedient to Jesus’ command.• This makes them disobedient

Mar 11:22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. (Not a suggestion!)

4. Faithless people have trouble believing in God.
Trusting in God for all your needs to be met. Beleiving that He loves you and will never fail you. It is not taking a single thought on how you will be provided for.

Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
Mat 6:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
Mat 6:27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
Mat 6:28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
Mat 6:29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

5. Faithless people have fewer blessings.

Mat 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

6. Faithless people will sink when storms come.

Mat 14:25-31 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

7. Faithless people confuse works with faith.“Well I teach Sunday school. I go to church. I tithe.” These things are good....but they don’t please God. Remember that Muslims, Buddhist, and Jehovah Witness’ teach, attend church, and tithe, too.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

8. Faithless people should realize that faith is easy to get and keep.
However, it will be tried and tested. During the trials just keep on doing what you do to get faith (the Word of God) and you’ll keep it through the storms.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.