What you do wiith what you've got

My brother shared this poem with me today, and I was challenged by it.

It is not what you do
if riches be your lot;
it is what you do with the dollar and quarter
that happens to be what you’ve got.

[author unknown]

IN this economy it's easy to focus on what we don't have compared to what, perhaps, we once had. It's good to refocus on what we DO have, and how God wants us to use it. And what we DO have does not only involve money. It can involve other tangible resources including expertise or skills. It can also involve less tangible resources such as time, attention, compassion.

Perhaps if we focus on God's plan for the resources that He has given us, we may be able to do more than we think.

I'm talking to myself here too! Ya know?

Blessings!

Big papers and growing trust

Thanks for your prayers over the next months especially. In addition to itineration travel, I have begun working on my Seminar Paper (like a mini-thesis) for my MA program. I have head start on it due to some previous work I've done, but it's still going to be a challenge to do that amidst the travel. I guess it's just another way that God can build my trust in Him. And that's a good thing!

Busy, busy times....and surrender

What a crazy-busy week it was last week. The first weekend of August I participated in two awesome services on the coast of SC, and returned on Monday, only to fly out EARLY Tuesday morning for Orlando. It was there that our Assemblies of God (U.S) fellowship held it's biennial General Council this year. GC09, it was called. It was a truly wonderful event, and a great opportunity to hear some fantastic speakers. And of course there was much business to attend to.

But I returned to Greenville really exhausted. Sunday AM had me in Easley, SC...close to home. Today, I am trying to catch up, and I think I'm almost there.

I was challenged this week in hearing the message of another missionary. He is one who serves in an area of the world that is extremely resistant and hostile to Christianity. I was challenged to, once again, surrender my life to Christ and allow Him to take me wherever He wants me to serve.

I just realized how I worded that. I didn't say that He would SEND me, but that He would TAKE me. That's so true, isn't it? When God calls you to a place, He goes right beside you all the way, and in fact, He leads you in. Not only are you not alone, but you don't have to figure it all out on your own. He is leading. He is with you. All the way!

And onward it goes

Had a service in McDonough, GA this weekend, and got to stay with family in the Atlanta area. Took my Mom along to be with the family, and we had a great time. Driving on the 285 perimeter isn't so bad on a Sunday AM. I just wouldn't want to be on that stretch in rush hour!

Services this coming Sunday in Charleston and Georgetown, SC. And then barely home from there next Monday before I head to Orlando for GC09 early Tuesday AM. That's the General Council of the Assemblies of God for those who don't know. Should be a great event, and I'm looking forward to it.

I was challenged recently by the passage in Psalm 11:

Psa 11:3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?"
Psa 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men;
his eyes examine them.
(NIV)

It seems at times that everything around is is decaying morally, spiritually, and in every way. It can make a person want to run away or disengage from the spiritual "battle." But we are challenged to face the issues. God is on His throne. His power and authority is far greater than the issues, and He is "on duty," 24/7/365, ad infinitum. He sees it all, He knows it all, and nothing escapes His knowledge and attention. Nothing will thwart His ultimate plan. When we are tempted to throw up our hands and just run away, we must look to Him, because He is fully and completely in control.

This particular passage was brought to my attention through a regular "Missive" to AGWM missionaries from our Director, John Bueno, and I was prompted to look into the whole chapter more fully. You might want to do that too!

Sentimental Journeys

As exhausting as itineration can be, one of the great things about it is being able to travel around my beloved home state of South Carolina, and our wonderful neighboring states. Whenever I can practically do so, I enjoy taking the back roads, as opposed to the interstates. The backroads are often much more direct to my destination, and they offer much more beaufitul and interesting scenery. I thought I knew my home state, but my travels have reminded me that there is much to learn. Today I headed home from Loris, SC (near North Myrtle Beach) partly by way of little Highway 917. I got a glimpse of some beautiful farmland, with various crops growing green and beautiful. And sometimes, out in the middle of nowhere, a large, beautful new home would stand, perhaps as testimony to someone's dream of living in (or never leaving!) the country.

And every once in a while, I get a chance to see someone I haven't seen in a long time! When I was studying for my nursing degree at Lander College in the 80's, I was privileged to to be a part of the Baptist Student Union. Chi Alpha didn't exist at Lander at the time, and with at least four, active Christian organizations on the relatively small campus, there was lots for the Christian student to be involved in. And involved we were! There were BSU meetings every Thursday night, and various outreaches and projects. And right in the middle of all this was Scott, our campus pastor. I don't know that I have ever met anyone with a bigger pastor's heart than Scott. We students were his "congregation" and we all knew we could depend on Scott when life was great, and...well...not so great. When my father was ill, and we knew his time on earth was short, I asked my family to contact Scott, because he would be able to track me down. Sure enough, the friends who came from Greenville when my dad passed away went directly to the BSU center, and Scott went into action. He, and all my BSU friends were such a blessing at that time!

Well, all that to say that I was able to stop by the BSU center a few days ago, as it was directly on my way home from a service. Scott was there, in his same office, only this time, his assistant is his son....that son that I knew as a BABY when I was a student. Time flies! But Scott is the same as he has always been. He still loves his students, but now he has a long line of alumni to keep track of, and he couldn't be happier. It was great to visit with him and his son that day.

And it was Scott who got after me at bit to keep up with my blog. He said my friends want to know what's going on with me. I need to do that, don't I? I plan to try and do some more frequent entries, and throw in a lot more personal thoughts. I promise that all the notes won't be quite this sentimental or sappy. But that's my mood for the day, so thanks for your indulgence...just this once!

On the Road Again!

I'm back on the road for my itineration year to visit churches and speak! What does this year involve? Well, they used to call it a "furlough' but they changed that because that implies a vacation! Itineration, as it is now called, is certainly NOT a vacation. It's a full time job calling hundreds of churches, scheduling services, keeping records (LOTS of records), visitiing churches, preaching, sharing, and many other tasks. It's a GOOD time, but a very, very BUSY one. In order to return to South Africa by my goal month of May 2010, I need to raise a designated amount of funds in CASH, AND a designated amount in monthly commitment promises (pledges, where a donor commits to giving an amount that he or she designates to give each month as long as I'm on the mission field). My mission agency, Assemblies of God World Missions, assigns the budget I have to raise, based on the cost of living in South Africa, and the needs and expenses I will incur...both work and personal.

So it's a busy time, but I'm excited to visit the churches and share about South Africa and Cape Theological Seminary. And I hope to see YOU while I travel about. I truly appreciate your interest and support for my missionary service!

If you are a pastor, or in ministry with a church in some way, and would like to have me visit and share with your congregation, please don't hesitate to get in touch with me. My e-mail is:
donna.rudd@agmd.org.