My Post to You- "thanksgiving"

I really felt compelled to let you know how much we appreciate your prayers, especially during this waiting period to find out about our visa status. We have no doubts that God is in control, and I am trying to enjoy the days as they pass till we hear. Since you have been so dear to pray for us, I want to give you a “heads up” about a recent happening. I hope to write an additional post in more detail later. Just the other day, I opened up the Bible and landed on Psalm 50. I began reading the chapter and verse 15 jumped out at me. Many of you know for a long period of time that I have been listening and not asking questions of the Lord. I have calmed myself by not worrying (Psalm 46:10). After reading this verse, I am proceeding to once again give my request to Him in times of trouble. It says: “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

Knowing that you prayed for me to hear the Lord’s voice, I sincerely want to say: “Thanks”. Below in devotional form is my post to you. God bless each of you today.

thanksgiving

Path Light: Read Philippians 1:1-9

Key Passage: Every time I remember you, I thank God. I talk to God about you every time I pray, thanking Him for your fellowship from the first time I met you. -Philippians 1:3-5

Paul and Timothy were in prison when this letter was written to the church at Philippi. This church partnered with them for the spreading of the gospel. It was very evident how much Paul prayed with joy for the church members and how much he appreciated their support. He held them close to his heart.

We have had the privilege of having many churches, family, and friends praying for us, supporting us, and joining us as we are on mission to spread the gospel. These brothers and sisters have supported us from the first day. There are times when Paul longed for the church at Philippi like we also long for our churches back home. We know that they are with us in heart. Our prayers should be that they grow spiritually, stay pure and blameless, be filled with righteousness through Jesus, and most of all that they glorify the Lord.
-A Winter’s Path, path 15, L. Burch

A New, Separate Blog

As you have probably guessed by now, I love working with ladies and am actually encouraged by many. Thanks to all of you who give me a call, drop me an e-mail, give me advice over the phone, say a kind word, share great ideas for parenting and teaching my kids, etc. I started an informal blog last year for parents and teachers of homeschool, whether using a full program or doing supplementary classes. However, I never fully got it going. I think that I am now ready.

Blog #2 is now up and running for discussions about educating our kids. Below is an introduction post for this additional site. If you are interested, feel free to take a look.

Posted from: http://sphomeschool.blogspot.com/, Introduction and Network Purpose and How-to, L. Burch

“I am a homeschool mother and teacher of three children. My oldest, Ashlyn, is in the 9th grade; my middle child, Amielle, is in the 7th grade and my youngest, Luke, is in the 3rd grade. We use ABeka and NorthStar programs. I have homeschooled my children for 9 years now while living and serving as an International Mission Board missionary in Russia. Homeschooling has been a joyful experience.

Having given an introduction, I would like to now open this informal blog to parents and teachers of homeschool, whether using a full program or doing supplementary classes. Let’s brainstorm together and pull ideas to better our teaching environment. It has been helpful over the years to have a network of friends and colleagues to make it through a challenging day. I look forward to your ideas for teaching as we collaborate to improve.

I will frequently post a question to spur a discussion. Actually many inquiries will appear from your comments. Homeschool moms, teachers, missionary kid (MK) instructors and MK education consultants, please give advice, share thoughts and make suggestions to our questions or struggles in the comment section. I trust that we will learn from one another and never feel alone in our teaching experience. It always helps to have someone around to listen and to bounce ideas around.”

His Plans

As we continue to wait for documentation to stay in country, I am praying fervently to hear the Lord’s voice. I have been listening for His plans and waiting for the next step (see Post “Two Steps at a Time”, Sat. May 10).

I stumbled across a devotional that I wrote several years ago. Please pray that I can locate scriptures over the next few weeks to find direction for my life. Each day my prayer is that I would be faithful for the task for that day!

His plans

Path Light: Read Amos 3-5

Key Passage: It’s true that God won’t do anything unless He reveals it to His servants the prophets. -Amos 3:7

Are we listening to His plans or are we more interested in our agenda? Time after time God had given the nation of Israel His plans (commands or blessings), and time after time they refused to listen and they disobeyed by straying from the Lord.

Path Application:
In chapter 5 we read that the Lord calls for His people to seek Him and live (Amos 5: 4b). How many times have we not listened to God’s call? Let’s make it our focus this week to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His plans for our lives. Our prayer is that we not continually walk in a direction that we have chosen. And, each step that we take needs to be a step that is guided by Him.

Walk Farther:

1. What do you do to stop and listen to God?

2. Which scripture passages have been most meaningful to you in finding direction for your life?

3. Has there ever been a time when you’ve known what God wants but didn’t do it?
- A Winter’s Path, path 18, L. Burch

A lesson to learn- "I am here. Let me go!" (Isaiah 6:8b)

I am ruined!

Path Light: Read Isaiah 4-6

Key Passage: Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. - Isaiah 6: 5 KJV

It seems very interesting that the first few chapters in Isaiah are placed before chapter six. Chapters one through five apparently are sermons that were given to the children of Israel. They needed to acknowledge their sin. Also God's desire was shown for Israel. The Lord wanted them to produce good fruit. God's wants us to produce beautiful fruit just like He wanted for Israel (Chapter 4). God wanted this fruit to be "excellent and comely". However, many times their sin prevented them from hearing God’s wishes and following His desires.

In chapter six Isaiah suddenly speaks about his calling. Notice in verse five how he admits his sinfulness not only as he sees it but also through the eyes of the King. His vision did not stop at this statement. He admits that he also identifies with the people (children of Israel). He feels as if he lives as one of them. He seems to stress that he is a sinner as they are sinners. Through the prophecies for others he notices his own sinful state.

God then sends a messenger to minister to Isaiah. The seraph flew with a live coal from the altar and touched his mouth saying that the coals have now touched his lips and cleansed them. All the guilt was removed and his sin redeemed (verse 7). The Lord then speaks and asks who will go and be a witness to the people. Isaiah volunteered. He is not appointed like many others before him. Isaiah eagerly said, "I am here. Let me go!" (Isaiah 6:8b)

Path Application:
Maybe today you do not feel worthy to tell others the Truth because of your own sinfulness in the eyes of the Lord. Let God touch your unclean lips and purify your life. Then willingly desire to go and tell others about Him. Go and produce Christ in others. Show people Christ. Do not show yourself. Produce good fruit that will be topnotch and beautiful to the eyes of others.

Prayer on the Path:
Dear Lord, please forgive me of my sinfulness. Forgive me when I have not done what you have asked me to do. Thank you for allowing me to finally see through your eyes my true nature. Now I want to be touched and made clean just as Isaiah. Lord, I am willing to go. Send me! Allow me to be one that produces good fruit and disciple others to produce good fruit. I do not want to show them my ways but show them Your ways.

Walk Farther:
Do you notice your sin?

Does your life resemble that of Christ's?

Are you producing good fruit?

Today will you go and tell?

Will you go and produce good fruit?

-Devotional Journal: Paths of Spring, L. Burch, 2006

I'm still listening...

"Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

Teri

Referenced here is the IMB news and information article. Here is the direct link to the web-page:
http://www.imb.org/main/news/details.asp?StoryID=6967&LanguageID=1709

Colleagues remember missionary's love for family, music, children
7/29/2008
By Staff
RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--Co-workers remember International Mission Board missionary Teri Tarleton as a devoted mother and wife with a love for music and ministry among the children of missionaries in Russia.
Tarleton, 49, died July 28 from a pulmonary embolism in both lungs in her home in Moscow.
The IMB appointed Teri and her husband, Ed, to the mission field nearly 15 years ago. She sang in the church choir and was an accomplished bassoon player. Born in Phoenixville, Pa., she graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a music degree.
While her primary ministry involved her family and church, she also ministered to missionary kids (MKs) in Russia as an education consultant.
“Teri had an incredible love for missionary kids and repeatedly touched the [lives of MKs in Russia] in phenomenal ways,” said Robin Covington, a longtime friend and missionary colleague.
“Teri’s main desire for our Russian field was twofold,” said Buck Burch, another colleague. “[She had] a burning desire to see the lost come to Christ and an unwavering belief in the witness of a godly family.
“To Teri, we weren’t just missionaries; we were a missionary family.”
Besides her husband, she is survived by a son, Adam, 21; daughters, Anna, 19, and twins, Rachel and Rebecca, 17. She also is survived by her parents, Russell and Betty Halliger of Park Hill, Okla.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent in honor of Teri Tarleton to the International Mission Board for the ongoing task of missions work around the world. Send donations to International Mission Board, Teri Tarleton memorial donation, PO Box 6767, Richmond, VA 23230-0767.
Her funeral will be held Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. at Nicoma Park First Baptist Church, 1931 Nichols Dr., Nicoma Park, Okla. Arrangements are being handled by Barnes Friederich Funeral Home, 1820 S. Douglas Blvd., Midwest City, Okla. 73130.