I have arrived in India. That is about all the words I can muster up in my current state of mental clarity. HOWEVER, I am here in India and wanted all of my dedicated blog readers to know. I feel home here already....even though I have only been here for an hour and may be on the only person awake in the city (it's 4:00 a.m.). I'm home. God is so good to send His grace, peace, and mercy to me.
Why would anyone ever serve another?
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Support Information
You will see that I have revised and revisited the support section of my blog. Please check it out!! It's entitled "Supporting the Call," and will give you all the instructions you need. :) If you have any more thoughts, prayer requests, concerns, and/or questions, feel free to email me.
Blessed in order to be a blessing,
Melinda - a prisoner of Jesus Christ
Blessed in order to be a blessing,
Melinda - a prisoner of Jesus Christ
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Following Him...
My dedicated blog readers will notice that I changed the title of my blog from "Missions to Brazil" to "Taking Jesus to the Ends of the Earth." Those of you who are personally involved with me know why.
My time in Brazil has come to an end, but the notion of my being sent to share the gospel of Jesus Christ most certainly has not! On July 16th, I will begin the next chapter in my walk with the Lord as I head of to Lonavala, India! There I will be living in an orphanage referred to as the Life Center. This venture is not with the mission organization with whom I traveled to Brazil. This organization is called Sower of Seeds. They serve the county of India with water wells, slum school, orphanages, and much more. You can check them out at sowerofseeds.org to get more information.
If you have been supporting me in the past, I would ask for your continued support. I will post the support information this week. Many of you experienced God's care of provision over the last two years as your poured into the work done in Brazil. I am certain this will not change! If you have any question about what I will be doing in India and would like to contact me, please feel free to email me at mgrant3@hotmail.com. I welcome your question, thoughts, and prayers!
Please stay tuned into this blog! I am determined to be more dedicated to communicating with you!
Blessings and Peace,
Melinda - a prisoner of our Lord Jesus.
My time in Brazil has come to an end, but the notion of my being sent to share the gospel of Jesus Christ most certainly has not! On July 16th, I will begin the next chapter in my walk with the Lord as I head of to Lonavala, India! There I will be living in an orphanage referred to as the Life Center. This venture is not with the mission organization with whom I traveled to Brazil. This organization is called Sower of Seeds. They serve the county of India with water wells, slum school, orphanages, and much more. You can check them out at sowerofseeds.org to get more information.
If you have been supporting me in the past, I would ask for your continued support. I will post the support information this week. Many of you experienced God's care of provision over the last two years as your poured into the work done in Brazil. I am certain this will not change! If you have any question about what I will be doing in India and would like to contact me, please feel free to email me at mgrant3@hotmail.com. I welcome your question, thoughts, and prayers!
Please stay tuned into this blog! I am determined to be more dedicated to communicating with you!
Blessings and Peace,
Melinda - a prisoner of our Lord Jesus.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Remembering.....
Recently I have been feeling the Lord speaking to my heart, "Write it down." More specifically, the Lord has been reminding me to testify of all He has done in my life and through my life. That sounds like an easy task doesn't it. Maybe even fun. However, what I found is that when I sat down to make myslef recall all the wonders the Lord has preformed for me....my mind went directly to all the garbage. The natural instinct of the mind is to recall the crap. Excuse my english, but that clearly articulates the point I'm trying to make.
I was brought to tears by the natural inclination of the grey matter between my two ears. I was grieved by the condition of my heart, that I would have to search through the manure of my life in order to find something praise worthy. The Lord sent His Spirit to me in that moment to convict and to heal. My life has not been deficient of the Lord's workings. My mind has been lacking in remembrance. We have to be purposeful about recalling the Lord's works. When David was downcast (Psalm 42), he would speak to his soul and say REMEMBER the LORD!
We must remember the Lord. When our minds fail us and try to be downcast because of past or present circumstances, when need to speak to our soul just as David and Jeremiah did (Lamentation 3:17-25). We must be purposeful to praise.
Why remember? Primarily because the Lord is worthy of praise. Secondly, because remembering implies action. Every time the Lord remembers in the word of God, he acts upon our behalf. (Gen 8:1, Gen 19:29, Exodus 6:5-6, Num 10:9)When we remember the Lord, we act on His behalf. Doesn't that make you want to remember!
I was brought to tears by the natural inclination of the grey matter between my two ears. I was grieved by the condition of my heart, that I would have to search through the manure of my life in order to find something praise worthy. The Lord sent His Spirit to me in that moment to convict and to heal. My life has not been deficient of the Lord's workings. My mind has been lacking in remembrance. We have to be purposeful about recalling the Lord's works. When David was downcast (Psalm 42), he would speak to his soul and say REMEMBER the LORD!
We must remember the Lord. When our minds fail us and try to be downcast because of past or present circumstances, when need to speak to our soul just as David and Jeremiah did (Lamentation 3:17-25). We must be purposeful to praise.
Why remember? Primarily because the Lord is worthy of praise. Secondly, because remembering implies action. Every time the Lord remembers in the word of God, he acts upon our behalf. (Gen 8:1, Gen 19:29, Exodus 6:5-6, Num 10:9)When we remember the Lord, we act on His behalf. Doesn't that make you want to remember!
Why are thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God: for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 43:5
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The Examination Room
I just want to start off with an apology for my lack of "blogging." My ambition was to make a weekly entry, but as you can see I have greatly fallen short in reaching that goal. Lately, I have been made more and more aware of this fact of falling short. As a physically tall women at 5 ft 10.5 in, spiritually I feel very short in stature.
At some points in my life I have been less aware of this truth. However, during time of trial and tribulation it seems as if we are simultaneously in the Great Physician's examination room. During these visits our spiritual flaws, broken bones, and cancers are exposed. This is where I find myself today in the examination room because of difficult, trying circumstances. I see that there are many areas in my walk with the Lord where I must increase.
It's funny because when speaking of my life here in Brasillia as a missionary, I have heard many people say that I'm living out my own personal adventure, as if I am on an extended vacation. It has been eluded to that my being here is in fact somewhat a life of ease. These are the things people think and say when you give up your life for the call. They are unaware of the challenges I face daily. All they can imagain is "how exciting" it all must be. What they are unaware of is the many "thorns" as Paul called them that come with being a follower of Jesus.
I have deliberated on whether or not to brodcast the struggles I face here. Would it discourage others? Would it sound as if I'm complaining? This is the conclusion I have come to. I need your prayers. I am encouraged in my trials because I know that they strengthen my faith. Even still, I need your prayers. The prayers of the righteous availeth much. I will not go into specifics of my struggles here. Only know that we are warring against princes and principalities, against those who would like to disrupt and even destroy the work being done here. Pray for our leaders. Pray for the missionaries here. Pray that as we find ourselves in the Great Physicians examination room, that we would allow Him to strengthen the broken places and heal us of our spiritual iniquites. Be encouaged by our trial friends. You are not alone in your struggles. As I pray for you, please pray for me that I will grow in His power and might. Not in my own. I want His strength to be made perfect in my weakness.
At some points in my life I have been less aware of this truth. However, during time of trial and tribulation it seems as if we are simultaneously in the Great Physician's examination room. During these visits our spiritual flaws, broken bones, and cancers are exposed. This is where I find myself today in the examination room because of difficult, trying circumstances. I see that there are many areas in my walk with the Lord where I must increase.
It's funny because when speaking of my life here in Brasillia as a missionary, I have heard many people say that I'm living out my own personal adventure, as if I am on an extended vacation. It has been eluded to that my being here is in fact somewhat a life of ease. These are the things people think and say when you give up your life for the call. They are unaware of the challenges I face daily. All they can imagain is "how exciting" it all must be. What they are unaware of is the many "thorns" as Paul called them that come with being a follower of Jesus.
I have deliberated on whether or not to brodcast the struggles I face here. Would it discourage others? Would it sound as if I'm complaining? This is the conclusion I have come to. I need your prayers. I am encouraged in my trials because I know that they strengthen my faith. Even still, I need your prayers. The prayers of the righteous availeth much. I will not go into specifics of my struggles here. Only know that we are warring against princes and principalities, against those who would like to disrupt and even destroy the work being done here. Pray for our leaders. Pray for the missionaries here. Pray that as we find ourselves in the Great Physicians examination room, that we would allow Him to strengthen the broken places and heal us of our spiritual iniquites. Be encouaged by our trial friends. You are not alone in your struggles. As I pray for you, please pray for me that I will grow in His power and might. Not in my own. I want His strength to be made perfect in my weakness.
For the eyes of the Lord are over the rightwous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against then that do evil.
I Peter 3:12
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A Natural Blue...
Dory:Hey there, Mr. Grumpy Gills. When life gets you down do you wanna know what you've gotta do?
Marlin: No I don't wanna know.
Dory: [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
Marlin: Dory, no singing.
Dory from Finding Nemo makes me LAUGH! She deffinitly is not the brightest fish in the ocean, probably due to her natural blue, but this one thought she did get right. Just keep swimming folks. Like Dory we often find ourselves asking sharks for advice (while being completely unaware of the dangers). We find ourselves surrounded by dangerous jellyfish just waiting to entangle us with their tentacles. Constantly we drift into dangerous places unknowlingly. And yet, the Lord is faithful to care for us. He is good. All the things I lack....He is and so much more. I am a natural blue, but for some reason He uses me anyway. Praise the Lord for that.
Oh so many, many lessons to learn from our dear friend Dory.
Lesson #1 The Lord doesn't want to use you because you are bright. Compared to Him we are peons. The Lord wants to use the faithful, those who trust, those who wait on Him, and those who come to Him like a child.
Lesson #2 Allow the Lord to put people in your life who can help you in this walk of faith. They may not be perfect, just as you are not. We are called to be a body. The Body of christ. Not the lone ranger for Jesus.
Lesson #3 Bad things happen. Get over it. No really, get over it. You will not ever fully understand why or how things happen. But this one thing you can grab ahold of...God is soverign. His ways are higher than ours. Until we reach heaven we will never fully comprehend His workings. Whatever mess you are in...He is there with you walking beside you. Allow Him to lead you and guide you through it. He is the best pilot there is. Allow Him to heal you and restore you. He can. His is able. Nothing is impossible with Him. Nothing. The Lord will use the thorns in your life for His glory if you let Him.
Lesson #4 Keep singing. There will never be a day when the name of Jesus is not worthy of praise. Not one. There is freedom and victory in praise.
Lesson #5 There will always be enemys, those who discount or try to discredit the work the Lord is doing in your life. Those who condemn instead of lift up. Incline your head toward heaven. Listen to the Spirit, the Encourgager. Do the thing He has called you to anyway. Just keep swimming.
So as I'm here in Brazil encountering all of the aformentioned....I remember Dory. I'm singing a new song and swimming for Jesus. The Lord has provided so many wonderful opportunites. Please pray for me that I will continue to have the character to walk out the plans that God has for me. That I will seize every opportunity. That I'll avoid the jellyfish and sharks. That I will listen the Great Encourager.
This Tuesday I will be making another visit to the Saudi Arabian embassy to dine with ambassadors from all over the world. What a privlege and an honor. Pray that the light of Jesus Christ will radiat from me penetrating the darkness. This is my prayer.
Keep swimming friends. Keep singing. Give him your safcrifice of joy.
Marlin: No I don't wanna know.
Dory: [singing] Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.
Marlin: Dory, no singing.
Dory from Finding Nemo makes me LAUGH! She deffinitly is not the brightest fish in the ocean, probably due to her natural blue, but this one thought she did get right. Just keep swimming folks. Like Dory we often find ourselves asking sharks for advice (while being completely unaware of the dangers). We find ourselves surrounded by dangerous jellyfish just waiting to entangle us with their tentacles. Constantly we drift into dangerous places unknowlingly. And yet, the Lord is faithful to care for us. He is good. All the things I lack....He is and so much more. I am a natural blue, but for some reason He uses me anyway. Praise the Lord for that.
Oh so many, many lessons to learn from our dear friend Dory.
Lesson #1 The Lord doesn't want to use you because you are bright. Compared to Him we are peons. The Lord wants to use the faithful, those who trust, those who wait on Him, and those who come to Him like a child.
Lesson #2 Allow the Lord to put people in your life who can help you in this walk of faith. They may not be perfect, just as you are not. We are called to be a body. The Body of christ. Not the lone ranger for Jesus.
Lesson #3 Bad things happen. Get over it. No really, get over it. You will not ever fully understand why or how things happen. But this one thing you can grab ahold of...God is soverign. His ways are higher than ours. Until we reach heaven we will never fully comprehend His workings. Whatever mess you are in...He is there with you walking beside you. Allow Him to lead you and guide you through it. He is the best pilot there is. Allow Him to heal you and restore you. He can. His is able. Nothing is impossible with Him. Nothing. The Lord will use the thorns in your life for His glory if you let Him.
Lesson #4 Keep singing. There will never be a day when the name of Jesus is not worthy of praise. Not one. There is freedom and victory in praise.
Lesson #5 There will always be enemys, those who discount or try to discredit the work the Lord is doing in your life. Those who condemn instead of lift up. Incline your head toward heaven. Listen to the Spirit, the Encourgager. Do the thing He has called you to anyway. Just keep swimming.
So as I'm here in Brazil encountering all of the aformentioned....I remember Dory. I'm singing a new song and swimming for Jesus. The Lord has provided so many wonderful opportunites. Please pray for me that I will continue to have the character to walk out the plans that God has for me. That I will seize every opportunity. That I'll avoid the jellyfish and sharks. That I will listen the Great Encourager.
This Tuesday I will be making another visit to the Saudi Arabian embassy to dine with ambassadors from all over the world. What a privlege and an honor. Pray that the light of Jesus Christ will radiat from me penetrating the darkness. This is my prayer.
Keep swimming friends. Keep singing. Give him your safcrifice of joy.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Psalm 27:6
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Be Bob - Bob the Builder
How time flys! Here I am back in Brazil after my busy, filled days in the States. Galavanting across the south was very exciting indeed. It was wonderful to be among friends, family, and my church family. However, I must say that I did miss my other home, here south of the equator. Here where the weather is goregous, I am ready to continue business...the Father's business that is.
Since returning to Brazil, all of our staff have been constantly covered in grime. We look like a bunch of Linus's running around without our blankets. We have just cause for being so filthy. After sanding, painting, mudding, sanding, and painting again it is difiicult to stay clean. Oh, but we have an extreme amount of thankfulness for the nasty distinct odor leaving our bodies. We are doing the finishing touches on our new school so we can begin on Thursday!!! The words in the previous sentence worth squealing about are "new school." If I had no other duties, I would list the many, many reasons why this building is indeed miraculous. Unfortuanatly, time does not permit. Let me just say that the Lord has provided a building that is almost four times the size of our previous building. Imagine the opporunities we will have for future ministry. We have all of the communities attention because we have moved to the middle of the city. We share many similarities with Nehemiah when he was building his wall. Just like him, we too only have had 52 days to complete the near impossible. But God! That's all we need.
I encourage you to read Nehemiah for yourself this week. What is the Lord building in your life? What does he want you to build? What do you need to do to protect the work the Lord is doing in you? Read Nehemiah and let the Lord speak to your heart. Just a few days ago the date was 08-08-08. Eight is the number for new beginnings and three is the number of completion. I wonder what the Lord wants to begin and finish in your life this year?
Blessings and peace on you. Please continue to pray for me and my fellow ministers here. I believe that the Lord is going to do some mighty mighty things for His kingdom. You and I are blessed enough to be a part of it!
Since returning to Brazil, all of our staff have been constantly covered in grime. We look like a bunch of Linus's running around without our blankets. We have just cause for being so filthy. After sanding, painting, mudding, sanding, and painting again it is difiicult to stay clean. Oh, but we have an extreme amount of thankfulness for the nasty distinct odor leaving our bodies. We are doing the finishing touches on our new school so we can begin on Thursday!!! The words in the previous sentence worth squealing about are "new school." If I had no other duties, I would list the many, many reasons why this building is indeed miraculous. Unfortuanatly, time does not permit. Let me just say that the Lord has provided a building that is almost four times the size of our previous building. Imagine the opporunities we will have for future ministry. We have all of the communities attention because we have moved to the middle of the city. We share many similarities with Nehemiah when he was building his wall. Just like him, we too only have had 52 days to complete the near impossible. But God! That's all we need.
I encourage you to read Nehemiah for yourself this week. What is the Lord building in your life? What does he want you to build? What do you need to do to protect the work the Lord is doing in you? Read Nehemiah and let the Lord speak to your heart. Just a few days ago the date was 08-08-08. Eight is the number for new beginnings and three is the number of completion. I wonder what the Lord wants to begin and finish in your life this year?
Blessings and peace on you. Please continue to pray for me and my fellow ministers here. I believe that the Lord is going to do some mighty mighty things for His kingdom. You and I are blessed enough to be a part of it!
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