Ipiales convention

• The power of God begins when we believe.

• Gideon's strength was that God promised to be with him.

• Don't be afraid to ask God for confirmation.

• What others say to us can move us, but only what God says to us can keep us.

• Secret sacrifice is not a waste.

• We don't want to be carried by the currents of this world, but rather moved by the Spirit of God.

• It's not just about fighting to get rid of the weeds.  We have to plant something that will produce the desired fruit.

• God has and can still use political decisions to fulfill His will.

• In times of darkness, the safest thing to do is stay close to the Shepherd.

• So much depends on the next step we take after we've been forgiven.

• Satan, the prince of this world, is the champion of living fro this present time.  Jesus taught us how to live for eternity.

• God has always wanted a people for Himself.  Leaving the world behind isn't the whole story.  It's so we can enter into a relationship with Him, into His joy.

• Being in the world but not of the world will allow us to be lights in the world.

• Deliverance is a miracle.

• When we're yielded at the altar, we find contentment.

• Doing what brings God joy gives us strength.  He will give us strength as we seek His righteousness.

• What we eat becomes part of us and causes us to grow.  

• A revelation is for those who make themselves small.

• Someone who invests is willing to let go of what he has in his hand at the present moment in order to receive more after a little time.  A farmer invests his seed to gain a harvest.

• It's not just what we do that counts; it's the manner in which we do it.

• We want to learn to die quietly, like lambs, not like pigs, squealing all the way.

• Paul was sincere in his conscience before God, and he wanted others to develop their own conscience before God as well.

• It's more difficult to walk when we're focused on the storm.

• Pharaoh wasn't willing to let go of something that wasn't even his.

• No outside influence can affect our faith if it is alive.

• It's easy to find reasons around us for our failure, but if we fail, it is because of what is within.

• Adversity can help us.

• How much time do we give to things that are really treasures?

• We show that we love God by our obedience to Him.

• Our selfishness hurts others.

• Living on the border presents great opportunity for evil.

• How does my testimony affect: my brethren?  the name of God?  those who might be seeking God?

• Keep aiming higher.  - in our thoughts and desires  - in our reactions  - in what we say to and about each other  - in forgiveness  - in the homelife  - in the workplace

• Denying ourself is saying no when our flesh wants to say yes.  Bearing our cross is saying yes when our flesh wants to say no.

And the very special news from Sunday is that three people made their choice to serve God known in the last meeting.  Two were from our field and one was from Pasto.  

Más sánduches

Once we got started, there was no more picture taking, at least not on my camera.  However, here's what it looked like before we began.  We made 200 sandwiches on Saturday morning, and the Sunday morning crew put together 430.  

Esteban

Valentina de la Fuente and I spent Friday and Saturday nights with E, E & E.  There were SO many excellent photo opportunities, but this is all I have to show for it because we were too busy playing!

Life's evening sun

This past Wednesday evening, my attention was captured by the sun setting over the mountains "behind" Ipiales.  I stood at the window for a while upstairs at Sra. Jaidy's and admired God's handiwork displayed in the heavens.  Maybe it wasn't just happenstance?  I later discovered that three men in three different decades of life from "back home" had passed away that very day.  And I think again of the supreme beauty of the final fruits produced in a yielded life.  

I'm not quite sure I follow it all entirely.

The power of life

We've heard it mentioned before, and several times recently, that with life, comes power.  Last week, we were waiting for a lady to arrive home from work so that we could study with her.  She's had a hard life and still lives in difficult circumstance.  However, it's been beautiful this year to see her wanting to learn more about God and His way.  She could blame her situation - other people, lack of natural wherewithal, past experiences, lack of formal education, etc. - for many things, but the desire that she has expressed to us is, "I want to change."  

So, while we were waiting there outside the house, I saw these little flower-things growing out of the rock wall by where I was standing.  And it made me think of Nelly.  And so many others.  We can't change the rocks.  We can just send our roots down farther and grow.  And if we're really alive, we'll be able to prosper right where we are.