Compassion Bloggers-Ecuador 2011

The Relevant Conference ended with the hilarious Shaun Groves moving us from laughter to tears as he sang poignant lyrics and told stories with heart impact.  Shaun is a spokesman for the wonderful organization Compassion.

I brought his newest CD home and have been playing it pretty non-stop.  While visiting one country with Compassion, he was so moved by what the pastor was sharing with him that he wanted to do something, anything, to help.  He offered boxes of CD's by himself and all his music buddies.  The pastor kindly smiled at him and said that although his offer was generous and his music beautiful, our songs--the music we know and listen to--was not the life they knew and lived {or something like that}.  I wasn't taking notes, but I remember being so taken by the words he shared.  Although the pastor appreciated this American musicians kind offer---his music, his words did not and could not reflect the lives he and his people lived.  

I know not what life is like for the poor of this world!

So Shaun penned these powerful words from what he has seen and experienced . . .

Third World Symphony

Right now, Shaun and some lovely bloggers are in Ecuador with Compassion.  Won't you join me in following the stories of their trip in pictures, videos and words?

Above Rubies

My eldest daughter and I attended an Above Rubies retreat with Nancy Campbell this past weekend.  If you are unfamiliar with Nancy and her ministry, here is a link to her webpage.

She ministers to the heart of women--encouraging them in their high calling as wives, mothers and homemakers.

This was the 8^th retreat I have been so fortunate to attend.  Each time I return home refreshed (albeit tired :), built up and encouraged in the Lord.  Because of what Nancy shares, yes, but even more so from the fellowship and conversation that I have with others over the days we spend together.  Although I only meet with most of these ladies this one time a year, I count them as some of my dearest friends. 

Their faces follow me throughout my year as I am busy in my home and busy with my Jesus!

The Above Rubies magazine has been published for over 30 years now.  It is free!  The writings are authored by both Nancy and her readers.  In its pages you will find the same refreshing fellowship and Godly encouragement that would meet you at a retreat—minus the late night chatting, laughing and snacking, of course! :)

Several of you visit this place of mine from across the world—a bit of a distance from the retreat camp!  Fortunately, the Above Rubies magazine is delivered to over 100 different countries so don’t let that keep you from checking it out.

"A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman, who is he who can find her?  She is far more precious  than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls."  Proverbs 31:10

Take My Life

One of my favorite hymns is “Take My Life and Let It Be”. To me, it is a song of worship and committed, willful giving of myself—woeful as I may be—to God.

There are several new versions floating out there today by various artists from Chris Tomlin, Jeremy Camp and others. But are you aware of the original writing of the song? Well, hold on to your hats ladies, (if any of you actually do wear hats, that is) because this story is huger than WOW!

Frances Ridley Havergal was the daughter of a minister who was also a skillful composer of music and the writer of hymns. Frances grew to surprise those around her with her own musical talent. By the age of 7 she was writing her own verses and had become a very accomplished musician. Along with her musical giftings, were her talents in the area of languages—specifically Greek and Hebrew.

Possessing quite the captivating and delightful personality, she had opportunity for the glowing stage of the social world, but chose to instead, devote her giftings and her time to the Lord. What was the secret of her pleasing personality? She recorded in one of her journals that her formula was quite simple. She prayed for everyone around her. These were not out-loud prayers and the people that she prayed for didn’t even know that she was asking God to bless them. But they felt it. It was said that there was something special to just be in the presence of Frances—it was the love of Jesus being poured over them.

She recorded in one of her journals in December of 1873 that after an intense longing for a deeper understanding of God, she was brought to see that without a full surrender to Christ she could not have the full blessedness of a follower of Jesus Christ.

Shortly after this, in February of 1874, she found herself on a five-day vacation at a house in the company of 10 others. Some of these persons were not followers of Christ and those that were, were not happy ones. A great longing seized upon her that all of these might, before the end of her visit, come to know her Savior as joyfully as she had just come to know Him.

Frances wrote in her journal: “He gave me this prayer, ‘Lord, give me all in this house!’ And He just did. Before I left the house, everyone had a blessing. The last night of my visit I was too happy to sleep.”

Just imagine—everyone in the house was different forever because she prayed over each and every one of them!

In her inability to sleep that night, she took pen to paper and God graced her with the gift of six verses to treasure. Closing with the triumphant line "Ever, ONLY, ALL for Thee!"

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing,
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

She made this hymn the standard for her own living. Years afterward she wrote in a letter, "I had a great time early this morning renewing the never-regretted consecration." She made giving Christ her love the object of her morning consecration each day.

Often she would give someone a card bearing the words of the hymn, and asked them to take the cards home, pray over them, and then, if they could make them their own, sign them on their knees.

What a blessed idea to remember Frances and the words to her hymn the next time you are around others who are not “rejoicers”. Pray for them and see what blessing God sends to them.

Perhaps smiles of joy will replace the frown of the heart by the time you leave them.

Perhaps a little extra joy will be gifted to you in the giving.