GodandMe2theMax

Hope for Bukabwa. Hope for You.

My husaband Frank just returned from Tanzania on Saturday, and I asked him to share the blog and verse for us this week.

Jeremiah 29:11   “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When Jesus talked about the ends of the earth, He must have had Bukabwa, Tanzania in mind. Located in the northeastern corner of this East Africa nation, Bukabwa is home to 5,000 people spread out over a large area. To get there, you take a long dirt road, and then you turn off onto another dirt “road.” I’m not sure the later actually qualifies as a road, but that’s what the locals call it. The second “road” cuts through thick bushes that scrape the side of your vehicle as you bump along across its very rough terrain.

Bukabwa isn’t much to look at.

Now don’t get me wrong—the hills and valleys surrounding it are beautiful—but Bukabwa itself is basically a collection of scattered mud huts with thatched roofs. There are a couple block buildings, including the medical clinic with its one nurse, but that is about it. Throw in some chickens, skinny cows and a goat or two and you pretty much have the lay of the land.

There aren’t any real jobs in Bukabwa, there is one year-round water supply that is a hike for most people to reach, and few children make the nine mile walk to school. Until a couple months ago, there wasn’t any church in Bukabwa.

Honestly, Bukabwa looks pretty hopeless. Imagine if you lived there. Would you have a hard time believing God’s word in Jeremiah 29:11 that God plans to give you hope and a future? It would be hard for me to believe.

You may not physically be in Bukabwa today, but you might be at a place in your life that sure seems like it. You look around and all you see is discouragement. No hope. No future. No life.

But like the people of Bukabwa, there is much that you do not see. You do not see God’s eternal plan. You do not see how He is moving in the hearts and lives of people to intersect your path at just the right time. You do not see the blessings of God that are already on their way.

I just returned from Bukabwa, and I can see those things. I can see them because I have the privilege of being part of a church that has adopted Bukabwa. I’m privy to some of God’s plans for the community.

We’ve brought the gospel to the community, started a church, provided Bibles, and began discipling young believers. In partnership with the residents, we will see a church building constructed in the next few months and a full-time pastor living in the community. Over the next few years we will see three or four more churches started, the introduction of micro business, the building and staffing of a school, and much more.

Why? Because God has a plan for this village at the end of the earth. Because God has a future for a place and a people that everyone else has ignored. Because God from eternity past has planned to prosper the people of Bukabwa.

Most of Bukabwa’s residents have no idea of the incredible things that are to come. They know they now have a church. They know they will soon have a building. But the rest…well, that will be a pleasant surprise as God unfolds His plan to them.

Look at the Jeremiah verse again. Do you believe it? You should! No, I can’t tell you specifically what God has in store for you, but if God can show His favor on Bukabwa a place that had almost no Christians until just recently, He will show His favor on you His child.

God has a plan for you and for me. I can hardly wait to see what it is!

If you would like to learn more about Bukabwa and see the village, check out the video at http://vimeo.com/22577940. If you or your church would like to adopt an African village like Bukabwa and help transform it physically and spiritually, then please contact me through the MaxPoint Ministries website at www.maxpoint.org.

 

--Frank Banfill
President, Maxpoint Ministries

True Worshippers...

John 4:23  "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks."

The Bible talks alot about the faith of a child.  For the blog this week, I want to use the words of my twelve year old son, Jacob.  Many of you know that he has Asperger's Syndrome, which is high functioning autism.  It manifests itself mostly in social skills, but Jacob also really struggles with his emotions.  He wants so desperately to fit in, yet he understands that he has some special needs that keep him from doing so at times.  He has highs and lows, but one thing I can say about him is that he loves Jesus with all his heart.

A few weeks ago, Jacob came to me on a Saturday and handed me thirteen little pieces of paper.  He said, "Here mom.  Last night in my bed, I just felt like God was speaking to me, and I felt like I should write this down."  I looked down at what he handed me, and it was written on the back of thirteen pieces of paper "money", about two inches by three inches.  Jacob doesn't have the best printing, but as I sat reading, I was astounded at the depth of his relationship with God.  This is what he wrote, word for word, without one edit by me.  Here is Jacob's psalm to the Lord.

*************

God, please take this pain from my heart.  It’s burning up and over, over-flowing.  I lay in my bed shedding these living tears.  The devil’s trying to conquer my thoughts.  But then I remember You, God, and I find the courage to fight back those evil thoughts.  Your name is a miracle for all those who call upon it.  And You alone have the power to turn my sadness into a joyful wake up call.  So I thank You.  Yes, I thank You, God.

Now I want to take back those actions.  Thank you for these joyful tears.  I feel renewed in Thee, Spirit.  My heart was filled with sorrow, but now You’ve filled it with joyful thanksgiving.  Hallelujah, You have strengthened my heart, with Your unending love!  Thank you, God.  You’ve made me happy once again.  Thank you, God.  Thank you, God.

When the evil one comes beckoning, I won’t let him in.  I’ll find the courage to resist him.  With Your name I can do anything.  The devil has no hold over me with this new found courage.   Nothing can stop me from living my life for You.  You healed my broken heart.  What else can I say but thank you!

You never give up on this sad lowly life.  No matter what happens, I know that You’ll be there for me.  You’ve given me something to put my trust in.  You’ve revived me.  You’ve saved me.  You protect me.  What else could I possibly need?  Oh, thank You!

When the world comes trying to kill all my hopes, I know You will be there for me, fighting back those evil lies and giving hope for the future.  You saved me from the lies and fixed my broken heart.  When I was trapped in the devil’s web of despair, You freed my heart and revived my hopes and dreams.  Oh, how could I possibly end this song of thanksgiving?  You never stop giving me a reason to be thankful.  Mere words can’t describe the power of Your name.

Thank You!

*************

I sat there, reading in amazement..  Oh the faith of a child!  Oh how much I have to learn from my sweet son!  Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  John 4:23  "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks."

As I read Jacob's words as he poured out his heart to God, I couldn't help but think that this was true worship.  This is the kind of worship that God expects.  And I also wondered if I had ever worshipped God with my words the way Jacob had expressed.  Sure, I was proud of him, but more so, I was humbled that this son of mine, special needs and all, could "get it" when it comes to worship.  So many times, we equate worship with singing.  After all, "worship" is the music section of church, right?  Wrong.  Worship is so much more than that, and God our Father is looking for true worshippers.  He's looking for people who worship Him in spirit and truth.  My goal:  to have the faith of a child.  Like Jacob.  To be a true worshipper.  To have my Father recognize me as one who worships Him in spirit and truth.

As we memorize the verse this week, I challenge you to write down your worship psalm to the Lord.  Pour out your heart to Him.  Be a worshipper, a true one.  Let the worshippers arise!

 

---Beth (and Jacob) Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

 

 

 

Looking for the Light...

Psalm 18:28  "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."

Have you ever had a time in your life when things just looked dark?  I'm not talking about being depressed, necessarily, but just where there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel?  Life just seems to control you to the point that you aren't enjoying life?  Been there...and very recently, I might add.

As I've been searching for the light at the end of the tunnel, praying, and begging God for answers, He began to reveal some things to me.  Basically, I've been holding on to some things in my life that were keeping me from seeing that light.  I had my little security blanket, preventing me from expanding my faith.  Do you have any security blankets?  Mine wasn't just a little blankie, it was a big, thick one.  One I thought I would never let go of.  One that I thought I couldn't let go of.  I realized I had allowed that blanket to become my identity, essentially replacing Who should be my identity - my God.

If I am to grow spiritually, the decision was inevitable.  I had to drop my security blanket and run into God's blanket of security.  I was scared.  I didn't know if I could do what I need to do, but I knew what God was telling me, so I obeyed.  And you know what, after I obeyed, I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. 

Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  Psalm 18:28  "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."  When we just turn to the Lord, He sustains us.  He keeps our lamp burning.  Not only does He sustain us, but He turns what looks so dark and bleak into a wonderful ray of light!  God has challenged me this last week to look for the light, drop my security blanket, and expand my faith.  What's He teaching you?

Security
© Beth Banfill

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

We all have things we hold so dear
We think they make us who we are.
But God's telling me to have no fear
To let go.  And let God take me far.

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

No regrets.  Pure Peace.  His still small voice
Says, "Trust Me.  I've got a plan."
So I resign my will, and I'll trust You still.
My life is secure in Your hands.

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

My identity is not in my job or my things
It's not in all the things that I know
My identity lies only in Christ my King
The end of the tunnel is all aglow!

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Look for the Cracked Door...

Proverbs 4:18  "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

Have you ever gotten up early to watch a sunrise?  It's something everyone should do at least once in their life, for sure.  One ray of sunshine pokes over the dark horizon.  Just one ray for starters.  Then right in front of your eyes, the sun begins to peak out of the sky.  With each passing second and minute, the sky becomes more bright and beautiful.  The darkness fades, and what was once completely black soon becomes clear and remarkable.

In recent months, my husband and I have earnestly been asking God to show us His plan in several areas of our life.  We've been cautious to not make a move without knowing fully that this was definitely God's plan.  However, this last week, a friend pointed out this verse, Proverbs 4:18, to my husband.  He noted that sometimes God doesn't give us a wide open door, revealing a crystal clear path.  He counseled my husband saying that sometimes God opens up a cracked door, a window of light, just a glimmer.  Sometimes He just expects us to look at the glimmer and move toward it in faith.  As we move toward the open door, the light behind it becomes brighter and our vision becomes more clear.

I wonder, how many times do I miss opportunities because I'm just praying about something instead of looking for ways God may be opening small doors to bring about exactly what I've been praying for?  How many times do I miss what God really wants me to do because I'm not looking for the cracked door? 

I want to walk down that path of the just, like the verse talks about.  As I seek God and His way, I want the light to shine brighter and brighter.  I don't know about you, but I think it's time to go watch a sunrise again.  It's time to look for that first ray of God's handiwork...  I see it.  I'm walking toward it.  Are you?

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Driving Thoughts...A Christian's Job Description

Titus 1:16  "They claim to know God but by their actions they deny Him.  They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."

Do you ever have driving thoughts?  You know the kind.  When you're driving down the road with no music on, just silence and your brain, driving down the road.  For me, "silence" may not be the best descriptive word, if you know what I mean.  When I have driving thoughts, I carry on a complete and loud conversation with myself, sometimes even audibly.  When I have these driving thoughts, I can't get them out of my head, no matter how hard I try.  They drive my being to the point that my mind races, repetitively, all while driving down the road.  Yes, "driving thoughts"...have you had them?

Well, last week I took a trip into Dallas in rush hour, and I had some of those driving thoughts myself.  You see, at work, part of the focus of my job lately has been in the area of job descriptions.  I started to think...what is the job description of a Christian?  Seriously, if we had to put it on paper, and my supervisor evaluated me to see if I was doing my job, would I be fired?  Would my boss, God Almighty, give me a favorable performance appraisal?  Even more so, if I was put in a line up, and someone had to pick "the Christian" out of the line up, would they pick me over someone else?

What are some of the things that could be on that job description?  A few things come to my mind.  Feel free to add to this list!  Definitely, it's not exhaustive! 

• Loves the Lord wholeheartedy (Mark 12:30)
• Lives life humbly, with patience and love (Ephesians 4:2)
• Works to be a peacemaker (Ephesians 4:3) (Philippians 2:2)
• Considers the needs of others over himself (Philippians 2:3)
• Serves others (Galatians 5:13)
• Goes into all the world to tell others about Christ (Mark 16:15)
• Looks different compared to his old life before following Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• Disciples or mentors others (Matthew 28:20)
• Creates an environment of peace (Matthew 5:9)
• Lives their life in a way that others will know they are a Christian (2 Corinthians 6:3)
• Controls his tongue (James 3:8)
• Sacrifices for the sake of others (Hebrews 13:16)
• Does not hold grudges (James 5:9)
• Trusts in God, even when things don't make sense (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• Gives generously (Proverbs 11:25)
• Ability to trust God (Psalm 46:10, Psalm 62:8)
• Knows what is right and does it (James 4:17)
• Loves God and obeys His commands (John 14:21)
• Reflects God's glory and is being transformed to be more like Him daily (2Corinthians 3:18)
• Characterized by compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience (Colossians 3:12)
• Resists when faced with temptation (James 1:12)
• Submits to God, resists the devil (James 4:7)
• Admits when he's wrong; prays for others (James 5:16)
• Exemplifies love, joy, peace, slow to anger, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and has self control (Galatians 5:22-23)

If I had time to write, there would be an endless list of character qualities in this Christian job description, but it's important to realize that none of these qualities are possible on our own.  It's by giving God control in each area of our life that we are able to live out these character qualities. 

But remember my original driving thought.  Would people be able to pick me out as the Christian in the line up? 

Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  If you have time, read through Titus chapter one.  In it, Paul addresses people who claim to be Christians but their lives don't match that claim. 

Titus 1:16  "They claim to know God but by their actions they deny Him.  They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."

I knew God wanted me to blog about my driving thoughts this week.  I had several verses in mind to memorize, too.  However, my pastor opened his sermon with this verse in Titus on Sunday.  It's truly the antithesis of what I want to be true in my life.  I so desperately want my life and actions to match what God wants.  I want my life to be a sweet smelling savor, not something detestable to God.

What about you?  Do you have driving thoughts?  Does your life match the job description of a Christian?  Or could the verse to memorize for the week be true of you?

...Driving Thoughts
©  by Beth Banfill

Driving down the road
Haunted by the thought
Am I an undercover Christian
Would people think I'm not?

If I had a job description
Taken straight from God's Word
How much would I be living?
Or would the lines be really blurred?

If You put me in a line-up
Could You ID me?  Would You be pleased with me?
Could You quickly pick me out?
...These are my driving thoughts.

Sure, we all want to fit in
But should we look the same?
Our thoughts, our words, our deeds
Do they bring glory or cause Him shame?

Help me, God, give me strength
Let me live in such a way
So that others who look at me
See the difference that You make.

If you put me in a line-up
Could You ID me?  Would You be pleased with me?
Could You quickly pick me out?
...These are my driving thoughts.

The words of my mouth
My thoughts so deep within
Are they acceptable to You?
Do they give off a sweet perfume?

If you put me in a line-up
Could You ID me?  Would You be pleased with me?
Could You quickly pick me out?
...These are my driving thoughts. 

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Stressed out 'cuz there's No Room in the Inn...

Psalm 94:19   "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

Busy.  It's the story of my life.  It's the life story of probably most of the people reading this.  I often find myself so busy I can't prioritize things.  I find myself juggling the urgency of the immediate with putting out fires here and there, never with enough hours in the day to do everything I really need to do.  Lack of planning?  Maybe.  Overcommitted?  Probably.  Stressed beyond words?  Definitely.

Somehow over the last few weeks, I made a serious miscalculation of priorities.  I never found the time or energy to make my hotel reservations for Wednesday evening near the airport in Dallas.  You see, my flight was leaving early Thursday morning, and although I don't live that far from the airport, my colleague I was traveling with lives quite a bit further away.  The flight was to leave at 5:45 Thursday morning, so we really needed to have a hotel closer to the airport.

The plan was simple.  Get off work at 5:00 PM.  Pack for the upcoming trip to Baltimore.  Make a quick hotel reservation, eat dinner, and leave by 6:30 Wednesday evening for worship team practice.  My friend was going to meet me at church after practice, and off we'd go to the airport hotel.  Good plan, right?  Sure, in a perfect world, it was.  Unfortunately, I miscalculated quite a few things.  I got off work around 5:30 PM, leaving plenty of things still to do.  I then went to book the hotel.  Anytime I've had to get a hotel near the airport, I've always stayed at the Hyatt, right at DFW airport.  They always have good travel agent rates, and it's the obvious choice. 

"I'm sorry, we're sold out tonight.  Do you want me to transfer you to the Four Seasons?"  Um.  Easy answer on that one.   "No, thanks."  I hung up the phone and expanded my search.  No big deal.  I made another call.  And another.  And another.  And another.  And another.  I thnk you get the idea.  Apparently the storm that rumbled through the area earlier in the day caused quite a few cancelled flights.  There must have been some big meeting in town, too, because an affordable hotel room was no where to be found.  Panic began to sink in.  I still needed to pack, and it was quickly becoming apparent that I was running out of time. 

Frantic, I gave up on finding a hotel and started to throw things in my suitcase.  I may be the travel agent in the family, but my sweet husband Frank came to the rescue to pinch hit for me.  He stayed on the phone for another thirty minutes while I tied up the rest of the loose ends in preparation for the trip.  It was past time for me to leave for practice, and I still didn't have a hotel. 

"Just give up," I told him.  I had already decided to have my colleague just stay at our house for the night.  We'll just have to get up at 2 AM, that's all.  I was so discouraged, and the stress of the week had about taken me over.  The white flag was on the pole, and I was raising it up quickly.  "Just let me try one more," he said.  It took a few minutes, but Frank's persistence paid off.  He found a hotel room for us, granted, it was fifteen minutes south of the airport and about $30 more than I wanted to pay, but it was a room, nonetheless.

You know, I love how God works.  He always comes through, in spite of me.  I'm so glad that He doesn't adopt the phrase "Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on My part."  OK, truth be told, sometimes He probably does.  Sometimes we have to learn from our mistakes.  But I'm grateful at least this time, He did not enforce that lack of planning comment.  If He did, I'd be a goner for sure. 

I don't know about you, but when things don't go as I plan, I get discouraged.  Maybe in this case I should say, when I don't plan for things appropriately, I get discouraged.  Either way, the stress of the situation left me downtrodden and exhausted before I even began my trip.  I made it through worship team practice (quite hungry, I might add, since I never even had time to eat that dinner I had planned).  We got to the hotel around 10:30 PM.  As I sat in bed that night with my mind racing, I tried to evaluate how I could have done things differently.  I let my mind wander, and all I could think of us how my God once again saved the day, proving Himself faithful, in spite of my ignorance. 

Look at the verse to memorize for the week.  Psalm 94:19   "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

If there's one thing I've learned in recent years, it's to look for God in life's situations.  So many times we think God is there for us on Sundays, and that's where He stays.  We forget that when things go wrong through the week, He's right there, ready to console us.  We just need to turn to Him.  And when we do, He turns our anxiety into joy. 

I make a habit each night of praying myself to sleep.  Granted, sometimes it doesn't take long, considering I can usually fall asleep within minutes, but it gives me the opportunity to just talk to God about everything that happened through the day.  It gives me the opportunity to reflect.  And it gives me the opportunity to find the joy that only He can provide.

As you memorize the verse with me this week, let's also try to put it into practice.  Let's allow God to console our spirit and bring joy into our lives, despite anxious circumstances.  Even when there's 'no room in the inn...

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Amino Acids at Work...

Hebrews 13:16 "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased."

Amino Acids. They are the building block of proteins. Admittedly, I was not a disciplined student in school. I don't remember much of what I was supposedly learned. Thankfully, I did have some great English teachers, but when it came to science, it was pittsville for me. But this one thing I do remember: amino acids are the building block of proteins.

This last week, I witnessed first hand Christian "amino acids." OK, don't check out on me just yet. Our bodies need protein, right? Protein is a fundamental component of all living cells. It is necessary for an organism to function properly. Do we all not need Christian protein in our life? Even more, I'm talking about the amino acids, the building block of proteins -- the very basics.

Let me explain more. This summer, my daughter and I are going on a mission trip to Colombia. This will be my ninth trip to Barranquilla, Colombia, and my 14 year old daughter's fifth trip. I love Colombia, but the decision to go was not made lightly. I prayed and prayed, asking God to clearly show me this was HIS will, not just mine. One big factor in that decision was the fundraising required. You see, after you go to the same place on a mission trip several times, it's really hard to keep raising money to go again, year after year. I felt in my heart that God was opening the door for us to go again, but our family didn't even have the $200 per person to officially make the deposit for the trip.

But where God guides, God provides.

I received an email from our church several weeks ago, saying someone anonymously donated the $400 deposit for Amber and I to go. Step one, whether or not to go, confirmed. We then sent out our support letters to family and friends. In years past, we've been able to financially supplement what we couldn't raise, but that isn't the case this year. We were 100% reliant on God for this one, which is exactly what He wanted to so He could be glorified.

Donations started coming in, and we were zeroing in on what we needed. But also zeroing in was the deadline. Half of our money is due in a few days, and we still needed almost $700. Like I said, everyone needs protein to survive. And if I was going to survive in this fundraising quest, I needed some amino acids. The thing is, God knew that. He surrounded me with living, breathing "amino acids" found in my life group and friend circle. One friend outright told me, "You're having a garage sale. I'll help you get it organized and work it for you." Did you catch that? She planned my fundraising garage sale for me! Building block one. People started donating items for the sale. Building block two, three, four, five. Thursday night came, time to set up for the sale. Our garage was literally half full of items. Building block six, seven, eight, nine, ten, and eleven showed up to help me get it organized. They stayed late in the evening. Emails and texts came in from more building blocks. "I can't help, but I'm praying." By twelve noon on the first day of the sale, God had provided all the remaining funds that Amber and I needed for our mission trip.

What I witnessed this weekend was truly a miracle, unfolding before my eyes. You see, I couldn't even work the garage sale on Friday, since I had to work my real job. Of course, God can accomplish His will any way He wants, but it's especially rewarding when it unfolds using willing, selfless, amino acids. Yes, amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Protein that we cannot survive without.

As you can imagine, I've been on a God-high the last few days. I'm humbled by being the recipient of such massive blessings from others. I've also been asking God how I can be a blessing to others, in the same way these amino acids in my life have been to me. One way He showed me is by helping others in their fundraising efforts with the extra money from my sale. If you asked me even a week ago if I would financially be able to do that, the answer would have been a firm "no." But that's the cool thing about amino acids. They build on each other to make protein - necessary for life.

Perhaps it's an odd comparison, this concept of a Christian amino acid, but what happened this weekend couldn't have happened without each one of those people working together to get the job done. One block at a time. And I couldn't have been used to bless someone else without those initial building blocks of protein helping me.

Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week. Hebrews 13:16 "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased." The author uses a direct address here. It's an order. In a Beth's blog paraphrase, he says "Be a selfless amino acid. That's an order, and don't forget it. God will be happy with you for being obedient."

How about you? Are you being an amino acid, building protein into the lives of those around you? Are you making a conscious choice to build life into someone, block by block? You don't have to have money to be an amino acid. No, in fact, all you have to do is be obedient, just like the verse says. So this week, don't forget to sacrificially do good and share with others. God will be pleased. Be a building block in someone's life. Be an amino acid.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Steps in the Airport...

Proverbs 20:24  "A man's steps are directed by the Lord.  How then can anyone understand his own way?"

This last week I took a quick trip to Baltimore.  When I say quick, I mean quick.  It was a back and forth in the same day trip, with connecting flights on Delta in each direction.  I was going on business, but there was no way I was wearing dress clothes...nope, it was jeans for me, for sure.  (What can I say, I am a jeans kind of girl!)  I packed my dress clothes in a little duffle bag for when I arrived in Baltimore.

Once we arrived, I had a text from my colleague, saying she was outside and ready to pick me up.  I ran to the bathroom, pulled my computer out of the bag, changed my clothes, put on my heels, washed my hands, and ran out to catch my ride.  I had an afternoon of meetings, and once I arrived, I went to drop off my things on a chair and fire up my computer.  Rewind.  I ran to the bathroom...pulled my computer out of the bag...and that's where my mind stopped.  With my computer sitting on the toilet paper rack in the bathroom.  Yes, I had left my computer in an airport bathroom in Baltimore.

My meeting was about to start, so I quickly retrieved the TSA Lost and Found telephone number.  I called and left a message.  My colleague sent an email for me.  She left a message as well.  I called again.  My heart sunk deeper into my chest.  I couldn't focus.  This was not my work computer that I lost.  (Not that that would be any easier to swallow.)  This was my personal netbook.  It's a smaller, lighter laptop with a wireless card for internet.  It's also the computer in our house that keeps all our personal financial records. 

My meeting started.  I did my best to focus, but my thoughts wandered.  With each thought, my eyes swelled with tears.  Our bank account information.  Pictures of my kids....  I did my best to hold it together and be a productive member of the meeting, all while carrying on a long conversation with the Lord in my head.  "God, I know I was careless, but only You can do a miracle and help me get that computer back."  I knew my chances were slim, but I also knew my God could do anything.  My phone rang, and I could see that it was the TSA.  I excused myself from the meeting, with hope in my heart.  "We're returning your call, but we wanted to let you know we've not had any laptops turned in."

I went back to my meeting.  The next call from the TSA had to go to voicemail.  I kept praying.  I kept focusing.  I checked my voicemail at the next break.  Still nothing.  It was time to get back to the airport, so I decided I would just go find the TSA Lost and Found before I boarded my trip home.  My last ditch effort, I thought.  I got to the airport and found the TSA office.  Still no laptop.  "Oh, you need to go to the airport lost and found, not the TSA lost and found."  OK, great!  "Thank you, God!"  I started to praise Him before I even got to that office.  My heart was beating faster, but only for a moment.  "No, no laptops have been turned in."

"God, I'm trusting You.  Please let that laptop be in the bathroom right where I left it."  I made my way through security and made a bee-line for the bathroom.  In.  Out.  Nothing.  I went directly across the hall to the bar.  Maybe someone had turned it in there.  I waited until the bartender noticed me, eyes filling up with tears.  "Nope.  No one turned in anything.  Check with airport Lost and Found."  I walked away to the corner and called my husband.  I couldn't hold the tears back anymore.  "I'm so sorry, honey.  I tried everything I could think of.  I just can't find it.  Please forgive me..." 

I'm so thankful for my husband.  When we have any kind of crisis, he remains calm and sane.  He doesn't yell; he just thinks in a reasonable way.  "It's ok.  It's just property.  I'll call and suspend our wireless service.  Then I'll start to change all our passwords."

We hung up the phone, and I looked up.  There was an American Airlines counter in front of me.  It seemed impossible, especially since I arrived on a Delta flight, but I just felt like God was saying to go ask.  I walked up to the gate agent.  "I know this is a crazy request, but is there any chance someone turned in a small laptop?  I left it at 11:40 this morning in that bathroom right there."  The man looked at me like I was crazy, but maybe the hope and desperation in my eyes could be seen.  Just then, a man walked up behind him.  "A laptop?  In a black sleeve?  Oh, I know right where it is."

The man exited the area, and within moments, handed my beloved laptop to me.  Why American Airlines never turned in my computer to lost and found, I will not know, but it doesn't matter.  I called my husband immediately to let him know of the answered prayer.  As I talked to him on the phone, not more than two or three minutes after getting my computer back, I looked up.  The American Airlines gate area was now completely empty.  I hung up the phone and sat there, dumbfounded at God's timing.  If I had cried and carried on even a few minutes longer, I perhaps would still not have my computer in my possession.  If I had waited to ask the gate agent, even one moment, that person walking behind him may not have even been in the area.

OK, I know that was a long story to illustrate this short little verse.  But seriously, I have to give props to my God in great detail.  I mean, only God can come through like that, right?  I had someone tell me, "Well, Beth, you were pretty persistent."  Yes, that's true.  God expects us to do our part.  If I had sat around and prayed without taking personal action, how would the story have ended?  I dare say with a different ending.

Proverbs 20:24  "A man's steps are directed by the Lord.  How then can anyone understand his own way?"

Yes, a man's steps, my steps, were directed by the Lord.  The rest of the verse goes on to say that a man can't understand his own steps.  (From the research I've done, the "his" refers to man, not to God.)  Why was I so careless to leave my computer in the bathroom?  I'll never know.  What I do know is that my steps in recovery were 100% ordained by God.

Over and over in my life, I can look back and see how God repeatedly is at work.  Sometimes I can't see it until years after He's been at work, but He's always there, guiding and directing each step.  I just have to let Him lead.  I have to do my part and obey. 

Trust me, next time I travel, I'll be taking some different steps through the airport, but I'm not making changes on who is leading.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Do you need a spiritual fill-up?

Psalm 107:9  "For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."

Easter morning finally came.  The day we've excitedly and expectantly waited for!  What an amazing day of worship and celebration of my risen Lord!  I don't know about you, but the energy was high at my church.  We had three services, and people made professions of faith in Christ in each service.  It was so cool to see God at work in our midst.  Afterward, we hung out with some good friends for lunch and played games.  Then I felt like I was about to crash.  I'm one of those kind of people that will push myself with a full schedule until every minute is booked up.  I love to have people over, entertain, and I don't always know when my tank is on empty until it's too late.  Let's just say that my energy level on Easter Sunday evening was below the "E."  Spiritually I was full from the day's events, physically, I was empty and exhausted.

Contrast that with the picture below that I took a few months ago after taking my daughter to a doctor's appointment across the other side of town.  I glanced down at my gas gauge and noticed it was on empty.  The light was on, and I was at least fifteen miles from home.  Decision time.  Do I push my limits and get the van home so my husband could fill it, or do I try to cut over through traffic to the gas station on the opposite side of the road and get home even later than planned?  Chance it, I did, but fear finally took over.  I ended up pulling over for gas, just a few miles away from my house.  By then, the tank was below the "E" and I knew I had pushed my little van as far as I could.  I really don't think I could have made it home.  I was running on fumes, and quite easily, all forward motion could have stopped at any moment. 

Once I got empty--really empty--all I could think about was finding what I needed to keep going.  I was desperate for one thing, gas.  That was all I could think about. 

Sometimes , especially on days when I'm exhausted, it's easy to think that running on empty is a bad thing.  But think of it in a spiritual sense, and take some time to read through Psalm 107, especially the verse for this week.  Psalm 107:9  "For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."

Just like a car running out of gas, we have to empty ourselves of...ourselves.  We need to be so empty we are desperate.  Desperate to be filled by the Lord.  Desperate to not do life on our own.  Desperate for Him.  Desperate for more.  If you are hungry for Him, He will fill you.  If you are thirsty, He promises to satisfy you.  It's only when we get rid of the "me" in our life and and replace it with "Him" that we will be able to keep our engine of life running smoothly.

Let's make sure we're having a Spiritual fill-up every day..not just on the big days like Easter. 

  

 

 

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

  

Pass the oranges, please...

Proverbs 11:25  "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

On Saturday, I sat outside in the sun at my son's soccer game.  The wind was gently blowing, but frankly, it was stinkin' hot for being so early in the season.  The sun was beating down on my already sunburned arms from last week's game.  Now, I've never been a big fan of oranges...they're just too messy for me.  But as the sun was beating, I started to think how refreshing an orange would be about that time.  You see, it was our turn to bring oranges for the half time snack.  We were well into the second half of the game, so I went on the hunt for some leftovers.  I found several bags were left, still on ice.  Wow!  For someone who doesn't really care for oranges, I inhaled in a matter of minutes the equivalent of about three entire oranges.  "Refreshing" doesn't even begin to describe it.

Now think about it.  What if you could offer ice cold, fresh oranges to someone in the hot Texas sun?  What if you saw someone out there who was dehydrated, and you could offer exactly what they need?  How would that make you feel?  Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  Proverbs 11:25  "A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." 

Our Sunday morning worship service was a tremendous example of this verse.  Our church is involved in a community development  project in a little village called Bukabwa, located in the Mara region in Tanzania, East Africa.  Bukabwa is a community of about 5,000 people that before a few weeks ago, literally had no hope.  Two of our pastors and my husband Frank just returned from Bukabwa last week.  Our church's vision for this community is to not only meet their spiritual needs (there's no church even in this entire area) but also to partner with the African Inland Church to teach them micro-finance, transforming little by little, the entire community.  Our pastor shared with us that to sponsor a pastor for one year, build a church building and a home for the pastor next to it, it will take only $5,000.  He then did an uncharacteristic move.  He asked our church family to donate on the spot to meet this need.

Now, he didn't just take an offering.  He asked people to come forward and lay their offering on the platform.  I sing on the worship team, and I can't even start to tell you what this did for our team as we sang.  "Give me one pure and holy passion."  People started lining the aisle.  "Give me one magnificent obsession."  One by one they came forward and left their offering on the alter.  There was a line to get to the front of the church.  "Give me one glorious ambition for my life.  To know and follow hard after You." 

God's people gave generously Sunday morning.  It refreshed me.  It refreshed so many on our worship team that at one point in the response song, several of us were so filled with tears that we couldn't even sing.  I don't know the final numbers yet, but I do know that there was a lot more than $5000 given. 

As if God didn't already show up and show off, a friend unexpectedly handed me a generous donation today for the mission trip to Colombia my daughter and I will be going on this July.  Fundraising has been slow for us, and this gift definitely was an unforeseen blessing.  Half of the money is due by the end of the month, and we are still far from that goal, but this gift definitely helped boost us closer.  Yes, in more than one way, God's people brought ice cold refreshing oranges to church.

We have probably all been recipients of unexpected blessings like I've mentioned above.  But, how many of us have been the giver?  Have you ever given out of obedience, even though you don't really have the money to do so?  The Bible is very clear about the principle of giving.  Give, and it will come back to you.  I've seen it over and over again.  (Luke 6:38)  There's been several times in our family's life that we knew God was definitely telling us to give, even though we really didn't have the means to do so.  I can testify that every time we've been obedient in giving, God has refreshed us in return.  Sometimes the refreshment is monitary, but always it's spiritually refreshing.

Break out the oranges and give where God leads.  Abundant, refreshing blessings are waiting.  Try it.  You might just find you like oranges!

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com