Wolves in Wolves' Clothing

Since it is Halloween, a day of costumes, I thought it would be fitting to share this journal entry I wrote on 04.22.12.

We were in line at MacDonald's, and a big purple character [Grimace] came past in costume.  I pointed it out saying "Oh!  Look!  There's a purple guy!", thinking it would be fun.  But Malachi's eyes grew wide in horror.  When the character walked silently by and touched Malachi's arm, he screamed in torture.

Oh my tender boy!  His framework has no room for scary blob characters in costume.  It was his first time to encounter anything like the Grimace.  As adults we just register that there is a nice guy inside the costume and he's dressing up for fun, but for him it was a wolf in wolves' clothing.

"Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."  Matthew 7.15

To make me feel even worse, as I was comforting him and holding his hands as he sat in the stroller, the robber character then appeared from the back and walked right past us.  The look on Malachi's face was terror as if looking at a real lion or seeing a demon.  He shrieked a scream of pure fear and asked me to hold him.  I feel so bad!

What kind of character is the robber anyway!?  A huge scary-looking guy is supposed to make little kids giggle?  Malachi could see it for what it really was to innocent eyes--something that doesn't belong in our world as usual.

"Therefore Jesus said again, 'I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them."  John 10. 7-8

Other people have reprogrammed their minds to include foreign creatures like that, but 2 year olds know they don't belong.

"When [the shepherd] has brought out all of his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.  But they will never follow a stranger; in fact they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."  John 10.4-5

We were talking about the soul in book club Thursday [Renovation of the Heart by Willard], and how our world now as we know it is not "normal" but we've come to accept it as though it is.  Homosexuals on TV or walking around, sex displayed on public TV, violence, killings, shootings on the normal nightly "news".

It's "usual" but not "normal".  It's our world distorted by sin and twisted to where we are supposed to think it's all fun and parties when really it is a scary character in costume that doesn't belong.

Lord, what scary things do I see that are evil to you, too sinful to let innocent eyes see, that I have reprogrammed my mind to think it acceptable and fun?  What do I try to laugh and smile at because I'm "supposed to" (for the "birthday party', or to "fit in"), when really I should scream in horror at it and be shocked at it?

What things to you are wolves in wolves' clothing when we think it is a cute cuddly sheep?

"Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.  It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness."  2 Corinthians 11.14-15

Two Weeks to Departure!

Hi Family and Friends!

I am sending out an email update, so please take time to read that.  We are hoping to leave for the Philippines in 2 weeks!  Please pray for us as we prepare to depart and as we trust God for the remaining partners we need to join our team.  We can't wait to get back there, though we will have to also face the tears of good-byes again.  We're keeping our eyes on Jesus and focusing on eternity together!

Here's an article that was published in Canada after my visit there.  I hope you enjoy reading our story through another author's "pen": http://www.briercrest.ca/bcast/news/article.aspx?id=1593&type=5

There are 2 new posts below, one on Micah's wedding (and some autumn pics) and another on my "Highway to Hibernation" (just for fun).  Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement!

Autumn in America & Micah's Wedding

 I LOVE autumn.  While I do not miss snow or winter, I do miss the glorious autumn season.  I praise God every time I see these colorful trees!  It has been a picture for me of my spiritual life--and the life of others.  Change happens one leaf at a time.  Slowly and surely the whole tree turns into another color (and other trees change at a different rate).  So in my spiritual walk.  Soon the Lord's transformation in me will be a glorious testimony to our Creator, and at the same time others will change at a different rate and give a different color.  All to the glory of God!

 I got to be in Omaha for my 33rd birthday!  (you can see my Mom's brilliant idea of having 3 + 3 candles).  What a special treat!

 I love my sisters!!!  How sweet to be with Erin, Ali, and Sarah for the wedding weekend!

 Micah, what can I say!  I LOVE YOU BROTHER!!  This pic is just moments before the wedding began.  I praise God for doing this work in your life.

 Walking down the aisle!  I love the perfect blue skies and my Dad's smile =)

 I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Micah Bruce!  You may kiss the bride!

 The Ghormley clan!  What a special gathering!

You can see an album of 66 wedding pictures on my Facebook.  Friend me if you haven't already:  Jessica Nell Becker.

 4 boys in a bath!  We are having fun staying with our life-long friends in Zionsville, IN!

 Luke took his first steps (finally!) yesterday!  Yay!

My life-long friend, Trisha, and I are enjoying time in person together--precious!  How fun between us we have 5 boys!  Active times--get these guys moving!

You may wonder where Nate has been in all these pictures!  Well, he's been doing so many things!  What a man!  Visiting schools, making connections with people, speaking at church, watching the boys so I could go to the wedding.  We have't had as much time together that I would like in these last few weeks, but I am hoping we can make it through this home-stretch and find ourselves back home in the Philippines in two weeks!  Pray for us please, thanks!!

The Highway to Hibernation

It's been a while since I have blogged, written or taken pictures.  The travel and not having my own home really hit me when I landed in Indy from my trip in Canada/Montana.  The Lord used this time to really teach me a lot about my weaknesses and my need to rely totally on Him.  He has been renewing me and filling me with His Spirit, praise Him!

As I sat in the Chicago Midway airport on my way to my brother's wedding, I realized how easy it was to fly all by myself!  Then I started thinking about how many airports and cities I have been in.  For fun, just if you are curious, I wrote this out from memory.

(number)=how many of us were traveling together
A= stands for airport
B=a main base (more than 4 weeks)
C=if we went by car
V=if we also visited specifically

Summary:  24 states, plus DC, and 4 Canadian provinces: CA, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TX, UT, VT, VA, WV + DC
PQ (Quebec), ON, AB, SK

A, B Davao, Ph (5)
A Manila, Ph (5)
A Xiamen, CH (5)
A Guanzchou, CH (5)
A, V Los Angeles, CA (5)
A Dallas, TX (5)
A, B Omaha, NE (5)
C Lincoln, NE (5, 1)
C Grand Island, NE (5)
AX3 Atlanta, GA (5)
A, V Orlando, FL (5)
CLICK TO SEE MORE