Boys shoes in front of the chimney

April is always the time when the boys 10-14 from Templo Bethania in Tijuana go for a weekend camping trip. Tender Loving Care Children Ministries helps to sponsor this activity. It is an awesome opportunity for some of these boys to go somewhere, be safe, have fun and learn about the Word of God. They also learn discipline and how to help one another. We have an amazing team of leaders that give up their weekend to make this event possible.

The kids left at 1:30 p.m. from the church. In the morning, it had rained in Tecate. When the boys got there the grass was wet and there were puddles of water in many areas. Boys are boys! After putting down their pack-sack they headed outside to play. Wet grass and puddles of water were not going to dampen their fun time.

When they went back inside the cabin for supper, their shoes and some of their clothes were soaking wet. One leader made a fire in the huge fireplace. The kids then put their shoes in front of the fire, so they would dry overnight.

Later that evening the pastors went to the camping ground to check up on everyone. They sent me some pictures of the kids in their sleeping bags or bundled up in their blankets enjoying watching a video.

Among the pictures I received was the picture of the fireplace and the shoes. As I looked at the picture, I did not yet know about the rain, the boys playing outside and the wet shoes.

But immediately, in my spirit, this is what I saw: The beautiful fire in the natural, was not a just beautiful in the natural, but a beautiful fire on the spiritual level. It was the presence of the Holy Spirit coming down as a fire of love and compassion falling on the lives the boys whose shoes were on the fireplace.

Each pair of shoes represented one of these young boys. In the spirit I saw that the Holy Spirit was going to guide, protect, teach and anoint each one of these boys. The fire of the Holy Spirit is going to be their strength and power, so they that each one will be able to complete the race the Lord has for him.

After this camping weekend, these boys will never be the same.

At times we look at a picture and it is a beautiful picture, but other times, it is far more than just a beautiful picture. It is a word from the Holy Spirit to bring encouragement about something very precious to a precious person or in this situation to a group of precious boys such as this group during their annual camping trip.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15 NIV

Denise

The faithfulness of God!

I love to share the about the faithfulness of God. His faithfulness for my life and ministry. I seriously think that when we share with others about His faithfulness it is a way to worship Him and give Him glory for all He does for us on a daily basis.

Also, when we speak about the Lord’s faithfulness it encourages people around us. The Lord is no respecter of person, so if He is faithful to me, He will be faithful to you. Amen!

I have been saved 38 years and serving the Lord in full time ministry for 29 years. Every day, even in the hardest and darkest hours of my life, I am always in awe of Him.  In awe on how He always takes care of me, my kids, my ministry, my situations, and my every need.

In Deuteronomy 7:9 of the New Living Translation the Word says: “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love Him and obey His commands.”

The dictionary defines the word lavish as profuse, exuberant, lush and opulent.  So, when the Word of God says that the Lord lavishes his unfailing love on you, it’s not a little bit of love, it is not a second-hand kind of love, it is not a distant kind of love, NO, it’s a first quality love, an exuberant and unconditional love.

In the same manner, as He lavishes His love on us, He daily lavishes His faithfulness on our lives. I’m sure if you all took a piece of paper and a pen it would not take very long for each of you to fill a page of times and circumstances where His faithfulness brought you through a day, a season or a time of great need in each of your lives.

Here are a few examples of how faithful the Lord has been to me.

He was faithful when we could not understand or speak Spanish. In August 1990, after we arrived on the mission field, we worked with an American lady that had an adult ministry in Tijuana. One Sunday we accompanied her to a church service in a very poor shantytown called Canyon del Pato. After the service, our translator came to us holding a little girl by the hand.  She was about 10 years old. Her mom wanted us to pray for her.  Even though there were other people with us, the mother was very specific in asking us to pray for her little girl.

This little one was burning with fever, her face was red and it was easy to see this child was not well.  Neither of us knew any Spanish, nevertheless, we laid hands on her and closing our eyes, we started to pray in English. The translator seeing our determination to pray for this child and not wanting to break the flow of the Spirit did not even try to translate. As we prayed for this precious little one, we felt the fever leaving her. When we opened our eyes her face was back to her normal color and the fever was gone.  She started to hug us and talk to us, but unfortunately we could not understand a word she was saying. All I can say is that the Lord had seen our hearts and the need in this child’s life. Even if we did not speak her language, He had healed her right then and there.

It was a priority for us to learn Spanish. We enrolled in a Spanish Language school in San Diego. After working a full day in Tijuana, we attended school 3 nights a week over a period of 3 months.

Roger was learning much faster than me. In his enthusiasm he would sometimes refuse to talk to me in English or French forcing me to converse in Spanish. A few times it would so frustrate me that I would refuse to speak to him in Spanish. But, every day, I would pray for the Lord to help me learn so I could communicate with the Mexican people. One time, in the middle of the night, Roger woke up because I was talking out loud.  Many of you know that I love to talk, but seriously, in the middle of the night I do like to sleep. Anyhow, after listening to what I was saying, he woke me up to tell me that the Lord had answered my prayer.

In my sleep, I was quoting Jeremiah 33:3:  "Clama a mí y te responderé, y te daré a conocer cosas grandes y ocultas que tú no sabes." or “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  I sat in my bed and cried. I was so grateful for a faithful God. That night was a turning point for me to learn the language. Amen!

Psalm 36:5 describes the faithfulness of God in a very accurate manner. It says:“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”

After Roger died, I often sat in my bedroom discouraged and lonely. But, deep in my heart I knew I could call on the Lord to help me and I did call on Him often. Each time, His peace came over me like a soft blanket that covers a child. He would comfort me until I could get up and do what had to be done. He was faithful then and He is still faithful now.

Do I still have times where I don’t know what to do? Absolutely.

Are there still times where I write letters or contact churches or individuals to get some financial help for our “TLCCM” families in Tijuana, and nobody responds to my letters? Absolutely.

Are there still more children in Tijuana that I would like to help? Absolutely.

Do I still have days where I am lonely and find it difficult to lead this ministry by myself? Absolutely.

But, I have learned to trust on the faithfulness of my God. My eyes are on the Lord and not on man.

After I have done all I can physically do, I pray and I know that my God will provide for the kids in Tijuana, for me personally and for my family, simply because He has always been faithful.

Maybe some of you need something from the Lord, but you are having a hard time trusting Him, you are having a hard time believing that He is faithful. Possibly in your mind your saying, He’s been faithful to Denise, but what about me? Let me tell you this: Everything He does for me, He will do for you.

You must understand, that He will do it, in His own time, on His own terms, but He will do it. Sometimes, His answer is not what you expect, want or understand.  When my husband died, that is not what I had prayed for, that is not what I wanted, that is not what I expected the Lord to do. But every time doubt, fear or even anger stirs my spirit, I remember Psalm 36:5:“Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies.”

May I encourage you to read and write down all the scriptures that talk about His faithfulness. In the next few days, study this subject. Read how faithful the Lord was to Abraham on Mount Moriah when He provided a lamb and spared Isaac's life. Also, about how faithful He was to Joseph’s during the years he was in prison in Egypt….and for so many others. He is faithful.

He, the Lord did it for others, He, the Lord, will do it for you. Amen!  And through it all, He has and He is always faithful.  Just trust Him.

My prayer is this: Let the Lord touch your heart and resolve yourselves right now that in your situations, you will see His amazing faithfulness for your life.  Amen.  
Denise

Compassion for the weak!

Compassion for the weak !

 “He feels pity for the weak 

and the needy, 

and He will rescue them.”

Psalm 72:13 NLT

As missionaries in Tijuana, Roger & I soon discovered that the children were hungry. 

We also quickly learned that if we fed their tummies, then we could talk to them about Jesus. Food was our way to show them love and compassion.

Now, after 29 years, food is still a way to get to their souls. 

But food is not their only need.  Other times, they need prayer.

Children for the most part are honest when asking for prayer. Some of their requests shook us to the core. We never had a Mexican child ask prayer for a new bike. But, we have had many kids ask for a job for their dad, for food for the household, for dad to stop beating mom, asked for healing for their body or healing for someone in their family.

We always took their requests very seriously. At times we had then line up, the boys with Roger and the girls with me. We would pray for each child before distributing the groceries. The other children and their moms would sit quietly and wait until we had prayed for every child that was in line. In some areas, mothers would also line up behind the children to receive prayer.

We lead many moms to the Lord through the children's program. Together, Roger and I would pray for the moms. I always found that the prayer line was precious but also emotionally exhausting.  We heard some ugly details about various situations happening in some families that left us drained out of our brains. Nevertheless, we prayed for as long or for as many children and moms were in the prayer line.

Then, there are times where they just need you to hug them. They come to the front to ask for prayer, but their little hearts are so broken they cannot verbalize their petition. 

One day, we were in a church in Colonia de la Mesa on the east side of Tijuana. Pastor Rodolfo was a sweet and dedicated man. For a few years, he also worked alongside Roger & I as our interpreter.

On one specific Saturday, we had a church service with the kids of his church. These kids loved to sing, so we would take advantage of this and sing longer than usual. Afterwards, we had a bible lesson.

Most of the time the three of us were ministering together. Pastor Rodolfo was quite funny, so sometimes he would add his own spin on the lesson and he had the kids in stitches. 

Sometimes he would get distracted and walk towards a child forgetting that Roger and I needed him up front to translate. There was never a dull moment ministering with this kind man.

But, when came time for prayer, Pastor Rodolfo would quickly adapt to the seriousness of prayer time. He would translate but he would also invite the kids to come to the altar. After a general prayer for all the children, then we would start praying for them on an individual basis.

One Saturday, David a little boy about 8 years old, came up front for prayer. I asked him what was his prayer request? He was a shy little boy, but he was also hurting. Just looking at him, I could see that his eyes spoke when his mouth could not utter.

I decided to give him a hug before I starting to pray for him. The instant I put my arms around him, an accumulation of tears started to flow out of the heart of this little boy. He was not crying, he was sobbing.

I took him by the hand, I sat on the altar step and then I took him in my arms. He sobbed and sobbed. I don’t remember how long I held him in my arms. I did not say a word, I just kept holding him, while I prayed silently.

I really felt I could not let him go until he released all the pain inside his little heart. The Lord was healing him through his tears. He never told me the reason for his pain was and I did not ask. David was a hurting little guy. We never had proof, but I strongly believed he had been molested.

By the time he stopped crying Roger and Pstor Rodolfo had prayed for all the other kids that had come forward. Then, both men took him to the back of the church and had him help out giving out groceries.

At times, all a child needs are some loving arms.

Regardless of the reason for his tears, all little David needed at that moment was someone to hold him and show him some love and compassion.

That Saturday, I had the awesome privilege to be that someone.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe

 yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”  

Colossians 3:12.

Denise

Mercies forever more

Isaiah 42:3: ^“A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;” ***

Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ”

His mercies endure forever! When we are tired and discouraged, the Lord will never break our spirit. No, on the contrary, it is in those times that He shows us His great mercy. In the bible the mercy of the Lord is a theme that is frequently referred too. It is mentioned hundreds of times. Here are a few examples:

Psalms 118:1: “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever.”

Romans 5:8:“ But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Ephesians 2:4-6: “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,”

The meaning of mercy is: to have compassion on someone, to help out someone out of love without expecting nothing in return.

Salvation is by grace! It is not who we are, how rich or powerful we are or anything else we could do that would give us salvation. Nothing we could ever do would be good enough to get us the gift us of salvation. The mercy, grace and love of God on a dying world gave us salvation through the blood of His only son, Jesus Christ.

What is mercy? One of the best example of mercy is found in Luke 10:30-37: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ ³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

We all have read the story of the good Samaritan. Probably we have read it hundreds of times. In verse 37, Jesus says “Go and do likewise.”  Jesus used this well-known parable to teach us about mercy.

We cannot read the story of the good Samaritan but ignore the words of Jesus: “Go and do likewise.”   As a christian if we do not obey to:”Go and do likewise,”  all we have done is just read a nice story.

If you are tired, discouraged or going through some difficult times, open your bible and write down the scriptures on the mercy of God. Then declare those verses over your life. He will lift you up, encourage you and give you the strength to keep going.

And today, if the Lord should put a hurting person on your path,“Go and do likewise.”  

God bless you!

Denise

Other verses on mercy: Psalms 25:10, 33:18, 32:10, 33:5, 36:7-10, 57:10, 63:3

All verses quoted are from the New International Version unless otherwise mentioned

***same scripture can be read in Matthew 12:20

Waves of mercy for my life!

 “His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before Him.”

Part of Luke 1:50 The Message

In August 1989 after receiving a call on our lives we were spending time at our beautiful condo in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For several years, this was our special place where we could rest and seek the Lord’s wisdom. Now it was the place we needed to hear God’s will and directions for all the changes we had to make because of our call to Mexico.

One morning, I woke up very early and took my cup of tea out on our balcony to have my quiet time with the Lord.

As I was looking at the ocean moving the water from the ocean onto the beach wave after wave. It was a continuous motion, one wave after the next landing on the sand one by one, same speed, same strength and in the same way. Nobody there to tell the ocean what to do and how to do it.

While watching these waves come one after the other, I realized that spiritually it is the same for us who are children of God.  I felt like I was the beach and Jesus was that wave that kept coming over me with His love, His mercy, His forgiveness, His comfort, His strength, His peace and His wisdom.

At 6:00 a.m. alone on the balcony, I felt the presence of God sweeping over my spirit and it overwhelmed me. I felt like I understood what Charles Finney, this powerful man of God of the 1800’s when he said: “No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart”.

These were wonderful waves of mercy and blessings come to me directly from the Lord’s loving heart. That morning, I knew without the shadow of a doubt, that whatever lay in front of us, we could do it because the Lord would be our help. He would be our wave of mercy, compassion, love and wisdom for the days ahead.

After a while, I went back inside, made some coffee and woke up Roger. Together we sat on our balcony looking at the waves.  We had seen these waves move one by one, hundreds of times, but that August morning, we saw them with a different perspective.

Now, some 29 years later, His waves of mercy still cover me. They covered me in good times and in difficult times. They covered me when I held Roger’s hand when he left for his heavenly home. They covered me afterwards when I had to continue by myself after being married for 44 years.

These waves of mercy covered me when ministry life became overwhelming.

While were missionaries in Mexico for 15 years, together we shared various duties and obligations that needed our attention. Together, we oversaw the spiritual side of the ministry. Together, we wrote our own Spanish curriculum for Sunday School and Bible Study lessons.

Then in 2008, all of a sudden, I was alone having to continue to carry my responsibilities, plus take on Roger’s.

Even the darkest hours, I felt God’s waves of mercy cover me. The waves of God’s mercy over my life never forsook me or abandoned me. His waves of mercy is the reason, I’m still here today.

The ocean seems to have an everlasting supply of waves. Spiritually, it is the same with the Lord, He has an everlasting supply of love, protection and provision for my life. The waves of God’s mercy, love and faithfulness cover me every day.

With each problem or situation, His waves come with the encouragement, peace, strength and mostly the assurance that He is always in complete control.

Every day, I feel His presence. I live expecting His faithfulness to take care take care of my family. His faithfulness speaks faith and courage into my life.

Every day, I love Him more because He first loved me. 

Every day, I trust Him to continue to cover me with His waves of mercy and love. This gives me the assurance, that I have peace and the strength to complete my journey. Daily, I seek Him with all my heart and daily He is faithful to cover me with His waves of love, strength, wisdom and mercy.

As I write this BLOG, I feel His waves of love flowing over heart & soul.

In Jeremiah 29:13 the Lord says:“ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

This verse constantly reminds me to keep seeking Him and to always take the time to have my daily meeting with God because I always need Him to continue to cover me with His waves of mercy and love.

The following song is worth listening too. Every move I make (I make in you Jesus) This song is worth listening too. (You Tube)

Every move I make, I make in You
You make me move, Jesus
Every breath I take, I breathe in You
Every step I take, I take in You
You are my way, Jesus
Every breath I take, I breathe in You.

Chorus:
Waves of mercy, waves of grace
Everywhere I look, I see Your face
Your love has captured me
Oh my God This love
How can it be

I know that I know that His waves of mercy will continue to cover me until He takes 

me to my heavenly home, where Roger will be at heaven’s door waiting for me. 

Denise

 

Count your blessings one by one!

Details about this song writer: The hymn called :“Count your blessings one by on”, was written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. in 1897. He was born in 1856 and died in1922. His father, Johnson Oatman, Sr., a prominent businessman in the small town of Lumbertown, New Jersey, was a well-known singer in Christian circles.

Johnson Jr. worked in his father’s business. In fact, it seemed he lived in his father’s shadow all his life… even carrying his father’s name. Young Johnson could not sing as well as his father.

He eventually became an ordained Methodist minister and often preached in the small churches in the area. He also sang in those small churches, but he never could never sing like his father sang. Yet he grew up wanting to make some musical contributions of his own. 

When Johnson Jr. was 36-years-old, he counted his blessings… and discovered a talent he never realized he had. He could write songs! For the next 3 decades he wrote 4 or 5 new gospel songs each week! So, every year some 200 songs flowed from his pen. He eventually had written 5,000 songs and was happy that in his musical compositions he had found a way to “preach the Gospel.” 

He didn’t want money for his hymns, but his publisher, Edwin Excell insisted… so Johnson Jr. agreed to accept $1 per song.

Johnson Oatman was a humble man but that never stopped him for knowing how many blessings the Lord sent his way. 

Read the words of this song and then take the time to count your blessings one by one.

Be grateful and always remember what the Lord has done for you.

All of you have talents and qualities, just let the Lord develop them. 
Let Him work in you and through you.  Do not place any limits on what the Lord can do for you and through you.  
Then, do not be surprised at 
what the Lord will do.

Count your blessings… name them one by one.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
count your many blessings, name them one by one,
and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,

count your blessings, see what God has done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God has done.
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
and you will keep singing as the days go by.  (Refrain)

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
count your many blessings—money cannot buy,
your reward in Heaven, nor your home on high.  (Refrain)

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

do not be discouraged, God is over all;
count your many blessings, angels will attend,

help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.  (Refrain)

Count your blessings name them one by one

Count your blessings see what God has done

Count your blessings name them one by one

Count your many blessings see what God has done.

Repeat:

Count your blessings name them one by one

Count your blessings see what God has done

Count your blessings name them one by one

Count your many blessings see what God has done!

You can listen to this song on YouTube. It may not be the type of music that we sing today, but if you read the words carefully, it is really a beautiful worship song.

Take care everyone!

Denise

Picture of Johnson Oatman Jr.

Take a look at Grandpa's hands!

Take a look at grandpa’s hands

Grandpa, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat,

 I wondered if he was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him

at the same time, I asked him if he was OK.

He raised his head and looked at me and smiled.

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you for asking," he said in a clear strong voice.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, Grandpa, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to him. 

"Have you ever looked at your hands," he asked. 
"I mean really looked at your hands?"

 

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making.

Grandpa smiled and related this story:

"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled, and weak have been the tools I have used all my life

to reach out and grab and embrace life.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. 

As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. 

They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. 

They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. 

They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. 

Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I 
was married and loved someone special. 

They trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle. 

 

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed

and cleansed the rest of my body. 

They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. 

And to this day, when not much of anything else of me works 
real well, these hands hold me up, lay me down,

and again continue to fold in prayer. 

These hands are the mark of where I've been and the 
ruggedness of my life. 

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will 
reach out and take when he leads me home. 

And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there 
I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ." 

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God 
reached out and took my grandpa's hands and led him home.

When my hands are hurt or sore I think of Grandpa.

 

I know he has been 
stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

 

And one day, with my hands, I, too, want to touch the face of God

 and feel His hands upon my face.

author unknown

Never lack in zeal!

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual

fervor, serving the Lord.”

Romans 12:11 (NIV).

Definition of Zeal: Great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.

 

Be satisfied with where you are at this present time but always pursue opportunities to better yourself.

 

Do not look at your past failures or mistakes, because that can bring resentment and discouragement in your spirit.

 

Learn from your past mistakes and keep your eyes looking forward to using that knowledge in present or future situations.

 

Do not look at what you are lacking at this present time.

 

Look at all the blessings the Lord has already poured into your life.

 

Encourage yourself to always strive to grow and learn through studying God’s Word and in prayer.

 

Look back at what the Lord has already done for you. 

 

Making a list of your blessings will keep you hopeful, passionate and filled with zeal.

 

Most important, do not place any limits on what the Lord can do for you and through you. He is able!

 

Have a great and blessed day!

 

Denise