"It depends whose hands it's in..."

An interesting poem I came across while looking for illustrations for my Bible study this evening...


IT DEPENDS WHOSE HANDS IT’S IN


A basketball in my hands is worth about $19
A basketball in Michael Jordan’s hands is
worth about $33 million
It depends whose hands it’s in


A baseball in my hands is worth about $6
A baseball in Mark McGuire’s hands is worth $19 million
It depends whose hands it’s in


A tennis racket is useless in my hands
A tennis racket in Pete Sampras’ hands
is a Wimbledon Championship
It depends whose hands it’s in


A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal
A rod in Moses’ hands will part the mighty sea
It depends whose hands it’s in


A sling shot in my hands is a kid’s toy
A sling shot in David’s hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it’s in


Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands
is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God’s
hands will feed thousands It depends whose hands it’s in


Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse
Nails in Jesus Christ’s hands will produce
salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it’s in


As you see now it depends whose hands it’s in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears,
your hopes, your dreams, your families and
your relationships in God’s hands because


It depends whose hands it’s in.


(Author Unknown)

Bible studies

I have too much to say as usual. And not enough time or energy to say it all. But that's ok because most of you probably wouldn't have enough time to read it. Life. Anyone ever heard the word busy? :)

Update...I have two Bible studies going. Together they add up to 6 people. The first is with two mom's, Susanna and Cassie. Susanna has two little boys, Owen (18mths old) and Oliver (1moth old). Cassie has a little boy Bennet (6mths old). It's a challenge to say the least. I switched the lessons I was using because the first set was taking too long to get through between caring for the precious little ones. So now we are using the series by Karen Lewis, Lifting Up Jesus. I really like these studies. Last night however it felt like Susi and Cassie weren't able to concentrate at all with the little ones. They boys are really quite good for their age. But they have needs that can't wait. It was a bit discouraging as I don't see it getting any easier in the future and this seems to be the only time they can study. But they appear to enjoy the studies and are learning. My other challenge with this one is that Susi uses the NIV and Cassie uses NLT. Both of which have discrepancies in translating chapters on prophecy. This last week Cassie couldn't find her Bible. So she brought her grandma's Bible. It's a Catholic Bible. :) I tried to suggest maybe it would be easier for all of us to use the NKJV since that's what the studies use. They said, "Oh it's fine. I'm following along no problem." *sigh* We study at 7pm CT on Wednesday evenings.

The other study is with Sue, Ron, Mark, and Jordan (a 13y/o neighbor girl of Sue's). I haven't figured out how the other three are related or if they are. Sue bought three books from me when I canvassed last summer. Read that story here under the July 12 section. Ron and Sue live together, but I don't know if they're married or not. They are rural folk through and through. Sue lost her mom last year who she studied the Bible with fairly regularly. They live rather poorly, but I am anxious to see what God will do in their lives. They are incredibly sincere! Jordan has heard next to nothing about religion. She lives with her grandma I gather, who has no interest in it. Jordan wanted to go to church when she was little, but grandma wouldn't take her. So Sue said she's kind of given up. But I think these Bible studies have the potential to bring back the spark and actually answer the questions no one else has taken the time to answer for her. She is bright, but very clueless about the Bible. So it has been a good challenge for me to bring everything down into very simple language and have to give background to every story I tell and every point I make. One thing though, she can read KJV!! A+ for her. :)

Their study is on Tuesdays. We had our second study this week. Mark was gone in TX, but he'd written an opening prayer and left it with a request that I read it at the beginning of the study. He's the most vocal in the study. This first week he was falling asleep a couple times. They all smoke. I can feel it in my lungs when I leave. Ron admitted this last week that he is an alcoholic after I'd mentioned it in an illustration I used. They are so open. Mark the first week said he had once had an experience with God. "It was the most amazing feeling," he said. "Do you want that again, Mark?" I asked. "Oh yeah! That's why I'm here," he immediately responded.

I am humbled by them. I am realizing each week how tremendously privileged I am. It is an awesome thing to present the gospel to people for the first time. Next week I will invite them to ask God into their lives. Pray for them. Sue is struggling. She said she's lost in all the "thee" and "thou" of the KJV. I told her to get a NKJV and it would be a little easier, but promised her that it would get easier the more we studied. She asked why God had so many people killed in the OT. That is a hard question to answer. I did my best. I told her that God never destroys anyone with out giving them chance after chance to accept Him and be freed from the evil that is destroying them. And that is just it, often it is our own actions that bring on destruction. I also explained to her a hazelnut shell version of the great controversy and told her that the devil likes to put his character on God and make us think that God is out to destroy us. But really everything God does is in an effort to save us from the devil. She seemed satisfied for now, but the question still hangs. I don't profess to understand the commands to kill whole nations in the OT either. But I know too much about God love to doubt that He had a plan and it was all mixed with as much mercy as it could be.

Last week Ron pulled down a dusty picture frame off the living room wall with pictures of Jordan as a little girl in it and a drawing she did when she was I think 4y/o. I was stunned. God has a foothold in this little girl. With hardly any knowledge of the Bible and only the answers to the questions she'd asked Ron and Sue (who don't really know much more at this point, only the traditional Christian's knowledge) she had drawn a picture of Jesus and God on a cloud. God is saying to Jesus, "I'm glad you're back." Jesus is saying, "I'm going to get the people." I want this little girl to be there with a smile on her face when He comes to get her! This week she had gotten in trouble at school and was grounded in definitely. I need extra angels to keep that girl out of trouble or at least not grounded! She needs to be in these studies.

Thank you for your prayers. I need them. I feel so inadequate. And I procrastinate so much. Last night I was about in tears. But God is merciful. And He figures out ways to send some of you with encouragement and reminders of His control over all and His love...at just the right time. When these people accept Jesus, you will have been a big part of it. I may be on the front line, but I couldn't stay there long if you weren't backing me with prayer. Thank you!

My dream...

The following video has put more fuel in my passion and I hope someday there will be wind under my wings. If there was an opportunity to go and work for a year in this school I would jump on it! I emailed Asian Aid and asked if they ever needed volunteers. They said they are not set up for that right now, but if it ever became a need they would remember me. I'll be sure to keep tabs.

India has held a special place in my heart ever since I was a little girl. Every time I would watch Maranatha Mission Stories with Dick Dirkson about India I would have to fight tears. I wanted to go so bad.

Children also hold a special place in my heart. I want them to know they are valued, precious, loved, and created by a God who knows their name and can speak their language...yes, even if it's sign language.

To see these two things, India and children, linked to sign language, which also has held a special place in my heart since childhood and even more recently...it has all sent my mind soaring. I picture myself there...someday.

Please, if you can spare a few pleasures in life to help the children of Asian Aid or any organization like this, do it! What can we live without to gives these children a chance at life...and a chance at eternity!

For $23/month you can give a child the chance to go to school and get an education that could transform their future.

For only $7 more ($30/month) you can give them a meal while they are at school. For some children this is the only meal they will get all day. (Remind me again how many meals you ate just yesterday?)

For only $5 more ($35/month) more your sponsored child can live at the school where they will have meals every day, clean clothes to wear, and a clean bed to sleep in at night. If they have a suitable home to return to they visit their family on the holidays.

For just an extra $10 ($45/month) you can sponsor a orphaned, deaf, blind, or college student. These children may not even have parents any more. Your small sacrifice gives them not only food, clothes, and unique education, it gives them a home which is another way to spell love. A place where they learn about Jesus.

How far would $45 get you? Less than one tank of gas? A few groceries? A pair of shoes?

How far will $45 get her? Very likely...all the way to heaven. Would you be willing to help her get there and where your shoes a little longer? Please?

To proceed to the next step click here...

Acts: The Revolution...

Come join the challenge...

The beginning.