Who is God that He is mindful of me?

The age old question, who am I that the Lord would think on me. David said it all in Psalm 8: 3-4
"When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?"

I'm blessed and convicted by this verse all in the same breath. Knowing my depravity He still wants to think on me, He still wants to be not only my Lord but my friend... WOW! This also causes me to think, if He does that for me, is He asking me to do that for others? How can I show this verse and the character of Christ to those around me? Would we have to be nice to people around us, maybe even unloveable, mean people? Would we have to be humble to proud people? Would I have to actually take the time to notice those around me and help those hurting?

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 That is what we are called to do! Knowing how we are to think of others we are to heal and bind them up. We have a high calling and it is something that we should be joyful about. Since our Father loves us so much and thinks on us, since He has saved us and bound up our wounds then we should joyfully be able to do the same for others. I pray that this holiday season we seek out the brokenhearted and the wounded, that we can bind them up. I pray that this new year we will continue to do this and that we see the lives of others around us healed and made whole by the love of Jesus Christ. 

Let's think of practical ways to make this happen. Simply, give to your church's food bank or monies to go to the poor, give clothes to your local thrift store so that others can benefit from your excess, give money to a needy family, missionary or to your church so that they can give it to whoever needs it, when someone has a need instead of just listening pray for that person right there, remember to get back with them to remind them that you care and are still praying, Pray that the Lord will give you divine encounters with people that need a word from God, give scripture and the hope of Jesus to whomever He opens the door to tell... Let's be expectant to watch for these God encounters, lets be excited to love on those He brings right to our own doorstep, or grocery line, or gas station, or schools, or Dr waiting rooms... the list goes on and on.

I would actually love to hear if anyone does this, if anyone prays and looks for opportunity to mend people, how the Lord answered them. He may give you the unloveable, but He will also give you the means to love them. I'm excited to see God work with me and with you. I cant wait to share how He brings people to us and how we used our opportunities.

Many Blessings,

Andrea

First time Disney movie- The AristoCats

Sunday, after church my kids stuck the movie Aristocrats into the DVD player and sat down to watch. Joe and Ricardo came to church with us Sunday and they also sat down to watch the movie. The difference is that they are 22 and this was the first time they had ever watched a Disney movie. That sort of broke my heart.

They have not grown up with the innocence of a child. They had to be on their own early in their lives and really never had the opportunity to be kids. It did make me giggle to watch them loving this movie. They sat forward and watched eagerly, they belly laughed at the funny parts, danced to the musical parts. When I watch them they remind me of my little guys Gabe and Eli watching a movie.

I'm so thankful that we have them in our lives. I'm so thankful that they have Lifexchange in their lives and I love seeing the difference that Jesus and Lifexchange have made in their lives. To check out lifexchange go here.

See Joe sitting forward, he was loving it!

They watched the whole movie so intently

So much fun,
Andrea

Thanksgiving 2011

We have so much to be thankful for! No matter what we are lacking or think we are lacking almost everyone I know is incredibly blessed!

We ended up being the only Americans at our Thanksgiving day feast. This was a first for us, but what an amazing time we had! There were 38 people and everyone brought dishes, they all made something that would come from a typical Thanksgiving day meal and boy did we eat well. It was fun getting to spend the day with new friends and let them experience our holiday.

Our friend Daniel carving one of the turkeys

Our back garden set up for our Thanksgiving feast

Brie made a Thanksgiving tree for us and everyone wrote on the leaves what they were thankful for. It was really special and I think this will be a new Render tradition.

Brie had all the leaves set out to write on

This was after when all the leaves were filled out

The day before Thanksgiving we were out driving in Cape Town and drove past a huge township. The houses were made out of cardboard, metal sheeting and wood slats. The houses had no bathrooms they had a row of community toilets that did flush, but I don't think they get cleaned... ewww! I thought about all those time I think our house here in SA is too small, compared to our homes in the states it is small. But, compared to these shacks we have plenty.

I am praying that this year I can remember how blessed I am and that my hand will always extend to the poor and needy. There are so many needs here and it can be overwhelming, but God always brings His plan into view and we can meet the needs of the few he puts in front of us.

We had 3 of the guys Shelby works with from Ocean view at our Thanksgiving. Joe said he had never eaten turkey before, but boy did they eat that day. We laughed because we had never seen such full plates. I'm so thankful to be able to do life with these guys and to just have the opportunity to love on them.

Here are 2 of Shelby's guys Keenan and Joe posing with Daniel and Drew

I pray you all find yourselves grateful for the many blessings that you have. Please use your resources wisely and I pray that you live open handed with those God has put in your life.

Blessings abundantly,
Andrea