Encouragement
Friends of our's, Paul and Pattye Box served as missionaries to Singapore while we were serving in Korea.They first went to Singapore for language study and while there, Paul pastored a Cantonese Church before they moved to Kuala Lumpur.
Our time in Korea was cut short due to medical issues as was their time in Singapore when Paul became ill.
After his recovery Paul pastored in California and at First Baptist Church, Moore, Ok. where La Moyne's Dad had some great times of fellowship with Paul while serving as church custodian. When Jim died suddenly at 72 yrs. of age, Paul came to Jim's funeral.
The Box's then served several yrs. in Germany where Paul pastored an English language church there until Pattye was seriously injured in a car wreck.
While Paul pastored in California, he ministered to La Moyne's cousin, Glen Johnson. Glen, his wife and their 3 small children were visiting Disneyland when his wife became seriously ill. During her hospitalization, then her death, Paul ministered to them. Several years later Paul introduced Glen to 'Lou' (a widowed pastor's wife) and they were married for many yrs. before her death.
No matter 'where' they were (nor the difficulties) the Box's stayed COMMITTED to God.
Paul and Pattye were one of those couples who seemed like 'one' as they were always together (not only in body, but in mind and spirit as well) as they ministered around the world.
Pattye (one of the most vibrant personalities we've ever known) died Jan. 1st of this year. Our hearts went out to Paul, their 3 children and families, as we can not imagine how difficult it was/is for them.
While going through my files recently, I came across a copy of a testimony Paul gave, entitled "Must They Stay Lost?"
"And I if I be lifted up will draw all men unto Myself" (John 12:32)
Paul wrote:
"Five years ago this month, Pattye and I were appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries to Singapore.
Two months after our appointment, I sat in my home church (near Stonewall, OK.) looking over the coffins of 4 members of my family who had been killed by a tornado.
It was the church where Pattye and I were married."
The deaths from that terrible tornado did not derail Paul from his call/desire to share God's Word. Neither has the death of his beloved Pattye stopped Paul from continuing to answer God's call upon his life.
Paul left in September for Singapore where he is now serving as Interim Pastor of the International Baptist Church.
I thought about what missionary Jim Elliott (who was killed on the mission field) said:
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
(Speaking of course about your heart, your life, your soul and having Jesus....
as your Savior and Lord.)
COMMITMENT is not so much a matter of geography as it is the attitude of your heart. You don't have to go overseas to find a mission field.
A saying we heard while in Seminary was, "God can not use you around the world....
if you're not willing to witness in your own neighborhood."
There is a mission field:
~right next door
~down the block
~while @ the store/work/school
~anywhere/everywhere you go!
When we moved to our house on this street in 1975, there were over 50 children on our 5 block street. Today there are only a dozen or so children. However there are a lot of retired folk who moved here when we did.
We have be-friended most of them and in fact, I had the privilege of conducting the funeral for one dear neighbor. That is not to 'brag' but to only underline that your 'mission field' begins with your family, your neighbors....as well as where you work.
There was a sad news report last evening as a lady tearfully shared how she wishes she had reached out to a neighbor boy more often. The 16 yr. old boy stabbed a homeless man to death earlier this week. Another neighbor told of how he witnessed the lack of love/guidance in that young boy's life and he too, wonders if people had reached out more, if it might have made a difference.
Someone said, "Evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread." (Jesus is The Bread of Life).
It takes a surrendered and COMMITTED life.
The Bible is a book about folks who lived that un-reserved life.
I love the hymn, "I Surrender All" (by Judson W. Van DeVenter)
"All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
Chorus:
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
All to Jesus I surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
O the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!"
A song that La Moyne sings on our music CD is:
"It Will Be Worth It All When We See Christ"
(Words/music by Esther Kerr Rusthol)
"Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,
All tears forever over in God's eternal day.
Chorus:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,
We're tossed and driven on , no human help in sight;
But there is one in heav'n who knows our deepest care,
Let Jesus solve your problem - just go to Him in prayer.
Life's day will soon be o'er, all storms forever past,
We'll cross the great divide, to glory, safe at last;
We'll share the joys of heav'n - a harp, a home, a crown,
The tempter will be banished, we'll lay our burden down.
Chorus:
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ."
COMMITMENT TO GOD....SHOULD NEVER END!!
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 2124 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Travis Wiginton or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 2124 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.
Julia