Saturday, November 21, 2009

Turkey?

Thursday and Friday, I got the invitations finished, and also finished all my research on Thanksgiving. All that is left is to write it out in. My former language school teacher gave me the idea to use the kids in a kind of play. I think that is a good idea and will see if we can get them to act out the Thanksgiving story. The only snag we may run into is the Turkey. Turkey here is not widely eaten until Christmas, we may not be able to find one for Thanksgiving. We will try though.
I am getting excited as the day approaches for us to start a Bible Study. I am also humbled, realizing what a great job I have to do for God. Summed up the job is to make disciples. Followers of Christ. It involves teaching, modeling, encouraging, leading, praying, enpowering, etc. . . To make disciples, is such a great privelege and responsibility. I pray that God gives me the strength and wisdom to do things His way and I pray that He will get glory and honor from it. Of course thinking back, every one who is a Christian, should be about that same purpose - making disciples. It is a position I should have held since my "rebirth", since I was born into His family. I have failed in regards to that for many years. If I had been making disciples since my salvation as I should, I would already have over 25 solid years of experience. Now I must just strive to be a better disciple maker in the future. Please pray for the future of our work here, that we will have disciples made who will then make disciples themselves. God bless, JASON

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Thanksgiving preparation.

I have never started preparing for Thanksgiving this early before. Angie has gone shopping to make sure that we can find everything we will need. I have done some research on the history of Thanksgiving and started working on the invitations that we will mail out. Bible study went well last night and we had a lot of good discussion. We are studying the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. It is interesting the see the ideas that have remained the same and those that have changed over the years. Lilia and Caleb were excited to have swimming again this morning. The few days will be busy with getting all the preparations underway for our meal. It will take place Friday evening, the 27th. Please be in prayer for this event.
This day is also the 10th anniversary of the Texas A&M University bonfire collapse. The annual event had been a tradition for 90 years. In the early morning hours of Nov. 18th the 40 ft (12m) structure collapsed killing 12 students and injuring 27 others who were working on the structure. One of the victims, Jamie Hand, was Angie's friend in high school and they had played on the softball team together for years. Our prayers go out to the families of the victims on this day. Pictured is the bonfire event from 1993. God bless, JASON

Monday, November 16, 2009

From flowers to hair.

The weekend went well. Friday morning at the large market in Limoux, I picked up Angie some flowers (pictured) to go in a new vase that she had bought. The market in Limoux is very well attended and there are at least a hundred venders selling all kinds of things from food to clothes. Friday night family night went good, attached is a picture of the kids settling in for a movie. Saturday Andrew did not have any fever. It is nice to have him somewhat back to normal. Sunday services went good at Carcassonne, they were some visitors. Sunday afternoon, Angie planned on cutting the boys hair. After Andrew she proclaimed that she would not be cutting the boys hair anymore and that we would take them to a professional. Son Andrew ended up being the only one getting his cut (pictured) We have been having wonderful weather this weekend and today. We had planned to have visitors over tomorrow. A couple that we met when we first came to Limoux we invited over but they had to cancel because a family member of theirs is gravely ill and they are staying home awaiting a phone call. This morning besides doing a little grocery shopping, mailing, finances. e-mails and the such, we stopped by a place to get a quote for the price of installing cabinets in our home. The owner of the home said that they would reimburse us half the cost if we decided to have permanent cabinets installed. As of right now we are using several cardboard boxesm and though they work well, they are not very economic or long-lasting. This week I will need to get our invitations to our Thanksgiving meal prepared and do some research on getting a web site set up here in France. I have been picking up a lot of vocabulary recently. A couple of times I have seen new words that I thought were just mispellings. For example I saw "las" in the hymn book at church which I thought was a mispelling of "là", an adverb meaning "here" or "there", but it actually is a word meaning "weary". Also I found saw "çà" which I thought was a mispelling of "ça" which means "this" or "that", but it is actually another word meaning "hither". Ahh, the joys of language learning. God bless, JASON

La Prière de Yaebets

I Chroniques 4. 9-10
"Yaebets était plus considéré que ses frères, sa mère l'appela du nom de Yaebets en disant : C'est parce que je l'ai enfanté dans la douleur. Yaebets invoqua le Dieu d'Israël, en disant : Si tu ,e combles de bénédiction et que tu m'étends mes limites, si ta main est avec moi, et si tu fais que, loin du malheur, j'échappe à la douleur!...Et Dieu accorda ce qu'il avait demandé."

Connaissez-vous des noms qui donne un mauvais sentiment? Comme Hitler, Sadaam Hussein, Judas l'Iscariot. Les premier neuf chapitre de Chroniques est une généalogie très longe. C'est difficile de le lire. Mais n'oubliez pas que 2 Tim 3.16 « Toute Écriture est inspirée de Dieu, et utile pour enseigner, pour convaincre, pour corriger, pour instruire dans la justice, »
Au milieu de ces neuf chapitres de la généalogie d'Israël, on trouve une oasis. Au milieu d'une grande liste des noms, la personne Yaebets prends l'attention du écrivain. Il fait une pause pour donner plus d'attention sur cet homme. Ces deux versets sont le seul lieu où il est mentionné dans la bible. 1 Ch 2:55- le nom d'une ville. C'est une ville où les scribes habitaient.

I.Il était plus considéré que ses frères.
A. Donc il avait des frères.
B. Il était plus considéré qu'eux. Ça ne nous dit pas que ses frères n'étaient pas considéré, mais qu'il était considéré plus.
C. Voilà, la raison que l'écrivain donne plus de détails sur lui.
II.Sa mère l'appela du nom de Yaebets en disant : c'est parce que je l'ai enfanté dans la douleur.
A. Son nom signifie « la douleur ».
B. Pourquoi ce nom? On ne sait pas pourquoi précisément. Il y avait qqch concernant cet homme qui lui a rappelé de la douleur.
1. Sa naissance – Peut-être sa naissance était très dure. C'est possible, mais normalement, ils nommaient l'enfant le huitième jour. Je crois que dans le plupart des cas, il n'y a plus de douleur après huit jours.
2. Une problème avec le père. Le nom du Père n'est pas donné. C'est bizarre. Et puis le nom était donné par la mère. Peut-être le père est mort. Peut-être il les a abandonné.
3. En tout cas. Chaque fois que cet homme entendait son nom, c'était un rappel de la douleur. Je pense que ce soit difficile pour un enfant.
III.Il invoqua le Dieu d'Israël
A. Invoquer – c'est plus fort que « demander ». C'est qqch qui s'est tenu à cœur.
B.Il priait le Dieu d'Israël – Il a reconnu le vrai Dieu.
IV. Si tu me combles de bénédiction
A. A première vue, cette partie a l'aire d'être égoïste. Yaebets voulait être plein de bénédictions. B. En fait, Dieu veut nous bénir. Souvent nous faisons obstacle à nous.
i.Mettez-moi de la sorte à l'épreuve, Dit l'Éternel des armées. Et vous verrez si je n'ouvre pas pour vous les écluses des cieux, Si je ne répands pas sur vous la bénédiction en abondance (Malachie 3.10)
ii.Luc 6:38 Donnez, et il vous sera donné: on versera dans votre sein une bonne mesure, serrée, secouée et qui déborde
iii.mais il use de patience envers vous, ne voulant pas qu'aucun périsse, mais voulant que tous arrivent à la repentance. ( 2 Pierre 3.9)
iv.(Deut 28:8) L'Éternel ordonnera à la bénédiction d'être avec toi dans tes greniers et dans toutes tes entreprises. Il te bénira dans le pays que l'Éternel, ton Dieu, te donne.
v.ce sera une pluie de bénédiction. ( eze 34.26)
C.C'est possible que l'on n'ait pas parce que l'on ne demande pas
i.Jacques 4.2 vous ne possédez pas parce que vous ne demandez pas
ii.Jean 4.10 Jésus lui répondit: Si tu connaissais le don de Dieu et qui est celui qui te dit: Donne-moi à boire! tu lui aurais toi-même demandé à boire, et il t'aurait donné de l'eau vive.
V.Et que tu étendes mes limites
A.agrandir, prolonger, élargir mes limites
B.Cela peut parler au sujet de sa famille, ou ses affaires, ou son entreprises.
C.Yaebets veut que ses bénédictions bénissent ceux qui sont autour de lui
VI. si ta main est avec moi
A.Les main des Dieu est pour la protection.
i.(psa 44:3) De ta main tu as chassé des nations pour les établir, Tu as frappé des peuples pour les étendre.
ii. (psa 20:7) Je sais déjà que l'Éternel sauve son oint; Il l'exaucera des cieux, de sa sainte demeure, Par le secours puissant de sa droite.
B.Les main des Dieu est pour le confort.
i.Job 22:30 Il délivrera même le coupable, Qui devra son salut à la pureté de tes mains.
ii.Psa 16:11 Tu me feras connaître le sentier de la vie; Il y a d'abondantes joies devant ta face, Des délices éternelles à ta droite.
C.Pour l'aide.
i. (psa 18:36) Tu me donnes le bouclier de ton salut, Ta droite me soutient, Et je deviens grand par ta bonté.
ii.(psa 63:9) Mon âme est attachée à toi; Ta droite me soutient.
D.Pour la correction.
i.Psa 32:4 Car nuit et jour ta main s'appesantissait sur moi, Ma vigueur n'était plus que sécheresse, comme celle de l'été. -Pause.
ii.Psa 38.2
E.pour nous guider
i.Psa 139:10 Là aussi ta main me conduira, Et ta droite me saisira.
F.Pour nous enseigner
i.Psa 45:4 Et, prospérant dans ta magnificence, mène en avant ton char, à cause de la vérité et de la débonnaireté et de la justice; et ta droite t'enseignera des choses terribles
G.Pour nous sauver
i. (psa 108:7) Afin que tes bien-aimés soient délivrés, Sauve par ta droite, et exauce-nous!
VII.Si tu fais que, loin du malheur, j'échappe à la douleur (si tu me préserves du malheur, en sorte que je ne sois pas dans la souffrance ( segond 1910))
A.Il veut changer son homonyme. C'est importante pour cieux qui n'ont pas un bon héritage. Le pomme peut tomber loin du pommier avec Dieu.
B.Délivre nous du mal (le Notre Père)
C.Dieu peut faire des grandes choses avec rien de spécial. Comme le miracle « la multiplication du pain et du poisson ». Il a fait beacoup avec un peu de pain et des poissons.
VIII.Dieu accorda ce qu'il avait demandé.
A.C'est comme il n'a finis pas la prière. Il dit, « si, si, si », mais non « puis » ou « alors », « donc » . C'est comme il laissait le reste à Dieu. On doit laisser nos vies à Dieu pour sa volonté.
B.Voilà – la preuve. Dieu l'a fait.
IX. Je crois que si on prie comme Yaebets « Dieu accorde-moi ta bénédiction , augmente mes possessions, étends sur moi ta main, et éloigne de moi le malheur et la souffrance », si on le prie, Dieu nous accorde ce que nous avons demandé aussi.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Blowing against the flow.

The weather has changed drastically the last few days. Monday and Tuesday, it was cold and windy. We happend to be parked by the river and the wind was blowing white capped waves on the river, and even more amazing was that it was blowing against the flow of the river. It actaully looked like the river was going in the wrong direction. Now it is sunny and mild. We have been trying to get Andrew nursed back to health. He still is not sleeping well, but has not had fever today. It affects everyone's schedule when he is off schedule. Today I gave the short lesson before the prayer time at the church in Carcassonne. I loved studying, preparing, and sharing God's word. I will attach the lesson later. It was over the prayer of Jabez (I Chronicles 4:9-10). I feel like I have not accomplished some things that I have needed to get down as a result of Andrew's sickness. Angie wakes up with him during the night, and I keep an eye out for him during the day so that Angie can get a nap. I am looking forward to our Thanksgiving kickoff. I am really just looking forward to the holiday season in general. Angie and I want to get the boys bikes for Christmas. I can see all of us riding as a family. We have been keeping our eyes open for good deals. Looking forward to Friday. If it is pretty again I need to do some more work on the yard to get it ready for company. Attached is a picture of the river Aude that runs through Limoux. God bless, JASON

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Cat Flu

Andrew was sick all weekend, starting Friday night. He had a temperature and no appetite. Him not being hungry was a real sign that he was sick. I took Lilia and Caleb to church Sunday and we enjoyed the services. Monday we got Andrew to the Doctor. Thankfully it was not the swine flu or any other flu, but most likely an ear infection. He is doing a lot better today. Our schedule was all messed up with Andrew not sleeping well. He ate most of his sandwich for lunch today and I fed the rest to a cat that stops by the house. I wondered if the cat would get sick from Andrew. Angie mentioned that we could end up with a new strain of sickness. Tomorrow is Veterans day in France. There is a small ceremony in every town. If Andrew is up to it, I would like to go to the one in Magrie while Angie takes Lilia and Caleb to their swimming class. Attached picture is one we took last Friday, you can tell Andrew was already starting to feel bad. God bless, JASON

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Bi-lingual kids.

A few nights ago while I was washing the dishes, I have a conversation with Lilia, all in French. It was amazing to see her ease at talking. You could not tell a difference in her speed and comfortability. It was just as she was speaking English. We were walking to school one day and I was heading to drop off Micah and then Lilia when we heard a couple of boys say something to each other. Lilia and I could not make it out, but Micah heard what they said. Andrew went to the Doctor a few weeks ago for a check-up. He was a little shy at first, but lightened up and started following whatever the doctor said. Toward the end of the meeting the Doctor jokingly said that it was because he was somean that the kids do what he says. Andrew replied right back and said "Non." He knew what the Doctor was saying and knew from the tone that he was just playing. All that from a 3 year old who barely spoke English when we arrived. Attached video is of Caleb reading - in English. Caleb has never had problems with the French and he reads well in French. Angie gives Lilia and Caleb english lessons, for about 30 minutes a day during the Lunch break. She started yesterday letting Caleb read books to her. So Caleb read his first book in English. He was so excited he wanted to read it to everyone as a bedtime story. Friday night was our family night and we watched the movie "Up" ("Là-haut"). We had a wonderful time watching it together. It was an excellent movie I would recommend to people of all ages. We had to pause and rewind a few times because everyone was laughing so hard. Yesterday we also enjoyed a brief visit with the pastor in Carcasonne when we went there to do a few errands. We need to invite several people over this next week. God bless, JASON
video