It was about God's mission.

Found a section in my 2nd book that was interesting as I was editing it. "It was more and more evident the journey that I was on was more for me than it was for the people I came to serve. My glorified thoughts of being a missionary, the sent one, changed. I realized it was not about the glory of signing up for missions, but it was about God’s mission. What is His purpose? What mission does He want accomplished through my humbleness and willingness to obey?" Sorry folks, it took me so long to understand.
In His Love,
Les

I try to paint You...

I am reading through and editing my second book right now before I turn it over to Ashlyn for redacting. I ran across this poem that Buck wrote one Thanksgiving and thought I would share it with you, Friends. Interestingly I had taken up oil painting for a season. The lesson I learned or the deeper meaning was that "I try to paint You into my creations instead of You revealing me in Yours."

For These Things

Thank You Lord!

Three little words that so often vacate this disciple’s lips.

I have too much to ask for,

So much I want.

To say thank you shouldn’t be just a season.

Like Peter’s stormy waves,

I see so much about which to worry,

So much to fear-

Visas, relocations, job changes.

Yet I’m thankful for these things, God

Like Thomas’s infantile demands,

I want the tangible,

And I want it now.

CPM- even a few church plants will do

Yet I’m thankful that You allow me to live where few have.

Like Judas’s skewed vision,

I try to paint You into my creations

Instead of You revealing me in Yours.

O Wretched Man That I Am,

O Thankful Man.

While I sit down to honor tradition this year,

God, let me truly offer my thanks.

You’ve granted me the best this life has to offer.

You’ve given me the best ones to live it with.

You’ve prepared a table for me in the presence of those once called enemies.

And for these things I give You thanks.

-Cross Over Me Collection, Book 2, L. Burch
If you want to read more of the story, go to In His Love, "Skewed Vision".

I plan to post small group application questions that correspond with chapter one of The World Behind Me soon. These are being used in Sunday School classes and for Bible Studies. I hope that groups can use these as they venture on new mission work in their communities. 

Contact me at lesburch@gmail.com for speaking engagements. I would love to set up a time when we could sit down together and share. Blessings. 

In His Love,
Les