Scripture

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. - Romans 12:10-13 (NKJV)

Monday, July 31, 2017

August Prayer Calendar

Hi there,
Here is our August prayer calendar.  If you would like a PDF of this calendar, please email us at mcbrideflock@yahoo.com.
Thank you for praying with us!
Dawn and Andrew McBride


Personal Reflection: Thy Will Be Done

I was working out at the gym and listening to Al Pittman's sermon on "The Reason for Our Peace".  At the end of his sermon, he shared a video with the congregation of the song, "Thy Will" by Hillary Scott.  I've heard this song before, but the words just smacked me in the face this time. 


I'm sitting there trying to work on my arms and tears are flowing down my cheeks.  This song had me crying while lifting weights. What was it about this song that touched my heart so powerfully?

"I'm so confused... I know I heard You loud and clear, 
so I followed through.  Somehow I ended up here."

Ohhh, yes, now I know.  There was a time I felt certain of something the Lord had showed me.  Why does it hurt?  

"I don't want to think.  I may never understand that 
my broken heart is part of Your plan."

Yes, it does hurt!  The unfulfilled part of my dream, my heart, and my hope.  I wish it didn't hurt so much, but I know, He has something coming.

"When I try to pray all I got is hurt and these four words: 
Thy will be done!"

Hear the cry of my heart, Lord!  I want Your will more than my own.  I want Your will to be accomplished in my life. 

"I know You're good, but this don't feel good right now.  
And I know You think of things I could never think about."

Yes, I know You are good and Your Word says that Your thoughts are not my thoughts.


“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

"It's hard to count it all joy, distracted by the noise.  
Just trying to make sense of all Your promises."

Man alive.. the noise in my heart and my mind... the questions, the fears, the doubts.. Did I really hear Him?

"Sometimes I gotta stop, remember that You're God and I am not."

Lord, You know all!  You see all.  Your view of life is so much grander than I can even imagine.  You are God.  I am not.  You are in control.  I am not.  You created this world.  I did not.  You know the numbers of hairs on my head.  I do not.

"So, Thy will be done.  Thy will be done.  Thy will be done.  
Like a child on my knees, all that comes to me is Thy will be done.  
Thy will be done!"

Father, I yield to You!  May Your will, more than my will, be done!  I need You more than anything else!

"I know You see me.  I know You hear me, Lord.
Your plans are for me; goodness, You have in store."

Jesus, You hear me (1 John 5:14).  Father, You see where I am at (Genesis 16:13).  I know Your plans are for my good and not evil ("For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11)


I was reminded today that God will touch your heart when you least expect it. Let me encourage you to let Him touch your heart.  Let Him touch those areas of your heart that are so tender.. that you want to protect.  

Are you afraid of what He will say?  Of what He will do?  Are you waiting for unfulfilled dreams and hopes to come to pass?  Take a step and trust Him.. He is so worthy of our trust!!

Here is the link to the song if you would like to listen to it: Thy Will by Hillary Scott

Much love from us!
Dawn and Andrew

Saturday, July 15, 2017

What have we been up to?

Hello all!
Can it really be July already?  Where is the summer going?  It is actually winter here in New Zealand which means it’s rainy and chilly, compared to winter in Colorado, this isn’t so bad.  The difference is that the chilliness gets into your bones and warming my feet on a hot water bottle is the main thing that helps.  That water bottle is also a great hand warmer as well!

What have we been up to?  School ended in May and we spent roughly half of June in Perth, Australia.  Pastor Darryl and Lorelle were awesome hosts!  We went there to serve them, but we came away feeling served.  It was a blessing to watch this couple minister to their family and church family.


While there we visited Cathy in the hospital twice.  She is will soon be greeting Jesus face to face.  Please pray for her and Bruce, her husband, as this is a difficult time for them.  He has been by her side through all of the trials she has been through.  Their son and his wife just had a little baby boy and I am sure this is adding to this amazing time for this precious family.

Andrew had the opportunity to preach at Calvary Perth both Sundays we were there.  The first sermon was on Luke 15:11-32 which talks about a father and his two sons.  Here is the link to his teaching if you are interested: http://www.calvarychapelperth.com/sermons#290.  The second sermon was on Psalm 23 about us as sheep.  Here is the in link if you are interested in hearing this sermon: http://www.calvarychapelperth.com/sermons#291. I really enjoyed watching Andrew teach from his perspective and sense of humor.

 

I had the opportunity to share my testimony at the Calvary Perth ladies Bible study.  Being the youngest in the group, I wondered how my life story would connect with these ladies, but God always has a plan.  Some of them could relate personally or have a daughter that is going through what I have been through.  May they be encouraged that as they or their daughters turn to God and allow Him to have His way, life can be so very different.

Darryl and Lorelle treated us to a few of the beautiful sites in Perth including King’s Park, which is across the river from downtown Perth.  This huge park has a few memorials and one that was quite interesting was the whispering wall.  Lorelle sat at one end of the half circle and I sat that the other end.  She whispered and it sounded like she was right next to me.  It was so much fun!

We also went to Caversham Wildlife Park where we had the opportunity to touch a koala and a wombat, plus feed kangaroos.  What a great experience to be so up close to these creatures.  I even got to see a kookaburra bird that I used to sing about in elementary school.  You know the song… kookaburra sits in the old gum tree.. A gum tree is also known as a eucalyptus tree.  Too fun to connect the dots!

 

They took us to one of their favorite spots to see wild dolphins in the canals of a neighborhood.  It was such a blessing to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.  I even captured some video of them swimming right below me.  The pelicans were wise to follow the dolphins as where they were at, so were the fish.


Of course, life isn’t really lived until you’ve had a good barbie!  They cooked up snaggers (sausages) and grilled veggies.  They made sure we were well fed and watered.  :o)  Darryl celebrated a milestone birthday while we were there and we were able to treat him and Lorelle to a dinner out.  These are special people and we love them dearly!  You see, Darryl just finished his radiation treatments and will know more in the coming weeks if the medicine did its work.  He was on the go as though he had no troubles at all while we were there.  God bless you, dear sir!  You are in our prayers!!!


As it is mid-July, we are ramping up for next semester.  Andrew will be teaching the Wisdom of Solomon which covers Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.  He is also praying about teaching Fundamentals of Worship Leading.  I will be team teaching Philippians with the ladies on staff as well as teaching English Composition.  I am loving studying Philippians as it reveals Paul’s heart for the church of Philippi.  What a great teacher he was and is!


Recently we were notified that Andrew’s dad (Brice) has non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  Andrew will be going home to Minnesota in early August for about two weeks.  He wants to spend time with his folks and help out where he can.  Brice will have just completed his first round of treatment and we would appreciate your prayers.  Andrew’s mom is doing a great job taking care of Brice, but as many of you know, it can be exhausting.  Please keep her in your prayers as well!

God has been shaking us and continues to chip away those sharp corners so that we can more effectively shine the light and share the love of Jesus to those around us.  Sometimes we wonder how God will use us, but He reveals little by little what He is doing in us and through us.  There is always work to be done in our hearts as we continually need to lay down things that try to take precedence over Him.  I am grateful that He is so patient with me as I am a stinker when I want to hold on to something.


We love you and appreciate you, more than you know!  May we all remain open to whatever heart surgery God wants to do in us as He sees the grand picture where we only see a splinter of the image.

Some pictures of some of the people we met:
Diory - a gal that is learning English far far away from home!
Carolyn - Pastor's Steve wife - she has been serving in many capacities for years.
Thank you for your smile, Carolyn!
Leslie - a sweet and strong woman of God.
Crazy Darryl holding a black-headed python.

Prayer requests:
- Preparation for this semester as it begins at the end of August.
- Safe travels for students and interns.
- Students, interns and staff to plug into God this semester and hunger for more of His presence.
- Safe travels for Andrew as he travels to and from Minnesota.
- Darryl and Brice as they are both dealing with cancer.
- Cathy and her family as she is about to graduate to heaven.

Check out our praise reports on our website.  They are on the right hand side of the page.

Until next time,
Dawn and Andrew McBride


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Tuesday, July 4, 2017

Prayer Calendar - July 2017

Here is our July prayer calendar.  If you would like to receive this as a PDF, please email us at mcbrideflock@yahoo.com.  Thank you for joining us in prayer!
Dawn and Andrew McBride