The Unexpected

This morning I put the finishing touches on a lesson I was writing for children's Sunday School at my church.  We've been in a series on Hebrews 11 called "Faith Heroes" and this week's lesson is on Joshua, the walls of Jericho, and Rahab.  The emphasis is on how God uses unlikely people in unexpected ways.  Little did I know how prophetic that lesson would be...
I received an unexpected message this afternoon from a friend who I don't get to see much of any more.  Melody and I just don't seem to travel in the same circles any more, yet she had heard about Brooke's mission trip and wanted to help.  She sells Mary Kay Cosmetics and has offered to give Brooke 25% of proceeds for all orders placed in her name this weekend!  WOW!!!  Here's the link if you want to help in this way.  Just put Brooke's name in the message portion of the order.  www.marykay.com/MMMorris
In order for it to help Brooke, you must place your order between Saturday (4/30) at 6:00 a.m. and Sunday (5/1) at midnight.


Plane tickets were officially booked yesterday, so this is perfect timing!
I got right on the ball making evites to send to almost everyone on my email address list and post on facebook.
I just love how the body of Christ works!  Melody and I may not get to see each other much these days, but there is still unity in spirit.  She and her family have served as overseas missionaries, so missions are near and dear to her heart.  We are beyond thankful to her for thinking of Brooke and for coming up with such a great plan!  I mean, shoppers don't even have to leave the comfort of their homes and with Mother's Day, graduation, teacher gifts, etc. around the corner, what a wonderful gift make-up would be!


Once again God is showing us He is Provider and He uses unlikely people in unexpected ways to accomplish His purposes.


Thanks, Melody for loving The One and loving the one...

God's Funds are Limitless!

Soaring gas prices have caused airline tickets to increase quite dramatically, so the Mozambique trip is going to cost way more than originally planned for.  Please agree with us in prayer, believing God will fund this trip with His limitless supply of resources.

If you'd like to be a part of loving THE ONE and loving the one through Brooke, Ed, and Kay, and the rest of the Mozambique team with We Will Go, we welcome and so appreciate your gifts.

Brooke is making and selling Aprons and Art for Africa to raise funds.  If you live in the middle Tennessee area and would like to place an order, please contact me at jshperry@comcast.net

Aprons for Africa style 1

Aprons for Africa style 2

Aprons for Africa style 3

Aprons for Africa style 4

Aprons for Africa style 5

Art for Africa I can do all things...

Art for Africa Love & Music

Art for Africa LOVE

Art for Africa PEACE

If you don't wish to order aprons or art, or you're not local, but would still like to contribute, please visit the We Will Go link to the right for the address where you can send your tax deductible donation.  Please designate for Brooke Perry's Mozambique trip or anyone else on the team.

Thanks ever so much and rest assured that He will bless your generosity many times over!

Thanks for loving The One and loving the one in this way!

The Possibility of More

This past Sunday we had the privilege of seeing Heidi Baker speak at Grace Center, a local church here in Franklin, TN.  The doors opened at 7:30 a.m. for the first service, which began at 8:30 a.m.  Several of our friends, Brooke, and I were in line at 6:30 a.m.!  When the pastor introduced Heidi, he posed the question:  What is it about this woman that causes people to arrive at 6:30 in the morning and wait in line?  What is the draw?  Then he answered by saying that Heidi represents the possibility of more!  We waited in line, not because we are part of some fan club where we place a person on a pedestal, but because Jesus so radiates from her, we want to be as close as possible to Him in her.  The Bible talks of crowds pressing in to get close to Jesus.  There is just something about someone who carries His glory that draws those who are hungry for more to come closer.  I for one am no longer content to nibble on crumbs being tossed at the sidelines.  I want to FEAST on His goodness!


Now had we arrived 5 minutes before it began, would we have met Jesus?  Probably so, since He is always with us.  We just have to open our eyes to see Him.  However, the physical act of arriving early (at least for me personally) is a picture of my hunger for more of HIM.  More of HIS miracles.  More of HIS joy.  More of HIS peace.  More of HIS provision.  More of HIS manifest presence.  More, more, more...I believe that there are things we do in the natural that are pictures of the spiritual (the greater reality), such as lifting our hands when we praise Him.  Can I praise Him without lifting my hands?  Of course, but there is some sort of release within me that occurs when I do the physical act of lifting my hands.


When the woman with the issue of blood sought Jesus for healing, could she have simply stood at the back of the crowd and waited for Him to pass by?  Would she have still received the healing?  Perhaps, but there was something about putting feet to her faith.  The faith was inside her, but she chose to ACT upon it by pressing through the crowds to touch the hem of His robe.  She just wasn't content to sit on the sidelines.  She saw in Jesus the possibility of more.  More than a life of illness and hopelessness.  More than a life of doctor after doctor telling her the same story over and over.  The possibility of more is what drew her closer to Him.


Hebrews chapter 11 is known as the Hall of Faith, because it lists faith heroes throughout scripture.  They are listed as examples to those who have come after them.  Each was an ordinary person who God used in extraordinary ways.  Heidi describes herself as a little woman in the dirt...an ordinary person who God has used in extraordinary ways.  I think she is a modern day faith hero, setting an example for those of us who are hungry for more.  People line up early to see a favorite actor, musician, or athlete who they consider a hero.  I can think of nothing more heroic than giving up a life of luxury to go sit with the poor, give hope to an orphan, or healing to the dying...in other words to shine the Light of Jesus in the darkness.  Children of light are drawn to the Light.  He called us out of darkness into His marvelous light!  His light and love radiate forth from this "little woman in the dirt" in such a beautiful way, one can't help but be compelled nearer.  


Before she got up to speak, a video was shown of Iris Ministries.  I sat there with Brooke on one side and Ed & Kay in front of me and just cried throughout the whole thing.  Ed & Kay reached back and touched Brooke's knee as they all watched together, knowing in 3 months they will be right smack-dab in the middle of these precious people, loving them and receiving love from them.  I was overwhelmed as I watched the video, knowing God has such wonderful things in store for Brooke, and knowing she gets to go with 2 people I love so dearly and trust with such a precious treasure as my daughter.  All I could do was weep.


Brooke, Ed, and Kay have been drawn to Mozambique by the possibility of more.  They no longer wish to simply read about the ways He is moving there, they want to draw closer and experience His power for themselves.  They are saying yes to more!  They are saying yes to loving The One and loving the one.