“The girl’s not herself,” Dad said. “Is it the flu that’s making her sick all the time?”“I don’t know,” said Mom, “but she’s still putting on weight. I’ve been trying to get her to the doctor.”
“Is something wrong, Mary?” her fiancé asked.
“Oh, Joseph! You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”
And he didn’t —
later when her secret was discovered
and she tried to explain …
neither did the doctor,
or her parents,
or her friends.
later when her secret was discovered
and she tried to explain …
neither did the doctor,
or her parents,
or her friends.
The most blessed of all women
was the loneliest person on earth.
was the loneliest person on earth.
Is there not often a burden that comes with a blessing?
And with great blessing
a great burden?
And with great blessing
a great burden?
Sometimes the people you love most
cannot, will not
understand.
cannot, will not
understand.
It took an angel to persuade Joseph.
Did Mary’s parents ever believe her story?
… leaving her little choice but to accompany Joseph
on that painful journey to Bethlehem?
Did Mary’s parents ever believe her story?
… leaving her little choice but to accompany Joseph
on that painful journey to Bethlehem?
unable to understand
who do not accept and will not share
the awe, the sense of wonder you feel
at the blessing you have been given
by this same Christ child
making your own journey a painful one.
Embrace God’s blessing, in all its wonder, like Mary,
and trust his grace to help you with the burden
to guide you each step of the way.
© David G. Goodman
Thanks for letting us
be your extra pair of hands and feet, raising up leaders to take the Good News
where it is needed most.
This was a year of great challenge and even greater progress . . . the best way to characterize it. How often has God allowed you to be pushed outside your comfort zone just so he can get your attention and lead you to a better place? Some of the most painful episodes in my life have been what God used to shape me for the better.
That is the year-end view of Entrust that I thank God for. Some pains I would not want to revisit, but great gain and blessings that remind us God’s way is always best.
Here are some of those counterpoints:
Most discouraging moment: Realizing we would unexpectedly move our office.
Most surprising blessing: Having to move our office.
Biggest disappointment: Losing a senior staff member
Most encouraging moment: Being on the verge of bringing 2 senior staff leaders to Entrust
That is often the way God works. In our discouragement or loss, it feels like God is occupied with other concerns, but suddenly we see that his plan is better than ours. As we wrap up 2016 we feel so blessed!
The most uplifting moment: Seeing in person how our training inspired some of the poorest of people (in Africa) to give sacrificially so AIDS orphans might be given hope and a future.
We are so dependent on your end of the year giving. Perhaps you have waited till the end of the year to determine how you will support God’s work. A third of our annual support comes in these next few weeks. Please pray with us for a great year-end outpouring.
We are so grateful for each of you – your prayers and generosity, which allow us to represent you in this strategic ministry, equipping church leaders for evangelism and discipleship in some of the most difficult mission fields in the world.
So whether you are suffering loss, feeling blessed or the burdens of blessing, we pray you will know the power of Emmanuel, God with us.
David and Nancy
Embrace God’s blessing, in all its wonder, like Mary,
and trust his grace to help you with the burden
to guide you each step of the way.
© David G. Goodman
This was a year of great challenge and even greater progress . . . the best way to characterize it. How often has God allowed you to be pushed outside your comfort zone just so he can get your attention and lead you to a better place? Some of the most painful episodes in my life have been what God used to shape me for the better.
That is the year-end view of Entrust that I thank God for. Some pains I would not want to revisit, but great gain and blessings that remind us God’s way is always best.
Here are some of those counterpoints:
Most discouraging moment: Realizing we would unexpectedly move our office.
Most surprising blessing: Having to move our office.
Biggest disappointment: Losing a senior staff member
Most encouraging moment: Being on the verge of bringing 2 senior staff leaders to Entrust
That is often the way God works. In our discouragement or loss, it feels like God is occupied with other concerns, but suddenly we see that his plan is better than ours. As we wrap up 2016 we feel so blessed!
The most uplifting moment: Seeing in person how our training inspired some of the poorest of people (in Africa) to give sacrificially so AIDS orphans might be given hope and a future.
We are so dependent on your end of the year giving. Perhaps you have waited till the end of the year to determine how you will support God’s work. A third of our annual support comes in these next few weeks. Please pray with us for a great year-end outpouring.
We are so grateful for each of you – your prayers and generosity, which allow us to represent you in this strategic ministry, equipping church leaders for evangelism and discipleship in some of the most difficult mission fields in the world.
So whether you are suffering loss, feeling blessed or the burdens of blessing, we pray you will know the power of Emmanuel, God with us.
David and Nancy
|
Please mail gifts to: Entrust,
PO Box 25520, Colorado Springs, CO 80936-5520
Enclose a note “David
&Nancy Goodman”
|
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