Getting Back to the Basics

WELCOME BACK ~ A New Beginning

If you are reading this then you are most likely part of our Tuesday PM LifeGroup or a dear friend or family member.  However I am officially opening this blog to any of our friends or others who may be interested in a simple blog by a simply servant girl, who serves and AMAZINGLY HUGE, INCREDIBLE GOD!!

All that said, this is a place where I can share things that God lays on my heart both from His Word and from experience. I pray that it is a place of peace for you to come and find rest when you feel weary, and a touch of hope that will encourage your soul. It is my desire to bring laughter, honesty, truth and love through sharing His Word, quotes from others who have walked this journey ahead of us and personal testimonies of our great God making Himself known.

If you have questions or thoughts that you would like to share with me personally, you may email me at pamelajunebundy@yahoo.com . 

In the post - He Sees in Secret - I have no idea why it turned out white but I am still learning about this blogging platform.  It's not as easy as typing and formatting in a Word document!! I most likely will only post once a week - sometimes not even that - but I wanted a place to share without clogging up everyone's email yet make it accessible to whoever wanted to check it out.  AND the original thought (years ago) was that I would write here to keep a bit of a diary regarding my trips to Uganda.  Well there have now been three trips and I never did a very good job of writing it here!  I'm hoping that it will change and this will truly be a place of Country Shalom.  

So - Welcome to Shalom House! May God be honored and glorified as we learn and share and give Him all of the honor and glory that He is so worthy of.

May your heart be blessed. Shalom!

God's Servant girl

He Sees in Secret

Have you ever felt hidden? Or maybe invisible? Like no one sees you or notices that you are even there?

I was reading Hebrews 4:12-13 and I found some very interesting things. God's Word is in red and my comments are in black.

The Bible says:

vs 12
For the Word of God   IS - Truth

   → living and active
   → sharper than any two-edged sword
   → piercing to the division    
             OF soul and OF spirit 
             OF joints and OF marrow

AND  → discerning the thoughts
AND  → intentions of the heart

That sort of encompasses ALL of who I am. All of who YOU are

vs 13

 AND  →NO creature is hidden - Not even you or me - EVER!

BUT  → ALL are naked  - That includes us

AND  → exposed to the eye of HIM     -  His unblinking gaze!
          TO WHOM WE MUST GIVE ACCOUNT   - There will come a day of accountability


 Now, I don't know about you but that is a pretty strong motivation to #1 - be in the Word and #2 - to stay away from sin. And it really touches me that His unblinking gaze is always on me.

As we (LifeGroup) continue in our study of Fundamentals of the Faith, we will be talking about how to study God's Word. Now there are different ways to study that emphasize different areas. HOWEVER, if we do not come before the Lord and prepare our hearts to hear Him speak to us through His Word, then we will miss out greatly.  We KNOW He is always with us. And we learned in the verses above that nothing is hidden from Him and His gaze is on us. But do WE come before Him and prepare our hearts to hear form Him?


As I thought about this important time of preparation, I was reminded of  Psalm 139:24

Search me, O God,    AND
          know my heart
Try me                        AND
          know my thoughts!

AND  see if there be any grievous way in me,
AND  lead me in the way everlasting! 

This would be a wonderful prayer for us to pray before we come to Him in our quiet times, in our Bible study times and even before we get connected on Zoom for our meetings. It is very important that we ask God to reveal to us any sin that is residing there. So that we may repent and accept His gracious forgiveness.

I hope you can see clearly that you are never hidden from God. And that He is always looking over you and in you. I pray that these verses, right from His Word, will help you to prepare your heart and your mind to receive whatever He has to show you in His Word.

I came across this quote by Bruce Wilkinsin that I thought was very good.

"When you read your Bible, receive and savor it like a love letter from God to you. Remember you're reading in order to meet Someone. Ponder what you have read, and apply it to your present circumstances. Let it go down into the core of your being.  And as you read, expect Him to commune with you."

As we learn to go deeper with Jesus, may our hearts and minds be captivated by His unfailing love for us.




 

 





 

Abide in Christ

3.26.2020

I can't believe it has been so many years since I actually posted on Country Shalom. It's like starting all over again - except that when I logged in, I had a draft waiting for me - which means I never sent the last post I wrote in June of 2014.

Since then I have had the joy of going to Uganda three times, leading an amazing LifeGroup, continuing to be involved in music ministry at LIFEhouse Church, being on the International Missions Committee,  on the pulpit committee, and very involved with Light Africa Ministries, which includes Kampala Community Church, The Amani Children's Choir and Light Africa Sponsor Support.  

So in order to get back in the saddle - so to speak - I thought I would go ahead and send out this last post and figure out how to get this information to my LifeGroup and others who may be interested in sharing together on Country Shalom

So for today - here is the post from a very long time ago that never was actually posted!!

I'm afraid to read it over so I think I'll send it as is - and then begin again.

Blessings,

God's Servant Girl




As we worked our way through the inductive study on the John 15:1-11 passage in our LifeGroup, we ended up with some questions.  I have done a little reading by J. Vernon Magee, John MacArthur, Warren Weirsbe and also the Believer's Bible Commentary, as well as notes in some of my study Bibles. There seems to be two different takes on what Jesus was talking about in verses 2 and 6.  I'm going to try and put it into a brief synopsis that will hopefully make sense and help us to put it in perspective.

First let's put it in context – Jesus was speaking privately to His disciples just before His death.

 Theologians differ as to what is meant in vs 2 " every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away." Some think that this refers to someone who has professed to be saved but truly has never genuinely believed. He is in essence pretending to be saved – looks like it outwardly but has not had a heart change. Others think that it refers to a Christian who loses his salvation because of his failure to bear fruit. However, that would contradict other passages that teach that the believer has an eternal salvation.

It appears that this chapter is directed to believers (since He is speaking to His disciples), to those who are already in Christ.  Jesus is not talking about how a person gets saved. He is talking about fruit bearing – not about salvation.   "In me" that is in Christ, is what it means to be saved. And the Holy Spirit not only indwells you but places you into the body of Christ.  If you are 'in Christ' it is by a new birth and you are now a branch connected to the True Vine.

The word translated "takes away" is the Greek verb airo. It can mean "takes away' as translated in KJV (vs. 2) and also in I Corinthians 11:30, referring to the discipline of physical death. However, the same word may mean "lifts up" as in John 8:59. Then it would be the positive ministry of encouraging the fruitless branch by making it easier to get light and air, and hopefully, to bear fruit.  THE SAME WAY that a vinedresser does in the vineyard. He 'lifts up' the new branches that grow and lay on the ground.  Those branches get bogged down with insects, mildew, dirt  and the vinedresser actually lifts them up, cleans them (with water, no less) and intertwines them with the good branches to keep them up – making it easier to get light and air, and hopefully to bear fruit.  

To abide means to stay where you are.  The Christian has been placed in Christ; that is his position. In his daily walk, he should stay in intimate fellowship with the Lord. A branch abides in the vine by drawing all its life and nourishment from the vine. So we abide in Christ by spending time in prayer, reading and obeying His Word, fellowshipping with His people, and being continually conscious of our union with Him.

Because we have free will, we can break fellowship with God by allowing sin in our life. He wants us to abide so that we bring forth much fruit.  Remember that one way we abide in Him is by keeping His commandments. When we do NOT obey His commandments – even one of them – we sin and our fellowship with Christ is broken, however when we come to Him in repentance and turn once again from our sin, then our fellowship is restored. Notice I didn't say – salvation.

This abiding relationship is natural to the branch and the vine but it must be cultivated in the Christian life.  It is not automatic.  Abiding in Christ, demands worship, meditation on God's Word, prayer, sacrifice, service and obedience!! We must be in constant communion with Him to bear fruit. That means when you wake in the morning, when you are at your desk in the office, when you are driving your car on the streets, you are abiding in constant communion. Once you have begun to cultivate this deeper communion with Christ, you have no desire to return to the shallow life of the careless Christian.

A branch that is not abiding in Christ is, "cast forth as a branch, and is withered and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned." The ones who are cut-off and thrown into the fire are Christians who fall into sin & are therefore out of fellowship with Christ and with fellow believers. The example of David was used in the BBC – his sin with Bathsheba & Uriah broke his fellowship with God but he repented in 2 Samuel 12:13 . Even though he lost the child that was conceived in his relationship with Bathsheba (consequence of sin) he was restored into fellowship with God when he repented and returned to an abiding relationship with God.

Apart from Christ – apart from abiding In Him – we can do nothing, nothing that bears fruit.

Remember that the issue is fruit-bearing and God is glorified when we do bear fruit.  And we WILL bear fruit, much fruit when we live moment by moment in fellowship with Christ.

The bottom line, if you are "In Him" regardless of how you understand vs 2 and vs 6 – ABIDE in Christ!!!

How are you doing at abiding today?

JOURNEY TO UGANDA

Plot Twists

 I just love a good story, don't you? It is so exciting when the plot changes suddenly and unexplainably.  The anticipation of what will happen next is what keeps us engaged in either a book, a movie or a storyteller.

Have you thought about the many 'plot twists' in God's Word? The very first time you read Jonah, did you really expect him to be swallowed by a big fish?  And survive? What about Joseph with his dreams of his brothers bowing down to him, did you ever think he would have been sold to the Egyptians, unjustly accused and put in prison for years, only to become the first in command under Pharaoh and save his family from dying of starvation? What about Moses, did you ever guess that after being placed in a basket in the Nile, having a 'burning bush' experience, leading God's people out of Egypt and to the Promised Land that in the end he would only be able to look at it from a distance and not go in himself? Or Esther the Jewess becoming the Queen of Persia? Really?

In fact, the entire Bible is FILLED with plot twists – just read Revelation!!

What about when God brings a 'plot twist' into your life?  Oops, it got quiet all of the sudden.

Some plot twists are HUGE – like death, disease, divorce, a major move, marriage, a new baby or a new job. Others are shorter term – like a flat tire, running out of gas, a broken AC in the summertime, a failed class, or a cold.  Then there are those that affect us daily – like missing the green light and having to wait FOREVER for it to come around again! Tripping on the sidewalk and skinning our knee, or pouring rain when the weatherman says it is supposed to be sunny and we are not prepared or not having that one ingredient for your new recipe that you've already started!!

We tend to think of a 'plot twist' being something negative but in reality, when God changes things, then it is the very best it could possibly be for us and for all of those around us. Maybe even for many whom we don't even know.

So why did I bring up 'Plot Twists' today? Because I've had a few lately and I'm learning that it is rather fun to see what is going to happen next.

I can't believe it has been about four months since I have posted.  I really need to get better at it if I am going to post while on my trip to Uganda in August. I will try to update you quickly.

I am so thankful for the Lord's provision. He is showing me again and again how He is providing for me in every way.

#1 As of this week all of the finances have come in!! Praise God!!!

#2 I was able to get on the exact same flights as some missionary friends who are flying to .....Kampala!!! And on the return flights with a couple from their team.

#3 The flights are simple  - San Francisco to Dubai  - overnight - and Dubai to Entebbe the next morning. God is so good!  The return flights are the same just backward.

#4 All shots and medical needs are taken care of  with the exception of one trip need to Member Services for some paperwork.

Now for the plot twists!!

#1 - Some situations have changed and Stephanie will not be accompanying me on this trip.  This trip may help me to better assess the needs and  prepare to take a team over next time.

#2 - Some details that I thought were taken care of (like getting to and from San Francisco) have changed so God has another plan - I just don't know it yet, although He has given me two possibilities already.

#3 - Time is going too fast!!! My grandson is playing baseball in the Tournament of Champions and also made it on the All Star Little League team. So baseball games continue longer than anticipated and this Gramma loves watching her grandson play ball!!  However, it does make for less time to get everything ready.

Like reading a great book, I am excited to see what God is going to do next few weeks and just how all of these 'plot twist' will fall into play.  He is the greatest writer and storyteller so I know it's going to be good.  

"A man's heart plans his way but the LORD directs his steps."  ~ Pr. 16:9

 

I am thankful to have Him directing my steps. And how thankful I am for each of you who are praying for me. May God richly bless you.

Until next time...

~ Serving Him with Great Joy!!

Pam

 

 

 

 

JOURNEY TO UGANDA

What an incredible time Stephanie and I had last night!

Bill & Lillie Smith, Tim & Jody Fariss, Stephanie and I had the privilege of skyping with Pastor James and his wife Lillian in Kampala, Uganda. It's so hard to believe that you can actually see, hear and talk to people that are halfway around the world.

I think Stephanie and I both feel a bit breathless as well as totally excited and in awe of God that He would call us to join Him in His work at Kampala Community Church.
At this time it looks like we will be staying with Pastor James and Lillian in their home, and we are really looking forward to that.
There will be many opportunities for both of us to speak and to share with the women there.  Stephanie will be speaking with and ministering greatly to the high school and college girls there, which we understand to be possibly a few hundred! YIKES! She will concentrate on discipleship as well as how to live a holy life, purity, etc.
I will have the wonderful opportunity of working with 6 women who are in leadership of women,  within the church as well as to all the women (yes, could be a lot!!) through morning and evening sessions, Tuesday night ladies LifeGroup (just like at home!!) and of course many encounters through the day with them on a more individual basis.

There will be an interpreter with us every time we speak, because many of the adults have not been educated in English. That alone will be very different for us. We hope to come home with at least a small Lugandon  vocabulary.

The youth have their services on Saturday evenings so I’m sure we will be at both the Saturday and Sunday services.

Pastor James has asked us to speak/teach on the subject of discipleship, including: How to study the Word, prayer, serving, daily devoted time with God, living a holy life, singleness, as well as parenting (there are many single moms and even married moms who are the providers for the family as well are raising the children).

We will also be able to take a ‘holiday’ and ARM ministries will transport us to Mubende to see Samuel and Sandra! That will be an amazing time for me I know. I just received a note from Sandra and she calls me 'mum'. I can't wait to see them and actually TALK with them!

In addition, we will be able to tour of the deaf school in Kampala as one of the men in the church is a student there! I’m really looking forward to that and to the possibility of purchasing a USL (Ugandan Sign Language) Dictionary and yes, learning as much of their Sign as I can.

Please pray as we work on getting prayer letters out by Mar 1. We will each need to raise about $3,000.00 – this is a rough estimate at this time. Also, please pray for us as we seek God’s guidance in putting together the different lessons/devotions/workshops that we need to put together.  Pastor James will be emailing us the ‘calendar of events’ which will be very helpful.

Also, we have been asked to teach them some ‘life skills’. I am open for your suggestions in that area as I am at a loss there. Maybe this trip will give me ideas of the need and next time I go I’ll have to take YOU with me to teach those life skills.

Until next time ~

Serving Him with great joy!!

Pam

 

ANOTHER YEAR

I just love new beginnings! I cannot believe that it has been an entire year since I have written on this blog. I wanted so much to write at LEAST once a month.  I probably shouldn't decide that in January because I work at a CPA firm and January is the beginning of tax season!! 

HOWEVER, this year is different.  Our God is all about new beginnings, and THIS year ~ 2014~ writing on this blog is going to have a higher priority. You see, God is calling me to a great adventure that is entirely out of my comfort zone and yet I believe it to be the most exciting adventure I have had so far, and I believe it is only the beginning.

God has called me to go to Kampala, Uganda, to share God's Word and God's love with the women at the Kampala Community Church.  The journey is just beginning and there is much to do to get ready.  I will not be going until the end of July so I hope to keep at least a brief record on this blog of this time of preparation and then will post on it when I can while I am gone for three weeks. I am praying that as I share how God uses all of this in my own personal life, that it may be an encouragement to someone else to step out where God is leading you.

I will begin with the verse that God has laid upon my heart as the theme verse for my ministry in Uganda:

Joshua 22:5

"But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

Within this verse are five challenges given to us. Each one is crucial to living daily in an abiding relationship with Christ. These are the things that I believe God wants me to share with the women in Uganda.

  In the next few months there will be many things to do to prepare. Since I have never done anything like this before, I don't really know what all there is to do but I am learning quickly and I am thankful for those who are helping me and encouraging me and praying for me.

I have a wonderful young lady who will be traveling and ministering with me.  I am so thankful to God for bringing her into my life and putting Africa on her heart as well.  She has some experience in traveling out of the country and in packing simply!!

I am taking the saying "LIVE SIMPLY" to heart as I prepare to travel to a land and culture very different from what I am accustomed to. And I am beyond excited!

More details will come as we move forward in our preparation.

~To the glory of His name!!

.

Year's End

If you ever get a chance to pick up a book titled The Valley of Vision, I would highly recommend that you to do it.  It is a Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions.  The names of the individuals are not on the writings but, oh, my the writings are so good. Many times I find them just exactly describing my heart toward God as well as toward myself. 

May we sit quietly and contemplate the depth of His unfailing love for us, individually ~ personally.  May we make the determination to allow Him to be the Pilot of our future as well as our past and may we submit ourselves to be chosen vessels for His use.

YEAR'S END

O Love, beyond compare,

Thou art good when Thou givest,

when Thou takest away,

when the sun shines upon me,

when the night gathers over me.

Thou hast loved me before the foundation

of the world,

and in love didst redeem my soul;

Thou dost love me still,

in spite of my hard heart, ingratitude, distrust.

Thy goodness has been with me during another year,

leading me through twisting wilderness,

in retreat helping me to advance,

when beaten back making sure headway.

Thy goodness will be with me in the year ahead;

I hoist sail and draw up anchor,

With Thee as the blessed Pilot of my future

as of my past.

I bless Thee that thou has veiled my eyes

to the waters ahead.

If Thou has appointed storms of tribulation,

Thou wilt be with me in them;

If I have to pass through tempests of persecution and temptation,

I shall not drown;

If I am to die,

I shall see Thy face the sooner;

If a painful end is to be my lot,

grant me grace that my faith fail not;

If I am to be cast aside from the service I love,

I can make no stipulation;

Only glorify Thyself in me whether in comfort or trial,

as a chosen vessel meet always

for Thy use.

Lamentations 3:22-24

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed,

Because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,

"Therefore, I hope in HIM!"

~ To the Glory of His Name!!