Angels Rejoicing!

Cinnamon Rolls for Jesus

After my class yesterday, I heard angels rejoicing. I walked down the path with my five new girls (these girls have never been in my classes before), and I watched them scale down the mountain. I yelled, "Watch out for the tigers!" I heard giggles. Then I turned around to walk back up the mountain trail to my classroom. What did I hear then? Angels rejoicing! I could almost hear the fluttering of wings and the shouts of joy from heaven, "Five precious, teen girls heard about their Savior today. And, all believed in the One who died for them."

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10 (NIV)

We had fun! We made cinnamon rolls, and we talked about the Savior. We kneaded and formed the rolls and then baked them. The aroma of cinnamon filled the classroom. They were ready to serve. They were delicious.

In the weeks to come, God will knead and form these girls, and they will begin to look like Him and be used of Him. The process of growth begins with a spark in their eye. What a privilege for me to be used of God in this process. All the while, He continues to knead me and form me to His image so that I may better serve Him.

"For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved 

and those who are perishing." 2 Corinthians 2:15 (NIV)

Knead me, form me, and bake me dear God.
Thank you for using me to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus! 2 Corinthians 2:14 says so!

Fi Fi Faces Her Fears

We all have things we fear. But, what about children's fears? How do we help them through their fears and teach them to trust God? Really Rare Rabbits Book 2: Giant Green Ghosts and the Secret at Peppermint Pass is a tool to help children overcome their fears and learn to trust God. These rare, adorable rabbits will take you on a dangerous journey with them to meet their grandfather. On the way, they face their fears and learn to trust God.

We all go through storms in our lives or face giant obstacles in our paths. Maybe they aren't giant green ghosts, but all the same, we are afraid when they appear. Children also face their giants. Fi Fi trembles when she meets the giants, but she remembers a Bible verse tucked away in her heart. "Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

Read more about the Really Rare Rabbits books on my website http://www.peggycunningham.com or on my author page http://www.amazon.com/author/peggycunningham

Lions ~ Lambs ~ Love

"The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
 and the lion will eat straw like the ox,..."
Isaiah 66:25 (NIV)

I strolled down the aisles of the grocery store and stopped to choose some veggies. I just couldn't decide what I wanted, so I walked to the other side of the aisle. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted it. Right there in the middle of the grocery store––a lion! Not only a lion, but a lamb, a cat and her kittens, and a Basset Hound. And, they weren't in cages!

One of the store employees walked by, and I motioned to her. "Is tha-that a lion?" I sputtered. I repeated it. "Is tha-that a lion?" I couldn't seem to talk without sputtering. I glanced again––it really was a lion. Beside it, a cat lay still while the lion bathed it with its long tongue. Her kittens were crawling up and down the lion's back. And, right on top of the cat was a Basset Hound. The lamb was asleep, nestled near the lion's belly. They all seemed to be one big, loving family.

The clerk asked, "Are you alright? You seem to be unable to talk." She had that right! 

I finally found my words. "I'm just startled and a little frightened at the sight of this strange looking "family". With an angelic smile, she assured me it was a normal everyday sight in the store. 

With that image in my mind, the alarm blared! It was a dream! But, what a wonderful vision of the family of God––on heaven's side. If only we could be that loving to one another on this side of heaven––regardless of our differences.

"A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" John 13:34 (NIV).

Walking with God daily, He enables us to show His love to those who differ from us. Even if the difference is as extreme as the lion from the lamb.

A New Generation

Nathaly was just a little girl when we helped her dad start our city church. All through her growing up years, Nathaly not only matured physically but also spiritually, and always stood out as a role model for her peers. Now she and her husband, Pablo, serve as leaders in the church. They also have a part in the ministries of Rumi Rancho. We are so proud of both Nathaly and Pablo. Pablo continued his education and became a veterinarian, and Nathaly got her degree in electrical engineering. Now they have the most important role––parents. Emily Grace was born on March 9, 2013. She is healthy and happy snuggled in her parents' arms.

Psalm 100:5 says, "The Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." We have been blessed to be a part of three generations of the Guzman family––actually four generations because Pastor Fernando's father is also a leader in the church. Nathaly's dad continues as pastor of our church, and Pablo, Nathaly, and her brothers serve the Lord faithfully through music and leadership in the church. We look forward to having Emily in our midst, and we know that little Emily will be trained up in the Lord.  Another generation is born to carry on God's work in Bolivia.

We are blessed to have seen God working in the lives of this family and the church for so many years, and we look forward to many more years of ministry with them.

Congratulations Pablo and Nathaly and welcome Emily Grace!

A Deserted Place

When life gets so busy, it's easy to not spend time with the One who gives us all those blessings. This last week, I daily asked the Lord for so many things--understanding in all I'm learning, health to do it all, and provision for our ministry and us––along with all those prayers for family, friends and safety. And, I kept telling the Lord I wanted to spend more time with Him––but, I had Him on hold, so to speak. Yes, I had devotions, and yes, I meditated on scripture, but had I really blocked out everything so I could hear His voice. Not really!

But this morning, God gave me that time. I hadn't made time for Him, so He arranged a deserted place to be with Him. He said to them [me],"Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." Mark 6:31(NRSV)

Our Internet server's tech guy finally arrived to find and fix the problem we were having with our speed. They had to cut our service to work on the problem. No Internet and so many things to do. After pleading with God that He hurry those men along so I could get to the things I had to do, I heard Him say, "Come with Me."

I closed my computer and opened my Bible. I began reading in Psalms where I had stopped yesterday, and this is what it said...

"Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle." Psalm 144:1(NIV) I have been in a battle. Any time we are giving God's Word out, we engage in that battle, and it is a war. The enemy will do anything to keep God's Word from spreading. Now I am writing to get God's Word out, and I feel that opposition. Never before have we had so many Internet problems that can't seem to be resolved. And, some days I feel like my head is going to explode from all the new things I am putting into it. But God is training my hands and fingers so that I can write His message.

After spending time in God's Word, I wasn't up tight because it was taking so long to get my Internet up and running again. I took a walk with God up the mountain behind our house. There were no camels there in my desert, only two ponies and what seemed like thousands of birds singing to Him––a little bit of heaven, a little time with my Creator. I didn't have to travel to an exotic far away place to get away from it all  (I already live in one), I just needed refreshed by His presence. Out of the embers came a spark.

I know God will teach me what I need to know in order to accomplish the work He has for me. He is training my hands and my fingers to write for Him. He told me that today, when I walked with Him.

Meeting the Parents

It's getting close to the release of Heart Bouquets, but before that, I have another story to share with you. I'm guest blogging today on fellow author, Marji Laine's blog. She will be posting a story about my son-in-law (and daughter too). Just one clue––it's a love story. No surprise I'm sure, as we near Valentine's Day and the release of Heart Bouquets on the 13th.

I know this story will make you laugh, and maybe even make the ladies teary-eyed. This very short story is totally different from the one I wrote for Heart Bouquets, so you'll have to wait until the 13th for that one! I'll be posting more details about Heart Bouquets on my blog as soon as more details are released. Keep watching! It's almost here!

Visit Marji's blog today and join her Pink Party leading up to Valentine's Day and the release of Heart Bouquets. Marji is also one of the authors of Heart Bouquets.

Join us today at the Pink Party at Marji Laine Faith-Driven Fiction. I've added the link to make it easy for you to join the party.

Come along for the fun!  http://marjilaine.com/2013/02/12/play-along-pink-party/

My Exciting Announcement

I signed a three-book contract with Pix-N-Pens Publishing for my Really Rare Rabbits series. The first book releases in March.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

God led every step of the way. Praise Him with me for this wonderful blessing!

Out of Darkness

"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 (NIV) Sharing God's love in remote areas of Bolivia.

There were few smiles on the children's faces when our group arrived in their village, but they were all smiling after hearing about our "Reason" for being there.

This year our church group went into an area of darkness. Arriving near nightfall, the traditional festivities of the season were well underway. Loud music, intoxicated people, and pouring rain were the welcome mat our group encountered. At first, some questioned if this was the place God intended us to be this Christmas season.

After problems on the road and darkness falling, the ambience in the village didn't exactly shout welcome to our group or the gospel. Miles from civilization, it was evident God intended for our group to be in this place to share the Good News.

Earlier that morning, supplies of food and gifts were loaded in a truck to be shared with the village. Now it was time to unload and begin the three day ministry of sharing Jesus with the unreached people of the remote parts of the Andes Mountains.

A sound system was set up, and Christian music was heard throughout the area. The youth helped in the kitchen as they fried Bolivian donuts (buñuelos) to share with the community. Soon there was a crowd eating donuts and listening as the gospel was shared.

The next day, the mood was different. The medical team began attending to the needs of the people and children. Many received hair cuts and pedicures, and many heads were washed and teeth were pulled. Some received medicines for their ailing bodies.

All the while, the gospel was shared. There was a peace that flowed through the village this day. It was a different mood from the night of arrival.

1Peter 2:9 says, "that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."(NIV)

Many children accepted the Lord and some adults. The people commented that no one had ever come to wash their hair or give them gifts before. They understood our reason for being there. Jesus was the reason, and He had led us to them.

In this remote region, without electricity and many basic human needs, they now have The Light and hope of eternal life.

Bolivians have caught the vision and are taking the gospel to their own people. What a privilege to be a part of God's work in Bolivia. This Christmas in a remote village, children received gifts and food, and people's needs were met. But above all, they now have The Light and aren't in darkness anymore. I'm sure they would all send their thanks to those who made it possible for them to hear the Good News this Christmas. Someday in heaven, they will be able to say thank you face to face to all those who helped spread the gospel to their area of the mountains. God is doing great things throughout the mountains and valleys of Bolivia.