Enduring James 5:7-8 and Rev 2-3

⁷Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

(italics added)

Be patient in suffering.  Until when?  Until the Lord's coming

Be patient and stand firm.  Why?  Because the Lord's coming is near.

The valuable crop to wait for is the coming of the Lord!

What perspective do we have on life's "sufferings" which can hardly be categorized as sufferings.

Is our perspective to be patient in view of eternity?

Look at eternity for those who endure from Rev 2-3

To Those Who Overcome

I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.
I will give some of the hidden manna.
I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it,
known only to him who receives it.

I will give authority over the nations
I will also give him the morning star.
He will be dressed in white.
I will never blot out his name from the book of life,
but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.

I will make a pillar in the temple of my God.
Never again will he leave it.
I will write on him the name of my God
I will write on him the name of the city of my God,
I will also write on him my new name.
I will give the right to sit with me on my throne,

WOW!

Patient Endurance.

Overcome

a white stone with new name

intimate

a new name given to me by Him

beautiful

Endure to the End

Come Lord Jesus.

To my beloved sisters...

Our Home in Africa

Digging in the mud, deluxe pie galore
Cocking our pellet gun, rice birds no more
Sitting by the screens, watching storms move in
Far and wide not seen, heavy rains are pourin'
Swingin’ our hammock, the scent of the storm
Sweet wafts of wet dirt, an enjoyed summer norm
Listening to insects, ‘squitos buzzing sound
dripping humidity, a sauna all around
This was our home, our home in Africa

 Shooting nasty snakes, no time to see their kind
Seven and then eight shots as we're shooting blind
Hot summer days and lazy afternoons
Reading books and playin’ off-tuned tunes
Turn the generator on, we need to beat the eggs
Laundry's all been done we pinned ‘em up with pegs
How oft' the rains returned to sun-baked land
We prayed and we received by His mighty hand
This was our home, our home in Africa

Down to market - Monday's come 'round
Peanut butter by the glop, oh the pleasant sound
Our hair, our skin, so different to see
We became the newest novelty
William Mahe, dust and broom came he
Cleaning dishes, sweeping floors, a smile for even me
Our friend, he's gone ahead
He is alive, he is not dead
This was our home, our home in Africa

We washed our hair - water off the tin
Traveled o'er muddy passages where we have been
Oh, the ocean, the breeze, we cannot forget
The smell of salt, the burning sand as yet
With palm trees swaying in the breeze
And peddlers selling carvings by the seas
Out to the reef as tides are low
Beware the urchins; to the feet they go
This was our home, our home in Africa

Treasures, my sisters as semesters loom
Commissary is open, time for a treat
Orangina would help to ward off this heavy heat
Never alone, but alone at times
Careful we are to not transgress the lines
This was our home, our home in Africa 

Many an airplane, paper bag in hand
Singing beyond the noise ‘til we land
Flying o’re the jungle, elephants out there?
 A grassy landing, land with care
We made it again, home for the time,
Christmas is here, a treasure sublime,
Silly Goose Lady, you’ve done it again
Boxed up wonders, your heart you send
This was our home, our home in Africa

Off to the village, the meeting will start
Stumps for our seats, singing our part
“Halla chanya benya” rings true
What does it mean? “How do you do?”

 Rhythm of shakers, drums, how they sing
Opposites sides the traditional thing
Oh, how I wish I knew the shakers to use
Instead I just tap my old tennis shoes
This was our home, our home in Africa

Watching live bugs, in mouth and on string
Soon we will eat, be it that squirmy thing?
The chicken’s been caught, de-feathering is done
Or would it bony, bush rat or snake to come?
Our eyes burn with tears, the pepper it lingers
When we get home - to ice cream, licked fingers
Tomorrow or the next we’ll celebrate Jesus’ birth
From heaven, Savior God, came He to earth
This was our home, our home in Africa

We cannot imagine life without “home”
So privileged we were, the world to roam
Mr Coley and Ma Jena, so true to us all
Africa, Greece, Israel, Egypt we saw
Tromping the jungle new species to find
Each plant brought home, a variant kind
Did we actually swing from the vines?
Who would believe our crazy, magnificent times
this was our home, our home in Africa

It matters not how our lives have changed
Experiences differently arranged
 Jesus showed himself in that land
Over jungle, monkey bridges and sands
He gave us so many memories and treats
To think on, to learn from, to hold ‘til we meet
Telling thoughts, kindness won

You are a treasure to me never gone
My sisters ...   this was our home, our home in Africa

 

1 Kings 19

The Journey

 -
The journey is too great!

Eat, 
Drink what the Lord provides.

In His strength you must 
Go.
-

Are you alone?

Have you followed the Lord?

Have you removed the idols?

Are you alone?

Go, stand before the Lord.
-

Where is the Lord?

Powerful Wind and Shattering Rocks?

Earthquake and Fire on the mountain?

He is in the Gentle Whisper,
In His Words You will Find Him
The Gentle Whisper
-

Go, stand before the Lord

Find Refreshment for the task
-

Are you alone?

Have you followed the Lord?

Have you removed the idols?

Are you alone?

Go, stand before the Lord.
-

Go back
Go to the desert

Anoint, anoint, anoint.

They are reserved.
They have not bowed.

You are not alone.
-
In His strength you must 

Go.