Monday, October 31, 2005

Rebecca's Journey - 69

Dear Friends,

I leave tomorrow for several weeks. Judy and Carolyn will be caring for Rebecca with the help of friends here. I'm leaving her in good hands: His and theirs.

From Rebecca: "In the last Journey I shared with you some thoughts about love. When we in our household first began this adventure of living together, and daily sharing the Lord's life, He spoke to us that our life was to be expressed by our love for one another overflowing with His joy. Through the years that have followed I have gone back again and again to John 15 to read the Master's words.

As our days have unfolded I've come to understand more clearly what He meant. As our hearts have become "enlarged" so that we are able to love one another more deeply we find such joy automatically overflowing.

One morning recently I realized an unusual heaviness. I turned myself to Father the first chance I had, knowing that I desperately needed Him. My joy springs first from Him and His love, not from my circumstances. It is my relationship with Him and His life in me that is the source of joy flowing between us. In John 15 there are two dominant themes: 1) His command to love one another 2) so that His joy would remain in us. Our life in Him is expressed and evidenced by love overflowing with joy. What a delight that His plan for us would be so good - that we are to love one another and that our lives would be full of joy.

Let's ask Him for the love, resulting in joy, which springs from Him.

'These things I have spoken to you that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.' John 15:11-12."

We send our love to you all, and our prayer for much grace, overflowing in love to that end that you will be full of joy.

Love from us both,

Paul & Rebecca

p.s. "Rebecca's Journey" is now available on the web. www.rebeccasjourney.com has almost all of the earlier messages along with a picture gallery that we will be updating from time to time. Later, God willing, we will also be using the site to post audio and video messages from Paul and Rebecca.

Monday, October 10, 2005

Rebecca's Journey - 68



Phillip and Josie's Wedding. Click on an image for a larger view.



10 October, 2005

Greetings, Friends,

A few updates before I type Rebecca's note: In the last several months Rebecca has been asked to video some teachings. She has done one that was played for a group of ladies at a conference in Prague last week. The other video was for a teen group at a local church. This is an interesting opportunity, and may give rise to further sharing by video.

Annie's surgery on her left had has gone well. She's in therapy now and looking forward to returning next month.

From Rebecca: "Greetings, Dear Friends! I am watching my doves feeding on the back terrace. It looks like two new couples have joined 'Delphine & Donald'. (I've given each of my birds names which seem appropriate to their characters.) At this time of year the birds are preparing their territory for the winter. I'm sure our feeders are more than adequate provision for their care. And they are certainly a delight to me each day.

"This week we've had several lovely expressions of God's faithfulness and answers to prayer with our nurses. We've had wonderful open discussion about how a loving God could allow suffering, and%