A Tennis Missionary remembers

Real Simple or real and simple. - Australian

I was praying during much of December, as I do each year asking "God, what would you want me to do for this upcoming year?"

It came Sunday morning December 27th  -  'Words of encouragement and Words of inspiration' - to the tennis players.

Nothing too deep or theological just 'real'. 

The best thing is to just go up and encourage another in what ever way is presented and as a Christian the inspiration comes from the Words of the Bible. 

Sounds pretty simple and easy.  That is just what I have found to be the most profound and workable - simple, easy, real, straight forward and not difficult to understand.

I leave Hong Kong January 1st, 2009 at 11:30pm ready for that mission statement to Australia arriving first at The Hopman Cup in Perth - 'Words of encouragement and Words of inspiration' 

I have the material and the words at the ready!

Weekly Verse - December 22, 2008

MONDAY:  I (God) have commanded a widow woman there to sustain you. - 1 King 17:9
God uses ravens and widows and whatever He likes - so stop trying to second-guess Him.

TUESDAY:  Since your steps are already ordered of the Lord, why are you trying to figure it out? - Psalm 37:23
If you're going through the fire today - rejoice, God's just separating the gold from the impurities in your character.

WEDNESDAY:  But speak the things which become sound doctrine. - Titus 2:1
If you have no doctrine, you're at the mercy of everybody else's.

THURSDAY:  Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. - 2 Timothy 4:2-3
When your feelings won't sustain you, your beliefs will, for one is built on emotion, the other is founded on the eternal Word of God as found in the Bible.

FRIDAY: How much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! - Matthew 7:11
The cross of Christ proves how much you matter to God!

SATURDAY:  He (God) that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with them also freely give us all things? -  Romans 8:32
If it's in God's Word and it's God's will as found in the Bible - refuse to settle for less.

SUNDAY: One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after. - Psalm 27:4
If you're walking in obedience and seeking to please Him, then you have the right to be confident.

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Latest posts:
MUSIC VIDEO: Jaci Velasquez - On My Knees (English) lyrics
MUSIC VIDEO: Jaci Velasquez solo tu live concert Guatemala (Spanish)
TENNIS VIDEO: 1993 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Seles def. Graf in final
TENNIS VIDEO: 1971 AUSTRALIAN OPEN - Ken Rosewall def. Arthur Ashe
MUSIC VIDEO: Michael W. Smith - Live BRAZIL (English and Portuguese) I am Free with lyrics
MUSIC VIDEO: Twila Paris - Warrior is a Child / Do I Trust You (lyrics)
Free hugs for stressed out tennis players.
What they never taught me in Kindergarten.

Weekly Verse - December 15, 2008

MONDAY:  Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong, do not fear; your God will come...to save you. - Isaiah 35:4

Either your situation is subject to the Word of God in the Bible, or the Word is subject to your situation.  Once you make that decision, you'll know clearly what to do next!

TUESDAY:  And there shall in no way enter into it any thing that...makes a lie. - Revelation 21:27

Lies, false impressions and other things - When you create an impression that you know is not true, the Bible calls it "making a lie."

WEDNESDAY:  No one else dared join them (Ananias and Sapphira). - Acts 5:13

When they - Ananias and Sapphira - tried to create false impressions about their giving, God slew them - right in the middle of a church service.

THURSDAY:  You has not lied to men, but to God. - Acts 5:4

Now that puts a whole new slant on things - wouldn't you say?

FRIDAY:  The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful. -Proverbs 12:22

A liar's biggest problem is that he can't believe anybody else; the way you live your life - you judge your neighbor.

SATURDAY:  Now bring all the people of Israel to Mount Carmel. - 1 Kings 18:19

At some point in your spiritual journey, you've got to learn that your God is a covenant and promise-making, covenant and promise-keeping God. To do it, He'll dry up rivers, make axe-heads swim and order fish into a net, He'll keep His promise to you come what may.

SUNDAY:  I (God) have commanded the ravens to feed you (Elijah)  there. - 1 Kings 17:4

Had Elijah gone anywhere else, God wouldn't have met his need, for a covenant is two-sided. You must fulfill your part! Take a moment and ask yourself honestly, "Have I? Am I where God wants me to be?"

 

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Latest posts:
TENNIS VIDEO: 1969 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Rod Laver def. Tony Roche
TENNIS VIDEO: 1971 AUSTRALIAN OPEN - Ken Rosewall , Arthur Ashe Interviews
MUSIC VIDEO: Michael W. Smith - Live BRAZIL (English and Portuguese) I am Free (lyrics)
MUSIC VIDEO: Twila Paris - Warrior is a Child / Do I Trust You (lyrics)
MUSIC VIDEO: Wayne Watson - Friend of a Wounded Heart (lyrics)
BLOG: What they never taught me in Kindergarten.
BLOG: Celebrating 10 years 1998-2008
BLOG: Work alongside such people 

Weekly Verse - December 8, 2008

MONDAY: Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. - Romans 10:17
Today, rise up in faith, take authority over your circumstances and begin to believe God.

TUESDAY: A man's spirit sustains him in sickness. - Proverbs 18:14
Don't just get the Word into your head; get it into your spirit.

WEDNESDAY: You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence. - 1 Corinthians 10:12
You belong in the company of those who are strong where you're weak.

THURSDAY: If we walk in the light, as He (Christ) is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. - 1 John 1:7
But if we walk in the dark, we walk alone, and the very areas we try hardest to hide are the places the enemy will always attack us.

FRIDAY: Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command. - Galatians 6:2
Stop seeing others as adversaries, and start seeing them as assets. Without them you're vulnerable.

SATURDAY: Cast out the bondwoman and her son. - Galatians 4:30
Good ideas that aren't God ideas can really complicate our lives. It's time to deal with your past and to clean out your closet!

SUNDAY: Tear down your father's altar to Baal...build a proper kind of altar to the Lord. - Judges 6:25-26
When a pattern of evil passes from one generation to the next, God calls it a "stronghold." God heals dysfunctional families and the healing can begin with you. Lay hands on your children and declare that the past will not invade the present and that God's blessings to your life will flow through you to them. Do it and see what happens.

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Daily Verse blog archive  /  video archive  /  Bob's Site Blog archive  /  video archive  

Weekly Verse - December 1, 2008

MONDAY:  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all. - Psalm 34:19

Can you name one - just one person - who was greatly used by God who didn't endure hardship or trials?

TUESDAY:  In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I (Jesus) have overcome the world. - John 16:33

Sometimes it's not the size of the problems, but the sheer number of them that wears you down.

WEDNESDAY:   You (God) prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.  - Psalm 23:5

We all want the table; we just don't want the trouble that comes with it! But the truth is, you can't have one without the other!

THURSDAY:  Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

Instead of building a fire in your fireplace, build one in your heart.

FRIDAY:  For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. - Luke 9:24

Just because you're near the top of the hill doesn't mean you're past your peak.  Get up and get going, for God has things for you to do today!

SATURDAY:  Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come...to save you.'- Isaiah 35:4

Faith is not the absence of fear, it's the courage to act in the presence of it, and believe God in spite of it.

SUNDAY:  This one thing I do. - Phillipians 3:13

The question is, what should faith do? When you know that - start doing it, and keep on doing it until fear loses its grip on you.

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Daily Verse blog archive  /  video archive  /  Bob's Site Blog archive  /  video archive   

Weekly Verse - November 24, 2008

MONDAY: I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. - Psalm 40:1
There are times when God doesn't speak, but there's never a time when He doesn't hear!

TUESDAY: My soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember You (God) - Psalm 42:6
He sees the broken heart behind the brave look of determination.

WEDNESDAY: Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. - Psalm 23:6
God's goodness is guaranteed!

THURSDAY: But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. - James 1:4
There's a work going on in you right now.

FRIDAY: I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see His goodness to me. - Psalm 27:13
If you're God's child, always look for the best!

SATURDAY: Himself (Christ) took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. - Matthew 8:17
Jesus is looking at your difficulty right now, and Hes saying, Here, Ill take that!"

SUNDAY: Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I'm fit inside and out. - Psalm 26:2
Re-examine what you're doing.

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Daily Verse blog archive  /  video archive  /  Bob's Site Blog archive  /  video archive   

Mexico - Christmas means different things to different people, Tamales, corn and coffee.

On the drive to Mexico City, I can never forget the orphanage in Monterey with 100 orphans and 3 Christian workers... the kids just loved to hold to you.  Then the seven hour drive into the mountains and sleeping that night on the very hard and cold floor of a mountain church... with another group of orphans waking us to hot tamales and corn served with steaming hot coffee for breakfast.  For sure to those orphans Christmas meant different things than to us...

My first mission trip was to an earthquake ravaged Mexico City in December 1985.  A magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck on 19 September 1985 at 7:19am, causing the deaths of about 10,000 people.  I saw the coffins in the streets and buildings flattened like pancakes.  Sleeping on the floor on an unfinished hospital with no hot water, I passed out food and shared the Gospel message to those Mexicans who were in great need.  I am so thankful as that changed my life from desiring to glorify myself through tennis to wanting to help people and glorify Christ.

Yes, I was a warrior but I also felt very much like a child myself.  I am so thankful for my changed lifestyle. Read as Twila Paris describes her relationship with her Father, Orlen.  Orlen sent me on that first mission trip which I then followed up to Asia in 1986.  I was hooked on missions...Thanks, Orlen for the best Christmas present that I have ever had. http://www.worldwidechallenge.org/1998/twila.html
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Lyrics to Twila's song:  This was passed out to the pro players on the tour at the 2003 Australian Open.  Watch Twila sing with this 6 minute video.

The Warrior is a Child -
Lately I've been winning battles left and right: But even winners can get wounded in the fight; People say that I'm amazing; Strong beyond my years but they don't see inside of me; I'm hiding all the tears; They don't know that I go running home when I fall down; They don't know who picks me up when no one is around; I drop my sword and cry for just a while 'Cause deep inside this armour; The warrior is a child.

Unafraid because his armour is the best; But even soldiers need a quiet place to rest; People say that I'm amazing; Never face retreat; But they don't see the enemies; That lay me at His feet. They don't know that I go running home when I fall down; They don't know who picks me up when no one is around; I drop my sword and cry for just a while 'Cause deep inside this armour; The warrior is a child.

They don't know that I go running home when I fall down; They don't know who picks me up when no one is around; I drop my sword and look up for His smile; Because deep inside this armour Deep inside this armour; Deep inside this armour; The Warrior is a Child
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Do I trust You, Lord?; Does the river flow?; Do I trust You, Lord?; Does the north wind blow?; You can see my heart, You can read my mind, And You got to know; That I would rather die; Than to lose my faith; In the One I love. Do I trust You, Lord?; Do I trust You?

I will trust You, Lord, when I don't know why; I will trust You, Lord, till the day I die; I will trust You, Lord, when I'm blind with pain! You were God before, and You'll never change; I will trust You; I will trust You; I will trust You, Lord; I will trust You. I will trust You; I will trust You, Lord; I will trust You. I will trust You; I will trust You, Lord.

Recent posts:
MUSIC VIDEO: Jaci Velasquez - On My Knees (English) lyrics
MUSIC VIDEO: Jaci Velasquez solo tu live concert Guatemala (Spanish)
TENNIS VIDEO: 1993 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Seles def. Graf in final
TENNIS VIDEO: 1971 AUSTRALIAN OPEN - Ken Rosewall def. Arthur Ashe
MUSIC VIDEO: Michael W. Smith - Live BRAZIL (English and Portuguese) I am Free with lyrics
MUSIC VIDEO: Twila Paris - Warrior is a Child / Do I Trust You (lyrics)
Free hugs for stressed out tennis players.
What they never taught me in Kindergarten.

Free hugs for stressed out tennis players.

The idea is right on - people need encouraging especially if it is free.  Watch some 'Free Hugs' video reports on 'CNN in Hong Kong' and 'Ten News in Sydney'.  I found these to be uplifting, cute and funny.

I'm not sure I feel comfortable with going up and giving 'strangers' a hug. I do know that many tennis players in the world have various heartfelt needs that are hurting them and others.

Sometimes we are in desperate need of a 'hug' and we can not get one from our family or friends and sometimes we have the ability to 'hug' others and we do not give them. 

Hey, if you can help someone out who has a need (it may include a 'free hug' or just caring), why don't you do so.

That would be a great Christmas gift!




Juan Mann in Australia -- known for his Free Hugs Campaign video - The Original Free Hugs video, which has logged over 19 million views.




Latest posts:
TENNIS VIDEO: 1969 AUSTRALIAN OPEN Rod Laver def. Tony Roche
TENNIS VIDEO: 1971 AUSTRALIAN OPEN - Ken Rosewall , Arthur Ashe Interviews
MUSIC VIDEO: Michael W. Smith - Live BRAZIL (English and Portuguese) I am Free (lyrics)
MUSIC VIDEO: Twila Paris - Warrior is a Child / Do I Trust You (lyrics)
MUSIC VIDEO: Wayne Watson - Friend of a Wounded Heart (lyrics)
BLOG: What they never taught me in Kindergarten.
BLOG: Celebrating 10 years 1998-2008
BLOG: Work alongside such people

What they never taught me in Kindergarten.

I consider it a real honor if someone finds my writing helpful to them. 

Christmas is the season of giving to others - except that is what I am trying to do year-round.

I try to be honest explaining my experiences and viewpoints - maybe that helps another.

I am not profound but I have learned that what the Bible teaches is.

I try and keep my spirit and joy up despite living in a world that often shows hurt, anger and all kinds of depressing things.

I raise my family the best that I can and teach them the ways of a Godly lifestyle.