EUROPE TRIP: THE SUFFERING AND THE STARBUCKS.

My friend in Finland invited me to preach a weekend of meetings, so I arranged with other contacts to have meetings in other areas. If I’m going to spend 8 hours flying across the Atlantic I’m going to try and make it worth it!

Yes, I’m headed to Europe to preach! How cool is that!

But I already know what you’re thinking. “MUST be nice!! Enjoy your ‘vacation’”.

Well yes, actually, I am using vacation time from work! I’m blessed with a good allotment of vacation time from work. I’ve been there 13 years, I hope I’ve earned it by now. Of that, I give half or better to my preaching calling. I could just use it all for an actual vacation, even to Europe, but I don’t. Actually, until I can figure out how to be a full time minister, it’s all I’ve got to work with and it’s FRUSTRATING to me!

I’m not tooting my own horn here about what I’m giving to the Lord, but I’d like to make a point. Actually, I want to make you think. That’s usually what I do in my preaching, so why not my writing?

This isn’t a vacation. It’s a preaching trip. Missionary trip. Evangelistic trip. Call it what you will, the purpose of the trip is to preach the Gospel. To strengthen the brethren in the churches I have been invited to speak to. That’s the point. It’s the only thing that is worth living for, is what I can do for Him.

So the point is well….this:

Young preacher, get into the field; stay into the harness. All you young preachers and things, don’t you set around. Don’t you just set and do nothing. Get out yonder and win a soul. Do something. Get on; get moving. Don’t stop, young preacher over there. God bless your heart. (WMB 60-0522e)

And

If you are a preacher, get you a pulpit. If you’re not, live your sermon. See, that’s the best way to do that; live your sermon. If you’re a preacher, get a pulpit (See?) and go to preaching. If you’re not, just live your sermon; let your life be your pulpit. See? I think that takes care of a whole lot, don’t you? (WMB 61-0112)

So this is what I’m doing. I’m getting in the field, I’m staying in the harness, I’m finding a pulpit that is open to me, I’m doing my utmost to serve Him and to follow His leading.

Now, I would really like it if you would go read a couple of posts written by a missionary in Africa. I thought she made pretty good points about what life was like for her and her husband in Tanzania. They were really enjoyable to me, and I think you’ll find them the same.

http://www.alifeoverseas.com/missionaries-are-supposed-to-suffer-so-am-i-allowed-to-buy-an-air-conditioner/

and

http://gilandamy.blogspot.com/2016/07/missionaries-are-supposed-to-sufferso_27.htm

Now, there will be some down days. So I’m filling them with stuff I’d love to see as long as I’m in the area. If you are following my blog for this trip, you’ll see some of that. Please don’t judge me though, the selfies in front of whatever landmark aren’t the point and don’t worry…. I’ll be STAYING WITH FRIENDS the WHOLE TIME. I really am suffering too, as I write this I’m on hour number 5 of sitting in the Toronto airport. I’m tired! #FirstWorldProblemsIKnow

Here’s the point, we don’t send missionaries into third world areas so we can vicariously reap the rewards of preaching the gospel through them. If we do, we are wrong. Literally we are saying, “you’re supposed to suffer so I don’t have to!” Why don’t we ever turn that one around – “You’re supposed to have Starbucks so I don’t have to!”

Hrmmm…think on that one awhile?

It’s important for all of us, no matter where we are and what we are doing, to give our whole lives to Christ. All of us. All the time. To take up OUR Cross. The “Suffering and the Starbucks” if you will. So as Paul, I have learned in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content.

Ok, maybe I’m “learning” and not totally “have learned”…there was that one day in Africa I wasn’t content.

But really, be content with me in Europe, the same as you were content with me in Africa. The purpose, the point, the calling, the goal are all the same – the location and the conditions don’t matter.

Well, I guess it’s time to head to the boarding area for my 8 hour flight.

Posts…..

FIRST TRIP POST BELOW LINKS — READ IT FIRST!

Day 1: https://emondfamily.com/europe-trip-day-1/ ‎

Day 2: https://emondfamily.com/europe-trip-day-2/

Day 3: https://emondfamily.com/europe-trip-day-3/

Day 4: https://emondfamily.com/europe-trip-day-4/

Day 5: https://emondfamily.com/europe-trip-day-5/

Day 6: https://emondfamily.com/europe-trip-day-6/

Day 7: https://emondfamily.com/europe-trip-day-7-finland/

Day 8: https://emondfamily.com/europe-trip-day-8/

Day 9: https://emondfamily.com/europe-trip-day-9/