The Office of the President of the United States of America is said to be the most powerful position in the world. What would it be like to be a friend of the person who holds that office? Think about it, you are with the President of the United States and he goes around and introduces you to people and says “I’d like for you to meet my friend.” How would that make you feel? I am certain you would feel validated as a person and friend to this most powerful individual. What is even more exciting to me is that I have a friend who is the creator of the entire universe. He is the most Powerful and Almighty God. The God of the entire universe calls me His friend.
Jesus told His disciples that He no longer called them servants, but friends. Those men whom he had invested so much time with were His close personal friends. All of us have friends, but have you ever thought about what it means to be a “friend of Jesus”? As His disciple, we are also His friend. Here are a few characteristics of this friendship.
1. Obligation/Responsibility—all of us who have friends know that friendship comes with some obligations. Our friendship with Jesus isn’t any different. He calls us friends “if we do what he commands” (John 15:14) and what He commands is for us to “love each other” (John 15:17). You want to be a friend of God then we are obligated to do what Jesus commands and that is love each other.
2. Transparency/Intimacy—Jesus held nothing back from His disciples. “A servant doesn’t know his master’s business” (John 15:15). But Jesus has made known to us everything He learned from the Father and because of that, we are His friend. Jesus desires an intimate and transparent relationship with us. A friendship where we can tell Him the deepest and even the darkest problems we face and a friendship where He can tell us, through the working of the Holy Spirit, everything that we need to know. That is His desire.
3. Service—even though the disciples were friends of Jesus, they viewed themselves as His servants. In the introductions to many of the Epistles, Peter, James, and Paul all introduced themselves as “servants of Christ”. Friends are also servants. They do what they can to help each other. Although Jesus doesn’t look upon us and treat us as servants we do serve the living Lord.
If you know Jesus as your personal Savior and live as His disciple, you are God’s friend; you are a friend of the Creator, a friend of the one who is the maker of the entire universe, a friend of the most powerful and Almighty God. Meditate and contemplate on those words for just for a minute (I am a friend of the Most High God)! God desires to be your friend, don’t turn Him away.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Getting Back To Our Normal
Well things are somewhat getting back to normal in the Life of Fife. Kevin is back from Zambia, (that is him in the picture, they were removing stumps to build a commercial size chicken coop. These chickens will be used to help support the orphanage.) He shared with us several exciting things that happened while he was there. I am sure he will be posting them on his blog.
It's nice to have Kevin back, because he is so much help around the house with lawn work. But Ryan, his fiancee Tammy and her dad came over and mowed one week while I was recovering from carpal tunnel surgery on my hand. They were awesome and really were a blessing.
It's nice to have Kevin back, because he is so much help around the house with lawn work. But Ryan, his fiancee Tammy and her dad came over and mowed one week while I was recovering from carpal tunnel surgery on my hand. They were awesome and really were a blessing.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Over the Atlantic
Just a quick update on Kevin's status. He text me this morning about 5:30am and said he was in Lusaka, Zambia (I think at the airport) then on to Johannasburg, then to DC then Dallas. He seemed excited to get back home. According to his flight itinerary, he should be somewhere over the Atlantic right now. He is scheduled to land in Washington DC at 6am Wednesday, July 8. I am sure I will get another text or phone call as soon as the plane lands! Just wanted to let everyone know.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Text Messages From Zambia!
So excited to hear from Kevin this morning at 6:10am via "text messages" from Zambia. I slept through the first one....that came in at 5:35 because we didn't get home from Tulsa last night until 1:15am so we were all sleeping in. But here are some of the things he said.
Kevin (5:35am): Hey dad this is Kevin I miss you and love you I wish I could have talked to you the other day tell every one else I miss them and love them.
Kevin (6:03am): Hey I have wifi so what you doing
(Kevin has an IPod that isn't a phone, but if it gets a wifi signal there is an application on it that allows him to send text messages. This is the message that woke me up.)
Me: Cool...just getting up
Kevin (6:08am): Oh ok well I just got finished with my safari
Me: Cool...how was it?
Me: Go to http://keithfife.blogspot.com/
Kevin (6:15am): Oh I don't know but your funny. That is cool the blogspot I love you so much. Happy 4th of July.
Me: We love you too Have you taken any pictures?
Kevin (6:22am): Yes! But today the camera messed up! I don't know! Is your hand Ok?
Me: It's ok. I have a big incision and get stitches out next Thur. So you didn't get any safari pics?
After a period of no communication, I got some more texts from Kevin.
Kevin (6:46am): No I did not (get safari pictures) the inside is very blury.
Me: That's ok. Check the lens it may just be dirty.
Kevin ( 6:51am): No it's not that. the inside foam crumbled and got on it.
Me: Oh...you feeling better? It it still cold?
Kevin (6:56am): Yes I feel a lot better and it's cool out right now.
Me: Where are you?
Kevin (7:00am): At the safari place eating lunch
Me: I see. How is your money holding out?
Kevin (7:04am): I have about 70 left.
Me: That's close...spend it wisely...I can't wait to see you and hear all about everything.
Kevin (7:07am): Ya I will and yes I can't wait to tell you how it's changed my life.
Me: So you saw my blog about your update?
Kevin (7:10am): Yes I saw it. That's really cool.
Me: Was that you with the pickax? Was the name of the orphanage Camp Hope?
Kevin (7:10am): Yes that's me and yes, camp hope.
Me: I have been following some on twitter that are going to or are at Every Orphans Hope in Zambia.
Kevin (7:13am): What are you guys doing for the 4th of July?
Me: I am mowing this morning and then we are going to Mark and Sondra's house this evening.
Kevin (7:16am): Fun stuff
Me: How has the food been?
Kevin (7:43am): Oh it's been good. Well I mean probably not as good as moms.
Me: What are you doing the rest of the day and did you work in Camp Hope?
Kevin (7:53am): We are going back to camp in an hour or 2 and yes I taught it.
Me: What did you see on the safari?
Kevin: Lions, impala, elephant, giraffe, antelope, gazelle
Me: Wow...how cool is that. Mom is up do you want to tell her anything?
Kevin: I love her! and yes it was cool. Oh ya happy late fathers day.
Anita: Kev I am glad you have had this opportunity. We do miss you.
Kevin: Miss you too. I want to come back now.
Anita: What do you miss the most?
Kevin: Family and my bed.
Anita: Do you have any more days at the orphanage?
Kevin: What is everybody doing?
Anita: Christa is eating breakfast, Meghan is sleeping, and memaw is sleeping.
Kevin: Memaw?
Anita: Memaw spent the night with us.
Kevin: No, we have been doing hut to hut evangelism.
Me: What are the huts like:
Kevin: Straw little buildings
Me: Did you get some pictures
Kevin: Yes sir.
Me: Were there people at camp hope from other ministries helping also?
Kevin: No. Well my battery is dying I love everyone!
Me: Bye...love you.
Anita: Love you so much
Kevin: Oh yeah, there are a lote of witch doctors in Africa and they chanted and played their drums all last night. It's a full moon that's why.
Me and Anita: We will pray for you
Kevin: Thank you! The drums are annoying.
That was our last exchange. But I did notice he had a Facebook update and said the trip "had changed his life". We can't wait to see him.
More later, if and when I get it. Share this with your friends and followers.
Kevin (5:35am): Hey dad this is Kevin I miss you and love you I wish I could have talked to you the other day tell every one else I miss them and love them.
Kevin (6:03am): Hey I have wifi so what you doing
(Kevin has an IPod that isn't a phone, but if it gets a wifi signal there is an application on it that allows him to send text messages. This is the message that woke me up.)
Me: Cool...just getting up
Kevin (6:08am): Oh ok well I just got finished with my safari
Me: Cool...how was it?
Me: Go to http://keithfife.blogspot.com/
Kevin (6:15am): Oh I don't know but your funny. That is cool the blogspot I love you so much. Happy 4th of July.
Me: We love you too Have you taken any pictures?
Kevin (6:22am): Yes! But today the camera messed up! I don't know! Is your hand Ok?
Me: It's ok. I have a big incision and get stitches out next Thur. So you didn't get any safari pics?
After a period of no communication, I got some more texts from Kevin.
Kevin (6:46am): No I did not (get safari pictures) the inside is very blury.
Me: That's ok. Check the lens it may just be dirty.
Kevin ( 6:51am): No it's not that. the inside foam crumbled and got on it.
Me: Oh...you feeling better? It it still cold?
Kevin (6:56am): Yes I feel a lot better and it's cool out right now.
Me: Where are you?
Kevin (7:00am): At the safari place eating lunch
Me: I see. How is your money holding out?
Kevin (7:04am): I have about 70 left.
Me: That's close...spend it wisely...I can't wait to see you and hear all about everything.
Kevin (7:07am): Ya I will and yes I can't wait to tell you how it's changed my life.
Me: So you saw my blog about your update?
Kevin (7:10am): Yes I saw it. That's really cool.
Me: Was that you with the pickax? Was the name of the orphanage Camp Hope?
Kevin (7:10am): Yes that's me and yes, camp hope.
Me: I have been following some on twitter that are going to or are at Every Orphans Hope in Zambia.
Kevin (7:13am): What are you guys doing for the 4th of July?
Me: I am mowing this morning and then we are going to Mark and Sondra's house this evening.
Kevin (7:16am): Fun stuff
Me: How has the food been?
Kevin (7:43am): Oh it's been good. Well I mean probably not as good as moms.
Me: What are you doing the rest of the day and did you work in Camp Hope?
Kevin (7:53am): We are going back to camp in an hour or 2 and yes I taught it.
Me: What did you see on the safari?
Kevin: Lions, impala, elephant, giraffe, antelope, gazelle
Me: Wow...how cool is that. Mom is up do you want to tell her anything?
Kevin: I love her! and yes it was cool. Oh ya happy late fathers day.
Anita: Kev I am glad you have had this opportunity. We do miss you.
Kevin: Miss you too. I want to come back now.
Anita: What do you miss the most?
Kevin: Family and my bed.
Anita: Do you have any more days at the orphanage?
Kevin: What is everybody doing?
Anita: Christa is eating breakfast, Meghan is sleeping, and memaw is sleeping.
Kevin: Memaw?
Anita: Memaw spent the night with us.
Kevin: No, we have been doing hut to hut evangelism.
Me: What are the huts like:
Kevin: Straw little buildings
Me: Did you get some pictures
Kevin: Yes sir.
Me: Were there people at camp hope from other ministries helping also?
Kevin: No. Well my battery is dying I love everyone!
Me: Bye...love you.
Anita: Love you so much
Kevin: Oh yeah, there are a lote of witch doctors in Africa and they chanted and played their drums all last night. It's a full moon that's why.
Me and Anita: We will pray for you
Kevin: Thank you! The drums are annoying.
That was our last exchange. But I did notice he had a Facebook update and said the trip "had changed his life". We can't wait to see him.
More later, if and when I get it. Share this with your friends and followers.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Is This Kevin?
Answer the poll question on whether or not you think this is Kevin in the picture. It looks like him, but even his mom and dad aren't sure. Help us decide.
Kevin called!!
Kevin called the house today but we weren't home so he called his Memaw (Keith's mom) who lives in Norman. When I talked with her she told me Kevin was doing well but suffering from a bout of diarrhea today (hope he doesn't get too embarrassed about revealing that). Other than that, he said it was cold but he was having a good time. Since he is south of the equator, it is winter in Zambia. My mom asked him was he going back and he said YES!
He said he missed everyone and loved them and that he would be back home in a week. Just thought everyone would like to know. God bless you. Please comment and share with your friends.
He said he missed everyone and loved them and that he would be back home in a week. Just thought everyone would like to know. God bless you. Please comment and share with your friends.
More Testimonies From Zambia
There are several more testimonies from Kevin's missionary companions in Zambia. Kevin's isn't anomg them, but I thought you might like to read what some of the other missionaries are saying and experiencing. One in particular (Testimony Seven) helps understand the picture of Kevin washing the Zambian's feet.
Kevin will be coming back in about a week. We are so excited to get to see him. Thank you for your prayers. (Sorry for the "all caps" but that is how they were posted on the web and I can't "retype" that much with only one hand! I'll be glad to get this splint off my right hand in a week or so).
Testimony Eight (July 1)
HERE IN ZAMBIA, WE SEEM TO LEARN THE LESSONS WE NEED THE MOST, BUT WANT TO LEARN THE LEAST. I WILL START OUT IN SAYING THAT THE TIMES I STRUGGLED WITH WHO IS IN CONTROL THE MOST ARE WHEN MY BODY ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. I OFTEN LOSE MY PATIENCE WITH GOD IN THOSE MOMENTS. SO, WHERE ELSE WOULD GOD WANT TO START MY LESSON. AS A MISSIONARY ADVISOR, I AM IN CHARGE OF DIRECTING VBS [CAMP] FOR A GROUP OF ORPHANS. THE THIRD DAY OF CAMP I GREW ILL. AT THE TIME I KEPT PUSHING MYSELF TRUSTING IN MY BODY. AFTER REACHING MY BREAKING POINT I HAD NO ON LEFT TO TRUST BUT GOD. LITTLE DID I KNOW GOD WAS MAKING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MISSIONARIES BELOW ME TO STEP UP IN LEADERSHIP AND ALSO TRUST IN GOD. I CAN SEE HOW GOD USES EVERYTHING FOR GOOD, AND THAT I SHOULD BE MORE OPEN TO HIS WILL.PS... I WAS FULLY HEALED THE DAY AFTER. PRAISE GOD!!!
SAM K.
Testimony Seven (July 1)
I HAVE ALWAYS FELT GOD CALLING ME TO MISSIONS IN AFRICA, BUT I NEVER
EXPECTED TO BE HERE QUITE SO SOON. THIS TRIP TO ZAMBIA HAS REALLY OPENED MY EYES TO HOW MUCH POVERTY IS IN THE WORLD AND HOW BLESSED I AM TO LIVE IN NORTH AMERICA. IT REALLY HITS HOME WHEN IT IS NO LONGER ON THE TV SCREEN BUT ALL AROUND YOU. THESE CHILDREN ARE SO WORTHY OF LOVE AND IT WARMS MY HEART WHEN THEY RUN UP TO ME WITH THEIR ARMS OPEN WIDE.DURING VBS [CAMP], MY GROUP AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE CHILDREN LOVE BY WASHING THEIR FEET, JUST AS JESUS DID WITH HIS DISCIPLES. NO MATTER HOW HARD I SCRUBBED, THE DIRT WOULD NOT COME OFF...AND IT BROKE MY HEART. BUT SEEING THE JOY ON EACH OF THEIR FACES, AS I WASHED, IS SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET. JESUS CAME TO EARTH AS A SERVANT, SO I SHOULD STRIVE FOR THE SAME. THIS TRIP HAS REALLY IMPACTED MY LIFE!
JODI de H.
Testimony Six (July 1)
NEVER HAVE I EVER EXERIENCED A MISSION TRIP QUIET LIKE THIS ONE. I'VE NEVER MET SO MANY PEOPLE ON FIRE FOR GOD! GOD PLACED A DESIRE FOR ME TO GO TO AFRICA OVER A YEAR AGO. THROUGH THIS ENTIRE PREPARATION PROCESS AND BEING HERE, GOD HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT PRAYER. NOT JUST ABOUT TALKING TO HIM BUT ABOUT CRYING OUT TO HIM. HE HAS BEEN SO FAITHFUL ON THIS TRIP. HE HAS USED US FOR SO MANY GREAT THINGS, AND FOR THAT I AM FOREVER THANKFUL AND CHANGED! MY GOD IS AMAZING, AND HE DOES ANSWER PRAYERS!
KAYELA D.
Testimony Five (July 1)
YESTERDAY IN OUR MINISTRY GROUP WE GOT TO MINISTER TO AN ELDERLY LADY AND HER FAMILY. THE LADY WAS SICK WITH MALARIA AND HAD NEVER HEARD ABOUT JESUS. WE GOT TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH HER AS WELL AS THE LOVE OF JESUS AS WE PRAYED FOR HER AND HER CHILDREN, WE ALSO HELPED HER IN GARDEN. IT'S AMAZING HOW GOD HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE US TO CHANGE LIVES HERE. PLANTING SEEDS THAT HE CAN GROW AND DEVELOP FOR HIS KINGDOM.
DANIEL D.
Kevin will be coming back in about a week. We are so excited to get to see him. Thank you for your prayers. (Sorry for the "all caps" but that is how they were posted on the web and I can't "retype" that much with only one hand! I'll be glad to get this splint off my right hand in a week or so).
Testimony Eight (July 1)
HERE IN ZAMBIA, WE SEEM TO LEARN THE LESSONS WE NEED THE MOST, BUT WANT TO LEARN THE LEAST. I WILL START OUT IN SAYING THAT THE TIMES I STRUGGLED WITH WHO IS IN CONTROL THE MOST ARE WHEN MY BODY ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY. I OFTEN LOSE MY PATIENCE WITH GOD IN THOSE MOMENTS. SO, WHERE ELSE WOULD GOD WANT TO START MY LESSON. AS A MISSIONARY ADVISOR, I AM IN CHARGE OF DIRECTING VBS [CAMP] FOR A GROUP OF ORPHANS. THE THIRD DAY OF CAMP I GREW ILL. AT THE TIME I KEPT PUSHING MYSELF TRUSTING IN MY BODY. AFTER REACHING MY BREAKING POINT I HAD NO ON LEFT TO TRUST BUT GOD. LITTLE DID I KNOW GOD WAS MAKING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MISSIONARIES BELOW ME TO STEP UP IN LEADERSHIP AND ALSO TRUST IN GOD. I CAN SEE HOW GOD USES EVERYTHING FOR GOOD, AND THAT I SHOULD BE MORE OPEN TO HIS WILL.PS... I WAS FULLY HEALED THE DAY AFTER. PRAISE GOD!!!
SAM K.
Testimony Seven (July 1)
I HAVE ALWAYS FELT GOD CALLING ME TO MISSIONS IN AFRICA, BUT I NEVER
EXPECTED TO BE HERE QUITE SO SOON. THIS TRIP TO ZAMBIA HAS REALLY OPENED MY EYES TO HOW MUCH POVERTY IS IN THE WORLD AND HOW BLESSED I AM TO LIVE IN NORTH AMERICA. IT REALLY HITS HOME WHEN IT IS NO LONGER ON THE TV SCREEN BUT ALL AROUND YOU. THESE CHILDREN ARE SO WORTHY OF LOVE AND IT WARMS MY HEART WHEN THEY RUN UP TO ME WITH THEIR ARMS OPEN WIDE.DURING VBS [CAMP], MY GROUP AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE CHILDREN LOVE BY WASHING THEIR FEET, JUST AS JESUS DID WITH HIS DISCIPLES. NO MATTER HOW HARD I SCRUBBED, THE DIRT WOULD NOT COME OFF...AND IT BROKE MY HEART. BUT SEEING THE JOY ON EACH OF THEIR FACES, AS I WASHED, IS SOMETHING I WILL NEVER FORGET. JESUS CAME TO EARTH AS A SERVANT, SO I SHOULD STRIVE FOR THE SAME. THIS TRIP HAS REALLY IMPACTED MY LIFE!JODI de H.
Testimony Six (July 1)
NEVER HAVE I EVER EXERIENCED A MISSION TRIP QUIET LIKE THIS ONE. I'VE NEVER MET SO MANY PEOPLE ON FIRE FOR GOD! GOD PLACED A DESIRE FOR ME TO GO TO AFRICA OVER A YEAR AGO. THROUGH THIS ENTIRE PREPARATION PROCESS AND BEING HERE, GOD HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT PRAYER. NOT JUST ABOUT TALKING TO HIM BUT ABOUT CRYING OUT TO HIM. HE HAS BEEN SO FAITHFUL ON THIS TRIP. HE HAS USED US FOR SO MANY GREAT THINGS, AND FOR THAT I AM FOREVER THANKFUL AND CHANGED! MY GOD IS AMAZING, AND HE DOES ANSWER PRAYERS!
KAYELA D.
Testimony Five (July 1)
YESTERDAY IN OUR MINISTRY GROUP WE GOT TO MINISTER TO AN ELDERLY LADY AND HER FAMILY. THE LADY WAS SICK WITH MALARIA AND HAD NEVER HEARD ABOUT JESUS. WE GOT TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH HER AS WELL AS THE LOVE OF JESUS AS WE PRAYED FOR HER AND HER CHILDREN, WE ALSO HELPED HER IN GARDEN. IT'S AMAZING HOW GOD HAS BEEN ABLE TO USE US TO CHANGE LIVES HERE. PLANTING SEEDS THAT HE CAN GROW AND DEVELOP FOR HIS KINGDOM.
DANIEL D.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
