It's a Faith Thing

Bend

Push Off

Flailing Limbs

Scream, Blink, Rejoice

Faith

~

Did you know that life sold out for Christ is a bigger adventure than you can know while you're standing on the edge?

Did you know that when Christ takes hold of your heart, it will beat to the drum of all the nations represented at the throne of Christ in heaven one day?

Did you know that when your soul begins to understand the True Light of "Christ in me" it will no longer be satisfied with artificial light.

Did you know that by faith - in the Creator, Sustainer, Healer, Lover, Savior, Director, King and Father - you can learn your true purpose and meaning on

this earth: to love God and glorify Him ALWAYS so that

those around you see Him when they look at you

SO THAT they will also believe and Glorify His Name!

~

Are you just looking at the water from a distance?

Are you barely sticking your toe in the river?

or Have you jumped with abandon into the flow of His mercy, love and glory!

THANKS GIVING

Give thanks.
With a grateful heart.

Give thanks.
In humility.

Give thanks.
With awe for what our God has done.

Give thanks.
For your family.

Give thanks.
For all the friends you have.

Give thanks.
Never forgetting, our God is so good.

Give thanks.
Not reservedly.

Give thanks.
With all that is within your soul.

Give thanks.
With awe for what our God has done.

Give thanks.
That Jesus saved you.

Give thanks.
For the complete victory.

Give thanks.
Never forgetting, our God is so good.

Give thanks.

*What is your favorite song of thanksgivng or praise this season?

Have You Found Your Place?

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=427107288171

What a Mighty God We Serve! - Sudan Digest 1

We've been home from Sudan now for a week. I'm still not sure I can believe it is over. God did wonderful things in the villages of Southern Sudan and in and through the lives of our team.

I've been avoiding posting pictures partly in an effort to wait for photos from other team members :), but also becuase I wasn't sure I was ready to publicly discuss the things that those pictures represent. Last night, I felt it was time to begin the public digest. Maybe this will be the first and last, I don't know. But for now, it gives me a place to glorify God for all that He is and all He is doing.

It's just a highlight summary, but it's what I've got today. God is a mighty God, and I praise Him for everything He has done on this grip.

· Waking up to the crow of local roosters.
· Rain drops so big it seemed I could walk between them.
· Tucking myself in every night into my very own “canopy” bed.
· Passing out sandwiches, boiled eggs, and crackers to the villagers at lunch.
· Showering by head lamp early each morning, only after Justin checked for bugs.
· Sharing the gospel in the shade of trees, and at the home of many families.
· Shaking innumerable hands of new friends
· Calming an upset orphan boy simply by rocking him and holding him close.
· Teaching primary school kids how to make elephant trunks for Noah’s Ark.
· Eating pork and chips, rice and beans, fried eggs and bread.
· Bumping up and down out of dirt road potholes
· Worshiping Jesus under the mango trees
· Responding to Christ’s divine appointments
· Watching as the Lord confirmed His Word by laying it on my heart, and then later also on the hearts of others on the team
· Baby goats.
· Termite mounds.
· Teak wood.
· Humble testimonies and genuine questions.
· Being mistaken for a Chinese person

Humility

Without my Savior, where would I be,

Without His mercy, that covers me?

Should guilt befall my soul too great,

Not one step more, be able to take.

A wall would grow, one step at a time,

Above my heart, my strength and my mind.

Instead His mercy, unearned; undeserved,

Rained down my cheek; warm, unreserved.

Rains down my cheek, trickles off my nose,

All down my arms, puddling at my toes.

Not a sprinkle, this love; an undying flood,

Flows from His hand, eternally above.

And paints a portrait, too beautiful to see,

His righteousness, grace, enveloping me.

Not quickly or briefly, once here and now gone,

But daily, continually, on and on.

May my heart not forget His transformation,

And ne'er forsake this so great salvation.

In humility bow, with sincerity glowing,

Thankful life in His hand, eternally growing.

Without my Savior, where would I be?

But in His mercy, He sanctifies me!

Kajo Keji, Sudan

June, 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings from Texas! We hope this note finds you well and enjoying the beginning of yet another summer. Justin and I are doing well and thankful for each new thing the Lord brings to us in our jobs, family, and church community. The purpose of this note is to share with you what God has laid on our hearts as His plan for us this summer.

Justin and I have answered a call to join our church on a mission trip to Kajo Keji in southern Sudan, August 4-14th. Our trip will be lead by e3 Partners Ministry, and together we will take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of Kajo Keji.

Our team will partner with national churches and believers to target areas that are unreached with the Gospel, and use discipleship to encourage the church and assist with church planting efforts. Each day we will team up with several national believers, including a translator, and go out to share Christ with those in surrounding villages. One aspect of the trip I (Kari) am really excited about is women’s ministry: sharing Jesus with mom’s and their children.

As a young girl, I remember having a desire to visit Africa for missions as early as middle school, and see this open door as the beginning of fulfillment of what God laid on my heart several years ago. Justin is excited about the cross-cultural experience and about seeing the Holy Spirit work in ways that are different than in West Plano, Texas. It has been our desire as a couple to find ways to serve the Lord together, and we are very humbled and excited for this ministry opportunity for God’s glory.

We would like to ask you to prayerfully consider partnering with us on this mission trip. First, would you commit to praying for us? We covet the prayers of other believers as we prepare, plan, travel, and serve. Second, would you ask God if He would have you support us financially?


The remaining cost for us to both make the trip is $7,360.00. Our goal is to reach at least half of the funds by the beginning of July. We believe God is calling us to go, however we know that this can only happen if others sense God's calling to send us. As it says in Romans 10:13-15:

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of who they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!' "
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration of this request. We look forward to seeing how the Lord will move as we take this step of faith. Your prayer and financial support are a blessing to us, as well as to many who will have an opportunity to hear and respond to the Gospel as a result of your support.

Love in Christ,


Kari and Justin


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Thank you for prayerfully considering financeial support. If you would like to give, you can donate by check, or online. If you send a check, please make it payable to e3 Partners Ministry and send your contribution to 2001 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 2600, Plano, TX 75075. You will need to enter the name “Kari Copling” along with the trip code SD10N in the subject line to ensure that it is processed in a timely manner. Your gift will be placed in an account under our name. You can also make payments online at www.e3partners.org. Under the “Give” menu, you will need to click “Donate today.” Please follow the instructions given. You will need to enter either Kari Copling and the trip code SD10N after checking “Other” as the “Designation.” All gifts are tax deductible, and e3 Partners then will send you a tax receipt.

Thank you and God bless you for your faithfulness!

I love being random!

Random thoughts of today…

I love it that people at Starbucks will play along with me when I accidentally pull out my AAA card for payment. “You guys don’t take that, do you?” I asked, smiling at my own ridiculousness.
“What was it?”
“A ‘AAA’ card.”
“No," he said. "Only on weekends.”
The only thing that would have made that day better was if he had given me my drink for free :)

I love it when you meet someone and you just know you are kindred spirits. Things just click, and you understand each other in a special way even though the friendship is new.

I love old friendships that are comfortable and reliable. Honesty prevails, and even when one of you is uncharacteristically spontaneous, it isn’t stressful, but rather an absolute blast.

I love it when little kids say exactly what they are thinking. “Is that a hat?” my nephew sincerely asked me at lunch one day.
“Is this a hat?” I asked, pointing to the chandelier over head.
“No, is that a hat?” His little stature is completely facing upwards from his chair beside me and he points to something seemingly above my head. Turning to look, I try to identify what he could possibly think resembles a hat.
“Is that a hat?” Again, I point toward the ceiling. Dissatisfied with my suggestion, he tries one more time, pointing up over him and toward the ceiling.
“Is THIS a hat?” I said pointing to the top of my own head.
“Yes!”
I almost died laughing! “No, this is not a hat. That’s my HAIR, Silly!!” Apparantly he didn't appreciate my fashionable do!

I love phone conversations with family, especially when conversation leads to laughter!

I love that I married the most amazing man ever, and that he loves me as Christ loves me.

I love that our God is gracious enough to allow pleasure in the small things, to plan perfect timing in conversations and emails, to provide financially and physically, to give us His written word-alive and active, to love us when we’re unlovable, and to save us when we are beyond reach.

I love that God IS love, and that we were created in His image to love Him and others above all else, and that because He loves us, we can fulfill what we were created for!