-- Thursday, 7/15/10 -- DON'T MAKE EXCUSES -- Judges 4:1-5
J.R. & Bonnie Ricks
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Dear Friends,
Since my heart attack last year, I have not been able to return to my small fabricating business at all. It looks like – because I cannot tolerate the heat involved – that I may not be able to do it again ever. I dedicated the money that I made from this small business to supporting the ministry for the last several years. I’m not sure exactly what I will be able to find that I can physically do to make up for this loss.
I am writing to you today to tell you that Bonnie has restarted a small business that she had a few years ago, and I would like to tell you more about it…
At one time, Bonnie was a very talented sculptor. Unfortunately, she was misdiagnosed for several years, and then found that she had carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. By the time it was correctly diagnosed, she had lost 50% of the neurological function and strength in both hands. This has made sculpting impossible. However, she started making costume jewelry as sort of a “therapy” after her surgeries. It became fairly popular among our local folks, and she sold quite a bit at the local craft shows. She gave it up when we decided to tackle the writing project with which we’ve been involved for the last couple of years.
Now that the writing project is completed, she has decided to start making jewelry again. She is so talented, and this gives her an outlet to express her talents. Her jewelry is available on a website which address I’ll give you at the end of this note. She has decided to do this and dedicate the income from it to help make up the shortfall that we have experienced in the ministry support. We’re both of the belief that all of our talents and what they produce should be used to serve the Lord and, hopefully, this endeavor will allow us to continue the ministry’s programs in full force. I’ve always been of the belief that when God closes one door, He always opens another. So, in faith, we will step through this door and see how God has planned to use it.
If you’d like to see some of Bonnie’s creations, you can go to either of these addresses: http://www.shophandmade.com/store/bonniesbaubles/ OR http://bonniesbaubles.shophandmade.com and take a look. She has 79 pieces and/or sets uploaded to the store right now and will be adding things from time to time. If you like the things that you see, please be sure and share this site with your friends. We look forward to seeing how God will use this new endeavor for His Kingdom.
I would like to also take this opportunity to thank all of our dedicated supporters who make this ministry possible with your prayers and your financial support.
God bless you all… and thank you.
J.R.
DON’T MAKE EXCUSES -- Judges 4:1-5 NIV
After Ehud died, the Israelites once again did evil in the eyes of the LORD. So the LORD sold them into the hands of Jabin, a king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth Haggoyim. Because he had nine hundred iron chariots and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the LORD for help.
Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading Israel at that time. She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided.
Deborah was unique. She was, first of all, a woman in a man's world. She was a female in a patriarchal society. And she was a Hebrew. With two big strikes against her, she could have just thrown in the towel without even trying. After all, no one would have faulted her if she'd just stayed at home and taken care of her normal business. She might have raised a few children, tended the goats, kept the tent tidy and had a little fabric-dyeing business on the side. She could have led a nice, normal, stress-free life.
But God had other plans for Deborah. First, He made her a prophetess. Then He made her a judge. Then He put her in charge of the armies of Israel, allowing her not only to lead the people to victory, but to lead Israel back to God. Deborah could have made excuses for her situation. She could have looked at herself and her circumstances and said, "I'm just a woman. I can't do this. Go find someone else." But she didn't.
The other thing Deborah didn't do was deny her position as a woman and a wife. She didn't walk away from her family and her responsibilities. She didn't divorce Lappidoth so she could join the army and be President. Instead, she lived up to all the responsibilities that God gave her, both private and public.
And she didn't make excuses. For anything.
Whether you are a man or a woman, take an example from Deborah on how to live a life that is pleasing to God. Don't deny the responsibilities God has given you in order to take on others. And don't make excuses when God tells you to do something. He knows your circumstances. He knows what's going on. He knows who you are. He knows your limitations. What you need to remember is that He doesn't have any limitations, so keep your focus on Him and watch in awe at what He can do with your life.
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