Open Hands

Lord, help me to hold lightly
To the treasures of this world.
Help me live with upturned palms;
Heart open, loose, uncurled.

Make me willing to give up
What You don’t want for me.
In blessings or hard trials
Teach me, Lord, to trust in Thee.

Every good and perfect gift
Cometh from above,
And every purging trial
Is filtered through Your love.

Will we accept Your blessings
And yet reject Your tests?
In choosing only blessings
We, in turn, reject Your best.

My tight grasp I will loosen, Lord.
My troubled heart will trust.
My hands to You I’ll open
For I know that You are just.

The Receipt of My Ransom

The receipt of my ransom
Is nail-scared hands.
The proof of my pardon
Reaches out to each man.
A body once broken -
Restored and renewed;
But those precious pierced hands
Still reach out to you.

An Amazing Summer in Summary

Well, the summer has come and gone and in just a couple hours I'll be heading back to West Coast Baptist College. I'm excited to be going back because it's really the only place I own a bed which, for me, makes it home. I know many will tell you that home is where the heart is, but let me tell you, you can't rest your head on your heart!
It was an amazing summer. Words really can't describe it. I was able to talk to my dad last night and I wanted to share with him what my summer was like, but where to begin?!! I guess if you're looking for an overview, we saw about 50 Gentiles saved and 2 Jewish people. What! Only two Jewish people? That was our target group. What an unsuccessful outreach... in the eyes of man. We were yelled at, accused of being frauds, we had people driving by taking pictures of us, we were surrounded by police officers several times. (We're a pretty scary looking bunch. Wouldn't you call the police if you had 5 girls dressed in skirts and flip flops going door to door in your neighborhood?) We were kicked out of two cities completely, had packets ripped up and thrown at us, were involved in 4 car accidents (only one major - praise the Lord!)... it was a very interesting summer. The question is - was it worth it? I was reading a blog by a man who prides himself on being able to find the angle in every religious outreach. He was criticizing the Jews for Jesus and said that it was ridiculous that they would spend all summer reaching out to a people group and finish only having reached 11 people. And truly, in the eyes of man, this was a practically fruitless mission. However, considering the pricelessness of a soul before God - our labour was definitely not in vain.
One of the men who received Christ was a Jewish man from London. He took the packet that we left at his door, watched the video, called Bro. Cantor, and was lead to the Lord over the phone. I got the privilege of visiting him several days later. Morris is in his mid-eighties. He told us all about his family, his Christian friend, and why he believes that Jesus is God in the flesh. He told us that Jesus died, was put in a tomb, and when they went to the grave, He was gone. Only God could do that! His child-like faith was beautiful, because that is the faith that God wants us all to have.
The second Jewish man who accepted Jesus as his Messiah is named Andrew. We went back to his house three days before we left Miami. He is a nice guy, but he's a big guy, covered with tattoos (obviously not a practicing Jew). We asked him whether he had watched the DVD. He said no. We asked if we could share with him what the Bible says about eternity and he said he was kind of busy, but we could come back another time. I told him that we were leaving and we wouldn't have time to come back... and he might not have another chance to hear the truth. So, I begged him for 5 minutes to show him what the Bible says. Fifteen to twenty minutes later (okay, so I'm kind of long winded), Andrew accepted Christ as his savior. Praise the Lord for His saving grace. I was able to go back the next day and leave him with a Bible. He also agreed to let our pastor come visit him. Please pray for Andrew and Morris as they grow spiritually.
Also pray for those who were given the truth, but chose not to accept it. Jesus said that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. I've come to the conclusion that you can add God's chosen people to the rich. They're so closed, and if you look at the circumstances, it's no wonder. They've been persecuted and targeted through the centuries. However, that does not mean that they will be unaccountable for what they do with the truth. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and receptiveness for God's people. He loves them and He wants them. He's calling for His lost sheep, but they don't recognize His voice. Will you help them hear?

A Three Week Review

Well, I was getting somewhat overwhelmed with all that was going on down here, and when I got behind on blogging I figured I'd wait until things slowed down before I started writing again. (I know this makes absolutely no sense, but I talked myself into believing it. I can be very persuasive sometimes!) So, in short, we have been under attack! We started out breaking down on a highway with no shoulder. So, all three of us girls jumped out and started pushing - uphill. It was great. Of course, nobody stopped to help, but they did a lot of honking and staring. At one point I turned around and asked no one in particular what they wanted us to do! Finally a man started yelling at us in Spanish. We quickly let him know that it didn't matter how loud he yelled, we weren't going to understand his command. After a while we understood that he wanted us to get inside the care and he was going to push our bumper with his until we came to an off ramp. Praise the Lord for our Spanish speaking angel!
That same day, after getting back to the ranch and jogging off some frustration, I jumped in the pool to cool off, only to find several minutes later, my poor phone drowning on the bottom of the pool. I've been told that I should have had a smart phone, so it would have known how to swim.
Several days later, our driver had her phone stollen off her car seat. Around that same time, Kayla Cook, one of my favorite team members, passed out at a Jewish man's door. THIS WAS NOT IN THE PLAN!!! We know that Satan doesn't like what we're doing, but there comes a point that you wonder what part is Satan and what part is just plain stupidity. Needless to say we were getting discouraged. I used to begin each day telling the girls what a great day it was going to be, but I began telling them that we'd probably get run over or kidnapped, but it would still be a good day because God makes no mistakes.
Last Friday we saw 4 people saved and we were so excited! We were able to talk to two Muslim men who were desperately searching for the truth. We gave them the gospel and although they were not ready to claim Christ as their Messiah, the door was left wide open for a pastor to come back and pray with them and continue to share the message of Jesus Christ. We were thrilled... and pretty amazed that nothing bad had happened all day. No literally - we were a little sceptical. This never happens to us! That night I spent the entire night in the ER with Kayla while they tried to figure out what was causing her to faint. So, maybe Satan was still fighting.
It wasn't until Thursday that our whole group was able to go out together again. Sickness was tugging down two of my girls and it was all we could do to get from day to day without losing one or the other. I was tired. They were tired. We were a mess. Welcome Friday - the last day of our work week - and we get hit by a car. We are all healing up well, but there are times when I ask God, "Why." However, it is not my place to question God. As Job said, "Shall we receive good from the hand of the Lord and not evil also?" God does not make mistakes, and through it all I am learning to trust.
We would very much appreciate any prayer that you can spare. Kayla Cook went home to heal and to figure out what was causing her fainting. Her plan is to come back at the beginning of August. Amanda Price went home to heal and found out that she has a spinal injury that is going to require several weeks of physical therapy. Ashley Maynard is experiencing minor back and neck pain which the doctor attributes to tight muscles along her spine. However, she is going to tough it out and has already returned to work. I am experiencing some chest pain due to what the doctor believes is an irritated rib connection that hurts but is definitely not fatal. Praise the Lord I am back on the battlefield!
God is good and makes no mistakes. I must admit that the relentless attack of Satan was beginning to take its toll. However, this morning I was reminded that sometimes we will grow weary and we will fall.

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the end of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youth shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
God has not given up on me. It is no3 a sin to grow weary. Even the youngest and strongest will do it. But it is the just man that riseth up again. And it is God that gives the strength to stand.

MY DAD IS:

Amazing!!!
Brilliant - (You know it's true!)
Cautious - You think before you act.
Dedicated - More than anyone I know.
Energetic - You live with a passion.
Fantastic - Well, I think you are! And you've got at least 11 more fans.
Godly - Thank you for my heritage.
Handsome - Even more so than Charlton Heston.
Independent - But reliant on God
Just What I Needed - God makes no mistakes!
Kind
Loving - I love you too!
Merciful - 'Cause if you weren't I probably wouldn't be here now.
Not Normal - We are called to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works. You are.
Only Mine - I'm not gonna share.
Persistent - The just man falleth seven times, but riseth up again.
Quiet - I have watched you for years take time to be still and recognize God.
Respectful - You are not a respecter of persons based on their color, ethnicity, or social standing. This is an attribute of God and I admire it in you.
Sweet - There's no denying it, Dad. I caught you!
Trustworthy - When I need counsel you are the first person I turn to. You have wisdom from years of living and you have invested so much into me. Thank you.
Ultra Cool - :) When I grow up, I want to be just like you! ... Just a little more feminine.
Valuable - I'm not about to trade you in or let you go!
Wise - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
X-tremely Handsome - Oh wait. I think I already said that. :) But it's true.
Yielded - To God. You are my hero and my example.
Z - Hmmm... well, you're not a zebra... I guess I'll just say this: You are A to Z to me. I love you and I am so thankful for you. Thank you for loving God and giving to me a Godly heritage. I am so proud to call you mine.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!

A Rock That Is Higher Than I

This poem is dedicated to my girls: Amanda, Ashley, and Kayla. Praising God that there is a much wiser and much more dependable foundation than me. :)




If I were the top - we'd all be in trouble!
If I were the master - we'd all surely die!
If I were the shelter - the storms would destroy us!
But - there is a Rock that is higher than I!

There is a tower of refuge awaiting
For any who choose to enter His gate.
There is a perfect encompassing mercy
For any whose heart in His hands will place

Psalm 61:1-2
"Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Week 11 - Still Breathing!

It's almost Tuesday and I am just now finding time to write about last week. Last week was crazy but fun. We've got a lot more nailed down, which lightened the stress load, and made getting up each morning seem a little less daunting.
This last week flew by! Any girl in the group will tell you the same. Week one seemed more like three weeks and week two seemed more like three days. For this we can only thank God. Our bodies are adjusting to the heat and humidity, our muscles are getting used to the exercise, and our minds are getting more accustomed to talking to people from all sorts of nations and cultures.
It makes me smile to think of all the humorous stories we all will have to tell when this adventure comes to an end. For instance, the Armenian man who hollered at us for coming to his door. It went something like this - (notice: insert heavy accent) "Why you come to my door? I tell I not believe in God! I tell you not to come to my door! This is free country! You not allowed to knock on my door!" When I tried to explain to him how sorry we were, but that we'd never knocked on his door before, he yelled at us more and told us that he recognized us. Pretty wrapped up in his tirade, he forgot that he was supposed to keep his daughter's dog inside. "Chester" ran away and then his daughter started yelling at the man who was yelling at us. He stormed inside and we helped find the little dog. The nice Christian neighbor lady we had talked to only minutes before witnessed the whole thing and told us that he was always grouchy that way, that he hated Christian, but that our helping find Chester was "a point for Him."
The highlight of my week was talking to a Jewish man named Chuck. He was incredibly friendly and spent several minutes talking our ears off about his work and how unfriendly people in Miami are. We told him that we were Baptist and instead of throwing the packet back at us, he told us that he was very intrested in reading it and he invited us to come back. Pray that this man's heart will be opened to the gospel and that when we go back we will have a wide open door to present the gospel. Also pray that we will be ready for any questions or acusations that he might have. We're excited to see what God will do, knowing that He makes no mistakes. Thank you for your prayer!
In Christ,
Rebekah

My Day by Day and Door to Door Friend

I have a friend they know not of.
He's with me all the day.
He gently bids me to keep on.
He lights the darkest way.

They mock at me, They scorn His name,
They hope to see me fall;
But lovingly He hold my hand
And bids me love them all.

The doors may slam, the words may cut,
Yet as I face the next
I turn to Him and remind Him that
He's promised His Word to bless.

I have a friend they know not of.
I'm holding to His hand.
And with His heart so close to mine
I'll fear not any man.

Psalms 31:20-21
"Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
Blessed be the Lord: for he hath shewed me His marvellous kindness in a strong city."

Jewish Outreach: 1 week down - 11 more to go

This week has been unlike any week I've ever lived. It's a good thing too, because I hate to get board. Every day has been physically and spiritually taxing. My trust in God is constantly being tested, and I pray that my faith in Him has grown.
For those who don't know, a group of 37 young ladies have been sent to Miami, Florida to reach as many Jewish people as possible. Miami has a very high population of Jewish families. This project is founded and funded by Tom Canter, a Jewish businessman who loves his nation, his people, and his God. He is using the finances God has blessed him with to reach into the homes of thousands of Jewish families across this country. We get to be his hands as he, and in turn we, invest in eternity. We are taking the gospel of salvation to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.
Our first priority is to get the information he has prepared into their hands. Often they will refuse it. Like most Americans they are content with where they are in life and, in there minds, nothing we have to offer could possibly be of any worth to them. Other times, they will graciously take the packet of information and we can only pray that they will actually watch the DVD or read the booklet.
There are also those who will insist that we summarize the message in the packet before they consider accepting it. This demand opens up an opportunity for us to personally present Jesus Christ as the crucified, risen, and returning Messiah for all men.
This occurrence is actually quite rare. It is also very unlikely that in such a case, we will ever be able to persuasively argue someone to Christ on their doorstep. However, the opportunity to present the gospel and the prophesies of the old covenant fulfilled through Jesus Christ is an amazing responsibility. Please pray that we will be studied up and ready to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. Pray that we will remember to present the gospel with the same grace with which it was given to us.
This summer ministry is an amazing one but certainly not an easy one. We need your prayer. Israel needs your prayer.
I talked to a very kind Jewish gentleman named Dave who explained to me that what we are doing is incredibly offensive to them because they view it as a modern day crusade. At first we may scoff at this accusation, but he explained that if he were to become a "Christian Jew" his children would be much more likely to marry non-Jewish Christians. If this were to happen, his grandchildren would be half Jewish. Which in the opinion of most Jews, would make them not Jewish at all, thus silently destroying the Jewish nation in a few short generations.
I explained to him how very sorry I was that he felt that way. I then explained to him how our identity cannot come from our heritage, our culture, or our color. Our identity comes from within. God sees the soul, and it is the spirit of man that God loves and sent His son to restore.
We parted on friendly terms and he was even willing to keep the packet from Brother Canter. Please pray that the seed that was sown will grow, and that Dave will understand his need for salvation.
Many other interesting things have happened in the last week including a broken down car, a couple of pit bulls, compliment, and complaints. But, lest I run the risk of boring you, I will conclude now. Thank you for your prayer as we continue to try to love people to Christ.
Sincerely Serving the Savior,
Rebekah Tracht

Puzzle Pieces

"Our experiences resemble a jigsaw puzzle...
When it is all ready, we shall find that the dark pieces of the puzzle were as important in the completion of the full beauty of the pattern as the bright sections.
The dark background will only bring out in bolder and more gorgeous relief the figures in the picture, in the center of which will be His lovely face..."
- M.R. Deltann

"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than man." - 1st Corinthinas 1:25

Who are we to question God?

I Forgot - But He was Holding Out His Hand

Oh Lord God,

How dimly now the path is lit before me.
How darkly now the trees and shadows loom.
How quickly now I try to find my own way
By groping down a path that leads to doom.

But then my ears pick up Your still small whisper
When finally in defeat I humbly lay.
"Get up, My Child." And gently I am lifted.
Shamefacedly, I turn to You and say:

"I forgot that You were walking right beside me.
I forgot that You had offered me Your hand.
I forgot You never took from me Your goodness.
I forgot - until I fell in shifting sand."

Oh God, how often I forget Your tender mercies.
How often I refuse Your daily care.
Until brought low by toil and by trouble,
How often I foget that You are there.

Lord, please pick me up and I will humbly follow.
I will follow, Lord, wherever You will lead.
I will hold Your hand and trust Your gentle whisper.
I will love You, and Your charges I will heed.

"I forgot that You were walking right beside me.
I forgot that You have offered me Your hand.
I fogot You never take from me Your goodness.
I forgot - but now in Your grace I'll stand."