Gypsy Rose Blog by Tig

January 16th, 2010

How does one see the world around us? I see it all and love the beauty of God's creation. Every little detail of even the trees and plants are a delight to look upon. The beauty of buildings that man creates are quite amazing. The world is a huge wonderful place filled with surprises beyond your wildest dreams. To explore path ways to new peoples and cultures is eye opening. The nations are our inheritance. Psalm 2:8 is my favorite scripture. I am sitting her tonight writing to you because I am thinking of how much God loves the nations and how He will give them to us if we only ask.

I can remember so well the sounds of palm branches swaying in the wind when I would rise to write and study God's Word when I lived in Spain. It is a soothing noise that made me rush to the window to watch the movement of these stately trees. If I let go to just think on it, I can hear the noisy streets. Hundreds of shoes and heels clicking on the tile floors or brick streets, people's laughter calling to you so that you actually wanted to join in, dogs barking, the loud screeches of street hawkers selling their wares, the flapping of pigeons wings as a little child scatters them with his little cry of joy. It is a noise I can hear almost constantly in my heart when I remember. Hundreds of voices all talking, gossiping, and stirring emotions mixed with the morning and the outdoor cafes serving morning churros and strong coffee.

The streets are always filled with people in the cities and even small villages. The shops are open and the markets lure you to buy fish for your mid-day meal. Vegetables are resting in neat stacks all adorned with their glorious colors waiting to be purchased for a great dish.One that is filled with spices, onions, and garlic. Oh, how the smells waft on the morning air tempting you to invite yourself to dinner. It can starve you, that is for sure.

I was thinking tonight of quotes as well as memorable moments. I have often been inspired with quotes. I will share one of my favorites and then go to bed to read before I sleep. I hope you like it and remember to pray for the nations.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover" Mark Twain

God bless you my friends,

Dale (Tig)

A Camel For Your Desert

Gypsy Rose Blog by Tig

I will never forget this moment in Africa. I guess some people might think me a little wild and others might think of me as a little crazy. But my desire to ride a camel on the sandy shores of an ancient village opened a door for a man to find Christ.

What an amazing animal this woolly beast is. Their reputation to spit was not reigned on me of which I was extremely grateful. This lumbering animal is much more graceful than he looks. He is truly a ship in the desert. He can carry huge amounts of goods and walk long distances through the hot desert. His skin and hair is used for many things, he is ridden into battle and often he is even used as food. I prefer to just ride them, not eat them.

To sit atop this gallant stead was a thrill and as his huge feet gently touched the sand I could see my reflection.I felt like the queen of the Nile but there was not Nile and I am no queen. If my mother could see me now was all I could think about. God used this short ride on this tall guy to help me reach a Muslim man with the message of Christ Jesus. I shall never forget the laughter of the little curly headed man when he confessed Jesus as Lord and spoke in tongues with me. It was a moment to never be forgotten. I pray for him and many others who have chosen to believe in Christ in spite of the danger it could be to them.

How would you like to take a journey and ride a camel as he lopes down the shore with you bumping up and down on the saddle, sitting high over his hump? Perhaps we can go together someday.

God bless you my friends,

Dale (Tig)

Think big, that is how you accomplish great things for the Lord

Put God first and He will lift you and exalt you for His glory

Give the glory to God and walk in humility, you will be glad you did

Remember regrets are the past holding you back from the future God has for you

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Gypsy Rose Blog by Tig

I Chronicles 28: 9

As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him you will be found by Him.

I love this quote I heard it once but not sure where it comes from. "The blossom that blooms in the greatest adversity is the most beautiful of all." Plants struggle sometimes in heat, cold and lack of water but often they continue to bloom. Have you ever seen a little flower or plant growing in a rock or a small hole with little if any dirt?

The life we live is sometimes a struggle making it hard to live in the adversity we face. We all face life situations that can stir us into depression or pain. It is, in these times that we must keep on growing and to bloom where we are planted. It would be easier to wither and die but to live is glorious. Look at the lovely flower in the photo. What if it were barely hanging on and all shriveled up? Would we enjoy it as much? Would it give glory to the creator?

I guess God is talking to me as I write to you. Keep on smiling and pressing in to obtain the Word of God in your life.. for Jesus said He is the burden bearer and He will lift us up. We cannot make light of pain and sadness but we can become beautiful as we march through and overcome the adversity that comes to steal and kill our life, our bodies, our hope, and our dreams.

Words of Wisdom

Remember God is at the helm of your earthly ship, let Him guide

Follow the footsteps of Christ.. HE was more than an over comer as He made us to be

Bloom where you are planted and let God take your blossoms to the world

Reach out to others and help people but lead them to Christ.. He does the best job in changing lives and situations

Be a blessing and encourage one another and rest in Him

Tig (Dale)

World Rescuers

As Many As the Sands of The Sea

Gypsy Rose Blog by Tig

It was under one of those incredible star lit nights in Texas when God joined me in the front yard.

One of those hot summer nights when there was no breeze and we had no air conditioner. After miserably rolling and tossing I needed a breath of air. I recall it very well, it was almost two in the morning. Night creatures we humming and screeching their little violins and songs were coming forth of a long hot summer. The air was filled with a slight coolness and I knew there was a surprise coming, it filled the air. As I slipped quietly down the hall to step onto the front porch I grabbed my Grandmother's hand sewn quilt so I could lay on the grass.

Of course being a country girl, I checked for rattle snakes and centipedes. They crawl on the hot cement at night to find relief from the heat or to warm their bellys if it is cool. Relief, did i say relieft from heat, there were none. My feet felt like dancing into the yard. There was a tense excitement about my little adventure to lay under the starry sky in my pajamas. We lived out of town so was not worried about traffic and all was quiet on the country front so to speak.

The crunchy grass crackled under my house shoes. There was a slight movement of air making it better than the hot stale air inside the house. With a snap of my wrists the light weight quilt flipped into the air with a popping sound, then it began to fold slowly onto the ground. After checking my surroundings once again I thought to myself. Now, I will sit for awhile and enjoy the Jesus light show.

It was a spectacular sight. One of those truly special heavenly spectacles. I flopped onto the blanket. A peace settled in and what a moment filled with marvel at God's wonders took my attention. Something sat down beside me and I jumped as I quickly turned to see who it was. Someone was there but He was invisible. I could feel Him and such a comfort it was. Father God had come to sit with me. It was so real I could feel Him so I talked. "Father, I want to travel the world and do good things for you. Can I?"

"Dale, do you remember what I told Abraham when we stood under the stars one night long ago?" I said yes and He then told me about the grains of the sea and the stars of the sky. He talked about the promise Father Abraham had received about all those many descendants. "Now, you will help Him and I to fulfill that promise." Then HE was gone from my immediate presence. I knew HE was still with me but I knew HE had manifested Himself in a way I had never felt before.

Startling emotions stirred around in me. It was overwhelming. I lay back to gaze in that black deepness watching stars twinkle and something was racing in a chariot up there, was it a star chasing another? Nasa says they do this. Or was it one of God's children taking a joy ride? It did not matter to me,I had been with God and I would never be the same again.

I lay there asking God, "Now, how in the world will I travel the word write books and save souls as you have told me tonight?" There is no possible way to do all you told me to do. God would show me and teach me many things before he released me to live by faith and strike out in complete faith. Many times with one way tickets and only a small amount of daily supply. Never did I suffer or go without and many times even going beyond what could possibly be done to take one more place for Jesus. I lived a life of intrigue, adventure, obedience, and great trust. I shall always be grateful for all God did to help me find my path.

There were no instructions, no great wisdom, no words came out of heaven but I somehow knew I was to obey His voice and hide the words He had spoken to me. Hide them in my heart,I did just that. I did and He did and twenty years later I was joined to a Bible school there meeting several missionaries and ministers. I had prayed for doors and opportunities wondering how it would happen. I kept faith vigil until I found the path to take. One door, one step, one act of obedience to do what was at hand to do.

Now, fifteen years later God has taken me to nations and numerous times many of the 23 lands visited, I have brought the good news of Jesus to many many people and He has saved multitudes. I can not brag except on God and His mighty power to provide, teach, and direct. One hand of sand has many grains... look at all the sands of the seas and deserts. It is amazing to think of it all but when it is God speaking it comes to pass.

God does not give us overcoming life--He gives us life as we overcome. Spiritual life and power comes after we get up and get going. WE have to take the intuitive.

God bless you my friends, Tig (Dale)

Moonbeams on a Shimmering River

Gypsy Rose Blog by Tig January 6,2010

Hi everyone, today I had two lovely fellow missionaries over for dinner. They have moved near us. It was delightful to see them so we talked and talked.

They are gone now so I wanted to write to you before reading myself to sleep. I was doing that very thing the other day. It inspired me to write a short version of a night I can never forget.

Moon Beams Kiss the River

The old Mercedes taxi sped toward our small village as night crept in to place its darkness on the light of day. What a day it had been. Bibles given out and much walking gave way for meditation. Thoughts of the people I had come to love and live among were drifting through my mind. Mixed emotions too deep to be expressed stirred within my mind and heart.

Deep within my inward being tears lurked. A cry of a wounded animal pushed its way up my throat. I choked it down so as not to disturb the others in the car. It was a cry of pain beyond belief. Leaving, it was time to leave again when all I wanted to do was move and live among this ancient people group. Hoping to bring them more of the knowledge of the Bible and Jesus.

I was always leaving my tears upon the lands I had embraced. 23 nations in fact have had the tears of this weeping prophet upon them. God told me in the 70's that I would hear the cries of many nations and would find my path leading me to carry the good news of Christ to them.

A lovely breeze blew in the window as I leaned closer to peer into the darkening horizon. There was a huge yellow moon in the sky. It was so close I felt I could reach out and touch it. Then it happened. We crossed a narrow river. Wind stirred up the waters and ripples could be clearly seen. The dark of the night upon the waters made it look black. Shimmering movements of white and grey churned up as the wind moved upon the water.

As we neared this scene the most incredible display of moonbeams came from the heavens to touch the river. It was like a leak had occurred in the moon and it was pouring its yellow liquid beams into the water. Shivers ran across my shoulders, my heart raced. It is so hard to describe this scene. It was one of those things in life you take a mental photo and wish you could have caught it on camera. Warm tears ran down my face as I privately talked to Father God. Thank you for this. I will come again if you are willing. I did come again, a few more times ; then my season ended and God began speaking to me of taking a new nation, Israel.

I have seen many displays of the moon but this extraodinary sight was the best ever. I can only say, it was God and I were sharing a deep secret that night. Then someone laughed, the taxi passed so quickly. I only wish we could have sat and stared as we worshipped our creator.

Tig's Golden Nuggets

Laugh well and laugh long

Kick the devil with the Word of God and have the last laugh

Let your heart laugh when it is troubled

There is a season to laugh, then there too; is a season to cry

Sarah laughed but so did Abraham ( look it up) but they had the child God promised

I have laughed outside my tent as well when God told me I would travel the world, BUT I DID

Many times I took to the road or the air to go to a land God had talked to me about.

I did it by faith and wisdom, trusting and obeying to go where God said go.

God bless you my dears, this young woman in Christ is ready to send this off and head for the reading and sleeping room.

Tig John 3:16

Gypsy Rose Blog by Tig 1/3/2010

Tonight I am up late thinking of the world with its many troubles.

But this comes to mind as I meditate. Be not troubled! This is what Jesus told His disciples. Are we not His children and disciples? A disciple is a seeker? Are you seeking?

God has instructed me to seek Him like never before. To be prepared to stand for truth. To be ready to face what is coming. Do not put your head in the sand like the ostrich. Put on the armor of God and use the sword of God's Word. Be a lion roaring louder than the enemy. Blow the trumpet in Zion and wherever you are.

I cooked a nice meal, talked to a fellow Christian about life and the Word and read most of the day. I prayed for my little friend today who is in the hospital. It is time to find some sleep. So I will sign off now. Blessings to you my readers.

If you always understand that people are in your life for a reason you will never be angry. Unknown "oops that makes me say ouch."

Roller Coaster Ride of Life

Gypsy Rose Blog by Tig Jan. 1,2010

Before I say much tonight I want to thank God for this man, my husband. HE and I have been married for almost 43 years now, February 12 is our anniversary. HE has stood by me through thick and thin and God gave him the ability to send me around the world and sacrifice his comforts of having a wife at home for certain periods of time.

For this let's give a big shout of praise to God. He was in Spain with me in this photo and he helped me in Mexico, the Bahamas, and also in Ireland. He loved it and says he will go again. He is a home body but who knows what God will do in this new year. Who knows? But this we do know, someday HE is coming back and we are all praying for this. To see our King in all His glory! Wow!!

Well everyone, this is the first day of a new beginning which is 2010. What will you do with this year or what will you face? Do you like new beginnings? Sometimes I do, then there are times I wish it could just stay the same. But, life does change and we must make adaptions along with the changes.

Life also has it ups and downs and I often like to teach this illustration...life can be like a roller coaster ride filled with many ups and downs and many circles which offer opportunites to scream. I say, let's just scream Jesus, stand up and shout your faith, then ride it out while he helps us get back on tract. Scream Jesus whether you are going up or down. It all keeps you going and walking in His might and power.

Often life offers great moments then it comes along and gives some fear or pain and sorrow. I can't say I have always done well when pain came, but I can tell you I did overcome because I wanted more than anything to be more like Jesus. We are more than over comers in Christ and through Christ. I have discovered, it was often my attitude or my lack of following God when things went wrong.

Here is the best thing to do, scream Jesus name speaking the Word of God and get on with it. Yes, some of you might say, well take your own advice. Well, I have and I think I might just scream Jesus a little louder. The devil does not like us when we preach the gospel. He lays traps for each of us but those who win souls and preach the Word of God are especially prime targets. So pray for those who take the responsibility and encourage your pastors, your teachers, evangelists, and of course one another for each of us are priests and kings to our Lord.

God bless you and join me in making this year a year to put Jesus first not neglecting our love for Him

Roger and Dale (Tig)