The Snyders in Germany: life

the days were long, but the year flew by

Friday, December 14, 2012
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Renewed. Refreshed. Rekindled.

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.

-proverbs 29:18

two months ago we were like people without vision, at least without a
long-term/passion-filled/Lord-leading/heart-stirring vision.

but then, we attended the Calvary Chapel Church Planting Conference.
the one we'd been waiting for
the one we'd stayed in california to attend
the one that we hope would give answers to our questions

and it was
AMAZING

better than we could of hoped.

the speakers were great
the location was amazing
there was great food, fellowship,
and focus.

it was at this conference that we met, Pastor Rolf
he's from Lippstadt, Germany
his church plant is about 5-6 years old
they have around 30-40 regular attendees
(50 at Christmastime!)
but they are still struggling a bit

that's where we come in!

we spent a lot of time with Rolf,
probably the majority of our freetime..
it was great, speaking german, walking, talking, praying.

he shared the needs of his church
and we stood there in awe thinking
"is he referring to us?!"
because seriously, as he spoke,
it was like he was describing us!

so blah blah blah, after lots of prayer and details...
we are now planning a six week vision tour to Lippstadt
the hope is that Aaron will become their Assistant Pastor/youth leader
and I would help in the women's ministry and children's ministry.
it's so amazing because the Lord has already worked out so many details!
we know we are eligible to receive german health insurance,
which we couldn't get last time around.
our flights have been purchased graciously by our home church here!
THANK YOU LORD.
and Rolf may just have found us an apartment, right above the church
in the center of town!

so, on our "vision tour" we are praying to receive visas, with the option to work,
to secure an apartment
to make good connections with the church in Lippstadt
and to make sure this is the will of God.

this is our Macedonian call...
the one Aaron prayed for.

[read acts 16]

our asia, was Hamburg
our Mysia, was L.A.
and our Macedonia is Lippstadt.
God is so good.
and He knows exactly where He wants us!

as a prerequisite to acquiring visas we must show proof that we will have regular contributions
because we are legally forbidden to work/earn any money for our first year.
right now our monthly expenses are estimated to be about $1000/month for our whole family;
we have faith that God will provide for our every need.
anyone wishing to help meet this goal can give to:

Calvary Nexus along with, Aaron or Amy Snyder in the memo of check.

thanks for reading, we are so grateful for you all...
the snyders

stayed tuned for posts on:
Lippstadt- the city// the people// the purpose

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"If God wills the evangelization of the world, and you refuse to support missions, then you are opposed to the will of God."
- Oswald J. Smith

Saturday, December 01, 2012
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romans 14:3

conviction

Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.

the Lord reminded me of this verse recently and i thought it fit to share some of the things God was speaking to me :) so often we are quick to judge, quick to think our way is the best way, i know this is something i struggle with and the Lord has really been showing me i need to humble myself. romans 14:3 (above) paired with james 4:17 "So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." show that it's important for us to submit to the convictions placed on our lives and not to judge when others do not seem to have the same convictions. it has happened recently and in the past that when mr. s and i were holding to our convictions to abstain from things etc, often there was just such of feeling of judgement that came.. feeling left out by friends because we didn't enjoy doing the same things they did, well more like didn't feel the liberty to do the things they were doing, or just some comments from people made that were making it seem like because they chose to be apart of something that that was the "better" way. and that isn't true. it can't be "better" if the people who are abstaining are doing so because of a conviction they have been given by God. now that doesn't mean what they're doing is wrong, but judging someone because they choose not to do something, i believe that is wrong. i will totally admit that sometimes i have wondered "why don't others share my conviction?" and in the end the Lord just reassures me that He will instruct all of His children in His time. it gives me peace to know that my only job is to be obedient to what the Lord has spoken, and to not be ashamed of the decisions i make based on these convictions. i will openly speak about what God has spoken to me, because i think most of what me and mr. snyder do has biblical support but in the end its God who will approve or deny a person. its really beautiful because it shows God's intimacy. that its not just a set of rules, but they are personalized and sometimes the rules change and vary. :) God is so good. i would write more boldly but i just don't feel peace about doing so at this time. so, whether you went out trick or treating, stayed home and watched a movie, or went to church, i hope you made your decisions based on your convictions and love for God :) in the end He is all the really matters. don't neglect that still small voice who tells you what is right and wrong. listen and obey in faith.

with love,

mrs. s

Thursday, November 01, 2012
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deer

"As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God."

When shall I come and appear before God?" - Psalm 42:1-2

In this Psalm the author likens his soul's thirsting for God to that of a deer panting for life-giving water. This is because a deer, when fleeing from an adversary becomes quickly hot, stressed and fatigued. Since it has fur it is unable to be cooled by sweating and instead begins panting in an effort to cool its body. This is just like a dog which also pants for the same reasons. Have you ever seen a heavily panting dog drink? Disgusting right? Does the dog exercise self-control in order to drink in a more dignified and civilized manor? No! The dog laps water as if his life depends on it because really it does. If the dog is unable to refresh and cool himself he will get heat exhaustion and die. In the same way we must recognize that apart from God we will certainly collapse and die. As it is written,

"If [God] should set his heart to it

and gather to himself his spirit and his breath,

all flesh would perish together,

and man would return to dust." (Job 34:14-15)

And

"When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust." (Psalm 104:29)

How then are we to keep God's breath and spirit from departing from our bodies? We must continually refresh our bodies by sleep and sustenance especially water. Our bodies are so dependent upon water that our lives should be considered directly linked to water. Especially in the middle-east where this Psalm was written all creatures know this one equation best:

WATER is LIFE.

If then water is life and God is as water for our souls then God is life and we must drink of his Spirit in order to refresh our souls.

So then what keeps you from pursuing the Living God? Is he not worth ANY cost? Will you let your prideful heart rob you of this true life? If you would drink to save your body will not drink to save your eternal soul? To hell with your stubborn pride! Who cares what others may think? This water of the Holy Spirit is valuable beyond any price. Should you work your whole life to get only one drink of this life-giving it would be a small price to pay for such an incredible eternal salvation. And yet you could not afford this water so God gave up his only son Jesus, the Christ to pay the price for you. And so now you look upon the eternal well-spring of life which is offered freely for you on his behalf. All you have to do is drink. "Taste and see that the LORD is good!" (Psalm 34:8) He will not make you drink. Though it is totally free and beyond price you are not forced to swallow this refreshing and life-giving water. But how can you escape eternal doom and torment if you neglect such a great opportunity? How will you escape if you neglect such a great salvation?

I know it is scary. I know others have lied and told you that the waters are poison. But even if this drink should cost you your life it will only mark the beginning of your true life with him.

So drop your pride, bend you knees, lift up your face and say, "God I need you. Please come into me and fill me and give me this life that comes only from you. For this I would pay any price but since I cannot pay I accept Jesus' sacrifice. Thank you. . .

Mr. Snyder

Sunday, August 26, 2012
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blessing or sacrifice?

baby

staying at home with baby has been positively one of the best things ever! ya know, something i've realized is that somebody needs to raise your children. why not you? i mean, why have children if only to pass off the work to somebody else? I am not talking about every now and then because, obviously it's important to get a break, but full time is something different. How glorious to raise up godly children! What a delight to know all the hard work you put in, will someday hopefully have an eternal payout! I know some people think it's "not possible" these days... but it is. Mr. S and I are living proof. yes, there will be sacrifices, like maybe you won't be able to buy a brand new car, or have every possession you desire, but you will know your children are being raised to know God, they will know they are loved, and isn't that worth the sacrifice of "things"?! but i don't even know if "sacrifice" is the right word, because the blessing is far greater! aaron and i have not lacked a single thing by me staying home, and it's even more beautiful/glorious/amazing because he hasn't had work since february! and yet STILL the Lord provides :) but it's really our responsibility in the end, as in, we have to make good choices now, or else yes both parents do need to work due to financial commitments made. now for example, before making a big purchase, example: a new car, determine, is it going to be possible to carry on such financial burdens when a child comes (without both parents working)? if eating out is something that is regular, consider... eating in. take the time to prepare your breakfast lunch and dinners. it's amazing the amount of money saved, and add onto that the time you have to search out good deals because you aren't at work, tired, and in a rush to just eat anything. you can meal plan, bargain hunt, and add that special ingredient to all that's made... love. it really is a blessing to be able to serve up a warm meal to your husband after he's been gone working all day. though there are definitely challenges. planning out the week's meals ahead of time is such a help to the 'what should i cook' question, and that is both time and cost effective! being a stay-at-home mom doesn't mean you don't do work, not at all! it's just your work is in your home. there is nothing wrong with a wife/mom who does side work/part time even on the side. in fact that's what we see modeled by the proverbs 31 woman. the point is more rather, is your full time job outside the home? the Bible teaches us to be good stewards of all our resources, our time, treasures, and talents. how is the Lord teaching you to be a good steward? are you being faithful with that which has been entrusted to you(money, care of your home, and children)? i hope so! i don't write any of this to condemn anyone or to say there is one right way, but i think it's something important for women and parents to consider... i'll leave y'all with this verse

"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." -colossians 3:2

until next time,
mrs. s

Tuesday, July 17, 2012
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The Snyders in Germany

the days were long, but the year flew by

Renewed. Refreshed. Rekindled.

romans 14:3

blessing or sacrifice?

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