WEBVTT NOTE This file was exported by MacCaption version 7.0.11 to comply with the WebVTT specification dated March 23, 2013. 00:00:00.667 --> 00:00:02.936 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% male announcer: The following program is sponsored by friends 00:00:02.936 --> 00:00:05.939 align:start line:85% position:44% size:78% of Life Outreach International. 00:00:07.341 --> 00:00:10.344 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Ruth Chou Simons: And I got the call that most moms would not 00:00:10.344 --> 00:00:12.112 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% like to get on a Saturday morning. 00:00:12.112 --> 00:00:15.082 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% announcer: A frightening accident taught Ruth Chou Simons 00:00:15.082 --> 00:00:18.785 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% what it meant to cast her anxieties onto God. 00:00:18.785 --> 00:00:22.756 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Ruth: As I slowed down and paid attention and rehearsed the 00:00:22.756 --> 00:00:27.294 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% truth out of 1 Peter 5:6-7, "Cast your anxieties on him 00:00:27.294 --> 00:00:30.631 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% because he cares for you," we can humble ourselves before the 00:00:30.631 --> 00:00:34.101 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Lord and cast our anxieties on him because he cares for you. 00:00:34.101 --> 00:00:36.103 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% announcer: Next. 00:00:36.103 --> 00:00:46.113 align:start line:85% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:00:46.113 --> 00:00:53.487 align:start line:85% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:00:53.487 --> 00:00:54.821 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Randy Robison: Welcome to "Life Today." 00:00:54.821 --> 00:00:56.556 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% I'm Randy Robison. Great to see you today. 00:00:56.556 --> 00:00:58.392 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Blynda Lane joins me. How you doing, Blynda? 00:00:58.392 --> 00:01:00.060 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Blynda Lane: Hello, I'm good, Randy, how are you? 00:01:00.060 --> 00:01:01.695 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% Randy: It's good, okay, so I'm gonna say something 00:01:01.695 --> 00:01:03.563 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% that we--if you've been in church, and even 00:01:03.563 --> 00:01:05.332 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% if you haven't, you've probably heard it. 00:01:05.332 --> 00:01:08.135 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% "God loves you." 00:01:08.135 --> 00:01:09.469 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% We know this is true. 00:01:09.469 --> 00:01:10.904 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Blynda: This is a really good statement. 00:01:10.904 --> 00:01:12.506 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% Randy: Here's the hard question. 00:01:12.506 --> 00:01:17.144 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Does it ever feel like, feel like, he doesn't care 00:01:17.144 --> 00:01:18.512 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% a little bit? 00:01:18.512 --> 00:01:20.247 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I mean, do you ever wonder, like, "God, I know you love me, 00:01:20.247 --> 00:01:22.516 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% but do you really care about what I'm going through?" 00:01:22.516 --> 00:01:24.551 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Blynda: Okay, Randy, you're really--you're going there. 00:01:24.551 --> 00:01:25.886 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Randy: I know, I know. Blynda: You're going there. 00:01:25.886 --> 00:01:29.089 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And this is a great question, because I think it's really 00:01:29.089 --> 00:01:34.594 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% valid, because we can feel God's love as a universal truth, but 00:01:34.594 --> 00:01:39.800 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% life comes in, kind of hits you, and you think, "How would a God 00:01:39.800 --> 00:01:41.835 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% who loves me let this happen?" 00:01:41.835 --> 00:01:43.203 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% And that can be really hard. 00:01:43.203 --> 00:01:45.138 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% So does he actually care for me is another question. 00:01:45.138 --> 00:01:46.873 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% Randy: It is, and we know he does, but it doesn't feel 00:01:46.873 --> 00:01:48.976 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% like--and I think the disciples went through this, you know, 00:01:48.976 --> 00:01:51.778 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% when they hit that storm in the boat and Jesus is right there 00:01:51.778 --> 00:01:53.113 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% with them. 00:01:53.113 --> 00:01:54.481 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% They were like, "Jesus, we know you're with us. 00:01:54.481 --> 00:01:56.216 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% We know you love us, but do you care what I'm going through?" 00:01:56.216 --> 00:01:57.551 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% Blynda: He was sleeping peacefully. 00:01:57.551 --> 00:01:58.885 align:start line:69% position:48% size:43% He was just fine. 00:01:58.885 --> 00:02:00.220 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Randy: All right, but we're gonna talk about that. 00:02:00.220 --> 00:02:03.523 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% There's a new book out called "The Way of the Wildflower." 00:02:03.523 --> 00:02:04.858 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Blynda: And I'm sorry, I have to show it. 00:02:04.858 --> 00:02:06.226 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% It is beautiful. 00:02:06.226 --> 00:02:07.561 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% Randy: It is really pretty. 00:02:07.561 --> 00:02:08.929 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% Blynda: It is such a pretty book. 00:02:08.929 --> 00:02:10.263 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% Randy: It's not just writing, it's art. 00:02:10.263 --> 00:02:11.598 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% Blynda: It is. 00:02:11.598 --> 00:02:13.166 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% Randy: And the artist is with us, as is the writer. 00:02:13.166 --> 00:02:15.302 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% All one person, Ruth Chou Simons. 00:02:15.302 --> 00:02:16.636 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% Welcome to "Life Today." 00:02:16.636 --> 00:02:18.005 align:start line:69% position:47% size:58% Great to have you back. 00:02:18.005 --> 00:02:19.339 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% Ruth: It's so good to be here, you guys. 00:02:19.339 --> 00:02:21.341 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Blynda: I mean, truly you are so talented and gifted. 00:02:21.341 --> 00:02:23.844 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I can't wait for people to get this book to actually see how 00:02:23.844 --> 00:02:25.178 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% beautiful it is. 00:02:25.178 --> 00:02:27.848 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% But the content is what we're really talking about today 00:02:27.848 --> 00:02:29.783 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% because it's so great. 00:02:29.783 --> 00:02:31.418 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% "The Way of the Wildflower." 00:02:31.418 --> 00:02:34.721 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% So what I love about that is it brings an imagery up of, I can 00:02:34.721 --> 00:02:38.191 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% see wildflowers kind of blowing in the wind. 00:02:38.191 --> 00:02:39.526 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% Ruth: Here they're bluebonnets, right? 00:02:39.526 --> 00:02:40.861 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% Blynda: Here in Texas? 00:02:40.861 --> 00:02:42.229 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% Yes, true. 00:02:42.229 --> 00:02:44.331 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% So why did you name the book this? 00:02:44.331 --> 00:02:47.134 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Ruth: Yeah, you know, I live in west--southwest Colorado, in 00:02:47.134 --> 00:02:51.438 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Durango, and in the summer the wildflowers are all in bloom. 00:02:51.438 --> 00:02:54.174 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% We have different kinds of wildflowers, but it's, you know, 00:02:54.174 --> 00:02:58.445 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% growing up on mountainsides, and I think in some seasons where 00:02:58.445 --> 00:03:01.581 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I've really wrestled with that very thing that Randy was just 00:03:01.581 --> 00:03:05.485 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% saying, where I don't know if I can feel God's presence and I 00:03:05.485 --> 00:03:07.788 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% don't know if I feel like he's taking care of things, I've 00:03:07.788 --> 00:03:09.122 align:start line:69% position:50% size:45% taken these walks. 00:03:09.122 --> 00:03:12.092 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% And for so long I was taking these walks, noticing these 00:03:12.092 --> 00:03:17.531 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% wildflowers, and one of these times, I recall Jesus's words, 00:03:17.531 --> 00:03:19.766 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% "Consider how the wildflower grows. 00:03:19.766 --> 00:03:21.735 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% They don't toil or spin." 00:03:21.735 --> 00:03:24.204 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And I know he was talking about spinning thread, but I was like, 00:03:24.204 --> 00:03:25.539 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% "Oh, I'm spinning," you know? 00:03:25.539 --> 00:03:26.907 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% I'm spinning. 00:03:26.907 --> 00:03:29.309 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And so I really took it to heart and was like, well, let me 00:03:29.309 --> 00:03:32.412 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% consider how the wildflower grows, and I was noticing some 00:03:32.412 --> 00:03:37.584 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% of their ways, and pulled five different ones that I was 00:03:37.584 --> 00:03:42.055 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% noticing about how wildflowers live and exist, and started 00:03:42.055 --> 00:03:44.925 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% thinking, is this what you want me to understand about my 00:03:44.925 --> 00:03:46.259 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% life, God? 00:03:46.259 --> 00:03:50.030 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Like, can I learn something about the way a wildflower is 00:03:50.030 --> 00:03:53.366 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% and realize how much you're caring and taking care of me 00:03:53.366 --> 00:03:54.701 align:start line:69% position:50% size:21% as well? 00:03:54.701 --> 00:03:56.470 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Randy: To consider doesn't just mean like, "Yeah, oh, they're 00:03:56.470 --> 00:03:57.804 align:start line:69% position:50% size:31% over there." 00:03:57.804 --> 00:03:59.339 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% It means like, no, really think about this. 00:03:59.339 --> 00:04:03.110 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% So I love the fact that you've kind of drilled down into this 00:04:03.110 --> 00:04:08.381 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% whole idea that Jesus brought forth, to apply it to our lives. 00:04:08.381 --> 00:04:11.284 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% What are some of the, kind of just briefly, the key components 00:04:11.284 --> 00:04:12.919 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% that you saw? 00:04:12.919 --> 00:04:15.122 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And then we'll talk a little bit about how you had to live 00:04:15.122 --> 00:04:16.490 align:start line:69% position:48% size:18% it out. 00:04:16.490 --> 00:04:18.091 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Ruth: Well, first of all, I would just say, you know, that 00:04:18.091 --> 00:04:20.894 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% passage I'm citing in Luke 12, Jesus is talking about looking 00:04:20.894 --> 00:04:22.596 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% at the birds of the air right before that, right? 00:04:22.596 --> 00:04:25.665 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% He's saying, "Can anyone, by worrying, add an hour to 00:04:25.665 --> 00:04:27.000 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% your life? 00:04:27.000 --> 00:04:28.602 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% If you can't do that, why do you worry about the rest?" 00:04:28.602 --> 00:04:32.139 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% But I imagine him sitting there and going, "Okay, guys, don't 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:33.607 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% worry about your life. 00:04:33.607 --> 00:04:35.775 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Hmm, let me--how do I illustrate this for you? 00:04:35.775 --> 00:04:37.644 align:start line:63% position:50% size:41% Look up, look as high as you can. 00:04:37.644 --> 00:04:39.012 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% See that bird? 00:04:39.012 --> 00:04:42.516 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% That bird is not worried about where it's gonna build a nest 00:04:42.516 --> 00:04:44.384 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% and how it's gonna take care of itself. 00:04:44.384 --> 00:04:46.853 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And then, hmm, look over there, look at those flowers." 00:04:46.853 --> 00:04:51.191 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And so I imagine this picture of him going, "See how God's 00:04:51.191 --> 00:04:52.559 align:start line:69% position:48% size:43% already at work." 00:04:52.559 --> 00:04:55.896 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% So, in your life, you can look around and see how God is 00:04:55.896 --> 00:04:58.165 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% faithful, how he's taking care of things. 00:04:58.165 --> 00:05:02.969 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And so I noticed that wildflowers are dependent, they 00:05:02.969 --> 00:05:04.371 align:start line:69% position:50% size:35% are resilient. 00:05:04.371 --> 00:05:06.706 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% They're not in a hurry, they're unhurried. 00:05:06.706 --> 00:05:10.377 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% They are free, they're not all bound and nervous about staying 00:05:10.377 --> 00:05:12.245 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% in this one little spot. 00:05:12.245 --> 00:05:14.848 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And ultimately, that they're also beloved, they're unique. 00:05:14.848 --> 00:05:18.351 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And they're not trying to look just like another flower in the 00:05:18.351 --> 00:05:19.686 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% midst, you know? 00:05:19.686 --> 00:05:21.054 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% And so those were the five. 00:05:21.054 --> 00:05:23.223 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I'm sure there's so many other ways of the wildflower, but for 00:05:23.223 --> 00:05:25.258 align:start line:69% position:44% size:78% me those five really stood out. 00:05:25.258 --> 00:05:27.460 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Blynda: And what's, I think, important, the message we want 00:05:27.460 --> 00:05:32.299 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% to get there is that dependence and surrender that you see just 00:05:32.299 --> 00:05:33.667 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% in nature. 00:05:33.667 --> 00:05:37.437 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I mean, I love that he has--nature mimics exactly what 00:05:37.437 --> 00:05:41.942 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% he wants us to understand about him, is if he will clothe them 00:05:41.942 --> 00:05:45.145 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% in splendor, won't he do even more for us? 00:05:45.145 --> 00:05:48.815 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I mean, we're his children, and yet sometimes we let the worries 00:05:48.815 --> 00:05:53.520 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% of the world and anxiety bring us down, and we lose sight of 00:05:53.520 --> 00:05:55.789 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% who's really in charge, who we're surrendered to, and where 00:05:55.789 --> 00:05:57.357 align:start line:69% position:50% size:50% our dependence lies. 00:05:57.357 --> 00:06:01.761 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I feel like you know a little bit about this, because it's not 00:06:01.761 --> 00:06:04.397 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% just a book you wrote but you've had to live this out. 00:06:04.397 --> 00:06:08.068 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Ruth: Absolutely, I think all authors write books that are out 00:06:08.068 --> 00:06:12.239 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% of an experience or a journey, but you know, it's always kind 00:06:12.239 --> 00:06:14.941 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% of just like the Lord that as you write something, as you're 00:06:14.941 --> 00:06:18.245 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% working on something, he calls you to live that message out 00:06:18.245 --> 00:06:19.913 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% repeatedly, sometimes in the moment. 00:06:19.913 --> 00:06:22.549 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And you know, it's interesting while I was working on this 00:06:22.549 --> 00:06:26.219 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% project, I always know what I'm going to paint, but I write 00:06:26.219 --> 00:06:28.421 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% first because I want the content to lead. 00:06:28.421 --> 00:06:30.690 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% That really is the most important thing. 00:06:30.690 --> 00:06:34.628 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% For me, it really was about drawing our attention to what 00:06:34.628 --> 00:06:37.597 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% God's Word says about these cares and concerns in our lives. 00:06:37.597 --> 00:06:42.035 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% But I was a little behind on painting, and when I started the 00:06:42.035 --> 00:06:45.338 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% painting journey, I was kind of in this deadline where I knew I 00:06:45.338 --> 00:06:48.408 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% needed to get these paintings done, and I got the call that 00:06:48.408 --> 00:06:51.111 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% most moms would not like to get on a Saturday morning. 00:06:51.111 --> 00:06:54.247 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% And my third son, I'm a mama to six boys. 00:06:54.247 --> 00:06:55.749 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% Blynda: Six boys? Ruth: I know, it's crazy. 00:06:55.749 --> 00:06:58.718 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Blynda: I need everybody to hear that, six boys. 00:06:58.718 --> 00:07:01.421 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Ruth: And the old-- Blynda: And you call them-- 00:07:01.421 --> 00:07:04.791 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% Ruth: Man cubs, I do. And the oldest is now 24. 00:07:04.791 --> 00:07:08.128 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And so they're not all little boys anymore, but because I'm a 00:07:08.128 --> 00:07:11.197 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% mama to six boys I get calls like this, and I just wait it 00:07:11.197 --> 00:07:13.400 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% out and I go, you know, "Everybody okay? 00:07:13.400 --> 00:07:14.968 align:start line:69% position:50% size:45% How's the scrape?" 00:07:14.968 --> 00:07:18.738 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And my son had been on a mountain bike going over some 00:07:18.738 --> 00:07:20.740 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% jumps, and went over the handlebars and landed on 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:22.075 align:start line:69% position:48% size:23% his head. 00:07:22.075 --> 00:07:24.778 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And I wasn't immediately worried because I thought, "Okay, is 00:07:24.778 --> 00:07:27.447 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% everybody okay, keeping him still?" 00:07:27.447 --> 00:07:32.218 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% But he ended up being evacuated out of the mountains, and one of 00:07:32.218 --> 00:07:33.887 align:start line:69% position:50% size:81% his older brothers was with him. 00:07:33.887 --> 00:07:37.290 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And by the time the ER doc said, "We're transferring him to a 00:07:37.290 --> 00:07:39.559 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% greater trauma unit, you're gonna have to get on the next 00:07:39.559 --> 00:07:44.364 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% flight," I jumped on a plane, and I gotta tell you, I had the 00:07:44.364 --> 00:07:47.067 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% wherewithal to stuff my paints and pens and paper in this bag, 00:07:47.067 --> 00:07:49.269 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% because I didn't know how long I'd be at the ICU. 00:07:49.269 --> 00:07:53.873 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And wouldn't you know that the Lord would have me paint a 00:07:53.873 --> 00:07:56.810 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% forget-me-not, the flower that goes alongside the very first 00:07:56.810 --> 00:07:58.978 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% entry, "When You Need Someone to Care." 00:07:58.978 --> 00:08:03.049 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% When I was wrestling with this concept out of 1 Peter 5 of how 00:08:03.049 --> 00:08:06.686 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% we can humble ourselves before the Lord and cast our anxieties 00:08:06.686 --> 00:08:09.255 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% on him, because he cares for you. 00:08:09.255 --> 00:08:12.425 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Not because I just need somewhere to put it, but because 00:08:12.425 --> 00:08:15.261 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% God cares, and he cares so much better than I could care 00:08:15.261 --> 00:08:16.596 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% for myself. 00:08:16.596 --> 00:08:18.565 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% And so as I was painting this tiny little flower that 00:08:18.565 --> 00:08:23.236 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% sometimes goes unseen, I was painting it from the ICU with my 00:08:23.236 --> 00:08:26.272 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% son in the OR waiting for him to return. 00:08:26.272 --> 00:08:29.976 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I'm hoping and praying for a successful surgery, and at the 00:08:29.976 --> 00:08:33.880 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% time I just knew that all I could do is remind myself that 00:08:33.880 --> 00:08:36.616 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% this message wasn't for somebody else out there, it was the 00:08:36.616 --> 00:08:39.552 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% message that the Lord was bringing for me to apply to my 00:08:39.552 --> 00:08:41.955 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% own life right then and there. 00:08:41.955 --> 00:08:43.690 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% Randy: And when was this, 2024, 2025? 00:08:43.690 --> 00:08:45.892 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% Ruth: This was 2024, fall of '24. 00:08:45.892 --> 00:08:47.827 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% Randy: So it's been a little time. 00:08:47.827 --> 00:08:49.562 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% Ruth: Yes. 00:08:49.562 --> 00:08:51.231 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Blynda: And he's okay? Ruth: Yeah, he's okay. 00:08:51.231 --> 00:08:52.732 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% And yet we're not done with the journey. 00:08:52.732 --> 00:08:57.937 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% As of right now, he's actually been in some pain, and in 00:08:57.937 --> 00:09:01.841 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% seeking out some answers he's had some CTs and MRIs and we've 00:09:01.841 --> 00:09:07.414 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% discovered that his hardware is loose and will require 00:09:07.414 --> 00:09:08.748 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% more surgery. 00:09:08.748 --> 00:09:12.252 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And I share that because I think sometimes we think, oh, of 00:09:12.252 --> 00:09:15.422 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% course we can trust him when everything works out because 00:09:15.422 --> 00:09:17.056 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% yes, they wheeled him back in. 00:09:17.056 --> 00:09:19.325 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% The surgery took longer than expected. 00:09:19.325 --> 00:09:21.361 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Here I was with this little watercolor painting on the side 00:09:21.361 --> 00:09:24.297 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% going, "Look what I accomplished in the last six hours," and 00:09:24.297 --> 00:09:26.433 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% feeling a little nervous, and when he wiggled his toes for the 00:09:26.433 --> 00:09:30.303 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% first time I just sobbed and I was like, oh, okay, you know? 00:09:30.303 --> 00:09:31.671 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% The doctors were worried. 00:09:31.671 --> 00:09:33.273 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% Is he gonna be able to move all his limbs? 00:09:33.273 --> 00:09:38.244 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And if I'm being super-honest as a mama, I'm sitting here 00:09:38.244 --> 00:09:40.547 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% right now with this conversation and I'm a little tender about 00:09:40.547 --> 00:09:41.915 align:start line:69% position:48% size:33% it, you know? 00:09:41.915 --> 00:09:44.717 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I don't know exactly if he's gonna have pain for the rest of 00:09:44.717 --> 00:09:46.085 align:start line:69% position:48% size:23% his life. 00:09:46.085 --> 00:09:48.655 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% I don't know if he's always gonna have some nerve damage. 00:09:48.655 --> 00:09:51.124 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% He's already a little behind with his college work. 00:09:51.124 --> 00:09:53.960 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% I have, you know, all the mama feels of like, I want-- 00:09:53.960 --> 00:09:55.361 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% Blynda: And you carry all of that as a mom. 00:09:55.361 --> 00:09:58.798 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Ruth: And so every time this rises up in me, and I think more 00:09:58.798 --> 00:10:03.303 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% surgery, more unknowns, I go back to the lesson that I was 00:10:03.303 --> 00:10:06.239 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% learning as I was painting it, which was--and it wasn't--the 00:10:06.239 --> 00:10:09.342 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% magic wasn't that I was painting a certain flower, or it wasn't 00:10:09.342 --> 00:10:12.779 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% because the Lord spoke through my watercolors, it was that as I 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:17.050 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% slowed down and paid attention, and rehearsed the truth out of 1 00:10:17.050 --> 00:10:21.421 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% Peter 5:6-7, "Cast your anxieties on him because he 00:10:21.421 --> 00:10:24.858 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% cares for you," he knows he's got the right and proper time 00:10:24.858 --> 00:10:26.226 align:start line:69% position:48% size:38% for all things. 00:10:26.226 --> 00:10:29.729 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And so as I rehearse that truth, it's interesting that the very 00:10:29.729 --> 00:10:34.968 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% book I wrote is actually being part--it's just part of my story 00:10:34.968 --> 00:10:38.137 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% where I'm rehearsing that same truth back to myself. 00:10:38.137 --> 00:10:42.442 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% So you all can pray about that, that's upcoming, and we'll be 00:10:42.442 --> 00:10:44.210 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% seeking the Lord's answer in that. 00:10:44.210 --> 00:10:47.213 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Randy: It's interesting because, you know, to take an extreme 00:10:47.213 --> 00:10:50.617 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% case, and we all pray that your son has all his feeling and 00:10:50.617 --> 00:10:53.052 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% walks and does all the things that, you know, we want everyone 00:10:53.052 --> 00:10:56.856 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% to do, but Joni Eareckson Tada spent her life as a 00:10:56.856 --> 00:11:01.294 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% quadriplegic, and one of the most profound things ever said 00:11:01.294 --> 00:11:06.032 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% to me was by her, when she started talking about how 00:11:06.032 --> 00:11:11.137 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% thankful she was because she understood how dependent she is 00:11:11.137 --> 00:11:14.073 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% on God every single day. 00:11:14.073 --> 00:11:18.044 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And she said, for everyone else, you know, you start to feel a 00:11:18.044 --> 00:11:21.681 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% little independent or you just kind of forget, like, every 00:11:21.681 --> 00:11:24.751 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% breath we take is dependent on God. 00:11:24.751 --> 00:11:28.054 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And I just--I remember that and I thought, Lord, don't ever let 00:11:28.054 --> 00:11:30.490 align:start line:69% position:50% size:25% me forget. 00:11:30.490 --> 00:11:34.761 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% How do you walk through--because it can be hard to breathe 00:11:34.761 --> 00:11:36.262 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% sometimes, right, in these situations? 00:11:36.262 --> 00:11:37.597 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% Ruth: You don't wanna sign up for those things. 00:11:37.597 --> 00:11:38.965 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% Blynda: You didn't sign up for it. 00:11:38.965 --> 00:11:41.234 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Ruth: You're not like, please give me the life experiences 00:11:41.234 --> 00:11:42.835 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% that require more dependency. 00:11:42.835 --> 00:11:45.305 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% Like, I'm not asking for that at all, right? 00:11:45.305 --> 00:11:49.576 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% But right this minute, we're going through that and a 00:11:49.576 --> 00:11:54.614 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% potential cancer journey with my mom, a tumor removal that has to 00:11:54.614 --> 00:11:55.982 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% happen, all at the same time. 00:11:55.982 --> 00:12:00.620 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% So it is more than I can handle, but it's that exact space that 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.955 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% you're talking about. 00:12:01.955 --> 00:12:04.057 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% It's the place where I'm remembering, you know, going 00:12:04.057 --> 00:12:06.426 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% back to this idea of what I was observing as I was looking at 00:12:06.426 --> 00:12:09.195 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% wildflowers, you know, that wildflower that's growing up, 00:12:09.195 --> 00:12:13.099 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% you know, at the side of the road in any town or behind the 00:12:13.099 --> 00:12:16.436 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% gas station, or in my area in the crack of a rock here on the 00:12:16.436 --> 00:12:21.641 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% mountainside, it is not fed unless God feeds it, with rain, 00:12:21.641 --> 00:12:23.009 align:start line:69% position:48% size:38% with nutrients. 00:12:23.009 --> 00:12:27.046 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% It's literally exactly where God supplies it to be. 00:12:27.046 --> 00:12:28.982 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% And that flower is super-dependent. 00:12:28.982 --> 00:12:32.685 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% It can't just decide that it's gonna thrive here. 00:12:32.685 --> 00:12:35.254 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% It relies on its Heavenly Father to care for it. 00:12:35.254 --> 00:12:37.857 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Blynda: I even like in one of the chapters, you're talking 00:12:37.857 --> 00:12:41.861 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% about being overwhelmed, and you even say that we have to learn 00:12:41.861 --> 00:12:45.865 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% how to exchange our management for his mastery. 00:12:45.865 --> 00:12:48.501 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And I liked the way you said that, because it is so true what 00:12:48.501 --> 00:12:51.938 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% you were saying, Randy, is we kind of become our 00:12:51.938 --> 00:12:53.306 align:start line:69% position:50% size:45% own self-managers. 00:12:53.306 --> 00:12:56.943 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% You know, yes, we can, in our own strength, kind of do the 00:12:56.943 --> 00:13:01.247 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% day to day, but what I loved about the word "mastery" is his 00:13:01.247 --> 00:13:04.417 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% ways are always higher and better. 00:13:04.417 --> 00:13:05.752 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% His thoughts are greater. 00:13:05.752 --> 00:13:09.722 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Like, even though we think we're doing okay on our own, his 00:13:09.722 --> 00:13:12.959 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% mastery is like, "If you give it to me, I will do more with what 00:13:12.959 --> 00:13:15.962 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% you give me than you could ever imagine on your own." 00:13:15.962 --> 00:13:18.131 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And we can think of that in the big things of like, "Lord, I 00:13:18.131 --> 00:13:21.334 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% wanna--okay, I wanna give this big thing to you," but do we do 00:13:21.334 --> 00:13:22.669 align:start line:69% position:47% size:58% that in the day to day? 00:13:22.669 --> 00:13:26.806 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And I loved that you used that wording because I was like, 00:13:26.806 --> 00:13:30.443 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% okay, I do try to self manage, but he's the master. 00:13:30.443 --> 00:13:33.212 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Ruth: And I think that's the point, and I'm so glad you said 00:13:33.212 --> 00:13:37.617 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% that because it's not just about how capable he is, it's about 00:13:37.617 --> 00:13:38.951 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% who God is. 00:13:38.951 --> 00:13:41.554 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% And I think one of the things that I tried to do in all my 00:13:41.554 --> 00:13:45.425 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% books, but especially in something where I hope to meet 00:13:45.425 --> 00:13:48.761 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% people right where they have a messy situation in their lives, 00:13:48.761 --> 00:13:51.631 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% is that I think a lot of times it sounds really nice to trust 00:13:51.631 --> 00:13:52.999 align:start line:69% position:48% size:23% the Lord. 00:13:52.999 --> 00:13:57.136 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% It sounds really nice to live dependent and free and resilient 00:13:57.136 --> 00:13:59.739 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% and all these things, but I think we spend a lot of time 00:13:59.739 --> 00:14:03.042 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% focusing on how we're gonna overcome things, when really I 00:14:03.042 --> 00:14:07.914 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% think what causes us to struggle in our dependency, struggle in 00:14:07.914 --> 00:14:11.451 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% trusting the Lord, is that we don't have a higher view of God, 00:14:11.451 --> 00:14:13.386 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% and we don't realize that we don't because we're not 00:14:13.386 --> 00:14:14.921 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% practicing it every day. 00:14:14.921 --> 00:14:18.391 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% A.W. Tozer said, "What comes to your mind when you think about 00:14:18.391 --> 00:14:21.260 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% God is the most important thing about you," because whether you 00:14:21.260 --> 00:14:24.697 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% think of him as a grumpy father, I mean, if you think of him that 00:14:24.697 --> 00:14:26.265 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% way, you won't come to him. 00:14:26.265 --> 00:14:29.368 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% If you think of him as being far off and not in the details, 00:14:29.368 --> 00:14:30.737 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% you're gonna be like, "Oh, do you care?" 00:14:30.737 --> 00:14:34.707 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% If you think he's not willing to listen until you get caught up 00:14:34.707 --> 00:14:37.276 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% in your Bible reading, that's gonna keep you far away, right? 00:14:37.276 --> 00:14:38.611 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% So it really depends. 00:14:38.611 --> 00:14:44.517 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% You have to have an accurate, gospel-driven, Bible-fueled 00:14:44.517 --> 00:14:47.386 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% understanding of the character of God and his attributes and 00:14:47.386 --> 00:14:50.189 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% who he really is, and that's why it's really important for us not 00:14:50.189 --> 00:14:54.227 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% to soothe our worries and anxieties with just, "God's got 00:14:54.227 --> 00:14:56.028 align:start line:69% position:47% size:58% it, it's gonna be okay. 00:14:56.028 --> 00:14:57.630 align:start line:69% position:50% size:70% You're the girl for the job. 00:14:57.630 --> 00:14:58.965 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% You're doing great. 00:14:58.965 --> 00:15:00.333 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% Everybody's gonna be fine." 00:15:00.333 --> 00:15:02.201 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% I mean, that might last for a few minutes, but where you and I 00:15:02.201 --> 00:15:06.205 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% are going to find real comfort, where our viewers here are gonna 00:15:06.205 --> 00:15:09.642 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% actually know true relief and true peace, is if our hope is 00:15:09.642 --> 00:15:15.114 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% squarely put on the only one who is greater, more capable, 00:15:15.114 --> 00:15:17.784 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% sovereign, all-knowing, unchanging. 00:15:17.784 --> 00:15:19.752 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Those aren't things that I can say about myself. 00:15:19.752 --> 00:15:22.054 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% So, yes, I wanna manage everything, because I have such 00:15:22.054 --> 00:15:23.756 align:start line:69% position:50% size:56% a high view of myself. 00:15:23.756 --> 00:15:26.993 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% But I exchange that for his mastery because he's the master, 00:15:26.993 --> 00:15:30.897 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% and when I list off all of his attributes, I'm not one--I'm not 00:15:30.897 --> 00:15:32.231 align:start line:69% position:50% size:41% like him at all. 00:15:32.231 --> 00:15:35.201 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And so I think, for all of us who might be going through times 00:15:35.201 --> 00:15:38.604 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% where we go, "This doesn't make sense to me," and maybe if we're 00:15:38.604 --> 00:15:42.875 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% whispering kind of in the corner, "I deserve better. 00:15:42.875 --> 00:15:44.544 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% I shouldn't have to go through this. 00:15:44.544 --> 00:15:45.912 align:start line:69% position:48% size:43% This is not fair. 00:15:45.912 --> 00:15:47.246 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% This hurts. 00:15:47.246 --> 00:15:48.614 align:start line:69% position:48% size:43% I worked so hard. 00:15:48.614 --> 00:15:49.949 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% Why is this happening to me?" 00:15:49.949 --> 00:15:52.451 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% For all of us going through these kinds of situations, if we 00:15:52.451 --> 00:15:57.423 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% stop and go, the character of God, and why Jesus would say, in 00:15:57.423 --> 00:16:00.059 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% the worries about your life and the little things, and in the 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:02.829 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% big things, start looking to Jesus. 00:16:02.829 --> 00:16:06.699 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Start looking to how God takes care of all of his creation. 00:16:06.699 --> 00:16:08.034 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% It's changed my life. 00:16:08.034 --> 00:16:10.503 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Randy: You said a couple things there that I just want to hit, 00:16:10.503 --> 00:16:14.540 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% because I think most of us, we sometimes instinctively, if you 00:16:14.540 --> 00:16:16.275 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% grew up in the church, you instinctively are like, "Oh, 00:16:16.275 --> 00:16:19.045 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I've got this big situat--I got a surgery, I got a loved one 00:16:19.045 --> 00:16:21.647 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% who's going through this or whatever, I'm gonna take that 00:16:21.647 --> 00:16:23.015 align:start line:69% position:50% size:21% to God." 00:16:23.015 --> 00:16:27.553 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% But you said little things, and you said details. 00:16:27.553 --> 00:16:30.690 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% How detailed is God's care for us? 00:16:30.690 --> 00:16:35.061 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% Ruth: So, for example, I've learned that I need to lay in 00:16:35.061 --> 00:16:40.533 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% bed--when I wake up, my first instinct is to immediately take 00:16:40.533 --> 00:16:42.835 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% this deep breath and go, "Oh my goodness, I gotta take care of 00:16:42.835 --> 00:16:44.170 align:start line:69% position:50% size:45% all these things." 00:16:44.170 --> 00:16:46.138 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% It might be really tempting to grab my phone and see if there's 00:16:46.138 --> 00:16:48.541 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% any notifications, I have to check right away. 00:16:48.541 --> 00:16:52.211 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% But I have learned that he's so in the details that I can lay 00:16:52.211 --> 00:16:54.914 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% there for a good five minutes, ten minutes, and just talk to 00:16:54.914 --> 00:16:57.350 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% the Lord about my day, but that's not too small. 00:16:57.350 --> 00:17:02.221 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I'm not just going to him in some big, you know, planned out 00:17:02.221 --> 00:17:06.359 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% prayer time, or just in passing, I can say, "You're here at the 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:07.693 align:start line:69% position:48% size:43% start of my day." 00:17:07.693 --> 00:17:10.229 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% And maybe in the details where as you're doing the dishes, if 00:17:10.229 --> 00:17:13.032 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% you're like, "Mm, I really don't want to deal with the sink full 00:17:13.032 --> 00:17:18.204 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% of dishes," in that engaging with him and considering why 00:17:18.204 --> 00:17:20.606 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% this is a privilege, it's a moment to care for the very 00:17:20.606 --> 00:17:21.941 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% things that God's giving you care for. 00:17:21.941 --> 00:17:24.210 align:start line:63% position:47% size:58% The details matter, and meeting him in there. 00:17:24.210 --> 00:17:27.280 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Blynda: In Matthew 11 when it says, "Come to me, all you who 00:17:27.280 --> 00:17:31.017 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest," I feel like 00:17:31.017 --> 00:17:33.586 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% that's what you're talking about, is a rest that can only 00:17:33.586 --> 00:17:39.525 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% come from him, a rest that is supernatural, to take away the 00:17:39.525 --> 00:17:42.395 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% anxiety that we would like to put on in the world that says we 00:17:42.395 --> 00:17:44.463 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% have to do it on our own. 00:17:44.463 --> 00:17:47.333 align:start line:63% position:45% size:73% How did you come to--I mean, I'm thinking about you have a 00:17:47.333 --> 00:17:50.436 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% ministry that you run, you're an artist, you've got six kids. 00:17:50.436 --> 00:17:54.974 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% I mean, this is a--how do you find rest in him? 00:17:54.974 --> 00:17:57.276 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% Ruth: You know, it's something I've had to really fight for and 00:17:57.276 --> 00:18:03.282 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% I don't do it perfectly, but in daily ways, weekly ways, and 00:18:03.282 --> 00:18:05.651 align:start line:63% position:47% size:53% seasonal ways, I have to find true rest. 00:18:05.651 --> 00:18:09.822 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% Now, that rest, it's wonderful if that rest sometimes comes 00:18:09.822 --> 00:18:13.859 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% from being able to take a vacation or take a sabbatical, 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:16.562 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% or be able to turn my phone off and have the luxury of being up 00:18:16.562 --> 00:18:17.930 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% in the mountains all day. 00:18:17.930 --> 00:18:19.265 align:start line:69% position:46% size:68% Those are wonderful things. 00:18:19.265 --> 00:18:21.600 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% But sometimes life doesn't give you a lot of margin, and there 00:18:21.600 --> 00:18:24.904 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% are times when you care for people that you didn't expect, 00:18:24.904 --> 00:18:29.508 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% "Oh, I have to care for a sick parent and a child," and you're 00:18:29.508 --> 00:18:32.078 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% getting up in the middle of the night to nurse a baby. 00:18:32.078 --> 00:18:35.348 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% There may be a million different things going on where you go, 00:18:35.348 --> 00:18:37.116 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% "There's no margin for rest." 00:18:37.116 --> 00:18:41.954 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And even there, it's a soul rest that Jesus is talking about. 00:18:41.954 --> 00:18:46.759 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% It doesn't mean that there's not physical rest, but rest in Jesus 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:50.062 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% ultimately leads us to the kind of rest we need everywhere 00:18:50.062 --> 00:18:51.430 align:start line:69% position:48% size:23% else too. 00:18:51.430 --> 00:18:53.399 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% Even surrendering something, like, "I am not going to try to 00:18:53.399 --> 00:18:54.734 align:start line:69% position:50% size:61% get one more thing done. 00:18:54.734 --> 00:18:57.203 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% I'm not going to multitask my way to exhaustion. 00:18:57.203 --> 00:18:58.938 align:start line:69% position:45% size:73% I'm gonna rest and remember." 00:18:58.938 --> 00:19:02.008 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And so I love that you mentioned that Matthew 11 passage, because 00:19:02.008 --> 00:19:05.277 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% what Jesus offers there, did you notice that he doesn't say, 00:19:05.277 --> 00:19:08.280 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% "Come to me and I'm gonna give you a formula," or "I'm gonna 00:19:08.280 --> 00:19:11.617 align:start line:63% position:47% size:63% give you a successful way to deal with your life."? 00:19:11.617 --> 00:19:14.587 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% He says, "Come to me and I will give you myself." 00:19:14.587 --> 00:19:15.955 align:start line:69% position:47% size:53% He's the rest, right? 00:19:15.955 --> 00:19:18.791 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% And so, I just keep remembering that I need to turn to Jesus 00:19:18.791 --> 00:19:20.192 align:start line:63% position:50% size:45% when I really am needing that rest. 00:19:20.192 --> 00:19:21.560 align:start line:69% position:48% size:38% Randy: So good. 00:19:21.560 --> 00:19:24.096 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% I love the subtitle, "Unburden your anxious soul," because 00:19:24.096 --> 00:19:25.464 align:start line:69% position:50% size:75% again, we all need to do that. 00:19:25.464 --> 00:19:27.633 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% And by the way, if you want someone to pray with you, we 00:19:27.633 --> 00:19:29.035 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% have a prayer line. 00:19:29.035 --> 00:19:30.369 align:start line:69% position:48% size:48% Pick that up, call. 00:19:30.369 --> 00:19:34.173 align:start line:63% position:50% size:75% We'll just come together with you before God and say, "Lord, 00:19:34.173 --> 00:19:38.744 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% we're dependent on you and take our burdens, give us rest." 00:19:38.744 --> 00:19:42.448 align:start line:63% position:44% size:78% So if you would like Ruth Chou Simons's book, request it today 00:19:42.448 --> 00:19:45.618 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% when you join us in this beautiful outreach. 00:19:45.618 --> 00:19:48.187 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% Watch this. 00:19:48.187 --> 00:19:50.689 align:start line:63% position:50% size:65% John Yeatts: Hello, thank you for letting me come to 00:19:50.689 --> 00:19:52.024 align:start line:69% position:48% size:28% your house. 00:19:52.024 --> 00:19:53.392 align:start line:69% position:50% size:31% Hello, mama. 00:19:53.392 --> 00:19:57.863 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% John: As I told you earlier, our friends at the medical clinic 00:19:57.863 --> 00:20:00.533 align:start line:63% position:48% size:48% shared a little of your story with us. 00:20:00.533 --> 00:20:06.305 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% And so we wanted to come and pay our respect and our condolences. 00:20:06.305 --> 00:20:08.607 align:start line:63% position:50% size:61% Can you tell me, your baby that you lost, 00:20:08.607 --> 00:20:10.609 align:start line:69% position:47% size:63% what was the baby's name? 00:20:12.078 --> 00:20:14.080 align:start line:85% position:46% size:68% [speaking foreign language] 00:20:14.580 --> 00:20:17.883 align:start line:58% position:50% size:81% John: As I've sat here today and listened to Christina's story, 00:20:17.883 --> 00:20:22.088 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% it's a story of so many mothers here in Angola, and so many of 00:20:22.088 --> 00:20:24.557 align:start line:79% position:50% size:61% the other countries that we work here in Africa. 00:20:24.557 --> 00:20:29.095 align:start line:79% position:50% size:65% Valantine was sick and you took him to the hospital. 00:20:29.095 --> 00:20:31.097 align:start line:85% position:50% size:75% What did the doctors tell you? 00:20:31.997 --> 00:20:33.999 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% [speaking foreign language] 00:20:42.508 --> 00:20:46.378 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% John: There's so many things, whether it be drought, whether 00:20:46.378 --> 00:20:51.383 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% it be floods, so many variables that affect their lives that are 00:20:51.383 --> 00:20:55.521 align:start line:79% position:50% size:70% so fragile already that just one little change can bring 00:20:55.521 --> 00:20:59.125 align:start line:79% position:47% size:58% destruction, one little change can bring death. 00:20:59.125 --> 00:21:01.760 align:start line:79% position:50% size:45% Do you think about Valantine often? 00:21:01.760 --> 00:21:03.095 align:start line:85% position:48% size:43% What was he like? 00:21:06.265 --> 00:21:10.603 align:start line:85% position:50% size:70% I know it's hard, I'm sorry. 00:21:10.603 --> 00:21:12.605 align:start line:85% position:50% size:25% It's okay. 00:21:14.173 --> 00:21:18.477 align:start line:79% position:50% size:70% John: When I asked Christina about Valantine, she can't 00:21:18.477 --> 00:21:21.046 align:start line:85% position:47% size:53% hardly talk about it. 00:21:21.046 --> 00:21:24.216 align:start line:79% position:45% size:73% And she's able to talk about this brand-new baby, and boy, 00:21:24.216 --> 00:21:27.653 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% when I asked about her daughter that is still alive, she 00:21:27.653 --> 00:21:29.655 align:start line:79% position:48% size:48% brightened up and she wanted to talk. 00:21:29.655 --> 00:21:33.325 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% But the fact is a mother's heart cries out for the one that 00:21:33.325 --> 00:21:34.994 align:start line:85% position:50% size:21% is lost. 00:21:34.994 --> 00:21:37.563 align:start line:79% position:50% size:61% What do you believe would help your village? 00:21:38.531 --> 00:21:40.533 align:start line:85% position:46% size:68% [speaking foreign language] 00:21:42.201 --> 00:21:44.203 align:start line:79% position:47% size:53% John: How does that make your heart feel? 00:21:45.237 --> 00:21:47.239 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% [speaking foreign language] 00:21:48.674 --> 00:21:52.311 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% John: She said, "Many people talk about the solutions, 00:21:52.311 --> 00:21:53.679 align:start line:85% position:47% size:53% but they never come." 00:21:53.679 --> 00:21:55.681 align:start line:79% position:47% size:53% And the reality is we do have the solution. 00:21:55.681 --> 00:21:57.917 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% We have the solution with Mission Feeding, because Mission 00:21:57.917 --> 00:22:01.320 align:start line:79% position:47% size:58% Feeding provides food for children in school, 00:22:01.320 --> 00:22:05.524 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% high-protein, high-caloric diet that will give them everything 00:22:05.524 --> 00:22:08.661 align:start line:79% position:50% size:56% they need to learn so that there is a future 00:22:08.661 --> 00:22:10.996 align:start line:85% position:50% size:50% and a hope for them. 00:22:10.996 --> 00:22:13.265 align:start line:79% position:50% size:61% So I'm asking you, would you please help us with 00:22:13.265 --> 00:22:15.034 align:start line:85% position:50% size:41% Mission Feeding? 00:22:15.034 --> 00:22:21.607 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% We can, together, put a hot meal in every Mission Feeding bowl, 00:22:21.607 --> 00:22:23.976 align:start line:85% position:45% size:73% every day for a child's life. 00:22:27.179 --> 00:22:30.616 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% Randy: You know, Blynda, that's so, so tough to watch, and 00:22:30.616 --> 00:22:34.486 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% there's several things that I want people to notice in that. 00:22:34.486 --> 00:22:39.959 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% And one, that the culture there, they are so used to death, they 00:22:39.959 --> 00:22:43.295 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% have--everybody they know, if they themselves haven't lost a 00:22:43.295 --> 00:22:45.931 align:start line:79% position:50% size:61% child, they know someone who's lost a child. 00:22:45.931 --> 00:22:51.303 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% And so they try to just accept it as best they can, to ignore 00:22:51.303 --> 00:22:56.108 align:start line:79% position:47% size:63% it, but it always leaves a vacancy in their heart. 00:22:56.108 --> 00:22:57.443 align:start line:85% position:50% size:81% Blynda: And a desire for change. 00:22:57.443 --> 00:23:00.579 align:start line:79% position:50% size:70% I mean, when she said, "It's gonna always be the same," I 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:03.983 align:start line:79% position:46% size:68% mean, they live with this feeling that nothing's ever 00:23:03.983 --> 00:23:07.853 align:start line:79% position:50% size:70% going to change, because they can't see how it could. 00:23:07.853 --> 00:23:10.656 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% Randy: Now I've been to so many places where they've said, 00:23:10.656 --> 00:23:12.024 align:start line:85% position:50% size:45% "Please come back. 00:23:12.024 --> 00:23:13.359 align:start line:85% position:48% size:48% Will you come back? 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.927 align:start line:79% position:50% size:50% Will you--you know, will you come back?" 00:23:14.927 --> 00:23:16.395 align:start line:85% position:50% size:61% And that's hard to hear. 00:23:16.395 --> 00:23:19.198 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% Blynda: And she's holding this new life, and we're having to 00:23:19.198 --> 00:23:22.901 align:start line:79% position:45% size:73% watch her tell her story about a life that was buried. 00:23:22.901 --> 00:23:26.038 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% I just think, can't we just give her the hope that it doesn't 00:23:26.038 --> 00:23:27.439 align:start line:85% position:50% size:56% have to stay this way? 00:23:27.439 --> 00:23:28.807 align:start line:85% position:50% size:70% Randy: And here's the thing. 00:23:28.807 --> 00:23:30.142 align:start line:85% position:50% size:41% I've been there. 00:23:30.142 --> 00:23:32.478 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% I've been on both sides of this, the villages where there is 00:23:32.478 --> 00:23:35.180 align:start line:79% position:46% size:68% great need and loss and suffering and pain like you 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.515 align:start line:85% position:48% size:23% just saw. 00:23:36.515 --> 00:23:40.586 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% And then I've been to the villages where Mission Feeding 00:23:40.586 --> 00:23:44.490 align:start line:79% position:45% size:73% has been active for months, sometimes years, and what you 00:23:44.490 --> 00:23:47.926 align:start line:85% position:46% size:68% see is a hope and a future. 00:23:47.926 --> 00:23:51.363 align:start line:79% position:50% size:81% People go from not worrying about where their next meal will 00:23:51.363 --> 00:23:55.000 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% come from for themselves and their children, and then we see 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:59.038 align:start line:79% position:47% size:63% people a generation later who are helping with 00:23:59.038 --> 00:24:02.408 align:start line:79% position:44% size:78% the Mission Feeding, oftentimes, or they're pastors, 00:24:02.408 --> 00:24:05.444 align:start line:79% position:50% size:75% or they're teachers or lawyers or policemen. 00:24:05.444 --> 00:24:07.613 align:start line:58% position:45% size:73% Blynda: They have children of their own that are healthy. 00:24:07.613 --> 00:24:09.415 align:start line:58% position:50% size:56% Randy: They have children of their own. 00:24:09.415 --> 00:24:13.552 align:start line:58% position:44% size:78% This is changing cultures, and it only happens because of you, 00:24:13.552 --> 00:24:17.456 align:start line:58% position:50% size:81% the viewer, the viewers that have been with us for years that 00:24:17.456 --> 00:24:19.958 align:start line:58% position:44% size:78% have gotten us to this level where we're at, where we're now 00:24:19.958 --> 00:24:24.563 align:start line:58% position:48% size:48% feeding 350,000 children every day. 00:24:24.563 --> 00:24:25.898 align:start line:63% position:46% size:68% They have made this happen. 00:24:25.898 --> 00:24:30.202 align:start line:58% position:47% size:63% We have changed villages, we've changed countries. 00:24:30.202 --> 00:24:31.637 align:start line:63% position:50% size:56% And why do we do this? 00:24:31.637 --> 00:24:37.976 align:start line:58% position:50% size:75% We do this to share and to show the love of Jesus Christ. 00:24:37.976 --> 00:24:39.678 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% That's why we do it. 00:24:39.678 --> 00:24:43.415 align:start line:58% position:50% size:81% We applaud others who do the good deed, but we strive for the 00:24:43.415 --> 00:24:44.750 align:start line:63% position:48% size:23% God deed. 00:24:44.750 --> 00:24:46.118 align:start line:58% position:48% size:43% We want you to be a part of that. 00:24:46.118 --> 00:24:47.453 align:start line:58% position:48% size:43% We need you to be a part of that. 00:24:47.453 --> 00:24:52.891 align:start line:58% position:44% size:78% So your gift of $30, $50, or $100 will help feed 3, 5, or 10 00:24:52.891 --> 00:24:56.028 align:start line:58% position:50% size:50% children for the next several months. 00:24:56.028 --> 00:24:57.396 align:start line:63% position:48% size:43% We can intervene. 00:24:57.396 --> 00:24:58.864 align:start line:63% position:50% size:70% We can show them God's love. 00:24:58.864 --> 00:25:00.833 align:start line:63% position:50% size:81% We can give them a bowl of food. 00:25:00.833 --> 00:25:04.336 align:start line:58% position:50% size:45% We can give them a hope and a future. 00:25:04.336 --> 00:25:07.339 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% announcer: Right now across the continent of Africa, children 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:11.543 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% are suffering, facing severe malnutrition and even death. 00:25:11.543 --> 00:25:14.713 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% With food reserves critically depleted and many areas 00:25:14.713 --> 00:25:18.984 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% experiencing devastating famine, we urgently need to replenish 00:25:18.984 --> 00:25:22.988 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% supplies to keep feeding the 350,000 children who are 00:25:22.988 --> 00:25:25.424 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% counting on us every single day. 00:25:25.424 --> 00:25:29.027 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Through Life's Mission Feeding outreach, your gift of love can 00:25:29.027 --> 00:25:32.564 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% be an answer to a prayer for a hurting and hungry child in 00:25:32.564 --> 00:25:34.066 align:start line:10% position:48% size:48% their time of need. 00:25:34.066 --> 00:25:39.505 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Call now with your life-saving gift of $30, $50, or $100 to 00:25:39.505 --> 00:25:45.444 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% help feed and care for 3, 5, or 10 children for 3 full months. 00:25:45.444 --> 00:25:49.014 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% With your gift, we'll send you "The Father's Heart" devotional. 00:25:49.014 --> 00:25:52.985 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% Drawing from Scripture and his past, James Robison takes you on 00:25:52.985 --> 00:25:56.622 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% a 90-day journey to help you experience a deeper, more 00:25:56.622 --> 00:26:00.225 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% personal relationship with God as your loving Father. 00:26:00.225 --> 00:26:04.129 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% With your gift of $100 or more, you will receive the "Father's 00:26:04.129 --> 00:26:05.464 align:start line:10% position:50% size:35% Heart" bundle. 00:26:05.464 --> 00:26:08.901 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% This stationery set paired with the devotional is a thoughtfully 00:26:08.901 --> 00:26:12.371 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% designed collection created to help you share encouragement, 00:26:12.371 --> 00:26:15.908 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% prayer, and the love of our Heavenly Father with those you 00:26:15.908 --> 00:26:17.242 align:start line:10% position:48% size:28% care about. 00:26:17.242 --> 00:26:21.046 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Finally, with your gift of $1,000 or more, which will help 00:26:21.046 --> 00:26:25.651 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% feed 100 children in desperate need, request Life's beautiful 00:26:25.651 --> 00:26:28.187 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% bronze sculpture, "The Good Shepherd." 00:26:28.187 --> 00:26:34.560 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% So please call, write, or make your gift online today. 00:26:34.560 --> 00:26:35.894 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% Randy: I do hope you're going online or going to 00:26:35.894 --> 00:26:37.262 align:start line:10% position:50% size:35% the phone now. 00:26:37.262 --> 00:26:38.597 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% Make the best gift you can. 00:26:38.597 --> 00:26:40.799 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% You really can help someone in desperate need. 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:43.335 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% And if you'd like to request Ruth Chou Simons's book "The Way 00:26:43.335 --> 00:26:44.970 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% of the Wildflower," do it. 00:26:44.970 --> 00:26:46.338 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% I promise you'll be blessed. 00:26:46.338 --> 00:26:47.673 align:start line:10% position:48% size:38% It's beautiful. 00:26:47.673 --> 00:26:49.408 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% Blynda: If they get this book, what will they get out of it? 00:26:49.408 --> 00:26:53.479 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% Ruth: You know, I lovingly wrote the book but painted all 30 of 00:26:53.479 --> 00:26:56.315 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% the wildflower studies, even included little facts about 00:26:56.315 --> 00:26:57.649 align:start line:10% position:50% size:41% the wildflowers. 00:26:57.649 --> 00:27:01.119 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% I think the beauty of artwork is that it captivates us, it takes 00:27:01.119 --> 00:27:04.022 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% us from our busy days, our distractions, helps us put our 00:27:04.022 --> 00:27:08.126 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% phones down and go, "Okay, the Word of God is worth my time to 00:27:08.126 --> 00:27:11.497 align:start line:10% position:48% size:48% linger long, to see how he's faithful." 00:27:11.497 --> 00:27:13.665 align:start line:10% position:50% size:81% And my prayer is that this book would drive you back to the Word 00:27:13.665 --> 00:27:15.000 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% of God. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.335 align:start line:63% position:50% size:50% Randy: So beautiful. 00:27:16.335 --> 00:27:18.203 align:start line:58% position:50% size:70% Thank you so much, and yeah, I hope you'll do it now, do 00:27:18.203 --> 00:27:19.538 align:start line:63% position:48% size:28% it quickly. 00:27:19.538 --> 00:27:21.406 align:start line:58% position:50% size:81% We'd love to hear from you right now, and we'd like to see you 00:27:21.406 --> 00:27:23.542 align:start line:58% position:47% size:53% again next time, here on "Life Today." 00:27:23.542 --> 00:27:33.552 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:33.552 --> 00:27:43.562 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:43.562 --> 00:27:53.572 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:27:53.572 --> 00:28:02.814 align:start line:10% position:48% size:18% [music] 00:28:02.814 --> 00:28:05.817 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% Anne Graham Lotz: So God allows bad things to happen to us, but 00:28:05.817 --> 00:28:07.719 align:start line:10% position:47% size:53% he's not going to leave us in that pit. 00:28:07.719 --> 00:28:12.558 align:start line:10% position:46% size:68% announcer: "God Won't Leave You There," tomorrow. 00:28:12.558 --> 00:28:14.893 align:start line:10% position:44% size:78% announcer: "Life Today" is made possible by the supporters of 00:28:14.893 --> 00:28:16.228 align:start line:10% position:50% size:70% Life Outreach International. 00:28:16.228 --> 00:28:18.330 align:start line:10% position:50% size:65% Your gift will be used exclusively for the exempt 00:28:18.330 --> 00:28:19.665 align:start line:10% position:48% size:43% purposes of Life. 00:28:19.665 --> 00:28:22.100 align:start line:10% position:50% size:75% The ministry features specific outreaches as examples of the 00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:23.602 align:start line:10% position:50% size:50% programs it supports and conducts. 00:28:23.602 --> 00:28:25.737 align:start line:10% position:45% size:73% Gifts are considered to be without restriction as to use 00:28:25.737 --> 00:28:27.472 align:start line:10% position:50% size:61% unless explicitly stipulated by the donor. 00:28:27.472 --> 00:28:29.474 align:start line:10% position:48% size:48% The ministry is a member of the ECFA.