I woke up this morning at 7am bright eyed and hopeful but as I began calling realtors to find a rental home my cheerfulness was over shadowed by a new gloomy reality. In Denver you must make 3 times the amount of your rent...be able to prove it with paycheck stubs and tax returns have great credit and pass an extensive rental history check...which all takes about 2-5 days!!!
At one point I just sat there staring at all the homes I had marked as favorites on the computer - they were all being rented out by realtor agencies...and all of them said I had to meet those requirements. They basically said..."Best of luck...did you get a Sunday paper because the only hope you have is with a rental by owner..."
Then a light when on and I remembered that John did pick up a Sunday paper! So...I started trying to weed through the non-user friendly paper...with no pictures...and vague descriptions. I prayed for a moment and then went to work. I ran into the same problem with many of them because they were by realtors also but I found 3 that were willing to show us their homes.
We loaded up the fussy kids and we met with Andy...who is from another country...not sure which one. He liked us right off and said we could move in today! No credit check...no rental history verification...no employment verification...nothing! Normally I would say this guy is taking a huge risk but I know we won't do him wrong.
It's not that we have bad rental history - it's that the realtors didn't like the fact that we were in Thailand for 4 years and they couldn't check before this last December...and they didn't like that we didn't have check stubs...nor that our past years tax returns show a missionaries salary...not even a fraction of what would be required to rent these homes...but Andy didn't care...Thank God for Andy!
We're going to be moving in tomorrow...I'll post some pics soon. On an awesome...different note...the bible school started today and it went wonderfully! I'm so excited to get to go tomorrow and meet the students face to face. Keep us all in your prayers please! It's supposed to snow Saturday!?!?!?!! Craziness!
Monday, October 05, 2009
Renters nightmare...
Sunday, October 04, 2009
On the road again...
I really can't finish the ending of the lyrics to that song...lol...I am done with the road for a while...unless, the Lord demands otherwise. Well, we made it - we're here in Colorado. I have all sorts of mixed emotions and I can't pin down and stick with a one of them.
Some of you may or may not know but after John returned home from South Africa, after having been gone for a really rough 3 1/2 weeks...my mother passed away. It was unexpected and shocking...although I believe it was her time. I still haven't wrapped my brain around the fact that she is gone. I know she's in heaven and I'll see her again some day but it just doesn't seem real. Even as I looked at her laying in her casket...it was like it was a dream...a hurtful dream but a dream nontheless.
John arrived home on Monday - my mother passed away on Thursday - family night was Sunday and the funeral was Monday...THEN we buried her on Tuesday...during all this we had to be packing and preparing for moving to Denver, CO. If it hadn't been for the love and support of the body of Christ - specifically Liberty Lighthouse Church...I don't know what would have happened.
They poured out love on us through cookies...food...hugs...calls...watching our children...cleaning...helping us pack...and more. It's amazing to see the body of Christ functioning as God instructed us. I literally felt the love of God through them...and through loosing my mom...that love really helped me keep going strong.
So we're here in Denver!!! Man, it's beautiful...the mountains are so gorgeous and some of them are capped in white *grin*. I wish I could say I am enjoying every second but I have to say this is one of those times when I am having to bear in and hold on. Leaving everyone behind was hard of course...then my mom...and the stress of funeral preparations and tying up of loose ends...our children are in disarray...and I think this is the thing that bothers me the most.
They missed their dad and nothing was normal while he was gone to South Africa and then once he got home it just got more unnormal. Josiah took the news very hard about his grandmother...Jude on the other hand seemed fine until the end of the funeral upon which he proceeded to cry the most gut wrenching cry I've ever heard come out of him...into my chest...with no signs of letting up.
They then had to stay at others homes so we could work through the night and during the day to make up for lost time due to the funeral...once we finally got on the road they just weren't themselves and it's been a struggle to offer something solid for them to stand on. When kids move around a lot it's important to give them things that are consistant and in this transition it just hasn't happened. Don't get me wrong...they are great...still laughing...they're just testing new boundries and trying to figure out what's going on...
Joss isn't feeling well...the boys are having a hard time being stuck in the car house hunting or in the hotel room with 4 dogs...(which are in a crate by the way)...the only rooms they had available were upstairs...and my dogs have never been up or down stairs so I have to literally drag them up and down the stairs 6-7 times a day for potty breaks.
Two of the dogs are sick...sporatically throwing up or having accidents...the tv has a sound gage on it and you can't turn it up past 5 notches and with the air on you can't hear the tv...and OUR BOX FAN BROKE! And to top it all off...we arrived on the weekend and can't get anyone to visit house and we have until the Tuesday morning to have our 26ft truck unloaded and returned!!!!
Ok...sooo I'm complaining...I know...I'm going to go complain where I'm supposed to be complaining and let him fix up my heart and renew my strength. Matter of fact...I'll start walking in reality now:
1. We have a roof over our heads and each other...
2. We have the honor of going where he leads us...
3. Colorado is beautiful and the weather is a nice change...
4. DBI is starting and I get to be apart of it...
5. My boys are fantastic and so loving (Jude literally tells me he loves me every 20-30 minutes)
6. I'M WALKING THROUGH THIS WITH THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!
7. Jesus is KING and no matter what is happening...that doesn't change.
8. I have friends that I count as priceless treasures in Sherman Texas who love us...
9. This is another adventure and while I don't feel up for the challenge right now...I know that his mercy's are new every morning...and it is in Him that I can place my trust.
10. This will make us stronger...with the end result being that we are more equipped for His service...
11. Colorado has new friends to be met and made and work to be done...
Pastor Stan - We'll miss you!
Jossalyn found her riding spot!
We love you Liberty Lighthouse...no goodbye's...just see you soon!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Vision of the Lost
By William Booth (1829-1912)
On one of my recent journeys, as I gazed from the coach window, I was led into a train of thought concerning the condition of the multitudes around me. They were living carelessly in the most open and shameless rebellion against God, without a thought for their eternal welfare. As I looked out of the window, I seemed to see them all . . . millions of people all around me given up to their drink and their pleasure, their dancing and their music, their business and their anxieties, their politics and their troubles. Ignorant - willfully ignorant in many cases - and in other instances knowing all about the truth and not caring at all. But all of them, the whole mass of them, sweeping on and up in their blasphemies and devilries to the Throne of God. While my mind was thus engaged, I had a vision.
I saw a dark and stormy ocean. Over it the black clouds hung heavily; through them every now and then vivid lightening flashed and loud thunder rolled, while the winds moaned, and the waves rose and foamed, towered and broke, only to rise and foam, tower and break again.
In that ocean I thought I saw myriads of poor human beings plunging and floating, shouting and shrieking, cursing and struggling and drowning; and as they cursed and screamed they rose and shrieked again, and then some sank to rise no more.
And I saw out of this dark angry ocean, a mighty rock that rose up with it’s summit towering high above the black clouds that overhung the stormy sea. And all around the base of this great rock I saw a vast platform. Onto this platform, I saw with delight a number of the poor struggling, drowning wretches continually climbing out of the angry ocean. And I saw that a few of those who were already safe on the platform were helping the poor creatures still in the angry waters to reach the place of safety.
On looking more closely I found a number of those who had been rescued, industriously working and scheming by ladders, ropes, boats and other means more effective, to deliver the poor strugglers out of the sea. Here and there were some who actually jumped into the water, regardless of the consequences in their passion to "rescue the perishing." And I hardly know which gladdened me the most - the sight of the poor drowning people climbing onto the rocks reaching a place of safety, or the devotion and self-sacrifice of those whose whole being was wrapped up in the effort for their deliverance.
As I looked on, I saw that the occupants of that platform were quite a mixed company. That is, they were divided into different "sets" or classes, and they occupied themselves with different pleasures and employments. But only a very few of them seemed to make it their business to get the people out of the sea.
But what puzzled me most was the fact that though all of them had been rescued at one time or another from the ocean, nearly everyone seemed to have forgotten all about it. Anyway, it seemed the memory of its darkness and danger no longer troubled them at all. And what seemed equally strange and perplexing to me was that these people did not even seem to have any care - that is any agonizing care - about the poor perishing ones who were struggling and drowning right before their very eyes . . . many of whom were their own husbands and wives, brothers and sisters and even their own children.
Now this astonishing unconcern could not have been the result of ignorance or lack of knowledge, because they lived right there in full sight of it all and even talked about it sometimes. Many even went regularly to hear lectures and sermons in which the awful state of these poor drowning creatures was described.
I have always said that the occupants of this platform were engaged in different pursuits and pastimes. Some of them were absorbed day and night in trading and business in order to make gain, storing up their savings in boxes, safes and the like.
Many spent their time in amusing themselves with growing flowers on the side of the rock, others in painting pieces of cloth or in playing music, or in dressing themselves up in different styles and walking about to be admired. Some occupied themselves chiefly in eating and drinking, others were taken up with arguing about the poor drowning creatures that had already been rescued.
But the thing to me that seemed the most amazing was that those on the platform to whom He called, who heard His voice and felt that they ought to obey it - at least they said they did - those who confessed to love Him much were in full sympathy with Him in the task He had undertaken - who worshipped Him or who professed to do so - were so taken up with their trades and professions, their money saving and pleasures, their families and circles, their religions and arguments about it, and their preparation for going to the mainland, that they did not listen to the cry that came to them from this Wonderful Being who had Himself gone down into the sea. Anyway, if they heard it they did not heed it. They did not care. And so the multitude went on right before them struggling and shrieking and drowning in the darkness.
And then I saw something that seemed to me even more strange than anything that had gone on before in this strange vision. I saw that some of these people on the platform whom this Wonderful Being had called to, wanting them to come and help Him in His difficult task of saving these perishing creatures, were always praying and crying out to Him to come to them!
Some wanted Him to come and stay with them, and spend His time and strength in making them happier. Others wanted Him to come and take away various doubts and misgivings they had concerning the truth of some letters He had written them. Some wanted Him to come and make them feel more secure on the rock - so secure that they would be quite sure that they should never slip off again into the ocean. Numbers of others wanted Him to make them feel quite certain that they would really get off the rock and onto the mainland someday: because as a matter of fact, it was well known that some had walked so carelessly as to loose their footing, and had fallen back again into the stormy waters.
So these people used to meet and get up as high on the rock as they could, and looking towards the mainland (where they thought the Great Being was) they would cry out, "Come to us! Come and help us!" And all the while He was down (by His Spirit) among the poor struggling, drowning creatures in the angry deep, with His arms around them trying to drag them out, and looking up - oh! so longingly but all in vain - to those on the rock, crying to them with His voice all hoarse from calling, "Come to Me! Come, and help Me!
And then I understood it all. It was plain enough. The sea was the ocean of life - the sea of real, actual human existence. That lightening was the gleaming of piercing truth coming from Jehovah’s Throne. That thunder was the distant echoing of the wrath of God. Those multitudes of people shrieking, struggling and agonizing in the stormy sea, was the thousands and thousands of poor harlots and harlot-makers, of drunkards and drunkard makers, of thieves, liars, blasphemers and ungodly people of every kindred, tongue and nation.
Oh what a black sea it was! And oh, what multitudes of rich and poor, ignorant and educated were there. They were all so unalike in their outward circumstances and conditions, yet all alike in one thing - all sinners before God - all held by, and holding onto, some iniquity, fascinated by some idol, the slaves of some devilish lust, and ruled by the foul fiend from the bottomless pit!
"All alike in one thing?" No, all alike in two things - not only the same in their wickedness but, unless rescued, the same in their sinking, sinking . . . down, down, down . . . to the same terrible doom. That great sheltering rock represented Calvary, the place where Jesus had died for them. And the people on it were those who had been rescued. The way they used their energies, gifts and time represented the occupations and amusements of those who professed to be saved from sin and hell - followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. The handful of fierce, determined ones, who were risking their own lives in saving the perishing were true soldiers of the cross of Jesus. That Mighty Being who was calling to them from the midst of the angry waters was the Son of God, "the same yesterday, today and forever" who is still struggling and interceding to save the dying multitudes about us from this terrible doom of damnation, and whose voice can be heard above the music, machinery, and noise of life, calling on the rescued to come and help Him save the world.
My friends in Christ, you are rescued from the waters, you are on the rock, He is in the dark sea calling on you to come to Him and help Him. Will you go? Look for yourselves. The surging sea of life, crowded with perishing multitudes rolls up to the very spot on which you stand. Leaving the vision, I now come to speak of the fact - a fact that is as real as the Bible, as real as the Christ who hung upon the cross, as real as the judgment day will be, and as real as the heaven and hell that will follow it.
Look! Don’t be deceived by appearances - men and things are not what they seem. All who are not on the rock are in the sea! Look at them from the standpoint of the great White Throne, and what a sight you have! Jesus Christ, the Son of God is, through His Spirit, in the midst of this dying multitude, struggling to save them. And He is calling on you to jump into the sea - to go right away to His side and help Him in the holy strife. Will you jump? That is, will you go to His feet and place yourself absolutely at His disposal?
A young Christian once came to me, and told me that for some time she had been giving the Lord her profession and prayers and money, but now she wanted to give Him her life. She wanted to go right into the fight. In other words, she wanted to go to His assistance in the sea. As when a man from the shore, seeing another struggling in the water, takes off those outer garments that would hinder his efforts and leaps to the rescue, so will you who still linger on the bank, thinking and singing and praying about the poor perishing souls, lay aside your shame, your pride, your cares about other people’s opinions, your love of ease and all the selfish loves that have kept you back for so long, and rush to the rescue of this multitude of dying men and women.
Does the surging sea look dark and dangerous? Unquestionably it is so. There is no doubt that the leap for you, as for everyone who takes it, means difficulty and scorn and suffering. For you it may mean more than this. It may mean death. He who beckons you from the sea however, knows what it will mean - and knowing, He still calls to you and bids to you to come.
You must do it! You cannot hold back. You have enjoyed yourself in Christianity long enough. You have had pleasant feelings, pleasant songs, pleasant meetings, pleasant prospects. There has been much of human happiness, much clapping of hands and shouting of praises - very much of heaven on earth.
Now then, go to God and tell Him you are prepared as much as necessary to turn your back upon it all, and that you are willing to spend the rest of your days struggling in the midst of these perishing multitudes, whatever it may cost you.
You must do it. With the light that is now broken in upon your mind and the call that is now sounding in your ears, and the beckoning hands that are now before your eyes, you have no alternative. To go down among the perishing crowds is your duty. Your happiness from now on will consist in sharing their misery, your ease in sharing their pain, your crown in helping them to bear their cross, and your heaven in going into the very jaws of hell to rescue them.
Now what will you do?
Friday, August 07, 2009
Religion Saves (and Nine other Misconceptions)
Religion Saves.
Religion Saves!
Religion Saves...?
No matter which way you say that phrase...this is a great book for every member of the body of Christ. While I have to admit that I skimmed through a few sections of the book (birth control, dating...ect...I'm married and know quite a bit about birth control...although some argue that we don't! ha!)...what was I saying...? Ah yes...although, I didn't read every single page I can definitly say this is a book that should be on everyone's shelf.
Before I start with my review of this book...here is an official review of the book and some helpful links:
Religion Saves:
And Nine Other Misconceptions
After 343,203 online votes on the Mars Hill Church website, nine questions for********************************************
Pastor Mark Driscoll emerged as the ones most urgently calling for answers.
Inspired by 1 Corinthians, in which Paul answers a series of questions
posed by the people in the Corinthian church, Pastor Mark Driscoll set out to
determine the most controversial questions among visitors to the Mars Hill
Church website. In the end, 893 questions were asked and 343,203 votes were
cast. The top nine questions are now each answered in a chapter of Religion
Saves.
After an introductory chapter devoted to the misconception that
religion is what saves us, Driscoll tackles nine issues: birth control, humor,
predestination, grace, sexual sin, faith and works, dating, the emerging church,
and the regulative principle. Because the purpose of this book is to address
commonly asked questions, all readers will find relevant, engaging material,
written in Driscoll's distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style.
In his distinctively edgy, yet theologically sound style, Pastor Mark
Driscoll addresses the nine most controversial questions posed by visitors to
the Mars Hill Church website. This book is part of the Re:Lit series.
Link to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/Religion-Saves-Nine-Other-Misconceptions/dp/1433506165/ref=sprightly-20
About the author: Meet Pastor Mark!
Mark Driscoll
is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle,
one of the fastest-growing churches in America . He is president of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network and is the author of several
books, including Vintage Jesus.
Pastor Mark preaches on Sunday,
trains pastors, and writes curriculum. Mark is married to his high school
sweetheart, Grace, and they enjoy raising their three sons and two daughters. More about Mark here!
Link to read and/or listen to an excerpt:
http://relit.org/religionsaves
Here are other bloggers who put up a review of this book...please
check out these great bloggers - I found a few new favorites!! http://www.litfusegroup.com/latest/current-blog-tours/86-blog-tour-for-religion-saves-by-mark-driscoll
Now for my take...while I didn't find this book to be an easy read, simply because of his style of writing, I did find it hard to put down. Each chapter is broken into highly debated issues in our culture today...and each topic impacts the body of Christ and forces us to seek God for the answer.
The topics are: birth control, humor, predestination, grace, sexual sin, faith and works, dating, the emerging church, and the regulative principle.
While many of us tend to mostly seek answers from God in prayer, we should all hope to find ourselves with our noses in the Bible...seeking out the answers that lay before us. Mark Driscoll is a man who loves his Bible and he sets a great example for us...the answers that he provides are all backed up with research and scripture.
One thing I did NOT expect from this book is for it to be so researched out. At some points I felt it was a little bit too much history...a little bit too much theology...but then I realized that's just my personality. While I know it offers some insights and MANY people love history and explanations such as this...that part just wasn't for me. By looking at the cover you wouldn't think it would serve as such a stronglly founded research material...but it really delivers! This guy did his homework!
While I can not say I agreed with him on every point I will say that I found his chapter on "Humor" to be specifically helpful. I have always known that there is a line to be drawn in regards to humor and joking around in the Christian walk...but where? Mark does a very good job of drawing a line for us and helping us to see what belongs in our lives and what does not.
Of all the questions posed in this book I found the chapter on "The Emerging Church" to be the most interesting. Throughout the whole chapter he is very compassionate where it is due and practices tough love at the same time. I found it very inspiring...but not nearly as inspiring as his chapter on Dating...
Even though I skimmed this chapter...what I did read struck me to my core. My children are not yet old enough to date...they are only 7, 3 and 1...but when he began to speak of the experiences with his little girls and how his family is going to practice courtship...my heart fluttered. This chapter made me want to stand up and throw my fist in the air and let out a huge "YEAH!" for men of God everywhere. It encourages me so much to read when men of God are taking a stand and making a difference...beginning in their own family. The chapter on Dating was very inspiring for me...and gave me a lot to think about...now...if only he would come out with a book that details what Courting is and what it looks like...
When I say the phrase "Regulative Principle" what come to mind? .......if you're like me....absolutly nothing will come to your mind. When I got the end I expected some big shocking topic and I found the "Regulative Principle"...what?!?!? As I began reading I found out that there is a hot topic out there that I knew nothing about but that I had actually discussed in some form with friends at different times. But I had no idea it had a name...and different theories and stances!??!
I'm going to leave you with this teaser: "Regulative Principle" is a topic that really affects my generation. I have sat in church sometimes and wrestled with myself and God about this very topic...I have to say that Mark offered a very good solution...his over all cry on this topic was unity. Oh that we would have unity!!
Click here to buy Religion Saves.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
"From Eternity to Here" by Frank Viola
Have you ever listened to a story being told and as you are listening…it is as though you are no longer in reality but caught away in the world of the words being spoken? I have…and as I read “From Eternity to Here” by Frank Viola I found myself continuously being taken away…but the best part about being taken away in to the world of these words is that it’s real! It’s not stepping away from reality but stepping into reality.
This book is set up in a way that it paints our love story with God from Genesis to Revelation. This book contains three volumes: the Bride of Christ, the House of God, and the Family of God the Body of Christ. When I first read the titles of the sections I was kind of detached and wasn’t really encouraged to read much but as I dove in I realized that what Frank Viola has done…is given the body of Christ a beautiful gift…A gift that opens the eyes of those who can’t quite see the whole picture of what it means to be the Bride of Christ.
He weaves together the story of all stories…in a digestible (if not uncomfortable at times) way. While I did really enjoy the first and middle part of the book the part that struck me the MOST was the end. After reading the end I felt as though I had been standing underneath a waterfall of truth. My heart was encouraged and spurred on with passion for my God…and in awe that someone was saying exactly what my spirit is screaming out but without words to express it effectively.
In the next to last chapter Frank Viola once again pulls out his pen/paintbrush to help us see what it looks like when the body of Christ is walking in truth…
“In this chapter, I would briefly like to explore the practical question of what it looks like when a local assembly fulfills what God is after and His eternal purpose moves from eternity to here. “
He summarizes this chapter toward the end…and I will leave you with that summary because I believe it will cause you to want to know what he has to say about each of these things that are vital for the church to live out “the ageless purpose of God”…
“So how does a local church carry out the ageless purpose of God? Very simply: by loving the Lord Jesus as His bride and learning to live by His indwelling life. By edifying its members through displaying the Lord Jesus as functioning priests in God’s house and as participating members of Christ’s body. By living a shared life as the family of God, visibly demonstrating what the kingdom of God is like to a broken world. And by expressing God’s image and exercising His authority in the earth – the very things that the first Adam was charged to do in the garden.”
Frank Viola’s book “From Eternity to Here” is a true find…and I am very blessed by his book – I know I will be rereading this book throughout the rest of my life to enable myself never to lose sight of the whole masterpiece that is my love story with God…
I will leave you with one more fantastic quote:
“Every love story that the minds of mortal men and women construct, every love story that has made its appearance in the pages of human history – whether fiction or nonfiction – is but a reflection , a pale image, a faint portrait, a scrambled version of the sacred romance of the ages.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following bloggers are posting a review or Q & A with Frank Viola on his bestselling book FROM ETERNITY TO HERE today, Tuesday, July 21st. You may order the book at a discount at http://www.frometernitytohere.org/ – it’s also on audio book. Free discussion guide, sample chapters, interviews, and a free audio of the first chapter are available on that site also. Here are the bloggers who are participating:
Jay Becker - http://www.jaybecker.org/
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Anxious for nothing...
Wow...it's the fourth of July! Today I woke up with tension in my neck...you know when you don't sleep well apparently and your neck feels like you were clenched up all night long? As I sat there feeding Jossalyn this morning I realized that I was still tensed up!! I even was tensing up my feet as I sat there!
I just let out a quiet prayer of helplessness "God...What is it? Why am I so tense? Give me your peace...help me to relax..." As I started working on being conscious of how I was sitting and if each muscle was tensed up...letting them loosen and so on....I realized that I am anxious.
Usually physical symptoms such as these, with me, are a sign of something going on inside. If my mind and heart are busy with something then my physical body reflects it...of course. So while I was trying to loosen up and the thought of getting more sleep and exercising more crossed my mind...those are only surface fixes.
The truth is...I'm anxious! Anxious about what? Well...that's a good question...so as I seek the Lord this morning...as to not be anxious for anything and to trust Him with every situation...I pray that you too are anxious for nothing and trust Him with everything...
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Loving where you are!
Hello all of you who still check back here every once in a while! Bless you! I know I've been a horrible blogger since returning to the states...and at this point...I can't say that that is going to change. Things have been so busy and I've been filling in at a daycare when they need me and I have been unable to make the time.
I love blogging and so my attempts will not cease!!! I am fixing to write two book reviews that I signed up for...hahaha!!! I don't know when I am going to READ those book but I am...so be patient with me as I sort out the demands of our current situation and trust God to continue to move in us and work through us....
Here is what I was blessed with this morning! PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING - no matter where you are...do you have it? Get some from the source...it's like the fountain of happiness and youth! :)
________________________________
May God Give Us Success in All We Do
by Rick Warren
"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands" (Psalm 90:17 NIV).
God establishes the work of our hands by giving us gifts that will make a difference in the lives of others. That's what success is—being what God meant for you to be. Jesus said, "My purpose is to give [you] a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10 NLT).
You may be thinking, "Well, Rick, what about work that needs to be done but doesn't express my gifts; it just has to be done?" Any homemaker knows exactly what I'm talking about. I would say to you that every job, even the one you are suited for, has mundane parts. Every job has some parts to it that you won't like, but you can still worship God through those parts of the job.
And I would suggest you adopt this attitude: "Maybe this job that I'm in right now is a phase of my life and I'm not going to be here the rest of my life. But this is where I am for now; therefore, I will worship God right now."
The apostle Paul says, "Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering" (Romans 12:1 MSG)."Lord our God, may your blessings be with us. Give us success in all we do!" (Psalm 90:17 TEV).
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 07, 2009
OK...Let's try this again...
Off to church we go! I am expectant...and ready...and not gonna allow any preconceived ideas to limit what I received from God this morning! Menorah or no menorah...I'm ready!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
OH...hahaha...
One of the images I used in my post came from this very APPROPRIATE article:
How to get the most out of a sermon...
Bored in church...
My physical body is sooo tired from today I almost feel as though I'm sleeping while awake? LOL...so excuse me if this post is a bit...uhh...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....what? Oh...uh...what was I saying? :)
I had a wonderful day today although it started out a little rough. Have you ever had one of those days when you go to church and you can't sit still and you feel like you would rather be anywhere else than listening to the message you are sitting in? (oh come on...you know you have!!!!!! at least once? Ok...so your a saint...)
Well, while I don't think I can say I would rather have been anywhere but there...I really was totally frustrated with the message. It was about the Minorah and its symbolism and representation of the body of Christ and...ect...ect...and yes my attitude was horrible. And I apologize to those of you who love all that stuff but usually...while I know there is a lot to be learned from it...I have never been into all the different feasts...and all that stuff...or church history. I wish I was...but it is so hard for me to focus in on and really give it my all. I know it probably shouldn't...now start talking to me about revival and missions and church planting and Paul's life...ect...and I'm all EARS!
Even when Beth Moore dishes it up...I usually find myself tuning out. We missed worship because we were so slow moving this morning but I was so ready for church...so ready...and then as we walked in and I started listening I just got so antsy...
I read the bulletin like 5 times...played with my shoe...sat on the floor - yes I actually sat on the floor...we were in the back so I could...tugged on John's foot a few times...all the while listening...and being frustrated....ready to go. (acting like a child in truth) I just kept looking up at John and was thinking...honestly...I wonder what he's thinking if I'm feeling like this...
So when it was all said and done with I was like "Man! That was hard to sit through..." and I expected him to share about how he felt the same way and then go on to discuss what it was exactly that made me feel that way...but...(record scratch)...He enjoyed it! It was a very good solid teaching he said...I said "What?!?"
I thought back on what he had shared...and I was like...what's the deal. I was bored to tears...I was longing for something to stir my spirit...call me to battle...rattle my cage...
I had an epiphany while sitting there after his message was over...I was worshipping and opened my eyes to see many people still sitting down...they had made their chairs their alters and some were hugging each other...some where crying and some were standing with their hands outstretched worshipping God as though no one else was in the room...what did I miss?
I kept thinking...that wasn't a moving message. Or was it? After I walked away from service I felt like I had been cheated...my heart was not in the right place and because I prejudged the message because it was about a Jewish symbol and figured I knew where it was going...I missed a blessing. I went so hungry too...or was I? I felt like I was expectant and so ready to hear from God since I hadn't had my time with him in like 2 days...and then there I was...still hungry for the word of God.
So afterward we had a birthday party to go to and it was so much fun. Some dear friends of mine's little daughter was turning 3...we went and had a great time. We didn't get home until late and so after making dinner...cleaning and putting the boys to bed I sat down...still hungry...although my tummy was full...
I received a message from a dear friend who shared a scripture that God had pointed her to and spoke into her life through and so I went and read that chapter and man...the word of God is like living waters...just as the Bible says. Our God is so incredible and so wonderful...and His Word is so alive and real. I want to leave you with that chapter...be blessed and seek God with all that you are!
Galatians 5
Freedom in Christ
1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
2Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
7You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? 8That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9"A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough." 10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be. 11Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!
13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[a]; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Life by the Spirit
16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
hello...
The reason I haven't been blogging is really kind of fuzzy to me. I've been trying to figure out what has been keeping me from it and it really comes down to a few things. Lack of time is one...but not the biggest factor. I suppose I really do feel like I don't have that much to write that anyone would be interested in. Once I realized that I was quite frustrated with myself because...well...
Blogging for me has never really been about pleasing everyone else...it was about sharing and having a place to share my heart and what God is doing in and through our lives...regardless of if there are many readers or 1 (me). So while I feel insecure that I won't have as great of posts as when we were in Thailand and I feel like, at times, that we don't have as much value (totally a lie from the enemy) I will keep writing just for the pure joy and fun of it.
Life is anything but boring since returning from Thailand...it's fast...it's beautiful...and it's hard at times. There are days were I really do long for Thailand and a missionary's life...no central heat/air and all! And then there are days when I thank God...literally...that I can run down the street to Wal-Mart and witness to someone in ENGLISH! ;)
But I think the biggest thing that God has been really teaching me over the past few months is just to trust in Him. It seems like that is a continual lesson in my life...I just keep getting to deeper levels of trust each time. This time it's trusting Him even now...even now when my friends are a drive away...when there's a church on every corner...when my days are so much easier in some ways...
Even now...I just read a book called Even Now...and while I didn't mean to bring that into what I was saying...there it is. Even Now is a book by Karen Kingsbury and it was an incredible read...so much so that I finished it in 3 days...and kept my house clean, kids homeschooled and didn't lose it! hehehee...good book...
The kids are doing wonderful...Josiah is like a bright shining light...sometimes the light is blinding because he's going a million miles an hour and sometimes he is a steady glow that is absolutly mesmorizing...Jude is such a unique individual...and so sweet. He's so unique infact that I know of about 10 people that mimick his phrases in their everday life...NORMALLY!
And Jossalyn...oh the beauty that is Jossalyn. She's just stunning to me...and so full of joy - but her red headedness is really starting to shine through. Just yesterday I heard her screaming from her brothers room and then she would stop and then start screaming again. I thought her brothers were giving her a hard time and I went in to see what they were doing and I found Jossalyn sitting against the wall with a MagnaDoodle.
You know the little board things with the magnetic pen? Well, she's sitting there drawing on it and then she goes to part of the board where the string that is attached to the pen won't let her reach and she starts screaming and turning red while staring at the string and yanking at it!!!! I couldn't believe it...I watched her for a minute just to see if that was really what was happening and sure enough...she was mad and frustrated with the string!!!
John has been home since the Indonesia/Malaysia trip working very hard everyday at the JGLM headquarters. He will be heading off to Colorado next...I think. I've been thinking a lot about missionaries and praying for the ones I know and my heart is really moved for them. I wish I was wonderful at making videos so I could paint a picture for you to understand missionary life. But the truth is...you may be able to get a little bit of the picture but until you've walked it out then there is no knowing it...
And when you have that understanding it brings about a patriotic feeling. I know that word is used for your country...but it really describes the feelings I feel when I think about the missionaries serving and giving their lives to live their lives before men and be soldiers for the Lord on foreign soil. I want so badly to prepare love boxes to send them...and shower them with the love that they deserve in all aspects...gifts...money...prayer...being there...
I am praying that God allows me to find a way while we are here to bless them greatly. If you know of missionaries that your church supports or that you really appreciate...send them a letter...or an email and tell them. Put together a care package...even if it's small and show them you love them by sending it to them...and best of all...pray for them!!!!
Our God is so great and so wonderful...it is an honor to serve Him...in America or on foreign soil...so until next time...night night...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Late Sleeper's Anonymous
Hello. My name is Stephanie and I am a closet late sleeper and I'm coming out!!!
You know that feeling when it feels like the most comfortable thing in the entire world is your bed???? Well, it felt that way as I rolled out of bed this morning at 7:30 in the morning...as I walked away it felt like the bed was literally drawing me back to it...but little Joss's smiles and laughter won.
Eventhough I was up at 7:30 this morning we did not go to church. Once it was time for her to start getting tired...at around 9:30...I laid down with her and well, the rest was history. I woke up and John had let me sleep and I slept till 1! Wow! I think it's been years since I slept till one.
I have to be honest...I'm one of THOSE people. Most of my life has been a fight to get as much sleep as I can. My body wouldn't wake up by itself unless I aquired 11+ hours a night. I'm not kidding...for me it was normal to sleep until 1 or 2pm...And when it was woken up by some other intruder...an alarm clock...ect...I felt like I was in a commatose state that was only remedied by getting back in bed.
It seriously made me late for many a church service. At one point...no joke...my phone number was posted by the phone at the church so that if someone didn't see me there they could pick up the phone and let it ring to wake me up! Pittiful huh? I am happy to say that those days are now over.
I think it's the miracle of having 3 kids that cured me...or maybe it's the change in my lifestyle habits...eitherway I'm so thankful to no longer be a slave to sleep and my bed. I do have to admit...it felt soooo good to sleep in today.
I really missed out having missed church though...I felt so discouraged yesterday evening. I mean, really discouraged. I just couldn't stop thinking about everything negative and focusing in on things I can't change or help...John just looked at me and was like...what is wrong with you as I wore my puppy dog face.
So this morning...errr...AFTERNOON! hahahaha! After I take my kids to the park to run off some of this pent up steam....I'm going to dive into his word and let my children take a nap and seek God...I desire more of him and I will not let hopelessness or the feeling I felt last night oppress me anymore.
Be blessed!!!!
PS - Anyone else out there a closet late sleeper?
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Jumping BACK on the wagon
It's been a long time since I have written on here and I am really sorry for that. I seem to be unable to find the time during the day although there are tons of things that God is doing and I am thinking...and I'd love to share...just trying to work on managing my time better.
A lot of new things have been happening...one specifically is me making changes in our lifes in some drastic ways. One thing I have been doing personally is that I have been exercising 5 days a week for almot a month now.
I can hardly believe I'm actually doing it...it's been easy for me right now because my sister in law added me to her membership to a gym. So instead of having to pay for a membership I pay a small fee...and I'm in! I LOVE LOVE LOVE going every morning. The first week I was a bit discouraged...even though I know muscle weighs more than fat...I rushed over to the trainer guys and insisted they tell me "just how much DOES muscle weigh...more than fat!?!" I gained 5 pounds the first week and I was workin by behind off...and eating right!
But the next week was a different story! I lost 7 pounds and 4 inches! The weight doesn't matter as much as how wonderful I feel...I have more energy and I make it through the day so much better..not to mention...when I hit the pillow...I'm OUT!
On to other things...JOhn has been back from Indonesia a while now and we are so glad to have him home. He has been hard at work everyday...in about 2 weeks we are very excited because we will be starting a Young Adult Group...well, it's not exclusivly young adults...
I've been reading through Crazy Love by Francis Chan with my sister in law and we will use that book as a basis for beginning our Young Adult Study. I am asking God for great things to happen.
While all this stuff is going on I find myself thinking of Thailand and all the missionaries that are there constantly throughout my day. I have been following a missionary couple that just went over and it is so wonderful to watch and read as they walk through the first year in Thailand...it brings up so many memories and tugs on my heart.
This is the most recent post from their blog...I highly encourage you to check them out and pray for them...they are a wonderful couple...the article he used in this post is amazing and sounds a little bit too much like a story book for most Americans...thank you Jesus for missionaries...willing to go.
"I recently read this article by a well known worker in the Northeast of Thailand named Paul DeNeui and I wanted to share it with you all. It gives a great insight into the Isaan people of Northeast Thailand and the supernatural struggles they face in coming to faith in Jesus. Take a little time to read it and enter their world with me.
Come Join the Dance by Paul DeNeui
She wasn’t someone you would notice Like so many other northeastern Thai women she wore the short haircut and sarong garments of the elderly. Usually she talked with a mouthful of betel nut which made it difficult to understand her speech. But she loved Jesus. She had a beautiful smile. She longed for worship. And she loved to dance.
Grandma Noo Pon was eighty-two when I first met her at a village Christmas celebration. There was nothing that distinguished her from so many other elderly church members. I was still a new missionary not at all sure that I wanted to get up and dance for the Lord yet. But she was up there. And there is an embarrassing custom here when people dance in the circle of seated observers. They will occasionally bow low with hand palms together to someone sitting outside. This is a silent request to come join the dance. And she invited me.
There is no polite way to say no to your elders in Thai, so up I went. I had enough of the movements down to at least do something, but I soon learned that that was not the important part. I knew dancing was not a “pair” thing. Grandma soon wandered off to another part of the circle. Nor was this a display of talent (I knew I didn’t have that). This was simply a cultural invitation to celebrate life in our Lord Jesus. When people dance they have a certain glow, the light of life.
When the dance was over and the celebration was done everyone went back to their homes. I didn’t think much of Grandma again until a couple of years later when our Thai organization received some funds to help people build toilets. Several of our elderly church members did not have a latrine or toilet to use. Grandma was one of them.
Once again, being culturally inept (this time in building toilets) I wasn’t part of the actual construction. Soon after the project was completed the problems began. The owners of the land where Grandma Noo Pon was living were upset about the location of this latrine. It had been dug without their permission. They stated that she would have to leave. After much discussion with church leaders, the land owners agreed to let Grandma stay if we moved the latrine. We re-dug the latrine.
Later we began having weekly worship at our fish farm and Grandma, living close by, was invited to come. Her health wasn’t very good but she always came. When we ate together she nibbled less than a bird. She didn’t sing but she clapped offbeat. She asked for prayer that she would be hired to harvest rice. She said if she wasn’t she wouldn’t eat.
When Grandma was eighty-six the owners of her property sold another piece of property in a busy part of Roi Et which had been their family home for several years. In typical Thai fashion the family’s old wooden house was carefully taken down board-by-board and then rebuilt on the property where Grandma Noo Pon lived. But her old shack was an eyesore. The owners wanted her out of the way. Once again she was going to be evicted.
Some of our Thai staff, with church leaders, again approached the owners and volunteered to move Grandma’s house (such as it was) off to one side. They grudgingly agreed to this. But when it came time to move her house the rotted boards collapsed. Only a few sheets of tin roofing were salvageable. When the church members began to gather boards and panels to replace the building, the owners were finally embarrassed enough to help. They donated nails and some coconut trunks (notoriously soft wood). Finally a new hut was up under a tamarind tree in the corner of the property, near the latrine. Meanwhile the old family house was going up behind all of this. I noted the large verandah that wrapped around the ground floor. There were double doors to let in cool air. The peaked roof was well above the second floor to keep the hot air up and out of the rooms. The house had plumbing and electricity and a fresh new coat of paint. It was then that I learned no one would ever live in it.
It was a life-size spirit house containing small tables for urns holding the ashes of relatives.
Old photographs of these bygone people hung on the walls. Outside the house were three small spirit houses on poles. Usually only one is placed on a property. Each day family members passed Grandma’s hut to make food offerings to the spirits of that place. To say the least Grandma was less than pleased. It was obvious to her that a spiritual battle was going on and she asked for prayer often.
I found out later that Grandma Noo Pon had done a number of things in her life. She had worked as a maid for the owners of the land on which she now lived. She had raised twelve children. She had outlived three husbands. But she had made her living finding spirit herbs, or rather digging up herbs the spirits told her to find. At a young age she began to worship the spirit of the city pillar of Roi Et. This ancient post, now completely covered with gold leaf and tied with colorful scarves, was positioned several hundred years ago when Roi Et was first established as a marker to establish distances. It was also understood to be the location of the city spirit, the powerful one who watched over the whole region. She worshiped this spirit faithfully and was promised that if she would keep up the worship the spirit would tell her where she could find powerful herbs in the forest to sell. She agreed and it worked. She found many different types of herbs, roots, leaves, and twigs to make specific herbal remedies that healed a variety of ailments.
But the price for this advice was dear. She had to be extremely careful to obey the spirit’s every instruction and heed its every whim. Each phase of the moon a new offering had to be made at the city pillar. If she did not keep up her promises she would have terrible headaches and misfortunes. She could eat only certain foods and she wore special amulets that had to be respected always and be worn certain ways. The instructions were tediously long and she felt she could never please the spirit.
Meanwhile her ability to heal increased. Her popularity grew. In addition to the herbs she could interpret dreams and ward off evil curses. She became a medium to help others with their spiritual dilemmas while at the same time losing her own soul.
One day when she was at the peak of her popularity and her misery, she had a vision of a great serpent rising from the east over the trees where she lived. As it drew nearer and loomed larger, a growing fear came over her. Then, just as it was about to devour her, she saw someone dressed in white also coming from the east. He said, “Don’t be afraid. I have come to drive out Satan.” Not knowing who this person was, she waited. But for the first time she knew to whom she was enslaved.
A short time later two of our Thai church workers moved into the house next to her place. One day they came walking toward her from the same direction as the vision she had seen. They explained who they were and what they were doing and presented her with an opportunity to accept Jesus. Immediately she did so with joy and relief.
That night she had horrible dreams. She felt demons pulling on her legs, her arms, and even on her chest. They threatened to kill her. Not knowing what else to do she called out, “Jesus, Help me!” A stream of light shone down on her and the tugging instantly stopped. That incident convinced her of the truth. The scattered spirits never came near her again. She had freedom at last.
Her spirit was now free, but she paid a heavy price for it. The owners of the property where she lived made life miserable for her. They built the spirit house there to spite her. She often asked for spiritual protection in prayer. Even though her children were all well established none would care for her as is expected in Thai society. Only one daughter, a mute, would come and stay with her from time to time. Normally this woman could say nothing or speak only in grunts, but whenever we came to pray, read the word or pick Grandma up to take her to worship this daughter would suddenly curse in fluent Thai and fly into a rage. “Don’t feed it!” she would yell to us about her mother, “Let it die!” We felt it was demonic.
In June of her last year Grandma’s health took a turn for the worse. She ate very little. She wanted to be with Jesus. Her family refused to take her to the doctor since they were eager to get rid of her. Our Thai staff helped with medicine but finally she stopped eating and drinking. She died peacefully on Sunday, September 10,1995.
At that point the family stepped in, extremely concerned that we would want to take her body away. We assured them we did not want it. We were also informed that they would take care of the funeral. None of us were invited but we went anyway. It was held at the largest Buddhist temple in Roi Et and no expenses were spared. As one Thai observed, “Thai people love the dead.”
I sat and listened to her relatives gossip. They condemned the youngest daughter for refusing to take her mother in because of Jesus (true) Another said that Grandma’s husband died when she decided to follow Christ (untrue). The eldest son noticed our group and asked us all to stand in front of the coffin for a picture. I’m sure Grandma was looking down from her dancing posture of worship in heaven and repeating what she had said so often, “The old way is never satisfied. It is greedy, always demanding more. God is not like that. Thank you God for Jesus.”
This article appeared in the Covenant Companion, February, 1998"
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Blessed!
I am so blessed this morning...God is just so incredible and I feel his presence surrounding me. I have been at a loss for words when I sit down to post on the blog although my mind is filled with things I want to share...how does that happen? hehehe...but I wanted to write and just let you know that John has returned from his month long trip overseas and we are SOOO glad to have him home.
The trip went wonderful and I was so encouraged by all the testimonies and the experiences they had. I'm encouraged by the testimonies that are still pouring in. Right now I am just so moved by the fact...no...HONORED and blessed by the fact that I am able to be in service to our King.
I imagine back in the olden days when Kings reigned...wait...what am I saying? They still do reign in some places...but I picture it back in the day when knights, queens and kings were apart of life...and I think about the Thai people and the pride the feel in their hearts about their king.
They do not speak against the king...or of his business. They are reverent even to photoes of the king...the great pride that they have for their king is moving...and today I am walking in the reality that I am a daughter of the King of Kings and He is the most just...the most good...the most righteous...and I am HONORED to be in His service...
Glory to God!!! My life is for you Jesus...may I lay it all down...may I continually forsake the things of this world...and my selfishness...to find more of you...may I seek you in the truth that nothing else is worth seeking when compared to your majesty. All for you King Jesus!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009
little ol' update
Wow. So I thought I'd have all this extra time to write while John was gone in Indonesia and Malaysia but it just didn't happen! John has been gone for almost a month! We have never been apart this long and let me tell you...I don't ever want to do it again...unless God says so.
It has been suprisingly easy...and suprisingly hard at different times. I really have grown a strong respect for wifes of service men...they go months without their husbands!!! MONTHS!!! AHH!! I was speaking to one of them a few days ago and she said that I had made it through the rough part. She said that after a month you get into a routine and it's easier but that first month is the hardest...
I have to say this last week was easier...and it's true...we had found a routine...but God help us if anything upset that routine!!! LOL! Poor Joss has been sick the past few days...2 ear infections...a bad cough that the dr. called "croopie"...hehehe...and a rash across her face! Poor baby...
The boys and I thought John was coming home yesterday so I woke them up with "Daddy's coming home today!!!" and they jumped out bed like jumping beans. I wish I could get that response every morning from Josiah. But unfortunately I found out a few hours later that John wouldn't be home until today.
The boys were in the other room drawing pictures for Daddy when I found out. After I told them...Josiah cried! It about broke my heart. They are ready for Daddy to be home!!! I had so many stories to write to you but I'm afraid I have lost all but one. I'll try to post that one tomorrow.
Have you ever tried to explain the trinity to a 6 year old? VERY VERY VERY difficult...lol. Yesterday Josiah was sitting there and he said "If babies keep coming and coming...then how are we all going to end up in heaven or hell Mom? Does it just keep going and going?" I told him that the bible tells us that one day Jesus will come back...and he then asked..."well, then who will be in heaven?" and I said God and he said "But he's gonna come back Mom...how could he be in heaven and come back..." at that point I contemplated teaching him the word omnipresent...lol...but opted to say this instead "well, God is three in one. It's a little hard to understand...many adults don't even get it." He then said "but Jesus is the bestest of the three right? He's like the superhero right Mom?"
Hahaha...Jesus IS the ultimate SUPERHERO! :) I am really missing Thailand this week...I started speaking ONLY Thai to the kids while we were getting ready to go and they LOVED IT! I know this might sound weird but sometimes things are just easier said in Thai...and funner too. But as much as I am missing thailand I am so blessed to be where we are right now.
I'm excited about John's trip to Indonesia/Malaysia with his father...it sounds like it went awesome...and I can't wait to hear more. I am also excited about the opportunities God has given me to be here with my friends and family...encouraging them...as they encourage me.
I am working on a drama with a group of people at church to do this easter sunday and I had totally forgotten how much I love drama....how much of a passion it is of mine. But unfortunately...the drama that I feel like we should do...is not finished. I am horrible at choreography and that's what we need. I need someone to help figure out some sort of hand motions to music and I'm just terrible at it. But I know God will come up with something or show me what to do.
I can't wait....drama is such a powerful tool. Well, I am going to cut this pitiful post short and leave you with a quote from my bible study this morning:
"They had covered their insecurities with a blanket of sameness. The absence of a fresh encounter with God had them clutching to what they had left: the law."
Oh Lord...let me never be found clutching to lies because of the absence of your presence...I will seek you with all that I am...
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
We moved to COLORADO!!!
Colorado Street that is...hahaha! Yep...the reason for my very delayed posting is because we...er...I have been moving! John left on the 9th (his birthday) and that is the day we were able to get the electricity on in our new home. We did what we could before John left but unfortunately it wasn't that much.
God is good and I have been able to get us completely moved and the missions house is all cleaned up!!! You would not believe, or maybe you would...what God has done in providing for his children. My house is almost completely furnished and I have not had to purchase one single thing...wait...except for a floor lamp.
Two of my friends are getting married and both couples are combining house holds...and instead of having a garage sale and trying to make money...they gave their extra stuff to us!!! Between 3 friend we have a bed...dressers...a refrigerator...and more!
Then a friend called to tell me about a couch sitting on the side of the road and that they were giving it away...so we went to check it out and they had tons of stuff that they were givign away...including a school desk, an entertainment center, a huge cabinet and a WASHER!!! It works wonderfully!!! Then my other dear friend had a dryer sitting in her garage that she didn't need...
I could go on and on...I was suprised one morning by an awesome woman from our church who brought me kitchen utensils and a griddle...since I didn't have any pans!!! It was so awesome and my boys were sooo happy not to have cereal for breakfast again!! :)
This Sunday the church is throwing us a house warming party and told me to go register...I'm just in awe...I'm in awe of the body of Christ...and of how true and real God's promises are. He's so good...and faithful to provide for those who trust Him.
John is doing great in Indonesia...the first meetings had over 200 people attending and the last day John said that the worship and people were so intense it felt like the building was shaking at times...At the second set of meetings he said it was even more intense and that the church in Indonesia makes the American church look limp wristed...
After looking the pictures...I was jealous...I wish I could be there...Things are going good here. I just take everyday...situation by situation...and pray continuously. God is good and just as he is providing for my physical needs he's meeting my spiritual and emotional needs as well.
I have so much more to write but as for now...the boys have finished their late breakfast...and it's time for homeschool...hopefully I will be able to write again tonight or tomorrow...until then I want to leave you with a few quotes from an awesome book that I'm reading:
"I used to believe that in this world there are two kinds of people: natural worriers and naturally joyful people. I couldn't really help it that I was the worrying kind. I'm a problem solver, so I have to focus on things that need fixing. God can see that my intensity and anxiety are ministry related. I worry because I take His work seriously. Right? But then there's that perplexing command: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE!" (Phil. 4:4). You'll notice that it doesn't end with "...unless you're doing something extremely important." No, it's a command for all of us and it follows with the charge, "Do not be anxious about anything" (v.6)
Worry implies that we don't quite trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives. Stress says that the things we are involved in are important enough to merit our impatience, our lack of grace toward others, or our tight grip on control. Basically, these two behaviors communicate that it's okay to sin and not trust God because the stuff in my life is somehow exceptional. Both worry and stress reek of arrogance."
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I saw the posperity of the wicked...Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure....When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God. (ps. 72:2, 13, 16-17).
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"The point of your life is to point to Him."
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A.W. Tozer "A man by his sin may waste himself, which is to waste that which on earth is most like God. This is man's greatest tragedy and God's heaviest grief."
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I love this book! It's called CRAZY LOVE by Francis Chan...it's a must read! And it's only about 11 dollars! It even refers you to videos online that go along with the book. It's awesome...Well, be blessed today and check back soon for a story about a dead bird.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Friday, March 06, 2009
Quickie...
So family and friend...beware...the Blakes are here to stay...for a year. :) Yayee!! I'm sooo excited! I'll leave you with my devotional from purposedrivenlife.com for today... :)
by Rick Warren
From now on if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he'll take charge of sending the rain at the right time .... Deuteronomy 11:13-14 (MSG)
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Repeatedly, the Bible says to "serve the Lord with all your heart." God wants you to serve him passionately, not dutifully. People rarely excel at tasks they don't enjoy doing or feel passionate about. God wants you to use your natural interests to serve him and others.
How do you know when you're serving God from your heart?
The first telltale sign is enthusiasm. When you're doing what you love to do, no one has to motivate you, or challenge you, or check up on you. You do it for the sheer enjoyment. You don't need rewards, or applause, or to be paid, because you love serving in this way.
The opposite is also true: When you don't have a heart for what you're doing, you're easily discouraged.
One characteristic of serving God from your heart is effectiveness: whenever you do what God wired you to love to do, you get good at it. Passion drives perfection. If you don't care about a task, it is unlikely that you'll excel at it.
On the other hand, the highest achievers in any field are those who do it because of passion, not duty or profit.
We've all heard people say, "I took a job I hate in order to make a lot of money, so someday I can quit and do what I love to do." That's a big mistake. Don't waste your life in a job that doesn't express your heart.
Remember, the greatest things in life are not things. Meaning is far more important than money. The richest man in the world once said, "A simple life in the fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches" (Proverbs 15:16 MSG).
Don't settle for achieving "the good life," because the good life is not good enough. Ultimately, it doesn't satisfy. You can have a lot to live on, and still have nothing to live for. Aim instead for "the better life" - serving God in a way that expresses your heart.
Figure out what you love to do - that which God gave you a heart for - and then do it for his glory!
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Monday, March 02, 2009
Laminin...a MUST SEE!
Hey everyone...
For the next few days I am going to be posting incredible videos...please...take the time and watch them...and be blessed and drawn closer to Him...
THANK YOU JESUS!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Renewing Your Mind
You know, I almost feel bad for always posting someone else's stuff this week but I love things that are simple and to the point and right to the heart...and this is the best daily devotional I've ever signed up for. Almost every morning it's THIS GOOD...simple...and pointing you to Jesus. Thank you Rick Warren for these wonderful daily devotionals!
Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. Proverbs 4:23 *** *** *** ***
To change your life, you must change the way you think. Behind everything you do is a thought. Every behavior is motivated by a belief, and every action is prompted by an attitude.
God revealed this thousands of years before psychologists understood it: "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts" (Proverbs 4:23 TEV).
Imagine riding in a speedboat on a lake with an automatic pilot set to go east. If you decide to reverse course and head west, you have two possible ways to change the boat's direction.
One way is to grab the steering wheel and physically force it to head in the opposite direction from where the autopilot is programmed to go. By sheer willpower, you could overcome the autopilot, but you'd feel constant resistance. Your arms would eventually tire of the stress, you'd let go of the steering wheel, and the boat would instantly head back east, the way it was internally programmed.
This is what happens when you try to change you life with willpower; you say, "I'll force myself to eat less ... stop smoking ... quit being disorganized and late."
And, yes, willpower can produce short-term change, but it creates constant internal stress because you haven't dealt with the root cause. The change doesn't feel natural. Eventually you give up and go off the diet.
There is a better and easier way: Change your autopilot; in other words, the way you think. "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think" (Romans 12:2 NLT).
Change always starts first in the mind. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act, which means "there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes" (Ephesians 4:23 NLT).
To be like Christ you must develop the mind of Christ. The New Testament calls this mental shift "repentance," which in Greek literally means "to change your mind."
To repent means to change the way you think - about God, yourself, sin, other people, life, your future, and everything else, and you adopt Christ's outlook and perspective on life.
