Childlike Living

Small faith in a Big God

2011-03-14T11:08:00.003-05:00

Yesterday in The ReignForest at NewPointe Community Church I shared with the volunteers the truth of something Jesus told his disciples. From Mark 11:22 he simply said "Have faith in God". Often many Christians have faith in faith rather than faith in God. When facing trials, they agonize to attain moutain-size faith. But Jesus taught that faith the size of a mustard seed is sufficient, if planted in the soil of God's greatness.

What is your mountain today? As soon as you plant your mustard seed of faith in God, your mountain becomes His responsibility-and you can rest in His faithfulness.

HAVE FAITH IN GOD - NOT FAITH IN FAITH

Dear God today I want to focus on how great you are. You care for each life on this planet and you care about each problem I am experiencing. You are not a God who is far away and distant. You want me to have a personal relationship with you. Today Father, I choose to practice using my mustard seed of faith in the soil of your greatness. In Exodus 34:5-7 I find the traits of your character which helps me focus on your greatness. Great is your compassion, grace, slowness to anger, love, faithfulness and forgivenss. Thank you as I choose to see your greatness today. Amen.

Thanksgiving

2010-11-26T21:15:00.003-05:00

There is so much to be thankful for again this year. Having a family that loves to gather around the table together and share a good meal, play games together and remember good times. Another blessing we have this year is to add a couple of new family members to our table, namely Tobias Leoard and Caroline "Cookie". A first Thanksgiving for both of them.

From our family to yours we are wishing you a most Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Holiday !

Halloween

2010-10-25T13:06:00.003-05:00

In my opinion I believe Halloween is an opportunity:

1) 300 little people are coming to our house - an opportunity to spread the light of Jesus Christ.
2) We encourage a positive experience - an opportunity to love rather than condemn.
3) I love giving away treats to beggars - an opportunity to be generous to neighbors and strangers.
4) Seeing my neighborhood come alive with so many people is electrifying - an opportunity to embrace life.
5) My grandkids love coming to our house for trick or treat night and help hand out goodies - an opportunity to teach.
6) Give the best treat bags with a life message or invitation to church - an opportunity to invite.

Hank Hanegraaff (the Bible Answer man) says:
"...Halloween represents not just satanic oppression but a strategic opportunity."

read his article:
http://www.equip.org/articles/halloween-for-christians-oppression-or-opportunity

I was glad to also read a repost by Tony Morgan:
http://tonymorganlive.com/2010/10/17/8-reasons-why-im-a-fan-of-halloween/

"..Make the most of every opportunity." Colossians 4:4-6

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+4:4-6&version=NIV

Prayer

2010-10-18T10:51:00.002-05:00

Today we were challenged in SWAT (Staff working as a team) by our lead pastor, Dwight Mason, to confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops. James 5:16-18 NLT

As we met in groups and confessed to one another true prayer could be participated in around each table. Even a church staff can find it challenging to confess to each other their sins, admit their weaknesses and miss an opportunity to be authentic. We can gather and "chit chat" and talk about surface things and go through the motions of praying for each other.

I was challenged in our time this morning to revisit those disciplines that contribute to an earnest prayer life. I want to live a life that produces great power and wonderful results. I know it doesn't happen by the work of my hands but rather the bending of my knees. Giving private time to God must remain a priority if I want to change my story and change the world.

Not sure about blogging anymore...

2010-06-21T21:29:00.003-05:00

Reading my last post was funny...because the time passing really picked up speed. I can hardly believe the time between my last post and this one.

Here's the "skinny" of what's happened since the last blog and my recent thoughts about blogging.

In February, my husband Len and I went on a mission trip to Egypt for the first time together. We went with 6 other awesome people. We then connected with 5 more team members in Egypt. It was an amazing trip. Our team became like family to each other and we loved meeting together. We miss each other. We miss our Egyptian family and friends.

When we returned Len and I continued talking with three young women we met while there in Egypt. Two of them had accepted my invitation to be our translators. I had met them 2-1/2 years ago through Facebook when I prayed for them as they suffered the unexpected death of their father. In Egypt it's a very very difficult thing to be without your father, he is their mediator and protector. Len and I became their parents with the approval of Isis, their mother. She is a wonderful and gracious woman and shares her daughter's love with us. One of the girls will be coming to spend 3-1/2 months with us to gain culture and work experience. We are looking forward to welcoming Cookie into our home. We love these girls and Isis very very much.

My daughter, Erica and her husband, are expecting their 2nd child and our 5th grandchild in early October. We are blessed abundantly by our grandchildren. They are the best and I love them so much.

Ok, so there's the "skinny" leaving a lot out but that's ok.

Now here's what I've been thinking about blogging: Is it really beneficial? Is it worth it to blog when there's Facebook, Twitter, emailing, and texting. Hey! What about old fashioned calling people on the phone to chat and what about scheduling time to sit down and have coffee or tea together? Remember time is flying by!
No doubt blogging has lost a priority and perhaps a discipline in my life.

I'm just wondering...do people still read blogs ?
or
Maybe..it's just become more like open journaling.

It's the end of the first month of 2010

2010-01-30T18:12:00.004-05:00

Can you believe it !! One month into 2010. Do you feel like it is going to be a special year? Something you are anticipating...something's coming. Well, a couple of the women I meet with each week feel it too. I hope that it is a great year of personal growth in my life. I'm looking forward to it. Are you?

Let me know if you are anticipating a great year and what it is you are looking forward to.

Time passes quickly - Hello Journal

2010-01-18T23:01:00.007-05:00

It's too long since I last posted. How can this be? Time slips by and before you know it months pass. I am trying to journal everyday in order to recognize and appreciate the time I am blessed to enjoy life.

I have tried journaling on and off over the years but usually it fizzles after so many weeks. Since March, 2009 I challenged a couple of young women I was meeting with to journal along with me. It was that accountability that seemed to get me over the hump.

In leading people, as I have the privilege to do at NewPointe Community Church, I really sensed that I enjoy a freedom to pray and spend time with God, to begin a day fresh. It was something I was guilty of taking too lightly without great appreciation. I'm not brilliant nor the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to journaling. I rarely write down the events of the previous day. For me, I usually focus on what I am going to commit to God for the day. With that I might mention prayers, petitions, struggles, sins needing confessed, trust issues I have which I know God cares and wants to help me with. Sometimes I use my own format and sometimes I ramble.

Whatever you do in 2010 - try to write it down. It will be a special year for you to review the time you spent on earth.
The bottom line is every day just try and before you know it you will be like me. You will get over the hump.

But baby, it's cold outside

2009-12-13T07:00:00.003-05:00

This week was the initiation in Ohio that "brrr...winter is here". Ice storms hitting on Sunday's are always a challenge,

For some, it will keep them coming out to church, for others, nothing short of shutting the doors will keep them from church. What drives you in situations like that? Are you concerned for your own safety being on the road or is it that comfort zone? Whatever your position is, you still have the opportunity to draw close to God today. Don't let the day slip away without coming close to the One who loved you first and who loves you the most.

If your at our Millersburg campus, hope to see you there.

Stay warm, stay dry, be blessed.

A kid story

2009-10-07T15:23:00.003-05:00

Here's a story from this past Sunday in The ReignForest.

A little girl comes in with her mom for the first time. She is not happy, she doesn't want to be here (unusual for us to hear that). She crosses her arms stomps her feet, puts out her lip and says, while crying, I want to go back to my old church. Her mom tries to calm her but she can't. The little girl takes her name tag off crumples it and throws it to the ground. I gently encourage the mom and daughter out of the hallway and into an empty room. She continues her verbal outrage at being at this church. Within a minute I encourage mom that she will be alright and to go ahead and go. Mom, very wisely, quickly exits the room. The little girl is now crying loudly and stomping and verbally telling me "I want my mom and I want her now!!!" After quite a few questions about playing with this toy or the sandbox I ask her if she attends preschool. She says she does. She attends "StrLt". Really, I tell her, that is where my granddaughter goes. Her eyes get big and she says that "She's my friend." Really I say, well you know she just came in 5 minutes ago and is in Canopy right now. Would you like to go sit with her?" No! she says. Ok, well maybe you would like to go peek at her through the window. She's alright with that and she sees my grand-daughter but still does not want to go in. I tell her that's ok we can wait out here for her. In just a few minutes my grand-daughter comes out holding the rope with her little table friends. The little girl beside me says "Hello T...." My grand-daughter just looks at her like Who are you? Great I think to myself...this might not work. We follow my grand-daughter to her room and I ask the little girl, "would you like to wear your name badge so they will know who you are?" She takes it from my hand and sticks it on her dress, walks in and sits down at the table beside my grand-daughter. I know there was Angels singing "Alleluia" at that moment. Somedays there are situations where even the angels must hold their breath wondering who is stronger, the grown-up or the child.

Where Does Time Go?....ah to facebook

2009-09-26T20:51:00.003-05:00

So many days have passed since I blogged. Why? two small letters fb ... yes, my friends I tell you there is so much that can take place on facebook that it leaves little time left to blog. I look forward to getting back to blog world...but not right now. Chat with you on fb friends.

Back in the saddle again

2009-05-04T14:24:00.002-05:00

WOW-here I am back on the horse, the regular routine...well maybe not after yesterday's power outage that sent us out the emergency doors at a time when parents are picking up their kiddies. The good, the bad and the ugly: We didn't lose any little ones, it happened during parent pick-up time and the ugly is that we know our weak spots or what we need to work on....OK that's not really ugly is it ? Actually, I was very thankful for the opportunity to know how an emergency exiting would go. I was hugely, immensely thankful that no children were mis-matched or lost - that would have been worse than ugly (don't even want to go there).
Last week I was at Orange Conference in Atlanta, Ga. where we collectively (churches)focus on mobilizing the next generation. It was a time of rethinking and relearning as we look at relevant opportunities. We looked at leadership and how the younger generation is redefining their look of faith. It’s an opportunity to network, learn new ideas and share what works in our ministry areas. Finally our family ministry team has an opportunity to get to know each other and fellowship at a level that supersedes anything that could take place back home.
Thanks to all who support family ministry and allow us to get away to hone and craft our ministry skills so we can be better at what we do each week-end.
Not to us, but to YOU Lord be the glory.

Cleaning it up

2009-04-23T17:12:00.003-05:00

Well the bug has bitten me and I hope this one hangs on for a few weeks. Yep, that Spring housecleaning bug got me.
I like the smell of Murphy's Oil Soap, Lysol disinfectant, Windex and the fresh flower, trees, grass breeze coming in through the windows. My biggest dilemna has been, time and the energy to make it happen.
Well, I think I have found someone to come along beside me and help me. Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and seek help.
My task has been overwhelming me since my daughter, husband and grand-daughter moved in with Len and I. It's been going well relationally but sometimes the "stuff" (and a lot of it's my stuff) gets me bogged down and stifles me.
This past Tuesday I took a personal day off and with the help of a younger set of hands we set in motion "gittin' er done". What a difference.
I know that tomorrow we will make another significant breakthrough and it will continue. It gives me hope.
This change is going to be good!
Do you ever get overwhelmed by your housework?
Coming soon: Confessions of a Packrat

He's Still Got the Whole World in His Hands

2009-04-14T08:11:00.007-05:00

What an awesome Easter day. Our new series at NewPointe is so relevant. It's easy to forget with the downturn in the economy and everyday life ups and downs that God is in control. You can get too busy with life and miss the 7,000 promises in the Bible or forget to take time to realize that God does keep his Word and his promises. These promises can keep you balanced in the crazy times of life.

On Saturday night as I finished some preparations for Sunday I knew Easter was going to be a big "crazy" kind of day. We were kicking off a third service at 12:50 and we were expecting a big turnout...well it could be enough to keep you awake. I shared with my ReignForest volunteers in our Sunday morning huddletime the last item on my list which I made the night before.
#8 "Don't have a nervous breakdown - Trust God".
We all had a good laugh. I think they could relate. You wouldn't think you would have to be reminded that God is in control and you should just trust him, but at that moment when my mind wouldn't calm down...I really needed to act upon that confession. I was struggling with nerves and I needed to fess up and then affirm my action to "Trust God". After writing that last item and releasing my life to God, I went to sleep and slept well.

Easter attendance was 4,516. Almost 2,000 more than the previous year. Attendance in The ReignForest with just birth - 5 year olds 324 plus nearly a couple hundred volunteers.
Yep, I know who's in control and it's good to remember.
We can Trust God.
He is in control.

He's Still Got the Whole World in His Hands.

If it helps to remember it I'll write it down every day "Trust God".

Life in the fast lane

2009-04-07T09:18:00.003-05:00

Have you ever felt like your life is like speeding down the fast lane of a highway? Sometimes it can be like that as a staff person here at NewPointe Community Church. This is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as you take time to exit at roadside rest areas. Those areas for me are my quiet times with God, spending time in reflecting on His Word and my life is being filtered through it. I hope that you are spending time getting off the rest exit if your life is similar to a busy highway right now.

Here's some verses that the Holy Spirit has brought to my remembrance:

Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Romans 12:1-2
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Hit it on the head !

2009-03-15T22:25:00.003-05:00

Those attending NewPointe Community Church have been invited to be a part of the 28 day fast leading up to Easter Sunday. If you click on the NPCC link it will take you to the fasting and prayer guidelines. I hope you want to participate. I hope you want to grow and discover the plans that God has for your life.

Today I had been thinking about what I was going to give up for this fast. Although I'm fasting every Monday I wanted to be able to also make another sacrifice. It was really too late to give up any particular food. We had just returned from my grandson Joshua's birthday party and well ... what can I say Josh did real good in picking his birthday meal.

Upon arriving at home I really wanted to take some time and play Dr. Mario with Len. I thought out loud "Hey, that's what I can give up...Dr. Mario." My son-in-law, Aaron, had just come into the house and heard me mention that and said "Well, why don't you give up FaceBook." He no sooner said it then I was like in my mind "NO" ... "Ugghh, I don't want to be away from FaceBook for 28 days!" I said I'd have to think about that...but immediately, I knew by that internal response that would be the best sacrifice I could make. Aaron's pretty perceptive and he hit the nail right on the head.

Drat, you Aaron !! Your timing of coming in the house - too perfect. :-)

So, fb, I'll see you in 28 days. I'm going to take the fb application off my BB Storm and file it away. Remove the temptation. I'll still be on Yahoo if you want to check in with me.

I am looking forward to surrendering and yielding my life so I experience life change.
We all need it.

What are you giving up in preparation to be refreshed, renewed....changed ?

Tearing it down so it can be rebuilt

2009-02-18T01:47:00.002-05:00

Presently I'm doing a couple of book studies with two different groups of people with the book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness. We are just getting into chapters 3 & 4 dealing with pride. Dwight spoke on this part of the book on Monday at our SWAT (staff) meeting. He had given each of the staff this book as a gift at Christmas.

Today in a meeting with Lorrie, one of my apprentices in The ReignForest, she made a very good analogy. She talked about how swimmers have to get in shape for competition. For weeks before the competition they workout breaking down their muscle groups so that they can build them back up so they will be stronger.

When I look at it in the same way as an athlete does at building muscles it sure makes sense.

I don't like discovering pride in my life. I need the Holy Spirit to convict me of those pride issues so that God will draw near to me.

This process is difficult - change is difficult...but I can't continue the same way I am for where God wants me to go.

NewPointe Community Church Staff and The 90 Day Challenge

2009-01-21T14:30:00.005-05:00

Our staff at NewPointe is in yet another weight competition entitled THE 90 DAY CHALLENGE. We keep scorecards of points we accumulate for: pounds lost, walking, cardio, weights, drinking water 63> and vitamins. You also can lose points i.e., for eating junk food. Another twist is that it's possible to steal points from someone if you catch them eating junk food.
Here is an interesting part: kangaroo court can be held at SWAT meeting on Monday's. Yes, in front of your peers you can make the claim that you are not guilty.
This staff is quite competitive and we are having a lot of fun with it.

Drinking the water is one of the hardest parts for me! I'm gittin'er done!

dayz fly by

2009-01-16T00:27:00.004-05:00

here it is coming upon the end of another week. today i mentioned to amy, a volunteer in the reignforest, the longer i work in a day the more it seems i have to do. did you ever feel that way? well sometimes i forget - - ok, i may often forget, that i will never ever ever get it all done. that's my brave courageous statement for today. yes, for some of us who are more "structure oriented" we like to have everything done or try to. i can't really say i've accomplished that, but some days i feel i do better than others.

perhaps i'm feeling this way because i'm making time to work on relationships - you know they take a big chunk of time...well it could be. you know i don't think our enemy (you know horns, red cape..? wants us to take time to build relationships. however, i think GOD is very happy when we focus more on relationships then tasks. well now that makes me feel better. guess i'm on my way to a changed mindset about getting everything done.

now i'm off to bed...i can rest "with the undone of the day".

being stretched

2009-01-09T00:21:00.002-05:00

i need "courage"... who was the character in the "wizard of oz" that needed courage... do you remember?

yeah, the lion, that's right. well, my pastor, dwight mason, last year all that man seemed to be asking for when i'd ask him how i could pray for him, would be to ask for three things one of which was that God would give him courage.

it seems like a crazy thing to ask for when your leader of a church that's over 2,500 people...who you'd believe to have had to arrive at this point with a lot of courage...well if you've gotten that far, one would think. well, perhaps, i don't know for sure, but perhaps, you just need so much more of it each year because the risks are bigger, the stakes are higher, the enemy is licking your heels more often. You just need more....so that's what you keep asking for.

yes, he is wise and strives for purity (i believe those are the other two).

this year i want to strive to exercise courage...do more for God, take risks, live on that edge, be real, be vulnerable, all these things are going to take a lot more courage than i had last year....all so I can be changed.

who wants to be the same as they were in 2008 .... that's so boring - come on let's live dangerously for God.

please pray for me to have courage. it could be that i come in contact with the one who needs to hear Jesus Christ loves you and He died so you can have eternal life.

facebook

2009-01-05T01:01:00.003-05:00

I love facebook. It's so easy to connect with people who have touched your life in various ways. There is a pitfall to it though...because it's so easy to jump from friend to friend, I find it easy - very easy to spend more time there than..say like writing on my blog.

It's not that I mean to ignore blogging, I just don't find it as connective as facebook. The one thing I do find here is that I can be more expressive which at times is either too rambling or struggling to express myself at what I'm experiencing.

So, all that to say this...I REALLY REALLY like facebook. If you don't have a facebook account, get it, but fair warning - it can be addictive.

A New Year

2009-01-03T00:43:00.002-05:00

It was a most satisfying Christmas this year. We accomplished giving less gifts to each other this year and we focused more on appreciation of the day and what it means to us.

We had our annual New Year's Eve party with lots of appetizers and friends over. The time went by so fast with fixing sauerkraut balls together, eating, talking and laughing that before we knew it, it was time to watch the ball drop in Times Square, toast each other with our bubbly sparkling grape juice while ushering in the New Year.

So now with the holidays over and a new year before us my thoughts have turned to reflection of the past year and toward planning vacations, birthdays and family events...oh and of course making those New Year resolutions.

My number 1 resolution- it is to not be the same person I was last year. I know I can't personally accomplish this resolution in and of my own strength. It will take more time reading God's Word and meditating on it. It will take more prayer and submitting to the very likeness of Christ. It will take dying to self daily.

Happy New Year and may God Bless you as you pursue meeting your New Year's resolutions.

Christmas Music Spectacular

2008-12-14T01:49:00.004-05:00

Len and I went to see this musical at the Akron Civic Theatre. It was advertised as family friendly and it sure was. So refreshing. The variety and talent of the show was really impressive. We received tickets from Larry Wilgus, music director, of the production. During the show, Larry had some people talk about what they do each year as Christmas traditions, this was a nice engagement of the audience. He also had the audience sing a couple of times together and they did, it was very very nice. I told my son-in-law when we returned home that it would be a great tradition to start attending this as a family next year. Especially if the production takes place at NewPointe Community Church. I don't know if that will happen but I sure think it would be a great event for our community and our family.

The Akron Civic Theatre is really something to behold. WOW! They restored this place around 12 years ago and it's impressive. Len and I had been there in the early 90's to attend a Newsboys concert and the theatre was in need of repair. They sure did an outstanding job. The detailed architecture is worth making the trip up there.

After the show we while waiting for people to file out of the balcony we were surprised to see a couple of other NewPointer's, Dave & Miriam. We all were impressed with the ceiling, the constellation of stars imbedded in the ceiling and the moving clouds; lighting just the overall beauty of the place. I told Dave I really would like to do the sky like that in North Canopy in The ReignForest at NewPointe. He said he could do that. He had done something like this for another place. WOW, That would be sooo coool!!! I know our preschoolers, volunteers and guests would be in awe. And you know, there's nothing like the wonder of God's beautiful heavens, the work He did on the fourth day, to put you in awe of His majesty and handiwork. Cool beans!

Well, you still have a chance to see this show since it will be playing still on Sunday, December 14th. You won't regret making the trip up to Akron to take this in.

Oh, another cool thing Akron has going on is the outside ice skating rink. It sure was great to see all the families there having a good time in downtown Akron. It kind of makes me want to get out the old ice skates. It's been awhile but it's probably like riding a bike ... right? ha ha ha, Just to be safe I'd better strap a pillow on the backside if you know what I mean.

Enjoy the holidays.

Thinking about opportunities of conflict

2008-12-02T11:06:00.004-05:00

Today I had a great opportunity to talk with a young mother about baby dedication, being new to the church she is just getting engaged with a small group and I was excited to hear about that. Discussing baby dedication always offers me a segway to serving opportunities.

How exciting it was to engage with her about the variety of serving options we have at NewPointe. Did you know that in The ReignForest we have serving opportunities that are only 35 minutes long or that a serving opportunity can be 2 or 3 times a year ? She was so excited to find out that she could get engaged in a lower commitment serve that has a big impact.

She also asked some specific questions about baby dedication about the questions we ask. Since her husband is not a believer or follower of Jesus Christ. I still encouraged her to have him attend the parent meeting. You see I believe this could be an opportunity for the Holy Spirit to stir a conflict or cause an opportunity for a conversation.

I am so fortunate to work with Kevin West who is a down-to-earth communicator, and explains well the questions we ask at the parents meeting for baby dedication. It takes courage to ask parents to wait to have their little ones dedicated and often that opens a different conversation or possibly conflict.

I don't believe that is a bad thing because 1) The Holy Spirit causes conflict within ourselves as he convicts us of sin 2) Without the conflict of the Holy Spirit we would not recognize our need of Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

This causes me to filter conflict through a biblical perspective.

Just thinkin' about: Do I allow the Holy Spirit to work in my life to face conflict courageously so that life change is genuine? or Do I only want change when it accomodates my lifestyle or fits my viewpoint.

What are your thoughts about changes that take place in your life?

Christmas Dance

2008-12-02T10:30:00.001-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Thanksgiving

2008-11-29T00:15:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was a great day of feasting, if your able to enjoy the wonderful sights, smells. I wasn't enjoying it as much as I would have liked to. Unfortunately due to a virus I was on the downside of loving all the turkey smells, pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, gravy and sides. Now that isn't to say I didn't have any of the wonderful delights. No, I'm not that strong, even thought I was under the constant call of the porcelain chamber.

Today however, I am feeling so much better and am truly enjoying some sweet leftovers.

May prayer for you is that you were able to enjoy a wonderful day of fellowship and thanksgiving with family, friends and that you enjoyed good food and good health.

A laid back day.

2008-11-23T00:29:00.003-05:00

Today I took time to enjoy one of the most "laid back days" before the craziness of the holidays. I could have done so many chores today and kept myself busy preparing for the holidays. Sometimes though you must let yourself have a day of not being pushed by a schedule and just take the day off "guilt-free". That is probably one of the most challenging things to do. Driven people operating off of schedules and to do lists often don't experience downtimes without paying with a price of guilt.

I must say I enjoyed catnapping and leisure TV watching. I hope you can enjoy a day like this from time-to-time.

Checking in

2008-11-18T23:55:00.004-05:00

Wow, I'm finding it harder and harder to get back into "blog world". When I have time to surf or write, it's usually in facebook or on twitter. It just seems to be easier to check in and say what I'm doing quickly..and I absolutely love checking out other people's updates and looking at their photo albums.

Here's the skinny on what I'm reading and an update on book studies:
"Wild Goose Chase" continues, one more meeting. What a book, it's really awesome.
I started reading "The Power of the Rubberband" by Nancy Ortberg. Proving to be a good read.
I'm listening to a book when in transit entitled "Secret Believers" - excellent for missions
Lastly, in a book study with co-workers "Becoming a Person of Influence". I've read it before but am really gleaning a lot more through this study.

OK..so that's the easy stuff. Recently, my grand-daughter came to live with me along with her mommy, daddy is staying in Columbus until the house sales. So I have this great joy of picking up Charlotte 3-4 nights each week. My life schedule has really changed. She is so sweet though. Len (Big Papa) and I are very much enjoying her. Seeing her smile, making her laugh and comforting her (she's teething) as I dance with her, talk baby talk, be silly is not only good for her, it's good for me. The absolute best is that I get to pray over her and whisper in her ear that God made her, God loves her and Jesus wants to be her friend forever.

May God bless you. Don't forget that this truth is for you also.

Chicago

2008-10-28T01:47:00.002-05:00

Two little girl's dream shopping trip at the American Girl store in Chicago. What a fun time.

Book Study

2008-10-27T23:37:00.008-05:00

Len and I are doing this book study "Wild Goose Chase" written by Mark Batterson. In chapter Four titled "Eight Foot Ceilings", I came face-to-face with my regression to a childhood developmental problem. I'm pretty sure other adults face this but don't want to admit it.
Mark is talking about God instructing Abraham to go out of his tent and look up at the stars in the sky. He was having his focus, attention, perspective redirected. It was clear that God wanted Abraham to unobscure his vision. As long as Abraham held on to his obscured vision it would keep God's promises from his sight. Mark refers to this as "undeveloped psychological capacity in children known as object permanence: out of sight, out of mind. We lose perspective when we lose sight of the promises of God."

I don't know about you, but I confess that I am guilty of object permanence. Yep, sometimes I forget just how big God is. I need to go stargazing and "get a grip" on how small I am. I need to stop putting Eight Foot Ceilings on what God can do in the world around me and wants to do an amazing work in me too.

This book is excellent. Mark says he has prayed for you even before you begin to read this book.

Hey thanks Mark for responding to my note in facebook and I'm glad my word pre-prayers earned a :-) with you. It's good to know your real small-just like me.

Pick it up, I think you'll like the insights God has given to him to share with us.

Unendurable endurance

2008-10-23T21:27:00.009-05:00

Today in my one-on-one with my boss I expressed how over the past month I realized my test may have been one of endurance. It had been a long long time since I had faced such a time of depression and turmoil in my life. Somehow, Thank God-he uses times like these to draw me close to Him.

This place was familiar to me with it's sensation of spinning and spiraling. It was a place from the past-not a place I really wanted to visit again. For over 20 years, early on in my marriage, I had suffered with the life-draining beast of depression. At times it had gotten so bad that I thought I must be losing my mind. Turning to doctors and medication I would do different programs and prescriptions but they never seemed to be the answer for me.

People often try to encourage you with wisdom of their own or using God's Word to help "bring you to your senses". You know, "What have you got to be depressed about?" "You need to count your blessings." and on and on. All valid sayings, all justifiable things to do. But perhaps one should consider an option of just being supportive with offering to remember them in prayer, to simply sit by them, walk with them or just be a friend rather than focusing on trying to fix the person or their problem. You can never ever go wrong by remembering a person in your prayers.

This place where I was residing was what I refer to as "the funnel". Imagine yourself living life outside the funnel and all of a sudden you find yourself on a slick slanted surface swirling around and downward into a spiral and as you go lower and lower it gets darker and darker.
This is a dark, lonely, unfriendly place.
It's a place filled with imaginary conversations.
Tell me, is it realistically a place someone would purposely journey to?

I have not been able to blog about this because it's been difficult to understand what the struggle was all about. I'm pretty sure I most likely was suffering burnout. My energy level was so low that I didn't even have fumes to smell. One thing I knew I had to regain margin in my life, like my life depended on it ..because it really did.

So how is it turning around...I've experience some good margin over the past few weeks, setting time to be quiet, enjoy vigorous activity in nature and depending on God's ability to cover me with His wings of protection and teach me His secret of glory-strength endurance. Currently I'm counting more good days than bad ones. It's doesn't looke like it's going to be a 20 year event. Praise God!!

Thank you God for your ability to cover me, provide shelter and your faithful promise of armor and protection.

Psalm 91:4 (New Living Translation)
4 He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.

Colossians 1:10-12 (The Message)
9-12Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

My prayer for you today if you are in a dark place is to allow someone to walk beside you, sit with you or pray for you. Then endure the unendurable so you will find the glory-strength that only God can give.

Thanks for reading a little bit about my recent journey.

Quick Hello

2008-09-23T06:54:00.009-05:00

Wow-it's been a long time..sorry. Lots has happened since the birth of my lovely little "peanut" Charlotte. (She's not a peanut anymore, but becoming a giant cashew.)

I was intensely involved in helping to prepare a team to go to Egypt to organize VBS for about 2,000 children and Sunday school teacher training for about 100 leaders. That took an immense portion of my time. Actually it seemed to own my life. It was an important investment. This is something I loved to do. I had hoped to catch up a little bit and blog while in Egypt but I did not have any time or connectability. When first landing in Cairo it looked like I had a window to connect but it was soon closed and then we traveled to Suhag/Akmeem in Upper Egypt, (seven hours south of Cairo by train) there definitely was not a moment when we had availability or access to the internet.

Hey, I've hit the ground running before but this has been a marathon. Don't you usually rest after one of those?

So...here I am finally back. I'll give you glimpses of the past 2-12/ months over the next week.

Thanks to all of you who have been checking and saying something to me about getting back...you are a great encouragement to me.

Coming soon - more pictures of the team and trip to Egypt.
Here is a picture of a couple of wonderful friends from Egypt.
Pastor Raulf, me, Dr. Hany.
I miss you guys !!

A new addition to the Family

2008-06-29T01:12:00.003-05:00

Yesterday morning my daughter, Erica, gave birth to our fourth grandchild. It was her first child and she did a marvelous job during the labor process. Her husband, Aaron, was a fantastic coach and was attentive to her every need.

Len and I were able to be in the birthing room when Charlotte arrived. We had never participated in the birthing process as spectators and it was a very special time. Dublin Methodist hospital is fantastic...it reminds you of a Hilton Hotel with it's serene atmosphere, Zen gardens with and state of the art capabilities.

Here's a couple of pictures..

"Thank you God for so many great blessings. One of which is the process of new life. We are grateful that we were able to witness the birth of our fourth grandchild and marvel at the wonder of your creation. We thank you for her health and for being with Erica during the labor process. May her life and her parents lives be lived to bring glory and honor to God. Amen."

The speed of God

2008-06-29T01:12:00.002-05:00

I'm amazed - I shouldn't be, but I am.

At what? Well, how quickly God can bring things together. This week I watched an amazing transaction of trust and connectivity come together for this year's Impact Middle East VBS team travelling to Upper Egypt. You see, we have a very short time to prepare and become a "team". Normally this would be stressing me out - but it's not. I've given this over to God. This is definitely a God thing - WOW, I'm so glad that I've released control over to Him.

This team has some high goals - over 2,000 children in 6+ villages. In addition to modeling VBS we doing teacher training and equipping them with relevant curriculum in Arabic. Yep, it's in the process now, the translation is soon to begin.

The challenge to raise the funds with the $500 increase per ticket, the team needs to raise $17,000. This makes it even more interesting to see what God is going to do.

It's going to be an amazing ride.

I've got to pinch myself - Is there anything better than watching the hand of God move to bring about His purposes.

WATCH FOR IT - His hand moving in lives causing lifechange
EXPECT IT - His glory will be revealed through lives changed
BE A PART OF IT - Take action get engaged by serving, praying and giving
***click here NewPointe.org so you too can personally experience lifechange.

Life is way cool when engaged for His glory.

Grace

2008-06-09T21:52:00.008-05:00

Tonight while working out at Super Fitness I got so energized by a book I am rereading and a song by Chris Tomlin that I was listening to on my ipod. The book, I've mentioned before is Captivated by Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah. I'm telling you the second time through I'm getting so much more out of it. It may be because I believe I've really grown a lot this year in my relationship with God and I'm doing a better job at listening to His "still voice".
Anyway, this book has helped increase my appreciation of grace by reminding me of the many benefits of grace that is provided through my friend and Savior Jesus Christ.
Here's what was getting my juices flowing so much until I had to start running on the treadmill....or I was going to get off of it and start dancing...that would have looked strange.
Here's what Dr. Jeremiah writes: "The grace-driven believer disciplines his passions as a military leader would discipline his troops. And what passions? Eating, sleeping, talking, playing. The Spirit of God will point you to the specific issues of your own life."
I see hope in discipline.
I'm learning that as I continue my plan with Thin & Healthy for eating and exercising. There is such a strong correlation between our spiritual journey and the discipline of taking care of our body.
The beginning of Titus 2:12 says "We should live soberly..." I always thought of that word in a negative way - Whoa, did I have that wrong...a good translation of the word would be "with self-control". Well, how do you take care of your body...yes, it must be soberly. And your relationship with God? Yes, soberly, so you can exercise sound mind and judgement in all your passions and desires.
Wow - this stuff is life changing.
Read the words of "His Grace Is Enough" by Chris Tomlin or go get it on iTunes
Great is Your faithfulness oh God
You wrestle with the sinner's heart
You lead us by still waters and to mercy
And nothing can keep us apart
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise Oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Great is Your love and justice
God You use the weak to lead the strong
You lead us in the song of Your salvation
And all Your people sing along
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise Oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me (x2)
So remember Your people
Remember Your children
Remember Your promise Oh God
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough
Your grace is enough for me
Your grace is enough
Heaven reaching down to us
Your grace is enough for me
God i see your grace is enough
I'm covered in your love
Your grace is enough for me
For me

Provision

2008-06-09T21:52:00.003-05:00

On May 22nd I received a call from my son-in-law telling me that Heather, my daughter, had taken ill while at a trade show in Massachusetts. He didn't know how bad it was but he was waiting to find out. Later he called me back to tell me she was very sick and had been admitted to the hospital there in Springfield. He said he was going to drive over with the kids, about a 12 hour trip. I told him, I'd like to go with you. I can help drive and help with the kids. It was a grueling trip. When we finally arrived around noon on Friday, Heather looked bad. They weren't sure when or if they were going to do surgery. They really needed to wait until her liver number wasn't so high. She was not happy and wanted to go home to have surgery. Her condition however was life threatening and she couldn't be transported home. She called and talked with her doctor back home and he advised she stay there, the condition "mild pancreatitis" can turn ugly quick and be life threatening. There we were, Greg and I and 3 kids staying in a motel visiting the hospital 2x each day and sometimes I would leave Greg there and take the kids on my own. What made the week-end even more stressful was it was Memorial Day week-end and on Sunday Heather was to host a baby shower for her sister Erica in Columbus, Ohio. Could it get anymore complicated. This was to be a big week-end for our family. We had planned to all go down together and have a great family time. Who would have guessed that something different was going to take place.
What I personally found interesting is that earlier that week our small group begun to watch a 3 part sermon series on "Joy" by Francis Chan. Yep, little did I know that I would soon be applying the scripture from Philipians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice!" and Philipians 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
These verses would become all I could think about. OK, this is a tough test, standing there at my daughter's bed and seeing her in such pain and in mental anguish because she felt like she was ruining her sister's special time in not being able to host the baby shower and their mother was not going to be there either...in addition to that she realized there was no guarantee that something could possibly go wrong and she could not be there to take care of her children and husband. When you hear your daughter say "Take care of the kids mom" it does something to test that ability to "Rejoice" and yet I knew from my own personal experience that facing death when you are a child of God, a friend of Jesus...you are not in a bad place. You are in a Win-Win situation...but can you position yourself to rejoice and trust God for the outcome. Hmmm...why do we need such times to test us. I believe it's because God wants to share a secret with us. Check it out, Paul mentions it later in Chapter 4 -
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. There it is that nugget of truth, that exercise of the muscle that none of us wants to do the work to develop but that we all want to claim.
Sometimes we don't even know what we need... really need. We sometimes need to relearn the sufficiency of Christ our Savior.
This story has a happy ending, it's God putting us first....His loving us so much that He sent His Son to give us hope and to provide everything we could possibly need as His children. Whatever might come our way we would find HIS provision more than enough.

Rejoice..., again I say Rejoice

2008-05-22T16:37:00.002-05:00

Do you remember Phillipians 4:4 ? Yea, it's the verse that goes "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say Rejoice"

In our Small Group we are listening to a series of 3 messages by Francis Chan that have influenced the way I am remembering to "Rejoice always". It's producing a changed mindset, a different way of thinking. Yes, a way of having my mind renewed by the very Word of God. Once you commit this verse to memory and read and re-read the entire chapter you will begin to internalize (eat) these words and before you know it you will experience a life changing thought process.

Now do you think this process will be tested ?

You'd better count on it and do so with joy. If you don't today will be no different than yesterday and what kind of life is that when you are being lead by the Holy God of the Universe.

Missions - an everyday word

2008-05-20T13:24:00.002-05:00

Interested in missions, unreached people...then check out Justin Long editor of Momentum Magazine.

http://www.momentum-mag.org/momentum.php

Time Flies

2008-05-12T13:19:00.002-05:00

Man, I couldn't believe it when I realized it's been 2 weeks since I've blogged. I'M ALIVE !!

Yep, still here, kicking, learning to grow, change and accept the challenge to experience LIFE CHANGE to the fullest.

Cool things that have happened in the past 2 weeks.

Had a retreat with leaders from our Family Life group, Velocity, KidStuf and an awesome turn out of volunteers from The ReignForest. My volunteers encourage me by their willingness to step up and out of their comfort zones. They are pushing me. It's all good !!
Began holding weekly meetings with key leaders at Wallhouse in Sugarcreek on Thursday's. It's real good. I continue to look for ways that I can pour into their lives while they are pouring into me.
Finished up the 50# Team weight challenge... YEA!!! I have lost 13% of my weight. Our church staff has lost 450#... DUDE...that's almost a quarter of a ton. I think that would fill up my cubicle - for sure!
I was asked if I'd be interested in sitting on the Health & Wellness Committee and YEAH - I'm stoked because I really like to motivate people and be an encourager...it could be one of my gifts-well I hope so.
Today we celebrated with a big luncheon and I got to plan what we were having with Jean Vacha, extraordinaire cook and food counselor, beside me. She's awesome!!! SO DUDE-here's what we had:
Salad with lots of toppings
Coleslaw - (Thanks Greg K. for making it for us.)
Balsamic redskins
Steak & Chicken Shish-ka-bobs
Chipotle Pomagrante Pork Loin
Veggie tray w/ Garlic Garlic dip, Spinach dip & Onion Onion dip - all fat free
Angel Food Cake w/strawberries
BEAUTIFUL Watermelon boat
Chocolate Mousse (THIS WAS THE BOMB- JEAN YOU ROCK!!!)
Apple Pear cake w/Chai Fat Free topping
Lemon bars
Raspberry Crumble cake
Assorted breads
PARTY - PARTY - PARTY !!! High high energy, great cheering each other on.
It was soooo coool, we even got to invite our spouses. The program was sooo good - John Bunn, you are hilarious...I know "you just wann be a blessing"
Jane Miller was Platinum winner with 16% weight loss - WAY TO GO Jane
Anita was 2nd with 14%
Chad Stutzman was 3rd place with 14% (this was a close race)
I came in 4th....whoo hoo - yeah I know there was no medal - I'm still a winner

Well there, I caught up with the last 2 weeks. Lots of other stuff has been happening with God speaking through various things I'm reading and people speaking into my life. You know life is really good when you get excited about what God's going to do....He creates a lot of suspense in my life and it's never boring. IT'S ALL REEEEAL GOOOOOD !!!!

What a week-end

2008-04-28T22:20:00.003-05:00

This past Friday through Saturday afternoon Kevin, Jessica and I hosted a 212 Retreat for leaders from our environments at NewPointe Community Church. We began preparing this event back in February and really prayed about who we were to ask to step up into the next level of leadership. Dwight kicked the retreat off with a great talk on Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. He really knocked it out of the park. The next morning we listened to Francis Chan, then Craig Groeschel and Andy Stanley. It was a really neat opportunity for us to invest and pour into our leaders. We value them and hope they will "TURN UP THE HEAT" as they work through the process of going to the next level in their relationship with God.

After this event we went right to the church and got ready for NewPointe's first "All Access" event. Our very first church conference. We met a lot of terrific people. Hopefully we got to be very real and transparent with them showing them behind the scenes of a NewPointe week-end.

Sometimes words can't express ... how blessed we are in the family of God.

The Win

2008-04-21T21:49:00.000-05:00

Tonight I got measured in my Thin & Healthy counseling session at SuperFitness. Get this, I’ve lost 45.25” since January 29th. I’m really happy about it even though I still have a long way to go.

One of the most difficult parts of this program has not only been retraining my metabolism and my food intake but also my thought process about numbers. It seems that most of us, perhaps women more so than men, looks at the number on the scale and think that’s the tell-all sign of success. I’m in the process of retraining the way I look at numbers.

There are a lot of numbers to look at when your losing weight other than the scale. There’s percent body fat, inches lost, lean mass, fat gram intake, minutes of exercise and more.

My point is this…if I only measure success by the number on the scale and yet my pants are practically falling off of me … would you say I’m failing or winning in my lifestyle change?

Recently the staff at NewPointe Community Church has talked about identifying what “the win” looks like on a Sunday morning for our volunteers. In The ReignForest, the volunteers are winning when they engage preschoolers in activities, worship or they feel like they’ve made a connection. Volunteers win when we get little ones quieted down from their crying, change them and play with them.

We win when unchurched families start attending on a regular basis because Christ has made life change desirable because they find God’s grace, faithfulness, acceptance and love from Christ-minded servants inside the church.

There’s a win in life for you each day..do you see it? No?
Perhaps you need to retrain the way you think about what “the win” looks like.

Children's Letters to God

2008-04-15T14:52:00.012-05:00

Last night our Small Group Leader's called and asked us if we wanted to go to North Canton on Saturday night to a dinner theatre of "Children's Letters to God". What a great time we had together. This place at first appearance was "quite" small. It's the kind of place you go "uh-oh" what did we get ourselves into.

We went in and were maybe like the 3rd table of people there but they came right away and took our drink orders providing water, coffee, soft drinks, tea, any of it or all of it right away. Then they brought to us these amazing salads that at most places would be enough to fill you up. Then came the main course, Hawaiian Chicken, Beef dish or stuffed porkchops with rice double vegetables. It was an amazing meal. The service was fantastic and we felt pampered all night.

The kids that performed in this small theatre had amazing talent and their parts were very long...very very impressive. These kids could be on American Idol some day. They were anywhere from K-6th grade.

During intermission the table servers brought out dessert, all you wanted...so if you wanted pumpkin pie, pecan, cherry, apple, peanut butter pie, cheesecakes etc. you could have however many you wanted !! Really it was incredible.

Due to the lifestyle contest I'm in (counting down 2 weeks left) I was considered myself very good and only picked at my peanut butter pie which I really really wanted to eat the whole thing. It wasn't a big slice but more than I could afford to spend in fat grams.

All in all I definitely plan on going back to The Harmony Players sometime soon.

A Joy Perspective

2008-04-15T14:52:00.011-05:00

Lately I've been reading and listening to messages about joy..(remember Phillipians 4:4 from an earlier blog)
Well here's another verse found in James 1:2-4
"2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Do you ever have moments when it's really really difficult to endure something with joy? I think most of us can relate to that. Life doesn't come stress-free or pain-free after you've accepted Christ as your personal Savior. God provides care and nurturing for his children. James reminds us that every good gift comes from our heavenly Father (James 1:17).

Here's a quote from Julie Ackerman Link: "What seems like an imperfect gift may be the means by which God perfects us."

Next time we receive something that doesn't seem so good and it causes us to restrain from a joyous or grateful attitude ...make an adjustment in your outlook by remembering the verses above. May God's words help you to be joyful in receiving life's difficult gifts because we know there is more to the gift than we can see.

Jesus
Over
You

The Smell of Coffee

2008-04-15T14:52:00.010-05:00

Yesterday at Wallhouse Coffee, my absolutely favorite place to hangout and hold meetings, the owner was roasting coffee beans...yeah they actually roast them right there. Anyway when he took them out and emptied them into the barrel, the smell permeated the place. It was like so beautiful to my senses I found myself breathing deeply and closing my eyes and enjoying it so much that I actually felt like I was drinking a cup of coffee. What a great experience!

So here's the thought that God brought to my remembrance..I remembered a time when I actually smelled the presence of God-crazy huh! Well it was 9 years ago when I almost died from complications of a hysterectomy. My blood pressure was 40/0. Once they stabilized me they rushed me to Aultman hospital 30 minutes away. I had a pulmonary embolus, an enlarged heart and was full of blood clots. Six hours later the doctor would be standing in the doorway telling my husband there was nothing they could do for me. Everything they were going to do would most likely kill me. Over the next 10 days I would discover that the presence of God in a whole new way, one that could be accessed by all the senses.

Amazing what that smell of coffee permeating the coffee house did to my memory. So I'm back at Wallhouse today holding some meetings and there it is again - WOW.

No God doesn't smell like coffee....but it did make me want that kind of coffee experience to be the same with God permeating my very being activating all of my senses to his presence.

For a deeper intimate relationship with God I think this is a good thing.

I'm just a work in progress...but living in a win/win situation.

Revolution of Jesus Christ

2008-04-15T14:52:00.009-05:00

As I blogged in an earlier post I'm currently reading Renovation of the Heart..I am so impressed with the truth that Dallas Willard shares. In this statement he says "the impotence of systems is a main reason why Jesus did not send his students (disciples, apprentices) out to start governments or even churches as we know them today which always strongly convey some elements of a human system. They were instead to establish beachheads of his person, word, and power in the midst of a failing and futile humanity."

Wow! When I think of beachheads I think of the soldiers who landed in Normandy. They were to establish beachheads in enemy infested territory. The enemy was strongly rooted right where they were landing. In a moment my head is filled with pictures of the preparation that had to go into preparing for the landing. The skill and pla and understanding the risk and possible loss that was going to take place.

So I'm thinking what's a beachhead look like? Where's it land?

"They were to bring the presence of the kingdom and its King into every corner of human life simply by fully living in the kingdom with him."

It's not in the future - it's the present, right now.

Silencing Enemies through decision

2008-04-15T14:52:00.006-05:00

From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger
Psalm 8:2 (niv)

When you think there's no hope, no place to go because the enemy is in hot pursuit and you feel like you're definitely losing ground or being overtaken...change your thinking. Perhaps you need a heart and spirit transformation.

You've heard the saying "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." Tony Robbins
OK - so it's up to you - your choice. Here's the rub if you don't implement this advice that's OK because that's what you want.

Remember, a real decision is measured by the fact that you've taken new action.
If there's no action, you haven't truly decided. Tony Robbins

Pray this prayer
With you on my side, You who hold the heavens in Your hands You who sustain the entire universe, I need not be afraid of my enemies, of those who wish to harm me, or of the evil one that dogs my steps. With praises to You on my lips and in my heart, my foes are vanquished. You are my great refuge, my rock of strength.

Great Day

2008-04-15T14:52:00.002-05:00

Today I reviewed "The Power of Adoration" from a prayer book I've been using:

Here's points to remember:

"In the midst of praising our Lord and Savior, our lives are transformed in several ways.

1. - our spirits become intimately connected with HIS

2. - when we praise God our fears are allayed (to make quiet : calm)

3. - praise chanes our outlook as we view our world through the eyes of our Creator

4. - praise vanquishes our enemy

5. - our love for God is deepened when we adore Him and give Him thanks for past blessings

Praising in Song

My heart greatly rejoiceth and with my son will I praise Him. Psalm 28:7

My heart rejoices in Your presence this morning! To your ears, Lord I pray that my singing will be a joyful noise. your grace is amazing. You are all in all, I worship and adore You. Lean down Your ear to me as I sing about Your love, for how great Thou art, Lord! How great Thou art!

light during the night

2008-04-14T23:04:00.014-05:00

Normally, I like to keep blog postings short. "Fair warning" this one won't be. It could be a 2 part 3 part or even a 4 part but I'm going for the big enchilada on this one. So if you hang in there and read what's been going on in the land of dark storms maybe you will find couragement and perhaps you will find courage also to surrender your wheel, port, bow, stern, ship to the Commander.

I can't believe that it's been close to a month since I've posted. A lot has been going on...lots of dark moments. Ever had those times where clouds seem to hang over top of you. You know in a battle but the worst realization is that it's mostly with yourself. Oh I want to blame the enemy for the darkness, the battle within, the pit... but the reality is the enemy is mostly my undoing or battle of the undoing of self. Yes, that lifelong battle of being renewed, getting rid of the stuff that's hiding deep within that you didn't even know for sure was a problem but there it is one day rising up like a dragon from the depths of the sea and it's ugly dude - and your thinking to yourself - God help me ...Where in the world did that come from?

Well, the good news is that when you cry out to God, he does come to help. It may seem like he's late on the scene but he's not.

I'm going to digress a bit here and refer to last year when I began a journey on a spiritual breakthrough on pride. It was a real struggle at that time but one day while gardening digging out a deep root with a pick axe I experienced a God moment. He showed me that pride is like the deep rooted wild tree I was trying to extract from my garden, if I didn't work way down into the soil with the sharp end of the pick it would just grow back and perhaps would even spread it's roots and cause more trouble.

Well God was faithful in helping me deal with that and through that time I was very interested in disciplines of reading. Dr. Bruce Wilkinson recommends many authors that I was becoming familiar with at the end of his book. So I invested in some reading material...not just a few books but perhaps 10-20+ books. One of those books was Renovation of the heart by Dallas Willard. It's powerful, I'm not far into the book but let me tell you he hammers it. He says the greatest need, the only hope of humanity lies in the fact that as our spiritual dimension has been formed, so it also can be transformed.

Dallas then talks about the revolution of Jesus and how he took a little band of friends and sent them out to "teach all nations" that is to make students (apprentices) to him from all ethnic groups. His objective ..to eventually bring all of human life on earth under the direction of his wisdom, goodness, and power, as part of God's eternal plan for the universe. Sending out his trainees he set in motion a perpetual world revolution; one that is til in process and will continue until God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

So this revolution of the human heart or spirit does not proceed by means of the formation of social institutions and laws, outer forms of our existence which might impose a good order of life upon me because of their power. No Jesus is much more about revolutionizing character which proceeds by changing people from the inside through ongoing personal relationship to God in Christ and to one another. So here is where I'm starting to see why there's apparent darkness over me. This relationship is about changing ideas, beliefs, feelings and habits of choice, as well as bodily tendencies and social relations. It's going to penetrate to the deepest layers of my soul.

So as I'm reading this book and I know God is at work through the power of Christ and the Holy Spirit prepping me to look inside me. You see, I don't read fast, sometimes I read so painfully slow that I wonder how in the world will I ever get all of these books read before I die.

So I'm reading "The impotence of "systems" is a main reason why Jesus did not send his students (disciples aka apprentices) out to start governments or even churches as we know them today which always strongly convey some elements of a human system. They were instead, to establish beachheads of his person, word, and power in the midst of a failing and futile humanity. They were to bring the presence of the kingdom and its King into every corner of human life simply by fully living in the kingdom with him."

"Those who received him as their living Lord and constant instructor would be "God's chosen ones, holy and beloved" (Colossians 3:12 nrsv) and would learn how to "be blameless and harmless, children of God, faultless in the midst of a twisted and misguided generation, from within which they shine as lights in the world, lifting up a word of life" (Phillippians 2:15-16 par)

Now all the while I'm chewing on this I'm also reading a leadership book by Kenneth Boa entitled The Perfect Leader, Practicing the leadership traits of God. From page 27 "As we dig, we must ask God to provide us with insight and understanding. Ultimately, only god can open our eyes to see spiritual truth and then enable us to apply that truth to our lives (Ephesians 1:18) As God fills our mind with wisdom, our character will develop so that we will possess the ability to consistenly make right choices--choices that are just, fair, and moral.

As Henry Blackaby and Claude King note in their book "Experiencing God" (have but haven't begun to read)....
"Once you come to believe God, you demonstrate your faith by what you do. Some action is required...You cannot continue life as usual or stay where you are, and go with God at the same time... To go from your ways, thoughts, and purposes to God's will always requires a major adjustment. God ma require adjustments in your circumstances, relationships, thinking, commitments, actions, and beliefs. Once you have made the necessary adjustments you can follow God in obedience. Keep in mind-the God who calls you is also the One who will enable you to do His will.
It's at this point I realize that I need to let go of some silly things I hang on to, not out of pride as much as out of "it's my personal information" I don't want to share it. But God seems to be saying "trust me with this"...release it and trust me. Here's the silliest thing, not all women are plagued by this insecurity as I am. So here I am letting go, being transparent so that I can pursue joy. I'm in a competition at church to lose weight and I've lost 23 lbs. which is great but I'm hanging on to the fact of where I was when I started at 200 rather than rejoicing in the fact that I'm at 177 and on my way down further, getting healthy. God is good is helping me to realize ...something was wrong with the picture.

You may be wondering at this point what is the timeframe of all of this, it's a couple of days since I've picked up the two books and a new one +5 come in the mail. Spiritual Leadership, Principles of Excellence for Every Believer by J. Oswald Sanders. I crack it open and begin light reading of it and land on this quote by Samuel Brengle, a gifted leader of the Salvation Army who outline the road to spiritual authority and leadership:
"It is not won by promotion, but by many prayers and tears. It is attained by confession of sin, and much heart-searching and humbling before God; by self-surrender, a courageious sacrifice of every idol, a bold cuncomplaining embrace of the cross, and by eternally looking unto Jesus crucified. It is not gained by seeking great things for ourselves, but like Paul, by counting those things that are gain to us as loss for Christ. This is a great price, but it must be paid by the leader whose power is recognized and felt in heaven, on earth, and in hell."

I am so thankful that The ReignForest has a team of three women who lift up every volunteer in prayer...that when I call on them and tell them, please pray for me I know that they are remembering me in prayer. This has been going on for the past couple of months during the darkness of the storm. Do I believe that this is all plays a role in the climax of what took place late Sunday night and early Monday morning ...without a doubt. Now I take you to Sunday night as I'm in bed and at a whim decide to listen to Francis Chan preaching on the topic of JOY.
He shares how Cheetos have no grams of Trans Fat. So he looks at the ingredients and says what's really in Cheetos. The label of ingredients doesn't look so great but the package says no grams of Trans Fat...so it kind of leads us to believe that Cheetos are not bad for us. Well he compares Christians to looking like a package of Cheetos...where we are doing the right things, serving, giving, I don't drink, don't swear, don't sleep with anyone anymore...whatever. Meanwhile we have all this stuff inside us that is junk. Our label may say one thing but we are really keeping it inside. Chan says that Jesus says a good Christian is someone who at the core of their being are madly in love with Christ. That we love him with every fiber of our being. Is that true of you? Chan asks. Rejoicing in him. Here's a passage that is a command of God.
From Phillipians 4
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.Along with this sermon I realized that God was getting my attention on my heart condition of rejoicing through darkness

When we are in love we do things appropriately....to others, to situations, to whatever.
Chan challenges us to really love Christ and believe what the bible says on this. Think about it ..if we really believe this, we walk away and never "worry" for the rest of our lives.

WOW, I need to never stop taking my mind off of God, and experiencing His joy... He is the supplier, finisher, author of my faith, provider, supplier of peace. My hope, my salvation, my coming King. I really want to rejoice so much that every one can see His love in me.

There's 3 sermon messages on JOY and they are awesome...check out http://www.francischan.org/ and you can jump to his church Cornerstone to get his sermons.

Pondering this week

2008-03-20T11:34:00.005-05:00

I love this time of the year as well as every believer should. It's a time of reflection and appreciation for the many blessings afforded to us in Jesus Christ. This week Len and I watched "Walking With Jesus" on the Discovery Channel.
Ponder this:
Jesus did not do anything in his ministry that wasn't planned
He had control of everything that occurred from entering the gate on a donkey to being crucified on the cross
He had a total understanding of the reactions that he would cause during this significant time of celebration by turning over the moneychangers tables
He knew the actions of his friend Judas
He knew the hearts of men then and He knows the hearts of men now

It gives me great peace and comfort to know that He will be in complete control in the days before His return.

I invite you to consider all that He did and count the ways He is in control.....beginning with your life.

God's power - only love

2008-03-04T17:39:00.004-05:00

Hey, I was catching up on my devotional reading this morning, yeah "my bad"...I read where Philip Yancey has joined the writers of Our Daily Bread. Cool Beans, I thought, I love his writing. Well, I have been thinking all day about how he writes simply but deeply about the things of God.

Hear it now. He was writing on the ability of God's choice to curb His own power. Think on the following and see if you aren't amazed at this principle of God's restraint. If you read Luke 4:3,9-11, you will be reading about the temptation Christ faced after his 40 days of fasting. The final proofs that we often yearn for or like the Pharisees demanded (Matt. 12:38; 16:1)offer no obstacle to an omnipotent God. Here's the kicker that made me go WOW "More amazing is His refusal to perform, to overwhelm. God's terrible insistence on human freedom is so absolute that He granted us the power to live as though He does not exist. Jesus must have known this as He faced the tempter in the desert, focusing His power on the energy of restraint."

He continues to mention that no "pyrotechnic displays of omnipotence will achieve the response He desires...only love can summon a response of love....Love has its own power-the only power capable of conquering the human heart."

Wrap your mind around this and then your heart, fall in love with God anew. There's nothing like it.

Weight Training

2008-02-29T00:15:00.005-05:00

Monday night Len and I met with Ron, our personal trainer at SuperFitness to begin our weight training regiment. Ron is a retired school teacher of 35 years, teaching health and physical fitness. A really super guy and definitely one of those teachers you wish you would have had when you were in school. Something that stuck with me from our first session is that diet, cardio and weight training all work together for the best health program. Ron mentioned that if you just use one or two of them you won't get the best overall benefits. Diet provides the fuel into the body, cardio provides the conditioning to go the distance and weights provide the strength it takes to endure.
A great bonus from using cardio and weight training is that when you rest after doing both you will burn calories twice as long.

While talking with my friend Gwen about this a correlation occurred to me between our new disciplines and our spiritual life. When we receive a message from the Word of God either by preaching or devotional times, it provides us fuel (diet) for our walk with God. Getting involved in serving is like cardio helping to condition us so we can go the distance. Finally, being involved in a Small Group will offer you strength for the distance. The verse Ecclesiastes 4:9 comes to mind:
"Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed."

I hope you're getting the proper diet, cardio and weight training for both your body and your spiritual life.

Discipline

2008-02-26T10:08:00.008-05:00

My husband, Len, and I have committed to change our lifestyle disciplines. Namely, eating and exercise habits. It's challenging and some days are harder than others. We are in the 4th week of our new program. Fortunately, we are reaping some of the benefits already it brings us together more, we are eating healthier, dropping some weight, and feeliing better. Oh there's aches and pains and sometimes complaining going on...I think that's normal. No one likes change no matter how often you go through it. It's still difficult to embrace.

It's always difficult when you first begin to change disciplines. You seem to be working on everything you do. You realize what a mess you were and see that priorities must change and this is difficult work.

I see how that can relate in our intimate walk with God too. You must set your mind to rethinking how to live your life before God. Old patterns have to be broken and your priorities must change. You find that you must process life through a different filter. You know the outcome is going to be better but you're experiencing some aches and pains in the process.

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Your not alone or the only one going through the aches and pains of change. We may be at different levels but we're all in the process.
Don't give up, stay encouraged and press on.

Upwards Basketball

2008-02-13T22:10:00.001-05:00

Upwards Basketball

2008-02-13T16:15:00.003-05:00

Last Saturday I missed getting to Josh and Paige's Upwards Basketball game. It's a great time to watch these young kids learn the skills of team sports and to see all the parents and grandparents cheering ALL the kids. What a great program. It's great to see many of my longtime friends from a church we attended once called our home church. We still consider them family. Looking forward to seeing many of them this Saturday.

The Aqua Team is HOME

2008-02-08T01:36:00.000-05:00

Chuck and I went to pick the team up this past Monday. I was sooo happy to see them. They really looked tired. It had been a very busy time for them. They went to areas I had never journeyed and I wanted to hear all about it.

Thank God, John knew my excitement to hear their stories and along with Lissa, Mandy, some input from Jared and Grant they caught me up on their day-by-day journey. WoW - WHAT opportunities they got to enjoy from the hand of God.

Check out: thinkingoutsidethebunn

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Aqua Team Serving Orphans

2008-01-31T11:49:00.000-05:00

Finally I'm taking time to followup and tell you some news on the Egypt team. Sorry, I left my pictures at home but I will post them tonight.
They got off last Thursday with amazing answers to prayer. Here's some GOD sized wins:

All the money they needed for the trip (and more) came in before they left

The orphan program stuff all fit in the suitcases

The trip to the airport, good weather allowed the team to be there on time without any lines

Several luggage bags were over the 50 lb. weight limit - no charge

Here are a few things I know:

I received word from DW that they had a delay in their flight arriving in Cairo, a longer ride than expected on the train to Luxor. They are tired from traveling but their spirits are high. They are looking forward to what God is going to do in and through them.

For sure they will learn a new definition of flexibility. From my past experience with mission trips I know they will be changed individuals when they return. It's an exciting adventure when you choose God's ride.

As I track their itinerary each day I pray for them for the activities they will be doing and the traveling they have ahead of them. Ifyou choose to remember them in prayer keep in mind that they are 7 hours ahead of us.
Team members names to lift in prayer: John, Jared, Grant, Amy, Day, Lissa, Miranda

Learning to be a sender

2008-01-13T23:42:00.000-05:00

Today my family and I had the opportunity to participate with the team that is preparing to go to do ministry in an orphanage in Egypt in less that 2 weeks. WOW...it's hard to believe that I'm not going but here it is...time for me to learn how to be a sender.
You see, I really believe if you can't go, you need to participate in the sending. Get involved in the sending either by donating to the team or help with preparations for them to go. There's lots to do. If you have no idea about how much is involved in planning, shopping, packing, praying - well you need to see my lists. Seriously, if you believe in investing in the Kingdom - go online to NewPointe.Org and give a donation to the Egypt Orphanage team. No gift is too small. If you can't do that, please prepare a note and send it to the attention of John Bunn saying you will support them in prayer.
God Bless you for being obedient to the action of encouragement:

Hebrews 3:13 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Previous Book:Go to Philemon
Previous Chapter : Go to Hebrews 2
Expand: show the entire chapter ofHebrews 3
Next Chapter : Go to Hebrews 4
Next Book:Go to James
Listen to this passage : Hebrews 3

Choices

2007-12-18T16:31:00.000-05:00

Christmas can be a very depressing time for many people. Thoughts of unhappiness, lack of what they have or even suicide can hang over people like a black plague.
For years I battled depression. Some months were so dark that I could barely count a good day.
What I have found over the years is, there is hope...you can survive depression! Here are some of the ways I have found to turn my dark days around:

Remember goodtimes, smile check this hyperlink out..did you know this: A smile costs nothing, however it brings great richness to the recipient. I SMILE MORE.

Be thankful for family, friends, food, shelter, freedom, health, sight, physical abilities. There's always someone who is in a worse situation or condition than you. I count the ways I am blessed.

Concentrating on the truth . I know that I am loved by God with a never ending love proven through Jesus Christ His Son. I focus on my personal relationship with Christ, God, the Holy Spirit which helps my relationship with others.

I read more of the Word of God so I can filter all the negative thoughts and happenings through God's truth and not through my feelings.

I Choose each day to follow God's way, to trust my life, my well-being, my future to His care. I choose to change the way I think, the way I act, by renewing my mind. This results in actions of love toward myself and others.
Am I perfect? No..but I have hope of being made new into His likeness more each day.

2 Cor 3:18 All of us, with no covering on our faces, show the shining-greatness of the Lord as in a mirror. All the time we are being changed to look like Him, with more and more of His shining-greatness. This change is from the Lord Who is the Spirit.
New Life Version (NLV)
Copyright © 1969 by Christian Literature International

Road Trip

2007-12-10T22:19:00.000-05:00

Knowing there are families out there leaving their homes and comfortable routines to go home for the Holidays, here's what it may look like...for those brave moms and dads.

Whose got your back ?

2007-12-10T21:35:00.000-05:00

Today I got up with such high hopes of making it to work early. That was my early morning goal...until I worke up with the beginning of a headache that turned into a migraine.

Well, it changed the schedule of my day.

Thanks Cindy and Jessica. You were my eyes and my connection to NPCC base. It's great to have co-workers who care about you. Cindy does a lot of behind the scenes work which appears as visuals to convey messages for all of the various environments at NewPointe. She is quite impressive with her creativity. Jessica has grown so much over the past year since she came on staff. What a fantastic addition she has been to the Family Life department and our church staff. Thanks ladies.

Olympic Games 2008

2007-12-07T01:21:00.000-05:00

Hey, this past Summer I was blessed when I made the decision to go to China to help with an orphan camp. Check this out. My good friend David Bolt and and these kids are awesome!

Waiting room stuff

2007-12-06T23:48:00.000-05:00

Today I went to the hospital to pray with a friend and volunteer in The ReignForest who was going to have her retina reattached for the 2nd time in less than three months. She's an amazing young woman with a heart that loves God, a faith that will enable her to make it through this difficult time. After praying with her I sat with her husband in the surgical waiting room. We had been sitting there an hour when Jason got the call that they were starting the surgery. It's going to be a while. We spoke of politics, religion and family life over the next couple of hours. We discussed how kids today- well most everyone wants service or stuff - right now. They don't want to wait. We need answers now, plans now, toys now, food now, better bodies now and relationships in 10 minutes or less. Genuine relationships take time to nurture and grow. You can get a lot of things by driving up to a window...but relationships - well they're not on take-out menus or at drive-up windows.

I learned alot about Jason that I didn't know. He is a deep thinker, a sensitive yet strong and protective step-dad, a loving new Father, an admiring husband and a follower of Jesus Christ. Sometimes we want a quick relationship with God but God wants so much more. He is a quality creator. Jason is a bright intelligent thinker with strong moral fiber and a heart that recognizes where his blessings come from. Lately, the rainstorm of problems has been coming in sheets and not letting up.

When the doctor came and discussed the outcome of the surgery with Jason, the doctor mentioned that he had to go all out and risk it all to make the best possible situation out of a very difficult one. I was impressed by Jason's questions to the doctor and the confidence he had in this doctor. When Jason asked if there was anything he could do to make the scarring less for Theresa. The doctor amazed us with "You need to pray". Pray that there will be minimal scarring.

In a book I handed to Jason to read you will find 4 certainties that children of God can count on:
1) God will make you well 2) God hurts when you hurt 3) God knows why you're suffering 4) God is in control (pg. 6)

Thanks Jason for the great conversation and allowing me to share time with you "waiting".
Thank you God for the awesome outcome of Theresa's surgery and for reminding us what the waiting and the rain is all about.

Hope in Times of Trouble

2007-12-03T23:17:00.000-05:00

I'm reading this little book by the above title...
I'm rememebering my friend Theresa, whose retina has detached for the 2nd time, a new mother, concerned about her husband...
he may be mad at God over his wife's possible loss of sight, she wants him to trust God...

I'm reminded of a friend who is struggling with not feeling right, she needs someone to walk beside her to assure and remind her God's timing is perfect, His plan is perfect...
I think of a volunteer, a gifted teacher whose recent surgery didn't go as planned and now her plans are being rewritten for the holidays...
or thinking about being a good neighbor, taking the time to reach out to make new friends because God's revealed a door of opportunity...
I think of my daughter who is pregnant her hormones all over the place, she's sick most of the time and barely able to work, she even doubts her ability to be a new mom - the concern over her well-being is out of my hands - I place this into hands that are much more capable than mine...
it's great to be reminded that at the end of the day it's all about having hope in the power of God being revealed for His glory...
so live in the moment of worshiping God and find refreshment, encouragement for your soul.

Grief is desirable?

2007-11-20T02:03:00.000-05:00

I read this chapter of Zig Ziglar's book, Confessions of a Grieving Christian and I was reminded of a saying "the bottom of the barrel is under-rated".

Grief, I believe is bottom of the barrel stuff, we don't want to experience it. We forget the best teachers -are not easy ones.

What Zig Ziglar writes is sensible heart talk from God.

Check out the whole chapter, buy it or get it from the library. This book could be lifechanging for you.

Zig lists two things that grief brings us to the point of:
1. Realizing the vastness of our love, and of God's love for us.
2. Grief puts us into a position to trust God alone for our healing and restoration.

He states, "He awaits our turning to Him for comfort and healing." In Psalm 56:8, you can read about how precious God even considers our tears. So much that he stores them in a bottle. So whenever you think no one cares and that your grief is more than you can bear...remember God notes your sadness and HE remembers it!
A turning point as Zig mentions in his book is "the moment we turn to Him, God acts to begin the healing process in our hearts."

Here's a some heart talk from a little guy, who sums it up with humble wisdom:

Lifehouse Everything Skit

2007-11-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

When I watched this I held my breath and my heart raced. I found myself crying for those that really struggle against the things of this world. Yes, I could relate to the times I struggled like this fighting my way back to the one true love of my soul.

God remind me to intercede in prayer for those that are struggling to find their way to the truth?
Remind me to cheer for those struggling in their fight to find their way back to Christ?
Amen.

Healing Words

2007-11-12T10:09:00.000-05:00

Are there ever times in your life when you think you're just not able to do one more thing, you really feel your age or that what you are doing is not making a difference?

Sometimes it's difficult for others to see that ministry leaders have these struggles too. We too are capable of getting discouraged and feel like no one's listening and no one cares.

I just received an email from a friend of mine. She sent me a note that encouraged me and lifted me up.

"...I will tell you that I'm proud to know someone who works hard at what she believes in for the sake of the One she believes in. You are a blessing to others for who you are, not what you do and that's why my heart is blessed to know and love you."

Here's what God says words can mean to those who are discouraged:

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

My Hairdresser, My Beautician, My Friend

2007-11-06T00:26:00.000-05:00

Today I went to a funeral with my friend Daylene. Day had mentioned Mary Lou's mother passed away from the church she used to attend. I made the connection that she was my beautician's aunt. Since she was going to the funeral of my friend Debbie's grandmother, Miriam Laubscher, I asked if I could go along.

They read Psalm 23. I found the little girl to the right on GodTube and thought it would be a nice tribute to Miriam. She was well loved by her family, even her son-in-law and well loved by her church family. She had a commitment to Christ and lived it out in talk and walk. This was testified by family and friends. The church was small and traditional with warm friendly people. A safe journey back to familiarity in my past upbringing.

My friend was surprised to see me there. It was nice to be with her, to meet her mom, aunt and some family members. She's a busy businesswoman and a mother of three awesome kids.

During the service there was a moment when I reflected on my mother's life and remembered her beautiful voice singing songs of praise. My mom's been gone five years but I rejoice because she's in heaven singing and enjoying the best of the best. I hope my mom gets to meet Miriam - I think they'll like each other.

Continuing Story of Cassidy

2007-11-05T06:50:00.000-05:00

A few months back I shared a story about sharing Jesus Christ with others ... so easy a 2 year old can do it. Here is the continuing story of what has happened to that woman in Wal-Mart as told by her mom.

"Cassidy’s WalMart woman came to see me in The ReignForest. She wanted to introduce me to her baby girl. She named her Grace Marie. Grace for God’s grace and Marie just because it came to her in the hospital. When I told her that Cassidy’s middle name was Marie, we both cried!
This woman has reconnected with her parents. She is moving right across the street from them and her Mom will help take care of Grace. Her job at WalMart transferred. She will be going to the church her parents attend—NorthPointe (this church is in Alpharetta, Ga. and a positive influence in our church model).
We hugged and she asked me if she could pray with me. She did the praying! (She thanked God for NewPointe, our ReignForest, Cassidy and good timing.)
I still do not know her name."

Cassidy is a 2 year old daughter of the Zone Co-ordinator in The ReignForest at NPCC.

Follow-up for Western Nite

2007-10-24T22:04:00.000-05:00

Sure been some positive feedback comin' in from our thar' time at the Weaver farm this past Satr'day nite. Now here's ya' evidence to show yoos all...some good lookin' cowboys 'n gals that ware thar' having a good ol' time.
A punkin farmer donated near fifty punkins so the yungins could deckor'ate a punkin to take home. They were right clever r'tists.

A wagon ride, Lasso the Ponies, Feed the critters, Cowpatty Toss, Smile & Shoot - a picture station for a great family/friends photo, gearing up with some hats and bandannas and a campfire that was warm & toasty.

Thanks to Len, Casey, Jenn, Lynn, Judi & Gwen - Ya' all did a real good job thar'.

Happy Trails !

What a beautiful day

2007-10-21T06:09:00.000-05:00

What a georgeous fall day we had on Saturday. We could not have ordered a better day.

The ReignForest KML team (Key Ministry Leaders) planned a Western Nite event for volunteers families and friends. Dennis and Mary Jane Weaver allowed the team to hold the event at their farm behind Weaver Appliance. What a beautiful peaceful place. There was a stocked pond for those interested in fishing. Courtney cast her line trying to catch the big one. She was the first one to catch a fish. Good job Courtney. "The event also had games like:Feed the Critters", Pony Lasso, Bull-loon Round-up, a pumpkin shoot, face painting, Smile 'n Shoot (family picture time), pumpkin decorating, a weiner roast and hayride.

Over 50 people attended the event. It sure was good to celebrate fall with awesome volunteers !

Yeeha to all ya' volunteers and lil' partners !!!

The rewards of serving: Peace and Joy

2007-10-18T21:26:00.000-05:00

I'm in a position at church where people want to volunteer to do something in The ReignForest and I get to help them get engaged. Sometimes it's holding babies. Recently I sat down in Origins Cafe' and introduced myself to Penny M. Her husband was busy tearing down (taking down chairs) in the auditorium. I found out after talking with her that they had been coming to NPCC for about a year. I asked her if she was ready to do something like hold babies. She said "Yes, I'm ready to start. I'd think I'd like doing that." I can't possibly express how much this encouraged me. She's serving in the Grasshopper room and has attached herself to one of the little ones who is very precious, a little guy waiting for a heart transplant. Can you believe it ! I believe that she is there at the right place and the right time. This little guy needed someone who wouldn't be afraid to care for him while mom and dad are hearing the message. That's cool, but there's more.

I was so excited that day to have taken the time to meet Penny and her husband and then talking with Penny later I asked her if she was in a Small Group. She said No, that they had not joined one yet. So I invited her to join one that we were joining. Well six weeks later, her and her husband Jerry are now in Small Group with us and they are so cool !! Jerry is just overflowing with the freshness of falling in love with Jesus, he's a new believer and Penny is excited that she has renewed her commitment to Christ. There's something about fresh commitments that makes me re-evaluate whether my Love is FIRST and FOREMOST to God.

I have another story to share with you...normally I like to keep things shorter, but this is really good. I hope you'll read on.

Many people don't realize that The ReignForest is setup in 3 different zones; a nursery zone: ages birth - 24 months, The Reign Zone: two year olds (25 months - 35 months) The Preschool Zone are those children who are 36 months (potty trained) and ready to be promoted the first Sunday in September of the current year. The various stages of preschool children can be lots of fun to engage children in activities. It can be challenging also. Two principles we implement is: we teach them what is relevant to their age and we teach "with the end" in mind.

Here's a story from a mom who is seeing the benefits of The ReignForest:

"Walking to our car after church on Sunday, Cassidy says “You made the world and everything in it! Sam 89:11!!” The smile on her face was just beyond words. I am so excited and blessed that my 2 ½ year old already knows a BIBLE VERSE!! Cassidy sees a tree, “God made trees”. She sees a cloud, “God made clouds”. Whatever is happening in Monkeys and Canopy is working and my child is learning and growing and feeling good about it! A happy 2 year old makes for a happy Mommy!"

Thank you Tammy for sharing this story. You have encouraged me and others.

Come serve in The ReignForest, learn memorization and application...it's so easy a 2-1/2 year old can do it.

Romans 5
Peace and Joy 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Cat & Dog Theology

2007-10-16T22:16:00.000-05:00

Tonight the Small Group I attend began a study on Cat & Dog Theology. I'm familiar with this study because it was part of a presentation included in the Christian Perspectives class I took last year. Brief summary from the 1st lesson is this: Most Christians live like cats thinking their relationship with God is all about them. However if you live like a dog would live, you'd always be acknowledging that life is truly all about God and His receiving the glory.

It's amazing how different I look at things now just because of that Christian Perspectives class. I'm definitely mission minded. Tonight I remembered that even though mission mindedness is a good thing...the most important thing to maintain is: "Is God getting the glory?". Whatever is going on, my eyes should be looking for the how that God is going to be glorified. It's really about HIM, it's not about you or me.

This is going to be an awesome study with Dave, Carol, Penney, Jerry and Len. Stop back and check out the summary for lesson 2.

Thankful

2007-10-01T06:30:00.000-05:00

Cooler weather, fairs, festivals, and "trick or treat",
colors of trees, shrubs, apples, gourds and pumpkins,
decorations on porches, lawns and doors,
orchards full of the plenty of Summer.
We are so fortunate to live in an area where the season diversity is prominent.

All of the colors and beauty that are being celebrated with come from God.

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Things don't always go the way you expect

2007-09-03T22:43:00.001-05:00

That's how it is for all of us. At least most of the people I know have experienced the best laid plans don't always work. I had hoped to blog while in Florida on vacation, it didn't work. When I got back, the pace was pretty fast and here I am really needing to go to bed but feeling so guilty about being away from BlogWorld for so long.

There's been so much that has happened so here's a brief outline:
*Vacation was great: good times with the grandkids, kids and making the long haul to Destin, in the Florida panhandle. It ended up being well worth the 18 hour drive. The water...emeral green, white beach - was breathtaking.
*Len had his heart cath when we returned .. Praise God - no heart disease or any problems.
GOD is GOOD...GOD is GREAT !!
*My grandchildren are such a joy and provide me with lots of smiles and chuckles: Josh with his heartfelt prayers for his Big Papa before surgery, Paige with her fashion sense and giggles, Tori with her fresh phrases only an ornery 2 year old can say and make you ooh and ahh...such as "Oh my goodness"; "Hany, watch this.."; her newest request to "Hold on" while mommy is dressing her. Too cute !!
*Dr. Hany Rizkalla, returned home today to Cairo, Egypt after staying with Len and I for a few weeks this summer. He's a great friend and I highly respect his advice and counsel sessions with me. Len and I love him very much and we will miss him.
*I've heard from many of my friends from Bring Me Hope Camp in Beijing China which I attended in July. I cried from many of their stories...it was good to hear from them. Best of all...it was great to hear from my friend who accepted Christ.
*I praise God for all the volunteers who helped me do Summer in The ReignForest at NewPointe. Connie, Geneva, Doreen, Day - thanks for your help during the week.
*The Summer is over...my summer flowers are spent and need to be pulled, it makes me sad.
however------
*New work, challenges, growth, excitement shines bright with each sunrise that the Lord provides and now...
*It's time for sleep---

Destin, Florida

2007-08-17T01:00:00.000-05:00

We've been thinking and planning for this vacation most of 2007. How exciting it is for us to get the entire family to be together so we can enjoy the beach, golf, parasailing, go-karting...game time (Suduko's the rage) good family time together.

It's the first time we all have been able to get together since the kids are married. Will there be ups and downs...I think we can count on it. None of us are perfect and all of us have areas to grow in. I think all-in-all it will be a good time.

There's so much to do yet to prepare but one thing I've decided to do...is pack light only in clothes not in books. I'm counting on getting some really good book time in. I want quiet time on the beach to clear my thoughts and hear God speak. That alone excites me as much as being with my family...cool beans.

Vacationing with a plan to meet God alone. How can it get better than that?

Renewing the Mind, Counting the cost..."paid in full"

2007-08-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Before I begin telling you something that recently renewed my mind, I want to share a picture of the group shot from Week 3 at Bring Me Hope. What a group, what a response to the need they had for operating costs to be met for week 4.

I think I've said this before - God is Good.

Yesterday during my devotional time I think I was whining in my prayer time about some recent issue with not having the cost of the China trip covered and some other things that were taking place....come on be honest - aren't there times when you find yourself whining. Well anyway, God brought to my mind something really significant...

Matthew 11:30"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

He made it clear to me that everything that was taking place in my life was free of cost...he had provided everything that it would cost to follow Him. Not just for salvation but for every need I would have, every problem that would come. He would supply what I needed...AND here was the real word that got my attention...if you think about cost real cost... those without Christ are paying everything they have to spend eternity outside of the presence and security of living with God... Now that's costly !!

I'm glad for the patience of God...that He works in us as we read and meditate on his word and pray asking Him to renew our minds. You don't have to keep the same way of thinking you had yesterday or last week...His word has a better way for you. Here's some of my favorite verses:

Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Isaiah 30:21 (Contemporary English Version)
21Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, "This is the road! Now follow it."

Isaiah 42:16 (New Century Version)
16 Then I will lead the blind along a way they never knew; I will guide them along paths they have not known. I will make the darkness become light for them, and the rough ground smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not leave my people.

Isaiah 42:16 (Contemporary English Version)
16I will lead the blind on roads they have never known; I will guide them on paths they have never traveled. Their road is dark and rough, but I will give light to keep them from stumbling.
This is my solemn promise.

These are promises worth banking on.

Back in the USA

2007-08-06T21:21:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been a week since I returned from China.
Here's my family.

This is princess Erica, my Chinese daughter.

It's been a whirlwind since I've returned.

Jetlag stinks. China doesn't - except for the wastebaskets.

I appreciate Western bathroom facilities - they are a blessing. God Bless Levi for going to China...God used him to speak to so many people both American and Chinese. You are an amazing young man.

Orphans are amazing. Translators are terrific!! I really really love them. Google Bring Me Hope Diary and watch camp footage. It's cool !!

A very special Chinese translator made an important lifetime decision.

God is good.

Here's David & Faye at the Great Wall.

BRING ME HOPE - YOU HAVE AN AMAZING STAFF !!

God Bless you as you finish this last week of camp.

Thanks for helping me learn what's going on in China and being part of something really wonderful.

More to come...stay tuned, God continues to speak. R U listening?

Dancing

2007-07-15T00:43:00.000-05:00

I missed posting this on Wednesday night. I wish I had pictures to show you.
Well...maybe not.

The China team had it's second dance class. That's right we are learning dances from Thelma. She's amazing, she can move and groove and I think she is most likely retired but NOT really if you know what I mean. She's living life with zest, gusto, bravado, exuberance. I found out I can scare her pretty easy though with my aggressive dance moves.

We are learning the Macarena, the Electric Slide, the Bunny Hop, Hokey Pokey, just to name the ones I can remember this late at night. What a HOOT !!

I don't dance that well.
I don't have good rhythm (I think).

But I did have fun learning these dances, well some of them I already knew, come on...

Who would have guessed going on a mission trip could be this much fun in preparation.

We sure are meeting and making lots of new friends.

If they don't go to church anywhere we hope to invite them to NewPointe for a swingin' praise time. Maybe we'll get a little Electric Slide action going ?

Packing & Chinese culture with the Li's

2007-07-15T00:17:00.000-05:00

I have to tell you that my husband, Len is an amazing man. I am so blessed to have him. He is so thoughtful and considerate of the mission drive I have. He sits back and watches me go a hundred miles a minute, be gone to meetings, come home late, work on the computer...he's a true partner in ministry.

Last night I invited him to our China team meeting. Yeah! with a mission in mind. I asked him if he would repack the suitcases for the team getting them close to the weight that they needed to be for the airport. He agreed to go and do this for the team.

Meanwhile we were upstairs having cultural lessons from the Li's. Dean, Ying and Jessica were invited to come to our team meeting to provide cultural information from their homeland. What a lovely couple. We sure enjoyed getting to know them. They were friendly, open and generously gave us information to help us while we are there in China.

Their daughter, Jessica, was adopted 7 months ago from China and is adorable. She loves melon, orange melon (cantaloupe) that is. She has a bottomless pit for a 3 year old.

We are so thankful for the opportunity to get to know the Asian culture and develop friendships with people from China.

I'm awed at the bigness of God in the world.

Thank you God for doors opening in China.
Thank you God for the China team going where YOU are leading.

Thank you God for the generosity and kindness of my husband.

Thank you God for friendship with the Li's.

You are good all the time.

Before I go...

2007-07-15T00:05:00.000-05:00

Haven't been blogging in almost two weeks. Incredible...ridiculous...time flies by when you're having fun or learning so much that your head is spinning.

This is truth - I am learning and relearning and it's ok.

God is good as I'm preparing to go to China to work with orphans. Kids that nobody wants. Kids that need to know they are known, loved, remembered.

It's easy to get callous to the needs of the world.
It's easy to say let someone else go.
It's easy to get busy and put them out of your mind.
I did.

"God change my heart and let it break for the things that break your heart. By the power of the Holy Spirit please let me never again grow insensitive to the overwhelming needs of people both near and far. Help me to remember that you are bigger than the overwhelming needs of the world. If I trust you to do "all things" then you can use me to make a difference in people's lives anywhere you take me....as I trust in you - you will be the difference in me. Amen."

Huddle Laughter

2007-07-01T23:13:00.001-05:00

This morning during huddle time with The ReignForest volunteers I shared about a 30 day spiritual journey book I had just completed, well it took me 60 days to complete it. I got stuck on Day 26 - "Idolatry" for two weeks and the rest of the days took another 2 weeks.

It seemed that there was something wrong with me, I just couldn't get past my adultery. I continued speaking that I kept asking God "what is wrong with me, what is keeping me from this breakthrough, what idols am I putting before God". It was at that moment, I realized I had used adultery rather than idolatry. They got it, and started laughing and I said, "no not adultery - idolatry". It was rather funny. If anyone was dozing in the huddle - they were wide awake now. We all laughed and I was glad to be able to bring light hearted laughter to the team. They are great volunteers and I share with them with such transparency of my life because I want them to be encouraged to go deeper on their journey too. God has shown me that even though He deals with me firmly in areas of my life there is also a gentleness that draws me closer to him.

Later that hour my friend Suzanne mentioned to me how God told the Israelites they had committed adultery by leaving their first love of God and turning to idols so I wasn't exactly wrong in saying adultery. Thanks Suzanne.

Here's what encouraged me; eight people are interested in getting the book I just finished. This book sent me into the Word of God and to my knees. It was deep God country.

Filtering your life through the truth of God's Word is painful. I'm not perfect..far from perfect. But I'd like to look more like Christ so that's going to require more journey time, more breakthroughs.

Thanks

2007-06-29T13:19:00.000-05:00

When illness strikes or calamity arrives in the midst of your family, your life or your friends you realize just how not in control you are. You realize at those moments just how much you need to depend and look to the one who is control.

Last month I began a devotional to study the names of God and how to call on him. Here is one name; Hashem (ha-SHAME) which means "The Name". You'll find when you read I Kings 8:28-29 that God promised Solomon when he finished the temple that His name will be there forever and that His eyes and heart will always be there too.

Please don't think that there are magic results in learning the names of God or being able to pray them. That's not the goal. What I'm finding it does is it creates a bridge of familiarity in drawing close to your friend - God. In a small way, it's similar to knowing your best friends middle name or using their nick name. I would encourage you to begin to know the names which God is known by in the Bible. Along with those names you will learn many of his attributes. You know, those characteristics which if you are a Christ follower you are to reflect.

Here's my response to a challenging review of the past six weeks....there are times when all you can do and all you need to do is say - thanks.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE
The Most High is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to whomever He wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men. I will bless the Most High and praise and honor Him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. He regards all the inhabitants of the earth as nothing, and does as He pleases with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: "What have You done?" I praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true, and all His ways are just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
(Daniel 4:17, 34-35, 37)

"Father God, may the words that come from my mouth bring glory and honor to Hashem. May my life reflect the spirit of your Son Jesus Christ which by choice is being renewed daily through the power of the Holy Spirit and by your Holy Word. Teach me to walk rightly before men so that they might find forgiveness, peace and healing through the power of your name. Amen"

Acceleration

2007-06-28T22:34:00.000-05:00

Acceleration is a transitive verb with one meaning of a: to enable (a student) to complete a course in less than usual time b: to speed up (as a course of study). Well that's the journey I thought I was on until a month ago. I had been doing this spiritual journey book by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson. It's the second time I've read the book. I had been sharing in huddletime in The ReignForest that I've been stuck on the last three days but actually it was Day 26 of the book entitled "Keep Yourself from Idols". Whatever takes our hearts from him, or shares it with him, is an idol. There are three species of idolatry: 1)desire of the flesh - refers to all the outward senses; 2)desire of the eye - gratified by such objects as either grand or beautiful or uncommon and 3)"the pride of life" - seeking happiness in the praise of men or "taking care of our reputation". While trying to find the idols in my life I prayed the prayer "God remove anything from my life that takes me from knowing you more intimately, if it is pride remove it or rout it out." Ahh...dangerous prayer - almost as dangerous as praying for patience. So the past ~30 days I had been doing soul searching about idols in my life.

Speed up to this past week-end. I had a lesson..uhm "a God moment" in my flower garden. I was trying to remove a little wild tree/shrub thingie that was developing in my garden. I wanted to chop it out. I went to the shed to get the ax but couldn't find one but found an ax pick instead. Well, that'll do. There I am wielding this big thing swinging the pick into the ground to get to the bottom of this stubborn root. As I swing and strike deeper into the ground I'm saying to myself "Man this thing is deep-just how deep do I have to go?" and suddenly there was the picture before me and the softness of a familiar inner voice "Your pride is just like that root and that's why your stuck and you're experiencing so much pain lately." gulp... God moments don't always make you stop in your tracks and lights go on well at least this one wasn't like that. It seemed like this one kept low and started grower brighter and clearer until - the lights are fully on.

Here's the reality...I had cried for something to be revealed, my sinfulness, disobedience, guiltiness so that I could be discovered and be made known more to myself than to God. He knew what the problem was all along. Sometimes I don't know what the problem is because I don't want to or don't want to face the reality of myself.

Here's the results...once God showed me what it was, I repented of it and received a spiritual breakthrough.

Here's some hope...you know that root I dug out. The deeper the pick went the root got smaller and then relief I yanked it out. By tending my flower garden more closely I'm going to be checking for any wildshoots before they take deep root. In my life, it means staying close-intimately close to God my Father, Jesus my Lord and Savior and being sensitve to the Holy Spirit so that the revealing of self (weeding) is less painful.

While this was not an easy breakthrough Dr. Bruce says the insights that I learn from pain will endure. I'm finding that the cost of daily discipleship has some benefits...one is to encourage imitation of Christ and allow me to act in ways that are centered in God's will.

May the hand of God be upon you as you seek His face to receive His peace.

Catch up

2007-06-28T22:12:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been 10 days since I've blogged. Last week flew by and I was zoned out because of a hit with a "bug" that took at least a full day out of of my life. Last week was a busy one that kept me hopping with preparing totes for July. Thanks to Gwen Hamsher, Justin Neel and Doreen Ley for all the help during the week.

We also had storytime from 11:30-12:00 in The ReignForest Monday - Friday for the grand opening of Origins Cafe', where you can find cheesecake that makes you think you taken a wrong turn and went to Easton in Columbus to that other place that offers cheesecake. Anyway, what a week!

BIG Thanks to Big Dan who covered storytime on Monday and Thursday and assisted everyday in running the show. A special thanks to Mrs. Wishywashy, Gaila Gartrell, who did an awesome job with stories and music on Wednesday...you rock woman ! Then on Friday, Miss Judi Houston was the teacher. YOU are an outstanding storyteller. I notice every time I watch you that you absolutely love it too. BIG THANKS to Alissa West, Maddison Mullen and Devon DeMonte who came in to be singers and actors in the story of Solomon and what he wanted most from God.

Thanks again to all of you who came to story time and for all the positive feedback.

Sessions in the prayer closet

2007-06-18T06:43:00.000-05:00

The lessons continue in the prayer closet. It's bitter sweet at times. To be honest there are days I don't want to go into the closet because God is faithful in answering my desire of learning and living a disciplined life.

Discipline is found in many commands from the Bible to believe, obey, walk, present, fight, reckon, hold fast, pursue, draw near, and love.

I continue to find the strength of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit at work to accomplish needed change in my life through sessions in the closet.

"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galations 5:25 NASB

This is a choice I make daily towards spiritual maturity. To actively have my mind and emotions guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

Hope for Today

2007-06-11T05:55:00.000-05:00

My journey involves putting God first daily in my life. Not only spending time in prayer but also renewing my mind through His Holy Word. Ministry requires a constant flowing of the life of Christ and that can only come through reading the Bible, prayer, submission and surrender of those areas in my life that are not pleasing to God. I can't do that if I don't spend time with Him and allow Him to search my heart and mind?

Sometimes it's very painful. I'm a broken person, a sinner.

Sometimes it's very rewarding. I'm a child of the King, Redeemed by Jesus & HIS victory over sin.

I'm reading through the Psalms, studying the Names of God and working on disciplines and spiritual breakthrough by Dr. Bruce Wilkinson. It's taking longer than 30 days to go through this 30 day book. Yep, I need these lessons

Here's my verse of hope and encouragment.

Psalm 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment His favor is for a liftime. Weeping may last for the night but a shout of joy comes in the morning.

God's Word is good. God is GOOD.
Peace be with you.

Skipping chores

2007-06-09T19:06:00.000-05:00

For the past two hours I have been reading blogs. Oops, what about those chores...well, I'm blog addictive at times. It's probably about once a month. I like reading what other people are saying, feeling, thinking, sharing, holding onto, releasing, coming to grips with and hopefully giving up to the One who has provided the ultimate Hope to each one of us through Jesus Christ.

Well, I have a half-hour of daylight left...I can surely get something done.. maybe one thing done to finish the day before I sit down and watch a movie with my husband, Len. (I think he's been a busy worker bee...God Bless him, he's a good man.)

Word for the day...Peace

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The Provision of Bread

2007-06-08T07:44:00.000-05:00

In my devotion and prayer journey this week I'm reading and reflecting upon the legacy that Abraham left. He realized the simplest form of success was obedience to God not in somethings-but everything. He didn't need to work hard or count on the bull market for success. His success depended simply upon the blessing of God.

"Without obedience we will never experience the provision God intends for us." a quote by Ann Spangler. Consider these words by a nineteenth-century Scottish preacher, Alexander MacClaren from her book, Praying the Names of God. "If we wish to have our outward needs supplied, our outward weaknesses strengthened, power and energy sufficient for duty, wisdom for perplexity, a share in the Sacrifice which takes away the sins of the world, we receive them all on the condition that we are found in the place where all God's provision is treasured. If a man chooses to sit outside of the baker's shop, he may starve on its threshold...And if we will not ascend to the hill of the Lord and stand in his holy place by simple faith, and by true communion of heart and life. God's amplest provision is nought to us; and we are empty in the midst of affluence."

WOW-starving for the blessing of God...Sounds like small steps of obedience lead to larger ones and to a steady habit of obedience. This leads to deepened faith in God and will allow a person to experience God and his provision.

I really enjoy bread, let's journey inside the bakery and to receive the provision of The Provider..The Ultimate Baker so we too can leave

a "legacy of faith" like Abraham.

Finished the pizza sale..YEAH !!

2007-06-06T23:42:00.001-05:00

The 2008 China team has finished their pizza sale tonight. It's really good to have that behind us. Now we trust God for the rest. He knows our need and we are truly blessed by those who have been kind to support us.

Last night the team met at Lynn's house and we began our book discussion from "The Language of Love" by Graham Cooke. It's an awesome book. Lynn and I went through it for Egypt. Loving it again. It was good to hear each team member share their story of why they want to go to China. We found we have common threads in our stories: want to go deeper with God, committing our lives to serve Him wherever & however, willing to go into the unknown, finding renewed love and passion in living for Christ, finding that God moves mountains of doubt and replaces it with assurance. I'd like to say that there are no fears or difficulties but that's not how it works: there's: travel issues, fear of flying, culture shock, weather (hot), real-life stuff...

Someone asked me how can you decide to go and know that it's God's will for your life. Well, I guess I step into it knowing that there are easy things many people will do here in our own country as first steps of serving but not everyone will go take the light of Christ into the Middle East or China. I've also found that something has been ignited inside of me...not a fear of going, but rather a fear of not going. I want to be obedient to hear and see Him work. Start walking into challenges, if your not supposed to go, God will close the door.

Philippians 2:12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Believing a lie

2007-06-06T09:01:00.000-05:00

The objective of my quiet time has been to develop a personal relationship with God and to grow my devotion to Him.

I believe there was a time I thought I could really hide some of the things in my life from God. That was a lie. I think we all do it. We think we can hide those attitudes, thoughts...the real unattractive characteristics that aren't Christ-like. We try to pretend they don't exist or bury them beneath busyness.

Hey, what about this cool truth..He wants me to fully comprehend that He knows everything about me and that He still loves me unconditionally? He pursues me so I can know Him intimately and submit to how He is recreating my heart, renewing my mind and establishing me.

God always sees me as PresentFuture. It's a reality about God. He sees me now who I am but also can see me as who I will be. Will I be honest with myself and Him and allow Him to create in me His likeness?

Yes and yes.

Are you alright with that? God is pursuing YOU. To know God intimately, passionately, confronting Him personally everyday may be a struggle for you. It's been one for me. I encourage you to begin and not give up, press on.

Be known by the One who loves you with perfect love-God.

Peace be with you.

Pursuing God

2007-06-06T06:54:00.000-05:00

I've been blogging about going deeper with God through my journey and my prayer life. This week it is striking me like a brick against my head as I study the Hebrew name of God "Yahweh Yireh" which means "the Lord will provide" that God is the one who is pursuing me.
Have you thought about it ? You think your seeking God but He's always the one seeking you out first. You have a choice everyday to make. Give back to Him what He's giving you or... not. The not is a dead-end, dried-up existence that is futile. Not a good choice but one, if I'm honest, that I find I make too often.
Could it be that my pride and selfishness gets the better of me? Most likely. I think I blame it on the busyness of life and other various reasons, but the bottom line rests within me. Sin...don't candy coat it...call it what it is. That way as the Holy Spirit brings it to your attention you can confess it and surrender it. Hey, for me, it feels like an ongoing project. How about you?

Reflect on: Genesis 22:9-12
Praise God: He is highly exalted, glorious beyond our understanding
Offer Thanks: That God is pursuing a relationship with you
Confess: Your tendency not to face the difficult things that God wants you to face.
Ask God: For the grace to make the necessary sacrifice

Great book: Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler

I'm so thankful God is pursuing me. I've heard....that He's after you too.

Persecution

2007-06-03T04:07:00.001-05:00

We are so fortunate here in America to have freedoms that are protected. It is a great privilege to be able to worship God and not be verbally abused or threatened to be killed. I'm sure I don't always appreciate this freedom as I should.

One of my dear friends in Cairo, Egypt was telling me early this morning over the week-end (late morning for her) that it is very difficult there for Christians, especially since the recent conflict between Muslims and Coptic Christians. The recent clash has increased tensions in that country. Many persecutions are now taking place but since their government is Muslim they often can experience injustices because they do not possess equal rights with Muslims.

Could this be and indicator as to why Egypt recently was mentioned in an article in Christianity Today that about 35% of the country, the lowest percentage of concern in the world, regarding the tragedy of persecution and extermination of life that is taking place in a country that is their neighbor, Sudan.

May we all remember to be thankful for our freedoms and to pray for those who are being persecuted in the Middle East and around the world.

Pizza Night

2007-06-03T03:48:00.000-05:00

On Friday night the Beijing, China team and 26 friends got together in the kitchen at NewPointe Community Church and made 500 pizzas. Whew, we did it in two hours too. Our team is selling pizzas to help offset the expense of this trip.

This is the 2nd year of the Bring Me Hope camp in China. The orphans there often know nothing else other than an institutional life during their childhood. For many it is the first time they will leave the institution and travel in a car or see outside the institution walls. They will play games, swim, have character studies, learn songs, become friends of the counselors who are spending time with them to show them the love and hope that is in us. Most of our opportunities to share Christ will come only through contact and relationships we develop with translators. Fruit is becoming known from last years trip.

How encouraging it is for last years team to come and give support and for some of the previous Egypt teams too. We had some people who just wanted to come and help to show their support.
Even if you don't make the 6,871 mile trip to Beijing (14 hours in the air) you have joined us as ministry partners in loving those orphans .

It's good to be with friends who are passionate about missions and who committed time to come alongside of those who are going. Thank you to all of you.

I hope you know how far and how much time God takes just to show His love for you.

Gracie puts color dots on boxes to distinguish what kind of pizza is in the box.

Life's joyous moments

2007-06-03T02:15:00.000-05:00

Saturday night Len and I went to see our grand-daughter's first dance recital. How enjoyable, adorable, fascinating and exciting it is to watch her perform before a couple hundred people. It helped that her best friend Ally was there dancing beside her. The girls looked so adorable in their outfits...and of course my little Paige was ...pretty top of the line cute. Would you expect me to say anything else !

It was hot, it was sweaty and you know that feeling of sticking to those metal folding chairs...but it sure was great to be there to watch these kids.

It's good to enjoy family, see friends, and watch their children growing up before your eyes. Life goes so fast...I mean it's really really fast.

God is so good to us. The freedoms we enjoy...I want to be thankful for all of them. I want God to know I really appreciate the opportunities to love family and friends and to know and be known by Him too. How encouraging is this verse: Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn [a] of my salvation, my stronghold. ****God is Good.****

In the Know ?

2007-05-31T06:29:00.000-05:00

Sometimes during my quiet time a verse stands out and strikes like a hammer so I wanted to share this with you.

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

So what's your plan of action today ? Your actions will have an outcome.

Take time today to have a heart of gratitude today for all that God has done for us through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:3[ Praise to God for a Living Hope ] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Faith, Hope and Love

2007-05-20T22:43:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I had a great time in the prayer closet....is this the way most Saturday's are going to be from now on ? I doubt it but it sure is great while it's happening. Anyway, the gist of what took place is confirmation again of how God uses devotions, books or people to speak to me. Yesterday the message was calling me to Faith, Hope, and Love. (These were the lessons taught by the 2007 Egypt team in Cairo). OK, I'll learn more about it. Faith says, "I believe what God says about the invisible." Hope says "I believe what God says about the future." (Hebrews 11:1) I loved this quote by Pamela Reeve "Faith is...doing the right thing regardless of the consequences, knowing God will turn the ultimate effect to good." That's a short synopsis of the closet.

Then I leave the closet to finish a book I'm reading "Confessions of a Pastor" by Craig Groschell, his next to last chapter is "I'm Afraid of Failure"...specifically "Failure by Faith: You must take faith risks." He says, "You can't please God by giving in to complacency and comfort." At the end of the chapter he shared the story of the disciples in a boat on the water and a storm arises and it looks bad for them but then they see Jesus walking towards them (Matthew 14:27). Jesus attempts to give them a greeting of peace and then Peter decides to speak up and said "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water" (v. 28). Jesus gives Peter the "Come" and He heads over the gunwale and begins his water walking journey to go to Jesus. Had he lost his mind or did he "get it" for a brief moment?

I soaked that story in to my brain and spirit like it was new to me and it's definitely not, but...you see I believe I'm heading over the gunwale and out onto the water. I'm in that "seconds" response similar to Peter...I get it ...I'm over and I'm on the water...can't get distracted and look down at the water...gotta keep my focus on Jesus-I know he's there, just follow His voice calling "come".

Stay tuned to this Faith Channel for an update to Hope and Love.

Where My Heart IS...

2007-05-13T23:21:00.000-05:00

Many people who know me know that I have a heart for missions. I think I always had an interest but something drastically changed last year when I came back for Cairo, Egypt.

David Bolt, Director of Bring Me Hope, stopped in at our Allstaff meeting to share his vision of the orphange camp program he runs in China. WOW - this young man is passionate and is going after a heart for God and so is his apprentice and friend Andrew.

Anyway, David was sharing how difficult ministry can be with Miriam and I. We both understood what he was saying because we personally experience it. It's the hardest job we've ever taken on. Often people have a different picture of what working for the church or a ministry organization looks like than it really is.

I wanted to encourage David and said perhaps someday I could come and work beside him in building bridges of friendships and care for orphans and translators. I asked him when his deadline for this year's trip was and he said April 15th. Too bad, he added something like if I wanted to come and join them they would extend the deadline to me. Well I told him I'd pray about it. So I did (closet) and a couple of days later I asked Lynn Allison to pray about going with me.

Then I told my husband, Len, what I was praying about. After a brief conversation about ...all money being God's money, he said "Have you left yet?" (He's a very funny man, ha, ha funny. A good hearted person - ask the people that traveled with us to Biloxi in October, 2005.)

So thus began my mission trip to China. It's on an accelerated pace of God bringing along just the right team together, as only He can do. So now a couple - weeks later, there's Carol Miller, Gaila Gartrell and Gwen Hamsher going. 100% committed to saying Yes to the journey God is taking us on.

Today I knew God was up to something when my friend and previous co-worker Lish Kandel came to say Hi to me and brought me up-to-speed on her life. As she was telling me about her new job it burned in my heart you need to ask Lish to go to China, my mind is having this conversation with my heart (this takes "seconds") "are you crazy, didn't you hear her, she just started a new job!" Just as my conversation, in my head, finishes- I hear her say "I'd really like to go to China." WHAT! That's awesome! I share with her what just went on in my spirit (heart/body/mind) and I respond enthusiastically Of Course! Ask your employer and see where this leads you....

I LOVE IT when people risk it and say YES to God.
We're now at possibly 6 women going to Beijing, China, July 19th - 29th or 30th This is big. Our God is bigger, we're pushing the borders of where He wants to take us.

This week-end the team of 7 who went last year to the camp are going to meet with us and we're doing a Nightwalk to sponsor and pray for this year's trip. Will you sponsor a child? It's $25.00 Contact me if your interested. You may not be able to go, but you can sponsor BMH orphans or the team.

You see, since last year, the boundaries are limitless for me, the risks are worth it all - whatever, job, comfort, cost...whatever!! Please, please, please allow God to take you out of your comfort zone and see what God has in store for you.
You might find your world rocked because of His LOVE for you and through you.
Caution: It's life-changing.

Happy Mother's Day - Week-end

2007-05-13T22:42:00.000-05:00

What a great day...well really, a great week-end !! Had a beautiful day yesterday which began in the prayer closet - it's good, God's good. In fact late in the morning Len called up the stairs to me "Are you going to come out of your closet today?"...there's just something good about the sound of that to me. "Actually Honey I've been out of the closet for an hour, just working on financial stuff."
He really couldn't wait for me to see what he had been up to. He bought me a water fountain for the back deck "our little compound" as my sister referred to it today. It's our little oasis where our Yorkies and Golden have freedom to run without making me turn gray or harrassing the neighbors.
Then there's the awesome day today at church, great huddle, awesome get this "MISS OHIO" visited The ReignForest. What a day to be without my camera. I could've had my picture with her to post....wait a minute, a techie I am not, but I may be can.... yes, I can..heh, heh, heh, check this out:
Melanie Murphy Hometown: Brookpark, Ohio Age: 20
Education:Cleveland State University What a beautiful young lady !
Doesn't she improve the look of my blog ?
Ok, great day. Got a new member to the China team for July....see blog note regarding "Where My Heart IS"...
Then there was this great dinner Greg and Heather prepared for us moms. Wow - am I ever blessed with kids that can cook !! It was a great day with the grandkids too. I love being with family. George and Brigitte (Opa and Omi) are awesome in-laws, just enjoyable to be with. It sure makes life great when you love the in-laws...Have I said I sure am blessed ? I'll bet you are too - if you look closely.

Technology ?

2007-05-09T13:41:00.000-05:00

Did you ever feel like technology is passing you by? You're going as fast as you can but it's not fast enough. How can things so easy be so difficult? Well sometimes that's the way it is in doing this blog.

Today I met with double D regarding serving my area for improved communication to volunteers. Anyway, afterwards he asks for me to log in to my blog so he can fix the header line, or whatever it's called, so you can't scroll to the next blog and possibly be somewhere that's inappropriate. I appreciate that kind of care.

Well, here's the gist of my technology "grrr.." I tried and tried to get my password entered in at his computer and I couldn't get it. How embarrassing ! I finally said let me go over to my computer...no problem I got logged on. OK, I remember my password. Go back - no go, finally I just say, you're going to have to come to my machine.

This is probably not technology afterall....just a failing memory. Where am I?

Kudos to Entertainment - MLL

2007-05-08T22:31:00.000-05:00

Recently, a couple came in to NewPointe and the 14 year old said "Hey, this place is like a Jesus Mall."

Well, evidently some might think that...it is a place where people like to shop. Sure we have people who are shopping for entertainment, a welcome, a healing, a helping hand, perhaps even a life-changing experience.

My husband, Len, took the opportunity to invite the sales manager where he works to Married Life Live (MLL). Yeah- a night of entertainment. They really had a good time. We enjoyed showing them a place where we love to come on the week-ends. Where we get connected, get our serving fix and get spiritually fed.

They were so jacked about the night that Larry mentioned to Len they were planning on visiting some Sunday and that they would bring their family.

Guess what ? They showed up this past Sunday...all of them, their adult children, spouses, grandchildren - WOW, that's really cool isn't it. Len and I were both tied up with our Sunday morning roles so our friends Tom and Vernita came to the rescue and gave these guests personal assistance helping them find out where to go and how to get the kids registered. That's what people do who are connected and have that family sense of belonging...they step up and take care of one another, even to the point of caring for friends of friends.

We are blessed with a relevant and cool environment where our friends and neighbors can be invited to come and find a personal welcome. Also they will find the best eternal care plan presented and a life changing message.

OH Yes, Larry and Carla are bringing their children back to Married Life Live on August 18th. We have other plans, but cool beans, they want to come on their own.

You might want to start now to take the time to invest and invite someone to MLL. You might light up someone's world with more than entertainment.

A twist on prayer and laughter

2007-05-07T22:07:00.000-05:00

Last week my friend who will remain nameless - NOT ...Lynn A. went into her prayer closet with her little dog Autumn. She and I had been talking the day before and I had shared with her how I have this routine in the morning for prayer "1. 2. Do It". I get up, go to the bathroom, brush my teeth and get in my prayer closet. I did this at the prompting of my prayer prophet (see earlier posting). She related easily to the distractions that kept me from prayer time. Lynn felt that she might try this routine also.

So Lynn is in the closet with Autumn and realizes, the dog is a distraction and turns the door knob to let her out and it just turns in her hand. She jumps up in the closet and says "Oh God NO!" (Did God really have anything to do with this ?)

Long story short, she finally gets free of the closet and I'm 3rd on her to-do list: 1) Let the dog out 2) Call her work and let them know and ... our conversation took place something like this (a condensed version):
L: Faye, I was in my prayer closet today.
F: Lynn, that's great !
L: Faye I was in there for 4 1/2 hours.
F: WOW Lynn, that is really great - you get the prize.
L: NO Faye, I was locked in my closet and couldn't get out.
F: Lynn, do you want me to come and let you out?
L: Faye, if I had my cell phone on me I would've called you to get me out of the closet sooner.

I'm telling you Lynn and I were laughing so hard we were crying. I was on my knees in my cubicle and I'm sure I was disturbing my neighbor Jessica but I couldn't help laughing so hard. Not only at Lynn as she told me detail by detail of her thoughts and the creative way she escaped. We also laughed at my "blonde" response ( duh !). We weren't sure what this lesson was but we were both sure there was a lesson in this.

Later the next day I thought...Mmmm..., perhaps Lynn would share this story in huddle on Sunday morning in The ReignForest. You see last Sunday I challenged the even months serving team to pray a minimum of 5 minutes each day and this months team was fresh on rotation duty. Well Lynn said yes, she would share. (GOD BLESS HER !!)

Anyone who knows Lynn knows that she can be very animated. Well she came and shared her story and what a "hoot" and a hit it was. Many volunteers laughed until they cried and some came to hear the story twice.

Thanks Lynn for coming out of the closet. Maybe your story will remind the of the laughter enjoyed on Sunday and they will remember to participate in the prayer challenge.

Hey could be that they will find 5 minutes turns into 10 minutes which turns into 20 minutes and before you know it - their prayer life is changed.

Remember God created both prayer and laughter... He's Good.