And here I sit typing as I listen to Christian Techno music. This morning I met with two other women for our first reading of Scripture together. We're going to get together each morning at 8 or 8:30 am to read Scripture together for 30 minutes, then pray together. It was great. At times I tend to think that Devotional Times are more complicated than they need to be. Just planning on getting together to read- takes no preparation but it's SUCH a blessing!
So this morning we were reading in Matthew. And for some crazy reason, a verse popped out at me that's never popped quite to this degree.
Matthew 21: 36-40
"'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?'"
And He said to them, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and foremost commandment."
"The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
"On these two commandments depend the whole Law and Prophets."
LOVE GOD. If I follow this command, all others will fall into place. If I love Him with all my heart, my life will show it. Fruit will come of it. People will notice it. People will be attracted to my attraction for Christ. It's simple. I make Him my love and my life. I use my life to show Him how committed and in love with Him I am. Beautiful.
Monday, 2 November 2009
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Pumpkin Pie
I can officially say that today I learned how to appropriately spell "pumpkin." It's always been a confusing word to spell for me. Until today, I thought it didn't have a "p." Today, after looking at a can of pumpkin, I realized that it IS spelled with a "p."
Besides realizing pumpkin is spelled with a "p", today I made my very first pumpkin pie! It literally took ALL day since the pie dough was sticking to the counter top every time I rolled it out. I had to get smart in order to figure out how not to tear it. Jason and I will eat it tonight- hopefully it's good!
Jason had a cold this weekend- pretty severe. He's definitely on the mend, but his being sick made me realize it's been years since either of us have been sick. I praise God for the health he's given us~!
Here's our answered prayer for the week:
On Sunday Jason was in bed all day with a fever. I prayed over him Sunday night before going to bed. God heard. When he woke up Monday morning he felt 100x better. God answered our prayer. I love it :)
Gotta go!
Besides realizing pumpkin is spelled with a "p", today I made my very first pumpkin pie! It literally took ALL day since the pie dough was sticking to the counter top every time I rolled it out. I had to get smart in order to figure out how not to tear it. Jason and I will eat it tonight- hopefully it's good!
Jason had a cold this weekend- pretty severe. He's definitely on the mend, but his being sick made me realize it's been years since either of us have been sick. I praise God for the health he's given us~!
Here's our answered prayer for the week:
On Sunday Jason was in bed all day with a fever. I prayed over him Sunday night before going to bed. God heard. When he woke up Monday morning he felt 100x better. God answered our prayer. I love it :)
Gotta go!
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
New Life at Camp Forest Springs!
So... life here in Wisconsin is going great so far. The past three days have been incredible! We unloaded our 22-footer on Saturday and had so much unexpected help from several camp staff the minute we got in. Jason's parents and Matt Stiles drove up with us to help and what a BLESSING that was! All of the camp staff were SO welcoming to us and we were a bit overwhelmed because everyone knew who we were and we're still working on remembering names and faces! Monday was Jason's first day at work. I spent the day unpacking and got a bit lonely since I was by myself most of the day. But today has been better. Slowly I'll get plugged in here also. I spent all day helping staff wives with mailings. Tomorrow there's Womens' Bible Study for wives all morning, and Thursday it's back to stuffing and labeling envelopes! I'm excited though. I want to serve as much as I can and I want to know where God wants to use me.
Jason loves what he's learning so far. Steve is the accountant he's working with and Steve and his wife, Linda, are SO genuine and love Christ and this camp deeply. They've been a huge encouragement to us already! Jason's overwhelmed with all that Steve has on his plate. His statement when he got back yesterday was, "This camp would fall apart without Steve!" Hence the reason they brought Jason on :) Jason's excited to take away some of Steve's stress. I think they'll be a great team.
The land is beautiful here- we love it. No more noisy traffic and planes. I took a jog yesterday through some of the trails and had some time to reflect. I was reminded of how much I love being in God's creation. But despite that, every time I'm left in the forest alone I get this deep feeling of loneliness. I was praying and asking God why this is. I'd always thought nature made me feel closer to God... After praying and reflecting, I was reminded that the only creation of God's that had been created in His image is man. Nature is beautiful, and an amazing reflection of His handiwork, but it was not created in His image. Through this, the Holy Spirit reminded me of my need for companionship. I love nature but I crave companionship with those who've been created in the image of my Father.
I love it here because I get to be in God's creation, WHILE being surrounded by people. Jason and I are praying about how we can be involved with the community outside of camp also.
Alright, gotta go- I need to get caught up on the news!!!!!!!!!!
Jason loves what he's learning so far. Steve is the accountant he's working with and Steve and his wife, Linda, are SO genuine and love Christ and this camp deeply. They've been a huge encouragement to us already! Jason's overwhelmed with all that Steve has on his plate. His statement when he got back yesterday was, "This camp would fall apart without Steve!" Hence the reason they brought Jason on :) Jason's excited to take away some of Steve's stress. I think they'll be a great team.
The land is beautiful here- we love it. No more noisy traffic and planes. I took a jog yesterday through some of the trails and had some time to reflect. I was reminded of how much I love being in God's creation. But despite that, every time I'm left in the forest alone I get this deep feeling of loneliness. I was praying and asking God why this is. I'd always thought nature made me feel closer to God... After praying and reflecting, I was reminded that the only creation of God's that had been created in His image is man. Nature is beautiful, and an amazing reflection of His handiwork, but it was not created in His image. Through this, the Holy Spirit reminded me of my need for companionship. I love nature but I crave companionship with those who've been created in the image of my Father.
I love it here because I get to be in God's creation, WHILE being surrounded by people. Jason and I are praying about how we can be involved with the community outside of camp also.
Alright, gotta go- I need to get caught up on the news!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, 17 September 2009
On The Phone..........
Irritating....
In the process of getting ready to move, I recently noticed that my license expired a little less than a month ago! I haven't received anything in the mail regarding renewing it and don't make a habit of checking it's expiration date. SO.... in order to be able to get a license in WI, I have to pay for a valid one in MN....which seems odd since I'm leaving here in 3 days. I know its the "process" but I hate having to pay for a license in MN, only to have to pay for another in WI days after I get there.
So I'm on the phone....
Trying to get in contact with a PERSON, but thinking it's not gonna happen.
And nope, it's not happening, I give up....
I guess I'll just pay for two licenses within a week. Is it just me, or does this seem weird? Maybe I'm just grumpy for having to pay money for both...
In the process of getting ready to move, I recently noticed that my license expired a little less than a month ago! I haven't received anything in the mail regarding renewing it and don't make a habit of checking it's expiration date. SO.... in order to be able to get a license in WI, I have to pay for a valid one in MN....which seems odd since I'm leaving here in 3 days. I know its the "process" but I hate having to pay for a license in MN, only to have to pay for another in WI days after I get there.
So I'm on the phone....
Trying to get in contact with a PERSON, but thinking it's not gonna happen.
And nope, it's not happening, I give up....
I guess I'll just pay for two licenses within a week. Is it just me, or does this seem weird? Maybe I'm just grumpy for having to pay money for both...
Friday, 14 August 2009
Deep thoughts resulting from deep conversations and prayer
I've been realizing more and more how we as Christians need to take a stand for Christ. Truth will not be heard if Christ's servants are silent. God's been convicting me of this for some time now.
I love RC Sprouls words, "Truth is too important to be killed in the streets for the sake of peace." Our churches are becoming more about cultural relativity and "peace" than about teaching solid Biblical truths from God's Word. Paul Washer addresses this in his sermon to "aspiring" pastors. He talks about how many churches are focusing more on "goats" than on "sheep." (goats being those who don't yet have the Holy Spirit within them, and sheep being those who do). And while churches are focusing so much on the goats, the sheep are starving to death. And if Christ's church is starving, how can it reach the lost?
Jason and I have realized that we need expository teachings from the Word of God. We realized we were starving for that. We were starving for someone to teach us the Word, unwatered down by culteral relativity. We realized that we are far more passionate about reaching those without Christ when we understand the magnitude of His mercy and righteousness- and when we fall more in love with Him on account of being saturated in His Word.
I have a friend who has a brother in seminary. She asked him one day how his classes were going, and he said something to the nature of, "Oh I'm learning how to water down the Gospel for the sake of church growth." It's heart-breaking to realize that this is being taught in seminary classes (obviously dependant, I'm sure, on where one goes).
God's been showing us just how infiltrated churches are becoming by the philosophies of the world. Scripture talks about being on guard against lies and deceptions getting into churches. Many pastors and ministers are well-intentioned, and good intentions are great- but good intentions aren't always equivalent to truth. And truth is what we need to be seeking after.
My mind is racing right now. Our nation is changing and I so desparately want to impact it for Christ. I also want to have the confidence in Christ to "speak aloud what He has whispered in my ear." And I want humility. Oh Lord, I want humility and boldness.
I love RC Sprouls words, "Truth is too important to be killed in the streets for the sake of peace." Our churches are becoming more about cultural relativity and "peace" than about teaching solid Biblical truths from God's Word. Paul Washer addresses this in his sermon to "aspiring" pastors. He talks about how many churches are focusing more on "goats" than on "sheep." (goats being those who don't yet have the Holy Spirit within them, and sheep being those who do). And while churches are focusing so much on the goats, the sheep are starving to death. And if Christ's church is starving, how can it reach the lost?
Jason and I have realized that we need expository teachings from the Word of God. We realized we were starving for that. We were starving for someone to teach us the Word, unwatered down by culteral relativity. We realized that we are far more passionate about reaching those without Christ when we understand the magnitude of His mercy and righteousness- and when we fall more in love with Him on account of being saturated in His Word.
I have a friend who has a brother in seminary. She asked him one day how his classes were going, and he said something to the nature of, "Oh I'm learning how to water down the Gospel for the sake of church growth." It's heart-breaking to realize that this is being taught in seminary classes (obviously dependant, I'm sure, on where one goes).
God's been showing us just how infiltrated churches are becoming by the philosophies of the world. Scripture talks about being on guard against lies and deceptions getting into churches. Many pastors and ministers are well-intentioned, and good intentions are great- but good intentions aren't always equivalent to truth. And truth is what we need to be seeking after.
My mind is racing right now. Our nation is changing and I so desparately want to impact it for Christ. I also want to have the confidence in Christ to "speak aloud what He has whispered in my ear." And I want humility. Oh Lord, I want humility and boldness.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Corrupt Bird
I've been finding myself getting so caught up in politics lately. And I've developed strong conservative views on politics since following it so closely. I get confused at times when thinking of the role we, as followers, should have when it comes to politics. I've realized that it's wrong for me to try and separate the two- to omit myself from that realm. But I get confused when thinking about the extent to which I need to be involved. I've never thought about it so much before. And often times I wonder if I'm thinking about some of these things too much!
Jason comes from a Christian-liberal family. And I struggled for a while as I would listen to their views on how the church and state should be separated- how morality isn't a factor we should consider when electing a president since he ultimately has no control over that. I've realized, since Obama took office, that this administration does have control over that. Obama has done and has tried to do plenty to further abortion and embryonic stem cell research, and to tweak the marraige ammendment, among other things.
I feel faced, so often, with Christian-liberals telling me I'm not compassionate to the poor unless I share their views. And on the flip side I often find myself wondering how on earth a Christ-follower can vote for a party so supportive of lifestyles that victimize those weaker than they.
It's hard not to get caught up in politics, especially now.
Paul Washer (once again, great pastor!) gave me perspective on it through one of his sermons when he said, "Our hope is in Christ, not in any political party. And regardless of whether we're right wing or left wing, we're still riding a corrupt bird." I love that.
I know I'll still struggle with how involved to be. And I'll still struggle with all these frustrating thoughts. But I'm praying for God to give me clarity of thought. I want to see all this as He does. I want to approach it as He would. We live in a country where the American people have a voice and can influence the direction of their country. I want God to show me how and if He wants me to be an influence in my country.
Jason comes from a Christian-liberal family. And I struggled for a while as I would listen to their views on how the church and state should be separated- how morality isn't a factor we should consider when electing a president since he ultimately has no control over that. I've realized, since Obama took office, that this administration does have control over that. Obama has done and has tried to do plenty to further abortion and embryonic stem cell research, and to tweak the marraige ammendment, among other things.
I feel faced, so often, with Christian-liberals telling me I'm not compassionate to the poor unless I share their views. And on the flip side I often find myself wondering how on earth a Christ-follower can vote for a party so supportive of lifestyles that victimize those weaker than they.
It's hard not to get caught up in politics, especially now.
Paul Washer (once again, great pastor!) gave me perspective on it through one of his sermons when he said, "Our hope is in Christ, not in any political party. And regardless of whether we're right wing or left wing, we're still riding a corrupt bird." I love that.
I know I'll still struggle with how involved to be. And I'll still struggle with all these frustrating thoughts. But I'm praying for God to give me clarity of thought. I want to see all this as He does. I want to approach it as He would. We live in a country where the American people have a voice and can influence the direction of their country. I want God to show me how and if He wants me to be an influence in my country.
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