This hymn struck my inner most being Sunday in this age of moral relativism and outright hostility towards our Holy God.
We Come, O Christ, To You, True Son of God and man,
By Whom all things consist, in Whom all life began:
In You alone we live and move, and have our being in your love.
You are the Way to God, your blood our ransom paid:
In you we face our Judge and Maker unafraid:
Before the throne absolved we stand, your love has met your law's demand.
You are the living Truth! All wisdom dwells in you,
The Source of every skill, the one eternal TRUE!
O great I AM! In You we rest, sure answer to our every quest.
You only are true Life, to know you is to live
The more abundant life that earth can never give:
O risen Lord! We live in you:In us each day your life renew!
We worship you, Lord Christ, our Savior and King.
To you our youth and strength adoringly we bring:
So fill our hearts, that all may view your life in us and turn to you.
The entire counsel of God and life is in this beautiful hymn. Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, Truth. We see unbelievers search and try to grasp intellect, materialism, arts,relationships,truth, pleasure, and other things in order to fill the God- given void in our hearts. This can only be fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
Thank you Jesus!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
LOVE is a verb
1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth
When I was young, I searched for "love" - my prince charming to come and whisk me into eternal bliss. I wanted butterflies, I longed for longing. I was blessed enough to find my prince charming, experience butterflies, and got what I longed for.
As I grew older, I realized that love is not merely a feeling - but is actually a VERB. It is not how I feel when I first wake up in the morning. It is not how I feel when I am required by necessity to cook or clean or do other seemingly mundane chores. It is the day to day walking in faith and obedience to God, in love, for His glory. Immature love wants to fulfill something in myself - to have an experience. Mature love is others-directed.
As I watch tween girls growing into young ladies, I am reminded of how I was at that age. Can we skip that part and move on to the real thing? Oh how wonderful that would be!
As I watch my nieces and niece in laws having babies, it is a picture of the verb love. Getting up in the middle of the night to care for a sick child, being so tired during the daytime hours due to lack of sleep, yet - rejoicing in that lot in life is true love. I am encouraged by Dolly, Maki, Esther, Jill, Paige, Jessi, and Katie as they intentionally each day ACT in love - caring for the needs of their families over their own desires, intentionally giving thanks for their lot in life. I pray for them all to continue in love.
Happy Valentines Day - today and every day - as we become for "others oriented" rather than "self oriented".
When I was young, I searched for "love" - my prince charming to come and whisk me into eternal bliss. I wanted butterflies, I longed for longing. I was blessed enough to find my prince charming, experience butterflies, and got what I longed for.
As I grew older, I realized that love is not merely a feeling - but is actually a VERB. It is not how I feel when I first wake up in the morning. It is not how I feel when I am required by necessity to cook or clean or do other seemingly mundane chores. It is the day to day walking in faith and obedience to God, in love, for His glory. Immature love wants to fulfill something in myself - to have an experience. Mature love is others-directed.
As I watch tween girls growing into young ladies, I am reminded of how I was at that age. Can we skip that part and move on to the real thing? Oh how wonderful that would be!
As I watch my nieces and niece in laws having babies, it is a picture of the verb love. Getting up in the middle of the night to care for a sick child, being so tired during the daytime hours due to lack of sleep, yet - rejoicing in that lot in life is true love. I am encouraged by Dolly, Maki, Esther, Jill, Paige, Jessi, and Katie as they intentionally each day ACT in love - caring for the needs of their families over their own desires, intentionally giving thanks for their lot in life. I pray for them all to continue in love.
Happy Valentines Day - today and every day - as we become for "others oriented" rather than "self oriented".
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
PROVERBS 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine
Oh man oh man.....this verse is so true. It seems in trials and troubles laughter is harder to come by. I tell you, I have had more laughing fits this week then I can remember. Does this mean I am on the other side of suffering? I think so!
First, my mom and I went to Fred Meyer - she was going to wait in the car because her muscles were not working and she could not ambulate at all. After parking the car I went inside and saw, near the shopping carts, those battery operated scooter things. Ah HA! I procured one, but in order to get it out to the car, I had to ride it. I get right up next to the car, and my mom gets in.
Problem is the forward lever is on the right side, which is her dead side. She says "no problem" and quickly reaches across the hand bars with her left hand to push the forward lever as well as steer it. She just took off - nearly missing each corner and pedestrian who dared to walk in front of her. Well, we got to giggling when she narrowly missed a catastrophe, at which time we discovered my need for the restroom. We find the restroom down a long hallway - and as I go inside she says "I will come down the hall too". As I am sitting in the stall, I hear her outside trying to turn around, hitting the walls, and laughing! Of course, I begin my hysteria in the stall, crescendo each time I hear her, which in turn, made her laugh all the more. We were out of control!
Finally, we finish our Fred Meyer trip, and go back to the car. I get her in the car, and ride the scooter back inside, watching her laugh in the car all by herself, and so I copied her - and got the funniest looks!
Then, yesterday at work I was making faces to a paralegal while she was in her meeting, and I got out of control again! I could not answer the phones (I actually had to hang up on a man in order for him to think he dialed the wrong number rather than a professional law office!) I made it through an entire greeting, and then started laughing out of control, to which the nice lady from a doctors office laughed with me for a time. Oh dear!
Well, today I discovered that my husband uploaded a video to You Tube of when I got on stage with Jordan on his last Vocalpoint! show. They were doing a Quiz Show, where the audience could answer questions to earn a spot on stage. Well, on the last show I got the courage to answer and get on stage with JORDAN'S song - unbeknown to him. It is really funny and could not have been orchestrated if we tried. Please watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdLXoEPA0q8&feature=channel_page
Good times....good laughs....God is good.
Find something to laugh at each day - that's what I think ;)
First, my mom and I went to Fred Meyer - she was going to wait in the car because her muscles were not working and she could not ambulate at all. After parking the car I went inside and saw, near the shopping carts, those battery operated scooter things. Ah HA! I procured one, but in order to get it out to the car, I had to ride it. I get right up next to the car, and my mom gets in.
Problem is the forward lever is on the right side, which is her dead side. She says "no problem" and quickly reaches across the hand bars with her left hand to push the forward lever as well as steer it. She just took off - nearly missing each corner and pedestrian who dared to walk in front of her. Well, we got to giggling when she narrowly missed a catastrophe, at which time we discovered my need for the restroom. We find the restroom down a long hallway - and as I go inside she says "I will come down the hall too". As I am sitting in the stall, I hear her outside trying to turn around, hitting the walls, and laughing! Of course, I begin my hysteria in the stall, crescendo each time I hear her, which in turn, made her laugh all the more. We were out of control!
Finally, we finish our Fred Meyer trip, and go back to the car. I get her in the car, and ride the scooter back inside, watching her laugh in the car all by herself, and so I copied her - and got the funniest looks!
Then, yesterday at work I was making faces to a paralegal while she was in her meeting, and I got out of control again! I could not answer the phones (I actually had to hang up on a man in order for him to think he dialed the wrong number rather than a professional law office!) I made it through an entire greeting, and then started laughing out of control, to which the nice lady from a doctors office laughed with me for a time. Oh dear!
Well, today I discovered that my husband uploaded a video to You Tube of when I got on stage with Jordan on his last Vocalpoint! show. They were doing a Quiz Show, where the audience could answer questions to earn a spot on stage. Well, on the last show I got the courage to answer and get on stage with JORDAN'S song - unbeknown to him. It is really funny and could not have been orchestrated if we tried. Please watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdLXoEPA0q8&feature=channel_page
Good times....good laughs....God is good.
Find something to laugh at each day - that's what I think ;)
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Trip to L.A. 1/30 - 2/1/09
What a better way to start our trip to L.A. than to fly over my old stomping grounds (I used to climb mountains, ya know) Mt. Rainier is majestically fearful - I am always reminded of the power of God when I gaze upon that mountain. Having climbed it, I know the struggles, determination, and sheer desire that it takes to get to the summit. It is a picture of the doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints! We will one day be with Jesus Christ, face to face and unashamed. What glory that will be! We can persevere in this life knowing what lies ahead.
After a four hour delay getting out of Seattle, we whipped to the hotel, met up with my sister Janice, her husband Jeff, and my nephew.....and jetted to a Pirate Dinner Show, while Jordan was in the opening night of the opera. It was hilarious - we were required to be rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. While we had a blast acting that way (I did not over do it, I promise) I was also grateful that God has regenerated my heart and gives me a desire to live for Him instead of pursuing only selfish gain and earthly pleasures.
Oh man, the weather Saturday was most beautiful for visiting Long Beach, having lunch there, and just being in the SUN. It could not have been better - it was a blessing to spend time with family who lives in Arizona, as well as Jordan.
The opera Marriage of Figaro was the Saturday night highlight. Biola does a fantastic job with operas, and Jordan was in a role never seen before - an old man. He played Figaro's father. I always love the "after show" that occurs randomly with college students. It energizes me and makes me wide wide awake! We went to bed at 2AM, knowing that we were to wake up Sunday morning at 5AM!
After all the wonderful blessing of the weekend, I thought nothing could top it - but we were pleasantly surprised to learn that Jordan must be up and at it at 5AM Sunday morning, to participate in the worship band and perform "Jesus Messiah" for special music at a church one hour away. We all got up at 5AM to arrive in time...he sang for three services (which we stayed for) and I would have gone for more. The song is beautiful (although Jordan struggles with the repetitiveness of some such songs) The words to the song, finishing our weekend - you can listen to it on Youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJmG1j0CJhQ
He became sin Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing - Love so amazing
Jesus Messiah, Name above all names,
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven,
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
His body the bread, His blood the wine,
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled And the veil was torn
Love so amazing Love so amazing
Jesus Messiah, Name above all names,
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven,
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
All our hope is in You. All our hope is in You.
All the glory to You, God - The light of the world
Jesus Messiah, Name above all names,
Blessed Redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, The ransom from Heaven,
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Money Money Money
Seriously, as part of the economic stimulus package, there is earmarked $350,000,000 for prevention of STD's. Each American citizen should be responsible for their own body. On the one hand, the government thinks they should pay for abortions so people who cannot control their passions don't have to suffer with an unwanted baby. The proponents of abortion have a slogan against the anti abortion movement ~ "Stay out of my womb". Yet, these same people would be in favor of the government spending all that money to prevent STD'S! Where is self regulation? This is an outrage.
I have seen first hand how these programs work. The teen centers are advocates of teens in trouble. They feed them, offer counseling, etc. Some centers will not allow runaways in - unless they speak with a counselor and go through the motions of wanting to make their lives right. These kids learn how to play the game for free pizza and free condoms - with a variety of choices. That is, they offer them choices of different kinds of condoms, since most people would not appreciate basic condoms. How nice......thank you tax payers.
Oh well, my life will not end over this - I hope.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Without Complaint or Dispute
Philippians 2:14-16 (New King James Version) 14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
The sermon was on this text - the significant aspect is that the historical rebuke for this very thing came first to Israel. They had been given a God appointed leader in Moses, were led out of Egypt, had all their substances provided for, and looked forward to the promise of the land which they were journeying to. BUT instead of seeing God's provision and hand in their lives, they complained about their leader, their food, and why they had to be in a no-mans land. They would rather be slaves in Egypt! We think this is ridiculous that a people could be so ungrateful. Yet, we are in our wilderness until the day Christ returns. He is our God appointed leader, He provides our every need, and He has set us free from the bondage of sin. Hahah - you would that would be enough for us.
No, we complain that we don't have enough money, that our homes are not up to standard, that we are barren, that we have allergies or illness, that the pains in our bodies make it difficult to live for Christ, that the trials of this life are too difficult. Just as Israel refused to be united with Moses in purpose and self sacrifice, we too, refuse to be united to Jesus in the same. We truly do live in a "crooked and perverse generation". As believers, we can all look back to the grace that He has given us - and that should push us on towards our goal. That same saving grace is the sustaining grace that we have now in Christ. From saving grace to sustaining grace.
This week I will endeavor to be intentional in my "grace recollections", knowing that the same grace that saved me will also sustain me, and lead me into the heavenly of heavens.
Does this mean that our ailments are nullified? No - we are to share one anothers burdens. Our attitude is what makes it complaint or concern.
In my life time, I have had my share of "undesirable journeys". I was nearly disowned by my dad for being a Christian, I was falsely accused by the head of a mission where I taught music, I had 3 miscarriages, I held a newborn dead baby in my arms, I almost lost every pregnancy that DID make it to term, I spent a total of 2 1/2 years in bed in those pregnancies, I had an adopted child leave our family after ten years saying she did want us to be her family, I have severe degenerative disc disease, I have no cartilage in my left thumb joint, but the WORSE is that I have very fine and thin hair!
My mom is such an example of how we are to live. She struggles with every single thing in her day- even sleeping is a struggle! Does she complain and grumble? No - she keeps on keeping on, knowing that God has His purpose for every thing in her life. I pray that I will be half the woman she is (actually I would like to be all the woman she is, but even if I was only half, I would be far from where I am) She is such a blessing to me!
We all have our wilderness stories - but as believers OUR stories differ from those of the world. OUR stories have a purpose and a goal - to honor and glorify God! May we always praise Him in our wilderness. I think it kind of funny how people pay money to go on "wilderness excursions" when we ARE on them! Hey - if anyone wants to pay me for one, I can take you on a ride you won't forget - it is called LIFE. We can either go through it or cop out of it. We can pretend we are someone else, or we can be who we are in Christ.
This is an example of being someone other than we are:
The sermon was on this text - the significant aspect is that the historical rebuke for this very thing came first to Israel. They had been given a God appointed leader in Moses, were led out of Egypt, had all their substances provided for, and looked forward to the promise of the land which they were journeying to. BUT instead of seeing God's provision and hand in their lives, they complained about their leader, their food, and why they had to be in a no-mans land. They would rather be slaves in Egypt! We think this is ridiculous that a people could be so ungrateful. Yet, we are in our wilderness until the day Christ returns. He is our God appointed leader, He provides our every need, and He has set us free from the bondage of sin. Hahah - you would that would be enough for us.
No, we complain that we don't have enough money, that our homes are not up to standard, that we are barren, that we have allergies or illness, that the pains in our bodies make it difficult to live for Christ, that the trials of this life are too difficult. Just as Israel refused to be united with Moses in purpose and self sacrifice, we too, refuse to be united to Jesus in the same. We truly do live in a "crooked and perverse generation". As believers, we can all look back to the grace that He has given us - and that should push us on towards our goal. That same saving grace is the sustaining grace that we have now in Christ. From saving grace to sustaining grace.
This week I will endeavor to be intentional in my "grace recollections", knowing that the same grace that saved me will also sustain me, and lead me into the heavenly of heavens.
Does this mean that our ailments are nullified? No - we are to share one anothers burdens. Our attitude is what makes it complaint or concern.
In my life time, I have had my share of "undesirable journeys". I was nearly disowned by my dad for being a Christian, I was falsely accused by the head of a mission where I taught music, I had 3 miscarriages, I held a newborn dead baby in my arms, I almost lost every pregnancy that DID make it to term, I spent a total of 2 1/2 years in bed in those pregnancies, I had an adopted child leave our family after ten years saying she did want us to be her family, I have severe degenerative disc disease, I have no cartilage in my left thumb joint, but the WORSE is that I have very fine and thin hair!
My mom is such an example of how we are to live. She struggles with every single thing in her day- even sleeping is a struggle! Does she complain and grumble? No - she keeps on keeping on, knowing that God has His purpose for every thing in her life. I pray that I will be half the woman she is (actually I would like to be all the woman she is, but even if I was only half, I would be far from where I am) She is such a blessing to me!
We all have our wilderness stories - but as believers OUR stories differ from those of the world. OUR stories have a purpose and a goal - to honor and glorify God! May we always praise Him in our wilderness. I think it kind of funny how people pay money to go on "wilderness excursions" when we ARE on them! Hey - if anyone wants to pay me for one, I can take you on a ride you won't forget - it is called LIFE. We can either go through it or cop out of it. We can pretend we are someone else, or we can be who we are in Christ.
This is an example of being someone other than we are:
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Before and After
We hear this a lot in life - before and after marriage....before and after children....before and after plastic surgery.....before and after remodeling....before and after storms....before and after working out.
What does before and after Christ mean to us? What does it really really mean to be before and after in Christ? It should be as drastic as any of the above mentioned things, only more powerful. Before and after life, and before and after death are the all important driving factors for us to consider as far as who we are in Christ Jesus. Before I realized the saving power of Jesus Christ, I was dead in my sins. After He regenerated my heart to believe in Him, I was alive! Before I was saved, my death would surely bring me to eternal damnation and hell. After salvation, my glory awaits me in heaven with Christ! Oh! May we always be acutely aware of our before and after!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Contrast
Black and white, right and wrong, hot and cold, light and dark, fat and thin....you get it. Contrast - opposites. The world has to have contrast.
Art utilizes and even requires contrast. Notice when you look at a pencil drawing how very important shading is in order to show the subject. The lights and darks make the drawing have depth and life.
In music, there is contrast. Loud/quiet, fast/slow, dissonance/resolution - without it it would be nothing. These contrasts elicit an emotional response from the listener.
Books and stories have the same elements to draw the reader into the story, painting the verbal picture of the surroundings, characters, and emotions. There is happiness and sadness, love and hate, good and bad characters.
In movies, the same contrast principles apply, but with the added burden of ensuring that the visual experience connects with the intended purpose.
OK - you get the contrast principle and how important it is in life. The Bible in it's very entirety has the contrast principle. There is life and peace in God, and torment and death apart from God. There IS heaven, and there IS hell. There is Redemption, and there is Judgement. The believer rejoices in Redemption, and the unrepentant sinner should (and will) quiver at the horror judgement.
So many pastors today are choosing to not speak of the judgement of God, saying that it "will take away from the grace of God" - far be it from the truth! In leaving out and ignoring the wickedness of sin and it's consequences of death, one is actually diminishing the saving grace of Christ in redemption! The contrast principle applies so beautifully here - because of the wickedness of my heart apart from Christ, I am all the more thankful for redemption through grace.
On a lighter note - I think it is wise for wives to cook some really bad meals once in a while so that our good meals will be noticed more :)
Art utilizes and even requires contrast. Notice when you look at a pencil drawing how very important shading is in order to show the subject. The lights and darks make the drawing have depth and life.
In music, there is contrast. Loud/quiet, fast/slow, dissonance/resolution - without it it would be nothing. These contrasts elicit an emotional response from the listener.
Books and stories have the same elements to draw the reader into the story, painting the verbal picture of the surroundings, characters, and emotions. There is happiness and sadness, love and hate, good and bad characters.
In movies, the same contrast principles apply, but with the added burden of ensuring that the visual experience connects with the intended purpose.
OK - you get the contrast principle and how important it is in life. The Bible in it's very entirety has the contrast principle. There is life and peace in God, and torment and death apart from God. There IS heaven, and there IS hell. There is Redemption, and there is Judgement. The believer rejoices in Redemption, and the unrepentant sinner should (and will) quiver at the horror judgement.
So many pastors today are choosing to not speak of the judgement of God, saying that it "will take away from the grace of God" - far be it from the truth! In leaving out and ignoring the wickedness of sin and it's consequences of death, one is actually diminishing the saving grace of Christ in redemption! The contrast principle applies so beautifully here - because of the wickedness of my heart apart from Christ, I am all the more thankful for redemption through grace.
On a lighter note - I think it is wise for wives to cook some really bad meals once in a while so that our good meals will be noticed more :)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year Church Family
We made this for our pastor for 11 years of ministering to us. We are all so unique, yet are one in Christ - a mystery that still baffles me and brings me to the throne.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
from Rick Warren, a great New Year's Thought
One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body--but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal.
God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.
God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.
We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ's likeness.
This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.
I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.
Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something
bad in your life.
No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.
You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.
If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, "which is my problem, my issues, my pain."
But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.
We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.
It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.
You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.
It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.
So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence.
He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.
First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.
Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.
Third , we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.
Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.
We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?
Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism?
Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?
When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD
God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity. We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.
God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.
We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ's likeness.
This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.
I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.
Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something
bad in your life.
No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on. And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.
You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.
If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, "which is my problem, my issues, my pain."
But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.
We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.
It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.
You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life. Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.
It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.
So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence.
He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.
First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.
Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.
Third , we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.
Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.
We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?
Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism?
Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?
When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Our Family Costco Excursion
So we decide it will be nice to all accompany Jaron to Costco, as he wants to buy some thingy that plays music. We pile into his very cool Nissan Pathfinder (I think that is what it is called) and head through the snowy neighborhood as if we were in a speed boat. Upon arrival at Kirkland Costco, we all seem to split up (that always happens at some point in our Costco excursions). I decide to go to my first place I always go to - the jewelry cases. As I am standing there, with my cart, and my purse neatly placed in the carry basket, Jaron comes BOMBING...and I do mean bombing, from nowhere, grabs my purse, and continues to run full speed ahead. About five rows down he decides to peel to the right - I could see him banking for the turn, but from my viewpoint, he banked a little too far to his right....his goes down, feet close together just barely out of the main aisle. He is OK....and the two jewelry people were shocked, dismayed, terrified, then laughing hysterically once they realized what had happened.
Joseph and I split away from the 3 boys, hoping they can behave themselves while we leisurely shop the aisles, checking for the very-hard-to-locate-Flax meal.
While Joseph goes to get eggs, I find the three boys (supposed to be men) reclining on the reclining couch. People are looking at the couch, checking it out, and Jaron says "it is a very good price - I would sure buy it - and it is very comfortable" They looked like store "plants".
They spy Joseph, with his eggs and a case of Spam, and get that twinkle in their eyes. Jason, being the most mature of the three, stays near me while we reunite with Joseph. As we steer towards the check out, Jordan and Jaron BOMB in from nowhere, hitting Joseph with rolled up rugs. (it did not hurt, but made a very loud noise as if it DID hurt) We were all laughing. Suddenly, a man in a red vest with a name tag on it comes directly, with eye contact, to ME! He says "I am about to ask that you ALL leave this store" To my horror at the thought of being falsely accused I quickly plead "I didn't do anything!" - while my boys are all still laughing. We walk sheepishly to check out (well I was the only sheepish one) and get out of there.
So I am almost flipping out on the way to the car - and there I find out "the rest of the story". Jaron was on the Stair Master, seeing how fast he could go (Jaron is really really fast) and that man told him to get off. Then he told Jaron to please not ride the bike. He followed the three around the store and would not let them out of his sight. (He DID miss, however, when Jaron rode the moped)
So - in the end - MOM is the one who gets blamed! We moms are never safe.....never let your guard down - ever.
Joseph and I split away from the 3 boys, hoping they can behave themselves while we leisurely shop the aisles, checking for the very-hard-to-locate-Flax meal.
While Joseph goes to get eggs, I find the three boys (supposed to be men) reclining on the reclining couch. People are looking at the couch, checking it out, and Jaron says "it is a very good price - I would sure buy it - and it is very comfortable" They looked like store "plants".
They spy Joseph, with his eggs and a case of Spam, and get that twinkle in their eyes. Jason, being the most mature of the three, stays near me while we reunite with Joseph. As we steer towards the check out, Jordan and Jaron BOMB in from nowhere, hitting Joseph with rolled up rugs. (it did not hurt, but made a very loud noise as if it DID hurt) We were all laughing. Suddenly, a man in a red vest with a name tag on it comes directly, with eye contact, to ME! He says "I am about to ask that you ALL leave this store" To my horror at the thought of being falsely accused I quickly plead "I didn't do anything!" - while my boys are all still laughing. We walk sheepishly to check out (well I was the only sheepish one) and get out of there.
So I am almost flipping out on the way to the car - and there I find out "the rest of the story". Jaron was on the Stair Master, seeing how fast he could go (Jaron is really really fast) and that man told him to get off. Then he told Jaron to please not ride the bike. He followed the three around the store and would not let them out of his sight. (He DID miss, however, when Jaron rode the moped)
So - in the end - MOM is the one who gets blamed! We moms are never safe.....never let your guard down - ever.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas Poem to our Children 2008
CHRISTMAS 2008
To our Children
Jason, Jordan, Jaron, and Julianne
Be it now, or ever after
Our family is always filled with laughter
This past year was very hard
But we pulled together (in spite of the yard)
The blessings of God are always near
Unless you have no ears to hear
But when He opens up your eyes
He gives you power to see through lies
Christmas gifts can come and go
But we really want to show
You mean more to us than money can buy
Truly, truly this is no lie
We could get you "things" and "stuff"
That you use and get enough
But nothing is a greater treasure
Than spending family time together
You children are such a blessing
We come to you confessing
To our Alaska cruise we go
Not alone, but with you fo'
So clear your dates and pack your bags
July 21 we get sea legs
For seven nights to cruise at sea
Please join us gleefully!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Oh Holy Night! NW Boychoir, plus Alumni
BAD video from sitting in audience, but just close your eyes and listen -
HAHAHAH FA LA LA LA LA
So, we have three tickets to Benaroya for the Boychoir Lessons and Carols. Jordan takes his own car because him and Kris are going to hang out afterwards. Just as we pull into the parking garage, Jordan's car = dead. The alternator went out. SO, we go to the concert and enjoy it anyway, figuring out what to do with the car. WELL,after the concert Kris told his mom to go ahead and go home since he is going with Jordan (not knowing HIS car is dead). Kris and Jordan get a ride to our house with us in our very cool Astro van.....joking the entire time how their night sure turned out "not so grown up" - hahah and Will WAS going to join them, but his mom picked him up after the concert. HAHAHA we sure got a laugh. Family - great stuff.
SO, tomorrow morning is our family progressive breakfast beginning at 9AM, probably ending around noon - after which WE were going to finish up our shopping - but alas! Joseph now has to go back to Benaroya to replace the alternator in Jordan's car. HAHAHAH FA LA LA LA LA
Ya just gotta laugh - HAHAHA no alternator can be located today - so the car must stay in Seattle until the day after Christmas.... fa la la la la
SO, tomorrow morning is our family progressive breakfast beginning at 9AM, probably ending around noon - after which WE were going to finish up our shopping - but alas! Joseph now has to go back to Benaroya to replace the alternator in Jordan's car. HAHAHAH FA LA LA LA LA
Ya just gotta laugh - HAHAHA no alternator can be located today - so the car must stay in Seattle until the day after Christmas.... fa la la la la
Friday, December 19, 2008
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Surprises are FUN!
Joseph and I flew to L.A. Friday to surprise Jordan for the Biola Christmas Concert. We waited until intermission of the show, where he was in King's Men outside singing - and I walked up in front of them and took their picture - he caught sight of me and the look on his face was "HUH? WHAT?" but he kept singing.
The second half of the show was excerpts from the Polar Express - and he sang the Aerosmith song "Rockin on Top of the World" with the jazz band, dancing all over the stage. BUT he was having pants problems - apparently his waistband broke inside his tux pants before the show, so he borrowed a safety pin to make them stay up. Well, into the fourth bar of the song the safety pin came undone. He had to sing, dance, jump on and off the stage, all the while holding his pants up. I kept wondering if he had Jingle Bell Boxers on just in case.
The next day was spent finding new pants plus suspenders for the Saturday night show, Throat Coat Tea, AND...............we met up with a friend whom we knew in Hawaii in 1980!!! She lives near Biola with her hubby and two children. Her daughter Emily is beginning Biola next year, so we will see her more next year! Small world.
It was great- I am always amazed at how fun and wonderful college students are. We met many new people, and especially Amanda and Rachel, who have become our link to Biola through their Vlogs - long funny story.
After the concert, we joined a brood of students at a Vietnamese restaurant which stays open until 3AM! Had to get up early to catch a 7AM flight home (The night was so short, I could still taste the toothpaste from my nightly brushing on my teeth when I got out of bed)
Great times - God is good and people are awesome. I love life~
The second half of the show was excerpts from the Polar Express - and he sang the Aerosmith song "Rockin on Top of the World" with the jazz band, dancing all over the stage. BUT he was having pants problems - apparently his waistband broke inside his tux pants before the show, so he borrowed a safety pin to make them stay up. Well, into the fourth bar of the song the safety pin came undone. He had to sing, dance, jump on and off the stage, all the while holding his pants up. I kept wondering if he had Jingle Bell Boxers on just in case.
The next day was spent finding new pants plus suspenders for the Saturday night show, Throat Coat Tea, AND...............we met up with a friend whom we knew in Hawaii in 1980!!! She lives near Biola with her hubby and two children. Her daughter Emily is beginning Biola next year, so we will see her more next year! Small world.
It was great- I am always amazed at how fun and wonderful college students are. We met many new people, and especially Amanda and Rachel, who have become our link to Biola through their Vlogs - long funny story.
After the concert, we joined a brood of students at a Vietnamese restaurant which stays open until 3AM! Had to get up early to catch a 7AM flight home (The night was so short, I could still taste the toothpaste from my nightly brushing on my teeth when I got out of bed)
Great times - God is good and people are awesome. I love life~
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
HOLIDAY TIME!
No snow - yet! I am so excited for Christmas time. I love the lights, candles, goodies, yummy drinks...but the most wonderful thing about the season is family! I have a whole new huge appreciation for FAMILY. FAMILY - it is something we get stuck with, go through hard times with, get angry with, have a blast with, make memories with, encourage each other, admonish one another, support in hard times, cheer in successful times, and can't leave out ~ make fun of.
There are grandparents, aunties, uncles, in laws, cousins, nephews, nieces, um....is there more? oh yes! haha sons and daughters, moms and dads. As children, we don't choose who our family is, but we choose to remain with them - or - the unthinkable - leave them.
I am so so thankful for my family - my parents Gene and Shirley Vanderhoff, sisters Judy and Janice, brothers Del and Earl, (By choice, my husband Joseph), sister-in-laws Susie, June and Agnes, brother-in-laws Todd, Jeff, and Dick. Sons Jason, Jordan, Jaron, and daughter Julianne. Nieces Jill, Paige, Stacy, Katie, Jody, Jessi, Dolly. Nephews Adam, Andrew, Ben, Andy, Tim, Charles, Luke, Ryan, Drew, Jeremiah, Josh. There are niece-in-laws Maki, Cheyenne, Esther, Shirley, Terra, Rose...and nephew-in-laws Ethan, Jared, Dave, Bryan, Jeremy. We cannot stop there - the grand nieces are Sophia, Lydia, Annie, Arisa, Erika, Hannah, Georgi, Ruthie, Olivia, Anna - grand nephews are Isaiah, Devon, Ben-Ben, Abraham, Gideon, Chandler, Jake, London, Will, Jaxon.
Wow - this sounds almost like the genealogy of Jesus!
Merry Christmas to my dear family. May God bless each and every one of you!
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