Adventures in Odyssey...
I love this radio series. I listen to it now online, granted, a little less since having Samuel, but I have listened to it religiously since 2001 while at Samford University. It was my company late at night when I couldn't call Ashley :) as well as providing me with some belly laughs at Wooten's silliness and Whit's amazing wisdom about life and in dealing with children. It was like living in that town and being a part of their family. It was adventurous with travels across the ocean and mysterious plots that were so complex that I would pull over in my car en route to a clinical to be able to glean all the details. Engagements, break-ups, abortion, cancer, death, divorce, sibling rivalry, etc. were all addressed...and it was just so awesome.
I remember waking up early the day of Courtney's bridal shower and heading over to a bakery supply store when Odyssey came on in the car. It was an episode about trying to control things that we couldn't control or manipulate. Timely, granted things got a little harried trying to get the stuff done for the shower. :) Many times, it has been company while I did chores...washing dishes, cooking, and mowing the lawn on Waxleaf Green. I had plenty of time to listen and had some silly laughs over Wooten's shaving his eyebrows off or wanting to donate a kidney to lose some weight. You probably had to be there...or else you should just listen to the episode. :)
I guess I don't know if I can't really explain the depth of feeling I have for this show. The reason for all this reminiscing is that I found out one my favorite actors on the show died. He did two of the voices (Tom Riley and Bart Rathbone), and I just cannot imagine life without him in that town. I listened as people talked about him and also read about his life.
I guess it just made me wonder about my life and what I am doing. I don't really have an answer, but it has just given me a little more determination to do something meaningful with my life that will matter in eternity, not just here on earth.
For those of you who have not listened to Adv in Odyssey lately or want to, go to http://www.whitsend.org/ to listen. They also have a weekend edition which has the newer episodes. You can also listen to them on the radio, just find your station and tune in. You'll be glad you did. It is good family listening and discussion time. I hope to do this with Samuel as well.
Karen
P.S. Did you know that the first voice for Whit (John Avery Whitaker) was Otis from the Andy Griffith show? He said it was the most important thing he ever did. Check it out.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
Learning learning learning!
Dear Samuel,
Today we took a walk. You rode your tricycle with your Winnie the Pooh helmet. It was so cute. We walked down to the apartment main building (where we also got some complimentary cookies), and you quickly learned the word for cookie. You said "Cook!", though. :) Daddy and I just looked at each other with raised eyebrows. You had a good time on the tricycle, balancing your feet on the pedals as well as letting your shoes drag on the ground. You got tired and decided to lean on the handlebars while Mommy pushed you. It was a beautiful day.
Tonight we said "Thank you, Jesus!" and you responded immediately with an "AMEN!"...or your version of it, which is "MEN!"
That brings such joy to me to hear you say that. You probably don't know exactly what that means right now, but you are agreeing with me! :) I pray your heart would always be towards Him.
Love,
Mommy
Today we took a walk. You rode your tricycle with your Winnie the Pooh helmet. It was so cute. We walked down to the apartment main building (where we also got some complimentary cookies), and you quickly learned the word for cookie. You said "Cook!", though. :) Daddy and I just looked at each other with raised eyebrows. You had a good time on the tricycle, balancing your feet on the pedals as well as letting your shoes drag on the ground. You got tired and decided to lean on the handlebars while Mommy pushed you. It was a beautiful day.
Tonight we said "Thank you, Jesus!" and you responded immediately with an "AMEN!"...or your version of it, which is "MEN!"
That brings such joy to me to hear you say that. You probably don't know exactly what that means right now, but you are agreeing with me! :) I pray your heart would always be towards Him.
Love,
Mommy
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Religion vs Relationship Part 3 - A Personal Experience
During our last faith course I had an encounter with the religious spirit trying to operate in my own life. Because of the truths I've been meditating in lately, I was able to recognize it, press through, and lead three people to salvation. Our assignment took us to Po-Dunk, North Carolina where we spent the day doing various ministries and outreaches. One of the assignments was praying for the sick in a hospital. After we finished this assignment we were exiting the building when I heard to girls start laughing at my ministry partner, Sam. Sam is a scary looking guy with long dread locks, a beard down to his chest, and several tattoos. But the ladies were captivated by his hair, so we figured we'd talk to them a few minutes and see if we could find an opportunity to minister to them.
One of the ladies (Jessica) was in a patient's gown with an IV inserted in the back of one hand, and a cigarette in the other. She very overweight too. I hadn't realized it, but I was already making judgments that she wasn't really worthy of our time to minister to her because here she was in the hospital sick, and still coming outside for a smoke. The more we talked, the angrier I became. I discovered that she was pregnant without a husband, and had a disorder that prevented her from being able to keep food down. She and her friend began telling us about their boyfriends, and drugs, and pregnancies of other friends without husbands, and the more she talked, the angrier I got. How could she be smoking when she knew it would harm her baby? Why would she have so many boyfriends and live such a loose life? How could they be proud about using drugs and brag about all of her exploits the way she was doing? By that time she was half way through sharing, I had decided that she was definitely just a trashy girl who wasn't deserving of my Jesus.
But as these judgments started rolling through my head, I began to realize how evil these thoughts were. In my mind, I said a quick prayer of repentance, and ask the Lord to give me his heart for these two girls. After they had spilled their whole shameful story to us I could not see any feelings of guilt in their eyes or faces. They seemed rather cavalier about their stories. But I was beginning to feel God's compassion for these girls who had come from fatherless homes and not been raised to know the Lord. At first, we just offered to pray for Jessica's healing, which caught her off guard to realize she had just spilled her story to some Christians. But she was very receptive, so we prayed for her healing. After we finished, I could feel the battle inside me trying to keep me from sharing the gospel and inviting them to accept Jesus into their hearts. I knew it was their time, so I asked them if they would like to invite Jesus into their lives and have a new start on life. These 2 girls who had been bragging about their exploits just 2 minutes ago began weeping before we could even pray as their hearts began to open up to the Lord. They told us how they had been in church before, but had left the Lord for other things in life. They both wanted to pray for salvation, and they even brought into our circle another woman who had been standing back listening to the conversation. She also gave her life to the Lord that day after watching how the events unfolded.
At the end of our time with them, I gave them some brief pointers on having a relationship with Jesus in hopes to keep them from falling into dead religion. They were all weeping and hugging us and thanking us for being there to pray with them. Jessica said she wanted to take her children to church for the first time so they could grow up knowing the Lord. I walked away from that situation realizing the impact that we had just made for these 3 young ladies, and how the religious spirit had attempted to shut down the ministry by attacking my thoughts. Now I keep reminding myself; lights are only useful in the darkness. If you are a Christian, you are the fragrance of Christ. Your candle is lit. No go take it out into the darkness.
Blessings...
One of the ladies (Jessica) was in a patient's gown with an IV inserted in the back of one hand, and a cigarette in the other. She very overweight too. I hadn't realized it, but I was already making judgments that she wasn't really worthy of our time to minister to her because here she was in the hospital sick, and still coming outside for a smoke. The more we talked, the angrier I became. I discovered that she was pregnant without a husband, and had a disorder that prevented her from being able to keep food down. She and her friend began telling us about their boyfriends, and drugs, and pregnancies of other friends without husbands, and the more she talked, the angrier I got. How could she be smoking when she knew it would harm her baby? Why would she have so many boyfriends and live such a loose life? How could they be proud about using drugs and brag about all of her exploits the way she was doing? By that time she was half way through sharing, I had decided that she was definitely just a trashy girl who wasn't deserving of my Jesus.
But as these judgments started rolling through my head, I began to realize how evil these thoughts were. In my mind, I said a quick prayer of repentance, and ask the Lord to give me his heart for these two girls. After they had spilled their whole shameful story to us I could not see any feelings of guilt in their eyes or faces. They seemed rather cavalier about their stories. But I was beginning to feel God's compassion for these girls who had come from fatherless homes and not been raised to know the Lord. At first, we just offered to pray for Jessica's healing, which caught her off guard to realize she had just spilled her story to some Christians. But she was very receptive, so we prayed for her healing. After we finished, I could feel the battle inside me trying to keep me from sharing the gospel and inviting them to accept Jesus into their hearts. I knew it was their time, so I asked them if they would like to invite Jesus into their lives and have a new start on life. These 2 girls who had been bragging about their exploits just 2 minutes ago began weeping before we could even pray as their hearts began to open up to the Lord. They told us how they had been in church before, but had left the Lord for other things in life. They both wanted to pray for salvation, and they even brought into our circle another woman who had been standing back listening to the conversation. She also gave her life to the Lord that day after watching how the events unfolded.
At the end of our time with them, I gave them some brief pointers on having a relationship with Jesus in hopes to keep them from falling into dead religion. They were all weeping and hugging us and thanking us for being there to pray with them. Jessica said she wanted to take her children to church for the first time so they could grow up knowing the Lord. I walked away from that situation realizing the impact that we had just made for these 3 young ladies, and how the religious spirit had attempted to shut down the ministry by attacking my thoughts. Now I keep reminding myself; lights are only useful in the darkness. If you are a Christian, you are the fragrance of Christ. Your candle is lit. No go take it out into the darkness.
Blessings...
Religion vs Relationship Part 2
It could be said that religion is man's attempt to appease God by ceremonial practices, but relationship is God's method of demonstrating that he is already pleased with man. Religion encourages us to manipulate the system to please God but it doesn't cause any inward change. Relationship establishes that we are already in God’s good graces (through Jesus) and drives us to inward change because we know it brings us closer to the heart of God. Our fallen human nature tends toward religion as a formula to make God happy. It appeals to our personalities as creatures of habit. God hates religion because it tricks people into thinking they are okay when they are not okay. In an attempt to communicate this to us clearly, God very often offends our religious sensibilities to stir us out of the lethargy of religion back into relationship with him. We will look at a few examples briefly to see how God offends us, and how the quality of our response can affect those around us.
The story that got me thinking about this is found in Acts 10-11. It is the account of Cornelius the Roman Centurion and Peter. To summarize, God tells Peter to go preach to the Roman gentiles, and then they get baptized with the Holy Spirit. This was an absolute shock to Peter and the other apostles, because Jewish laws forbid them to associate with gentiles or visit them. Peter had to break Jewish law to preach to the gentiles. This was unheard of, but through his relationship with God, he was told to do it. Many times when we follow God by having a relationship with him, we will break the rules that "religious" people are depending on to make themselves righteous before God. When we cross those boundaries, we will find that we are persecuted in the same way that Jesus and the Apostles were persecuted. Just Google Rick Joyner, and you will see what I mean. All kinds of false accusations are leveled against him in the Internet because so many people are offended by his relationship with Jesus. They want him to conform to the "old religion" (old traditions) that they hold sacred, but traditions which hinder us from moving on in God.
One of the ultimate ways in which the religious spirit affects us is in our relationships and associations with others. Relationships and acquaintances are our primary means of advancing the gospel, and the Deceiver will use this deception to hinder a potentially fruitful relationship. This is evident in Jesus life. So much of his ministry time was spent having meals and hanging out with sinners, that the Pharisees accused him of being a glutton and drunkard. But it was as Jesus spent time with sinners and broken people that he was able to minister to him.
Scriptures are full of instances where godly people broke the law to do God's will. Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman (forbidden) and led the entire town to salvation. He allowed the prostitute Marry to anoint him with oil and wash his feet bringing the scorn of every religious person watching. Elisha laid on a dead boy's body to bring him back to life. You just couldn't touch dead bodies according to Jewish law, especially if you were a minister. David and his men ate the holy bread and God blessed them instead of killing them. The point is that each of these situations would have drawn the scrutiny of law abiding Jews, but each of them were acceptable and pleasing to God.
These examples display a principle that will help us in our ministry and daily life. Very often the fruitful relationship that God has for us will offend our minds, or the minds of religious folks around us. And many times those relationships will bring us into very un-sanctified surroundings, because it is in those un-sanctified surroundings that there are people who really need to meet Jesus. Lights are only noticed when they shine in dark places. Go shine!
The story that got me thinking about this is found in Acts 10-11. It is the account of Cornelius the Roman Centurion and Peter. To summarize, God tells Peter to go preach to the Roman gentiles, and then they get baptized with the Holy Spirit. This was an absolute shock to Peter and the other apostles, because Jewish laws forbid them to associate with gentiles or visit them. Peter had to break Jewish law to preach to the gentiles. This was unheard of, but through his relationship with God, he was told to do it. Many times when we follow God by having a relationship with him, we will break the rules that "religious" people are depending on to make themselves righteous before God. When we cross those boundaries, we will find that we are persecuted in the same way that Jesus and the Apostles were persecuted. Just Google Rick Joyner, and you will see what I mean. All kinds of false accusations are leveled against him in the Internet because so many people are offended by his relationship with Jesus. They want him to conform to the "old religion" (old traditions) that they hold sacred, but traditions which hinder us from moving on in God.
One of the ultimate ways in which the religious spirit affects us is in our relationships and associations with others. Relationships and acquaintances are our primary means of advancing the gospel, and the Deceiver will use this deception to hinder a potentially fruitful relationship. This is evident in Jesus life. So much of his ministry time was spent having meals and hanging out with sinners, that the Pharisees accused him of being a glutton and drunkard. But it was as Jesus spent time with sinners and broken people that he was able to minister to him.
Scriptures are full of instances where godly people broke the law to do God's will. Jesus spoke with a Samaritan woman (forbidden) and led the entire town to salvation. He allowed the prostitute Marry to anoint him with oil and wash his feet bringing the scorn of every religious person watching. Elisha laid on a dead boy's body to bring him back to life. You just couldn't touch dead bodies according to Jewish law, especially if you were a minister. David and his men ate the holy bread and God blessed them instead of killing them. The point is that each of these situations would have drawn the scrutiny of law abiding Jews, but each of them were acceptable and pleasing to God.
These examples display a principle that will help us in our ministry and daily life. Very often the fruitful relationship that God has for us will offend our minds, or the minds of religious folks around us. And many times those relationships will bring us into very un-sanctified surroundings, because it is in those un-sanctified surroundings that there are people who really need to meet Jesus. Lights are only noticed when they shine in dark places. Go shine!
Stairs
Samuel,
At church last Friday, you went up the stairs unassisted and without holding onto anything. I was so shocked and pleased. You are growing up too fast for Mommy, but I am so proud of you.
I love you,
MommyK
At church last Friday, you went up the stairs unassisted and without holding onto anything. I was so shocked and pleased. You are growing up too fast for Mommy, but I am so proud of you.
I love you,
MommyK
Climbing
Dear Acrobat Samuel,
You love to climb! Instead of climbing onto the futon like everyone else, you always choose to climb up the side railing and fling yourself over the side regardless of what toy, book or person might be there. You climb on the rocker. You climb on the ottoman. You climb on the computer desk chair. You climb on the side table. You climb on the dining room chairs. You climb on the table until Mommy sees you and tells you to get down. You would love to climb up onto the kitchen counters, but so far you are content to climb the small kitchen ladder to play with your magnetic alphabet letters. You like to climb on the playground outside our apartment and slide down the smaller slide, but you won't go down the twisty slide. You will climb up and look down it, but you shake your head 'no' when we ask if you want to go down. You certainly know what you do and do not want.
Like certain foods. Pears. We bought some ripe pears for you today. We sliced it open, scraped some out and fed it to you. You didn't like it and quickly extended your tongue out (with the food) in protest. You also turn your head with amazing agility to avoid eating foods you don't like. For instance, you didn't like the blueberry yogurt we fed you tonight. You ate the yogurt, but you promptly isolated and spit out the blueberry. You are so funny. You are selectively selective. You like blueberries at times and obviously, at other times you don't. But you are a good eater. We are so proud and thankful for you.
Love,
Mommy
You love to climb! Instead of climbing onto the futon like everyone else, you always choose to climb up the side railing and fling yourself over the side regardless of what toy, book or person might be there. You climb on the rocker. You climb on the ottoman. You climb on the computer desk chair. You climb on the side table. You climb on the dining room chairs. You climb on the table until Mommy sees you and tells you to get down. You would love to climb up onto the kitchen counters, but so far you are content to climb the small kitchen ladder to play with your magnetic alphabet letters. You like to climb on the playground outside our apartment and slide down the smaller slide, but you won't go down the twisty slide. You will climb up and look down it, but you shake your head 'no' when we ask if you want to go down. You certainly know what you do and do not want.
Like certain foods. Pears. We bought some ripe pears for you today. We sliced it open, scraped some out and fed it to you. You didn't like it and quickly extended your tongue out (with the food) in protest. You also turn your head with amazing agility to avoid eating foods you don't like. For instance, you didn't like the blueberry yogurt we fed you tonight. You ate the yogurt, but you promptly isolated and spit out the blueberry. You are so funny. You are selectively selective. You like blueberries at times and obviously, at other times you don't. But you are a good eater. We are so proud and thankful for you.
Love,
Mommy
Stevie Wonder and Google
Dear Samuel,
You are our delight and joy! Today was such an eventful day for you. We went to Costco, and you pushed the bascart around while crawling on your knees as well as walking. You slid across the floor more, though. It is one of your favorite things to do in any store. Then we went to Babies R Us and got you some yummies--which you promptly wanted opened and ate about 10 crackers in a few minutes. You were hungry. Then we went to Toys R Us because Daddy wanted to look at tricycles for you. PLUS! We had a coupon (which we did not even use!). The tricycle we were looking for was sold out, but you didn't care. We pulled one down for you to ride, and you loved it. Daddy pushed you around first, and then Mommy pushed while Daddy went to ask the salesman some questions.
It's amazing how you like to push and pull things now. After riding, you climbed in the John Deere tractor truck and played with a push popper ball toy as well as a baby stroller. We ended up buying you the Radio Flyer Steer & Stroll. You can't exactly work the pedals, yet, but we will teach you. You are learning so fast these days! We tested it out on our patio/porch area, and you had a great time making car sounds and making the bell sound (inside). Of course, you then threw it down just to see what noise that would make!
Oh yes...and we also bought you a helmet that you picked out. It is a bright red helmet with a stuffed Winnie the Pooh head on it. We tried it on you since you have a big head (it was 3+), and you didn't want us to take it off. It was on sale. You liked it. It would eventually make some good photos. You look so adorable in it already--and you like it! You are such an incredible kid!
Tonight, you have amazed us with how quickly you are learning. Daddy sat with you at the computer, and I told him to teach you a word. Guess which word he picked? Google.
You picked it up really quickly and were google this and google that. He also taught you to say yahoo! but we think you were already learning that. Tonight you finally said your version of Amen. You exclaimed, "MEN!" You are such a quick learner. Mommy made you some pasta for your bedtime snack, and you said noodle--or the equivalent for it. You are really trying to talk.
And finally tonight, you amazed us with your 20-month-old creativity! You climbed up on the keyboard bench and started to play and sing your own little song. You then paused and continued to play and sing a little song. Daddy tried to get it on video, but you got distracted and wanted Mommy to come sit with you. Then you wanted Mommy to sing, so you didn't sing for us anymore. We are so delighted with you and are so blessed by you. You bring us so much joy.
Sweet dreams, little one. Mommy and Daddy love you!
You are our delight and joy! Today was such an eventful day for you. We went to Costco, and you pushed the bascart around while crawling on your knees as well as walking. You slid across the floor more, though. It is one of your favorite things to do in any store. Then we went to Babies R Us and got you some yummies--which you promptly wanted opened and ate about 10 crackers in a few minutes. You were hungry. Then we went to Toys R Us because Daddy wanted to look at tricycles for you. PLUS! We had a coupon (which we did not even use!). The tricycle we were looking for was sold out, but you didn't care. We pulled one down for you to ride, and you loved it. Daddy pushed you around first, and then Mommy pushed while Daddy went to ask the salesman some questions.
It's amazing how you like to push and pull things now. After riding, you climbed in the John Deere tractor truck and played with a push popper ball toy as well as a baby stroller. We ended up buying you the Radio Flyer Steer & Stroll. You can't exactly work the pedals, yet, but we will teach you. You are learning so fast these days! We tested it out on our patio/porch area, and you had a great time making car sounds and making the bell sound (inside). Of course, you then threw it down just to see what noise that would make!
Oh yes...and we also bought you a helmet that you picked out. It is a bright red helmet with a stuffed Winnie the Pooh head on it. We tried it on you since you have a big head (it was 3+), and you didn't want us to take it off. It was on sale. You liked it. It would eventually make some good photos. You look so adorable in it already--and you like it! You are such an incredible kid!
Tonight, you have amazed us with how quickly you are learning. Daddy sat with you at the computer, and I told him to teach you a word. Guess which word he picked? Google.
You picked it up really quickly and were google this and google that. He also taught you to say yahoo! but we think you were already learning that. Tonight you finally said your version of Amen. You exclaimed, "MEN!" You are such a quick learner. Mommy made you some pasta for your bedtime snack, and you said noodle--or the equivalent for it. You are really trying to talk.
And finally tonight, you amazed us with your 20-month-old creativity! You climbed up on the keyboard bench and started to play and sing your own little song. You then paused and continued to play and sing a little song. Daddy tried to get it on video, but you got distracted and wanted Mommy to come sit with you. Then you wanted Mommy to sing, so you didn't sing for us anymore. We are so delighted with you and are so blessed by you. You bring us so much joy.
Sweet dreams, little one. Mommy and Daddy love you!
Friday, March 16, 2007
P.S. Thankfulness (you should read the first part, first!)
My husband did another amazing thing I would/could not imagine myself doing. Today we ate at a Chinese buffet (Dad, you would love it). And Ashley went up to this lady who was our waitress afterwards and asked her if she knew Jesus died for her sins and would she like to get saved? IN CHINESE!
I am so proud. I wish I didn't have such a high regard for myself so that I would value her soul over what would be my seeming foolishness and embarrassment. Living without regrets. Wow.
I am so thankful.
Overcoming Fear
I have fear. Fears that need to be overcome. Fears that are being overcome. Fears that are big empty vapors that dissipate when you challenge them. My more recent challenge has been whether or not to attend the first year of Morningstar School of Ministry. If anyone were to ask me if they should attend, my wholehearted reply would be an astounding "YES!". But if you were to ask me personally... I would probably say something like, "I'm praying about it"
Which I am.
Ashley laughed at me tonight when I confessed that my spirit says yes, but my flesh says no just because I know I will have to confront those things I want to avoid and face the things I have kept at arm's length...and just because I know how hard it can be, being the wife of a first-year student.
1) I don't particularly like to sweat. (that's perspire for the ladies) Boot camp can be rough. Summer heat can be rough!
2) I don't like to be exhausted or at the end of myself.
3) I don't like to feel weak.
4) I don't like to fail, mess up, miss the mark, etc.
5) I like things planned (to a certain degree).
These are just a few of the things that will DEFINITELY be challenged/worked on during the school year. Knowing that I will have to experience these doesn't fill me with glee, but it will prepare me for boot camp, AKA LIFE! The invitation remains...I guess the question is do I want it now or later?
:) Now. That way Samuel will have tall shoulders to stand on and keep going where we leave off. I'll do it for me, us, and our future. It'll be good.
It's boot camp.
Which I am.
Ashley laughed at me tonight when I confessed that my spirit says yes, but my flesh says no just because I know I will have to confront those things I want to avoid and face the things I have kept at arm's length...and just because I know how hard it can be, being the wife of a first-year student.
1) I don't particularly like to sweat. (that's perspire for the ladies) Boot camp can be rough. Summer heat can be rough!
2) I don't like to be exhausted or at the end of myself.
3) I don't like to feel weak.
4) I don't like to fail, mess up, miss the mark, etc.
5) I like things planned (to a certain degree).
These are just a few of the things that will DEFINITELY be challenged/worked on during the school year. Knowing that I will have to experience these doesn't fill me with glee, but it will prepare me for boot camp, AKA LIFE! The invitation remains...I guess the question is do I want it now or later?
:) Now. That way Samuel will have tall shoulders to stand on and keep going where we leave off. I'll do it for me, us, and our future. It'll be good.
It's boot camp.
Thankfulness
I am thankful. We serve an incredible God who is changing my husband into an incredible man of God. Perfect? No, I didn't say that (ahem). But things are changing. Life is exciting and not dull to say the least. Eating out is no longer just a gastronomical feast.
Tonight we met this man who was our server (date night). Ashley gave him some words of encouragement, and it really blessed him. Long story short, we were the last couple in the restaurant, I think, and the man will be calling us to attend church, there may be a business connection there, and I GOT A NEW PEN!!! He gave me the one he had. It is so cool! Samuel will not get to this one! ( I may give in...)
Anyways, I am so thankful for the changes I see in Ashley. It's been such a short time, and God has done so much in our lives to bless us. He deserves all the glory. I pray that we will give our best and glean everything He has for us during this season. Pray for us!
Tonight we met this man who was our server (date night). Ashley gave him some words of encouragement, and it really blessed him. Long story short, we were the last couple in the restaurant, I think, and the man will be calling us to attend church, there may be a business connection there, and I GOT A NEW PEN!!! He gave me the one he had. It is so cool! Samuel will not get to this one! ( I may give in...)
Anyways, I am so thankful for the changes I see in Ashley. It's been such a short time, and God has done so much in our lives to bless us. He deserves all the glory. I pray that we will give our best and glean everything He has for us during this season. Pray for us!
Multi-flavored Cheerios
I am amazed at the variety of Cheerios now. Yogurt Burst (2 varieties), Berry Burst (the only "berry" cereal with real berries aside from maybe organic/natural ones), Multigrain, Honey nut, Plain, Fruity neon, Apple Cinnamon, Frosted...
I really don't have a point. I am just amazed. When I was little it was either plain or honey nut. Maybe I haven't paid attention to the evolution of Cheerios in America. Hm. Instead of taking up a few feet, Cheerios now takes up more space in the aisle. Will there be a day when cereals will take up 2 aisles?
And Rice Krispy treats??? They aren't just square anymore!!!
I really don't have a point. I am just amazed. When I was little it was either plain or honey nut. Maybe I haven't paid attention to the evolution of Cheerios in America. Hm. Instead of taking up a few feet, Cheerios now takes up more space in the aisle. Will there be a day when cereals will take up 2 aisles?
And Rice Krispy treats??? They aren't just square anymore!!!
Tickle Tickle!
Dear Samuel,
You have developed a tickle spot on your neck! Your Daddy's tickle spot is under his arms, and you are sometimes ticklish there, but your neck is a never fail tickle spot! We are coming to tickle you!
Love,
Mommy
You have developed a tickle spot on your neck! Your Daddy's tickle spot is under his arms, and you are sometimes ticklish there, but your neck is a never fail tickle spot! We are coming to tickle you!
Love,
Mommy
Cuddly Samuel
Dear Samuel,
You are the cutest little baby/kid! I have to remind myself that you are not a "baby" anymore. You are a toddler. That fact was in my face today as you, Grandma H and I went shopping for pajamas. You are growing so fast that when you streeeeetch during the night, your pajamas come up over your belly. We can't have your belly getting cold. I usually just pull it back down, but I was trying not to buy anymore clothes. You can thank your Grandma for your clothes when you can talk.
You are jibber-jabbering so much lately. Today in the Suburban, Grandma let you talk to Gigi and Papa on the cell phone. You were so expressive! You know what we are talking about and will definitely let us know when you don't want something. You will shake your head NO. But then you will also tell us when you are done (waving bye with both hands) and when you are hungry (hand to mouth). You are learning three languages at once! You understand English, Mandarin and sign language. You are so smart! You even learned how to blow razzberries when you watched Veggietales' Lord of the Beans. You have given us all a bath in your spewing. I can't wait to see what you learn next!
You are the cutest little baby/kid! I have to remind myself that you are not a "baby" anymore. You are a toddler. That fact was in my face today as you, Grandma H and I went shopping for pajamas. You are growing so fast that when you streeeeetch during the night, your pajamas come up over your belly. We can't have your belly getting cold. I usually just pull it back down, but I was trying not to buy anymore clothes. You can thank your Grandma for your clothes when you can talk.
You are jibber-jabbering so much lately. Today in the Suburban, Grandma let you talk to Gigi and Papa on the cell phone. You were so expressive! You know what we are talking about and will definitely let us know when you don't want something. You will shake your head NO. But then you will also tell us when you are done (waving bye with both hands) and when you are hungry (hand to mouth). You are learning three languages at once! You understand English, Mandarin and sign language. You are so smart! You even learned how to blow razzberries when you watched Veggietales' Lord of the Beans. You have given us all a bath in your spewing. I can't wait to see what you learn next!
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Faith Course 2
My 3 member team completed our second faith course this Thursday and Friday. We traveled about 1.5 hours east to a little town called Rockingham for part of the assignment, and did the rest at a local mall. I was hoping for some dramatic miracles, but none happened as far as I know. But God did show up and we had a great time. We led 4 people to the Lord (2 recommits, and 2 brand new salvations) and were able to speak some very encouraging words to a few people who we moved to tears right there in the parking lot.
I have a few quick observations I'd like to throw out there to keep in mind as we interact with people throughout the day. If anyone is interested in a particular observation, drop me a line or reply to this blog, and I will get into more detail about that particular topic. For now, I will try to keep things brief.
First, I am coming to realize that the presence of God coming into a person at the point of salvation has a powerful impact on their own personal reality of God. Since I got saved early and grew up in the church, I felt the tangible presence of God as far back as I can remember. Most people who did not grow up as Christians have not experienced his presence. So when they pray as adults and experience him for the first time, it is very powerful to convince them of the reality of God, and the fact the he is now living inside of them. I usually sidestep religious debate with people until after we have prayed for salvation and the Holy Spirit has come into their life. After that, they have a whole different reality. When the Spirit comes in for the first time as an adult, it can dramatically affect the person much more than hours of debate. If they are unwilling to invite Jesus in, I rarely hang around to argue with them.
Second, ask people if they have invited Jesus into their heart, and if they would like to do so. Most people have no idea that the Gospel is about Jesus taking up residence in our bodies and setting us apart for him. Even those who have sat in church for years do not always understand this very simple message. By being direct, many people are open to inviting him to come in, even if they don't yet know who he is. But of course, once the invite him in, they have begun the journey, and the Spirit will be their guide. Many will not repent of sins until God has come in and started convicting them. I know this is a controversial statement, but very true from my experience. If we were honest as Christians, we would acknowledge that we have repented from much more sin since we've been saved, than we ever did before we got saved. Some of our doctrines about repentance aren't really based in reality, and need to be revisited.
Thirdly, I've always seen God come through in the most amazing ways with mercy ministry. Giving money, food, and other provisions away to the poor in random acts of kindness always produce divine appointments. Our assignments involving random acts of kindness cause us to meet people that have been praying for God's help. We get sent out to pick a house or a random person to help, and inevitably, God has organized a divine appointment. He loves to engineer divine appointments like this. Even when we don't feel very spiritual, or like God has shown us a particular target, the results are always amazing. There is something in the heart of God for helping the poor, needy, and disadvantaged. I have another post on this to write some time, but it will have to wait until I have more time.
Peace...
I have a few quick observations I'd like to throw out there to keep in mind as we interact with people throughout the day. If anyone is interested in a particular observation, drop me a line or reply to this blog, and I will get into more detail about that particular topic. For now, I will try to keep things brief.
First, I am coming to realize that the presence of God coming into a person at the point of salvation has a powerful impact on their own personal reality of God. Since I got saved early and grew up in the church, I felt the tangible presence of God as far back as I can remember. Most people who did not grow up as Christians have not experienced his presence. So when they pray as adults and experience him for the first time, it is very powerful to convince them of the reality of God, and the fact the he is now living inside of them. I usually sidestep religious debate with people until after we have prayed for salvation and the Holy Spirit has come into their life. After that, they have a whole different reality. When the Spirit comes in for the first time as an adult, it can dramatically affect the person much more than hours of debate. If they are unwilling to invite Jesus in, I rarely hang around to argue with them.
Second, ask people if they have invited Jesus into their heart, and if they would like to do so. Most people have no idea that the Gospel is about Jesus taking up residence in our bodies and setting us apart for him. Even those who have sat in church for years do not always understand this very simple message. By being direct, many people are open to inviting him to come in, even if they don't yet know who he is. But of course, once the invite him in, they have begun the journey, and the Spirit will be their guide. Many will not repent of sins until God has come in and started convicting them. I know this is a controversial statement, but very true from my experience. If we were honest as Christians, we would acknowledge that we have repented from much more sin since we've been saved, than we ever did before we got saved. Some of our doctrines about repentance aren't really based in reality, and need to be revisited.
Thirdly, I've always seen God come through in the most amazing ways with mercy ministry. Giving money, food, and other provisions away to the poor in random acts of kindness always produce divine appointments. Our assignments involving random acts of kindness cause us to meet people that have been praying for God's help. We get sent out to pick a house or a random person to help, and inevitably, God has organized a divine appointment. He loves to engineer divine appointments like this. Even when we don't feel very spiritual, or like God has shown us a particular target, the results are always amazing. There is something in the heart of God for helping the poor, needy, and disadvantaged. I have another post on this to write some time, but it will have to wait until I have more time.
Peace...
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Apple IPhone
I'm not much of a techie. My friend Tony...he's a techie. He will probably have one of these when they come out in June...I just think they're cool. I should have bought stock when the Lord prompted me to back in the fall :( I just thought I was making it up in my head.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgW7or1TuFk
Oh yeah, I almost forgot...this is a spiritual blog :) God bless you all, and remember not to covet your neighbor's phone.
PS. Tony, if you're reading, try to hold out a few months. I know the temptation is great, but remember you could buy a whole car for $500.
PPS. Sorry everyone. I've stayed up all night with a sick baby, and now I'm too wired to go to sleep. This is what happens :) Okay, I'm really done writing now. Bye.
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgW7or1TuFk
Oh yeah, I almost forgot...this is a spiritual blog :) God bless you all, and remember not to covet your neighbor's phone.
PS. Tony, if you're reading, try to hold out a few months. I know the temptation is great, but remember you could buy a whole car for $500.
PPS. Sorry everyone. I've stayed up all night with a sick baby, and now I'm too wired to go to sleep. This is what happens :) Okay, I'm really done writing now. Bye.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Religion vs Relationship
I think most of my life I have heard people emphasize that knowing Jesus is about having relationship with him, and not about religion. I understood this concept mostly, having had definite experiences where God spoke to my heart clearly through the scriptures or a life circumstance. It's obvious that the main difference between religion and relationship is that religion emphasizes performing certain ceremonies to obtain God's pleasure or feel accepted, while relationship emphasizes the fact that we relate to God more as a dear friend who presently interacts and speaks with us. When someone is attempting to please or obey God through all manner of religious ceremonies, we might say that they are being influenced by a "Religious Spirit". That is, that in their minds they have been tricked into believing that if they perform the right ceremonies, they will be pleasing to God and have salvation.
The religious spirit has great influence among Christians today. Its purpose is to cause us to focus on performing the "ceremonies" correctly and often enough to "feel" saved. There are telltale signs that someone is being influenced by this religious spirit. Feelings of condemnation when we don't read the Bible enough, don't pray enough, or "insert spiritual failure" enough, are clear signs that we are trying to work for our salvation and the approval of God. The truth is that God already loves and approves of us because of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins when he died on the cross.
Another clear sign that you are affected by a religious spirit is if the previous statement I made caused a severe disagreement with you as you read it. The religious spirit makes us crave to be in control of the spiritual lives of other people. This is acted out when we make the judgment that other people are not reading the Bible enough or praying enough, etc... When we dictate what others should be doing to reach our spiritual standards, we have unconsciously believed that we know how hard they should be working to obtain God's pleasure. These 2 signs often come packaged together, but it is possible that we just believe one or the other.
The religious spirit tricks many people into believing they are okay with God. They reason if they go to church on Sunday and help enough old ladies across the street, that God will be pleased with them. But the scriptures are clear that our good works DO NOT qualify us for God's acceptance. His acceptance comes only by the sacrifice of Jesus. Good works are not payment to get into heaven, but only the spiritual by-product of people who are learning to love God and love their neighbor. But how many people will go to church this weekend thinking that the mere act of walking through the doors makes them a Christian? As the old adage says, "Just because you're in McDonalds, it doesn't mean that you're a Big Mac." I don't have time to mention the many notable men who had graduated seminary and were in the profession of preaching the gospel message, only to discover that they still had not received forgiveness for their own sins. Among them are the famous John Wesley (founder of the Methodist Church) and Martin Luther, the great church reformer. That is another article by itself.
As with many spiritual things, it is easier to see at the effects of relationship vs religion than to talk about them directly. In order to keep these entries a little shorter, I will wrap this topic up in Part 2 where I will give a few examples that demonstrate the necessity of relationship over religion.
Grace and Peace...
The religious spirit has great influence among Christians today. Its purpose is to cause us to focus on performing the "ceremonies" correctly and often enough to "feel" saved. There are telltale signs that someone is being influenced by this religious spirit. Feelings of condemnation when we don't read the Bible enough, don't pray enough, or "insert spiritual failure" enough, are clear signs that we are trying to work for our salvation and the approval of God. The truth is that God already loves and approves of us because of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins when he died on the cross.
Another clear sign that you are affected by a religious spirit is if the previous statement I made caused a severe disagreement with you as you read it. The religious spirit makes us crave to be in control of the spiritual lives of other people. This is acted out when we make the judgment that other people are not reading the Bible enough or praying enough, etc... When we dictate what others should be doing to reach our spiritual standards, we have unconsciously believed that we know how hard they should be working to obtain God's pleasure. These 2 signs often come packaged together, but it is possible that we just believe one or the other.
The religious spirit tricks many people into believing they are okay with God. They reason if they go to church on Sunday and help enough old ladies across the street, that God will be pleased with them. But the scriptures are clear that our good works DO NOT qualify us for God's acceptance. His acceptance comes only by the sacrifice of Jesus. Good works are not payment to get into heaven, but only the spiritual by-product of people who are learning to love God and love their neighbor. But how many people will go to church this weekend thinking that the mere act of walking through the doors makes them a Christian? As the old adage says, "Just because you're in McDonalds, it doesn't mean that you're a Big Mac." I don't have time to mention the many notable men who had graduated seminary and were in the profession of preaching the gospel message, only to discover that they still had not received forgiveness for their own sins. Among them are the famous John Wesley (founder of the Methodist Church) and Martin Luther, the great church reformer. That is another article by itself.
As with many spiritual things, it is easier to see at the effects of relationship vs religion than to talk about them directly. In order to keep these entries a little shorter, I will wrap this topic up in Part 2 where I will give a few examples that demonstrate the necessity of relationship over religion.
Grace and Peace...
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