Now Thank We All Our God

Ever heard of Martin Rinkart?  I would guess that most of us haven't.  Martin Rinkart was a Lutheran minister in Germany during the Thirty Years' War (mid-1600s).  It was a terrible time where famine, plague and war raged rampant throughout the countryside.  As the only surviving pastor in his area, Rinkart stayed, despite the danger of disease and violence, and took the refugees, the sick, and the dying into his own home.  Just to give you a sense of how bad things really were, Rinkart buried nearly 5,000 of his own parishioners in one year, including his own wife.  Sometimes he conducted up to fifty funerals a day.  Imagine burying fifteen of the people you know every day for a year.  If anybody had a reason to be discouraged or angry with God, Martin Rinkart did.  But you know to amazing thing?  In the midst of all this horror, Rinkart wrote a prayer and taught it to his children, to remind them of the goodness of God, in spite of the horrible things they saw going on around them.  This is what he wrote:

 Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices,
who wondrous things has done, in whom this world rejoices;
who from our mothers' arms has blessed us on our way
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.


O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us,
with ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us;
and keep us still in grace, and guide us when perplexed;
and free us from all ills, in this world and the next.


All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given;
the Son, and him who reigns with them in highest heaven;
the one eternal God, whom earth and heaven adore;
for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.


You might recognize those words as a hymn, and one that is often sung at Thanksgiving.  But if you were in Martin Rinkart's shoes, would you have written something as beautiful, as hopeful, and a joyful as that when surrounded with death and destruction?  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  Martin Rinkart knew, about everything else, that he had been saved through Jesus' suffering and death on the cross, and because of that, he was thankful to God for his gift of grace.  Rinkart lived out his thankfulness, continuing to demonstrate love and faithfulness to others, even during the darkest times.  He gave thanks in all circumstances. 

We are supposed to give thanks in all circumstances...not just at Thanksgiving..not only when things are going right, but even when they're going wrong.  As believers in Christ Jesus, we have a lot to be thankful for; much to be hopeful about.  Give thanks.  Live your thanks.

Try it with me this crazy holiday season, when the world is telling you to go here, do that, buy that, etc., etc., etc.  When family tensions run high, or you are feeling disappointed or discouraged, give thanks.  Sit down and make a list about the things you are grateful for...and let the blessings of God remind you that no matter what happens in this world, we always have a reason to be thankful. 


Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15

We All Fall Down...To Get Back Up Again!

Sometimes they call it "overconfidence"...you know, when somebody thinks they've totally at the top of their game.  Everything inside tells them they are indefatigable, undefeatable...invincible.  Then, just when they think the victory is theirs, things don't go their way and all that smug assurance comes tumbling down around them.  The fact is, life seems to have a way of surprising us, even sneaking up on us when we're not looking. One minute we think we're on the right path, walking the straight and narrow.  The next we find that the trail has become mired and muddy, leading us deeper into a swamp, or sucking us into a pit of quicksand, where no matter how hard we struggle...we just managed to make it worse.

For some reason, we humans (myself included) have tendency to think that it's all about us.  After all, why not?  We rule the earth right?  We invented technology, right?  Just look at all the neat stuff we have and cool stuff we can do!  We are the incredible, invincible human race, and as long as we tread carefully, nothing and nobody can knock us off of our self-created pedestal, right?  Wrong!  For an example (and a good reminder) check out 1 Corinthians Chapter 10.  Paul points to the life and times of the children of Israel as a warning to those of us who are starting to get a little too comfortable in our own skin.  Time and time again, the Israelites thought they were on top of  it all.  I mean, look at all the cool stuff they did:  crossed the Red Sea on dry land, were specially escorted across the desert by God (in the form of the cloud and pillar of fire, how cool is that!), hung out with a guy that saw and spoke to God (Moses), received special provisions provided by the hand of God...the list goes on and on.  They must have been pretty great people to received all those privileges, huh?  Yet in verse 5 Paul writes that "Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert."  Wait a minute...after doing so many wonderful things for them, how could He not be pleased?  I mean, why would He give blessings to people He didn't like or who didn't deserve them?

The problem was, the Israelites very quickly forgot about God's role in their success, and instead thought that it was all about them.  They soon convinced themselves that they had made all these wonderful things happen out of their (obvious) amazingness.  They weren't there to serve God...God was there to serve them.  As their own importance grew...their view of God's importance shrank so much that soon they didn't even realize they were on a path toward trouble.  In their opinion, they were being righteous and following God's commands...they all ate the same spiritual foods, brought sacrifices to the tabernacle, said the same spiritual words, and yet, "nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and he punished them according to their sins (idolatry, sexual immorality, testing God, and get this, grumbling!). They thought going through the motions counted as doing everything right...only to wake up and find out that they were on the wrong path all together.

Paul says this is a warning for us.  Even if we think we're doing things right (i.e. going to church, volunteering with church activities, singing in choir, etc. etc.), if God is not the focal point of our lives and activities, Satan will soon sneak up on us and lead us down the wrong path (picture the sneaking Gollum leading Sam and Frodo towards the fires of Mordor).  The words of Casting Crown's song, Slow Fade, say the same thing:  sometimes it's a gradual process...we don't even notice when we're slipped, then all of a sudden were lying on the ground watching everything we've built come tumbling down around us.  That's what happens when we cease to focus on our ultimate goal (pursuing Christ to glorify Him) and begin to zone in on our personal goals and gains.

"So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:12.  However, there's more to it...he also offers words of hope.  "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."  (vs. 13)  Look, Paul says, you are not the first to experience these things.  Other people have faced the same troubles and challenges, and with God's help they have made it through.  We're not automatically doomed to end up in the quicksand.  God is never going to give us more than we can handle.  However, if we do go our own way and end up stuck in the swamp or the quick sand, God is willing to let us in on His Plan B.  He has thrown us a rope (or life preserver), in the form of his only Son, Jesus Christ, and will pull us out and set us back on the path to His glory again.

 Just like the Toby Mac song, when we take our eyes off of the prize that God has for us, "We all fall down," but with God's help we can "Get back up again.  It's never too late, to get back up again.  One day, [we're] gonna shine again.  [We] may be knocked down, but not out forever."

Book Review: Transforming the Church in Rural America

Transforming the Church in Rural America:  Breaking all the Rurals by Shannon O'Dell is written as a source of help and encouragement for pastors and leaders of small, rural churches who are struggling to keep their attendance up and their doors open.  Pastor O'Dell recounts his story of the struggles and successes he faced when called by God to leave his prominent position in a large, successful city church and to pastor a small church in rural Arkansas.  Mr. O'Dell shares his strategy for bring Christ-centered V.A.L.U.E (Vision, Attitude, Leadership, Understanding, Enduring Excellence) to rural churches in an effort to transform communities, bring relevancy to worship, and ultimately defy geographical challenges that often prevent smaller churches from reaching out and impacting the world for Christ.  In addition to personal testimony, Pastor O'Dell provides links, videos, and online resources to help these struggling churches step out in faith.

I initially chose to read this book because I grew up in a small, rural community and have personally seen churches have to close their doors due to lack of membership and leadership.  This book carries a "change is necessary for effective ministry and survival" message that I think is relevant and meaningful for these struggling churches, however difficult it may be to accept and implement.  The strategies and resources presented are thought-provoking and challenging.  My one caution is this:  if you are from one of these rural areas the book is geared towards, be careful not to let your pride get bristled up at some of the not-so-flattering images the author portrays of rural church life.  I think if you keep a Christ-like attitude when reading and the goal of reaching others firmly in mind, you will be more welcoming towards the new and exciting ideas presented in the book.   In my opinion, this if a worthwhile read for anyone who is seeking a more effective church ministry.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: The Same Kind of Different as Me

One man is an affluent international art dealer who seems to have the best things in life money can by.  The other is a homeless ex-convict, pushed into a life of drugs and crime, just trying to survive on the streets.  The Same Kind of Different as Me tells Ron Hall and Denver Moore's story of an unlikely friendship made possible by grace and the persistent, unconditional love of a woman who looked past the outward appearances to see the heart within.  This powerful and moving account will take you on a journey filled with tragedy as well as triumph, and ultimately challenge you to rethink the way you perceive the people around you.  This incredible book is both humbling and inspiring; a reminder to all of us that no matter who we are or where we came from, we are not so very different from the people around us.  We all need love, understanding, and most of all, God's life-changing grace.  I sincerely urge everyone to read this book and then find ways to reach out to others with its message.

The Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent.  Published by Thomas Nelson, 2006.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

When There Are No Words

There are times in life when words become completely inadequate.  For me, this usually happens when tragedy strikes.  I'm the kind of person that when bad things happen, I want to fix them.  Need me to clean the house?  Feed the dog?  Cook enough food to feed an army?  I'm there...I can handle it...just give me a job to do.  Someday I'll probably be known as the casserole queen of the women's group at church.  The fact is, that's the best way I know how to help.   I like to think I can be a good listener, but almost always, when I am faced with a friend who needs comforted, I can never think of anything to say.  Words never seem adequate enough.  I don't want to sound like a broken record, echoing others' sentiments, even though their words may be exactly what I'm feeling.  I guess that's why you can buy books with titles like How To Say It, that are supposed to help you express yourself with words. 

Many times, though I feel like words just won't cut it.  I'd rather snap my fingers and suddenly make it all go away, so that things will be happy for everyone again. I've often wished that whatever happened to inflict such heartache and pain would have happened to me.  This is not because I have any particular desire to experience pain.  It's just that I'd rather I suffer than to see someone else I care about suffer.  After expressing this sentiment once a wise mentor asked me, "Why do you feel like you have to take other's burdens on?  Isn't that what Jesus died for?  Don't you believe God is big enough to bear it all?" 
             
That seems to be the very crux of the matter and the solution for all those times when I feel helpless and unable to express love and concern in a way that I feel would really make a difference.  In my weakness and helplessness, He is strong.  When I don't have all the answers, He has it all worked out in His plan for good.  When I can't carry others burdens, He can.  When I can't seem to do or say anything that would bring true comfort, God can wrap that person in his arms and hold them close.  Only He can bring true comfort and healing in the midst of sorrows.  So perhaps the best response to tragedy is prayer.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."  Matthew 5:4

That's a promise.

The View From The Combine

A few weeks ago I made the long drive from northeast Arkansas to my family's farm in northwest Kansas.  It is always a treat to go home to see mom and dad, play fetch with Mitzi, my parent's cute Australian Shepherd, go for a gallop on my trusty steed Denny, or take an evening walk to watch the beautiful sunset over the Kansas horizon.  However, on this particular trip I wanted to get in on one of the most exciting (and exhausting) times of the year for Kansas farmers...wheat harvest!  It's one time of the year that farmers both love and hate.  However, I think nearly every farm kid I have ever met holds a special appreciation in their heart for wheat harvest and most look forward to its coming each year.    In many ways it is a major adrenaline rush, a race against time, a battle against the weather.  It's long hours and hard days.  It takes everyone on the team pulling together to get the job done.   Finally, once it is done, you can all breathe a little easier again, and there is a shared sense of accomplishment.

From the time I was old enough to obey instructions and sit still for any small length of time, I was riding on a tractor, a combine, in a pick-up, or on a horse.  Mom and Dad took my big brothers and I everywhere with them and so many of our adventures took place while helping on the farm.  I remember hiding under the tractor hydraulic console or having dirt clod wars while riding with Mom or Dad, discing the field.  While fixing fence, we would prop a shovel up in the spare tire in the back of the pick-up, stick an empty feed sack on the top for a sail, and pretend the pick-up was a boat and we were sailing across the pasture.  Many other times while Dad and Mom were working, we would be close by, building huts out of sunflower stalks, hay or grass, and bits of twine, pretending we were native americans or pioneers roughing it on the prairie.  We shared many more adventures, but I'll save blogging about them for some other time.  Let's just say I wouldn't have traded my rather isolated, family-oriented life on the farm for any other kind of place to grow up in.  It was a great way to foster creativity, promote ingenuity, and teach teamwork.

Often my fondest memories on the farm took place during wheat harvest.  As a little tyke, I remember sitting on the hard wooden passenger seat in the old combine clutching a stuffed animal, or curling up on the floor asleep while Mom or Dad ran the combine late into the night, sometimes until 2 a.m.!  It was always fun to ride as a passenger on the wheat trucks to take the grain to the elevator in town.  Mom taught us fun songs about wheat  harvest (to the tune of Christmas carols), and when you got to town, there was always the chance that the people at the elevator would be handing out a free soda.  Back at the field, we would build little huts or forts in the tall fireweed plants that lined the edges of the fields, usually to have some shade from the hot summer sun while waiting for the green, roaring beast of a combine to come back around the field.  And of course, we had lots of fun "swimming" in the back of the wheat truck.  When it is about half full of grain, it's like a gigantic bed of wheat.  We would climb up the front of the truck and crawl into the back, where we would sink down into the wheat and pretend it was a swimming pool.  Sometimes you could even use the bars that support the tarp over the bed to do summersaults around and land in the soft wheat.  Of course, it wasn't all play.  Once we were old enough to help, we did.  As soon as I was old enough to slap two pieces of bread, meat, and cheese together, I got to help make lunches for the "harvest crew", which we would pack into old plastic ice cream buckets and take to the field.  Mom and I would work hard to make fun and easy to prepare foods ahead of time, and we almost always stocked up on lots of my favorite fresh fruits during harvest.  When I put together the lunches by myself things got a little interesting.  My family still LOVES to tell everyone stories about some of my more...um...creative lunch specialties; mostly sandwiches that included unusual ingredients such as wheat kernels and pickled beets.

Once old enough to drive the tractor and combine, when needed I could operate the grain cart (which sometimes gets tricky), drive the automatic semi-truck, and run the combine, which was my favorite!  Last summer I spent the greater part of a day for over a week driving the combine or grain cart while Mom and Dad drove trucks to town.  It takes some alertness to monitor everything going on and make sure the wheat is feeding into the machine right and that the header isn't scooping up dirt.  Sometimes the job gets looong, but I've always liked it.  Even as a little girl I always thought the view from the combine - looking out of the big window onto the golden wheat field and across the horizon as the amber wheat pours into the big bin in the back - was one of the most fascinating and breath-taking sights in the whole world.

Weekend Adventures & Campfire Cuisine

This past weekend hubby and I took a little road trip to go.....camping!  Although there are a plethora of beautiful parks in Arkansas, especially in the mountains to the west, where should we decide to go but to....a swamp!  Well...not exactly.  I think the technical description is a bayou.  On the whole it looks like a submerged forest, tell-tale of the swamp land that used to occupy much of the Arkansas delta before it was drained and the trees were cleared.  After a week of Arkansas being the hottest place in the country, Cane Creek State Park was not exactly a cool resort vacation.  With lots of mosquitos, high humidity, and upper 80 degree temperatures at night, it actually fell more like a sauna.  But, we had a great time paddling along the kayak trail in the bayou, fishing, and testing out some new campfire cuisine.  Check out some of our pictures below!

The feature camping recipe I would like to share is one Nathan heard on a Backpacking Light podcast.  It is not really geared towards the use of a campfire...however, if you have a good cooking fire set-up where you can boil for sustained periods of time it could work.  We made it over a Coleman cookstove.  Here it is:

Steamed Muffins - Makes 6 Muffins

Supplies:

Cookstove and fuel

2 Qt. saucepan (or bigger)

Water - enough to fill at least an inch in the bottom of the pan

Aluminum foil muffin pan

Paper or foil muffin cup liners

Hot pads

Mixing Bowl

Wooden Spoon

Steaming rack, rocks, or other utensils to keep the muffin tin from sitting on the bottom of the pan

                         (I have brand new non-stick cookware that I didn't want to ruin the finish, so I simply                            

                         propped a wooden spoon up on the side of the pan and bent the muffin tin to sit on it.  

Ingredients:

1 pkg. "Just Add Water" Muffin Mix 

                  (it could also be a "just add milk" mix...just pack some powdered  milk!

Water

Our cooking set up.  

Instructions:  

In the mixing bowl, stir together the muffin mix and water.  Don't over mix...just about 30 strokes or until all the dry ingredients are mixed in.  Place paper liners in the muffin pan (I had to cut the pan to get it to fit in the cooking pot), and fill 2/3 of the way full with the muffin batter.  Set up the pot, inch or so of water, and steaming rack (etc.) in the pot.  Place the muffin pan inside, making sure the pan does not touch the bottom of the pot, but that it is also basically level.  Then, place a lid on the pot, heat the water to a rolling boil, and let it steam for about 12 to 15 minutes.  WARNING:  Be very careful to check the water level in the pot...don't let it run out or you'll scorch your pan!  The muffins will rise and form peaks, just like they would in the oven.  However, they won't turn golden brown.  Instead they will be the same color as the batter was.  Give them a couple of minutes longer when you first think they might be done...it is likely they might still be gooey in the middle.  Once you take the pan out, let them cool a bit (don't forget to turn off the stove!) then enjoy!

The finished muffin!  

Nathan kayaking in the bayou.

Mixer Make-Over!

Okay, so some of you may think this kinda silly, but my little creative genes got a bit of a workout recently.  While moving our stuff into our new place on the south end of the KC Metro area, I was thinking about how to best cram all of my wonderful kitchen equipment into my very limited cabinet space.  I soon made the discovery that there was no place for my mixer to go, and that most likely it would have to be stored on the counter top.  This isn't that big of a deal...my mom has kept hers stashed in the corner of the counter for years...that way it is handy to use.  The predicament I had was that my mixer seemed to me a little bit of an eyesore.  It is probably a late 70's model Sunbeam mixer, in kind of a dirty-yellowish and brown color, with a big, caramel brown spot where a piece of masking tape has been stuck to it for many years.  It was gifted to me by mom when I moved out for my first big-kid job, and works just fine...just looks a little aged (not bad though, because Sunbeam hasn't changed their design that much).  Maybe it's just trendily "retro".  The long and short of it is that if this mixer was going to be sitting on the counter in plain sight of everyone who came into our house (which hopefully will be all of you because I love visitors!) something had to be done.  So...I whipped out my good ol' acrylic paints with some elbow grease and gave the miserly mixer a makeover to make it match my other kitchen decor...sunflowers!  Take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think!

Before:  Note the brown, gooey masking tape spot.

After!

Sweet, Sweet Spirit

Often times it's the little things that get my attention the most.  Maybe I'm just a little slow at recognizing things from time to time, but every now and something will leap out and grab my thoughts.  Something like this...

Have you ever really considered the significance of the Holy Spirit?  I mean, beyond the scope of being a part of the trinity, or just that "thing" that came down at Pentecost?  I know within different denominational groups and styles of worship the presence of the Spirit is recognized and valued in different ways, even sometimes being a heavily debated topic.  However, it is not the dissention over the Holy Spirit that fascinates me; it is the Spirit's very practical role in carrying on the work of Christ through the lives of His disciples.

Being a very practical-minded person, it always makes me chuckle when God shows me how down-to-earth and practical He is about the shortcomings of human nature and about the fulfillment of our every need.  Case in point...the importance of the Holy Spirit.  As I worked my way through the gospel of John this past year, I was continually amazed at how the disciples just didn't get it.  What do I mean by "it"?  Well...they just about didn't get anything Jesus was trying to teach them.  Very rarely during the time of Jesus' life and teaching on earth did the disciples truly grasp the full meaning and implication of Jesus' words and actions.  To me it always seemed as if they couldn't get beyond the here-and-now...they were limited by their connection and understanding of the physical world in which they lived, and had difficulty understanding things they could not see or experience first hand (sound familiar anyone?).  In John 14:11 (and in several other places) Jesus says, "Believe me when I say...or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles [you have seen me do]."  He knew they had trouble grasping the meaning of what he said, so he appealed to their physical beings through physical ways they could see or experience first-hand. 

Now we get to where the Holy Spirit comes in.  Jesus knew his time on earth was going to run out before He could teach the disciples everything He wanted to share with them.  John 16:12-13 says, "I have much more to say to you, more than you can bear.  But when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all truth."  What is this Spirit of Truth?  The Counselor...the Holy Spirit!  The ever-present spiritual presence of God!  Jesus' time of physical presence with them would soon be at an end, but the Holy Spirit would continue Christ's work within them, helping them to make sense of what Jesus told them and truly learn how to follow Jesus' teaching and examples.  It is like having Jesus' personal presence with us and teaching us all the time.  Any teacher can say memorable and meaningful things, but over time even the best pupils will forget or even worse, twist the meaning of what they had learned.  Jesus is the teacher that never stops teaching, through the invisible hand of the Holy Spirit.  It's like a perpetual conscience, illuminating truth, showing right from wrong, and making it all so much easier for us to understand.  No wonder many of the writings of the disciples and apostles that were written after they received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Phillipians, James, etc.) are so much easier to read and decipher for many of us (at least for me!).  They were written under the guidance of the Spirit of Truth, which showed the writers how to apply the teachings of Jesus to every facet of life and helped them to "work out their salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)

The continual presence of the Holy Spirit in believers through out time negates the idea that the teaching of the Bible no longer applies to modern times.  Anyone who has accepted Christ and received the gift of the Holy Spirit has a constant adviser to help him or her understand how to live like Christ in a modern world.  The world around us may change, but God's truths will always remain applicable.  John 16:13-14 continues with Jesus' words about the Spirit, "He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears (a.k.a the Truth!) and tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you."  Sounds like one incredible adviser to me!  Only speaks the truth (from God, not some independent, biased opinion), tells us what is to come, and opens the heavenly store house of God's wisdom and blessings and gives them to us!  I don't know about you, but it seems to me that we all would be a lot better off if we spent more time listening to and following the guidance of the Spirit, than listening to and following all of the other voices that surround us.

John 16:16 - "In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me."  I don't think Jesus is referring to the resurrection here, but rather to sending the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Although we may not have his actual,  physical presence among us (a human form we can walk with and talk to like the disciples did), He has given us something equally valuable...a constant spiritual presence that teaches us to really "see" and understand who Jesus is and how He is doing incredible things in our lives. 

Thanks be to God for His indescrible gift!

A Strong Woman vs. A Woman of Strength

So...I didn't quite get this published in time for Mother's Day, but I wanted to share a beautiful reading I recently heard at a women's gathering that I think does a good job of depicting the kind of woman I want to be...a woman strong in God's strength.


A Strong Woman vs. A Woman of Strength

A strong woman works out everyday to keep her body in shape…
But a woman of strength builds relationships to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn't afraid of anything…
But a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of fear.

A strong woman won't let anyone get the better of her…
But a woman of strength gives the best of herself to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future…
A woman of strength realises life's mistakes can also be unexpected blessings, and capitalises on them.

A strong woman wears a look of confidence on her face…
But a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey…
But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

By Dee Cheeks (2005)

 

Do You Truly Love Me More Than These?

For months I have felt God working on my heart...giving me glimpses of His truths, challenging me to learn to trust more explicitly in Him for my every need and desire.  I have walked with, learned from, and experienced Christ in many ways in my life already, but now I feel him calling me to something more; to surrender the remaining areas of myself that I have refused to give up before.  It is a call for utter dependence on Christ.  I have felt this call, and I have resisted it...am still resisting it.  

Slowly He has been showing me that something I have long regarded as a merit He regards as sin...my self-sufficient independence.  It is the last-standing stronghold of my heart where I have refused to let Christ open the door.  For years I have been proud of my independence...my ability to take care of myself (in most cases), to act alone, and to succeed on my own.  It sprung up as a mechanism to hide hurt...to be self-sufficient was to be a safety against others inflicting pain or letting me down.  I see know more clearly than before that my own selfish pride in my independence has been the greatest barrier to truly loving and trusting God and experiencing all He has for me.  Even now the prospect of totally putting away my well-organized, always-be-prepared, planned-out, don't-really-need-any-help self frightens me.  It is how I have defined myself for years...without it I would be...what?  It means throwing out the carefully plotted road map I have made and setting out a journey with nothing...not even any idea of where I will end up.   

Something the guest speaker at church said yesterday really hit home in terms of how I view my life and how I view God's role in my life.  He was referenced John 21:15-16, where Christ is "reinstating Peter" after he thrice denied the Messiah a few chapters earlier.  Peter has gone home, and has gone back to fishing - back to his comfort zone - when the Lord appears to him and a few others.  Three times Jesus asks Peter, "Do you truly love me?"  Peter's response is always the same, "Yes, Lord...you know that I love you."  He was calling Peter to service, calling him to a life of the unknown, but a life of complete dependence on God, born out of a deep love for Christ.  I'd like to think that if Jesus was asking me "Heather, do you truly love me?" that I would answer just like Peter did.  However, have I really shown that love to Christ?  Do I live as if I truly love Christ?  Does He have preference and priority in my life?  "You won't put him first until you love Him," the speaker said.  Do my actions show my love for my Savior?  Or would my answer just be empty words.  

Am I willing to leave let go of everything in my "comfort zone" in order to love and serve Christ?  That was what Jesus was asking Peter in vs. 15 when he asked, "Do you truly love me more than these?"  What are these?  Fishing, Galilee, friends, family, the comfort zone.  Peter gave it all up and set out with no certain destination, to definite timeline...just an earnest desire to serve the Savior he loved and to follow wherever He led him.  Could I do that?

Softly and tenderly Jesus has been tugging on my heart.  Jeremiah 31:3, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness," has certainly been true for me.  Now he wants to be my strong tower (Prv. 18:10)...not just when I think I need him.  He wants to be my strong tower period.  In everything.  No conditions.  He wants an end to ANY reliance upon myself and total reliance upon him.  Do I truly love Him more than I love my self-sufficient pride?   Can I give up my self-oriented security and live in the shelter of the Strong Tower?

Changes and Questions...

It's be almost a month since I have written anything here of any substance.  Reflecting back over the month of April, I can't make the excuse that I didn't have time to blog.  Instead, let's just say that April was a month of uncertainty.  The month began with the looming prospect of being moved from Arkansas to an unknown destination (as a result of Nate's work) by the end of the April.  This move has long been inevitable,  but not knowing a date, time, or destination made it difficult to know how to manage our time are resources.  As it turned out, the 3rd week of April we discovered that we would be moving around the 1st of June, and that our destination (for a few months at least) would be Kansas City.  More on this in the future.  For now, I'll simply add that my preparations for our departure have been moving along rapidly.

The move back to Kansas City raises new questions for me.  Right now the amount of time we will spend there is still uncertain, which makes forming plans difficult.  The biggest question for me is when, how, and where to find a job.   I can't say that I have wasted my time here in Arkansas as a result of not having a job.  We have accomplished many things in a short time, and to be quite honest, I really enjoyed having a break from my usual, chaotic and crazy-busy lifestyle.  It makes me reluctant to go back to it.  However, recently my self-discipline and motivation have been lacking, so having some sort of schedule would probably be a good thing again.

I pretty much gave up my desire to earnest pursue a career when I got married.  Don't get me wrong, marriage is not a decision I regret in the least.  It's just that Nathan's job is naturally more demanding and I didn't want my own stubborn resolution on a career to hold him back from moving forward with his own.   Also, I always expected to give up my career when children came along...taking care of a family/being a parent is the most important career of all!  However, this desire for flexibility and time to support husband/family, when coupled with my own natural ambition to succeed, makes determining what kind of work to look for a difficult task.  Then there is the guilty feeling I get from failing to live up to cultural expectations that someone like me should be career-focused at this stage in life.  To have a career...or not to have a career...that is the question.  Maybe I'll just create my own career.  I have my own ideas, but how to make them feasible is another question.  I know my natural response should be to trust God and allow him to open the doors he wants for my future.  I am ashamed to admit that I haven't been doing that.  I really haven't been seeking His will and purpose for me at all.  Perhaps that's why I find myself with this weird, uncertain feeling...looking into the future and just feeling...bleh.

Lord, open my heart and eyes to the opportunities you place around me to serve others and do the work or your kingdom.  Equip me for what you have in store for me.  Amen!

So...I found this in an online article about 13 Fantastic and Fun Image Generators; it's really kind of fun to play around with the stuff they have there.  However, even though I appreciate the humor of this "demotivator" on blogging, I have to say that I have read some very profound and insightful things on other people's blogs.  None the less, I had to share this.

Fresh Strawberry Pie

A few weeks ago, an older gentleman in my home church by the name of Lee Phelps passed away.  Although the loss of the special people in our lives is always painful, it provides us with a valuable opportunity to reflect and celebrate the life they lived.  Lee's life was a life of service and love:  Service to his God, his country, his community, and his church, and love towards his friends, family, and especially his devoted wife Ruth.  The relationship shared between Ruth and Lee was a shining example of what marriage, for better or for worse, in sickness or in health is all about.  Serving God together they touched many lives.  The difference they made in the world around them is a testimony to their faith and steadfast devotion to each other.

It was in this frame of mind, while thinking about Ruth and Lee, that I noticed the carton of strawberries in my refrigerator and recalled the recipe for "Fresh Strawberry Pie - Mmm - good" that Ruth had given me at my bridal shower.  So, as a tribute I decided to try the recipe that Ruth and Lee had shared together so many times.  The results were a quick and easy dessert that is wonderful and refreshing for hot spring and summer days.  Hubby Nathan had no difficulty deeming it his new favorite kind of pie.  It is certainly one that will stay at the front of my recipe collection!

Fresh Strawberry Pie
From the Kitchen of Ruth Phelps

Ingredients:
1-pie shell, baked*
Fresh strawberries to fill (about 1 lb., or roughly 1/2 to 3/4 of a carton)
3/4 c. sugar
2 T. cornstarch
3 T. strawberry Jello (or just use 1 pkg.)
1 c. water

Directions:
Mix together sugar, cornstarch, Jello and water in a medium saucepan.  Stirring constantly, bring mixture to a rolling boil; boil 2 minutes.  Remove from heat and cool.  Add sliced strawberries.  Pour into the pie shell and chill (about 3 hours) until set.  Serve with a dollop of whipped topping!

Notes:

*You can buy a pie shell, or bake one using your favorite pie crust recipe.  In the essence of time, I mixed 1 pkg. of ground up graham crackers (about 1 1/2 cups) with 5 tablespoons of melted butter, pressed it into a pie pan, and baked in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.  The pie tastes delicious with either kind of crust!

The end result is a very smooth, almost creamy, cool dessert that tastes light and refreshing.  The simplicity and success of this recipe makes me think it could be easily duplicated with other forms of fresh fruit and Jello.  Consider the possibilities of substituting fresh peach slices and peach Jello, or even fresh cherries with cherry Jello!

My next objective is discover a way to make the pie sugar free.  While I have not tested it using sugar-free Jello yet, I am unsure how it will turn out.  This is due to the fact that you actually heat the filling to a rolling boil.  Aspartame, the artificial sweetener used in sugar-free Jello, is not heat stable, which means it will break down if it gets too hot and just result in a nasty, bitter taste.  If sugar-free Jello fails, then my next option is to try using juice, unflavored gelatin, and Splenda (which is heat stable) to try to achieve a similar effect.  After that, all I will need to do is conjure up a gluten-free pie crust and I will have the perfect dessert to take to family get-togethers.

Ruth's Fresh Strawberry Pie...try it, and let me know how you like it!

The Cry From the Cross

Upon the cross of Calvary, my precious Savior died for me,
And for my sin he shed his blood; payed it all and prayed to God...

Father, please forgive them, they know not what they do.
I will be the sacrifice, for all they've done to you.
Turn your wrath upon me Lord, your one and only Son;
Please forgive them, they know not what they've done.

All the sin the Savior bore, 'til even God, could look no more.
The sins of future, now and past; He paid it all and breathed his last...

Father, please forgive them, they know not what they do.

I will be the sacrifice, for all they've done to you.

Turn your wrath upon me Lord, your one and only Son;

Please forgive them, they know not what they've done.

But the grave could not hold Him,
For He who knew no sin,
Has died and rose again
HE IS ALIVE!
And he stand before the King of Kings and cries...

Father, please forgive them, they know not what they do.

I will be the sacrifice, for all they've done to you.

Turn your wrath upon me Lord, your one and only Son;

Please forgive them, they know not what they've done.

Please forgive them...

They know not what they've done.

~Big Tent Revival

Laura Story: Grace

Amazing Song! Thanks Amanda for helping me find it!

Is Kansas State team of destiny after double-overtime thriller? - CBK News - FOX Sports on MSN

What an incredible (nail-biting) game! Good work Wildcats!

Denis Clemente...you rock my socks off for staying on the floor for ALL FOUR HOURS of the game. Did you even get a break at all?

Is Kansas State team of destiny after double-overtime thriller? - CBK News - FOX Sports on MSN

His Truth is Marching On

According to some, today is a monumental occasion.  With a little "push-me, pull-you" strategy, the powers that be managed to get the health care bill passed and signed by the President.  Although the ensuing legal battles are far from over, for many of us who are pro-life this is a serious blow.  The current political climate is not friendly towards conservatives, and especially not towards Christians.  Sometimes it feels like we are marching on a gigantic wall with only a handful of troops.  From the top of the wall, those who would like nothing better than to see us fall defeated are jeering and taunting.  It seems an insurmountable challenge.  Because of this unpleasantness, many who at one time professed to follow Christ have allowed their guard to slip.  Some have fallen asleep at their campfires, awakening only when it is too late and the enemy is already upon them. Others decide that peace, at any cost, is better than the risk of adhering to any one truth.

The situation we find ourselves in is our own fault.  For more on this read Jen's excellent blog  It's Hardly Over.  Content with our cushy lives and our every-growing need to plump up our pocketbook, too many of us have fallen asleep and allowed others to take the wheel, steering us in directions we didn't want to go.  Too many of us have stood by and watched it happen, hoping it would work itself out so we wouldn't have to jump in and get our hands dirty.  I am talking to you...and I am talking to me.  In James 4:17 the bible says "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."  Whoa.  Knowing what's right to do and not doing it is sin?  That puts a new spin on all of those shoulda/coulda/woulda times, doesn't it?  Shoulda, coulda, woulda, but you/I didn't.  In a culture that tells us that everything is relative, God's word says that there are moral absolutes.  "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me," Jesus says in John 18:37.  Notice it's not "everyone on their own side of the truth" or "everyone on the republican/democrat/independent side of the truth"...it's "everyone on the side of the truth".  One side...one truth.  There is a right, and there is a wrong...it's not just everything goes.  You can't stand on the line in the middle; you have to pick a side.  Which side are you on?

At times like these it's easy to feel discouraged, and helpless.   "What about all of those phone calls we made?  Didn't they make any difference at all?" we wonder.  "What more could I have done?"  It's frustrating to watch events being set in motion and feel powerless to stop them.  However, although I may be powerless, God is not.  I find that it helps to remember that God is in control, and that this kind of situation is nothing new for Him.  Flip through the pages of history and you will find that since the beginning of time, in nearly every civilization, the same patterns of corruption have existed, and God's people (any of those who have dared to stand for God's truth) have been jeered at, oppressed, and relentlessly persecuted for their belief in the Truth.  As a nation founded on Christian beliefs, we have had it good for a long time.  But as our beliefs have weakened, that same corruption and persecution has gradually been sneaking in the door.  The good news is, when God's people cry out to Him, He delivers.  You can count on it.  One of my favorite examples is in Nehemiah chapter 4 where the Israelites are rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.  When their enemies try to sneak up on them, they uncover the plot and although they are out numbered, they rally together to defend the wall.  "The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall," Nehemiah says in vs. 19 & 20, "Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there.  Our God will fight for us!"  There is no question of doubt.  Nehemiah already knows he's on the winning team.

In John 16:33 Jesus says, "In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  Let that be our rallying cry.  Nothing can ever happen that is too big for God to handle.  We are already on the winning team.  Now, that doesn't mean we just sit back and do nothing because God's going to do it all for us.  We still have an obligation to proclaim the truth to those who are captivated darkness.  Our consolation is that as long as we keep fighting the good fight and living for God, we don't have to be afraid or worry about what this world is going to send our way.  When we pour out our heart and our troubles to God, our God will fight for us!  He is the only way, the only truth, and the only life we need (John 14:6).

Glory, Glory Hallelujah!  His Truth is Marching On! 

Getting Creative...My Latest Projects

Much of my time since moving to Arkansas has been taken up by assisting with boxing practices, going to boxing matches, and renovating/opening a downtown Christian Youth Center.  However, every now and then I find some time for creative pursuits.  My latest projects have been niftily knitting cute hats to donate to the St. Jude children's hospital, and designing and constructing shopping tote bags from some left over fabrics.

One of the ladies at church got me started using the Knifty Knitter.  Although I know a little bit about knitting with normal knitting needles, this handy little plastic pieces makes projects seem much quicker and easier.  With the round or oblong "looms" I no longer find myself limited to scarfs and potholders...now I can make round things too!  A recent favority has been cute little baby hats.  I am currently working on a baby blanket to give to a friend whose baby is due very soon.

A couple of years ago, I managed to come by several yards of this very bold, green-striped fabric.  Stiff, and treated so that is has a plastic-like feel, making bags is about the only thing I could think it would be good for.  In a effort to get the large roll out of my closet, I got out my trusty sewing machine and decided to start making bags.  The first one I designed off of my old reliable Dillon's shopping bag.  It closes at the top with a snap and has a pocket and two sturdy straps to help carry heavy loads.  After completing it, I decided on a few small design modifications that should help the bag look a little neater.  Next step...adding embellishments such as a lining, and emboidered designs on the pocket.  I probably have close to twelve yards of the stuff, so I will be making several bags.  If you would like one, or have a cute idea to dress it up, let me know!

Carrying the Torch...the Rest of the Story!

Yesterday was a day of dejection, frustration, and just all around negativity.  Then came God's little nudge to stay the course and do the work He has for me here.  Today was a day of amazing productivity.  With renewed energy I tackled the many things on the to-do list, making great strides for both the youth center and the boxing club.  I stayed in town this evening to help out with boxing practice, and amazingly enough, left practice not full of negativity but full of new ideas.  Instead of focusing on the bad things that drag practice down, my attention is now focused on ways that I can make these kids feel loved, appreciated, and valued for who they are.  Very few of them have any kind of a home life, and even though I don't know much about boxing, God has reminded me that there are things I do know how to do that can still make a difference for them.  My to-do list is growing longer again, but this time I am excited to tackle the new challenges.  Thanks Lord for fixing my perspective.  It's not about making my life easier...it's about making their lives a little better and serving wherever I have the opportunity.  

Carrying the Torch

Don't you just love it when God meets you where you are and tells you just what you need to hear?

I have been battling some discouragement lately.  I feel like we are running around in circles and getting nowhere.  After arriving in Arkansas, I pitched myself whole-heartedly into the projects that Nathan had been helping with, trying to put my talents to good use and help out where I could.  Since I am not working during the day, it was convenient for me to run the errands, make the contacts, and even put in the elbow grease to help things along while everyone else was at work.  After brief successes just before Christmas, things have taken an unexpected turn.  Suddenly, the individuals helping us in these enterprises have all but fallen away, leaving Nathan and I to try to carry the weight ourselves.  As a result, our schedule is never our own, our evenings are almost always booked (for one or both of us) and we rarely get to spend any amount of time together that doesn't involve doing something else.  With our time here drawing to a close, we recognize the need for someone else to step forward and take over, but so far there have been no takers.  Sometimes I feel like a lone soldier atop the mound at Iwo Jima, waving the flag and trying to rally the troops...only nobody else is paying any attention.  Sure, occasionally someone will contribute an idea, a "should" or "could", but it rarely goes any further than that.  It usually ends up falling back on Nathan, which in turn means that I end up being responsible to see that it gets done.  I know that makes it sound like I am feeling sorry for myself, and maybe I am, but it is so exasperating to work and work and work and see nothing result from it.  So many times I have wanted to just throw in the towel and accept failure, thinking life would be soooo much easier if we didn't have these responsibilities to worry about.  Sometimes I even wished that our call to move would come sooner, so that we could have an excuse to leave and let someone else worry about how to carry on.

This morning I read again from the Gospel of John, chapter 9.  The passage was the story of Jesus healing the man born blind.  The message of the story seemed to be loud in clear, but there was one part of the passage that I puzzled over.  Later, as I was getting frustrated thinking about all the things I needed to do this afternoon, the story flashed back into my memory.  Throughout the book of John, Jesus is constantly trying to open the eyes of the people so that they will believe in him.  He uses miracles, teachings, testimonies about himself, and even a direct declaration that he is God's son.   "If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me?" he says (John 8:46).  He relentlessly proclaimed his message, only to be continually rejected by the very people he was trying to help.  Talk about work, work, work with minimal results!  Then, after healing the man in Chapter 9, he says "As long as it is day we must do the work of him who sent me.  Night is coming, when no one can work.  While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." (John 9:4-5).  As I thought of that verse, I felt God speaking to me about my frustrations and our situation.  True, we will be leaving here within the next few months.  True, there is a lot of work to do between now and then.  However, "as long as it is day we must do the work of Him" who sent us here.  It was as if God was reminding me that His work for me here is not finished.  Just as Jesus poured out all of himself for me, I am called to pour out all of myself to serve where God has placed me.  As frustrating and exhausting as it may be, while Nathan and I are here in this community, we are called to be a light to this community.  There is no doubt that the kids and adults we interact with here have just as great a need for the light of God's love and saving grace as we do.  It's just so hard to "brighten the corner where we are" when it seems like somebody's is always trying to blow our light out.

Somewhere there's a quote that says something about wanting to wear out serving God before "rusting out" and being unable to serve.  Okay Lord, I'll keep carrying the torch here, until you tell me it's time to pass it on.  

How Marvelous! How Wonderful!

When I woke up this morning, I heard birds singing outside my window.  With a sense of excitement and expectancy I jumped out of bed and ran to see if it was true.  Peeking through the blinds I saw sunshine flooding over the yard, birds hopping after each other in the trees, and little bits of green beginning to push themselves up out of the ground as the last traces of the snow melted away.  Spring!  God's creatures are celebrating the blessing of sunshine, new life makes its grand entrance into the world.  Out with the old, dark, dreary, cold days of winter.  In with the new, bright, sparkling days of spring!  Despite the chill, the sunshine seemed to be calling me out to the yard, and I started making a mental list of things I'd like to do once it warms up and the ground thaws out a little:  rake the yard, prune the trees and bushes, plant new flowers, clean it all up so it looks beautiful!  What is it about spring that just makes you want to clean?  Maybe not everyone has the urge, but something about the thought of spring give me new energy to start the day.  The winter chill, which is always unpleasant and makes me want to hide at home in bed, suddenly becomes the invigorating chill of spring, giving me a zest for life that makes me want to get up and get going!  As I turned away from the window to tackle my "to-do's" for the day, a song came to mind, and I started singing, "How marvelous!  How wonderful!  And my song shall ever be:  How marvelous!  How wonderful is my Savior's love for me!" (I Stand Amazed in the Presence, Charles H. Gabriel, 1905).

I had been marveling at God's new creation and His faithfulness in bringing the spring after the months of cold and darkness.  Then, it struck me that today is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of the season of Lent.  Today is the beginning of a forty day journey towards the cross; remembering the message Jesus brought to the world and His sacrifice for us.  Most importantly, it is celebrating that He rose from the dead, conquered the grave and established victory over sin and death in the magnificence of Easter.  Because of His sacrifice, we can become a new creation.  Because Jesus took on my darkness, I can look forward to spring.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 
2 Corinthians 5:17  

How marvelous!  How wonderful is my Savior's love for me!

Recipe of the Week...A Little Asian-ish Crunchiness!

I am pretty sure this salad can't count as being truly oriental, but it was a quick fix to use up my extra cabbage.  I have borrowed and adapted it from my friends at kraftfoods.com.  The version below reflects my modifications.  It is my kind of recipe...simple yet delicious!

Crunchy Asian Salad

1/2 c. Italian dressing  
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. soy sauce
1 pkg.  ramen noodle soup (any flavor)
1/2 head of cabbage, shredded
1 med. carrot, shredded
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 c. dry roasted sunflower seeds (I used wheat nuts instead)
1/4 c. sliced almonds, lightly toasted

Directions:  First, in a small bowl combine the Italian dressing, sugar, and soy sauce.  Stir until most of the sugar is dissolved.  This makes a sweet and tangy dressing that is very good!  Next, carefully crush the ramen noodles (in the package works well) so that they are broken into smaller pieces.  Discard the ramen seasoning mix (or save for another dish)...we won't be needing it!  In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, carrot, onion, sunflower seeds, almonds, and noodles.  Mix lightly.  Drizzle the dressing over the top, then toss to coat the whole salad.  Serve immediately!

Notes:  You can mix the cabbage, carrots, onion and dressing together ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate.  Then, just before serving add in the noodles, almonds, and sunflower seeds.  This keeps them from getting soggy so you salad has a yummy crunch!

Bon Appetit!

Tim Tebow risking NFL draft stock with Senior Bowl appearance - Andy Staples - SI.com

I'll be looking for this guy in the pro-life ad during the Super Bowl! Kudos for him for being willing to stand up for what he believes!  Thanks Jen for the link!

Tim Tebow risking NFL draft stock with Senior Bowl appearance - Andy Staples
- SI.com

Steam Blows

For the past week they have been conducting steam blows at Plum Point Energy Station, where my husband is an engineer.  A "steam blow" is when they blast high pressure steam through the pipes of the plant at 1.5 times the normal load in order to 1) clean rust and debris out of the pipes and 2) check for leaks or anything that isn't working properly.  I have been within a mile of the plant several times when a steam blow has occured (about once and hour).  It is very loud (like a VERY low flying jetplane) and sends a big grey, orange, and eventually white cloud of steam up into the air.  It is one of the last steps before the plant becomes fully operational...and a major milestone we have been waiting for!  Check out the links, photos and videos below!

Plum Point Energy Station (PPPP)

Steam Blow Video from On-Site

 

The picture below and the link are for a photo and
video I took with my cell phone less than a mile from the plant.  It was about dusk, so all the lights are on in the boiler structure.