Amazing Song! Thanks Amanda for helping me find it!
Friday, March 26, 2010
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?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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!
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!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
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!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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.
Monday, March 1, 2010
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.
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.
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