Okay, Okay, I Got It!

Ah, yes, even in the animal kingdom......why do women do this? It's obviously as effective in the animal kingdom as in the human kingdom! (The title is my interpretation of what the male lion is saying)

Actually this also reminds me of Jake & Sam only the "yeller" would need to be much smaller, you know, like a 10 pound Pekingese.

Keeping On

I returned from Charlotte today and am so glad to be home. It was a tiring 5 days and I have but a few days to do all the laundry and re-pack as Steve and I leave Wednesday for Chicago.

Even in the midst of the hectic days and late nights of working at the conference in Charlotte, I maintained the discipline of daily lessons for the Bible study I'm leading. While it might not seem like much, this was a huge victory for me. Even though I'm missing 2 weeks, if I don't keep up, I will end up hurrying through 3 weeks of lessons in 1 week and consequently won't be able to meditate on the lessons and really get what God intends for me.

One of the greatest truths this week came out a lesson focusing on the miracles Jesus did in his own hometown and how he was rejected and subsequently moved on. The point was that "Jesus was determined." No matter how he felt pulled, no matter how others tried to make priorities for him, no matter how they begged him to stay (mostly for their own wants and not God's), he kept on. It wasn't because he didn't care about people's physical needs but rather the reason stated was this:

"Because every other need humanity possessed was secondary to the need to hear and receive the gospel. Not unimportant, just secondary." (1)

For some reason that just overwhelmed my heart. He kept on. No matter what, he kept on with the spreading of the gospel. Christ was always focused on the eternal. Physical healing in this life and meeting physical needs in this life are important, but not primary, not the reason we're here.

Not rocket science, just a reminder. And we must keep on as well.

(1) Taken from Jesus One And Only 2000 by Beth Moore; p63.

A Walk On The Funny Side

A friend in CO sent these to me (and so many more, surely to come later). I think they speak for themselves....enjoy your day!

Affirmation

Since God knows I frequently need things to be affirmed, he used the sermon yesterday to remind me that my last post was right on - nothing is impossible for God.

The funny thing is that the sermon wasn't even really about that but I know enough about God to know that no matter the sermon topic, he can (and does!) use it to speak directly to the very thing I need.

My pastor made the following statement, which by the way he used to tell kids when he worked in children's and youth ministry....HHHMMM...what does that say about me? Anyway, here it is:

"No sin is too big that God can't forgive it, and no problem is too small that he doesn't want to hear it. Likewise, no sin is so small that we shouldn't take it to God, and no problem is so big he can't handle it."

Basically, nothing is impossible with God. And here's the weird thing -- he also said that we while we trust God with the biggest thing on earth -- saving us from eternity in hell -- we still think he isn't capable of handling all the other stuff in our lives. Pretty much exactly how I ended the last post. I'll end today using a verse from the sermon yesterday, taken from 1 Peter 5:7 (by the way, he did a thing about what "casting" means in the verse below but you'll have to listen to it as he explains it way better than me! It's the sermon from 9/16):

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (King James Version)

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (New Int'l Version)

But it's IMPOSSIBLE!

Last night marked the 2nd lesson in an 11-week Bible study. Leading a study is a great experience for me -- not because I think I do anything all that wonderful or that I'm particularly gifted but because it demands discipline. I absolutely have to finish the lessons, even if they are hard or intensely personal, and I have to do additional study so I can have something relevant to say and answer questions.

This past week a verse just jumped off the page and became the landing point for my brief insight. It came out of Luke 1:37 which says, "For nothing is impossible with God." I shared with the ladies that because I have limitations, I frequently humanize God and give him those same limitations. BUT, that verse is in direct contradiction with my tendency. Nothing is impossible with God -- NOTHING!

I showed them a couple of places in scripture where God did the impossible; first, he made the sun stand still for Joshua. The sun stood still until the battle was over (Josh. 10)! Then in Isaiah he gave a promise to Hezekiah and as a sign of the promise he made the shadow cast by the sun go back 10 steps (Isa. 38). That's right, the shadow went backwards! And of course, who can forget that he parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk through on dry ground (Ex. 14)? And to prove that God is still at work in our time, I shared the part of Corrie Ten Boom's story where her bottle of vitamin drops did not run out while in concentration camp and she gave to more and more women every day. Unbelievable!

And so I am reminded that God is still in the business of miracles that both delight his children and show his power and glory. The greatest perhaps of all is when Christ lay down his life and took it back up again so I might have eternal life. Is there any problem I face greater than death? Greater than eternity in hell? No, not likely. Kind of puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

Happy Birthday Blondie!

Today is "my" Steven's birthday. It's actually his real birthday; since he's a Marine he gets 2 a year (which by the way is a huge rip-off to me). I think I get just as excited for his birthday as he does! I've always made a big deal over it. The first year we were married was the first time in 3 years that such a fuss had been made about his birthday. He lost his mother when he was 16 and while she had made his day special before that, it kind of stopped. Deep in my heart I believe he loves for me to do it too even though he would never say that.

Of course now his birthday is memorialized across the country because of the attacks of 6 years ago. And just 2 years ago he was exactly where he wanted to be on his birthday -- in Iraq. After all, they ruined his birthday and he needed to take it back!

So, Happy Birthday blondie! Enjoy your day, live it up because tomorrow it's all over -- it's not almost your birthday anymore.

Monday Fun-Day

We had the best time with Erica and Peter on Monday...and where was my camera? Sitting on my counter at home. AARRGGHH! I specifically made a mental note to bring it so now we know what my mental capacity is.

We first went to Pictograph State Park and I couldn't believe how much that place has changed. The last time I was there I was 19 and dating Steve. I went with his family for a picnic one Sunday after church. Back in the "old days" you could climb up on top and the view was amazing -- now that is all privately owned. Bummer. Additionally there was a paved walkway between the 3 caves. We actually started at the end which, by the way, is a steeper climb than had we gone the right way. Note to self: start with "1" next time!

We didn't exactly stay on the "recommended" paved route which actually made it more fun. We climbed the rocks and Peter thought that was one of the most fascinating things he's ever done. After a picnic lunch we headed to Two Moon park and followed the leisurely trails to the river and back.

While Erica is better at it that I am, we discovered neither one of us is particularly talented at skipping rocks. My first attempt didn't even make it into the water - yep, I'm that inept! Erica had one that didn't make it to the water as well and that one hit her brother square in the leg so as you can see, we're both rock skipping idiots. Fortunately we're also adorable and incredibly smart so we'll leave that talent to others.

The best part of the day was that it was simple, we were able to share some of the same activities we did as kids, we spent the day out in God's creation, and we just enjoyed the company of one another. One day they'll be able to take their kids (or their nieces and nephews) to the same place and recount the fun they had with us. And the cycle of life continues.

The Preacher

Steve preached for the first time this past Sunday and I found myself thinking, "he's pretty good!" I'm not necessarily surprised because not only was he thoroughly prepared, he was also being obedient which means, of course, that God was using him and blessing him. For a first sermon it was unbelievably good, clear, and laid out succinctly; believe me when I tell you I was just as nervous as he was. I desperately wanted him to be well received and I wanted the entire thing to go smoothly so he wouldn't be discouraged.

I've heard many sermons in my day and been bored to tears by the most seasoned pastors. I attribute this more to me than them because of my attitude or approach to the service. I've come to realize God can (and does) use anybody who will be a mere vessel. The rest is up to him to accomplish. Therein lies the key -- Steve doesn't need to be eloquent or perfect -- he just needs to do what God has asked him to do and so he has.

He doesn't intend to preach frequently at this point but since our pastor was on vacation and we're just starting phase 2 at CBC, he found it the perfect opportunity to share his vision for the church and let them know where, as their leader, he plans to take them.

I'm in awe at the spiritual growth in Steve which started long before he went to Iraq but ramped up significantly while he was there and since he returned. I almost can't believe it's the same guy. Thus is the sanctifying work.......

He Talks Funny

The title of this post is borrowed from a good family friend. He's actually more than a friend. I realized this weekend that to me, he is my 3rd brother (as if I needed another one!). His name is Jeff and he's from Texas -- that's why he talks funny.

This weekend Jeff and his wife, Carolyn, came to Montana for the 2nd annual Labor Day barbeque and that is why he's on my mind today. He brought with him a copy of a speech he did in his Toastmasters club about my dad. In that speech he referred to how my dad would frequently introduce him, "I want you to meet my good friend Jeffrey, he's from Texas, he talks funny." I wept profusely as I read his speech and almost have it memorized myself.

Jeff started coming to Montana when he was 25 (I was 17) as a programming consultant at the company where dad worked. As was customary with my parents, they took him under their wing, opened our (their) home to him, fed him every night he was in town, and he assimilated into our family as if he'd always been there. He was in Montana about a week a month for 18 years and became one of my dad's closest friends and confidantes. As you might imagine he also celebrated birthdays, weddings, births, and many other events with us. Additionally, he mourned with us during times of suffering, death, and sickness. And along with my brothers, husband, and brother-in-law, he was a pallbearer at dad's funeral. He is family.

The thing that struck me most about Jeff's speech was how he talked about my dad and the emotion he put into his words. I know how I feel about dad, but to hear it from someone who became part of our family later touched me beyond words. It is evidence that my dad was always constant, that he loved his family, he loved God, and he genuinely cared about other people. I knew all this about my dad but the confirmation from someone else is extremely gratifying.

Jeff loved my dad and he's been a source of great support for my mom in the last year and a half. The fact that he and Carolyn have spent their time and money to spend the past 2 Labor Day weekends with his Montana Family is proof in action. He ended his speech by commenting:

I look forward to my first day in Heaven, to bow before my Lord and Savior...to walk the streets of gold and come upon a group of people I don't know and hear, "I want you to meet my good friend Jeffrey, he's from Texas, he talks funny!"

We might not get to see him much but we love Jeff, we love what he's brought to our family, and we are grateful for the friendship he brought to dad's life.

Thanks Jeff (and Carolyn) -- we love and appreciate you, even if you are from Texas and you talk funny!