Jimmy S.
-God has blessed you to be a blessing.
-We are made for love and war. To love and show compassion. Awaken to love and war.
-If you want to experience the presence of God go to the darkest places.
-When pain is present there is urgency. Run to the pain NOT away from it.
Jim Yost
-By always protecting our children and not letting them go through difficult times we produce useless people. Parents, don't produce useless people - don't make everything so easy.
-It doesn't have anything to do with likes or dislikes - just obedience.
-He's(God) not looking for perfect people just obedient people.
-God uses your giftings and passions to make a way for you.
-Why not?
Carol Davis
-God will take the pain that the devil tried to destroy your life with to heal others lives.
-Erase the lines between work, home, spiritual, present, future, see your life as a whole. He's already spoken to you in how you were created.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Random
When I think back on this week. One word comes to mind. Fast. I really can't believe that it's been over a week now since I've blogged. Anyway, my shock is over and here I am once again.
Update on the job situation: Andrew visited many staffing agencies on Monday. There is an opening that he applied for on Friday at a Fire Safety place in town. We are hoping to hear next week if anything comes of that. He has made many connections with people this week through the church and the outreaches so we continue to wait on the Lord to provide something. I talked to a girl today from church for awhile and was explaining our jobless situation. She said, "You know, I was in a place similar to that for awhile. You know God is going to provide but you are just in a time of rest right now". I thought...rest?? Not the word I would use, but okay. She continued. She said, "when we wait on the Lord we can either rest in the fact that he's going to provide OR we can worry the whole time and time to make things happen on our own". I totally understood. She wasn't saying be lazy or idle, just be restful(peaceful). I do think that the Lord has given us the peace and restfulness that we need for this time. That all being said we would still like to continue to ask you all to pray in this area:)
A new book: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. Yup, that's the title. Talk about an attention getter. This is the title of a book that was given to me by one of the Antioch pastors this week after an outreach. It talks about overcoming fears! This book is that kind of book that you are constantly wanting to underline everything.
Who's getting fed? A great challenge was presented last week during the message. When we have "spare time" or when we are "bored" who are we feeding? Are we feeding the outer man (the flesh) or the inner man (spirit)? Here's the breakdown and something I'm so guilty of. When I'm bored I usually revert to the computer, a movie, or whatever to relax. So for me, my take away from this was to challenge myself to feed my inner man by thinking outside myself about someone else, to start reading more books that increase my knowledge of God, commit to more prayer time, etc, all when I'm feeling like feeding the outer man. I can't say I've broken all habits completely but I'm learning to be more aware of my time spent.
I'll leave you with a quote from the Lion book.
"Goodness is not the absence of badness. You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right. Our calling is much higher than simply running away from what's wrong. We're called to chase lions - look for opportunities in our problems and obstacles, and take risks to reach for God's best".
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day - Mark Batterson
Update on the job situation: Andrew visited many staffing agencies on Monday. There is an opening that he applied for on Friday at a Fire Safety place in town. We are hoping to hear next week if anything comes of that. He has made many connections with people this week through the church and the outreaches so we continue to wait on the Lord to provide something. I talked to a girl today from church for awhile and was explaining our jobless situation. She said, "You know, I was in a place similar to that for awhile. You know God is going to provide but you are just in a time of rest right now". I thought...rest?? Not the word I would use, but okay. She continued. She said, "when we wait on the Lord we can either rest in the fact that he's going to provide OR we can worry the whole time and time to make things happen on our own". I totally understood. She wasn't saying be lazy or idle, just be restful(peaceful). I do think that the Lord has given us the peace and restfulness that we need for this time. That all being said we would still like to continue to ask you all to pray in this area:)
A new book: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day. Yup, that's the title. Talk about an attention getter. This is the title of a book that was given to me by one of the Antioch pastors this week after an outreach. It talks about overcoming fears! This book is that kind of book that you are constantly wanting to underline everything.
Who's getting fed? A great challenge was presented last week during the message. When we have "spare time" or when we are "bored" who are we feeding? Are we feeding the outer man (the flesh) or the inner man (spirit)? Here's the breakdown and something I'm so guilty of. When I'm bored I usually revert to the computer, a movie, or whatever to relax. So for me, my take away from this was to challenge myself to feed my inner man by thinking outside myself about someone else, to start reading more books that increase my knowledge of God, commit to more prayer time, etc, all when I'm feeling like feeding the outer man. I can't say I've broken all habits completely but I'm learning to be more aware of my time spent.
I'll leave you with a quote from the Lion book.
"Goodness is not the absence of badness. You can do nothing wrong and still do nothing right. Our calling is much higher than simply running away from what's wrong. We're called to chase lions - look for opportunities in our problems and obstacles, and take risks to reach for God's best".
In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day - Mark Batterson
Friday, March 19, 2010
A Week of Firsts (if that makes sense)
So this week was a long week for us. To start of the first time experiences we'll go with Monday.
Monday: It consisted of a job interview, a job offered and then the same job turned down all in one day. It's all a little confusing but by Wednesday there was another interview and more decisions to make. I know it doesn't all make sense with my vague details but trust me its just easier this way:) All in all we are still looking for the right job. God has given us joy and reminded us that He is our Provider.
Wednesday: We went door to door evangelizing. We both really have never done what they call confrontational evangelizing so we learned. Church has a goal of reaching one whole side of Waco through door-to-door evangelism. During the next 2 weeks everyday there are teams going out. They have a large map on the wall and all the streets and houses numbered. It was impressively organized to track people and make sure people don't get visited twice (good for us and them). Some of you may be thinking: what is that? How do you do that? Why would you do that? Well, we had some apprehension of our own but we were unwilling to let our fear stop us. We showed up and worshiped and prayed together for awhile and then went out in two's. We basically knocked on doors and asked if people were willing to take a short 2-3 minutes survey (which it really was a survey). The last couple questions talked about knowing Jesus and if they wanted to hear more about Him. The houses that Andrew and I approached were welcoming and said that they all knew Jesus. We were encouraged when we went back to hear that a handful of people were saved that night. Yeah Jesus! Needless to say, Andrew went back again last night for more.
Thursday: we witnessed our first crime. We were at the mall and were walking toward a store when we noticed that a policemen up in front of us was holding a young man up against the wall. The kid looked our way, started to struggle and escaped the policemen after falling and wrestling a bit. It happened so quickly. It was like everything was in slow motion. Then a lady came out of the store they were by and motioned to a next by pedestrian to help the cop and together they caught a wrestled the man down cussing and yelling the whole way down. I felt so uneasy after watching all this go down. I told Andrew I felt sick because I hate violence and scary situations. I think most people share my feelings in these situations (if you've even been in one before).
As we drove home I couldn't stop thinking about the situation and then I was stuck by a thought. This sounds like a Life Group icebreaker question. If you were witnessing a crime what would you do? I would have loved to say that I would have helped stop it but that obviously wouldn't have been true. I started to compare the night before (evangelism) to the situation that just occurred. Stay with me here. I told Andrew its kinda like we see people in "danger" or "lost" everyday and we usually do one of three things. We (a.) panic and are paralyzed by our own fear (b.) let someone else do it (like a pastor, worship leader, elder or in our case, the policemen) (c.) don't care and try to put them out of our minds. In both situations there is a great risk. In our situation the person could have had a knife or gun or whatever. In evangelizing your pride is on the line. Are you willing to be made foolish for Jesus? Matthew 10:38 "And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Yikes! That's pretty straight forward. I don't know about you but that gives me something to ponder.
Today: Sydney asked Jesus to come and live in her heart today! The angels are having a party and so did we! She was so cute. Right after we finished praying she jumped up and said, "Mommy, I want to make Jesus a heart and put glue and sprinkles on it for Him." My heart was overwhelmed. So for the next 15 minutes we sat in the middle of the living room floor and made hearts for Jesus! Faith like a child. Luke 18:17 "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it".
In closing (finally right), if you're looking for some devotional reading this week check out Luke 12:35-48 (You Must Be Ready) and Luke 16:19-31 (What will it take you to believe?)
Matthew 10:32-33 "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven".
Monday: It consisted of a job interview, a job offered and then the same job turned down all in one day. It's all a little confusing but by Wednesday there was another interview and more decisions to make. I know it doesn't all make sense with my vague details but trust me its just easier this way:) All in all we are still looking for the right job. God has given us joy and reminded us that He is our Provider.
Wednesday: We went door to door evangelizing. We both really have never done what they call confrontational evangelizing so we learned. Church has a goal of reaching one whole side of Waco through door-to-door evangelism. During the next 2 weeks everyday there are teams going out. They have a large map on the wall and all the streets and houses numbered. It was impressively organized to track people and make sure people don't get visited twice (good for us and them). Some of you may be thinking: what is that? How do you do that? Why would you do that? Well, we had some apprehension of our own but we were unwilling to let our fear stop us. We showed up and worshiped and prayed together for awhile and then went out in two's. We basically knocked on doors and asked if people were willing to take a short 2-3 minutes survey (which it really was a survey). The last couple questions talked about knowing Jesus and if they wanted to hear more about Him. The houses that Andrew and I approached were welcoming and said that they all knew Jesus. We were encouraged when we went back to hear that a handful of people were saved that night. Yeah Jesus! Needless to say, Andrew went back again last night for more.
Thursday: we witnessed our first crime. We were at the mall and were walking toward a store when we noticed that a policemen up in front of us was holding a young man up against the wall. The kid looked our way, started to struggle and escaped the policemen after falling and wrestling a bit. It happened so quickly. It was like everything was in slow motion. Then a lady came out of the store they were by and motioned to a next by pedestrian to help the cop and together they caught a wrestled the man down cussing and yelling the whole way down. I felt so uneasy after watching all this go down. I told Andrew I felt sick because I hate violence and scary situations. I think most people share my feelings in these situations (if you've even been in one before).
As we drove home I couldn't stop thinking about the situation and then I was stuck by a thought. This sounds like a Life Group icebreaker question. If you were witnessing a crime what would you do? I would have loved to say that I would have helped stop it but that obviously wouldn't have been true. I started to compare the night before (evangelism) to the situation that just occurred. Stay with me here. I told Andrew its kinda like we see people in "danger" or "lost" everyday and we usually do one of three things. We (a.) panic and are paralyzed by our own fear (b.) let someone else do it (like a pastor, worship leader, elder or in our case, the policemen) (c.) don't care and try to put them out of our minds. In both situations there is a great risk. In our situation the person could have had a knife or gun or whatever. In evangelizing your pride is on the line. Are you willing to be made foolish for Jesus? Matthew 10:38 "And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Yikes! That's pretty straight forward. I don't know about you but that gives me something to ponder.
Today: Sydney asked Jesus to come and live in her heart today! The angels are having a party and so did we! She was so cute. Right after we finished praying she jumped up and said, "Mommy, I want to make Jesus a heart and put glue and sprinkles on it for Him." My heart was overwhelmed. So for the next 15 minutes we sat in the middle of the living room floor and made hearts for Jesus! Faith like a child. Luke 18:17 "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it".
In closing (finally right), if you're looking for some devotional reading this week check out Luke 12:35-48 (You Must Be Ready) and Luke 16:19-31 (What will it take you to believe?)
Matthew 10:32-33 "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven".
Monday, March 15, 2010
Love Came Down
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
“Love Came Down”
If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear your voice
I hold onto what is true, though I cannot see
If the storms of life they come, and the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in faith, I will believe
I remind myself of all that you’ve done
And the life I have because of your son
Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am yours
I am forever yours
Mountain high or valley low
I sing out and remind my soul
I am yours
I am forever yours
When my heart is filled with hope, and every promise comes my way
When I feel your hands of grace, rest upon me
Staying desperate for you God, Staying humbled at your feet
I will lift these hands and praise, I will believe
Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am yours
I am forever yours
Mountain high or valley low
I sing out and remind my soul
I am yours
I am forever yours
Brian Johnson-Bethel Music
“Love Came Down”
If my heart is overwhelmed and I cannot hear your voice
I hold onto what is true, though I cannot see
If the storms of life they come, and the road ahead gets steep
I will lift these hands in faith, I will believe
I remind myself of all that you’ve done
And the life I have because of your son
Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am yours
I am forever yours
Mountain high or valley low
I sing out and remind my soul
I am yours
I am forever yours
When my heart is filled with hope, and every promise comes my way
When I feel your hands of grace, rest upon me
Staying desperate for you God, Staying humbled at your feet
I will lift these hands and praise, I will believe
Love came down and rescued me
Love came down and set me free
I am yours
I am forever yours
Mountain high or valley low
I sing out and remind my soul
I am yours
I am forever yours
Brian Johnson-Bethel Music
Saturday, March 13, 2010
A New Day
I can hardly believe another week has gone by. This week has been filled with mostly job hunting. Andrew and I decided that I will be looking for a temp job until he can find something full-time. For me, this is a little exciting to try to find a job. I find the challenge exciting! I went to a couple staffing agencies this week and WOW I had no idea what to expect. I thought I would run in and fill out an application and wait for a call...uhhh nope! 2 hours later after applications, timed tests and then finally an interview with an individual who evaluates if they even 'want' to find you a job sits down with you. You go through the process of convincing them you need a job. So, a new and different experience for me:) We are praying that one of us can find something soon since living anywhere isn't free unfortunately. The encouraging part of all this is that this morning I was reminded of a verse in Luke 11. When Jesus was teaching on prayer. He was teaching about persistence in prayer and asking with boldness. So we will continue to ask with boldness for his will concerning our job status:)
Monday, March 8, 2010
Interruptions
It has now been a month since we left South Dakota and time has really flown. We are learning our way around town with a little less help from Miss GPS and have made enough trips to the grocery store to be the new 'regulars'. All in all the adjustment has been smooth. We had a nice little getaway on Saturday with Angela (Andrew's cousin) and went down to Round Rock for some famous donuts and then walked around the outlet mall for awhile. It was nice to see family and share in conversation with someone we'd known longer than a month:) We are going to be sad when they move back to South Dakota in a couple months (but we're happy for you guys).
I think I've always know that I don't appreciated being interrupted. I think most people share my thoughts on this especially being "task oriented" as my mother so nicely puts it:) When looking at the life of Jesus most of his miracles and teaching moments came out of 'interruptions' ie. the woman pulling on his clothes to be healed, the friends of a man coming through a roof while Jesus was teaching asking to Jesus to heal their friend, children wanting to see Jesus, the woman pouring oil/perfume on Jesus feet while he was sitting at a table. There are so many other times when Jesus amazingly stopped what he was doing and made time for people. These people weren't even in societies standards, 'important people.' What a testimony to us who use busyness or other excuses not to get involved in the lives of others. I heard the pastor say these two things that made me stop and re-evaluate. The first was, "Busyness is a value system. What you are busy with is an indication of what you value. How we use our time is what we deem more important." The second quote to piggy-back on that was, "The interruption may very well be our highest task at the moment." Jesus certainly seemed to think so. So I ask myself, How can I be more like Jesus when it comes to interruptions?
I think I've always know that I don't appreciated being interrupted. I think most people share my thoughts on this especially being "task oriented" as my mother so nicely puts it:) When looking at the life of Jesus most of his miracles and teaching moments came out of 'interruptions' ie. the woman pulling on his clothes to be healed, the friends of a man coming through a roof while Jesus was teaching asking to Jesus to heal their friend, children wanting to see Jesus, the woman pouring oil/perfume on Jesus feet while he was sitting at a table. There are so many other times when Jesus amazingly stopped what he was doing and made time for people. These people weren't even in societies standards, 'important people.' What a testimony to us who use busyness or other excuses not to get involved in the lives of others. I heard the pastor say these two things that made me stop and re-evaluate. The first was, "Busyness is a value system. What you are busy with is an indication of what you value. How we use our time is what we deem more important." The second quote to piggy-back on that was, "The interruption may very well be our highest task at the moment." Jesus certainly seemed to think so. So I ask myself, How can I be more like Jesus when it comes to interruptions?
Friday, March 5, 2010
The Cost
I've been reading in Luke lately, specifically, 9:57-62. It talks about the cost of following Jesus. Yes, it is true, salvation is free but is there is a cost to following Jesus? To summarize the passage, different men approached Jesus wanting to follow him or Jesus himself extends an invitation (what an honor) to 'follow him.' It appears they want to follow him however they give reasons why they can't right at the moment, very legitimate reasons (in my opinion). One wants to go home and bury his father first and another wants to go home to say good-bye to his family. These seem like reasonable requests to me. They want to go but just want to take care of some business first. Jesus responds to both. To the man wanting to bury his father he says, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God", and he says in verse 62 to the other man, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God". Woah... I'm still trying to understand all this. It seems that Jesus knew these men were not fully committed or didn't quite understand the cost of following Jesus. Even though these were 'good things' to go back for it was nothing compared to the opportunity to follow Jesus and be a part of his ministry. The cost, our whole lives, nothing less.
Yes, a bit heavy but it is what I've been studying. I don't know if I'll ever fully understand the cost of following Jesus however, I want to try.
Yes, a bit heavy but it is what I've been studying. I don't know if I'll ever fully understand the cost of following Jesus however, I want to try.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Job Hunting
Well, this is the 2nd or 3rd day Andrew has been online most of the day looking for jobs. The good news is there are many jobs. The more difficult thing to find is pay & hours that will accommodate our school hours. Any prayers in this department are welcome:) So while daddy is busy on the computer the kids and I have been playing games, coloring, watching movies, reading, baking (pie, by request of Sydney), etc to pass the time.
I have to mention the book I'm reading for all of you readers out there who enjoy a true amazing story (easy read). The book is called "Chasing the Dragon" by Jackie Pullinger. Now don't get all scared by the title of the book and let that stop you from reading it. It will speak to your heart in a powerful way. My friend Lena let me borrow it before I left Sioux Falls (btw: I'll send it back when I'm finished Lena) and told me it was a must-read. I finally got a chance to start it and can hardly put it down. Anyway, I won't tell you anymore you have to read it:)
During our "down-time" we are getting a chance to stop and reflect on this huge decision and are comforted constantly. Today I got a phone call from a random lady at church inviting us to another family LG. It was just a phone call but she was so encouraging and started sharing her own story with me about how they got involved at Antioch and small groups after not going to church ever before. She said something that I valued. She said, "it only took one person who really cared about me to invite me to church." Wow, yes that's where it starts, by simply caring.
I have to mention the book I'm reading for all of you readers out there who enjoy a true amazing story (easy read). The book is called "Chasing the Dragon" by Jackie Pullinger. Now don't get all scared by the title of the book and let that stop you from reading it. It will speak to your heart in a powerful way. My friend Lena let me borrow it before I left Sioux Falls (btw: I'll send it back when I'm finished Lena) and told me it was a must-read. I finally got a chance to start it and can hardly put it down. Anyway, I won't tell you anymore you have to read it:)
During our "down-time" we are getting a chance to stop and reflect on this huge decision and are comforted constantly. Today I got a phone call from a random lady at church inviting us to another family LG. It was just a phone call but she was so encouraging and started sharing her own story with me about how they got involved at Antioch and small groups after not going to church ever before. She said something that I valued. She said, "it only took one person who really cared about me to invite me to church." Wow, yes that's where it starts, by simply caring.
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