God always has a funny way of brining things into our path that are exactly what we need to hear. The following is from our Kidmo 1st Grade Sunday School Lesson:
THEME: World changers expect God’s best
LEARN IT
God is at his best when life is at its worst.
Joseph always expected God to do something great, even when life was at its worst.
Review: Genesis 41:1-41
LINK IT
God sees our whole life. He sees the beginning and the end and everything in-between. God
knows what happens to you, good and bad. When Joseph was sitting in jail, life was at its
worst, but Joseph knew God was aware of his situation and would bring about something great.
LIVE IT
We cannot control the circumstances of our lives. Bad things are going to happen. Just
because something bad happens doesn’t mean God doesn’t care. It doesn’t mean God turned
and looked away. It means God wants to bring something great out of something bad.
COMPASS POINT
When life’s a mess expect God’s best.
MEMORY MAX
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God
and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
We are defiantly at a place right now where “life is a mess”, or so it would seem from our short sighted perspective. We feel we are at a very critical place, and we have no idea how God plans to pull everything together. We need wisdom in our words, so for now...I really have no words to say…
AT
"Word Of God Speak"
by MercyMe
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to seeYour majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and restIn Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
[REPEAT CHORUS 2x]
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Neighbor’s Cat
Shortly after our neighbor’s moved next door this past fall, their inside cat got out and lost. We found him crying on our front porch and determined to get into our house. He was so sad & sweet. Grace & I had fun holding him and giving him a little comfort. Well, last night the poor thing was out and confused again!
It was a little after 3:00 am, and I awoke hearing a strange sound at the front door. My dad works a late shift, and with the storms last night, I thought maybe the garage door wasn’t working and he needed inside. However, when I looked through the peep hole, I didn’t see anyone. Just as I was trying to make my middle of the night brain work, I jumped with the sound of pawing again, and this time it was followed with meowing that was quite loud.
My natural love instinct for animals made me truly want to open the door and help the distressed animal, but I knew as sure as I did we would have a wet scared cat loose in the house. I had to simply leave him to wait at the door until morning.
As I got back in bed, a strange feeling came over me, and I felt God tell me that I was just like that cat. WHAT!...was my immediate reply. Am I meowing at the wrong door? No…I know we are at the exact place that God has called us to be. He has been very clear, and we have been obedient. I am at the right door.
However, just like the neighbor’s cat, the door that I am sitting at is not ready to be opened. It was better for the cat to sit and wait…just like God has seen fit for our family to wait.
I know that He still loves me and has a perfect plan. I had a great plan for the cat this morning…I guess there are nights when we just feel confussed & wet. The great thing is that we serve a God that is able to wrap us in His arms and sit on the porch with us!
Waiting in His Arms,
AT
It was a little after 3:00 am, and I awoke hearing a strange sound at the front door. My dad works a late shift, and with the storms last night, I thought maybe the garage door wasn’t working and he needed inside. However, when I looked through the peep hole, I didn’t see anyone. Just as I was trying to make my middle of the night brain work, I jumped with the sound of pawing again, and this time it was followed with meowing that was quite loud.
My natural love instinct for animals made me truly want to open the door and help the distressed animal, but I knew as sure as I did we would have a wet scared cat loose in the house. I had to simply leave him to wait at the door until morning.
As I got back in bed, a strange feeling came over me, and I felt God tell me that I was just like that cat. WHAT!...was my immediate reply. Am I meowing at the wrong door? No…I know we are at the exact place that God has called us to be. He has been very clear, and we have been obedient. I am at the right door.
However, just like the neighbor’s cat, the door that I am sitting at is not ready to be opened. It was better for the cat to sit and wait…just like God has seen fit for our family to wait.
I know that He still loves me and has a perfect plan. I had a great plan for the cat this morning…I guess there are nights when we just feel confussed & wet. The great thing is that we serve a God that is able to wrap us in His arms and sit on the porch with us!
Waiting in His Arms,
AT
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Without Breath
As someone that has traveled to Central America many times, I understand the term “gringo”. I have been called this numerous times, and I am sure by my dumb actions and naivety of culture, I deserved it each time. This past Sunday, I heard a short story about the early visitors to Hawaii. They were given the name haole (pronounced HOW-lee). The word haol means "without breath, wind or spirit; a colorless, paste-white absence of spirit and feeling, an inability to appreciate the land and the dignity of its people.”
According to Hawaiian traditions, a person would sit outside the temple and breathe deeply blocking out the troubles of the world and focusing their mind on entering into the presence of their god. When they entered the temple, they would sit silently & still for an extended period of time “breathing in the spirit of their god.” Only after they felt they had made a connection did they offer up prayers. Then they would exit the temple and sit on its steps continuing to meditate on their “encounter”.
When the early Christian missionaries came to the islands, the Hawaiians were shocked by the lack of reverence & connection the foreigners had with their God. They would rush into their churches, sing loudly, offer up petitions and exit just as quickly. The Hawaiians did not understand this lack of respect & bond, thus the name “those without breath” was given to them.
Here is a quote from an article I read today as I researched Hawaiian culture and the importance of BREATH: “The Spirit of God broods over the waters of East and West, breathing new life in both directions. Known in Hebrew as ruach, in Greek as pneuma, in Latin as anima, in Sanskrit and Chinese as prima and ch’ i, or in Polynesian as mana, the sacred wind of God’s breath cannot be limited to the categories of thought most familiar to Western theology.”
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=810
This has challenged me to examine my own time spent with God. Am I a haole? Is my life so self-focused & rushed that I miss experiencing a new life-breathing connectedness with a Holy God?
I am reminded of one of the stories of Elijah. Elijah needed to hear a word from the Lord, so the Lord told him to go out and stand on the mountain and wait for the presence of the Lord to pass by. A powerful wind tore the mountains apart, rocks fell, there were earthquakes & fire, but none of those powerful movements contained the presence of the Lord. The Lord came to Elijah by a gentle whisper….a breath.
I am afraid that in my busyness I often lack breath. I have a short sighted view of my need for connection/relationship with a Holy God. It is my prayer today that I begin to take time to breath life into my time spent seeking God, worshiping Him and communicating with Him. In the near future, as I enter a new culture (although it will not be Hawaiian!), may it not be said of my relationship with God that I am a haole – one without breath!
AT
According to Hawaiian traditions, a person would sit outside the temple and breathe deeply blocking out the troubles of the world and focusing their mind on entering into the presence of their god. When they entered the temple, they would sit silently & still for an extended period of time “breathing in the spirit of their god.” Only after they felt they had made a connection did they offer up prayers. Then they would exit the temple and sit on its steps continuing to meditate on their “encounter”.
When the early Christian missionaries came to the islands, the Hawaiians were shocked by the lack of reverence & connection the foreigners had with their God. They would rush into their churches, sing loudly, offer up petitions and exit just as quickly. The Hawaiians did not understand this lack of respect & bond, thus the name “those without breath” was given to them.
Here is a quote from an article I read today as I researched Hawaiian culture and the importance of BREATH: “The Spirit of God broods over the waters of East and West, breathing new life in both directions. Known in Hebrew as ruach, in Greek as pneuma, in Latin as anima, in Sanskrit and Chinese as prima and ch’ i, or in Polynesian as mana, the sacred wind of God’s breath cannot be limited to the categories of thought most familiar to Western theology.”
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=810
This has challenged me to examine my own time spent with God. Am I a haole? Is my life so self-focused & rushed that I miss experiencing a new life-breathing connectedness with a Holy God?
I am reminded of one of the stories of Elijah. Elijah needed to hear a word from the Lord, so the Lord told him to go out and stand on the mountain and wait for the presence of the Lord to pass by. A powerful wind tore the mountains apart, rocks fell, there were earthquakes & fire, but none of those powerful movements contained the presence of the Lord. The Lord came to Elijah by a gentle whisper….a breath.
I am afraid that in my busyness I often lack breath. I have a short sighted view of my need for connection/relationship with a Holy God. It is my prayer today that I begin to take time to breath life into my time spent seeking God, worshiping Him and communicating with Him. In the near future, as I enter a new culture (although it will not be Hawaiian!), may it not be said of my relationship with God that I am a haole – one without breath!
AT
Monday, June 23, 2008
Trimming the Extra and Entering the Fire
When the piece is complete the Potter removes it from the wheel. This is done by sliding a piece of wire under to piece to “cut” it from the wheel. After drying on a shelf for a day or two, the Potter cuts away all of the excess clay from the bottom of the piece. At this time the Potter places His mark, or signature, on the piece to identify the piece as His creation. It is then placed on the shelf for sometimes weeks at a time to slowly dry and become what is called greenware. This means that the piece can be handled lightly but still needs to be fired to harden.
In reality we, as clay, can choose at anytime to remove ourselves from the Potter’s wheel.
We can decide that the road is too difficult and give up on His plan for us. In doing so, we will become nothing more than an old, dry, useless lump of clay. In addition, though we can not lose our relationship with the Potter and our eternity remains sealed, we will forfeit our fellowship with Him and never receive the Potter’s mark on our lives as a master creation.
After the vessel is thoroughly dry, it is placed into the kiln to be heated. For this firing, the bisque firing, the clay is heated to an uncomfortable 1700 degrees Fahrenheit over 24 hours. Again, the clay can decide at this point that it does not want to enter the fire. However, not going through the fire means only one thing. Without the fire the clay will rehydrate as soon as liquid of any kind is placed on or in it. It is not a useful vessel yet.
After being fired the first time, many vessels are done. Earthen ware flower pots at this point are complete. Most vessels, however, must be glazed and fired again, at a temperature of 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to seal there porous surfaces. By doing this that are made able to serve either liquid or food.
The fires are not fun. They are not comfortable. But they are necessary in order to be useful in the Potter’s service. Some of you may be in the fire right now. You may see that you are about to enter into the fire. We do not choose when we enter the fire. Oh we may get ourselves into hot water from time to time due to our decisions, but only the Potter determines when a vessel enters into the holy fire. However, rest assured that unlike an earthly potter, our Potter does not place us into the fire and walk away.
Daniel 3:24-25 (New International Version)
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Just like in the book of Daniel, He remains with us as we go through the firing.
MT
In reality we, as clay, can choose at anytime to remove ourselves from the Potter’s wheel.
We can decide that the road is too difficult and give up on His plan for us. In doing so, we will become nothing more than an old, dry, useless lump of clay. In addition, though we can not lose our relationship with the Potter and our eternity remains sealed, we will forfeit our fellowship with Him and never receive the Potter’s mark on our lives as a master creation.
After the vessel is thoroughly dry, it is placed into the kiln to be heated. For this firing, the bisque firing, the clay is heated to an uncomfortable 1700 degrees Fahrenheit over 24 hours. Again, the clay can decide at this point that it does not want to enter the fire. However, not going through the fire means only one thing. Without the fire the clay will rehydrate as soon as liquid of any kind is placed on or in it. It is not a useful vessel yet.
After being fired the first time, many vessels are done. Earthen ware flower pots at this point are complete. Most vessels, however, must be glazed and fired again, at a temperature of 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to seal there porous surfaces. By doing this that are made able to serve either liquid or food.
The fires are not fun. They are not comfortable. But they are necessary in order to be useful in the Potter’s service. Some of you may be in the fire right now. You may see that you are about to enter into the fire. We do not choose when we enter the fire. Oh we may get ourselves into hot water from time to time due to our decisions, but only the Potter determines when a vessel enters into the holy fire. However, rest assured that unlike an earthly potter, our Potter does not place us into the fire and walk away.
Daniel 3:24-25 (New International Version)
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Just like in the book of Daniel, He remains with us as we go through the firing.
MT
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Higher Ground
Well, it does seem very strange to me that lately God has been speaking to me through songs, but it is happening all the same. So, I guess I will be writing again about music. A few days ago in my morning quiet time, the chorus of an old hymn came to me as I was praying for a dear friend. I remember singing the song as a child and thinking that it was talking about a person going to live in heaven. Funny, how we often sing things without paying attention to the words. Now, after reading the words in my hymnal, I realize that the song is about daily drawing closer to him.
Here are the words to the hymn and my prayer today:
V1 I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
Lord, grant me the strength to continue to journey with you each day. I know You have so much You want to teach me. I am humbling myself, and I desire to learn. I am drawing close to you because in Your perfect will I find peace.
V2 My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Tho some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
Father, please erase doubt and fear from my heart. I choose to trust You. I am following where You lead no matter where the journey takes me.
V3 I want to live above the world
Tho Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground.
Jesus, I know that you are the conqueror. You are my shield. You give me the strength to stand up under attack. By faith, I choose to have joy each day in my circumstances.
V4 I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright
But still I'll pray till heaven I've found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground
Lord, I confess I wish life were easy. I do often long to simply enjoy heaven, but I am committed to this life, and to be faithful in service to you. Lead me this day in trusting You.
C - Lord lift me up and let me stand
By faith, on heaven's table - land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Father, hold me. I do not desire to stand on my own. By faith, I continue this journey as You lead and direct. Lord, plant my feet each day on the higher ground you have.
Learning to trust Him by drawing close,
AT
Here are the words to the hymn and my prayer today:
V1 I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
Lord, grant me the strength to continue to journey with you each day. I know You have so much You want to teach me. I am humbling myself, and I desire to learn. I am drawing close to you because in Your perfect will I find peace.
V2 My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Tho some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
Father, please erase doubt and fear from my heart. I choose to trust You. I am following where You lead no matter where the journey takes me.
V3 I want to live above the world
Tho Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground.
Jesus, I know that you are the conqueror. You are my shield. You give me the strength to stand up under attack. By faith, I choose to have joy each day in my circumstances.
V4 I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright
But still I'll pray till heaven I've found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground
Lord, I confess I wish life were easy. I do often long to simply enjoy heaven, but I am committed to this life, and to be faithful in service to you. Lead me this day in trusting You.
C - Lord lift me up and let me stand
By faith, on heaven's table - land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Father, hold me. I do not desire to stand on my own. By faith, I continue this journey as You lead and direct. Lord, plant my feet each day on the higher ground you have.
Learning to trust Him by drawing close,
AT
Saturday, June 21, 2008
True Love!
On a Saturday 11 years ago this date, we were happily wed. We are honored to be at this place in life. God has truly blessed. We look forward to the many years and memories to come. A special thanks to our parents and those of you who have set before us wonderful examples of marriage and challenged us to continue to grow.
MT & AT
MT & AT
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Throne Room
Yes, I am going to do a little potty talk today. God brought to mind a conversation that I had with the Women’s Ministry Director at our church a while back and for some crazy reason I feel compelled to share.
I have heard it said many times that a person needs to have a “prayer closet” or someplace specific that they retreat to in-order to spend quality time with God. Well, I never thought I had a specific place, until recently when I began recalling a few choice times that I know God was speaking to me.
The day after I graduated from High School, my parents put me on a plane for a summer mission trip to Honduras. It was one of the best experiences of my life, but the beginning was a bit rough. We flew an American airline into the country, but to travel within the country we were at the mercy of Honduran air-travel. On the middle leg of our journey to the interior, we encountered a delay and had to find a place to stay/eat/etc. for a few days. Well, long story, somehow I contracted some form of amebas, and I was sick to say the least. Scared, hurting and wishing to be home, I spent many hours alone in “the throne room” of my hotel. At some point, when I was in a half conscience state, I physically felt God hold me and whisper to me His love. This is where I was….totally helpless in need of the only one who could heal me.
About eight years ago, I was in a very lonely and difficult place struggling with infertility. Matt & I had gone through several miscarriages and failed procedures and were facing invetro-fertilization. We were both very scared. At the same time, our church had been going through a large building campaign for a new children’s facility. As a church secretary, I was daily faced with the construction and the talk of the new children’s program. I know many of you have faced similar and even more difficult situations, so you can understand how my heart was torn and ached. The week the building was officially complete the secretaries were given an “official” walk through. Strangely, I wandered into the girl’s room and stared at the little potties. Who would have thought something like small toilets would be my undoing, but literally I crumpled! I cried out to God to let this cup pass from me. It was at that time I clearly heard Him, as if it was audible, say that I need only to surrender and trust Him. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could provide a miracle.
A few years later, I was expecting my daughter, Grace. It was a very difficult pregnancy. I was hospitalized several times, and when I was at home I was still hooked to pumps and IVs. I can’t tell you how many hours…days…I spent on the cold floor of my master “throne room”. It was the only place I felt relief. William was just over a year old and before Matt would leave for work each day, he would set us up with snacks, pillows for naps, books & toys, the phone, etc. It is humorous now, but at the time it seemed daunting. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could give me the grace & strength I needed each day to survive.
Almost four years ago, I was faced with a cancer scare which then led into several years of a strange illness. Countless times I found myself retreating to cold tile. Strange how God used this time to teach me so many things and to truly grow and bond our family. It is amazing to me how getting to such a vulnerable humbling place brought about strength and confidence. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could give me (us) wisdom.
This brings me to the last two years. Boy, it seems like God has us on a crazy journey. In some ways it seems like we have had one change after another and the time has flown by, but on a day to day basis it seems as if I am going to go crazy from waiting for God’s next step. For the last 10 months, we have been living with my parents. God has truly covered the situation and things could not be better; however, we all struggle with times of simply wanting to be alone. I think we are all thankful for long showers where we can cut out the world around us. Amazing that these are the times when God begins to speak. This is where I am…totally helpless in need of the only one who knows the future, can show us our next step, can provide a miracle, give us grace & strength and grant us wisdom.
So, does a person need to have a “prayer closet” or someplace specific that they retreat to in-order to spend quality time with God? Well, I can see the benefits on a daily basis, but I also know that when God wants to get to our hearts, He speaks to us in the places where we choose to be vulnerable, the places where we humble ourselves, and the places where we earnestly seek him. For you maybe it is a dark closet…for me…well, I guess I need to spend more time in the Throne Room!
Seeking Him Today,
AT
I have heard it said many times that a person needs to have a “prayer closet” or someplace specific that they retreat to in-order to spend quality time with God. Well, I never thought I had a specific place, until recently when I began recalling a few choice times that I know God was speaking to me.
The day after I graduated from High School, my parents put me on a plane for a summer mission trip to Honduras. It was one of the best experiences of my life, but the beginning was a bit rough. We flew an American airline into the country, but to travel within the country we were at the mercy of Honduran air-travel. On the middle leg of our journey to the interior, we encountered a delay and had to find a place to stay/eat/etc. for a few days. Well, long story, somehow I contracted some form of amebas, and I was sick to say the least. Scared, hurting and wishing to be home, I spent many hours alone in “the throne room” of my hotel. At some point, when I was in a half conscience state, I physically felt God hold me and whisper to me His love. This is where I was….totally helpless in need of the only one who could heal me.
About eight years ago, I was in a very lonely and difficult place struggling with infertility. Matt & I had gone through several miscarriages and failed procedures and were facing invetro-fertilization. We were both very scared. At the same time, our church had been going through a large building campaign for a new children’s facility. As a church secretary, I was daily faced with the construction and the talk of the new children’s program. I know many of you have faced similar and even more difficult situations, so you can understand how my heart was torn and ached. The week the building was officially complete the secretaries were given an “official” walk through. Strangely, I wandered into the girl’s room and stared at the little potties. Who would have thought something like small toilets would be my undoing, but literally I crumpled! I cried out to God to let this cup pass from me. It was at that time I clearly heard Him, as if it was audible, say that I need only to surrender and trust Him. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could provide a miracle.
A few years later, I was expecting my daughter, Grace. It was a very difficult pregnancy. I was hospitalized several times, and when I was at home I was still hooked to pumps and IVs. I can’t tell you how many hours…days…I spent on the cold floor of my master “throne room”. It was the only place I felt relief. William was just over a year old and before Matt would leave for work each day, he would set us up with snacks, pillows for naps, books & toys, the phone, etc. It is humorous now, but at the time it seemed daunting. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could give me the grace & strength I needed each day to survive.
Almost four years ago, I was faced with a cancer scare which then led into several years of a strange illness. Countless times I found myself retreating to cold tile. Strange how God used this time to teach me so many things and to truly grow and bond our family. It is amazing to me how getting to such a vulnerable humbling place brought about strength and confidence. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could give me (us) wisdom.
This brings me to the last two years. Boy, it seems like God has us on a crazy journey. In some ways it seems like we have had one change after another and the time has flown by, but on a day to day basis it seems as if I am going to go crazy from waiting for God’s next step. For the last 10 months, we have been living with my parents. God has truly covered the situation and things could not be better; however, we all struggle with times of simply wanting to be alone. I think we are all thankful for long showers where we can cut out the world around us. Amazing that these are the times when God begins to speak. This is where I am…totally helpless in need of the only one who knows the future, can show us our next step, can provide a miracle, give us grace & strength and grant us wisdom.
So, does a person need to have a “prayer closet” or someplace specific that they retreat to in-order to spend quality time with God? Well, I can see the benefits on a daily basis, but I also know that when God wants to get to our hearts, He speaks to us in the places where we choose to be vulnerable, the places where we humble ourselves, and the places where we earnestly seek him. For you maybe it is a dark closet…for me…well, I guess I need to spend more time in the Throne Room!
Seeking Him Today,
AT
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