The American Banking Association has a training program that [illustrates a great way to protect against counterfeits]. Each year it sends hundreds of bank tellers to Washington in order to teach them to detect counterfeit money,… It is most interesting that during the entire two-week training program, no teller touches counterfeit money. Only the original passes through his hands. The reason for this is that the American Banking Association is convinced that if a man is thoroughly familiar with the original, he will not be deceived by the counterfeit bill, no matter how much like the original it appears. It is the contention of this writer that if the average Christian would become familiar once again with the great foundations of his faith, he would be able to detect those counterfeit elements so apparent in the cult systems, which set themselves apart from biblical Christianity… Close familiarity with the genuine is the best protection against the counterfeit” (p.23).

Dr. Walter Martin, The Kingdom of the Cults

Better Health

I have the day off tomorrow to prepare for Krissie's wedding. Yes, a bridesmaid needs time to relax, too. I know. That's supposed to be humorous. But I still took the day off. I decided to drive to Better Health food store before 30 Rock started. I really wanted to go to Trader Joe's but that's 5 miles away. I could go to Better Health and back in 10 minutes. Plus, I was craving Kettle Krinkle Cut Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper chips (yum!).

I went in, grabbed the chips, picked up some Jack's salsa and turned my nose up at the high prices (dang, I love Trader Joe's). As i walked back to my car, I noticed some women stumbling into Gus O'Connor's. I looked down at my clothes. My comfy, gray sweat pants, black tee, blue fleece and flip flops. I looked at them, I looked at me, I remembered.

I remembered that 10 years ago on a Thursday night, that was me. I was at the Bird and then to Boomers and then to Blackstone. I was out late. I was drunk. I was a party girl pulling good grades. As I drove home, I was happy. Comfortable and happy. I was going to sit by myself, eat my chips and salsa, play on the internet and watch tv. Better health, indeed.

Religion bites

We sat down across from him hoping the conversation would go well. We weren't here for a fight. We just wanted to use the church facilities. We got the nice crap out of the way and broke it down plain and simple.

Him: Your church and our church have theological differences.
Us: What are they?
Him: You have a literal view of the Bible, correct?
Us: Well....(and here's where I'm thinking....doesn't everyone?!)....yes.
Him: So...you think God actually created everything in 6 days.
Us: (Again, I'm in shock) Well.....yeah....you don't?
Him: No...we think that is a figurative estimate (or something along those lines). We believe the first 11 chapters of Genesis are stories created to explain who we are in God.
Us: (my heart is racing...I've never heard of such a thing) Uh....stories? Like, they were made up? Like...they never happened?
Him: Rrrrrright.
At this point I could tell he was trying to make all of this as comfortable and respectful as possible but it was starting to slip towards REALLY uncomfortable.
Me: So, just so I understand what you are saying....Adam was not a real person. He never existed.
Him: Rrrrrrright.
Me: Ok.

This was where I had to take an emotional time out. My whole life I had been taught Adam and Eve were real people. When I was a pre-Christian, I read Genesis and took on the belief that none of that could have really happened. It was impossible. Those were figurative stories which helped explain why things are the way they are. When I became a believer, I realized it was still impossible...humanly impossible. But God ain't human and He is God. Yeah, it took Him six days.

Him: You probably don't believe in evolution, either, do you?
Us: (looking at each other...looking back to him) No...well, micro evolution but not macro.
Him: Please explain.
Me: I don't believe I came from an amoeba or an ape. I was created as is. I do think we have evolved or changed due to environment. Becoming taller overtime or losing the function of our appendix....but I'm always going to be a human...just like I am now.
Him: Okay.
Me: Listen, during our wedding service, we aren't going to talk about creation or evolution. We'll probably have our pastor share the gospel which is what you and I both have in common as brothers and sisters in Christ....but just to be sure....how do we get to heaven? Or, how are we saved?
Him: You're either in or your out. There's either heaven or hell. (Joey and I both look at each other, smile, let a sigh of relief escape us). There is nothing you can do to gain salvation. Nothing. It is all up to God's grace and if you are chosen by Him.
Me: So, what you're saying is that I declare myself a Christ Follower, I accept Jesus as my savior.... but that doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to heaven?
Him: I hope so.
Me: Hope? Wow. I thought I knew.

Joey and I had many opportunities to get into heated theological debates with this man, even over the most simple things....but we didn't. We were honest with him and he was honest with us. He was also trying to keep everything as positive as possible which we appreciated and tried to follow his lead. The only time I got a little defensive was when I was talking about submission in a marriage. He said he as glad we took comfort in that but his church does not believe in it. I came back with, "I'm not the one who made it up. I'm getting this from the Bible...from Corinthians." But Joe and I stayed on track. We submitted to his authority over the position he is in.

But that doesn't mean I didn't feel sick when I left. My spirit was grieving. I wanted to gather my pastors around and say, "what the heck is going on?!?! Why have you been teaching us this stuff? Where are you getting it from?? Why do I have to be different....the outsider...the weirdo." I wrestled with that for a minute or two until Chuck called us back. He put us at ease. He smoothed some things out.

I realized I was still a baby Christian. I still need help with understanding Christianity and why a church down the street has such different beliefs than me. And is that okay?

I realized I was maturing as a Christian because really, I didn't argue with him, but I knew in my heart, what he was saying wasn't right. Scripture was jumping into my head. I may not have been able to win any kind of debate but my faith was there. It was solid. It may have Chuck Norrised him.

Today at lunch, I thought about calling another church...one from the same religion as the church we visited yesterday. Instead, I found myself driving to this church. The rain soaked through my shoes to my socks as I ran through puddles to the door. With umbrella in hand, I reached for the handle and realized it was locked. Nuts. The door was only open on Sundays. Drat.

But I didn't turn around to leave. I just stood there in the rain. And I stood there.

And I stood there.

And someone saw me and let me in. I asked to speak to someone about the beliefs of the church. That someone welcomed me into his office and within a few minutes, I felt at ease. He knew I was a Christian. We agreed on many, many points. I left there feeling so lifted, especially when I saw the rainbow appear on his screen saver.

I opened the back door to the church and pulled out my umbrella, except, it wasn't raining anymore. I smiled such a big smile for God. I blew him a kiss and my heart burst with love for Him.

I did call one of our pastors just to talk and run a few things by him but when he didn't answer, God told me it was okay. No need to leave a message. You're fine.

Amazing

If you weren't at church two weeks ago when Noel talked about William Wilberforce, then I am sad to tell you it was one of the best. Could have been the very best. It was so good, I wish I had it on DVD.

It wasn't just amazing because I actually knew a little somethin' somethin' 'bout William. It wasn't only amazing because it was Joey's artwork. It wasn't simply amazing because Noel pointed out the birthday boy (who was the artist). It was all because of God...all the pieces fit and came together. Of course, we were wiping tears from our eyes afterward...I love those services. And here is what made me cry:

• It took William 40 years or so to win his fight of abolishing slavery in England. Would I be as willing to fight for something for so long...or would I give up...calling the effort useless?
• At one point, Noel had everyone who has been a Christian 10 years or less raise their hands. Bobby D and I, along with many others, had our hands in the air. Then, Noel said to keep our hands in the air if we have been a Christian 5 years or less. Bobby and I kept our hands in the air. Noel pointed at the two of us and said, "these two...right here. If God's patience had worn out 5 years ago, these two would be in hell." That blew me away. Sometimes I forget about the Lord's patience, especially when I'm in such a hurry. It is urgent to help the pre-christians. It needs to be more intentional. We need to seek out the brothers and sisters who have fallen off our radar and ask them what's up. We need to be like Paul...if someone goes to hell, it wasn't because of me.
  
• Get angry with God. Go ahead. Present your case. The mountains and hills are listening. But then, God will present His case against you. Do you really want to stand trial? Right down a list of all your blessings. The next time you want to state your case against your creator, pull out that list.
• The band came up and sang "Amazing Grace" with images behind them. Times were shown throughout history when that song was sung. It could be heard during the Civil War, both sides sang it, during WWI and WWII, during the Civil Rights movement and when MLK Jr. gave his "I Have A Dream Speech." Voices sang this healing song after 9/11 and as they marched through New Orleans after Katrina. All of it started with one man, a pastor named John Newton

One Month

Is this the longest I've gone without posting?

Every Day Deserves A Chance

Joseph didn't fit the prototype of a greeter. He didn't smell good. His salt-and-pepper beard seemed to reach his waist. A woolen hat contained his wiry hair. He'd lost more teeth than he'd kept. Other churches might have placed someone else at the front door of the church. But the Netivya congregation didn't. They knew his story and loved to retell it.

As Hitler ravaged eastern Europe decades earlier, Joseph was captured and imprisoned in a concentration camp. As he and hundreds of others were marched to the prison, he spotted a book protruding from the pocket of a dead Jew lying on the side of the road. He snatched and hid it, only later realizing it was a New Testament. He was able to read most of it before a guard at the camp took it from him.

After several months of unspeakable horrors, he escaped and eked out an existence in the woods for two years. At one point the hunger and cold compromised his better judgment, and he knocked on the door of a farmhouse, looking for food. He had no way of knowing an SS party was taking place within.

The Nazi officer who answered the door knew in a moment that Joseph was an escaped prisoner. he stepped onto the porch and closed the door behind him. "Do you know who I am?"

Joseph could only reply, "I am hungry."

After what seemed to Joseph like an eternity, the German holstered his pistol. "Hitler is a thousand miles from here, and he'll never know what I do." He entered the house and returned with a basket of food.

Joseph knew someone was protecting him.

After the war he made his way to Israel. The cruelty had exacted a high cost on his mind; he had trouble eating, carrying on a conversation, keeping a job. In many ways he checked out of civilization. Sometime in the early 1960s, a hitchhiking Joseph was given a ride by a Christian minister--Joe Shulam. When Joseph spotted a New Testament on the dash of the minister's car, he remembered the one he'd smuggled into the camp and asked to hear about Jesus. He said he wouldn't leave the car until he'd heard the entire story. The minister gladly obliged, and Joseph realized that Jesus had swayed the heart of the Nazi officer on that porch years before.

Joseph chose to follow Christ. Shulam took him to the church, and Joseph never left. He spent the rest of his days under the care of the congregation, greeting guests and writing letters to Christians around the world.

He, like the apostle Paul, indwelt a prison of misfortune. And he, like Paul, turned his cell into a commissary of hope. It's not easy to find joy in jail. Not easy to make the best of a derailed life. But God sends enough Paul and Joseph stories to convince us to give it a try.

From Max Lucado's book, Every Day Deserves A Chance

Triplets!

A couple Fridays ago, I finally, finally, FINALLY got to meet the triplets. I say finally because I wanted to give Jason and Greta time to themselves with their family, etc. I also wanted to make sure I was 100% healthy (and I had the time to visit). And yes, I got to meet all three of them but Niklas passed out before the picture was taken. He was tuckered from going to UofM earlier that day. Nothing major. They had to check on his shunt (which I barely even noticed).

I have to say this about the triplets. I have obviously seen and met a lot of babies in my life. They are all precious, sweet and the like. There is something about these babies, though, I connected with. I mean, they all have such different personalities. I held Lukas the longest. Here is a picture of his lobster butt:

They are so well behaved and Niklas was the most chatty of the three. Lukas is going to be the party goer. Gabbie seems reserved but she talked a little bit, too. The coolest part was being able to hold these little miracles. I can see how much they have changed Greta and Jason's lives. They are such good parents through and through. We talked about the decision so many people with multiples have to make. Lukas was the one they had the option to sacrifice to allow Gabbie and Niklas to grow more. I loved their answer: not a chance. No way. And look what they have? Three adorable, thriving babies...not just two.

It was awesome just talking to them about old times and laughing at some of our shenanigans. But when you come back to the present times, this is where they are happiest.

Trader Joe's

If I could open any business in Lansing, do you know what it would be? Why, yes! Trader Joe’s.

Problem 1: They don’t franchise.

So, my L-town friend have been asking me…what the heck is Trader Joe’s? Oh…my friends…Lansing is missing out.

http://www.traderjoes.com/
Just what is this thing we call Trader Joe’s? Well, we’re a grocery store, sure, but really so much more. Our shelves are stocked full of delicious foods and beverages from the basics like milk, bread and butter to more exotic fare like imported cheeses, organic produce and hand-tossed pizza from Italy. We taste every product before we decide to sell it, and we guarantee you’ll like it.

You might expect indulgences like these to come with unbecoming prices. But at Trader Joe’s, we’re as much about value as we are about great food. In other words, we keep our costs low, cut out the middleman whenever possible and pass our savings on to you in the form of terrific everyday prices. So you can afford to be adventurous without breaking the bank.

We travel the world in search of interesting, unique, great-tasting foods and beverages. We buy direct from the producer whenever possible. We strip away all the fancy stuff and focus on the important things like natural ingredients and inspiring flavors. We run a pretty lean ship, too - you won’t find any corporate jets or fancy offices around here. Heck, our CEO doesn’t even have a secretary!

How is shopping at Trader Joe's different from what you may be used to in a supermarket?At Trader Joe's, you won't find a lot of branded items. Instead, you'll find unconventional and interesting products in the Trader Joe's label as well as everyday basics. We buy products we think are winners and that’ll find a following among our customers. Sometimes it's a product we intend to stock as long as it sells well; and sometimes we buy a product which is in limited supply, sell through it, and you won't find it again. It’s all part of the shopping adventure at Trader Joe's.

Not to mention the $3 Chuck and Blueberry Wheat Beer.

Okay, so I can’t open a Trader Joe’s. What else would I want to open? What would you like to open? I have heard Sonic, Coffee Beanery, Baja Fresh….

Mentors

If you haven’t noticed, I have been writing a lot about how I could have so easily fallen through the cracks of Riverview. A large group of people did not “take me in” to make sure I didn’t get lost. No one asked me to be in their small group or join a Bible study. Fortunately for me, I’m a bit outgoing. I sometimes have to close my eyes, take a deep breath and jump but I do have the courage to move forward. Joey was there to show me how to read and find things in the Bible. I started a Bible study of my own. I tried to join a group at Riv and found out I was too young. But like I said, Jesus steered me and brought awesome people and opportunities my way.

Joey and I have been discussing this a lot lately. I’ve wondered if I am prejudice toward cute and outgoing people. Here is why I say that: all of my friends are cute, outgoing and saved. But what about….let’s face it…the not as attractive….or the not as outgoing people? I’ve seen some of these people at Merge. I’ve seen the quiet ones, the reserved ones. I don’t see me clamoring to get to know them. Now, the people like me? No problemo. Got it covered, God. Perhaps I’ll write on that topic more at a later date but for now…..

Focusing on the reserved, shy people…the ones who just can’t seem to make themselves get involved, the ones who feel like they are in this new Christian thing by themselves…what about them? Dan talked about community the other weekend and I thought, “well, this is all great for the people who aren’t scared to fail a little bit or go into unchartered territory…but what about the people who freak at the thought? Or the ones who have been burned by Christiany groups in the past? What about the people who are new and don’t have a group of people surrounding them to help lead them?

After we put our shovels down at the ground breaking, I saw a friend of mine and Joey’s. We’ve both known him since high school and have seen him at Riverview for almost 2 years. We asked how things were going and quickly saw that this guy needed some guidance. He just wasn’t getting enough from the weekly services but didn’t feel comfortable plugging into a group. We went out to lunch and had really interesting conversations. While saying our good-byes, Joey told our friend to read 2nd Corinthians. Our friend paused and then said, “Yeah, I’ll read it but then who is going to explain it to me?”

Well, how about that.

The next day, a friend of mine who is a new Christian called and asked me, “hey, if there is a 2 in front of the book of Samuel, that means it is the second book of Samuel…right?” Yup.

People who are new have questions I can answer. People who have been at this Christian thing for awhile have answers to questions I still have. But think about the newbies and yourself. If every one of us took one newbie under our wings, we might help someone from slipping through the cracks.

Joey decided to meet with our mutual friend and found out how hungry this guy was to know more about Christ and the Bible. Again, he’s been going to Riv for almost two years! A point I sometimes miss is how much I learned in my first two years and all of the messages I have heard that others haven’t. Why we shouldn’t be having sex before marriage. Why we shouldn’t be getting drunk (but love a damn good beer). Why we keep our lips sealed when it’s none of our business. Why we need to date other Christians. I have these messages on CD. I used to get them every week and listen over and over. A few weeks ago, I was talking to Steve and I quoted something he said 4 years previous. “I said that?” he responded. Yeah. I was a super sponge back then. Now, I think it’s time to squeeze that sponge…share what I know.

Joey called Dan with the idea: a mentor/mentee program at Riv. Dan couldn’t believe it. He had just been talking to someone else about the same thing. He put Joey on speaker and the three of them started discussing. When you are a new teacher, a more experienced teacher guides you through the processes, the culture, explains things to you. Same at Val. We are all assigned a mentor who shows us the ropes around the company. All of this is done to help people get comfortable, to help them adapt, not get lost in the masses…

Mentor:
1. a wise and trusted counselor or teacher.
2. an influential senior sponsor or supporter.
(Dictionary.com)

We could all do this…all of us. Once a week meeting or talking to someone on the phone. The problem, of course, is that we will not have enough mentors to help the newbies. The mentors do not need to be at a pastor level. They do not need to help solve life problems of the newbie (that would be the Stephen’s Ministry area). People at Riv need other people at Riv. I told Joey that if this program moves forward, I will be a mentor. I’m ready for it. But if this moves forward, Riv will need a lot more of us to step up, move through some fear and help others.

Loneliness and Obedience

I’m reading a book by a Chrisitan journalist from the 70s and 80s, Ann Kimel, called "I'm Running To Win." She decided to run the Boston marathon and was invited to run a marathon in Jeruselum as well. She wasn’t even a runner. She did all of this to achieve a goal but more importantly, to reach out and share Jesus with more people. Her goal was the gospel. She also struggled with something a lot of single Christians struggle with: loneliness and obedience.

“April 22: I am lonely. Several times I’ve started to pick up the phone and call any one of several men I know who would come over as soon as possible. Sophisticated, stimulating men, who feel deeply about me. But I keep putting the receiver down, knowing these men do not stand for what I stand for…or believe in what I believe. These men want more from me than I can give. To be obedient and true, I must stand alone for now. To be true to my dream, I must be pure.

“Jesus, tonight I don’t know what to do with me. It’s a warm spring evening. Here I am…thrilled to be home, feeling sad and confused about loneliness….Jesus, thank You for the tests. For the tough places, for what You are wanting to teach me about spring…and warm evenings…and standing alone…still and quiet…watching Your love develop in my life. Thank You that when I am lonely, I am more sensitive to the hurts and needs around me.”



“August 23: A clear, cool, summer night. I would have loved to share it with a man. Two different men called me tonight…terrific men…handsome…wealthy. I feel close to them. It would have been hard to stay true. Through the power and strength of Jesus, I obeyed.

“My obeying God hurts those who don’t believe Him more than it hurts me. They don’t get their way. Their plans are thwarted. But I am safe and steadfast and sure in the arms and will of God. Obedience is the greatest source of peace and security to the believer. As I obey God with regard to the men who want what I cannot give, I feel a growing sense of wholeness at the center of me. The wholeness comes from saying “no” to wrong and “yes” to God.

“There is pain in obedience…but it is never so great as the pain of disobedience. There is no desire so great as the desire to obey God in my life.”

Faithfully

So, about two months ago, I screwed up pretty badly. The high horse I was riding on decided to buck me off. Well, I wouldn't really say I was on a high horse...I just had a problem with Christians ignoring their sin patterns. I do stupid stuff that does not glorify God. I did something pretty stupid. I guess that's what makes us all human. But as I went to bed that night, I actually asked God to punish me. I wanted to be grounded or something. I wanted to feel the discipline so that I could repent.

The next morning, I woke up humming a little tune. I felt happy and the tune became louder. I suddenly realized I was singing "Faithfully" by Journey. Huh? Had I heard that song the night before? No...weird....

As I lay there half awake, I heard Noel's voice say inside my head, "Even when you're not faithful, He is."

I sat up in my bed with tears in my eyes.

Yes, there are consequences to my actions, good and bad but there was no punishment. By asking for it, I was negating what Christ already did for me. I wasn't faithful but Christ was. He would heal me if I let Him and I was going to let Him. I confessed the sin to a close friend, repented and hopped right back on the road. I cycled a little bit and started to fall a little bit more but God's righteous hand either slapped me up for being so stupid....or it caught me.

Fun digging up the church yard

Chuck and April

If you read this blog from the beginning, you'll see the mention of Chuck Wynn more and more. I knew of him around Riverview but didn't really get to know him until I took the first Route 66 class in the fall of 2004. Then, we became buddies and he was there to answer a lot of my questions. In fact, if you go back to the comments made in 2004/2005, you'll see who my network was when I was a baby Christian: Noel, Dan, Steve, Joey and Chuck. Those were the ones leading me, helping me to understand.

Chuck has taught me so much. Because the Lord has used Him, I was able to grow in my understanding and have a solid knowledge of the Bible. He taught me about the Samaritan woman and the cup I was holding out for others to fill. He helped me during my crappy time when I could barely function and needed to confess stuff. I remember that day so well. Lunch with the VP of our company, personal stuff on my mind controlling my physical self....calling Chuck afterwards and saying, "i've had enough. I need to tell you what's been going on" and then sobbing.

He helped me be accountable. He helped me grow. He rocked out to the Mega 80s with Joey and I. He's been an awesome friend and mentor.

And he married one awesome person who has been there for me, too.

Man, I'm needy.

Thank you, Chuck and April and thank you for inviting me to a beautiful wedding.

More pictures....

Joey and Katie Moss. I love this girl.

The Unsinkables being shown the new iphone by none other...

Harry Potter

A few weeks ago, the night Deathly Hallows was released, Joey and I took my nephew to Kroger (of all places) to purchase said book. We got there around 11:30 p.m. The young lad started to get bored in line...and antsy. Joey suddenly turned to the laundry detergent display next to us and said, "Okay, Brad. Let's see how long you can hold these bottles of all with your arms out."

Brad shrugged and said, "okay."

Suddenly, the guy in front of us said, "I'm in."

So, this is a picture of some stranger and my nephew in a contest of strength and determination at Kroger on a Friday night.

True Harry Potter fans.

I love this picture.

How did this happen?

I'm not a Christian.

I'm not a runner.

I'm not engaged.

I'm not an adult.


So...how did I get to be an engaged, Christian adult who is addicted to running 5Ks?

I'm not sure how any of this happened. Looking back, I know I didn't have a defining moment when God chose me. He kept mentioning it all summer of 2003. I think I finally put my own rifle down in August of that year but I didn't take up His cross until 2004.

And now it's 2007. I have to admit, I'm not a baby Christian anymore. So...how the heck did all of it happen?!

When I first became a Christian, I did not have people running to my side to help me learn the Bible. I had one person, Joey. He took me to Borders in September of 2003 and we picked a Bible out together. Joey was the one I bounced my questions to...and then Noel....and then Reta Corr...I barely knew my pastors. I didn't know anyone at Riv.

BUT HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

2004 was so much more defining. Dan and Suzanne came into my life. Sommerlot and I got to know each other. Kate Mazur and I met and she became my mentor. Chuck Wynn was also a defining person who taught me about the Bible. It was the teachings at Riverview. It was the encouragement of these people. All of this somehow brought me from out of the darkness.

And it blows my mind.

I could have slipped through the cracks. I could have listened to even my best friends who thought I had gone crazy. I could have taken on too much as a new believer. But God introduced me to the people He needed me to know....and the ones who helped me grow....

2005 was really when the permanent peeps were sent to me. Jennwy, Peter, Yi...my closest friends. Defining moments in a movie theater lobby and on a small journey to Germany. A harsh reality where I turned away from Christ and followed myself. People rallied around me.

2006 was like a rebuilding year and Joyce taught me even more. God sent me on another mission trip as a runner, which I'm not, and here I am in 2007.

This was not a phase. This was a lifestyle change. This was me realizing that it wasn't about me at all. And now, I cannot say I am a baby Christian. I can't say that when I read Randi-Kay's blog or listen to someone who doesn't know how to pray. These four years have tested my faith, refined it and strengthened it. I do know how to pray. I do know a lot of the answers to people's questions. I do not get as timid as I used to (though I still do!). I somehow grew up even though I'm still growing...but I'm not falling down as much.

Trials will still come my way. Friends will leave and new friends are waiting to be met. Lessons are waiting to reveal themselves. And I am not afraid because I am not alone.


Lord of all that's right
With all your might
Please hold me
Father, take me
Into your arms
Save.....
me from harm
Be thou my guide
KEEP.MY.STEPS. RIGHT.

From my friend, Eric Fields

Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

The Lord has been dealing with me for the last few months, and I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that at times I questioned Him; my faith, my life , decisions, (ect..), in the midst of it all. The strange thing is that now I feel as though I’m hearing Him more clearly than I ever have before. I’m fortunate in that I’ve had good Christian teaching, and knew enough to allow God to do what he wanted to do in me.

There was a point where I thought I saw a way out and really struggled as to whether to take it. Ultimately I decided that I would have to let things run their course, or else I’d only have to go through another trial down the road (that’s how it works with God!). The long and short of this thought is this: Jesus was tempted of Satan with the very things that God had promised him. We’ve been taught that time and time again. What we often miss in this verse is that the temptation wasn’t have the things (He was going to have them anyway). The temptation was that He could have them now! The temptation was that he wouldn’t have to suffer death, at the cross to get them. Satan came when Jesus was weak tired and hungry, and offered Him a quick way out (sort of like casinos, or the lottery huh?J) Sure, he would have gotten the things; but He would have never seen the glory of God, and neither will you if you bite from the apple of the immediate.

Serving God isn’t easy; but Jesus proved that it’s well worth the price!

Thought for the day....

Acts 22:15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. (NIV)


We can choose the kind of person we want to be for God. We can choose whether we want to be a pipeline or a kitchen sink. When we are a pipeline we worship and experience the real power of God flowing through us. When we are a pipeline, we dedicate our life to carrying the love of God out to everyone in the world. When we are a kitchen sink, we don't deliver much. As a sink, we are receivers rather than deliverers. There are times in our life when we are overwhelmed. In times of being overwhelmed we are seldom equipped to deliver anything. In times when we are overwhelmed, we are then a sink because we need to collect the living water of God. However, even when we are overwhelmed, we must remember our true mission in life is to carry the love of God out to others. Even when we are overwhelmed by our trials and afflictions, God gives us the spiritual power to shine His light and love out to the world.

Compassion

Several years ago, my friend Dave G. and I decided to sponsor kids from other countries. I got Melvin through World Vision. Dave received Jonathon through Compassion International.

Now, the story gets really sad but it has purpose.

Two weeks ago, Dave was contacted by Compassion and told that Jonathon was electrocuted in a freak storm. Here is part of the article which is loosely translated (if you skip through this article, please be sure to read the end):

Reynaldo Perez Aguilar, coordinator of the Council of the Citizen Power of the district Roberto Alvarado, in Mateare, said yesterday that they will denounce to Fenosa Union before the Police of Sandino City, by the tragedy happened to a woman and to two children in that municipality.

“What he lets to us glimpse he is that there was negligence of Fenosa Union because we have a key witness, who is a neighbor, and to the son of the passed away lady which they watched that at the hour that was divided the cable by the ray that fell to him, this one was left without energy, then the cable was in the ground and they (the victims), do not move of the place because they did not think that Fenosa Union was going to return to put the energy”, indicated Perez Aguilar.

HE WAS UNEXPECTED
Nevertheless, Jorge Katín, manager of Communication of Fenosa Union, said in the first place that he laments the situation because three people passed away.

He indicated that it was a fortuitous fact. “We are before an accident where the victims received a unloading of more than 13 thousand volts and passed away right away. The tragedy could not be anticipated”, emphasized Katín.

It added that already they have the report of the Firemen and the Police where they indicate clearly that one was an accident.

It showed that before a possible denunciation of the relatives of the deceaseds, they already have documents where they will demonstrate that she was an accident after a ray divided the cable, which fell in the house and where there was water.

Katín indicated that the cables of high tension belong to Fenosa Union.

THEY TOOK
Reynaldo Perez Aguilar contradicts to Katín and assured that since the cable fell to the ground, in the house the light went and this one returned to the three minutes and is when energizó everything.

It indicated that the district supports to the family of the victims in the denunciation.
“In that one is (in the denunciation) and not only the relatives and the district, also Mr. Alcalde de Mateare (Mario Acuña), goes to support to us in that direction (in the denunciation) against Fenosa Union”, emphasized Perez Aguilar.

“I believe that tomorrow (today) we are going to put to us in agreement with the relatives and would denounce the case, in Sandino City”, he emphasized Perez.

SON WAS SAVED
Donaldo Montiel, of 17 years, son of Maria Edith Rivas Martinez, of 48 years, one of the victims, was the unique one who were saved.

“The light went away and returned and there it was where my mother, my brother and my nephew (Jonathon) were left patches. They requested aid, I I touched to my mother but by the energizado field she threw to me against the wall of the house that was also with energy”, detailed the adolescent.

“When it was receiving the electrical charge was singing and praying and my nephew (Jonathan Vallecillo) it requested aid to me that helped because it did not resist the load and my brother (Alexander him Montiel Rivas) to only was seeing me. No longer it spoke”, indicated Donaldo Montiel.

Montiel continues narrating the tragedy that happened to him to its mother, brother and nephew.

She indicated that today the family will meet to analyze the denunciation. “My family, my uncles and I am going to demand to Fenosa Union”.

Please pray for Jonathon's family as they sort through this tragedy and for Dave because it is difficult to lose someone you never even met, sometimes. Jonathon's pictures he drew Dave and his smiling picture adorn Dave's cube at work. It is tough. But there is something which makes this way less difficult.

“He died praying. I watched when my nephew fell to the ground and he left blood to him by the mouth, also to my brother. My mother said `to me watches son, we are going away to see in the light' and finishing saying those words right away closed the eyes, left a tear to him and died”, related the adolescent Donaldo Montiel.

Little Jonathon died praying to God. It could have been a faith developed a long time ago. It could have been the outreach through Compassion. That certainly helped as Jonathon was taught about Jesus through Compassion. One difference which makes this tragedy peaceful.

This whole thing made me remember why I started sponsoring in the first place. God put it on my heart. I didn't have a lot of money when I started sponsoring Melvin. Dave was scraping by sometimes but still managed to sponsor Jonathon. Doesn't it make all the different in eternity?

I'm THAT girl

I started getting a shin splint...oh...about a month ago. I did what I thought best which was ignorning it. For some reason, it got worse. Now, it's severe.

This poses a problem because I have to run a 1/2 marathon in October. I need to start training this week.

I also have had to rethink my shoe apparel. While Randi-Kay contemplates the new Nine West shoes, I've had a different revelation: I must wear shoes which are supportive, not nec. cute.

I'm that girl.

Yuck!

So, here's to my first pair of supportive sandals which will help me run which is my goal.

I mourn the loss on super cute shoes but I'm not getting rid of them completely. Not until I have to.

Thanks for not laughing too hard, Randi-Kay.