Happy New Year

Today is the last day of 2012.

It has been a good year.  It had its ups and down, good times and bad times.  Lots of laughter and some tears. Through it all, every single day, God's hand was guiding us, leading us, protecting us.  I trust in Him as we enter this new year of 2013.

**warning--the next paragraph or two is political---I never get political, but it has been weighing heavily on my heart. 

We sit here, so to speak, on the edge of a fiscal cliff that our elected officials are supposed to compromise on today....or else.....who knows...something about an increase in taxes.  What is disheartening to me is what the United States has become.  Millions of people who think it is perfectly fine to kill unborn children in the name of "reproductive rights", to take from those who have worked hard and are wealthy and "redistribute" their wealth to others, for men to marry men and women to marry women and then call those who say it is immoral intolerant.

I could sit here and worry about our financial future, the future of my children and get myself all worked up, OR I can put my trust in God. 

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

I will take this verse and apply to me, to my family.  I will, with the help of God, humble myself and keep pride far away.  We will teach our children humility, to be hard workers, to be trustworthy, to lean on God, to pray for those with authority over us, but to remain strong and firm in our biblical view of the world.  To hold God's decrees and mandates over man's.  To persevere.  To love our enemies.

Moving on.  The other night Mike found the DVD of Lisa and Katie from ages 2 months until Lisa was 4 years and Katie was 2 years (but she claimed she was 6 on the DVD).  A few years ago we mailed off the cassette tape that we recorded on and the people transferred it into a DVD---however, we never watched it.  Pitiful, I know.  What is more pitiful is that I have not been video taping anything.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zip.  Zero.  Zilch for the last 8 years.

It is not too late, except now my children do not want to be taped--but I will persevere.... and they will be sorry 10 years from now when we are laughing at their pre-teen attitudes.  (insert evil laugh...)

We laughed so hard watching that video of them interacting with Mike and then each other.  I may have shed a tear or two.   I had forgotten so much about them as babies.  They were adorable and hysterical.  Not only that, but because they went to Tiny Tots at Concordia, some of their friends are on the video too.  They had a Christmas program called "A Tale of Three Trees" and they were so cute.  Lisa was a woodcutter (she did not want to be that because she had to dress in jeans and a button down boys shirt) and Katie was a little sheep.  She cried but she stayed on stage (she was about 20 months old). 

My one and only goal for 2013 is to video tape my family and take more pictures.  That is it.  Why put added pressure on myself????

I just have to add that I am currently writing Psalm 119 and it is RICH.  There are a few things I never caught just reading it.  For example, there is repetition of two thoughts throughout the entire psalm:  Teach me your decrees and preserve my life (according to your word, righteousness, love, work).  I have marked up this Psalm so much and I am only on verse 57.

Psalm 119 is such a wonderful psalm to enter 2013 with. 

I challenge you to write out Psalm 119 and see what you learn.

Merry Christmas

We saw this video in church a couple of weeks ago and it is AWESOME.

I have been writing out the Psalms since May and have been so amazed at God's timing over and over again in writing out a certain Psalm and it pertaining to my life or somebody I know who needed to hear a word at that time.  God's word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12).

I just finished Psalm 111 this morning.  Starting at verse 5b "He remembers His covenant forever."  (Thank you Lord).  7 "The works of His hands are faithful and just; all His precepts are trustworthy.  8 They are steadfast forever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.  9 He provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant forever---holy and awesome is His name" (And...Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace [Isaiah 9:6].  10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.  To Him belongs eternal praise."

This has helped me to prepare my heart this Christmas season as I meet Him at the manger.

Merry Christmas.

A Thought

  On Friday after school I told the girls about the shooting because they would be hearing about it on the radio or seeing it on the internet almost immediately.  Lisa was visibly shaken and after a long pause she said "Mom, this is the worst day for their parents, but it is the best day for those little children who are in heaven."

The following I got from Facebook, for some reason it wouldn't allow me to share it on our timeline, but I
thought it was very powerful.  It reminded me of what Lisa was talking about.

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate. Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air. They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there. They were filled with such joy; they didn't know what to say. They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day. “where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse. “This is heaven" declared a small boy. "We’re spending Christmas at God's house”. When what to their wondering eyes did appear, but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near. He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same. Then He opened His arms and He called them by name. And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring those children all flew into the arms of their King and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace, one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face. And as if He could read all the questions she had He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad. “then He looked down on earth, the world far below He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe, then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand, “Let My power and presence re-enter this land! “May this country be delivered from the hands of fools” “I’m taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools! “Then He and the children stood up without a sound. “Come now my children let me show you around. “Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran. All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can. And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight, “in the midst of this darkness,” I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Heartbreak

My heart is just breaking on so many levels.

I have not written about the death of one of our close family friends who took his own life on Nov 5.  I still am not able to adequately express my grief for his wife, Deb, and their two daughters Ellie and KK. Even our grief runs deep.
Deb and I started to run together a few years ago.  She is an eighth grade teacher at Concordia,  Ellie is in Lisa's class and KK (Kate) is in Katie's.  We have spent time with this family at school functions, athletic events and hanging out by their pool.  Ellie had her first successful sleepover at our house.  There was no indication there was anything wrong.  None.  On the outside everything looked perfect.  Sometimes I wish we could go back in time...specifically to two events and just ask "How are you...no really...HOW are you?"    We loved to talk to him and joke around.  We only talked seriously about jobs.  He had a very interesting one.  We very much enjoyed being around them.  I have no doubt that he is with our Lord in heaven.  No doubt.  1 Peter 2:25 says the Jesus is our Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.  I love that!

Are we transparent enough?  I mean, do we put a front on for others to see so that they think we have our lives together when in fact it just may be falling apart?  We were not created to go through life on our own.  God gave us community with our family, church family, friends.  He gave us others to go through this life with.  He even set the example!! 

Today there was a school shooting in Connecticut.  Last I heard, 26 people were killed with 20 of those being kindergartners.  Lord, have mercy.

I cannot even imagine just a few days before Christmas this tragedy happening.  My heart is breaking for these parents.

Last week there was a shooting in a mall.  A couple of months ago it was in a movie theater.

I know we cannot live in a bubble.  Tragedy can happen anytime, anywhere to anybody.  But only on this side of heaven.  Once we heard Max Lucado say something that was so thought provoking.  He said "If you are going to heaven, this earth is the closest to hell that you will ever be.  If you are going to hell, then this earth is the closest to heaven that you will ever be."   


Isaiah 60:2  See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

I lift up in prayer our sweet friends and also all of the families affected by this senseless tragedy. 

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Rev 22:20 "Yes, I am coming soon."  Amen.  Come, Lord Jesus.

May I Live Up To This Calling

"I am a disciple of Christ.  I will not let up, look back or slow down.  My past is redeemed and my future secure.  I am done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, mundane talking, chintzy giving and dwarfed goals.  I know longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotion or popularity.  I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised or rewarded.  My face is set, my goal is sure.  My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few.  My God is reliable, my mission is clear.  I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, delayed, or deluded.  I will not flinch in the face of adversity nor negotiate at the table of the enemy or meander in the maze of mediocrity.  I am a disciple of Christ.  I must go until He comes, speak of all I know of Him, and work until He stops me.  And when He comes for His own, by the grace of God, He will have no problem recognizing me, because my colors are clear."

Found as the last diary entry of a martyred missionary in Africa.