Christian Music Video

We sing this at church and I've always enjoyed it. It's definately one of my most favorites that we sing. I want to introduce to you, now, my favorite version of it. It's a music video for "Behold The Lamb" and I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPleAL5Tmy8&NR


What do you think?

Jennifer

Holding On

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida , a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go." You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret . But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

Thanks from the Crams...

We cannot thank everyone enough for all the prayers for Matt. We are so, so blessed to have such an incredible church family. Matt would like for everyone to know how grateful he is for all the help and support and just how much he loves each and every one of you. We feel the support of your prayers and love, even from miles away. Regardless of what the outcome is, Matt wants everyone to know that he knows that the Lord is in control and that our family will be blessed by all of your prayers.

Matt is in great spirits and his positive attitude is very inspiring. His heart is back in a normal rhythm, but he is still in the ICU, called the Neuro Critical Care Unit. The biopsy is scheduled for 7:30 am on Wednesday (it was canceled on Tuesday due to an emergency with another patient.) We should know tomorrow if it is a tumor or an abscess. We will pass the word on as soon as we know.

Thank you again for all of your prayers and support. We love all of you!
Kendra Cram

A note and a prayer

I just wanted to get this out there for you all to see. http://www.ohiohealth.com/homepage.cfm is the web address to Riverside Methodist Hospital, in Columbus, Ohio. From this page you can send an e-greeting to patients current at the hospital. It is delivered to the room, you just have to fill out the info.
I just sent one to Matt Cram because I want him, or Kendra, to know that I am praying for them and their whole family. I could drive up but Abbie is a little sick and we don't want to spread anything to them. And I don't want to call for fear that I would catch them at a bad time or in the middle of something. But with this, he or she can read it at their leisure.

Steps or Movements?

I have been reading The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian D. McLaren.

McLaren's emphasis is on the "kingdom message" of Jesus. One chapter of the book is entitled, Getting It, Getting In. In this chapter, McLaren slips into the doctrinal minefield of salvation.

We have traditionally addressed salvation in terms of 5 steps (hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized). It is the modern-day outgrowth of Walter Scott's old five-finger exercise. I common adaptation to this is to drop off "hear," since it is easily assumed, and add "live a faithful life."

This manner of speaking employs the metaphor of steps. It is good to bear in mind that metaphors, as a communicative aid, emphasize some things and de-emphasize others. Therefore, all metaphors are simultaneously both productive and counterproductive within the communication process.

McLaren uses the expression, movements. Here is a listing of the movements that get one into the kingdom:
1. Repentance: This movement involves rethinking, it comes with the realization that despite all of your sincerity and drive, you are closing in the wrong goal. It is coupled with the recognition that your worst mistake has been swallowed up by someone else's save.
2. Faith: Not necessarily believing stuff about God, but rather, believing in God. A belief that expresses itself in action, not something that is contained within the recesses of the mind.
3. Receptivity: This involves an openness to God's leading. It is something that is neither active nor passive but must be cultivated within.
4. Baptism: McLaren describes baptism as going public with your repentance, faith, and receptivity. Baptism symbolizes the three other movements.
5. Practice: The term is used as like referring to a law or medical practice. It depicts a lifelong process of education and implementation.

Of course, in superficial ways, the 5 steps and the 5 movements are expressing the same thing. However, the metaphors of steps and movements are quite distinct. Steps are specific, you take them, then you're done. Movements are on-going, without any clear ending.

I am liking this movement language. What thoughts do you have?

The White Envelope

This is a great story and one that I hope we all start putting into practice. It would do wonders for the Christmas season everywhere.

Jennifer



It's just a small white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so.

It all began because my husband, Mike, hated Christmas -- oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it -- the overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma -- the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties, and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son, Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended. Shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church.

These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford.

Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them." Mike loved kids -- all kids -- and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball, and lacrosse.

That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition -- one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on. The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning, and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope.

Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us. May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always.

Important Questions

We can grow by our questions, as well as our answers.
Here are some important questions we should ask ourselves.

1. What one decision would I make if I knew I would not fail?

2. What one thing would I eliminate from my life because it holds me back from reaching my full potential?

3. Am I on the path of something absolutely marvelous, or something absolutely mediocre?

4. If everyone in Australia were on my level of spirituality, would there be a revival in the land?

5. Does the devil know who I am?

6. Am I running FROM something, or TO something?

7. What can I do to make better use of my time?

8. Would I recognize Jesus if I met Him on the street?

9. Who do I need to forgive?

10. What is my favorite scripture for myself, my family, my career?

11. What impossible thing am I believing AND PLANNING for?

12. What is my most prevailing thought?

13. What good thing have I previously committed myself to do that I have quit doing?

14. Of the people I respect the most, what is it about them that earns my respect?

15. What would a truly creative person do in my situation?

16. What outside influences are causing me to be better or worse?

17. Can I lead anyone to Christ?

18. In what areas do I need improvement in terms of personal development?

19. What gifts, talents, or strengths do I have?

20. What is one thing I can do for someone else who has no opportunity to repay me?

Giving to Gain the Kingdom

http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b4jelliot6ra.htm

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

~Jim Elliot

Enactment

Do we really live in a lull? Are we living in an age between the powerful events of the 1st Century (described in the Gospels and Acts) and the time of the 2nd Coming (depicted in Revelation). Do you want to live in a lull? Or, does it excite you more to think that you are living in an important age, an age during which God's plans are yet being accomplished?

To what extent could the life of our congregation be described as an enactment of the kingdom of God?

Brian McLaren, The Secret Message of Jesus--

If you get a glimpse of soldiers in camouflage uniforms sneaking through the forest, if you notice planes from an enemy country flying high above you, if key political leaders in your country disappear or are mysteriously assassinated, you might suspect that an invasion is coming. If bullets start flying and bomb sirens start going off, your suspicions will be fulfilled. Another nation-let's call it a kingdom-is preparing to invade and conquer your kingdom.

But what if this kingdom that is invading is a kingdom of a very different sort? What if the invasion is one of kindness and compassion rather than force and aggression? What if sick people start getting well suddenly and inexplicably? What if rumors spread of storms being calmed, insane people becoming sane again, hungry people being fed, and dead people rising? Couldn't this be the sign of a different kind of invasion-the coming of a different kind of kingdom?

That's how I have come to understand the signs and wonders of Jesus. They are dramatic enactments of his message; they are the message of the kingdom spread in media beyond words. They combine to signify that the impossible is about to become possible: the kingdom of God-with its peace, healing, sanity, empowerment, and freedom- is available to all, here and now.

How do you want to think about it? How do we want the kids to think about it? One mindset lends itself to activity and sense of belonging, the other lends itself to passivity and boredom.

A new member in our family!

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME: Kyle McKenzie

The newest member of our Sunshine family and in our heavenly Father's family. The blessings just keep coming from Him everyday!

(Sorry, the pictures are so far away...I just don't want to get in anyone's way....I want everyone to be able to see

whats happening, and not be paying attention to me walking around :)

Fox Caves in to Public Pressure

I guess voicing my opinion can have some results! I just heard on Fox News that Fox has cancelled plans to air the OJ Simpson interview about how he could have killed his ex-wife and are offering apologises to the families of the murder victims. This happened due to great public outcry against the show!
It was difficult finding an email address on the Fox Network website, so I (along with thousands of others) emailed the local Fox affiliate. It was reported that so many local stations decided not to air the show that the main network then cancelled it!

What Does This Mean?

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these.”

(John 14:12)

Christmas Lights with music--WOW!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-kyh_IFbHc

A Poll....of sorts

I am curious as to what you think about what goes on here. Over the past year, we just crossed over 15,000 visits, this blog has functioned in a rather eclectic fashion. I like that. I sincerely wish more folks would feel free to post their thoughts and questions. By virtue of the increasing visits to this site, something good is happening. You would not come back if you did not find anything of value, at least some of the time.

Specifically, I am interested in what you think and feel about the content and questions that challenge the borders of traditional CofC thinking. There are some who have expressed their opinion that this is bad. The argument is as follows: causing people to question could lead to a weakening of their faith, weak faith is sinful; therefore, the causing of questioning is sinful (and divisive).

For me, blogs provide a wonderful learning and growing opportunity. I thoroughly enjoy the sharing of divergent ideas and the broadening of outlook that comes with it. I really enjoy a robust discussion of issues that are relevant to our home situations. I have benefited significantly from the sharing of perspective that happens in the blog-o-sphere.

So what do you think? What do you like and dislike? What is your idea of how this blog might move ahead in the future? Every opinion is valuable!

Fox News and Prayer

I fried up a hamburger and sat down for lunch watching the news on the TV here at the office. We had DirecTV put in immediately following 9-11 when we were stuck at the office out of touch with what was happening in the outside world. Funny how we want instant news these days!
I was just planning on emailing my disgust to Fox for their planning to air the OJ story when I saw Fox News interview a woman - a report about prayer chains on the internet. Her story was that her mother's cancer would need immediate surgery so she posted a message on her blog requesting prayer. She received thousands of hits from across the world! People all over the world were praying for her and her mother! WOW!
The story went on to describe church websites, church blogs, and email chains; Christians linked together to support one another in prayer and thought. Her faith was strengthened and her heart was comforted! All this aired on a major network news channel!
I'm still going to voice my disapproval on the OJ thing, but I also know I should email my support for this story too.

News....and a link...and a new word

Remember David Gampp---he will be having back surgery tomorrow!

Mark & Autumn have given birth (mostly Autumn) to Maggie Marie!

Now for a link...
Richard Beck is an Experimental Psychologist at ACU. His blog is extremely interesting, if you like the interplay between the theological and scientific. I am finding his discussion about emotion anchoring choice very stimulating. I have linked to it here -> Experimental Theology. To appreciate the full discussion, you will need to jump around his blog a bit. If your interested, you'll find your way.

Major warning: You will not enjoy this blog if you are overly fideistic. Enter at your own risk!

Finally: Please consider coming to the prayer group, we'll be meeting Thursday at the building, 8:30 pm. Submission to such an experience could impact you emotionally, thereby leading to different choices you might make. See link above for further explanation.

Preacher props

I remember the moderate nervousness, maybe even a little trepidation, we all felt in the time following our loss of David Lewis. I had a strong confidence in our Elders and the integrity of our congregation, we would march on. Nevertheless, the immediate significance of the decisions being made loomed over us all. For me, it was all relieved in an instant.

I distinctly remember Dad informing me that the Elders have been talking with Steve Miller about the possibility of moving to the area and serving as our minister. I felt confident that this was God’s deliverance. I knew Steve was the right choice. He knew us, he knew our situation, and most importantly, he knew himself. I sure Steve could relate to us many ups and downs he has experienced in the 12 or so years he has served us. But for me, he has been a steady presence, a constant and patient prodding toward the higher calling.

It is no small task to serve as a minister of a local congregation. It takes a broad skill-set, a thick skin, and a strong heart. Steve is that man. We are blessed to have him with us.

Don’t you agree?

[P.S. Bill Gnade is in fine form with a penetrating discussion of the idols of Christianity -> Contratimes ]

Thanks

Thanks for the encouraging words several of you put on my last post!

Overcoming Secret Sin

I get encouraging emails sent to me through "LIFE Today" with James and Betty Robison and the following message I felt was very well written and should be added to this blog.

Jennifer



Grace in the Face of Secret Sin
with Kirk Talley

And then He added, “It is the thought-life that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, and deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.”
(Matthew 7:20-21)


On the very day that the media broke the shocking news of Ted Haggard’s secret life, LIFE Today featured the story of another high-profile man who struggles with same-sex attraction. Kirk Talley, former member of the Southern Gospel group “The Cathedrals,” told of his lifelong battle and the destruction that it brought when the truth came to light. Talley’s journey illustrates an issue that the church must learn to face, even while we fight to preserve traditional marriage.

Talley was saved at fourteen and lived fully immersed in his parent’s music ministry. His singing talent was recognized by the age of fifteen and he toured with a gospel group when he graduated from high school.

During his teen years, he began having thought patterns and feelings of same sex attraction. Those things were never discussed in his church, so he didn’t know who to talk to about his secret feelings. When he did confide in someone, he became the object of ridicule.
He married his high school sweetheart believing it would make his sinful thoughts go away, but the torment continued into his marriage. After seven years, he confessed to his wife. She quickly divorced him. He understood how she felt and didn’t blame her.

Every time he confided in someone, the relationship ended, so he sought the safety and anonymity of the internet to find others with the same struggles. But an online confidant discovered that Kirk was an award-winning gospel singer and vowed to reveal his secrets unless Kirk paid him money. He stalked the singer, harassing him with phone calls and threats. Kirk refused to pay and worked with the FBI to catch the extortionist, so the man went to the media.
The Associated Press picked it up and the story (a juicy bit of gossip and a victory for those who detest Christianity) went nationwide. Vicious emails poured in, concert dates were canceled and Kirk’s record company and booking agency dropped him. One person told him they were praying for God to take his voice away. Some churches asked him to return their love offering.

Talley admitted, “If it had not been for my best friend and his wife who physically came and took me to their house, I would have killed myself. I felt I deserved the treatment I was getting. They knew I was suicidal, so for weeks they didn’t let me out of their sight.”

Another friend took Talley to see a man who ministered to him for three intense days while a pastor and deacons and their wives prayed in rooms nearby.

“As I lay on the floor,” Kirk said, “I felt I was physically lying on the body of Christ stretched out on the cross. God did some supernatural things in my mind that day. I felt the arms of Christ come up off of that cross and slip around my neck and I heard him whisper in my ear, ‘Kirk Talley, I love you! I'm doing this for you.’

“He showed me a vision of us walking up a steep embankment, and I saw how rough it was going to be, but He kept saying, ‘Go on, I'm right here behind you.’"

Six pastors committed to stand with Kirk. Over the next year, Kirk experienced grace -- the unmerited favor of God handed to him through caring people. In times of deep despair, he received encouraging phone calls all hours of the night. None of the people approved of his sin, but they lifted him out of his hopelessness through the pure love of God.

Kirk told James and Betty, “I still struggle daily, but every morning I lay on the cross of Calvary again and I stretch out my arms and say, ‘Okay Lord, keep me focused today on what you want me to see.’”

Talley has found the freedom to suit up as a soldier in the army of the Lord. He is fighting the good fight the one to overcome his own sin. Now he has others backing him up. He won’t be silenced by shame or fear. He fights every day and invites others to fight along side him. It time to suit up for battle and, like Kirk Talley, we need each other to win this fight.

This Week
Just as Kirk Talley felt Jesus’ arms around him, God wants to embrace you and demonstrate the His unmerited grace and love. Then he wants you to extend that grace and love to others who desperately need it.

Prayer
“Lord, help Kirk Talley to walk in victory today and every day. Help me show Christ’s love and grace to those around me who are overwhelmed in battle.”

A man on the rise

One more thought about the Ted Haggard situation.

So much has been written (or said) about the fall of Ted Haggard. People tend to look at his removal from the presidency of the National Association of Evangelicals and pastor of the New Life Church as a fall. If we could think simply in terms of Mr. Haggard's relationship with the Lord, these past events do not indicate a fall, but rather, a rising. The fall occurred a long time ago, based on his statement of struggling with such issues throughout his adult life. Finally, he can now deal with the issues head-on. He can turn to the Lord in full sincerity. He can truly repent.

I am reminded of the woman caught in adultery (John 8). That must of been a terrible and embarrassing experience for her. Yet, that was the day she came face-to-face with God. I bet it didn't take long before she could look back and recognize that day as the best day of her life.

So Ted Haggard is not the president of the NAE anymore. Does anyone think that if the NAE ceased to exist tomorrow, anything would be lost? He is not the pastor of his congregation any longer. If the congregation is correctly founded, and it seems that it is, it will carry on without him in that particular role. Mr. Haggard is not a man stuck in a downward spiral, he is a man on the rise.

May we all strain to see things from God's perspective.

Golf Scramble Pictures!!!

First off, Tim and I want to say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!


All of the golf scramble pictures from Zoe's fundraiser are uploaded to Zoe's adoption website. Emerson asked how much it would cost to get a picture of Josh's pants put on the church website. This one's free of charge, Emerson! HAHAHA! The picture turned out amazingly well with or without the humor. To see the rest of the day's pictures, click on "Zoe's Adoption" on the right side of this website. There are 3 separate posts full of pictures. I had a terrible time trying to get them all loaded on one single post. Oh well, they're all there.

Oh! Please make comments and things you remember about the shots you made or jokes told, etc. I want to capture as much of the day as possible. This should be great fun reading what you all have to say. Enjoy yourselves!

Jennifer

That continual calling

About 150 years ago, Soren Kierkegaard wrote these words:

The matter is quite simple. The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand it we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world?

Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church's prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming to close. Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes, it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament.

The issues haven't really changed. We are continually being challenged to live a radical, counter-cultural life. We are being challenged to act as if we have truly been born anew. I have tried to do a dirty job while wearing clean clothes (all the while attempting to keep my clean clothes clean). I hate working like that! It is so much better when I finally free myself to get dirty. It is then that I can truly give myself to the task at hand.

I think we are capable of supporting each other toward radical living, freeing one another to be disciples of Jesus Christ. What do you think?

If we don't--what do we do besides?

A Special Message

....from FamilyLife, Focus on the Family, and Shaohannah's Hope:

Katya had lost her parents and entered a state-run orphanage in Russia by age nine. It is impossible for most of us to imagine what that is like. Her story (below) is similar to so many others - approximately 143 million others. FamilyLife, Focus on the Family and Shaohannah's Hope are teaming up to be a voice for children like Katya whose voice is often not heard. To learn about this historic initiative visit www.voiceoftheorphan.org.
To learn more about Katya's story, keep reading...

An Orphan's Voice
...In Russia, since I was nine, I lived in an orphanage in the city of Yekaterinburg. I lived with twenty-two other kids from three to fourteen years old. My clothing came from the laundry lady. I had a couple of toys that belonged just to me - Cabricia, my stuffed dog, and another dog that I gave to my best friend when I left.

Being an orphan is different.

It means not having a family to keep you safe and to love you.It means knowing that your Christmas presents were not chosen for you, but just for any child.It means having to share everything - because if you don't, you'll really be by yourself and won't have any friends.It means not knowing what the future will hold.It means living day by day with no plan of even having a plan - because if you make plans they can change in a second.It means not having someone to hug.It means being afraid to become attached to anyone because they probably won't be there long. They may care about you - but they still won't be there long.

In the orphanage I had no family. My own family is gone. My father died when I was five because of alcohol poisoning. My mom was heart-broken and began to drink. She died when I was 9. There are things that I missed out on - like not having a dad to take me to my first baseball game. I can't ever say that I remember that when I was seven and I was scared, that he was there for me. And I can't do a family tree like everyone else.

However, in 2000 my life changed. I learned that I was going to be adopted. At first the idea seemed ridiculous. I was angry with the lady for even asking me to be adopted. I was still trying to heal from the fact that I had lost my mom. But as time passed on I understood that I was getting a second chance to have a family again, and not everyone is lucky enough to have that chance. In my case I had the right to choose if I wanted to have a second family, and I agreed.

I can't remember being more nervous. At first when my mom saw me, she thought I was a boy because my hair had been cut really short from having head lice. But when I smiled, she said that she recognized me immediately.

I'm grateful that I was adopted and that now I have a chance to be happy, and to make my life whatever I want it to be. Thinking about all of this is emotional for me . . . to know that there are still people out there that feel this sadness and so much more. To know that the people that I left behind may never grow to their potential and may never have a home and a family of their own.

I hope that at the end of my life I will be remembered for doing my best with the second chance that I was given. My mom tells me to bloom where I'm planted, and that's what I plan to do.

Katya is in fact, blooming where she is planted. She is currently in the 11th grade. She has started a program called Hope's Miracle and through speaking and writing letters has raised over $5000 for the US Waiting Child Fund. In 2005 she was named Youth Humanitarian for the State of Arkansas, and was honored as a National Heartland Hero.

The Orphan Crisis
The United Nations counts 143 million kids worldwide as orphans —143 million children like Katya — waiting for love, waiting for family, waiting for care and support.

What We're Doing
Recognizing that the severity of today's orphan crisis is bigger than any one organization, FamilyLife, Focus on the Family and Shaohannah's Hope have joined together to launch a long-term, nationwide campaign called "Voice of the Orphan". This campaign seeks to raise awareness of the orphan crisis and spur fellow Christians to action.

What You Can Do
Together, we are helping to educate concerned Christians worldwide regarding this important crisis, and we offer practical and effective ideas on how every Christian can get involved in caring for the world's orphans.We invite you to join us — and learn more about God's heart and what you can do for these special children. To learn more about what our three organizations are doing together and what you can do to get involved visit: www.voiceoftheorphan.org

Please forward this story to family and friends to let them know of this important initiative and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children just like Katya.

Why Pray?

This was on someone else's blog and I'm gonna' let them be the ones to tell you who they are if they feel it's necessary. I just want to get straight to the point and find out what your thoughts are on the subject.

"Paul tells us to pray without ceasing. Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow. From these examples, I kind of get the impression we're being told to pester God with our worries until He gives in and resolves the problem. On the other hand, Jesus said not to worry because God knows what we need and will provide it for us. We're also told not to fear because He is with us. This seems to be a conflict to me. Should I pray about the things that bother me or not?"

Christmas Concert

Several of you seemed interested in this concert a few months ago when I mentioned it to you. Some of you will be sitting right next to me and Tim near the stage for the evening. There is still time to get your tickets but you need to hurry before it's sold out. Tickets are going like crazy! This concert is my Christmas present from Tim because he knows how much I enjoy hearing this man sing with such grace and power. I have NEVER heard or experienced another human being praising God like David does. The notes he hits and the length of time he holds them out for is truly breath-taking. Really! You find yourself trying to breathe for the guy because he just keeps on going. Words just cannot express how amazing his talent is. You have to experience it for yourself. This is one concert that you will be sorry you missed.

I hope the concert picture shows up big enough for you to read the information at the bottom. If it doesn't, give me a minute to copy it all down and post it here. Please come to the concert! You won't get to sit with us but once you hear David sing, you won't care where you are as long as you can hear that voice.

This would make a great date night. I know it's on a Monday night and there's school and work the next day but the concerts usually last about 2 hours, and it's just in Ashland. Come on, you can go! Just do it!

Jennifer


Ok. All you have to do is click on the pictures to make them bigger in a separate window.

Note:
There is a great discussion going on, on the post right under this one. The post is Called "Black or White." Jason posted it yesterday -- check it out and join the discussion.

Very Good Things Are Happening Here!
(The Title of this post is borrowed from Wayne – who borrowed it from SOMC)

I just want to say that God is doing wonderful things at Sunshine – and I’m so thankful that he is, and that his presence is among us.

There are so many exciting things going on it’s difficult to name all of them. But I would like to mention a few of them today…

First and foremost is our spiritual growth. This consists of our love and relationship with God, which is nurtured in various ways…spending time in his word, in prayer, in meditation, spending time with Godly people – and being changed by God while involved in all of these. It also consists of how our relationship with God is improving our relationships with one another. The truth of the matter is that every phase of our family life at Sunshine falls under Spiritual growth.

There is no clear cut way to measure this kind of growth…then again Jesus said that you could tell a tree by the fruit it bears, and also in Galatians 5 we are encouraged that if the Spirit is working in our lives the “Fruit of the Spirit” will be seen. So, I’m sure we would all agree that you can’t measure spiritual growth, but you sure can see that it’s happening.

Another way God is working at Sunshine is through all the wonderful service and encouragement that is taking place in the lives of those who are open for it. God is using us in each other’s lives and the results are incredible. But that shouldn’t surprise us… any time God is involved people are blessed.

Here are just a few of the things that have been taking place…

- Putting up the barn for Kindred Spirits. Reaching out to the community is always right and one of the best things we can do.
- Teen hayride with Woodsfield.
- Helping the Ramey family move from Ashland to Wheelersburg.
- Home Groups.
- Putting a new roof on the Church in Cadillac Michigan.
- Golf Scramble for baby Zoe.
- Prayer Groups.
- Along with all of these are some things that you just can’t mention but you know
are going on. Here’s what I mean by that… people at Sunshine are serving one another by listening to, praying for, and carrying each other’s burden. It’s the call of Jesus to us, and we’re trying with his help to carry it out.

One of the ways we are tested in this is how well we support one another in these activities. This becomes difficult because so many of these activities – by necessity happen at the same time. Which leads me to another of our tests…?

When one part of the family is busy fixing a roof, and the other is on a hayride, do we trust that God is in control and that both are equally as serving to the family? How about when some are helping a family move and others are mowing lawn for the elderly, do we see God at work in both of these? How about when one part of the family is busy working on a barn while others are taking part in a golf scramble? Do we truly believe the Lord when he said “where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” I understand the context of this – but the point is still clearly made -- if it’s done for the glory and honor of God, and in service to one another, it’s a good and right thing. Problems in the family arise when we allow our hearts to make a judgment on another based on our perceived importance of what they are doing.

Let’s not allow ourselves to get bogged down in the judging and critiquing business. Instead, let’s encourage and support one another – and allow the Spirit of God to live and move among us as we serve God, our community, and the family at Sunshine.

Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Black or White?

Have you been following the story of Ted Haggard? He was the president of the National Association of Evangelicals and the pastor of the 14,000-member New Life Church. He has admitted to sexual immoral conduct. All of this came to light after a gay prostitute went public with accusations against him.

We are all complex mixtures of both good and evil. When we look at ourselves and others, we should somehow keep both realities in mind. Yet, when we talk of others, we often speak of them unilaterally in terms of the good or the bad. The assessment of someone's life is complicated business. Maybe, that's why God says to leave it to him.

Ted Haggard is an effective and accomplished leader. Ted Haggard is guilty of abominable sins. Those two truths are not mutually exclusive. To overlook the sin because of the good is to offend the holiness and righteousness of the gospel message. To condemn the man because of the sin is to offend the grace and mercy of the gospel message.

I know we like to keep the issues of life in the realms of black or white, but so much it won't fit in either category. Check out Ted Haggard letter to his former congregation on Mike Cope's blog -> here.

HAHAHA

Everyone needs to laugh. Watch this:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5P6UU6m3cqk&mode=related&search

2006 Teen Hayride

Everyone had a wonderful time at the Sunshine Teen Hayride last night. Thank you to all that helped and to those from Woodsfield that traveled so far to come and celebrate God with us.
This picture is of some of them trying to "can-can".....I think. Whatever it was, they had alot of fun doing it! Good silly fun always breaks out when the Yankee Roosters play!

Non-negotiable?

Is time really an unmovable mountain?

The financial advisor is challenging me to save more, buy more insurance, invest more, etc. I retort, “I can’t- I’ve only got so much discretionary income- I have too many non-negotiable expenses.” So, the advisor turns the focus to my non-negotiable expenses.

You know how it goes. It so happens that there is room for negotiation in the “non-negotiable” camp. Can we not apply this to our time?

We tend to shelter areas of our day-to-day living from the harsh work of negotiation. Remember the rich man who came to Jesus with a simple question. Jesus’ response challenged him in a non-negotiable area. Nicodemus liked some things he heard from Jesus but he needed more clarification. Nicodemus could see that the ramifications of Jesus’ teaching were going to wreck the life he now had. Jesus confirmed Nicodemus’ fears. Jesus told him that his life would be so different it would be like he was born again!

If I will find the time to follow Jesus with integrity, it will not be because God grants me 25 hours in my day or 8 days in my week, it will come because I am willing to negotiate what I previously declared non-negotiable.

Discretionary Time

You have probably heard of discretionary income. Subtract your expenses from your income; the remainder can be spent at your discretion. Discretionary time is similar. We all start with a fixed amount of time (24 hrs/day, 7days/wk, etc.). It is in our commitments of time that we differ. Most of our time is spent on the job. Current trends such as driving farther to work and dual-income households have reduced the amount of time we have at our discretion. Time reducing advancements of modern technology has been more than consumed by current economic dynamics. The greatest commodity any of us possess is time!

Time is our modern-day battleground. So often we hear each other decry the limits and constraints upon our time. Lack of time is the most common excuse given for our lack of commitment to the work of the congregation. Time it seems is the unmovable mountain. None of us seem to have enough discretionary time.

What do you think?

Future Halloween Plans??

On the David Phelps message board, a bunch of us have been having a discussion about Trick or Treat night and just Halloween in general. We're sharing positive ways to involve ourselves with the holiday as a Christian should. One of the ladies was telling us about her experience and I wanted to share it with Sunshine. I think this would be a great thing to look into doing for the coming years.

Tell me what you think after you read it.

Jennifer


CherylK wrote:

For several years I had about 200 kids coming to my house on Halloween and it had always been fun. They were the same kids every year and I loved watching them grow up and always had a little chat with all the ones I recognized. But two years ago I had a bunch of adult sized teens start showing up. They were awful! The very last group that came up all looked like football players. The biggest one looked me right in the face and in a very adult deep voice said "gimme some candy!" and shoved the bag in my face. That was the very last time I handed out candy on Halloween at my house. Now I go to my church and participate in our "trunk or treat" festival. The kids trick or treat through the parking lot where the vehicles are all decorated, then come into the church for games, slides and face painting among other events. Its open to the public, we hand out bags full of candy, coupons, and childrens bible stories at the registraton desk. Its all free and they love it. We have a chili cook off, and after the judging, all guest can eat chili and hotdogs. I might have to miss my favorite kids, but its safer, and God is in the house!

Facing the Giants

In this day and age it's hard to recommend a good movie to watch, but this is a good one! Don't miss it! Candi and I went last night along with Matt and Eden, Kathy and Gary were there with their kids, as well as two youth groups and a local ball team. After the movie as people filed out, people were hugging and wiping the tears from their eyes, and praising God!

Don't miss this one!

Shoe Boxes!!

Women’s Connection will meet at the church building on November 18th at 6:00pm to assemble the shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

I am going to show a short dvd of Operation Christmas Child and then we will eat and get to work. Also do not send US stamps in the boxes. I made a mistake in telling everybody this.

I have 2 available spots for Charlotte North Carolina. So let me know ASAP.

Thanks,

Candi