Ohio State football & Heaven?

So, my sweet son came home today with his mid-term grades....I was worried but, come to find out, all is well. So what happened? We were having a lot of trouble with this, this year. Our household had spent many hours of prayer, tutoring, fighting, crying, begging, etc. over the last few months, all over his grades and lack of desire to work hard for something so, so far down the line. Well, something clicked in him. I believe it was a movement of the spirit. He decided he wants to play football for Ohio State and finally figured out that he needs the grades to do so. If that is what he wants, if that is what motivates him to do better, more power to him.

This got me thinking about us. How hard are we willing to work for something SO far away? Heaven seems so distant right now. I am not even 30, surely I have many more years ahead of me to do what God calls me to do. I'm not sure that is the right answer. Why would I wait? Who's to say I won't die tomorrow? Why not be the example I am supposed to be to my family, my children, to even strangers that only see me in passing. What is holding me back? My pride? My fear of someone looking down their nose at me? The fear that I won't succeed in what I take on in the Name of the Lord? What if I fall flat on my face? Now I know that this is just Satan whispering in my ear.....he loves to sit on my shoulder and do that. I know that with God ALL things are possible.

I was involved in the Father-Daughter Gala this year, in the photography part of it. I was so excited to get to help out. I love this sort of thing. About three days before it, I was sick....really, really sick. Then, we had Science Fair to finish up, then it was cold, the kids were snotty, the phone wouldn't stop ringing....the list goes on and on. I was so crazy for a while, I couldn't tell which way was up. Then, it occurred to me. I know what's going on here....SATAN WAS IN MY LIVING ROOM. I have seen him before but this was just bold. Anything that could be wrong was going that way because it made me doubt whether or not I was doing what I should have been doing. I looked up to my ceiling and with a smile said, "Nice job, Satan, you're really working hard, aren't you?" then I looked another direction and said, "God, I know you are there and I know you can handle this. Please, make him leave so I can do what I need to do. Thank you." IT WAS AMAZING! In the blink of an eye, I felt better, the phone stopped, the kids stopped. God made a miracle happen in my living room.

Anything is possible with Him leading you.

...and more Haiti pics

These Haiti pics are from a woman named Denise that was on another mission trip at the same time as our Sunshine missionaries.

www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=8rsjqz1.9mp7gjv5&x=0&y=2j8xsm


Enjoy!

Lessons from Daniel for Today's World

When I went to Bible study last night, I certainly was not expecting to find something from the apocalyptic writings of Daniel that would be relevant to my everyday life. And yet there were a couple of things that stood out to me in a very real way. First, in Daniel 11:35

Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end…

The hardships that we endure, the efforts with which we work so hard to accomplish something meaningful that flops in our face, the mistakes we make when in moments of weakness we rely on ourselves rather than on God, all these and more are a refining… a purification that is preparing us for something greater yet to come. Tying that in with what I see as the second great point of the lesson from chapter 12:11

Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

Those who are wise will understand. I’m reading a book by Phillip Yancey called Rumors in which he discusses the great advances scientists have made in learning more about the vastness of the universe, solar galaxies, black holes, etc, as well as the opposite end of the spectrum with research on DNA, molecules, atoms, neutrons, and genetics. It seems that no matter how far our technology takes us it always leads to a greater quest for understanding how such complexity and preciseness came to exist. And none of this begins to explain how we experience love, compassion, or joy. Our understanding of our physical world points to “rumors” of a seemingly unseen spiritual world. This spiritual world possesses powers that few have come to understand. But those who are truly wise will understand.

The Stone-Campbell Journal Conference

This year's theme: Back Toward the Future: Looking for Theology in the Stone-Campbell Movement

The conference is held on the campus of Cincinnati Christian University. The dates are Friday - Saturday, April 11-12.

I am looking for anyone that might be interested in going with me. The cost is $35, unless you are a Stone-Campbell Journal subscriber, then its $25.

I'll go alone, but it would be more fun if I had some company (Kristine is not exactly excited about the opportunity).

Richard Hughes is one of the key note speakers (also James Duke and Richard Cherok).

Come on, it'll be fun!

For more information: stone-campbelljournal.com

THANK YOU!

I keep forgetting to get this put in the bulletin until it's too late. So, if someone wants to put this in there at some point, I would appreciate it.

THANK YOU SUNSHINE, for all the time and effort and money and prayers and gifts given to/for Zoe! As I've said before, I can't wait to tell her everything God did through you all. You are our church family and you have behaved in such a way that proves it!

Every gift from her birthday party and baby shower was absolutely perfect and she just loves her toys. She has a favorite blanket now and several favorite toys. She is doing so well in the areas we have been working on with her and I'm so grateful to you all for your patience.

The time we've spent away from everyone with Zoe, has proven to be extremely valuable and helpful. We are still working on a few things and I'm sure there will be things come up at different times of her life that will cause us to possibly go back to square one and begin again. If and when this happens, we ask you to be patient once again and pray like you have been.

Your prayers have been so treasured to us!

Everyday, Tim and I look at Zoe and smile at one another because we just can't believe how blessed we are. Looking at Zoe is a constant reminder of God and His love for Tim and I because we, too, were adopted......by Him. Zoe's adoption is the greatest gift I can imagine receiving, here on earth, next to my own adoption! I look forward to her spiritual adoption in the future with great anticipation!

We are so thankful to you all that you would allow God to use you in the way(s) He did concerning Zoe. We have all come a long, long way in the journey to claim Zoe for God, but the journey has really only just begun and I can't wait to see what God has in store for us all in the future.....especially for Zoe!!!!

Jennifer

Shooting in Portsmouth

I'm sure everyone has heard by now about all the happenings in Portsmouth today... if not you can find information here.


It's a sad and crazy day in Portsmouth, please keep everyone involved in your prayers.

More pictures of Haiti

Here are some more links to pictures of the recent Haiti trip. There are some really nice pics of our missionaries and their work for the Lord and children of Haiti! The blessing were all around them on their mission.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=by9qklj9.1od7d641&Uy=-1tvi2w&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0

AND

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=rj6m4oe.b3l546tm&Uy=-o2fdpk&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0

Again, you don't have to sign-up or pay for anything to view the pictures.