MiKemple

"To God be the glory"

2011-02-06T20:24:00.000-08:00

Truer words could not be spoken...
They have been said millions of times, but tonight in front of a global network audience they were spoken by Greg Jennings of the 2011 NFL Champion, Green Bay Packers.

Congrats to two class, character teams, the Pittsburg Steelers and the Packers are high integrity franchises with great history and significant success.

Greg's words were repeated..."to God be the glory". Thank you Mr. Jennings.

Thank you Jesus!

ourbigmess: Loss#comment-form#comment-form

2009-10-23T18:54:00.000-07:00

ourbigmess: Loss#comment-form#comment-form

When we are born...

2009-08-10T02:52:00.000-07:00

This morning at 4:02, a little baby was born. A beautiful baby boy. Thank you Father God, for new life, for the incredible blessing of life. And Jesus said, "that we must be born again."
Thank you Father God, for new life, salvation. Holy Spirit lead us into all truth, righteousness and joy. Christ is King over all creation.

He is our God, He is our LORD

2009-06-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

To live in the moment, to live in eternity, now. Our LORD is in control, His Son Jesus has paid the price and now His grace is sufficient and His faithfulness and mercy are new every morning.
Thank you Father for the covenant of marriage. Thank you for my wife, Patty and our family and friends. Thank you for the challenges that are teaching us and leading us into all truth.
Praise You in all circumstances and in every minute that we are alive. I love You LORD. amen

When Your Daughter Comes Home

2009-01-23T20:35:00.000-08:00

Father God, i love You and i thank You. This is all Your doing.
You are love and grace and wisdom and peace and joy and all
our righteousness. Thank You for loving us and bringing our
daughter home. Heal us now we pray in the name of Your Son,
our Savior, the Messiah...Jesus.

Holiness, House Churches and Healing

2008-12-05T06:58:00.000-08:00

If i post every six months or so...twice a year, is that good enough?
There are so many things to talk about, to explore and to listen to or read.
When i watch our grandson seek, explore, reach and in his wonderful childish innocence, ask...i know that our Great LORD expects the same from us.
What is holiness, as He is holy? What does it mean to meet for small, cell, study, growth groups or come together on Sunday? Can Jesus' healing ministry happen today?
If you know the answers...let's talk about it. If you want to know, and if your heart is broken with joy and sorrow at the same time...we need to look into His Word and ask the questions as we worship in spirit and in truth.

An Update from the Kemple's

2008-06-29T20:54:00.000-07:00

One half of a year later...the year of jubilee for this fella has begun. Our daughter Peggy and son Kayden have moved into a home in Mattawan. Alex, Austin, Zoey are doing well and we visited their campsite yesterday at Lake Michigan. Ed is doing well and we sure do enjoy them all. Josh and Erika and the boys, Caleb and Gavin are getting set to vacation in Hilton Head for the Fourth. Josh, Erika, Patty and i had an amazing time in the Caribbean to celebrate Erika's LPN success on her way to an RN. Elizabeth had her Open House to celebrate her graduation from Gull Lake HS. She is such a good girl and is enjoying her work at a nearby horse farm. Angel is driving on her permit, working on competitive cheer off-season stunt camps and conditioning and anxiously awaitng youth camp at Winding Creek.
Jamie is having fun being 11 and playing with friends in the neighborhood. We are missing Scott, Anna and the kids as they have moved to Texas. We will lift them up in prayer, and we thank the LORD for getting to know them these past four years.
Dad was here for a few days around Liz's party...it was great to visit with he and Uncle Red. They even made it out to our softball game in Portage. Mom and Norman stayed at the house with Liz and Jamie while we went on our cruise and Angel stayed with Aunt Susie out at Gull Lake. Ashley and Sheena were here in the Spring as they attended KVCC and the great grandbabies, Derek and Tessah have been the heart of our family. Ashley and Derek are still here alot and honestly...G ma Patty and i can't get enough of the little Junior Man, L'il Chris or Derek. He is the joy of our lives and i thank God for letting me be his g2 pa.
The blessings and struggles are many...we praise the Lord Jesus Christ and love Him more, each and every day.

Daniel 2:20-23

2008-01-03T05:10:00.000-08:00

"Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he alone has all wisdom and power.
He determines the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets others on the throne.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.
He reveals deep and mysterious things
and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
though he himself is surrounded by light.
I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors,
for you have given me wisdom and strength.
You have told me what we asked of you
and revealed to us what the king demanded."
New Living Translation

Prayer

2007-11-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth.
Praise God from Whom all blessings flow.
Only He is worthy to be praised.
Jesus Christ is LORD.
You make everything glorious...
Thank you God our Father for Your Love.
Today is the day the LORD has made, let us rejoice and be glad.

Where is the love?

2007-09-13T05:47:00.001-07:00

As followers of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Risen Savior we are required to love each other and even those who do not agree with us. Are you clear on the intent of the Gospels, the purpose of the example Jesus set for us? This is a time of great trial, both outside and inside the church. We are asked to bear one anothers burdens and to forgive the sins of the saints. Greater works than these, said our LORD in the Scriptures of the New Testament. What does that look like today? Who are we called to be in this culture? Where is the love, the logic and the learning from the revealed Word of God...it is in our hearts, Holy Spirit fill us, we pray.

Vacation, Salvation & Elation

2007-07-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

Traveling great distances, like walking this life road, have a number of challenges and i know we sometimes hesitate starting the journey.
Choosing not to go doesn't stop the journey from happening however.
I hope our LORD is pleased when we faithfully go, when we go despite the uncertainty. When each move we make or each step we take is in a direction we believe is best and we do it with Him in mind.

I am thankful to testify to the Truth...His Word is a lamp and a guide. He is my strength and my salvation and His Hand is evident in the lives of many family members and friends who wonder what is happening, why are we here, what comes next?

Thank you for loving me and teaching me and forgiving me and setting my feet upon the path.

Because we live

2007-06-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

You know it is summer in Michigan when the humidity is evident in the early morning hours. The air is thick already this morning and it feels so good to drive to work with the windows down and the "Remedy" cd playing and Josh Buck singing and knowing that God is alive and doing miracles with every breath we take.
We had a pretty big party on Sunday for Ashley's graduation and then Monday was the Total Ministry picnic in Milham Park...both were great fun and thank you to all who participated and worked so hard to make them happen. I pray that God receives all the glory for the great things He is doing.

Love to you all my friends

Mark Chapter 1 verse 15

2007-05-31T06:32:00.000-07:00

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

2007-05-14T05:02:00.000-07:00

Another Monday morning...God's mercies are new every day and His blessings are evident even though the battle rages for the souls of our kids and the peace in our hearts. Father please grant us grace and understanding to put on the full armor...Your Word, Your Truth and Your Love.
This time is so difficult to make sense of, to find ways to walk in Your Way and put aside the things that bind and blind and confine the manifestation of Your Holy Spirit. Take away the evil from our lives that we may worship You, bring glory to You, listen to You and show the wisdom and faith and peace of serving Jesus Christ. I need you LORD, i love you LORD.

Resurrection, Restoration, Transformation

2007-04-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

Words we need to see more often...that's what makes all the difference...Jesus Christ and His resurrection. He came once that we could be reconciled to the Father, His Father, our Creator...we have been restored to a relationship with our God. The work of Salvation is the redemption story. The process is filled with grace...we experience the fear and trembling and the unexpressible joy that His mercy and provision and touch allow. We are being transformed and our minds are being renewed when we seek Him in His Word with all our hearts, with all our strength and our souls are washed clean, made pure...renewed in His Truth. Thanksgiving with love and LORD i love YOU.

My wife is amazing!

2007-03-17T07:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you God for my wife, Patty. We just returned from our Saturday morning walk, and just sharing time with her reminded me how much I love her. This is an area that I too often take for granted and am feeling very convicted that it is primary in our Father's heart that we honor and love in our marriages. Watching our friends Josh & Shelly and seeing how Shelly's commitment and faith and Josh's love for her have grown in the past few years since we have known them is a great inspiration.
We could probably take many lessons from the folks in our communities that have withstood the trials and tests that this life and marriage can bring. I pray that we would seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and it would become quite clear what His intentions are for our families and our communities. Glory to the King of kings...Jesus, our bridegroom and strength.

Thanks to Way.FM for the Skillet show

2007-03-09T22:02:00.000-08:00

My nearly 15 year old daughter and i drove to GR tonight and saw the band Skillet.
I am thankful for the 10 years of Way Fm and the offerings over those years to attend
a show, hear the Gospel and have a great experience with my kids. We should lift up this
ministry of faith and those like it...one's willing to take a chance, willing to venture into
areas where people can explore their faith with a unique approach. Tonight we were
challenged to "Wake up" and stand for our God with love and compassion and truth.
To be the light we are called to be and to show Jesus, in us, to the world. Not to
compromise, but to extend mercy and look past outward appearances and see the
souls of the people who are wounded and hurting and uncertain what it means to
walk in faith. Thanks Tom, Rich, Rick and all our friends who share through music.

2007-02-15T13:44:00.000-08:00

Having seen my friend...God's grace, His strength, His joy...the struggle, the pain and determination are all more real, more clear, more true than i had imagined. Our God is faithful and true, able to accomplish far more than all we can dream up and this is our prayer...complete healing and restoration. Peace for sleep and rest...prayer to comfort and calm and express and cry out and that is what each of us is looking for as we walk this road, on this journey...a mission, a purpose and a heart for the Father...glory to God in the highest and healing to His children who are wounded. Jesus suffered and died that we might live...to live is Christ.

...for with God all things are possible" Mark 10:27b

2007-01-20T20:48:00.000-08:00

Psalm 139:1-7 "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?"
This is a portion of Scripture, a prayer lifted up to God for our Brother, Joshua Michael Buck. Pray that he may be touched and healed and lifted up to walk and talk and preach and teach and sing and minister the beautiful Gospel of Truth, that Jesus Christ is LORD and the Holy Spirit is upon us as the Kingdom of God is at hand...Praise be to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
See the prayers of the saints in Christ Jesus from Josh & Shelly's church at www.greenhouseministries.org and the continued updates as we witness the amazing grace and healing strength and power of our great God and Father. To Him be all praise and glory, through Christ our LORD. Amen

When the news is good to great...

2007-01-13T19:55:00.001-08:00

When the news is good to great... The idea that expression, in written form, is good for the soul has always intriqued me. Are we more alive when we identify that conflict exists? If you are connected to the One, the Savior...He who shed His Blood, hung upon The Cross...will it make us any more aware of this conflict situation? You know it needs to be expressed, with truth, with compassion and with empathy. We need to be the hope of redemption, the church that truly lives the Good News, the Gospel, and gives this wounded, fallen world a way to go. Let's proclaim it in our homes, in the streets, in the marketplace, at school, here and there and everywhere we go with the Spirit of the Living God sealed in our hearts. An interesting thing happened when the guard came down...vulnerable, confession, truth and some not so easy to accept. Competition seems to churn through this chapter in a way that requires an amount of distance, or at least a respite and reflection moment in silence. Listening for the voice of Him, needing counsel, hoping for peace...somewhat desperate for assurance. Trusting in the Word. Knowing the Truth, living in Believing.

Communion with thanksgiving

2006-12-30T16:07:00.000-08:00

Praise the LORD for new life...
His amazing plan for our lives...life with purpose, with hope, in love and full of truth and grace.
Where was this year in terms of satisfaction, growth, blessing, struggle and drawing into the arms of our God and our Creator?
New life, change to something pure, someone holy...worthy to be in the company of Almighty God, Jesus Christ, the risen Savior of the world...full of the Holy Spirit to worship to pray to seek His righteousness to experience His goodness that changes things, changes lives and our perspective to relate to other people with love.
Love in Christ Jesus, love in community, hope in our salvation that came at the Cross and is poured out in fullness and in truth each time we embrace His amazing grace and mercy.
May your heart be full of Him, may our sins be forgiven as we forgive those who have sinned against us and may our love grow in tremendous waves of purpose and expectation for the return of Jesus...He is coming soon.

The Blessing at Christmas; Praise God

2006-12-16T19:10:00.000-08:00

I have always thought that the Resurrection was the most important holiday, and my heart still says that is true. This year, I think that celebrating the coming of the Christ Child...getting prepared, seeking the LORD in prayer, asking for purity of heart, soul, mind and knowing that we are getting closer to the Second Coming of Jesus is about as exciting as it has ever been.
My prayer this Christmas season is for the kids and moms and families at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission...working with Second Reformed Church, Pastor Rob, Jan, Dennis, Bob and the Youth group to serve and love and minister as Total has done for the last seven years and loving all it involves and praising Him in it all.
I also hope that my Aunt Susie, Julie, Joni and Amy and their families will be recipients of great comfort and joy in the midst of sorrow at the loss of Uncle Dale...may they know that he is with Christ, to return at the next arrival of the King of kings and LORD of Lords.
I pray that my daughters will all come home and let us be a family again, full of love and devotion and commitment. For healing and restoration and grace and salvation...what greater gifts could be given than those already given by our Wonderful God, Jehovah. Praise and glory to the Creator of all good things. Amen and Hallelujah

2006-11-28T21:33:00.000-08:00

You know that even in the most trying of times there are people that meet you where you are. Sometimes their words are kind and gentle and loving. Other times they are stern and firm and true till it hurts. I am thankful for all the ways that God is refining, shaping, molding and twisting us into who He wants us to be. What He does to get our attention, to turn our heads to correct a wrong...it is incredible. Suffer the little children to come unto Him. He is our only hope...and He is Jesus, the Christ. Blessed Christmas to you, each and every one. Know that He loved you so much that He sent His only Son.

Anybody out there?

2006-11-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

I have been wondering about broken relationships. So many factors seem to contribute to the fallout between people, but what exactly can be done to restore what once was? There is an angry incident and then the seperation begins, many times without an explanation, many times without any hope for reconciling. Time begins to work on the split and this is where we find ourselves right now...hating the hurt and the divide and the way that life goes when it goes bad. Wondering if a call or a letter or a visit would be the appropriate thing to do or just hoping and praying for God to intervene and in some miraculous way change a heart, influence a way of thinking and turn the people who once loved each other, actually the love has never stopped, back to face the sin, the riff, the conflict and try to cover it with grace and forgiveness and let the love be restored. So here we find ourselves not knowing what to do. Waiting, praying...moaning in sorrow and hoping for a better day. How many folks are going through these kinds of challenges? Do you think we could do something to heal and restore the broken hearts of so many? Please help me to figure out how to move forward...the times are hard. Let the truth be known.

Give us this day

2006-10-25T04:25:00.000-07:00

As a new day begins, Jamie is watching PBS cartoons and I am wondering about the Tigers and the Cardinals in the World Series and then there is the concern for teenagers and the difficulty in communicating with them. I just hope that God's grace and His plan, with deliverance will be enough to enable us to overcome these challenges and struggles. This mornings verse for meditation is an important one..."Since you have heard all about Him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness--righteous, holy and true." Ephesians 4:21-24 New Living Translation

There certainly are reasons for hope and faith and staying the course in love, but overcoming this sinful nature and "sweeping the room clean" so that 7 far worse do not ... maybe there are explanations. All unpleasant to explore, deliver me from evil... Father, help me i pray.

Jesus gave His life, shed His blood, died and rose again so that sin may be forgiven. That is the Truth and the Power and the glory to God the Father...my only hope for redemption. Debts, sins and tresspasses...covered by the blood of Christ.

Another Day to Rejoice?

2006-10-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

You know...whether it's business, or life at church, or relationships at home, this is a tough, challenging journey. I am astounded at the amount of gentleness, grace, mercy, peace, kindness, faithfulness and patience that our Great God has towards His people. When we are able to do so much and yet the distractions, disappointments and discouraging encounters steal our joy and our enjoyment of this life...I think, wait! this is all for His glory...it's not about me, or my success, or my rights, what am I complaining about...or what am I crying about? There are folks who know sorrow, real pain and suffering. Yes, I have experienced some of that, but you know as well as I that we all struggle, we all come up short, we all fail and hurt and ... even Jesus showed us His incredible capacity for love in the midst of sorrow...and He is the hope of all mankind and our only hope for salvation, and satisfaction and any sense of accomplishment. For His purposes and for reasons that He reveals when we come together and get into the mess of life and care about each other...I mean really dig in and be about living it, not guarded, not half-baked, but with all our hearts, strength, souls and minds to the greater good of our God. Thanks for listening (reading)...i pray that His love would fill you completely today. mk

The Value of Life

2006-09-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

We have been associated with Alternatives Womens Care Center for 8 or 9 years and tonight was the annual Fund Raiser Banquet at the WMU Bernhard Center. It was another excellent night of food, fellowship, testimony and recognition of a couple wonderful, long-time staff people who are dedicated to the cause of Christ and the saving of unborn babies. There was a sense of anticipation tonight to hear keynote speaker, Cal Thomas, but I must admit that his message was far beyond my expectations. I was very thankful for his humility and his recognition of God as the only truth, hope and life and that it is all for Him. our Creator, our Savior and our LORD. I heard Mr. Thomas one other time and I left with a different impression, maybe it was so political that it missed the heart, but not tonight. Amazing wit, wisdom and silly showtune comments all made for a very direct and clear message of our role as missionaries in this culture with a purpose to know who we are in Christ and to share the Gospel everwhere we are, in our homes, in our workplace, in our schools and in the streets with the people we meet. We can make a difference when we help folks come to know who they are when they see that Jesus is the Son of God and He has done the great work and shed His blood and that is why He deserves all the glory.

Grateful for people and getting to know them

2006-09-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

When you sit down to look at your blog and you find some thoughful, kind, encouraging statement or comment, you smile, you thank God for His children and you attempt to write something else. I think that the idea God had to make relationships very important is one of the greatest blessings ever. Even the challenges and the disappointments are worth taking the time, spending the energy and pressing on in the pursuit of relationship. It is tough when folks move or the chance to talk is greatly reduced, but the time well spent and the bond that forms and the chance to reach back and remember is all worth it. We have been going through the school Open House thing and it is interesting to meet new folks, teachers and parents and staff and realize that all of us have a created purpose and to develop that gift or talent or even reveal that weakness or struggle can somehow work to the greater good. God's plan! Thank YOU LORD for relationships and people to love and live with and all the incredible ways that You stay involved in our lives.

We had a blast in the park!

2006-08-31T06:46:00.000-07:00

It is amazing to me to see so many folks come out to the park on a Sunday night and have an incredible time, just hanging out, visiting, eating good food, listening to great music, hearing an honest story of life change. The most amazing part was it was all for the glory of our God. His timing, His perfect will, allowing the weather to clear enough to spend 4 hours working together. And that may have been the most incredible thing, everyone that put effort and love into this event, L3 Live in the park. Making arrangements with the City of Portage, arranging grill-masters and getting enough food...producing flyers from Oregon and distributing them by bicycle on the trail. Moving and setting up the big top tent for a place to serve and be noticed from the road. Two sound guys that were unselfish givers of their time, talent and equipment and two bands that truly rocked the worship...from original songs to faithful choruses we've come to love to sing along with, and then there was our brother, Jerome. Thank you for sharing your heart, for being transparent, vulnerable and honest about the giving and taking away that has been your life experience. Thank you for proclaiming the Gospel and the forgiveness of sins and the life in Christ that gives us all hope. Life change...amazing grace, amazing God.

What is going to happen next, looking forward!

2006-08-21T06:15:00.000-07:00

This is an exciting week for the Kemple's. We just returned from Winding Creek Camp, attended a great Communion, Worship gathering at Thornapple Valley Church in rural
Hastings, MI and L3 was an exploration into the Fruit of Peace. Tonight we are driving
to Eastown with the hope of seeing the Buck's and this weekend we are planning to have
our L3, Live in the Park at the Celery Flats in Portage. We are so thankful for the chance
to share God's grace and love through this summer with family and friends and are hoping
to see a focus on life changing acts of the Holy Spirit in our homes and in our communities.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to His people on Earth! Shalom and Amen.

Thankful for love & family

2006-08-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we just need to pause a moment and say thank you for what God has so beautifully put together. When circumstances are difficult and challenges seem beyond anything we can handle, our God has given us family...biological, blended, broken and being redeemed in His love.

"Blessed be the Name of the LORD"

2006-08-01T13:18:00.000-07:00

In memory of Ava Nicole Buck, we love you and miss you
and are praying for your Mom & Dad and Brother & Sister
and all your family.

Careful to speak the Truth in Love

2006-07-31T06:08:00.000-07:00

There was an interesting approach to ministering the Word of God last night at L3.
For one, we began in an open forum setting, which we had done before. But we did
not have any music from our worship band. My initial thought, when I was told the
band wouldn't be needed for this service, was that it wasn't right and it wouldn't work.
Thankfully, the band was able to set aside their gifts for a night and we proceeded to
improv a "Rundown" on a handfull of touchy subjects. Because it was a first for us, I think
we tried to stay middle of the road, semi-controversial on two of the topics and very
controversial on the other two. Our hope, with a couple of disclaimers, was to see people
uncomfortable in the approach we took to discussing these topics. The entire situation was
like something that had only happened at home, with those we love the most, those that
know us the best. Not like anything we would want to be seen in public, much less church.
I think it worked to bring glory to our God! Our hearts became tender, repentent even sorrowful (even while practicing). I hope we will be willing to talk about tough issues as
a family of the Living God. Our LORD Jesus was willing to put it out there and He showed us
a way...with love and in truth. From envy to finances to divorce and abortion...we need to
search the Scriptures, the Holy Word of God and learn by the leading of the Holy Spirit to
gain knowledge and understanding of these issues that challenge our relationships.

Fasting & Praying and seeking with all our hearts...

2006-07-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

We have conversations in our "Worship Evangelism", Christian Living Class, that prompt some soul searching and truly some Scripture searching for answers. Who is truly seeking the One True and Living, Holy God? Who is there to stand in the gap and represent our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be light in this world...to make a difference and reflect the glory of God. "Reflect" His grace, His love and His compassion for this world of suffering, and experience His joy for His joy is my strength.
Are people coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus, and being healed from their afflictions?
Are we being changed and renewed daily, and growing deeper in our love for God, the Father? These are questions that are regularly coming to mind. How are we going to evaluate and determine a change of course or maybe just an adjustment to better present the Gospel?

This is an incredible time to be alive

2006-07-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

These are the some of the reasons for thanksgiving, for rejoicing. Because God has allowed this
beautiful family and these great kids to be a part of my life. They are so great to live life with and I am thankful for the privilege to be here with them. My prayer is that they grow in their faith and walk daily with the Lord. That Jesus is their hope and that all they do brings glory to the Father. Holy Spirit pour out Your love on all they do and say and feel and know. Thank You and I love this blessing You've given.

Smiles of joy and wonder!

Family together and encouraging with love.

There is time for us to live, love & learn!

2006-07-11T05:34:00.000-07:00

Wondering how it is that we rush though life sometimes and miss the moments of purpose, of emphasis. Looking ahead to the next event, the next appointment...failing to listen because our minds are elsewhere, at the next stop. The folks we come in contact with during these brief encounters must have some sense of our detachment. That is not how i want to be with family, friends or strangers ( maybe your next best friend) and yet it seems as though i catch myself looking past people, looking to the next thing. Please forgive me, Father please forgive me, help me to be amazed at the whole thing of life, of relationship, of loving people and of getting to know them. Show me how to listen to You and apply that to the rest of what my purpose is in You.

Deep in the woods of Fort Custer

2006-07-09T18:34:00.000-07:00

I was reminded tonight at L3 ( our worship experience on Sunday nights at Lighthouse CC )
that I had a blog and I should post something new. Please forgive me for my lapse of memory. Thank you Holly and Jennifer for the encouragement to blog-on. We had an amazing time tonight at L3 with Pastor Jason Grate ( Holly's husband and Elijah, Emelia & Ezekial's dad) teaching us on the 10th Commandment, "Thou shall not covet"...with some great envy talk blended in like only Jason can do. Greenhouse Ministries...God bless you and your impact in Eastown.
These are two of my beautiful daughters, Liz and Jamie on our recent camping trip over the Fourth Holiday. We had a great time on the bike trails, in the lake and weathering the storms. Isn't it just like living life with joy of family, friends and challenges that make you really appreciate this gift we've been given. Glory to God in the Highest and peace to His people on Earth.

No Time to Quit

2006-06-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Our family has been in a state of blessing and crisis over the past year. This is about the time that our estrangement...separation began and yet I sense and know that God has His hand on the situation. We have been encouraged by the prayers and support of so many and yet this year has brought about heartache, sorrow and despite that, the love is still evident. Maybe, like the Miami Heat tonight in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, we just need to keep playing...holding out hope, praying with conviction and trusting in the Plan of our Creator. Our son-in-law said it last week..."we just can't quit." We look to a brighter day, a family restored, lives transformed and an embrace of reconciliation. I pray for that moment, in Jesus' name.

Another Day of Questions

2006-06-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

I am wondering how to reach this young generation with the truth of Jesus Christ?
I know that God has this under control, but sometimes my words and actions get in the way...for that I ask His forgiveness. There are many who think, like me, that we are acting in the best interest of our kids, but I am beginning to wonder if choosing fewer words might be a more effective approach. Spending more time on my knees, in prayer and in the Word is the only hope I have. God, please help me to lead this house...as for me and mine...will we serve only You? That is what I desire to do. Take my life, my heart, my all.

What are we looking for?

2006-06-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

God's righteousness, His glory, the wonder...the answer,
the truth? Just what are we looking for? This is the time
for asking the questions...are we ready to meet Jesus?
His presence will change you for all time...through all
seasons...through love, through heartbreak, in struggles
and in rejoicing. In loss and in gain. In the great season
of searching and believing and wondering and staying hopeful.
Here we are...together from a distance and still together.
Thankful to know you...glad we got to talk, glad we could
connect.