Spirituality Creates Leaders or Why Hanging Out With Teenagers is Beneficial to Their Spiritual Growth

I have been reading Sacred Thirst by: M. Craig Barnes. I never thought I would be interested in a book like this, but my husband had me read a chapter out of it -- then I wanted to read the whole thing! I was reading this today while I was getting a pedicure. I though it was very thought provoking and may help encourage those who work with youth. The following is part of what I read today:

Churches can't simply put young men and women in front of crowds and expect them to lead. The church itself must set before its young people great heavenly visions. In youth groups today all across the world, teenagers are being confronted with a holy purpose for their lives.
...it takes a number of different voices to really declare the gospel so we can hear it. Teenagers need to hear it from someone who knows how to hang out.
God did not simply throw holy words down to us from heaven but allowed the Word to become incarnate, to become flesh, in Jesus Christ. So also do we mold the lives of young leaders, not just with our many right words, but by being God's incarnational witness to them. We spend time, and even waste time with them. We confront them, in their coming and going, with our own commitment to Jesus and His living water, the Holy Spirit. We cannot make them believe, but we can at least make it clear that we believe.
As they come to believe, and continue struggling with unbelief, ever so slowly a holy purpose begins to shape their character. It takes their lives, and they know deep down that they were created for sacred purposes. Then, someday, they will lead us close to God's hopeful future.

Frankly, I think this applies to more than just reaching teenagers. I know there have been Christians in my adult life that have hung out with me and that have encouraged my belief. And these have been the same age as me and older than me and younger than me. God certainly isn't limited to using ANY ONE of ANY AGE in my life.

ALOHA HAWAII !!!

Friday we are flying to HAWAII!!!








Friday night Saturday night and Sunday night we will be staying in a hotel on this beach!!













Christmas Eve through New Year's Eve we will be on this ship!!!















Tomorrow I'm getting a pedicure and packing shorts and capris!
All I can say is, "AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"

FRIENDS

Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times..."

I've been thinking about what my friends mean to me and what they bring to my life. Here are some of my thoughts. I'm sure that it is probably not conclusive.

Pete: My bestest friend EVER.
I can talk to him about ANYTHING.
I love that we so so many years of memories together and, Lord willing, will have many more.
For more detail on this guy see this.
Dave & Barb: A couple who REALLY get my sense of humor! So refreshing to me.
Wonderful to talk about my faith with.
Offer great advice on how to live out that faith.
Have been through hard stuff and can empathize with anyone.
Cheryl: Tells me I'm a good mother especially when I don't feel like it.
Accepts me in her home no matter what she's in the middle of doing.
Great buddy for a LONG car trip.
Never run out of things to talk about.
Loves my kids.
I love her kids and her grandkids.
Dan: Helps answer hard questions.
Asks hard questions.
Points me to the Bible.
Loves my kids.
Zach: Fun to hassle and be hassled by.
Doesn't hesitate to answer any crazy question I come up with.
Is serious about his Christian walk.
Fun to include in our family activities.
Has a great laugh and crazy sense of humor.
Karen: Someone I can share prayer requests with and KNOW they will be prayed for.
Patti: Long time friend.
Always a friend no matter where we live.
Fun to talk with on the phone.
Jackie: Helped me survive the ex-pat life.
Drove me all over Singapore and could park that Toyota van anywhere!
Introduced me to quilting.
Understands what it's like to be an expatriate and the struggle to repatriate.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
John 15:13

Winter!!!

Isaiah 1:18 - Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as
white as snow.

It is definitely winter here in Minnesota! Here's a look out our bedroom window. Sadly, there are no birds feeding at this feeder. A few days before the first big snow we had it was very windy and somehow the top blew open. Yep, then it snowed and filled up with snow. I tried to put some bird seed in it today, but it's all frozen at the bottom! Sorry birds! Maybe if it warms up a bit and we have some sunny days it will thaw out.






Here's another pretty winter picture out our window of the neighbor's tree. Maybe that's where the birds are eating!







Megan and the Victorian Carolers from the high school sang at church this past Sunday morning. They sing Christmas Carols accapella. Not a great picture, I know, but my flash doesn't reach very far!

Thanksgiving Weekend

It's been a great long weekend. So nice to not have to get up early for several mornings in a row.

Caleb drove the 8 hour trip on Tuesday and got home about 1 a.m. It was good to see him and hug him. He made the trip okay. I'm glad he can drive that by himself.

Wednesday we went to lunch at the Coffee Co. and then Megan went to give blood. Later in the afternoon Zach came over and the "kids" watched The Office on DVD while I baked and cooked. I was making chicken noodle soup (Caleb had told me he wanted some of my homemade soup), Monterrey Jack bread, butterhorn rolls, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce -- things for dinner that night and for Thanksgiving the next day. Wednesday night we had small group and had the yummy pumpkin pie that I made from my mom's recipe. After the small group left we watched the end of Pride and Prejudice and more of The Office with the kids. When we came upstairs to say good-bye to Zach, we saw that it had been snowing!! Zach helped clear the sidewalk for us by rolling in the snow! What a goof! It was a fun night and fun beginning to the weekend.

Thursday we headed down to New Ulm for Thanksgiving dinner with the Stuk family. Zach came along with us. The food at the Stuk's was very yummy. I may have to roast a turkey just to have the leftovers here. I love turkey. Barb's stuffing was very similar to my mom's. After the meal we watched a football game. Well, I basically sat in the same room and enjoyed the company. I don't really watch football. But it was a fun, relaxing time to hang out. Then most of the people played "Aggravation". Barb and I took advantage of the time to talk. We all had pie to top off the meal.

After giving Zach's car a jump, and he headed to Iowa to spend the weekend with his family, we drove home. Pete, Caleb and Megan and I went to see a terrific movie called August Rush. It's a great movie about music, love and hope. We all enjoyed it very much.

After the movie we spent some time as a family talking about what we are thankful for. Caleb said he is thankful for God getting him through this tough year and for his family. Pete said he was thankful for me and that my heart is okay. I am thankful for the support the church family has given me through these health issues. And I am thankful for new friends we have in the Stuks and Zach. Megan said she is thankful for God providing friends for her this year.

Friday was a slow, relaxing day. Three fourths of us slept until 10:30 or after. :) Boy that felt good. Megan worked at 3 and Caleb hung out with his friend, Jeremy most of the day. Pete and I went to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Cute movie.

Saturday - another wonderful morning of sleeping in. Caleb actually set his alarm for 11 a.m. I thought that was pretty funny. Saturday we spent most of the day getting the Christmas decorations out, putting up the outside lights, and setting up the Christmas tree. Not quite done with that yet, but hopefully today or tomorrow. Pete and Caleb and Jeremy watched KU loose to Mizzou. :( I watched White Christmas. After Megan got home from work, she and Caleb finished decorating the tree and we spent some time talking about the Hawaii trip and then some sweet family prayer time. It's been so long since we have done that. I can really see spiritual maturity in the kids.

Today was a wonderful morning in church. I always like that. The morning was complete with one little girl showing us pictures of a bald eagle her parents rescued, another one talking her fun 21 month old language, and another giving me a hug. That last one usually acts like she doesn't want to talk to me, but today she came and gave me a hug and talked to me a bit. What a highlight!

We had lunch at the newish BBQ place in town. Caleb headed back to Lawrence about 2 p.m. (it was soooo good to have him home!) We'll see if he can match the 8 phone calls he made on the way here on Tuesday! :)

Why I Love My Husband

*he treats me like a queen
*he will drive an hour and a half to take me to the doctor, take notes and translate with rational answers when my head is swimming with too many thoughts

*he will shop with me for the afternoon
*he loves me and the kids unconditionally - what more could I want?
*he leaves sweet messages on my blog
*he shares ice cream with me
*he is a man who loves Jesus
*we have years of memories together
*co-parenting
*joy together in watching our children grow into adults (daughter) (son)
*he gives me random kisses and hugs when he is home
*he washes the dishes for me when I have a killer headache
*he is my bestest friend ever!
*he's really cute :)
*he is a man of character, integrity, and commitment
*God gave him to me to love
*he is an EXCELLENT pianist
*he has a fun sense of humor
*he gets my sense of humor
*he is a great provider for our family
*he works hard at his job
*he loves to make me happy (& he does!)
*I love to make him happy
*he is MY man!

Church

Oh how I love church. I love meeting with God's people. I love loving on my brothers and sisters and letting them love on me. And oh how I love to sing God's praises. This morning I had the privilege of singing on the worship team. And one of the cool things about that is as I was singing, my sweet husband was playing the piano. I love to hear him using his gift to praise God.

We are blessed to be able to sit under the teaching of such a "real" preacher. He's not afraid to show his shortcomings, his tenderness, and his love for God and His word.

And then a fun way to top off a great morning is to have lunch after worship with friends. And today we got to meet some new friends. Just a great ending to a wonderful morning.

God's Blessings/Power

I've been working on a list of things that God has been gracious to show me over that last few months. I wasn't sure whether to title this God's Blessings or God's Power. I see both, thus the title. So here's my list:

1. flowers from my husband
2. friends who go to the doctor with me only to sit in the waiting room for 2+ hours, and are happy about it
3. a friend who comes for lunch and stays the afternoon
4. a friend who takes time out of her busy life, to sit down, eat lunch and listen and pray and love on me
5. my daughter's laughter
6. my son's joy in life after heart break
7. meteors :) *in season of course* (what amazing power behind that!)
8. a shooting star (again - what power!)
9. a text from a friend at the perfect moment
10. practical joking friends
11. a church who would do ANYTHING for me
12. a husband's unconditional, never-ending love (kinda like God's love for me!)
13. toddlers and preschoolers who say the funniest things that just make my day

14. friends who help out my daughter when she is struggling

15. relatives who show unexpected compassion and affection

16. God's power shown through answered prayer

17. funny blogs to read - written by both strangers and friends

18. fabulous Christian music to rock-out to and to and praise my Jesus to -- even if I'm old

19. my children choosing to follow Jesus

20. the ability to sew and create quilts


I think that I will probably end up adding to this list. My God amazes me all the time.

No Excuse for This One...

So I guess my theory on not being able to function well enough to do laundry early in the morning isn't always true.

I put a load of laundry in today at 10:30am (when the brain is supposed to be awake....) and about an hour later I realized I hadn't put any soap in. So what was my excuse this time???

None.

Oh silly me.

The Firsts of the Lasts

Today the husband and I experienced the first of the lasts.

Today was the last performance of the musical. Megan is a senior in high school. And our youngest. This year's production was Beauty and the Beast. Megan had the part of The Wardrobe. As usual, She Was Terrific. It was a fantastic costume. I just giggled every time she came on stage. We have been able to go to the musical for seven years in a row with someone either on the stage or in the pit orchestra. Caleb started out playing his guitar in the pit for Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat in 2002. Since then we have seen, South Pacific, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Grease, and Kiss Me Kate.

I realized today as I watched Megan take her last bows, that this was it for seeing my child on that stage and I got a bit teary eyed. But I will not dwell on the sadness. I am learning how to not be sad because something is over, but to be thankful that it happened at all. I am so thankful for the opportunity that both Caleb and Megan have had to be in the musicals. They have made some great friends, learned how to work in a group and just have had great experiences and great fun.

So I realized that this is just the first of the lasts for this year. All the high school activities are winding down. Strange to think that the band and choir concerts are coming to an end. We've been attending those for 11 years. We definitely have life changes coming up quickly. I plan on embracing them with joy and to finding out what is next in God's plans for us as a family.

I Don't Think the Bird has the Advantage

I've been thinking about the saying, "The early bird gets the worm." I am doubting that it really works that way. It certainly doesn't for me.

Not that I'm looking for worms or anything.

I have yet to see the advantage of getting up early. The other morning I was up by 5:30. (oh-dark-30) Just couldn't sleep any more. Now any of you who know me, will find that VERY strange... I love my sleep more than the next person, especially to sleep-in in the morning. So since I was up, I decided to get a jump start on the laundry and maybe have it done before noon. So I tossed a load in. Not until after the whole load was done, after I had taken a nap because I was tired after getting up so early, did I realize that I never put any soap in the washing machine! So I had to run the whole load again. I think I was done with laundry that day by 3 pm.

So much for getting things done early.

Does the early bird really get the worm? Or is she so foggy-brained that she forgets what she doing out there hopping along the grass and stops for a nap? I can't even begin to count how many times I have forgotten to tell my kids something important before they go off to school. It's inevitable that about 10am I remember everything, but it's too late since the kids have been in school for 2 1/2 hours. 10am is the magic hour for me. My brain finally clears and I'm ready to conquer the day, unless of course I've gotten up too early and have to take a nap before lunch...

Whew! This is making me sleepy.

My Son

What a thrill is has been to watch my boy grow into a man. Sometimes I still have a hard time grasping that the young man I now reach up to kiss his whiskered face, is my sweet little blond-haired boy with the high voice, my buddy, the one who I started to learn how to be a mother with. Before Caleb was born, I thought I only wanted girls and was afraid that if I had a boy, I would be disappointed. It wasn't until a few days after he was born that it dawned on me that he wasn't a girl...and I wasn't the least bit disappointed. He won my heart from the beginning. He was/is a great buddy. I had so much fun watching him grow, learn to walk, talk and love Jesus. His very first Bible verse he memorized at age 2 1/2 was Hebrews 13:6, "The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid." There is just something so endearing about a sweet little 2 year saying "The Ward is my Helpo I will not be afwaid". That verse has ministered to me more than I could have imagined over the years. Like my daughter, Caleb says that he has on his facebook that "It's not a religion, it's a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." Praise God, he understands what being a Christian is about! When he was turning 13, his dad and I were trying to think of what to give him. We remembered him talking about one of the youth leaders at our church letting him play around on the guitar some. He talked about it a lot and seemed excited about it, so we decided to buy him a guitar. Was that ever God-led! Just recently we were able to witness him using his gift of an amazing guitar player. He is the lead guitar player on the worship teams in college for both Navigators and at his church. That made this mother's heart swell with pride and praise God. It's been fun to see him thriving in college life. He is growing leaps and bounds spiritually. Praise God! He is so talented when it comes to writing. I love to read his stuff, because it almost always has a bit of "Caleb Humor" tucked into it. He'll make a great newspaper reporter! I am thrilled at how he loves and adores his sister. They are so cute together. I love how he wants to protect her. I love how Megan has a specific voice and vocabulary only for her brother and he has sweet nicknames for only her. Caleb has had some real struggles with growing into the man God wants him to be, but he's turning to the Word and and is on the right path! I will not leave out my most favoristest part of my son -- his sense of humor! He can make me laugh like no other and he laughs at my weird humor like no other!

So which is my favorite picture of him? This one:

So grown-up and handsome!

OR this one:What a goof!!

So hard to choose! I love you, Caleb and can't wait to see where God is leading you.

Living in the flesh really stinks

Oh how I relate to Paul's words in Romans 7:15 "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Verse 21: "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me..."

I know that is somewhat of a mind twister to sort out. But I feel like so many times I want to do good, I know how to do good, but that evil, sinful nature is right there and I choose to do what I hate. And worst of all, the the process, make stupid, stupid choices that hurts those around me or cause those around me to compromise their convictions so they won't offend me. How dare I put them in that position. That truly grieves me and I am sorry and beg their forgiveness.

I want to live in grace. And praise God that He is a God of second chances and third chances and sixteen-bazillion chances!! He again says through Paul:
"...my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest in me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

After I quit kicking myself I will work on, for Christ's sake, delighting in my weaknesses. And then I will:
forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, and press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Well, I got a little more self-kicking to do and then work on asking God for His power in my life and start pressing on towards the goal. Thanks to those of you in my life who love me and care for me despite my shortcomings. I hope I am as gracious to you.

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Personal Defintions Are Allowed

Dork

Here's my definition:

One who is nerdy, and not in a bad way. A goof and fun to joke around with. Someone who is just slightly off kilter enough that it makes them fun and adorable.

So there. I am allowed to make up my own definitions to words.
:P

Lawrence

The weekend is Lawrence was great. It's always fun to go there. Lawrence is a pretty town. It sort of amazes me when I think of how many times I have been there since 1983 when Peter took me here for the first time. We had just been engaged a few months. He was so excited to show me the town he grew up in. Well, grew up to the age of 15.

We spent a lot of time with Caleb. It was great to see him in his campus life. Here he is helping lead worship at Navigators: What a joy to see!

But more on Caleb in another post.

We hung out Wednesday night at a Christian coffee shop/bookstore. Could be a dangerous combination! Caleb and I looked over the Bibles. I have a need for one with a bit larger print. Yay aging. Caleb was looking at different translations he has heard that other people have. In the background of all this was some live music going on. A jam session with a little James Taylor, John Denver. You get the type of music.

Oh college towns. Nothing quite like them!

Megan enjoyed her college visit with KU. She thought maybe one of her criteria for choosing a college should be the wind. It was windy in Kansas Thursday and Friday. And boy when it is windy in Kansas you feel like you might loose your head! She spent Thursday night in a dorm with one of Caleb's friends from Navs. Friday was a day to hang out with brother on campus. They had a great time together.

No visit to Lawrence would be complete without a visit with:

Aunt MaryLyn & Uncle Russ! They are 76 and 86 and are two of my favorite people in the world. It's always fun to catch up on the extended family And MaryLyn always fixes yummy food. It's enjoyable to sit and chat and watch her knit. She always has a project going. Uncle Russ loves to talk church. If people get too chatty he has the advantage of turning down his hearing aides! Too funny. One of MaryLyn's friends stopped in for a visit on Friday. Leta (who just turned 80!) talked about one of the Bible studies she was leading and her struggle to find out a way to engage and teach a group of elderly people who can't see well enough to read any more. She truly desires to keep God's word alive. It was refreshing.

Give Me Words to Speak

Calloused and bruised
Dazed and confused
My spirit is left wanting something more
My selfish hopes, my selfish dreams
I'm lying with my face down on the floor
Crying out for more, crying out for more

So give me words to speak
Don't let my spirit sleep
'Cause I can't think of anything worth saying
But I know that I owe You my life
So give me words to speak
Don't let my spirit sleep

Every night, every day
I find that I have nothing I can say
So I stand here in silence waiting Your guidance
I'm wanting only Your voice to be heard
Let 'em be Your words, let 'em be Your words.
-Aaron Shust

I feel that when I open my mouth I don't say the things I mean to say especially when I use my own strength. Aaron Shust sure knows how to put into words what I mean from the heart. I am so sorry when I say things that hurt the ones I love. I want these words to be my prayer. My selfish hopes and my selfish dreams get just in the way. All that really matters is that I owe Jesus my life. Give me words to speak.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Praise Him above the heavenly hosts
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

***Enough of the sober stuff. Time to move on to dancing to my iPod in the hotel room. :) Some Travis Cottrell "In the Sanctuary" is just the ticket. Psalm 134: We lift our hands in the sanctuary. We will praise you for the rest of our days. Yes, Lord, for the rest of our days! Excuse me for a few minutes....***

Whew!! That felt good! Just be glad no one was here 'cept me and God and it was only meant for Him anyway... :) Music is a great gift from the Lord.

More on our weekend in Lawrence later...

Sleep

So why is it that the one morning in the last week it would have been okay to wake up early, I sleep until my alarm instead of waking up at 4 or 5am like I have been doing? Frustrating. We are headed to Kansas today to visit Caleb at KU! Megan is going to do a college visit to see of that's where she wants to go to college. And we get to visit two of my favorite people, Pete's aunt and uncle. Should be a fun weekend! Now if we could just shorten the 8 hour drive.... Maybe I can sleep in the car. Maybe I'm smokin' something. :o)

I'm Free!

For the last 26 days I have been wearing a heart monitor. Today I mailed it back to the hospital and no longer have to wear it! Now I just pray that the doctor has the info he needs to make a diagnosis about my arrhythmia. Next appointment is Nov. 9. I'm just happy to not have to stick on the electrodes everyday and feel wired up!! Woohoo!

My Daughter

This picture is of my wonderful daughter, Megan. What a blessing she has been in my life from the moment she was born. I was so thrilled when I heard, "It's a Girl!" Good thing she was since we had only picked out a girl's name... This picture shows her exuberance for life. I love it! We were vacationing in Montana and driving towards Yellowstone when she and her big brother exclaimed that there was a meadow and they NEEDED to frolic in it. What goofy kids. I so admire her. (And not just cuz she's a size 4.) She is beautiful inside and out. She has a love for life -- as you can see from the picture. Most importantly she has a great love for Jesus. She told me she has written on her facebook under religion, "It's not a religion, it's a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." She's got it. I love how she loves to learn about the Word of God. She WANTS to go to church and to youth group and WANTS to be challenged. She loves little children and does a great job of taking care of them. They adore her. She puts her whole heart into her school work. One of the most amazing things about her is how she loves to help roof houses. Our church has a ministry of roofing in the summer months. Megan is always there to volunteer and gets up on the roof and works all day. I so admire her willingness to serve others like that. I love her laugh. Did I mention how talented she is? She loves to play the piano and does it with such passion. I will miss hearing her play when she leaves home. And oh her voice. She can sing!!! Sometimes when she is in the basement playing the piano and singing along I stand at the top of the stairs and listen with joy in my heart. We recently watched some old home movies. Oh my. How did my sweet little 4 year old singing a song from preschool turn into this beautiful young lady? Only by the grace of a merciful God. Thank you for the blessing of Megan, Lord. I cannot wait to see what You have in store for her.

Light

If there is one thing I am learning in life as a Christian, it is that often God gives us just enough light for the step I'm on.

Trust.

Why do I lack it when God has yet to fail me? I pray as I move on in my life I remember God's faithfulness to me and my loved ones face difficult times. It seems the more difficult thing is waiting on God's timing. But his timing is always perfect. Just think how we'd mess things up if we rushed ahead. I am so guilty of wanting to do that.

Just Enough Light
Sometimes only the step I'm on,
or the very next one ahead,
is all that is illuminated for me.
God gives just the amount of light I need
for the exact moment I need it.
At those times I walk in surrender to faith,
unable to see the future
and not fully comprehending the past.
And because it is God who has given me
what light I have,
I know I must reject the fear and
doubt that threaten to overtake me.
I must determine to be content where
I am, and allow God to get me where
I need to go.
I walk forward,
one step at a time,
fully trusting that
the light God sheds
is absolutely sufficient.

-Stormie Omartian