It's Been A While!

I can't believe how fast time has gone. My last post was in July, and it is now December! SO, after a short hiatus, I am returning to the blogging world.

We have baby number 3 on the way, due on April 16th. I am getting more and more anxious about this endeavor as the day gets closer! We have 2 very active and strong-minded children. I have prayed from the beginning that this baby will be sweet, mellow and easy-going. Now I know that God has a sense of humor, and He will probably bless me with a similar child to the ones we already have. But, I can hope and dream.

Not much else new around our home. Makenna will turn 4 on Dec. 21st. I can't believe it!! 4 years really has flown by. We will have our 5th anniversary on the 27th. Colton is a pistol, similar to his sister, but very tender-hearted. He talks about monsters regularly, and declared this morning that he had 2 in his jammies.

We are constantly in prayer for our family and our church as the Lord has big things in store for us and many others in the near future. With the Christmas season upon us, we attempt to balance the fun and traditions with celebrating what it's really about.

I've posted a few family pictures taken back in July by Steven LaValley (Studio Laval). They are already a touch outdated as I have a constantly growing belly now with a new addition on the way.

That's it for now. Off to dishes, laundry, and kids.

Trip to Portland

We just returned from a very successful trip/vacation/conference to Portland. The kids did great, with a few exceptions. We hit Chuck e Cheese, Washington Square, Ikea, Children's Museum, the Worthington's house, parks, the Evangelical Conference, Starbucks, Solid Rock Church, and Imago Dei. We had a blast, but are happy to be back in Bend :-).

Caught in the Act

So I need some advice. My wonderful, pesky children have indulged themselves in a controversial act. Some might laugh, others might cry. I'm not sure what to think so I need an outside opinion :-).

First Wednesday services at New Hope Church are our communion services. The pastor's kids (ie mine) have decided that the communion cups (grape juice) are just the right size for their little mouths. Between the two of them, they chugged around 30 cups on Wednesday night.

Do you think God is displeased? Or should we lighten up a bit and recognize that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these? :-)

Thank you Ronni Carrick for the wonderful picture!!

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire

If you haven't read this book, it is a must read. The author is Jim Cymbala, the pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle.

His church is a testimony to PRAYER. True, pure, crying-out-to-God sort of prayer. On your knees in humble submission to a Mighty God ... who is capable of doing far more than we could ever dream.

Our God instructs us to pray. He says we do not have because we do not ask (properly). Our God wants to take New Hope Church, Bend, Oregon, and beyond to another level with Him. It will begin with prayer.

Would you join me in prayer to a Heavenly Father who desires us to walk with Him daily? Would you be a prayer warrior for your family, friends, church, community, and beyond? I don't think that we can imagine what God might do if we devoted ourselves to prayer.

A must read: Crazy Love

Francis Chan is a Godly man. In Crazy Love he challenges, inspires, and educates. He is a great example of a life not wasted.

READ IT!!

God cannot be mocked.

Check out Francis Chan's message (Cornerstone Church, Simi Valley, cornerstonesimi.com) 5.18.08. Here's a summary:

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." GALATIANS 6:7

We can lie to other people, we can even deceive ourselves. GOD, however, knows all. He will be neither deceived nor mocked.

We will stand before our Mighty Judge one day. Our hearts, our motives, our actions WILL BE REVEALED.

What are we doing with our lives? We can fool our family, we can fool our church, we can fool ourselves, but we cannot fool God.

Do our lives POINT to God? Do we live every day as if it's our last? Do we pursue pure motives and God-centered intentions?

Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for AT THE PROPER TIME we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Either we pursue God things, or we pursue our things. There is no middle ground, no holding pattern. The opposite of sin is not not sinning. It's doing good.

Galatians 6:10 "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers."

Check out his message. You won't be disappointed.

Wow. I will be judged one day. May my life be a beautiful offering and a light for Jesus, for God will not be mocked. I will reap what I sow.

Paradigm Pleaser or Paradigm Changer?

Is it possible to alter a personal paradigm? Change the way something has always been done? Permanently shift someone's perspective? Is it too daunting a task?

The media shapes it. The culture adjusts to it.

Is the church capable of implementing a Jesus-shaped paradigm on a massive level?

If the answer is no, the church in America will continue at its current rate of decline until it's practically non-existent, and extremely non-effective.

Shouldn't a community look different because of God's church? Thus, a nation look different because of The Church?

Our God is an amazing God, and He will use willing vessels to be His hands and His feet to break down a deteriorating paradigm and re-build a Biblical one.

I am willing Lord, send me.