The Storms

Almost everyday I've been up here on Roan Mountain we've had massive thunderstorms. The view out of this chalet is amazing! There are several mountains directly across from where my chalet sits.

It's interesting watching the clouds come up (and yes I said come up) and it blocks the mountain from view.
So if I can't see the mountain, does it mean it's no longer there? OF COURSE NOT! When the storm passes, the mountain will still be there.

In the Christian life, we are never promised that life will be easy, in fact quite the contrary. There will always be mountains, valleys, and storms along the way.

Tell me, are you going to sit in the valley out of fear or look forward to seeing what's on top of that next mountain?

Will you hide yourself from the rain, or dance in it? Will you let it refresh you or be afraid of getting a little wet?

Rain waters plants, trees, and the earth so that it may continue to grow and bear fruit. If there was never rain how could we appreciate the sun?

Have you ever had the thought that both the rain AND the sun are needed in order to grow and bear fruit?

May we all rejoice in both the sun and the rain.

Vacation

I went on vacation to Fairhaven Ministries 5/6-5/10. www.fairhavenministries.com

It's SO neat up here. As soon as I opened the windows of the chalet I could hear a waterfall. Thursday I went on a hike to find it :)
God is so AMAZING! The falls were gorgeous and nature (God's creation) is unbelievable!
I took several pictures of different things that struck me...like a teeny tiny trickle of a miniature waterfall that reminded me of how we have the opportunity to be a huge waterfal that makes lots of noise or this little one that barely gurgles, is peaceful, but in the end helps contribute to the larger one.



I also saw several roots of different trees and bushes all tangled up together. How awesome! Each one is individual yet part of what looks like a huge mess...and yet that mess makes them stronger. all those roots together are stronger than one can be alone. They come from different plants, different trees, and yet together form a foundation that cannot be broken, for if you were to try to take them apart you would damage them all.



As a body of Christ that must be how we look! A tangled mess...different cultures, different roots, yet all a part of the same and when intertwined together, nearly impossible to seperate.

As the body of Christ, aren't we meant to be the same as those roots? Impossible for the world to tell where one ends and the other begins? We are strong because we are HIS...we are strong because we are all bound together by the blood of Christ.

How can anyone question the strength that Christ has given us through being bound together, intertwined together thru HIM. To the world, those outside eyes, it may look like one big tangled mess, but to me it means even in the times I fell alone, betrayed, burned out, sad, angry, meaningless, weak and even crazy...that I am strong, not because I am strong but because in those times, it's not just me suffering. When I go thru those times, because our roots are so intertwined, the whole body of believers feels it too.

When you feel the sudden urge to pray and don't know why, one of our family of believers is hurting, suffering somehow. We are not lone individuals anymore...when we become a believer and part of God's family we no longer belong to this world OR the problems of this world. We become part of God's family and if one hurts we all feel it.

Seriously, take a look at scripture. 1 Cor 12:12-31
12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God (don't you LOVE when you see that in the bible) But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.


Isn't it amazing how we are all intertwined and connected! We NEVER are alone, God is always with us, AND he provided a huge family of support for us as well.

I am overwhelmed by that.

God is more than amazing!!!!

How is it possible to have so much sadness and yet joy at the same time?

My heart is broken. Today 9/21/2008 a very precious brother and friend Cody Spahr, age 25, left this world. Cody was my best friends love, her life, her husband of almost 1 year.
I'm happy that he's no longer in pain...he's no longer suffering.
I'm devastated for the loss he leaves behind in each of us that were priveleged to know and love him.

It's so hard to understand how such a young life can be eaten up by that horrible disease cancer.

I'm at such a loss for words, tears continually fall down my face.

It has been such a joy to see the love between Amy & Cody, and the many amazing examples of love throughout the world for them. It's awesome to know that as brothers and sisters in Christ, that there were so many around the world who have been watching/reading www.tribesphar.blogspot.com to await news of Cody on a daily basis. Overwhelming to know that even those who've never met him were praying and joining together in love to help fight in prayer and be warriors together united in Christ to take a stand.

I'm reminded that no matter what our difference may be, we are all one family in Christ and when 1 hurts, we all hurt.

So for all whom I've known that I talk to on a daily basis, once a week, once a year, or only online...know from everything in my heart that I love you and appreciate you, and I'm sure that I never tell you that enough!

Don't ever forget to let your loved ones know that you love and cherish them, for none of us are promised tomorrow

James 4:14 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Don't let a moment go by...as we've seen thru Cody and Amy's love for one another, love is truly a treasure meant for us to give unselfishly, with faith, hope, and joy.

I love you Cody...and I know you are resting in peace at rest with our Savior in no more pain, no more tears, no more suffering. You will never be forgotten, and will forever remain in our hearts.

Oh the joy!

So Mom and I came up to Michigan for our vacation to spend time with my oldest brother, sis-in-law, 2 nephews and new niece.
Time is so precious and flies so quickly!!!

There's Jack, a miniature look alike of his Mommy, who is now a grown up 7 years old, but still has his attachment to Bo the Bear (still surviving 7 years strong) and Bubba his blanket that has diminsished to little scraps. How quickly the day will come when he no longer takes them with him :(






He loves to climb up trees, swing on the monkey bars with amazing strength, and be so courageous and strong!



Also, incredibly smart and now addicted to the Wii thanks to Aunt Cici (me)haha




There's Thatcher a miniature of his Daddy, trying so hard to be as grown up as Jack...who giggles if you even think of tickling him. Strong and courageous as well, but still fighting not to be a "little boy". Who loves to snuggle on the couch with Aunt Cici when he gets a boo boo (which is very often!).

Thatcher, who loves his baby sister, but doesn't know what to say to her, so just looks and kisses her when he thinks no one is looking



Baby Margaret, the picture of absolute cuteness! A perfect mixture of both Mommy and Daddy and all personality. Loves to be held and cuddled, loves her Mommy and Daddy to talk to her all the time. LOVES being center of attention! Smiles and coos and her big brothers even though they don't say anything to her, they just stare in awe. Smiles and frowns almost in the same second, and will be a force to be reckoned with once she starts crawling!!!!






So neat to see my big brother, who loves his rambunctious boys, and gets a soft smile and such joy in his eyes when he talks to his baby girl

My sis-in-law,

who is SUCH an amazing sis-in-law, wife, and mother. She's absolutely gorgeous. My brother really lucked out! She always makes us feel so welcome and it's hilarious to see her facial expressions when the boys have once again been wrestling and beating on each other, and inevitably someone gets hurt!


And Nana, who never wants to leave and whom I have to steal my niece away from her to have a few moments to bond with my niece. I love seeing her be so joyful and happy and at rest!



And fun for Aunt Cici, is waking up to hearing little giggles in the basement with me and whispers of "Do you think she's awake? hehehehehehehe"

NOISE

Noise
I just finished watching a "Nooma" video called "Noise".


What an eye opener! There are several scriptures in the bible that talk about being still or silent.
Habakkuk 2:20 "But the Lord in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him."
Ps 46:10"Be still and know that I am God."
Zec 2:13 "Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has raised himself from his holy dwelling."


How important is it to sit in silence...to be "alone"? Even now while I write this, there is still noise all around me. The washing machine, cars driving down the street, even the sound of my own pen writing.
Matt14:23 "After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone."
Luke 5:16 "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."


Anytime Jesus needed anything...strength, rest, guidance, to be refreshed from the crowds constant need of him, He withdrew to solitude to be renewed.


From the Handbook of Bible Application:

Solitude...

"Solitude is important for prayer and refreshment, but will only be possible if we make it a priority. Jesus had to get up early just to get some time alone. If Jesus needed solitude for prayer and refreshment, how much more is this true for us? Don't become so busy that life turns into a flurry of activities leaving no room for quiet fellowship alone with God. no matter how much you have to do, you should always have time for prayer."


There are so many things that make "noise" in our lives. Our thoughts, our possessions. It's so important that we not let our thoughts take us captive, we are to take THEM captive.

2 Cor 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."


Same with our possessions...every radio, every cell phone, every computer, every camera, every thing we own has a piece of us! Have you ever had the thought..."I could never live without my ____________?"


The fact of the matter is that means we are letting those things own us! The only person/thing/amenity etc that should have ownership/possession over our lives is Jesus Christ. He is the only thing I cannot live without! "Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God." Deut 8:3, Matt 4:4, Luke 4:4


In Deut the verses around it expand this idea when Moses is speaking to the people "remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these 40 years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you, man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out, and your feet did not swell during these forty years. Know then in your heart that as man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you."
( I never knew that not only did God provide a cloud by day, and fire by nite to guide the Israelites, food (just enough)to satisfy them, but he even made sure their clothes did not wear out even after 40 years, and that their feet never swelled from the 40 years of wandering in the desert...)
Pick back up at Vs. 17 "You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me." But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today. If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship them and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God."
So what is the "noise" in your life? What is it that God has blessed you with that you have in turn let possess you or as it said in Deut. you've forgotten God is the one who provided what you have, and that has become a god in your life.


Yes it's awesome to see how far "advanced" we've become in technology,etc, but I have one question..."At what cost?"

Nooma video "Trees"

I've started watching Nooma videos from Rob Bell, and let me just say WOW!!!!
These are some of the most powerful enlightening DVD's I've ever watched...you'll see me posting several thoughts on these in the future as I watch more of them. Currently there are 19 of them.

We are God's trees of life, here on earth to help bring life to those around us. We are their knowledge of what good and evil really is by God's standards.

Do we actually bloom where God has planted us or are we simply waiting in this life until Jesus comes again?

Jesus says in John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

If we are truly dwelling in Christ, being His branches becomes our 2nd nature. The branches of a tree reach out to the sun, likewise we should be reaching up to the SON. In vs. 8 Jesus says, "My TRUE disciples produce much fruit. This bring great glory to God."
We get so concerned with "How is God going to bless me?" that we forget that dwelling in Him and being His branches/trees to this world is not about how God can bless us, it's how He can use us to bring others a blessing.
"We aren't fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen (spiritual) world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." Epehesians 6:12

If our branches aren't reaching up to the SON to bring him glory, then how will those living in the darkness of this world ever know to go to Jeus, the sun, the SON!

He is the light, he is our hop, he is our truth...HE IS OUR BLESSING!!!!

More verses

James 1:2-4
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

Deut 31:6-8
"So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. he will neither fail you nor abandon you."

Psalm 91:9-10
"Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling."

Isaiah 54:17
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will comfe from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!"

Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flames scorch you."

Psalm 91:4-7
"He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler (protection). You shall not be afraid of the terror at night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you."